High Notes, Vol 10 No 12, May 01 2009
From the Principal
Term 2
Welcome back to students, staff and parents. Welcome to Mr Graham Moody who has been appointed to
the position of Social Sciences Teacher.
High Talent
Congratulations to Daniel Jones, Christian Jurlina, Craig Moller and Emmett Naar who were chosen
in the NSW U16 basketball team. Thank you Alex and Ben Hayman, our senior coaches who helped the
boys achieve their goals. Good luck to our nine member sailing team contesting the NSW Secondary
Schools Teams Racing Regatta this week. In the recent National Latin Exam, a quality
international test with 135,000 participants, the highest award ‘gold summa cum
laude’ was won by: Dennis Kim, Samuel Beston, Lawrence Cai, Bryan Do and Max Wei (Latin
II), by John Wormell (Latin III) and by Christian Katsikaros (Prose IV). A great effort boys!
Samir Kinger was appointed as one of 12 members of the Youth Advisory Council, established by the
NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People. Well done Samir! In the holidays, Cadet Under
Officers Denis Stojanovic and Jack Wachsmann successfully completed ATA training in Tasmania and
were awarded badges. Good work boys! Sam Darcy was selected in the NSW Gridiron Football team to
contest the Australian Junior National championship tournament on the Gold Coast. Good luck, Sam!
Anzac Day
I was really impressed with the 87 boys who participated in this year’s Anzac Day March as
members of the Sydney Boys High School Marching Band. They looked good, marched in time and
played expertly. They created quite an impression. I commend the music staff and Lachlan Deacon
for preparing such a professional outfit. Six cadets carried the 2/1st Field Regiment Association
banner in the March. Twenty-two cadets backed up for a flag party at the AFS for the Anzac Day
NRL match. Sydney Boys High reaffirmed its famous Old Boys’ motto – Service in all
places. Serving the community is an important aspect of our co-curricular program.
Holiday Training
It was very encouraging to see our boys training during the holidays. Jason Tassell reports that
the Monday Wednesday Friday sessions in the Weights Room averaged 62 in week 1 and 54 in week 2.
The athletics boys trained well and there was a great turnout for the Friday Twilight carnival on
the last Friday of the holidays. This Monday I saw 60 boys training for senior rugby and
Serdar’s junior groups really attended well during the holidays. More and more boys are
respecting the training log book system and getting involved fully in preparing themselves for
competitive sport. I applaud all those involved.
Co-curricular activities at school help vocational success
A recent Daily Telegraph report quoted a study by sociologists that analysed students’
careers 10 years after graduation. The study showed that students who took part in co-curricular
activities while at school earned more money and achieved higher levels of education than peers
who achieved similar marks but did not engage in co-curricular activities. ‘Soft
skills’ such as sociability, punctuality, conscientiousness and compatibility, were found
to be better predictors of success than test results.
At High our driving philosophy is striving for all round excellence. I urge all boys to continue
to get involved in as much as they can while at school. I exhort parents to take a broader view
of education than mere test results and to allow their sons to grow as people by engaging
strongly with the co-curricular opportunities provided- particularly GPS sport.
League Tables
Trevor Cobbold of the Save Our Schools group, denounces the embedding of League Tables in
Australian Education (Professional Educator, March 2009). The Rudd government appears to be
completing the Howard government’s push towards a national market in education. The
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), will publish supposedly
nationally comparable data on each school’s results, staff, finances and enrolment profile.
However, studies of this ‘high-stakes accountability’ have failed to find solid
evidence that reporting school results and promoting competition between schools increases
student achievement. Reviews of research in Chicago and by the London School of Economics seem to
agree that choice and competition are not effective in raising standards in public schools. Even
the Like School Groups approach is flawed as SES index scores do not distinguish between
households with or without children at school. The ethnic profile of a school is not identified
in the index either. Cobbold suggests governments should report on schools that have average
results falling within different score ranges so that the extent of improvement from year to year
can be assessed.
