Acting Principal
Term 3 is always a busy one for all members of the community. For Year 12s crucial assessment is due, as well as the Mock Exams taking place at the end of the term. Year 11s will find this term to be very much a ‘work term’ that precedes the beginning of their leadership journey. It is a good time to set the foundation for academic success for Year 12.
Our Year 8, 9 and 10 students will make choices about subjects for 2022. This is particularly important for Year 10 boys who are completing Year 10 into Year 11 SET plans which outline their intended learning pathway. Students in Year 10 need to make informed and realistic choices based on interest areas, prospective careers and academic performance. Our greatest challenges in Year 11 and 12 often occur when students have chosen a course to which they are not suited.
We acknowledged the efforts of those students who have excelled in their studies in Semester One during assembly on Tuesday. Below are the criteria for the awarding of academic Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for Years 5 to 12. These certainly provide a goal for many boys to strive towards.
Gold: A's in all subjects but one.
Silver: A's in all subjects but two.
Bronze: A's in all subjects but three.
Before I discuss what success is, I do not want to detract from the success of the boys who received these awards. They worked hard and no doubt deserve the recognition.
However, if we were to simply look at achievement data like Gold, Silver and Bronze awards or for that matter, post-school destination data as a measure of success, I think we have a narrow view of what we are about at Nudgee College. Yes, success in learning is a very high priority, but what is success?
I look at the names of every boy who graduated from the College over the years since I have been here and there is an amazing story behind each one of them. That story is one of tremendous character and persistence, one of courage and commitment, one of determination and compassion, one of presence and simplicity. A story of each lad connected to their teachers and grateful to the staff and their family. Boys who have had to do it tough in their personal life rising above their daily challenges and being prepared to face their new journey as adults in a post Nudgee College context. We cannot measure these achievements with simple grades.
So how do we measure success? Schools are often rightly or wrongly judged on a range of criteria such as increasing or declining enrolments, Year 12 results, NAPLAN scores, attendance rates, sporting success, winning competitions other than sports and so on.
I draw strength from the College vision of continuing to grow a school culture where young men can thrive to be at their very best in hearts and mind. A vision where they develop their capacity to be capable learners, competent in life skills with the ability to transfer their knowledge and skills to the problems and challenges they face in their future. And importantly, to become leaders who are hope-filled with courage and audacity to change the world for the better as ‘Signs of Faith.’
Our measure of success is much more complex than simple statistics and we are much better served to look at our endeavour through the eyes of our students and the impact a Nudgee College education has for their future.
Mr David Johnston
Acting Principal
