Excellence and humility are two human virtues that don’t always go hand in hand. When they do, they are a powerful combination and one that we are quite naturally attracted to when we find it in others. It would seem to me that as Australians we are attracted to individuals, such as sports champions, who display these virtues. Think of sportsmen such as John Landy or Pat Rafter from the past. Ash Barty and Emma McKeon embody these qualities in the present day.

At Nudgee College, we aspire to be both. Excellence is highlighted as one of our key values along with faith, community, justice, courage and authenticity. In our context, we define excellence in this way:

‘Excellence is expressed through our aspirations and actions to be the best that we can be in all our endeavours, individually and collectively.’

At Tuesday's assembly, we were able to recognise five Year 12 students for sustained academic excellence with the presentation of Platinum Award for studies. We acknowledged Lachlan Barrett, Elliot Browne, Thomas Malone, Andrew Tora and Harry Roati for achieving a gold award for studies in each semester since they commenced at the College. Being the best that they can be semester after semester, year on year. Outstanding.

Further to the definition above, our description of excellence is framed with humility:

‘We enjoy and celebrate our successes with humility and place effort and commitment into areas where we have the potential to develop and improve.’

Those of us who know each of these young men would know that they are quite humble about their achievements. In part, it is why they are also leaders within the College.

To be both excellent in an endeavour and humble about the ensuing success is not easy for anyone. Ego and acknowledgement tends to inflate our perceptions of who we are and can influence how well we relate to others. Of course, we can remain grounded while also enjoying success when we are mindful that much of our individual success relies on the support of others. For these young men, this includes their parents, teachers and mates.

In a Catholic context, our faith reminds us that it is also true that our success comes from the grace of God and from the talents with which we have been blessed. Remaining grateful for God’s blessings is a pathway to humility. Of course, Jesus had a dim view of arrogance and of those who put themselves above others. He reminds us of this often. The phrase ‘the first will be last and the last, first’ can be found in four major passages of the Bible: Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31 and Luke 13:30.

In conclusion, this week our community was truly blessed by the generosity of many, many people who contributed to our bi-annual Giving Day in support of the Jack Ross Bursary. Raising over $220,000 in one day is both an amazing amount of money and effort. Such generosity will help to shape the lives of young boys who otherwise could not have afforded a Nudgee College education. Such generosity is truly humbling.

Mr Peter Fullagar 

Principal

This time every year, I think I have the best seat in the house to watch a very important process take place. As Deputy, I have very little to do with the leadership process that takes place in Year 11. This is a product of how the process has evolved over the years. And I would say the process the College has designed is rigorous and fair and probably the best I have seen in all my years in education. The process looks carefully at all the candidates and seeks to identify what we would call authentic leaders. 

So when parents and boys ask me, "What are the top traits of really good authentic leaders?" my response uses a term I have recently come to appreciate.  For me, the key trait that makes a truly authentic leader may seem so counterintuitive: I would suggest the boys need to "be radically transparent."

Radical transparency does not mean telling someone to his face in front of his peers that his ideas are awful. It is having the emotional courage to stand up to someone or something when you feel others are being violated, to speak from a deep place, from the heart. Radical transparency is having the ability to cut through healthy conflict now to avoid unhealthy conflict later.

Our current leaders gave us all an example of radical leadership a couple of weeks ago before the BSHS round. They challenged the norm of having cheering practice in the Grandstand and moved the location to the gym. This gave the basketball players exposure they usually don’t enjoy, but do deserve. The Senior leaders were challenged by a vocal minority who did not like the change. Boys who could not see that staying in the Grandstand meant they were being exclusive and turning their back on one of the key characteristics that make us a great school - our inclusivity.

When our College leaders display radical transparency, the College knows exactly what we are doing and where they stand in regard to our values and expectations. Radical transparency means our leaders are also willing to seek feedback and give other boys a voice in making decisions. And this is exactly what happened when they moved cheering practice to the gym.

When you get right down to it, radical transparency is the antidote to a toxic culture. A toxic culture is one where students are at odds with each other and the staff. This situation creates a climate that is heavy and devoid of the values our community espouses.

Radical transparency holds everyone accountable to our shared values and a healthy, inclusive culture. Radical transparency sends a clear message to the rest of the College that no individual contributor rises above anyone else, and it reinforces our community values - the authentic behaviours of connecting, collaborating, and belonging in a College community to achieve great things together.

This year's leaders have been close to the best I have seen in 13 years at the College. They have displayed radical transparency, and they have been truly authentic. They have been great role models for new leaders. They have been true signs of faith.

Mr David Johnston

Deputy Principal

Abundant God,

you made us in your image

and breathed in us a spirit of generosity

that is both gift and response.

Move us, we pray, to give as we have received -

abundantly, generously, and joyfully,

that our common life may always bear

witness to your unfailing grace.

In the name of the three in whom we are one. 

Amen.

Student Formation Year 9

The Student Formation curriculum continues to present sex, relationships and personal identity education for our young men. Pornography is an ongoing challenge for young men as they explore not only their own sexuality but navigate the temptations of an online world. We have engaged Real Talk Australia to support our messages and last week they had a focus on Pornography for our Year 9 students.

In what was an incredibly insightful session, the key goals and messages shared are summarised below:

• Explain that it is important for them to understand differences between pornography and real life 
• Talk about consent, respect and safety 
• Talk about the importance of intimacy in close relationships 
• Talk about body image 
• Talk about acting, fiction and make-believe 
• Help them understand their responses  
• Discourage them from viewing pornography. 

Finally, I would ask parents to consider asking your teen where they stand on viewing pornography, and whether our presentation has changed the way they see it.

A number of boys were extremely courageous in standing up in front of the group to share their ideas and understandings on this sensitive topic. Archie Lyons was one of those who has shared his thoughts below.

During SF on Friday morning, the whole of grade 9 were in Tierney auditorium learning about the effects and impacts of pornography on the brain. At the start of the lesson, everybody contributed to a game about female standards and stereotypes across different generations and if they were true or false relating to today's society. I personally thought this was a very important activity as the purpose of it was for the guest speakers and our teachers to understand the perspective of the students' views on women. Watching porn creates a false reality and inaccurate expectations on loving relationship, as often it is the only source of sexual knowledge that young boys receive. Pornography also increases the chances of domestic violence against women because it brain washes boys into thinking women are objects so they can use their body whenever or however they like. This part of the pornography addiction can lead boys into terrible relationships and bad fatherly figures, not to mention a degrading attitude towards women.  Overall, I believe that the lesson was used effectively as it gave me and my cohort an understanding of the negative impacts of pornography and how it affects people mentally and physically.

Nudgee & St Rita’s - Year 9 Musical Bingo

As we aim to increase opportunities for our boys to socialise with girls, young men from Year 9 were invited to attend a Musical Bingo night with young ladies from Year 9 at St Rita’s. Thanks to all who attended and special acknowledgment of College Prefects Hugh Smith and Oliver Bryans who led the night. Year 9 lads Michael Williams and Frank Gilbert have shared their thoughts below.

On Tuesday evening, a group of Year 9 men attended and hosted a social night of Musical Bingo in Tierney Auditorium with the College’s sister school, St Rita’s College. The purpose of the eventful night was to provide an authentic environment for the young men of our College in order to further develop their social skills and to take a step outside of their comfort zone. Many students from both schools were sceptical at first but as the night progressed many friendships were formed and connections were made. As prizes were revealed, the vibes had risen and the game was on. Trendy songs throughout the night played by MCs Oliver Bryans and Hugh Smith kept the night alive. Laughs were shared, competition was intense and memories were made throughout the night.

Altogether, Nudgee’s Musical Bingo night was an enjoyable experience for all. Regarding social development, the event provided more skills, knowledge and confidence for our men when socialising and taking that step outside our comfort zone. Make sure to stay informed and alert for more social events to come. You won’t want to miss the opportunity and experience! - Michael Williams Year 9

On the evening of Tuesday 30 August, Year 9 Nudgee men were given the opportunity to participate in a social event with ladies from St Rita’s. Mr Toovey welcomed everyone to what would be a fun night, but one that would still command the utmost concentration from the men of Nudgee. We began with dinner then we moved on to the main event - Musical Bingo. Heads or tails decide your fate but for those who fell to the wrong side of the coin, the bonus was that dessert was yet to be served. To conclude the night, we walked our sister school down to their pick-up and returned to Tierney Auditorium to help pack up.

The event was a huge success since it allowed the Year 9 men to interact and connect with the students from our sister school.  It helped us to kindle relationships and friendships outside of the environment of Nudgee and hopefully allow for future fun and gatherings with our sisters at St Rita's. - Frank Gilbert Year 9

Platinum Award Winners

At this week's assembly, we celebrated Year 12 students who received a Platinum Award for sustained academic achievement. Lachlan Barret, Elliot Browne, Thomas Malone, Harry Roati and Andrew Tora qualified for this rare award by receiving a Gold Academic Achievement Award each semester from Year 9 to Year 12. All of these students actually won Gold Awards even further back into their Nudgee career. In Andrew's case, all the way back to Year 5! 

While these awards will be re-presented at our end of year Awards Night in November, it was important for the whole school to celebrate the achievements of these students. Academically, they model the way. Their achievement challenges younger students to be the best they can be in the classroom.

Our Platinum Award winners use their Habits of Mind. They've evolved learning habits to manage with the ever increasing rigour of their studies by using the HOM dispositions. The Gold Award each semester was a checkpoint, not a finish line. 

