term 1 week 9 2026

Lions Club Youth of the Year 2026

Congratulations to Aryan from Year 10 who has won the Lions Youth of the Year Program Area Final Public Speaking Award for 2026. 🏆 Speaking on ‘Bridging the Generation Gap’, Aryan presented a clever, insightful speech earning well-deserved applause and accolades from a panel of esteemed community judges. Aryan’s impact on the judges earned him an invitation to Parliament House to shadow a member of the NSW Legislative Council in the coming weeks. This is an extraordinary opportunity that recognises not only Aryan’s academic talent but the social-emotional strengths we nurture at South Sydney High School through the Department of Education Inspire Program for High Potential and Gifted Education.

Anzac Day Events 2026

The Maroubra RSL Sub-Branch has invited South Sydney High School to be involved in their ANZAC events this year, starting with: Community ANZAC Sunday 19th April 2026 This will involve a march and wreath laying ceremony. The Community ANZAC March starts at 11am from the corner of Mons Avenue, west down Maroubra Road then south at Anzac Parade to the Cenotaph adjacent to the Juniors Maroubra club. The ceremony will begin at 11:20am and school representatives will lay a wreath and contribute to the ceremony. All students are welcome to participate but must wear full school uniform which includes black leather shoes. I will be attending this event, however students will need to find their own way to and from the event.

Equestrian State Show Jumping Titles in Tamworth

Congrats to Carly M-B from Year 11 who attended the 5 day Equis NSW Indoor State Show Jumping Titles in Tamworth. What an incredible experience for Carly to experience this alongside her friends, coaches and beloved horse Findon. She participated in training, classes and watched professionals in higher classes. She jumped in six classes and placed 6th & 8th in two 90cm classes with 60 competitors in total. What a great achievement. SSHS wish you the best of luck in the upcoming North West Equestrian Expo Interschools competition in Coonanbarrabran in mid Term 2.

Congratulations Dan - Sydney East Football Team

Being selected in any representative team is a wonderful achievement. Arguably one of the hardest teams to be selected in is the Sydney East Boys Football team. Football being one of the most competitive trials across all the sports offered across the NSW Combined High Schools pathways. Dan was recently named as a member of this year's Sydney East team which will compete at the CHS championships in Week 6 next term. He is the first player to be selected from South Sydney HS in more than a decade. What a fantastic achievement!

Uniform Warriors

Attendance Heroes

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday 31 March: Parent and Teacher Interviews - Years 7, 11 and 12
• Thursday 2 April: Last Day of School
• Sunday 19 April: ANZAC Community March
• Wednesday 22 April: First Day back for students Term 2
• Saturday 25 April: ANZAC Day
• Monday 27 April: ANZAC Day Public Holiday
• Tuesday 28 April: Homework Club Resumes

From the Library

Chess Tournament

Excitement is building in the Library as this term’s Chess Tournament advances to the next stage! After several intense weeks of round robin matches, our talented players have shown strategy and skill, with the top 12 competitors emerging victorious. We are now entering the knockout rounds, where each match brings us closer to crowning this term’s chess champion. Students and staff are welcome to come along and watch the action as the finalists battle it out for Term One’s title and their name engraved on the Chess Crest. Good luck to all participants—may the best strategist win!

Old Boy Visit

A few weeks ago, we were delighted to welcome back a former student from the 1960s, Ken Lewis, who attended South Sydney Boys High School (as it was then). Ken visited us to explore our archival records and kindly shared his memories and experiences from his time at the school: "Arriving at SSHS in 1965 from a poor family in Belfast was both an exciting and daunting experience. My parents had a very limited education in Belfast and given our community was quite small, my Mother thought it was fine to advise me to "follow other kids" as a way of finding SSHS from our home in Pagewood!! After 2 or 3 days at school I was told by a teacher that I was supposed to go to Matraville High School, but it was OK for me to stay at SSHS.  My Belfast accent was initially a problem for me as other kids would mock me and try to push me around. So, there would end up being a scrap of some sort. It was also annoying being "different" and not easily understood, so I came up with my own "Aussie" accent that I used exclusively at school. I still have it and miraculously it preserved my broad Belfast accent to this day. I also wasn't interested in rugby as my favourite sport was soccer. I used to play every day on the streets of Belfast. I therefore drifted towards friendships with European pupils who also loved soccer. I played in the top team at school and went on to play for the Eastern Suburbs representative team. I met at SSHS my lifelong buddy Cliff Parker (pictured below) and we enjoyed great success playing for the school and outside of school at Maroubra United and Prague. Our goalkeeper at school was George Donikian, TV host and news presenter. I did well at school and worked hard. I recall being in class with Alan Rutkiewitz, Dux of 1969 and the School Captain, Adam Libermann. After my HSC I worked at Telecom Australia progressing to Account Manager level looking after large corporate clients. I was lucky enough to win a scholarship to study full time in the last year of my Bachelor of Business (Marketing degree) at UTS and then completed a Masters in Commerce (Finance) at UNSW.  I moved to the UK in late 1996 with my employer Royal and Sun Alliance insurance before working with Close Brothers (a UK merchant bank), Macquarie Bank and finally Santander Bank (global Spanish bank) before retiring in London in 2016. After retiring I discovered a wonderful new sport for men and women over 50 years old, walking football! I've played for the Australian Walking Football team over 60s, 65s and 70s in international tournaments in the UK, Switzerland, Wales and Sweden. And play regularly in the UK for Chelsea and Fulham amongst other teams. My wife, Nicola and I still live in London but have a house in Bondi. We spend 3 or 4 months of the Australian summer months in Bondi, avoiding the bleak UK winter weather. SSHS was a good school with very capable and helpful teachers. It was quite tough though being a boys only high school, however, I benefited from a good academic education as well as a "real life" education. It helped me to enjoy a successful and happy life. Thank you SSHS!"

New to the Collection

Ruby’s Web by Ellen van Neerven Set at the time of the referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament, Ruby has just started high school in Little Creek, a small Australian town. Her cousin Amber used to be her best friend, but she has ditched Ruby and started hanging out with the cool kids. With the whole country debating the First Nations Voice to Parliament, Ruby faces more and more nasty comments online from her classmates. Ruby’s Web tackles the important issues of racism and bullying, and particularly how it can happen both in person and online.

The Photographer by Mark Rafidi; illustrated by Paul O'Sullivan  As an army sweeps through a town, a war photographer falls in with them. At first, the camera is there to bear witness to the atrocities of war. But as time progresses, the photographer begins to question their role. Whose truth will be told? How close do they need to be? And what would those pictures say about us all? This book demonstrates the power of speaking truth and the importance of dignity and humanity. It shows the impact of war not only those living through it, but also on those taking part in it and on the photographer who is documenting it all. It is the type of book that can be looked at for hours, as the illustrations are incredibly intricate and powerful. It will leave a lasting mark on those that have read it.

Treeshape by Trace Balla This book tells the story of young Trace's awakening to the preciousness of the environment, including her participation in the protests against uranium mining at Jabiluka in the 1980s. Channelling her gift for visual storytelling, Trace reveals emotional truths, shares her commitment to environmental activism, highlights trees that have been meaningful in her life, and explores her deep appreciation of place and connection with First Nations peoples. This lends itself to further discussion of some of its main themes of family, activism, nature and wild habitats and the importance of their protection.

The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell Tom Michell is in his twenties: single, free-spirited and seeking adventure. He has a plane ticket to South America, a teaching position in a prestigious Argentine boarding school and endless summer holidays. Set against Argentina's turbulent years following the collapse of the corrupt Peronist regime, this is the heart-warming story of Juan Salvador the penguin, rescued by Tom from an oil slick in Uruguay just days before a new term. When the bird refuses to leave Tom's side, the young teacher has no choice but to smuggle it across the border, through customs and back to school. Whether it's as the rugby team's mascot, the housekeeper's confidante, the host at Tom's parties or the most flamboyant swimming coach in world history, Juan Salvador transforms the lives of all he meets.

Happy reading!

Ms Maddocks, Teacher Librarian

opportunity News

Empowering Women Program @ Macquarie Technology

We are proud to share that 29 of our Year 10 students attended the Empowering Women Program last week at the offices of Macquarie Technology Group. The day featured inspiring presentations and mentoring, encouraging students to aim high in their chosen fields. Key topics included the changing world of work, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the importance of resilience and emotional intelligence. Students greatly valued the experience and participated with enthusiasm. They spoke to mentors who gave them great direction for their future. We thank United Way and Macquarie Technology Group for generously funding the program and providing mentors. Our great thanks also extend to Ms Makenzie and Mrs Stell for presenting a wonderful and slick program day! Student Ambassadors of the Opportunity Program 2026  

Sport News

Open Boys Touch Football - Victory!

Congratulations to the boy’s touch football team who defeated Inner Sydney HS 13-3 in their first-round match of the Sydney East Knockout. Our team, made up of mostly Year 8-10 boys were dominant from the tap-off, demonstrating great skill and touch football smarts throughout the game. All the training and commitment that they have shown in coming to training each Friday morning over the past 12 months was there to see as they maintained discipline in their style of play to run away with the game. They will now face Kirrawee HS in the next round. Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff for their outstanding performance!

Beach Volleyball Schools Cup Highlights - Jasper and Adam Shine!

Jasper and Adam had a fantastic time competing in the Year 7/8 Boys Pairs division at the Beach Volleyball Schools Cup. Out of 16 teams, they were the only pair representing outside Queensland, and they finished impressively in 4th place. Their journey concluded in the semi-final against the eventual champions, followed by a hard-fought bronze medal match that went to three sets. Despite facing hot, rainy, windy, and sunny conditions, Jasper and Adam showcased exceptional skill, grit, and determination. Most importantly, they played with great joy and true teamwork throughout the tournament. This experience was invaluable for both players — in just a few days, they have grown not only as athletes but also as individuals. Congratulations to Jasper and Adam on an outstanding performance!

But wait there is more......

Beach Volleyball success for Sora and Jahrone! We are delighted to share the fantastic performance of two of our students, Sora and Jahrone, who proudly represented our school last weekend at the Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup held on the Gold Coast. Despite challenging weather conditions over the three-day competition, Sora and Jahrone demonstrated impressive skill and determination. They topped their pool and advanced to the semi-finals, showcasing great teamwork and resilience. Although they narrowly missed a podium finish, placing 4th after a hard-fought semi-final and bronze medal match, their efforts were commendable, especially considering the limited training time and Sora competing in an older age group. Their coach praised their fighting spirit and dedication throughout the tournament, highlighting how well they worked together under pressure. Congratulations to Sora and Jahrone on their achievement, and we look forward to more successes in the future. 

AFL Success – Congratulations to Sam and Skout!

We are thrilled to announce that Sam and Skout have been selected to represent our school as members of the Sydney East AFL team. This is a tremendous achievement, reflecting their dedication, skill, and passion for Australian Rules Football. The selection process for the Sydney East AFL team is highly competitive, with talented students from across the region vying for a place. Sam and Skout impressed selectors not only with their exceptional performance on the field, but also with their teamwork, sportsmanship and commitment.  We are incredibly proud of their achievements and wish them the very best of luck as they prepare to represent our school and region.

Netball Success

Congratulations to the Open girl's netball team on their outstanding victory against Sydney Girls High School, showcasing exceptional teamwork and adaptability in the face of new challenges.

Rugby League - Southern Sydney School Knockout

Excellent efforts all round in both the Junior & Senior games! Our U14s and U18s Boys proudly represented the school in the NRL Sydney Cup, showcasing determination, teamwork, and resilience throughout the competition. The Opens side faced a tough challenge, competing with limited numbers, but their tireless effort and courage never wavered—an inspiring display of commitment to each other and the game. The U14s delivered an outstanding campaign, dominating their pool matches with convincing wins to secure a place in the semi-finals. In a hard-fought contest, they narrowly missed out on a spot in the final, but their performance across the tournament was nothing short of exceptional. All boys represented South Sydney with pride and enthusiasm.

Sydney East Baseball Boys Opens W J Proud Shield

The W.J. Proud Shield is the trophy awarded in the NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association (NSWCHSSA) Baseball Competition for boys’ open (senior) school teams. It’s part of the state-wide CHS Baseball Championships and has a long history in NSW school sport dating back over a century. The boys took on Kirrawee in a hard-fought contest, facing an elite pitcher who kept our bats quiet through the early innings. Despite the challenge, the team stayed composed and continued to compete with determination. As the game wore on and the pitcher began to tire, we found our rhythm at the plate and strung together some late runs to spark a comeback. Although we ultimately fell just short, the boys showed tremendous school spirit, resilience, and played the game with great honour.

Careers News

On Tuesday, 17 March, a select group of Year 11 students were invited to participate in the UNSW Gateway Leaders Program. The day began with a leadership workshop run by UNSW Gateway University Ambassadors called “Who am I as a leader?” Students explored individual values, purpose and passions for social impact and explored the kind of leader they want to become.  The second workshop was run by the incredible Jo O’Reilly who asked our students “How do we communicate with purpose?” Jo is an accomplished professional speaker, former comedian and has worked extensively with UNSW and the AGSM to develop leadership skills and potential in all kinds of people. Jo’s workshop is a practical and inspiring workshop that explored what it means to have a leadership presence that aligns with your values and purpose. Students were reminded that leaders do not always have to have the loudest voice and that we all have leadership potential. South Sydney High School is a UNSW Gateway Partner School. For more information about the opportunities and academic support that are offered to students of UNSW Gateway Partner schools, visit their website here: UNSW Gateway | Early Admission Pathway | UNSW Sydney

Year 12 - Important UAC Information

Most Early Entry won’t open until 8 April, so please keep your eye on Year 12 Careers Google Classroom as I will post any important information, webinars or seminars that you could attend. If you want to come and see me, have a chat, please use booking form to secure a time.  Email - meredith.mattock@det.nsw.edu.au Days onsite: Monday, Tuesday and Friday I am also available via Microsoft Teams meeting on Thursdays Please book a time via link below: Book A Time to Meet with Ms Mattock

Please note that you must have a personal email account as well as your USI! To create your USI, go to: https://www.usi.gov.au/students/create-your-usi

HSC & Careers Expo 2026 @ Randwick Racecourse

There is an opportunity for Years 10, 11 and 12 to go to the 2026 HSC and Careers Expo on Friday 29 May - Website: https://www.hscandcareers.com.au/ We will be taking private buses to the venue aiming to leave school at lunchtime. You will be responsible for making your own way home. Cost will be $15 - this is admission to the venue and transport to the venue.  Students are asked to complete a google form in the Careers Google classroom to secure a place. Form will close on Thursday 2 April – end of school term. 

Google Classrooms

Please keep an eye on Careers Google Classroom for important information: Year 12 2026 - sr64tws Year 11 2026 - mutret6 Year 10 2026 - jatx4ftf 

UNSW Year 10 Gateway Program

UNSW offered to 60 Year 10 students an hour in school workshop at school.  The workshop is designed to encourage student to start to think about future pathways for university. Students will be guided to make informed decisions and connect to degrees of interest.  The workshop will create pathways to future study and careers.  Thanks to Ms Accetta for organising this opportunity for Year 10.