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High Notes, Vol 26 No 7, March 21 2025

From the Principal

High Talent

In last week’s High Talent summary of the School Swimming Carnival results, I omitted to include Joshua Park (10T) who broke the 16s 200 Individual Medley record from 2005 (2:26.00). Apologies to Joshua for the omission. Congratulations to Ben Hunter (7M) who became the NSW Open Skiff champion (Silver Fleet) last weekend at Belmont.

Iftar Celebrations

It was a privilege to be able to observe the evening prayers and share a meal to celebrate Iftar, on Tuesday evening in the Great Hall. The High Islamic Society has been a vibrant group of students for twenty years. The Old Boys sponsor the evening’s food, and the current students serve and clean up. There was a table of 2006 alumni whose own children are approaching high school age. Thank you to the English and History staff who attended, and to Ms Luu for her coordination of the event. We were fortunate to have of a table girls from SGHS attend, along with their Principal, Ms Powell. We hope that the annual event will be a broad High community one, going forward. The tone of the evening was respectful, positive and hopeful for the future.

Winter Sport Commences

This is changeover week from summer to winter sport. It is also the week that Captains of teams have an obligation to write up their team / crew season in review. The Record is a repository of recollections, where all teams have a voice. The historical record of this voice for season 2024-5 needs cooperation from Captains. Reports are due to Ms May by 24.3.25.

Invoices for Summer Activities Co-payments

Families in Year 7, those later for year enrolments, and those activities with term-by-term commitments, have had statements emailed for Term 1 activities. Despite these charges, most activities are also heavily subsidised from school funds, particularly in direct budget grants from school funds (voluntary contributions), provision of MICs allowances, teacher supervision on Saturdays, WHS compliance costs, access to facilities and grounds, first aid costs (co-curricular supervision levy) and parking allocation self-help support. Co-payments are used primarily for the provision of coaching. In basketball alone, a team of over 35 people delivers the program! We to have staff, students, Old Boys, coaches, parents and volunteers working to make your son’s school experiences more enjoyable. It would be appreciated if you could make your co-payments promptly for your son’s summer sport and co-curricular activities. Thank you for your ongoing belief in the value of the scholar-sportsman ethos.

Rowing Assembly 2025

Good luck to all our rowers on Saturday! My speech at the rowing assembly is reprinted below:

"Special guest, Nick Armstrong (SHS-2001) School Captain, rowers of Head of the River crews, parents, students, teachers, welcome to our 2024 rowing assembly. We come together on the traditional day before the big event to honour and congratulate our crews as they prepare for their extreme test at the Head of the River regatta tomorrow.

"Thank you to MIC, Coaching Coordinator and Maintenance Manager, George Barris (SHS-2001) for his passionate, efficient and dedicated management of the sport which is unparalleled at GPS level in its demands of time and organisation in various contexts. Rowing participation is booming at High. Irrespective of the racing results, lots of boys are benefitting physically, socially and emotionally from their participation in the program.

"Thank you to our teaching staff – Con Barris (SHS-1972), Joanna Chan and Terry Fong (SHS-2014) – for their assistance with the program. Well done to our coaches - Steve Comninos (SHS-2013), Gordan Su (SHS-2018), Daniel Xu (SHS-2016), Jack Ralph (SHS-2018), Robert Yuan (SHS-2016), Adrian Wong (SHS-2021), Jack Smiles (SHS-2022), Kevin Chen (SHS-2021), James Appleton (SHS-2019), Patrick Ta, Thomas Britton (SHS-2022), Subhan Mustafa (SHS-2004) and Jack Bowditch.

"Thank you to our long-serving coach Marguerite Pain who always does a great job with the Year 8 quads. Thank you again to the Rowing Committee, particularly the President – Lisa Cuman, the Treasurer – Crystal Yeung and Camp Coordinators – Diana Chan and Renee Levitt.

"Twenty-five years ago, High boated 2 VIIIs, 4 IVs and 2 Junior VIIIs at the Head of the River in 2000.  Two of our current staff members, Mr Barris and Mr Paul competed that day.  The First VIII placed 7th in a time of 6.16.24 (winner’s time +5.09%) and the 2nd VIII were also seventh in 6.23.15 (winner’s time +5.32%).  Since that day at SIRC, the first VIII performance has only been beaten once in 2005 and the second VIII effort twice, in 2005 and 2017.  They were memorable performances that illustrated what depth of rowing talent can accomplish at High. Rowing has a proud tradition at High. It is being supported every time a crew gives their all in a race at the Head of The River.

"Rowing is a very demanding sport – mentally, physically, socially and tactically. There are five major requirements to racing well.  First, having the requisite endurance, strength and power. Crews need to prepare their bodies specifically for the rowing stroke mechanics and for repetitive endurance. Second, having a consistent and efficient stroke technique. Practice together is the key. Third, developing an intense focus, concentration and mental toughness to stay the course.  This mental attribute is built up in groups over time. Fourth, mastering the environmental conditions – wind or heat on the course, as well as waves, currents or tides in the water. In this aspect, experience is the best teacher. Finally, the crew needs to be coordinated – synchronised and efficient to maximise boat speed, and to be mutually supportive to maintain morale. There is a lot to get right to make a boat achieve the maximum run that it can. Rowing can teach values such as fairness, teambuilding, equality, discipline, inclusion, perseverance, testing personal limits and respect.

"I want to congratulate all the boys who have been selected to compete for High. You will become a part of a long tradition, and your story will be written in our record books as it was in 2000. Set your own goals and support the crew goals to inspire group performance. Good luck with the weather and the waves, given our customary poor lane draws. Make your effort one you will be proud of. You owe it to yourself. Your season of training and camaraderie comes down to less than 7 minutes on the water. I wish all crews the best of luck on Saturday and hope that the eight can beat 6 minutes and 22 seconds – a barrier we have not broken through since 2017."
Dr K A Jaggar
Principal