Welcome back to Term 2. I hope that you were able to enjoy the extended Easter break and you found time to reconnect with family and friends. The lockdown at the conclusion of Term 1 certainly came as a surprise to us all and is a kindly reminder that the pandemic looms ever close.

The term has started brightly with many events taking place, such as the Performance Assembly, Inter House Cross Country Carnival, ANZAC Day Service, Classics Concert and Denim Day. May I offer my sincere thanks to those staff for organising these events.

Last weekend, we were able to commemorate ANZAC Day. A day when we remember the anniversary of the landings of Australian and New Zealand soldiers or ANZAC’s, as we now call them, on some beaches far away from Australian shores.

ANZAC Day is a day when we honour those who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. A day when we acknowledge that Australian troops had demonstrated their bravery, determination, mate ship and sacrifice. It is a day when we honour service in past and present conflicts, peacekeeping, and community rebuilding operations.

ANZAC Day allows us to reflect on the past with pride but also look ahead and build on the achievements of our predecessors. We are guided by the ANZAC spirit which exists in all of us as we face our own challenges.

The respect shown by the boys at the College ANZAC Day liturgies was impressive as students listened to the solemn proceedings that incorporated hymns, readings, poems, a laying of the wreath and the Last Post. To commemorate ANZAC Day, we also had Student Leaders represent the College at the Commemoration Service in ANZAC Square last Thursday and the Manly Parade on ANZAC Day.

While the challenges we face today are different to those we honour on ANZAC Day, we are however, brought together by a powerful sense of belonging within our College community. May I offer my sincere gratitude to our families who attended the Manly Parade and who continue to support the College. As I marched with Mr Richard Curtis, Head of Primary and the College Leaders last Sunday, I found myself feeling very proud to be part of this wonderful community, thankful to serve such an amazing staff and boys, and optimistic for the future. Like the ANZACS, I am confident that if we stand shoulder to shoulder, together we can overcome any challenge that may present itself.

To honour those who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations I leave you with a poem that was shared with the College community during the Anzac Service: 

Sir by Damian (Dib) Morgan

Sir - would it help if I shed a tear I swear it’s the first time since this time last year My spine is a tingle - my throat is all dry As I stand to attention for all those who died

I watch the flag dancing halfway down the pole That damn bugle player sends chills to my soul I feel the pride and the sorrow - there’s nothing the same As standing to attention on ANZAC Day

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free Will you take a message when you finally do leave To your mates that are lying from Tobruk to the Somme The legend of your bravery will always live on

I’ve welcomed Olympians back to our shore I’ve cheered baggy green caps and watched Wallabies score But when I watch you marching (Sir) in that parade I know these are the memories that never will fade

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free Will you take a message when you finally do leave It’s the least we can do (Sir) to repay the debt We’ll always remember you - Lest We Forget 

With Faith and Integrity

Please refer to the TASS Calendar for up to date information regarding school activities.

At the end of last term, I wrote about perfection and performance, and the idea that it is ok to make mistakes.  Our goal when we perform music is less about getting all the notes right than it is about using what we play to convey a mood or feeling. Sure, we want to play as well as possible, but perfection just by itself actually isn’t very interesting – our focus should be on creating an emotional connection between the music and the audience. For this reason, the arts in general, are about connection, not perfection. Think about this – when was the last time you watched a show where the lead character was flawless? It rarely happens, especially in modern TV and cinema where much of the interest is built from the issues and personality faults of the characters involved. Without these failings they would be too one-dimensional and the show would be boring. The arts have understood this for ever. Many of Shakespeare’s greatest works are tragedies where the entire plot revolves around the lead character’s fatal flaw – Macbeth’s ambition, Hamlet’s inability to act, King Lear’s pride, Romeo’s and Juliet’s impulsivity. We connect to each play by recognizing the seeds of these flaws in ourselves and wondering how the characters will deal with their faults. In the field of art, Monet created an entire genre by blurring his lines and restricting his colour palette, intentionally making his images less and less perfect so that we have space to fill in the details of his Impressions. In music, jazz great Wynton Marsalis said, “I wanted to make somebody feel like Coltrane made me feel”.  Music is about connection, not perfection.

