From the Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
It has been an extra big week at Riverside this week, with two major awards ceremonies and a Year 7 showcase.
Sport and Performing Arts Assembly
On Wednesday we celebrated all of our outstanding sportswomen and performing artists in the Sport and Performing Arts Assembly. It was a wonderful occasion including the presentation of sporting blues (the highest level of sporting achievement in the Sydney North Zone) as well as the hotly contested Riverside Sportswoman and Junior Sportswoman of the year trophies. We also celebrated our musicians, actors and dancers with awards for representing Riverside so passionately and consistently at every opportunity. Congratulations to everyone who received awards and keep up the amazing work.
Genius75 Showcase
Genius75 is a Riverside learning initiative introduced to Year 7 this year to develop the independent learning skills of our youngest learners. Built around the 21st century capabilities of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, it has harnessed the unbridled, big picture passions and interests of our Year 7 students. At the showcase yesterday we were treated to projects including a range of sweet treats and Indian food specialities, cookbooks, clay figurines, intricately painted nails, an archery Youtube channel, authored and illustrated short stories and novellas and awareness-raising websites and beaded bracelets...and so the list goes on! Congratulations to everyone involved. It was a tremendous display of the quality learning that takes place in every classroom at Riverside, every day!
Recognition Assembly
This morning the Hall was packed with proud parents/carers, grandparents, siblings and students, eagerly awaiting the presentation of their awards; academic, leadership, contribution to innovation and design and recognition for entrepreneurship. Whole school events always remind me why it is that I love coming to work every day – it is the teamwork, collaboration, collegiality, communication and genuine care for our students that unites our teaching and support staff. And the real cream on the cake is that I get to work with all of your wonderful children every day and to strive to provide them with the happiest, most rigorous, innovative quality learning environment that I can. Recognition Assembly is a wonderful affirmation of all that we do so well at Riverside. Congratulations to all of the award recipients, and, as I stated in my address to the assembly, not everyone can receive an award but for every student who was acknowledged today, we encourage them to keep up the great work and continue to lead Riverside through their exemplary work ethic and determination to succeed. The future is looking very bright with all of our students leading the way into it. And I stand by those words absolutely. This week is the second last week of term before the end of Term 4. Students return to us on Monday 2 February 2026 (all year groups). The last day of school for 2025 is Friday 19 December. Students will have all received their reports by then to read and reflect on their feedback from teachers. We encourage all students to discuss their reports with their parents and ask their teachers for any clarification they may need about the feedback. Have a wonderful weekend and an amazing Christmas season. We look forward to seeing all of our students back at school in 2026. One week to go!
Louise McNeil Principal
Recognition Assembly Photos
Sports and Performing Arts Assembly
On Wednesday, we held our annual Sport and Performing Arts Presentation Assembly, where we recognised a large number of students for their dedication and achievements in sporting, service, and school production activities.
We are proud to continue our Riverside tradition of acknowledging excellence through Academic, Sport, Arts, and School Service by awarding Riverside Badges. These badges celebrate students’ achievement, dedication, and perseverance, including 3-year and 5-year commitments to school service, academic and sporting pursuits, and extracurricular involvement such as music ensembles, dance, school productions, elite sports, and many more.
The Sportswoman of the Year awards are the highlight of the sports awards. Congratulations to this years recipients:
- Overall Champion - Charli N ( 324 points)
- Overall Runner-up - Bronte N ( 311points)
- Senior Champion - Alicia L ( 163 points)
- Senior Runner-up - Mikayla D ( 158 points)
- Junior Champion - Eloise D ( 280 points)
- Junior Runner-up - Emma L ( 186 points)
Congratulations to all the recipients for their outstanding contributions to our school community.
Film By The River
The first of it's kind, Celebrating Young Creative Voices
Film by the River 2025 was hosted by our school Wednesday 10 December. This year’s event brought together students, families, teachers and our P&C to celebrate the next generation of filmmakers who continue to inspire us with their imagination and passion for the craft. The diversity of films was outstanding, from documentaries to bold animations, mysteries by the water and reflective pieces exploring identity and connection. Each film showcased the unique perspectives of our students across the region. Students' lived experiences, challenges, hopes and humour were beautifully woven into compelling stories that resonated with the audience. Adding to the festivities, the red carpet, snow cones and glam popcorn machine helped create a warm, authentic and joyful festival atmosphere that made the afternoon even more memorable.
To every filmmaker who contributed to Film by the River 2025, thank you for your talent, creativity and willingness to share your vision. Your films were thoughtful, engaging, and thought provoking. Whether you worked behind the camera, in the editing suite, or as part of the cast or crew, we are excited to see where your creative journeys take you next. Congratulations to the film entrants.
A special thank you to the families and mentors who supported our filmmakers throughout the process. We also acknowledge the dedication of the Arts Unit, including Riverside Alumni Karishma Mathur, as well as our admin staff, P&C, our principal and DEL whose combined efforts helped make this event possible.
Congratulations to all our filmmakers for making Film by the River 2025 a wonderful success. Your creativity brought our community together, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of you.
Ms Ghorra
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
If you would like to volunteer for various P&C activities, please sign up via the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHE1OojbX6yWoo85D7kbRofz_1TmQOixDenmj-b-AkkxoJ4Q/viewform