From the Principal - Ms McNeil
I wouldn’t have thought it possible but Riverside has reached a new time record for the number of events in one week!
And, I have a confession…I am going to copy and paste much of the following content from emails I sent to staff this week as I have almost literally run out of words – and that is most definitely a record in itself!
Orientation Day 2022
Orientation Day was held on Tuesday 29 November and was a raging success! We welcomed 98 Year 6 students to experience their first day in high school. They were introduced to their Year 9 Peer Support leaders, delivered taster lessons from teachers across the curriculum, given a chance to enjoy morning tea and explore the grounds and some chose to participate in the music workshops to audition for our school music ensembles. It was a massive team effort, coordinated and led by the 2023 Year Advisor, Ms Campbell, supported by all who contributed in any big or small way - our office staff, teaching staff, our GAs, Meg Hudson, P&C President, and our student stars who, of course, stole the show.
It was an amazing effort all of the students clearly had a wonderful day and the parents appeared satisfied and relaxed. We look forward to welcoming our Year 7 2023 cohort for real next year!
Primary Links Program
I would like to give a shout out to the Primary Links team for their creative, collaborative wrap-up of the 5-week Primary Links program held in the Library on Wednesday afternoon. Ms Miller coordinated the program involving five of our primary schools, each sending 2-3 of their best, prospective students to participate in the teacher-led and delivered program. Thankyou to Ms Miller, Ms Gregory, Mr Allen, Mr Russo, Ms Haire, Ms Tao, Ms Macintyre, Ms Zufferey and Ms Dwivedi for their commitment and dedication to showcasing the best of what Riverside has to offer, supported by our amazing Year 8 students who were provided with an authentic opportunity to develop their leadership skills. They were outstanding ambassadors and representative of our school in the work that they did with their student group. They were glowing and visibly proud as they introduced their groups at the finale yesterday afternoon.
I would like to recognise the exceptional efforts of all staff in making these events possible and giving up their time to share their skills and dynamism with our current and prospective students. It is this tremendous Riverside spirit that makes it such a delight to work amongst these individuals every day.
Pitchfest!
Earlier this year I had the great pleasure to sit on a panel of judges to judge the Year 7 entrepreneurship activity, Pitchfest. Through this program, delivered by the TAS faculty, Year 7 students were given the opportunity to design and develop a product to address a specific need, as identified and researched by them. The finalists were chosen to present a very detailed brief of the design process, including design thinking and development, identifying potential target markets and developing a financial plan. It was real world learning in action and provided the students with many skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, communication and collaboration. All finalists were outstanding but, as always, there can only be one winner. The winning group had developed a hand lotion in a transportable disc - highly functional, environmentally friendly and affordable.
Every opportunity I have to share students learning and success is a special moment for me. I was, indeed, a very proud and happy principal as a result of this very authentic learning experience. Thankyou to Ms Tao for coordinating the program, in collaboration with Ms Mihailou, Ms Zufferey and their colleagues in the TAS faculty.
Classics by the Cove
And just as I thought the week couldn’t get any better, I was treated to the greatest extravaganza of interpretive plays produced by two single cohorts, that I think I have ever bore witness to. Year 7 and 8 outdid themselves in performing plays adapted from the classics such as As You Like It, The Secret Garden, Grimm’s fairytales, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night. Rehearsals have been taking place in the quadrangle for weeks and I have intentionally avoided the temptation to spend time watching them. It turns out this was a great decision as every performance was a delightful and unique surprise. Thankyou to every English teacher for their incredible contribution to this event – Ms Turco, Ms Young, Ms Reoch, Ms Jamons, Ms Trimble, Ms Philpott, Ms Purisima (and her two sons on the fog machine), Ms Campbell and Mr Young for his all-round contribution to sound, lighting, props and general amenability to offer any support that he can. Special mention again to all members of our P&C for their time and efforts in feeding the masses; with particular mention to Meg Hudson, the President, for bringing everything together with such positivity, ease and effervescence. You are all a delight to work with.
Have a wonderful, well deserved weekend!
Louise
Faculty News
English
The quad transformed last night to a scene worthy of royalty in the Elizabethan era. Students from Years 7 and 8 captivated the audience as they brought to life a variety texts studied throughout the year. We journeyed from Ancient Greece to Elizabethan England to the Victorian Era to the Bathhouses of Japan, as students showcased their talents on the stage in the quad. Each class performed with confidence and enthusiasm, and the whole evening ran very smoothly.
As a faculty, we have enjoyed working with the students and watching them work on these performances over the past weeks. They have engaged with their texts in a critical and creative manner, going beyond the words on the page. It has been great to see each class collaborate, have fun and build connections in their preparation of the performances.
