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South Sydney High School 2023 Term 1 Week 6

Principal's update

Open Night - don't miss out!

The secret is out! South Sydney High School continues to grow with a 50% increase in the number of students since 2019. On Tuesday 7th March 4pm-7pm we will showcase our great school for our annual Open Day.

We need a bigger library…….Homework Centre is booming

Last week, 60 students and this week 50 students, a fantastic turnout.

It has been great to see!

Some helpful hints to any new students and in particular our Year 7 students, have a plan of the homework and/or assessments you want to be working on. It is a time for you to be productive with your work and to seek help from the tutors and teachers who are there to assist you

Sports stars of the future

Congratulations to all competitors who took part in yesterday’s Swimming Carnival. I was impressed with the spirit, keenness and sporting prowess of all who took part.

Congratulations to all competitors who have qualified for the Zone Swimming Carnival, we wish you every success. Who knows, we may have future Olympians here at South Sydney High School.

A big thank you to Mr Wood for his excellent organisation and to staff in ensuring the carnival ran smoothly.

How good do our students look in uniform!

South Sydney High School is a uniform school and all students are expected to wear full school uniform at all times while at school, travelling to and from school and when in the community.

It is a great uniform!

What are our class of 2022 up to?

How many of you have seen our 'Where are They Now' featuring some of our HSC Class of 2022? At South Sydney High School we celebrate all the pathways our students take whether it be University, apprenticeship or full time employment.

Check it out on all our social media platforms.

I would encourage all students to read their comments, there may be some valuable tips for you.

Did you know?

If you are not early you are late.

95% attendance

Students are expected to have above a 95% school attendance rate, because days missed are years lost. That’s why making sure your child comes to school every single day (unless genuinely sick) is so important.

Holiday time

Please remember, holidays should only be booked during school breaks. Students should be at school every day during school term, right from the first day until the last.

Safe learning environment

We know that the last couple of years have been tough, and we will continue to prioritise student’s health and wellbeing by listening to health advice, providing support and maintaining a safe learning environment.

Staying safe online

The e-Safety Commissioner’s website holds a number of useful resources for parents who want to learn about the digital environment, how to keep children safe online and what to do if something goes wrong. These include:

  • an online screen smart parent tour for parents of children aged 10 to 14 which provides parents with tips and practical steps so they can help their child explore safely and manage online issues should they arise; and
  • help with cyberbullying, including how to collect evidence of cyber bullying, complain to a social media service, and if that service does not act, how to complain to the e-Safety Commissioner.

Check out the resources for parents and more on the e-Safety Commissioner’s website.

A final thought

As you continue on your learning journey, be prepared to take on new challenges and opportunities that come your way and as you do, reflect on the words below:

‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.’ A.A. Milne

In this issue

  • Year 12 mentor breakfast
  • Cut Through Coaching senior workshops
  • Student Ambassador leadership training
  • High Potential & Gifted Education
  • Butterfly Foundation & student presentations
  • Student Recognition
  • School Vaccination Program update
  • Careers hub
  • Library news
  • Visual Arts excursion
  • Swimming Carnival
  • School photos

Year 12 mentor breakfast

An early alarm for our Year 12 students was rewarded with a fresh breakfast. A delicious spread of seasonal fruit, pastries, yoghurt, juice and much needed coffee. Our Year 12 students were joined by staff mentors who they have selected to help guide them through their HSC year.

A big thank you to our amazing SASS team who helped make the morning possible.

Ms Rivett, Year 12 Advisor

Cut Through Coaching senior workshops

In Week 5 our Year 11 and 12 students participated in their first workshop run by Cut Through Coaching. Our executive and staff have worked with Cut Through Coaching in their own professional development during 2021 and 2022, and we are excited to have them working with our senior students this year.

The first workshop allowed students to “Connect and Reflect”. Tom and Nick ran a series of activities, taking our seniors out of their comfort zone to interact with peers they don’t usually interact with and explore common interests and learn new things about each other. They were also given uninterrupted space to reflect with three guiding questions:

  1. What does connecting look like to you?
  2. How often do you reflect?
  3. What does that look like for you?

Whilst these may appear to be easy questions, they were challenged to take 5 minutes to answer them. How would you answer them? How often do you take time out of your busy life to deliberately stop and make time to connect with others and, more importantly, reflect.

Here is what some of our students had to say:

“It was different to other workshops we’ve done. We got to connect with other students” - Jasmin

“We were able to have interesting conversations in a small group setting.” - Lucy

“I learnt something new about peers you wouldn’t guess…. I’ve never taken the opportunity to reflect. I’m now more aware of the importance of reflecting and being mindful.” - Cal

“Something everyone could relate to.” - Drew

Mr Yasaman, Year 11 Advisor, and Ms Rivett, Year 12 Advisor

Student Recognition

At South Sydney High School we are always exited to share and celebrate student achievement. Teachers have many ways in which they acknowledge student quality work, academic achievement, behaviour, attitude, leadership, social responsibility - to name a few.

Earning a ‘purple slip’ is one such acknowledgement. Purple quality behaviour slips are given out during class and then dropped off at the Deputy’s office to be included in a weekly draw.

Three slips are drawn out each week and the lucky students receive a $20 voucher (first slip drawn) or a sweet treat.

Lucky winners pictured for Week 6 are Stacey, Jack and Jonathan alongside Mr Benischke. You may have met Mr Benischke who is our Head Teacher Wellbeing. Mr Benischke oversees our Student Recognition processes along with our wonderful Wellbeing Team.

Coming up…

Look out for a slew of certificates at our Achievement Assemblies next week.

High Potential & Gifted Education

Scripting the Show

Our second scripting the show workshop with playwright Donna Abela took place last Friday 24th February. It offered our eager scriptwriters a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into the characters and scenarios that will eventually become our 2024 school production, ‘Beach’. The scriptwriters met again this morning before school for ‘scriptwriting club’ in the Drama Room. Our next workshop with Donna will be on 10th March. The scriptwriting group will be invited to attend Senior SSCIM Camp in Term 2 where we will complete the monologues and scenes that they are working on. It is hoped to include as many of these as possible in our school production in early 2024.

SSCIM Club and Senior SSCIM Camp

Ms de Paor and Ms Gore are still taking names of those interested in attending Senior SSCIM Camp on Cockatoo Island in Term 4, 1st -3rd May. So far a film group is forming to make a short film on the island and our scriptwriting group should be busy too. Anyone interested in completing a self-directed project on Cockatoo Island should attend SSCIM Club on a Friday in the Drama Room at lunchtime. SSCIM Club is also a good space to come if you would like to meet new friends or play a game of chess.

South Sydney Chess Team take on an Inter School Challenge

We are forming the South Sydney Chess team who will be taking on an Interschool Chess Challenge in the last week of term. So far we have a team of eight keen chess players who will be representing our school at the Sydney Academy of Chess competition in Burwood on 3rd April.

Public Speaking Club

The topic that we settled on for our next Club, meeting on the morning of Thursday 9th March, is ‘Together we are Stronger’. Thursday mornings from 8.15am in the Drama Room continue to be a wonderful place for keen public speakers to come together and refine their skills.

Student Ambassador leadership training

On the 17th February the Year 10 Student Ambassador team participated in instructive leadership training where we learnt the essential qualities of good leadership and heard from our own leaders Ms Stell, Ms Khouri and Ms Neilsen.

We discussed our new focus for the year which was maintaining a Growth Mindset; changing our attitudes to embrace challenges and feedback and being aware that our abilities are not necessarily innate but can be improved through effort and persistence. During the training we learnt what a good leader looks like and considered how we could achieve and demonstrate these qualities. Some of these traits included lifting up and empowering others, investing in your peers, being a safe and approachable person, treating everyone equally and consistently and providing the right amount of space and motivation.

We learnt that an integral part of leadership is being enthusiastic and genuine about your endeavours as well as patient and resilient. It was an exceptional day!

Penelope, Year 10 - Student Ambassador of the South Sydney High School Opportunity Program

Butterfly Foundation

Student presentations

Last week we invited the Butterfly Foundation to present to every student in the school.

Years 7 and 8 explored the role social media plays on body confidence and self-esteem, while Years 9 and 10 looked at what a healthy relationship with their bodies, eating and exercise feels like and explored the various influences on our understanding of health and fitness, including the diet industry and harms associated with fad diets.

