Year 12 Boarding News. Week 5, Term 3, 2011
Dear Year 12 parents,
With the last Saturday of winter sport coming up on Saturday I am sure that the Year 12s want to finish on a high. We have the sports rally in the Hall at 6.30pm and all boys need to be at this in their Blues. Those leaving will be able to do so from 7.30pm. Winter sports photos will take place next Wednesday afternoon after school. I have been encouraging those boys who are talented and/or keen athletes to train with the College Athletic squad for the GPS carnival. This starts next Tuesday and it is important that these Year 12s are willing to be involved. If your son is in this category, please encourage him to contribute to the school in one last sport.
Lorna Charters has run two sessions for boys who wish to put their UAC preferences in. It is important for them to take up this opportunity so that they are registered. The boys need their UAC Pin which was sent to their home address, so your help with this is much appreciated. These initial preferences can be changed. It is just important that they are in the system.
We had Kelly Country come on Wednesday and they fitted a number of boys with formal suits. Another company is coming next Wednesday after school. These give the opportunity for the boys to order a suit and possibly a shirt and tie for the Formal. I have attached the reply sheet for the end of term events and again ask that you attend to this as soon as possible to allow the planning to go smoothly.
A reminder about the Year 12 Father’s day breakfast on 2nd September at 7.30am at the pool BBQ: Fathers who can attend just need to simply email me with that reply.
Mark and I have congratulated the boys on their cooperation throughout the trial exam period. I have also appreciated their leadership at the games at Riverview last Saturday and the support that many of them gave the debaters last Friday night. It is evident that many have really stepped up to the mark recently.
The next stage of this term is one which some struggle with as the trial exams are over and they have finished their sport. It is crucial that Year 12 still:
• Keep the rules and maintain respect for staff and each other
• Contribute by providing a good example with their punctuality, uniform and general approach around the school.
• Work to improve their performances in every class and in each subject.
The boys are aware of this but we have already had some who have been a negative influence. As I told the boys, I do not want to be contacting parents in these last weeks of school because a Year 12 student thinks that this is a time to ”muck up” or to ignore the rules of the school. It should be a very happy time with their friends and the staff as they graduate from such a fine school. Your reinforcement of this message is very much appreciated.
Best wishes,
Pat
Year 12 Academic News. Week 5, Term 3, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
For many of our senior students, this week has been a roller coaster of emotions as exam papers have been handed back and the realisation that the finish line is still a short sprint away. It is true to say that some students have found disappointment hard to take but I tried to reassure all of our year 12 boys when we met briefly on Wednesday that returning to a disciplined routine will bring better results in the HSC. Pat and I have seen hard work pay off many times before and, as much as they may like to think they are different, these boys are much the same as others who have gone before them.
Trial HSC exams are typically the most difficult exams that students will do at school. They are meant to expose areas of weakness that need to be worked on in the remaining 7 or 8 weeks before the real thing happens. They are meant to push students right to the end and remind them that “it’s not quite over yet.” And it’s tough, because everything else that we are doing at the moment whispers in our ear that we are at the end – the end of lessons, the end of sport, graduation, formals, schoolies. It is hard to keep the eyes on the prize with all these ‘final’ things happening around us every week. But we simply have to. Giving up is not an option so let’s get on with it.
I wrote to teachers today and emphasised 5 foundational points to get us through to a positive end. Some may be expecting complex strategies or hi-tech approaches. In fact these five things are nothing new.
• Boys need to be writing notes in their books during classes
• They need to be getting written homework every night, even over the weekend.
• Boys need to attend ALL classes.
• We will not tolerate any disruption in class, lateness, or unpreparedness.
• Teachers will try to ensure that they are able to teach every class or cover their classes within their faculty so that students are kept on task.
I was disappointed to hear that some parents felt that their son was exhausted by the exams and needed a break. This is not helpful at all. Let’s face it, we are not doing hard labour here… we are studying in very comfortable and supportive facilities with very experienced teachers giving assistance to these students. Pat Rodgers, Craig Attwater and I spend hours each week consoling students and talking them through disappointments and giving them encouragement and we will continue to do this until the very last exam is over.
Our Careers Advisor, Mrs Lorna Charters, has commenced the induction of our Year 12 students in the process of registering for university entry on-line with the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). She has also been meeting with many students each day to discuss career paths and scholarship applications.
Teachers are working hard writing the Trial HSC Report. This will report only on the written Trial examination and will have a mark, exam average and ranking along with a comment. This report will be posted during the first week in September. Another report will be sent at the end of term that will have a final Assessment Ranking and outcome grades for the whole course. Schools are not permitted to publish final Assessment Marks to students as these will be moderated by the performance of our students in each HSC examination.
I am constantly being approached by organisations offering tutoring to students doing the HSC. It is a real minefield in what remains an unregulated and expensive area. However, many organisations are very good and students are happy to use them. One organisation that has contacted me recently is Liberation Learning. They have a special deal for our students in a program of presenations planned for late September and early October. They say:
The Seminar Timetable
The HSC Results Seminars will run on weekends in September and early October of 2011:
• General Maths – Sat, September 3
• 2 Unit Maths – Sun, September 4
• Advanced English – Sat, September 10
• Maths, Extension 1 – Sun, September 11
• English, Extension 1 – Sat, September 17
• Maths, Extension 2 – Sun, September 18
• Chemistry – Sat, September 24
• Physics – Sun, September 25
• Legal Studies – Sat, October 1
• Economics – Sun, October 2
Venue: University of Technology, Sydney
Time: 10am-5pm
(Further instructions and details about how to get to the venue will be sent upon enrolment)
Discounted Seminar Price
As a special offer for registrations made through the school, each seminar will cost only $97 (normal price for an individual seminar is $185). For this price, students receive the following:
• A full day intensive training day for the subject within a guided learning environment (6 workshop-seminar hours)
• A comprehensive questions and worked solutions pack with extensive solution detail for students to take home for their own revision
• A range of resources and templates which are easy to use and can be replicated during the exams
• Tailored coaching on the day to develop and refine students’ analytical techniques during our workshop exercises
This is a significant discount offered to students of St Joseph’s College
For further information look at www.liberationlearning.com.au or see me for a flyer.
Best wishes,
Mark Fenech
Careers News Week 5, Term 3, 2011
US College / University Information Sessions
· Friday 26 August 6.30 – 8.30 pm
New York University Abu Dhabi @ Quay Grand Suites, 61 Macquarie Street, East Circular Quay
Rsvp essential to nyuad@bkk.iie.org by August 23
· Monday 29 August 6.00 – 7.30 pm
Columbia, Princeton, Georgetown, Northwestern @ Cranbrook School, War Memorial Hall, Bellevue Hill
Rsvp to DBerridge@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au
· Monday 12 September
University of Pennsylvania (Two sessions)
Session 1: 3.30 – 5.00pm at MLC School, Rowley Street, Burwood (Learning Centre, Level 3)
Rsvp to ltoole@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
Session 2: 6.30 – 8.00pm at Roseville College, 27 Bancroft Avenue, Roseville (Joy Yeo Auditorium)
Rsvp to Sydney@educationusa.info
Individual advice on applying to Universities and Colleges in the USA
A reminder that students interested in studying in the USA are encouraged to book a free advice session with the US Consulate’s Education USA Advising Centre in Sydney. Details are at
Students applying to USA universities have to write the SAT test. Students are also encouraged to visit the SAT website and register to receive the free daily practice test question at http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day See also
http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-questions
Mrs Charters
Careers Counsellor