Dear Parents/Caregivers,
I hope you have had a wonderful week.
Harmony Week
I addressed the students at our weekly assembly this week on the theme of harmony, aligned to the school celebration of Harmony Week – there is a lot of orange about today! I explained to them that the reason I am so proud and happy to be principal of Riverside is the calibre, quality and diversity of our students – diverse in cultural and ethnic background, skills, interests and learning styles. It is such a privilege to be part of a school community that values inclusivity and celebrates individual difference. I also shared the view that the beauty of diverse communities, such as Riverside, is that we welcome difference and individuality and recognise that every person is special and unique and uniqueness is what makes society so interesting and what makes Riverside stand out against all neighbouring schools – our breadth of talents, ideas and capabilities that shine through in our outstanding academic, sporting and performing arts successes – if you aren’t following us on Instagram @officialriversideghs to keep up-to-date, then I suggest that you do!
…nothing good happens on Groups Chats
I also addressed my increasing concern with troubles that are emerging as a result of student online behaviour, largely brought about during group chats, on any number of platforms, particularly Snapchat, Tik Tok. Instagram and Discord. Conversations that generally begin happily and healthily can often, sometimes without any intention or warning, turn nasty and unhealthy and disintegrate in a rapid manner with students feeling targeted and excluded, as a result of their treatment by other members of the group. The exclusion begins virtually when members are either “removed from the group”, generally without warning and without any understanding of why, or attacked by the group in a barrage of unkind, offensive messages. Exclusion can also occur formally with students being asked to leave the “group” – both in a virtual and physical sense (at school and socially). The reverberations of this unacceptable behaviour are often felt at school as the relationships and connections have emerged and been nurtured within the school environment. My concern; however, is that the nastiness in the group chats is generally taking place at home when the students should be enjoying the face-to-face company of their parents and families.
This is just a reminder that our young people are struggling with managing the dynamics and pressures of the digital age. They are caught up in communication and connection, which is wonderful when it is positive and inclusive, but can be hugely unsettling and devastating when it goes the other way, which happens often.
Please be confident with knowing your child’s online habits – who are they chatting with, what groups do they belong to, what platforms are they using and how much time are they spending online. Our young people depend on us to make them feel safe and valued – being informed and aware of their online habits is a critical part of this expectation and can make the difference between happiness and heartache for our children.
And, if in doubt, I would suggest that you revert to the old-fashioned method of managing their phone use through negotiated protocols and timings in the home – phones may only be used in a public space, collect phones during certain times, ask who your daughter is chatting with, manage their access to wi-fi etc. Establishing clear guidelines and expectations of online behaviour, just as we manage these expectations from a behavioural perspective at school, is challenging but effective in supporting our young people to establish healthy, harmonious cyber habits and relationships.
Fostering a Love of Learning
It was with great delight that I looked out of my office window yesterday to see 8T engaged in an outdoor Science lesson. It was a beautiful day, forming the perfect outdoor learning setting. All students were sitting and standing in groups actively engaged in the task at hand – using their hand-crafted solar ovens to melt their pieces of chocolate, chocolate biscuits and marshmallows, eagerly awaiting the exquisite sweet treats to melt into a pile of gooey, sugary yumminess for them to eat. I was reflecting on the joy of this lesson as I drove to work this morning, remembering the faces of the students who happily and confidently shared with me the purpose (or learning intention) of the lesson – to transfer energy (I remember getting to rub a balloon on my hair to produce static electricity as a kid – I think this was the same lesson theme?)
Congratulations to Mr Gorrez and 8T for the positivity and engagement that they brought to this learning experience. Learning is much more than the outcome (the marks or grades that we get) but more the process of learning to learn (to synthesise and apply ideas and observations into deep, analytical constructs and language, mapped to a set of explicit outcomes and expectations) to develop a deep knowledge and understanding of topics, themes and ideas (whether it be for an assessment task/examination/ the HSC or life experience). Making learning fun is the key to building engagement and building engagement with learning is key to fostering a love of learning. I believe that this is what our teachers do best through their commitment to explicit, collaborative lesson planning and implementation. I hope this is your experience.
Dance Program
I would also like to congratulate Year 12 student, Jess T, who is working with Ms Mitchell to teach the junior dance company. I saw them in action this morning and was so proud of the talent and commitment that each of these young dancers are showing by participating in this very rigorous and demanding extra-curricula program.
