From the Senior Years
This week, students in Year 12 reached the halfway point of Term 3. This is an important milestone, as students enter the busiest part of the year for assessment. While the road may be steep, the top of the mountain is very much in sight, with the downhill on the other side.
Year 12 students enjoyed a morning tea on Friday, 16 August, to celebrate this achievement of coming so far and to energise them for the final weeks of the term.
Students are encouraged to take up the opportunities for learning at the College, to use their initiative, carve out time to complete and submit practice exams to their teachers, work in small teams in study groups in the DTIC, and to maximise their time.
For parents, supporting students in the home learning environment is invaluable. This centres on conversations about learning, supporting students with effective study routines, and providing moral support and encouragement for all gains students have made. Affirmation matters.
VCE students have been active in representing the College in several co-curricular sporting activities in the past fortnight.
VCE students in Years 11 and 12 have represented the College at the annual ACS Cross Country and in the CGSAV Senior Soccer tournament.
Long-distance running takes courage – an important Mercy value. Commendations to all the Year 11 students who ran their best for the College, with several students running ‘PBs’ (personal best times) on the day of the event. Particular commendation goes to Ruby Collin, who finished 9th in her age group – a fantastic individual achievement. Mr Madden and Ms Forslind were instrumental in their guidance and coaching of the squad.
Reflecting on the event, St Aloysius College Year 11 competitors Ruby C and Sophia H commented on their long-term preparation and commitment as well as the determination of the whole team:
The lead-up to the event was filled with early morning training sessions, where we not only worked on our own endurance, but also had the chance to motivate and inspire the younger students to give running a try. It was incredibly rewarding to see their determination and hard work pay off on race day. Watching everyone push themselves to their limits and cross the finish line with a sense of accomplishment was both inspiring and heartwarming. Overall, it was a day filled with team spirit and encouragement. We are both grateful for the opportunity to represent St Aloysius with pride, and we hope that our efforts have helped to instil a love for running in the younger students.
More recently, the Senior Girls' Soccer team had an impressive tournament representing the College at the CGSAV Soccer tournament. The students reached the Grand Final with impressive results in the lead-up to the final match. Unfortunately, the students lost narrowly in the final. Commenting on the result, Head Coach Stefan Odachowski praised the efforts of all team members and made notable mentions of Abbey and Imogen L (Year 12) and Ruby C (Year 11) for their leadership and play in all tournament games.
Tom Crowle
Senior Years Leader