Teaching and Learning Report – August 13, 2015

2015 Semester One Chris Nolan and VCE Headmaster’s Excellence Awards assembly

The Chris Nolan and VCE Headmaster’s Excellence Awards assembly has become one of the College’s most important academic celebrations. This is the eighth year that boys attaining academic excellence have been recognised with a Chris Nolan Award.- We were fortunate to again be able to welcome Chris, his mother, Mary, Chris’ career, Maria Maiorino, and Mr Craig Sharp, Chris’ school-mate and friend since Year 7 at St Patrick’s College.

The assembly provided us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the academic achievements of the 230 Years 7-12 boys whose level of achievement in all 2015 Semester One assessment tasks has resulted in them being in the top 15% of their Year Level, making them eligible to receive a Chris Nolan Award. We also recognised the highest rank 2015 VCE Unit 3 students with a VCE Unit 3 Headmaster’s Excellence Award for each VCE Units 3/4 subject offered at St Patrick’s.- –

It is important to consider what each boy receiving a Chris Nolan Award has done to achieve this recognition. Take one of our Year 8 recipients as an example. The typical Year 8 student received a percentage result for some 45 assessment tasks completed in 11 different subjects in Semester One. The highest average result for a Year 8 boy was 93%. Remember, the boy who attained this result did so by completing over 45 assessment tasks to a very high standard in all areas of the curriculum -“ English, RE, Maths Science, Humanities, Language, PE and so on.

This is typical of what each boy who was acknowledged has achieved -“ a consistently very high level of academic achievement across a broad range of subjects. If you are wondering what average percentage result it took to get a Semester One Chris Nolan Award, the following lists the minimum result for each year level:

• 84% in Year 7

• 82% in Year 8

• 82% in Year 9

• 81% in Year 10

• 79 % in Year 11and;

• 84 % in Year 12

  Two boys, one from Year 8 and another from Year 12, achieved the incredible average of 96% for all semester one assessment tasks!

  Each year, we have a significant number of new students, parents and staff and so it is important to explain exactly what the Chris Nolan Awards are and what they represent.

  Chris graduated from St Patrick’s College in 1985 as College Captain. As a student at the College, Chris regularly achieved strong academic results and in his final year he was awarded:

  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – the Headmaster’s Award for Leadership

  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – the History Prize

  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – the Sir Hugh Devine Prize for Impromptu Speech

  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – a W.T. Doyle Prize for Debating and;

  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – the 1st XI Cricket Bowling Award

  Chris demonstrated his intelligence and ingenuity shortly after leaving St Patrick’s in his role as one of the co-founders of the now highly acclaimed Meredith Music Festival. He completed his Law Degree at Monash University and went on to practice law in Vietnam. In 1996, after several years in Vietnam, Chris acquired severe brain injuries from a viral infection leading to total organ failure.

  Chris is profoundly disabled physically and is very limited in his communication. With the ongoing support of his family, carers and friends, Chris has continued to fight against these disabilities.

  Chris and his family, and in particular, Chris’ mother, Mary, are actively involved in developing awareness and support for young people with acquired brain injuries. Mary’s long-term work in this area was duly recognised in 2011 with membership in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM). Chris continues to be highly respected by his classmates and teachers for his commitment and enthusiasm to all aspects of College life. During his time at St Patrick’s, Chris clearly exemplified the pursuit of excellence across a range of our important educational programs and activities.

  Please click on this link– for a list of the 2015 Semester One Years 7 to 12 Chris Nolan Award winners and the 2015 VCE Unit 3 first ranked students.

  Congratulations to each boy who received a Chris Nolan Award and/or a VCE Unit 3 Headmaster’s Excellence Award. Your academic excellence is worthy of recognition and provides all students with an outstanding model of commitment to learning and excellence.