And Off We Go!

A warm welcome to Term Four and best wishes for an enjoyable and busy period leading into the Holy Season of Christmas. This term is always rich in ritual and ceremony both formal and informal as we work together in support of all students, and in a special way, our Year 12 students. I trust that a good break has been enjoyed and that we transition quickly into routine and school activity. 

Spring is a time of new life, new energy and new beginnings. I am a Toowoomba boy and went home over the break to get my annual fix of Carnival of Flowers. Amongst the parades, displays, food, wine and music is, as Dennis Denuto in the famous Australian film said, “the vibe”. The vibe of spring as a Toowoomba boy has also been a feeling of positivity, new chances, and optimism. I hope that this spring is all that and more for your family, you and our community.

Year 12
We wish our Seniors well as they now have 13 days of classes prior to a period of “swatvac” and external exams. Prior to the break, they completed their mock exams and feedback and all time is now devoted to revision and preparation. It is normal for some students to feel a “jolt” after the mock process as the purpose of them is to explore the breadth and depth of the material over the full course of a subject and to identify areas for particular re-learning, practice and revision.

Best wishes to all of our Year 12 students. I encourage all parents and caregivers to focus on holistic support for these next six or seven weeks in terms of encouraging and supporting a strong work ethic and also good nutrition, exercise, fun and sound sleeping habits.

We look forward to playing our part at school. I thank all Year 12 teachers and the Learning Team and Formation Teams for their ongoing commitment and support of the group and we look forward to joining with parents, caregivers and students in celebration in just under two months time.

Arts Week – ARTery
We look forward to our annual Arts Week in Week 2 which is always a highlight. I thank all of our students, staff and families who are preparing and will bring our community together in Art, Drama and Music celebration. A highlight is always the display of student art work and I encourage you to come along to see this next week or as part of the Jazz by the River event. Congratulations to our hard working and talented Art staff and their students on this work. Join us for ARTfest on Wednesday 9 October from 5pm in NJ Hall. All the details are on the ATC App.

Sport 
We have enjoyed so much success across our sporting program this year in terms of growth, development and achievement. While rugby league isn’t a brand new sport at ATC, this year’s participation in the AIC in a week in and week out season has been a first at our school and the subsequent growth and development was significant. We greatly look forward to 2025. 

Congratulations to all athletes, basketballers, footballers, volleyballers, tennis players, touch football players, golfers and more who have also worn the blue, white and green with pride through the winter with numerous successes both individual and collective.

The upcoming AIC Athletics Championship is a key target for improvement in our third year of participation. I congratulate all of our athletes who continue to demonstrate courage and fortitude in this still new domain four our school. In particular, I commend our Year 12 students who have modelled the way through their example. we wish the Athletics Team, including coaching staff a successful and enjoyable meet. 

Music
Our Co-curricular Music Program is a vital part of ATC culture and life and our musicians are diligently preparing for Jazz by the River and Celebration of Excellence. Please join us for Jazz by the River on Saturday 12 October; especially if you have never come along before. It is a fabulous occasion held at Warril Place with the spectacular Brisbane River backdrop. The night is about showcasing our wonderful musicians but is also very much a community event where you, your family, extended family and friends are very welcome to come and spread out the picnic blanket and enjoy the privilege we have of our beautiful school setting. 

Thank you for supporting this community event which will feature our ATC Jazz Orchestra, Big Band, Hot Brass Squad, Jazz Ensemble Blue, Jazz Ensemble Green, ATC Guitars on the river stage. Bring a picnic or enjoy delicious items on the JBTR menu including Pizzas, Burgers, Sausages, Hot Chips, Lollies, Snacks and Drinks and don't forget to pre-order a Cheese Box and Cake Box! The bar will be selling beer, wine and champagne. CLICK HERE to purchase your entry and raffle tickets now! Further details are on the ATC App.

Staff News
Congratulations to Ms Miranda Simmonds who has welcomed her first baby, Arthur recently. We wish her and her young family a wonderful period of parental leave.

Best wishes to Dean of Faith and Mission, Mr Matt Warr who is on an Edmund Rice Education Australia Pilgrimage to India and Ireland to do formation work with the Christian Brothers and to engage with the Edmund Rice foundation story in Callan and Waterford in Ireland. Mr Warr will be away for the first two weeks of term.

Capital Works
The renovation and extension of the Tipperary Staff Room was completed on time and the 53 Years 7 to 12 teachers who will occupy this space were able to move in over the last few days. This project brings all Middle and Senior school teachers into central locations connected to student presence and activity and is a great resource for the school. Thank you to all of our families past and present who have made this possible. The final phase of the two year capital works program is on track, with the duplication of the Hospitality teaching space to be concluded by Friday 18 October.

Throughout the term and over the Christmas break, the Senior School drop off area and the nature space in front of the new Waterford building will also be renewed and come back into use which will be most welcome. Thank you for your ongoing patience and support while we improve these facilities for student , staff and community use.

Community Prayers
Lord, we pray for those in our community who are suffering. Be with them in this time of hardship and uncertainty. Give comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones. May their sorrow be turned into strength, and their distress turned into peace. May our hearts remain loving and pure as we seek to always be compassionate to those around us.

God bless
Chris Ryan