Social distancing – sure to be a candidate for word of the year for 2020 – is a key strategy in fighting COVID-19. In the space of a week or two we have all changed some fundamental habits and daily rituals. How we greet people. Where we sit in meetings. What mode of transport we take to work. Even our place of work. All these small changes to our own lives are set against wider societal change in the face of great uncertainty and the potential threat to our lives.

Interesting to me is the observation that the safest place for each of us is our homes. We don’t need to exercise social distancing with our families. Unless one of them has been, or is potentially, diagnosed with the illness, of course. Some of the features of our modern world are now in question. International air travel is now banned because of its contribution to spreading the illness. Open plan workspaces and hot desks are no longer healthy environments, though perhaps they never were. Various means of mass transit such as buses and trains are questionable. Many people are now working from home as means of limiting transmission and exposing themselves to possible infection.

That is not to suggest that all features of our modern world are to be spurned. Digital technology, IT systems and various means of remote communication are enabling us to work from distant places and to communicate messages rapidly as a means of contending with ever changing scenarios.

So while pressure continues to mount on school systems to close, which I believe they inevitably will, administration and teachers in all schools are proactively attempting to change our mode of delivery of the curriculum. At Nudgee College much planning is happening to enable at home learning to occur in the online environment. You will be aware that on Tuesday evening all students were asked to log on to our system and to test its robustness. I am pleased to be able to inform you that this was a successful trial of the technology.

More work has to occur on both the technology as well as the development of the curriculum content itself. Teachers also need to be upskilled while they continue to teach and look after the boys each day. In effect, we are trying to adapt a traditional school model of learning and teaching into an online environment on the run. No easy thing to do but one we are giving our best to achieve. We are not at the point of informing parents further about just what that will look like and how it will operate but I hope to be able to do so in the coming week.

So, to place a Catholic perspective on this scenario returns me to the point made earlier about the place of family and our homes. Clearly, the safety of these spaces in our lives will become paramount in our efforts to combat the virus. In the Bible story of Jesus’ early life, family was also paramount. Who protected, nurtured and educated him in his early life? We all know the answer to that question. It was from this loving family that Jesus grew to take on the challenge of evangelisation and spreading the good news. Instrumental to this family life was Joseph, his father here on earth.

One of the consequences of the current situation is that we are unable to gather for our scheduled Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of St Joseph. For good reason our school, like many other Catholic schools, was named in honour of him. His statue, with Jesus at his feet, is our most prominent in the beautiful rose garden outside the Treacy Building. The qualities of St Joseph are ones that we could all emulate more fully, irrespective of what is happening in our world. ‘Caring, practical, honest, humble, mentor, wise, loyal, trusting, loving and prayerful’. Each boy received a St Joseph prayer card today, which listed these qualities and included a prayer from which I conclude:

…. ‘In your example we see that we do not work alone.

Teach us to find Jesus in those who are near

And to care and love faithfully as you have done’

With every blessing during these unprecedented times.

Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal

As an Edmund Rice school, we are called to look after the poor and marginalised. This concept formed the foundation of a professional development program I attended last week in Melbourne.  As part of the program we spent time at a new venture called Mt Atkinson Community Centre run by Edmund Rice Services. Edmund Rice Services is a community-based organisation which aims to support people living, working or visiting Mt Atkinson, a new housing development in Rockbank in Melbourne’s West. Once completed, Mt Atkinson will house 20,000 residents and provide approximately 37,000 jobs.

The work being done at the community centre is overtly outreach, obviously good and inspirational.  The question posed to the group after the visit was how could each of us learn from what we saw?  The obvious answer was to go back to our schools and strengthen the social justice programs in place. Through a Nudgee College lens, this might involve strengthening programs like Big Brekkie and Big BBQ.  

I would argue, while always room for improvement, our social justice programs are in good shape.  Additionally, when considering the poor and marginalised, I would argue we do a really good job of looking after those boys and families at the margins in some shape or form, whether that is physical, social or financial. We are good in these areas.

But where is our blind spot? Do we have a blind spot? We do look after the obviously poor and marginalised, yet maybe, miss those who are slightly off centre. Potentially, if we are open to self-reflection, there may be some in our community who feel they are singled out. Not included, just for being themselves.

Working in a school, it can be hard to distinguish between good-natured boisterousness and more worrying behaviour. How do you tell the difference between playful teasing and actions that are isolating? Children’s relationships can be every bit as complicated as those between adults so it’s important to understand what is going on in and outside the College.

