Principal
As we enter the middle phase of this final term there is a momentary lull in the usual events and occasions that punctuate most school weeks at Nudgee College. Year 12s continue the second week of external exams and their lack of daily presence in large numbers is felt across the campus. Year 11s have concluded Unit 2 assessment and have now commenced Unit 3 of the Senior Syllabus. This is significant because effectively they are learning content that can be assessed in a year’s time at the end of Year 12. Other year levels are in the normal routines of school life with end of term assessment some weeks away. Outside the classrooms, pre-season training is underway for Term 1 GPS sport, while auditions have commenced for the 2021 College musical.
In previous years we would be about to host the annual Awards Ceremony at this time of the term. With Year 12s completing their external exams at this time, the event has been moved to a later date in November. In addition to this change, it was decided last term that with COVID-19 restrictions in play, we would change the Awards Ceremony to a day event. Further to this, to accommodate permissible crowd numbers, the single event was replaced by two ceremonies. Consequently, the Years 5 to 9 Awards Ceremony will occur on Tuesday 17 November while the Awards Ceremony for Years 10 to 12 will be held on Wednesday 18 November. Both events commence at 9.00am. Further details will be advised to those students who are to receive awards, and their parents.
Those visiting the College in recent weeks will have noticed that signage for the Mary Rice Early Learning Centre (MRELC) has started to appear. This highlights the next phase in the development of the MRELC. Having completed construction, the work is now underway to establish the operations of the MRELC. The leadership and dedicated work of Project Director Ms Clare Nugent has been pivotal to all that has been completed thus far. Clare will continue to lead the MRELC through this establishment phase. In recent weeks, EREA has appointed Ms Cris Romao as Centre Director and Ms Kate Otto as Assistant Centre Director. Ms Michelle Ford has been seconded from Nudgee College as full-time Business Manager until the end of Term 1, 2021. Recruitment for other staff is currently underway.
Understandably, there is significant interest in the MRELC. While it is operated under the authority of EREA and is located on the College campus, it is a separate business entity from Nudgee College. Importantly however, it will be viewed as an extension of the Nudgee College community.
With the approval of EREA, ownership of the MacKillop Building was transferred by Nudgee College to this entity earlier this year. The MacKillop Centre (as it is now known) will also have a separate governing council, commencing in 2021. On level one of the Centre there are some professional offices that have been leased by EREA and the Edmund Rice Foundation (ERF). The College also has access to a large space for House meetings and group gatherings.
MRELC is currently working through the registration process with the State Government and it will be assessed and rated against the National Quality Standards. Ultimately, it will meet all the principles, practices and learning outcomes of the approved Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG). The age appropriate play-based learning programs are grounded in the Reggio Emilia approach.
Once the compliance process is completed the ELC is scheduled for opening on 11 January 2021. It is intended that at maximum capacity it will be a 136-place centre divided into age groups and catering for babies, toddlers, two to three year olds, pre-kindy and kindergarten age children. The facilities will include an art studio, library space, performance space and a community dining room. One of the distinguishing features will be the amazing outdoor playground. This outdoor environment will provide flexible, challenging and open-ended learning experiences.
Tours are currently being offered to interested families and they can be booked via contact@maryrice.com.au or at www.maryrice.com.au The response thus far has been very positive.
Underpinning all of these details is a clear vision of the mission of the MRELC, which is to provide a natural and sustainable environment that promotes respect, compassion, wellbeing and a love of learning in every child.
It is timely that the opening of the MRELC in January will coincide with our 130th year. Over those 130 years, the campus and the College have evolved continuously to meet changing needs. High quality educational care is now a prerequisite for contemporary young families and we look forward to welcoming very young boys and girls to the campus next year.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal