From the Head of Senior School

GPS Swimming Championships

Congratulations to the Churchie Swim Team on their performance at the GPS Swimming Championships at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on Friday. It was a very good team effort to secure fifth place overall. While Churchie Swimming has consistently placed mid-table in the last few years, there is a sense that our swimming programme is building a fantastic culture under new leadership. We look forward to seeing the momentum continue into next year.

I express my gratitude to Director of Swimming Jaye Finocchiaro, Head of Aquatics and Head Coach Richard Sleight, Junior Coach Liam Smith and their staff for their dedication and hard work throughout the season. Also, I congratulate all swimmers who achieved a personal best on the night.

Student leadership

The development of leadership skills is a key focus for our Year 12 cohort, supported by housemasters. Throughout Term 1, we have been proud to highlight the leadership journeys of our senior students. At events such as Founder’s Day and the Headmaster’s Leadership Assembly, we have showcased our student leaders. At GPS events many seniors were present to lead and oversee the positive support for their peers and the School. In Term 2, all Year 12 students will officially become senior leaders, receiving their senior badge at the House Family Chapel Services. Our model of student leadership at Churchie promotes servant leadership, where students actively serve the community. Guided by our school tenets of academic excellence, personal growth, service and spiritual awareness, our leaders are always expected to set a positive tone, inspiring their peers.

2024 Captain’s Charge

At Headmaster’s Assembly on Thursday 29 February, School Captain Noah Monahan delivered his Captain’s Charge. His speech was powerful and motivating. He encouraged unity and effort, stressing that each student’s contribution is vital for the collective success and legacy of the year. Noah urged everyone to give their best, make the most of their opportunities and work together to leave a lasting impact.

Prefect vision and portfolio

The Prefect team developed their vision for the 2024 school year with the theme of ‘leaving your legacy’ and allocated prefect portfolios:

As a Churchie collective in 2024, we aim to honour and build upon the legacies of the past. As the ‘blue and grey’, we aim to further foster relations between spirit and respect, teachers and students, boarders and day boys, to unify all individuals across each facet of school life. Our goal is to empower the boys to access their full potential in every value and tenet of the school to build upon the Churchie legacy, ultimately leaving a legacy of their own.

Portfolio	Prefect
Academic	James Aralar, Garry Chen, Bill McCart
Culture and Diversity	Caleb Godfrey, Cooper Saunders
Student Wellbeing	Garry Chen, Bill McCart
Interschool Relations	Hugh Agnew, Oliver Chancellor, Noah Monahan
Logistics and Operations	Will Shackel
Preparatory School Liaisons	Will Hood, Noah Monahan
Service and Social Justice	James Aralar, Eddie Parr, Will Shackel
Spirit	Will Hood, Eddie Parr
Vertical Pastoral Care (Years 8 and 9)	Max Blanch, George Ward
Year 7 Liaison	Rohan Seeto, Will Whitehead
House Liaison	Max Blanch, Cooper Saunders
Viking Assembly	Hugh Agnew, Oliver Chancellor, Noah Monahan, George Ward

Rod Olsen
Head of Senior School