Some boys in Form V this year who are due to complete their HSC in 2020 have not yet, due to illness/absence from NAPLAN tests in 2017, demonstrated the HSC Minimum Standard requirements. We will be asking these boys to complete any required HSC Minimum Standard tests online at School during the second half of Term I.

All boys in Form IV 2019 will be asked to attempt the online HSC Minimum Standard tests later this year, due to the removal of NAPLAN as a method of pre-qualifying for the HSC Minimum Standards. The HSC Minimum Standard tests may be completed at any of multiple points during Years 10, 11, or 12. More information about the HSC Minimum Standard can be found on the NESA website.

If you have further queries about these matters, please contact me via email (ads@sydgram.nsw.edu.au) and I will endeavour to assist.

Dr AD Stevens

Important - Contact and Medical Updates for Boys on the Parent Portal

All families should have received an email from the School with a link to instructions to login to the Sydney Grammar School Parent Portal.

Please act on this then check and update any emergency contact or medical details. Could you please ensure that this is done by Thursday 7 March.

If you have trouble creating or accessing your account please contact helpdesk@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or call 9332 5859 and a member of the Technical Services Department will contact you to assist.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award - Hike Bookings

Places in the April holiday practice and qualifying journeys are filling up fast with each of the providers. Boys can collect a permission form from me, or from Masters’ Reception. Parents can go ahead and book the hike/s now, but the permission form for these 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 not being counted towards a boy’s Award.

Please note, this form is only for hikes in the April holidays. Forms for other holiday hikes will be posted each term. The hike permission form is also on the School website (please download the current form).

Boys currently in Form VI should see Mr Cree or me to advise us of their status. Boys doing Gold should check carefully now that they will be on track to complete their activities by the end of Term III.

Ms RM Fin

A reminder about the College Street Forum on Thursday 7 March. The Forum, titled Navigating Your Teen’s Mental Health will be presented in two formats. The seminar at 6:30pm in the Palladium Theatre is sold out but parents can access a recording of the presentation and the related hand-outs via the link Navigating your Teen's Mental Health under quick links on the Parent Portal.  These will be available from 6:30pm on the evening and during the weeks following the Forum.   

Our House Psychologist, Cheryl Sewell will conduct the seminar and will also be speaking to our Form III boys earlier in the day. 

IMPORTANT:

If you have registered for the seminar and find you are unable to attend, please let us know by emailing events@sydgram.nsw.edu.au so that we can reallocate your seat. We currently have a number of parents on the waitlist.

Mrs FM Wyndham

NSW Health will offer vaccinations to boys in Form I here at the School. Vaccinations will be held on Tuesday 19 March.

On this visit the following will be offered to Form I boys:

HPV Dose 1

Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Information packs and consent forms will be given to the boys the week before.

Only boys whose parents have given consent will receive vaccinations. You are welcome to contact the Health Centre on 9332 5828 if you have any concerns.

Mr RBC Hesketh and Mrs T Kuhles, RGN

College Street parents who have provided their email address, should have received an invitation to the Parent Portal. Please make sure that you accept the invitation and log in. Click here if you need instructions to login.

The School will be delivering important information through the Parent Portal such as academic reports, timetables and school fees. If you have any technical difficulties please contact helpdesk@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or ring 9332 5859.

Mr WT Raeside

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.

If your son is interested in participating in this tour, please complete the expression of interest form (click here) and return this form to Ms Sjahry at the Music Reception by Monday 18 March.

Mr PR Gaske

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 Alastair Mackerras Theatre and will start at 6:30pm. Limited parking will be available in the Middle Playground from 6:00pm. Refreshments will be available before the concert and during interval. The concert should conclude by approximately 8:40pm.

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

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.

On Tuesday 19 March, the main concert for Term I will be held at 6:30pm in the John Vallance Hall. The following ensembles will be performing: School Orchestra, AMCO, Seymour Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, School Choir, Stringendo, Sheldon Strings, Percussion Ensemble 3 and Grammarphones.

The concert is approximately two hours long including a short interval. The Middle Playground will open for parking by 6:00pm. Refreshments may be purchased in the Foyer of the John Vallance Hall before the concert and during interval. Entry is by donation. The concert should conclude by approximately 8:30pm.

Segovia, Aguado, Tárrega, Tommy Emmanuel, Sor and Preparatory School guitar ensembles as well as some of the School’s most advanced soloists will be performing on Thursday 4 April at 6:30pm in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre. Entry is free and parking will be available in the Middle Playground. The concert should conclude by approximately 8:00pm.

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 the 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.

146th Annual Athletics Championships on Wednesday 20 March at Weigall

The Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships is a wonderful opportunity for the whole School to come together. Please take the time to read the information sheet which can be found by clicking here. It is most important that boys allow plenty of time to get to Weigall by 8:25am. If boys are catching public transport, the Transport of NSW website may assist with planning the best way to get there. At the end of the carnival, there will be four buses to assist Form I boys get back to the city.

Congratulations to Will Rogers on his selection into the AAGPS Representative Cricket Squad. Will competed in the GPS match held on Wednesday 27 February against ISA First XI at Newington College.

Congratulations also to Archie Carl on his selection in the Chairman’s 15 Years XI who played the CAS XI at the Main Oval, Cranbrook School on Sunday 3 March.

As we move from the summer sport programme (finishing for most sports on Saturday 16 March and our senior rowers on Saturday 23 March) to our winter pre-season programme, it is a good time to remind parents of the AAGPS Code of Behaviour for players, coaches and spectators. A copy of this document can be found by clicking here. If at any time you feel strongly about any coaching or umpiring decision, please refer to the AAGPS Code of Behaviour.
 

While the boys are making their sports choices for the winter season, it is a good time to remind boys and parents that due to constraints, such as the number of opposition teams as well as training venues, we cannot meet every boy’s first preference. When the lists are finalised, boys who have previously played in a particular sport will be given preference over boys who have decided to change to that sport. Training arrangements for each sport will be set out on the School website and distributed through Tutorials during the week.

Please be aware that due to the transition from summer to winter sport, some of the outside training facilities which Sydney Grammar School hire from local councils are not available for winter sports training during Term I. As such, we have restricted sports training for some football teams during the first week (Monday 18 March to Friday 22 March).

Winter Sport Directors and Coordinators

Athletics – Mr J Rimmer
Cross Country – Mr P Corkin
Fencing – Dr E Sheridan
Football – Mr A Lambos
Rifles – Mr N Green
Rugby – Mr M Philp
Tae Kwon Do – Mr N Townley
Volleyball – Ms TT Loi
Winter Tennis – Mr S Powell

Important Dates for Rugby

Saturday 30 March - Rugby Tens' Tournament 8:00am-4:00pm (Weigall)
Saturday 6 April - Full School Fixture v St Patrick's College, Strathfield (Strathfield)
Friday 12 April - Sunday 14 April – AIS Rugby Tour - U13 and Open Rugby
Monday 15 April - First XV Squad v Hale School 3:00pm (Weigall)
Friday 26 April - Weigall Rugby Camp (Preparatory Schools and U13 - U15 Rugby)
Friday 26 April - Saturday 27 April - Narrabeen Rugby Camp (Open and U16 Rugby)
 
Size for Age Guidelines

Rugby Australia’s new ‘Size for Age Guidelines’ and 'Age Grade Dispensation Procedure' is part of Rugby’s ongoing commitment to ensure the safety, welfare and enjoyment of all of our junior participants. If you have questions about this initiative, please contact Mr Mark Philp, Director of Rugby (mmp@sydgram.nsw.edu.au).

Rugby Referees

Rugby refereeing continues to increase in popularity at College Street. Forty-five boys across Forms I-VI attended the season introductory meeting last Monday. Match officiating can assist boys in accumulating House points and can count towards their Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Boys in Form VI are eligible for nomination in the Rugby Australia Referees’ Scholarship programme. If you are interested in joining the referee ranks, please see Mr Colbron (LVC).

