Year 12 News @ Joeys

Dear Parents and Carers,

We made it! It is hard to believe that six years of formal secondary education is over. The boys are to be congratulated on how they have consistently upheld the values of the College. I can only look back on the last two years with fondness. Thank you for your constant support; it has made experience immensely enjoyable. As parents and carers, you must be very proud that your son has grown into an outstanding young man who will be a role model within our community. The students of Year 12 2010, are a true reflection of their parents; parents who are compassionate, supportive, honest and who act with integrity and humility.

At our last division meeting today I spoke to the boys about final preparations for their HSC. Below is the advice that the Board of Studies has released and what I passed onto the boys. If you have any concerns over the break or during the HSC, please do not hesitate in contacting me. It has truly been an honour and a pleasure to be you sons’ Academic Coordinator for his HSC. I am proud of the men they have become and I have no doubt each will achieve their personal best.

Thank you

Darren Frost

(Please click on the link below to watch a short slideshow of the Father and Son BBQ)

Father and son BBQ

Getting ready for the 2010 HSC written exams

The information below is from the Board of Studies website (http://studentsonline.bos.nsw.edu.au/go/tips/).  This advice designed to help students prepare for and complete the HSC written exams.

1. Important checks

• Double-check your exam dates and times in the HSC exam timetable or your personal exam timetable in My Details
• Read through the Rules and Procedures for 2010 HSC candidates
• Check that your enrolment, personal and contact details are correct in My Details. Read more about what information is available and what to do if anything is incorrect

2. Study tips and materials

The Study tips and materials section covers a range of tools and materials designed to help you prepare for your written exams. The HSC Advice Line, a telephone service providing course assistance and support from experienced teachers in 20 of the most popular HSC courses, will also be available to call on 13 11 12 between Monday, 11 October and Thursday, 4 November 2010. 

3. Organising your exam equipment

Ensure you have all necessary equipment before your exam and make sure it is in functioning order – new batteries in calculator, pencils sharpened and new working pens. Remember, you are not permitted to borrow equipment during exams and you cannot submit an appeal on the grounds that your equipment is not working.

• List of equipment for all HSC exams and also specific HSC exams
• List of approved scientific calculators
• List of calculators for General Mathematics
• What material is not allowed in the exam room?

Water may be taken into the exam room, but only in a clear bottle. No other food or drink can be taken into the exam room unless approved as a Special Examination Provision.

4. What to expect in the exam paper

Read the What to expect in the exam paper guide to prepare yourself for what your exam paper may look like, how to manage difficult questions and how much to write for the different types of responses.

5. Taking the exam

Read the short Taking the HSC written exams guide on how to prepare for sitting the exam, from understanding what to do if you run out of space to write your answers through to what happens at the end of the exam. 

6. Illness/misadventure on exam day

If you become ill or suffer an accident that affects your exam performance, you should submit an illness/misadventure appeal form (available at the exam centre) through the principal and notify the Presiding Officer when entering the exam or as soon as possible.

It is important that you attend the exams where possible even if you believe your performance in the exam will be affected. If you cannot attend an exam because of illness or misadventure, notify your school principal immediately. You should never risk harm in order to attend an exam, or attend an exam against medical advice.

You must obtain documentary evidence generally on the day of the exam to support your illness/misadventure appeal. If you did not sit the exam this evidence must indicate why you were unable to attend. Read more in Rules and Procedures for 2010 HSC candidates.

Emergency special exam provisions
A writer or separate supervision can be arranged if you have an accident or an illness such as a broken arm or chicken pox just before the exam. You should immediately notify your principal or Year adviser in such a case.

Arriving late to the exam
If you are late to an exam advise your principal immediately and get to the exam centre as soon as possible.

Misreading the exam timetable
If you miss an exam because you have misread the timetable, you must contact your principal immediately.

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are in the home straight of your sons’ formal education, scary. This week you should have received his Trial HSC Examination report and in the next fortnight his final subject rank report. There are only seven periods left of classroom teaching for each of their subjects. Many students have had some “down time” after the Trial examinations but it is now important for the boys to start hitting the books in a serious and consistent manner.

Success in the HSC depends on one’s approach to study. It’s important that students study consistently, make the most of all resources (including staff at the College) and, above all, keep smiling and enjoying being a teenager. This can be a difficult balance.

 Here are some suggestions I will discuss with the boys at our next division meeting.

1. Know the syllabus for each of their subjects.

2. Consolidate their learning. Students by now should have condensed their notes into a few pages. It is impossible to study effectively if you are constantly reading hundreds of pages.

Association is a key to memory:

You remember approximately 10 percent of what you read.

You remember approximately 20 percent of what you hear.

You remember approximately 30 percent of what you see.

You remember approximately 50 percent of what you hear and see together.

You remember approximately 70 percent of what you say (if you think as you are saying it).

You remember approximately 90 percent of what you do.

3. Make the most of their resources

The internet, teachers and other students are important resources. The internet is invaluable; it helps with lots of past papers.

4. Study environment

Students should know their distractions and avoid them. Eg  facebook, computer games, movies on laptop, mobile phones

5. Give yourself a break

Students need some form of release. They must keep their life in perspective. “Don’t let the word HSC freak you out or control you.”

Regards

Darren

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week Year 12 students have started to receive results for the Trial HSC examinations. I spoke to Year 12 students on Monday night about the coming week and receiving these results. They are a “trial” for their HSC. These results should help all students identify their strengths and areas for improvement for the HSC. I spoke about how some students will be very disappointed, especially those who feel that they had worked hard leading up to these exams. I spoke about how there are times when negative, adverse events such as exam results can lead you to experience a range of negative emotions such as anger, anxiety or feeling down. While these negative emotions are normal and understandable, when students become extremely angry or highly anxious, or feel very down I strongly encouragement them to talk to someone. I encourage them to talk to Pat or myself and their parents.

At the next division meeting I will be talking to the boys about dealing with this disappointment and preparing for the HSC. The following points will be covered:

• Dealing with Performance. All students need to look at their trial performance and identify their strengths and weaknesses. The next 6 weeks is the time to work on these areas. It is never too late, the next 9 weeks are important not the previous.
•  Hard work is what is needed now.  It is vital that students increase the intensity of their study. Most subjects have finished the HSC content for their exams. It is time now to finalise notes and, with a pen in their hard, complete as many past papers possible. These papers need to be given to their teachers for feedback. This feedback needs to be taken on board as the boys complete the paper again with the feedback in mind.
• Relaxation. When you are faced with pressures or other adverse circumstances and notice you are getting uptight, the boys need learn to calm down. There are a variety of relaxation techniques that you can use. For example, the 5-3-5 Relaxation Technique is a popular method. “To begin with, rapidly exhale all the air from your lungs. Next, slowly to a count of five, inhale…one.. .two;.. three.. .four.. .five. Hold your breath of air for a slow count of three…one…two…three. Now slowly, very slowly, exhale the air to a slow count of five… one…two…three…four…five. You have just completed one repetition. To continue to relax, breathe in slowly to a count of five, hold for a count of three, and again exhale to a slow count of five.”
• Find time to be a teenager. It is important that there is some down time. The boys need to keep their friendships.
• Be Confident. If they have done the work, they will be rewarded.
• Persist. Never give up, it is never too late. With past papers, try and try again. Each time adapting the teacher feedback to their responses.

As we approach the final four weeks of formal academic study at Joeys, it is critical that your son remains focused. Teaching staff, Pat and I will continue to motivate students to ensure that the commitment that has characterised this year group is not lost at the final hurdle. I look forward to working with you in these final weeks as the boy’s complete their formal education in a matter that is a credit to the College, a credit to you and above all a credit to themselves.

Regards

Darren

Dear Parents and Carers,

 The boys are halfway through their trial HSC examinations. Their conduct during examinations and study periods has been outstanding. Many boys have left the examination hall feeling confident in their application and it is pleasing to see most writing productively to the last minute. If you have any concerns during this period please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to updating you on their success in a fortnight time. Congratulations to the following students who received a study effort award for term 2.

• Liam Abbey
• Thomas Birtwhistle
• Nick Bligh
• Jack Breislin
• Liam Burke
• James Callaghan
• William Campion
• Jacob Carrick
• John Colgan
• Thomas Condon
• Tim Coorey
• James Dan
• Nick Devitt
• Michael Dillon
• Matthew Hassett
• Max Heffernan
• Freddie Karah
• Joseph McDonald
• Nicolas Mulder
• Nick Needs
• Brendan Nelmes
• Matthew O’Connor
• Dean Rando
• Josh Reynolds
• John Schwager
• Josh Taylor
• Samuel Tynan-Davey
• Ben Watson

Regards

Darren

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the final term of your sons’ formal academic studies before he completes his HSC. Can you believe how fast this has come around? I can remember when most of these boys walked through the College gates back in 2005 for the first day of Year 7. How far they have come! The academic focus for this term is the HSC trials in weeks 4 and 5, the completion of remaining assessment tasks and preparation for the HSC. In week 3 there are no assessment tasks due, this is to ensure that students are focused on the trial examinations. I included with the interim reports the Trial examination timetable and the term 3 assessment calendar. I will also post those documents on the Year 12 blog.

