Principal
Much time and energy is understandably being given by students, parents and staff to the important decisions about pathways to follow next year, whether that be here at school or, for the Year 12s, beyond the gates of the College. I have referenced this point a number of times recently.
It is also true that many younger families are making important decisions about their young son’s future school. This point was highlighted for me during Open Morning on Tuesday as well as at a presentation on Tuesday evening at a local Catholic primary school.
We held our annual August Open Morning for prospective boys and their families on Tuesday morning. As we are all doing in many aspects of our personal and work lives, we have had to adapt our plans this year and the Q&A panel event was successfully held online, with over 250 families registered. This online event has been complemented by some small group tours throughout the week. These tours were booked out, which is also an encouraging sign. If you have not seen the digital promotional video for Open Morning I commend it to you. The narrative, the images, a little cheeky humour and the bloopers all capture the essence of Nudgee College beautifully. I thank the team from the Development and Communications Office for their work in facilitating this important school promotional occasion.
On Monday week we will hold enrolment interviews for prospective Year 5 students in 2022. Our enrolment process was the focus of my presentation to parents and staff at a local school, which I referred to above. I believe that it may be helpful to outline some of the facts of the enrolment process.
School Numbers: The College enrols approximately 144 students in Year 5 and Year 6, with six classes of 24 students. In Year 7, we accept up to another 80 students. This means we have approximately 220 students across nine classes that are House-based. The school’s enrolments are structured for growth in the secondary school. This capacity for growth enables boarding students, as well as some day students, to enrol throughout the high school years. Ideally, we grow to 240 in Year 9 and to around 260 in Year 11. In total the school population is 1,680. We have been in a growth phase in recent years and now intend to consolidate this total for at least the immediate future.
Timing: Annually we hold bulk enrolment interviews for students entering Year 5 and Year 7. For example, on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 August we will be holding interviews for possible entry in Year 5 in 2022. In Term 1 this year we interviewed for possible entry for Year 7 in 2023. Offers of placement are subsequently made and once accepted we continue to communicate with families over the ensuing years leading to Orientation Day, and ultimately to the date of commencement. Information on entry to other year levels is available from the College website or the Admissions Office. Entry to other year levels may be restricted to initial waitlisting for day students.
Deferment: While it is possible to defer an offer for Year 5 to Year 7 there is no guaranteed place for subsequent enrolment. In such instances, the enrolment will be waitlisted and ensuing school reports must be submitted to the College. A follow up interview may be required before a place is offered.
Criteria for enrolment: Each enrolment is assessed individually and are based on a combination of criteria rather than one individual factor. Some priority is given to children who are Catholic, attend a Catholic school or who are the sibling of a current or past student. As an inclusive school community we also welcome applications from non-Catholic families who attend non-Catholic schools. Sons of Nudgee College Old Boys and current staff members, academic record and the College’s capacity to support students with identified learning needs are also important. Boarding applications receive special consideration as Nudgee College is a boarding school and we remain focussed on ensuring that boarding students remain at the heart of the College, as they have for over the past 129 years. Boarding numbers increase over each year level of the school. The date of application is relevant where applications extend beyond five years and extended family connections (e.g. through cousins or an uncle) can also be of assistance.
Finally, as we reach the mid-point of the term the coming long weekend will be a welcome respite, albeit a brief one, for us all.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal
