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

Two weeks ago the gathering rules relaxed enough to allow groups of up to 10 to exercise together. This was a big deal for me. For close to 20 years, every Saturday morning at 5.00am, I meet a group of friends. Around five of us do a long run together. In the early years we were all training to improve our marathon times. These days our times have slowed but we have become a close-knit friendship group. So, to be able to run together again was exciting.

We do our run and then the reward is a coffee together afterwards at a South Bank coffee shop.  On this Saturday we purchased our coffees and stood in a circle, looking to adhere to the social distancing rules. It was at this point we were approached by two police officers on bikes. This is where things became uncomfortable. One of the officers started berating the group, very aggressively. He was not happy with how far apart we were and was letting us know in the most demeaning and rude way possible. Others around us could hear him and stopped what they were doing to see what was going on. We all stood there stunned, feeling suitably chastised, and even a little hurt.

As the officer pedalled away to give a cyclist a spray for rolling through a stop sign we all looked at each other, still a little shocked at what had just happened. Up front, I have nothing but respect for the police and know they have a tough job. But, a famous quote came to mind.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

The five of us were left feeling poorly and even disappointed. There was no reason for the officer to deliver his message in such an aggressive and rude manner. We all make mistakes. We all have bad days. For some reason I assume this guy was not having a good day. Mind you, it was before 8.00am at South Bank on a Saturday. I remember thinking he was going to have a long day once the real crowds appeared later on!

As I write this I am looking at a card I have stuck to my desk. It is my way of reminding myself to try and be respectful to others all the time – boys, staff and parents. The card has three points:

1. Always treat people with courtesy, politeness, and kindness
2. Encourage people to express opinions and ideas
3. Listen to what others have to say before expressing your viewpoint

Put simply, show people the respect you want them to show you. Encouraging mutual respect is our job as teachers. We do have a responsibility to guide the boys and redirect them when they are making bad choices. This can be done in a respectful fashion. Mutual respect has been shown to improve communication between people, increases teamwork in the community and reduces stress. For students it can increase productivity, knowledge and understanding.

Receiving respect from others is important because it helps us to feel safe and to express ourselves. Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they're different from you or you don't agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety and wellbeing.

I do hope that police officer’s day got better. I do know next time I want to correct any of our boys for making a poor choice – which they do at times – I will recall how this officer made our group feel. He could have delivered his message simply, calmly and respectfully. Those witnessing would probably have thought a whole lot better about him. Our group would not have departed feeling as though a nice start to the day had been somewhat marred by being disrespected.

This quote maybe best sums up the entire incident: Respect people’s feelings, even if it doesn’t mean anything to you. It could mean everything to them.

Mr David Johnston
Deputy Principal

Seventh Week of Easter

This week, between Ascension and Pentecost, brings to a close our celebration of Eastertide.  

This week also encapsulates the ‘between’ experienced by all Christians. We publicly proclaim a reality beyond this world and yet must live in the imperfection of this one. We are called to perfection, of ourselves and our societies, while being incapable of achieving that goal ourselves. We pray to God in thanksgiving for His Son who shows us the way and for His Spirit who draws forward and nourishes our hearts with the Love that perfects and transforms.

Prayer 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you shall renew the face of the earth. 

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise
and ever to rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Live Jesus in our hearts.
Forever!

Mr Stephen Meara
Dean of Identity 

Most times we write articles about what we think is going on at Nudgee College. In this article let’s see your words. Thanks to the many parents who completed our exit survey, which asked how parents felt about the NC@home program and the transition back to classes. They were overwhelmingly positive, but we take on board all feedback and appreciate the limitations of the education we can provide in such complex circumstances. Anyway, here’s what you had to say.

Just many thanks to the teachers and staff during this time, I cannot fault how you have run this. With both of us in very busy full time jobs we would have struggled to assist with any schooling but have found we haven’t had to do a thing. Everything has run very smoothly for my son, he knows where to go to ask for assistance and I’m confident his learning has continued. He is looking forward to getting back to class. Thanks again.

My boys have spent NC@home working online from the Learning Centre and have found the experience to be most effective and productive. They have commented that the less distractions that normally present in class have increased their concentration.

He is dying to get back to school! Thank you for all the hard work the school has put into home learning.

