stag@reddamhouse.com.au
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Hi Everyone,
3/12/2024
Welcome back to this week’s edition of The Stag. Sadly, this is our last release for the year I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to run the Stag this year, and I wanted to thank everyone who has supported me along the way Thank you to all of my amazing writer and editors, who have been committed to the Stag and have continued to produce fantastic articles To all of the teachers who have taken time out of their busy day to answer our questions for the teacher interviews, thank you for
your time I know it is definitely one the highlights of my week being able to discover so much about their lives I would like to give a special mention to Patrick, who has been printing the newspapers weekly for us to leave at reception. Finally, thank you to everyone who has read the Stag, participated in the competitions, provided feedback and taken copies from reception To all of the Year 9s, if writing or editing is your passion, or you want an opportunity to work with new people and build connections with other years, I would strongly encourage you to join next year. I hope everyone has a great summer break and happy reading!
-Sarah Mueller and The Stag Team
CurrentAffairs
Gabriel Rubin
2024: A Turning Point in America’s Political Saga
From a sitting president dropping out of the presidential race, to Tim Walz claiming he’s become friends with school shooters, this election cycle has been one like no other
On July 21, 2024, sitting President Joe Biden stepped down as the likely Democratic candidate for president, with his age, well-being and performance in the first presidential debate significantly influencing his heartfelt decision. Although narrowly losing to Trump in projected national polls, over 3oo democratic delegates including former speaker of the United States Senate, Nancy Pelosi, former Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer and even former President Obama, strongly urged Biden to step down
and allow for a new generation of young and progressive democrats to take centre stage. In the very same video where Joe made the historic decision to drop out, he endorsed his Vice President and former member of the Senate, Kamala Harris, over California Governor Gavin Newsome, a move that would send shockwaves throughout the country. Over the next month, Harris would muster support, preparing for the Democratic National Convention in mid-August, where, if successful, she would formally accept her nomination.
While Democrats were fighting over representation, the choice for the Republican nomination couldn't have been more clear. Former
CurrentAffairs
Prsident Donald J. Trump won each and every state in the primary to secure his position as candidate over Florida Governor Ron Desantis, former ambassador to the UN Nicki Haley and business tycoon Vivek Ramaswamy, each suspending their campaigns one after the other to endorse the former leader of the free world
Every four years, people in the United States declare that the upcoming election is the most important one yet. However, this past election had and has the potential to truly be the most pivotal, shaping the nation’s future direction in unprecedented ways. In September of this year, CNN reported 74% of US citizens claim that the country is heading down the wrong path. Americans are facing significant struggles as economic pressures, including inflation and rising living costs, strain household budgets, making it harder to afford necessities like housing, food, and
healthcare. At the same time, challenges at the southern border highlight deep divisions over immigration policy, as the country grapples with balancing security concerns, economic impacts, and humanitarian responsibilities. These issues, coupled with broader debates on job stability, access to resources, and political polarisation, paint a picture of a nation under immense stress and more divided than ever before
Both parties took strong positions on these key issues Trump made clear that lowering inflation and putting money back into the pockets of all working Americans was a priority, with legislations such as no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and tax cuts for all. One policy that made global headlines was his decision to place up to 200% tariffs on China, an effort
CurrentAffairs
that would significantly raise the price of imported goods, placing a heavy strain on American consumers who are already struggling affording basic necessities due to Bidenomics However, raising the prices of goods and services was never the goal, rather it was to bring manufacturing back to the United States, prioritising American businesses over anything else, creating more American jobs and in the long run increasing independence
Trump's grassroots ‘America First’ MAGA movement made one thing clear, he wanted Americans to compare the life they are living now to 4 years ago, forcing them to compare issues on migration, the economy and foreign wars During his debate with Harris, instead of focusing on policy, his strategy was to force Americans to remember a time of low inflation, a thriving economy, a secure border
and no new wars. This strategy, although unconventional, proved to be incredibly successful
Vice President Harris' presidential campaign emphasised protecting fundamental freedoms, strengthening democracy, and creating economic opportunities for all Americans. Her strong stance on abortion was pivotal in her early success, making it clear that “we are not going back”. She emphasised the importance of reproductive rights, stressing the need to bring back the protections of ‘Roe vs Wade’ and how this issue should be one of partisan nature. Harris also proposed some key legislation that would make a real impact on the lives of middle-class Americans. A $5000 child tax credit and $50,000 small business tax deductible loans were just some of her ideas that would contribute to her so-called “opportunity economy”.
CurrentAffairs
The U.S.-Mexico border has long been a focal point of national attention, marked by complex challenges such as drug trafficking, violent crime, and illegal immigration. Cartels exploit the porous areas of the border, funnelling illegal drugs like fentanyl into the United States, fueling an overdose crisis that devastates communities nationwide. Although Kamala shifted to a more conservative border policy, Trump's goal of mass deportation of illegal migrants must have resonated more compared to Harris’ weaker stance.
In Texas, these concerns are particularly acute, given the state's vast shared border with Mexico Once a Democratic stronghold, many border communities in Texas have shifted toward Republican leadership in recent years, a change accelerated by Donald Trump’s presidency. His administration’s hardline stance on border security, including a
commitment to building a border wall and increased immigration enforcement, appealed to residents concerned about safety and economic stability. South Texas, in particular, saw historically Democratic counties swing Republican as voters responded to Trump’s message of restoring order and protecting jobs.
On the 5th of November, the day had come and history was made. Former president, Trump, not only won the presidency, winning all 7 swing states, but the Republicans took both the House and United States Senate, completing the political trifecta. America is entering a new era in leadership, and although being a nation divided, it is imperative that engaging in productive conversation and intelligent debate is a new norm for not only the United States but the rest of the world.
PopCulture
Anastasia Tarasova
Defying Gravity: The Wicked Ride to the Big Screen
So much happened before Dorothy dropped in What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road?
After captivating Broadway audiences for over two decades, ‘Wicked’ has finally soared onto the big screen. Grammy winners Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande stepped into the iconic roles of Elphaba and G(a)linda, originally made famous by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. This film adaptation of the beloved stage musical a prequel to The Wizard of Oz brings the untold story of the witches of Oz to dazzling life.
Since its Broadway debut in 2003, ‘Wicked’ has become a cultural touchstone, enchanting over 50 million theatregoers worldwide
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film captures the magic of the stage while reimagining the story for a cinematic experience. To honour the depth of the original, the adaptation has been split into two parts: the first instalment, ‘Wicked: Part One’, premiered in theatres on November 22, with ‘Wicked: Part Two’ set to release in November 2025
Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel and the Tony-winning musical it inspired, Wicked explores the origins
PopCulture
of the witches of Oz The story follows Elphaba and Glinda during their school days at Shiz University, where they evolve from rivals to unlikely friends, only for political events to turn them into enemies Along the way, their lives intertwine with elements of the Oz mythos, from the Wizard's manipulations to the birth of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion.
The film’s lush visuals and intricate storytelling breathe new life into this narrative, inviting audiences to reconsider preconceived notions of good and evil. Erivo delivers a powerful performance as Elphaba, capturing her journey from misunderstood outsider to defiant hero, while Grande shines as the glamorous and complex Glinda.
The cast is further elevated by a star-studded ensemble, including Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage, and Bowen Yang. Fans will also find themselves drawn back into the world of Wicked through the
unforgettable songs that made the stage production a global sensation, such as “Defying Gravity” and “For Good.”
Upon its release, ‘Wicked’ broke records, earning over $45 million on opening day, the highest ever for a musical adaptation. Critics have praised its faithful adaptation, giving it a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 97% audience approval on the Popcornmeter. The film’s success has even sparked comparisons to this year’s blockbuster releases, with ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ (released the same day) being dubbed the “Barbenheimer” of holiday releases.
Beyond its box office success, ‘Wicked’ has created a cultural moment Fans are flocking to theatres decked out in green and pink, celebrating their love for the witches of Oz Merchandise ranging from dolls to Lego sets is flying off
PopCulture
shelves, keeping the magic alive for younger audiences. Even the cast is embracing the nostalgia, with Grande using her full name, Ariana GrandeButera, in the credits to honour her 10year-old self who first fell in love with the musical.
In a statement, director Jon M Chu explained the decision to split the film into two parts, emphasising that condensing the story into a single film would have compromised its emotional depth and complexity. By giving each act its own release, the adaptation allows audiences to fully immerse themselves in the world of Oz and the journeys of its iconic characters.
With its breathtaking performances, spellbinding visuals, and timeless story, ‘Wicked’ has once again proven its enduring power. As fans eagerly await Part Two, which promises to bring the story to a triumphant close, the film serves as a reminder of the transformative power of love, friendship, and trust, and a cautionary tale that there are indeed two sides to every story
In true ‘Wicked’ fashion, I close this article with a reference to Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, the magical tale that started it all: “Closing my eyes. And… click… click… click.”
