From the Principal

End of Term 4
This is the last High Notes for 2011. Thank you to the editor, Cathy Northey, for her work in promptly getting the High Notes published each week. Thank you to all the staff, students, parents and Old Boys who have contributed to High Notes over the year. The students, staff and volunteers have earned a break over the festive season. It has been a great year for High. I look forward to an even stronger 2012.

High Talent
Congratulations to Austin Ly who came first in the state in Physics at the HSC. Congratulations to the 53 High boys who qualified for the All-Rounders List at the HSC. SBHS Basketball Open team scored undefeated back to back championships at the Australian Schools Basketball Championships, taking out the Chinese U17 national team 79-53 in the final to win the gold medal. Congratulations to this great team that has achieved an unprecedented feat in the school’s history! The Under 16 volleyball team won Division 2 of the National Schools Volleyball championships in Melbourne, defeating Eltham (Vic.) in the final. The Open team defeated Rangitoto (NZ) to finish 5th in Division 1. The 14s defeated Craigslea to also finish 5th. The teams performed very well in the gruelling tournament, establishing High as a national force in school volleyball. Congratulations also to Ennes Mehmedbasic (Year 11) who has been chosen to perform Concerto on themes from La Favorita Mvt. 2 at the ENCORE concert which will be held at the Sydney Opera House in March next year.

Joint Project Update
SBHS and SGHS are preparing material together for inclusion in the ‘business case’ to be drafted by DEC planners and put to Treasury in February. After a fruitful meeting with DEC Officers last week, the Joint Project Group feels that there is now a realistic prospect of drafting a proposal that might meet Treasury guidelines. We need as much support as possible to make our case. If parents have connections with institutions or organisations that might want to make use of the proposed Governors Centre for Educational Excellence, letters of support would be appreciated. The Joint Project Group will meet again in January to edit and finalise the business case draft ahead of its presentation to Treasury.

Fairland Pavilion Upgrade
The Fairland Pavilion has had its roof repaired, its windows replaced and is about to have the change room floor coverings replaced. It will then be painted inside, ahead of an exterior repaint. Fresh carpet tiles will be laid where necessary in the Reception Room. These timely and very necessary repairs are being undertaken by Sydney High School Foundation Inc as part of a $75,000 project to refurbish the building used by so many of our boys.

Sydney High School Sailing Association
SHSSA has signed off on a ‘loan agreement’ with the Sydney High School Foundation Inc to assist with the redevelopment of Double Bay Sailing Club Inc, home of Sydney High sailing. The redevelopment of the club will be staged from March and is expected to be completed before term 4 commences in 2012. High will have a great facility to run its sailing program from. All sailing family members are urged to get behind the early repayment of this loan so that the money saved can be applied to extra boats and equipment to enhance our program. I would like to than Carrie Waring for her efforts in preparing grant application documents and Mark Bethwaite for his professionalism in managing the relationship between the SHSSA and DBSC.

The Tennis Court Agreement
The SHSF Inc has had a final Sub-Licence Agreement drafted by its lawyers and it is now ready for final signing by the Foundation and the new Tennis Operator. I want to thank Graeme Anderson and Geoff Andrews for the monumental amount of work they have put into redrafting the Licence Agreement and negotiating with all the prospective Licensees. The outcome is a very advantageous one for the school and for the future of its tennis program. Most importantly, the maintenance and care of the tennis facility for the next decade, have been assured through the terms of the new Licence.
Dr K A Jaggar

Die Deutsche Frage - Due Letzte Antwort!

Remember the clues? Eine Maus, eine Orgel, zwei Männer und eine Gitarre. Stratton Vakirtzis (Yr 7) put his grey cells to good use and came up with the answer – the most famous Christmas Carol. Once upon a time it was a very, very cold winter and there was no food to be found anymore by the little church mouse (die Maus!). In desperation she started to gnaw away at the leather bellows of the church organ (die Orgel!). The organist came in the afternoon to practise for the Christmas Eve service. But the organ remained silent! He went to consult the minister who lived next door. A Christmas service without music was unthinkable in the land of Mozart. Between them (zwei Männer!) they composed the melody and wrote the text of the carol, and played it on the guitar (die Gitarre) for the service. It is, of course, a legend (eine Legende!). (Check Wikipedia.)

