Issuu

Dec 25

F a l c o n

B u l l e t i n

ISSUE 8 Pr inc ipal

VINC IT Q UI S E VINC IT

CONTENT Principal

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12

CAPA English HSIE Languages Maths PDHPE Science Support Unit TAS

Winter Sport

Pages 41-48

Sport Pages 17-40

Faculties

Pages 3-16

Year Groups Pages 1-2

Executive

PRINCIPAL BY BRIAN FERGUSON

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

2025 Highlights

Thank you for another wonderful year at North Sydney Boys High

Academic

School. It has been full of amazing achievements, positive changes and a lot of joy. I have loved witnessing so many student successes across

We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional academic achievements of

such a variety of areas over this year and I am keenly anticipating what

our students this year. Highlights this year included Daniel Wang of Year

the future brings.

10 who impressed us at the World Cube Association Australian Nationals, securing second place in the 4x4x4 Blindfolded Final event. At the

I would like to thank our dedicated staff, who work tirelessly and con-

2025 BIOTech Futures Challenge, a team of Year 10 NSBHS students, in-

tinuously go above and beyond to provide the best education and ex-

cluding Johnny Cai, James Chen, Junyoung Lee, and Ziyang Xu, along

periences for our students. I would also like to thank the exceptional

with Zoey Liu from NSGHS, won the Best Prototype Award for their

parents who I have witnessed giving so much to our school, supporting

groundbreaking project, “NeuroMove: AI-Powered Exercise Therapy for

the school selflessly, volunteering their time and resources to make this

Parkinson’s.” The project, designed to aid Parkinson’s Disease patients,

school what it is. NSBHS has an incredible community and I would like

uses AI to provide real-time feedback on posture during exercise. We are

to specifically thank our P&C for their efforts, which make a tangible dif-

also extremely proud of Chris Wang, Year 12, who was named the overall

ference to the school.

winner of the 2025 ‘Need A Lift?’ Youth Photography Competition, and Andrew Dharma, Year 11, for winning the David Henkels Composition

I wish you all a wonderful summer break and look forward to the new

Award 2025 with his original piece “Petals of the Archipelago.” Finally, we

year ahead.

extend our heartfelt congratulations to Year 12 students Roger Du and Franco Wang for winning third place in the NSW Years 11-12 category

Happy Holidays.

Reports

of the 2025 Young ICT Explorers competition with their project, JDBG, a Java debugger that has gained international attention. Sport

Reports for Years 7-11 inclusive have been published on the Sentral Parent Portal.

Key Dates

Our students have continued to excel in a variety of sporting arenas. Year 10 student Neo Xu was awarded a Sydney North Secondary Schools Sports Association Blue for outstanding achievement in tennis, while Year 10 students Albert Wang and Manny Keith have qualified for the

Please note that the last school day for 2025 is Friday 19 December. The

2025/26 NSW Senior State Age Swimming Championships at Home-

school will be non-operational after that until 27 January 2026 when

bush. Another notable achievement was by Alexander Song, Year 9,

staff return for four Staff Development Days. All students return on Mon-

who represented NSW in the Triple Jump at the Australian Athletics All

day 2 February 2026.

Schools Championships and went on to represent the state at the Australian Junior Championships.

Wednesday Sport will be held as usual on Wednesday 4 February 2026 with Year 8-11 participating in recreational summer sport. Grade sum-

Excursions

mer sport will have training (but no matches) and Year 7 will participate in a Year 7 sport program for Term 1. Students need to wear their sports

Our students have had some incredible opportunities this year to con-

uniform.

nect with their learning in meaningful ways outside the classroom. Year 10 students participated in the inaugural Canberra Camp, visiting

key national sites such as the Australian War Memorial, Parliament

pact Blueprint program, where they worked collaboratively to solve

House, Questacon, and the National Museum of Australia. This was

real-world business challenges. Meanwhile, our Year 10 students also

an enriching experience that helped students understand the na-

took part in the Premier’s Debating Challenge Knockout Round, where

tion’s history and government. We also welcomed Year 12 students

they demonstrated teamwork, resilience, and effective communica-

to the Study Camp at Milson Island, where they engaged in both ac-

tion skills. On the wellbeing front, our school counsellors and psy-

ademic preparation and outdoor activities, as well as receiving career

chologists have been instrumental in supporting student growth, and

guidance and mentorship from former students. Additionally, Year

we acknowledged their hard work on School Counsellor and School

7 students went on a local excursion to St Mary’s Church in North

Psychologist Recognition Day. Year 7 students have been supported

Sydney, while Year 9 students gained practical experience at the an-

through their first year at high school with a transition program, and

nual Market Day, raising funds for ITP Australia. These excursions and

our Year 9 Peer Support Leaders have been trained to help incoming

camps have not only been educational but have also fostered team

Year 7 students adjust to high school life. These efforts demonstrate

building, leadership, and personal growth.

our strong commitment to ensuring students feel supported and cared for throughout their school journey.

Community

Falcon Sport This year, our students have shown remarkable dedication to supporting charitable causes and giving back to the community. One of

Falcon Sport Annual BBQ

the most outstanding community initiatives was the participation in The World’s Greatest Shave, where our school community, led by our

The annual Falcon Sport BBQ was a huge success. Thank you to all the

school captain Marcus Chu, raised over $20,000 for the Leukaemia

parents for making this happen. It was a terrific way to round off 2025.

Foundation. This event was a heartfelt expression of solidarity and generosity.

NSBHS Falcon Sport encourages students to engage in physical activities and to balance them with their academic studies, which can do

In addition to The World’s Greatest Shave, our students took part in

wonders for their physical and mental wellbeing.

several other fundraising initiatives throughout the year. The Walkathon raised a significant amount for various community organi-

Falcon Sport is a great way for friends to play sports together, re-en-

sations, bringing together students, families, and staff in a fun and

ergize and rejuvenate themselves. The Falcon Sport Handbook and

active event for a great cause. Our Christmas with Vinnies campaign

timetable are available on the school website: https://northsydbo-h.

was another success, with students donating gifts and essential

schools.nsw.gov.au/

items to support those in need during the festive season. The Year 9 Market Day raised over $2,100 for ITP Australia, supporting research, awareness, and access to treatment for Immune Thrombocytopenia, a rare blood disorder. Our Environment Committee also continued its sustainability efforts by hosting a hands-on workshop at the Sustainability Expo. Students led a creative session where primary school students were taught how to grow herbs using recycled egg cartons, promoting environmental responsibility. This year, we are incredibly proud of how our students have engaged with these important causes, contributing time, effort, and resources to support those in need. Their collective efforts make a significant impact both within our school and beyond. Wellbeing Wellbeing remains a priority at NSBHS, and this year we have continued to support our students’ mental and emotional health. As part of their ongoing learning, Year 10 students participated in the Im-

FALCON BULLETIN

YEAR 7 BY DAI S Y DU

Year 7 continues to impress us with their energy, commitment, and Falcon pride. From academic focus to creative expression, community events, and personal growth, the Class of 2030 has shown that they are living by our year motto: R E S P E C T Y O U R S E L F. R E S P E C T O T H ERS. GROW TOGETHER. This spirit has been on display across a wide range of experiences that have shaped our year group this term.

BEYOND THE POOL AND T H E T R A C K : C A R N I VA L S A N D WA L K AT H O N The term began with the Athletics Carnival, where Year 7 students stepped up to the challenge with courage and camaraderie. From long-distance runs to high jumps and relays, their efforts embodied Falcon pride and house spirit. Earlier in the year, the Swimming Carnival had already introduced them to the thrill of school competition, and the Walkathon gave them a chance to combine teamwork with community service, each step supporting a greater cause.

SPORTING SPIRIT: WINTER SEASON ACHIEVEMENTS Falcon values shone through in sport, where students displayed not only skill but also respect and sportsmanship. Congratulations to our Best and Fairest Award winners for the Winter Sports Season: 15s Lawn Bowls: Liam Kim 15s Table Tennis: Nathan Liu 13As Soccer: Leon Hoang 13Bs Soccer: Jason Cao 13Cs Soccer: Isaac Choi

BUILDING CHARACTER: WELLBEING WORKSHOPS This term, Year 7 has taken part in Wellbeing Workshops focused on anti-bullying, respectful relationships, and study skills. These sessions gave students the tools to build resilience, strengthen friendships, and develop strategies for learning effectively. Respecting others means understanding their perspectives, while respecting yourself means setting high expectations for personal growth.

PA RT N E RS H I P S A N D P E R F OR M A NC E : PA R E N T T E A C H E R NIGHT & MUSICALE A highlight of the term was the Year 7 Parent Teacher Night, where families and teachers came together to celebrate progress and identify strategies for continued improvement. This strong partnership between school and home ensures that every student is supported in their journey. Another standout moment was the Year 7 Musicale, where students displayed creativity, courage, and teamwork on stage. From instrumental pieces to vocal performances, the Musicale revealed the diverse talents of our Year 7 cohort and the joy of sharing art within a community.