Attendance at Sports Training

Boys recovering from a minor injury are required to attend sports training unless they present a medical certificate which clearly states they are not able to participate. Injured players will receive assistance in their recovery, which will ensure their return to play is managed properly.

Requesting Leave from Sports Training and Games

A general exemption from Sport may be requested, but not necessarily granted for the following reasons:

Medical: A doctor's certificate is required stating the nature of the infirmity and the length of time for which exemption is required. Your son will also require a medical certificate before he can resume play and training.

Religious: A letter from the parent or guardian is required stating the nature of the reason and the approximate duration of the exemption. It must be noted that exemption from sport to attend a classmate’s Bar Mitzvah and other such religious ceremonies will not be granted.

Travel: Consideration will be given to exemption from sport for reasons of an excessive travelling distance.

Requests for exemption for an individual game or training commitment should be made in writing to the Sportsmaster (please include your son's full name, tutorial, sport and team details). Except in emergencies, no request concerning Saturday sport will be considered after Wednesday lunchtime of the week concerned. It should not be assumed that permission will be granted automatically.

Holiday Tennis Camp

A holiday tennis camp programmed to accommodate boys of all levels will be run from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 April. Preparatory School boys will attend from 9:00am to 12:00pm. College Street boys will attend from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The number of positions is limited and application forms are available at School or by emailing Mrs Thame at jmt@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

Wet Weather Information

Changes or cancellations to Saturday sport fixtures will be reported via the following:

The Sports Alerts through the Sydney Grammar Sports APP
The Sports Fixtures page on the School website

Cancellations made to training arrangements will appear on the “This Week’s Training” page on the website and the Sydney Grammar School Sports APP. Parents have been asked to download the APP and complete the registration using the Login/Create Account button. After creating an account they will need to navigate to “My Settings” and select the relevant sport as this will ensure they receive notifications of any cancellations of Saturday fixtures or training arrangements.

Mr MA Curran

The 2019 Careers Convention

This year, the Careers Convention will be held a the School on Monday 3 June. There are three parts to the Convention, held in conjunction with St Andrew’s Cathedral School, the International Grammar School and SCEGGS Darlinghurst.

1. The Courses and Careers Exhibition: The exhibition will be held in the School Gymnasium from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. The major universities will be exhibitors with a number of private tertiary education providers also represented.

2. Courses and Careers Talks: There will be as series of talks by the universities and other providers of tertiary education which will take place in the Palladium and the John Vallance Hall from 4:30pm.

3. Careers Advising: This will take place in Palladium Building classrooms from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. It will be an opportunity for boys in Forms IV, V and VI and their parents to meet informally with advisers from many career and university areas.

Advisers Needed: Parents, if you can assist as an adviser at the Careers Convention, either in your professional and work area or your academic interests, please contact me by email pjw@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

Tuckwell Scholarship at ANU - opened Monday 4 March
 
The first step in applying for a Tuckwell Scholarship is to submit a Stage 1 Application Form. Boys will be sent a link to this form when they indicate their intention to apply for a Tuckwell Scholarship. For more information please visit the ANU Admissions, Scholarship and Accommodation link or tuckwell.anu.edu.au.

University Information Evenings: University of Sydney and University of NSW

Both the University of NSW and the University of Sydney hold information evenings for various courses. The University of NSW Medicine Information Evening is on Wednesday 20 March; to book and for more information visit the following link. There will also be Form IV (Year 10) evenings that provide information on university courses and admission procedures.

The University of Sydney hold their Year 10 Information Evenings later in the term, please click here. Details of all University of Sydney information sessions can be located here.

USA College and UK Admissions

Dr Vines and Mr Whild are advising on USA College admissions for 2020. The Education USA website is an excellent source of information, please click here. Mr Whild provides advice on UK admissions, please visit the following link.

Business Cadetships at UBS

These cadetships combine university study with paid work at UBS. Applications are now open for boys in Form VI, please visit the following link.  The website also has information about Engineering and Technology cadetships.

Work Experience in Form IV

The School does not offer a work experience programme during school time. Those boys who can arrange their own work placement in the school holidays should see Mr Whild in SB10 for the necessary paper work, including insurance cover.

Career Voyage

Form IV will be offered career testing with Career Voyage in March. Sessions are after school and Form IV boys can sign-up outside the careers office, SB10.

All boys in Forms IV,V and VI have access to course and career information on Schoology. This information is regularly updated.

Mr PJ Whild

All Army Cadets are reminded that Bivouac will be held from Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 April (the last three days of Term I). Please ensure that arrangements are made to obtain appropriate wet weather gear and an adequate sleeping bag beforehand. More specific details will be in the Joining Instructions to be issued shortly. Time of return is 12:30pm on Wednesday 10 April, in order for boys to participate in School tours/trips.

Major (AAC) WJ Cree, Officer Commanding

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. 

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 are required for the day and 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 sort of food you will be bringing as this helps us ensure we have a good mix of food available on the day.
 
Volunteers are also required for the Rugby Tens' Tournament at Weigall on Saturday 30 March. This is a big day for the canteen with a lot of 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 be bringing on the day.

Form Parties

Form parties are a wonderful way to meet other parents in your son’s year group. This is a parents and carers only event. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased through Trybooking. For Form parties for Forms III, IV, V and VI, please click here
 
Saturday 6 April - Form Party for Forms III, IV, V and VI: 7:00pm (Big School)
Saturday 4 May - Form Party for Forms I and II: 7:00pm (Big School) - Trybooking link to follow

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

The Grammar Shop has all the requirements for the upcoming Athletics Championships including PE and House Shirts, PE shorts, tracksuits and Grammar hats.

All sizes of the black blazers and school jackets, which are required to be worn in Terms I and III, are also in stock. Please do not wait until the last week of the Term to purchase one.
 
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 the 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 AMT Foyer.
For the Tuckshop roster, please click here

Save the Dates

Please note the following events for Terms I and II:

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 VI, 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 are 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 Interschool races. For further information on how to enter or for any enquiries, please contact Emma Thangaraj 0414 759 997 or email emmathangaraj@yahoo.com.au.

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

Ms S Soorian

Welcome to New Parents' Evening

The Fathers’ Association hosted its annual Welcome to New Parents' event on Friday 1 March at College Street. The evening was a great success with new parents being able to meet each other as well as with Masters and Fathers' Association members. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to making the evening a success, particularly Tina Demetriou, Wendy Scotter, the Fathers’ Association volunteers, Grammar staff, Prefects and the School’s Jazz Combos. If you missed the chance to join the Fathers’ Association as a life member, you can still do so at the following link.

Upcoming BBQ at Weigall – Wednesday 20 March

Each year the Fathers’ Association organises the BBQ for the Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships being held on Wednesday 20 March at Weigall. This is a big event and all fathers are invited to come along and assist. This is a great opportunity to join other fathers and be directly involved in supporting our boys, whilst enjoying the exciting atmosphere of the competition. If you are able to contribute, please enter your details here. If you cannot make the BBQ, we are also organizing another BBQ for the Rugby Tens’ Tournament at Weigall on Saturday 30 March.
 
BBQs will normally run from 8:00am until approximately 2:00pm. We aim to have six or more people per shift and fathers are invited to attend at least one hour during the day if possible. When registering, please note the times on the roster where we are low on numbers and try and spread the load, particularly during the lunchtime period.
 
Next meeting of the Committee – Thursday 7 March

The next meeting will be held at 6:00pm in SB8 at the School (above Mr Hesketh’s office). Any father who requires more information can contact me at sgsfa.president@gmail.com or the Secretary, Dale Druckman, 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 anyway it can. The most direct method for contact is by email to me at sgsfa.president@gmail.com. The Association is particularly interested in the views of fathers as to what additional activities we should focus on to support the broader School community.

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

Mr M Scotter