Learning and Teaching
Gold Silver and Bronze Academic Awards
At Tuesday's assembly, we celebrated the Award of Gold, Silver and Bronze Academic Awards for boys in Year 6, 7, 8, and 9. Data was derived from Semester 2 2022.
Multitudes of award winners across the cohorts - to the point where we must split presentations across two weeks - is a good problem to have. It means over 300 boys are exceeding expectations in their studies. I commend all award winners from the past two weeks, and challenge all students to ‘sail their own ship’ and be a lighthouse for learning.
To see the full list of Award recipients, click here!
Drama Excursion
Year 10, 11 and 12 Drama students had the opportunity to attend the QLD Theatre’s production of Family Values, written by David Williamson and directed by Lee Lewis at Billie Brown Theatre. Family Values is one of Williamson’s great works from his 50 year plus history of writing plays. In the words of Lee Lewis, He sees us. He records us. He satirises us. He accuses us. He challenges us. He makes us laugh at ourselves. He has high hopes for us. He always has. He has known us, written us, longer than any other playwright in the country. In the world’, (Lee Lewis, 2023, ‘Family Values’ program, QLD Theatre Co.). This was certainly the experience we all had whilst viewing Family Values - a story about family conflicts, turmoil and relationships.
Williamson was inspired by the Biloela Tamil asylum seeker family’s story to underpin this highly energised, laugh out loud, emotional rollercoaster that he takes the audience on. With his well crafted dialogue to engage the audience from the minute the first line of dialogue drops to the final blackout. The Year 10 Drama students will further develop their analytical skills by responding to the production based on their learning of the elements of drama, skills of performance and Realistic Theatre.
Family Values has also provided a great platform for the Year 11 and 12 Drama students for when they commence Unit 2: Reflect later this term as part of their Senior Drama course of study. Their focus is on how theatre can provide the audience with a human experience where they can be educated, informed and challenged whilst being entertained at the same time. Family Values was a fantastic 90-minute play where many of the boys felt like it had only been going for 20 minutes and wanted to watch it again. A wonderful night of excellent quality theatre by a well esteemed Australian playwright, David Williamson.
'Family Values' QLD Theatre Co.
Ms Alison Kilgour
Head of Faculty - Arts
Boarding
Well, it is hard to believe we are in Week 4 already. Although it has gone quickly, so much has been achieved.
Firstly, the newest members of our community navigated the bumpy path to find their feet and make their new ‘home away from home’. Alongside this, we have had two home sporting fixtures (with Rock Around the Clock, of course!), boarding assemblies and Child Protection presentations. In addition, our boys have been studying hard in the classrooms and working hard in the sheds. In the recreation world, we have had everything from scorching hot days on the beach to cool afternoons on the ice skating rink. It is no wonder that we are noting the fatigue creeping in.
Key Dates
There is always something happening at Nudgee! We know that these can be difficult for boarding families to attend and that they often involve lots of prior planning. Please follow the link below for our extensive list of events in 2022. You will see that we have made notes to assist you in planning/prioritising your schedule.
Four particularly noteworthy boarding parent events are as follows:
- May 12 - Evening on the Green
- July 29 - Boarders’ Bash
- September 3 - City v Country
- September 23 - Boarding Support Group Long Lunch (in Roma)
Regional Tours
Over the weekend, we attended our first Regional Tour for the year in Inverell and Narrabri. It was wonderful to catch up with current families, prospective families and old boys.
We thoroughly enjoy these opportunities to visit the hometowns of our boarders and relish the chance to spend time in the bush. Please keep your eyes out for invitations to our future events! We will be visiting the following regions throughout Term 1 and the Easter holidays:
Emerald, Clermont, Belyando and Charters Towers
- Mike and Ainslie Silcock will be visiting families and hosting events
- 5 - 8 March
Roma, Goondiwindi and Moree
- Peter Fullagar, Chloe Arnold and I look forward to hosting evening events in these three towns
- 21-23 March
Sunshine Coast Rugby Clinic
- Mike Silcock, Sean Graham and the Rugby program will be hosting a clinic, along with a BBQ for families
- 12 April
Click here to see the full list of regional tours and to register your interest!
