College News 2025 - Term 2 Week 1

From the Headmaster

Request for Student Volunteers - Open Day - Sunday, 18 May

BBC’s rescheduled Open Day is fast approaching, and while we've had a fantastic response from students so far, we still need more volunteers. 

If your son can make an impact when the big day finally arrives on Sunday, May 18, we'd appreciate you discussing this opportunity with him and offering your encouragement.  

Please use this link to sign your son up for Open Day 2.0

Additionally, if you're a member of a Parent Support Group and would like to volunteer yourself, we'd be happy to have you. Please contact events@bbc.qld.edu.au for more details.

Co-Curricular | Culture and Enrichment

The April holidays were packed with opportunities for boys across the College to extend and develop their skills in our many co-curricular offerings. While it’s good to be back for the start of Term 2, we can’t let the achievements of so many of our students over the break go by without comment. 

Pipe Band 

BBC Pipe Band Success and Spirit at the Maclean Highland Gathering (NSW) 

The annual journey to the Maclean Highland Gathering in northern New South Wales has once again proven to be a rewarding experience for our College Pipe Band. The day was a celebration of commitment, preparation, and teamwork for all involved. Students and families made a very early start to the weekend, travelling down ahead of the band’s official departure at 3:30am on Saturday, 19 April. Those who arrived early were able to participate in the solo competitions held on Friday – a decision that certainly paid off, with impressive results across a range of categories.  

Friday Solo Results – Highlights 

Solo Piping 

• Novice Grade: Archie McClure placed third in both the Slow Air and March. 

• D Grade: Dylan Steinkohl-Andrade secured first place in the March and second place in the Slow Air. 

• C Grade: Austin Irving placed third in Piobaireachd. 

• B Grade: Nicholas Shelburn and Fred Bailey dominated across the board, including a clean sweep in the Hornpipe/Jig and Piobaireachd. 

• A Grade (Open): BBC staff member Mr Jamie Hawke took home three top-three placements, including first in the March/Strathspey/Reel. 

• Special Event – Lachlan McCabe Memorial: A proud win by Nicholas Shelburn. 

Solo Drumming 

• D Grade Snare: Ethan Bailey – Second 

• D Grade Bass: Hugo Maclean – First 

• C Grade Snare: Tom Werner – Second, Jacob Duval – Third 

• B Grade Snare: Mr William Gibson (Staff) – First, Mr Patrick Gibson (Staff) – Second 

• B Grade Tenor: Mr Dowhan Kim (Staff) – Second 

Saturday Band Competitions – Stellar Results 

With two BBC bands and the BBC Old Collegians competing, Saturday was a full day of musical energy and discipline, starting with an early morning street parade and culminating in prize-giving in the afternoon. 

 Band Competition Results 

• Novice Juvenile B (Roweena Ennis Memorial): First – BBC No. 2 

• Grade 4A: Fifth – BBC No. 2 

• Novice Juvenile A: First – BBC No. 1 

• Grade 3: First – BBC No. 1, Second – BBC Old Collegians 

The band schedule was packed, with both BBC No. 1 and No. 2 performing in multiple categories throughout the day. A huge thank you goes to the Pipe Band Support Group for organising lunch and keeping everyone energised between performances. Once again this year, our boys represented the College with pride and demonstrated the strength of the BBC Pipe Band program on a regional scale.  

Performance Music 

Student Involvement Outside of BBC 

We would like to congratulate the following students on successfully auditioning and being accepted into an ensemble at one of Brisbane’s music organisations. These students will attend weekly rehearsals and regular performances outside of BBC while maintaining their involvement here at the College. 

 Congratulations to: 

• Min Kim (Violin) – Queensland Youth Orchestra – Junior Strings Ensemble 1 

• Helix Leung (Flute/Chinese Flute) –Aus Oriental Chinese Orchestra 

• Jasper Lau (Oboe) – Queensland Youth Orchestra No. 3 and University of Queensland Wind Symphony 

• Lachy Brown (French Horn) – Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, and Brass Ensemble – Young Conservatorium (Griffith University) 

• Harvey Shoesmith (Saxophone) – The University of Queensland Saxophone Ensemble 

• Elvis Shu (Violin) – Queensland Youth Orchestra – Junior Strings Ensemble 1 

• Hugh Kim (Violin) – Queensland Youth Orchestra No. 3 

• Gabriel Tong (Double Bass) – Queensland Youth Orchestra No. 3 

• Marcus Teo (Violin) – Western Suburbs String Orchestra 

• Ayaan Chandwani (Percussion) – Morton Bay Symphony Orchestra 

• Benji Tran (Violin) – Philharmonia and String Ensemble 1 – Young Conservatorium (Griffith University) 

