HIGH SOUTH SCHOOL Care | Opportunity | Success Newsletter| Term 3 Week 4| 16 August 2019

Principal’s Report Congratulations to:  All students who participated so proudly in the Flag Ceremony in Week 2.  Our wonderful Science staff for delivering a series of engaging Science activities for students this week. It has been a very exciting Science Week!  Year 9 and 10 students involved in the Dazzle your CV Day. We received outstanding feedback.  Year 11 students for their excellent conduct on the Year 11 Camp.  Our Junior Boys Basketball Team for their outstanding efforts in reaching the final eight of the state.  Our Junior Legacy Public Speaking Representatives Henry and Oscar both from Year 7.  Year 12 students for their excellent behaviour and attitude towards the Trial HSC Exams.  The students involved in the Science activities at Maroubra Bay Public School for Science Week.  Rose from Year 12 and Adam, Year 10 who achieved outstanding results in the Regional Carnival and have qualified for the CHS carnival.

Flag Day Congratulations to all students for their participation in our annual Flag Ceremony on Friday 2nd August. Itwasan affirming ceremony which celebrated the wonderful cultural diversity which exists at South Sydney High School. I am very proud of the way students appreciate and celebrate different cultures, learn from each other, respect differences and share in the commonalties. The flags that were used in the ceremony are normally on display in the hall, and are a constant reminder of the cultural mix within our community. The flags are a symbolic way we can emphasise our commitment to an inclusive and tolerant school culture. Thank you to all the staff that made the Flag Day a success. Outstanding School Fees

Shortly you will be receiving invoices for outstanding school fees. I would like to remind parents and carers that when selecting elective subjects you agree to pay for the required subject fees. We are extremely conscious at South Sydney High School of keeping these subject fees to a minimum; however, these are additional costs associated with subjects ie, hospitality, woodwork, visual arts, music etc and these costs cannot be covered by school funding.

The voluntary school contribution is utilised to purchase additional resources to complement our Teaching and Learning programs. I would encourage you to pay this contribution to support all students within our school community.

Kind Regards

Janice Neilsen Principal

Secretary for a Day

On Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th August, Jessica of Year 11 was selected to participate in Secretary for a Day. Secretary for a Day is an exciting opportunity for high school students to come together from across the state to learn about the workings of the Department, and through workshops and conversations, explore the Education Week theme; Every Student, Every Voice.

Jessica participated in workshops, had discussions with Education directors and other student leaders and worked with the Environment and Sustainability team on developing some exciting new ideas for the Department. This was a great experience and Jessica has returned from it with lots of new ideas for our SRC to implement. Science News

National Science Week During Week 4 we celebrated National Science Week with lots of great activities including a problem solving team challenge, excursion to the Science Festival at the Australian Museum, a spider show, a space themed scavenger hunt, and the annual Teachers vs Student Quiz. We also organised for a visit to Maroubra Bay Public School where Year 7 and 9 students ran science activities with Year 5 and 6 students. The Science teachers visited Sydney University to attend a show about the periodic table (2019 is the international year of the periodic table) with Dr Karl and Adam Spencer. It’s been a great week in Science!

Spider Show

Problem Solving Team

Other Science happenings

 Investigating Science Year 11 Investigating Science students have been making working models to represent different concepts as a part of their depth study. As a part of their assessment, they had to present and explain their models to Year 7 students.  Biology

In Week 5, we are lucky to have a visiting ecologist Dr Lee visiting our Yr 11 Biology classes to talk about working as an ecologist in relation to the Module 4 topic ‘Ecosystem dynamics’. She works on conservation projects under the ‘Saving our Species’ conservation program for the Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment. The Year 11 Biology students will also be attending an overnight excursion to the Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre where they will be carrying out ecology field work.

 Year 10 VALID test The VALID Science 10 test (Validation of Assessment for Learning & Individual Development) will be held on Wednesday 4th September in periods 1 and 2 for all Year 10 students. A catch up test will be held on Friday 16th September. This test forms part of the Year 10 assessment and is an interactive, multimedia test that will be completed on a computer. Please see the letter to parents in this newsletter for more details.

Primary School Visit

“Dazzle Your CV” Day

Collaboration proved its excellence! Thank you to United Way for your enormous input and collaboration in assisting SSHS to present “Dazzle your CV” Day. CV preparation and understanding the importance of soft skills is key to preparing our stu- dents to the 21st Century world of work that awaits. We had excellent presenters from T.Rowe Price, MacquarieTelco, AIA , Dell and ACN. All students in Year 9 and Year 10 benefited from hearing the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the soft skills needed for ongoing success.

Helen Stell

Opportunity Coordinator

Library News

Book Week “Reading is my secret power” is the theme for Book Week this year. The library will be celebrating the secret powers of reading - reading for language, reading for imagination, reading for understanding, reading for empathy and reading to escape are just a few. Book Week activities will be taking place in the library every day at lunchtime next week. These include match the teacher to their favourite book, solve the mystery of the secret titles and design and build a wind turbine to generate power. We are also holding a Book Week parade, so why not immerse yourself in the spirit of Book Week and come dressed as your favourite literary character on Friday 23rd August.

Premier’s Reading Challenge The Premier’s Reading Challenge concludes on Friday 30th August. Don’t forget to log the books you have read. Students who complete the PRC will be able to have exclu- sive access to the Library at lunchtime on Friday during Book Week.

Julie Maddocks, Teacher Librarian Legacy Public Speaking - Inter School Competition

At South Sydney High School we place a strong focus on the importance of public speaking and strong communication skills. On Friday 9th August two of our year 7 talented public speakers Henry and Oscar from 7Y represented our school at the Legacy Interschool Competition that was held in our Staff Common Room.

Parents, teachers and speakers from schools such as Newtown School of Performing Arts, Meridan, Ascham, Kambala, and Tempe High School assembled to hear a range of prepared speeches on topics such as bullying, female equality and the importance of disengaging from technology and living in the moment. The improvised section required students to present speeches on the topic of ‘Nature versus Nurture’ with only five minutes allocated to each speaker for preparation. Our school principal, Ms Neilsen welcomed the visitors to our school and spoke about the importance of public speaking as a skill that enhances the lives and prospects of those who possess it. At the conclusion of the speeches, Mr Wiseman our school’s Deputy Principal presented participation certificates to all of the participants in the competition before the adjudicator, Ms Zhu, herself a past winner of this competition announced the winners. This prestigious competition was run entirely by students from our Year 7 and 8 enrichment classes. Congratulations go to Year 8 students: Luisa , Amelia and Lara. These student were capably assisted by Year 7 students: Rebecca, Sophie, Zoe, Hilde, Milla, Tara and Chloe. Congratulations to these students who ensured that all facets of the competition ran extreme- ly smoothly. Visitors to our school including the adjudicator commented on the high level of organisation and ease with which the event was run as well as the warm welcome they received from these students.

The Breaking of the Drought A Franklyn Barrett silent film with live music Sunday 8 September, 6.20pm to 8.20pm Ritz Cinema Randwick (Cinema 2) 43 St Pauls Street, Randwick Tickets $10

Don't miss this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in an authentic silent film experience with live musical accompaniment. Filmed in 1920 by Randwick local, director and cinematographer Franklyn Barrett, and accompanied live by the talented John S. Batts on the Wurlitzer, The Breaking of the Drought will transport you back in time to 1920. is gripped by severe drought which is crippling the outback. The Galloway family of Wallaby Station is struggling under the extreme conditions. To make matters worse, their wastrel son is swindled out of the family fortune by an unscrupulous vamp and her con-man partner.

Screening at the splendid art deco Ritz Cinema Randwick, and featuring live accompaniment on the Wurlitzer, join us to find out- does it rain?

Twilight Concerts have been an initiative of Randwick City Council since 2010, providing concerts at a family friendly time and price. Book now! Duke of Ed.

This week five of our Year 10 students were awarded their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. This very prestigious award is recognised around the world and requires students to play a sport, commit to regular volunteering, participate in two overnight hikes and learn a new skill. Congratulations to Liam M, Liam P, Jessica , Jake and Luke on this fantastic achievement.

Gifted, Talented & Enrichment Stage 5 Enrichment: A spotlight on English & Drama

9Y with their Science teacher Ms Corlija celebrated Science week with students from Maroubra Bay Public School. On Wednesday 14th August they led Year 5 and 6 student through a series of science experiments. Meanwhile on the same day a group of students from 10Y met with Ms de Paor, Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator and Ms Maddocks, our school librarian to plan for ‘Make a Book in Day’ during Book Week at our school. This will involve these students guided by their teachers working from 8.00am to 8.00pm to complete a book that will help to raise funds for the Kids Cancer Project as well as providing peer written literature for young cancer sufferers.

October School Holiday Program, ‘Brainways, ‘Australian Catholic University’ Our school is frequently contacted by providers of extension programs during the school holiday period. While we cannot vouch for the quality of the program offered by ‘Brainways’ we are passing on this information in case parents would like to pursue this opportunity. If this is the case please contact Ms de Paor, GAT Co-ordinator at South Sydney so that a school nomination letter etc can be organised for your child: [email protected]

For student registration, please follow the steps below: 1. The students are selected by their teachers. 2. Each selected student is receiving the following information: a) Nomination Letter, b) Program Information (relevant to the program they are invited to attend), c) Website address for enrolment https://registration.brainways.com.au/quest-sydney/ 3. Parents are completing the enrolment and payment via the BRAINways online enrolment system. An automatically generated email will be received when the enrolment is completed, to confirm the place in the program. 4. Students are asked to bring the Nomination Letter when attending the programs, and present it at registration

Please note that, as limited places are available in the programs, the registration will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, and no reservations are possible. Therefore, it is advisable that parents login to register their children as soon as possible.

Timetable:

Day Time Program for Years 7-10

Day 1 9:00am – 10.30am The Humanities– Using the Principles of Logic in Debating

Day 1 11.00am – 12.30pm The Sciences – Anatomy and Physiology of the Nervous System

Day 1 1.00pm – 2.30pm The Mathematics– Sets of Numbers: The Focus on Complex Numbers

Day 2 9:00am – 10.30am The Humanities– An Introduction to Ethics

Day 2 11.00am – 12.30pm The Sciences – Pathology of the Nervous System

Day 2 1.00pm – 2.30pm The Mathematics– Complex Numbers, Vectors and Matrices 2019 Media Release

Cancer fight goes by the book as local students write a book in one day.

On Wednesday 21 August students from South Sydney HS will write a book in one day for children’s cancer research.

It’s all part of the annual national “Write a Book in a Day” competition which is run by The Kids’ Cancer Project.

The school has entered a teams in the competition. Pupils will be given a brief and then within 12 hours write, illustrate, bind and submit a storybook of up to 5000 words. Each book is then donated to children undergoing treatment in hospitals around Australia.

The Kids’ Cancer Project is an independent national charity supporting childhood cancer research. Since 1993, thanks to strong community support the charity has contributed tens of millions of dollars to scientific studies to help children with many types of cancer.

“This is an event that inspires collaboration and community spirit while students have fun writing and illustrating a book,” said Ms Michelle Hasking, South Sydney HS’s Head of English. “And it all happens in a 12-hour period.”

“Not only will our pupils develop leadership skills, engage in teamwork and creative problem solving, they’ll be covering key English curriculum requirements to set them up for life,” said Ms Hasking.

“The real value-add to this competition is that participants are giving to a cause that is relevant to them. Fact is, cancer kills more children in this country than any other disease,” said Ms Hasking.

In order to qualify for judging and have the chance to receive one of the coveted awards, each school team must raise at least $240 in sponsorship donations, which go toward childhood cancer research.

Col Reynolds OAM, founder of The Kids’ Cancer Project is delighted with the initiative.

“This is a wonderful program because it stimulates young minds while giving them the opportunity to help other young people,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Research is the only way to improve treatments and survival for children with cancer,” he went on to say. “Government funding only stretches so far, so it’s important the community steps up to support kids with this indiscriminate disease.”

You can support the school’s fundraising initiative by donating a contribution to our school’s team via our stu- dent office. You can also give directly to The Kids’ Cancer Project online thekidscancerproject.org.au

Aine de Paor, Gifted, Talented & Enrichment Co-ordinator, South Sydney

For more information about The Kids’ Cancer Project please contact: Linda Fagan, Head of Marketing and Community Relations, 02 8394 7752, [email protected] Year 9 Subject Selection Year 8 students will soon be selecting their elective classes for Year 9 2020. A parent information night will be held at the school on Tuesday 3rd September. South Sydney High School offers a wide range of exciting elective subjects for Year 9 and 10 students to experience. Our subject selection process is driven by student choice.

After the subject selection information evening, students will be able to make their subject selections online, enabling the final list of electives to be determined based on subject popularity with students. We look forward to seeing you all on the 3rd September to answer all the questions you have about this important process. Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection—next steps

The majority of subject selection forms have now been lodged. The next step involves our talented timetable team using our timetabling program to analyse student choices and determine which subjects will be offered in Year 11 2020.

Once determined, the best combination of subjects is identified. This process, yet again is driven by student preference. We will keep you posted as we move towards confirming final subjects for our Year 11 students 2020.

Attention Year 12  Congratulations to all students for your dedication and hard work in the recent trial HSC exams.  Catch up trial HSC exams will be scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.  All formal payments are due to the student office.  Reference sheets needs to be handed in as soon as possible.

Behaviour Expectations We are continuing to share our updated Behaviour Expectations with students, and thank you again for your support in reinforcing the high expectations that make South Sydney High School such a dynamic, safe learning environment for all students. Students Playing 4 Fun!

This year the Sydney East School Sports Association launched a new initiative across the Primary and Secondary school sporting landscape. Its aim is to put the fun back into sport by taking away all of the pressures of competitive sport, hence the name of the program “Play 4 Fun”. At South Sydney HS we are proud participants and supporters of this program and its aim.

On Monday 12th August a self-nominated group of Year 7 and 8 students attended the Mixed Touch Football Gala Day held at Heffron Park. The other school in attendance on the day was : Blackwattle Bay Campus which put the students at opposite ends of the high school spectrum; Blackwattle Bay is a Year 11-12 Campus. The manner in which all students came together to form mixed age and mixed gender teams epitomised the purpose of this program. All students played the games with a smile on their face, enjoyed a laugh together and embraced one another with a hand- shake at the end of each game.

Well done to all of the students who attended. We look forward to our next Play 4 Fun adventure!