Bowral High School

EXCELSIOR May 2018 Volume 4

EXCELSIOR May 2018 Volume 4 Page 1

A sincere thank you for the warm welcome to Bowral HS as your new Principal…

A big thank you to all students, staff and the community that have made my start at Bowral HS such a warm and welcoming one.

My philosophy as a Principal is quite simple, the students are at the centre of any decisions we make collectively here at Bowral HS. As a school, we must ensure that all students receive a quality education that is based around a culture that supports and encourages high expectations and integrity and one where each student is able to achieve their personal best, both in and out of the classroom.

As part of my staff development day address, I reinforced the importance of our continued focus on the core busi-ness of teaching and learning. This has to be our number one ‘point of difference’ during the coming years, as we look to relaunch our brand in the local community. Additional teacher professional learning funds will be strategi-cally allocated in support of improving and enhancing pedagogy (the way in which lessons are delivered to stu-dents), programming and the art of differentiation, assessment of students and the way that we collect data in support of improvements in practice and improved student outcomes.

Finally, it has been lovely to get out of my office and meet with many students in the playground during recess and lunch, meeting with the school Captains, SRC students and recently dropping in on the Interact group, Break-fast Club and our P & C the other evening.

I am honoured and privileged to be your Principal and look forward to working with the school community, where we all play a vital role in making Bowral HS the school of choice in the Southern Highlands!

Kind regards,

Jason Conroy

Bowral High School presents …

THE

GREAT AUSTRALIAN

ROCK MUSICAL

Friday 15 June 7pm

Saturday 16 June 1.30pm

Saturday 16 June 7pm

Get your tickets from the Finance Office or phone 4861 2255

Adults: $15

Child/student/concession: $10 Family Deal: $40 (2 adults + 2 children)

Parliament Leadership Day

On Thursday 12th April, we were lucky enough to be cho-sen to attend the 2018 Secondary Schools Student Leader-ship program held at the Parliament of NSW in Sydney. We both had a (very) early start to make the 6:30 train to St James station in the city centre. When greeted at the en-trance, we were lead into a forum area and introduced the NSW Members of Parliament and had the opportunity to ask questions about the reality in the life of a politician. Then, after the Q&A session we were taken on a fantastic tour to the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and the Legislative Council Chambers (Upper House) where two interesting debates were in place and passionate as ever. Next we had a short lunch and moved on to a guided tour of the grand and historical Government House.

After our tour we had the privilege of meeting with His Excellency, The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd), the Governor of NSW and his wife, Mrs Linda Hurley. Then, through official invitation, we had the amazing opportunity to have afternoon tea with the Governor on the terrace overlooking the harbour and the Opera House. Finally the long but eventful program came to a conclusion at around four o'clock, and our arrival home came sleepily at about seven o'clock.

Altogether we had a very informative and interesting day learning about the rules, regulations and personal takes on parliament and how our government works.

From Sophie Hall and Ema Kobayakawa

EXCELSIOR May 2018 Volume 4 Page 2

BHS UNIFORM SHOP—DAYLIGHT SCHOOLWEAR

Opening Hours in our School Hall - Tuesday 8-11am and Thursday 1-4pm

Mobile 0481 354 648 Online ordering available Term 3.

EXCELSIOR May 2018 Volume 4 Page 3

BHS Contests Australian Rules Knockout

The Bowral HS boys U15 AFL team progressed to the second round of the Swans Shield knockout competition following a forfeit by Goulburn HS. Our second round match saw us travel to Goulburn to take on Mulwaree HS. A big thank you to Mr Davey for driving the team.

The team was fairly light on experience, with just four regular players and another four having their very first taste of Australian Rules football. The rest of the team had played in a school game last year at Loseby Park. Goodhew Park posed an entirely new prospect of a full size field, dry and hard underfoot with plenty of space on the wings.

On a beautiful day for football, Mulwaree had the best of the early play and shot away to a four goal quarter time lead with speed across the half forward line. Oscar Murton racked up plenty of tackles and Jasper Murphy stood tall in defence. Mitchell Friedrich used his height and basketball skills to good effect in the ruck contests.

Liam Bayliss shifted into centre half back to reverse the tide and provided some useful rebound to set up the first goal. Ujjwal Chaulagain and Seb Hernandez linked well with quick hands through the centre of the ground, delivering to Cohen Ford who converted a fine contested pack mark inside 50.

Kody Davis also competed well at fullback and generated momentum for BHS. Thye Hamilton collected several penetrating pos-sessions and very nearly set up Ben McWilliams, with a kick towards goal over the pack. Ben read the play to collect the ball 25 metres out with an open goal, only to rush his kick. He made amends by kicking the next goal after winning a one-on-one con-test, with Cameron Piccles providing leading space.

Bowral HS won the third quarter on the back of some solid defence from Seb and the youngest member of the team, Noah Mooney, who took a gutsy chest mark and thwarted several ground level plays. Dexter Peters Bonife contested well in the centre and Tarian Turner presented as a good target across the half forward line.

In the final quarter, Angus Theyers took some strong overhead defensive marks and Jachin Brown was rewarded for effort and forward line pressure with a late snap on goal just missing. Tom Sargood gave the team plenty of forward momentum, with great crumbing skills. Noah Powell also provided some late spark up forward, but Mulwaree proved to be far too strong and ran away to a well deserved 5 goal winning margin.

The match was played with excellent spirit and Seb earned the honour of our best player, as judged by the opposition. Seb’s humble captain’s speech capped of an enjoyable day, with Oscar earning the captain’s award on the back of excellent pressure and second efforts.

< In good spirits after match

experience.

Back (from left): Mr Hayden,

Dexter, Cameron, Angus, Liam, Cohen, Noah P, Mitchell and

Oscar.

Front (from left): Brendan, Ben, Ujjwal, Tom, Kody, Seb, Jasper, Jachin, Tarian, Thye and Noah M.

^ Gotta hand it to you: team captain Seb Hernandez presents Mulwaree High School’s best player with an award.

Bowral HS (17) def by Mulwaree HS (47)

0.0 0 4.2 26

1.1 7 5.3 33

2.3 15 5.4 34

2.5 17 7.5 47

Bowral HS Goals: Cohen Ford, Ben McWilliams.

Bowral HS Best: Seb Hernandez, Liam Bayliss, Oscar

Murton, Thye Hamilton.

EXCELSIOR May 2018 Volume 4 Page 4

Sutcliffe wins chess award The BHS chess team entered the local heat of the Sydney Academy of Chess Interschool Challenge for the second successive year and were looking to replicate their 3rd place and Bailey’s individual award winning effort. The seven round ‘swiss’ style tournament had team and individual prizes on offer and the team were eager to build upon their experience and again pro-gress to the next round.

The team all secured an early win in round 1, with very quick victories to Matthew Sutcliffe and Alexi Lawrence. Bailey Whitton also sailed to victory while Reily Wallace-O’Connell had a tougher challenge in registering his first point of the day.

In round 2 matches, Reilly drew his opponent’s king out and sustained pressure with a series of checks for a well earned second win. Alexi and Matthew played a see-sawing contest, with Alexi winning a castle with an early knight fork and Matthew having to fight his way back. Alexi used his pawns to good effect in the endgame, forcing Matthew to sacrifice both his knights and earn a stalemate. Bailey fought hard only to lose, despite a late queening opportunity.

The third round saw Alexi take another easy win and Bailey dismantle his opponent with an overwhelming material advantage. Matthew and Reilly were both on the losing end of long, hard and even contests. The next round provided one of the highlights of the day, with Matthew in another tight tussle. The game attracted a crowd of interested observers, being the last to finish. At the death, Matthew had two advanced pawns against a solitary rook. Matthew missed a chance to shield away the opposi-tion king, but maintained central board position in a series of frantic moves to escape with a stalemate, as his opponent ran out of time!

In the later rounds of Swiss tournaments, the games get tougher as players are paired at a similar level. The team put in some strong performances in the latter stages, with all members earning 50% or more of the points on offer. Matthew cheekily got away with a four-move checkmate in the final round!

Although the team failed to progress to the next stage of competition, they did earn another individual prize. This time team captain Matthew Sutcliffe finished in the top few competitors to earn something for the pool room and cap off a fine day’s work. Bowral HS will have another opportunity to qualify for the final in an upcoming local heat in Moss Vale.

BHS Team Result: 6th overall

Individual scores:

Matthew Sutcliffe 5 and

equal 5th award winner

Alexi Lawrence 4.5

Reily Wallace-O’Connell 4

Bailey Whitton 3.5

Mr C Hayden

BHS Chess Organiser

< Winners are grinners: Matthew with his

medallion (far right)

v The team in good spirits after early round victories.

From left: Alexi (front), Reily, Matthew (front) and Bailey.

EXCELSIOR May 2018 Volume 4 Page 5

Bowral High enlightened by Trinity: NSW Junior Chess League - Round 2

Bowral HS looked to go one better than last year with a win in the second round of the main competition. It was always going to be a tough proposition against last year’s south coast runners up; Trinity Catholic College Goulburn Senior Campus. The refurbished library was a perfect venue for the contest.

Following brief pleasantries, the teams played around the heaters on a fresh Bowral morning. Alexi Lawrence played a fast open game, with both players launching telling attacks. With his king being pushed up the board, Alexi’s determined late mating attack was just one move too slow against composed opposition.

On board 1, Matthew Sutcliffe was looking to replicate his individual award winning form from a recent competition. After a strategic opening without exchanges, his opponent patiently won material and gained ascendancy to win a grinding encoun-ter.

Bailey Whitton used the white pieces to good effect in an even opening. However, a structured queenside pawn advance proved too strong for Bailey’s inventive back rank mate setup. With the team 3-0 down, Reily Wallace-O’Connell played a tough, patient game with black pieces to be evenly placed with a queen and 3 pawns in the endgame. Despite his valiant effort, an aggressive queen exchange unfortunately left his king too far away to protect the final pawn push.

The team were humble in defeat and enjoyed a few social games before wishing our opponents well in the main competition. Fortunately, Bowral HS will continue in the second chance competition with some valuable learning experiences to draw up-on.

Bowral High School 0

Trinity College Goulburn 4

Mr C Hayden

BHS Chess Organiser

BHS chess team in action: (clockwise

from left)

Reily, Alexi, Matthew and Bailey.

Congratulations to 2017 HSC BHS student Brittney Woodgate at the opening of art express exhibition at the Manning Valley Art Gallery Her work was exhibited along with 35 other HSC artworks selected from around the state, including BHS student, Ben Silver. ARTEXPRESS is an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by New South Wales

Brittney Woodgate and BHS Visual Arts Teacher, Michelle Young at the Manning Valley Art Gallery.

EXCELSIOR May 2018 Volume 4 Page 6

Some Calendar Dates for Term 2 2018

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Week 4 21 May

NAPLAN

22 May

NAPLAN

23 May

NAPLAN KO Soccer

In Concert Excursion

24 May

ATHLETICS

CARNIVAL

25 May

ATHLETICS

CARNIVAL

Week 5 28 May Science & Engineer-

ing Challenge

29 May KO Volley Ball

Yr 10 & 11

Vaccinations

30 May Boys KO Softball

31 May 1 June Regional Cross Country

AFL Excursion

Week 6 4 June 5 June 6 June Girls Tigers All

Schools

7 June Careers Expo

Zone Netball

8 June White Card Course

Week 7 11 June

PUBLIC

HOLIDAY

12 June HSC Biology Field

Trip

13 June 14 June Chemistry

Enrichment Day

MUSICAL Primary

Schools Matinee

15 June

MUSICAL

Matinee and

Opening Night

Swimming news Following the school swimming carnival a small group of swimmers travelled to Goulburn to represent Bowral High School at the Southern Tablelands Zone Swimming Carnival in Queanbeyan. All students participated well on the day with many volun-teering to enter extra events. Five students were selected to represent the zone at the South Coast regional carnival. Eloise McMiles broke two BHS records at the carnival. These were the 50m and 100m Freestyle events. Both records were previ-ously held by another Bowral High student and have been held for 16years.

On March 6th three students travelled to Dapto for the South Coast championships. The students were Oscar Durst, Eloise McMiles and Melissa Legg. All students performed well and Eloise was selected to represent the South Coast at the State Championships in several events. Eloise travelled to Sydney in April for the State Championships (results below). We wish her the best of luck in the future.

N.Eckley—PDHPE Faculty

Eloise McMiles Yr 7 Oskar Durst Yr 7 Melissa Legg Yr 10

Combined High Schools Carnival Results for Eloise… Eloise competed in 50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke. Her best result was 5th in 200m Freestyle. Congratulations on a great effort Eloise!