Volume 55 No. 2


Dear Parents,

The late Sir Harry Chauvel, distinguished Old Sydneian and General in the First World War, left some money in his will to establish a scholarship for a boy already enrolled at the School. Established in 1957, the Chauvel Scholarship has become one of our most significant internal awards and it is given each year to a boy in Form V or VI. It takes the form of a fifty percent remission of the School Fee for one year.
 
Under the terms of the award, preference will be given to:

- sons or grandsons of Old Sydneians who were Servicemen, and if a suitable candidate is not found from this group

- sons or grandsons of persons not being Old Sydneians who were Servicemen.

The successful candidate will be doing well academically. Boys who wish to apply should write to me by the end of Term I, including where possible proof of family history in the armed services. The result of the competition will be communicated to applicants by the end of Term II.

On another matter, you may have heard that the Hakoah Club has recently submitted an application for modifications to its previously approved 2015 DA for the re-development of White City. As was the case in 2015, the School has prepared a detailed submission for Woollahra Council and the Sydney East Joint Regional Planning Panel outlining its concerns about the proposal and the ramifications for Edgecliff Preparatory School, Weigall and the surrounding community.

 

We have also been in communication with the Edgecliff Preparatory School’s Parents Association about this matter. I would like to applaud their efforts thus far in helping to voice concerns about the proposal.

Dr RB Malpass

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


Disability Provisions, Illness/Misadventure and Scribes for Disability Provisions

Disability Provisions

Boys in Form VI and their parents should be aware of the availability of Disability Provisions for candidates sitting Higher School Certificate examinations.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) describes Disability Provisions as “practical arrangements designed to help students who couldn't otherwise make a fair attempt to show what they know in an exam room”. Any candidate with a disability that affects their ability to read examination questions and/or communicate their responses may be granted Disability Provisions for the Higher School Certificate examinations.

Disability Provisions also apply to school-based assessment tasks. Boys who wish to apply for Disability Provisions must see me as soon as possible. Applications close on the last day of Term I.

Illness/Misadventure

Boys and their parents should also be aware of what to do if illness or misadventure affects a candidate’s ability to undertake an examination or assessment task in Forms IV, V and VI.
 
Parents should notify the School as soon as practical, and boys must then complete an Illness/Misadventure form and submit it to the Director of Studies. Forms are available from Masters’ Reception. Medical Certificates are required in all cases of illness and must be signed by a doctor who is not a close relative.
 
Please notify the office of the Director of Studies (9332 5853 or 9332 5970) if your son is absent from school on the day of an examination or assessment task, or is otherwise affected by illness or misadventure. We ask boys to complete the Illness/Misadventure form on their first day back at School.

Scribes for Disability Provisions

Every year the School needs to call upon scribes to help with examinations for both junior and senior boys. The role is demanding, completed on a volunteer basis (as required by NESA), and requires a significant commitment to the boys, but it is also a wonderful way to provide practical support for boys at a challenging time.

NESA recommends that scribes need:

- the ability to communicate clearly in English;
- an understanding of the subject(s) being examined;
- patience and sensitivity to the student’s special needs;
- an understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality and an ability to do so.

Please contact me by email at ads@sydgram.nsw.edu.au if you are interested in helping out in this important role.

Dr AD Stevens


Parent Portal and Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Form I checks on the Parent Portal

Form I parents are reminded to respond to the email that was sent last week with links to the parent portal and to check and update any emergency contact or medical details for their sons. The rest of the School will receive this information shortly.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

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.

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).

Boys currently in Form VI need to see Mr Cree or me to advise us of their current status.

Ms RM Fin


College Street Forum

Could I please draw your attention to the upcoming College Street Forum on Thursday 7 March. The Forum, titled Navigating Your Teen’s Mental Health, will be presented in two formats, a seminar at 6:30pm in the Palladium Theatre and a recording of the presentation, which will be available during and after the evening. Our House Psychologist, Cheryl Sewell, will conduct the seminar and will also be speaking to our Form III boys earlier in the day.

Please register using the link below if you would like to attend the evening presentation. Limited seating will be available and a wait-list will be set up if necessary. If you register and find you are unable to attend, please let us know so that we can reallocate your seat.

Click here to register.

Mrs FM Wyndham


Form I Camp

The Form I Camp will take place at Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre from Monday 8 - Wednesday 10 April. All Form I parents should have received an email about the camp via Adobe Sign.

Please ensure that both the Sydney Grammar School Consent Form and the Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Form are completed online by Monday 18 March.

Ms KA Govers


Jazz Concert

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. We are also fortunate to have the Best World Music band in Australia, Marsala, perform for us in the second half of the concert. The concert will be held in the AMT and will start at 6:30pm. Limited parking will be available in the Middle Playground from 6:00pm.

Marsala Band Members:
Lead Singer and guitar - Joseph Zarb 
Lead guitar - Gino Pengue
Electric Bass player - Jess Ciampa
Drummer - Bill Kezelos
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet - Lupco Stoichevski
Trumpet, Flugelhorn - Vlad Khusid

Please invite family and friends to attend this very unique and entertaining concert. Tickets will be available via Trybooking.

Music Scholars' Concert

The annual Music Scholars’ Concert will be held on Thursday 14 March at 6:30pm in the Wallace King Room on Level 7 (Stanley Street Building). All boys who hold Music Scholarships at the School will perform. The standard of performance is always high, and the audiences are always inspired by the level of music-making by these young musicians. The Concert will finish at approximately 8:15pm and a light supper will be served afterwards.

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 I must be received by the Music Department no later than Friday 1 March.

Lesson Record Books

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 each week. A signature from either parent should be added to the relevant section to verify the time spent on practice.

Musicianship

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 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 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

Australian Combined Schools Music Festival

Sydney Grammar School are excited to host the 21st Australian Combined Schools 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 boys and girls attending this festival. Over 300 ACSMF boys and girls from over eight high schools around Australia will need to be accommodated during the festival which will be held from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 June. Billeting is a rewarding experience for all Sydney Grammar School families as boys who have previously been billeted can attest.

If you are interested in discussing the wonderful opportunity to billet ACSMF boys and girls, please contact Ms Francisca Sjahry on 9332 5895 or email FOMS@sydgram.nsw.edu.au. Further information is available on the ACSMF website.

Sydney Grammar School Music Tour to Europe (2020)

The Grammar Music Department is organising a Music Tour to Europe in 2020. This tour will be open to boys in Forms III to VI in 2020. It will be for about two weeks in the June/July holidays.

A concert programme will be formed from the group of boys electing to tour – vocal and instrumental!

Musical Highlights include:

Masterclass at the Liszt Academy led by one of their finest musicians
Performance in the renowned Mattias Church or Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest
Attend a concert and perform at Müpa (Palace of Arts), Budapest
Private guided tour of the Bartok Museum
Performance in Hviezdoslav Square, Klarisky Music Hall or St Martin’s Cathedral, Bratislava
Performance in the St Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square, Prague
Participate in a workshop at the International School of Music and Arts, Prague
Performance in the wonderful atrium of the Czech Museum of Music
Private backstage tour of the Estates Theatre, Prague
Enjoy an evening of traditional Czech Music in an authentic venue
Perform as part of the Mass and a concert in Linz Cathedral – the largest church in Austria 
Enjoy a private recital on the world-famous organ played by Anton Bruckner in the Abbey of St Florian. There may be a performance opportunity in the Abbey
Performance at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna
Perform at Schönbrunn Palace or the Volksgarten, Hofburg Palace
Possible performance in the House of Music in Vienna
Backstage tour of the Vienna Opera House

An information evening will be held on Wednesday 3 April at 6:00pm in the Wallace King Room (WKR). Parking will be available in the Middle Playground from 5:45pm. Boys and their parents are encouraged to attend.

Mr PR Gaske


Sydney Grammar School “App”

The Sydney Grammar School “App” along with the School website are the major communication tools for sports fixtures, cancellations and changes of venues or times.
 
