From the Dorms

As I sit to write our last Phoenix Rising for 2022, I’d like to start by expressing my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all those who support our boarding students and Dormitory staff. Thank you to our School nurses, laundry ladies, maintenance men and grounds keepers, kitchen staff, teachers, coaches, tutors and dormies. It definitely takes a village and it only works because we all work together so well.

Preliminary Prize Giving & Awards Day - We recently celebrated our students and their accomplishments over two days at our annual Preliminary Prize Giving Ceremony Thursday 17 November, followed by our Awards Day on Friday 18 November. It’s a time for our students to be recognised for the hard work they put in throughout the year in many different areas, which include club and school sport, extra-curricular activities, the Arts, Rural Activities and all their amazing academic achievements. Congratulations to all those who received accolades – well done.

Valedictory & Graduation - The last two major events that mark the finale for our Year 12s, are our Mass of God Speed and the Valedictory Dinner. As always, our Year 12 students did it in style. And although we’ve said it many times before, our Year 12s always amaze us with the transformation we see on Valedictory night—from school student to young adult—they scrub up pretty good! The whole School assembled for the Mass of God Speed earlier in the afternoon, where we officially farewelled our Year 12 Seniors. And, although a few tears were shed, there was so much happiness and anticipation for all the new and exciting adventures about to take place for our departing Year 12s.

After their last Chapel service at All Souls St Gabriels School, the seniors took to the Quadrangle where they shared one final victory war cry. Our Year 12s and their families then celebrated the evening with the Valedictory Dinner in the Jim Rebgetz Centre (JRC). It was a lovely way to mark their time as students here; reminiscing about their years at All Souls St Gabriels School. So we say to you, class of 2022: Goodbye & good luck!

Well, that’s a wrap for 2022. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the parents and families who support us in our roles of caring for your sons and daughters. We cannot thank you enough for your patience and understanding, as we navigated our way through another year in boarding. We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2023. Until then, take care.

Darren Guldbransen HEAD OF BOARDING

Alban highlights… We’ve had an exciting last couple of weeks in Alban while the girls celebrated with parties for break-ups and end-of-season Football, Horse Club, Cattle Club, and Gabes Z-Club. The girls were happy for the chance to dress up and attend an evening with their friends while being recognised for all their hard work.

We held our Secret Santa Christmas Party earlier this term while our Seniors were still in dormitories. It was a great night and we finished off with our Alban Letters read aloud to our departing Seniors. This is an opportunity for our girls to write a heart-felt (and sometimes revealing) letter to their Seniors as a farewell token.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my Alban families. Thank you for entrusting your daughter’s care to me again this year, and thank you for your ongoing support and patience, I am truly grateful. I hope that you all have a wonderful wet season and a lovely Christmas with family. Travel safely and I look forward to seeing you all again next year. Becket highlights… To all my Becket families, thank you all for welcoming me and entrusting me to look after your beautiful girls. I’d also like to say a big thank you to Jenny for being a great Dormie for the girls this year and thank you for making my transmission into the new role a smooth one. The girls have had a great year and have all earned a well-deserved break.

Congratulations to Ella-Beth, Reese, Annika, Shakiah, Storm, Layla and Chloe on their Graduation. It has been a pleasure getting to know each and every one of you beautiful young ladies. You have all made an impression in the dormitories and will be terribly missed.

I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and a lovely New Year. I look forward to seeing you all next year in Term 1. Chad highlights… Yr 12 Senior Profile – Caitlyn Elliott How long have you been at All Souls St Gabriels School? Since Year 7, so 6 years. Something people may not know about you? I’m the best tag player in the world. What’s been your favourite ASSG moment, to date? Playing tag and watching ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ in dorms. Who has been the greatest influence on your life? My Mum and Dad. Complete this sentence “When I grow up I want to be just like my…” Mum. What would you never do, no matter what the price? Hold a bird! What is your life motto? Become the person you would aspire to be. You’re stranded on an island, what’s the one thing you’d want? Russell Coight. Favourite food? Ice cream and at school – Chicken Burgers!

And now some thoughts from Caitlyn’ s sister, Jacalyn: Caitlyn’s nickname? Lyn, Lynny Loo. Favourite Memory with Caitlyn? Making sure she’s always in for tag! Naughtiest thing Caitlyn has ever done in boarding? Staying up until 1am to do assessments. What have you learned from Caitlyn? What not to do in a game of tag. Who is Caitlyn’s idol? Nulla (her dog). Where will Caitlyn be in 10 years? Living her life like McLeod’s daughters.

Alban House Vanessa Herring Senior Resident Becket House Sam Groves Senior Resident Chad House Alison Barnicoat Senior Resident

Yr 12 Senior Profile – Holly Johnson How long have you been at All Souls St Gabriels School? Since 2017 Something people may not know about you? I can play guitar What’s been your favourite ASSG moment, to date? Watching ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ with the girls in the common room Who has been the greatest influence on your life? My parents Complete this sentence “When I grow up I want to be just like Reese Wilko What would you never do, no matter what the price? Touch a frog What is your life motto? “What would Reese do?” You’re stranded on an island, what’s the one thing you’d want? A lifetime supply of pasta Favourite food? Carbonara

And now some thoughts from Holly’ s friend, Reese: Holly’s nickname? Holl Favourite Memory with Holly? Talking in class more than the teacher Naughtiest thing Holly has ever done in boarding? I probably shouldn’t say, but it was something to do with getting 24 nuggets. What have you learned from Holly? She’s taught me that it doesn’t matter how short you are as long as you have a go. What is Holly’s best hidden talent? Getting ready for school in 5 minutes. Where will Holly be in 10 years? Rich & famous for singing, or at home with kids and animals. Feetham highlights… Where did the last two weeks of school go? Wow, what a crazy finish to what has been a very busy year, with Year 7 camp, exam block, Awards Day, Preliminary Prize Giving and Year 12 Valedictory all happening in the last two weeks.

It was great to go to the Awards Day and watch the students get recognized for their outstanding achievements over the past year. I know that Landon Hughes’ mum was as surprised as myself when Landon got called up to receive a math award. To all those students who received an award well done guys.

We also got to watch as our graduating class of 2022 sang the ASSG war cry for the last time on Friday evening. It is quite an emotional thing to witness and I wish them all the best.

Our mighty Year 7s were up bright and early on Monday, Week 8 and ready to hit the road for camp. I know they had a great time and what a way to finish the year off.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday. Thank you to the mighty Feetham lads for what has been a great year and I look forward to what next year brings.

Ramsay House Rhett Butler Senior Resident

Mobile: 0400 751 433 Email: rbutler@allsouls.qld.edu.au

Feetham House Jake Diery Senior Resident Page House Davin Marshall Senior Resident (Acting)