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Principal’s Message | Dr Michael Carroll

Dear Members of the Terrace Family,

It is hard to believe that this is the final edition of the Terrace News for 2019. You may very well ask where the year has gone.  However, there have been a significant number of events and activities that have occurred throughout the year, and this has ensured that all within the Terrace Family have been busy.

My major message for this final Terrace News is to say thank you to all within the Terrace Family for all that you have done to ensure the year has been so successful. As I have already mentioned, the year has been a very full one, thanks to the staff, parents and students working together. We can look back on 2019 and agree that it has been a successful year on many fronts. For this, I say thank you very much.

At the end of each year, there are some staff movements with promotions, retirements and relocations. To Mr Chris Ryan, Mrs Marie Allen, Mrs Jan Cameron, Mrs Kathy Wilson, Mrs Carol Stephens, Mrs Helen Power, Mrs Andrea Kriewaldt, Mrs Nicolette Cleary and Mrs Therese McGregor, I say thank you for all that you have done and wish you all the best with your new journey. As well as these staff leaving, Mr Andrew Ball, Ms Natalie Berndt and Mrs Karyn Negus will be on leave for 2020. I also wish them the very best.

Although we finish the academic year shortly, there are many tours, clinics and activities scheduled over the holiday break.  I wish all involved in these activities all the very best. I thank the many staff, parents and coaches involved in these activities.

The staff will be at school next week to complete the marking and reporting process. As in previous terms, the end of Semester 2 reports will be available on Parent Lounge from Monday 9 December.

Finally, I take this opportunity to wish all members of the Terrace Family a Merry Christmas and pray that your Christmas is safe and filled with the joy of family and friends. I look forward to reconnecting with you in 2020.

Merry Christmas.


Dr Michael Carroll
College Principal

Deputy Principal | Mr Chris Ryan

Staff News

Members of our teaching staff, Mrs Nicolette Cleary and Mrs Therese McGregor have offered their resignations to take up new challenges in 2020. We wish them both well and thank them for their service at the College.

Congratulations to Mrs Monica Keating who has been appointed Acting Coordinator of Religious Education Years 7 to 9 while Ms Natalie Berndt is on leave for 2020.

In 2020, we welcome Mr Sonny Ali back to the College in a full time continuing position on the main campus and welcome Ms Mariella Gibson to the Waterford teaching team on a Semester 1 contract for Mrs Suzanne Black while she is on long service leave. 

Thank you and best wishes

I wish everyone in the Terrace Family a safe, happy and Holy Christmas where the peace and joy of the Christ Child is present in their lives in a special way.

This is my final Terrace News article after eight years at the College. I look forward with great enthusiasm to the privileged opportunity I have in my new role as Principal of Ambrose Treacy College, but it is also very hard to say goodbye to Terrace. I have been blessed to become a part of this community, and I have been so fortunate in the formation, support and care I have been offered during my time here by students, staff, parents and Old Boys. I have relished being a small part of a long and distinguished history and gaining a different perspective on the story of the Christian Brothers in Australia after my 20 years at Nudgee. I have been challenged by the high performing culture of Terrace where one has to be on their toes and dot their I’s and cross their T’s! I have learned much from many great Terrace role models, mentors and colleagues. Most of all, I will miss my friends and colleagues with whom I work closely across the staff of Terrace. My role connects me with the students of Terrace but far more with the staff and their professional and personal stories. It has been my privilege to work with these outstanding professionals who are so talented, generous and committed. I thank them most sincerely for their support of me in my work as Deputy Principal which isn’t always easy! 

Finally, I wish to thank my peers on the College Leadership Team both past and present: a magnificent group of people who have helped me grow and will remain my dear friends and colleagues throughout my professional life. Thank you to Mr Peter Chapman, Mr Chris Mayes, Mrs Julie Quinn, Mr David Carroll, Mr Neil Wharton, Mr Damian Wright, Mr Damien Fall, Mr Peter Ernst, Mr Mason Hellyer, Mr Peter Finnigan, Dr Michael Carroll, Mr Adam Read, Ms Zoe Morgan, Mr Charles Brauer and Mr Damien Cuddihy with whom I have served on the Terrace College Leadership Team at various times throughout my eight years at the College. May our ever-loving and present God continue to bless the Terrace Family.

