The Capricornus Quarterly - Term 3, 2020

Quarterly Capricornus

VOL 36. No.3. September 2020

DAY OF NOTABLES

A SHOW LIKE NO OTHER

HELPING GROW YOUNG MINDS

Students portray a range of notable characters Page 4

It’s been a Wicked year trying to organise school events.

Page 8

Teacher navigates the early learning challenges with our students Page 12

The Rockhampton Grammar School Grow in Character and Scholarship

www.rgs.qld.edu.au

Around the Classrooms at RGS Highlights

See all events, full details and upto-date information at www.rgs.qld.edu. au/calendar

YEAR 2 OLD DAYS

YEAR 3 & 4 YEAR 5 FUNDRAISER ART

YEAR 8 COOKING

YEAR 9 COHORT

Old School Days

Community Support

Fishing for Creativity

Tasty Treats

What About Me?

Former Principal Mr Ken Stewart (also known as “Sir”) stepped out of his Heritage Village Kalapa State School classroom to visit RGS Year 2 students.

Sir marched in wearing his three-piece suit carrying his cane and box of teaching tools. The students gained an insight into what school used to be like with slates, reading books, suitcase looking school bags and the cane. Sir also spoke about how many families had little money so couldn’t afford uniforms and shoes. Finally, Sir spoke about marching and how it was a part of school life, especially on sporting days.

Thank you ‘Sir’.

Year 3/4W looked at the impact introduced species and human developments have on the natural habitats during their HASS studies on native plants and animals. Through their studies, and the devastating bushfires earlier in the year, the class held a fundraiser to support our natural flora and fauna. They raised over $1400 for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, whose vision and mission aligned with the class goal to prevent any further extinction of our native Australian flora and fauna.

Year 5 students drew a number of reef fish looking at shapes, colours and patterns. Using one as a pattern they cut out four shapes from a clay slab, which were then textured and coloured with details.

These were beaded to a clay bar, which was then macramed for hanging.

Students had a lot of fun exploring watercolour, learning knotting and many things about clay.

Teaching about life and culture through food proved popular with Year 8 students, especially with a large number of boys enjoying their cooking classes. It’s not all about the cooking. It’s about problem solving collaboratively and gaining success using a design thinking process. From understanding the anatomy of a chicken and using chef’s knives to identifying herbs and spices and adapting recipes to improve their nutrient value. The kitchen provided an inventive and creative learning space. And, the food also tasted pretty good.

Every year in Term 3 the RGS Year 9 students embark on a journey of self-discovery. The What About Me personal development programme includes separate boys and girls classes during term before culminating in a week where the students complete their Rite of Passage, challenging themselves across a series of activities including a hike to the summit of Mt Archer.

A Rite of Passage involves students separating themselves from the familiar, working through a significant challenge and finally experiencing a significant return and celebrated homecoming.

Thank you RGS Sports sponsors for sharing with us our mission of developing whole people through a balance of academic, sporting, co-curricular and social activities.

If you would like to join in as a sponsor of RGS Sports or any cocurricular activity please contact Todd Wells, Director of Co-Curricular on 0488 778 300.

DR PHILLIP MOULDS HEADMASTER

Inside By virtue of encouraging and providing opportunities for students to try new things, students can break down barriers and feel more confident in their abilities.

COMMUNITY

It is so pleasing to see this issue of the Quarterly filled with images and stories that truly capture the immense range of opportunities that are available to our students beyond the walls of the classroom.

SCHOLARSHIP

Public speaking skills on show

While the pandemic continues to require each of our activities to be assessed and undertaken in a COVID safe way, the commitment that staff have applied to find innovative ways for non-classroom activities to continue at the School in Term 3 has been truly remarkable.

PAST STUDENTS

Tammie Irons on regional education

Providing opportunities for all our students to develop lifelong skills and memories, outside of the classroom, while they are at RGS is a core commitment of our School.

We encourage participation in activities that enable them to try new things, step outside their comfort zone or excel in an area they have a real passion for.

By virtue of encouraging and providing opportunities for students to try new things, students can break down barriers and feel more confident in their abilities. As a result, they are left with improved communication, teamwork and leadership skills to prepare them for the next phase in their lives.

The stories of RGS Past Students in this issue are testimony to how our students, after graduation, are well prepared to venture into the unknown and push their boundaries.

Whether it be performing the Music Festival, conquering the high ropes course at Ritamada or adopting a persona at the Day of Notables, students emerge from these experiences with lifelong memories and skills.

While it remains very difficult for all of us at the School that families have not always been able to be support or be directly involved in activities as they normally would, wherever possible we have endeavoured to find ways to bring these activities and events to our families virtually. (Don’t miss the streaming premiere of our Wicked Musical Festival on 9 October 2020).

2 In the news

Students show leadership qualities

SCHOLARSHIP

3 W orking with industry Ag students join industry study

4 Day of Notables

7 Industry advocate COMMUNITY

8 A show like no other

A Wicked year for events

SCHOLARSHIP

12 Young emotions

Wellbeing starts at a young age

SPORTS

16 Sport returns

RGS students rediscover sport

18 RGS photo gallery

THE FINAL WORD

Mr Blevin shares the Year 12 journey

20 Nearing the finish line

I look forward to an exciting Term 4 and wish all of our Seniors the best of luck as they prepare for their end of year exams.

The Rockhampton Grammar School takes seriously the challenge of preparing students for today’s world.

We treat each student as a whole person through a balance of academic, sporting, co-curricular and social activities. Our School motto is Macte Virtute et Litteris or Grow in Character and Scholarship.

Capricornus Quarterly is published by: The Rockhampton Grammar School Archer Street, Rockhampton QLD 4700, Australia www.rgs.qld.edu.au (+61) 07 4936 0600 ISSN 1839-4663 ©2020 The Rockhampton Grammar School

Dr Phillip Moulds, Headmaster 07 4936 0615 Headmaster@rgs.qld.edu.au Enrolment enquiries 1300 GRAMMAR The Registrar, Mrs Marissa Holloway 1300 GRAMMAR or 07 4936 0700 Fax 07 4936 0701 Registrar@rgs.qld.edu.au

Editorial & Advertising Ms Sue Moloney, Director Development and Communications 07 4936 0668 smoloney@rgs.qld.edu.au

On the cover: Year 8 student Mave Burnett enjoys some air time at Ritamada during her Year 8 Form Camp.

Mrs Rachael McDonald 07 4936 0776 rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.au Mrs Ashleigh Harvey 07 4936 0667 aharvey@rgs.qld.edu.au

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 1

IN THE NEWS

RGS students returned to Term 3 with increased engagement in co-curricular activities. From fundraising ventures to testing public speaking skills and topping industry awards, RGS students once again embraced all opportunities.

Farmers Challenge

Speaking from the heart

RGS tops Carcase Competition

The annual Farmers Challenge in the RGS Secondary School raised over $2000 for Drought Angels in Term 3. Event organisers, Year 12 boarders Kimberley Weier and Lachlan Collins, were thrilled that the fun-filled Challenge attracted 15 teams, including students from Year 7 to Year 12 and staff, with 14 sponsors supporting this year’s event. “Coming from a rural background and seeing a lot of families struggle with drought, we know that Drought Angels is a charity that helps a lot of those families,” said Kimberley, who is from the Theodore district.

The annual RGS Oratory competition once again attracted students brave enough to challenge themselves to public speaking and deliver topics from their hearts and minds. This year’s winners were:

RGS won the Central Queensland Carcase Classic Led Steer competition for 2020.

“Swagger”, a Steer won by student Lucy Prentice at the 2019 Rockhampton Show and supplied by Pheasant Creek Brangus, placed second on hoof and first on hook giving RGS first overall. This was the first time RGS had won the grand aggregate trophy.

The competition attracted 465 nominations.

Pictured are Lucy with Show Cattle Team captains Lachlan Collins and Henry Gray at the School’s Port Curtis Farm.

Junior – Alexander Connell (Should screen time be limited for adults?)

Intermediate – Ella McCauley (#SocialMediaSafe) Senior – Sithmi Konara (The key to something beautiful).

Pictured: Ella, Sithmi and Alexander.

No stopping RGS Primary Leaders RGS Year 6 students waited patiently before finally receiving their leadership badges on 27 July in Duggan Hall.

They were officially Primary School Leaders.

The badge presentation might have been delayed this year but that has not stopped the students continuing to plan in and around the Primary School.

So what makes a good leader? RGS Head of Primary Mr Hadwen said it involves teaching the students some leadership qualities along the way.

“These include being considerate of others, being a good communicator, having confidence, showing commitment and passion, and appreciating the fairness of a decision,’’ Mr Hadwen said.

“2020 has been a difficult year around the school but these current Student Leaders have not let this deter their enthusiasm for their important role.”

2 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

Mr Hadwen said each of the leaders are also the spokesperson for a class from years 4 to 5.

“Their role involves seeking ideas from these classes, bringing them to a meeting and then reporting back to the classes advising of the outcomes,’’ Mr Hadwen said.

Among the projects the leaders have requested this year, and have already been completed, or are soon to be completed, include: a water fountain at the tennis courts, line marking on the bottom oval for lunch time play, touch football competition at lunch time, icy cup making and sales on Friday afternoons, Art Club during lunch breaks, more toilets in the girls toilet block, Book Week, RGS Has Got Talent competition and clocks in the eating areas.

The Student Leaders also helped Assistant Head of Primary Mrs Janet Spark, with the selection of playground equipment for the new playground areas.

NEWS

“ This research collaboration adds a further practical component to the students study.....”

Mr Stephen Brady

project and they calculated the cost benefit in treating livestock for internal parasites.

Among the RGS students to benefit from the Virbac trial was Year 12’s Sara Schottelius.

“The programme was a great opportunity for me to see what the Veterinary industry is like outside of my Vet Nursing qualification that I am currently studying in addition to my Certificate III in Agriculture,’’ Sara said.

Virbac Technical Veterinarian Dr Matt Bell said this collaborative research activity between RGS and Virbac proved to be an innovative idea showing how students can participate in real life commercial research.

“The work has contributed knowledge to the importance of parasite control in young cattle and suggests that it is preferable for cattle producers to use different drench actives in combination to ensure the highest level of worm control and protect productivity,’’ Dr Bell said.

RGS Ag students gain industry insights RGS Certificate III Agriculture students are getting hands on experience to what life is like in the rural workforce. The students worked alongside staff from Virbac Technical during an 18-month worm control project at Belmont Research Station and the results are now in.

An 18-month project between The Rockhampton Grammar School and Virbac Animal Health Australia has concluded with students having investigated the benefits of worm control in cattle in a Central Queensland environment.

Angela Bradley, now Year 12, during last year’s collaborative work with Virbac at Belmont Research Station.

Students were engaged in a product evaluation testing a variety of worm control products as a part of their work at Belmont Research Station utilising cattle supplied by 5 Star Senepol’s Mr Geoff Maynard.

Students attitudes towards the importance of worm control increased as a result of the

Virbac is a leading Australian manufacturer of drench products to meet the needs of local farmers and the company developed, tested and manufactures two innovative combination drenches for livestock – Cydectin Platinum and Tridectin’.

RGS Head of Vocational Education Mr Stephen Brady said the collaboration between RGS Agriculture students and Virbac Australia provided a practical opportunity for students to gain firsthand industry experience and commercial knowledge that will enable them to develop as future leaders in the cattle industry.

“This research collaboration adds a further practical component to the students study in their Certificate III Agriculture course,’’ Mr Brady said.

RGS Head of Secondary School (Academics) Ms Reniece Carter said going beyond the boundaries of a normal classroom via the inclusion of real life case studies and data enhances the learning and understanding of students.

“RGS is fortunate to have dedicated teaching staff, including Mr Hardy Manser, who recognise this and actively pursue such experiences for students,’’ Ms Carter said.

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 3

SCHOLARSHIP

Notable stories to be told The tradition of RGS Year 6 students presenting their Day of Notables continued in 2020. Once again, there were some familiar characters sharing their life stories but like every year, some new faces appeared on the scene.

Connecting with a persona was a key to Tosi Adegbija’s winning portrayal of Martin Luther King Jnr at this year’s Day of Notables.

“I felt like I really touched peoples hearts,’’ said Tosi, after presenting his speech to fellow students and staff.

The Year 6 student impressive the judges with his passionate delivery of his notable character in history.

Tosi also has some tips for future Day of Notables speakers.

“He just inspired me because he fought for the black race and he was a very motivational person,’’ Tosi said.

Martin Luther King Jnr was born in 1929 before being assassinated in 1968.

At the age of 35, in 1964, he was the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for civil rights and social justice.

A year earlier, 250,000 demonstrators marched to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington where King gave his famous “I have a dream” speech.

Tosi Adegbija tells the story of Martin Luther King Jnr

“Practice hard, try and memorise your speech, use hand gestures and really feel what you’re talking about. Really mean it,’’ Tosi said.

There was an abundance of passion at this year’s Day of Notables and a variety of characters from a guitar playing Keith Urban to author Theodor Seuss Geisel “Dr Seuss”, from Polish humanitarian Irena Sendlerowa to US combat medic Desmond Doss, colourful chef Gordon Ramsay and New Zealand rugby union great Ritchie McCaw.

2020 Day of Notables Finalists Shyam Ashokumar Stephen Hawking

Vikram Chauhan Freddie Mercury

Soban Dost Muhammad Ali

Libby McDonald Anna Meares

SCHOLARSHIP

“ I felt like I really touched peoples hearts” Tosi Adegbija

Looking at others through their eyes “Jane Elliott was an inspiration to many as she makes people believe that there is only one race in this world and the way she uses the colour of people’s eyes to teach about racism and discrimination is really cool. I learnt a lot of things about her. She taught at the same school she went to and overall she is an amazing person.”

Tonina Nezic-Moon

Rock Star inspires Vikram “I selected Freddie Mercury because he came from nothing to be one of the biggest rock stars in the world, and he has an amazing voice which really inspires me. The most interesting fact I found out about Freddie Mercury was that he had a recorded voice range of four octaves.”

Then and Now: Lewis in Year 6 and now in Year 12, reflecting on his Day of Notables experience.

True to Character Lewis French (Year 12) still has strong memories of the day he dressed up as Sir David Attenborough for his Day of Notables presentation in Year 6, 2014.

Lewis was the winner of the oratory competition that year.

“The main thing that I remember from that day was stressing about forgetting my lines,’’ said Lewis, as he set up his table and props, awaiting the flurry of visitors to hear his portrayal of the English broadcaster and natural historian.

Lewis selected Sir David Attenborough as his “Notable” character because he had already mastered his English accent!

Vikram Chauhan

“When I see other RGS Primary students participating each year, I think about how talented so many of them are, and of course if there is anyone else doing David Attenborough,’’ Lewis said.

Tonina Nezic-Moon Jane Elliott

George Pentecost Barry Humphries

ROCKHAMPTON GLADSTONE YEPPOON

4921 0399

www.luptonstewart.com.au

Lucy Perry-Barr Anne Frank

Patrick Robertson Dick Van Dyke

CREATING CONFIDENT SMILES

FOR PATIENTS OF ALL AGES

“I think the choice still reflects my interests today as I am looking to work with animals in the future.”

PAST STUDENTS

A worldwide challenge RGS past students live all around the world, each going through their own journey during COVID-19. It’s a journey many are still continuing and wondering when life will return to pre-COVID.

JASON DONALD

SASKY STEWART

KENT BRAY

MADDY BLACK

RGS 1996

RGS 1994

RGS 2006

RGS 1981

RGS 2014

London England

Shanghai China

Toronto Canada

London England

Abu Dhabi UAE

As lockdown went on (and on) we fell into a fairly relaxed routine. Lots of cooking, sour dough baking and far too many quarantinis!

Balancing work and school and home care has been very challenging at times, and we have definitely had just as many bad days as good ones.

But it has brought us closer together as a family and it has been an incredible experience that we will always remember.

My first thoughts were probably similar to many others. COVID wasn’t going to be that bad (just a bad flu) and at worst it will be confined to Hubei province. We understood in a very short space of time how serious it was and that I would likely spread around the world. We probably didn’t fully appreciate the magnitude though.

There isn’t much more in my house to update – I’ve built an entire set of inbuilt shelves, painted an apartment, a desk and a bedside table, recovered a couch, sewed, cross stitched, signed up for a romance writing class, fixed several websites and took up the violin again. I’m lucky and I’ve had a lot of time to work on things I want to, and I think more importantly I, and a lot of us, have learnt a lot about what was actually important, what we actually need and what mattered.

These are strange times. I believe many people have struggled psychologically to deal with drastic change of routine and structure and the accompanying concern and worry about finances, job security, health, schooling etc.

Since mid-March we have had a strict curfew, meaning we cannot leave the house after 8pm or before 6am every day. We also have to wear a mask in every place we go, including in our own cars and when we go for a run, otherwise we will face major fines. I am just staying positive, living each day as it comes and spending my time learning to read and write Arabic, and learning how to skateboard.

BRIDGET MESSER

IG Group Holdings, Executive Director

Ravensworth Agriculture Company, General Manager, Sales and Marketing

Central Station, Social Media Manager

Empty cities and towns had a ghostly like feel to them.

Weird is the word that comes to mind.

On the plus side, myself and my kids have used the time to explore woods and walkways. It’s been an opportunity to reconnect with nature.

Personal Trainer

KAB Management, Company Director

Experience has no substitute

CRICOS Provider Code 00117J

Ready today for tomorrow

jcu.edu.au

PAST STUDENTS

Q&A Tammie Irons (nee Austin) 1993 The Isolated Children Parents Association Queensland President lived on the Western Downs for 14 years and is now in Toowoomba with her three children (Hallie, Year 12, Jaxon, Year 10 and Fletcher, Year 7) and teaching full time.

“ There is no better feeling than standing in a room of like-minded people who understand and share your passion for rural and remote education in all its forms.”

Tammie Irons

CQ: Why did you get involved in ICPA? TI: ICPA was something my parents were a part of as I was growing up in Theodore, and I remember several members of our community being heavily involved at the time. When we had children and moved to Glenmorgan, my next door neighbour invited me to a local branch meeting… the rest, as they say, is history! I attended a State Conference, was part of the committee to convene two state conferences and a Federal conference and joined State Council in 2012. I could see that this was something I could be really passionate about, and it directly benefitted my own children and community. There is no better feeling than standing in a room of like-minded people who understand and share your passion for rural and remote education in all its forms.

CQ: How important is ICPA for Queensland families?

TI: I am blessed to have seen firsthand how important our organisation is for so many families across our State. We work closely with all sectors of the education system, including universities, TAFE, Distance Education and boarding schools. We cover issues from travel to teacher education, curriculum to communication, early childhood to tertiary – and everything in between! We provide a voice for our members in Brisbane when there are issues of inequity that need to be highlighted to those who are making decisions which impact on our rural and remote kids. Without ICPA, these decisions are made with little consideration of the unique situations our families face in outback Qld. I am so proud to be a part of such a well-respected organisation

whose opinion is sought after and valued at high levels within Qld government departments.

CQ: It’s been a difficult year with COVID, how hard has it been for you watching Qld boarding families in these times?

TI: Well difficult is probably an understatement for so many of us… it’s been devastating personally knowing how tough our boarding families from across Qld, and indeed across Australia, have been doing it. The emotional and mental strain that these families have been under several times this year has been heartbreaking, and to be able to play a part in ensuring our boarders are remembered and catered for specifically has been rewarding.

It’s times like these when you see how powerful organisations can be when they come together for a common cause – it’s been a tough year but the silver lining has been the opportunity to highlight the life of boarders and the pivotal role which organisations such as ICPA and ABSA (Australian Boarding Schools Association) can play for our members.

CQ: What do you love most about regional Qld? TI: I’m all about community… I’ve always been a volunteer no matter where I lived, and it’s my firm belief that a sense of community is what keeps the bush strong. Bush communities are full of people who are passionate and invested in their children and what they can do to ensure they have the best opportunities despite their isolation. The spirit of these communities is what I love and am so proud of!

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 7

COMMUNITY

“ ...understand that through adversity there is some way to still achieve something.”

Mrs Kennedy

8 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

Photograph: Michael Kennedy

COMMUNITY

A show like no other RGS Musical Director Mrs Jan Kennedy has been involved with RGS musicals for the past 25 years, but never any like the 2020 production of Wicked. Mrs Kennedy reflects on the bigger picture and real goals of musical theatre, writes Rachael McDonald.

Prologue – Green With Envy Late in 2019, The Rockhampton Grammar School secured the rights to perform Wicked, a world-renowned show with a big reputation.

Our School’s performance would take centre stage at Rockhampton’s Pilbeam Theatre on 1, 2 and 3 May 2020. RGS Musical Director Mrs Jan Kennedy was preparing to be involved in her 25th musical at the school.

Act 1 – Creating a Magical Show Mrs Kennedy started preparing for a “daunting” yet “exciting” opportunity to bring Wicked to the Central Queensland community.

With an earlier performance date than usual, auditions were held in the beginning of Term 4 last year. Once these were finalised the production team, cast and orchestra were “ready to go” and rehearsals began in earnest.

The Pilbeam Theatre was booked, hire of costumes secured, a very wicked set designed, the cast was finalised and learning their lines and our RGS musicians under the experienced guidance of Mrs Jessica Marrinan, RGS Head of Music, were rehearsing the musical numbers.

Term 1, our students involved in Wicked were almost ready to hit the stage after some very intense rehearsals: scripts were down, choreography completed, vocalists were rehearsing with the orchestra and then something truly wicked happened!

“It was the second last week of Term 1 – there was doubt,’’ Mrs Kennedy said, as COVID-19 hit Australia.

“We had to stop rehearsals; we had no choice.

“ There was mixed emotions of it’s going to be fine and this will all blow over quite quickly but there was also a bit of a fear factor that it might not get on stage at all.”

There were mixed emotions, we hoped that it would settle quickly however there was the underlying fear factor that it might not get on stage at all. Do we give up on the show or still maintain that bit of hope and keep rehearsing?”

Were you close to giving up?

“No. This was also about ensuring that the students experience live theatre and understand that through adversity there is a way to still achieve something,’’ Mrs Kennedy said.

Unfortunately, May was not a performance option and new September dates were negotiated with the Pilbeam Theatre and locked in. Mrs Kennedy applied to Hal Leonard, the licensing and royalties’ company, to get permission to move the date. Once all was secured Mrs Kennedy continued to rehearse the show for the new date of 4 September.

As September approached, COVID-Industry Safe Plan for Live Performance Venues took shape however, it was not enough for the performance to make it to the Pilbeam stage.

The issues – how to manage staff interactions with clients backstage, space within the dressing room facilities, we were unable to have an orchestra which is an important part of our school musicals and there were also 1.5m on stage restrictions which would impact the big dance numbers and then there was the audience numbers to consider.

“It was just not viable,’’ Mrs Kennedy said.

The show must go on, but it was now time for a new script.

Act 2 – A Wicked Musical Experience Wicked had a new stage – the School’s Islay Lee Learning Centre Theatre.

Our School’s theatre space is the actual size of the Pilbeam Theatre stage, but adding in the band and having no dressing rooms, wings or backstage facilities required our Wicked Director to put her years of experience at the forefront of a brand new opportunity.

The show in its entirety could not be performed but the scenes recreated were magical. And it wasn’t just with the wave of a magic wand that saved this musical.

Leading into filming day rigging was set up in the Theatre so Elphaba (the green witch, Year 12 student Roxy McDonald) could fly during the song “Defying Gravity”.

Team Kennedy also kicked into gear to embrace this new challenge. Co-ordinating a Wicked set to fit our space, smoke and haze machines, theatre lighting, hiring of professional sound equipment, radio mics and technician, plus running five cameras: full stage camera, side angles and close ups was a huge undertaking and it all landed in the lap of RGS AV Manager, Tony Kennedy, Mrs Kennedy’s son.

“Tony took down every light in the Theatre and re-gelled it and Michael Kennedy (Mrs Kennedy’s second son) designed a lighting plot remotely from Canberra. Tony then re-hung all the lights and together we created a lighting plot for the show. On the day of filming, Mrs Nicole Kennedy (RGS Prep Teacher and Tony’s wife) oversaw the final editing. Thanks to Mr Stephen Brady, stage manager for the day.”

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 9

COMMUNITY

Mrs Marrinan was also presented with the task of fitting her large orchestra into a restricted space at the back of the theatre.

How can we make this the best experience for the students?

To provide them with a professional and positive experience, Mrs Kennedy said “the students will walk into our School Theatre and see a professional set, lighting, smoke, sound and radio mikes, everything they would normally experience in the Pilbeam Theatre.

The only difference was that they were being filmed and there would be no audience to applaud them at the end of a scene. As we did not have a ‘backstage area’ the students had to wait in the dark side stage quietly as the acting continued and the orchestra would be seen throughout the whole show.”

“By putting all these components into our own theatre, I wanted them to look back and say we still did a professional production even through unprecedented COVID times. They had all worked so hard leading up to May and

I wanted them to believe they could achieve anything, no matter what came along”.

Sunday, 23 August – show day.

“It was quite awe-inspiring to sit and watch everything come together,’’ Mrs Kennedy said.

“Once we were ready to go, I couldn’t say a word. I was the audience watching a performance! It brought tears to my eyes as I was so very proud of the whole company, cast, orchestra and everyone who made it happen.

“I was always encouraging them to keep striving, to build on their resilience and to understand to keep going even when it seems impossible. The pinnacle for me was that everyone had worked so hard even in light of knowing they weren’t performing to an audience and wouldn’t get that applause at the end of each scene, to still come in and push themselves as hard as they did was awe inspiring. On the day, we managed to pull together 92 hours of normal theatre production rehearsal into six hours.”

2

A WICKED MUSIC FESTIVAL – FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER WWW.RGS.QLD.EDU.AU/STREAM 10 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

COMMUNITY

“ For the first time in my career we potentially had a no show at all.

I didn’t want that to happen to the students where possible.”

Mrs Kennedy 1

Closed theatres are nothing new. The good news is, they reopen. London’s playhouses have been shut before, by plagues and war, but they always returned as strong as ever.

“A number of students had commented that their whole year was ruined, and I really felt for our Year 12 students. This was their last musical for RGS, and I was concerned for those who were thinking of doing this as a career. I wanted them to know that this was just a little bump in the road and to ensure them that live theatre will return.

“I wanted to continue to teach them the skills of theatre: backstage skills, how to create lighting effects, design of costumes and theatre stage craft. I wanted them to know we will come back from this!

“The School Board and Dr Moulds are so supportive of the arts and so we took the opportunity that Dr Moulds gave us, to give our students this lifelong experience.”

Epilogue – A Show Like No Other

3

“I’ve been doing theatre 50 odd years and I’ve never experienced this before. We have had performances almost come to a stop because someone has a broken a leg, a nosebleed or has lost their voice. You get by. The show never actually stopped because they came on stage with crutches and we had someone else say and sing their lines. For the first time in my career we potentially had a no show at all. I didn’t want that to happen to the students where possible,’’ Mrs Kennedy said.

Mrs Kennedy has been performing since she was seven, starting on stage as a dancer, singer, and actress before furthering her theatre skills in backstage, costume design, lighting design, choreography and finally as a director.

1.Year 12’s Olivia Offord rallies the cast 2. The Wicked ensemble bursts to into life.

3. Mrs Kennedy, a driving force for RGS musicals over 25 years.

“It was my hobby first which has now turned into something I can teach other people about.

Theatre is something you can do all your life; you never lose the love of theatre,’’ she said.

The 2021 Secondary School musical, whatever that production might be (Mrs Kennedy is giving away nothing), is pencilled in for August next year.

“There’s still the fear factor of will we be in a better place in 12, 6 or 3 months’ time.

“It’s important the students continue to learn stage craft and work through their ambitions.

That they don’t lose sight of what’s down the track. Most importantly, do not give up, don’t walk away. Theatre can be done anywhere.

It doesn’t have to be on a big stage in our Pilbeam Theatre for example! We could take it onto the oval, out into the street. Learn, keep learning and enjoy the experience.

“Always believe in what you want to achieve because you can do it.”

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 11

COMMUNITY

“ It is vital that when educating our children’s brains, we do not neglect to educate their hearts.”

Dalai Lama

Navigating learning Growing young minds Teaching is more than just walking into a classroom each day for RGS Prep teacher Mrs Adair Mehlhose.

Teaching is also about understanding young minds and helping them navigate new stages of their learning journey, no matter what age. Mrs Mehlhose started her Doctorate of Education, part time in 2019, at CQUniversity, after completing her Masters at Griffith University in 2015. Mrs Mehlhose shares her learning journey.

