Churchie’s broader Term 2 curriculum is certainly capturing the imagination in profound and long-lasting ways. Over the last few days, some key events have showcased the diverse range of remarkable talents and interests of our students.
Music success
Music has a unique power to bring people together, and this was evident as Churchie’s talented musicians took the stage at the Mount Gambier Generations in Jazz festival this past weekend. This premier annual event attracts several thousand young musicians from over 80 schools across Australia.
Apart from the significant inspiration drawn from performing on such a grand stage, Churchie enjoyed remarkable success this year. Our Big Band came third overall (with junior players covering for some Year 12 students attending the Churchie Ball), and Luka Roberts (Year 11) and Zac Patane (Year 10) were both selected to perform in the festival’s Super Band, representing only the very best musicians from around the country.
Meanwhile, back in Brisbane, we had further success at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Young Instrumentalist Prize held at the ABC studios, where Eric Kim (Year 11) received first place and Gabin Won (Year 11) received second place. Again, they were competing against the very best classical instrumentalists from around Queensland. It is a truly remarkable achievement to have two Churchie boys receiving the highest accolades.
As always, we thank our music staff for all their work in preparing, supervising and supporting our musicians in achieving such outstanding results.
Eric Kim (Year 11)Gabin Won (Year 11)Eric Kim (Year 11)Eric Kim (Year 11)Eric Kim (Year 11)Eric Kim (Year 11)Photos: Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Colliding galaxies
Yesterday, Churchie’s annual physics lecture brought together students and their teachers from several schools across South East Queensland to explore the wonders of the universe. This year’s lecture focused on the topic of colliding galaxies, a phenomenon that has fascinated astronomers and physicists alike.
Esteemed guest speakers discussed the science behind galactic collisions, explaining how these massive events occur and their impact on the structure and evolution of the universe. We were relieved to hear that the collision of the Milky Way and Andromeda won’t be taking place for around 4.5 billion years and that, even then, the impact on our own solar system (and Earth’s journey around the sun) is likely to be minor. Nonetheless, the lecture provided students with an opportunity to delve into cutting-edge astrophysics, sparking curiosity and encouraging them to think about the broader implications of these cosmic events.
We commend Head of Physics Joel Wise for all his organisation in setting up this remarkable event, now in its eleventh year, and for providing some intergalactic context to our daily toil.
Year 9 at Vision Valley
Over the last weekend, a group of fifty Year 9 boys from Churchie joined their counterparts from Pymble Ladies’ College (PLC) in Sydney for an outdoor education experience near the Hawkesbury River in New South Wales. New for 2024, this coeducational adventure is designed to foster teamwork, leadership and resilience as students engage in a range of activities such as rock climbing, canoeing and orienteering. The Vision Valley programme reflects Churchie’s ongoing commitment to holistic development, providing students with invaluable life skills and a chance to build strong relationships with their peers and with our friends from PLC.
Again, we thank our committed staff for all their work in supporting this new initiative, particularly those attending the camp at different stages over the next four weeks, and Deputy Head of Senior School (Years 7 to 9) Berian Williams-Jones, for all his organisation and leadership.
Richard Wheeldon Deputy Headmaster
Student absences
Absences through the myChurchie app
Parents can now submit absences, early departures or late arrivals for their sons using the myChurchie App and the Absentee icon as below:
(Please make sure to update your app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store).
Student Absences: For more information click here.
Cocurricular Absences: For more information click here.
Please notify the school each day that your son will be absent.
While our preferred method of notification of absences will be through the App, you can still notify the school about your son’s absences by contacting the school as below:
We ask that the following information be included in the comment: Name, Form Class, Reason (eg Illness, Doctors Appointment, Family Issue)
Prep School
Prep value of the week: modesty
Modesty is having self-respect. When you value yourself with quiet pride, you accept praise with humility and gratitude. Modesty is being comfortable with yourself and setting healthy boundaries about your body and your privacy.
Attribute of the week: caring
When you are caring, you show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. You have a personal commitment to service and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment.
