Welcome Back
Mr Andrew Holmes | holmesa@mbbc.qld.edu.au
I am delighted to welcome everyone to a new school year, 2021. May I also I extend a warm welcome to our new families and new staff members.
Last week brought a sense of excitement and buzz around the College as the boys returned to the College. Staff have genuinely missed the boys and it was clear to see the positive relationships that exist between staff and students as lessons commenced. It was wonderful to see their smiling faces and the energy that the boys bring to our community. I have been very impressed with how smoothly they have settled in and I look forward to an exciting year ahead.
Each morning, it is a pleasure to greet the boys as they arrive. I thank the parents for their patience and understanding in following our drop off and collection practices. Ensuring a safe College is our highest priority and I thank you for your cooperation.
We welcome the following new staff:
- Mr Ben Langford: Director of Music across both Colleges
- Mrs Lynley Brown: Learning Enhancement Coordinator
- Mrs Alice Wollenweber: Chemistry Teacher
- Ms Bonnie Masters: English and Legal Studies Teacher
- Mrs Jenna Woodforth: Primary Music Teacher
I am also delighted to welcome back:
- Ms Alannah Secis: Year 6A Primary Teacher
- Mrs Meg Andersen: Year 1B Primary Teacher
- Mrs Rachelle Carter: College Receptionist
During my first assembly address last week, I focussed on the theme of the Little Things matter. I referred to a clip of Admiral William H. McRaven presenting a graduation speech at the University of Texas in 2014, which refers to how making your bed can change the world.
The speech outlines that if you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, a greater sense of wellbeing and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. More importantly, it refers to that by focusing on the Little Things you can change your life, and maybe the world. It also refers to common themes such as compassion, courage, determination, and the importance of values.
As you can imagine, I was delighted the following day, when one of our young boys told me that he had made his bed that morning and his Mother was happy!
Last Friday, I was delighted to welcome new parents to the College while attending the New Parents Evening. It was an opportunity to highlight that MBBC’s culture is clearly characterised by a strong sense of community and purposeful endeavour. I am proud that MBBC has a strong philosophy of educating the whole child – our vibrant and caring pastoral programme underpins the focus on academic excellence, complemented by a rich co-curricular programme. As the boys commence their journey at MBBC, no doubt they will embrace the rich learning experiences in a safe, happy and connected environment.
Congratulations to our Semester One House Vice-Captains who were inaugurated during our Primary Assembly this week:
Doherty – Samson Morrow-Woods
Dunlop – Kalan Kenniff-Clapper
Flynn – Ronan Simpson
Nicholls – James Davis
As I addressed the boys during the Inauguration, I referred to influential leaders who have made a significant difference in their respective roles: Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. I also referred to characteristics of an effective good leader, but the most important of all the characteristics are compassion and authenticity. In other words, they are true to themselves and care deeply about those around them.
I encouraged the newly elected House Vice-Captains to always remember that Leadership is a privilege and when you are in a leadership role, your influence may affect the pathway of others. In fact, it was this key word, influence, which formed part of my address to our leaders. 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 asked the boys to think about how they can influence other people – how as a leader they have the capacity to make others smile, feel valued, feel confident, help them succeed, 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.
We have much to look forward to as we embark on a new year which will provide an abundance of opportunities and present an exciting and engaging learning environment for your son to maximise his potential.
Faith & Integrity
Best wishes,