Newsletter Week 9, Term 4

Message from the SRC

Last week a joint effort with the class of 2028 year advisors- Miss Bowd and Mrs Flack, various teachers, peer support students and the SRC, we introduced next year's- year 7’s. Through this orientation to "high school life", students gained an insight into the expectations and a general understanding of the school and how it runs. It was an exciting experience for all members of the college community.

This week, the SRC has been preparing for the school's first talent show 'RBGT' and various events coming up next year. We also got to meet Henry Teofilo- our school's Case Worker, who has worked in programs to assist students within our school. It was very intriguing to hear the basis of the program and how he has worked with the students to shape a positive outlook towards our school. At Rose Bay Secondary College we value students learning, opportunities and achievements. Thus, through PB4L and the respectful and responsible environment within Rose Bay Secondary College, our school ensures positive behaviour towards education is maintained within our school.

Year 9 Commerce Stalls

This term, Year 9 Commerce students have been completing the topic, 'Running a Business'.  Their Term 4 Assessment Task involved creating a Business Plan for a new product idea. On Thursday, 8 December our Commerce students had the opportunity to sell their products to our school community. All students were professional, engaged and enthusiastic throughout the entire selling process and are commended for their continued efforts this term.

V-Fest

Last Monday night (5 December) about 200 enthusiastic filmmakers and their friends and family were lucky enough to experience what can only be described as one of the best V-Fest's EVER! From quirky drama to brilliant animation, to sophisticated suspense, everything was on offer. The judges were extremely impressed with the high calibre of filmmaking, and the vote by the audience was absolutely overwhelming for the People's Choice. The link to YouTube is now live and permanent, so please have a look at the amazing films created by these very talented young filmmakers.

Here are the Winners and Placegetters from the night:

Junior Section 

1st Place: THE FEENING (Quinn B, Marcus S, and Otto C – Newtown Performing Arts High School) 

2nd Place: VOID (Thomas H, Jeffrey L, and Ryan L – Sydney Boys High School) 

3rd Place: DIMITRI Vs LIFE (Dimitri T - Sydney Boys High School) 

Senior Section 

1st Place: STALEMATE (Tim S – Rose Bay Secondary College) 

2nd Place: OLIVERS TROUBLES (Zach V - Rose Bay Secondary College) 

3rd Place: WHAT DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND (Lachlan G – Wyndham College) 

Highly Commended: WE’RE DREAMING (Tim S and Alec T- Rose Bay Secondary College) 

People’s Choice Award 

 BREAD BOY (Avier A and Ben L - Rose Bay Secondary College) 

Year 8 Surf Week

After a year of restrictions and rescheduling in 2021, the Year 8 Cohort were fortunately able to undertake a belated Surf Week to end the term and year on a high note. As part of the week’s roster of activities, students waded through waves at Bondi Beach, raced in relays at Cook and Phillip Pool, kayaked across glassy waters at Rose Bay, and soaked up the sun at Bondi Icebergs. Along the way, each group learned a variety of skills to help them feel more comfortable and confident in the water. As a cohort, we’d like to thank Mr Flack, Mr McNaught, and the entire PDHPE faculty and other participating staff members for making this week possible. We very easily could have missed out on this great Year 7 tradition, but have benefited immensely from the efforts made to get us out on the water.  

Magnet Program Showcase 2022

The Magnet Program for 2022 concluded on Wednesday when participating Year 5 students from our local feeder schools showcased their work to their parents and families at the Magnet Program Showcase. Participants in the Program undertook a range of challenging and engaging activities at RBSC over the last seven weeks. These students used teamwork and initiative to meet the challenges presented, whilst developing strong connections with each other and the school. This program is another example of the wide range of amazing learning opportunities available to high potential and gifted students at RBSC. A huge thank you to our Magnet Program facilitator, Elaine Sander, and to Ms Wood for their tireless efforts in organising and running the program. Mr Weavers (HPGE Team Leader) 

End of Year Assemblies

In Week 8 and 9, Rose Bay Secondary College celebrated the achievements of our students in our End of Year Assemblies.  Within these assemblies led by our Year Advisers, silver and gold awards were announced, students performed musical pieces and our student representatives spoke about the College's accomplishments for 2022.

MEP and Rock Band Concerts

The corridors of Rose Bay Secondary College were alive with the sound of music this week with end of year concerts for our Music ensemble program.

Tuesday saw a varied and vibrant program of challenging music with our percussion ensemble and string ensemble presenting layered modern works. The vocal ensemble travelled through time from Dona Nobis Pacem to featuring a student written vocal work. Our concert band and stage band performed movements from the Bond Pavilion Suite, the work commissioned with Waverly Council grant. Both ensembles presented a professional level performance of a very challenging work.

Two night later 12 rock bands wowed the audience with 24 rock songs. Six of these were original songs all performed with great energy and commitment. Bands represented every year at the College and audience members commented on the professional showcase of the performances. The college would like to acknowledge the work of Murray and the MEP tutors and Ms Kelly Vine and Scott Wright or the unstinting work and support of the program. A big shout out to the Year 11 tech crew who ran a smooth backstage and sound and lighting process. As always our MEP aprent committee and volunteers gave a great energy to support this valuable addition to our college life.

Alumni Story

We are pleased to hear that Alumni Annika Mikler has been awarded a New Colombo Plan Fellowship to study French language and undertake internships while living in French Polynesia (in Papeete, Tahiti) for a year and a half. She is hoping to secure internships working to re-establish coral reefs with an NGO and spend some time working with a government department that manages fisheries. 

Thank you Ms Lockton who was a reference for Annika. 

Uniform Shop

External Basketball News

The City Sydney of Basketball Association featured an U14s Division 1 semi-final game last Saturday between the 4th seed Rose Bay SC Raptors and the 1st seed Inner City Scorchers. The Year 7 Raptors worked with their coach on creating a blueprint to beat the high-pressure defence that the Scorchers utilised and defend the basket as a team to negate the Scorchers best players from scoring any easy baskets. The extreme focus of the Raptors was noticeable and they diligently followed what had been practised during training from the start to the end of the game. In a shocking upset, Rose Bay defeated the top team in the league 45-35. They will be moving on to play the KHY Apollos in the grand finals on the 10th of December at 2:55pm at Comets Stadium in Alexandria. Come and cheer them on!

Library News and Reviews

I know there will be many students and staff who are counting the sleeps till holidays. Just in case you are not there are 7 more sleeps to go … and here’s hoping the sun will shine and shine for the next 8 weeks!

Today I wanted to share that the State Library has a wonderful free exhibition that began on the 9 July 2022 and continues till 9 July 2023.  Called Imagine.. the wonder of picture books, it is “a celebration of the powerful and changing world of picture books through rarely seen original illustrations, rich audio -visual content and has hands-on activities.” Imagine exhibition curator Sarah Morley says, “The most significant recent changes in picture books have been around content and diversity. Now more than ever today’s Australian authors and illustrators use picture books to connect young readers with important issues, such as caring for the environment, mental health, the treatment of refugees and racism, in a gentle and accessible way.”

So why would I write about children’s picture books in a high school news letter? Well, it is because we have a selection of fantastic picture books in our Library and after reading a few of the books carefully selected by the assistants in the Library for me, I felt compelled to share. The messages are simple yet powerful, important to integrate, delivered in an easy to understand way and there are some with incredible artwork and visuals that delight the eye. Below is a snapshot of the books I read. There are heaps more!

Mrs Hoare, our assistant Librarian is well versed with the collection and is on hand to assist with all selections.

Reminder:  RBSC Library has subscribed to Wheelers, an online site giving staff and students access to thousands of new e-books and audio books which can be listened to through the app. I am including the link for ease of use.   

Homework Club is still open next week on Monday and Wednesday from 3.30 – 5.00 pm. Assistance is given to all students with research, homework, assignments, and any studying issues they may have. No bookings are required.