term 4 week 6 SOUTH SYDNEY HIGH SCHOOL

Members of South Sydney High School’s leadership team proudly participated at Maroubra RSL Sub-Branch’s Remembrance Day Memorial Service. Several of our students played an important role in the event, demonstrating respect and honour for those who have served and sacrificed for our country. During the ceremony, our students contributed by reading poems, laying wreaths, and participating in moments of silence. Their involvement helped create a meaningful and respectful atmosphere, showing their understanding of the significance of Remembrance Day. We commend our students for their maturity and dedication in representing our school with such respect. This event is a valuable opportunity for our school community to come together to remember and reflect on the importance of peace and the sacrifices made by service men and women. Thank you to all who attended and supported this memorable occasion.

Primary Schools Visit

On Wednesday 12th November, our amazing SSHS Ambassadors visited Daceyville Primary School to assist their students in their Project Based Learning for Geography. Our students worked in small groups with the Daceyville students, providing advice, encouragement and asking questions. This developed the confidence of the younger students and gave them the opportunity to present their ideas during this vital planning phase of their projects. One group was working on a short play to show the causes of tsunamis, another on a giant choropleth map (google what that is!) of the world to show at risk areas for climate disasters. We came away duly impressed at the level of knowledge and creativity displayed by the students. Great work Daceyville! It was a privilege and an honour to play a small role in the lives of your enthusiastic young learners. Congrats to our Ambassadors too! Rest assured SSHS community that our students are fantastic role models and do us all proud in the wider community. PS: Check out the selfie of Ms Ansoul & another wonderful member of the Lam family, a future student of SSHS, just like her brother and sisters!

Battle of the Bands Champions

We are thrilled to announce that our talented students have won this year’s Battle of the Bands competition! Their outstanding performances impressed both the judges and the audience, showcasing exceptional skill, creativity, and teamwork. A special thank you goes to our amazing entertainment crew, whose dedication and hard work behind the scenes ensured that every aspect of the event ran smoothly. From sound and lighting to stage setup, their support was crucial to the success of our band. This achievement highlights the incredible talent within our school community and the power of collaboration. Congratulations to all the students and crew involved – your passion and commitment have truly paid off! We look forward to seeing more fantastic performances in the future.

Year 11 into 12 Information Night – A Great Success!

Last week we held our annual Year 11 into 12 Information Night. Students and their families came to learn important information about moving into Year 12. During the night, we talked about the HSC and the ATAR, important dates and how to handle the challenges of Year 12 for both students and parents while staying healthy and balanced. Teachers, year advisers, and senior executive shared helpful tips and stories. Many people told us they found the night useful and informative. Thank you to everyone who came and made the event so successful! We look forward to supporting our Year 12 students as they begin this important year.

Randwick City Council Walk Against Domestic Violence

The Step Out Speak Out walk is a significant event organized by the Randwick City Council and the NSW Police Eastern Beaches Local Area Command. It aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and encourage community members to stand against it. The walk is a testament to the community's commitment to preventing and eliminating domestic violence. SSHS proudly participated in this event this morning.

Social Media Age Restriction

For more information please visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions

Uniform Warriors

Attendance Heroes

Upcoming Events

• Female Fitness Sessions: Every Wednesday Morning
• Junior SSCIM Camp: 26 November - 28 November
• Orientation Day: 2nd December
• Australian Volleyball Schools Cup Gold Coast: 8 -12 December
• CAPA Showcase: Monday 8 December
• Presentation Day Assembly: Friday 12 December
• Last Day of school: Friday 19 December

P&C News

Second Hand Uniform Shop

A BIG thank you to all our families who have so generously donated goods to the secondhand uniform shop. Without your donations the P&C would not be able to supply our students with the SSHS uniform at $5 an item. Thanks must also go to Deborah Flamm and Ruth Cole for organising and tidying the Second- hand Uniform Shop this past Friday. Please keep your donations coming - we are especially looking for donations in good condition. Please do not deliver items that are stained or ripped. *** Please remember - cash and card are now accepted. *** Second-hand Uniform Shop Hours: Every Friday 2.45pm to 3.30pm The last day for the year will be Friday 12 December - the shop will be closed on the last day of school - Friday 19 December 2025. The second-hand uniform shop will also be open from 10am until 11.30am on Tuesday 2 December for Year 7 2026 Orientation Day. Friday 30 January - The shop will open on the School Development Day - from 9am to 11am.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

This is your last chance to order your cookie dough. Orders close today, 21 November. This is a great chance to buy some early Christmas presents for your loved ones as well as your fury friends. 10 Cookie varieties to choose from as well as Xmas fruit cake and doggy cookies. Visit the website to order or click the link: Billy's Cookie Dough Orders

From the Library

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge inspires students to explore a broad range of books and foster lasting reading habits. Through reading, we gain fresh perspectives and deeper understanding of ourselves, while opening doors to discover the world and envision new possibilities. Congratulations to all students who successfully completed the challenge and earned their certificates. Students who completed the challenge four times will receive a gold certificate, and students who completed it seven times will be awarded a platinum certificate. Well done to everyone!

New to the Collection

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike, are practically the same person: they finish each other's sentences and make each other whole. When the twins come of age, their magical gifts begin to develop, but while Jayaike's powers enchant, Somadina's cause fear to ripple through her town. Always an outsider, Somadina now faces blatant - and dangerous - hostility. And things go from bad to worse when her brother, the one person she trusted, vanishes. Somadina knows that no matter the dangers, she must track him down. Does Somadina have the strength - within both her body and her soul - for the trying journey ahead? The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

This is an intriguing retelling of the murderous Bluebeard story. Author, Marissa Meyer, does fairy tale retellings of class stories very well, and fans will not be disappointed with this ghostly adaptation. Suitable for all readers aged 14 and older. Last Chance Joey by Meredith Resce

This is a fantastic story of growing up, resilience and discovering the things that are important in your life. Joey, Harry, Belle and Emily are wonderful characters. Small communities can be hard to become part of when you’re an outsider, but Joey really wants to change. The gentle wisdom of Harry and Belle help him to see his dyslexia and his past don’t need to stop his dreams.

Time Lions and the Chrono- Loop by Krystal Sutherland & Martin Seneviratne

A fantastic time travel adventure that has twists and turns everywhere. Full of marvellous gadgets and historical places and times, this is a great read for history loving adventurers. Perfect for lower secondary readers. War Games: a novel of 1936 Berlin by Alan Gatz

A fascinating sports-based portrayal of the world at the onset of WWII. With historical figures Olympian Jesse Owens, and the evil presence of Adolf Hitler brought to life, it will capture the imagination. Besides the obvious themes of sport and war, it also covers themes of racism, prejudice, poverty, theft and the effects of unchecked hatred. Beautifully written with exciting and believable characters. What have they done to Liza McLean by Amy Doak

A fantastic mystery set in the most elite of schools. Wealth and privilege abound, and it has a cast of characters that keeps the story so entertaining. The friendship between Meg and Benny ebbs and flows, and friendship and trust are two of the main themes of the novel. The plot is fast paced and will be thoroughly enjoyed by those aged 15 and up.

Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man, Volume 1 by Shigenobu Matsumoto & Illustrated by Tomo Hirokawa

From a battle in New York to an alternate universe Japan, in this story Spider Man goes on a journey of discovery. From new creatures, such as, the Kaiju, to figuring out how to choose who he can save, he is joined and helped by Ultraman on his path to find his true values.

Ms Maddocks, Teacher Librarian

SSCIM Camp 2025

Senior SSCIM Camp: Cockatoo Island

The Senior SSCIM Camp to Cockatoo Island was a celebration of creativity and group bonding. Set against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, students immersed themselves in three days of exploration and deep focus on their Passion Projects. Students wandered through the historic shipyards, tunnels, and sandstone cliffs, drawing inspiration from the island’s rich history and spectacular vistas. Shared cooking and cleaning duties provided students with the opportunity to develop teamwork in a practical and meaningful way. Meals became moments of laughter, planning, and problem-solving, while cleaning stations transformed into opportunities for leadership and collective pride. As the sun went down, evenings around the firepit opened space for relaxed conversation and genuine connection. Each camp day provided valuable time for students to work on their passion projects. Midway through the camp, students presented their progress, and by the final camp day, each student stood with confidence, sharing work that was thoughtful and deeply meaningful. The Senior SSCIM Camp highlighted everything that makes High Potential & Gifted Education at our school so special. Students were supported, challenged, and inspired to pursue what they love, as a culture of curiosity and innovation was nurtured. Overall, Cockatoo Island offered the perfect setting to spark creativity and the joy of learning. As we celebrate the success of the Senior Camp, we now look forward with excitement to the Junior SSCIM Camp next week at Pittwater YHA. With fresh surroundings and the launch of new Passion Projects, it promises to be another great chapter in our HPGE journey for 2025!

opportunity news

Mock Interviews

Last week, all Year 10 students took part in our annual mock interview program, engaging with professionals from a wide range of industries. Representatives joined us from T. Rowe Price, United Way, Maersk, Salesforce, Wisetech, the environmental and scientific sectors, Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie Telecom, McGrath Real Estate (Maroubra), Coutts Lawyers, Unilever, Arup, Bonnie Doon Golf Club, MTG, the Maroubra Police Department, as well as project managers, retail specialists, SSHS alumni, parents, and partners. In total, 37 professionals generously volunteered their time, many of them members of our own school community, parents of teachers, ex- students, alumni, and partners of teachers. Their enthusiasm and willingness to support our students was truly inspiring. Each student prepared a CV and cover letter tailored to their chosen role and gained valuable, authentic interview experience. We are deeply grateful to all involved for their time, expertise, and commitment to this program, which has been a cherished part of our school for more than 20 years. My thanks to everyone who assisted and especially the Student Ambassador Team. Helen Stell - Opportunity Program Coordinator SSHS

vet news

Hospitality Work Placement

Last week, a significant cohort of Year 12 Hospitality students completed their final industry placement in the Food and Beverage elective stream. Workplacement is a compulsory component of all VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses and a key requirement for both the HSC and TAFE qualifications. Students are progressing towards the completion of 12 service periods and the mandated 70 hours of industry experience. The photos below showcase our 12HVT1 class during their placements. Host employers provided excellent feedback, with special acknowledgement to Cale, Harrison, Jahrone, Anthony, and Blake, for their outstanding contributions and teamwork. Several students were also offered employment opportunities. Mrs M Stephenson - VET Hospitality Teacher & TAS Teacher

Sport News

Volleyball Schools Cup

Congratulations to our silver medallists from Year 8 at the Volleyball Schools Cup 🏐 We are so proud of your efforts!

Here is a summary of the event from Luna in Year 8: We arrived at Sydney Olympic Park at 8:30. Ready for our first game at 8:40. The first opponent was Saint Sabina, whom we had never played against before. This made it difficult to compare skill levels. Not knowing what we were up against, we still had a good and strong mentality. We won the first match, in two straight sets, with Mia, Sara and Juliette providing the team with fabulous spikes. Our second game was against Baulkham hills, who we had played before in our previous competitions. Our team wasn’t sure if they had improved or not, not wanting to underestimate them. But after winning the first match, we were all pumped and excited. Baulkham's skill set had remained the same as we remembered from before, making it a little easier as we knew what to expect. Our team stayed confident and won both sets as well, with Emilia and Luna giving well-applauded sets. After a hot minute of refereeing and resting, we made our way into the semifinals, our competition being Sydney Girls. We had played their division 1 team before, but because of our different pool, we weren’t sure what to expect from their division 2 team. They won the first set, but even then our mentality remained positive, starting fresh with the second set. In the second set, Lily and Summer provided us with both great serves and spikes, giving us the boost that we needed close it out. Some clean serving from Kassidy closed out the third set and we finished off with a win! Because of this win, Finals rolled our way, the last match being Kogarah. We’ve heard quite a lot about the team, but had never actually played against them, so it was difficult to predict the outcome. Either way, this was our last, but not least game. We gave it the best we could, having spent all our energy and continued to push through. Kassidy, who showed excellent energy, lifted the scores up with her precise serves, and great saves. They won the first set, but this didn’t stop us from showing courage and persistence. The second set had started, and we gave it our all, in the end. They won first place, and our team second. We are extremely proud and grateful, having teammates that can lift the rest of us up and applaud Kogarah for their advanced skill set and brilliant sportsmanship. Luna - Year 8