QUOTE: NEVER TREAD LIGHTLY. LEAVE A DEEP IMPRESSION WHEREVER YOU GO.”
Dear Yr 11 Parents and Carers;
The year has come to a close, in what has been a huge year of great growth. We all wanted our boys to finish well to cap off a successful year and this they certainly did. You all should be very proud of the work and effort our boys have 
produced. English, Physics, Maths, Economics, Ancient History, Modern History, Legal Studies, Studies of Religion, Catholic Studies, Drama Assessments, just to name a few, have dominated the last seven days as our boys have shown great efforts in their Studies. Our boys have now met the next level of challenge as they step up into the quality and pace that is demanded of them in the HSC. They are all genuinely pleased with the extra time and effort they are applying to their work. Sometimes though, their best efforts do lack the fine tuning in the quality of their work and some boys have become disappointed with their results. Others are thinking things are just going to fall into place and need to challenge themselves to work consistently over extended periods of time. One great tip that many of our boys are taking up is to check with their teachers, their peers, check with their parents, let alone older brothers and sisters. It is amazing what a neutral eye such as yours can help in clarifying the answer that is exactly needed for the specific question being asked. This is the fine tuning and skill our boys are now developing. Their great efforts see them all working long and hard but the next step is the fine tuning skill of answering exactly what is being asked.
Our last week of the year maintained our very hectic pace right until the absolute end. Darren and I, plus all of the teaching Staff have been most impressed with the quality of our boys’ work that have made a great start in the HSC Assessments. The overwhelming comments from Staff have been about the volume of work and care our boys have taken in this process. The great thing about Joeys is that you do not waste any time as you work right to the end and then go home. It was a very tired but totally satisfied group of boys who we farewelled on Wednesday afternoon, knowing they commence a holiday break that they thoroughly deserve.
In CRICKET, a wonderful outright victory was achieved over Shore after some fine batting performances from James Williams and Jackson Watts, both scoring half centuries, before Hamish Bartlett and Ben Rodgers led the bowling attack to wrap up a convincing victory. In 2nds Cricket, the team also recorded a strong victory over Shore. Both teams are
well placed to give their respective Competitions a shake next year needing to overcome strong teams from St Ignatius and Kings to take the gold. Our First XI are presently in Bunburry, West Australia competing in the Marist Carnival, where they are in equal first place. We wish them well for a most successful tour.
In Basketball, our Firsts overcame nerves in the first quarter to gradually take charge and finish clear winners with some dominating play in the last quarter against Riverview. The final score being 74-68. In Seconds, Basketball we recorded a convincing 71-53 win.
Tennis, with Harrison Gould captain, Matt Hall vice-captain and Maurice De Costa, and Geoff Choy and Nick Wood in the 2nds the boys went down to Riverview, yet fought hard right throughout the day. We trust their Camp in Melbourne in January will see them firing in their first Competition match back next year.
Congratulations go to Tom Murphy and Alex Rainnie who have been elected as Captain and Vice Captain of Boats respectively for the 2012 ROWING season. Both boys show great leadership and determination in all they do at the College and we wish them well in these important leadership roles. Our Rowers have the first of their three training Camps in preparation for the Head of the River.
Congratulations to our Surf Lifesavers, who all qualified for their Bronze Medallion on Saturday. Our GPS Swimmers continue to slog it out in training while our Water Polo boys, had a bye in their last weekend, with special mention to Harrison Holgate who was selected in the CIS team to trial for the State Schoolboys Water polo team.
We truly have a rich diversity of many talented young men who are thriving in the competition and not shirking on their efforts as they maintain the rage right to the end in their sporting commitments and studies as well.
The final Headmaster’s Assembly commenced with our Christmas Liturgy marking the beginning of Advent. Ross Tarlinton reminded the boys that Advent was a time of waiting, expectation and commitment and he asked the boys to ensure they observed and attended a Christmas Liturgy this Christmas hopefully as part of a family gathering.
To cap off the year, the following forty three Year 11 boys: Lachlan Aston, Nick Berney, ricky Buchanan, Lachlan Cairns, 
Joe Callaughan, Ben Carolan, Joe Coorey, Oliver Coorey, Luke Donlon, Hamish Elliot, Callum Flitcroft, Brendon Follington, James Goldie, Harrison Gould, Cameron Haddad, Matthew Hall, Max Hall, Magnus Heywood, Max Honner, Joshua Kay, Charlie Landers, Michael Lawler, Tim Litherland, Harry Maher, William McManus, Matthew Mullen, Tom Murphy, Laurence Nelmes, Conor O’Gorman, Andrew O’Neill, Tim Palmer, Tiger Parker, Clancy Pattinson, Daniel Picone, James Quinn, Andrew Raumer, David Ryan, Morgan Thomas, Jackson Whiting, Josh Wilde, Charlton Wilson and Terence Wong yesterday completed the Marist Children Camp held over the last four days at Joeys. The training over the last month certainly came in handy as our boys were really pushed in their care and patience in dealing with the special children of the Camp. A huge thank you to our boys, all the Staff, parents, the girls and old boys who volunteered their time for this truly wonderful endeavour.
Our boys would have brought home with them a most impressive and comprehensive 2011 College Magazine. It is wonderful record of the College Year with huge praise to Johanna Parsons for producing this outstanding publication. All boys should have by now also received their copy of the impressive publication of Kids of Dreams. Congratulations to Miss Emma Fielding and Miss Michelle Tinta who have compiled a tremendous collection of prose, poetry and artwork from boys representing every year group. Special mention to Max Hall who took out the Senior Division award for Prose, while Ethan Chin was commended for his Poetry and Henry Birtwistle was also commended for his Artwork, both in the Senior Division. It is truly wonderful for our boys to have this keep sake of their works published in their time at school. You should also receive an Interim Report commenting on your son’s first nine weeks of his HSC Studies and the End of Year Boarding Report.
A number of our boys, 45 in all have volunteered their time for the important role of showing New Parents and students around the College on Sunday 29th January. You will receive a letter from me outlining the procedure for the day. You will also receive a letter from me mid-way through January, which I would ask you to sit down, read and discuss with your son’s so my expectations of them next year is clear and understood by all our boys and this ensures they return and start well next year.
As I conclude my final Newsletter for the year, I must sincerely thank the great Year 11 Boarding Staff who have cared and looked after your sons this year. To Darren Frost, our Assistant Boarding Co-ordinator, Matt Rollo and to the rest of the Staff: A.J Whalley, Bruce Carr, John Summers, Mark Conlon, Mark Halsted, Paul Graziani, Michael Mccormack, Damian Chase, Darren Fitzpatrick and David Drain for their tireless efforts, support, patience and care of our boys.
May I also thank all of you for your constant support and help in so many ways, as well as your many kind words and gifts as we conclude this year. My last thanks go to our young men who have grown and matured so much this year. For their wonderful efforts, sense of humour, friendship and drive to lead their College, allowing me the pleasure, the pride and privilege of caring and nurturing them this year as they journey forward.
Finally, may I wish you a happy and enjoyable Holiday, for those who are lucky enough to get a break and the joy of having your family together in celebrating a safe, happy and holy festive season.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Regards
Jeremy
