Week 3 Term 4 2020

Principal

I would imagine that this weekend’s AFL and NRL Grand Finals will dominate the Australian office ‘water cooler’ conversations over the coming days. Mind you, in this era of COVID-19, perhaps water coolers are a thing of the past with social distancing and more people are working from home!

In the final week after long, interrupted seasons, coaches will be making the final preparations of the players for the challenge ahead. Of course, once the whistle sounds, it is largely up to the players to perform under pressure and to succeed in the ultimate test and culmination of the season.

I would suggest that there is something in this analogy as the Year 12s undertake their final days of preparation for the commencement of external exams next week. These are the first such exams in over a generation in Queensland. It is obvious that the coach’s role in this analogy is filled by the teachers. Since the completion of the subject content for Unit 4 last term, our teachers have been preparing our Year 12s for these exams. Initially, this preparation focussed on the mock exams that took place in Week 9 and 10 of Term 3. This was followed by the preparation program in the holidays. These first weeks of Term 4 have focussed on final classes and revision, as well as study preparation.

While Year 12 teachers will continue to be available right up until the very last exam (on Tuesday 17 November) largely now the Seniors must undertake the challenge ahead by themselves. For students on the Work and Further Study (WAFS) pathway, and not completing Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) subject assessment, there are projects to be completed and competencies achieved before their year is completed. For the rest of the cohort their final results will now rise, or fall, based on their own capabilities under the pressure of a final exam. The results achieved will be combined with the results of the two earlier internal assessments to calculate final results in December. Our Year 12 men have been well prepared and the school has attempted to provide the best opportunity for them to succeed to the best of their ability.

Stretching the grand final analogy a little further, perhaps the parents are akin to the innumerable support staff that every professional sporting team has these days. These various personnel appear to attend to every physical, and in some cases mental, need of athletes. Over the course of the next few weeks of these external exams, parents will be supporting their sons and attending to the many needs, physical and mental, of Year 12s facing final exams. It is new territory for teachers, parents and students. Importantly, it is an educationally sound change based on research and evidence. It is also one with which we will become accustomed in 2020 as well as over the coming years as this system of senior assessment establishes itself in Queensland.

Further to the Year 12s, they have rightly been the focus of much attention this week as they completed their last day of classes on Tuesday and then enjoyed their Farewell Day on Wednesday. In the past, these days occurred much later in the term so school staff have been under a time pressure that feels quite different to previous times. That said, both days went very well and the Seniors and their parents left the campus on Wednesday in good spirits. The College has developed a sequence of connected events that seek to build ritual into the process of leaving. These events included the Year 12 boarders’ final dinner, House Assemblies, final subject lessons, Chapel service, the gathering with parents in the Rose Garden, the guard of honour through the campus and the final Assembly. These young men were affirmed, they were thanked and they could not help but sense a deep connection with the College. It is a testament to them that despite all the challenges that had been presented to them in their Senior year that, as a cohort, Nudgee Spirit was so clearly evident throughout the farewells.

Please keep these young men, and all Year 12s across the state, in your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks. The Senior year concludes formally in Week 7 of the term with Valedictory Mass on Thursday 19 November. We wish our Year 12s well as they complete their schooling ‘grand finals’ in the weeks ahead.

Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal

Deputy Principal

As our Seniors approach the end of their school days, it is entirely understandable for them to think that the grass is greener out there. The possibilities of freedom and individualism that awaits. And there is nothing wrong with freedom, possibilities, authenticity and autonomy. But the freedom that awaits can over promise, and under deliver.

During their time at Nudgee College our Seniors have belonged to something bigger than themselves, and have carried the obligations and expectations that come with that belonging. They will have built friendships through shared experiences – both large and small. They have been surrounded by people whose lives are marked by commitment, not freedom. Their Nudgee College experience has been made possible by the commitment of those around them.

I hope, maybe pray, our boys are aware of the commitment their parents have made to them during their Nudgee College journey. Their commitment has been unwavering. They have put aside their own interests and opportunities. They have foregone other ways of using their hard-earnt money. They have supported and encouraged and witnessed and wept. They are living examples of the fact that commitment is better than freedom. So, for any Senior boys who actually read this article I encourage you to acknowledge and thank your parents for their commitment to you and the amazing opportunity they have gifted you in a Nudgee College education.

Our teachers are also defined by their commitment. Teaching is a vocation – a calling. It is a calling that has led our staff to go above and beyond in the education of our Seniors. Their commitment to seeing them grow and flourish and thrive in mind, body and spirit stems from their conviction that education matters, and that our boys matter. It is so easy to get caught up in the hype of leaving and forget to acknowledge the staff whose commitment to a Nudgee College education has made the journey for our Seniors what it is, to this point and in the years to come.

