The Weekly

Audio edition

Starting new this year, we have introduced this audio version of the Churchie Weekly Newsletter as a trial and an additional way for you to hear what’s on at Churchie. For feedback or general inquiries, please contact Churchie News.

From the Headmaster

Dear boys, staff, and parents

Class of 2023 high achievers

It was a pleasure to welcome the return of high-achieving members of the class of 2023 to the Academic Celebration Assembly last week to share in their success and to encourage all students with insights into their success. Studying either the QCE or IB pathways, 32 of the 37 graduates who received an ATAR of 98.00 or higher were presented. We were pleased to receive a keynote address from Old Boy Dashiell Young (2022), who spoke about the importance of being open to opportunities in post-school life and immersing oneself in lifelong learning with passion and purpose.

Within this cohort, 29 students received a Diploma of Business and 15 students achieved a school-based Certificate IV qualification. The School commends all members of the class of 2023, our newest Old Boys, and wishes them great success in the future.

QCE Achievement Awards

The School was pleased to learn recently that the class of 2023 Dux (QCE), William Zhai, received a Distinguished Academic Achievers Award at the annual QCE Achievement Awards. These awards issued by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) recognise Queensland’s top-performing Year 12 QCE students for outstanding academic achievement in their senior school studies. William plans to study a Bachelor of Biomedicine and a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. The School congratulates Will and wishes him success in the future.

Churchie GPS rowing regatta – thank you

I wish to express the School’s sincere thanks to the many parents, Old Boys and staff who assisted in making the recent Churchie GPS rowing regatta, held at Lake Wyaralong, a great success. Many of our rowing families assisted in the days before, overnight and during the regatta (from before sunrise) to ensure a high-quality sporting experience for the seven GPS rowing schools. As with many of our sports and activities at Churchie, our parents and Old Boys provide wonderful support to ensure our cocurricular programme can operate at the highest level.

With good wishes.

Dr Alan Campbell
Headmaster

Churchie Parents Advisory Association

Supporter apparel

For those who attended the CPAA general meeting at the end of last year, the issue of supporter apparel for Churchie parents was raised and discussed. A subsequent community survey showed great interest from the Churchie community.

After an initial round of orders last year, we are happy to announce that we are once again taking orders and look forward to seeing parents wearing their supporter apparel at school events. Volleyball parents have been wearing them and feedback has been highly positive. They note it is great to come to games in their Churchie supporter shirts and see fellow Churchie supporters in the crowd.

The cost of the polo is $50. All sizes are available to try on in the Churchie Shop.

Orders close on Friday 1 March to be delivered on Tuesday 30 April. For any questions, please email them to Mel Loring.

Prep School

Building resilience

We often hear about the need for our boys to build resilience and be more resilient. A leading author and educator in this area is Maggie Dent, whose research and work in educating and parenting boys is a rich source of information and guidance for parents.

Compellingly, she notes that despite all the information and tools we may have at our disposal today, raising resilient boys in today’s modern world remains a great challenge.

A great resource for parents is Maggie Dent’s blog post ‘Little Things Are Big Things: Building Resilience’, which draws from her popular book Real Kids in an Unreal World.

She outlines resilience and 10 building blocks for primary-aged children:

1. Positive healthy pregnancy
2. Good nutrition
3. Safe, nurturing care within the circle of family
4. Plenty of play
5. Build life skills
6. Meaningful involvement with positive adults
7. Clear boundaries
8. Absence of stress
9. Self-mastery
10. Strengthen the spirit

Maggie goes on to say:

Parents need to be constantly reviewing what is happening in each of their children’s lives. This act of reflection with the other parent or family member or another person deeply involved in their child’s life is very helpful to stay in tune with an individual child’s development.

Please avoid comparing children—that is disrespectful of a child’s individuality and essential human potential and has the tendency to invalidate the child.

Children need to experience disappointment, challenge, failure and boundaries to fully develop the interpersonal and personal skills that allow people to live in society. They also need to have a voice and age-dependent moments of autonomy where they get to have a sense of control over their life. However, too much will lead to overindulgent, permissive and unpleasantly challenging behaviour that will create conflict and distress.

Young children need help to manage strong negative feelings and learn how to communicate their needs to significant adults.

Unmet needs are the main driver for inappropriate behaviour in children—and helping them to understand what need is unmet is unbelievably important for later life.

This is where children learn the difference between assertiveness, passivity and aggression.

Everyone has a toolkit of life skills that they have accumulated throughout their life. Children have an imaginary toolkit hanging off their shoulders. A simple metaphor to remember in building resilience in children is the more tools in their toolkit, the more resilient they will be.

Maggie Dent, 2012

Prep School value of the week: enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is being cheerful, happy and full of spirit. It is doing something wholeheartedly and eagerly. When you are enthusiastic, you have a positive attitude. Enthusiasm is being inspired.

Attribute of the week: balanced

Understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal wellbeing for yourself and others.

Setting a culture of confidence

• Encourage your child to try new things. Although he may struggle at first, once he accomplishes his goals and learns new skills, he will feel more capable and competent.
• Assigning age-appropriate responsibilities affords children the opportunity to feel like they contribute to making their home and the world a better place.

Reader of the week

Congratulations to the readers of the week:

• Week 3 – Joe Ge, Dhruv Bansal and Winston Rodgers
• Week 4 – Fletcher Dacombe, Caiden Dastoor and Nico Pople.

Around the grounds

Traffic and parking

The safety and wellbeing of our boys is paramount. Please ensure when accessing the drop off and pick up zones around the school, you observe the local road rules and conditions. We are happy to provide staff in these areas to facilitate an efficient, orderly and safe environment for our boys.

Mark Wyer
Head of Preparatory School

Senior School

Year 7 Outdoor Education: Numinbah Valley

Our Year 7 students have now completed their four day Outdoor Education programme at Numinbah Valley in the Gold Coast Hinterland. The experience saw boys overcoming challenges, working together, building friendships and reflecting on the future ahead of them at Churchie.

The tough hill hike with packs up to a grassy ridge saw them digging deep and supporting each other to get to the top, and the combination of caving and abseiling at Turtle Rock showed them ‘how far they could reach out.’

They pushed their comfort zones to succeed and came to understand the metaphor, ‘When you build your bridge – you will get over it!’ The boys succeeded in ‘building their bridges’, overcoming fears, testing their fitness and problem-solving together.

The nature journalling, at Pollyanna’s river-front campsite, allowed the boys downtime to reflect and observe the amazing nature around them. Some fun pictures, drawing techniques and close observation sketches encouraged conversations about how to be ‘in the moment’ and enjoy it.

The ‘creeking’ in the Nerang River was a fun highlight for many as recent rain produced some flowing rides downstream. Between activities, the boys reflected on how to be successful at Churchie over their upcoming years in the Senior School.

Stephanie Cameron
Outdoor Education Teacher

Tri-Service Cadets – Fall of Singapore service

On Sunday, cadets from Navy and Air Force participated in the Fall of Singapore service at Anzac Square, Shrine of Remembrance. The Fall of Singapore, also known as the Battle of Singapore, took place in the South–East Asian theatre of the Pacific War. The Japanese Empire captured the British stronghold of Singapore, with conflict lasting from 8 to 15 February 1942. During the 70-day campaign in Malaya and Singapore, total Commonwealth casualties amounted to 8,708 killed or wounded and 130,000 captured (38,496 United Kingdom, 18,490 Australian of whom 1,789 were killed and 1,306 wounded).

Craig Howe OAM
Tri-Service Cadet Coordinator

Year 12 Wellbeing presentation with Krishneel Maharaj

The Year 12 Wellbeing Guest Speaker Programme continued last Friday with renowned performance psychologist, Krishneel Maharaj, who spoke to the Senior cohort. Topics covered related to how we can improve our performance and wellbeing in Year 12, including how to manage stress or anxiety in the lead-up to exams or stressful sporting moments and relaxation techniques to manage and improve focus and attention.

The session was very well received by the boys, provided much food for thought and initiated some interesting questions and comments. Krishneel’s address certainly prompted some of us to at least think about our use of mobile phones and music while studying.

Nick Mattiske
Mansfield House Captain

Parent Wellbeing Lecture Series

Last week, Advanced Sports Dietitian, Peta Carige presented to parents on topics such as fuelling for performance and common mistakes, protein supplements and teenage muscle-building, body awareness – when to be concerned and practical tips for healthy habits in the home.

To view Peta’s PowerPoint slides and recovery recipes please visit the Parent Wellbeing Lecture Series page.

Rod Olsen
Head of Senior School

Chaplain’s corner

Admission to Holy Communion Service

Date: Friday 1 May 2024
Time: 6 pm
Location: St John’s Cathedral

Churchie students in Year 4 and above are invited to celebrate being admitted to Holy Communion in a joint service with students from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School.

All students in Year 4 learn about and explore the sacraments as part of their RE unit, while  Years 5 and 6 students will meet together and prepare in small groups, facilitated by Chaplain Stephanie in the Prep School.
 
Senior School students will be contacted by Senior Chaplain The Reverend Sharon Mitchell, for preparation as needed.
 
Sisters, from any school, are welcome to be admitted to Holy Communion with their brothers.

Please invite family and friends. They are welcome to support and attend this service, which will be followed by light refreshments.

Please complete the Admission to Holy Communion JotForm. 

If your child has not yet been baptised, this can occur during or before the Admission to Holy Communion Service.

Please contact Chaplain Stephanie for further information at stephanie.cotroneo@churchie.com.au.

Stephanie Cotroneo
Lay Minister – Chaplain Preparatory School

Music

Music Support Group Calendar Launch and Welcome

A huge thank you to all those families and students who attended the Music Support Group Calendar Launch and Welcome last Thursday. It was a valuable opportunity to stay connected and there was a great sense of anticipation for the performance seasons ahead.

The evening started with an inspiring presentation from Mr Ben Hooper and Ms Rosemary Oxenford to introduce the Vienna Music Tour for 2025. If you would like to express interest in the upcoming international tour for strings and choral, please contact the music department for more information.

The tour information for Mt Gambier, Generations in Jazz, was also shared with a visually appealing display of Churchie’s last visit to Mt Gambier in 2019. For more information on the upcoming tour of Generations in Jazz, please contact Mr Bohdan Davison.

Mrs Belinda Fleming (Music Support Group President) and Mr Brett Allen (Music Support Group Treasurer) both spoke about the many wonderful ways in which the MSG supports the music students and how people can assist.

Finally, the presentation ended with a video edited by Tom Crooke (Year 12) to launch the exciting music performance season of 2024, after which students, staff and parents shared refreshments outside The Centenary Library as they discussed the exciting opportunities and performances to come. Please take the time to view the 2024 Music Season Launch Video below:

Lucas Ding performance

Congratulations to Lucas Ding (Year 9) for performing, by memory, the incredibly challenging and virtuosic piece Symphonie Espagnole by Edouard Lalo at the Academic Assembly.

Please follow this link to a recording of Lucas’ performance at Headmaster’s Assembly:

Bohdan Davison
Director of Music

Sport

We travelled to Toowoomba Grammar School for round four of GPS Cricket and Volleyball on the weekend. However, cricket matches were unfortunately impacted by rain.  Swimming raced in their second last meet at Chandler prior to the GPS Championship on Friday 1 March, with the final GPS team announcement next Monday.

For the results summary, visit myChurchie – GPS Sports and Activities.

Swimming

Both junior and senior squads ventured out to the Sleeman Sports Complex last Friday for the fourth GPS pre-meet. Performance is on track and committed training attendance has produced dividends in the pool.

Season personal best times brought smiles to faces of 16 years and under Henry Majer (50 m freestyle and 50 m breaststroke) and Jonathan Ling (shaved 0.39 seconds from his 50 m breaststroke time). Our Open boys had consistence performances, with Nicholas Moody producing another 37 second 50 m breaststroke time and Benji Forrest continuing his fight to go sub 30 seconds in his 50 m butterfly.

Ethan Richards, Oscar Sheahan, Hugh Baxby, William Shooter and Sebastian Behrens all reduced their 50 m freestyle time by between 0.02 to 0.75 seconds. The 15 years and under boys followed suit, with Jaden Soh improving his 50 m backstroke by 0.19 and 50 m Freestyle by 0.76, while Hayden Pollock had a dramatic reduction, shaving 0.83 seconds off his 50 m freestyle. Well done to all boys for their effort and focus on Friday night.

The highlight of the meet was witnessing our senior boys arriving early to the junior session and providing advice to calm nervous energy in the marshalling area. Senior boys also lined up at the end of the pool to congratulate junior boys as they exited their lanes after each race. Thank you Deigo, Henry, Nicholas, Spencer, Oliver, Benji and Will.

As the squad journeys closer to the big day, the programme will run through our last week of full programme training sessions in preparation for our final pre-meet this Friday. On Monday morning the programme announced its preliminary team lists for the GPS Championship; the finalised 2024 GPS team will be announced Monday 26 February at squad breakfast.

Churchie will host the last GPS pre-meet this Friday. We need a full contingency of boys to compete and this will be the final opportunity for boys to register a racing time for GPS Team considerations. Boys are reminded to register their attendance via the bus registration form as transport to the Sleeman Sports Complex is mandatory.

The 2024 Awards Presentation event invitation and online payment portal is available on myChurchie – Swimming. All Years 7 to 12 families are invited to attend and a list of awards and criteria presented on the night can be found on myChurchie; RSVP closes Friday 23 February.

Jaye Finocchiaro
Director of Swimming

Cricket

After Friday’s enormous rain event saw the cancellation of 18 fixtures, including all games at Churchie, it was exciting news to wake up to clear skies on Saturday, where nine teams journeyed up the range to take on Toowoomba Grammar School. This included the First XI and the A and B teams for Years 5, 7, 9 and 11.

We thank TGS, who fortunately avoided the majority of the heavy rain, for their hospitality and for having their fields ready to play, in what was a wonderful day of cricket played in fantastic spirits.

Results-wise, it was an excellent day for Churchie, winning seven of the nine matches, with the First XI, 9A and 7A teams all continuing their unbeaten seasons, with some cliffhanger results.

9A faced their first loss as a team since Year 7, having been bowled out for 98. However, with   spirit and determination, they bowled out TGS for 89. Captain Angus Peters produced an outstanding performance, scoring 38 and taking three wickets. Later that day, on the same field, 9B secured their first win of the season, led by an astonishing all-round display by Henry Cormack, who took the incredible figures of 6/8 and then top scored with 22*.

The First XI fixture on Barbour Oval was a thrilling match, going down to the final over for the second time in three matches. Churchie was sent into bat on an understandably tricky wicket and slow outfield given the Friday weather. The boys, however, fought extremely well to post a very strong 8/191. Opening batsman Angus Storen (52) led the way with a half-century, with excellent support from Tighe Morris (30), Alex Walduck (28*) and Connor Rudman (24).

In the run chase, TGS was persistent. Despite losing regular wickets, they built many solid partnerships and kept the score rate at the required level to take the game to the final over. Ultimately the continued impressive form with the ball of the left-arm spin duo Henry Hillier (4/29) and Rupert Bignall (2/29), along with some outstanding out-fielding, especially with some crucial catches taken by Zac Griggs, Storen and Walduck, saw Churchie hold on for a five-run win. The team remains undefeated in third place and, crucially, within catching distance of Ipswich Grammar School and The Southport School, the other two remaining undefeated teams.

Congratulations to all the players listed below, on their excellent individual performances on Saturday.

• Angus Storen 52 (First XI)
• Henry Hillier 4/29 (First XI)
• Archer Ryan 4/11 (11A)
• Angus Peters 38 & 3/8 (9A)
• Zac Moore 3/19 (9A)
• Henry Cormack 22* & 6/8 (9B)
• James Turley 41* (7A)
• Oliver Tsui 3/8 (7A)

This weekend sees Churchie take on BBC at home. It will be a fantastic game to come and support, with two strong title contenders in action.

James Patmore
Director of Cricket

Rowing

Churchie Rowing enjoyed a week off racing this week as the GPS regatta had a bye.

We took advantage to continue training from the Churchie boat club with great conditions for all age groups. This week the boys will enjoy a well-earned light training week, allowing them to prepare for the final push and peak at Head of the River.

Racing will return this week out at Wyaralong with finalized crews following our last 2k ergo trial.

Tyson Sholl
Director of Rowing

Volleyball

Round four of volleyball saw the seniors travel to Toowoomba  and some fixtures at home against BGS and GT in a split round. It was another exceptional day for Churchie Volleyball. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our diligent and dedicated coaching staff for preparing our boys for each game.

While round three’s home game crowd was momentous, it was pleasing to see an equally enthused, yet smaller group of supporters, in Toowoomba. Seven young men, led by Vinny Gutteridge, infusing the TGS stadium with the same energy, enthusiasm and vigour. The resounding Churchie roar resonated throughout the stadium, undoubtedly bolstering the First VI to triumph over a resilient and determined TGS team. Special thanks to Vincent Gutteridge, Charlie Bell, Benji Griffin, Finlay Ahern, Jeremy McLennan and Jacques Messenger for their vocally spectacular support.

Our Prep School teams all performed well. 5A applied consistent serving and return of serves, showcasing remarkable skill development with an increased number of two and three touch points. 5B displayed exceptional serving, notably from Eliott Batstone, Ari Matthews and Will Parry, exhibiting great teamwork and communication. 6A excelled in attack and defence and executed spikes effectively. And,6B demonstrated enhanced teamwork, calling for the ball and mastering three-touch points. All teams secured two nil wins.  Congratulations to all.

The next round against BBC promises to be a significant round for every team, with many teams closely matched in overall points. Several premierships will be decided this weekend. We wish all teams the best of luck as we anticipate another exciting weekend of competition.

A special congratulations to three of our program’s best performers, Luka Sazdov, Christian Hii and Frank Sharpe, who were honoured by Volleyball Queensland for their outstanding contributions in the previous season. Luka Sazdov was named the 2023 Junior Male Beach Player of the Year, coach and Old Boy, Christian Hii (2019) received the 2023 U23 Men’s Most Improved Player award and Frankie Sharpe was recognized as the 2023 U16 Boys Most Improved Player. Congratulations also to Daniel Godfrey who has been selected in the 12 to 15 Years Composite District team in preparation for the Met East trials later this term.

As a reminder, the End of Season Presentation is approaching, and early bird ticket prices are available for another week. Secure your tickets early to avoid missing out on this celebration.

Round eight will be the TSS round with no GPS games scheduled. This round will also be our team photography day, along with fixtures against Ambrose Tracey College, including some internal games.

Round nine will be a bye round with no games scheduled, coinciding with the End of Season Presentation.

Carrie Mill
Director of Volleyball

Sporting Achievements

Congratulations to Daniel Godfrey (Year 10) who was selected in the 12 to 15 Years Composite District Volleyball team competing later this month at Met East Trials in Brisbane.

