Coming Up Week 4
Father John Gillen celebrated our Opening Mass for Year 7 to 12 students on Tuesday, followed by a Mass for the Junior School in Nudgee Junior Hall this morning. It marks the official beginning of the school year after the bustle and newness of January. Coming together as a faith community reminds staff and students of their true calling. That is to be Signum Fidei (Signs of Faith) in all they do at school, and beyond throughout the year as they learn, lead, and serve.
At the conclusion of Tuesday’s Mass, the Senior cohort were commissioned. They publicly pledged to ‘Be the Change’, extolling the pillars of Ambrose Treacy College. The participation of parents and caregivers who then fitted students with their senior tie and badge reinforced the Seniors’ responsibility to themselves, each other, their families, and the community.
Information Night
This week we concluded our Information Evenings with the Senior event on Tuesday, and the Middle School event on Wednesday. Families heard key messages from the College leadership team before breaking up to discuss specific learning and formation topics with Heads of House and Homeroom teachers. It was particularly enjoyable to welcome so many new Year 7 families to the College. I encourage all families to remember we seek to build relationships and work in partnership with you and your son. Keep communicating with us every step of the way. Thank you to the many teachers who dedicated their time for these important events over the past two weeks.
Camp
This week Year 4 to 10 parents received an information letter regarding camp in Week 6. Please check your inbox (including junk) and contact the College if you haven’t received any information. Contact Us - Ambrose Treacy College (atc.qld.edu.au)
Note that bus and venue bookings are finalised so changes cannot be accommodated. A reminder to also head to ‘Parent Lounge’ and use the parent and student details tabs to check your information and edit your records. In the ‘Medical Details’ area please ensure we have a Medicare number, private healthcare number (if relevant), swimming ability, and allergy, diet, or other medical information. Thank you to the families who have attended to this already.
Junior School Swimming Carnival
Our Junior School Swimming Carnival was held today. It was a fun; action-packed program with the students showing plenty of spirit. Congratulations to Leinster House who are the 2024 Champions. Age Champions will be announced in next Week’s assembly.
Collecting Student Data
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 23 February by by clicking Student Details, choosing General Details, then choosing MCEECDYA Details. Please see the letter on the ATC App for full details and if you have any queries, please email the Compliance Officer.
WEEK 4 IMPORTANT DATES
Monday 12 February | Year 10 Retreat
Monday 12 February | Year 12 Geography Excursion
Tuesday 13 February | Year 12 Geography Excursion
Wednesday 14 February | Ash Wednesday Liturgies
Friday 16 February | Year 4 Retreat
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE WEEK 3
Chris Ryan's Week 3 Blog, People and Place - Building our Community, focused on our Community events over the last two weeks. CLICK HERE to read this week's message from the Principal.
LEARNING NEWS
Assessment Schedules and Curriculum (Years 4 to 12)
Please be advised that the Assessment Schedules and Curriculum Plans for Years 4 to 12 have been published to Student Cafe and Parent Lounge. A copy of the assessment schedule for each level is also available on the App for your convenience.
FROM THE CLASSROOMS
Economics
ATC Economists love models ... Economics ones! In class this week Year 11 students were charged with the task of creating a collaborative visual representation of the Circular Flow of Income Model on butcher's paper, using themselves and some pens. They worked critically and creatively as a collective to translate their understanding of important economic relationships - consolidating important knowledge for their upcoming exam in the process. Well done to our budding economists!
Design
Year 11 mock exam - 1 hour and 15 minutes of pressure under exam conditions supervised by Mr Morris to help students hone their exam techniques in preparation for their first FA1 examination in 2024. Focus, time-management, concepts, synthesis and evaluation must be juggled to create a final, aesthetically pleasing and useable design. No pressure at all!
Art
Year 4 Visual Art was alive with colour and excitement as the boys experimented with ‘the splat’ technique to create paper for their upcoming ‘beautiful butterflies or dragon fly’ collages. The visual convention of Colour was the focus for this week’s task and our budding Pollocks excelled!
Chemistry
As Chemists, it is important to recognise when there are charged particles (ions) present. One of the ways to do this is to see if an electrical current can be conducted through a solution, if it can then there are ions present! Our Year 9 Science boys used a battery as a power source, two electrodes and an ammeter to test various solutions and discern if there were ions present or not.
