Prep students are observing and describing the behaviours and properties of everyday objects, materials and living things. They are exploring change in the world around them, including changes that impact on them, such as the weather, and changes they can affect, such as making things move or change shape. They learn that seeking answers to questions and making observations is a core part of science and use their senses. Students pose questions and state predictions. They engage in explorations safely. With guidance, they make and represent observations and identify patterns. When children have a strong scientific focus they work as scientists, explorers and adventurers.
Thank you RGS 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 become a sponsor of RGS Sports or any cocurricular activity please contact Todd Wells, Director of Co-Curricular on 0488 778 300 or twells@rgs.qld.edu.auemail
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Outdoor classroom Year 3 students visited the RGS Port Curtis Farm where they explored the farm and looked at the different technologies used in food production. The classes discussed how food can be altered by different processes and they compared brand and nonbrand foods. Students also did experiments, creating incubators which had to sit at a certain temperature to safely hatch eggs. A great behind-the-scenes look at the punnet to plate journey.
A healthy outlook
During Term 3, Year 8 Agriculture students studied the unit “Alternate verses Conventional Agriculture”. Students developed an understanding of the importance of alternative agricultural industries that cater for the different needs of consumers, including dietary and Coast.FarmValleyattheventuredproducts.alternativehadpracticalrequirements.culturalIntheirlessons,studentstheopportunitytotastemeatandfruitStudentsalsoonanexcursiontoKooranaCrocodileFarmCooroomanandtheHighDawnPermacultureontheCapricorn
Indigenous ingredients
Across the term, Year 9 Food Technology & Textiles students learnt about the incredible medicinal properties of Australian native foods and developed a flavour profile of various ingredients. Their assessment item was to design and create a pop-up café that had a focus on Indigenous ingredients. Working in pairs, the students designed a menu item that Indigenousincorporatedingredients. This item was then prepared 20 times for the pop-up café day. RGS students and staff were offered free tastings of the delicious food, resulting in some positive reviews.
See all events, full details and upto-date information at RGS
One of the many privileges of my role as Headmaster at The Rockhampton Grammar School is the opportunity I am given to engage with those whose connection to our School dates back many decades. The commitment that our students are ‘Grammarians for Life’ rings very true when I meet those with long-held and treasured links to the School.
Recently we welcomed Mrs Jennifer Harte to the School. Mrs Harte is the daughter of Dr George Clayton, a past student at the School and the Archer Cup recipient in 1919. While Mrs Harte, grew up in Brisbane and lost her father when she was an infant, the importance that RGS played in her father’s and family life was never lost. In moments such as these, I am given pause to reflect on the School’s rich history, the role it has played, and the impact made on the lives of so many remarkable individuals.
In this issue of the Quarterly, you can learn more about the recent recipients of the RGS 2022 Distinguished Past Students. These awards recognise alumni, and past staff, who have made outstanding contributions or achievements in their life’s journey. Distinguished past students are also recognised on the School’s honour walkway in front of School House. I encourage students to visit the walkway and take a moment to learn more about past students and the extraordinary mark they have made in our society. I am sure it will also inspire thoughts about what the future may hold and the boundless paths that they have the opportunity to follow.
We are custodians of a great legacy at RGS, and can all play a role in preserving the past and in shaping the future.
2
3
SCHOLARSHIP
Students strive to
LEADERSHIP
Year public
COMMUNITY
4
7
A for community
PAST STUDENTS
Past students/staff
9 Indigenous
Canvasing a sense of community
14 of the road
Maynards journey at RGS
SPORTS Teamwork
Working together for success
18 RGS photo gallery
THE FINAL WORD
20 Reigniting hope
Year 11s hear a voice of hope
On 12 Wright centre his first Primary School Musical fans farewelled his lead in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory during Term 3.
Photograph by Michael Kennedy
RGS Primary and Secondary students are welcoming opportunities to test their abilities against the best from across the State and Nation in their chosen pursuits.
The RGS Primary School chess team of Shivam Karthikeyan, Tony Janes, Zach Holtzman and Elsa Li will represent the Central Queensland North region at the State Championships in Brisbane on 8-9 October. This is the first time all four students have represented the School at the Chess State Championships. The RGS Secondary School’s top narrowly missed out on qualifying for the State Finals after the final regional round.
RGS Year 10 students Abenaya Suntharavadivel, Isabelle Yore, Lachlan Wilson and Riley Sullivan participated in the 27th Queensland Schools Constitutional Convention, an online event. The Convention programme aims to increase young Australians’ knowledge about the Australian Constitution and the role it plays in our democracy. Abenaya was elected in Queensland’s team of delegates to attend the 28th National Schools Constitutional Convention, held in March 2023.
RGS Year 8 students Samuel Driscoll and Neal Dhamsania placed in the top 1% in Australia for their level in the 2022 Australian Geography Competition. Organised by the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland and the Australian Geography Teachers’ Association, this year’s competition hosted almost 70,000 students from 600 schools across Australia.
RGS Year 6 student Megan Nguyen admits she knew nothing about former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi until she started her research for the Day of Notables. Megan was the winner of the 2022 public speaking competition after a powerful representation of the late Indian Prime Minister.
“I had no clue who she (Indira Gandhi) was, but I became curious when I saw her name and discovered a great story,’’ Megan said.
“She didn’t care about people who tried to put her down. She turned those comments into the opposite and didn’t let that affect her.
“Day of Notables lets us show different people’s lives and how the world has so many different personalities and great people.”
While Megan shone sharing the Indira Gandhi story, she admits to having her own struggles with public speaking.
“I’ve always had issues with speeches, but once I’m used to the speech I can open up. Take a deep breath. You have the opportunity to speak for these people,’’ Megan said.
RGS Head of Primary Mrs Harris said all of these notable people in the finals were successful in their fields but all had some things in common - resilience, struggle and, at times, criticised at some point in their careers.
“But they still stayed true to their vocation and it’s something we can all learn from,” Mrs Harris said.
Mrs Harris praised all the Year 6 students on their public speaking efforts.
“Public speaking is frequently one of people’s biggest fears, it affects three out of four people,’’ Mrs Harris said.
“There were children doing this that were very scared of public speaking but who pushed through their fears to complete this task. Then there are those that love this opportunity and completely flourish in the spotlight.
“We see you all and celebrate your achievement. It’s about the growth and resilience for all children to take the brave
“Everystep.
time we take a brave step and push aside our fear, we are telling our brain that we can do hard things. Every hard thing faced after this is a little easier.”
A National Rugby League Hall of Fame member who played in 10 premiership winning teams for St George, the last five as captaincoach. Provan also represented Australia.
An American actress and singer who is widely known for playing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
An businessman,American best known for founding Kentucky Fried Chicken and later becoming the company’s brand ambassador and
Asymbol.British author and philanthropist who wrote the Harryworld-acclaimedPotterseries, a magic opportunity that came about after many Ansetbacks.Australian Army nurse during World War II who was the sole survivor of a massacre in 1942 that killed 21 nurses on Bangka
AnIsland.American artistic gymnast who won seven Olympic medals. Biles rose to fame in 2013 winning two ChampionshipsWorldat just 16 years.
An English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing who came to prominence during the Crimean War where she cared for wounded soldiers.
KruzRGS Year 4 student Charlie Erlewein is being rewarded for her passion for the environment.
Charlie won a $1500 grant in the EdStart Achievement Awards as a winner in the Sustainability and Environment category.
The 10-year-old loves combining her love of the environment with public advocacy.
Charlie has been a part of the “Straw No More” campaign to tackle plastic production head on since she was six-years-old. She is also the youngest ambassador in Australia for the “Straw No More” group. It’s a scheme built
on providing reusable straws and cleaners through public policy.
Charlie, who has two pet turtles “Myrtle” and “Franklin”, has already presented her campaign to councils in Central Queensland and in Victoria, where she previously lived.
“Straw No More is really important to me because I really have a big love for turtles and it’s all about banning single use plastics and plastic straws so turtles don’t get harmed,’’ said Charlie, who is also a member of the Fitzroy Basin Association and Team Turtles CQ group.
Year 12 student Claire Moulds again joined the Gondwana Voices Choir this year, continuing to build on the growing Thisexperience.year,Gondwana
Choir is running four seasons, with the Choir already having performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and later this year will sing at the Sydney Opera House.
The national Gondwana Choir is for singers aged 10 to 25 years. A choir Claire first joined in 2016.
“The first time was quite challenging, both musically and personally, but I formed some great friendships,’’ Claire said.
“It is now nice to be one of the seniors and take a role helping younger choristers.
“As I have progressed through the choirs, the music has continued to be challenging but now it was because we were singing in many foreign languages as well as English. It is so good to catch up with friends each time we sing together.”
Thirty-four RGS Year 12 girls have raised over $25,000 for the Cancer Council’s Ponytail Project during Term 3. For the participants, it was more than just getting a haircut and raising some money. Committee Chairs Lilly Keleher, Stevie Finger and Sarah Salisbury all had their own personal connections on wanting to support this event.
Cancer unfortunately touches the lives of many families and a group of RGS Year 12 students wanted to help make a difference and help families needing support during tough times.
Lilly Keleher knows how these families feel after losing her Aunty and Grandma to cancer.
“I felt helpless,’’ Lilly said.
“When a family member is going through something as horrific as cancer, and cancer treatment, the best you can do is be their support system.
“Before my Grandma passed in April, I told her I was cutting my hair for the Ponytail Project and she was never prouder of me. Cutting off 40cm of my hair not only felt like a relief to me, but I was happy and excited to see how I looked again with short hair and excited to know that my hair would go towards someone who is in more need of it than I am.
“I can only imagine how happy and proud she would’ve been to see me with short hair and how much, as a Year 12 cohort our girls raised to help families like mine. I only hope that girls in the grades below us, have seen what it
looks like to take part in the Project and aspire to do exactly what we did, but hopefully much Steviemore.”Finger
welcomed the opportunity to do “something bigger than myself and others”.
