Welcome back to Term 3. May I also extend a warm welcome to our new students and their families who joined our community last week. I hope that you were able to enjoy the mid-year break and you found time to recharge the batteries after a busy first semester. It was wonderful to welcome back all our boys last week as we prepare for an exciting term ahead. The lockdown during the holidays and the current restrictions in place are a timely reminder that the pandemic looms ever close as we continue to navigate those challenges to keep our community safe.
As we commence Semester Two, may I extend my sincere best wishes to the class of 2021 as they embark on their final semester of schooling. No doubt, it will be a very busy period as, together, we navigate the final stages of senior schooling as well as the challenges of Covid-19. Time will quickly pass by and there is much to achieve. However, I am confident that these fine young men, with the support of staff and parents, will lead the way. I am extremely proud of every one of them as they continue to support each other during this demanding period.
Staff News
It is my pleasure to welcome the following new members of staff to our College community:
Mrs Sophie Norton: Year 1 Teacher
Mr Daniel Darveniza: Primary and Secondary Music Teacher
Mrs Caron Flynn: Secondary English and Humanities Teacher
Last term I was pleased to announce that Mrs Naomi Williams will step into the role of Acting Head of Secondary for the remainder of the Year, and Mrs Leigh-Ann Cadzow-Andreas will become Acting Deputy Head of Secondary for Teaching and Learning.
I am also pleased to announce that Mr Stuart Patterson has accepted the position as acting Head of Communications for the remainder of the year, as well as leading the Humanities Department.
HVC’s Inauguration Assembly
Congratulations to our Semester Two House Vice-Captains who were inaugurated during our Primary Assembly earlier this week:
Doherty – Charles McKee
Dunlop – Nash Boal
Flynn – Aseel Eisa
Nicholls – Dev Raval
As I addressed the boys during the Inauguration, I referred to Strengths Based Leadership and influential leaders who have made a significant difference in their respective roles: Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Sir Alex Ferguson.
I encouraged the newly elected House Vice-Captains to be authentic and compassionate leaders and always remember that Leadership is a privilege. I asked them to take the responsibility of the influence they have over others very seriously, explaining to them that they have the capacity to leave a lasting impression on everyone they meet, based on how they conduct themselves and treat them. I reminded the boys that their leadership may influence the pathway of others and that as a leader they have the capacity to make others smile, feel valued, feel confident, help them succeed by focussing on their strengths, get the best out of others and help them achieve their goals.
I have every confidence that our new Year 6 Leaders will make a difference and live by our College Values of Character, Care, Teamwork and Engagement through their actions, positive influence and modelling good behaviour.
Open Day
I would like to take this opportunity to comment on our Open Day, which was hosted Thursday morning, 22 July. We were delighted to welcome approximately 50 touring families to the College, who had the opportunity to witness a wealth of activities on display, meet our staff, see the beautiful grounds, and most importantly, observe, from a COVID-safe distance, our boys embracing the rich learning experiences on offer at the College.
May I offer in advance my sincere thanks to all of those staff who have assisted in organising this event and showcasing the excellent education on offer at Moreton Bay Boys’ College. It was an exciting opportunity to meet for the first time those families who may become members of our community next year and beyond.
As the boys settle back into the new term, I thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19. Ensuring a safe College is our highest priority and I sincerely thank you for your cooperation.
We have much to look forward to as we embark on a new term, one which will provide an abundance of opportunities and present an exciting and engaging learning environment for your son to be the best version of himself.
With Faith and Integrity
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming Events
Please refer to the TASS Calendar for up to date information regarding school activities.
We welcomed in the new term with an intercollege Da Vinci Competition for selected students in Years 5 and 6. Teams of up to eight students in Year 5 and Year 6 met at MBC to compete in a range of disciplines including Maths, code breaking, legacy, English, Science, Art and poetry, cartography, engineering, ideation and creative producers. The students were also challenged in areas of teamwork, time management and the delegation of tasks. The intercollege handball game at breaks was also very competitive.
