Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to a new school year. It is hard to believe that this group of fine young man will be completing the secondary education in nine months. The boys HSC year will fly, they have already completed twenty five percent and are only 6 weeks away from half yearly examinations.

I would like to take this opportunity to explain my role at the College. Essentially the role of an Academic Coordinator concerns both the academic and pastoral needs of your son, during the school day. I am the first port of call for both you and your son and my priority is to ensure that the holistic education that your son will receive at St Joseph’s is administered effectively and is of maximum benefit to your son. As well as my role as Academic Coordinator, I am also on the Year 12 boarding team as a supervisor which will allow Jeremy and I to have a collegial, all-encompassing approach to your sons’ education and well-being. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time during the year should you have any concerns regarding your son. My direct number at school is 98160871, if I am unavailable you can leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. If it is more convenient you may also contact me via e-mail, dfrost@joeys.org.

Your sons have started the New Year very well, quickly settling down to a good study environment and routine. They continue to impress all staff of the College; they are a true credit to yourselves. I have been especially impressed by their honesty, reliability and dedicated to their studies.

To help with the boys’ organisation, they have received a Year Planner Wall Chart. At our first year meeting this week, I discussed the importance of planning in advance for the completion of assessment tasks. On Wednesday night during my boarding supervision, I was very pleased to see that most boys have started to plan their academic year. I must say that there was one common day on these charts that were not academic, the start of schoolies. I guess we all need a goal to motivate us!

Congratulations to the following Academic Prizewinners for Year 11 2012:

Max Beavis

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Studies of Religion 2 Unit, First Place in Ancient History, First Place in Modern History, Consistent Study Effort Award

 Brendan Brosnan

Academic Excellence Award

 Christopher Cooper

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in English Extension 1, Consistent Study Effort Award

 Nicholas Findlay

Academic Excellence Award

William Flannery

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Chemistry, First Place in Latin Continuers, Consistent Study Effort Award

Paul Fortuin

9th in the State Mathematics Extension 1, Academic Excellence Award                                                                             

 Christopher Kocx

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Japanese Continuers

 Patrick Leary

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in English Advance, First Place in Visual Arts

 Aidan McLachlan

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Studies of Religion 1 Unit

 Benjamin Mulherin

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Business Studies, First Place (Equal) in Economics        

 Liam Ryan

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Biology, First Place in Geography, First Place (Equal) in Legal Studies

 Matthew Sandell                                                                                                  

Academic Excellence Award

 Alexander Tegart

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Physics                                  

 Alexander Walsh

Academic Excellence Award

 Nicholas Yeung

Academic Excellence Award, First Place in Catholic Studies                

 Conor Spinks

First Place in Fundamentals of English                                                          

Timothy McDowell

First Place in English Standard                                                                          

Alexander Prichard

First Place in Design and Technology                                                            

 Daniel Needs

First Place in Drama

Andrew Mulligan

First Place (Equal) in Economics                                                                      

Leo Frost

First Place in French Continuers

Lachlan Rush                                                                                                           

First Place in General Mathematics

Thomas Jenkins

First Place in Industrial Technology – Timber, First Place in Work Studies

Nicholas Kuhne

First Place in Information Processes and Technology

Nicholas Cumming

First Place (Equal) in Legal Studies

Henry Hannell

First Place in Mathematics Extension 1

Callum Coleman                                                                                                    

First Place in Music 1

Andrew Deegan

First Place in PD/H/PE, First Place in Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation 2 Unit

 Liam Schwager

First Place in Primary Industries

 Edward Upjohn

First Place in Senior Science

 Jonathan Abood

First Place in Software Design and Development

Patrick O’Brien

First Place in Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation 1 Unit

Samuel Beck                                                                                                           

Consistent Study Effort Award

Patrick Sutton

Consistent Study Effort Award

Ben Thompson                                                                                      

Consistent Study Effort Award

William Harris

Outstanding Achievement in Outdoor Education

I am looking forward to another successful year together.

 Regards,

Darren Frost

Year 12 Academic Coordinator