Many of our students are revising content, honing skills and preparing for some key assessments in the final weeks of Semester 1. As always, it’s not just about studying hard but also working in smart and well-informed ways according to key strategies found in the Churchie Study Skills curriculum on myChurchie.
While significant assessments certainly do concentrate the mind, it is always important to establish a wider perspective for developing good character as well.
National Reconciliation Week
This week is National Reconciliation Week, an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, cultures and achievements. We are encouraged to explore how we, as individuals and as a School community, can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia to both acknowledge and address the ongoing devastating impacts of colonisation on First Nations communities in Australia.
Churchie’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee of staff and students is leading a variety of initiatives across the week, a feature being addresses from Kingy Newman-Nona at Senior and Prep School assemblies. Some of the other Reconciliation Week initiatives are posters ‘Now more than ever’, library book displays, discussions at house meetings and traditional Aboriginal games for Churchie and St Margaret’s students on Wednesday. The ongoing development of our Reconciliation Action Plan provides valuable learning and cultural experiences across the School, engendering respect, awareness and intercultural opportunities. More information about Churchie’s RAP Committee and initiatives can be found on myChurchie.
Red Shield Appeal
A wonderful demonstration of the School’s service tenet was provided last Sunday when 390 students from Churchie and St Margaret’s committed to the Red Shield Appeal. They raised over $13,000 to support people who face homelessness, family and domestic violence, addiction, financial stress and a range of other hardships. Churchie’s commitment to the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal continues to be a very important fixture in our yearly calendar. We commend our boys on their efforts and thank the many parents and staff who also played significant roles on the day.
We wish all young men a wonderful finale to Semester 1 over the next fortnight, committing themselves to all their endeavours with a genuine sense of purpose, gratitude and joy.
Richard Wheeldon Deputy Headmaster
Prep School
Recently we have been interviewing families for commencing at Churchie in Reception, and soon will start on future Year 5 boys. One of the questions I always ask parents is, ‘Why are you interested in a Churchie education for your son?’ There are variety of responses: lovely grounds and facilities, our teachers, locality, strong values and the School’s mission, the making of men. However, one common factor I repeatedly hear is, ‘your boys’. Our blue and grey uniform is very recognisable in the community and one that seems to gather significant attention. Pleasingly, the overwhelming feedback is that Churchie boys are great ambassadors for our school. Our prospective parents want their sons to be like your sons. I take great delight and pride when I hear that. Parents often remark that they had a conversation with a Churchie boy at the local shops or when they have been out and about. They are extremely impressed with their manners, conduct and behaviour, and this is something we should celebrate and acknowledge. It is these incidental conversations and interactions with parents on school tours that set us apart from other schools.
Prep school value of the week: service
Service is giving to others and making a difference in their lives. You consider their needs as important as your own. Be helpful without waiting to be asked. Do every job with excellence. When you act with a spirit of service, you can change the world.
Prep school attribute of the week: inquirers
Have a natural curiosity and learn to acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. You actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout your life.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Last Wednesday, our Prep boys participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. It is a wonderful opportunity for our buddy classes to read together and complete activities that support the themes of the chosen book. This year, the picture book was Bowerbird Blues, beautifully written and illustrated using watercolours by Aura Parker. Participating in National Simultaneous Storytime was also one of the Head of Prep Reading Challenge activities. Stay tuned for next week when the prize winners for each year level will be announced.
Caroline Valentine Dean of Academics
May Concert Series: Choirs and String Ensembles
Congratulations to the boys in Prep Choir and Junior Prep Choir for their performance at the Choral Concert on 16 May, and our Prep Strings, Junior Prep Strings and Eagle Guitars for their performances in the Strings and Guitar Concert on 23 May at Morris Hall.
The May Concert Series works vertically, in that all ensembles up to Year 12 participate. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our Prep students to be inspired by the ensembles on offer to them in the Senior School. Our young musicians performed incredibly well as artists but also showed good listening skills and respect as audience members. Performing live is incredibly important for musicians as it not only boosts their confidence but also allows authentic interaction, connection and engagement with audiences in real-time.
A big thank you to ensemble directors and accompanists Ben Hooper (Prep Strings), Ingrid Rochet (Junior Prep Strings), Rosemary Oxenford (accompanist), Christian Gante (accompanist) and Russell Neville (Eagle Guitars) alongside all of the music faculty staff who worked behind the scenes. Thank you also to the Music Support Group for kindly providing pizza for the boys. They very much appreciated it!
Recordings from the Choral Concert on 16 May can be accessed on SoundCloud:
The developing musicianship of our Prep boys is simply outstanding. Our students enhance their musicianship through participation in ensembles—learning how to blend, balance, maintain accurate intonation, attention to detail and aural skills, all to create something bigger than themselves. Evidence shows that those who play or sing in musical ensembles have improved socio-emotional wellbeing, as musicians work together to serve a common purpose and experience a sense of bonding and a feeling of “belongingness”. Our Prep ensembles are special communities of friends who support one another to challenge and grow in their skills. It’s about inclusivity. They see beyond themselves and develop a greater awareness of what’s going on around them as collaborative team players. And the result, when all the hard work of rehearsal comes together in the form of a performance, is simply indescribable.
Our Prep ensembles grow every term and are thriving and full of energy. However, there is always room for more! Our choirs are about to start a new repertoire in preparation for Term 3. Now is the time to get inspired and come along, to experience the fun of performing with mates and growing one’s music skills.
Years 3 to 4 Junior Prep Choir rehearses on a Wednesday morning in PS25 from 7:30 to 8:15 am
Prep Choir rehearses on a Monday morning in PS25 from 7:15 to 8:15 am.
If your son is interested in performing with one of our string ensembles, please email Mr. Hooper for more information.
‘Chookas’ to our Junior Prep Choir who are off to the Queensland Youth Music Awards next week to perform for our wider community.
Billy Cart nominations close at 4 pm this Friday 31 May 2024.
Prep Support Group meeting
The next Prep Support Group Meeting will be held on Thursday 6 June 2024 commencing at 8:30 am in Brenan Pavilion (behind the pool), and all parents are welcome.
Student possession of medication
Students are not to have medications in their possession unless they have consent to self-administer medications. Permission may be granted for a student to self-administer medication if they have a long-term life-long medical condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes, epilepsy etc.) and have been assessed by their medical practitioner and the Health Centre. Medications found in the possession of a student without prior consent will be confiscated and parents notified.
Procedure for administrating medication on school campus
Parents are requested to deliver medication directly to the Health Centre. Students are to present in person to the registered nurse in the Health Centre to receive the medication.
The medication must be in its original container labelled by the pharmacist or medical practitioner and outline the following information:
name of drug
use by date
name of medical practitioner prescribing the drug
name of student
dosage
frequency of medication
Please note: medication that is not correctly labelled will not be administered.
Mark Wyer Head of Preparatory School
Senior School
Tri-Service Cadets camp
By CDTWO2 Will Reading, Year 12
On Friday 17 May, cadets from Army Cadets, TS Magnus and 203 Squadron, alongside visitors from TS Carpentaria and 217 Squadron, departed for Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, for the 2024 Tri-Service Cadets camp. Eighty-eight cadets and thirteen staff set up their hutchies or tents and cooked dinner using hexamine stoves before settling in for the cadets’ first night in the field.
A 6 am reveille on Saturday led into a full day of military-like activities including firing the EF88 Service Rifle of the Australian Defence Force at the Weapon Training Simulator System, tackling the Gallipoli Barracks obstacle course and conducting military skills and teamwork scenario training in the urban operations and night training facilities. Spirits were high that night, but everyone slept well even as the temperature dropped. Sunday challenged all cadets to try and complete the overwater obstacle course before everyone enjoyed lunch with the soldiers on base at the all-ranks mess hall.
This was a great camp opportunity for all Churchie cadets to work together and to be exposed to the training facilities and experiences only on offer inside one of Australia’s largest military bases. A big thank you to all of the staff who supported the weekend and made it possible.
A distinguishing feature of the IB Diploma Programme is the core – three areas that help to develop the whole student. The core is made up of the extended essay, theory of knowledge (TOK) and creative, activity, service (CAS).
CAS is organised around the three strands of creativity, activity and service. For Churchie students, many of the sporting, cultural and service activities that they already engage in, are able to be used for CAS.
In Term 1, Year 12 IB student Sam Armstrong initiated a project with a group of fellow students to collect containers at lunchtime to raise money so that the IB students could participate in making sandwiches for the Australian charity organisation Eat Up. Sam worked with both Mr Gore and Mr Hyson to raise this money and to liaise with the Eat Up organisers.
Eat Up provides free lunches to students on a national scale. With the increasing cost of living placing strain on families, this organisation helps to ensure that students do not go hungry throughout the school day.
On Monday 27 May, the Year 12 IB students made sandwiches during their CAS lesson, with a final total of 1,128 sandwiches. Well done to Sam and his group for organising the event, and a very big thank you to Mr Gore and Mr Hyson for all their guidance and support.
Environmental Systems and Societies
Currently, across all Year 12 IB subjects, students are completing their internal assessments that will be moderated by the IB. In the group four (science) subjects, internal assessment involves the collection of data over a significant period.
Dr Lee’s Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) class has just submitted their investigation which consists of:
identifying an ESS issue and focusing on one of its specific aspects
developing methodologies to generate data that are analysed to produce knowledge and understanding of this focused aspect
applying the outcomes of the focused investigation to provide understanding or solutions in the broader ESS context.
Dr Lee was delighted to see that her students have all chosen unique and personally significant topics.
Henry Capp: Can certain detergents mitigate the effects of the surfactants within, to increase healthy plant growth?
Thomas Crooke: How might the artificial channelisation of rivers, as seen in the Kissimmee River, impact the amount of erosion present through differing lengths of channels?
Alex Davies: To what extent do variable sunlight hours because of differing latitudes impact the productivity of Vigna radiata specimens?
Harry Deefholts: What is the impact of acid rain, at a specific pH level, on the growth and survival rate of an Australian native plant, such as Perennial Ryegrass (a type of Wheatgrass)?
Thomas Dwyer: How does the use of painted roof tiles (white, grey, terracotta and black) along with corrugated iron affect the temperature absorption from the sun and which of these materials absorbs the least amount of heat?
Henry Grosser: How does the proximity of a major road affect PM2.5 levels in Brisbane Australia?
Harry James: Out of two organic fertilisers and two non-organic fertilisers, which causes the most amount of phosphorus runoff through the water?
Henry Jones: What is the pollution of solid domestic waste in the local Wynnum area of Australia?
Tom O’Neill – What factor in a marine ecosystem affects Rhabdosargus sarba populations at Green Island and St Helena, Australia?
Tom Patterson: How does the changing salinity level from 0.24, 0.47, 0.7, 0.9 mg/500 ml affect the germination of wheat seed (Triticum) measured in centimetres?
Ted Perkins: How does the proximity of Brisbane City affect the quality of water in the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay region?
Finlay Peterson: To what extent does nearby city urbanisation pollution negatively affect Brisbane River’s aquatic primary producer’s growth through its polluted soil’s nutrition?
Will Reading – To what extent does simulated acid rain affect limestone at 5 pH levels of acidity?
Caelan Smith: What is the relationship between the acidity of solutions between pH of 8.2, 7,6, 5,4, and 3 and polypropylene in regard to weight loss of the microplastics (polypropylene) and the acid change of the solution?
Nicholaus Suchting: How is the level of solid domestic waste at different beaches around the Morton Bay region directly related to the turbidity of the water, measured by the Secchi depth?
Simon Velge: What is the allelopathic effect of concentrations of Eucalyptus Tereticornis leaf washings on the growth of wheat seeds over a period of 3 weeks?
Ryan Walker: To what extent does BOD concentration indicate and affect local water pollution levels?
Fraser Young: To what extent is there a relationship between the density of (Microlaena stipoides) seeds per pot and the total mean height of the seedlings?
With the ESS IA now submitted, the class now embarks on revision for the November examinations. Best wishes!
Catherine Prosser Dean of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Year 7 interhouse challenge
Over the past two weeks, friendly interhouse rivalries have been renewed amongst our Year 7 students. In week five, the highly competitive futsal competition, run by our prefects and seniors, saw boys descending on the sports complex at lunch throughout the week. After a very exciting few days, Magnus and Mansfield faced off in a thrilling final, with Magnus victorious after a penalty shootout.
In Week 6, we hosted our inaugural Interhouse Spelling Bee, with the best spellers from each house competing in the final during lunch on Friday. A packed Centenary Library lecture theatre witnessed the boys wrap their heads around some very tricky words, with Tony Cao from Nansen House emerging as the victor.
Above all else, the support amongst the Year 7s and from Year 11 and 12 boys from across the school has made these events incredibly rewarding. We’re looking forward to continuing this in Term 3.
Joe Hodges Head of Year 7
Parent Wellbeing Lecture Series: High performance parenting
Presenter: Rachel Jones – Sport and Exercise Psychologist
Date: Tuesday 4 June 2024 Time: 6 to 7:30 pm (1 hour presentation with 30 minutes for questions) Venue: The Centenary Library lecture theatre Livestream: link to be provided RSVP: Not required
High performance environments are inherently filled with pressure and stress but can also provide great opportunities for success. This talk will explore how the brain works under pressure as well as practical tools and strategies for both parents and students to navigate high performance environments whilst maximising wellbeing and performance. We will also discuss strategies to create healthy high performance environments at home, navigate anxiety and stress, and manage emotions.
Rachel is the Director of LIFT High Performance Consultants, an organisation that aims to help people to thrive in all areas of life. Rachel has over a decade of experience working in elite sports and other elite environments including business, military, performing arts and medical contexts. She also has a background in sports science and strength and conditioning with a rehab focus. Her focus is on training the brain to achieve maximum performance, health and wellbeing and she places an emphasis on a holistic approach to human performance, including mental health and welfare, as well as performance skills training.
Rachel is currently working with the Queensland Firebirds, QAS Rugby 7s, QAS Football (including support for Football Queensland, Future Matildas QLD and Brisbane Roar Women’s Programmes). She is also a network provider for the AFL Players’ Association and currently provides her expertise at the Royal Australian Air Force. Rachel has experience working with elite athletes from Australian teams and organisations including Super Rugby, NRL, AFL, Queensland Jockeys’ Association, Racing Queensland, Sporting Wheelies and Professional Golfers’ Association of Australia.
Josh Di Bella Deputy Head of Senior School (Years 10 to 12)
Music
Jazz Under the Stars – James Morrison
Keep spreading the word to help us make Jazz Under the Stars the largest event to date. This is a unique opportunity to see the virtuosic James Morrison along with the wonderful Darren Percival performing with your son on Main Oval. The night will finish with James and Darren performing their most powerful and energetic works as part of the final set. Organise your tables of 10 to make this a special night for the Churchie community. All members of the public, extended friends and family are welcome.
As we continue to learn more about our guest artists, please take some time to acknowledge some more of James’ incredible achievements. He has recorded with The London Symphony Orchestra, rock legends INXS and the European Brass Ensemble; performed at the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms; written the opening fanfare for the Olympics; performed for the Queen, US Presidents Bush, Clinton and Obama, and at the Kremlin; and was a TV presenter on Top Gear Australia.
Australian Honours Ensemble
Congratulations to the following members who successfully auditioned for the Australian Honours Ensemble Programme. All students were nominated by the school based on their AMEB levels and successfully auditioned amongst many of the finest musicians in Australia. This will no doubt be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Ellis Hogan (Bassoon)
Alex Ma (Vocal Tenor)
Noah Oxenford (Vocal Baritone)
Luka Roberts (Trumpet)
Alex Smith (Trombone)
Damien Ting (Cello)
Churchie Guitars at Headmaster’s Assembly
Congratulations to Churchie Guitars for their performance of Sombre El Humo (Shade the Smoke). The Latin American influence along with the unique melodic, harmonic and contrapuntal bass movement created the perfect mood for the beginning of Headmaster’s Assembly.
Please follow this link to a recording from Headmaster’s Assembly:
String and Guitar Concert
The final instalment of the May Concert Series took place on Thursday 23 May 2024 and the audience was treated to a delightful programme featuring all of the string ensembles at Churchie. The Junior Prep Strings produced a sonorous sound with their open strings, using the energetic backing track to inspire their joyous and committed feeling to the music. The Prep Strings demonstrated their strength in numbers, playing with great attention to detail as they diligently watched their conductor. It was lovely to hear the Prep boys playing authentic music from Brahms, as they performed an arrangement of the ‘Finale from Symphony No. 1’ by Brahms, arranged by J Bullock.
