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. educated, inspired, engaged and challenged our graduating class throughout helped secure three World Championships Our 2019 Senior cohort performed admirably their BBC journey to achieve their best. in Robotics, volunteered in numbers to serve with 16 students achieving an OP 1, 40.3 Notwithstanding their commendable OP and assist those in need, to name but a few percent of OP Eligible Students securing results, it is also important to recognise the highlights. an OP between 1 and 5 and 76.5 percent achievements of our Class of 2019 that are They have also demonstrated fine leadership achieving a score between 1 and 10. not measured by a number. attributes; particularly during a year in which For Headmaster, Mr Paul Brown, it is Achievements both inside and outside we moved to a portfolio model of leadership important that the education a boy receives the classroom have abounded, across that has seen our seniors model inclusive at BBC prepares them well to thrive and academic, sporting, cultural, leadership and student leadership and citizenship for a succeed in their future pursuits and careers. service pursuits. range of boys who will become our future leaders. “We want our boys to enter the world with confidence, courage and compassion to live meaningful and purposeful lives,” said Mr Brown. STUDENTS SCHOLARS 16 ACHIEVED OP1 OP 1 OP 2 Ben Arya Benjamin Bartlett Christian Binggeli Thomas Barton Xavier Catford Samuel Bolton James English Luka Boskovic COLLEGE DUX Connell Fox Brett Davidson James Gao Henry Hulbert Mousa Al-Ghabban Byron Johnson Taehwan Kim Taehwan Kim Trenton Lewis Lachlan MacMillan William O’Meara Finn Macnamara Cameron Pankhurst COLLEGE PROXIME Connor McCagh Ethan Rose Alastair Petfield Patrick Thygesen Benjamin Pyne Arlou van der Westhuizen Xavier Catford Ometh Rajapakse Sam Williams Lachlan Tonkin Alvaro Wong Ethan Waugh
80% 40.3% 76.5% 95.3% OP ELIGIBLE ACHIEVED AN ACHIEVED AN ACHIEVED AN OP 1 TO 5 OP 1 TO 10 OP 1 TO 15 This year, BBC had 187 domestic and international Year 12 students; of those, 149 chose to pursue an OP pathway 1 IN 5 55.7% OF STUDENTS RECEIVED BOYS RECEIVED AN OP7 65.5% OP 1 OR 2 OR BETTER Received an A OR B BBC Performance vs State Average on the QCS Test BBC 2019 All QLD 2019 OP 1 – 5 40.3% 22.5% OP 1 – 10 76.5% 54.3% OP 1 – 15 95.3% 82.9%
*data relates to OP eligible students ACADEMIC REPORT /// 7 NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) commenced in Australian schools in 2008. Each year, all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are assessed using national tests in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy.
2019 Results
Year 3 Year 7
Reading Writing Spelling Grammar + Numeracy Reading Writing Spelling Grammar + Numeracy Punctuation Punctuation 2019 BBC 480 449 464 495 463 2019 BBC 587 536 572 586 618 NMS% 94 94 94 94 94 NMS% 98 99 99 98 100 QLD Average 427 413 411 433 399 QLD Average 545 504 544 542 550 NMS 432.3 423.1 418.7 439.8 408.1 NMS 546 513.2 545.6 541.7 554.1
Year 5 Year 9
Reading Writing Spelling Grammar + Numeracy Reading Writing Spelling Grammar + Numeracy Punctuation Punctuation 2019 BBC 563 515 554 571 561 2019 BBC 603 558 592 601 649 NMS% 98 98 98 97 97 NMS% 97 89 95 96 99 QLD Average 503 465 495 498 493 QLD Average 576 535 580 573 589 NMS 506 473.9 500.7 499.1 495.8 NMS 580.4 548.9 582.3 573.2 592
* National Means Score (NMS) - BBC students consistently perform above the national average. Outstanding The BBC ICAS Medallions Speech Night 2019 saw the inaugural awarding of achievements the prestigious BBC Medallions. At BBC, we believe that while knowledge-based learning is important, it is no longer enough. We need to teach our The design of the Medallion celebrates the classical ideal of students how to be critical thinkers. Not only to solve problems harmony expressed through body, mind, form and spirit. but to recognise them in the first place. We want our students The Medallions recognise student excellence and engagement to be curious and creative; to acquire skills, knowledge and across all facets of College life. The Medallion is hard to win and understanding, each and every day, so that they can move highly valued. confidently into the world and make a positive contribution to Criteria for being awarded a Medallion: society in whatever field they choose. Conduct Have an outstanding report of conduct, application and The College engages annually with the International Competitions general attitude and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) assessment program as a Learning Be on the academic prize list (not subject prize list) means of establishing external data on all our students, which Service Participate in a service/leadership activity serves as a comparison to the internal assessment data, derived Play Have a high level of diverse school participation that from school-based assessment. must include representation on at least one school ICAS is an independent, skills-based assessment program which sporting team. recognises and rewards student achievement. It is unique, being A Bronze Medallion is awarded to boys across Years 7 to 12 who the most comprehensive generally available suite of academic meet the criteria. assessments for primary and secondary school students, A Gold Medallion is awarded to a Year 12 student providing the covering English, Science, Mathematics, Spelling and Writing student has been awarded a Bronze Medallion in each of the elements. preceding years of secondary enrolment at the College, from Year 7 onwards. Students with the top score in each subject, in each year level, are awarded a medal and a medal winner’s certificate. A Gold Medallion will be among the highest honours BBC confers on a Year 12 student. In 2019, three BBC students topped the State in their respective ICAS competitions and year levels. They were recognised with medals at a ceremony hosted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Albert Ge (Year 4) was awarded a medal for Science
Morgan Duckett (Year 7) was awarded a medal for English
Isaac Jennings (Year 10) was awarded a medal for Writing. Inaugural Bronze Medallion Recipients
Year 7 Year 11 Jacob Aziz Gaviru Devendra Sean Beak Alister Gomersall Hemish Dubey Year 12 Samuel Kim Taehwan Kim Year 8 Lachlan MacMillan Angus Seeto William O’Meara Quinlan Seymore Ometh Rajapakse Year 10 Aparaj Bogahawatta Matthew Cranitch 2019 Academic Achievements Overview
BEST EVER RESULTS FOR READERS CUP WITH A BRONZE FOR YEAR 5 40 YEAR 6 STUDENTS TRAVELLED TO CANBERRA TO LEARN ABOUT DEMOCRACY
