Congratulations Year 12
On behalf of the South Sydney High School Community, I extend our congratulations to the HSC class of 2023, who have enjoyed a variety of activities as part of their graduation celebrations this week.
Staff vs students games
Barbie and Ken day
'Clap out'
Graduation night
We wish you all the very best as you continue with your preparation for your HSC exams and for what the future may hold for you.
Congratulations Cal!
On achieving the highest award in Scouts, the Queen’s Scout Award.
Sporting heroes
Three girls from South Sydney High School played for Randwick Magic in the Canberra 7's over the weekend, their team taking out U14 girls Champions. Mahliya, Charlize and Leyla will also be representing Randwick Magic this coming weekend in Forster for the State Junior Rugby 7's. Go girls!
Jazaria won is the Players Award U17 St George at the State Titles held in June in Maitland.
She now heads to Perth on the 29th September to represent NSW in Under 19's mixed division in the Indoor Netball Nationals. Good luck Jazaria!
Nyssa competed at the Nationals for volleyball!
Leadership Team Assembly 2024
𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗔𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟵𝟱%+
As much as possible, taking into account illness and the like, we love to see our students every single day.
School attendance is essential for holistic personal development, academic achievement, social interaction, skill building, and preparing for future opportunities. It contributes not only to individual growth but also to the well-being and progress of our world.
Check out this image from the NSW Department of Education that shows the impact of missed school days over the course of a year.
Keep it Positive
Productive, respectful and inclusive partnerships between our families, our community, our students and South Sydney High School staff forms the cornerstone in how we work together.
The School Community Charter lays a foundation outlining the expectations of parents, students, carers, educators and school staff to ensure school learning environments are collaborative, supportive and cohesive.
South Sydney High School staff expect that all communication between teachers and parents is polite and respectful with matters discussed relevant to the child’s learning, wellbeing and/or attendance concerns with possible solutions discussed. We expect all parties to work together, in providing relevant information that supports a solution to the concerns raised.
Who to contact?
When you call or come in to our school, staff are often teaching or in meetings. From Term 4, our administration staff will email your enquiry to the appropriate staff member.
Big Picture Exhibitions
Students in the Big Picture Academy have had another round of exhibitions, topics have ranged from the Protestant Reformation, Architecture, Markets and music production. The quality of the presentations just gets better each term. The depth of knowledge and obvious passion for their projects displayed by students has been wonderful to experience. Congratulations to all the students, advisors and parents!
To all our students and their families, have an enjoyable holiday break.
Stay safe and stay well. Regards,
Janice Neilsen
In this issue
- Tournament of Minds
- Science news - VALID test
- Year 8 Gala Day Photos
- Opportunity news
- Careers hub
- Library news
- Mobile Device Policy
- Term 4 return
- Is your child addicted to their screen?
- Community news & events
Tournament of Minds
Tournament of Minds (ToM) is an International educational program ‘challenging the world’ to develop creative problem solving skills.
Congratulations to Isobel Treacy(8) and Dante Wu(8) who enhanced the experience of the Spirit of TOM when they volunteered to help at the Regional event on 27/8/23 at Randwick Boys High. They worked from 9am to 4pm. Importantly, they worked under the supervision of the Regional Director, and they staffed the registration desk, showed students around, viewed performances from other schools, and generally made positive connections with other creative, critical thinking and caring like minds.
Student comments
“I enjoyed viewing other teams’ products and seeing how my ideas could have turned into reality. I enjoyed meeting new people from other schools. I also enjoyed gaining further knowledge about how the Tournament Day works and the organisation that goes on behind the scenes. Isobel
“We had a chance to watch a number of Long-Term Challenges from different schools that competed on the day. I was pleased to see how other groups came up with solutions that were different to my own. I also enjoyed trekking around the school and helping teams find their performance rooms.” Dante
They also enjoyed the refreshments on offer and their free ToM mugs and the overall buzz and excitement of the event. Their participation was both well received and well rewarded. A great day was had by all! Great ambassadors for South Sydney High School!
Ms Jennifer Tilby, ToM Facilitator
Science news
Year 8 VALID Test
Year 8 Gala Day photos
Opportunity news
Dressed to take on the world!
Our heartfelt thanks to our partners “Dress for Work” at Bankstown Metro Assist, who generously dressed and showed ten of our Year 10 students the importance of presentation. We are so grateful that this year alone, 30 boys have received suits and lessons in presentation. That’s approximately 18 thousand dollars gifted to these students. Additionally, we are also lucky to have the wonderful Mr Callaghan who escorted our boys and is a most excellent role model. We are a very lucky school.
Ms Stell, Opportunity Coordinator
Careers hub
Return and Earn
Big Picture students have set up Return and Earn for South Sydney High School. The main aim is to clean up the environment and also raise money to build a Cafe here at school.
Please bring your Return and Earn into Ms Mattock - Careers
South Sydney High School is hosting our inaugural Christmas Market and Career Expo on Saturday 25th November from 9am to 3pm.
To date, we have over $2,500 worth of stall holders secured for the day.
If you would like to run a stall or advertise your business at the market and expo, or if you would like to sponsor this event, please email me - meredith.mattock@det.nsw.edu.au
To have a stall follow the links below depending on the type of stall you wish to have: retail, food, or careers. All support and help will be greatly appreciated.
Volunteers that would like to help out at the Christmas Market and Career Expo, please complete the following forms to volunteer for the day.
Parents/Carers - https://forms.gle/BK4aHCGk6odjennLA
Students - https://forms.gle/AUcib1QnByMCs1aq5
Teachers - https://forms.gle/Z6QJ8csmxkGtHYZM7
Book exchange/donation
If you have any books that you would like to donate to our Christmas Market and Career Expo to raise money for the school, please bring them to Ms Mattock.
UAC key date reminders
UAC Early Bird Processing Deadline of 29th September is fast approaching for anyone wanting to apply for undergraduate study in 2024, we encourage you to complete and pay for your application before midnight on Friday 29th September, when the processing charge increases. Once you’ve applied, you can change your preferences as many times as you like, no charge!
Your Key Dates:
- 29th September - Early Bird deadline - significant increase to application fee after this date
- 23rd November - Educational Access Scheme (EAS) application and documentation deadline for December Round 2 offers
- 14th December - 2023 ATARs released
- 21st December - December Round 2 offers released https://www.uac.edu.au/media-centre/news/dreaming-of-uni
UAC Live - Applications and Offers 26th September Tune in at 5.30pm on Instagram or Facebook to find out more about UAC applications and offers! The UAC Community and Engagement team will be hosting this special live session. Our team will also be online to answer all your questions in real time https://www.facebook.com/events/1487195478723627
Let's Chat Applying for the Educational Access Scheme - 4th October. The Educational Access Scheme (EAS) is for students who have experienced disadvantage(s) in Years 11 or 12. EAS may help with entrance into university. We'll give you an overview of EAS and discuss: – categories of disadvantage – how to apply – application documentation – EAS key dates – application tips. And we'll give answers to frequently asked questions! Register here: https://uacdigital.easywebinar.live/registration-eas2023
Notre Dame Young Achievers Early Entry Program Closing Soon! - Applications Close 30th September. Notre Dame’s Early Offer 2024 program is for Year 12 school-leavers completing the ATAR pathway. If you are currently in Year 12 completing the ATAR pathway, you have the opportunity to secure a spot at the university that emphasises the whole person. Early Offer applications will need to include your Year 11 and Year 12 school reports and we base your eligibility on your predicted ATAR. You can find out more about our Early Offer minimum academic entry requirements for our programs on our website https://www.notredame.edu.au/study/early-offer/early-offer
Reminder - Western Sydney University Free HSC Study Sessions - 25th - 29th September. Registrations Now Open! Delivered by highly qualified senior teachers with 25 free sessions across 16 key HSC subject areas, the sessions will include content analysis, tips and strategies, and a detailed exploration of key syllabus and curriculum areas. Students will also have the opportunity to sit a practice exam and deconstruction, with feedback and advice from experts. Subjects covered include:
English (Advanced and Standard, Community and Family Studies, Economics, Mathematics (Advanced and Standard 2), Geography, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Legal Studies, PDHPE, Modern History, Visual Arts, Physics https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/student-life/events/free-hsc-study-sessions
ACU Talk With Nurses, Midwives and Paramedics - 5th October. Caring for others gives more than it takes. A career in paramedicine, nursing or midwifery means a career helping others. Join us online to hear from ACU alumni about their experiences working as nurses, midwives and paramedics. Take part in a Q&A session with our graduates and learn what it is like working on the frontline, using your skills to help people when they need it the most https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/events/2023/october/talk-with-nurses-midwives-and-paramedics
Master Builder Pre-Apprenticeship Program - Register your interest for the course starting 27th November. Want to be a carpenter? This is your best first step. Master Builders will help prepare you to become the best 1st year carpentry apprentice. This 3-week entry level training program provides an introduction into both the industry and a carpentry trade prior to commencing an apprenticeship. Click here to register - https://www.mbaapprenticeship.com.au/mbas-pre-apprenticeship-program/
Science Experience at Macquarie University - 4th to 6th October. The Science Experience at Macquarie University in Sydney is a wonderful opportunity for Year 9 and 10 students to meet passionate scientists at the career speed dating session, get hands-on with STEM at the expo, participate in a chemistry magic show, learn more about our solar system and the world beyond earth, explore Indigenous science and technology and sustainable uses of natural resources, and much more! For highlights of the 2022 program see https://youtu.be/GFCDBOe9Sno. Register here: https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/
Meredith Mattock, Careers Adviser
Library news
Book Week Prize Winners
Congratulations to the Book Week competition prize winners.
A-Z Book Week Poster: Hal (Year 7) and Jamie (Year 8)
Emoji Book Titles: Jesse (Year 8)
Design a Book Cover: Lillie (Year 9) and Millaine (Year 9)
Book in a Jar: Jaimie (Year 8) Answer: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Music Speaks Where Words Fail
Much like reading, music has the ability to transport us to different places and can have a tremendous impact on our minds and body. Check out the resources we have available about the theoretical aspects of music, effects on neural pathways, biographies, musical styles and much more.
New Fiction Highlights
Please click on the link to take you to the Library catalogue and find out further information about the titles below.
Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd
A gently funny yet powerful coming-of-age middle grade novel about surviving the odds, unlikely friendships and the magical music of Elvis.
Picasso and The Greatest Show on Earth by Anna Fienberg
This is a beautiful novel about finding the remarkable in the ordinary and celebrating the wonder of every that will appeal to readers of all ages. Frances and Kit are wonderful characters that will stay with you long after you put this book down. Themes of friendship, grief, nature, art and family make this a novel that will touch your heart.
We Didn’t Think it Through by Gary Lonesborough
This book hooks you in, it is terrifically well-written and tackles the challenges of life on the fringe faced by so many of our youth. With themes of displaced kids, racial tensions, alcohol abuse and trying to write a better story of your life, it will be best suited to readers ages 15 and older.
Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
This is a wonderful fantasy novel about love, family ties, loyalty, justice and political intrigue entwined with Greek mythology. Io is a fascinating character, and there are so many subplots and twists that you will find this to be a very hard book to put down. Perfect for those who love fantasy, laced with an intriguing murder mystery.
Farewell Year 12
Lastly, my very best wishes to Year 12. You will all be missed, but I am excited for what lies ahead on your journey.
Ms Maddocks, Teacher Librarian
Mobile Devices Policy
Term 4, 2023
Frequently asked questions...
Term 4 return
Is your child addicted to their screen?
This webinar may help...
Community news & events
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Bidjigal people, the traditional owners and custodians of the land we work on. We also pay respect to Aboriginal elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people.
Contact us:
Telephone | 9349 3868
Email | sthsydney-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
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