探花视频

High Notes, Vol 24 No 2, February 10 2023

From the Principal

High Talent

Congratulations to Oscar Shi (11S) who has been selected to represent Australia at the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship to be held in Uzbekistan at the end of February. Well done to Joshua Li (9S) and Eric Scholten (11R) who were invited to sit the Australian Mathematical Olympiad examinations this week. At the High Swimming Carnival this week the following records were set: U13 50m backstroke 0.34.22 Ryan Chai (8S); U13 200m freestyle 2.22.82 Kester Jan (8S); U14 200m freestyle 2.17.25 Oliver Yin (9T); Matthew Chen (9T) - U15 backstroke 0.30.35; U15 butterfly 0.27.55; U15 50m freestyle 0.25.53; and U15 100m freestyle 0.57.07. There were some wonderful performances. Congratulations to all record setters and to all who competed.

Welcome to new students and Summer Sports Assembly

At the beginning of the week, we welcomed new students and their parents to High. The students were addressed by the Principal, Deputy Principal 鈥� Junior School Mr Kay, Ms Jackson relieving HT Sport, Ms Chan HT Wellbeing and by the Year 7 Student Advisers, Dr Carman and Dr O鈥橠riscoll. There was a great deal of information given to them in a short space of time. Over the next few weeks, the boys will process it all and settle into school life well.

Last Friday, witnessed by Years 11 & 12, the Year 7 group were formally recognised with a 鈥榗lapping in鈥� ceremony, coinciding with our summer sports assembly. I welcomed them more formally to the school without their parents in attendance, as did School Captain, Sean Lim. We outlined what the school stood for, its priorities, what it could offer them over the next six years and what they could do to maximise their opportunities. Guest speaker Assoc. Prof Andrew Bennie (SHS-1997), shared his journey as a national level athlete who represented High in multiple sports, pursued a career in academia and returned to coach a football team for many years. He spoke about 鈥榗onnection鈥� to High and what it meant to him.  The lifelong benefits of connection to school come from participation in as many activities as possible. We also had our team captains introduce our first and second grade summer GPS teams in cricket, tennis, swimming, sailing, water polo and basketball and our guests presented the firsts teams with their gifts of team apparel ahead of the first round of the GPS for Term 1. The assembly was conducted in a very positive spirit and the singing was much improved!

High Values in Action

I received the following email from a commuter: 鈥淎s a regular public transport taker, I often run into disturbing behaviour seen on trains and buses by students from various schools. However, I was delighted to note the incredible behaviour of a student who was called Abraham [Joseph (11S)] who, without hesitation, offered to help me carry out one of my suitcases as I dropped one of my carry-ons. I am delighted by the incredible, rare behaviour this student displayed and I hope his behaviour is seen by other students to be respectful members of public transport.鈥� Congratulations on your exhibition of the High value of compassion, Abraham.

Weights Room for 2023

High鈥檚 weights room offers exceptional value for money. The room has appropriate equipment for preparing the bodies of teenage boys and crucially, it is constantly supervised.  When handling weights, technique is vitally important, and boys need to learn the correct way to lift. Kurt Rich, our Head Strength and Conditioning Coach is a well-credentialed and experienced trainer. His presence ensures that the boys are training safely and sensibly. So, as well as getting gym facilities, members have a trained supervisor and adviser to help them during their unlimited visits. The Weights Room operates much more effectively if all boys get their training in how to use the various pieces of equipment and in proper lifting technique, as soon as possible. Kurt Rich provides this service at the beginning of each year and can tailor individual programs for members after the introductory sessions. Having a fixed clientele makes his job more productive and leads to a better training experience for members and better strength outcomes for participants. Hence, we decided to close off memberships by the end of March each year. Boys who have not paid by that time can no longer attend the weights room in term one.

Costs for this service are held down to a minimum and reduced by boys taking out a full year鈥檚 membership. For 2023, a full year Weights Room membership costs just $285. As an incentive to Year 7 students, an introductory one year membership is available for a mere $165. Boys wishing to have full year membership must register and pay by Friday, March 10, 2023. There will be no extensions of time. In Semester 2, half-year memberships will be offered to students for a short period of time at a cost of $165.

Welcome to New Parents Cocktail Party

We were pleased to be able to hold a welcome to new parents as a live event in the Governors Centre on Tuesday evening hosted by the P & C. Speakers included myself, Mr Jamie Kay, Mr Andrew Chan representing the 探花视频 Foundation, Mr Yves Stening, representing Year 7 parents from 2022, Ms Hannah Jackson, HT Sport (Relieving) and Mr Andrew Hybler, President of the SBHS P &C Association. Thank you to the P & C Organising Committee and to the wonderful sailing parents who managed the catering in the Governors Centre foyer for a large crowd in attendance. Thank you to 2023 Year 7 Advisers, Dr Carman and Dr O鈥橠riscoll for their support at this important introductory event.

Sentence Conscious Pedagogy: Sentences made more interesting

Using simple, high frequency words doesn鈥檛 help students in their writing assessments. Consider the word 鈥榝un鈥�. Ten more exact and interesting words for the noun include 鈥� amusement, cheer, distraction, merrymaking, enjoyment, entertainment, recreation, jollity, high jinks, romp. As an adjective 鈥� amusing, convivial, diverting, enjoyable, lively, witty. Think more carefully about what mood you are trying to convey and pick the right word.
Dr K A Jaggar
Principal