Principal
No longer NC@home we are once again home@NC.
After nearly two months absence it was with a tangible sense of happiness that we welcomed the return of our young men on Monday. For parents there was no doubt a sense of some relief to be packing their sons off to school again. Perhaps there was even a hint of sadness that this unique time together in lockdown had come to an end. Either way, it has been remarkably settled around the school as staff and students have picked up where we left off back in March.
In saying that I am conscious of those boys who have not yet returned. Largely these are our boarders who cannot return under current restrictions. We are hopeful of an easing of these in the coming days, which will enable more boys to return. Thank you to the Nudgee College families who have already opened their homes to a boarder and to those who have offered to do so.
(Stop press – late on Wednesday the College did receive notification from Queensland Health that will enables us to increase our capacity in our Boarding House and enable numerous younger boarders to return).
Amongst all of this, the return of every student has not been straightforward. Our student wellbeing team of House Deans, Heads of Boarding Houses and counsellors are providing pastoral support to a range of students and families across the year levels as they transition back to school. It is a sobering reminder that the epidemic of poor mental wellbeing and health continues amongst young people. The staff who hold these roles in our school and who support our boys are a blessing to those families who encounter hard times.
Our very successful initiative – Open Day Online (ODO) – concluded last Friday. In cancelling our traditional Open Day the College was mindful of the importance of this event to the future of the College. Having reflected on this importance we became determined to find a way to host a virtual event. Through the research efforts and creative thinking of the Development and Communications staff ODO was conceived. The results have far exceeded our expectations and we have been struck by the reach the online event provided to us. Some data that we have collected includes:
- Total family registrations for 2020 campaign – 678 families registered (344 for OD 2019)
- Total Boarding family registrations – 135 (31 for OD 2019)
- Our first enrolment for 2033 (some serious planning ahead!)
- Registrations were received from the following countries (in order of most to least page views): Australia, US, Singapore, Netherlands, Finland, Saudi Arabia, France, UAE, PNG, South Korea, Maldives, Austria, UK, Hong Kong, and New Zealand
The hosting of this online event has opened our minds to future possibilities, which will see a virtual Open Day hosted in parallel to the traditional, on campus event. Thanks to all the Development and Communications staff, but in particular Ms Tara Shipperley and Ms Erina Hitchings for their leadership of this initiative. The ODO site has been reopened for members of the Nudgee College community for the next week for your interest and in case there are friends or family who may be interested in enrolling for the years ahead. It can be accessed at https://www.nudgee.com/open-day-online.
Given that many members of the College community have not visited the school over the last two months there have been a number of enquiries about the building projects. Fortunately, the three building projects have all continued to progress and in some cases, have accelerated, while the students have been at home. All three are on track for their completion dates. The redevelopment of the Treacy heritage precinct is the most complicated and extensive of the three projects and will continue until early 2021. The creation of the Mary Rice Early Learning Centre (ELC) should be completed in early September with the ELC open for business in January 2021. I would encourage you to take a drive past the Flats one morning or afternoon. This will assist you in understanding the extent of the project and will surprise you, no doubt. We anticipate being able to use the Flats in January next year.
In recognition of the level of interest in the projects, the College is currently planning to host an online information evening for the community in the coming weeks. More details to come on this.
Finally, the return to school at fellow GPS school Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) has been overshadowed by two tragic deaths last weekend. One involved a current Year 11 student who is well known to many boys at Nudgee College. The second involved a young Old Boy who is also known in our community. As a Christian community we join with the Churchie community in prayerful support during a time of much grief and sadness.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal