RT Newsletter No. 34, 5 November 2009
5 November 2009
Debating at Rosstrevor
Earlier this year, compulsory Debating training was undertaken by all the boys of Rosstrevor and after this training, all boys took part in House Debating. This format provided a very strong foundation for the ensuring debates that occurred between the school and Firbank Grammar School throughout 2009. It is hoped to extend the range of Debating opportunities available for Rosstrevor boys next year into competition against other bayside independent schools.
Last Friday saw the final round of Brighton versus Firbank Debating for 2009, with the usual eight teams going head-to-head, drawn from across Year 7 and Year 8. The topic this round was that 'Australia is like the 51st state of America', which required teams to assess the extent to which we follow in the USA's footsteps, and the extent to which we still have a strong, individual national identity. Arguments covered our foreign policy and political similarities, to the massive impact American entertainment has had on our culture, to an examination of the very different sporting cultures the two countries still have.
Firbank regained their strength from last round, when we gave them a run for their money, and won decisively. This is due in part to their often superior preparation, but also their ability to discuss points at length. These are skills that our boys often develop more once in the Senior School! Next year we shall have the characteristic three rounds again, during which our current Year 7s can put what they've learned into practice, and encourage the new Year 7s to join in the fun and fight the good debating fight. Oli Keats, Jack Langan and Alasdair Stretch this round exemplified this: they all improved on areas they had found difficult in previous debates, and won against a strong Firbank team.
For the current Year 8s, I look forward to them signing up for DAV Interschool Debating next year, as we host the rounds and always like to see a good show of enthusiastic and prepared Brighton debaters waiting for the other schools when they arrive in the Quad!
M Blake
Rosstrevor Soiree
Last week, approximately 180 boys took part in the Rosstrevor Soiree in the Senior School Atrium. The Percussion Ensemble, String Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble, Big Band and Concert Band performed a range of repertoire from the 18th through to the 21st Century, including a work from our percussion teacher Mr Phillips, ‘Our Last Hooray”. It was very pleasing to hear the high quality throughout the performances and is a credit to the boys and the work they have put in throughout the year. Hopefully for the boys who have performed for the last time, there will be fond memories and experiences gained from the program and of course there are still many opportunities left for those continuing in the Senior School next year.
Chess
In Assembly on Wednesday, the Deputy Head of Rosstrevor, Mr Michael Ryan was delighted to receive, on behalf of Rosstrevor, the trophy won by our victorious Chess Team in the recent Victoria Interschool Chess Championships as was outlined in last week's Newsletter.
Important Dates
November
Fri 6
Ute Full of Food
Thurs 12
Rotating Subjects Round 4 Ends
Fri 13
Year 7/8 Exams Begin
Tues 17
Year 7/8 Exams End
Fri 20
Rosstrevor Walkathon
Mon 23
RT/SS Pupil Free Day
Tues 24
Year 7 and 8 Activities Day
Wed 25
RT Speech Night
Thurs 26
Years 8 and 9 (2010) Promotions Day
December
Mon 7
Carol Rehearsals Periods 1-3
Evening Lessons & Carols at St Andrew’s 7.30pm
Tues 8
Year 7 (2010) Transition Day Two
Wed 9
RT/SS Lessons & Carols
Early Finish to the day this Friday
As has been previously communicated, all classes will conclude at Rosstrevor tomorrow at 2.35pm. This is to enable staff to attend special Professional Development sessions. If any parents would like their son supervised until the normal finishing time, please contact Sally on 85912260 to register their son’s name.
Ute Full of Food
Boys and parents are reminded that the final Ute Full of Food for 2009 will be conducted tomorrow. Again, any donations of non perishable food items would be much appreciated. These will be collected during roll call tomorrow.
Michael Grose Presentation
Parents are again invited to attend the special Michael Grose presentation next Thursday (12 November) on “Help! My child has turned into a teenager”. It promises to be a wonderful presentation and a very informative one. I would strongly recommend that parents attend this presentation if at all possible. It commences at 7.30pm in the Rosstrevor Hall and should conclude by 9.00pm. Please click here to download a flyer
Book Lists
Year 8 Booklists will be posted out today together with Year 9 elective choices. Year 7s will be handed out in their respective form classes today
Please click here to download information about ordering new books from Lamont Books.
Please click here for information about the Second Hand Book Pool.
Examinations
On Friday 13 November, examinations commence for all boys in Year 7 and Year 8. Year 7 boys will be dismissed at the normal time of 3.35pm whilst Year 8 boys will be free to go home after their Humanities examination at 2.30pm.
Sun Smart Policy
Parents are reminded that at Rosstrevor, a “No Hat, No Play” policy now exists. Could parents please ensure their sons have an appropriate BGS wide brimmed hat? BGS caps are not acceptable at either recess or lunchtime.
Science Competition
Congratulations to these boys for having won High Distinction or Distinction certificates from the University of NSW after having competed in its annual Science Competition. The competition was open to all students, Australia wide, and challenged them across a broad range of skills such as those requiring observation, interpretation, analysis and prediction. Moreover, the test demanded clarity of thought and an ability to work efficiently, within a rigid time-frame. Certificates also came with a question-by-question breakdown of results and data relating to the individual’s performance relative to the other Victorian competitors.
Cyber Bullying
Last Thursday in the Rosstrevor Hall, Susan McLean, a leading expert in cyber safety and internet bullying gave a presentation to all of our Year 7 and Year 8 students. She then spoke to the Year 5 and Year 6s, as well as our Year 10 and Year 11 students. Susan was a member of the Victoria Police for 27 years and was the first Victorian Police Officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people. Susan was able to use graphic examples with both a power point presentation and video material and her warnings made some of the audience visibly squirm.
All electronic forms of communication leave a ‘digital footprint’. Police investigations can trace these leads years after the event. Nothing is private in cyberspace. She then went on to indicate how you could make personal use of the internet more secure, but never completely ‘safe’. The following government website is a resource that all students and parents should visit, to further their awareness of this technology.
Http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/en.aspx
Maths Day at Camberwell Grammar
On Tuesday 27th October a group of 8 boys (2 teams of four) from the Year 7 Enrichment Maths class were invited to Camberwell Grammar to take part in their Maths Olympiad/Round Robin Day. The participants included: Will Wang, Bill Liang, Jack Wright-Smith, Nic Fabri, Hyun Yang, Jeffery Jiang, Lachlan Wallace and Robert Brainman.
Amongst the 12 competing schools our two teams were involved in several interactive round robin challenges and performed very well coming 8th and 11th (out of 24) and matching it with all the other very able mathematicians.
A highlight on the day for Jack Wright-Smith was the opportunity he had to recite pi(π) up to 50 decimal places which certainly amazed the large audience.
A great day was had by all involved and a huge thank you to Mr Cameron Taylor for his assistance on the day.
Sport Training Next Week
APS competition will take place in Cricket, Tennis and Swimming on Saturday November 21 and 28. There will also be Year 7B and C Cricket matches on November 7. No sport is scheduled for November 14 during the examination period. Training and trials for each sport will be held on the following days.
CRICKET
Year 7B and 7C Monday November 9
Year 8A and 8B Wednesday November 11
TENNIS
Hunter Cup for Rosstrevor Singles Champion Knockout competition continues Saturday November 7 at BSC Dendy St at 8.30-9.30am
Inter House Tennis Saturday November 7 at BSC
Year 7 9.30am -10.45am
Year 8 10.30am-12 noon
SWIMMING
Saturday November 7 8.30am-10am
TOUCH RUGBY(Year 7 only)
Saturday November 7 8.30am-9.30am on Junior School Oval.
VOLLEYBALL (Year 7 only)
Saturday November 7, 8.30am -9.30am at school gymnasium.
Note: students who have selected Badminton in Year 9 do not train until February.
Cricket Teams for this Saturday
Please click here to download a copy of the teams for this Saturday
Rowing
Year 8 Rowers will be divided into three groups for training next week. Each group will be taken by bus to the Powerhouse Rowing Tank in South Yarra, the bus will leave Allee Street at 3:45pm and be returning to Rosstrevor at 6pm. Boys are to change into their P.E uniform at the Rosstrevor change rooms prior to leaving.
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Barry, Matthew
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Grigoriou, Christopher
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Maglio, Andrew
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Allen, Andrew
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Marks, Henri
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Longbottom, George
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Beasley-Birch, Liam
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Gregory, Thomas
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Gnauck, Alasdair
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Scott, Lachlan
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Johnson, Matthew
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Betts, Jordan
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Fisher, Thomas
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Lim, Daniel
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Naidu, Cameron
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Compton, Michael
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Ahrbeck, Sean
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Alesi, Andrew
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Eberwein, Jason
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Perry, Nickolas
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Boxtel, Tom
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Whillas, Angus
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Daddo-Langlois, Ciaran
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Farrugia, Nathan
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Palackic, Ian
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Harris, Benjamin
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Hayes, Max
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Robers, Nikolas
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Wiles, Lachlan
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Rosstrevor Walkathon 2009
Each year the Rosstrevor boys participate in a Walkathon to raise money for charity. The Walkathon for 2009 will be held on Friday 20th November and is the boys’ major fundraiser for the year. Information regarding the event and sponsorship material will be issued this week. I look for your support as you encourage your son to be proactive in seeking sponsorship, to make the Walkathon as worthwhile as possible. This year we will be supporting Bayley House, Frankston Camp and Very Special Kids so that they may continue the wonderful work they do in our community, and particularly the support they provide for young people.
Year 7 Morning Tea
Friday 6 November, 8.30am, Florintines Church Street, Brighton
Invitation to all Year 7 Parents
A casual get together for drinks and conversation
Sunday 8 November, 4:30-7pm
At the home of Kathy & Gordon LeFevre
30 Kinane Street, Brighton
Please join us!
BYO drinks
Let us know if you are happy to bring a plate to share
RSVP by Friday 6 Nov to:
Kathy LeFevre: 95923943, kathylefevre@bigpond.com or Liz Dawes: 0419311506, liz@artbykids.com.au
Found Property
1 size 16 Athletics 2008 long sleeved T shirt