Page 1 Learning, sport, community.

Randwick Boys’ High School

Guiding Young Men to Success

Find us at: Rainbow and Avoca Streets, Randwick 2031 and at www.randwickb-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Phone: 9399 3122 Fax: 9399 9546 Email: randwickb-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Issue 23 23 August 2013

From the Principal

Bring Your Own Device Policy

Parents will be aware that the NSW Government has advised that

the laptop rollout program by which Year 9 students have received

laptops annually has ended. The

approach to this from the Department

has been to develop a Bring Your Own

Device (BYOD) Policy and to encourage

schools to develop this within their own

contexts.

What the Department’s position means

is that students will be encouraged to

bring their own devices for use in educational settings. Such

devices might include personal laptops and tablets, as well as

android phones (iPhones, Galaxy and similar). Such devices,

brought by students to school would be able to access the

wireless networks at school, and would be brought to school at the

owners’ risk.

Randwick Boys’ High School is working through this policy at the

moment and I am working with other local Principals to explore

some further options to provide access to devices at school. You

will hear more about BYOD in the coming weeks and, I hope,

some innovative ways that we may be able to provide to parents

considering purchasing a device, to do so at minimal cost.

Community Spirit Shown By Randwick Boys

Last week, several boys from Randwick Boys’ High School went to

the assistance of a bus driver who was involved in an assault by a

passenger. The report was relayed to me by a parent and

community member who was impressed by the boys’ helpfulness

and support of the driver. She was not able to identify the boys –

they will know who they are – but she was keen to pass on her

favourable impression from their actions.

It’s Showtime!

Don’t forget The Show next week on Wednesday and Thursday,

August 27 and 28. An homage to the silver screen, Lights,

Camera, Action promises to be another outstanding production.

I’m looking forward to seeing the talent from both Randwick Boys’

and Girls’ High Schools on display and, as always, the

professionalism of the crew that makes the show flow so

smoothly!

Tickets are available from Ticketek!

W Duncombe Principal

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Coming events for Term 3

Week 7 Week A /Event

Monday 26 August Homework Centre 3:30 – 5:00pm Library

Wednesday 28 August The Show Lights, Camera, Action! NIDA – 7:30pm

Thursday 29 August

Homework Centre 3:30 – 5:00pm Library

The Show Lights, Camera, Action! NIDA – 7:30pm

Friday 30 August First Aid Course for Students

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Issue 23 23 August 2013

Page 2 Learning, sport, community.

Disability Provisions in the HS

Parents and caregivers may have read or heard recently about disability provisions for the HSC. A recent report by the Ombudsman found that

public schools were under-represented in applications to the Board of Studies although proportionally, government schools have a greater number of students with disabilities.

The following information is from the Board of Studies site (www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au). We have a number of students who will receive disability provisions for the HSC and a number whom we have identified in other years. You may already have been contacted by us. If you think that your child may be eligible for disability provisions, I urge you to contact our Learning and Support Teacher, Mr Burke (9399-3122) to discuss the possibility of applying.

Board of Studies information

Disability provisions for the Higher School Certificate examinations Disability provisions in the HSC are practical arrangements designed to help students who couldn't otherwise make a fair attempt to show what they know in an exam room. The provisions granted are solely determined by how the student’s exam performance is affected. Provisions may include braille papers, large-print papers, use of a reader and/or writer, extra time or rest breaks.

Applying for disability provisions Students who wish to apply for disability provisions should see their Year Adviser, School Counsellor or Mr Burke, the Learning and Support Teacher.

How does the process work? Once the Board of Studies has received the application, a letter acknowledging receipt is published. The application is processed at the Board of Studies.

The Board of Studies has a Panel of Specialists that includes medical practitioners, educational psychologists, and consultants for the visually or hearing impaired. The category of the disability and the evidence presented will determine who reviews the file.

When a decision has been made, a decision letter listing the approved and/or declined provisions is published with a copy for both the principal and the student.

A note to parents If you are concerned about whether disability provisions apply for your child, you should contact the school Year Adviser or Counsellor.

The application form must be submitted by your child's school as it requires specific information about the difficulties your child may experience in a classroom or examination situation. This does not mean, however, that you should not be involved in the application process.

Who can apply for disability provisions? Any HSC student with a disability recognised in the Commonwealth Disability Standards for Education 2005. The definition of ‘disability’ in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 includes:

physical

intellectual

psychiatric

sensory

neurological and

learning disabilities, as well as

physical disfigurement and

the presence in the body of disease-causing organisms.

Disability provisions also apply to temporary and emergency-related disabilities. A typical example of an ‘emergency’ is where a student breaks their writing arm a week before an examination.

Wayne Duncombe - Principal

AUSTRALIAN BRAIN BEE CHALLENGE

Congratulations to Bahram Sediqi

A few months ago Mr Noble encouraged our science class, 10

Science 1 to participate in the first round of an online test called

the Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC). About two-thirds of

the class accepted the challenge. About one month after the test

Mr Noble notified me that I was selected to proceed to Round 2

from our science class and one of the 146 students selected from

the 5500 students who took this test.

The Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC) is a test about

Neuroscience aimed at avid Year 10 Neuroscientists. The ABBC

comprises of three parts. Students who score well in Round 1 will

be selected to progress to Round 2. Winners in Round 2 represent

their State in Round 3, the National Final for either Australia or

New Zealand. The ABBC winner is then invited to compete in the

International Brain Bee Competition (IBBC).

