Principal
Rain.
Images of the flooding rains and the resultant impact on communities in NSW has understandably dominated the media this week. We feel for those people who have been seriously affected. At the same time, rain across wide areas of western and south-western areas of Queensland has been a blessing to many. Similarly, rain in north-western NSW around Moree has been drought-breaking and life-changing in the best possible way for many rural communities. It is good news for numerous Nudgee College boarding families in these areas who have been celebrating this early autumnal rain.
Perhaps, I am more mindful of the latter good news stories because I was due to head west and over the border to visit our current and prospective families this week. The rain has prevented us from visiting Goondiwindi and Moree but, fortunately, we are able to head to Roma today to meet with families there. These connections with rural communities have been part of the College’s story since our earliest days and we remain committed to developing them further. We will reschedule the postponed visits until Term 2.
While the rain here in Brisbane has been very beneficial to our newly restored ovals at The Flats Sports Complex, it has not been kind to the last 10% of the project. The regular rain over the past two months has hampered our contractors capacity to complete the project and the final two junior ovals at the far end of The Flats remain unfinished. Given current circumstances, this is likely to be the case for some weeks but we are hopeful that post Easter the ground works can be concluded and the turf laid late in April. The actual establishment of the turf then takes some months prior to the ovals being available for training and competition. Consequently, these junior ovals will not be ready in time for GPS football season in Term 2 but we are hopeful that they might be ready for use in Term 3.
Further to this, the local rain has also impacted on the final stage of the Treacy Heritage Precinct project. These final works include some concrete that has to be poured and then left to cure as well as some final landscaping in both the Edmund Rice and Old Boys’ malls. Even though it is incomplete, the precinct is already a stunning transformation of the original building and surrounding areas of the College. We remain hopeful that this work will be completed before Easter and that we will have sufficient time to prepare for celebrations on Saturday 17 April.
The last Saturday of the term break will be a special occasion for the community with two events that evening. At 4pm there will be the official Blessing and Opening of the Treacy Heritage Precinct with the Archbishop of Brisbane, the Most Reverend Mark Coleridge, leading the liturgy. In the same liturgy, we will be officially marking the 130th anniversary of the College. This small, private event will lead into the whole community gathering at the NC130 Years Celebration from 6pm in the restored Edmund Rice Mall. This will be a fun event and include the opportunity to view the internal refurbishment during the ‘Open House’ part of the night. An invitation has already been circulated and we have large numbers registered, which is most encouraging. If you would like to attend and have not already registered the details are available at this link.
The end of the term next Thursday is looming for us all and for many boys these final days are marked by end of term assessment. We trust that all boys finish the term strongly with a focused approach to their studies. Importantly next week our Year 12s undertake their Kairos experience. This is a unique time for these young men and a culmination of the retreats, leadership sessions, outdoor camps and student formation experiences that they have been exposed to over their years at Nudgee College. Just recently a mother of a past student shared with me her son’s reflection that Kairos was the most special time in all his years at the school. We hope that this is also the case for the 2021 Seniors and we keep them in our prayers at this time.
The final week of the term coincides with Holy Week, which commences with Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday. This week is the culmination of the 40 day Lenten journey. Amidst all that is ahead of all of us in our professional, personal and family lives in the coming week we would do well to find a daily space for prayer and reflection. As Christians, we are called to prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus - the centrepiece of our faith.
With every blessing for the weeks ahead and for Easter especially.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal