Sydney Secondary College
Blackwattle Bay Campus
June Newsletter
Principal’s Report
This has been a very busy term thus far. We have had successful parent teacher nights for
Years 10 and 12, Year 10 have had Half Yearly Examinations in the core subjects and there
has been much activity on the sporting fields.
The College Executive had a combined meeting in the new Leichhardt campus library on
26th May. The topic for discussion was the roles and responsibilities of executive staff at
the College. Some interesting feedback was received and further discussion of the topic
will occur at
School Development day at the beginning of Term 3. This discussion is part of the action
following the Welfare review conducted across the college in 2003.
Year 10 have begun the process of transition to Year 11 and the senior campus. On 3 rd and
4th June students from Balmain and Leichhardt Campuses came to Blackwattle Bay for
orientation tours, a spot of lunch and a familiarisation session. The students were made
welcome by the Blackwattle students who conducted guided tours. The next and very
important part of the process is for students and parents to attend the Subject Information
Evening to be held in the Blackwattle hall on 23 rd June. There is more information about
the evening later in the newsletter. I must stress how important it is for students and
parents to attend so that informed choices can be made about the available options for
2005.
Last week I was fortunate to be part of a very important process that takes place at the
school each year. Seventeen members of the senior council of the SRC put their names
forward to be considered for the positions of school leaders for the next year. The panel
were most impressed by the quality of all the candidates. The interviews demonstrated the
depth of talent among our students, their commitment to their school and what a
wonderful group of students we have at Blackwattle Bay Campus. I am confident that the
five students selected will make a fine contribution to the school.
The School Leaders for 2004 – 2005 are
Lissa Coleman-Fraser
Vivien Shen
Annika Sturday
Nancy Tran
Srikar Velevela
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I would like to congratulate these students and I look forward to working closely with them
over the next year at Blackwattle Bay.
As I mentioned earlier, there has been much activity on the sporting fields. Twenty five
students competed in the Zone Cross country and of those 16 were selected to compete for
Bligh Zone at the Sydney East Regional Championships on 14 th June. This is a great result
for our school and we wish those students well in the regional competition.
The biggest event, however, has been the College Athletics Carnival held at Homebush
stadium on Monday 7th June. Congratulations to all those student who competed in what
proved to be a most enjoyable day. The College students are to be congratulated on their
behaviour and enthusiasm during the day. The positive attitude of students is the most
important contributor to a successful event such as this. There were many great events
during the day, with probably the 100m invitation race being especially exciting for
spectators. There is a fuller report later in the newsletter. Congratulations to all those
students who attended and participated in this event in a spirit of friendly competition.
Over the next two weeks Year 11 teachers will be surveyed as to student progress. All
parents will receive a letter, posted in the last week of term, to indicate whether progress
has been satisfactory or whether we would like to discuss some problems or issues. Please
be on the lookout for that letter.
As usual, the calendar is attached at the end of this newsletter. Please note some
important events coming up. Firstly, the College Drama evening on 22 nd June, the Year 10
Subject Choices Evening on 23rd June and the Tropfest screening on 25th June.
Year 10 Students Subject Choices Evening
All Year 10 students and their parents are expected to attend the Subject Choices evening
on Wednesday 23rd June. The official evening will be from 5.30 - 7 pm and there will be a
BBQ provided, starting at 4.30 pm when curriculum packages will be available for all
students. During the evening students will be informed about the Board of Studies
requirements for the HSC, be given information about the different types of courses on
offer and the different pathways to the HSC and beyond.
Students will be issued with the curriculum booklet which gives information about all the
courses on offer, a TAFE booklet and a subject planner. The Preliminary expression of
interest form will also be available so that students can indicate their interest in particular
subjects. Staff from all faculties and all three campuses will be available to answer
questions. Guests have been invited from the Board of Studies, TAFE, Port Jackson School
Area Office VET Coordinator and UTS.
It is very important that all students and their parents attend the evening so that they can
make informed choices about their future.
Buzz @ the Bay
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After fighting off stiff competition from 23 other entrants Mr Fawcett won the naming
competition for the student newsletter that is published each week. The SRC chose the
winning entry.
Buzz @ the Bay will now be the source of all information for students.
Presiding Officer HSC and School Certificate Exams.
