Coming Up Week 1 Term Four
I hope all our families are enjoying a break from the normal busy routines of term time and making the most of this lovely Spring weather. I remind you that Monday 2 October is the King's Birthday Public Holiday and the first day of Term Four for all year levels is Tuesday 3 October.
A reminder to ensure uniforms are ready to go for Tuesday and that a haircut has been booked for your son before coming back to school.
Respectful and Safe Road Behaviours
With the start of the term, it is timely to remind everyone of the need to be respectful and safe travelling around ATC. We are very conscious in being good neighbours and I ask that all families also keep this in mind. The safety of our students is our number one priority and so I ask that all drivers – students, staff and parents – are constantly displaying respectful and law-abiding behaviours. We have a very busy campus and a little patience from us all will ensure the safety and calmness of everyone.
The guidelines set out in our Working in Respectful Partnership document illustrate how you can work in partnership with the College community, in a constructive and effective manner through your interactions with staff, other parents, students and the wider College community. It articulates the school’s key expectations of both staff and parents regarding respectful relationships and behaviours. CLICK HERE to read the Working in Respectful Partnership document.
College Reception Hours
Please note that College Reception is open for the next two days from 8am to 4pm. Senior School Reception will reopen on Tuesday 3 October - the first day of Term 4.
Update Personal Details in Parent Lounge
Have you moved house, got a new mobile number, or changed email addresses? Parents and caregivers are reminded to update their contact details and their child’s medical details in Parent Lounge over the holidays. Maintaining accurate details is especially important for effective communication and the well-being of our students.
Week One Events
At Tuesday’s College Assembly we will celebrate the commissioning of our elected 2024 leaders. The new ATAR system effectively sees the end of Year1 2 classes in two weeks as they then enter their external exam period to conclude their ATC journey. The Year 11s now step into the role of leaders. Along with the student body we congratulate our new leaders and look forward to their impact on leading the student cohorts. Thursday and Friday of Week 1 will see around 100 athletes represent ATC at the AIC Track and Field Championships. This is a relatively new event for ATC, and we wish all our athletes the absolute best as they step up to this challenge.
Please read on for more information and upcoming events.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR TERM 4
Tuesday 3 October | First Day, Term 4
Saturday 14 October | Jazz by the River
Tuesday 17 October | Co-curricular Photo Day
Wednesday 18 October | Year 12 Last Day of Classes
Monday 23 October to Tuesday 14 November | Year 12 External Assessment
Thursday 26 October | Year 10 St Vincent de Formal
Tuesday 7 November | Summer Music Concert
Saturday 11 November | Remembrance Day
Tuesday 13 November | Awards Photo morning (award recipients to wear full Formal Uniform)
Tuesday 14 November | Celebration of Excellence at Riverlife
Wednesday 15 November | Year 12 Retreat & Reflection Day
Thursday 16 November | Year 12 Mass and Valedictory Lunch
Wednesday 22 November | Year 6 Transition Retreat
Thursday 23 November | Year 4 Reflection Liturgy & Milk Bottle Regatta
Thursday 23 November | Year 6 Mass & Celebration
Thursday 23 November | Year 9 Transition to Senior School Day
Friday 24 November | Last Day of Term, students finish at 12:00pm
WEEK 1 PREVIEW
Monday 2 October to Friday 6 October | Year 12 Clontarf End of Year Trip
Tuesday 3 October | First Day, Term 4
Tuesday 3 October | 2024 Commissioning Assembly
Wednesday 4 October to Sunday 8 October | Years 4-7 All Schools Touch Football Tournament
Wednesday 4 October | Year 6 to 7 Transition presentation
Wednesday 4 October | Year 10 Hospitality incursion/presentation
Thursday 5 October to Friday 6 October | Year 5-12 AIC Track & Field Championships
Thursday 5 October | Year 9 Retreat
Friday 6 October | Year 10 & Year 11 AIC Supporters excursion
Friday 6 October | Year 4 Let’s Chat Formation program
ARTS WEEK
ARTery
We’re excited to invite you to our ARTery exhibition and ARTfest evening gala event in Term 4. The ARTery exhibition includes artwork created throughout 2023 by Visual Art students from Years 4-12. The gallery will be open to students during lunchtimes in Week 2 Monday 9 to Friday 13 October. Parents and friends are invited to visit the exhibition on Wednesday 11 October from 2-7pm or Sunday 14 Oct, 4-6pm during the Jazz by the River event.
