In 2011, Riverside GHS gained a new principal Ms Kelly and a new deputy principal, Ms Nikoletich. We have had a year of great success for our students and staff.

The senior executive

  • New reporting system
  • Sister school with China
  • $200K grant for kitchen upgrade
  • Hunters Hill mayoral visit
  • School open for Hunters Hill 150th birthday
  • Expression of Interest (EOI) process introduced for relieving positions
  • New DEC attendance policy implemented
  • Open Day co-ordination
  • Seven students to Sydney Uni “Mind and Morality” summer course

The office

  • All certificates for fourpresentation assemblies
  • Great assistance to staff for all matters
  • New lunch room

HSC

  • 3 All Rounder students
  • English
  • State Rank 81st- 13.41% of cohort Band 6
  • Maths
  • State Rank 129th- 18.35% of cohort Band 6

English

  • EnglishHSC results 22 x band 6 & E4 and in Drama 3 x band 6
  • 2 Drama students nominated for Onstage
  • English SC results 92.85% in bands 4 – 6; 55.35% in bands 5 & 6
  • Success in debating
  • Development of English Studies pilot course
  • Community links with local nursing home through English Studies
  • Considerable staff involvement in planning and delivery of PBL
  • Success of digital story telling & fostering of community links

ESL

  • Students well supported across a range of subjects in senior years
  • Strong academic results in English and other KLA’s
  • Year 12 students attended ATESOL HSC revision study day

Mathematics

  • Excellent HSC Maths results, all above State Average. General Maths 600% increase in Band 6
  • 40% bands 5/6 in School Certificate
  • Maths Olympiad (top 40 schools)
  • 100% increase in band 6 from 2010 to 2011 (Year 10)
  • Targeted areas for underachievers in Year 8 and work to ‘MOVE UP’ a band

Science

  • HSC Physics 27% Band 6 (compared to 9% for state)
  • HSC Biology,above state average
  • HSC Accelerated Chemistry group 82% of class scored Band 5 or 6
  • Accelerated Year 10s into Preliminary Courses (Biology & Physics)
  • School Certificate record success
  • Sustainable garden project started
  • 5 Staff involved in PBL
  • Outstanding results in National and International Chemistry Competition
  • Accelerated students linking with Macquarie Uni
  • Highly successful Science Fair Yr 9

HSIE

  • “Commerce in the Quad” initiative
  • Collaborative Engagement project for teacher Professional Learning
  • Year 10 HSIE excursion to Bondi, Vietnam Veteran visit and excursion to Gladesville Hospital
  • Regional success in the Mock Trial
  • High Distinctions in the Australian History Competition

PDHPE

  • HSC Class, 4 Band 6’s (8.11% of cohort); 6.8% above state average
  • Dance elective established in Year 9
  • Laptop for Learning programs established using Moodle Years 9-10, Yr 12 HSC Course
  • Year 10 PASS coaching accreditation with Australian Sports Commission. Active After Schools Program
  • Year 7 PDHPE participated in Premier’s Sporting Challenge for the first time.

CAPA

  • 2 Year 12 VA students nominated and accepted to Art Express
  • ‘Annie’ the musical
  • Hunters Hill Young in Art Competition
  • National Art School Student success
  • Rex Factor Competition
  • X Factor Competition

TAS

  • HSC Hospitality: 77% of students received bands 5 or 6; 100% of students received bands 4, 5 or 6
  • HSC Textiles: 47% of students received a Band 5 or 6
  • HSC CFS: 38%of students received a Band 5 or 6
  • HSC Food Technology 47 % of students received a Band 5 or 6
  • Open Day – all TAS activities
  • CLI National Awards – Digital Artwork – Winners in this competition since 2008
  • International Women’s Day Poster competition
  • Australian Museum “Fashionless Waste” fashion design competition
  • Work placement Awards for Hospitality
  • DT exhibition / Textiles exhibition
  • Game Training initiative
  • IT VET accelerated class for 2012 initiative
  • Hospitality catering for Year 12 Graduation
  • HSC Designtech nominations

Drama

  • 2 Year 12 Drama students nominated for Onstage
  • Successful participation in school production
  • Invited to Richard III & workshop with Kevin Spacey through partnership with Opera House
  • Partnership with Opera House
  • Digital excursions
  • Arts North Festival Soloists selected for Ryde School Spectacular

LOTE

  • 10 High distinctions, 25 distinctions across the board in years 9 – 12 in the National ALC Certificates
  • A Year 10 German student and a Year 10 Spanish student onstudent exchange in Germany and Spain for 6 months
  • First Spanish Continuers cohort began Stage 6 at RGHS

Learning Support

  • HSC Plus – 2 TAS subjects very successful for delivering outcomes for students
  • Continued development of Learning Plans for individual students
  • STLA working “in class” team teaching to support differentiation in Science

SRC

  • Fundraising total of $9486.10
  • Appointment of a Performance Captain
  • “Behind Riverside Gates” video initiative
  • Raising awareness of Aboriginal issues “Closing the gap”

Dance

  • School Spectacular
  • State Dance Festival
  • Ryde Schools Spectacular
  • Sydney North Festival

Band

  • ‘Annie’ the musical
  • Yamaha Music Festival Medallist
  • MECA night for parents
  • Many performances throughout the year including Year 6→7 transitions and formal assemblies

Choir

  • Hired a new tutor – fabulous revitalisation of the choir
  • Ryde School Spectacular performance

Sport

  • Swimming Regional school champions
  • Rowing program established in conjunction with Uni NSW
  • Gymnastics, Netball and basketball development programs continued
  • Volleyball and Waterpolodevelopment programs established
  • Year 9 ski camp
  • Australian schools Volleyball championship in Melbourne - 10th in group
  • Three Futsal teams in State Finals

Whole School – Teaching and Learning

  • Project Based Learningteachers trained and successful implementation of PBL

Gifted and Talented

  • Primary Links extended to Visual Arts for 8T
  • PBL introduced to extension classes with positive student, teacher and parent feedback

International students

  • An international student representative on the SRC to provide a voice for international students
  • Improved participation and inclusion in whole school activities

School to Work

  • Program link with TAFE
  • Coffee Club extended to Year 10

Duke of Edinburgh

  • Successful establishment of program
  • Students gained Bronze awards

Community Links

  • Primary links program established with 7 primary schools in local area

Tournament of the Minds

  • Regional winners first time entered the competition
  • State finalist for Maths and Engineering section

Environment

  • Gardening with Jimmy Shaw every Monday (last 5 years)
  • Hunters Hill Council Environment award

Welfare

  • Introduction ofparent forum evening sessions
  • Peer Support Training Years 9 and 10
  • Mentoring Programs “Oasis” and “Young Love”

Technology

  • Introduction of the parent portal
  • New school website
  • Extensive ‘in-house’ PL provided for teachers
  • Development of an RGHS Wiki for technology support and network admin
  • A focus on using web 2 technologies and Moodle
  • Google Award for computer programs to HSC students

Assemblies

  • Revitalised assemblies,focus on increased student involvement, celebrating strengths and creating energy and enthusiasm.

P and C

  • Involvement of parents in School Plan 2012-2014 development
  • Participation at ‘Annie’ the musical
  • Garden Working Bees