19March KRB News – Edition 4
Contents
- From the Principal
- Junior School Students in Action
- Year 1 STEM Designs that Help the World
- Harmony Day
- Musician of the Month – Alexander Kitto
- Junior School Students in Matilda
- Senior School Students in Action
- Year 7 Science – First Formative Assessment
- Year 12 Biology Excursion to the Museum of Human Disease
- Matilda the Musical
- Sport
- K-4 Boys' Sport Training
- Tildesley Tennis
- Sydney Indoor Hockey Competition
- Year 9 Triathlon Championship
- Academic Care
- Elephant Ed Workshops – Starting the Conversation
- International Day of Happiness
- Music
- The KRB Chapel Organ
- Orchestral Percussion
- Mission
- Update from our Mission Team
- Year 11 Retreat
- Alumna Profile
- Kyra Alday – Pursuing a Career in the Space Industry
- Band Tutor Profile
- Kate Proctor – Flute Tutor & Year 7 Concert Band Director
- Community
- From the Advancement and Community Office
- Save the Date – Celebrating International Women's Day 2021
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
It is hard to believe that we are already nearing the end of our Term 1 for 2021, the rain has certainly not held us back in the past two weeks.
It’s been wonderful to welcome our parents and other members of our community back on campus since the relaxation of the COVID restrictions two weeks ago. Each year I host a dinner to welcome new families into the KRB community. Last year we were unable to hold this event, so this year, I am pleased to welcome both the 2020 and the 2021 new families to the School. At the first dinner for parents new to KRB in 2020, I shared more about KRB, events within the community and the strategic direction of our School. It was wonderful to meet you all face to face and learn more about you and your child’s individual journeys into the KRB family. I look forward to meeting parents whose son or daughter began at KRB this year at one of the two dinners in May.
We have seen wonderful results this week in the Tildesley Tennis Shield with multiple players moving forward into the 4th round – a huge achievement for our girls. Unfortunately, Friday was postponed due to heavy rain, but we wait in anticipation for the tournament to resume. Well done to all who participated, and we look forward to the final results after the second day.
All those who attended our performances of Matilda in the past few weeks will surely agree with me when I say – WOW. The performances were certainly beyond my wildest expectations and often had to remind myself that it was a school and not a professional production. We saw a range of skills in acting, singing, costume design, lighting as well as the extravagant and creative stage props. It was a long time in the making, through a year that required patience and adaptation to comply with changing rules. A well-deserved congratulations to Nicole James, Mark Stubley, students and staff for your hours of hard work and dedication, it was definitely worth the wait.
I would like to thank those parents, guardians and alumnae who have signed up to attend our webinars on Consent Education. The first session was held this Wednesday. We are very motivated to make impactful change within our School for the lives of our students and your contributions in this process are invaluable.
There is still time to register to attend the second sessions by following the link below.
Wednesday 24 March (7pm – 8pm)
Today we are having a wonderfully colourful and exciting day on campus as we jointly celebrate the International Day of Happiness and Harmony Day. The campus has been lit up with decoration of bright colours and sparkles with teachers and students really harnessing the true meaning of the day through fun costumes and big smiles. A perfect way to enter the weekend.
Next week we look forward to celebrating the beginning of Easter throughout the School. As our final day of Term 1 is on the Wednesday, we will be holding a liturgy for our students a day early to recognise Holy Week.
In Corde Jesu
Maureen Ryan
Principal
Junior School Students in Action
Year 1 STEM Designs that Help the World
In STEM this week after listening to the story The Little Inventor by Sher Rill Ng, the Yr 1 students were inspired to design and make something that helps our world to be a better place.
Some of their amazing designs included:
- A ‘Hotel for the Homeless’ that provides nice beds and warm showers every night.
- A ‘New World Machine’ that removes pollution from our Earth.
- A ‘Bus of the Future’ that takes people where ever they want to go.
- A ‘Robot Who Picks up Rubbish’ and can move by himself.
- A ‘Workplace That Gets Rid of COVID’ and this included a plane that flies around and sucks COVID out of the air.
- A machine that saves the planet!
What incredible designers and future thinkers we have!
Harmony Day
Our ELC and Junior School students celebrated Harmony Day today. Harmony Day began in 1999, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day is about celebrating the fact that everyone belongs. Each class took some time to visit our Harmony display on the front office windows, created by all our students. Each student’s contribution is unique and special, yet they all fit together like a perfect puzzle. It’s easy to see that everyone belongs here at KRB.
But not only that, it’s a day to think about Australia and all the vibrant cultures that make up our country. Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we must all work together to be inclusive, respectful and tolerant.
