I once had the privilege of hearing parenting educator Michael Grose speak at a conference where he stated, “the end goal of parents and carers should be redundancy”. Whilst this statement might sound a little brutal and harsh at first, it makes complete sense. Our role in life as parents and caregivers is to have our children able to make their own way through life. To make choices and have the ability to be satisfied at all stages in life, know what true joy is and how to achieve it, know the importance of looking out and caring for others, and finally, not be living in our house at the age of 48. In short, we need to get to a point when they are young adults where we no longer need to parent them. 

It was with complete amazement that I was able to hear the incredible Michael Pini (uncle to current Nudgee boarders Luke and Oliver) address our boarders and staff during last Thursday’s Boarder’s Formal Dinner. It was a great occasion made even more special by the presence of 1981 old boy Michael. For those who do not know, Michael has cerebral palsy and was a boarder at Nudgee College from 1977-1981. He was the first student enrolled at the College with a significant disability. This did not, however, inhibit him from living a full and rich life during and after his time at Nudgee. He ended up becoming the Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Tax Office.

Whilst his story is an inspiring one of resilience, persistence, rising to challenges and love of friends, upon reflection, my mind wandered to his parents. We all love our kids and want the best for them. Some parents have children with significant needs and the importance of the support they receive becomes even more imperative. Choosing a school for our children is an important decision and for Mrs and Mr Pini in 1976, the decision would be no different for their son Michael. The fact that they had the faith and confidence to entrust their son’s care, education and wellbeing to a school that was close to 1100km from their home speaks of the courage in them, and speaks volumes for our school. 

I have not had the privilege to speak to Michael or his mother (his father passed away a few years ago) about the mindset of these amazing people in making such a decision. I know how difficult it has been for my wife and I as parents to allow certain freedoms to creep into the lives of our children. I hope that I have set my children up for a rich and fulfilling adult life “post-parents” so that we move into that realm of redundancy. I am guessing that Mr and Mrs Pini had the same intention when they allowed their young son Michael to board at Nudgee College in 1977. His life is testament to the success of this intention.  

Mr Scott Thomson

Deputy Principal

Second Week of Lent

God of love

Your commandment of love is so simple and so challenging.

Help me to let go of my pride, to be humble in my penance.

I want only to live the way you ask me to love, to love the way you ask me to live.

I ask this through your son, Jesus, who stands at my side today and always.

AMEN

Live Jesus in our Hearts … FOREVER!

Mr Stephen Meara

Dean of Mission and Identity

NAPLAN

Next week, students in Years 5, 7 and 9 will begin their NAPLAN tests which will span from the 15th to the 27th of March. (Please refer to the testing schedule below).

Each student will experience these tests differently. Some will find them easy, while others may face feelings of uneasiness. The following suggestions are intended to help you support your son’s participation in NAPLAN next week... 

Firstly, speak positively about NAPLAN and why we are doing it. Here are some key messages to reiterate with your son:

NAPLAN is one set of tests, along with your other assignments and exams that provides feedback about your learning. Feedback allows us to improve. 

NAPLAN is about tracking your progress. You’ve learned a lot since you last did these tests (in Years 3, 5 or 7). NAPLAN will show us how much progress you’ve made.

NAPLAN also allows your teachers to better understand how to help you, especially in the areas of literacy and numeracy which are critical skills to have. 

Reassure your son that he is prepared for NAPLAN. In fact, he has been preparing for it every day of his schooling by participating in lessons. His subjects of English and Maths have been targeting the skills he needs to do well on the tests. You can also remind him of what the NAPLAN tests will look like. He’s looked at the NAPLAN Demonstration Site in his English, Maths and SF lessons this term. 

Importantly, help your son to be organised. He will need a working device and set of headphones for each of his tests. Earpods cannot be used because they can compromise the integrity of the tests. 

Lastly, students are often concerned about the reports their parents will receive. So make your son aware that you will receive a report showing his outcomes on NAPLAN and that your expectation of him is to do his best. To this end, encourage your son to employ his Learning Habits, especially the habit of Persisting. 