SHAKE AND STIR THEATRE COMPANY INTRODUCED SHAKESPEARE ACADEMIC TO YEAR 7 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED 200 BOYS ON STAGE 24 FOR A MEGA PERFORMANCE AFTER ONE WEEK OPTIMINDS STATE FINALS FOR TWO TEAMS WITH A SECOND PLACE FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING YEAR 8 LEGACY PROJECT WITH OLD YEAR 4 INTRODUCED COLLEGIANS SEES ECOMARINES AND WENT ON STUDENTS ENGAGE THEIR FIRST CAMP TO WITH AUGMENTED TANGALOOMA WHERE THEY REALITY TO RESEARCH PROJECTS WITH ISQ GOT TO LEARN ABOUT THE PRESENT THEIR AND THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN PROGRESS ENVIRONMENT AND FEED THE STORIES TIED TO DOLPHINS CHARACTER TRAITS
YEAR 3 BOYS YEAR 11 STUDENTS STARTED THE SATE YEAR 9 SYSTEM WITH 52 ASSESSMENTS SCORED THE EXPERIENCED ENDORSED, 27 NEW SYLLABI BEING THE AMAZING IMPLEMENTED WITH LOTS OF ENDORSERS HIGHEST AND CONFIRMERS ON STAFF WRITING SCORE RACE EVER IN NAPLAN
YEAR 5 BOYS SCORED
HIGHEST YEAR 12 STUDENTS SAW OUT THE OLD OP SYSTEM WITH THE IN READING, SPELLING, FINAL ROUND OF QCS WITH GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION 65.5% RECEIVING AN A OR B. AND NUMERACY A STRONG COHORT TO FINISH
BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE YEAR 10 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE INAUGURAL TWO STUDENTS PERFORMED WITH − + ASP I RE LABOITE, AFTER ÷ × WEEK 80 AUDITIONED TO ENGAGE THEM IN THEIR SENIOR FOR 12 ROLES SCHOOLING OPTIONS FOUR STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL BEST EVER MATHEMATICAL MODELLING RESULTS FOR THREE BOYS TOPPED CHALLENGE IN HONG KONG, READERS CUP THE STATE IN ICAS, IN PLACING IN THE TOP FIVE WITH A BRONZE SCIENCE, WRITING FOR YEAR 5 AND ENGLISH TEAMS WORLDWIDE 40 YEAR 6 STUDENTS TRAVELLED TO CANBERRA TO LEARN ABOUT DEMOCRACY
SHAKE AND STIR THEATRE COMPANY INTRODUCED FIRST YEAR OF GIFTED SHAKESPEARE ACADEMIC TO YEAR 7 FIRST PLACE TO THE POWER OF SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE STATE THREE, LEADING TO A AWARDED 200 BOYS ON STAGE FOR ASX SECOND PLACE IN FOR A MEGA SHAREMARKET 24 A NEW SENIOR SCHOOL QUEST AT STATE LEVEL PERFORMANCE GAME AFTER ONE WEEK CURRICULUM COORDINATOR AND MIDDLE SCHOOL OPTIMINDS STATE FINALS FOR TWO TEAMS CURRICULUM COORDINATOR WITH A SECOND PLACE WERE APPOINTED FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING COORDINATORS FOR GIFTED YEAR 8 LEGACY AND TALENTED, ARROWSMITH PROJECT WITH OLD AND EAL FROM PREP TO YEAR YEAR 5 TEAM WON THE YEAR 4 INTRODUCED COLLEGIANS SEES 12 WERE ALSO APPOINTED, DAVINCI DECATHLON ECOMARINES AND WENT ON STUDENTS ENGAGE AT A REGIONAL LEVEL THEIR FIRST CAMP TO TO ENSURE THAT PROCESSES WITH AUGMENTED RUN SMOOTHLY YEARS 5 AND 6 TANGALOOMA WHERE THEY REALITY TO RESEARCH PROJECTS WITH ISQ WRITERS LAUNCHED GOT TO LEARN ABOUT THE PRESENT THEIR AND THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN PROGRESS THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT AND FEED THE STORIES TIED TO DOLPHINS CHARACTER TRAITS YEAR 10 STUDENTS WERE PUBLICATION SIX STUDENTS HAD THEIR INVITED TO SIT THE WITH AUTHOR COMPOSITIONS PERFORMED AUSTRALIAN BY THE QUEENSLAND BRIAN FALKNER MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA + COMPETITION YEAR 3 BOYS YEAR 11 STUDENTS STARTED THE SATE YEAR 9 SYSTEM WITH 52 ASSESSMENTS SCORED THE EXPERIENCED ENDORSED, 27 NEW SYLLABI BEING THE AMAZING IMPLEMENTED WITH LOTS OF ENDORSERS AND CONFIRMERS ON STAFF SUBJECT APPLICATION RATINGS (SAR) WERE INTRODUCED IN 2019 TO REPORT ON HIGHEST RACE WRITING SCORE THE QUALITY AND CONSISTENCY OF A STUDENT’S APPLICATION TO HIS STUDIES, EVER IN NAPLAN WITH A RATING OF ‘5’ BEING THE HIGHEST AND ‘1’ BEING THE LOWEST.
