Dear members of the Terrace Family,

This is the final edition of the Terrace News for Term 3.  It would be fair to say that the term has been both busy and rewarding, with a full ten weeks of face-to-face teaching and learning, and a significant co-curricular program completed throughout the term.  I wish to thank staff, parents and students for their ongoing support during Term 3.

The exam period finished today, and reports will be sent to all families during Week 1 of Term 4.  For our Year 12 students, results from their mock external exams started returning this week and their reports will be available from Tuesday next week.  During the second week of the holidays, the College will be hosting a series of Open Classroom events for Year 12 which will operate from Monday to Friday across a range of subjects.  These Open Classrooms are designed to provide opportunities for staff and students to continue preparation for the upcoming External Exams in October.  In advance, I wish to thank both staff and students for their support of the Open Classroom initiative.

As the GPS co-curricular program (with the exception of Rugby) has concluded, I am proud and pleased to document the results of the 1^st teams for Term 3:

• Basketball – Second
• Chess – Seventh
• Cross Country – Third
• Football– Second
• Gymnastics - Fourth
• Rugby – Currently fifth (playing the last round on Friday)
• Tennis – Sixth

These strong 1^sts results are coupled with equally strong results across teams and throughout year levels, further indicating the quality and depth of our co-curricular program.  I thank the many people involved in all aspects of the programs for their dedication and commitment. I would also like to acknowledge the students for the manner in which they approached the season and for the good sportsmanship displayed each weekend.

Over the last few weeks, the College has worked with a range of external providers to review events including the Celebration of Excellence, Graduation and the Year 12 Formal.  We are keen to ensure that these important events will take place this year and I am pleased to confirm that both the Celebration of Excellence and Year 12 Formal will occur at the Brisbane Convention Centre, while the Year 12 Graduation will be held at Tennyson.  Details are still being finalised, and further updates will be provided in Term 4.

Finally this week, I hope that families can take some time over the coming weeks to recharge in preparation for what is a sprint home in Term 4. 

God Bless

Dr Michael Carroll
College Principal

As Term 3 draws to a close, I would like to take a few moments to recognise two members of staff who we farewelled this week. Mrs Julie Ferris has held various roles at Terrace over an extended period of years. Most recently, Julie has worked in our Waterford Place reception area, calmly dealing with the myriad of issues that arise at our Year 10 campus. At the end of this week, Julie will head into retirement and we wish her the very best for this exciting new phase of her life. At the time of writing, recruitment to replace Julie in the role is being finalised.

The Terrace Family is also delighted to farewell Mrs Donna Compton as she commences 12 months of maternity leave at the end of this week. We wish Donna and her family the very best for the arrival of their second child and the associated joys over the coming months and years. For the remainder of this year, Donna’s class will be taught by Mrs Angela Wood, who has completed a number of contracts at Terrace. We are confident that the year will finish very well for Year 6 Red.

We are in the middle of the recruitment season and are currently interviewing potential staff for a variety of teaching and non-teaching positions that have arisen due to retirements and resignations. We enjoy a loyal staff, several of whom who have spent many years of their career at Terrace, but we also look forward to welcoming new people and fresh ideas as the opportunity arises. With the commencement of holidays, I wish all in the Terrace Family a restful time over the next two weeks. Even if it is as simple as removing the stress of uniforms, lunches and homework, I hope everyone can catch their breath before the busyness of our final term - best wishes as always.

As we reach the end of the term, I would like to wish the Terrace Family a safe and relaxing break. While we have seen a partial return to normality in Term 3, it has undoubtedly been a busy and fulfilling ten weeks. Our last group of Year 12 students travel to Maroon for the final time in their Terrace journey today – all the best for this special and meaningful experience.

We thank you Lord, for this term. For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends. Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. Amen

Please keep in mind all Australians and especially Terrace parents/caregivers who are stranded overseas and unable to be with their children during this holiday break. We pray for your safe return home to your loved ones soon.

Socktober

This year, our Year 8 students are participating in Socktober. This is an initiative of the Catholic Mission, which invites students to engage with developing world issues through the universal language of sport. Young people are challenged to ‘Sock it to Poverty’ using the world game of soccer. In the developing world, many children who love the game of soccer, cannot afford a proper ball and so, create their own soccer balls from whatever materials are available to them. In order to raise awareness of the crippling poverty that many children face around the world, the Socktober project encourages young people to create their own soccer ball from recycled materials and engage in a fun soccer match, while raising funds for the Catholic Mission. To find out more, please visit https://www.socktober.org.au/ and to donate, click here.

Annual Catholic Campaign 19-20 September – Supporting Centacare’s Homelessness Support Service

For most of us, the idea of being homeless is inconceivable. With friends, support networks and families to catch us when we fall, we know that should the worst happen, we have a safety net of loved ones in place.

But for thousands of people in our local community the loss of security, the fear of not knowing where to turn next, and the grief of not being able to provide a home for their children is very real.

Centacare’s Homelessness Support Program is hoping to raise much needed funds to provide services like crisis accommodation, counselling and support and to provide food and necessities for people who desperately need it. If you’re in a position to make a donation, please click here.

Live Jesus in our Hearts…Forever

Thank you to the Terrace Family for your renewed enthusiasm for our life changing Kolega Coffee – we’ve had a boom in sales in recent weeks.  

 To better support the increased sales, and make it even easier to enjoy a cup of delicious Kolega Coffee, the web store www.justiceproducts.org is undergoing a rebuild.

 The new store site will be live at the start of Term 4.

 You can still support the communities in the Emera region of Timor-Leste by buying Kolega Coffee from the Gregory Terrace Uniform Shop or from the Union St Café, located next to the Gregory Terrace campus.

If you have a large order that you would like to have filled before we reopen the web store you can email Rob Ryan at rob@robertryan.com.au with your order details. 

Obrigadu Kolega  (Thank you friend)  

I want to wish all members of our Terrace Family a happy and safe mid-semester holiday. I hope you get the opportunity to break from the normal school routines even if it just allows you to be a little slower out of bed in the morning on the odd occasion. Term 3 is always a busy term at a demanding time of the year. In many ways the boys need to be congratulated for working exceptionally well to keep their heads above water this term. However, we also need to understand that there is a ripple effect from the disruptions throughout the year and these will continue to influence student behaviour in various forms in Term 4.

Many thanks to the various parent Support Groups who have done so much to assist in the smooth running of programs this term. It has been crucial to the boy’s wellbeing that they have been able to re-engage in co-curricular activities. The College is very appreciative of the support from the parent community with the modifications required to allow the boys to participate in activities this term.

A reminder that the College has arranged for a “Parenting in the Digital Word” webinar occurring today on Zoom. The webinar is presented by trained staff form Dolly’s Dream and focuses on the online lives of children. In particular, the challenges associated with cyberbullying will be discussed. Two sessions are being conducted with the first at 10am and the second at 7pm this evening. Simply download Zoom and enter the meeting ID 83305554914 at the mentioned times.

As usual, we ask that the boys return to school with an appropriate haircut on the first day back for Term 4. A reminder that the Years 10 and 12 cohort photos will be taken on the first day back of term.  Please make sure your son is wearing his blazer.  Reminders will be sent out via social media. 

This year has seen the return of a few haircuts styles that don’t quite fit into the neat and tidy category. While we are acutely aware of the need to support mental health initiatives in the community, I am asking that any ‘Mullets for November’ haircuts are well and truly rectified prior to Term 4 commencing. The two areas that students need to pay particular attention to is that haircuts are blended on the sides and that hair can’t be pulled down over the eyebrows.  

Finally, I would again like to take this opportunity to wish all our families a happy and safe time during the Term 3 break and I look forward to seeing everyone again in Term 4.

As we come to the end of the examination period, it is important to take time over the holiday break to reflect upon the term.