Ryde Network Student Voice Council
Congratulations to Issy P (Year 11) and Sophie K (Year 10) for their selection in the newly formed Ryde Network Student Voice Council. The Council has been set up to harness student participation in decision-making and advocacy to continue to improve schooling for all students within our public education system. I look forward to working with this group of students from across the network of four high schools and over twenty primary schools. The first meeting will be held at Riverside next Wednesday.
Have a lovely weekend.
Louise McNeil
Principal
Welcome to Year 7 Afternoon Tea
A date for the diary is Tuesday 25 March for a Welcome to Year 7 Afternoon Tea for all families of Year 7. Please see the details below and remember to RSVP. This is a casual event to provide the opportunity for parents to meet their daughter’s teachers. It is not a parent teacher interview. Year 7 will receive interim reports in Term 1 Week 11 to provide initial feedback to parents and final reports in preparation for parent teacher interviews in late Term 2. We hope to see you for some cake and chat.
Archery Australia National Field Championships
Congratulations to Jasmine B, year 7 who recently completed in the Archery Australia National Field Championships held in Morwell Victoria.
Jasmine, shooting for NSW, shot a score of 352 out of a possible 432, beating the previous NSW State record of 346 and the National Record of 328. These records have stood since 2019 and 2011 respectively.
Jasmine looks forward to competing at the Archery Australia National Youth Championships in April.
Faculty News
TAS
HOSPITALITY PASTA MAKING AND CRÈME CARAMEL
Year 12 Hospitality made fresh fettuccine boscaiola. Students learnt how to use the pasta machine, dried their pasta overnight and then used it the next day.
They also made crème caramel and learnt how to make the caramel and baked custard using a water bath, to make sure that the custard is cooked at an even low temperature.
They worked well in their teams and enjoyed their new culinary experiences.
Ms Ng - Hospitality Teacher
HSIE
Preliminary Geography Fieldwork
On Wednesday, Preliminary Geography students participated in feildwork to conduct an in-depth examination of the value, characteristics and functioning of the Eucalypt forest in the Field of Mars Reserve as part of their study on Earth's Natural Systems.
During fieldwork, students used a variety of geographical tools and techniques, including sampling methodologies, environmental assessment techniques and specialised fieldwork instruments to measure a range of abiotic and biotic conditions. Using the observations and data collected on the day, students will be able to examine the atmospheric, hydrological, geomorphic, and ecological systems that make up the eucalypt forest, and also draw comparisions to other ecosystems.
Understanding Earth's natural systems is essential to any geographical study as the connections between these systems is complex and influences a wide range of environmental and human activities, including climate patterns, resource distribution, and ecosystem stability.
Ms Jessica Skinner Crowe
Science
Year 8 Practical
Year 8K students were actively engaged in a hands-on chicken wing dissection practical as part of their "Living Lego" topic, where they explored the functions of muscles and the skeleton. Through this exciting and informative activity, students had the opportunity to closely examine the structure and functions of muscles, tendons, and bones. The dissection allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of how muscles and bones work together to enable movement. The students thoroughly enjoyed the process, with many expressing enthusiasm and curiosity as they carefully explored the wing's anatomy. This practical experience not only helped them grasp key concepts in biology but also fostered a greater appreciation for the complexity of the human and animal body.
Ms N Ravishankar
Co-Curricula Activities
Open Volleyball Knockout - Round 2
Last Friday our Open Girls Volleyball team competed against Burwood Girls High School in Round 2 of the CHS knockout competition. It was our toughest competition yet in an intense match that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Both teams claimed a set, pushing the game to a thrilling third set, where Riverside fought hard but fell just four points short. The game was filled with incredible blocks, powerful spikes, and impressive receives that kept the energy high. Though Riverside couldn’t secure the win, we gained respect for our opponents and have already started discussing setting up some friendly matches in the future. Well done girls for representing our school so well!
Ms Hendriks
OzTag
Congratulations to our OzTag players who competed at Regional Championships. The year 11 & 12 and year 9 & 10 teams were runners up in their divisions and will progress to the State final in August. The year 7 & 8 team played extremely well but were knocked out in the semi finals/finals. A big shout out to the parents who came and supported the girls in the rain and all those who provided transport, we could not offer these opportunities without your support!
Ms T Nagle
Riverside Girls 7-1 Over NBSC Cromer in CHS Knockout Football
Riverside’s Opens Knockout Football team delivered a dominant performance, defeating Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus 7-1 in Round 2. The match took place at Gladesville Reserve, where the freshly cut grass and newly painted lines set the stage for an exciting match. Before kickoff, both juniors and seniors worked together to put up the football nets and launched straight into their warm-up, setting the tone for a disciplined and energetic display.
From the moment the whistle blew, Riverside showed their superiority, fluid teamwork and confidence. Playing on home turf in brand-new kits, thanks to the support of the P&C, the players displayed exceptional skill and cohesion. The orchestral passing and strong communication on the field reflected a deep sense of trust and engagement, qualities that extend beyond sport and into our school community’s core values of family involvement and student support.
In goal, Chloe F showcased brilliance, proving to be a dependable last line of defence. Trusted by her teammates, she played like a second minister of defence, drawing comparisons to Matildas star Mackenzie Arnold. At the back, Talia A and Pax G stood firm, ensuring Cromer’s attack was kept at bay, while Evey P, Savannah P and Charlie V worked tirelessly to chase down opponents and protect the goal.
The midfield and attack were just as effective, carving through Cromer’s defence with skilful play. Abby B led the frontline as striker, with support from Tess H and Alicia L, who found the net twice. Mikayla D provided key assists, while Charli H and Lucy H delivered stunning goals. Elise M celebrated her debut goal, and Natasha M impressed with a long-range strike from outside the 18-yard box. Co-Captain Zara P led by example, with Maya P also adding to the scoresheet. Winnie W’s technical ability shone through, displaying mastery of skill in crucial moments and bravo to Amelia R along with Anna H who helped keep the spirit high with casting our scoreboard.
This victory would not have been possible without the incredible support from our parents, officials, administration team, and dedicated teachers who put in extra effort to help students pursue their sporting pathways.
With this outstanding performance, Riverside now looks ahead to Round 3 of the CHS Opens Football Knockout, where they will face Burwood Girls.
Ms A Ghorra (football coach)
School Musical Rehearsal
We are diving into the deep blue sea of rehearsals for our upcoming school musical, The Little Mermaid!
Weeks 2 and 3 of rehearsals have been filled with energy, excitement, and wonderful progress as our talented cast and orchestra continue to work hard to bring this magical world to life.
Students in the cast have attended rehearsals this week focusing on the vocals of songs like ‘Under the Sea’ and ‘Kiss the Girl’. The cast have also made great developments in learning their blocking and choreography, and bringing all of this together whilst developing their characterisation.
We are so proud of the hard work and dedication from everyone involved. When asked what they have enjoyed about the rehearsals so far, this is what some of the cast have said:
“During the musical rehearsals, I enjoyed practising singing the songs from The Little Mermaid with Ms Wang and rehearsing different lines and scenes with Ms Young. The rehearsals are always really fun and I have learnt new things. I am most looking forward to the choreography of each of the scenes and the production week as it is always really exciting and fun.” Amelia Year 8.
“I enjoy learning different songs, becoming one with all my fellow cast members and making new friends! And in the future, I can't wait to see the musical all come together!” Grace Year 7.
“I have really enjoyed the rehearsals for the school musical this year! It is incredible to watch people get into character, and I see improvement every rehearsal. The Little Mermaid is going to be amazing!” Mackenzie Year 10
“I have loved figuring out how my character speaks, moves and acts as well as learning the songs. I am definitely looking forward to adding choreography to the songs as well as getting to see my costume.” Winnie Year 8
“The musical is something that I look forward to every year and the rehearsals are just part of that. I love meeting younger students and helping them learn the ropes of the school productions as well as watching something we know everyone puts so much effort and time into, come to life on stage by the end of production week. It's an experience I don't think I could get anywhere else and something I treasure so much.” Georgia Year 12
“ I love feeling like I’m a part of the musical and laughing with the other members of the cast.” Imogen Year 9
Careers
Please visit https://riversideghscareers.com/ for the latest information on careers and life beyond school. You can use this site to locate universities, TAFE and any other type of course across Australia, information about the HSC and job vacancies. Feel free to drop into the Careers office if you have any questions.
Ms J Low and Ms T Soares