My message to the graduating boys is simple – commitment is better than freedom. The challenge for our Seniors is to work out how, who, and what, to be committed to. My hope is that, as they move on from Nudgee College, and as they find those people, places and tasks to which they will commit, they will remember to commit to being the Sign of Faith we have tried to instil in them during their time at the College.

My final piece of advice to our departing class of 2020 is to think back to that wide-eyed, excited, nervous, hope-filled boy you were on that first day at the College and enter the next stage of your life with that same hope, enthusiasm, and a thirst for life that you had then. It will serve you well, particularly in those moments of difficulty and despair. I hope that you remember what you have learnt here, not only in Maths and English but the many lessons you have received and examples you have seen about what it means to be a good Nudgee College man. I hope that each of you take your God-given gifts to go out and do good in the world.

Mr David Johnston
Deputy Principal

Learning and Teaching

Maths Masterclass

With the lure of free pizza as an incentive, approximately 80 Mathematics Methods and General Mathematics students used part of their pupil free day to hone their Maths skills in the lead up to their QCAA external exams. Thank you to Ms Louise Nardi, Mr Anthony Gibb, Mr Jamaal Sugars, Ms Nicole Simpson, Mr Gerard Alexander, Mr Kevin Ayres, Mr Declan Markey-Towler and Ms Peta Scott for organising and leading the sessions. We wish all students the very best in their exams and trust all these ‘1%ers’ over the past few weeks will add up to great results.

Mr Jason Sepetauc
Dean of Learning and Teaching

Year 7 Geography

In Year 7 Geography this term, the students have been investigating the idea of place and liveability. Our study has involved looking at factors of liveability, and how each person values and perceives a place differently. For their assessment piece, students get to design and create a liveable city for a target demographic. To do so, students have been developing their mapping and drawing skills in class in order to represent information using geographical conventions. This then forms part of their multimodal presentation, where they justify their chosen features to be able to explain why their place is liveable for their community.

Mr Sam Dickinson
Geography Teacher

Student Formation

Yesterday’s Senior Farewell was definitely one of the highlights of 2020. We wish the Senior class all the very best with what’s ahead. One of the highlights from that special day was the speech by Nudgee College mum Ms Cath Jones. Cath spoke on behalf of the parents at yesterday’s Assembly and it was one of the best parent speeches we have heard. Thanks to Cath for yesterday and for sharing her speech with us.

In February 2003, I drove through the gates of St Joseph’s Nudgee College to drop my eldest son to his first day of Year 8. I was pregnant at the time and within two weeks I gave birth to my cherished fifth son. Eighteen years later I am deeply touched to stand here as the mother of that baby who we named Michael. It is one of the greatest honours ever bestowed upon me to speak on behalf of the parents of the 2020 cohort.

Like all the parents here, 2020 will be forged in my memory as my most surreal school year and one that none of us could have ever possibly imagined or would want to repeat. But stuff happens in life. In terms of their school life, the Nudgee College men sitting before me have definitely had their fair share of stuff happen to them. They were the first compulsory prep, the first Year 7 cohort at secondary school level and the ATAR crash-test dummies. To top it all off, a worldwide pandemic hits in their graduating year.

The 2020 men have had to confront and deal with significant change and challenge and this year have sadly missed out on unique traditions that I know are very precious to them as Nudgee College Seniors. That bare grandstand was eerie and just plain sad. However, it is what it is and as a positive thinker, I like to put things in context. While the 2020 men have faced major disappointments, circumstances could have been considerably worse. Senior students in Victoria would testify to this. They have had to spend months on end in lockdown with their parents. As a mum, I think our sons have dealt with the repercussions of COVID-19 with great tenacity. 2020 will shape them into a resilient bunch who will deal with life’s vagrancies with creativeness and courage.

I have the great privilege to be closely associated with some of the 10,000 brothers whose ranks the class of 2020 will shortly join. Through marriage, I am the proud great-niece, niece and daughter of Nudgee College Old Boys who are sadly now deceased. I am honoured to be the sister-in-law of Old Boy Peter Jones, father of 2020 Senior William. I am extremely fortunate to be the wife and Year 1 classmate of Michael Jones Sr from the somewhat notorious Nudgee College class of 1983. I am also the grateful mother of Old Boys Jacob, Declan, Maclean and Mackenzie.

Through the experiences of these Jones men, the first having graduated from Nudgee College exactly 100 years ago, I can safely say that each of the 2020 Seniors will have some of the 10,000 brothers with them through every milestone in their lives. Some of the 10,000 will stand beside them when they celebrate their marriage and the birth of their first child. Some of the 10,000 will travel hundreds of miles to share their grief as a loved one is buried. Some of the 10,000 will keep them company when the love of their life ditches them for another. Some of the 10,000 will watch their back if they overindulge at Fridays when they should really be catching an Uber home. Some of the 10,000 will enjoy the simple things in life with them; a barbecue, a surf, a joke that as Nudgee College boys only they will understand. Some of the 10,000 will celebrate great sporting victories with them and commiserate with them through injury. Some of the 10,000 will laugh and chat with them at their 30-year reunion as if they haven't spent years apart.

