Especean

Curriculum and Learning

Farewell to the Class of 2024

As third term concludes our prayers, and best wishes go with the young men of Year 12 who graduate next week after thirteen years of schooling – a relief for many parents/carers.

 

While we acknowledge and celebrate the gift of these young men to the College through farewells and graduation ceremonies, we are reminded of the challenge that lays ahead for them in the coming weeks with the Higher School Certificate written examinations, commencing Tuesday 15 October.

 

We are also reminded of the very busy and eventful term it’s been for Year 12. Parents/carers would know, having just got over the Trial Higher School Certificate examinations in August, that many of the boys completed a significant practical component of their externally assessed Higher School Certificate examinations such as oral examinations in Languages, major works in English Extension 2, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Visual Arts, as well as performances for Drama and Music.

 

Parents/carers would agree their son’s time here at St Patrick’s has been filled with some setbacks as well as joys and successes but overall, parents/carers ought to feel a sense of pride in their son reaching this milestone at this College.

 

I wish every young man of the Class of 2024 all the best for the future as he embarks upon a new stage in his life. Farewell Year 12, good luck and God bless.

Year 11 Changes to Program of Study for Year 12-2025 HSC

This week I will address Year 11 regarding possible changes to their senior program of study prior to commencing the HSC course next term. Parents/carers and their sons are reminded of the following points:

  • All HSC students at St Patrick's College must undertake a minimum of 10 units.
     
  • The total number of units undertaken must include mandatory course units in Religion and in English. Thus, most students will undertake 11 units of study for the 2025 HSC as most undertake Studies of Religion I (1 unit).
     
  • The 1-unit course in Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies (SLR) will discontinue as it is a Year 11 Content Endorsed Course. Students will automatically pick up study periods instead.
     
  • Depending on their program of study students may, for example: drop a 2-unit subject (except English); drop a course or level within a subject, i.e., drop Mathematics Extension, drop English Extension, change from English Advanced to English Standard, change from Mathematics Advanced to Mathematics Standard 2, change from Mathematics Standard 2 to Mathematics Standard 1, change form Studies of Religion II (2 units) to Studies of Religion I (1 unit).
     
  • A few students will be invited by the College to undertake additional HSC extension courses in English, Italian, History, Mathematics, Music or Science. Enrolment in these courses is by invitation only and is based on demonstrable academic excellence in related courses.

Most students know already the changes they would like to make to their program of study. Understandably, some students are waiting on their examination results prior to making informed decisions. However, it is important students commit to their final HSC program of study as soon as possible as procrastination will just undermine effort over time.

Year 12-2025 HSC Assessment Student and Parent/Carer Information Evening

As per the College Calendar and Diary, on Monday 14 October, Year 11 students and their parents/carers will have an information evening where very important information about the 2025 Higher School Certificate and course assessment will be disseminated and addressed.

 

The HSC Assessment Information Evening will be held in the College Gymnasium on Monday 14 October, commencing at 6.30 PM and concluding at 8.00 PM. It is expected that all current Year 11 students attend in Senior College Summer uniform and accompanied by at least one parent/carer.

 

The evening will “walk through” the 2024-25 edition of the HSC Assessment Handbook, which includes the College’s HSC Assessment Policy and a set of HSC assessment schedules for each subject. An HSC assessment tasks calendar for fourth term will also be issued. These documents will be posted on the CANVAS Year 11 page and the TASS Parent Lounge in the first week of next term.

 

It is expected that all students thoroughly familiarise themselves with this assessment information to plan and prepare for the rigours demands of the HSC year ahead. I would also urge parents/carers to read this information with their sons.

The McGlade Academic Scholarship Examinations

In 1998, Brother James Athanasius McGlade celebrated seventy years as a Christian Brother. To mark this significant anniversary of a man who played so long and vital a role in the history of the College, the then Province Leader, Brother Julian McDonald, suggested that the College consider the establishment of a number of scholarships.

 

The College is proud to offer The McGlade Scholarships to boys currently enrolled at the College entering Year 11 in 2025. The rationale for the scholarships is the promotion of a love of learning and academic excellence.

 

Successful applicants will be selected through their performance in examinations conducted on Thursday 24 October 2024.

 

To apply on behalf of your son please click here. For more information, please contact spc@spc.nsw.edu.au. 

The McGlade Organ Scholarship

The College is seeking to appoint a new Organ Scholar now that our current scholars will be moving on to Year 12 and will graduate in 2025.The organ scholarship is open to any suitably qualified student from Years 7 to 10.

 

Applicants for the McGlade Organ Scholarship will be required to audition and meet certain selection criteria based on demonstrable keyboard competency, the ability to sight-read and sight-sing music and to show a willingness to undertake weekly organ tuition, practice daily and to be involved in a range of College liturgical celebrations, including Friday morning College Eucharists and special events as required.

 

Students in Year 10 may also be applying for the academic McGlade Scholarship which involves academic testing. These students may also apply for the Organ Scholarship if they believe they meet the criteria. Expressions of interest should be sent to the Head of Performing Arts (Ms Rebecca Duff) no later than Tuesday 15 October 2024 via email at rebecca.duff@spc.nsw.edu.au. Any enquiries can also be directed to Ms Duff at the College via phone or email.

 

Michael Cutrupi 

Director of Curriculum

Drama and Onstage Nomination 

This week we celebrate the amazing achievement of Year 12 Drama Student Jamie Cipollone who has received an ONSTAGE Showcase Nomination for his Individual Performance piece. This amazing accolade recognises the exceptional quality of performance that Jamie has produced, placing him in the top percentage of the state. 

 

The piece he performed was a harrowing recount of a Holocaust survivor filled with raw emotions. In this piece Jamie captured the unimaginable torment of those awaiting their fate in the gas chambers, some clinging to hope for one more day, while others, broken by despair, long for the end to come sooner. The thought-provoking narrative evoked deep reflection on human suffering, resilience, and the haunting reality of survival. 

 

Many students and parents ask why take Drama? It's just a fun subject or it's a bludge subject. While it is certainly not a bludge subject, it is an exceptionally fun subject and nowhere in the rule book does it say that learning has to be boring. Drama teaches more than just acting; it teaches teamwork, project management, public speaking and confidence. 

 

All the students who undertook Drama this year should be congratulated. Performing live in front of the markers and an audience of your peers is a daunting task, but one that is highly rewarding. It is a privilege to not only watch their final performances but to also see how much each boy has grown over the last two years in Drama. 

 

Rebecca Duff

Head of Performing Arts

Co.As.It. Language Assistants and the HSC Oral

This year, St Patrick’s College was fortunate to receive the support of Co.As.It. in the form of three Language Assistants: Anna, Lucia, and Angela. As native Italian speakers, they have played a crucial role in enhancing our students' proficiency in the Italian language and deepening their understanding of Italian culture.

 

Their work has been valuable in supporting our Stage 6 students, especially Year 12, as they prepare for their HSC Oral Examinations. The assistants have provided invaluable guidance, with Italian Continuers students completing their exams on Saturday 10 August and Italian Extension students on Saturday 14 September.

 

The feedback from the students has been extremely positive, with many highlighting how much they’ve gained from this support. We are immensely grateful for the contribution of the Language Assistants in supporting our students in developing their language skills and cultural appreciation.

 

Stephanie D'Arcangeli

Head of Languages

 

Alexander Giannopolous: Having Anna, Lucia and Angela available for speaking practice for the majority of each week helped solidify responses that I already had a rough structure for whilst offering help on what to add to include more information and link it to other areas. This frequent practice helped as I felt without it I would forget certain responses which with the practice I would be able to recite more fluently as opposed to needing to spend time about thinking of what to say.

 

John Paul Kayem: Anna, Lucia, and Angela have been instrumental in helping me develop my speaking skills in preparation for the HSC Oral Exam. Their guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback have significantly boosted my confidence and clarity in expressing my thoughts. With their support, I've been able to refine my pronunciation, expand my vocabulary, and enhance my overall fluency. I am incredibly grateful for their dedication and the positive impact they've had on my journey. This was evident in my marks.

 

Christian Afonso: All three speaking assistants helped me to gain more confidence with Italian speaking by engaging in more natural and authentic conversations. They also helped me to grow my linguistic skills by using more expansive terminology and vocabulary to enhance my results and fluency with Italian speaking.

 

Jeremy Simonetto and Daniel De Pasquale: Anna, Lucia, and Angela were very helpful in developing our skills for the Italian Extension HSC oral exam. They provided valuable advice from a native speaker's perspective, encompassing new expressions, authentic pronunciation, and accurate vocabulary, which assisted us in adding flair and complexity to our responses. They also gave feedback on our practice and exam monologues which helped us to improve our overall speaking abilities.