“THINGS MAY COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT, BUT ONLY THE THINGS LEFT BY THOSE WHO HUSTLE!”
Dear Year 11 Parents,
I have been impressed with the way in which the boys have started the year. They are very positive and eager to face the challenges ahead of the H.S.C and fulfilling leadership roles of the College. As 16/17 year olds, Year 11 is very much a big year of maturity. I spoke to the boys about the importance of RESPECT, particularly for themselves and for others in the way we deal with each other and their property. It is a very manly thing to be respectful of others in every capacity.
I aim to send weekly newsletters to keep you informed of Joey’s life and most importantly the involvement of the Year 11 boys at the College. I usually send the newsletters out on a Thursday. I hope you enjoy reading the Newsletters.
The “Quotes” are the ones we use on the Daily Programs for the boys. I try to find things which I hope will benefit and challenge them. This week’s quote I thought was appropriate, as, after such a long break often the boys are slow to get going for numerous reasons, which are quite obvious as the relaxing holiday mode has come to a crashing end and there is also some homesickness to deal with. 
Darren Frost, David Drain and I have made a point that it is important for each one to start fast and be on top of his routines immediately otherwise the work can quickly build up and things blow out of proportion. The same goes for their training and sport, turn up with a purpose and get into things immediately or otherwise things go to those who do hustle. If you do have any quotes which you find beneficial, please feel free to send them in and I will definitely use them. Whatever challenges the boys to achieve their best, all helps!
The new Dormitories have certainly helped the boys and given them every opportunity to start the new year well. Despite the hot, sticky weather, the boys have managed to sleep very well each night due to the air – conditioned dorms and this has certainly assisted them in waking ready to put their best into each day. Study has also been greatly assisted. Not only the cooler air has helped, but also a new environment, where every boy has commented on the ease which it is to focus in on his work. Whilst we kept the boys in the classrooms for the first few nights to establish some firm and needed routines, tonight we have just completed our first full night of two sessions in the dorms, with many boys commenting how they had got more work completed than they normally do, due to the new and comfortable surroundings. We expect them to keep this up.
Briefly on study, we are very fortunate to have an experienced and energetic boarding staff to assist the boys.
Darren Frost: (Academic Coordinator): Darren looked after the Academic endeavors of the Graduating Class of 2010 and was very instrumental in the outstanding results achieved by the boys. We are all very fortunate to have him fulfilling this role for the next two years. Darren teaches Legal Studies to our senior boys and is the 1st XI Football coach as well as Convenor of Swimming.
David Drain: (Assistant Boarding Coordinator) teaches Business and Legal studies to our Senior Students. David is an old boy who is heavily involved in Rugby and Athletics at the College. He brings much passion and energy to the position.
Mark Conlon: Is also a Business and Economics teacher at the College and he has worked in Yr. 11 Boarding for the past 3 years.
Bruce Carr: Bruce has just commenced as Religious Education Coordinator at SJC this year. He comes to us from Parramatta Marist and we are very fortunate to have his presence on our boarding team. Bruce is married with 3 young children.
Matthew Rollo: Another SJC Old Boy who teaches PDHPE to our senior students and who coaches Rugby and Athletics. Matthew has been involved with Yr. 11 Boarding for the past 3 years.
John Summers: Teaches English and is the Colleges Convenor of Debating and Public Speaking. John brings a great balance to the staff and if your son is keen on Public Speaking, John will certainly assist and challenge him. He has been on the Yr. 11 Boarding staff for 4 years.
Damian Chase: Is the Yr. 11 Coordinator at Marcellin College Randwick. He brings much knowledge and understanding of working with 16 – 17 year old boys to the staff. Damian’s wife Bec Smith is an English teacher at SJC.
Paul Graziani: Is the PDHPE Coordinator at Holy Cross College Ryde. He is married with two children and he has worked with Yr. 11 Boarding for the past two years.
Michael McCormack is Assistant Principal at Holy Cross College Ryde who also enjoys giving plenty of his spare time to work with our boys, which he has been doing for the past 2 years.
Adam Whalley: Is from Grafton who has a PDHPE and Science Degree. Adam played prop for the Western Force Super 14 team for 4 seasons before spending last year playing out his career in France. This is his first year with St Joseph’s College and we are very happy to have him working with our boys.
Darren Fitzpatrick: Darren performs the very important role of being one of two adult live in staff, who is in the dormitories to assist and oversea the boys during the night.
You should all feel very comfortable and secure in the knowledge of the people who will be looking after your sons.
We have a busy start to the year as usual. So here is a quick run down on the events in the next few days.
- The Academic Prize Giving evening is on tonight starting at 7.00pm in the Hall. All boys must attend in their Blues.
It is pleasing to note the numbers of boys that are receiving awards for the work that they did in Year 10. - Sport begins on Saturday and all boys have been encouraged to be organised with training in preparation for this. I have attached a copy of the fixtures. This may be useful when planning for Saturday.
- This Sunday is our Family Mass which is an important event in the Joeys calendar. It is a tremendous way to start the year by coming together as one family to celebrate mass before undertaking the challenges of the year. All boys must return to the College and be seated by in the Hall by 9.45 am dressed in their Blues. There will be a name check at the conclusion of the mass in my office.
- On Saturday night the P and F are hosting the Parents Cocktail at the pool to welcome new parents to Joeys.
I would like to go over the weekend leave procedures for borders as well as weekday leave times for dayboys. Dayboys, weekly boarders and those with overnight leave permission may leave after their sporting commitment has been completed on Saturday. If you are requesting an overnight for a full boarder this needs to be done by Thursday night each week by completing the relevant form on the Portal on our website. Each Thursday night in study the boarders complete a Leave form for the weekend. I check these closely and if there are any concerns I will question the boys or contact you. Please communicate with your son each week in regards to his plans for the weekend. I ask that you contact the host family to confirm details if your son has asked to stay at a friend’s place – there is a question relating to this on the form. I have a duty of care for the boys and it is imperative that I know exactly what they are doing each weekend. Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns in regards to weekend leave.
Could I also ask that day boy parents fill in your son’s times for the week on the Portal by Sunday night, 9.00pm. As mentioned before, please try to keep the times routine, as this greatly benefits all boys.
If there are regular changes, once you have agreed to the departure times, have your son log them. This will be one less job for you, and it also gives him some responsibility and ownership of what he is doing in the ensuing week.
The boys need to be back by 8.30pm on Sunday night if they are leaving at the conclusion of the Mass. It is important that the boys do get back on time as we have 9.00pm study and it is good they arrive back with some time to prepare for this and have them focus on the week ahead.
I look forward to seeing you all throughout the year; a year which I hope will be most productive and rewarding for your sons and yourselves. Take care.
Regards
Jeremy Ticehurst
Year 11 Boarding Coordinator