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High Notes, Vol 12 No 31, October 14 2011

From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 4
Welcome back to staff, students, parents, Old Boys and volunteers to another busy term. HSC exams commence on Monday. Teams for summer sports have had their preseason training and are geared up for Saturday’s competition. I look forward to a very productive term.

High Talent
Chris Chiam (Year 11) gave a closing address at a ‘Male Champions of Change’ event attend by the Governor-General and 12 top CEOs committed to gender equality and 200 business leaders. The event launched a report of best practices to achieve gender equality. At the recent Scots College Invitational Chess Tournament, SBHS Open team (Dawen Shi, Edward Naoumov, Darryl Chan) came second, just 1 point behind Grammar. The SBHS Junior Team (Felix Wang, Johnson Lin, Pajman Johnstone) won the prize for the best junior team. Congratulations, boys!

Master class on differentiation of curriculum
On Monday, High was very pleased to be able to host Professor Emerita Joyce Vantassel-Baska who delivered a very valuable seminar on how to use six methods of differentiation to meet the needs of gifted learners. Forty delegates from mainly selective high schools participated. Seven of our staff were able to experience a world-class presenter.

Foundation Day Assembly
Sir Michael Marmot (1961) presented an inspirational address via video on the social causes of disparities in the standard of public health, focussed on life expectancy rates comparisons. Within nation differences were as stark as between nation differences. He highlighted his work with the UN on raising awareness of the social causes of public health issues around the globe. My address is reprinted below.

"Special guests, Old Boy Order of Australia Companions, Officers, Members or Medallists, former School Captains and Prefects, Jim Coleman and the Class of 1961 representatives, Prefect Internees, School Family representatives, parents, staff and students – welcome to our 128th Foundation Day Assembly. This occasion celebrates the foundation of public secondary schools in 1883 as institutions preparing students for tertiary study – a milestone nineteenth century recognition of the importance of public secondary education. Our Foundation Day address today will be delivered by video as our guest speaker was unable to attend in person.

"Today we honour our contemporary leaders and try to help them to connect to their office through an understanding of its history. Fifty years ago, as today, School Prefects at High were important people – a number of them are here today. It is inspiring to see how many of them care enough to make their time available to return to High, eighty-six of them to last night’ s reunion and twenty-five backing up for today’s assembly. Thank you for your commitment to what High stands for – fellowship and the pursuit of excellence.

"It was at this assembly in 1961 that former interim Prime Minister, Sir Earle Page unveiled the portrait plaque of Sir Grafton Elliot Smith – a brilliant scholar born in 1871 who had a distinguished international career in medicine. Prizes are awarded annually in his name as part of proceeds of our Prizes Trust. Together with Sir Earle’s portrait plaque (dedicated in 1958), these two symbols of Old Boy excellence and service flank every boy who leaves the Great Hall.

"Back in 1961 the Chess Club had 121 members. The Cadet Unit had136 members. Fifty years on and the tradition continues, albeit without quite the numbers of participants. In debating, The Hume Barbour and Karl Cramp teams were knocked out in semi-finals by North Sydney. Our debating tradition remains very strong – a successful team at CHS or GPS level every year since 2000.

"The first XV were quite competitive in 1961, winning against Scots 8-6 and losing to Newington by a point and Joeys by two points. Nonetheless, The Record complained about the decline in the number of teams playing Saturday rugby. “If this trend continues, we cannot hope to attain any measure of success in open grades”. The lack of a big pool of junior players staying on in the game in their senior years, is a perennial concern for High.

"In cricket, High fielded six open teams. The first XI defeated Shore and Scots, with Kerry Owen scoring 40 and taking 7 wickets for 14 and being picked for combined GPS first grade.Barry Olbourne was captain of the first grade basketball team that were undefeated zone premiers, with Frank Yee, Ken Porter and Mick Dorsen being selected in CHS teams.In rowing Alan Callaway, in recognition of twenty-four seasons of coaching High without being unplaced, was appointed NSW rowing coach. At the Head of the River, High’s VIII was 4th and the 2nd. IV second. In athletics, Terry Lancaster (who is still inspiring our athletes today at GPS carnivals) set the CHS 16 years 220 yards record of 21.9. The Junior team did not perform so well. The Record admonished: “athletes who aim for success must realise the advantages of regular training and expert coaching.” We exhort our boys in similar fashion today.

"This snapshot of fifty years ago reminds us of where we have been and encourages us to continue challenging ourselves with high expectations. Our heritage is enriched by our people, our culture by their stories, our future by their examples.

"Apart from connecting our present to our past to inform our future, today’s assembly is to honour service. In the case of Order of Australia honours recipients, their names are added to our series of honour boards, concluding this year with the Companion of the Order Board. Professor Graeme Clark AC, of cochlear implant fame, was to unveil the board but has had to cancel due to a death in the family. 1961 Old Boys with Australian Honours are: Bruce Corlett AM, Glenn Gardner AM, Keith Jameson OAM and Colin Love AM.

"At High we are building a stronger culture of community service and leadership training. Our Prefect Interns, who are awarded badges today, must earn the right to sign the Prefect’s Book and receive their permanent badge next year. They will have a day’s training on leadership skills and the rights and responsibilities of office. They will be called upon to represent the School in various capacities over the next four terms. I congratulate them all on their qualification for the ballot and subsequent election by the staff and their peers. I urge them to take their oaths seriously and to be outstanding representatives of the ethos of the school. I wish them well in their roles. "

Summer Sports Assembly
Old Boy Jack Manning (2002) reminisced about his time at school playing rugby and cricket and left the boys with a strong message about persistence and resilience: “Win the next moment”. He talked about his mentoring of indigenous students and how this initiative has grown to the point where AIME is not an institution at ten universities on the eastern seaboard. My address to the assembly is reprinted below:

"Special guest Jack Manning Bancroft, coaches, staff, GPS sports teams, parents and students – welcome to the 2011 October Summer Sports Assembly. This morning’s first summer sports assembly is held annually to introduce and congratulate the teams who have GPS competition in term 4 – basketball, cricket and water polo.

"The cricket program has been revitalised for the commencement of the 2011-2012 season. . The GPS Heads agreed to a radical approach to cricket this season, mixing 20/20, one day and two-day games in an exciting new competition format. We believe it will give an opportunity for a variety of skills to be demonstrated by players and teams. The best and most versatile cricket team should win. The cricket nets have had a major refurbishment, with lights being added, ready for community hiring. I want to thank David Smith for his work this year as MIC cricket. He brought fresh ideas to the administration of the game. This season, Old Boys Hugo Richards and Siva Valliapan have taken on roles as Co-MICs. I am confident that they will be well supported and will get on top of the complex administration of the sport. I wish them well in their roles. We have gone for a Coaching Director model with Barry Davison taking a lead role in designing and implementing coaching programs and working with the coaches of all teams. Laurie Heil has taken on the second XI again. The preseason preparation this year included a Brisbane tour. The boys seem ready to play. Good luck to Jesse and his team.

"Water Polo is maintaining a strong program this year. Rhiannon Davis has taken over from new mum, Taryn Evans and has some fresh ideas about accessing venues and increasing training opportunities. It is a great sport for GPS swimmers. We value our continuing relationship with Sydney University Sports and its expert coaches.

"Our basketball program has evolved into one of the highest quality school programs that any schoolboy sportsman could wish for. The facilities are good, the coaches skilled and enthusiastic and the pool of players, talented. Success this year at GPS, CHS Knockout and All-Schools has imbued the team with great self-belief, discipline and cohesion. These qualities enable them to overcome opponents with more raw talent and greater size. Their term four objectives are to start well in two tough away games at Scots and Newington and to win back-to-back Australian Schools tournaments in December. With three of the top ten school teams in the country playing in the GPS competition, there are tough challenges ahead. I want to acknowledge the dedication of Ben Hayman as Coaching Coordinator, MIC and first grade coach; Alex Hayman as Assistant first grade coach and Junior Development Coordinator; and the Basketball Committee. We welcome to High as second grade coach Reg Day. Good luck to Craig and his team in first grade and co-captains Nick and Shuming and second grade. I am confident that another successful season lies ahead.

"Coaches and players are in a constant search for improved sports performance. One way to do this is to develop what is called ‘sensory behavioural flexibility’. We all have ten senses – five external and five internal. Typically, external sights, sounds and feelings, get jumbled up with our internal dialogue of imagined sights, self-talk and feelings. The result is that the quality of our external sensory perception is compromised. However, good competitors find a way to cut out or control any interference which distorts sensory input. If you can “clean out your head” and remove internally generated interference and static, your coordination and sports performance will improve.

"Neurologically, the brain does not distinguish between real and imagined experience. It cannot clearly assimilate internal and external sensory input simultaneously. Both are interpreted ambiguously. To perform well at sport you need to be 100% in external sensory awareness. Some sports have regular breaks in the action – such as cricket, tennis, water polo and basketball. In these moments between action, self-recriminations for bad shots, being hit for six or missing a basket, shot for goal, pass or rebound, or losing possession of the ball, may distract you with negative internal input. You blame yourself and lose confidence in your ability and even feel embarrassed in front of your team mates. That’s when you need personal control of the mode of sensory awareness – you need a rehearsed physical trigger to refocus your mind on the game.

"I urge boys in competitive situations to learn how to ‘clear out their heads’ to enhance subsequent personal and team performances. Congratulations to all boys selected in GPS competition teams. Good luck for the season."
Dr K A Jaggar

Die Deutsche Frage

Remember Term 3, Week 7 or so? A young gentleman came up with the correct answer – and as he was not one of my students I do not recollect his name (but he got his chocolate!). Most of the clock faces with Roman numerals on the poster in the Language corridor have IIII instead of IV for the numeral 4 – in order to make the two halves of the clock face more balanced!

Die neue Frage für die erste Woche: Redensarten – was gehört zusammen?

From the Library

PERSONAL DAILY HERALDS PICKED UP FROM THE LIBRARY DISCONTINUED FOR NOW
This service is being re-considered by heraldeducation.com. Personal Heralds will discontinue until next year. This service may resume next year. Staff can still order Heralds through the Herald in the Classroom staff arrangement.
Mrs Crothers
Junior library

Peer Mediation at SBHS

Hey, got a problem? Get peer mediated! Peer mediation is a program run by a select group of Year 11 students which seeks to solve conflict between students without getting teachers involved. The program seeks to help the students resolve their issues while under the guidance of the Year 11 students. The program is confidential and stays between the peer mediators (Year 11 students) and the students who have a problem with each other.

How it works

When two students have a disagreement they are to email the following address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it requesting a Peer Mediation session. From this point Ms Barr will receive the request and will appoint two Peer Mediators to accompany the disputers in a closed off room, whereby the two students will eventually resolve their problem and sign an agreement to not create more problems with each other.

Remember. The email address is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Adam Booth & Thomas Zhang

High Family

The Bulletin Board for Sydney Boys High P & C

Julie Connolly
P&C President
If you would like to have any parent community news or upcoming events included in High Society, please contact Julie Connolly, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; M: 0418 470 203.

Next P&C General Meeting - Presentation by Mr Michael Kay, Head Teacher Science

7.30pm, Wednesday 19th October, Room 104 (near Staff Common Room)

There are two P&C general meetings this term. The first is next Wednesday 19th October from 7.30pm to 9.00pm in Room 104 (near the Staff Common Room).

Mr Michael Kay, Head Teacher Science will present
An Overview of the Science Curriculum at High from Years 7 through to 12
to the P&C general meeting at 7.30pm. This will be followed by a short Q&A session. This will be a very valuable information session for all parents from Years 7 to 12.

Agenda items following Mr Kay’s presentation, include:

• Feedback on Capital Campaign 2011
• School update from Dr Jaggar
• Year Group, Sub-committee, School Council and SHS Foundations Reports

The final meeting for the year will be the P&C Annual General Meeting 7.30pm, Wednesday 16th November in the Staff Common Room Elections for all P&C office bearers for 2012 will take place at this meeting.

Please email your nominations for P&C leadership positions to Julie Connolly This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Positions open for nomination are:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
P&C Representative to School Council
P&C Representative to SHS Foundation
Student Wellbeing Committee Representative
P&C Parking Coordinator
P&C Catering and Events Coordinator
P&C Website Coordinator
Parent Mentor Coordinator

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Rowing Parent Information Session – Saturday 15th October, 9.00am-12 noon – Outterside Centre
Rowing Committee Meeting – Tuesday 1st November, 7.00pm – Staff Common Room
Cricket Committee Meeting – Wednesday 2nd November, 6.00pm – Staff Common Room
Drama Ensemble Production - Wednesday 2nd November, 6.00pm - Drama Studio (Room 204)

SBHS Rowing Committee

INFORMATION and ORIENTATION for all ROWING PARENTS
Saturday 15 October 2011 at High Rowing Sheds, Abbotsford

All parents … if there is one morning you should attend it is this one. Come along and be informed!

PROGRAM for PARENTS – Saturday 15 October

8.15am - Junior Rowing Parents Information/Orientation session
9.30am – Year 10 Parents Information session
10.30am – Senior Parents Information session

MORNING TEA PROVIDED

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• The season calendar with important dates identified
• Outline of what’s expected of the boys and how parents can contribute
• Outline of camp duties for senior parents
• Outline of Saturday BBQ duties for junior parents
• Who’s who? Meet the MIC, Coaches, Old Boys and Committee

SEE YOU THERE!
Craig Phillis
President SHS Rowing Committee

Rowing: Back to the Sheds Day

All old boys and rowing community are invited to
BACK TO THE SHEDS DAY
Saturday 22 October 2011
at the Outterside Centre, 5 Teviot Avenue, Abbotsford

We welcome 1971,1981,1991 and 2001 rowers as guest entrants in this year’s
High Rowing Challenge Regatta
or come along, join the festivities, and watch!

Highlight Race (approx 9am) The best of the Old Boys take on the School VIII

Enjoy the traditional Shed Barbecue … bacon and eggs rolls, juice and barista coffee served throughout the morning.

RSVP and more information at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

SBHS Rugby

High Rugby = High Spirit

Qantas Walla Rugby Week
The 2011 Qantas Walla Rugby Week occurred between September 12 and September 16. During the week, over 180 students played non-tackle rugby to promote values of team work, camaraderie, inclusion and diversity. The week coincided with the start of the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup campaign. The junior competition ran in parallel to the senior competition. The winners of the senior competition – The Scrivener Shield were Ao Li Densities and the winners of the junior competition were Team OP. Thank you goes to the Canteen who ran a Green and Gold Day in support of the week.

Rugby World Cup 2011
The Wallabies play New Zealand on Sunday at 7:00pm. GO WALLABIES!
Mr G Barris