Each semester’s Gold Award reinforced what was going well, and informed how and where to go next in their learning journey. Whilst it is wonderful to see these students awarded, they'll take with them something far more important than a medal with them when they leave Nudgee. Their HOM is a comprehensive set of tools which they'll carry into their further study and careers. 

Congratulations from the Nudgee community on your academic achievements. 

Mr Jason Sepetauc 

Dean of Learning and Teaching

Elevate Education Parent Webinar - How to Help your Son develop Exam Room Skills

This year, Nudgee College parents have exclusive access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series. Elevate works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you will learn how to better support your sons at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school. 

On Wednesday 7 September at 6:30 - 7:30pm (AEST) Elevate Education will deliver an online workshop focused on exam room skills. It will address:

• What your son should be doing in the final week before an exam
• How to establish a good routine for the night before an exam
• How to optimise exam room performance

If you are unable to make the webinar, don't worry! If you sign up to attend, you will receive the webinar recording on Thursday morning. 

Please register here: https://get.elevatecoaching.info/au/schoolwebinar  

Ms Natalie Webber

Director of Learning and Teaching

Drama Excursion

Holding Achilles by David Morton in conjunction with Dead Puppet Society and Legs on the Wall’s Theatre Company is currently showing at the Playhouse Theatre, QPAC as part of the Brisbane Festival. On Tuesday 30 August, a group of Year 10 to 12 Drama students attended the production. Set against the epic violence of the Trojan War, ‘Holding Achilles’ by David Morton is a refreshing take on one of the ancient world’s best-known heroes, and his relationship with Patrolclus (QPAC, Teacher Education Notes, 2022). It was a visually spectacular performance with incredible music performed live by Montaigne that supported the physical and visual theatre. As part of the course of study for Drama, particularly in the Senior curriculum, there is a focus on Contemporary Performance. This performance allowed the boys to immerse themselves in the use of conventions and production techniques and how these are manipulated to take a heritage text and transform it for a modern audience. The use of physical theatre engaged us as an audience watching the actors challenge themselves physically and at the same time continue to portray their characters with full energy and commitment. Holding Achilles was an outstanding production that has allowed our Drama students to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of Contemporary Performance.

Ms Alison Kilgour

Head of Arts Faculty 

Celebrating Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week is celebrated this week from 29 August to 2 September 2022. Yesterday, the College hosted a thank you lunch for Teacher Aides kindly provided by Learning and Teaching. Teacher Aides who work across Years 5 to 12 were also provided with recognition certificates from Mr Peter Fullagar. Over the last week, students have been encouraged to acknowledge and reflect on the role of Teacher Aides in their education. Student thank you emails and ‘shout-outs’ were shared with Teacher Aides during the lunch.

This term, Inclusive Learning Teacher Aides have continued to engage in professional learning about working in partnership with teachers (presented by Ms Lesley Gardner, HOF Humanities), how to differentiate support provided to students (presented by Ms Andrea Kewley, Year 6 Teacher), and ways to incorporate Assistive Technologies to maximise student engagement and achievement (presented by Ms Charmaine Greatrex, Year 5 and 6 Inclusive Learning Coordinator). Day-to-day, Teacher Aides support students within classrooms, in small groups, and during lunch time programs, and contribute to the delivery of targeted literacy and numeracy intervention programs. Nudgee College recognises and appreciates the positive impact Teacher Aides have on students, teachers, and their families.

Dr Jane Brown

Head of Inclusive Learning Faculty 

Year 12 English Incursion - Performance of Macbeth by Shake & Stir Theatre Company

Throughout Term 3, our Year 12 English students have closely studied Shakepeare’s Macbeth in preparation for their end of term Mock Exam and eventual External Assessment. Although this play is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, it is a lively text that enables deep discussion and analysis. From the regicide of King Duncan, through to Macbeth’s death at the hands of Macduff, there is much to this play that engages our Year 12s.

In extension to our in class studies, Shake & Stir Theatre Company were booked and performed their reinterpretation of Macbeth in Tierney Auditorium. The purpose of this incursion was to entertain our Year 12s and to solidify their understanding of the play. This is important because the External Assessment demands that they select and use relevant quotes when writing an analytical essay that responds to an unseen question. 

The Year 12 English teaching team and I would like to thank the boys for the energy that they brought to this performance and we wish them well as they continue in their preparations for the External Assessment. 

Mr Dayne Tracey

Head of English & Languages Faculty

What We’ve Been Doing

Chess - a team win! On Friday night, the 1st IV risked facing GT a player down due to illness. However, reserve Jack Weaver was more than ready to step up and take on the board 4 spot. After Jack got an early lead, Eric Yang, Patrick Kennedy and Dominic Stein each secured a draw in quick succession to leave the fate of the 1st IV in Jack's capable hands. Jack converted his early lead into a win a short time later and the 1st IV achieved their first win of the season 1.5-2.5.  

