KRB News Issue 02 – 22 February 2013
A deep r es p e ct f o r in t e l l e c tual values
Kungala winners of the Spirit Cup
mrs Hilary johnston-croke and Bishop Comensoli DD
FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Parents, Students and Staff As you would no doubt be aware it has been a very busy start to the year with many activities and functions on the calendar. Over the past two weeks I have enjoyed meeting families at the Year 11 and 12, year 7 and Junior School Parent Information Evenings, meeting families interested in enrolling their children at a KRB Experience Open Morning and spending time with our Year 12 Class at the Year 12 Retreat. These are just a few of the activities going on in what is always a very busy school! And while we venture further into the first term, amidst all this, the students are conducting themselves with focus and calm. They are looking ahead to the challenges of the school year will bring and the personal growth that will come from accepting and persevering with these challenges, both in and out of the classroom. Parent Information Evenings Over the past two weeks, I have attended the Parent Information Sessions for Years 7, 11 and 12. It was a pleasure to meet and talk with new and familiar faces. At these sessions, we outline the initiatives for the year group. In the
Junior School, the evenings enable parents to meet the class teachers and in the Senior School parents can hear from myself, members of the School Leadership Team and the Year Coordinator. In all these sessions I have spoken on the significance of “The Growth Mindset” This is important to students to develop and something that we here at KRB endeavour to encourage. In this process, students learn to accept challenges, learn from failure and continually work at improving themselves. It is important that parents too, adopt this practice at home and support their daughter or son with positive reinforcement, while always encouraging them on ways to achieve even better than they have. I have also talked about the achievements of the Class of 2012 and their commitment and involvement in the KRB life. Adolescent girls need strong role models to give them their confidence. The fact that 52% of the graduates from 2012 achieved an ATAR over 90, and that the median ATAR was 90.28, gives a great deal of hope to students in the lower year groups. It becomes a benchmark that they strive to achieve or even better.
CONTENTS 1
Welcome from the Principal
3
Teaching & Learning
3 Reflection 4
Students in Action
5 Boarding 6 Sport 7
Community News
8
Calendar
P&F Welcome Cocktail Party Saturday 23 February 7.00pm FROM OUR STUDENTS TWEET OF THE WEEK
@KRBHeadGirl “Whole school mass in the MTC celebrated by Bishop Comensoli. Beautiful service.”
SECTION FROM THEHEADING PRINCIPAL (CONT)
left: Arakoola winners of the overall point score of the junior school swimming carnival. Right: Chinese New Year Dinner
We will be honouring the students of 2012 at the High Achievers’ Assembly on Thursday, February 28. This Assembly will be attended by students from Years 5-12. The Year 7 Information Evening gave parents the opportunity to meet the year Coordinator and the Pastoral Mentors in the New Year 7 Community Learning Space. The students were very excited to be able to show their parents the Learning Space, their new Common Room and their lockers! The Learning Space provides a home base for Year 7 students. All their classes, except Science, Music, PD/H/PE and Visual Arts, are held in this area. The area won’t be finally completed until the beginning of Term 2. I look forward to meeting our Year 9 parents at the Year 9 Parent Information Evening on Monday February 25. Year 12 Retreat On February 14, I had the privilege of attending the Year 12 Retreat in Collaroy. I was particularly impressed by the Liturgy, coordinated by the students, and can honestly say it was one of the most meaninful I have ever attended. The way the students collaborated and their genuineness in attendance of this experience, truly captured the spirit of the KRB student Junior School Swimming Carnival The Junior School Swimming Carnival, as always, was a flurry of excitement, colour and energy. The children represented their respective houses with vigour and passion. It was lovely to see many parents there in support, whether it be swimming cap adjustment or face paint application. I congratulate Arakoola on winning the overall point score and Kungala on winning the Spirit Cup, it was all very well deserved. Many thanks to staff, students and parents who assisted on the day. Opening School Mass Our opening School Mass, held on Tuesday 12, February, in MTC was presided over by Bishop Peter Comensoli DD and was attended by students from Kindergarten to Year 12, staff and parents. It was a very meaningful occasion and gave us an opportunity to come together and reflect and pray for each other as we begin a new year. The Bishop reinforced the
