From the Head of Senior School

Term 4 is an exciting time for our creative arts faculty and students, filled with engaging events like CART (Churchie Art), Playfest and CAM (Churchie Awards in Media).

First and foremost, congratulations to all the talented artists whose work was showcased at CART last week. The exhibition featured an impressive range of pieces in The Centenary Library for Years 7 to 9, and in the Hayward Midson design lounge and gallery for Years 10 to 12. We were grateful to have acclaimed artist Jordan Azcune as our guest judge, whose works are held in national and international collections, including in The Arches at Churchie. A special thank you also goes to our Old Boy judge Oliver Miller (2022). Both judges were impressed by the creativity and quality of the student artwork and offered valuable insights during the awards presentation on Thursday evening.

I extend my gratitude to Head of Visual Art April Fraser for her significant contribution to making CART a success this year.

CART Awards

Vintage Churchie Packer’s Prize

• Eddie Grace (Year 7)
• Anderson Huang (Year 8)
• Harvey Bowman (Year 9)
• Buddey Saunders (Year 10)
• Milton Pyers (Year 11)
• Henry Jones (Year 12)

Old Boys’ Association Prize

• Charlie Auchter

CART Excellence award

• Lincoln Packenas (Year 7)
• Fraser Hanly (Year 8)
• Charlie Storen (Year 9)
• Felix Cox (Year 10)
• William Biggs (Year 11)
• Ted Perkins (Year 12)

the churchie emerging art award

• Cooper Mullins (Year 7)
• Henry Juniper (Year 8)
• Jameel Omar (Year 9)
• Maxwell Corfe (Year 10)
• Louis Brown (Year 11)
• Benjamin Andrews (Year 12)

David Stephenson Memorial Art Prize

• Codi Whap

Andrew Rowan Memorial Art Prize

• Hugh Colledge 

Playfest

On Friday 4 and Saturday 5 October, a cast of 18 students from Years 7 to 9 performed 3 O’clock Flagpole by Steve Pirie. In this comic performance, a class deals with the arrival of a new student who is an overgrown octopus in disguise. As the danger of having a threatening creature becomes more apparent, no adult acknowledges them, and the young are left to wade through the danger themselves. This year, the cast was fortunate to work with the playwright of 3 O’clock Flagpole—Steve Pirie—who worked as director. Working alongside a professional artist provided a dynamic and creative experience for the cast as they explored character development and storytelling together, all while enjoying the thrill of bringing a shared vision to life.

I am also grateful to our drama teachers Tiarnee Kim, Issy Mowen and Stephanie Grigoras for their dedication and leadership in producing Playfest 2024.

CAM – Churchie Awards in Media

This week, Dendy Coorparoo was packed on Tuesday evening for CAM – Churchie Awards in Media. The theme for the evening was The Academy Awards (The ACAMEDY Awards), and the audience was treated to a highly creative and engaging series of short films made by our film and television students. Year 12 students Bill McCart and Tom Crooke were very entertaining as our hosts for the evening. A highlight for the audience was the opening production, which depicted Bill and Tom’s journey from Oaklands Parade to the Dendy cinemas. Along the way, they encountered Hollywood superstars such as Anthony Hopkins, Margot Robbie, Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson and Matthew McConaughey.

The work of all students showcased at CAM reflects hours of commitment, and they are well supported by dedicated staff members across the faculty. I especially acknowledge and appreciate the work of Head of The Arts Faculty Stephen Taggart, for his considerable time and support of all film and television students.

Speech Night

Churchie’s 113th annual Speech Night will be held this Friday 11 October in the Main Auditorium, Brisbane City Hall. Students in Years 7, 11 and 12 are required to attend. Please refer to the post on myChurchie for further information.

Students and families across other year levels may choose to attend. Please arrive in time to be seated at 6:45 pm for a 7 pm start. The event will conclude at approximately 8:45 pm.

A list of students receiving an award is posted on the Senior School noticeboard, and the parents of these students were advised via email on Tuesday. Please contact your housemaster or Head of Year 7 Joe Hodges if you have any questions regarding this event.

Upcoming major events

• Awards Assembly: Friday 11 October at 8:25 am in Morris Hall (invitation only). Award winners in ‘Whites’.
• Tri-Service Cadets Graduation Parade: Saturday 12 October from 4:45 pm to 5:45 pm on Main Oval.
• Valedictory: Thursday 14 November at 6 pm in The Canon Jones Chapel and Morris Hall.

Rod Olsen
Head of Senior School