Principal
Role models. We are fortunate to have so many fundamentally good and decent people in our school community who serve as role models for our young men. In many cases these are not people who seek acclaim. In fact, they run from the spotlight. This week we were able to acknowledge just a few of them.
Last Friday, in an intimate gathering in the Bodkin Room, the Nudgee College Old Boys’ Association (NCOBA) presented their annual Signum Fidei Awards to Old Boys whose lives have exemplified what it means to be a Sign of Faith. The 2019 recipients Dr Simon Carter (NC 1974-78) and Mr Peter Kropp (NC 1975-79) were acknowledged in the presence of their families and a small number of staff and students. It was a very moving occasion and the awards were deeply appreciated. As many people know, Peter Kropp is a long term member of staff (35 years and counting). It was with much pleasure that the students and his fellow staff were able to also acknowledge him on this achievement at Assembly on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, we were able to honour three other people from the Nudgee College community who have been role models in quite different ways. Their contributions were acknowledged by the Rowing community in the naming of two new boats. A quad was named after Mr and Mrs Col and Lin Topp. The Topps have generously allowed Nudgee College rowers to use their property on Dohles Rocks Road to store our boats. In fact, they have even added to and modified their property to enable this to happen. They are absolute salt of the earth people who have humbly and generously supported Nudgee College and their support has been a part of the success story of Nudgee College Rowing.
Similarly, Ms Susan Shakespear has made an outstanding contribution to the Rowing Program over recent years. This contribution was honoured with the naming of an eight. Like many staff who contribute to various other dimensions of school life beyond their designated role, Susan has made a positive difference to the quality of our Rowing Program through her organisational ability and considerable rowing knowledge. Many families will be familiar with Susan through her role as Director of Admissions. She has been instrumental in improving our enrolment processes and ensuring the growth of our overall student numbers to their largest ever numbers.
Such presentations to fine role models are important to make publicly because they inform our boys just what we value and aspire to become. Equally important, but more difficult to address, is the opposite of that. On Tuesday I also covered more difficult issues and examples of behaviour that we must not follow.
The first of these was the situation at St Kevin’s College in Melbourne, which I referred to in last week’s newsletter. I highlighted two points. Firstly, the unacceptable nature and misogynist content of the songs sung on the tram by their students late last year. I reminded our boys that our own behaviour and cheering support of each other needs to reflect the very best of Nudgee Spirit and a school culture that is inclusive and respectful of others. Secondly, I again made them aware that child safeguarding was paramount at Nudgee College, that their wellbeing and welfare is our central focus and that our staff would always act on any reports of behaviour that threatened their safety.
Further to this, the abhorrent and unfathomable incident that occurred at Camp Hill last week was also addressed. The lense through which I viewed this violent act was masculinity and what it means to be a young man in 2020. I did not seek to lecture our boys on this complex topic but encouraged them to have a conversation at school and at home with significant male and female role models in their lives. I did challenge them about the notion of strength and to think differently in respect to the usual meaning of strength. Not the physical strength to hurt another but the strength of character and mind to control our physicality; the strength to control emotions and not give into them. I concluded with the words from a small card that was given to all Year 12s as they started journey to leadership. The card described a ‘Joseph man’ with words such as practical and caring, honest and humble, loyal and trusting, loving and prayerful. All will receive this card on St Joseph’s Day on 19 March.
Finally, the new system of senior assessment will be a stark reality for our Year 12s over the coming two weeks as they enter a period in which they undertake the first piece of internal assessment in each of their subjects. This is the first of three pieces of internal (school-based) assessment that will be combined with the results achieved in the final round external exams at the end of the year. Students and staff have all been feeling the pressure of this new landscape and we wish all our Seniors well for this period of assessment.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal