Year 12 Boarding News, Week 9, Term 3, 2011
Dear Year 12 parents,
I know that the boys are looking forward to the graduation program next week and I realise that you are ready to join them in this important period of their lives. The Headmaster has sent all families a letter about the coming week. If you did not receive this, please let me know and I will send one to you. Please take time to go through this with your son as we want them to have a really enjoyable and memorable graduation program. The Year 12s have been made well aware what the College’s expectations are at this time.
Tomorrow we have the GPS athletics at Homebush and we wish all those athletes the very best as they represent the school for the last time. The Year 12 buses leave from Mark Street gates at 8.30am and we will return about 4pm. Dinner is at 5.30 and this will be followed by the Rally at 6.15pm. Those boys leaving may depart after the completion of the Rally at about 7pm.
As many of you are aware, the HSC examinations begin on Monday 17th October with Business Studies. All boys will be doing the English Paper One on Tuesday 18th October. Term 3 officially begins on the previous Tuesday 11th October. It is our expectation that Year 12 boarders return on the evening of Monday 10th October by 8pm and that day students return the following morning by 8.15am. This first week back will provide the boys an opportunity to take part in a HSC preparation program with STUVAC workshops being run by teachers in their normal timetabled periods. Normal classes will not operate but there will be organised sessions from the Year 12 teachers. Mark Fenech will provide the details of this program and the boys will receive this during next week.
Some other aspects of this first week back:
• If your son is not attending this week, then you will need to send a request to me about this. Please speak to him about what will work best for him. As you can appreciate we cannot tolerate boys who are going to stop others from working.
• All boarding students should be at the College by 8pm on the night before each exam.
• The first week back will provide opportunities for boys to see their teachers in the normal timetabled period
• There will be the chance to do peer tutoring with each other
• There will be organised and supervised study during the day and the evening
• There will be recreation time when the gym and pool will be opened and supervised.
• Boys will need to have wear their uniform
• Attendance at meals will be compulsory unless permission is sought and granted
• It will be a lot smoother for all if your son was to attend for the whole week or not at all.
• The procedures regarding the use of cars at this time are the same as always. Permission must be sought from Br Anthony.
• There will be more details about the final check off for Year 12 next term.
I hope all of this is clear and please do not hesitate to contact me if there are questions. I look forward to seeing you next week.
Pat
Year 12 Academic News Week 9, Term 3, 2011
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are approaching a very exciting part of the year for Year 12 students. Next week is our final week and there is great anticipation as the last day of classes approaches, followed by the Graduation Assembly and Morning Tea, the Year 12 Formal and then our Graduation Mass and Prize Giving. The boys have every right to be very excited.
We will be continuing classes right to the very end, with the final lesson being English in Period 1 on Thursday morning. Needless to say, I expect every student to be at that class as we will not have time for distractions on what will be a very busy day.
Year 12 Placings and Prizes
Pat and I posted a list of prize winners on the Year 12 notice boards this week. I will not spoil the surprise for some parents as these will be announced more formally at the Graduation Dinner. However, my sincere congratulations to those students who have been placed first in their courses. This achievement represents sustained effort at an excellent level.
The Archbishop’s Award.
Tom Kennedy receiving the Archbishop's Award from Archbishop Cardinal Pell. Tom is accompanied by his family.
Recently, Thomas Kennedy was awarded the presigious Archbishop’s Award for 2011. This is an important award made to students who actively life out their Faith for the betterment of their school communities. Anthony Baker, a fellow student, read out the following citation at Tom’s presentation:
“In all aspects of his life at St Joseph’s , Thomas Kennedy embodies the College motto, In Meliora Contende – Strive for Better Things. His selfless manner in always being available to lend a hand and to do it with a smile, makes him an exceptional role model for all students. This is evidenced through his commitment to solidarity, including visiting Bougainville in 2010, his religious leadership as a College Acolyte and the manner in which he supports younger students, especially those in the boarding community . Tom’s deep personal faith is witnessed in his respect for others making him a worthy recipient of the Archbisop’s Award.”
It was wonderful that Tom Kennedy was able to be joined by his proud family, father Bernard, mother Lee and sisters Anna (in uniform) and Georgina. Our very sincere congratulations to Tom and the Kennedy family on this outstanding achievement.
I am planning to send out a spreedsheet of revision lessons that teachers will run in Week 1 of Term 4. As Pat has said above, I expect all students to be here for that week unless the College has suggested to some, as we in fact will, that they are not to study at the College.
I look forward to seeing you all this week, together with our Year 12 teachers at our celebrations for your sons.
Best wishes,
Mark Fenech