FROM THE PRINCIPALIssue 2 Newsletter Date: 11 March 2011

‘Equipping Your Child For Life’

ST GEORGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NEWSINFANTS - JUNIOR - MIDDLE - SENIOR

... be transformed by the renewing of your mindRomans 12:2

At a brief and important assembly on Monday 7 March, two Year 10 students were presented a Premier’s Bravery Award for a surf rescue towards the end of 2010.

Joanna Stavrou and Ashleigh Flanagan took the courageous initiative to help a lady, her father and her son who were caught in a rip on the south coast of NSW while on a Year 9 PASS (Physical Activity and Sport Studies) camp.

This was recognised by the school at Presentation Night last year, and it is a distinct honour to have Ashleigh and Joanna’s actions recognised at State level.

At its February meeting, the School Board determined to progress immediately with the library extension stage of the new building, rather than construct at a later date. This will enable the provision of a wonderful space dedicated to student research and senior studies which will enhance our students’ learning. As you may be aware, this level will connect via the new pedestrian bridge directly from the top level of the Middle School building. All of this should be in place during Term 4.

If you read the newspapers following the MySchool 2.0 launch, you will find school “league tables” ranking secondary school achievement in the 2010 NAPLAN assessments. The Sydney Morning Herald’s analysis determined an average mark for Year 7 and Year 9 results in this assessment and, on the basis of this, put St George Christian School in the top 8% of all NSW schools. While the creation of league tables is not the intention for these assessments, this result again confirms the particularly high standard of achievement by SGCS students.

The MySchool site also reports the educational background advantage that children bring to their schooling, known as the “ICSEA”. This is a new measure which identifies the socio-educational advantage of its students, reflecting such things as parent education and employment. Students at SGCS show a significantly higher than average background advantage. However, the value adding by the School has taken student achievement to higher levels than might otherwise be predicted.

I am delighted to see our students learning so well and, importantly, enjoying a broad and engaging curriculum and co-curricular activities. Congratulations are due also to our Zone swimmers. At the Primary Carnival, SGCS placed second on overall points and the Junior Boys and Junior Girls freestyle and medley relay teams came first. At the Secondary Carnival, our swimmers performed extremely well with some outstanding individual performances. Overall SGCS placed second which is the best ranking our school has ever received. More detailed reports on these outstanding swimming results are included later in this newsletter.

I believe the contribution of Christian teaching to our students enhances every aspect of their lives, including their academic and relational capacity.

We saw in the life of Jesus the fullness of all that it is to be human. It is part of the redeeming work of God to restore and transform, to make new as we engage in a relationship with Him.

“… be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” Romans 12.2

James HonorPrincipal

REMINDERSCOMPANY MEMBERSHIP - If you are a member of the School Company, annual membership fees of $10 are payable by 31 March 2011 or no later than seven (7) days prior to the Annual General Meeting (whichever is the later). Membership of the School Company will lapse, and voting rights revoked, if annual fees are not paid by the due date. If you wish to become a member of the School Company please obtain an application form from Reception.

FAMILY INFORMATION - Please keep the office informed of any changes to your contact details i.e. addresses and phone numbers.

UNIFORM SHOP INFORMATION

WINTER UNIFORM - Commencing Thursday 28 April (first day of Term 2) to Friday 13 May students may wear summer or winter uniform – but not a combination of both. All students are to be wearing FULL winter uniform from Monday 16 May.

BLAZER CARE - Please ensure that your child’s blazer (Year 6-12) is dry cleaned regularly. Blazers with soiled logos are not suitable for resale.

Whole School

14/03/2011 Yrs 7-12 Girls Basketball Gala Day17/3/2011 Yrs 7-12 Boys Basketball Gala Day The Music Excursion - Senior School 4.30pm25/03/2011 Open Day - Hurstville Campus28/03/2011 National Young Leaders Day Yr 4 Camp (28/3-30/3) Yr 12 Exams (28/3-8/4)29/03/2011 Yr 5 Leadership Day31/03/2011 Yr 7 2012, Information Evening at 7.30pm4/04/2011 Yr 10 Work Experience (4/4-8/4) Cross Country Practice - Yrs 3-64 & 5/04/2011 Parent/Teacher Interviews - Junior School6/04/2011 Yr 7,9 and 11 Camps (6/4 - 8/4) Fusion7/04/2011 Yr 7 (2012) Scholarship Exam / Placement Test Infants Easter Service 1.00pm8/04/2011 Cross Country - Yrs 3-6 Last day Term 1

TERM 1 DATES TO REMEMBERDATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK THE

WEBSITE AND DEPARTMENT NOTES FOR UPDATES

NSW GOVERNMENT

STUDENT ID CARDS Students 16, 17 and 18 years old may collect their NSW School Pupil Identification Cards from the main office.

Proof of Age Cards for pupils under 16 years are also available. These can be used for students under 16 who will be attending work experience or look older than their 16 years.

CAN YOU HELP?

Miss Byrnes (Senior School Drama teacher) would love to hear from

anyone who would like to help with the costumes for our musical

Back to the 8O's If you are able to help with costume

design, coordination, sewing or op-shopping please email

Miss Sonia Byrnessonia.byrnes@sgcs.nsw.edu.au

as soon as possible.

www.sgcs.com.auCeleb ra t ing 30 Years

ST GEORGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

OPEN DAY 25 MARCH 9am - 12pmHurstville Campus - Junior, Middle & Senior School (Yrs 3-12) 70 Bellevue Parade Hurstville

Tours from 9.45am - BOOK NOW

Whole School

Dyslexia Support GroupDo you have a child with Dyslexia?Do you want to meet other families who are in a similar situation?

The Dyslexia Support Group for the Sutherland Shire and St George area is a forum where parents can talk, exchange ideas, information, resources and experiences with other parents. This support group keeps in contact via email, phone and meeting over coffee on the fourth Monday of the month at 10.30am at a café in Sutherland.

If you are interested as a parent or as professional in attending the meetings or going on the email list please call Paula Goulden on 9528 4638 or email psgoulden@tpg.com.au

Learning Difficulties CoalitionTerm 1 2011 Seminar

VOCABULARY IS VITAL Empowering children and adolescents with learning

difficulties through vocabulary enrichment

Tuesday 29 March, 2011 at 10.00 am Wentworth Function RoomParramatta Leagues Club

15 O’Connell St. Parramatta

A REGISTRATION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED BY EACH REGISTRANT

REGISTER ONLINE AT www.ldc.org.au

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY TUESDAY 22 MARCH.

Announcing the cast of the Senior School Musical

'BACK TO THE 8O'S'Female Roles:

TIffany Housten - Ellen Power(Understudy - Isabella Berlusconi )

Cyndi Gibson - Tayla Hart(Understudy - Abby Howell )

Mel Easton - Lauren Markovski(Understudy - Amber Baker)Kim Easton - Genna Houteas(Understudy - Rachelle Baker)Eileen Regan - Alex McWhirter

(Understudy Angelique Opadiya)Laura Wilde - Abby HowellDebbie Fox - Claire Jung

Miss Brannigan - Hannah Caukill

Featured Female Vocalists: Joanne Anugerah and Tabitha Hirn

Featured Back up Vocalists/One liners: Angelique Opadiya, Isabella Berlusconi,

Sarah Akari, Rachelle Baker, Isabella Antoniou, Jennifer Vera

Female Ensemble: Emily Pisani,Amber Baker, Kimber Leigh Landayan,

Grace Murray, Joanne Farag, Eirene Andre, Eisha Marsters, Bianca Donevski, Isabella Simonovski, Caitlin Jung

Female Ensemble (Dance): Victoria Giourtoumas,

Stasha Damianos, Ellie Damianos

Male Roles:Corey Palmer Junior - Jacob Warren

Corey Palmer Senior - Mystery Guest StarAlf Bueller - Patrick Connell

Kirk Keaton - Sam FlackMichael Feldman - Ethan Pearson

Billy Arnold - Patrick DibbenLionel Astley - Josiah SherwenHuey Jackson - Tom Manouk

Rick Smith - Tim GeldardFeargal McFerrin III - Nick Farasopoulos

Mr Cocker - Chris OllertonMr Miyagi - TBC

REMINDERRegular updates on our

Musical can be found

on the Extranet under

“Senior School/2011

SGCS Musical”.

InfantsSCHOOL BANKING - A CBA representative was at Infants to help parents register their child for the School Banking program. A Youthsaver passbook will be sent directly to your home. Two school mums will be on the playground each Friday from 18 March to take deposits from those children registered.

ICE BLOCKS - Infants children had the chance to buy an icy treat after their lunch on the first day of March. Thank you to the P & F for organizing the Ice Block day to raise money for the purchase of Thrass equipment in the Infants Department.

PARKING - Parents, a reminder not to double park when dropping off and picking up your children. The 2 minute zone is for drop off or pick up only, so please do not leave your car.

SENSORY DEVELOPMENT - Our Sensory Development program is going well. The children are learning the sequences and gaining proficiency in the skills they are practicing. A big thank you to Mr Markopoulos, father of Zoe (1G), who kindly made us boards to help with these activities.

SPORT - The children are enjoying having Mr Archer take their Sport lessons. Our classes have Sport on Wednesdays and Fridays.

KINDERGARTEN - In Week 6, Kindergarten will start Fruit Groups (an integrated language program where the focus will be on phonics). Fruit Groups will take place every morning. They will begin with a teacher led introduction, during which time the Thrass chart will be demystified for parents and pupils! The children will then break into small groups where the sounds of the week will be explored in a range of activities, including cooking, craft and teacher focused sound work. The activities are designed to develop listening, reading, writing and fine motor skills. Whilst this is a key learning time, much fun is to be had and parents are invited to attend and help facilitate group work.

Kindergarten children will represent the Infants Department on Friday 25 March. They will have their first public appearance with a brief item at the Hurstville Campus’ Open Day.

SWIMMING - Two Infants students have gained placings in the Zone Swimming Carnival. Lani Berbeniuk (2CL) and Edmund Pfahlert, 2S, competed in the 50 metre breast stroke and were awarded 3rd place. Congratulations on their fine effort!

BUTTERFLIES

Year 1 are keenly watching the butterfly pupae while they wait for the beautiful

butterflies to emerge.

The children are showing great interest in their unit on minibeasts and, from

the first few days of school, have been finding and bringing in examples!

YEAR 2 - TARONGA PARK ZOO

Year 2’s first excursion will be to Taronga Park Zoo on

Tuesday 5 April. Notes giving full details will be sent home

closer to that time.

Year 2 children are studying the Polar regions and are showing their curiosity about the area with questions such as:

What do killer whales eat?Do penguins dive head first? Where do polar bears sleep? How old do emperor penguins live to be?

By Terence Fraser

There is lots of ice but no water. There are lots of animals. There is no land at the North Pole. There are 17 kinds of penguins. Antarctica has a volcano.

By Daniel JacksonThere is lots

of ice but no water. There

are lots of animals.

There is no land at the North Pole.

Captain Cook

discoveredAntarctica.

There are 17 kinds of

penguins. My favourite penguin is the Rockhopper penguin.

Junior SchoolDear Parents,

Your children have settled into the daily life of Junior School very smoothly and with great enthusiasm. The soccer matches are once again being played with World Cup commitment, Year 3 have passed their test to play safely on the play equipment and the Swimming Carnival saw records broken and the parents’ team blitz the teachers’ squad. Year 3 have forged the way and created a web page which will allow parents to view photos, work samples, notes and homework. The success of this trial will see the web page concept extended to all grades in Junior School. A competition has arisen amongst the teachers as to who can design the most creative display on their classroom door.

The staff are honing their skills by participating in a variety of professional development courses in Maths, Persuasive Writing and Reading Comprehension. Every child in the Junior School is involved in a program to teach explicit questioning-answering skills. I am looking to purchase a Literacy series of books, called ‘Springboard to Comprehension’, to provide follow-up practice and extension from this reading program.

Junior School staff are also preparing for the National assessments (NAPLAN) for Years 3 and 5 which will be administered in May. Miss Flack is part of a range of consultants who will give professional development to the staff on this testing system. This knowledge will be passed onto the students with many practice questions being tried, dissected and reflected on.

As well as NaAPLAN, Junior School students will be given the opportunity to participate in the ICAS competitions in Science, Maths, English and Poetry/Science competition, World Maths Day and the Maths Olympiad. Participation in the ICAS competitions will be offered to all students, although the school executive is reviewing the compulsory nature of these competitions as was the case in 2010.

The gradual introduction of Interactive White Boards into the Junior School is planned for this year as an important tool to educate your children for the demands of life in the 21st century. This introduction will require extensive professional development, many hours of “playing” with the software and a real sense of excitement. Come along on Open Day on 25 March and view this tool in action.

In each newsletter I will be highlighting the professional gifts of our teaching staff. This week the spotlight is on Mrs Nicole Finch and Mrs Sue Godfrey.

Mrs Nicole Finch forms part of the experienced team to challenge the students of 3F and balances this role with being the Music Coordinator. She brings energy, great ideas, talent and patience to the role. This year we have a record number of students from Years 3 to 8 involved in music tuition, with over 150 budding musicians signing up for lessons. Mrs Finch co-ordinates the organisation of these lessons as well as achieving the amazing quality of singing from the Junior School Choir. It was with a sense of sadness that we farewelled Mr Gareth Lewis. We look forward to seeing and hearing him perform as he acts as Band Master for the NSW Police Band.

Mrs Godfrey uses her many teaching skills in the regular classroom, while her expertise in the Gifted and Talented area is being enjoyed in the Literacy and Maths groups for Year 5. Mathematical skills at a conceptual level are taught by Mrs Godfrey in Year 5 as she challenges students to take risks and think in different ways. Mrs Godfrey is continuing in her role of coordinating the New Scheme teachers.

We value the close partnership between the teaching staff and you as the parents in this Christian community. This partnership is highlighted by the amazing support we are given at all our events. Thank you to the parents who worked very hard at the Swimming Carnival and Gelato Day.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!” Take a moment to think about how God has lavished His love on you, on your family and on us as a Christian community.

SNAPSHOTS OF OUR SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Year 3 - 6 SportSWIMMING CARNIVALThe Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 18 February with a lot of noise and enthusiasm from each of the houses. Roselands Swimming Pool was an excellent venue and allowed all spectators to have a good view of the races and excitedly cheer on the competitors.

One of the highlights of the day was the teacher/parent/student relay which was hotly contested. Congratulations to the all male parent team who successfully beat a mixed teacher’s team. The students swam brilliantly but were suffering from very tired arms and bodies after a busy day.

The winning house for the day was - BLUE

The Age Champions for the carnival were: Junior boys - Brennan Sortwell Junior Girls - Kiara Wark Senior Boys - Kurt Stavrou Senior Girls - Adrienne Poulos

Congratulations to the following students who broke school records on the day: Tiahna Sortwell 9 year girls 50m Breaststroke and Junior girls 200m Individual Medley Kiara Wark 10 year girls 50m Backstroke and Junior girls 50m Butterfly Brennan Sortwell Junior boys 50m Butterfly and Junior boys 200m Individual Medley

ZONE SWIMMING CARNIVALThe Southern Metropolitan Zone Swimming Carnival held on Wednesday 23 February at Prairiewood Leisure Centre. This was a very successful day for our swimmers who performed brilliantly.

SGCS was placed second on overall points for the carnival. Our Junior Boys and Junior Girls freestyle and medley relay teams came first and will be competing at the upcoming CSSA State Swimming Carnival.