LOOKING AHEAD As Term 3 draws to a close, we reflect on the many opportunities that Year 7 has embraced, with enthusiasm, resilience, and respect. Every carnival, workshop, and performance has shown how they are growing together as a community. I encourage each student to keep building on these foundations as we move towards the final term of the year. With continued commitment to respecting themselves and others, Year 7 will finish the year as stronger learners, teammates, and friends.

Their achievements highlight how dedication, teamwork, and respect for others underpin true success.

YEAR 8 BY J A COB PAR K ER

Year Eights have been progressing well throughout the trials, stress and demands of schooling. I have been consistently impressed at their formation into mature young men, their capacity to have serious conversations and when they make mistakes, their ability to self reflect and change. This age is a pivotal one as students begin to figure out where they fit in within a changing world and I am continuously impressed by their resilience and camaraderie. I urge all year eights to look after themselves, their mental wellbeing and the wellbeing of their friends. We operate and work as a collective unit rather than as individuals and it is in this solidarity and support of each other that we can prosper through difficult times. Year Eight has been involved in many different events and activities. I am always glad to see how involved students are in co-curricular activities whether it is sport, clubs or societies. Casting a spotlight on a few of these activities, our year eight’s work within Visions, the library and the Student Wellbeing Action Team. At this age it is very easy for students to only focus on themselves and this act of being part of a larger club and thinking of others speaks positively to these students’ involvement in the school. Similarly in sports, a special shout out to all of our students involved in grade sport who have been giving it their all competing against other schools as well as involvement within cross country carnivals and athletics. These young athletes are continuously working towards greatness within environments which are highly competitive. Watching students involved in clubs whether in chess where our year eights made the semi finals, student presentations in the forum, history club or

continuous involvement in papercraft is always a pleasure. Students are encouraged to get involved in all that the school has to offer and to engage with others. I encourage all students to look after their mental health. Depression, anxiety and other mood effecting issues are very common during puberty and the best way to work through these is through open and honest conversations, seeking help when needed and breaking the stigma around mental health. I look forward to the rest of the year with this cohort. I encourage them to keep maintaining a high standard in everything they do.

FALCON BULLETIN

YEAR 9 BY PAT RIC K R EN F OR D

As we enter the final part of the year, I want to congratulate all Year 9 students for the dedication and effort they’ve shown so far. Whether it’s been assessments, extracurricular activities, sports, or their involvement in the musicale, our cohort continues to display resilience and personal growth.

WELLBEING In the coming weeks, Year 9 students will participate in a Consent and Online Safety workshop. This session will cover what consent means in everyday life and relationships, the importance of clear communication and boundaries, and how to identify and respond to pressure tactics. Students will also learn practical language to ask for, give, and withdraw consent. This workshop complements their PDHPE theory lessons and will include discussions about consent in the online world, covering topics like sexting, digital responsibility, and how media influences relationships. Through these conversations and critical thinking activities, students will build skills to make safe, respectful, and informed choices both offline and online.

PA R E N T T E A C H E R I N T E RV I E W S A big thank you to all parents and caregivers who attended the recent Parent-Teacher Interview Night. These evenings are a valuable chance for students, families, and teachers to check in, reflect on progress, and set meaningful goals for the rest of the year. We truly appreciate your ongoing support and collaboration, which plays a key role in helping our students succeed.

SPORT Well done also to the Year 9 boys below who represented our school with pride at the Sydney North Regional Athletics carnival, and to those who have qualified for the NSW Combined High Schools Athletics Carnival. We wish them the best of luck as they take on the

next challenge! Sydney North Regional Athletics results: Alexander Song: 1st Hurdles, 1st Long Jump, 2nd Triple Jump Omar Haque: 1st Javelin Will Raphael: 2nd 400m A big congratulations to Alexander Song, who competed at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in April. This is a fantastic achievement, and we are very proud of his efforts.

YEAR 9 CAMP & DUKE OF EDINBURGH ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY A highlight of the term was the Year 7 Parent Teacher Night, where families and teachers came together to celebrate progress and identify strategies for continued improvement. This strong partnership between school and home ensures that every student is supported in their journey. In the first week of Term 4, Year 9 students will head to Camp Somerset on the Colo River. For many, this trip will also count as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey, giving them the chance to test their independence and teamwork in a real-world environment. The program offers students the opportunity to practice essential outdoor skills like map reading, navigation, and route planning, as well as building campcraft skills while moving between campsites. These challenges will help students develop resilience, leadership, and collaboration, while creating lasting memories beyond the classroom. Year 9 has already achieved so much this year, and the upcoming term promises to be just as rewarding. Let’s keep working hard, supporting one another, and making the most of every opportunity as we move toward the end of the year.

FALCON BULLETIN

YEAR 10 BY M AT T T R AN

This term is an important milestone for Year 10. It is their final year of junior school, and they are beginning to take on the role of leaders within the NSB community. As the most senior of the juniors, they set the standard for younger students and represent the values of the school in both their learning and behaviour. The way they approach the challenges of this year will help shape the future of NSB and prepare them for senior school.

ASSESSMENTS AND BALANCE Over the coming weeks, students will be sitting on important assessments across many subjects. With multiple deadlines and late nights, it is easy to fall into the habit of only focusing on study. We remind students that balance is essential. Regular exercise, time with friends, and getting outdoors are just as important as preparing for exams. A healthy routine will support better results in the long run. Think of the year as a marathon rather than a sprint. Look after yourself, stay consistent, and finish the term strongly.

LOOKING AHEAD TO TERM 4 The holidays before Term 4 are an opportunity to recharge. We encourage students to spend time with friends and family, exercise regularly, and build healthy habits. Cutting back on screen time and online gaming will also help create space for more meaningful connections and activities. Take on a challenge during the break, whether it is learning a new skill, trying a new sport, or starting a project you have not attempted before. School resumes on Tuesday 14th of October. Work Experience

In Week 7 of Term 4, students will take part in work experience. The earlier students begin to seek placements, the better their options will be. A thoughtful choice of placement can provide valuable insight into industries of interest and will make the week far more rewarding.

YEAR 10 CAMP In Week 8 of Term 4, students will travel to Canberra for camp. This will be a cross-curricular experience that brings together science, maths, geography, and history. After last year’s outdoor program under tarps and tents, students can look forward to proper beds, as well as new opportunities to build teamwork, independence, and resilience. Year 10 have shown a great deal of maturity this year as they step into the role of leading the junior school. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow, set an example for others, and finish the year with pride. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $30.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

YEAR 11 BY E M M A DEL L

What a semester it’s been! And what better way to begin this article than with an acknowledgement of THE biggest event on the Year 11 calendar; ski camp! By all reports, the students were not only impressively well-behaved, but also impressively accomplished on the slopes. Mr Madgwick in particular had high praise for their skills in the snow (both the beginners and the more experienced skiers), though I’m not sure the same could be said for their talents on the football field (a spirited game of touch football with Burwood Girls unfortunately didn’t result in an NSB victory). Earlier in the term we held the Athletics Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park, with Benjamin Boutkaska coming in clutch as the 17 years + Age Champion and Theodore Sanuri as Runner-Up (special mention also to Daniel Jung who was Runner-Up in the age division below). Congrats also to Larry Shen, who came first in both the 100m and 200m events at the Zone carnival. These sports carnivals are always a great day out and a break from the routine of lessons, and it’s amazing to see the number of kids who get involved, whether they are participating competitively or just doing it for fun (and

shout-out to those who do it while wearing a novelty costume!).

the portfolios they have been appointed to is as follows:

I would also like to acknowledge some individuals within the cohort for their accomplishments beyond the classroom or the sporting field. Our Debating A Team, consisting of Gosakan Badrinarayanan, Nishok Muthu, Harkrish Nanwa, Mark P’ng and Arjun Tomar made it into the top 6 in the Stage 6 division of the NSW Premier’s Debating Challenge, a phenomenal achievement! Additionally, both Matthew Li and Andrew Dharma gave masterful performances in the recent School Musicale. A reminder to both teachers and parents to please share any notable cocurricular or extracurricular successes with the school so that we can celebrate them accordingly!

Captain (Communication & Public Relations) - Benjamin Boutkaska Vice Captain (Communication & Public Relations) - Larry Shen Senior Prefect (School Culture) - Ian Cho Senior Prefect (School Culture) - Linus Wang SRC - Daniel Jung SRC - Gosakan Badrinarayanan Arts - James Huang Arts - Elliott Ma Sport - Agastya Katamaneni Sport - Zimin Lu Environment - Dennis Chau Environment - Rhys Mitchell Student Wellbeing - Anthony Fang Student Wellbeing - Nand-Kishore Hariharan Community Service - Nishok Muthu Community Service - Aron Ji Enrichment - Arjun Tomar Enrichment - Mark P’ng Social Justice - Harkrish Nanwa Social Justice - Jaxson Munn P&C - Aditya Goyal P&C - Jaylon Zhang

Finally, it is important to recognise the students who have successfully been appointed as Prefects for 2025-2026. After a rigorous application and interview process that was overseen by a panel consisting of myself, members of the Senior Executive, and a member of the outgoing prefect team. We were amazed by the overall quality of the applications and it was incredibly difficult to shortlist candidates. Our Prefect team and

I hope that for all its challenges, Year 11 has overall been an enjoyable year for this cohort.