ARTfest
The ARTfest Evening is in NJ Hall on Wednesday 11 October at 6pm and will include the Principal’s awards presentations and live music entertainment. Drinks can be purchased at the bar and nibbles will be served. No RSVP necessary.
Drama Production Lord of the Flies
ATC Actor’s Studio invites you to our 2023 production of Lord of the Flies on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 October at 6:30pm in Nudgee Junior Hall. Drinks can be purchased at the bar and nibbles will be served. Please register your attendance via Parent Lounge to assist with our planning. This production runs for two nights only! Synopsis: When a group of schoolboys are stranded on a desert island, what could go wrong? Left to defend for themselves they must take on the responsibilities of adults even if they are not ready to do so. This exciting and contemporary production explores survival and the difference between civilization and savagery. Warning: Please be advised this production contains mature themes and is recommended for students Year 7 and above.
Jazz by the River
You are invited to join us for Jazz by the River on Saturday 14 October from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on the riverside stage at Warril Place. This vibrant community event, now in its 7th year, showcases our very own student Jazz bands and ATC Guitars. Tickets are $40 for adults, and students and children are free. For the premium viewing and listening experience, book a VIP table. Reserved seating and a package including drinks, cheesebox and burgers, is a great way to get the best Jazz by The River experience in 2023. There is a delicious menu available on the night or support our ATC Hospitality students and pre-order a delicious Cheese Box or a Sweet Box as well!
Our raffle has the ultimate prize – a premium viewing and listening experience at this year’s Jazz By the River. Grab your raffle tickets to win this great prize which includes a reserved table for 6 adults, large cheesebox, bucket of beers (6), bottle of wine, 6 x gourmet burgers. Tickets are only $5 each and available now through your Parent Lounge Account. Sales close 9:00am, Friday 6 October 2023. Please CLICK HERE to secure your tickets early. THIS IS A LICENSED EVENT – STRICTLY NO BYO ALCOHOL.
LEARNING NEWS
ATConnect | Powering Future Industries
Megan Ellis, Assistant Dean of Learning - Middle School shares her love of critical and creative thinking through teaching and organising learning events like Science Week. Last term students engaged in learning more about Artificial Intelligence, enjoyed hands-on laboratory experiments and broadened their tech knowledge. Check out the Science Week wrap up in Ms Ellis’ blog by CLICKING HERE.
Year 9 RE Incursion
On Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 October, Year 9 students will take part in an incursion with Courage to Care as part of their broader studies in Religious Education. Courage to Care is an organisation who endeavour to create awareness of the dangers of prejudice and discrimination through education and demonstration that the actions of individuals can have a big impact. Further information can be found on their website below. The program is always an engaging and exciting opportunity for students, and we are very pleased to be able to facilitate this for students once again in 2023. The program across the day will be a combination of presentation, group discussion and small group workshops. With larger numbers in the cohort and to best support student involvement, Year 9 will attend in homeroom groups. The program will take place within the normal school day with the usual breaks however students may have a slight disruption to their regular timetabled classes. The impact on other subjects has been minimised as much as possible. Students are asked to wear their formal uniforms please. Resources will be provided for students in their workshops, and they are asked to bring their pencil case and an exercise book. If you have any queries please email Alicia Madigan. Madigana@atc.qld.edu.au
Senior Drama Excursion
On Thursday 19 October, at 6:15pm the Senior Drama students will attend an excursion at Playhouse, QPAC, South Brisbane to see Frankenstein by Shake & Stir Theatre Company as part of our Drama curriculum. The aim of the learning activity is to provide students with the experience of viewing live theatre, which helps them understand the practical application of Drama and theatre and build their analytical and evaluative skills. Students are to arrange private transportation to and from the venue. Students are to arrive at the meeting point, The Wheel of Brisbane, South Brisbane at 6:15pm. Students are to be collected by parents from The Wheel of Brisbane, South Brisbane promptly at 9:00pm. Students may bring money for food provided at the venue if they wish to purchase a drink or snacks before the show or during the interval. Dress Code: Students are encouraged to dress in Smart Casual attire. Closed in shoes and long pants are required, and any text or design on clothing is to be reflective of the school’s culture and standards.