Term 3 is a very busy academic term with many things being finalised in the lead up to the HSC. The following important academic events will occur this term:

• Trial HSC Examinations
• HSC practical examinations
• UAC applications
• HSC Languages Oral examinations
• Finalisation of student internal assessment ranks

The Trial examinations are very important time. These examinations generally carry the highest weighting for an assessment in each subject and are therefore a major determinant in the students’ final HSC rank.  It is pleasing to see, when walking through the dorms during night study, the dedication and determination of the boys to succeed in these exams. Most boys are studying with a pen in their hand and many are completing past papers. Just a reminder with respect to illness during the trial period, all absences during this time must be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate and delivered or faxed to me.

The HSC trials are exactly that, trials. Just as a sports team begins the season with trial games to perfect their skills and get the feel of the competition, so too do the HSC trials give students a chance to ready themselves for the HSC season. The trials are replicas of the HSC format and are a chance for the boys to test themselves as will be required in October. With this in mind, the boys should make the most concerted effort they can, after all a strong performance in the trial season pays off when the main competition starts.

I would like to wish all of the boys luck as they undertake their HSC trial examinations. I am filled with pride when I see the students moving so confidently towards their futures. Their hard work and dedication leaves me in no doubt that their results will reflect their many and varied efforts and ensure they are well placed for the HSC exams.

Regards

Darren

Dear Parents and Carers,

Term 2 has been a busy time for students and teachers of Year 12 with most subjects having at least one major assessment task to complete. These have taken the form of in-class tests, speeches, practicals and research assignments. As well as being busy, it has also been a short term of 9 weeks broken by the Long Weekend. The break will give some respite to the boys before they embark on their final term of classes in preparation for the HSC exams in October and November. It is timely, therefore, for a few matters to be brought to your attention.

Interim Report

The Interim Report will be mailed this Friday. This report is a general grading in each subject. It gives an indication of performance in terms of conduct, effort, homework and progress. This is the final Interim Report for Year 12. A full academic report based on the Trial HSC exams only and a final Assessment Ranking Report will be sent home in Term 3.

Trial HSC Exam Timetable

The timetable for our boys’ Trial HSC exams will be enclosed with the interim report for your information. These exams will be commence on Monday 9^th August and conclude on Monday 23^rd August. These are very important exams and carry a significant weighting towards the final assessment mark for each student. These exams will require serious, regular and specific study over the break as preparation.

Study during the break

Boys will need to have a sensible balance of rest and work during the vacation. I would expect most students to do a minimum of three hours per day, including weekends. Students may prefer to study for 4-6 hours for 5 out of the 7 days each week. This should be spread over a morning session, and afternoon session and an evening session. Some assessment tasks have been set for both the time before and after exams and this is done to provide specific preparation and to finish coursework.

Excessive hours of study will be of little value. In most cases, more content cannot be gained through more hours alone. Revision, exam preparation and sharpening language skills and formulaic applications are very important. Past exam papers will help in this area. Organised group work is a helpful and constructive activity. Traditional pen-on-paper activities are encouraged at this time because exams are about using pen-on-paper within strict time frames. Laptop usage should not be a priority at this time.

Similarly, no work and undisciplined work practices over the break will do little to prepare your boys for their Trial exams and for the HSC. They should keep sensible hours, avoiding very late nights and slothful sleep-ins. Limit distractions such as phones, computers, TV and cars to certain times of the day, certainly not during study time or late into the night.

Some basic points to assist with study during the break:

• Tidy the room FIRST.
• Work at the same workstation / desk each day. Don’t work lying down.
• Have a clock in sight.
• Use a small whiteboard or notice board to task list. Allocate by time.
• Preferably NO MUSIC during work time. Train the brain to relax with music. We don’t have music playing in the exam room for the HSC exams.
• Study early, not late. Be ready to start work by 10am.
• Turn off the computer when studying maths.

Term 3

As well as the Trial HSC exams, some students who do practical subjects will be completing their HSC tasks. This includes language tests, music and drama performances, practical works in Visual Arts and Technology.

Students who wish to study at university in 2011 will be assisted in registering with the University and Colleges Admissions Centre (UAC) later in Term 3. Each student will receive a PIN code in the mail at home that will give them access to UAC facilities on-line. It is very important that this PIN is not lost.

Students have already received a Board of Studies PIN that will give them on-line access to student information at the Board of Studies including their HSC results in December. Boys were instructed to put this number into their phone and to let their mum know what it is! The College is unable to provide replacement PINs due to privacy legislation.

Teachers

I am always impressed by what the teachers at St Joseph’s College do for their students. I would like parents to know that many teachers have regularly given extra tuition to students at before school classes or at night in both one-to-one and small group contexts. These teachers are not always involved in the boarding program and so these extra lessons represent a huge effort on their part. I suggest to parents that they ask their sons about the extent to which they are availing themselves of their teachers outside of normal class time.  Please do not be too quick to blame teachers when results are not coming the way of your sons. I have every confidence that the maximum is always being done to help them.

Disruptions and Absences during Term 3

Disruptions must be kept to a minimum in Term 3. Scheduled appointments should not be made during class time or exam time. The advantages of boarding must be maximized ahead of parties and casual and non-essential leave requests. In working with all parents, let me offer my assistance in saying “no” to your son if you find it difficult to say at times.

Absences must be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate delivered or faxed to me.

 Below is a list of work expectations set by teachers with respect to their subject. All students have been sent an electronic copy. I hope this break is not too stressful for all family members, not just Year 12 students!

 Regards

Darren Frost

Holiday work

Maths

• Past Papers (Available on JNet and Success Book)

Biology

• Complete ALL tasks in the Dot Point book for the first three units
• Complete ALL past paper questions in the Success One text for the first three units

1. Refer to the examiners notes in the Board of Studies web site

• Work under exam conditions

1. No music, mobile phone, emails or any other distraction
2. 3 hour stints – vary the nature of the tasks during this period of time 

Drama

• Complete Individual Projects
•  Re-read the four set plays

Year 12 IPT

• SQ3R summaries of chapters 1 to 2 and 5
•  Complete all exercises and chapter reviews. Read chapters 2 and 6.
• Download HSC past papers and marking notes from BOS and explore question structures and format. Learn exam keyword definitions… Account, Analyse, Apply etc.
• Print and work through the success one pdf file.

Year 12 SDD

• Complete project documentation and coding… SQ3R summaries of chapters 1 to 8 and 10, completing all exercises and chapter reviews.
• Download HSC past papers and marking notes from BOS and explore question structures and format. Learn exam keyword definitions… Account, Analyse, Apply etc.

Business Studies and Economics

• There is a ‘Year 12 Holiday Update’ link on the Economics web page.

Legal Studies

• Past Papers
• Preparation for world order assessment task

Advanced English – Module C: Representation and Text, Elective 2 – History and Memory

• read Mark Raphael Baker’s book The Fiftieth Gate
• keep learning journal while reading the book (see pink study booklet for full details)
• analyse a related text (using scaffold issued in class)
• prepare for next assessment task (brochure and reflection)
• practice past HSC questions on current topic and previous topics covered in course

English Extension 2

• Students are required to complete their major work.
• Proof-reading/viewing and editing should be further addressed once they return to school.
• They are strongly advised to have their mentor critically appraise their work, as well as their parents.
• The Reflection Statement should be written in tandem with the major work, but that can polished in the beginning of Term 3. 

English Standard

Module C – Texts and Society

Text: Educating Rita

• Complete Study Guide from green Book
• Research Assessment Task 4. Texts and Society Brochure – Into the World
• Revise Area of Study and Modules A & B consolidating notes and contents.
• Use the HSC Board of Studies website to access past papers and sample answers.

ESL English

Module B: Texts and Society, Elective 1 – Living and Working in the Community

• Prepare for and start Assessment Task 4 – Text Portfolio (handed to students 22 June, due 30 July)
• Complete HSC questions from Module B – Work experience report/interview transcript and letter of application (handed to students 22 June)
• Complete past HSC exam papers (handed to students 23 June) and email to adiallo@joeys.org for feedback
• Re-read “Heat and Dust”

Modern History

•  ‘past papers’ booklet to get questions from and attempt.
• Summaries of each topic to complete
• ‘Personality Profile’ on Trotsky (2009 HSC Question) to complete.

Latin

•  work methodically through their set text translations (Cicero and Virgil for Continuers, Catullus and Horace for Extension).
• Students have been sent a revision plan where they address about 25 lines of text a day (should only take about 20 minutes or so each day).

Religion

Y12 SOR 1U and 2U are expected to complete the following as preparation for the TRIAL in Term 3:

• Compiling dot-point summary notes on each syllabus topic FOR EACH SECTION OF THE HSC PAPER

Send to your teacher for review

• Thoroughly learning keywords and concepts for multiple choice questions in:

(SECTION I)    Religion in Australia post 1945 (1U + 2U)

Religion and Non-Religion (2U)

• Writing short answer responses to the syllabus questions to send to class teacher for review (found in each syllabus under ‘Students learn to’):

  (SECTION I)   Religion in Australia post 1945/Aboriginal Spirituality (1U + 2U)

                                                Religion and Non-Religion (2U)

  (SECTION II) Christianity (1U + 2U)

                                                Judaism (2U)

• Writing replies to possible extended response questions (or writing down an outline in dot-point) and sending to class teacher for review:

(SECTION III)      Judaism x 3 responses – Hassidim, Marriage and Ethics (1U)

                                Islam x 3 responses – Al-Shafi, Hajj and Ethics (2U)

• Second extended response question for 2U ONLY:

(SECTION IV)      Religion and Peace x Christianity and Islam

The key to HSC success is to know your SYLLABUS! So have your syllabus with you and open as you revise.

You all have ample CLASS NOTES and POWER POINTS, so read them, study them, use them.

You can purchase ‘Excel’ STUDY GUIDES, but again, watch the date of print and be sure your copy is post 2007.

You can access past papers on the BOARD OF STUDIES website; remember to view only those papers 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for your attendance at last week’s parent information evening and parent, student and teacher interviews. I hope that both events helped in supporting your sons’ final year of secondary education.

The end of term is fast approaching and it is pleasing to see so many students focussed on their studies and completing assessment tasks. Many students are still seeking help with establishing study schedules and it is always encouraging to see them being proactive in their own learning.  At this week’s division meeting I spoke to the students about “bringing to life” their study schedules. It is well and good to have a study schedule pinned to one’s noticeboard; it is another actually achieving what the study schedule is designed to do, ensure that an effective routine of study occurs.

At the meeting I revisited study techniques that were covered last year at the two “study skills” sessions that were conducted by Elevate Education.  I especially emphasised the importance of extended response writing structure and development of study notes.  Some boys had some very puzzling looks on their faces. I encouraged all students who were concerned with their extended response writing techniques, to talk to their classroom teachers about the specific expectations for each of their subjects. With respect to developing study techniques and notes, I again reminded the students that I am always available during free periods and night boarding on Mondays and Wednesdays to help them out.

Below is a short slideshow of the drama production “Billy Bud”. Congratulations must go to Ryan Auber-Walsh, Matt Bartlett, Mark Crotti, Billy Hodgetts, Joshua Peacocke, Joseph Taylor, Sam Tynan-Davey and Mr Wise for an outstanding production. Mr Wise and these students worked during holiday time and weekends to ensure that this production was first class. Well done gentleman.

 Congratulations must also go to Joshua Taylor and Jordan Summerhayes who have been successful in being offered a place at the upcoming Jazz School held at Trinity College, Melbourne University in the June-July holidays. The Jazz School is being hosted by the music staff from the Julliard School of Music in New York. The boys had to submit a recording of their performance work for audition/selection by staff from the Julliard School in New York. The recordings were sent to New York for review. Their selection provides the boys with a wonderful opportunity to work with world class musicians in the Jazz field. An outstanding achievement!

Congratulations to the following students for their first in the following subjects and academic excellence for term 1 2010.

Regards

Darren Frost

Dear Parents and Carers,

At this week’s Division Meeting all boys received a copy of their HSC timetable. Also, each boy received a study schedule scaffold.  Over the last few weeks I have been concerned that some of the boys have lost their way with their private study.  I spoke to the boys about the importance of a study routine that includes homework, assignment work, development of notes, learning notes and completing past papers. I encouraged them to complete a study schedule and place it on their pin boards to be followed nightly.  I encouraged any student who was concerned about their ability in constructing this schedule to see me. On Wednesday night, during night study, numerous boys did come and seek help in constructing their schedule. Please discuss these schedules with your son and if they have not completed this, strongly encourage them to see me for help.

Sample Schedule

On Saturday night the Year 12 information evening will be held. I have placed a copy of the presentation below. I look forward to discussing your sons’ final year of secondary education and the important matters that he will face within the next 6 months.

As you are aware Sunday is the Parent, Teacher and Student Interviews. As I told the students on Wednesday, it is critical that they attend these interviews. Teachers will inform you how your son is progressing and many teachers will use this opportunity to talk specifically to your son and discuss his strength, areas of concern and strategies that can be used to improve in the particular subject.

Below I have included important information that the Board of Studies has issued with respect to the 2010 HSC. At our next Division Meeting the students will receive a copy. This is vital information with respect to the requirements and expectations of the HSC. If you have any questions about this bulletin, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the College.

Regards
Darren Frost

HSC Advisory Bulletin 2010

Glossary of Key Words

The key words published by the Board are not the only verbs used in examination questions.

The Board’s Glossary of Key Words contains some terms commonly used in examination questions. The glossary is a useful guide to question formats, but it is not exhaustive; HSC students must be prepared for many kinds of questions. The Board may ask questions such as ‘how?’, ‘why?’ or ‘to what extent?’ and use verbs that are not included in the glossary, such as ‘design’, ‘translate’ or ‘list’.

Question Format

Examination committees will use a range of question types that may vary from year to year.

In 2009 some HSC students showed concern if a style of question was introduced that had not appeared in previous exams or specimen papers. Each year the examination committees follow a framework provided by the specifications found in the Assessment and Reporting document for each HSC subject. These specifications give committees flexibility to vary previous question formats. While committees will never set out to ‘trick’ students, they will also avoid creating an overly predictable examination. Committees will use a range of question types that may vary from year to year.

Questions with Stimulus Material

Examination committees may use stimulus material where they believe it is necessary. This may change from year to year.

In 2009 some students reported being surprised by the inclusion of stimulus material in particular examination papers. Stimulus material – such as artwork, quotations or maps – may be included in a question for a number of reasons. For example, a map, drawing or quotation may provide a focus for analysis or interpretation. The question will make clear the intention of the images or words in the stimulus. The appearance or absence of questions with stimulus material in any given year does not indicate that stimulus material will be used in the same section in subsequent years’ examinations.

Multiple-choice Questions

Multiple-choice questions require selecting the best of the available answers.

In 2009 a number of students reported concern about particular multiple-choice questions. Multiple-choice questions provide students with a range of possible answers (distractors) from which to choose. This type of question requires students to have a degree of certainty about their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

The purpose of distractors is to present a range of options that appear to be feasible. Some distractors could be correct in a given set of circumstances but are not the best overall answer. In other cases distractors may be partially right with some element of incorrect information. If teachers find their students are uncertain how to judge the ‘best possible’ answer they may need to provide additional advice. The Board’s Test Yourself online multiple-choice questions are recommended as a useful way to practise this judgement.

Managing Difficult Questions

Students should expect that examinations will be challenging. Students should not expect that HSC exams will support the use of answers prepared in advance.

HSC examinations are intended to be rigorous and to challenge students of all abilities. During 2009 the Board’s presiding officers reported an unusual number of students raising concerns about the difficulty of certain questions and, as a result, being unsettled during the examination. In some cases these students complained they had prepared and memorised answers that did not ‘fit’ the question, in other cases they were confused about the question itself.

Students should know that HSC questions are not designed to support answers prepared in advance. It is important that teachers prepare students to answer the questions revealed on the day of the exam rather than anticipating a particular type of question and memorising an answer to suit. Students must also understand that partially modifying an otherwise irrelevant memorised response will not lead to high marks. This point is made repeatedly in the Notes from the Marking Centre.

If students have difficulty understanding the question they should look for key words and identify the aspect of the course to which these relate. They are then in a position to formulate their answer from their relevant knowledge, understanding and skills.

If a student finds a question difficult they can expect that other students will also find it challenging. Making a best attempt at a question is a better strategy than a non-attempt. Markers are briefed to read each answer carefully to see the merit in the answer and to mark in a positive manner – that is, to look where marks can be awarded rather than taken away.

Student Entry for Vocational Education and Training (VET) Examinations

Vocational education students wishing to sit the HSC examination in these subjects must ensure that they have been entered for the exam by their school.

Exams are not compulsory in the Board’s vocational education and training courses but many students will choose to sit the exam, particularly if they want the course to be counted towards their ATAR calculation. Students need to check their course entry details on the confirmation of entry form for the correct information about whether or not they will sit an exam.

If students find the wrong information about their VET exam arrangements when they check, they should immediately notify Mr Frost.

Dear Parents and Carers,

 Term 2 in Year 12 is very much the assessment term. Under “useful links” I have added a link to the term 2 assessment calendar. Please check this calendar from week to week to monitor your sons’ progress in these tasks. I would also strongly encourage you to see, from time to time, physical evidence of your sons’ work on these tasks. The boys will be expecting it! If your son is a full boarder, encourage them to email you drafts and work samples. I think sometimes the boys take your career and life successes for granted. Parents are a wealth of knowledge and I strongly encourage the students to tap into that resource. It could be as simple as proof reading a paragraph of an assignment, directing them to where to find information or even giving them advice of how to plan and complete a set task.   

At our last Division meeting I spoke to the students about your love and care for them.  I asked them to understand that your “nagging” or how you are “always on their backs” is not something parents enjoy doing but it is a sign of your love and hope that in two, three or ten years time, they are the men you want to be with no regrets. I also spoke to the boys about arguments with parents. For many, this has already occurred numerous times this year or, if not, more than likely will occur sometime between now and the HSC. I discussed with them the importance of maturity and not enflaming arguments encouraging them to take a step back before it gets out of hand and realise why their parents have acted a the particular way. It is not to punish them but to protect them and ensure that they have no regrets in their final year of secondary education.

On the 22^nd of May, Pat and I will be holding a Year 12 Parent Information Night. This will take place between 6.30pm and 7.30pm in the Br Michael Naughten Theatre. If you are unable to attend, I will publish the PowerPoint presentation from the night on this blog the following week.

On the 23^rd of May, it is the Year 11 & 12 Parent, Student and Teacher interviews. By now, you should have received a letter that explained our new system for registering for interviews. If you have not received this letter please email or contact me so that I can pass on this information. If you are attending these interviews it is important that your son accompanies you. These interviews are an excellent opportunity for your sons’ teachers to, not only inform you of their progress, but also talk to your son about his strengths and specific areas and strategies to improve on his present performance. 

Congratulations to the following students who receive a study effort award for term 1.

• Corey Ashby
• Ryan Auberson-Walsh
• Joseph Burgun
• William Campion
• Joshua Carolan
• Jacob Carrick
• John Colgan
• Thomas Condon
• Timothy Coorey
• Tim Cullen
• Alec Duffy
• Patrick Dunn
• Freddie Kareh
• Nicholas Loadsman
• Joseph McDonald
• Nicholas Needs
• Brendan Nelmes
• Carl Neuhaus
• Matthew O’Connor
• Luke Pollard
• Dean Rando
• John Schwager
• Luke Smith
• Joshua Taylor
• Matthew Turner
• Steven Villella 

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the halfway point in your sons’ final academic year before he undertakes his HSC. By now all boys should have received their results from the Half Yearly Examinations. I encourage all families to discuss with their sons’ these results and reflect on their strengths and areas of improvement. With respect to areas of improvement, effective and realistic strategies will need to be incorporated in order for progress to be made. A good starting point would an effective study program. I informed the students last week that there would be an expectation that they complete a minimum of two hours of study a day over the holiday period. Study needs to be doing more than reading and developing notes, it is vital that they are completing past papers and questions. The Board of Studies website has all the past HSC papers and also interactive multiple choice programs that allow students to complete HSC multiple choice questions and have them marked online. Past paper textbooks for mathematics and sciences have also arrived and been issued to students so therefore there is no excuse for students not having past papers to complete.  By the end of the break, the boys will have had limited face-to-face teaching for over seven weeks. If students are not revising consistently over this holiday period, then they are limiting their achievement in the HSC. It is also important for students to have a balance between their social, sporting and academic life. I encourage all boys to do their study early in the morning so that they have the whole day to enjoy their break.

Congratulations must go to Ben Watson and Jack Breislin for recipient of the 2010 Defence Technical Scholarship, a fantastic achievement. I hope that all families had a holy, safe and enjoyable Easter.