Dear Parents - Scone Grammar School

Scone Grammar School WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents,
Scone Grammar certainly has ‘Talent’! The Parents and Friends’ evening on
Saturday night was great fun and was enjoyed by all. I would like to thank
those who entertained us and especially the organisers, Marina Lee-Warner
and Annie Rodgers.
This term is moving rapidly along with so many wonderful activities occurring for
students of all ages. Year 12 have finished their trial exams and are heavily into
revision. Year 11 are enjoying the Ski trip this week, a highlight of Secondary
School. Year 10 are heading off to the University of New England as part of their
Uni Crawl. Year 1 and 2 are in Dubbo, visiting the zoo as you read this newsletter.
Sporting opportunities this week have seen the Secondary Girls compete at HRIS
in Netball and the Year 7 and 8 Rugby team play against Calrossy, in Tamworth.
The boys were beaten in a tough game 36 – 15. They played very good rugby for
a first as a team together.
Tournament of the Minds (TOM)
Our Primary and Secondary TOM teams competed at Newcastle University on Saturday and I have heard excellent
reports from this academically challenging competition. Well done to the students who showed creativity and the
ability to think ‘outside the square’.
Next week we have the opportunity to see students participate in the SCADS Festival. We have entries from Primary
and Secondary groups. Also on Wednesday night our Showcase Concert will be held at Scone High School MPU. This
will be a delightful musical evening and I encourage as many as possible to attend.
Paul Smart,
Principal
Year 3 and Year 4 Camp
Sailing and fishing on Lake Macquarie
Thursday 3rd September

The History Show
Students in Year 7 and 8 were given the opportunity to participate in the History Show last week. Mr James Adams
travelled from Sydney with an assortment of costumes, weapons, armour and stories which he shared with the two
groups. Year 7 were involved in the Ancient History show where Mr Adams explained Ancient Egyptian and Roman
war tactics and invited the students to model some items of the army outfits. The students had a lot of fun exploring
and trying on the mail, helmets, shields and swords and realised just how heavy and cumbersome they were. The Year
8 show focused on Medieval Europe and the students were very interested to learn about the various punishments,
lifestyles and law and order. Again they were actively involved in the show trying on costumes, experiencing the
pillory, exploring weapons and building a shield wall.
Above: Year 8
Young Adventurer of the Year
The Australian Geographic has awarded Angus Paradice (Year 7J) the “The Young Adventurer of the Year” Award
following his recent horse ride in Mongolia. Angus was the first foreigner to ride in the Naadam Festival Horse Races.
Congratulations Angus!
Access to School Library Catalogue
The School Library catalogue is now available online at school via the Student Intranet. The library catalogue is called
‘Oliver’ and is searchable on author, subject, title or any word. The version for younger students is called ‘Olly’ and is
also available on the Student Intranet. It has been several years since students could gain access to the catalogue, so
it is very exciting that they can now check to see what resources are held in the library. If students have any questions,
I am available at lunchtimes to discuss access to the library catalogue.
Scholastic Book Fair
Above: Felicity Brown
A very successful Book Fair was held in the library during Children’s Book Week. There was a great selection of titles
to choose from, and over $1300 worth of items were purchased. As a result, the library was able to choose over $500
of items, to be catalogued and placed in the school’s collection. Many thanks to the families , who are such great
supporters of our Book Fairs and Book Clubs. Thank you to Abby and Noah McDonald who purchased some items
from the Book Fair and donated them to the Library.
Mrs Tesoriero
3.

