Remembering Old Friends and Welcoming New Friends to our Community

I had the delightful pleasure on Friday of hosting a group of past Nudgee Junior College students who attended the school from 1952 to 1959, some were here as boarders in Year One! They had a tremendous time tracing their memories in the Edmund Rice Building and showing me where “Matron” gave them medicine when they were sick, where they ate their meals in what is now College Reception and where their beds were on the verandas of the building including crystal radio sets to listen to music, sport and serials to keep them entertained.

It was a joy-filled occasion and a privilege to spend time with these gentlemen and their wives. They loved to see the development of the College and to hear the stories of change at the school since they attended. Thank you to current ATC Grandfather, Mr Bill Barker for organising his group of school mates to visit their old school.

Vale Archie the Reading Companion Dog

Schools are places of community and connection where a sense of belonging can be nurtured in many different ways. One very special part of our first decade has been the wonderful Archie the Wonder Dog, owned by former Junior School teacher and current Middle School Religious Education Co-ordinator Ms Alicia Madigan.

Archie worked at our school for eight years as a reading companion dog, helping the learning environment to be calm and positive and serving as a “honey-pot” where our boys wanted to connect and belong because they formed a friendship with Archie. Very sadly, Archie passed away just over a week ago. Ms Madigan and all of his friends at the College, including students and staff will miss his affectionate and happy company and the joy he brought to children and adults alike. Vale, Archie the Wonder dog, much loved, valued and missed member of the ATC community, friend, colleague in caring for young people and joyful presence in our first decade. Thank you for sharing Archie with us Ms Madigan.

Summer Concert

We look forward to tomorrow evening’s Summer Music Concert and the penultimate opportunity for 2025 for our musicians to shine, before the Celebration of Excellence night on Tuesday 18 November. Well done and thank you to our musicians.

Past Students vs Current First XI Cricket

It was great to have a very strong past students cricket side play our current students in a T20 match under lights on Saturday evening at Somerfields, Rocklea. It was a shame that the game was washed out after the first innings from the past students. These types of events are indicative of our alumni’s enthusiasm in remaining connected to the College which is very pleasing as we continue to mature and develop as a college, so do our Past Students - as mentors, role models and supporters of their school. We are very grateful.

Dr Craig Wattam

We look forward to welcoming Craig, our College Principal in 2026, to the College this week on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, Craig is joining me on the selection panel for our new Dean of Faith and Mission and on Thursday, Craig is spending the day with each member of the College Leadership Team discussing our foci, projects, achievements and challenges. It will be great to have him with us as he prepares to transition to the College in January. As always, I thank our magnificent staff in anticipation for the way in which they will warmly welcome Craig.

On Friday, Craig is spending the day at the Edmund Rice Education Australia Colleges office at Nudgee where I will be based next year doing some orientation with the leadership and services teams who work with and support our Principals and Leadership Teams across the country.

Year 12

Our Seniors are on the home stretch as the enter their final week of external exams. Some students have now completed their assessment, and some have more to go. I thank and congratulate our Learning Team, especially Ms Liana Baillie and Ms Angela Simpson for their leadership and co-ordination of the massive program of exams which are going smoothly.

Our program in Week 7 is that our Seniors participate in our Celebration of Excellence on Tuesday 18 November, enjoy a fabulous Rites of Passage Retreat Day led by Faith and Mission and Formation Teams and have a big day on Thursday 20 November for Valedictory which starts with breakfast with our staff, a handover assembly with our Year 11 students and leaders for 2026, a wonderful whole College guard of honour and rituals, and into the city for Mass at the Cathedral of St Stephen, where Br Ambrose Treacy began in Brisbane followed by the Valedictory luncheon with students, parents and staff at City Hall. We look forward to a positive final fortnight with our Seniors of 2025.

Remembrance Day Poppies for sale

This Tuesday 11 November, we pause to remember. As a College community, we will honour and reflect on the service and sacrifice of Australians in wartime conflict during our Remembrance Day liturgy. Together, we’ll take time to express our gratitude for those who gave their lives in the line of duty. At 11 am we will pause as a community for a minute silence to remember their sacrifices. Poppies and commemorative items are available from the Edmund Rice Main College Reception and Senior Reception. All proceeds will support the RSL Veterans Programs. Lest we forget.

ATC Christmas Hamper Appeal – Supporting St Vincent de Paul Society

Each year, our ATC community comes together to make Christmas a little brighter for families in need through the St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Hamper Appeal. Please go the App for further details of your son’s Homeroom Hamper List and help by donating the item he has been allocated. Items should be brought to school by Tuesday, 18 November to allow time for hampers to be packed and delivered to families before Christmas. Your generosity helps spread hope, kindness, and the true spirit of Christmas within our community. Thank you for your support.

God bless,

Chris Ryan

College Principal