Senior School Report

by Director of the Senior School, Mr Hamish McCrum

Unit 3/4  Practice Exams, September/October Holidays

In Term 4, a huge amount of work is completed and the clock always appears to be racing for our Year 12s.  Their time with us is coming to an end, and the finish line that always looked so distant is now rushing to meet them.  Almost all of our Year 12s came in and did their practice exams in the holidays.  They are now using their feedback to improve their performances and they will keep repeating this process, doing and redoing questions from practice exams until they sit the real exams.  Initially their poor results can be crushing, but those who go through this process keep improving and then end up with scores of which they are proud and which create opportunities for them beyond St Pat’s.  Every time they complete and go over a practice exam they will improve their Study Score in that subject; the link between improvement and effort could not be more direct.  Our Year 10s and 11s would do well to realise this link between effort and improvement in all that they do.  Getting as good a base as possible before Year 12 is half the battle.

Finishing well is something that we would like all our boys to do. Socially and emotionally these last couple of weeks are really enjoyable and tiring for our Year 12s.  They are aware that we don’t have muck up day, haven’t for many years and that there is no tolerance of poor behaviour. We do however celebrate this end of the student’s time in a positive manner.  Their last day of Year 12 classes is on Wednesday October 19. The day includes a student breakfast before school, some normal classes, a College assembly, a Leave Taking Ceremony at the end of the day (until 4pm) and the Thanksgiving Mass (7:00pm). At this time of the year it is important that students heed the warnings about not visiting other schools; what can seem like a good idea one minute ends up looking like anything but a good idea in hindsight.  It is also encouraged that students do not drive themselves to school on the last day of classes, emotions are high and they do not need to be in charge of a vehicle.

There is still much work to be done by students at this stage, and the most relaxed and best celebration is the Valedictory Cocktail Function on November 17, after all their work is done.

Many of our Year 10s undertook work experience over this last break.  It is a good thing to do; it can provide direction in terms of areas they may wish to pursue, and equally importantly, can inform students of directions they don’t want to pursue.  Well done to those students who took this opportunity and thanks to parents, and employers who made this possible.  I would also like to acknowledge Mr Meehan, Mr Taylor and Ms Leighton for their support and encouragement of our Year 10s in this experience.

Year 10 students Caleb and Jack undertaking work experience at St Aloysius Primary School

 

 

Year 10 student Jordan is learning more about Dynamite Cycles during his work experience