1. Kieran Williams Year 9 Class Teacher

2. February  21Public Speaking round 1  24 Swimming Carnival  28Public Speaking Final March  5Ash Wednesday  5IPSHA Swimming and Diving gala day  7Wollemi Cross-Country Carnival  12Hills Zone swimming gala day  12Open Day  26CIS Swimming Carnival  21Debating Round 1

3. April  4 First Friday Adoration  4Debating Round 2  5IPSHA Cross Country Carnival  11Term 1 ends  13Basketball Grand Final  29First day back for students

4. ScienceMr. Frank Monagle ReligionMr. Ian Ison HistoryMr. Ian Ison Visual ArtMr. Joe Tabone Design TechMr. Julien Perrottet PDHPEMr. Julien Perrottet GeographyMr. Jacob Kuruvilla CommerceMr. Ian Mejia MathematicsMr. Brendan Williams EnglishMr. Brett Wright MusicMr. Mark Ranftl Wood TechMr. Mark Ranftl SpanishMr. Kieran Williams Digital MediaMr. Kieran Williams

5.  Student diaries ◦ We would like them to be signed by a parent or guardian every week.  Personal presentation ◦ The College places a lot of importance on this. ◦ Secondary students should have dark blue or black socks, black or grey belt and leather shoes (not boots). ◦ All students should have the correct sports uniform for PDHPE classes and school carnivals. ◦ Hair cuts should be appropriate and not attention seeking. (No dyed hair)

6.  Homework misses ◦ First time offence, the diary is stamped and a parental signature is required. ◦ Second time offence, the diary is stamped and the student must attend Homework catch-up at lunch time in order to complete this. ◦ Third time offence, diary, homework catch-up, and a phone call home to parents.  Behavioral Issues ◦ The subject teacher deals with behavioral issues as they arise in class. ◦ If the behavior of a student is frequently unacceptable, the issue is then dealt with by the class teacher. ◦ If the student’s behavior fails to improve, the Director of Studies in Secondary is involved, at which point parents are notified of their son’s behavioral issues. ◦ Beyond this, a student can be referred to the Principal and parents may be required to attend the school to discuss measures to curb the issue.

7.  Continuing to form good habits. ◦ Time is running out to develop the habits of work and responsibility that will be needed in adult life. (These are the formative years in their lives.) ◦ Help your son see that he has a serious responsibility to develop his talents, and to prepare himself to make a contribution. ◦ Routines of nightly work foster habits which help to build virtue. ◦ Year 8 Students should be aiming for between 1 ½ and 2 hours of homework, study and assignment work each night. (Obviously more in the lead up to exam time) ◦ Students should be avoiding TV on week nights and limiting their use of computers. ◦ Computers with internet accessibility in bedrooms is a bad idea.

8.  Foster Internal convictions. The ultimate goal of education of teenagers is to help each young person act freely (not coerced by his own weakness, nor by fads, media nor peer group), choose what is right and, put his convictions into practice. Encourage student to set his own realistic goals and to analyse his own report.  Spiritual values must underpin life. Live life with an optimism, and a trust in Providence that shows your faith is important to you. Let your son see you pray. Don’t coerce him to pray, but ask him to pray for sick relatives etc. (For Catholics) Go to the Sacrament of Confession together as a family. Say the Family Rosary.

9.  Don’t protect your son from the consequence of his actions. Let him fight his own battles. Don’t offer excuses for him.  Lay the foundations for a healthy social life. Do this before it becomes an issue. Help your son realise that friendship with many boys and girls is a very good thing, but he should not let himself become emotionally tied during school years. Ensure social activities are small in size, in groups, and at homes. Give practical guidelines about respect for girls.  Insist that living in a family means not putting unreasonable demands on others in the family for lifts, waiting up at night, etc.  Maturity not so much about taking care of oneself, but about taking care of others.

10.  Any questions?  Thanks for listening.  Make sure you get a handout.  Feel free to approach me with any concerns you may have throughout the year.  I look forward to your continued support.