Finally, I recently stumbled across the quote below. I thought to myself, ‘how true that is of boarding!’ All boys, families and even staff have tough times throughout a boarding journey. However, it is important that we all remember that these difficult times are a part of the process and ultimately add to this deeply formative experience.
Mr Casey Brealy
Dean of Boarding
Performing Arts
Riley House Prefect Mladen Markovic is another great example of a Balanced NC Student. Mladen performed ‘Czardas’ on this week’s assembly, and played on the piano accordion, a fiendishly difficult and rare instrument. Mladen studies both Music and Music Extension as part of his Senior curriculum load, and also plays in Basketball's First V - great work all round!
What We’ve Been Doing
Debating - what wonderful support we had in the GT round last week! Thanks to all supporters - your sportsmanship was recognised in a lovely email from a GT family who admired your behaviour, manners and grace in the face of defeat. Congratulations to Player of the Round, Michael Cusack in Year 8. Michael has had a great pre-season; his confidence and debating skills are both constantly improving. He debated in the 8.2 team in Round 2 and the 8.1 team in Round 3. He is a real team player.
Music - last week, I congratulated the 11 musicians who were at the GPS Music Showcase. After I had written my article, we had another musician receive a late call up and step up to represent NC Music. Congratulations and thanks to Jack Walton who jointed the Concert Band on trumpet and did a great job. Thanks also to Mr Raoul Carmody and his AV Crew for their work in streaming the event, and to the Year 12s who came along to act as ushers and stage crew; you assistance made sure the concert ran smoothly.
Year 5 students received their instruments for the year last week, and we have been treated to many new sounds as they continue to develop and learn new notes this week. We hope you are enjoying this at home as well - please contact music@nudgee.qld.edu.au if you have any questions!
Esport - Thanks to the almost 50 boys who came along to the first Esport session of the year. We have already registered teams for three different competitions, so keep checking Team App for details.
Writers’ Circle - Despite the threat of a dreadful storm, 15 budding authors attended the first Writers’ Circle session in the library on Tuesday afternoon in the library. More are welcome, and thanks to Arts Prefect William Duffield for leading this exciting initiative.
What’s Coming Up Weeks 4 and 5
Debating - we are heading away to BSHS on Friday, which is our first Away round of the season. We are also excited to welcome our Year 5, 6 and 7 debaters into the competition - as BSHS begins with Year 7 students, our 5s and 6s will debate each other (and we’re sure the competition will be fierce!).
Music - the NC Drumline will be participating in an important fundraising and community building event on Saturday 25 February, hosted by the Qld Police Rugby League Association, to honour the victims and heroes of the Wieambilla Police Shooting tragedy on the 12 December last year. The day will be held at the Dolphins’ Rugby League home at Kayo Stadium, with the Drumline entertaining the crowd from 2pm.
Chess - we welcome a new coach, Kerry Corker who will be working with the extension class on Tuesday afternoons. Kerry currently coaches Australia's Under 8 Champion and has trained a lot of teams that have made it to the State Finals in the past so we're lucky to have him.
Don’t Forget - details for our activities are on Team App - join your team and get involved!
As always, please contact me with any questions - akh@nudgee.qld.edu.au
Ms Alexandra Khafagi
Director of Performing Arts
Community
Ash Wednesday Tuckshop Menu - Wednesday 22 February
Vegetarian/Fish Menu
Breakfast
- Hash Browns 1x $1.50; 2x $3.00
- Egg and Cheese Burger $3.00
- Potato Scallop 1x $1.50; 2x $3.00
- Cheese and Tomato Toastie $2.50
Morning Tea & Lunch
- Pasta with Napoli Sauce $3.50
- Assorted Salad boxes: Falafel, tuna or veg: $3.50 - $4.50
- Garlic Bread $2.00
- Vegetable Curry $5.00
- Spring Rolls $2.50
- Margherita Pizza $3.00
- Fish Burger $4.50
- Lentil Burger $4.50
- Nacho $2.50
- Veg Pastie $3.50
- Mac & Cheese $4.00
- Cheese and Tomato Toastie $2.50
- Assorted sandwich: tuna, egg or salad $3.50
- Assorted wrap: tuna, egg or salad $3.00
- Assorted Sushi, fish or veg: $3.00
What's new at the Locker Room!
Support Nudgee with our NEW Supporter Polos $52
Men and Women sizes available
