As we continue to face the challenge of the COVID-19 global pandemic, I am inspired by our College community who continue to support and care for each other during this period of uncertainty. The recent lockdown clearly demonstrates the collegiality, resilience, adaptability and sense of togetherness shown by the MBBC community.

The Queensland Premier’s announcement last weekend, advising of a lockdown, triggered the College to offer a Remote at Home Learning academic programme. As Principal, I am extremely proud of the calm, balanced and measured approach that the staff, parents and the boys have taken as we returned to remote online learning while conforming to measures of social distancing. It is a true test of character how a community responds in challenging times and I am extremely proud to be associated with such a strong caring community that continues to provide exceptional support to our boys.

While we have planned for the possibility of a potential lockdown, the creativity, adaptability and flexibility shown by our dedicated staff has been nothing short of amazing. I am privileged to work alongside such exceptional practitioners who are committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for your son.

The unfortunate timing of the lockdown also meant that the Year 12 Formal had to be postponed. I am so proud of the way the Year 12 cohort have responded to this outcome. Regardless of the disappointment of having to postpone the Formal last weekend, it is a pleasure to witness the boys remain positive, connected and support each other during these uncertain times. The collegiality, resilience and strength of character shown by these fine young men in their senior school year has been incredible. Once we have secured a new date for the Year 12 Formal, we will communicate this to families in the coming days.

As the Class of 2021 count down to their graduation in 62 school days, last week the Class of 2033 celebrated their first 100 days of schooling in Prep. Our preppies were asked to come to school dressed up as a ‘100 year old person’ as they celebrated being 100 days wiser. They enjoyed a day filled with fun learning including literacy and numeracy activities based around the number 100.

Last week I had the opportunity to spend the day with the Year 11 cohort during their Leadership Camp at Emu Gully Adventure Education Centre. The Camp was a wonderful experience for all the boys to embrace personal growth and challenges, as well as forging new friendships and creating great memories. It allowed the boys to experience the elements of leadership and reflect on the core character values displayed by the ANZACS.

Each activity gave the boys the opportunity to demonstrate and reflect on the character values needed to succeed in the activity, and more importantly in life. Furthermore, it allowed the boys to step outside their comfort zone, reflect on their own personal character values and develop goals for the final year of school in 2022.

My sincere thanks to Mrs Naomi Williams, Mr Shane McCarthy and Mr Anthony Lewis for giving up their valuable time to attend the Year 11 Leadership Camp.

On behalf of the staff, may I extend our heartfelt best wishes to each and every family as they continue to navigate this pandemic. We understand these are challenging times and have made available on the Colleges’ websites useful resources to assist parents in discussing what is happening. Please remember that wellbeing support for the boys and their families is available from our College Chaplain, Student Wellbeing Leaders and College Counsellor. Our Access EAP Counselling service continues to be available to parents.

Together, we look forward to the community remaining positive and strong. We encourage all members of our families to find ways to Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give while living our values of Care, Character, Engagement and Teamwork. It is our strong partnership between school and home that stands us in good stead to achieve the best possible outcomes for our boys, and your support is greatly appreciated.

With Faith and Integrity

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

As I settled into the hairdresser’s chair on Saturday morning, ready for some pampering before the Senior Formal, my glasses fogged up. I tried to breathe through my mask without sending clouds of steamy air upwards rendering me sightless but no luck! The only thing I could think about was the joy I’d feel when my haircut turned out to be better than Mr Paterson’s. And then I heard 97.3 news announce the snap lock down. My phone pinged and confirmed the Year 12 Formal would have to be postponed.

Immediately I felt for our Year 12 Boys – so disappointing, so heart breaking.

Matte had already had his hair cut, Cameron’s white suit was going to transport us back to better times when disco reigned, and Tom had said I could take Mrs O’Connor’s place in their limo! Their partners would already be getting hair and make-up done. And our parents – proud of their sons about to take on this rite of passage – would also be sad. Nixon’s Mum had already emailed me asking would I have my camera there.