A one-off misunderstanding or an argument between friends needs to be distinguished from the sustained, deliberate negative attention some boys may experience. The intention makes all the difference. Is the boy being wound up on purpose? Is the behaviour vindictive? Does it involve picking on weaker or shy pupils?

At the same time, the victim’s feelings are very important. If they are upset, do you treat the incident as inappropriate, whatever the intention? Boys need to be aware of the consequences of their actions; but accidents do happen.

It’s a fine line to tread, but one that teachers and support staff negotiate every day. Research suggests involving the whole school community in devising your inclusivity procedures – something we are continually trying to do – and as a result we are regularly adjusting our approach and policies in an attempt to make sure there are no silent victims. This helps to ensure that staff, the boys and our parents are personally engaged in the process and is essential if we are to remain an inclusive community. Each of us has a role to play to make sure we have no blind spots.  

Mr David Johnston
Deputy Principal

These are strange and interesting times and we can be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed with uncertainty that precedes any change. May our hearts and minds be empowered to face doubt with strength and to face uncertainty with faith. Stay safe, look after those you love and keep smiling!

Saint Joseph, you lived your life in loving fulfilment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. You know our aspirations, our hardships, our hopes. You too knew trial, labour and weariness. But amid the worries of life, your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his Mother. In your example we see that we do not work alone. Teach us to find Jesus in those who are near and to care and love Him faithfully as you have done. Amen. Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Mr Stephen Meara
Dean of Identity

Nudgee College Conservation Park: Biological Control Trial Program

Sustainability continues to be exercised at the College in brilliant and bizarre ways. This time, it is with the help of a little beetle. At the end of Week 6, Nudgee College commenced a biological control trial program within the Conservation Park. Currently, Cat’s Claw Creeper – an extremely invasive, introduced plant species – has significantly impacted our physical environment at the College. Despite destroying small parts of our forest, several years of chemical control has reduced this weed’s range on the property. Unfortunately, applying herbicide is not the most sustainable practice and access to this control method requires federal funding through a series of annual grants. But not all is lost!

Introducing the Jewel Beetle (pictured below), an endemic species to Eastern Australia that mainly feed on plant foliage.

Furthermore, the Jewel Beetle larvae feed on the sapwood of trees and shrubs; the perfect recipe for our Cat’s Claw problem. Approximately 200 beetles were released in a previously untreated site of Cat’s Claw Creeper with the assistance of the BCC’s Land for Wildlife Program. Although we do not expect to see results immediately, we are confident that in three months’ time we will start to see evidence of this newly established population

Mr Andrew Hook
Teacher in Charge of Sustainability

Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA)

If your son has a disability, impairment, medical condition or other circumstances that may impact his ability in assessment, he may be eligible for AARA.

We can apply school-based adjustments to assessments in Units 1 and 2 and we can also make an application on your son’s behalf to the QCAA for AARA in Units 3 and 4, including

external examinations.

AARA applications must be accompanied by current evidence/documentation from a specialist. If you think your son may be eligible, please contact Dr Terri Nesbitt Foster via tnf@nudgee.qld.edu.au or myself via psc@nudgee.qld.edu.au for further information.

Michael Griffin

Last Friday, 6 March, Mr Michael Griffin – world-renowned educator, keynote speaker, author, and pianist – met with the oldest and youngest students of our College to discuss ways in which they can seek excellence in their education.

Mr Griffin impressed upon the boys four important lessons that are required to achieve excellence.

1. You must continually strive to surpass your current level of ability.
2. The most successful students are those who take charge of their own learning.
3. Significant learning is usually difficult. When learning is easy, it is often superficial and soon forgotten. Effortful learning changes the brain.
4. You will experience setbacks. These are a sign of effort, not failure – embrace them!

As a College, invested in the Habits of Mind learning framework, we strongly encourage all students to develop a growth mindset towards their learning. Mr Griffin’s presentation firmly reiterated the key messages we espouse daily with the boys.

Ms Peta Scott
Teacher in Charge of QCS

Business Education Faculty Update

The mission of the Business Education Faculty is to follow in the footsteps of Blessed Edmund Rice to collaborate to teach business education that will liberate hearts and minds. The Business Education Faculty at Nudgee College is responsible for the learning of almost 600 students across more than 30 classes. Business Education covers a broad range of elective subjects from Years 9 to 12, both ATAR and VET, and includes Accounting, Business, Economics, and Legal Studies, as well as Certificate III and Diploma courses. What these subjects share in common is that they require students to make ethical decisions.

