Year 12 Boarding News. Week 7, Term 1, 2011
Dear Year 12 parents/carers
The Year 12 News Blog will focus on the following items this week:
- St Joseph’s Day liturgy
- Cyber-bullying
- Year 12 Half Yearly Examinations in progress
- Banking Cadetships and ADFA cadetships
- Paid work available for students during the Easter vacation.
Mark and I have commended the boys for their cooperation during the exams which began on Tuesday this week. The majority have been motivated, punctual and willing to follow instructions in the exams and in study. It can be a difficult time but most have coped well with the pressure. Thank you for limiting the amount of dinner leaves and overnights as this has helped maintain a regular environment in boarding and for the boys’ study.
If there are any more overnight requests for full boarders on Saturday, could these be sent today?
The whole school have had a Mass for St Joseph’s Day today which all Year 12 s (except those with a morning exam) have attended. Yesterday Br Anthony spoke to the whole year about cyberbullying and issues that arise from new technology. This was timely and very real to the worlds of these young men. Brother is presenting this to all year groups.
Tonight there is a reunion for those who were involved in the Marist Children’s Camp at the end of last year. This is a chance to get together but also an important to “debrief” about the whole experience.
On Saturday week 26th March we have the Summer Sports Rally at 6.30pm in the Hall. This is compulsory for all and will be finished by 7.30pm. Mass for that weekend will be at 8.15pm on Sunday and so those returning need to be back by 8pm on Sunday 27th March.
I will be absent at a Marist Schools Boarding Conference from Sunday afternoon until Monday evening. I will still be able to access my emails and will reply as soon as possible. The Year 12 office will be manned and messages can be left on 98160845 still.
All the best until next week
Pat
Year 12 Academic News. Week 7, Term 1, 2011
Dear Parents and Carers,
Year 12 have approached their exams with impressive attitudes and application. They have been punctual and well organised and have listened very well to instructions by the exam supervisors. If what they are writing is as good as their cooperation then we should be in for some good results. Teachers have also been going the extra yard this week, putting on additional classes, marking practice papers or meeting with students individually or in small groups. It certainly is a team effort. We appreciate the support that most parents give us when we work with your boys during challenging times like exams. Most parents back the tough schedules and rules that we ask the boys to follow, knowing that it is in making sacrifices and working within routines and boundaries that young men excel. Some parents will always find it difficult to say “No” and some will choose to cover their son’s tracks when rules are broken or tough options are dodged. This does not help anyone. Parents dropping off food to boys during study may see this as a kind gesture of support. In fact, simple things like this serve to undermine routines like name checks and disrupt time management. It takes Staff away from assisting students in order to chase up other students. Please do not allow your sons to talk you into easy options.
I have scheduled the Mathematics exams on Monday morning for very specific reasons. It will allow students to study over the weekend in order to tackle these difficult tests. Also, the College will be relatively quiet with younger students away on activities for St Joseph’s day. The challenge is to get a lot of work done this weekend and I would advise boys to stay in on Saturday night to ensure not only that work is done, but that they are fresh in mind and body on Sunday and ready for the demands that Monday will bring. It will need some parents to say “No” this weekend.
I have rescheduled the Studies of Religion exams to Tuesday morning 29th March commencing at 8.25 AM. This was necessary because of common areas of content in the 1U and 2U exams that meant they had to be done at the same time. This rescheduling should not disadvantage any student. All boys will return to normal classes after Recess on Tuesday 29th March.
I encourage parents to take time to discuss the exams that boys have done this week and to ask about those coming up. Boys appreciate an ear to bend. Be a patient listener and give advice at the appropriate time. It is very important that parents don’t panic or jump to the wrong conclusions as anxiety will only spread to your son. Ask them how they have been getting ready for the remaining tests or who they have been working with.
Exam time sees me out of the office a fair bit. I like to be there at the start and end of each exam if I’m not teaching. My colleagues in the Art Department help me out by covering some classes for those important few minutes at each end of the Yr 12 exams. It often means that I may not return to my office until the end of the day so you may consider email messages more effective if you are trying to reach me over the coming week and a bit. The email address is mfenech@joeys.org
Best wishes,
Mark Fenech
Yr 12 Chemistry, Senior Science and Primary Industries students in their exam on Thursday.
Year 12 Careers News. Week 7, Term 1, 2011
Applications for banking business cadetships are now open
(closing 11 May)
Business Cadetships is an organisation which brokers cadetship positions for international banks. For HSC students starting university in 2012 cadetships are offered at UBS and Bank of America Merril Lynch.
Business Cadets combine university study with paid work at one of these two banks. The Business Cadetships Program allows you to choose the university and your course of study. Applications for Business Cadetships are made online to Professional Cadetships Australia at http://www.businesscadetships.com.au/bc_application_form_2011.asp
Business cadets employed by these leading global companies have the opportunity to gain a breadth of experience in financial services. Cadets are in a position to develop critical financial skills and apply what is learnt at university to paid work in a relevant industry. Business cadets earn a salary while at university, benefit from corporate mentoring opportunities and graduate with sought after experience.
Entry is competitive as the rewards are substantial. Year 12s are encouraged to apply and to discuss their application with Mrs Charters. It is important that the ‘skills’ questions in the application are answered in a style expected by the recruiting companies and in line with the skills and attributes detailed on the website page: http://www.businesscadetships.com.au/bc_what.asp
HSC students. Applications to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
Year 12 students considering applying to ADFA for 2012 entry should start their application process as soon as possible. The recruitment process can take several months and applications for 2012 are unlikely to be considered after July.
Students who join the defence force receive a salary and benefits while studying. All ADFA degrees are conferred by the University of New South Wales.
Students interested in applying should contact Mrs Charters by email. The recruitment process is highly structured and interviews are in essence oral and written exams. Structured questions and preparation material are available and it is strongly recommended that students use these. Interview preparation is also recommended and Mrs Charters can assist with this. Information on opportunities in the defence force can be found at http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/ and information on ADFA is at http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/education/ and specifically http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/education/Adfa/
Mrs Charters
Careers Counsellor