Building connections
It has been a wonderful start to Term 2, highlighted by the engagement of our boys and staff in the events and activities over the last three weeks. During this period, there has been much in the media about the increasing incidents of violence against women, as well as the ever-growing concerns around resilience and mental health in our society. These are always complex issues and like many societal issues, schools are always mentioned in some way, either as part of the cause or solution. A study by Terry Bowles, Daniela Russo (University of Melbourne) and Janet Scull (Monash University) identified the important role that school connection and the creation of positive relationships play in the education and wellbeing of students. The research supports our view that a Churchie education goes beyond the classroom. The activities and events involving our boys demonstrate the many and varied opportunities to build school connections and foster positive relationships.
It was lovely to see the Campbell Centre busy with parent-teacher interviews. While we are increasing visibility with our academic programme and assessment through the myChurchie portal, there is still great value for parents to meet with their son’s teacher face to face to discuss their son’s progress and set out a course of learning goals for the term ahead. The relationship between home and school is an important one that supports the development of each of our boys.
Seeing our Prep School boys involved in the Churchie Anzac Day Ceremony was pleasing, as Anzac Day is a significant day in the Australian calendar. It goes beyond a day of remembrance and now plays an important part in shaping our national identity. This is reflected in the number of boys and families, and the wider community, who came together at the Churchie Anzac Day Ceremony and saw our younger generation take part in a moving and meaningful ceremony.
Thirty-two boys and their families came together at St John’s Cathedral to celebrate their admission to Holy Communion. Joining St Margaret’s was an opportunity to continue our connection with our sister school and join together in celebration and worship. It was lovely to see these 32 boys make a commitment to their faith and spiritual journey, and a connection with the church, in front of family and friends.
As we enter the month of May, the music season started in earnest. Our Prep Band members took to the stage to showcase their talents in their musical endeavours. The evening not only provided the opportunity for our Prep boys to perform but also to watch and learn from older students in the Senior School bands. The boys’ performances were first-class, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the joy in their performance and the collective efforts of all the boys.
This term, the house system has stepped up a gear as we move to regular Friday house meetings. It has been wonderful to see the Years 3 to 6 boys coming together, forming connections and building relationships with each other and the house staff. The first part of the term has been focused on leadership development, particularly for our Year 6 boys. More recently, our Interhouse Cross Country Carnival was another way for our boys to showcase the spirit in the houses with boys cheering, encouraging and supporting each other in one of our house events. I believe the house system will bring stronger connections for our boys that will engender a stronger sense of belonging to their school.
The many opportunities offered in the Prep School at Churchie create a climate where our boys can build connections—with each other and with their teachers. It provides invaluable opportunities for them to have fun, experience success as well as learn lessons from failure in a safe, caring and supportive environment. In a world that is increasingly more challenging and complex for parents and our boys, the true value of a Churchie education that goes beyond the four walls of a classroom is being recognised. I am always appreciative and grateful for the contribution of our staff and volunteers who allow us to provide a well-rounded, holistic educational experience for our boys.
Prep Band dazzles at the Bands Concert
Our Prep Band boys enthusiastically took to the stage last Thursday night in Morris Hall for the first of the Churchie May Concert Series: the Bands Concert. The concert series works vertically, that is, all bands from Years 5 to 12 participate, providing a wonderful opportunity for our Prep School students to be inspired by the ensembles on offer to them in the Senior School. This was a huge day following the cross country; however, the boys performed incredibly well and were bursting with pride. This was the Prep Band’s first concert for the year, and we can’t wait to hear them more throughout the year!
Congratulations to the percussionists, brass and woodwind players involved who have worked so hard to prepare ‘Fanfare for an Incredibly Important Occassion’ and The Tempest, and congratulations to our clarinet ensemble, Squeak, who performed as a pre-show act. A big thank you goes towards their respective directors, Jeremy Williamson (Prep Band) and Dr Riann Wilschut (Squeak), with all of the music faculty staff who worked behind the scenes.
If your child is learning a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument in Years 5 and 6 and is not in the Prep Band already, please reach out to Jeremy Williamson. There are endless benefits to performing with others in an ensemble, not just that they grow their musical and communication skills. Performing helps students set goals and achieve mastery of instrument skills and musicianship. It also helps them develop non-music specific skills or approaches to learning such as teamwork, social skills including collaboration and leadership, self-management skills, fine motor skills, responsibility, commitment, time management, and discipline. It is also just a lot of fun to share beautiful music with audiences, such as our wonderful school community. Playing live is incredibly important for musicians as it allows them to not only boost their confidence but interact, connect and engage with an audience in a real-time, authentic setting.
