Dear Members of the Terrace Family,

Welcome to Week 4 and the midway point of the term. With this in mind, I begin by reinforcing the importance for all boys to be very focused on their homework and study program at this stage of the term.  For many year levels, assignments are now due, and good planning is required to ensure draft dates and completion dates are met. It is also important for students to be using their class time effectively.  Being attentive and engaged in class is vital to ensure important concepts are initially understood. These concepts can then be reinforced via individual study and revision programs. All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have been given their Checklist document which summarises the important information needed in each subject. I also remind parents and students that the staff provide an extensive range of tutoring throughout the week, which is another valuable resource for the students to use. These tutoring times are available on the Parent Lounge.

Most afternoons I am in Rogers Street assisting the students to cross the street safely and to help with general traffic management. I have written on a number of occasions about the importance of safe traffic management when driving around the streets near the school. Mr Damien Cuddihy also made some comments in last week’s Terrace News about important safety practices. I thank the many parents who are vigilant and alert when driving around the streets near school, particularly in the afternoon. However, I need to be very honest here and say that there are some parent drivers putting students and other drivers at risk. Over the last few weeks, I have witnessed a number of parents do U-turns in Rogers Street, double park and allow their sons to get into the car while double parked, pull into driveways to turn around, and the list goes on. Similarly, I have seen boys not showing appropriate awareness when getting into cars. I have raised this with the boys at College Assembly and reiterated the need to be aware of traffic when travelling home. I ask all parents to please show due caution and awareness when driving in Rogers and Victoria Streets, as well as the streets near Waterford. I thank you for your support of this very important issue.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the medal presentation for the Australian Mathematics Competition in Melbourne.  At the presentation ceremony, 30 young mathematicians received awards.  There were two recipients from Queensland amongst the 30 students, and I am very pleased to announce that they were both from Terrace.  Congratulations to Ben Zhang (Year 7) and Ryan Wong (Year 9) on receiving their awards.  I also congratulate their parents and their teachers for the work they have done in supporting Ben and Ryan.  It was a proud day for Terrace.  Well done Ben and Ryan.

Finally this week, on behalf of the Terrace Family, I offer all of our Track and Field athletes our best wishes as they prepare for the GPS Track and Field Championships on Thursday and Saturday.  The athletes have worked hard this season and are well prepared. Good luck to all athletes and coaches.

Have a great week.

God Bless.

Dr Michael Carroll
College Principal

Staff News

Monday last week was a significant occasion in the history of Queensland Education as district panel members gathered for Year 12 moderation and verification for each subject throughout the state for the final time. Terrace has had a large number of our staff involved in this process for an extended period both on district and state levels. We have benefitted greatly from the expertise developed through this contribution and in turn, so have our students throughout the life of the ‘Overall Position’ model. On your behalf, I acknowledged these staff at our most recent staff briefing and I take this opportunity to extend our congratulations and thanks for this magnificent service to the wider educational sector of Queensland and to the students of Terrace. This professional expertise will continue to be developed through the participation of staff in the processes involved in the new QCE model.

This week we have welcomed Ms Sally Birks to our teaching faculty as she is relieving for Mr David Mandall who has taken a short period of leave.

Congratulations to Mr Terry Thompson who has been appointed as Acting Dean of Identity for 2020 following Mr Charles Brauer’s appointment to the inaugural role of Dean of Administration. Subsequently, the College is facilitating selection processes for Acting Dean of Treacy House as well as the Buckley House position created by Mr Luke Gribble’s appointment as Dean of Waterford Place.

Mr Samuel Payne will be joining our Languages Faculty in 2020. Mr Payne joins us from St James College and will join the French teaching team. We look forward to his contribution. This follows on from the announcement that Mrs Andrea Kriewaldt will retire at the end of 2019.

Amazingly, this will be the last full week of classes for our Year 12 cohort. Next week, they commence their last exam block and final round of assessment. I clearly remember the first Year 12 assembly in Term 1 where I challenged the group to realise their strong academic potential. The College-accumulated data (NAPLAN, Year 10 Careers testing, internal results and predictive measures) on the 2019 cohort indicated a strong academic group. However, the challenge was how they would realise this potential and translate to an academic performance that the group, and each individual, can be proud of.

To date, the 2019 Seniors have risen to the challenge. They have increased their performance as a cohort on all measures as they have progressed through the year. Our predictive measures have the group placed at exactly the same point as the 2018 cohort. On the Ekka show holiday, 148 of the 196 seniors turned up for a QCS practice, the morning after their Senior Formal. The group's performance through the QCS testing days was excellent and we eagerly await the results on 13 November.

There is one more barrier to overcome. I have challenged the group to “Sprint through the finish line, not fall over it”. The danger academically of Term 4, is that all the hard work can be undone by not finishing well. The cumulative effects of sustained progress through the year are not fully realised until after Term 4 has been completed.

For the remainder of the College, exams are definitely on the horizon and assignments are approaching their due date. All students need to “Sprint through the finish line” and the increase in speed (revision, assignment drafting and early completion) starts now.

Last Friday, Mrs Loren Serafin-Huey (Program Leader Years 11 and 12), Mr Damien Fall (2020 College Deputy) and I attended a QCAA Principal’s forum. At the forum, Mr Chris Rider, the QCAA CEO, provided feedback on the first endorsement event that was held during Term 3. Endorsement is the QCAA moderation process that pre-endorses every internal assessment (IA) task prior to them being released to students. The first two of the three IA tasks were endorsed for every subject in every school in Queensland. Over 17000 pieces of assessment were moderated by over 1000 teachers, over two days at the Convention Centre. The endorsement process ensures that every IA undertaken by Senior students reflects the requirements of each subject's syllabus and provides opportunity for students to achieve at a level commensurate with their ability.

Our College Motto, Servire Deo Sapere – To serve God is to be Wise, articulates our commitment to the formation of Terrace Gentlemen to be young men of faith and learning. I have enjoyed listening to the final speeches of our Vice Captains over the last couple of assemblies and feel that the insight provided by these boys has certainly been reflective of the College motto and associated values. This week’s assembly was the last College Assembly for our Year 12s and those gathered were privileged to watch one of the most anticipated satirical pieces for the year in the ‘staff send-up’. Boys have a tendency to exaggerate! 

The assembly was one of a few key markers that the journey is coming to an end for our Senior students. In 2019, I feel that our Senior cohort have provided outstanding leadership across the many facets of daily life at the College. They have consistently given themselves for the betterment of others in the true sense of servant leadership offered by our founder Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice and the Christian Brothers who followed. Our thanks for the dedication displayed by our College Captain, Oliver Seawright and the Vice Captains of the College who have significantly added to the student leadership legacy of valuing a relational approach to the leadership of the student body in 2019 - an atmosphere where our younger students feel valued and known by the older members of our community. 

The final term of the year can sometimes be challenging in school communities. It is an exciting time of year but it is crucial that all students remain focused until the last day of the year. From Year 5 through to Year 12, the little things matter at Terrace. Staff are working hard to prepare lessons and provide feedback on drafts for the boys. Can I ask that you pick up on conversations with your sons that will assist us in providing a positive learning environment over the coming weeks. Standard of dress, punctuality, class etiquette and completing homework thoroughly are all conducive to maximising learning outcomes for your sons and will be continually reinforced by staff until the end of the year. 

Opportunity and Privilege

For those who gathered in the Chapel of the Holy Family on Tuesday moring, each name that our College Captains read out was a life lost and a light to be remembered. Each name resonated in the hearts of those gathered for our wonderful tradition of honouring those who we have lost from our Terrace Family, and our own families. The tradition continued this week with our Commemorative Mass, aligning with the Feast Days of All Saint and All Souls of this week.

We have all experienced the pain of loss and the burden it can place on our lives. Some would say that although we can grow to live with and carry the burden of loss, we never truly completely fill the void that loss can place in our lives. What a somber thought! However, it does provide us with the opportunity to keep those we have lost with us and alive in spirit through how we live our own lives. The spirit and memories of those we have lost can inspire us, protect us and guide us, just as a shepherd would tend to their flock.

One source of strength for me during times of loss has been the Psalm that can often be heard filling the atmosphere of those gathered to farewell a loved one – The Lord is My Shepherd. I love its gentle way of reminding us that although we may become physically separated from our loved ones, we can remain open to being guided by their spirit and the memories they have etched in us.

The Lord is my Shepherd and I want to follow wherever he leads me, wherever he goes.
Over the mountains, the waters and byways, valleys and highways, he’s waiting for me.

I want to go to meet him there, to lay myself down in his love.
The Lord is my Shepherd and I want to follow wherever he leads me, wherever he goes.

And while on the journey to where we are going he promised to be there to help us along.
And over the mountains we’ll walk on together, know all the wonders he’s given to me.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and with those who continue to find ways to carry the burden of loss from times past. 

Senior Music Students

With the final days for the Year 12 students approaching quite quickly, next Wednesday 6 November, the Terrace Performing Arts Support Group and Terrace Culture will take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the young men who have been a part of the Terrace Music program during their time at Terrace. 

Public Speaking

Well done to Max Mackley and Thomas White (both Year 7) who took part in the semi final of the UN Youth Voice competition. Congratulations to Thomas who has made it through to the Grand Final on 10 November at Parliament House. 

 State of Origin: The Musical

Old Boy, Hugh Lunn and Gerry Connolly are writing and producing State of Origin: The Musical.  Recently we provided students for a casting.  Dominic Tucker (AKA Alex the Lion from our 2019 Middle School Musical, Madagascar Jr) has been selected and will play the role of young Ron McAuliffe on this off, off, off Broadway musical. It will be staged at the Princess Theatre on 29 and 30 November.  We may also be preparing boys for a casting of the teenage Ron.

Senior Musical 2020

“Where do I see myself in a year?  I don’t know, I don’t have 2020 vision.” However I do know that we are proud and pleased to announce in May 2020 we will be the first school in Queensland to produce…..

Auditions will be called shortly so please keep your eye on our social media pages and your email. 

To whet your appetite, please click on the following links to hear some of the songs from School of Rock:

When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock

Stick It To The Man

Where Did The Rock Go 

Thermomix Raffle

The draw date for the second Thermomix raffle is quickly approaching.  This is a limited run with only 200 tickets being sold.  To grab your latest model Thermomix for $20, please click on the following link TPA - Thermomix Raffle 2.

Congratulations to Mrs Christine Beehler who was the winner of our first Thermomix draw.

Thank you to the TPA for this great raffle prize.

 Terrace YouTube

https://youtu.be/_UmFIVdQb_Y

Support Group Meetings: Please note the change of venues

Tuesday 19 November, Terrace Performing Arts –  5.30pm in the Francis Rush Room, Mt Sion.

TPAChair@terrace.qld.edu.au 

Tuesday 19 November, Debating Support Group – 5.30pm in the Mary Rice Room, Mt Sion.

DSGChair@terrace.qld.edu.au 

Staying in touch   

To keep in touch with all things Cultural, we would suggest you download the Terrace App and follow us on Twitter (@GTCulture) and Instagram (terrace_gtculture) to ensure you don’t miss anything. If you have any photographs or video that you would like to share, please tag us.

  https://twitter.com/gtculture        https://www.instagram.com/terr... 

Welcome to Week 4

Last Thursday night we held our second Chamber Music Concert in the Edmund Rice Theatre. Along with our top soloists from the College, we had special guests from J Percussion, featuring two of their many fine percussion ensembles.

The Celebration of Excellence Orchestra and Choir has been in rehearsal at the College each morning from 6.45 to 8.15am. These rehearsals are critical to the success of the awards evening. Can I please encourage you to come along to the Celebration of Excellence at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday 4 November. Aside from sharing in the successes of our students, you will also be enjoying extraordinary music and media productions with very high production values.

New music students coming into the College in 2020 in Years 5 and 7 have now been placed into ensembles, based on hearings held last week. New instrumental students will be hearing from tutors on Friday 6 November to introduce themselves and what their expectations are for lessons. Timetables will be then sent out on 20 January 2020.

Please note that there has been a correction to the date of the Valedictory Mass below.

Events - Term 4

• Thursday 24 October - Chamber Music Concert  
• Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November - Celebration of Excellence rehearsals  
• Saturday 30 November – Sunday 1 December - SHEP Primary  
• Monday 4 November - Celebration of Excellence  
• Wednesday 13 November - Spring Concert  
• Friday 15 November - Valedictory Mass 

Events - Term 1 2020 

• 20-24 January - Music Camp 

Reds Junior Rugby Academy

Congratulations to David Vaihu (Uner 18) and Joe Liddy (Under 16) on their selection in the Reds Junior Rugby Academy. Both boys have been selected after their impressive performances during this year’s GPS season. I wish both boys the very best.

 “How lucky I am to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” AA Milne.  

There is wisdom in this.  It resonates with me because it is why I am dreading saying goodbye to Terrace on 15 November.  I am lucky.  Soon I have to take off the Red and Black that I have worn for eight years.

A nostalgic reminisce promotes thinking about lessons learned, memories gathered and a formed perspective on the framing of my time.  A philosopher famously opined The choices we make about the lives we live determine the kind of legacies we leave. At Terrace the concept of legacy is something that is talked about a lot and I think for good reason. The decisions made by men many years ago who wore the same tie have left a legacy worthy of following. By appreciating and respecting legacy, a culture within the College has been established. Culture is everything. Culture helps find commonality with people you wouldn’t expect, and the 2019 Richmond Tigers are a testament to this. The Tigers squad had a Jehovah’s witness, a Muslim, blokes from the most elite private schools, blokes with bikie affiliations who had spent time in jail. Yet, a common ethos derived from their culture united them and they went on to win the premiership by the biggest grand final margin in the sport’s history. At Terrace our culture has had similar effect, fostering an unwavering and palpable brotherhood that permeates throughout the College courtyard, in the classrooms and sport ovals every weekend. In a school context, the foundations of culture exclusively reside in the actions of its people. As an extension of that, as I reflect on my past eight years, one thing becomes apparent- relationships build culture and belonging. The heart of the Terrace community lies in the camaraderie, the mateship, and the relationships formed.

When I reflect on my eight-year long journey, I long for one more Thursday afternoon fielding session, one more Japanese class, one more trip on the 379. But when I look back on these memories that brought me so much joy, I won’t remember Blair’s catching drills, I won’t remember the stroke order for kanji, I won’t remember the bus route, but I will remember the relationships from being involved. I will remember Tom Conway and Chuck Tracey’s words in the cordon, I will remember inside jokes with Ed Horsborough, I will remember the conversations about Ethan Lowe with Tom Romano over a Little Salt snack pack. I have Terrace to thank for these memories and for these relationships. These relationships will stay with me for a long time after my days in the red and black end. 

As the chapter of 2019 closes, if there is any advice I would give it would be to always remember time at Terrace is finite, but the relationships and memories are infinite. 

All the best to the Seniors of 2020 and the students who will start wearing the red and black next year and who will begin to gather their own memories.

TLG AGM

On Monday we had our TLG AGM at 7.30am in the Founders’ Room. I would like to congratulate Kris Siddle who has taken on the job of Secretary for the next two years. Thank you and welcome. We are still looking for people to fill the hospitality positions. As the current ladies expressed, this is more of a managing role and not a cooking role. We have our events catered for. If you are good at organising people and bossing them around, this role is for you.  It best suits at least two people to share the workload.

Terrace to the fore – celebrating 145 years

Save the Date – 6 June 2020

Next year will mark St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace’s 145 year anniversary. In celebration, the TLG will host the 2020 Red and Black Ball. For families new to Terrace, this event is held every five years and is always a night to remember.  Next year’s ball will focus on the Terrace Family and our school’s long history of sending Terrace Gentlemen into the world to make their mark.

The event will be held on 6 June 2020 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and tickets will be available early in the year. Watch this space. 

Why always being late is not ok

In recent years it seems that a meeting set to start at 6pm, for some people means in the general vicinity of any time which starts with the numeral ‘6’. Like 6.30 for example. Some drift in at 6.10 or 6.20, or even later. And they smile warmly at the waiting group, as they get settled, apparently totally unconcerned that others have been there since five to six, prepared and ready to start.

Do not think for one minute I am Snow White in this department. I too am guilty, and last Monday fell victim to my pushing the boundary of time and failed terribly, and yes I felt bad. If there are ten people kept waiting in a meeting for 20 minutes, it is actually 20 minutes x 10, which is 200 minutes wasted – while you keep us waiting because you did not leave earlier. That is over three hours wasted. Often these ‘latecomers’ are people who have requested the meeting in the first place and are asking for your help.  

It is not that we lead ‘busy lives’. That’s a given, we all do, and it is a cop out to use that as an excuse. It is simply that some people no longer even pretend that they think your time is as important as theirs. And technology makes it worse. It seems texting or emailing that you are late somehow means you are no longer late or getting caught up on your device and pushing time to its limit.

Why is chronic lateness such a trap? Many people who are regularly late have dealt with this issue for years, if not the majority of their adult lives. These negative behaviours can become part of a person’s ingrained routine, and may even form mental pathways in the brain that get strengthened over and over again, every time they go out.

Punctuality is a matter of consideration for others. It is a sign of good manners, sometimes deference and sometimes merely a willingness to cooperate. It need not imply a difference in status. It arises out of perspective, graciousness, and clarity about self-assertion. It is a social necessity. 

Being late expresses disrespect. It implies other priorities. No one likes to wait for someone, wondering if the person is challenging or forgetting them. My challenge for you is can you make the change today. Try to leave just those five minutes earlier to wherever you are going. The results are worthwhile.

Date Claimers 

• Friday 1 November 10am - Vintage Terracians Morning Tea 
• Friday 8 November 9.30am - TLG Thanksgiving Mass, Morning Tea, Founders’ Room 
• Friday 15 November 1.30pm – Valedictory Dinner Setup, Brisbane City Hall 
• Wednesday 4 December 8am – Whole School Staff Lunch, Campbell Centre 

Dates for 2020

• Saturday 22 February 2020 6pm – Girls' Night Out, Gambaro Restaurant
• Saturday 6 June 6pm GT 145 Ball – Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre

Parent Volunteering in the Terrace Shop

During Term 4 we are welcoming our newest students to the Terrace Family and we need your help! We would love the assistance of current parents in the shop as each new student is fitted out in 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 who is a current Terrace parent! 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 Week 1 Term 4 - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8.30am to 2.45pm.  There are two families booked at a time, therefore we need two volunteers for each fitting.

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

• 5 November https://volunteersignup.org/AFR9Y
• 12 November  https://volunteersignup.org/3R3HT

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

Mrs Donna Asnicar and Mrs Felice Gatenby 

Terrace Shop

terraceshop@terrace.qld.edu.au

Tickets on sale tomorrow, Friday 1 November @ 9am.

Details: Friday 28 February | 12.30pm
Where: Queensland Cricketers' Club, Wooloongabba
Cost: Table of 10 - $1500 or Individual Ticket - $150 (+ booking fees) | Includes 2 course lunch and 4 hour premium beverage package
RSVP: Please RSVP using the below booking link by Friday 21 February
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Matthew Jackson | matthew.jackson@astutefinancial.com.au

The Terrace Family is warmly invited to attend this special evening on the College calendar, celebrating the many and varied achievements of our diverse community. 
Date: Monday 4 November | 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start
Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
RSVP: No RSVP necessary

Order a delicious tray of juicy mangoes and help support Windsor House's Friendship Group fundraising. 

Details: Orders close Friday 15 November. Delivery to Gregory Terrace for pick up Friday 22 November.
Cost: $35 per tray (+ booking fees) 
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Anthony Hayward | AnthonyHayward@Terrace.qld.edu.au

The ultimate raffle prize to end 2019 - a brand new Hyundai Accent, valued at over $17 480!

With a one in 350 chance of winning, this may be your best spent $100 all year long.  Tickets available for purchase using the below link.

Details: Sunday 1 December | 1.00pm - 4.30pm
Where: Tennyson Playing Fields
For further information or enquiries, please contact 
Blair Copelin | BlairCopelin@Terrace.qld.edu.au

Want to help but poor on time?

You can now donate money directly to Terrace's Care and Concern Committee. Cash donations will be used to purchase ingredients to make meals for Terrace families and staff in need. 
All donations are appreciated greatly, and will support the important work this committee undertakes for our community.

Win a brand new Thermomix TM6 - just released model!

Only 200 tickets will be sold.  $20 per ticket - get in quick before they sell out!
For further details or enquiries, please contact
Nicole Hoffmann | nhof8777@bigpond.net.au | 0417 793 583

Year 6 Parent/Caregiver Function

Details: Friday 8 November | 7.00pm - 11.00pm
Where: Hello Gorgeous, 32A Chester St Newstead
Cost: $41pp (+ booking fees) | Includes drink on arrival and nibbles
RSVP: Please RSVP using the below link by 4 November
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Bec Gasciogne | rgascoigne@retailfirst.com.au | 0419 792 463

Year 8 End of Year Parent/Caregiver Function

Details: Saturday 9 November | 7.00pm - 10.00pm 
Where: Newstead Brewery Co, Castlemaine St Milton 
Cost: $33pp (+ booking fees) | Includes nibbles 
RSVP: Please RSVP using the below link by 5 November 
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Nicole Hoffmann |nhof8777@bigpond.net.au | 0417 793 583

Year 7 End of Year Parent/Caregiver Function

Details: Friday 15 November | 7.00pm - 11.00pm
Where: Bloodhound Corner Bar & Kitchen, Brunswick St Fortitude Valley
Cost: $33pp (+ booking fees) | Includes drink on arrival and substantial finger food
RSVP: Please RSVP using the below link by 11 November
For further information or enquiries, please contact 
Anna Wright | amwright1@optusnet.com.au

Year 5 End of Year Parent/Caregiver Function

Details: Saturday 16 November | 6.30pm - 10.30pm
Where: Newstead Brewery Co, Castlemaine St Milton 
Cost: $33pp (+ booking fees) | Includes nibbles
RSVP: Please RSVP using the below link by 5 November
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Kerry Whimp | pwhimp@bigpond.net.au | 0418 721 336

Year 6 End of Year Break Up

Details: Friday 29 November | From 12.00pm
Where: Centenary Pool, Gregory Terrace Spring Hill 
Cost: $15.50pp (+ booking fees) | Includes drink on arrival and nibbles 
RSVP: Please RSVP using the below link by 25 November 
For further information or enquiries, please contact 
Bec Gasciogne | rgascoigne@retailfirst.com.au | 0419 792 463

2020 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government will conduct its annual statewide survey of Year 12 completers in 2020. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June next year, our current Year 12 students will receive a letter from the Minister for Education or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office inviting you to complete the survey. To enable them to reach you, please ensure your contact details are correct in your learning account by logging intowww.studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au

Further information on Next Step and results from previous surveys are available online at www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.