NC NewsNEWSLETTER OF ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE

2199 Sandgate Road, Boondall, QLD 4034Tel: +61 7 3865 0555 Fax: +61 7 3865 0500

Email: contact@nudgee.com www.nudgee.com

12 NOVEMBER | VOLUME 38 | NO 35

DATE CLAIMERS | NOVEMBER 13 to 19 November Year 12 Exam Block 19 November Year 12 Valedictory Mass and Dinner 20 November End of Year 12

Dear parents, guardians and community members,

Nudgee spirit can be encountered at the most unlikely times and places.

This thought occurred to me at around 1.00am on Wednesday morning following the late finish of our terrific Awards Ceremony. A couple of hours earlier I had arrived home to face a domestic plumbing disaster in one of the girl’s bathrooms. Having unsuccessfully applied my limited plumbing skills to the situation, I resorted to phoning a 24/7 plumbing service around midnight. The obliging, but bleary eyed, plumber duly arrived and solved the problem. We were standing outside my home sorting out the account in the dark of night when he commented upon the Nudgee College sticker on my car.

He very proudly claimed his Nudgee College heritage and let me know that he was an Old Boy from the late 1990s. Having informed him I was proudly the current Principal, he immediately replied that his four year old son had been enrolled at birth. Despite the late hour, he was happy to share his memories of Nudgee College, to fondly recall his teachers and to let me know that his Nudgee College mates are still his best friends. While the Nudgee College connection didn’t lessen the cost of the call out in the middle of the night, it did highlight for me the lifelong influence that going to school at Nudgee College has upon boys and young men.

So in the week that the Seniors of 2015 have their final lessons and farewell Assembly, it is timely to reflect upon what a privilege it is to receive a Nudgee College education, and just what it means to be sign of faith - a Signum Fidei graduate. The spirit of the College was clearly on show this morning as we farewelled the Year 12s with final House Assemblies, Chapel service, morning tea with parents and staff in the Rose Garden in front of the Treacy Building, followed by the guard of honour walk down to their final Assembly in the McKennariey Centre. The farewell speeches made by College Captain Ben Rada Martin, Mrs Mary Power on behalf of the parents, Mr Chris Lake on behalf of the staff and finally from our departing Dean of Students, Mr Paul Begg, were all highly moving and touched upon themes of pride, gratitude, spirit and the values of the College. All in all, it was a wonderful morning for the community, and for the Year 12 graduates in particular. As one teacher remarked to me, the day of farewell to the Seniors’ is always her favourite day of the school year.

All the special occasions of the past week, including the Inter-house Showcase, the Ladies Auxiliary Mass and Dinner, as well as the Awards Ceremony, help to build the deep sense of belonging and connection for many in the College community. Behind each of these events there is a significant amount of organisation, hard work and great talent. I am grateful for the many staff who have given so generously over the past week and will do so again to ensure this coming week’s events are also special occasions.

Thank you to the large crowd who attended on Monday evening Awards Ceremony and particular thanks are extended to those parents who travelled a long distance to support their sons. The musical performances at the Awards Ceremony were outstanding and many people have commented upon how this area of College life has developed in recent years. Again, special thanks to Mr Brett Foster and his staff for their work in leading the band program.

Finally, special congratulations to the Dux of each year level who were acclaimed on Tuesday night. This list includes:

• Year 7 - Kehan Sully

• Year 8 - Ethan Ferraro

• Year 9 - Tevita Kaitu

• Year 10 - Jeffrey He

• Year 11 - Lewis Begg

• Dux of the College - Alexander He

Congratulations also to all those students who received awards, and in particular to the recipients of the Awards of Distinction, which are listed on the following page.

Mr Peter FullagarPrincipal

A Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition

With every best wish for the coming week,

Alex Kluck Junior (Years 5-6) Sportsman of the Year

Joseph Small Year 10 Ladies Auxiliary Award for Conduct, Study and Sport

Alex Flanders Year 10 Richard James Hutton Elliott Bursary for Social Justice and Community Service

Lachlan Green Year 11 Past Mothers’ Association Sign of Faith Award to acknowledge a student who demonstrates a compassionate and selfless attitude

Thomas Nugent Music Michael Oldbury Memorial Award (Yrs 10-12) for Outstanding Contribution in Music Shirley Agnew Memorial Award for Outstanding Participation

Benjamin Harris W A Collins Memorial Award for Conduct, Study and Sport

Thomas Zappala W Carlton-Smith Memorial Award for Leadership, Study and Sport

Peter Tennant Sam Sciacca Memorial Award for Character and Citizenship

Damien Janbroers Kelleher Family Award for Consistent, Unrecognised Achievement

Ahan Majmudar University of Queensland Application to Life Long Learning

Eamon Moore Cultural Events Committee Creative Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts

Jack Donovan James J Delahunty Award Sportsman of the Year

David Verryne James J Delahunty Award Sportsman of the Year

Adam Bakker Excellence in Sport Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Sport

Brandon Herrigan Excellence in Sport Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Sport

Nathan McSweeney Excellence in Sport Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Sport

Conor Warren Excellence in Sport Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Sport

Reece Hewat Rugby Br. D.V. Wallis C.F.C Trophy Best & Fairest (1st XV) Excellence in Sport Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Sport Br J G Hodda Memorial Award for Leadership and Diligence

Bill Kidd Old Boys’ Award for Outstanding Service to the College Br J G Hodda Memorial Award for Leadership and Diligence

Thomas McNamara Dux of Economics Br J G Hodda Memorial Award for Leadership and Diligence

Alex Seccombe Br J G Hodda Memorial Award for Leadership and Diligence

Benjamin Rada Martin Br J G Hodda Memorial Award for Leadership and Diligence Signum Fidei Award for a Student who displays the qualities of our school motto ‘A Sign of Faith’

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 3

End of Year Rituals – Year 12 Final Chapel Ritual

We continue with our end of year rituals this week, in particular as we farewell our Year 12s on their final day of school today. Their final day began with a House Assembly where the Houses were given the opportunity to farewell their Seniors. The Year 12 students then gathered for prayer, ritual and reflection in the Chapel. This was followed by morning tea in the Rose Garden with their parents, and then a walk down to their final ever Assembly through a guard of honour.

Grocery Appeal

Our Christmas Grocery Appeal has begun and we are collecting any non-perishable items for the Hope Centre at Aspley. In particular we are looking for tea, coffee, Milo, sugar and long life milk. Should you have any items, please bring them to the Edmund Rice Centre. These will be distributed over the Christmas holidays.

If you would like to participate over the holidays with the Big BBQ and Big Brekky programs, please contact us at the Edmund Rice Centre.

Nar-dha News

On Tuesday night the College assembled to celebrate those students who have been awarded prizes for studies and outstanding achievements. Those students from the Indigenous unit are:

• Brody Tzvetkoff (Dux Pre-Vocational Maths)

• Lachie Drahm (Dux Physical Recreation Studies)

• Ryan Abel (Dux Drama)

• Nathan Ross (Dux Hospitality Operations)

• Ryan Chui-Clarke (Dux Building and Construction)

AIEF Visits

Mr Rowan O’Donnell has been with our AIEF scholarship holders for two days assisting them with their career pathways for beyond Year 12. The two days spent with the Year 11 and Year 12 students was most beneficial.

Mentor Night

All Year 10 and Year 11 AIEF scholarship holders participated in a night with their mentors and other AIEF schools from around Brisbane. This was a great night to spend time with mentors, discuss dreams and aspirations, as well as meet other AIEF scholarship holders from around Brisbane.

Identity and MissionMs Erin Wedge Dean of Identity

A Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition

‘Nurturing Pathways to Better Futures’

Nudgee College continues to be committed to providing choices of pathway in order to suit students’ interests, abilities, needs, backgrounds and learning styles. Students who are on a VET pathway are provided with a plethora of subject choice that not only allows them to gain entrance to post-tertiary study but also prepares them to enter the workforce in a dynamic and ever-changing economic environment. In 2015, the Nudgee College VET Program offered training and expertise in the areas of Construction, Engineering, Hospitality and Business (RTO Code: 30498).