Nudgee College’s NAPLAN Testing Schedule is shown below:

Ms Natalie Hughes

Director of Learning and Teaching

Qld science students for Sydney ISS2023

The International Science School is back in-person at the University of Sydney in 2023 — bigger and better than ever!

From 2-15 July, 120 top science students from across Australia and around the world will gather online for nine days of inspiring, enthralling science.

We're looking for nine talented, enthusiastic year 11-12 students wherever they are across Queensland — rural, regional and remote; public schools and independent; north, south, east, and west. Even if you're the only student in your school with a passion for science, get your application in.

Join us for two weeks of inspiring research talks, lab tours, hands-on experiments and amazing social activities to excite your enthusiasm, ignite your interest and cultivate your curiosity for science.

To apply, click here!

Mr Pat Conway 

Head of Faculty - Science

The Fogarty Seniors of 2023 - lead by Kurt Lucas - set out with the goal of beating previous years generous fundraising target of $23,900. Nobody expected or dreamt of the success they were about to achieve. At the time of writing this article, the 2023 College community has raised over $48,100 for Fogarty’s House Charity, The Leukaemia Foundation.

Fundraising started in late January with the shave event planned for Thursday 2 March, and a few seniors signing up to start the shave team. Kurt Luacs spoke at the Week 5 and 6 assembly to launch his initiative, the first teacher “hit list”. Kurt convinced 11 teachers to shave, pending the fundraising target. And didn’t the community respond.

In previous years, students have asked Mr Peter Fullagar, to shave. This has typically been met with the expected (and understandable), trepidation and non-committal. However with Peter’s knowledge and compassion for Kurt’s personal story, he accepted Kurt’s offer to join the 2023 shave team. The excitement, energy and momentum ignited in the community was unprecedented. What started as a $25,000 target, quickly changed to $35,000. And the funds did not stop there!

This year's Shave team was full of personal, significant stories of battles against both blood cancer, and other forms of cancer. Without sharing private context, we appreciate and thank the sharing and fundraising efforts of: the Cronin family (led by Max), the Lucas family (led by Kurt and Wade), Mr Sam Proctor and many more.

With over 90 heads shaved on the day, and over 25 volunteer shavers/hair sprayers, we thank and acknowledge everyone's contribution to make this year's event the most successful it’s ever been. Words cannot describe how appreciative I am of everyone's efforts. Whether you fund-raised and shaved, volunteered to clipper, hair sprayed/coloured or assisted to manage the lunchtime chaos, you have my sincere thanks.

We are so proud of what our generous community has achieved this year. On behalf of the Leukaemia Foundation, Fogarty House and myself, you (the Nudgee community) have my heartfelt thanks.

Mr Ken Adams 

Fogarty House Dean

What's happening this week

Head of the River on this Saturday

Cricket and Volleyball vs ACGS

This Saturday our annual McGrath Foundation “Pink Stumps Day” will take place across the GPS Cricket competition. Nudgee College will be a sea of pink as we look to raise important money for a great cause. I encourage all players and supporters to wear something pink (hats, zinc, socks, sweatbands, shoe laces etc).

Those wishing to donate online please click on the link to access the Nudgee Cricket Pink Stumps fundraising page. The first donation of $50 or more will receive a signed Glenn McGrath pink baseball cap.

What We’ve Been Doing

Debating - a unanimous win to Senior A has put us in a great position for this week’s fight against Churchie. The boys have broken the ‘only ever 2 wins in a season’ curse, and we are currently tied with this week’s competition. This reflects the depth and quality of the coaching that is going on, with Dom Carroll coaching the coaches and making some great strategic decisions.

Wins to 5.1, 6.1, 9.2, 12.1, Senior A

Player of the round was Harry Orr from 7.1. He is an incredible speaker, a great team player, and always so diligent in preparing his speech. Special shout out to Fred Guppy in Year 6 for his fabulous start to the season.

Teams of the round are 10.2 and 12.1. 10.2 had a challenging round and pulled together to present a competitive debate. 12.1 are the great improvers. All team members are new to debating and, after a rocky start, are now showing maturity and sophistication in their work.

Junior School Inter house Debating wrapped up on Monday with an enthusiastic crowd of spectators in Tierney. Fogarty took the win over Tierney - congratulations to James Grehan and George Morgan!

Chess - a huge chess week with Year 7 to 12 players out at Corinda SHS for the Term 1 interschool comp on Tuesday, a Somerville House tournament on Friday evening, and the first NC tournament for the year yesterday, with 179 players. 

Results as follows:

Inter School Comp

• There were 5 divisions on the day and Nudgee had teams in the A, B and C divisions. In the A division the team of Eric Yang, Dominic Stein, William Kewley and Tejas Ashok finished 11th out of 23 teams. A solid performance considering several of our First IV players were unable to attend. Competing in the B Division, the team of Rafael Chase, Ethan Cockburn, Isaac Johannes and Ethan Johannes finished 7th out of 15 teams. While in the C Division, the team of Nilay Shirolkar, Charlie Rienstra, Oliver Chaffey and Oliver Hadwen finished 11th out of 17 teams.
• Ethan Cockburn received a merit ribbon for winning 4.5/7 games. Congratulations to all the boys who attended.

Somerville Comp

• Competing in the Novice division, Mitchell Kewley, Spencer Leo and Ethan Johannes all received merit ribbons. Mitchell and Spencer won 4.5/7 while Ethan won 5/7. Oliver Chaffey finished 3rd in the unrated division after winning 4/7. Thomas Partridge also won 4/7 and narrowly lost the medal to Oliver on tiebreak.
• A big congratulations also to Damon Capstaff, Bill Currin, Joshua Keen and Curtis McGarry who were all competing in their first ever chess competition and won several games.

NC Tournament

• Unfortunately no NC boys took home prizes but they'll have got a lot of experience from it.

After all this practice, the main event of the term began this week with Inter house Chess. At time of writing, the initial round knocked out all but Tierney, Fogarty and Riley, who will battle through the rest of the week to win the trophy.

What’s Coming Up Weeks 7 and 8

Debating -  our last home round of the season will give spectators the chance to practise showing support before Head of the River. There are many debaters who will be doubling up in boats on Saturday - great examples of ‘A Balanced Me in ‘23’. NC and ACGS are currently tied in the Senior A comp, so we are expecting a close match and would love to fill Tierney from 6:15.

Music - our Cultural Group who have done a superb job leading liturgies this year, will be continuing to use music as service as they lead Prison Chaplains in a ceremony to begin their annual conference on Tuesday.

Stage Band are heading to St Rita’s College on Monday of Week 9 to observe jazz skills workshops and perform in a concert.

Writers’ Circle participants are finishing their short stories which will be published in the next couple of weeks, before the boys head to Varidian to read their tales to the residents there.

Esport are involved in their first competition for the year at the QUT Sport High School Rocket League Tournament. 

Don’t Forget - details for our activities are on Team App - join your team and get involved!

As always, please contact me with any questions - akh@nudgee.qld.edu.au 

Ms Alex Khafagi

Director of Performing Arts

The Locker Room will be open Easter School Holidays.

Change of uniform for Terms 2 and 3

Nudgee Winter Uniform: Nudgee Blazer, White Shirt, Tie (Junior or Senior), Trousers and or School Shorts.

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) is conducting an important survey with parents and carers about the Catholic education system in Queensland. 

QCEC would appreciate your feedback via a short online survey to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence families in choosing a Catholic school. 

QCEC are working with Market & Communications Research and the Online Research Unit to compile feedback. You can complete the survey online by clicking on the link below. All responses are anonymous.

To fill out the survey, click here.

Thank you for your contribution.

CLICK ON THE LINK TO REGISTER

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/...