The Riverside Girls High School Newsletter November 2013
We are very excited that a new deputy has been DECEMBER CALENDAR appointed through transfer. We are welcoming day Monday 2nd – Friday 6th December – AltTEN8 one 2014, Dr Susan Vasilevska, previously deputy at program year 10 Marsden High School. Dr Vasilevska is an expert in th the teaching of gifted and talented students and an Wednesday 4 December – Year 7 2014 English teacher. Her appointment will be a great Orientation Day asset to Riverside. Friday 6th December – Youth off the Streets Sleep Out – school hall For the past three terms, Sue Andrews, Head Teacher PDHPE has supported me with great loyalty, th th Friday 6 December – Friday 13 December – energy and integrity in the role of Relieving Deputy Year 11 assessment week Principal. She has always put the students first and Monday 9th December – Friday 13th December her initiative of the ‘Start Strong” interviews with yr 11 – Year 7 swim school parents and students is a legacy we will continue. The feedback has been extremely positive. The Friday 13th December – Year 8 Maths Luna students have discussed their goals and their support Park Excursion requests in a very positive and personal environment th with meetings with the senior executive. Having these Friday 13 December – Year 9 and 10 at the start of their HSC year will prove very Presentation Assembly motivating Monday 16th December – Year 7 and 8 Presentation Assembly Thank you also to Sophie Miller who has been th relieving in the role of Head Teacher PDHPE. Wednesday 18 December – Last school day for students On behalf of the school community, a big thank you Our Principal’s Report to you both. You certainly are talented educational leaders. This is our second last edition for the year, the next being a Belinda Kelly celebration of our academic high Principal achievers and publication of the Success Stories of 2013 leaflet. Message from the P&C I am so pleased to see that most items in this edition are written by students, including our SRC The previous P&C meeting held on 13th of November (Student Representative Council) reporters. Their was the Annual General Meeting, where all office engagement in the stories they are reporting on is bearing positions were declared vacant for re- very obvious! election. Congratulations on election of: Greg Tunnock (President), Berny Barber (Vice President), In the next few weeks we will be saying good bye Michael Warner (Vice President), Robert Meyer to some very long serving temporary teachers (Treasurer) and Ruth McConnell (Secretary). who have been totally committed to the students and providing inspirational lessons both in and out The next P&C meeting will be the 12th February of the classroom. As permanent teachers return 2014. All parents, carers, teachers and staff are very from leave, subject numbers change and new welcome and encouraged to attend. This will be the staff are appointed, the temporary teacher is very first meeting of the new school year. Please come affected. As our teachers are the greatest asset along to contribute your thoughts on how the P&C we have at Riverside, we will be saying goodbye can support Riverside for 2014 and beyond. We look in a big way with lots and lots of thankyous to very forward to your attendance and innovative ideas. special teachers. These will be acknowledged at our assemblies and end of year celebrations. Greg Tunnock P&C President
Riverside Girls High School NOVEMBER 2013
Online Payments maple syrup!), canoeing and kayaking (being able to discover the great outdoors by travelling along the Did you know that you can make payments to lake with friends!), rock climbing (where we got to test your child’s school online? our courage and strength and try to reach the top of We have launched a new online payment portal the wall), archery (which is fun and surprising as we linked to our school’s website to make it easier for found that some of us are good shots), and finally the you to pay for school related payments. This is a high ropes (which are terrifying at first, but then gave secure payment page hosted by Westpac. each and every one of us a giant mood swing, and the next second you love it!) What expenses can be paid online? Voluntary School Contributions Subject Contributions Excursions Sport Creative and Practical Arts Sales to Students Other
When? This payment method is available now!
How? Log onto School site at http://www.riversidegh.schools.nsw.edu.au/public/ website
Click on “Make a Payment” and follow the prompts to make a payment via Visa or MasterCard.
Why? Because it’s easy and secure!
Year 8 CAMP!
th Our Year 8 camp (which was on the 30 of The staff at camp were reassuring and helpful not to st October to the 1 of November) was an amazing mention their great personalities. There was always experience for the year 8 students and the something to look forward to, whether it’s the flying teachers. Held at the Sydney Academy of Sports fox at the high ropes, the Halloween dress-up night, and Recreation in Narrabeen, there were so many trivia quiz with friends, games night, and even to a activities set out for us to test our limits, make new long night’s sleep because you know that tomorrow is friends, relate ourselves to the beautiful nature only going to get better. that surrounds us, and take on new challenges! Overall, Year 8 had a fantastic, astonishing, exciting and all-too-hilarious experience at camp!