The VET department also offered Year 12 non-QCST students an array of courses in order to prepare them for a fiercely competitive job market. These have included courses in First Aid, the Responsible Service of Alcohol, Defensive Driving and Trade Taster workshops. This vast collection of certificates and experiences will increase the employability of Nudgee College VET students and ensure that they are well equipped and prepared for the world of work.

Many challenges were overcome, including the need to adapt to and address the new national VET standards that were introduced in April this year. This has resulted in staff strengthening their VET competencies and currency, often through their industry engagement. The hard work of the department should be acknowledged here as staff have worked tirelessly to be deemed competent while delivering relevant and engaging curriculum. Their efforts ensure that Nudgee College’s VET program guarantees students greater success in their future.

More recently, the College underwent their annual VET internal audit, led by EREA Consultant Sandra Kenman. The VET staff were commended for their determination to meet the requirements stipulated in new National VET standards and were further praised for their networking with industry advisors. Congratulations must go to all staff members in the VET department for their hard work.

Congratulations must also go to Jacob O’Brien, who achieved the annual Trainee/Apprentice of the Year award. Jacob completed a Certificate III in Business Administration in partnership with Carter Newell law firm and has been offered a full time position with the company in their finance department as an accounting assistant in 2016.

The VET department would like to wish the 2015 Senior cohort every success in life.

Game Coding Workshop

Create, Imagine and Innovate with Code - the first game coding workshop for Nudgee College Years 5 to 7 took place on 5 November in the Learning Centre. The focus was to show young students how much fun coding is and to foster computational thinking. We apply computational thinking in our subject Digital Technologies when programming robots, websites, mobile apps and games. However, this workshop was designed specifically for our primary school students. It was a great success and the Year 5 to 7 boys were fantastic. Despite already having a full day of learning behind them they followed the very fast paced one hour workshop with great enthusiasm. The boys programmed a complete game where the player has to race a boat around wooden barriers, avoiding obstacles to reach an island. I was very impressed and we have already received several requests to run more workshops.

Learning and TeachingMs Lara MorganHead of VET

Mr Richard BauerDigital Technologies and Information Technology Systems

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 5

Student FormationMr Paul BeggDean of StudentsToday we marked the final Assembly and farewell by the College community of our Seniors of 2015. They were, as always, an excellent set of young men. They were personally unique in that they were the Year 5s when I started here in 2008, and as such we leave together.

All year levels and departing cohorts have their own distinct and unique personality. The alumni of 2015 were always a hard working, talented and amenable group of young men. Throughout their time they have been central to so much of our growth development and change, from the youngest members of the inaugural NC Drum Line to the stars of our newest activity Theatre Sports, these boys have been the pioneers. It has been a wonderful journey to walk with them and we are sad to see them graduate, but filled with joy at what the future holds for them

The Senior Graduation Mass and Valedictory Dinner will be held next Thursday evening here at the College.

Showcase

There is a huge vote of thanks to the House Deans and all involved in the preparation and running of this year’s Inter-house Showcase. Once again we had in excess of 3000 people in attendance, with many Houses conducting BBQs and ‘red carpet’ events prior to the Showcase.

The College bands were outstanding, as was atmosphere and lighting put together by Mr Raoul Carmody and the magnificent young men in the AV crew.

The results were as follows:

• 1st Place - Shaw

• 2nd Place - McKenna

• 3rd place - Fogarty

• People’s Choice Award - Magee House

• Highly Commended - Tierney and Duggan

• Principal’s Commendation - Ross, Barrett and Riley

It was an awesome night of fun and enjoyment and I trust all who attended enjoyed the spirit and enthusiasm of the boys.

Exam leave for Year 11 and 12

Year 12 exam leave begins today (12 November) and Year 11 exam leave begins on Monday 23 November.

All parents are reminded of the following:

• Boys are to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to exams

• Boys must arrive in full College uniform if they come onto school premises

• Study space is available in both the Learning Centre and the Learning and Teaching study room

• No boys can drive on to, and most definitely not through, the campus during the school day

• All absence and illness must be reported to the College immediately and doctors certificates authenticating the illness are required

Buses and Transport

A final reminder to all parents to have a discussion about finishing the year well on buses and public transport. While there has been the occasional issue we have had a fairly good year on transport services. It would be wonderful if we could stay focused on sensible behaviour and good choices in these last few weeks.

A Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition

Year 12s Last Day of School

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 7

A Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition

Year 12 Students - QTAC application reminders

•• Have you put important dates in your phone or diary? Important QTAC application, offer round dates and response dates are listed on page 4 of the QTAC Guide. For example, it is important to know when Year 12 results are released and when OP ineligible ranks are available so you can review your QTAC preferences before 6 January 2016 (the last date to make changes for the major offer round on 14 January 2016).

•• Do you have all QTAC documents and numbers in a safe place? Put your QTAC Guide, a copy of your QTAC preferences, QTAC password, QTAC reference number, LUI, and Learning Account PIN together in a place where you can find them. If you are going overseas during the Christmas holidays, you should take all of these items with you.

•• Do you have a Tax File Number? You will need this to apply for Commonwealth Government HELP loans (e.g. HECS, VET FEE-HELP) when you enrol at a university, TAFE or college after you receive an offer of a course place.

Pathways for graduates of B Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (Honours) at the University of Queensland (UQ)

This three year degree can be a pathway to postgraduate studies in dietetics, physiotherapy, medicine, clinical exercise physiology and sports coaching. The UQ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Studies lists the following advantages of using the B Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (Honours) as a pathway to medicine:

•• Graduate ahead of the pack with a solid understanding of exercise and nutrition for preventative health and maintenance of good health

•• The subjects studied in the degree provide a good preparation for Gamsat

•• The degree is a three year program meaning you could complete your undergraduate degree and Doctor of Medicine in as little as seven years

Find out more about this degree at www.hms.uq.edu.au/future-students/undergraduate-study/bachelor-of-exercise-nutrition-sciences.

School Holiday Robotics

Visit www.eait.uq.edu.au/robotics-ict#robotics-holiday for information about robotics, artificial intelligence and RoboGals workshops offered in December.

Study a foreign language during the holidays

Students in Years 11 and 12 in 2016 can study enrichment language courses in German, Japanese, French, Chinese (Mandarin), and Spanish at the University of Queensland’s Institute of Modern Languages Summer High School Program from 11 to 15 January 2016.  These courses are suitable for students who wish to enrich their knowledge of the language and culture they are currently studying and practise their language skills. For further information, visit www.iml.uq.edu.au/highschool.html.

NIDA Summer Courses in Brisbane

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) will offer short courses in acting during the coming school holidays. Visit www.open.nida.edu.au/courses?near=BRISBANE for details about the courses offered and the application process.

Scholarships

2016 Aspiring Teacher Grants

These grants provide financial support of $1,500 for up to 25 high achieving secondary students commencing an initial teacher education program in Queensland in 2016. Applications are now open and will close on 11 December.  For eligibility criteria and the application process, visit education.qld.gov.au/hr/recruitment/teaching/aspiring-teacher-grants.html.

Adam Scott Foundation Sports Business Scholarship

The Adam Scott Foundation in partnership with Griffith University sponsors this scholarship. The foundation would like to support a student who has overcome adversities in life and is passionate about business and sport. The scholarship will cover the student contribution charges (i.e. HECS). Applicants must apply and gain entry to Griffith’s B Business (Sports Management) programs. Visit www.griffith.edu.au/scholarships/categories/sports-scholarships/adam-scott-foundation-scholarship for more information and to access the online application form. Applications close on 26 January 2016.

CareersMrs Jeanette MaxwellHead of Careers

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 9

Australasian College of Natural Therapies (ACNT) Scholarship

ACNT offers higher education courses in naturopathy, nutritional medicine, Western herbal medicine and health science. It is offering a scholarship for studies commencing in 2016. The scholarship will cover one year of tuition fees for degrees or one trimester of tuition fees for diploma courses. Apply online at www.acnt.edu.au/student-centre/scholarship-info by 17 January 2016.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) scholarship applications now open

Browse the ACU scholarships at www.acu.edu.au/study_at_acu/courses/scholarships_and_financial_support/Scholarships_and_Bursaries_Browser. The application due date for most of the scholarships is in November 2015 or February 2016.

