Principal
I am writing this article in Charters Towers where, along with Mr Christian Oneto (Dean of Boarding) and Ms Susan Shakespear (Director of Admissions), I am attending the Isolated Children’s and Parents’ Association (ICPA) State Conference. The ICPA is a strong educational lobby group and a voice for families in regional and remote parts of Queensland. As a boarding school Nudgee College supports the ICPA and their advocacy role. Sending their sons and daughters to boarding school is just one option for these families. Being present at the conference makes one aware of the challenges of the school of distance education, of home schooling, of travelling long distances to the nearest small government school as well as factors that many of us, as city dwellers, do not face.
Visiting Charters Towers also enabled us to share a meal with current Nudgee College families from around the district. It is humbling to know that parents would fly their own small plane an hour or two to come to meet with us. In a similar vein, a group of our staff and students visited Goondiwindi last weekend to conduct a rugby clinic for the local community and host an evening function for our families in the region. These visits are a reminder of how far our connections and our school name are spread and how important our Boarding community is to this profile.
On the theme of boarding our mini-series ‘Home Away From Home’ concluded this week with episode four. It has been released through the College’s Facebook page and has given all of us an insight into the story of one of our Boarding families. Thank you to Mr Clay Kenny and Ms Carina Kenny for their willingness to put their family life on public display – certainly no small thing. Also, thanks to our parent Mr Nick Piper, whose production company Onion TV created the series and told the story. We have received a great deal of positive feedback on this initiative. If you have not already seen it I commend it to you.
The story of the Christian Brothers and their influence is closely tied to many Old Boys and their families whose paths you cross during travels such as those described above. Many of these stories connect to our past and go back many years. One Brother who is still part of our story is Br Vic Larkin. This Friday will mark the first anniversary of his passing and we will mark this occasion with a liturgy on Wilkes Oval at the start of the school day. While there are still Christian Brothers connected to the College in various ways, Br Vic effectively represents the last of the Brothers with an almost daily connection to the life of the school. He was a much loved man, an iconic character and consequently we will continue to honour his life of service each year with a memorial service early in June. Families are welcome to attend the liturgy on Friday morning.
I am often asked how Alexander Clark is going. He has returned to school part time this year and continues his rehabilitation at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. He remains in his wheelchair but also continues to amaze us with his positive mindset, resilience and determination. This week he is in hospital again following a successful surgery on both of his elbows and hands. He has been in intensive care and is now recovering with another period of some weeks in hospital ahead of him. Also in hospital is his Year 10 mate Aidan Roost who is battling leukaemia. Aidan has been undergoing treatment all this term. Both families continue to receive uplifting support from the Nudgee College community. Please keep Alexander, Aidan and their families in your thoughts andprayers.
In conclusion, I must make mention of last week’s College Musical ‘The Addams Family’. It was an outstanding success in all respects. The cast, crew and musicians all deserve great praise, as do the staff involved. The four shows were all sold out and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Such events shine a light on our creative and performing arts and the rich talents of many boys. Into the future, these cultural aspects of Nudgee College life need to be profiled more prominently and celebrated as we do other dimensions of school life.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal