Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Good News Stories
State Hurdler
Our amazing Sport Captain, Mikayla K, has come 2nd in the 100m hurdles in the final of the State Athletics Championships today. We are so proud of Mikayla as an athlete, dancer, student leader and all-round role model to our students. Mikayla leads by example in everything that she does and we celebrate her as a champion of Riverside. Congratulations. Mikayla and all of our amazing competitors at the State Championships this week. We celebrate all of you and look forward to the detailed report that will be provided by Ms Nagle when she returns from her gruelling week in the outdoors supervising and supporting our students.
Preliminary Examinations
Our Year 11 students will all be breathing a sigh of relief this weekend as they step away from their last Year 11 exams today. They have all acquitted themselves admirably and seem to have managed their stress and anxiety levels very well – at least that’s how it appears on the school-front! We welcome them back into their classrooms next week when they will begin to receive their results and feedback. Reports will be published at the beginning of Term 4 when they begin their HSC courses. It is a big time for Year 11 as they begin their journey as the Class of 2024 where the current Year 12s leave off.
Year 12 Major Works
Our Year 12 students continue to finalise and complete their HSC major works this week The Design and Technology markers came into school to mark; the Visual Arts works were taken away for marking this afternoon and the Music performance students are being marked this afternoon. It is an exciting time for all students of practical subjects to be able to say goodbye to this component of their HSC courses. We wish them well in the marking process.
Year 12 Graduation Week
Planning is underway for the Graduation Week activities for Year 12 from 18-22 September. These activities have been communicated to students and our school expectations about conduct and standards made clear. We would just like to remind all Year 12 students that formal learning will continue until this time with the same expectations of attendance, behaviour (including our no mobile phone policy) and uniform as always. This is a critical time for all Year 12 students to consolidate their knowledge and work with their teachers to prepare for their HSC written exams which begin on Wednesday 11 October. We look forward to sharing the joy and excitement of Graduation Week with Year 12 in one week’s time.
2023 Student Leadership Induction Ceremony
It is always exciting for this principal to be able to inform students of their success in achieving leadership positions. It is also difficult for me to consider the disappointment of the students who were not successful in the election process. I have spoken with all successful candidates (except those who are absent participating in representative activities) and look forward to meeting and celebrating with the parents of these candidates at the Student Leadership Induction Ceremony next Friday 15 September at 9:15am. I have asked that they all keep this information secret from everyone but their families - let's see how they go!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Louise McNeil
Principal
Student Wellbeing
The Butterfly Foundation is an organisation that provides support and information relating to eating disorders and body image issues. Next week they are offering a FREE parent webinar, with a focus on 'How to Support Teens to Eat Well in a Confused World'.
Join Butterfly and two Practicing Accredited Dietitians and learn how to help your teen have a positive and balanced relationship with food. Topics covered include: Why it's hard to charter a healthy course | What's helpful diet information and what's problematic | Supporting eating through puberty | Troubleshooting common eating dilemmas - 'junk food', 'high protein diets', veganism, not eating at school.
Tuesday, 12th September - 7-8pm (AEST) - Via Zoom (time-limited recording available)
Ms N Miller
P&C
Dear Parents, Carers
An exciting and emotional time for Year 12 as they come to terms with coming to the end of their 13 years of schooling. Good luck to all of them as they move into the next phase of life and congratulations on making it to the end!!
As a parent for whom this is our last school-aged child, we are also moving into another phase and I'd like to say how much I've enjoyed being a part of the Riverside community for the last eight years. I'd also like to congratulate all of the parents for getting your senior daughters to this point and surviving it as well😉 Best of luck for whatever is to come next!
A couple of things from the P&C...
First off - did somebody smell COFFEE??!!!!
The Matta Tidda cafe is open on Thursday and Friday mornings, run efficiently by the girls and overseen by Mr Oliver Russo. The coffee blend that is sold has been hand-picked by a group of Riverside girls, aptly named 'RGHS Blend'.
Although the cafe is only open to teachers and students, parents are able to support the school by purchasing bags of coffee (beans OR ground) through your daughters, who can bring them home to you. At this stage, this is the only way to purchase them, the process has not yet been streamlined; however, we are working on it! All proceeds go to the P&C to then use the funds to purchase more coffee for the cafe and beyond.
250g bags cost $13. As we start to sell more, we could have larger bags to sell as well. If you wanted beans, but there was only ground, it wouldn't take long to order more and it would be delivered to your daughters to bring home. You never know until you try, however I have it on good authority that it is a really nice blend! Give it a go!
Senior Uniforms
As our seniors leave, they will obviously no longer require their uniforms. Once the HSC is over and sign-out day looms, please could you consider donating any clean, wearable uniform pieces to the school for the second-hand Uniform Shop. If there are sisters to hand down to - keep them, for sure; however, if there is a need to clean out to make more room in the cupboard for work/TAFE/Uni clothes, how easy to just drop them off at the school office on sign-out day?? Thanking you in advance!
Ms M Hudson
Careers News
Automotive Apprenticeships
150 Apprenticeships vacancies at Apprenticeships Are Us. Go to: https://www.apprus.com.au/
Introduction to 3D Art and Animation Careers (Year 10)
2 Day Program at Enmore TAFE. See Mr Gilford in Careers
Portfolio to enter Sydney College of the Arts - 12 September
Sydney College of the Arts at the University of Sydney invites you to attend our Portfolio evening, to assist you with preparing your portfolio and application to study our three-year Bachelor of Visual Arts and our four-year Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
UTS Book a 1-1 Undergraduate Consultation (15 Minute Consultations) https://www.uts.edu.au/study/undergraduate/our-courses/events-and-info-sessions/book-undergraduate-consultation
UNSW Languages Week 2023 - 3-5 October
“Join us on campus from October 3rd-5th and indulge yourself in unique cultural experiences featuring language lessons, food, music, dance, film, VR activities and more!” https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/unsw-languages-week-2023-tickets-712786783457
TAFE Careers Guide
“Get a head start on a career by completing a TAFE NSW vocational education course, either at school or online, or earn while you learn with a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. You can also do your post-school studies and choose from a diploma, degree or other pathway to university.
This means you’ll be taught by expert teachers with strong industry connections, as well as have access to mentorships, internships and work placements in a real-world environment, giving you invaluable experience and a great head start on your career.” https://www.tafensw.edu.au/school-students
TAFE Degrees
“You don't need an ATAR to study a degree with TAFE NSW. Study a Bachelor degree, post graduate or higher education qualification with TAFE NSW.
Plus if you have previously completed a higher education or vocational diploma or certificate qualification, you may be eligible for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning (RPL) towards your degree, which means you could graduate sooner.” https://www.tafensw.edu.au/degrees
Mr J Gilford & Ms A Soares
Dates for the diary
Faculty News
CAPA
Artist Corner - Coral
Introduce yourself to our Riverside community:
Hi I’m Coral, and I’m in Year 12, and I’m a singer-songwriter. I also dance.
What genre is your favourite to perform in and why?
My favourite genre is Country. I love the narratives and storytelling in the Country genre and how I get to bring a story to life.
What are some projects you are working on right now or have worked on recently?
I have recently participated in the Junior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth! This was a week-long workshop with industry professionals. It was fantastic because I got to meet lots of other musicians and collaborate with them. I was also invited to return to Tamworth to be officially part of the Country Music Festival to perform – I can’t wait!
I am also currently involved with the Talent Development Project where I am participating in a series of workshops to hone my creativity and song writing skills. It’s a really elite program open only to those in Public Education so I’m really happy to have been chosen to be involved.
Where would you like to take your art after school?
I want to record music next year and I want to play at as many country music festivals as I can. I really want to be able to have a career in music: performing, recording, writing – that would be the ideal thing.
What’s the best thing about the arts at Riverside?
I love that Riverside has an extensive and great arts program. I’ve been involved in dance and music throughout my time at Riverside and I highly rate the opportunities provided for its students to grow and develop as performers, and also to find their own way of doing art.
Ms T Mitchell
TAS
Year 10 Food & Beverage Excursion
Mr O Russo
Science
Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
This week, Year 12 Biology students delved into the study of non-infectious diseases and disorders, encompassing their causes and their impact on human health. They also explored the role of technology and the practical applications of STEM in the treatment of these diseases and disorders. The students gained insights into the significance of comprehending the multidisciplinary nature of science applications. Perhaps this content may ignite new interests and help those who are still in the process of deciding on their future studies.
In this lesson, they specifically focused on the physiology of the eye through a bull's eye dissection, enabling them to propose engineered solutions to issues associated with the management of vision-related disorders. It is always a pleasure to observe the students' unwavering attention and engagement.
Ms A Nikic
Co-curricula News
State Athletics Championships
Fantastic results from day 1 of State Athletics Championships🏆
1st Pentathlon - Zara P
3rd Discus - Mikayla D
4th Pentathlon - Charli N
4th High Jump - Jacqueline P
8th Pentathlon - Maddy D
Good luck to all of our students competing in the final two days of the competition, more results to come.
Ms T Nagle