From the Deputy Principal, 

Secondary

From the Deputy Principal, Secondary

Year 12 Retreat

Last week I was privileged to attend the Year 12 Retreat. Witnessing the spiritual and emotional maturity of our boys was deeply moving. Graduates recall that most significant event at Blackfriars is unequivocally the Year 12 Retreat. Jesus would make time to pray in silence and wander the desert of discernment. As a Catholic Dominican School, we aim to instil a life of balance, through the Four Pillars of Dominican Life, into the lives of our boys.  A significant amount of time is allocated to the planning of the retreat and I thank Mr Matthew Crisanti for his work in coordinating the dedicated team of staff who facilitated the retreat.

 

Exams

Stage 1 and 2 exams will commence on Monday 18 June 2018. It is imperative the students commence their study now (if they have not done so already). Cramming, stress and technology are two negative influences for boys. The effect of stress on learning was reviewed in depth by two researchers named Vogel and Schwabe. Stress can “impair memory retrieval, hamper the updating of memories in the light of new information, and induce a shift from a flexible, ‘cognitive’ form of learning towards rather rigid, ‘habit’-like behaviour.”

 

Here are five good study habits that can help you boost your learning:

  1. Manage your time wisely so that you stay on top of your assignments and exams.
  2. Practice mindfulness, prayer and meditation to reduce stress.
  3. Ditch your smartphone at night to make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
  4. Eliminate distractions while studying.
  5. Study in widely varying contexts.

 

WHO Online Gaming

In January this year the World Health Organisation listed Gaming Addiction as a disease. I know many parents are concerned about gaming and we encourage you to speak with your son’s Head of House or one of our counsellors for further information. The Office of the E-Safety Commissioner has links to professional resources to assist families with gaming addiction: https://www.esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/online-gaming

 

A recent study from the University of Oxford suggested that, although children spend a lot of time on their screens, they generally managed to intertwine their digital pastimes with daily life.

 

The research - looking at children aged eight to 18 - found that boys spent longer playing video games than girls.

 

Researcher Killian Mullan said: "People think that children are addicted to technology and in front of these screens 24/7, to the exclusion of other activities - and we now know that is not the case." However, when gaming does take the place of day to day activities, professional medical intervention is a critical starting point. Ensuring safeguards are in place, such as no technology in the bedroom, can assist in mitigating the chances of addiction.

 

Subject Selection and Careers Expo

Subject selection for 2019 will be occurring shortly. Information about this will be sent to families in the coming week. We encourage you to spend time with your son and ask him what he feels drawn to studying at school and what area he feels called to work in one day. These are some enormous questions for a teenager and we know so many of them will alter their career path, however, having a general sense of the area of study is an important starting point. Therefore, the Careers Expo on 30 May 2018 is a compulsory event for all Year 10 – 12 students to assist them with career discernment and subject selection.

 

Important Dates:

Student Free Day – 22 June 2018

Year 12 Formal – Friday 22nd June 2018

Semester 2 starts on Monday 25 June 2018

 

Mr David Ruggiero

Deputy Principal, Secondary (7-12) - Acting