Usually, end of term newsletter articles begin with something about the busyness of life at the College. However, not this term. It was most unnerving to be at Nudgee College without the bustle of boys and the hive of activity. It has certainly been a testing time for all stakeholders but, like all difficult times, this one is coming to an end and things are returning to normal.
Despite the necessary isolation, the College forged ahead with some activities and we recognise achievement from Term 1:
- Cricket First XI: Nick Glass, Zac Smullen
- Volleyball First VI: Heath Lillicrap, Ethan Petcos
- Rowing First VIII: Noah Nelson, Jonah Nelson
- Cricket Best Team Men: Jack Smith (9B), Edward Gerry (6C), Flynn Twomey (6B), Sam Tallon (6A)
- Most Improved Open Rower: Jonah Nelson
- Rowing Ergo Shield Year 10: Jonah Nelson (6:34.7)
- Rowing Shed Sculling Champion: Noah Nelson
Oratory
Aidan Easton, Isaac Lofaro, Blake Keir, Injarra Harbour and Tom Walsh all brought their oratory skills into the public forum with their participation in the Oratory competition – Nudgee College’s longest running competition. Congratulations to Aidan Easton who won his age group’s competition. The following is an extract from his speech:
What makes something newsworthy? There are technically five criteria that make something newsworthy. Timing, significance, proximity, prominence and human interest. But these days, I would argue that we have a sixth criteria – value. And my question to you is what do we value as a society when creating and consuming the news?
Moral values have been overtaken by what sells papers, clicks on the internet, ad space and merchandise. Most of us don’t know current events in Africa – but I bet you could tell me all about what Katy Perry ate on MasterChef the other night. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the entertainment from the news, I don’t think we’ve got the balance quite right.
So, I ask you, how can young Nudgee College men be inspired to be Signum Fidei in a foreign country and provide aid to those less fortunate in other places if he never gets to hear about their conditions?
We can choose with our wallets, our clicks, our eyes and our time. Invest yourself in seeking out the stories that you deem to be newsworthy and that align with what you value… I dug deeper into the world news and discovered on 10 March this year, the second person ever had been cured of HIV, something truly valuable. So I ask you, what newsworthy events will you discover?
Well done to Injarra Harbour for taking out the prestigious Year 12 prize with his speech titled ‘stoicism – the art of not caring’. The following is an extract from his speech:
When we are born into this reality, we exist only as confused, naive entities, engulfed by the complex interplay of living life. Our life hinges upon a persisting ambition to control these variables so the void of vulnerability and confusion is filled. This illusion of control may seem possible, however, in reality, it keeps us hostage to our own problems. But what if we simply didn’t care? Is this even possible?
In a word ‘yes’. To sate this hunger for control, and further understand the plight of human desire, I look to the ancient school of philosophy – stoicism… What is stoicism? It is the ability to view ourselves, the world, and its people objectively and accept their nature as it is.
With society’s current level of chaos and disorder – pandemics racing across the globe, protesters setting fire to America and people stockpiling in preparation for the apocalypse – stoicism may be more important than ever. We cannot control and remove all the tragedies throughout history and prevent those to come... But stoicism suggests that we are not powerless victims of society. We can learn the art of not caring – in the best possible way – to enable life to be fully lived no matter what is happening in the world.
In the stoic view, the things we find ourselves pursuing in contemporary society are meaningless. We have basically no control of what happens to us, how people perceive us nor what happens as a result of what we do. But this really doesn’t matter. We are the architects of our happiness, not for what we have or what we have achieved and certainly not by how others see us.
Stoicism tells us that we can prevail. The world may be chaotic and armageddon may be looming but individuals can bunker down and ride the wild storms of life, not by caring about the maelstrom or trying to control it, but rather by honing the art of not caring – digging deep and nurturing our inner storm chaser in order to survive.
Chess
Thanks to the following boys for flying the Magee flag in Inter-house Chess: Noah Nelson, Blake Keir, Tom Duffy, Alec Watson, Joseph Wesche, Tom Walsh, Lachlan Barrett, Hamish McLaughlin and Christian Mills. Whilst not achieving dizzy heights of success, I applaud the number of boys who joined in the online version of the competition.
Ed’s Pantry
You may have seen a clip on Sunday’s Nine News regarding Nudgee College’s contribution to the Emmanuel City Mission and how this has kept the mission going during the pandemic. Magee families have been extraordinarily generous in donating items to Ed’s Pantry, some of which will be destined for the mission. Your response has been outstanding and very much appreciated by the Identity team and, most importantly, by those who need the assistance.
It has been a pleasure to have the majority of boys back and we look forward to the time when all boys, particularly boarders, can return to the College.
I hope the coming break is safe and restorative.
Ms Julianne Daunt
Magee House Dean