Dean of Studies | Mr Mason Hellyer

Congratulations to all students at the conclusion of the academic year. This year I have been proud to witness all of our Terrace students striving to be the best academically that they can be. The academic success of the year could be seen at the Scholars Assembly in Term 1, the Academic Medal Assemblies, James Hurst holding aloft the College Dux trophy, hearing the study strategies of students at the improvers' lunches, the Year 11 cohort showing great perseverance to improve as they grapple with the new QCE system through to the informal academic conversations with students in the yard. 2019 has been an academic success.

My thanks must go to the three groups of people who build, nourish and maintain our academic culture. Firstly, the students for their commitment to their studies and recognition of academic success. To strive to be the best you can be is a Terrace norm. This recognition is a fundamental aspect of our culture and will continue to be recognised and nurtured.

Secondly, to the parents and caregivers. Thank you for your support of your sons and the school academically throughout the year. Your encouragement, support, assistance, proofreading and provision of stability is essential to creating an environment where students can function at their best, both at school and at home.

Finally, my thanks to the Terrace staff who have again demonstrated a full commitment to ensuring students are provided with the learning environment, knowledge and skills to be the best they can be. Teaching can be a challenging profession, especially in the current climate of profound educational change. The Terrace staff have ensured that the student is the centre of our decision making academically and pastorally. 

The 2019 Academic year will conclude with the publishing of the Semester 2 reports for Years 5-10 and the Unit 3 progress report for Year 11. These reports will be available on Parent Lounge from 9am on Monday 9 December. The 2020 academic year will commence with the publishing of student timetables on the Student Café in the week prior to the commencement of school. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and restful holiday.

Dean of Students | Mr Damien Cuddihy

Recently, the College received feedback on a research project conducted on the “online lives of early adolescent boys”. We will provide a more detailed summary to the families that participated in the research at a later date but I would like to share some of the findings I found interesting with the wider community. 

  • 321 students from Years 7 to 10 were involved in the survey (on average, approximately 80 students per year level).
  • Most students spend an average of 3.5 hours online for school and an average of 3 hours per day for leisure. 
  • 34% of respondents lose sleep because of the internet.
  • 47% of respondents have caught themselves browsing when they are not really interested.
  • 36% of boys keep their phone next to their bed.
  • 40% of respondents have felt victimised by being called names online in the last month.
  • 30% of respondents admit to having victimised others by calling them names online in the last month. 
  • 67% of respondents say they have rules at home about how much time can be spent on the internet. 
  • 12% of respondents admit to ignoring parents when online.
  • 30% of respondents felt their parents ignore them when they are online.
  • 44% of respondents view online content that parents would not approve of.
  • 29% of respondents delete online viewing and search history.
  • 26% of respondents have set up secret social media profiles that parents don’t know about.

Various conclusions can be drawn from these statistics, which I will leave to the academics. However, I will draw your attention to a couple of quick items from the research. Our children notice and mimic our own online habits more than we think. Keeping phones next to beds and being distracted by devices during verbal conversations with our children are probably two areas, as the major role models for our children, we could have a greater awareness of. The research also found that time spent on the internet increases as the year level increases and internet use disturbing sleep also peaks in the Year 10 cohort. The group that spent the least amount of time with family and friends was Year 9.

Tomorrow is the final day of classes for Years 5 to 10. Students are required to attend school until 12.30pm in normal school uniform. It is important for all students to be present as much preparation has gone into bringing the school year to a close; it would be a shame if boys missed this and the Christmas Liturgy. I hope the boys take the opportunity to thank their teachers for their work and support during this year. Terrace is blessed with excellent teaching staff and I think it is important that the boys show their appreciation on the final day of classes.

As teachers we are truly blessed to spend so much special time with your boys at Terrace. Sharing this time of their lives, when they are both vulnerable and impressionable, gives us great responsibility but most importantly, great personal satisfaction that hopefully at the end of the day we can say we made a difference. I wish all our families a safe and enjoyable Christmas and I thank you for your ongoing support throughout 2019. 

Dean of Identity | Mr Charles Brauer

All that is good

Sir, what would Edmund Rice think about Terrace if he were around today? 

This is one of the toughest questions I have faced in my time as Dean of Identity at the College. The question is difficult to answer because of the tensions that can arise and the somewhat defensive position I can sometimes naturally take, largely out of a want to remain a committed steward of our Edmund Rice tradition. There is also a tremendous beauty in this question. It calls us to interrogate both our perceived self-identity and the identity perceived by those external to our Terrace Family. Essentially, our authenticity with enacting the tradition of Edmund Rice education is explored. Are we offering young people a truly liberating education? Are we ‘fair dinkum’?

The extraordinary generosity and willingness to support this term’s St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal is just one litmus test of our authenticity that we have passed with flying colours! The images below represent all that is good with our Terrace Family. The images represent our commitment to building mutual relationships with our wider community that our grounded in respect, dignity and love. The images represent our Terrace family’s willingness to support those who are in need.

Beyond the community initiatives such as the Christmas Appeal, a key test of our authenticity as Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition is how our Terrace Family is in relationship with one another. Are we seeking to accompany others of our Terrace Family in their times of need? Are we gentle enough to affirm the dignity of those in our Terrace Family who feel isolated? Are we courageous enough to accept our own fragility and accompany others in theirs?

As Dean of Identity, I have been very fortunate to have been part of many experiences where our community has reached out to others in a humble, caring and loving way without expecting anything in return. Our staff go above and beyond each and every day with pastorally and educationally supporting our young men and enabling them to be the best they can be. Our families and friends fill the freezers with meals or give their time at canteens, BBQs and fundraisers in support of community initiatives aimed at supporting those who are in a struggle. Our Terracians continue to be driven to enact a spirit of service by committing themselves to our Campus Ministry programs, House Friendship Groups and Social Justice programs.

Edmund Rice would be extraordinarily proud of the way we are in relationship with each other and by the way we challenge ourselves to extend ourselves to others in our local and global community. I believe he would also encourage and challenge us, as he was in 19th Century Ireland, to be ever mindful that the heart of Catholic education is to affirm the dignity, hopes and presence of God in all. Not just in the young men we educate but also with our colleagues, our fellow parents, the first-time stranger we meet and welcome and those with whom we sometimes feel disagreement. I wish all members of our Terrace Family a happy and safe Christmas holiday. May you receive the blessings of hope, peace, joy and love this Advent season. 

Terrace Library

Director of Culture | Mr Matt Cocking

Thank you

We cannot say it enough …Thank you! It is only through your support that we are able to accomplish so much here at Terrace Culture. With your support, you allow us to create remarkable experiences for many. With your encouragement, you allow your sons to achieve great heights. Terrace Culture and all of its activities thrive because of your generosity, and together we make many dreams come true.

As we come to the end of 2019 and celebrate our successes, we have already started the 2020 journey with Debating trials, Music selection and Musical auditions currently taking place. Please check your Parent Lounge and accept all of your 2020 activities so we may begin our planning for another excellent year. We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family. 

Support Group Meetings

Please note the change of venues

Terrace Performing Arts – 4 February 2020, 5.30pm in the Francis Rush Room, Mt Sion.
TPAChair@terrace.qld.edu.au

Debating Support Group – 4 February 2020, 5.30pm in the Mary Rice Room, Mt Sion.
DSGChair@terrace.qld.edu.au

Staying in touch   

To keep in touch with all things Cultural, we would suggest you download the Terrace App and follow us on Twitter (@GTCulture) and Instagram (terrace_gtculture) to ensure you don’t miss anything. If you have any photographs or video that you would like to share, please tag us.

https://twitter.com/gtculture        https://www.instagram.com/terr... 

Director of Music | Mr Jan Hewerdine

As the end of the year approaches and we begin planning for 2020, could you please notify the Music Department ASAP of any enrolment changes to your son’s lessons for 2020. Students currently enrolled in the program will automatically roll over. During these final weeks and early in the new year, you will be receiving information regarding lessons and ensembles.

Preparations are underway for the Premier Ensembles Camp during  Staff Week in January 2020. This will be held both at the College and at QCCC Brookfield. The camp is a great opportunity for our Premier Ensemble musicians to engage in several days of intensive rehearsals to hone their skills and to develop a sense of teamwork and camaraderie within their ensembles. Please respond to the Parent Lounge request (once posted) by the due date as numbers need to be finalised with the camp site before the end of term.

I wish to thank the Terrace Family for the support we have received this year for Music at Terrace. The genuine interest that has been shown in what we are doing here has been most gratifying. In particular, I would like to single out the TPA Support Group, whose efforts have helped make our program and performances shine even more. Finally, to Mr Norman Clarke, a huge thank you once again for all that you do for us in Music. Your patronage of the Music program over these many years has been life-changing for so many of the boys.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Term 4 Events

  • Saturday 30 November to Sunday 1 December - SHEP Primary 

Term 1 2020 Events

  • Monday 20 to Tuesday 21 January - Music Workshop (Terrace Choir, First Percussion Ensemble)
  • Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 January - Music Camp (SWE, TJO, RTD, Waterford Soloists, Waterford Strings)
  • Monday 27 January - Australia Day Holiday 
  • Wednesday 5 February - GPS Music Showcase 
  • Friday 7 February - Opening Mass and Year 12 Induction 
  • Sunday 15 February - Strings Workshop 
  • Thursday 27 February- Chamber Music Concert 
  • Saturday 7 March - Apple and Grape Festival 
  • Friday 27 March - Terrace Jazz Night 
  • Friday 3 April - End Term 1 
  • Tuesday 14 to Wednesday 15 April - ANZAC Day Rehearsals 

Terrace Ladies Group

Taking time out to spend with family

Research shows that families who spend time together share stronger emotional bonds. Spending time as a family is associated with a sense of belonging and enhanced communication, particularly with children who have higher academic performances and are less likely to have behavioural problems.

A favourite time of year for most friends and families to gather, reminiscing about old memories and making lots of news ones is, of course, Christmas.

Amid the busyness of the season, it is essential to remember that the most important part of the holidays is spending quality time with those you love. It is a wonderful opportunity to disconnect with everyday stresses and reconnect with what life is really all about: friends, family, laughter, love, graciousness, gratitude and spreading warmth and smiles.  

It is a season of softened edges, with the worldwide acceptance and anticipation that it is okay, if not completely expected, to be with those you love to enjoy well deserved and absolutely cherished family time.

It is a time of giving not always in the physical sense but also of ourselves. As a family it is our tradition to try and give back to others during the holiday season. Some suggestions are donating to your local Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers. Having been involved with our local branch for many years now these are a small but powerful way of saying thank you. 

You could also volunteer for The Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Wesley Mission or other food provision organisations who supply breakfast, lunch or dinner to others on Christmas Day. The benefits and gifts gained from these experiences are priceless. 
Thank you to all those who have donated their time, food and cash to this year’s annual staff Christmas lunch. It is a huge undertaking but made easier with the help of many hands. 

To the TLG executive, thank you for all you support, encouragement and organisation during this year. It has been a pleasure. Knowing I was part of the A-team made the task very manageable indeed. 

Finally, I want to wish all Terrace families past, current and future a safe, happy and holy holiday. May you travel safe and rest up ready for a new fun-packed year of controlled mayhem. 

Staff Christmas Lunch – Wednesday 4 December. Each year we like to show our appreciation to all our staff at Terrace by putting on a spread for lunch during their final working days of the year. Over the years we have refined this, but it does rely on the generous donations of many to bring this to fruition. 

Care and Concern

As we count down to the end of school and the rush towards Christmas, I just wanted to take a moment to stop and thank you all for being part of Care and Concern this year.  

It has been a massive year! Our volunteer base has grown to almost 150. We have supplied more than 100 meals to three families - and this of course does not count the generous extras people have added in - biscuits, treats, snacks and gifts. We have a huge new freezer (thanks TLG!) and a stash of both plastic and disposable containers to make meal provision easier.

Just a few things to wrap up for the year

Firstly, if you are a Year 12 mum who has successfully navigated your last son through Terrace, "Congratulations". Please send me a message so I can ensure that I take you off the email list. (And of course, if you are the Mum of a Year 12 daughter - also congratulations. In fact, congratulations and well done to us all!!)

We will be organising a 'Cook Up A Storm' early in the new year. This will ensure that we have some meals in the freezer ready to go should there be a need. I know there has been a lot of interest, so stay tuned.

And finally, a special thank you to Mrs Julie Ferris. As I have mentioned before, she is a huge help with the smooth running of Care and Concern, doing the majority of meeting, greeting and directing of people arriving at Waterford Place and being such a kind support to the family members who collect the meals. All on top of her already very busy role. Julie you are a treasure! May your Christmas be filled with chocolate! 

So, as I move to frenzy mode with my edible Christmas gifts (today is tomato chili jam and peach and chili chutney), I will share one last recipe for the year. A delicious dessert that is make-ahead and incredibly easy. http://myediblearchive.com/coc...

Hope you all enjoy a peaceful and happy Christmas.  

Chris Giust and Cathy Nash 

TLG Care and Concern Coordinators 

Chris 0423 218 549 |  Cathy 0408 150 036

Date claimers 

  • Wednesday 4 December 8am – Whole School Staff Lunch, Campbell Centre  

Dates for 2020:

  • Saturday 22 February 2020 6pm – Girls' Night Out, Gambaro Restaurant
  • Saturday 6 June 6pm GT 145 Ball – Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre

Events

Find all your upcoming Terrace Family events here...

Drawn this Friday. Tickets on sale until 5pm today and only a handful remaining! 

With a one in 350 chance of winning, this may be your best spent $100 all year long. 
Tickets available for purchase using the below link.

Car Raffle | Buy A Ticket Here

The Year 12 Induction Mass and Lunch will be held on Friday 7 February 2020 at the UQ Centre, University of Queensland, St Lucia.  

It is a Terrace tradition that the Year 11 families provide and serve the food for this special occasion. Please use the below links to volunteer. 

Induction Mass | Cash Donation Induction Mass | Food DonationInduction Mass | Donate Your Time

The perfect Red and Black Christmas gift for next year's 2020 season! 

Get in quick to place your order - limited numbers available. 

GT Cricket Bag | Shop Here

Details: Sunday 1 December | 1.00pm - 4.30pm
Where: Tennyson Playing Fields
For further information or enquiries, please contact 
Blair Copelin | BlairCopelin@Terrace.qld.edu.au

Dates: Years 8-12 - 20 January | Years 5-12 - 21 January
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Where: Waterford Place, Gregory Terrace
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Andrew Stormonth | AndrewStormonth@Terrace.qld.edu.au

Debating Workshop | Book Here

Details: Friday 28 February | 12.30pm
Where: Queensland Cricketers' Club, Woolloongabba
Cost: Table of 10 - $1500 or Individual Ticket - $150 (+ booking fees) | Includes 2 course lunch and 4 hour premium beverage package
RSVP: Please RSVP using the below booking link by Friday 21 February
For further information or enquiries, please contact
Matthew Jackson | matthew.jackson@astutefinancial.com.au

Cricket Luncheon | Book Here

To assist us with estimating numbers, please register your interest by following the below link prior to 30 November. 

Details: Friday 27 March 2020 | From 12.30pm  Where: Howard Smith Wharves Cost: $120pp or $95 for young Old Boys or Older than GT-1970 Old Boys 

T-Bone Lunch | Register Attendance Here

Want to help but poor on time?

You can now donate money directly to Terrace's Care and Concern Committee. Cash donations will be used to purchase ingredients to make meals for Terrace families and staff in need. 

All donations are appreciated greatly, and will support the important work this committee undertakes for our community.

Donation | Click Here

Community Information