̽»¨ÊÓƵ

High Notes, Vol 26 No 36, November 21 2025

From the Principal

High Talent

Maxi Ibrahim (9M) was selected to play in the NSWCHSSA Water Polo Championships. Well done, Maxi! Franklin Huang (10M) qualified for the Metropolitan South and Southwest final of the United Nations Voice speaking competition. He came third and qualified to go to the Nationals! Congratulations to Franklin. At the recent NSW All Schools Volleyball Tournament, both our 7A and 8A teams earned silver medals, defeated in close final matches by Baulkham Hills HS. A great effort, boys! Boris Zhang (SHS-2025) had his body of work set aside for possible inclusion in ARTEXPRESS. Congratulations, Boris! Marley Masya and Vincent Wang (SHS-2025) have had their musical compositions nominated for inclusion in ENCORE, an important HSC Showcase. Congratulations!

Scholarship Applications closing.

There is only one week left for students to apply for the Phillip Day Memorial and Sir Roden and Lady Cutler Foundation Scholarships. If you have financial needs due to family or special circumstances; if you are a great all-rounder; or if you have a special talent that needs extra resources to help you develop; or if you are going into Year 11 and you have a strong background in community service, please consider applying. Scholarships are valued at $1500 in school credit per year. Application forms can be downloaded from the school community website: sydneyhigh.school/scholarships

Applications close on Friday, November 28.

Use of Libraries 2022-2024

The experience at successful selective schools is that their general literacy is enhanced considerably over time in line with their students’ involvement with reading. The 3-year Junior Library report from Dr Love was very encouraging. Junior Library loans increased from 2512 in 2022 to 7436 in 2024 (an increase of 196%). Total school loans in 2022 were 5,796 but in 2024 had risen to10,917 (an increase of 88.4%). The E-book experience was up and down with 996 loans in 2022, 1029 in 2023, but only 585 in 2024. Perhaps students prefer to borrow hard copy books. I certainly find them easier to read. Support from students who serve as Library Monitors has also been impressive. In 2022, 45 students worked 332 hours. In 2023, 96 students worked 778 hours. In 2024, 95 students worked 873 hours. Duke of Edinburgh Award students are allowed to book up school service credits by working in the Junior Library. Entries in the Premier’s Reading Challenge have also taken off. In 2022, 27; in 2023, 94; in 2024, 134 and this year, 183. The increase of 577% is due to the purchase of new reading stock by Dr Love which the boys enjoy reading, and to the persistent promotion of reading by teaching staff during the last couple of years.

Clean Up High Month

Last year our student leaders and SRC were concerned about the cleanliness of our site. Too many boys think it is the cleaner’s job to pick up rubbish. In fact, cleaners are supposed to merely empty the rubbish bins provided for students to deposit their rubbish. They also blow way fallen leaves. The problem of playground litter is still with us. I want us to make this an annual SRC event. It is our collective responsibility as a school community to keep our environment clean and safe. The focus for November is ‘cleaning up High’. There are many bins located strategically in high traffic areas to make it easier to do the right thing. Bins are located: leading onto Moore Park West; between the fig trees in the Junior Quad; in the area around the outdoor basketball courts; outside of the gym; on the 100s veranda opposite the tennis court; the bubblers area; and near the entrance to the Junior Quad. More work will be created for the cleaners who have to empty the bins that the boys fill up with their rubbish. Everyone has an obligation to clean up High!

Enrolment Day

Since our decision to hold two days for incoming students, we hope that we have improved the overall student and parent experience when engaging with our staff at High. On Enrolment Day, Tuesday November 25, our purpose is to guide parents to complete paperwork, make appropriate payments and to get back to work or usual activities. On the other hand, Orientation Day, held on Tuesday December 9, is, as its name suggests, a time for students (and parents) to immerse yourself in the courtyard activities, to find out about the physical geography of High and to browse through the various activities on offer.
Dr K A Jaggar
Principal