Coming Up Week 2 - Ambrose Treacy College

I look forward to attending the Junior, Middle and Senior School Academic assemblies next week. These are significant events on the school calendar that align to our pillar of learning and the Edmund Rice Education Australia’s (EREA) mission to provide young people a liberating education.

I congratulate all students being awarded. It will also be exciting to connect to some of our newest past students who will return for the annual Scholars assembly on Tuesday.

I invite Junior School parents and carers to join the information night on Thursday 13 February at 6pm. The College Leadership Team and key Junior School staff will address all Year Four parents and carers, as well as the families of new Year 5 students, in NJ Hall. At 6.30pm, all Year 4 and Year 5 parents will meet their son's teacher and proceed to their classrooms for further introductions and discussions. Returning Year 5 parents and carers are welcome to attend the opening session but may choose to gather at the rear of NJ Hall by 6.20pm, towards the end of the initial information session.

At 6pm, Mr Michael Stewart will simultaneously hold an important information session for all Year 6 parents and carers in the Chapel. The upcoming Canberra Camp will be a key topic of discussion. After the briefing, Year 6 families will have the opportunity to meet their child's teacher in the classroom.

Both events should conclude by approximately 7.15pm. Further details regarding Middle and Senior school information nights are on the ATC App under each Year Level

Start Getting Ready for Camp (Week 6: 3 to 7 March). In the coming weeks we will be sending out further information including general information, packing lists, a general itinerary and in some cases separate waivers required by external activity providers. We are also improving our processes around the administration of medication on camp. We will be sending out additional information for you to respond to soon.

What you can do now. Login to Parent Lounge and go to the ‘Parent Details’ drop-down list and check your contact details are correct. Then go to the ‘Students Details’ drop-down list and check the ‘Medical Details’ including Medicare and private insurance, immunisations, medical practitioner, and swimming level.

UPCOMING DATES WEEK 2

Tuesday 4 February | Year 12, 2024 Scholars’ Assembly and Senior School Academic Assembly

Tuesday 4 February | P & F Meeting  6:30pm

Thursday 6  February  | Years 7-12 Swimming Championships

Thursday 6  February  | Middle School Parent Information Evening 6pm

Friday 7 February | Junior & Middle School Academic Assembly

Saturday 8 February  | P & F Years 4 & 7 Welcome Picnic (3pm – 5pm)

KEY DATES TERM 1

WEEK 3

Tuesday 11 February  | Opening Mass, Riverlife Years 7-12 only, 12pm

Wednesday 12 February | Year 10 & 11 Parent Information Evening 6pm

Thursday 13 February | Junior School Parent Information Evening 6pm

Friday 14 February   | Junior School Interhouse Swimming Carnival 

Friday 14 February | Junior School Opening Mass

WEEK 4

Monday 17 February  | Year 10 Retreat 

Friday 21 February | Year 4 Retreat

Saturday 22 February | P&F Kick off Cocktails 6pm.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Student Background Data Collection

Student background data is collected annually by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA); this information along with other metrics effect he Commonwealth recurrent funding the College receives. Please update your details in Parent Lounge by Friday 21 February 2025.

Please refer to the app for further details and instructions regarding access to the Parent Lounge.

Junior School Swimming Carnival - Friday 14 February

Planning is well underway for our Junior School Inter-House Swimming Carnival which will take place on Friday, 14 February. The focus of the carnival is twofold; swimming excellence to determine our age champions and student participation with all boys contributing to their House totals to be crowned House champions at the end of the day. Further details have been shared on the app.

Parents & Caregivers Information Night

JUNIOR SCHOOL: Year 4, 5 and 6 Parents & Caregivers Information Night - Thursday 13 February 6pm

Please be sure to check the app for details of this information night for Years 4, 5 and 6 parents and caregivers. We look forward to seeing Junior School parents and caregivers at this event.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: Years 7, 8 & 9 Parent & Caregiver Information Evening - Thursday 6 February 6pm

Parents and Caregivers of Year 7, 8 and 9 students are invited to the Middle School Information Evening commencing at 6pm on Thursday 6 February.

Year 7 will meet in the Nudgee Junior Hall
Year 8 will meet in the Chapel of St Joseph
Year 9 will meet in the Waterford Auditorium

Further details are available on the app. Please follow the link to our Campus Map to assist with finding building locations.

SENIOR SCHOOL: Year 10 & 11 Parent & Caregiver Information Night - Wednesday 12 February 6pm

Parents and Caregivers of Year 10 and Year 11 students are invited to the Senior Information Evening commencing at 6pm on Wednesday 12 February in the Waterford Building Auditorium. Further details are available on the app.

Year 6 2025 Canberra Tour

The countdown has commenced to the Year 6 Canberra tour. The tour is intended to enhance the curriculum and leadership program, building student understanding of the processes of governance as well as the challenges of leadership.

