This page acknowledges achievements by our students in Academic, Leadership and Cultural pursuits. Similar acknowledgements for achievements in Sports may be found on our Sports Awards page. To view lists of our students who have achieved First Place Awards in their Curriculum subjects, Sporting Achievement Awards and Special Awards including Social Justice (Community Service) Leadership and Co-curricular Awards, please visit our Academic Awards page. OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS FOR YEAR 12 2008 Congratulations to the following Year 12 students on receiving Special Awards, which recognise their efforts and achievements during their six years at St. Dominic's College. DOMINIC SAVIO AWARD: Alexander Gemin COLLEGE LEADERSHIP: Ben Clout ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Russell D'Cunha GRAHAM KENNEDY ALL ROUNDER AWARD: Ben Cottee EDMUND RICE AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY: Owain Thomas SIX YEARS CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT: Tamas Takacs SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: Curtis Sardi YEAR 10 ROTARY YOUTH PROGRAM OF ENRICHMENT Student Report: From the 11th to 13th September, Buster Golding and Josh Hull attended the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) AT Blue Gum Lodge in Springwood. Upon arrival on Friday morning, we, and 60 other students across NSW, were pushed out of our comfort zone and given the opportunity to broaden our horizons and make new friends along the way. The weekend was filled with motivational guest speakers, initiative games and team activities, including bush dances and a long awaited talent show on Saturday evening. The Camp was an amazing experience which helped us develop and practice leadership skills, challenged the way we thought, improved our self esteem and confidence, and provided time for reflection. Friendships were made and by Sunday afternoon, it was difficult to leave. Overall, the weekend was a great success and an opportunity that will never be forgotten. Special thanks must be given to the Rotary Club of Nepean for sponsoring us over the weekend. Buster Golding Josh Hull PENRITH CITY COUNCIL YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM Student Report: On Tuesday the 26th of May four of our senior boys represented the College at a youth leadership forum. The boys involved where from Year 11 - Robbie Mate, Jacob Bailey Deigan, Kevin Delima and Cameron Theys. The purpose of the day was to allow the boys to interact with leaders from other local schools in Penrith and members of our City Council, and to express their opinions on the issues affecting our city. In the first session of the day the boys were addressed by such council members as the Mayor and Councillor Prue Guillaume who expressed their ideas on leadership and their journey to their places of leadership. One thing that could easily be taken from this session is the fact that you do not need a fancy title or position to be a leader - a leader is a role model for others who leads by example and is ready to serve others. This is something that we hope our peers will take on board. During the second session of the day all student leaders present were able to express their views on current issues and events in Penrith. Some of the issues brought up on the day were the need for more outlets for teenage creativity including music and art, the need for more recreation venues and events, the condition of our transport system and the conditions of our parks and nature areas. All the information gained from this session will be presented to Penrith City Council and their ideas will be presented to the school at a later date. Our third and final session of the day was by a motivational speaker from the Frank Team, who led a discussion on youth leadership from the perspective of youth. This part of the day was very interesting as the views and opinions were purely based on the ideas of the youth present. It opened our minds to many new concepts but yet again reiterated some of the things we already knew about leadership for example the need for our leaders to step up to the plate and be the voice for those who would otherwise go unheard. This last point will be something that the S.R.C will be working on in this term. Lastly we would just like to thank Mr. Hobbs for presenting us with the opportunity of participating on the day. We look forward to bringing some of the ideas from the day back to school. Jacob Bailey Deigan AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ACADEMY EDUCATION AWARD The School Assembly on July 23rd was a very special occasion for one of our Year 12 students and his family. Jamie Law was presented with the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), Education Award. This is a very pr es t igious award wi th only approximately 100 awards distributed across Australia. Jamie had to undergo a rigorous selection program involving interviews and leadership activities over a number of months. His experience in the Army Cadet Corp, where he holds the rank of Cadet Under Officer (the highest rank obtainable for a Cadet) obviously contributed to his success. The presentation was made by Captain Dayton McCarthy and Jamie received a lap top computer and special plaque for the school. As part of this award, Jamie has been accepted into ADFA to commence Officer Training in 2009. VICTOR CHANG MEMORIAL AWARDS Gavin Entwistle in Year 12 has been nominated to receive the Victor Chang Memorial Awards for Science in the Nepean district. He is currently undertaking studies in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. His award was presented at a civic ceremony. Congratulations to Gavin for his efforts and success.