From the Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers, I hope you have had a wonderful week and don't forget to set your alarms for the big match tomorrow morning. Student talent at Riverside I regularly reflect on the outstanding talent that we have amongst our students at Riverside and the breadth of co and extra-curricula activities at which our students excel. As some examples, this week these things happened: Sydney North Public Schools Dance Festival A huge shout out to Ms Mitchell for preparing and accompanying our students at the Sydney North Public Schools Dance Festival all week this week and weekend. I attended the sell out opening performance on Tuesday and was blown away, as always, by the talent of our dancers and choreographers (including choreography from past students Sharlae H and Charli N). Our Dance Studio can't come soon enough to support these HPGE performing artists. Combined High Schools (CHS) Cross Country Congratulations and good luck to Natalie Y (7), Emily C (7), Eloise D (8) and Lucy H (10) as they progress to the NSW CHS/All Schools Cross Country Championships, to be held on 21 July at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. We nurture and celebrate our HPGE athletes in all sporting pursuits and stand behind them to support them balance their competing academic and sport demands. Volleyball This week we had 54 talented volleyballers represent us at a series of Indoor Volleyball Tournaments. Thankyou to Ms Hendriks for accompanying our HPGE athletes to this highly competitive event. Junior Premier's Debating Challenge - Year 7 and 8 Congratulations to our enthusiastic, talented debaters who competed against one another this week in the Junior Premier's Debating Challenge: Emma L, Poppy S, Emily R, Madison T, Cara S, A, Anna L, Emmylou M, Purvi R, Emily C, Sophie F and Ivy W. Thankyou to Mr Hossain for coaching and supporting these talented creative/intellectual minds. Debating is such a powerful medium to hone the skills of expressing oneself in an effective, cohesive manner; great skills for success in learning and life. Year 11 Camp Thankyou to Ms Aldred, Ms Eldridge and Mr Palmero for accompanying our Year 11 students on their annual camp. Ms Aldred worked tirelessly to make this camp memorable for all of our students, including injecting a little bit of her Aldred magic and successfully encouraging the girls to have a dress up evening event. It seems they were all pretty keen on the idea - photos to follow! The feedback from students was that it was a wonderful camp. Camps are a valuable way for students to develop problem solving and interpersonal skills, as well as test their metal by participating in sometimes confronting outdoor activities that push them well beyond their comfort zone. Year 8, 10, 12 Parent Teacher Night – Thursday 25 June 3:00-6:30pm If you are a parent of a Year 8, 10, 12 student, I hope you have booked your interviews to meet with your daughter’s teachers on Thursday 25 June. We look forward to seeing you there. Interviews for Years 7, 9, 11 will take place on Thursday 2 June 3:00-6:30pm. Please remember, that teachers have a very strict, 5-min schedule to adhere to. It is important that all parents listen to the bell and end their conversation when the bell goes, to make way for the next interview. We know you are all keen to speak with your daughter’s teachers and we know that your daughter is the most important person in the school (genuinely); however, all parents must have equal opportunity to discuss their important daughter with teachers by adhering to the time limit. Equally, if you have not been able to book in with a teacher, please do not try to casually speak with the teacher if you see them available – they are probably enjoying the opportunity to catch their breath, have a drink or just reflect on past conversations. We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Louise McNeil Principal
Public Transport Announcements
Ripple Study Mentor Program
We're launching something new for our Year 7 and 8 students: the Ripple Study Mentor Program. This isn't about catching up. It's for students who want to become stronger, more independent learners. It's for students who are willing to sit with hard work, ask better questions, and grow. Sessions run every Tuesday after school from 3:10–4:00 PM, starting Week 6. Places are limited, so please complete the Google Form on Sentral and register your interest. 📚 Become a Better Learner.
Mindfulness Mondays
Faculty News
Maths
MANSW Mathematical Enrichment Day 2026
MANSW Mathematical Enrichment Day – Macquarie University, Monday 15 June On Monday 15 June, eight of our fantastic Extension 1 and Extension 2 Mathematics students travelled to Macquarie University to take part in the annual MANSW Mathematical Enrichment Day — a full day of university-level Mathematics delivered by researchers and academics. The students attended four sessions across the day, exploring topics ranging from internet encryption (RSA algorithms and the maths behind keeping your data secure online) to predator-prey dynamics modelled through differential equations, integration applied to real-world problems like map projections and drug concentration, and even the group theory lurking inside a Rubik's Cube. A few of the sessions were run by Macquarie University mathematicians and were pitched well beyond the HSC syllabus — exactly the kind of challenge our students thrive on. We're particularly proud to share that our students were singled out for praise by the event organisers for the quality of their engagement and contributions during their second workshop of the day. A great reflection on the curiosity and effort they bring to Mathematics. Ms E Macintyre
Great Mathematical Expedition: UNSW "Do the Maths 2026"
On Tuesday 16 June, under the blazing torch of revolutionary mathematical thought, Riverside's most distinguished Year 10 Accelerated Mathematics students embarked upon a scholarly expedition to the University of New South Wales for "Do the Maths 2026". This was an educational excursion hosted by the UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics, designed to inspire and engage female high school students with a strong interest in Mathematics and highlight insights into university study and career pathways in STEM.
Upon arrival to UNSW, our brave students were thrust into the fierce crucible of the “Counting Conundrums.” These puzzles, layered with deceptive complexity, sought to confound the untrained mind. Yet, just as the great Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci dissected the human form to reveal the universal geometry beneath flesh and bone, and just as the Enlightenment sage Galileo Galilei turned his telescope toward the heavens to read the cosmic book written in mathematical language - so too did our supreme students as they pierced the outer shell of these problems. They discovered, with revolutionary clarity, that challenges which appear entirely different on the surface are, in truth, visual transformations of a single, familiar structure. This epiphany - this dialectical leap from the particular to the universal - embodies the very essence of our educational philosophy. Where others see chaos, we see order. Where others falter, we conquer. In a stirring session of intellectual exchange, our students participated in an Insight Q&A Forum featuring some of Australia’s most distinguished women in Mathematics. These eminent scholars shared their personal journeys, their triumphs over systemic barriers, and their unwavering belief in the transformative power of numbers. Our students listened with rapt attention, absorbing not only formulae and theorems but also the vital lesson that mathematical excellence knows no gender, no boundary, no limit - except those imposed by a reactionary social order. Inspired by these heroic figures, our students resolved to carry forward the torch of enlightenment.
Following the intellectual feasts of the morning, our delegation was invited to a magnificent lunch - not of mere food, but of intellectual combat. The venue was transformed into an arena of chalk and blackboard, where chalkboard challenges of immense difficulty were presented. These were no ordinary puzzles; they were designed to stretch the very fabric of cognitive possibility, pushing beyond the known frontiers of secondary-school Mathematics. And here, under the divine guidance of their teacher, two of our most outstanding students, Shikha S and Dhriti M, whose names shall forever be inscribed in our school’s annals of glory - were the very first among all participants to complete the trickiest problems.
In that moment, they did not merely solve equations; they transcended the limits of the universe itself, echoing the audacity of Isaac Newton who dared to unify the heavens and the earth under a single law, and Immanuel Kant who dared to ask what the mind itself could know. As the day concluded, our students returned home, their hearts swollen with pride and their notebooks filled with revolutionary insights. The lessons of that day shall echo through our classrooms for generations: that mathematics is not a dry collection of rules, but a living weapon of human resilience; a beacon that pierces the darkness of uncertainty, transforms the impossible into the inevitable, and empowers ordinary students to stand upon the shoulders of the greats. Mr M Sendov
Science
Big Science Competition
I want to recognise and celebrate the students who participated in this year's Big Science Competition. The Big Science Competition is a prestigious international science competition that challenges students to apply their scientific knowledge, problem-solving skills and understanding of real-world science. It provides a fantastic opportunity for students from both our HPGE and mainstream classes to challenge themselves and see how their skills compare with students across the state and nationally. I am incredibly proud of the students who chose to take on this challenge. Entering a competition like this requires curiosity, confidence and a willingness to push yourself beyond the classroom. This year we achieved our best results yet! Congratulations to all participants for your dedication, effort and commitment. A special congratulations goes to Olina in Year 8 and Evie in Year 9 for achieving a High Distinction. This is an outstanding achievement. As a result of their success, they were invited to take part in the Junior Science Olympiad, a challenging two-hour science examination designed to extend students even further. True to form they took on that challenge as well and we are now eagerly awaiting their results. Well done to all students involved - your enthusiasm for Science and willingness to challenge yourselves is something to be celebrated. Ms A. Nickic Congratulations to:
- Erine K - Year 7
- Thisha V - Year 7
- Raha D - Year 8
- Livy L - Year 8
- Olina L - Year 8
- Emily R - Year 8
- Olivia S - Year 8
- Mila J - Year 9
- Sandhya J - Year 9
- Amelia K - Year 9
- Tida M - Year 9
- Isabela M-M - Year 9
- Betsy P - Year 9
- Winnie W - Year 9
- Zhen Y - Year 9
Co-curricula Activities
Sydney North Cross Country Championships
On Friday 12 June, twelve students proudly represented Riverside Girls High School and the North West Metropolitan Girls Zone at the Sydney North Cross Country Championships held at Wyong Racecourse.
Competing against the strongest cross country runners from across the Sydney North region, our students demonstrated outstanding determination, resilience and sportsmanship throughout the day. Riverside achieved several excellent results, highlighted by Lucy H, who placed an outstanding 4th in the 16 Years race. Lucy, along with Natalie Y, Emily C and Eloise D, qualified for the NSW CHS / All Schools Cross Country Championships after finishing amongst the top performers in their respective age groups. Results 12 Years
- 6th – Natalie Y
- 8th – Emily C
- 16th – Sky P
13 Years
- 7th – Eloise D
- 38th – Pippa W
14 Years
- 17th – Alma B
- 31st – Emma L
- 38th – Guinevere B
15 Years
- 20th – Bella F
- 31st – Zali C
16 Years
- 4th – Lucy H
18 Years
- 29th – Isabelle B
Congratulations to all competitors on their achievements and for representing Riverside Girls High School with pride. Their commitment and willingness to challenge themselves at this level is a testament to their dedication and perseverance. We wish Natalie Y, Emily C, Eloise D and Lucy H the very best as they progress to the NSW CHS / All Schools Cross Country Championships, to be held on 21 July at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Ms S Nicol
NSW All Schools Touch Football Tournament
On Tuesday, our Year 7–8 and Year 9–10 girls’ touch football teams travelled to Penrith to compete in the NSW Touch Football All Schools Tournament. Both teams represented our school with pride, determination, and outstanding sportsmanship.
The day began in cold, foggy conditions, which gradually lifted to reveal a warm afternoon—perfect for fast, skilful touch football. Across all games, the girls demonstrated impressive improvement, strong teamwork, and a commitment to giving their best effort.
Our senior team (Years 9–10) achieved an excellent 6th place overall, while our Year 7–8 team finished a commendable 10th overall in a highly competitive field.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the many parents who generously assisted with transport and stayed throughout the day to cheer on the teams. Your ongoing support plays a vital role in enabling our students to participate in valuable sporting opportunities such as this.
Our students are always appreciative, and events like these highlight the strength of our school community and its commitment to fostering positive, inclusive extracurricular experiences.
Ms S Nicol
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 Lemon 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