It was quite an emotional scene in each of the four House groups as the boys said goodbye to the Year 12s who have been their leaders, mentors and friends for the last three years. It was another significant milestone in the development of our Senior House system. Next week the College community will say thank you and farewell the 2019 Seniors at a special assembly on Thursday morning.
As the Year 12s complete their exam block, other year levels are approaching the crunch time of assessments and their exams. The assessment calendars for all other year levels will be published on the College App tonight. Please ensure your son is aware of his assessment schedule and support him in being prepared the best he can be.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Like all of us, Mike enjoyed last week’s celebratory events and in this week’s blog he urges us to make time to celebrate the big things as well as the small. As the song goes… ‘Celebrate good times – come on!’ CLICK HERE to read the Principal’s Message for Week 5.
KEY DATES
Monday 11 November | Remembrance Day Liturgy
Tuesday 12 November | Summer Music Concert
Wednesday 13 November | Year 12 QCS results released
Wednesday 13 November | Junior Band Breakfast Concert
Wednesday 13 November | Year 12 Retreat and Reflection Day
Thursday 14 November | Year 12 Mass and Valedictory Dinner
Thursday 14 November | Inclusive Practices Parent Breakfast
Friday 15 November | Last day for Year 12 students
Tuesday 19 November | Year 4 End of Year Celebrations
Tuesday 19 November | P & F Meeting
Wednesday 20 November | Year 5 End of Year Celebrations
Thursday 21 November | Year 11 Claddagh Parent Information evening
Friday 22 November | Year 4 Milk Bottle Regatta
FORMATION
End of Year Outing Years 4-7
On Thursday 28 November, students in Years 4-7 will travel to Wet ’n’ Wild for our traditional School Outing. This is a very exciting day for the students and teachers and is a great way to celebrate the finish of the school year. Students are to assemble at school in Homerooms by 8.25am on Thursday 28 November. Buses depart for Wet ’n’ Wild at 8:45am and return to ATC at approximately 4:00pm. Students in Years 4-7 should take a small backpack with them for their belongings (lunch, sunscreen, water bottle, wallet and morning tea). They must also wear the following uniform to assist the Wet ’n’ Wild and ATC staff, making them easily identified as ATC students:
• ATC Sports shirt and shorts
• Sports socks and joggers
• Swimming gear (board shorts are acceptable), rashie/swim shirt compulsory and towel
• All students will be given a fluorescent armband to be worn for the duration of the day
NB We previously advised parents that we would be holding a sausage sizzle for the boys on the day; however, this information was incorrect. Please ensure that your son either brings his own lunch or brings money so that he can purchase lunch on the day.
Year 12 Last Day clarification
Friday 15 November is listed on the printed College Calendar as the “LAST DAY FOR YEAR 12 STUDENTS” As the Year 12 Mass and Valedictory Dinner is held on Thursday 14 November, Year 12 students are NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND SCHOOL on Friday 15 November.
Year 6 2020 Tour to Canberra
The tour plays an important role in the Year 6 curriculum, perfectly complementing student studies of Democracy, Leadership and Government. Students will engage in several interesting activities that provide them with a ‘hands on’ understanding of the Australian electoral system and function of the Federal Government. Through participation in the tour we will provide the boys with new experiences, encourage increased responsibility, develop leadership skills as leaders of the Junior School and provide a significant experience as a Year 6 Cohort. The tour will occur in ATC Camp Week from Tuesday 3 March to Friday 6 March. Check the College App for full details and tour booklet.
Year 6 Transition Information Session for Parents
In preparing for your son’s transition to Middle School in 2020, Michael Stewart and Erin Moffat will offer a Parent Information session to support parents in this important journey. We invite all Year 6 parents and caregivers to a brief Information Session on Wednesday 13 November from 3:15 – 3:45pm in the Junior School Library, Mt Sion. We will discuss Organisational hints, Laptop maintenance, Class to class transitions, Seqta uploads and homework, OneNote and One Drive. We look forward to seeing you there! CLICK HERE to read Michael and Erin’s blog with some useful tips and helpful advice on transitioning to Year 7.
LEARNING
Stories of ATC
Last week 31 Year 10 students had the opportunity to hear the story of the life of a Holocaust survivor who lives on the Gold Coast.Through the Courage to Care visit the students were fortunate to listen to and interact with a group of Jewish Brisbane citizens who run school programs on being upstanding people and standing up to bullies in the past and now.This complimented their RE studies on Discrimination and Justice.It was an excellent program and the boys learnt about the only single man to speak out against the anti Semitic legislation in Germany in the mid 1930s,an Australian, Mr.William Cooper, an Aboriginal from Victoria who protested to the German Embassy in Melbourne about their treatment of Jews at that time.The students represented the college well, were very respectful , engaged and mature in their approach to this learning opportunity.
Year 11 chemistry students conducted a serial dilution of an acid and base to determine a pH range over which an indicator given changes colour. It is found that different indicators are specific to identifying particular pH ranges and this can be useful in finding end points when performing titrations as we continue our learning and investigations in the final week’s of term.
Textbooks
This is a timely reminder that all school issued textbooks are to be returned by the end of the year. A statement will be sent to families next week itemising those books which have been loaned to students. The due date for all returns is Friday 22 November. Books should be returned to the staff in the Westcourt iCentre in good condition. Failure to return books or if they are returned damaged, will incur a replacement fee to families. Please note: Students in Years 10 & 11 who have been issued with textbooks in Term 4, 2019 that are needed for Term 1, 2020 are exempt from returning their books. (These books may be used for review purposes over the summer holidays, in preparation for mid Term One assessment.) Students who do not have books relevant for Term 1 are to return those textbooks by 22 November.
Wednesday 13 November: Year 12 Reflection Day (Students Only)
Thursday 14 November: Year 12 Celebration Assembly from 8:25am.
Thursday 14 November: Year 12 Mass and Valedictory Dinner
Inclusive Practices Parent Breakfast Thursday 14 November
Interested parents who would like to attend an optional information session on the senior access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) are welcome to join us for a light breakfast. The Queensland Government recognises that some students may have disability impairment and/or medical condition, or experience other circumstances that may be a barrier to their performance in assessment. AARA is a system to address these barriers where possible in the senior years.
This breakfast may interest the parents of students in Year 10 and 11 who currently access adjustments and modifications through an individualised education program. For those parents unable to attend, the information will be repeated at the Year 10 information night next year. Parents of students in lower year levels are welcome to attend, however the information may change slightly in subsequent years. The breakfast will be held outside the Hospitality Kitchen in the Senior School Precinct from 7.30am to 8.15am, tea and coffee will be available.
QIMR Laboratory Work Experience Opportunity
Are you thinking of a career in science and medical research? QIMR Berghofer has a free work experience program for eligible Year 11 and 12 students in 2020. Applications open on 28 January 2020. The laboratory work experience program takes place over three days and offers introductory laboratory training in our purpose-built Education Lab, followed by a placement in one of our working research labs. All information about the program dates and the application process is on the College APP. Please see Mrs Kath at the Senior School if you have any questions regarding this process.
ATCareers Bulletin Latest Edition
The latest edition of the ATCareers Bulletin is now available on the College APP. As Year 12 draws to a close for our Senior students, there is a very interesting article about all the questions that are relevant to post school pathways and QTAC queries. There is also information about Scholarships and Financial assistance, Indigenous news and University information. If there are any articles that you are interested in, please call 3878 0545 at the Senior School Reception or please click here to email Michelle Kath, Head of Senior Pathways and Careers.
Our Junior and Middle school students have been hard at work preparing for their exams. The Maths tutoring program has been a huge help and our dedicated staff have made sure boys are having some fun while studying! If your son is interested in getting involved
Year 4 Regatta
The Year 4 Regatta is an annual event where the students build rafts using recycled milk bottles on Friday, 22 November. The boys will be bringing their rafts to the pool at the start of the day in preparation for races which will run from 9:00am until 10:20am. Each student will need the following items on the day: Swimming togs/boardies, Sun-shirt, Towel. Parents are most welcome to come and spectate! If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact Michael Stewart. Full details are on the College App.
FAITH AND MISSION
Service Blog
Like so many staff members this year, Andrew McCrohon was new to the College in January. He had heard so many glowing reports about the ATC community and its passion for Service. He soon found out that our commitment to Service is what sets our College apart, and that our boys are men of action. As we approach the end of the year, Andrew reflects on his move to ATC and his pride in the work our students do in the community. Please CLICK HERE to read his blog.
Year 9 Celebration Ceremony
Year 9 students and their families are invited to the Year 9 Celebration and Mass on Thursday 28 November at 5pm on Westcourt Deck. Parents are ask to bring a plate of food to share. Please see the information letter on the College app outlining further details.
Year 4 Celebration
As 2019 rapidly draws to a close we invite all Year 4 parents and caregivers to the Year 4 End of Year Celebration Liturgy on Tuesday 19 November from 8am-9:30am. Full details on the College App.
Year 5 Celebration
Year 5 parents and caregivers are invited to to the Year 5 End of Year Celebration Liturgy on Wednesday 20 November from 8am-9:30am. Full details on the College App.
Remembrance Day
The College will observe one minute’s silence during the Remembrance Day Liturgy at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. Red poppies will be available for 50c each outside the St Francis Xavier Centre prior to Assembly to honour the sacrifice of many.
Year 12 Retreat and Reflection Day
Week 6 holds a special place in the life of the inaugural Year 12 cohort for ATC. Please see the College App for the parent information letter about the Year 12 Retreat and Reflection Day being held on Wednesday 13 November. It is expected that all Year 12 students attend this important event. Please CLICK HERE to contact the Faith & Mission Office should you have any queries.
P&F NEWS
From Brett Solomon, President We warmly invite you to our final meeting for 2019 on Tuesday 19 November at 6.30pm. We are also calling for helpers for our last function of the year. If you can help out at the Staff Christmas Lunch on Thursday 5 December, please click here.
Staff Christmas Lunch
Each year the P&F host a lunch to say thank you to the ATC Staff. This year it is being held on Thursday 5 December in NJ Hall. If you can dress a table, carve a ham, balance a few dinner plates in one hand and look good in a santa hat, then we need you! Various shift times and jobs available to choose from between 11am and 4pm. To help out at the fun, annual P&F event where we serve lunch to all the staff of ATC, please CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER.
If you have any queries regarding donating to or volunteering for the lunch, please click here to contact Helen Dunn, the Lunch Coordinator.
Year 6 Dinner
Year 6 parents and caregivers are invited to get together on Friday 22 November at Bare Bones Society – Homemaker City – Jindalee after school drop off. There is a Parents Casual Dinner on Saturday 16 November at Pig and Whistle Indooroopilly from 6.00 pm onwards – no bookings or RSVP necessary so please just turn up and have fun!
MUSIC
2020 Senior Singers (2019 Years 6-11)
On Thursday 14 November the Seniors’ Valedictory Mass will be held at 5:00pm at the Cathedral of St Stephen, 249 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City. At 3:00pm the Years 6-11 choirs will meet at the Year 7 Undercroft area for afternoon tea. At 3:30pm we depart ATC for the Cathedral by bus and begin rehearsals. At 5:00pm Mass begins and at approximately 6:15pm the Mass concludes. At 6:30pm we board the bus back to ATC and by 7:00pm we will dismiss the singers from ATC campus. Please be at the College before this time to collect your son. Boys are to wear day uniform (striped shirt, trousers, College tie and polished shoes. No white shirt and suit coat required). Afternoon tea will be provided though boys may wish to bring extra food. Students with special dietary requirements are to supply their own food.
Concerts
Co-curricular Music Department is now finalising preparations for end of year concerts. Please take note of the following significant dates:
Summer Music Concert Tuesday 12 November
Rehearsal 3pm-5pm and Concert 5.30pm onwards in NJ Hall
Performers:
Junior Percussion Ensemble | Junior Flute Ensemble | Clarinet Ensemble B | Saxophone Ensemble | Concert Band| Brass Ensemble | Clarinet Ensemble A | Wind Ensemble | ATC Symphonic Winds | Senior Percussion Ensemble | ATC Taiko Drummers
Junior Band Breakfast Concert Wednesday 13 November
Concert is from 7am in the Nudgee Junior Hall. Families are welcome to join us for breakfast after the concert – please RSVP by Monday 11th October A coffee van will also be onsite accepting cash & Eftpos. CLICK HERE to RSVP to the Junior Band Breakfast to assist with our catering.
SPORT
Last Call to Sign on for 2020
A reminder to all families to sign on boys for 2020 Term 1 Cricket (Years 4 – 12) and Volleyball (Years 7 – 12) by Friday 8 November. Sign on can only be received through your Parent Lounge account. Please log onto your Parent Lounge account to accept or decline the invitation under the TOURS AND EXCURSIONS section. Information regarding the Term 1 season in Cricket and Volleyball can also be downloaded via the links to Information letters below.
Qld Primary Touch Football
This weekend we have our 2 Primary Touch Football teams competing in the Queensland Primary All Schools Touch Football Tournament at Cleveland. With close to 70 Primary schools competing, we wish our ATC teams the best of luck for a great weekend of touch.
Cricket
Our Cricket fixtures continue on Saturday. Please remember that our fixtures run till Saturday 7 December, if your son will not be available, please CLICK HERE to contact the Cricket coordinator. We have a commitment in the MSW competition that we will play till the 7 December. Please check the College App for the latest Cricket season update.
TUCKSHOPS
Both Paddy’s Place and The Bakehouse will be closed on the last day of term, Friday 29 November. Paddy’s Place will also be closed on Thursday 28 November, as Years 4-7 will be on the end of year outing.
We need last minute helpers for Monday and Tuesday next week. If you want to take the opportunity to volunteer before the year ends, now is your chance! CLICK HERE to email Maelisa McNeil.
Enjoy the warm weekend ahead.
David Gardiner
