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.