The Eagle Guitars showcased the promising future of the guitar programme with a wonderful arrangement of ‘Time of Your Life’ from Russell Neville. The Churchie Guitars gave the younger ensemble much to aspire to with their performance of ‘Sombre El Humo’ by Fulgencio Garcia, following a rousing performance at Headmaster’s Assembly. Chamber Strings 1 demonstrated an incredible performance of ‘Mock Morris’ by Australian composer Percy Grainger, showing the full gamut of colours and textures that can be produced by a strings orchestra.
The Symphony Orchestra brought the house down as the finale to the concert with a stirring rendition of the ‘Artist’s Life Waltz’ by Johann Strauss II, who will be celebrating his 200th birthday next year when the Churchie musicians will be in Vienna for the Music Tour in 2025. Playing music at Churchie is about being true to the music and performing authentic repertoire, and there is none better than the Egmont Overture to express the full colours and sound of the orchestra. Count Egmont was known for fighting for human freedom (against Spanish oppression) and the music brought all of his heroism and integrity to life, concluding the concert with an overwhelming applause.
A huge congratulations to Ben Hooper, Ingrid Rochet, Jules Hanlon and Russell Neville for all of their work on the final instalment of the May Concert Series. This was a wonderful start as we build momentum for the first-ever Strings and Choral tour to Vienna in 2025. We now look forward to the Signature Concert Series in Term 3 with the Gala Concert (Space and Time), Churchie’s Best Solos and Jazz Under the Stars with special guests James Morrison and Darren Percival. Thank you to all the parents for your wonderful support at the May Concert Series. We look forward to your continued support at the Term 3 Signature Concert Series.
As part of the upcoming Signature Concert Series in Term 3, all students will be performing a solo piece as part of the Soiree studio recitals. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents to see their sons perform in a warm and friendly environment as we encourage students to improve their performing skills. Please note the date, time and location of your Soiree below. You should also receive further, more detailed, communication from your tutor by the end of the term:
GPS round six resulted in weather again dictating the outcome of our tennis fixtures and, disappointingly, all tennis games were cancelled. While our footballers had mixed results, the First XI achieved another win, leaving the last two games against Ipswich Grammar (away) and The Southport School (home) to determine the premiership.
In round six, we welcomed Brisbane State High School (BSHS) to East Brisbane.
We ended the day with a very narrow overall loss: 10 wins, 3 draws and 11 losses. An additional 11 supplementary games were played, resulting in 3 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses.
Our First XI team made it six from six. The disciplined BSHS team made it hard work for the boys in blue and grey. They sat back and made it difficult for us to create meaningful chances. The deadlock was broken in the latter part of the first half when Zavier Veivers Brown flicked the ball onto Arden Hogan, who chipped the ball over the oncoming keeper to make it 1 nil. In the second half, the visitors were forced to open up, allowing us to have more space to play the ball. The pressure paid off when Arden Hogan put in a delightful cross for Zavier Veivers Brown to tap in at the back post. The game was finished off by our two centre-backs. Both goals were scored from Quinn MacNicol corners: the first was slotted in by Lucas Herrington and the 4–0 win was confirmed by an Ollie Reid header.
Below are a few examples of boys living by the Churchie Football values of integrity, discipline and determination in round six.
Integrity: Nate Wallden (10A): In a very tough and demanding game Nate put in 100% effort and never backed out of any challenges.
Discipline: Rory Hanly (10C) – In a very even game, Rory put his heart and soul into his match, never giving up and controlling the midfield.
Determination: Sam Johnson (10E): Always playing at 100% and always looking to improve.
Prep School man of the match:
James Coutel (5A): After a disappointing loss last time against NC, James led the boys all game with his repeat defensive efforts on Nudgee’s attack. He generated several opportunities for his teammates throughout the game.
Hugh Reeve (6D): For his continual effort and teamwork throughout the match. In a game where many boys found the back of the net, Hugh demonstrated a selfless attitude all game to ensure others scored ahead of him.
This week, we head away to Ipswich Grammar School (IGS). They are a powerhouse of GPS football, narrowly finishing second in the last two GPS First XI Football competitions. A win will seal the premiership. At Nudgee we had more than 200 Churchie boys barracking for the team. Let’s turn out in even bigger numbers and be the 12th man as the boys look to make history.
It was a frustrating day for our round six clash with State High. Early rain prompted discussions between the schools with the endeavour to do what we could to get the boys on the court and playing. Ultimately the final decision was made to call off all matches as it did not seem likely that any play could take place safely. We understand that families wished for an earlier decision before leaving home; however, the programme took every available minute in the pursuit of getting matches underway even if slightly later in the day. Once the decision was made notifications and emails were sent out immediately.
The First IV and Second IV decision was held back to see if the rain would clear and the First IV match could not have been called until 10 am. Unfortunately, no play took place for our top side either.
I thank all the parents, coaches, staff and players for their understanding on Saturday morning and for all who made the journey to their venues in hopes that the boys could represent the School for round six.
This week we play Ipswich Grammar School in our GPS round seven matches, as well as Nudgee College and Gregory Terrace in some supplementary battles. We will also offer some internal matches to some of our teams that will not have opponents this week. Our junior teams are at home and our senior years will head to Ipswich.
Again, I would like to remind you of our end-of-season function. The link to register is available on myChurchie – Tennis. We would like to see as many Years 7 to 12 boys and their families there as possible.
Ian Malpass Director of Tennis
Chess
Last week, 18 senior students participated in the Term 2 Brisbane Secondary South Interschool Tournament held at Morris Hall. Several students and teams experienced large degrees of success in this notoriously difficult tournament. These achievements are listed below:
Students:
Jayden Ooi and Zerui Xing, 7/7 in A Division (joint first)
Sravan Renjith, 6.5/7 in A Division (third)
Alex Renwick, Quan Nguyen and Ryan Liaw, 5/7 in A Division (equal fourth)
Max Yan, Owen Yu and Alex Ko, 4/7 in A Division (equal sixteenth)
Caleb Chow, 4.5/7 in B Division (equal eighth)
Soren Dehdari, Benjamin Lacy and Lucas Ding, 4/7 in B Division (equal eleventh)
Teams:
ACGS 1, comprising Sravan Renjith, Jayden Ooi, Ryan Liaw and Zerui Xing, 25.5/28 in A Division, placing first
ACGS 2, comprising Alex Renwick, Quan Nguyen, Max Yan and Benjamin Wu, 16.5/28 in A Division, placing third, three points behind BSHS’s Premier team!
ACGS 3, comprising Owen Yu, Alex Ko, Lachlan Chow and Aadit Arora, 14/28 in A Division, placing equal sixth
ACGS 5, comprising Caleb Chow, Soren Dehdari, Benjamin Lacy and Lucas Ding, 16.5/28 in B Division, placing third.
Congratulations to these young men and others who attended this tournament. Some images from the tournament are attached below.
A big thank you to Chess Support Group President Derek Bond and Vice-President Peter Xing, who generously volunteered their time to operate the sausage sizzle during the day.
Our next interschool tournament this term will be the Term 2 Brisbane Primary South Interschool Tournament, held in Morris Hall on Wednesday 12 June. Teams will be announced once enrolments have closed. Further volunteering opportunities will also be available on this day. The link will be posted on myChurchie this week.
Max Condon Director of Chess
Photos: Peter Xing
Debating
In May, the National Schools Debating Competition was hosted in Adelaide, and Churchie couldn’t have been prouder to have fielded half of the representative Queensland team. Felix Mutinelli and Caelan Smith headed down, and in an incredibly tight field of competition from states that have seen Queensland dominate in the last decade, had a strong week of debating. While Queensland, alas, didn’t come home with any big wins, we couldn’t have had finer representatives of our values and culture.
While the GPS season wrapped up in Term 1, Churchie’s debating community involves year-round training, development and culture building. One significant part of this comes from our participation in the QDU Brisbane Secondary School competition, in which our teams hone their skills against a truly diverse field of independent, state and coeducational schools. Good debating is flexible and responsive debating, and a benefit that QDU offers is this diversity of team, who all bring with them unique approaches and knowledge bases with which to defend their cases. We are very proud to already have a strong contingent of teams winning three out of four preliminary debates, qualifying them for a berth in the Finals series in Term 3. With that, well done to our Senior A, Senior B, 11.1, 10.1 and 9.1 teams for consolidating their success; we look forward to hearing how our Year 7 and 8 teams fare in their round of competition in week seven.
