Year 11 has had a wonderful start to the year! Beginning their Senior, HSC journey, many students have adapted well to senior study and routine.

Earlier in the term, we met as a year group to go through positive habits and ‘brain training’. The students have been encouraged to spend time at the start of the term, planning and organising their time in an effective way.

Year 11 have been given tips to help make their study more effective, such as using a tally system for how many half hour time slots they have completed, setting up a good study space at home, and factoring in other commitments such as sport, work and down time. Year 11 were also involved in the Year 12 2020 HSC Forum, where students were able to hear the stories and advice from past students, picking up useful ideas and tips to help them with their own management of school, study, assessments and other life activities. 

Recently, the Year 11 ‘Walk Awards’ have been reintroduced. These awards will be given on a fortnightly basis and come as a result from staff and peer nominations. The award is modelled after our Year Group Motto:

‘Walk in the way of the good and the just and be the change you wish to see in the world’.

Students who have recently set a positive example within the school can be nominated. Positive examples come from a range of things such as work ethic in the classroom, engagement with brain training, improvements in learning, supporting others, exhibiting one or more of the core SJE values and/or learning dispositions, helping another student (from Year 11 or another year group), helping a staff member or  living by Pax Christi. Each week during the Tuesday morning meeting, a winner from the week's nominations will be chosen at random. This student will receive a special 'Walk Award' pin. Other nominees will receive a positive affirmation on Compass. 

Well done Matt & Lily! 

Year 11 have also just received their passports and leadership pins for 2021. The passports were given to students during our Year Group meeting in Week 5. Mrs Hogan and Mr Eirth were also there to talk to the students about the significance of the passports and the leadership pins.

The passports are a way for senior students to track their involvement in leadership and extracurricular activities at school and in the wider community. As senior students, it is imperative students are developing their leadership skills and embrace the many opportunities to be part of the school community, there are countless opportunities for students to be involved. A few examples include, Choir, Social Justice groups such as JAG, sporting teams, ANZAC marches, involvement in liturgies, working bees and the list goes on.   Being involved in these activities contributes to the school's rich community spirit and  develops in our students a sense of pride, confidence and connectedness.

Students are expected to record any and all school involvement in their passport. This provides a record for PALS teachers, allows for recognition of significant contribution and is useful for students in reflecting on their own contributions and development. Passports should be kept inside students' computer bags or in their diaries, and they should be brought to school each day. 

Already this year, we have had a number of Year 11 students get involved in additional activities at school and it is amazing to see. Many students participated in the Boys Touch Football and school Swimming Carnival during Week 4, and our SRC representatives were also in attendance as helpers at the Swimming Carnival. Also in Week 4, our YML (Youth Ministry Leaders) took ownership of the Ash Wednesday Liturgies for each year group in the Hall and students also helped to make the bookmarks that were distributed to students and staff.

In Week 5, we had a number of Year 11’s assist as Tour Guides and helpers for the school Open Night, and these students were admired for their professionalism and hospitality during this event. We have also had students represent the year group well by involving themselves in social justice initiatives, the Project Compassion Launch and the Dance Troupe.

Well done to Year 11 for such a positive start to the year!