Off to a Great Start!

It was a wonderful week at ATC to kick off the new school year with our oldest students greeting our youngest. The Year 12 students certainly were proactive with their commitment to leadership from day one and I thank them for an excellent job as they live their motto of Stronger Together. 

It was terrific to have the whole student body back on Wednesday and Week 2 will see the College settling into routines in the classroom. I hope that all our new students have quickly felt a sense of welcome, inclusion and engagement with their new school and teachers.  Many boys will have finished the week tired. Please be sure to continue to encourage plenty of hydration, a return to normal sleep routines post holidays and much less screen time as the year of learning gets properly underway.

Please feel welcome to link with Homeroom Teachers, Head of Year or Head of House or Counselling staff as advertised last week with any concerns or needs.  

Gala Day

Our Years 7 to 12 Gala Day last Friday was a fun, active day to finish off a short first week. The format of the day is a result of reflections of ‘carnival’ days with some changes this year to assist in managing the hot weather. We are deliberate in our strategy to promote participation for all levels of ability and confidence. The Gala Day model focuses on an opportunity for our swimmers to shine, for everyone to have some fun to finish week one, promote leadership opportunities, and to develop House spirit. Thank you to our Formation, Sports and HPE teams and all staff for their facilitation and well done to Munster House on their victory!

Co-curricular Activities

This rich and diverse aspect of school life is steadily getting underway with Club registrations opened, Music demonstrations for potential new recruits and lessons and rehearsals for bands and ensembles commencing this week and our guest membership of the AIC sport association revving up with trial games in AFL and Cricket over the weekend and trial games for our Volleyball teams with the Brisbane Grammar School. Congratulations to all participants and to our Firsts Cricket and AFL sides for their strong wins on the weekend and to the Volleyball Firsts for a competitive trail game with BGS. AIC sport fixtures in Cricket and AFL will commence on 8 February and our GBC fixtures on 15 February. It feels as though there is never any rest for our swimmers who are also well into it in their preparation for various meets including the AIC and GBC championships and up coming Age Championships.

 Academic Assemblies

I look forward to welcoming parents and caregivers to our upcoming Academic Assemblies this week and to our returning Year 12 2024 cohort to celebrate their achievements with them. Importantly, these assemblies recognise both our top achieving students and our biggest improvers in Semester Two, 2024. Congratulations to all recipients and to all students who achieved their personal best.

Parent and Caregivers Information Night

Please engage with these important evenings as we connect key staff and messages with the parent community and formally welcome and inform you regarding the specific phase and year of learning and formation for your son. We look forward to the Middle School beginning these events this Thursday evening.  Full details of the Junior School (13 February, and Year 10 & 11 (12 February) evenings are on the ATC App.

ATC Parents and Friends Year 4 & Year 7 Welcome Afternoon

The ATC Parents and Friends looks forward to hosting Year 4 and Year 7 families this Saturday on Brothers Oval from 3.00pm to 5pm. Details are on the College APP. Some of Year 12 leaders will facilitate some games for students and a casual afternoon will be enjoyed for parents and caregivers to have the opportunity to meet and mingle. Please bring along some food out chairs and we look forward to seeing you there.

Kick Off Cocktails 

ATC parents and caregivers have been instrumental in establishing Ambrose Treacy College during our first 10 years. Please come along to the P&F 2025 Kick off Cocktails evening to celebrate our 10th Anniversary and the commencement of a new year of learning, leadership and service. Tickets are $35 and are on sale tonight via your Parent Lounge account. The event is being held on Saturday 22 February from 6pm to 10pm so please join us at ATC for a night of connecting and catching up with the friends. This is an event for the entire community and is not just a newcomer’s gathering. Come one, come all! It would be great to kick off the year with a significant gathering of our parent and caregiver community. Thank you to the Parents and Friends Executive for their organisation of this event. Tickets include entry, a ticket in the raffle to win a Term’s fees, a bite to eat and your first drink on arrival. Come along for our first celebration of our 10th anniversary for the year.

Pick Up and Drop Off Areas

Thank you for your patience and safe practices when driving on and around campus in the early weeks of school. Please remember to be respectful of our neighbours by not parking over driveways. We noticed in the short week that the Senior School Pick Up and Drop Off area was quiet which is no surprise as it hasn’t been open for a couple of years! Senior School parents are most welcome to use this option off Kate Street and up the hill to the Waterford Precinct.

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 too always be compassionate to those around us.

God bless,

Chris Ryan