Senior School
Senior School Academic Achievement Awards
Churchie takes great delight in celebrating student success in all areas of school life.
Boys in Years 7 to 12 have been updated regarding new parameters for Academic Achievement Awards. These awards are always presented in Term 1 and Term 3 during Headmaster’s Assembly for work completed in the previous semester.
The changes outlined below will come into effect in Term 3 this year, with awards that reflect Semester 1 efforts and results. The changes are subtle, but ensure greater levels of fairness for all students. For example, there were occasional situations with our previous parameters (which were largely based on subject grades) where students with strong overall percentages were excluded (e.g. outstanding A+ results in five subjects and two high B+ results), while students with weaker overall percentages were included (e.g. with 6 low As and one B). Our new metrics prevent this issue and still allow for a reasonable number of students to be recognised for their hard work and success.
Therefore, Academic Achievement Awards will now be presented for each semester as follows:
- Top 10% of the cohort based on the mean percentage or all As (or the equivalent for Year 11 and 12 IB students)
- A minimum of a B in RE
- Full subject load for Year Level
- Typically at least 85% of Learning Behaviours at or above ‘Consistently’ (4) across all subjects for the most recent full semester
* QCE Applied subjects in Years 11 and 12 given normalised percentage results based on A-E grades.
This information is also available in myChurchie through the Academics tile.
Richard Wheeldon
Deputy Headmaster
Interhouse competition
Interhouse Swimming
Interhouse Swimming was held on the final day of Term 1.
Despite a rather damp and inclement day, there was plentiful evidence of committed and spirited competition from across all houses. I want to express my sincere thanks to all involved, both in preparation for the event and those who contributed in numerous ways on the day.
I am especially appreciative of house leaders who played a key role in managing their teams and ensuring boys were present for their respective races.
The placings on the day of the event were as follows:
- 1st Kingsley
- 2nd Biggs
- 3rd Nansen
- 4th Hillary
- 5th Mawson
- 6th Casey
- 7th Gerald
- 8th Grenfell
- 9th Goodwin
- 10th Mansfield
- 11th Magnus
Gerald, Goodwin, Grenfell and Kingsley recorded attendances of over 90%, while Casey and Hillary exceeded 95%.
Current standings
The final placings and current point standings are:
| Place | House | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kingsley | 24 points |
| =2nd | Biggs | 20 points |
| =2nd | Hillary | 20 points |
| 4th | Nansen | 18 points |
| 5th | Casey | 16 points |
| 6th | Mawson | 14 points |
| 7th | Gerald | 12 points |
| 8th | Grenfell | 10 points |
| 9th | Goodwin | 8 points |
| 10th | Mansfield | 4 points |
| 11th | Magnus | 2 points |
Berian Williams-Jones
Deputy Head of Senior School (Years 7 to 9)
Year 12 IB Theory of Knowledge workshop
Theory of knowledge (TOK) is one of the flagship subjects of the IB Diploma Programme. TOK asks students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know, by encouraging them to question the knowledge frameworks and ways of knowing that are often considered simple background assumptions in regular secondary school (and even university level) subjects.
For the past two years, Year 12 IB students have collaborated with other IB schools in Brisbane to share resources and ideas. One of the benefits of IB is that there is no scaling of subjects, and no bell curve that ranks students and schools; therefore, interschool partnerships are actively sought and encouraged.
On Thursday 18 April, Churchie hosted IB students and teachers from St Peters Lutheran College and Indooroopilly State High School for a workshop that focused on the six prescribed TOK titles for the upcoming essay.
TOK coordinator Thom Robertson prepared a thought-provoking workshop that allowed students to engage in large and small group discussions. Mr Robertson delivered a plenary session at the start of the day, focusing particularly on prescribed title three, ‘How might it benefit an area of knowledge to sever ties with its past?’ This session explored work being done in Indigenous communities in Arnhem Land and was fascinating.
Year 12 IB students will have completed most of their Internal assessment by the end of this term, which allows them to prepare for exams from July onwards. The TOK essay is the final piece of assessment, and we wish the students well as they complete this.
Catherine Prosser
Dean of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Study Hub
By Year 12 student and Prefect Garry Chen
As we reflect on the conclusion of Term 1, it is clear that time is of the essence when it comes to achieving our yearly goals. Study Hub is an excellent opportunity for all students from Year 7 to 12 to get ahead of the pack, to maximise the amount of time spent studying and to utilise the guidance from peer tutors and staff.
The largest benefit of attending Study Hub is that it accommodates all students on the academic spectrum. There is always going to be someone who is able to assist you in your pursuits, regardless of whether it is Year 7 History or Year 12 Specialist Mathematics. Most critically, all student tutors have gone through the same education in the past, so they will all have crucial tips and suggestions to maximise learning in a short period of time.
Success at Study Hub hinges on your preparedness. Arrive knowing precisely where you need assistance and what goals you aim to achieve.
Study Hub runs on the top floor of the library from Monday to Thursday from 3:15 to 4:15 pm and also runs on Monday to Thursday mornings (by appointment only) from 7:40 to 8:10 am on The Centenary Library ground floor. It is highly encouraged for students to make the most of the provided resources and attend Study Hub as often as possible.
For those interested in becoming a student tutor, please email Ms Kelly Jackson or me. Furthermore, there are also benefits of being a student tutor, where the service opportunity not only encourages connections between students of different year levels but also reinforces one’s expertise on a topic. Ultimately this develops strong leadership skills where individuals must communicate effectively with not only students but also other tutors, to enhance their understanding of the subject matter.
Best wishes to all students for the upcoming term, and I hope to see all of you at Study Hub!
Year 5 visits Senior School Science
Light, matter and the solar system were the Year 5 science topics introduced to the students by Head of Physics Joel Wise and Head of Chemistry Dr Meriet Mikhail in the Senior School’s Nichols Theatre last week.
Mr Wise demonstrated some of the properties of light and how it responds in various mirrors and lenses. Dr Mikhail presented various demonstrations of chemical change versus (tasty) physical changes including some amazing chemical reactions. Mr Wise then wowed the students with an incredible journey through the solar system using an online simulator.
The students were a respectful and interested audience and asked some very thoughtful questions about the science concepts that had just been demonstrated. Thank you to Mr Wise and Dr Mikhail for their efforts in preparing and presenting to the Year 5 students.
John Martin
Head of Science Faculty