Academic Report from the Headmaster
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2019 Academic Report From the Headmaster 2019 has been a year of outstanding accomplishment. of life or of other people. Our society benefits from We have seen our boys at their best across a people who develop virtues within themselves. comprehensive range of activities both at home and At BBC, we strive to be a world class school so as to abroad. We have also seen boys in their day to day help our students be confident and competent global school lives actively participating in the life of the citizens with the capability to change the world. A College, contributing to the best of their ability and world class school is one in which every child is with a sense of collegiality and authentic school spirit. provided with the opportunity to achieve. We know For a school to have a tangible sense of esprit de corps, that our students are highly capable and will rise to a and a palpably positive and inclusive quality that is so challenge that is presented to them. In that way we can evident at BBC, every boy has a part to play. assist their development by providing opportunities So what is the purpose of a BBC education? Certainly, for them to stretch themselves, knowing that there it is to provide our students with the skills and cultural is no greater joy than the feeling of accomplishment knowledge to enable them to participate successfully in that comes from going beyond what we thought was society. possible. Knowledge is both cognitive and experiential. Learning Brisbane Boys’ College is a non-selective academic is both academic and affective. To be a school of school where boys achieve personal excellence in a excellence we need to engage a students’ spirit, mind supportive, caring and Christian environment. Our and emotions. curriculum is designed to develop boys’ minds to be forward thinking and to assist them in exploring their An education should also allow students to develop passion and purpose in life and assist each and every boy convictions, to understand ethics, and ask challenging to reach their potential as we prepare them to take their questions. Our society benefits from people who are place in the world as confident and capable young men. both robust and compassionate, who are not afraid Our wide range of academic, sporting, co-curricular, It is this collective ambition to enhance every student’s service and cultural pursuits assist boys to develop wellbeing, alongside providing best practice teaching interests that complement their formal education. and learning, that focuses our decision-making around providing opportunities for our boys to grow; The College could not operate as effectively as it does spiritually, academically, pastorally, and in their cultural without the commitment and enthusiasm of dedicated, and sporting endeavours. hard-working and gifted teachers who build powerful working relationships with their students. Therefore, I My message to the boys of BBC remains the same; be would like to acknowledge and thank them for their creative at school, have a go, be curious, engage with dedication to delivering on our mission. A mission the big ideas but be disciplined in every aspect of your that seeks to develop articulate, cultured and highly- school life, enjoy the grounds and gardens, enjoy your educated young men of conscience and compassion; friendships, work hard to be the best you can be, learn who know themselves and demonstrate support for to be humble but still contribute positively with all others; who have the tenacity to endure and overcome your heart, be active, learn to question, do not compare adversity; and who are prepared to take their place in yourselves with others, be a trustworthy person. And society and contribute to the broader community. see the purpose of your learning as being about the contribution you can make. We recognise that it has never been more important to give boys a well-rounded approach to life as part of PAUL BROWN their education – an approach we refer to as A New HEADMASTER School of Thought. ACADEMIC REPORT /// 3 Academic Overview Academic Performance State, however our boys have been well prepared to engage with the future of curriculum implementation. At Brisbane Boys’ College we have renewed our focus on academics and innovation with a Prep to Year 12 Middle School curriculum initiatives included Year 7 perspective. This has resulted in some developments ‘Shakes it Up’, where students worked with Shake & being introduced to the College as well as a renewed Stir Theatre Company to learn and produce a dynamic focus on maintaining traditions and standards of performance of Shakespeare’s works. The Year 8 excellence. What has remained is our commitment Legacy Projects engaged students in film making to ensuring academic achievement and outstanding and augmented reality to honour Old Collegians outcomes for our boys. who epitomise elements of our Positive Education character traits. Year 9 students ventured afield using At BBC our curriculum is designed to develop boys’ public transport to answer academic challenges and minds to be forward thinking and to assist them in engage in the Amazing Adventure. The implementation exploring their passion and purpose in life. Our teachers of these programs has focused on alignment to aim to assist each and every boy to reach their potential Australian Curriculum and ensuring the opportunity as we prepare them to take their place in the world as to further develop human skills and competencies confident and capable young men. such as creativity, critical thought, communication and collaboration which prepare boys for their future. We teach our boys to question the status quo and solve problems to make the world a better place, now and Within the Junior School our results have gone from in the future. Our job, as educators at BBC, is to know strength to strength with our Year 3 students benefiting each boy well, to tailor his experiences and support him from the foundational phonics-based literacy programs as an individual. Our approach is supported by a range and evidence-based numeracy programs in place. Our of initiatives, both in and out of the classroom, designed Year 5 students recorded their highest ever success to strengthen his learning experience. with NAPLAN, topping their performance in all areas from previous years. Engaging curriculum initiatives Highlights in the academic arena abounded in 2019, have been implemented, such as the introduction of with successes both nationally and internationally. a Year 6 Canberra trip to tie with Humanities as boys In acknowledging the achievements of our boys, learn about Democracy. Curriculum innovations also it is equally important to acknowledge the role our include the introduction of the Eco-Marines program dedicated staff play in supporting boys to thrive and linking environmental studies in Year 4 with a new camp prosper. The time our staff invest to build positive and at Tangalooma to learn about Moreton Bay and the authentic relationships with each boy is pivotal to his surrounding environment. These initiatives strengthen success, because we know that happy boys achieve to our commitment to ensuring learning is hands-on and and beyond their potential. relevant to our boys’ lives. Innovations Across Middle and Senior School we have also introduced Subject Application Ratings (SARs) which Significantly in Senior Schooling, 2019 saw the final year recognise the engagement and diligence of students in of Overall Positions (OPs) and The Queensland Core class. Since their inception at the beginning of 2019 the Skills (QCS) Test for Year 12s with the introduction of the number of students who have achieved a perfect score Senior Assessment Tertiary Entrance (SATE) system, of five across all subjects has seen a steady increase, incorporating QCE and ATAR, for Year 11 students. as has the number of boys who have achieved and Teachers have worked with new syllabus documents to Overall Subject Application Rating of 4.5 or above. develop engaging and aligned learning opportunities. This has required assessments to be endorsed by the Dr Leigh Hobart QCAA to ensure that new syllabi have been rigorously HEAD OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATION followed. Syllabus expectations have risen across the BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE ACADEMIC REPORT /// 5 ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS Class of 2019 Academic Results As our final graduating cohort in Queensland “Our QTAC entry statistics continue to speak As leaders of the College in 2019, our to be issued with an OP, our 2019 Seniors to this with 99.3% of our 2019 Senior cohort Seniors have fully participated in College life have done themselves, the College and their receiving a tertiary offer.” with a sense of enthusiasm and purpose. In families proud, with their results once again 2019, a group of four students travelled to “It is exciting to see boys opting to pursue placing BBC among the top performing Hong Kong to take part in an International a variety of careers from agribusiness, academic schools in the State. Mathematic Modelling Challenge, where architecture, engineering, commerce, health they were recognised as one of the top The results achieved by members from and medicine, music and more. These are five teams in the world and received a the Class of 2019 are a credit to their hard the results for an exceptional education, and Meritorious Achievement Award. The work and steadfast commitment to their we look forward to hearing of their ongoing Class of 2019 have overseen three GPS studies. The College also acknowledges achievements.” Premierships/Championships this year, the important partnership with parents and represented their state and country on the guardians and thanks them for the invaluable Equally, it is appropriate to acknowledge sporting field, composed works performed role they have played in supporting their our committed teaching staff who have by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, sons through their years of schooling.