The Year 12 progress reports will be available on the Parent Lounge from 12pm on Tuesday 22 September. The results contained within this report will include the mock external exam results and a cumulative result.

Our Year 12 students will have the opportunity to attend Open Classrooms in the second week of the holidays. Open Classrooms are an opportunity for students to supplement and extend their preparation for external exams. There is the option for students to attend subject specific workshops, one on one feedback sessions, participate in practice exams, and listen to guest speakers discuss exam preparation, wellbeing and stress management. A reminder for Year 12 students to sign up for the sessions that you wish to attend - volunteersignup.org/RH9TX

The Years 5-10 student’s progress report will be available on the Parent Lounge from 3pm on Friday 9 October. The results contained within this report will include the Term 3 result and a cumulative result. Year 11 students will also receive their report on 9 October. However, the Year 11 report will provide more detailed results on student achievement at the end of Unit 2. This will include detailed internal assessment results, a cumulative result, and a subject specific teacher comment.

While the individual subject result is an important indicator, reflection of how the result was achieved is a much more powerful message. A strong result will reinforce a student’s work ethic or positive change to study habits. A disappointing result will highlight the need to modify existing work habits and work ethic. It is vitally important that these messages are explained and reinforced.

To support the discussion, your son will again meet with their academic mentor through the first part of Term 4. This is an important aspect of our Academic Mentoring program. The conversation reinforces the importance of academic reflection on past performance and the implementation of strategies moving forward.

I trust that students and parents have a restful and enjoyable holiday.

I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees, Henry David Thoreau.

In my previous role as the Buckley House Dean, I was fortunate to have many opportunities to farewell the departing Seniors.  A very enjoyable part of the farewell process was the time spent with the boys as they reflected on their Terrace journey. They would share their stories, the highs and the lows, as well as their fondest memories. It was no surprise each year that many of the highs and great memories occurred outside the classroom. The camps and retreats at Maroon often feature in the reflections along with the successes and failures in their cultural and sporting pursuits. While the classroom is central to everything we do, it is the relationships that are forged and the experiences that are shared that become lifelong memories.

This week saw the conclusion of our nine rotations of camps and retreats for Year 10. While Girraween and Tennyson are spectacular venues, it will be the time ‘wasted’ with mates on the bus, around the campsite, out on the track and sharing stories that will be the lasting memories. I hope your son has enjoyed having a normal Term 3 and has made the most of the camp and retreat. I want to extend a thank you to Mr Toby Gowland and his team for creating the Outdoor Education camp and Mr Terry Thompson and our Campus Ministry staff for the Retreat program. A special thank you to our great friend, Br Damien Price, for sharing his skills and wisdom with your sons on the retreat.

It is difficult to believe that the final day of term is finally upon us, the first full, normal term for 2020! While blazers will no longer be compulsory in Term 4, we do need them for the Year 10 cohort photo on the first day back on Tuesday the 6 October. Over the break, please ensure that your son has had a haircut that complies with our College hair policy (as per the College diary) and that they bring their blazers (and student ID) along for the photo.

When we return after the holidays, one of our much-loved members of the Waterford team will be taking her first steps into retirement, after 14 years of dedication to Terrace and many years as a Terrace parent. Mrs Julie Ferris has been an integral part of caring for Terrace students as they journey through Waterford and previously running the Uniform Shop. Mrs Ferris, on behalf of all the boys, your colleagues and the extended Terrace Family, thank you.  We hope that the absence of bells and lost Akubras brings you joy and relaxation.

Happy holidays to every Waterford family – here’s to an exciting home run ahead. See you back for Term 4 with your blazer for the photo on day one!

Please find more information on Wheelers Ebooks here

Chess

After the 'bye' last week for our chess team, there was great anticipation over who would win or lose within the other eight teams to see where and how we placed. I am pleased to say that our team placed on par with our predictions, which were based on our team’s Queensland Junior Chess ratings. These ratings are the key to our success.

Thank you to our Terrace staff and coaches for their excellent work as we climb this ladder, and well done to the following students who won four or more of their GPS Chess games:

• Suren Jansz  - 5.5
• Jackson McConnachy - 5
• Matthew Brown - 5
• Kieran Mills - 4.5
• Thomas Wong - 4.5
• Max Chan - 4
• Bartholomew Marino-Cebulski - 4
• Luke Havu - 4

Cultural activities remain focused on the future

After missing our usual performances with live audiences and competition schedule, as a department we have been proactive with the additional time this has given our activities. Ensembles have enhanced skills that would otherwise have been skipped due to the rigour of preparing for performances and competition. Debating and Chess have engaged in further skill building workshops and classes to take the preparation and abilities of our teams even further in 2021. To this end, we feel the experiences we have offered have given all of our students the ability to remain engaged and ensure that they are moving forward.

As a result, we have a holiday period full of experiences for our students. From Debating seminars to practical Music examination preparation and filming for the 'new normal' type of performing. Thank you for supporting your sons’ journey through these experiences.

Staying in touch   

To keep in touch with all things cultural, we would suggest you download the Terrace App and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to ensure that you don’t miss a thing.   If you have any photographs or videos that you would like to share, please tag us. 

TWITTER           @GTCulture

INSTAGRAM      terrace_gtculture

YOUTUBE          Terrace Culture YouTube Channel

Welcome to Week 10

During Term 4, we will be running all ensembles based on our 2021 membership. For many, this will mean a change. Families will be contacted soon as to which ensemble(s) and the requirements.

I want to draw your attention to the Rhythm Section Workshops, Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 September (Week 2 of the holidays). These workshops focus purely on the guitarists, pianists, bass players and drummers of our four Big Bands and the Terrace Rock Band. We will be bringing in specialist tutors to work with the boys to hone their individual and collective ensemble skills. For some of these musicians, they will be newly minted members of these ensembles!

As you can see, we have other workshops running during the break. I ask that parents please respond promptly to the Parent Lounge invites so that we can generate accurate rolls and engage the appropriate number of tutors.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact the Music Department  music@terrace.qld.edu.au

Term 3 events

• Friday 18 September - AMEB Brass Clinic
• Monday 21 – Friday 24 September - Choir Camp
• Friday 25 September - AMEB Speech and Drama Exam
• Monday 28 September and Tuesday 29 September - Rhythm Section Workshop
• Wednesday 30 September - AMEB Brass Clinic

Term 4 events

• Wednesday 21 October - Chamber Concert
• Tuesday 17 November - Celebration of Excellence
• Wednesday 18 November - TPA Senior Music launch

Term 3 Sport

A fast-paced season of Terrace Term 3 sport has concluded for another year.  The term has delivered on solid participation numbers across six GPS sports in a unique sporting calendar, with Basketball, Tennis, Cross Country, Football, Rugby and Gymnastics accommodating over 1400 students on any given weekend.

I want to thank everyone involved in Terrace Sport this term: the boys themselves for their commitment to their teams and parents/caregivers for continuing to allow your sons to participate in Terrace sport, in what can be a demanding schedule. Thank you also to the coaches for their caring attitude to help, guide and teach the Terrace men gaining life lessons through playing team sports.

The Sports Directors have again done a superb job in running the respective sports, with many challenging requirements, but they have persevered and this has influenced our students and coaches through the weekly training and games. We are continually striving to improve our programs across all areas, and this will continue to be at the forefront of what we are about.

Term 3 Results

Our Term 3 performances have been solid across the board with an increase in results across all sports in the performance group, which reflects our work in coach education and the internal teaching systems we have implemented in recent times. Please find 1^st Sports final standings along with the Championship sports for Term 3.

• Basketball – Second
• Chess – Seventh
• Cross Country – Third
• Football– Second
• Gymnastics - Fourth
• Rugby – Currently fifth (playing the last round on Friday)
• Tennis – Sixth

Thanks

Many thanks to the various parent Support Groups who have done so much to assist in the smooth running of programs in what has been a challenging term. The College is very appreciative of the support from our families and more than ever we relied on these Support Groups to help implement the modifications required to allow the boys to participate in activities this term, thanks.

Thank you particularly to Mr Michael Holohan and Mrs Anne Forster for their outstanding contribution to the Cricket program and thank them for leaving the Cricket Support Group in a better place.  We wish Mr Matt Jackson and Mrs Janelle DeSouza all the best in running the Cricket Support Group for the coming seasons.

Term 4

During the holidays, Track and Field will be putting the finishing touches to their preseason preparation for the GPS Carnivals in Week 2 (Junior) and Week 3 (Senior).  I encourage all students who have finished Term 3 sports and have some athletic ability to get involved and take part in the Track and Field program to improve their physical components and represent the College.  Term 4 also provides preseason training for Cricket, Volleyball, Swimming and Rowing. 

Parent Lounge

Participation in the school Sport program is outstanding and will continue to be so due to the quality of the programming that allows for all levels of participation and the quality of coaching across individual sports.  The flow of communication to this number of families is essential to keep everybody informed. It is vital to ensure sure you sign-on electronically via Parent Lounge for the season and preseason activities offered each term.

Attendance at training

I ask that all boys commit to their attendance at training during the week and present ready for their games/lead up meets, home or away. Representing the College is something to be valued. Being a team member who can be depended on entails sacrifice and commitment, no matter the level or activity.

Uniform

Please be aware that all Directors, Coordinators and coaches have been asked to monitor training and playing uniform.  We want to ensure that we are representing the College and ourselves, both on and off the field, with the highest standards.

Communication

To remain up to date, please download the College App and select to receive notifications for your sons’ chosen activities. You will find updates, training schedules, team lists, playing schedules, game/meet locations and further information under the individual sport.

Please note we are moving away from ongoing email communication, with the College App as the primary source of communication.

Have a great Term 4 in Terrace Sport.

Tucked between the recent Year 12 mock exam block and the swiftly approaching holidays, this Captains’ Corner is both the first in a few weeks and the last for a few more. Right now, feels like a key moment for the Year 12 cohort, so this week I thought I would give a little insight into where we are on our Terrace journey – and how very rapidly it is coming to an end. In fact, this may very well be my last ever Captains’ Corner, so bear with me if it is a little longer than usual.

This year, external exams are the defining feature of the new ATAR system. Almost every Terrace Year 12 student walked into their first proper practice exam three weeks ago and the following two weeks of assessment saw us realise just how close the real exams are. This week we began putting the feedback into practice, and in under two weeks time, many students will give up a week of the holidays to continue that process.

Just how close to the end we are is impossible to miss, and not just because of exams. Friends are turning 18 – in greater numbers than any Senior cohort before us. It seems that every week someone new is getting their Ps (alas, I haven’t finished my hours), while sport seasons come to a close and applications for tertiary study loom. There is still plenty to look forward to in the near future – Senior Formal, Inter-House Track and Field, the odd barbecue and, for some, the final Kairos retreat – but nothing to change the fact that in just over two months, 13 years of schooling will be over.

For many, the next two months really are a motivation game. There are countless quotes I could put here, all of which the Year 12s are familiar with: don’t count the days, make the days count; nobody said it would be easy, they said it would be worth it;the harder you work, the luckier you get. This last one is a favourite of mine. More often than not, chance hides hard work, instead of just replacing it – whether it is Year 7, 12, or beyond.

All in all, it is really hard to imagine what Year 12 is like before you have experienced it. I would be interested to hear any insight into how the other years are travelling, and if you catch me, I am always up for a chat.

Have a great holiday!

We pray for the families of the following members of the Terrace Family who have gone to their eternal rest. 

Mrs Eugenie Marie HARGRAVES - Wife of Cec Hargraves (GT 1947), Mother of James (GT 1978), Paul (1981), Mark (1983) and Gerard (1985). Grandmother to Declan (2015), Conor (2015), Tom Murphy (Year 11 Reidy) and Dominic Murphy (Year 7 Reidy).

Terrace Performing Arts is raising money with Entertainment  

Help a great cause, support local community and save on a 12 or 24 month membership.

Go to the link here for more information.

Volunteering at the Terrace Shop

During Term 4 we are welcoming our newest students to the Terrace Family and we need your help! We would love to have you assist us in the Shop as each new student is fitted for his Terrace uniform.

It is a lovely tradition to have current parents volunteer in the Shop during this time. It gives new families an opportunity to meet other parents and ask those everyday questions in a friendly and welcoming environment.

It doesn’t matter if you have not volunteered with us before – we warmly welcome everyone! We will be here to help you and will give you a quick cheat sheet for the fitting process.

We will attend to the uniform fittings from Term 4 Week 1 -  Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am - 2.45pm. 

On Tuesdays 27 October, 10 November and 17 November we will need assistance until 5.15pm. There are two families booked at one scheduled time, therefore we hope to have two volunteers kindly assist after school.

If you are interested in helping us, please put your name down to volunteer via the following links.

• October 5 https://volunteersignup.org/3R3HT
• October 12  https://volunteersignup.org/AFR9Y
• October 19 https://volunteersignup.org/K3DPT
• October 26 https://volunteersignup.org/MJERA
• November 2 https://volunteersignup.org/KAW3C
• November 9 https://volunteersignup.org/XTR7P
• November 16 https://volunteersignup.org/8HQ8A

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We both look forward to welcoming you!

Donna Asnicar and Felice Gatenby terraceshop@terrace.qld.edu.au

Details: Friday 9 October - Saturday 10 October
Venue: Maroon Outdoor Education Centre
Cost: Free
RSVP: via the below link by Tuesday 6 October
For further information or camp enquiries, please contact
Brendan McGrath | BrendanMcGrath@Terrace.qld.edu.au 

Terrace Volleyball invites you and your friends to an  Exclusive Shopping Experience at the ESTEE LAUDER Corporate Store 
40% off retail including brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, M.A.C. & Bobbi Brown

Details: Saturday 24 October & Saturday 31 October  | 10am – 4pm 
Where: Level 2, 33 Park Road, Milton 
Cost: $10 (+ booking fee) | Includes entry 
RSVP: Please RSVP via the below link by 31 October
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Diana Weeden | polloni.weeden@optusnet.com.au

The College regrets to inform its loyal Old Boy community that the 2020 reunions have been cancelled. College staff and Old Boy reunion organisers will be in touch early in 2021 with new dates and arrangements for these events.
Please ensure your contact details are up to date, using the below link.
For further information regarding reunions, please contact 
Erin Bowpitt | erinbowpitt@terrace.qld.edu.au | 3214 5212 

Year 6 End of Year Break Up

Details: Friday 27 November | 12 - 3pm
Venue: Centenary Pool, Gregory Terrace Spring Hill
Cost: Admission - $15 (+bf) | Includes admission, sausage sizzle & cake
RSVP: Please RSVP via the below link
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Catherine Hennessy | terraceclass2026@gmail.com

Thank you to the Terrace Family for your renewed enthusiasm for our life changing Kolega Coffee – we’ve had a boom in sales in recent weeks.  

 To better support the increased sales, and make it even easier to enjoy a cup of delicious Kolega Coffee, the web store www.justiceproducts.org is undergoing a rebuild.

 The new store site will be live at the start of Term 4.

 You can still support the communities in the Emera region of Timor-Leste by buying Kolega Coffee from the Gregory Terrace Uniform Shop or from the Union St Café, located next to the Gregory Terrace campus.

If you have a large order that you would like to have filled before we reopen the web store you can email Rob Ryan at rob@robertryan.com.au with your order details. 

Obrigadu Kolega  (Thank you friend)