Congratulations to the Year 5 MBBC team who took out first place on the Year 5 Challenge Day by the slimmest of margins. The Year 6 Competition on day 2 was also a very close battle, with the Einstein Juniors team (MBC) taking out first place. The extra challenge of a logo design was needed to separate the two top teams and award the winner! Well done to all students involved who represented MBC and MBBC.
During Week 8 of Term 2, our primary students participated in the MATIFIC OLYMPIAD. Over the two days of the competition the boys could log into Matific and complete challenges on the competition island to earn stars. We had 185 students log in earning a total of 17,303 stars! MBBC ranked 33 across all Australian and New Zealand schools participating.
A big congratulations to all boys who earned certificates and a huge congratulations to Aman in Year 4 who earned 1086 stars individually!
For some it might seem like the stars had simply aligned. But I think for most of us, we understand that it took a whole lot more than that for Ash Barty to fulfil her childhood dream.
There were several reasons why Ash Barty’s Wimbledon win was so significant. The first, is that it was exactly ten years ago that she won her first Junior Grand Slam, defeating Irina Khromacheva in the Wimbledon final – making her the second Australian female to win the girls’ singles event after Debbie Freeman in 1980.
The second, is that as an Indigenous woman, Barty’s win was even more special because her success came at the end of NAIDOC week.
The third, is that it is incredible that her Wimbledon win happened to fall on the 50th anniversary of her mentor and fellow Indigenous Australia, Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s, first title there.
It is a person’s strength of character, commitment to success and talent that helps them achieve their goals and dreams, but it also takes an ability to be authentic, blocking out all of the external expectations and pressures, to focus on what one is truly capable.
There are two things that I took from this interview and that I want the young men of MBBC to take away from it. The first is that what you do does not define who you are; it does not define the depth of you.
We should put our goals and dreams out to the Universe and play as hard as we can to achieve them; but there are no guarantees…so must not burden ourselves with unnecessary expectations and pressure…but rather enjoy this beautiful adventure that is life. We must remember to be defined by who we are as a human beings, with all our flaws and imperfections; not what we do or can achieve.
The second thing is that we must not get caught up in the narrative of others. We cannot control what anyone else expects or thinks of us. What we can control are the expectations that we put on ourselves, what we think of ourselves, and how we choose to behave; how we choose to be guided by our own morals and principals.
I love that line, “I don’t care what anyone thinks about me, but I care about them”. That is what I believe speaks to the depth of a human being’s character.
So, my challenge for all of us this term is to be humble enough to trust in our own self-worth, have the humanity to accept the differences in each other, and be hungry enough to go confidently toward our dreams and goals.
SECONDARY
Year 7 water conservation and water treatment incursion
On Monday, the Year 7 boys welcomed Mr Michael Fiechtner from SEQ water to talk about water conservation and water treatment. This is to prepare the boys for their STEM night project- designing a water recycling device for their chosen country.
In Term 3, the Year 7 students will be studying “water, water everywhere”, an interdisciplinary unit (science and geography), in which they investigate the water scarcity problems around the globe and come up with practical solution for the countries with ongoing water issues.
During Monday’s incursion, the boys learned about the traditional water treatment methods and reverse osmosis in a water desalination plant. We are very grateful for the support from SEQ water and to Mr Fiechtner for fitting us into us in his busy schedule!
As I drove to work on Monday, I looked up through the windshield to see the broken, grey clouds of what was looking like quite a gloomy and overcast morning. I was therefore surprised when my daughter, looking through her passenger side window, commented on how unusual and beautiful the sky looked.
Through the perspective of her window (as I noticed when stopped safely at the next set of lights!) the broken cloud cover showed tantalising glimpses of bright blue sky, and the low angle of the still-rising sun highlighted these clouds brightly – a literal silver lining – to create quite a striking scene. This simple experience reminded me of the importance of viewing the world from different perspectives.
