RANDWICK HIGH SCHOOL 26 September 2025

As we approach the end of another successful term, I am pleased to share some of the key highlights and moments that have made this period truly memorable for our school community.

This term, we celebrated the graduation of our Year 12 students. It was a heartfelt occasion filled with pride and reflection on their journey through school. We wish all our graduates every success as they embark on their next steps, whether it be further study, work, or other pursuits. Their resilience, dedication, and spirit have been admirable and they will always remain a valued part of our Randwick High School family.

Recently, our students showcased their talents at the local Eco-Fair, where they presented innovative STEM projects focused on sustainability and environmental awareness. Their creativity and scientific inquiry were highly praised by our community. Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and for representing our school with distinction. These achievements highlight the strength of our STEM programs and our commitment to preparing students for future challenges. Onwards to next term when we will be undertaking our CSIRO Science Challenge.

We also bid farewell to two long-serving and esteemed members of our teaching staff. After many years of dedicated service, Ms Lisa Vo, our Relieving Head Teacher of Mathematics is moving on to a promotion position. Her leadership and passion for maths education have left a lasting impact on both students and colleagues. Additionally, we say goodbye to our long-serving Chinese language teacher, whose commitment to language education and cultural exchange has enriched our school community immensely. Charlie Cheng has guided and mentored our staff and students for many years and has been a steady hand at caring for our large International Student community as well. Charlie will be mentoring language teachers statewide through a program with the Department of Education.

Thank you to all staff, students, and families for your continued support and commitment to our school. Together, we look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.

RHS 2025 Graduation

Today marks a historic and bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to the first-ever graduating Year 12 class of Randwick High School. You are not just students, you are pioneers. From the moment you stepped through our doors, you’ve helped shape the culture, spirit, and legacy of our school. Your journey hasn’t always been easy, but your resilience, leadership, and determination have set a powerful example for the students who will follow in your footsteps.

You’ve built more than friendships; you’ve built a community. From classrooms to sports fields, assemblies to exams, you’ve embraced every challenge with courage and curiosity. You’ve left your mark in ways that will be remembered long after the final bell.

As you now face your final HSC exams, we wish you every bit of success. Trust in your hard work, believe in your abilities, and remember, you’ve already achieved so much just by being part of this cohort.

As you move forward into new chapters, whether it's university, work, travel, or unknown adventures, take with you the lessons learned here, the friendships forged, and the knowledge that you were the first. Be proud of that.

Thank you for being the trailblazers, the dreamers, and the foundation of what Randwick High School will become.

Congratulations, Class of 2025 – the future is yours.

RHS Student Achievements

Science Competition Results

The results of the Big Science Competition and the Junior Science Olympiads are in! Congratulations and well done to all students who took part in these challenging competitions. The students who received credits and distinctions in the Big Science Competition received their certificates at a Monday morning assembly and their names appear below.

Credits: Jessica Evans (7), Ally Gordon (7), Sam Jones (7), Mia Parisio (7), Anwar Proietto-Darwish (7), John Rophael (7), Floris Vantienoven (7), Dafne Di Selice (8), Drake Edison (8), Baron Tse-Jun Tan (8), Maja Boecking (9), Alexander Weisz (10), Felix Weisz (10).

Distinctions: Oliver Harley (7), George Martin (7), Samuel Weng (8), Krisha Bowling (9).

The following is a list of students who received credits or distinctions in the Olympiad Exams.

Credits: Saskia Jolly (7), Nikita Kasianenko (7), Nikki Brusentseva (8), Tejas Rawal (8), Baron Tan (8), Merryn Smith (9), Marcus Angsioco (10), Xavier Bialkowski (10), Alex Weisz (10), Felix Weisz (10).

Distinctions: Jessica Evans (7), Callum Macpherson (8).

Ms T Betros - Head Teacher Science

National Science Week - Poster Competition

On the 11th of August 2025, four Year 11 students accompanied by Ms. Wallis were invited to attend the finalists panel for UNSW's National Science week Poster competition. The aim of the competition was to create an informative poster on a selected infectious or non-infectious disease. RHS entries included a poster on Endometriosis by Boishakhi Mohanty, Alzheimer's by Tauhida Khandaker, Functional Neurological Disorder by Anika Nair and Multiple Sclerosis by Ahana Khan. Presentations from the unexpected origins of medicine, to the latest ground breaking COVID-19 research and technologies. The day consisted of various speakers, student presentations of posters from various stages and corresponding criteria all hosted by UNSW's Museum of Human Disease. Out of 75 schools with 3 entries each, Boishakhi Mohanty's magnificent and fascinating poster on Endometriosis won! We are so proud of her and grateful for this amazing opportunity to connect with other schools, speakers and diseases.

Find our students posters here

Anika Nair - Year 11

Exam Achievement

Our Year 12 Beginners recently wrapped up their HSC oral exams in Japanese and Chinese! Great job, everyone 👏

Year 7 Technology Class Activates and Skills

Our Year 7 Technology students have been busy making their own key tags — combining creativity with hands on skills. Great work, Year 7! 👏

Careers Opportunities

Congratulations to our students for completing their White Card training today! They’re now fully equipped with the skills and knowledge to stay safe on site and take the next step in their careers.

Student Sport Achievements

Celebrating the Success of Our Year 12 Dance Students

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Year 12 Dance students, who recently completed their HSC Dance practical examinations. Their talent, creativity and dedication were on full display as they performed, choreographed and presented works that reflected both their technical strength and artistic individuality. All students receiving a nomination for Callback – A showcase of exemplary works

Beyond their individual accomplishments, our Year 12 dancers showed remarkable teamwork, leadership and resilience. They supported one another through the intensity of rehearsals, preparation and performance, embodying the collaborative spirit of the arts at Randwick High School.

A special thank you goes to the composition dancers, who gave countless hours of dedication and rehearsal time to bring their peers’ choreographic visions to life. Their commitment and energy were invaluable, thank you to Emma Sterling, Sadie Kirk and Nupur Chauhan.

We wish our graduating dancers every success as they complete their final written examinations later in the year.

Ms Kylie Fagan - Dance, PDHPE, Entertainment Industry, SHOW Producer

Beach Volleyball Schools Cup

Our Year 10 boys represented the school at the Beach Volleyball Schools Cup yesterday. They played strongly throughout the day and progressed to the finals stage of the competition. We are proud of their efforts and the way they represented our school.

🌟 Student Spotlight: Charli Fletcher 🌟

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of our very own Charli Fletcher, who — at just 15 years old — has taken the international film world by storm with her short film Don’t Ignore Me, shot entirely on an iPhone 14. 🎬📱

This chilling story explores what happens when our phones take more than our attention… and audiences around the world are taking notice.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Best Film – SF3 2024 (SmartFone Flick Fest)

Best Editing – SF3 2024

Best Screenplay – SF3 2024

Best Cinematography (Runner-Up) – SF3 2024

Black Magic Award – SF3 2024

Best Short Film – Inner West Film Festival 2025

Best Film – Inner West Youth Film Festival 2025

Best Mobile Film – Tuesday of Horror 2025 (Germany)

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

FlickerFest 2025 (Australia)

Peninsula Film Festival 2025 (Victoria)

New York Mobile Film Festival 2025 (USA)

International Mobile Film Festival 2025 (San Diego)

Smapho International Smartphone Film Festival 2025 (Japan)

Mobile Filmmakers International Fest 2025 (Israel)

👉 And now, it’s time for us to get behind Charli!

Round 1 of voting begins 22 September.

Watch & vote for Don’t Ignore Me here:

👏 Charli’s journey is just beginning.

Talent Quest

We recently hosted our first RHS Talent Quest and were blown away by our students' talent! Well done to everyone who participated.

Excursions

Year 10 Geography Coastal Fieldwork

Our Year 10 Geography students went to Coogee Beach and surrounding parks for hands-on fieldwork experience. This excursion provided the students with an opportunity to investigate coastal environments, study environmental management and see firsthand the natural processes shaping our shoreline.

Through data collection, observation and geographical tools, students deepened their understanding of coastal management, sustainability and human impacts on fragile environments. Fieldwork not only builds geographical skills but also brings classroom learning to life, connecting theory with real-world experiences.

This was an invaluable chance for students to develop their fieldwork skills while engaging with one of our most dynamic landscapes.

Ms J Jordan - Social Sciences and History Teacher

RARA Ramen

Our Japanese students capped off two years of study with an authentic dining experience! 🇯🇵🥢They put their language skills into action and deepened their understanding of Japanese culture — a great way to learn beyond the classroom.

Year 12 PDHPE

Year 12 PDHPE had an amazing excursion today at PhysXrehab and Cromer Park! Students took part in hands on modules with sports physiotherapists, coaches, and scientists—bringing their HSC syllabus to life through real world applications. The day gave students valuable insights to support their HSC preparation.

RHS SPARK Eco Living Festival Stall

Over the weekend, our students proudly represented our school at the 20th annual Eco Living Festival – a celebration of sustainability and community action!

From sharing knowledge about native plants to showcasing creative ways to reduce waste, our students inspired people with hands on activities and passionate presentations. It was amazing to see them lead the way in showing how small actions can create big change.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported us – your enthusiasm made it all possible!

HSC Showcase

Term 3 brings the hard work and rewards of completing the Visual Arts Body of Work and core and elective performances for Music 1. On 26th August students had the opportunity to present their work to friends and family in the Randwick High School inaugural Art and Music HSC Showcase.

Starting at 5pm in the North Library, Visual Arts students displayed their complete Bodies of Work in a range of media including painting, drawing, ceramics, graphic design and photomedia.

From 6pm, Music 1 students presented their core or elective performances in the MPC.

A fabulous night, appreciated and enjoyed by staff, students and carers who wish Yr 12 all the best in their examinations!

Ms R Jordan - Head Teacher Creative Arts

Alumni News

Alumni Report - Newsletter end of Term 3

On Wednesday 24th September, the Graduating Class of 2025 was treated to a very special session with six RHS alumni who returned to school to inspire and motivate the students in their final few days. The session was jampacked with practical advice for life after school, including guidance on adjusting to university or the workforce, whether to take a gap year or not, how to deal with your ATAR results if it’s not what you’d hoped for, and many pearls of wisdom to encourage and support the students in their next chapter.

Here are a few quotes from our wonderful alumni. We are very appreciative to them for their time and for sharing their knowledge with our students.

Tanna Klevansky (2018) Public Affairs Officer at a peak community advocacy organisation: “Own your mistakes and learn from them. Nobody respects a person who tries to blame their errors on others. People respect you more when you say: That was me. I'm sorry. It won't happen again".

Jasmine Fitzgerald (2019) Disruptions Coordinator, managing cabin crew operations within the Qantas Integrated Operations Centre: “A quote I remind myself of when I need a push is: Get comfortable with being outside your comfort zone. That’s the only way to grow. This mindset has helped me take the leaps and risks that have shaped my career.”

Joshua Bird (1995) Director of Policy & Programs at Western Sydney Community Forum: “The average person changes careers about five times in their life. Don't think you need to find 'the one' job or career. Many of the career paths you will follow may not even exist yet or you may not know about them. Try not to limit yourself.”

Zali Cole (2019) Community Fundraising Coordinator at Australia for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency: “Definitely put yourself out there more! I have learnt not to wait for opportunities to arise, but to go for them. In both high school and university, you are often just being told what assignment is next, what exact topics you need to cover for an exam etc... but in the workforce, you have to be proactive more often than not! So, start putting yourself out there and you're off to a good start.”

Phoenix Tsangaris-Kalis (2024) Studying a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Psychological Science at UNSW: “It’s critical to find simple ways to destress and practice mindfulness. Sometimes the workload can feel overwhelming but it’s important to find ways to manage and deal with it as your education truly becomes your responsibility.”

Ryan Moore (2021) Works in Cyber Security Services: “Listen to instructions and read carefully. As an employee, you're going to be told what to do. If you can understand what an exam question or assignment brief is telling you, then this will help when you understand what your boss is asking of you.”

We welcome back all alumni from Randwick Girls or Boys High School to join our alumni program. If you or someone you know is an alum, please get in touch with our alumni coordinator Miriam Hechtman: randwick-h.alumni@det.nsw.edu.au

Student Activities

We have put together an exciting program for the upcoming school holidays! I would like to highlight one of our workshops that is quite unique and presents a wonderful opportunity for any students with an interest in electronic music and beats.

Digi Beats – Music Production workshop is designed for any young people aged 12–24, with a focus on culturally diverse and First Nations youth. The program offers hands-on training in electronic music production, DJing, rapping, beat making, sound design and lyric writing in our own library music studio!

Participants collaborate to create original tracks that reflect their personal stories, experiences and cultures, while developing practical skills and exploring global music traditions in a culturally safe environment.

Each workshop is led by an industry professional and cultural mentors, with final tracks professionally mixed, mastered and prepared for release.

Attendance is free and interested students can sign up here:

Thank you!

Birgit Schickinger (she/her) - Youth Library Office - Randwick City Library

Find link here

Parenting Seminar and Effective Parenting Course

📢 Effective Parenting Events

Free Parenting Seminar – Effective Strategies for Teen & Family Wellbeing

📅 Tuesday 28 October, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

📍 Waverley Library, Level 1 Theatrette

💲 Free | Bookings: Eventbrite link

Learn about the adolescent brain, how to build trust with your teen, and strategies to manage emotions during parent–child conflict. This free seminar offers a taste of what you’ll gain our Effective Parenting Course.

Effective Parenting Course – 4 Week Program

📅 Across four Wednesdays, 5 – 26 November, 6:00–8:00pm

📍 WAYS Bondi Junction, Tiffany Plaza (above bus/train station)

💲 Free | Bookings: contact WAYS psychologist Luke Cox by calling 02 9365 2500 or email luke@ways.org.au

A practical program covering:

✔ Adolescent development & parenting styles

✔ Building resilience & emotional regulation

✔ Effective communication

✔ Setting boundaries & conflict resolution

Rachida Chemaou - Case Manager

School Absence Notification System

Regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential. At Randwick High School, we must ensure our school has effective measures in place to monitor and follow up students absences. We are required under Section 22 of the Education Act (1990) to undertake all reasonable measures to contact parents promptly and within two school days of absence. We have implemented additional measures to ensure we are upholding the NSW Department of Education standards here at Randwick High School. Our school absence notification system consists of a text message, follow up email and Sentral notification in the parent portal, to minimise unexplained absences. An absence is unexplained if parents have failed to provide an explanation to the school within 7 days. Thank you for your understanding and assistance.