Dean of Studies

Advice for when you graduate

Recently Ray Dalio, the founder, co-Chief Investment Officer and co-Chairman of Bridgewater Associates, shared some advice to soon-to-be university graduates in the United States. Ray started Bridgewater in 1975 out of a two-bedroom apartment in New York City and the global investment firm of more than 45 years is the world’s largest hedge fund. Ray is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, “Principles: Life and Work.” In 2012, Time Magazine named Ray Dalio one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Ray often shares the experience of his biggest failure where he got things wrong, had to let all his staff go, and borrow money from his father in order to pay the bills as a husband and father of young children. He states that this was a great lesson in humility for him, and stayed with him as he rebuilt Bridgewater Associates.

Ray is also an active philanthropist with a particular interest in oceanographic research and conservation. He is a participant in The Giving Pledge, a commitment to give more than half of his wealth to charity. One of his beliefs is that reality works like all the parts of a machine, and that principles for dealing with reality are required to be successful.

“I often get asked on social media for my advice for young people, so I wanted to share some of my top advice at this time when many young people are graduating,'' he said. "No matter your age or stage in life, I hope you find this valuable.”

Ray has offered 10 points of advice for soon-to-be graduates, as listed here:

1. You’re about to enter the beginning of the second phase of your life which is totally different than the first. Realise that you know virtually nothing about what it’s like so you need to learn what it’s like and how to be great at it.
2. Be humble and maximise your learning, ideally working in an apprentice relationship with a great boss/mentor and in a great community.
3. Experiment a lot to explore what different paths in life are like and learn from trial and error.
4. Pick your culture well. Make sure you always have the right to make sense of things.
5. Be open-minded and assertive at the same time and learn how to struggle and fail well.
6. Realise that meaningful work and meaningful relationships will fulfil you and help you to be more successful.
7. Remember that pain + reflection = progress, so that your failures will give you gems/improvements if you diagnose them well.
8. Be radically truthful and transparent so that you triangulate with others and build better relationships.
9. Refer to principles when you encounter issues to find the appropriate principles to consider how to handle your situation, collect and refer to great principles from people who have been successful, and start to write your own principles.
10. Ah, there are so many more  and to be young and to have all that adventure ahead of you. It’s wonderful! Make the most of it.

While much of this advice is clear and self-explanatory, as we read and reflect on these, we realise that the advice reflects many of the opportunities that students can experience here at the College. Each new school day, each lesson, each term, semester or academic year presents the opportunity for a new beginning, and the reality of turning up ready to learn.

The guidance of College staff, participating with peers and a willingness to try new things, builds up our Catholic school community. Most importantly, in spite of recent challenges with how we experience our lessons, there is still time on the side of a student, to face challenges, seek the wisdom and advice of others, and look forward to tomorrow for the next challenge. And while Ray's advice may be seen as advice for life, a closer look reveals that this also serves as a daily student checklist for the pursuit of individual excellence in all that we do.

Examination Timetable - Semester One (Year 11 & 12)

The Semester One Examination Timetable for ATAR (Year 11 & 12) courses is now available. Students should make note of the dates and times for their courses. All Semester One examinations will take place in the Cappenburg Building, commencing in Week 2.6.

*All Japanese orals will take place in class on Friday, 29 May from 1:30pm – 3:30pm (Week 2.5)

Instructions for candidates (students)

1. If you are absent from the examination due to an illness or injury that prevents you from attending or completing an examination, you must contact the College immediately. A medical certificate is required for an approved absence from an examination.
2. Candidates should aim to arrive 20 minutes before the starting time, and bags and mobile phones must be placed in the locker, as they will are not permitted to be brought into the examination venue.
3. The College expectations with regards to uniform and personal preparation apply when attending for examinations.
4. Ensure that all drinks are in clear plastic bottles with all labels removed – only water is allowed in drink bottles.
5. Mathematics notes are not to be folded, creased or glued together, and students are only permitted two A4 (doubled-sided) sheets as a maximum.
6. For three-hour examinations, toilet visits are only permitted after the first hour and not permitted during the final thirty (30) minutes. The toilet should only be used as an emergency, or due to a specific medical condition.

Scholarship Testing - Saturday 16 May (9.30am - 12.00pm)

The Senior School Academic Scholarships for students entering Year 7 and Year 10 in 2021 will be conducted on Saturday, 16 May 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.

University admission requirements for 2021

For Year 12 students seeking admission to university study in 2021, the latest information update as of 8 May, 2020 has been provided by Genevieve Baker from Catholic Education Western Australia. A summary of this information is included as an attached (PDF) document below. Students are encouraged to visit the TISC website and the website of any university that they are considering an application to for further updates.

Mr R Dowling (Dean of Studies)