Volume 55 No. 1

Dear Parents,

A very warm welcome to all of you who are joining us for the first time at College Street this year, and welcome back to everyone else. Much has been achieved over the summer, with many trips and events seeing Grammar boys and staff in action around the country, with the cricketers in Brisbane in the Tri-Grammar Series, our volleyball boys down in Melbourne for the Nationals, the rowers on tour in New Zealand and the tennis players also in Melbourne for the Australian Open.

It has also been a summer of outstanding HSC results for the 2018 cohort. I congratulate all of last year’s Form VI on their fine HSC results.

To put their collective achievements in perspective, the 2017 HSC results had essentially been our best to date in the history of the current HSC. In 2017 an impressive and unprecedented 25% of boys scored an ATAR of 99 or better. Outstanding results indeed. Yet in 2018 we saw that measure rise to 30% of last year’s Form VI achieving an ATAR of 99 or above. And whilst it would be easy to continue reporting various statistics, it is more important to recognise how well all the boys performed in their examinations. It is also exciting to see a good number of boys being offered places to study at Oxford and Cambridge, amongst a range of other impressive national and international universities.

Nonetheless, the School is about much more than public examination results. The best universities around the world are making it increasingly clear that good marks in examinations are only part of what they seek when they look for the best undergraduates. All boys at Grammar are encouraged to involve themselves as much as they can in life outside the classroom. Indeed, I would argue that the success of Grammar boys in measurable areas such as the HSC is the product of factors not always so visible. The School’s outstanding teaching and support staff, the underlying pastoral structure, the highly aspirational approach to sport, music and the arts variously combine to provide the Grammar boy with a community of interesting, exciting and ambitious people keen to learn more and achieve more.

This is a school where we encourage boys to be independent as soon as possible. Some of the practices common in other schools are not found here and it is all the more important that you know how we communicate with you, and how you can readily communicate with us. In particular, you should make sure that you know the name and contact details of your son’s Tutor because he or she will be the primary point of contact between home and school for most everyday matters.

Tutors are drawn from the ranks of the teaching staff, and their role is one of general co-ordination and supervision. Should you have concerns which you feel cannot be adequately addressed by a Tutor, then you should contact the Master of the Lower School, Mr Hesketh, in the case of First Form boys, or your son’s Housemaster for boys in all other Forms. Very serious matters should be reported directly to my office; in such cases, you will then be contacted by the Senior Master, Mr Kavanagh, who works closely with me.

In the very near future we will be launching the new Parent Portal and I will email you more information about this. In the meantime, if you look at the calendar on our website you will see that many concerts, plays, debates and fixtures occur throughout the year. You are welcome – in fact strongly encouraged – to attend whenever you wish. Some events require bookings, others do not. (Where bookings are required, it is most important that you advise us if for some reason you are subsequently not able to attend. We have waiting lists for some of our events, and we do not like to turn people away – say – from concerts or lectures which end up having unexpectedly empty seats.) Many parents attend events in which their own sons are not involved. The School has strong links with outside organisations including professional orchestras, academic societies, libraries and universities. Again, when they hold activities at College Street, you are most welcome to join us.

Grammar is a large school, and it serves many different communities in our city. As a result, it can be a little daunting at first - especially for parents. This is why we have a range of active parent organisations including the Women’s Association, the Fathers’ Association, the Music Association and the Parents and Friends of the Boatshed. These groups provide the School with financial support, but more important than that, they provide social opportunities for parents to meet each other. Some of the best attended activities of the Women’s Association, for example, are those which have nothing to do with the School, or boys’ education at all. I should add that weekly sporting fixtures, especially at Weigall, provide an excellent opportunity for informal conversations both with other parents and members of staff, myself included.

I wish you all the very best for the academic year ahead.

Dr RB Malpass

The Headmaster is available whenever he is not otherwise occupied to see boys without appointment.

If any of your contact details have changed (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 any changes in your son’s medical records (including conditions, medications, allergies etc.) please send this information through to the School Nurse on twk@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Boys in Form III who have turned 14 are now eligible to sign up for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Sydney Grammar School. Boys need to undertake a skill, some volunteering and sport, as well as the adventurous journeys conducted in the school holidays.

Please refer to the School website under ‘Other Clubs and Activities’/Duke of Edinburgh for further information or boys can come and see me in my office, opposite WM3.

All boys who completed hikes in 2018 should ensure that they have entered the details into their online record books and that they have completed their hike reports and submitted them to the assessors (as per instructions in my email to parents) to ensure a smooth sign off.

For each of the other areas, Volunteering, Skills and Physical, boys should set up the correct assessor in each category. They should NOT nominate me as the assessor unless it is for School Orchestra. For school sport, Mr A Campbell is the assessor. Please download the following document about the ‘Duke of Edinburgh's Scheme at Sydney Grammar’ (click here) to obtain other assessors.

Please note that all permission forms for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adventurous Journeys (only for those to be undertaken in the coming April holidays) are due by Wednesday 20 March. Any forms received after that date run the risk of not being processed in time and hence, the hike may not be counted towards a boy’s award. The hike form permission is also on the School website (please download the current form).

The Bronze, Silver or Gold Award checklist is the final document that needs to be uploaded before a boy obtains sign off. Below are the direct links to the files:

Bronze
Silver
Gold

Boys currently in Form VI should look carefully at their completion plans to avoid panic at the end of Term III when they are trying to get their records signed off by their assessors and me.

Ms RM Fin

This will be held on Thursday 7 February in Big School at 6:30pm and is a wonderful introduction to the musical life of the School. In addition to performances from several ensembles, members of the Music staff will provide important information about the Music Department. We will talk about private lessons, music ensembles and the classroom programme, as well as introducing members of the Music Department. Family members, including siblings and grandparents, are welcome to join us on the night. The Captain of Music and other boys in Form VI will also be available to speak about various aspects of the programme and their personal experiences. The Music Association will host a short supper at the conclusion of the concert. Limited parking will be available in the middle playground from 6:00pm. Parents and boys are welcome.

Friday 8 March is International Women’s Day and we will celebrate and acknowledge this day with performances by Sydney Grammar School Jazz bands. Our special guest, Dr Sandy Evans, will lead the Stanley Street Big Band, Big Band and Dr V’s Swing Thing during the first half of the concert following a full day of workshops. We are also fortunate to have the Best World Music band in Australia – Marsala perform for us. The concert will be held in the AMT and will start at 6:30pm.

Marsala Band Members:

Lead Singer and guitar - Joseph Zarb
Also a Lead guitar - Gino Pengue
Electric Bass player - Jess Ciampa
Drummer - Bill Kezelos
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Lupco Stoichevski
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Vlad Khusid

Please invite your mothers, sisters, family and friends to attend this very unique and entertaining concert. Tickets will be available via Trybooking. (Trybooking details will soon follow).

Forms are available from the Music Department or can be downloaded from the School website. Please ensure that they are completed as soon as possible to allow lessons to commence immediately. There are limited vacancies.

Please contact Mr Wagner on 9332 5886 if you would like more information.

The following policy applies to 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 I must be received by the Music Department no later than Friday 1 March.

All boys who learn an instrument at the School are automatically issued with a gold-covered Instrumental Record Book. Parents are asked to check these books regularly, as they outline the work that should be done in home practice sessions each week. A signature from either parent should be added to the relevant section to verify the time spent on practice.

In line with the AMEB syllabus, classes will be offered in Musicianship Grades 2 to 6 in 2019. The study of Musicianship is a prerequisite (additional requirement) for Practical Examinations as follows:

Grade 6 – Pass Grade 2 Musicianship
Grade 7 – Pass Grade 3 Musicianship
Grade 8 – Pass Grade 4 Musicianship
AMusA – Pass Grade 6 Musicianship
LMusA – Pass Grade 6 Musicianship

Please note that the study of Grade 2 Musicianship assumes knowledge of the Preliminary and Grade 1 Syllabuses etc. Boys wishing to study musicianship, should complete a musicianship course form – available from the Music Office or School website – and return it to the Music Office as soon as possible. Please be aware that boys will not be admitted to courses after the THIRD week of Musicianship classes. Any further questions should be directed to Dr Vines on 9332 5891 or email npv@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Weekly concerts begin on Wednesday 6 February in the Wallace King Room on Level 7 at 12:55pm. These concerts are held most Wednesdays at lunchtime and afford the boys the opportunity to perform solo and chamber works. Boys wishing to perform should contact Mr Nijs in the Music Department. Please note that boys needing an accompanist must hand in the accompaniment music two weeks before their scheduled performance. All boys, masters and parents are warmly invited to attend these concerts.

Parents whose sons are in ensembles can expect them to be rehearsing at the following times (any changes to this timetable will be published on the School website):
 
Monday – 7:30am – 8:30am – AMCO, Percussion Ensemble 2
Monday – 7:50am – 8:30am – Stanley St Big Band Tutorials
Monday – 3:00pm – 4:30pm – School Orchestra
Tuesday – 7:30am – 8:30am – Big Band, Concert Band, Seymour Orchestra
Tuesday – 3:05pm – 3:45pm – Jazz Combo FIII
Wednesday – 7:30am – 8:30am – Cambiata, Cantorum, School Choir, Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Ensemble
Thursday – 7:30am – 8:30am – Zephyr Winds
Thursday – 7:50am – 8:30am – Big Band Saxophones, Rhythm Workshop, Grammar Rock Senior
Thursday – 3:00pm – 4:30pm – Concertante, Sheldon Strings, Stringendo, Ventus Ensemble, Keyboard
Friday – 8:00am – 8:40am – Saxophone Ensemble

Ensemble Junior

Friday – 7:30am – 8:30am – Wind Ensemble
Friday – 7:50am – 8:30am – Jazz Combo FII
Friday – 8:00am – 8:40am – Saxophony
Friday – 2:18pm – 3:30pm – Segovia Guitar Ensemble

Requests for exemption from music rehearsals or performances must be made in writing to the Music Department. Three days notice is required except in unforeseen and urgent cases. Please call the Music Department on 9332 5895 if you are not sure which ensemble your son has been placed in. A list of this year’s Concerts can be found by clicking here.

Sydney Grammar School are excited to host the 21st Australian Combined School Music Festival (ACSMF) this year. This is a call out to all Sydney Grammar School families who would like to and are able to billet students attending this Festival. Over 300 ACSMF students from over eight high schools around Australia will need to be accommodated during the Festival which will be held from Wednesday 26 June to Saturday 29 June. Billeting is a rewarding experience for all Sydney Grammar School families and boys as those who have previously been billeted can attest.

If you are interested in discussing the wonderful opportunity to billet a ACSMF student, please contact Ms Francisca Sjahry on 93325895 or email FOMS@sydgram.nsw.edu.au. Further information is available on the Festival website www.acsmf.com.

Mr PR Gaske

At the Headmaster’s Assembly on Friday 1 February, the Captain of Basketball, Leon Ortega, presented the First basketball team to the Headmaster. Representing Grammar in the 2019 season are Leon Ortega(c), Christopher Choi, Richarde Li, Ross Poole, Benji Schwartz, Jerome Ayad, Aaron Heydon, Stirling Smith, Ned Kingston and Albert Chedid. The team will be coached by Mr Mahesh Padmanabhan (OS 2005).

The Captain of Tennis, Peter Sanki, presented the First tennis team consisting of Peter Sanki(c), Cian Bowes, Jeremy Wang, Harry Oates, Jeffrey Tse and Evan Leung. The team will be coached by the Director of Tennis, Mr Fernando Ibarrola.

Grammar competed at the annual Australian Volleyball Schools Cup (the Nationals Championships) in Melbourne last December. Our senior team consisting of Charles Evans (c), Brandon Chong, James Gao, Finn Parker, William Zhang (all OS 2018), Jared Adams, Mikey Grogan, Peter Taurian, Hugh Lam (all Form VI) and Marcus Allan (Form V) gave Grammar’s best competitive performance in this age group. Faced with a difficult first pool round against schools that had defeated Grammar the previous year, our senior team put up a convincing challenge, stealing sets and a couple of wins against these schools where volleyball is played as the primary sport. Grammar finished a respectable 15th placing in the Year 12 Division 1.

Our junior team consisting of Oliver Duncan, Luc Jeffriess (both Form IV), James Castle, Nicholas Coren, Malachy Kalowski, Alex Lawson, Thomas Potter, Ravin Ratnayake, Robert Russell, Kieran Webb (all Form III) was the youngest team we have fielded for Nationals. Competing in Year 9 Division 2, the boys had a steep learning curve after having had only a couple of training sessions together in preparation for the tournament. With eyes wide open to the biggest sporting event in the southern hemisphere, the team’s competitive skills and volleyball knowledge improved exponentially throughout the course of the week. The junior team will help provide Grammar with a firm footing at future National Championships.

Congratulations also to Mikey Grogan, who having impressed National scouters at the event, has been invited to attend the AIS Junior Men’s Volleyball Camp in Canberra this summer. We wish him the very best with this opportunity.

This year’s Tri-Grammar series was held in Brisbane from the 14–20 January. The series included two T20 games and two, two-day games, the results of which were as follows:

T20 matches

Sydney Grammar School 120 (Max Glen 30) lost to Brisbane Grammar School 6/133 (Will Rogers 2/13, Milan Swaraj 2/15). Sydney Grammar School 2/179 (Ethan Kooner 78, David Matthews 77) defeated Melbourne Grammar School 114 (Will Rogers 2/6, Ned Swaney 2/19, Callum Brown 2/15).

The two-day matches

Sydney Grammar School 354 (Max Glen 151 not out, Milan Swaraj 47) lost to Melbourne Grammar School 5/355 on the first innings (Ethan Kooner 2/62). Sydney Grammar School 208 (Jackson Watson 50) lost to Brisbane Grammar School 332 on the first innings (Ethan Kooner 3/39, Will Rogers 2/42). Melbourne Grammar School won “The Bat” and Brisbane Grammar School, the T20 competition.

There were some outstanding individual performances by the Grammar boys as indicated and, as a result, four players were selected in the Team of the Week. They were Max Glen, Ethan Kooner, David Matthews and Jackson Watson.

Grammar basketball teams continued to work on their game by training in the New Year and competing in various tournaments. The Grammar First and Seconds teams competed in the Trinity Challenge and the highly respected Newington Classic. The Grammar Firsts lost all their games by single digits but the mood remains positive. The Grammar Seconds had outstanding success, having won four games and narrowly missing out on the final.

The Grammar 14A and 15A teams both competed in the Kings Cup. Both teams competed admirably with the 14A team winning two of their games in great fashion. The 15A team won four games against quality opposition but lost the semi-final against Scots College. 

On the 12 January the Director of Tennis Coach, Mr Fernando Ibarrola, and the Assistant Director, Mr John Rimmer, accompanied six boys for a week long development camp in Melbourne prior to the GPS season. The boys used courts in Lalor, North Melbourne, which were ideal to train several hours each day.  The evenings were spent going to the Australian Open.  This included watching Rafa Nadal in the 2nd Round on the Rod Laver Arena.  This immersion in all things Tennis was an ideal way to prepare for the new season. 

The 146th Grammar Athletics Championships will be held on Wednesday 20 March. The Director of Athletics, Ms Govers, will provide further information through the Tutorial system. All boys are expected to race in the 100m. Boys can register their interest in other events through the House system, in due course. Please note that the Athletics season will officially begin on Monday 19 August, with the AAGPS Athletics Championships at SOPAC on Saturday 21 September.

Rugby parents and players are reminded that expressions of interest will be emailed to parents shortly regarding the pre-season holiday activities. With the winter season commencing after the Head of the River (23 March), the holiday program is important preparation for the boys for the start of Term II.

Activities include:

U13 Canberra Tour – Friday 12 April to Sunday 14 April – AIS accommodation
Opens Canberra Tour – Friday 12 April to Sunday 14 April – AIS accommodation
Opens Rugby Fixture v Hale School – Monday 15 April – Weigall 
Prep Rugby Camp – Friday 26 April – Weigall 
U13 and U14 Rugby Camp – Friday 26 April – Weigall 
U15, U16 and Opens Rugby Camp – Friday 26 April to Saturday 27 April – Narrabeen Sports Academy

Training Venues and Practice Arrangements

Please check Practice Arrangements on the School website to confirm training venues as changes have been made since last Term. Buses returning from Weigall will stop at College Street and Town Hall. Buses from Parklands will stop at Central Station on the way back to College Street.

Fixtures on Saturdays

The Sports Office is not in a position to confirm fixtures more than one week in advance. Draft fixtures are published on the School website by Tuesday afternoon prior to the Saturday. Please check the website as late as Friday afternoon to ensure there are no last-minute changes. Parents who have downloaded the Grammar App and registered to receive notifications for their son’s particular sport will receive messages reporting any late changes to both training arrangements as well as Saturday cancellations. Requests for exemption from Saturday games must be submitted to the Sportsmaster at the first possible opportunity and no later than the Wednesday before the game.

Exemptions from Sport Training

Training commitments are only two afternoons a week. Parents are asked to refrain where possible from making medical appointments on scheduled training days. Request for leave from sports training should be made in writing to the Sportsmaster.

The Sandhill Warrior Sessions

Mr Rob Rowland-Smith (The Sandhill Warrior) coordinates a general fitness program every Monday morning during Term time for any boy interested in maintaining or improving his fitness. The session starts at 7am and finishes at approximately 8:15am. This training is not aimed at any particular sport, and boys from all levels and all sports work together to improve their general fitness. The cost of this is covered by the Sports Department and all boys are welcome to attend.

Winter Sport Choices

Boys will be asked to select their winter sports choice in Term I. Information will be distributed through Tutorials in the week beginning Monday 18 February. Winter sport choices include cross country, rugby, football, rugby or football refereeing, volleyball, fencing (limited numbers), rifles (limited numbers and approved by the Master-In-Charge of Rifles), winter tennis and taekwondo. 

Security at Training

Boys are reminded to leave valuables with the Security Officer at Weigall whilst at training. Boys at College Street and other venues should give valuables to their coach. Boys should never leave bags unattended on Saturdays.

Collecting Boys at Weigall

Parents picking up their boys from training or games must collect them from Alma Street or the Weigall 4 Carpark. Parents are not to park in the Neild Avenue parking area next to the tennis courts as this is reserved for sports coaches. Please be aware that there is no parking available for Grammar parents in the White City carpark.

Attendance at Major GPS Sporting Events in 2019

As in past years particular Forms have been allocated to attend specific events as spectators. In the past, the whole School would attend the GPS Head of the River Regatta and the GPS Athletics Championships. From 2014, we have allocated Form IV to attend the Finals night of the GPS Swimming in lieu of the Head of the River. The Finals night of the 2019 GPS Swimming season is Friday 29 March at SOPAC, Homebush. The boys will be transported by bus to and from the venue, leaving College Street at 5:30pm, after receiving a light meal. Boys will be returned to College Street between 9:30pm and 9:45pm. Parents of Form IV boys will have been notified of the specific arrangements by email.

Mr M Curran

Sydney CBD Schools Careers Convention

The Sydney CBD Schools Careers Convention will be held on Monday 3 June from 3:00pm to 7:00pm in the Palladium Building for boys in Forms IV, V and VI and their parents. It will be held jointly with other schools from the CBD. The Convention will have three facets. In the School gymnasium from 3:00pm, major universities will be present along with a number of private tertiary education providers. In the Palladium Theatre and John Vallance Hall from 4:30pm, there will be a series of talks from faculty representatives and from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, in the Palladium classrooms, advisers from many career and university areas will be available for consultation. If you can assist with this consulting, in your own career area, then please contact me by email as detailed below.

Career Testing

Career testing is offered to all boys in Form IV, usually later in Term I. This is an opportunity for Form IV boys to undertake Career Voyage, a careers guidance program. The program uses a boy’s interests and preferences to make twenty job suggestions. Career Voyage can also be useful in preparation for the Career’s Convention and in guiding subject choice for Form V. 

Tertiary Education Scholarships

Boys who are interested in applying for tertiary education scholarships should be aware that attributes are sought that often go well beyond academic performance. These may include creativity, leadership, self-motivation and communication skills. It is therefore important that boys in Forms V and VI continue with their extra-curricular activities.

Tuckwell Scholarship

The Tuckwell Scholarship at the ANU is a sort-after scholarship that it is worth at least $21,700 a year. Applications open on Monday 4 March and information is available here. 

Work Experience

Work Experience is undertaken in the school holidays, usually when a boy is in Form IV. Boys make their own contacts and arrangements, although Mr Whild may be able to assist. As there are both insurance and child protection requirements for a work experience placement, any arrangement must be first discussed with Mr Whild and the necessary forms will then be made available.

Course and Careers advice for local universities and overseas admission is available from the careers master, Mr Whild in SB10 or by email at pjw@sydgram.nsw.edu.au. University and course information is also available in the School Library, on Schoology and on the School website via links to the universities.

Mr PJ Whild

If you are interested in discovering how the world works around you, I would like to invite you to join other science-minded boys and parents on one of the School’s Science Beyond the Curriculum activities.
 

In the last week of the October school holidays, Science Beyond the Curriculum is presenting Grammar boys, siblings and parents with an exciting opportunity to undertake an eight-day geological exploration of Hawaii. 

On Wednesday 13 February at 6:00pm there will be an information evening for parents of boys in Forms IV and V in P13 (Palladium Classrooms), who are studying German and are interested in participating in our exchange programmes this year.

Please send me an email at cds@sydgram.nsw.edu.au to express your interest in attending.

Mr CD Saurine

The Women’s Association would like to welcome everyone back to school and extend a special welcome to all new families.
 
Save the Dates

Please note the following events for Term I and II:
 
Wednesday 6 March - New Mothers’ Morning Tea Forms I-V, 10:00am (Headmaster’s House, Vialoux Avenue)
Wednesday 20 March – Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships Day (Weigall)
Sunday 24 March - Form I and II BBQ, 12:00pm (Weigall) 
Saturday 6 April - Parent Party for Forms III and IV, 7:00pm (Big School)
Friday 3 May - General Meeting, 8:30am (Weigall Pavilion)
Saturday 4 May – Parent Party for Forms I and II, 7:00pm (Big School)
Friday 10 May - Literary Lunch, 11:30am (Boatshed)
 
General Meeting

This will be held on Friday 3 May at 8:30am in the Weigall Pavilion.
 
New Mothers Forms I-V

The SGSWA will be hosting a welcome morning tea on Wednesday 6 March at 10am at the Headmaster's residence. Invitations have been posted out and should be received shortly. We do hope that you are all available to attend. Another date for the diary is Saturday 27 July, 6:30pm for the Form I Dinner. This is a wonderful evening with parents and Tutors. It is an event not to be missed, so please ensure you have saved the date.
 
Membership

As a Sydney Grammar mother you are welcome to be a member of our Association with a one-off membership fee of $100. The Association is dedicated to supporting and building our school community. If you have not already provided your contact details, or need to update your details please contact Jenny Booth at sgswa@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or complete an online form. This will enable us to keep you up to date and send invitations.
 
Grammar Shop

The Grammar Shop is open:
Monday 12:00pm-2:00pm
Thursday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm
 
Our well-trained volunteers can fit your son, allowing the boys to make their own uniform purchases during lunch times on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. For your convenience, credit card details may be securely left with the shop manager, Kim Rossleigh.
 
A current Grammar Shop price list and order form is available, please click here
For Grammar Shop roster please click here
 
Volunteers 2019

Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet other mothers while supporting your son(s). It can be on a regular basis or as little as once a year. If you would like to be included on the volunteer roster for either the Grammar Shop or Canteen for 2019 or wish to find out more, please contact Jenny Booth at sgswa@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or on 9332 5858.
 
Weigall Canteen

Energetic volunteers (mums or dads) interested in volunteering at the Canteen during Saturday winter home games are required.  If your son plays tennis, football or rugby and you’re already at Weigall, it’s a wonderful opportunity to build new friendships and community spirit. For further details, please click here.
 
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped at the Weigall Canteen on House Sports Day (21 November 2018) and for donating delicious savoury and sweet treats. Thank you to Mary Ann Apte, Karen Kay and Anna Reed-Stephenson for coordinating the day.

The net profit from the House Sports Day ($1000) will be donated to The Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation (CRBF) which aims to provide long-term funding to find a cure for sarcoma, together with a vastly improved cancer journey, providing much needed hope and support for young sarcoma patients and their families. Cooper Rice-Brading was a pupil at Sydney Grammar School. Cooper's vision was to change the current trajectory for young sarcoma patients. Very early in his treatment for osteosarcoma, he became aware of the disparity that existed between his cancer, and other childhood cancers. He also recognised that sarcoma had the propensity to devastate families financially and emotionally, so the requirement for an improved patient journey, and support of families was paramount to a holistic approach. The Foundation which bears his name, will follow his vision, and SGSWA is proud to raise awareness and to provide funding support.
 
Tuckshop

The Women’s Association would like to acknowledge the wonderful work at the Tuckshop and give personal thanks to Roberto and Victoria Fucci, managers of the School Tuckshop. We look forward to a long and happy association.
 
For the Tuckshop roster, please click here
 
Second-Hand Book Sale 2018

A huge thank you to Mary Ann Apte for coordinating the Second-Hand Book Sale. Thanks to the support of the School community, the 2018 Second-Hand Book Sale was well stocked and well supported. We consider it a privilege to facilitate the recycling and reuse of required text books, and at the end of the sale to return over $14,000 to Grammar families.

Unsold books have been placed in storage for potential sale in 2019. Donated books that are no longer current texts were donated to charity.

The book collection sale ran over five days and was only possible due to the generous and tireless parents who helped receive, sort books, set up, run the book sale, and help pack everything back up!

Thank you to all the following parents (and sincere apologies if anyone has been missed – feel free to let us know so we can acknowledge your contribution). For helping co-ordinate parts of the sale day and set up: Esther Heathcote, Anna Reed-Stephenson, Karen Kay & Jenny Booth.

Dedicated assistance from Tanya Hickey, Fiona Papadatos, Judy Nguyen, Su Tsung, Ngan Lee, Ingrid Hayes, Feng Jin, Michelle Flemming, Karen Theodore, Hayley Daniel, Sarah Bartlett, Liz Brennan, Karen Nguyen, Shirley Wu, Kris Jones, Andrew Vitalis, Tori Hyde, Lorna Saxbee, Tania Nguyen, Emma Grundy, Karuna Maharaj, Bonny Puszka, Anna Drew, Sally-Ann Crocker, Harini Reddy, Sub Apte, Penny Burton, Jane Brener, Kaylene Kritharides and Suzy Berry.
 
Help Wanted - Form Parties and BBQ

If you are interested in helping out with the Form parties and BBQ, we would love to hear from you. We are especially looking for talented decorators, people with a passion for party music, volunteers for the sausage sizzle or if you would like to be a party convenor.
 
Dates are:
Sunday 24 March - Form I and II BBQ, 12:00pm (Weigall)
Saturday 6 April - Parent Party for Forms III and VI, 7:00pm (Big School)
Saturday 4 May - Parent Party for Forms I and II, 7:00pm (Big School)
 
Please email Jenny Booth at sgswa@sydgram.nsw.edu.au with your details, preferred contact number and the year(s) your son(s) are in. 
 
All the above information, calendar, contacts and event information is available on the SGSWA website  
 
On behalf of the SGSWA, I would like to wish you all a happy and productive 2019.
 
Ms S Soorian

The Fathers’ Association takes this opportunity to welcome all new families to the School in 2019.

Welcome to New Parents

The SGSFA are hosting the Welcome to New Parents Function on Friday 1 March at College Street and would encourage as many new parents as possible to participate in a very enjoyable and informative evening. An invitation will be sent to all new parents soon. For any enquiries, please contact Wendy Scotter at wes@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or call on 9332 5843.

Membership

All fathers are eligible to become members of the Fathers’ Association and all new fathers who haven’t yet joined will be able to do so at the New Parents' Evening or you can go to the following link any time to join. Please feel free to contact members of the Committee about any matters of interest to you. The Fathers’ Association is happy to assist in any way we can. The most direct method for contact is by email sgsfa.president@gmail.com or the Secretary Dale Druckman, sgsfa.secretary@gmail.com.

Committee Meetings

Any member is welcome to join our regular meetings. The committee and members attend and discuss upcoming events and you can raise topics of interest concerning the Fathers' Association and its support of the School. Normally these meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month during Term time, beginning at 6:00pm at the School. Meetings generally last no longer than an hour and are held in a convivial and constructive atmosphere. Your support is needed for the Association to function. An invite is sent to all SGSFA members, a week before each meeting and the school diary has all the dates.

Weigall BBQ

The Weigall BBQ is one of the key functions we organise during winter home games and school sports events. We provide a roster for fathers on our Weigall BBQ website (please click here) to register to volunteer for a few hours to cook for the boys and visitors at our home games at Weigall. Any fathers interested in providing co-ordination support (organising the food, rosters etc.) please contact me at sgsfa.president@gmail.com.

Volunteers 2019

Volunteering is a great way to meet other fathers while supporting the boys. It can be on a regular basis or as little as once a year. If you would like to be included on the volunteer BBQ roster or support other functions we provide, or wish to find out more, please contact Wendy Scotter at wes@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or on 9332 5843.

Next Meeting of the Committee

The first meeting for 2019 will be on Thursday 7 February, at the School, in room SB8 (above Mr Hesketh’s office) at 6:00pm. For any information about the meetings, please contact our Secretary, Dale Druckman, sgsfa.secretary@gmail.com

All the above information, calendar, contacts and event information is available on the SGSFA website www.sgsfa.com.au. On behalf of the SGSFA, I would like to wish you all an enjoyable 2019.

Mr M Scotter