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importance of support that each student and members of the KRB community need to give each other. As well he reflected on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI while giving an account of the achievements of the Pope and the process involved in the election of the new Pope. Chinese New Year Celebrations in the Boarding House It was also a pleasure for me to attend the Chinese New Year Celebrations in the Boarding School last Monday. Our Year 12 International boarders, led by Rosa Moller organized a very special evening. These functions give us the opportunity to experience our global connections and reinforce that we are part of a global network. Welcome Dinners Over the coming months we will be inviting parents, new to the KRB community, to attend a Welcome Dinner, hosted by the Principal. These dinners provide an opportunity for new parents to meet each other as well as myself, the Board Chair, Sisters of the Sacred Heart and members of the Leadership Team. Our first dinner will be held on Friday 22 February. P & F Cocktail Party and Cuisine du Coeur Launch I am very much looking forward to the P&F Cocktail Party this Saturday. This will be a particularly significant one as it is also the official launch of the KRB Cookbook “Cuisine du Coeur”. “Cuisine du Coeur” is the culmination of many months of hard work by KRB parents. I was privileged to view an advanced copy. It is a really beautiful book and testament to the incredibly hard work of a small group of parents and ex-students. The book is filled with glorious recipes from all of our families and I thank all of those who have worked tirelessly on it. I am sure you will all enjoy seeing the book at the Cocktail Party and I look forward to seeing you there. With regards Hilary Johnston-Croke Principal
TEACHING & LEARNING
Years 11 & 12 News Q&A Positive role models are a powerful tool in education. They motivate young people and provide ways of negotiating the ups, downs and rigorous demands of senior studies. With this in mind, the Year 11 and 12 Academic Care program has inaugurated a Q&A Event with students who have recently completed their HSC. Eight alumnae from the classes of 2012 and 2011 came to address the students of Years 11 and 12. Following a panel discussion where the graduates shared their top tips for success, the grades broke into smaller groups where they were able to ask more specific questions of one alumna in a comfortable setting. The topics broached were wide and various: effective note-taking, juggling studies and social life, and how best to approach revision during the holidays, to name a few. The event was inspired by the 2012/2013 Leadership Committee, and was well received by all in attendance.
“It put the HSC in perspective and assured us that we’d be able to make it through.” (Year 12 student)
”It made all the difference to hear advice and perspectives from people who had done it before” (Year 11 student).
Year 12 Retreat “The year 12 retreat, held Thursday 14th to Friday 15th at Collaroy Conference Centre, provided an enriching time for our form to reflect on the significance of the year ahead, our cohesion and support of one another, and a chance to look beyond HSC, to what we hoped for upon graduating from KRB. The Religious Education Department was in its element, providing thoughtful and diverse sessions which formed the crux of the retreat and the teachers themselves contributing to discussion and reflection, for which we are all very grateful. The mixture of activities meant we enjoyed dancing, a thoughtful and prayerful mass celebration, some happy tears, tai chi, some quiet time for reflection and lots of laughter. No doubt the experience will become a highlight of this important year, and already we are reaping the benefits.” Hannah Ryan (Year 12)
REFLECTION O Beauty ever ancient every new Too late have I loved you. I was outside and you were within me And I never found you Until I found you within myself Saint Augustine
Ash Wednesday On Ash Wednesday, the students from Kindergarten to Year 12 gathered on the Harbour Terrace to receive the ashes and to participate in a short liturgy. The ashes were shared by students across the school’s years, with Senior School students distributing ashes to students, while the Year 6 Cor Unum leaders also distributed ashes to Year 12 students. This ritual was a meaningful way for the students to begin their 40 day Lenten preparation, which recalls Jesus’ 40 days’ fasting in the desert. Lent culminates in the Church’s celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Mrs Belinda Connolly Junior School Religious Education Co-ordinator 22 February 2013 | KRB News Issue 02 | 3
STUDENTS IN ACTION
ISDA Debating Training Day On Friday, the ISDA debating teams from year 7–11, with year 12 being on retreat, embarked on the KRB bus to Sydney University. This is a response from one of our newest debaters Megan Fitzgerald, Year 9. “After being told that the University was international debating’s frontrunner, we were all eager to learn many new skills that we could take to our first debate of the season. On arrival we split into our respective year groups and headed off to our first session, led by Sydney University’s debating elite. The day consisted of three one hour and a half sessions which were centred around the importance of debating and the structure of speaking roles, how to tackle the one hour chaos of the preparation room and finally the manner of speaking. These sessions were held in the lecture rooms so all students gained the full experience of University and having lunch on the beautiful grounds helped too. At the conclusion of the day we were tired and overwhelmed with the knowledge of new information and we headed back to school excited by the prospect of using these skills in the first debate for 2013”.
