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28 May	Homework Centre 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Recurring event

4 Jun	Homework Centre 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Recurring event

11 Jun	Homework Centre 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Recurring event

18 Jun	Homework Centre 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Recurring event

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Newsletter Term 3 Week 4

Positive Partnerships for Learning

The positive partnership between families and Rose Bay Secondary College underpins the high expectations and inclusive culture expected by our school community. We look forward to working together to provide the best possible outcomes for all students. In the same way as we treat nurses, doctors, front line workers, retail staff with dignity and respect, teachers and support staff also deserve the same behaviour. The Department of Education expects that all parents follow the guidelines and all communication is presented in a positive and constructive manner. The Department has a legal obligation to ensure our school is a safe place for both staff and students. This includes taking measures to ensure that the communication our staff receive is respectful and does not negatively impact on their wellbeing. We expect that communication at all times is:

Polite and respectful. 
Focusing on relevant facts and possible solutions. 
Providing our staff with the information that is needed to resolve the issue or current concern.

Thank you for following these simple guidelines to ensure a positive partnership between families and school.

From the Senior Executive

High Expectations at Rose Bay Secondary College

As we enter third term which has a high focus on examinations and personal bests in the senior years
I would encourage all our students to consider how we live this each day.
At Rose Bay Secondary College this is by:
Wearing the uniform
Being ready to learn every day with the correct equipment.
Showing respect and supporting ou teachers so everyone has the opportunity to learn at the highest
level.
Supporting our class peers so we can all succeed.

I shared this quote from the Matilda’s Coach, Tony Gustavsson today with staff and it embodies what
we work towards at the College.

"I don't like the word 'impossible'. I see possibilities. I use a quote — I use quotes a lot, that's
the teacher in me — but there's a quote I'm inspired by from a coach in the US, who was one
of the most successful coaches in the history of basketball.

"He said: 'Success is peace of mind knowing you did your best to become the best you're
capable of becoming.'

"I think, as a nation, if we talk about what we can do, it's to make sure we reach our full
potential. We keep investing, we keep giving opportunities to be educated, having the time to
train, having the resources, having the facilities.

"We need to break down the barriers and make the game easier to access so everyone can fall
in love with it. If they fall in love with it, they stay in the game. If they stay, more are going to
reach the world-class level. Or, if they don't get to the world-class level, at least we can create
world-class citizens.

"That's where it all starts, and in the end, that's the only way we can get one day better."

Celebrating success.

As our Year 12 students finish their Trial exams this week, we want to acknowledge the work of Mr
Spyroulias who brought an idea to enhance our Graduation ceremony to Ms Archer in Term 1. As a
result of Mr “Spy’s” work we will be introducing graduation gowns and stoles for our graduating class
of 2023. These were modelled at the recent P&C meeting. Graduands will have the opportunity to
buy a personalised stole with the year of graduation embroidered on it.
We look forward to this becoming a beloved tradition of the College Graduation Ceremony

Assessments and tests.

Year 11 draft exam timetables have been published. Please check if your child has any clashes and let
the school know via the school email immediately.

Minimum standards tests for Year 10 have commenced. These are a prerequisite for the award of an
HSC.

Year 10 will also be completing assessments for the Record of School Achievement. Check in with
your Year 10 child about their work and what needs to be done.

Transition

The College is in full swing, getting to meet the incoming Year 7 2024. Year advisors and Deputies
have been visiting our feeder primary schools over the last week to meet the students and get to
know them. We have had a number of prospective students join our weekly school tours which is
proving a positive way to introduce them to the site and ethos of the College. Tours occur at 10 am
on Tuesdays. Bookings and inquiries to the main office.

Year 9 Camp - Camp Somerset

Year 9 students had an excellent few days on Lake Colo at Camp Somerset. Students were unplugged without any access to data or phones, and so many teachers commented on how wonderful it was to see students actively engaging outside without access to technology. This Camp would not have been possible without the dedicated team of teachers who gave up their time and the comforts of home to stay in tents and tend to the needs of these students. The RBSC Community are lucky to have such outstanding and selfless teachers on staff. Teachers involved were:

Hannah Westbrook; Dave Regina; Georgia Bowd; Pete Wallis; Tadhg O’Connell; Di Buratti; Flynn Elton; Eliza Matthews; Nicola Leane; Lachlan McEvoy; and Tamarin Wood.

Year 9 Students commented that they were proud of themselves for carrying everything they needed in backpacks, setting up tents, learning how to cook/BBQ, getting muddy and being away from mirrors and all the comforts of home. From high ropes to trekking through the bush, canoeing to new campsites and helping each other through obstacle courses, this cohort have worked together to become more resilient and better connected to one another. We are so proud of what the Year 9 students have achieved on Year 9 Camp.

Here is one student’s personal account of her time at Year 9 Camp:

Camp Somerset

Camp Somerset was a long awaited concept which led our minds to construct various, somewhat unrealistic, preconceptions. Whilst some people glorified past camps, other people envisioned nightmarish abstractions of seven-hour hikes over mountains and swimming in river rapids. However, none could accurately describe the reality of Camp Somerset.

During the day, sweat wrung itself from our foreheads and, at night, smoke weaved its way through our hair. Whilst we grumbled bitterly to each other in the early sunless morning, we also created an orchestra of delighted shrieks when we flew through trees and delved our bodies into thick mud tattooing ourselves with brown ink. We befriended horses, charismatic creatures cloaked in glossy fur, and were gently guided by our instructor, an unfailingly vivacious character who appeared to have adventure sown into her skin. Tents accommodated our erupting wind kissed laughter as we bound ourselves into our sleeping bags, like otters wrapped in kelp.

I saw nature anew. As a hollow husk in the morning, a rich mid-day sun, and a drowsy hushing evening. Smiles burst; chatter blazed; rucksacks burdened our backs as we spiralled through lands with soil as our maps. Camp Somerset was a postcard from the Romantics, one with fresh flowing rivers and cascading verdant vegetation. But as we returned on a slightly downcast bus trip back and attended a rather sleepy school day the next morning, memories warmed with new friendships and an overarching sense of satisfaction of the challenges that were completed.

Claire M-B (9Y)

IEF News

IEF H visited the Rose Bay War Memorial and Rose Bay Water Airport last Friday. Students undertook an historical investigation on these two important sites which they presented in assembly. They also bought lunch in Rose Bay to practice their money and social skills in the community. The day proved to be educational and enjoyable for all.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data

All schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) each year. The process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019). All students who receive additional support at school are included in this process. The data is provided in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the school office to talk to Ms Wood.

NESA News - Study Guide

The HSC Study Guide is out now, packed with everything HSC students need to kick their exam goals!

Students can find exam advice from teachers and past students, learn how to nail their study routine, and test their knowledge with the ultimate HSC quiz! Look out for some familiar faces who share their expert advice across a range of HSC subjects.

There’s also plenty of practical information from our partner, ReachOut, on looking after mental health and wellbeing in the lead up to exams.

CHECK OUT THIS YEAR'S GUIDE

Year 12 Trials

Year 12 Trials begin Tuesday 8^th August. Please find the Trial Timetable on our school website

2023_Year_12_Trials_Timetable_Version_2_Tuesday_Start_6_.pdf

2023 HSC Written Exam Timetable

2023_hsc_written_exam_timetable.pdf

YEAR 12 HSC - Important Dates

NESA has released the due dates for all major works, both practical and performance.For all students completing major works, please take note of the date on the attached document. You must start setting weekly goals of completion to ensure you create a quality product.Hard copies of this timetable are available outside Ms Buckley's door.

Library News

The Bob Bellear Memorial Library is gearing up for Children’s Book Week in Week 6. A new collection of #CBCA 2023* shortlisted books will be unveiled by the Principal on Monday 21 August. Students can look forward to some fun book-related activities held over the four days: ‘Book Trivia’; ‘Create your own Bookmark’ and ‘Blind Date with a Book’. There will be book gift vouchers to be won. Y A Y!

Register your interest for Blind Date with a Book, *NOW*!

How does it work? Register your interest with the Library, now!. Students select a book they’ve read before and wrap it up in brown paper. Handwritten descriptions printed on the brown paper cover act as clues giving the reader an idea of what to expect from the book’s theme, genre, author etc before they borrow it from the Library. Entries can be as simple or as creative as you like. Students can take their selected book home over the weekend to work further on the cover and decoration, if they wish. Then visit the library to borrow someone else’s Blind Book. See other Blind Book examples in the image above.

Students can enter their book into the Library competition to win:

Most Outstanding Book Description OR Most Outstanding Book Decoration

Places are limited. REGISTER via the QR code below or via the Library's Help Desk. Registrations close Friday 18 August.

More #CBCA2023 information and the 2023 Shortlist can be found at:

https://cbca.org.au/cbca-book-week

Library Reminders:

The Homework Club is open in the Library, to all students, from 3:30-5pm Mon and Wed each week with tutors on hand to assist students.

Premier’s Reading Challenge closes on Friday 18 August. For further information:

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

* #CBCA2023 = Children's Book Council of Australia Book Awards 2023

Uniform Policy

Core rules:

Maintain a neat appearance, including adhering to the requirements of the school's uniform or dress code policy. Rose Bay Secondary College is a "uniform" school and all students are expected to wear the correct school uniform. The Department of Education supports the waering of school uniforms by students and the upholding of high standards of dress by students and staff. A school uniform identifies students as belonging to Rose Bay secondary College. We expect students to wear the uniform with pride during school hours, while travelling to and from school, and when engaged in school activities out of school hours.

Students may wear any item from the Rose Bay Secondary College current uniform selections on any school day. Students will need to be in sports uniform for practical PE lessons and sports days.

Students may choose to mix and match from all items listed in the uniform shop and are expected to be in full Rose Bay Secondary College clothing everyday.

Uniform shop Opening Hours

Tuesdays and Thursday 8:30am - 2:30pm Contact : 9301 0349 rbsc@midford.com.au

You are welcome to puchase from the online shop at your convenience, orders are filled the next time the store opens. Download online instructions and use the code RBSC2003 to start an account.

School Tours Term 3

Rose Bay Secondary College is scheduling school tours for interested prospective parents/carers and child/ren.

Tours will be held on Tuesdays at 10am – beginning Tuesday 1 August until Tuesday 29 August 2023.

The tours will run for approx. 1 hour. Tour numbers are limited, please contact the school on

9301 0300 to book

Rose Bay Secondary College Parents and Citizens Association (P&C)

Whether you want to just be informed or you want to be actively involved, we welcome you!Contact the P&C: rbscpandc@gmail.com

Attention: Rose Bay Secondary College communityWhen RBSC first opened in 2003, secure full-height perimeter fencing was installed on the site boundaries at the front of the school and part-way down both sides. This was carried out by the Department of Education’s Asset Management Unit (AMU), which oversees such site maintenance and security. However, further fencing, around the lower side and back areas of RBSC grounds (below the oval), was never erected. It was deemed that any remaining sections could be completed at a later date, as required. In the meantime, the site would rely on the various fences of our neighbours to provide security and protection from unauthorized intrusions.Such arrangements have proved inadequate, to the point where both school premises and students are currently exposed to an unacceptably high level of risk. The RBSC Executive and the P&C therefore believe it is imperative that full-height perimeter fencing is now installed, securely enclosing the boundary of the entire site.The RBSC Executive has been closely monitoring the situation since the return to on-site education post-COVID. CCTV footage frequently captures unauthorized persons accessing RBSC grounds to walk their dogs, hold parties and picnics (each instance has been duly noted and logged with the Department of Education). This results in litter (including broken bottles) and dog faeces on the oval, as well as damage to the basketball areas (which have just been refurbished at great expense to RBSC and the P&C) and the oval. Each morning teaching staff inspect the grounds and clean up, rather than risk the OHS implications of exposing students to broken glass and dog faeces on the oval. This is not fair on the staff and a genuine hazard to our student population. Further damage done by dogs includes potholes dug out on the oval and digging damage on the surrounding landscape and gardens. This poses a real danger to students playing sports on the oval, and costs a vast sum to repair – currently most of the $20,000 annual budget for the oval’s upkeep is consumed by repairs to turf and ground.

Over several years, neighbours have built unauthorized back gates into their fences. Whilst it is illegal to access school premises via such gates, it is clear that this is occurring. The RBSC Executive has written to all neighbours reminding them that unauthorized entry is illegal and requesting such practices cease and desist. To date, this has not been effective.The AMU have informed the School Executive that funds are available to complete the remaining sections of fencing, but at the moment we are told it is just one item on a long list. We believe it is time for this issue to be made an immediate priority.Until recently, nearby Waverley Public School had a similar combination of adequate/inadequate perimeter fencing securing the grounds. Despite concerns being raised by parents and staff, because it is located next to a police station and court house, the site was not considered to be high risk – until under-arrest suspected criminals jumped the fence into the playground and made their escape through the crowds of students. Waverley Public School now has full-height perimeter fencing securely enclosing the school! Similarly, RBSC needs to control its own security arrangements, and can no longer rely on the various fencing erected by neighbours. We do not seek to restrict any authorized and supervised access that poses no security risk, and we propose that all fencing erected will be inside the RBSC boundary. We will also request that the fencing around the side and back gates be heightened to deter students from jumping the fence on their way to/from school.The potential risk of a ‘major incident’ is too great to allow the current level of unauthorized access to continue. We therefore seek support from the RBSC community to move forward with this proposal as a matter of urgency, and ask you to sign this petition:https://www.change.org/Fully_Fence_RBSCYours sincerely,The P&C Executive Committee

RBSC P&C Return and Earn

You can help us AND help the planet at the same time simply by recycling drink containers!

You can now donate your 10c refund(s) to ROSE BAY SECONDARY COLLEGE P&C from any Return and Earn machines located near you using the Return and Earn app.

Return & Earn will help RBSC P&C provide funding for facilities, events, equipment, activities and technology to enhance learning and other opportunities for students and the College community.