Biology Excursion
As part of the Unit 3 Ecology assessment, Year 11 Biology students will be participating in an excursion to Nudgee Beach on Friday 13 October 2023. This excursion is essential for students to attend as it directly relates to their first Internal Assessment task (IA2 student experiment) for Senior Biology. Students will be collecting their experimental data on that day. This will then be analysed and interpreted back in the classroom. Please note this is the first of two excursions’ students need to attend for IA2. Further information to come on the second excursion (UQ) at the start of Term 4. Students will need to be at the Central Pickup Area at 8am for an 8.20am departure to Nudgee Beach Environmental Education Centre where we will meet the Education Officers.
Year 12 Textbook returns
A reminder that following the completion of Year 12 exams, we ask that you please check your Parent Lounge account to ensure your student has no outstanding textbooks from 2023. Please return all textbooks by Friday 17 November, 2023. All 2023 textbooks still outstanding by COB 17/9/23 will incur a replacement cost. If students are attending school for the Year 12 graduation assembly and farewell on Thursday 16th November, this is a good day to drop all textbooks back. We wish you all the very best at this exciting time in your child’s schooling journey!
FROM THE CLASSROOMS
Year 10 Accounting were preparing for their exam on Financial Statements and Performance. Students have been learning how to prepare Financial Reports and how to analyse and evaluate financial data, exploring a variety of businesses and their financial data. Year 10 Accounting students are now adept at recommending management solutions for small businesses to increase profitability. All their hard work and dedication will soon pay off, good luck!
Exploring ceramics and learning a range of hand building techniques to construct a sculpture of an iconic Australian food was great mate! Our Year 8 artists explored the Australiana theme, communicating what makes the Aussie spirit unique and what it meant to them. Boys experimented with scale to create playful and engaging sculptures to entice their audience and whet our appetites not just for a Mars Bar, but also for the ARTery Exhibition being held from 9-14 October! Ms Lam looks forward to meeting you there!
In the last week of Term 3, our brilliant Year 8 Entrepreneurs had an opportunity to pitch their Business ideas to their peers who were scrupulous but cashed up investors and bank lenders. Throughout the term students not only imagined their own businesses in response to the problem they were presented 'ATC students are bored' but have also pivoted in response to hypothetical scenarios that have been thrown their way to reflect the agility required in the real world of business.
FORMATION NEWS
ATConnect | Captain's Blog
David Childs, College captain, looks back on a momentous year, not just from a personal perspective, but as a collective, and recognises the hard work that's been done to create change and build on the ATC legacy. CLICK HERE to read
Year 6 Formation lessons
The Year 6 Formation incursion is on Wednesday 4 October 2023 with Michael Jeh, an external provider, who will meet and speak with all Year 6 classes on Wednesday 4 October. Michael presents a full day workshop which will explore relevant topics that our students may face socially as they transition to Year 7 in 2024. Students are to wear PE uniform and bring their normal lunch. The content covered include:
How to navigate social media and mobile phone use; Minimising destructive or dangerous risk-taking behaviour; Be aware and strategies to handle peer pressure and Understanding the dangers and consequences of poor choices.
ATCommendation
Mr McKenzie praised Joseph Prain for being a consistent positive influence in the English classes this term. His behaviour is to be commended. Well done Joe, and keep up the great work in Term Four.
Year 4 Charity Fayre
Our Year 4 fundraisers hosted their annual Charity Fayre on the last day of term 3 and raised a whopping $2000! Boys designed unique games and competitions to entice their customers to part with the money, and offered the chance to win awesome prizes. The festive fayre atmosphere was a perfect way to sign off on Term 3! Well done to our young entrepreneurs on being stand-out Signs of Faith and we can't wait to celebrate your achievements as Term 4 throws more opportunities your way.
Silly Sock Day
On the last day of term Year 7 went a bit silly and donned some fancy sock to support their classmates’ initiative for the Leukaemia Foundation. Thanks Leo and Ollie for taking the lead for this worthy cause.
FAITH & MISSION NEWS
Year 9 Retreat
The upcoming Year 9 Retreat is being held on Thursday 5 October at Brigidine College. Please note that this retreat is held during the first week of Term Four. For the first time, we are joining with Year 9 students from Brigidine College to explore the power of positive relationships and the relevance of 2000 year old Gospel values. It will be a day that challenges students to be examples of Signs of Faith, further preparing them for their role as Senior School students and servant leaders. Students are to bring Morning Tea, Hat, Sunscreen, Water Bottle and wear their Sports Uniform. The Retreat will be facilitated by Matt Warr, Dean of Faith and Mission and Matthew Ribeiro, Head of Year 9 along with staff from Brigidine College. Lunch will be provided but students are asked to bring their own morning tea. On the day of the retreat, students are asked to meet at Warril Place at 8:25am for roll marking with their homeroom teacher. The whole cohort will then walk to Brigidine College with ATC staff for the retreat day. The activities will conclude at 2:20pm and students will depart Brigidine College for the return walk to ATC in time for dismissal at 3:00pm. If you have any questions about the Year 9 Retreat, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Matt Warr.
SERVICE NEWS
STEPtember
ATC students across all ages are taking part in STEPtember, an initiative that raises funds to “make life-changing impacts for those living with cerebral palsy”. STEPtember is a challenge that requires participants to accrue 10,000 steps every day of September. This is a fantastic way of supporting others and getting your daily dose of physical activity. Students who successfully complete STEPtember will be able to log 8 service hours. If you have any questions, please contact Andrew McCrohon, Head of Service and Clubs. More helpful information can be found on the ATC App.
Cure Brain Cancer Foundation
As a major Junior School Service initiative, we once again invite students, families and friends of the Ambrose Treacy College Junior School to join Cure Brain Cancer Foundation for an inspirational 5km morning walk through 7th Brigade Park, Chermside on Sunday 22 October from 9am. Students and families are asked to register by CLICKING HERE. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure registration with our team. As part of this service initiative, boys that register will also gain 3 Service hours in Term 4. Parents are asked to email their homeroom teacher so that boys are recognised with these hours. Boys are asked to wear their ATC Sports uniform for the walk. After you complete the walk, you can enjoy the entertainment and food stalls that will be set up in the Park.
CO-CURRICULAR SPORT
Introducing our Head of Sport, Lyndon Brieffies. A Queenslander at heart, Lyndon is excited to be back in Brisbane and close to family after 15 years away working and travelling. In his school days, he enjoyed playing basketball, rugby and athletics and after school attended the AIS on a Basketball scholarship. He was then fortunate to play professional basketball for several years, including three years as a member of the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL. During his playing years Mr Brieffies completed a Bachelor of Education and taught at SPLC for ten years in various roles across HPE, Sport and boarding. He has also coached basketball at different levels for many years and was an Assistant coach in the NBL with the Townsville Crocodiles. In 2011, he and his family moved to Perth to take up the role of Head of Sport at Wesley College and continued there for ten years before moving to the Perth Basketball Association as CEO. Lyndon's goal is to continue to help grow and develop the ATC sport program to help engage our young men in ‘sport for life’. Please introduce yourself when you see Lyndon at Term 4 sporting events.
ATC's success in Volleyball is in part due to the club partnership with Dragons Volleyball Association. Many of our passionate students played volleyball in the Junior Premier League this year. Finals were played recently, starring a number of our fine young men. Amongst the haul of medals were two MVP awards for Christian N (season MVP) and Seb L (finals MVP). Lots of smiling faces and friends made along the journey – it is what sport is all about. We look forward to Term 4 as we start our preparations for the Australian Schools Cup.
The Track & Field team has been finalised and has prepared well for the AIC Championships (Year 5-12 athletes only) on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 October. The final training session is on Tuesday October 3 for all team members from Year 5-12. There is a team breakfast on Thursday October 5 at 7.45am before a school send off at first break.
Our Touch Football teams from Year 7-12 will also be competing in the All-Schools Touch championships on the Gold Coast from October 4-8. Good luck to all of our teams.
Cricket training for Year 10-11 students commences in Week 1 and summer season training for most other sports commences in Week 3 of term 4. Subscribe to your son's sport on the ATC App and turn notifications on so you don't miss the release of the Term 4 Training Timetable.
Please also make sure to check the ATC App for all AIC Track & Field, All Schools Touch Football and the other information and events coming up in Term 4. Use the App settings cogwheel to update subscriptions, and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS!
Basketball
The ATC First V Basketball Squad recently competed at the Champion Basketball School of Queensland (CBSQ) Open Tournament held at the Gold Coast. Players started off their campaign with a great win over Palm Beach Currumbin in the pool stages. From there the going got tough but the most pleasing result of the tournament was the determination that the boys showed. Players kept fighting to the end, and took two strong wins to close out the tournament. Overall, ATC finished 29th out of 80 schools. This is an extremely encouraging result for the College with the Basketball program still so young. Well done to all of the boys and staff for their commitment and effort throughout the season and at the tournament.
CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC
Jazz by the River
You are invited to join us for Jazz by the River on Saturday 14 October from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on the riverside stage at Warril Place. This vibrant community event, now in its 7th year, showcases our very own student Jazz bands and ATC Guitars. Tickets are $40 for adults, and students and children are free. For the premium viewing and listening experience, book a VIP table. Reserved seating and a package including drinks, cheesebox and burgers, is a great way to get the best Jazz by The River experience in 2023. There is a delicious menu available on the night or support our ATC Hospitality students and pre-order a delicious Cheese Box or a Sweet Box as well!
Raffle
Our raffle has the ultimate prize – a premium viewing and listening experience at this year’s Jazz By the River. Grab your raffle tickets to win this great prize which includes a reserved table for 6 adults, large cheese box, bucket of 6 beers, a bottle of wine, 6 x gourmet burgers. Raffle tickets are only $5 each and available now through your Parent Lounge Account. Sales close 9:00am, Friday 6 October 2023. Please CLICK HERE to secure your tickets early.
Volunteers
THIS IS A LICENSED EVENT – STRICTLY NO BYO ALCOHOL. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.
P & F NEWS
Year 10 Parent Event
The P&F Liaison, Claire Jarvis invites all parents and caregivers for a night out at the Kenmore Tavern at 6pm on Friday 6 October. The cost is $45 pp which includes an abundance of finger food and a drink on arrival. Please RSVP by transferring your money by Friday 30 September to: C Jarvis BSB 012266 Account 953132395 Food allergies are catered for so please advise Claire of any concerns. Clairejarvis@gmail.com
Year 4 Moral Support Gifts for Year 12s
This year, our youngest students will give a pair of funky socks to a Year 12 student in a show of support as they enter their external exams. If you can donate a pair or two of colourful, fun socks, please give them to your son's homeroom teacher by the Saturday 7 October.
Year 7 Moral Support Gift for Year 12s
In recent years, the ATC P&F has organised 'moral support gifts' for the Year 12s in the lead up to their final exams. Year 7 are being asked to donate chocolates this year. Please bring all donations to the Year 7 Office (boxes have been provided for the boys to drop them into) by Saturday 7 October.
Year 10 Moral Support Breakfast
This year, our Year 10 parents are invited to donate a small sum towards the P&F supported Year 12 Breakfast that is hosted on the first morning of their external exams. Please see the event in your Parent Lounge account and make your donation before Saturday 7 October.
P & F Spring Lunch
Final days to buy your tickets to our annual Spring event on Friday 13 October from 11.30am to 2.30pm at The Rose Room, Cloudland, Fortitude Valley. TICKET SALES CLOSE WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER. Our guest speaker is Selena Gomersall, Founder of Outback Futures and former CEO. Tickets are $79 which includes a 2-course meal, a glass of sparkling on arrival and a lucky door ticket. Raffle tickets are on sale via Parent Lounge and on the day, with the funds raised going to Breast Cancer Research with prices- 1 for $5; 3 for $10; 8 for $20. Wear a splash of PINK as we combine fundraising power with the students' Pink Day at ATC. See your Parent Lounge account for tickets.
Meeting Dates
Please join the P&F President in Mt Sion Library on Tuesday 10 October 6.30pm and hear updates from the Principal and news regarding our community events at the College. New and current parents of ATC are invited to attend the P&F Planning Meeting on Tuesday 21 November where we discuss possible events for 2024 and set up planning groups and coordinators. If you are keen to get involved in our 6 major events for next year, come along and share your expertise and energy.
The P&F are also looking for a parent to lead the Year 4 2024 group as a Parent Liaison. If your child is starting in Year 4 next year, please email the P&F Secretary Catherine to express your interest in the role or to get more information. pandf@atc.qld.edu.au
See you in next week for the start of Term Four!
Mr David Gardiner
Deputy Principal