“Seeing the hair in the donation bag, I felt proud that I got to do something so impactful with the beautiful group of girls from RGS. It was also a strange and new feeling as I have always had long hair and it was a part of myself that formed my identity,’’ said Stevie, who has also seen family members impacted by cancer.
“I hope these funds help less fortunate people who are financially unable to access treatments that will help to fight cancer. I also hope that people continue to look beyond themselves when participating in this cause.
“This has been something that has shaped my morals and views about cancer and how we see the people who fight it as strong, brave, and resilient. Beyond RGS, continuing to advocate for the cause will be a priority for me as an individual.”
Sarah Salisbury has also felt the pain of losing loved ones to cancer and welcomed the amazing support for the Project.
“This project means so much to me as I have lost so many loved ones to this terrible disease and knowing that we are helping others in the same situation warms my heart,’’ Sarah said.
“The Ponytail Projects is such an amazing event which people can contribute to by raising money and donating their ponytail.”
Donations can still be made this year at fundraisers/2022RGSSeniorGirls.www.ponytailproject.com.au/
George Clayton was a boarder from “Meteor Park”, Springsure, when he attended RGS from 1916 to 1920.
George entered the School as a State Scholar and started his Senior Matriculation before leaving in the Easter of 1920.
A fine athlete during his RGS school days, George won the Archer Cup in 1919 and was presented with a medal for the Athletics Senior Championship in 1919 (pictured below).
The Headmaster’s wife, Mrs Kellow, presented the medal to George.
After school he studied medicine at Sydney University, graduating in 1925 along with another contemporary from RGS, Mort Hishon, later to become his brother-in-law. At that time there was no medical school in Queensland so anyone wanting to do medicine was obliged to go interstate. George started his own practice about 1931 in Pomona.
In 1936 Ted married Marcia O’Sullivan from Toowoomba and they had four children. A busy career took its toll on George and in 1946, aged 43, he had a heart attack playing tennis. Two of his grandsons have studied medicine.
Canberra’s Ted Baker was a student at RGS in 1941 and 1942. He still recalls his RGS school days as a day student.
“War with Japan had started in late 1941 and a number of boys were asked to come to the school and dig trenches around the edge of the playing field. We only had one football/ cricket field at this time and under the goal posts at the school end the ground was all rough rock and razor-sharp stones. When tackled in that area severe gravel rash was caused,’’ Ted said.
“As the Japanese invasion was forecast in early 1942, most Queensland schools were closed. We were required to visit the school every Monday morning and receive a week’s work to study. A number of the boys managed to finish the work in 2 or 3 days and then had the rest of the week to play. This lasted for several months.
“We had plenty of sport.... We were taught the Grammar School War Cry and used it when we were watching some competition against another school.”
RGS past students take many different paths in life after they leave School. The annual RGS Distinguished Past Student Awards Dinner on 23 July 2022 recognised past students, and a past staff member, who have gone above and beyond in their chosen careers.
Born in Moura in 1990 to parents George and Lauren Belonogoff, Sasha was the second of five children in the Belonogoff family to attend RGS. Starting at RGS in Year 8 (2003), Sasha was a talented sportsman during his school years, excelling in swimming and rowing. At School, Sasha won four national rowing titles at School – the U17 Coxed Quad Scull (2005), the U17 Single Scull and Schoolboy Coxed Quad Scull (2006) and the Schoolboy Coxed Quad Scull (2007). Sasha continued with rowing after School, while also pursuing exercise science and medical studies. Sasha made his Australian Rowing team debut in 2008 at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Austria, winning bronze in the double scull. He then raced three U23 Rowing World Championships (2009, 2010 and 2012) collecting a further two bronze medals in the quad sculls. His Senior Australian Rowing team debut was in 2013 when he gained selection to race the double scull at the World Championships. In 2014, he won bronze in the double scull at the World Championships in Amsterdam. He was then selected in 2015 to race the Olympic Qualification Regatta in France, placing 5th and securing Australia a berth in the double scull at the 2016 Olympics. In 2016, Sasha was selected to race the Men’s Quad Scull for the World Rowing Cup Circuit where his crew won two gold medals, winning the World Cup Leader Trophy and confirming their selection for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. At the Olympics, Sasha and his crew won the silver medal in the quad scull. Sasha has now retired from elite rowing and has continued pursuing his medical career.
Ken O’Dowd retired from Federal politics before the 2022 Federal Election, after serving four terms as the Liberal National Party Member for Flynn, in the Central Queensland region. Ken was first elected to Federal Parliament in 2010 before gaining re-election in 2013, 2016 and 2019. While at RGS, Ken was a School Prefect in 1967 and Head Senior Prefect 1968. Ken was Wheatcroft captain and represented the School in Cricket, Football and Cadets.
Sergeant Megan Magarry has served with the Queensland Police for 21 years. She currently serves at the Fortitude Valley Police Station and is the only female Sergeant, Shift Supervisor. In 2016, the then Senior Constable Magarry was awarded a National Bravery Medal for service with the Queensland Police Service. On 25 July 2013, Senior Constable Magarry assisted a colleague to rescue a woman from the Story Bridge in Brisbane.
Brad Beasley is the current Chairman of the RGS Board of Trustees, a position he was appointed to in 2010, having served as a Board member since 2001. In the mid1980s, Brad was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the following year became a partner in South Geldard Lawyers. Brad was also The Rock Building Society non-executive Director and President of the RGS Past Students’ Association from 1994 – 2001.
Geoff Hadwen was particularly involved in developing a Primary School built on innovative and evidence-based educational practices and in enhancing the School’s culture. RGS benefitted from Geoff’s educational and School community leadership, and passion for students, learning and co-curricular. Starting his teaching career, Geoff was first posted to Miles State School and then at 22 years was promoted to Principal of Eulo State School.
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RGS Indigenous Student Co-Ordinator Mr David Faiumu suggested the school engage talented Iman and Gangalu artist Mr James Waterton for a collaborative project for National Reconciliation Week 2022 with Rosie Akers as part of her Clinical Psychology Masters studies with CQUniversity. Rosie Akers writes about this memorable experience. create a magnificent artwork.
“Over seven weeks, Year 7 - 12 Indigenous students collaborated with James in Form and morning tea each week before in the final weeks, the entire school community, including staff and primary students, were invited to James’contribute.expertise was invaluable, engaging a large group of students to collaboratively design an artwork which was completed to such a high standard. Year 9 student Jeriah Cannon noted working with James was invaluable as “he shared his experiences, stories and meaning behind the artwork.” Brothers Robert and Tyler McIvor, in Year 8, valued working with James “as he was always smiling, shared his stories, and knows his Culture.”
It was truly special to witness how engaged the students were listening to James speak. He is softly spoken, but you could hear a pin drop as he described the artistic elements, the meaning and symbolism. To coordinate 30 young peoples’ ideas and integrate them into a final piece of art was a privilege to
witness. The artwork depicts Tunuba, the Fitzroy River flowing across Darumbal Country. The small circles gradually increasing in size represent Years Prep to 12 at RGS, the footsteps alongside signify students growing in Character and Scholarship. Each circle is connected to the large yarning circle, which represents RGS. Surrounding the yarning circles are totems of RGS students. Indigenous students from the primary school placed their hands along the banks of Tunuba, representing their connection to Country and the School.
Year 11 student Brooklyn Busch felt the project was important as it “helped everyone embrace their culture. You can see that through how proud they were.” Lisiate Fa’Aoso, Year 8, felt it enriched his experience and connection with RGS noting “it means that they really care about us Indigenous kids and they want a better future for us.” Fellow Year 8 student Hanako McIvor noted “We got to express our Culture, felt included, and we don’t feel ashamed of who we are.” The artwork will be installed in the foyer of the Islay Lee Centre.”
In times where declining literacy standards are commonly reported on, it is important to explicitly continue efforts in improving both spelling and punctuation in student writing. In the Secondary School, Writing Boost has been implemented to help build writing skills. The focus for this year has been improving vocabulary, spelling and now punctuation, writes RGS Dean of Studies Mrs Debbie Moulds.
The control of spelling, punctuation and grammar is central to conveying an author’s intended meaning. Therefore, it should come as no shock that incorrect spelling, grammar or punctuation can make sentences challenging to understand. The importance of using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation is not merely the application of many rules; rather, the rules are critical to effective communication. Moreover, spelling, punctuation and grammar are crucial components of the communication criterion in assessment items for every learning area. Hence, it is vital that control of spelling, punctuation and grammar is mastered.
The English language is widely regarded as one of the most difficult to master because of its unpredictable spelling and challenging grammar rules. It appears that every spelling rule has an exception. One rule commonly taught is “i before e, except after c”. However, there are many exceptions to this rule!
Being aware that some words are troublesome is the first step in avoiding them. That is, knowing to check them when producing written work. Other strategies include:
• For some of the commonly misspelt words, they just need to be learnt. Creating a visual image or a saying can help.
• Keep a personal list of words that are often misspelt and refer to it when writing.
• Use a dictionary, or check words that are commonly misspelt.
• Use spell checker on a piece of writing. But beware! Spell checker will not pick up homophones. Read Ode to a Spell Checker; it would have passed the spell checker test. (Hint: read it aloud to get the best effect.)
The placement of punctuation marks has an enormous impact on the meaning of a sentence. The apostrophe before the s makes brother’s own the smelly things rather than being the smelly things! There are many such examples, presented in a funny way in Eats, shoots and leaves series written by Lynne Truss and illustrated by Bonnie Timmons.
Term 3 has seen the production of posters used for Writing Boost to assist students with their application of punctuation. The focus has been – The tricky ones! The ones that are often wrong/misused (by some), and those that are just hard to understand. The initial focus has been on the apostrophe. Following this highly important punctuation mark, this focus will expand to the exclamation mark, the slash, dashes, square brackets and parentheses and punctuating in bullet points. The more challenging group of semicolons, colons and commas are still to come.
1. Homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings. There, they’re and their is one that regularly causes confusion. Accept and except again have totally different meanings but are pronounced the same way.
2. Silent letters – Some examples show how easy this mistake is to make: design, character and crumb
3. Double consonants – when to double and when not to! For example, title has a single ‘t’ whereas little has a double ‘tt’. Even when the base word is the same, this can be an issue. Written and writing is one such case!
4. Endings – It can be hard to know whether to use -ant or -ent,- ible or -able, -se or -ce or -tion or -sion? There are many rules around the use of the suffixes. Unfortunately, there are also many exceptions to these rules.
5. Words that are difficult to pronounce or often mispronounced –If it is difficult to pronounce, it is often harder to spell. Library, municipal, paradigm and quinoa are examples.
By Jerrold H Zar (read this slowly and out aloud!)
Eye halve a spelling check her, It came with my pea sea. It plane lee marks four my revue Miss steaks aye kin knot sea.
Eye ran this poem threw it, Your sure reel glad two no. Its vary polished in it’s weigh, My checker tolled me sew.
A check her is a bless sing; It freeze yew lodes of thyme. It helps me right awl stiles two reed, And aides me when aye rime.
Butt now bee cause my spelling Is checked with such grate flare, There are know faults with in my cite, Of nun eye am a wear.
Now spelling does knot phase me, It does knot bring a tier; My pay purrs awl due glad den With wrapped words fare as hear.
To rite with care is quite a feet Of witch won should be proud; And we mussed dew the best wee can Sew flaws are knot aloud.
That’s why eye brake in two averse Cuz eye dew want too please. Sow glad eye yam that aye did bye This soft wear four pea seas.MISSPELT WORDS:
Each frays come posed up on my screen, Eye trussed too bee a joule; The checker pours o’er every word To cheque sum spelling rule.
Bee fore wee rote with checkers Hour spelling was inn deck line, Butt now when wee dew have a laps, Wee are knot maid too wine.
RGS Director of Boarding Mrs Donna Grant discovered early in her teaching career that she enjoyed building relationships with students and their families. When Mrs Grant started teaching at a boarding school she was amazed at those young people who were so far from home and managed to thrive in their environment. Mrs Grant shares her education journey.
“In my early career I found that I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, and building relationships with students and their families. I moved to roles in sports management, Year Level Coordination and Pastoral Care. I thoroughly enjoyed creating opportunities for students, families and schools within the community.
My second teaching position was at a boarding school which had primary students as young as 6-years-old living in boarding. It amazed me that these young people were so far from home and managed to thrive in this environment.
Working as a sports coordinator at The Toowoomba Preparatory School I was in the boarding houses daily working to organise events and coaching teams. It was in this environment I learned about the importance of keeping young people engaged in a quality enrichment
Theprogramme.difference that boarding made to a school context was also very obvious and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of a village. The independence and growth of students was also very apparent, and I could see how the boarding environment was conducive to this.
My last two schools I have worked in executive leadership positions as an Assistant Principal, Head of Boarding, Director of Wellbeing and Acting Deputy Principal. Each of these roles revolved around the care of students and enhancing student’s wellbeing.
The roles the boarding staff play in mentoring and guiding students while they are living away from home are essential. People don’t work in boarding unless they are passionate about it.
When people ask me what boarding is like I explain it by referencing the biggest, most energetic and loudest family imaginable. It is an environment like no other and we experience ups and downs, learn tolerance and celebrate together. People who have boarded make lifelong friends and cherish the relationships that they make while boarding.
When parents ask for tips around boarding I always highlight that we are working in partnership with them while guiding their child through Communicationadolescence.andtrust are the most important ingredients to make this work. We will spend time with the family so we understand their values and can support them in a way they find comfortable. Open and honest conversations are the way we build these deep connections and staff understand that it is hard for parents coping with the different situations that arise while being so far away.
While I have only been at The Rockhampton Grammar School a few short months the students have already made a great impression on me. I enjoy talking with them and hearing their ideas. I have come to delight in some of their stories and adventures, learning and laughing with them. The staff team I am working alongside are exceptional and I think the future is bright for all in our community.”
(Head of Boys Boarding) and Kyle Langman (Head of Year 12 Boys) also joined Mrs Grant at RGS in Term 3.
Andrew Thompson started teaching in 1989. His other interests have included being a trainer with the North Queensland Cowboys from 1995 to 2001 and operating two cafes in Townsville before arriving at RGS from Townsville Grammar School.
“My time in business gave me a real growth and experiences in goal setting, planning, communication, strategic thinking, team building, problem solving and relationship building. Such skills and strengths have held me in good stead as I ventured into the realm of Boarding. I look forward to learning from, growing in and developing the culture at RGS,’’ Mr Thompson said.
Mr Langman grew up in South Africa before moving to the UK for the past six years.
“I am a passionate, enthusiastic, and positive person who seeks to offer the highest level of pastoral care, focused on building independent, resilient, and curious students. A highlight in my career was completing a Masters in Educational Leadership (MEd) back in 2020, where the focus was on leading cultural change in boarding, by developing a collaborative, happy and family-focused environment where students develop more responsibility, interdependence and a sense of belonging. I believe that having a purpose and sense of meaning plays such a key role in students’ overall happiness and success, and it is to that end that I seek to provide the best boarding experience,’’ Mr Langman said.
“People don’t work in boarding unless they are passionate about it.”
Kyle Langman, Donna Grant and TermwelcomedThompsonAndrewhavebeentoRGSin3.
The end of a student’s school journey not only signals the end of an era for that student but also for their family, particularly if you are the youngest of five children. The Maynard family from Jambin, has been a part of the RGS community since 2009 when their oldest daughter Sabrina started in boarding. The 2022 school year also signals the end of era for parents Geoff and Alison Maynard.
Rockhampton Grammar School Captain Faith Maynard grew up watching her three older sisters and brother leave their Jambin family home for boarding school.
At the end of this year, Faith will graduate from Year 12, ending a long journey for the Maynard family that started when they dropped their eldest daughter Sabrina to RGS in 2009 to start boarding in Year 8.
Sabrina would be followed to RGS by Guthrie (RGS 2015), Bonnie (RGS 2017), Olivia (RGS 2019) and Faith (RGS, Year 12).
“I didn’t like watching the house get quieter and quieter as each one left,’’ Faith said.
“It was especially hard when Olivia left for boarding school and I was the last one left at home for my last couple of years at Jambin State School.”
When it was Faith’s turn to start boarding in Year 7 (2017) she still remembers being excited trying on her new school uniforms and finally becoming a boarder at RGS.
“I loved having both Bonnie and Olivia there when I first started, definitely made it much easier to settle into the new routine,’’ Faith said.
The entire family is now preparing to say farewell to RGS when Faith graduates.
Like many parents, Geoff and Alison Maynard are just as big a part of RGS as their children.
Geoff attended boarding school but Alison did not. For Alison, the prospect of sending her eldest child (Sabrina) to boarding from the tight-knit family home at “Mount Eugene” did not sit well. They pushed ahead with a school tour in 2008.
“Both Alison and Sabrina , were very impressed with the variety of classes, the resources and facilities on offer at RGS, as well as the neat and tidy boarding accommodation,’’ Geoff said.
“It was without a doubt, one of the most gutwrenching experiences we had been through.
“From having a tight knit family of seven, living in a tightly clad small four-bedroom farm house, we had grown to be a close family in more ways than one.
“To drop off the first born left us imagining, and possibly magnifying, the potential anxiety, sadness, and loneliness they could be experiencing. This made us continually question, ‘had we made the right choice?’.
“This eased, when stories of new friends, beach excursions, food packages, team sports, laughter, and pillow fights all filtered back.”
Geoff said they had been “delighted” with the Grammar experience.
“It’s exactly what all parents hope for their children,’’ Geoff said.
“They have made many new, wonderful and diverse friends, they have life-long memories and lessons, memorable mentoring teachers, competed in team and individual sports at levels beyond expectations, and delivered vocational opportunities far broader than originally foreseen.”
The endless road trips between Jambin and Rockhampton are fast drawing to a close, and it is with both with a sense of “relief” and “sadness” that this journey is nearing its end.
“We’re relieved we are completing the secondary education of our children, hopefully with some degree of success (no pressure Faith),’’ Geoff said.
“We have been fortunate, that we have been able to maintain reasonable regular contact with all our family, but I fear, that is going to change as many start to travel far and wide and experience what the world has to offer.
“We are learning to appreciate the moments we have together.”
Geoff said the secret to keeping his family close during their boarding school years, and beyond, has simply been his wife Alison.
“Our family is lucky in that Alison, is the cables, conduit, modem and server that keeps the family communication happening. She makes the time to attend a varied number of events, whether it be sport, award ceremonies or teacher interviews. She initiates regular contact, whether that be phone calls, visits, or texts. I imagine all mothers do. And Alison has no hesitation in reminding the rest of us to follow suit.”
It is also a surreal time for Sabrina as she watches her youngest sister prepare to graduate from RGS.
“Faith was five when I left for school,’’ Sabrina said.
“We’ve been lucky to all attend RGS together over the years especially living on campus together. It allowed us to stay close and still grow up together which is not always possible in a boarding school format.”
Faith said she is both “excited” and “nervous” to leave school.
“I’ll definitely miss the people and the supportive environment at RGS,’’ said Faith, who currently hopes to study business at Rockhampton’s CQUniversity next year.
“They have made many new, wonderful and diverse friends, they have memories”life-longGeoffMaynardThe Maynard family (from left) Bonnie, Guthrie, Alison, Sabrina, Faith, Geoff and Olivia.
“It’s exactly what all parents hope for their children”
Geoff Maynard
David “Campo” Campese played 101 Tests for the Australian rugby union team over 15 years, scoring 64 tries. Campese had some clear advice for RGS rugby fans during his training clinics at the School.
David Campese wants young people to get the basics right in their sport and to look what’s in front of them, not just following a set play.
“It’s about getting the basics right, especially when you’re not under defensive pressure at training, watching the game you love and most importantly having fun playing the game,’’ said Campese, who was guest speaker at the RGS Rugby Club’s Red & Black Dinner in Term 3.
Still a fan of running rugby, Campese wants young players to find creativity in their game.
“A lot of coaches are tied up in one way of coaching. You have to let these kids experiment and be free. Then you can talk them about what worked and what didn’t work,’’ Campese said.
“It’s all so structured now. I want them to create something and think about what makes a good player. 95% of kids I talk to don’t watch the game and don’t have an idol. It’s hard to play a sport if you don’t want to be like Campesesomebody.”alsowants young players to not only look at their own game, but that of their opposition, to not only play to your strengths, but target the the weaknesses in your “Mostopposition.importantly,
it’s also about just having fun. If you make a mistake don’t worry. The most important thing is that you learn from your mistakes. It’s also important that your team mates say don’t worry about it and let’s go. Once you’ve made a mistake it’s history. You can’t change it.”
In the grand finals of the Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League (RDSSRL) competition, the RGS 8As went down 22-12 to St Brendan’s College while in the 10D grand final, RGS lost 34-8 to TCC. RGS players of the grand finals were (8A) Cormack Werner and (10D) Riley Hansen.
The RGS Junior Girls Football team finishied runners-up to Emmaus College after wet grand final at Emmaus College. Chloe Hutson was named the RGS player of the final. RGS was also represented in the Senior Girls competition this season.
Tennis Tennis titles were on the line at the annual RGS Primary Minniecon & Burke Tennis Championships. Shivam Karthikeyan won the boys final against Aarya Goswami, 6-2, while Zara Kummerfeld won in a tiebreaker against Siyarna Puslednik, 9-7.
“95% of kids I talk to don’t watch the game and don’t have an idol. It’s hard to play a sport if you don’t want to be somebody.”like
RGS teams have had another busy term across a variety of sports, both at the local level and representative.
RGS students featured in finals of the Primary Friday Sport competition.
In rugby league, RGS won the 6B grand final with a 22-16 win over St Paul’s Gracemere and Max Cottam was named RGS player of the final.
At the Jardine Park netball courts, the RGS Senior A team went down to St Joseph’s Park Avenue in their grand final.
Tennis finals were played at Victoria Park with RGS winning A grade, C grade and D grade finals. RGS was also runners-up in A grade!
RGS also had three teams in action at Kalka Shades for the final round of non-competitive hockey fixtures.
The Rockhampton Netball Association 2022 season wrapped up at the end of Term 3.
RGS Magic, the School’s First VII team, won the Senior A Reserve Division 1 grand final with a comprehensive 56-33 win over St Ursula’s Diamonds. It was the final RGS netball game for Year 12 students Esther Bourke (captain), Lily Gray, Faith Maynard, Lucy Prentice, Dominique Sleaford and Jacqueline Sleaford.
RGS runners-up were: Meteors (Senior A Reserve Division 2), Vixens (Senior C), Thunder (Junior B1) and Suns (Junior D1).
The RGS Netball Presentations were held on 1 September. Major award winners for 2022 were: Esther Bourke (Senior Player of the Year/ Seniors Best Shooter); Katie Cooper (Junior Player of the Year/ Junior Best Mid Court Player); Jacqueline Sleaford (Head of Netball Recognition Award); Dominique Sleaford (Spirit and Goodwill Award/ Senior Best Defensive Player); Lily Gray (Senior Best Mid Court Player); Molly Kidd (Junior Best Defensive Player); Kaylee Acton (Junior Best Shooter); Sonia Cooper (Most Dedicated Club Member); Umpire Awards - Gabby Gamero-Harth (Senior); Katie Cooper (Junior) and Ruby Wells (Primary).
The RGS Open Girls Firsts rugby league team qualified for the North Queensland finals of the Karyn Murphy Cup in Townsville after winning the Central Queensland round.
The girls opened with a 16-all draw against St Margaret Mary’s College (Townsville), but unfortunately lost that game due to the home team scoring the first try. RGS then went down 20-6 against Cairns State High before finishing with a 16-12 win over Mackay State High.
A highlight of the trip was receiving a tour of the NRL North Queensland Cowboys training Northfacilities.Queensland Cowboys Head of Performance Paul Bowman provided the girls with a tour of the Cowboys High Performance ItCentre.wasa
big eye-opener for the girls as Paul Bowman explained in detail the day-in-the-life of a Cowboys player - from pre-season training to injuries, video analysis, training methods, player wellbeing, strength and rehabilitation, physiotherapy, coaching and much more.
The RGS Open Girls First XI finished runners-up in the Queensland Cricket T20 North Qld Championships. RGS won their semi-final against St Patrick’s Mackay with Gabby Macrae (76) and Abbey Harvey (67) top scoring while Lila Atkinson claimed 3 wickets. The Boys First XI were defeated by Mercy College in their semi-final.
RGS had a busy Term 3 travelling to netball carnivals. In Emerald, RGS Red won the U17 division while RGS Primary and Secondary teams competed in the Cap Coast Carnival in Yeppoon. Sparks won the 16-18 years division while Sliders were runners-up in the U10 division.
RGS Year 11 student Taryn Roberts was named Queensland Swimmer of the Meet (13 - 19 Years Female) at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships in Brisbane.