Hats off to both the junior and secondary staff for providing an amazing experience for our boys. They haven't missed a beat and we couldn't be happier being part of the Nudgee community when we see such an amazing effort by the staff – and we do realise an enormous amount of overtime must have been put in by everyone at the College. Our boys have been very fortunate. Many thanks!

I think the leadership team, teachers and staff did an outstanding job in bringing home learning to life in such a short time. Very well done. It was a very good experience and our son XXXX had a great time learning from home. Now back to normal (sort of).

Sooner the better, missing his social interactions.

We have felt that the unstructured nature of working from home has helped in increasing our son’s organisation skills, which has been great. It's hard to get a sense of how much work has been covered but when passively observed he has seemed engaged and concentrating intently on what is being delivered. Great work Nudgee.

Relieved that he can go back to face to face learning with onsite support.

XXXX was struggling in the first week but as parents we were not aware. On an online Nudgee survey in the first week, XXXX said he was not happy. Ms Mann saw this and sent an email to him and us. This created the discussion at home and XXXX and Ms Mann had an online meeting the next day. Since then XXXX has been quite happy. Thank you!

I am extremely happy with the Nudgee College administration and the teaching staff. I appreciated the regular communications by the Principal. I appreciated the general community commitment to doing our best and achieving our best together. I was proud of the attitude and culture Nudgee College projected to its students and families. I felt this had a strong influence in our Nudgee College community and how we handle adversity. And almost 10 years after joining the Nudgee College community, I feel Nudgee has always met my high expectations and standards. My warmest appreciation to all.

A big thank you for supporting our teachers to teach your sons.

Mr Jason Sepetauc
Dean of Learning and Teaching

Year 11 Academic Bootcamps

In 2020 Griffith University will hold its Academic Bootcamp series in biology, chemistry, physics and maths methods.

• When: 29 June to 3 July 2020
• Cost: $125 per course

Held in the school holidays and targeted to Year 11 students, these Academic Bootcamps will cover key topics in the senior curriculum. It will allow students to review and consolidate their learning from Unit 1 and also give a head start and introduction into Unit 2. The bootcamps will also assist in reducing students’ anxiety around exams as students will be more prepared with this extra opportunity for academic success. Subject material has been designed and will be delivered by lead teachers, who are currently teaching these topics in schools.

All will be run in a half-day format. Subjects offered will be chemistry and maths methods, both morning and afternoon. Biology will be a morning session only and physics will be an afternoon session only. This will allow students to attend up to two subjects per day.

*These will be delivered to students in 2020 regardless of the COVID-19 situation. Online delivery will always be available as an option.*

For more information please contact:

Dr Jason van de Merwe on 07 5552 8949 and Ej.vandemerwe@griffith.edu.au or Ms Sally McPhee on 07 55527205 and s.mcphee@griffith.edu.au

Mr Pat Conway
Head of Science Faculty

We welcomed back all students and parents with great delight this week. The past five weeks have certainly been a challenge for staff, students and parents.

I am so proud of how our Junior School students embraced this new learning platform. I had the pleasure to meet with six students each day, one on one to discuss how they were going. In nearly every conversation when I asked the boys what they were most looking forward to when all this was over – being back with my mates was their response. Social isolation has certainly been difficult for our boys and this has been compounded by the lack of sports to participate in.

Can I also acknowledge the enormous effort our staff have put into this process. The Junior School staff have been engaged with students each and every day, and I thank them for making this process such a great success. I look forward to the positive outcomes that will be evident in the classrooms of the future. A forum involving both students and teachers will be conducted later in the term to ensure that what we have learnt during this period can have a long term positive impact on our curriculum delivery. As an ‘old dog’ I have certainly learnt some new tricks. What I have learnt from my students and colleagues during this time is something I would never have gained at an in-service.   

Year Level Camps

Unfortunately, our year level camps, which were due to run this week for Year 5 and in Week 8 for Year 6, have been cancelled. Due to camp bookings being made across a whole year, there is no prospect of booking these camps later in the year. It is with great disappointment that our camp program for Years 5 and 6 will not occur this year. The beauty of using the same provider is that Year 6 boys experienced the site last year and Year 5 will experience the site next year.

Assessment

You would have received on Monday the assessment calendar for the next four weeks. Whilst exams in every subject are not our preferred option, they allow us the flexibility to complete these assessments after the date should students be absent due to illness.

Mr Chris Cawley
Director of Junior School