Sydney Boys High School

Student Awards Scheme

The aim of the Awards Scheme is to encourage and recognise participation in a wide range of school activities.

There are eight categories of award: bronze medallion, silver medallion, gold medallion, platinum award, school plaque, school trophy, the Nathan McDonnell Award and the Joseph Coates Award. For each award from gold onwards there is an accompanying certificate.

Areas of Achievement

There are over 25 areas of achievement in which students can accrue Awards Scheme points. The areas and the maximum number of points which can be obtained in each area per year (the "points cap") are as follows:

1.	Academic	30
2.	Summer GPS sport	35
3.	Winter GPS sport	35
4.	GPS Athletics	20
5.	Swimming	15
6.	Carnivals	15
7.	Music	40
8.	Debating	30
10.	Academic competitions	30
11.	Environmental service	30
12.	Leadership	30
13.	Cadets	30
15.	Clubs/Societies	20
16.	Self-improvement programs	20
17.	Chess	30
18.	Non-academic competitions	30
19.	Performing Arts	30
20.	Public speaking	20
30.	School service - parking	40
31.	School service - library	40
32.	School service - other	60
40.	Community service - at school	15
41.	Community service - off-site	30
42.	Community service - non-school	30
70.	Perfect attendance	10
80.	High Spirit	100
90.	Bonus	10
99.	Carry over	[no limit]

Award Prerequisites

Bronze award -	128 points with a minimum of 80 points in the year of the award
Silver award -	128 points with a minimum of 80 points in the year of the award
Gold award -	144 points with a minimum of 100 points in the year of the award
Platinum award -	160 points with a minimum of 100 points in the year of the award
School Plaque -	160 points with a minimum of 100 points in the year of the award
The Trophy -	180 points with a minimum of 100 points in the year of the award
Nathan McDonnell Award -	180 points with a minimum of 100 points in the year of the award
Joseph Coates Award -	200 points with a minimum of 100 points in the year of the award

Managing Award Claims

Fast tracking is possible. Students who join the school after Year 7 or students with prolonged absences due to illness or misadventure may apply to the Awards Committee for fast tracking. Once they reach the required number of achievement areas they can receive the appropriate level of award.

Accumulating is possible. Students in their final years can use their excess achievement areas to assist them to achieve at the highest level of the scheme.

Direct Claims are possible. Achievements arising out of a student's membership of the school, but not included in the Achievement Areas may be considered on application to the Awards Committee.

Students should check their participation under My Details / My Activity Participation Details on the Student Portal. If participation details are inaccurate, contact the activity coordinator to arrange for the information to be entered. An annual list of award recipients will be published in High Notes.

The Awards Committee is: the Principal, the Deputy Principals, a member of the Student Welfare Committee and the President of the SRC. The Awards Committee rules on matters of qualification and eligibility to receive awards.

Unacceptable behaviour may disqualify a student from receiving a School Award at any level.

Achievement Descriptions

Academic
Students who are in the top 20% at the Half Yearly or Yearly Reports are placed on the Academic Merit list. Students who receive Excellent effort gradings in each subject are recognised for Academic Effort.

Summer Sport
Students need a record of satisfactory participation in a summer GPS sport or sailing.

Winter Sport
Students need a record of satisfactory participation in a winter GPS sport or fencing.

GPS Athletics
Must complete training and attendance at invitational carnivals to the satisfaction of the MIC. GPS athletics team competitor at AAGPS carnival.

Swimming
Must attend invitational carnivals to the satisfaction of the MIC. Seniors need Log book or letter as evidence of extra training.

Carnivals
Students need to compete satisfactorily at annual school carnivals:

• Swimming Carnival (two events),
• Athletics Carnival (three events),
• Cross Country Carnival (compete in and complete one race).

Performing Arts and Music

• a school musical production,
• a school drama production,
• a school choral group,
• a school instrumental group,

Debating and Public Speaking

• School representative debating team member or representative public speaking contestant
• Compete satisfactorily in a Mock Trial competition; History Debating,
• E -Team presentation
• MUNA representative.
• Participate in a Latin/Classical Greek Reading competition, in a Latin Play, in the National Chinese Eisteddfod or in a French, Chinese or German dramatic production.

School/Community Service/Clubs/Societies

• Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
• Hall monitor, Library Monitor, Computer Room Monitor, Flag Duty Monitor
• Charities Committee, Badges Committee, Record Committee, Formal Committee
• School Calendar Committee, School Archive Committee, School Lockers Committee, Old Boys Union Data Recovery project, Website management.
• School Council Representative
• Parking assistance
• Represent the school at official functions.
• Participate in activities arising out of Exchange visits with schools in France or China.
• School photographer
• Act as linesman or scorer for GPS games on Saturdays
• Referee or umpire for junior matches
• Debating chairman or timekeeper
• Charity work in the Community; Life Saving, First Aid
• Rotary/Lions Clubs Projects

Competitions

• Have an accepted entry into the Writer of the Month competition.
• Gain a commendation or better in the Herald's Young Writer/Playwright of the Year Award.
• Gain a commendation or better in an Historical Essay Competition.
• Gain a Distinction or better in a national standardised test.
• Gain a Distinction in a second national standardised test.
• Gain selection in a train-on squad for an academic Olympiad.
• Compete satisfactorily in the Tournament of Minds.
• Compete satisfactorily in an inter-school chess competition.
• Have an entry accepted into ARTEXPRESS; exhibit in a recognised art competition.
• Have an entry accepted into the Industrial Technology Exhibition.
• Participate satisfactorily in a Young Achievers Program.
• Regional, State or National Selection arising out of membership of the school.
• Satisfactory participation in: an approved school skiing competition, representative chess, Five Highs, a CHS Sailing Regatta or National Volleyball Tournament.

Environmental Service

• A working bee at the school, McKay, the Rifle Club premises or at the Outterside Centre.
• A second working bee at the school, McKay, the Rifle Club premises or the Outterside Centre.
• An approved community service project relating to the environment.
• The Clean Up Australia Campaign; School Recycling Committee
• Environment Service: adopt an area of the school to keep clean; maintain a section of garden.

Leadership

• School Prefect,
• SRC Representative,
• Peer Support Leader,
• Peer Mediation Leader,
• Coach of sporting or debating team.
• Cadet Under Officer, Cadet NCO

Perfect attendance
Perfect attendance during each semester.

High Spirit
A member of staff can recommend a student who shows exceptional commitment to an “area”.

Bonus Points
Action research surveys approved by Principal and Deputy Principal.

Schedule of Points

The Schedule of Points for activities in each Awards Scheme category is available for download:
 Awards Scheme - Points Schedule

STAR letters

In addition to the Awards scheme there are STAR letters, which are personalised letters of congratulations for students showing improvements, producing outstanding tasks, representing school, honesty and generosity, supporting other students etc. These letters acknowledge admirable qualities the school wishes to foster in the boys but are not recognised in the awards scheme.