December 11th, 2009
Our Year 10 students have graduated today. They have finished the compulsory component of their schooling and most will be moving onto Stage 6. This is a different style of learning and the work rate seems to escalate at an alarming rate in Year 11 and Year 12. The School Certificate results for this group are very good. If we add the top two bands (Bands 5 and 6) together for each subject examined there is about 40% of the cohort to be found. This is a result our school and school community should be proud of. Most of the subjects had above state average for students in Bands 5 and 6. We virtually had no students in the bottom band for any subject. Congratulations again and on behalf of the school I wish them well.
This Year 10 group is the last of an era. No longer can students go to Year 10, complete their School Certificate requirements then leave school for no apparent reason. The leaving age has been raised now to 17. Students can leave to study at TAFE or to take up full time employment before they turn 17. I don't believe the raising of the leaving age (to be more in line with other states) will have much of an effect on our school as students do not leave to take up residence on a couch somewhere. Those that do leave take up employment, go to another school or continue to study at TAFE.
Reports will be issued soon. All Student Advisers have had an opportunity to read through the reports and to make an overall comment on the student's achievement. Special merit assemblies have been held to celebrate the many students who have worked so hard this semester.
The culmination of the year for Crestwood is our Presentation Evening being held on Tuesday evening. The staff is really looking forward to this celebration of students who have achieved outstanding academic achievement, sporting achievement and general commitment towards the school by leadership or by public service to the school and the students. Congratulations to all recipients.