Autumn/Winter 2019

Newsletter Articles

THINGS FRANCISCAN

Dear Paduans,

School began this year with a record enrolment of some 1400 boys, and renovated classroom, some newly air-conditioned, to cater for this increase. The demand for places here at Padua can’t keep up with the applications the College receives. All a good sign of the continued quality of education being offered. Last year’s Senior students were among the top fifty schools in the state for academic excellence, and our 2018 Dux, Flynn Pearman, one of the most accomplished students in Queensland.

Our College focus this year has been on our own special Franciscan values of Joy, Courtesy, Humility, Simplicity and Peace, with a special emphasis on making Padua a welcoming community. We were prompted here by lively sessions with Fr. Richard Leonard S.J. who also urged us to be part of a listening and inclusive church comfortably reaching out to young people and offering them hope in these troubled times for the Church.

The liturgical life of the school began with a whole school Eucharist presided over by the Franciscan Provincial Minister, Fr. Phillip Miscamble ofm. Our recent Kirby and Boyd-Boland House Eucharists have filled the Little Flower Church, and there have been over a 100 boys at our Friday Mass, when the boys give up some of their lunch time to come as Paduans to celebrate together the end of their week. This year in conjunction with St Laurence’s College and Iona College we are offering “Catholic Studies” to all Year 11 and 12 classes. While the boys will learn of the riches of our Scripture, the Liturgical life of the church, and its tradition, they will importantly see that as leading us to outreach, and the social teachings of the Church, where our Church is a Servant Church.

The Year 11 students are being well prepared for the new Senior school assessment as it replaces the former OP style for ATAR. They have the opportunity to take on new subjects, some in conjunction with Mt Alvernia students. The sporting program through A.I.C. has been enlarged to include Australian Rules and Rugby League, and already the AFL boys have shown great promise with some championships celebrated.

So we are all prepared for another year of adventure and excitement, and with Football and Rugby seasons almost upon us, I look forward to seeing you at Banyo of a Saturday.

Best wishes,

Fr John

THE RECTOR

Welcome to the first edition of the Paduan Old Boys’ Newsletter for 2019. As always, I hope the newsletter finds you well and reading it gives you fond memories of your time at Padua. We began the year with an increase in enrolment numbers to 1350 following the addition of a sixth class in Year 5. The demand for places continues to grow and it reflects the strength of our community and the fine work and dedication of our staff to the education of the boys at Padua.

Our year also started with the good news that Flynn Pearman from our 2018 Year 12 Class was awarded A Queensland Achievement Award for being in the top 34 of the highest performing students in Queensland. Flynn’s award puts him amongst the highest performing of the over 50 000 students who graduated in 2018. Our Year 12 OP results also placed the College in the top fifty schools in Queensland in 2018. We are also pleased with the educational outcomes for the many boys who undertook a vocational pathway and completed Diplomas, Certificates and School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

In a recent newsletter, I was clear with our community about where these fine achievements sit in our view of a broader education in the Franciscan tradition. While we are very proud of the achievements of the 2018 cohort, we must avoid the temptation to become caught up in any conversation around defining the performance of schools by narrow measures such as the percentage of students who achieved an OP between 1 and 5. Such a measure overlooks and devalues the many students who achieved vocational pathway outcomes including diplomas and certificates. Importantly, by their hard work and commitment, there are many students who fall outside the OP 1-5 category who have achieved noteworthy results. These results will enable them to transition to university or employment pathways – at Padua 96 percent of students achieved an OP between 1 and 15. While we promote learning in all forms, our work is never defined by a performance table.

Any rush to the top of the ‘best performing’ schools list must always be tempered by our deeper commitment to our vision to educate boys to become men of wisdom, service and a quiet strength. In a complex and fast paced world, our young men get mixed messages about what it means to be a man. More recently, think about the messages being given to our boys from the top rating television show ‘Married at First Sight’ and the NRL’s inaction on the many examples of poor behaviour, and we quickly see the need for a full education to go beyond academic learning. Our Franciscan values provide an important spiritual and moral framework for us to deliver an education that not only delivers an engaging and challenging classroom curriculum, but one that also develops social skills and compassion to the needs of others.

While I am sure you remember some of those fine teachers who inspired you in the classroom, I trust that your fond memories of Padua will also include the many co-curricular activities and the many things outside the classroom.

Blessing and Dedication of the Memorial Wall

All Souls Day in 2018 provided us an opportunity to come together as a community to bless and dedicate our Memorial Wall. At the ceremony we honoured the memories of fourteen young men of Padua who have passed from us while here at school, and staff members who during their service here at school, died in the service of our boys. We welcomed over 100 invited guests who were friends and family of the boys and staff we honoured on the day.

As Christians, we celebrate the promise of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We also know that our community has wrapped its arms around those who have lost loved ones and the blessing of the memorial wall was another example of the support and care of this community.

A Hope Filled Future

The recent challenges of our Church have left many asking questions about the future. The Catholic Leader on April 7 had the front-page headline ‘Mass Concern – The Number of Catholics attending Church continues to drop’. While I don’t have the space to respond to this topic here, I can tell you that our faith life at Padua is still strong. Richard Rohr in his book ‘Eager to Love’ says that ‘the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better’ in his call for us to lead a more authentic Franciscan life. This is certainly happening at Padua, with our focus on inclusion, justice and solidarity inspiring us all to be voices in the transformation to a hope-filled future.

This year we are trialling a new Religious Education program in Year 11. This new model for Religious Education for the Senior Years of schooling, reflects the ever-changing demands on the students in our care, as they transition from childhood to adolescence, as active members of a faith community. I am so impressed by the engagement of our boys in the program. This program is a two-year trial. It has been endorsed by Brisbane Catholic Education and the feedback from staff and students, is very pleasing. It aims to provide our boys with a more practical and authentic religious education experience as they move from school to the wider world. Staff are continuing to write and deliver units that call students to be young men of compassion and action. It is our hope that this will lead them to take a more active role post school in their community and in the Church of the future.

We are also heartened by the recent attendances at Kirby House and Boyd-Boland House masses and the voluntary Friday lunch time mass. Attendance at this mass has been growing each week but two weeks ago, a special mass with standing room only, was held at the Church of the Little Flower to celebrate Fr John’s last treatment for a medical condition. Michael O’Brien, along with Fr John, continue to provide rich and authentic faith opportunities for our boys.

Refurbishment of Banyo

I am pleased to report that the refurbishment of the Banyo Sports Building is almost complete – it certainly will be our Back to Banyo Day on June 8. The refurbishment includes a new canteen, an upgrade to the dressing rooms and an increase to in the size of the function room. The building is largely untouched since Fr John purchased the building and grounds off St Columban’s College in 2001.

Sportsman’s Dinner 2019

Get a group of mates together and enjoy a great night out at this year's Padua Sportsman's Dinner.

Friday 24 May

6:30pm for 7:00pm start

The Paddo Tavern

$150.00 p/p

Payment may be made via this link:

Back to Banyo 2019

Back to Banyo 2019 will be held this year on Saturday, 8 June – Padua vs Marist Ashgrove will be held at our fields on this day with an invitation to all Padua Old Boys to attend this day of College celebrations. Further information to follow on the Old Boys’ Facebook Page. After the great success of this day in 2018, we look forward to an even bigger day this year, with new events.

Old Boys’ Mass 2019

Padua College Old Boys are invited to attend a special Mass on Thursday, 10 October in their honour. Mass will be celebrated at 6:00pm in the College Chapel, St Francis Hall, and be followed by drinks and nibbles. This is a great way to reconnect with your Old Boys’ Community.

Open Day 2019

Padua College Open Day 2019 will be held on Sunday 19 May | 10:10am – 1:00pm.

Open Day provides a wonderful opportunity to experience Padua College. We invite you join us at this annual event to talk with students and staff, enjoy performances, view academic and co-curricular displays and tour the College’s facilities. An Old Boys Display will also be set up for you to enjoy. Please feel free to share this event with family and friends who would like to attend.

Please register your attendance at our 2019 Open Day via this link:

We look forward to welcoming you back to Padua College.

Memorial Mass for Deceased Paduans

Following the suggestion of Jeff Ahern (OB 1964), Padua College warmly invites all family and friends of all deceased Paduans to attend a Memorial Mass in their honour on Wednesday, 6 November. This is different to the Memorial Wall which recognised only Paduans who had passed whilst still at school. Please contact oldboys@padua.qld.edu.au if you would specifically like a family member or friend remembered at this Mass. Further details on the time and location of the Mass will be updated on the Old Boys’ Facebook event page in due course.

Battle of the Ages

More information to follow about the great debate! Look out on our Facebook page and the Bulletin.

Reunions

1967 Old Boys Reunion

The reunion toured the College late last year. We welcomed Paul Gilliland, Michael Colwell, Alan Rockett, Geoff Harding, Fred Grant, Dare Jones, David Cunningham, Michael Kennedy and Michael O'Flynn

50th Anniversary of the Little Flower Church

Padua Teacher, Dom Thurlow & John DeAngelis, Parish Pastoral Council (both OBs 1989) and Dom’s 2018 Film & TV class created this wonderful video to commemorate this occasion. We hope all of you enjoy it, especially any of you who were altar ministers.

Where are they now?

Sam Falzon (OB 2014)

Congratulations to Sam Falzon (OB 2014) who after recently completing a degree in Bio Medical Science has just been accepted to study Medicine at Griffith University. Sam is pictured here with Mr Jason Pacey, Vice Rector Teaching & Learning. Sam is also a tutor in the afterschool program the Learning Nest.

Damien Garvey (OB 1982)

As a regular in the ABC’s Rake since the second series, Damien Garvey has a ready explanation as to why the fifth series is the last.

“This series plays more like a documentary than a satire,” says Garvey, who plays Cal McGregor, the resilient former government minister, jailbird and now blow-hard TV show host.

“The scripts were written 12 or 15 months ago, depicting the most ridiculous scenes. Now you turn on the TV and what you see is very similar. You can’t make up enough stories like that about politics anymore.”

In Sunday night’s episode Cal was offered a vacant seat in the House and a ministerial portfolio while his ambitious wife Jane (Sonia Todd) has her eyes on the seat.

Garvey is a huge admirer of Richard Roxburgh – “he works very hard on the show” – and co-creator Peter Duncan and has thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Rake ensemble.

The actor is also part of the Jack Irish ensemble as Stan, the Prince of Prussia publican. He relished working with Guy Pearce and such troupers as Terry Norris, Roy Billing and Shane Jacobson, observing, “In between takes there are a lot of stories told about old TV shows and experiences in the theatre.”

As for the future of the Easy Tiger-produced series, he says: “If Guy wants to do it again I am sure it will happen.”

Garvey played a cop opposite Ioan Gruffudd’s forensic pathologist in ABC/Hoodlum Entertainment’s Harrow and praises the Welshman as a “very generous actor.” Asked if he will return for the second series, he will only say that’s in discussion.

He has a guest role in Hoodlum/Netflix’s Tidelands and will shortly appear in Paramount’s live action movie Dora the Explorer which is shooting on the Gold Coast but can’t talk about either due to irksome non-disclosure agreements.

A relative late-comer to acting, Garvey worked as a musician in several bands until he turned 35 and figured that a career as an actor made more sense. He made his screen debut in 1998 in the Network Ten series Medivac. He recalls, “I was nervous and my character got beaten up.”

Among his most memorable roles, he nominates Rake, Jack Irish, Safe Harbor, The Kettering Incident and The Leftovers.

His movie resume is less extensive. He says: “With movies you never know how they will turn out. I take the attitude that it is all good experience, if not always successful.”

Harrison Fox (OB 2018)

Harry Fox featured in the local press

Tony Bamford (OB 1991) Appointed as SANFL Under-18 State Coach

South Adelaide wishes to congratulate Talent Manager and Centre of Excellence U18 Coach, Tony Bamford on his appointment as SANFL Under-18s State Coach and Academy Manager.

Tony will continue as the Panthers Under-18s Coach for the remainder of the season and as Talent Manager in a part-time capacity until the end of July. He will replace current SANFL High Performance Manager Brenton Phillips at the helm of the Croweaters following the conclusion of this year's National Championships, with Phillips continuing as State Talent Manager, overseeing male and female talent pathways and programs.

South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe thanked Tony Bamford for the contribution he had made to the Panther's underage programs since joining the club in November 2012 from the Port Adelaide Magpies.

"Tony's positive influence on our junior programs is evident through the recent strength of our Under-16 and Under-18 sides and the Club will continue to benefit from this in the coming years at junior and senior level.

"He's undertaken extensive work revamping our Zone and Development Squad programs and implementing the Panther Club U16 Academy, which included a cutting-edge testing and education program delivered by partners Flinders University.

"It is no surprise that he has received this opportunity. We wish him well in his new role with the SANFL."

Posted by South Adelaide Football Club on 15 May 2017

Peter Stark (OB 1964)

Peter painted this beautiful image of St Francis on a sign outside the Little Flower Church.

Bill Marshall, Paduan Senior 1965, is looking for John Whip.

Should anyone have contact details, or know what happened to him please contact oldboys@padua.qld.edu.au

James Mark Anthony Ferguson (OB 1974)

I remember Mr Stark as a teacher of mine. I remember swimming and playing tennis and the courtyard during assembly. Also, the head priest took my Coca Cola yo-yo and I never saw it again. I would love for your help in finding a friend and classmate Chris Price who lived at Sport St, Kedron. Thanks and I look forward to visiting the school in the future.

Should anyone have contact details, or know what happened to him please contact oldboys@padua.qld.edu.au

Lindsay Collins (OB 2003)

Barry Dunphy (OB 1975)

Steve Smith (OB 1991)

Schoolmate Steve Smith (91) has an album launch for his band, The Barefoot Experience, at the Woolly Mammoth, in the Valley on 27th April. The album is called ‘Pelicans and Ghosts’ and the support band on the night is Tusker, featuring myself (91) and my brother Warren (96). Tickets available at moshtix.

Steve Fields (OB 1991)

Lachlan Creighton (OB 2007)

Fitness Director & Club Owner

Anytime Fitness Kallangur | Griffin | Kawana

Rugby article by Ben

Luke McKenna (OB 2002)

Director- Unleashing Personal Potential

UPP founder, Luke McKenna is an educator and author who specialises in working with schools to build growth mindsets, resilience and wellbeing for all students. Over the last 10 years, he has worked as a classroom teacher and school administrator. Since establishing Unleashing Personal Potential, Luke has worked with educators and students across Australian Primary and Secondary schools from the Independent, Catholic and Public sectors. He holds degrees in Business and Education, as well as a Masters of Educational Leadership. His work has also been published in the Australian Journal of Middle Schooling. He is also the author of "Thrive: Unlocking the truth about student performance".

Still going strong…2010 Old Boys Football team

Looking Back

Courtesy of Facebook follower Susan Elizabeth

Padua Year 8 school picnic to Redcliffe About 1958. Fr. Isadore smoking his pipe. Here are the names written on the back - Peter Cross, John Vandermaat, Simon Boughein?, Paul Cregan, Regis Walters, Peter Cosgrove or Crosgrove, Bernard (Cedric), Bill Vandahide, Michael Stark, Butch

Courtesy of Michael Willet

Found in archives!

Please pray for the departed. May they rest in peace.

Around the school

Congratulations to Pacey, the inaugural winner of the Doug Sherwood Memorial Shield

Former Kirby House and College leaders attended this year’s House Eucharist.

The College again welcomed representatives from the Padua College Vietnam Veteran’s Group to the ANZAC day liturgy.

2018 graduates Connor Smith, Alex Downes, Flynn Pearman and George Conlon helped out with the year 5 & 6 book drop off and BBQ at the start of the year

8 Padua Boys Made Met North AFL team this year

Zach Hughes (OB 2015), Matt Hurley (OB 2015),
Cooper Miller (OB 2017), William Nuendorf (OB 2017)

Work and Welcome program

Continued success with Work and Welcome program at Padua College. What a great story.

A lovely article in the Catholic Leader by Joe Higgins (OB 2013)

The College raised money to support primary schools in Townsville following the devasting floods.

Our Year 6 students competed in the Armidale School Rugby Competition recently

3 teams competed in the Ballymore cup, with the under 13s winning their competition.