QUOTE: “To ourselves we are great. Yet most of us live life without making a stand, contented to blend into the background of self-rendering nothingness, and when looking back feel contented at our own mediocre accomplishments. Nobody remembers the person who conformed out of inadequacy. Nobody notices a patch of grass, they see the tree”.

Dear Yr 11 Parents/ Guardians;

Well the first blast of winter has hit the dorms and singlets, t-shirts and thongs have been replaced with hoodies and ugg boots! Joeys Rugby fleeces are out in force and early morning training sessions are a little more challenging now, than they were last term. The boys are going well though and are in good spirits. We have started our winter routine with them and that is Sunday and Wednesday night’s lights out is at 9.30pm.  I have found they appreciate and need extra sleep during these periods in the past.  Also pleasing to hear boys being proactive in how they can better their performances after you would have received their reports this week. This Reporting period that has ignited much energy and discussion is certainly very good for everyone. It rewards the boys who really have been making an effort; tells others, who thought they were going okay, they need to do a bit more and to a few the necessary wake up call. Most importantly, it gives our boys first-hand experience of the rigours of HSC type exams that is a most valuable lesson. It also gives our boys a good indication about their subject selections and which subject that they might consider dropping and/or should keep at the end of Term 3.

During the week, Mrs Lorna Charters informed me that 9 of our boys had been awarded  Defence Technical Scholarships, those boys being – Anthony Baker, Alex Beasley, Declan O’Donahue, Andrew O’Neil, Daniel Picone, Peter Ritter, Max Westacott, Curtis Witt and Christian Zizza. Congratulations to those boys.

Yesterday at our Headmaster’s Assembly, Kurtley Beale returned to present the college with his 1^st Wallabies Test cap, a wonderful gesture. Kurtley spoke to the boys of his fond memories of waking up each morning with his best mates around him, and mates he is still very close to today. He stressed to the boys the importance of believing in yourself and your own abilities, to dream big and chase these dreams, keep that self-belief when faced with obstacles which may stop you reaching these goals and finally, maintaining a sense of balance in your lives. Sound advice for all our boys.

 This Saturday, we are away to The Kings School with all boys in attendance at Parramatta. The boys are free to leave from Parramatta once they have marked off at 4.45pm with the normal buses returning to the College by 5.30pm. A final reminder about the correct Sports Uniform with all boys to be in their Blues or College Track suit for this Saturday with either their sports top or the White PE Polo shirt underneath.

The Parent & Teacher interviews are being held on Sunday, 29^th May and that process is presently being organised. On the Saturday night, 28^th May at 6.30pm there is the Year 11 Information Evening in the Resource Centre Theatre to help clarify any concerns about the HSC. This is preceded by the Year 11 Parents Social Gathering to be held at the Jack’s Bar immediately following the 1^st XV match against Riverview. Please take a moment to read the following from our Year Reps –

Dear Year 11 Parents/Carers

“Saturday May 28^th is Year 11 Information Evening at 6.30pm. As it also happens to be our first home game against Riverview, we would like you to join us for a drink at Jack’s Bar (southern end of grandstand) after the 1^st XV Rugby. It will be a great opportunity to catch up with other year 11 parents before the information evening. No need to RSVP, just turn up. Any queries, call Carolyn on 0402 039 882. We look forward to seeing you there”.

Marie, Graeme, Nicole & Carolyn

Year 11 Parent Reps

In Week 7, our Year 11 boys will be completing their Ministry Week Service.  Similar to the boys’ Work Experience they completed at this same time last year, our Year 11 boys will mainly complete their four days of service in their local community from Monday, 20^th to Thursday, 23^rd June. Please quiz your son about where he is up to in his organisation of this important week. This being the case the boys will be free to leave from the College from 6pm on Saturday evening, 18^th June, 2010. Country transport will not have the normal Countrylink bus service from the College. Parents will need to book individually on trains to get the boys’ home. We will get the boys to Central first thing then on the Sunday morning 19^th June.

I hope this keeps you informed of all which is happening in Yr. 11, take care and enjoy your weekend with your families.

Regards

Jeremy