For our music students and staff, it has been frustrating this week to once again need to delay one of our major music events due to the uncertainty of current restrictions. However, the Forces of Nature concert will still go ahead in a couple of weeks’ time, probably even more successfully with the extra couple of preparatory rehearsals we will have.
I am really looking forward to this special event – all ensembles have worked hard to come up with creative and different ways to express the grandeur, beauty and power of the natural world through interesting and varied choices of musical repertoire, as well as a mix of images, video, timelapse photography.
The new date for Forces of Nature is Thursday 5 August – please put aside this date and look out for final information and tickets booking information, which will be available soon.
Congratulations
Congratulations to our five rock bands who put on a great Contemporary Concert at the very end of last term. With a mix of pop, soul and rock, backed by amazing lightshow, it was a hugely entertaining evening and fitting finale to our musical performances for the semester.
Thank you to Mr Sam Nixon, Mr Cameron Burridge, Ms Angela Bowen and Ms Becky Meimaris for their work helping the students prepare for their performances, to the Music Support parents who ran the bar, and particularly to the boys in our Tech Crew for their fantastic contribution setting up and running lighting and sound for the evening – Hugh Bettinson, Jacobie Titman, Harrison Bostock, Ben Cunningham, Lennon Sellick.
Musician of the Week Spotlight
Once again, it was fantastic to see one of our young musicians up performing in front of the whole primary school. Year 4 Brendan Switala played Boogie on Broadway with confidence and rock-solid rhythmic groove. Well done, Brendan!
If you are a primary musician and are interested in taking your turn in playing on assembly, make sure you let your teacher know so that we can organise for as many students as possible to benefit from this performance experience.
And don’t forget, if you don’t feel quite ready to play in front of the larger assembly audience, you can always sign up to play at one of the informal lunchtime Captain’s Concerts that run in Week 4 and Week 8 of each term.
SHEP Senior School
Congratulations must also go to all those secondary students who have been accepted into the Senior School State Honours Ensemble Program (to be run in the end-of-Term-Three holidays).
It is a testament to the quality of The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Music Programme that so many students are accepted each year into the SHEP programs.
Our second major upcoming event is the Term 4 Chamber Concert, which we have decided to bring forward to the end of Term Three (now Wednesday 15 September, 4.30pm to 6.00pm).
With Year 12 students effectively finishing early in Term 4, at which time they move into important external exam sessions, this date change will allow us to re-start all ensembles with new 2022 membership in Week 3 of Term 4.
The groups we are expecting to have perform at this concert are: MBBC Primary Vocal Ensemble, MBC Training Choir, MBC Primary Choir, String Ensemble, Junior Stage Band, Junior & Senior Percussion Ensembles, Guitar Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and Flute Ensemble.
MBBC Sport welcomes back students to Term 3 and the commencement of a new range of Co-Curricular sporting opportunities, with the start of pre-season training for Touch Football and Futsal programmes and soon, Learn to Sail, Master-blast Cricket, Volleyball and a pilot Rugby 7’s programme. Additionally, preparations for upcoming Mountain Biking events, selection of the CSSA Track and Field Team and forthcoming Athletics meets will continue. The 2021 Football and Winter Basketball seasons will also resume.
With all this activity, please review the following information as a reminder of our expectations and applicable Association’s expectations.
I wish to remind our community members of our respective roles in Co-Curricular participation and performance. Our students are involved in the sport, supported, and guided by our coaches. As a parent myself, I understand that it can be challenging to spectate and remain calm at times. We care about our children, and sport can be confronting. Should you have significant concerns about the competition or the conduct of individuals, these are to be raised with MBBC staff. We will then take the matter up with the opposition school or associated club team and work to resolve the issue. The MBBC coach or programme leader is the best starting point, and they will intervene and/or elevate matters as required.
The College Code of Conduct outlines the expectations across all sports and activities for students, coaches, officials, parents and spectators. Our competitions cannot exist without true community cooperation, and I thank you for playing your part in supporting us and your son.
The Term 3 calendar is full of activities. If you are interested in an upcoming activity, please ensure you have downloaded the College App to receive news and notifications for upcoming season information.
Attendance at training
I ask that all boys commit to their attendance at training during the week and present ready for their games/lead up meets, home or away. Representing the College is something to be valued. Being a team member who can be depended on entails sacrifice and commitment, no matter the activity level. Communication for being absent at training or games is important for Coaches to finalise teams each week. This has a flow on effect for all teams, especially when working across numerous teams in several sports.
Uniform
Please be aware that all Staff and Coaches have been asked to monitor training and playing uniform. We want to ensure that we represent the College and ourselves, both on and off the field, with the highest standards.
Parent Lounge
Participation in MBBC Sport is outstanding. This is due to the quality of the sporting programmes offered, which allows for all levels of participation and the high standard of coaching across the individual sports. The easy flow of communication is important, ensuring everyone is kept informed. Please sign on for each term's sport via Parent Lounge for activities offered. Typically, this is available for four weeks at the commencement of a new term.
Communication
Please download the College App and select to receive notifications for your sons’ chosen activities to remain up to date. You will find updates, training and playing schedules, team lists, game/meet locations, and further information under the individual sport. The College is moving away from ongoing email communication, with the College App to be used as the primary source of communication.
A reminder to stay up to date via the College App > Sport and MBBC Sport Instagram.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge all Year 12 boys who took part in Term 2 Sport and thank them for their efforts playing their respective sports at Moreton Bay Boys’ College. These young men have represented the College well, some since commencing at the College. The MBBC Family is very proud of you, and in your final year, we want to thank you for your contribution.
As part of STEM Week Celebrations in Week 5, Moreton Bay Boys’ College is hosting its annual STEM Night Thursday 12 August 2021 at 5.30pm. Click here for the invite.
Events will be held throughout the school classrooms and science labs. Grab a passport and answer a question at each activity you attend, to be in the running for great prizes!
The classrooms will be filled with fun activities, awesome STEM displays, and myth busting activities.
In response to the current lockdown situation in NSW and VIC, Gateways have put together the below Term 3 Round 1 Beyond Online timetable.
Enrolments are now open for the Beyond Online programs starting THIS WEEK! High-ability students from all across Australia are welcome to join in the fun and challenge!
Gateways Beyond Online programs for Gifted and Talented Students in Year 1-6, allow students the opportunity to explore subject areas that they are interested in with an expert mentor from the comfort of their own home!
This is a parent-nominated program.
Programs run after-school hours.
Each program comprises four stand-alone sessions that run across four consecutive weeks, each connected by a subject area that explores a different concept weekly.
Students can join any or all sessions as each week covers a stand-alone concept.
Our most recent action involved organising our Reconciliation Week assembly, which was a beautiful yet poignant event. We were grateful to have local Nunagal Elder, Joshua Walker, perform MBBC’s first ever smoking ceremony at the assembly, as a sign of renewal and cleansing. Beau Beard, Year 8, and Darcy Gray, Year 11, both Noonuccal men and Mr Damien Murtagh, MBBC teacher, all delivered insightful and meaningful reflections on their personal reconciliation journeys. All boys from Prep to Year 12 planted a coloured hand at the lower roundabout, each with a personal reflection about Reconciliation Week. Thank you to all special guests, parents and carers who took the time to attend this special event.
Throughout the week, colouring competitions were held and Indigenous wrist bands were available for purchase (with profits donated to Yalari). Boys further explored the meaning of Reconciliation Week in their individual classes and Primary students had the opportunity to join Ms Sullivan during International Club. We would also like to acknowledge the wonderful display organised by Library staff that was on show for Reconciliation Week.