[Much media effort is expended in sourcing, classifying and publishing HSC League tables which
are based around band 6 numbers without regard for the degree of difficulty of the courses in
which the band 6s are earned. This practice, too, distorts results in favour of schools with
fewer HSC candidates, where the impact proportionately of a few students earning multiple band 6s
is greater. Nevertheless, League Tables are here to stay because governments publish data that
FOI legislation allows media access to. We need to analyse all data we can get about the
performances of our students in order to try and improve learning opportunities for them.] Dr
K A Jaggar
Drama Ensemble Auditions
Any student interested in auditioning for the Sydney Boys Drama Ensemble may do so on Monday 4
May. Auditions will be held in Room 204 from 3:20 - 4:30pm.
The audition will involve workshop activities including improvisation and cold script
presentations. Successful students will perform in various dramatic ventures and a school
production in Term 3. If you have any further questions please contact Ms Rohr in the English
Staffroom.
Jennie Rohr
News From Latin
National Latin Exam results have arrived
The results of this international examination are very pleasing. Of the 46 students of Latin who
sat this exam in early March this year, 38 were awarded special prizes:
The categories are as follows:
Gold summa cum laude: Certificate and Gold Medal, 7 students
Silver maxima cum laude: Certificate and Silver Medal, 10 students
Magna cum laude: 5 students
Cum laude: 7 students
Blue Certificate of Merit: 1 student
All other students will receive Certificates.
Congratulations to all students who sat this challenging examination. This year was the first
time Sydney Boys High has entered the exam, which is organised by Virginia State University, USA.
These results indicate that we have made an excellent start in this world-wide competition.
D Matsos, Latin
SBHS Building Fund
2009 Fundraising campaign: Multi-Purpose Centre
We are looking again this year for volunteers to assist with the Sydney Boys High School Building
Fund fundraising efforts. The funds we raise through this campaign go directly to supporting the
project to build a new Multi-Purpose Centre. The Centre will serve musicians, public speakers,
debaters, drama students or any boy sitting for examinations. Help us to raise the facilities and
profile of the Arts at High.
All materials and instruction supplied, easy work in your own time, for one or two weeks in May!
If you haven’t found a way to volunteer in the school yet, this is a great opportunity to
assist in a very tangible way toward the building of High's new performance facilities.
For more details, please contact
Steve Saunders Mob: 0411-851-412
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
SBHS Debating
Welcome back for Term 2
This is another big term for debating and I look forward to seeing our boys in the finals for
both the Eastside and Friday Evening Debate series as they both draw to a close in the next few
weeks.
GPS Selection debates will be held during this term with the GPS season kicking off in Term 3.
More information on GPS selections to follow in coming weeks.
Eastside SEMI FINALS, Friday 1 May
This Friday night will see the first of the semi final rounds for the Eastside competition. These
debates will be held at Grammar and if the earlier rounds are anything to go by we have some
tough debates coming up!
The topics will be plucked from current affairs so I hope all debaters have been keeping their
eyes, minds and mouths on newspapers and the internet.
I strongly encourage other students and parents to attend the semis and support our boys. In
close debates the impact of a friendly audience should not be underestimated!
Attention Parents
In collaboration with the Debating Supporters Group (DSG) we will be running an information
session for parents only on Friday 8 May (next Friday).
This information session will cover the adjudication process and discuss the factors involved in
selections for GPS teams. It will be a fun and informative overview to introduce you to the key
issues that adjudicators consider which will hopefully make watching debates more accessible.
I invite all parents to come along to learn more about debating and to ask me questions as well
as to get to know other members of the DSG and how you can support our debating program.
Parents Info Session- An Overview of Adjudication and Selections Processes
Friday 8 May
Meet with other parents and debating teams in the Staff Common Room from 8pm.
The session will be held in a nearby classroom after the commencement of Senior Debates.
Dana Quick
Debating Coordinator
More information can be found at and will be emailed to you
on a weekly basis.
Please CHECK YOUR EMAIL regularly and ensure we have current contact details for both students
and parents.
PARENTS: If you are not receiving weekly emails about debating please email us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and ask to be added to the parent
group for your child’s year.
Music Notices
ANZAC DAY - Marching Band
The Sydney Boys High Marching Band performed stunningly at the ANZAC Day March last Saturday in
the City. Over 100 students were involved from Sydney Boys High (including cadets), a force to be
reckoned with. The band led by Johan Santoso (Yr 12 – Drum Major), marched through the
crowds of Pitt St, through Martin Place, up George St and on to Elizabeth St. The boys
represented High exceptionally well on this marked special occasion as they marched with
precision and discipline. They were broadcast on television playing The Invincible Eagle
March, Tenth Regiment and Waltzing Matilda. On the second march around, Thomas
Wilson (Yr 12) stepped up with great leadership as drum major as the cadets had another
commitment to fulfil. Thank you to all the boys who participated in the ANZAC Day March and the
parents for their great support on the day. A special thank you to Lachlan Deacon, Johan Santoso
and Zhi Zu for their hard work and dedication in lifting the standard of the Marching Band.
Congratulations!
Photos from this year’s march will be available in the coming week on the
students’ R drive
ANZAC Day - Photos
We are looking for photos of the Marching Band to use as promotional for our Music Tour to
France, if you are able to help us please contact the Music Department at school on 9361-6910
(Ext. 109) or email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We
greatly appreciate your help.
20th/21st Century Concert
Following our huge success with the Night at the Movies Spring concert last year, our
theme for the first concert of this year is 20th/21st Century and will be held next Saturday
the 9th of May (Week 2) in the Great Hall at 6:30pm. Notes are available outside the Music
Staffroom and tickets can be purchased through the Main Office. Please make payments by Friday
8th of May 2009. Refreshments will be on sale during the interval of the concert.
Single: $12.00 / Family: $28.00
Music Parking
Thank you to all the students and parents who helped out with the music parking on Good Friday
evening. Your support and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated and help raise much needed funds for
the Music Performance Program.
Music Supporters Group (MSG) Meeting
Our next MSG meeting for 2009 will be held on Tuesday 19th May at 6:30pm in the Staff Common
Room followed by the Music Tour meeting to France 2010. We would like to encourage parents of
students in the performance music program to attend the MSG meeting.
Cabaret Night – Please Note Change of Date
Cabaret Night has been changed to Saturday the 27th of June 2009 (Term 2) with the Jazz
workshop held on Friday the 26th of June for all members of the Stage Band. Please make a
note of this change in your diary. All members of Stage Band, Senior Concert Band and Symphony
Orchestra will be involved on Cabaret Night.
Piano For Sale
2003 Boston (Steinway 178 model) for sale in very good condition, $22,000 (ono). RRP for second
hand is $25,000. Please see the Music Staff if you are interested or contact 0416 740 813.
Athletics Report
The 24th of April saw the first night/twilight carnival that a majority of the athletes had ever
competed in. The Sydney High Athletics team produced a large turnout considering that this
invitational carnival was held during the Easter holidays.
An intense holiday training regime, which consisted of lifting weights from 7.00-9.00am and then
a track session from 9.30-11.00 right after, produced some outstanding results from our athletes.
Brian Kelly, the former 400/800 runner and new sprint talent, ran killer races in the 100 and 200
(11.5 and 23.4). Jeremy Ireland ran High’s best 1500 of the night posting a time of 4m23s
against some quality competitors from Scots and Lloyd Perris ran a fast 4m34s. Tim Siu ran our
best 400 of the night with an incredible time of 54.2, just letting his lead go in the final 50
metres. Kerrod McPherson produced High’s fastest 100 time running a blistering 11.3 in
Opens and 14s runner Edward Zhang blitzed to second place with 12.17. In the jumps, surprise
package Brian Kelly leapt 5.81m in the long jump and Jeremy Rajendram leapt 5.88m in 17s as well
as jumping 6.02m in Opens, a monster effort from the small man. Chris Morrow jumped well again in
the high jump showing his calibre in his pet event. Kings and Iggies showed some
‘gamesmanship’ by not running their some of their stronger competitors at this meet,
but they can be sure to not get too cocky because the invitationals are helping High form a
strong team for the AAGPS Championships. High will host an Invitational this Saturday at
Homebush, SIAC NO 1 – 2nd May 2009. SBHS Athletics will need 30 parental helper/officials
for the day. If you can help please contact Mr Devlin as soon as possible on 0403829344.
This year the seating arrangements for SBHS and TAS are we have sole occupancy of Bay 7. TAS
generally has no more than 20/30 so there should be ample room with 300 seats. I would advise
spectators to be at Sydney Athletics Centre as early (no later than 10.30am on the day) as
possible because they can easily be gobbled up by the schools on adjoining sides if they are left
vacant.
Michael Phung
SHS Cadet Unit
The April holidays were a very busy time for High cadets with members away at National and NSW
Brigade courses followed by public duties associated with ANZAC Day.
ATA SUCCESS
In the first week of the holidays, CUOs Dennis Stojanovic and Jack Wachsmann flew off to Tasmania
to subject themselves to the rigors of the Adventure Training Award assessment . This week long
assessment, held in a rugged Army training area north of Hobart, tested the mental and physical
stamina of our lads as they completed a series of field activities designed to test their
knowledge and skills of leadership, navigation, first aid and living in the field.
Both Denis and Jack were successful and are now entitled to wear the coveted ATA Badge. The lads
received their badges from Brigadier J. Withers, Commander of Australian Army Cadets.
Well done Denis and Jack.
BRIGADE COURSES - SINGLETON
Success again; all our cadets qualified at their respective promotion courses :
Junior Leaders Course (for promotion to corporal)
Cadets Nicholas Ooi and Dominic Tran
Senior Leaders Course –Module 1 (for promotion to sergeant)
Corporals Michael Do and Isaac Everleigh
Senior Leader Course – Module 2 (for promotion to waerrant officer and cadet under
officer)
Staff Sergeant Johan Santoso and Sergeant Aditya Hatle
Congratulations to all.
ANZAC DAY PUBLIC DUTIES
As with past years unit members supported the City of Sydney ANZAC Day March.
We provided a banner party for the 2/1st Field Regiment Association. The 2/1st Field Regt. was an
artillery unit with a long, proud record of service in World War 2. An honour to help these men
who served the nation.
Another detachment under Drum Major SSGT Johan Santoso marched with the High Marching Band.
NRL ANZAC DAY GAME
Following the city march, twenty of our cadets went across to the Sydney Football Stadium to
provide the flag party for the opening ceremony of the NRL Anzac Day game. In front of a crowd of
30,000 the high cadets marched on carrying Australian and New Zealand National Flags.
Richard Knowles
Major AAC
OC SHSCU
Year 10 Parent Group
The next Year 10 parent group meeting will take place on
Wednesday 6 May 2009 at 6:30pm in the Common Room.
This will be an opportunity to discuss the upcoming half-yearly exams as well as any other issue
you would like to bring to the meeting. Everyone is welcome!
Your Year 10 parent convenors can be contacted at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
From the High Store
Mother’s Day Gift- From High Store
Sydney High crested scarf, Chocolate brown $22
Polar Fleece jumper, great to be worn with jeans Sizes XS-L $69
Great gift for mum to keep her warm while watching you play sport.
Earn while you Learn
Year 10 Students and Parents Earn While You Learn
Find out more about our 70 different School based apprenticeships and traineeships
INFORMATION EVENINGS
Wednesday 27 May 2009
Fourth Floor South Sydney Juniors
558a Anzac Pde
KINGSFORD
Wednesday 17 June 2009
Kareela Golf Club
Bates Drive
KAREELA
7.00 pm – 9.00 pm Light refreshments will be served
INFORMATION AFTERNOON
Tuesday 4 August
T3 Automotive Traineeships
Automotive School St George TAFE
President Ave KOGARAH
Between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm
- Traineeships and apprenticeships combine paid work with training.
- Apprentices complete the first year of the apprenticeship concurrently with the HSC.
- Trainees and apprentices work and complete your HSC at the same time!
- Traineeships and apprenticeships in schools provide senior secondary students with multiple
qualifications and a year’s head start on their career.
- It is possible to get a UAI with some SBATS
For further information contact the Traineeship and Apprenticeship Coordinator Ph: 9582 2852
Publications 
