Principal

Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

The theme for NAIDOC Week across Australia is one we could all adopt not only in respect to race relationships and interactions but in our daily lives. We have been celebrating NAIDOC Week at Nudgee this past week because the official week falls in the mid year school holidays.

There have been a range of activities throughout the week to highlight and celebrate the rich contributions our Aboriginal and Torres Strait boys make to school life. Some readers may have viewed the NAIDOC Week video that we recently created. Given that we did not have an assembly this week the video clip is one means of speaking directly to our community. Further details of the many activities are included in the Identity section of the newsletter.

We are proud of the partnership that we share with AIEF (Australian Indigenous Education Foundation) which supports a number of our Indigenous boys. This partnership, which also exists in other schools, is focused on closing the education gap for Indigenous young people and it supports their education in boarding schools around Australia. It enables pathways to be created through school and beyond to employment, training and tertiary education. In doing so, it is changing the lives of these young people.

Our Year 12 AIEF scholarship students recently joined their peers from schools around the country to attend the AIEF Graduation celebrations held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

This year was a particularly special occasion as students were joined by alumni from the AIEF Classes of 2020 and 2021 who had their graduation events upended due to the impact of the pandemic. One of the graduates from the class of 2012 appeared in The Australian newspaper at the time of the celebration to talk about her journey to boarding school and life 10 years after graduation. You can read the story here.

The practical actions of the past week to celebrate NAIDOC Week, as well as our long term partnership with the AIEF, are connected to our strategic direction as a school through our values of Justice and Community. Further to that, they are also associated with the Charter Touchstones of EREA that are embedded in our school culture. The Touchstone of Inclusive Community means that as a school community we strive to be accepting and welcoming and that we are committed to the common good.

Beyond Nudgee College, the Catholic Church is also on a journey with our indigenous brothers and sisters. This journey is captured in the snapshot of data that was shared with the College Leadership Team this week.

More broadly than both the school and the Church, all Australians are entering a new phase in understanding our race relationships. This phase presents a new opportunity for us all to grow as a nation. What I have seen around the school this past week is an insight into a better future for our young people particularly our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys.

Mr Peter Fullagar

Principal

Deputy Principal

COMMUNITY MATTERS

Research confirms the benefits of building a sense of community in school. In schools with a strong sense of community, students are more likely to be academically motivated, be socially involved in peace and justice events, and will, as a result, develop social and emotional intelligence and avoid many problem behaviours, including drug use and violence. These benefits are long lasting.

The positive effects of community-building programs in schools persist through all year levels and are not simply found in junior school activities. The benefits of building a sense of community in a school on students are reflected in academic performance with students in schools with this sense of community outperforming school students from similar schools on educational outcomes, teacher ratings of behaviour (better academic engagement, respectful behaviour, and social skills), and self-reported misbehaviour.

Unfortunately, schools with a strong sense of community are relatively rare. Most schools that survey students' perceptions of community wind up with mediocre mean scores. Many schools appear to be ill-equipped to provide a community for the students who may need it most.

This then allows me to write a belated thank you to the Development and Communications team and the Ladies Auxiliary and the work they did behind the scenes to make the Long Lunch take place. While this was a showcase event, a lot of the work the Ladies Auxiliary do in and around the tuckshop during the week and during home games contributes to making Nudgee such a great school with a strong community. The Long Lunch was a Ladies Auxiliary initiative and a gamble several years ago. From all reports from anyone who attended, it was an incredible day. Anyone looking for a sample of community need not go any further.

I know we have countless support groups. We have the Arts Committee gearing up for their annual event, Dimensions. This takes place Friday night and into Saturday. Embarrassingly, I will leave out some team of parents who also contribute to making sure, unlike most schools, we do not have a problem with developing a strong sense of community. This sense of community sets us apart and provides an excellent foundation for our boys to succeed.

Even the small things various parents do around the college or contributing to making events like the Long Lunch and Dimensions take place all play a vital role in establishing and perpetuating the Nudgee community - or as we like to call it, Nudgee Spirit.

Mr David Johnston

Deputy Principal

Identity

NAIDOC AT NUDGEE

Budgeree djanahn, which means hello in the Gidhabal language of the First Nations people of the Southern and Central Darling Downs. Welcome to NAIDOC at Nudgee - the week Australia joins in reconciliation with the First Nations of this continent to celebrate first nations' culture and heritage is marked nationally during the winter holidays. We celebrate NAIDOC this week.

NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) occurs annually, and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To mark NAIDOC at Nudgee this week, we have had First Nations students at Nudgee College speak to our community via a short film about the importance of celebrating their culture and history. Throughout the week, we have cultural celebrations, such as Didgeridoo playing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancing outside the Learning Centre.

The library has hosted the following activities for NAIDOC Week:

Monday: Kahoot in the Mindful theatre
Tuesday: Dreamtime stories in the Mindful Theatre
Wednesday: ScratchBoard art
Thursday and Friday: NAIDOC Lego creations

In addition: Brett Leavy from Visual Songlines spoke to our students in Year 8 Humanities. Read more about Brett’s work here.

On Friday in Student Formation, all Year 7s will enjoy a creative experience led by Senior students of First Nation descent.

NAIDOC Prayer by Bianca Manning (Aboriginal Christian Leader and Gomeroi Woman)

Loving God, we thank you and praise you for who you are, for your unending love for us and your creation of these lands on which we now live. We thank you for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians, who you placed as stewards and custodians of these lands and waters.

AMEN

Live Jesus in our hearts: forever!

Mr Stephen Meara

Dean of Identity

Arbor Day 2022

This year we celebrated Arbor Day for the sixth time at Nudgee College. But rather than planting trees on one afternoon after school, we decided to trial three lunchtimes of planting in Week 5. As a result, over 100 students volunteered their lunchtimes to work as a community and continue planting into our native regeneration garden.

The garden, that can be found in the gully between O’Neil Undercroft and Hendry Oval, now has over 500 native plants. Additionally, we are now starting to see signs of natural regeneration as the surrounding gum trees are starting to germinate and establish in the gully. This year we planted mostly grasses (Lomandra and Dianella sp.) as well as some small native shrubs (Melaleuca and Westringia) on the stretch that runs parallel to Sandgate Road. Trees from past plantings are now almost five metres tall!

NC Sustainability Captain, Oliver Evangelista, was pivotal in organising the planting event and motivating the Seniors. Furthermore, College Captain Harry Roati, demonstrated his ‘down to earth attitude’ when he arrived with a small army of Year 5 students each day. To see the Year 12 students working alongside the Year 5 students was an amazing experience that reflected the College’s inclusive community. With the event having such success, we aim to celebrate Arbor Day next year with the same approach.

Mr Andrew Hook

Teacher in Charge of Sustainability

Learning and Teaching

Exam Schedule

We have a busy exam schedule coming up in Weeks 9 and 10 of term. Please note when your son is completing exams during this period. It is an expectation that all boys attend school and exams up until the end of term. If illness or misadventure occurs please contact the relevant teacher or the Learning and Teaching office. Year 11 students are reminded that absences should be accompanied by appropriate evidence. Link to the Assessment and Academic Policy.

Year 12 students will not be required to attend lessons in Weeks 9 and 10, and are required to attend their Mock exams. Mocks are an essential part of preparation for External Exams, and boys are advised to develop a study regime and plan ahead for their exam times. I challenge every boy to be the best they can be.

Please see the Exam Schedule linked here.

Mr Jason Sepetauc

Dean of Learning and Teaching

Elevate Education Parent Webinar - How to Help your Son Write Better Notes

This year, Nudgee College parents have exclusive access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series. Elevate works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you will learn how to better support your sons at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school.

On Wednesday 24 August at 6:30-7:30pm (AEST) Elevate Education will deliver an online workshop focused on note-taking. It will address:

The most effective way to structure notes
The three levels of acquiring knowledge and how to implement this with your son at home
The power of deliberate practice and the fastest way for your son to improve his marks

If you are unable to make the webinar, don't worry! If you sign up to attend, you will receive the webinar recording on Thursday morning.

Please register here: https://get.elevatecoaching.info/au/schoolwebinar

Ms Natalie Webber

Director of Learning and Teaching

Year 8 Humanities

This semester, students from Year 8 Humanities have begun a unit focusing on ‘Landforms and Landscapes’. In the first few weeks of the term, students have been looking at different geographical processes which shape landforms, including tectonic plate movement, erosion and weathering.