Some of the 10,000 may give them employment, legal or financial advice, perform surgery on them, teach or coach their children, wire, plumb, design or build their houses, grow their food or panel beat their cars. Some of 10,000 will, most importantly, lend a hand when life becomes tough. Unfortunately, as I have experienced twice this year, some of the 10,000 will also stand with them in the exquisite aura of the Chapel as they lay a classmate to rest. It is during times like these that it will hit home to them how extraordinary the Nudgee College community is at propping up families going through soul-shattering grief. Strength in the stripes indeed.

Apart from 2020, I have worked every year in the Flats canteen. As I served the boys and watched them play and walk to their games the rightness of the diversity of Nudgee College would strike home. The Nudgee College men of 2020 and those who have gone before them don’t have the fear of people who aren’t like them. At Nudgee College, there always seems to be someone or something for everyone regardless of their intellectual or sporting prowess, hobbies, culture or socio-economic status. Nudgee College boys don’t limit their life experience by not embracing people who are different from them. Perhaps this forms the foundation of the famous Nudgee Spirit. Who knows? The words to explain that spirit may forever remain elusive.

Although I am probably not terribly qualified I would like to offer the men of 2020 some advice as they adjust to life away from this wonderful place. I always describe Nudgee College as a school that prepares its boys for the real world, but sometimes I think the safe cocoon it provides makes the transition to this world very difficult for a few. My husband often recounts the story of when he boarded here in the 1980s; a group of mates would head to Nudgee Beach on foot on a Sunday morning. Before sunset, they would find their way back home by following a path shown by Mary on her perch high above the College. I would like to ask the men of 2020 if they ever feel they are losing their way to think of Mary on her perch. The 10,000 and the wider Nudgee College community will always be there for you if you need wise counsel, an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on so you too can find your way back. Just reach out, please.

In my interactions with hundreds of the 10,000 over the years, I have always been treated with the utmost courtesy and respect. The class of 2020 will be no different. On behalf of the parents, I would like to offer my deep appreciation to the 350 staff who have helped our sons traverse their journey through St Joseph’s Nudgee College. All the very, very best to the fine gentlemen before me. Please remember Mary on her perch. Thank you.

Mr Peter Todd
Dean of Students

Boarding

Last week it was announced that I will be finishing at the end of the year to take an opportunity at The Southport School next year. I have lived and worked at Nudgee College for 12 years and to leave this wonderful community was a very hard decision to come to. Whilst I am excited by the opportunity to further my career and broaden my experience, please know that the relationships and experiences that I have had will stay with me for a lifetime. I have been incredibly humbled by the many families, staff and boys who have reached out to me. I am particularly grateful to the incredible staff that I have worked with over the many years; from my early years in the Activities Office as Rowing Director to working with Boarding staff, Catering staff, Laundry staff and Health Centre staff. Families are truly blessed to have these wonderful people entrusted to the care of their boys. I will also be eternally grateful to work on the leadership team with some incredible leaders. Nudgee College, and particularly Boarding, is very fortunate to have Mr Peter Fullagar as Principal, whose focus on Boarding will ensure it continues to grow and thrive.

As always at Nudgee College, when one person leaves the next person to arrive will take that position to new heights. I know Mr Sean Toovey will be a wonderful leader of this community with his commitment to Boarding and his passion for boys’ wellbeing. I look forward to connecting with many of you over the coming weeks.

This week has seen our wonderful Senior cohort of 2020 finish their classes. They have study leave and we have a comprehensive plan to assist them for study during this exam period. It has also been an emotional week of farewell. We had the Year 12 farewell dinner on Tuesday night, which was a great opportunity for our Year 12 boarders to have a final meal together. Considering COVID-19 has stopped or changed many traditions this year, it was so heartwarming to be able to allow our Year 12s to have one final chance to cheer in the Ross Oval grandstand. The celebrations culminated in our final Assembly and Rose Garden ceremony on Wednesday. I want to congratulate these boys for the dignity, respect and, most importantly, the sheer emotion that they expressed to be finishing their Nudgee College journey. The next time we are all together will be at Valedictory on Thursday 19 November.

I’d like to take a moment to wish all of our Year 12 boarders the best of luck for their upcoming exams and whatever awaits them beyond the College gates. Whatever it is, I know the friendships and connections they have forged within Boarding with some of their 10,000 brothers will last a lifetime.

Mr Christian Oneto
Dean of Boarding

In This Newsletter

Principal

Deputy Principal

Identity

Learning and Teaching

Student Formation

Boarding

Performing Arts

Community