Year 12 News 2011

Year 12 Boarding News. Week 4, Term 2, 2011

Dear Year 12 parents,

This is a busy part of the term for Year 12 with many assessments on at the moment. Some still managed to squeeze in a viewing of State of Origin last night and this was enjoyed (especially by the Maroon supporters!).

The musical, ‘Joseph’, has been a huge success and we have a large number of boys attending the production this evening. Well done to the following Year 12s involved as they have given enormous energy and commitment to this big undertaking: Luke Amasi, Hamish Mathers, Julian Herrera, Tim Hill, James Liang, Max Ford, Duen Siauw, Kristian Lojszczyk and Harry Coppen. They have either been on stage performing, working behind the scenes or providing the musical accompaniment.

Last Friday Joe Carey and George Atkin competed in the semi final of the Fed Cup debating competition at Barker and were victorious. We wish them well for the Grand final next week.

At our year meeting on Wednesday, Mrs Charters gave the boys information about the Careers Expo in the Hall next Tuesday from 6.30pm. She outlined the organisations that are coming and what courses they can offer. All of Year 12 will visit the expo and you are all very welcome to attend with your sons. Lorna will speak about this on Saturday night at the Information Evening. Mrs Di Stewart also spoke to the boys at the meeting and asked for volunteers for this year’s Marist Children’s Camp in early December. Although the boys will have left school and may have other plans for this time, the camp really relies on the experience of the Year 12s for its success. (see below for more information about registering for the Marist Sony Children’s Holiday Camp.)

At the meeting I was happy to highlight the number of Year 12s who volunteer to coach sporting teams and/or referee on Saturdays. Often these are boys who are also playing their own match during the day. This sort of contribution is tremendous.

Tomorrow we have school photos and the boys know that they must present themselves well for this. The outside group, Advanced Photography, are experienced school photographers and can be contacted on 1300 728 972 if you have any queries about orders etc.

I look forward to seeing many of you over the weekend at sport, the Information Evening which begins at 6.30pm in the Br Michael Theatre and at the Parent Teacher interviews on Sunday. On Saturday night, there is also the Year 11 Information Evening and the Year 7 dinner, so parking will be tight. Please allow time for this as we are hoping to start on time. This morning Lisa Sweeney has sent a message about the social function that follows the information session. Thank you to all of those who have been able to support this.

All the best for now

Pat

Marist Sony Childrens’ Holiday Camp

For students who wish to apply for this year’s MSCHC, there are 3 steps you must follow:

1) Complete the online registration at  http://mschc .  This site is now open. Registrations close next Tuesday, May 31  

2) Attend the MSCHC 2011 Information Night: 7pm next Wednesday, June 1 in Br Michael Naughtin Theatre. 

    Attendance is mandatory if you wish to apply to be part of the MSCHC 2011 team.

3) Complete the online application. Details of how to complete this process will be given to you during the Information Night.

Best wishes,

Mrs Diane Stewart

Year 12 Academic News. Week 4, Term 2, 2011

Dear Parents and Carers,

I have spoken to our senior students about the importance of attending all classes. Each week there are a few boys who take the easy option to cut classes. I will be clamping down on this practice and offenders will be spending their free Sunday on detention at the College. In some cases, students may be penalised assessment marks if I can see that they have gained advantage by absenting themselves from a particular lesson.

On Tuesday evening I met with Mr Reading and Mr Rodgers and Year 12 applicants who had been short listed for GAP positions in the UK in 2012. I was a wonderful reminder to the three of us of the exceptional quality that we have in our young men at Joeys. These applicants go about their business in quiet and modest ways making the most of their talents and opportunities and generously serving others in our school community. I must admit that I sometime lose sight of these outstanding students in the daily bustle of chasing the few rascals that we have amongst us.

Parent Information Evening

This meeting is scheduled for 6.30PM on Saturday night May 28th, in the Br Michael Naughtin Theatre. The meeting will be addressed by Mr Pat Rodgers, Year 12 Boarding Coordinator, myself as Academic Co-ordinator and Mrs Lorna Charters, Careers Adviser. Pat will brief parents on the busy Term 3 calendar for Year 12 students as well as boarding procedures for the HSC examination period in October/November. I will outline some of the teaching and learning strategies being employed in Year 12 classes at the moment. I will also discuss the ATAR and how it is calculated and academic procedures for the HSC exam period, including Illness and Misadventure Appeals during those exams. Mrs Charters will present information on our own Careers Fair as well as opportunities for scholarships, cadetships, apprenticships and university entry.

Parent, Student and Teacher Interviews.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Mark Williams and Mrs Susan Wakeley for their organisation of the Parent, Student and Teacher Interview appointments for this Sunday, 29th May. Interviews will be held in the College Resources Centre and Year 10 classroom block commencing at 9:00AM. In order for the day to run smoothly, I ask that families keep to their appointment times and arrange for a follow-up telephone conversation should they need more time with a teacher. Please note that Year 12 students must attend these meeting with their parents if an appointment has been scheduled and they should be dressed in their Blues. Teachers may exercise their perogative not to conduct the interview if a student is not present for their interview.

1st Place in Courses at the Half Yearly Report

Congratulations to the following Year 12 students who received certificates last week to acknowledge their 1st place in courses at the Half Yearly Report. Placing 1st is difficult by any measure and these students should be very proud of their excellent efforts.

Current topics being taught in Year 12 at the moment.

Here is a snapshot of what our boys are doing in their classes at the present time:

In Business Studies, students are studying ‘Global Business’ and are preparing for an ATB next Thursday at 8.00a.m. Japanese Continuers are speeding through the course and are about to start their second last topic:  ‘Future Plans’ while Japanese Extension students are tying up their study of the Miyazaki film, Spirited Away looking at the last section of the movie. Standard English classes are preparing for Module C, Texts and Society – Elective 2, ‘Into the World’ next week and will read the play Educating Rita. Advanced English students commence Module C, ‘Representation and Text’, Elective 2: History and Memory, reading The Fiftieth Gate.Extension 1 English classes are on to Module B – ‘Texts and Ways of Thinking,’ Elective 3: ‘Navigating the Global’ by studying Lost in Translation. Extension 2 English students continue to work on the draft version of their Major Work and Reflection Statement. The Fundamentals class is currently working on “Film-making 101” by revising a range of key film techniques to help them in their study of Witness for Standard English. The year 12 Biology students are currently studying the defence mechanisms of the human body to pathogens and the body’s response to infection. PDHPE students are currently doing studying the topic ‘Improving Performance’. Their assessment task Analysing How Elite Athletes Improve Performance is due on Thursday. In Music 1, the class is studying rock music. They are looking at the musical as well as some of the historical developments of rock which have shaped early as well as contemporary styles. Towards the end of this term, students will then complete their next elective assessment task. In French Continuers the focus is on French speaking practice on their ‘Personal World’ and the study of the environment in French. In Ancient History, students are looking at images of Cleopatra and the enduring question of whether she was beautiful. Year 12 Industrial Technology Metal students have submitted folios for review and have completed 50% of their Major Projects…… more next week!

I look forward to seeing some of you on the weekend.

Mark Fenech

Year 12 Careers News. Week 4, Term 2, 2011.

Parents are encouraged to attend the St Joseph’s College Careers Expo on the evening of Tuesday 31 May 2011 from 6.30 – 8.00 pm. Twelve universities, TAFE, the defence force and a range of private colleges will be in attendance. Detailed information is available on the Careers Blog.

‘White Card’ Construction Ticket

There is an opportunity to complete the White Card/OHS Construction Induction course here at school on the evening of Monday 30^th May (3.30 pm – 8.30 pm). there cost of $140 will be charged to students’ accounts. Registration closed at 4.00 pm today.

Mrs Charters