High Notes, Vol 7 No 20, June 30 2006
From the Principal
Term 2 Ends
Thank you to all staff and students for a productive term. I hope all
parents have read reports about their sons and discussed progress with them. Year 12 students
have now completed their second round of HSC assessment tasks. Winter GPS competition is at the
half way stage. Have a restful break!
High Talent
Congratulations again to Kelvin Yu who won through to the state final of
the Plain English Speaking Competition. Well done to Mack Wan, Shane Fernando and Joshua Han who
were placed first in their region in the NSW Analytical Chemistry Competition conducted by the
Royal Chemical Institute. The boys are waiting for the state results to be announced.
Parent Teacher Night
Parents are encouraged to make contact with the school in
various ways by telephone, email, letter or in person. Parent Teacher Night offers an opportunity
for parents and carers to meet face to face with their sons’ teachers to discuss briefly
any learning issues that parents or teachers want to raise. The meetings are designed to be
limited but multiple, covering as many teachers as possible. Any matters raised that require a
more detailed discussion should be held over for a subsequent meeting with the teacher concerned,
a follow up email communication or letter, or should be referred on for discussion with a member
of the School Executive. The schedules are tight and I have asked staff to be more vigilant about
restricting meetings to the allocated 5 minutes per student.
If you have feedback on parent-teacher night or communication strategies employed by the school,
please email me at
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Australian Cadet Rifle Team Departs
Once again the Australian Defence Force Cadets
Rifle Team is off to Bisley for the Queen’s Shoot. In the past all expenses had to be
raised by participants, but in the last couple of years the event has been sponsored by the
Australian Army Cadet Corps, making the trip to UK much more affordable. As was the case last
time, a reception for the team was held at High.
Personal and Possession Security
There have been several unfortunate incidents
lately where students from our school were exposed to dangerous situations. Recently, a senior
student was held up at knife point at the bus stop on Cleveland St. opposite the school. He was
travelling alone but well before dark. The lesson from his experience is, try to travel with a
companion when leaving the school after scheduled hours. If you are alone waiting for transport
and you see a person or persons acting suspiciously, cross over to the school side of the road
and come back into the school grounds to be close to a place of safety or nearer to a person who
might help. It is better to be late than to take the risk!
I have had reports that outsiders are trying to enter the gymnasium in the period between when
school activities finish at 5 pm and UTS hirers take over at 5:30 pm. I urge PE staff and
teachers using the facility for training purposes to lock and alarm the building at 5 pm or when
they are last to leave. All entrance doors need to be secured. UTS hirers have a caretaker to let
them in. We need to be security conscious because people are watching our activities.
In a similar vein, boys have had valuables stolen from their bags at away venues, on the school
grounds and in corridors. Coaches are reminded that it is prudent to maintain a locked valuables
box or secure bag, even at training, and to require students to deposit their valuables in the
receptacle provided.
Dr K Jaggar
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Winners Are Grinners Congratulations!
The following boys have won prizes from the ‘Take it Home’ Competition:
$50 Coles/Myer Vouchers
Eric Ovadia, Yr 7 Matthew Fong, Yr 8 Arthur Kourtesis, Yr 9
Round of Golf – Marrickville Golf Course
Daniel Luo, Yr 8
Movie Tickets
Kevin Li, Yr 7 Joseph Lui, Yr 7 Henry Lu, Yr 7 Abdullah Sarker, Yr 7
Anirban Ghose, Yr 8 Victor Lam, Yr 9 Geoffrey Zhang, Yr 9
Boys, don’t forget to come to the Main Office to pick up your prize before the
holidays.
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Secure Internet Browsing and Email
Important message for ALL students.
On 19 July, the 1st week back next term, the
school will be switched over to “Secure Internet Browsing and Email”, a DET
initiative for all schools. Under this system all students and staff will be required to login to
the DET Portal () for internet browsing and email.
All students will be issued with a Department username and password. Also students will be issued
with a Department email address. The email address will be in the format:
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The username and password will be needed by students to access this email address. It will also
be needed every time you wish to browse the internet from school.
Web based email accounts such as Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail etc will not function under this new
system, and are completely blocked.
When you wish to login to the school network, you will login as usual with the username and login
that you do now. However, when you wish to browse on the internet, you will be prompted to enter
your Department username and password. Also, if you wanted to check your Department email (ie.
@education.nsw.gov.au) you will need to enter your Department username and password.
Although the change over is 19 July, it is advisable that you login before this date, as the
first time you login you will be required to change your password and you may experience
difficulty with this if you leave it until after the 19th.
You can find out your username and password from the SBHS Student Portal, accessible by clicking
the “Students” link at the bottom of the Sydney Boys High website ().
All students must also read the DET Acceptable Usage Policy available from the SBHS Student
Portal
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Annual Latin and Greek Reading Competition
Preliminary Round at Sydney Uni-June 9th
On Friday 9 June, our Year 10 Latin class
headed over to Sydney University for the annual Latin Reading Competition, along with a Year 11
student, Eugene Stadnik, a contender for a place in the final for the Greek reading component. At
the end of Term 1, we had been given an extract from Ovid’s metamorphoses. This verse
passage had to be placed into the framework of dactylic hexameter, as this was the way
contemporary poetry and verse would’ve been recited. So, under the guidance of Mrs Werner,
we began to prepare our readings. To say the least, this was a demanding passage, although our
five entrants were well able to handle the rhythmic progression of words and the continuous
fluctuations in tone.
As we arrived on the day of the competition, we awaited the scheduled time at midday when we
would have to give our readings, and took part in other activities such as mixing with students
from various other schools, visiting the renowned Nicholson Museum and attending a lecture.
On Tuesday, we received an email showing the results of the competition. Four speakers from our
school were given places in the final - Edwin Montoya, Richard Hua, and Alvin Leung for Latin,
and Eugene Stadnik for Greek. This was a strong performance considering only 10 out of 73
students got through for Latin and 7 out of 17 for Greek. Jun Dai and William Chan were also
given awards of High Commendation. Other schools that made it through included Sydney Girls,
Pymble Ladies’, Sydney Grammar and St Aloysius.
The final of this competition is to be held at Sydney Grammar on July 26, with the Kevin Lee
Trophy, previously won by Sydney Girls, being the prize for the winning school. To say the least,
with 3 out of 10 speakers in the Year 10 Latin final coming from our school, Sydney Girls will
have a hard time defending their title. The speakers will recite two new passages, and
furthermore take part in a choral reading.
Congratulations to all the boys who entered the competition and we wish them luck for the final
round.
Edwin Montoya
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Video Festival
Rose Bay Secondary College is hosting their 8th Annual “V-Fest” Student Video
Festival at the Chauvel Cinema Paddington on Tuesday 18 September 2006. The festival has been
designed to promote and embrace the wealth of media talent being created in both public and
private high schools in Sydney.
There are two categories for entires: The Junior Section (Years 7-10) and the Senior section
(Years 11-12). There are no limitations on content as the entries are judged only under these two
cateogires. The only MUST is the inclusion of the V-FEST letter
“V” somewhere in the action. This letter could be found somewhere in the
environment or could be an actual letter “V”.
All students need is a camera and a passion for film! If you are submitting a video project in
any subject for the HSC, this could be entered for competition (just don’t forget to edit a
“V” somewhere in the action on a copy tape).
Entry forms are available from the Art Department or from Ms Brewer.
Entries close at 5.00 pm on Thursday, 7 September 2006.
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Public Speaking
At the conclusion of the State Semi-Final last Friday, Kelvin Yu was announced as one of
the State finalists in the Plain English Speaking Award. He will compete against five other
students at The Powerhouse on August 4th. High has a strong tradition in this competition and
Kelvin will be well supported on the day. I will be calling on students who are interested in
attending the State Final early next term.
Congratulations go to Chris Lopes who also proudly represented High at the Semi-Final.
Both Chris and Kelvin delivered exceptional prepared and impromptu speeches which demonstrated a
broad and insightful understanding of a variety of topics. Well done.
R Howland
MIC Public Speaking
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From Fundraising
NEED A TAX DEDUCTION?
As tax time approaches consider making a donation to the
Australian Sports Foundation - download form from the web site: Sports | Sports Donations
DO NOT FORGET THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY APPEAL
Each family was sent, in the latter half of 2005, information regarding the desire and need for a
New Library and Performing Arts Space to be built as a fitting project for 2008 – our 125th
Anniversary.
Please use the donation card and reply paid envelope to send your tax deductible gift. Donations
can be made by credit over the phone. Ring the School and ask to speak to the Cashier.
Thank you for your continued support of our boys – helping make a difference.
Any inquiries, please contact Valda Roser 9361 6910 email.
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Extension Work for Year 9
Unit: Indigenous Representation
Year 9 students interested in producing winning work
are encouraged to enter a competition held by The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
This competition links to work completed in class this term.
Competition Details
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is
calling for young Australians between the ages of 11 and 18 to enter the Human Writes personal
essay competition.
The competition was first held last year, as part of the Young People and Human Rights Dialogue
project. The resulting report, ‘Rights of Passage’, provided a unique insight into
what young Australian’s think and feel about human rights.
In the competitions’ second year, HREOC aims to seek out some of the most creative and
talented young people in the country to voice their views on important human rights issues in
Australia.
There are great prizes on offer!
HREOC will award iPods or digital cameras to the national winners and the Australian Red Cross
has prizes for State and Territory winners.
Winning and shortlisted essays from last year’s competitions can be viewed on the HREOC
website at:
For more information, including entry forms, hints and tips, eligibility, conditions of entry go
to .
Entries close FRIDAY 11 AUGUST 2006
Whilst this is a particularly Year 9 initiative,
students in other years are also encouraged to enter.
Submit your essays to Ms Boukatos in the English Staffroom.
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SBHS Debating 2006
RESULTS- SOCIAL DEBATE VS Sydney Girls- JUNE 23rd.
Unfortunately only one
chairperson returned their result sheet to me, so I cannot report the results to you. Apparently
the topic “That zoos should be banned” was well received and that it made for
enjoyable and lively debating.
RESULTS- MUNA @ Randwick Girls High- June 22nd.
Ok, so a Model United Nations
Assembly is not really debating but we have some excellent results to report! A full run down of
the event is to follow but it is fantastic to say that we took out first and second place!
Year 10 boys represented Iran and Mexico and wooed the judges this year with not only their
clearly superior understanding of their nation’s foreign policy but also an authentic
Mexican and Iranian “look”! Mexico also put on a full gastronomic experience for
their fellow delegates and judges. Well done!
GPS TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to all of the boys who tried out, especially
those who made it into teams. There are a large number of debaters in Years 7 and 8 and the task
of selections was very difficult. GPS Team Selections have been completed and teams have been
emailed to Years 7 and 8 and are posted on the noticeboard outside 603. With Years 7 and 8, there
will be a set A Team which will debate each week and then a number of B Teams (B1, B2, B3) which
will rotate from week to week and debate each other at home debates.
DEBATING CODE OF CONDUCT- Please complete and return
The newly devised
Debating Code of Conduct has been issued to boys in Years 7 and 8 in order to clearly outline the
standards of behaviour in coaching and at debates that is expected at SBHS. Parents and students
are asked to read, sign and return the slip to me ASAP, and keep this in mind when representing
High as a debater. A copy can also be found on the website.
DEBATING ASSEMBLY- Friday July 21st
All parents of Debaters are invited to attend
the Annual Debating Assembly which will be held in the Great Hall at approximately midday on
Friday July 21st. We will launch the official GPS Debating Season for 2006 and announce First and
Second Grade teams, who will debate their first GPS debate against Shore that night.
“DEBATING RECORDERS” FOR THE RECORD 2006
Each year The Record needs
people to contribute to recording and documenting the activities in each sport. Rather than
nominate specific "captains" of debating in Years 7-9 I would like to invite boys to volunteer to
be the Debating Recorder for their Year level. We may also appoint an assistant to help with
gathering information and editing etc. Ideally (but not specifically) this will be a boy (or
boys) who will be present at each debate and can give a brief run down of each "match". More
importantly it would be someone who can capture the essence of each debate and report the season
in an interesting way to be on record for ever and ever... Anyone else who takes photos and would
like to submit them is also invited to and will be credited in the yearbook. It is important
that boys are active in recording their own histories.
GPS EVENTS CALENDAR
Please diarise all the GPS Debate dates and venues. All
information can be found on the website-
COACHING MOVING TO FRIDAYS
Coaching for ALL years will be held on FRIDAY AFTERNOONS
from Term 3.
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL!
Email is the main form of communication for
debating. Only basic notices are printed in High Notes. Important team information is emailed to
the relevant students or parents each week. If you are NOT getting the team information, send an
email to
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stating your name, or
your son’s name, his Year and your phone number so that you can be added to the mailing
lists.
DEBATING SUPPORTERS GROUP
The DSG has their own email address -
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. If you can assist with suppers at home
debates please email Alice Paul, Supper Coordinator, at the above address.
The next meeting is Tuesday August 8th at 6.30pm in the Staff Common Room.
We will be discussing and planning this year’s Debating Dinner so please come along and
share your ideas with us! We encourage all debating parents (especially those with sons in Years
7, 8 and 9) to attend and to become involved in supporting your son’s debating
“career”!
For more information email
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.
Ms Jocelyn Brewer
MIC Debating
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Music Notes
Highlights of term 2
What a busy term it has been for the music department. From our
annual music camp to performances by the senior elective students at the Education expo, and most
recently, our Senior Stage Band performing at the Australian Maritime Museum. Next term will see
a busier session with the HSC performance exams by our elective music students and our Winter
Music festival in the 3rd week on Thursday evening.
Thank you very much to all the students who have worked so hard this year, and with many more
performances to come, we hope you have a restful and enjoyable holiday.
Senior Stage Band
The Senior Stage Band performed stunningly at the Annual Maritime
Museum Music Festival in Darling Harbour on last Wednesday. Their performance will be broadcast
on the Sunday Arts Programme on the ABC channel in a few weeks time (Sunday 4-5pm). Stay in tune
to see their fantastic performance. Congratulations again to all the boys who represented the
school outstandingly on the day.
Composition Workshop
The senior elective music class composition workshop on
Wednesday with prominent Australian composer, Damien Barbelar was a great experience where the
students learned many interesting compositional techniques and applied them to their own HSC
compositions. The day was a great success and benefited all the students who attended.
Piano Competition
Calling all budding piano players, the Sydney Boys High Piano
Competition will be held at the beginning of next term with entry forms due by the end of this
term. This is fantastic performance opportunity to play and be recognised for your musical skills
with great prizes to be won in each category. Please fill in the form overleaf and return to the
music staff by the end of this term.
The Great Sydney Boys High Piano Competition
The first ever piano competition at SBHS will be held in Term 3. Due to time constraints the
competition has been postponed, please see below for further details. Students interested in
entering need to complete the form and return to the music staff by Friday 30th of June
06. There will be great prizes for the winners of the competition.
The Music Department will be holding its first Piano Competition for each Year level starting in
Term 3. We encourage all pianists to enter as this is a great performance opportunity and a
wonderful learning experience. Solo performance pieces can range from any genre (Baroque to
Contemporary) with time limits for each year group listed below.
Competition to be held on a lunchtime at the beginning of Term 3.
Please stay in tune to the notices for details of performance schedules.
Time Limits for performance pieces:
Yr 7 and 8 – 3 mins maximum
Yr 9 and 10 – 4 mins maximum
Yr 11 and 12 – 5 mins maximum
Entry Fee of -
$2.00 for Yr 7 and 8
$3.00 for Yr 9 and 10
$4.00 for Yr 11 and 12
Check Music Noticeboard for timetable in the week prior to the competition.
Please complete the entry form attached below and return to the Music staff by Friday the 30th
of June 2006 (Week 9).
Name: __________________________________ Roll Class: ________
Title of Piece and Composer:
______________________________________________________________
Fee: __________
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High Cricket Bulletin
Congratulations to the Socceroos on a magnificent demonstration of dedication, commitment,
sportsmanship and results. Whilst not star studded, the Socceroos showed a team understanding the
challenge, developing mental toughness, fitness training, practice at match plays, improvement to
individual skills and then playing the match plan set by the coaching staff. We at High cricket
can learn from this - how often were we in a winning position last season and threw it away due
to lack of concentration and playing the team plan. The 3rd XI last season epitomized team
commitment when chasing an impossible task on Day 2 of their match got together and planned to
bat the whole session and NOT allow their opponents a win, but having to settle for a draw. We
need more of that type of commitment this season for all players to get the maximum benefit,
enjoyment and reward for their efforts
PARKING DUTIES – JULY
Our Parking Coordinator Andrew Bowes is available by
email at…
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and wants to hear
from cricket parents and players who are available to assist with parking for the ROUND 19
Roosters –v- Sharks clash at Aussie Stadium on Sun 16th July.
We require at least 6 Adult males to coordinate the 2 main parking areas and at least 8 mums,
dads and players to give additional support. Please make the effort to assist as we have a busy
programme planned for the coming season, plus additional equipment, coaching and innovations to
see High cricket challenging the GPS Competition heavies. This is the source of finance that
supports us in these endeavours. Andrew can be contacted on mobile 0419286665
JUNIOR TEAMS - SATURDAY COACHES
This was trialled last season and the feedback was
positive from our junior players, that having senior boys present coaching on Saturdays was a
great advantage to them. The main comments were that it gave them team plans as well as on the
spot advice that helped both the team and individual players. I am now seeking applications from
senior players who are prepared to coach a junior Year 7 and 8 Team on a GPS Saturdays on a
roster basis so that it fits in with their own team commitments. A 3 hour Orientation
(Certificated) Course will be conducted in September to give all applicants some sound background
in respect to warm-ups, drills and team tactics which will make all better equipped to handle the
role. There is no charge for the Course. A remuneration for Saturday attendances will be advised
to applicants.
Those interested are asked to email me advising Full Name, address and phone contacts so that all
preliminary information can be supplied or discussed. Applicants are to advise their
willingness to participate by NO later than 21st July 2006 to me at …
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.