Horizon Scholarship

The Horizon Scholarship is offered to students entering their first year of university in a degree relating to agriculture. It offers $5000 per year, mentoring partnerships, professional development workshops and more. Applications for the 2016 scholarship program are now open and will close on 19 February 2016. Go to www.rirdc.gov.au/research-programs/rural-people-issues/horizon-scholarship for details.

JMC scholarships

JMC Academy is a private college with a campus in South Brisbane. It offers accredited diplomas and degrees in the following fields of study:

•• Audio engineering and sound production

•• Film and television production

•• Animation

•• Contemporary music and performance

•• Game development

•• Digital design

•• Songwriting

•• Entertainment business management.

JMC will offer up to eight academic undergraduate scholarships for study commencing in 2016. Applications close on the 18 December. For details, see the JMC website at www.jmcacademy.edu.au/apply/domestic-students/scholarships.

Maple-Brown Family Charitable Foundation Scholarship for Indigenous Students

This scholarship is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school leavers to study at the University of New South Wales in management and commerce. The total value of the scholarship is $50,000.  Visit scholarships.online.unsw.edu.au/scholarship/sc_al_search_detail.display_scholarship_details?p_schedule_id=2314&p_scholarship_specific_id=697 for more information about this scholarship. The application due date is 30 November.

A Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition

Junior SchoolMr Chris CawleyDirector of Junior SchoolLearning Centre Borrowings

There are a number of Junior School students who have overdue books borrowed from the Learning Centre. An email reminder was sent to students from the Learning Centre. We would appreciate all parents please checking with their son to ensure any overdue resources are returned as soon as possible.

Big Brother Farewell

This week we farewelled our Big Brothers from PC. This year they have again been an extraordinary group of young men who have been excellent role models for our youngest and most impressionable students. I think Aidan Read (Year 5T) summed it up very well on behalf of the Junior School at the Senior Farewell Assembly on Thursday:

Who are Big Brothers? They are those specially selected Year 12s who all year take the time to be some of our biggest supporters, on the sporting field, in the morning chess game, or even around the campus when we are feeling a little lost or unsure. They are our connection to the high school, the sharers of the Nudgee spirit, the big boys that take the time to get to know us, joke with us and just make us feel valued and part of this amazing place. My name is Aidan and today I stand here to say thanks to all of the Year 12 Big Brothers who this year have played such an important role in making the lives of my Year 5 and 6 peers that much easier and that bit more fun.

So what is it that Big Brothers do that makes them so memorable each year? If you talk to any of my classmates, they’ll tell you it’s about the chats you have each morning, the massive high kicks during games of kick tennis - those bombs that are just so tricky to catch - the Connect 4 challenges that almost always end in them losing, the games of UNO that go on and on, day to day, week to week. That’s how they build the bond that combines us all together. The bond that unites us as a College. The bond that enables the amazing Nudgee spirit to be transferred from the oldest students to the youngest. Year 12s, as you leave, please be assured that for us Year 5s feel proud of the Nudgee College tradition and so very confident that you have implanted within us what it really means to be one of those 10,000 brothers. So on behalf of all the members of the Junior School we wish you every success in whatever path you choose to take beyond these Nudgee College walls.

We look forward to seeing many of our parents and caregivers at our functions in the final week. A reminder that payment for end of year excursions is due Monday 16 November.

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 11

BoardingMr Ken MitchellHead of Hodda Boarding HouseYear 12 Boarders

At the start of Week 4, we took the time, as we usually do, to bring all the Year 12s together to participate in what we call the Boarders’ Rites of Passage. The aim of this is to start preparing the boys for what will be their last term here at Nudgee College as Boarders and the fact that they will soon be leaving our community. Although sad for many, including staff, it is a useful way to help them let go and realise that they now have the rest of their lives to look forward to. So whilst it can be a confronting time, we hope to help them realise it is just another chapter in their lives. We are all very proud of the way the Seniors have contributed to our Boarding community.