Student Exchange to Boston – Sarah Gardiner, Year 11 “We found our exchange to Boston to be a very rewarding experience. We attended Newton Country Day School, the Sacred Heart School in Boston. We found the school to be similar in the way it approached the Sacred Heart Goals, but we also saw many exciting differences, for example we were able to eat lunch every day in the school cafeteria which was alike to the cafeterias in many American movies. Each of us had the opportunity to see and do things that we are not able to do in Sydney. We attended American classes, went tubing, visited some of the historical and tourist sites in Boston, played sports, went to American shops, attended a school dance and visited a number of the surrounding states including New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island. We are all really glad we went to Boston, we had fun, made friends and we would love to return to Boston someday.” Sarah made the journey to Boston along with classmates Nicola Ryan and Zoe Zigalla, in January 2013.
Savannah Gazal, Year 7 wrote:
“ On Friday we went to the USU debating training day. It was an exceptional experience that I got a lot out of. We had three sessions, each teaching us about different aspects of debating and how we can improve our technique. I think it was a great way for all the debating teams to get to know each other and I now feel excited and prepared for the ISDA debating season this year! “
Business Leadership and Sport Scots College and Kincoppal – Rose Bay present an evening of adventure, inspiration and discussion with leading sports and business personalities. The event will be held Thursday, March 14, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the Coote Theatre at Scots College. Guest Speakers yy Tom Whalan (’98) – Previous employee of Clayton Utz, UBS, and JBS Investments and current partner in AussieOi Pty Ltd Australian Water Polo Team and Olympic Games Team yy Andrew ‘Fishtail’ Fisher – Entrepreneur, Business Owner, CEO and company Chairman V8 Supercars and V8 Ute Championship Driver yy Erin Lorenzini – Principle of Lower Limb Sports Injury Clinic, Eight seasons in the Women’s National Basketball League yy Lara Tamsett – Media and Communications Undergraduate at Sydney University, City to Surf Winner (2010) and Australian Representative at World Athletics Championships (2013)
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Topics for discussion yy What are the skills needed to succeed in Business and
Sport? yy What are the similarities between Business and Sporting
Leadership? yy How it is possible to leverage a passion for sport into
developing a career in business? yy How can Scots and Kincoppal help you gain a competitive
advantage in business and sport? This event will be of interest to former students, parents, Old Boys and the broader community. At the conclusion of the evening there will be an opportunity to network. Please RSVP to http://businessleadership.eventzilla.net/
BOARDING
From Elaine Dawson, Head of house Main School A very warm welcome to the 2013 academic year in the Kincoppal – Rose Bay Boarding Community. The year has got off to a fantastic start as our new and experienced boarders begin to forge friendships and adapt to living in a communal environment. There are many opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities and becoming involved in the school community is an excellent way for your daughter to settle in and form positive relationships with both her peers and staff. Being part of any sporting team is a fantastic way for the girls to burn energy, release the tension of the day and have fun. Through the course of the year they will also have the opportunity to become involved in pursuits such as art, drama and music. Extracurricular activities are an excellent way to become involved in the school, although it is vital that the girls ensure they maintain a healthy balance in their day to day life between this and their academic commitments. Soon the boarding community will be holding elections for the Student Representative Council and the Food Committee. Both initiatives are excellent ways for the girls to gain confidence and contribute to their year group. All the girls are encouraged to put their names forward for the vote.
Boarders’ In Weekend The Boarders’ In weekend was a great success with the girls enjoying the opportunity to have fun together and participate in the activities offered. On Friday night each year group was given a theme and dressed in fancy dress for the night, prizes were awarded for the best dressed as well as the best dancer in each year group. On Saturday the girls rotated through three activity stations, pool games, hip hop dance and Interhouse soccer. This year the girls participated in mixed year groups in their Boarding houses of Barat, Stuart and Duchesne which allowed the younger girls to spend some time with the older boarders, it also increased the house spirit and the competition in the dodge ball was fierce. The Saturday evening program started with a BBQ on the Harbour Terrace followed by a Trivia night with the girls dressing in red, blue and green to represent their Boarding houses. The weekend culminated with Mass on Sunday which the girls had planned and actively participated in by reading and serving on the altar. The Boarding SRC of Laura Goodfellow, Sarah Smith, Sophie Green, Sarah Low and Kate Simmons did an outstanding job of planning and organising the Boarders dance, Dodge ball and the Trivia night. However I must comment that all the Year 12 boarders displayed outstanding leadership over the In weekend and were wonderful role models for the younger girls A special thank you to Hannah Bolger who coordinated the Mass on Sunday with the help of Sister Tiernan, it was a very beautiful service. All the Boarders enjoyed the weekend, it does bring a wonderful sense of community to spend the weekend together and the girl’s behaviour over the two days was outstanding.
22 February 2013 | KRB News Issue 02 | 5
SPORT
Year 3 – 6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival
The year 3-6 Swimming Carnival was held last Friday 15th February at the Blann family pool. This was a great day for all children in Year 3-6 as they competed in several swimming events and cheered for their house for the Spirit Cup. Congratulations to the Children in Arakoola in winning the overall point score and Kungala on winning the Spirit Cup. The Championship Races will be held next Wednesday 27th February along with the Year 7-12 Swimming Carnival events at Homebush. Congratulations to all children who have qualified to compete at this event, we wish them the best of luck. This event will commence at 3.00pm at Homebush. The age champion trophies will be presented at the Junior school assembly next Friday 1st March. The results and player of the week for Saturday 16 February are as follows: Sport/Team
Opposition
Result
Player of the Week
Year 3 & 4 Blue Basketball
Newington Lindfield
Win
Archie MacDonald & Xavier McCormack
Year 3 & 4 Aqua Basketball
Newington Lindfield
Loss
Harrison Murphy & Ryan Waugh
Year 5 & 6 Blue Basketball
Redlands
Loss
Emery Jolliffe & Kenny Ho
Year 5 & 6 Aqua Basketball
Redlands
Win
Joseph Ryan & Jude Spinola
Year 4 Red Soccer
St Catherines
Win
Penelope Hughes
Year 4 White Soccer
Abbotsleigh
Win
Lily Renton
Year 5 Blue Soccer
St Catherines
Win
Yasmina Muldoon
Year 5 Red Soccer
Queenwood
Loss
Paris Mir
Year 5 White Soccer
St Catherines
Loss
Cate Watson
Year 6 White Soccer
BYE
BYE
BYE
Year 6 Water Polo 7
SS6
Win
Lucia Cattana
Year 6 Water Polo 8
Queenwood 14
Drew
Lara Taylor
K–2 ESFA SOCCER Kindergarten training will commence on Thursday 21 February and Year 1 & 2 on Wednesday 20 February on the School’s Sports Field. All students must ensure they are wearing the correct KRB Soccer uniform and protective equipment to all training sessions; as outlined in the 2013 K-2 Sports Handbook. Uniform: KRB navy shorts, KRB navy polo shirt (navy and aqua strip polo for Saturday games), red and white soccer socks, shin guards (compulsory) and soccer boots. Failure to wear these items may prohibit your child from participating in the training session due to OH&S issues. Training will conclude at 4:05pm sharp. Parents may collect their child/children from the sports field at 4:00pm sharp from sports field or from the Junior School turning circle at 4:15pm. Any students not collected by 4:25pm will be signed into the After School Care Centre – Fees/charges will apply. In the event of poor weather practical training may be cancelled. Parents/guardians may collect their child at 3.00pm (normal school day) or at 4.15pm. Any students that remain at school will be supervised by their coaches and or PE teachers in a Junior School classroom. The first round of ESFA Saturday matches commence on Saturday 6 April.
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COMMUNITY
FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE The Year 7 students are greatly enjoying the new Year 7 Community Learning Space. If you would like to take a tour of the space, please email cookm@krb.nsw. edu.au. Tours are available both during and after school hours. The first Welcome Dinner for new families, hosted by the Principal, is being held this evening. If you have been invited to a welcome dinner but are unable to attend on the specified date, please email events@krb.nsw.edu.au and we will organize an alternative date for you to attend.
the cookbook is here!
The Class of 1983 is holding a reunion on Saturday 19 October. We have a number of current parents who are past students of this particular class, so please mark the date in your diary. Further information about this and other reunions will soon be available. Our Past Parents’ Celebration held on 17 February was attended by over 60 past parents from the class of the late 70s up to 2012. It was an enjoyable occasion and an opportunity for past parents to meet the Principal, some of the sisters of the Sacred Heart, including previous Principal, Sr Anne McGrath and connect with each other. We will continue to provide opportunities for past parents to attend KRB functions. Mary Cook Director of Development 9388 6024 cookm@krb.nsw.edu.au
2013 Boys’ Big Day Out
Years 2 to 6
On Saturday 23 March, the ‘Boys’ Big Day Out’, for father/father figures and sons for boys in Years 2 – 6 will be held at Land’s Edge, Chowder Bay. Land’s Edge is one of Australia’s leading providers offering professional outdoor educational programs to schools and organised groups. Land’s Edge Centre is based in the sheltered cove of Chowder Bay (Mosman) with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and surrounding native bush land and historical military fortifications. We are pleased and very excited to offer an outdoor adventurous experience that you will share with your son and other KRB families at Land’s Edge. This is a full day event packed with fun and challenging outdoor recreation activities. The day’s objective is for father/father figures and sons to bond with each other and other families by participating in fun and challenging outdoor pursuits and activities. Those attending the event will be involved in all of the scheduled activities and tasks professionally tailored and run by qualified staff at Land’s Edge. All boys in Years 2-6 were recently given an information letter, reply slip and medical form to complete. These documents need to be completed and returned to the Junior School Office by Wednesday 20 February.
buy your Copy email: cookbook@krb.nsw.edu.au web: www.krb.nsw.edu.au 22 February 2013 | KRB News Issue 02 | 7
CALENDAR
SAT 23/02/13
THUR 28/02/13
THU 07/03/13
IGSSA Softball/Tennis Round 3 8.00am
High Achievers’ Assembly 1.45pm
IPSHA Football/Basketball Round 3 8.00am
School Play Rehearsal 3.30pm
Years 3 –12 Term 1 Sport Teams Photos 9.00am
Term 2 Sports Trials (Basketball & Football) 12.00pm
TUCKSHOP: Chrissy Comino, Amanda Culhane
School Play Rehearsal 3.30pm
FRI 01/03/13
TUCKSHOP: Alison Bradford, Lou Lindsay
P&F Cocktail Party 7.00pm
Month of Janet Erskine Stuart
FRI 08/03/13
SUN 24/02/13
International Women’s Day
School Play Rehearsal 10.00am
Years 5 & 6 Surf Awareness Course 9.00am
Years 11 & 12 Family Mass 11.00am
ISDA Debating Round 2 6.00pm
ISDA Debating Round 3 6.00pm
MON 25/02/13
TUCKSHOP: Anna Fanuli, Libby Damman
TUCKSHOP: Liz Clunies Ross, Jo Hunter
SAT 02/03/13
SAT 09/03/13
Allwell Testing for Year 4 & Year 7 Absent Students 9.00am Year 9 Parent/Student Information Evening 6.30pm TUCKSHOP: Maria McCrossin, Jude Cowper
IGSSA Swimming & Diving 5.00pm
IGSSA Softball/Tennis Round 4 8.00am
IGSSA Softball/Tennis Round 5 8.00am
IPSHA Football/Basketball Round 4 8.00am
IPSHA Football/Basketball Round 5 8.00am
SUN 03/03/13
TUE 26/02/13
School Play Rehearsal 10.00am
Independent Schools Expo, Sydney University 9.00am
Year 12 Drama Performance Assessment 3.30pm
MON 04/03/13
SUN 10/03/13
TUCKSHOP: Julie Ringler, Elizabeth Jumikis
Independent Schools Expo, Sydney University 9.00am
TUE 05/03/13
School Play Rehearsal 10.00am
TUCKSHOP: Edwina Renton, Tracey Parelli, Marea Coutts WED 27/03/13 Years 7–12 Swimming Carnival 2.00pm TUCKSHOP: Susannah Gordon, Meg Robinson
TUCKSHOP: Chiara Brunori, Jasmin Lester WED 06/03/13 IPSHA Swimming & Diving Carnival Meet The Music Concert Series – Elective Music Students 6.30pm TUCKSHOP: Emma Nesbitt, Kirsty Marr
friday 5 april 4pm
2013
nine’N dine
for more info contact: events@krb.nsw.edu.au A Catholic Independent P–12 School New South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029, Australia T +61 2 9388 6000 F: +61 2 9388 6001 www.krb.nsw.edu.au CRICOS Provider Code 02268M ABN 47 003 942 603
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