As they transition into Year 12, the academic pressure may increase somewhat but they still have a lot to look forward to: the Y12 Study Skills Camp, the Teacher Mentoring program, and (for some) a slightly reduced course-load! At this time, more than ever, the students need to prioritise camaraderie and compassion - the strongest cohorts that have come through NSB were those with a strong sense of solidarity who were willing to help one another. SOME TIPS FOR THE SOON-TO-BE YEAR 12S: •

•

Strive to maintain a work-life balance to avoid burnout! Studying is important, but you cannot do this effectively without also carving out some time in the day to eat, exercise, socialise and rest. Develop a homework and revision schedule for yourself to help minimize procrastination! Also consider working in study groups, as this allows you to hold each other accountable for your productivity (and also to share resources and provide informal feedback on each other’s work) Use the supports available to you. Work with your classmates in study groups, and seek guidance from your Year Advisor and the Wellbeing team if you need it! Be sensitive and empathetic to the feelings of others, especially at times when stress-levels are heightened

All the best!

YEAR 12 BY S T EFAN IA RO S S

FALCON BULLETIN

As Term 3 progresses and we begin to turn our focus towards the culmination of Year 12’s journey at school, it is worth pausing to reflect on the many experiences, achievements, and milestones that have defined this remarkable year group. The past three terms have been filled with academic challenges, community spirit, and growth opportunities, all of which have shaped Year 12 into the inspiring cohort we now see preparing for their final steps before graduation. The year began with a renewed sense of energy and determination as Year 12 embraced their final months of schooling. From the outset, students have worked diligently across all subjects, balancing the rigours of the HSC with extracurricular commitments, leadership responsibilities, and contributions to the wider school community. Their journey has been marked not just by individual successes but by a collective resilience and camaraderie that has strengthened as the year has unfolded. One of the early highlights of the year was the continuation of the Year 12 mentoring program, which has run throughout the terms and played an important role in fostering support and encouragement among students. This initiative has provided Year 12s with both academic assistance and emotional guidance from teachers, allowing them to share strategies, build stronger connections, and remind one another that they are not alone in the challenges of their HSC journey. Here we discuss the path ahead and what barriers there may be, and how we can best support them, allowing us as a school to ensure we put in place strategies to assist your sons and help us to advise them about their subjects, study plans and wellbeing. Mentoring has been a testament to the power of teacher and peer relationships and the way in which this cohort has consistently sought to uplift and inspire each other. In Term 2, we came together for the annual Walkathon, held on May 29. This event was more than just an opportunity to raise funds for important causes; it was a day filled with laughter, teamwork, and school spirit. Year 12 students, in particular, embraced the day with enthusiasm, setting an example

of energy and participation for the younger years. The Walkathon reminded us all of the importance of stepping away from study occasionally to connect, contribute to the community, and celebrate the values that unite us as a school. Around the same time, the last Photo day for Year 12 was held early Term 2 and was a bittersweet moment. Capturing final portraits and group photographs, students reflected on how far they had come since their very first school photo in 2020. For many, it was a moment to reflect on friendships formed, challenges overcome, and the memories they will carry beyond the school gates. As the academic demands of Term 2 increased, Year 12 students prepared for their trial examinations in Weeks 9 and 10. These trials were a crucial step in their HSC journey, providing both practice and perspective. While they tested knowledge and skill under exam conditions, they also built resilience, teaching students the importance of time management, perseverance, and self-belief. Staff were consistently impressed by the commitment shown by the cohort, who approached the trials with seriousness and determination, understanding that the effort invested now would prepare them well for the challenges still to come. Even amidst the demands of study, Year 12 found time to celebrate and enjoy one another’s company at the long-anticipated excursion to Luna Park on July 25. This event offered a much-needed opportunity for students to relax, have fun, and create memories outside of the classroom. With Sydney Harbour providing a stunning backdrop, Luna Park became more than just an excursion, but a celebration of the spirit that defines this year’s group. It was also a reminder of the balance between work and joy that sustains students through their busiest times. Year 12 completed their final exam block in Term 3, and these exams represented a final rehearsal for the HSC itself. Teachers and staff continue to offer support, ensuring that students not only refine their academic knowledge but also build confidence and resilience as they head into their concluding assessments. The school community admires their perseverance and encourages them to approach these exams with the same focus

and determination they have displayed throughout their journey. As all eyes turn toward the future, the most anticipated event of the school calendar for Year 12 is undoubtedly the Graduation Assembly and Dinner, which will be held on September 23. This special day will serve as both a celebration and a farewell, offering students, staff, and families the chance to reflect on achievements, share gratitude, and mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another! The assembly will highlight the academic and extracurricular contributions of Year 12, while the dinner will provide an opportunity for celebration, laughter, and reflection on the friendships and memories that have defined their time here. Across all these events and milestones, it has been impossible not to notice the way in which Year 12 has grown both individually and collectively. They have learned to navigate challenges with resilience, to celebrate victories with humility, support one another through times of difficulty and finish their schooling on a strong note. Behind the achievements of Year 12 lies the tireless dedication of their teachers and mentors. Staff have not only provided academic instruction but also served as guides, role models, and sources of encouragement. To the Class of 2025, the entire school community stands with you as you move into these final chapters. We celebrate your achievements so far, we support you in the challenges still ahead, and we look forward to honouring you at graduation! There are many different pathways to reaching our goals, and I encourage you to focus on achieving your personal bests and finding and embracing what you love and what brings you joy. A life spent pursuing a passion or genuine interest is a life well spent! Parents, please encourage them to continue to work together in their study groups and to stay connected with each other for support. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns during these next few months, and be assured that we will all be working hard to support your sons. Finally, thanks to Johanna Kurath, my Assistant Year Adviser for 3 years, for supporting the boys through their journey. It has been a pleasure.

CAPA BY JENNIFER GRIMLEY

Our creative and performing arts students have continued to demonstrate their dedication and commitment to the Arts through their recent HSC Music Practical Exams, HSC Visual Arts practical submissions, Vocal and Instrumental Music Ensembles.

MUSIC 2025 State Music Festivals In August, we were thrilled to celebrate our String Orchestra’s selection to perform at the Sydney Opera House in the Bennelong Concert, part of the NSW Festival of Choral Music. Additionally, Year 12 students Paulson Ming and Henry Liu were chosen to showcase their HSC Music Extension ensemble piece at the Banksia Concert during the NSW Festival of Instrumental Music, also held at the Sydney Opera House. Congratulations to both groups for their outstanding performances, which beautifully showcased the exceptional talent of our students.

highest-performing students in the Music 2 and Music Extension examinations are nominated for Encore, an annual concert held at the Sydney Opera House. We look forward to hearing later in the year whether any of our students will be selected to perform at this prestigious event in 2026. 2025 NSW Schools Spectacular The 2025 Schools Spectacular is REMARKABLE! Something remarkable is unusual, exceptional, interesting, or excellent. This event will be held on 28 & 29 November at Qudos Bank Arena, and celebrates youth, education, culture, diversity and remarkable young Australian talent and will feature over 5,500 students from across New South Wales public schools. This year, some of our talented students have been selected to work in the technical side of the production - Luke Liu and James Chen (Year 10) will be part of the SpecArena Team, assisting with staging, and Christopher Wang (Year 12) will be part of the SpecFest Team assisting with camera operations. Tickets are now on sale for this event at https://premier.ticketek.com.au

2025 HSC Music Success European Music Tour – Jan 2027 Congratulations to eight of our Year 12 Music students who have had their HSC performances recognised as outstanding! Well done to John Abiwahab, Melvin Cheng, Marcus Huang, Rhys Lau, Henry Liu, Paulson Ming, James Wei, and Eric Xie on this exceptional achievement. Henry Liu was also nominated for Encore for his outstanding HSC composition. The

will participate in this amazing opportunity. If your son currently plays an instrument in one of our school ensembles, he will be eligible for this tour. The tour will include public performances, school exchanges, workshops and plenty of sightseeing in some wonderful European cities. We will provide further information to parents and students early next year.

NSBHS Music Ensembles have a proud history of International Music Tours, previously performing throughout Europe, Asia and America. We are currently working on an itinerary for a proposed music tour to Europe (Poland & Germany) in January 2027. We are anticipating that 65 students from Years 7 to 12

VISUAL ARTS In Term 3, Year 12 graduates (2025) held a Body of Work Exhibition (18-20 August) in the school library, where students, staff, parents and external visitors came to celebrate their work. We also wish to acknowledge and thank our library staff for accommodating this in the wonderful exhibition space that we have. Our students ultimately refined and submitted their work in September; we are incredibly proud of their resilience and exceptional diligence in creating such profound artworks! CAPA would also like to thank the Visual Arts staff from North Sydney Girls, Homebush Boys and Normanhurst Boys who we had the pleasure of collaborating with in double marking the practical works prior to HSC submission date. Our new Year 12 Visual Arts students (2026), are settling well into their HSC course. Exciting concepts and ideas for their Body of Works are evolving at this early stage. There are many creative decisions being made, as to what media area they wish to work in, defining their

strengths and how their artmaking can relate to their own personal world. We are excited to see what ideas they will bring into fruition soon! In addition, Year 7 to 10 students are completing their stage 4 and 5 courses with final practical work in a variety of different media areas. Year 7 students are resolving their final selfportrait lino prints. Year 8 students are in their final stages of their still life paintings. Year 9 have completed their landscape paintings and are developing a ‘peace dove’ ceramic sculpture. Year 10 students are completing their animation task and their Australian satire drawings. We know students will continue developing confidence and satisfaction in their creative capabilities as they wrap up on such an amazing year!

DRAMA Year 8 and 10 drama students continue to develop their skills through a range of engaging activities and workshops. Year 8 students are building on their improvisational skills by incorporating key elements of drama and performance. They are deepening their understanding of playwrights’ choices through improvisation and experimentation, which supports the further development of characterisation. Students are also exploring the idea that theatre is more than just entertainment; it serves as a powerful tool to provoke thought, offering audiences insight into important social issues. Through this, they are encouraged to challenge their perspectives and appreciate how drama can inspire change. Meanwhile, Year 10 students are focusing on Australian Theatre and Drama, particularly youth theatre. They are examining how these forms have evolved and the various influences that have shaped them. A key part of their learning involves understanding why stories of youth continue to be told and why it is essential to represent the lived experiences of others. This exploration highlights the role theatre plays in fostering empathy and dialogue within the community.

ENGLISH BY LOVEDAY RECNY

A huge congratulations to our Year 12 cohort who have completed their HSC examinations. These students have worked extremely hard throughout the year and have developed sophisticated, thoughtful and detailed analytical and creative pieces. There was a buzz of nervous energy amongst Year 12 before their first English examination however, the boys came out of Paper 2 with confidence, lots of smiles and a sense of achievement. The Extension 1 examination was last week and similarly the students were extremely well prepared and felt confident in their ability to answer the questions on what was a very challenging paper. These students have shown integrity, resilience, and maturity with a determination to succeed. Last week we were also informed that two of our Extension 2 students, Yao Lin and Ocean Armstrong, were nominated for inclusion in the prestigious Young Writer’s Showcase. Yao wrote a postcolonial piece of short fiction on the concept of home and Ocean wrote a fictocritical analysis of historioplastic metafiction in the film Black KKKlansman. This is an amazing achievement and a testament to their hard work in this subject. We wish the class of 2025 the absolute best of luck for the future and cannot wait to see the amazing things these outstanding young people achieve in the world.

With the farewelling of the class of 2025 comes the welcoming of the class of 2026 to their HSC year. We have been impressed with this cohort’s renewed energy and interest and they have started their Advanced, Extension 1, and Extension 2 courses with dedication. Advanced

students are studying the Common Module, ‘Texts and Human Experiences’ with a focus on the provoking Shakespearean play ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Extension 1 students are focusing on literature of upheaval through an in-depth focus on ‘Frankenstein’. Our Extension 2 students have all started with impressive concepts and ideas for their Major Works. The diversity of their concepts are exciting and we are looking forward to seeing them take shape over the year. Year 7 to 10 have now completed their Yearly Examinations. All year groups have demonstrated their ability to compose analytical essays that engage with the text they have been studying in class. While writing an essay in examination conditions is a difficult task, teachers have been modeling, scaffolding and guiding the students in the lead up to these examinations. Year 7 have been studying the ‘The Bone Sparrow’, considering the perspective of asylum seekers and Year 8 have analysed the novel ‘The Curious Incident of the dog in the Nighttime’ where they are deconstructing the novel’s key concepts through a distinctive narrative voice. Year 9 have applied literary theories to canonical texts and Year 10 have analysed the satirical novel ‘Cats Cradle’. We have also had great success with our debating program this year with our Year 10 team winning the Premier’s Debating Challenge, a feat that NSBHS has not achieved for the last two decades! A huge congratulations to the team Tim Lin, Ken Fu, Jayden Woo and Johnson Tang and to their

coach Ms Daisy Du who has spent hours with these students over the past year. Further, the English Faculty has launched a quarterly writing magazine ‘Wingspan’ with the inaugural edition to be published later this term. Students from all year groups are encouraged to submit their writing for publication. Each term the magazine will have a different focus and this term it is flight. This format provides a real world platform for students to share their writing and ideas with an audience. We are very excited that over 35 students have submitted their writing for the upcoming edition. Often students ask how to study for English and essentially, academic success in English relies on an ability to write with clarity, precision, and finesse. Expertise and mastery of writing comes from a process of practising, editing, seeking feedback, and refining. Students should start preparing for their assessments early, ask their teachers for help if they need it and ensure that they are continuing to shape purposeful responses that answer the given questions. Additionally, one of the keys to being a good writer is being a reader. Students who read are always stronger writers. Encouraging your child to read every day is one of the best ways to ensure their success. As we approach the end of the year, could you please encourage your child to return all their English texts to school so that next year we can continue to enjoy the wide range of texts we teach in the English faculty.

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MATHS BY AIDA SAROFIM Mathematics Enrichment Initiatives

Australian Mathematics COmpetition (AMC)

The Falcon Maths program for Years 8 to 10 continues to grow, providing supplementary enrichment activities for over 100 students, both within the specialised Falcon Maths classes and in the Year 8 Falcon Maths workshops. As a result of this, many more students have enjoyed the experience and success of participating in enrichment activities. I would like to express my thanks to Ms Cai who administers the program and to the Falcon Maths teachers Mr Chris Berry, Mr Eric Lin and Dr Vranesevic. Parent support has been essential to this program, and again I would like to thank them for their commitment.

The AMC is one of Australia’s largest schoolbased mathematics competitions. It features unique problems designed by Australia’s leading educators and academics with the goal to demonstrate the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives. It was held on 6th August 2025.

Mathematics enrichment program Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) competition is compulsory to all students in years 7-10. The CAT competition is a fun, low stress event, which allows students in Years 7 to 10 to demonstrate their ability to interpret and solve problems requiring “algorithmic” thinking – the type of thinking used to write computer programs and to control automated systems. We added the CAT competition as part of our formal Year 7 mathematics program in 2017, and it’s pleasing to see this has carried over into increased participation in later year groups during 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) competition was held on 22 May 2025 at NSBHS and we had 588 students from Yr 7-12. 2023 and 2024.

The Australian Mathematical Olympiad (AMO) The AMO is a two-day Olympiad-level contest comprising four questions each day conducted under school supervision. Around 200 students are invited to participate in this event from Australia and New Zealand. The contest is held over two days in February and is used to select students to attend the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee’s Selection School. We would like to congratulate Polar from Year 12 and Liam Celinski and Theodore Sanuri from Year 11 on being selected to participate in this prestigious competition with outstanding results. Polar and Liam have been awarded with Gold certificates and Theodore has achieved Silver award.

Asian Pacific Mathematical Olympiad (APMO) •

•

The APMO contest consists of one fourhour paper consisting of five questions of varying difficulty and each having a maximum score of 7 points. Country representatives organize the competition locally. Any number of students may sit the exam in each country, but the results of at most 10 per country can be sent for official participation.

We would like to congratulate Polar from Year 12 and Liam Celinski from Year 11 on being

selected to participate in this prestigious competition. This has been another outstanding year for our boys, who have once again demonstrated excellence and commitment in a range of national Mathematics competitions. Their dedication to problem-solving, persistence in tackling challenging questions, and passion for learning have resulted in impressive achievements that reflect both individual effort and the strong mathematical culture within our school. We are proud to acknowledge results across the following competitions: AMO: Liam Celinski, Year 11, Gold | Theodore Sanuri, Year 11, Silver | Polar Xiong, Year 12, Gold AMOC Senior Contests: Liam Celinski, Year 11, Gold | Theodore Sanuri, Year 11, Bronze Australian Training Tournament O-Level: Jay Shi, Year 9, Credit | Leon Wang, Year 9, Credit | Aland Pham, Year 10, High Distinction | Nathan Wong, Year 10, Distinction Australian Training Tournament A-Level: Theodore Sanuri, Year 11, Credit Also congratulations to the following students who received High Distinction in the 2025 Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO): Year 9: Angus Jiang, Aston Li, Jay Shi, Ryan Sun, Kurt Tam Year 10: Jeffrey Ma, Aland Pham, Raphael Susanto, Daniel Wang, Ethan Yau, Sinuo Yue We would also like to commend the students who achieved a Prize in the 2025 Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC):

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2025 AMT State Awards Year 7: Joo Sung Byon, Lucas Dai, Alan Diao, Austin Duan Year 8: Angus Jiang, Joey Li, Jay Shi, Jeremy Yu Year 10: Lucas Ding, Jason Li, Tim Lin, Lachlan Tam And these two students for receiving the Prize in the 2025 Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT): Year 9: Angus Jiang Year 10: Johnson Ding Finally, congratulations to all students who participated in any of these competitions. Your enthusiasm, perseverance, and willingness to extend yourselves beyond the standard curriculum are truly admirable. Whether you achieved a prize, a certificate, or valuable experience, your participation contributes to a culture of academic curiosity and continuous improvement. We look forward to seeing even greater achievements in the future as our students continue to strive for excellence.

On November 11th, eleven students were invited to attend the 2025 AMT State Awards for NSW, held at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre in Surry Hills. Accompanied by our school Principal, Mr Ferguson, the Mathematics Enrichment Coordinator, Ms Cai, and those students’ parents, it was an enjoyable evening celebrating the outstanding achievements of our high-performing students in this year’s AMT competitions, including the AMC, CAT, AIO, and AIMO.

Acknowledgements I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and recognition of the outstanding professionalism of the 2025 mathematics teachers: Mr Chris Berry, Ms Wenyu Cai, Mr Eric Lin, Mr Stephen Ireland, Dr Natasa Vranesevic, Mrs Michelle Moss, Ms Lavinia Lee, Mr Joshua Lott and Mr Sathasivampilla Umakanthan.

Luna Park Excursion With the Trial Examinations over, Year 12 were able to enjoy an excursion to Luna Park with the Mathematics faculty on Friday the 25th of July 2025. The boys enjoyed the rides whilst discussing Newton’s Laws, Gravity, Circular Motion, etc. under a perfect blue sky.”

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PDHPE BY JANE EVERINGTON

This semester, the PDHPE faculty continues to provide students with a balanced program that integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. These learning experiences are carefully designed to meet curriculum requirements while helping students develop essential life skills, personal confidence, and a sense of responsibility. By engaging with both theory and practice, students gain a well-rounded understanding of health, safety, physical activity, and interpersonal skills that support their growth inside and outside of school. Here are a few highlights from this term:

In this unit, students developed a nuanced understanding of consent within relationships, exploring topics such as personal boundaries, mutual respect, and effective communication. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and scenario-based activities, students examined both legal and ethical considerations and learned strategies to foster respectful, safe, and supportive interpersonal and sexual relationships. This unit encourages thoughtful decision-making and reinforces the importance of mutual consent in all interactions.

Theory

Year 11 – Health, Movement and Sport (HMS) Viva Voce:

Year 8 – Personal Safety and DRSABCD action plan:

Year 11 students engage in viva voce assessments, an oral examination method that encourages them to articulate their knowledge and critical understanding of health and physical activity topics. This approach develops verbal communication skills and helps students demonstrate deeper comprehension of key concepts in health science.

In this unit, Year 8 students explored personal safety and the fundamentals of basic first aid. They focused on the DRSABCD action plan, a structured approach for responding to emergencies, including unconsciousness, choking, or cardiac arrest. Students learned not only the steps involved but also the reasoning behind each action, which builds confidence and equips them to respond effectively in reallife situations. The unit also included practical assignments that strengthened students’ skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency response. By emphasising constructive actions that contribute to the safety and well-being of the community, students gained a deeper appreciation for their role in helping others.

Practical Year 7 - Hip Hop Dance: Year 7 students have enjoyed a dynamic dance unit focused on Hip Hop and contemporary styles. Through these lessons, they explored movement, coordination, rhythm, and selfexpression while building confidence and teamwork skills. This practical unit encourages creativity and helps students develop an appreciation for dance as a form of physical activity and personal expression.

Year 10 Physical Activity and Sports Studies & Year 8 PDHPE: Peer Coaching: A highlight this semester has been the peer coaching program, where Year 10 PASS students coached Year 8 PDHPE classes as part of their ‘Coaching’ unit. This practical experience teaches students how to manage groups, offer constructive feedback, and tailor coaching techniques to diverse learners. It was inspiring to see senior students mentor and support their younger peers with enthusiasm and professionalism. Through these engaging theory and practical units, the PDHPE faculty continues to provide a multifaceted program that develops both mind and body. By combining knowledge with real-world application, students at NSBHS are equipped to lead healthy, active, and responsible lives - ready to face challenges with confidence, skill, and integrity. Year 9 Physical Activit y and Sports Studies: Golf Fundamentals Year 9 Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS), students have been introduced to the technical fundamentals of golf, including grip, stance, and swing mechanics on a basic level. Practical lessons are conducted on school grounds, giving students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Beyond skill development, students are learning strategic thinking, patience, and focus - all essential components of both sport and personal growth.

Year 9 – Consent and Respect:

SCIENCE BY KYLIE CHAN

Our science students have now completed their yearly exams — a fantastic effort after a busy and productive term! Teachers are now finalising marks and providing feedback to help students reflect on their progress and celebrate their achievements. We encourage students to take the time to review their exam feedback carefully — recognising both the areas of strength and those that can be developed further in preparation for next year. We’re incredibly proud of our students’ dedication and thank parents and carers for their continued support. Enjoy a well-deserved break, and we look forward to another exciting year of scientific discovery ahead! Enjoy your well-earned break, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

Victor Chang Science student awards Established in 2004 in honour of pioneering cardiac surgeon Dr Victor Chang, the Victor Chang School Science Awards celebrate gifted students and aim to inspire growth in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Huge congratulations to Phillip Ding for receiving this prestigious award in recognition of his outstanding achievements and passion for science. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to Phillip’s dedication and hard work. The award was presented on 27th August 2025 at the Stanton Library in North Sydney during

a special ceremony honouring top science students from across the region. Well done, Phillip!

Education Perfect National Science Week 2025 was held from 15–23 August, with the theme “Decoding the Universe.” During the week, students from Years 7–10 participated in the Education Perfect World Science Championship and achieved some outstanding results. Punching well above our weight, NSBHS ranked 8th out of 1,413 schools globally and received 14 special awards — an incredible accomplishment! Congratulations to all students who contributed to our impressive total of over 69,000 questions completed throughout the week. A special mention goes to the following high achievers, who earned an Elite Award in the Education Perfect World Science Championship.

Rank

Award

4th

19717

Elite

Daniel Miao 8th

12122

Elite

Leo Wang

VALID Science 8 Assessment On Friday 31st October 2025, our Year 8 students completed the VALID Science 8 assessment, an

online end-of-stage test that measures student knowledge, skills, and attitudes in science. The assessment is aligned with the NSW science syllabus and includes both multiple-choice and short response questions. VALID provides valuable information about student learning and helps teachers plan for ongoing development in science. Results will be shared with students next year during Term 1. We congratulate our Year 8 students on completing the assessment and demonstrating their engagement with science!

Science Olympiad results Over 500 students took part in the Junior Olympiad and multiple discipline exams, including Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Earth & Environmental Science. Impressively, more than 81 students achieved a High Distinction — an outstanding accomplishment! A huge congratulations to Jeffrey Tang who represented Australia in China at this year’s International Science Olympiad for Earth and Environmental Science. Jeffrey came back with 2 silver and 1 bronze medal. We are incredibly proud of his achievement and dedication.

NSBHS Robotics Robotics is an extracurricular activity running throughout the year after school on Thursday afternoons. The objective of Robotics is to allow the boys the opportunity to participate

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in the full set of STEM activities. These include collaborating in groups, identifying a problem, developing a solution then building, programming and testing their creations. The boys have access to numerous robotics platforms from simple Arduino boards to high powered ARM based systems. Year 7 students start with a crash course in fundamental programming to enable the students to get up and running with the Arduino platform as soon as possible. Every session involves looking at a programming concept and then implementing the ideas on a live Arduino platform. The course progresses from simple programming constructs to complex algorithms, getting input from sensors and driving outputs such as motors and wheels. The students can work on their own projects, including 3D design using various software tools and 3D printing of their parts. Building of the projects is accomplished with the support with thanks to the TAS Department who help with resources, time and advice for the boys. Thank you to Ms Tran for looking after the group in the absence of both Mr Francis and Ms Gondek in term 3. The school will host the Northern Sydney Regional FIRST Lego League (FLL) Tournament on Saturday, 22 November 2025. This involves action-packed matches between the 48 teams over the day.

Science – Term 4 Update Year 7 Year 7 has begun exploring the Universe this term. Students have been learning about the Solar System, celestial bodies, and the history of our understanding of the universe. They are also discovering the phases of the Moon and investigating how this small rock influences Earth’s tides. Next term, students will move on to the topic of Rocks and Minerals, where they will study the different types of rocks and the rock cycle.

to keep plants alive and thriving. Their next topic will focus on Earth’s resources and their management, encouraging students to think critically about sustainability and conservation.

classroom learning, revision, and preparation for assessments and exams, helping students strengthen their knowledge and build a solid foundation in science.

Year 9

New Science Syllabuses

This term, Year 9 students are studying Response and Reaction Systems. They have been exploring the nervous system and endocrine system, learning how both systems work together to maintain the human body as a functioning organism. Later this term, students will investigate infectious and noninfectious diseases, examining how the body responds to various illnesses.

As part of ongoing curriculum reform, there are new Science syllabuses being introduced for Years 7–10. These updated syllabuses are designed to provide students with a more engaging, hands-on, and inquiry-based approach to learning science, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and realworld applications.

Year 10 As part of their final assessment task, Year 10 students are working collaboratively on a research project about the formation of the universe. They are investigating celestial bodies and exploring the technologies that have advanced our understanding of the early universe. This project encourages critical thinking, research skills, and teamwork as students conclude their science studies for the year.

Enhancing Learning with a Range of Resources

Our dedicated science teachers have been working hard this year to develop teaching programs and assessment tasks aligned with the new syllabuses. Next year, we will be implementing the new syllabus for Years 7 and 9, ensuring students have the best possible start to their science learning journey. Years 8 and 10 will be implemented in 2027. We would like to wish all our students a welldeserved, relaxing break after a busy and productive year in Science. We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready to start another exciting year of learning in 2026!

This year, we have continued our commitment to enriching students’ science education by providing a wide variety of learning resources that complement classroom instruction. Students in Years 7–10 were given the opportunity to borrow a science textbook at the start of the year—Core Science 4 or 5, depending on their year level. These textbooks are designed to support learning over a twoyear period, with students returning them to the library at the end of Year 8 or Year 10. If you are in Year 8 or Year 10 and borrowed a textbook this year, please ensure it is returned to the library by the end of the year.

Year 8 Year 8 students are delving into the world of Plants. They have been learning about the structure and function of the flower, root, stem, and leaf, and how these parts work together

In addition, students have access to Stile, an online platform where they can revise content, complete quizzes, and explore different science topics at their own pace. Together, these resources provide valuable support for

INCLUSIVE LEARNING BY KATHY COADY

We have had a very busy and very special second semester this year. This year, we farewelled our first graduating Year 12 students from Inclusive Education. It was an emotional time. We are so proud of all the boys have achieved in their time here and they will be greatly missed. We wish them all the very best in this next exciting chapter in their lives. With community input, we re-named the Support Unit to Inclusive Education, and we also celebrated the opening of the Falcon Café, which has been putting the boys barista skills to good use. We celebrated Jaxson’s well-deserved appointment to Prefect and Youju’s appointment to the SRC. And congratulation also go out to Roman who achieved an award for HTAG. His artworks have been used for their promotional materials. School camps have been an amazing opportunity for the boys. We have so far had attendance at the Year 9 and 12 camps, and the Year 10 students are excited for the upcoming Year 10 camp. The amazing staff have also been very busy providing learning outside the classroom with the TAFE Open Day excursion last term and this term the Community Access excursion have seen the boys developing their travel and communication skills while visiting places around the local community. As the end of the year draws near, the Kites have started their Christmas Stall projects and are busy creating potted succulents and resin coasters. The Hawkes have completed their paint pouring projects which are currently on display in the school library.

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TAS BY PAUL KENNEDY

We are pleased to report that our students in TAS have once again produced excellent work across workshops, computer labs, kitchens, and classrooms throughout 2025. The ever-flexible TAS staff have continued to deliver engaging programs and lessons to ensure students gain both deep knowledge and practical skills across all our subjects.

Technology Mandatory Our Technology Mandatory students have worked on several projects this year and have embraced the opportunity to explore a wide variety of technology contexts.

exploration of a student-identified need, rigorous research, the development of tangible practical skills, and a structured process of evaluation. A special mention goes to Cody Huo, whose school-based project — an upgrade of the existing kitchen garden and a comprehensive landscape redesign of the Miller Street Lawn — has been nominated for the 2026 Shape Exhibition of exemplary projects. Congratulations, Cody, on this outstanding achievement.

Engineering “WE ARE Students in Years 7 and 8 have made the Year 10 Engineering students have been most of their time in the school’s workshops in small groups to design and PLEASED — exercising creativity and developing fine working construct hydraulic-powered cranes. Many skills in hands-on classes. These boys have produced outstanding designs and TO REPORT motor relish the opportunity to move away from desks demonstrated a high standard of workmanship. and computers to engage in practical projects. groups successfully combined their THAT OUR Projects this year have included the Year 7 Some hydraulic knowledge with mechanisms studied key tag, timber puzzle, game design in Year 9 Engineering to develop more complex STUDENTS acrylic and skill tester, as well as the Year 8 timber box, and innovative design solutions. metal dustpan and agriculture unit. IN TAS HAVE Year 9 Engineering students have also been hard at work designing and building Design and Technology that demonstrate the transfer ONCE AGAIN Year 12 Design and Technology students mechanisms and conversion of energy through a series completed their HSC Major Design of carefully sequenced and finely calibrated PRODUCED recently Projects, the culmination of three and a half components. This project has encouraged terms of dedicated effort, along with countless problem-solving and teamwork, EXCELLENT hours spent at home and in the workshops creativity, with students showing great persistence in holidays. The projects varied widely refining their ideas to achieve smooth, reliable WORK.” during in context but each demonstrated a deep mechanical motion.

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Food Technology Year 10 have been methodically working their way through a unit on Food Product Development. This has required students to identify a gap in the market and develop a product to address a specific consumer need. The boys worked in groups to design a range of innovative food items, considering not only the product itself, but also the packaging and marketing strategies, as well as relevant legislative requirements and principles of graphic design. The images below show the development of ‘Monster Gummy Bear’, an energy-chew product conceived by Jordan Yan, Gilbert Na, and Louis Zhan. Year 9 are currently working on the Food for Special Occasions unit, where they investigate the importance of food in the events we celebrate communally, taking into account cultural and dietary considerations. They are currently undertaking a seasonal challenge, preparing ghost cookies for Halloween. Image - Ghost Cookies Again in 2025, we have been delighted to share the school’s kitchens with students from our Inclusive Education Unit. These boys demonstrated great enthusiasm and respect for the space and the opportunity, leaving with impressive new skills and growing confidence.

Software Development Competitions We are delighted to share the outstanding achievements of our software development students, who have excelled across a range of national and international competitions this year. In mid-June, 91 students from NSBHS participated in the 2025 Coding Challenge, organised by the Australian Maths Trust (AMT). Students competed across several categories according to their experience levels

and achieved excellent results. In the most advanced category, Trailblazers, Jaray Foo (Year 12) and Franco Wang (Year 11) achieved perfect scores, while Brandon Banh (Year 12), Thomas Luu (Year 11), Vincent Chen (Year 8), Lucas Liu (Year 8) and Jiutian Zhang (Year 12) received Distinctions for their exceptional performances. Our Year 10 students also made a remarkable impression at the 2025 BIOTech Futures Challenge Finals & Symposium, where a combined team of four NSBHS students and one NSGHS student won the Best Prototype Award for their project ‘NeuroMove: AI-Powered Exercise Therapy for Parkinson’s’. The web app provides real-time posture feedback using artificial intelligence. Congratulations to Zoey Liu (NSGHS) and Xirui (Johnny) Cai, James Chen, Junyoung Lee, and Ziyang Xu on this outstanding achievement among more than 120 competing teams.

grow from nervous Year 7 newcomers into intelligent young men. We will especially miss our Engineering, Software and D&T students, with whom we have worked closely and developed strong connections. We sincerely wish you all the best for the future and look forward to hearing of your successes as you take on the challenges of the “real world” of work and tertiary study.

Finally, Victor Qian and Ethan Zhou were invited to share their insights as panelists at the Day of AI Australia 2025 event in the session titled “The AI Moment Is Now: Are Our Teachers and Students Ready?” This was a significant honour, recognising their growing expertise in artificial intelligence and success in competitions involving large language model (LLM) applications. Both students represented the school with confidence and professionalism, contributing thoughtful perspectives to an important national discussion on the role of AI in education.

Thank You As always, thank you to our dedicated TAS staff — Mr Kimberley, Miss Riley, Mr Heffernan, Dr Tosic, Mr Tidyman, Mr Avramides, Mr Pillay and Mr Stevenson — who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to provide students with engaging and challenging lessons and experiences. Finally, we say a bittersweet farewell to the outgoing Year 12 students of 2025. It has been a pleasure to teach these boys and watch them

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WELLBEING BY GEORGINA WILLMA

At NSB, education is far more than the pursuit of academic excellence; it is the deliberate cultivation of the whole person. Wellbeing underpins every student’s capacity to thrive, not only academically, but also in confidence, resilience, creativity, and in the meaningful connections that enrich their lives. In every classroom, corridor, and conversation, we strive to create a culture where each student feels safe, valued, and inspired to grow fully as a learner and as a person. This commitment comes alive in this semester’s Falcon Workshops. Thoughtfully designed and delivered by our wellbeing team, these sessions provide students with opportunities to deepen emotional insight, build social confidence, and develop practical strategies for wellbeing, skills that will serve them not only in their learning, but throughout life. Grounded in the principles of Positive Education and aligned with national learning standards for personal and social development, the Falcon Workshops help students flourish as resilient, compassionate individuals ready to navigate life’s complexities with courage, empathy, and care. Through engaging activities, reflection exercises, and discussions, students acquire tools that enrich both their academic journey and broader life experiences. Throughout Terms 3 and 4, students have been exploring a range of focus areas designed to connect with their lived experiences and support their social, emotional, and academic growth:

Respectful Relationships and Consent: Empowering students to build safe, inclusive connections through clear communication and mutual respect. Anti-Bullying Advocacy: Challenging harmful behaviours through Brainstorm Productions, theatre-based learning while promoting empathy and peer support. Mental Health Literacy: Building knowledge and practical skills to understand mental health, reduce stigma, and seek help with confidence. De-stigmatising Mental Health: Dispelling misconceptions about anxiety and depression with evidence based insights to foster resilience and self awareness. Communication and Empathy: Strengthening interpersonal skills to nurture collaboration, understanding, and emotional intelligence. Caring for Self and Others: Encouraging compassion and self-reflection through mentoring programs that build community and connection.

