Randwick Boys’ and Girls’ High School Merge
The decision to merge the two schools is an exciting one! It provides an opportunity to bring two outstanding schools together to enhance the learning and wellbeing opportunities for our current students and future students. Our local community have had stated their opinions and these opinions have been listened to, collated and a decision made. Now, we move forward bringing our two schools together. Staff, students and present families will bring different strengths, skills and insights to the new school.
Our students, on the whole, have always finished their secondary studies as fine young men, lifelong learners who will contribute a great deal to society. They will be outstanding citizens. I have no doubt this will be the case.
I am proud of Randwick Boys’ High School. I am proud of our students, staff, parent and wider community. The Co-educational news has been met with practical questions from the RBHS community and then finding practical answers and ways to assist our students. This remains our highest priority!
An experienced Principal has been appointed to oversee the merge. Next week, we welcome Juliette McMurray, to facilitate a smooth transition from single sex to a Co-educational school. We look forward to working with Juliette and assisting her to ensure any disruptions are minimised. During 2024, our two schools will operate as normal. I will lead RBHS and Ms Andre will lead RGHS. I look forward to assisting the smooth transition and ensuring two outstanding schools become one even more exceptional school of choice in the Eastern Suburbs!
Yearly Examinations
Year 9 begin their yearly examinations next week. We wish all Year 9 students well in their academic endeavours and these examinations.
Year 9 - 23rd – 27th October
Year 8 – 30th October – 3rd November
As we enter the second week of term 4, the Student Representative Council is actively engaged in discussions and planning. We are excited to organise various events such as the annual SRC leadership camp, Sustainability Expos at Taronga Zoo, and community activities. Additionally, we intend to meet with our local representative, Dr. Marjorie O’Neill, along with other school captains and vice captains in our region, to discuss issues affecting today's youth.
Despite it being only two weeks into the term, the dedication, enthusiasm, and passion demonstrated by our young leaders is truly inspiring. Conversations are happening in each roll call, and on excursions, on how to improve and transition the student and teacher experience at our school for the merger with the Girl's School. As we gradually progress towards a future 'Randwick High School', some of our prefects and students are already eager to start designing a new uniform and school logo. We're also exploring various upgrades that the $42 million in government funding can support. These discussions are crucial to seize the opportunities that the merger presents and ensure positive outcomes for all students, staff, and teachers. There will be more on this in future issues.
It's important not to overlook the need for discussions involving our counterparts, Randwick Girls’ High School. While addressing these topics may pose challenges, in the coming months, we aim to collaborate with our partner school to address the desires, concerns, and emerging needs of both institutions.
My time so far as the new School Captain has been more busy than I anticipated, but I am excited to bear witness to the positive changes that the last Randwick Boys’ SRC can bring.
So, as I end my second column, I extend an invitation to all students to speak to me, a prefect or any other member of the SRC if you have questions or ideas about the merger.
SRC Leadership Workshop Taronga Zoo excursion
On Thursday 19 October, 8 students from Randwick Boys' High School travelled to Taronga Zoo to participate in a Leadership Workshop about environmental advocacy and sustainability. It was the first part of a two-day program for high school students to learn how to be better environmental leaders and mentors.
The day began with some guest speakers from School Strike 4 Climate, as well as Environmental Leadership Training delivered by Taronga Zoo staff. Then all the invited students from 18 high schools across Sydney were asked to present the current/future environmental initiatives of their schools. Our boys represented the school with pride and passion, sharing our current initiatives of Clean Up Australia Day and future plans to extend our recycling and composting efforts.
At the end of the day, the boys were rewarded with a few minutes to roam the zoo, seeing animals, such as the pride of lions resting on the top of the observation deck. Anthony Katz, Henry Cleaver, Ariyadana Astawa, Oliver Boije, Kevin Embesan, Jock Thompson, Nathan Soo, and Omar Waliuzzaman are now currently onto the next part of the program - planning a sustainability workshop to be delivered to primary school aged students at the end of November.
Australian Science Olympiads
Congratulations to the following Year 11 students who recently completed the very challenging Senior School Science Olympiads, run by Australian Science Innovations.
Callan Weisz achieved Credits for both Biology and Chemistry.
Finley England achieved a Distinction in Biology.
Year 8 Raise Program
In this week's sports action, our teams returned to the field after a bye week, ready to face off against Homebush Boys'. The first-grade basketball team once again proved their mettle with an impressive away win, showing they are a force to be reckoned with.
Coach Mr Dimopolous' cricket side, while giving their all, fell just short in their match. However, the team is determined to bounce back stronger in the upcoming week.
Looking ahead, next week promises to be an exciting one as Randwick Boys' High School will be facing North Sydney in an away round. Anticipation is running high, and we're all looking forward to the action-packed contests that lie ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates on our school's sporting achievements as we aim to continue our journey towards excellence in sports.
P&C Spring Gardening Bee – Saturday 28 October – join us for a day in the garden
Our gardens are in need of a spruce up so that our school is looking its best for the end of year assemblies and events. If you enjoy gardening, spending time outside or are particularly handy with a spade please join us anytime between 10am-3pm on Saturday 28 October. BYO hat and water bottle, and we’ll provide the good company and BBQ lunch! Let us know you’re coming so that we can cater accordingly.
World Teachers’ Day thank you card
The Randwick Boys' High School P&C would like to give everyone in our school community the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the amazing efforts of our hard-working staff this World Teachers' Day, Friday 27 October 2023. Please add your message to say thank you, whether to the whole team at RBHS or a particular member of staff, and let them know how they've made a difference to you, your student, or your family this year. If you have a picture of a special school moment with a staff member, you can upload it with your message. As a token of our appreciation, the P&C will be making a donation to the end-of-year staff function. If you would like to add a contribution, donations of $1 or more are very welcome.
Trivia Night – Friday 17 November – tickets on sale now!
Our annual trivia fundraiser night is back! Sign up now for an epic night of brain-busting fun at RBHS Trivia Night. Make a team and book a table or buy a single ticket to join a table with your year group.
If you can donate a prize or have a contact who would be willing to donate one (or more!), please let us know.
School Absence Notification System
Regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential. At Randwick Boys' 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 Boys' 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.