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High Notes, Vol 7 No 5, March 03 2006
From the Principal
The Record 2002
High Notes Editorial Policy
New Parents Welcome Party
Premier and Minister visit High (I urge parents to keep emailing or writing to their local members, telling them of the need to support a new library for High).
Sports Success From The Library
Two fabulous novels I read over the holidays – from a donation by an
ex–parent.
Headlong by Michael Freyn. Freyn’s hero, Martin Clay, is writing his first academic paper. However he ironically suffers from a questing academic interest in just about everything including appropriating his new wife’s speciality – Art of the Middle Ages and he can’t get started on his paper. Martin becomes convinced that a totally boorish, gun toting aristocratic neighbour has several old masters and one very special “lost” Brugel in his falling down “old pile” of an ancestral home. Martin is alarming his wife by his inability to focus and his inclination to “stray” romantically. He decides to make good financially by diddling his neighbour out of the Brugel. As the twists and turns of the plot unfold so also unfolds a gleeful and playful satire on the use and abuse of intellect. Headlong was a stimulating and refreshing read. It’s a pity it didn’t win the Booker. Last night I finished Aloft by Chang-Rae Lee. This novel touches many of the issues of our time – Mac Mansions, how to make money and lose it, care for the aged, being married to a person with a mental illness, suicide, abortion and relationships with adult children and of course mixed race families. In fact it clicks into just about every Oprah moment but the myriad issues did not appear forced as the tone hovered above the desperate, only once becoming frantic- when Jerome had to fly his dying daughter to an unfamiliar airport in a fog. It is no surprise that he escapes in his aeroplane. What strikes us about Jerome is his ordinariness. He is like us.
The title is worth some reflection. Jerome succeeds without appearing to try. In fact he
castigates himself for his laid back almost drop-out behaviour. Is he in fact too remote? Is he
guilty of neglect? Is he responsible for the troubles which afflict his family? My husband
thought so. He had to put the book down. I wasn’t so sure. Maybe I suffer from
Jerome’s syndrome myself. Despite Jerome’s obvious sense of humour the book is not at
all funny but it reflects our lives back at us for our judgement like any good literature. It is
certainly a worthwhile read. English Notes
Year 11 are settling into the demands of their Preliminary Course. This is a crucial year for
them, a time to master those skills essential for success in the HSC. Writing is of course the
key and with this in mind I urge all the boys to view every writing task undertaken
in class as an opportunity to improve their skills in this area. The following essay is a fine
example of a class task which has been written and then re-written by the student in an effort to
master both content and the essay text-type. The result, as you can see, is a coherently
structured, fluent and insightful response. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
‘Ode On A Grecian Urn’ – An analysis by Alvin Chiu Year 11 The poem ‘Ode On A Grecian Urn’ by John Keats, offers insights into the power of the imagination and the suggestions of change being inevitable. Keats highlights his concerns about fading beauty and the impermanence and suffering of life through an immaterial subject. The main concept offered is that the urn is an unchanging, beautiful object, a contrast to men who suffer many changes. In stanza 1 Keats begins by personifying the urn through his imagination as an “unravished bride of quietness”. The metaphor suggests beauty that is untouched and still; a quiet beauty that is unchanged. The creator is long dead but the urn is “fostered” by “silence” and “slow time” and thus lives on. The phrase “slow time” implies that time has not stopped for the urn but is prolonged so that the beauty of this object does not suffer change brought by normal time. Keats personifies the urn as a “sylvan historian” as it provides a historic record. This metaphor indicates the urn’s significance to history by depicting a different time and culture. In the final four lines of this stanza intense activity is caught in history and embedded on the urn as a Greek relic. Through the use of rhetorical questions, Keats conveys vivid images depicted on the urn. The poem begins with a paradox in stanza two, “heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter”. The purpose of this paradox is to suggest that the music created and heard by the imagination is sweeter than music heard by the “sensual ear”. Keats describes the ability of the imagination to visualize perfection unattainable in reality. The narrators comment “thou canst not leave thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare” suggests that this music will forever be sweet, the piper will forever play under the forever green trees. Keats tries to express the idea of the images depicted on the urn as never changing. The following stanza illustrates lovers on the brink of a kiss. Even though the lovers will never be able to engage in life, their youth and passion will remain unchanged. Keats tries to show that art has the advantage over reality of being perfect and unchangeable. The repetition of “never” reinforces the idea that life on the urn will never change. The idea of a world which is unchanging is further unravelled in stanza three. The trees will forever experience spring. The piper will forever pipe songs which will be forever new. It also highlights the idea that the love depicted on the urn is superior to reality. The narrator expresses joy on pondering the urn’s scenes. The word “happy” is repeated to emphasise the superior life on the urn when compared to real human life in which people suffer heartbreak and illness. Stanza three juxtaposes the world of art with reality. This is highlighted through the differentiating qualities of the two situations. In reality, trees shed their leaves and experience all the seasons. In reality, the piper will stop playing, in reality the lovers’ passion and youth fade due to the process of time. The underlying message being conveyed is that everything in life has a beginning and an end. One must experience change if one is to experience life. Keats uses questions to involve and hold the reader in stanza four e.g “who are these coming to sacrifice?”. The town illustrated in this stanza contains homes which are forever “emptied”, “silent” and “desolate”. It seems to show that the image was a real moment in time that has been captured and implanted into the urn forever. The town experiences no changes. The final three lines raise questions about the truth of this scene. In reality a town will never remain empty and desolate, life would go on and the forces of change would act upon life. In the final stanza the narrator addresses the urn in the same style as in stanza one. “O Attic shape” suggests classical elegance. It is followed by admiration, “fair attitude”. The word “attitude” reinforces the personification of the urn by involving womanly features. The phrase “tease us out of thought” suggests that the silent urn will forever remain a mystery, whilst it is a source of inspiration elevating the reader into a forever unchanging world. After all the admiration expressed by the narrator, he admits the limitations of the world of art, “cold pastoral!”. Art embraces everything with life, whilst in reality it is lifeless, inanimate and unchanging. The urn is personified as a friend who would communicate the message about truth and beauty, which is forever unchanging in art but in reality nothing continues without change.
In the poem ‘Ode On A Grecian Urn’ Keats offers insights into the concept of change.
Overall, Keats aims to highlight the inevitability of change in life juxtaposing it to the
forever unchanging world of art. Year 7 Camp HaikuHaiku is a nifty little poetic form which captures a feeling and a moment, rather like a snapshot. Here are some more of the lyrical wee snaps taken by Year 7 at Camp a few weeks ago.
All that lovely food!
Scullery was hard.
My socks feel so wet,
Drenched with the ocean
I’m in bed talking,
I saw the target,
Waiting in the bus, High SocietiesUnder the umbrella of the Talent Development Committee students have the opportunity to form ‘societies ‘, vehicles for shared common interests of an intellectual nature. Societies may be linked to faculty areas such as the Economics Society or the already active French Society. Students may form a group to engage in competitions outside the regular curriculum such as the Australian Business Week’s Global Enterprise Challenge. Perhaps students would find the Philosophy Society or the Poetry Society a stimulating environment? Societies must be registered with the Talent Development Committee. Registration forms are available from Mr Dolan in the Social Science Faculty. For successful registration societies must have the following;
Registered Societies will have access to designated rooms for meetings, use of audio-visual equipment and become eligible for funding from the TDC. Interested students should check the Talent Development Notice Board in the McDonald Wing or contact a member of the Talent Development Committee.
D Matsos (LOTE)
T.Dolan (Social Science) Invitation to Year 7 ParentsPlease come along to the first meeting of the Year 7 Parent Group 2006 at 6:30 pm Monday, 20 March in the Staff Common Room, Sydney Boys High School (near the main office).
The Year Group meetings are an ideal opportunity to meet other parents in your Year, to raise
questions, make suggestions and air any concerns you may have. The Year 7 Parent Group is open to
all Year 7 parents. In previous years, the group has put together a Year 7 contact list;
organised social functions for Year 7 families; started up a Year 7 chess club including
coaching; nominated a Year 7 parent to the P & C Executive. Words of Wisdom
"A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune.
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though chequered by
failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much,
because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines
how well you do it.
It is less of a problem to be poor, than to be dishonest.
“History will never accept difficulties as an excuse.” SBHS Debating 2006Registrations for Debating are NOW OPEN Registrations will close on Friday March 10th. If your home computer doesn’t work for registrations please come to school and use the library computers. Ensure your details are correct before submitting information. All students must register for 2006.
Coaching has commenced.
Debating Supporters Group (DSG)
The Eastside Debating Competition
Parking Day
Further information can be obtained from Ms Jocelyn Brewer, MIC Debating by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or by visiting . Fitness Assessment February 2006The PDHPE Department has again assessed the physical fitness levels of our junior students. The most important health-related test is the 1.6km run for cardiovascular endurance. Our standard Moore Park West course was used for the assessment. An assessment of 90% or better required a student 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. Each student in Years 7-9 should have a copy of their assessment schedule and results for February 2006 in their PDHPE theory books. Parents are encouraged to review their son’s results with them.
There were some outstanding performances again this semester including 1.6km results for February 2006
Mean results for each year group 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
G. Stein, Rowing NewsThis Saturday the seniors and Year 10 VIIIs will again have an early day at Penrith. We are all hoping for improved performances as the Head of the River draws near. With SIRC we can aim to improve our times as every 500 metres is timed and all crews will be aiming to better last week’s times. The opposition looks particularly fast this year but improvement is still possible. The Junior Shed had some very encouraging performances on the Hen and Chicken course and I would like to thank the efforts of the junior coaches, Robbie Girdler, James Gerofi, Liam Bennet, Troy Polis, Mr Coan, Mr Hespe and Mr Gainford. Last weekend we recorded 7 seconds, 3 thirds and 1 fourth at the Newington Regatta, quite a promising effort.
Information about the combined Rowing Dinner will be circulated to the rowers shortly. This year
the money for the dinner will be collected by the front office. The cost is $20 for rowers and
$30 for parents and it is BYO. A couple of solid weeks have passed through the Sydney High Rowing unit. The week leading up to the St Joseph’s regatta, held in Iron Cove two Saturdays ago, the senior sheds underwent another intensive selection process, comprising of both erg testing as well as single scull races for the positions in the top crews. Congratulations to the unchanged 1st VIII (Tiedgen, Cunningham, Szabo, Gribble, Angell, Shao, Farrow-Palmer, Pham) who again demonstrated their skill and prowess, confirming their position once again as the top eight rowers in both selection modes. Slight changes were made to the 2nd VIII (Kim, Hurrell, Mackay, Louie, Song, Linegar, Shuttleworth, Lee) with Kevin Lee (Year 11) working his way back into the crew with courage, ambition and determination. Since then the crews have competed in both the St Joseph’s Regatta and last weekend the Newington Regatta (Juniors) and the Sydney Regatta, held out at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith. The Year 10 VIIIs, returning from their Melbourne holiday, as well as the senior A and B squads (the senior IVs and VIIIs) made the trip out to Penrith to gain invaluable racing experience along the Head of the River Course, one of the top courses in the world. The Year 10 VIIIs as well as the IVs recorded some disappointing results, though not without promising signs from each of the crews. The two VIIIs followed suit, with some lacklustre rowing and concentration lapses spelling a disappointing result for the VIII.
The continual selection process is set to continue this week, with continued testing of both
sculling and erg times to determine the fastest combination for the senior crews as we look ahead
to the King’s regatta to be held this Saturday once again out at Penrith. Music Notes
Music Parking
Annual Music Camp Parents of all music ensemble members, could you please provide the music staff with your contact details by filling in the slip below and returning it to the music staffroom as soon as possible so that we are able to contact you about any upcoming events involving your son’s participation. This will enable us to communicate with you more effectively and efficiently. Thank you very much. (Please print the information.)
Kind regards, Son’s Name: _____________________________________ Roll class: _________________ Parent(s) Name: _________________________________ Contact No. : _______________ Email: __________________________________________ Music Ensemble(s): __________ Return to Index Fencing Registration
YEAR 7 Please put the completed form into the envelope marked ‘Fencing Registration Year 7’ on Ms May’s door, room 305. If you have any questions regarding fencing at SBHS please see Ms May at recess on any day, or during lunchtime on Wednesday 8th of March.
There is no co-payment for Year 7 fencers, but you need to buy a fencing
glove. If you wish to purchase your own protective gear, jackets are available for $135, under-plastrons for $50. A kit - mask, jacket and under-plastron - is available for $283.50. SBHS FENCING 2006 YEAR 7 STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM I _______________________________________ of Class ______ would like to be part of the SBHS fencing team in 2006. Student’s signature: _________________________________ Date: ________ Student’s email address: _________________________________________________ Parent’s Name (please print): ____________________________________________ Parent’s Signature: ____________________________ Date: ________ Parent’s e-mail address: ____________________________________________
YEARS 8-12 A co-payment of $50 is required by Y8-Y12 students to cover lost/unreturned equipment. Masks and steam foils will be provided by the school on a share basis only, however all Y8, Y9 and Y10 fencers are required to buy their own protective jackets ($135) and under-plastrons ($50). Y11 and Y12 fencers can choose to either buy their own, or to hire jackets and under-plastrons at competitions. If you choose to buy the optional mask in addition to the jacket and under-plastron a value kit is available for $283.50. . You may choose to buy your gear privately, or order it at the school from JG Fencing, but ONLY at your first fencing training session on the 5th of April. Please bring the money or a cheque made out to ‘JG Fencing’. Payment is required before any order can be placed. Please note that no student will be able to fence without protective gear. If you have lost or misplaced your glove, deluxe washable gloves are available for $40 and also a limited number of leather gloves for $25. . SBHS FENCING 2006 YEAR 7 STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM I _______________________________________ of Class ______ would like to be part of the SBHS fencing team in 2006. I will be available to represent SBHS in the NSW Schools Championships in Term 2, and in the NSW Schools Fencing League in Term 3, if asked to do so. Timetable is available on the NSWFA website: Student’s signature: _________________________________ Date: ________ Student’s email address: _________________________________________________ Parent’s Name (please print): ____________________________________________ Parent’s Signature: ____________________________ Date: ________ Parent’s e-mail address: ____________________________________________ Return to Index High Cricket Bulletin
A strong all round performance from The King’s School, our opponents last Saturday, in Round 5 of the GPS competition. The value of having School Boarders forming the nucleus of the teams, access to Turf pitches and Nets for practices and games, certainly provides formidable opposition to High and other schools. Irrespective of final scores in matches, there was a positive air in our teams and we are gradually learning to bat out our allotted overs, albeit without achieving big totals. The latter will occur, when our player’s skills, concentration, determination and the will to win, all come together in future matches. A JOB WELL DONE - As we go to press this week we say farewell to our Editor-in-Chief, Kieran Lewis from High Notes and the popular weekly Quiz. Kieran has commitments which preclude him from contributing as much time as he has in the past, not only with High Notes but many other areas in support of cricket. He has done a great job with the notes and supply of information and his contribution will be missed. On your behalf and from all in High Cricket I thank Kieran for his dedication and on a personal note I thank him for his support and loyalty and I will miss being “reminded” that he was waiting on my supplement to complete High Notes each week. PARKING ROSTER – Friday 10th MARCH 2006 – I have only received 2 offers of assistance to date for this parking duty and in addition to requesting 2 players from each of the 1st through to the 5th XIs we need at least 6 adults (parents) to assist. Please give this date some thought and advise me by email. The reporting time is 5.00 pm each evening. Our next parking will be on the Friday 31st March 2006 TEAM SCORERS – For the good hearted parents who help our junior teams by scoring (or “”copy scoring”) on their behalf we thank you for your efforts. It would also be appreciated if all scorers can (a) list the player who takes a catch(es), (b) List the player who fields a ball that creates a run-out, and (c) List the name of the wicketkeeper. These statistics are very important to all members of the U.16 down to the U.13 teams as they score points for Awards. Your attention to this will make for some happy cricketers. AROUND THE GROUNDS
1st XI King’s 10/208 and 8/62 -d- High 10/116 and 8/121 ( first innings loss)
2nd XI Kings King’s 7/115 -d- High 10/40 and 10/90 (outright)
3rd XI, 4thXI and 5th XIs.
16A King’s 7/198 -d- High 9/107 and 1/59 (First Innings loss)
16B High (16B) 10/198 -drew with- High(15B) 9/136
15A King’s 8/295 -d- High 10/78 (38 overs) and 10/34 (outright)
15B High (15B) 9/136 -drew with High (16B) 10/198
14B Scots 7/250 (30 overs) -d- High 10/66 (29 overs)
13A Scots 6/163 -d- High 10/59
13B Scots 8/193 -d- High 10/65
13C Scots 5/210 -d- High 10/33 Tennis: Networking
FIRST GRADE:
SECOND GRADE: UP & COMING – GOOD RESULTS !!!!
16S MATCH REPORT
TENNIS DINNER
A ‘BLOCK BUSTER’ – AWARD PRESENTATION , KEYNOTE SPEAKERS,GROOVY MUSIC, SPIT
ROAST &MORE!
Tennis Committee,
Thanks to coaches for results. Athletics Timetable - 2006
Robert Devlin Basketball: Shooting HoopsHigh VS ScotsTerm 4 2005 (last time) TEAM RESULT SCORE TOP SCORER 1st LOSS 63-56 H.Walker 16 2nd LOSS 62-44 S.Sugito 11 3rd LOSS 43-34 M. Popescu 11 4th WIN 38-30 J.Sun 10 16A WIN 36-13 M.Bock 9 16B LOSS 9-13 D.Chiu 3 16C WIN 37- 18 B.Lee 10 16D WIN 30-10 S.Liu 12 16E LOSS 3-38 W.Ma 2 15A LOSS 36-24 J.Park 6 15B LOSS 31-21 C. Reeves 7 15C WIN 41-11 B.Yang 8 15D WIN 30-14 No scorer provided 14A WIN 16-15 J.Sutton 5 14B LOSS 14-15 A. Kugendran 4 14C WIN 22-19 No scorer provided 14D WIN 14-13 No scorer provided 14E LOSS 3-17 No scorer provided Term 1 2006 (This week) TEAM RESULT SCORE TOP SCORER 1st LOSS 75-60 H.WALKER 25 2nd WIN 45-33 R.HUYNH 21 3rd LOSS 44-60 G.ZINGER 13 4th WIN 23-17 J.TAO 7 16A WIN 42-12 C.TANG 12 16B WIN 28-20 A.TSE 6 16C LOSS 23-34 B.LEE 6 16D DRAW 21-21 J.WONG 6 16E LOSS 21-12 B.LUNG 8 15A LOSS 45-30 J.TASSELL 10 15C WIN 16-9 K.LIM 8 15D WIN 44-14 D.LO 14 15E LOSS No scorer provided 14A WIN 34-15 S.YOON8 &11 STEALS 14B WIN 42-18 A.KOERBER 16 14C WIN 41-10 A.KUGENDRAN 14 14D WIN 47-10 S.YUNG 12 14E WIN 44-7 J.CASTILLO 3 13A LOSS 36-6 A.YE 2 13B LOSS 47-4 N.AUTAR 4 13C LOSS 55-3 B.LEO 2 13D LOSS 62-2 Y.WONG 2 13E LOSS 32-6 Y.CHAN 2
What a massive week for Sbhs basketball! In the firsts, playing against ‘a few imports’ made the game tough. A quality shooting performance from h walker kept high in the game. The seconds continue their domination over their opponents…. The future looks fantastic; go the 14s and 15s age group. 13s should be encouraged by looking at the 14s results; keep working hard and you will see the improvement. All boys in the 13s, 14s and 15s age group should be looking to get into representative basketball. See mr hayman (pdhpe) for details.
BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF FACTS - Alex Hayman
1st Grade Match Report
2nd Grade Match Report
16As Match Report
16Bs Match Report
Captains please send in your match report to Mr Hayman by lunchtime on Mondays! An electronic
copy preferably. Would be good to see more reports from our 14s too! What a great age group
coming up! Unity in Diversity - 100 years of SHS Membership of the AAGPSThe name of Denis Joseph Sullivan (1873-1952) has been mentioned in connection with Sydney High School’s entry into the AAGPS. He was employed at High as a teacher of modern languages from 1905-1914. However, it was his organisation, as sports master, of the sporting side of the life of the School that helped build the case for admission to the AAGPS. The following piece comes from the Record of June 1914 when Mr Sullivan left to take up an appointment at the newly opened Sydney Technical High School.
D J Sullivan Esq, BA His long service at the 探花视频 had made him familiar with all its activities, and his unflagging energy in the interests of sport will long be remembered. His name, indeed, on that account alone, has become a household word. His kindly nature endeared him to one and all. No task to forward boys’ interests was too irksome for him, no pains too great to assist them along the narrow path of learning. His sound knowledge, ripe experience, and genial good nature fitted him admirably for the position he held. Whether on the football field as coach, and, on occasion, as centre-forward, or on, the cricket field, or out diverting himself, like some "leviathan of the deep" in the placid waters of Bondi, or as an officer of the School Company, he proved himself a "thorough sport." In the internal working of the school, no master has done more thorough and conscientious work, which will long be remembered with gratitude by any boy worthy of the name. A fine disciplinarian, his class was always a model of order and industry, and not a boy but felt a pleasure in the class work. With regard to the social life of the school, we all know with what zest Mr Sullivan joined in concerts, debates, and such other functions not forgetting the mock banquets ready to sing, recite, or speak, at a moment's notice, and always delightful to listen to.
Endowed with the true Milesian humour and gift of oratory, he could entertain the school by the
hour, had time, on such occasions, permitted. Well, despite all his lovable and excellent
qualities, we were unable to keep him with us; for, much as he would have liked to stay, when
one's interests are at stake, it is a case of carpe diem, and old ties and associations are
broken. But Mr Sullivan may feel sure that, whatever the future may have in store, and wherever
he may be, he will always bear with him the best of good wishes from his old pupils, in whose
hearts there can never be for him anything but the greatest esteem and affection. P & C Welcome PartyThe 2006 Welcome Party for all our new parents at Sydney Boys High School was a great success and was attended by over 180 people. It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic new members of the school community. Once again WELCOME! Everyone agreed that the evening was a great way to learn more about the school and to meet and get to know each other. A big 'Thank You' to all the parents, the Principal, the P & C, the speakers, the staff, the Prefects and all other helpers on the night. Everyone's effort was greatly appreciated and made this evening a great success.
A special thank you to the Sailing Committee for the catering, to Mr Hannon for the video
presentation, and to members of the Senior Jazz Group for the musical contribution. Thank you and
welcome. Cricket Dinner & Award Night
8th APRIL 2006 at 6:30 pm
Come and support SBHS cricket at its annual blue (and brown) ribbon event $30 adults $25
players SYDNEY BOYS HIGH CRICKET DINNER STUDENT NAME _______________________________________ ROLL CLASS ________ Type of payment: Cheque Cash Credit Card Card Type: Bankcard Mastercard Visa Expiry Date: ____/____ PAYMENT FOR: __________ Adults __________ Players ________ Team TOTAL AMOUNT PAID: $___________________________ vegetarian Card Number: _______________________________________ Cardholder’s Name: ________________________________________________________ (please print) Cardholder’s Signature: ___________________________________________ Bus.Phone: ____________________ ------------------------------ (Office Use Only) Return to Index |
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Sydney Boys High School