Formula 1 Updates Sport
Alaina Ray
Sao Paulo: The Alpine duo made an appearance on the podium, with Esteban Ocon taking 2nd place in the race with his teammate Pierre Gasly following behind in 3rd
However, another impressive result was seen from Max Verstappen’s performance After a confidence-crushing qualifying, Verstappen manages to climb his way back up the ladder from P17 and claiming victory at the Brazil Grand Prix in 2024. This spectacular performance helped him secure his World Championship title for this season.
Kick Sauber News: Finnish driver Valterri Bottas and Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu have both decided to leave Kick Sauber at the end of this season. They’re placement is unknown for future seasons
However, Kick Sauber has gained a treasure from this. Gabriel Bortoleto, currently the leader in the Formula 2 standings, has signed a multi-year deal with Kick Sauber He is to graduate from F2 to F1 in 2025, starting his first F1 season in Melbourne, Australia, next year.
Formula 1 Updates Sport
Las Vegas: After a surprising qualifying with Mercedes’ George Russel taking pole position and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) sitting in 5th position, the race results aligned quite similarly. Russel clinched a victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and his teammate, Sir Lewis Hamilton, followed closely behind in 2nd place Ferrari’s duo, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were next, following the Mercedes’ teammates’ footsteps in a 3-4 placement (in respective order).
Despite Verstappen remaining in 5th position, he has now secured his 2024 World Championship, leading by 63 points from McLaren’s Lando Norris
On the other hand, Pierre Gasly from Alpine had a shocking result. Gasly’s outstanding performance in qualifying allowed him to start the race from 3rd position, his highest-placed qualifying result in his entire Formula 1 career However, his DNF (Did Not Finish) resulted in him losing all positions, ranking him last out of the 20 drivers in the race This was an extraordinary difference from his previous grand prix result where he placed 3rd in Sao Paulo.
Football Updates Sport
After the last international break that will happen for a while, a plethora of big and exciting games await.
UCL Predictions:
For the team currently in first in the champions league, Liverpool takes on last year ’ s champion Real Madrid Liverpool has won every single game they have played in the new league stage whilst Madrid has won half the games Liverpool has This game will take place at home for Liverpool, giving them that Anfield edge that could put this match in their favour
Manchester City, although on a heavy losing streak, should be able to defeat Feyenoord and earn back some lost respect Sporting against Arsenal will be close as last season Arsenal had
trouble against another Portuguese team in the UCL but still managed to scrape a win which is why I believe Arsenal will draw considering the form of Sporting being in second right now. Bayern Munich against Paris Saint Germain is also an interesting game with both giants being lacklustre in the UCL this season, however, a game at home for Bayern, a team that is much better than PSG, should see a win for them. Aston Villa taking on Juventus at home should be a win for Villa however I have a tiny feeling that this game will be a draw based on my pure intuition Barcelona will take an easy home win against Brest regardless of them being two places in front of them as Brest is still lagging in the French first division.
Lastly, to round off what I classify as the important fixtures, Inter Milan should be able to beat Leipzig at home with goals from Latauro Martinez specifically
Football Updates Sport
League leaders Liverpool will be able to swiftly destroy, decimate, embarrass and utterly obliterate Southhampton at home, especially with Curtis Jones’ recent success internationally and obviously, the prolific, legendary, spectacular Darwin Nunez will score
Arsenal against Forest at the Emirates looks like a close game considering the positions of both clubs in the table currently, but Arsenal will win calmly against Forest Manchester City will beat Tottenham as revenge for the EFL loss a few weeks back with another intuition of mine, a goal from Gvardiol Aston Villa should beat Palace at home with little issue and Chelsea should beat Leicester away but only by a small margin
Art
Natalia Alderson
Magritte Unveiled: A Must-See Exhibition on the Surrealist Master of the Impossible
Surrealist art espoused the lofty aim of delivering freedom. The art had the ability and obligation to confront conventional ideas of reality and accepted wisdom One of the leading proponents of the movement, Belgian artist René Magritte (1898 – 1967), is celebrated in a summer blockbuster exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and I urge all Reddam students to take a peak during their summer break before it closes on the 9th of February
Magritte’s paintings play with the idea of mystère, which means ‘conveying a sense of something that is not understood’ in French. Over his time, the artist explored this concept via a series of ‘snapshots of the impossible’, with everyday objects – a pipe, clouds, a green apple, businessmen in bowler hats – placed in contexts that make the
viewer question reality. illustrating that a definition of an object doesn’t give it meaning; hence the modern saying “If I say it’s a pipe, then it’s a goddamn pipe”
Magritte referred to himself as a ‘painter of ideas’, aiming to challenge representation and reality. A celebrated example is The Treason of Images, painted in 1928. It depicts a simple tobacco pipe set against an innocuous beige background Handwritten beneath the image are the words “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” (This is not a pipe) Art historian Robert Hughes describes how the text and image were inspired by the architect Le Corbusier’s use of a pipe as an example of simple elegant design Magritte noted that the image of a pipe was different from the real thing, a representation rather than reality
Art
The theme is echoed in a self-portrait from 1929, ‘La Lampe Philosophique,’ in which Magritte’s nose morphs with the pipe he is smoking By indirectly highlighting the lifeless aspects of common objects, Magritte conveyed the absurdity of how we perceive reality through things that are really not our reality, such as paint on a canvas suggesting a pipe.