WEBSITE UPDATE:
The Cricket Website is currently being updated and as at Sunday 2
July will be available for the information of both players and parents. Make it a point to check
out the news and coming events which includes 5 Highs Carnival, Barberis Cup and proposed tours.
The season Draw will also be included and for those parents who plan their travel and family
schedules it will certainly assist you in advance.
BOWLING MACHINES
The existing bowling machine mobile frame has been completed and
will come into service in Mid August. We have been fortunate to have a second Bowling Machine
made available to us through negotiations by the Head Teacher Sport which will allow us to
maximise the benefits of technique assessment of our players. In short, this will help us to help
players overcome technique flaws.
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Billy Blue College Open Day
Billy Blue Schools would like to invite students and their parents to our Open Day. The details
are as follows:
Saturday 15th July
10 am – 4 pm
171 Pacific Highway
North Sydney
Billy Blue School of Graphic Arts
A great opportunity to visit one of Australia's
leading colleges, talk to lecturers and current students about courses available. View an
exhibition of our graduating students work. Billy Blue equips students both with the practical
skills – in the fields of Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Advertising, Publishing,
Packaging Design and Web Design – and the formal qualifications they need to launch
successful Design careers.
Study pathways available in Multimedia Design and Communication Design
William Blue School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Leisure Management
Providing
practical, industry-relevant training for the Hospitality industry worldwide. Graduates are
employed in Australia and overseas by hotels, convention centres, resorts, clubs, property
development companies in the fields of Food & Beverage, Rooms Division, Sales &
Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Event Management.
Study pathways available in Hospitality, Tourism and Commercial Cookery.
FEE HELP available from 2007 on our new Associate degree pathways.
Hope to see you all on the day!
Simon Naisbitt & Emma Flinn
Billy Blue College
Please contact us on 9955 1122 or email
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for further information.
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SBHS Film Viewing and Doing Co-op.
Student Opportunities!! BLUE-SCREEN
Film Doing- PROJECT SUPERNOVA
Kambala have called for entries in a film festival
they are running in support of the Oaktree Foundation. Much like Tropfest, the films for
submission are to be up to 7 mins long, be of M rating and have a signature theme of
“FREE”. The films will screen at Kambala on Sunday August 13th.
Film Doing- LOBBY FOR THE LIBRARY
A group of Year 8 students are making a short doco
to send to politicians and Old Boys in order to “Lobby for a New Library”. If you
have any good ideas or comments for making this happen and have a big impact- please get involved
and share them with us- email your ideas to me!
Film Doing- V-FEST Student Video festival.
Rose Bay Secondary College is hosting the
8th Annual “V-Fest” to be held at the Chauvel Cinema on Tuesday September 19th. There
are two categories- junior (Years 7-10) and senior (Years 11-12). Entries can be any format but
MUST contain the letter “V” in it somewhere.
Film Viewing- DARWINS NIGHTMARE
Coming soon…
No experience is necessary, just an interest in filmmaking and the energy and enthusiasm
to become involved.
There are a number of projects underway, all you need to do is get your group together and get
writing, planning, filming and editing.
These are student-centred and student driven projects: you just need to ask for us for help!
Wanna be involved? Email Miss Brewer at missbrewer [at] gmail [dot] com.
If you have a project underway please collect and complete a “Project Outline”
sheet and return it to me (these can be emailed if it’s easier).
Ms Jocelyn
Brewer
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Fundraising: Travel Bags For Sale!
TRAVEL BAGS
Sydney Boys High School Special
Only $25 or two for $40
Sturdy black sports or travel bags.
Valued at $40
Approximately 50 x 30 x 25cm
Side and end compartments
Zip to close main body of bag
Velcro carry handles
Shoulder strap
Great for carrying all your gear to and from school.
LIMITED STOCK
Pay at school Cashiers office and collect your purchase from Mrs Roser’s office.
Funds raised will go towards the 125th Anniversary Project for the new Library and Performing
Arts Centre (every bit counts!)
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Want to set The Record straight?
The Record is an annual printed publication of around 180 pages recording the
events and achievements of our Boys and High family members.
Each boy is entitled to a copy every year while they are at High building a 6 volume history over
their time at School.
The cost is approximately 15K-18K per publication.
To offset this cost advertising will be offered in this year’s publication (2006) for
full and part page advertisements.
An opportunity to ‘Donate a Page’ will also be available.
Help is needed in pricing, collating and possibly artwork of advertisements.
Please contact Valda Roser at School on:
Phone: 9361 6910 Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please leave a voice mail message.
Email:
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