Blackwattle Bay Campus is seeking a Presiding Officer for the HSC and School Certificate
examinations. This person would be responsible for the running of the public examinations
at our campus. This is a paid position.
Interested people should contact the Principal, Jill Collier, for more information.
College Drama Night
Work in Progress June 22, 2004 – School Hall
ROLL UP! ROLL UP! …. Well the college drama night is upon us again. It does not seem so
long ago that we were heading to Leichhardt Campus for the inaugural drama evening
2003. This year‟s format will be slightly different from last year. For a start it won‟t be as
long (phew), years 7 –11 (yr12 will have a separate evening later in Term 3) will be
performing and the venue this year is Blackwattle Bay Campus. Each campus will present
examples of the kind of work they are currently undertaking in class. Students are also
presenting material that is not class related and directed by them.
We urge all parents, carers, family and friends (even those who do not have children in the
performances) to come along and support the school and those students who are
performing and working behind the scenes. This event though facilitated by members of
the teaching staff is driven and produced by the students themselves. It is a wonderful
night to witness the success of the college through the students themselves. A $2 per
person or $5 family ticket will be available on the night.
Drama News
Year 12 Students are currently busy preparing their practical Group and Individual Projects
(GP‟s and IP‟s) for the external examiners in week 6/7 term 3. They have a particularly
busy time ahead as many students who choose drama also choose other creative and
performing arts subjects and therefore will have several practical pieces to prepare at the
same time. All students are expected to have completed their IP‟s by this terms end.
Students are currently learning the hard lessons of working together as a team. Strong signs
of creative and imaginative flair are already showing themselves.
Year 11 students are currently revelling in the joys of Commedia Dell’ Arte (literally
„comedy of the artists‟). Parents, carers, friend and family will be able to see the extent of
these skills at the upcoming Drama Night (see separate article). Students are about to
embark on a study of the Elizabethan theatre and the work of Shakespeare. “To be or not
to be….”
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Both senior years will be attending the performance of The Lady of Sligo, at Belvoir St
theatre, Surry Hills in Week 10. A great way for students to finish the term!
Year 10 are also being put through their paces for the drama evening. They are
playbuilding a ten to twelve minute piece that will demonstrate the depth of talent in the
class. Ms English and Ms Hageman are encouraged by the dedication being shown by their
energetic class. Good luck!
Sam Jones
Drama Co-ordinator
English News
Some of your students might have started talking about authors and filmmakers as
“composers” even though they are not referring to people who write music. This is because
the new HSC English syllabus uses composer as a general term to describe the creation of
texts using spoken, written or visual language.
Because of this inclusion of visual language, many students in Year 11 are currently
studying film. This work is academically very rigorous and demanding, requiring students to
learn about film history, theory, editing, cinematography, etc. The nature of this field is
that students will need to spend a lot of their own time studying it. This time will involve
private research in libraries or on the internet, and occasionally viewing films when their
interest has been stimulated by this research. These films will be important classics which
can usually be obtained from a video store. Parents can help by encouraging this approach
to consuming films, and even by making recommendations.
Even at the highest level of Year 12, students are still learning to read and write, as most
adults are. English teachers know that reading and writing skills feed off each other: the
more you read, the better your writing is, and the more you write, the better you
understand how the written word works.
The same applies to film study. We teach students to read films, not just watch them.
However, it is hard to provide opportunities for making films, so one way of getting around
this is to teach students to create their own films using story boards. Shihui Lai in 11ENS1
has shown great skill in creating a storyboard. Jasper Ghent in 11ENS6 has also shown
talent in this area
Excursion
We ran an excursion to the Justice and Police Museum in the city. The purpose of this
excursion was to understand more about the reality of police work. This was part of the
work being done in some classes on the representation of police on television.
Ngarunga
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We have changed the format of Ngarunga, the students‟ newspaper. It will no longer come
out as a broadsheet, but instead will eventually be published every fortnight as a wrap
around with the Student News.
We still need hands, brains and contributions for Ngarunga. Please help by encouraging
your own students to contribute. Their teachers are very happy to help and advise. We can
use articles, stories, poems, cartoon strips and photos. We also need students to do the
work of editing and production. For individuals who might be interested in a career in
journalism this is a great opportunity.
Paul Hardage, Head Teacher
Support News
We have started our Transition to Blackwattle Bay program. Shere Hinchey has been to
Leichhardt Campus to meet all students and parents from the unit who will be coming to us
in Year 11 in 2005. Students and parents were presented with school and TAFE subject
possibilities so they can make informed choices when they come to Blackwattle Bay.
Individual transition goals and plans were also set.
HSIE News
Year 12 Economics Students briefed by the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Ian McFarlane at
ane excursion to the Reserve Bank
Economics Teachers Conference
On 4 June Ms Powell attended an Economics teachers conference to keep up with the
latest in Economics teaching. She said, “It was extremely valuable …. Students will benefit
by in many ways from the important exchange of ideas”
Geography Fieldtrip
Year 11 Geography have a field trip to Bicentennial Park Field Studies Centre on Tuesday,
15th June where they will investigate Intertidal Wetlands as part of their depth study for
the Biophysical Interactions topic. This follows their successful field trip in Term 1 to
Narrabeen to investigate Coastal Geography.
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TALENTED STUDENTS’ DAY
Year 11 Mathematics Extension 1 students will be attending a Talented Students‟ Day on
Friday 23rd July 2004 at the University of Technology Sydney.
Talented Students‟ Day is an annual event run for students by the Mathematics Association
of New South Wales. It is meant for talented students who are studying higher levels of
mathematics, and aims to be a challenging and intellectually stimulating occasion.
Students are exposed to areas of mathematics which they have not yet heard of before,
and see some of the ways mathematics is used to solve real world problems.
The day will consists of three sessions. Session 1 and 2 will include:
Lectures and workshops on various aspects of mathematics given by university lecturers
and speakers from industry.
Opportunities to find out about tertiary mathematics and courses from representatives
from the university
An environment where students can mix with others who are interested and talented in
mathematics.
Session 3 will consist of talks specifically related to the Extension 2 course. Students will
be able to choose a talk on a syllabus topic which interests them.
We look forward to reading students reports on the interesting mathematical aspects of the
day in our August Newsletter.
MATHEMATICS COMPETITION
We would like to wish all students doing the Mathematics Competition on Wednesday 16 th
June the Best of Luck. Mathematics Department
May and June has been an exciting time for the Student Representative Council. We have
received and accepted nominations from year 10 and 11 students who wish to be active
participants in the school community.
Seventeen year 11 members of the SRC went through an interview process to be considered
for school leaders. The standard was excellent and all students displayed qualities which
we hope will be utilized in the coming year. The successful candidates were Lissa Coleman-
Fraser, Vivien Shen, Srikar Velivela, Annika Sturday and Nancy Tran.
We have been very involved in fundraising for Charities and also helping the School
Community. The SRC provided the delicious luncheon for a large group of Japanese
students visiting the College. On Friday we are all involved in a Leadership Training Day
aimed at developing and/or consolidating skills needed for the coming year.
SRC Coordinators Janis Daley and Denise Haire
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News in Sport
College Athletics Carnival
Monday 7th June 2004.
Excellent results were recorded by a large
number of our students.
Blair Newman was 16 Girls Age Champion.
Congratulations and Well Done Blair.
Special Thanks to Lyssa Trompf for performing duties as a judge.
Great Officiating Lyssa.
Placegetters were:
17B Angus Glynne 1st 800m 1st 1500m
17B John Bayas 3rd 1500m
17B Dylan Thomas 1st 100m
17B Lachlan Johnson 2nd 400m 3rd 200m
17B David Wihapi 1st 200m 2nd Jav 2nd High Jump 3rd Long Jump
17B Adam Hansen 1st Jav 1st Long Jump 3rd High Jump
17B Jin Sug Yang 2nd Long Jump
17B Callum McDonald 3rd Discus 3rd Jav
17B Andrew Bulloch 1st Shot Put 2nd Discus
17B Zi Ping Xu 2nd Shot Put
17B John Nazarenko 3rd Shot
17B Sam Nun 1st Discus 1st High Jump
17G Naomi Hill 1st Shot Put 1st 1500m 2nd 800m 3rd Jav
17G Caroline Tongaonevai 2nd Shot Put 3rd Discus
17G Leigh Parker 3rd Shot Put
17G Chantelle Shackleton 1st Jav 2nd Discus
17G Annika Sturday 2nd Jav
17G Clare Hooper 2nd High Jump
16G Zolia Yu 1st 1500m
16G Jennifer Ong 2nd 1500m
16G Blair Newman 1st Long Jump 1st 100m 3rd Shot Put
16G Lily O‟Dwyer 1st 400m 2nd Long Jump 3rd 100m
16G Elva Hu 1st 800m
16G Thanvi Kuppanda 2nd Discus
16G Mary Rokomaqisa 2nd Shot Put 2nd Jav 3rd High Jump
16G Honor Christie 1st Discus 2nd Shot Put
16G Rebecca Nguyen 2nd High Jump
16B Emile Chalier 1st Jav 1st 200m 2nd Long Jump 2nd 100m
16B Ken You 2nd 1500m
16B Oscar Li 2nnd 800m
16B Llew Griffiths 2nd Shot Put
15G Therese Lum 1st 400m 3rd 100m 3rd 200m
15B Brendan Taylor 2nd Shot Put 3rd Jav
Well Done to the Wednesday Morning Kayaking Group. These students have been braving
winter mornings and arriving at 7.45am for a refreshing paddle. Great to see your
enthusiasm !!
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Planning is well underway for the 2004 Ski Trip. 49 Students in Yr‟s 10 & 11 will be learning
to ski and snowboard at Perisher Blue in Week 4 next Term. All students must attend
planning meetings every Thursday at lunchtime in the hall.
Vaccination Clinic
A vaccination clinic will be conducted by NSW Health Department at Blackwattle Bay
Campus on Monday 23rd August. Students will be vaccinated against Diptheria, Tetanus and
Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Meningococcal vaccination will also be available for those
students who were not vaccinated last year. Consent forms will be sent home with students
a few weeks before the clinic.
Vocational and Educational Training (VET) NEWS
ENTERTAINMENT
The drama evening on Tuesday the 22 June will again put our entertainment students
through their paces. With the lighting, sound and stage management of the event to plan
and implement they have a lot of work ahead of them. Only this week the last of the
portable staging has been built and is awaiting a coat of paint. This year‟s drama evening
will demonstrate the depth of talent the college has in both the performing and technical
arts.
By the time this newsletter is published Entertainment students will have had their first
taste of theatrical make-up. From scars, cuts and hideous creatures from the deep,
students will explore the basics in a three session on Tuesday Week 8. So if your child
comes home looking like the monster from the black lagoon – first check that it is your
child, then when you are sure act really scared (humour them at least)!
Work placement for students this term has involved the Sydney Theatre Company, Set to
Stage, Sydney Props Specialists, and the ABC. We have strong praise for our students. Well-
done guys.
HOSPITALITY NEWS.
The Good Food and Wine Show is on at Darling Harbour from Friday 18 th - Sunday 20th of
June.
We are taking all of year eleven and twelve Hospitality students on Friday. We plan to
leave school after roll call and walk to Darling Harbour.
After having time to look around in detail and sample the food on display we are booked in
to see a cookery demonstration with Matt Moran (“My Restaurant Rules”) at 12.30. Other
celebrity chefs featured include Ainsley Harriot and Kylie Kwong. This should be a fun day,
which will give Hospitality students some valuable insights into the Hospitality industry in
Australia.
**A reminder to parents that Hospitality uniforms should be washed after every practical lesson. By
now all year eleven students should have their complete uniform for their Hospitality classes (chefs
pants, jacket, neckerchief, cap and apron.
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Year 10 Parents and Students Evening
A free information evening is being conducted by Sydney University on 16 th June. Topics
covered
Subject selection for Years 11 and 12
Learn about the UAI, scaling and university entrance
Understanding of commonly used terms
More about career pathways
Insight into university life
Students/parents need to register at www.rego.ucc.usyd.edu.au/schools/event10
For further information call 1300 362 006 or email admin@psu.usyd.edu.au
Do not confuse this with the Sydney Secondary College Subject Choices evening to be
held on 23rd June. All Year 10 students and their parents need to attend this evening.
See the item earlier in the newsletter for details.
Jessie Vintila, Music Teacher (Advertisement)
I am a Conservatorium trained musician and an award winning songwriter from WA.
I specialise in improvising and helping children and adults feel good about making music.
I offer classes in:
Flute - Classical, blues or anything you can imagine
Music theory - Learn to read music and understand chords
Guitar - Rhythm guitar to accompany singing, and help with songwriting
Confidence - Overcome fears around singing and music in a fun and safe environment
My rates are negotiable according to your situation.
Phone Jessie on 9557 8291
Email: jessie_vintila@yahoo.com.au
Support Unit Two News
Ellen Howe and Tahlia Vickers competed in the Inner West Eisteddfod in Speech and Drama
and won Merit Awards. Well done girls.
On Tuesday, 1st June, a soccer carnival was held at the Sports Centre at Homebush.
Students with physical disabilities from S.S.C. competed against other high schools. S.S.C.
were runners up at the end of a very enjoyable and competitive day. Moustafa Ardati and
Jarrod Thatcher scored goals. Well done boys.
Alana Pirreca reports that the talk about East Timor held in the Hall at the end of May, was
interesting and informative. She was pleased to be able to contribute to the rebuilding of
East Timor‟s education system.
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Blackwattle Bay Campus Calendar Term 2 remainder
June 7 8 10 11 12
SSC Athletics Yr 10 Parent Yr 11 Review
Sunshine Letters
Week Carnival at Teacher Night 13
prepared
7A Homebush 4.30-6.30 pm SRC Leadership Day
June 14 15 16 . 17 18 19
Queen's B‟day Yr 11 Geog Area X‟ Country COGS Beginning
Aust Maths Comp Teachers I/S on
Holiday Fieldwork J 20
Careers Expo UNSW Managing Difficult
Week Box Yr 10 Assembly p.4 Students at CAC
8B Bicentennial Careers Expo UNSW 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm
Park P&C meeting 7.30pm Yr 11 Textiles
Excursion
EESc Excursion
June 21 22 23 24 25 26
Hospitality Expo Drama Evening BB Subject Yr 11 & 12 Drama Tokaidi School
Excursion
Information Night visit from Japan 27
Week 5-7 pm Tropfest at UTS
9A Yr 11 2005 Curriculum 7.30 pm
booklets issued to Yr 10
Regional X country
Aust Maths Comp
June 28 29 30 1 2 3
July Yr 11 2005 Student Yr 11 2005 EOI‟s Drama Excursion Yr 11 Review
Interviews begin returned Sunshine Letters sent
Week SRC Induction Assembly 4
out
10B COGS Meeting
Term Ends
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Blackwattle Bay Campus Calendar Term 3 2004
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat/Sun
July 19 20 21 22 23 24
College Students Yr 11 2005 Student Zone Athletics at Talented Maths
Development Day at Interviews end Homebush Students Day at UTS
Week Return 25
Balmain Campus CHS X Country
1A
July/ 26 27 28 29 30 31
August Australian Westpac
Maths Competition 1
Week
2B
August 2 3 4 5 6 7
Syd East Athletics Syd East Athletics HSC
Week Homebush Homebush Drama/Music
3A Showcase 8
August 9 10 11 12 13 14
HSC Trials HSC Trials HSC Trials HSC Trials HSC Trials
Week Yr 11 Ski trip Yr 11 Ski trip Yr 11 Ski trip 15
4B Perisher Blue Perisher Blue Perisher Blue
August 16 17 18 19 20 21
HSC Trials HSC Trials HSC Trials HSC Trials HSC Trials
Combined P & C Meeting 22
Exec Mtg
Week (Club)
5A
August 23 24 25 26 27 28
Vaccination for
all students 29
Week
6B
Septem 30 31 1 2 3 4
ber College Art Yr10/11 trip to UTS
for IT careers
Exhibition 5
Week
7A
Septem 6 7 8 9 10 11
ber CHS Athletics CHS Athletics CHS Athletics
Homebush Homebush Homebush
Week
8B
12
Septem 13 14 : 15 16 17 18
ber Yr 11 Exams begin Faculty Meeting Drama
Exec Meet Excursion 19
Club
Week
9A
Septem 20 21 22 23 24 25
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ber Annual Fun Run Yr 12 Yr 11 Exams end
Week at Drummoyne Presentation Day- 26
10B farewell assembly Term Ends
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