Classes have examined how Volcanoes are formed. To demonstrate their understanding, students had to visually describe the features, processes and layers of a volcanic landform of their choice. Working individually or as a pair, students were asked to either create and label a volcano using LEGO or to draw the representation. Two students even used software and simulations to create a volcano digitally. This hands-on activity allowed students to demonstrate their acquired understanding. This knowledge and understanding of skills will assist them later in the term when they have to create a brochure about how we use, manage and protect Australian Landscapes.

Ms Lesley Gardner

Head of Humanities Faculty

Scene Project - QLD Theatre Company

On Thursday 4 August a group of students from Years 10 to 12 participated in the annual ‘Scene Project” Outcome Day run by Queensland Theatre Company. This year the commissioned script was Chroma by Suzie Miller. “Playwright Suzie Miller is a contemporary international playwright, and screenwriter who is drawn to complex personal stories often exploring injustice……Chroma Town is about a town that has secrets under the surface that if you look hard enough, you can dig up for your own, as precious to hold the chroma that is pulled from the earth to feed the world” (Qld Theatre, 2022).

Our students got to perform their interpretation of Chroma Town to three other Brisbane schools and engage in workshops and discussions with their peers and the directors of Queensland Theatre. The students work through a creative process of performance, from rehearsal through to presentation to an audience of other like minded students who have a passion for theatre. It encourages live performance in a professional space and manner. The students gain skills in collaboration, problem solving, creative and critical thinking and enhancing their experience of Drama beyond the classroom. The boys will get to perform their version of Chroma Town at NC Creatives@Twlight in Term 4, Week 2.

Year 12 Drama

This week the Year 12 Drama class started their important preparation for the External Exam which takes place in Term 4. Preparation commences to provide them with the knowledge, understanding and skills to approach both the Mock Exam in Week 9 and the External Exam. The boys are focusing on the adaptation of Shaun Tan’s amazing picture book The Arrival. The story focuses on the ‘Traveler’ who leaves everything behind and sets off on a journey to a mysterious country, a place without family and friends. The ‘Traveler’ is in search of something but journeys to where everything is nameless and what lies ahead is unknown. “This silent graphic novel is the story of every migrant, every refugee, every displaced person, and a tribute to all those who have made the journey” (Shaun Tan, 2006). Leap Theatre Company from New Zealand took on the task of adapting the novel to a live stage production, which incorporates puppetry, image theatre, incredible set and costume design, music and physical theatre to bring The Arrival to life.

As part of the preparation for the External Exam the Drama students have to be able to understand and unpack the play from multiple perspectives and levels. Not only do they need to understand the story in detail but also the elements of drama, dramatic conventions and the dramatic meaning and action for the audience. Over the first few lessons they went on the journey of a Process Drama that focused on the ‘Traveler’ and they were immersed into a variety of situations through role play and discussion to gain an understanding of the context of The Arrival. This further develops their skills in visual literacy, critical and creative thinking which sets them up for the External Exam. The next few weeks they will concentrate on viewing the live recorded production by Leap Theatre Company and continue to develop their skills in analysis, evaluation, justification and synthesis to strengthen their writing skills for the exam. The photos show the Year 12’s in action as part of the Process Drama with visual images from the picture book to support the process.

Ms Alison Kilgour

Head of Arts Faculty

Junior STEM & Robotics Club

The Semester 2 Junior STEM and Robotics Club 2022 kicked off again with great success at the beginning of Term 3.

Over the past few weeks, the boys have spent time exploring and learning how to code the MicroMelon Rover robot – a small and robust robot that students can connect to and code in seconds using Bluetooth.

Over the past few weeks, the boys have spent their time becoming familiar with the MicroMelon Robot. Working in pairs, they have been tasked with the challenge of completing a variety of challenges, including the “Mat Challenge”. This challenge involves coding their robot to move around a floor mat, completing a variety of coding challenges along the way. The boys need to use a great deal of trial and error in this challenge, allowing them to employ the skills of persistence and resilience as they code their robots to circumnavigate the map. Coding challenges include – flashing messages, lights, changing speeds, turning and reversing.

The team to successfully complete the mat challenge first were rewarded with a sweet prize – namely a block of Cadbury chocolate each! The runners-up team also received a chocolate prize.

Congratulations Johan May, Jack Mowat and Jack Price for successfully completing the challenge first, and taking out the grand chocolate prize.

We are looking to have a Sumo “wrestling” challenge and competition again later in the term, requiring them to independently write a program for the robot, using branching and looping logic, to “defeat” their opponent in the ring.

