10 Oct 2018
The class of 2018 has been farewelled at two great assemblies this week. They are a proud group of Riversidians who have the name Team #majestic, coined by School Captain, Hannah. I love this as it defines the positive energy and attitude of the cohort. They know how to show commitment – from organising ‘I love Riverside Day’ to encouraging all students to connect and value each other.
The poster of the 2017/18 leaders in the foyer includes a number of statements from each of the leaders including ‘bold leadership’; ‘see the worth in the people surrounding you’; ‘discover your purpose’ and ‘ be proactive and be the person to succeed’.
These are not hollow statements but typify the ‘can do’ attitude that the student leaders have lived by and shared with every yr 12, every day. As a group, year 12 have reinforced that a person flourishes when they can see beyond themselves and thinks of others. The House Captains raised nearly $7000 for charities and $3281 on I Love Riverside Day for the drought relief and farmers.
We have very talented students who have been recognised for their commitment to the arts:
• Principal’s Award – for Dedication and exemplary leadership towards all school musicals - Performance Captain, Lucy Pennington
• Principal’s Award – for Outstanding Contribution to School Music Ensembles -
Sarah Granet
Ariana Muir
Madeline Smith
Samantha Du
Emily Mak
Malathi Waller
• Principal’s Award – for Commitment to the success of many School Musicals (assisted with props, backstage, sound/lighting or promotion)
Chloe Hutcheon
Hannah Pearson
Ally Palmer
Gwen Romarate
Recently, the Department of Education’s Arts unit recognized HSC Dance performances for *Callback – identifying these students as excelling and worthy of special note, and Drama has been nominated for OnStage for both group and individual performances. (first ever time ) Onstage recognizes excellence in drama major works.
Further principal awards to :
• commitment to Amnesty and social justice, Marian Chowdhury, Lucy Pennington
• commitment to Mock Trial; Ella Batey- McManus, Annabel Compton, Malathi Waller • with the goal of raising our school profile in the broader community.
A recognition certificate for Tara Chappell; Priyasha Prasad and Sarah Granet.
This year, high achievement is spread throughout the year making the determination of dux very competitive. The Dux award at Riverside is a school-based award, recognizing excellence at a school level and determined by ranks and were difficult to discriminate through rank, via the assessment and review committee and their professional judgement about school academic achievement.
The Dux of 2018 is shared between 3 students – each has excelled in her subjects – a historian and drama student, Lucy Pennington; an English specialist and great writer, Malathi Waller; and a mathematician and scientist, Leila Yuan.
Their commitment to personal best and to achieving their goals is commendable and their peers understand how hard they have worked to lift to such great results. They will all achieve very high ATARs which will be acknowledged next February at the High Achievers’ assembly.
I have confidence all yr 12 graduates have the skills to create their own world – to discover their purpose – and make things happen. They are citizens we can all be proud of and I wish them very happy lives.
All yr 12 teachers have their own way of inspiring their classes and of developing close learning relationships with individual students. Our staff are committed to their students, are caring and talented. Congratulations to them, including their year adviser, Ms Lisa Edwards, for encouraging their yr 12s to love school and to achieve their goals.
Thank you also to the office staff who have enjoyed the preparation of Graduation, especially creating the awards and certificates. The graduation ceremonies will be remembered for a long, long time.
*NB: Callback is a selection of outstanding performances and projects from Higher School Certificate dance students. OnStage recognises outstanding performances in Drama. It is a credit to the teachers and students that we have a group and individual nominated for Callback and 3 dancers nominated for OnStage.