Senior School

Interhouse Track and Field

The 2024 Interhouse Track and Field carnival was held on the final day of Term 2.

We were blessed with fine weather throughout and are indebted to several key individuals: Martyn Hedley for his preparations of the grounds, Craig Howe for his work on the day, Brian Bowen for overseeing the public address system, all teaching staff who adjudicated or supervised house areas, Michael Simes for masterminding a complex day of competition, and David Grogan for calling the various races and events.

Grenfell and Kingsley recorded attendance of more than 90 per cent, and we especially congratulate Gerald and Hillary, with more than 95 per cent of students in attendance.

With attendance added, the overall results were as follows:

• 1st Kingsley
• 2nd Grenfell
• Equal 3rd Nansen and Hillary
• 5th Mansfield
• 6th Gerald
• 7th Mawson
• 8th Biggs
• 9th Casey
• 10th Magnus
• 11th Goodwin

With the Interhouse Singing still to be held, the overall standings for interhouse competition are as follows:

• 1st Kingsley
• 2nd Nansen
• 3rd Hillary
• =4th Biggs and Casey
• 6th Gerald
• 7th Grenfell
• 8th Mawson
• 9th Mansfield
• 10th Magnus
• 11th Goodwin

Berian Williams-Jones
Deputy Head of Senior School (Years 7 to 9)

Year 11 Sleep Rough

By Year 11 students Henry Brown (Magnus) and Josh Crain (Casey)

The Year 11 Sleep Rough programme is an initiative facilitated by the St Vincent de Paul Society aimed at raising awareness of homelessness in Australia. Students from Casey and Magnus Houses participated in this immersive programme near the end of Term 2. The initiative was born of the Churchie Year 11 social justice programme where participants spent the evening learning about the cause, challenges and solutions in regard to homelessness in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.

The event commenced on campus where the Vinnies staff conducted several workshops. Through case studies and activities, we were given a comprehensive introduction to the issue of homelessness faced by over 105,000 people across Australia. The sessions offered us a deeper understanding of the daily hardships faced by people in this situation. We learned about the causes of homelessness, the exposed and unsafe living conditions and the constant uncertainty. We also explored the social stigma that comes with homelessness and its mental health impacts.

After the workshops, we walked to the CBD where we saw, through a ‘homeless lens’, what we had previously taken for granted. For instance, we encountered many examples of ‘hostile architecture’, which is a feature of urban design that purposefully guides the behaviour of the homeless. Examples of this infrastructure include metal bars on public seating to prevent sleeping and loud music playing in public places after dark.

One activity involved talking to volunteers from the Rosie Foundation, an organisation that works to create a safe interface for people experiencing homelessness through things such as warm meals and clean clothes.

Another of the most impactful activities was the $2 dinner challenge, where each student was tasked with buying their dinner with just a gold coin. This exercise demonstrated the financial constraints many homeless individuals face daily and just how high the current cost of living is. Interestingly, some of us pooled our resources, highlighting the value of support from one’s community, but it brought home the struggles of purchasing dinner with no source of income.

The night spent experiencing the streets was a profound and eye-opening experience, providing us with a deeper understanding and new empathy for those living with this reality every day. Our exposure to the unseen side of homelessness far outweighed what we might have learned if we simply fundraised for a charity. This immersive experience has personally changed us and has informed our understanding of the homeless issue. It has equipped us for the future, where we can influence our communities to support our less fortunate communities in the years to come.

Senior School photos

Senior School photos, which include Years 7 to 12 house photos, portraits, Year 12 Valedictory photos and sibling photos, are scheduled for Thursday 25 July (week three) for all houses except Grenfell and Kingsley. Year 7 form photos are also scheduled for this day. 

Thursday 1 August (week four) is the scheduled photo day for Grenfell and Kingsley, including their sibling photos.

Students are to wear Whites, and as per the School Handbook and Student Diary, please note the following extract for personal grooming:

Hair must be such that it can be kept well-groomed and tidy. The expectation is that the hairstyle be conservative and that hair should be above the collar at the back. Ears must be completely visible and must not have hair hanging over them or brushed behind them. The length of sideburns is to be no lower than the middle of the ears.

The following are considered unacceptable:

• undercuts or layering
• excess length, including long fringes that extend beyond the eyebrows when the hair is pulled downwards towards the nose
• dreadlocks
• excessive hair product
• extremes of fashion
• hair colouring beyond the natural colour
• shaved heads at blade cut less than 3
• tracks through the hair or eyebrows.

Furthermore, students must be clean-shaven at all times and the wearing of visible jewellery, studs or piercings is unacceptable; religious jewellery must be kept under the clothing.

Students not suitably presented will be excluded from the photos.

Ordering photos

To order photos please refer to the Leading Image flyer below or use the following instructions: 

1. Go to Leading Image
2. Click on Order School Photos
3. Select your State
4. Enter the following Access Key: 9AJLTMZ8

Leading Image will communicate directly with you online and post your photos to your home for your convenience. Individual student ordering will stay open after the photo day. Orders placed after the photo day may incur a postage charge per order. Any enquiries should be referred directly to Leading Image via info@leadingimage.com.au

Sibling photos

Sibling photos must be ordered before photo day. For administration purposes, please order your sons’ sibling photos by Monday 22 July at 4 pm via the Leading Image School Photos website. 

Year 8 Grandparents and Special Guests Lunch

Please view the invitation to the Year 8 Grandparents and Special Guests Lunch to be held on Monday 12 August from 11:45 am. 

Year 8 students are welcome to invite up to two guests to this special event. We ask that only grandparents or special guests attend this sit-down lunch. It is important for parents to RSVP by Monday 5 August on behalf of their son’s guests via the following link: please click here.

Grandparents and special guests will receive a programme before the event.