THE MAXIMUM AVERAGE SAR OF 5 WAS ACHIEVED BY NINE STUDENTS IN TERM 1, YEAR 5 BOYS SCORED INCREASING TO 40 STUDENTS IN TERM 3 206 STUDENTS ACHIEVED AN AVERAGE SAR OF 4.5 IN TERM 1, INCREASING TO HIGHEST YEAR 12 STUDENTS SAW OUT THE OLD OP SYSTEM WITH THE 335 IN TERM 4 IN READING, SPELLING, FINAL ROUND OF QCS WITH GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION ALL YEAR LEVELS INCREASED OR MAINTAINED THEIR AVERAGE SAR ACROSS 65.5% RECEIVING AN A OR B. 2019, MEANING MORE BOYS WERE ACADEMICALLY MOTIVATED AND ENGAGED A STRONG COHORT TO FINISH AND NUMERACY WITH THEIR LEARNING AT A HIGHER LEVEL
ACADEMIC REPORT /// 11 2019 SCHOLAR PROFILES
Taehwan Kim
OP 1 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE/DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AT UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. RECIPIENT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLORS’ INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP. 8 YEARS AT BBC JOINED THE COLLEGE IN YEAR 5. AWARDS AND CO-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT College Captain, Dux of the College, Leadership Prefect, Vice-Captain of Amnesty International, Robotics, Swimming & Volleyball. Robotics, Volleyball, Cross Country, Music, Swimming, Track and Field, Amnesty International, Chess, Debating, Football, Peer Mentor, Reader’s Cup, Coffee for Cambodia, Rugby, Theatre.
What subjects did you take in Year 12? What is the most valuable piece of advice you received In Year 12, I studied Mathematics B, Mathematics C, English, from a BBC teacher? Chemistry, Physics and Japanese. You get out what you put in. If you want more, you have to give more. After cruising through Junior School, I struggled to maintain my What led you to choose these subjects? standards throughout the first two years of Middle School because When subject selections opened before the start of Year 11, I didn’t I started to take my achievements for granted and began to expect really have a clear idea of what I wanted to study at university or success without working for it. When I began to work harder and which direction I wanted to take my life in after school. So, I chose started investing heavily back into my studies, my sport and my subjects that I enjoyed studying because I knew this would help me personal development, I saw that effort come back in the form of perform well academically and enjoy my senior years. achievements, fulfilment and pride. This work ethic was always encourage by BBC teachers. What advice would you share with students who are In your view, what mindsets and character strengths are about to begin their Senior School journey? needed for achieving goals? If you approach Senior School with the right mentality, they will be some of the best years of your life. Don’t waste any time – spend When chasing goals or facing challenges, I always relied on one every second of your Senior School journey doing activities that strength - confidence. Confidence is key when pursuing any target; you love, studying subjects that you are interested in and making the ability to recover from obstacles and back yourself until the end memories with people you want to be around. Work hard – if you fully is such an important tool for any young person to achieve anything. invest yourself into your studies, your activities and your friends, you No matter what obstacles came my way, what other people thought will reap the rewards. You will find that your life becomes much more or how hard I failed at something, I always tried to maintain full exciting, fulfilling and worthwhile, and you will have everything you confidence in myself and found the motivation to persevere because need to succeed later in life. I truly believed that I could achieve anything I set my mind to.
BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE What was your favourite and most impactful learning What you will miss, now you have graduated? experience at BBC? I’ll miss the wonderful community at BBC which has had such a My involvement in the Coffee for Cambodia program and the tour profound impact on my life for the last eight years. From the little to Cambodia in 2017 was one of my favourite and most impactful things, like lunchtimes with my friends and friendly classroom learning experiences. To have an opportunity to give back to an banter, to cherished memories, like representing the College at underprivileged community and to experience first-hand the poverty weekend sporting games or spirit rallies on assemblies. that is experienced by many Cambodian families today was a truly eye-opening and confronting experience. It certainly taught me to What are your plans for 2020 and beyond? be compassionate and grateful. Being able to spend time and help In 2020, I hope to commence studying overseas at a college in the these people in need was one of the most fulfilling experiences of USA. In the meantime, I will be studying at the University of Sydney my life. and have enrolled in the Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine double degree program. What is your favourite memory from your time at BBC? I have so many incredible memories from my time at BBC, but one that has a special place in my heart is the 2015 GPS Swimming Championships. I was a young Year 8 student and I was walking out of the marshalling area to swim in the U13 6x50m Freestyle Relay. As I walked out, I was greeted by a sea of supporters in green, white and black, who were yelling out to me, screaming words of encouragement and cheering me on. In that moment, I felt fearless, inspired and invincible. I had never felt more proud to represent BBC.
ACADEMIC REPORT /// 13 Xavier Catford
OP 1 DOCTOR OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND 6 YEARS AT BBC JOINED THE COLLEGE IN YEAR 7. AWARDS AND CO-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT College Proxime, Academic Prefect, ISCF Vice Captain, Debating Co-captain Debating, Music, Cricket, Basketball, ISCF, Peer Mentor, Reader’s Cup, Rugby, Amnesty International, Football, Robotics, Tennis
What subjects did you take in Year 12? What has your time at BBC taught you about Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics C, Mathematics B, English and approaching and solving problems? Chinese. BBC taught me that teamwork is very important to approaching problems and overcoming challenges. I found that if I worked on my What led you to choose these subjects? own, and relied solely on my own set of skills, it was a lot harder to I chose these subjects because I was interested in them, but also succeed than if I utilised the skills of people around me. This means because I needed a balance. I chose Chinese instead of Biology support your friends, and they can support you in the challenges you because I wanted to have a change rather than do all sciences. face. An example of this would be a challenging Math assignment I enjoyed my Math subjects the most because they were very that I received, instead of working on it for hours by myself, I found interesting and also because the teachers and friends in those a friend who had a better understanding. It was not about copying classes had similar interests. off him or letting him do it for me, but rather we went to the teacher together and got clarification on a few concepts. We discussed What advice would you share with students who are different ideas of how to approach it and I offered my input where I could. Thus, I was able to do well on the assignment as a results of about to begin their Senior School journey? the support I had around me. My advice would be to decide early on what you want to achieve. This doesn’t have to be what everyone else tells you, but what you What service-based activities have you been involved desire to achieve and get out of your final few years of schooling. If in at BBC? you want something, normally you will be determined to get it and work hard to meet those goals. If someone else has picked your I was involved in ISCF (Inter School Christian Fellowship), the Red goals for you, it is harder to be motivated to achieve them. Aim high. Shield Appeal, Access Outreach Street Vans, as well as the 40 Hour Famine. I really valued these activities because they taught me that What was your favourite and most impactful learning life is about more than school marks and sports fields. Serving others experience at BBC? and showing love is an eternal gift that is so easy to give. The best activity I was involved in was the International Mathematics What is your favourite memory from your time at the Modelling Challenge. I got to hang out with three close friends during College? that experience, and not only did we achieve and learn a lot, but also grew closer and bonded while doing some serious work. The stress I did like the BBC culture and being a part of a community. The times of finishing our solution was really softened by having my friends I was with my friends and we were laughing and enjoying ourselves there, so I learnt that if you enjoy the little moments, you can enjoy was a highlight of my time at school. solving even the toughest of problems. Placing in the top five teams worldwide and travelling to Hong Kong was just a bonus. What are your plans for 2020 and beyond? I am planning to become a doctor, and am doing biomedical science and eventually medicine at UQ.
BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE Brett Davidson
OP 2 BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (HONOURS)/ BACHELOR OF ECONOMICS AT UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND 8 YEARS AT BBC JOINED THE COLLEGE IN YEAR 5. AWARDS AND CO-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT Collegian, Academic Scholar, Birtles House Prefect, Amnesty International School Leader, Year 7 Mentor Cross Country, Volleyball, Water Polo, Rugby, Amnesty International, Basketball, Cricket, Public Speaking, Rugby, Track and Field
What subjects did you take in Year 12? In your view, what mindsets and character strengths are Mathematics B, Mathematics C, Chemistry, English, Economics and needed for achieving goals? Graphics. An understanding mindset focused on growth and a character strength of self confidence come in handy. The understanding What advice would you share with students who are mindset relates to not being afraid of failure, as one needs to realise about to begin their Senior School journey? that it is a reality. Also, that goals aren’t always achieved in a perfect straight line of progress. Focus on the trend and overall outlook Approach everything with an open mind, no matter the stigma, rather than get caught up in the small failures of now. This mindset pressure or expectation. Depending on your mindset these three comes hand in hand with self confidence or the “back yourself” years can be some of the best of your life that you remember with mentality as you will require mental strength to push yourself through great amounts of joy, satisfaction and gratitude. Or you can choose times of self-doubt. to miss out and underutilise the immense opportunities for growth and happiness presented to you by a BBC education. What are your plans for 2020 and beyond? What is the most valuable piece of advice you received The majority of 2020 will be a mix of finishing the first year of my from a BBC teachers? Engineering/Economics degree at UQ, casual work, club sport and socialising. “All I want from you is effort and application not performance.” Although I was unaware of it at the time, this little gem would sprout the thoughts that led me to one of the standards I strive to uphold in my everyday life. Essentially, it’s saying to try your best in everything.
ACADEMIC REPORT /// 15 Patrick Thygesen
OP 2 BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING/BACHELOR OF COMMERCE AT UQ. 5 YEARS AT BBC JOINED THE COLLEGE IN YEAR 8. AWARDS AND CO-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT College Vice-Captain, Sports Prefect, Cross Country and Track and Field Captain Cross Country, Track and Field, Football, Peer Mentor, Basketball, Cricket
What subjects did you take in Year 12? What has your time at BBC taught you about English, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics B, Mathematics C, and approaching and solving problems? Senior PE. I learnt that it is important to use the strengths of others around you. Throughout Year 12, we learnt early on that there was a huge range What led you to choose these subjects? of talent within the Prefect group and that when all this talent was Through my Middle School years, I always enjoyed Maths and used effectively, tasks not only became easier, but were also done Science classes. So, I decided to follow these passions in Year 12 by better. selecting similar types of subjects that I had an interest in and that would also challenge me. What is your favourite memory from your time at the College? What advice would you share with students who are Having the privilege to lead BBC to a back to back Cross-Country about to begin their Senior School journey? Championship. Being able to lift the trophy and celebrate with all the Although Year 12 might seem like the most significant year of your boys is a moment I will cherish forever. schooling life, the years before it are just as important. While the workload is not as heavy, these are the years where you need to What you will miss, now you have graduated? establish the right habits before going into a hectic senior year filled One thing that I will miss about school is the chance to see my with so many extra commitments. The key to being successful at mates every day, whether that be at lunch time or even during class. school is to be organised, so if you put in the hard yards early on, it Another thing that I will miss about BBC is College Spirit and being will feel like second nature come Year 12 which will make it that much able to belt out war cries with your best mates on a Saturday. Early easier and enjoyable. on I took most of these moments for granted, but it’s not until you finish that you realise how special and unique those memories are. What is the most valuable piece of advice you received from a BBC teacher? What are your plans for 2020 and beyond? Something that was continuously reiterated by most of my teachers To begin the year, I will start by studying a Bachelor of Engineering/ while at BBC was that there are always people that want to help you Commerce degree at the University of Queensland. However, my achieve your goals. No matter what part of the school I was in, if I goal is to go to the United States in Spring where I can hopefully needed help to get better as an athlete, student or even just needed continue to study in the fields of engineering or commerce while a chat, someone was always willing to help me out where they could. continuing to improve as an athlete in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).
BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE Sebastian Lingane
OP 7 STUDYING COMPOSITION AT THE GRIFFITH CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC 8 YEARS AT BBC JOINED THE COLLEGE IN YEAR 5. AWARDS AND CO-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT Music, Rock Band, Pipe Band, Theatre, Art Club, Cricket, Football
What subjects did you take in Year 12? What is your favourite memory from your time at the Music, Music Extension, English, Mathematics A and Drama. College? My favourite memory from BBC would be performing an original What advice would you share with students who are composition at Speech Night. It was a huge honour to play and it about to begin their Senior School journey? felt like a perfect ending to my time at the school. This was followed by when I won a scholarship to have works performed by the Don’t be afraid of doing things. If you have an idea, a plan or the Queensland Symphony Orchestra during my last week of school. drive to do something you must act on it because you only get one shot at things, and what if it works? What you will miss, now you have graduated? What is the most valuable piece of advice you received I will miss my teachers, many of which I am now proud to work in the from a BBC teacher? same field as. To never settle for average; to always go above and beyond what What are your plans for 2020 and beyond? you need to do because in the end you will be proud of what you’ve achieved. As of February, I have three musical commissions with different organisations, multiple competitions, small gigs, first year studying What has your time at BBC taught you about at the Griffith Conservatorium for composition, and overseas trips planned. approaching and solving problems? Balancing work, school, and passion was the toughest challenge I What led you to pursue this direction and why is this experienced as I juggled doing commissions for orchestras, maths important to you? assignments, and my passion projects. BBC allowed me to organise my time effectively for the most important things. I love creating music. I love watching people listen to my music, I love the details of writing, I even love the bureaucracy that is What service-based activities have you been involved sprinkled in composition. I want to make a difference in history through my art and these are the first steps to making that a reality. in at BBC? If music is the catalyst in which I can make even one person happy, I was a member of the Pipe Band since Year 5 as well as the music then I have truly chosen the right path. ensemble programs. I did Theatre, Art and Film. They enhanced my understanding of having a sense of community and passion for art.
