RANDWICK HIGH SCHOOL 25 August 2025

This term, our students have shown remarkable enthusiasm and dedication in the classroom, on the sporting field and in the community. In the CHS Athletics and state rugby league competitions, our athletes demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship, showcasing their hard work and commitment. Our teams represented the school and public education with pride, achieving impressive results and earning valuable experience that will serve them well in future competitions.

In addition to our athletic pursuits, we were thrilled to welcome back some of our distinguished alumni during Science Week. These former students shared their insights and experiences in the field of science, inspiring our current students to explore diverse career paths in STEM. Their engaging presentations sparked curiosity and encouraged students to think critically about the impact of science in our everyday lives. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with role models who once walked the same halls and are now making significant contributions to their fields.

Our students have been actively participating in various academic competitions, showcasing their problem-solving skills and creativity. The recent HSC major works displays were another highlight, featuring outstanding projects that reflect the hard work and innovation of our students. These displays not only celebrate their achievements but also provide an opportunity for peer feedback and inspiration. We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and accomplishments across all disciplines!

Finally, we said a fond farewell this term to Mr Dale Bester, who has taught in the PDHPE Faculty at RBHS and RHS for nearly 8 years as well as coordinating sporting programs and coaching numerous teams. Mr Bester has contributed extensively across the whole school and we wish him well as he takes up a new leadership opportunity in another school. We also wish Ms Michelle Dineen all the best with her travels and return to Ireland. Her contribution to Science teaching at RBHS and RHS has been very much valued by staff and students over the past two years. Ms Alexandra Hall will also be taking a substantial period of leave. Her energy, ideas, future-focused thinking and willingness to share great classroom practice will be very much missed and we wish her the best with her travels and plans.

Randwick High School Sport Achievements

Chess competition

Randwick High school conducted its first annual One day Chess tournament in the final week of term Two with Duli Ishwara taking victory after Seven hard fought rounds. The tournament was well attended with 24 players participating. To round out the day all students played a simultaneous game against chess coach and facilitator Jack Keating. We encourage any students wanting to improve their game to drop in for a game and coaching after school on a Monday afternoon in the library.

Tim Keating Teacher/Librarian

Under 14s Team

Well done to our Under 14s teams! Recently, our Under 14s put in an outstanding performance, making it all the way to the semi-finals! 🏆One of the teams had a particularly strong run—winning 5 out of 6 games and showing real determination throughout the day. They narrowly missed out on a spot in the final, going down 1–0 to Matraville Sports High in a hard-fought semi. A huge congratulations to all players involved — you made us proud with your effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship!

Under 15s Girls Team

RHS through to the next round! Our 15’s Girls Basketball team has won Round 2 of the Sydney East Knockout Competition. Great effort from all players — next stop, Round 3.

Reginal Athletics Carnival

Well done to all our students who competed at the Regional Athletics Carnival. Great effort and strong performances across the board.

RHS Rugby Team

Our rugby team recently travelled to Tamworth for the University Shield quarter finals. Though we didn’t win, the experience was unforgettable! 🏉✨ From bonding with teammates to enjoying the great culture at Farrer Agricultural High, the memories made will last a lifetime. Proud of our team’s hard work and spirit on and off the field! 👏💙

Boxing NSW

Congratulations to Zyler Feenan, who has been selected to represent Boxing NSW at the 2025 School Age, Junior and Youth National Championships in Darwin this September. This marks Zyler’s third consecutive year making the Nationals team, a testament to his dedication and consistency in the sport. Competing in the 63kg division, he will take on some of the best young boxers from across the country.

We are incredibly proud of Zyler and all he has achieved — a fantastic accomplishment!

Excursions

Economics Conference

On Monday, 7 July, myself and twelve of our Economics students had the privilege of attending a prestigious Economics Seminar at the Sydney Masonic Centre in the CBD. The event featured a panel of four distinguished economists who engaged in a lively and thought-provoking debate on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia today: from the impact of the global economic crisis on everyday living standards, to the challenge of rising inflation and the Reserve Bank’s response through monetary policy and interest rates, the discussion was both insightful and engaging. Students also gained valuable perspectives on superannuation, the ongoing housing crisis, the effects of overregulation and the importance of microeconomic reform in shaping Australia’s future.

It was an inspiring opportunity for our students to witness first-hand how the theories they study in class connect to real-world economic challenges—an experience that will no doubt spark fresh ideas and conversations back at school.

A heartfelt thank you goes our dedicated Economics students, whose commitment to their studies shone through as they chose to spend part of their holidays engaging with such an important event. We are especially grateful to Dr Gigi Foster from UNSW—herself a proud Randwick High alumna—for making it possible for our students to witness such a dynamic and valuable economic debate.”

Marie Harris Head Teacher Social Science

Year 7 Zoo Science Excursion

This term our Year 7students had the opportunity to visit Taronga Zoo, where they spent the day discovering an amazing variety of animals and learning more about conservation and biodiversity. Highlights included the seal and bird shows, exploring the different animal habitats, and of course, taking in the spectacular views over Sydney Harbour. The excursion gave students a chance to connect what they have been learning in class with real-world experiences, and it was a memorable day for all.

As part of the excursion, we ran a Zoo Photo Competition to encourage students to capture their favourite moments. We were so impressed with the creativity, skill, and unique perspectives shown in the entries. Congratulations to our winners; Nikita Panayi, Isabelle Cheshire, and Steve Goldsein

Marnie Separovich Science Teacher

Photo Credit: Nikita P, Isabella C, Steve G

Chinese Consulate

As part of their visit, they enjoyed activities such as: ✨ Opera face painting 🤲 Performance gestures & Sichuan face-changing 🦁 Lion dance magic 🖌 Calligraphy fun 🍜 Delicious authentic Chinese food It was a vibrant celebration of culture and tradition.

Alumni News

During National Science Week, August 9-17, RHS alumni now working in the sciences in different fields, spoke to Year 11 Science students during two informative and engaging sessions.

Richard Yong (2008) is a Senior Research Scientist and Team Leader. He is responsible for leading scientific research and managing a small team of scientists. He has a Bachelor of Advanced Science, Physics with First Class Honours (UNSW) and PhD in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (UNSW).

Meagan Vidyaeva (2010) is a critical care registered nurse, specialising in cardiothoracic intensive care at Prince of Wales Private Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She is also a permanent nursing academic (lecturer) at The University of Notre Dame Australia. Cate Kyling (2022) is in her third year of a Bachelor of Advanced Science at UNSW, majoring in Biology and Ecology. Cate also works with the Health Promotions Unit at UNSW on their Water Safety Projects. In the last year Cate has taken on the role of President of BIOSOC UNSW and recently led UNSW’s BIOSOC Career Night.

Each alum shared what their work and/or university studies involves and how they came to follow their career paths and succeed in their current roles. They then went on to answer lots of students’ questions about studying and working in the sciences. And according to one teacher, the conversations inspired by these sessions continued beyond lunch time. Thank you to our esteemed alumni for giving your time and expertise to our students. We appreciate it.

If you are a RHS alum we’d love to welcome you back to the school to inspire and encourage our current students. Randwick High School proudly builds on the traditions of its two founding schools, Randwick Boys High School and Randwick Girls High School. We warmly encourage our alumni to keep in touch with the school. Our alumni coordinator working as part of the our school program is Miriam Hechtman and you can contact her here: Miriam.Hechtman@det.nsw.edu.au

Miriam Hechtman

Remembering our Former Students

David Dale

David Dale, esteemed journalist and former Sydney Morning Herald columnist, has passed away aged 77. A proud former student of Randwick Boys High School, David’s sharp wit and fearless writing left a lasting mark on Australian media. His much-loved Stay In Touch column blended humour, satire, and a healthy disdain for pomposity, earning him a place in the hearts of readers and peers alike. From his school days in Randwick to bylines around the world, David never lost his curiosity or passion for storytelling. He is fondly remembered and deeply missed.

Henri Szeps

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Henri Szeps, beloved star of the iconic Mother and Son. Henri was not only a celebrated actor whose talent and humour lit up Australian television, but also a proud Old Boy of Randwick Boys’ High School. His remarkable career and enduring legacy in the arts will be fondly remembered by generations of viewers and the Randwick community alike.

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.