Coming Up Week 7 - Ambrose Treacy College

It has been a week of special events, of the Ekka and the Show Holiday and watching the mighty Matildas. Earlier in the week was marked by two events. On Tuesday, Junior School students were full of energy and passion at their Interhouse Track and Field carnival. It was very close event with only a handful of points separating the four houses. Congratulations to Munster House on their narrow win. Thank you to Mr Grant Carlson for his organisation and leadership with the carnival. That evening, the Year 11 students and their partners were dressed up, on their best behaviour and out for a fun night at their SociABLE, held at the Greek Club. Events such as this are important markers in the students’ rites of passage and mark another milestone in their journey. I thank Ms Suzanne Colette and the Formation Team for organising such a well-run events and providing this opportunity to the students.

The excitement continued today in the Junior school with the Book Week Parade. Throughout the week the focus has been on promoting the value and fun of reading and guest authors have been sharing their stories along with other special activities to engage students in reading. Thanks to Ms Burton and her team for again providing such an engaging program for our young students and offering a fun day to finish the week. Mr Stewart must have gone close to best dressed but there was some very stiff competition. Check out the creative and wonderful costumes.

Last night I was entertained by our guitar ensembles at the Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF). The standard was excellent, and this was reflected in the ATC Guitars, Junior Guitars and Guitar ensemble being awarded a Gold medal from the judges. I wish all the best to our other fifteen groups who will be performing across the four day festival. What continues to impress me is the professionalism of the staff involved, plus their ability to engage students in pieces that are suited to their interests. This is just one area across the ATC gambit of offerings that reflect the connectedness and professionalism of the ATC staff.

The music program offers o much to our community. It is a massive term of big events that our musicians are involved in. Please note these upcoming dates that everyone is welcome to and opportunities to appreciate the talent of our musicians:- Friday 1 June – Formal Music Night – Riverlife seventeen Miles Rock, and the Jazz by the River – Saturday 14 October at ATC. These are big community events so please mark them down on your calendar. Everyone is welcome to both of these special occasions.

Amongst all these activities the focus must remain on classwork and preparation for the end of term assessment. All families can check the assessment calendars which will be released next week, and ensure tasks and due dates are prominent in the mind of each student. We only have four weeks remaining in the term and those four weeks will be full of assignments and exams. Planning ahead is crucial for good outcomes.

Please read on for all the upcoming events to ensure you are up to date.

UPCOMING DATES 

Saturday 19 August & Sunday 20 August | QCMF

Monday 21 August to Friday 25 August | Empower Week

Monday 21 August | Year 5 Let’s Chat

Monday 21 August | Japan Tour Information evening

Thursday 24 August | 50 School Days left of Senior Countdown

Friday 25 August | Year 8 Retreat

LEARNING 

Year 12 Mock Exams

Year 12 students will sit their Mock Exams over an Examination Block commencing on Wednesday 30 August 2023 and finishing on Friday 8 September 2023 inclusively.  These Mock Exams will simulate the conditions of the External Exams that students will face in Term 4. Please refer to the App Notice for further details.

Year 5 Gold Rush Game

Recently, the Year 5 students began playing an interactive “Gold Rush Game” in their classes.  The aim of the game is for students to know what life was like as an 1850’s gold seeker and to experience the highs and lows of prospecting. Each student has been provided with a license and will be given different amounts of gold and then have to decide whether they wish to convert that gold into pounds.  The game will run to the end of term when it culminates with a special day on campus. If you have any queries, please feel free to contact your son’s Homeroom teacher or Mr Gordon directly via email gordonl@atc.qld.edu.au

Autism Workshop for Parents and Carers

Positive Partnerships work together with parents, carers and educators of school-aged children on the autism spectrum to provide current, relevant and evidence informed information through workshops and online resources. We have had two staff members recently attend a 2-day workshop for educators and the feedback was incredibly positive. Parent and Carer workshops are supported by experienced facilitators and provide practical tools and resources to take home. These tools and resources may assist with school meetings and NDIS planning. There is a workshop coming up on 23 and 24 August, please see the flyer for more details.

FORMATION

Formal Uniform

On Thursday 31 August, compulsory wearing of the formal uniform for 2023 shall finish.  This will precede the Ministerial Pupil Free Day on Friday 1 September.  Students will no longer be required to wear the College tie and suit coat to school.  Of course, there may be several important events at the College where our students may be required to wear the formal uniform; however, you will be notified as required.

The College uniform is a unifying influence for the school community and is a valuable part of a young person’s education to learn to present themselves in a neat and appropriate manner. As we transition away from our formal uniform, it is important to ensure that our students continue to wear their day uniform with pride and have all necessary items available.  Our uniform shop, the School Locker, is fully stocked for any families wishing to purchase any uniform items.  

Year 11 SociABLE

At this time of year, there is a real feeling of Year 11s transitioning into next year’s Senior class. One event that celebrates this ‘coming of age’ is the annual Year 11 SociABLE.  On Tuesday, our Year 11s celebrated a magnificent semi-formal at The Greek Club in South Brisbane.  A feature of the event was how well the Ambrose Treacy students looked after their partners, taking the time to introduce them to our staff and to their fellow students.  Everyone looked great - all grown up! The College was very proud of how well the students conducted themselves and enjoyed the night, dancing and singing.  It was wonderful to be part of this successful night.  Thank you to Mrs Suzanne Colette, Mr Brendan Flanagan and Mr Conor Finn for their organisation and facilitation of this event. Thanks also to the College Leadership Team for their presence. 

FAITH & MISSION 

The Year 8 cohort will participate in the Courage Retreat on Friday 25 August at the Riverside Conference Centre, Chelmer. Parents and Caregivers are asked to refer to the letter sent on the College App, which provides information about the day, including the ‘Donation Ticket’ request. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Matt Warr, Dean of Faith and Mission or Ben Babao, Head of Year 8.

SERVICE

Service Program

Students and families are reminded that recording of service hours for the ATC Service Program and Awards close on the last day of this term, Friday 15 September. After the completion of the Service Hours, students are to approach the Homeroom teacher (or the Supervising Teacher) to have their Service Hours logged via Teacher Kiosk. It is also possible for parents to act on behalf of students and email Homeroom teachers to request hours be logged. This will be particularly relevant for students in the Junior school.

Service Stories

Have you got a good photo and story of your service? We would love to share it on social media so please send your contributions to signumfidei@atc.qld.edu.au  Through this we can show the wider community how ATC students are a Signum Fidei, Sign of Faith. Sharing of these good news stories also promotes the wonderful organisations that our students work with, as well as bring to the fore the many causes and issues that our students are advocates for.  If you have any queries about the ATC Service Program, please contact Andrew McCrohon, Head of Service and Clubs.

SPORT 

We are looking forward to attending the upcoming AIC Track and Field Pre-Meet in the afternoon of Thursday 24 August at QSAC. More specific information including how to register will be on the ATC app - Track and Field page. Nominations close on Monday 21 August at 9pm. Please know that all students who register will participate in this event. This is the final opportunity for students to be selected for the GBC Championships on Thursday 31 August, with this event being held during the school day.

It was another great weekend of GBC Basketball, with the past weekend seeing our Year 7-12 Basketballers take on The Springfield Anglican College at ATC. The teams have certainly been improving each week and they knew they were up against it versing some strong opposition. All of the matches were hotly contested and with some great teamwork displayed, all teams were composed in the final minutes to come out as victors for the day. A big thanks to the ATC students who came out to support and/or officiate, as well as to the coaches who are doing a great job in developing the teams on and off the court. It was great to have parent supporters on the sideline cheering on the boys too!

CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC

Our Guitar ensembles performed on Thursday night and kicked off ATC Music at QCMF for 2023. Congratulations to everyone involved, it promises to be a busy and memorable festival! Our next major performance is the Formal Music Concert on Friday 1 September at Riverlife.

Pre-concert from 5.05pm

Percussion Ensemble A, Hot Brass Squad, Clarinet Ensemble A.

Main Concert 6.30pm

CLUBS

2023 Chess Age Championships

Congratulations to all students who took part in the Chess Age Champion tournament on Friday afternoon.  With just over 40 students from across all year levels participating, it was wonderful to see sportsmanship and great gameplay on the day. We congratulate the following ATC Chess Age Champions for 2023:

Junior School Chess Age Champion – Patrick Black
Middle School chess Age Champion – Elijah Kenny
Senior School Chess Age Champion – Matthew Heers

We look forward to presenting Patrick, Elijah and Matthew at the ATC Celebration of Excellence.

Mountain Biking

15 ATC Mountain Bikers attended the Rocky Trail Academy Schools competition last Friday out at Castle Hill trails.  Well done to all our great Mountain Bikers who rode some very technical and difficult trails through the day. Well done to Zane Reading on a great first place in the Year 7 & 8 Division, beating 160 riders to take out the podium finish. Many thanks to the parents who were there supporting our students and to our coach, Mark from Mountain Biking Coaching for supporting and guiding the boys over the course all day.

A reminder for all Clubs students to please check the app for regular updates regarding any changes or updates for their club, as well as check the timetable. Not having the correct subscriptions for your club may cause missing any updates, therefore we ask you please make sure you have updated your app subscriptions.

P & F NEWS 

Second Hand Uniform Stall

Keen to clean out your ATC wardrobe and don't have time to list them on the Second-hand Facebook Page? We can help! We are organising a Secondhand Uniform Stall to be held later this term (Friday 8 September 2023) and we can take any uniforms you no longer need.

Please deliver all donations to the Main Reception before Wednesday 6 September. All proceeds will go to the P&F and will be put back into the school. 

A few key things to note:

These are donations and you will not receive any money for them
Please ensure only CLEAN and wearable uniform items are donated
Please deliver all donations to Main Reception before Wednesday 6 September (no donations after this date please)
All items at the stall will be individually priced.

Contact:  Melissa Kuflik (0426881203) or Sasha Tucker (0411460351)

P & F Spring Lunch

YOU'RE INVITED! Come and celebrate with friends at this year's ATC P&F Spring Lunch on Friday 13 October from 11.30am to 2.30pm at The Rose Room, Cloudland, Ann St, Fortitude Valley. 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. Raffle tickets are 1 for $5; 3 for $10; 8 for $20. Seats are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. N.B Seating will be by the Year Level of your child/ren. Wear a splash of PINK as we combine fundraising power with the students' Pink Day. See your Parent Lounge account for tickets and terms & conditions.

Meeting Dates 

Please join the P&F President Ben Prain in Mt Sion Library at 6.30pm to hear updates from the Principal and news regarding our community events at the College. All are welcome to come along. 

Further dates for 2023:

Tuesday 5 September 6.30pm AGM

Tuesday 10 October 6.30pm
Tuesday 21 November 6.30pm Planning Meeting for 2024

COMMUNITY NEWS 

Junior Engineers Holiday Program

Marriage Encounter

For more than 50 years, World Wide Marriage Encounter has helped over 3.5 million couples in almost 100 countries unlock the power of their relationships with new ways to do the “I Do“. The Marriage Encounter experience helps a couple listen, share and connect more deeply. There’s no group discussion. It’s just about two people learning to be the best, most loving and thriving couple possible. We have a live-in weekend at Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Ormiston Starting Friday evening 13 October at 7.00pm and concluding at approx. 4.00pm with Mass on Sunday 15 October 2023. The weekend is for all married couples who value their relationship. It doesn’t matter if you have been married for 5 years or 55 years - there is always something more. Please contact Liesha and Joseph on 0481 307 821 or qldbookings@wwme.org.au. For more information go to the website: www.wwme.org.au

Enjoy the weekend and see you in Week 7.

Mr David Gardiner 

Deputy Principal 