Principal
Tonight we will farewell the 2019 Seniors at their Valedictory Mass and Dinner. This is the culmination event of a series of occasions where we have gathered in small and large groups to acknowledge our Year 12 graduating class. One of the special qualities of schools such as ours is the capacity to add ritual and evoke a deeper meaning for such events. It is a special time in the life of our young men with a heady mixture of emotions tinged with some uncertainty about the next phase of their lives. Similarly, it can be a very emotional time for parents, particularly for families who are coming to the end of their years as Nudgee College parents. Consequently, we keep the newest group of Nudgee College Old Boys and their families in our prayers.
I share with you a small excerpt from my Valedictory speech:
“During the events of recent weeks there have been many fine words spoken, reflections shared and aspirations for you expressed. I would like to add to these. As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition we have attempted to educate your mind and your heart. We have helped prepare you for this complex and dynamic world that you are about to enter more fully. A Nudgee College education has taught you the ability to work collaboratively, to think flexibly and critically, to solve problems, to analyse and synthesise data – all important skills. Equally, we hope that you have learned to persist, to be resilient, to have a sense of humour, and to be able to listen to and empathise with others. Our hope would be that this preparation will bring you success and fulfilment whether that be in a tertiary institution, a workplace, a job site…
There is a saying that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. It is a reminder of the responsibilities that come with an education such as ours. You have had the privilege of an education in a great Catholic school like St Joseph’s Nudgee College. What will you make of this privilege in the years ahead? The success of any school can only be judged by the graduates it produces. Your qualities are not judged by OP scores in December. That judgement can only be made in 10, 15 or 20 years’ time. What sort of people will the 2019 graduates become? What will you give back to others, particularly the poor of our world? Will you nurture those values of the heart planted in you at home and at school? And what are the values of this school? Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, justice and forgiveness. Surely Signum Fidei values.’
Last Saturday night the Ladies Auxiliary (LAX) hosted their annual Mass and Christmas Dinner. With 520 Nudgee College mums and past mums in attendance it truly was a celebratory occasion. The LAX have raised more $300,000 during the past year – a remarkable contribution to the College. In doing so, and of more benefit in many respects, is the fact that the LAX offers a means of building supportive connections and often long lasting friendships between many mothers and their families. I extend our deepest appreciation to Ms Jo Curran and the members of the LAX Executive Ms Sabina Read, Ms Susan Keen, Ms Sonia Marmotta and Ms Annie Bourke for their significant contributions over the past year.
Amidst the series of farewell events and College celebrations over recent weeks we have been attempting to keep the rest of the school in ‘business as usual’ mode. This is not always easy to do because many of the normal routines of school are interrupted necessarily. This past week with Years 5 to 11 we have emphasised the need for normal expectations and standards to apply in day to day schooling. End of semester assessment and exams are looming over the next two weeks for many boys. Interestingly, such assessment and exams have a way of focussing a young man’s mind. Currently our Year 11s are completing assessment before commencing Unit 3 work that will be assessed in the middle of Term 1 next year. We hope that all students will do their best in school life and class work over the coming days. Our aim is to finish a good school year in the best possible way.
In conclusion, please be aware that all Catholic schools involved in the current protected industrial action by the Independent Education Union may be affected by short stop work action next week. The union has notified the College of a planned half hour stoppage on Tuesday 19 November from 9.00am. Happily, this coincides with our weekly Assembly and the impact and disruption to students will be minimal, if at all. Whatever reports may appear in the media over coming days all students should attend school as normal on Tuesday.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal