Dear Parents/Caregivers,
I hope you have had a wonderful week.
Shout out to Year 12
I gave a shout out to Year 12 at assembly this week to acknowledge the huge effort that is required of them at this time of Term 1 in completing their second round of HSC assessment tasks. The HSC is intense and sometimes seems insurmountable and a few of our students are struggling to maintain the momentum and emotional fortitude. I would just like to reach out to Year 12 parents to remind them that we have counselling and SSO services available at school, as well as our DP, Year 12 Adviser, mentors and class teachers all on call to support Year 12. It is also important to remind you, as I reminded the students this week, that these holidays are a valuable opportunity for Year 12 to unwind, relax, sleep in and set their own study routine.
These holidays come at a crucial point for Year 12 to reflect on and consolidate their knowledge and skills of content already learnt (they are halfway through their courses); reflect on teacher feedback from formal and informal tasks and continue to practise their HSC examination skills by attempting, under times conditions, past papers and online multiple choice questions. Certain faculties at Riverside provide students with access to specific online programs and platforms to enrich the students in-class learning. Please remind your daughters to engage with these. I also urge that all parents and carers take the time to check in with their daughters to ensure that they are organised and confident in preparing their study routine for the holidays. I would suggest that aiming for 4-6 hours a day (or more if the ATAR goal is well above 90) is a reasonable expectation to adequately prepare all students for the final stage of their HSC preparation by building their examination skills and consolidating and extending their content knowledge. This is not a time to take their feet off the pedal – this is build up time. Please encourage and support them in doing so.
Academic Reports will be issued next term in time for Parent Teacher Interviews on Thursday 26 June.
Year 7 Interim Reports
Year 7 will receive their Interim Reports online on Friday 11 April. They will be posted onto their Parent Student Portal and all parents will receive information via their email to explain how to access these reports. As the name indicates, these reports will provide students and parents with an overview of student progress to-date, based on a set of key contemporary learning attributes (otherwise referred to as “soft skills”). They will receive their Academic Reports (with grades and comments) on Tuesday 1 July in time for parent teacher interviews on Thursday 3 July from 3:00pm. More information about bookings to follow next term.
Matta Tiddas Café
Today is a happy day for Riverside as the school café, Matta Tiddas, has reopened for the year! Serving amazing coffee and sweet treats – cookies and protein balls today – it is a treat for all of us to have access to freshly ground, barista coffee (along with hot chocolate and other caffeine-free drinks). My soy piccolo was top notch – a credit to Yaelin K and Charlotte G, my baristas, and Ms McNeil-Dean who has worked with the young baristas, cooks, marketers and sales personnel, to refine their skills in all facets of running a café through the Stage 5 Food and Beverage course. Bravo to our Matta Tiddas crew!
HPGE Applications
To all of our parents with younger daughters – just a reminder that the registration link for the HPGE test is open and can be found on our website: https://riversideg-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/events/2025/5/hpge-test-2026.31_may.html
Have a lovely weekend.
Louise McNeil
Principal
School Musical Fundraiser Under the Sea Bake Sale
Next Thursday 10 April, students involved in the school musical are holding a bake sale. All proceeds from the bake sale will go towards the sound equipment hired for the musical. There will be lots of yummy treats for sale at recess 2 and lunch, with many of the goodies Under the Sea themed. We hope to see lots of students there!
Ms R Young
Big Sister Little Sister
Last Friday, the 2025 Big Sister Little Sister program began with an exciting activity in the hall at lunch. This program aims to connect Year 7’s with girls from older years to help them settle into high school and get to know people throughout our school community. During this time the Year 7’s were introduced to their Big Sisters from Year 9 or Year 10. Whilst they were getting to know each other through icebreakers, donuts were handed out to everyone. We would like to thank the P&C for funding this program, your support means a lot.
We’re looking forward to hosting the second activity of the program and the last one for this term this afternoon (4 April). Get excited for pizza and trivia!
From the Big Sister Little Sister team
Faculty News
TAS
Our Year 7ICT T class started their in-house Cybersecurity course today. We had a great discussion on how to spot an online scam and the impact that these scams have on citizens, particularly the world's vulnerable.
Have a discussion with your daughters today about what they are learning in their ICT class. We believe that after this short learning unit, nothing will go past our super sleuths.
They will be scam proof and ready to take on the cyberworld, hackers for good causes only.
Some of the terminology they have learnt about include- phishing, social engineering, unsolicited email, untrusted sources.
Ms A Mihailou
HSIE
Year 7 Geomorphic Hazards
Today year 7 presented their geomorphic hazards assessments. They worked so hard making their tsunami, earthquake, landslide displays and then shared with each other in class. Beautiful learning!
Ms H Burgmann
Co-curricula Activities
School Musical - Spotlight on the Orchestra
For the past several weeks, our talented musicians have been coming together for weekly rehearsals to bring the music of ‘The Little Mermaid’ to life. This year’s orchestra, made up of 30 students from Years 7 to 12, has been working hard to make sure the show’s music is magical.
The orchestra plays a vital role in the school musical. They enhance every scene and bring the magic to life in a way words alone can’t, by setting the tone and transporting the audience into Ariel’s world. When asked which song in the score was their favourite, students said the following:
“ She's in Love - because it is a fun piece to play on the Cello.” Jasmine (Cello)
“ The Overture - it is a taster for what is to come and you get to hear the popular sections of music all at once and it helps to set the scene.” Olivia (Clarinet)
“ Kiss the Girl - I like the mood and think my part sounds really nice.” Emily (Alto Saxophone)
“ Part of Your World - because it sounds the best and it's fun to play.” Melody (Piano)
“Under the Sea - playing the bongo solo.” Anouk (Percussion)
Students in the orchestra rehearse every Thursday after school under the guidance of Ms Wang and the orchestra conductor Mr Ho. When asked what they were most looking forward to about the musical, the students in the orchestra said:
“ I am looking forward to the musical coming together and being able to play all the songs with the cast.” Sandhya (Clarinet)
“ I am most looking forward to performing and getting to put on a show for all of the audience. I can't wait to see all of the actors, backstage crew and orchestra come and make the most amazing show there can be.” Gwen (Violin)
“ I am most looking forward to show week and being part of a musical in an orchestra as this is my first time.” Sophie (Clarinet - Reed 3)
“ I am looking forward to the performance nights, it’s always so fun to get ready with everyone else and get excited about performing.” Hannah (Cello)
“ I am looking forward to music camp.” Betsi (Flute)
Artistic Swimming - NSW State Championships
Congratulations to Sophie K Year 9 who recently competed in the Artistic Swimming NSW State Championships. Over the two-day competition, Sophie won three gold medals (Youth Solo, Youth Duet, and Team) and a second place ribbon. We wish her all the best in the Victoria State Championships.
Swimming Carnival Ribbon Recipients
Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup
Last week two of our Year 9 students, Hana L. and Skyler S. competed and won Bronze at the Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup in Coolangatta. This is a national competition in which there were around 18 teams in their division, playing over three days. The girls did a fantastic job, even playing in soaring winds up to 39km/h and rain! We continue to thank Jeremy for his great coaching of our Riverside girls.
NSW State Athletics Championships
Mikayla D recently competed in the 2025 NSW Junior Athletics Championships at Homebush. In her favourite event, the discus, she held off some strong finishers to clinch Gold.
She is the State U16 Champion for the 2025, with an impressive throw of 39.12m. Mikayla will be competing in Perth next week at the Australian National Junior Championships.
Drama Club
Drama Club has been running at lunchtimes on Mondays with students across various grades from 7 to 10 attending. Students have been participating in various activities encouraged to develop their improvisation, characterisation and collaboration skills. It has been pleasing to see the students all working together in the various Drama activities undertaken.
The next Drama Club meeting will be held in Term 2, on Monday of Week 3. New students are welcome to attend.
Ms R Young
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
Dates for the diary
P&C
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
P&C Gardening Bee Sunday 6th April 11AM-2PM
The P&C are planting a new feature tree in the Quad and 13 Pandorea flowering climbers along the front entrance fence.
We need parent and student volunteers to help us! No experience necessary. It just takes elbow grease and enthusiasm to help plant the tree and climbers.
Many hands make light work and it will be a nice opportunity to meet other parents & carers! BYO gloves, gardening tools, lunch & water bottle. Coffee, tea and hot cross buns are supplied.
Please register your interest in helping at the P&C WhatsApp group that you can join via the QR code below: