There’s a beauty to working in schools, you’re always learning new stuff. It’s something we try to instil in our young men; be inquisitive, be curious, be lifelong learners. Even now I find out new things. Just the other day after Skool2Skoolies two of our Year 11 Leaders enthusiastically mentioned a singer who recently performed in Brisbane.
Travis Scott! The name was thrown at me as a music hero worth listening to. Always up for something new, the song “FE!N” was suggested for possible inclusion on my playlist — full disclosure, the song is called “FE!N” featuring Playboi Carti.
I thought “FE!N hey?”. “This Travis Scott bloke might be a good theme for a farewell speech or even a newsletter…I’ll give it an ear”. Alas, even though Travis lays down a chill beat the incomprehensible vocals were lost to me. I had no idea what was going on.
So, let’s go back to a simpler place, November 1967, the Beatles, in a time before streaming, when bands released their songs on vinyl records. One song was etched; recorded onto each side of a black plastic disc; the result being known as a “single”.
At the height of their fame, John, Paul, George and Ringo released a single; the “A side” stamped with “Hello Goodbye”, the “B side” … “I am the Walrus” (interestingly just as incomprehensible as FE!N). And while I’m not particularly enamoured by the song, its lyrics seem somewhat relevant to this week here on The Hill.
You say, "Yes", I say, "No"
You say, "Stop" and I say, "Go, go, go"
Oh no
You say, "Goodbye" and I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello"
Wednesday night saw the final farewell for the Senior Cohort of 2024. At our annual Valedictory Dinner, our Year 12 men officially graduated from the College. In contrast, on Friday afternoon we welcomed our new Years 5, 6 and 7 students for 2025. You say, "Goodbye" and I say, "Hello, hello, hello".
It’s understandable that there will be contradicting feelings for those who leave us. These Eddies Men face a future where they take their first tentative steps into the community beyond Eddies. They may say “yes, we’re ready to go”, and we may say “no don’t go, we’ll miss you”. Many have already begun full time employment as apprentices or trainees; others await entry into the Defence Forces and still more look forward to the release of their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) in preparation for university. The reality is that it’s time to say goodbye and this is rightly so. We wish them every success and happiness for the road ahead.
Just as one group departs, new Eddies Men arrive, “hello, hello, hello”. Over the course of 2024 the Rookies and Cubs programs provided a taste of life here on The Hill to prospective Years 5, 6 and 7 students. Each Rookies and Cubs afternoon allowed these young men to become comfortable with College surroundings, as well as getting to know future peers. Additionally, parents were able to meet House Pastoral Deans, College Leadership Team members and each other, as part of the Eddies Team. I look forward to January 2025 seeing our Rookies entering the College as Year 7s but also with enthusiasm to formally welcoming Years 5 and 6 students back to The Hill as Eddies Men, for the first time since 1988.
Building Program 2025/2026
At the conclusion of the 2024 school year the College will commence the next stage in its building program. Development applications have been lodged with the Ipswich City Council and we hope construction will commence in December. The old Keenan building is to be demolished and over the course of 2025/2026 will be replaced by a modern Art/Drama/Music facility, as well as a separate building containing 8 additional classrooms.
The construction will necessitate adjustments to lunch areas and movement around the College which have already been addressed. Furthermore, Art and Music classes will be relocated to other areas in the College to ensure continuity of learning. All things going to plan, we would expect to compete the project by mid-2026. These new facilities will be a valuable addition to the campus and enable us to continue to offer the very best educational opportunities to our Eddies Men.
