Dean of Studies

ACHIEVING YOUR BEST – “Earnings & savings”

As for many adults, vigilance with saving and spending, and preparing all the necessary statements for tax returns is both important and necessary. Our relationship with our accountant extends over two decades and still involves an annual meeting to meet and prepare all the necessary documents. What was once difficult and time-consuming, has become efficient and much easier to facilitate. And so is the case with habits for academic success that can start right now.

For many students, the beginning of Term Two is the time to develop and refine specific study plans, particularly for students in Year Eleven and Twelve. The opportunity to review the goals from the start of the school year, an honest self-reflection about your achievement towards these goals, and a discussion with the most-qualified person to help you reset is the foundation to future success. I have often reflected upon the advice of the wise financial advisers and the impact of compound interest on savings and investments – the small savings and gains that are made now, leads to a larger pay-off for the future.

Achieving academic (personal) excellence requires attention to regular habits and routines (much like the routine of ‘saving’ and ‘sacrificing’). Small gains in committing to short bursts of study, revision and homework completion now, instead of thinking, ‘I will do it later’, leads to larger gains (‘earnings’) as these routines became easier to maintain with less energy required to commence.

Making a commitment to complete homework and assignments as soon as possible, setting aside time to review notes and testing your knowledge of a topic are the ‘savings’ that compound and grow into ‘earnings’ as you progress through a course. The compound effect results in a consistent approach and a reduction in test and exam anxiety.

EXTERNALLY SET TASK – Year 12 (General Course) Students

The Externally Set Task is a compulsory requirement for all students enrolled in General courses, and forms part of the College’s school-based assessment. All Year Twelve students enrolled in General courses should note the College schedule (listed below) and are reminded that the College expectations for attendance and assessment will apply.

Examination Timetable – Semester One (Year 11 & 12)

The Semester One Examination Timetable for ATAR (Year 11 & 12) courses will be available in Week 2.3. An electronic copy will be emailed to students next week.

Scholarship Testing – Saturday 18th May (9:30am – 12:00pm)

The Senior School Academic Scholarships for students entering Year 7 and Year 10 in 2020 will be conducted on Saturday 18 May, commencing at 9.30am. Students are to assemble outside the BP Forum by 9:15am on the day and will be directed to their room to complete the test.

NAPLAN (Online)

The NAPLAN Online will commence next week and students in Year 7 and 9 are reminded that the testing will be completed in their respective English and Mathematics classes. All students should ensure that they bring a charged laptop and headphones to complete the audio-based questions. The testing utilises the ‘Lock Down Browser’ (software) that ensures that students cannot access any other applications or websites whilst completing the tests. The schedule for the testing is as follows:

St Norbert Day – Friday 7 June

The Feast Day for the celebration of the entry to eternal life for Saint Norbert is June 6th and it is traditional for the College to mark the occasion with a day of celebration. This year the College will celebrate St Norbert Day on Friday 7th June with the following arrangements:

8:45 – 9:15          Homeroom

9:15 – 9:30          Students move to the O’Reilly Centre (ORC)

9:30 – 10:45        College Mass

10:45 – 11:15      House Morning Tea – designated House areas

11:15 – 12:00      Staff vs Students Sport (College Oval)

12:00 – 1:45        St Norbert Day Fair

1:45 – 2:00          Pack up stalls, clean up and money collection

2:00 – 2:15          Homeroom

2:15 – 3:15          St Norbert Day Concert – O’Reilly Centre

Many Homerooms have commenced planning their activity, food or beverage stall and all students will have the opportunity to purchase food and beverages at the St Norbert Day Fair. This year, there will be the option to pre-purchase hot food in Week 2.4 (prior to St Norbert Day), and further details will be published in the coming weeks.

Mr R Dowling (Dean of Studies)