Reach for the Stars

Please discuss with your sons how they are travelling with assignments and their exam preparation so there are no issues with deadlines and getting tasks in on time. It is better to deal with any potential issues now rather than later. They know they have all the help in the world from their Boarding staff and the wonderful teachers who come in every night to the Boarding Houses to help them. Please encourage them to seek help if they feel like they are starting to struggle.

Boys’ Education- Dr Ian Lillico, Boys Forward Institute

Learn what to think and then think it By Chris Gladstone

Learn what to think and then think it. Learn what to say, learn how to say it, then say it. Our boys (and our girls) are like ships without a rudder unless they are given direction and a purpose in life by their carers; be they parents, guardians, teachers or whatever. Unless they have a strong feeling of self-worth, that they are loved, that they know that we believe in them and their dreams, then their ability to handle life’s challenges (and they occur frequently) is greatly diminished.

Regardless of what we say, our children will always do what we do.

How do we greet the day? How do we greet each other? How do we speak to each other? Do we think before we speak? What do we think? Do we have a positive approach to life and our circumstances or do we constantly criticise, condemn and complain? Do we give our children hope for the future? Do we praise their behaviour at every opportunity or do we put them down?

Our children need to know that everything is ok. We need to constantly reassure them. Someone once said that the greatest thing a father can do for his children is to show them how to love their mother. Boys are often referred to as “a chip off the old block”. Are our boys a chip that has been painstakingly whittled down to insignificance or are they a chip that has been tenderly carved over the years into something of beauty?

Learn what to think and then think it. Learn what to say, learn how to say it, then say it.

Travel Details

It’s hard to believe but yes, Heads of Boarding Houses will be asking you for your son’s travel details over the next few weeks. Where possible, please send these details to us ASAP as it really helps our planning and being able to provide transport to Roma St or the Airports. Year 12 boys are a little different as they will essentially all be on the same day this time around.

Please note that the last night for Year 12s is Wednesday 18 November. They will be required to vacate the Boarding Houses by no later than 5.00pm on Thursday 19 November. They will not be allowed back into Boarding Houses after the Valedictory Dinner so please ensure all gear and luggage is out prior. Again, experience tells us this is the only way to see them off successfully.

Boarders’ Activities for the Weekend

Boarding recreation activities for the weekend can be viewed at sites.google.com/a/nudgee.qld.edu.au/boarding-recreation.

@NudgeeBoarding@nudgeeboarding @hoddaboarding

@cotterboarding @o_brienboarding

A Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition

ActivitiesSport and CultureCHESSOn Wednesday 4 November, six Nudgee College students competed in the Brisbane Individual Age Championships. The boys had a fantastic tournament and walked away with several prizes. Chess Captain Tom Kennedy won six games out of seven to become the 1998 Brisbane Age Champion while Noah Smith won five games out of seven and finished second in the 2001 age group. Also playing in the 2001 division, Joshua Peters got a major upset defeating a player rated 997, while Aaron Calvert won four games out of seven. Riley Granger finished fourth in the 2003 division after winning five games out of seven and Mikey Dechphant  finished ninth in the 2004 division, winning four games out of seven. Congratulations to all these boys for these great results.Mr Martin Harmon and Mr Matthew Gilpin Directors of Nudgee College ChessMUSICANZCA/AMEB ExaminationsThe following boys have successfully completed their ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand Cultural Association) piano exams:Al McEwan (Year 5),  Hugh Smith (Year 5), Max Considine (Year 6), Jonathan Manitta (Year 6),  Riley Granger (Year 6), Will Hood (Year 8), Myles Burgess (Year 8),  Patrick Kropp (Year 9), Fin Considine (Year 10), Matthew O’Connor (Year 10), Curtis Lindeman (Year 10), Tom Grech (Year 10), Tom Lambert (Year 10), Myles Andrews (Year 11), and Tom Moore (Year 11).The following boys were successful in their theory of music exams:Alex Evans (Year 10), Matthew O’Connor (Year 10), and Will Hambleton (Year 11).We are pleased that a large number of boys gained Honours or First Class Honours.The following boys have successfully completed their AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) trombone and euphonium exams:Nat Pekol- Smith (Year 11), Jonathan Bell (Year 7), Jesse Dando (Year 6), Zach Manitta (Year 6), Conor Holloway (Year 6), Nick Flanders (Year 10), Will McLean (Year 6), Nathan Frederiksen (Year 7), and Connor Chistiakoff (Year 8).Congratulations to all these boys, and thanks for their hard work.Week 7 and 8 Music RehearsalsWith the year coming to a close very rapidly, some groups still have performances coming up. At the same time a number of other groups will move into a staged hibernation over the next two weeks for the Christmas break, ready to re-emerge in the New Year.All Rock Bands and NC Drumline have now finished for the year. For groups still rehearsing, here are the rehearsals for the last two weeks:Week 7:

•• Monday 16 November • NC Big Band (final rehearsal) • NC Strings (final rehearsal

•• Tuesday 17 November • NC Voices (singing at Year 12 Valedictory Mass on Thursday 19 November) • Intermediate Concert Band (concert on Wednesday 25 November)

•• Wednesday 18 November • Junior Concert Band  (concert on Wednesday 25 November) • Clarinet Ensemble (possible Christmas performance pending)

•• Thursday 19 November • Liturgy Orchestra (most of the 125th Orchestra, less a few woodwinds). Final music rehearsal for Valedictory, Thursday

Period 5 (look for email invite) • Saxophone Ensemble (possible Christmas performance pending)

Week 8 (some rehearsal day changes for concerts):•• Tuesday 24 November

Junior Concert Band, (note the change of day) as you are playing at the Year 5 Concert. Rehearsal before school in Tierney Auditorium

•• Wednesday 25 November Intermediate Concert Band (note the change of day) as you are playing for the Year 6 Concert. Rehearsal before school in Tierney Auditorium

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 13

CommunityAnnouncementsDate Changes for 2016

As Monday 25 January 2016 has now been declared a pupil free day, the dates for new and existing students to start in 2016 have had to be amended.

Term 1 2016:

New Boarders Registration 1.00pm Tuesday 26 January 2016

Year 12 Boarders and returning Boarders moving into Year 7 return by 7.00pm Tuesday 26 January 2016

New student Orientation Day for all new students and returning students moving into Years 7 and 12 Wednesday 27 January 2016

Returning Boarders Years 8 to 11 return by 7.00pm Wednesday 27 January 2016

Term 1 Begins Thursday 28 January 2016

Writing Competitions

The Last School Writing Competition

The competition is open to students from Prep to Year 12. Write a poem or short story for your chance to win $1,000 cash ($500 for you and $500 for your school), as well as other great prizes. There is no theme. Poems no longer than 16 lines.  Stories no more than 500 words. Entry is free and closes Friday 20 November.

For more information and to enter visit www.write4fun.net.

The Somerset Novella Writing Competition

The Somerset National Novella Writing Competition is open to all Australian high school students. Entrants are required to write a novella between 6,000 and 10,000 words. Entries are judged by an expert panel, with winners chosen from each State/Territory. All State winners will be flown to the Gold Coast to enjoy the Somerset Celebration of Literature in March 2016 and will also receive a cash prize. The overall National winner receives a first prize of $2,500, as well as a full editorial report from Penguin Group (Australia).

Entries close 4 December 2015.

Visit www.somerset.qld.edu.au/celebration-of-literature/competitions/novella-writing for more details and to enter.

A Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition

The Locker Room

Helpers Needed for Back to School

If any parents are available for the back to school period (11 January to 28 January) to assist in the Locker Room can you please contact the Locker Room by telephone on 3865 0498 or email lockerroom@nudgee.com. Even if it is only for a few hours the time would be appreciated.

Second Hand Clothing

As it is nearing the end of the year anyone who has any second hand clothing to sell can you please take to the Locker Room as soon as possible. All clothing needs to be washed and ironed. Blazers must be dry cleaned. No marks on clothing and seams not split. A Consignment Form is required to be filled out for these items, which you can download at cms02.nudgee.com/lockerroom

The Locker Room will be open until Thursday 3 December 2015 and will re-open on Monday 11 January 2016.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all the families a happy and safe Christmas and all the best for the new year.

Carol and Jo The Locker Room

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 15