It has been a very busy term with over 30 assessment tasks due. The majority of the students have met these challenges with a strong determination to succeed. I am sure that there will be many endeavours next term as the boys complete the HSC Preliminary Course but it is with confidence that I say Year 11 will rise to the challenge. These young men continue to be outstanding ambassadors of our College community.  

On reflection of last year’s Year 12, I would like to share with you a few comments as we approach the final term of your sons’ HSC Preliminary Course. School success doesn’t just happen. In order for a student to achieve school success they must be committed to making the most of the school year, developing good study habits and troubleshooting problems positively as they happen.

School success requires a good study space at school and/or at home. The boys are very fortunate to have such a great study area after the amazing improvements to their dormitories over the Christmas break. Students need a quiet place to study and finish homework.

Ensuring that a student is organised is another key factor to achieving school success. At the start of each term the boys are provided an assessment schedule which is posted on the Year 11 blog for parents. Also, at the start of each term, I provide students with a study scaffold to help them organise their night study program over a weekly period.

I believe it is important to maintain an open line of communication with your child’s teachers by communicating through email or by touching base by phone when needed. Parent-teacher interviews are a wonderful way to meet your child’s teachers and develop a relationship with them but this only occurs once a year. If ever you have a concern or a question please do not hesitate in contacting me or your sons’ classroom teachers. Experience has taught me that it’s especially important to make contact with the College as soon as you realise your son is struggling with a certain subject, seems to lose interest in school, or complains that he’s falling behind or doesn’t understand a certain concept that’s being taught in the classroom. Small issues become big issue simply with time.

Joeys boys are very busy people, there’s no doubt about it. Many are eager to participate in after-school activities, sports, debating, music lessons, and other wonderful opportunities. While it’s great to encourage your son to develop hobbies and passions, it’s also important to make sure that he still has time to do nothing. Teenagers need down time in order to hang out with their friends, spend time alone and with family, and re-energies themselves for school and all their other responsibilities.

Your son may be growing, but your opinion still matters to him. They may not tell you but they do want you to be involved in their school life by asking questions about his day and his studies. Your support and enthusiasm for him when he shares stories about his teachers, classmates and everyday happenings is vital in their development. Your positive attitude about his education will rub off on him and help him achieve his goals and school success.

I would like to wish all families a safe and enjoyable term 2 holiday.

Regards

Darren Frost