Coming Up Week 3

Thank you to all families who engaged with the Parent Student Teacher feedback meetings this week. The partnership with parents and caregivers is crucial in the success for students. I hope the affirmations received and the feedback provided for improvement were beneficial.

Being a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition is central to the ethos of our college. Today The Year 6 students and staff took the opportunity to celebrate eucharist with their Year 6 Mass. Throughout the year each year level and Senior House will partake in these important celebrations. In addition, we also celebrate on occasions as a whole College. Next Friday, being Blessed Edmund Rice Feast Day is one of those occasions when we will come together as a whole College to reflect and celebrate who we are.

Next week we will also celebrate the work of our quiet achievers, those students who daily are Signs of Faith with their words and actions in the areas of learning, leadership, and service. Please be aware, and patient, next Wednesday and Thursday, that traffic and pedestrian traffic around the campus before school will be increased.

The safety of our students is always paramount. In recent weeks we have received several phone calls sharing concerns about the dangerous actions of ATC students when crossing roads. This is particularly significant near the northern end of Walter Taylor bridge towards the cinemas, and at Moggill Road near the Shell service station. If you child walks in these areas, please reinforce the necessity of road rules and safety for themselves and their friends.

UPCOMING DATES 

Monday 1 May | Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 2 May | Year 7 Immunisations

Wednesday 3 May to Friday 5 May | Year 7 & 8 Clontarf Football Carnival

Wednesday 3 May | Monday Week A Timetable

Wednesday 3 May | Junior & Senior School Signum Fidei Breakfast

Wednesday 3 May | Year 10 Geography excursion

Thursday 4 May | Middle School Signum Fidei Breakfast

Thursday 4 May | Vocal, Piano, Drunk Kit & Guitar concerts

Friday 5 May | Blessed Edmund Rice Feast Day

Friday 5 May | Years 9-12 Edmund Rice Mass (8:30am – 9:30am)

Friday 5 May | Years 4-8 Edmund Rice Mass (11:30am – 12:30pm)

Timetable Change

To compensate for two Mondays being missed due to Parent Teacher Student Feedback meetings and the upcoming Labour Day Public Holiday, Wednesday Week Three 3 May will operate as Monday Week A timetable for all year levels.

Parent Writing Workshop

Due to the busy Literary Festival schedule we have moved the Year 4 – 9 Parent Writing Workshop to Thursday 11 May so that parents may attend both events that week - Books and Bubbles and the Writing Workshop.  Please  CLICK HERE to RSVP by Friday 5 May 2023. This will be held in Callan Building Middle School Room C101 at 6 pm and you need to bring your son’s laptop. As we work in partnership to improve our students’ writing outcomes, we strongly recommend Year 4-9 parents attend the Parent Writing Workshop on Thursday 11 May. This workshop provides an opportunity to understand the core principles of the writing program at ATC whilst also allowing time to reflect on your own writing strengths and weaknesses, and biases. You will engage in resources and strategies that your son uses at school which will enable you to support him at home. RSVP essential. 

Winter Formal Uniform

The upcoming Mother’s Day also signals the beginning of the requirement for the students to wear their full formal uniform to and from school from Monday 15 May. This includes the College tie, Suitcoat and badges. More details are included below.

Mothers in May Event

The much anticipated ‘Mothers in May’ event will be held on Wednesday 17 May. ATC mums are invited to a sunset soirée by the river at ATC from 5pm to 7pm. Tickets are $25 and include champagne, canapes, live music, a lucky door prize and a gift. This is a special time to gather with old friends and connect with new women in the ATC community. Jump onto your Parent Lounge account to buy your ticket as numbers at this event are limited.

Dash for Crash Charity Run

The Dash for Crash will be held for its third consecutive year on Sunday, 21 May 2023 and is held in memory of Damien McMeniman, who died from exposure to asbestos and developed Mesothelioma. Damien attended Edmund Rice schools in Brisbane in the 70s and 80s and was a keen runner. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow tri athletes. Damien valued access to quality inclusive education and his sons, currently in Year 12 at Ambrose Treacy College, proudly support this event in their father's memory with their sisters and mother. Join the ATC and surrounding community to run, jog or walk in support of the Ambrose Treacy College Foundation. The Foundation aims to uphold the premise of inclusive education for those of limited financial means. Your entry fee will support the Bursary Fund and enable a young boy access to an Ambrose Treacy College education. Any donations will be fully tax deductible and your nominated amount will contribute to a bursary for a young boy who may not be able to attend the College otherwise.

