Principal
Monday evening’s Australian Story on the ABC recounted the impact that the Spanish Flu had on Australia 100 years ago. Black and white images of front line nurses and doctors were reminiscent of recent times. I found images from that time of everyday Australians wearing masks eerily unsettling. It made me consider what impact Spanish Flu had on Nudgee College.
Nudgee 1891 - 1991, written for our centenary year by T.P. Boland, documents that as a result of World War I no College Annual was published from 1915 until 1922. However, Boland writes the following account of the flu at Nudgee College:
By the end of 1918 strong action was taken by State and Commonwealth authorities to control its spread. When school was due to open in 1919 many parents were reluctant to send their boys back. The large contingent from NSW had to spend time in quarantine camps at the border. Numbers were down already because of a delayed start in the payment of Scholarships. The fear of the flu depressed them even further…
For a time all went well, but eventually the epidemic reached the College. Dr Harry Windsor advised treating all signs of colds as possible influenza. More than half the boys succumbed, though most with slight infection. A few cases seemed terminal but no one died. The College was isolated for a time…
Classes had to be abandoned for a week with 200 in bed. Those on their feet devoted their time to the care of the sick and the not so sick…
The College had much to be thankful for, to whomsoever it attributed its deliverance.
In my mind, there are some similarities between those events of the past and what we are experiencing today in respect to quarantines and worries about returning to school. Interestingly as well, after doing well with the virus, was the school’s experience of a subsequent outbreak of the flu at the College.
What I also take from these historical records is that 100 years ago care for others was part of the culture of this school. I would like to think that this care for others is still strong within Nudgee College in 2020 whether we are facing a pandemic together, dealing with the personal and family crises that life presents to all of us from time to time or just in the ordinariness of going about our daily lives.
Like everyone, I am delighted that restrictions are easing across the state and the country.
However, the subsequent outbreak of illness referred to by Boland is a reminder to me as a Principal that we need to remain mindful of the possibility of a confirmed case at the school, the spot closure that would follow and even the scenario of a Melbourne school that has seen a cluster form. I mention these thoughts not to concern anyone, but rather as a reminder that we need to continue to be vigilant in our hygiene and health practices.
As we officially enter winter, sick staff and students should remain at home, undertake COVID-19 testing and recover fully before returning to school. As we ease our own restrictions on sport* and activities and gather in larger numbers there is a need to also act to protect ourselves and others from infection.
Further information for parents will be provided in the week ahead about school procedures in the event of a spot closure
*Please note that the GPS sport update from Mr Anthony Connellan can be found in the sport section of this newsletter.
At this time, for a number of years, senior staff, including myself, have undertaken a road trip to promote the school in North and Far North Queensland. This tour is one dimension of our regional promotions strategy. As we are now learning to do in this COVID-19 era, we are conducting this online with current and prospective families joining us in strong numbers on Wednesday evening. As we discovered from our recent virtual events such as the lunch with the College Leadership Team, Evening on the Screen for Boarding families, and Open Day Online, technology improves our reach and accessibility.
In reading our centenary history (referred to above) the contribution of the Christian Brothers is written on nearly every page and has consequently been woven into the fabric of the College. They are no longer present in the College in a regular way but we should always be grateful for the legacy that has been passed on to us from those who went before us. One of those was Br Vic Larkin – the last Brother who had an almost daily connection to the life of the school. It will be the second anniversary of his passing on Monday. He was a much loved man, an inspiring teacher and an iconic character. The Student Centre at the College was named in his honour several years ago. Those in the community who knew Vic well still mourn his passing. We will remember Vic in prayer on Monday in tutor groups across the College.

Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal