Care | Opportunity | Success

S O U T H S Y D N E Y

Principal’s Report

HIGH SCHOOL

Newsletter | Term 4 Week 4| 3 November 2017

Congratulations to:

Duke of Edinburgh students who completed their hike last week. Many

thanks to Ms Mifsud, Mr Yasaman and Ms Maynard for giving up their

time to support the students in this important event.

Our Junior SSCIM participants who are enjoying a very productive time at

camp this week. I am looking forward to hearing about their projects at

the showcase event planned for later in the term. Many thanks to Ms De

Paor and Ms Watkins for organising the camp.

Our student volunteers who helped with the P&C Bunnings Eastgardens

BBQ held last weekend. Many thanks to our enthusiastic parents who

raised over $1000.00 for the school.

Our Year 12 students who are currently sitting their HSC exams. Exam supervisors have commented on the

exemplary behaviour displayed by our students who worked impeccably whilst in the Hall. Many teachers are

looking forward to attending the Year 12 formal on Friday 17th November and Ms Wilson continues to be

very proud of Year 12 2017.

Our Year 11 students who participated in the HSC Success day last week, once again at

the surf club. The students participated in a series of workshops to support their tran-

sition into HSC coursework.

Dayna Scheihing in Year 7, for her excellent presentation at a parent information

evening held at Maroubra Junction Public School last night. She was an outstanding

ambassador for South Sydney High school. Well done Dayna!

Student Leadership

I have been very impressed with the maturity and initiative displayed by

our student leadership team. Ms Maynard is doing a wonderful job in

coordinating our enthusiastic students and held a very successful planning

day last week at the Maroubra Surf Club. Already the students have

actioned the construction of an outdoor awning near the bus bay,

providing shelter from the elements. From what we have seen so far, we

are going to see some exciting initiatives come to fruition in the next 12

months.

Principal’s Report cont’d

Staffing

It is with great pleasure I can welcome back Mr Wagg to school. He is has been sorely

missed by students, teachers and parents and I would like thank Ms Touchard for

covering classes whilst he was away. On another note, we have been fortunate to

welcome another person back to South Sydney High School, Emily Cooley. Emily is a

2014 SSHS graduate and will be working with Ms Kite, supporting our Aboriginal

students.

International Students Audit

The DOE International Schools Audit reviewed our systems and procedures and the panel were very impressed

with the processes and systems in place.

Our international students add to the wonderful diversity which exists in our school, and I would like to

acknowledge the great work of Mr Wiseman, and Mrs Turner in supporting this special group of students.

P&C News

The P&C AGM will be held on Tuesday 14th November and once again, many thanks to our parents who make up

our vibrant P&C. The following positions will be filled:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Many thanks to Debbie Ross, our outgoing P&C President, who has made an outstanding contribution to many

aspects of school life. In particular, Debbie single handedly coordinated the second hand uniform shop which has

been greatly appreciated by many families. We wish Debbie and her family all the very best.

Kind Regards

Robyn Matthews

Principal

P&C News

MEETING DATES Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month (unless this falls within school holidays in which case we move the date) at 7 pm in the Common Room. The meeting lasts for about 1 ½ hours. Entry is via the side gate via the carpark entrance from Paine Street. After entering the carpark gate the side gate is on your right. Go through the gate and the Common Room is on your right. Our next meeting is the AGM. Please come along and vote for the team you want to lead you into 2018. Meetings for the rest of the year are as follows: 14th November – AGM 12th December – Christmas wrap up meeting P&C EXECUTIVE 2017 President: Debbie Ross Vice Presidents: Pam Bregonis & Justine Jennings Treasurer: Michael Grimshaw Secretary: Joanne Boufous New President This is the last year that I will be affiliated with the school as the President of the P&C. I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support during my term. I am very lucky to have such a committed hard working committee to support the work of the P&C. I would like to sincerely thank each and every member of the P&C for all their hard work during my term to support every child in the school. I know I leave the P&C with a passionate group of people who will continue to work hard for every student in the school and excel in the tasks they undertake. Bunnings Day BBQ Many thanks to all the parents, P&C Members and student volunteers who assisted us with the BBQ and cake stall at Bunnings in Hillsdale on Saturday 28 October. There were many parents who could not attend to assist, but sent in cakes instead. Many thanks to Roxanne Bragg who could not assist on the day, and instead donated a $50 Hoyts voucher for the raffle we conducted on the day. Many thanks to everyone who assisted on the day. Many thanks to Ms Stell for organising our volunteers. Ms Stell works tirelessly behind the scenes to assist us and we do appreciate her help. We would like to thank the volunteers who gave up their Saturday and provided us with valuable assistance. They were all great ambassadors for the school and we had many people commenting on how good they were and making enquiries about the school. Special thanks must go to Jane Grimshaw - P&C Committee Member for organising the day.

P&C News cont’d

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will remain closed due to HSC exams. We thank you for your patience during this time.

P&C Funding

As you are aware, the P&C request each family to donate $20 for the year. We thank all families who made this

contribution. These funds have been used for the following -

Supper for the Year 7 and new parents to the school. This gave all new parents the opportunity to talk to

the teachers in a relaxed environment without any students present. It was also a good chance to chat to

P&C parents about any concerns parents may have had.

Study skills day for years 7 – 10. This was very successful and many students report having learnt many

useful strategies to improve their study skills abilities.

Open Day BBQ and drinks. Each person who attended the Open Day were introduced to the P&C and

given a free sausage sizzle and drink.

Year 12 Graduation supper and gift for the students. We also provided the Graduation cake.

Thank you morning tea for the administrative staff. Their work at the front desk and behind the scenes

allows our students to experience seamless administrative processes. The admin staff also assist the P&C

in many ways throughout the year and we are very grateful.

We will also fund the “wish list” which has been put out to the teachers for resources they would like in

place for the beginning of next year. This will benefit all students.

Junior SSCIM Camp 2017

Preparations for our Junior SSCIM Camp have been underway since early in Term 3. Year 7 and 8 students have

been planning projects and discussing how they will approach them. Other preparations have included menu

planning, shopping lists and organisation of dormitories. This is a camp that differs a lot to conventional school

camps in that the students are responsible for much of the planning and activities that occur during the camp,

including preparation and clearing up after meals. Our wonderful SSCIM Mentor of all things Chess, the

Mathematics department chess guru Rachel Watkins will be accompanying Ms de Paor on this year’s camp.

This should afford an opportunity to plan for what chess might look like at South Sydney in 2018. Matthew

Sanders in year 8 has set himself the goal of teaching chess to a number of those who will be at the camp and

he also plans to run a SSCIM Camp chess tournament. Indeed chess seems to be a strong theme this year as we

have Jacob Cross hoping to make chess pieces and a board as well as Takala Newsome designing chess pieces.

Other planned projects include creative writing, photography, musical composition and the ever-favourite

project of short film-making.

The Pittwater National Park location of our annual Junior SSCIM Camp is a wonderful setting that inspires

students to achieve wonderful results on three days dedicated to self-directed project based learning. We look

forward to reporting on this year’s junior SSCIM Camp in the next newsletter.

Ms de Paor, Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator

‘In Real Life’, Eternity Theatre, Darlinghurst

On Tuesday 10th October South Sydney drama enthusiasts

including those who have chosen to study elective drama in

Year 9 in 2018 and our South Sydney Drama Ensemble

attended ‘In Real Life’ at the Eternity Playhouse in

Darlinghurst. This stimulating play by Julian Larnach asks

audiences to consider the role of technology in our lives.

When so much of the communication in twenty first century

Australia depends on digital media the play asks questions

about how the ways in which we connect with each other

may have the power to diminish our humanity.

South Sydney has enjoyed a strong relationship with the

Eternity Theatre this year as a venue that has offered

students much thought provoking contemporary drama. We

look forward to continuing to offer drama enthusiasts further

opportunities to experience shows at the Eternity in 2018.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Qualifying Walk

Congratulations to 13 Year 9 students who recently completed their overnight Qualifying Walk for their Duke of

Edinburgh Award. They hiked the Coastal track from Bundeena to Otford, a 26km walk carrying all their food,

water and camping equipment in their backpacks. They used maps and compasses to navigate their way and

were able to use the skills they have learnt this year during their training and their first training hike earlier in the

year. There was a big storm during the night so they did not get much sleep!

This adventurous journey forms a part of the award. The students are now completing their hours in the other

sections of the award, service, skill and sport with the aim to complete their Bronze award by the end of this

year.

We are currently undergoing planning for next year; any Year 9 students keen to participate in the Duke of

Edinburgh Award next year should keep their eyes open for the upcoming information session.

Year 11 Update

On Wednesday 25th October, Year 11 students participated in a “Strive to Success” day at the Maroubra Surf

Club. The day was organised to help students refine their study practices. They were divided into groups and had

three sessions: goals, study strategies and the ALARM system for answering exam questions. The day was very

constructive and was well received by those who attended. I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by the

teaching staff who attended Mr Davidson, Mr Spencer, Mr Wood, Ms Watkins, Ms Mifsud and Mr Benischke

who organised and set up for the day.

During the “Strive to Success” day the students were informed about the schools mentor program developed for

year 12 students. The program involves students being matched to a teacher who they feel they have a good

working relationship with, who can help guide them through their HSC.

The role of the teacher is to meet with their mentor group/students on a regular basis in order to monitor their

progress, assist them in establishing good study patterns, help them with motivation levels, and provide general

support. This is not a compulsory program, although we strongly suggest that students participate. There is still

time to place your name on the mentor list which is situated outside my office.

On Friday 27th October, we had our year achievement assembly during which students were presented with

their well-deserved certificates. As well as this, they were given the NESA “HSC Rules and Regulations Guide for

2018”. This guide includes everything you need to know about the HSC. If your child was not at the assembly

they can get a copy from my staffroom.

There are still a significant number of outstanding clearance forms which need to be handed back, as well as

leave early notes which are still outstanding and need to be returned. We are also in the process of organising

the Year 12 leavers’ jacket which needs to be paid for, so that an order can be placed. A second order will be

placed and needs to be paid by 24th November. All communication between myself and year 11 students will be

via email. Please make sure your child reads their school email regularly, otherwise they may miss out on vital

information.

Mrs J Lawrence

Year 11 Advisor

On Tuesday the 24th of October the student leaders went to the Maroubra

surf lifesaving club for their planning day. It was the first time we have had

the SRC, Prefects and the House Leaders attend a planning day together.

We planned for the year ahead of us, including all the events that we will

make happen. We played team building games which helped us get know

each other and increased our productivity. The day consisted of videos of

speeches from well-known leaders in our society, and brainstorming new

and interesting ideas. At lunch, we had pizza and enjoyed the sun at the

beach. A big thank you to Ms Maynard and Ms Graham for running the day.

We look forward to sharing our plans for 2018 with everyone and

improving our school.

By representatives of the student leadership team 2018

Student Leadership Planning Day

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Year 7 are going to participate in a Virtual Reality Tour of the Solar System as part of their current Science Topic

‘Space’. There will also be a focus on Space in other faculties leading up to the incursion. This event will be held

during school on Monday 6th November between Periods 1 to 4 on school grounds. The cost of this incursion

has generously been covered by South Sydney High School’s P&C.

Mr Amir Yasaman

Science Teacher

Year 7 Virtual Reality Notification