College News 2025 - Term 2 Week 7

From the Headmaster

Dear BBC Families,

Each year, it is my great pleasure to attend the Isolated Children Parents’ Association (ICPA) Conference with Mr Matthew McEwen, our Director of Boarding. Mr McEwen and I headed west to St George on Sunday to participate in this year’s conference. This is a significant annual event, not just for us at Brisbane Boys’ College but for all boarding schools in Queensland. The fact that most schools are represented not only by their boarding staff but usually also by their principals demonstrates the significance and influence of this group. The ICPA delegates do a remarkable job of advocating for children as they navigate the education system, whether they are homeschooled or attend boarding schools. I am always inspired and impressed by this passionate group and their support for young people far and wide. I leave this event each year with a firm admiration for these parents, whose solidarity and diligent focus affords the isolated students in our state the basic human right of access to quality education.

I have written previously about the inspiration I receive from the Margaret Mead quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” The ICPA Conference and its committed members serve as a personification of that quote. They are single-minded in their purpose. They are passionate about the goals that they wish to achieve. Most significantly, they are united in their endeavours to achieve success not just for themselves but, more importantly, for their most precious asset – their children. 

It is my experience that, no matter the sphere of endeavour, a united and committed group will achieve much more than one that is divided. Unity does not mean an absence of diversity of thought – in fact, respectful debate is a central force for positive change in any context. Instead, it means that each member of the group remains committed to a shared purpose. In the case of the BBC community, that purpose is supporting the growth and success of every boy in our care. I have referred to this ambition, in a school context, as the ‘Holy Trinity’ – parents, students, and the school working towards a collective outcome. At BBC, we can also proudly add a fourth pillar: 123 years of Old Collegians. When we work together towards one simple ambition – that our College be a place where every young man can thrive – there is nothing that we cannot achieve.

In my three-and-a-half years as the Headmaster of BBC – still the best job in the world – I have witnessed the community come together time and again. We have had our challenges, as every community does, but these times and the opportunities they present have been most successfully traversed when we have united as one BBC brotherhood. I would love to say that the College will go forward without any further challenges or controversy, but, unfortunately, this is not a reality of the human condition. As the saying goes, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” We are a magnificent team that rises together.

My time at St George was an interval to pause and reflect during a period that has been quite frenetic and challenging. Notwithstanding the insightful information that was disseminated by delegates and presenters, it was the example of the ICPA delegates that filled me with hope and anticipation. These individuals work collectively towards their shared goal and support one another in their ambitions. They serve as a wonderful example to all organisations. Significantly, they offer a North Star for us at BBC.

I look forward to continuing our journey together as we support boys to be the best young men they can be. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at any time if I can assist you or if you have any questions. United, we will achieve so much more.

Yours faithfully, 

Mr Andre Casson 

HEADMASTER 

From the Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It can be challenging not to lose the forest amidst the trees. While we must never shy away from reflecting and improving, it's just as important to celebrate the heart of who we are.

We are a proud College, underpinned by values, character, and integrity that the broader community aspires to. In the past week alone, I’ve been continually reminded of what makes BBC such an exceptional school for young men to learn, grow, and thrive.

Hamilton House, in partnership with Dream Cricket Australia, led a remarkable service initiative supporting students of all abilities through blind cricket. Superbly led by Ms Sarah Cattoni, the boys stepped beyond themselves to serve others with compassion. At the same time, our academic excellence was on full display at the da Vinci Decathlon, the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge, and the Australian Honours Ensemble Program, where student participants are being stretched and challenged.

We continued to widely engage with experts to guide our students and support staff on critical issues, including cyber safety, adolescence, and men’s health. Through our ongoing partnerships with ThinkUKnow, It’s a Man’s Issue, and Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum as well as upcoming sessions with cyber expert Ms Susan McLean, our students are receiving an education that prepares them not just for now, but for life beyond the College portals as well.

This week, I was especially proud that our BBC Careers and Counselling Centre has become a reality. This thoughtfully designed space now provides our students with a place of calm, support, and care, a tangible commitment to supporting our students holistically that continues to place us at the forefront of wellbeing. Adding to this sense of pride was the incredible Autumn Sounds Concert last Thursday, which showcased our world-class music program. A particular highlight was Year 12 student Tobi Clark, who, to quote Mr Kotzas, “drove that piano like a Ferrari.” It is moments like this that remind us of the infectious energy and excellence that define our programs and leave a lasting impression on all who are fortunate enough to witness them.

Our cultural and global engagement is also worth celebrating as our inaugural International Parents Support Group met to provide an arm of support for new parents and a point of contact when joining the College from abroad. A special mention must go to Ms Annie Gillis, who drove this outstanding initiative. Thank you.

Additionally, this week we launched our drama production for 2025 as our students dive into Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The public performances next term will be magnificent!

Lastly, it was great to celebrate our Year 12 Formal on Saturday. As our Year 12 students near the end of their BBC journey, they showed once again what remarkable young men they are, making us all proud.

For me, what defines BBC is our community. The opportunities available to our students are truly exceptional, and I remain both humbled and grateful for them. As I reflect on the week and celebrate a small amount of the many happenings around our campus, I am immensely proud of the Green, White, and Black.

Mr Scott Murphy

DEPUTY HEADMASTER

We are welcoming families right across Brisbane to join us at this very important seminar with Ms Susan McLean. To RSVP visit - https://bit.ly/CyberSafety-Presentation.

Co-Curricular | Culture and Enrichment

Ipswich Pipe Band Competition Results

Under grey skies and wet conditions, our students performed with confidence, camaraderie, and pride – a true reflection of the hard work and dedication they’ve poured into their practice over recent months.

For the standout results please view the pdf, below.

Performance Music

80s Concert Special Guest

BBC Music is getting into the 80s groove as ensembles and bands prepare for the upcoming 80s Concert.

We are thrilled to announce that our special guest artist will be Mr George Sheppard (OC 2004), lead singer of the hit-making Australian band Sheppard! With internationally-recognised and ARIA-award winning hits like Geronimo, Sheppard has proven to be another Brisbane success story. Mr Sheppard will share the stage with our Senior students as they perform a classic collection of 80s songs together.

Don’t miss out on a fun night of great music and funky clothing as BBC Music celebrates all things great from the 80s. Book your tickets now.

Three students invited to attend the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP)

Last weekend, Edwin Matsuda (Violin), Benji Tran (Violin), and Gabriel Tong (Double Bass) were invited to attend the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) to participate in a performance workshop and concert as part of the Honours Program run through the Queensland Conservatorium of Music at Griffith University. These students were nominated by their Ensemble Directors. SHEP fields large numbers of applications, so it is a tremendous achievement for these students to be selected.

Eisteddfod Results

Congratulations to Oliver Sukamto (Violin) on receiving a Very Highly Commended Award for his recent solo performance at the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod.

Congratulations must also go to Hugh Kim (Violin) on receiving multiple awards for his performances at the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod, Redlands Eisteddfod, and the Enoggera Eisteddfod.

• 1^st – Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod (Instrumental Solo Grade 7 and 8)
• 2^nd – Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod (Instrumental String Solo)
• 3^rd – Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod (Instrumental Solo Championship)
• 2^nd – Redlands Eisteddfod (String Solo)
• 1^st – Enoggera Eisteddfod 2024 (String Solo)

Following his success at the Ipswich and Enoggera Eisteddfods, Hugh was invited to perform at their Gala Concert.

First Place for Students at the Queensland Vocal Competition

Congratulations to Captain of Music Tomson Spiliopoulos and co-Vice Captain of Music Charles Bateman for their achievements at the recent Queensland Vocal Competition held at The University of Queensland. This year’s adjudicator was Rachael Ireni Utley, a Voice Teacher at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music at Griffith University.

Tomson finished in first place in the Under 18 Emerging Non-English Art Song and first place in the Under 18 Emerging Scared Song. Tomson also received second place for his performance in the Under 18 Emerging English Art Song. Charles received first place for his performance in the Under 18 Emerging English Art Song.

Both Tomson and Charles are Voice students of Mr Brett Holland. Congratulations on their wonderful achievements.

Autumn Sounds Concert

Last Thursday evening saw a number of our ensembles perform as part of this year’s Autumn Sounds Concert. Intermediate and Senior groups performed in a remarkable showcase of BBC’s music talent. The audience was treated to all genres of music from jazz through to the first movement of the Grieg Piano Concerto. Special mention must be made of co-Vice Captain of Music Tobi Clark’s performance of the first movement of the Grieg Piano Concerto. Tobi’s musical maturity and technical brilliance allowed us to experience the full power of the College’s new grand piano.

We were very fortunate to have staff members Dr Michal Rosiak (Flute) and Mr Christian Gante (Piano) perform together as our mystery special guests. It was a wonderful performance to inspire both the students and the audience. Congratulations to all the performers and staff.

For a selection of photos please visit our co-curricular Instagram page.

Teen Music Brand Ambassador

We congratulate Shumo Grygoruk on his recent signing to skincare brand Sukin as their Teen Music Ambassador both in Australia and globally. Shumo has been invited to compose an original work for their brand with the possibility of it becoming Sukin’s campaign anthem. With this offer comes many exciting performance opportunities for Shumo, and we wish him well as he embarks on this very exciting musical journey.

Senior Production - Twelfth Night

Welcome to the 2025 production of Twelfth Night! This year we've joined forces with Stuartholme School, St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School, and one incredibly talented student from Brisbane State High School. With a cast of nearly 40, this is our biggest post-COVID production yet.

Tickets are now available via https://bit.ly/BBC-Twelfth-Night. FREE for all Brisbane students and $20 for adults.

Ms Kate Albury 

HEAD OF CO-CURRICULAR – CULTURE AND ENRICHMENT

Co-Curricular | Sports and Competitive Activities

Student Representatives for RoboCup International announced at Robotics Showcase

The Robotics Showcase celebrated not just robots, but the relentless effort, collaboration, and imagination of students from Years 3 to 12 who are shaping the future through STEM.

The Showcase marked the culmination of months of intensive design, coding, and teamwork. It also served as the launchpad for the new competitive season, with students preparing to take on regional, state, national, and international challenges. Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to witness the creativity and technical skill that have become hallmarks of the BBC Robotics program.

We can now share that BBC’s international representatives for the RoboCup International Championships in Brazil this July are:

• Team Hyperion - Matthew Adams, Luke Atherton, Thomas McCabe, and Sam Garg - competing in the Lightweight Rescue challenge, and
• Team Delta - James Cousins, Connor Duncan, and Ethan Seymour - taking on the Maze Challenge.

Leadership across the program was also celebrated, with Captains of Robotics Max Rodman and Solomon Hawkings acknowledged for their mentoring and dedication, and Junior Leaders Darius Beheshti and Joel Pashen recognised for guiding and inspiring younger students.

Some fantastic photos from the night will be shared on the BBC Robotics Highlands page.

Hosting the Secondary Interschool Chess Tournament

On Tuesday, 20 May, BBC proudly hosted the Secondary Interschool Chess Competition, welcoming over 300 students from across Brisbane’s northern suburbs. The College campus was abuzz with energy as players took their places for seven intense rounds of competition. The event was a true celebration of the strategic and mental discipline that defines chess.

For further details, please visit the Chess page on Highlands.

Two Students and Coach selected for the Queensland State Gymnastics Team at Championships

Competing against top male artistic gymnasts (MAG) from across the state, Jacob Duval (Level 8), Edward Fletcher (Level 9u), and Mr Riley Smith (Level 10) were selected for the Queensland MAG State Team at the Queensland State Championships.