So let’s all celebrate our amazing diversity for Harmony Day!
Olivia Gordon
Year 3 Teacher
Musician of the Month – Alexander Kitto
Each month the Music Department will be acknowledging the efforts of one of our student musicians of note. These will be published in the KRB News for our school community.
Alexander started at Barat-Burn in Year 3 and has been a member of Junior Choir and now the Year 4 Band Programme. His chosen instrument is Tenor Saxophone.
Our Band Director Mr Derricott recognised how quickly Alexander has become proficient on the Saxophone and suggested he continue in Year 4 Band as well as join the Year 6 Band on their more advanced music. This is a wonderful compliment. Congratulations Alexander on your efforts. It is clear time has been devoted to practicing and his commitment and engagement are excellent.
Alexander says “I enjoy playing the saxophone because you can play lots of styles like jazz and it isn’t too hard to learn. The Year 6 Band was challenging yet all the girls were very congratulatory. I try to practice most days, sometimes for half an hour or more.”
American poet Joy Harjo said “When you play a sax, that saxophone is irreverent. It’s noisy; it’s a trickster… you cannot hide the saxophone in your hands, so it’s a good teacher.” Great advice!
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Senior School Students in Action
Year 7 Science – First Formative Assessment
Students in Year 7 Science have been completing their first formative assessment task in three parts:
- Planning an investigation
- Conducting an investigation
- Reporting on an investigation
Students worked in small groups and at their own pace to take an investigation from start to finish. This was also their opportunity to show how skilled they have become at lighting the Bunsen burner safely and efficiently!
Year 7 are off to a flying start in Science and are developing the skills in ‘Working Scientifically’ which will carry them through to Year 10 Science (and beyond!).
The Year 7 Science Teachers – Mrs Gusen, Mrs Chui, Mr Carey, Mr Briscoe and Mrs Lim
Year 12 Biology Excursion to the Museum of Human Disease
Students from the two Year 12 Biology classes undertook an excursion to the Museum of Human Disease at the University of New South Wales. The Biology students have spent nearly two terms studying infectious and non-infectious diseases, and this excursion extended their understanding of these topics and allowed them to view and analyse real human organ and tissue specimens. They listened to a UNSW graduate student in Health Sciences, Teagan, speak about a variety of diseases and how they affect the human body, and then conducted a self-directed workshop, answering questions about the various specimens the Museum has on display.
Upon their return to school, the students had an intensive incursion with their teachers Mrs Gusen and Mrs Lim, where they presented to their classmates on a range of non-infectious diseases.
Students valued this experience greatly and will have a greater depth of experience to draw on when they are assessed on these topics in the Trial and HSC Examinations.
Matilda the Musical
“When I first heard about the auditions for the production, I was beyond excited for yet another opportunity for many students to come together and showcase their talents. Towards the end of Term 1, 2020 with production week right around the corner, Matilda was sadly postponed due to COVID. Looking ahead, after two postponements, we finally heard the news that we were going to be able to perform at NIDA in March of 2021. We were all so excited to get back into rehearsals and refine our work as it had been 9 months since we had all been together.
After six short weeks of rehearsing and finalising the performance, we were ready and ‘bumped in’ at NIDA. With five dressing rooms for the cast members, the green room, the lighting, staging and amazing sound facilities; and the wonderful theatre itself, we found that we were well equipped for our future performances as this opportunity brought out a sense of professionalism. I have never felt more alive than when I was on stage performing in front of the audience and I wish I could go back. This production has really allowed me to develop my ‘triple threat’ skills and has truly opened my eyes to further develop my passion of performing. I was very glad to be a part of this wonderful show with so many wonderful people. The production of Matilda would never have happened without the guidance and support of Mrs James, Mr Stubley and our director, Nigel Turner-Carroll, and I would personally like to thank everyone that assisted with the production. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life and I am sad that this chapter of my life is now over.”
Charlotte Laundy – Year 10
Being in the musical was a great opportunity, and we had such a great time together. We were able to make great memories and friendships with all the students in different years, and it took everyone’s dedication and teamwork to put on such a great show. Being at NIDA made the whole production seem so much more professional and gave us the excitement that we truly were putting on a show at last! The experience was fantastic, and we had so much fun performing. We would not have been able to put on the show without Mrs James, Mr Stubley and our director, Nigel Turner-Carroll.
Sophia Playoust – Year 8
Sport
K-4 Boys' Sport Training
Term 1 has been an exciting and challenging experience for our Kindergarten to Year 4 boys. KRB has two Year 3-4 boys’ basketball teams that train during the week and play competitive basketball games against other IPSHA boy schools on a Saturday morning. Both teams are so far undefeated, working hard in training and have displayed strong team morale and sportsmanship.
