Our Principal’s ReportThe end of a school year is full of celebration. We eagerly await HSC results on December 16 and our presentation assemblies have showcased students’ academic, creative and performance talents.

Congratulations to our Year Advisers who co-ordinated very polished final year assemblies for years 7 & 8; 9 & 10 and 11. We present awards for outstanding achievement; consistent effort and for the most improved student in each subject.

Then there’s the Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence, this year awarded to:Year 7: Ruby Thoroughgood, Dina ZounisYear 8 : Ellen Rowley, Anastasya Potapenko, Emma Von ThomannYear 9: Zoe Eastwood, Sara Stanisic, Milati WollerYear 10: Rachel Hansen, Sandra BuchertYear 11 : Rebacca Small, Dina Zounis

It was wonderful to see so many parents and friends in the audience. We all enjoyed performances of dance, singing (including an original composition, ‘Forever’ by the talented Jessica Ellis of Year 10 accompanied by her own six piece ensemble) and christmas carols from the yr 11 Music 1 class. These reminded us that this is the time to celebrate friendship, achievement and the holidays ahead.

“If you want to go faster, go alone: If you want to go further, go together.”

What a great message from the yr 11 assembly guest speaker Lucy Hobgood-Brown, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and now a proud local Hunters Hill resident. Lucy’s life story includes tales of taking risks by leaving a comfortable job in the US to return to her Congo homeland to assist with improving women’s

health and safety. Lucy also shared her message of the need for young women to build networks so they can find others with different strengths to their own and so have greater success in putting ideas into practice.

We are very lucky to have such wonderful women in our community to inspire our students with real life tales. In 2016, with Lucy’s support, students will experience more about African refugees in Sydney, the African culture through cooking, fabric design and song and of self- development programs for young women in the Congo. ***********Thankyou for all the kind messages of welcome back after my extended leave to watch the Rugby World Cup finals in London. Katarina Niloletich, Sam Saad, Tracey Warzecha and Debbie Catterall were fantastic in their relieving roles. We are fortunate to have such leadership talent at Riverside where student learning comes first.

Belinda Kelly

Dear Ms Kelly & Ms Andrews, After picking my daughter up from the airport last night, I felt compelled to write this email. Katelyn has been attending the AVSC (Australian Volleyball Schools Competition) for the past four years and she arrived back last night buzzing with excitement after the week in Melbourne and looking forward already to next year at Riverside Girls High School and volleyball training. Mr Lowe, Ms Catterall and Ms Nagle need to be commended for an exceptional job. Their dedication and commitment to the girls and the sport are above and beyond expectations. The Riverside teachers did an amazing job coordinating four teams in moving them about, feeding them and coaching. It certainly couldn’t have been an easy task. Their positive outlook was reflected in the attitudes of the Riverside players. Katelyn said her team was a cohesive unit who were always encouraging each other and staying positive when things weren’t going their way. The team played well for a group of girls that only came together this year. Her teams’ ranking was higher than some teams that have been playing together for years compared to Riversides’ twelve months. Mark and I sincerely hope that the volleyball program continues along with the trip to Melbourne. Could you please pass on our gratitude to the teachers involved for such a successful trip to AVSC? If there is anyway we can help the program next year, please do not hesitate to call. Judi Taylor

A Message Worth Sharing with our Riverside “Family”

A safe and happy holiday season to the Riverside Family from all the staff

Riverside performing at the Schools Spectacular - see P8

NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015

P & C President’s Report

The P&C Annual General Meeting was held on November 11th 2015. All positions were declared vacant and a new committee was elected.

We sincerely thank the outgoing committee members for their wonderful contribution over the past year, Rob Meyer (outgoing Treasurer) and Greg Tunnock (outgoing Vice President).

The new P&C committee for 2015 is as follows: Christine Davis (President), Simon Rushworth (Vice President), Rod Meyer (Vice President), Rachel Dunne (Treasurer) and Greg Tunnock (Secretary). With this strong team at the helm we look forward to an exciting and productive year in 2016.

Following the AGM there was a regular meeting of the P&C. At this meeting a number of submissions were made for funding approval. The meeting approved these items which will contribute to both increased enjoyment and educational outcomes.

In addition an update was given to the meeting by the Master Plan sub-committee. These people are working toward the engagement of an external contractor to develop a new ’Ten Year Master Plan’ for the Riverside Girls High School grounds. We are fortunate that Paul Jones who is both a teacher and a parent at the school, has volunteered to be the Project Manager for this sub-committee. Paul will be a valuable asset to the group as he actively works toward ensuring key project milestones are met.

The first of these is the preparation of a formal Expression of Interest brief that will be available for distribution later this year. We will be providing regular updates on this project and will be inviting you to be part of a broad based community consultation process in the new year. This is an important project for the whole school community and we want as many people as possible to have an opportunity to contribute to its success.

Finally a big thank you to all the parents and citizens who have given of their time during this year to attend P&C meetings, attend Finance Committee meetings as well as work at P&C events such as Open Day, the School Musical and Mecca Night.

We on the Committee are grateful for your support as this ultimately impacts positively on our girls and their experience of high school. Thank you for a wonderful 2015. I look forward to working with you all again in 2016.

Let’s Get Twittering - Check Us Out!

Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are active and bursting with current and up to the minute school news. Add our school to your chosen social media application and let us feed your newsfeedwith our day to day pleasantries and feel good school stories.

Please join and or recommend our Facebook page and Twitter feeds to other interested parties but please remember to read our “Conditions of Responsible Use”. wwwwwwSchool Twitter account

Volleyballers Off to Melbourne for the Nationals

Brenton Gadsby was one very happy cricket fan as the winner of our “Send the Volleyballers to Melbourne” competition.Mark Taylor, former Australian cricket international donated thebat signed by the 2011 England and Australian teams and mounted in a presentation cabinet.

Pictures show Mark and Brenton and Ms Kelly with Grace Flockton, Jnr captain

Christine DavisPresident

Presentation Assemblies to Acknowledge Student Achievement

The presentation assemblies are always impressive events showcasing student achievement. Central to this achievement is the dedication and talent of our teachers whose tireless efforts over the past 12 months have enabled girls to achieve personal best results across the wide spectrum of subjects and extra-curricular opportunities.

Over the past 12 months our leadership in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) has achieved national prominence thanks to the enthusiasm of the STEM team and associated faculties. Our sporting achievements are many ranging from success in volleyball, soccer, netball, swimming, cross country, athletics, water polo and basketball to name a few.

We have performed in a number of external venues with our band, ensembles, choir, dance groups, gymnastics groups and in the visual and performance arts.

Our students show their community and social consciousness in the many charity activities they undertake from the national events such as 40 hour famine, City to Surf, Pink Ribbon Day, White Ribbon Day, Amnesty International to the supporting of the homeless through the Don Bosco organisation, local community events, art exhibitions and regular charity drives as nominated by the individual houses.

During the year we have welcomed back a number of former pupils and in particular the class of 65. Many former students have been in contact and we hope this will continue and grow as we are the custodians of a long proud history which increases in number year by year.

This is a vibrant community of girls whose memories of Riverside will are of a caring, achieving and creative environment where they were educated to become lifelong learners with curiosity and the very important value - compassion.

Carlene Economo (Class of ‘65) with the recipients of the Riverside Spirit Lucy Hopgood - Brown winner of the UN Global Women awards for Years 9 and 10, Zoe E and Bianca L. of Action Award guest speaker at the Year 11 assembly

Talented Staff Member ‘s Special AppointmentCongratulations to Ms Meghan Cockburn who has been been offered an after school position with the NSW Arts Unit to tutor their Year 7 Drama Ensemble next year. It is a fitting reward for the excellence and innovation of her teaching .

TERM 1 2016 January 26 - Australia Day holiday• Wednesday 27 - Staff return to school• Thursday 28 - Years 7, 11 & 12 and peer support leaders return to school• Friday 29 - Years 8, 9 & 10 return to school February• Tuesday 2 - Meet the music tutors 9 - 1.15• Friday 5 - Co-curriculum dance program auditions• Tuesday 9 - Co-curriculum dance program auditions• Wednesday 10 - P & C meeting 7.30 p.m.• Friday 12 - Snr. dance call back• Tuesday 16 - Music ensemble parent meeting 6.30

- 7.30 p.m.• Friday 19 STEM morning tea• Tuesday 23 - School swimming carnival

Year 7 (2016) Orientation Day - What Fun!Year 7 (2016) were introduced to high school at orientation day recently. Girls were able to participate in a variety of mock lessons and familiarise themselves with the school layout.

All students were buddied up with peer support leaders who hwill help them to “acclimatise” in the first days of Term 1 (2016).The students investigated gravity and weight in science , drama improvisation, undertook a history treasure hunt, experimented with photography and the delights of printmaking, participated in impromptu dance, found the fun of mathematics and focused on literacy and creative thinking. It was an extremely full-on experience for the girls but, hopefully, memorable. We eagerly await their return to start at Riverside. ................................ WELCOME

Peer Support Trainers Strut Their Stuff

Peer support is an initiative which grew out of one woman’s concerns relating to drug taking in the area of the northern beaches. The concept was simple - adolescents talk to peers and slightly older friends . So a program was devised training year 10 students in the skills of listening and conversation with a view to offering younger students a friendly non judgemental friend on whom they could rely. Now used in most high schools it has been a great success and not only gives younger students a supporter but also helps the trainer to better understand herself at a time when she may be finding adolescence a challenging time.

The 2016 year 7 adviser, Ms Clarina Wang, was delighted to meet her new students. The barbecue lunch was a great success and offered the new students a chance to meet girls from the 23 schools who will be sending girls to Riverside in 2016.

We are excitedly preparing the new year 7 “Welcome Bags” full of goodies to make the entry into Riverside next year an enjoyable and com-fortable experience.

Riverside

welcomes

Year 7

2016

Country - City Alliance Visits Broken Hill

Here is Page 2 of The Barrier Daily Truth, Broken Hill’s local newspaper featuring our girls on their recent City Country Alliance experience set up by ex principal of Minindee Central School, Brian Debus.

See the Collage of visual impressions of the girl’s trip on Page 3

U15 Water Polo team Runners Up in State CompetitionIn the early round we lost to Kirrawee but went on to beat Alstonville and then East Hills High to gain a place in the semi-finals.

In that game we beat Lambton High 11-5 to gain a place in the final against .......... Kirrawee.

It was the closest game and with minutes to go we seemed certain but a very late goal in the dying minutes gave the gold medal to Kirrawee by 7 goals to 6. We have progressed one place for the last 3 years and so 2016 here we come! Congratulations to the team and to Ms Farr our thanks for a tremendous effort.

Country - City Alliance Trip ‘A life changing experience’ is how the girls described their recent trip to Broken Hill and the beautiful Menindee Lakes National Park.

We are truely blessed with the diversity and beauty of our more remote places.

The party travelled by train and coach to reach several remote locations.As fascinating as the landscape was even more amazing was the connection between ourselves and our country “cousins”. What a lot of differences there are but what a lot we have in common.

City Students visit the Country

12 students and four teachers left Sydney Central at 6.15am Monday morning eager to embark on the 13 hour train trip to Menindee Central School. The students from Riverside Girls High School, Cromer Campus and Balgowlah Boys Campus are here on a six day journey as part of a Country City Alliance (CCA) set up by ex principal of Menindee Central School, Brian Debus.

Whilst at Menindee students were accommodated in the school’s 1923 historical train carriages at Enterprise Park. Students that evening experience d a heart wrenching performance of Weeping Cloud performed by the local community which told the story of Isobel Bennett being removed from her family as apart of the Stolen Generation. During the afternoons and evenings Sydney students enjoyed swimming at Copi Lake, telling ghost stories and singing around the campfire, as well as a number of footy games and BBQ ‘s with the local students and their families.

Other highlights of the trip included an amazing afternoon tour by Ernest Mitchell our indigenous tour guide at the World Heritage Site of Mungo National Park, participating in a morning of connected classrooms back to Sydney schools as well as a guided tour of The Historic Woolshed. We have visited the Jewish Museum where we were provided fascinating information about the Jewish population and their historical contribution to the community. with

The afternoon was spent exploring Silverton , the Sculptures and other historical significant sites. The most tiring aspect was the very long coach trip home. Broken Hill is such a long way from Riverside.

Where you connect: where you belong. ChariTEN - A week of year 10 activities with a connection to the community

Walking the walk demands more input than simply talking the talk. Year 10 ChariTEN week is a time of activities designed to inform and challenge the students . Its focus is connecting with the community and giving back. The activities include collecting toiletries for the homeless which were packaged and presented to Clare, a representative from the Don Bosco organisation which is directly involved in assisting homeless youth.

In addition, students undertook study skills sessions and entertained at local primary school and community venues. Domestic vioence issues were discussed through a video presentation from school community officers, Snr Constables Lynda Hart, Chrystal andLopez. A busy week for staff and students but very valuable.

The week wound up with a “thank you” morning tea to acknowledge the assistance the school receives from so many supporters, local organisations such as Hunters Hill Croquet Club, parents, our P & C and the work of our anciliary staff. All work tirelessly and outside regular hours to enhance the learning environment at Riverside.

Dancers’ School Spectacular Success

12 dancers successfully auditioned and were accepted to perform at the recent Schools Spectacular.

The girls were part of an amazing item that included dancers, massed choir and aerialists.

The girls performed magnificently.Inca Potato People8C History embarked on an adventure recently as they faced the challenge of creating INCA characters based on their research into this civilisation.To complete this task they were given a potato, carrots, sweet potato and apples.Here are their creations.

Assessment of Language Competence Certificates 2015

This year many of our LOTE students took the opportunity to take part in the annual Australia-wide Assessment of Language Competence tests. The LOTE staff would like to acknowledge the outstanding effort and achievements of the students in our Years 10-12 elective classes who excelled in all areas of the competition and received the following range of wonderful results:-

High distinction awards were received in areas of the competition by:-

Spanish

Year 12: Ayelet M

Distinction awards were received in areas of the competition by the following students:-

French

Year 12: Abinaya P, Bronte S, Emily HYear 11: Celine D, Rowena D, Zali PYear 10: Brianna W, Caitlin J, Jessica B, Olivia E, Sophie T

Spanish

Year 10: Ciara S

The following students are also to be commended on their successful participation in the competition and their impressive levels of achievement (all gaining a credit award).

French

Year 11: Amanda H, Angel A, Brianna L, Piangpish T, Wilasinee P

Year 10: Jessica M, Ciara F, Ebeney W

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s tests. We are very proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing another round of fabulous results next year!

The LOTE Staff

D & T and Graphics Students discover Cutting Edge Design

Skills learnt on an excursion to the Ambush Gallery late in Term 3 to see the best of current stencil designs at the 2015 Stencil Art Exhibition have been carried into classroom practice.

Students met noted artist, Tiera Boo who uses traditional cutting methods rather than resorting to printed design technology. She uses over 2000 blades annually cutting her stencils in preparation for colouring.

Girls also visited the amazing Dr Chau Chuk Wing Business faculty building at The University of Technology.

Teira visited school recently and introduced the girls to the stencil cutting / spray painting technique.

The finished products will be used to create a decorative plywood panel for the facade of room 47 and for stool seats in room 34. Decorative art meets functional form in the D&T classroom.

What did the Romans ever do for us? The contributions of ancient and modern societies to world history.

Year 10 elective history, studying the BIG HISTORY course, currently has an exhibition in the library which examines a selection of civilisations for evidence of their contribution to the modern world.

Their 5 week project engaged students in a practical application of historical research, curation and interpretation by designing and installing an exhibition, selecting objects that tell a story of a civilisation and its contribution to the modern world.

This project built on the knowledge and experience of the students throughout terms 2 and 3 where they investigated the spread of human habitation and occupation of the continents and the growth of agrarian civilisations through to industrial modern nations into the anthroposcene, a term to describe the domination of one species on our world.

The exhibition demonstrates the deep understanding of our students and ability to place our existence in the context of human interaction across space and time. The exhibition is open in the library until week 2 of term 1 2017.

Images: Parents and students attended an opening to the exhibition in the library on 8 December.

A Truly Unique AustralianThe girls were truly fortunate to meet the sole surviving digger from WW2 to survive the POW camps under the Japanese.Just 15 when he enlisted, Keith William (Bill) Young was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW suffering unimaginable horror in a number of camps.His resilience and ingenuity enabled him to survive. He is an Australian treasure.

Our art camp experience started with our bus ending up on the opposite side of the river that we were supposed to be on. With an extra three hours added onto our trip, naturally we were relieved when we finally reached the Bundanon Trust, despite being greeted with a small army of flies.

Surrounding us, apart from all the tiny insects, was a beautiful rolling landscape. We were in a valley, with green hills in the distance and a river, that apparently had been much wilder in the past, gushed around us. Pulpit Rock, a rather striking outcrop and a feature in many of Arthur Boyd’s works, greeted us from the distance. Pulpit Rock was also the inspiration for our first artwork Some of these works turned out fantastically, the curved rigidness of the rocks complemented the geometric patterns found on the caravans. We were also given a tour of Arthur Boyd’s house, where a large number of his and his family’s, artworks were displayed. Basically his whole extended family were artists; each using different mediums, like pottery, sketching, and watercolour, to convey their message.

Arthur Boyd’s studio was also on display, again showcasing still more of his artworks. We were given an idea of how he worked, from using tools he created himself to reach up high on large canvases, to the fact that his desk was used as a pallet.

Our accommodation was a little way away from the house, at a place called Riversdale. The architecture was beautiful. Designed by Architect, Glen Murcott, it had big concrete pillars and tall doors that let the whole world in. It was upon a hill, overlooking the Shoalhaven River, presenting us with a rather lovely view of the sunrise the next morning.

On the following day, we were taken into the bush and told to sketch out some rocks that sat around this little creek, onto a long strip of paper. And then add in some of the surrounding trees, to complement them with a linear effect. After finishing that side off with some blue and brown ink, we were taught how to fold it up, and add covers, so we ended up with this fold out book. Using inspiration derived from banksias, we utilised out collage skills to create a much more abstract piece on the other side, eventually ending up with this neat art piece all enclosed inside a self-made book.

The trip home was much less painless, as now we knew which way not to go. Many of us slept, others chose to have a small dance party, and listen to music rather loudly.

All in all, despite the steaming hot weather, and the flies! We all agree that it was a worthwhile experience. Being surrounded by such a beautiful natural landscape really got our artistic juices flowing, and of course, the break from school was a plus. Whilst not all of us who went will be studying art next year, I think we all agree that the experience really enhanced our perspective, and opened our eyes to another wondrous view of art making.

Rosie N year 10.

The Bundanoon Art Camp Experience

TENNIS COACHING ENROLMENT FORMPlease complete and mail to: PO Box 3423 Wareemba NSW 2046 or Email: jeffviskovich@gmail.comChild’s name: ___________________________________ Age: ________ Date of Birth:_________________________Address:__________________________________________________________________________ Postcode:___________Phone: Home_________________ Work/Mobile________________ Email address_______________________________Parent’s Name:___________________________________ School attending:_____________________________________Ability level (approx): □ Beginner □ Advanced Beginner □ Intermediate □ AdvancedPrefered days and times: _________________________________________________________________________________

Five Dock Park Tennis CentreJeff Viskovich Tennis School

20B Barnstaple Rd Five Dock ( Next to Tigers Five Dock club )

Junior Development Program

Tennis Coaching

After School Term 1 classesStarting Monday 1st February

through Friday 5thSaturday Morning classes

starting 6th FebruaryAll classes 1 hour per week for 10 weeks

Max 7 per group Cost $150ANZ Tennis Hot shots Free T-Shirt

● Children 5-16 years of age● Beginners to Advanced players

● Training squads for competition playersFor booking and enquires

please contact Jeff Viskovich0408 169 543

jeffviskovich@gmail.com

Holiday Tennis CampsCamp 1

January 4th to 7th (Monday to Thursday) 9am - 1pm $120 per child

Camp 2January 11th to 14th

( Monday to Thursday )9am - 1pm $120 per child

Court hire $20/hr, $22 with lights

All programs under the direction of Jeff ViskovichFormer ranked Australian and overseas touring player

Tennis Australia club professional coach

FREE sausage sizzle

● Private lessons available$35 - 1/2 hr, $70 - 1 hr

For Children and adults, all standards and ages

● Cardio TennisNew program for adults and teenagers

2016 2016

8 Jan to 23 Jan 2016

The Concourse, Chatswood The totally awesome musical!

Following the success of their inaugural sell-out production, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Packemin Youth Productions returns in 2016 with the totally awesome musical BACK TO THE 80’s. Featuring over 60 of Sydney’s most talented young performers and special guest star Mark Simpson (Hairspray, The Rocky Horror Show) as Mr Cocker. This awesome musical will include all your favourite hits from the 80’s including Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Man In the Mirror, 500 Miles, Love Shack, Kids In America, You Give Love A Bad Name, Footloose, Material Girl, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go and more! Join Corey Palmer and the graduating class of William Ocean High School as they live through their final senior year. Experience with them all the highs and lows of growing up; the fun, the heartbreak and the teenage angst - think Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Karate Kid and The Wedding Singer! Set in 1980’s USA and against a backdrop of the biggest pop hits of the time, BACK TO THE 80’s is the ultimate throwback to the era that brought you the Rubik’s Cube, Max Headroom and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. This totally awesome musical will take you on a journey back to a time when bubble skirts and blue eye shadow were cool and Michael Jackson and Rick Astley were the Kings of Pop.

Director – Jordan Vassallo Musical Director – Rachel Kelly | Choreographers – Cameron Mitchell & Craig Nhobbs

Creative Supervisor – Neil Gooding | Musical Supervisor – Peter Hayward

TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.theconcourse.com.au or 8075 8111

Tai-Kwon-Do

At Riverside, as this Currents shows, we are an active, vibrant, even daring, community.

These pictures were taken at the Gladesville Tae-Kwon-Do centre under the instruction of Master Pino. Ms Miller was impressed with the girls’ dedication, motivation and enthusiasm.