Frohe Weihnachten, einen guten Rutsch ins Neue Jahr und viel Spass in den Ferien!
Frau St Leon

High Store Holiday Opening Times

Monday 23rd January 10am – 3pm
Wednesday 25th January 10am – 3pm
Friday 27th January 10am – 1pm

Wishing all a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year

From the Office

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.

Sports Donations

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 6910. 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.

High Family

The Bulletin Board for Sydney Boys High P & C

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

Thank You

Last Monday evening, some one hundred parents, staff and other members of the school family attended the P&C’s annual Thank You Party in the Great Hall. The P&C would like to express its gratitude to the following people for their efforts in ensuring a successful event: Sachiyo James, the Sailing parents and Sailing boys, who provided a gorgeous array of canapés for our enjoyment; Mss Lim, Miller and the SBHS Jazz band who, along with old boys Muhamed and James were doing some cookin’ of their own; the indefatigable Mr Moody who ran the drinks table, arriving early and last to leave; Anne Wall for organising gifts for the evening; John Wall, Jason Chen and the other parents who helped put the hall back in order; Mr Barris for his patience in helping set up despite many other demands on his time and finally, the teachers and staff who put aside their valuable time to support the evening. Thank you.

Upcoming P&C Parking Events

Please find listed below upcoming P&C parking events. Each co-curricular supporters group has a nominated parking coordinator whose role is to ensure that sufficient numbers of parents and boys are available to meet the expected demand.

If you are unsure of the contact details of your co-curricular parking coordinator, you should email the parent sub-committee president of the various supporters’ groups. The P&C maintains a current list of names and email addresses in the P&C section of the Parents’ Portal (access via the intranet login on the SBHS website home page http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/ )

Friday 16 December – T20 Cricket (Basketball)
Thursday 22 December – Sydney FC (Debating)
Tuesday 27 December – T20 Cricket (Rugby)
Thursday 29 December – Sydney FC (Rifle)

The Governors’ Centre (GCEE)

In last week’s High Notes, we advised that the P&C would be speaking to parents in Year 8 about the GCEE project, the building fund, and the monthly giving program on the coming Sunday. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented this from happening and we apologise to any parents who may have been inconvenienced. Much work is being undertaken within the school family to ensure this exciting project is realised and we look forward to updating the situation in the New Year.

Big Night Out

Persons interested in joining one of the gastronomic groups for the Big Night Out on Saturday 31 March 2012 can contact the P&C at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will pass on your details. Remember, no experience necessary, just a desire to cook up a storm.

That’s All Folks

Season’s greetings to all and we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. We look forward to seeing you in Term 1, 2012

Upcoming Meetings & Events

2012 New Parents Welcome and Information Evening – Tuesday 31 January 2012 – Great Hall

Ian Sweeting

Basketball: Shooting Hoops

High VS Scots

High vs Scots 2011 Round 1 (Last Time)

High vs Scots 2011 Term 4 (This time)

1st Grade Table

After a thrilling game in which we defeated Scots, we are now at the top of the table with them. Next term will be vitally important, with every game a must win to ensure at least a co-premiership. Given the tight nature of the competition this season every game will be pivotal, and your support is required if we are to win back to back premierships.

National School Champions

After the trip down to Bendigo last week, High secured the crown as Australian All Schools Champions for the second year in a row! This is a massive achievement given the competition includes the best basketball schools across Australia, but also featured the Chinese Under 17s National Side who we beat twice (including in the finals). Match reports, statistics and photos can be found at the site below. Be sure to check it out and congratulate all the players involved! http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=1424

The Raschke Cup

The Raschke Cup is the tournament held prior to the regular season recommencing in term 1. We will be looking to win our third consecutive title at the tournament, held this year at King’s in late January. The 8 GPS schools are split into pools of four where they play a round robin before moving on to the finals. This year our pool consists of High, Ignatius, Shore and King’s. Good luck to our competing teams. All first and second grade players to train in Jan...

~ Go High Basketball!
~ Play Hard, Play Smart and Play Together!
~ Don’t forget to visit the NEW Sydney High Basketball Website and facebook!
~ Brought to you by the editor Chris Chiam
~ Thank you to Mr Hayman for all his contributions to basketball and information

SBHS Rowing

Shed Race Results

It was a very exciting finish to the Shed Race this year with excellent handicapping by Mr Gainford. All 15 crews from the Year 8 quads to the Senior Eights raced the 3200m down the river to the finish line in front of the sheds. Thank you to the starter, Chris Watson (Old Boy 99), and all the coaches for their expertise in making it happen.

Results (handicap) -
1st - Year 9 2nd quad
2nd - School 1st VIII
3rd - Year 9 1st quad
4th - Year 10 2nd VIII
5th - Year 8 6th quad

Fastest times -
1st - School 1st VIII - 11.25.9
2nd - School 2nd VIII - 12.33.5
3rd - Year 10 1st VIII - 12.57.7 .7

Thank you to the Rowing Committee parents for organising a delicious breakfast menu, enjoyed by all under the marquee by the river and thank you to the parents who contributed to the hamper raffle. We welcomed some of our new intake students and it was great to see them have a try at rowing, along with many parents interested in having a go!

NSW Sprint Regatta Results

Our senior rowers competed at SIRC last Sunday and had some good results. Congratulations to Nelson Tang and Daniel Keogh making the final of the double scull and special congratulations to Gianmarco De Nigris, Max Jones, Tim Montanaro, Andreas Purcal and (c) Dan Tam for winning silver medals in the final of the U/19 Four in a time of 1.39.18.

Junior Camps

These camps were very well attended, allowing the boys to be able to row with their crew at the best time of day on the river – very early morning, and it was a good introduction to the routine and structure of the rowing camps. It was also a good introduction to the parents’ roles including the cooking and staying overnight duties, which I think the parents found pleasant and rewarding. Thank you to those parents.

Upcoming Events

• Friday 16 to Sunday 18 Dec – Senior/Year 10 Eights Nepean Camp.
  The Senior and Y10 eights will be camping at the sheds on the Friday and Saturday nights, and travelling by school bus to and from the Nepean River each day. This is a wonderful camp where the boys will enjoy rowing on some beautiful water in the gorge with surrounding bushland.
• Holiday Rowing – The last day of school rowing is this Saturday 17th December. We do, however, offer a holiday rowing program, which is a terrific opportunity for boys to keep perfecting their skills and improving their level of strength and fitness. Attendance is optional, based around family holidays and other activities. All boys have received a holiday timetable with the mornings the sheds are open. I have also emailed the holiday timetable to families and if you haven’t received a copy, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Our GPS Regattas start with the Shore Regatta first week back on 4th February 2012, so by the end of January we need our crews to be perfecting their timing and skill, and building on their strength and fitness for this technical, strength and endurance sport. All Year 8 quads will be racing and the boys will need to have a High zoot suit.

Social Events

• New Year’s Eve –
  The Rowing Committee are organising a gathering of families at the sheds to celebrate NYE with harbor fireworks at 9pm and midnight. Please refer to flyer.
• Boat Naming Cocktail Party –
  This will be a very special evening on Saturday 4th February 2012, starting at 5pm, to celebrate the naming of 5 boats. Please mark the date on your calendar and more information will be following.

Have a wonderful holiday break and all the best for 2012.
Julie Blomberg
MIC Rowing

SHS Rowing NYE Party

The Sydney High Rowing Committee cordially invites you to the New Year's Eve Sheds party.

• Enjoy the beautiful NYE fireworks display on the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 9PM or Midnight
• Entry cost: $50/adults and $25/children, rowers or rower's siblings and friends.
• All food, drinks and nibbles are inblcuded in the entry cost: BBQ dinner, soft drinks, coffee, beer / win and nibbles

7:30 to Midnight
31/12/2011
The Outterside Centre
5 Teviot Avenue Abbotsford

RSVP - email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it