Trent Goodrick
Head of Cocurricular

Churchie Old Boys’ Association

Book launch – A Running Life

Tony Booth OAM, a renowned athlete and athletics coach, was born in Toowoomba in 1929. Tony was a champion schoolboy athlete and Open Queensland champion for 100 yards (1949 and 1950) and 440 yards (1955 and 1957). For over thirty years (1956 – 1989) he coached athletics, cross country, swimming and rugby at Churchie. He later coached athletics at Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School.

Tony has written his autobiography, entitled A Running Life which covers the many years of his athletics career and his involvement in GPS sports, QGSSSA carnivals, UQ track and field, ‘Tony Booth Sports’ and retirement. It runs to approximately 650 pages and will be printed in two, hard-covered volumes.

In celebration, a book launch will be held in the Brenan Pavilion at Churchie on Thursday 21 March 2024.

Date: Thursday 21 March 2024
Time: 4 to 6 pm
Location: Brenan Pavilion

RSVP: Friday 15 March 2024

$220 per two-volume set

To confirm your attendance at the Book Launch and pick up your order, please click here.

You may attend the book launch without purchasing a book, however, please register your attendance for catering purposes.

To purchase the book only, please click here. Please note that postal charges will apply and that orders will be dispatched after the book launch.

Pixevety

Pixevety – a photo platform for Churchie images

Pixevety is Churchie’s photo platform, where photos from across the School will be uploaded on a weekly basis. Students are recognised by the system so parents can simply click ‘myVIPs’ and see their son’s photos in one easy location.

Families new to the School may not see ‘myVIPs’ yet, as new student ID photos are still to be processed in the system. However, you can still browse the galleries.

Watch the video below to learn how to use Pixevety.

For more information visit the Pixevety page on myChurchie or email news@churchie.com.au.

Churchie Shop

Term 1 opening hours

Parent Connect

Parent Connect is the school-wide parent community support group focused on nurturing the fun and family-centric side of school life. We provide valuable support services through formal and informal networks across the School. We intentionally communicate, connect, coordinate services and facilitate wellbeing support for our families and the greater community. Click here to access on myChurchie.

Join Parent Connect

It is a long-standing initiative of the Churchie parent community to enable the sharing of contact details for those who opt in and provide consent. Joining the Parent Connect database is easy. Join here. Once you have joined, you will receive communication from your parent coordinators and access to your cohort’s parent contact list.

Year and house parent coordinators

Each year and house has a parent volunteer who is the friendly peer contact for parents to help navigate school life, host social connections, and assist with the administration of the private Facebook groups.

Parent Connect services and volunteer engagement

Any member of the Churchie community (parents, old boys, friends, and staff) can participate in these services or make a confidential request for wellbeing support. Click here to volunteer or request support.

Meals on Wheels Parent volunteers needed

This is a service that requires the involvement of parents to be the volunteer drivers for boys from Biggs House and Gerald House on a Friday to provide meal delivery services for Bulimba and Carina Meals on Wheels. The commitment is approximately two hours once a term. Stacey Lacy is the Parent Connect Coordinator she is a current Year 10 and Grenfell House parent. Click here to volunteer.

Upcoming events

Coffee & Connect
Friday 8 March
The Arches
After drop-off

Parent Chapel Service
Friday 8 March
Canon Jones Memorial Chapel
9:30 am

Parents and Churchie Staff Morning Tea
Friday 8 March
Morris Hall
10:30 am

Boarding and Day Mothers Afternoon Tea
Friday 8 March
Brenan Pavilion
1:30 – 3 pm

Tuckshop news

Viking Café volunteers

We welcome mums and dads to volunteer at our tuckshops. Please contact the Tuckshop Volunteers Coordinator for more details if you can spare some time during the term to help in our busy tuckshops.

• Viking Café volunteers please contact via email.
• Prep Tuckshop volunteers please contact via email.

Upcoming events

View the school calendar on myChurchie for all scheduled events.

Follow Churchie

• Churchie on Instagram
• Churchie on Facebook
• Churchie on LinkedIn

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Churchie (@anglicanchurchgrammarschool)