If this idea of creating a connection with the audience is so integral to playing music, then finding occasions for students to participate in live performances is one the most important opportunities our department can provide for them. Our goal for 2021 is therefore to make sure we are able to return to running all of our concerts in front of live audiences, without being recorded or livestreamed – the audience members in the room are not just spectators but an essential part of the overall experience and learning. For this reason, I am thrilled that the colleges have invested a great deal of time and staffing to put processes in place to make sure our Classics Concert could play to full a capacity venue. My thanks to all those parents, friends and staff for their attendance. Congratulations to all performing students on putting together such an excellent concert event and particular thanks to the conductors and music staff who are integral to this process – Ms Susan Ellis, Ms Katharine Khafagi, Ms Rebecca Meimaris, Ms Katrina Mothershaw, Ms Lauren Wallace, Ms Kelly Leaver, Ms Rebecca Curtis, Mr David Cox, Ms Katharine Lynagh, Mr Simon Chamberlain and Mr Mark Connors.

Another way we connect is through service within our school and the wider community. Over the weekend many of our students and staff provided this connection through leading the singing and playing the Last Post both at our internal MBC and MBBC ANZAC Services, as well as for services at Wynnum RSL, Manly / Lota RSL, Wynnum Presbyterian Church, Light Up The Dawn and the St Andrews War Memorial Hospital. Thank you to Sophie Donoghue, Ethan Kircher, Lewis Campbell, Jonathon Xecanas, Ms Ellis, Mrs Inglis and the members of Chamber Choir, Vocal Point and MBC Primary Vocal Ensemble who all contributed in this way over the past week.

Congratulations to Harry Nauman who was part of the Redland City Band Wind Ensemble that performed at the Australian National Online Festival of Bands, held over Easter. The band recorded three pieces for this event and was awarded Gold Awards for each. Great work!

Our next Co-Curricular Music concert is just two weeks away on Wednesday 12 May, 4:30pm to 6:00pm in the Music Centre Concert Hall. Soiree will feature performances from MBBC Primary Choir, MBC Primary Choir, Concert Band, String Ensemble, Junior Percussion Ensemble, Senior Percussion Ensemble, Junior Stage Band, Brass Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble. It is expected that all students in these ensembles will make sure they are available to perform. More specific information, in the form or a formal Performance Note, will be sent to families involved very soon.

Thank you.

Another season of Term 1 Sport has concluded for the year. Summer Basketball, Summer Cricket, Swimming, Britton Shield Touch Football, P-3 Introduction to AFL Programme, Mountain Biking delivered strong participation numbers. It is difficult to express in few words our gratitude for the community effort that supported our co-curricular offerings throughout Term 1. Of course, this effort continues this term and next, as staff, coaches, volunteers, and others provide support MBBC Sport, show up to run canteens, stay informed by subscribing to the College App and, hopefully not too often, wait very patiently in the traffic queue for boys to finish from training.

Holiday Highlights

Despite a lockdown at the end of Term 1, I am grateful to MBBC Sport and our coaching staff who managed to offer a range of clinics over the holiday period to prepare our students for the sporting events this coming term. Cross Country runners trained onsite with MBC; and our Football and Basketball programmes also continued their preparations for Term 2.

I do wish to shine light on the achievements of two of our MBBC sailors.

Hugo Ralph and Kenzie Gargan spent the holidays sailing and started by traveling North to Airlie Beach Race for the for the North Queensland Laser Championships and Nakra 15 State Championships, respectively.

Hugo then went on to the QLD Laser State Championships in Bowen. Hugo sailed extremely well and came away with first place at the North Queensland Laser Championships, as well as 2nd overall and 2nd under 16 at the Queensland Laser State Championships. Hugo returned home and sailed in a team who finished 4th at the Pacer Queensland Open Team Racing State Championships.  

Kenzie and his crew sailed against the top Nakra 15 crews in the State finishing with a commendable 5^th place. The Nacra 15 offers high performance, super competitive racing with speeds up to 20 knots and beyond. But it doesn’t stop there, it’s also about having fun while enjoying the thrill of teenage performance sailing. Kenzie (and crew) will compete at the National Nakra 15 Sailing Championships later in the year.

