Category: Updates from Rose Bay Secondary College

Goodbye and good luck Year 12 class of 2022. Thank you for the memories!

On Thursday September 13, years 7-10 attended an inspirational R U OK Day and SRC assembly, featuring a couple of wonderful guest speakers and a range of interesting activities during recess and lunch.

R U OK day is an event committed to encouraging others to ask their family and friends the question, “Are you ok?” in order to provide a comforting and meaningful opportunity for people to express their feelings and reach out for help and support.

At Rose Bay Secondary College this event was highlighted through a special R U OK Day assembly, including a moving and heartfelt speech made by our deputy principal Mr Godby and a personal speech made by guest speaker Grant Trebilco from OneWave – an organization with the goal of raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues. Grant spoke to the students about the wide range of support they can receive if they are experiencing any sort of trouble and need support, mentioning Fluro Friday and other events and practices which support the same cause.

To mark R U OK Day, motivated students gathered in the school plaza to create the phrase ‘R U OK’, which was captured through an aerial shot. It was amazing to see so many students participate in this activity and show their support for the wonderful cause.

Last week, Cranbrook hosted a social debate for our Year 7 and 8 debaters. Following a beautiful afternoon tea in their new facilities, students were mixed across the two schools to form teams.

At the end of Term 3 Year 7 students, Ari Wilson, Maya Haggstrom, Nick Annas and Macy Gordon-Heywood presented their Liveability Assessment Task to Deputy Mayor of Waverley, Dominic Wy Kanak and Waverley Councillor, Paula Masselos. The purpose of the task was to develop a project that would increase the liveability of their suburb. The presenters proposed ideas including light projects, monthly magazines and interactive sculpture exhibitions.  The event concluded with Mr Wy Kanak and Ms Masselos directing praise towards the presenters.  They stated that they were impressed that children of their young age had such a great grasp of the world going on around them.  They were also impressed that the students considered factors such as the homeless community and the environment.

Written by Finn 

On Friday we celebrated the outstanding work of the 2022 SRC Captains. They have led the highlights of the school year, including Valentine’s Day, Halloween, The World’s Greatest Shave and Battle of the Bands. These events enrich our school community and make lasting memories for all our students.

Last term year 11 participated in a cross roads program with the aim of developing and enhancing our knowledge regarding health issues, safety, and wellbeing amongst young people. On the first day, we travelled by bus to a go karting facility in Minto. We were divided into groups of 13 and sent to complete four separate activities relating to safe driving practice. A very popular activity amongst the group was the go karting in which we were able to race around a fast track in our own vehicle. Those on their L’s were keen to test their driving skills in a high-performance kart on the track. For the rest of the day we went into a purpose facility which enabled us to experience over steer in the car – also known as drifting. Most of us found it challenging and it created opportunities for many laughs. For the remainder of the day we worked on road safety – watching a useful car handling video with trivia questions at the end to test our knowledge. In the next station, we worked in small teams attempting to build plastic cup pyramids, and draw a picture by holding a pen attached to 5 separate pieces of string. This encouraged us to communicate, co-operate and use problem solving skills to successfully complete the activity. The final station consisted of fundamental car maintenance – where some of us were put to the test of changing a tyre and identifying certain car parts. Overall there was an opportunity for bonding, team work, leadership and the chance to take away skills/ develop a better understanding of safe driving and car maintenance.

The second day was hosted primarily by the PDHPE department at school and centred on lifestyle risks for adolescence and how to manage real life situations that teenagers are confronted with. We engaged in a number of interactive activities surrounding the topics of drug use, mental health, sexual education and nutrition which tested our knowledge and skills. The program was relevant to our teenage context as it broadened our understanding of how to respond to complex situations at parties, how to keep ourselves mentally and physically healthy, and it offered the opportunity to develop lifelong healthy habits. At the end of the day, we were treated with a delicious barbecue provided by the teachers.

In turn, the first day off site provided a lot of excitement and group interaction followed by the second day which provided important and timely information for year 11. Our year group were able to take away relevant safe driving skills and knowledge, and enhance our general understanding of health and safe practices for everyday life through activities taught in a collaborative and engaging manner. 

Ashley

The uniform shop will be closed on the public holiday for the Queen on 22 September, meaning the last trading day for the term is Tuesday 20 September.

We were delighted to hear from Kids Giving Back about Benjamin who joined a team of 55 Kids Giving Back volunteers who cooked, packaged and delivered over 450 warm, nutritious meals to local shelters and individuals in need yesterday. 

Benjamin took part in their Community Cook4Good Program and is commended for giving up time to help others. Additional photos are on their facebook page  and more info about the program is available on the Kids Giving Back website.

Last Friday a new wall design was installed in the undercover seating area in the plaza. A picturesque scene of the beautiful Bondi Beach.

Last week the students of Rose Bay were packed into the Gym for the Annual SRC assembly. There, many students finally got to meet the new principal and deputy principal. The new school principal, Ms Bright originates from the inner west and has made her way eastward, eventually arriving here on the coast. She imparted upon the students her guide to success which involved a lot of smiling and kindness. To continue on that bright theme the school band performed “Walking on Sunshine”, complete with a swaying quartet of singers, the tonic notes of the saxophone and the somehow pre-organised humming that resonated from the Yr7’s on the Mezzanine.