This is the third year of the Dash and we invite you to be part of this legacy event. You may choose to champion the event by attending as a supporter and take part in the BBQ breakfast that will take place at the finish line festivities at the conclusion of the run or simply buy a t-shirt. Donations will be gratefully received even if you are not able to attend on the day. Your contribution will bolster the assistance provided to a young man and his family through the Ambrose Treacy College Foundation.  Register NOW via the link below. Volunteers are also required to make this event a success. Please select how you can help on the day from the list of volunteer jobs here. If you have any queries, or can support this event by way of donating goods and services, please contact Marie McMeniman 0409 341 403 or dashforcrash@gmail.com or Helen Hicks hicksh@atc.qld.edu.au

LEARNING  NEWS

Year 4 Showcase

On Tuesday 30 May, Year 4 students will be presenting a showcase of learning from Term One and Two. The aim of the showcase is to celebrate the learning across a number of their core subjects, allow the boys to share their work with peers, parents and engage in discussion. We warmly welcome Parents to join us in NJ Hall for this event. Further information regarding times will be published on the blog closer to the event.  

Year 5 St Helena Island excursion

Year 5 St Helena Island excursion is on Tuesday, 16  May. The aim of the activity is for the boys to develop an appreciation of what life was like for the prisoners of St. Helena and understand the reasons for the establishment of St Helena in Moreton Bay. Bus leaves school at 8.30am. Boys are to wear their PE uniform. All boys must bring morning tea, lunch and water . See app for full details.

Year 6 Debating

The first round of debating for Year 6 is on Tuesday 2 May at 6:30pm til 7:30pm at  St Laurence’s College. Families can park on Savio Oval (near the sports centre), enter via Stephens Rd. The competition will be held in the Primary School (Hogan) Building, located in the main quadrangle of the school. If your son wishes to debate this season and his name is not listed on the App, please advise by email Mr Gordon and he will ensure that he participates in one of the upcoming rounds. gordonl@atc.qld.edu.au

LITERARY FESTIVAL

A range of talented authors and artists will be presenting to students in Years 4-12. This is a week where we focus on all things 'literary'! There will be parent events, a book fair in Westcourt, Surprise Storytime sessions as well as a stellar line up of special guests. This year we are honoured to welcome author and poet, Josh Donellan, Manga artist David Lovegrove, slam-poet Angela Peita, non-fiction author, author, columnist and editor Tim Baker, poet and author Michelle Taylor, author Sam Wheeler and Shakespearean Hip-Hop artist, Charlie Tompson. Students will be treated to both cohort presentations and small-group workshops, to titillate their literary appetites!

Books and Breakfast

Parents and students in the Junior School are invited to join us for a morning of reading while enjoying a delicious quiche or croissant at Mt Sion Library, on Thursday 11 May from 7:30am. Please RSVP to Mrs Burton (burtong@atc.qld.edu.au)

Books and Bubbles

Join us for our annual Books and Bubbles twilight event on the beautiful riverside deck of Westcourt Library, Tuesday 9 May, from 6:00pm until 7:30pm. The launch of our annual Literary Festival and Book Fair, will be hosted by Riverbend Books with Pauline McLeod, our guest speaker who will discuss effective strategies to engage boys with books and promote popular reads for boys across our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools. And just confirmed ... Award-winning author, journalist and storyteller Tim Baker will also be speaking at our Books and Bubbles event! Tim specialises in non-fiction writing, mostly about surfing history and culture, as well as his ability to tackle life's challenges. Tim will be speaking about the art of writing across a wide variety of media from books and magazines to film, video, and theatre. Tickets are $10, via Parent Lounge, which includes a glass of bubbles, wine or beer and cheese. We look forward to seeing our parents at this special event!

FORMATION  NEWS

First day of Formal Uniform

The first week of Term 2 has gone by quickly and we are approaching two shorter weeks before a number of important events including our first day of Formal Uniform (Week 5) and the Formal Photo Day (Week 6).

Monday 15 May, is the first day of the Formal Uniform where the College tie and suit coat are to be worn.   The College uniform is a unifying influence for the school community and is a valuable part of a young man’s education to learn to present himself in a neat and appropriate manner.

Our uniform shop, the School Locker, is stocked with ties and suit coats for any families wishing purchase any uniform supplies.  In addition, College Badges should accompany the suit coat and will include:

1. The College Crest

1. The Formation Pillars

1. Learning - Open Book any new student commencing in Years 4-6

1. Service - Celtic Cross any new student commencing in Years 7-9

1. Leadership - Star any new student commencing in Years 10-12

1. The House Badge received in Year 10. 

Please refer to the video as a reference on where and how to wear the badges.   The College badges should only be worn on their suit coat. College Badges should not be worn on the College tie.  Replacement badges are available from the ATC Shop at $5.00 per badge.

Formal Photo Day

Our Formal Photo Day is being held in Week 6 on Thursday, 25 May.  After feedback from the process in 2022, our photographer shall be present on campus for all individual and group photography on this day.  We are confident that this process will ensure the quality of the product received this year shall meet expectations.  More communications shall be sent closer to the day, but we ask parents to ensure their son has the correct uniform items ready for this day. Links. Video  link.

Term 2 Signum Fidei

Coming together as a community, this week we celebrated the Term 2 Signum Fidei award recipients at the respective Signum Fidei breakfasts held at our campus waterfront.  Families and staff proudly gathered to recognise and congratulate the amazing efforts of these humble students, who continue to demonstrate a commitment to the three College Touchstones of Service, Learning and Leadership, walking in the footsteps of Patrick Ambrose Treacy.   

Immunisations

All Year 7 Students that have given prior consent will receive the dTpa Vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and Whooping Cough) on Tuesday 2 May at school. HPV Vaccination will take place in Term 4.

All Year 10 Students have been given a Meningococcal Vaccination Consent Form for completion by Parents/Caregivers. Please return completed forms to Senior School Reception by 5 May 2023 when they will be collected by OzCare our School Immunisation Providers.

FAITH & MISSION  NEWS

Edmund Rice Day

Edmund Rice was the founder of the Christian Brothers and gave his life and fortune to help poor and disadvantaged boys in Ireland. He did this by providing education, food, shelter and care; inspiring many adults to join him in his mission. From the first humble school in New Street, Ireland, the beginnings of a worldwide community of educators emerged. His legacy is evident in many schools around the world and May 5 is a worldwide day of celebration acknowledging the significant contribution to education. Ambrose Treacy College is one of many EREA schools in Southeast Queensland and part of a network of 280 schools catering for 200,000 students that work together to promote global solidarity and a transformational education.

Next Friday, 5 May 2023, the ATC community will acknowledge and celebrate the life and works of Edmund Rice through Mass held for students and staff at the College. As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, Ambrose Treacy College aims to inspire, educate, and form our students to be Signs of Faith through learning, leading and serving.

SERVICE
Service Opportunity

Students looking for opportunities for Service Hours are invited to volunteer for the Moggill Marathon on Sunday 21 May 2023. The second instalment of the Moggill Marathon kicks off in May and needs a number of volunteers to ensure the successful and smooth running of this event. Please visit the link and sign yourself up to the register of volunteers. Organisers will be in touch to confirm tasks closer to the event. Don’t forget to log your service hours with your homeroom teacher! Volunteer Here. Click here for the Moggill Marathon website.

SPORT NEWS

Well done to everyone on their training and playing efforts last week, it was great to see so many students getting into their sport. With a few short weeks at the start of the term, please keep supporting us on our focus of having the boys commit or communicate please (to both training and games). All information is on the relevant pages of the ATC app, so please make sure you are following the appropriate pages so you don’t miss any information. We will be hosting matches for the first time this term at ATC. With this, we will be running a sports canteen and would love all families to help out here who are in a position to. Thanks again to everyone on their support and we look forward to a big term ahead.

CLUBS

The Term 2 ATC Clubs program gets underway this week for Homework Club, Golf and Mountain Biking as per the timetable, with the remainder of the clubs from week 3.  Please check the Term 2 timetable for information regarding times and location of the relevant clubs.  We ask that students arrive on time to gain the most from the session.

CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC and DRAMA & COMMUNICATION

Week 4 and Week 5 are very busy for our most senior singers and musicians with the following upcoming off-campus performances.

Our Junior students certainly won’t miss out with the following upcoming performances in Week 6:

Please ensure you are subscribed to the relevant Tags on the College App for all reminders and updates.

Pemulwuy! National Male Voice Festival

Our middle and senior school singers will be taking part in this exciting festival 7-9 July 2023.  Incorporating two days of workshops and a performance at QPAC it is a wonderful opportunity to be involved in. New singers are always welcome at choir rehearsals, each Thursday from 3.10pm – 4.10pm in K104. Current choristers who have not yet confirmed their attendance at the festival please contact music@atc.qld.edu.au as soon as possible.

P & F NEWS 

REMINDER P&F Rugby Family Night Out

The ATC P&F invite you to the annual Rugby Family Night Out at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 19 May, to see the Queensland Reds take on The Auckland Blues in their final home game of the 2023 season. Start the afternoon with other ATC families by the river at ATC, for pizza and drinks at 5:30pm, and then head off to Suncorp Stadium on the train from Indooroopilly at 6:20pm. Game kick off is 7.35pm. Tickets are available via Parent Lounge until 4:00pm Thursday 11 May 2023. Strictly no late ticket sales are possible. The Reds are holding our seat allocation only until that time. Ticket Options are:

Option 1: Adult - Pizza and drinks in Silver Zone, $50

Option 2: Junior - Pizza and drinks in Silver Zone, $25

Option 3: Pizza and soft drink only for existing game ticketholders $10.00

Go to Parent Lounge to secure your tickets. All family and friends are welcome to attend.  Please contact Mr Andrew Taylor, P&F Rugby Family Night Out Coordinator, if you have any queries or special food requirements. Andrew.taylor@csiro.au Students are asked to wear the ATC PE Uniform or Rugby Jersey. Our Taiko Drummers will be performing on field at the game!

Meeting Dates 

All are invited to join the P&F President, Mr Ben Prain, and the Principal at our meetings on Tuesday evenings monthly. We meet in Mt Sion Library at 6.30pm. Our upcoming meetings are on Tuesday 9 May, 11 July, 8 August, 5 September, 10 October and 21 November. For any queries, please email the P&F Secretary Catherine pandf@atc.qld.edu.au 

See you in Week 3!

Mr David Gardiner 

Deputy Principal