Year 11 Newsletter –

Term 1, Week  2

QUOTE

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Be a hard master to yourself – and be lenient to everybody else!” 

Dear Year 11 Parents & Carers,

Your sons have spent their first two weeks of getting back into the swing of school. The joy of February in Sydney with its humidity has tested the boys particularly wearing ties, long pants and shoes but has not totally killed them with our boys just getting on with it. I was extremely proud of how well the boys behaved at the Prize Giving and Family Mass. Our boys are quickly learning all the structures of life as a Senior at Joeys.

The Academic Prize Giving Night for 2010 was held on Friday evening at the end of Week One. In addition to the HSC high achievers, the College welcomed special guest speaker, Mr. Peter Thompson, well known broadcaster and long running presenter of the Radio National Breakfast Program and the current affairs program AM, on ABC Radio. Mr. Thompson is an Old Boy of the College and spoke enthusiastically to the students and their families. The night certainly highlighted the success that our boys achieved in their final results and particularly in the School Certificate State exam.

Our Congratulations go to the following twenty-two young men whose outstanding efforts in 2010 were fittingly acknowledged.

Oliver Coorey: – 1^st place in Science, Visual Arts and an Academic Excellence Award.

Edmund Dwyer: – 1st place in French and an Academic Excellence Award.

Hamish Elliot: – 1^st place in Industrial Technology – Timber and an Academic Excellence Award.

Matthew Hall: – An Academic Excellence Award

Maxwell Hall: – 1^st place in Religious Education, 1^st place in Industrial Technology – Metal, 1^st place in Music and an Academic Excellence Award.

Michael Lawler: – An Academic Excellence Award and a Consistent Study Effort Award.

Henry Maher: – 1^st place in English; 1^st in Australian Geography; 1^st in Australian History;

1^st in Commerce, 1^st in Thinkquest, an Academic Excellence Award and a Consistent Study Effort Award.

Cameron Haddad: – 1^st place in Agricultural Technology.

Daniel Picone: – 1^st place in Latin.

Alexander Rainnie:- 1^st place in Graphics Technology

Michael Thompson:-1^st place in Drama.

Timothy Litherland: – 1^st place in Elective History.

Magnus Heywood:- 1^st place in Information and software Technology.

Brian Chung Hin Li:- 1^st place in Japanese.

Max Westacott:- 1^st place in Mathematics Course 5.1.

James Christie:- 1^st place in Mathematics Course 5.2.

William McManus:-1^st place in Mathematics Course 5.3.

Alex Newsome:- 1^st place in Personal Development/Health/Physical Education.

Clancy Pattinson:- 1^st place in Physical Activity and Sport Studies and a Consistent Study Effort Award.

Ben Carolan:-. A Consistent Study Effort Award

Max Honner:- A Consistent Study Effort Award.

Thomas Laban:- A Consistent Study Effort Award.

Sean Quigley:- A Consistent Study Effort Award.

From the School Certificate results the top performing students in each test were:

• English – literacy – Maxwell Hall [98%];
• Mathematics – Jonathon Canturi [97%]
• Mathematics Accelerated – Jack Cullen and Paul Fortuin [96%]
• Science – Henry Maher [97%]
• Australian History Civics and Citizenship – Henry Maher [97%]
• Australian Geography Civics and Citizenship – Maxwell Hall [98%]
• Computing Skills – Maxwell Hall [98%]

Special congratulations goes to Maxwell Hall and Henry Maher who achieved a Band 6 result in the English – literacy, Mathematics, Science, Australian History Civics and Citizenship, Australian Geography Civics and Citizenship tests.

Well done boys, certainly laying a great foundation for their HSC studies.

 The Family Mass on our first Sunday marked the beginning of our Year with close to 2,000 people in attendance. A packed Hall enjoyed the celebration of the Joeys Family, led by our College Chaplain, Father Andrew Nee, marking the beginning of 2011 with our Family Mass of Dedication. Our boys sung with great gusto and spirit to make these Masses always a wonderful celebration never to be missed.

From Sunday afternoon until Tuesday afternoon, of last week, twenty-four of our boys: James Allan, Joe Callaughan, Ben Carolan, Ben Chaplin, Joe Duffy, James Dressler-Smith, Hamish Elliot, Harrison Gould, Max Hall, James Harrison, Magnus Heywood, Max Honner, Josh Kay, Tom Laban, Charlie Landers, Michael Lawler, Tim Palmer, Harry Maher, Tom Murphy, Alex Newsome, Daniel Picone, James Quinn, David Ryan and Ned Tipping were chosen to go to Colo for a Leadership Camp. The boys partook in a series of problem solving tasks that required leadership and team work to solve. The boys discussed the virtues, skills and roles of leadership. The boys will put their leadership skills to work when they return to Colo throughout the year to assist the Colo Staff in the running of the Year 7 & 8 Colo Camps. This is a truly wonderful experience for these twenty-three young men to put their leadership skills into practice.

