As you read this, most of our Year 11s are either on Camp at Helidon or they are in Fiji on our annual mission trip. Please pray for us as these two trips will help set the tone and culture of the College in 2016.
We are now looking forward to the end of 2015 and planning for 2016 already. Please take note of the following:
- Awards Night, 2015 – Tuesday, 3 November. COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
Our awards night will again be held at the Caloundra Events Centre, 20 Minchinton St, Caloundra. Please place this date in your calendar. Note that it is compulsory for all Secondary students to attend. Dress for students is formal uniform. Blazers are required for all students on stage but optional for others. Ties are required to be worn by all.
- Wednesdays 2016 – Next year we are placing most senior school excursions and sporting carnivals on Wednesdays. This is to try to minimise disruptions to lessons. Once the calendar for 2016 is finalised, it is expected that students discuss activities with employers or other trainers that this impacts. Student attendance at school sporting carnivals and excursions on Wednesdays is to be considered compulsory.
Awards and how they are determined: In Senior, awards are given to the best performing student in each subject in each year level. We also award up to five diligence awards and five G.R.E.A.T. awards to each year level. Diligence awards recognise those students who have put in the greatest effort and strived hard in their academic studies and yet did not achieve an academic award. G.R.E.A.T. awards are given to up to five students in each year level who most clearly demonstrate our G.R.E.A.T values of Godliness, Respect, Excellence, Attitude and Teachability. Diligence and G.R.E.A.T. award recipients are nominated by staff.
There are also some additional special awards that include:
- Recognition for those students who have achieved VET Certificates;
- Recognition for those who have completed university subjects;
- Leadership awards provided by the Australian Defence Force;
- The Emily Lord Award, presented to the student who demonstrates the highest level of commitment across all facets of the College including Academic, Sporting, Cultural and Service;
- Dux of Year 12, awarded to the student who has achieved the highest academically; and
- Principal’s Award, presented to the student in Year 12 who is recognised by staff as most clearly displaying the G.R.E.A.T. values.
By far the most difficult award to determine is the Dux. This award is based on students’ placements on Verification Levels of Achievement in each of their subjects at the end of Term 3. Each Level of Achievement is given a calibrated score and these are tallied. The student with the highest tally is awarded Dux.
Term 4 Week 1 – 4 Important Dates
- Week 1, Wednesday 8 October – Year 12 Community Service Day
- Week 2, Tuesday 13 October – Year 11 Rotary Driver Awareness Program
- Week 2, Thursday 15 October – GCC TNT Talent Night Competition
- Week 2, Friday 16 October – Beerwah Celebration Festival
- Week 3, Monday 19 October – Verification Day – Normal school lessons.
- Week 3, Wednesday 21 October – Year 10 Mock Interviews
- Week 3, Tuesday & Wednesday 20, 21 October – Year 12 Social Justice Days
- Week 3, Thursday 22 October – Senior School Legacy Cup Challenge
- Week 4, Wednesday 28 October – Sports Awards Night
- Week 4, Friday 30 October – GCC Dance Night
Term 4 Uniform Expectations:
As we now head into the warmer months, we will be far more strict on students being sunsmart and wearing hats. Students must be reminded that hats are compulsory at breaks and for seniors they must wear their formal hat with formal uniform and sports hat with sports uniform. Ties are not required to be worn in Term 4 and shirts can be left out.
David Heyworth, Head of Senior School