PREAMBLE TO CRITERIA

1. The pupil must be a registered pupil of Grace College, and must have attended the school for at least one term.
2. Colour Awards will only be awarded to students from Grades 9 - 12. Pupils must have attended Grace College for at least one year before a Colour Award will be presented.
3. Awards should be made in recognition of an achievement of excellence and / or outstanding commitment to a facet of school life. The pupil must be considered to be a good ambassador for the school.
4. Careful consideration must be given to maintain equity between Academic, Cultural, Service and Sporting Awards.
5. The Composition of the Awards Committee is as follows :
   The Deputy Headmistress (Academics), a staff member of a minimum of 5 yrs teaching at Grace College (seconded by the Headmaster), Sports Co-Ordinator (Co-Curricular), Representative of Cultural Activities and any other staff  member who will be presenting award nominations.
6. The Headmaster may, in consultation with his committee,  award / present an award to any Grace College pupil for outstanding achievement over and above the criteria set out below.
7. The basic criterion for any pupil receiving an award is that they must be actively involved in activities at Grace College. Awards are a privilege and should therefore only be awarded to pupils who uphold the Grace College values.
8. The Headmaster may, in consultation with senior staff, withdraw any awards presented to a pupil where valid reason is applicable.
9. If a pupil qualifies for an award that is less than or equal to what they have previously achieved, they are given only what they qualify for and it is called a Re-award
   eg 2008 Half Colours (Re-award)
10. Academic awards are to be presented at the Prizegiving at the end of Terms 4 for Gr 8 - 11. Matric Academic Awards to be presented at the Valediction Assembly.
11. All other Sport, Cultural and Service awards to be made at Final Assembly of the relevant term that denotes the end of the season.

EXTRA-ORDINARY CRITERIA

1. A Service Award may be presented in any sphere of school life. This will be based on service to the school. The number of consecutive year's service will be taken into account, with the minimum being 2 years. All other awards are performance based.
2. Achievement in a sport or cultural activity that is not a school activity will be recognised with an Ambassadorial award. The pupil may also be recognised for their achievement at an assembly.
3. Awards for Olympiads, participation in Science Expo's and Art / Cultural awards will be made at the discretion of the Awards committee.
4. A Gold Leaf Award may be made to any pupil, at the discretion of the Awards Committee, who achieves higher than National level for any activity that is a school activity.
5. The Awards Committee has the right to consider any additional achievements at its discretion.

AWARDS

A Merit Certificate
A certificate will be presented to the pupil.

Half Colours:
A scroll will be awarded and braiding around the bottom of the sleeves and on the pocket of their blazer.

Full Colours:
A scroll will be awarded and full braiding will be put onto their blazer.

Honours:
A white blazer will be awarded.

The Gold Leaf Award:
Two golden leaves will be embroided around the badge on the Honours blazer.

The costs of the above awards are to be borne by the parents.


PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING AWARDS

1. Names and motivation must be submitted, on the prescribed form, before an Awards meeting.
2. The relevant coach / teacher must check any necessary records of the pupil's achievements.
3. The Awards Committee will discuss and verify the awards during the meeting.
4. A copy of the awards must be kept on record in an Awards file.
5. The awards will be presented at the appropriate assembly

DETAILS REQUIRED WHEN SUBMITTING AWARDS

1. Full name and grade of pupil.
2. Activity in question.
3. Motivation - quote the relevant sections of the Awards Policy.
4. Previous awards and achievements.
5. Other relevant information concerning the pupil.

POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION WHEN DISCUSSING AWARDS

1. Attendance at matches and practices is a prerequisite for awards, but does not immediately entitle pupils to an award.
2. Time spent in an activity in order to achieve an award must be taken into account. Eg. Time spent preparing for a school Production, compared to a once off debate at a Provincial or National level must be considered.
3. The number of pupils involved in an activity, together with the degree of difficulty in achieving the required standards, must be taken into account.
4. The impact that pupil's achievement has had on the activity, especially within the school. i.e. in increasing the profile of that activity at school.

ACADEMIC CRITERIA
GRADE	MERIT CERTIFICATE	HALF COLOURS	FULL COLOURS	HONOURS (from Gr 11)
8	Average of 80% and over - based on promotion criteria
9	Average of 80% - 90% - based on promotion criteria	Average of 90% and over - based on promotion criteria
10	6 subjects Av 75% - 79 %	6 subjects Av 80 % - 84%	6 subjects Av 85% +
11	6 subjects Av 70 % - 74%	6 subjects Av 75% - 79 %	6 subjects Av 80% - 84%	6 subjects Av 85% +
12	6 subjects Av 70% - 74 %	6 subjects Av 75 % - 79%	6 subjects Av 80% - 84%	6 subjects Av 85% +

 

 

The Life Orientation mark will not be used  in determining the average.
Criteria for pupils with Immigrant Status are as above.
Marks for Grade 8 -11 are calculated on year mark, inclusive of the Final Exam mark.
Marks for Grade 12 are calculated on year mark, inclusive of the Trials Exam mark.

• Gr 8 qualify for a Merit Certificate only
• Gr 9 and 10 qualify for a Merit Certificate or Half Colours only
• Full colours and Honours will be presented to Gr 11 and 12 pupils only

CULTURAL AWARDS (These are performance based)
ITEM	MERIT CERTIFICATE	HALF COLOURS	FULL COLOURS	HONOURS (from Gr 11)
Art Choir Debating Drama Language (pieces of writing) Chess other	Pupils who have been involved in a school cultural activity AND Have produced a high standard with good commitment.	Pupils who have been involved in a school cultural activity AND Have produced an above average standard with high commitment, AND Have dedicated themselves to the process of improving	Pupils who have been involved in a school cultural activity AND Have produced an outstanding standard with exceptional commitment. They may have been recognized at a Provincial level.	Pupils who have been involved in a school cultural activity, AND Have been recognized at a National level for their endeavours.

NOTE:

• An activity that is considered to be part of the school curriculum will not be considered for an award.
• Drama awards will be made for Inter house Plays or School Productions. Practical course work for each grade will not be considered.
• Gr 8 qualify for a Merit Certificate only
• Gr 9 and 10 qualify for a Merit Certificate or Half Colours only
• Full colours and Honours will be presented to Gr 11 and 12 pupils only

 

SPORT AWARDS (These are performance based)
ITEM	MERIT CERTIFICATE	HALF COLOURS	FULL COLOURS	HONOURS (from Gr 11)
Basketball Cross-country Hockey Netball Squash Tennis Cycling Swimming Rugby Mountain Biking Soccer	Grade 8 or 9 pupil who has received Provincial A,B or C team colours in any sport at the highest level they can achieve. Ie u14, u15 OR Any pupil who is selected for a provincial C team and participates at a tournament OR Any pupil who has represented the School 1st Team in 80% or more of their matches in a year, who has played consistently to a high standard and shown good commitment.	Any pupil who has represented the School 1st Team in 80% or more of their matches in a year, who has played consistently to a high standard and shown above average commitment and has shown a marked improvement OR Grade 9 or 10 pupil who has received Provincial A team colours in any sport at the highest level they can achieve. Ie u14A, u15A, u16A OR A grade 10, 11 or 12 pupil who has received Provincial B team colours in any sport at the highest level they can achieve. Ie u16, u17 or u18	Pupil must have represented the School 1st Team in 80% or more of their matches in a year. AND Any Grade11 or 12 pupil  who has represented a provincial schools A team at the highest level of school's participation U16, u17 and u18 IPT OR Has been selected for and represented South Africa at a National Level in U16 or U 17 age group	Pupil must have represented a provincial schools  A-Team at the highest level of school's participation ie u18 IPT   OR Has been selected for and represented South Africa at a National Level in the u18 or over age group.

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Awards Policy for Community Service

With the growing importance of Community Service contributions in the assessment of pupils, it is important that we recognise those who bring outstanding levels of contribution to the field.

Community service is to be defined as a service done for no physical or financial gain that benefits other people, animals or the environment.

Exclusions to Community Service include (but not limited to):

1. Services recognised by monetary or any other physical gain
2. Services conducted during school hours at school
3. Services not organised, supervised or witnessed by a recognised authority

Points to be considered when discussing Community Service award nominations:

1. The level of effort displayed in the Community Service activity as some activities will display far greater levels of effort and commitment.
2. The consistency of commitment to Community Service shown through the activities and over a period of time
3. A variety of areas of service should be a guideline, but not an exclusion in cases where outstanding commitment has been displayed
4. An ability to balance the commitment to Community Service with school life
5. The impact that the pupil’s representation has had on the image of the school and the general profile of Community Service
6. All awards will be at the discretion of Grace College
7. Full colours and honours awards should take into consideration the level of initiative and lasting impact on the community of the service. The pupil will need to pioneer a project based on an existing unmet need, and a high level of organisation, sustainability and overall contribution must be evident.

Requirements:

1. A letter of recognition of service must be provided by a representative of the particular organisation or activity. The letter must detail the days and hours of service along with the nature of the service.
2. The variety of contributions required for full colours and honours must indicate different involvement in activities. It will not be sufficient to perform the same service in different places or at different times.

	Merit Certificate	Half Colours	Full Colours	Honours
Grade 8	100 hrs of approved CS in a calendar year
Grade 9	100 hrs of approved CS in a calendar year	>100 hours of approved CS displaying a variety of contributions
Grade 10	100 hrs of approved CS in a calendar year	100 < x < 200 hours of approved CS displaying a variety of contributions	>200 hours of approved CS displaying a variety of contributions
Grade 11	100 hrs of approved CS in a calendar year	100 < x < 200 hours of approved CS displaying a variety of contributions	200 < x < 300  hours of approved CS displaying a variety of contributions	>300 hours of approved CS in a variety of areas. An outstanding contribution to an organisation marked by prolonged commitment and outstanding representation
Grade 12	100 hrs of approved CS in a calendar year	100 < x < 200 hours of approved CS displaying a variety of contributions	200 < x < 300  hours of CS displaying a variety of contributions	>300 hours of approved CS in a year or 400 hours over 2 years in a variety of areas. An outstanding contribution to an organisation marked by prolonged commitment and outstanding representation

NOTE:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

In addition to requirements for various awards, the following must be adhered to:

1. 80% attendance at matches and practices unless a written apology is received from a parent with a valid excuse.
2. The player must adhere to the dress code of the team.
3. The behaviour of the pupil, both on and off the field, must be exemplary.
   • Gr 8 qualify for a Merit Certificate only
   • Gr 9 and 10 qualify for a Merit Certificate or Half Colours only
   • Full colours and Honours will be presented to Gr 11 and 12 pupils only