All sessions are informed by research from Positive Psychology and built on the principle that wellbeing is integral to learning, not separate from it. Guided by the values of our Falcon Code: camaraderie, commitment, compassion, integrity, and respect, students receive practical, evidence-based guidance across mental, physical, social, and emotional domains. Drawing on trusted resources such as Headspace, ReachOut, and Beyond Blue, our approach provides accurate information and fosters effective help-seeking behaviours, supporting growth and resilience well beyond the classroom. We are grateful to parents and carers for walking alongside us in this work. With your continued support, we are nurturing not only sharp and capable minds but also compassionate, resilient, and reflective young people, equipped to meet life’s challenges with confidence, integrity, and care. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Wellbeing Team at NSB for their exceptional dedication to the Falcon Workshops and student wellbeing. Their insight, passion, and commitment inspire every session, leaving a lasting impact and nurturing a culture of wellbeing that empowers our students to grow, connect, thrive, and succeed.

Study Without Stress: Equipping students with strategies for goal setting, time management, and emotional regulation to support academic engagement and wellbeing.

WINTER

S P ORT BY RICHARD CROAN

Grand finals for North West Metropolitan Zone winter competitions were played on Wednesday 30th July, with eight North Sydney teams qualifying to play in the premiership deciders. Congratulations to all team members who participated in the finals, especially to the 15 years table tennis team for winning their final. With the tennis finals being washed out, all four tennis teams were recognised as joint premiers.

Winter Grade Sport - Best and Fairest The following boys have been acknowledged for their outstanding contributions during the 2025 winter grade sport season by being recognised as ‘Best & Fairest’ for their teams: 1st Grade Soccer

Dennis Chau

2nd Grade Soccer

Daniel Jung

2 0 2 4 Wint er Grand Finals

3rd Grade Soccer

Raphael Susanto

4th Grade Soccer

Sabeeh Chowdhury

Tenni s

5th Grade Soccer

Jim Wang

1st

North Sydney

vs.

Normanhurst

Joint

15As Soccer

Omar Haque

2nd

North Sydney

vs.

Epping

Joint

15Bs Soccer

David P’ng

North Sydney

vs.

Epping

Joint

14As Soccer

Andy Qu

Normanhurst

vs.

Epping

Joint

14Bs Soccer

Fariz Ahmed

13As Soccer

Leon Hoang

13Bs Soccer

Jason Cao

13Cs Soccer

Isaac Choi

1st Grade Tennis

Neo Xu

2nd Grade Tennis

Jay Shi

15s Tennis

Joshua Ng

14s Tennis

Joseph Cha

1st Grade Table Tennis

Andrew Zong Han Li

2nd Grade Table Tennis

Jason Liang

15s Table Tennis

Nathan Liu

14s Table Tennis

Darman Vingeshwaran

1st Grade Lawn Bowls

James Chen

15s Lawn Bowls

Liam Kim

1st Grade Badminton

Franco Wang

2nd Grade Badminton

Owen Zhang

15s Badminton

Lucas Liu

Table Tennis 15s

North Sydney

def.

Normanhurst

4-0

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Zone Cross Country Well done to the NSB Cross Country team, which represented the school at the North West Metropolitan Zone carnival. A combined effort on the day resulted in the team finishing 3rd overall, behind Epping BHS and Normanhurst BHS. The following students who demonstrated outstanding effort and represented the school with distinction. 12 Years Alex Xing Jayden Jeong Sarim Mahmud Jayden Zhang Jayxen Soon Oscar Shao Brooklyn Zhang

13 Years Justin Chen Justin Lau Aiden Guo Lucas Huang Ian Wang Daniel Zheng Jacob Zhang

14 Years Jay Shi Jake Fry Nathaniel Chong Andrew Xiao Adwyn Kang Ethan Kato Jet Ni Raul Saldanha

15 Years Will Raphael Araz Fathollahzadeh Aghdam Ian Wang Ethan Hemming Jack Yang Omar Haque Justin Huang Nathan Chan

16 Years Albert Wang Raphael Susanto Edwin Pang Yisen Pan Qanit Mubarak Thomas Zhang Daniel Xinao Chen

17 Years Benjamin Boutkaska Zimin Lu Victor Qian Castor Li Timothy Mac Dennis Chau

18 Years Paulson Ming Rhys Lau Lucas Zheng Daniel Liao Sharan Sivakumar

Some standout North Sydney performers who placed in the ‘Top 10’ at the zone cross country carnival earned selection in the North West Metropolitan Zone team to compete at the regional carnival at Wyong Racecourse.

Sydney North Regional Swimming Carnival (placings) 12 Years Alex Xing (31st) Jayden Jeong (49th)

13 Years Justin Chen (21st) Justin Lau (30th) Lucas Huang (54th)

14 Years Jake Fry (58th)

15 Years Will Raphael (24th)

16 Years Raphael Susanto (32nd) Yisen Pan (37th) Qanit Mubarak (35th)

17 Years Benjamin Boutkaska (30th) Zimin Lu (34th)

18 Years Paulson Ming (21st) Rhys Lau (16th)

Athletics Champions Congratulations to the following boys who were named Athletics Age Champions for 2025 as a result of their outstanding performances at the NSBHS school carnival. AGE CHAMPION RUNNER- UP 12 years

Jason Cao

13 years

*Justin Lau

Sarim Mahmud

*Justin Chen 14 years

Alexander Song

15 years

*Omar Haque

Adwyn Kang

*Ethan Hemmings 16 years

Thomas Zhang

Daniel Jung

17+ years

Benjamin Boutkaska

Theodore Sanuri

*equal 1st Age Champion

Zone Athletics Carnival The North Sydney Boys HS athletics team was made up of 55 students who represented the school at Sydney Olympic Athletics Centre. The team finished an impressive 2nd overall and some excellent performers on the day were rewarded by qualifying for the Sydney North Regional Athletics Carnival in both individual and relay team events.

Regional Athletics Carnival Representatives (Zone carnival placings) Jason Cao (12 years) – Discus (1st) and High jump (2nd) Justin Lau (13 years) – 100 metres (1st), 200 metres (1st) and Hurdles (1st) Adwyn Kang (14 years) – 100 metres (2nd) and 200 metres (2nd) Leo Son (14 years) – High jump (1st) and Hurdles (2nd) Alexander Song (14 years) – Hurdles (1st), Long jump (1st) and 15s Triple Jump (2nd) Lucas Fang (15 years) – 200m (1st) and 100m (2nd) Omar Haque (15 years) – Javelin (1st) Will Rapheal (15 years) – 400 metres (1st) Thomas Zhang (16 years) – Hurdles (2nd) Larry Shen (16 years) – 100 metres (1st) and 200 metres (1st) Leon Hoang, Odin Lam, Justin Lau and Daniel Zheng – 13 years relay (2nd) Adwyn Kang, Leo Son, Alexander Song and Saim Shirjeel – 14 years relay (1st) Lucas Fang, Augustine Guan, Will Raphael and Charlie Shi – 15 years relay (2nd) Thomas Zhang, Rain Huang, Larry Shen and Rhys Sung – 16 years relay (1st)

Sydney North Regional Athletics Championship - Results Congratulations to the following students who have qualified to compete at the CHS State Athletics Championships with some outstanding performances at the regional carnival. Justin Lau (13 years) – Hurdles (2nd) Leo Son (14 years) – Hurdles (3rd) Alexander Song (14 years) – Hurdles (1st), Long jump (1st) and 15s Triple Jump (2nd) Will Rapheal (15 years) – 400 metres (2nd) Thomas Zhang (16 years) – Hurdles (2nd) Omar Haque (15 years) – Javelin (1st)

2 ND G RADE SOC C E R

3RD G RA DE S OCCE R

5T H G RA DE S O CCE R

The 2025 football season for the NSBHS Second Grade team began with a few tough away losses, testing both our resilience and adaptability. Despite the early setbacks, the boys were determined not to let morale drop. Practices during lunch and plans during the bus rides became opportunities to refine our structure, build chemistry, and experiment with player roles to maximise our strengths. This persistence paid off when we held the strong Homebush Seconds to a well-earned draw, a turning point that proved our team was capable of matching higher-ranked opponents when we played with focus and discipline.

Starting our season, we had an away game against Asquith. Hopes were high, and the excitement of the new season lying ahead was clearly felt. Furthermore, for the first two games we had Mr O’Grady as our coach due to Mr Murphy being on leave, but this did not faze us at all. We comfortably drew 1–1 with Asquith 4ths and defeated Normanhurst 3–2.

