Year
12 Final Weeks
Our Year 12 students are fast approaching
the business end of 14 years of schooling with the mock Western Australian
Certificate of Education (WACE) examinations in the coming holidays followed by
a short period back at school with seminars and then study time for the final
WACE examinations. This is an exciting time for them but also a challenging
time as they prepare for exams and to move into the world beyond the security
of school. Graduation is a very special time and a significant milestone in a
student’s life.
Details of the programme for Year 12
students as they prepare to graduate from the College are listed below:
House
Farewells: Monday, 18 September 2017
Year 12 students will be farewelled by their
Houses during House Tutor Group on Monday, 18 September 2017 followed by lunch
on this day. Students will be required to complete a Clearance Form before this
day to ensure that all administration requirements have been met; this includes
approved notifications of all absences.
Finish
Of Classes And College Exams
Year 12 students have their final day of
classes on Monday, 18 September 2017. The following day is a home study day after
which students move into their final timetable of College exams. Providing students have been cleared from the
College as having satisfactorily completed all assessments, they do not need to
attend school except for exam times during the examination period; however,
students may wish to study in the San Salvador Building and staff will be
available to assist them if required. Students still requiring to complete
assessments will be required to attend school as normal until all assessments have
been completed. When sitting exams, students need to wear their College Winter
Academic Uniform and may wear their Leavers Jackets; this also includes exams
during the holiday period.
WACE Written Exams (1 – 21 November 2017)
Students will receive a personalised timetable
detailing their examination times and locations. They must bring this timetable
to all written examinations. Most written examinations will be at the
College with external supervisors undertaking the supervision. Student must
wear their College Summer Uniform for all written examinations.
ATAR
Tutorials
Between Tuesday, 10 October 2017 and
Wednesday 18 October 2017 revision seminars will be run for all ATAR
subjects. Students sitting ATAR
exams must attend these tutorials.
Students
Not Sitting Atar Exams
Students not sitting ATAR examinations need
to attend school for their examinations and return to school for their final
day on Thursday, 19 October 2017.
Final
Day Of School: Thursday, 19 October 2017
The final day of school for Year 12 students
will be Thursday, 19 October 2017. Students must arrive at the College promptly
at 7.15am ready to depart via the College bus to travel to the Novotel Vines
Resort where students will enjoy breakfast with College staff. Students must
not drive directly to the breakfast and will need to leave their cars at the
College.
There will be a rehearsal for the Graduation
Mass at the Parish Church. Students will return to the San Salvador Building
for a College Farewell Assembly commencing at 10.00am, which parents/guardians are invited to
attend. Students will be honoured in a farewell fanfare and procession as they
leave the College at approximately 11.00am.
Dress for the day is the College summer
academic uniform. Students will receive their transcript of results on this day.
Graduation
Mass: Thursday, 19 October 2017
The Graduation Mass will be held in the
evening of Thursday, 19 October 2017 commencing at 6.30pm in the Parish Church.
Students will need to arrive by 6:15pm wearing their formal academic College
uniform. Families are invited to join us for the Graduation Mass which will be
followed by a light supper in the College Café. This is a very
significant ritual in the life of the Year 12 students and all Year 12 students are
required to attend.
Annual
Celebration Evening: Thursday, 26 October 2017
Year 12 students are required to attend the
Annual Celebration Evening where they will be presented with their College
Graduation certificates. This will take place at the College on Thursday, 26
October 2017 commencing at 6.30pm; students need to arrive by 6.00pm. Students
need to wear the College Winter Academic uniform including the College jumper,
ties for the boys and tights for the girls. There will be a rehearsal in the
morning at 10.00am which all students are required to attend.
We pray that our students find the inner
strength to “knuckle down” and work to the best of the ability as they study
and prepare for their exams.
Some people wish their children and students
the “best of luck” when sitting exams, but success in exams is not about luck;
it is a result of sound preparation and study prior to the examinations.
Inadequate preparation for exams simply
creates unnecessary anxiety and worry. The Dalai Lama has been quoted to say;
“If there is no solution to the problem then don't waste time worrying about
it. If there is a solution to the problem then don't waste time worrying about
it.” – Solve it!
There is a solution to improving your exam
results, and that is sound preparation and study. By now students should have
already developed good study habits. However, I have included a few tips below
to remind students of the most important strategies.
Ten Tips - Studying
Make studying a part of your everyday
routine and don't be limited to 'cramming' for exams and tests.
1.
Establish a routine
Set aside a
particular time each day for study and revision and stick to it.
2.
Create a study environment
This should be
away from interruptions and household noise, such as the television. Ensure
there is adequate lighting and ventilation, a comfortable chair and appropriate
desk.
3.
Set a timetable
With a timetable
you can plan to cover all your subjects in an organised way, allotting the
appropriate time for each without becoming overwhelmed.
4.
Look after yourself
Drink plenty of
fluids, especially water, and eat healthy foods. Keep sugary foods to a
minimum. Make sure you get enough sleep each night. Regular physical exercise
makes you feel great, boosts your energy and helps you relax. So try to keep up
regular sporting activities or at least fit in some regular exercise as often
as you can.
5.
Reward yourself for studying
Watch your
favourite television program, spend time with your friends, walk to the park
and play sport throughout the week.
6.
Have variety in your study program
Study different
subjects each day and do different types of work and revision in each study
session.
7.
Avoid interrupting your concentration
Have all the
appropriate materials with you before you start a session of study to minimise
distractions.
8.
Test yourself on what you have studied
Ask your parents
or family members to quiz you on what you have learnt, use draft questions from
books, past assessments or major exam papers.
9.
Don't panic at exam time
If you have
followed a study routine and have been revising your class work, there should
be no need to worry. Try to keep yourself calm, positive and confident.
10.
Ask your teachers for guidance
Especially if
you're having trouble - whether it's grasping a new concept or understanding
something you learnt earlier in the year. They will be happy to help.
Tips
for Families During the Examination Period
Families too, can assist greatly by their
love and support during this critical time in a student’s life. This is a time
when the family needs to fit in with the student’s routine. A few tips on how
families can help their child through their exams are listed below:
a)
Be caring and affectionate, but don't make the student uncomfortable with over-attention.
b)
Spend some light moments with your child. It could
be sitting at the dinner table and sharing some jokes with the family.
c)
Forget about an exam as soon as your child has
completed it, ruminating over it is not going to help you or your child with
the next exam. Inculcate the same in your child.
d)
Reward your child every day for good effort by
doing something that they enjoy.
e)
Do not set onerous or unachievable rules or goals for
your child; let the child follow his or her routine while studying.
Nevertheless, you can always assist your child in coming up with a routine.
f)
Ensure good nutrition for your child.
g)
Provide guidance when it comes to your child's
social interactions during the examination.
h)
Be a good listener.
i)
Help your child with positive thoughts.
j)
Keep the atmosphere at home stable and congenial.
k)
Encourage discipline in your child. Guide him or
her in maintaining a timetable.
l) Remember to reinforce your child's confidence if he
or she is going to face or has faced a tough paper.
m)
One of the most important facts to reinforce to
your child is that the exam is not the end to everything.
While hard work is the key to success we do
wish our students the best of luck too, as a little bit of luck can be a
blessing.
Mr Peter Collins - Acting Principal
