Collegian December 2021

COLLEGIAN The MAGAZINE of Brisbane Boys’ College

Brothers United Spirit and togetherness connecting our community

December 2021

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BBC boys getting into the Green, White and Black spirit at the 51st GPS Cross Country Championships held at Limestone Park (Ipswich) in May 2021.

Photography by Michael Marston ePixel Images.

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Published by Brisbane Boys’ College CRICOS Code 00491J Kensington Terrace, Toowong, Queensland, 4066 T 07 3309 3500 W bbc.qld.edu.au A SCHOOL OF THE PRESBYTERIAN AND METHODIST SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION Editors Yvette Chapman and Natalie Claut Graphic Design Abbie Ongheen Photography Michael Marston ePixel Images and Jesse Smith Photography This publication is an initiative of the BBC Advancement Department with contributions from College Staff and the wider BBC community. The views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the College.

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COLLEGIAN D EC E M B E R 2 0 2 1 UPFRONT

4

From the Acting Headmaster A message from Mr Damon Emtage

6

Off the clock… with Mr Andre Casson Discover more about the man behind the future of the College

FEATURE

8

Standing Up and Speaking Out BBC Amnesty International Club celebrates its 30th milestone year

NEWS

16

Recognising Excellence Honouring our highest achievers in the Junior, Middle and Senior schools

18

Honours Program Academically talented students extend and enrich their learning

22

Entrepreneurs in Action Boys harness their personal passions, turning them into contributions that make a difference

27

Switching Gears Preparing Junior School boys for their transition into the Middle School

28

Activities Week Developing boys’ essential human skills through Innovative and education-rich programs

31

Milestone Moments and Memories A fond farewell to our Class of 2021

ARTS

46

Magic Carpet Ride Junior School boys impress audiences with their take on the popular Walt Disney classic, Aladdin

49

Music Short Reads Splendid performances, competition results and 2022 concert dates

SPORT

53

Take a seat on Old Boys’ Hill Celebrating the opening of the Graham Thomson AM stand on Miskin Oval

54

Aussie! Aussie!

Aussie!

BBC Old Collegian’s Ash Moloney (OC 2017) and Jake Lilley (OC 2010) take on the world in their quest for Olympic glory

INSIGHT

62

Instilling Hope School TV arms parents with the know-how to support their children in uncertain times

CONNECT

74

Flashback: BBC’s House System The 90-year evolution of the College’s House System has involved foresight, creativity, adaptation and straight out snitching!

4 | UPFRONT

From the Acting Headmaster MR DAMON EMTAGE

2021 provided many moments of transition for us all. These pivotal moments are what our journey is all about, propelling us forward from one phase to the next for growth and development. The only constant in life is change, and this year marks the end of an era for the College. I implore you to embrace the vision for an exciting new tomorrow and invite you to share in our milestone for 2022, as we celebrate 120 years of educating confident and capable young men here at Brisbane Boys’ College.

The College enters a moment of transition as our boys conclude their academic year, move into a new sub school, or indeed move into their final year of schooling – and their journey to become young men of character is never more important. Authors Ash Buchanan and Jack Greig shine a light on the twin responsibilities of developing competencies of character, as well as levels of perspective.

Michael Carr-Gregg, a leading child psychologist, has commented that there has never been a more challenging time to be a young person. This can manifest through the increased transparency of life, increased pressure on achievement in the context of an unknown future, or the ubiquitous presence of technology in our lives. Schools have risen to the moral responsibility of developing student character as a backdrop to these issues, largely through the development or addition of character skills and knowledge.

This incremental development of skills is caught, sought and taught in each sub-school of our College. At BBC, we provide a timetabled wellbeing program, which is fit-for-purpose for our boys at each stage of their personal growth and development.

Buchanan and Greig challenge educators to develop perspectives or frames of reference that enable the addition of character skills and knowledge to be used for the benefit of other people, society and the planet. Our boys journey through the formation of their identity, from being dependant to independent, and then to interdependent. At each stage of this development, the distinctions they make, their circle of concern, and the way they infer meaning increases in complexity.

Schools do the journey from dependence to independence well. What we need to be better at is providing boys with opportunities to make sense from broader inclusive perspectives.

UPFRONT | 5

Thanks and Farewell Long beyond their tenure at the College, staff are often remembered for the lasting impact they have had on the lives of students, colleagues and the wider school community.

In 2021, we paid tribute to our retiring and departing long-term staff, who are certain to leave the same indelible mark through the legacy of their contributions to College life.

In recognition of their dedicated service, we honoured them with a staff presentation in Term 4.

ADRIAN HUNTER Adrian Hunter has had a remarkable career at BBC since 1984, which paralleled his personal success as a professional artist.

Over the years, Adrian was a Secondary Art Teacher, an Art Coordinator and a Head of Department. An influential teacher and mentor, Adrian empowered many boys to discover their own unique creative spark. Adrian also coached Rugby and Cricket during the 1980s and 1990s, and was involved with the Photography Club since commencing at the College. He was instrumental in organising art exhibitions and as a member of the BBC Foundation Bisset Sub-Committee. Adrian’s passion, creativity and talent were the signatures of his success.

JOSIE PAVONE

Peer tutoring, peer mentoring, interhouse activities, big brother programs, social action initiatives, vertical leadership portfolios, relationship-based care, co-curricular communities, and College celebrations are examples of opportunities designed to develop our boys' perspectives.

In this manner, character is not only seen as developing the skills and knowledge to be unique and resilient, but also developing perspectives to become caring and compassionate citizens.

In the College’s 119th year we sincerely acknowledge and thank Mr Paul Brown, the ninth BBC Headmaster for his leadership and innovation in advancing the College.

In 2022, we welcome the College’s 10th Headmaster, Mr Andre Casson, as the College embarks on its next chapter in educating, empowering and inspiring boys to embrace their unique talents and lifelong love of learning.

Josie Pavone has been the House Mother in Rudd Boarding House for 16 years.

Over that time, she provided warm and caring support for hundreds of boarding students, with many families considering her an extension of their own family. Josie’s gentle nature and understanding ways have been incredibly comforting for the boys.

Families also had peace-of-mind that she was always close at hand for their sons whenever they needed her.

MALCOLM STANIFORTH Malcolm Staniforth was an integral member of the Health and Physical Education department for more than 24 years. Held in high regard by colleagues and students alike, Mal strived to help boys appreciate the importance of health and fitness as a life skill, over and above learning curriculum fundamentals. He coached Track & Field, Rugby, Cricket and Cross Country, guiding athletes to state and national representation. Mal was a dedicated supporter of service activities, and in 2020 he became an Honorary Old Collegian in recognition of his service to College Athletics.

PAUL FERRIS Paul Ferris retired from the College after nearly 15 years of dedicated service in the Facilities and Maintenance team. As the College’s Logistics Coordinator, Paul had excellent problem-solving skills and will certainly be missed by his colleagues.

PAUL MACDONALD Paul McDonald’s influential career at BBC spans 35 years. His passion for teaching was unwavering in the Humanities department. Paul also mentored and coached students in Debating, Athletics, Cross Country and Football, serving as the leader of Football (MIC Soccer) in the 1990s and as a Director of Football in the 2000s.

He is a strong champion for service and was the Lions Youth of the Year Coordinator.

Paul will be fondly remembered as the long-serving Head of Knox House. Through his involvement on the Staff Consultative Committee, Paul helped to make BBC a great place to work. His professionalism and care for students and colleagues make him a true icon.

PAUL SETCH Paul Setch commenced at BBC in 1983 and he significantly contributed to the College as a member of academic staff and the Head of Wesley House. Paul has taught Manual Arts, Graphics, General Shop A, Tech Studies and was a Tennis Coach and Manager of the First IV Tennis team for many years. He was a warm and caring colleague who always had time to listen and give advice. During his 38 years of dedicated service, Paul helped to shape the lives of many students who passed through the College gates.

RUSSEL HANSEN Russel Hansen’s dedication to BBC spans more than 15 years. Commencing in 2007 as the Junior School Sport and Activities Coordinator, Russel's other appointments include Director of Athletics (Track & Field and Cross Country), teacher of Christian Education, teacher of Physical Education, Years 7 and 8 Mentor, and Cricket coach.

During his time at the College, BBC broke its 74-year GPS Premiership drought in Track & Field (2016) and won the College’s first GPS Cross Country Premiership (2018), along with multiple other GPS Premierships.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

6 | UPFRONT

Off the clock… with Mr Andre Casson After living and working abroad for almost 18 years, Mr Andre Casson has returned to Australia with his young family ready to embark on an exciting new journey in 2022 as the 10th Headmaster of Brisbane Boys’ College.

We were eager to catch up with Andre during the Christmas break to find out how he is settling back into life in Australia, and to learn a little more about the man behind the future of the College.

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED ABOUT BEING BACK IN AUSTRALIA? It has been great to reconnect with our tribe, as Australia is ‘home’ for us. Being closer to family again is something we are extremely excited about. I’ve really enjoyed attending live sport and eating a pie with my friends as we cheer on our favourite team.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE BBC HEADMASTER ROLE? BBC is an exceptional school that is built on wonderful traditions and history. Through my work in other schools and pre-existing friendships with some of our Old Boys, I was aware of this amazing legacy even before applying for the role. BBC has a reputation for educating the whole boy – mind, body and soul – which provides opportunities for every student to find a pursuit in which they shine.

I am closely aligned with these values, so when the Headmaster opportunity arose it was an easy decision for me. With great humility, I hope that my experience and skills will build on the College’s history and move us together towards an exciting future.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK HARD? Being the Head of a school is a rare privilege that affords me an opportunity to work with wonderful students, talented staff and engaged parents. At a school like BBC, there is the added dimension of passionate Old Boys. To be able to lead that type of community is an honour. Giving everyone in

our community an opportunity to be the best version of themselves is what gets me up each morning and inspires me to strive to be the best at getting better.

TELL US ABOUT A CAREER HIGHLIGHT YOU ARE PROUD OF? The response of the Australian International School (AIS) community in the wake of COVID-19. We demonstrated strong resilience in the face of adversity, and built on that through our positive education program, which engaged students, staff and parents.

Despite many challenges over the past couple of years, as a school we outperformed expectations on all our performance criteria.

Above all, our students remained happy, continued to thrive, and were well-placed to make a positive difference in the world.

WHICH CHARACTER STRENGTHS ARE VITAL TO FOSTER IN YOUNG MEN? While there are a myriad of character traits that support the success of young men through their educational journey, I believe that respect, resilience and curiosity are three key strengths that will serve them well during their lives.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT STUDENT? A great student is willing to embrace the opportunities presented to them at school.

Students who are prepared to take a risk and ‘have a go’ will maximise their learning experience. I love the quote that originated

with Author Marianne Williamson, “Your playing small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great?” This is the quality of a great student – one who is willing to take the chance to be extraordinary.

WHAT WERE YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECTS AT SCHOOL? My two favourite subjects were Science and Physical Education. Both have played a role in my professional life, as these are my major and minor disciplines. I have always been fascinated by the world around us and how things work, so it was possibly predestined I would pursue a career teaching Science.

I also loved sport as a young man and this continued into adulthood, which is the link to Physical Education.

WHAT MIGHT PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU? When I was teaching at Aquinas College in Perth, I was the lead in a school play.

The musical was put on by the teachers to open our new theatre. I have no dramatic talent let alone any musical ability, however I volunteered to help out our Head of Arts who promised it would be a small role… but it wasn’t! Although I had a blast, I doubt I will tread the boards again.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF BBC BBC EXECUTIVE TEAM THE COLLEGE HAS COMMENCED THE FIRST OF MANY CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOCUSED ON TRANSFORMING LEARNING AND LEISURE SPACES ACROSS THE JUNIOR, MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOLS AND THE BOARDING PRECINCT. THESE PROJECTS WILL HELP THE COLLEGE MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND STAFF, BOTH NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE. In other exciting news, the 2022 Business Plan for BBC has been approved by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) and is ready for implementation. The comprehensive business road map will strongly position incoming Headmaster, Mr Andre Casson and the College to deliver a number of key projects, new initiatives and a range of associated benefits for students, staff and the wider BBC community.

Sincere thanks to Mr Don O'Rorke (Chair of School Council), Mr Shane Coppin (PMSA CEO), and members of our project team for their hard work and support in seeing these plans to fruition.

We look forward to continuing our campus development projects, seeing our 2022 Business Plan unfold, and sharing further information about these exciting new initiatives with our community.

“

“I AM PROUD OF WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON – A SUITE OF PROJECTS WHICH WILL SEE THE COLLEGE INTO THE FUTURE. THESE PROJECTS WILL BE A TREMENDOUS ADDITION TO OUR GREAT COLLEGE AND ARE JUST THE BEGINNING FOR FUTURE CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTS.” MR DON O'RORKE (OC 1977), CHAIR OF SCHOOL COUNCIL

To view the videos on our College website, visit:

WWW.BBC.QLD.EDU.AU/ NEWS/INVESTING-IN-THEFUTURE-OF-BBC

“

THE PMSA RECENTLY APPROVED BBC’S 2022 BUSINESS PLAN AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH INCOMING HEADMASTER, MR ANDRE CASSON AND HIS TEAM TO DELIVER A NUMBER OF KEY PROJECTS. THE PLANS WILL CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES NOW AND WELL INTO THE FUTURE, CEMENTING THE COLLEGE’S POSITION AS A LEADING BOYS’ SCHOOL IN QUEENSLAND.” MR SHANE COPPIN, PMSA CEO

“

“IT TAKES AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP AND STAYING UNITED IN A COMMON PURPOSE TO BUILD A GREAT SCHOOL AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS, PARENTS, STAFF, OLD COLLEGIANS AND WIDER COLLEGE COMMUNITY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR PROGRESS WITH YOU ALL.” MR DAMON EMTAGE, ACTING HEADMASTER (2021) COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

8 | FEATURE

STANDING UP AND SPEAKING OUT SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1961, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS BEEN DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS AND EMPOWERING EVERYDAY PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTION, CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE AND CREATE A BETTER WORLD. As the global movement celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, BBC’s Amnesty International Club celebrates its 30th year.

First introduced as an activity at the College in 1991, the milestone marks a long-term commitment from students and staff to raising awareness, engaging with social issues and advocating for the rights of individuals, communities and, by virtue, us all.

From humble beginnings to more than 100 members strong, the club has grown in popularity over the years and continues to play an important role in broadening boys’ world views.

“The club was started by English Teacher Mr Daniel Dennis, with a small handful of students – mostly senior debaters – joining at the time,” recounts BBC Teacher Mr Alan

Cheel, who has been involved with Amnesty both prior to and since arriving at the College in 2002.

“At the time, I believe we were the only school in Brisbane to have a club, so that in itself was quite unique.”

“In 2010 we introduced leadership positions, with Year 10 student Sean McBurnie (OC 2012) appointed Captain of the club. From then on, our momentum grew.

“It has been amazing to see more and more boys think globally and act locally, and to watch them encourage and prompt their peers to do the same.”

Today, members of BBC’s Amnesty International Club join with over 10 million people in more than 150 countries and territories in standing up to injustice.

FEATURE | 9

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS AT BBC 1991 Early beginnings Amnesty International commences as an activity at the College and the club opens to Senior School students

2009 Changing of the baton Mr Alan Cheel takes on the role of Master in Charge, serving for six years The club opens to both Middle School and Senior School students, with Junior School students invited as visitors on special occasions

THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL STORY When two Portuguese students were jailed simply for raising a toast to freedom, British lawyer and Amnesty International founder, Peter Benenson, felt compelled to respond. The penning of his article, The Forgotten Prisoners, published in the UK Observer in 1961, marked the beginning of his commitment to defending human rights and his belief in the power of collective action. His appeal to free ‘prisoners of conscience’ resonated and by 1966, more than 1,000 people had been released. Since then, Amnesty International – as a movement – has gone on to affect landmark changes and immense wins for humanity.

2010 Boys lead the way A student leadership team is introduced and Sean McBurnie (Year 10) is appointed as Captain – a role he held for three years, with Josh Hudson (OC 2012) joining as Co-captain in 2012

2011–2012 Momentum builds Fundraising efforts and club membership increases each year In 2011, BBC boys raise more than $3,000 for homeless children in Libya In 2012, the club celebrates its 21st birthday at the College, with 126 students marking the occasion by raising more than $5,000 for various charities, and the student-led publication, The Voice, is published for the first time

2013–2014 Campaigning for change Charles Pidgeon is appointed Captain in 2013 with $6,000 raised throughout the year for Red Cross and Project Hope (part of the club’s Candle of Hope campaign where they sponsored a child in South Sudan) The Candle of Hope campaign continues in 2014 with an impressive $10,000 raised under the leadership of Captain, Ryan Hickey

2015 Passionate staff leadership Legal studies teacher and passionate human rights advocate, Mr Lee Bennett, takes on the role of Club Coordinator

2016–2021 Strong student voice The work continues with boys campaigning for change year-in and year-out. Various individuals play their part as Captain including Alexander Russel in 2015, Angus Briggs in 2016, Benjamin Carlyon in 2017, Harry Briggs and James Ward in 2018, Lachlan Tonkin in 2019, Gaviru Devendra in 2020 and Matthew Cranitch in 2021

GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS 1977 Amnesty International is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “having contributed to securing the ground for freedom, for justice, and thereby also for peace in the world”

1990s Joining forces with five international NGOs (non-governmental organisations), Amnesty International launches the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

2002 Longstanding pressure from Amnesty International paves the way for the creation of the International Criminal Court

2014 After 20 years of pressure from Amnesty International, the global Arms Trade Treaty comes into force, stopping the irresponsible flow of weapons that had previously fuelled conflict causing the death of millions

2016 Former Chad president Hissène Habré is sentenced to life for crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture, with the prosecution relying in part on Amnesty International reports

2020 The Bangladeshi government announces it will offer schooling and training to Rohingya refugee children, following extensive campaigning from Amnesty International and others

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

10 | FEATURE

AMNESTY APPEAL FROM 10 MEMBERS TO MORE THAN 100 STRONG, BBC AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CLUB HAS ENJOYED GROWING SUPPORT FROM STUDENTS OVER THE YEARS. MR LEE BENNETT, MR ALAN CHEEL AND THE BOYS THEMSELVES GIVE INSIGHT AS TO WHY THAT IS. “The power of Amnesty International lies in its capacity to activate and unite everyday people to help change the world,” explains Club Coordinator, Mr Lee Bennett.

“Within our context, here at the College, it is also about developing in our students the capacity to be comfortable with who they are, while developing in them a greater awareness of what is going on in the world around them.

“When we do this, not only are they able to empathise with the predicament of others, particularly when it concerns the abuse of human rights, they are also empowered to stand up and speak out.

“It highlights to them that through voice, through words and through compassionate action, they can make a difference. And importantly, it demonstrates that the way we communicate our ideas does matter.”

For Mr Alan Cheel, the club provides a safe space for students to discuss sensitive social issues and engage in real-world learning.

“Students have increasingly come to see Amnesty International as a space where they can voice concerns and ask questions about global and local issues they see, as they too formulate and share their views on solutions and ways they can affect change.”

“This year, for example, our members have approached us about discussing a range of sensitive issues from gender equality to domestic violence. It takes courage to have these conversations, but the discussions that ensued were conducted respectfully.

“It’s these moments that speak to the incredible character of our boys and that help to strengthen important traits like empathy, understanding and the ability to actively listen.

STUDENT VOICE IS POWERFUL AFTER YEARS OF INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CLUB, WHAT HAS BECOME CLEAR TO MR ALAN CHEEL AND MR LEE BENNETT IS THE POWER OF STUDENT VOICE.

And you see this transpire in the classroom too as boys naturally engage with social issues across a range of subjects like Legal Studies, Humanities and Christian Education during their everyday learning.

“In many ways, Amnesty International serves as a really hands-on, practical and important way of educating students for the real world.

“The College’s leadership team has always been incredibly supportive of the club and continues to see value in exposing our students to diverse perspectives and global issues. This is what education is all about and, in part, why BBC Amnesty International Club has continued to grow.”

“We rarely need to provide speeches or presentations,” says Alan. “The boys very competently fulfill that role and their voices are so much more impactful.”

“They never simply speak about an issue, they always end with the action we must take and that’s what makes it powerful,” adds Lee. “In many ways, we prefer to think of Amnesty as a club run by, and for, students,” explains Alan.

“We always say to the boys there’s so much that can unite us as human beings, but too often we let issues, such as racism, sexism or ageism, divide us. Let’s focus on unity and solidarity.

“How they respond to and enact this sentiment, we leave to them. And what we see, year after year, is that when they have a concern about an issue, they really want to do something about it.”

FEATURE | 11

WHEN ASKING OUR YEAR 12 BOYS WHY THEY JOINED AMNESTY CLUB OR HOW IT HAS CHANGED THEIR PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE SIMILAR SENTIMENTS EMERGE.

APARAJ BOGAHAWATTA

CHRIS CHOI

“I joined the club at the start of Year 9 because I was really interested in human rights. My mum was displaced by war and sought refuge here in Australia and I wanted to learn about why other people weren’t so lucky and how I could have an impact.

Amnesty is crucial in exposing students at BBC to real world problems that they may not have been exposed to at home since we are lucky to live in a free country. It also creates opportunities for boys to have an impact and improve the lives of people around the world.”

“Being a member has certainly changed me as a person in that it has prompted me to realise how easy it is to stand up against injustice and wrongdoing. Whether it be writing a letter to a local member of Parliament, posting a story on social media or simply having a conversation with a friend, being involved with Amnesty has helped me to recognise that small efforts are still commendable efforts at the end of the day, and are a far better option than simply doing nothing.”

JAMES ROACH

ARYAN GOEL

ALBERT CHEN

“It has made me a more empathetic person in general. Whether it's talking about the rapidly declining situation in South Sudan or Peter Greste’s wonderful speech at the conference, Amnesty has gotten me to support strangers in far-flung nations that I don’t even know. But more than this, it has also gotten me to care. These people who are persecuted and tortured are just like us, and I feel that it is my duty as a decent person to help in any way possible.”

“I think being a member has definitely changed me as a person. Mainly in the sense that it has solidified my views, opinions and interest in human rights, and has granted me perspectives that I think are important for me personally and also as something to discuss with others.”

“Being a member for the past two years has definitely extended my scope of understanding and knowledge about human rights issues around the world. Presentations during meetings have offered me different perspectives to consider and evaluate before forming my own stance on a particular issue.

I have learnt to be more sensitive and curious when considering an issue with multiple viewpoints and the reasons behind those different perspectives.”

A PARTICULARLY IMPACTFUL MOMENT THIS YEAR WAS YEAR 12 STUDENT, ALBERT CHEN’S SPEECH ON RACIAL PREJUDICE, DELIVERED AT THE INTERSCHOOLS AMNESTY CONFERENCE. ALBERT BROUGHT INTO VIEW HEIGHTENED RACIAL PREJUDICE IN AUSTRALIA, FACED BY PEOPLE OF ASIAN DESCENT, DURING THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

During his speech, Albert explained, “Prejudice is a connotation that people assign to other people or ideas without having any personal experience with the individual... We all have prejudices and stereotypes. In fact, an average person forms an assumption, a first impression of someone, in less than a second. A tenth of a second to be precise.

And the scary thing is that, most of the time, it’s not intentional. We just do it. But why do we do it? Because it is far simpler to place people, ideas and objects into different categories without having to interact with them. But this is where we make mistakes.”

By sharing his own personal experiences and that of others, while acknowledging the complexities involved with combatting racism, Albert encouraged audiences to start with something simple. “… the solution can be as simple as thinking twice about your words and actions.

Examine your own biases and consider where they may have originated… your family? your friends? Likewise, if you hear or witness an act of discrimination towards anyone, do not hesitate to speak up. Do not make excuses and avoid hard conversations. Do not be a victim of peer pressure.”

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

12 | FEATURE

WRITING FOR RIGHTS AS THE OLD ADAGE GOES, ‘THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD’. FROM LETTERS TO POLITICIANS, TO A LETTER TO THE EDITOR, A BIG PART OF CAMPAIGNING FOR CHANGE AT BBC INVOLVES ‘WRITING FOR RIGHTS’.

Twice a year, students also explore and bring together their thoughts on global human rights issues in the student-led publication, The Voice, edited by Year 11 students Elliot Bailey and Harry Winks in 2021.

FROM TIANANMEN TO TAIWAN: CHINA'S OPPOSITION TO MODERN DIPLOMACY AND DEMOCRACY LACHLAN JARVIS, YEAR 11

CRISIS IN TIGRAY

ALEXEI NAVALNY

DYLAN SMYTH, YEAR 11

DEEP MAITRA, YEAR 9

PERSECUTION OF BAHÁ’ÍS IN IRAN ARMAN MEHRABI, YEAR 11

SOUTH AFRICAN LOCKDOWNS AURIC GARLAND, YEAR 7 More regularly, at weekly meetings, assemblies and other special events, boys openly share their views in presentations or speeches to encourage wider discussion among their peers.

INDIGENOUS DEATHS IN CUSTODY

LIVING IN MONGOLIA

JASPER MOSS, YEAR 10

SEBASTIEN PACAUD, YEAR 12

FAKE NEWS AND MISINFORMATION IN THE MEDIA MACKENZIE MARTIN, YEAR 11

A CLOSING NOTE HERE ARE SOME FINAL WORDS FROM THE CLUB CAPTAINS AND TEACHERS. MATTHEW CRANITCH, 2021 AMNESTY CAPTAIN

OLIVER FEARFIELD, 2022 SCHOOL CAPTAIN AND AMNESTY CO-CAPTAIN

“Amnesty Club has without a doubt revolutionised how I view the world around me. The friends I have made through Amnesty have become some of my closest, as we all share a common love of people and the value of treating everyone how you would want to be treated.”

“My hope and vision for our chapter of Amnesty International is that it will continue to be an ever-expanding club that aims to capture the hearts of the boys at BBC, thus using our collective privilege and power to affect change in our community, while thinking about the greater effect it may have globally.”

FEATURE | 13

BRINGING LIKE MINDS TOGETHER In Term 3, BBC hosted the Interschools Amnesty Conference with more than 200 likeminded students from across Brisbane coming together for a deep dive, day-long conversation on human rights.

Guest speakers delivered diverse perspectives and global insights, while student-led sessions enabled broader discussion.

Attendees were fortunate to hear from foreign correspondent, Peter Greste, who was arrested while working for Al Jazeera as a journalist and held in an Egyptian prison for more than a year.

Amnesty International was key in activating a global campaign and mounting public pressure for his release.

“Greste spoke with passion about his personal experience of being unfairly detained for 400 days, and told of Amnesty International’s pivotal role in advocating for human rights,” said Mr Lee Bennett.

“This gave students an insight into what Amnesty can truly achieve when many members unite to chase a common goal.

“Eileen Vlismas (known as ‘Peggy’) from the domestic support organisation, Friends with Dignity, also addressed the group.”

“I AM CERTAIN THAT FOR EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE INTERSCHOOLS AMNESTY CONFERENCE IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE THEY WILL NEVER FORGET. I KNOW THAT PERSONALLY, THE CONFERENCE WAS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO HEAR FROM AMNESTY VOLUNTEERS AND EXTERNAL SPEAKERS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO TRULY BE AN ACTIVIST AND HOW WE CAN HELP THOSE AROUND US. A HIGHLIGHT OF THE CONFERENCE WAS KEYNOTE SPEAKER PETER GRESTE AND HIS SENSATIONAL EXPOSÉ OF THE STATE OF THE EGYPTIAN LEGAL AND JUSTICE SYSTEM.” – MATTHEW CRANITCH, 2021 AMNESTY CAPTAIN

MR LEE BENNETT, CLUB COORDINATOR, BBC AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

MR ALAN CHEEL, TEACHER, BBC AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

“I got involved in politics and social action while I was at university. I have witnessed oppression, discrimination and persecution of people in many developing countries. Living in the UK, where the gap between social classes is more distinct, further cemented my life-long interest in humanitarian issues. I have loved working with our students on issues close to the heart.”

“Growing up as a very privileged white person in apartheid South Africa I was confronted daily by violations of basic human rights. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful father who gave me the following advice on how to live my life, ‘Surround yourself with good, positive people… read widely but wisely… seek the truth… make a stand for what is right and just… and always follow the golden rule – treat others as you would like to be treated.’”

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

NEWS

Academic

22 Entrepreneurs in Action Boys harness their personal passions, turning them into contributions that make a difference

28 Activities Week Developing boys’ essential human skills through Innovative and education-rich programs

38 A Ceremonious Welcome The Red Earth Indigenous Immersion experience in Cape York is a life-changing service activity opening the hearts and minds of our students.

42 STEM Sparks Curiosity BBC STEM Club engages enquiring minds in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

YEAR 12 VALEDICTORY DINNER AND PRIZE GIVING

DR LEIGH HOBART DEPUTY HEADMASTER – ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATION (P-12) During Semester 2 we continued our focus on developing writing and literacy through the Write that Essay program for boys in Prep to Year 12.

Research projects undertaken in conjunction with Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) also provided a platform for achieving better results in literacy across the College. Another academic innovation is the BBC Honours Program. In its inaugural year, the program has shown great promise as there have been encouraging results. Off the back of this success, we are extending the Honours Program to more year levels in 2022. You can read more about these initiatives on pages 18-19.

There is always an air of excitement surrounding Activities Week for boys in Year 7 to Year 12 during the last week of Term 3. While each cohort engages in a different type of experience, all activities are designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and promote the development of global competencies in our young men. These competencies include communication, collaboration, character, creativity, critical thinking and citizenship.

I take pleasure in sharing the ATAR results for our Class of 2021 on the following page. The results were released in December and we are very proud of our 2021 graduates who consistently applied themselves to their studies throughout the year, with many entering their external exams on full subject marks from internal assessments.

Analysis of class results from our initial students progressing through the Senior Assessment Tertiary Entrance (SATE) system indicated pleasing outcomes. Heads of Department have undertaken a thorough analysis of QCAA subject data to create action plans aimed at further improving results for students in the years to come.

Quality teaching, learning coaching, study sessions (with internal and external providers), extensive tutoring opportunities and academic information sessions for parents have all contributed to the College going above and beyond for students and their families in 2021.

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CLASS OF 2021 ACADEMIC RESULTS SNAPSHOT

Orlando represents

TOP ATAR

99.95 6%

of students rated in the top 1% ATAR OF 99+

10

PERFECT STUDY SCORES 3 English 3 Mathematical Methods 3 Music 1 Music Extension (Composition)

ORLANDO HUNTER College Dux

1 OF 32

Year 12 students to achieve the top result in Queensland (from a cohort of 52,000 students)

29%

44%

of students rated in the top 5% ATAR OF 95+

MEDIAN ATAR

87.30 (the ATAR of the middle student)

of students rated in the top 10% ATAR OF 90+

54 BBC GRADUATES RECEIVED EARLY OFFERS TO AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES AND TAFE INSTITUTIONS.

An Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) is a mechanism for placement in tertiary institutions. The decision for students to share their ATAR result with their school is optional and schools can only access these results where consent has been given by Year 12 students.

The information in this snapshot is based on data available to the College from students who consented to share their information.

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Recognising Excellence

JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS CEREMONY AND YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Each year our College community embraces the opportunity to celebrate and honour our highest achievers across the Junior, Middle and Senior schools.

Congratulations to all recipients on their well-deserved Academic and Special Prize Awards. We certainly enjoyed sharing these proud and heartfelt moments with our students and their families.

YEARS 7-11 AWARDS PRESENTATION

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YEAR 12 VALEDICTORY DINNER AND PRIZE GIVING

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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Honours Program The BBC Honours Program was introduced for students in Years 5, 7 and 10 to give our academically talented students an opportunity to extend and enrich their learning among a group of like-minded scholars.

As the program met with resounding success in its inaugural year, we are extending the program to students from Year 5 to Year 11 in 2022.

TAILORED EXTENSION AND ENRICHMENT

SHARING THEIR THOUGHTS

At each stage of schooling, the Honours Program evolves to accommodate the different needs of students in each year level.

In Year 5 and Year 6, boys participate as a class, under the guidance of a skilled teacher and a Gifted and Talented Coordinator who condense the curriculum, and further explore problem solving and inquiry areas of interest.

Students in Years 7 to 9 undertake specific Honours classes that are aligned with their talents in English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities subjects.

Once students reach the Senior School, the program becomes more bespoke. Students focus on specific areas and are involved in mentoring, super curriculum opportunities, extension studies and university placements.

Below is some feedback we received from students and parents about the BBC Honours Program.

HIGHLY RATED OVERALL EXPERIENCE An informal survey was issued to boys, parents and staff in November, asking them to rate their overall experience with the Honours Program on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 = Excellent / 1 = Poor). Results revealed an average rating of 9/10, which is further evidence of the impressive impact the program has had.

The College looks forward to growing the Honours Program in 2022 and continuing to improve practices and implementation.

“It is great to be with other students who are performing at a similar level. In English Honours, I was able to comprehend much more and was challenged by the new course.

The English course has been accelerated and the experience has provided options for how I would like to partake in English in the following years.”

YEAR 10 STUDENT

“I think the Honours Program is really good. Last year I was waiting for the rest of the class but now I don't have to because I work at my own pace.”

“Overall, we are very grateful for the opportunity the program has offered and feel it exemplifies the nurturing of each student’s individual potential.”

YEAR 5 STUDENT

YEAR 10 PARENT

“The English and Humanities program has helped me to strive in my learning, as the teachers can spend more time on everyone and set extension work. It is a good program to help us learn more.”

“We have been blown away by the outstanding standard of teaching in the BBC Honours Program this year. Our son loves his teachers and loves what and how much he is learning at school. Thank you to all the wonderful staff and teachers.

You are truly growing our next business, society and science leaders.”

YEAR 7 STUDENT

YEAR 7 PARENT

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CREATING LITERACY TRAILBLAZERS “AS A LEADING BOYS’ SCHOOL, WE HAVE A MORAL IMPERATIVE TO SET THE STANDARD FOR ENGAGING BOYS IN LITERACY, PARTICULARLY AS WRITING SPANS ALL SUBJECT AREAS AND IS CRUCIAL BEYOND SCHOOL.” – DR LEIGH HOBART, DEPUTY HEADMASTER - ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATION (P-12) At BBC we have a curriculum vision to be trailblazers in the area of boys’ literacy. This commitment has been honoured through the implementation of targeted programs designed to improve literacy outcomes for our students.

Our literacy journey began in the Junior School, with a highly structured, success-based phonics program introduced in the Early Years to address reading and writing. Once the program was embedded, attention turned to writing for students in older year levels.

In 2020, boys in Year 4 and Year 7, along with academic staff, trialled the Write that Essay program. The program was founded

by Dr Ian Hunter and has achieved success in schools throughout Australia and New Zealand. Feedback from our students and staff alike was incredibly positive, reinforcing the belief in literature that structure, explicit instruction and positive self-efficacy are highly impactful strategies to engage successful learning with boys.

Based on the results of the trial, the program was extended to boys in Year 3 to Year 10 this year. Parents were also encouraged to get onboard and join the writing revolution, receiving an invitation to attend an interactive Write that Essay workshop at the College in June. The workshop was tailored specifically for parents, teaching them skills and strategies to support their children to improve their writing and help guide their learning journey.

LITERACY IS EVERY TEACHER’S BUSINESS Literacy impacts all subject areas, making it every teacher’s business. To further support writing and literary improvements for all students, this year some of our senior academics engaged in a research project on developing writing for boys. Working in collaboration with the Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) Middle Leaders Project, they focused on achieving success with writing by using a genre-based approach to developing writing outcomes across year levels and implementing explicit literacy learning in the Junior and Middle schools.

This focus enabled our staff to concentrate professional learning in curriculum towards achieving better results for our students. The purpose was not just limited to improving outcomes, but on informing broader dialogue around how boys engage with literacy.

At the ISQ Big Ideas Summit in July, our senior academics presented their findings, sharing information about how the College is leading writing improvements for boys in Prep to Year 12. These key literacy leaders included Ms Grace Loyden (Head of English), Mr Dominic Piacun (Senior School Curriculum Coordinator), Ms Amelia Apogremiotis (Middle School Curriculum Coordinator), Ms Jenny Warwick (Deputy Head of Junior School – Teaching and Learning) and Dr Leigh Hobart (Deputy Headmaster – Academic Performance and Innovation P-12).

“As leading educators in Queensland,

we should be able to lift our students to the highest levels and share how this can be done… and done well,” said Dr Leigh Hobart.

“As part of our enquiry, we engaged regularly with student data and qualitative feedback, which indicated that programs implemented at our College have led to significant increases in writing outcomes.