Congratulations to the following students who will be competing at the CSSA Carnival: Kobe Shannon Joshua Hampson Spiro Magliveras Brennan Sortwell Tiahna Sortwell Rebecca Leech Kiara Wark Kaiden Wark Nicholas Fitzsimmons Bethany Schanzer Caitlin Ong

Thank You!

Thank you for joining us at the recent Year 6 and 7 Parent Information Evening and Year 8 Parent Information Afternoon. These sessions provided an early opportunity for parents to meet their child's Home Room Teacher and to hear about the learning that has begun and the expectations for the year ahead. The staff were encouraged by your support and by the many expressions of relief from new Year 7 families at the way their children have been welcomed and the ease with which they have settled in. These initial meetings augur well for our journey together this year.

Speech and Drama Accompishments

Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding achievements in the Speech and Drama Examinations at the conclusion of 2010:

Joshua Wallis A (Honours) Ashley Kasper A (Honours) Laura Richardson A (Honours) Lindsey Stevenson A (Honours) Ethan Bergan A (Honours) Willem Jessop-Smith A (Honours) Jayde Chambers A (Honours) Diana Melas A (Honours)

Annabelle Evangelatos A (Honours) Yianni Melas A (Honours) Chloe La Brooy A (Honours) Roberta Karamyan A (Honours) Vivian Fogarty B (Credit)

Leadership in Middle School

Our leadership program began in Week 1 when all students were challenged to consider their capacity for leadership and the development of leadership qualities in themselves and in one another. Students were encouraged to look for these qualities in the classroom; on the playground; on the Year 7 Team Building Day; and to use their observations as well as formal speeches presented in Week 4, to vote for a Home Room Middle School Leader and a Home Room SRC representative. The tallies fom each Home Room were then considered at a lengthy Staff Meeting after which time decisions were made. In 2011, the number of students who expressed a desire to lead was a record high. This speaks highly of the character of our students and of their aspirations to serve. Whilst only a few will wear the official badge of leadership, we are confident that each student who stepped up for leadership will continue to seek opportunities to serve. Special congratulations go to our 2011

students leaders below. In preparation for the year ahead, they participated in a leadership training day focused on communication and negotiation skills led by Mrs Honor.

Middle School Leaders: Adrienne Poulos 6HJake Mitrovski 6SLaura Richardson 7CLindsey Stevenson 7D Harrison McKeon 7L Lachlan McWhirter 8KKathryn Pritchard 8MNicole Chu 8T

Middle School SRC:Daniel Chamberlain 6HPaul Jennings 6SShani Cokinas 7CJoshua Tasevski 7DPhoebe Au 7LAlicia Zhao 8KLucy Benn 8MAnastasia Watson 8K

Mobile Learning Technologies in Year 7

In Week 4, Middle School launched a new pilot initiative which will see Year 7 students strengthen skills for working and learning in the 21st Century. The introduction of flexible and mobile technology in the form of IPads has enabled Year 7 to have immediate

Middle School

Middle School access to filtered information, global connectivity, and sound educational applications. We can already see the opportunities that have become available for deeper thinking in the classroom as students focus greater attention on validating, synthesising, communicating and problem solving now that the gathering of information is far more immediately available. We are excited by the way this technology supports the visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners in Year 7. We can also see evidence of personal capabilities being built in the areas of decision making; self regulation; team work (there are 2 students on every IPad); collaborative thinking and digital literacy. Some examples of how IPads have been used in the classroom to date include:

• Learning to Learn: students were guided through various search engines to understand how to research safely and effectively and how to protect themselves on line.

• History: students accessed sections of a downloaded chapter from the History text book and downloaded worksheets. They could zoom, pinch, rotate, flip, swipe as they engaged with the material and used it as a reference for completing set tasks in their exercise books.

• English: students used the mind map application, iThoughts, to summarise discussions in English on 'displacement' after reading the text 'Once' by Morris Gleitzman. They then emailed their mindmap home for printing and gluing in their exercise books

• Christian Principles and Relationships: students used the Bible app in CPR to look up verses.

AIS Maths Camp

In Week 4, Lucas Wong, Ben Mich, Adrienne Poulos and Janice Au Yeung from Year 6, attended the annual AIS Maths Camp. Here is what Lucas and Janice had to say about their experience:

"At the Maths Camp we learnt about four famous mathematicians: Pascal, Escher, Fibonnaci and Plato. Over each day we looked into what each of them had achieved. Many of the things we learnt will be helpful for solving mathematical problems in our lives. I found Escher’s translations very interesting. I learnt that if you have a rectangular shape and you cut one part from a side and place it on the other side, it translates and will have no gaps when copied. Pascal’s triangle

was very clever as well, as there were many other patterns within the triangle. The Platonic solids taught me that for it to be a regular solid, all the faces need to be the same. I enjoyed the sport tabloids. Overall the camp was great fun.” Lucas Wong

"I went to Maths Camp with Adrienne, Ben and Lucas. We did lots of different mathematics, from building blocks to making a dome. The dome was my highlight. The teachers constructed a mini version of the dome with straws. We had to build a larger version. Ten minutes before our time was up, we realised that our base was too big and the upper construction wouldn’t join together. We didn’t have time to start again so we had to give up! The experiences on camp showed me that mathematics can involve very interesting activities. Maths Camp was fun for me. I wish I could go again”. Janice Au Yeung

Year 8 and William Shakespeare

Year 8 have been introduced to William Shakespeare and specifically, his magic infused play, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Students commenced by considering the plot of the play and appreciating Shakespeare's craft as a storyteller. They were asked to demonstrate their understanding of the story by summarising it into a Haiku, a form of Japanese poetry organised in three lines that consist of five syllables, seven syllables and five syllables, respectively.

For example:

Theseus marries Hippolyta in Athens Other stuff happens Mr Gillman

Here are three Haiku poems composed by the boys in Year 8:

False love by magicTwo conundrums caused by one

Trickery flower Hayden Smith

Four in a forestLove all stuffed up by magic

Why is Puck so dumb? Andrew Peck

Weird love from magicEveryone loves one person

One is rejected Liam Allen

Mrs Jeannie DonsworthHead of Middle School

Middle School Leadership

Training Day

At the end of their Leadership Training Day, here is what some of the Middle School Leaders and SRC representatives said about what they learnt.

I learnt how to:

• Show that I understand what someone has told me by saying ‘so you are feeling...because...’ OR ‘are you saying...?”

Kathryn Pritchard

• Get my idea down without stopping the ideas of others and how to work with others to make a decision.

Harrison McKeon

• Make decisions in a group and I also learnt what sort of person I am in a group.

Lindsey Stevenson

• That I need to listen to other people’s opinions before I say my own.

Anastasia Watson

• How to make sure you understood what your class wants in an SRC meeting by summarising my understanding back to them.

Phoebe Au

• Different ways to respond to a question and that you need confidence to start the SRC meeting.

Daniel Chamberlain

• How important it is when you are in a team to build relationships and ways of working together and listening to each other.

Alicia Zhao

SOUTH METROPOLITAN ZONE SWIMMING CARNIVALWOW, what a day!!! On Wednesday 23 February, selected students from Years 7-12 competed in the annual Zone Swimming Carnival. The weather was great! As a school we performed extremely well and were placed 2nd behind Inaburra. This is the best ranking our school has ever received.

Individual performances were also outstanding with Ashleigh Steed (16yrs), Peter Binns (14yrs) and Toby Price (12yrs) being awarded Age Champion for their respective ages.

A special mention needs to go Ashleigh Steed. She not only won every event she entered as an individual but she also broke the records in every event, mostly breaking the records of her older sister. Well done Ashleigh!!!

Congratulations to the following students who are eligible to attend CSSA State Swimming at Homebush.

CSSA STATE TEAMJoanna Axiotis Peter Binns Josh Chang Nicole Chu Gabriel Cox Tim Geldard Joseph Lewis Murray Meller Gabriella Moulos Michael Nikolovski Toby Price Joanna Stavrou Ashleigh Steed Jessica Anderson Peter DiacoumisHarrison McKeon Jake Price Calvin Zhang Mark Ataya

RECORDS: 200 Individual Medley 15-16 Girls - Ashleigh Steed - 2.34.18 (Old 2.36.33) 50m Free 16 yrs Girls - Ashleigh Steed - 28.06(Old 29.13) 50m Fly 16 yrs Girls - Ashleigh Steed - 30.68(Old 31.63) 50m Back stroke 16 yrs Girls - Ashleigh Steed - 33.03(Old 35.66) 50m Breast stroke 16 yrs Girls - Ashleigh Steed - 35.08(Old 38.24) 100m Freestyle 16 yrs Girls - Ashleigh Steed - 1.01.88(Old 1.04.68)

Congratulations to all who attended this very successful day, your participation is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Mr Moore

Yrs 7 - 12 SportOn Monday 28 February, 18 boys from St George Christian School participated in the Sydney Schools’ Table Tennis Gala Day held at Homebush Olympic Park. The boys entered as teams of two in the Intermediate and Senior tournaments. They had mixed results but were able to show their skills and have fun competing against teams from all over Sydney, including Richmond, Trinity, Rooty Hill and Blakehurst. All the boys enjoyed their time. The standout participants were the Sherwen brothers who took on some fine players from Blakehurst and were unlucky to lose in a fierce contest. Well done to all of the boys who gave their best effort on the day! Ben Zunica

Year 7 Team Building DayOn 10 February, Year 7 went to Chaldercot in the Royal National Park for a Team Building Day. We built rafts and raced them up and down the pool. In one of the races we had to keep a tissue dry! After morning tea we went water sliding and got very wet. Even the people who didn't go on it got wet! During lunch we dried off and changed our clothes. It is a well known fact that the girls took longer than the boys. Once we dried off, we played pirate games that the Year 12 Prefects set up for us. These games included Seafood Salad, Captain's Coming and Pirate's Treasure. It was a perfect day to get to know one another, even though it rained a little bit. Libby Ollerton, Naomi Ambarita and Josephine Anugerah

Middle School

Senior SchoolWEEKLY SPORTS RESULTS WEDNESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2011 BOYS Basketball 4th Grade St George 20 def Sydney Tech 5 Touch Football 3rd Grade St George 3 def by Blakehurst 9 Cricket Under 15 St George (Bowled 6/89) v James Cook GIRLS Oztag 2nd Grade St George 3 def by Kingsgrove 5 Volleyball 1st Grade St George 1 def by Moorefield 2 15A St George 2 def Blakehurst 0 WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2011 BOYS Basketball 4th Grade St George 32 def Sydney Tech(2) 10 Touch Football 3rd Grade St George 2 def by Kingsgrove 9 Cricket (20-20) Under 15 St George 1/92 def James Cook 6/89 GIRLS Oztag 2nd Grade St George 3 def by Kogarah 5 Volleyball 1st Grade St George 0 def by Beverly Hills 2 15A St George 1 def by Kingsgrove 2 WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH 2011

BOYS Basketball 4th Grade St George 59 def Hurstville 11 Touch Football 3rd Grade BYE Cricket (20-20) Under 15 BYE GIRLS Oztag 2nd Grade St George 1 def by Beverly Hills 2 Volleyball 1st Grade St George 0 def by Kogarah 2 15A St George 0 def by Kogarah 2

On Monday 14 February, Year 12 Geography students headed out on a field trip to Towra Point Nature Reserve located on the southern side of Botany Bay near Kurnell. It contains a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems including: sea grass beds, salt marsh, mangroves, Casuarina forest and littoral rainforest. It also contains a number of freshwater lagoons. Many of the ecosystems in Towra Point are quite rare in the Sydney region, especially the salt marsh and the littoral rainforest. Towra Point is also a resting, feeding and breeding site for 34 species of birds that migrate each year mainly from China and Japan including the endangered Little Tern.

Ever since European occupation, Towra Point has been struggling to cope with a vast array of human impacts. Early settlers did not understand the importance of these wetlands and tried to use the site for grazing and reclaimed a lot of the area for development. Today, the main threats to Towra Point include weeds, foxes, litter and pollution and changed wave energy from the construction of Sydney Airport and Port Botany. Each of these impacts is placing Towra at serious risk. As a result of these impacts, Towra Point Nature Reserve is protected under an international treaty called Ramsar.

Year 12 Geography students are studying Towra Point Nature Reserve as an ecosystem at risk for their HSC. This field trip enabled them to see first-hand the impacts affecting Towra, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies being used to manage the site.

Highlights of the day included walking through muddy water 30-40cm deep and trying to avoid walking into spider webs (and their inhabitants) that were strung across the pathway. It was also a challenge to avoid being bitten by mozzies and even ants (as one unlucky student discovered). We learnt that while a lot has been done to manage this crucially important site, much more still needs to be done to return it to its natural state and preserve it for the future.

Mrs Moroney

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Last year Dannielle Miller of Enlighten Education ran all day workshops for girls in Years 9 and 10. The response from our students was extremely positive and the workshops had a lasting effect on many of them.

On Monday 4 April we are offering the same opportunity to the girls in our current Year 9 group.

Dannielle Miller’s background in teaching led her to develop Enlighten Education to help students successfully develop strategies to deal with issues including self-esteem, the effect of the media, body-image, friendships, organisation, time management, anxiety, depression and risky behaviours.

Other schools which regularly host Butterfly Effect workshops include Loreto College Normanhurst, Kambala, Ravenswood, Abbotsleigh, St Catherine's School Waverley, Tara, Pymble Ladies' College and many more.

For further information about the program go to www.enlighteneducation.com.au

We also have a couple of copies of Danni’s book “The Butterfly Effect” for sale for $20 or to borrow. If you would like a copy, please drop in to the Senior School Office, call 8558 4134 or email carolyn.lee@sgcs.nsw.edu.au

Senior School cont.

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Enquiries: Nola 9570 4997 or 0418 676 121 mortdalephysi@hotmail.com www.

mortdalephysicalculture.websyte.com.au

211b Ramsgate Road, Ramsgate (near Coles)Prop.: Edward J Kasparian

(Bph.BA.MPS. member of DA Australia)Shop Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday to Friday

9:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday

* Fast prescription service with counselling * Free Delivery and Pick up Service * Cosmetics, Exclusive French Perfumes, Gift Ware and Cards * We will match the best price * Webstar Packs Dispenser

We are members of the School Community and would be pleased to offer a 10% discount on shop items (Not on scripts or specials)

to families and friends of SGCS - ask at the counter.

Tel: 9529 3367 Fax: 9583 2103

19 MORTS ROAD, MORTDALE NSW 2223 PHONE: 9579 5922

LICENSED CAFE

Escape the daily grind in our sunny, courtyard Café Breakfast and lunch available all dayWe provide the best coffee in the area

with friendly service and child friendly environmentBlackboard specials available

Present this ad for a complimentary coffee with any meal

Winner of the 2007

St George

Business Awards

Advertising Love 2 Dance Studio

♥ Dance Simply for the love of it! ♥ Penshurst

Outstanding reputation for a caring, friendly and safe atmosphere. Quality dance tuition that inspires self

confidence, creativity and artistry.

Classical Ballet – Tap – Contemporary Jazz / Funk / Hip Hop & HSC Tutoring

New in 2011 and especially for under 7 years olds

• “Happy Tap” Discover the beat with your feet! • “Hip- Bop” Fun and Cool moves • “Discovery Dance” and movement for Tiny Tots under 5 year

olds Tiny Tots Dance classes are developed in consultation with early child hood professionals giving best of dance & care

Are you looking for a warm and inspiring Dance Experience run by professionals in a non-competitive atmosphere?

Call Sue 9580 1596 Classes resume 15h February

Free Trial class - Reasonable rates – Discounts multiple classes

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