YOUNG EMOTIONS Friendships

Try and try and never give up

Give your best

Be brave

We are a team

12 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

“My interest is in understanding the impact that resilience, mindfulness and social and emotional wellbeing has on young children within the Prep environment, and this has grown throughout my teaching years, especially during the last 13 years of working in Prep. I have noticed that for some children navigating this next stage of their learning is challenging and they are experiencing social and emotional challenges which have a negative effect on their learning.

Currently, in the media, there are reports of very young children experiencing challenges with mental health issues, which has raised the Government profile of mental health and wellbeing of Australian children and youth. These reports were before our recent times, and the impact of COVID-19 on children’s social and emotional wellbeing and mental health, is still to be investigated.

Research has shown that strong social and emotional skills, once embedded, strengthens the understandings of self-management, awareness, empathy, relationship skills, connectedness and effective achievement in learning and social relationships, which are all important in a child’s success at Prep and their school journey. My challenge then, is how to help children effectively embed these skills during their Prep year. A ‘one programme fits all approach’ does not work, as each child is different, unique and is at different stages of their journeys when they enter a Prep classroom. This makes the inclusion of stand-alone

Mrs Adair Mehlhose

Early emotions: (clockwise from top left) Investigate; We are a team; Trying and trying and never giving up; and Give your best.

social programs difficult to deliver and to fit in to an already crowded curriculum. There are many Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes designed, however it makes sense to use the model already embedded within this school.

The purpose of my research therefore, is to discover whether skills and understanding for emotional competence, including mindfulness and resilience, can be developed into a tangible blueprint that will help to develop, sustain and internalise resilience and emotional competence in our children today and in the future.”

At RGS we already use Dimensions of Learning model throughout the school. I am focusing on Dimension 5, the Habits of Mind, to help understand the impact of resilience and Social and Emotional Learning within young children. When I asked the Preps what a ‘habit’ is, they responded it was something you did all the time, you had to practice until you didn’t have to think of doing it or how to do it – like ‘brushing your teeth, having a shower, getting ready for school, coming to school and unpacking your bags and doing your morning writing’. Therefore, if we look at the Habits of Mind – these are things that we have trained our brain to do – so we do not have to constantly think about how to do it. It just has become a habit. Therefore, what does persistence (trying and trying), thinking interdependently (being part of a team), taking responsible risks (being brave),striving for accuracy (give your best), look like from the eyes of a five year old? How can these habits help children through their ‘tricky times’? How can we help young children internalise these skills to help them become lifelong, confident learners?

Can these skills help navigate friendships? Can these skills help children be brave and never give up when faced by everyday challenges – such as academic work and friendships? Some of these questions have been answered by academics but the gap in the research is the lack of the child’s voice.

In my research study, the focus is on interpreting and understanding the children’s voices as they explore their social and emotional wellbeing and resilience habits to ensure success in their Prep journey within their natural settings. Can children identify when they use resilience or have a positive social and emotional wellbeing experience?

THE RESEARCH SEEKS TO IDENTIFY 3 KEY AREAS: 1. W hat skills/strategies do teachers and families identify as important for children to possess to support their social and emotional wellbeing?

2. W hat strategies do teachers and families explicitly teach children to support their social and emotional wellbeing and how this is approached?

3. W hat strategies do children identify as supporting their social and emotional wellbeing and how is this evident in their everyday interactions (for example, as they play)?

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 13

SCHOLARSHIP

CHALLENGE: EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS

The RGS Outdoor Education facility at Ritamada continues to help RGS students, from Prep through to Year 12, growing in Character and Scholarship through a variety of new and exciting challenges. Ritamada is a place where students conquer “Challenge by Choice”. RGS Director of Outdoor Education Mr Damien Boicos welcomes the opportunity to watch our students embrace our outdoor classroom.

14 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

SCHOLARSHIP

“..as long as you push your individual boundaries and expand on your experiences....”

Mr Boicos

The Rockhampton Grammar School outdoor education programme, for Preps to Year 12, is providing a holistic and unique education opportunity in Central Queensland.

from an experience whether that is on the high ropes course, out kayaking at sea or working with fellow students on complex initiatives and team building activities.”

RGS Director of Outdoor Education Mr Damien Boicos said our School motto talks of “growing in character and scholarship”, these experiences build character through individual and group challenges.

Activities can range from a Year 4 hike on site at Ritamada to the Year 8 students climbing Mt Hedlow, Preps playing on the beach to Year 11 students working through complex team and cohort activities.

“The programme embraces new and exciting outdoor activities, meaningful contact with nature to counterbalance the technological and screen time environments we currently live in and comfort zone pushing opportunities that can be seen as dangerous, but are carefully crafted to be safe and at the same time test a person’s limits, then reflect and grow from those experiences,’’ Mr Boicos said.

Mr Boicos said all of the team building and individual and group growth experiences build a stronger individual character and group character.

The challenges can be more testing for some students than others.

Mr Boicos said they had a policy of “Challenge by Choice”.

“This does not mean that you opt ‘in’ or ‘out’, but you join in and participate to the limits of your physical, mental and emotional abilities having been encouraged in a safe and supportive environment,’’ Mr Boicos said.

“We don’t care what your starting point is or your ‘perceived’ limitation, as long as you push your individual boundaries and expand your experiences, then you’ve got the most that anyone could ask of you

“If you want to be successful in life you need to have a personal awareness of yourself and others and learn how to work with people,’’ Mr Boicos said.

“These are some of the fundamental building blocks of a meaningful life….strong and considerate character, doing meaningful and important work/career and contributing to a diverse community and global family.”

Mr Boicos said Outdoor Education is not just exposure to an activity, then go home.

“Outdoor Education encourages students and staff to utilise our special and dynamic activities to test their limits, reflect on their strengths and challenges, build resilience from those experiences and fashion their character to apply back to everyday life, work and community.”

LACHLAN DONOGHUE

ALESSANDRA WILLIAMS

JAKE DEGUARA

ZARA KUMMERFELD

OLIVER MOORE

Year 8

Year 8

Year 7

Year 7

Year 3

Year 3

Our trip to Ritamada was a fun and engaging experience. The diverse programme was enjoyable, and strengthened my relationships with my peers, whilst also providing an opportunity to take a break from schoolwork and be outside in a stressfree environment.

My favourite activity was the high ropes.

It pushed me outside my comfort zone giving me a sense of accomplishment for even attempting it.

“The courage to soar to great heights is inside all of us,” – said Kerri Strug (American gymnast). Well, we were all able to reach these heights with Mr Boicos!

Thank you Sir!

I really enjoyed the Year 7 Form Camp programme because I was able to get to know a few more people better. I also gained many new experiences such as the giants ladder and the crate stack. My favourite activity was kayaking.

I had lots of fun doing it because we got to capsize at the end.

At the 7B Form Camp we had some great experiences, from kayaking out on the bay to treasure hunts on the campus and the giants swing. The giants swing is great, exhilarating, a slight free fall and then a big swing. You can see all the Keppel islands from up there.

We did problem solving where there were lots of ropes tied to a bucket.

There were 6 tennis balls in the bucket.

We tried to pour the balls into a different bucket, that was green, with only holding onto the end of the rope. I like going to Ritamada because you can always find something new in the rock pools and make little huts on the beach. I feel lucky because not many schools have an area near the beach.

We climbed Monkey Rock and we were up so high on the top of the rock everyone looked like tiny ants.

When I visit Ritamada I like looking at the rock pools and finding all the different animals.

MARTHA DINGLE

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 15

SPORT

Cross Country Age Champions 6 Years Girls

Annabella Van Der Loos

6 Years Boys Henry Houghton 7 Years Girls

Aria Caton

7 Years Boys Alexander Olive 8 Years Girls

Mackenzie Geddes

8 Years Boys Alexander Winslade 9 Years Girls

Keely Newell

9 Years Boys Lachlan Robertson 10 Years Girls Grace Francis 10 Years Boys Sid Ward 11 Years Girls Sophie Wright 11 Years Boys Ben Mosby 12 Years Girls Anabel Morrison 12 Years Boys Sam Gassman 13 Years Girls Katie Harmsworth

Cross Country heats up!

13 Years Boys Oscar Wemmerslager

RGS Primary and Secondary School students battled the heat and some testing hill runs in the School Cross Country, this year held in Term 3.

14 Years Boys Kaelen Etherden

A different time of year (Term 3 instead of Term 1), a different venue (RGS instead of Rugby Park) and a few good hill climbs in the mix to test the runners – the scene was set for the 2020 RGS Cross Country with students from Prep to Year 12 battling the heat. RGS Cross Country Teacher-in-Charge Mr Lachlan Libke, along with the support of many RGS staff, were determined to make this inter-house competition happen this year.

The race went down to the wire with Kellow and Jardine houses crowned joint champions after scoring the exact same points across all runners from Prep to Year 12.

14 Years Girls Martha Dingle

15 Years Girls Ella McCauley 15 Years Boys Travis Hutt 16 Years Girls Joanna Bailey 16 Years Boys Ulrich Kruger Open Girls

Sally Adamski

Open Boys

Hayden McGuigan

AROUND THE GROUNDS Rugby League

Rugby Union

Basketball

The RGS 1st XIII played in the Rockhampton and District Secondary Schools Rugby League Open A grand final at Browne Park, going down to St Brendan’s College in the decider.

RGS also fielded Open B and Open C teams in the shortened season.

RGS students invited to the Reds Elite Academy programme in Brisbane (21 – 23 September) were Nicholas Mata’uiau (Year 11), Dominic Kallquist (Year 10), Spencer Smallacombe (Year 11) and brothers Carter (Year 11) and Grady Wight (Year 9). The students were invited into U16 and U15 teams at the camp.

The Open Boys basketball competition celebrated the return of inter-school sport in Term 3. RGS hit the court with two Senior Boys teams.

16 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

SPORT

Rowing powers ahead A highlight of the RGS Rowing season is hitting the road for regattas across the State. The rowing calendar had to slow up in 2020, but finally our rowers are making their presence felt.

It was a long wait for RGS rowers, but they finally had the opportunity to hit the road for a regatta in Term 3.

Students and coaches attended the Gold Coast Region All Schools Regatta on 5 September.

The northern visitors made their mark.

Competing in Division 1, RGS won 17 of the 27 events on Wyaralong Dam. Contributions came from rowers in Year 8 to Year 12.

This regatta was also a fantastic send-off for RGS Rowing Captain Kasey Frame, Year 12, as this was the final “away” regatta of her RGS Rowing career.

Kasey stroked the winning Girlsl Eight (pictured below) and won the Girls Coxed Quad at the south-east Queensland regatta.

Cricket

Rugby League

Rowing

Tennis

RGS Cricket awarded players from the 2019/2020, from 12 years to the open division. Year 11 student Rhett Austin (pictured) cleaned up receiving U16 Red best batter and bowler, 1st XI coach’s award, hat trick trophy and club player of the year. Sam Young (Year 9) was the Middle School player of the year and Max Norris-Kvikne (Year 12), the Senior School player of the year.

RGS hosted a successful InterHouse 9s competition for boys in Years 7 to 10. Played on the School’s Bottom Oval, Wheatley scooped the pool winning both the Years 7/8 and Years 9/10 grand finals against Kellow.

This was followed by a presentation BBQ for the players.

Players awarded for their efforts in 2020 included:

RGS rowers, both seasoned campaigners and newcomers to the sport, had a chance to row their first schools regatta on Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River during Term 3. It was a great opportunity for the sport’s younger rowers to test the waters after a short, but supportive, training programme.

The annual RGS Primary School Minniecon and Burke Tennis Championships hit the School Tennis Courts on the last day of Term 3. Watched on by their fellow Primary students, this year’s boys champion was Neal Dhamsania after defeating Spencer Besch (pictured) while the girls champion was Risham Sandha after her win over Grace Francis.

U13 Union: Oscar Donovan U15 Union: Grady Wight 3rd XIII League: Colby Sullivan 2nd XIII League: Jack Hay Senior Union Player: Zach Sypher Senior League Player: Taine Wedel

Netball

Tennis

Friday Sport

Touch football

RGS teams played in a social season during Term 3. Teams also played in the Sullivan’s Carnival (Rockhampton) and Cap Coast Junior Cup (Yeppoon).

RGS Stars were Junior E runners-up in Sullies while at Cap Coast, Storm won their 15 years pool with Suns runners-up in their 13 years pool.

RGS Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Tennis teams competed in the Central Queensland Teams Championships at Rockhampton’s Victoria Park.

Although they didn’t qualify for the State Finals they still gave it their best in wet conditions.

Primary Friday afternoon sport returned in Term 3 with RGS entering teams in hockey, netball, rugby league and tennis competitions. Games continue in Term 4.

RGS Primary touch football teams returned to the Cyril Connell fields in Term 3 playing in 6 years through to 12 years divisions. Teams are playing in boys, girls and mixed divisions with games continuing into Term 4.

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 17

GALLERY

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Year 3 students Kate Kernke and Alexander Winslade create a sensational salad; Harry Hepburn, Year 8, rows out on Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River; Grace Gardner, Year 9, works her way through the What About Me progamme’s activities; Fashion created by Year 9 students; Thayaghan Vignarajah, Year 11, and Oliver Dunn, Year 9, represented RGS at the Inter-School Chess competition in Duggan Hall; Ben Wright, Year 10, prepares for the Wicked production; Year 7’s Hudson Bryant at touch training; Year 12 students Alice Baker and Paige Willett.

18 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

GALLERY

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Year 11 student Claire Moulds is one of 16 student members across the State on the Ministerial Student Advisory Council; George Pentcost was a picture in pink as he captured the essence of Dame Edna in the Year 6 Day of Notables; Karla Phillips, Year 10, puts the finishing touches to her artwork; Year 5’s Jake Tripet at Primary Robotics; Year 6 Science fun for Sewmini Chandrarathne, Kurt Lynch and Vikram Chauhan; They float! The Year 9 Marine Operations class celebrates their boat creations floating on the RGS Pool; Lilly Kruse and Fiza Kaushal at the Year 6 Formal Assembly; Year 9’s Jake Cooper performs at

the Music Festival in the RGS Theatre; Supporting the Farmers Challenge in the Spaceframe are RGS boarders (from left) Jess Bate, Brooke Hutson, Greta Smith, Summer Norway-Hardy, Hollie James, Evangeline Donaldson and Sophie Olive.

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 19

Q&A

The final word RGS Head of Year 12 Mr Nick Blevin has worked alongside the Seniors this year, navigating the highlights and the challenges. Later in Term 4, Mr Blevin will watch this Year 12 cohort leave RGS and has some words of reflection as they near the secondary school finish line.

As our Year 12’s prepare to open the paddock gate and venture into the great beyond, I wanted to take a moment to wish them well and remind them of a few important lessons we learned together over the course of the year. Firstly, I think congratulations are in order for the near completion of what has been an exceptionally challenging year for all of us.

It has thrown curveballs that nobody could have foreseen and our Year 12’s have coped admirably. More than that, they have emerged as capable, resourceful and resilient young adults and I am exceptionally proud of them.

Mr Nick Blevin HEAD OF YEAR 12

Nick Blevin arrived at RGS in 2016. A Business and Humanities teacher, Mr Blevin also spent time working in RGS boys boarding.

This year we spent a lot of time talking about a few key themes inclusive of kindness, gratitude and resilience all of which will play a prominent role in the futures of our newest graduates.

Something I hope all of the Year 12’s will forever remember is our ‘on the face of it/ under the surface activity’. The purpose of the activity was to write a few things that people know about us on one side of a sheet of paper and on the flipside to share some of our challenges and insecurities. The purpose of the activity was to highlight that life has a tendency to throw challenges at each and every one of us. The responses provided were enlightening, emotional and genuinely confronting. That said, there were two key takeaways that will serve you well in the years to come. Firstly, never make an assumption about someone else’s situation, always take a moment to walk in their shoes and always treat others with kindness, you never know how badly they might need it. Secondly, and most important, share your story and your burdens with those you trust and love. Life can be a hard road and there is no shame in asking for help changing a tyre so you can get back on your way. In the words of Max Ehrmann, ‘beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here’.

I know many of you begin your life away from RGS uncertain of your destination or the path that will lead you to it. That is ok, life is a journey and you are only just getting started, don’t expect to have all the answers at the start of the journey, you will find them along the way. My grandfather, or Pop, as he is known to us in the family, once imparted on me perhaps the best advice I have ever

20 / THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY

received. He explained to me life is a little like writing a book and that the days of our lives represent the pages we are filling along the way. The thing he implored of me, however, was to ensure that the book I wrote, was something that was worth reading. I am now asking the same of you. Remember like every good book, life will ebb and flow with good bits and bad bits, but ultimately, you are the author of your own story. Never forget who holds the pen.

“ Remember like every good book, life will ebb and flow with good bits and bad bits, but ultimately, you are the author of your own story. ” As I bid you good luck and adieu as you prepare for your final days of school, I wish you all every success in life wherever your path may lead. Remember that you will always have people who care about you in your corner should you ever need to call upon them. After school when our paths cross again and we can celebrate your future successes, be safe, look out for each other and always remember to enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back and realise they were the big things.

ALBOO

OUTDOOR Create your outdoor sanctury

IN STORE NOW

116 Denham Street Rockhampton 4700 www.hbandco.com.au