From the Principal

Term 4
Welcome back to Term 4 to students, staff, parents and friends of High. We have a shorter term this year with the same amount of activities and deadlines to squeeze in. On behalf of us all I want to wish all Year 12 boys and Year 11 accelerants all the best for the HSC examinations.

High Talent
At the recent Scots Invitational Chess Tournament, High’s Junior Team - Eric Xu, Darryl Chan (Year 8), Andrew Tayeh (Year 7) - placed first. The No 1 senior team - Dawen Shi (Year 11), Charley Peng, Anthony Hopkins (Year 12) – placed second. Congratulations, boys!

School Uniform
Boys are reminded that the wearing of school shirts with logos is now mandatory to comply with the school dress code. Year 9 boys buying summer shirts can buy white ones with logos from now on, if they have outgrown their blue shirts. Students in Years 10-12 should wear the senior tie. Caps should be worn when at PE.

High Riders
In order to improve squad fitness, our new MIC of Rowing, Simon Hoadley, requested that High start a cycling program. We are the closest school in the GPS to Centennial Park, a ready-made cycling facility. I agreed that low-impact, high-benefit fitness gains could be derived from such a program. A corridor Cleaner’s Room in McDonald Wing was extended and racks and hooks fitted. Mr Kesting sourced the 12 cycles needed to start the program. He gave up most of a weekend to assemble the bikes. The P & C contributed $6k to help the project. Daniel O’Keefe (2008) was engaged to maintain the cycles and chaperone the groups riding around the park. The first few sessions by High Riders were well received. The sessions involve a mixture of cycling and running at this stage. The objective is to improve aerobic fitness and stamina through extended sessions of more than one hour on the cycles. This will be possible when we have a fleet large enough to accommodate all crews / teams that want to use this supervised training process. My plan is to build the fleet of cycles to three dozen, if room can be found to store and maintain them securely. I believe participants in sports such as football, rugby, tennis, cricket and basketball could benefit from regular extended aerobic fitness sessions using cycles.

Summer Sports Assembly – basketball and cricket

We honoured our first and second grade teams in basketball and cricket this week at our annual summer sports assembly. Tim Hudson, who runs Sydney University basketball, was our guest speaker. He presented shirts to the basketballers and caps to the cricketers. Tim spoke about his work ethic as the reason for his success, rather than his natural ability. He gave the example of the positive culture created at the Sydney Kings when he played for the team. Team building and bonding are important components of success. My address is reprinted below:

Good morning to coaches, staff, students and our special guest, Tim Hudson. This morning’s first summer sports assembly is held annually to acknowledge and introduce the teams who have started GPS competition – basketball and cricket. Due to the late start for this term, basketball has already had a competition game against Newington. The cricket season commences with the first match against Kings on Saturday.

Basketball has taken on a higher profile in the GPS community since the home and away format was introduced several years ago. High’s program has expanded and become more professional under the leadership of Ben Hayman.

I want to thank him, all the coaches and the basketball committee for the fine job that they did last season. Alex Hayman and the coaching staff have given our boys that important component of self belief, so vital for team success. The finances of the basketball program have been well planned and managed, originally by Adrian Pluis and then George Chow, retiring from the role this year. I want to thank them for their efforts in establishing the Strategic Plans and development programs for the sport. High has become a very competitive school in basketball as a result of the efforts of many individuals over a period of five years. The volunteers from the basketball committee and interested parents put in a lot of work early in the year to erect additional training rings to increase opportunity for boys to practise their shooting. Our facilities have improved and we only need dedicated training by all teams to remain competitive. I trust that the 2009-10 season will be very rewarding for all participants. I wish Leo and his team all the best.

Once again I want to thank Laurie Heil for his leadership and organisation of cricket at High. We have the largest number of teams of any GPS school. We are limited only by the availability of grounds. Cricketers are starting to think more seriously about their strength and fitness needs. I am sure this trend will continue so that the participants can maximise their potential. We are pleased to welcome back Barry Davison and Ani Rao to mentor and guide our first and second XI cricket teams through the season. They are very generous in giving of their time to develop the individual skills and teamwork of our sides. Quite a few of the boys are backing up after gaining valuable experience last year. We were competitive in 2008-09 after a slow start so that it is important that we start this year strongly in our first fixture against Kings. Good luck to Brian and his team.

We have approval for a covered outdoor learning area to be erected over the cricket nets within the next couple of months. This project will involve installing a 14m x 34m roof on steel pillars at a height of 4.5m. This will enable us to access the nets in all weather and to light the area for use at night. The plan includes securing the nets with fencing and movable gates. In winter, the space will provide for the first time a permanent home for fencing to operate from. During the week it will also provide shelter during inclement weather. The project will be financed by the Sydney High School Foundation using money from the Casey Bequest. I believe the facility will help in the development of cricket by extending the usable hours of the nets.

The tragic deaths of two very experienced yachties in the early hours of October 10 at Flinders Islet during the Ron Robertson Memorial Yacht Race, highlight the potential cost of mis-judgements in sport. Nothing can be taken for granted. Some sports are inherently risky. Some situations have the potential for drastic consequences if anything goes wrong. Safety needs to be our first priority. Please make sure you have all your appropriate equipment when competing and follow all the instructions by coaches and supervisors.

By way of contrast, the lifelong benefits of participating in sport were highlighted at the recent World Masters Games. People of all ages and abilities from all walks of life and many countries were united in the love of sport. They competed in Sydney in what has become a major tourist event. Having good training habits was frequently mentioned by athletes with longevity in their sports as being a cornerstone of their success. I urge all boys preparing for summer sports to get behind the strength and fitness and sprint programs. To reach and maintain a good level of fitness, you really need to be doing some sustained exercise each day. The health benefits of what you are doing now will last you well into your adult lives if you acquire good habits while at school.

I am very pleased at the signs I have seen of a culture change in sport at High. The attitude of individuals and teams is supportive and encouraging. We need to move even further in the direction of team building and mutual encouragement. We need to all focus on the goal of maximum team performance through maximum personal commitment.

I congratulate all boys who were selected in first and second grade GPS teams for the summer competition. I know you will do your best for yourselves, your teams and the school. Good luck for the season!
Dr K A Jaggar

Monthly Giving Program

At High we have a modern, direct debiting method of facilitating donations. Our Monthly Giving Program allows donors to have donations debited automatically to their credit cards on the fifteenth of each month. An annual statement to donors for taxation purposes is provided. The appropriate form can be posted to you by calling 9361 6290, extension 114. Alternatively, you can go to our website www.sydneyboyshigh.com click on fundraising/library project contributions, to download the New Library Monthly Giving Form.

GPS sports competition is very demanding on people and resources. At High we have ongoing needs for facilities development, equipment and development through expert coaching. If you would like to help through a tax deductible donation for a particular sport, the appropriate form can be posted to you by calling 9361 6290, extension 114. Alternatively, you can go to our website www.sydneyboyshigh.com click on Sport /Sports Donations to download either Development Donation Form or Equipment and Facility Donation Form.

SHS Old Boys' Union

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF THE RECORD
This year marks the 100th anniversary of “The Record” – the magazine of the Sydney Boys High School – which was first published in December 1909. To commemorate this milestone, “High Notes” is publishing a selection of editorials from the various editions published over the past century.

This week we are publishing the editorial from the issue of September 1915. Momentous changes had taken place in the preceding three months with the sudden retirement of John Waterhouse (Headmaster, 1896-1915) and the appointment of Robert Hinder (Headmaster, 1915-1918).

The Editor for this issue was Rexford George Hook, who was dux of the School in 1915 and completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Sydney University in 1920.

Editorial
The year has in general been one of only partial success for the School. Among the clubs we have obtained little success; Rugby football, the chief sport of the School, was almost paralysed by the lack of sufficient members, and it became impossible to put four teams in the grade competitions on the same day; the other clubs have experienced a similar difficulty. It is becoming increasingly evident that the School cannot continue to tolerate any sport that individuals may desire. We must decide to uphold one or two sports during a season, and allow no others to be introduced. The basis of the trouble seems to be that boys engage in various sports in their respective preparatory schools, and expect to continue them on entering this school. But the argument is almost groundless. Boys, from twelve to fourteen years of age, are very unlikely to have obtained a scientific groundwork in any sport in which they have previously been engaged. Then, a four years’ training in the recognised sports of the School, would fit any capable individual for success in the grade teams.

Some form of football as the general sport, with a less exhilarating game for those physically unfit for football, in the winter season; and cricket and swimming in the summer, would satisfy the requirements of the majority. By concentration on these sports, specific success might be obtained, instead of the series of seconds and thirds which the present system has brought upon the School this year. The School is not deficient in sporting circles, the athletic sports defy such, the fault lies in the fact that we seldom produce a unifed front.

Moreover, frequent interruptions, delay in obtaining text books, had placed us in a rather embarrassing position with regard to our School work, when the announcement of Mr Waterhouse’s retirement came upon us. Everybody realised that a retirement was imminent, many were acquainted with Mr Waterhouse’s request to the Department, but none anticipated the event at the time of its coming. Many farewells have been bidden, our late headmaster has thanked those connected with the School on several occasions, so another repetition would be useless here. In 1883 Mr Waterhouse laid the foundation of the State Secondary Education by opening the Sydney Boys’ High School; in 1911 he commenced the task of modelling the new system. During the intervening years he parted only twice with the Sydney High. Once on taking up the Headmastership of Maitland High School [1884], then during his illness in 1913, when we celebrated Speech Day without his elevating personality. The modelling of the new system of Secondary Education was carried out in this School, by our late head; it rests on our present headmaster, R J Hinder, Esq, BA, to complete the work so ably begun by his predecessor. We feel confident that Mr Hinder will fulfil his task.

A change of leader necessarily means some change in principle. Many minor changes have been made in the execution of school duties, but little has been done with regard to more important affairs. Our new head has no love for sweeping reform. Although it is rather late to bid Mr Hinder welcome to the Sydney High, we now give him a very cordial welcome to the dear old school.
SHS Old Boys’ Union
www.shsobu.org.au  

Year 11 Parents Dinner

'The Penultimate Year Parents Group Dinner'
Hello to Year 11 parents, the last five years have passed all too quickly and we find ourselves starting the twelve-month countdown until our boys are sitting their HSC. Let’s celebrate the end of this penultimate year with a dinner!

Last year we had an excellent dinner at No’n La Restaurant and so we have booked there again this year. If you would like to come along, please RSVP. as below.

Where: No'n La Vietnamese Restaurant, 59 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills
When: Thursday 19 November 2009, 7pm
Cost: Approximately $35 per head for a banquet
Contact: Jules Bastable
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ph: 0439 465 256

Letters Re Absence/Lateness/ Early Leave

When your son returns to school from being absent he is required to provide a letter of explanation signed by a parent or guardian. If your son is going to be late for school a note is also required. Alternatively you may contact the school by phone on 9361 6910 and dial “4” for the absentee line.

If your son has an early leave note he is required to have his note signed by either Mr Barris, Mr Dowdell or Mr Prorellis before 8:55 am and handed in to the Main Office immediately after. Each letter should be signed by a parent or guardian with the name date and roll class of your son printed clearly. Your son needs to pick up a leave pass from the Main Office before he leaves the school.

Leave
If you require leave for your son please, apply in writing and address your application to the Principal, Dr Jaggar, stating the reason and length of time of the leave. Your son must then present this application to Dr Jaggar for permission for the leave. Please remember to apply before the leave and not after.

The Principal must approve all leave applications.

Youth Week Design Competition

NSW YOUTH WEEK Design Competition NOW OPEN
There are lots of SBHS students with the design savvy to win this competition …. So good luck!

Youth Week NSW is looking for aspiring young designers to help create the look for our website, posters and other promotional materials. You may want to design a poster, or a website, or just throw some ideas down on paper. Let us know what you think being young is all about - be funky, be creative, and help us spread the word about Youth Week. You must submit your design electronically as a .jpeg or .pdf file, or in hardcopy (no bigger than A4). In your design, you may want to include:

• The NSW Youth Week website address www.youthweek.nsw.gov.au
• The 2010 Youth Week logo and the Arrive Alive website logo - these can be either hand drawn or download them by clicking here
• The words "NSW Youth Week is sponsored by the MAA"
• This year's theme: "Live it Now!"
• Youth Week's date: 10-18 April 2010.

The winner will receive a $1000 cash prize, and have their work promote Youth Week in NSW through its posters and website. Entries close 5pm, Monday 16 November 2009. All entries must be accompanied by an entry form.

Please let the Art staff know if you are entering this competition

Sailing AGM

Notice of Sailing Committee Annual General Meeting
Date: 31 October 2009
Time: 9.00 a.m.
Location: Double Bay Sailing Venue
All Sailing Parents are invited

Agenda Items:-

• Election of Committee for 2010
• Committee Reports
• 2010 Schedule

Contact: Steve Saunders
M: 0411 851 412
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Navy Open Day 2009

Sunday 25th October 10am – 4pm

Fleet Base East
Garden Island
Potts Point

Ship Tours - RAN Band – Displays – Diving – Mine Warfare – Helicopter Winching – Kids Activities

More information available at www.navy.gov.au

Music Notices

Encore Nominations
Congratulations to Brian Lau and Alexander Belokopytov (Music Extension), Guangzhi Niu (Music 2) and Lachlan Brown and Ivan Lim (Music 1) who received an Encore Nomination for their HSC performance held in September. Well done to all our HSC Music students on their hard work and efforts and we wish them well in their written exam next Tuesday.

St Vincents Hospital Performance
Well done to Guangzhi Niu, James Han, Richard Bi and Evan Wong who performed at St Vincent’s Hospital on Wednesday the 21st of October as part of the Healing Arts Program. The HSC Music students were well received by the audience and their time and efforts much appreciated.

Ensemble rehearsals
A reminder to ALL students in the performance program an 80% attendance rate is required for award scheme points. If you are unable to attend a rehearsal, you must notify your ensemble director.
Music Tour Band Members – MUST attend every fortnight rehearsal – Week A’s (Stage Band – every Wednesday.) We have very high expectations to meet and with the amount of demanding repertoire and limited time, we require your co-operation and support.

Wine Tasting (Music Tour Fundraiser)
Following the success of the wine tasting held after the holiday rehearsal last Sunday in the Great Hall, we will be hosting another one the in Staff Common room this Friday 23rd of October from 3:21pm. Wines sampled will be available for purchase and funds raised go towards supporting the Music Tour to France. All welcome to attend, we look forward to seeing you there.

Music Tour 2010
Please return the Music Tour forms given out at the last meeting to the Music Staff by Friday the 13th of November (Deadline for ALL Documentation).

Please see the Music Staff if there are any concerns.

Parents wishing to travel with/parallel to the tour need to contact Angas Travel (Jackie Male) as arrangements need to be made immediately.

Josie Tayeh (Yr 7 parent) is trying to determine number of parents travelling. Please contact her on her email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The 2nd instalment of $2000 is now OVERDUE as of the end of term 3, please make payments DIRECTLY to Angas Travel and they will provide us with receipt of payments. If you have not been able to arrange this, please see the Music Staff ASAP.

Please Mail to: ANGAS Travel, 303 Angas St, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
OR Call Toll Free no. 1800 671 331 to make arrangements.

P&C: High Society

The Bulletin Board for Sydney Boys High P & C Julie Connolly P&C President

On-Line P & C Forums
The P&C is investigating the possibility of introducing On-Line P&C forums to assist parents in communicating their viewpoints on current School issues. We are hoping that On-Line P&C Forums will commence in 2010 using the P&C Gmail address and will replace some face-to-face P&C meetings.

It is proposed that parents can respond over the course of one week, each month, to a series of discussion questions posted on the P&C Gmail. It is not intended that there will be ‘live’ online discussion, but rather a sharing and collecting of different ideas and opinions on specific issues for that month. It is proposed to retain one face-to-face P&C meeting each term with guest speakers and additional meetings as required. Your P&C Executive and Year Group Representatives will continue to meet once a month, to progress issues raised by the School community on your behalf. Parents can also send emails to the P&C Gmail address at any time, to raise particular issues or questions and will receive a response within 24 hours, rather than bringing them to a face-to-face P&C meeting.

The P&C is trialling our proposed method for On-Line P&C Forums through Gmail, over the next few weeks.

Until 31st October, we are seeking parent responses to the following:

1. Your opinion or suggestions regarding the concept of On-Line P&C Forums and their proposed Gmail format
2. Suggested changes to evolve the Student Awards Scheme

• To participate in the On-Line P&C forum, send your responses to these two questions with the message title ‘October 2009 P&C Forum’ to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 31st October. The P&C will reply acknowledging that your response has been received.
• To access the P&C Gmail address and read other parents responses, you will need the password to the P&C Gmail account. We will forward that to you, if you send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it requesting the password.

These two questions will also appear in the P&C Gmail account under the message title ‘Questions for October 2009 P&C Forum’.

We really look forward to parents having a go at participating in the On-Line P&C Forums, which we anticipate will make it easier for parents to contribute valuable ideas, raise specific issues and ask questions. Should you have any problems with Gmail, please contact Julie Connolly This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will try to help!

Volunteer Organisers Needed
We are seeking a group of parents to form the organising committee for next year’s Parent social function to mark the start of the new academic year. We need to form this group now so that bookings can be made, themes and catering decided and we can all set aside the date for March next year. Maybe even get a couple of friends together to join the Committee.

Please contact the P & C via Gmail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Julie Connolly This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to be involved. No special skills are needed and most of the organising is done through email communications rather than face-to-face meetings.

If you would like to have any parent community news or upcoming events included in High Society, please contact Julie Connolly, P&C President, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 0418 470 203.

SBHS Cricket

Last Saturday saw five of our Group 1 Teams play a series of Trial matches at Newington College in what turned out to be a competitive and an overall enjoyable day with some encouraging results. What must be acknowledged first is the excellent attendance of cricketers who represented their school during a vacation period at trials and for these fixtures. Well done to all concerned

1st XI MATCH: The 1st. XI in their second outing as a team lost the toss and was put in the field on a relatively docile pitch which gave little or no encouragement to our bowlers. Newington proceeded to build their score aided by some poor fielding and regular leakage of runs in a below par team performance compare, to the usual High approach to fielding. Newington finished with 5 – 289. For High Ashwin Ramesh bowled well and took 1/16 (9), Sivasara Sooriakumar took 2 wkts despite getting hit in the final run chase, Michael Phung 1-25 (7),Saif Haque with 0 /6 (5) and Jesse Moffat ‘s wholehearted effort with the ball. High took the crease with Michael Phung (44 ret.)debuting as an opener and Avindu Vithanage (42) who put together a steady 80 run opening partnership until Avindu was run out, Nakul Bhagwat (30) run out on a direct hit, Jesse Moffat also run out on a direct hit, Sam lane (36 ret) and Dileepan Pious (21n.o) were the main contributors as High finished with 5 – 209 indicating that Newington would have been covered in a match scenario. With 3 run out (2 direct hits) mainly through poor calling, player retirements and a spread of runs across the team were encouraging signs for the “Firsts”

2nd XI MATCH: The 2nd XI also lost the toss and in an extraordinary bowling and fielding opening had wickets falling instantly and at 5 /36 it looked like Newington would struggle to get to 70runs. However, the momentum changed through the over enthusiasm and lack of experience in field placings allowed the home side to claw their way back and they were all out at 142. The highlight was Tom Connolly on debut in the 2nd XI who took 5 /12 off 7.3over.and Shimon Danziger and Krishan Sivayogarayan took 2 wkts each. High opened their innings with a batting collapse and with 4 wkts gone for less than 25 were in all sorts of trouble. A drink break assisted and a series of edges from the bat, a quick cameo by Ishman Bari then a match saving partnership between Kumudika Gunaratne (32n.o) and Tom Connolly (41) with some sensible batting and smart running between wickets took the score to within 29 runs of a win when we lost Tom Connolly who had a blistering all round performance.. Shejil Kumar had the task of assisting Kumudika try for the remaining runs and played a tail enders shot and was bowled with High 20 runs short of a victory Scores:- Newington 10 /142 defeated High 10 /123

UNDER 14 MATCH: Earlier in the day on Saturday I got the opportunity to watch some of this match and was absolutely impressed with the 10 boys who represented us. They chased hard in the field, saved many runs in the small field and took their catches. The opening bowlers showed some real venom on turf and players such as Andrew Dao, Lasith De Fonseka and Ned Anson look like players of the future for our Open teams. In the field Jesse Cooper who completed the wicket keepers course showed his ability behind the stumps and contributed to the control of the fielding standards. Well done all round to each and every lad on the team. Scores:-Newington 10 /150 defeated High 10 /110.

GENERAL MEETING Next WEDNESDAY 28th OCT at 5-50PM
The meeting will be a General Meeting combined with a short Committee meeting to prepare for all touring teams visiting and departing during December. The Committee meeting (to address team selections and training) will be held at the conclusion of the General meeting if necessary. We will be looking for Managers, Billet Coordinators, Lunch and Drinks support, Scorers and Liaison persons. I would encourage anyone who can assist to be present at the earlier time of 5-30pm so that we can conclude the business for these events within the hour and thus minimize interruption to your evening schedule.

PLAYER REGISTRATIONS: WHY WE NEED THEM
This is to ensure we place boys with ability into teams where they can measure and improve that talent and at the same time place boys who are less experienced into age group teams of comparable skills. We also need it to know that our Under 15 and Under 14 Representative teams are of the correct age as at the 1st.Novemeber to compete against Brisbane. Umpires also need the age of players so they control the maximum number of overs an age player can bowl in a match. So it is really essential we have a reference. The PLAYER REGISTRATION PROFILE is on our own Cricket Website and can be COMPLETED ONSITE and emailed directly to me via the site. The time is fast approaching that boys who are unregistered end up in incorrect teams. Plenty of requests have been made for these.
Laurie Heil
MIC Cricket

Basketball: Shootin' Hoops

While You Were Enjoying Your Holidays…
While you were enjoying your holidays, the SBHS 1st and 2nd Grade teams competed in the Sydney Schools' Shootout (A tournament which boasted over 40 basketball teams from Sydney's elite schools). SBHS managed second place overall in BOTH 1st and 2nd Grade. Congratulations to both 1st and 2nd Grade! Newington College, with 4 members of the state U18 squad ‘appearing’ in their 1st grade side this season, were the victors of the tournament. They have established themselves as the 1st Grade team to beat nationally, at a school level over the past 4 years. Their 1st Grade side is very strong with a mix of talent and experience. They also have players who are close to state level players, who have been at the school since Year 7, in their 2nd Grade side. They are definitely the side to beat! It will be a challenge for anyone to overcome their strength.

Despite these difficulties, Mr Hayman says "WE CAN DO IT!-As long as we have our young group of talented athletes who currently display so much character, work ethic and school pride, we can beat anyone on any given day... I am hoping to add some banners in the gymnasium for the boys. Led by Leo Gordon, Antony Paul and Stephen Yoon, our juniors such as Craig Moller, Daniel Jones and Scott Rezenbrink have really bought into our culture. I have a lot of respect for all members of the opens squad and look forward to the juniors in Years 7, 8 and 9 coming through who can replicate the efforts of their elders. WE ARE A GREAT SIDE WITH EXCELLENT CULTURE”

Unfortunately, High is now also carrying injuries in key positions but upon their return to form in 2010, SBHS can notch up a few good victories. With our High Spirit, talent and perseverance, we will still be a formidable side.

Parking
Thank you and congratulations to everyone who worked so hard on that Saturday, and in the rain too for the parking!! 450 cars were parked, money raised will go directly to the basketball funds, to pay for equipment and coaches. Also Shirley Tickner must be thanked for coordinating the parking. The following people helped out:
Terence Ow (Yr 8) and his Dad Michael
Michael Tickner (Yr 10) and his Dad Rod
Jamison Tsai(Yr 8) and his Mum
Cornelius and Simon Do
Daniel Liang (16A)
Jeyarasa Branavan (16B)
William Yuan (16B)

Brought to you by David Li Wang and Chris Chiam

Price Lists

The price list for the Canteen has been updated. The latest price lists are viewable at:
Canteen: http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/school/canteen
High Store: http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/school/high-store