The Balgowlah Boys Campus Newsletter

NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus
Maretimo St, BALGOWLAH, NSW 2093
Ph: 9949 4200
Fax: 9907 0266
[email protected]
www.balgowlahboys.nsw.edu.au
The Balgowlah Boys Campus Newsletter
Relieving Principal’s Report
Week 10 Term 4 2013
Kingsley Looker of Cunningham’s Property
and Balgowlah Boys are excited to start
this year with a new inspiring agreement
aimed at giving the current students and
their community invaluable insights into
life, growth and business.
Kingsley is an ex-student (1982) of
Balgowlah Boys High School, who will,
throughout the year and via newsletters,
share the lessons of his life journey,
highlighting the value of perseverance and
discipline as two key driving strengths. On
leaving school, Kingsley became a top
world ranked ASP professional surfer,
Kingsley Looker
ranked in the top 16 in the world, professional
pianist for 10 years, owner and manager of one the oldest surfshops in Manly, Sunshine
Surfing and finally in his fifth decade, a highly successful real estate agent specialising in
the Balgowlah/Balgowlah Heights areas.
In months to come Kingsley will become closely engaged with the school community and
its program for professional development of the school students. Some of the planned
activities include mentor clinics by Kingsley, focusing on topics of expertise such as
music/performance, surfing, motivation & confidence building, business acumen
development and skills set. Some of the events will include keynote speakers such as
John Cunningham (Principal, Cunninghams Property), Michael Sheargold (a leading
business real estate trainer and motivator).
Kingsley is honoured to be one of the few students listed on the Balgowlah Boys Honour
Roll for Excellence in both Music & Surfing. He looks forward to imparting his life
experiences to all the students of Balgowlah Boys High School.
As part of the sponsorship agreement, if a member of the Balgowlah Boys community
refers someone to Cunningham’s Real Estate and it results in a sale then Cunningham’s
will transfer a percentage of the sale commission to the school. The school has already
received a sum of $1245, thanks to a referral from Narelle Bridgen during the X-mas
period.
Principal’s Report (cont’d)
At Balgowlah Boys, the staff are continually implementing and evaluating new projects
which will not only enhance the learning of our extension students, but that all students will
ultimately benefit from these projects as they are introduced, in modified form, to many
other junior classes.
The Gifted & Talented Project (GATS 2014)
The GATS Projects in 2014 will help achieve an identified school priority area (2012-2014)
of:
“Effectively catering for the learning needs of Gifted & Talented students through
differentiated teaching & learning.”
Through these projects, proof of improved literacy in our students has been evident in
student work samples, project presentations and individual testing-both peer and teacher
assessed.
The GATS classes in Yr7 will broadened their research skills. They not only compete in the
cross college Equality competition, but they will also work in Project Based Learning teams
on the concepts of Piracy and Future Schools.
The Piracy Project examines both the issues of traditional piracy e.g. Somalian Pirates &
maritime theft, through to internet piracy and the associated implications. This project
draws material from a number of other faculties including History, Software Design &
Development, Geography, Maths & Science.
The Future Schools Project will examine how to design the best school for boys, in terms
of curriculum, facilities, buildings and infrastructure. Boys will role-play as experts in their
field of design. Role playing can enhance the level of sophistication of their ideas and
articulation of those ideas. This project also draws skills & knowledge from a number of
areas including Design & Technology, Software Design & Development, Drama, Maths &
English.
Our aim is also to build student capacity across the school in the following areas:
Leadership
Communication
Critical Thinking
Skills in Evaluation
Imagination
Team Collegiality
As stated, these projects will have a positive spin-off for all our students in the junior
school.
Yr12 Exams
Yr12 are sitting their half-yearly exams at present. Each student should have designed a
study timetable for each exam, prioritising each subject in terms of the timing of each
exam. The feedback they receive from these test is invaluable as they will be able to see
where their strengths and weaknesses lie in each subject. The exams also give them
invaluable time management skills.
Ian James
Relieving Principal
Ultruism and Being a Good Mate
–transcript of a speech given at Assembly 5.3.14
On Thursday afternoon as I walked across the
Quadrangle to begin Lunch Duty I saw an excited
group of Year 7 boys run out of G Block. They
were headed for the lower Basketball Courts
which is currently a Year 7 only area.
Looking forward to hanging out with his mates
and catching up on everything that had happened
since recess, one of the boys towards the back of
the group was still shoving items from his
previous class into the front of his bag.
In his excited rush to move on with the others, as
he swung his bag over his shoulder and onto his
back the zip on his bag opened spraying a wide
arc of debris that included his lunch, school
books, pencil case and most of his sports
uniform.
For a moment the boy didn’t realise and kept running but as he nearly stepped on his
sandwich that had fallen out of his lunchbox he stopped and looked around him at the
contents of his bag.
What happened next outlines one of the many reasons why Balgowlah Boys Campus
students experience such a wide variety of success. In the research literature it is called
altruism and is a perfect synthesis of our 3 Core Values of Respect, Responsibility and
Excellence.
Although all of the boys in the group were impatient and eager to get down to the
Basketball Courts, the entire group stopped. They turned back and not only began picking
up the emptied contents of their friend’s bag but as I got closer I heard one of them offer
to share his lunch with the other boy as he threw the mangled sandwich in the nearby bin.
Altruism or selflessness is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others. A
2009 study of the impact of altruism on teenage boys showed that boys who practised
altruism developed more positive social relationships and an increased sense of life
purpose and self-acceptance. (Springer, 2009) A similar study “showed pronounced
improvement on confidence, self-awareness, self-esteem, depression and role functioning”
(Schwartz, 1999).
Altruism is something that Balgowlah Boys do. It’s what the boys who helped their
friend with his bag did. They support their mates but it’s not as easy as that. Being a
good mate is a fulltime job for which there is no training and no preparation for what to
expect in the difficult times. Even though we are not taught how, or what to expect when
it comes to being a good mate – we definitely know how to measure whether or not
someone is a good mate.
One of those measures is a sense of responsibility: to ourselves and to others. A real mate
can take the courageous step to support us even when the going gets tough. And nowhere
is that going tougher than when your mate has made a mistake. In that instance it is our
responsibility, knowing what the right thing is to do, to pull up our mate and remind them
of their choices and the impact of that choice on themselves and others.
As Year 7 and Year 9 and Year 11 have begun to adapt to the social and educational
challenges new to them this year, there have been some students who have been
outstanding at developing these skills and walking tall as outstanding mates to their
friends.
I have been fortunate to speak to a number of these boys over the past 8 weeks and have
collected some of what they have said to me in our conversations about what they were
doing in the various situations where they demonstrated excellence as a mate.
“Good mates say what they mean and mean what they say.” This
Integritystudent
was talking about integrity – but how it was more than being
honest – it was about striving for moral excellence. They were saying
they were the same person whether they were being watched by others or not.
“I want to make the world
better place.” This was
from a boy who had told his
friend that it wasn’t cool to call another student
“poor”. He was conscious of others’ distress but also
that his friend wasn’t a bad guy but his stupid
comment was hurting someone else. This is about
compassion but it is also about courage to speak up
against something that isn’t right.
Compassiona
“Real men are confident”. This
from a Year 7 student (!)
and we had a great conversation about how “real men” don’t need to
pull others down to make themselves feel better about themselves. They earn other’s trust
with their inner strength, not their physical strength and when they walk into a room,
people take notice, not because of their size but because of who they are.
Confidentwas
“I didn’t want us to be wasting our time.” This conversation
about a Year 9 boy who had encouraged his friend to
move to another place in the classroom with him to avoid
distractions from their regular group of friends. This was a revelation to me that selfcontrol begins with focus and removing distraction – which isn’t easy! Channelling the
energy he had used to distract others this boy had turned his energy into something
positive that helped his friends.
Inner Strengthwas
“I haven’t given up and I’m not going to give up.” This
was at odds with his parents who although having
the boy’s best interests at heart, weren’t listening to what
their son really wanted to do with his study and career. This young man hadn’t said
anything through most of the interview until he said this. Very quietly this boy was
demonstrating his courageous resistance against the difficult circumstances created by not
being in the right learning environment through his strong sense of perseverance.
Perserverencestudent
“Everyone talks about swagger but actually I have discovered I
Humilitysometimes feel more proud about seeing my friends achieving something
than if I had done it myself. Luckily I have lots of friends!” This comment
blew me away, and came from one of our fantastic Year 11 leaders. The advent of
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter type platforms can encourage us to take on a “Look at
me” focus. What this outstanding young man had already discovered was that humility is a
much more attractive (and advantageous) trait than self-centredness or self-importance.
Altruism is alive and well at Balgowlah Boys Campus and it is our responsibility to
show this to others who haven’t yet figured it out. The characteristics of integrity,
compassion, confidence, self-control, perseverance and humility are a great example of
the fantastic young men we have building our school community and culture. Following
the example of courageous young men like these might lead you to say that when it
comes to becoming a man, at Balgowlah Boys Campus, it’s “in the bag”.
Dane Ropa Deputy Principal
OnShow
Congratulation to staff and teachers for the OnShow Performance, hosted by Balgowlah Boys
Campus! Special mention must go to Mr Hasan Shanal, who was the Production Manager, for
organising such a successful event.
College Jazz Improvisation Band
Compares Harry Gay and David Singleton.
Balgowlah Boys Careers Website and Facebook Page
Our school has now provided its students and their parents/caregivers with a ‘School
Careers Website’. You can find it at
www.balgowlahboyscareers.com.
It’s a “One Stop Shop” for your child’s needs with their Career Planning, information, HSC,
Post School Options and much more. Students can also use it to create and save their
resume.
The site is also designed with you, the parent/caregiver in mind, to provide you with all
the information you need about your child’s Career Planning and post school options – and
the information is constantly changing in these areas. I encourage parents to follow the
latest Careers News on our Facebook page. Simply go to our website and follow the link to
the Facebook page or search Balgowlah Boys Careers on Facebook. This is a great
opportunity for parents, particularly those with students in the senior years, to keep
abreast of current offerings for our boys, including university/ TAFE/private college open
days, study sessions, GAP year programs, work experience and job opportunities.
Balgowlah Boys Careers Website and Facebook Page (con’t)
Work Experience 2014
A reminder to parents that work experience is on in Week 9, Term 2. All blue placement
forms are due back by the end of Week 10, Term 1. If your child is experiencing difficulties
finding a placement, please encourage them to visit me in the Careers Office for advice.
Any parents/ school community members who would like to offer our students the
opportunity to do work experience in their firm/company/business, this year or in future
years, I would love to hear from you! Please email me - [email protected],
or give me a call at school to express you interest. I would love to add you to my Work
Experience database.
Free Parent Seminar
Warringah Council, in conjunction with the Northern Beaches Business Education Network,
is holding a Parent Seminar called ‘Help your Teen with Career Ideas’ on Wednesday 9th
April or Wednesday 14th May at Warringah Council Civic Centre. Bookings are essential.
Contact 9942 2268 for more details.
Work Inspiration
On the 28th March, four Year 11 students, Ivan Pecehvski, Zac Bryant, Huon Williams and
Tristan Cummings, attended The Big Conversation at the Business Council of Australia
(BCA) Annual Forum.
The BCA is an association of the Chief Executives of 100 of Australia’s leading companies
which provides a forum for Australian business leaders to contribute directly to public
policy debates. The Big Conversation provided a valuable opportunity for CEOs and young
people to explore issues facing employers in their efforts to recruit adequately skills staff
and youth in their transitions from education to employment.
The boys had the opportunity to speak directly to CEOs about what they can do to support
young people in their transition from school to further education or work. BCA member
CEOs also shared their own education to employment stories and discussed these
challenges with the young people involved.
On Tuesday 25th March, a group of Year 9 boys attended a Work Inspiration program
facilitated by the Northern Beaches Business Education Network, held at Col Crawford in
Brookvale. These boys participated in a Careers workshop and mentoring discussion with
Les Brumby, the Automotive Consultant for Apprentices, Technicians and Training at Col
Crawford. Les shared his career story with the boys and encouraged them, among other
things, ‘to be the driver of their own career’.
Annika Williams Careers Advisor
Science
The results from the Essential Science Secondary Assessment (ESSA) test just been
distributed to Year 9 students. It is a state wide program to asses student knowledge and
understandings. The Science faculty are using this information to modify our learning
programs. This was the first year at Balgowlah students have achieved Band 6 (90+)
results and significantly higher band 5(80+) results. Well done year 9 2014!
The following students received outstanding band 6 results in the ESSA exam, well done!
Finlay Gibson Healy
Mathew Rothwell
Meet Patel
Joseph Coulthard
Selected Year 9 students also participated in a Brain Awareness workshop at the University
of New South Wales last week. Students observed models of the development of the
mammalian brain, participated in nerve testing exercises and observed brain development
under the microscope. Students were then given a tour of the Bionic eye facility at UNSW
observing electron microscope and laser technologies used to manufacture these devices
and speaking to Biomedical engineers about their work.
Mr Hawkins has organised an outstanding opportunity for our year 11 Physics students to
access data from the Parkes telescope through the CSIRO, students will be allocated a
pulsar and provided data and analyse this data to make predictions and offer insight into
gravity waves. These students will be visiting the Marsfield observatory to process their
data next Thursday.
Jo Bourke
Head Teacher Science
Year 11
Congratulations to all Year 11 students for the efforts in their first term as seniors. They
are working hard to meet their due dates for their first tasks and preparing for their exams
next term. All students and parents were emailed a copy of the Assessment Schedule in
the last few weeks. Please refer to this document for due dates of assessment tasks. We
also held a Study Skills Seminar with all Year 11 students on Tuesday 1st April, 2014. The
boys were provided with a booklet at this session to assist them. All of these documents
can be found either on the school website or the Year 11 Edmodo page. Mr Ian James will
also be holding a Parent Workshop Session on Tuesday 13th May at 5.45pm to 7pm. All
parents and students are welcome to attend.
Hayley Dibley
Year Adviser
Year 7 College Gifted and Talented Program, Term 1, 2014
Year 7E and 7T worked very hard during Week 9 to produce outstanding presentations for
the college-wide Gifted and Talented program based on the theme of Equality in
contemporary society. Working effectively in teams to produce quality and engaging
projects, students have demonstrated higher order thinking skills, quality research skills,
and innovative presentation skills. Presentation formats were engaging, creative and
innovative, with students using digital slideshows (Prezi), artworks, drama skits, music
and song writing to communicate their appreciation for the topic. If you would like to view
an example of one of the projects and vote on a simple poll for the students who created
the site, please go to the following website: http://homelessnessandequality.weebly.com/
Presentations were judged by staff, including Gifted and Talented Staff Team (Ms Jan, Mr
Hu, Mr Hawkins, and Ms Dowsett), as well as by their peers. The most engaging and
creative projects will be presented at NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus, Performance
Theatre on April 9th, 2014 to an audience of students, teachers, parents, principals and
community members. All students involved in the project are to be congratulated on their
outstanding efforts.
It is very fun to work in groups together and make something from our own imaginations
about a topic relating to equality (Lewis Herbert, 7T).
I have learned a lot about equality and human rights. I have learned exactly what human
rights are and that human rights are supposed to be enforced world-wide, however, many
underdeveloped countries do not follow basic human rights (Caleb Miller, 7E).
Ms Sally Leaney - Gifted and Talented Coordinator
NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus
Construction
Year 11 construction has kicked off with 13 new students undertaking the VET course. The
boys have just completed their construction induction course and will now receive their
‘white cards’ allowing them to enter construction work sites.
This past year the VET Year 12 Construction class have really been applying themselves to
the course. We have completed some great projects including tiling the hospitality
kitchen, working on picnic benches for the school and making other small timber projects.
This past week the class laid their first concrete slab. Located next to ‘G’ Block these slabs
are utilised as placement for the picnic benches to provide extra playground seating. At
this specific site, the boys had to build a small retaining wall, level the site, dig and lay
form work, cut and place reinforcing mesh and plastic lining and pour and float the slab.
Hospitality
Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students have been kept busy this term catering for On Show
and the Trade Training Centre opening. The boys have done a great job catering for these
functions and the feedback from guests was outstanding. Well done! Year 12 Hospitality
will be completing their compulsory Workplacement during Term 2 Week 1. Year 11
Hospitality have Workplacement scheduled for 11/8 to 15/8.
Design Make Innovate
This year Balgowlah Boys attended DMI at 3 different Primary Schools. The schools
attended were Curl Curl North, Manly Village and Brookvale Primaries. During the program
all of Year 9 work as mentors for the Primary students to achieve a design project. The
design brief is as follows; ‘A local toy company has slumping sales and needs your help to
develop a product that will blitz their opposition and increase profits. Design and make a
marvellous toy for 10-12 year olds. Where possible, use recycled materials.’
This year the boys worked really hard with the younger students to create some amazing
designs. The Primary Teachers commented on how well the boys were able to engage with
the younger students. It was great to see the boys working in a mentoring role and
demonstrate their leadership qualities. Overall the program was another great success.
The boys should be congratulated on representing the school so well!
Excursions
A group of year 10, 11 and 12 students visited UTS to attend “Big Day In”, an ICT
conference for high school students, designed by students to provide quality information
about careers in ICT. This was an excellent opportunity for students to hear from and
speak to some of Australia’s largest technology employers and discover student programs
that will springboard them into internships and, crucially, future careers. Students heard
from real life ICT interns, recent graduates, CEO’s and software developers to offer
guidance and their experience. They also had access to visit stalls regarding internships,
scholarships and speak to university representatives. There were some impressive
speakers this year volunteering their time from organisations such as: Google, Deloitte,
IBM, WiseTech Global, Microsoft, Westpac, TCS, itGenius, HP and Allianz.
Year 11 Design and Technology students combined with the Engineering students this term
on an excursion to the Powerhouse Museum and UTS in the city. Students started the day
at UTS Engineering and IT Centre, the old Sydney Morning Herald building and also the
building they ran the Olympics from. Students were guided through various services in the
building by Balgowlah parent and Building Manager, Mr David Murphy, who explained how
each service functioned. This included how the lights and air conditioning are controlled by
computer, as well as chillers and boilers, air handling units, seepage pits and firefighting
systems, to name a few. After a lunch break students then headed over to the Powerhouse
museum to view the DesignTECH exhibition of HSC works and participate in informative
seminars for the subject. These seminars included a guest talk from a Google Software
Engineer on the development of apps, and a look at sustainability issues.
Trade Training Centre Opening
On the 2nd of April we had the official opening of the Trade Training Centre. Senator the
Hon. Scott Ryan and other officials arrived at Balgowlah for the morning ceremony which
was a great success. Past and present faculty members and dignitaries heard the nation
anthem sung a cappella by Year 8 student Sam Spiridakos. Morning tea was organised
and served by the Year 11 Hospitality class and Year 11 Construction students were on
hand to answer questions about the new workshop.
Sport Report
Wednesday sport has run smoothly this term, the run of good weather has been most
welcome. Thanks to all boys for settling well into their sports and participating well during
summer sport time.
This week we had sport selections for Winter Sport with 85% of students enrolling into
their first or second selections and all our grade sports filled on selection day. Well done to
all boys who had notes and payment ready to go on the day as requested.
Congratulations to Mr Campbell and the school swimming team, the boys took out the
Zone swimming carnival for 2014 at the Warringah Aquatic centre recently. Further
congratulations to the boys who were selected to represent the North Shore zone at the
Sydney North carnival.
Also well done to the U15 cricket team who recently competed and placed in the Manly
Warringah all-schools competition and congratulations as well to the Open Water Polo
team who played in the CHS knock out comp, narrowly losing to Epping Boys.
The congratulations continue for….
Jason Sasagawa who competed in NSW CHSSA Tennis Individual Championships (State
Carnival) recently in Junior Boys division. Jason finished 3rd in singles and won the
doubles.
Junior Amituanai has recently been involved in the Junior Gold Cup. This is a talent
identification program and competition throughout Australia run by the Australian Rugby
Union for talented U17's Rugby Players.
Junior is one of two Government School boys to be selected for North Harbor. Junior’s
coach comments….
‘Junior is to be commended on every level as he is not the biggest boy, but technically he
is outstanding. He is also extremely courageous as he has been attending Manly Marlins
Colts trainings in the pre-season and has not shied away from contact work with 19 and 20
year old boys. Junior is also a member of the Marlins Rugby Academy for 15-17 year olds.
A busy man indeed!’ Well done Junior.
Sam Allen, Shaun Falzarano and Josh Smith competed in the NSW all schools triathlon
coming 3rd.
This week Sean Harlen, Kyle Martin, Evan Kaporis and Chris Poole were selected to
represent Sydney North in AFL.
A lot happening in sport, well done all!
Dave Morris
Sports Organiser
Year 8-11 Ski trip
In my thirteen years at Balgowlah Boys I have never seen a ski trip fill so fast and there is
now a waiting list. There is a possibility that we may be able to open up the trip to more
students, but I am waiting for confirmation from third party suppliers.
In 2014 we are offering the following to all students in Years 8 – 11





4 nights Thredbo on-snow accommodation offering a true snow experience.
All meals except lunches.
4 day Thredbo lift and all mountain lesson – lessons start at Friday Flat,
literally 5 minutes’ walk from our accommodation.
No bus trip up and back each day from Jindabyne. This represents some 5
hours less bus travel in the week, which means…
Maximum skiing and boarding time each day (8.30am to 5.00pm)
Any student who is still interested should come and see me to put their name on the
waiting list. There is no cost for this.
Further information will be available early next term.
Dave Morris
Ski trip Organiser
PDHPE