High Notes, Vol 16 No 28, September 04 2015
High Talent
Congratulations to Daniel Cai (Year 10) on his success in the
Youth Photographic and Short Film competition. His photograph won a prize. Woollahra Council is
exhibiting the best of the 200 entries received in the competition. Congratulations to our mock
trial boys who have advanced to the last 16 in the competition: Hugh Bartley, Arthur Chao, James
Goh, Max Koslowski, Dominic Leal-Smith, Thomas Nguyen, Louis Saunders and Thomas Shortridge. Good
luck to our 30 athletes competing at CHS athletics Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Subject Acceleration
More than 110 students and parents attended the
Subject Acceleration Information Evening held last Tuesday in the Great Hall. The background to
and current context of the subject acceleration program at High was presented and how boys
qualify to access the intervention. For any other interested students and parents, the PowerPoint
presentation is now up on the school website at: www.sydneyboyshigh.com/curriculum/subjectacceleration
Tell Them From Me Parent Survey
We would really like to get a large data
source of parent opinions about various aspects of school operations. The Tell Them From
Me survey has been provided by DoE as part of a suite of surveys for staff, parents and
students. The data is collated and analysed centrally and can be used by schools for evaluation
and planning purposes. The survey is really easy to use and doesn’t take long to complete.
I encourage all parents to have their say about things that matter to them concerning our school.
It is easy to get involved. Just go to http://sbhs.co/pil15
There is no need to log on. Just commence the survey. The site will be open until mid-October so
we hope many hundreds of parents will get involved in the survey.
Open Day
Our annual Open Day was held this week. Louise Graul
coordinates all the stalls, activities, volunteers and promotional material packed into a High
shoulder bag. Our thanks go to her and all the teachers, coaches, parents and student volunteers
who participated in the activities that showcase our school. Our aim for the morning is to show
visitors the school in operation. The format includes an assembly to listen to information about
High followed by a Q & A with the Principal. Visitors were then invited to attend classes in
six different subjects in 13 locations around the school. Other groups were taken on a school
tour. There are clubs and group displays, musical performance and morning tea by the P & C in
the courtyard. Sports displays were held in the gym.
Oliver Library System
The staff of our two libraries have been working hard
since last October to integrate the new platform for DoE school libraries – Oliver. This
replaces the antiquated and clunky Oasis system. There are many administrative improvements built
into the new software. The students benefit from a more powerful and integrated research
capability. Students are able to use their BYOD devices to access library catalogues and
resources. The recent acquisition of a number of e-books for loan heralds the beginning of a new
way of thinking about and using libraries. Library services are no longer constrained by library
spaces. When we ask your support to help modernise the library equipment, furniture, software and
services through our Student Research and Resources Fund (which is tax deductible), we
are requesting that you re-conceptualise the purpose of our libraries as central places of
expertise where individuals can tailor their learning programs to their own needs. Our libraries
and our staff can help every single boy to become a more effective learner.
High v Grammar
This weekend is our annual highlight contest against Sydney
Grammar School. There is something special about this traditional rivalry. On Friday night our
first grade debaters take on SGS to decide the premiership and the coveted Louat Shield. This
debate usually draws the biggest audience of any GPS debate. On Saturday we have a full round of
rugby and football – our only ‘gala day’ match up during the GPS winter season.
Let’s make the most of the opportunity and get down to Weigall to support our boys!
Dr K A Jaggar
Principal
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