Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate your sons on their excellent start to senior studies. I have been very pleased with the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by the boys in all areas of school life. Numerous teachers have commented on their application, commitment to learn and their maturity. During nightly study I have been most impressed by the boys’ organisational skills and productivity.

I have included in this blog the Year 11 assessment schedule for the term. As you are no doubt aware, boys, at times, are very good at telling you what you want to know and hear but the proof is in the hard evidence. Even though your son is at a stage in his life where he needs some independence and the opportunity to develop self-discipline, knowing that you will be looking for evidence of completion of assessment tasks may be the support that he needs to complete such tasks. I have asked all Year 11 teachers to indicate to me as soon as possible any student that they are concerned with, especially with respect to the completion of assessment tasks and I will be speaking with any boys identified to counter any problems. As the students undertake their preliminary HSC, it is imperative that they develop an attitude that will translate to success in the HSC.

At our Division meeting this week, the boys were informed that the final day to change subjects is the 16th of February. Before a change in subject can occur, I require the completion of a “Change of Course Application” form from all parents whose son wishes to change subjects. You son will also need to get approval from the subject coordinator, teacher of the class they wish to enter and the class they wish to discontinue. This process is immensely important as it allows us to ensure students are undertaking the right subjects at the right levels which will ultimately benefit their HSC program. Choosing the right subjects is the key to a student who is willing to work hard and put in the hours needed for success.

As you are aware, textbooks are now ordered through Better Books and are delivered directly to your home or the College. The process has been relatively smooth but there are still some textbooks on back order and disappointingly some students have still not ordered their textbooks. Hopefully all textbooks will have arrived by early next week. For those students who change subjects, the process of exchanging and ordering new textbooks is to be organised through Better Books. Their details are:

• Fax: Fax: (02) 9816 3559
• Email: betterbooks@betterbooks.com.au
• Phone: (02) 9879 6411

At this week’s Division meeting the boys were informed about the free tutoring service at the College. It is a free service where two young Old Boys tutor Year 11 students in Mathematics and the Sciences. The sessions run for twenty five minutes. All Year 11 students will be told that if they wish to undertake this tutoring, they are to express their interest to Mr Ticehurst at lunchtime on the day they wish to have tutoring.

For those parents who wish for their son to continue with private tutoring, could you please email Jeremy and myself your son’s weekly tutoring schedule. If you decide to employee a new tutor to the College, all such tutors must complete a “Tutor Application Form” which is processed and administered through the College’s Teaching and Learning department. Please email me if you need an application form for your son’s tutor.

I look forward to working with you to ensure that your sons’ senior years at Joeys is one which exemplifies the sense of community we are so proud of at St Joseph’s College.

Regards
Darren Frost