Our Prep musicians look forward to performing for you in the upcoming Choral Concert on Thursday 16 May, and the Strings and Guitar Concert on Thursday 23 May. All families and friends are welcome!
Last week our four houses went head-to-head in a bid to determine which house played the best chess! There were 32 boys from Years 3 to 6 who competed in three rounds over three days where they versed a player from every house. The boys were very serious as they attempted to defeat their opponent and earn points for their houses.
And the winning house was … Danes! In second place was Angles, in third place Jutes and Saxons in fourth.
Well done to all the boys for showing incredible house spirit and competing for their houses. A special thank you to Aariz Bansal and Dhruv Bansal who assisted in organising the rounds and supporting all the boys as they played. Thank you to the housemasters who encouraged all their boys and attended each round. We look forward to 2025!
Larissa Guy| Deputy Head of Preparatory School
Year 1 Big Bang Education incursion
Last Friday our Year 1 students enjoyed a visit from scientist Brett from Big Bang Education. As part of our ‘How the world works’ unit, the boys engaged in an exciting, noisy and colourful workshop where they were introduced to the properties of light and sound. The presentation and hands-on experiences supported our central idea, ‘Scientists use their senses to describe their observations’. The boys used their senses to detect light and sound, volume and pitch, and identified different sources of light and sound in the world around us. Highlights of the incursion included wearing 3D glasses to see rainbows, playing different instruments and watching clear beads change colour in ultraviolet light.
Vivienne Corness Year 1 Teacher
Cold weather uniform
As the colder winter months approach, it is important to communicate the basic Prep School uniform expectations when trying to keep warm.
If students are wearing blues and greys or their formal uniform, the only option for warmth is the blue woollen Churchie jumper. Students are not permitted to wear the Churchie tracksuit top or pants.
If the students are in their sports uniform, they may wear the blue woollen Churchie jumper or the Churchie tracksuit. Both options are suitable when in the sports uniform.
It would be greatly appreciated if parents and students could abide by this uniform policy in the coming months.
Prep School policy on mobile phones and smartwatches
Mobile phones
These may be brought to school; however, they must be turned off upon arrival and left in bags until students depart school at the end of the day. Students may hand them to their teachers or the office for safe storage. If students need to contact their parents during the school day, they should come to the office and Mrs Brown will happily assist students to use the school phone to call home.
Smartwatches
These devices include any devices worn on the wrist that have the ability to message and receive or make calls. It is not a suitable option to simply put the watches on silent. The Prep School’s preference is that these devices are not brought to school, but if they must be brought to school, then, like mobile phones, they must be removed and stored throughout the school day once they have arrived at school and placed back on the wrist once they have been dismissed from class at 3 or 3:05 pm.
Please be aware that if students are found to be using these devices during the school day between 8:25 am and 3/3:05 pm, teachers will confiscate them, and students can collect them from the Prep Office at the conclusion of the day (or week).
Around the grounds
Senior School
Senior School Academic Achievement Awards
Churchie takes great delight in celebrating student success in all areas of school life.
Boys in Years 7 to 12 have been updated regarding new parameters for Academic Achievement Awards. These awards are always presented in Term 1 and Term 3 during Headmaster’s Assembly for work completed in the previous semester.
The changes outlined below will come into effect in Term 3 this year, with awards that reflect Semester 1 efforts and results. The changes are subtle but ensure greater levels of fairness for all students. For example, there were occasional situations with our previous parameters (which were largely based on subject grades) where students with strong overall percentages were excluded (e.g. outstanding A+ results in five subjects and two high B+ results), while students with weaker overall percentages were included (e.g. with 6 low As and one B). Our new metrics prevent this issue and still allow for a reasonable number of students to be recognised for their hard work and success.
Therefore, Academic Achievement Awards will now be presented for each semester as follows:
Top 10% of the cohort based on the mean percentage or all As (or the equivalent for Year 11 and 12 IB students)
A minimum of a B in RE
Full subject load for Year Level
Typically at least 85% of Learning Behaviours at or above ‘Consistently’ (4) across all subjects for the most recent full semester
* QCE Applied subjects in Years 11 and 12 given normalised percentage results based on A-E grades.
This information is also available in myChurchie through the Academics tile.
Richard Wheeldon Deputy Headmaster
Queensland Powerchair Football
Written by Year 11 student, Jack Parry.
On Tuesday, I represented Queensland Powerchair Football at Parliament House. It was hosted by Football Queensland to celebrate the launch of the 2024 season. I met many politicians including Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, who is a Churchie Old Boy. The day provided a forum to elevate the visibility of Powerchair Football as well as educate the parliamentarians. It was an informal but effective opportunity to showcase Queensland Powerchair Football and the clubs’ achievements and skills. It is also a great opportunity to promote the value of inclusive football to the ministers and local members of parliament.
2024 Young Instrumentalist Prize
On Saturday, Eric Kim (Year 11) won the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Prize, and Gabin Won (Year 11) came second—a huge achievement for both boys!
Dr Alex Krzensk Acting Head of the Senior School
Study Hub: Years 9 and 10 AI-powered feedback
Date: Wednesday 15 May 2024 (Week 5) Venue: The Centenary Library, level 1 (CL110) Who: Students in Years 9 and 10 Time: 3:20 to 4:15 pm Presenter: Fiona Philip
Learn how to use AI ethically to provide constructive and targeted feedback on your writing. From simple tips to improve spelling, grammar, and cohesion to identifying gaps and weaknesses against the marking criteria, this session will empower you to use AI ethically in your writing process.
The session will include strategies for writing across different subject areas, including analytical, persuasive, creative and report writing genres.
Please bring a digital copy of a piece of writing you would like feedback on.
Limited spaces available.
Kelly Jackson Senior Learning Support Coordinator
Chaplain’s corner
Centenary of the Canon Jones Memorial Chapel Celebration
On 4 May 1924, our school chapel was officially consecrated by Archbishop Gerald Sharpe. On Saturday morning we commemorated this occasion, giving thanks for the chapel life of our school throughout the last 100 years.
Rev’d Canon Sarah Plowman, a former associate Chaplain at Churchie and bishop-elect, gave the address. Sarah shared her experience of the chapel, saying:
What has always struck me about this space is that it is not formed by mere bricks and mortar, wood and glass, but it is a space shaped and made holy by the prayers of the many thousands of souls who have passed through these doors and sat on these pews. There is a special spirit about a school chapel that goes beyond being a place for ceremony and ritual. It’s a place for honesty and vulnerability, to bring hopes and dreams.
During the service, we gave thanks for the fabric of the chapel, the symbols and gifts that are used to bring God closer to God’s people. We prayed for the generations of staff and old boys and their families who have sat in the pews and celebrated baptism, confirmation, marriage and life’s end in our chapel. We sang hymns of praise and remembered the life of Canon Jones, a pioneer priest in Queensland, and his friendship with our founder Canon Morris.
Rev’d Sarah concluded her address with these words:
Gathering people in places like this chapel is important, not just because of the building itself and what it represents, Christ at our centre, but because of the community that is built here, the friendships cemented and the shared spirit of service that is proclaimed here. I have no doubt that many boys have brought their dreams and aspirations to God here in prayer, as well as their troubles and trials and their desperate pleas. The chapel itself may be a touching place, a thin place where the prayers of thousands have made it holy, but the rock of Christ on which our faith is founded is bigger and broader than this place and may be found wherever faithful people put their trust and hope, their dreams and vulnerabilities into the hands of God who cannot be contained in four walls or even by time and space. The rock on which we build our faith is deeper and broader than we can imagine.
It is my prayer today that the wise and faithful friendship between Canon Jones and Canon Morris may be for us a reminder of the value of mentors and friends, and of the way in which God’s presence is found in a circle of friends as much as in the hallowed space of this Chapel. May this space, and the beautiful items contained within it, serve as a reminder of the love of God which cannot be contained, and of the faithful prayers of those who have gathered here in the past, and of all those who will gather here in faith for another century or more. In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who is the rock on which our faith is built. Amen.
Tickets are now on sale for the Churchie and Somerville House 2024 musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Follow the story of lucky Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe as they visit the mysterious candy factory owned by the brilliant and eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka, and staffed by his team of dancing Oompa Loompas. Charlie, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee each have a golden ticket, but which child will win Wonka’s ultimate grand prize? Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, this comedy production is suitable for all ages and will delight the whole family.
Evening performances commence at 7 pm and matinée production commences at 2 pm.
Please note, due to copyright laws, photography and recording are not permitted.
In unprecedented success, Churchie placed first and second in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Prize. The event took place at the ABC Studios home of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in South Bank, Eric Kim (Year 11) and Gabin Won (Year 11) were two of the six finalists from across the state. Reports from Dr Rianne Wilschut (Clarinet teacher) and Katharine Willison (Bassoon teacher) described the enormity of the event within the orchestral community and the intensity of the performances, showcasing outstanding musicianship in a room where you could hear a pin drop.
Eric Kim performed Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen and Gabin Won performed Reincke’s Concerto for Flute (third movement). In an incredibly close finish, Eric Kim was awarded the eventual winner, followed closely by Gabin Won. No other school has ever achieved first and second place in this competition. The amount of work and tireless dedication from both of these students is certainly not unnoticed, and the entire school is incredibly proud of both these boys and their achievements. We look forward to seeing future performances as Eric and Gabin continue to share their virtuosity with the Churchie community.
Bands Concert
Congratulations to Jeremy Williamson on a superb start to the May Concert Series with a stellar Bands Concert featuring 5 Big Bands and 4 Concert Bands boasting over 180 students and the uniqueness of all the colourful timbres across each of the woodwind, percussion and brass families.
The Prep Band started off the concert with ‘Fanfare for an Incredibly Important Occasion’ by Adam Arnold, and that it was. This was the first Prep Band performance for 2024, and their enthusiasm was palpable. Later in the concert, we were fortunate enough to hear them again as they transformed into Big Band 5 for the traditional ‘Jammin’ with Charlie’ featuring Zac Patane (Year 10) on guitar. The Concert Band were in fine form with some virtuosic and ambitious playing of ‘Lightning’ by Todd Stalter. The clarinets, trumpets and flutes were using their fast fingers to move through quavers at ‘lightning speed’.
Jensen Winds told the story of the Great Locomotive Chase from 1862 with exceptional train imagery from the flutes and percussion section before giving the audience some beautiful respite in the program with a sensitive and warm rendition of ‘Salvation is Created’ featuring the warmth and fundamental sound of Benji Watson on Tuba. Morris Winds took the audience on a journey to the east with ‘Arabian Dances’ by Brian Balmages, featuring the Darbukas from Henry Down (Year 12) and Dimitri Karanicolas (Year 12) and the rest of the percussion section as well as some dramatic and unique Arabian melodies using the maqam scale. The second half featured the Big Bands with Big Band 4 rocking out the audience to the tune of ‘Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Gimme Some Lovin’, followed by Big Band 3 who swung the house down with ‘Caldonia’ and ‘Struttin’ with Some Barbeque’.
Big Band 2 played ‘A Mi Papa’ by Matt Morey in what was the only Latin performance of the night featuring a strong mambo groove from Clancy Wardle (Year 11) and Tom Patterson (Year 12) in the rhythm section and finally Big Band 1 paid homage to the great Duke Ellington with their rendition of ‘Solid Old Man‘ featuring a huge solo from Hunter Luostarinen (Year 9) on trombone along with Daniel Batchelor (Year 12) also on trombone. In what was an epic finale, Big Band 1 played one of their favourite tunes,‘Birdland’, featuring a classy and bluesy tenor saxophone solo from William Dique (Year 12) and some audience participation to bring to a conclusion an amazing night of music. Thanks to the 400-plus audience members who attended and the full mezzanine of students who all supported the amazing performances. Your impact as an audience member is inestimable for all the musicians as they continue their journey.
Please follow these links to the recordings from tonight:
Symphonic Winds
Big Bands
Generations In Jazz
On 3 May 2024, members from Big Bands 1 and 2, and Viking Vocals 1 and 2 combined to represent Churchie at the National Stage Band and ANZ Vocal Championships in Mount Gambier as part of the Generations in Jazz festival. Due to the ball being held on the same weekend, many of the Year 12s were not able to attend.
The younger members of the choral groups and bands rose to the challenge to provide a full and competitive compliment at the festival. Both groups played extremely well after having such a short preparation (only 25 minutes of rehearsal for five weeks) due to the hybrid nature of the touring ensemble. Luka Roberts (Year 11) was named as the lead trumpet in the GIJ Superband and Zac Patane (Year 10) was also selected on guitar in the GIJ Superband. Big Band 1.5, as they are affectionally known, placed third in the highest ensemble participation division and Viking Vocals placed 13th. The feedback from the adjudicators was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, with an overarching challenge from the adjudicator to be more consistent across all the pieces.
Thank you to Rosemary Oxenford and Paul Kriesch for dedicating their weekends to the students and for their extra work in preparing the music. Most pleasing is the amount of improvement that all students made but perhaps of most paramount importance is the way in which the students represented the school in public. This was a national event in which Churchie was announced three times over the loudspeaker but it is always the way in which each student holds themselves throughout their time in the public eye that leaves an indelible mark. Well done everyone, and we look forward to next year’s event with aspiration!
Photos: Churchie Music
Please follow this link to recordings of Big Band 1.5 at Generations in Jazz:
Upcoming events
Big Band 1 will be performing at the Jazz Club on 15 May 2024 at 6 pm at BEMAC. Chamber Strings 1 will be performing at the wonderful St Peter’s Concert Hall as part of the QYMA Festival on 16 May 2024 and Morris Winds will be performing at the QYMA festival in the same concert Hall on 15 May 2024. Please come along and support the students during this competitive experience.
In the remaining weeks of May, we will see the Choral Concert and also, the Strings and Guitar Concert. Please invite your friends, family and any other guests along to enjoy a night of wonderful music that reflects the hard work of these ensembles across two terms.
Bohdan Davison Director of Music
Sport
The Nudgee round proved to be a drought breaker for our Football First XI, coming out as victors after 14 years in our battle against Nudgee College. Weather played havoc for our Years 7 and 8 tennis teams, but otherwise overall a very successful round for the rest of the tennis programme.
Round three of the GPS Tennis season, the boys woke to cloudy gloomy skies with light showers forecasted. With perfect timing, the rain was scheduled to arrive the moment Churchie started their matches. By the end of the day, regardless of the conditions, it turned out to be a very bright day for Churchie Tennis.
Twenty-seven GPS matches and one supplementary match were scheduled, but unfortunately, out of the four venues across our home courts, most matches were affected by the wet weather. Our Year 7 teams only finished two matches while our Year 8 boys sadly couldn’t take to the courts. Of the other venues that were able to complete their matches, Churchie only lost 2 out of 22 matches that were played—a fantastic effort.
The 2024 First IV team had a tough loss to a strong opposition. The boys will dust themselves off and get ready for this week’s battle.
Round four opponents, Toowoomba Grammar School, are on the road to Churchie, and all senior teams will be in action at the David Turbayne Tennis Centre. Only three teams from the junior year levels will represent Churchie this Saturday in Toowoomba. The tennis programme has hit the halfway milestone for 2024, and I take the opportunity to recognise the efforts of our year-level coordinators. On behalf of the boys and parents, thank you for your commitment thus far in the season. Parents are appreciative of your detailed communication and the boys are enjoying your support at training and each Saturday. Thank you Winnie Edwards-Davis, Adele Hatt, Elizabeth Jenkins, Sarah Fenton-Wolski, Tyson Sholl, Julie Hickling and Julianne O’Neill.
Ian Malpass Director of Tennis
Football
On Saturday 4 May, 36 Churchie teams made their way to the eagerly awaited Nudgee games. The day lived up to the hype with many close-fought games. The day ended with 16 wins apiece for Churchie and Nudgee and four draws. Our First XI team made it three from three. The boys put in a wonderful performance. The game started at a frantic pace with neither side willing to concede an inch. It was a pretty even affair in the early stages. Churchie then started getting on top and the pressure paid off when Levi Collins broke down the right before putting in a great cross, which was clinically converted by Xavier Veivers Brown. Shortly after the boys in blue and grey made it 2–0, thanks to a wonderful free kick from Quinn MacNicol. With 15 minutes to go, Nudgee pulled one goal back to make it 2–1. In the last 10 minutes, the Churchie boys withstood a barrage of attacks and managed to hold on with resolute defending. Lucas Herrington and Ollie Reid were towers of strength at the back and did not let anything go through. Special mention to the 200 Churchie boys who came out to support the players and outnumbered the Nudgee boys on their home turf. They were the 12th man, and their support was the one percenter the boys needed to bring home all three points. This week we welcome Toowoomba Grammar School (TGS), and it would be great if we could get an even bigger home crowd.
Below are a few of the many examples of boys living by the Churchie Football values of integrity, discipline and determination in Round 3.
Integrity: Campbell Young (9C) scored a hat-trick through sheer will.
Discipline: Jacob Atterby (Fouth XI) is continuing to volunteer to be the goalkeeper and is keeping the team in the game with amazing saves.
Determination: Nathan Tan (Third XI) gave 100% and never backed down.
Prep School Man of the Matches:
Michael Smee (6B): In a fantastic team performance, Michael finished off the terrific work of his teammates with all four goals on the weekend. Michael has been scoring goals at will each week and was ever impressive again on Saturday.
Benjamin Potter (5B): With another incredible performance by Benjamin in goals, he continuously made some terrific saves to keep Churchie ahead in the match. Each week Benjamin has shown his development and shapes up to be a terrific goalie for Churchie in the future years.
On Saturday 11 May, we will play TGS at home. The boys from the range always give 100 per cent, and we need to continue to work hard to get anything from games. Let’s keep our positive momentum rolling and keep displaying the great Churchie spirit.
Alex Rados Director of Football
First goal Levi Collins and Xavier Veivers Brown celebrationLucas Herrington and Rylan Brownlie in a duelEnd of game celebrationPhotos: Nagisa Sugimura VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ON PIXEVETY
Water Polo
After a bye last week, four Churchie teams have qualified for the finals. The Churchie Years 7 to 10 teams will finalise their preparations at training for the finals to be played at Somerville House this Friday against Brisbane Boys College (BBC). Game times are as follows:
4:30 pm: Year 7
4:30 pm: Years 9 and 10 (combined team)
5 pm: Year 8
Transport arrangements will be the same as in previous weeks with the bus leaving from the flagpole at 3:40 pm.
Alan Greenbank Director of Water Polo
Sporting achievements
Congratulations to the following students who have achieved representative success in their following pursuits.
Cruz Collins (Year 8) represented Queensland at the Little Athletics Australian Championships last weekend in Adelaide and won gold in the Triple Jump with a new PB of 12:32m.
Zac Griggs was selected into the Metropolitan East touch football team to play in the Queensland Championships in June.
Thomas Parr was selected into the Metropolitan East AFL team to compete at the Queensland Championships.
The following students qualified for the Composite District Cross Country team and will be competing at the Metropolitan East trials on 21 May:
James Turley
Archie Jackson
Andrew McConnel
Mac Chandler
Caleb Watson
Max Miles
Zac Moore
Freddie McDonnell
James Thomson
Santi De Leon
Lachlan Moore
Alister Hillier
Noah Tyne
Henry Peters
Diego De Leon
Hamish Barwick
Campbell McIntyre
Trent Goodrick Head of Cocurricular
Churchie Rugby Luncheon
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 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. Once you have joined, you will receive communication from your parent coordinators, access to your cohort’s parent contact list and membership to join the private Facebook groups. Join here.
Parent Connect contacts
We are happy to share with you all that the Parent Connect executive team, Year, House and Volunteer coordinators can be viewed on the Parent Connect page on myChurchie. Click here to view on myChurchie
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
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 Reverand Sharon and Chaplain Stephanie. Click here to volunteer
Midweek meditation
All are invited; 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.
Parent Connect upcoming events
Parent Connect Meeting Brenan Pavilion (29 May)
Wellbeing Speaker Series (TBC)
Best wishes, Parent Connect Executive Team and Coordinator Community.
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.
