The Roar - Issue 34 Term 4 2025

Year 7 2026 Orientation Day
Next Monday (17 November), we look forward to welcoming the Year 7 of 2026. Our House Captains will support and lead the students through some team building games, a scavenger hunt of the campus, run an information assembly and play some sports with the students. The students who are boarding will spend a night getting familiar with the house, its staff and routines. Moving into secondary schooling can be an exciting and sometimes anxious time for young people; however, we know that there is a great team of students, staff and community ready to welcome them and support them and their families. We are also looking forward to meeting and chatting with parents at the registration in the morning, at collection in the afternoon or at the parent information session in the early evening.

Big/Fun Days Out and Spirit Day
Our Year 8 and 10 Heads of Year have been busy preparing the Big/Fun Days out for their students. A full day of travel to different parts of Sydney is planned, with some memorable, fun and collaborative activities planned in the last week of the school year. Our Year 7 and 9 students had camps during the year where they travelled away, but they will not miss out, as their Heads of Year are also preparing for some fun days at school in the last week. To continue with the celebrations of the school year, the whole Senior School will have the chance to enjoy the fun-filled House Spirit Day on Thursday 4 December. We are in the initial stages of planning for this day with a team of staff and senior students. This year, Spirit Day will be held on the Senior Campus, with Junior School students transported to and from each campus. We expect that all students will attend school on this last day and also attend Celebration Day at CSU on Friday 5 December.

Social Media Age Restrictions and Support for Families
We again provide some information to support our parents and carers with the upcoming social media age restrictions on 10 December. In the article found at the link below, some useful information on how parents and carers can speak to and support their children during this potentially difficult time may be of some use. At our most recent senior school assembly, I was able to speak to the students about previous historic government introduced legislative changes (tobacco and alcohol) and the reasons why they were done, these being that the health of young people was endangered, and the changes were being made as research had identified the dangerous consequences and that changes would help to make things safer. A prepared response that may be useful for parents when in conflict with their child about the social media age restrictions could be…

“I know it’s hard. It’s out of my hands, this is a decision made by the government. We may not like it, but this is the way it is. Can I help you find another way to connect with your friends or participate in these communities?”

https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/11/04/how-to-minimise-family-conflict-over-the-social-media-ban.html

Over the final weeks of the school year, we will continue to support students with the changes and provide advice on how our young people can stay connected with their peers over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Mr Justin Adams
Head of Senior School

Wanted: Musical Instruments for Our College Program
The College is seeking additional musical instruments to support our growing music program and talented young musicians. If you have an instrument at home that is no longer in use, we would love to hear from you. Donations or sales to the College program are greatly appreciated.

Instruments particularly needed include flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, double bass, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and French horn.

If you have one of these – or any other instrument you would like to offer—please contact Ms Sargeant to discuss how your contribution can help support our students’ musical journeys.

Carols on the Green – Friday Week 7
Mark your calendars for Friday, Week 7 (28 November) and join us for our annual Carols on the Green celebration! This special evening brings together our whole College community to celebrate the message of Christmas, featuring performances from all Junior School classes and the Senior School co-curricular music program.

Weather permitting, the event will take place on the lawn in front of the All Saints Chapel. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic-style dinner to enjoy during the performances.

It promises to be a wonderful evening of music, community, and Christmas spirit. Please note that students will be wearing free dress for this event. Can’t wait to see you all there!

Music Awards Presentation Evening
All musicians, families, and friends are warmly invited to attend the inaugural Music Awards Presentation Evening on Tuesday, 25 November, in Aikman Hall from 5:30–7:00 pm.

This special event will celebrate the outstanding achievements of students across both the Junior and Senior Schools. Light refreshments will be served from 5:30 pm, accompanied by performances from our talented Amadeus Academy students.

The formal presentation will commence at 6:00pm, recognising students who have demonstrated musical excellence, personal improvement, dedication to their ensembles, outstanding effort, and music spirit, as well as the announcement of the Junior and Senior Musicians of the Year.

Please RSVP through Operoo to assist with catering numbers.

Ms Liz Sargeant
Head of the Arts