Lesson Cancellations

Please note that the following policy applies regarding the cancellation of private instrumental lessons. A letter or email must be received by the Music Department no later than the end of Week 5 of a term for the cancellation of instrumental lessons to be effective at the end of that same term. Therefore, advice for discontinuing instrumental lessons at the end of Term II 2018 must be received by the Music Department no later than Friday 1 June 2018.

AMEB examinations

Boys who are sitting AMEB examinations at the AMEB studios in Clarence Street are required to request short leave. Parents should request leave from Mr Watkins (Forms II - VI) by email to Senior. Housemaster@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or from Mr Hesketh (Form I) by email to trr@sydgram.nsw.edu.au. Photo identification is required to be presented for boys sitting Grade 8 and Diploma examinations.

Organ recital

The School's organ pupils will present their annual concert on Sunday 17 June at 4pm in Big School. The programme will showcase the full range of Grammar’s Mander pipe organ and include music from the 17th to 21st centuries. Parking will be available in the Middle Playground.

Form VI Music Dinner

The Form VI Music Dinner is scheduled for Saturday 1 September in Big School. If any parents would like to assist in organising the Dinner, please contact the Music Department on 9332 5895 (or via the email address below) and your name and contact details will be passed on to the Music Association.

For parents of boys in Form VI Music, please email any photos of your son’s musical activities (especially from the younger years) to foms@sydgram.nsw.edu so that a slideshow can be compiled for the Dinner.

Mr PR Gaske

Football

Congratulations to Stephen Marinos (V JAL/NAS) for his selection as an AAGPS representative. Stephen will compete in the highly competitive Combined Independent Schools Championships. The competition will take place on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 May at Valentine Park, Glenwood. Congratulations also to Timothy Scott (IV JKR/ WJA) was also selected for the U16 AAGPS squad and will compete at Valentine Park on Monday 28 May.

Rugby

Term II Rugby has seen games played against St Aloysius' College, The Armidale School and St Gregory’s College. This schedule has produced mixed results for the boys. Thank you to all families for their support in the early stages of this season. With examinations starting this week, we acknowledge the time constraints placed on boys but also acknowledge that this type of schedule builds resilience and good time management skills.

This weekend is the final trial season fixture for the boys. Games are against the Cranbrook School, with the First and Second XV playing their fixtures on Friday night May 25, at Woollahra Oval’s new synthetic rugby pitch. Edgecliff Preparatory School's First XV will also be playing. Please click here for further details

On a different note, please see the link to the AAGPS Code of Practice (http://aagps.nsw.edu.au/about/code-of-practice/). While support for the boys is warmly welcomed, please ensure that the attached Code of Practice is adhered to at all times. Further to the Code of Practice, parents are kindly reminded to not encroach on the team's time prior to, during or after the game until the coaches have dismissed the boys.

The upcoming holidays will include the following activities:

July 7-13 – Gold Coast Rugby Tour (U15 & U16 squads). Information on this event will be sent directly to parents.

July 16-17 – St Ives Prep School Rugby Camp  - click here for the camp invitation

July 18-20 – Weigall Rugby Camp (for boys from all three campuses) – click here for camp invitation

Please note that details for the 2019 Rugby World Cup Tour for the September holidays will be distributed shortly.

Any questions relating to Rugby should be directed to Mr Lachlan Fear at lmf@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Training during examinations

Half-Yearly Examinations commence this week. The School expects boys to honour their commitment to training and sports fixtures on Saturday 26 May. To assist boys we have reduced the number of days they are required to train for most teams. Specific training arrangements for each sport will appear on the School website on This Week’s Sports Training page and on the Grammar App. Boys will also be notified through Registration prior to the examination period.

Boys playing in a lower grade are required to be a reserve for the next highest team. Parents are kindly requested not to take their son home immediately after their game has concluded. We also encourage parents to support our Second XV and First XV with your son.

Photographs

To order Sydney Grammar School 2018 Summer Sports photos, please visit  www.melbastudios.com.au

Select School Orders and use password: COLLEGE. Orders must be placed by Friday 15 June.

Sport Absences

Parents are reminded that absence without approved leave from an organised training session or Saturday sport is regarded as truancy. Names of boys who are absent will be passed on to their Housemasters. 

Boys playing Rugby or Football who are recovering from injuries are still be required to attend training twice a week and participate in a rehabilitation programme set by our physiotherapy staff. Exemptions from training due to injury will only be granted in extreme cases.

Leaving training at Weigall

Boys have been told to use the lights at the pedestrian crossing on Nield Avenue. Parents are also reminded not to park in the bus zone or behind buses on Nield Avenue when waiting to collect their sons from training.

Securing valuables 

Boys are strongly advised not to leave their bags and valuables unattended. The School has a Valuables Officer at Weigall during training sessions. Boys are responsible for securing their valuables on Saturdays.

First Aid at home venues 

The School provides first aid at home venues and a physiotherapist travels with the First and Second teams to Away games. A physiotherapist (supplied by Sports Focus) is also available at Weigall between 3-5pm during training sessions. The physiotherapist follows up on injuries that occurred over the weekend and assists boys in their return to training. Parents will receive an invoice from Sports Focus for any follow-up treatment received.

Winter Sports fixtures

Draft fixtures are published on the School website as they become available. Please note these are DRAFT fixtures only and are therefore subject to change. Parents are advised to check the website as late as possible for confirmation.

Winter Tennis

Winter Tennis will start a two-term Intramural Competition next week where boys will participate in singles and doubles games. At the end of the season, boys will be awarded and recognised for their efforts and results.

Tennis Camp

A reminder that the next Tennis camp will be run from Monday 2 - Friday 6 July.  Preparatory School boys will attend from 9am-12pm and College Street boys from 1-4pm. Positions are limited. Application forms are available through the School Office or you can email Mrs Thame at jmt@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Entry to Medicine

Boys wishing to apply for entry into the Medical programs offered by Australian Universities need to lodge an application to sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Test – UMAT by Friday 1 June 2018. Boys can view the UMAT Information Booklet and register now online at http://umat.acer.edu.au   

Sydney University Scholarships Evening: Form VI Boys and Parents

Sydney University has a full range of scholarships available for 2019. The Scholarship evening on Tuesday 14 August will give detail and information on how to apply. Register here

UNSW Scholarships Evening: Form V and VI Boys and Parents

UNSW offers a full range of scholarships including the Co-Op Program. This information evening will be held on Tuesday 5 June. The Co-Op Scholarship Program is available in several faculties at $18,200pa. Please visit www.coop.unsw.edu.au/future-students  Register here and for other events at UNSW. 

UNSW Law: Law Admissions Test – LAT for Forms V and VI

UNSW Law uses the LAT as a means of assessing applicants for the Law Dual Degree 2019 programs. Applications are open for boys in Forms V and VI at www.law.unsw.edu.au/future-students/undergraduate/law-admission-test-lat

All course and career information is posted on Schoology, but if boys or parents need further information they can contact me at pjw@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or 9332 5806.

Mr PJ Whild                                                                           

Due to the nature of the expedition, boys are required to undertake the walk with a parent or adult family member or friend. The tour will be escorted by masters from the School as well as a military history guide. In addition to the physical and mental challenge of the expedition, there will be an emphasis on the Kokoda Track as a battlefield and its place in Australian history.

The expedition will be organised through an experienced Kokoda tour operator. This company has strong links and a good reputation in PNG, with safety and security a priority. At this stage, it is estimated that the expedition to walk the track will cost approximately $5,500 per person.

An information meeting will be held at the School at the end of June 2018. A number of training walks will be organised, the first to take place on a Sunday morning in August 2018. 

Please email Ms Liu at lyl@sydgram.nsw.edu.au with an initial expression of interest or questions prior to the meeting.

Ms L.Y. Liu and Mr N.A. Smith

Weigall Canteen

Thank you to all the mothers who have volunteered at the Weigall Canteen so far. Below are the remaining dates for the year and the link to the SGSWA's website where you can sign up for volunteering and for providing food to the canteen. Please consider volunteering or donating food on your boy's House day as these are very busy days at the Canteen.

Saturday 2 June – Houses attending - CAJ and GSP

Saturday 4 August – Houses attending - JKR, CXR and JAL

Saturday 11 August – Houses attending - JDS, LAH, GDL

Link to sign up for volunteering and food donations - http://www.sgswa.com.au/weigall-canteen.html

Any questions, please contact Jenny Booth at SGSWA@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Form III Mums and Guardians

Please join us for an informal lunch

Date: Friday 1st June 2018

Time: 12 noon

Place: The Greens North Sydney, 50 Ridge Street

Contacts: Liz O'Connell (liz_oconnell@hotmail.com) or Maryann Apte (maryannapte@bigpond.com)

No need to RSVP, just turn up.
 
Informal Form I Mums' Dinner – Wednesday 6 June

While the Form I boys are away on camp, Form I mothers are invited to dinner at:

Dhaksin South Indian Restaurant, 320 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest

Time: 7:00pm for a 7.30pm dinner.

There is a council car park in Hume St and additional on street parking around Crows Nest. For more information, please contact Fiona Papadatos on fionapapadatos@gmail.com

Form II Mums and Guardians

Please join us for an informal lunch:

Date: Friday 22 June 2018

Time: 12 noon

Place: The Greens North Sydney, 50 Ridge Street

Contacts: Claudia Nemeth de Bikal (nemethc@bigpond.net.au) or Maryann Apte (maryannapte@bigpond.com)
No need to RSVP, just turn up.

The Grammar Shop

The Grammar Shop is open:

Monday 12pm - 2pm

Thursday 12pm - 5pm

Friday 12pm - 5pm
 
For the Grammar Shop price list and order form click here

For the Grammar Shop roster please click here

Tuckshop

For the Tuckshop roster please click here  

“Black & Gold” - Social Interschools Ski Team

Boys from all years are invited to join the social ski team and participate in the Sydney Interschools races at Perisher Valley during the last week of the July school holidays (17-21 July). Ski and snowboard disciplines – suitable for blue run skiers/riders and above.  Inclusive team based format with no limit on numbers. “Black & Gold” is not a school representative team, rather an independent social team supported and organised by parents. ENTRIES CLOSE WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE 2018. For further information on how to enter or for any enquiries, please contact Emma Thangaraj on 0414 759 997 or emmathangaraj@yahoo.com.au
 
Volunteers 2018

If you would like to be included on the volunteer roster for either the Grammar Shop or the Tuckshop or wish to find out more, please contact Jenny Booth at sgswa@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or on 9332 5858.
 
Key dates for Terms II and III

Saturday 28 July: Form I Dinner, Nick’s Bar & Grill, King Street Wharf Darling Harbour

Thursday 20 September: Form VI Leavers’ Dinner, Cyren Bar Gill Seafood, Darling Harbour
 
Second-Hand Instruments for Sale

If you are interested in purchasing or selling a second-hand instrument please see our website click here 
 
SGSWA.COM.AU

All the above information, calendar, contacts and event information are available on the SGSWA website www.sgswa.com.au
 
Ms S Soorian

Upcoming Barbecue at Weigall – Saturday 2 June

The next home game is against St Joseph's College on Saturday 2 June. The SGSFA needs volunteers to help cook the BBQ or man the front counter during the day. If you would like to be on the roster (one hour slots), please got to Weigall BBQ to register.

Next Committee Meeting – Thursday 7 June

All Association members are encouraged to attend the meeting of the Committee held at 6.00pm on the first Thursday of the months that fall during the Term. The meetings are held at School in room SB8, quite informal and are generally over within the hour. If you need further information, please contact the Secretary, Steve Luker at sgsfa.secretary@gmail.com

Contact with the Association 

Please feel free to contact us about any matters of interest to you. The Association is only too happy to assist in any way it can. The most direct method of contact is via email to sgsfa.president@gmail.com

Mr M Scotter