At The Headmaster’s Assembly this week, Mr. Ross Tarlinton congratulated our boys complimenting them on a great start marked by their behaviour at the Prize Giving Night and Family Mass particularly under hot conditions. Ross then highlighted to our boys the importance of the respect we must show to our neighbours and our local community stressing the need for all our boys to be good neighbours. Ross’s words provided our boys great encouragement based on a fine start that we look forward to continuing in all the boys classes and studies as well.

Assembly also saw the presentations of our AAGPS Firsts Teams in Swimming and Tennis. Congratulations to our Year 11 representatives in: Senior Swimming Team: Elliott Blues, Ben Carolan, Harrison Holgate, Jackson Pittorino and David Ryan. Maurice De Costa was presented for being selected in our 1^st Tennis team.  Best of luck to these boys and in fact to all boys, as they continue or commence their respective competitions this Saturday.

Darren Frost and I were very happy to compliment our boys with a particular fine start in their studies, their general behaviour and co-operation in the dorms. Many teachers have made positive comments so we are off to a very good start. The first two weeks has seen your sons with information overload but they have handled it all very well.

 I spoke to the boys about the strength of routine, particularly with Study. I stressed that Dinner Leaves, should be only for exceptional reasons, particularly on Friday night. Otherwise, our boys could go from Thursday night to Monday night without having completed any Study. The same applies for Saturday and Sunday evenings. The boys who remain at the College do a session of Study and attend Mass before they enjoy a pizza in front of a movie, the footy or a game of touch or basketball with their mates.

Thank you so far for the diligence of the Full Boarders Parents with your request for Overnights. May I please receive ALL requests by last communications Thursday evening (10.30pm). The Weekly Boarders obviously do not have to request Overnights or inform me of their Weekend Movements as the understanding is that they all go home with their families after their sporting commitments on Saturday during summer.

May I strongly urge, that all parents need to apply sensible restrictions to our boys movements on the weekends. The onus is now more than ever on the parents to educate their son’s about the frequency of going to parties, outings of where to go and not to go, setting curfews and then policing them. I’m sure you will hear from your son “Everyone else is going!” Be assured this is nothing further from the truth. Our boys are good, fair, developing young men who can indeed accept, NO! as an answer. Work out with your son how many outings are permissible each term. It would be disappointing if some of our boys developed a culture of not doing any work over a weekend as well as not having quality family time. I encourage you all as we work together to help educate our boys in this always uneasy topic about sensible expectations and most importantly a safe and balanced social life.

Yesterday I had quite a harrowing experience of attending the funeral of a young man from St Ignatius College Riverview, Joe Welch, 2009, he was 19 years of age. Joe was a much celebrated SIC student, whose love of sport , especially Rugby, where he was in the 1^st XV for three years, a significant achievement especially considering he was a prop forward. He captained their Premiership winning team in 2009 and was subsequently chosen for the Australian Schoolboys side to tour the United Kingdom. Joe’s life was tragically cut short whilst he was participating in the Full Moon Festival with many of his mates, some of them ex St Joseph’s students. I have never been to a funeral where the Priest’s opening words were;

“There is nothing good about this today”.

I have never been to a funeral where the Priest openly wept whilst giving the coffin the final blessing, before two younger brothers (current SIC Yr 11 students), a sister and a few more close mates, were waiting tearfully, to carry it out of the church. Fr Kelly did a magnificent job. As I stood and reflected on numerous things, whilst standing with a group of SJC 2009 students, I thought how brave and sensible Joe’s parents were, when in their eulogy they said that Joe had made an error of judgement whilst being on the holiday and that alcohol and drugs combined can lead to decisions, which can change lives forever. And whilst they deeply loved their son and were tremendously proud of who and what he had become in his short life, Joe’s parents were still strong and wise enough to leave such a strong message for all people, especially the young, and it was one which I shared with our boys when I returned at lunch. It would be good to take some time to reflect on this with your son, if you can, and hopefully they will take something positive from this tragic loss of an outstanding young man.

In early January, you should have received an invitation to the Year 11 Dinner to be held on Friday, evening, 4^th March. Being at the end of Week 5 of Term One, it allows for our boys to have settled in as well as mark the very significant beginning of their HSC studies. If you have not received your Invitation please contact Mrs. Rose Unwin at runwin@joeys.org for your Invitation.

I look forward to seeing you around the College. Take care and enjoy the weekend with your families.

Regards,

Jeremy Ticehurst

Yr 11. Boarding Coordinator

“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. 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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