1.
Primary News (From Mr Feeney)
The last month has been a particularly busy period with many different activities scheduled on the School program
both in and outside of the classroom. I am delighted to see the way that the Primary students have continued to
respond enthusiastically with commitments to their academic studies, while also participating fully with every wider
opportunity as it has come along. They have certainly represented themselves and their School admirably.
S.C.A.D.S.
Next week, the S.C.A.D.S. 2009 Junior Drama Festival will be held in Scone and I am very pleased that so many of our
Primary classes are involved. I would like to thank the teachers (and parents) who have been involved in assisting the
students during rehearsals and in making this wonderful performance opportunity possible.
The schedule for performances is as follows:
Tuesday, 8 September: 7:30pm Year 3 Gold
8:45pm Year 6 Blue
Wednesday, 9 September 8:00pm Year 3 Blue
Thursday, 10 September 7:30pm Year 4 Blue; 7:50pm Year 4 Gold; 8:30pm Year 6 Gold
Please check your child’s class information letter carefully for particular details re their performance and I look forward
to seeing you in the audience.
Gold Class Awards
Congratulations to the following students, Ashton Hall, Daniel Jones and Benjamin Garrett, who this week were
presented with Gold Class Awards for their achievements through ‘Mathletics’, which they work on at Maths Club on
Monday afternoons. Mr Garrett has done an excellent job in initiating and facilitating the students’ involvement in
‘Mathletics’ and it is very encouraging to see the improvement and progress many individual students are making.
Year 3 / Year 4 Camp
The Year 3 / Year 4 Camp at ‘Lake Mac’ last week was very successful, with students enjoying a fresh new range of
well organised and challenging activities. These outdoor education activities often give students a chance to use their
skills and abilities that are not always seen within the classroom. This opportunity, together with the sense of
achievement that comes from mastering a new challenge, builds self-esteem and confidence, which all adds
immeasurably to the development of a child’s character.
Thank you to the parents who attended camp last week and who gave such wonderful support to the staff and
students. We do appreciate your involvement very much.
(Mr Wilkinson gets the prize for the biggest fish and Mr O’Donnell for the fastest sailor.)
HRIS Cultural Festival
A group of our Year 6 students participated in the HRIS Cultural Festival last Thursday night, and performed very well
as part of the massed choir, which sang two songs as the finale to the program. The evening was a wonderful display
of talent across a range of areas, presented by students from most of the HRIS schools. I was delighted to watch the
items presented by our students, and was very proud of their participation and level of performance.
Tournament of Minds
Three Tournament of Minds teams competed at Newcastle University last Saturday and it was a privilege to also share
in their performances, which were the culmination of many weeks of preparation. It was wonderful to see their
teamwork and the creative solutions they came up with to the problems they had to solve. Mrs Gidney will be sharing
a full report including results in next week’s newsletter.
Hunter Primary Maths Competition
Yesterday, Year 5 and Year 6 students participated in the Hunter Primary Maths Competition. Year 5 students have
the opportunity to earn selection for a Mathematics Enrichment Camp in Year 6, and we will look forward to receiving
results when they arrive later this term.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Sarah Wise (Yr 1G), Fitz Bowman (Yr 1B) and Aidan Haegel (Yr 3G), who are all celebrating
birthdays this week.
Caring for the individual

Music Update
HRIS Cultural Festival
Last Thursday 21 students travelled down to Hunter Valley Grammar School to represent SGS at the HRIS Cultural
Festival. Eight secondary students were selected to be a part of the combined 70 piece Symphony Orchestra. The
students spent the day workshopping two pieces, which were performed at the opening of the concert. We also had
13 Year 6 students from Primary join in a 300 voice Massed Choir made up of Primary Students from 13 Independent
Schools in the HRIS region. Our school also presented two individual items from Year 12 HSC students. Madeleine
Inder performed a Tango on the flute with guitar accompaniment, and Daniel Berry performed Philosophy on Piano,
with James Cook, Hamish White and Ben Pittman accompanying him. Congratulations to all students who performed
in the Concert.
Young Australian Music Workshop
On Tuesday Year 4, 5 & 6 students attended a Young Australian Music Workshop called ‘From Flute tones to
Saxophones’ with a guest presenter, Andrew Oh. The students’ had a great time seeing and hearing a range of
woodwind instruments.
Showcase Concert
Reminder that the Showcase concert is on Wednesday 9 September. Details are on the attached flier. Please come
along and enjoy a great night of entertainment.
Miss Collins
Final Tongan Fundraiser
A massive THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the
pizza lunch & out of uniform day!!! We raised a total of
$1249.25, which is an awesome effort.
The money will be used to buy much needed resources for
the Tongan schools that the SGS team plan to visit during the
next school holidays.
Left: Pizza Mountain
Below: Alison Wright, Luke Sandell-Hay and
Ishaan Ranadive hand out the pizza

Class Liaison Parents And Fete Helpers
Tournament of Minds
Please join Mez, Louise and Jillie for a
THANK YOU LUNCH
in appreciation for all your Fete efforts
and to discuss
Class Liaison Parents for 2010
at
“Cliffdale”
New England Hwy Scone
(first driveway on left after Cressfield Rd)
on
Friday 11th Sept 2009
at 12 Noon
Feel free to bring a friend
Please R.S.V.P. to Mez-bowman21@bigpond.com
Last Saturday, 3 teams from our school travelled to the University of Newcastle to compete in the Regional Finals of
the Tournament of Minds competition.
The Secondary team comprising Nicholas Curnow, Jess McLaren, Cameron Nichols, Jess Standley, Tyrone Crozier,
Melissa Ronald and Annalise Kaye competed in the Language/Literature section and had to explain why all the books
in the world had disappeared and then present a creative oral narrative. Their solution was described by one judge as
‘brilliant’ and they gave a most creditable performance.
The Language/Literature Primary team of Sophie Jenkins, Jemima Morgan, Natalya Catzikiris, Joey White, Rolanda
Clout-Collins, Rhys Webber and Lachlan Kemp was faced with the same problem. This team was awarded
‘Tournament Honours’ (Runners-up), a fantastic result due to great team work, dedication and original thinking.
The Mathematics/Science Primary team of Grace Tesoriero, Lachlan Cooksey, Andrew Edwards, Kaitland Parker, Selina
McDougall, Daniel Jones and Thomas Nichols had to devise a method of catapulting a small ball, over not one
obstacle, but two!!. This was quite a daunting task and the team is to be commended for the hours of dedicated
practice. While the ball did not behave on the day, the accompanying play was most entertaining.
Thank you to all the students for the teamwork, time, effort and enthusiasm spent in preparing for this most
worthwhile competition and thank you also to all the parents who have been so supportive.
Di Gidney (Facilitator)

‘Lake Mac’ Year 3 and Year 4 Camp
doing Archery
Declan Boyle - Archery Annabel Munro
Above:
Happy campers
– parent helpers
Far Left:
Leyton Karaka
and Ethan Fairgray
Left:
Joanne Raphael
and the one that
didn’t get away!
Griffin Miller Rock Climbing

Scone Grammar’s Got Talent
Top Row
left to right:
Claire Paradice
Mark Heanly
Rob Tesoriero
Right:
Mark & Kelly
Scholes
Left:
Rowan Rodgers,
James Munro,
David Alker,
Hugh Kraefft

Community Notices & News
Scone Film Fest 2009 on Saturday 12 September
Scone Film Fest’s Inaugural Short Film Festival where you can meet our special guests, Roy Billing, star of “Underbelly”,
“The Dish”, etc., John Winter, Producer of “Rabbit Proof Fence” and others, Mark Shields, Director of “A Pretty Penny”
Doors open at 6.30 pm with a delicious finger food . The films commence at 7.45 pm followed at 9.15 pm by Coffee
and Slices. Dress in your favourite Glitz, Glam, or Red Carpet outfits ,at the Senior Citizen's Centre, Oxford Road, Scone.
Tickets $25 available from Serendipity, Larda and Muswellbrook Eyecare.
Under 15s must be accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian.
Enquiries - tel: 0428 508326.
Showcase Concert
For Your Diary
Sun 30 to Frid Sept 4 .... Year 11 Jindabyne Ski Camp
Wednesday 2 ................ Hunter 1. Primary Maths Comp
Thursday 3 .................... HRIS Primary Basketball Gala Day
.................................... Year 8 Information Night (Year 9 2010)
Thur 3 to Fri 4 ................ Years 1 & 2 Excursion to Dubbo
Friday 4.......................... UNE Open Day
Mon 7 to Thur 10 .......... SCADS Fest
Tuesday 8 ...................... Westpac Rescue Helicopter Charity Golf Day
.................................... P&F Meeting
Tues 8 to Wed 9 ............ Year 12 HSC Drama Examination
Wednesday 9 ................ AICES Secondary Athletics
.................................... Year 12 Legal Studies Excursion
.................................... Showcase Concert
.................................... Year 4G Walk – French Excursion
Wed 9 to Frid 11 .......... Year 12 PDHPE Excursion
Sat 12............................ Xstrata Coal 2009 Power of Music
Festival, Civic Centre, Singleton
SGS Primary Band performing
Sun 13 to Thurs 17 ........ Year 6 Canberra Excursion
Mon 14 & Tues15 .......... Year 12 UAC Information Nights
- School Library
Tuesday15...................... CIS Primary Athletics
Tues15 & Wed 16 .......... Drama Night
Thursday 17 .................. Young Endeavour Dinner
Fri 18 to Wed 23............ Year 11 Preliminary Exams
Monday 21 .................... Year 12 General Maths Excursion
Mon 21 to Wed 23 ........ Parent/Teacher Interviews
Tuesday 22 .................... CIS Secondary Athletics
Wed 23 to Fri 25............ Duke of Edinburgh; Gold, Silver & Bronze
Thursday 24 .................. Kinder Sleepover
2.
Come and be entertained by the amazing talents of the 2009 Year 12 Music students, SGS Secondary Choir, Orchestra
and rising stars from other years. Where: Scone High School MPU
When: Wednesday 9 September at 7.00pm
Cost: $5.00 Adults, Students and Children FREE
Showcase Concert
Come and be entertained by the amazing talents of the 2009 Year 12 Music students, SGS Secondary Choir, Orchestra
and rising stars from other years. Where: Scone High School MPU
Kullu Collection
Sale and Exhibition will be held on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2009 from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm at Canter
Home, 111 Susan Street Scone. There shall be a unique collection of antique silver and semi-precious stone jewellery,
shawls of Indian silk, pashmina and fine wools together with designer cushions featuring French toile and vintage and
contemporary fabrics. Cheque or cash only. Please contact Lyndy Bowman on 0414569966 for more information.
Muswellbrook Junior
Cricket Club
Registrations - Victoria Park Muswellbrook on
Tuesday 8 September 4-5.30pm
Thursday 10 September 4-5.30pm
Saturday 12 September 10-12noon
Tuesday 15 September 4-5.30pm
Thursday 17 September 4-5.30pm
Saturday 19 September 10-12noon
COST:
Under 16, 14, 12 = $60 per player
Under 10’s = $50 per player
Kanga/Milo = $45 per player
CONTACT: Nicole White on 0409 654 149
Jessica Tubb - Year 3 & 4 Camp
Phone: (02) 6545 3131 Email: admin@sgs.nsw.edu.au Website: www.sgs.nsw.edu.au