Prefects of Sydney High in Moore Park | High School

Prefects of Sydney High

Locality: Moore Park

Address: Sydney Boys High School 2021 Moore Park, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com

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25.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Public Relations Prefect Zachary Liu What does High Spirit mean to you? High Spirit. The Spirit of High. To me, High Spirit entails the passionate cheers at GPS events. It is the competitiveness on Saturday fixtures. It is the support between peers during camp, at the library, in the classroom, and on the sports ground. But most importantly, High Spirit is mutual trust. This trust is something inexplicable by words, understood only through experiencing it. ...Trust amongst peers, teachers and coaches is what I believe to be the true essence of High Spirit. Over the course of my time at High, I’ve witnessed my awkward classmates enter the school in Year 7, sticking to their small group of friends, gradually and painstakingly opening themselves up to new relationships. It is through this continuous friction of individual personalities that our trust has developed to what it is today, cementing High as a volatile yet largely supportive community. Despite High Spirit being seemingly elusive, it is indeed the most fundamental characteristic which defines High, guiding students to strive for success in multiple aspects of life. What’s great about being Public Relations Prefect? As the Public Relations Prefect I have an array of responsibilities and duties which encompass our school’s relationship with students, parents, other schools and the public. It is my job along with our Prefect Publications Team to oversee our social media accounts such as our Instagram and Facebook pages. These are responsible for promoting our prefect body through initiatives like ‘Meet the Prefect’ and letting the people know what we as Prefects of 2021 want to accomplish this year. All in all, my job as Public Relations Prefect is to maintain and build upon our school’s exemplary outreach to the past, present and future community. What have you learnt from playing sport at High? Sport has played an enormous role in shaping my high school experience. I initially entered High for its renowned achievements in academics. However, upon arriving I realised High was much more. I involved myself with tennis and volleyball, and they provided a relief from daily obligations of school. It might sound cliche to say that sports has taught me how to stay resilient in the face of adversity but I can confirm its undeniable truth. The seemingly harsh fitness regimes in tennis stretched my comfort-zone. The interconnectedness in volleyball taught me how to operate within a team. I have also realised that by staying disciplined within my dedication to sports, the discipline also leached into my academics. I truly believe engaging in the sporting opportunities High offers has been an invaluable experience for both personal growth and enjoyment. Zachary Liu Public Relations Prefect 2021

24.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Kelvin Meng What do you love about Sydney High? Sydney High has offered me a plethora of opportunities, many of which I would never... have imagined doing. Over the last five years at Sydney High, I have been fortunate to have played the clarinet in the philharmonic orchestra, hiked with friends for Duke of Ed, and competed at All Schools Triathlon. Doing these activities has not only allowed me to engage and collaborate with diverse groups of students but also form lasting friendships. What do you love about Cross Country Running? In year 7, I was surprised to know that cross- country was a sport offered at High. I had always associated pain with running, barely finishing one race every year in primary school. However, running four to six kilometres straight seemed like a unique and tempting challenge, so I decided to give it a go. I was surprised to see how tight the school team was; both seniors and juniors running together and motivating each other. The first few sessions were as challenge, with fatigue and soreness after, but when I noticed small improvements in my running, made it all worthwhile. Running has also become a great reliever of stress, and a fantastic way to spend time outdoors and with friends. Although I still associate long-distance running with pain, it is no longer the fearful kind. The pain of running my hardest in a race or session are overwhelmed by the feelings of exhilaration and accomplishment when I cross the line. It makes the many hours of training worthwhile. What are some initiatives that are aimed at improving the environment of this school? The Sydney High Environment team will continue to provide commingled and paper recycling bins around the school and in staff rooms to encourage recycling and reduce the amount of waste going into landfill. This year we will also be working with the canteen staff and parents committee to provide sustainable solutions to our canteen. Our aim is to promote a healthier, cleaner and more environmentally conscious school community. Kelvin Meng Cross Country Prefect 2020 Environment Prefect 2020