ACADEMIC REPORT /// 17 A New Look School Year
Since the beginning of 2019, Year 11 students have named Lead or Chief Endorsers. We have already been engaged with the new Senior Assessment Tertiary had our Internal Assessment Instruments 1 and 2 Entrance (SATE) system. This includes the Queensland endorsed, ready for implementation during Unit 3. The Certificate of Education (QCE) and Australian Tertiary next endorsement event will happen in late January to Admissions Rank (ATAR) and replaces the Overall ensure that the third Internal Assessment Instrument Position (OP) ranking. Engaging in the first new Senior (IAI) meets expectations. The first Confirmation event syllabus reform in over 20 years, the boys of Brisbane of teachers’ judgements for the first assessment Boys’ College are well positioned. As high expectations instrument occurs in late April. and consistently pleasing academic results continue to see us placed as a top performing Queensland school. Our Year 10 programs have also been reviewed to best prepare our young gentlemen for the new system. There are several differing factors between the To minimise subject changes, subject choices have outgoing OP system and SATE. Firstly, there are new been designed to reflect the senior subjects. Boys syllabus documents for senior students. Foundational also engage with more elective subjects before Units 1 and 2 are covered in Year 11, with Unit 3 making senior subject selections. We have also refined starting in Term 4. Importantly, in this process boys are our subject selection process for Year 10 students encouraged to select subjects which are of interest incorporating Morrisby profiling, SET Plans and ASPIRE to them and are prerequisites for university courses Week. This is to help boys avoid making subject they are considering. As a result, BBC has increased changes during Year 11 so they can optimise the its offerings to boys by introducing subjects such as foundational units offered during that time. Psychology, Engineering and Philosophy and Reason. These have been very popular with multiple classes The most significant difference with the SATE system allocated. is the introduction of external exams set by the QCAA. Mock exams are available to the public through the Another difference is that the results from Units 3 and QCAA website and many subjects have implemented 4 are used to calculate student ATAR results. The internally developed mock exams during this year, to assessment scores from each of these units combine prepare students for the conditions. Boys will have to give students a mark out of 100 for each subject. multiple opportunities to practice and prepare for these Generally, a student’s top five subject results (regularly exams which will be held from 26 October through to out of six subjects studied) are submitted to the 17 November. Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA) and ultimately Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre It is expected that all boys will complete a QCE. To (QTAC) for calculation of their ATAR. support this process the College has appointed a Senior School Curriculum Coordinator in order to Some assessments in Units 3 and 4 are internally monitor progress and work with classroom teachers, developed assessments; external exams represent the Year Team Leaders, Heads of House and Heads remaining 25 percent or 50 percent (for Science and of Department to ensure all boys are on track to Mathematics subjects). To ensure quality assurance achieve this. They will also monitor boys’ progress with throughout the state, internal assessments are achieving their ATAR score. endorsed by trained teachers working with the QCAA. Selected, completed assessments are then confirmed We are excited by the future of this system and again by trained teachers from across the state working appreciate the transparency and clarity of process that for the QCAA. Many of our BBC Senior School teachers it enables. Our boys have been well prepared and we are Endorsers and Confirmers, with some also being look forward to seeing the results of their hard work in acknowledged for their professionalism by being 2020 and beyond.
BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE ACADEMIC REPORT /// 19 Confidence springs from mastery. It is the self-belief required to embrace the unknown.
At Brisbane Boys' College, we integrate best practice teaching and learning with the science of wellbeing, and in doing so, safeguard the most important ingredient to a boy’s success: confidence. We refer to this as A New School of Thought.