Aileen Hou - SRC Reporter Year 8
Riverside teaches Big History.
Throughout terms 2 and 3 at RGHS, a new course called Big History was trialled with the Year 10 Elective History class. The course was created by Professor David Christian of Macquarie University who was interested in the big questions, why are here and how did we get here? He ran the course The activities were bush walking (which was tiring and at one of his lectures there was a rather wealthy yet exciting, but the view was most definitely man by the name of Bill Gates who was mesmerised worth it), cooking damper (where we made a fire later saying it was the best course he had ever and ate delicious damper filled with honey and attended. With the backing of Gates, Christian
Riverside Girls High School developed a course that is now in forty schools in the markets. We learnt a lot and now further Australia. appreciate the wonderful food we have available to us and the high quality of life that we enjoy in Australia.
Sindhu Rao
Carrots – before and after cooking
Learning Beyond the Bell
The Learning Beyond the Bell program is an after It is a Board of Studies endorsed course that school program that provides a quiet, structured takes in the spread of universal existence as we environment where your daughter can do her know it. We chart the course of time starting with homework or work on assessment tasks. the big bang and following the creation of stars, the earth, life and humans and dominance of the Riverside’s Learning and Support Teacher, Ms. planet and what the future may hold. The course Hristofski, will facilitate the program with the support was described by Christian as a mythology for the of trained peer tutors from year 10 and 11 all whom modern scientific world. It doesn't challenge have particular expertise in specific subject areas. religious philosophy but asks for evidence to be used to verify the claims that are made. The girls Peer tutors will support students to complete in Year 10 were challenged but engaged, wrote homework and tasks by helping, tutoring, providing essays and presented their ideas on what they friendships, giving feedback and making school learnt to parents, other students and guests from someplace where students want to come each day. Macquarie University. Certainly the feedback from This leads to more learning opportunities and both students and those present at the enhancing academic achievement (Hattie, 2011). presentations suggest this is a course for the future. More information and expression of interest forms are on the last pages of this Currents.
Hospitality excursion
Young In Art Hunters Hill Art Prize 16th October 2013
Name: Charlotte Van Twest Title: Cockatoo Island
The Year 11 Food Technology and hospitality classes went on an adventure to Sydney Markets on Friday 8th November. It was an early start, leaving school before 7am so we could see the markets in full swing. We enjoyed the sight and smell of the seasonal fruit and vegetables and even got to try some new foods such as dragon fruit. After a tour of the markets, our guide took us to Congratulations to Charlotte Van Twest Yr 11 for the conference room where we learnt more about receiving a Highly Commended award for her the markets and food quality and safety in the Cockatoo Island collage. Also to Georgia Lestios for Australian food industry. We enjoyed our trip to receiving a Commended for her ceramic bust.
Riverside Girls High School
We had a fantastic night where Riverside Girls Mayor thanked everyone again and announced three received two awards for their art works. Riverside lucky door prize winners to receive a gift. Girls’ Choir was the main performance which opened the show beautifully for the evening. “Thank you to Riverside School performers. A special thanks to teachers Clarina Wang and Brett Hunt for The Young in Art Prize is a local annual art prize assisting the Choir, and Rachel Whealey for for the schools in the area of Hunters Hill and conducting the ensemble.” - Mayor Gladesville, such as St Joseph’s College, Woolwich, Hunters Hill High school, Boronia Park By Jasmine Hales and Yanela Perez Public School and Villa Maria Public School. It is a great opportunity for our girls to showcase our creative and musical talents. School Spectacular – CAAPA
It’s that time of year again, yes you guessed it... the Hunters Hill - Thank you to Volunteers Schools Spectacular which is currently in its 30th Morning Tea year!
On Tuesday the 20th of November the Riverside Quite a few dancers from Riverside will be involved in Choir and String ensemble performed at the the opening segment of the show this weekend, Hunters Hill Town Hall for the Hunters Hill Council dancing to popular tracks including ‘Diamonds' by Thank You to Volunteers morning tea. Rihanna and ‘Best Night’ by Justice Crew.
Holly Luke-Paddon on trumpet and I are part of the 80-piece orchestra which is a great experience for both of us as we get to work alongside well-known artists such as the group Human Nature but also Diana Rouvas and Darren Percival who were previously seen on ‘The Voice’.
Being the world’s largest variety event, it showcases the talents from 3600 students in NSW Public Schools from the ages 5-18 with repertoire ranging from the famous Carmen Opera to pop numbers such as 'Hall of Fame’ by The Script. The lead up to this year’s School’s Spectacular has been particularly exciting as the staging and light designs have been revamped and everything has just been turned up a notch.
Hosted by John Foreman, this year’s Schools Spectacular will be broadcast nationally on Channel Nine on Saturday 30 November from 7pm to 10pm. The show will be replayed on Go! from 1.30pm on Sunday 1 December and will be available on jump-in.com.au later in the month! Don’t miss it!
Karen Kong – Performance Captain
Music was provided by the String Ensemble which was directed by Rachel Whealey and the choir Year 8 Dance was directed by Ms Wang. The event began at 10.30 and the String Ensemble played Some of the year 8’s are putting together a dance background music as the guests began to arrive. performance with the help of the hip hop dance The guests helped themselves to some delicious teacher Ilona. It is the style of urban hip hop. They morning tea and refreshments. have been practising every Wednesday after school. The Mayor came to welcome and thank the The dance is coming together nicely and everyone is volunteers for their time and effort in helping the putting in a lot of effort. They are looking to community and then introduced the Riverside performing it at the 7 and 8 presentation day. choir to perform. The choir performed ‘Bubbly’ by Colbie Caillat and ‘Colour my World’ by Tony Preeti Pagaddinnimath – SRC reporter Year 8 Hatch and Jackie Trent. After the performance the
Riverside Girls High School
Swim school theory day Putney Firebirds Netball Club
On the 12th of November all of year 7 had swim school theory day. We had a lesson on CPR and then did a hands-on session learning the recovery position, practising CPR on Dummies and learning how to use the defibrillator. We also had a quick overview of what would be happening in swim school and an important lesson about melanoma. In the end everyone had a knowledgeable and fun day. We’re looking forward to swim school in week 10!
Aleksa Popovic – SRC reporter Year 7
Year 7 day camp
On the 14th of November year 7 had their exciting day camp. All students participated in team building activities, a series of workshops promoting well-being and had the exciting privilege of wearing mufti. The workshops and activities included learning about the issues surrounding 'breaking/making' new friends, the sort IT out program at Riverside, team building and a session with "Funworks" which involved fun activities. Overall everyone had a fun and exciting day.
Aleksa Popovic – SRC reporter Year 7
Five Dock Tennis School Executive Conference Focus on assessment
The executive conference provided an opportunity for our executive to evaluate current assessment tasks.
We had a literacy consultant take our teachers through the NAPLAN writing results and she provided professional learning on adding writing outcomes to all tasks. We also evaluated the rigour of existing tasks, their significance to the real world, demands on higher order thinking skills and amount of self-direction offering students’ choice in the task. Our head teachers will now lead a similar evaluation of tasks in their faculties. So, this was a very successful conference where lots of talking about teaching and of improving student outcomes took place.
Riverside Girls High School
RIVERSIDE CAREERS NEWS December 2013
“A GLOBAL CLASSROOM - SUCCESS IN THE 22ND CENTURY”. Studying at Riverside is not just restricted to the traditional classrooms at our Huntleys Point Campus, our students are able to choose from a growing number of courses offered by a variety of OCSPs (Off Campus Specialist Providers) TAFE has always been popular as a place to study VET courses and for languages students have gone to the Saturday School for Community Languages or Open High School. Today there are a growing number of other providers and course options to choose from. Here are some of the places our girls are studying. In 2014 three students will study at Sydney University. The course “America: Prophecy, Power, Politics”, will give them credit towards a degree at Sydney University and also counts as a one unit course towards their HSC. Not only will the course increase their knowledge and understanding of the United States and its impact on the world but it will enhance their skills in critical thinking and developing evidence based arguments that will benefit their study across a range of other subjects. This course runs one afternoon per week for one semester. Macquarie University also offers a course in Philosophy for Yr11 and 12 students. A first in 2014 will be Audrey Michel Yr11, she is starting a Certificate 2 in Animal Studies at Taronga Zoo. Audrey will attend the Zoo one afternoon each week and 2 weeks during the school holidays. The course is delivered by the Taronga Training Institute (TTI). As well as her Cert 2 and valuable Work Experience at the zoo she will also receive 4 units for Yr11 towards her HSC. Some of the other courses our students study off campus include, 2 unit Dance, Bradfield College and also with the highly respected private tutor, Leslie Abraham.
2 unit Retail at the City Beach clothing chain delivered by Franklin Scholar. We also have students studying Retail with KFC and McDonalds. 2 unit Animal Studies with Greencross Vetinary Clinics delivered by Greencross. 2unit Allied Health Assist with the Sydney Adventist Private Hospital Wahroongah. 2unit Sports and Recreation with Gymnastics NSW. If you would like more information about courses studied externally please give me a call at school. Michael Blundell
More Career News
GOAL SETTING IS NOT ENOUGH IN TODAYS WORLD
Goal setting is uncritically promoted as the best way of assuring our futures and achieving meaningful things in our lives and at work. But we live in a world where the goal posts are continually moving, and we can no longer rely on setting single static goals. We must shift the balance and expect to spend time continually planning for an uncertain future. This brief clip is the work of Dr Jim Bright co-author of the “Chaos Theory Career Development”. It’s worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeDKjlPwt3w
University of Sydney: Pre-Registration Nursing Information Session 2013 Thu 28th November, 4pm to 6pm Sydney Nursing School, 88 Mallett Street, Camperdown Find out more about how pre-registration nursing programs can prepare students to become a registered nurse. This information session is a chance to discuss study options for 2014, meet program advisers, tour facilities and more. http://sydney.edu.au/nursing/news_events/news/preregistration-information-session-2013.shtml
University of Sydney: HSC Preparation Courses University of Sydney offers HSC Preparation Courses throughout the year for a range of subjects, including Biology, Mathematics, Economics, Physics, and more. Upcoming Courses: Mon 13th – Fri 17th Jan, 9am to 12:30pm: HSC Mathematics Preparation Course – 2 Unit (Part 1), HSC Biology Preparation Course (Part 1), HSC Music 1 Preparation Course (Part 1) Mon 13th – Fri 17th Jan, 1:30pm to 5pm:HSC Essay Writing Course, HSC Mathematics Preparation Course – Extension 1 (Part 1), HSC English Preparation Course – Advanced (Part 1) Mon 20th – Fri 24th Jan, 9am to 12:30pm: HSC Economics Preparation Course (Part 1), HSC English Preparation Course – Standard (Part 1), HSC English Preparation Course – Extension 1 (Part 1) – Crime Writing, HSC Exam Preparation Course
Riverside Girls High School
Mon 20th – Fri 24th Jan, 1:30pm to 5pm: HSC Essay Writing Course, HSC English Preparation Course – Advanced (Part 1), HSC Chemistry Preparation Course (Part 1), HSC Business Studies Preparation Course (Part 2), HSC Legal Studies Preparation Course (Part 1) http://cce.sydney.edu.au/courses/HSC
University of Sydney: The Scots College International Summer School Mon 9th – Fri 13th December, Scots College, Sydney. This summer school features activities for students of all ages, and students can take part in a range of academic & non-academic courses. A number of HSC preparation courses will be taught throughout the week by tutors from the University of Sydney. http://www.scotssummerschool.com.au/
Macquarie University: Next Step Entry Program Next Step is a new pathway program for students who have not gained entry into Macquarie University by having achieved a sufficient ATAR. The program features a range of units that students can study, and upon completion of the program students will be guaranteed entry into Macquarie University. Applicants must have completed their HSC or equivalent in the past two years with a minimum ATAR of 50, there are no ATAR requirements for mature age students. Contact: (02) 9850 7470. http://www.mq.edu.au/future_students/undergraduate/parent_information/connect_with_macquarie_newsletter/a ll_connect_articles/take_the_next_step-a_new_pathway_to_study/
Macquarie University: Alternative Entry Options This article details the wide range of entry options available at Macquarie University. This includes early entry schemes, guaranteed entry schemes, alternative pathways and more. http://www.mq.edu.au/future_students/undergraduate/parent_information/connect_with_macquarie_newsletter/a ll_connect_articles/your_students_can_unlock_their_future/
Open Universities New Undergraduate Course for 2014 Bachelor of Arts (Interior Architecture) – offered through Curtin University http://www.open.edu.au/about-us/student-news/new-in-2014
University of Technology Sydney: Saving the Amazon – Saving Ourselves Public Lecture Tue 26th November, 6:30pm to 8pm UTS University Hall, Building 4, Harris Street, Ultimo. This public lecture by world-leading Amazon rainforest conservationist Atossa Solanti will cover past efforts to save the Amazon rainforest and future challenges for conservation in the region. RSVP to [email protected]
Sydney Dance Company: Summer Dance Workshop 2014 Tue 7th – Fri 10th & Tue 14th – Fri 17th January 2014, 10am to 4pm Pier 4, 15 Hickson Road, The Rocks Sydney Dance Company are holding a series of workshops for ages 8 to 18. Their course for 14 to 18 year olds is for experienced dancers with 4-5 years or more dance experience and will cover contemporary, lyrical, theatre jazz & hip hop dance styles. Contact: (02) 9258 4818 or [email protected] https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=23177
Macquarie University: Inspirational Leadership Videos Macquarie University has recently released a series of online leadership videos designed to inspire high school students as they contemplate their future. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRl3LQExZ1f1uI7VVY0wXkhrSVy1TnvEJ
Year 13 Year 13 is a website that offers a different perspective on life after school. They have broken down the options available so you can find out about jobs, studying, gap years, travelling, apprenticeships, money and discounts. http://www.year13.com.au/
Information for this newsletter is taken from the MHS Careers newsletter. RGHS subscribes to this newsletter, parents and students are welcome to visit and use the site free of charge. www.mhscareers .net
Riverside Girls High School + Learning Beyond the Bell
The Learning Beyond the Bell program is an after school program that provides a quiet, structured environment where your daughter can do her homework or work on assessment tasks.
Riverside’s Learning and Support Teacher, Ms. Hristofski, + will facilitate the program with the support of trained peer tutors from year 10 and 11 all of whom have particular expertise in specific subject areas. Peer tutors will support students to complete homework and tasks by helping, tutoring, providing friendships, giving feedback and making school to which student want to come each day. This leads to more learning opportunities and enhancing academic achievement (Hattie, 2011). Learning Beyond the Bell
The main goal of the Learning Beyond the Bell program is to instill good work habits, organizational skills, and a sense of accomplishment in every student.
Fees will contribute to the running of the Learning Beyond the Bell Program and include afternoon tea, copying/printing/laminating resources, Learning Beyond the Bell Pack – includes a term planner, study booklet etc. and educational resources.
When: Term 1 Weeks 3-10 Tuesday &/ or Wednesday Time: 3.15-4.30pm Where: School Library Study options: • Supervised study • Pair or small group tutoring • One on one tutoring
2 Student Expression of Interest Form +
First Name: ______
Last Name:______
Year: ______
Student’ telephone:______
Student’s email: ______
Why would you like to be a part of the Learning Beyond the Bell program?
______
______
______
What are your favourite subjects in school?
______
What would you like help with? ______
______
______
To be part of the Learning Beyond the Bell program, it is important that you: • Arrive on time every week. • Bring materials to work on. • Learn and have fun!
I understand and agree to my responsibilities in this program.
______Student’s Signature
3 To be completed by parent/carer:
Parent’s Name: ______
Parent’s telephone: ______
Parent’s email: ______
How do you think your daughter will benefit from participating in the Learning Beyond the Bell program?
______
______
What would you like your daughter to have help with? ______
______
Travel Home:
It is your responsibility to ensure your daughter travels home safely. Please indicate how your daughter will make her way home. pellentesque: ______Nam vestibulum dolor quis libero.______
I, ______give permission for
______to attend the
Learning Beyond the Bell from 3.15 to 4.30 pm .
Signature: ______Date: ______
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Cost for the term
Supervised study Pair or small group One on one tutoring
One day $30 $45 $70
Two days $50 $80 $130 ______Please indicate the day /s you would like to attend: ! Tuesday ! Wednesday Please indicate the type of tutoring you would like: ! Supervised study ! Pair or small group ! One on one tutoring
Amount to be paid: $______
Return note and money to the front office by 15th December 2013
ONLINE PAYMENT Dissection no. 055033
¨ I have made an online payment. Receipt No.______on date______Signature:______Student Name: ______
PAYMENTS FOR PROCESSING AT SCHOOL Dissection no. 055033 Eftpos is available at school with card Minimum credit card amount $15
I wish to pay $ ______by ¨Cash ¨Visa ¨Mastercard
Cardholder’s Name ______Student: ______
Card No.
Expiry date: ______Cardholder’s Signature: ______
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