Health professionals will talk to us about resilience during lock down, and we must, of course, do everything we can to remain positive and hopeful. But it’s also ok to sit with our disappointment, sadness and fear for just a little while. Too often boys are told to push down, ignore, or fight their emotions. Instead, we should try to help each other acknowledge how we feel and monitor the language we are using so we aim for regulation of our emotions not repression or exaggeration. And then look for ways to feel better because as Ricky Gervais reminds us in After Life: “Hope is everything … We’re not just here for us, we’re here for others.”

Awe is an overwhelming sense of wonder and reverence in which we feel a part of something that is vast, larger than us, and that transcends our understanding of the world.  It is a state of being that unearths joy, wellbeing, and inner calm. A study published on September 21, 2020 in the journal Emotion found evidence that a regular dose of awe can boost positive feelings.

May I suggest we use some of the time we have while at home to take an “Awe Walk”? This is a stroll in which you intentionally shift your attention outward instead of inward. So, you’re not thinking about your Maths HW, what you’ve got to eat for lunch, how much your sibling annoys you, or what your first tattoo will be.

I recently facilitated a guided walk like this for the Year 6 students as part of their PYP Provocation Day. I encouraged them to take photos as the study noted that, as time went by, participants took less selfies and focused more on the beauty that was around them. It may be useful to you.

I look forward to writing about happier times with Year 12 in the near future. Until then, stay safe, reach out to others, and be of good cheer. After all, my hair will never be as good as Mr Paterson’s, but it makes me laugh.

In a much simpler time before mandatory masks and forced lockdowns, a group of Year 11 students, three teachers and a bag of footballs hopped aboard a coach to a far away land called Emu Gully for an adventure none of them saw coming. This adventure began with filling two bags – one with their weekly supplies (tent, matches, lighter, etc.) and the other with their daily rations of food.

The students set their weekly goals which centred around embracing the outdoors, coming together as a group, and developing their leadership qualities. The adventures over the next three days were based on experiences of the ANZAC soldiers. These included carrying an injured soldier on a stretcher through muddy terrain like that of the Kokoda Track, crawling through tunnels in pitch black similar to Vietnam, working as a team to overcome an open field riddled with barb wire, fox holes and constant fire, rescuing an injured soldier from the top of a hill occupied by seven staff members with paintball guns, and trying to infiltrate the enemy’s camp with flour bombs.

Throughout the week, the teachers observed a number of students stepping out of their comfort zone, not only for their own growth and development, but to help their peers achieve a common goal. When students felt claustrophobic in the tunnels you could always hear a mate talking to them and encouraging them to persevere. Simple lines like, “You’ve got this” were heard constantly. Sacrifices were made by each student, whether it was laying down first in the freezing cold water so someone else could lie across you to prevent them from being cold, or sacrificing your own warmth in order to make sure you and the entire group didn’t have to do extra push-ups.

By the end of camp, the Year 11 students had come together as one unit and realised that sometimes you achieve more as a group when you fail the first time, but perseverance and resilience will be the things that get you over the line.

Discovering New Design Technologies and Learning about University Life at Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

On June 8, the Year 11 Design Technology students accompanied by their teacher Mr Edward Cox and Teacher Aide Mrs Kerrie Mackay, went on an excursion to the QUT Gardens Point Campus.

The purpose of the visit was to meet with Catherine Howieson from the QUT Creative Industries School of Engagement, to tour the Design Studios where all the practical work for the Design Degrees is completed. The students also enjoyed a tour of the QUT campus to get a feel for what University student life is like. Design Technology Honours student and energetic and enthusiastic Student Ambassador Charlotte also assisted Catherine to conduct a fun and dynamic Design Technology Workshop.

“The Year 11’s enjoyed this workshop very much,” said Mr Cox. “They explored different drawing techniques and prototyping with plasticine. The guiding theme for the day was Human Centred Design (HCD) and the importance of employing empathy in the design process, which was good preparation for their HCD Project in Term 3”.

The feedback from the students was very positive. They communicated that “it was excellent to be able to see what everyone at Uni is doing and how they work”, “that looking through the fabrication workshop and seeing all the different materials and equipment used was great”, “that talking to real students about their University projects was very interesting”, and “the skills we learnt were very helpful”.

“When asked how the excursion might be improved for next year, the students suggested that they would like to learn even more prototyping skills, explore more of the campus, obtain more information on the different courses offered, and visit exhibits of completed student work as well as work in progress,” said Mr Cox.

With Year 12 students moving into exam block for External Assessments early in Term 4, the Co-Curricular Music Programme will restart in Term 4 Week 3 with our new 2022 ensembles. For this reason, all students involved in music should by now have received information regarding how to audition for music groups. While playing an audition seems like a stressful idea, it’s important for all students and families to remember that participation is the first goal of music at The Moreton Bay Colleges, so the purpose of these auditions is not to exclude students from groups, but rather to find the best ensemble fit for each student. We want all students to enjoy playing music with a suitable balance of confidence and challenge. This is why for each area of the programme (eg. choirs, strings, band, contemporary) we run multiple groups from less experienced through to quite advanced. 

Maintaining such a diverse programme requires keeping our Large Ensembles strong, as these are the groups where we can best include and train the large number of students participating. For this reason, it is an expectation of The Moreton Bay Colleges that all students first and foremost contribute to the large, core musical group that is appropriate to their instrument type and level (Wind Ensemble / Concert Band for brass, woodwind and percussion; Chamber Strings / College Strings / String Ensemble for string players; Guitar Ensemble for guitarists and bassists; Chorale / MBC Training or Primary Choir / MBBC Primary or Secondary Vocal Ensembles for singers). Students are then invited to also apply for the more selective small ensembles (such as Rock Bands, Chamber Choir, Vocal Point, Stage Bands). When you access the link to the Audition Application Form, you will first be able to select the core Large Ensemble in which you wish to play/sing, and then will have the option to select further groups for which to audition. If you have any concerns or questions about which groups you could play in, it is always good to discuss your best options with your music teacher. You should also ask them to help you prepare your audition material and set repertoire! Finally, you are welcome to contact Mr Langford or Ms Leaver directly via music@moretonbaycolleges.qld.edu.au, in case you have further questions. Please also urgently contact us at this email address if you wish to be part of music ensembles and have not received the audition email.

Following this week’s announcement that lockdown will be extended until Sunday 8 August, we are sad to inform parents and students that the Forces of Nature concert scheduled for this Thursday evening will be unable to proceed at this time. 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 and are disappointed that this change is required, however, once the timeframe for the current situation becomes more clear, we will investigate when and how the event can be re-scheduled. 

Our second major upcoming event is the Chamber Concert, which we have decided to bring forward to the end of Term 3 (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.

Students are often reluctant to do Music Exams, and they are not compulsory, but there are some real advantages to being brave enough to do so. Having an upcoming performance exam date gives students a clear focus for their learning; it encourages them to try playing songs in a wider range of styles; it pushes them to make sure they develop each song to public performance standard, not just I-can-get-to-the-end standard; and it reminds them of the importance of keeping on top of the technical side of the playing – something that can be neglected but in the long term makes everything else so much easier. Most importantly, students get a real sense of achievement from having set then reached an ambitious goal. 

At the very start of Term 3, quite a number of our brass students across the two Colleges undertook AMEB exams and did a really great job.

Congratulations to the following students on completing their exams so successfully: Max Chang (Trombone Grade 6 – Honours), Camilo Suarez (Trumpet Grade 4 – Honours), Alivia Prasad (Trumpet Grade 1 – Honours), Amelie Eberspaecher (French Horn Grade 3 – Honours), Sophie Donoghue (Trumpet Grade 5 – Honours), Sophie Holmes (Trumpet Grade 2 – Credit), Amber Read (Trumpet Grade 5 – Credit), Isabel Houston (Trumpet Grade 4 – Credit). 

