College Dean’s Reflections
The end of the year in schools is an intriguing time – you are working in the present…the day to day as always, but with an eye for the year ahead, in terms of planning for beginnings, and an eye on the year about to pass, with celebrations, endings and farewells. At such a time, it is more than useful to pause and reflect, in fact, I find it uplifting. So many wonderful moments are created in a school year. For those of us who attended the recent Year 12 Valedictory Dinner the Senior video of 2006 was spellbinding upon those gathered as we relived some special moments. Selected moments in my ‘Best of GT for 2006’ include the following:
- Oliver Collins and the first school assembly – the courage that this young man in Year 8 displayed in openly discussing his illness and the manner in which his 1200 school mates responded was absolutely inspirational and an uplifting way to start 2006;
- Rowing Assembly and the christening of the ‘John Bowes’ – having known John as a friend, for just on 30 years, his passion for rowing and for Terrace was well known to me and made this a special personal moment for me;
- ANZAC Day Service – a poignant gathering for all present made more intimate and moving by the readings of our young men of the stories of their family members at war;
- SherWoodstock – a rollicking night of entertainment for all who attended. The sense of fun displayed by all involved was positively infectious;
- The highs and lows of the 1 st XV – there was disappointment at the narrow loss to Nudgee, despondency in the dressing room after a loss to Grammar and scenes of great joy at the never say die win over Churchie. The team showed great ‘ticker’, Jack!;
- Senior A Debating GPS Final Round - has GPS debating ever seen a more memorable night than the night in Centenary Hall at Grammar? The amazing level of support of hundreds of students from both schools was only surpassed by the quality of our debaters, who were victorious;
- GPS Cross Country – I think that this event always rates a mention for me as I have never known a cross country event to be so well supported. The tunnel of red and black banners and cheering school mates through which our runners approach the start line is a treasure;
- QCS – the first Tuesday and Wednesday in September is a landmark for our Year 12s and the focussed manner in which our young men took on this year’s challenge was outstanding. I doubt that they could have done any better, whatever their results are to be they undoubtedly did their very best;
- The Celebration of Excellence Evening – an absolutely wonderful showcase of excellence surpassed by a simple, powerful gesture – a Year 12 prizewinner embracing his father who had presented the award - love surviving challenging times;
- Old Boys Dinners – these dinners were opportunities to get in touch with where this great school has evolved from and to be touched by the memories of past Terracians. There is great pride and continuing school spirit amongst those who have gone before us;
- Ist Basketball vs ACGS – last competition match of 2006 - down at quarter time, down at half time what an inspirational second half to win the match against highly rated opponents. The Terradome was rocking to the passionate rendition of ‘Terrace to the Fore’.
Each of these moments conjures a particular memory, a special feeling. Between these special moments in time are the day to day recollections of working in a special school community of staff, parents, students and old boys, who serve this school so well. Terrace thrives upon the collective energy and generous commitment from many, many individuals. Personal thanks to Mrs Rosene Galis, my assistant, who has continued to work very hard throughout 2006 and to the other members of the College Leadership Team, who inspire me each and every day. Thanks also to Fiona for your friendship, support and love…and for saying yes.
‘It is good to have an end to journey towards;
but it is the journey that matters in the end’
(Le Guinn, 1529 - )
Mr Peter Fullagar
College Dean
Chamanade Student Exchange 2004
(A Terracian Perspective)
In June this year, after a rigorous selection process, Scott Tweedie and myself were privileged enough to be selected as the seventh pair of representatives for the Terrace-Chaminade exchange. We left on the 19 August for what would be the best six weeks of our lives.
We stayed in the dorms on campus at Caminade for three weeks before moving into a home stay for the next three weeks. The dorms were an amazing experience. We were able to make full use of the 55 acre property as well as all of Chaminade’s facilities. The school is one of the most beautifully manicured and has amazing grounds and facilities that would rival most universities here at home.
The hospitality of the Americans in St. Louis is second to none. Absolutely everyone loves “Aussies” and loved us. We were literally treated like kings as we could do anything and go anywhere as our new mates were so willing to take us out. Another amazing part of their life is the fact that all students in Yeaer 10 and above drive to school. The Americans were almost shocked to hear that Australians students all catch buses and trains and Terrace boys do not drive to school. Chaminade’s student car park looked more like a prestige car dealership than a parking lot. All in all this was a wonderful experience that Scott and myself were extremely lucky to be apart of and from which we have learned a great deal .
However it wasn’t merely luck that got us there and I would like to especially thank Mr Chapman, Mr Fullagar, Mrs Gillig and Mrs Galis for all their work organising our exchange as well as the Chaminade Exchange here in January. We would also like to particularly thank the Gregory Terrace Old Boys Association and also Planetarium Rotary International for their continuing support of this fantastic exchange.
In writing this I am able to look back at the six weeks and realise how much I learned, experienced and enjoyed the exchange and so I hope that this exchange may continue on for many years so that other boys may experience Chaminade and all that this trip has to offer.
Will Griffin
USA Chaminade Exchange
(A Chaminadian Perspective)
“Learn as much about the house system as possible” were the words that Mr Jim Gerker said to us before we left for Australia in late January. We never knew how much we could possibly learn and experience.
From the moment that we stepped onto the stones that make up the physical Terrace we could feel the life that is the people of Terrace. From the welcoming grin of Mr Price to the good-natured jokes of the students, Terrace is truly a family. We jumped right into classes as well as the school activities. Cricket intrigued us, volleyball fired us up, and the Induction Mass moved us as we began to see the life of the Terrace community.
In the classroom, we experienced an atmosphere of learning that showed us why Terrace was a stronghold of academics while, at the same time, being a place with perspective where people can have fun. From Mr Celegato’s chemistry class to Mr Broad’s health and physical education class, we saw students working, learning, and growing.
As we moved through Brisbane and experienced its families and communities, we saw how Terrace has a tradition of excellence that can be seen by everyone who encounters a Terrace gentleman. When Mr Connelly first spoke about the uniform, we thought he was just being strict, but as we learned to pick out students on the street we saw the difference that the Terrace uniform makes.
As we danced the night away at the Terrace dance, drenched in sweat, light and laser beams, we saw the Terrace community have fun. The spirited rendition of “Terrace to the Fore” after the last song really exemplified the spirit of the school. Even after a long, hot dance, the Terrace community never forgets to tell everyone else who is the best.
During the camp at Maroon, we saw one of the best parts of the house system: Boys in Years 8 and 11 working together to achieve common goals. From canoeing to hiking to building fires, we saw boys building friendships and house spirit that will last for the rest of their Terrace careers. Through teamwork in a beautiful landscape, we could almost see boys becoming men.
While we sit here and reflect on our experience, we realize that it wasn’t the activities, sports, academics, uniform or the house system that made our experience one that would last a lifetime, but it was the Terrace community, the people, who make Terrace the special place that it is. We’d like to especially thank the Jones and Boosey families and Mr Peter Chapman as well as the rest of the Terrace staff. To the entire Terrace community, we wish all of you the best of luck and we thank all of you for making our experience great.
Jake Stokes and Matt Lodes
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