Preparation for adulthood – Academic Success

In a previous newsletter, reference was made to Julie Lythcott-Haims, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University and the author of “How to Raise an Adult” and a belief in the importance of chores and helping around the house. The belief that helping around the house provides a foundation for academic, employment and career success is important to consider for building and maintaining a work ethic. In the book Ms Lythcott-Haims discusses the common-held perception that Millennials do not have a work ethic (held predominantly by their predecessors) while also arguing that in fact, a majority of Millennials do in fact have a work ethic and a willingness to try their best. A contentious point is raised in that the previous generations may have in fact contributed to the mindset that is so often attributed to the Millennials.

Another dangerous assumption is the “I have a test” mindset, whereby parents will wait upon the child hand and foot as they are incapable without the intervention of the parents. Ms Lythcott-Haims states (pp.199 - 200): “Extracurricular activities, tests and homework are important, but equally important is that we teach our children the skills and values that come from doing chores. Through chores they will learn responsibility for contributing to the work of the household or the team; autonomy in handling tasks; accountability to meet a deadline and a particular level of quality; determination to get a job done well; perseverance when challenges are met and the value of taking the initiative instead of waiting to be asked.”

And so Lythcott-Haims expands on this to argue that even if the child’s effort is not needed to ensure the smooth running of the home, they must contribute, know how to contribute and feel the rewards of contributing in order to understand the value of working hard when they head out into the workplace and the community.

With our understanding of this, we can look to how these capabilities that are achieved through helping at home translate to school and homework and study in particular. Performing to the best of our academic ability requires a responsible approach to school work; personal responsibility to use the time well and attend to deadlines; perseverance when learning is challenged and a value in taking the initiative to see assistance. Therefore, whether the goal is for university entry, a vocational pathway or to just gain employment, initiative, responsibility and reliability will be required.

The earlier the helping at home begins, the greater the chances for success in adulthood.

Academic Achievement (Semester One)

The College is pleased to recognise the students that demonstrated outstanding effort in Semester One. Recently, these students were presented with their awards for Academic Distinction and/or Ad Omnia Paratus.

The point system was introduced in 2016 to calculate Academic Distinctions in Years 8 – 10, and takes into consideration the stream that a student is studying, and for Year Seven students achieving a majority of ‘A’ grades with no grades less than a ‘B’ (E.g. Minimum of ‘A’ and ‘B’ grades).

The Ad Omnia Paratus Award is awarded to students achieving a minimum 85 per cent of ‘Excellent’ in the working attributes for each subject. Congratulations to the following students on their achievement and effort:

Year 7

Ad Omnia Paratus: Sarah Abood; Agna Aji; Sienna Bien; Jia Ying Chen

Academic Distinction: Sienna Bien; Alyssandra Briggs; Maygen Brosztl; Talia Cappelluti; Melissa Catalano; Jia Ying Chen; Taylah Creighton; Daniel Hanish; Suzannah Jeeves; Jessica Le Dain; Angelica Massoud; Minh Nguyen; Eva Paterson; Katie Seroney; Cadence Smythe

Year 8

Ad Omnia Paratus: Sharie Fernandez

Academic Distinction: Mary Carter; Darcy Eyre; Sophie Griffiths; Isabella Hulm; Jonathon Le; Judyth Nawa; Anthony Paradiso; Anetka Pastuszak; Taine Rangitoheriri; Matthew Sanchez; Lexi Satti; Riley Suckling; Jeann Valdez; Kira Willis

Year 9

Academic Distinction: Ashleigh Bell; Nishnata Chalisey; Chanmollika Chhim; Elijah Edmonds; Holly Giles; Audrey Lee; Maleesha Meegamarachchi; Shanette Ndossi; Jaslina Pereira; Caitlin Pettersen; Kathleen Porter; Guntaas Ranu; Ayden Ratnasekera; Varum Shivnani

Year 10

Ad Omnia Paratus: Arielle Chant; Keisha Desmond; Danika Hampson; Anushka Kotian; Isioma Onyemgba; Tegan Reder; Matilda Seroney

Academic Distinction: Keisha Desmond; Shenae Hartree; Danika Hampson; Anushka Kotian; Matilda Seroney; Arielle Chant; Isioma Onyemgba; Nicole Vlahov; Jordan-Blaze Lightbourn; Connor Le Dain; Sydney Midgeley; Aixin Oppelaar; Max Patriarca; Zeta Stevens; Joseph Constantino; Tiana Suckling

Year 11

Academic Distinction: Jade Cooper; Haggai Girsang

Year 12

Ad Omnia Paratus: Jorja Belli; Aldric Ratnasekera

Academic Distinction: Jorja Belli; Mikayla Farrelly; Joshua Goadby-Cox; Dermott Marovac; Aldric Ratnasekera

Seijo Exchange – Assistance required

The College has a warm and long-lasting relationship with Seijo School in Japan and we are again seeking support from families in the St Norbert College community to assist with hosting visiting students from Seijo School in Term Three.

We are in urgent need of two families that may be willing to host female students, and we encourage you to contact Mr Anthony Godden at the College if you are able to assist. This is an opportunity to provide an Australian cultural experience for overseas students and build mutual friendships between our students and the Seijo students.

Curtin University Scholarships (2020)

Scholarships are now open for Year 12 students who wish to study at Curtin University in 2020.

1. John Curtin Scholarship Program

This program is for students in the top 5% of the College’s graduating year who can demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities and engagement in community service. The program includes the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship and the Julia Gillard Women in Leadership Scholarship. The application form may be downloaded from the Curtin University Scholarships website. The closing date for these applications is Wednesday 18th September, 2019.

2. Principal's Recommendation Award

Western Australian secondary school principals may nominate two students based on any of the criteria listed on Curtin University Scholarships website. The nomination form is to be completed by the closing date of Friday 8th November, 2019.

3. Other scholarship opportunities

Curtin University is also offering a number of merit and financial need based scholarships for 2020. These scholarships close on Friday 15th November 2019. Please note that if students are shortlisted for more than one scholarship or award, they will be offered the scholarship or award of the highest value.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Scholarships Office at scholarships@curtin.edu.au.

OLNA Workshops

(Year 10 – 12)

Literacy workshops for OLNA practice will be held to prepare students who are sitting the OLNA (Round 2) assessments in Week Eight. The workshops will run on Thursday mornings (8:00am – 8:30am) in Room C2 for the following:

Reading Workshop: Thursday 8 August & Thursday 22 August
Writing Workshop: Thursday 15 August & Thursday 29 August

Please email Mrs Johnson if you would like to confirm a place at these workshops.

ATAR Revision Seminars – Parent Committee subsidy

A reminder that the St Norbert College Parent Committee offers subsidies to any Year 12 who attends a revision seminar. If you attended a seminar during the break, please pay and then return your receipt to the College and you will receive the $20 subsidy. Please note that the subsidy applies to workshops completed through Revise Online - https://www.reviseonline.com

Mr R Dowling (Dean of Studies)

Academic Excellence

Academic Excellence Program Year 7-9