Dear Parents/Caregivers,
I hope you have had a wonderful week.
Year 7 Camp
It was my pleasure to join Year 7 for a few hours at Camp yesterday. They were all having a wonderful time and the bravery and courage shown by the group I joined for the abseiling and harness jump, was incredible. Most importantly; however, the encouragement and support that the students showed for each other was inspiring – understandably, there were many students challenged by the idea of jumping off high, vertical poles and walls, but the calming voices and words of their friends supported them to face their fears and attempt the terrifying challenges. Some didn’t, and that was OK, too. Thankyou to Year 7 for welcoming me so warmly and thankyou to the wonderful staff who accompanied Year 7: Ms Burgmann, Mr Palmero, Ms Hendriks, Ms Aldred, Ms McNeil-Dean and Ms Campbell. They will all sleep well tonight.
Welcome to Year 7 Afternoon Tea
It was wonderful to see so many of our Year 7 parents and students at our Welcome to Year 7 Afternoon Tea on Tuesday. We understand that the transition from primary to high school can often be as, if not more, challenging for parents who suddenly feel that they don’t experience the same level of connection with their daughter’s school as they did in primary school. This gathering is our attempt to provide the opportunity for parents and carers to at least put names to faces when their daughter is talking about their teachers. I hope everyone who attended found the event worthwhile. We certainly enjoyed it.
HPGE Information Session
We are holding our HPGE Information Session for Year 7 2026 on Tuesday 1 April from 6-7pm in the Hall. If you have daughters, friends or family that may be interested, in attending the evening, please ask that they use the QR code attached to the tile below, to RSVP.
Library Monitors
Ms Ghorra, our Librarian, has a wonderful team of year 7 Library Monitors assisting her at lunchtime. These students excitedly turn up each lunchtime to organise the shelves, borrow and return books and generally bustle about ensuring that everything is neat and running smoothly. I love going into the Library and seeing these wonderful young leaders shining in this very happy place for them. It is testament to the culture of care and collaboration across our school.
Mock Trial
Congratulations to Mr Zabakly and his Mock Trial team for the valiant effort that they put up against Masada College this week. A big thankyou to Mr Zabakly for the time and energy that he puts into coaching these keen young future lawyers and advocates. It is a valuable part of our school extra curricula program and a wonderful real world learning experience to complement studies of Commerce and Legal Studies, but not exclusively so.
Have a lovely weekend.
Louise McNeil
Principal
Faculty News
HSIE
Legal Studies Excursions
Year 11 and Year 12 Legal studies have had excursions exposing them to the workings of the legal system this year.
Mr J Zabakly
Year 11 had their visit to NSW Parliament House, a great opportunity to learn about how laws are made. They heard the government and the opposition arguing about bail laws, regional health and housing.
Year 12 had their visit to the NSW Downing Centre where they had the chance to listen into several different court cases in the Local and District Court ranging from a case of simple assault (one person slapping the other) to cases of illegal strip searches by police. They came out of it much more confident in their understanding of being a lawyer as well as how statute and common law are utilised by lawyers.
Co-Curricula Activities
Zone Swimming Championships - 6th March 2025
The North West Met Girls Swimming Championships were held at Ryde Aquatic Centre on the 6th March. Riverside was represented at the Zone Meet by 31 competitors who qualified at the School Swimming Carnival.
A big congratulations to all members of the Riverside Swimming Team who impressively and proudly represented Riverside:
- Year 7 - Eloise D, Charli F, Elle H, Veronika I, Skye L, Ally N, Sofia P, Evangelina P, Misho T & Claire W
- Year 8 - Zali C, Sienna S, Erin S
- Year 9 - Evelyn B, Abby B, Susanna B, Sophie K, Jacqueline P, Misha T
- Year 10 - Ingrid J, Hannah K, Chloe Mc, Eve M, Georgia P
- Year 11 - Ella B
- Year 12 - Sharlae H, Anna H, Alicia L, Ella Mc, Charli N, Zara P
Sienna S (Year 8) competed in six events at Zone, this included four individual events and two relay teams. This impressive effort saw her awarded the NWMG Zone 13 Years Age Champion.
Susanna B (Year 9) competed in ten events at Zone, including seven individual events, three relay events as well as qualifying for and competing in the 100m Champion of the Zone event. This incredible effort saw her awarded the NWMG Zone 14 Years Age Champion.
Eloise D (Year 7) just missed out on 12 Years Age Champion; however, she placed 1st or 2nd in an impressive six events, qualifying for Sydney North in five individual and one relay event.
From the Zone Carnival eleven Riverside GHS students qualified for the Sydney North Swimming Championships.
Ms S Nicol
Sydney North Swimming Championships - 19 March 2025
The Sydney North Swimming Championships were held at SOPAC on Wednesday 19 March. Riverside was represented by 11 competitors who qualified from the Zone meet. Our regional representatives did an incredible job of proudly representing Riverside at Sydney North.
The 2025 Sydney North Swimming representatives and results:
Eloise D (12yrs)
- 200m Freestyle - 2nd Place
- 100m Freestyle - 3rd Place
- 50m Freestyle - 5th Place
- 100m Breaststroke - 3rd Place
- 100m Backstroke - 3rd Place
- 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 2nd Place
Skye L (12yrs)
- 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 2nd Place
Ally N (12yrs)
- 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 2nd Place
Misho T (12yrs)
- 4x50m Freestyle Relay - 2nd Place
Evangelina P (12yrs)
- 100m Butterfly - 9th Place
Sofia P (13yrs)
- 100m Backstroke - 3rd Place
- 100m Butterfly - 4th Place
Sienna S (13yrs)
- 100m Freestyle - 6th Place
- 100m Butterfly - 2nd Place
Evelyn B (14yrs)
- 100m Breaststroke - 2nd Place
- 4x50m Open Medley Relay - 7th Place
Susanna B (14yrs)
- 100m Freestyle - 3rd Place
- 100m Backstroke - 1st Place
- 50m Freestyle - 3rd Place
- 4x50m Open Medley Relay - 7th Place
Sophie K (15yrs)
- 100m Butterfly - 11th Place
- 4x50m Open Medley Relay - 7th Place
Ella B (17yrs)
- 200m Individual Medley - 9th Place
Competitors who placed in the top three in individual and relay events at Sydney North will go on to represent Riverside and Sydney North at the NSW CHS Secondary Swimming Championships in Week 11.
Ms S Nicol
Mock Trial Round 1
Riverside Girls High School Mock Trial team valiantly defended their client this week as they were charged with harassment over a carriage service (phone) against the prosecution, who was represented by Masada College. Whilst they put up a strong defence and were successful in proving their client's innocence, they unfortunately did not win on the points. They are congratulated on the effort put into their preparation and dedication.
Mr J Zabakly
2025 Pulse Alive
Last week, student representatives from Riverside Girls in Years 10-12 took part in The Arts Unit’s 2025 Pulse Alive concerts, held on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 March. The large-scale concerts showcased select primary and high school performing arts students from across NSW Public Schools, held at the Ken Rosewall Arena. Students take part in an audition process and are required to commit to a schedule of rehearsals for the opportunity to work with a specialist team of conductors, tutors and production coordinators.
Congratulations to the following students for their selection and outstanding contribution to 2025 Pulse Alive:
- Yehansa D (Year 12) - Compere/Co-host
- Freya N (Year 12) - Principal Vocalist
- Kiana K (Year 11) - Principal Vocalist
- Ashleigh B (Year 11) - Dance Company
- Elise H (Year 11) - Showband, Viola
- Hannah P (Year 11) - Showband, Violin
- Sophie K (Year 10) - Millennium Marching Band, Clarinet
"Pulse Alive was a really fun experience for us and being in the Showband felt like we were right in the middle of the performance. As we have been in Pulse Alive for the last few years, it has been amazing to see the talent of the growing cast and ensemble, seeing how this year we sold out all of the shows. We will definitely continue to take part in this for our final year. Pulse Alive has been nothing but a great experience for meeting new people and developing confidence and performance skills." Elise H and Hannah P
Ms C Wang
SRC
Harmony Week
Harmony Week is an annual celebration in Australia from March 15 to 21 to celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures that make up our nation. Harmony Day is not just about acknowledging diversity but it's about fostering a sense of belonging for everyone. As we reflect on the values of inclusivity and unity, we must remember that every individual contributes to the strength of our community. The theme "Everyone Belongs" reflects the core message that regardless of heritage, everyone has a place in Australian society. By celebrating cultural differences and embracing diversity, Harmony Day seeks to create an inclusive nation. Together, we can build a future where everyone feels accepted, respected and valued.
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
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
P&C Gardening Bee Sunday 6th April 11AM-2PM
The P&C are planting a new feature tree in the Quad and 13 Pandorea flowering climbers along the front entrance fence.
We need parent and student volunteers to help us! No experience necessary. It just takes elbow grease and enthusiasm to help plant the tree and climbers.
Many hands make light work and it will be a nice opportunity to meet other parents & carers! BYO gloves, gardening tools, lunch & water bottle. Coffee, tea and hot cross buns are supplied.
Please register your interest in helping at the P&C WhatsApp group that you can join via the QR code below: