Senior School Report – October 8, 2015

The big three!! No I am not referring to the top three car producers or the top three banks in Australia or heaven forbid the three most influential politicians in Australia. I am referring to the three most significant events (apart from VCAA examinations) that will occur in the St Patrick’s College timetable over the next few weeks, them being; the Thanksgiving Mass, Speech night and the Valedictory Dinner.

The Thanksgiving Mass is a time when we as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition give thanks for all that has been. We acknowledge and pray for each of the 2015 Year 12 students as their time at St Patrick’s College comes to an end. We give thanks for their unique gifts and talents and for all that has transpired during the past six years.- For parents it is also a time of overwhelming pride in your son’s achievements and tenacity during their secondary school years and, I hope for the boys, an opportunity for them to reflect on the sacrifices made by you in providing your son with an opportunity to be educated at St Patricks College.

Date: October 21, 2015; Venue: St Patricks Cathedral; Time: 7:30pm

The next event is Speech Night; an opportunity to celebrate the all that has been achieved over the past year, to reflect on the positives and to acknowledge all those who have excelled in any arena during 2014.

Date: November 18, 2015 Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre Time: 7:30pm

The final event is the Valedictory Dinner, a night of celebration. Examinations are finished and it is with an overwhelming sense of joy and achievement that we join with the boys and their parents, to formally acknowledging the end of this chapter of their lives. I look forward to joining you at the Valedictory Dinner.

Date: November 20, 2015; Venue: O’Malley Gymnasium; Time: 7:00

Housekeeping

Year 12 Parents

On October 21, 2015 (the boy’s final day of timetabled classes) classes will run as per the timetable for Sessions 1 to 5. In session 6, the Year 12 boys will have lunch and then at the beginning of session 7 they will board busses to go to the Cathedral for a rehearsal for the Thanksgiving Mass. At 2:45 they shall return to the College where they will end the day with afternoon tea and the Leave taking Ceremony. Boys are expected to wear their correct uniform and business, standards and expectations will be as usual.

During the study days leading up to the exams all Unit 4 teachers will be available during their normal timetabled class times and at the extra times outlined in the roster sent out during the holidays. Boys are welcome to come into the College to study during this time. This is a particularly good strategy if your son is easily distracted and finds it difficult to stay on task at home.

Year 12 English Students

As English is the first subject counted in your primary four it is extremely important that you are well prepared for this exam and that you give it your best shot. The year 12 English Revision Day is designed to revise all the key components of the course and I STRONGLY recommend that you make it a priority and attend.

Date: – Thursday, October 22 (Week 3)- as per- the details- below.-

Sessions:

1 – – – – – – – – (9am – 10:30am)- – – – – Language Analysis and General Exam advice

2 – – – – – – – – (11am – 12pm)- – – – – – – – Wilfred Owen

3 – – – – – – – – (11am – 12pm)- – – – – – – – Medea

4 – – – – – – – – (12pm – 1pm) – – – – – – – – – – – Writing in Context

VCE VCAA Examinations

VCE VCAA Examinations commence on Wednesday October 28, 2015 and will run for the next four weeks concluding on November 18, 2015. They will be conducted in the OCA Pavilion; an exemplary examination facility. Please keep all our boys in your thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.

Head Start Week for all students undertaking a Unit 3 & 4 subject in 2016

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.

Head Start Week for all students undertaking a Unit 3 & 4 subject in 2016 will commence on November 16, 2015.

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2015 VCE Showcase

Last night we held our 3^rd VCE Folio Showcase where parents and friends of the St Patricks College Community were given the opportunity to view the amazing work completed and submitted by our final year- – VCE student’s enrolled in Design and Technology, Systems Engineering, Food Technology, Studio Arts and Visual Communication. Once again the standard of work was of a very high standard. My thanks goes to Roger Knight, Melissa Griffin, Peter Ryan, Katherine Clegg, Russel Roberts, Ryan White, Tony Liston, Matthew Taylor, Bernie Kenna and the catering staff, and all the Unit 3/4 students – for all their efforts in providing the SPC community with the opportunity to view this diverse array of work in all its ambience.

God bless,

Elizabeth Ryan

Head of Senior School