24.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Gurman Ichhponani How has High made you a better person? I have changed a lot since coming to the school in Year 7. At High, I have been given numerous opportunities to grow and mature. Now that I have almost finished with my time here, I can hardly recognise the quiet kid who used to carry around a schoolbag almost twice his size. People have always asked me, what is it about Sydney Boys High that makes it different to other schools? I always answer wi...th, it is more than being one of the best schools in the state both inside the classroom and on the sporting field, it is the culture we have at High. Here, we like to call it High Spirit, but to put it plainly, it is the unwavering support for our fellow brothers dressed in brown and blue. Being surrounded by such a supportive community here at High has really allowed me to come out of my shell and transform into the man that I am proud of today. What sports do you play? In my time at high, Ive played a whole bunch of sports. In my first two years, I played cricket and soccer and was lucky enough to win the Junior Cricketer of the Year award. Then, the boys in my Design and Technology class convinced me to try my hand at rugby where I spent the rest of my winter seasons. I trained hard and was able to work my way into the 1st XV squad. For the summer seasons during this time, my good friend Kevin convinced me to challenge myself physically and join the rowing program. At first, I was hesitant but rowing in the 1st IV at the Head of the River last year in front of an audience of thousands capped off an amazing season that can only be described as one of the best experiences of my life. What is one piece of advice you would give to your Year 7 self? If I am able to go back in time to give one piece of advice to myself back in Year 7, I would tell him to not be scared and take advantage of every opportunity he can. A very wise man by the name of Andy Bernard once said, I wish there was a way to know youre in the good old days before youve actually left them. Being stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic has made me realise that I took many of the opportunities presented by the school for granted. I would tell myself to not long for the future or miss the past but instead live in the present and enjoy every moment because before you know it, you will have rode your last 610, attended your last class and played in your last game. Gurman Ichhponani Publicity Prefect 2020

23.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Football and Induction Prefect Thomas Brcic What is the greatest thing you have learnt from playing Football? As simple as it may sound, passing the ball. Learning that the ten other players around me are there to help me extends as an important parable beyond just the football field, and onto the diverse challenges defining my everyday schedule. This is the magic of team sports - whether playing barefoot on Moore Park West at recess or against Grammar’s Fir...st XI at Weigall, your teammates are there to help you reach that goal - whether personal or collective. Football essentially serves as a metaphor for the necessity of our friends’, parents’, and teachers’ involvement in our lives - we all ultimately strive for our own passions, and those around us are there to make those dreams realities. Next time you do that one-two drill at training or congratulate your mate for scoring a screamer on Saturday, truly remember the underlying lessons these experiences hold within them. What is your role as Induction Prefect? As a school of endless curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities, navigating your way between their often-overlapping time slots can be a considerably daunting task - especially for new students. This was a position I found myself in when I came to Sydney High in Year 9, and was fortunately guided through this balance between my academic and physical school-life by a senior student in my exact prefect role. As Induction Prefect, my main role is to integrate new students arriving after Year 7 in much the same way that I was guided through this school, seamlessly making friends with peers and inducting them into the many opportunities and experiences that define High. How has High made you a better person? Taking advantage of every little opportunity arriving my way has been one of the key ways High has made me a better person. Learning that passing such opportunities means passing experiences and the mates you make along the way is a crucial lesson I have learnt, whether it be waking up before daybreak at the rowing sheds or arriving at school extra-early for a morning class. Somewhere within all these painful, exhausting hours lies invaluable character building, a growing resilience to hardships and, importantly, discipline. At the end of the day, working as one 1200-student large unit has taught me the values such cooperation bears, making both my peers and myself better as people. Thomas Brcic Football Prefect 2021 Induction Prefect 2021

23.01.2022 Meet the Senior Prefect: Alan Wong If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you? Survival gear would be logical, but Id rather die peacefully in nature than fighting futilely against dehydration and starvation. Id bring 1. a notebook and pen to record my final thoughts and keep the notebook in 2. an airtight plastic container. As I died, I would set the container floating across the ocean to civilisation, before forever surrender...ing myself to the waves. And oh, while I was still alive, Id bring a DVD player for one final view of 3. The Office. What is one memorable moment at High? Coming out of our own debate loss, it was pretty deflating to hear that Grammar had also edged out the Firsts. Breaking the night, the light from Grammars buildings felt like a gloat of their triumph. But as the five of us walked across the outdoor basketball courts we heard the wisps of harmonious singing: ... with echoes of our schools fair name, the name of Sydney High. It came far from the main hall of the Firsts debate, yet the camaraderie felt close. Because High Spirit doesnt live on wins and die on losses. It lives on the boys of this school. How has High made you a better person? Take every opportunity and run with it. Its one of the most cliched things youll hear, but seriously, even if you dont care to read the rest of this, the worst thing you could do is to do nothing. Were quick to judge activities and opportunities, deciding that were not bothered or ill-suited. High has made me a better person because it surprised me. I never thought I would ever speak in front of others, but it was opportunities like debating which made me realise you cant assume anything about yourself. To quote Alex Zhou; bite off way more than you can chew, chew REALLY fast and swallow as much as you can. Youd be a fool not to. Alan Wong Senior Prefect

23.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Adin Quach What does High Spirit mean to you? High spirit can be definitively encapsulated in a single word: Camaraderie. To me High Spirit is the unwavering support each boy in this school has for each other and the lengths we are willing to go to see each other succeed.... How can High Spirit be achieved? High spirit can really be achieved by simply showing up. I mean you may not be the loudest voice in the crowd, but by simply attending the sporting events and cheering your heart out you essentially embody High Spirit. What do you love about Sydney Boys? I don't think I can add anything meaningful to this topic that has not already been said, only that High has provided a wealth of opportunity for me. Over the course of my time here, I've had the chance to try a plethora of GPS sports and just as many co-curriculars. A word of advice to the 2 or 3 people who may be reading this right now -- jump at any opportunity this school provides you. How has High shaped you as a person? I didn't transition from primary school to high school as gracefully as my peers did. As a result, I found year 7 particularly hard as I struggled to make new friends and get attuned to the culture. If someone told me then that one day, I would be sitting here typing up my answers to the Meet the Prefect questions I would probably have laughed at the very thought of it. High has shaped me to become a better man, I believe we all eventually undergo that transformation during the 6 years here. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you? The first thing I would bring is a decent waterproof camera to vlog (à la Casey Neistat) what could be the final days of my life t. The second would be a boat for obvious reasons, and my final item would be a message from Mr Marcos saying I missed Saturday sport as Mr Dowdell will surely find me wherever I am to give me a morning detention. Adin Quach High Spirit Prefect

22.01.2022 Congratulations to Jivan Naganathan who has been elected School Captain for 2021! He will be ably supported by Billy Nguyen as Vice-Captain and they have chosen Rhys Shariff as their Senior Prefect! The rest of the 30 Prefects elected are as follows: Matthew Awad... Arnab Bansal Thomas Vassil Brcic Dean Casarotto Kevin Chen William Cui Marcus Dimitriades Sean Giang Androsh Kandiah Joshua Lau William Lee Yeongmeng Li Jerry Lin James Liu Zachary Liu Mihir Marathe Ike Matsuoka Auguste McNally Jack Nguyen Justin Lee Nonis Arion Sclavenitis Kushal Sreedhar Adrian Wong Harry Wu Aaron Xu Julian Zheng-Lin Blair Zong Congratulations Boys!

22.01.2022 Good luck to all our athletes competing at the AAGPS Athletics Carnival this weekend! Despite not being able to physically attend, make sure to join us in supporting them over the video livestream! Seniors compete on Saturday. Livestream starting at 9:15am: ... https://youtu.be/kbXLbfyS5lo Juniors and Intermediates compete on Sunday: https://youtu.be/cdTZpzuHQdM War Cry video credits: Skywalker Studios

22.01.2022 School is over so it's time to enjoy the break. Happy Holidays from all the prefects and remember school starts on the 29th for years 7, 11 & 12 and the 31st for years 8 - 10.

22.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Jordan Whittaker What other extracurriculars or sports are you apart of? When I came into the school in year 9, I knew I was at a slight disadvantage, so I put my hand up for everything I could. I instantly joined Rowing and Soccer but later joined Rugby in Winter, which I can say with confidence is a much better sport than soccer. I Joined two bands, Senior Concert and Senior Stage Bands playing clarinet and Saxophone as well as Debating which I am, as... you know the prefect of. Amongst other activities I was able to culminate a large sum of points in the point system in my first year nearly achieving gold. My second year I Achieved Platinum and only 9 points away from the trophy, the 6th highest award in my 3rd year. How was your experience of transitioning into a new school in Year 9? Being a year 9 import was very easy. Although, transitioning from one school to the next logistically was tricky at times, learning new classes, timetables, teachers etc. but everyone was happy to show me around whenever I didn't know where to go. Socially, the SBHS community is very inclusive. This made making friends and feeling like a true high boy a quick and easy process. I was aided by doing the sport, Rowing which throughout spending 6 days a week with my fellow rowers for the last 3 and half years, helped me make lifelong connections and experiences I will never forget. Being a part of multiple schools and seeing how different school groups manage sport and work, I can truly say that High is one of the best schools in the world, even if we tend to not come first in every rowing race. What do you enjoy doing outside of your school life? Being a rower at high, with 9+ training sessions per week and hours of studying during the weekends, does eat up time from your social and outside school life but doing different activities during free time is a necessity in keeping motivations high. I myself, love to skate and surf which admittedly I need to get back into. I play club soccer and play basketball with my mates on the weekends. Although the least productive activity possible, YouTube is a large part of my life. I like to watch Physics, Chemistry and Math videos which I can justify in my head is Work, though it is definitely not as well random funny videos which help my brain relax for a couple minutes during my immense weekly schedule. I also dabble in watching Netflix from time to time, but for my year 12 year, I'm trying to cut down, and instead focus on my work. Jordan Whittaker Debating Prefect 2020

20.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Vincent Le What does your role as Afternoon Tea Prefect entail? As the Afternoon Tea Prefect, my role encompasses organising inter-school events and keeping in track of all the important dates to come. Every day I will be perusing our school email to make sure everything is up to date and that nothing has left behind, but it is an overall satisfying job when I see my spreadsheet go from red to green after everything has been cleared up. ... What is the best part of your Prefect role? I would say that the best part of my Prefect role is making new connections and meeting new people. Although I spend a lot of time organising behind the scenes, it all makes a difference at the end of the day when I get to jump around different schools to talk to new people about their experiences which is an opportunity I am grateful for. What do you love about Sydney High? I love the sense of camaraderie within our school but most especially my tight-knit cohort that is always ready to help at any time. The environment is so fun, and classes can get out of hand especially when mucking around with your mates but at the end of the day we all have a good balance of fun and academics in school. Vincent Le Afternoon Tea Prefect 2020

18.01.2022 Meet the School Captain: Alex Zhou Whats the best thing about High? The school nurtures boys who are diverse in their skillsets and talent through a variety of opportunities which are offered within the school. Some people often joke of the overuse of the term Scholar Sportsmen, but at the end of the day, the schools identity couldnt be represented better. And everyone is really hardworking all around- in the classroom and on the sporting field. Thanos describes this fla...wlessly: perfectly balanced, as all things should be What is one very memorable moment at High? It was before the 2nd XV rugby game against Grammar, the last game of the GPS season. As a flag bearer, I climbed onto the sturdy shoulders of Tyler Harapin, and before nearly collapsing and completely destroying Tylers neck, we led the team out of the tunnel. Amongst the insane roar of the crowd, and the ominous thumping of the mighty bass drum, I had never felt more proud to be a High boy. Whats the best piece of advice youve ever been given? People tell you to only bite off as much as you can chew. Ignore those people, and instead, bite off way more than you can chew, chew REALLY fast and swallow as much as you can. But as much as you succeed in life, itll always throw its challenges at you. Thats just how the cookie crumbles. What makes the High community so special? High nurtures ambitious individuals. Regardless of our individual and unique differences, we are glued together as a brotherhood by ambition. Our ambition not only drives our own will do to well in life, but to also share ideas, support one another, and to help others in the process, all with the momentum of Sydney High driving us forward. Its an honour to be elected as the Caption for 2020, and along with an exceptionally enthusiastic and passionate prefect body, I hope to preserve the amazing culture and environment which High has offered us. Im very excited to see whats ahead of us for our last year at High. Alex Zhou School Captain