I would like to again thank the following Year 11 Digital Solutions students, who have kindly offered their time to help run the club:

William Duffield
Chris Hernik
Xavier Corry

Past Student visit to Year 12 Digital Solutions class

On Monday 15 August, the current Year 12 Digital Solutions class were visited by two past students from the class of 2021 - Leo De Clara and Ben Neal.

Both Ben and Leo studied Digital Solutions in 2021, and have gone on to study double degrees at QUT (both completing double degrees) - Ben a Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics) and Leo a Degree in Law and Finance.

Ben and Leo provided insight into how they prepared for the external exam, and to allow the class an opportunity to ask questions about their experiences last year. It was also a chance for Leo and Ben to explain how Digital Solutions is helping them now with their current courses of study. Both Leo and Ben offered valuable insights and guidance around how to approach the exam, citing the importance of being organised with a study timetable, completing as many past paper exams as possible, and having a prepared exam strategy in place.

They also explained how the skills in Digital Solutions (namely completing projects collaboratively and with a problem-based strategy) have helped them to tackle their workload at University. Ben explained that there are many opportunities for scholarships with a course in IT, due to high demand from industry and the limited supply from students studying IT courses. He suggested that it is worth looking into available scholarships when considering a possible course of study next year.

I would like to thank Leo and Ben for their support of our Year 12 students, and for giving up their valuable time to visit the class and provide them with such a great range of tips and advice.

Ms Cathy Lamb

Coordinator of Digital Technology

Student Formation

Year 11 Semi Formal

At this time of year, there is a real feeling of Year 11s transitioning into next year’s Senior class. One event that celebrates this ‘coming of age’ is the annual Year 11 Semi Formal. Last Thursday night the Year 11s celebrated a magnificent Semi Formal at Victoria Park. A feature of the event was how well the Nudgee College men looked after their partners. Everyone looked great - all grown up! The College was very proud of how the boys conducted themselves.

Thank you to Ms Larissa Patti, Ms Karin Van Wirdum and Mr Raoul Carmody for their organisation and facilitation of this event. Thanks also to the College Leadership Team, House Deans and Heads of Boarding houses for their presence.

Year 11 Leadership Retreat

As part of their leadership journey, our Year 11 men engaged in a wonderful thought provoking retreat. I was extremely impressed by their genuine participation. Many showed great courage to stand and highlight what they admire in others while also being able to call out the challenges that this cohort is faced with. Thanks to Mr Stephen Meara and Mr Sean Toovey for their dedication to this special process, along with the support of our House Deans.

Across Monday and Tuesday, the Year 11 cohort embarked on a two-day leadership retreat. Monday, led by Mr Michael Fitzpatrick, had a significant focus on the idea that Catholic leadership requires service. Encouraging us to be fish that swim against the current, getting out of our comfort zones and being men of action. On Tuesday, a Q&A session was held. A panel of Old Boys, College captain, Harry Roati, and staff answered questions providing support for our upcoming journey into leadership. Following this, the College war cry was broken down and its rich history and meaning in uniting people in one voice and identity was emphasised. To conclude the retreat, we worked in our house groups to discuss our ambitions for next year and to create a painting that was split up into nine canvases. This activity represents the need for all Seniors to act as leaders to achieve our ambitions as in order for the overall painting to be visible all pieces together are required. Overall, the two days were influential in providing us with the information we need to put into action for our Senior year 2023.

Callum Turner, McKenna

As part of our leadership journey, the Year 11 cohort took part in their leadership retreat on the Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 August. This retreat provided the opportunity to reflect and think about the remainder of our Nudgee journey as we move into the role of College Seniors. As the class of 2023, it is essential that we leave a lasting legacy for those who will come after us. But what does this really mean? It means that we have to do something unique to create a meaningful impact and footprint on the College. If we do this, we can leave the College gates next year knowing that we have successfully modelled a pathway for future years. A pathway of respect and dignity for all in our College community. We also focused on the importance of the connection between not only our cohort but with all cohorts. The students in the year levels below look up to us as role models, hence why it is crucial that we be leaders who serve the community rather than serve ourselves. Those two ideals, however, will present a challenge to us as a cohort, as across the two retreat days we identified what we need to work on to be authentic and compassionate leaders - something that I believe we can achieve during the final year of our Nudgee journey.