As a faculty within a school of the Edmund Rice tradition, the centrality of our teaching is formed around the core of having students understand ethical decision making. Ethics are defined as ‘moral principles that govern a person's behaviour’. Decision making means ‘to choose between two or more courses of action’, to select between possible solutions to a problem. Reasoned and logical arguments are required to support decisions. In addition, students are taught that decisions are not made in isolation and without empathy, that a moral compass is required. The criteria used to make decisions must consider a moral component. Students are challenged to understand how values influence decision makers. In this way the distinguishing features of our teaching and learning can be delineated – academic rigour combined with moral principles.

Mr David Fraser
Head of Business Education Faculty

These are certainly interesting times we are entering and I have to say this is one of the most challenging times I’ve had in my 25 years at Nudgee College. I reflect on the last few weeks when my family and I have been all but consumed with GPS Rowing practice and then Head of the River. We feel we came up for air on the weekend to find our world rapidly changing. Things we have taken for granted like being able to go to the grocery store to buy what we need has become a challenge. Finding hand sanitiser and basic toiletries has become a challenge.

At school this week the emergence of COVID-19 in Australia has created a roller coaster of both information, action and emotions for staff and students and we don’t know how this ride is going to end.

We have the opportunity to reset and re-evaluate what is indeed important in the larger scheme of life and, once this is all over, to rise renewed and reinvigorated. My hope is that during this time, although we may be advised to create physical distance from each other that this in turn brings us closer to those important to our lives.

In the words of Jamie Tworkowski:

Conversations will not be cancelled

Relationships will not be cancelled

Love will not be cancelled

Songs will not be cancelled

Reading will not be cancelled

Self-care will not be cancelled

Hope will not be cancelled.

May we lean in to the good stuff that remains 

Notifying us of Absentees
With the emergence of COVID-19 sweeping across the world it is understandable that parents and students are a bit concerned. We also understand that due to Queensland Health guidelines, more students are presenting with flu-like symptoms and staying away from school. This is a timely reminder of our Absentee Policy.
If your son is not going to be attending school for any period of time between 8.25am and 2.55pm it is our legal obligation to the Department of Education and our duty of care to know where your son is at all times.

Please either call student absences on 07 3865 0536 and leave a voicemail or email studentabsences@nudgee.qld.edu.au.

Please do not send emails regarding absences to House Deans, teachers or PC tutors without including the student absences email address.

Please refer to the Attendance Policy and Procedures for more detailed information.

Mr Peter Todd
Dean of Students

Assessment/reporting information:

Over the next few weeks, parents will be receiving results and feedback on how your son has performed in a variety of assessments that they have done in class this term. There are several ways that Junior School teachers will provide feedback on their results:

• Students will receive an A-E grade for their result on each assessment.

• For any exam that your son completes, you will see that along with your son’s grade that he received, there will also be a teacher comment. This will provide you with an overview of what skills and knowledge your son was or wasn’t able to demonstrate in the assessment.

• For assignments that have a criteria sheet, you can click on the criteria sheet in the assessment item on the Parent Portal, and see exactly where the marks have been allocated for each part of the assessment criteria.

• Term 1 Learning Habits Report will be published to parents next Tuesday. The Habits reported on are:

1. Classroom application and participation
2. Organisation for class
3. Classroom behaviour
4. Study habits and homework

In each of the above areas students are rated as Outstanding, Good, Satisfactory, Requires Improvement or Unsatisfactory.

Year 5 Science Incursion by Edward McDonnell (5C)

Last Thursday, the Year 5 cohort went to the Cool Companions animal show as we have been learning about adaptations in science. When the Year 5s arrived in Tierney Auditorium, the two classes' eyes were instantly drawn to the adorable wombat waddling about. She fumbled her way around the seated rows and at one point, she even found her way backstage!  After everyone finished gazing at the distracting wombat, they were introduced to Tania, the wildlife handler.

Tania then introduced two snakes to us and explained their purpose in their chosen environments. She demonstrated their importance to the eco-systems through some of their structural features.  Tania provided a contrast between the two snakes and detailed their adaptations. She even allowed us an opportunity to pat the scaly reptiles.

