Newsletter Term 4 Week 1

From the Senior Executive

NSW Government ban on phones 

The College wishes to congratulate all students on their exemplary commitment to the phone ban. This week we have had a minimal number of confiscations with an average of 1.6 % of the student body not following the new rules. Staff have observed that while the playground is louder it is the happy sound of student talking, playing games and interacting. We have also noticed several groups finding other activities, most notable being the high stakes Snap tournament in the 2024 Year 12 cohort. We have also had “back to the future” moments seeing iPods and even a discman being used to enjoy music. We thank the community for your support of the ban and can assure you that the classrooms are more focussed with less disruptions. 

Planning for Success 

Term Four is always a busy term with students completing their final round of assessment and some yearly examinations prior to the Semester Two reporting period. To assist students with their organisation and planning we would like to remind students and parents that the Assessment Planner will be on the College website as of next week and that it is advisable to use it as students plan to meet the academic requirements expected of them. Further to this, we would like to suggest that parents perhaps go beyond the usual questioning of their child with the daily “How was your school day?” to asking:  

What did you learn today?  

Do you know why you are learning that? How did you do?  

What did you do if you didn’t understand?  

How can you improve on your learning? and;  

What is it that you have taken the most pride in with you learning today? 

Mobile phone Ban Term 4

Year 12 Graduation 2023

The sense of achievement was palpable. And the slightly disbelieving, incredulous, nervous smiles of the 2023 RBSC graduates said it all: Childhood was over. The teenage years, the tears, the fears, the many laughs, all spent within the boundaries of Rose Bay Secondary College, was about to end. For those few hours as the sun set over Dover Heights, students grasped that a new chapter was about to begin. Walking in single file to take their seats for the very last time as “Castle on the Hill,” belted out by the Year 12 band reverberated through the plaza, a sense of finality mixed with anticipation filled the spring air. Parents, their eyes glistening, and siblings sitting quietly nearby watched as the school community honoured its core members. As Relieving Principal Cathy Archer aptly put it “The journey of the children we saw start with such excitement in Year 7, to the fine young people we have seen accepting their certificates today, rests on the special relationships and bonds created between the family and the school.” As the names and variety of awards were read out, it became clear that Rose Bay was graduating responsible, well-rounded individuals who understood the importance of academic excellence but also understood equally, the importance of working for the wider community.

The unique quality of the RBSC graduates, different from any other school, was noted by the Year 12 advisors. “One of the strange things about high school is it often takes years to truly appreciate what you have experienced and gained,” commented, Juliet Beiglari and James Weavers in their speech to the audience. “Completing your schooling at a large public high school like RBSC has exposed you to a vastly diverse student body, a wide range of academic and extra-curricular activities.” Cleopatra, a vibrant and evocative contemporary dance performance by Year 12, was evidence of students playing to their strengths. It is this exceptional combination of honing of talent and training to excel that will stand our graduates in good stead. And we wish them well!

New Year 12 cohort

Parents and carers of the new Year 12 cohort, are invited to attend a Parent HSC Information webinar, next Wednesday, October 18th at 6:30pm. The webinar will cover topics on assessment procedures, wellbeing and other topics relevant to the parents and carers of our Class of 2024.

ZOOM link will be emailed to all Parents on October 18 in the morning.

Changes to HSC Pattern of Study New timetables will be published in Week 3. All students are aware that they are to continue attending all classes on their current roll until they see the changes in their timetables.

RBSC P&C YR 8 & 9 SOCIAL

Year 7 Wellbeing programs

Since the beginning of the year, Year 7 have been working hard on demonstrating our core cohort value of kindness, building a culture of inclusion and respect that fosters positive relationships with others. 

Throughout the year, Year 7 has participated in: 

E-Safety Talk - A informative talk about respectful online behaviour and the importance of maintaining a positive online presence. 

Thought of the Week - Students receive weekly 'kindness' thoughts and challenges, posted on the Year 7 Cohort Teams page, encouraging them to display acts of kindness towards themselves and others throughout the week. 

'How to be the best me' campaign - A comprehensive program run by Ms Wood and participating teachers to foster a cohort culture of kindness and respect. Students worked within their core class groups, to participate in personal reflection and team building activities achieving inclusion between Year 7 students and their peers. 

Year 7 Camp - a three day dynamic program empowering Year 7 to build new friendships, foster a sense of community and develop perseverance to overcome adversity and challenge. 

Cyberia Performance - An anti-bullying presentation presented by an educationally centred performance company, who performed for Year 7 a dramatic telling about the consequences of unethical personal conduct online and provided Year 7 strategies of how to maintain respectful relationships with others online. 

Police Talks - Students were empowered to be empathetic and respectful citizens within RBSC and their local community. 

Wear it Purple day - celebrating RBSC's diverse student body, recognising the diverse sexualities and genders of students who contribute to our school community. 

Courage to Care - Students depended their understanding of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust, hearing from Holocaust survivors and their family members to further extend their awareness of this experience and the importance of acting as upstanders when witnessing bullying, inclusion and injustice. 

Additional targeted programs - select students continue to participate in small group weekly programs receiving mentorship from older students or targetted external supports, to build positive behaviours and resilient attitudes. 

Year Assemblies - termly assemblies of commendation and recognition for academic, sporting and personal bests. 

Fortnightly roll call meetings - Year Advisors and Deputy Principal continue to promote the importance of kind, inclusive and compassionate behaviour, providing Year 7 with targeted strategies which allow them to achieve their personal best with learning and improve their sense of wellbeing. 

The Department offer a range of online resources and advice for both students and families, to understand steps that can be taken if a young person encounters or enacts bullying:

For students: https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/attendance-behaviour-and-engagement/anti-bullying/students

For parents, to support their children: https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/attendance-behaviour-and-engagement/anti-bullying/parents-and-carers

All Years - Effective Parenting Seminar

Effective Parenting for Teens and Family Wellbeing WAYS Youth & Family have a free seminar for parents looking for some advice and practical education to understand and communicate with their teens. It also provides great information for managing difficult and risk taking behaviours. It is cost-free and on Wednesday, November 1st. At the Effective Parenting for Teens and Family Wellbeing seminar parents and carers of young people aged 10 – 17 years can gain practical tips for communication, managing conflict and difficult conversations with adolescents assisting the development of healthy and resilient relationships.

All Years - new Mobile Phone policy

Over the next few weeks we will continue our explicit teaching of the expectations in the College
relating to digital devices. All carers will be emailed with specific information this week so you can
plan for this change. Please find the new policy below. This may also be found on the school website.

IEF News

Where are they now?

Nicholas McCarthy was the IEF captain in 2022 and post school life is offering up some wonderful opportunities for him. He was happy to share his 2023 journey with us.

Nicholas said that he is doing Tafe two days a week which he is really enjoying. His work experience in retail and hospitality has led to a job working at Il Chooko, a very popular chicken and salad shop in Rose Bay two mornings a week. Additionally, he is starting work at a bakery in Vaucluse. He said that he goes to gym, socialises, and gets jazz piano and clarinet lessons, which creates a lovely balance for him.

A post school highlight was an overseas trip with his mother travelling for a month in Israel and Europe, he said it was a great experience because he caught up with a lot of  friends that were taking a gap year.

No phones in schools – but, they still play an important role when accessing the community.

On Monday 9th October, IEF R was invited to the Apple store at Bondi Junction.

The purpose of this invitation was for the class to attend an Apple educator led technology lesson, developed to address the unique needs of our Inclusive Education Faculty (IEF) students. Educators demonstrated how their products are designed with features which enhance their accessibility for individuals with additional needs and, ways in which their products can support student potential.

While a trip to a phone store may seem contrary to recent state government policy regarding mobile phones in schools; when their full capabilities are taught thoughtfully and effectively, smart phones can become valuable tools – with capabilities far beyond the social or gaming realm.

Students were shown how to use voice to text and, conversely text to voice features to communicate effectively with friends and family on their iPhone. Demonstrated also, was the potential for these features to assist in reaching information such as transport timetables or written text, which might normally be inaccessible to an individual with low literacy, but with good auditory receptive skills.

Students learned how phones can serve as valuable safety tools, enhancing independence and mobility around the local community and, creating greater dignity for students with additional needs. Educators taught students to enter their home details and, how to utilize this information quickly in an emergency, or to use location services to notify a family member if they need assistance or have become lost.

Apple educators adjusted their delivery and content to engage students effectively. The class were thrilled to answer questions and offer their ideas in this alternative learning environment – which is testament to the skill and consideration of Apple staff.

IEF R are very grateful to the staff at the Apple store, Bondi Junction for conducting highly a engaging and valuable session – a show of inclusion from the busy technology world.

Premier's Debating Challenge

Congratulations to our Year 8 debaters who made it to the second knock out round of the Premiers Debating Challenge. This knockout was the second last one before the state finals series.

The students debated against Sydney Secondary College: Leichardt Campus and debated in the affirmative stance to the topic sports review systems should be banned in all sports.

Year 8 debated thoughtfully and passionately, however were unfortunately unsuccessful in victory. Year 8 should be proud of their accomplishments within the competition, concluding as Zone Champions, results which are a reflection of the fantastic debating program offered at RBSC.

Congratulations to Jasper, Grace, Taj and Rafael and all the Year 8 debaters who competed in this competition. Thank you also to Ms Georgia Bowd for leading the coordination of this competition and of course, the team’s fantastic coach, Luca.

SRC - RBSC Halloween

Get out your spooky costumes and get ready rosebay, as on the 27th of October RBSC will be visited by all sorts of scary creatures as we celebrate Halloween, be prepared to feast on delicious spooky treats from the bake sale in break one, and be given a fright by the incredible rock bands in break 2, with a Sausage sizzle happening alongside it. Make sure to be dressed in your best Halloween mufti, for a chance to win the RBSC costume competition.

All Years - New School Bytes attendance system

Rose Bay Secondary College is moving to a new system through School Bytes to record explained student absences. This applies to early leavers, late arrivals and whole day absences. This new system will come into effect at the start of Term 4.

The link to the School Bytes Form for Early Leavers / Late Arrivals and Whole Day Absences can be found on the Rose Bay Secondary College's website (School Forms) and through the parents/carers School Bytes portal.

If you have any questions, please email the school at rosebay-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

All Years - 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.

Library News

At the end of Term 3, we said goodbye to Year 12 as they graduated and now prepare for the HSC exams. A small group - Juliana, Otis, Alice, Natalie, Linh and Robert - spent some last, precious time together putting this thousand-piece puzzle together. One piece was missing. As Year 12 have moved onto the last stage of leaving us and sail away in all different directions, perhaps a little piece of their shared time with us will remain. Library staff became very fond of so many of them as they came into our space to learn and to work closely with their friends. We wish all of them good luck in the coming exams and for the shining futures that lay ahead of them.

The permanent Teacher Librarian, Margaret McLelland is on leave for Term 4 and the library has been placed in the safe hands of Steven Killen. Please direct any enquiries to him. Some exciting events lay ahead with an author visit planned and we may trial the success of a book circle. Please look for more information about these in newsletters. The Library Staff

RBSC Presents...

Cyber Bullying Safety App

Yoochooz is a mobile app for parents and kids to prevent cyberbullying and teach online safety.