Principal
‘Continuous improvement’ is a mantra for many individuals, organisations and businesses in the contemporary world. It is a catchphrase for many in the education industry also. In fact, it perhaps sits most appropriately in schools and tertiary institutions since their focus is always on learning, which by association brings about improvement.
Tuesday’s Assembly was an opportunity to acknowledge those students who have achieved the greatest improvement in their results when comparing Semester 2, 2018 with Semester 1, 2019. These young men were presented with Principal’s Awards, which is an award focused on improvement. This group may include some young men who achieved an Academic Award last week at Assembly, but the vast majority did not. This is a significant award which attempts to recognise the quiet achiever in the classroom who is working hard at improving their results. These students are not often achieving top marks in the class or the subject. Importantly, the award is attainable for every student irrespective of grades achieved. I am grateful for the numbers of parents who were able to attend Tuesday’s Assembly and for the positive feedback I have received from many parents.

In a similar vein, we were also able to present the Best Team Man Awards for Football and Tennis. Once again our focus is the student who contributes the most to the team, on and off the field, and not simply on the student who is the most skilled.
In mentioning improvement in an academic context, it is timely to also mention the College’s commitment to improving the built environment of the College. The College has a well-developed Master Plan, which is currently in its third iteration. This iteration is divided into four stages and conceptualises a vision for the College until 2035. The first stage (2016 to 2020) has included the completion of the new entry and Edmund Rice Way, associated car parking, improved campus signage as well as the extensive refurbishment and redevelopment of the Music and Art facilities in the Cleary Building.
This first stage of the Master Plan also contains redevelopment projects for the Treacy Building, the Duhig Building, the Flats playing fields and the MacKillop Building (which is to be repurposed as an Early Learning Centre). These are significant projects that have already involved extensive planning and consultation. They have been submitted to the State Government for approval under the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation Process. This entails a rigorous process of application before approvals are granted. The College is currently in negotiations with the State Government and we are awaiting approval. This has already taken several months and we are hopeful that we will soon receive the necessary approvals.
We had hoped that some work associated with the projects would be underway before the end of 2019. This may still happen but it is looking likely that construction on these parallel projects may not start before early 2020. We will keep the community informed on the status of these exciting projects, which will have a major impact on our campus in the immediate and long term future.
Finally, few people in the Nudgee College community need reminding that this Saturday we are hosting our Catholic cousins from St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace. This is a very large day for the community with thousands in attendance throughout the day. Much work has already been committed by many members of staff in organising, planning and setting up for the day. We are grateful for these efforts. It is our expectation that the wider Nudgee College community of students, staff, coaches, families, Old Boys and supporters will show our school in the best possible light – on and off the field. The day culminates for everyone with the Boarders’ Bash in Edmund Rice Mall. Many Boarding families make a special effort to travel long distances to be a part of the whole day and this gathering is always a celebration for the entire community.
Certainly, this was an outcome of last Saturday’s Rugby match at Suncorp Stadium. Yes, we won the game and our boys played well. More importantly in my mind was the way the boys in their Nudgee College uniform conducted themselves in the grandstand and around the stadium amongst the public. I have received many favourable comments about the 600 boys who supported their mates on the field. On a night of many highlights, my personal one was the gathering of the 1st XV on the sideline, in front of their Nudgee College brothers, and their collective shout out and three cheers to Aidan Roost, who was able to join us from his hospital bed. It was truly 10,000 brothers and authentic Nudgee Spirit!
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal