Wow! Term 4 and 2020 are over and what a year it has been. Our inspirational motto, ‘with spirit’ challenged the boys to think about how they can approach everything they do this year with both the Riley and Nudgee Spirit. This was something the boys lived by this year in all aspects of their Nudgee College lives; academics, Sport and Performing Arts, Social Justice, in the classroom and online, around the College, and in their relationships with friends and family.
The Junior School students were well supported throughout the year by their Big Brothers: Aiden Richards, James Hueppauff, Elton Shibble and Mitchell Watson. Each boy brought their own unique personality and talents, yet they all contributed something special to our Riley family. It was great to witness Mitchell Watson be presented with his Mid-Year Prefect badge in Term 3. He was a fine addition to the Riley Prefect team.
Our focus on House spirit and participation ensured our pursuit of the Br Vic Larkin Shield started and ended in high spirits, even with COVID-19 restrictions. Our placing in Swimming again proved we are not water babies in Riley House, but our Debating team were again crowd pleasers with a newly formed ‘young but wise’ trio of Oliver Bryans, Oscar Roati and Sejin Lee gaining us a worthy third place (joint with Barrett House). The Riley Chess team continues to grow in strength, gaining another amazing third place in the unique online Chess competition this year. A big thanks to Ben Ditchburn, Dominic Stein, Declan Ford, James Armitage, Daniel Kuskie and Cooper Corless for their participation in the competition this year. Academically too, our results continued to be among the best in the College. In the fight for the Br Vic Larkin Shield, this was even more important, with the academic medal tally and learning habit reports contributing to the competition. While we didn’t get to hold the shield, I am so proud of our second place this year. It is clear we have the brains, if only we could get slightly better at swimming!
Participation in Social Justice activities continues to be an integral part of the Riley House identity. 2020 was the 24th year in which we have collected for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal and this year saw us raise our biggest figure to date – and without knocking on a single door. Once again, COVID-19 hit us with a curveball but, for once, this had a positive result – the Digital Doorknock – and lots of money raised for such a worthy cause. This is probably a format that will be adopted for years to come due to its success for the Salvation Army. Riley House will continue to be a part of such a wonderful organisation.
We have a wonderfully active group of Riley House parents, and we offer our deepest gratitude to all of them for their continued support and bid farewell to the wonderful House parents who leave us this year. Ms Rebecca Kuskie, who has been my rock since I became the House Dean for Riley House in 2018, is finishing up this year as her son Daniel graduates. I will be eternally grateful to Rebecca for her support over the years. She is truly an amazing person who had the difficult job of making me look good – I think she did pretty well. I am so pleased to announce that our new Head House Mum is Ms Lisa Board, mother to Harrison in Year 10. I am looking forward to working with Lisa next year and hopefully not having to deal with as many restrictions. I thank Lisa for taking up this role.
Prefects James Armitage, Cooper Corless and Daniel Kuskie were great role models for the boys. Rowan Burton, Will Mann and Keiran McCarthy were selected as our Prefects for 2021 from a talented pool of eight applicants. We look forward to what these young men can offer as a leadership group next year. At our final House Assembly with the Seniors, we also congratulated an outstanding young man, James Armitage, as the recipient of this year’s Br Riley Award for his meritorious conduct, participation and service to the House and College.
I would like to acknowledge the support of our PC tutors who have been so wonderful in caring for the Riley boys on a daily basis: Ms Stephanie Spicer, Mr Sam Proctor, Mr Tim Bird, Mr Damien Gannon, Mr Simon Lilley, Mr Thomas Hughes, Mr Andrew Hook, Ms Jai Dwyer and Mr Michael Ford. Riley House thrives on a strong partnership between the boys, their families and our PC tutors. This continuing relationship is a pivotal aspect of the pastoral support of the young men in our care.
This year has been another big year for me. I thoroughly enjoy my role as Riley House Dean. I love getting to know all of the wonderful Riley men. I am inspired on a daily basis by their amazing spirit, kindness and unrelenting energy. I continue to have high hopes for what Riley House might achieve in the years ahead – we could be holding the Br Vic Larkin Shield next year! Across all of our year groups, we have a wonderfully diverse collection of interests and talents – academic, spiritual, cultural, sporting and social awareness – and a great sense of family and community. This gives Riley House a great balance. What we have in Riley is something very special, and it is an absolute honour to be part of this family.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that you enjoy the break with family and friends. See you in 2021.
Ms Lynsey Hale
Riley House Dean