HIGH SOUTH SYDNEY SCHOOL Care | Opportunity | Success Newsletter | Term 2 Week 4 | 24 May 2019 Principal’s Report Congratulations to: South Sydney High School Boys AFL Team’s 79-16 victory over Tempe High School. Onward and upward for the boys. It has been another busy fortnight at South Sydney High School, students are very fortunate to have so many opportunities offered to them both inside and outside the classroom. I encourage students to participate in a range of activities including sport, academic, creative and performing arts. There is much research about the benefits of students participating in a range of activities and the benefits that has on their mental and physical health. As the weather changes ever so slightly a reminder that South Sydney High School is a uniform school, students should be in correct school uniform, including shoes every day. A reminder that hoodies and tracksuit pants are not part of the school uniform. It is also important that students attend school every day and be physically and mentally prepared to work. Students should have all the necessary equipment for each of their subjects including class books, pens, ruler and calculators. Year 12 Parent Teacher Night Thank you to the parents and students who attended the Year 11 and 12 Parent Teacher night on Tuesday 14th May. It was great to see so many parents and students attend this night and receive important feedback. Senior Tutorial Centre The Senior Tutorial Centre for Year 12 students is available every Wednesday afternoon from 1.30 pm – 3.15 pm in the Student Services Centre. Teachers are available to assist with course work, study preparation and past papers. Students do not have to attend each week, but remember it is an ideal opportunity to have a quiet place to work and utilise the support available. NAPLAN Teachers were very impressed with the attitude and behaviour of our Year 7 and Year 9 students who sat for their NAPLAN exams last week. As you would be aware, the merits and issues with on-line testing of NAPLAN has been extensively discussed in the media but it was pleasing to see students demonstrate appropriate exam protocols. Clubs There are a number of opportunities which are available all the time at South Sydney High School. The following table on the next page is a handy guide to the latest offerings. Please encourage your child to make the most of the opportunities on offer! Kind Regards Janice Neilsen Vietnam & Cambodia Trip Read about the adventures of a group of Year 10 students and two teachers who had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia for 2 weeks over the term 1 break. First stop was Vietnam. When we arrived it was stinking hot and very, very busy with cars and motorcycles all around the streets. In the first few days we explored the history of Hanoi, experiencing the busy street markets and important sights such as Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and a range of different temples. One of the highlights in Vietnam was the delicious street food that we tried, especially the local delicacy of Bún chả a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodle. Next was the World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, thousands of limestone islands in an idyllic bay. We had a fantastic time here canoeing, swimming and even trying our hand at traditional fishing. This was a once in a lifetime experience accompanied with amazing scenery and Tai Chi on the top deck to start the day. Another highlight of Vietnam was Hoi An. This city was filled with colourful lanterns and amazing architecture and we even got to try Bánh mì, a baguette which is filled with various savoury ingredients as a sandwich. Next was Cambodia. As we arrived, we immediately felt the heat - it was even hotter than Vietnam, which we didn’t think was possible! We had a city tour of Phnom Penh by cyclo which was wonderful, and experienced the wonders of the Silver Pagoda in the Royal Palace. We visited the national Genocide museum at S21 and the killing fields. This was a gruelling and sobering experience for everyone, but necessary to understand the history of Cambodia. The best place was one of the 7 Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap; these temples in the jungle were just amazing due to their ancient architecture and amazing history. Vietnam and Cambodia were both filled with great scenery and brilliant food, and we learnt a lot about the rich history of these two incredible countries. Opportunities at South Sydney High School Group Year Group/s Meeting time/Where Teacher Contact Beacon Ambassadors Year 10 students C16 Ms Stell Monday lunchtime Book Club Year 7-10 students Library Ms Maddocks From Term 2 Breakfast Club All students are welcome Common Room Mr Benischke Tuesday mornings at 8.10 am – 8.40 am Chess Team Year 7-11 students F18 Ms de Paor Thursday lunchtime Christian Club All students are welcome C17 Ms Stell Monday lunchtime Code Club Year 7-10 students Library Mr Chadwick Monday from 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm Dance Club All students are welcome A1 Ms Mifsud Thursday afternoon 3.15pm - 4.15pm Debating Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 B5 Mr Flewellen students Monday lunchtime Ms Khouri Drama Ensemble Year 8 students F18 Ms de Paor Thursday lunchtime and special workshop days Duke of Edinburgh Year 9, Year 10 and Year See contact teacher for further details. Ms Mifsud 11 students History Club All students C2 Mr Davidson are welcome Friday lunchtime Homework Club All students welcome Student Services Centre Mr Benischke Tuesday from 2.45 pm – 3:45 pm JEMs All students welcome Common Room Mr Wiseman (Jewish Education Matters) Every 2nd Monday lunchtime Library - extended hours All students Thursday 7.30 am - 4.30 pm Ms Maddocks are welcome Meditation All students C18 Ms Lopez are welcome Monday lunchtime Prefect Team Elected positions B4 Ms Maynard Monday lunchtime Public Speaking Year 7-11 students F18 Ms de Paor Thursday lunchtime School Band Year 7-12 students A13 Ms Sainty Tuesday 8.00 am – 8.45 am Senior Tutorial Centre Senior Students Student Services Ms Graham Wednesday from 2.45 pm – 3:45 pm SRC – Student Representative All students B4 Ms Maynard Council are welcome Tuesday lunchtime SSCIM – South Sydney Club All students F18 Ms de Paor for Intelligent Minds are welcome Wednesday lunchtime Mr Wagg Mr Armanios Tournament of Minds Year 7-10 students Tba Ms Tilby Vocal Group Year 7-11 students A12 Ms Gregov Wednesday 8:15am Volunteers Year 9 and Year 10 stu- C16 Ms Stell dents Thursday lunchtime Career One on One Day at Austcorp Executive On May 16th, 5 Year 11 students attended a career focus morning at Austcorp Executive HR recruitment Company at their Sydney office to connect with HR specialists, to be mentored and to shine a light on the extraordinary opportunities that are possible for their lives. This experience surpassed all our expectations! The students came away with “Game Changing” aspirations to build, rebuild and shape their newfound career paths. With a promise to continue to mentor these students in November this year and beyond Year 12. With enormous appreciation to our Business Partners at United Way for connecting our students to this opportunity. United Way and South Sydney High partners to bring excellent experiences and opportunities to our students. Helen Stell, Opportunity Coordinator Dress for Work Boys to Men! What a privilege it was for Ms Lopez to take our Year 10 boys to Metro Assist for their Dress for Work Program. What a fantastic community organisation. Our students will be forever grateful. Opportunity Team Sports News Congratulations to Matilda of Year 10 who was selected for the Sydney East Netball team. Matilda competed in the NSWCHS netball tournament, with her team placing 7th out of 11 teams. Duke of Edinburgh Award Training Hike Congratulations to the 21 students who successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh Award Training Hike in Week 4. 2 Bronze groups completed an overnight hike and 2 Silver groups completed a 3 day/2night hike for their first Adventurous Journey of the Award this year. The students hiked the Waterfall-Heathcote loop track carrying all their camping equipment and food in their backpacks. The Silver group completed their 3rd day hiking from Waterfall to Helensburgh with a side trip to the top of Mt Westmacott. The students learnt navigation skills, worked as a part of a team and showed determination and grit to hike up to 6 hours each day carrying heavy backpacks. Thanks to Ms Maynard, Ms Mifsud and Mr Yasaman for their guidance and organisation. Reelise 2019, Congratulations to William and Ryan William from Year 10 and Ryan of Year 7 were proud VIP stars at the Annual Reelise Film Festival, held at Bondi Junction’s VMax Event Cinema on Saturday 18th June. Their families enjoyed celebrating with these students as they attended the premiere of the Virtual Reality film they starred in at South Sydney High School during the school holidays. We look forward to continued South Sydney High School participation in this annual film festival. Aine de Paor, Gifted Co-ordinator Gifted, Talented & Enrichment, Term 2 Senior SSCIM Camp, Cockatoo Island: 8th, 9th and 10th May 2019 Projects completed by our seniors on SSCIM Camp, Cockatoo Island this year included: Inventing a new game of strategy and skill based on traditional chess but with the rules and many of the key pieces replaced (William & Dylan). A portfolio of photographs recording the history of Cockatoo Island’s industrial past (Zoltan).