Eagles' Wings Summer 2021

SUM ME R ISSUE 2021

Maths extension | Governor’s farewell | Norman Creek study | Welcome to sport | Accessible campus | Study skills success

Key dates 24 Jan

2 Feb

4 Feb

10 Feb

4 Mar

First day of Term 1

Founder’s Day Service

Headmaster’s Welcome to Parents

Academic Celebration Assembly

GPS Swimming Championships

11 Mar

12 Mar

20 Mar

22 Apr

25 Apr

Prep School Dinner Party

Head of the River

OBA Invitational Cricket Tournament

Churchie Boarding Moree Show

Churchie Anzac Day Ceremony

28 Apr

4 May

6 May

12 May

13 May

Senior Musical

Open Day

Generations in Jazz

Churchie Choral Concert

OBA Invitational Golf Tournament

19 May

26 May

27 May

28 May

7 Jun

GPS Cross Country Championships

Churchie Boarding FNQ Field Days

Vintage Vikings Lunch

The Churchie Ball

Churchie Boarding FarmFest

8 Jun

16 Jun

16 Jun

23 Jun

24 Jun

Churchie Boarding ICPA, Blackall

Prep School Billy Cart Grand Prix

Churchie Junior Chess Festival

Churchie Boarding Ag-Grow Emerald

Ag-Grow Field Days, Emerald

Anglican Church Grammar School Oaklands Parade, East Brisbane 4169 Queensland Australia Tel +61 3896 2200 www.churchie.com.au Editorial enquiries: eagleswings@churchie.com.au Cover image: Henry Bissett (Year 6) in extension mathematics

Statement of Commitment Anglican Church Grammar School supports the rights of children and young people and is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students. Churchie is committed to responding to allegations of student harm resulting from the conduct or actions of any person, including that of employees.

This commitment includes the provision of a safe and supportive living and learning environment for all students and requires all employees, volunteers and visitors to model and encourage behaviour that upholds the dignity and protection of students from harm. In support of this commitment, Churchie is dedicated to its Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, which includes having relevant policies, procedures and training in place to effectively address the safety and wellbeing of students in their care.

Contents

02 04 06 07 HEADMASTER ’S MESSAGE

GOVERNOR’S FAREWELL

TOP SCHOLARS

EXTENSION MATHS

08 10 12 14 SMOOTH SAILING

WELCOME TO SPORT

MUSIC TOUR

STUDY SKILLS

16 17 18 20 'THE CHURCHIE'

PREP PAGEANT

CREEKSIDE LEARNING

CHURCHIE FOUNDATION

22 24 26 28 OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

OLD BOYS’ REUNIONS

IN MEMORIAM

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Visit churchie.com.au/eagleswings to update your subscription details and view past issues of the magazine.

F R O M T H E H E A D M AS T E R

The Churchie Chess Premier team with their GPS Premiership trophy

02

Message from the

Headmaster

Putting aside all the twists and turns of this year, our students, staff and families have displayed an attitude of quiet determination to pursue all, or most of, the quintessential elements of a Churchie education, either on campus or in new and exotic destinations.

The rigorous academic programmes, the creative arts and music programmes, our emerging educational research programmes, and a range of co-curricular activities, some iconic, some new, have all featured throughout this year, often in a blend of traditional and contemporary approaches.

Into mid-December, when classes had concluded for the academic year, our students were engaged in significant challenges as representatives of Churchie. Notably, our Premier Chess team, consisting of Sraven Renjith (Year 8), Michael Ostapenko (Year 12), Dashiell Young (Year 11), Nicholas Bond (Year 9) and Ryan Liaw (Year 9), won its third consecutive national chess title, securing the Secondary Open division of the 2021 Australian Schools Teams Chess Championships, following wins in the Primary Open division in 2020 and the Secondary Open division in 2019. These students provide a fine example of so many in our community who have simply been determined to pursue challenges within and beyond the School in the activities in which they thrive.

The changing circumstances of the previous months have provided new opportunities for students to learn, develop and grow. A great example of this was the School’s first-ever music tour into central western Queensland.

While the School has a wonderful history of taking our music programmes to destinations across Australia and Europe, this year the Outback Music Tour enabled a love of music to be shared in Queensland towns and locations from which many of our long-standing boarding families come. Hitherto, such opportunities may not have been considered; however, changed circumstances have encouraged new and innovative ways to shape our learning programmes. Quite apart from performing music and honing their skills as musicians, our students were excellent ambassadors for the School and established lasting connections in many iconic Queensland locations.

Many stories and activities feature our students being extended and having to call on previously unidentified strengths and resilience to complete tasks. Whether it be in the School’s extensive Outdoor Education programme, in an Advanced Mathematics course or, indeed, in the youngest year levels’ sports training and skills development, challenging and testing our students has remained central to our mission.

I commend our students, staff, families and Old Boys who continue to pursue passions and interests and, in particular, for seeking new ways to get things done in the dynamic times in which we live and serve.

As a wonderful insight into the second half of 2021, I commend this edition of Eagles’ Wings to you.

Warm regards Dr Alan Campbell Headmaster @ChurchieHM

The Churchie Chess Premier team at the 2021 Australian Schools Teams Chess Championships

03

Legacy

of service Governor Paul de Jersey as reviewing officer of the Beating Retreat in 2016

On 1 November, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO and Mrs Kaye de Jersey departed Government House, concluding his seven-year term as the 26th Governor of Queensland. Churchie was represented at the ceremony by the Headmaster and prefects from the class of 2022, honouring the School’s enduring connection to His Excellency, a proud Churchie Old Boy (1965).

The governor served for all Queenslanders, particularly our regional and remote communities and school communities across the state. We were honoured to welcome His Excellency to Churchie several times to share his connection to the School at significant milestones in our history.

These include: • welcoming His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, KG GCVO at Churchie in 2014 to commemorate over 50 years of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award • welcoming members of the Gurkha Regiment of the British Army to Churchie in 2015

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• officially opening several new school buildings, including The Centenary Library, the School’s largest single construction project in 2017 • unveiling The Spirit of Magnus sculpture in Magnus Quad in 2017 • reviewing officer for the Tri-Service Cadets Graduation Parade in 2016.

We thank His Excellency for staying connected to his old school while providing outstanding servant leadership to Queenslanders everywhere, demonstrating humility and distinction.

At his farewell parade the governor noted, ‘It has been an enormous honour to serve the people of Queensland as governor, with Kaye’s abiding support. It has been a particular privilege to support regional Queensland. While we will miss our intensive interaction with the people of Queensland, we leave government as unrelentingly proud Queenslanders with great cause to be optimistic and positive about our state’s future. A proud and grateful farewell to you all.’

Chatting with students waiting for the arrival of Prince Edward, 2014

Receiving a Gold Pocket from School Council Chairman Dan O’Connor AM and Headmaster Dr Alan Campbell, 2021

His Excellency and Max Dang, 2015

Opening of The Centenary Library with The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall, the Chairman and the Headmaster, 2017

Meeting School Captain Sebastian Kebby at the inauguration ceremony in 2014

Unveiling The Spirit of Magnus, 2017

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George Dance, top in QCE

Raymond Zhuang, top in IB

George Dance commenced Churchie in Year 7 as a boarder and was recognised at Speech Night as the top achiever in the QCE pathway.

His Churchie experience demonstrates the great benefits of becoming fully immersed in school life and seizing every opportunity.

Raymond Zhuang commenced Churchie in Year 7 and concluded his Churchie journey this year as the top achiever in the IB Diploma Programme pathway. Raymond’s success is a testament to the value of well-placed effort and pursuit of excellence in academic, co-curricular and service pursuits.

What was your favourite subject?

I enjoyed Literature the most because it never particularly came naturally to me, and, as a very niche subject, it taught me a lot about people and the various valid and unique perspectives that exist.

What helped you be successful in your academics?

I believe the largest contributor was my routine. A consistent and balanced approach to learning is really the only reason I managed to achieve what I did.

What else did you make the most of during your time at Churchie?

Being part of the boarding community played a vital role in helping me develop the routine that I believe led to my academic success.

Boarding helped me become more all-rounded in my approach to school, helping me appreciate emotional intelligence along with academic intelligence. Sport also played a large part in my success, as it provided an outlet for me throughout the year. It helped me create a lot of balance in my life. This year I participated and trained in rowing, rugby, cross country and track and field.

What are your future plans?

At the moment I am very open-minded about the future.

However, I am planning to either go to Canberra or Sydney to study medicine, a pursuit I am very passionate about.

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What was your favourite subject?

I really enjoyed Philosophy. We spent most of our classes actively philosophising through class discussions. I found this much more enjoyable than just memorising content.

What helped you be successful in your academics?

I think the reason for my academic success was studying effectively.

I wasn't particularly smarter than my peers, but I did have a unique approach. By beginning my study with practice exams, I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, I could use the mark schemes of these exams to learn specifically how the examiner wants the answer to be written. I would attempt every question to the best of my ability before searching for the answers, which is an indispensable exam skill.

What else did you make the most of during your time at Churchie?

I was a member of the Senior A Debating team, which won the state championship (QDU). I was also an avid participant in sports (chess, tennis and volleyball) and service was an essential component of my years at Churchie.

What are your future plans?

I am looking to pursue medicine in the coming years, but I am still undecided as to which specific pathway I will take.

Advanced

maths

A unique programme is inspiring and extending our young mathematicians with advanced concepts and challenges well beyond their years.

Former chemical engineer and now Senior School maths and science teacher Dr Andrew King has been working with budding Prep School mathematicians in an extension maths programme. In weekly lessons, the boys grapple enthusiastically with mathematical concepts and challenges that they would not typically be exposed to until well into high school.

In our lessons, we had the opportunity to extend the curriculum with relevant, physical examples and looked at mathematics from different perspectives and across disciplines.

There were many joyous moments for the boys, particularly in creating things, and for me as I witnessed the penny drop as they worked things out.’

The programme was made possible by special arrangement between the Prep and Senior Schools to create a timetabled lesson for Dr King to visit the Prep School and share his love of maths with the boys.

Dr King reflects, ‘I really enjoyed seeing a group of young men take such an interest in mathematics, exploring what it is and how we use it. I was impressed by their enthusiasm, attention to detail, work ethic, their questions and the comradery they showed when working together.

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08

Smooth

sailing When Oscar Di Vincenzo finished Year 12 this year, he became the first student on wheels to graduate from Churchie. This marked a significant milestone for both Oscar and the School, a testament to Oscar’s resolve to seek the full Churchie experience, supported by his family, and a wide-ranging programme to improve accessibility across the campus.

Oscar commenced Churchie in Year 4.

He has a neuromuscular condition of uncertain aetiology, similar to spinal muscular atrophy, which is characterised by weakness and muscle wastage. It led to Oscar requiring a mobility scooter.

Oscar’s scooter was to become iconic as he made his way through the School.

However, transforming a school to be accessible to a student ‘on wheels’ was both a challenge and an opportunity. Working with Disability Australia and Oscar’s family, the School established an accessibility plan and established immediate and long-term solutions to transform a 100-year-old campus into an accessible school—for Oscar and all future students and visitors.

For a young Oscar, commencing Year 7 was exciting but daunting given the additional challenges he faced in the high school environment. Oscar recalls: Initially, I refused to use the scooter. I was scared about being excluded and judged, and didn’t want to stand out. However, that changed when I realised the impact it was having on my fellow students.

They had already accepted my condition and that it was difficult for me to get around.

I was always late for my classes and had to rely on friends to carry my bags and books.

Having the scooter gave me true independence. I didn’t realise how much energy it took to get around without it. I was able to attend entire lessons, and I had far more energy to concentrate. The scooter became a novelty, and I was the cool kid, able to give others rides on the back, zipping around corners on two wheels. However, a few spills with scraped elbows and legs later, that was quickly stopped. But any worry about not fitting in was also gone.

I have always felt free and able to communicate openly to get things changed or acknowledged.

Churchie has always found ways to just make things happen. I have had great ongoing support and fairness.

By participating in all the inter-house events (including cross country) this year, I wanted to simply prove a point—no one has an excuse to sit it out. If I could do it, then anybody could do it.

I hope this inspires others to get involved.

Throughout his Churchie journey, Oscar’s achievements and experiences are impressive.

They sum up Oscar’s steadfast determination: My biggest achievements were completing all the school camps (especially the Year 10 open keel boat sailing camp on Peel Island); representing service as Mansfield Vice Captain; achieving Bronze and Silver Duke of Ed Awards; Navy Cadets; being the assembly photographer and winning runner up for Camera Obscura; winning Churchie Rowing’s Spirit of the Gut Busters Award; and receiving the Archbishop’s Award for most improved student at Speech Night this year.

09

Welcome to

sport

Churchie’s youngest students are taking advantage of Churchie’s world-leading sporting programmes from the moment they commence school.

Among the many things for which Churchie is renowned, strength in sport ranks highly—whether it be measured

by GPS premierships and Australian representatives; by the breadth of offerings, depth of programmes and record student participation; or by the quality of sporting facilities and programmes.

While a world of sporting opportunity awaits boys commencing Year 5 or Year 7, for many Churchie Prep School students, their journey starts earlier.

Churchie has several programmes under a ‘welcome to sport’ banner for students as young as five years old (Reception year).

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Each of the programmes has access to the Senior School’s top coaches and the exceptional Churchie sporting facilities.

These include basketball, football, chess, swimming and tennis. Programme structures and activities are tailored to the junior sportsmen and to enthuse, engage and inspire.

Established in 2008, Churchie Hoops introduced the youngest boys to the world of basketball, developing skills, fitness, teamwork and coordination. Director of Sport (and previous Director of Basketball) Trent Goodrick notes, ‘The Hoops programme has seen boys follow their basketball journey from the Prep courts through to winning a GPS premiership or securing state and national representation.

The opportunity to access a structured sports programme has established a fertile foundation that benefits both the participants and the programme. Boys learn from the start the high expectations from players in terms of commitment and behaviour, along with the Churchie style of play that has transferred into results across all age divisions that are unmatched by other GPS schools.’

Following the success of Hoops, a football (soccer) programme commenced in 2011.

Boys from Reception can participate in weekly sessions as well as holiday programmes or an Easter holiday camp.

Boys receive expert instruction from the coach of Churchie’s First XI, currently former professional player Scott MacNicol. Director of Football Derek Lennon says, ‘Introduction to football is designed to be fun and engaging, while teaching the basic principles of our football programme. It is good physical activity, engaging and active, and great for boys to try out the sport at this young age.’