This selection is a significant achievement and a testament to their consistent training, discipline, and performance throughout the season. These athletes will now go on to represent Queensland at the 2025 Australian National Championships, taking place in early July. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to compete against the best in the country and continue their development on a national stage.

Charlie McNicol (Level 3), Jack Hill (Level 3), Boris Starykh (Level 3), Will Fletcher (Level 7) also represented College Gymnastics at the championships.

Each gymnast showed commendable efforts and determination throughout the competition, contributing to an impressive showing for the club. Our younger athletes, Jack Hill and Boris Starykh, were also selected to compete at the Regional Boarder Challenge.

On Debut at the Monash Asian Studies Debating Competition

Hosted by Monash University, the Monash Asian Studies Debating Competition brought together 180 students from four states and territories for a total of 52 high-level debating teams.

Our Senior A Debating team – Levi Cunneen, George Russ, Cameron Strickland, and Edward Pill – went head-to-head with some of Victoria’s strongest and most seasoned teams, debating complex topics in international relations such as China’s dominance of the green energy sector and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s influence on India’s domestic policy.

Competing under an unfamiliar Victorian adjudication framework, the BBC team performed exceptionally well, winning the majority of their debates and earning the second-highest team speaking scores out of 24 teams in the in-person debates. This is a phenomenal achievement for first-time entrants.

Although the boys were narrowly defeated in their final qualifier debate, their individual efforts did not go unnoticed. Levi, Cameron, and Ed were each named Best Speaker in a debate, and all four students received Highly Commended Speaker Awards, reflecting their outstanding consistency and articulation across the event.

Queensland Inter-Collegiate Golf Tournament Update

The BBC golf team competed in the second round of the Queensland Intercollegiate Golf Tournament on Monday, 2nd June, at Nudgee Golf Course. The team faced additional challenges due to persistent bad weather and the course’s water-lined layout, which didn’t favour our big hitter, Oliver Duffy.

Despite the conditions, Bailey Beachy-Head, Jimmy Cowan, and William Basten produced commendable performances, enabling the team to climb from second place NETT to equal first place NETT alongside The Southport School No. 2 — a fantastic result.

Bailey delivered a strong round, finishing with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes, carding an impressive 79 (Gross 13th overall). Jimmy showed resilience, particularly on the back nine, where he shot 4 over, finishing with a solid 86 (Gross 39th overall). Will birdied the 9th and made a notable recovery on the back nine with 5 over, finishing on 85 (Gross 35th overall). Ollie struggled with accuracy off the tee, landing in water hazards frequently. Despite two birdies, he finished with an 83 (Gross 27th overall).

Collectively, BBC holds sixth place in Gross standings, setting up a strong position ahead of the final round at Keperra Country Golf Club on Monday, 14 July. This is an impressive and determined effort from the team — we look forward to a strong finish!

---

Mr Paul Woodford

HEAD OF CO-CURRICULAR – SPORTS AND COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES  

Have Your Say - Tuckshop Feedback Survey

On behalf of Chartwells, we're distributing a survey for parents and guardians to complete, regarding their experiences with the refreshed Tuckshop in 2025. We would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete the survey via the link below. All students have been emailed a separate link to complete a student survey as well.

Please click here for the survey.

Notice of P&F Annual General Meeting

As members of the Parents and Friends’ (P&F) Association, please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of the P&F Association will take place on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 at 6:00pm. Please find below the Notice of AGM.

If you will be attending the BBC Parents and Friends’ Association AGM, please RSVP by return email to emma.cole@bbc.qld.edu.au by Tuesday, 10 June 2025.  For those unable to attend, you have the option to appoint a proxy to represent you. To do so, please complete the attached Proxy Form and return it via email to the same address.

Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Emma Cole at emma.cole@bbc.qld.edu.au.

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