5March KRB News – Edition 3
Contents
- From the Principal
- Junior School Students in Action
- Year 2 Create Art with Robots
- New Members for Junior Choir
- Year 4 Band Together at Last
- Year 1 Build with Lego
- Senior School Students in Action
- Year 10 Charcoal Drawing Art Workshop
- Matilda – The Musical Shows Next Week
- The Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) Key Learning Area – what is it?
- Year 8 Guitars
- Band Tutor Profile
- Band Tutor Profile: Paul Derricott
- Academic Care
- University Visits to KRB begin
- Mission
- News from the Mission Department
- 2021 – Celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia
- Sport
- Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival
- IPSHA Swimming Carnival
- Year 7-12 Swimming Carnival
- Boarding
- Lunar New Year Dinner
- Community
- From the Advancement and Community Office
- Save the Date – Celebrating International Women's Day 2021
- New Leadership Position
- Sarah Daff, Director of Global Citizenship and Education
Notices
Academic Care: 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.
From the Principal
The past fortnight has been full of activities and events celebrating our students and their achievements.
We had a wonderful night last week as we celebrated the amazing diversity, we have within the school community at the International Students Dinner. Some of our boarding students have been separated from their families for over a year, and this was a great opportunity for them to hear messages from their family. It’s always a pleasure to learn more about the traditions and cultures of our students. The diversity within our school community not only enriches the quality of education for all students through expanding their perspectives, but it also allows us to create our own unique culture here at Kincoppal-Rose Bay.
You will have seen stories in our previous newsletter about the efforts of our staff and students in preparing a production of “Matilda”. The production was put on hold in 2020 due to COVID restrictions and the Drama Department has been preparing for months to launch a COVID-safe “Matilda”. I am so excited to see the performance next week to be held at NIDA Parade Theatre. I wish the best of luck to all the students participating.
Our youngest students in the Early Learning Centre have had a head start today in their participation of ‘Clean up Australia Day’ which is held this Sunday 7 March. We are so blessed with our beautiful School grounds and private beach access, it is so important for us to protect and respect these natural spaces. Well done to the ELC!
We have also seen some outstanding results from Year 3 – Year 12 in the School’s swimming carnivals held at the KRB Swimming Pool and Drummoyne Swimming Pool. It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm and camaraderie of the sporting teams in both individual races and team relays. I would like to thank all the staff who were involved in making this a successful day, while maintaining COVID restrictions.
As it is a priority within our school to nurture the personal growth of each individual, we as a school must also continue to grow and develop. You would have received two emails from me over the past two weeks regarding the online petition, started by Chantel Contos, regarding the education of consent. I am now working with a group of nine Principals from independent schools within the Eastern suburbs to further discuss the issues and formulate a plan of action. We have since met with Police representatives where we have learnt more about the issues young people face. We will continue to work together on implementing new programs within our schools that will bring about change.
I am very happy to announce that as of next week, we will be able to welcome parents and guardians back on campus for school events due to an easing of COVID restrictions by the State Government. This is just in time for our Year 6 Leadership Inauguration which will be held next Monday. Parents of Year 6 students will receive a separate communication via Aspire with all the details regarding this change. We will communicate which events this term will change to enable parents to come back on site. We will however be continuing with current arrangements for morning and afternoon pick up.
Our community is our strength within our School and we are so happy to be able to see you all again in person.
In corde Jesu
Maureen Ryan
Principal
Junior School Students in Action
Year 2 Create Art with Robots
Year 2 students created artworks inspired by Jackson Pollock, but using an unusual method.
They pondered the question ‘How could Jackson Pollock paint using technology?’ Students shared their answers before pairing their iPads with Spheros, which are small spherical programmable robots. Students dipped the Spheros, which were protected with covers, into the paint to create their artwork.
New Members for Junior Choir
Junior Choir has had a big increase in numbers this last week as auditions have taken place from Year 3-6. New members, as well as many returning members, have swelled to 70 boys and girls, the largest yet. The outdoor space adjacent to the old Gap Flat is proving a great area to sing with an emphasis on COVID safety. The children are enjoying Into the Unknown from Frozen 2 so much that I am now a convert! Our first performance will be at Night of Song on 26 April, right after we return from the Easter break. This is a wonderful way to start the day and put a spring in our step.
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Year 4 Band Together at Last
Since Year 4 commenced the band programme in Week 2 they have been having intensive tutorials in small instrumental groups with our talented tutors. Beginning with how to assemble and produce sound on the instrument they have covered basic notation and playing notes, scales and rhythms using their Accent on Achievement band books. This week the band played together for the first time, assisted by our tutors playing alongside the student musicians. The children learned how to sit with their instrument in rest position and ‘up’ and following basic cues from the conductor Mr Derricott. Dynamics and tempo were focus points.
Everyone enjoyed the experience of playing together and the fantastic sound created. A spirit of community and fun were present with all thinking ahead to our first public performances. Our violins and celli continue to work in a parallel programme together. For the remainder of the year, ensemble playing and tutorials will be the bread and butter of the programme. The Year 11’s in the rooms above no doubt had an entertaining period!
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Senior School Students in Action
Year 10 Charcoal Drawing Art Workshop
“The workshop was organised by the Visual Arts department who invited the artist Catherine O’Donnell, who showed us her incredible talent when using charcoal. The workshop started off with an introduction on how to use charcoal and then we went straight into proportions and measurements, as the subjects that we were drawing were mannequins. This workshop was run over one day and we progressively learnt more and more on how to draw with charcoal. Overall, this day was very fun and so interesting to learn new skills and techniques. “
Isabella Gilchrist Pretel
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Year 10 Art incursion. I learnt a lot about charcoal and how to utilise effectively from the guest artist. I liked how we got to spend the whole day doing practical work and had an artwork to take home from it all. “
Ava Confos
“I think that the workshop yesterday was a very helpful way for us to understand how charcoal can be used effectively when drawing. I really enjoyed it and it was fun to do. It was quite a long time to draw and work on one artwork. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience and was done well. Thank you for the experience!“
Chloe Cornell
“I had so much fun and really enjoyed the workshop exhibition on charcoal, as it gave me new insights into different types of artistry and challenged me to try something new with my drawing, and using new techniques and materials to remould my artwork.”
Melissa Calabro
Matilda – The Musical Shows Next Week
The Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) Key Learning Area – what is it?
The HSIE Faculty have at their core the notion to prepare students for a future world that is homogenised in some aspects, such as technology and the economy, but which is also extremely diverse – culturally, socially and physically.
The HSIE Department provides students with a diverse curriculum that embraces the Histories, Geography, Economics, Legal Studies, Business Studies and Commerce. This range of disciplines delivers educational opportunities that will engage and challenge our students, encouraging them to reach their full potential. These courses provide our students with the framework and the learning environment to explore the role the HSIE Subjects play in their lives.
In addition to the classroom as a learning environment, this term outdoor field trips and excursions have been organised which will provide beneficial learning opportunities in the HSIE area. Year 10 Geography will be exploring the Northern Beaches coast and investigating environmental management and change. Year 10 History will visit the Sydney Jewish Museum and develop their understanding of the Holocaust further. These activities outside the classroom encourage students to incorporate responsible action and critical reflection to support the process of learning through inquiry and collaboration.
Patricia Smith
Head of HSIE
Year 8 Guitars
In 2020 the Music Department introduced the guitar as part of our unit of work on Rock and Pop Music. We now have class sets of the guitars and the students are introduced to finger picking and chord strumming techniques as part of their Music classes.
Later in the year, they will be preparing for a performance assessment on the guitar. Guitars are portable, inexpensive and have a pleasant tone. This makes them an appealing instrument for the students to learn, and a fantastic accompaniment to singing. Basic composition tasks using guitar will also form part of our studies, as well as introductory work on improvising. In the accompanying video, Mrs Angelou’s Year 8 class are performing Ode to Joy with piano. Their finger picking on strings 1, 2 & 3 is progressing apace!
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Band Tutor Profile
Band Tutor Profile: Paul Derricott
In the coming KRB News editions for 2021 we will profile our band tutors. The band programme is directed by Mr Paul Derricott who liaises with myself and Mrs Henrich. Paul is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a BMus in Jazz Performance (2005). Since that year he has been teaching drums at KRB as well as accompanying performances.
Since we introduced the band programme Paul has been the founding director and coordinates the programme and personnel. Much in demand as a performer he has worked around Sydney and toured extensively in Australia and abroad including New Zealand, Asia and the USA. He tutors the UNSW undergraduate music students and runs workshops. Also working in a number of schools in the area Paul strives to keep the students involved and enthused as well as improving their technique and ensemble playing skills.
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Academic Care
University Visits to KRB begin
Last week, The Australian National University zoomed in at lunchtime with a strong cohort of interested Senior Students to understand their new early entry application process (which opens today!), along with their courses, residential colleges and more about life on campus. The ANU was the launch of our season of visits by universities here and interstate and next up, The University of Notre Dame.
These visits to KRB provide a great opportunity for students to engage with the universities (and residential colleges) over the next three to four months in a convenient and safe way. Supplemented by the HSC & Careers Expo the Year 12’s attend in early June, along with University Open Days towards the middle of the year, student’s knowledge and understanding of the tertiary sector grows exponentially.
Mission
News from the Mission Department
New staff to KRB have had an Induction to Sacred Heart Education by our Director of Mission, John Mooney. The Induction gives new staff a greater understanding of what it means to be a Sacred Heart Educator, based on the unique approach to education taken by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat and the Society of the Sacred Heart, and insight to apply this approach to all facets of teaching and the way we relate to each other as a community.
This year we celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in 1820. In our prayers let us thank God for his blessing on the work of the Catholic Church in Australia.
John Mooney has offered staff further training in Espacio and called for any Senior School students who would like to lead Espacio in that period to be trained. Espacio will continue to be offered at all Assemblies and Liturgies throughout the year.
2021 – Celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia
Sport
Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival
On Thursday 25 February the Year 3-6 students participated in their annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival at KRB. The students adapted well as we moved the event to KRB at the last minute due to the weather forecast.
All students participated in a minimum of two events on the day with the highlight being the open Invitational 100m Freestyle event and the House relays.
A very impressive Junior Swim team was selected to compete at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival at Homebush on Tuesday.
A full presentation including age Champion and House Pointscore winners from the Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival will take place on Monday morning at the Junior School Assembly.
These results will be published in the next edition of KRB News.
IPSHA Swimming Carnival
On Tuesday 2 March, 29 swimmers from Years 3-6 represented KRB at the IPSHA swimming carnival at Homebush. There were many personal best times swum throughout the day by our students and the support and enthusiasm students showed for their teammates could be heard from the stands. The following students received a top 15 result in either a KRB relay or individual swim: Lillian Wenmohs, Ashley Cheng, Ruby Daniel, Autumn Cooper, Mila Hall, Willow Walter, Tessa Mitchelmore, Maddie Sone, Ivy Lincoln- Smith and Vera Febo.
Congratulations to Mila Hall and Lillian Wenmohs both on qualifying for CIS swimming in the 50m Freestyle event. Congratulations also to all 29 students who represented KRB swimming at IPSHA.
Year 7-12 Swimming Carnival
On Friday 26 February, the Year 7-12 Swimming Carnival was held at Drummoyne Swimming Centre. We were blessed with beautiful weather for the outdoor venue with all senior students taking the advantage of this by competing in a number of events. The highlight of the event was the house relays and the dance led by our House Captains.
We will be having a Swimming Carnival presentation at assembly next week to announce the overall point score and house relays. These results will be published in the next edition of KRB News.
A competitive swim team has been selected to represent the school at the IGSSA Swimming Carnival on 2 March.
Boarding
Lunar New Year Dinner
As Chinese students of the KRB community, we felt proud and grateful as we were given the opportunity to celebrate our own culture at dinner. Although celebrating Chinese New Year involves bringing family members together for feasting, we celebrated with the other international students at our school – which are also our beloved sisters of the Sacred Heart School. We understood the importance of sharing our knowledge and perception of Chinese culture. Activities like calligraphy and making dumplings brought us together. Moreover, we enjoyed watching the amazing lion dance, while having the fabulous hot pot and the dumplings which we made with love. This is one of the most exciting and memorable moments at school, as Chinese New Year is a very significant occasion for us.
Rachel Lui, Esther Wang and Lisa Li
Community
From the Advancement and Community Office
Grandparents & Special Friends
- Year 5 and 7 students have enjoyed preparing videos and cards to send to their grandparents and special friends. We were sorry that we were unable to have the visitors come on site this year, but we hope that they enjoy receiving the link to the videos, a card and a photo from the students. These will be mailed next week, and the link will be sent on Monday 8 March.
KRB Bursary Long Lunch – 6 August 2021
‘Bringing the Country to the City
The KRB Bursary Long Lunch will be held on Friday 6 August at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Entertainment:
- Vince Sorrenti – MC
- Scott Finnie – The Piano Man
- Des Dowling – Comedian
All funds raised at the Lunch are directed to the KRB Bursary Fund.
A few points about Bursaries:
- A Bursary in the form of financial support for tuition and boarding fees is offered to a Senior School student whose family is struggling financially.
- Receiving a bursary is NOT based on academic or sporting ability
- Bursaries are means-tested and a decision to award a bursary is made by the Principal
- Providing students with this opportunity gives them a chance to experience a KRB education
- Bursary students add to the rich diversity of culture that is a part of KRB
- Bursaries are particularly significant at this time when so many of our country families have been experiencing extreme hardship because of the drought
- We currently have 50 students in the Senior School receiving bursaries.
We need your support to make this Long Lunch a really fun day with great entertainment and successful for the Bursary Fund
- Tables of ten are available for $1,800 plus GST. Please contact me if you would like to reserve a table
- You might like to sponsor a table for $3000, $5000 or $10,000 plus GST
- If you own your own company or are a director of a company and would like to offer sponsorship, please contact me.
Mary Cook
Director of Advancement & Community
9388 6024
cookm@krb.nsw.edu.au
Save the Date – Celebrating International Women's Day 2021
Wednesday 28 April 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Watch LIVE or in-person!
IWD 2021 invites us to #choosetochallenge. Join us for a robust panel discussion moderated by mental health educator Pippa Baker (KRB ’93), and an outstanding panel of former KRB students and current parents who are leaders from the fields of health, finance, entrepreneurship and education, to hear how they have chosen to challenge themselves in life and work.
More details to come…
New Leadership Position
Sarah Daff, Director of Global Citizenship and Education
Sarah Daff has recently been appointed in a new leadership position at Kincoppal-Rose Bay as the Director of Global Citizenship and Education. Sarah shares below about herself and the new position within the leadership committee.
“I have always believed in the transformative power of education for the individual and the world at large. “
Sarah Daff
In my fourteen years of teaching across a variety of contexts, including a year and a half working in Ghana, West Africa in an organisation that educated young women at risk, I have seen firsthand the ability of education to foster within a student the creativity, critical thinking, cultural responsiveness, empathy, self-belief, compassion and collaboration skills needed to navigate the challenges of our modern world.
Having been the Director of Mission at Stuartholme, our sister school in Brisbane for five years, I believe the beauty of our Sacred Heart Education is that it calls our young people to develop these skills, not just for themselves, but so they may act as change-makers. I am therefore looking forward to the opportunity of working alongside our students and staff in achieving this and working together with “courage and confidence” to cross these new frontiers.
What is your new role at KRB?
My role as Director of Global Citizenship and Education is new to Kincoppal-Rose Bay in 2021. It encompasses ELC – Year 12 and aims to inspire and empower our students to embrace global citizenship as a way of life. Our students live in an interconnected, diverse and rapidly changing world. This world faces global challenges that require global solutions. The role, therefore, aims to prepare students for this context by:
- embedding global competencies and perspectives into the learning experiences of students so that they can develop global minds, hearts and wills;
- strengthening partnerships with our international Sacred Heart network so that our students and staff can learn about and with different cultures; and,
- building opportunities for students to take compassionate action against global issues.
As part of my role, I oversee our Student Exchange Program along with our Student Exchange Coordinator, Mr Murray Kerstens. We work collaboratively with some of our international Sacred Heart schools to ensure our exchange program provides our students with the opportunity to live out and develop their global competency.
Why did the school create this new position?
From its earliest days, the Society of the Sacred Heart has embraced an international presence and perspective. Our Sacred Heart Mission calls us to be global citizens who act “as One Body” and through the transformative power of education respond to the complexity of the political, economic, and social systems that confront us. The World Economic Forum describes these current complexities as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This revolution is characterised by an unprecedented growth in technology that is impacting all industries across the globe and will blur the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.
These digital advancements could have the potential to raise the global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations, or, they could yield greater inequality, particularly in labour markets. Given this, the World Economic Forum in their 2020 ‘Future of Jobs’ report states that some of the skills needed to respond to this current context include analytical thinking and innovation, active learning and learning strategies, complex problem-solving, creativity, leadership, resilience and flexibility. This role was therefore created to reinforce global competence as a vital way for our students to thrive in this rapidly changing world. We aim to provide our young men and women with the skills they need to not only be competitive and ready for new work but also grow the values and behaviours they need to drive innovative change for the betterment of the world.
What will be your first priorities in this position?
The priority for this first year will be to understand the ways in which KRB currently embeds global competency and perspectives into our learning experiences both within and beyond the classroom. Led by a group of teaching and professional services staff, this audit will allow us to affirm some of our existing practices and provide us with a greater understanding of further growth areas. This information will be vital in developing a three-year plan to implement education for global citizenship throughout KRB.
We will also seek to strengthen our international partnerships with other Sacred Heart schools and educational providers. This includes developing a partnership with Oxford University that will see the launch of their Social Entrepreneurship program at KRB in 2022. And finally, a key focus area for the next two years will be designing appropriate staff professional development and embedding a culture of international collaboration amongst our staff.