On 8th August 2013, I attended Round 2 of the competition at the

School of Medicine at University of Western Sydney,

Campbelltown Campus. The competition began at 9:20am with

the first exam. The students were then provided morning tea at

9:45am. Subsequently, at 10:00 am the students were escorted to

a series of lectures made by professors regarding several topics

such as; the future of neuroscience, brain disorders and

experiments being carried out in the various fields of

neuroscience. After the lectures, the students went to an

interactive neurophysiology lab that the medical students use. We

simulated various experiments and I even tried one of the

experiments on myself. After that, there was a final quiz for those

who did well in the initial test and there was also a team

competition for those who registered as a team.

There were prizes given to those who did well in the challenge. A

student from James Ruse Agricultural High School came first and

proceeded to the Third round. Unfortunately, I did not. However it

was a memorable experience and very insightful.

Bahram Sediqi – Year 10 Student

Issue 23 23 August 2013

Page 3 Learning, sport, community.

Chinese Excursion

On Monday 12th of August, the Year 8 and 9 Chinese classes visited the Chinese Gardens of Friendship and had a Chinese lunch. As soon as we had roll call, we went to the basketball court to wait for the bus to come and take us to the city. As soon as we got to the city, we headed towards the Chinese Gardens. Before we went into the Gardens, in front of the entrance there were two statues of loins which looked like it was guarding the garden. On the sides of the entrance, there was a pond which was a part of the garden and there were carps swimming inside it. Before we entered the garden, Mr Thornton and Ms Quansah told us that we were allowed to spend time in the garden for 45 minutes and that the student who took the best photo would get a prize. As we entered the garden, the first thing we saw was the Bonsais. Bonsais are traditional art of plants that look like small trees. They were neatly placed on platforms with stones and other plants around it. As I walked through the garden with my friends, we saw many different artistic structures such as the stones in the middle of the pond which look like different animals. This was already my third time coming to the Chinese Gardens. I already knew what I would see but there was a change in the population of the animals in the garden compared to the other times I went there. I couldn’t see many carp in the pond and I didn’t see any turtles swimming. I only managed to find one iguana resting in the shade. One thing that disappointed me was that the waterfall wasn’t working and it could have been a very good photo to take. The other thing I didn’t like was that some of my friends that I was walking with kept on taking pictures of me so I kept on hiding behind my other friend. The Chinese Gardens was a very fun place to be. Whenever I go there, I feel unnatural because it feels like I’m in a very relaxed place but when I look up, I see the tall buildings around it. After everyone came out of the garden, we went to have lunch in the Zilver Seafood Restaurant. On our way there Mr Thornton was telling us about the history of Chinatown while walking through the bad smelling lanes. As we were walking around Chinatown in circles, some of us thought that the teachers were lost but we eventually arrived at the restaurant.

As we sat down in the restaurant, we had time to relax and have jasmine tea while waiting for the food to come. The first dish that came was a plate of noodles. It was very tasty and disappeared in a matter of seconds. After that, vegetables, different dumplings and pork buns came. Some dumplings had a clear skin and many of them had prawns inside, after that, spring rolls and meat balls. They were both really popular, especially the spring rolls. Because we all had to use chopsticks, the spring rolls were very hard to eat. The dessert was egg tarts, they were sweet and tasty. After we finished, we went to the train station and waited for the bus to arrive. When we got back to school, we had normal school time from Period 5.

Leo Tanabe Year 9

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Lynda.com is here…

Anytime – Anywhere

Get started now.

Students – your log in is in your school email account…

Mum and Dad – Lynda.com can be used at home as well

as at school. Have a look at the range of learning courses

available for your son…

Issue 23 23 August 2013

Page 4 Learning, sport, community.

SPORT AFTERNOON – 21 AUGUST 2013

Issue 23 23 August 2013

Page 5 Learning, sport, community.

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CANTEEN NEWS

Randwick Boys’ High School

Canteen is not only committed

to providing great meals and

snacks at fantastic prices but is

now offering EFTPOS services

for students and teaches!

No cash out! Minimum $6 purchase

THE SHOW IS COMING UP VERY SOON!!

'Lights, Camera, Action! Tickets are on sale and I hope everyone will come

and watch this year. This is the link to the Ticketek website where you can purchase tickets for either Wednesday 28th or Thursday 29th August: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx

Thank You to our sponsors and the community of

The Show.

Your commitment to our journey is greatly appreciated!

Gold Sponsors Benny and the Pets; D&M Research; Faircount Media Group; Look Design;

Randwick City Council; Stallion Group; The Rotary Club of Randwick; Thomas Hotels

Silver Sponsors Amazing Paints; Focus Driving School; Kingsford Timber Mitre10; Stelna Group

Bronze Sponsors Culbra Cash Flow Services; Muddy Gumboots;

The Ortho Practice

Issue 23 23 August 2013

Page 6 Learning, sport, community.

Issue 23 23 August 2013

Page 7 Learning, sport, community.

proud bronze sponsors of the 2013 production of

Lights, Camera, Action Make an appointment to discuss how Culbra

Cash Flow Services can assist.

We have years of experience in credit management and debt collection, operating

in the entire NSW area with affiliated companies within other states.

Phone: 95975266

admin@culbra.com.au

Issue 23 23 August 2013

Page 8 Learning, sport, community.

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Daylight Sportswear Pty ltd

ABN 76 069 733 455

35 Garema Circuit, Kingsgrove NSW 2208

Tel: (02) 9758 5588 Fax: (02) 9758 5566

Email: daylight@daylightcorp.com

UNIFORM SHOP 20% OFF SALE ALL ITEMS IN THE UNIFORM SHOP

2 weeks commencing Monday 9th September to Friday 20th September

last 2 weeks of term Available during normal shop hours ONLY

20% Off Stocktake Sale

Shop Stock ONLY (excluding Wool Jumpers and Blazers)

No Exchanges

No Refunds

No Rain checks

No Lay buys