Senior School Report – October 22, 2015

Thanksgiving Mass

On behalf of all who work in the Senior School I would like to thank the parents and families of the year 12 boys who joined with the staff of St Patricks College to celebrate and give thanks for their son’s presence and contribution during their time at our College. It was great to have the opportunity to catch up chat with many of you at the supper which followed the mass. Thank-you for your support of this significant event in the Senior School calendar.

Leave Taking

Yesterday our 2015 year 12 students completed their last day of formal studies and I would like to publicly acknowledge each student for the way that they conducted themselves throughout all of the proceedings. The day started at the crack of dawn with a BBQ breakfast cooked by the Year 12 coordinators; Michael Busscher and Andrew Chamings and served by our Headmaster Mr John Crowely and Deputy Headmaster Mr Jon Franzin. This was followed by a controversial and at some- stages, heavily contested game or two of soccer. The sense mateship and joy that they boys gain from their relationships with each other was evident in the in the camaraderie and fun had by all. Following a rehearsal in the Cathedral the boys returned to the OCA Pavilion for afternoon teas and the Traditional Year 12 their Ceremony scripted filmed and coordinated by the boys Again this was lively, funny and- genuinely representative of the whole cohort. Well done.

Examinations in the Senior School

When compiling the Senior School Examination Timetable both the College timetable and the VCAA timetable are taken into account. In 2015 in our ongoing- effort to minimise examination clashes the Year 10 and 11 Examination blocks- continue to be separate. Individual student examination timetables will only be rescheduled when there is a genuine clash with other timetabled College examinations, a timetabled VCAA examination or Head start.

This maintains the integrity of the examination process and ensures a consistent and fair approach across the Senior School.

Year 11 examinations will commence on – Friday November 6 and will conclude this Friday November 13. Year 10 examinations are timetabled to commence on Friday November 27, 2015.

Students are reminded that they will need to have pens and pencils in a clear plastic folder or bag, water bottle labels will need to be removed, no liquid paper may be brought into the examination and that NO electronic devices are permitted to be brought into the examination rooms; the only exception being approved calculators.

Please- click on- this link– for a copy of- the Year 11- Examination timetable

Please click- on this link– for a copy of the Year 10 Examination timetable

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Uniform Matters

Term four does not herald a time when students in the Senior school can start attending the College wearing variations of the College uniform. It is business as usual. All Year 10 and 11 students are expected to attend school every day wearing their full school uniform. – This also applies to school shoes. From week two of this term I have been receiving letters from parents asking the College to excuse their sons wearing of runners, Vans, gym boots and the like, with the common thread being the shoes are worn out and – will be replaced next year!- Again this is not acceptable and I call on all parents to support the College in enforcing all aspects of the College uniform. Including the wearing of correct shoes and if hair is touching the collar, it is to be either cut or tied up.

2015 English Booklist

All year 10 and 11 students have been given a copy of the 2016 English Booklist. Copy available online or by clicking on this link. The early release of this document facilitates the distribution of the novels prior to the end of the school year thus enabling all students the opportunity to read them during the summer break. Any family who misses the return date ( November 6 ,2015) is advised that they can return the booklist directly to Ballarat books and every effort will be made to ensure their son receives their novels in the desired timeframe.

Mobile phones

Over the past two weeks we have had a number of incidents involving phones which are not to be used in class under any circumstances. Parents wishing to text or call their sons could you please do during scheduled breaks (Morning tea 10.30-10.50am and lunch 1.10- 1.55pm) Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Head Start Week for all students undertaking a Unit 3 & 4 subject in 2014

I have had a couple of parents inquire about the purpose and stationary required for Head Start week. Let me first address the purpose.

VCE Unit 3 and 4 subjects are intense and cover a huge amount of content. In order to give the students the opportunity to come to terms with their chosen subject’s study design and expectations time is allocated at the end of the year under the guise of Head Start week. This allows teachers to address all administrative details and assign pre-reading and introductory activities for completion during the school holidays. Thus, upon the boys return in 2016, teachers can launch directly into course content and teaching.

What materials are required? While students may have received their 2016 Booklists by the commencement of Head Start week it is NOT expected that they will have acquired the text books. Subject teachers will provide the students with handouts during these sessions. It would however be prudent if the boys equipped themselves with a suitable exercise book or foolscap paper so that they can organises their notes and handouts accordingly.

Valedictory Dinner

Finally a reminder to all Year 12 parents that bookings for the 2015 Valedictory Dinner close on Friday November 6, 2015. Bookings can be made through Mrs Michelle Lloyd in the College shop.

May Gods peace be with you and your families.-

Elizabeth Ryan