5February KRB News – Edition 1
Contents
- From the Principal
- Welcome to Term 1, 2021
- Junior School Students in Action
- Year 3 Ozobot Incursion
- Tessa Dedicates Short Story to Ms Sheehan
- Band Programme
- Year 1 STEM Activity
- Kindergarten Students Meet their Year 6 Buddies
- Senior School Students in Action
- ScienceXart: Spot the Maths Competition
- Orchestra
- Senior Choir
- Young Alumnae Forum
- Boarding
- Boarding In-Weekend
- Phoebe Horton - Bursary Recipient
- Wellbeing
- Academic Care and Wellbeing Resources
- Community
- From the Advancement and Community Office
Notices
Parenting Ideas Article
Don’t forget to download the latest Parenting Ideas article below, also available on the Wellbeing Parent Page on Aspire.
Sibling Enrolment 2022
Current enrolments for 2022 are filling up quickly.
We would like to remind and encourage all current families who wish to enrol younger siblings to submit an Enrolment Application Form at your earliest possible convenience to avoid disappointment.
Please contact admissions@krb.nsw.edu.au if you have any queries.
Downloads
From the Principal
Welcome to Term 1, 2021
It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of the KRB Community to Term 1, 2021.
I would like to send a special welcome to our new students and families joining us, I look forward to meeting you all personally in the coming year. It is always a pleasure to see our students returning with happy faces and excitement on the first day of term, catching up with their friends and teachers sharing stories of their holiday break.
Our boarders have also had a great start to the year, after moving back into their home away from home last week. They celebrated this past weekend at the Boarders-In-Weekend with a variety of fun activities around the campus led be Year 12 boarders. Many of our international boarders were not able to return home over the break, staying with guardians in Australia. With the current border restrictions, some of our boarders have been away from home for over a year, and have shown great strength and determination to succeed in their studies.
Unfortunately, we are still required to follow COVID restrictions, which state we are not able to welcome parents and guardians on campus for school events just yet. Our community is a pillar of strength within our School, so we will continue to create new virtual events to include family and friends as often as possible. I thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this time and very much look forward to the day we can welcome you back in person.
The first P&F meeting held on Tuesday was a wonderful example of parents and staff connecting via Zoom to share ideas. At the meeting I explained that unfortunately we are unable to hold the P&F Welcome Cocktail Party this year. This is a very special event in the school calendar. I am glad that all the Class Representatives have agreed to organise off campus events for each year group as a means of connecting with current and new families.
We will be holding a number of events this year in different formats to ensure we maintain the strong sense of community. We will keep you informed of these during the year.
Alumnae
I would also like to acknowledge the passing of two very important members of our School community.
Sr Mary D’Apice RSCJ AM (1938) attended Sacred Heart at Rose Bay from the age of seven where she boarded for her senior school years and went on to study medicine. At the age of 12 she had decided to become a missionary after being inspired by a talk from another missionary and this motivated her decision to study medicine.
Patricia Horsley (1947), who also attended Sacred Heart at Rose Bay. Patricia became World President of AMASC (World Association of Alumnae of the Sacred Heart) in 1974 until 1978. In 1983, Patricia became the first President of the Chapel Society and initiated many projects for the preservation and restoration of the contents of the Chapel.
We send our love and prayers to their family and friends, but also a huge thank you, for their contribution in shaping and upholding the values we share within our community at Kincoppal-Rose Bay.
We are very excited to launch our new digital newsletter, “KRB News”. This new format will allow students and families to share in the news and events happening at the School, as well as sharing photos in an easy, mobile-friendly way. We encourage you to share the link with your families so they can share in the experiences and accomplishments of our students and broader KRB community.
I am looking forward to a variety of wonderful events in this coming Term, including the HSC Ceremony on 19 February, where we welcome back to Year 12, Class of 2020 to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements.
I am very excited to see what new challenges and opportunities await our students in 2021, and how they grow to overcome and achieve successes throughout the year.
In Corde Jesu,
Maureen Ryan
Principal
Junior School Students in Action
Year 3 Ozobot Incursion
We give all students the opportunity to be creative with technology. On Thursday in Week 2, Year 3 students had the chance to use Ozobots, which are tiny desk-friendly coding robots that detect colour codes. Students created colour codes that helped the bot navigate its environment.
Tessa Dedicates Short Story to Ms Sheehan
Year 4 student Tessa wrote a story last year called ‘Violet Dragonet in Hollowcot’ for the Write4Fun short story competition.
Tessa’s story was so impressive it is featured in an anthology of students’ writing and is dedicated to her former teacher, Ms Sheehan. She wrote:
“For Ms Sheehan, for encouraging me to write entertaining stories.”
Band Programme
The PAC has been a buzz of excitement this week as students in Year 4-7 received their instruments for the Band this year. We began the programme on Thursday 4 February. It is wonderful to see the joy and wonder on the students’ faces as they unpack their instrument cases. Our expanded programme is part of our drive within the Music Department to raise the musical literacy of the students and foster the enjoyment of playing as a group. This is in line with our goal of building community as part of a Sacred Heart education. I look forward to each year group performing in the near future and can’t wait to hear them as they progress through the programme.
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Year 1 STEM Activity
In Week 2, Year 1 completed a STEM task using Lego in the STEM Cove. An innovative and creative space, the STEM Cove allows the boys and girls to build with LEGO, code and design new creations. Our regular challenges help students experience and create in a variety of areas within STEM.
Year 1 Students had to make the tallest tower they could and one of them even reached 95cm!
Kindergarten Students Meet their Year 6 Buddies
Senior School Students in Action
ScienceXart: Spot the Maths Competition
In 2020, while we were remote learning, some KRB students entered into the ‘Spot the Maths’ photographic competition that was run by the Australian Academy of Science. We had some creative and insightful entries which showed mathematical connections and a deep understanding of mathematical concepts behind everyday images.
Congratulations to Niamh Bowra in Year 8 who won second prize for her image of the decking on the Dunphy Outdoor Learning Space and the connection she made with parallel lines. Also, a special mention to Ava Thompson in Year 8 whose image of hexagonal textas in the shape of an equilateral triangle was shortlisted (both works are pictured below).
Well done to Niamh, Ava and everyone else who entered.
Jessica Stagg
Head of Mathematics
Orchestra
As seen in the jubilant smiles, we are thrilled to be back in Orchestra this week. It is our great privilege to have both Mr Mounjed and Mrs Ferguson leading us this year with a wealth of experience and support. Orchestra is a great opportunity for students from different year groups to connect through sharing their common love of music and learn skills of musicianship and teamwork of orchestral performance. The KRB Orchestra engages with a breadth of music from classical favourites to popular hits, something to cater to all. We are grateful for the many opportunities that we have to showcase our wonderful talents in many school events, and we look forward to enhancing our orchestra with wonderful new faces.
Nicole Yin Shun Lai
Orchestra Captain
Senior Choir
On Monday 1 February, the KRB Senior School enjoyed a return back to choir. Despite being outside to comply with COVID regulations, there was much excitement about being back after a temporary break from choir for much of last year. Situated in Cafe 135, the piano conveniently located for our choir rehearsal, had surprisingly good acoustics, meaning the choir enjoyed being back and sounding better than ever. Mr Stubley’s passion and excitement for music makes choir a fun and enriching experience for participants from all year groups. Choir is a great opportunity for anyone at KRB who enjoys singing, and we look forward to singing with many new faces and the return of former choir members in 2021!
Olivia Deakin Bell
Choir Captain
Young Alumnae Forum
On Thursday 4 February, 20 alumna from the Classes of 2019 and 2020 returned to campus and had a discussion with Year 11 and 12 students.
The alumna shared advice on how to flourish during study for the HSC and find balance in the senior years of school.
Thank you to all the alumnae who attended – you are always welcome back!
Boarding
Boarding In-Weekend
On the weekend of Saturday 30 January, all boarders remained on campus to enjoy the Boarding In-Weekend.
“I enjoyed the in weekend because everyone was willing to talk to us as the new Year 7s, were ready to answer all our questions, and included us in everything. My favourite thing about boarding so far is making new friends and having the older years always saying good night and asking us if we are ok. The teachers/staff have been really supportive as well and patient and have made us feel at home without our parents.”
Josephine Schaefer, Year 7
“What I enjoyed the most about the in-weekend was the disco and trying to figure out what to wear and where to get the colourful, vibrant 80’s look from. My favourite activity however, was the house based team scavenger hunt with our group, this activity was super fun and a good way to get to know people. The best thing about starting boarding at KRB so far has been making friends that could be your friends for life and learning to become more independent while being in boarding.”
Lucy Bowden, Year 9
“I found the in-weekend very entertaining and a great way to get to know the new students and the younger years. It created bonds in your house and had very good sense of family and belonging. The activity that was the most fun out of the whole weekend would have to be the Year 7-12 disco. Getting ready and dressed in your costume would have to be the most exciting and fun experience of it all.”
Meghan Roberts, Year 11
Phoebe Horton - Bursary Recipient
Year 10 boarder Phoebe Horton is the most recent recipient of the first Dunphy Foundation Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj Bursary.
The second Dunphy Foundation Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj Bursary is available for entry into Years 10 or 11 in 2022. The bursary covers full boarding and tuition fees, for the duration of time the student is at Kincoppal-Rose Bay School.
Denise Dunphy attended Rose Bay Convent from 1960 to 1965, and several of her family are alumnae of Rose Bay and KRB. Denise met Sister Philomene Tiernan at Rose Bay and developed a strong friendship.
Sister Tiernan died in the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 tragedy and this bursary honours her memory.
Let’s meet Phoebe, who is pictured with Ms Dunphy, her sister Annabelle (Year 12) and her parents Peter and Melissa:
“My name is Phoebe and I am from Narromine, Central West NSW. I am 15 years old. I love playing sport – my favourite would be hockey. I also play netball, touch football and league tag. Last year our league tag team won the grand final against Nyngan. I also enjoy swimming and water skiing. I live in town but spend lots of time at my friend’s farm – we love to ride the motorbikes, check the crops and even change syphons.
I hope to have the opportunity to meet girls from many parts of Australia and even overseas. I know that the girls at KRB, including my sister, have amazing opportunities at school. I would choose subjects that involve construction and design…I think I’d like to study interior architecture.”
Wellbeing
Academic Care and Wellbeing Resources
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you had a wonderful extended break over the summer.
I would like to welcome any new families that have joined our KRB community this year and ask that you take a thorough look around the KRB Wellbeing Parent Page on Aspire. If it is your first time visiting the page, please make sure to fully explore the links and resources that are available.
Each fortnight a parent-focussed article is posted from Parenting Ideas by Michael Grose, aimed at providing you with informative parenting related resources. In addition to these articles, there are updates on current wellbeing initiatives, student activities and programs, as well as links to free parent webinars. A reminder to please regularly check your daughter’s Pastoral Parent Page for Year Group specific updates and cohort trends. A newly developed Academic Care: Director of Students page plays a key role in sharing pertinent information to parents in the senior school. This page will provide a range of resources and strategies to support parents to ensure we continue to work in partnership to achieve our shared goal of developing strong, articulate, compassionate young women who are global citizens with a desire to make a positive impact on their community.
We have resumed the year with a new Parenting Ideas article for 2021: Helping teenagers manage friendship issues. This article has been included as the school holidays and start of a new term can cause friendship groups to shift and evolve. Friendships can be a source of angst and also a source of joy for your daughter. Your role as a parent is to promote healthy friendships and encourage them to empathise with others, show they are worthy of trust and treat others with respect – all foundations of mature adult relationships.
Warm regards,
Jody Papandrea
Wellbeing Project Coordinator
Community
From the Advancement and Community Office
Welcome back to a new year at KRB. We hope it is a wonderful year for your daughters and sons and one in which they will benefit from all the opportunities available at KRB.
The Advancement & Community Office Office is situated in the Senior School. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can assist you with questions about class/community /school events that are coming up or if you are uncertain as to the person you need to speak to and would like to be pointed in the right direction!
Connecting with KRB and our families
We are looking at ways of having COVID safe events which provide a sense of community.
While we are unable to hold the P&F Cocktail Party this year, the class representatives are in the process of organizing individual events for each year group. Parents will shortly receive invitations to these events.
We will be continuing to hold the following events:
- Events for new parents from 2020 and 2021. These will be an opportunity to meet the Principal, Board members and members of the School Leadership Team
- The Mother Child Breakfast (7 May) and the Mother Daughter Lunch (8 May). The Mother Daughter Lunch will be held at two venues, in line with COVID regulations
- The Father Child/Daughter events on 3 and 4 September. We will be holding a Father Daughter Lunch instead of a dinner this year, due to restrictions concerning dancing
- The Long Lunch will be held on Friday 4 August at the Hyatt Regency. This is a wonderful community event which raises significant funds for means tested bursaries for Senior School students.
Junior School Masterplan
We are excited that the State Significant Development Application for the Junior School development and areas in the Senior School has been submitted to the NSW Government.
The Junior School Masterplan plan focuses on connecting our natural environment with internal areas and centres around five words:
- community
- co-education
- collaboration
- critical thinking
- creativity.
This development will enhance every child’s learning and experiences. Two stages– Sophie’s Cottage and the Admin area – have already been completed and the next stage is the Year 5 and 6 Centre, on the top floor above the Admin area.
The Year 5 and 6 Centre will be very similar in design to the Year 12 Learning Hub, opened in 2018.
The total cost of the whole project which includes an Assembly Hall, a new ELC centre and classrooms is about $35million. We aim to raise $7million towards the Year 5 and 6 Centre. To do this we rely on the continued generosity of our KRB families who in the past have made significant contributions toward a number of major building projects.
I would be delighted to discuss this project with you and will also be in contact with you, to ascertain your interest and support.
I look forward to meeting many of our new and current parents throughout this year.
Kind regards
Mary Cook
Director of Advancement & Community
(02) 9388 6024
cookm@krb.nsw.edu.au