Term 2 has also seen the kick-off of our open-series training opportunities. We are blessed to have depth and breadth of talent among our seniors and alumni, and beginning in Week 5, our older speakers have run incredibly well-developed and insightful training sessions on case prep, stakeholder analysis and identification, and principles. I am so proud of the work done by seniors Felix Mutinelli (no doubt bringing back the expertise he gained in the National Schools Debating Competition!), our captain Dario Lim, and Year 11 Sean Hansen, who skilfully worked with our junior speakers on stakeholder analysis. I encourage any Churchie boy, whether he participates in a competitive team this year or not. to come along and join our training sessions, with advanced development running on Tuesday afternoons in MS26, and our beginner development sessions running on Wednesday afternoons in MS26.
Our goal with debating this year is to go beyond being smart and well-behaved: it’s a sport that demands that we are also good. This goodness is generated by the lifelong friendships developed through the State Team Trials process, the generosity of mentoring younger speakers, and even enjoying a laugh and camaraderie with the opposition after a challenging debate. I’m keen to see our culture become enriched with expertise and friendship and look forward to the QDU Finals.
Rebecca Hewitt Director of Debating
Photos: Rebecca Hewitt
Boarding on the road
Upcoming events
Churchie Boarding is continuing to travel far and wide to meet with current, future and past community members. We are pleased to be supported by members of the OBA Committee, School Executive, School Council and the Churchie Foundation. Here are some of the events coming up. Please spread the word or visit us if you are in the area.
Muttaburra Stock Show, 1 June
ICPA Townsville, 4 and 5 June
Roma Rugby Races, 22 June
Longreach dinner, 17 July
See Churchie Boarding on the road for RSVP links and further details:
The annual Churchie Rugby Luncheon will be held on Friday 9 August 2024 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane’s South Bank. This event precedes the Wallabies’ match against the current World Champions, the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium. As always, there will be top-level entertainment, with Justin Harrison as the main speaker, along with a panel discussion conducted by MC Greg Clark featuring new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and other former Wallabies. Additionally, there will be the usual raffles, auctions and the ball-passing competition for both men and women.
With the much talked about British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025, tables purchased for the 2024 luncheon will receive priority for 2025, which will undoubtedly be a sell-out at the new venue, The Star Casino, Brisbane. Save the date for the Churchie British and Irish Lions Test on Friday 18 July 2025.
Pixevety is Churchie’s photo platform, where photos from across the School will be uploaded weekly. The system recognises students 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.
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 view on myChurchie.
Join Parent Connect
Join here. The Churchie parent community has a long-standing initiative to enable the sharing of contact details for those who opt in and provide consent. Joining the Parent Connect database is easy. Once you have joined, you will receive communication from your parent coordinators, access to your cohort’s parent contact list, and membership to the private Facebook groups.
Parent Connect contacts
Click here to meet the executive team and coordinator community of volunteer parents. Each Year, House and Service activity has dedicated friendly peer contacts for parents, helping them navigate school life, hosting social connections, and administering private Facebook groups.
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.
Chapel Centenary special project
We also invite you to participate in our Chapel Centenary Special Project. The Chapel is celebrating its 100th year, and we are coordinating a creative task force of volunteers to add to the beautiful collection of kneelers and create some new pieces inspired by Reverend Mitchell and Chaplain Stephanie. Click here to volunteer.
Midweek meditation
Reverend Sharon welcomes all. The chapel will be open from 7:45 to 8:10 am on Wednesdays for meditation, an opportunity to take a quiet moment in our busy lives. We will endeavour to post the meditations in the Churchie Parents Facebook Group.
Upcoming events
We host several events throughout the year to unite our community, and we would love for you to join us. Our upcoming events include:
Mothers of Old Boys High Tea
Date: Wednesday 17 July Time: 10 am Venue: Brenan Pavilion
Wellbeing Speaker Series
Date: Tuesday 4 June Time: 6 pm Venue: The Centenary Library lecture theatre
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.