The Colleges are currently organising the opportunity for students playing all woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments, as well as piano and Rockschool guitar, bass, voice and drumkit, to complete exams in Term 4. It’s definitely something all music students should consider and discuss with their teacher!

The combined colleges’ Year 12 Music Extension class will be presenting their final assessment pieces in a public recital to be held on Monday 9 August at 7.00pm in the MBBC sports hall. 

This will be a fantastic night where the talents of our most advanced students will be showcased in performances of a variety of musical styles and genres, including jazz, funk, rock and musical theatre. 

Three of our Music Extension composition students will also be premiering their own original works. This recital will follow on from the MBBC subject selection evening, so if your son or daughter has an interest in finding out more about the Music Extension subject, this recital will be a wonderful way to see what the subject is about.

Entry is free, though due to our covid-safe plan, tickets will be allocated and bookings are essential. Please follow the link to secure your seats. https://www.trybooking.com/BTEYX  

Click here for the invitation.

If you have any further questions, please contact Angela Bowen at BowenA@mbbc.qld.edu.au

Registrations for boys to sit ICAS (Academic Competition) have now closed. 

Please note the following changes to the MBBC ICAS schedule.

• The Writing test has been postponed until early October. More information will be sent home to students registered for writing closer to the date.
• Year 2 students registered for ICAS tests will sit the tests during class lessons. They will not be required to attend the primary sitting times of 7.30am. Specific times will be negotiated with class teachers and sent home to those parents with registered Year 2 boys. 

ICAS assessments will be administered to registered students at 7.30am* in D1 (IT LAB) on the dates below.

*Exceptions will be students in Year 2 who will sit tests during class hours.

The Moreton Bay Colleges are seeking families to warmly welcome international students to Australia.

Hosting international students can be an enriching cultural exchange opportunity for the whole family. Being a homestay host also has generous remuneration, with qualifying hosts receiving a weekly payment for each student.

Learn more at: www.mbc.qld.edu.au/internation...

Have you purchased your tickets for the MBBC P&F Glitz and Glamour Ball 2021? 

This year’s ball is proudly brought to you by Motorline BMW and features: 

• a brand new venue
• live music
• 2 drinks on arrival
• canapes plus 2 courses
• raffles and lucky door prizes 

Book a full table OR book single tickets and nominate a year level or group to sit with. Don’t miss out: https://events.humanitix.com/mbbc-p-and-f-ball-2021

Fancy making the most of the weekend? Our good friends at Mantra, Southbank have offered us 10% off their best available rates anytime from Thursday 9^th September – Monday 13^th September. So stay for the night or make it a staycation. Full details and instructions listed below: 

PLEASE NOTE: All rooms are subject to availability at time of booking. There will be no release backs or inventory updates leading up to check in. 

To book and receive 10% off Best available rate Rate, visit: http://www.mghotels.com.au/ 

And follow the below simple steps: 

Select the Region and Property, your Travel Dates and the Number of People travelling – hit SEARCH

1. Select Change Search – at the top of the page
2. Input Promo Code MBBC (case sensitive) in the Promo Box – hit SEARCH again. You will see discount applied to the best available Rate.
3. Select the room type you wish to book and hit BOOK NOW to proceed to payment screen
4. Fill in all required details to confirm your booking and hit COMPLETE BOOKING
5. You will receive an email confirmation once all details have been processed. 

***PLEASE NOTE: promo codes are only valid for bookings made online; rooms are subject to availability & will require full prepayment. Bookings will also be subject to any minimum night stay restrictions as listed on the website. Online Terms and Conditions apply to these bookings. For full terms & conditions please visit  http://www.mghotels.com.au/ter...

Once the booking is confirmed, it can be accessed via My Bookings on the same website by logging in using the Reservation number on your confirmation and the Surname on the booking.