Jacob Gillam, Shaw

Last chance for student individual and sibling photos

If your son was absent when we had school photos, Silver Rose will be on campus next Tuesday 23 August 8.30am to 11am in Ryan Hall. If you would like your son to be photographed please ask him to go to Ryan Hall between. Please go to www.silverrose.com.au to order photos using code XSJNC22 when you place your order.

Student Bag Tags

Student bag tags are a successful tool in helping boys identify their bags, and in the event they are taken or removed, have assisted staff in identifying the owner of a bag quickly when received in the Br Vic Larkin Centre.

At the commencement of a student’s enrolment at Nudgee College we issue them with two free tags. We also recognise there are a number of students who carry multiple bags to school, so would like to give you the opportunity to purchase additional tags to the ones already supplied.

These tags would be at a cost of $6 each and would be laser cut during the Term 3 holiday break.

If you would like to purchase some additional tags, please place your order through the College Payment Gateway.

Cut off for orders is strictly Friday 9 September 2022.

Mr Anthony Connellan

Dean of Students

Performing Arts

Dimensions is nearly here!

If you can’t make it on Friday Night, please pop in on Saturday - the Art Exhibition will be open from 12pm to 6pm, there will be ceramic workshops with our Artist in Residence Venus, Scones, Tea and Coffee available from noon, and the bar will open at 3:30.

If you still can’t make it, please support the Arts Committee by buying a raffle ticket here!

What We’ve Been Doing

Chess - The First IV fought valiantly on Friday night, but BGS claimed a 0-4 victory after some close matches. In the Senior Team, Jack Weaver and Mitchell Dudurovic both drew against higher rated players. While in the Open C Team, Isaac Johannes had a convincing early night win.

Our man of the match this week goes to Thomas McMullen. Thomas is one of our newest players this year but in the Open D team his game lasted longer than the First IV. He almost reached the 2-hour mark. Thomas got a draw this week in a highly technical position where he was ahead on material but his opponent could force a draw. Congratulations to all these boys. We look forward to our next home match against BSHS next week.

On Sunday, Ethan Johannes, Nilay Shirolkar, Hugo Elliot and Janav Patel competed in the Somerville House Primary Chess Team Competition. As a team, the boys finished 2nd in the Novice Division and Ethan, Nilay and Janav won the board 1, 2 and 4 board prizes respectively. Congratulations to all the boys.

Debating – Inter House Debating has continued this week, and the final will be held in Tierney on Wednesday of Week 7.

Music - teams performed fantastically at QCMF.

Gold - NC Brotherhood

Silver - Guitar Ensemble, Treblmakers, Chamber Strings, Symphonic Winds

Bronze - Allegro Strings, Concert Band

Thanks to all ensemble conductors, to students for their commitment to their teams, and to parents for their support.

What’s Coming Up

Weeks 6 to 7

Chess host BSHS on Friday night and travel to St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace in Week 7.

Music will commence Tutors’ Recitals on Wednesday of Week 7 with the Guitar and Bass Studio Concert to be held in C11 from 6:30pm - please joining us from 6pm for a drink and nibble! There are more of these recitals happening over the coming weeks - stay tuned.

Ms Alex Khafagi

Director of Performing Arts

Community

The Locker Room

We have Father's Day covered at the Locker Room.

Dad would love some Nudgee Gear. Lot's to choose from.

WHAT'S NEW

Uglies Long Sleeve Polo. Lightweight, Sun safe and they look amazing.

Only $65

Term's Withdrawal

Are your son’s circumstances changing in Term 4 or beyond?

The College’s financial planning for the delivery of services in 2023 is approaching completion and as such, we draw your attention to the processes relating to withdrawing a student

As with many schools, we require a full term's notice to withdraw a student without penalty. Should the notice be given in a shorter period closer to the end of the year, unnecessary pressures are applied to the College and to the broader parent community to absorb the current and future costs of planned services.

As per the policy, notification of the withdrawal at any time during the year is required no later than the first day of his final term of study. For example, if your son was finishing at the end of Term 4, notification would need to be received by the first day of Term 4.

Please email all withdrawal notices to admissions@nudgee.qld.edu.au for the attention of the Principal.

2022 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is seeking the support of the school community for the annual survey of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school in 2021, before completing Year 12. This short, confidential survey collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The results of the survey help provide valuable information to improve services available to school leavers in the future.

Between August and September, these school leavers can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of Next Step post-school destination surveys in 2022.

For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

Week 6 Term 3 2022

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