Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Student Leadership Induction Ceremony
It was with great pleasure today that I officiated over our Student Leadership Induction ceremony for the incoming Student Leadership team and SRC. As Principal at Riverside it always gives me such pleasure to welcome in our new School and Vice Captains, Performance and Sports Captains, Prefects and International Student Leader, as well as our House and House Vice Captains and SRC members for each year group. It was a formal occasion with the student leaders and student audience treating it as such. I was proud and honoured to be able to welcome the parents of the leaders to share in this auspicious occasion. We then capped it off with a light morning tea. I am delighted that I can now formally introduce to you our Student Leadership Team for 2024:
Mobile Phone Ban in NSW Schools begins in Term 4
All parents would by now be aware that the State government has banned the use of mobile phones in all public secondary schools to begin in Term 4.
As yet, the Department of Education has not released an updated policy to explain the exact conditions of this ban so we will continue with our current policy, aligned to the current Student use of digital devices and online services policy.
I am comfortable with the form that our current policy takes, including students ongoing management of their own devices, in compliance with our school expectations around its use and storage. I have consulted with our P&C and it has been confirmed that they support the school position on us continuing to enact the self-discipline model of phone management with consequences in place for students who breach this policy.
As always, I thank all parents for their support of our policy (and the state government ban) by not contacting their daughters during the school day. We request that all requests for messages for your daughters go through the Front Office via phone call or email. We always ensure that your messages get through to your daughters as efficiently as they can.
I would also like to remind parents of our processes for notifying you if your daughter falls ill during the school day. We have many parents presenting to the Front Office because their daughter has texted them that they are feeling unwell. This should not be happening as this is in breach of this policy. Please remind your daughters that if they are feeling unwell, they inform their teacher who will allow them to go to the Front Office where they will be supervised and cared for in the sick bay until you (or your delegate) are able to come to school to collect them. We appreciate your support with this process and with our management of your daughter’s mobile phones in our school.
Road Safety
I would once again like to remind you to continue to have conversations with your daughters about road safety when they are travelling to and from school. Our school is on a very busy intersection and the bus bay and pedestrian crossing to get students across to the opposite side of Huntley’s Point Rd can be very busy with traffic at times unpredictable and driving beyond the limits of safe/lawful driving. We endeavour to protect your daughter’s safety with staff on bus duty, where possible; however, it is important that all students actively manage and control their own behaviour when travelling to and from school each day to ensure their own safety. Students can be easily distracted when jostling for places in the bus queue or when being distracted by friends in the afternoon. I urge that all students remain alert and vigilant, at all times when crossing roads at assigned pedestrian crossings and lights. We will continue to remind students when they are at school and request that you do the same.
Year 12 Graduation Week
Year 12 Graduation Week is underway on Monday 18 September. All students are aware of the expectations and parameters around their conduct and phone use. There is a timetable of approved events and activities with which Year 12 will comply to ensure that this tradition remains a tradition for the years to come. It is a wonderful way to farewell Year 12 and to provide a culture whereby each successive year has the opportunity to participate in the fun and emotion of finishing thirteen years of schooling. Many of the activities are secret so I won’t be spilling the beans anytime soon!
We wish Year 12 all the best for their final week of high school next week and look forward to hosting all Year 12 students and their parents at our Graduation on Thursday evening at 5:30pm.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Louise McNeil
Principal
Careers News
" I had my work experience week at the start of this term interning at the Carrol & O'Dea Solicitors law office. It was honestly one of the best experiences ever, I learned so much about the way the field worked, and how meaningful legal work can be. I met so many incredible people and a big highlight of the week was being able to go to the Supreme Court on my second last day! I'm now really inspired to continue along this pathway of legal and international relations. It gave me a really great insight into what working life would be like and really helped me develop lifelong valuable skills.
I've now been able to use these learned skills in a new job as a Co-researcher with Western Sydney University's 'Young & Resilient Research Centre'. I do Qualitative Data Analysis on a project called Children, Young People and Climate Change. I help with data analysis, the development of 'child-centered indicators', and the writing of an exciting report to be published late next month, among other things! It's really amazing and meaningful work. This report will be given to UNICEF Australia to assist with their advocacy work. It will also help create a clearer idea of climate action plans for the public, entirely aligned with what young people have said.
The project has some very exciting things in store that I hope I can share soon and that Riverside can hopefully support!!"
Yehansa D
Dates for the diary
Faculty News
Science
Science Faculty farewell to our Year 12 students
This week, we celebrated the accomplishments of our Year 12 students who dedicated themselves to the pursuit of excellence in one or more Science subjects during their HSC studies. Our Science teachers acknowledge the unwavering dedication and resilience required to excel in the field of Science and to pave the way for future careers in science-related fields. The Science Faculty extends its heartfelt wishes to all Year 12 students for a future brimming with achievement and fulfilment.
Ms A Nikic
TAS
Year 12 Food Technology
Year 12 Food Technology had their last practical lesson ever on Monday! We made Crispy Rice Sushi and a Ginger Punch. The student's plating was excellent. I am so proud of how well they have worked the last two years in Food Technology and wish them all the best.
Mr O Russo
Year 11 Hospitality
Year 11 Hospitality students are enjoying their week at work placement. They are working so hard and are enjoying this valuable experience. Well done Chefs!
Mr O Russo
Maths
Inquisitive Minds Maths Incursion
Year 9 and 10 students looked a little concerned about what a maths incursion might be when they arrived at the hall on Wednesday for the “Inquisitive Minds” workshop. But all doubts were quickly dispelled when they saw the large piles of chocolate at the front of the stage! When it was explained that these chocolates would be prizes throughout the session, the energy in the room lifted and the students could not wait to get started. Students worked in pairs to solve a range of problems involving everything from matchstick puzzles to a map of Australia. All students participated with enthusiasm, and many did not want to stop when the time was up! Here are some of their thoughts about the session:
The Inquisitive Minds incursion was a really fun and competitive experience with different people using a range of diverse strategies to solve Maths problems in order to gain the most points, ultimately winning prizes of chocolate! These questions stretched our thinking as there were multiple ways to approach them, requiring us to use our critical thinking and creative abilities. Overall, this challenge was engaging and enjoyable. We especially loved the competitive spirit of all involved!
Grace L and Annabelle T
We had a fabulous time at the Inquisitive Minds Maths incursion. It was a really fun and competitive experience that gave us a chance to further our problem-solving abilities. We enjoyed using our quick thinking and maths skills to solve the problems and increase our points - which ended up with us coming out with a win!
Peggy H and Annie J
It was so interesting, but I wished the activity could be a bit longer so that we can solve more problems.
Cherrie C
I quite enjoyed it, as I believed it was a great way to collaborate ideas with a partner on many challenges and there was a quite delicious prize at the end.
Orahnia K
I had a really great time during the incursion! It was a lot of fun working with my friend and the competition aspect really made it engaging. I wish we had more time to work on the activities so that we could gain even more points but overall, I had a lot of fun and I would 100% do it again.
Summer V
Thank you so much to the P&C for funding this initiative and to the staff for working so hard to make it happen.
Ms S Halverson
HSIE
HSC Business Studies Revision Day
In the lead-up to their Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations, Year 12 Business Studies students embarked on a highly productive and engaging excursion designed specifically as a comprehensive revision day. This excursion was strategically crafted enhance their exam preparation and boost their confidence. The excursion also helped them consolidate their knowledge and identify areas that required further attention. This excursion was a pivotal moment in their academic journey, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve outstanding results in their Business Studies exams and beyond.
Ms S Dwivedi
Year 11 Legal Studies Excursion
On Tuesday 12 September Year 11 Legal Studies students enjoyed an excursion to the Downing Centre court complex and UTS Faculty of Law.
At the Downing Centre students observed a variety of proceedings in the Local and District Courts, including bail applications and sentencing hearings. At UTS, students were treated to an informative workshop from Professor Thalia Anthony, a parent at Riverside and expert in criminal laws and procedures and First Nations justice issues.
The excursion was thought provoking and allowed our students to evaluate the strengths and limitations of the justice system in delivering access, equity and fairness.
Ms M Touma
Year 8 Geography - Model United Nations Conference
This week the Year 8 Geography classes put their adulting to the test, participating in a United Nations Conference to allocate money to water problems being faced around the world. In total, $2 Billion in funding was available for distribution by each student to solve the problems based on the students' proposed solutions.
They had to conduct a speech and then negotiate to convince other member states to fund their water problems.
A special Congratulations goes out to Ella T of 8GEOE who was able to lobby the assembly for an amazing $260 Million in funding to solve water borne diseases in Ethiopia.
Mr J Zabakly
CAPA
Artist Corner - Hedieh R (Year 7)
The painting that I made is based off a picture that I took from the view of my balcony. There is a view of some buildings and an orange sunset with a crane in the background. I really like the way the sun looks and how the sun's rays blend into the background. I took this photo with my family. We noticed the sun came out and it created a pretty orange in the sky, so we all took pictures. The painting reminds me of us all gathering together.
I think everyone should take some time to sit down and create art that means something to them, whether it's a painting, sculpture or choreography. Even if you're an amazing artist or could use some practice, we should all spend those few extra moments to capture a moment we don't want to forget.
LOTE
Bonjour/ Buongiorno
Although challenging, the idea was to put a spin on the topic of food and eating out! It worked out marvellously and was a creative output for many (thinking outside the box - tick). This group project involved designing and executing a promotional campaign for a Food Truck business (teamwork - tick). They negotiated roles, learnt how to communicate, and how to work together. Each team worked out the design of their food truck, the food choice, and the menu prices in euros– Foreign currency conversion (numeracy skills – tick).
Students then needed to produce a business website or a presentation in PowerPoint incorporating their food truck logo and they were required to create reviews during group presentations (literacy skills – tick), all in preparation for their assessment which was a speaking task in the target language! Students had lots of fun and many put in a lot of hard work, memorising their lines and incorporating their drama skills in language. How much fun it was to watch their clips as a class! Congratulations to 8C & 8E classes who despite all adversities, did not give up, and instead worked so hard to bring in all their skills across their curriculum in French and Italian for this highly engaging project.
Ms Gregory & Mr Yan
Co-curricula News
NSWCHS Athletics Championships
Last week 10 of our talented students competed at NSW CHS Athletics Championships at SOPAC from Wednesday 6 September to Friday 8 September. The students qualified to compete as part of the Sydney North SSA team at the championships earlier this term. Our students represented the school with distinction and have achieved some outstanding results along with several personal best performances at the event. We would like to congratulate the following students on their achievements;
Zara P – 1st Open Pentathlon, 3rd 15yrs relay, 5th 90m Hurdles, 5th 200m hurdles
Mikayla K – 2nd 17 years 100m hurdles, 6th 17 years 4x100m relay
Mikayla D – 3rd 14 years discus, 7th 14 years shot put
Maddison D – 6th 17 years 4x100m relay, 8th Open Pentathlon, 9th 17 years discus
Jacqueline P – 3rd 12 years 80m hurdles, 4th 12 years high jump
Elly P – 6th 17 years 4x100m relay
Estelle M – 3rd 15 years relay
Charli N – 3rd 15 years 4x100m relay, 3rd Open 4x400m relay, 4th Open pentathlon, 9th 200m hurdles
Anna H – 3rd 15 years 4x100m relay
Aliana M – 6th 17 years 4x100m relay, 7th 17 years triple jump
We are so proud of all our athletes but would like to make special mention of our 17 years relay team which was run by four of our school leaders, Elly P (School Vice-captain), Mikayla K (Sport Captain), Maddison D (Mallinson House Captain) and Aliana M (Coen House Captain). These students have taken time out of their studies to represent Riverside with distinction and have truly led by example.
Ms T Nagle