|
|
Home
 Publications High Notes Older Volumes High Notes, Vol 6 No 30, October 14 2005
High Notes, Vol 6 No 30, October 14 2005
From the Principal
Welcome Back to Term 4
High Talent Well done too to Joel Ninyo (18 years shot - 5th) and James Barker (17 years 1500m -4th, 3000m - 4th) for representing High at the NSW All Schools Track and Field Championships during the holidays.
Preliminary Course Completion
Year 10 Assembly Year 10 was reminded that Prefect aspirants for 2007 needed to be satisfying Special Award requirements by term 3 2005. Also, no suspensions from school or class can be tolerated. A high standard of school dress is required for Prefect contenders. This particularly includes doing up collars and pushing ties up to the neck! Satisfactory attendance, punctuality and progress must be maintained. School references will reflect less than school standard attendance and punctuality. Boys who captained teams in 2005 were reminded to submit their reports for The Record. Their Clearance Forms in late November will have that obligation inserted.
Summer Sports Assembly “Welcome to staff, special guest Mr Mark Worthington, coaches, parents and students. This is our inaugural preseason summer sports assembly. We normally wait until the beginning of Term 1 to hold our summer sports assembly because the only sport to start competition in term 4 used to be cricket, with its two day matches. The situation has changed and we are responding to the new reality. "After many years of lobbying by MICs, the AAGPS Committee recommended to the GPS Heads Committee that the basketball competition should convert to a two-round contest with home and away fixtures. This arrangement was trialled in 2004-5 with great success in my view. However, several Heads wanted to revert to the previous arrangement because the preparation time needed for basketball teams extended the season into term 3 and intruded into the athletics season. In addition, the Christmas holiday break was used by teams to go on tours to prepare teams for term 1 competition. New enrolments in term 1 had to be fitted into teams where warranted. These complications made running a two term competition more difficult.
"In a letter to the GPS Heads before their last meeting I argued strongly in favour of the new
system because: "My argument in essence was that the game ought to be organised for the players, not for the convenience of individual schools. The pros and cons of the two arrangements were debated and a resolution was agreed to that affirmed the two round competition. The teams would compete for the Raschke Cup over the season and there would be no separate knockout for the Raschke Cup, thereby shortening the season by one week. I was very comfortable with the decision taken by the GPS Heads. "Given that basketball is our major summer sport with 280 competing and Year 7 2006 yet to come; and that 154 players have signed up for cricket, it seems obvious that we really need an assembly such as this to recognise, inspire and motivate our teams before the competition commences. "I must admit that while an overall 76% voluntary participation rate in competitive sport is admirable, I am disappointed that 91 seniors opted for the soft option of softball. Sports training sessions and Friday night or Saturday competition make up a way of life at our school. Students learn to plan their lives around exercise. I become irritated by arguments that boys cannot play sports because it will interfere with their studies. Quite the reverse is true – it will enhance their capacity to concentrate and sustain mental effort as well as making them feel more relaxed and ready to engage in sedentary intellectual activity. It is particularly important to have regular strenuous exercise while studying in your final two years of secondary schooling. "I exhort more of you to get involved in teams and take two sports each year. I want every possible team filled. We need more Year 9 boys out there as rowers and cricketers for next year. My bench mark is at least 80% of boys get involved in competitive team sports. "There are complications associated with having a two-term competition spread over two calendar years. The major effect is on the short athletics season held prior to the summer competition. There is obviously going to be pressure from MICs of Basketball and cricket to get their teams into shape at least four weeks before the season starts. However, the athletics season must be respected and training for athletics needs to come first. Also, Year 11 boys have Preliminary final examinations in the last weeks of term 3 so their focus is rightly on preparation for those. "Like in later life balancing work and leisure or family will require negotiation, consideration and self-discipline, so it is now with school work and sport. You have to prioritise your activities and be assertive about what you can and cannot manage. That is not to say that all these activities cannot be managed. Our best organised, highly motivated students do it year after year. "Everything that we do at school is educational. Managing time is critical. Setting goals, fulfilling commitments and forming friendships through team effort are life skills. High Old Boys are versatile, capable and confident because they can handle multiple expectations. "Your self-confidence is a precursor of your achievement. You will never know what you could have done if you always only watch others doing it or exclaim that it is too hard or too time consuming or involves too much travel. We are here to take on challenges, not to avoid them.
"I congratulate the teams being presented here this morning. It is a proud moment when recognised
as representing your school. Value your shirt or cap. Honour it by giving 100% effort in every
match. Good luck to all teams this summer.” Science NewsThis fortnight’s science quiz; open to anyone. Last month, David Martill of the University of Portsmouth addressed the British Association for the Advancement of Science festival. His subject was the discovery of fossils of a dinosaur that was 'the biggest creatures ever to fly’. 1. Identify the name and size of this dinosaur. He compared them to a World War 2 fighter called a Spitfire.
2. Explain why he used this comparison. (a Google search using key words will find the relevant internet site) Result of the great “time for 500mls of water to evaporate” estimating competition - David Gu (7R) 10 weeks. Well done!
C Darwin From Science
Astronomy Night From Chess
The annual Scots College Chess Invitational was held on the last Wednesday of third term with 35
teams from all over Sydney competing. High sent just the one team (Declan McCrea-Steele, Derek
Trang, Nema Adel) and they performed brilliantly, winning the Junior division (yrs 7-9) and
finishing equal third (fourth on count back) in the Open section. Scots presented the boys with
gold medals. Attention All Fencers and Parents
At the end of season fencing stock-take a large number of fencing items were missing. These
fencing masks, jackets, under-plastrons and foils might still be at your home, so please check
thoroughly and promptly return all borrowed fencing gear to the school. Year 7 Parents Dinner
WHEN: Tuesday, October 18. A Special Note for Year 12 ParentsOn Friday, 11 November, 2005 (6.30pm – 8.30pm) parents of Year 11 will host a cocktail party to farewell parents of Year 12 on behalf of the P&C and the whole school family. The function will provide an opportunity to say your farewells to each other and the school in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere and for the P&C to say thank you to you for the input you have had in the school over the last 6 years, particularly with the establishment of the Year Parent Groups and the Welcome Party for Year 7 Parents which were both instigated and nurtured by your Year group. You will receive a personal invitation to the function shortly, but in the meantime, please put this date in your diary so you can plan to be there.
We look forward to seeing you at the function. Words Of Wisdom
“I must learn to love the fool in me - the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes
too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and
gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that
utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbour and who would rob me of human
aliveness, humility and dignity but for my fool.”
“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and
thinking that having problems is a problem.”
“The possession of facts is knowledge, the use of them is wisdom.” Rowing Committee Meeting 13 September, 20051. Present: Steve Tiedgen, Con Barris, Josephine Hui, Barry Shuttleworth, Antoinette Farrow, Craig Phillis, Sue Udall, Vikki Angell, Grace Reid. 2. Apologies: Liz Hurrell, Andrea Freiman 3. Minutes of previous meeting, AGM 16 August, 2005 Some minor spelling errors were noted for amendment prior to submission to P&C. Further, the date of the New Rowing Parents’ Welcome should read 22/10/05. Next AGM to be announced on 2006 school calendar. The name of proposed BBQ co-ordinator to be removed, pending acceptance of the position. Committee to note and advise any further errors prior to formal acceptance at next AGM. AGM Minutes to be presented unendorsed to P&C at this stage. 4. Matters Arising From Minutes The proposal by David Luscombe re rainwater tanks is probably a matter for the OCMC and will be discussed in the future. 5. Treasurer’s Report (in absentia) Estimated balance in the account as at 1/9/05 (prior to receipt of bank statement) is $1027.00. Payments made include auditing fees of $990.00 as well as bank fees, Vodaphone payments and an outstanding payment to a parent of $178.00 Accounts and a final report have been forwarded to Mary Sinclair who co-ordinates reports to the P&C. Parking payment held up due to small problem with bank, but should be in account within next few days. Liz will be back on 15 September, if there are any questions. 6. Rowing Master’s Report The calendar has undergone some amendment. New version (B), which comes in two formats to suit all purposes, to be emailed out to all rowing contacts. The new calendar will also appear on the school website. Variations are as follows:
Con noted that we lost a quad last season which we will be able to replace thanks to the donation of a new Year 12 student family. The question of insurance was raised. Con explained that our insurance is such that a claim can only be made when the item is replaced and we must have it replaced by early October. This should be possible. CPR training for new parents has been set for Saturday 29 October, during the day. It was noted that it is an Occupational Health & Saftey requirement that all fathers on camp duty should be trained in CPR and this should be updated every 12 months. The Royal Lifesavers are preferred over St Johns as they provide an upgrade service as well as training from scratch. Mothers are of course also welcome to do the course. Steve to put up a notice in the Outterside Centre re the timing of the course. Boat naming. We are going to have two new sculls and a quad to name and the choice of probably two occasions for the ceremony – either the Family Twilight (now Daylight) Regatta or Year 7 Parents Welcome. Of the two, it was felt the Family Regatta Day was the more appropriate. More later. Con noted that the next committee meetings would be held on 18 October (ahead of the parents’ welcome) and 15 November (ahead of the Family Regatta). The December meeting would probably be on a Saturday, most likely 10 December. Then 14 February (Barry in charge) and March 7 for the next meetings, with the AGM on a Tuesday in August, to be advised. Parking has earned $24,500 so far, with the next scheduled parking night 17 September, which is not expected to be a big money maker. 7. Outterside Centre Issues Graham Hurrell is to be the new OCMC representative, pending final approval by the P&C. He was to have been proposed at last meeting by Marilyn Mittelhauser and although it is not certain, we have to assume that the nomination has gone ahead at this point. Bob Outterside would also be pleased at this result as Graham is suitably qualified for the role. A new security procedure is being proposed for the Outterside Centre, involving having a personalised P.I.N. No objections to this system in principle but plenty of warning needs to be given about implementation. Re-decoration work current and/or imminent:
All the above will no doubt cause disruption over the coming months which we will have to work around. There has been a delay on the Honour Boards, but names should finally go up this week. Con is to confer with Bob Outterside on the suggestion that Ben Ingle puts up the “Eights” photos. Jason, who runs the weights room, has offered to re-assemble and properly install the gymnasium. A letter of thanks for his time would be appropriate. Steve will write. David Daish has pumped out the old pontoon and cleaned the surface. Dr Jaggar would like the minutes of all committee meetings to appear in the High Notes. Many committee members felt that the school website would be a more appropriate place for minutes to appear, given the boys are encouraged to read the High Notes and might be put off by copious quantities of rumination and minutiae. Judith proposed formalisation of rules for the Outterside Centre, given its presentation will be increasingly important for outside hiring purposes. She suggested some guidelines for behaviour might be drawn up. Sometimes the father of the night is unsure of what is expected of the boys. It was felt a folder of guidelines for the BBQ parents and the camp cooking parents was a good idea. Some of these guidelines already exist but may need to be properly collated. Steve will find existing documents and create a folder to place in Kitchen. Steve and Con conceded the boys can be messy, but this is partly due to there being nowhere for the boys to put their clothes but on the floor anyway. Written rules tend not to be read by teenage boys. Con was of the opinion that a lack of written rules was more in keeping with the school’s ethos, and assured the meeting that verbal guidelines on behaviour were always given. In any case, the dorms were supposed to be locked if the Centre was being used for other purposes. 8. Catering Report Antoinette Farrow accepted the role of Catering Co-ordinator. Food storage needs to be organized as upstairs area no longer suitable. Steve will attempt to make some room in the Rowing Committee Storage Room. A catering group needs to be organized. It was suggested that an email needs to go out urging senior rower parents to become involved in the catering process. We are waiting for a final list of rowers from Con. First BBQ to be held 24 September, which is the first day of Saturday rowing. 9. President’s Report The Principal expects that the voluntary contribution from rowing parents, initiated last season in the context of the Ascham proposal, should be continued. Steve tabled a draft letter outlining the nature of the voluntary contribution and to what purposes it would be used, ie: to channel funds into rowing related upkeep of the centre, like the old pontoon. It was suggested that although the voluntary nature of the contribution (to be maintained at $200 as last season) was to be indicated, we should not labour the point. Con stressed that it was important to him that no boy should miss out on rowing in the belief that he couldn’t afford it. The concept of a voluntary contribution was universally endorsed by the meeting, but the draft would be brought back to a future meeting for final approval.
10. General Business All positions vacant at AGM have now been filled: Term 4 Camps and Rosters. Final lists of participants should be available by the end of the week, so rosters can then be drawn up.
11. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is to be held on 18 October, 2005 at 7.30pm in
the old staff room. Basketball - Shooting Hoops
-Recently-
GPS Week 1: Vs. Grammar SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL AND ENJOY SBHS SPORTING ENDEAVOURS
Coaching Staff:
Why play High Basketball: -Reminders-
~Brought to you by Francis Wong and Johny Shih. Thanks to Mr Hayman State of the Arts
Spring Concerts Coming Up
Sunday November 6th 3.00pm Book your tickets now to take advantage of the High Notes readers’ early bird price of only $10 per person for both concerts. ($20 per family) Please hand to music staff before 9.00am Tuesday October 25th. Spring Music Concert and Picnic ticket order form. ____________(amount tickets) $___________total cost. $10.00 per person, $20.00 per family before 9.00am Tuesday October 25th. Student name______________________________ Roll___________ Ensemble_____________________________ Instrument__________
Type of Payment: Cheque___ Cash ___ B/Card___ M/Card ___ Visa___
Payable to Music Committee
Name on Card________________________________ Expiry date___ ___/___ ___ Contact Phone Number________________________________ Card No. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Total Amount $______________ Signature____________________________ More Performances on the calendar
October 21st – 22nd Knox Grammar Tattoo From PD/H/PE - Fitness Assessment Sept. 2005The second fitness assessment for 2005 has been completed by the junior students. The most important assessment is the 1.6km run for cardiovascular endurance. For an assessment of 90% or better, a student was required to run the 1.6km in a time of 6 mins 30 secs, approximately, depending on the age of the student. An assessment of 50% or better, required a time of between 7 and 8 minutes, depending on age. A result of 10% or less means the 1.6km run was completed in a time greater than 9 mins 30 seconds. There were some outstanding performances again this semester including
* Fastest time held by Paul Watzlaff of 5m 00s set in 2003. Each student in Years 7-9 should have a copy of the fitness assessment schedule including the results for February 2005 in their PDHPE theory books. Parents are encouraged to review their son’s 2005 results with them. 1.6km results for 2005
Mean results for each year group, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
G. Stein |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sydney Boys High School
