Principal
A former Olympic swimmer. A former Australian rugby league player and sports commentator. A car mechanic. It might surprise you to know that these are the achievements of three female members of staff at the College. A focus of this week's assembly was International Women’s Day (IWD) which is celebrated on Monday 8 March. In the Student Formation section, we have noted the women and their accomplishments that were celebrated on assembly. We highlighted the vital role that women play in our school and how we, as men, have a responsibility to assist in closing the gap that exists between the genders.
Taking this notion a little further, IWD is also an opportunity to consider how our boys and young men, and all men in general, relate to girls and women. In an all boys’ school such as ours, we are constantly challenged to consider the nature of these relationships. Societal expectations continue to change and, in partnership with parents, we need to help our students navigate this landscape. Like all men, Nudgee College students must continue to evolve because the intolerant, discriminatory attitudes and behaviours of many in the past, and in some cases the present, must be challenged and need to change. It is clearly evident that respect and equality must underpin the relationships between men and women as well as boys and girls.
This applies to the relationships our boys have with the women and girls they encounter in their daily lives - their Mums, sisters, neighbours, girlfriends, teachers and support staff at schools. Equally, it applies to the incidental relationships they have with women and girls in shops, public transport, online, at parties or in workplaces.
Through our formal curriculum, such as the Student Formation program as well as on retreat experiences, many learning experiences are shaping our student’s attitudes towards girls and women. Are we doing this well enough? I would like to think we are but, the reality is, we can never do enough in this space. To that end, we are currently reviewing our Student Formation and making changes so it continues to evolve to meet the changing needs and challenges of the present day including the issue of gender equality and what best characterises masculinity in a contemporary society.
Further to this, our identity as a Catholic school means that our community should always consider the innate goodness and dignity of every individual, as each of us are shaped in the image and likeness of God. It is when our actions fail to live up to this fundamental belief that we are not being authentic to who we say we are as a Catholic school. In truth, our young men must mirror this belief in the relationships they develop with all people - irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity. Considering this, when our boys and young men fail to treat girls and women with respect, when they deny girls and women equal opportunity, when they fail to challenge other males inappropriate behaviour towards females then they are not living out what it truly means to be a Sign of Faith.
On a different note, everyone will be aware of the recent changes to restrictions at GPS sports and activities. This easing of restrictions has enabled us to gather again in larger groups. It was pleasing to see Nudgee College students again coming together at last Friday night’s debating, and again at cricket and volleyball on Saturday. What was most impressive was the positive behaviour and great example set by our Senior spirit leaders. Fortunately, the changes have also come in time for the GPS Swimming Championship on Friday which means we can take the students to support their mates. We wish the Junior and Senior Swim teams all the best.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal