From the Deputy Principal,
Secondary
From the Deputy Principal, Secondary
2019 Subject Selection for Years 7 -12
This year we have introduced a preliminary subject selection process for Year 7 -12 in 2019. This will expedite planning and subject offerings for 2019. In addition, the revised 2019 Curriculum handbook will be available as a reference guide to assist you and your son in his subject selection discernment. A Dominican education focuses on the formation of the whole person and honours gifted diversity. The variety of gifts present in our community is reflected by the wide-ranging pathways chosen by our boys. Regardless of their ATAR, job title or salary, we want young men who will reflect the Four Pillars of Dominican Life throughout their life and in all they do.
The process of discernment involves honest self-reflection. Please sit with your son and talk about his dreams, passions, challenges, talents and goals. Prepare a list of what he wishes to do and weigh the pros and cons of each choice. Look for where he is drawn rather than driven. We want him to be a man of integrity who reaches his God-given potential in whatever chosen field or fields.
Paul’s letter to Timothy reminds us of the age old human quest for life-giving identity as we develop our unique self. “Fan into a flame the gifts that God gave you.” At Blackfriars Priory School we strive to assist your son identifying the gifts he has been given, so they can be fanned into flame, kindled and nurtured.
Education, like our modern world, is a dynamic landscape. The Australian Government’s, “From Growth to Achievement -A Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools”, highlights the need for educational growth and subject renewal. As a School, we have responded and reviewed our 2019 subject offerings to meet the signs of the times. In addition, we want to provide boys with the opportunity for gainful employment in the key areas identified by the South Australian Government. These include: Defence and Shipbuilding, Energy and Mining, Health and Research, IT and Hi-Tech, and Tourism - Food and Wine.
All the while, we provide an innovative and engaging 21st Century learning environment with a contemporary curriculum that complements the requirements of the Australian Curriculum, SACE and CESA. Most importantly, your son’s holistic education is underpinned by dedicated pastoral care, mental health and growth mindset interventions, spiritual nurturing in the Catholic tradition, cocurricular and extension opportunities, mate-ship, and the passionate lifelong identity that comes from knowing that once a Black’s boy…always a Black’s boy.
Process for Preliminary Subject Selection
1. Student meetings in year levels
- Week 7, Tuesday 12 June
- Each year level meets with teachers from the year level they will be entering in 2019
- A summary of the process and brief of the subjects on offer for 2019 will be detailed during the meeting
- Logins (web codes) and subject selection planning forms will be distributed via hard copy and email
- Students are free to select subjects that meet their future ambitions and reflect their ability and interest. Information to assist you and your son will be found in the 2019 Curriculum Handbook and on the subject selection planning form.
- Subject lists will be distributed to faculty coordinators for final approval, based on discussions with staff at faculty meetings.
2. Year 7-9 Key Teachers will manage subject selection counselling for students entering Years 8 - 10 in 2019.
3. Year 10 and 11 Home Group Teachers will manage subject selection for students entering Year 11 and 12 in 2019.
4. Optional SACE Parent Information Evening for students entering Year 11 or 12 in 2019 - Wednesday 13 June at 7:00pm
- This will be available for all current Year 10 and Year 11 parents and students on Wednesday 13 June at 7:00pm in the Fr James O’Doherty Performing Arts Centre
- The meeting will also be an opportunity to talk to a faculty leader or Head of House.
5. Subjects entered by families by Friday 22 June 2018 via Edval WebChoices
- Follow up of students who have not completed the process will occur through Key Teachers and Home Group Teachers.
6. A link to the Edval WebChoices will be sent out through Consent2Go for you to give consent to the subjects selected.
7. Students who wish to fine tune their subject selections can do so, with parental consent, up until Term 3 Week 6. However, preliminary submission must have occurred by Friday 22 June 2018.
Students wishing to apply for the Ax (Academic Extension) Program can do so by selecting the option on Edval WebChoices. The Ax Program is for motivated students who have displayed a passion for STEM based subjects.
If you have any queries please feel free to contact, Mr Carl Todman for (Years 7-9) or Mrs Daniela Piteo for (Years 10-12).
Stages 1 and 2 Exams
Please refer to the attachment to view the Stages 1 and 2 Exam Timetable which commences on 18 June 2018.
Mr David Ruggiero
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, SECONDARY (7 - 12) - ACTING