Taryn won 5 gold medals (800m freestyle, 1500m freestyle, 400m IM, 200m breaststroke, 400m freestyle); 2 silver medals (200m IM, 200m butterfly) and 1 bronze medal (100m breaststroke). 8 national medals!
RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service representatives visited RGS to thank the Year 10 students involved in the volunteer programme; Charlie and Chocolate Factory performers Year 8 students Kellen Crouch and Tonina Nezic-Moon; Year 12’s Justin Besch at an award winning CQ Carcase Competition for RGS; Year 8’s Zoe Scott at the final Rockhampton Schools Rowing Regatta of the 2022 season; Students take in the scenery on Form Camp; 6B player of the final Max Cottam; Prep’s Grace Causer and Thanvi Babu at the Book Week Parade while Year 6 students Chloe Mullens, Keely Newell and Gabrielle Stewart loved their “Little Miss” Book Week costumes; Year 10 student Lachlan Donoghue at drum lessons.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
Prep’s Gwen Heppell celebrates 100 days of school; Year 7 students William Goudie and Harley Aitchison test their smoothie making skills; Year 8’s Cale Compton prepares to scale new heights on Form Camp at Ritamada; The Lion King Jnr cast of Miah Giles, Lachlan Robertson and Rob Muller are dressed to impress; RGS Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds with Prep Science enthusiasts Senya Mudalige, Islaka Kirkman and Tony Macnaughtan; Year 3 students Henry Houghton and Harry Francis settle into life
on the farm at Port Curtis Farm; Year 12 girls celebrate a successful Ponytail Project hair cut to raise valuable funds for the Cancer Council; Year 8’s Lainey Foot in action at the Cap Coast Netball Carnival; Year 9’s Jill Werth puts the final touches to her food for the popular Indigenous Cafe; Year 8’s Henry Lau is back in training for the 2022/2023 cricket season.
The HopeFull Institute is helping students thrive by “reigniting” hope. The Institute’s Director and Co-Founder Glenn Gerreyn shared his message of hope with RGS Year 11 students. The Capricornus Quarterly spoke with Glenn after his powerful day-long session with the RGS students.
“I was a State champion sprinter in high school and had qualified for the world juniors. Then I got really sick and was on a disability pension for five years. My doctor said I couldn’t run let alone work.
At 22 I read Nelson Mandela’s book Long Walk to Freedom. I was so inspired by his story that I took the $2 that I had leftover from the disability pension that week and raised money through government grants and business sponsorship and built a youth centre in Redcliffe. I won Young Australian of the Year in 1998 for Queensland community service and schools started asking me to share my story.
Glenn spent a day with RGS Year 11 boys and girls, speaking with the boys during the first session before meeting with both groups together.
“I spoke to the boys about being Men of Honour – talking about sexual ethics for young boys. I also run that session for NRL teams during their rookie camps. It helps build the culture where guys are making better decisions around key areas of their life. A lot of young guys never have these critical conversations with elders. Exercise, nutrition, money, drugs and alcohol, sex, pornography. It’s the whole gamit.
Glen Gerreyn THE HOPEFULL INSTITUTEThis whole message that I share with students across the country is that I’ve been through stuff as a teenager. Through sickness, a family break up and dreams shattered. I’m trying to work with young people and tell them there’s still hope to continue dreaming about whatever you’re doing.
Life’s unfair right. Sometimes you’re disadvantaged and sometimes you’re advantaged. It’s about finding purpose and meaning. Once they find that the discomfort is bearable. Whether it’s sport or a career.
Don’t just settle for a job, career or a profession – seek a calling. If you follow your calling the fatigue is easier to bear, the disappointments will be fewer and the highs will be nothing like you’ve ever experienced.
If we can get them to lock into something they love, it’s alright if there’s disappointments –they still have a long-term view and picture in front of them.
It’s about gaining a vision for their life. If they live in their future they’ll have power in their present. The main reason so many young people are disengaged and powerless is because they have no hope in their future. We have to try and help give them that.”
It’s really new ground. Young guys love that session because no one’s approached that stuff with them. A lot of what they hear while they’re growing up is misinformation. Boys want these conversations.
Most young guys want to be good guys, they just don’t know how.
I spoke with the boys and girls in the second session on wellbeing. Finding your purpose –who you are, why you are here and where you are going.
The final session was on resilience –overcoming fear of failure and judgement.
My main goal is for them to take action. You can deliver awesome content, but unless they take action it doesn’t work. I gave them hundreds of salient ideas – some explicit and some implicitly, that they can take on and do.
If I can get them to take the first step it’s easier to take the second step. Do the things first that they are uncomfortable with or fear.
I find our seminars have some sort of level of stickiness to them. I still hear from people from 10 years ago updating me on where they are.
I tell them not to rely on motivation. Motivation comes and goes. I want them to become committed to this.
People I meet at these sessions tell me “I have no goals”.
They open up their book and we find something they can get started on. It just takes a little bit of guidance and mentoring.”
Find out more about The HopeFull Institute at www.thehopefullinstitute.com
“Don’t just settle for a job, career or a profession – seek a calling. If you follow your calling the fatigue is easier to bear, the disappointments will be fewer and the highs will be nothing like you’ve ever experienced.”