The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Sailing

The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Sailing Teams have had a successful season, competing both in fleet and team racing.

The following MBBC Sailors competed at the recent Interschool State Championships held over the Term 1 holiday period.

These sailors showed dedication, commitment, sportsmanship and achieved excellent results in a tough competitive field.

As the season draws to a close, The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Sailing Programme will be looking towards next season and a new cohort of sailors. To participate in the Colleges sailing programme, students should have past sailing experience and have completed at least two or more accredited sail training programmes.

RQYS and Darling Point Sailing Club run regular introduction and skills development courses for students wishing to participate in sailing. 

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

https://www.rqys.com.au/sailing-academy/kids-courses/

Darling Point Sailing Club

https://www.dpss.org.au/sailing-courses/

Term 2 Sports 

Winter Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Mountain Biking, Tennis (private) and Volleyball have been hard at it putting the finishing preparation to their pre-seasons for some of the aforementioned activities and continuation of game fixtures for others. MBBC Sport thanks Amy Morland – Sport Administrator, coaches and families who facilitate preparation and training to occur so we can be at our best during the season. 

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. 

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 College sport is outstanding due to the quality of the sporting programmes offered that allow for all participation levels and the high standard of coaching across the individual sports. An easy flow of communication is essential, ensuring everyone is kept informed. Please sign on for each Term sport via the Parent Lounge for in-season and preseason activities offered each term. Typically, this is available for specified periods.

Communication

Please download the College App and select to receive notifications for your son/s chosen activities to remain up to date. You will find updates, training and playing schedules, team lists, game/meet locations and further information under each individual sport.

The College is moving away from ongoing email communication, with the College App being used as the primary source of communication.

Congratulations

Finally, I would like to acknowledge all Year 12 boys who took part in Term 1 sport and thank them for their efforts playing their respective sports. These young men have represented the College well. MBBC Sport is very proud of you, and in your final year, we want to thank you for pulling on the light blue and dark blue for the last time.

Have a great Term 2 in MBBC Sport.

Yura everyone. 

Yura means hello in Jandai, the traditional language of the Quandamooka people. Quandamooka Country encompasses Minjeerabah (Strandbroke Island), Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), Moreton Bay and much of Wynnum and the Redlands. This means that both of our Colleges are on Quandamooka Country and there are several Quandamooka people who are a part of our community. 

My heritage contains ancestors from the Noonakall tribe, who, along with the Ngugi and Goenpal, comprise the Quandamooka people. My connection to country is something that I have not always been aware of, but, throughout my time at the College, I have learnt more about my heritage and how my ancestors belong to this land. 

I am fortunate to be a part of a community that is as passionate as I am about reaching reconciliation with the Traditional Custodians. This is being achieved through the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working groups of both College’s. I’m extremely honoured to be apart of the MBBC RAP working group. Together, we are slowly but surely making progress on our Reconciliation Action Plan. Thus far we have launched our RAP and invited College staff, parents, students and members of the wider community to join our working group. 

The working group has also begun work on our required actions, such as building connection with community and cultural competence for students and staff to name just a few instances. 

I would like to thank everyone who is apart of the RAP working group for their tireless effort and enthusiasm in our goal of reconciliation. I would also like to reiterate the invitation join the College on this journey. If you are interested in being involved, please contact the College via reconciliation@mbbc.qld.edu.au. 

Darcy Gray

The Moreton Bay Colleges are proud to presentThe Wiz in Term 2 2021. Be sure to save the dates to see this joyous musical retelling of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Set against a contemporary backdrop, join Dorothy as she finds herself in the fantastical world of Oz, all set to a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, soul and gospel music. Performances on Thursday 3^rd June and Friday 4^th June at 6pm and Saturday 5^th June at 1pm and 6pm. Tickets go on sale in Term 2. We look forward to seeing you there!

Trans Dev have advised that they have received a number of complaints from MBBC parents in relation to issues with the morning 5088 bus service resulting in student’s being late for school. Trans Dev have advised that the feedback has been taken on board and they are currently working on a new timetable ready to be rolled out for Semester 2 for the 5088 morning service.