Opening Mass
We gathered for our 2024 Opening Mass on Tuesday bringing Middle and Senior Schools together. Through prayer, scripture and ritual, students and staff were united in the story of Jesus who set the ultimate example seeing the need for change, and doing something to help.
Junior School Opening Mass
The Junior School Community gathered this morning to celebrate the opening of their School Year. We were lucky to be joined by Christian Brother Dennis Sullivan who participated with us today. Jesus's message of being someone who changes the hearts and minds of those around them, was significant throughout. Congratulations to all the boys for the respect, reverence and reflection they showed. A special out to our Yrear 4s who so wonderfully engaged in our first liturgical celebration.
SERVICE NEWS
Service Opportunities
Volunteer for Dog Walking
Students who live in the Indooroopilly area are invited to express their interest to help a family with dog walking duties while they deal with a health issue. This is an external Service opportunity however if you are interested, please respond to this email and further details will be provided. This is a great opportunity to provide support to a family in need whilst also accruing some Service Hours early in the year. Plus, the added bonus of making a new friend in Ricky!
Tutors for the MacqLit program
Ms Bradley is looking for some students from Year’s 8 and 9 who would like to accrue some Service Hours by offering their service at the Junior School MacqLit program. Students who volunteer will earn 30 minutes of Service for each session and will get the added joy of helping one of their ATC peers. The sessions will run Monday to Thursday mornings from 7:45am – 8:10am. Students who would like to volunteer can EMAIL Ms Bradley directly and notify her of what mornings they would like to attend.
Signum Fidei Stories
RSPCA Helpers
Towards the end of the school holidays students are always reminded of the opportunities that are in place in their local communities to Serve and to be of assistance. Year 11 student Angus, volunteered for a whopping 44 hours at his local RSPCA shelter over the summer break. This a great example of a student combining an area of interest with his desire to Serve to contribute positively to his community. Well done Angus for taking on this initiative and showing us a great example of what it means to be a Sign of Faith and to help others, even our vulnerable furry friends!
Ash Wednesday
Next week marks the start of Lent. Tuesday 13 February is Shrove Tuesday and the tuckshops will be serving pancakes at breakfast and break times ($4 per serve). The tuckshops will be serving a meat free menu on Ash Wednesday, 14 February. There will also be meat free menu options available each Friday of Lent.
Year 10 Retreat
The Year 10 Retreat will be held on Monday 12 February 2024 at Riverlife Church, Jennifer St Seventeen Mile Rocks to provide an opportunity for boys to reflect on their friendships, life choices and solidarity as a cohort. It will be a day which engages students through examples of Faith in Action and leadership, further preparing them for their Senior School journey and the years that lie ahead. This day forms an important part of the year for the Year 10 Students and, as such, attendance is compulsory. Students are to bring a Water Bottle, Morning Tea, and Lunch – there are no facilities to purchase food at the venue. They can wear appropriate free dress with closed in shoes. The Retreat will be facilitated by the Dean of Faith and Mission and run by an external service provider. Students will commence the at 8.30am. Full details are on the ATC APP.
Year 10 & 11 Ozanam Leadership Program
St Vincent De Paul is inviting applications for their annual leadership program aimed at current Year 10 and 11 students hoping to gain valuable skills. It provides an opportunity for young people across South East Queensland to come together and build their knowledge, skills, friendships and become the leaders of the next generation. This program has been running for a number of years now and the feedback has been invaluable from the young people who have participated – rubbing shoulders with CEOs, being a part of sleep outs and advocacy events along with the interpersonal skills they developed. The program is offered on an application only process and students must participate in an information session in order to gain access to the application process. These information sessions will be held on either Tuesday 13 or Monday 19 February in South Brisbane. Please go to the ATC App to see an information flyer, and register your interest via the QR Code.
Registering for Confirmation, Penance and 1st Communion in 2024
Catholic Families who wish to register for Confirmation (children in year 3 and above), Penance, and First Communion (children in year 4 and above) are asked to please contact the Kenmore OLR Parish Office via email kenmore@bne.catholic.net.au and provide the following information; Name of Parents • Name of Child/ren, Class level, and name of Sacrament registering for. They will respond to your email with further information regarding this years’ Sacramental programme.
CLUBS NEWS
It has been a great start to the 2024 Club Program with sessions starting up in Week 3. We would like to thank all students and staff involved for allowing such a great program to be run at the College. As with all Co-curricular activities, we ask you to please commit or communicate to each Club session. If your son is not available to attend, please email clubs@atc.qld.edu.au or the club coordinator to mark your son’s absence. Information letters and timetable for each of the 2024 Clubs and Activities are available on the relevant tags on the College App. Please ensure you read and fully understand the information letters before registering your son/s for their desired activities. All Clubs queries can be emailed to Mr Luke Read please.
Chess Club
Queen’s Gambit Chess Club offers lessons for experienced and aspiring chess players who are committed to evolving their skills. Under the tutelage of professional coaches, players are taught advanced tactics and strategies to give them a competitive edge over their opponents. This term, our Year 5-12 players are meeting every Monday afternoon and Thursday morning and there are two spots still available so if your son is keen to learn about Castling, Pawn Promotion and En Passant Capture, please email Mr Read readl@atc.qld.edu.au to make the right move!
CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC NEWS
ATC Co-curricular Music also offers Vocal, Guitar (Year 5 onwards) and Drama & Communication lessons - if you have any questions or an interest in joining the program we would love to hear from you. CLICK HERE to contact us.
CHORAL PROGRAM
For all new students interested in joining a choir, rehearsals are open to all students with no audition required. Junior Choir (years 4-6) rehearse on Thursday mornings from 7am and ATC Senior Singers (years 7-12) rehearse on Thursday afternoon from 3.10pm to 4.10pm. Both sessions are in Music Classroom K104. We look forward to seeing you there!
REHEARSAL & LESSON SCHEDULES
The Rehearsal and Lesson Schedules are available on the College App from next week to assist with your preparations. Teachers will also email new families directly with lesson timetables. Please subscribe to the relevant Culture ‘tags’ on the College App to ensure all timetable and relevant notices are received. Turn ON Notifications in your ATC App setting as well.
SPORT NEWS
The Schedule for this weekend's AFL and Volleyball games have been shared on the App.
AFL
The big day for ATC AFL Junior players tomorrow as they take on St Laurence's College at Yeronga . Good luck and remember to use all those skills that Mr Maguire and Mr Degenkamp shared with you at training this week! Full fixture schedule is on the ATC App.
Volleyball
Our ATC Year 7 and 8 Volleyball teams prepared for their matches tomorrow against Toowoomba Grammar School and Sheldon College at this weeks training session. These boys have not only been consolidating learned skills, but also introducing new strategies to progress their game throughout this season. The focus this week was correct footwork for a spike approach to avoid any bad habits in their technique.
P&F NEWS
Kick Off Cocktails
Join us to celebrate the start of the 2024 school year at the P&F's annual Kick Off Cocktails on Saturday 17 February 2024 from 6.30-11.00pm at Wests Bulldogs Rugby Club, Figs on Sylvan, Sylvan Road, Toowong. Catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and have the chance to win one term's Tuition Fees through our raffle. Tickets cost $40pp and includes a champagne cocktail on arrival and canapes during the evening. For all enquiries, please contact Jane Rowan, P&F Vice President and event Coordinator. Go to your Parent Lounge account to buy tickets to the event and in the Mega Raffle.
Welcome Raffle
Everyone can join in the raffle! You DO NOT have to be present at Kick off Cocktails to win! Here is the great list of prizes:
1. One term's school fees - valued at around $4,000 (depending on year level)
2. 1.5 hour Gin and Rum Tasting Experience for 8 people at Woombye including a bottle of "The Road North Rum" - donated by My Broker Solutions and Nil Desperandum Rum - valued at $500
3. Bunnings Voucher - donated by Interior Exterior Builders - valued at $500
4. Family iFly Experience (Up to 5 people – 10 flights) - donated by Liz Browning Plum Property - valued at $380
5. Kenmore Village Package including a beautiful freshwater pearl bracelet valued at $175 from Haemen Mendis Jewellers and a $100 voucher from Kenmore Shoe Fashions - total value $275
6. A stunning Ultimate vase arrangement from Kenmore Village Florists - valued at $200
If you are NOT attending on the night, and want to buy raffle tickets, please see the event “Welcome Raffle” in our Parent Lounge account to buy your raffle tickets. This is separate the Kick off Cocktails event.
I wish all of our sportsmen a great weekend across various locations in South East Queensland. I look forward to seeing you all in Week 4.
Join us for a College Tour
If you know a young man who is thinking of coming to ATC, please share our invitation with his family and the registration link for our upcoming Campus Tour. We look forward to welcoming your friends and family to look around the campus and meet our staff on Thursday 22 February from 4pm.
