Principal
Understandably, there is considerable interest in how COVID-19 has influenced school since the students returned last week. In short, it has not had the negative impact that we expected. ‘We had planned for the worst scenario and hoped for the best’ … as the saying goes. These plans have helped to effectively manage school and Boarding life whilst learning to live with COVID-19.
We informed the community of the initial cases at the school last week and fortunately, there has not been a significant increase since then. With over 1,700 students and hundreds of staff in attendance each day, we might have expected there to be so.
At the time of writing, we have had 40 boys who have been, or are off school over the past eight days. These cases are the result of either a positive test or because they are close contacts. We are yet to see a significant difference between the numbers recorded last week and those for this week. The overwhelming majority are reporting from home and have not attended school whilst symptomatic.
In Boarding, we currently have only three students who are positive. They are in the care of their parents and not on campus. In total, school absences for last week were only 10% higher than for the same time last year. Pleasingly, the staff numbers, who have been affected, have decreased since they returned to work some weeks ago. In effect, the return to face-to-face schooling has had no negative impact on staff health, to this point in time.
The trends in the wider Queensland society give us all cause for optimism about the next few weeks and returning to regular school operations and gatherings. While this is the case, it is also evident to me that within the school we have managed the threat of COVID-19 very well. I thank parents for their cooperation with us and for keeping their sons at home when there is doubt.
I also congratulate the boys for the manner in which they have adjusted to the changes of school life and to the need to be more hygienic. In particular, the staff have been exemplary in leading the students with the Boarding staff doing an outstanding job. Of course, the care and attention to detail of the Health Centre staff have set a very high standard for all. I thank the Health Centre managers Sr Glenda Elliott and Sr Jenny Jordan for their leadership and for the extra responsibility they have assumed in recent weeks.
Tonight, we will host the Year 12 Investiture and Blessing outdoors in the Edmund Rice Mall. We have reimagined the timing and venue for this event due to COVID-19 and the response has been very positive. This is an indicator of the importance of this occasion to the Year 12 families. We wish all the Year 12s well for tonight and for the year ahead. They will lead the implementation of the new model of student leadership. This model involves more students as Prefects. Some have leadership roles within their House while others have portfolio responsibilities associated with Learning & Teaching, Performing Arts, Identity & Service, Sport and Boarding.
Finally, in the recent Parent Information Evenings it was mentioned that there were changes to take place in the composition of the College Leadership Team. I can advise the community that Mr Neil O’Hare (Dean of Operations) has accepted a position as Director of Finance & Infrastructure with EREA. Over recent times, Neil has been seconded to fill a role within EREA and this appointment now confirms this change. We thank Neil for his five years of service. His expertise and input helped to transform the business operations of the College and he was a key leader in the major capital projects of the last few years.
In addition, Mr Peter Todd (Dean of Students) has confirmed his resignation from the College. Peter has been on leave pursuing other opportunities outside of education since October last year. Peter has been a generous, passionate and highly capable leader in various roles at Nudgee College. He has given 26 years of service to the College and made a difference in the lives of many boys and their families over those years. We are grateful for his extraordinary commitment to Nudgee College. Both men leave with our full understanding and blessing as well as our prayers for a successful future. In the coming weeks, the recruitment process to permanently replace Neil and Peter will be undertaken.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal
