H The Weekly Newsletter of Sydney Boys High School Vol 20 No 39 06 December 2019 From the Principal mathematics where he is weaker, is reticent and High Talent defers to the strong mathematician in the work I Congratulations to our first grade tennis team. group. Consequently, skill growth might not be The boys played in a three-day tournament in a simple progression from 1 in Year 7 to 3, 4, or the National Schools Tennis competition, 5 in Year 9 (depending on the scale in the rubric finishing a creditable sixth. Well done to for each subject). Your son’s progress might be Klimenty Tsoutsman (9S) who achieved first uniform neither across the subjects, nor across place in Russian at the NSW School of the dispositions. I look forward to an informed G Community Languages. Our open chess team dialogue between parents and teachers on the individual student’s development of these important life skills. Find out more about PEWCC reporting on our website www.sbhs.nsw.edu.au/curriculum. Some students choose not to put much effort into one of the languages they do not intend to pursue in H Year 8. While this is regrettable, it is also understandable. The consequence can be that the overall achievement level, as measured by out points system, might decline. Students have brought home the third place trophy from the their second opportunity to choose a subject Australian Schools Teams Chess Championships when they decide on their language/s for next last week. Congratulations to Jack Keating year. Will they do one language or two? What (9R), Peter Boylan (12R), Toby Huey (7S), are the commitments if they take offline Justin Wayne-Lowe (11S) and Kerwin Ma classes? Will their other activities be affected? (10M). Congratulations to Timothy Hanna (9R), Please discuss language choices for Year 8 who was a member of the Sydney Region team with your sons. that won the NSW schools debating N competition. Life Ready Skills Course - Year 10 It is very important for all Year 10 students to be Interpreting Year 7 Reports - Semester 2 in attendance from Monday to Wednesday, 16- Check your son’s progress in future oriented 18/12/2019. We will be running a mandatory, earning skills – problem solving, evaluating, 25-hour Life Ready course. Workshops and working with others, communicating ideas, presentations will O creating and innovating. They are reported occupy the entire twice each year in their own text box on the two and a half school reports. Every Faculty has an days. We need to opportunity to report at least twice on one of the sign off that you five ‘earning skills’ during have completed the six reporting periods this course. Anyone who does not attend will T during Years 7-9. These have to take time out of his Year 11 studies to skills will be needed in comply with the regulation. jobs of the future. You can understand more Scholarship Winners for 2020 deeply about how your Thank you to all the students who submitted son is building his applications for the Phillip Day Memorial E capacity in the discrete dispositions that we Scholarship. The successful applicant this have targeted for development as a school. The year was an incoming Year 7 student for 2020, idea is that you can track your son’s growth over Liam Nottage. Anish Joseph (11F) was his three years in the Junior School. These awarded $500 as an Encouragement Award. PEWCC skills are very contextual. Tian Yang (7E) also received an Hypothetically, your son might be really good at Encouragement Award for $250. The Sir S working with others in English where he is Roden and Lady Cutler Foundation Inc confident and comfortable but not so effective in Scholarship was open to a Year 10 student, transitioning or enrolling into Year 11 in 2020 with a record of service to others at school or in the wider community. The successful applicant this year was Ryan Ong (10M). Ryan will receive $1500 each year for his final two years at school. Certificates recognising the award of both of these scholarships will be awarded to recipients on Presentation Night. For committed students with a social conscience in Year 9 going into Year 10 next year, don’t forget it might be you as the next recipient of this great scholarship in 2021. The Old Boys Bursary Program The Old Boys Bursary Program began in 2018 with the generous support of Annie & Bruce Corlett (SHS 1961). Along with Ron Schwartz (SHS-1961), Bruce set up the first group of four bursary recipients who were granted $2,500 each to support them in their involvement in school life. The rationale was that students whose families were struggling financially might have to limit the opportunities forms a close bond with each other, and it’s the available to their sons because of the cost of participation. camaraderie among the team; cheering from the side of A powerful driver of the program was a newspaper the pool, group huddles and the exuberant slaps on the interview of an Old Boy who remembered feeling different back that make it a unique and unforgettable part of my to others in his year because his family couldn’t afford to high school. In that moment when you are standing on the buy him a school blazer. blocks at the GPS Swimming finals, with the entire school cheering in the stands, the deafening roar of drums and Old Boys from graduating years 1952 to 1994 have rallied chants, that allow you to truly appreciate our High Spirit around to support this cause. In 2019, we were able to and what an honour it is to go to this school. fund 11 bursaries @ $2,500 each. For 2020, the program will have 22 bursary recipients, supported by donations What other sports do you play? from 38 Old Boys. Pledges to the program now total During the winter, I fence. Having never fenced prior $324,000. Our target is to raise $500,000 to assist joining the school, fencing was a new experience and I students in necessitous circumstances who have the really enjoyed it. Fencing is a very physically demanding academic ability to be a High student but cannot engage and tactical sport, like a physical chess, where you always fully in school life even though they would like to, due to have to be two steps ahead of your opponent. Through their personal circumstances. If you are an Old Boy small but firm fencing community, I have been able to (particularly from 1973,1993 or 1994) and would like to train and compete overseas and interstate, creating a help, please contact me at [email protected] and whole network of friends across the nation. I also train and I will put you in contact with the Old Boy from your year compete in High’s athletics program and my main event who has been the trailblazer in donating to this most is the 400 sprint. During this short season, I am constantly worthy and rewarding project. pushed to my limits and at times you wonder why you Dr K A Jaggar even chose this sport. But at the end of the GPS athletics Principal carnival, after pulling a new PB in front of packed stands, where weeks of training are finally paying off, you realise all your efforts and energy were worth it. In the summer, aside from swimming, I also play water polo. All the other sports I play are primarily individual sports and water polo Meet the 2020 Prefect Intern is a chance for me to play with a team to work and What is it like swimming at High? communicate with others. I joined water polo at the end Having been on the swim team since year seven, I’ve had of year nine after switching from rowing and found it an the opportunity to meet and compete alongside many enjoyable experience playing with your mates. great swimmers. Being a small squad, each swimmer How do you balance your academics with sports and This will be an informal, friendly and supportive other elements of school life? environment. We will provide both in-school and online Time management is crucial if you want to properly discussion spaces, so please get in contact even if you balance schooling, co-curriculars, a social life and a can’t be sure you can commit to in-person meetings. healthy sleep schedule. Timeboxing is a really good way to keep up with a busy life. The goal of timeboxing is to Interested? Your first step: register interest with Ms Pride define and limit the amount of time dedicated to each at: [email protected] activity. Time box leisure time as well as work time, to ensure you can fit everything into your schedule and get enough sleep. What is the best advice that you can give to students at High? Sydney Boys High has so many opportunities you’d be a fool to not try as much as you can. In year nine I was on the debating team, environment team, SRC as well as training for four sports. Getting involved at Sydney High is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and have a diverse range of lifelong skills. Knowing more people around the school will build a greater sense of community as well as being able to get advice from older kids. High school shouldn’t just be about studying and exams. Get involved, be a part of the school community, try something new.