ST. JOACHIM GRADUATION AWARDS
Details and Expectations
LIST OF AWARDS: BIG AWARDS
Athletes of the Year (1 male and 1 female)
Valedictorian
The Lifelong Learner Award (most improved)
Academic Excellence
The Discerning Believer Award
The Responsible Citizen Award
The Collaborative Contributor
LIST OF AWARDS PART 2: SMALL BUT
SIGNIFICANT
Language
Math
Science
Geography
History
The Arts
French (1 FI, 1 French Core)
Certificates of Achievement
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1 male and 1 female
Overall contribution to sports as a teammate
Not just for who is the best pure athlete
Focus on sportsmanship and the ability to lead
Variety of sports in the school
Active participant in Phys Ed and health class
VALEDICTORIAN
The representative of the class of 2016
Embodies all aspects of what it means to be a student at St. Joachim
The valedictorian must:
1. Be working to their academic potential
2. Write a speech that encompasses their time at St.
Joachim and what it meant to be a part of the school
community.
3. Present their speech to a panel of school staff, who will
choose the person.
THE LIFELONG LEARNER AWARD
Formally, most improved student
Student shows:
Improved self confidence over their time at St. Joachim
Taken more initivitive over the course of the school year, with a focus on Christian
Leadership
Set appropriate goals for themselves that they were able to achieve
Able to reflect on who they are as a person and learner and do their best to
improve each day
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Goes to the student who has shown a high degree of effort and work in all subject
areas over the course of their grade 8 year and previous years.
Student has shown a willingness to improve and sustain a high level of work habits
and contributes their voice to classroom discussions in a meaningful and helpful way
Student finishes their year with a high (not necessarily, the highest) average over the
course of term one and two.
THE DISCERNING BELIEVER AWARD
Used to be called the Trustee Award
Goes to the student who:
 Illustrates an understanding of the impact of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Participates in the sacramental life of the church
Actively reflects on God’s Word as communicated through the Bible.
Integrates their faith and life
Puts a value on Catholic education and lives the idea of “social justice”
THE RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN AWARD
Goes to the student who:
Acts morally as a person formed in Catholic traditions
Accepts responsibility for their own learning and behaviour
Seeks and grants forgiveness from peers and staff
Is a witness to the Catholic social teachings by promoting equality, democracy and
solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society.
Respects the diversity of others and their cultures and history
Respects the environment and uses resources wisely
THE COLLABORATIVE CONTRIBUTOR AWARD
Goes to the student who:
 Works effectively as a team member in a variety of school situations
Thinks critically about the meaning and purpose of the work they are completing
Develops their God given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to our
school community and society as a whole
Respects the rights, responsibilities, and the contributions of self and others
Achieves excellence, originality, and integrity in one’s own work and supports these
qualities in the work of others.
SUBJECT AWARDS
Language – reading, writing, oral communication and media
Math – individual work, as well contributor to small groups
Science
Geography
History
The Arts – Visual arts, Music, Drama, Dance
French (1 FI, 1 French Core)
Certificates of Achievement – 80% or higher overall average with some exceptions