Annual Goals Report - 2013

2013 ANNUAL GOALS REPORT A DEEP RESPECT FOR INTELLECTUAL VALUES

A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values 1.

Encouraging a love of learning and perseverance in study

Our Sacred Heart Focus Goal for 2013 has been ‘A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values’. Imparting a passion for lifelong learning and constant effort and application are keys to success and the hallmarks of a KRB education. Students understand that learning involves many experiences, both within and beyond the classroom and that there are many opportunities for the development of independent thinking, creativity and problem solving skills.

In 2013 we have continued to develop the minds of our students with a diverse range of intellectual challenges and learning opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom through PERMA (Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment). We nurture the development of a “growth mindset” by empowering our young women and men to: • embrace life’s challenges, • persist with the realisation of personal goals • succeed in the face of life’s setbacks.

The commitment of both students and the School to the love of learning is evidenced by the many examples of the opportunities experienced by the KRB School community.

“The pride we have in the entire Class of 2012 is due not only to their outstanding results, but also to the wonderful contribution they made as students throughout their time at KRB.” (Principal, 8 March 2013).

The class of 2012 was a fine example of students who were very much involved in all that KRB has to offer. This was reflected in their excellent results.

“Our students are looking ahead to the challenges of the school year and the personal growth that will come from accepting and persevering with challenges, both in and out of the classroom…It is important that parents too, support with positive enforcement while encouraging ways to achieve even better than they have.”

Opportunities for this were present in many areas: • The World Challenge trip to Cambodia demonstrated to the students how the majority of the world’s population live. For five days they lived in a village and helped the local builders erect a brick fence around the perimeter of the primary school. They also spent time in the classrooms teaching some English phrases.

• Students from Years 7 to 12 went to the Young Minds Conference at Sydney Town Hall to hear the Dalai Lama speak on the importance of happiness and well-being and how to be a good person.

• KRB Mind Quest is an opportunity for students to explore areas of knowledge and topics of personal interest beyond the normal parameters of the curriculum in Years 9 and 10. It provides able students with the chance to experience challenging literary texts, examine complex issues and develop their own knowledge at a flexible pace. Students choose a specific topic area to research and explore and develop a presentation or product to showcase their learning process.

• Four Year 6 students attended the Maths camp in February at the Elanora Heights Conference Centre.

They found it to be an exciting experience that challenged them in problem solving and searching for patterns.

• Students from Years 5 to 10 competed in the Da Vinci Decathlon. The aim of the day is to celebrate the great mind of Leonardo da Vinci and encourage students to embrace learning with a lifelong passion and determination.

• Year 6 promoted a love of learning in a rich environment that is open, respectful, caring and safe.

They continued to use the Brainology Program and the idea of the “growth mindset” throughout the year. The students have participated in experiences beyond the classroom, including Surf Awareness, Camp Coolendel, the Leadership Camp in Adelaide and the Canberra excursion. On returning from these experiences there were times for reflection. The students were also given the opportunity to reflect in a Gratitude Journal where they have been encouraged to make entries throughout the year.

(Principal, 22 February 2013).

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A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values 2.

The Development of programs based on research and evaluation

“A new definition of success: inspired by Arianna Huffington, editor –in –chief of The Huffington Post forms the basis of alternative parameters for success for KRB students: ‘Traditionally, success has been determined by money and power. We need a third metric based on well-being, wonder, wisdom, empathy and compassion and the ability to give back and to create your own success.’ ” (Principal, 7 June 2013) In 2013 KRB continued working with the Positive Education Program. This is based on Positive Psychology, which aims to “educate for both traditional skills and for happiness.”

The focus has been on a strengths based approach which concentrates on students’ capabilities, whereby they learn the skills necessary for overcoming adversity, developing resilience and increasing confidence.

Positive Education Positive Education in educational context focuses on student resilience, wellbeing and accomplishment. Positive education at KRB places an emphasis on strengths rather than deficits, on positive experiences rather than difficulties, on competency building rather than pathology and on what is going well rather than what is not working (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). A growth mindset is fostered through a focus on learning experiences for students to always strive for their personal best. The KRB Pastoral program for each Year group has been designed according to Martin Seligman’s (2011) pillars of positive psychology as described in his acronym PERMA: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meanign and Accomplishment, specifically linked to schoolbased pedagogy and practices that enhance student wellbeing, resilience and achievement.

Activities including the Year 9 City Immersion Experience, Young Entrepreneur Week, Big Sister Program, Peer to Peer programs, outdoor education camps, transition to secondary school programs and the Positive Education program in the Boarding School, assisted in providing challenging opportunities for all students and helped build resilience.

This positive psychology approach underpins the Pastoral system at KRB. Academic care at KRB involves a focus on developing positive and knowledgeable relationships between staff, students and parents. The Pastoral Team, under the direction of the Year Coordinator and Director of Students, monitors the academic progress and school engagement of each student in their care. Mentors act as coaches and support each student to be the best he/she can be. The students are encouraged to adopt a “growth mindset” and to see each challenge as a learning opportunity.

Students are tracked academically by their Pastoral Mentor four times each year and action is taken to recognize the different levels of achievement. Support is provided for any student who is not performing to the best of her ability. The student tracking system provides dynamic academic care and contributes to student well-being.

In the Boarding community we aimed to equip our youngest boarders, the Year 7s and 8s, over a six-week period, with the skills to incorporate deeper meaning and resilience to their lives. Through the study of positive psychology, students in our Boarding community gained an understanding of the value of living a meaningful and engaged life, whilst at school and beyond.

To promote IT/ICT and eLearning the new role of Director of Learning Innovation was established. This role is to lead the agenda in this area, leading innovation across the curriculum, particularly with the implementation of the 2014 National Curriculum. 2013 saw innovative ideas come to fruition at KRB with the introduction of Netbox Blue, the Parent Portal and a new learning management system called Moodle.

Two teams of teachers completed the Harvard Online Wide World Course. The online delivery of the course is aimed to develop understanding of reflection, experimentation, design and building learning communities. The practical nature of the course, particularly using the routines and the readings, informed our teaching based on current research.

It encouraged constant reflection and evaluation with the students, the KRB teachers and teachers involved worldwide.

The Joigny Centre followed an emergent curriculum where activities and learning emerge from children’s interests.

Students were introduced to iPads, where the literacy and numeracy apps are chosen for their contribution to the children’s cognitive development. The iPads also helped with the projects and investigations the students undertook. After an investigation of Treasures and Collections, the Joigny students visited the Australian Museum to view the collections and especially the Alexander the Great Treasure Exhibition.

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During 2013 the P –12 staff committed themselves to high quality professional learning opportunities so as to support their growth and development. Staff actively participated in leadership seminars and other conferences and in-services incorporating guest speakers, workshops, planning activities and training in compliance-related areas.

A major area for professional learning this year has been in preparing for the Australian Curriculum. Our Professional Learning Conference at the start of Term 2 had as its theme “Implementing the Australian Curriculum and a Whole School Approach to Academic Care”. Key outcomes were to: • develop curriculum documentation in relation to the Australian Curriculum • consolidate positive education at KRB in continuing to develop a growth mindset philosophy • provide strategies such as coaching to assist in creating a positive school climate that supports academic performance and well being and enhances ICT skills aligned to 21st century thinking and learning • adopt effective feedback principles.

Staff worked collaboratively in teams to encourage critical thinking in an online course from Harvard University entitled “Making Thinking Visible”. Teachers also modelled thinking routines in their classes and shared the outcomes with their colleagues.

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A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values 3.

Teaching learning styles promote the development of persons who are knowledgeable, questioning, realistic about their ability and open to new ideas, concepts and ways of thinking

“Here at KRB we offer a ‘transformative education’ – we aim to educate and develop the hearts and minds of our students in a loving and supportive community…Every student is encouraged and assisted to be the very best that they can be in a supportive and loving community.”

(Principal, 8 March 2013) A priority of the KRB Operational Plan for 2013 has been to continue to develop critical, creative and global thinkers.

KRB has been involved in two exciting professional learning opportunities which have supported us in this priority.

The AGQTP Action Research Project: Developing and Enhancing a Culture of Thinking, further explored the work begun last year around Visible Thinking and the Harvard Project Zero. The project team who were involved in this Action Research Project included members of three faculties (History, Mathematics and Visual Arts), and Stage 1 (Years K – 2). Members were very engaged in the project and discussions. The collaborative nature of the project strengthed the professional relationships and appreciation of the different Key Learning Areas

Year 2 teachers have been also using Visible Thinking as an extension process by helping the students explain their thinking. The students are encouraged to explain and elaborate on their reasons. They work together so that different students are given leadership roles. Summarising texts into their own words is encouraged through commendation and as a Principal’s Award for their efforts.

The creative use of electronic communication is very important within the life of the Boarding community. As part of the ongoing project of encouraging the boarders to use the internet responsibly, the internet is turned off corresponding to the girls’ lights out to ensure that all students get an undisturbed night’s sleep.

The Boarder Parent Representative Group has been meeting via video conferencing using the software Go To Meeting.

This form of meeting has numerous advantages for boarding parents as they can hold a meeting without the parents having to travel long distances to attend. The software also has huge implications for international parents as video interviews can be conducted between staff members and parents.

Many KRB students took advantage of the Global Exchange program, which developed independence, cultural competence and resourcefulness and gave students an understanding of other Sacred Heart Schools and the opportunities and challenges of travelling overseas.

This year KRB has also been involved in the professional learning courses offered through Wide World Harvard Graduate School of Education. A Senior School Team (six teachers) and a Junior School Team (five teachers) were involved in the Harvard Project Zero Making Thinking Visible online course. The 13 week course was extremely rigorous and demanding but very inspiring and rewarding.

Our International Exchange program offers students the opportunity to experience life in other Sacred Heart schools and in other countries. In 2013, the exchange program amongst our network of schools across 44 countries enabled students to grow in confidence and independence and provided them with an unforgettable experience that they will appreciate for the rest of their life.

Kindergarten children have been developing their thinking skills by using Thinking Routines from the book ‘Making Thinking Visible’. When learning about animals they used the Thinking Routine called Compass Points. They needed to take a stance on the question: “Should animals be kept in a zoo?”

They researched information and analyse a range of views so they could make an informed decision.

KRB has provided a variety of new experiences and opportunities which stimulate a questioning mind open to new ideas, concepts and ways of thinking.

The Accelerative Integrated Methodology (AIM), a French immersion language program, has been introduced into the Junior school and ELC. The AIM program rapidly accelerates second language acquisition and is the most comprehensive approach to language teaching and learning in the world today.

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International Women’s Day was celebrated on 8 March.

The speaker for that event was Sarah-Jane Spencer, a current KRB parent, and Cambridge graduate who now specialises in the field of Forensic Psychiatry. She spoke on the choices that women have to make as they venture through life, family, career and study.

In conjunction with Scots College, KRB hosted a presentation by successful business and sporting personalities on the elements needed to be a leader in these fields.

Four Year 10 students attended a Global Leaders Convention.

They took part in a simulation game which brought home the inequality in the world, with 10% of the population controlling 80% of the world’s wealth. From this they were given the tools to lead the 40 Hour Famine in the School.

Bronte Wilson from Year 11 participated in the YMCA Youth Parliament. This consisted of a week of State Parliament sittings in Sydney and the opportunity to discuss issues which young people identified within their communities.

Four KRB students attended the 5 day Witherspoon Network Leadership Camp at Campion College. Lectures were followed by group discussions on topics such as science vs religion, the right to choose and the church’s role in politics.

KRB celebrated National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Week, with a display in the library. The Senior School Indigenous Students presented ‘Dreaming Stories.’

KRB is proud to be affiliated with the Australian Indigenous Foundation, with the goal of improving educational outcomes for our indigenous students. It has an active program of providing student mentors to achieve this goal.

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A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values 4.

Learning experiences extend beyond the classroom and include opportunities for reflection

“Students understand that learning involves many experiences both within and beyond the classroom and that it is an opportunity for the development of independent thinking, creativity and problem solving skills. As we embark on this new year, let us keep this goal in our minds so that we can ensure that our students are utilising the diverse experiences that KRB has to offer, so that they can be the very best that they can be.”

(Principal February 8th 2013.)

In the area of outreach the School maintained its strong connection with St Mary’s School in Bowraville. In September representatives for the KRB community including staff, students and alumnae conducted the annual Sport and Recreation Camp for St Mary’s students and local children.

This is an opportunity not only to provide service, but to earn and gain different perspectives on the opportunities and social circumstances.

The ELC addressed the goal, “A deep respect for intellectual values” in the following ways. They challenge the children’s thoughts and ideas through emergent projects such as “How to light the night” including deep explorations about light. They use the thinking skill ‘I see, I think, I wonder’ to explore interests and objects such as the various sculptures from Sculpture by the Sea. They accept and follow children’s interests and let them guide the investigations and the direction these take, such as the group investigation about ice cream. They take the children’s learning outside the classroom and utilize the natural learning spaces through Wild Time which lead to investigations about such things as life cycles, how bees make honey, why butterflies are so fast and how foxes see in the dark. Finally the Joigny Centre celebrated World Environment Day by gardening, eating all their healthy lunches and recycling any food scraps for the worms.

Year 1 have been learning to listen to each other and respect each other’s opinions. They have come to understand that everyone is different but that we all bring something valuable to the classroom . ‘We all feel comfortable to share our opinions and offer thoughtful contributions during class discussions.’

Experience outside the classroom provided excellent opportunities for new learning experiences and reflection.

The Year 1 experience was a visit from the Firefighters from Bondi Fire Station. They were able to ride on the fire engine and spray the hose while also learning the importance of fire safety. While Year 3 visited the Australian Museum and Hyde Park Barracks to reflect on the question, “How does Australia’s past affect my present and future?”

Year 5 students have actively demonstrated a deep respect for Intellectual Values. There were many meaningful and nurturing experiences including the excursion to Bathurst where they experienced first-hand life in the mines. They visited the Saint Mary MacKillop Museum and developed a deeper understanding of her contribution to the Catholic Church. As part of the Leadership and Peer Support programs students were provided with opportunities to develop leadership qualities including understanding, cooperation, nurturing younger students and organisational skills.

The opportunity for reflection is provided by the many religious and spirituality activities held during the year.

The opening School Mass, attended by the whole school from Kindergarten to Year 12, as well as staff and parents, was celebrated by Bishop Comensoli, who spoke of the wonderful support the KRB community gave to each other. In many different ways the School celebrated Sacred Heart Day, the Feasts of Madeleine Sophie and Mater Admirabilis, Leadership Inauguration and Year 12 Vale. The Feast of the Sacred Heart opened with the celebration of the Eucharist, followed by an Assembly at which the Madeleine Sophie Awards were presented.

The Year 12 Retreat, held at the Collaroy Conference Centre, was a time for reflection and was marked by the genuineness and participation of the students in the Liturgy. The Year 11 Retreat looked at the spirituality of leadership and helped prepare students for their imminent roles as School leaders.

Homelessness was the theme for the Year 9 Street Retreat, where the girls first reflected on how ‘KRB is home’, then the many varied reasons for homelessness and its impact on lives and finally learnt of the provision of services. They were called to view the homeless from a different perspective – they were called to see the person behind the circumstance.

The Sacramental Program of Reconciliation and Eucharist was again celebrated within the School community. The students and teachers also come together to pray as Ministers of the Eucharist and during the month of November.

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The boarding community has weekly prayer reflection and come together to support and to celebrate with each other.

On the eve of Sacred Heart Day, the boarding community enacted a very beautiful tradition, the Procession of the Lanterns. On the feast day itself, there was a celebration of the Eucharist, with a focus on Social Justice. The Social Justice Council promoted the sale of T-shirts, the proceeds of which went to the RSCJ’s special school in Jakarta for disadvantaged children.

