Senior School

Indigenous Round

The Indigenous Round on Saturday 24 September was more than just a rugby match between Ipswich Grammar School and Churchie; it was a powerful moment of recognition, reflection and celebration of First Nations culture. Our First Nations students played an important role, leading the First XV onto the field, symbolising the importance of unity and respect. During the event, Jayden Ah Boo delivered the Acknowledgement of Country, while Isaiah Missen’s didgeridoo performance resonated with the crowd, highlighting the rich cultural heritage that we honour and celebrate. This round serves as a reminder of the significance of supporting First Nations students and embracing the diverse cultures that enrich our community.

Kelly Jackson
Reconciliation Action Plan Coordinator

Aquila news

Congratulations to Eric Zhang in Year 11, who has authored and published a maths textbook. Eric’s An Introductory Guide to Differential Calculus is published by Clark and Mackay. Copies are available to purchase from Eric, or if interested, contact Mr Grant Smith via Grant.Smith@churchie.com.au.

Grant Smith
Head of Gifted Education (Aquila)

Vision Valley (Year 9, 2025) information evening

Year 8 parents and students are invited to an information evening for the four-week Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning Programme in partnership with Pymble Ladies’ College. The event will take place on Wednesday 4 September at 6 pm in The Centenary Library Lecture Theatre. This event is for parents and students who may be interested in this groundbreaking opportunity.

A dedicated Vision Valley myChurchie page has further information, including a video of the 2024 experience and the 2025 Vision Valley Programme Handbook.

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

SchoolTV – Special report

The highlighted topic in SchoolTV this month is a special report on R U OK? Day, which can be accessed via this link or on the Wellbeing page of myChurchie.

Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics and societal expectations contribute to these issues. It is therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.

R U OK? Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, ‘Are you OK?’.

Engaging in R U OK? Day activities go beyond the classroom; it is a commitment to our students’ overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK? Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together we can truly make a difference.

This special report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.

Dr Alex Krzensk
Acting Head of Senior School

Jack Parry

Year 11 Mansfield student Jack Parry represented the Strikers Powerchair Football team at the 2024 Australian Powerchair Football Club Championships (APFA) Club Championships, held from Monday 26 August to Saturday 31 August at Nissan Arena. The championships brought together the best talent from across Australia, New Zealand and the world, with the Strikers securing fourth place overall.

Excitingly, Jack has been invited to travel to Sydney in October to train with the Australian team and has also been offered a scholarship to play at a university in the United States.

Congratulations, Jack!

Viking Café volunteers

We are fortunate to have parents like Brendan Pollock, whose son Hayden is in Year 10, contributing their time to our Viking Cafe. Brendan volunteers once or twice a term when his schedule allows, and he finds it to be a rewarding way to give back to the School.

Volunteering offers him a chance to see Hayden, his mates and the other boys throughout the day while gaining a unique glimpse into the School’s daily life. Brendan also enjoys seeing the care that goes into preparing healthy, high-quality food with great alternatives—plus, it is always a win when Hayden’s favourite nachos are on the menu.

We invite you to join Brendan in experiencing the sense of community that comes with volunteering at the Viking Café. Even a small contribution of time can make a big difference, and we would love to see more parents get involved.

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 email VikingCafe.Coordinator@churchie.com.au