Years 11 and 12 discussed the many myths that exist about eating disorders, which both confuse the issue and act as a barrier to accessing help and support.

The Butterfly National Helpline offers free and confidential support for anyone concerned about eating disorders or body image issues. Their specialist counsellors offer non-judgmental support over the phone, by email and by online chat including:

  • Information about eating disorders and body image
  • Information and resources about treatment, care and support
  • Referrals to health practitioners who understand eating disorders
  • Counselling

Phone: 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673)

email: support@butterfly.org.au

Online chat: https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/chat-online/

School Vaccination Program update

Keeping your child up to date with routine vaccinations helps to protect them from serious preventable diseases. As part of the NSW School Vaccination Program, students in Year 7 are offered free vaccines to protect them from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV). In Year 10, students are offered the free meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

Your consent is required for your child to receive routine vaccinations at school. If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide this consent online.

This year’s school vaccination clinics will be held on 9th March (Year 7) and 28th July (Year 10). You can provide consent for your child’s vaccinations via ServiceNSW.

From February 2023, only one dose of HPV vaccination is required to be fully vaccinated. This change has been endorsed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) based on the latest evidence showing that one dose provides the same level of protection against HPV as two doses.

If you have already consented to your child receiving two doses of HPV vaccine, they will only receive one dose.

If your child is in Year 8 or above and previously missed their second dose of HPV vaccine, they are now considered fully vaccinated and do not require a second dose.

A small number of students who are immunocompromised are still recommended to receive a three-dose course of HPV vaccine. If your child is immunocompromised, it is important to discuss their immunisation needs with their GP.

If your child misses a school vaccination clinic, the school immunisation nurses will try to catch them up at their next visit. Alternately, you can speak to a GP or pharmacist about catching up on vaccination.

For more information on school vaccination visit: health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination or if you have any questions, please contact South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit on 9382 8333 (Ext 2).

Careers hub

Where are they now – Year 12 2023

NSW Training Awards 2023

I am very excited to announce that Cormac Harris has been nominated for the 2023 NSW School-based Apprentice/ Trainee of the Year.

The NSW School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award is presented to a student who is undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification as a part-time School-based Apprentice or Trainee. The Award recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school and in the workplace.

As part of the nomination process, the school has written a reference to support Cormac’s achievements. He is a truly a great ambassador and role model for the South Sydney HS community.

Cormac is currently undertaking his SBAT at Reece Plumbing Waverley. This is an amazing achievement and I wish Cormac all the best.

Year 12 2023

UAC Applications open 5 April

It is a good idea to follow UAC via Facebook or Instagram.

Please keep a look out for posts via Careers Google Classroom for Early Offers and other important information.

UAC TALKS - Year 10, 11 and 12

I have organised a two school UAC (University Admission Centre) presentations at school.

The first presentation will be for parents/caregivers and students in Year 11 and Year 12 and the presentation will concentrate on the ATAR and applying to Uni. This presentation will be on Monday 8th May in the school hall from 6-7pm.

The second presentation will be for parents/caregivers and students in Year 10. The presentation will concentrate on the transition from Year 10 into Year 11/12. It will complement the upcoming subject selections. This presentation will be on Tuesday 16th May in the school hall from 6-7pm.

UAC Information

Are you supporting a student in Year 10, 11 or 12? It's never too early to start thinking about HSC subject selection and Uni entry.

UAC have plenty of resources to share with you on a range of topics, from selecting HSC subjects in Year 10 and deciding whether to drop a course in Year 11, to ATARs, accepting an offer to a tertiary course and more.

Google Classroom - Careers

Google Classroom - Careers is my main method of communication with everything related to Careers. It is very important for all students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to be in the classroom.

Thank you to those students who have already joined.

If you have not joined the codes are:

Year 10 2023: o46wli2

Year 11 2023 – hy6bgaa

Year 12 2023- nkkbpwj

Ms Mattock, Careers Adviser

Library news

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge for Years 7 to 9 started this week. The Challenge is aimed at encouraging students to develop and continue a lifelong love of reading for leisure and pleasure. The PRC organisers provide extensive booklists of quality literature from a range of genres or you can search/browse the PRC Student Site. The completion date for the Challenge is 18th August 2023. This is midway in term 3, so there is plenty of time to get reading.

Some tips for the challenge:

  • To complete the challenge, you must read a total of twenty books. A minimum of ten books must be from the PRC booklist
  • Look out for the yellow PRC stickers on books
  • Talk to your friends about what they are reading
  • Ask your Teacher Librarian for a recommendation
  • Utilise your PRC reading lessons appropriately to catch up on silent reading
  • Don’t forget to update your student reading record online
  • Investigate the non-fiction PRC selections
  • Novels read in class can be counted in the challenge
  • Students have until 18th August 2023 to complete the challenge
  • Keep Reading!

Chess Tournament

The first Library lunchtime round robin chess tournament will start in week 7 on Monday 6th March. There was enormous interest with a total of 54 competitors! All players have been placed in a pool and will play five rounds. The winner of each pool will go through to the next knockout rounds along with the next seven highest scores. Students, please check which pool you are in and listen for announcements of when your pool is playing. All of the organisational details can be found in the Library.

Recent Fiction Highlights

Please click on the link to take you to the Library catalogue and find out further information about the titles below.

Fritz and Kurt written by Jeremy Dronfield and illustrated by David Ziggy Greene

The incredible true story of The Boy Who Followed his Father in to Auschwitz, written for younger readers. The Kleinmann family were Jewish people living in Vienna, Austria. In 1938, Fritz and his father are arrested and sent to Buchenwald. They were sent to various concentration camps including Auschwitz. In 1941, eleven year old Kurt is shipped off to America alone, after many negotiations on both sides of the Atlantic to help move children out of harms’ way. Some chapters follow his story of resettling in America.

This novel is best suited to readers aged 14 and above with themes of the horror of war, anti-semitism, cruelty and death, the importance of family and the desire to overcome horrific circumstances and still have the ability to hope for a better future.

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford

A terrific novel filled with adventure, mystery, magic and romance that encourages readers to not always believe what they are being told, and to find their own truth.

Wait For Me by Sara Shepard

From the bestselling author, Sara Shepard (author of Pretty Little Liars), this is a thrilling past-lives mystery story about true love, who you really are, the impact of trauma, the importance of memories, and the consequences of one night that can weave across time and generations. A great read for those who enjoy a romantic thriller and best suited to thise in middle to upper secondary.

Tumbleglass by Kate Constable

A beautiful and intriguing time-slip novel about a very special house. With a cast of wonderful eclectic characters, this is a magical story about the true meaning of family and neighbourhood, love, loss and the links that can reach through time.

The Lorikeet Tree by Paul Jennings

A moving story of family, loss and love from Australia’s best selling author, Paul Jennings. Tackling themes of sustainability and native wildlife, the problems caused by introduced species, as well as grief and loss, the importance of family, and especially the love and comfort that they can provide us in tough times, this a thought-provoking read.

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

A prequel to smash hit They Both Die at the End. It's the night before Death-Cast goes live, and there's one question on everyone's mind: Can Death-Cast actually predict when someone will die, or is it just an elaborate hoax?

Ms Maddocks, Teacher Librarian

Swimming Carnival

Botany Pool yesterday played host to the annual South Sydney High School Swimming Carnival. Pens, pencils, laptops, calculators, Bunsen burners, test tubes, saws and chisels were all put aside for the day and replaced by some fun and competition in the sun!

A combination of competitive and novelty events gave swimmers of all abilities the opportunity to get involved and have a swim on the day. As the photos show, the day was a great success, and all involved enjoyed the day. There were many highlights throughout the day, but the standout had to be the Two Teacher Relay Teams performances as they left the Year 12 Teams in their wake during the Teachers vs Students Relay.

For those competitive swimmers, qualifiers for Zone Swimming have been notified by their student email and via School Bytes.

School photos

Community news & events

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Bidjigal people, the traditional owners and custodians of the land we work on. We also pay respect to Aboriginal elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people.

Contact us:

Telephone | 9349 3868

Email | sthsydney-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

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