Thank you to our students for the hard work and dedication they put into the development of their performances. Thank you to Meg Hudson and the P&C for their support and providing refreshments. Thank you to Mr Young for support with audio and filming. And lastly, a huge thank you to the English faculty. Classics by the Cove would not have been such a success without your dedication and passion.
Thank you from the P & C
A massive thank you from Meg and Carrie to everyone who helped with the catering last night for Classics by the Cove.
250 sausage sandwiches were made, all the fairy floss was sold and the gelato was still selling after the event! Parents went out of their way to be there and your precious time was very much appreciated.
A very special mention needs to go to our two absolutely fabulous money girls - Robyn and Arana - can’t thank you enough. The BBQ boys were great and those who stayed back to help clean up - meant I could get home before midnight, so brilliant work! Thanks to all the ladies who served, cleaned, carried, solved issues - mammoth task and you were all amazing, particularly those who were juggling ten other things/children as well!
Very happy to have your help anytime, have a fabulous weekend and then holidays very soon. Enjoy!
Meg Hudson
P & C President
LOTE
Coucou!
I wonder how Languages are continuing to be taught at Riverside Girls High School ??? Here we learnt about past events by playing board games or doing drilling exercises by hosting healthy competitions among the students!
And I wonder what the Year 10 French students are up to??? Here we can see them working hard on their Term 4 class project. What is it??? It will soon be revealed!
A BIG thank you or as the Italians say GRAZIE to the 8K Italian class, whose enthusiasm, leadership and teamwork have been astonishing! A group of Year 8 Italian students helped with the Primary Links students introducing them to the Italian language and culture.
It was however, a whole class activity where the whole class came together as one to imagine,create and perform their language Italian skills. The effort, communication, support and collaboration among the students were commendable!
Stay tuned for the Year 10 and Year 9 French class projects!
Ms P Gregory
HSIE
What an amazing week it has been for year 9 & 10 Commerce students involved in the Enterprise in the Community program! Students collaborated to solve real world business problems given to them by local business owners. They followed a structured process to analyse, research, prototype and present their recommended solutions to their partner businesses. All in all, a spectacular learning opportunity to develop in students’ necessary future focused entrepreneurial skills
Ms S Dwivedi
Maths
Maths Corner
Last week's newsletter answer: 50L of Yellow Paint and 10L of White paint
Ms M Frangos
Co-curricula News
Schools Spectacular 2022
Last week selected Riverside students participated in the incredible Schools Spectacular shows at Qudos Bank Arena. 3, 700 students participated in this year's event from all over NSW, some in dance, others in the choir and orchestra. The entire week was full of long rehearsals where the students demonstrated dedication, resilience and flexibility when working with other high school students and the choreographers from the Arts Unit. There were many changes to the choreography, spacing and direction so the students did well to adapt so quickly and professionally during those rehearsals. We endured almost 12 hour days during the Friday and Saturday shows, but was well worth it for those moments on stage where the students showed such powerful emotion and dedication to their performances. I am proud of our Riverside students for representing our school with such etiquette and poise.
We had a total of 12 students in the combined dance segment, with also a number of featured artists in the state dance ensemble, tap ensemble, a featured singer, as well as students in the choir and orchestra, bringing our total number of students participating in School Spec to 18 students. A big congratulations to each and every one of those students for their commitment and performances. It was wonderful seeing them shine in their individual talents during the shows.
The School Spectacular show will be broadcasted on television on Saturday 17th December at 7pm on Channel 7. Don't forget to tune in to see our wonderful students perform!
Ms Hendriks-Styles
Schools Spectacular cont
A huge congratulations to the amazing performers from Riverside in the recent 2022 Schools Spectacular Concert, held last Friday 25 and Saturday 26 of November at the Qudos Bank Arena.
Schools Spectacular celebrates the creative and performing talents of 3800 students across 175 Public Schools, and requires months of rehearsals in preparation for the show.
The students below are to be congratulated for their commitment to their outstanding performances:
- Imogen M - Featured Artist
- Ella D - Core Choir
- Freya N - NSW Public Schools State Singers, Arts Unit Mass Choir
- Jasmine K - Cello, Arts Unit Orchestra
- Hannah P - Violin, Arts Unit Orchestra
Ms C Wang
Last chance to order your copy of The Stream
Pictured are the student writers, designers and editors at The Stream at the end of week 7. They were very excited to check the final draft of the magazine. Final changes were were made before they sent it onto the printers!
Click the link below to order a free print copy. But get in quick because orders close tonight at 11:59pm.
https://forms.gle/7922JyHXYgX8pwieA
A digital copy will be sent out to students and community members at the end of week 9.