The Year 3-4 boys are also attending pre-season soccer training on a Monday afternoon in preparation for the winter IPSHA Schools soccer season. We look forward to our boys representing KRB in soccer next term.
On Wednesday afternoon, we have 23 active and enthusiastic K-2 boys, who are enrolled in a soccer skills program. The boys have been working on developing their key fundamental and technical soccer skills, decision making and more, which is then applied when playing modified games. The boys have displayed great work ethic and commitment throughout.
At lunch time, KRB offers a rec program for both our K-4 boys. The boys have the opportunity to practise and play fun recreation sporting games with their peers and boys from different year groups.
We look forward to our boys further developing their sporting skills as the term progresses and we wish the Year 3&4 boys basketball teams the very best of luck for their final games of the season.
Tildesley Tennis
On Wednesday, 15 KRB tennis players participated in the Tildesley Tennis shield at Pennant Hills. The Tildesley Tennis Shield competition is IGSSA’s longest-running carnival. It was first held in 1918 with Daphne Akhurst (a student of the Normanhurst school) the winner of the singles competition. It was her Principal Miss Evelyn Mary Tildesley that donated the bronze Oak Shield to the winning school. The Normanhurst School had a very successful tennis program, and by the 1920s had produced two of Australia’s most famous female tennis players.
KRB’s seven singles players competed on Wednesday: Phoebe Vass, Niya Stoyanova, Eliza Murray, Sophie Brown, Demi Koundouris, Lauren Whiting and Chloe Koundouris.
There were many hard-fought matches with the following girls making it through to the third round: Demi Koundouris, Eliza Murray and Sophie Brown.
Lauren Whiting and Chloe Koundouris made fourth-round games with fierce competition against players from Meriden and Stella Maris.
The doubles matches were held on Thursday morning with only first-round matches going ahead before the rain declared the event to be cancelled for the day and postponed.
KRB doubles players: Ava Adamo and Sophie Spurrett, Emma Briand and Isabella James, Hannah Hunter and Abbey Ridgewell, Ginger Hudson and Olivia Laundy
We are awaiting a decision from IGSSA as to where and when the postponed matches will be played. Congratulations to all KRB Tennis players on their dedication and commitment to Tennis at KRB and their team spirit towards each other throughout the tournament.
Sydney Indoor Hockey Competition
A number of girls have spent their Wednesday evenings playing in the Sydney Indoor Hockey Competition, which includes both school and club teams. This has been an excellent opportunity to engage in mid-week sport, develop skills and enjoy socialising.
The commitment and dedication from the girls are outstanding and their enjoyment is evident. All four teams have progressed to the semi-finals with the grand-finals being played on Wednesday 31 March.
Good luck girls!
Year 9 Triathlon Championship
Fourteen of the top athletes in Year 9 competed in a triathlon championship on Friday. Congratulations to all students who competed in the event, which consisted of a three kilometre cycle, a one kilometre run and a 300 metre swim.
Academic Care
Elephant Ed Workshops – Starting the Conversation
Student Workshops
On Tuesday 16 March students in Years 9, 10 and 12 each participated in a 60-minute workshop provided by Elephant Ed. These workshops are part of Kincoppal-Rose Bay’s strategic response to build on the valuable discussions and student voice opportunities around holistic sex education, as a result of Chanel Contos’ petition.
Elephant Ed is a leading provider of sexuality and relationships education, is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider, and have partnered with headspace and the Australian Boarding Schools Association. We were very fortunate to have secured Elephant Ed this term and these workshops are one of the first aspects of our strategic response. The workshops are evidence-based, led by highly trained young people, and student focussed by design. The smaller group size allows for more informal interactions, and encourages dialogue through facilitating conversation and engaging students in thought-provoking activities.
The workshops focussed on a range of themes, including consent, sexual assault and respectful relationships. Students explored the concept of consent (not just in a sexual context), and also engaged in discussion around legalities, age of consent and free agreement. Year 9 unpacked the idea of what boundaries and consent look like by using the acronym “FRIES” (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastically, Specific). In Year 10, students were empowered to stand up against sexual assault and were provided with both prevention strategies and where to seek help. Year 12 were provided with the opportunity to engage in a Q and A style workshop where they guided the main topics of discussion. Overall, students found the workshops stimulating and engaging because of the interactive activities.
Encouragingly, 99% of our students indicated on their feedback forms that they would like to participate in more workshops from Elephant Ed. Research shows that when students are active participants in their own learning and wellbeing, they feel a greater sense of connection and use their social and emotional skills to be respectful, resilient and safe. With continued opportunities for student voice and feedback around the topic of sex education with these workshops, we are keen to continue to refine our relationship with Elephant Ed and the way we approach a sex education to best support our students. Our aim is to explicitly teach social and emotional skills using evidence-informed practices related to personal safety, resilience, help-seeking and protective behaviours across the curriculum, and continue to collaborate with students to develop strategies to enhance wellbeing, promote safety and counter violence, harassment and abuse in both online and physical spaces.
Parent Webinar
We had many members of the school community attend the parent webinar by Elephant Ed on the evening of 17th March. The webinar provided background information regarding the petition and related testimonies, statistics and prevalence of sexual assault, and legalities surrounding consent. Guest speaker, Dr Briony Scott spoke about the need for parents to protect the dignity of the child and how there is often guilt associated with these issues. Elephant Ed team members, Elle and Dan then unpacked related topics such as peer pressure, the framing and language we use, safe partying, pornography and sexting. The webinar concluded with valuable support materials for parents seeking help for their child/children. Tips and tricks to start conversations were also provided, including suggestions such as:
- Talking early and talking often with your children.
- Using teachable moments or a trigger to stimulate discussion. Remember the conversation doesn’t have to be about sex – you can talk to a younger child about body safety and body boundaries to lay the foundation for understanding consent.
- Being aware and informed – Read and research topics to gain a better understanding look at various organisations, research papers, articles, and books that can inform you on consent.
- Modelling desired behaviour – This is one of the most effective ways to teach your children.
- Avoiding fear tactics and encouraging safe positive behaviour.
- It is so important to have conversations around these issues both at school and at home, in ways that are age appropriate. Please visit the School Counsellor’s Page on Aspire where you can find additional resources regarding consent and how to talk about consent with your teenager.
International Day of Happiness
Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.
Tomorrow, Saturday 20 March, is the International Day of Happiness for 2021, but KRB celebrated this today.
Head of Student Wellbeing Sophia Laverty helped establish a buddy system to promote connectedness and hosted a huge celebration on the Harbour Terrace.
The theme this year is ‘Keep calm. Be kind. Stay wise.’
Let’s find positive ways to look after ourselves and each other!
Music
The KRB Chapel Organ
We are blessed to have a very fine French organ in our Chapel. Manufactured in 1890 in Toulouse by Théodore Puget Père et Fils it was originally installed in the chapel of our sister school in Bordeaux. Along with the pulpit it was sent to us in 1903, but remained in packing cases until 1906. It fits the allocated space in the tribune with a hair’s breadth to spare, hailed at the time a miracle. The organ has been restored twice and is now returned to its original condition.
It is a great joy to have students learning the organ as an accomplishment. Walking past and hearing them practising is a delightful experience. Any students wishing to learn can do so from our very talented and experienced teach Mr Kurt Ison, pictured here with Nicole Yin Shun Lai of Year 12, one of his students.
I have had the great privilege over the past 3 years to learn the organ on the beautiful Puget organ in the chapel. I have always loved music and was delighted with the opportunity to transfer my piano skills onto the organ. There is nothing quite as thrilling as commanding the various components to produce a layered sound echoing through the chapel. I love opportunities to serve the school community through playing for different events in the chapel, hopefully with the easing of COVID restrictions I will be able to accompany my peers singing again soon.
Nicole Yin Shun Lai
St Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Music watches over the students from the stained glass windows in the tribune, inspiring and guiding their music making.
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Orchestral Percussion
An exciting delivery arrived this week from Optimum Percussion for the Music Department. Our new orchestral bass drum will add tone colour and depth to our instrumental ensembles. Our Maintenance Staff, Piak and Lachie seemed to enjoy assembling the drum on its tilting wheelbase. Arriving soon will be an orchestral set of crashing cymbals to really add some zing to our sound. In the coming years, I hope to make a significant purchase of orchestral percussion annually, particularly to boost our mallet percussion section. Last year we were able to add a vibraphone to our equipment. Particularly effective in jazz this tuned percussion instrument has a bright and silvery tone.
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Mission
Update from our Mission Team
200 Years in Catholic Education
Two of our Year 12 students, Anna Reilly and Amelia Edwards, attended St Mary’s Cathedral House on 16 March with the Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Rev. Anthony Fisher. Amelia and Anna were invited to reflect on 200 years of Catholic education in our Archdiocese and how we can move forward under the theme ‘Standing on the shoulders of missionaries; where to from here?’
