From the Upper School

A message from Mr Tom Riley, Head of Upper School

It has been a quiet week on campus but a busy one across New South Wales with Year 10 away on four amazing different Outdoor Education experiences. We have students on the picturesque south coast at Murramarang, whitewater rafting on the Snowy Mountains River, traversing the Victorian High Country on our Namadji trek, and canyoning and abseiling in the Blue Mountains.

Please enjoy some of the comments that we have received from Murramarang:

Sophie Laing – “Stand up paddle boarding was very peaceful and allowed us to appreciate nature. The beach walk to see the stars was amazing and a great way to end day 1.”

Jessica Noyce – “The best thing about camp so far has been going to the beach to see the stars and bonding with new people.”

Amelia Young and Zara Le Hoang – “We didn’t fall in stand up paddle boarding, the water was calm, and it was a good start to the day.”

Lucy Middleton – “We now know what position to get into if a lightning storm comes even though there hasn’t been a storm and never turn your back on a wave.”

Sienna hui- “The bbq on the first night was delicious, we had a great time chatting with our friends whilst being surrounded by nature and hungry kangaroos.”

And Lots of girls have said – “best camp I have ever been on.”

On Tuesday I spoke with Year 9 about World Kindness Day on 13 November and the importance of choosing to be kind in a world where you can be anything. As you would expect in Year 9, we have seen a few friendship fires creeping into the year group and we’re keen to remind our girls to be positive, inclusive, and caring in all their interactions as we approach the end of a big year. In speaking with them, I shared a few moments from my own childhood where I got things wrong and would encourage you to do similarly around the dinner table this weekend. The benefit of hindsight is a powerful tool in helping to steer young people through the challenges of adolescence.

Elsewhere, we bid bon voyage to Ella and Alice who have headed on exchange to the UK, and celebrated our amazing Year 10s who won the best book for their entry in the write a book in a day competition. More of this to come next week!

2024 Student Exchange Program

Please click here to view information about the 2024 Student Exchange Program. Please read the mini-site with your family before applying.

Key Dates for 2024 Student Exchange

French Language Exchange

Applications Open – Term 4, Week 6 – Monday 13 November 2023
Applications Close – Term 4, Week 7 – Friday 24 November 2023
Exchange Interviews – Term 4, Week 8 (2023) – students will be notified of times and days
Places advised – Term 4, Week 9 (2023)

Germany/Japan/China Language Exchange