• Ethan Rondonuwu (Violin) – Overture Strings – Young Conservatorium (Griffith University) 

Ms Kate Albury 

HEAD OF CO-CURRICULAR – CULTURE AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS   

Co-Curricular | Sports and Competitive Activities

Welcome to Term 2. We have nine weeks of excellent competition ahead of us, but the excitement at BBC doesn’t stop over the holidays. Our student-athletes have been representing the College in a variety of capacities over the last few weeks. Here’s a snapshot of just a few of their recent achievements. 

Debating 

Lions Youth of the Year Competition  

Brisbane Boys’ College proudly entered four competitors into the Lions Youth of the Year contest, selected from within the school’s debating cohort. Representing the College with distinction were Josh Chi (Year 12), Semisi Manu (Year 12), Rory Hillman (Year 10), and Joel Won (Year 10). Each of these young men demonstrated exceptional public speaking skills and a deep commitment to addressing civic and social issues in their initial expression of interest in the competition.  

In preparation for the first round of the district competition, the boys undertook extensive preparation. As part of the process, each participant was required to deliver a prepared speech on a topic they were passionate about. The open-ended nature of the brief encouraged a broad range of issues to be explored, and although their topics varied widely, all shared a common theme: passion, purpose, and a desire to advocate for change.  

On the day of the competition, the boys presented their speeches to a full auditorium of Lions delegates and a panel of esteemed judges. In addition to their prepared addresses, they were also required to answer panel questions and deliver impromptu speeches. These challenging components showcased their quick thinking and poise under pressure.  

All four boys represented BBC with confidence, clarity, and commendable composure. Semisi earned the title of Best Speaker and was selected as the district representative to progress to the regional round.  

At the second District level, Semisi continued to impress. His speech, centred on the theme of opportunity, conveyed a powerful message about embracing challenges and giving one’s all, regardless of the outcome. His authentic delivery and compelling storytelling once again earned him the title of Best Speaker, securing him a place in the District Quarter Finals.  

In late March, Semisi faced off against the strongest candidates from across the region. With his polished and heartfelt speech, he captivated the audience and judges alike. Although he did not progress to the semi-finals, Lions Club representatives praised Semisi as an outstanding candidate and a credit to BBC.  

We extend our congratulations to all four boys for their dedication and eloquence and a special commendation to Semisi Manu for his exceptional performance throughout each stage of the competition. Balancing this with his final year commitments is no small feat, and his efforts exemplify the spirit of leadership and excellence that BBC strives to instil.  

Gymnastics 

2025 Queensland Regionals  

Over the holidays, a handful of BBC students/College Gymnastics athletes competed at the Queensland Regional Championships down at the Gold Coast.  

In the first and second sessions, our junior-level athletes showcased their skills. It was kicked off with our Level 2s and 3s: 

Level 2s 

• Hugo Farquhar (Year 2) placed first (PB), first (SR), and third in the All-Around  

• James Farquhar (Year 4) placed second (VT) and fourth in the All-Around  

• Henry Sharp (Year 6) placed eighth in the All-Around.   

Level 3s 

• Seth Edirisinghe (Year 5) placed third (FX)  

After all the happy smiles and great results from the first session, the day ended with Michael Gaidarenko (Year 8) competing in Level 4 in Session 2. Coming back from a wrist injury, Michael came first (VT) and third in the All-Round.  

On the second day of the competition, it was the senior athletes’ turn to show off their high-level routines. Jacob Duval, Co-Captain of Gymnastics, came sixth in the Level 8 All-Around Competition. 

All the best to these athletes as they prepare for the 2025 Queensland State Titles in four weeks’ time from 23 to 26 May, as well as the athletes preparing for the Foundation Cup in six weeks on 7 June. A big thank you to all the parents involved, as well as the coaches and senior athletes who help out.  

In addition, BBC Gymnastics ran a two-day workshop/training camp over the holidays with a special visitor, Mr Hiroaki Sato. Mr Sato is the former personal coach of Kōhei Uchimura (six-time all-around world champion). He is also the head coach who led the Japanese team to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The athletes and coaches had a lot of fun and learnt a lot.  

Mr Paul Woodford 

HEAD OF CO-CURRICULAR – SPORTS AND COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES 

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