By pure coincidence, the Junior Team, also missing their usual board 3, won 1.5-2.5 as well. Filling in on board 4, Jake Page won his game. While Mitchell Kewley drew on board 2. On board 1, Tejas Ashok's game was the last of the night finishing with a rook and knight mating net.

Congratulations to the following students who also won their games in our other teams. Mitchell Dudorovic, Rafael Chase and Suhaan Lashand. Nilay Shirolkar, Gage Dittman and William Griggs also got draws.

Debating - for those of you who have been wondering all week, the winner of this year’s Inter House Debating competition (as announced on Tuesday’s College Assembly) was Duggan - congratulations to all involved.

We have been overwhelmed by the attendance and interest shown in the pre-season Debating Masterclasses. These have now finished for Term 3, but there will be a few in Term 4. Thanks to Mr Dom Carroll for leading this initiative, as well as spearheading the Senior A Development Squad.

Music - this week saw two more studio recitals in our series. We heard String Instruments and Voices in the Chapel, as well as Percussion in C1.1. Thanks to Ms Davis, Mr Bradford, Mr Tagiev, Mr Jones and Ms Rica for their work.

Congratulations to the following students who were recognised at this week’s assembly:

Art Awards for Dimensions Artworks

Year 5: (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Benji Garden
• Mitch Haplin
• Josh Formosa

Year 6:  (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Archie Dean 
• Finn Oliver
• Darcy Bruce

Year 7:  (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Jaden Jillela
• Callum Erasmus
• Liam Hughes

Year 8  (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Talis Moloney
• Samuel Persse
• Matteo Bianchi

Year 9  (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Ben Sciacca
• Mark Hili
• Issac Albert

Year 10  (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Kgiaum Liam
• Jackson Zhou
• Marcus Moroni

Year 11  (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Tom Donnelly
• Michael Kritzinger
• Xavier McLoughlin

Year 12  (1st, 2nd and 3rd)

• Tom Sands
• Kenjin Sato
• Kerian Pye

Theatresports Semi-Finalists

Junior Team

• Maximillien Houard
• Ethan Rule
• Oliver Soberon

Senior A Team

• Samuel Browne
• Daniel Cross
• Robbie Fitzgerald
• Tyler Goodall
• Hunter Ireland

Instrumental Exams:

• Jed Barron - Merit - Grade 5 Bass Guitar
• Daniel Rostron - Distinction - Grade 6 Bass Guitar
• Thorfinn Gilbert - Credit - Level 1 Piano

State Honours Ensemble Program:

• Antoni Harbeck - Violin
• Kaiden Burton-Demmers - Tenor Saxophone
• Sam Duffy - Double Bass
• Ben Sands - Voice
• Zain Dhawan - Classical Guitar
• Archer Jenkins - Classical Guitar
• Eddie Power -  Classical Guitar

What’s Coming Up in Week 8 and 9

Chess are heading to Ipswich Grammar School on Thursday, due to the Pupil Free Day on Friday. After last week’s success, we wish them well for another great round to end their season. Thanks, as always, to Mr Martin Harmon, Chess Director.

2023 College Musical (drumroll please)...is FOOTLOOSE. We will be auditioning students for main rolls, chorus and band early in Term 4, with information coming to the Student Notices. We will be partnering with St Rita’s College and Mary Mackillop College.

In order to get in the required 80s zone, interested students are welcome to come along to Tierney on Thursday 8 September (Week 9) after school to watch the movie.

As always, please contact me with any questions.

Ms Alex Khafagi 

Director of Performing Arts

What's happening this week

Track and Field Meet #3 at QSAC tonight 

Rugby and Basketball vs IGS (A)

Make sure you are following @ncactivities on Instagram, Facebook and the Nudgee College App for all updates. 

The Locker Room

The Locker Room is open Friday 2 September (Pupil Free Day). Father's Day is Sunday. 

Dad would love some Nudgee Gear.  Lot's to choose from.

Term's Withdrawal

Are your son’s circumstances changing in Term 4 or beyond?

The College’s financial planning for the delivery of services in 2023 is approaching completion and as such, we draw your attention to the processes relating to withdrawing a student

As with many schools, we require a full term's notice to withdraw a student without penalty. Should the notice be given in a shorter period closer to the end of the year, unnecessary pressures are applied to the College and to the broader parent community to absorb the current and future costs of planned services.

As per the policy, notification of the withdrawal at any time during the year is required no later than the first day of his final term of study. For example, if your son was finishing at the end of Term 4, notification would need to be received by the first day of Term 4.

Please email all withdrawal notices to admissions@nudgee.qld.edu.au for the attention of the Principal.