There was even an echidna, which was wrapped in three towels for its own safety. One of the echidna’s many incredible adaptations was the fact that it could turn into a ball that only showed its sharp spikes. We got to see firsthand just how this behavioural adaptation helps echidnas to reduce the likeliness of an animal attacking and eating the echidna. There were many more animals presented like a baby wallaby and even a baby crocodile, which we were allowed to stroke. The Year 5s had an incredible time and wish we could go back and do it all again!

Mr Chris Cawley
Director of Junior School

New Counsellor

This week we officially welcomed Dr Lorraine Slaven to our counselling team. Lorraine comes to us with many years of experience with counselling students and will be working some evenings in our Boarding Houses to get to know our boys and also to provide some ‘in-house’ counselling sessions if and when required by our students. Issues don’t always occur during school hours so this gives our boys an opportunity to talk to someone in a more relaxed environment.

COVID-19

Please note we have also emailed the following information and posted it on TeamApp.

Over the last few weeks you will have received messages from Mr Peter Fullagar in relation to COVID-19. As a Boarding community, there are additional needs that require consideration. I would like to reassure you of the following:

• Extra hand washing and sanitising stations have been made available in the Boarding Village.
• The level of cleaning in every Boarding House is at its maximum level to take into consideration what we know about the spread of the virus.
• In the Dining Room, we have removed our plastic cups and are handing out disposable water bottles.
• In the Dining Room, meals are pre-prepared and served by catering staff to eliminate boys handling the distribution of food.
• Meal times are being staggered to ensure we keep numbers down of boys in the Dining Room.
• We will seek medical advice immediately if a student presents with symptoms.
• We have established isolation rooms for students in the Health Centre should we need to isolate them.
• We have plans in place to keep the Boarding House open, should the day school close.
• Over the Easter holidays, the Boarding House and other residential areas will be fumigated.
• Boys will continue to be instructed and reminded of safe hygiene behaviours; posters are up in all Boarding Houses to ensure boys are vigilant with this.

We need your support with the following:

• Please reassure your son that the College is well-prepared if he expresses concern, and that adolescents are not currently in the high-risk category for this virus.
• Please notify us if you have any concerns about the level of worry this is causing your son.
• Local families need to be prepared to collect their son from the Boarding House if he is ill with a cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Local families need to be prepared to collect their son should the College be forced into a temporary closure.
• We recommend that all students have a flu vaccination this year. With your permission, we can facilitate this for your son. Please contact our Health Centre to complete the permission form.
• If for family, medical reasons or due to concerns returning to remote and rural areas you wish your son to leave the Boarding House before the end of term please email myself and Mr Peter Fullagar. Please note everything is being done by the school in preparation for a potential shut down to move learning online. At the moment however if your son leaves early we have only current resources to provide for their teaching and learning.

The safety and wellbeing of your son is our highest priority. As this situation is changing daily, we will continue to monitor and follow any government advice as well with best practice processes in regards to residential care.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Mr Christian Oneto
Dean of Boarding

Nudgee College celebrates International Women's Day

A couple of weeks ago Nudgee College celebrated International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. On Tuesday 3 March, a prayer and short presentation about why we celebrate International Women’s Day commenced our College Assembly. A number of male staff embraced the opportunity to record a personal video reflection to thank female colleagues on how they guide them towards perceiving women as not only important maternal figures, but also professionals, leaders and community contributors. Our hope was to encourage boys to also reflect on the role women play in their lives and recognise the invaluable contribution women make to your son’s education. On Friday 6 March, all staff were invited to wear purple to celebrate this day. Our Principal, Mr Peter Fullagar, also invited all women who work at the College to take a moment, stop work and enjoy morning tea with their colleagues. 

Educational leadership plays a vital role in educating and inspiring our men of Nudgee College to challenge stereotypes and bias by welcoming women as equal leaders. In committing to continued recognition of the invaluable contribution women make to your son’s education, the College has formed a committee – ‘Women Aspiring to Leadership’ led by Ms Natalie Webber – with the aim to encourage, applaud, champion, and empower women to step forward with visible confidence as equal leaders in the 21st century.

Ms Charmaine Greatrex
Advancement Teacher

2020 Next Step Survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual state-wide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2019. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2020.

Further information on Next Step is available online at www.qld.gov.au/nextstep or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

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