Principal
Nuclear power rods. Solar energy. Waste recycling plants. Healthier diets.
These are just a sample of the project topics that were featured on Wednesday evening at the STEAM Exhibition Night in Tierney Auditorium. For those who may not be aware, STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths. At Nudgee College we include the Art aspect, along with the more common acronym of STEM. More than 150 boys from Years 8 and 9 presented their Term 3 projects that were innovative and creative. Some provided possible solutions to problems that our world faces today. Others were fun-based activities requiring coding and technology to create interactive games. All are a product of a different approach to classroom learning in that these projects were self-chosen and not teacher-directed. The boys were very proud to display their work and talk about their projects. The success of the night and the growth in the STEAM subject over the last two years are a credit to the leading work of Mr Jack Dahms along with the teachers of this new subject offering.
Tierney was certainly abuzz on Wednesday night with parents, families, staff and students in animated conversations. This was also the case last Friday night when Tierney Auditorium was packed for the Opening Night Gala of the 2019 Dimensions Arts Festival. This festival was also a great success at many levels: the quality of the artworks on display; the large crowds in attendance; the number of artworks that were sold; the range and standard of our musicians and singers; and of particular note, the quality and quantity of student artwork that was showcased this year. Like STEAM, the number of students selecting art and the number of classes has grown over the past two years. This is a credit to the dynamic leadership of the Coordinator of Visual Arts Ms Samantha Martinuzzi and the dedicated and passionate work of her staff.
The College is very grateful for the many months of work and planning that was so generously given by the members of the College Art Committee, who were capably led by Ms Margie Hutchinson.
Interestingly, the showcasing of the creative and, in some cases, collaborative student work on these two occasions resonated with a presentation on ‘The Future of Work’ that I attended earlier in the week. If I could summarise much of what I heard into one sentence, it would be that ‘skills, not job titles, are the new metric for the labour market’. There were discussions about soft and hard skills that the world of today, and the future, are demanding. The top five of those in the soft skill category included creativity, time management, adaptability, collaboration and persuasion (as identified by research from LinkedIn). I share the article with you for those who wish to know more.
As we enter the final stages of the term there has been a change to the rhythm of school life, with the Year 12s commencing end of term exams and Year 10s about to commence their Immersion Program. The majority of our Year 12s have been experiencing the most challenging period of the school year over the last few weeks. Recent assessment deadlines, the QCS test and now end of Term 3 exams creates a constant pressure for many. These young men have been well supported by senior staff, as well as their parents during this time. The coming holiday break will be timely and will enable all Year 12s to recharge before Term 4 and the Valedictory process.
Finally, I am privileged to be a member of the Papua New Guinea Immersion to Vuvu on the island of New Britain, which leaves this Sunday. The whole Year 10 Immersion Program is a massive logistics operation, which enables our boys to undertake experiences that will open their minds and, importantly, their hearts, to the greater needs of others in this world. I thank Director of Identity Ms Danyelle Kelly and PA to the Dean of Identity Ms Di James for their efforts. We trust that all the staff and students on their Immersions return safely, but also enriched by the experience. I will return to my office in Week 2 of Term 4 following the Immersion, a short holiday break as well as a few days of leave in Week 1. Mr David Johnston will be acting Principal while I am away.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal