Music - a Universal Language

It was great to visit the QCMF over the weekend to see many of our students performing. I am told that across the entirety of the program, there were 14000 pieces of music played or sung which is extraordinary. In between watching ATC performances, sitting in the grounds of Villanova College, it was a joy to watch and listen to young men and women from Catholic schools throughout the state busily preparing, chatting and laughing with each other. It is very true - music brings people together.

A hearty congratulations to Mr Jono Bolt and our team of Co-curricular Music Tutors on their excellent support of our musicians and well done on our stellar performances. It was delightful to speak with two Year 4 boys when they came back to school after their Junior Band performance on Thursday with a Gold Award. They were very excited and proud, and it augurs well for the future of music at the College.

And, on occasion, special recognition is given for exceptional performance by an individual and we had two students celebrated this year! Well done to James Muller and Jamie Collins on their Individual Excellence Awards.

Year 12

This Tuesday marks 50 days of school remaining for them, and we will signpost this time with the group with a special morning tea around the statue of Blessed Edmund Rice in front of the Edmund Rice Building. This is a place of special meaning for lots of reasons and is the place in which they will spend their final moments on the campus together in ritual in November after their external exams on Valedictory Day. They now enter an important time of Mock Exams, and we wish these young people every success, health, and happiness as we walk this time together.

Empower Week

2024 is the third year of our Empower Week initiative.  This year, our focus is being led by our Inclusive Practices Team. Recently, our Assistant Dean of Learning: Inclusive Practices, Ms Kate Watts was appointed the Edmund Rice Education Australia Colleges representative to the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, supporting Inclusive Practices across our nine mainstream schools here in Queensland. Congratulations to Kate as this is indicative of the great work our Inclusive Practices Team does here at ATC. On whole school assembly, our focus for Empower Week will be on the theme  What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for a wide range of adaptions that inform the brain. This includes conditions such as autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.  It’s important to understand that neurodiversity is not a disorder. It's an umbrella term that celebrates differences in the way people’s brains process information.  It’s important to remember that neurodiversity isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s something to be celebrated! People with neurodiversity can often have unique skills and abilities, and they often think and see the world differently. The worlds of science, law, business, entertainment, the arts and sport have been and are greatly blessed by neurodiversity as is our school community and are our families.

Year 11 SociABLE

The Year 11 Sociable on Tuesday evening last was a very successful event with students engaging most positively. Congratulations and thank you to Ms Suzanne Colette for her preparation and organisation, and to Mr Conor Finn and Mr Brendan Flanagan and the Heads of House for their support in facilitation and work with students. Well done to the Seniors of 2025.

Congratulations

We congratulate Tegan Kent and her husband Matt who welcomed baby Harper safely into the world last week. Mother and baby are doing well.

Community Prayers 

Lord, we pray for those in our community who are suffering. Be with them in this time of hardship and uncertainty. Give comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones. May their sorrow be turned into strength, and their distress turned into peace. May our hearts remain loving and pure as we seek to always be compassionate to those around us.