Principal
Sad News
Yesterday we were shocked to receive the news that Ms Bridie O’Dea had passed away. Bridie had courageously battled cancer for the past two years. Sadly, her health took a dramatic turn for the worst over the weekend and she passed away suddenly at the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Wednesday 11 November.
Bridie was an inspiring and much loved Maths teacher. She was a great friend and colleague to many on the staff. Bridie worked at Nudgee College since 2006. Beyond her Maths teaching, she was an evening tutor in Boarding as well as a tutor in the Indigenous Education program. She was a member of Ross House and also served as the Hodda Assistant Head of Boarding House. In October 2015, she was promoted to the position of Director of Administration on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This is an important role which manages day-to-day class operations, school and exam timetables, as well as teacher allocations. It is a vital role in the effective operation of a large school such as ours. Bridie performed these difficult duties with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. And always with a gentle smile.
Bridie’s family reside in Victoria, which has added complexity to this very sad occurrence. Please keep Bridie, her family and her dear friends on staff in your prayers.
May she rest in peace.

Bridie (back left) during a College trip to the US in 2018 for the NASA CASE Space School program
One of the very obvious impacts of COVID-19 on school life is the limits that it has placed on our capacity to gather in large numbers. In a school such as Nudgee College that values its sense of community connection so highly this has presented distinct challenges for all of us. Many staff, students and parents have expressed to me that this is their biggest disappointment in school life in 2020.
Fortunately, with the COVID-19 restrictions easing further we have begun to gather again in larger numbers and with hygiene practices in place. Given that the end of the school year is now looming, this is a positive development. Some of these community gatherings include the following:
- Tuesday’s College Assembly: This was the first Assembly since March where we gathered together all students from Years 7 to 11. Years 5 and 6 had the Assembly live-streamed to their classrooms. There was a palpable sense of energy and excitement amongst everyone in the Conference Centre. We also had a large number of parents join us as we presented a range of awards that recognised achievements in diverse areas of school life. We will not gather again in that manner until the start of the new school year – health restrictions permitting!
- Last Saturday morning’s annual Memorial Mass hosted by the NCOBA and the College: Not only were people in the Chapel, but it was live-streamed in Ryan Hall as well as to more than 100 others beyond the school. The Mass was followed by a gathering in the beautiful rose garden. This occasion always has a distinct atmosphere about it and the increased numbers that were in attendance is an indicator of the desire to come together that is felt by many in the community.
- Annual Awards Ceremonies: This year due to COVID-19 we have had to alter our usual plans. Instead of the single large, evening event we are now holding two smaller daytime occasions. On Tuesday morning we will acknowledge the achievers from Year 5 to 9 and on Wednesday morning it will be Years 10 to 12. Fortunately, we are able to increase the capacity of these significant end of year ceremonies to include two parents or family members.
- Year 12 Valedictory: As we have for the Awards Ceremony, we have had to alter this very important event. It has been changed from an evening event to the morning, with the venue changing to Ross Oval. Disappointingly, we cannot host the dinner that we have previously. Nevertheless, this will be a special morning for the nearly 240 graduates and their families. To be farewelled from the Grandstand will be memorable for everyone.
Not all schools have the capacity or the capability to be able to host all of these occasions on their campus. We are indeed very fortunate to be able to do so at the College. Certainly, we have the campus and facilities to do so. More importantly, we have a range of support staff with diverse skills, a service attitude and a willingness to work hard to make these occasions happen so successfully. These include staff from Property and Services, the Development and Communications Office, the Identity Office, the AV crew and the Catering staff. The collective effort is enormous and I express our gratitude to all of them for their efforts that are so often hidden from the community.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal