Student Formation
Helping our boys ‘Cross the Bridge’
There have been many times where I or other staff have mentioned the ‘journey’ our boys are on as they develop into young men who are Signs of Faith.
Widely renowned author Maggie Dent classically talks about crossing the bridge into manhood. As Maggie puts it, “We only have to look at the higher levels of mental illness, deaths from accidents and the suicide statistics to see that our boys need more support in crossing that bridge to healthy manhood.”
A crucial aspect of our approach in dealing with the inevitable ups and downs during this time is to form a partnership between all the key stakeholders - focussing on the relationship between parents and the College staff.
Parents should never doubt their importance, particularly during the teenage years. As such, parents can play a significant role in preventing, or at the very least, delaying adolescent ‘risk taking’ behaviours such as alcohol use and other drug use. Research indicates that parents can protect against adolescent substance abuse where:
- parenting skills are high
- parent-adolescent communication is open and honest, and
- the levels of warmth and affection are high
There are two main protective factors that are supported by research evidence and they are as follows:
- Parenting style
- Active parental monitoring
Without making this article a lesson on sociology, there are four general parental styles that have been identified.
- authoritarian (strictness but not warmth)
- authoritative (strictness and warmth)
- permissive (warmth but not strictness)
- neglectful (neither warmth nor strictness)
Authoritative parenting is the style recommended, with parents encouraged to set simple and clear rules for their children about what is expected of them and what will not be tolerated from an early age. Parents should know where their children are and who they are with and if rules are broken there are consequences that will be applied. What I have often suggested to parents is a shared ‘re-negotiation of rules’ as they continue to grow and develop. The rules that may have worked when they are 12, might not remain as effective when 15.
Active Parental Monitoring - When parents are aware of a range of aspects of their child’s life —what they are doing, who they are with, and where they are - we say they are monitoring their child. As well as knowing what their teens are doing, parental monitoring includes:
- the expectations parents have regarding their teen’s behaviour – what rules are being made?
- the actions parents take to keep track of their teen – how are the rules being enforced, i.e., how do you know that the rules are not being broken?
- the ways parents respond when their teen breaks the rules – what are the consequences and are they being enforced?
Unfortunately, as children develop into teenagers, parents often view them as more independent and less in need of monitoring. Studies confirm that parents and the family remain important through this time, although their role often changes to a less directive way of parental monitoring.
Here at Nudgee College we actively talk about being in partnership with you and your son(s). The desire is that we continually work together to keep our boys safe and growing into outstanding young men….Signs of Faith.
Mr Anthony Connellan
Dean of Students
Learning and Teaching
Learning Goals
Nudgee College has been using Dr Robert Marzano’s New Art and Science of Teaching (ASoT) since 2022 to shape conversations around advancing learning and teaching. This year we are focussing on feedback, specifically the provision and communication of clear learning goals.
Teachers used their recent Professional Learning Community (PLC) time to deepen their understanding of learning goals. They interpreted their current units of work, and created goal statements in ‘boy friendly’ language which they are now using in class.
‘If students understand what they are learning during a given lesson or unit, they are better able to determine how well they are doing and what they need to do to improve.’ (Marzano, R, 2017, p11)
Each boy’s learning journey is unique, and a collaboration between you, your son, and his teachers. Use the ‘Kicking Goals at Nudgee’ poster to ask your son about the knowledge and skills he is engaging with in class.
Teachers will continue to build a community of practice by using ASoT to develop an explicit and shared understanding of learning and teaching at Nudgee.
Mr Jason Sepetauc
Dean of Learning and Teaching
Illness & Misadventure Application Process - Reminder
As assessment ramps up in the Senior school, this is a timely reminder regarding the new procedure to apply for extensions (and comparable exams in Years 11 and 12 only) due to temporary illness or misadventure.
To clarify the terms of an application, please read on.
Illness encompasses temporary illnesses/conditions and/or injuries that prevent students from meeting the assessment deadlines.
Misadventure refers to an event that has an adverse effect on a student's academic performance AND is unforeseen/beyond the student’s control e.g. summons/subpoena to appear in court or a close family member's death/funeral. A misadventure scenario cannot be of the student’s own choosing or that of their parents/caregivers, such as a family holiday, specialist appointment or driving test.
Please review the below links for the Helpsheets for Years 11 and 12 and Years 7 - 10 for a step-by-step explanation of how to apply. Importantly, applications are made by parents/caregivers via the Parent Lounge.
Special Consideration Years 7-10 Help Sheet
Illness & Misadventure Years 11-12 Help Sheet
Principal Approved Leave Process - Reminder
All students are expected to attend school until the end of term. Should this not be the case, parents/caregivers are required to apply for Principal Approved Leave (PAL) via the Parent Lounge.
In Years 5 to 10, PAL must be sought if a student will miss three days of school due to a non-medical reason or if you are taking any leave during an assessment period.
In Years 11 and 12, PAL must be sought if a student will miss one or more days of school due to a non-medical reason .
Please review the below link for the Helpsheet on how to apply to Principal Leave.
Please remember that students are NEVER permitted to complete exams early. Access to comparable exams are available only in Years 11 and 12 (NOT in Years 7 -10) after an exam takes place and in consideration of the evidence provided to support an absence from the exam. Family holidays or travel home are NOT legitimate reasons for comparable assessment.
Exam Timetable
Students have been emailed a detailed exam schedule that includes venues and times.
Performing Arts
What We’ve Been Doing
Debating - A huge congratulations to Tierney House on their well-deserved win in the Semi-Final of the Junior Inter-House Debating Competition. Your speeches were brilliantly executed, and we are glad to see you have learnt how to plan and outline a model - great work!
Last week, some tough debates against Brisbane Grammar School resulted in some tight results. Particularly unlucky were the Senior As in losing their battle. The Deputy Principal - Co Curricular - commented to Mr Pybus at sport on Saturday that it was the strongest he had heard NC Debaters in recent years.
Player of the Round was Jack Williams in Year 5. Jack has consistently worked hard to deliver stand out performances this debating season. His witty catch-phrases and calls to action as third speaker have helped lead his team, the 5.1's, to an undefeated season so far. Special mention to Oscar Hartmann (Year 7) who overcame a week of illness and high levels of anxiety to finish his debate!
Music - 8 boys from Drumline headed to Kayo Stadium (home of the Dolphins) to participate in the Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold Memorial Day, hosted by the Qld Police Rugby League Association. The boys were active during the main game between the All Stars and Dream Team. They represented NC impeccably, were thanked personally by Petero Civoniceva, and several old boys mentioned how proud they were to see them there.
What’s Coming Up Weeks 6 and 7
Debating - We are hosting Brisbane Boys College TONIGHT due to GPS Swimming tomorrow night. Best of luck to all boys involved, and special thanks to the boarders for being late to their formal dinner in order to fulfil their debating commitments.
Chess - As of this morning, we have 170 students enrolled in the first NC Chess Tournament for 2023, to be held on Sunday. If you are a chess parent and interested in helping to feed the throng, please get in touch with Martin (mharmon@nudgee.qld.edu.au).
From Tuesday to Friday next week, lunchtimes will be heating up with the Inter-house Chess competition. Stay tuned for winners in this always popular event!
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
The Locker Room
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