This year’s NAIDOC theme was “Heal Country”, which relates to the deep spiritual connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the land. Part of our RAP purpose is to increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Australians in our community. Together as a College, we recognise and respect the traditional custodians of this land, the Quandamooka peoples. During NAIDOC Week, students further explored several significant achievements of local Elders and Aunts in the community and broadened their knowledge of Quandamooka cultures.
Thank you to all who have been a part of MBBC’s RAP so far. We look forward to continuing this journey towards Reconciliation together.
SCHOOLTV SPECIAL REPORT - COVID Fatigue & Youth Mental Health
The physical impact of the pandemic has mostly spared our young people, however as the nation remains to be on alert and in various stages of lockdown, restrictions continue to be mandated. The pandemic has had a great affect on our young people with many paying a heavy emotional and developmental price. Psychological disorders are on the rise and emergency interventions have skyrocketed.
As hard as it is being a young person today, it's also draining being the parent of one. It has been reported that many parents are struggling to keep their child's mental health afloat, often proving it is difficult to juggle parenting responsibilities whilst at the same time providing much needed emotional support for their children.
Unlike the coronavirus itself, the emotional blowback of the pandemic cannot be vaccinated away. Psychologists are seeing more depression and anxiety across all age groups, but in adolescents it seems to be on steroids, with some choosing to self-medicate using alcohol or other drugs. When they look into the future now, they're looking at one that wasn't what they envisioned before.
This report explains the current state of youth mental health in a post-COVID era and offers guidance on how best to support young people today. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If this Special Report raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://mbbc.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-covid-fatigue-youth-mental-health
Join the MBBC Bridge to Brisbane team!
On Sunday, 29 August, join students, staff and parents as together we run the Bridge to Brisbane and raise money for the Black Dog Institute.
A friendly reminder from the Finance team, Term 3 tuition fees are due to be paid in full on July 13, 2021 (unless you have a direct debit plan in place).
Parents and caregivers seeking any alternative tuition fee payment terms may consider using Edstart, offering two options to help spread tuition fees into more manageable payments:
Edstart Extend: a funding package that allows you to extend your tuition fee payments for up to five years after your child completes school. Edstart Extend is generally most useful for secondary school families, where fee payments can be extended for up to five years after graduation. Primary families may be eligible to use Edstart too if they are wanting a way to spread their current account balance over multiple years.
Edstart Pay: a simple payment plan that enables you to spread each term's fees in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments (designed for families with children from all ages). An alternative to the direct debit arrangement currently offered by the College.
You can find out more about Edstart by visiting their website at www.edstart.com.au.
In providing information about Edstart, the College does not provide any recommendations, brokering or advice services. The College does not receive referral fees, commissions, or other remuneration from Edstart.
The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Foundation extends an invitation to the Moreton Bay College Community to our Cabaret Cocktail Party on Friday 30 July.
This complimentary event has limited tickets available. Please book your tickets here.
Foundation Business Breakfast
We are delighted to share the inaugural The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Foundation Business Breakfast on Friday 20 August.
Our Business Breakfast is aimed to encourage networking and support the development of strong partnerships between the College and business community. You will hear from our inspirational speaker- Dr Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, - 2021 Queensland Australian of the year. Dr Dinesh is a doctor, lawyer and disability advocate, and is the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland, Australia. He is the second person with quadriplegia to graduate as a doctor in Australia and the first with spinal cord injury. A truly inspirational story for us all.
For more details and to book your seats, click here.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event, please find our proposal here.
The Foundation is now on LinkedIn
Transdev School Bus Service Changes Term 3 2021
Transdev, as a delivery partner for TransLink, Transdev has made changes to several school bus routes. The new timetables came into effect at the beginning of Term 3.
The service amendments have been made to offer improved connections for students.
A summary of the changes affecting Moreton Bay Boys College is included below.