Key Leader Provincial Orientation
There was a Province Orientation for Key Leaders 12 – 14 March at Baulkham Hills. This is an annual program run by the Society of the Sacred Heart as an induction to Sacred Heart Spirituality. New leaders from all Sacred Heart Schools in Australia attend this weekend retreat. We wish to thank the following for their generosity of time given to attend the Orientation:
- Laura Wedmaier
- Lisa Netting
- John Muskovits
- Meegan Flello
- Andrea Willard
Staff Meditation
Staff have been attending a weekly meditation session with John Mooney, our Director of Mission.
John Mooney
Director of Mission
Year 11 Retreat
We have had the Year 11 Retreat this week. The retreat was based on our Focus Goal for this year: A Personal and Active Faith in God. The retreat lasted two days and involved students bonding over many activities including:
- Yoga, led by alumna Kate Kendall
- Dance rehearsal for this year’s Sacred Heart Day
- Twilight Mass in the Chapel
- Barbecue on the Harbour Terrace
- Walk and picnic at Vaucluse
- A variety of group bonding activities.
This was a significant time in the year group in their senior years at KRB enabling personal and spiritual growth, as well as a crucial time for the cohort to understand themselves as a team.
Alumna Profile
Kyra Alday – Pursuing a Career in the Space Industry
I want to work in the space industry and just be really in the frontier of innovation. Discovering new things and knowing that what I am learning and discovering is something that people haven’t done before.
Kyra Alday (Class of 2017; pictured in her UNSW Solar Racing Team Uniform), a fourth-year mechatronics engineering student at the University of New South Wales, dreams of a career in the space industry. We chatted to her about her time at KRB and her achievements and ambitions in the space industry.
1) What did you enjoy most about studying at KRB?
I enjoyed the community the most. Knowing that I could approach my teachers and ask for help was fantastic. Particularly during the stressful months of the HSC. Everyone was extremely supportive and encouraging. It was at KRB that I gained the confidence to be the woman that I am today.
2) What inspired you to pursue a career in the space industry?
In Year 12, I studied Physics and one of our modules was about space. Physics wasn’t the easiest subject for me but I really enjoyed the topic. Along with all the movies I used to watch, I was inspired to pursue a career in the space industry. COVID-19’s been a bit of set back but not to worry, I’ve still got big plans!
3) Engineering is a male-dominated field. How do you overcome any barriers that may exist for you in the industry?
As a woman doing engineering and doing a lot of activities that tend to be male-dominated, the biggest challenge has been overcoming my own fear. By tackling that challenge every time I get one step closer to doing my small part in paving a way for future women and future generations in breaking those social and gender norms.
What motivates me is the thought that I’ve already been judged. People have taken one look at me, just by the way I look, my name or anything, and I’ve already been put in a box. They have already defined what my limits are, assumptions in what I can do as an individual and that is not fair. I haven’t been given a chance to prove them wrong, and that’s why I will continue doing what I do, no matter what.
Band Tutor Profile
Kate Proctor – Flute Tutor & Year 7 Concert Band Director
Kate graduated from Sydney Conservatorium with a BMus (Honours) in Flute Performance (2012) and now divides her time between flute teaching, conducting and performing. After starting her musical education in her school band she moved into the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra she now performs with many of Australia’s professional orchestras as a casual player. Kate is currently rehearsing for the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour performances of La Traviata.
Kate has been a flute teacher at KRB since the inauguration of the KRB Band Programme and this year is also conducting the Year 7 Concert Band targeted at more experienced players.
Kate says of flute playing:
Setting and achieving short and long term goals is one of the most valuable skills we acquire whilst learning an instrument. We get to have so much fun along the way and there is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a good performance with our friends. The flute is so versatile and we get so many good bits in the music! I love the sound and virtuosity of the flute and even though it can be tricky at the beginning, it is such a great instrument to play.
- – Kate
We are fortunate to have tutors of this calibre teaching our students.
Mark Stubley
Head of Music
Community
From the Advancement and Community Office
Principal’s Dinner
Thirty-five parents, new to the School in 2020 from ELC to Year 12, enjoyed the Principal’s Dinner on Tuesday evening. It was an opportunity to hear about the strategic direction of the School and the Masterplan, from the Principal and the Chair of the School Board. I was delighted to speak about the role of the Advancement & Community Office, with its focus on community relations and fundraising for capital works and bursaries. I encouraged all present to come to the Long Lunch and I have included details below.
Dinners for families new to KRB in 2021 will be held on:
- Tuesday 4 May
- Wednesday 12 May.
Invitations to these dinners will be emailed early next week. We look forward to welcoming these new families to one of the dinners.
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.
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…