Each of our key literacy leaders developed their own learning and leadership through the research project, and their success has gained traction within and beyond the classroom, contributing significantly to a culture of literacy at the College across Prep to Year 12.”

Learn more by viewing The BBC Writing Revolution video on our College website: BBC.QLD.EDU.AU/NEWS/WRITING-REVOLUTION

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Junior School

MRS LOUISE MORRIS HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL In the Junior School we appreciate the great responsibility we have in laying strong foundations across every aspect of student learning. This year we continued developing our approach to boys’ education, working with an ‘innovators mindset’ across all facets of our programs. This reflective mindset, informed by evidence, includes having the courage and conviction to adopt new ways of thinking or working, which has positive and powerful impacts on outcomes for our boys. Boys are naturally curious and respond best to active-based learning, so we reshaped the curriculum and Humanities, Science and Technology studies into integrated, inquiry-based units of learning. This contemporary approach ignited our boys’ love of learning through project and problem-based learning, and supported them to develop the characteristics and capabilities of a globally competent citizen.

A key strategic priority has been to integrate technology and digital tools within our programs.

Technology has enabled us to forge new frontiers and the resulting growth has been impressive. We increased our hardware to give all students from Prep to Year 6 accessibility to a one-to-one device, and additional Smart Boards were installed in classrooms so boys in Prep to Year 3 can engage with interactive displays.

A Junior School IT Integrator was appointed to work collaboratively with teachers and students, embedding core knowledge and competencies from the Design and Digital Technologies curriculum into everyday teaching and learning. This has helped to develop student capabilities and enabled our teachers to continue applying technologies effectively within their practice.

Reading Progress App Reading is an activity commonly performed one-to-one or in a small group, and it requires close listening and observation by a teacher. Research suggests reading fluency can improve significantly with regular practice and feedback.

In the Junior School we were excited to be involved in the development and BETA testing of a Reading Progress App in Microsoft Teams that is designed to support and track students’ reading fluency and help build their fluency through independent practice.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

The App enables students to read text aloud from a screen and record themselves in a video they submit to their teacher for feedback. Data is automatically collected and organised into insights, so the teacher reviewing the video is able to provide more personalised and explicit instructions for the student as part of their feedback. Not only does the data provide valuable insights for individual student achievement, it also assists with whole-of-class progress as well.

• Reading text can be personalised to cater for various abilities and skill levels.

• Teachers can review the student’s reading at their convenience and provide increasingly valuable insights about their progress.

• Mispronunciations, omissions, insertions, repetitions and self-corrections are more easily identified.

• Teachers can access valuable data such as word accuracy per minute and average accuracy rate.

TRIAL IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL Boys in Year 3 were assigned a private, dedicated space where they could read aloud and fluently, which empowered them to complete reading assignments regularly and independently, without the added pressure of performing in front of their peers. It is not surprising that the activity has become a favourite among our boys.

Year 3 Teacher, Mrs Romana McMillan worked with Microsoft developers to provide firsthand, practical feedback aimed at enhancing the usability and performance of the Reading Progress App. Junior School IT Integrator, Mr Mat Anderson tested the App with sample groups and it has shown great promise, resulting in positive impacts across the Junior School.

Through ongoing feedback and practical advice provided to the Microsoft development team, the Reading Progress App has been launched worldwide.

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A Special Visit Our Prep boys made a special trip to the top of the school to meet with Acting Headmaster, Mr Damon Emtage, as part of a unit they investigated on different occupations. Visiting him in his office, the boys were curious about what a Headmaster does, so they asked some questions: • What do you do during the day?

• What is your favourite part of the job?

• Do you need to wear special clothes?

• What is your favourite item at the Tuckshop?

Mr Emtage spoke about his favourite subjects and explained that an important character strength to him is ‘a continued love of learning’.

Back in the classroom, the boys discussed their experience and explored what they learnt in order to improve their understanding and share ideas.

Keyrings of Kindness The Prep boys always love engaging with the Seniors boys, as it is evident their excitement, engagement and confidence grows with each interaction.

In Semester 2, our Foundation Seniors (Year 12 boys who began their BBC journey in the 2009 Prep class) spent time sharing their favourite BBC memories with our youngest Collegians. The older boys recounted many firsts, including when they learnt to read, write, count and use numbers, and also when they represented the College for the first time. They remembered their early days as being full of adventure and laughter in an environment of active and engaged learning.

To show their appreciation for the Year 12 cohort, our Prep boys gifted each senior a special key ring etched with a signature character strength. When designing the keyrings, the boys investigated properties of materials, used a design thinking process, and sought advice from the College’s Head of Technology, Mr Rory Whitelaw, to build a prototype for this timeless gift.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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ENTREPRENEURS IN ACTION “EVERY GREAT DREAM BEGINS WITH A DREAMER. ALWAYS REMEMBER,YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU THE STRENGTH, THE PATIENCE, AND THE PASSION TO REACH FOR THE STARS TO CHANGE THE WORLD.” - HARRIET TUBMAN, POLITICAL ACTIVIST

PASSION PROJECTS ARE AN EXCITING INITIATIVE THAT CHALLENGED OUR YEAR 6 BOYS TO DEVELOP A GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF SELF BY LOOKING INWARD AT WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT MATTERS IN THEIR WORLD. THEY WERE ENCOURAGED TO EVALUATE THEIR PERSONAL PASSIONS, INTERESTS, VALUES AND STRENGTHS, AND CONSIDER HOW THEY COULD TURN THEIR PASSIONS INTO A CONTRIBUTION THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Many budding young entrepreneurs came to the fore, demonstrating fantastic creativity and critical thinking. Boys worked as researchers by accessing information from experts, mentors and Google, while demonstrating and developing their communication skills.

Throughout their entrepreneur’s odyssey, boys engaged in a series of Future Anything workshops designed to explore and extend their passions. Nicole Dyson from Future Anything is a globally recognised expert and practitioner in project-based learning and student entrepreneurship. She is also the founder of YouthX, Australia’s first purpose-built Accelerator program for school-aged entrepreneurs. Nicole led the boys through processes aimed at

WILL IS KEEN ON ARCHITECTURE, SO HE CREATED A CRAFTY MODEL REPLICA OF THE BBC CLOCKTOWER.

developing their capacities in design thinking methodology to solve problems. Boys learnt how to empathise, ideate, validate, prototype and pitch. They also developed their ability to collaborate and project manage efficiently and effectively, as well as persuade with purpose to grow their skills as confident storytellers.

The remarkable Passion Projects were unveiled to parents, staff and younger Collegians during Be Confident Week in Term 3. There were such varied passions across a wide range of disciplines. Boys immersed themselves wholeheartedly in the initiative, spending countless hours toiling away on their projects with the support of a personal mentor who helped them to nurture their passion and bring their vision to life.

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ROWAN’S PASSIONS ARE SOCCER, FUTSAL AND POOL, SO HE CREATED THE GAME FOOT-POOL, WHICH IS A HYBRID OF ALL THREE.

LACHLAN DESIGNED A CLEVER AUTOMATIC BIRD FEEDER BY CREATING AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT, USING AN ARDUINO TO SPIN THE DISC LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOPPER, WHICH SEED IS POURED INTO.

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QUIRKY CHARACTERS BOOK WEEK AIMS TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING AMONG OUR YOUNG MEN. IT ALSO MARKS OUR COMMITMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPORTANCE OF READING AND ENCOURAGING OUR BOYS TO EMBRACE THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT OF LITERARY WORLDS. During Book Week celebrations this year, our boys enjoyed dressing up as their favourite book characters for the annual parade. From Owl Babies to Sherlock Homes and Fantastic Mr Fox to Harry Potter, our boys demonstrated ingenuity and creativity with their marvellous costumes.

Other activities included two engaging author talks. Author Dee White highlighted the importance of including elements of your own life in your writing, as writing from personal experience gives a story authenticity. Popular author, Dr Cameron Stelzer, stimulated boys’ thinking by revealing the very first sketches of his Stroogle series and explaining how he has created his books.

Boys also had an opportunity to explore the ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds’ display in the library, and were particularly curious about Mrs Wiliamson’s wonderful Old World display.

Licensed to Thrill Drones arm teachers with tools to create real-world situations and complex problems for our boys to solve, so they can develop the global competencies necessary to navigate the world successfully. Characteristics of a globally competent citizen include being a lifelong learner, problem solver and creative thinker, and being able to embrace

cultural differences, understand multiple perspectives, and feel comfortable in an unpredictable world. These essential human skills serve to help our boys forge new frontiers.

During their Frontier Study lessons, our Year 3 'pilots' were supported to acquire their drone licence by learning how to take off,

deftly manoeuvre, take photos and accurately land quadcopter drones. Boys then used the drones to complete a simulation challenge that involved rescuing important ‘space junk’ from an uninhabitable area. The boys impressed us with their skilfulness flying Tello drones that were kindly funded by our Junior School Support Group.

Maths All-Stars Mathematics and Sport were cleverly combined in an inaugural Junior School Mathematics Festival, which was designed to keep boys active and their minds engaged. The festival incited some friendly competition, with boys vying for the title of Interhouse Mathematics Champions. They enjoyed participating in fun Olympic-themed Maths tasks in order to earn points for their respective houses.

The Senior Lecturer of Mathematics Education at QUT’s School of Teacher Education, Ms Bronwyn Ewing, supported our boys throughout the day, along with a number of pre-service teachers and some Year 9 students who chose this as an elective for Be Confident Week.

Prep to Year 2 boys constructed a javelin and estimated the distance they could throw it using their left and right hands. They then measured their throw using footsteps as a unit of measure. As an added challenge, they worked out the difference between their estimated and actual throw, proving themselves to be quite accurate.

Year 3 and Year 4 boys participated in a shotput activity, which really honed their mathematical and sporting abilities. Boys threw a small bean bag ‘shotput style’ to land on a target number. Boys completed the exercise three times to try to reach a total of 150. Our cleverest mathematicians worked out which factors they needed to land on to achieve the desired result, based on their first two throws, then aimed for those numbers, which was simply ingenious.

Year 5 and Year 6 boys measured the distances they jumped for each part of a triple jump and then had to convert the measurements to a percentage of the whole – without using a calculator!

The Mathematics Festival presented our mathematically gifted boys with opportunities to shine, as peers across the houses sought their help to solve equations or work out problems. Cross year level groupings also encouraged collaboration.

Participation in outdoor Mathematics activities supported our boys' problem-solving abilities, enhanced their enjoyment of the subject and activated outside-the-box thinking to solve complex calculations using strategies learnt in class.

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Middle School

Academic Momentum MS AMELIA APOGREMIOTIS MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM COORDINATOR

MR DAVID BELL HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL A highly anticipated initiative in the Middle School is the annual Activities Week held at the end of Term 3. Given the age of the boys and the numerous moving parts it is certainly a credit to our staff, families and the boys themselves that this week runs so successfully each year. I mention families for two reasons. The first is that these families entrust the College in relation to the activities their sons in Year 8 and Year 9 undertake, which require demonstrating independence. I also mention families because of the values they evidently instil in their sons, which are crucial to the development of these young men and the manner in which they carry themselves during their Activities Week experiences. These values include curiosity, respect, prudence, teamwork, empathy and responsibility. It is imperative that these values are continually nurtured both in the home environment and here at the College, in the interests of shaping our young Gentlemen of Honour.

Middle School is a great time of transition, and this is certainly true in the case of the academic journey of students. Throughout their journey, students are ably supported by mechanisms in the Middle School that help them adapt to multiple teachers, shifting timetables, cohort exams, subject choices, and the concept of exam preparation.

2021 was the inaugural year of the Honours Program in Year 7, which stretched students in English, Science, Mathematics and Humanities subjects.

Realignment of the Middle School curriculum enabled the introduction of Discovery Days, which are experiences designed to take classroom learning out into the real world. Exploring the creek on the College doorstep and redesigning Future Brisbane, our Year 7 boys examined concepts from their Liveability units.

Be Confident Week in September featured exciting new opportunities for our Year 9 students to select interest areas they could explore to build a bespoke range of skills for boosting their future employability. A digital badging system was also introduced so that students could gain recognition for the strong micro-skills they developed throughout their educational experience.

Students pursued academic excellence in several external arenas. The College was well represented in the QAMT Maths Problem Solving Competition, Metropolitan West Mathematics Team Challenge, Big Science competition, da Vinci Decathlon, and the ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) Awards. The Peer Tutoring program, Elevate Education program (Year 8) and the Learning Habits course (Year 9) have been essential tools for students wanting to maximise their academic potential.

The flexibility of staff and students in adapting to the ever-changing educational landscape was tested again this year, with a brief transition to Learning at Home in Term 3. The seamless move from physical classrooms to virtual classrooms is a testament to the hard-working staff and extraordinary students we have here at the College.

Write that Essay was also an integral component of our learning and teaching program this year, with sessions for staff and parents and in-class coaching for students, which promoted a common language across curriculum areas and year levels.

We want students to be able to explore and investigate ideas and concepts that ignite their passion for learning, while they develop their sense of self and their position in the world around them. As Martin Luther King once said, “The function of education makes one think intensively and to think critically.

Intelligence plus character – that is the true goal of education.”

SWITCHING GEARS “CHANGE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE” - ROY T. BENNETT, AUTHOR Starting secondary school is a significant milestone in a student’s life. As with any change, the thought of starting something new is often met with excitement and some trepidation.

When the College prepares Junior School boys for their journey into the Middle School, the transition experience is not limited to a single event occurring in isolation. Instead, a network of initiatives work in combination to facilitate a successful transition by providing holistic support in the form of a Year 7 Orientation Program.

The unique Middle School transition experience encompasses more than simply learning how to navigate the wider campus, operate combination locks in new locker areas and read school timetables. It focuses on developing friendships and forging lifelong bonds to help incoming Year 7 students feel happy and connected.

The Year 7 Orientation Program includes webinars and workshops that provide students with an overview of what to expect in the Middle School. A number of new transition initiatives have been introduced this year and, when combined with existing initiatives, they create a robust program grounded in a layered approach to transition.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INVOLVE? Here we unpack some of the new and existing initiatives that help boys and their families adapt to the changes and step confidently into the Middle School journey.

FUN DAY The Year 7 Orientation Program kicks off with a Fun Day that enables boys to connect in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

They participate in icebreaker activities that support them to make new friends and learn while having fun.

FAMILY MEETINGS Many Junior School families welcome the opportunity to engage in a one-on-one, 30-minute introduction with the Head of Middle School, Mr David Bell. This optional meeting enables Year 6 boys and their parents to ask questions they may feel self-conscious about asking in a bigger forum, and seek answers direct from the source.

AMBASSADOR ADVANTAGE Boys participate in a week-long BBC Ambassador program, spending time with current Year 7 boys in their Mentor Groups. The Year 7 boys host the new students and help them calibrate their impressions of the Middle School.

At the end of the week, a panel of Year 7 students address the Year 6 boys about aspects of life in the Middle School, empathising with their feelings and offering personal advice about how they navigated the changes.

Middle School involves a new level of independence, so sharing everyday details can help to demystify natural concerns and normalise any anxious feelings that may arise.

In consultation with the Middle School, Year 6 classes begin to operate like Year 7 classes during Term 4, so students can begin familiarising themselves with the routines of the Middle School.

This transition activity benefits the incoming Year 7 students by providing a warm welcome as they embark on a shared experience. It also benefits the Year 8 students by giving them an opportunity to recognise how far they have come and confidently write about their own personal journey. As relationships are an important consideration in the Middle School, the incoming Year 7 students who have an older ‘buddy’ are already off to a good start.

ORIENTATION DAY

OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM

In Term 4, our Welcome to Middle School Orientation Day helps new Year 7, 8 and 9 students to learn more about life at the College. It also gives them an opportunity to meet their classmates, teachers and Year Team Leaders, as well as Senior House Captains and Prefects.

Parents and families are invited to a presentation by key Middle School staff members, as well as a morning tea where they are greeted by BBC parent ambassadors.

In the first week of the new school year, the incoming Year 7 boys attend an off-campus BBC Outdoor Education (OE) program, which prepares them to live in the real world. This outdoor adventure gives them opportunities to learn about themselves, others, and the natural world, through an emphasis on educational outcomes rather than a focus on recreation. The OE program is embedded into the curriculum and, through their participation in the program, boys grow, mature and increase their level of independence, while developing leadership through empathy and communication as they make new friends.

BUDDY LETTER During December, the incoming Year 7 students receive a ‘Buddy letter’ written by a Year 8 student who is going into Year 9. Our Middle School veterans provide the newest recruits with personalised insights into life in the Middle School. The letter is designed to address common concerns and provide examples of shared emotions and experiences to help dissipate any anxious feelings.

SHEPHERDS’ PROGRAM When boys return to the College following their outdoor adventure, they are ably assisted by our recently graduated Year 12 cohort.

These Old Collegians revisit the campus as participants in the Shepherds’ program, to mentor and support the new boys during their first week in the Middle School.

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ACTIVITIES WEEK 2021

IF THERE IS ONE PARTICULAR INITIATIVE IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT OUR BOYS REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO ALL YEAR – THEN THIS IS IT! LAUNCHED DURING THE LAST WEEK OF TERM 3, ACTIVITIES WEEK IS FUN, PURPOSEFUL AND ENGAGING. COLLEGE STAFF INVEST EXTRAORDINARY ENERGY INTO PRODUCING AN INNOVATIVE, EDUCATION-RICH PROGRAM FOCUSED ON FOSTERING AND DEVELOPING THE ESSENTIAL HUMAN SKILLS OF COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, CREATIVITY, CRITICAL THINKING, CHARACTER AND CITIZENSHIP.

AMAZING ADVENTURE

YEAR 8

Year 8 boys scouted the streets of Brisbane to expand their knowledge of the local area and develop their understanding about the city’s geography, civics, architecture, art and history. Boys also developed their sense of independence and gained confidence by navigating various modes of public transport. Working in teams they conferred about transport options, creating authentic opportunities for teamwork, creative problem-solving and collaboration.

Riding buses, ferries and trains, boys explored areas including South Brisbane, River Rocks, the Tennis Centre, Roma Street, the University of Queensland, Teneriffe, Keating Park, the Botanical Gardens, and Brisbane's CBD. Tasked with daily activities, boys captured footage of their experience with the intent to plan, film and edit a short promotional video.

Daily activities included investigating: Where was Brisbane’s World War II submarine base?

What is special about Newstead House?

Who features on statues and in the Walk of Fame at Suncorp Stadium? What artworks are positioned along the Kangaroo Point art walk?

Which famous people are buried in Toowong Cemetery?

The boys had fun exploring our river city with their mates, and College staff were very impressed by the maturity and responsibility that students exercised as proud ambassadors of our College.

SHAKING IT UP YEAR 7

Year 7 boys delved into a week-long workshop with Shake & Stir Theatre Co, experimenting with great Shakespearean classics to gain an appreciation of these timeless works. Talented coaches harnessed our boys’ effervescent end-of-term enthusiasm to transform the Year 7 cohort into a theatre troupe, which culminated in the production of A Week in Shakespeare’s World.

Performing as a theatre troupe helped the boys gain confidence, as there was simply nowhere to hide on stage when their lines were cued! By introducing The Bard (William Shakespeare) in a fun way, boys are better positioned to embrace the works of Shakespeare in English classes throughout their schooling.

TEN X 10

YEAR 9

Year 9 boys enjoyed participating in an innovative and immersive new Ten x 10 program. Based on the theme 'rites of passage', the program incorporated an eclectic array of core physical and cerebral activities designed to prepare boys for their journey through the Senior School. They also had opportunities to select various electives that aligned with their personal interests, which added a bespoke dimension to the program.

By completing various online courses, boys earnt micro-credentials to enhance their Curriculum Vitae. The micro-credentials aligned with problem solving, teamwork, leadership, communication, organisation,

technology, creativity, self-management, agile thinking and initiative.

Short courses and activities covered everything from martial arts and ninja obstacle courses to entrepreneurship and drumming to consent and digital presence. While external organisations helped to facilitate many of the courses, we also utilised the diverse skills of our own College staff who shared their expertise in various areas. Mr Brown demonstrated how to safely change a tyre, Mr Bell gave an introduction on student leadership styles, and Ms Apogremiotis taught boys about business basics via a lemonade stall.

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Learning in action Excursions are invaluable for exposing students to a variety of different experiences that reinforce classroom-based learning and add depth of understanding in a real-world context. Multi-sensory learning is an important part of school life and students are often better placed to grasp concepts and retain acquired knowledge when they are able to see, hear and experience things first-hand.

WONDERS OF THE WORLD To complement their Term 3 History studies and satiate their curiosity about the Ancient Past, Year 7 students visited the spectacular Brickman Wonders of the World LEGO exhibition at the Queensland Museum. Boys learnt about the creation and history of some of the world’s most iconic buildings and innovations from right across the globe, and there was fabulous linkage to the History curriculum.

Coinciding with the Brickman exhibition, LEGO enthusiasts from Year 5 to Year 12 spent several lunchtimes creating their very own BBC LEGO Masters ‘Architecture of the World’ exhibit for display in Birtles Library.

Students showcased their fine talents with a stunning display of architectural structures including the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Taipei 101, and the Hollywood sign, to name a few.

Macadamia Farm, Mt Cotton

PADDOCK TO PLATE For their Geography studies, Year 9 boys ventured on a field trip to Redland Bay and Yatala on the outskirts of Brisbane to meet with farmers, explore biomes and conceptualise the idea of ‘Paddock to Plate’.

Boys investigated how we use biomes for farming and food production, and what land and climatic conditions are most suitable for farming. Boys also learnt first-hand about sugar cane, strawberry and macadamia nut farming from some of Queensland’s primary producers.

Meeting with the farmers gave our boys a real-world appreciation of some of the challenges that primary producers face and the labours involved in getting food from paddock to plate. They also experienced chewing on sugar cane stalks and tasting macadamia nuts cracked open using rocks.

We are grateful for the opportunities the farmers provided by allowing us onto their properties to link in-classroom learning with real-world examples.

Sugar farm talk by farmer in Woongoolba

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Senior School MR SEAN RIORDAN ACTING DEPUTY HEADMASTER – HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL AND STUDENT WELLBEING (P-12) “What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”

– T.S. Eliot Considered one of the great poets of the 20th Century, Eliot reminds us that every closure is an opportunity to begin a new chapter. While the final part of the year offers incredible opportunities to farewell our Year 12 students in the Senior School, it also provides excitement and anticipation about the possibilities awaiting these fine young men. We are blessed to have been graced with their presence and great spirit of giving. We are richer for having experienced their contribution and sense of community, connection and belonging.

It was certainly wonderful to mark their departure at milestone events including the final boarders gathering, Leavers’ Assembly, Valedictory Dinner and Prize Giving, and at their Last Day Celebrations. On behalf of the students, I take this opportunity to thank College staff for their care and commitment. I also extend my appreciation to families for the very important partnership they have shared with the College in ensuring their sons make the most of the opportunities available to them. It is exciting to see the possibilities that now stretch out before these young men, and I remind them that they are always welcome here at the College.

The second semester of the year once again provided challenges and opportunities for our Senior School students across academic, sporting, cultural and service pursuits. I congratulate them on their fantastic efforts. Their willingness to fully immerse themselves in the variety of activities is where their sense of endeavour intersected with their capacity to learn and grow.

MILESTONE MOMENTS AND MEMORIES

FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2021

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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FOR OUR CLASS OF 2021, GRADUATING FROM THE COLLEGE WAS A TIME OF MIXED EMOTIONS AND MILESTONE MOMENTS THAT WILL INEVITABLY BECOME ENDURING MEMORIES. It seems like only yesterday our seniors started their BBC journey, yet we bid adieu to them in Term 4, flanked by a whole-of-school Guard of Honour. Our young men retraced their steps from the Prep Centre through the Junior, Middle and Senior School campuses and into their final Senior School Chapel Service.

But in the weeks leading up to their last day, there were many memorable moments that enabled us to celebrate all that these men are, all that they have achieved, and all that they will become.

From participating in their final classes and preparing for external exams, to attending the Leavers’ Assembly, School Formal, Valedictory Dinner and Prize Giving ceremony, our young men were certainly busy switching boaters and blazers with suits and ties. Other special moments included their induction into the Old Collegians' Association and a special gift presentation by our Prep boys.

In their final hours on campus, our young men were joined by their parents and families, staff and an entire community of BBC brothers who gathered together to acknowledge the many positive contributions the Seniors have made, the challenges they have endured, and the phenomenal leadership they provided in their final year at the College.

Each milestone moment gave our young men the opportunity to reflect on their time at BBC and show gratitude for all the support and sacrifices made by their parents, the guidance and care shown by staff and mentors, including Year 12 Team Leader Mr Lawrence Coleman and Assistant Team Leader, Mr Ken Stanley, and the special memories they share with their peers.

We wish our Class of 2021 a prosperous future, confident in knowing that their time at BBC has instilled in them the knowledge, skills, faith and wisdom to venture boldly into life beyond the College gates.

Thank you to graduating families for entrusting their son’s education and care to us and for being valued members of our College community.

We hope the friendships forged at BBC will long endure.

May the young men of our Class of 2021 never forget their formative years here at Brisbane Boys' College and revel in the Green, White and Black memories forevermore.

Congratulations gentlemen! This is farewell, but certainly not goodbye.

LEAVERS' ASSEMBLY

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BELONGING & BROTHERHOOD Our 2021 Valedictorian, Hamish Buntain, shared some sentiments during his Valedictory Speech about what ‘belonging’ at the College means to him.

“What is it about BBC that makes me feel like I belong? This felt like an easy question to answer at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised how complicated it truly was. I couldn't quite put a finger on what it was. Nevertheless, my aim was to remember one defining moment in my journey that has made BBC for me – and for so many other boys – a home away from home.

“The first moment I can think of is the GPS Swimming Championships this year. Just standing there in the stands with the other boys, our throats hoarse from countless war cries and hands numb from shaking our boaters, it made me feel different. It made me feel like more than just an individual or a number in the school system. More than just one boy among so many others, and more than just myself. In that one simple moment, I felt what it was like to belong to something greater than just myself. I felt for the first time in my 12 years at the College what it really means to be a Collegian – what it means to be bound to this unique school, and what it means to belong.”

“THE BROTHERHOOD WE SHARE IS UNLIKE ANYTHING ANY OTHER SCHOOL CAN CLAIM TO HAVE AND IT EXTENDS TO EVERY ASPECT OF COLLEGE LIFE. TOGETHER WE ARE BOUND; BOUND BY NUMBERS, BOUND BY BELONGING AND BOUND BY THE GREEN, WHITE AND BLACK.” – HAMISH BUNTAIN, 2021 VALEDICTORIAN COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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VALEDICTORY DINNER AND PRIZE GIVING

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LAST DAY CELEBRATIONS

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD

“BEFORE I CAME TO BBC, I THOUGHT HOME WAS WHEREVER THERE WERE FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF. BUT NO, HOME IS WHERE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE, NO MATTER WHERE THAT MAY BE.” – MASON BLACK, 2021 COLLEGE CAPTAIN

Our 2021 College Captain, Mason Black, shared some sentiments during his Valedictory Speech about how the Highland Cathedral – a Scottish melody that is a flagship of the BBC Pipe Band – doubles as a soundtrack to the journey at BBC. “Highland Cathedral is more than a song. I fell in love with it because it tells a story. A story of how over time, one lone piper turns into many.

But most importantly, it allows us to understand the Changing of the Guard. It tells about who we are and allows us to understand the history of our school. It is the soundtrack to our time at BBC, and this is why…

“The pipes first played at the beginning of our journey together. As we walked through our Year 7 Guard of Honour, those who came from the Junior School and those who barely knew each other were greeted by that song. It marked the beginning of our collective journey together, with boys from all walks of life now sharing a unique and intangible bond. As we got to know each other, the band grew. Some pipers joined us, and some left. But it doesn’t matter when you joined the song, it only matters that you are here today, and were a part of it.

“Unintentionally, the Highland Cathedral comprises two interchanging parts; highs and lows – representing our happy and sad times. It shows that through it all, even though you may have felt alone, there was always a Collegian by your side. It shows that we all still played together no matter what we went through. And it shows that no man was left voiceless and we are part of a community that supports each other.

“After weeks of our lasts and all the years that have spanned our beautiful journey, it is an indescribable feeling we share right now.

The feeling that it is all over. No more of those moments where our hearts beat as one. There are no more memories to be forged in the Green, White and Black. Luckily for us, the last lesson the Highland Cathedral teaches us is the Changing of the Guard – a time when you pass on your legacy.

“But when the pipes finish is the song really over? The answer is no. There will be times at Old Boys’ Day, and when our sons go to BBC, that we will still sing together and our hearts will continue to beat as one. Because although we will miss the school, it will forever be a part of who we are. The colours that represent our school are not merely colours, but a spirit that will continue to live in us for all our days. As the years have passed, we have strained our throats, waved our boaters and grown together to keep the candle burning long after we depart. We have been shaped by, and helped to shape, the legacy of Brisbane Boys’ College.”

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2022 STUDENT LEADERS THE STUDENT PORTFOLIO LEADERSHIP MODEL PROVIDES IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENT LEADERS TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR PEERS AND CONTRIBUTE TO COLLEGE LIFE IN AREAS THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. The leadership and energy displayed by our 2022 House Prefects at Interhouse events augers well for their impending contribution, and other Portfolio Prefects continue to innovate, encourage others and inspire action. Congratulations to these young men on their willingness to contribute and have a meaningful impact.

We look forward with great anticipation to the stewardship our appointed 2022 Student Leaders will provide for the College, including the leadership our broader Year 12 cohort will exemplify for our younger Collegians.

COLLEGE CAPTAIN Oliver Fearfield

COLLEGE VICE CAPTAINS Matthew Deighton Mihir Jha

PREFECT PORTFOLIOS Academic Marcus Cheung David Pelevin Hugh O'Donnell

Social Action Matthew Deighton Davide Carmignani Tom Cameron

Peer Support Jackson Hanigan Jack Scott Dominic Christensen

Spiritual Life Robert Atkinson Jonathan Vickers Joshua Niblett

Performing Arts Nathan Kim Lachlan Jarvis Mac Johnson

Sport Lachlan Biggs Monty Martin Jared Gluch

Visual Arts Kai Vladusic Finn Williams Wellbeing Marcus Fourie Mihir Jha Benjamin Wenck

HOUSE PORTFOLIOS Birtles Jackson Medway Mackenzie Martin Lex Tucker

Hamilton Thomas Brentnall Mitchell Slattery Joseph Newell

Wesley Flynn Bruce Henry Jolly Harry Winks

Campbell Joseph Gilroy Jack Williams Samuel Taylor

Knox Scott Kift Daniel Bentley Samuel Stafford

Wheller Max Nankivell Jack Hogarth Dylan Smyth

Cole Joshua Campbell Robbo Robertson James Chapman

McKenzie Darcy Graham Edward Deering Yadav Naicker

Flynn Harrison Fisher Nicholas King Jacob Bellette

Rudd Toby Macpherson Haddon Coe Kobi Burley

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A CEREMONIOUS WELCOME

“SHARED EXPERIENCE IS THE FOUNDATION OF RECONCILIATION IN ACTION.” – RED EARTH

THE RED EARTH INDIGENOUS IMMERSION EXPERIENCE IN CAPE YORK IS A UNIQUE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO OPEN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF STUDENTS TO THE BEAUTY AND REALITIES OF LIFE IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA. During the Term 2 holidays, Mr Sean Riordan, Miss Lacey Smith and 25 students embarked on a two-week immersion, where they connected with remote Indigenous communities to learn firsthand about the beliefs, traditions and way of life for many of Australia’s First Nation Peoples.

The life-changing experience is one of the College’s annual service projects, which enables our boys to give back to the community by helping to build necessary infrastructure for the benefit of the local people.

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SASHA’S STORY YEAR 12 STUDENT, SASHA SEETO SHARED A PERSONAL REFLECTION ABOUT HIS IMMERSION EXPERIENCE. We were really excited to see, experience and learn about Indigenous culture, and were inspired by the kind hearts of the Indigenous communities and their ability to stay positive in challenging times.

Our first stop was Dakarrba, just outside Wujal. Here we were welcomed on to Country with a traditional ceremony and met Traditional Owners (TOs) Kathleen, Francis, Gloria and Florence. These aunties taught us about traditional bush medicine and remedies, for example when a green ant is crushed it releases a potent smell which when sniffed can help to clear sinuses and headaches. We also painted with the TOs, while yarning with them and learning about Indigenous life, culture and their personal experiences. It was inspiring to discover that Kathleen was one of the first members of the Justice Group, which introduced an alcohol ban in Wujal in a bid to reduce domestic violence within the community. We also spent a day in the local Wujal community, playing sport with kids at the PCYC and walking around town.

After three days in Dakarrba, we travelled down the Cape to Bana homeland. At Bana, we were once again welcomed on to Country with a traditional ceremony and were introduced to some real characters – Samboy, Horace, Peter, Condi and Errol. These TOs were so kind and they loved having a laugh with us and a song around the campfire.

At Bana, we went bush walking, had a lesson in traditional language, swam in the nearby creek, fished, and participated in a corroboree. While at Bana, we split into groups to complete our service projects. The groups were responsible for building stairs leading down to a creek, a barbecue shelter and a picnic table, and levelling a communal area in preparation for concreting.

“IT WAS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAD WELCOMED US AND SEE JUST HOW MUCH OUR SMALL SERVICE ACTS WERE GOING TO POSITIVELY IMPACT DAILY LIFE FOR THE LOCALS.”

On the last day, we had a Kupp Murri, which involves food being cooked underground all day. While the food was cooking, we took a trip to Trevethan Falls, which is a sacred Indigenous men’s site where males go to perform initiation ceremonies. The falls were beautiful and overflowing, and it was a real privilege to be invited to the site. The following day we said our goodbyes and headed to Port Douglas for the final part of our trip.

At Port Douglas we enjoyed a day of snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and were amazed by the beautiful coral and fish.

We all had a blast on the trip and learnt a lot about Indigenous culture that is so rich in history. It was an unforgettable experience being able to visit places in Queensland we would otherwise not be able to, and it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our Indigenous history.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RED EARTH PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.REDEARTH.EDU.AU/OUR-PROGRAMS/ SCHOOLS

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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SENIORS SHOWCASE Students and families revelled in the red carpet treatment at New Farm’s Five Star Cinemas for the inaugural Seniors Showcase in September. Film, Television and New Media students in Year 11 and Year 12 had the opportunity to premiere their

creative film projects on the silver screen, and the feedback was incredibly positive.

Guest judge from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Dr Darryl Sparkes, commented on the high standard of talent among our boys.

Congratulations to Year 12 student, Archer Wood on winning the 2021 Film, Television and New Media Award for Innovation and Excellence. Archer deservedly won the award, with his project Idol nominated as best film at the Seniors Showcase.

Shooting was intensive, with three episodes filmed back-to-back within the space of one weekend. “It was important to film from the same location each time to ensure the continuity of episodes. We also spent a lot of time collaborating on Microsoft Teams,” said Eamon.

While there were some challenges to contend with, the boys dealt with these setbacks head on.

“When things don’t go to plan, you have to adapt and make it work. You can’t get fixated on things being a certain way, you just need to roll with it,” said James.

Additionally there is the logistical complexity involved with managing an entire cast and crew.

“There are many moving parts in film making. Coordinating the actors, choreographers and videographers to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible can be a real challenge,” said Finn.

Watching their work on the silver screen at the Seniors Showcase, alongside family and friends, was an unfamiliar but gratifying experience.

“It was very rewarding to see the results of our efforts, though we did spot a few things we could do better next time,” said Eamon.

Finn also remarked, “I enjoyed seeing it all come together. I was able to take in just how much work actually went into the project.”

“It was a very unique experience to showcase our work at a cinema. Most secondary school students don’t get that chance, so we’re really grateful to Ms Bauer for making it happen,” said James.

Finn offered some advice for students who might be considering pursuing an interest in film production. “I’d definitely recommend Film, Television and Media studies if you have a passion for film making, but you really need to put your mind to it – you can’t just cruise and expect results. The audience only sees the end product, when really there is so much more involved.”

And a final word from Ms Bauer, “Our Seniors Showcase was a great opportunity for students to push themselves and experiment with their film making. It was a pleasure to see Mafia Pursuit grow and change over the term and to watch James, Finn and Eamon challenge themselves and push each other to succeed. I am proud of the work the class made to get to a cinema premiere and I look forward to seeing what the boys come up with next year.”

REEL TALENT Year 11 students Finn Williams, Eamon Monaghan and James Griffin worked on producing their first television series Mafia Pursuit which premiered at the Seniors Showcase.

Executive Producer, Finn, wrote the original screenplay, which was then split into five episodes based on key plot points. Through their film studies, the students learnt about narrative structure, and this knowledge was useful for splitting out episodes and honing in on specific aspects. Each boy directed an entire episode, so they could add their unique flair. Eamon even turned his hand to acting, starring as notorious Mafia Boss, El Diablo.

BBC’s Film, Television and New Media Coordinator, Ms Judi Bauer was a wealth of inspiration, sharing her knowledge and expertise. The boys called for actors and extras via Highlands, scoured BBC Drama classes for suitable talent and sourced external talent through connections to Venturers and Scouts. Applying entrepreneurial ingenuity, Finn negotiated to shoot on location at the Venturers – using their den as a mafia base.

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Gratitude and MR MATTHEW MCEWEN DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

“I'm pretty sure the standing ovation and Rudd House war cry our boarding boys gave in Josie's honour would have echoed throughout the entire suburb of Toowong.”

In December, our Rudd House family faced the sad realisation that we would be losing our beloved House Mother, Mrs Josie Pavone, who has provided care, love and support in the boarding house to numerous boys and their families. Josie retired in Term 4 ready to embark on a new adventure, after nearly 16 years working at Brisbane Boys’ College.

Whether it was cooking her favourite Sicilian pasta dish with our senior boarders, making a late-night hot chocolate for a boy feeling homesick, sewing a button onto a boys’ blazer, or giving her ‘famous’ hugs, Josie did everything with love. She treated every boy as if he were her own and has truly been a second mum to so many during her time at the College.

Josie told us that what she will miss most is, “the boys... I love seeing them play and grow up together.” Josie’s calm and loving nature will long be remembered as she was instrumental in creating a real sense of family among the boarders and staff of Rudd House.

In signature BBC style, Josie received a spirited send-off with a touching presentation at our Rudd House Christmas party. A boy from each year level spoke about what Josie means to them and how dearly she will be missed. Together, we celebrated and thanked Josie and her husband Sam – who worked in the BBC Laundry for 15 years and retired last year. Now that Josie has followed suit, they

both plan to do some travelling and spend more time with their own children and grandchildren.

We are grateful to Josie for being such an amazing House Mother and will certainly miss her. On behalf of all the boys, families and staff of Rudd House, I thank Josie for her service, dedication, passion and enormous contribution to shaping the lives of many BBC boys. Although this is goodbye for now, the door to Rudd House will always be open.

Another farewell celebration for Josie, with Rudd families, Old Boys and staff is in the pipeline for 2022.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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STEM SPARKS CURIOSITY WHILE THE COLLEGE EMBRACES STEM LEARNING ACROSS MANY CURRICULUM AREAS, BBC STEM CLUB EXPOSES BOYS TO ITS APPLICATION IN A REAL-WORLD CONTEXT. ACCORDING TO NOBEL PRIZE WINNER, WILLIAM BUTLER (W.B.) YEATS, “EDUCATION IS NOT THE FILLING OF A PAIL, BUT THE LIGHTING OF A FIRE.” STEM CLUB EMBODIES THIS IDEA BY PROVIDING AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES THAT AIM TO EXCITE AND ENGAGE STUDENTS THROUGH A FOCUS ON LEARNING BY DOING, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO FUEL THEIR DESIRE FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS SUBJECTS AND RELATED CAREERS. Open to boys from Prep to Year 12, BBC STEM Club has been remodelled over the past three years, growing from less than 10 students to more than 150 students. Led by passionate facilitators who are advocates for STEM learning, the program is dynamically adapted to meet the individual needs and interests of students.

In a statement released by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment in December 2020, “Employment security is highly sought after while on the job hunt and new analysis has found that pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a thriving job growth area and it is likely to offer long-term prospects including security and resilience.”

Activities in BBC STEM Club range from environmental and sustainability initiatives to ambassadorships, through to engineering, coding and technology challenges. Read about some of the interesting activities our boys have been involved with during Semester 2.

STEM CAREERS Q&A JULY An informative STEM Careers Q&A event was held in College Hall for boys from Year 10 to Year 12. It provided an open forum for discussing careers in STEM and highlighting the multitude of options and pathways that currently exist in the workplace.

Spearheaded by Senior STEM Club members Mihir Jha, Joshua Roach and Hamish Trim, the event featured a panel of guest speakers who have forged successful science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers across a variety of occupations. The guest panellists, who are at different stages of their career, included: • Simon Smart (Associate Professor, University of Queensland School of Chemical Engineering) • Riley Bowyer (Engineering Student, University of Queensland and Industrial Trainee, CSIRO) • Harry Jacobs (Associate Professor of General Practice and Rural Medicine, James Cook University) • Adrian Howard (Former Engineer and past BBC Maths Teacher) • Jason Aggarwal (Physiotherapy Student, University of Queensland)

Our boys had an opportunity to quiz the panellists to learn more about their personal experiences and expand their own understanding of careers in STEM. They also gained a clearer understanding of potential STEM pathways and options available once they complete their schooling.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT AUGUST National Science Week is an annual event in the BBC STEM calendar. This year’s theme, ‘Food: Different by Design’, honoured the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.

Staff dished up a week-long smorgasbord of activities that challenged boys to think of food not simply as something they eat, but as an adventure of discovery. Students engaged with a variety of food science investigations, demonstrations, interactive pop-up stalls and quizzes aimed at inspiring and feeding their hungry young minds.

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES • • • • • • • • • •

Skittle diffusion experiment Red cabbage pH testing of food and drink Smartie chromatography Lab experiments for strawberry and kiwi fruit DNA extraction Pot a seed Aquaponics/hydroponics in action How to make an edible water bubble Worm farming and composting Fruit Makey Makey experiments Junior STEM Club Food Science Quiz

This inspirational and interactive incursion encouraged boys to ask questions and think outside-the-box. Our boys had fun with food while learning about the importance of sustainable practices, genetic engineering and the use of STEM in food production both now and into the future.

INNOVATION GAMES NOVEMBER

UNDER THE STARS SEPTEMBER Weather conditions could not have been better for the 70 students and families from Year 7 to Year 12 who turned out for STEM Club’s Astronomy Evening. Earlier rain showers cleared to reveal a cloudless night sky, enabling clear cosmic viewing of Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon.

The Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ) presented at the event, supplying an impressive range of telescopic equipment.

Boys learnt about different types of telescopic viewers and how to set them up to observe the solar system. The AAQ also shared a wealth of knowledge about Southern Hemisphere constellations, magnification, photography and the planets in our solar system.

It was a fun learning experience for the whole family. Many had their picnic rugs in tow, and marvelled at the stars while enjoying some pizza. BBC’s Assistant Coordinator of STEM Club, Ms Maria Bavins, also led families through a night sky discovery using the Star Chart App.

Year 7 and Year 8 STEM clubbers enjoyed their first foray into STEM Punks Innovation Games at Ipswich World Science Festival.

Adhering to a strict design brief, the challenge for Ethan Bailey, Derwin Lee, Fergus Meiklejohn, Angelus An, Ally Henderson, Jonathan Su and Eugene Jeung was to design, engineer and build a functional and purposeful construct using a Minecraft medium. The judging criteria required a delicate blend of purpose, functionality, realism and sustainability, along with a mix of natural and built environment.

Our boys seized the opportunity to flex their creativity and mastered the challenge by winning first place in Round 1. Their teamwork and encouragement of each other’s skills, niche abilities and creativity was impeccable. In the final they placed as runners up, receiving a notable mention for their great efforts in creating a sustainable design.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

ARTS

46 Magic Carpet Ride Junior School boys impress audiences with their take on the popular Walt Disney classic, Aladdin

48 Online College Art Show Indulge your senses in the ‘This is Serious’ online art collection, comprising works by our Senior School students

49 Music Short Reads Splendid performances, competition results and the 2022 concert dates

11 GOOD REASONS MR SHAUN THOMPSON

COORDINATOR OF EXPRESSIVE ARTS

HAVING A REGULAR CREATIVE OUTLET IS IMPORTANT FOR A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION AND IS ESSENTIAL FOR A CHILD’S EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING. A theatrical performance brings together the arts and provides growth opportunities for all types of learners. Kinesthetic learners engage their bodies through dance, while linguistic learners dive into the written and spoken word. Spatial learners tackle set and costume design, while musical learners revel in the show’s score.

Students gain valuable life skills by participating in a theatrical production. Besides being incredibly fun, musical theatre helps young people develop many of the skills necessary to be successful in today’s world.

GRAND CONCERT

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THESE ARE SOME OF THE KEY SKILLS THAT YOUNG PERFORMERS GET TO DEVELOP, REFINE AND, ULTIMATELY, MASTER THROUGH THEATRICAL WORK.

1

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Throughout the rehearsal and performance process, students discover how to take creative and emotional risks, and learn to trust their abilities.

By promptly attending rehearsals and learning set lines, music and choreography, students acquire valuable self-discipline techniques and become reliable and trustworthy members of an ensemble.

Students increase their reading and writing skills at their own pace by immersing themselves in a story, reading and re-reading their scripts, memorising lines and taking notes at rehearsal.

IMAGINATION

EMPATHY

SELF-CONFIDENCE

4

COMMUNICATION

During rehearsal, students learn how to articulate their thoughts and questions and listen carefully to directions in order to improve their performance.

SELF-DISCIPLINE

5

LITERACY

6

Students make countless interpretive choices in design and performance to create a detailed, fictional world for their audiences.

Students explore the lives of others through character work and story creation. First-hand perspectives of new circumstances challenge existing prejudices and help to develop well-rounded students and citizens.

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Students have countless opportunities to creatively tackle challenges and troubleshoot effectively, for example inventing mnemonics to remember lines, adjusting staging to show everyone’s faces, or mastering a tricky scene change.

Students have countless opportunities to connect with their families and neighbours, for example engaging their parents, community centres and local distributors for help with creating sets, props and costumes, and generating publicity.

CRITICAL THINKING/ PROBLEM SOLVING

COMMUNITY AWARENESS

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PUBLIC SPEAKING

Students gain experience and confidence speaking in front of a group, whether practising in front of their peers at rehearsal or performing in front of their school and local community.

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CURRICULAR INTEGRATION

Theatre provides a rich and engaging springboard for students to explore many subjects in the classroom and discover connections between various modes of learning.

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TEAMWORK

Students build an ensemble by working together to rehearse, construct, promote and perform their show. This requires extensive creative input from all participants, whether onstage or behind-the-scenes, and is vital for success.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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Magic Carpet Ride Boys were buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to be part of the school musical through the Junior School Expressive Arts program.

Students accelerated their communication skills by learning how to use verbal and non-verbal techniques in new ways, which in turn helped them to discover their voice and grow their self-confidence.

The story of Aladdin is about a street urchin (Aladdin) who meets Princess Jasmine, the beautiful daughter of the Sultan of Agrabah.

While visiting her exotic palace, Aladdin stumbles upon a magic oil lamp that unleashes a powerful, wisecracking, larger than life Genie. As Aladdin and the Genie become friends they embark on a dangerous mission to stop the evil sorcerer Jafar from overthrowing young Jasmine's kingdom.

Through the characters’ journey, performers explored the true theme of Aladdin, which is that infinite strength comes from within.

Bravo to the entire cast and crew of Aladdin on their incredibly spirted characterisations across three magnificent performances.

BBC’s Acting Headmaster Mr Damon Emtage commented, “The energy and enthusiasm displayed by the students was nothing short of exceptional. Clearly from all facets of direction, production, music, sets, costumes and choreography, our students were inspired to make the magic come alive. I am sincerely proud of our passionate and creative staff who make activities such as musicals a lifelong memory for our students and families.”

IN JULY, COLLEGE HALL WAS BROUGHT TO LIFE WITH VIBRANT SCENES STRAIGHT OUT OF A STORYBOOK. THE JUNIOR SCHOOL’S WONDEROUS PRODUCTION OF ALADDIN TRANSPORTED AUDIENCES TO ANOTHER LAND, WITH A JOURNEY THROUGH BUSTLING MIDDLE EASTERN BAZAARS, AN EXOTIC PALACE, AN ORNATE CAVE OF WONDERS AND A SCORCHING DESERT. COLOURFUL BACKDROPS, ORNAMENTAL PROPS AND ELABORATE COSTUMES CONTRIBUTED TO BBC’S UNIQUE TAKE ON THIS POPULAR WALT DISNEY CLASSIC.

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The teacher at the helm of the production, BBC’s Coordinator of Expressive Arts, Mr Shaun Thompson, commended the staff and students on their dedication and achievement.

“A huge thank you to our fantastic production team who worked tirelessly for months behind the scenes to create such an amazing experience for the boys. It is certainly evident that our young men can dance, act and sing, and I congratulate them on the success of Aladdin.”

TAKE A BOW A special congratulations to the lead cast: • • • • • • • • • •

Aladdin (Ollie Tesoriero) Genie (Callum Wood) Jasmine (Albert Ge) Jafar (Yerik Ye) Iago the Parrot (Xavier Kerr) Sultan (Ignatius Flynn) Abu (Soma Yamamoto) Babkak (Cooper Hunt-Sharp) Omar (Daniel Hockey) Kassim (Hugo Pisani)

FUN FACTS • • • • •

120+ hours spent rehearsing 14 live songs and dances 146 props and set pieces 486 costume pieces 1,200+ audience members attended across three stunning performances

Creative expression is vital in

allowing students to make sense of the world in a unique way and

it prepares them to navigate the challenges ahead.

– MR SHAUN THOMPSON, COORDINATOR OF EXPRESSIVE ARTS

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

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ONLINE COLLEGE ART SHOW LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SENIOR SCHOOL ART CURRICULUM BY EXPLORING THE 2021 ‘THIS IS SERIOUS’ ART COLLECTION ONLINE. FEATURING WORKS FROM OUR ART STUDENTS IN YEAR 10 TO YEAR 12, TAKE SOME TIME TO UNCOVER THE RATIONALE BEHIND EACH STUDENT PIECE AND DELVE INTO DIFFERENT ARTISTIC MEDIUMS.

The student collection is displayed alongside the College’s Bisset Gallery collection, established thought the bequest of Old Collegian, Philip Yeats Bisset (OC 1939). The College was fortunate to receive the Phil Bisset bequest, which includes a substantial collection of more than 500 artworks, including a number of tapestries made by Phil. The collection is a valuable asset, educational resource and source of inspiration for BBC artists, and the College remains committed to preserving and growing the collection for current and future generations of BBC boys.

Proudly funded by the BBC Foundation Bisset Fund, the digital gallery also includes archives from previous student collections.

Visit the College website to view the 'This is Serious' Art Collection and the Bisset Gallery Art Collection: ART.BBC.QLD.EDU.AU

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MUSIC SHORT READS

WHEN THE WILL IS STRONG BBC Music had some challenges to contend with this year, with the evolving impacts of COVID-19 translating to a new ‘normal’ in schools. Government restrictions required students to wear masks and for activities to be limited to year levels. Peripatetic staff were not allowed on campus, and no pipes, woodwind or brass instruments could be played as students would need to remove their masks. Singers even had to perform wearing masks.

The Music department was determined to take this in its stride and armed itself with a little ingenuity.

Rehearsals were kept to year levels and/or held online, along with private lessons. Brass, woodwind and pipes students were allocated an alternative private rehearsal plan and rehearsed online, while singers rehearsed in smaller year groups wearing masks.

Some ensembles were also provided with ‘click tracks’ to assist their rehearsals.

All musicians and staff are praised for demonstrating flexibility, resilience and dedication in light of the new arrangements.

NOW IN ITS 25TH YEAR The 25th Anniversary of the BBC Concerto Competition was held at College Hall in September, featuring virtuosic and skilful performances that showcased musical development often delivered by much older musicians. To celebrate this important milestone, the College was fortunate to engage experienced and well-respected guest adjudicators, Maestro Johannes Fritzsch and Ms Susan Collins.

Maestro Fritzsch has been the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) since 2021. He is also the Conductor Laurette of the QSO, following seven years as the Chief Conductor. Maestro Fritzsch is a Professor of Opera and Orchestral Studies at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and the Principal Guest Conductor of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

Ms Susan Collins is a renowned Australian violinist, performing as a Concertmaster in orchestras both here and abroad. Ms Collins has appeared as a soloist and recitalist throughout Australia, Europe and the USA. She regularly records and broadcasts for ABC Radio and has been the Head of Strings at the University of Tasmania and the University of Newcastle.

HOTLY CONTESTED First round heats of the competition commenced in July, and for the first time two students competed from our Junior School.

Music students were required to prepare a multi-movement solo work from concert repertoire. Contestants included Jackson Proper (Voice), Jonathan Su (Violin), Liam Beak (Violin), Leo Lynch (Violin), Joshua Roach (Flute), Ho Jin Han (Violin) and Nathan Kim (Saxophone).

Ho Jin Han (Year 6), Leo Lynch (Year 10) and Nathan Kim (Year 11) were selected as finalists and progressed to the final round. These musicians performed a full concerto (multimovement work of between 18 to 37 minutes) with a piano accompaniment, demonstrating a depth of experience and offering the adjudicators and audience a variety of works: • Ho Jin Han (WA Mozart – Violin Concerto No 3 in G Major. K216) • Leo Lynch (A Dvorak – Violin Concerto in A minor Op53) • Nathan Kim (DM Dubois – Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra).

All musicians from the first and final round are commended on their impressive performances, in particular Nathan Kim who was the winner of the BBC Concerto Competition in 2021.

Thanks also to the accompanists, Kathy Sander (First round) and Mitchell Leigh (Final round) for their expert support of our soloists.

Many past winners of this competition have pursued careers as professional musicians, which augurs well for the future of this year’s competitors.

SAXOPHONIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

Since beginning his journey at the College in 2017, Nathan Kim has won numerous awards. Some of his achievements include winning the Middle School Solo Championship in 2019 and the Senior School Solo Championship in 2021. Nathan has also enjoyed success outside the College, winning the Under 15 and Under 17 Prize at the Queensland Clarinet and Saxophone Competition in 2020, and achieving a Highly Commended Award for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Young Instrumentalist Prize in 2018 and 2019.

At BBC, Nathan is involved in the Big Band, Symphonic Band, Collegians, Camerata Choir and College Symphony.

Last year he also received his Licentiate of Music (LMusA) from the Australian Music Examinations Board, which is an incredible achievement.

Well done Nathan!

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50 | ARTS

SHOWCASE CONCERT

Our annual Showcase Concert featured the musical talents of our Middle School students and intermediate ensembles. Staff and students were thrilled to present to a live audience in September, as the 2020 concert was performed for online viewing only due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The audience was treated to performances by the Stage Band, Precision, Senior Percussion, Intermediate Percussion, Year 9 String Quartet, Intermezzo Strings, Hudson Strings, Cello Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Senior Solo Championship winner – Nathan Kim. Thank you to our musicians and staff for their dedication to putting on a wonderful concert.

Special acknowledgement also goes to the Music Support Group for its assistance.

GRAND CONCERT

The 2021 Grand Concert – Chapters held in September will be remembered for many reasons.

Aside from the tremendous performances, which resulted in it becoming one of the most magnificent College Music events in recent times, it was also the first ‘masked’ Grand Concert.

Every member of the audience and all performers wore masks. The concert format this year included three performance venues and it was the first opportunity for our Senior musicians to wear the Music Senior ties they were gifted earlier in the year.

None of the restrictions were able to dampen the enthusiasm, as our hard working and committed musicians delivered a wide variety of concert repertoire, with each performance highlighting the exceptional talents of our students and staff.

Congratulations to the Big Band, BBC Singers, We Build Spaceships, Camerata, Collegians, Nathan Kim (Alto Saxophone), College Strings, College Symphony and Symphonic Band who performed at the event.

FINALE CONCERT

Music students performed their last concert for 2021 at the end of November, which was the first opportunity for our new 2022 Music ensembles to perform together. Due to changes to the academic year and the College calendar, BBC Music has altered its concert season to reflect those changes.

Congratulations to the Symphonic Band, College Symphony, College Strings, Collegians, Senior Percussion, Junior Strings, Intermediate Percussion, Concert Band, Precision, Stage Band, Wind Ensemble and Intermezzo Strings / Hudson Strings. Superb performances by these ensembles suggest the 2022 BBC Music concert season is in good hands.

MUSIC DINNER

Our esteemed music community flocked to Figs on Sylvan in September for the annual BBC Music Dinner, which celebrates the fine achievements of our Music students and acknowledges the contribution of our 2021 Music Seniors.

The Big Band, College Strings and We Build Spaceships put on wonderful performances, and our Music Seniors were presented with drumsticks – as is tradition.

The event was a testament to our Music Support Group’s valued contribution to the success of the Music department.

UNEARTHED TALENT

Year 12 student Mugisha Mangwa A.K.A. MUMBALA entered the Triple J Unearthed High competition for high school students this year, with his track ‘Loner Boy’. Though he did not win the competition, Mugisha had his tracks played on national radio and has received some great reviews.

“Three listens in and I'm about to go again. This is a vibe, straight up.” – Dave Ruby Howe, Triple J Unearthed Music Director TAKE A LISTEN TO MUMBALA ON SPOTIFY OR TRIPLE J “Yeahhhh I’m a big fan of this one (Loner Boy)…You can hear UNEARTHED: the melodic elements of those dudes (Laroi and Juice) but you deliver this crunch to your emotional pop and I’m liking it!”

– Declan Byrne, Triple Home and Hosed presenter sptfy.com/70xH “Return of the king! He's back with another one (Rager featuring Zoomy) after impressing us a whole bunch with Loner Boy.” www.abc.net.au/ – Tommy Faith, Executive Producer of Triple J Unearthed Music triplejunearthed/ Congratulations Mugisha. We look forward to what comes next! artist/mumbala

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2022 CONCERT CALENDAR

FROM THE PIPE BAND

3 MARCH

18 OCTOBER

Twilight Concert 6.30pm, College Hall

Junior Gala Concert 6.30pm, College Hall

26 MAY

25 NOVEMBER

Autumn Sounds 1 5.00pm, College Hall

Finale Concert 6.00pm, College Hall

2 JUNE

OTHER EVENTS

Autumn Sounds 2 5.00pm, College Hall

31 MAY

10 JUNE

Indie Rock Concert 6.30pm, College Hall 27 JULY

Darren Middleton Songwriting Competition 6.30pm, College Hall

8 SEPTEMBER

Showcase Concert 6.30pm, College Hall

Pipe Bands Queensland awards a point system for each Queensland Pipe Band Competition, whereby the band within each grade that has the most points takes out the Champion of Champions title. A huge congratulations to BBC Pipe Band No 2, BBC Pipe Band No 1 and No 2 combined, and Old Collegians who were awarded the Champion of Champions this year across Grade 4B, Juvenile, and Grade 4A respectively.

CELTIC VIBES AT QPAC

Middle and Senior School Solo Championship 6.00pm, College Hall

In November, our pipers and drummers from BBC Pipe Band No 1 took to the stage alongside the Queensland Pops Orchestra to perform two Celtic Spectacular shows at QPAC. It was an amazing experience for our students to play to a full QPAC Concert Hall with a wonderful array of professional musicians and an all-star line-up of dancers.

3 AUGUST

Concerto Competition Finals 6.00pm, College Hall 10 OCTOBER

Junior School Solo Championship Finals 1.30pm, College Hall

26 AUGUST

Grand Concert 6.15pm, College Hall

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

If you would like more information about any of these events, please contact music@bbc.qld.edu.au or phone 07 3309 3520.

SOLO PIPING AND DRUMMING COMPETITION

Six members of our Pipe Band competed in the Scots PGC College Solo Piping and Drumming Competition at Warwick in October. Congratulations to Liam Docherty, Bruce Campbell, Cole Wilkinson, James Byrnes, Cooper Morey and Tom Werner on their performances, with many of them securing podium placements, and all finishing within the top five.

A TOUCH OF TARTAN

NEWS FROM SCOTLAND

Our 2021 Sounds of Scotland – A Touch of Tartan variety concert in September saw the transformation of our Junior School Green as the audience was metaphorically transported to the Scottish Highlands. Our three BBC Pipe Bands and young learners joined world champion highland dancers to present a fabulous evening of song, dance and uplifting Scottish music, reminding audiences that their heart can be in the Highlands no matter where they are. The musical talent displayed by our BBC musicians is a testament to their commitment to countless hours of practice under the masterful guidance of our dynamic and dedicated Pipe Band staff.

Our BBC Pipe Band is a widely recognised performance group that has enjoyed many notable achievements on home soil as well as internationally.

We are always proud to hear about Pipe Band graduates who are enjoying success at their craft long after their time at the College.

Congratulations to Old Boy Cameron Lawson (OC 2018 and Drum Sergeant 2016-2018) who executed a polished performance at the LIVI INNvitational Freestyle Solo Drumming Competition in Scotland in November.

2022 SAVE THE DATE 2 APRIL

8 OCTOBER

BBC Highland Gathering

Sounds of Scotland COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

SPORT

56 Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

Meet the inspirational BBC Old Boys who have taken on the world in their quest for Olympic glory

59 Around the Grounds Semester 2 GPS championship events and premiership season results

61 Redemption, Heart and Spirit Check out all the nail-biting moments from the College’s 2020 BBC GPS Rugby Premiership winning season.

MR MARK PAVONE HEAD OF CO-CURRICULUM Term 3 and Term 4 sports and activities involving Basketball, Chess, Rugby and Track & Field were met with a mix of emotions and outcomes. There was a high level of excitement in defending the First XV Rugby Premiership from 2020, First V Basketball looked likely to have a more competitive season, and our Premier Chess team were still chasing the elusive Premiership trophy.

GPS Rounds 1 and 2 got underway fairly smoothly, with BBC splitting results with Toowoomba Grammar School (TGS) and Nudgee College (NC).

Unfortunately, ever-present COVID-19 posed a genuine threat to competition, resulting in all fixtures on Saturday in Round 3 being cancelled as South-East Queensland entered lockdown. While the official lockdown only lasted one week, many GPS schools were affected and restrictions on training and practice were enforced under government regulations. Nevertheless, our boys continued applying themselves to whatever opportunities were available to them.

For Basketball and Rugby, no official premiership was awarded to any GPS school. This is in line with the GPS Abandonment of Competition policy, in which 75 percent of fixtures (7 of 9 matches) need to be completed for a premiership to be awarded.

Here is a breakdown of each round: Round 1 2 3

7

Outcome Basketball, Chess and Rugby completed Basketball, Chess and Rugby completed Chess completed Basketball and Rugby not completed, with fixtures cancelled due to South-East Queensland lockdown BBC vs BGS All Basketball, Chess and Rugby matches cancelled BBC vs Churchie All Basketball, Chess and Rugby matches cancelled BBC vs TSS Basketball and Chess round completed Rugby in 'return to play' mode BBC vs IGS Basketball, Chess and Rugby completed

8

BBC vs BSHS

9

Bye

4 5 6

GPS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Teams BBC vs TGS BBC vs NC BBC vs GT

Basketball, Chess and Rugby completed

A massive highlight in Term 3 was our Premier Chess team who were undefeated throughout the season and led the competition up until the last round. Unfortunately, based on Chess competition rules, their overall points were less than the defending premiers at Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) who won the premiership in the last round following their match against Brisbane Grammar School (BGS).

To finish off the 2021 GPS competitive year, the 104th Track & Field Championship moved forward to Week 2 of Term 4 due to the date change of the Ekka public holiday in Brisbane. While our usual preparation time was not optimal, our team of 42 athletes and 28 reserves, heavily supported by more than 300 student supporters, saw BBC take out fourth place overall at the championships.

Well done to all the boys, staff and coaches for their efforts in 2021. I look forward to a great 2022, with BBC’s 120-year celebrations and our continued high-level performances in GPS sports and activities.

Take a seat on Old Boys’ Hill THE OPENING AND NAMING OF THE GRAHAM THOMSON AM STAND ON OLD BOYS’ HILL WAS CELEBRATED BY MANY MEMBERS OF THE BBC COMMUNITY IN SEPTEMBER 2021.

Following construction of the grandstand, the College and the Old Collegians' Association (OCA) were approached to name the facility in recognition of a community member who shares a long association with BBC and who embodies the values and traditions of our school.

Mr Thomson, a long serving BBC Headmaster (1974 -1989 and providing additional support in 1996) was humbled to have the facility named in his honour.

“It is an absolute privilege to be recognised in this way. The grandstand overlooks the Rugby field (Miskin Oval) where I vividly remember BBC winning its first Rugby Premiership in 1954. I haven’t missed many games since, and it was tremendous to cheer the First XV team to a Premiership again in 2020.”

Having dedicated much of his life to Brisbane Boys’ College, the PMSA and education in Queensland, this is a fitting tribute for Graham Thomson AM. Thank you to our Rugby Support Group for funding this initiative and to the BBC School Council, OCA, and Parents and Friends’ Association for their support.

If you would like to be part of this initiative, visit the College Website: BBC.QLD.EDU.AU/NEWS/TAKE-A-SEAT-ONOLD-BOYS-HILL-IN-THE-GRAHAM-THOMSONAM-GRANDSTAND

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AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE! FROM THE

GREEN, WHITE AND BLACK TO GREEN AND GOLD

OUR BBC COMMUNITY CONGRATULATES OLD COLLEGIANS, ASH MOLONEY (OC 2017) AND JAKE LILLEY (OC 2010) ON THEIR OUTSTANDING SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES.

SPORT | 55

PERSEVERANCE, STEADFAST COMMITMENT AND RESILIENCE BBC Track & Field has experienced its most prolific and historic period of performance over the past seven years, winning multiple GPS Championships, with BBC athletes claiming countless individual and age group records, and qualifying for state and national teams. The 2021 season presented opportunities to reinvent our identity, while carrying on the legacy of BBC Track & Field.

An amazing highlight this year was BBC Old Boy and Decathlete Ashley Moloney (OC 2017) winning Bronze at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Ash secured Australia’s first track medal in Tokyo, becoming the first Aussie to win a medal in the men’s decathlon (100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m, 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500m).

During his schooling at BBC, the talented athlete had access to first-class gym facilities and opportunities to train with elite athlete

Cedric Dubler – an Olympian and current BBC Track & Field Coach. He also had the support of veteran Eric Brown – a BBC multiple events coach who remains his coach to this day.

Congratulations to Ash on his Bronze medal performance during his Olympic debut, and to fellow Aussie teammate, Cedric Dubler, on displaying outstanding sportsmanship and performances across multiple events over consecutive days.

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE HAS BEEN REPRINTED AND ADAPTED WITH PERMISSION FROM ANDREW DAWSON, SPORTS WRITER, THE COURIER-MAIL AND QUEST NEWSPAPERS. ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE COURIER MAIL ON 6 AUGUST 2021.

ASHLEY MOLONEY’S JOURNEY TO BECOMING A BRONZE AUSSIE The young bull of Australian athletics, Ashley Moloney, last night scripted one of the great stories in our Olympic history with a stunning bronze medal effort on debut in Tokyo.

Moloney, 21, snared a cherished bronze medal after a herculean effort in the gruelling 10-event decathlon according to our reporter in Tokyo, Erin Smith.

It is Australia’s only medal of track and field competition to date and evoked memories of Tatiana Grigorieva coming from nowhere to

snare a pole vault silver medal 21 years earlier at the Sydney Olympic Games.

It was Australia’s first ever Olympic decathlon medal, and appropriately Moloney’s training partner at UQ Sport, Cedric Dubler, was by his side in a dramatic finale, bellowing at him in the back straight to start his sprint to the line in the 1500-metres.

But Moloney’s road to a podium finish at the Games is merely the end point of a myriad of little steps taken along the way, and one of those checkpoints to Australian Olympic

history saw him pass by Queensland State of Origin legend, Trevor Gillmeister.

In 2018, Gillmeister helped Moloney attend the world junior championships in Finland, an event which announced Moloney’s arrival on the world stage after he claimed a gold medal in a record-breaking performance.

Knowing Moloney was struggling to finance the trip abroad, Gillmeister organised a framed jersey and pic of every Queensland State of Origin captain to be auctioned.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

56 | SPORT “He is a good young kid and the last thing I wanted him to worry about were finances,’’ Gillmeister said.

It was a gesture which left Moloney speechless. “I didn’t know what to say,’’ he said.

Gillmeister had met Moloney at UQ Athletics where his daughter, Brooke, was a training mate in coach Eric Brown’s stable.

Moloney had high praise for his coach, Brown, whom he said “basically raised me’’ as an athlete while also tailing his training partner Dubler from a “pup’’ to a Rio Olympian.

Moloney also said Brisbane Boys’ College had played its role in his successful journey to the Olympics.

MOLONEY’S STEP-BY-STEP PATH TO TOKYO TO VIEW THE FULL ARTICLE, VISIT THE COURIER MAIL WEBSITE:

“They did play a role,’’ he said. “They gave me a platform as I did not really have access to gyms and things like that.”

“They gave me an opportunity to use their facilities and do my first ever really big comp (GPS Track & Field Championships).

“If anything it helped me with my decathlon because I did 10 or 11 events in one day and it was exhausting and nothing was harder than that.’’

Until now.

With two-time Olympic and training partner Cedric Dubler assuming the role as captain-coach, Moloney worked his way through the 10 events, ticking off personal

bests before doing just enough to get over the line in a gutsy 1500-metre sprint to the line.

Moloney once described Dubler as being “like my Big Brother’’ and his contribution can never be underestimated.

Dubler was there both as a mentor and a mate to offer advice or relax the rookie.

He contributed to this great Australian story by a young man from working class Logan City who has lived from pay cheque to pay cheque in quest of a dream that came true – an historic Olympic medal in his Games debut.

Attends Regent’s Park State School Joined Browns Plains Little Athletics Club Attends Browns Plains State High School Moves to Jimboomba Little Athletics Club to increase his exposure to jumps training Meets world renowned jumps coach Eric Brown Wins a scholarship at Brisbane Boys’ College for Years 11 and 12, where he helps BBC to back-to-back GPS Track & Field championships While at BBC, he breaks the Under 18 decathlon Australian record Introduced to athletics coach Tokuko Pitt who provides the sprint work, while Eric Brown continues working on his jumping skills In 2018, he wins a gold medal at the World Junior Track & Field Championships – breaking the competition record In 2019, he beats his training partner, Rio Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Cedric Dubler, at the Oceania Championships Wins a place on the 2019 Australian team bound for the World Junior Athletics Championships where he wins with a record-breaking performance In December 2020, he breaks the Australian national record, thus generating an Olympic qualifying effort In January 2021, coach Eric Brown declares “the cat is out of the bag’’ as world decathlon athletes look over the shoulder and see a 20-year-old from Logan in Queensland coming

SENSATIONAL SAILING BBC Old Boy, Jake Lilley (OC 2010) also donned the green and gold as he represented our nation in sailing at the Tokyo Olympic Games. A long-time member of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Jake began sailing at the age of 14. He is an America’s Cup winner, World Cup and Junior World Cup winner and European Champion.

Jake made his Olympic debut in the Finn class sailing event at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, where he achieved eighth place, but he went one better this year in Tokyo, crossing the line in third place in the medal race to secure seventh place overall in the Men’s One Person Dinghy (Heavyweight) – Finn class.

JAKE LILLEY’S STORY “At BBC some of my best mates were into sailing. I’d always been involved in other sports, but they encouraged me one day to try out school sailing. I fell in love with the sport immediately. For me it beat running around a track or swimming up and down a lane. I was addicted to the adventure and the unpredictability of the weather – and of course, the ocean. But I certainly wasn´t skilled when I started out,” recalls Jake.

“I remember being in the BBC gym and boatshed and realising I’d have to work more than anyone else to make it to the top, but I was dedicated to doing that.

“School sailing was a stepping stone to the next level and beyond, from club representation to state representation and so on. It provided an opportunity for me to feel inspired, have fun with mates and get involved in the sport. Everyone, especially my buddies, were always super encouraging. It was really nice to be involved in something bigger, then to be able to give back support at Interschool carnivals by getting behind the rest of the school.

“While it was always a dream of mine to put on the green and gold at an Olympic Games and represent our great country, being able to do that twice in my life has been special and immensely satisfying, especially after spending countless hours and years preparing for those moments.

“Preparing for the Olympics is all-consuming, as everything is geared towards performing at your absolute peak. In the months and years leading up, everything is systematic – from each calorie you eat, to how you spend every minute and where you put your focus in each training session.

“The potential for injury is prevalent in any elite sport, and sometimes injuries occur at the most inconvenient time. Tearing my meniscus to pieces five weeks out from Tokyo was far from ideal, but there was no time to waste wondering what could have been. I resolved to do absolutely everything to be in the best shape possible by the time the starting gun went off, regardless of my circumstances.

“Being part of such a great team at the Tokyo Olympics was amazing. The energy the Aussies brought was such a buzz. Although seventh place wasn’t my best result as far as

IMAGES PROVIDED BY J LILLEY

Congratulations to Jake on his sensational achievement, especially given he endured a full meniscus knee operation just weeks out from the games and was in a leg brace right up until arriving in Tokyo.

The Finn dinghy has been a part of sailing at the Olympics since 1952, but its presence at the Tokyo Olympics this year was its final hurrah.

sporting achievements go, my commitment and attitude is what makes me most proud.

When I arrived in Tokyo, I could hardly manoeuvre the boat without capsizing, yet just two weeks later I was leading the most competitive Olympic Finn fleet ever through the final race. I was determined not to let circumstance get in the way of producing my best result, so I seized each moment.

It’s easy to play the victim or make excuses but relentlessly pursuing your goal takes courage.

“Finn class sailing is challenging because it’s all-encompassing. It requires strength and power, as well as endurance. It’s tactical and intellectual both at the same time. You race guys who are considered the greats of the sport, and you are on your own. There’s nowhere to hide. That’s what makes it so rewarding.

“My family – Dad in particular – has played an integral role in my journey, always encouraging me to aim high. Nothing was ever out of the question and nothing was impossible. The details didn’t really matter, it was all about belief in myself and the relentless pursuit of my goals.”

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

“

IT’S SAD THAT THIS YEAR SPELLS THE END FOR FINN CLASS AT THE OLYMPICS BECAUSE I LOVE THE BOAT AND LOVE SAILING IT. I WANT TO FIRST SOAK UP MY EXPERIENCE IN TOKYO AND TAKE WHAT I CAN FROM IT, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO HELP AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO CHASE THEIR SPORTING DREAMS AND PURSUE THEIR GOALS.” – JAKE LILLEY

JAKE’S TAKE Below Jake shares some tips for our aspiring young athletes who are passionate about excelling in their chosen sport.

WHAT CHARACTER STRENGTHS ARE VITAL IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ELITE ATHLETE? To become an elite athlete I believe you need to be curious and resilient. Be open to ideas, input, criticism and new ways of thinking.

Also be imaginative and try something that hasn’t been done before.

Get curious, ask questions, don’t set limits and do try different approaches.

Curiosity is key because it will lead you through ways that don’t work immediately or experiences that teach lessons more than they bear success.

Resilience is foundational in being able to keep going, to make breakthroughs, to continue to learn and to ultimately triumph.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH PRESSURE AND DISAPPOINTMENT, CALM YOUR NERVES AND STAY FOCUSED?

Through disappointment you learn your greatest lessons and it fuels the desire to try again. A shift in perspective will help you to capitalise on any disappointment.

If you have practiced for countless hours, hopefully you have developed the right fitness, skills, techniques and mental processes and they are all hard-wired now. Dedication, focus and executing your processes are what will lead you to your desired outcome. When you realise that, the surrounding factors that aren't within your realm of control become insignificant.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHERS WHO ARE STRIVING TO REACH THEIR SPORTING GOALS? I encourage them to ask themselves the following questions: • What’s my vision with the sport?

• Where can I see myself?

• How much does it really matter to me?

If you can see it and it really means that much to you, nothing else matters, the rest will follow.

Pressure is a privilege. That was a key takeout from the Australian Swim team’s great success in Tokyo. And it’s true. If you have earnt the honour of pressure to perform, consider yourself blessed.

For more information about Ash Moloney (OC 2017) and Jake Lilley (OC 2010), visit the College website:

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AROUND THE GROUNDS ATHLETICISM, DETERMINATION AND GRIT

Our BBC athletes fought hard and performed strong at the 2021 GPS Track & Field Championships in October, with our Senior squad securing fourth place and the Junior squad placing fifth. It was wonderful to see our boys striving to break school and GPS records and achieve new personal bests for themselves and the College. The epic BBC spirit and strong sense of brotherhood certainly permeated all Track & Field events.

CHESS TO IMPRESS

This year our Premier BBC Chess team got the closest they have to winning since 2018, successfully securing a second-place podium finish, within only one point of the top position. Well done to Jasper Moss, Baicheng Ren, Austen Chen and Daniel Ma in our Premier team who spent countless hours researching their opponents game play and devising successful strategies.

College Chess Captain, Zachary Wicks, led one of the largest teams in the GPS Chess competition, with more than 60 students ready to play each week.

“The BBC spirit was unrivalled among other GPS schools. Our home ground debut against Toowoomba Grammar School involved the first ever Chess war cry and tunnel for the boys. For Baicheng Ren, Isaac King and myself, this was our last year playing for the College – and it was by far the most memorable,” said Zachary.

“

There is a genuine connection and camaraderie between every member in our BBC Track and Field community. The vertical support, encouragement and praise from the Seniors all the way to the Junior boys is symbolic of the heart behind BBC Track & Field and everything we stand for. The GPS Championships provide an opportunity for us to showcase our talents and the friendships forged every day at training, as each member of the team contributes to our results and success as a College.”

– DOMINIC THYGESEN AND MATTHEW BENNETT, TRACK & FIELD CO-CAPTAINS.

FAMILIAL FUN

BBC Tennis hosted the 16th Parent and Son Tennis Tournament in November. With a fantastic turnout of more than 35 teams, spectators who packed the pavilion enjoyed the quality tennis on display. It was wonderful to see parents showcasing their tennis skills and supporting the BBC Tennis program.

Congratulations to the following competitors: • Division 1 Winners – Oli and Jon Hottot • Division 1 Runners-up – Kaylen and Anthony Timbrell • Division 2 Winners – Aaron Remedios and his sprightly Grandpa, Norm • Division 2 Runners-up – Matt and Stephen Beck

NEXT LEVEL EFFORTS

BBC qualified to field a team in both the Primary and Secondary division of the Interschool State Chess Finals. Noah Chew, Suvan Nag, Ryan Rao and Lucas Qi (Junior School Chess Captain) played strongly in our Primary team, placing 14th (out of 24 schools).

Congratulations to Baicheng Ren, Austin Chen, Daniel Ma and William Tu (Middle School Chess Captain) in the Senior team on their valiant effort to place within the top five teams in Queensland.

ENGINEERED TO WIN

The Queensland State Championship for Robotics was initially postponed due to the impact of COVID-19. However, a combined State/National Championship was hosted by the University of Queensland in Term 4. BBC fielded more than 30 teams and our boys acclimatised to the unprecedented virtual format of the competition, displaying dominance and validating BBC’s position as a leading Robotics Club.

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60 | SPORT

BBC GPS RESULTS HUSTLE AND HEART

SEMESTER 2, 2021

While no GPS Premiership was contested in Term 3 due to COVID-19 disruptions, BBC Basketball had a successful season. Forty teams were entered into the competition, Club Basketball recommenced, and lead coaches were expanded across all age groups to lift the quality of coaching.

The 2021 Co-Captains of Basketball, Tom Hinson and Raffety Morris, led strongly in the First V team. Highlights included an exhilarating win-from-behind against Nudgee College, and a soul-crushing last-second defeat in overtime against Ipswich Grammar School in their final home game.

Raffety Morris made selection to the Under 18s Queensland team, and although injury hampered his participation for several months, when he returned to the game he was able to leave his mark.

Congratulations to Tom Hinson, Daniel Graham, William Cohn, Isaac Morrison, Charlie Hinson, Luke Stafford, Billy Garnsworthy, Sebastian Heyes, Lachlan Scroggie, Cooper Bell, Charlie Winks and Jovan Sirocki who also played representative Basketball in 2021.

ACTIVITY

TEAM

RESULTS / OVERALL POSITION

Basketball

First V

Competition cancelled (COVID-19)

Chess

First IV

2nd

Rugby

First XV

Competition cancelled (COVID-19)

10 -12 Years 13 Years -Open

5th 4th

PREMIERSHIP

CHAMPIONSHIP Track & Field Robotics (Soccer events)

Soccer Open

1st and 2nd in Queensland State 1st in National Technical Award Soccer Lightweight 1st in Queensland State 2nd in National Technical Award Soccer Standard 1st in Queensland State Rescue Maze

1st in Queensland State 3rd in National

THE SEASON OF TWO HALVES

The 2021 BBC Rugby season was marred by stops and starts, with the GPS officially cancelling various fixtures due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Although news that there would be no Rugby Premiership was disappointing for students and our wider College community, some matches were able to proceed to keep our boys active and engaged.

The College fielded 24 teams across the U11s to Opens, which was an increase of seven teams on the previous year. The College’s First XV and Second XV teams worked well together, creating a competitive environment within which to train. Some of our First XV and Second XV players helped to coach various teams throughout the season, which was an enjoyable experience that further embedded Rugby culture here at the College.

BIG FRIDAY When COVID-19 was infiltrating headlines everywhere mid year, staff in the BBC Strength & Conditioning (S&C) department, led by Ms Sophie Pidcock, were keen to create a positive news story. The team wanted to set a challenge that would unite the BBC community and ensure boys were able to continue pursuing their fitness goals in spite of the limitations posed by lockdown. To that end, the grand idea of ‘Big Friday’ was born.

Held on 6 August 2021, Big Friday was the biggest online HomeZone workout ever to be staged in the College's history. Staff and students were invited to attend, and were encouraged to rally together their parents, grandparents, siblings and pets

to join in too. BBC’s Outdoor Education Coordinator, Mr Marcelo Valente Ramos joined the live stream and his mischievous backyard chickens also decided they wanted in on the action!

Coordinating a training session of this magnitude was fraught with logistical challenges, but the S&C team dug deep and used their ingenuity to deliver innovative solutions. The workout primarily consisted of exercises not requiring the use of equipment, and exercises were tailored for people of different ages and fitness levels, with variations to make them more or less difficult.

Participants engaged well with the online format, with many asking questions or sharing banter via the live chat. BBC Strength & Conditioning coaches invited music requests from those in attendance to make the HomeZone workout even more uplifting.

124 25 5,500+

PARTICIPANTS

EXERCISES

PUSH-UPS

SPORT | 61

RUGBY INDIGENOUS ROUND On Saturday 28 August, the College participated in an Indigenous Rugby Round, which coincided with the First XV Rugby team’s final GPS home game for the season.

To honour the significance of this special round, our First XV players proudly wore jerseys and socks designed by students in the BBC Indigenous Program. The aesthetically-striking design incorporates elements of our iconic 'Green, White and Black' war cry and colour motif as the basis of the trails that encircle the jersey and lead students to Brisbane Boys’ College. While the 'Yarning, Corroboree Circles' feature as a subtle watermark depicting the many different friendship groups and conversations that occur during a student’s journey through BBC. The College is committed to providing educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys, which focus on their Academic, Co-curricular and Spiritual growth and development. The BBC Indigenous Program partners with the Cape York Leaders Program to provide scholarships for Indigenous students from the Cape.

Cultural initiatives like the BBC Indigenous Program present opportunities to close the educational gap by providing boys with access to a quality education, which maximises their potential to support their communities and make meaningful contributions to College life.

REDEMPTION, HEART AND SPIRIT The Season – Return to BBC, is an insightful nine-part documentary series featuring nail-biting highlights from the College’s 2020 BBC GPS Rugby Premiership winning season.

Following the success of the

seven-episode The Season 6 series, which documented the 2019 BBC First XV team’s campaign for GPS glory, The Season – Return to BBC portrays a story of redemption more than 100 years in the making.

Catch all the action in The Season – Return to BBC and The Season 6 via the College website: WWW.BBC.QLD.EDU.AU/THE-SEASON-RETURN-TO-BBC WWW.BBC.QLD.EDU.AU/NEWS/THE-SEASON

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

INSIGHT

63 Snapshots Floral Fiesta Thanks Dad Bound for BBC

INSTILLING HOPE While life is filled with uncertainty, the levels we are currently experiencing are unprecedented and immense – and this is especially taking a toll on young people.

Disruptions to education and isolation from peers and family has led to rising mental health concerns, and it is evident that many young people need additional support to achieve their goals. Parents can help young people reframe their worries and put disruptions into perspective by keeping the lines of communication open and listening. Encourage them to focus more on the things they can control rather than those they cannot control.

Over the centuries, humans who have faced significant adversity for prolonged periods often emerge stronger and more determined. It is important to remain optimistic and not give up hope. Parents can help to instil hope by ensuring young people remain connected to their social networks. Encourage them to make a conscious effort to focus on the good, rather than filling in the blanks with catastrophic narratives.

Leading adolescent psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg has more to say on this topic. Visit the College website and access the School TV icon on the top left of the home page to view his special report on Instilling Hope in Uncertain Times: BBC.QLD.SCHOOLTV.ME/WELLBEING_NEWS/SPECIAL-REPORT-INSTILLING-HOPE-UNCERTAIN-TIMES

DID YOU KNOW? School TV is an online platform providing free resources that empower parents to confidently navigate the modern challenges of raising happy and resilient young people. You'll find a range of topics published each month, along with comprehensive videos from leading specialists and organisations. Topical content covers everything from cybersafety and mental health through to exam jitters and surviving school, so there is sure to be a topic that piques your interest and is relevant for your family.

FATHER'S DAY IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

INSIGHT | 63

SNAPSHOTS FLORAL FIESTA FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER It was all about friendship, frocks and fundraising at the Spring Bling Lunch. Women across the College community gathered at St Lucia Golf Club to deepen their connections and raise money to fund activities that Parent Connections administer for the benefit of our boys. In a show of support for International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, funds were also donated to Australian Families for Genomics (AF4G). This not-for-profit organisation, founded by a BBC mother, aims to give every child and young person diagnosed with cancer the prospect of a better life. Our generous College community contributed great prizes for a Spring Bling Raffle, including a ‘Staycation at Montville’ kindly donated by Spicers Retreats.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

64 | INSIGHT

THANKS DAD SEPTEMBER Junior School Dads were invited to an inaugural Father’s Day Assembly, followed by a Father and Son handball competition and marbles match on the Junior School Green.

Year 2 boys performed a special rendition of ‘Thank you for being our Dad’, and Class 2J shared their insights about the key qualities that make Dads special. This heart-warming tribute from the gentleman of the Junior School demonstrated how grateful they are to their Dads for inspiring them and helping them to grow up wise.

In the Junior School we value opportunities to bring our community together to celebrate and share special moments and milestones. We also encourage our young gentleman to show gratitude and respect for the most important people in their lives.

INSIGHT | 65

BOUND FOR BBC NOVEMBER Starting school is a major milestone and our Prep transition program has been instrumental in ensuring our youngest Collegians are ready to hit the ground running. Our future Preps have enjoyed some time on campus getting to know their teacher, meeting their classmates, getting used to their new surroundings and learning some important skills. We can’t wait to see these little faces in their Prep uniforms in 2022.

COLLEGE SHOP WEBSTORE As an extension of the College Shop, the webstore provides online access to a full range of compulsory uniform items, stationery requirements, supporter apparel, College branded memorabilia and gift items.

Visitors to the College Shop webstore enjoy: • convenient 24/7 online shopping • access to more than 1,500 different uniform and merchandise items • fast and secure credit card payments • same day click and collect service.

VISIT THE COLLEGE SHOP WEBSTORE TODAY

SHOP.BBC.QLD.EDU.AU COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

CONNECT O LD COLLEGI ANS

FOUNDATIO N

COM MU N ITY EV EN TS

67

From the OCA President 68 Upcoming Events 70 Snapshots 72 Community Announcements 74 Flashback: BBC's House System

77

From the Foundation Chair

CONNECT | 67

From the OCA President MR MURRAY MCNAUGHT (OC 1992)

In this, the 101st year of the Old Collegians’ Association (OCA), our Executive Committee started the year with a full calendar of events aimed at bringing together Old Collegians of all ages to reconnect with each other and with the College.

The annual Vintage Collegians’ Lunch was held at Toowoomba in February. I had the pleasure of attending the event and spent the afternoon with our Senior Collegians – one of the gentlemen even hailed back to the Class of 1949! The event was followed later in the year by President’s Drinks, which incorporated the 5-Year Reunion of the Class of 2016 and featured a great turn-out by many of our younger Old Collegians.

As the year progressed, we were plagued again by lockdowns necessitating the postponement of some of our events. The decade reunions, Old Boys’ Day, and even the long-awaited Sci-Fleet OCA Centenary Gala Dinner were unfortunately casualties of COVID-19 restrictions.

The OCA Executive has planned a busy events calendar for 2022 that will see the return of the popular OCA Long Lunch, Old Boys’ Day (BBC v Nudgee) and Golf Day. We look forward to celebrating double the number of decade reunions; those postponed this year, as well as the 2022 decade reunions.

The Vintage Collegians will again host lunches in Toowoomba, Mt Mee and the Sunshine Coast, as well as monthly catch-ups at the College on the first Tuesday of each month.

The OCA Executive Committee will share more information about upcoming events, but please stay in the loop by providing the BBC Alumni Office with your current email address. Either visit the website at www.oldcollegians.com.au/stay-in-touch or email oca@bbc.qld.edu.au.

The OCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday 1 February 2022. This is occurring earlier than usual, which means the new Executive will be in place and ready for the year ahead. At this AGM, my term as the OCA President will come to an end. During my time as President, the OCA achieved many objectives, and I would like to thank the members of the OCA Executive Committee for their support and contributions.

My two highlights of 2021 would be the success of the OCA Bursary and the naming of the Graham Thomson AM stand.

I am also extremely grateful to the Rugby Support Group and the College for giving the OCA an opportunity to propose a name for the new grandstand on Miskin Oval. For those of us who studied under Mr Thomson the recognition was long overdue. The response from the Old Collegian community was overwhelming and highlighted the impact that Mr Thomson had and continues to have on many Old Boys to this day. It was great to see the seniors from the Class of 2021 take a seat in the Graham Thomson AM stand on their last official day of school.

When a new President and Executive team is appointed, I have no doubt they will continue the great work of the Old Boys that came before them. On behalf of the OCA Executive Committee and the BBC Alumni Office I wish everyone in our community a safe, happy and prosperous year ahead.

This year the OCA assisted six sons or grandsons of Old Collegians to attend the College. As a parent of three BBC boys, and an Old Collegian myself, I am extremely proud that the OCA is in the position to help families continue the tradition of enabling their sons to attend BBC – families who would otherwise not have the financial means to do so.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

68 | CONNECT

UPCOMING EVENTS

VINTAGE COLLEGIANS’ CHRISTMAS IN JULY LUNCH, MT MEE OCA LONG LUNCH

As these important celebrations were postponed in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions they have been rescheduled to 2022.

OLD BOYS’ DAY (BBC HOME GAME VS NUDGEE)

The OCA Executive Committee is working with coordinators to secure dates and Save the Date emails will be issued early in 2022.

Thursday 28 July

2022 OCA CALENDAR

Friday 5 August

PRESIDENT’S DRINKS AND 5-YEAR REUNION (CLASS OF 2017)

Saturday 6 August

OCA GOLF DAY

Friday 25 February

Friday 7 October

VINTAGE COLLEGIANS’ LUNCH, TOOWOOMBA

VINTAGE COLLEGIANS’ END OF YEAR CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Thursday 17 March

DECADE REUNIONS 2021 AND 2022

Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date with the BBC Alumni Office.

You can do this by visiting www.oldcollegians.com/stay-in-touch or emailing oca@bbc.qld.edu.au.

Wednesday 30 November

OCA NETWORKING BREAKFAST Friday 18 March

VINTAGE COLLEGIANS’ LUNCH, CALOUNDRA, SUNSHINE COAST

Please not that dates are correct at the time of printing, however they may be subject to change.

Thursday 26 May

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS FOR THE ONGOING SUPPORT

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70 | CONNECT

SNAPSHOTS 2

1

3

4

5

RAISE YOUR BOATER DAY

Friday 27 August

6

7

10

1. Stuart Stevens (OC 1995), Brett Shields (OC 1995), Paul Haggarty (OC 1968) 2. Paul Jones (OC 1984) in Chamonix, France (holding his old rowing singlet) 3. Cameron Alexander (OC 1990) 4. James Massey OAM (OC 1966) – James lost his boater in a fire 30 years ago, so he is wearing his Old Collegians’ Centenary Cap with pride 5. Tom Clarke (OC 2020) 6. Martin Browne (OC 1969) with his original boater from 1964, Ian Hall (OC 1966) and Graham Miller (OC 1969) at the West Dalby Silos 7. Julian (Year 1) and his father, Joe Adsett (OC 2000) 8. Don O’Rorke (OC 1977) BBC Council Chair, Murray McNaught (OC 1992) OCA Chair, Jon Morrow (OC 1995) OCA Executive member 9. BBC Director of Boarding Matt McEwen (OC 1988) 10. College Seniors 11. Class of 1962 – received from Ian Robertson (OC 1962) (Back: Andrew Petrie, Gordon Lawson, Rob Douglas, Ian Robertson. Front: Ian Cameron (dec.), Ian Leslie, Alan Wilson, Russell Manning)

8

9

11

CONNECT | 71

MT MEE CHRISTMAS IN JULY LUNCH

Wednesday 28 July

OCA HUTCHIES GOLF DAY Friday 3 September

VINTAGE COLLEGIANS' END OF YEAR LUNCH Wednesday 24 November

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

72 | CONNECT

Community Announcements VALE Mr John (Jack) R Bell (OC 1935) Mr William M Bray (OC 1938) Dr David O Jones (OC 1943) Mr John P Jost (OC 1946) Mr John L Loveday (OC 1946) Mr Roger W Hawkins (OC 1957) Mr Richard F Glasson (OC 1961) Mr Graham V Pressland (OC 1961) Mr Ian M Reid (OC 1965) Mr Phillip W Bache (OC 1970) Mr James B M McKenzie (OC 1992) Mr Christopher J R Wiltshire (OC 1992) Mr Justin Mail (OC 1994)

Stay in Touch Keep connected with the OCA via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn www.facebook.com/ BrisbaneBoysCollege OldCollegiansAssociation

@bbc_old_collegians_assoc

Brisbane Boys' College Old Collegians' Association

community engagement manager

Mrs Carol Stephens 07 3309 3526 oca@bbc.qld.edu.au college archivist

Ms Helen Jackson 07 3309 3629 hjackson@bbc.qld.edu.au director of school development & community engagement

Ms Hayley Blumenthal 07 3309 3500 hblumenthal@bbc.qld.edu.au Update your details www.oldcollegians.com.au/stay-in-touch

Honouring a pioneer of Australian Wagyu The Old Collegians’ Association lost another of its Old Boy greats this year, with the passing of Dr Simon Coates.

As the well-respected co-founder and owner of Sumo Wagyu, Dr Simon Coates will forever be recognised as a key figure in establishing the Wagyu beef industry outside of Japan. A qualified veterinarian of more than 40 years, with an extensive knowledge of Wagyu genetics and breeding, Simon's work was pivotal to the import of Wagyu genetics into Australia in the early 1900s.

Simon was a family man and a ‘gentleman’ in business and his unique blend of character, scientific knowledge and passion for Wagyu opened up many opportunities for

Australian and international breeders.

His efforts during the formative years of the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) are applauded, and he was recognised as an Honorary Life Member in 2018.

In honouring the pivotal role that Simon played in developing the Australian Wagyu industry, the AWA announced a Dr Simon Coates Scholarship for Veterinary and Reproductive Science. The Scholarship is available to students studying veterinary science or researching reproduction and breeding related to Wagyu.

CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS Mr John Wylie (OC 1978), together with his wife Myriam, was awarded the 2021 Creative Partnerships Award acknowledging leadership in private giving and art partnerships.

The John and Myriam Wylie Foundation provides financial and non-financial support for organisations in the education, arts and culture, Indigenous, and sport sectors. Mr Wylie said he hoped the award would encourage other companies and individuals to become more involved in philanthropy, but admitted it could be quite a personal journey. “We are simply happy to use the opportunity given to us to invest in the community that we think is helpful, particularly in ways we think will have a multiplier effect.”

CONNECT | 73

Compassion, Tolerance and Respect It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of our oldest Old Boy Jack Bell on Friday 26 November 2021, aged 103 years.

Mr Jack Bell, a World War II (WWII) Airman and Prisoner of War (POW), was an inspirational man whose desire for humanity was to share his universal values of compassion, tolerance and respect in abundance. WWII exposed Jack to the necessity of rising above appalling conditions and situations and relying on the kindness and respect of strangers in horrendous circumstances.

On 23 January 1942, the Bristol Bombay, of which Jack was the wireless operator, was shot down near Benghazi in the Libyan desert. Partially protected by his transmitter and radio, Jack sustained dreadful shrapnel wounds and lacerations to his abdomen, right leg and shoulder, as well as severe burns to his hand.

Jack could have died like his fellow airman and best mate did, except for a German

doctor whose humanity and specialist skills saved his life in a field hospital. During the painful 640-kilometre, four-day journey to the port of Tripoli in an open truck, all of his stitches severed. On a hospital ship travelling from Africa to Italy the Matron-in-Charge was Mussolini’s daughter, who entered the bilge in the bowels of the ship to speak individually to the POWs. A caring Italian nurse perpetuated Jack’s life by picking and stewing quinces seeped in sugar during his five-month stay in an Italian hospital. These acts of humanity, compassion and kindness by the perceived enemy shaped Jack’s beliefs and engendered his appreciation of life.

Leaving Italy via rail in a cramped cattle truck, Jack arrived at the Stalag IV-B prison camp, south of Berlin, where 155 Australians and 33 other nationalities were detained.

People were starving, including German

nationals, existing on unpalatable rations of millet, black potatoes, sugar beet and pickled vegetables infused with sawdust.

Notwithstanding the diet and confinement, Jack praised the tolerance and respect that prisoners showed towards each other. They were buoyed by Football, which was their outlet and the glue that helped to ensure their survival.

In 2017, Jack Bell was the recipient of Victoria’s Senior Citizen Award for his devotion to service his country, his mates, his family, and those less fortunate than him.

We remember Jack as a special Old Boy who chose to forgive and whose belief in humanity gave him the ability to soar above obstacles and believe in the goodness that unites us.

Community is about connection, so we invite you to share any announcements about yourself or fellow Old Collegians. Announcements may include stories of interest, notable achievements, marriages, births or vale notices. Please email the details to our BBC Alumni Office on oca@bbc.qld.edu.au.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

74 | CONNECT

FLASHBACK

BBC’S HOUSE SYSTEM THE 90-YEAR EVOLUTION OF THE BBC HOUSE SYSTEM IS ONE THAT HAS INVOLVED FORESIGHT, CREATIVITY, ADAPTATION… AND STRAIGHT OUT SNITCHING! Former BBC Headmaster Mr P.M. Hamilton introduced the House system in August 1931 during the College’s first year at the Toowong campus. The College was originally divided into three Houses; School House (Boarders), Wesley House (Day Boys – A to L) and Knox House (Day Boys – M to Z). The latter two houses adopted an alphabetised system, allocating Day Boys to houses based on their surnames. Being a PMSA School, the houses were named after religious leaders of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches. The Scottish Macs were placed in the Presbyterian initiator’s House, Knox, with maroon and silver as the house colours. While Wesley House followed the Methodist tradition, selecting the colours purple and gold.

For two decades the royal blue of School House was dominant in Interhouse rivalry.

In 1950, School House was split into two houses (Campbell and Rudd) to help even out the competition. Campbell House was named after Mr E.T. Campbell, who was the PMSA Secretary from 1918 until his death in 1949. Boarders were allocated to the two new houses based on an alphabetised system.

Boys whose surnames started with a letter from A to L were part of Campbell House, while those with surnames from M to Z were part of Rudd House.

1933 SCHOOL HOUSE

CONNECT | 75

1932 KNOX HOUSE

Rudd House selected a black background with gold lettering and the insignia of a swan for its badge. Its motto ‘Ex Fide Fortis’ translated to ‘Strong through Faith’, while Campbell House selected an eagle with the motto ‘Honour Before Honours’.

During the 1960s a crash in world beef prices and the growth of local country high schools (High Tops to Year 10) caused boarding numbers to decrease rapidly. With fewer boarders, the houses became jointly known as Rudd-Campbell House in 1963 and 1964. The two crests: the swan (Rudd) and the eagle (Campbell) appeared side by side. From 1950 to 1964, Campbell gained the title ‘Cock House’ for consistently winning the Interhouse Exton Shield Competition.

However, in 1965 boarders returned to a single house, Rudd. Robert Cullen (OC 1964) designed the new Rudd House badge, selecting an eagle as the motif and the colours green and gold.

By 1976, Day Boy numbers had increased, so Campbell House was reinstated. The House system was revised again by 1980 to accommodate another significant increase in Day Boy numbers. With a primary focus of the House system being pastoral care, smaller houses were able to nurture and guide young

men more effectively, especially in an era when no Middle School existed. Therefore Flynn, Hamilton, McKenzie and Wheller houses were added.

Adaptation and snitching took place, beginning with the original houses. In 1969, Wesley House exchanged its lion motif for the traditional Methodist symbol of a mythical wyvern and substituted the colour purple with double blues. The Head of Knox House, Mr Ross McDonald, permanently borrowed the Wesley lion and put him in the rampart position (standing erect with forepaws raised).

In interchanging the original Scotch thistle, Mr Ross McDonald increased the ferocity of the motif and chose the colours red and white.

In reducing the size of the houses, Campbell House members typified the newfound sense of belonging, choosing the ‘swan colours’ of yellow, white and black and the thinking motif of a chess piece.

The theme chosen by students for Flynn’s first year was ‘Total involvement’. The Flynn House badge and motto were influenced by the Royal Flying Doctor Service symbols, as were the outback colours of cobalt blue for sky and terra cotta that is synonymous with the reddish brown of the desert. The motto ‘In Alis Honoris’ translates to ‘On the Wings of Honour’. Inspired by their namesake, Rev John Flynn, the House developed stronger student integration between year levels.

Before becoming BBC’s second Headmaster, Mr P.M. Hamilton (1931-1946) served in the fourth Light Field Ambulance during the Sinai-Palestine Campaign (1917-1918). He gained a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, winning blues for athletics and tennis, and achieving qualifications in literature and education. Mr Hamilton was particularly interested in new educational

1963 CAMPBELL AND RUDD HOUSES

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

76 | CONNECT

1935 WESLEY HOUSE

thinking and was a supporter of the League of Nations since its inception. Navy and white were adopted as Hamilton House colours with the aim of creating an atmosphere of camaraderie across all year levels.

McKenzie House was named after Headmaster Dr T Ross McKenzie BA, MEd, FCP, LTCL (1947-1955). Dr McKenzie was involved in overseeing the construction of Miskin Oval in 1947, the Junior School, and the war memorial swimming pool in 1951, and his Headmaster's ‘wing’ was opened in 1983.

With a reputation as a strict disciplinarian and an excellent rugby player, the initials LTCL after his name signified Dr McKenzie's love of music, drama and, in particular, Shakespearean theatre. The strong colour combination of orange and black defined McKenzie House and it became renowned for its welcoming spirit.

Wheller House was named after Rev Harold Wheller OBE (1882-1979), who was an advocate for social justice. Throughout his 25 years of ministry, Rev Wheller worked compassionately with the unemployed, homeless, needy, discharged prisoners

and, in his later years, founded and directed an aged care facility, which venerates his name. He was involved in the unification of the Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian churches to form the Uniting Church. Originating as a bewildered group of complete strangers, Wheller House organised itself into a cohesive group, choosing burgundy and black as house colours – not dissimilar to the original Knox colours.

In 1989, in response to increasing school enrolments, the College Council approved the creation of a ninth house, which pays tribute to the fifth BBC Headmaster, Mr A.J. Birtles (1956-1973). The Birtles House crest was derived from a family surname signifying 'the dweller near the birch-trees'.

Dating back to 15th Century Cheshire in England, the crest incorporates the addition of a BBC Laurel wreath. Mr Birtles brought his love of scholarship and sports to the College at a time of educational revitalisation. He held a position as Chairman of the Queensland Priorities Commission, overseeing funding and building programs in non-government schools, which continued into his retirement.

The newest House was named in honour of Rev Graham Cole, BBC’s longest serving Chaplain of 28 years (1992-2019). Cole House adopted the colours white and purple – with purple reflecting Graham's early ministry in the Methodist Church, not to mention it was also one of Wesley House’s original colours.

Wesley House had strong foundations, thanks to the incredible legacy created by Rev Cole and his extensive involvement in school life.

Graham’s compassionate, caring and social nature embedded in faith, along with his understanding of the ‘BBC recipe’, was an enduring bequest for Cole House.

Each of the Houses represent men whose lives are far from ordinary. These inspirational pioneers with committed beliefs have given selflessly in creating a positive way forward. Each House reflects the values of its namesake. Students are born into or adopt a House’s characteristics and this attachment to beliefs and colours has incited care, passion and great rivalry for nearly a century.

CURRENT BBC HOUSES

CAMPBELL

HAMILTON

CONNECT | 77

From the Foundation Chair MR IAN MACPHERSON (OC 1979)

It was an honour to step into the role of Chair of the Foundation Board in July 2021, as Mr Don O’Rorke moved into the role of Chair of the BBC Council. I thank Don for his dedication and diligence as Foundation Chair, and look forward to working with him in 2022 while he remains on the Foundation Board as a Representative Director for the BBC Council.

Working in conjunction with the OCA and the Class of 2021, we delivered our annual online fundraiser, the Our Boys Our Future Giving Day, on Tuesday 12 October.

Students in the BBC Film Crew and the Film Crew Coordinator, Ms Judilyn Bauer, filmed and produced the Giving Day video, which featured a cast of BBC boys, Old Collegians and staff members. Several Year 12 boys manned the phones on Giving Day, reaching out to more than 500 members of our community. Thank you to everyone involved for their time and effort. It was encouraging to see how enthusiastic our boys and community members were to be involved with Giving Day. Due to the support of our 14 matching donors, and the wonderful generosity of the BBC community, the Our Boys, Our Future Giving Day was a great success. Together we surpassed our goal of $300,000, raising $333,782 from 355 donations in 24 hours.

As directed by our donors, $52,765 will go to the Building Fund to enable the continued transformation of classrooms for our boys, and $281,017 to the Bursary Fund to allow the continuation of our bursary program with the provision of needs-based bursaries. Of the 355 gifts received on the day, 31 percent were from first-time donors. A sincere thank you to all our donors for their support of the project and for entrusting us with their gifts.

In 2021, the Foundation made great strides towards facilitating fundraising for BBC’s Co-curricular endeavours through membership with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), which is the only organisation in Australia providing tax-deductible receipts for donations made towards sporting facilities, equipment and travel. This membership allowed us to assist the BBC Rugby Support Group to launch the

‘Take a Seat on Old Boys’ Hill’ campaign, and the BBC Rowing Support Group for the ‘BBC Rowathon – 2,022km for the 2022 Season’ campaign.

The Foundation also extended its reach in the wider community through membership with the Australian Independent Schools USA Foundation. This non-profit, tax-exempt corporation complies with US regulations for charities, allowing US-based members of our community to make tax-deductible donations to the Building or Bursary Funds. Thank you to the community members who have already supported us through this organisation.

The College Archivist, Ms Helen Jackson, was enlisted by the Foundation to create a comprehensive electronic catalogue of the Bisset Gallery Collection, comprising more than 650 pieces of artwork. The catalogue enables a user to search and view 2D and 3D pieces by name, theme, medium, artist, date

and provenance, and is now available to the BBC Art Department for use in classrooms.

The art collection was generously bequested to the Foundation by the late Mr Phillip Bisset (OC 1939) for the benefit of all BBC boys.

In Term 4, we warmly welcomed Ms Hayley Blumenthal to the executive leadership role of Director of School Development & Community Engagement. Ms Blumenthal brings with her a wealth of experience across education and the corporate sector, and we look forward to working together and harnessing her experience and insights in 2022.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank our Corporate Partners – Sci-Fleet Motors, Green Options and Higgins Coatings – for their generous support of our Bursary Fund this year. Thanks also to the BBC Parents and Friends’ (P&F) Association for giving back to our great community via the funding of a P&F Bursary.

COLLEGIAN DECEMBER 2021

C E L E B R A T I N G 19 0 2 - 2 02 2

YEARS

In 2022, Brisbane Boys’ College will celebrate 120 years of educating, empowering and inspiring boys to embrace their unique talents and lifelong love of learning. We are proud of this milestone and want to celebrate this occasion with the generations of community members that have shaped who we are today and who we will become.

Throughout 2022 there will be many opportunities for students, parents, Old Collegians, staff, supporters and friends to embrace the BBC spirit and celebrate our great College as we honour the past, embrace the present and turn the page towards an exciting future.

We have many great things in store for you, but for now we are just getting started…

Confidence springs from mastery.

It is the self-belief required to embrace the unknown.

At Brisbane Boys' College, we integrate best practice teaching and learning with the science of wellbeing, and in doing so, safeguard the most important ingredient to a boy’s success: confidence.

We refer to this as A New School of Thought.