Principal
These first weeks of every school year are important in establishing the rhythm and routine of school life. Boys generally thrive in an environment that is well organised and in which the boundaries and expectations are clear. Importantly also, that environment has to provide support and guidance when things go wrong, as they sometimes do with young people. Within individual classrooms and across the school as a whole, including within various sports and activities, staff have made our expectations explicit. The intention is to enable boys to be better organised and to be able to get the most from the learning activity or co-curricular experience. For new boys, in particular, there is much to take in and take on. This also takes time and can provide some real challenges in the early weeks as boys become better orientated to the rhythm and routine of Nudgee College.
On the whole we have started the year well. The wet weather has been greatly appreciated in many respects but for our Cattle Club boys, our cricketers and our rowers there has been considerable inconvenience. Of course, we have all adjusted to having two building projects in progress. The work on the Early Learning Centre on Edmund Rice Way has not impacted on school life in any significant way, while the Treacy Building site in the heart of the school has required all staff and students to adjust to noise and to change how they move around the campus.
As mentioned at the recent parent information evenings there will be a further information evening on Wednesday 4 March at 6.00pm in Tierney Auditorium. Interested parents will be able to learn more about the three major projects – the Treacy Heritage Project, the creation of the Mary Rice Early Learning Centre as well as the redevelopment of the Flats playing fields.
Following on from last week’s Academic Assembly on Tuesday we presented 20 students with Principal’s Awards based on their efforts in Semester 2 last year. The award acknowledges academic improvement and is based on the data from all subject results. These students have achieved the largest gain in their studies when compared with every other student. Importantly, this is an award that is accessible to all students irrespective of their achievement levels and is an incentive to all students to improve. Amongst this particular group there are several boys who have had to overcome significant barriers to succeed. Largely, this particular group of students who were acclaimed on Tuesday represent the ‘quiet achievers’ of the College. These quiet achievers are of course the majority of boys who give their best every day and who are often not recognised publicly.
Finally, many parents would be aware of the news story involving St Kevin’s College in Melbourne. St Kevin’s is a fellow EREA school and a school with whom we associate through various sporting tours. I share with you here the letter from Dr Wayne Tinsey, Executive Director of EREA in response to the situation on Wednesday.
While not seeking to make any comment on the reported situation it does provoke the following reflections. It is a reminder to those of us on the College Leadership Team of Nudgee College of the critical importance of child safeguarding and of the imperative to follow processes to protect and care for our students as a first priority.
Furthermore, at Nudgee College we are very proud of the school spirit that we are blessed to enjoy here. Nudgee Spirit is a special quality that is ceaselessly commented upon and experienced by nearly every person who is connected to the College. This uniqueness is something to be treasured, cultivated and nurtured by succeeding generations of students. Importantly, we need to ensure that Nudgee Spirit seeks to include, not exclude. It needs to respect and not disrespect others. It needs to harness the energy and goodwill of boys and young men into behaviour that is uplifting and inspiring. Nudgee Spirit should reflect humility and gratitude. This collective spirit should not be turned into a weapon that hurts others.
Of course, there can be a very fine line between what is right and acceptable and what is clearly not. This is where our excellent Student Formation team does some of its most important work in guiding students to make the right choice in a pressured situation. It is also the challenge for all our staff, supported by our parents, to ensure that this strength of spirit does not simultaneously become our weakness. I am pleased to say that the large group of Nudgee College men who were at Debating last Friday night at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace supporting the Senior As did the school proud and showed the very best of Nudgee Spirit.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal
