Year 12 Boarding News. Week 5, Term 2, 2011
Dear Year 12 parents,
Thanks to all of you who attended our Information Evening last Saturday. For those who were not able to be there, all of the details that were presented are included in the blog this week. I must apologise for leaving out a slide on the Graduation Mass and Dinner. This is now in the powerpoint. I would encourage you to make a note of the important dates for Year 12 for the rest of the year. Closer to the time, I will be sending out information about the graduation program which requires you to reply.
Many boys found the Careers Expo. on Tuesday very useful and it is great to see so many parents there. The Careers Expo will give our students a lot to think about over the next few months as they decide on university courses, TAFE courses and other courses of study and practice.
Anthony Alafaci, James Hegerty and Ben Waters at the SJC Careers Expo.
It makes accessible to our students, information that is usually only available on Open Days, which sometimes clashes with our own weekend commitments at the College. A huge thank you must go to Lorna Charters for organising such a successful evening.
Today we had an assembly that the boys greatly enjoyed. Mr John Healy was the special guest presenter of the jerseys to the 1st XI and 1st XV. Mr Jimmy Gray introduced John and outlined the enormous contribution he has made over his 30 years as a fitness trainer and mentor to many Joe boys. John is a very humble man whose words of wisdom have struck a chord many times.
Jake Healy and John Healy after yesterday's Assembly
Today was one of those times and the sustained ovation he received was evidence of that. We wish all the boys the best as the competition starts this weekend. Also good luck to Josh Klarica and George Atkin who will debate in the Grand Final of the Fed Cup this Friday.
A word on procedures for the weekends:
On Saturday during the winter seasons, it is the expectation that once a boy arrives at his game he remains in the care of the College until after check off at the conclusion of the First XV match. This means that at home games he remains on College property and at away games he remains at the away venue.
If there is a circumstance which requires a boy to leave our care during a Saturday, this permission must be sort from his Boarding Coordinator.
Also, on Sunday we have the Family Mass which will celebrate the Feast of Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers. All boys must be seated in the Hall by 9.45am and they must check off after Mass in my office. Your help with this is much appreciated.
The College breaks up for the long weekend on Thursday 9 June. Boys leaving on buses will do so the following morning. There will be a bus to the airport at 4pm on the Thursday.
Until next week
Pat
Year 12 Academic News. Week 5, Term 2, 2011.
It was great to catch up with many Year 12 parents over the weekend either at sport, at the Parent Information Night or at Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews on Sunday. It reinforced to me the tremendous support that families give to our boys in such a wide variety of endeavours and how fortunate these lads are to have both the opportunity and support in these diverse areas. The PDF of last Saturday’s Parent Information Night is included at the end of this report for your interest and future reference.
HSC Practical Examinations
This week, I registered on-line our language students for their HSC speaking examinations. It was a timely reminder to me that the business end of the HSC is fast approaching particularly for students who are performing in Drama and Music, speaking in languages and making projects in English Extension 2, Visual Arts, Industrial Technology and Design and Technology. We wish these students well as they approach the end of these practical examinations that, in many cases, have taken months to complete or rehearse for.
Holiday Study Programmes
Several parents have asked me about holiday programs for Year 12 students to compliment their school study. There are quite a few companies that provide these services and, without pushing one over another, I have provided some links to these below for those that are interested. These can be quite expensive – but so can a holiday of going to the movies, clubs, etc.! Try the following links:
University of Sydney: http://www.cce.usyd.edu.au/hsc+preparation
University of Western Sydney: http://uws.edu.au/uwscollege/courses/local/Professional_development/hsc_preparation_days?gclid=COKY5tacmakCFQnwbwodQwz0tw
The School For Excellence: http://www.tsfx.com.au/nsw/
Best wishes,
Mark Fenech