Spirituality evenings were held as part of the Sacred Heart educational mission, to give others the opportunity to reflect on their faith and call to action. Sandie Cornish spoke on the Sacred Heart Call to Social Justice and Fr Frank Brennan SJ led a discussion on the Christian response to current issues in Australian society.

Spiritual reflection leads to social action and KRB students have committed themselves to making a difference in the lives of others.

In the Year 10 Philanthropy Program students worked in groups to raise awareness and money for their chosen charity. They prepared stalls and games for Sacred Heart Day celebrations, made posters and some gave presentations at assembly. The charities selected by the students were: Princess Charlotte Alopecia Foundation, Youth Beyond Blue, McGrath Foundation, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind, Caritas, Butterfly Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis, Black Dog Institute, Women for Women, Giant Steps. Over $5,000 was raised for these charities. This research was presented to an external panel including a representative of Philanthropy Australia, a member of Woollahra Council, members of the Society of the Scared Heart and student representatives from Year 11.

KRB students door knocked for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. Rose Bay Rotary Club members supplied drivers who took groups of four to designated areas.

Students have fundraised for many causes with each year group responsible for an area of fundraising. There were also initiatives across the School – the latest being the Bushfire Appeal and the Philippines typhoon disaster together with St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers. Students and staff also gave of their time and personal effort in commitment to projects such as Bowraville and the Vietnam and Cambodia Service projects.

In the December holidays a group of 11 students and two Staff members left for India as part of the Antipodeans Abroad Program. For their service project they will stay in a community of Tibetan Buddhist monks and will make physical improvements in the area where there is a significant refugee population from Tibet.

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A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values 5.

The curriculum encourages the development of aesthetic values and creative use of the imagination

“Each one has to create a healthy balance with school life and home life, study, cocurricular involvement and socialising. It is important that our students support each other through school and as well ‘lean in’ – become involved, make your experience here at KRB count and face challenges with confidence and a belief in your abilities and talents.”

(Principal, 24 May) Co-curricular activities such as art, debating and public speaking, drama and music, as well as sport, both team and individual, help students form relationships, release tension and burn energy. Opportunities for these pursuits are many and varied, both within the curriculum and as co-curricular involvement.

Across the age groups, KRB debaters have discussed issues ranging from North Korea, Australian politics, drugs in sport, Indigenous land rights, gun ownership in America and sexism in the media. The fact that our debaters have opinions on these issues speaks to the intellect of our students. But the fact that they are willing to engage in a competitive, public debate on these issues speaks to their courage, confidence and talent.

The Junior School Public Speaking Finals for 2013 were held in Term Four during Week 2. The standard of speaking of the boys and girls was once again extremely high. The adjudicators commented on the impressive level of research that was obvious in each speech and the professional standard of the overall presentations. They were also impressed with the confidence, manner and diction of all the boys and girls in the various finals. Victor di Paola (Kindy), Georgina Madsen (Year 1), Michaela Sorrenti (Year 4), Caitlin Mulveney (Year 6) and Daniel Monardo (Year 6) all gained 1st Place in their division.

Over the 2013 season, KRB won the majority of debates we competed in, in both the ISDA and Archdale competitions.

• In ISDA our Primary A team was extremely impressive winning all but one of their debates and eventually being named the ISDA Champions in their division.

• Our standout Senior team was Year 8 who just missed out on the Grand Final, but still progressed to Semi Final Three, placing them in the top 4 teams out of the 36 schools in the competition.

• In the Archdale competition, we again performed incredibly well as a school. KRB finished 6th out of 21 schools in the overall Shield results, which was an improvement of 4 ranks on our 2012 results.

• We had five out of seven teams progress to the finals of the competition with 7A and 8B just narrowly missing out in the Semi Finals.

• The 7B team was successful in all of their final debates and became the Archdale Champions in their division.

• In the AHIGS Festival of Speech our Junior team debated an impressive 5 rounds in 24 hours in a knockout style competition leading all the way to the Grand Final.

• In Public Speaking, Georgia Hinds (Year 8) won the Junior Division of the NSW State Finals of the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition.

• Isabella Monardo (Year 8) competed in the State Final of the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award.

• In the Term 3 holidays Isabella Monardo, Georgia Hinds, Charlotte McAloon and Lily Fuller (Year 8) participated in the YMCA Junior Parliament. Here the girls spent time at both camp and NSW State Parliament drafting policies and discussing Matters of Public Importance (MPI’s).

• Georgia Hinds and Isabella Monardo competed in the finals of the UN Youth Voice NSW Public Speaking Competition. Isabella won the Grand Final of this competition.

• Our Speech and Awards students; Caitlin Mulveney, Xavier Zuccon, Natasha Ong, Alice Hodgson and Lara Bartos competed in the Trinity College London exams with fantastic results.

The field of Music continued with KRB’s inclusive “all comers” policy, and the belief that our KRB community is strengthened by music involvement, by encouraging and enabling all students to participate in music making and study.

All students attended performances at school and the City Recital Hall by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Oz Opera and Musica Viva. The Elective Music students also attended evening performances of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Meet the Music Concert Series and two Opera Performances.

At the fortnightly Senior School assemblies, students performed a diverse repertoire of solos and small ensembles.

Year 5 and Year 6 students performed at the IPSHA Music Festival in the Sydney Town Hall in August and joined the massed combined choir of over 500 young voices conducted

by KRB Choral Director, Mr Mark Stubley.

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At the Senior School Chapel Concert held in August, we heard solo performances from the HSC Music candidates as well as ensembles of choirs, orchestra, strings and chamber groups.

All three school choirs, Junior, Senior and Chamber presented a selection of items. In early Term 4 a Gala Concert was presented featuring Junior and Senior student ensembles as well as world class professionals Dimity Hall, Julian Smiles and Amelia Farrugia.

A Junior School Band was formed in 2013 and a band program commenced. These students, learning a variety of band instruments in a group lesson, had their debut performance at the Gala Concert.

Students from the Class of 2013 have been recognised for their creative achievements in the HSC Visual Arts programs with Philippa Harrison, Sophie Green and Annika Law nominated for the Art Express Exhibition, an annual exhibition which showcases some of the best work selected from over 9,500 NSW students.

In the Schools Reconciliation Challenge, Victoria Ashley received a Highly Commended award. Her artwork was exhibited at the Australian Museum between May and August.

Philippa Harrison won 2nd place in the prestigious Mosman Youth Art award for her charcoal work ‘My Grandmother.’

The Edwina Taylor Clark Auditorium was transformed into a theatrical space to present this year’s school play “Girl with a String”. Over 50 students from Years 5 to 11 were involved in the cast and production crew. The production showcased the talents of our students, as young actors, stage managers and lighting and sound technicians. The opportunity for the students to work with external and industry professional directors and designers was one that has hopefully inspired them to continue their involvement in future creative and performing arts opportunities.

In August, the HSC Drama students performed their Individual and Group works for their parents, peers, teachers and the HSC examiners. All students were involved in the Group Performances, with students also presenting their Individual Projects in the areas of Performance, Costume Design and Promotional Design. Several Drama Nights were held in the Drama Studio throughout the year to showcase students’ talents. These are the culmination of students’ study of applying a directorial concept to their own performance work as well as enhancing their drama presentation skills before an audience.

One of the highlights of the year has been the USA Art and Cultural Tour in which 20 students flew to Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and New York. The 15 day tour covered all the major sights and iconic monuments of these cities, including visits to a vast array of museums and galleries.

Students viewed first hand many of the artworks in the Metropolitan Museum and the MOMA in New York. The tour also included a visit to the Smithsonian Institute and Georgetown University in Washington, Harvard University campus in Boston and the Boston Fine Arts Museum. Visits to the Sacred Heart Schools in Manhattan and Connecticut affirmed the importance of being a part of a global Sacred Heart network.