This season for 5th Grade Soccer was one of resilience, growth, and Falcon pride. Although the scorelines often did not fall in our favour, the spirit within the team remained unshaken. From the first whistle to the final game, every player showed determination, courage, and an unwavering commitment to one another. Camaraderie was at the heart of our journey, with teammates stepping up to encourage, support, and help each other improve.

One of the standout moments of the season came against the Epping Second Grade football team. After taking an early lead, we defended with grit and urgency, desperate to extend our advantage as the minutes ticked away. With the game finely balanced and tension high, our captain, Mark P’ng, stepped up to deliver a perfectly timed assist that found Daniel Jung in the box. Daniel’s clinical finish sealed an emphatic victory, sparking celebrations that lasted throughout our walk to the train station, reflecting not only our joy at securing our first win but also the growth and determination that had pushed us through our difficult games this season.

However, every flame eventually flickers. A winless streak followed, yet this challenging period proved invaluable in building team chemistry and teaching us the true meaning of resilience. This all built up to a must-win game against Asquith, resulting in a courageous 1–0 victory thanks to an outrageous free kick from Matthew Qi. Following this was a 2–2 draw against Normanhurst, which saw us through to a semi-final thriller against Asquith 3rds. Although we lost 4–0 in a closely fought and intense match, the season’s successes could not have been achieved without an incredibly resilient team and the motivating, powerful speeches of our head coach. We could have easily given up during the middle of the season, yet we continued to persist, emphasising that third grade isn’t for normal soccer players - it’s for true warriors. BY BRIAN LIU

Every player this year contributed to the team’s progress, and by the season’s conclusion, we had a lot of fun and forged tighter bonds. The 2025 campaign may have started with difficulties, but it ended as a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and Falcon spirit.

For many, this was their very first experience playing competitive soccer, which meant overcoming steep learning curves and unexpected challenges. Yet instead of being discouraged, the team embraced these obstacles with enthusiasm, tackling every training session and match with energy and persistence. Teamwork was a standout feature of the season—players communicated well, worked tirelessly in defence, and combined for moments of strong attacking play. Even when results did not reflect our efforts, our sportsmanship, effort, and Falcon pride shone through. What made the season truly memorable was the unity we built. Whether on the field, at training, or on the sidelines, there was a constant sense of belonging and determination that exemplified the Falcon spirit. While the scoreboard may tell one story, our journey told another—one of growth, resilience, and mateship. This season, 5th Grade Soccer proved that success is not only measured in wins, but in the bonds formed and the pride of representing our school. BY HAMISH LEE

BY NAND-KISHORE HARIHARAN

FALCON BULLETIN

U14B S OC C E R

U15A S OCCER

U15B S O CCE R

This winter sport season with the 14Bs soccer team was certainly one to remember. While, as a team, we didn’t manage to secure a win across the season, every single game taught us valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and the importance of always giving our best, no matter the circumstances. It was truly an honour for me to serve as captain of this incredible team this season. Leading such a determined group of players reminded me that success isn’t measured solely by results, but by how a team grows and supports one another throughout the season.

This was the best season our boys have had in our high school journey so far, as we managed to reach the semi-finals for the first time. Every player performed well, starting with our goalkeepers, who made some outstanding saves; our defence, who operated as a strong and united unit; our midfielders, who created numerous opportunities; and finally our attackers, who scored countless goals.

The experience of being part of the U15 Bs soccer team was one of great success, particularly in the way we conducted ourselves at a competitive level, supported our teammates, and upheld the values of Falcon Pride. At the end of the season, after a tough battle with Normanhurst that eventually led to a tiebreaker, we reached the semi-finals against Epping due to the team’s unwavering commitment and camaraderie. I would like to acknowledge all members of the team, as well as our coach, Mr Easy, for creating a positive and memorable experience throughout the season..

One of our standout players was, without a doubt, Fariz Ahmed, whose tremendous skill and determination carried us on the pitch this season. His unwavering effort and commitment inspired the rest of us to keep pushing and representing our school with pride, while also inspiring me to further develop my leadership skills as team captain. Although we didn’t come away with any wins, we ended the season with something even more valuable: the morals of the Falcon Code. Through our chemistry and coordination on the pitch, we fostered camaraderie, playing as a team no matter how difficult the game became. We showed integrity by always playing fairly and honestly, demonstrated commitment by turning up week after week battered and tired but still ready to give our all, and developed compassion by encouraging one another and lifting each other’s spirits when things didn’t go our way.

Although we had a strong start to the season, a dip in form during the middle of the campaign made a finals appearance seem unlikely. However, through hard work and camaraderie, we clawed our way back, with the team growing stronger and more synchronised along the way. Unfortunately, an unlucky 1–0 loss ended our run in the semi-finals, but the season was still a success. We worked hard together, built great chemistry, and had a lot of fun playing alongside friends whom we hope to see again next year for an even better season.

BY DAVID P’NG

BY ADWYN KANG AND JONTI EVERS

On behalf of the team, I would also like to thank Mr Avramides for his guidance, patience, and endless encouragement throughout the season. His unwavering support reminded us that growth and enjoyment are just as important as results. While the season didn’t deliver victories, it delivered growth and improvement. We finished the season stronger, closer as a team, and ready to carry these lessons into future seasons - because sometimes, it’s the toughest seasons that teach us the most. BY SHREYAS CHATTERJEE

1 ST G RADE B A DMINTON

U 15S TA BL E T E N NI S

2ND G RA DE T E NN I S

The NSBHS grade badminton teams demonstrated significant effort during the 2025 winter season, with all teams qualifying for the semifinals. Unfortunately, however, none of the teams were able to progress to the finals, with the 1st-grade team losing to Normanhurst Boys in a series of six tough matches. Nevertheless, every team’s perseverance and determination to improve were reflected in their performance in each rally, which not only fostered camaraderie among us but also earned the respect of other school teams.

Being part of the NSBHS 15s table tennis team has presented a diverse range of opportunities and irreplaceable experiences. Throughout the season, there were both triumphs and challenges; however, regardless of these obstacles, our team always possessed unconditional support, which facilitated our individual development.

The winter season has come to an end for the Open 2nds Tennis team, and it’s a privilege to reflect on our successes. Our team—Jay Shi, Victor Qian, Dylan Han, Aaron Li, and Elliot Ma—displayed unwavering commitment and personal growth throughout the year. By embodying the camaraderie and competitive spirit of NSB, we faced tough opponents weekly and emerged undefeated.

The exchanges between rival teams and our badminton players consisted of friendly banter and tense rallies, increasing the level of competition and making matches more exciting. This provided us with the impetus to improve our skills and become better players, allowing new friendships to be formed and a continuous display of camaraderie among teammates. Through our constant endeavours, I am certain this played a key role in making the 2025 winter season an undeniably enjoyable experience. Moving forward into next year, we hope to win more rallies with improved skills and bring back victory for NSBHS. Finally, and most importantly, a big thank you must go to Mr Lochen for his constant support throughout the season, through both our highs and lows. BY FRANCO WANG

Looking back on our season, our team achieved commendable accomplishments that were unfathomable to the vast majority of us at the start. With each match, regardless of the outcome, we gradually accumulated a fundamental confidence that allowed us to recognise our team’s capacity and capabilities to achieve more. This confidence became the foundation of our unfaltering determination, propelling us forward in situations undermined by adversity. It was the collective contribution of confidence, adaptability, and unwavering determination that ultimately engendered our 4–0 victory against Normanhurst in the finals. However, aside from the outcomes of our matches, the more substantial implications of being part of the 15s table tennis team were the experiences and mutual memories forged between us, both within matches and beyond them. Not every experience was positive, yet all were monumental in shaping our individual perspectives and interactions. These ranged from subtle observations and constructive criticism to celebrations instigated by pure excitement, to the point where they became “disruptive.” Nevertheless, the experiences gathered have reinforced pre-existing bonds and relationships so meaningful that they will endure for a lifetime. Furthermore, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Mr Lin for his contributions. There is no other teacher who could replicate his influence on the cohesion and development of our team across a multitude of aspects. BY NATHAN LIU

Our journey was not without challenges, including long-term injuries, yet we persevered and supported each other every step of the way. In the semifinals, we fought intensely against Ashfield, winning 6–0. Advancing to the finals, we were proud of our journey and determined to finish on a high; unfortunately, rain on the day meant we claimed a joint win with Epping. This season was about more than training and competition - it was filled with laughter, shared memories, and the strong team bond that carried us to first on the leaderboard. Finally, we extend a huge thank you to Mr Berry for his guidance and support, and to Dylan, Jay, and Elliot for making this an unforgettable season of tennis. BY VICTOR QIAN AND AARON LI

FALCON BULLETIN

ISSUE 8

north sydney boys High School 127 Falcon Street North Sydney, NSW, 2060 P: +61 (02) 9955 4748 - E: northsydbo-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au https://northsydbo-h.schools.nsw.gov.au