Commendations
The purpose of this scheme is to recognize students who set a fine example to others in the school community and/or show excellence in an area. It enables the school community to publicly recognize students who excel over a number of Faculty and service areas and assists students in goal setting and providing positive role models.
The Commendation Scheme will:
· recognise students who excel or show marked improvement in school endeavours
· recognise the positive behaviours when students uphold school values and beliefs
· set high standards in all areas of school life, ensuring that excellence will become a tradition
To qualify for a Commendation a student is to have consistently achieved at a high level, or have shown consistent effort/improvement in one of the following four areas.
1. Academic/Quality Work.(e.g. top five in unit test, excellence in assignment or assessment)
2. Sport and Cultural Merit.(e.g. Representative in school sports/carnivals, age champions, sportsmanship, cultural performance and/or participation in school cultural activities e.g. music, dance, hospitality, drama, fashion, art exhibitions, debating)
3. Student Welfare/School Service.(i.e. Consistently exhibits values and beliefs of the school e.g. high standards of behaviour, uniform, cooperation, honesty, participation in programs and activities that benefits the school e.g. billeting, reading tutor programs, reader/writer, peer mediation, SRC, Peer Support)
4. Commitment to Personal Best.(i.e. Exhibits responsibility, support of others and quality work. R.S.Q.)
When issuing a Commendation the teacher will clearly indicate the area on theCommendation slip
Commendations given over two or more areas
Bronze Award– 5 Commendations
Silver Award– 10 Commendations
Gold Award– 20 Commendations
Principal's Award - 40 Commendations
All awards will be at the Principal's or Year Advisor's discretion as students must have displayed excellent effort, behaviour and standard of uniform over a period of time.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
1. Students may seek a Commendation in any of the above areas by applying to the relevant teacher or Faculty area.
2. Students take their Commendations to their Year Adviser when applying for an Award. Year Advisor will maintain records.
3. Awards will be presented at formal Year Assemblies.
PRIVILEGES
1. BRONZE – Head of bus lines or canteen queue, expires after one week
2. SILVER – Bronze plus 1st choice of sport.
3. GOLD –Bronze and Silver plus vouchers and discounts as available.
4. PRINCIPAL'S – Bronze, Silver and Gold plus ticket to an exemplary school performance e.g. Starstruck.
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Faculty Award– presented at formal Year Assemblies for First in Class, Class Improvement
Scholarships & Awards
Read more about different Scholarships and Awards.
Port Stephens Council Mayoral Scholarships
Announced each December, these scholarships are open to residents of Port Stephens who are commencing their first year of university, TAFE or with a recognised private training provider.
These awards are presented to Aboriginal students, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff, school regions, schools and community members across several categories. They highlight and celebrate excellence and achievement in Aboriginal education in NSW Public Schools.
Premier's Reading Challenge
This popular challenge encourages students from Kindergarten to Year 9 to develop a love of reading and plays an important role in developing literacy.
Premier's ANZAC Memorial Scholarships
Opportunities for selected secondary students to visit significant overseas sites associated with Australia's participation in wars, who will be in Years 10 or 11 at the time of travel.
Duke of Edinburgh's award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award provides an internationally recognised, self-development program for 14-25 year olds. The program equips young people with the opportunity to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.
Teaching scholarships
Up to 300 scholarships are available for talented students to train as teachers in secondary maths, science (physics) or English, and in special education.
Australian student prize
Excellence and achievement in high school is recognised by this Commonwealth government award.
HSC Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students
Scholarships are awarded to students to study to be primary and high school teachers.
Gallipoli scholarships
Four scholarships are awarded each year to descendants of WWI and WWII veterans to help finance the first year of a degree course in a NSW or ACT University.
United World College scholarships
These are available to students in Years 11 and 12 to enable young people to spend two years in one of the United World College's 12 overseas campuses.
Medical and health careers scholarships
The NSW Rural Doctors Network offers scholarships for students interested in having rural experience as part of their studies.