Dear Members of the Terrace Family,

With immense pride, I write this article for the first time in the role of Acting Principal. I humbly thank all in our community for the support that I have always been privileged to receive. I look forward to a rewarding and successful time as Dr Carroll takes Professional Renewal Leave over the first six weeks of term. If I can be of assistance in any way during this period, I would welcome your contact. As we commence the new term, I am acutely aware of our southern neighbours who have begun what may be an extended period of learning from home. One of our many lessons from 2020 was how much our young men enjoy coming to school, and the general dislike both staff and students have for remote learning. We hope and pray that Queensland can stay free of further lockdowns and all of us can go about our lives without interruption.

The commencement of the term saw our usual strong uptake of Parent/Teacher Interviews via Teams. Next week, we offer the final opportunity for formal teacher feedback at Wednesday evening’s interviews in a face-to-face forum. Bookings for these will close on Monday next week. We continue to discuss the best model for these interviews in the future, and your feedback after next Wednesday will be extremely valuable for forward planning.

College Assembly on Tuesday saw us formally acknowledge NAIDOC Week with an authentic acknowledgement of country. Three traditional indigenous guidelines were shared with our young men, and they were simultaneously simple and brilliant:

1. Do what is right for ‘country’.
2. If you have plenty, make sure you share.
3. Only take what you need.

These are as applicable in the Terrace context as anywhere else in the world, and our young men are challenged to look after their ‘country’ and its people in a manner that reflects the Edmund Rice Touchstones. Viewing our values through a different lens is an excellent way to recognise and embrace diversity and the needs of those around us.

Term 3 is traditionally an enormous undertaking in terms of co-curricular involvement. This weekend’s Chess, Basketball, Rugby and the Norman Clarke Concert will see the vast majority of our students involved in some way. I wish everyone the very best as they take part and ask that they do so in a spirit of participation, sportsmanship and humility.

This term is one of opportunity for the Gentlemen of Terrace – it is an opportunity to be involved, look after those who need it, and seek personal excellence both inside and outside the classroom. As always, the staff of Terrace are here to challenge and support. It is up to our young men to accept the challenge and make the most of the support. I wish everyone the very best as we commence another busy term at this wonderful College.

Welcome to the new term to all in the Terrace Family. I hope that the holiday break allowed families to rest and recharge ahead of what will likely be another busy term. The unexpected lockdown and ongoing restrictions have no doubt continued to affect families. I hope that you have been able to navigate these without too significant an impact.

The holiday period saw students engage in a range of co-curricular tours, clinics and workshops. I thank the many staff who give their time and expertise to allow these activities to occur. My particular thanks to the Basketball program staff, whose tour in North Queensland was cut short by the lockdown. Their professionalism and quick thinking ensured that boys could return safely to families for the lockdown period. While boys will be disappointed to have not completed the tour, we are grateful to have kept everyone safe.

We again commenced the term with a student free day and online Parent/Teacher Interviews. As always, the interviews have been very well attended, and I thank our dedicated teachers for the way they have prepared for interviews and provided feedback and strategies for improvement. I also thank parents and caregivers for entering into these interviews in a spirit of respectful partnership. We are a relationship-based organisation, and good relationships are based on respectful interactions. Sometimes, results don’t go the way we want them to, but the focus in the interviews needs to be on strategies for consolidation or improvement. Next week, our Pastoral Care Mentors will continue these improvement discussions alongside goal setting with boys as part of our Academic Mentoring Week.

Following the feedback we received earlier in the year, and consistent with the easing of restrictions later this week, next Wednesday’s interviews will be held on campus at the College. If you are attending interviews next week, I would ask that you be mindful of our neighbours when parking in the surrounding streets. We will continue to monitor the pattern across schools, follow external advice and survey staff and parents/caregivers to determine how we will conduct interviews in the future.

In staff news, we welcome back Mrs Louise Underwood and Ms Genevieve Claffey from periods of long service leave, and we also welcome back Ms Cassie Bampton from her maternity leave. While it is never ideal to have class teaching changes, we are grateful to welcome Ms Marcelle Lam, Ms Melanie Mons Wolff and Mr Jordan McDonald for Semester 2 positions. A familiar face to some, Mrs Lorraine O’Sullivan also returns to our teaching staff for the next six weeks. I am sure that the Terrace Family will make them all feel welcome.

My best wishes to the entire Terrace Family for the term ahead.

Heal Country

A warm welcome back to Term 3 for the Terrace Family. I hope your son/s managed to recharge the batteries from what was another busy Term 2. Just when I thought we were back to some normality, we were faced with another lockdown. I hope it did not affect your holidays too much and that your families were safe during this time. I particularly pray for those who are suffering from this terrible pandemic. We are fortunate to live in Queensland.

Last week, our country celebrated our annual National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week. NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' history, culture, and achievements. It is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and society. NAIDOC Week is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities but by Australians from all walks of life.

The theme for NAIDOC week this year is ‘Heal Country’. Today our world needs healing – environmentally, spiritually and socially. We must all come together as a global community to fight the injustices of inequality, racism and environmental damage.

At our assembly on Tuesday, we welcomed Sammy Leone (uncle to Thomas Weatherall – 8 Barrett), who led an acknowledgement of country and unpacked what NAIDOC week means to him. Sammy identifies as a Gara-wa and Butch-ulla Man with Tongan and Southsea Island Heritage. Sammy has lived in the local community of Brisbane Northside since the age of eight and has strong connections to the local First Nations People and community of Brisbane. Sammy’s insights were fascinating and moving, and we are so grateful that he took the time to share them with us.

A Prayer for NAIDOC Week

Lord, we come before you during NAIDOC Week to celebrate the successes, achievements, and resilience of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters. We recognise those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who are using their talents to enrich our communities and inspire us all in many ways. We honour First Nations peoples who fight every day for rights, culture and land. They reveal the true meaning of strength and survival. Amen.

Magee House working bee

A massive congratulations to the 77 Magee men who gave up the first day of their holidays to attend a working bee at their House Friendship Group, St Mary of the Cross School, Windsor. They filled a four cubic metre bin full of weeds, moved five cubic metres of mulch, made a fairy and gnome garden and used eight litres of stain on the fence. A big thank you to Mr Anthony O’Shea (Magee House Dean) for leading this great initiative with the Magee House students.

Live Jesus in our Hearts…Forever

St Joseph’s…Pray for us.

Term 3 is always a crucial time during the academic year for students. Our Year 12 cohort continues to work through Unit 4 assessment items, and our Year 11s are completing Unit 2. At the same time, the Year 10 students finish the term with the much-anticipated Immersion program. These events, combined with a significantly high portion of our students involved in co-curricular activities, means that the boys can sometimes burn the candle at both ends this term.

Research suggests that seven out of ten teenagers are not getting the recommended nine hours of sleep each night. Famously, Roger Federer attributes averaging 12 hours of sleep a day to his longevity in tennis (noted, we would all love to find 12 hours a day to sleep!). We would all be aware of the negative consequences of the under-slept teenage male, including increased irritability, inability to communicate and lack of concentration, to name a few. Unfortunately, boys tend not to value sleep as an essential aspect of their mental health. Hopefully, this SchoolTV resource may assist you with some ideas on how to support your sons with this important issue.

This week has been characterised by the need to quickly re-establish regular routines within the College to ensure that class time is as effective as possible. Our approach in sweating the small stuff assists staff in establishing a productive tone. Haircuts, hat standards, shoes being polished and ensuring locks are on lockers are all simple things that contribute to a sense of being back to business at the College. As a whole, I congratulate our students for their ability to settle quickly and focus on the core business of learning in the classroom.

At Tuesday’s Presentation Assembly, we acknowledged the Chess, Basketball and Rugby seasons that commence this week. These programs involve many of our students, and I wish them all the very best for a safe and successful term. We have made some very clear statements about our expectations of students who are supporting at any event.

It is expected that all spectators at Chess, 1^st V Basketball or 1^st XV Rugby matches are dressed in the formal College uniform with the white shirt for all students. Students may also wear their red HPE cap to these events. This also applies to any student who has already competed. We respectfully ask that parents support the College by ensuring students are correctly dressed. We also have high standards for the way our spectators provide support. We have made it clear that it is never acceptable to be negative or derogatory; instead, all support needs to be positive and only directed towards our players. I look forward to a season in which Terracians are highly regarded for the way they conduct themselves on and off the field.

Finally, it is House Choir time! Do not forget to mark our biggest annual community event in your calendar. It will be held next Friday 23 July at the Pat Rafter Arena. All Houses are busily finalising their preparations. We look forward to an evening of great spirit and fun.

Welcome back to students and parents for Term 3. During this week, I have had the opportunity to speak to every year level, examine Semester 1 academic performance, and set goals for the term ahead. An essential element of academic performance is to actively reflect on the previous term’s results. To assist students with this reflection, several processes will occur.

• Parent/Teacher Interviews - Wednesday 28 July
• Students will meet with their Pastoral Care Mentor for academic mentoring during College assembly time in Week 2.
• Years 5-10 students will move through an active reflection and goal setting process in their Formation classes. This process culminates with the creation of the Term 3 study plan.
• Year 12 students will have Academic Mentoring interviews with members of the College Leadership Team.

I encourage parents to continue the discussion with their son’s regarding their academic goals for this term and, importantly, their plans to achieve them.

Over the first half of Term 3 there are four Parent Information Evenings to be held online:

• Year 9 2022 Subject Selection Evening, 19 July - 6pm
• Year 12 2022 Extension Information Evening, 21 July - 6-7pm
• Year 11 2022 Subject Selection Evening, 26 July - 6pm
• Year 12 QTAC Information Evening, 16 August - 6pm

Further information regarding these evenings will be communicated to the relevant year levels via email and the Terrace App.

QCMF workshop and recordings

As mentioned in previous newsletters, the QCMF competition is online this year. Hundreds of Terrace musicians spent the holidays in workshops and recordings to prepare our 2021 submission. Thank you for the time all of our families and ensembles gave as we recorded hours of content. We look forward to viewing this online during the usual section time of QCMF.

Chess workshop

During Staff Week, a number of our Terrace Chess students attended workshops and seminars with Australian Chess Grandmaster Professor David Smerdon. We have been fortunate to engage his services for these workshops and anticipate significant growth and learning, which will be utilised in our upcoming season.

QDU Debating

The QDU Finals draw has been released. As it stands, we have the opportunity to have a Terrace Debating team in each level on Grand Final night! Congratulations to the ten teams and their coaches who will be debating.

Please ensure you check the Terrace App, our Cultural Instagram page and your emails for dates, times and venues.

The first debates for each team are listed below:

House Choir

The House Choir competition will be held at the Pat Rafter Arena on 23 July. This is a fantastic College event not to be missed. To ensure everything runs smoothly, we require volunteers who can help behind the scenes. If you are able to assist, please click the link here. One of our Terrace Performing Arts members will be in touch with you to explain your role. Thank you to those parents who have already put up their hands.

To help you decide when you will volunteer your time, please see the House order list below. The first House performs at 6.40pm and then every ten minutes after.

House order

The House order for this year’s event is as follows:

1. Magee
2. Buckley
3. Kearney
4. Treacy
5. Mahoney
6. Barrett
7. Reidy
8. Xavier
9. Windsor

Further information regarding our COVID safe execution of this event will come out early next week.

Support Group meetings

Support Group meetings will be held online if necessary. Should you wish to contact the Debating Support Group, please email:

DSGChair@terrace.qld.edu.au

TPAChair@terrace.qld.edu.au

Staying in touch

To keep in touch with all things Cultural, download the Terrace App and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to ensure you don’t miss anything. If you have any photographs or videos that you want to share, please tag us.

TWITTER @GTCulture

INSTAGRAM terrace_gtculture

YOUTUBE Terrace Culture YouTube Channel

Sate of Origin performance

The Terrace Drumline proudly represented the College at State of Origin Game 2. They featured as the DoorDash Drumline and played at the stadium entrance. The boys experienced first-hand the thrill of playing to a large crowd along with all the associated behind the scenes experiences that accompany such an event. Stars in the making Angus Godbolt and Sebastian Pagano featured as part of the performance on the live screen video clip sponsored by DoorDash. All the boys who participated are to be commended for their stellar performance and the way they represented the College.

Holiday workshops and QCMF recordings

The holiday break was a productive and busy time for many musicians within the Terrace Music program. All large ensembles undertook large scale workshops followed by recording sessions. This formed part of our representation at the annual Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF), an event hosted online for 2021. All school ensembles must submit a video recording of their ensemble’s performance. Thank you to the team of dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly to bring to fruition this opportunity for all the boys involved.

Norman Clarke Concert

The rescheduled Norman Clarke Concert will be held this Sunday 18 July, at Villanova College, commencing at 3pm. I warmly invite the Terrace Family to come and support our Premier Music Ensembles and Year 5 students as they take us on an immersive musical journey of discovery. This is a ticketed event; please register via the link on the College website.

Term 3

• Sunday 18 July - Norman Clarke Concert
• Friday 23 July - House Choir
• Saturday 24 July - Sousaphone Ensemble Basketball performance
• Wednesday 4 August - String Showcase

Term 2 Sport summary

An enjoyable season of sport in Term 2 has concluded for another year, delivering strong participation numbers in Cross Country, Football and Tennis. A big thank you to all families for making the most important sacrifice of all: time spent during the week and on Saturdays for Terrace Sport to exist.

Football

The Terrace Football program enjoyed a successful season, with most age groups across the program recording strong results. Each Saturday, 41 teams participated in the program, displaying a great connection to Football at the College and the fine work Mr Mitch Edwards and his team deliver through preseason and into the season programs. A special mention to our 1^st XI Football squad as undefeated Premiers in 2021 - our first Football premiership in the history of the sport at the College. The side was led exceptionally well by Marcus De Ruos and Rory Scott. The side confronted every challenge handed to them and were at their best at the most challenging moments in games, which is what any good side demands. Head Coach Mr John Kosmina and Assistant Coach Mr Damon Millard managed the on-field program and did an excellent job. Thank you to Director of Football, Mr Mitch Edwards, for running such an extensive program and the care and support he delivers to each of the young men in the program.

Tennis

Thank you to Coordinator of Tennis, Mr Blair Copelin and Head Coach, Mr Graeme Brimblecombe, for delivering a high-quality team experience to our young men of Terrace. A great story in the Tennis program is the Campbell family, Tom is the fourth Campbell to represent the 1^st IV Tennis team for Terrace. Zac represented in 2015 and 2016, George in 2018, Will in 2020 and now Tom in 2021. The Tennis program finished in sixth place overall.

Cross Country

The Terrace Cross Country program has continued to grow due to the hard work by all involved over many years. The program continues to achieve consistency, with runners across both the Junior and Senior programs placing second and eighth respectively at the GPS Championship in 2021. Coordinator Mr John Hinch, Coaching Coordinator Mr Damien Coman and Head Coach Mr Werner Botha alongside Captain Griffin Kelly have put in a huge effort to drive this program, and we thank them for this.

Season Results

• Cross Country Shield: 2^nd place
• GPS Junior Championships: 2^nd place
• GPS Senior Championships: 8^th place

Term 3 Sport

Basketball and Rugby have been working hard over the Term 2 preseason preparation and continued over the holidays. The 1^st Basketballers were heading to North Queensland on tour, but this was unfortunately cut short due to COVID restrictions. The rest of the program conducted clinics at Terrace over the holidays and trials against St Laurence’s and Nudgee to be ready for Round 1 against Ipswich Grammar School.

The Rugby 1^st Squad transferred to Tennyson with the cancellation of the Twin Waters camp. The rest of the program was also at Tennyson in Week 3 of the holidays, concluding with a full school trial against Nudgee last Saturday before Round 1 against Ipswich Grammar School this weekend.

Track and Field will open training this week in preparation for the GPS Track and Field Championship in Term 4, Week 3. We thank the Directors, Coaches and families who allow these camps and training to occur to be at our best during the season.

Attendance at training

I ask that all boys commit to their attendance at training during the week and present ready for their games/lead up meets, home or away. Representing the College is something to be valued. Being a team member who can be depended on entails sacrifice and commitment, no matter the activity level. Communication for being absent at training or games is important for Coaches and Directors to finalise teams each week. This has a flow on effect for all teams, especially when working with over 40 teams.

Uniform

Please be aware that all Directors, Coordinators and Coaches have been asked to monitor training and playing uniform. We want to ensure that we represent the College and ourselves, both on and off the field, with the highest standards.

Parent Lounge

Participation in Terrace Sport is outstanding. This is due to the quality of the sporting programs offered that allows for all levels of participation and the high standard of coaching across the individual sports. The easy flow of communication is important, ensuring everyone is kept informed. Please sign on for each term's sport via the Parent Lounge for in-season and preseason activities offered. Typically, this is available for four weeks towards the end of term.

Communication

Please download the College App and select to receive notifications for your sons’ chosen activities to remain up to date. You will find updates, training and playing schedules, team lists, game/meet locations, and further information under the individual sport. The College is moving away from ongoing email communication, with the College App to be used as the primary source of communication.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge all Year 12 boys who took part in Term 2 Sport and thank them for their efforts playing their respective sports at Terrace. These young men have represented the College well, some since 2014. The Terrace Family is very proud of you, and in your final year, we want to thank you for pulling on the red and black jersey for the final time.

Have a great Term 3 in Terrace Sport.

This week at our Spirit Assembly we acknowledged the Chess team. The Premier Board was announced, and it appears as if we have a real shot at the GPS Premiership this year. This would be an outstanding achievement, and like Football, it is a premiership which Terrace has never won. The Captain of Chess, Senior Buckley student Alex Ong, confidently stood to deliver his speech. His opening lines were:

In chess, there aren’t a million possible move combinations. Or billions. Or trillions. There are just two: a right move and a wrong move.

I thought to myself, wow, what a great way to open a speech – simple yet so apt. If you are reading this, Alex, it was a great speech.

The simplicity of the powerful message reminded me of a math paper I read once. No, that is not a typo. Halfway into last year’s lockdown, I once got so bored I started perusing peculiar mathematic theory. There was an article composed by an eccentric mathematician who stated that the field of probability is essentially futile. His reasoning was this: Everything either happens or doesn’t.

As we head into Term 3, a challenging term for us all, it is important to remember these points. Make the right moves, by dedicating your time and energy to the term, and it will happen.

We pray for the families of the following members of the Terrace Family who have gone to their eternal rest.

Mr John DRAPES – GT 1950-59

Mr Michael MCKENNARIEY – GT 1959

Br Peter SMITH – a member of the Terrace community from 1988-2001

Mr Kerry WHITE – GT 1949

Details: Sunday 18 July | 3.00 - 5.00pm
Venue: Villanova College, Coorparoo
Cost: Free
RSVP: Please RSVP via the below link by 16 July
For further event information, please contact
Derek Rose | music@terrace.qld.edu.au

*Please note this event has been postponed until Sunday 25 July*

Details: Sunday 25 July | From 4pm
Venue: Norman Hotel, Ipswich Rd Wooloongabba
Cost: No cost event. Please RSVP for catering purposes only
RSVP: Please RSVP by 16 July via the below link
For further event information, please contact
Angela Papacostas | angepapacostas@gmail.com

Details: Monday 19 August | 7.30am
Venue: Founder's Room
To RSVP, or further event information, please contact
TLG@terrace.qld.edu.au

Details: Thursday 26 August | 6.30 - 10.30pm
Venue: The Marquee, Victoria Park Golf Complex, Herston
Cost: Adults - $65pp (+bf) Students - $45pp (+bf) | Includes two course dinner
RSVP: Please RSVP via the below link by 12 August
For further event information, please contact
Nicole Quinn | DSGChair@Terrace.qld.edu.au

Year 6 Mothers' Evening

Details: Saturday 17 July | 5.00 - 9.00pm
Venue: The Greenhouse, Howard Smith Wharves (located near the cliffside lift to Bowen Tce)
Cost: $60pp (+bf) | Includes canapes & drink on arrival
RSVP: Please RSVP via the below link by 7 July
Please note: This event is strictly limited to 80 people and RSVPs must be received by 7 July

For further information or event enquiries, please contact
Loren Lockyer | lorenj@me.com

Year 7 Parent/Caregiver Mid-Year Function

Details: Saturday 31 July | 6.30 - 10.30pm
Venue: Gusto da Gianni, Portside Wharf, Hamilton
Cost: $48pp (+bf) | Includes canapes & glass of prosecco on arrival.
RSVP: Please RSVP via the below link by 19 July

For further information or event enquiries, please contact
Monica Katsanevas | monica@bloomberry.com.au