Similarly, he did a series of broken windows with sunsets in the background, saying that the shards themselves still contain fragments of the sunset, questioning what the reality of each shard truly is, if we only perceive reality to be the sunset behind the window. “I want a poet to explain to me the stories of those shards,” he said.
Many of Magritte’s images present uncomfortable viewing, with observers unsure of what they’re looking at or what’s being communicated. The onus is upon them to challenge their feelings and preconceptions about the world.
A vivid example of this idea is ‘The Listening Room (1957),’ which presents an uncompromising image of a verdant apple squeezed into an impossibly small room. The apple’s peel presses uncomfortably against the walls and ceiling. And yet, just outside the window, there are open fields and sunshine Magritte’s agent told the artist that every time he looked at the image he felt ill, to which Magritte responded that art should make the viewer feel uncomfortable
Magritte returned to the same motifs numerous times One of the most recognisable of these is the image of the man in the bowler hat, which originally featured in an image from 1926, The Menaced Assassin In his later years, the motif was used to such an extent that it became symbolic of Magritte’s work and ideas, able to be represented through a simple silhouette.
Art
The effectiveness of Magritte’s simple symbolism meant many of his motifs became cultural icons. The green apple, for instance, apparently inspired the Beatles record label logo.
Magritte told Dominique de Menil that he wanted his art to explore questions of who we are and what we’re doing on Earth Towards the end of his career, he said it was “reassuring to know that there is more than what one knows” In this age when it’s increasingly the case that nothing is as it seems, this Magritte exhibition is timely. It challenges us to question why we interpret things as we do, how preconceptions shape our judgement and the possibilities for an alternative vision of reality
The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ exhibition is separated into six rooms, each themed around a particular period of Magritte’s life, from his experimentation with cubism early in his career to his later work where he began to play with ideas of representation and reality
It includes over 100 images, drawn from an impressive list of international collections and is certainly worth the visit!
ReddamAffairs
Bayla Radom
What’s happening in Year 10 at Reddam House?
For Year 10 students at Reddam House, the coming weeks are shaping up to be an exciting mix of reflection, exploration, and celebration. After the intense pressure of exams, the calendar is now filled with a variety of engaging activities that provide both a muchneeded break and opportunities for personal growth.
The relief felt after exams is almost tangible, as students can finally put away their textbooks and take a breather For many, this has meant spending more time outdoors, especially as the weather warms up. The beach has quickly become a popular gathering spot for students looking to relax and enjoy the sunshine with friends. With the final days of exams behind them, Year 10 students are eagerly anticipating the upcoming school holidays.
Although the exams themselves are over, the stress isn’t quite finished for Year 10 students with feedback days still to come. With every student anxious to find out if their hard work has paid off and their marks reflect their goals, not all the stress is entirely over. Despite this Reddam students are making the best of these days and will take their results in their stride by not only learning but also maturing from their mistakes.
Before students head off on their holiday adventures, Year 10 students will dive into work experience from Wednesday until Monday the following week This week, they will step into various workplaces across different industries, gaining first-hand insight into what potential careers might look like. The work experience program allows students to explore
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everything from corporate offices to creative agencies and hands-on trades. More than just a chance to learn about the day-to-day realities of various professions, the program offers students the opportunity to develop practical skills, start building a professional network, and even make a lasting impression on employers. It’s a chance to test out possible career paths and see if they align with students’ interests and future goals.
In addition to these professional opportunities, Year 10 students are eagerly anticipating the highlight of the term, Year 10 formal. Just two weeks away, the formal at the elegant Tea Rooms in the Queen Victoria Building promises to be a night of celebration. The event is a long-anticipated occasion where students can celebrate the end of exams, enjoy time with friends, and create lasting memories. Fashion
this year is focused on sleek, silky dresses in bold colours, with many girls aiming to stand out with unique and stylish outfits. The boys, on the other hand, are likely to stick with their similar suits which always end up looking good Regardless of the attire, the evening promises to be a memorable one, marked by laughter, dancing, and the chance to celebrate an important milestone in our school lives.
With exams behind them, Year 10 students at Reddam are entering a time of relaxation and exploration. Whether it's gaining real-world insights through work experience or creating lasting memories at the formal, the next few weeks are sure to be filled with opportunities for growth and celebration For many, this period represents more than just a break from exams it’s a chance to look ahead, reflect on their achievements, and embrace the experiences that will shape the next stage of their journey
Advice from the Pitcairns TeacherInterview
p g down with our Principals in a bittersweet interview, where, whilst we discovered more about the people who’ve been leading this school for 16 years, the meeting was tinged with sadness that this year was their last here
As they continue on the next chapter of their careers, on behalf of all the students and teachers, we want to thank them for all the amazing things they’ve done for this school From creating such a vibrant culture to encouraging us to try our hardest in academics, sport and academies and hiring our teachers, Reddam wouldn’t be where it is now without them We wish them all the best at the new North Shore campus
Read on for more on Mr Pitcairn’s TedTalks, how they’d cope with Cycle tests, their final message to all of us and more!
Maya and Sarah
How do you feel about leaving Reddam after so many years?
Mrs: I feel very sad indeed. I think it will be an exciting venture but leaving my colleagues and the students, even my office, will be very sad. We’ve spent many happy years here, and we ’ ve loved it.
Mr: I’d agree with that I’m excited about the future, but you ’ re very apprehensive about leaving behind what you know and love
How many years have you been here for?
Mr: We’ve been here 16 years, and before that, we spent 10 years at the Reddam in Capetown. We started Reddam in 2000 in Cape Town and we came here in 2009
Have you ever taught at another school?
Mrs: I taught Zulu at a high school in Johannesburg, and I loved it. Then I was principal at Crawford School for 2 years until I came to Reddam
Mr: I also taught at 2 boys' schools in Johannesburg, one was a state boys’ school, and it was the school I’d attended as a boy Then I taught at an independent school, which was very
TeacherInterview
much like Cranbrook, and then we went to Cape Town to start Reddam
Did you take those experiences to help you be better principals here?
Mr: If you take all your experience with you and grow into the role of principal, you learn as you go.
What subjects were you both teaching?
Mr: I was teaching Physics and Chemistry I also taught Geography to the current Year 11s when they were in Year 8 during Covid. That was a lot of fun, I loved it because you had to learn new teaching techniques and adapt, and I love that kind of stuff.
Do you think Reddam adapted to online schooling well?
Mr: I do think that period was the beginning of Reddam shooting into the top 10 and staying there because we did it well.
What has been a highlight of being a Principal for this school?
Mrs: I think it would be just encouraging students and teachers to give their very best and to achieve well, I've enjoyed that enormously.
Mr: What I've enjoyed is, is before being a principal, I was a science teacher and a
physics and chemistry teacher, but I was also a sports coach Trying to see how the lessons you learn from sports can be applied to academics has been so enlightening, like how a group of teachers is a team. A group of Year 12s, Year 11s Each of those groups is a team And then you break it down into little teams like the Chemistry class, the Physics class, the Music class, and the English class. They're all teams. The lessons you learn from training a sports team to succeed are the same as how you get students and teachers to succeed together It’s the academic team versus NESA
Mrs: Only Mr Pitcairn would see it that way It’s a race, a competition he’s getting ready for
Mr: That’s why I show all those sports videos at assembly The lessons are transferable.
Was there a specific sport that you coached?
Mr: Yes, I coached water polo, rugby and high jump, I was a high jumper. Mrs Pitcairn was also an athletics coach and a netball coach, as well as swimming. She actually coached some Springbok rugby players
What has it been like running a school with your partner?
Mrs: We work very independently and I think it works also because we've got
TeacherInterview
specific divisions, we don't see each other during the day much It’s not problematic. I know lots of people find it quite interesting You think ‘Oh goodness how can you?’ but we we support each other. The students and their parents feel this continuity where you start with the wife and you move on to the husband. It's the same family as such and the care is definitely there
Mr: Yeah. You know, there are lots of benefits to working together, in that there is a common goal, and that goal starts from kindergarten. That goal is to turn any school into the best possible school that we'd want to send our children to, and that we'd want to go to. And if you have that from primary school through to high school, invariably that's what happens. It's one of the reasons that the school's been as successful as it has, is that Mrs Pitcairn is very good at developing the groundwork in primary that I just build on later
Do you have a rule not to talk about work at home?
Mrs: No, it’s impossible!
Mr: I try not to talk about work at home and she just wants to talk about everything
Mrs: I can’t help myself, I’m a talker. How did you decide who was going to be the principal of the primary and high schools?
Mrs: In Johannesburg, I was the principal of a primary school, so I just continued that
Mr: I wouldn’t have been able to be the principal of a primary school I’ve never taught in a primary school, I didn’t have any experience there, so I was employed for the high school
What’s your favourite TedTalk/video you have shown at assembly?
Mr: There is a favourite one Ken Robinson. I heard him speak at a conference in Auckland, for principals At the time he told everyone not to worry about recording his speech because it would be a TedTalk So I thought, “What the hell is a TedTalk?” And I went and looked it up and saw his Ted Talks, and then hundreds of others, and I was hooked So he was my favourite and he talked about creativity in school, and how schools kill creativity From that, I realised that what Reddam does is the exact opposite We do what he suggests: keep the arts alive, and keep the performing arts compulsory, where many schools break those down because of financial constraints That was my favourite it's probably the most-watched TedTalk of all time (NOTE: We can confirm it is!)
Mrs: The students are very supportive and kind when he plays them at assemblies, they just allow him to play them
What’s the biggest thing that separates Reddam from other schools?
TeacherInterview
Mr: Well. I think that there are a couple of things I think that Reddam does emphasise kindness and caring among students And I think that we take this seriously We have a top-down approach where if bullying happens, it's taken seriously We don’t just say “Oh, that's what boys do” or “That's just what girls do”. Then, I think the other thing that we're very good at is we know what our true north is: academic excellence, academic rigour, academic fun, academic creativity, academic curiosity Nobody's in any doubt whatsoever, why they’re coming to Reddam They're not coming to play sport, although there is sport. They're not. necessarily coming to become performers, although there is performance They know that they're coming to be the best academics that they can be, and I think that does separate us. You know what you ’ re coming for
Mrs: People that come here also want to be amongst like-minded people. The general feeling in the school is that achievement is important It’s cool to be kind and it’s cool to be clever.
Mr: That philosophy is what I’m most proud of. In the boys’ schools I was at, the cool kids were the jocks, the rugby players, the boys that I coached Some of them were nice people, but some of them weren’t Here the cool kids are actually the smart kids and the culture of the school is in the hands of smart people I know that the culture is safe because they're smart enough to know how important that is
What are some challenges you have had to overcome over the years?
Mrs: I don’t think that there have been challenges as such
Mr: One challenge is a lack of space. We come from schools where there were fields and swimming pools
Mrs: We were a little shocked when we first saw the campus, but it’s the most amazing thing. It works so efficiently that we wouldn't want to change it. I don’t think it’s really a limitation
Mr: No, but it is a challenge and I think you need to have a good team to overcome it so it’s not necessarily evident to the students. Another thing would be initially being accepted into a community that doesn't know you When we were in South Africa, we were known within the community It’s easy when you transition from teacher to principal because you've got a reputation Coming here from there, nobody knew us We were from another country with a different educational system And I suppose initially getting accepted and getting people to trust you with their children was a big challenge
If you could build one more facility, what would it be?
Both: A swimming pool
Mrs: I drive past Cranbrook’s swimming pool so often! If it does happen though, I bet it’ll be right after we leave
Mr: My passion in sports is water polo, so that would be great
TeacherInterview
Does Reddam North Shore have more facilities?
Mr: It's similar, but what we've realised is if you've got creative people working with you, like our sports department, suddenly you've got Centennial Park, you've got Cook and Phillips pool, you've got Waverley Park, UNSW swimming pool They make it happen A proud moment for us was when the NSW under 18 water polo side was announced and 2 of our boys got in, the most from any one school, and we didn’t even have a swimming pool They’d also come up from Kindy and had learnt how to play in the school. That was special. Mrs: I love going to the valedictory dinner because I see little Kindy children becoming these magnificent adults.
How has the process of planning this new school been for you?
Mrs: I don’t think it’s been overly stressful, do you?
Mr: It’s been very stressful No, but because it's a new project, it's challenging, but it's exciting at the same time because you're creating something completely new You’re interviewing students that were never at that school, you ’ re interviewing teachers that are going to be the cause of that school being great That's pretty challenging and exciting because if you get it right, which we hope we are doing, the school will be fantastic.
Mrs: It will be, but I think one of the difficulties has been that we haven't been able to do much on-site because they're still refurbishing So we bring teachers and students here, which is fantastic, but it's not really what they're going to be experiencing
Are there many teachers from here who are leaving?
Mrs: No, we've been very conscious not to encourage that because you want to keep the school as it is.
Mr: This school is very important to us and it’s vital it remains good The only reason that school is starting is because of the reputation of this one
Mrs: There aren’t too many students transferring over as well.
How do you feel about the incoming principals and the new leadership here?
Mrs: Well, I like my incoming principal because it's Mr Garratt, and we know him very well. I think he's going to do a wonderful job I think he's strong and knowledgeable, but I think there's a deep kindness and empathy there that all principals, especially primary school principals, need. The students are only little people who have only been alive for a short time and they need all the help that they can get.
Mr: I’ve met Mr Lees, who's going to be taking over from me, and I think he's a
TeacherInterview
really kind man; he's a gentleman. I think he's knowledgeable in terms of educational practice. He shares a lot of values with me in terms of achieving academic excellence in a school, and I think that he'll probably take the school to greater heights than it's been before
Do you know if he has any new ideas?
Mr: There will be a chance for him to implement new ideas and things that I probably haven't seen as important that he sees as very important There will be space for growth for him and for the school and that's pretty exciting. It won’t be purely about maintaining the school but also improving it
Have there been any particularly funny moments from your time here?
Mrs: If you look at my academic gown over there, I once spilt stuff all over me, which was so embarrassing, and I got all this attention walking around in it all day The staff thought it was very funny. Mr: I love my assemblies Being pied in the face by Sarah and being part of the scheme was funny I’ll tell you what was also funny, the Peers sisters were identical twins and at prize-giving, they would switch themselves around and test me to see if I knew who was who I think every time I got it right. No one else even knew it was happening though Also, sometimes people trip up the
stairs and I’ve got to try not to laugh. I also often go to the primary prize giving, and I’ve got to crouch really low to shake their hands, and at the end, I’ve got such sore quads It’s like a workout because I have to get up to grab the award and then go back down I think if you take yourself too seriously you lose the plot a bit in this job.
If you were a student at Reddam, what subjects/activities and sports would you do?
Mrs: I would love English, and I’d play netball and I’d like hockey
Mr: When we started the school we included stuff that we would have wanted in our school as kids I grew up in Johannesburg, which is landlocked, and I would have loved to surf I would do all the water sports. I would play Water Polo, obviously, and rugby, but this school doesn’t really have a rugby side Mrs: Well they’re smart. They’re looking after their brains
Mr: I would’ve also enjoyed that academics are taken more seriously and other things matter rather than just being in the rugby team.
How will you ensure the old Reddam remains the same, top-achieving school?
Mr: We’ll remain on the school board, and we ’ re only going across the bridge We'll be available for any teacher, the
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principal, the deputies.
Mrs: I think the support will just be ongoing
Mr: I've got no problem with the people that are going to be leading the school I think they will take it to new heights as opposed to needing advice from us
If you could go on one trip that Reddam offers, which would it be?
Mrs: I’d go on the ski trip.
Mr: I think that the Community International service trips are special. I think that's the one element of Reddam that I would like to see improve even more and be taken over to the new campus They’re fantastic opportunities to give back to communities that need a hand and not only does it help them, but I do believe it helps you
Will North Shore and this campus have any joint sports teams or trips?
Mrs: That could be a lovely idea
Mr: I think we will For example, Ms Vince and Mr Dalglish run an annual overseas History tour, and next year it won’t go ahead because not enough people showed interest in it, but if we include North Shore in future years, those tours will go ahead.
Mrs: Also, it’s a lovely opportunity to socialise between the campuses
If you were a student, how do you think you’d cope with cycle tests?
Mr: I’d love them.
Mrs: Good for you You’re right, you’d love them. I would get used to them. I get a bit nervous for tests, but you just need to prepare well I would be okay with them.
Mr: I’d love them because in school I enjoyed the process of proving to yourself that you ’ re on track. A cycle test is a communication between you and your teacher, and you ’ re testing to see if you and your teacher are going in the same direction I was also always competitive, I would work hard at anything to achieve a result that would prove I was on the right track
Mrs: They say opposites attract and I would have a very different feeling about them But here we start in year 3 and you get used to them so that you don’t fear them anymore
Mr: I’ve analysed why we do so well in the HSC and I think it’s because we start pushing students out of their comfort zone from primary school and that includes giving speeches, drama performances in front of peers, playing musical instruments in assembly, as well as cycle tests You learn self-confidence because you learn you can cope with these challenges that are thrown at you every week The Year 12s were so calm compared to other schools because they had so much experience Hopefully, they’ll all have come out of their tests thinking they were the easiest ones they’ve written all year
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What’s the final message you want to leave with the school?
Mr: I would say to be kind to your new principal Look after him because then he will look after you.
Mrs: That’s very sweet
Mr: We wish everyone at this school the very best and continued success. We'll celebrate every next milestone and every next achievement, and we hope that it gets better. I’ve got a lot of faith in some of the year groups coming up as well. I’ve always believed that we can be 1st in the state My first year here, we came 7th in the state and Mr Crawford said ‘this is fantastic’ and I said to him at the time ‘7th? I don’t do 7th ’ He then explained to me how it all worked and that there were 32 selective schools and that 7th was the best we’d ever done and to enjoy it because it probably wasn’t going to happen again in a while Look at us now! Believe me, you have the best teachers and great students. All you need to do is just believe that you ’ re good enough, because there are some of you that don’t, and that’s just not true.
Puzzlesandchallenges
Sarah Mueller
Middle School Maths questions: Countries Crossword: A) B)
High School Maths question: (Thanks Jacob Mueller)
John is in some serious debt and needs some quick cash. He has borrowed $12000 from a local mafia gang at 6% p a reducible interest compounded monthly with a monthly repayment of $1000 At the start of the 12th month, the mafia gang decide that they want John to pay back the rest of the remaining money in one go. He has $1000 in his bank account but has no easy way to earn any more money without selling a kidney. He decides to play a game at the casino to try and win some money. The game costs $1000 to play First, John presses a button on a machine which generates a random number which is the amount of money John will earn if he wins the game. The numbers the machine generates are normally distributed with a mean of $1000 and a standard deviation of $198 79 Then, John must select 2 balls from a bag without replacement which contains 6 red balls and an unknown number of green balls. If John selects at least one red ball then he wins the game and gets to keep the prize he won earlier If the probability of John earning enough money to pay off the debt is , find how many green balls were in the bag.
Puzzlesandchallenges
Answers to Cryptic Crosswords:
1) ADJUST
beiber - other name = justin not in = just two notes = a, b, c, d, e, f, g tune = adjust therefore, a and d as first two letters therefore adjust
2) AGHAST
handbag has taser -- look inside this word - aghast (mix of all three words) shocked synonym = aghast
3) GIRLS
rejection = send it back -- reverse instagram - rejected = ig -- gi occasionally after (every second letter) of trolls - r,l,s misses (plural noun) - girls
Answer to Maths Riddle:
Answer: ��= 3 ��= 10 ��= 6
Therefore: ��+��+��= 19
Competitions
Want to get involved in The Stag?
Here are some weekly competitions that you can enter:
Photography competition:
Submit your coolest photo to The StagIt can be anything but if it has someone's face in it, they need to give permission.
Creative Writing Competition:
Submit a creative writing piece This can be a poem, short story, speech, or anything you want. The word limit is 800 words
Joke/Riddle Competition:
Submit your funniest/coolest/lamest jokes Just make sure it is appropriate for a school newspaper.
Composition Competition:
Submit any original song or cover version of a song It can be singing, instrumental or anything you like.
Good luck! - You can submit something over the holidays for next year Email
to enter