Please download the App here
 
After registering, select your preferences under ‘My Settings’ to customise events and alerts. Please note that both the username and password are case sensitive.

The App also includes the new Sport Absence facility. This is to be used by parents notifying the Director of their son’s sport that their son is unable to attend Saturday sport due to illness or misadventure.

Rowing Dates

Saturday 16 March – Junior Presentation Afternoon BBQ – Boatshed (after the last Junior Regatta).
Friday 22 March – Head of the River send-off – College Street, 1:00pm
Saturday 23 March – Head of the River Regatta – SIRC
Saturday 23 March – Senior Boat Club Dinner and Presentation Evening – Big School, 6:30-9:00pm

Football Referees 2019

The School will be running a football (soccer) referees’ course. It is open to boys of all ages, and is not restricted to boys who play football. A boy who has completed the course in a previous year does not have to do it again but may do so to refresh and update his knowledge of the rules. Dates and times will be advertised through registration.

We encourage boys who want to referee to actually play in a team as well. A boy will not be asked to referee a game if his team is playing away, and throughout the course of the season he could expect to referee no more than six home games. This year boys in Form V or Form VI may select football refereeing as their winter sport. They will be expected to referee more than one game each Saturday.

Rugby Tours and Camps, Size for Age Guidelines, Rugby Referees and Important Dates

AIS Rugby Tour (U13 and Open Rugby) Friday 12 - Sunday 14 April

All information regarding the tour to the AIS and fixture against Canberra Grammar School will be distributed shortly. Please ensure the forms are returned to Mr Philp in the Sports Office. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Philp on the email address below.
 
Narrabeen Rugby Camp (Open and U16 Rugby) Friday 26 - Saturday 27 April

All information regarding the camp will be distributed shortly. Please ensure the forms are returned to Mr Philp. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Philp at mmp@sydgram.nsw.edu.au
 
Weigall Rugby Camp (Prep School and U13 - U15 Rugby) Friday 26 April

A Weigall camp will be held again during the holidays. Information will be sent out closer to the camp but please save the date. The timings will be from 9:00am to 12:30pm on Friday. There will be a slight cost that will be charged to your account and the boys will receive a “Grammar Rugby Camp” pack.
 
Size for Age Guidelines – For Junior and Schools Rugby
 
Rugby Australia’s new Size for Age guidelines enable individual players to be moved into a different age group following an assessment of physical and personal development factors including height, weight, playing experience, fitness and maturity.

The participation policy allows for a player to be moved across any one of four age grades (including their true age group, one age group below, or up to two age groups above their true age group).

The changes are being implemented in 2018 following an extensive research project conducted by Rugby Australia in partnership with Sydney Junior Rugby Union, Brumbies Rugby and the Australian Catholic University.

The guidelines and the associated Coach Accreditation program, provide a clear process for coaches, team managers, Clubs, Schools and competition managers to follow in order to clarify the appropriate age grade for a participant deemed less or more physically developed than their age peers.

Rugby Australia has stressed that the safety of junior rugby players takes priority over any team requirements, such as filling squads or winning games.

For any enquiries, please contact Mr Philp at mmp@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Rugby Referees 2019

The School encourages boys to become involved in various levels of refereeing from Form I. For Form I boys there is a School-run touch judge course. Form II boys are encouraged to do the Smart Rugby course through the ARU and may then be able to referee Preparatory School games. Boys from Form III and above can undertake the ARU Foundation course that then leads to accreditation as a referee. Boys are also encouraged to continue as touch judges throughout their senior years. Rugby refereeing and touch judging can be counted towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
 
The assistance of parents is also appreciated. Any parent who is already accredited as a Rugby referee or who would like to train as a referee by undertaking the Foundation course, is asked to contact Mr Colbron at lvc@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

Important Dates for Rugby

Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 March – First training session (excluding Head of the River Rowers).
Saturday 30 March – Rugby Tens' Tournament (U13 - U15, 8:00am -12:30pm and U16 and Open, 12:00pm – 4:30pm).
Monday 15 April – First XV Squad Fixture v Hale School at Weigall (3:15pm)

 

Sports Calendar and Holiday Tennis Camp

Sports Calendar

Holiday training and sport camps are listed in the sports calendar on the website. Please check the calendar before booking trips.

Holiday Tennis Camp

Just a reminder that the next holiday tennis camp will be run from Monday 15 April to Thursday 18 April. Preparatory School boys will attend from 9:00am - 12:00pm and College Street boys from 1:00 - 4:00pm. There will be different sessions of instruction, games and competition. Awards and prizes will be presented to the boys at the end of the week. The number of positions is limited and application forms are available through the School Office or you can email Mrs Thame at jmt@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Other Important Matters in Sport

Seating at the Head of the River

Parents are able to purchase grandstand tickets for the Head of the River. These are now available from the Sport Office from Ms Thame at a price of $25/person (cash only please).
 
Uniforms

Boys must play sport in the correct uniform. They must wear the polo/warm-up top over their sports uniform when watching a game or travelling to or from a venue. Boys must also adhere to the rules about playing and training in uniform (See Diary - Dress Code, p74, no.9) or check uniform requirements on the School website.

Wearing glasses during sport

It is dangerous to wear ordinary spectacles while playing contact sport. For safety reasons, only contact lenses are to be worn in contact sports.

Parklands return buses

Buses collect boys from Parklands at 5:10pm. Some parents may have made arrangements to collect boys from Parklands but must do so before the buses depart. If at the time of the buses departure a boy is still waiting for his parent, the master or coach will place the boy on the bus to College Street. The boy should then inform his parent that he has returned to College Street. If parents wish for their son(s) to make their own way home from Parklands then the School requires a written note expressing their permission for that to occur.

Mr MA Curran

 


The Stones of Sydney Tour

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.
 

 

 

Click here for the full article

Hawaii Volcanoes Science Tour

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. 

 

Click here for the full article

SGSWA Events

SGSWA Survey

In late 2018 we asked the parent body via a short survey what they thought of the events and activities the SGSWA offer to help build and support the parent school community. Thank you  to the hundreds of respondents, who made fantastic suggestions, which we will endeavour to implement.

SGSWA is run by parents who volunteer as well as the wonderful Jenny Booth, and Kim Rossleigh from the uniform shop. The barrier which stops more of you participating is often because of a lack of time or inability to attend meetings. If this is you, and you would like to help out, drop us an email of how you could help. For example, one area that we would like to do more with is form based activities or special interest groups, like bush-walking or a book club. If we have enough parents putting their hands up to arrange events (informally) for their year group SGSWA may be able to provide the forum for promoting your event (as long as the forums do not reflect any private commercial endeavour). We hope you enjoy the wonderful events we already have started planning for 2019.

For the Executive Summary of the survey, click here

New Mothers' Morning Tea Form I-V

The SGSWA will be hosting a welcome morning tea on Wednesday 6 March, 10:00am at the Headmaster's residence. Invitations have been emailed. We do hope that you are all available to attend.

Weigall Canteen

SGSWA need volunteers for the upcoming Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships on Wednesday 20 March at Weigall. Please visit the following link to volunteer for working in the canteen. We require volunteers before and after to help with the set up and clean up. This is a great way to socialise with other parents and participate in a school tradition.
 
Food donations will be required for the day. Items can be dropped off from 7:00am. If you would like containers returned, please make sure you label them with your son's name. A mix of sweet and savoury items are always welcome. Please click here to indicate what food you will bring. This helps us to ensure we have a good mix of food available on the day.
 
Volunteers are required for Saturday Sport at Weigall on 30 March. This is a big day for the canteen as it is the Rugby Tens' Tournament with a lot of very hungry boys and visiting families. If you can volunteer to work in the canteen please use the following link. We will need a lot of food and you can drop it off throughout the day. Please click here to indicate what food you will bring on the day.

Form I and II BBQ

Invitations have been emailed to all Form I and II families to join us at the BBQ on Sunday 24 March at Weigall (from noon to 3:00pm). We do hope that boys and their families and friends are all available to attend. $3 sausages and $2 drinks will be available for purchase. Thank you to the Form VI Prefects who will be helping with the cooking of the sausages. Please do come along and you can talk to some of the Form VI Prefects about their experiences at the School. All funds raised will be donated to the Form VI's charity of choice, AIME. To RSVP, click here
 
Grammar Shop

All boys will need their PE shirts (Form I) and House shirts (Forms II-VI) for the Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships on Wednesday 20 March. These are available from the Grammar Shop. Boys can wear the Grammar tracksuit to Weigall on Wednesday March 20. The Form V black blazers will be in stock from Monday 25 February. Boys who are particularly tall, should come to the Grammar Shop to be fitted as soon as possible, in case a special order is required. These take approximately 12 weeks. A full range of grey blazers will be available from the beginning of March.

The Grammar Shop is open:
Monday 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Thursday 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday 12:00pm – 5:00pm

A current Grammar Shop price list and order form is available by clicking here
For Grammar Shop roster please click here
 
Tuckshop

Form I and new boys, please note that Flexischools lunch orders are to be picked up in the AMTF.
For Tuckshop Roster, please click here
 
Second-Hand Instruments for Sale

If you are interested in purchasing a secondhand instrument or have an instrument for sale that you would like to advertise to other families at the School, please visit the SGSWA website for further details
 
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 Tuckshop for 2019 or wish to find out more, please contact Jenny Booth at sgswa@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or on 9332 5858.
 
Save the Dates

Please note the following events for Terms 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 (Weigall)
Sunday 24 March - Form I and II BBQ, 12:00pm (Weigall) 
Saturday 6 April - Parent Party for Forms III to 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.

“Black & Gold” – Social Ski Team

Boys from all years are invited to join the social ski team and participate in the Sydney Interschool races at Thredbo during the last week of the July school holidays (Tuesday 16 - Saturday 20 July). 

Ski and snowboard disciplines - suitable for blue run skiers/riders and above. It is an 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 for the purpose of entering the Inter-school races. For further information on how to enter or for any enquiries, please contact Emma Thangaraj (0414 759 997 or emmathangaraj@yahoo.com.au).

All the above information, calendar, contacts and event information is available on the SGSWA website 
 
Ms S Soorian


SGS Fathers' Association Activities

Welcome to New Parents 

A reminder that the Welcome to New Parents' Function is being held on Friday 1 March at College Street. An invitation has been sent to all new parents and I hope you will complete your registration at the TryBooking website provided in your invitation to help with catering and logistics.

Next Meeting of the Committee – Thursday 7 March

An invitation will also be sent to all members of the Fathers’ Association a week before the meeting. Any father who would like more information, please contact me at sgsfa.president@gmail.com or the Secretary, Dale Druckman, at sgsfa.secretary@gmail.com

First BBQ for 2019

The SGSFA will be running the Weigall BBQs again this year and while we primarily support the winter sports, we also provide a BBQ for some other events. The first of these is the Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships being held on Wednesday 20 March. We are looking for volunteers to help on the day with the BBQ. Could members who are able to spare a few hours, please register here

Key dates for Term I

Friday 1 March - Welcome to New Parents' Function (College Street)
Thursday 7 March - Fathers’ Association Meeting (College Street, SB8)
Wednesday 20 March - Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships – Fathers BBQ support required (Weigall)
Saturday 30 March - Rugby Tens' Tournament – Fathers BBQ support (Weigall)
Thursday 4 April - Fathers’ Association Meeting (College Street, SB8)

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 function or you can go to the following link 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 anyway we can. The most direct method of contact is by email to sgsfa.president@gmail.com or the Secretary Dale Druckman, sgsfa.secretary@gmail.com.

All the above information, calendar, contacts and event information is available on the SGSFA website.

Mr M Scotter