Credited with sharpening the minds of many young Churchie boys, Chess Academy commenced in 2013, offering chess coaching and match practice. Budding chess players are matched against others of similar ability (rather than age), with the academy home to both novice players and

state champions alike. Also, a feature of Chess Academy is that it is open to students outside of Churchie, with many sisters of Churchie boys joining in.

Director of Chess Max Condon explains, ‘Chess Academy is a safe space where students can find others with similar ability and investment in the game. They make true friends spending time in a common pursuit. If you have a look at the age of Brisbane‑based chess champions over the last six years, you will find an uncanny correlation with our Chess Academy roll.

We have produced more champions of higher quality, quicker than any other school‑based chess programme.’

Swimming and tennis also offer opportunities for up-and-coming young sportsmen in the Prep School. Through Churchie Aquatics, also open to the general public, learn-to-swim and development squads cater to a range of ages and abilities. Tennis for all ages is supported

by Ian Malpass Tennis.

These early pathways nurture bodies and minds, inspiring boys to experiment and find where their passions lie. They also allow senior students in each sport to develop leadership skills as assistant coaches. Opportunities for personal growth abound in this tenet of the School, and we can be assured the future of sport at Churchie is in safe hands.

11

Music in the

outback

With restrictions preventing interstate and international travel during the pandemic, Churchie’s music department sought destinations closer to home for the 2021 music tour.

In previous years, Churchie musicians have travelled internationally to China and New Zealand as well as Mount Gambier in South Australia for Generations in Jazz.

Music tours provide an intensive extension and enrichment experience for musicians.

They are challenging long days of travel, rehearsals, setting up, performing and bumping out, not just once but multiple times a day. The personal and musical growth achieved is long-lasting and life-changing.

As the COVID-19 pandemic entered its second year, hopes to tour internationally were ruled out early, with music staff looking for local options. Fortunately, Churchie

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has long and deep connections across Queensland, and the idea of a tour to central Queensland found support amongst staff and students alike.

In the June/July holidays, 50 Churchie musicians from Years 7 to 12, representing choral, strings and band ensembles, flew to Longreach to commence a musical journey, venturing from the outback to the central highlights via Emerald and Carnarvon Gorge.

Performances were many and varied, including aged-care homes, schools, and festivals. One performance as a massed choir was broadcast live across Queensland via ABC radio into every regional station.

There were moments for the group to experience outback Queensland culture and heritage with visits to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame and a hike in Carnarvon Gorge, which included a flashmob performance in a natural amphitheatre.

The group returned with many hours of experience performing outside their comfort zone—a dusty train station, a cramped community hall, a windy tent and an awe‑inspiring but wet and cold cave.

We hope the boys remember their experiences fondly and that a return visit will be possible one day soon.

Music tour 2021 performances • 22 June Longreach Train Station live radio performance • 22 June Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, Longreach • 22 June Bolton Clarke Pioneers retirement village, Longreach • 23 June Maraboon Tavern, Emerald • 24 June Ag-Grow Field Days, Emerald • 24 June Emerald State High School • 24 June Mayfair Tavern, Emerald • 25 June, The Amphitheatre, Carnarvon Gorge

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Effective and

confident learners The Churchie Research Centre has created A Learner’s Toolkit to teach students effective study strategies. After four years, the programme has successfully produced impactful results for Churchie students.

Students in Year 7 through to Year 10 complete a journey through the Academic Skills and Mentoring (ASM) curriculum, where they learn a variety of study skills from A Learner’s Toolkit and develop themselves as independent and resilient learners. The Churchie Research Centre is also beginning to share key research outcomes and resources for all educators and parents.

These initial findings are the result of a longitudinal project following the progress of students who entered the Senior School in 2018, the first cohort to benefit from study skills training and intervention programmes.

At key points, students were measured on their belief about study and preferred study methods. The results show that students successfully adapted to secondary schooling, completing the middle years with accurate understandings of their study skills and equipped with more effective strategies.

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The transition into secondary school is a challenging time become more self-aware of their academic abilities and their progress as students. It is common to see students struggle with negative experiences and feelings associated with achievement, which reduces their belief in their ability to study. This is evident in Phase B, see diagram bottom right, showing student confidence moving closer to ‘unsure’ and is a recognised phenomenon known as the ‘middle-years dip’. However, as the cohort undertook explicit training in A Learner’s Toolkit strategies, their confidence increased and remained constant through Phase D. Furthermore, this sample assessed their ability to study more effectively and consistently than previous cohorts at Churchie.

Impact on study preferences and use Making the most of your study effort and time is a critically important priority for busy students. We know that, as informed by cognitive science, not all study strategies are equally effective, with many of the more

common strategies yielding the lowest benefit per time spent.

Students commence secondary school favouring low-impact strategies such as re‑reading notes and memorising formulas, facts and definitions. Student study patterns are also mostly driven by looming assessment (e.g. cramming for an exam).

Through their Academic Skills and Mentoring timetabled classes, reinforced by their subject class teachers, students successfully adopted more effective strategies, such as practice tests, quick reviews, brain dumps and flashcards. By Year 10, the cohort demonstrated a higher prevalence to choose more effective study strategies.

Thank you to the Churchie Research Centre team of Dr Terry Byers and Dr Vicky Leighton.

We look forward to you continuing to empower students in their learning, both at Churchie and elsewhere.

Read the full articles on the Churchie Research Centre research blog.

How A Learner's Toolkit impacts study preferences www.churchie.com.au/academic/ churchie-libraries/churchie-researchcentre/how-a-learner-s-toolkit-impactsstudy-preferences Impact of A Learner’s Toolkit on student study beliefs www.churchie.com.au/academic/ churchie-libraries/churchieresearch-centre/impact-of-alearner%E2%80%99s-toolkit-onstudent-study-bel Not all study strategies are equal www.churchie.com.au/academic/ churchie-libraries/churchie-researchcentre/not-all-study-strategies-are-equal

The top three strategies students use in their study routines When students experience training that is systematically embedded within their immediate assessment and curricula context, they are more likely to translate the desired higher utility strategies into their study routine.

Phase A Baseline (start of Year 7)

Phase B Ad-hoc Training (mid Year 7 to end Year 8)

1. Re-reading

77%

1. Practice Questions

86%

2. Cramming

70%

2. Cramming

84%

3. Memorisation

62%

3. Re-reading

74%

Phase C Timetable Training (start of Year 7 to Year 10)

+31%

+14%

-3%

1. Practice Test

88%

2. Quick Review

79%

3. Cramming

77%

+15%

+32%

-7%

' I feel confident that I know how to study.'

The approach to training in the use of certain strategies can have a significant impact on a student's belief in their ability to study.

Phase A Baseline (start of Year 7) STRONGLY DISAGREE

STRONGLY AGREE

Phase B Ad-hoc Training (mid Year 7 to end Year 8) STRONGLY DISAGREE

STRONGLY AGREE

Phase D Training Continuum (start Year 9 to end Year 10) STRONGLY DISAGREE

STRONGLY AGREE

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Award-winning

art

Apotheosis (2021) by Nina Sanadze. Photography: Joe Ruckli

Melbourne-based artist Nina Sanadze was announced as the winner of the churchie emerging art prize 2021 at the IMA on Friday 22 October, selected by guest judge Rhana Devenport ONZM, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Nina’s sculptural work Apotheosis (2021) is constructed from the surviving studio archive of prominent Soviet monumental sculptor Valentin Topuridze (1907-1980) whose public sculptures were torn down in 1989 with the fall of the Soviet regime.

Judge Rhana Devenport explained: ‘Plaster models, moulds and fragments are rescued and accumulated to form unexpected conversations as limbs, bodies, horses and uniforms entwine in a tumbling concatenation of loss and hope.’

Nina took home the $15,000 non-acquisitive cash prize, which was donated by long‑standing sponsors of ‘the churchie’, BSPN Architecture.

A Special Commendation Prize of $5,000, sponsored by Fardoulys Constructions, was awarded to Brisbane-based Kyra Mancktelow and two Commendation prizes of $1,000, sponsored by Madison Cleaning Services, were awarded to Sydney-based Riana HeadToussaint and Brisbane-based Visaya Hoffie.

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The prize winners were selected from 14 finalists whose artworks were displayed in an exhibition at Fortitude Valley’s Institute of Modern Art from 9 October to 18 December.

The finalists’ exhibition was curated by artist, writer and curator Grace Herbert in a role sponsored by Armitstead ART Consulting.

Scan the QR code to view a virtual exhibition featuring the artworks of the 14 finalists.

Hey Ewe The 2021 Prep School Christmas Pageant featured the wonderful talents of our 130 Reception to Year 2 students. The boys performed magnificently as they retold the Christmas nativity story from the perspective of Ewe the sheep.

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Creekside

learning ‘Sharing the planet’ is one of the six transdisciplinary themes that form the curriculum framework for the IB Primary Years Programme in the Prep School.

The theme encourages students to inquire into such topics as communal and individual rights and responsibilities towards sharing, managing and accessing natural resources.

Fortunately, Churchie is surrounded by ecosystems to engage and enthuse students in their learning. Year 5 students completed a unit of inquiry with the central idea ‘Life adapts to change’ exploring the many examples found in and around Norman Creek.

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With testing and measuring equipment, the boys recorded data about water temperature, current, depth and visibility. They noted the behavioural and physical characteristics of animals living in and around the water.

The students learned how wildlife has adapted to their environment and were fascinated to discover so much more about a natural environment situated in their school’s backyard. For a broader perspective, the students also completed an excursion to Australia Zoo.

Student reflections Ryan Thum: I learned that there are so many different species and their adaptations. One of the animals would be the ibis. The adaptation for the ibis would be its beak. The beak helps it so that it can catch food and worms from the soggy dirt.

Douglas McKenzie: The crab pots allowed us to see wildlife below the surface. We caught mud crabs and rock cods. At Australia Zoo we got to see some of the most unique animals on the planet. Before this unit, I didn’t know the types of adaptations or about animals adapting.

Harry Smith: I most enjoyed pulling up the crab pots because it’s like a mystery box. I have learned that animals adapt to their environment to survive, like the water dragon. These adaptations don’t just take one day but take thousands of years.

Sam Butler-Wood: We went to Norman Creek multiple times to see how it has changed. The best part was trying to catch an animal in the crab pots. When we did find an animal, we named it, too. I learned that every animal coexists in an ecosystem and that if something happened to one it would start a chain reaction.

Beau Hughes: I have learned about all the different creatures around Norman Creek. We found bats, ibis, water dragons, fish, crabs, cormorants and some darter birds. I saw animals that I wouldn’t normally see.

Kimon Pantelis: The advantage of going to Norman Creek was that we learned loads about animals and their adaptations, about the creek and the whole environment. We did a bunch of investigating, and everyone got the opportunity of doing a job.

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C H U R C H I E F O U N DAT I O N

From the Chairman of the

Churchie Foundation The positive effects of a Churchie education have a profound impact on the lives of many of our young men.

For some, their Churchie journey has been supported by the great generosity of the Foundation’s benefactors. The story that follows demonstrates how the financial help of a donor has made a huge difference to one man’s life.

Michael Willis is a friend and was in my year, though like many Old Boys we may go years without seeing one another.

That in no way lessens the bonds we formed as boys and this is the case for many of us.

The friendships we form at Churchie last a lifetime. The School is famous for this, even amongst other GPS schools.

Michael is a very successful anaesthetist and a proud Churchie Old Boy. In my view, he is a success in his professional career and, as a person, I know him to be kind and caring—the sort of man Canon Morris was intent on developing at Churchie.

That, of course, is our business—the making of men. However, there are times where, as a community, Churchie families need support to fulfil Canon Morris’ intent.

Michael’s Churchie story is one where the generosity of others supported his journey.

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Recently, the Foundation has recommenced the awarding of bursaries to boys who otherwise could not attend the School due to financial reasons. I hope we can do more of this in the future. Old Boy Marcus Blackmore has reignited this with a very generous donation.

It is important our school is inclusive and that we share the gift of a Churchie education to those who reflect the values of the School.

With changes to government funding resulting in less support for the School, the Foundation is preparing to be called upon to assist. One way I hope we can achieve this is through a growing scholarship programme.

I invite you to play a part in this, too.

The forthcoming construction of the School’s performing arts complex will be the final substantial building project to be completed from the current Master Plan, and this building has been a significant focus for the Churchie Foundation for more than a decade.

However, our financial contribution to scholarships has not waned, and we will be doing more than ever in the years to come.

Russell McCart (1974) Churchie Foundation Chairman and School Council Member

Prep School Arts and Year 3 building Here is Michael’s reflection on receiving a bursary to complete his Churchie schooling.

I remember asking the Headmaster at the time why had I been selected and how. He could tell me nothing. I asked him about my benefactor. He knew nothing. There simply was no fanfare when I was told it had been awarded to me. At the time it seemed bizarre, and it seems that way even now at a distance of 50 years.

After three terms of operation, our Prep School students love their new building, whether it be the Year 3s feeling at home in their precinct on the upper floor or the creative pursuits coming out of The Hive and Visual Art studios on the ground floor. We thank our community for their support bringing this historic project to life and hope you enjoy seeing it in action.

The mystery has caused me to reflect over the years.

I certainly didn’t have the emotional maturity aged 15 to understand the deeper significance of such a gesture by a stranger.

Increasingly now I am moved by the extraordinary kindness shown to me by benefactor Mr Cliff Ashdown. We never met, yet I learned from a mutual friend only recently that he knew of me and proudly claimed me as his first bursary recipient. It is an uncommon feeling to have such kindness bestowed upon oneself and to have done nothing to reciprocate. I wish of course that I had thanked him for his generous gift.

I wish also that I had been able to meet him and learn something of the nature of his character which has benefited numerous people.

To some the award of a bursary or a scholarship may appear like winning a lottery but in essence it is a far greater prize; for along with the actual bursary comes the heavy knowledge that your soul has been touched by the soul of someone far purer in spirit.

When I think about that I do step a little more lightly. And I smile to myself.

Thank you, Mr Ashdown.

It has been nice to have you in my life.

Dr Michael Willis (1974)

Scan the QR code to watch the highlights video.

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O L D B OYS ' AS S O C I AT I O N

From the President of the

Old Boys’ Association The annual OBA Long Lunch on Friday 20 August, this year at Felons Barrel Hall, Howard Smith Wharves, was a sell-out.

During the lunch, we launched our mental wellbeing initiative, which was conceived by John Stavrou and Damien Edmonds from the 1987 cohort. Our long lunch guest speakers, TradeMutt co-founders Daniel Allen and Old Boy Ed Ross (2010), facilitated by MC Evan ‘Banga’ Bancroft (1979), discussed issues pertaining to mental health.

It was pleasing to see many Old Boys return in numbers to their cohort reunions, which coincided with several home matches for basketball and rugby in Terms 3 and 4.

This year has been a seminal year for the OBA. In March we launched our new portal, ‘COBweb’, which has over 1,800 registered users.

The COBweb enables us to engage with our members, allows them to interact digitally with us and, most importantly, with each other. Old Boys can join groups of mutual interest, such as year cohorts and sports groups, and receive tailored information including notification of results and upcoming home matches. In 2022, we will release a refreshed Churchie Business Network to encourage more collaboration between our members.

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On the evening of 25 November, 89 (40%) of the class of 2020 attended the New Old Boys Night at the Pineapple Hotel.

December will see the soft launch of our mentoring initiative. This initiative will evolve over time, but, at its core, is an attempt to connect younger Old Boys with others in a position to offer professional or vocational advice, internships, or job opportunities.

I encourage members to consider being mentors. Please contact David Miles (1985) in the OBA office if you can assist.

Our committee has been renewed this year.

Darren Marchant (1989) joined the committee at the 2020 AGM. Darren is well known for his significant contribution to the basketball competition. In August, we welcomed James Stinson (1988) from Roma. James is a former boarder and current boarding parent. He will be an important representative for our rural and regional members.

At our 2021 AGM in November, we welcomed Henry Friend (2016). The committee now has a representative for each of the past five decades. I also acknowledge the significant commitment of Michael ‘Beef’ McAfee (1974) who has retired from the committee after 27 years during which he served as president and honorary treasurer.

Lastly, I acknowledge the efforts of Old Boys Manager David Miles and Admin Assistant Casey Ouston. David has recently taken on the expanded role of Director of Engagement. This position acknowledges the increased workload of our Association and David‘s role in managing the administration of the Churchie Foundation for the past eight months.

As the COBweb continues to evolve in both its functionality and content, we encourage you to register and interact with others in the Old Boys community. Finally, I trust that you and yours have a safe and restful festive season.

Andrew Fleming (1979) Old Boys’ Association President

SCAN THE QR CODE TO JOIN THE COBWEB

OBA

Long Lunch The 2021 OBA Long Lunch featured the launch of our new Viking Wellbeing initiative.

Facilitated by MC Evan ‘Banga’ Bancroft (1979), our guest speakers were TradeMutt co-founders Daniel Allen and Old Boy Ed Ross (2010). The attendance of Olympic gold medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook (2017) was a highlight, as was the rendition of 'You will never walk alone' by Jeffrey Black (1979).

Laurie Dunn (1958), Ian McCamley (1979), Barry Henzell (1956) and Bill Glasson (1969)

1986 Old Boys Trenton Gay, Ross McLennan, Jamie Forster and Bill Minchin

1987 Old Boys John Stavrou, Adrian Cool, Andrew Rankin, Leo Jensen, Angus Munro and Alistair Brown

Evan Bancroft (1979) interviewing Ed Ross (2010) and Dan Allen of TradeMutt

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OBA Reunions In addition to the OBA Long Lunch, the latter half of the year has been busy with Old Boy cohort reunions, including many that were carried over from last year owing to the pandemic. Accordingly, they were held onsite and offsite.

Thank you to the Old Boys who assisted with and attended these reunions.

65 Year Reunion: Brian Becconsall, Ray Reynolds and Headmaster Dr Alan Campbell

65 Year Reunion

60 Year Reunion: Peter Cran and David Crombie

50 Year Reunion: Rod Cunningham, John Low and Alex Williamson

30 Year Reunion

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50 Year Reunion: Robert Ford and Warren Sturgess

60 Year Reunion: Tony Booth, John de Jersey, Bevan Dance and Trevor Dickinson

30 Year Reunion: Bruce Quarterman and David Pennisi

50 Year Reunion: David Wood, Stephen Cook and Robert Tuffley

30 Year Reunion: Lee Wilson and Scott Edwards

40 Year Reunion

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IN MEMORIAM

Father David Johnstone (1936–2021) For 23 years as Senior Chaplain of Churchie, Fr David was that constant and generous presence in the School community. Always available to those who came to him, he displayed an empathy and kindness that defined the man and stood him apart.

David was born in Sydney in 1936 and educated at Fort Street Boys High. Following secondary school, he entered Moore Theological College and was ordained in 1960.

Curacies at All Saints North Parramatta and St Luke’s Mosman followed before further study at King’s College London. David then returned to Australia and for the next 60 years of his ministry, he served in the Dioceses of Sydney, Townsville (where he was Diocesan Secretary and a Chaplain to the RAAF), Melbourne and Brisbane.

At the end of 1973, David, his wife Jennie and their three children moved to Melbourne. During his thirty years working in schools, he served as School Chaplain at Mentone Girls’ Grammar, Assistant Chaplain of The Southport School and then 23 years as the Senior Chaplain of Churchie.

Vale We respectfully acknowledge the passing of the following Old Boys.

To help ensure Old Boys are recognised appropriately, please send notifications to oba@churchie.com.au.

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In his retirement after 2005, he looked after the parish of Christ Church St Lucia on two occasions and continued to serve on several boards and committees.

So many Churchie families will no doubt recall the joy of those happy occasions when Fr David presided at their marriages, baptisms, and those special events. He estimated that he performed over 1000 weddings in the Churchie Chapel. As well, there was that unfailing support and compassion for those in the darkness of bereavements or troubled times.

David Johnstone was a man devoted to his ministry and to the service of others and displayed an indefatigable commitment to his calling.

For those of us who knew him as a colleague and a friend, there was that self-effacing gentleness and that impish sense of humour and fun. The demands on his time, both at the School and beyond, were frequently unrelenting but there was never any hint of slowing down. David was one of those men who was there when he said he would be there, a kindly man whose legacy is long and who will be sorely missed.

James Mason (Churchie staff 1985–2012)

Name Bradley Graham Apps Andrew Allan Arthur Jeffery Hubert de la Tour Blackwell Donald Robert Cameron Andrew John Cvetkovic William Alexander Charles Douglas Peirce David Edwards Peter Leonard Eriksen David William Terrence Hayes Eric Graham Holmes John Morton Markwell Hudson Ian Mackenzie Inglis

Years at Churchie 1987 – 1990 1963 – 1966 1938 – 1940 1951 – 1956 1984 – 1988 1947 – 1950 1954 – 1956 1954 – 1957 1974 – 1980 1953 – 1956 1941 – 1946 1953 – 1958

Jeffery Blackwell (1941) Air Commodore Jeffery Hubert de la Tour Blackwell AO (Ret’d) was born in Brisbane in 1924. Jeffery undertook primary schooling in several Brisbane state schools before attending Churchie as a boarder from 1938 to 1940. He enjoyed those years and the opportunities to take up sport, stay with friends during the holidays and visit the school farm on the weekends.

Upon leaving school in December 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), qualified as a Navigator and flew missions over Europe with a RAAF squadron in Bomber Command based in Yorkshire, England. After the war, Jeffery pursued a career with the RAAF. He had numerous postings in Australia and overseas including the Air Force Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General in 1953, Officer Commanding the RAAF base East Sale in 1966, Defence Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Burma (1968 to 1970) and later was the Air and Naval Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. Jeffery’s significant contributions to the Air Force over a long career were recognised when he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia on 26 January 1979.

He retired from the RAAF in 1980 with the rank of Air Commodore.

Jeffery passed away on Sunday 26 September 2021, aged 97.

Toby St George (1948) Dr Toby St George AM was born in Brisbane in 1931. After completing his education at Churchie, he joined the Army Reserve at the age of 19. Toby served in the Reserve in various units for 28 years and during that time saw active service in Vietnam in 1971 where he ‘was jumping in and out of helicopters’.

In 1954, Toby began studying veterinary science at The University of Queensland. He worked in the field for six years, mostly on farms and in disease control, before his recruitment into the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to begin an apprenticeship as a junior scientist. This was the start of his illustrious career as an animal virologist, including becoming a world-renowned scientist in tick fever research in cattle. He discovered viruses among penguins on Macquarie Island and bluetongue disease that is silent in cattle but can cause disease in sheep in northern Australia.

For service to veterinary science, particularly in the field of veterinary virology, Toby was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia on 26 January 1995. After retiring from the CSIRO as a chief research scientist, Toby spent 16 years volunteering with the SES at his suburban branch and the Queensland headquarters.

Toby passed away on Monday 2 August 2021, aged 90.

Name Scott Francis Jones William Walter Keene Geoffrey John Lissner Harold Reginald Magee David John McDougall Donald Hull McFarlane Donald Robert John Mitchell John Cyril Sebag Montefiore Charles Robert Mortensen Adrian Grenier Mussig Andrew John Phillips Matthew Wilson Power

Years at Churchie 1966 – 1972 1958 – 1961 1955 – 1963 1945 – 1949 1958 – 1959 1948 – 1950 1943 – 1946 1942 – 1943 1951 – 1952 1946 – 1947 1945 1981 – 1988

Name Brian Swan Purssey Richard Sherston Roberts Thomas Leslie Shepherd Jeremy Sollars Gordon Brian Speechly William Stephenson Toby Dix St George William Laman Thomas Rene Oliver Ulcoq David John Wilson Paul Charles Wilson Alexander Edward Wright

Years at Churchie 1942 – 1945 1948 – 1950 1952 – 1955 1980 – 1987 1948 – 1951 1958 – 1961 1945 – 1948 1943 – 1946 1943 – 1946 1955 – 1958 1960 – 1963 1955 – 1956

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www.churchie.com.au