CURRICULUM

Celebrating academic excellence and strong learning partnerships

Last Thursday, we proudly recognised the academic achievements of students at our Semester 1 Academic Awards Assembly, celebrating the dedication, perseverance and commitment demonstrated by our young men throughout the first half of the year.

In addressing students, I shared a simple yet powerful message from dual-code international and Rugby World Cup winner Brad Thorn:

"Champions do extra."

Academic success, like success in sport, is built through the small actions undertaken consistently over time. It comes from completing revision, seeking feedback, asking questions and persevering when learning becomes challenging.

This semester, 248 students achieved a grade point average (GPA) of 4.25 or higher, demonstrating a high level of academic achievement across the College. Particularly pleasing were the results across all year levels:

• Year 7: 47 Academic Award recipients (over 40% of the cohort)
• Year 8: 40 recipients
• Year 9: 45 recipients
• Year 10: 30 recipients
• Year 11: 40 recipients

• Year 12: 39% of students received an Academic Award, doubling the number of recipients from the previous year

   

These results reflect the hard work, persistence and commitment to learning demonstrated by our students. They also serve as a reminder that success is rarely achieved in isolation.

At Saints, we believe the education of young men is a shared responsibility between students, families and the College. This partnership was evident on the first day of Term 3 during our parent-teacher-student interviews. These conversations provided an opportunity to celebrate progress, discuss learning goals and strengthen the connection between home and school.

Strong attendance and engagement of families reinforced the value our community places on education and highlighted the important role parents and carers play in supporting student achievement. Together, these partnerships create the conditions in which young men can flourish academically, socially and personally.

I thank our parents and carers for their continued support, and our staff for their unwavering commitment to student learning. I also congratulate all students who received an Academic Award for their outstanding efforts throughout Semester 1.

As we move through Semester 2, I encourage every young man to embrace Brad Thorn's challenge and continue to do a little extra each day. Excellence is rarely the result of a single moment. Rather, it is built through the habits, choices and effort we apply consistently over time.

Using off-site facilities

To enhance the College's health and physical education (HPE) program, classes use many local sporting facilities. This means that during your son’s scheduled practical HPE lesson, he may travel off campus on the College bus or by foot. 

This semester, these locations will include Barlow Park, the Showgrounds, Your Fitness Gym and the Cairns Youth Centre. If you have any concerns with this, please don’t hesitate to email department head, Mr John Brimstone, jbrimstone@cns.catholic.edu.au