When:

Monday 3 March – Thursday 6 March (Nolan & Treacy)
Tuesday 4 March – Friday 7 March (Bodkin & Lynch)

Information Evening: An information session will be held prior to the Junior School parent information evening, Thursday February 13 February from 6pm – 6.30 p.m. in the Chapel. This will then be followed by the Year 6 Parent Information evening in homeroom classes. Should you have any further queries regarding the Canberra tour, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Stewart, Head of Formation & Administration- Junior School (stewartm@atc.qld.edu.au). Please refer to the app for further details.

COLLEGE TOUR

Join us for a college tour on Thursday 20 February at 4pm to wander through our beautiful riverside campus, meet our staff and speak with students. It truly is the best way to discover the ATC difference. Principal Chris Ryan will speak with parents and our teachers will be on hand to answer all your questions. There's also a sausage sizzle for afternoon tea so bring the family after school and enjoy a stroll around ATC. BOOK NOW via our website:

https://www.atc.qld.edu.au/enrolments/book-a-tour

PRINCIPAL'S BLOG

Each Monday, Mr Ryan shares his blog with the community. In the first edition for 2025, he welcomes everyone to an exciting school year, our 10th Anniversary year! Follow the link below to get all the news from the Principal's desk: ATConnect | Principal's Message Week 1

LEARNING

Academic Assemblies

Next week's Academic Assemblies celebrate our academic achievements from Semester 2 2024. Year 12, 2024 Scholars’ Assembly and Senior School Academic Assembly will be held on Tuesday 4 February. Junior & Middle School Academic Assembly will be held on Friday 7 February.

Year 5 English

Year 5 is the place to be! Out came the Grammar Conventions book today with boys building a deeper understanding of common, singular and collective nouns. Preparing to construct a narrative which forms part of their English assessment this term will involve students using their creative intuition to express themselves through their story writing. Working in small groups with Mr Riordan and Ms Lofting, students discussed topics, completed activities and read from books to better understand the writing process. What a great start for our Year 5s!

Economics

Year 11 Economists crash tackled into their learning this week by exposing themselves to some fundamental economic concepts via a Survivor simulation activity. Students were tasked with the creation of various resources in order to 'survive' and through trial and error, collaboration and at times sneaky tactics, students illustrated important economic relationships. A deeper understanding of concepts like scarcity, resources, trade, collectivism, self-interest, wants and needs was generated without the boys even realising it (until we pulled it all together of course)! Well done on this lively start to the year!

FAITH AND MISSION

Opening Mass - Tuesday 11 February

As Ambrose Treacy College moves into the 2025 school year, we look forward to the Opening Mass and Year 12 Commissioning on Tuesday 11 February at 12pm at Riverlife, Seventeen Mile Rocks. The Mass will be attended by students in Years 7 – 12.

Students in Years 4 – 6 will not attend on this day but will participate in a Junior School Opening Mass on Friday 14 February at the College. (Further details regarding the Junior School Opening Mass is will be shared soon.)

All students in Years 7 – 11 are asked to wear the Day Uniform of striped shirt and grey shorts with their tie. Those students in the choir or band are also asked to wear the Formal Day Uniform including striped shirt and suitcoat. Please see further correspondence from the music department about this event.

Further details have been shared on the app for Years 7 to 11 and Year 12. For any further information please contact Kate Garrone, Dean of Faith and Mission, garrone@atc.qld.edu.au.

FORMATION

Middle and Senior School Gala Day

Congratulations to Munster House the winners of today's Gala day.

Year 12

Congratulations on your last first day! Our Class of 2025 are ready for the final chapter of their school journey at ATC. We wish you all the best of luck!

MUSIC

Co-curricular Instrumental and Drama & Communication lessons, all ensemble and choir rehearsals commence from Monday 3 February. A copy of the rehearsal timetable and individual lesson timetables are available via the ATC App under each tag. Please ensure you are subscribed to the relevant Music Tags for your son's teacher and ensemble by going to the ATC App SETTINGS/Subscriptions/Cocurricular Music Tags.

Year 7 Music

The Co-curricular Music Department staff visited all Year 7 students today as part of their Orientation Program. Students had a great time clapping along as various instruments were showcased and staff shared the wonderful opportunities available when you are involved in ATC MUSIC.

Students looking to try an instrument are welcome to express their interest by visiting the Co-curricular Music office or emailing music@atc.qld.edu.au

ATC also offers lessons in Guitar, Piano, Vocal and Drama & Communication.

We are looking forward to meeting the students soon!

CLUBS

Term 1 Clubs registrations are NOW OPEN through Parent Lounge only. All information can be found on the relevant clubs tags under the Co-curricular – Clubs tags.

Please ensure you read and fully understand the information letters before registering your son/s for their desired activities.

Registrations will ONLY be through Parent Lounge and will occur in the following period for the following Term 1 Clubs -

OPEN – 29 January at 6:00pm

CLOSE – 5 February at 3:00pm unless the maximum numbers are reached earlier

Actors Studio - Yrs 7 - 12
Canoe Polo - Yr 5
Paddle Play - Yr 4
Chess - Queen's Gambit - Yrs 5 - 12
Code Club - Yrs 4 - 6
Debating - Yrs 7 - 12
Dungeons & Dragons - Yrs 6 - 12
Film & Media Club - Yrs 8 - 12
Gardening Club - Yr 4 - 6
Golf Club - Yrs 4 - 12
Homework Club - Junior School - Yrs 4 - 6
Mountain Biking Club - Yrs 4 - 12
Puzzle Club - Yrs 4 - 6
Robotics Club - Middle School - Yrs 8 - 10
SLOG (Secret League of Gamers) - Yrs 7 - 12
Theatresports Club - Yrs 7 - 12

Whilst we endeavour to accommodate every student and their desires, due to resource limitations some Clubs and Activities have capped numbers. We apologise in advance for any disappointment.

You must subscribe to each Club tag on the College App to receive all information about each club. Some clubs require payment of a fee, paid via Parent Lounge at the time of registration. Please make sure when registering and paying you click on the GREEN SUBMIT TO SCHOOL button. Failure to do so will result in no registration.

REFUNDS - IMPORTANT: Please take the time to ensure your son is available to attend the club he has been signed up for. Given that spots are limited, and clubs are staffed based upon registered numbers, no refunds will be granted once registered. Be sure to check club timetables against sporting and music timetables to ensure there are no clashes.

SPORT

The students have started the year strong! It's been fantastic to see them back at training, getting stuck in and having fun. A final reminder, if you haven't signed your son up for a sport in Term 1, please email the Sports Office (sport@atc.qld.edu.au) as soon as possible.

We look forward to the first round of trial matches for AFL, Volleyball & Cricket this Saturday, all information can be found on the ATC App and don't forget to give our new Sport Instagram a follow to keep up to date with schedules, game and training content and behind the scenes footage! Simply search 'Ambrose Treacy College Sport' and then give us a follow!

CRICKET

Howzat for commitment? Year 5 and 6 cricketers hit the nets this morning in preparation for their games against St Peter’s this weekend. Fitness drills, batting practice and bowling techniques were refined and the sweaty faces tell the #ATCStory of teamwork and training #StrongerTogether.

FUTSAL

Queensland U12 Maroon Futsal star Nico had an incredible run at the National Futsal Championship in Melbourne. After an intense 6-5 Grand final, his team finished runners-up! It was an amazing experience with an exceptionally high level of competition. Impressively, eight Queensland teams made it to their respective finals, showcasing the depth of talent in the Sunshine State! Keep shining Nico and we look forward to all our sporting teams working

P & F NEWS

Meeting Dates for the new school year

All are invited to join the P&F President, Mr George Patrikios, and the Principal at the scheduled first meetings on Tuesday 4 February 2025  in Mt Sion Library at 6.30pm. Or join us on the following dates this year: Tuesday 11 March; 29 April, 27 May, 22 July, 2 September AGM, 14 October and 25 November for the big 2026 Planning Meeting.  For any queries, please email the P&F Secretary  pandf@atc.qld.edu.au

P&F Save the Date

Year 4 & 7 families Welcome Afternoon - Saturday 8 February 3pm on Brothers Oval
Kick off Cocktails - Saturday 22 February
Rugby Night Out - Saturday 29 March
Trivia Night - Saturday 2 August
AGM - Tuesday 2 September
P&F Ladies Spring Lunch - Friday 24 October at Victoria Park

Years 4 and 7 Welcome Afternoon

The annual P&F Welcome afternoon events are being held on Saturday 8 February on the College Ovals for families and students of Years 4 and Year 7 from 3pm to 5pm. BYO chairs, picnic food and drinks (no alcohol please) and relax and get to know one another. Year 12 student leaders will assist with games with the younger children and kids will be entertained on the inflatable Ninja course! Siblings are welcome to come along for the fun too! Contact Nicole Moy or Lisa Weller if you have any queries:  moynicole@hotmail.com littlelisa_b@yahoo.com.au

Kick off Cocktails! Tickets are on sale for the P&F welcome event being held on Saturday 22 February from 6pm to 10pm. Join us at ATC for a night of friendraising and catching up with the ATC community

Let's build school connections that last a lifetime. Tickets are $35 pp and include entry, drink on arrival, canapés and one ticket in the raffle to win a terms tuition fees valued up to $4200. Further raffle ticket bundles can be purchased in Parent Lounge and you don’t need to be there on the night to win.

Jason Sepetauc

Deputy Principal