Newsletter Week 5, Term 2

From the Senior Executive

Enriching our experiences

It has been exciting to see the return of a number of co curricular activities that add to our student experiences and personal growth. This week has seen Premiers Debating Challenges, our wonderful Michael Koutsoukis Public Speaking Competition for Year 7, Cross Country and Table Tennis Competitions and staff versus students comps at lunch.

Attendance

As we go into winter it is important that if your child is symptomatic that they stay home to recover before returning to school. However we are noticing a rise in student partial day sign outs and late arrival.

Consistent attendance is a crucial part of success and engagement in learning. There is legislation governing school attendance. The following is an excerpt from this.

Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 12 must ensure their children attend school every day. On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease
• having an unavoidable medical appointment
• being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• exceptional or urgent family circumstances e.g. attending a funeral.

Parents must provide an explanation for absences to the school within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence. Where an explanation has not been received within the 7-day timeframe, the school will record the absence as unjustified on the student's record.

If you child has a medical appointment or needs to leave school urgently, email the school before 9 am on the day of the appointment with the information for this early release. This allows the office to record the absence and call your child out at the specified time. If your child is unwell at school our first aid officer assess the student and then will call home.

From Our Student Leaders

Public Speaking

On the morning of Wednesday 25^th May, eleven students from Year 7 competed in the annual Michael Koutsoukis Memorial Public Speaking Competition. The speeches were self-devised for an in-class assessment and reflected their nominations for the hypothetical Local Hero Award 2022. 

Michael Koutsoukis was a teacher at Rose Bay Secondary College at its founding in 2006 and his passion for education and English touched the lives of countless students and teachers in his time. Sadly, Michael passed away in 2012 and we hold this event in his memory. We were lucky enough to have his son John in attendance who opened proceedings with a speech about his father's fondness for the school and enthusiasm for public speaking. 

To a judging panel consisting of Deputy Principal Cathy Archer, English Teacher Bella White, and two of our college Arts Captains, Chaii Ki and Alejandro, the Year 7 students delivered impassioned speeches about figures in their lives who've made a difference to them and their communities. Subjects ranged from mothers and fathers to Nippers and netball coaches, and even Elizabeth Blackburn. 

Mika was victorious with a speech about his Jewish grandfather, whose heroic actions during World War II allowed families to trace their lineage through preserved medical records. He spoke confidently and honestly, and without the aid of palm cards which helped push him over the line in a very close competition. 

Phoebe earned second place with a moving and uplifting piece about a family friend named Claire who "lives life a little differently" and inspires Phoebe to help others as well as pursue her dreams. 

Honorable mentions were to Alex, Frida and Jocelyn.  Congratulations to all participants! 

White card certification

19 students from Years 9-12 undertook the 7 hour construction safety training to achieve their ‘white card’. 

Eastside Debating - Year 7 & 8 semi-final success

The College is thrilled to announce that both Year 7 and Year 8 have progressed to the Grand Final of the Eastside competition! Their victories reflect the ongoing success of our teams and individual debaters who have participated in this competitive debating series this year. The work of our coaches, Ariella and Luca who have nurtured and challenged the debaters to continuously improve, is also acknowledged and celebrated.

In the semi-final, Year 7 debated against Sydney Boys' High School, on the affirmative side, arguing "That we should allow political parties to make binding electoral promises that, once broken, will immediately trigger re-election". Year 8 were also affirmative and argued "That the development of modified short-form versions of sports has been good for those sports". Both teams are the highest ranking team going into the grand final.

The Grand Final debates will take place tonight at SCEGGS Darlinghurst. Year 7 will debate against Sydney Girls High School and Year 8 will verse Sydney Grammar School. We wish the following students the very best of luck!

Premier’s Debating Challenge

The Premier’s Debating Challenge series is underway. The Stage 5 and 6 teams have participated in debates and enjoying success. Stage 4 teams will participate in their first debate early next month.

Results:

New grass area

Last week new synthetic grass was installed in the undercover plaza seating area. Students can now enjoy this space year-round.

RBSC P&C School Building Fund End of Financial Year Appeal

What does the Building Fund do?

The Building Fund aims to help improve RBSC facilities by funding permanent fixtures, fittings and building works that go above and beyond the priority items funded by the Department of Education.

The Building Fund recently contributed to a significant school infrastructure project. The permanent shade fixture currently being installed over the basketball courts on the top oval will provide an additional all-weather outdoor sports facility, as well as additional shade for students.

How to donate?

Please visit the RBSC P&C website to donate to the Building Fund. Donations are tax deductible.

With your tax deductible donation, the RBSC P&C Building fund will be in a strong position to assist with future building/infrastructure projects that will benefit students and the community.

The Rose Bay Secondary College Parents & Citizens’ Association School Building Fund has been endorsed as a tax-deductible gift recipient by the Australian Taxation Office. Donations to the fund may be deductible. For further information please read Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) information before making a gift.

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