Week 10 Term 3

Congratulations to Year 12 who have completed their formal learning journey at St Joseph’s. Over the past 2 weeks, Year 12 have participated in a range of HSC Intensive Sessions for most of their subjects. This is a new approach the staff implemented this year to keep students fully engaged in the learning process and support them in their final preparations for the HSC exams in early Term 4. Staff are to be congratulated for the extra work they put in to prepare and run these sessions as are the students who in the main have accepted the challenge of ‘playing until the final whistle’. We are confident the Class of 2023 are in a good position to do well this year and we wish them all the best for their HSC exams and life beyond the walls of St Joseph’s.

Year 11 are wrapping up their yearly exam block and are to be congratulated on the way they have approached this important milestone in their education. They will return next term jumping straight into Year 12 course work as their road to the HSC begins. Whilst taking the time over the holidays to have a well-deserved break, students are encouraged to reflect on their successes and challenges of Year 11 and develop a school/home plan to support their HSC journey. Term 4 is important to establish positive learning habits and the first school-based assessment task that can really support maximising the school-based assessment component of the HSC course. As always, class teachers and the Curriculum Office are available to offer any support to students required in these matters.

Years 7-10 will return with their Semester 2 assessment weeks not too far away. Again, students should enjoy the opportunity to rest over the break but like Year 11, students are strongly encouraged to ensure they have a school/home plan to support their preparation for these exams and final assessments they will be completing. 

Last week we spoke to Year 9 students regarding senior (Year 11) subject selection. While this may seem a long way off, these students will begin this process during Term 1 next year. As part of our updated process, we have set automatic eligibility requirements for a range of senior (HSC subjects) based on student academic performance in Year’s 9 and 10. At the end of the term, once students' grades have been finalised, they will receive their first subject tracking sheet. This will provide students with an initial indication of the subjects that they can consider as part of the subject selection process. The purpose of this process is to help students recognise the importance of Years 9 and 10 in preparing students for senior studies. Our goal is to ensure students have as many options regarding subject selection available to them as possible and the best way to ensure this is to maximise their grades in years 9 and 10. To achieve this the approach of students to completing work/assessments both at school and at home is highly encouraged.

Mr Brett Moran

Curriculum Coordinator