Riverside Currents Week 5 Term 1 2026

School Spirit and Connectedness At Riverside we are committed to building a learning culture of excellence and success. I am using our weekly assemblies to address the students about intrinsic motivation; finding the passion from within to embrace learning and to commit to doing ones best always. The ability to derive satisfaction through a positive mindset and active participation. It always encourages me when I walk around the school and see students attentively concentrating on what they are doing, actively engaged in their learning. Quality teaching and learning in an environment of challenge and inquiry is what we strive to build into our learning culture every day, and I am convinced that this is what we achieve. At Riverside are committed to enhancing engagement for all students through the collaborative learning that takes place within the classroom and beyond, in extra-curricula activities. Generally students who are engaged in their learning and actively involved in school life have a high level of school satisfaction. There are exceptions but generally it follows that engaged, challenged, involved students are happy students. Whilst it is impossible to achieve 100% student satisfaction 100% of the time, it is 100% our aim to strive to make school a happy place with quality, calm learning environments and a diverse program of leadership, performing arts and sporting opportunities. I addressed the assembly this week to congratulate all students on the high level of registration and participation in extra-curricula activities already, and we are only in Week 5! We had the cast for Peter Pan announced this week (Ms Young and her team had about 200 auditions to coordinate and make decisions from); we have students from Years 9-11 registered in Duke of Edinburgh; we have a record breaking four dance companies, as well as a newly introduced elite dance company; students signing up as Library Monitors to assist Ms Ghorra in the library; students in all years (including Year 7) signing up as tour guides for our Open Day next Tuesday; volleyball, cricket, softball and Oztag trials; students participating in triathlons, aquathons and athletics competitions; Mallinson Wellbeing Week; senior and junior music ensembles rehearsing; students participating in the NSW Arts Unit ensembles as well as Schools Spectacular; debating practice due to begin; The Stream writing group starting up, and the Matta Tiddas Food and Beverage crew are developing their hot chocolate and coffee making skills ready to open our Matta Tiddas school cafe…and so it goes on…. It is an absolute pleasure to be the principal of such a vibrant, dynamic school and to be inspired every day by the talented, passionate students and teachers who make Riverside the wonderful place that it is to learn and grow. We will continue to endeavour to always improve the school through our results in all external tests, including the HSC, embedding our strategic goals of ongoing improvement in literacy, numeracy, explicit teaching and collaborative partnerships. We will continue to lead excellence in teaching and learning through school-based and external professional learning to ensure Riverside is always ready to adopt the best of new ideas and innovation. As always, if you have any questions or would like clarification of our strategic goals, you may always email the school. School beautification In preparation for Open Day and every day beyond it, we have been undergoing a massive school beautification program. I would like to make special mention of a few very special people who have played a huge role in cleaning up our grounds by gardening, potting, cleaning pots, moving things and disposing of rubbish. Javier, Freddy and Lara, our grounds team; Karen, our Science Assistant and passionate gardener; our dynamic school administration team, preparing the Open Day event, marketing documents and showbags for families to read. Next time you visit, don’t forget to admire their works – I am delighted to be able to create such a sparkly, inviting physical environment for our students to pass through and enjoy every day. Macquarie University This morning I attended a breakfast at Macquarie University to meet senior university staff to discuss existing and emerging options for students. It was a great event to hear from senior academics and the Vice Chancellor, Bruce Dowton, about the university and ideas to leverage opportunities, including early entry programs, for our students. It really is a beautiful campus with so many contemporary, future-focused degrees and double degrees. We will continue to provide opportunities for our students to connect with all universities, Sydney-based, regional and inter-state, as they plot their path to tertiary study. Ms Soares and Ms Low are always available to answer any questions that students have about post-school pathway planning, as well as industry-based information and contacts. Drop off at school – stay safe I would like to request that no one park over the school driveway when you are dropping off your daughter in the morning. Please remember that your convenience does not always equate to safety for our students and teachers. Please endeavour to drive beyond the driveway and drop your daughter off further down the road (towards the ferry stop). You may then also make use of the round about to return to Victoria Rd, without doing a U-turn over double yellow lines. Open Day Our annual Open Day will be held on Tuesday 3 March from 4:00 - 6:00pm. Please pass this on to your friends and family who may be interested in visiting our school and considering Riverside for their daughters now or in the future.

Welcome to Year 7 Afternoon Tea A date for the diary is Tuesday 24 March for a Welcome to Year 7 Afternoon Tea for all families of Year 7 - we will send out a personalised email and RSVP link shortly. This is a casual event to provide the opportunity for parents to meet their daughter’s teachers. It is not a parent teacher interview. Year 7 will receive interim reports in Term 1 Week 10 to provide initial feedback to parents and final reports in preparation for parent teacher interviews in late Term 2. We hope to see you for some cake and chat.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Louise McNeil Principal

Peter Pan

Peter Pan Cast Announcement

After four days of auditions, the performance space was a buzz of excitement on Wednesday when students found out their roles for this year’s school production of Peter Pan. It was wonderful to see how excited and supportive of each other the cast were when they found out the roles they would be playing. This year’s cast is made up of 108 students and we have over 100 students who have signed up to be involved as backstage crew. The rehearsals for the cast will take place Wednesday and Thursdays after school. A rehearsal schedule will be put into place, so students know which rehearsals they need to attend. Students in the crew do not need to attend rehearsals until Thursdays in term 2. The play is an adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic novel, with the addition of new characters and adventures, and some updated references. It’s pleasing to see the excitement surrounding our production of Peter Pan and we look forward to welcoming you to Neverland in Week 7 of Term 2! Peter Pan Play 2026 List of Roles Peter Pan - Quinn B (12) Wendy - Kiana K(12) Captain Hook - Harper J (11) Michael - Winnie W (9) John - Abby W (10) Tinkerbell - Betsy P (9) Mrs Darling - Bella F (12) Mr Darling - Charlotte R (9) Nana (The Dog) - Amina L (11) Shadow (Act 1, scene 2) - Alena B(9) Lost Boys: Nibs - Kira S (9) Slightly - Claudia F(10) Curly - Amelia K (9) Tootles - Freya B(8) Twin #1 - Nancy B (7) Twin #2 - Anabel LR (7) Mumbles - Ally N (8) Moonbeam - Chloe DS (9) Lost Boys Ensemble - Cailtin A (9), Laura A (8), Alma Y(9), Isabela M-M (9), Mila J (9), Arlandria S (9), Priya J (7), Anna B (7), Abbey C (7) Ellie L (9), Matilda R (7), Scarlett S (8), Tilly B (8), Gwen B-W (8), Bay H (8), Grace G (8), Evie W (9) Pirates: Mr Smee - Kate R(12) Bill Jukes - Anabel R (12) Cookson - Sophia B (10) Noodler - Emily H (9) Flourish Finn - Ela G(10) Starkey - Mackenzie M (11) One-Eyed Percy- Mabel J (7) Grimshaw - Macy S(8) Bones - Alex M (10) Jones -Sophie D (10) Pirate Ensemble - Charlotte MH-W(12), Olga B(12), Ellie H (11), Sophie B (10), Genevieve D (10), Charisse R (10), Arianna S (11), Nadia M (9), Hannah M (9), Abbygail W (7), Sophia H (7), Cynthia G (10), Aziza T-A (10), Frances O’K (7), Olivia H (7), Audrey G (7), Felicity C (7), Thisha V (7), Ivy W (7), Elowen C (10), Saniksha S (10), Lizzie F (10), Veronkia I (8), Chelsea H (7), Purvi SJ R (8), Zhen Xuan Sarah Y (9), Sneha d M (9), Bahar M H(9), Erum S (8) Tiger Lily (Leader of the Bravehearts) - Sophie C (8) Bravehearts - Jasmine: Christina F (11) Magnolia: Georgia P (11) Sage: Helena D (11) Cherry Blossom: Poppy N (10) Ivy: Mina A (8) Lavender: Sophie I (8) Rose: Shireen S (7) Bravehearts Ensemble - Marianna L (8), Georgia R (8), Amelia W (8) Sophie F (7) Crocodile - Alena B(9) Mermaids - Sienna G (8), Sky P (7), Claudia L (8), Brooke B (8), Quinn S(8), Paisley E(8), Bella DRG (8) Neverland Creatures - Alicija M (8), Lucia H (7), Marley S (7), Esther W(7), Ammara G (7), Ha El Y(7), D'Arcy E (7), Lexie K (7), Zoe M (7), Afrath J (7), Talia M (7), Eliza A (7)

Mindfulness Mondays

School Photo Day 11 March 2026

Faculty News

English

Genius 75 - 7K

This week during 7K’s Genius75 lesson we focused on Making Mistakes. While the majority of the class admitted to really disliking mistakes as it makes them “crash out”, we all acknowledged that making mistakes opens up fantastic learning opportunities.

Here are some of 7K’s impressions of the Genius75 program thus far - “Genius 75 will be a fun experience with my friends. I think that although it may be difficult, I will be able to overcome the challenges.” - Esther N

“I'm excited since I've never seen anything like this class before, so it's a new subject.” - Zoe M

“I feel very happy and excited to create something.” - Shirley C

Ms M Purisima

Co-curricula Activities

2026 NSW All School Triathlon Championships

Congratulation to the 22 students who competed at NSW CHS & ALL Schools Triathlon Championships. Individual Triathlon & Aquathlon - Wednesday 25 February. Year 7s Eva M and Year 8 students Sofia P & Eloise D competed in the individual Aquathlon Event.  A big congratulations to Eloise who finished 4th and Sofia who finished 5th NSW CHS Division. Teams Triathlon - On Thursday 26 February. Riverside sent 21 students across 7 teams competed in Triathlon Teams Event. Impressive effort by the following students who proudly represented Riverside and Sydney North: Junior Teams 12-14 Yrs

1. Natalie Y, Claire W, Betsy P - Finished 5th in NSW CHS
2. Addison K, Skye L, Eloise D

Intermediate Teams 15-16 Yrs

1. Bronte N, Bella F, Susanna B
2. Sophie F, Zali C, Sofia P
3. Amelia K, Sandhya J, Kira S
4. Lucy H, Mataya J, Chloe M

Senior Team 17yrs +

1. Ella B, Elise H and Isabelle B

Ms S Nicol

State Oztag Championships

Last weekend we travelled up to Coffs Harbour to participate in the NSW State Oztag Championships, representing Ryde Colts U14s. Our team played really well, winning 5 out of 6 games. We kept every team scoreless with the exception of our 1 loss. Over the two days that we played, our team was very proud of our performances. It was an experience that we won’t forget, and we had so much fun playing alongside our friends. Our few months of training really paid off; we worked together very strongly and kept encouraging one another over the tough weekend. We took home not just our wins but all the lasting memories we made on and off the fields. Emma L (Yr 8) Claire W (Yr 8) Betsy P (Yr 9)