Volume 54 No. 6

Sydney Grammar School

Welcome back to what I know will be a busy and productive Term II.

Many potential highlights, as well as challenges, lie ahead across the next two months. For boys in all Forms, this term brings the demands of formal examinations or assessments. Inevitably, boys may find such testing a stressful experience to undergo; nonetheless, I have always urged boys to approach such testing with the spirit of opportunity: a chance to focus their thinking and refine their understanding in order to demonstrate as fine a subject mastery as they can. I wish all boys success and satisfaction in their various assessments this term. For most boys, those examinations and assessments commence in about a fortnight’s time. 

Looking further into the term, in mid-June we have Dr Wilson's and Mr Gaske's production of Grease to enjoy. This follows Dr Wilson's impressive direction of last year’s production of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard. If you are keen to attend one of the nights, do be aware that tickets are selling very quickly.

My very best wishes to you all for a fine Term II.


NAPLAN, Examinations and Assessment Block

Here are the general instructions for NAPLAN for Forms I and III, for the Half-Yearly Examinations for Forms I-IV, and for the Form VI Assessment Block. 

Note that normal classes continue throughout this period for Form V.

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Family contact details and Duke of Edinburgh's Award details

Family Contacts and Medical Information

If any of your contact details have changed since the check completed earlier in February (including telephone contacts, home or postal addresses and emails) please send updated information to the School via email to Mr Joanou in the Bursar’s office (jcj@sydgram.nsw.edu.au).

For changes in your son’s medical records (including conditions, medications, allergies etc.) please send this information through to the School Nurse at twk@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

A reminder that all permission forms for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adventurous Journey (to be undertaken in the coming June/July holidays) are due by Friday 8 June. Any forms received after that date run the risk of not being processed in time and the hike not being counted towards a boy’s award. All qualifying expeditions must be undertaken with direct supervision under the management of the Collaroy Centre, Camp Somerset, The Outdoor Education Group, Southbound Adventures or NSW Sport and Recreation. Parents should book and pay for hikes directly with one of the providers listed above and then complete the SGS Hike Permission Form and submit this to me by the due date.

Boys can collect this form from me in my office, opposite WM3, and it is also on the School website under the ‘Other Clubs and Activities/Duke of Edinburgh's section.

I have recently received many messages from boys and parents regarding the calculation of hours and weeks under the Award rules. Please click on the link below to read further about these calculations. http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/files/Logs_Gaps_Explained.pdf

Ms R.M. Fin

 


College Street Forum

May I draw your attention to the following information about the College Street Forum to be held later this term.
 
On Tuesday 12 June, the School will be hosting a forum on the topic of Sleep. We have invited Lisa Maltman and Dr Philip Tam to present a seminar which will focus on sleep for better health, resilience and performance. The link with problematic internet use will also be discussed. All parents are welcome to attend. Lisa will also be presenting to boys in Form II in the afternoon on the same day, discussing the same topics but with a teenager’s perspective.  Further information about her work can be found at  http://thesleepconnection.com.au/. Dr Philip Tam is a child psychiatrist and researcher, in a private practice in Sydney. He is the President of Niira, the Network for Internet Investigation and Research Australia, https://www.niira.org.au/.

An invitation to the College Street Forum will be sent out by email later this week. We hope you will join us for this important discussion.


Electronic Permission Forms

The School is introducing electronic permision forms using Adobe Sign. Parents of boys travelling to Armidale for the rugby fixture on Friday 11 May should have received the permision form via email.

WT Raeside


Grease is the word...

Alastair Mackerras Theatre at 6.30pm June 13, 14, 15 and 16
Tickets $40 adult and $25 concession
On sale through TryBooking URL: www.trybooking.com/VBIQ 

The 1950's high school dream is about to explode at Rydell High School. This rollicking musical salutes the rock 'n' roll era. At the heart of the story is the courtship between Danny Zuko and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy Dumbrowski. They had a summer romance, but now back in the environment of school, peer-pressure and cliques make their love a bit more complicated. Can Danny maintain his cool dude status and still make demure Sandy his girl? The whole gang sings and dances around this romance, through hit songs such as ‘Greased Lightnin’’, ‘Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee’, and ‘Summer Nights’, characterising the music of an era that became the soundtrack of a generation.

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Winter Sports news

Football

During the April school holidays, a squad of twenty-nine boys from the 14A and 15A Football teams travelled to Brisbane and Toowoomba. Games had been organised against GPS schools which provided the Grammar tourists some tough opposition. The 15As played five matches, with two wins and three losses. The 14As played four games, with one win, a draw and two losses. These challenging match-ups were great preparation for the upcoming GPS season.

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The upcoming Careers Convention and other careers news

The 2018 Sydney CBD Schools Careers Convention for Forms IV - VI will take place on Monday 4 June between 3.00pm and 7.00pm at the School.

There are three parts to the convention. Firstly, an exhibition in the School Gymnasium featuring universities and other tertiary education providers. Secondly, a series of talks by faculty representatives in the Palladium Theatre and The John Vallance Hall. From 5:00pm, advisers will be available in the Palladium Building to consult about their own careers and study.

Several schools are participating at the convention including Sydney Grammar School, St Andrew’s Cathedral School, SCEGGS and the International Grammar School. Boys in Forms IV, V and VI and their parents are invited to attend.

Call for Advisers: If you would like to offer assistance as an adviser at the Careers Convention, in your career or study area, please contact me at pjw@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

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Science Beyond the Curriculum

In the first week of July 2018, Science Beyond the Curriculum is presenting Grammar boys, siblings and parents with an exciting opportunity to undertake a six-day scientific exploration of outback NSW, with adventures ranging from the geological and paleontological, through the aeronautical and zoological and to the astronomical and viticultural.  This tour will be accompanied and informed by Dr Ian Graham, a geologist from UNSW School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

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Kokoda 2019

Expressions of interest are now sought from parents and boys to participate in the ten day expedition to the Kokoda Track, 6 July - 16 July, 2019 (dates may change).

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SGSWA events

Literary Lunch at the Boatshed

The annual Literary Lunch will be held on Friday 11 May at the Boatshed. This year we are delighted to have author and the creator of “Offspring”, Debra Oswald discuss her book, The Whole Bright Year.

We will also be asking for any interview-appropriate unwanted gently-worn clothes and accessories and we will deliver them to the charity, Dress for Success. Please bring them to the event.

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Can you assist at the Weigall BBQ this season?

Weigall BBQ for Saturday Winter Sport 

During the Winter Saturday sports season, the SGSFA run the Weigall BBQ when games are played at our home grounds at Weigall oval.

We recently upgraded our facility with new BBQs which are much easier to maintain and provide a better and consistent cooking and taste experience. We hope you also agree and invite you to try when you are next at Weigall.

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