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A Deep Respect for Intellectual Values 6.

The school caters for a wide range of intellectual abilities and individuals are encouraged to achieve their full potential

“A significant concept encouraged at KRB is the ‘Growth Mindset’. In this process, students learn to accept challenges, learn from failure and continually work at improving themselves.”

(Principal February 22) The students of the Year 12 Class of 2012 were regarded for their positive contribution, their participation in a diverse range of activities and for their outstanding academic results.

Kincoppal – Rose Bay was ranked 34th place on the ‘Top 100 Schools Rankings’ compiled by the Sydney Morning Herald, a significant achievement for a school that is not academically selective at any level.

Amongst many outstanding performances: • Our Median ATAR for the year was 90.28 • 52.2 % of the class gained an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) above 90 • 8% of students achieved an ATAR over 99 • 22% of students achieved an ATAR over 95 • Twelve students were named All-Round Achievers, which means 13% of the year group scored more than 90 in at least ten HSC Units • Six students were only 1 or 2 Units away from being ‘All Round Achievers’ • Our English results were outstanding, with KRB placed 14th overall for NSW • KRB students achieved 160 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers List for 2012 and 13 mentions for the accelerated Mathematics courses from 2011 • Alice Russo and Olivia Templeman achieved joint 1st place in the State in French Continuers out of 893 students. Olivia also placed 4th in Italian Beginners and 7th in Studies of Religion I • Madeleine Miller ranked 9th in Geography • Isabella Ledden placed 15th in Ancient History.

20 students were presented with Blue Ribbon Awards for demonstrating: • Strong support for the School’s Christian ethos, philosophy and practices shown in both personal manners and actions • Initiative and commitment in performance of specific leadership responsibility • Service to the School – going above and beyond their required expectations to serve students and community • An active and independent approach to learning.

Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students at Kincoppal-Rose Bay performed exceptionally well in this year’s NAPLAN (National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy) testing, that was carried out in May. The students performed significantly above the State mean as well as the NSW AIS mean across all of the tests (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation, Numeracy, Data, Measurement Space and Geometry and Number, Patterns and Algebra).

Student Learning Services plays a key role in supporting the students to achieve their full potential.

The Student Learning Services team P-12 caters for students whose learning needs require additional levels of support, intervention or extension beyond the parameters of the normal stages of Board of Studies curriculum. A range of specific programs are offered, such as acceleration in Mathematics.

Extension in the Humanities is offered at certain curriculum stages including Year 6 Extension Literature and the KRB Mind Quest program which occurs in Years 9 and 10. KRB Mind Quest is an opportunity for students to explore areas of knowledge and topics of personal interest beyond the normal parameters of the curriculum in Years 9 and 10. It provides able students with the chance to experience challenging literary texts, examine complex issues and develop their own knowledge at a flexible pace. Students also choose a specific topic area to research and explore and develop a presentation or product to showcase their learning process.

Student Learning Services also coordinates the KRB Staff Mentor Program for Indigenous Students.

The Class of 2013 took advantage of the educational, professional and personal opportunities that arose throughout their time at KRB demonstrating humour, solidarity and diversity in the way they conducted themselves and coped with challenges. They worked hard to succeed, identified their passions, took risks and seized new opportunities.

The program seeks to address the need for students to master strategies to help them successfully negotiate the transition between the strong family ties associated with traditional Aboriginal culture and the need to make new connections and form strong social and emotional bonds with the members of the Kincoppal- Rose Bay School community.

At the Vale ceremony on 13 September a number of students were acknowledged for their academic achievements and contribution to KRB: 23 students were given Year Scholar Awards for their outstanding achievement in the HSC Assessment Program.

The KRB Bursary fund has provided much assistance in donations to families who would like their children to have a Sacred Heart education but who are in difficult financial circumstances.

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In 2013 we have appreciated the wonderful support of Margaret Kirkpatrick, a past student of the Rose Bay Class of 1950 and of Alison Stephen (Rose Bay, 1938).

Margaret Kirkpatrick’s desire to offer a Kincoppal-Rose Bay education to students (indigenous or non-indigenous) from country NSW led her to leave a bequest for full or partial scholarships to Kincoppal-Rose Bay School.

Alison Stephen has acknowledged that her Rose Bay education provided a wonderful starting point for her future. In the spirit of providing for a new generation the same opportunity and environment in which her dreams were able to grow, Alison made a very generous donation to the School that will endow the Alison Stephen Scholarship to students from regional NSW. As a School we are now able to build on the generosity of these past students and those who have supported the Bursary Fund. A strategy to continue to build this fund has now been completed and will be further developed in 2014.

Leadership opportunities also encourage students to reach their full potential. Over 50 students presented speeches on their desire to be a member of the Student Leadership Team.

The fact that so many applied is testament to their desire to act as role models and support the student community at KRB. At the beginning of March, 22 students in Years 5 and 6 trialled for a place in the Independent Schools Debating Association team. The judging panel was impressed by how articulate and confident the speakers were. The debating teams from Years 7 to 11attended a training day at the University of Sydney. The day consisted of three one and a half hour sessions covering such topics as the importance of speaking roles, the manner of speaking and the chaos of the preparation room. Georgia Hinds of Year 8 won the Regional final of the Junior Division of Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition and later went on to win the State Final.

Eloise Gibbs of Year 11 received an Academic Excellence Award for outstanding achievement during a ceremony at the University of Sydney.

During Term 3 and 4 the KRB Transition program has been an on-going part of academic care for Year 6 students entering into Year 7 . There was a panel presentation entitled “What I wish I knew in Year 6”. Initiatives such as this, together with the new Stuart Centre, provide an environment that greatly assists the transition from Year 6 to Year 7, while at the same time offering a variety of learning experiences.

The Senior Swimming Carnival was held at Homebush on February 27 with the school swim team competing at IGSSA on March 8. On February 22, 36 students represented KRB at the NSW All Schools Triathlon Championships at the Sydney Regatta Centre at Penrith. In May KRB enjoyed success in the IGSSA Cross Country Carnival at Frensham School, Mittagong, improving to 5th place overall.

K-2 had six soccer teams playing in Eastern Suburbs Football Association Soccer competition, while Years 3 to 6 boys had four teams in the Independent Primary Schools Heads Association basketball competition.

Hannah Ryan played outstandingly at the NSWCIS Basketball competition and was selected to play in the NSW State Basketball Championship.

The Equestrian Team travelled to Coonabarabran where they put in excellent performances.

In the Interschool Snowsports Championship at Thredbo, KRB students took Gold and Silver medals in the Junior (Years 5 and 6) moguls and a Bronze medal in the Alpine. In the Senior Division (Years 9 and 10) they gained Silver and Bronze in the Moguls.

At the 2013 Subaru Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships at Mt Buller, Victoria the Division 4 Female Mogul team, Phoebe Hughes and Bridget Lennon, were awarded gold medals as the 1st placed Division 4 moguls team – the best for their age group in Australia.

To conclude, in the words of our Principal in her report: ‘Our students of 2013 have demonstrated commitment to all the goals of Sacred Heart education through their sense of social awareness and the efforts they have made to be the best they can be. We have particularly seen this demonstrated by the Year 12 Class of 2013. I described them in my Vale address as being “a group of individuals who have certainly grown over the years at KRB and have shown real abilities of leaning in, having a go and supporting each other through the tough times.” The Class of 2013 demonstrated service to each other and to the school community, through their involvement in social justice activities at school, in Sydney and overseas.

Each student challenged herself academically and through her participation in a variety of co-curricular activities and each endeavoured to achieve her personal best.’

11 | KINCOPPAL – ROSE BAY SCHOOL

12 | KINCOPPAL – ROSE BAY SCHOOL

NEW SOUTH HEAD ROAD ROSE BAY NSW 2029 T: +61 2 9388 6000 www.krb.nsw.edu.au CRICOS Provider Code 02268M ABN 47 003 942 603