Principal
Many years ago Willie Nelson wrote a song called ‘On the Road Again’. A joy filled song about the pleasures of being on the road and making music with his friends. We haven’t made any music but certainly it has been joy-filled to be on the roads of South Western Queensland with Mr Casey Brealy (Dean of Boarding) and Ms Bianca Burberry (College Psychologist).
As I write, it is the early morning after last night’s gathering in Goondiwindi. The previous evening we were in Roma where we also held a gathering for current and prospective families. We were made to feel very welcome at both occasions which were well attended. Conversations with rural families are a reminder of the vital role Nudgee College plays in the lives of these people.
There has been strong growth in enrolments from both these towns and their surrounding areas. The College has invested much time and resources to regularly visiting and connecting with their communities. This includes not only these style of gatherings but also running sporting clinics for any young girls and boys who wish to attend.
Brisbane families are spoilt for choice when it comes to schooling options and Nudgee College is just one of many good education options that parents can choose from. This is not the case in the country and I am always mindful of the sacrifice that parents must make. In particular, country parents have shared with me the initial impact of returning home after dropping their son off to start boarding school. Sometimes, tear filled and painful trips home or the moments of sadness when parents return home to a quiet house and their son’s empty bedroom. Of course, there is the considerable financial sacrifice boarding families must also make.
These sacrifices are balanced by the knowledge that boarding schools such as Nudgee College also provide their son/s with opportunities far beyond anything available locally. Time again, these parents share their joy at knowing how happy their son is at Nudgee College: The tight friendships they develop; the learning opportunities that stretch them; the sporting and cultural activities that enrich them; the way their son is cared for by boarding staff; the changes in their son’s confidence and sense of responsibility. All feature in the narrative of how their son has grown as a person through the experience of leaving home to go to boarding school.
Boarding has been at the heart of our school for 131 years. While there are many more day boys than there are boarders in recent generations we remain a boarding school not a school that has boarders. There is more than just a subtle distinction between two. In 2022, the boarding house is full with 300 young men from across Queensland, from many Australian states and also from across international borders, once again. As a College we have been working strategically to achieve this position for several years.
This commenced back in 2015-16 with a review of the entire boarding operation. In subsequent years, this review’s recommendations guided many decisions. The review also overlapped the refurbishment and consolidation of the four boarding dormitories into the Bathersby Boarding Village in the heart of the campus. In addition, we have continued to direct resources into improving the boarding operations.
In 2022 this is reflected in the addition to the leadership structure of boarding. Casey Brealy as Dean of Boarding is supported by the creation of the Director of Boarding position which is now held by Mr Mike Silcock, a new appointment. This structure reflects other leadership models across the College.
In recent years, we have added to the care levels of our boarders with the additional resources in the counselling team to focus on boarders after school hours. Bianca Burberry fills this role and on this tour she has been able to talk about the support that she provides in the area of well-being and mental health to our boarders.
For the three staff involved, there is a shared sense that the joy in this road trip has been the affirming stories that many parents have shared with us about their son’s boarding experiences at Nudgee College. A most genuine privilege.
In conclusion, two final points.
- COVID-19 continues to impact day to day school life, as well as family life, with many boys absent due to having contracted the illness or being a close contact. Similarly, our staff have been adversely affected. It has made for a most challenging fortnight at the conclusion of a most challenging term. I would encourage parents to contact your son’s teachers to ensure that that they have the resources to continue learning, where they are well enough to do so. Where assessment is affected please contact the Learning and Teaching office to elicit their support.
- This is my final article for the term and I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the understanding and support I have received from many parents about next term. While I am looking forward to undertaking the role of acting Director of Schools (Queensland) for EREA for a few months there is a substantial part of me that will miss being a part of the Nudgee College community. The College will be well lead by the highly capable Mr David Johnston and the CLT and I look forward to returning at the start of Semester 2 in July.
With every best wish for the coming holidays, the Easter season and term ahead.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal