Volume 54 No. 9

I would like to congratulate all the boys involved in what has been an utterly memorable production of Grease. This achievement is, in effect, seven months in the making. As a result, the School has been treated to outstanding performances which have been of the highest calibre, as well as being relentlessly entertaining. My thanks and congratulations also go to Dr Wilson, Mr Gaske and Mr Warry for all that they have done to make this week’s superb performances possible.

Choice of Subject Evening for Form V 2019

The evening for Form IV boys and their parents will be held on Thursday 26 July at 6.30pm in the AMT.
 
The evening is designed to help you and your sons make Form V subject choices and we will talk about the structure of the HSC, the courses offered and the ATAR calculation. We look forward to seeing you then.

Choice of Subject for Form VI 2019

May I draw your attention to these important notes relating to Subject Choice for boys who will be in Form VI in 2019? 
1. To qualify for a Higher School Certificate candidates must study at least four subjects totalling a minimum of 10 units.
 
2. As a minimum requirement, boys at Grammar must study English and one other humanity, and either Mathematics or a Science (unless expressly exempted by the Director of Studies). We ask that boys study at least 12 units. Boys need to seek permission from the Director of Studies to study 11 or 10 units.
 
3. Extension courses have a value of one unit and are available in English, Mathematics, Latin, Classical Greek, History, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Music. A second extension course is available in English and Mathematics, making it possible to study four units of both of these subjects.

Extension courses are designed for those with strong ability in a subject. They build on the content of the 2 unit course and have a higher degree of difficulty. A boy will not be allowed to undertake such a course without the approval of the Subject Master concerned.

The extension course in History includes both Modern History and Ancient History options. Boys will have to choose which they intend to study.
 
4. In the Higher School Certificate each unit is worth 50 marks. Each candidate’s Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is based on the scaled aggregate of the marks in the best two units of English and the other eight best units.
 
5. Below is a link to a table that shows the draft structure of the timetable for Form VI in 2019. Extension courses are not indicated on this table, as it is impossible to forecast the demand for each course and how they can best be accommodated within the timetable.

Although every effort is made to accommodate the subject choices of boys, timetable constraints may prevent some combinations.
 
To see the draft structure of the timetable for boys who will be in Form VI in 2019, please click here.

Dr AD Stevens

The coming holiday period is a perfect time for boys to update their online records for all components of their Award. Boys need to fill in the date and nature of each activity. In order to fulfil the requirements of the Award, participants ideally should be doing a minimum of one hour per week in each component.

Boys need to check that they are on track for the correct number of weeks to determine completion. They must ensure that they have nominated the correct assessor in each category and given a proper description of each activity (for example, training or a game against The King’s School, orchestra rehearsal or choir concert). When a section is completed, boys can request a digital sign off or they can print off the section summary and take it personally to the Master-in-Charge. Once signed, boys should then upload these sheets onto their online account. When the whole Award is completed, boys should bring a hard copy of all signed off sections to me, so that I can determine whether the Award has been completed properly or not.

For further instructions, please download the Participant User Guide on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Website.

If boys or parents are having trouble deciphering the complexities of the system, I urge you to view the more detailed online handbook at
http://www.dukeofed.com.au/the-award-handbook-2018-updated-version/

Boys enrolled in Form VI should make sure that they attend to this to avoid the usual panic at the end of Term III.

Finally, I remind boys that false logging of hours and dates may result in long delays in final sign off and in the worst case, possible exclusion from the Award.

Ms RM Fin

Term II Concert

The following ensembles will be performing in the Term II Concert on Thursday 28 June in the John Vallance Hall at 6.30pm: AMCO, Sheldon Strings, Seymour Orchestra, School Orchestra, School Choir, Grammarphones, Cantorum, Cambiata, Croonivores, Percussion Ensemble, Big Band and the Bassoon Ensemble. The concert is approximately two hours long, including a short interval. The playground will open for parking from 6.00pm. Refreshments may be purchased in the Foyer of the John Vallance Hall before the concert and during interval. Entry by donation.

Combined Bands Concert

This concert features all four bands from College Street and the senior bands from both St Ives and Edgecliff Preparatory Schools performing a wide variety of wind band music. In particular, Zephyr Winds and the Wind Ensemble will be performing repertoires fresh from their recent performances at the NSW School Band Festival. The concert is on Thursday 2 August at 6:30pm in the John Vallance Hall and admission is free. Limited parking will be available in the Middle Playground.

Form VI Music Dinner

The annual Form VI Music Dinner is scheduled for Saturday 1 September in Big School. If any parents would like to assist organise 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

Volleyball

Congratulations to NSWCIS Volleyball representatives Brandon Chong, Charles Evans, James Gao, William Zhang (all Form VI) and Mikey Grogan (Form V), who competed at the recent All Schools Volleyball Tournament. NSWCIS defeated the All Schools U16 team and the NSWCCC team. The game of the day was a closely contested match against NSWCHS where both teams went point for point, displaying a high level of technical skill. Charles Evans (NSWCIS Captain) was later named as part of the All Schools Merit Team for being one of the top performing boys of the tournament.

Holiday Tennis Camp

A holiday tennis camp will run from Monday 2 to Friday 6 July. This is a great opportunity for tennis players to accelerate the acquisition of skills in an instructive and fun environment. The sessions will cover the technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of the game. Preparatory School boys will attend from 9am until noon and College Street boys will attend from 1pm until 4pm. Application forms are available from the sports office, via email from Mrs Thame at jmt@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or click here

Rugby Camps

St Ives Camp (Years P-6) – 16 and 17 July please click here

Edgecliff Camp (Years K-6) – 18-20 July please click here

Weigall Camp (Years FI-FIV) – 18-20 July please click here

Senior Camp (First and Second XV) – 19-20 July.

Cancellations

Information regarding cancellation of training fixtures is now provided to all through the Grammar App. A sport alert will be sent to all registered users regarding cancellations of training sessions as well as cancellations of Saturday sport.

Lost Property

Uniforms, school shoes, training gear, head gear and football boots are often left in the change rooms after training sessions. These are brought back to College Street and can be reclaimed from the lost property bins next to the Sergeant’s Office.

After Training

After training, boys must change back into their School uniform if they are making their way home on public transport or foot. Boys being picked up by parents from the training venue are allowed to remain in their training gear.

Importantly, parents picking up their son after training must do so as close to 5.00pm as possible. Any boy who is waiting to be picked up from Weigall will be supervised. Boys training at Robertson Road, Moore Park West, Parade Grounds or Centennial Parklands will be asked to travel back to College Street if their parent does not arrive by the time the school bus leaves.

Mr MA Curran

September Holidays 2019

In the first full week of the September/October holidays 2019, Science Beyond the Curriculum is presenting Grammar boys, siblings and parents with an exciting opportunity to undertake an eight-day geological exploration of Hawaii. The itinerary will most likely be as follows:

DAY 1 – Transport to accommodation. Local orientation and talk on the Big Island.

DAY 2 – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Visitor Centre, Steaming Bluffs, Sulfur Banks hike, Jaggar Museum, Halema’umau overlook. Kau Desert hiking on easy trails.

DAY 3 - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Introduction to Volcanic landforms): Chain of craters road day - visit eruption sites, see spatter ramparts, cinder fields of Devastation Trail. Thurston Lava Tube. Hike to Mauna Ulu lava pond and Pu’u Huluhulu.

DAY 4- South Point Day: Hike to Green Sand Beach (swim). Dinner on a black sand beach and turtle watching. Hike on easy trail. Dinner at the most southern bakery in the USA.

DAY 5 - Mauna Kea - Mauna Loa Day: Visit the tallest volcano on the island from sea level to summit. Explore climate zones and how they are affected by altitude. Star gazing and observatory area tour.

DAY 6 - Kona Day: Snorkeling and swimming at Ho’okena Beach Park and visit Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park. Dinner in Kona.

DAY 7 - Ancient Volcano tour day: Akaka falls, Laupahoehoe, Point tsunami site, Wiapio Valley, Hulalailai overlook, Kohala views, Mauna Loa Road and picnic dinner on Hilo Bay.

DAY 8 - Hilo sites - Coconut Island: Boiling pots, rainbow falls. Helicopter flights in morning.

Accommodation is comprised of seven nights of hotel twin-share rooms. The cost of the trip, including most meals, will be around $5000pp. The trip is for boys and accompanying parents. Siblings are welcome if vacancies permit. The School does not undertake to accept all applications.

If you wish to register your interest, please send an email to akbb@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Mr A Bowes

Kokoda Track 2019

Expressions of interest are now sought from parents and boys to participate in the ten-day expedition to the Kokoda Track in the July holidays of 2019, leaving on Saturday 6 July - Tuesday 16 July 2019.

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.

The information evening will be on held at School on Wednesday 27th June 2018 at 6pm in the Edmund Barton Room.

A number of training walks will be organised, the first to take place on a Sunday morning in August 2018.

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

Ms LY Liu and Mr NA Smith

Interested parents and boys are invited to attend an information evening for the Glac Project on Tuesday 14 August from 6:30pm in Big School.

The Glac Project is a Serbian-Australian archaeological excavation of a Roman imperial palace outside Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia. The evening will provide the opportunity to learn about the project from Professor Richard Miles (USyd) and Dr Alan Dearn (SGS). There are plans to take a group of boys from the School to the dig in 2019.

We will also be joined on the evening by mezzo-soprano Milijana Nikolić, best known in Australia for her work with Opera Australia. She will introduce her hometown of Sremska Mitrovica, as well as perform an aria or two. Bookings for this special evening will be made available through Trybooking at the beginning of Term III.

Dr ACM Dearn

Form II Mothers’ and Guardians’ lunch

Please join us for an informal lunch
Date: Friday 22 June, 2018
Time: 12 noon
Place: The Greens North Sydney, 50 Ridge Street, North Sydney
Contacts: Claudia Nemeth de Bikal (nemethc@bigpond.net.au) or Maryann Apte (maryannapte@bigpond.com)
No need to RSVP, just turn up.

Weigall Canteen

Thank you to all the volunteers at the Weigall Canteen this year. We have some busy days coming up and need your assistance. Below are the remaining dates for the year and the link to the SGSWA’s website where you can sign up for volunteering and/or providing food for the canteen. Please consider volunteering or donating food on your son's House day as these are very busy days at the canteen.

Saturday 4 August - Rugby v The Armidale School

Saturday 11 August - Rugby and Football v St Ignatius’ College [JKR, CXR, JAL, WJC/KAG, TJC/LDR, CP/AHWD to attend]

Saturday 18 August - Back to Weigall Day [JDS, LAH, GDL, WTR/PRG, AKF/LCJW to attend]

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 I Dinner - Saturday 28 July

Invitations have been sent out for the Form I Dinner next term. Drinks are from 6.30pm and dinner is at 7.30pm at Nick’s Bar & Grill (This event is for parents and guardians. Boys do not attend). Should you have any questions, please contact Jenny Booth on 9332 5858. To purchase tickets via Trybooking at $90 per person, please click here (RSVP date is strictly by 23 July).

Form VI Leavers’ Dinner – Thursday 20 September

The 2018 Form VI Leavers’ Dinner, hosted by the Women’s Association, is on Thursday 20 September at Cyren Bar-Grill-Seafood, Darling Harbour. Invitations will be sent out next term.

Grammar Shop

Boys who have been awarded Half Colours or Colours and would like their blazers embroidered, should bring them to the Grammar Shop on the last day of term, Friday 29 June. As boys require a blazer as a part of their winter uniform, the blazers can only be accepted on this day. Blazers will be sent to the embroiderers and should be back at the beginning of Term III. The next opportunity to have blazers embroidered will be the last day of Term III.

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 Tuckshop roster please click here

Volunteers 2018

If you would like to be included on the volunteer roster for 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 III and IV

Friday 27 July - General Meeting at Weigall Pavilion

Saturday 28 July - Form I Dinner

Thursday 20 September - Form VI Leavers’ Dinner

Thursday 14 November – Pink, Passion & Purpose dinner

Wednesday 7 November - AGM

Friday 30 November - receiving used books for Forms IV & VI, sale day for Form IV

Monday 3 December – receiving used books

Tuesday 4 December – receiving used books

Wednesday 5 December - Second-Hand Book Sale

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 4 August

The next SGSFA barbecue will be held in Term III on Saturday 4 August between 8.00am and 2.00pm for Rugby vs The Armidale School at Weigall.

The Roster is available here

Next Committee Meeting – Thursday 2 August

The next Committee meeting with be held on Thursday 2 August. All Association members are encouraged to attend the meetings 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 (above Mr Hesketh’s office), are 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

Masters’ Dinner

Each year, the SGSFA hosts a Masters’ Dinner. This year it will be held in Term III on Wednesday 1 August.

Mr M Scotter