Volume 55 No. 5
From the Deputy Headmaster and the Master of the Lower School
Winter Uniform
All boys are required to wear winter uniform from the first day of Term II, Monday 29 April (D day) until the end of Term III. Please ensure that your son’s jacket fits correctly and is in good order. The jacket (as with all items of clothing) needs to be clearly labelled with your son’s name.
The School would also be grateful for your support in ensuring our boys are well dressed at all times when in public. Would you please see that your son is in correct School uniform when leaving home in the morning and arriving home in the evening.
Correct School uniform requirements include:
shirt well tucked in
shirt top button done up
tie on and shirt done up to the top button
shirt sleeves either buttoned at the cuffs or rolled neatly above the elbows
plain black leather shoes and belt
jacket on (Terms II and III only)
Black Grammar blazers may be worn by Forms V and VI at any time or by other boys who have qualified for a blazer by being awarded School Colours. Please note that representative or sports ties may only be worn on Fridays or on weekends when School uniform is required. In addition, boys must be clean shaven when attending school, sitting examinations or representing the School.
Mr TC Watkins and Mr RBC Hesketh
From the Deputy Headmaster (Co-curricular)
Medical Information, Emergency Contacts for Boys and Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
Medical Information and Emergency Contacts for Boys
There are still quite a few families who have not checked and verified that their son’s medical information and emergency contact details are up to date on the School database. I encourage each parent to check with the other parent to ensure that this has been completed by one of you at least. We will be making direct telephone calls from next week to any parent who has not done this very important check.
Boys at School during the School Holidays
Boys who have training or rehearsals during the holidays should sign in at College Street reception.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
Recently a notice was sent to boys in Form VI to see Mr Cree to discuss completion of their awards. Some boys completed Bronze or Silver a while ago, but have forgotten to obtain their sign offs from assessors. I encourage the boys to complete their logs, hike reports and calculate their status, so that I can assist them in being eligible to get their certificates.
All boys should use the upcoming holiday period to update their records online so that they know how much they still have to complete. Please download the following Participant User Guide for instructions on how to log records and add assessor information.
Permission forms for June/July hikes will be available next term and I will advise of the due date in a future newsletter.
Ms RM Fin
From the Assistant Headmaster (Senior Housemaster)
College Street Forums
Could I please draw your attention to two of our College Street Forums next term.
On Wednesday 15 May, Professor Tim Flannery will be speaking to the Grammar community at College Street on the topic, Where are the Jobs in the Future Clean Economy? Professor Flannery has been recently appointed to the Australian Museum as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Climate Change and his presentation will be open to boys, parents and other family members. Please look out for the invitation to this event which will be sent out during week one next term.
Three weeks later, on Wednesday 5 June, we will be hosting Susan McLean, Australia’s foremost expert on cyber safety. Susan will be talking to three forms during the day and the evening session will be open to all College Street parents. Further information about the Forum will be available closer to the date.
Parents who were unable to attend our Forum on mental health on Thursday 7 March are reminded that they 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.
Mrs FM Wyndham
From the Acting Director of Music
Music Concert Etiquette, Lesson Cancellations, AMEB Examinations, Term II Concert, Form VI Music Dinner and urgent help is required for the Australian Combined Music Festival
Music Concert Etiquette Reminder
All boys performing in a concert are expected to stay until the conclusion of that concert out of courtesy and respect for fellow performers.
Lesson Cancellations
Please note that the following policy applies regarding the cancellation of private instrumental lessons. A letter or email must be received by the Music Department no later than the end of week 5 of a term for the cancellation of instrumental lessons to be effective at the end of that same term. Therefore advice for discontinuing instrumental lessons at the end of Term II must be received by the Music Department no later than Friday 31 May.
AMEB Examinations
Boys who are sitting AMEB examinations at the AMEB studios in Clarence Street are required to request short leave. Parents should request leave from Mr Watkins (Forms II - VI) by email to senior.housemaster@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or from Mr Hesketh (Form I) by email to vmc@sydgram.nsw.edu.au. Photo identification is required to be presented for boys sitting Grade 8 and Diploma Examinations.
Australian Combined Music Festival – Urgent Help Needed
Sydney Grammar School is 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.
Term II Concert
The following ensembles will be performing in this concert on Thursday 16 May in the John Vallance Hall at 6:30pm: Cantorum (with Choir Orchestra), Croonivores, Junior Vocal Ensemble, Segovia, Concertante, Zephyr, Saxophone Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble 1, Percussion Ensemble 2, Bassoon Ensemble, Flute Choir and Ventus. The concert is approximately two hours long, including a short interval. The Middle 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.
Form VI Music Dinner
The annual Form VI Music Dinner is scheduled for Saturday 31 August in the Big Schoolroom. If any parents would like to assist in organising the Dinner, please contact the Music department on 9332 5895 (or use the email address below) and your name and contact details will be passed on to the Music Association.
For parents of Form VI Music boys, please send any photos of your son’s musical activities (especially from the younger years) to foms@sydgram.nsw.edu so a slideshow can be compiled for the Dinner.
Mr PR Gaske
Term I Concert - School Choir and Orchestra
Term I Concert - Wind Ensemble
From the Librarian
Library School Holiday Hours
The Library will be closed on Good Friday 19 April, Easter Monday 22 April and ANZAC Day Thursday 25 April, but will be open from 9:00am to 3:00pm on all other weekdays of the holiday period.
Boys are reminded that they must sign in and out at the Front Office when coming to school during the school holiday period.
Ms KL Rysensteen
From the Drama Subject Master
Arthur Miller's All My Sons
Sydney Grammar School in association with the Ascham School and SCEGGS Darlinghurst presents:
Arthur Miller’s
All My Sons
Alastair Mackerras Theatre (AMT)
Thursday 9 May 6:30pm
Friday 10 May 6:30pm
Saturday 11 May 7:30pm
Tickets can be purchased here: TryBooking
Dr GD Wilson
Upcoming Tours
Nepal Everest Tour 2020
Expressions of interest are sought from boys to participate in a thirteen-day tour of Nepal. The tour will depart in the April school holidays of 2020, leaving Friday 10 April to return Wednesday April 22 2020.
The tour will be divided into different parts. We will begin the tour with a welcome meal and spend our first night in Kathmandu. The following day will include half a day of sightseeing in and around Kathmandu and then we will depart to Lukha to begin the trek to the monastery village of Tyangboche. The trail we will follow over the next eight days leads us through some beautiful and fascinating scenery including the famous Sherpa trading hub of Namche Bazaar and Khumjung, a village that is home to the ‘School of the Clouds’, established by Sir Edmond Hillary to empower the Sherpa community through education. Most spectacularly this trail provides us with many vantage points to view Mount Everest. We then return to Kathmandu for further sightseeing, including a visit to the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, which is supported by the Fred Hollows Foundation before returning home to Sydney. A detailed itinerary for the tour can be found here.
The tour is for boys who will be in Forms IV and V in 2020. It is being organised in conjunction with World Youth Adventures (WYA), the school specialist section of World Expeditions. This company has a long heritage in Nepal and employ their own expert local staff and guides. Further information about WYA can be found by using the link above. There will be a minimum of three Sydney Grammar School Masters with the group for the entirety of the tour in addition to the World Expeditions guides.
It should also be noted that the trek will be suitable for those participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and it will not clash with any rugby camps planned for 2020.
The approximate cost for the tour will be $5000. This includes all flights, accommodation, meals, taxes, activities and compulsory group travel insurance. The final cost will be confirmed at the information meeting which will be held on Monday 13 May at 6:00pm in the AMT foyer at the School. Please email Ms Catherine Naghten at can@sydgram.nsw.edu.au with an expression of interest or with questions prior to the information meeting.
Ms CA Naghten
Expedition to Cambodia
Sydney Grammar School is proud to announce the launch of our very own expedition to Cambodia, set for the June/July school holidays in 2020. The programme will be run by Antipodeans, who are specialists in this area. We are hoping to see a group of inspiring young men from Sydney Grammar School embark on this life altering program of service and experience.
The boys will be in the country for two weeks and partake in an incredible, sustainable community project whilst working and living with local Cambodian families. They will trek, have adventures and take in all that Cambodia has to offer. We extend an invitation to parents and boys to attend our Information evening on Wednesday 5 June at 6:30pm in the Palladium Theatre.
This is being offered to boys currently in Forms III and IV and would be ideal for boys wanting to do their Residential Project for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Mr J Rimmer
Science Beyond the Curriculum
Illawarra Dreaming Science Tour
Save The Date
June Long Weekend (Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 June)
Illawarra Dreaming Science Tour
Experience the splendour of the rare remnant rainforest that once reached throughout the Illawarra. Wander the network of elevated walkways and feel your senses awakening as you listen to the birds and feel the spray of the waterfalls.
Take a walk through beautiful warm temperate rainforest with walkways nestled in the treetop canopy some 20-30 metres above the ground. Visit a spiral tower that rises to a breathtaking 45 metres above the forest floor. Experience the thrill of negotiating swaying springboard cantilevers suspended at the edge of the escarpment. Experience the thrill of soaring through the trees, whilst capturing amazing views of everything from the forest floor to the Pacific Ocean.
Admire the natural beauty of one of the largest blowholes in the world, spouting seawater 20 metres or more into the air.
On the June long weekend, Science Beyond the Curriculum is presenting Grammar boys, siblings and parents with an exciting opportunity to undertake a two-day scientific exploration of the Illawarra region with adventures ranging from the geological and ecological to the hydrological and engineering. All accompanied and informed by Dr Ian Graham, a geologist from UNSW School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.
During the tour we plan to visit the following locations:
Stanwell Park (Lawrence Hargraves Lookout)
Seacliff Bridge (Design and Engineering)
Austinmer Beach (Volcanic Ash Seams)
North Wollongong Beach (Petrified Wood and Agates)
Minnamurra Falls (walk and information)
North Berri Beach to Red Cliff Traverse (Geological adventure)
Kiama Blow Holes
Boat Harbour Kiama
Illawarra Fly Tree Top (Tree top walk and zip-line)
Overnight accommodation will be in twin or triple share, motel style rooms and includes dinner and breakfast. The cost of the trip will be around $240 per person. 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 complete the following registration form and either scan and send it to akbb@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or ask your son to hand it in at Masters' Reception. There will be limited places so early registration and payment is recommended!
Mr A Bowes
SGS Women’s Association
SGSWA Events
Weigall Sports Canteen
The Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships held on Wednesday 20 March was a very busy day for everyone involved. A big thank you to all our volunteers for their time and for the delicious food donations. There will be plenty more opportunities to volunteer at our upcoming Saturdays at Weigall after the term break. Please check the SGSWA website if you are able to volunteer or donate food and please feel free to stop by if you are around.
The next Weigall Canteen Day is Saturday 11 May from 7:30am-2:30pm. Please use the following link to sign up. All food donations are welcome. Please click here to indicate what food you will bring. It is not mandatory to use the list but it will help the volunteers with planning what items will be available on the day as well as give you an idea of what might be needed. A mix of sweet and savoury is always appreciated. Items can be homemade or store bought. Please drop off items after 7:00am at the Weigall Canteen and ensure that all containers that need to be returned are labelled with your name and mobile number.
EFTPOS is available on Saturdays at the Canteen. In support of the Grammar Green Team, you are also encouraged to bring your own reusable cups for hot drinks. Sydney Grammar School reusable cups will be for sale at the Canteen. The first hot drink is free and you are encouraged to use the cups at future events.
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
Forms I and II BBQ
Thank you to all the parents who came to the Form I and II BBQ on Sunday 24 March and to the Form VI boys who helped with the cooking of the sausages.
The Senior Prefect, Peter Taurian, and Prefects Indra Roy, Darcy Hughes, Jared Adams and Christian Fane also attended to help raise awareness for the Form VI charity of choice, AIME. They raised $917 from sales and donations. Thank you also to Mr Rollo Hesketh, Master of the Lower House for attending and welcoming the new parents to the School.
Literary Lunch – Friday 10 May
Our annual Literary Lunch will be held on Friday 10 May at the Boatshed. This year we are delighted to have Australian Novelist, Editor and Performer, Jessica Dettmann, to present her book, How to Be Second Best. Thank you Wendy Searle for securing Jessica Dettmann as a speaker. Tickets will go on sale on Monday 1 April for SGSWA members and then to the public via the School’s Newsletter on Wednesday 3 April. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are $70 per person and we have allocated one ticket per person. You may nominate up to two names of whom you may wish to sit with and we will do our best to have you seated together.
We will also be running a silent auction at the Literary Lunch. Do you have items to donate that the SGSWA could use as a prize for the fundraiser? Holiday packages, wines, books, jewellery, handbags to suggest a few. Please let us know if you can contribute to the prize pool by sending an email to Sharmila Soorian at sharmila.soorian@ihug.com.au. All silent auction proceeds and contributions will be donated to Share the Dignity, a charity for women.
Grammar Shop
All boys require grey jackets (Forms I - IV) and black blazers (Forms V and VI) for Terms II and III. These are available for purchase from the Grammar Shop. The Grammar Shop also has stock of all boys' sporting requirements for the winter season.
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
Tuckshop
If you have your name down on the Tuckshop roster and you are unable to do your shift, please contact Jenny Booth in advance by email sgswa@sydgram.nsw.edu.au or on 9332 5858 in order for a replacement to be arranged.
For Tuckshop roster, please click here
Save the Dates
Please note the following events and meeting dates for Terms I and II:
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)
Tuesday 21 May – Committee Meeting 6:00pm (AMTF)
General and Committee Meetings - (All Welcome)
General and Committee meeting on Friday 3 May at 8:30am in the Weigall Pavilion
Committee meeting on Tuesday 21 May at 6:00pm in AMTF
General and Committee meeting on Friday 26 July at 8:30am in the Weigall Pavilion
Committee meeting on Tuesday 20 August at 6:00pm in AMTF
AGM and Committee meeting on Wednesday 6 November at 6:30pm in the AMTF
Committee meeting on Friday 22 November at 8:30am in the Weigall Pavilion
All the above information, calendar, contacts and event information is available on the SGSWA website.
Ms S Soorian
Left to Right: Indra Roy, Darcy Hughes, Peter Taurian, Jared Adams, Christian Fane
Form I and II BBQ
Form I and II BBQ
Literary Lunch
Sydney Grammar School - Reusable Cups
SGS Fathers’ Association
SGS Fathers' Activities
Athletics Championships and Rugby Tens’ Tournament
The Sydney Grammar School Athletics Championships and the Rugby Tens' Tournament BBQs were recently held at Weigall. I would like to thank all the fathers who volunteered at both events.
Next Committee Meeting – Thursday 4 April
All fathers, who are Association members are encouraged to attend the meetings of the Committee held at 6:00pm on the first Thursday of the month that fall during term. The meetings are held at the School in room SB8, are quite informal and are generally over within the hour. For further information, please contact the Secretary, Dale Druckman at sgsfa.secretary@gmail.com.
I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting, or at one of our Weigall BBQs.
Key Dates for Term II
Thursday 2 May – SGSFA Meeting
Saturday 11 May – BBQ for rugby games at Weigall
Saturday 18 May – BBQ for rugby and football games at Weigall
Saturday 25 May – BBQ for rugby and football games at Weigall
Thursday 30 May – Prefects' Dinner
Saturday 1 June – BBQ for rugby and football games at Weigall
Thursday 6 June – SGSFA Meeting
Saturday 15 June – BBQ for rugby and football games at Weigall
Membership
As a Sydney Grammar parent, you are welcome to join the Fathers' Association. If you have not already joined, you can complete an online application form here. This will also enable us to advise you on upcoming events.
All the above information, calendar, contacts and event information is available on the SGSFA website.
Mr M Scotter