18.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Kent Gu How would you describe volleyball at High? Volleyball at High is one of a kind. The High culture embodies diverse athletes, allowing individuals of different athletic abilities and talents to contribute to a program that I am proud to say is one of the strongest in the nation. Being a powerhouse beyond both the GPS and CHS but also within Australia, both the all-year round grind and the endless support from the Volleyball staff is the only way t...hat has allowed us to hold such a position, while accommodating for only the most determined and fearless athletes. What do you love about volleyball? Joining High Volleyball in year 7, I can say that the experience has been truly amazing. Beginning in year 7 and unsure about the sport, the strong culture and connections with the seniors is what really allowed me to fit into the program. It was also in volleyball that I was able to find a great group of friends that I have now played with for 5 years, competing through thick and thin within all levels in Australia, allowing me to share priceless bonds and experiences, that I can say will last forever. What instruments do you play and what ensembles are you apart of? Having played the violin from around 6 years old, the music program at High has offered me a special experience of being able to share my music with other talented individuals across different grades. Through these extracurricular activities both in and out of school hours, I have been able to create interactions and memories beyond the strong school and sporting culture of High that most are familiar with. Joining the Symphony Orchestra and Senior Strings since day 1, the constant rehearsals and performances aimed to perfect our art has given me opportunities to look up to those who have graduated, where I have been able to proudly take over as Concert Master, and aim to continuously inspire and extend the music culture here at High. What are your goals as a prefect? As a prefect, I hope to encourage my younger peers of the importance of diverse participation within the school, as they allow you to really witness and enjoy the opportunities that are only available at High. I urge all peers to cherish every moment of their school life, regardless of how annoying it may seem to be, as these moments are what shape our characters that stay with us after we graduate. I hope to also encourage all students to be proud of being part of the High culture that represents what it means to be a scholar sportsmen, and appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that those around may be putting into their passions, where going to support the big sporting events is only the first step. Kent Gu Volleyball Prefect 2020 Music Prefect 2020

18.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Rowing and Year 8 Prefect Adrian Wong What have you learnt from Rowing at High? I’m a firm believer that at the end of the day, team sport especially at a schoolboy level is largely about how it can evolve with you and impose values of perseverance, respect, and teamwork. Which is what rowing does. By placing you at your limits - within the furthest extent of pain, struggle, and greed - it forces you to dedicate and sacrifice yourself for goals greater t...han anything you could’ve ever conceived. Putting away your own personal comforts, helps you understand the unrelenting sense of commitment and drive that is both necessary, and present within your crew. Because at the end of the day, we all go through the same hardship together. But we grit our teeth and pride ourselves on still getting the job done - because all the boys around us are doing the same. Which ultimately grows you not only as an athlete, but also as a person of great character. What advice would you give to a Year 8? Take a moment to step back and admire how far you’ve already come. Even though you’ve only been in high school for a year, I think it’s important that you can confidently compare yourself to the person you were yesterday. With the incredible amount of opportunities at High, how many of them have you taken? Have you become a better debater? Musician? Athlete? Or have you been the one in your grade that always steps up and is willing to look out for others? If not, what can you do to be better tomorrow? Because at the end of the day, you won’t forget the nights that you spent excessively studying, or the ones you spent procrastinating. Your time at High is limited, and every opportunity you take especially the ones that you don’t want to is what will be the most memorable. Why did you want to become a prefect? I’ve always wanted to help others and be a better role model towards the younger students. And due to the greater interconnectivity between teachers, old boys, and other students, I believe that becoming a prefect is an excellent medium for this. We are afforded both the responsibility and freedoms associated with being the leaders of the school, and can therefore organise events, initiatives, and help spread awareness of issues that affect our school’s community. We take great pride in not only representing our school, but also the students within it, no matter who they are. What does High Spirit mean to you? Adrian Wong Rowing Prefect 2021 Year 8 Prefect 2021

17.01.2022 Medical student and ex-cancer survivor Nikhil Autar (SHS '11) is in the running to win $200k for his startup Centred Around You. They are creating a Smart Hospital Bed, which converts any bed into a hospital bed, and will be used for vitals monitoring and alerting healthcare workers of emergencies. If you live in the Hefron electorate (e.g. Randwick to Alexandria) then go vote for Nikhil at: https://mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au/project Encourage your parents/friends/family to vote for him too. More information about Nikhil's startup is provided below.

17.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Rugby, Year 7 and Afternoon Tea Prefect Mihir Marathe What do you love about playing Rugby? Everyone loves the adrenaline rush of an intense rugby game, yet rugby offers so much more. Rugby provides a unique sport that fosters an unparalleled environment promoting character development. Resilience and the ability to persevere through pain and adversity is developed on the rugby field, and is a characteristic that has proved invaluable throughout my school li...fe. It has provided me with a sense of purpose and determination, allowing for personal growth. In addition, an unrivalled camaraderie is built with the knowledge that 14 other teammates are by your side, willing to give it their all. Thus I can confidently say that playing 5 seasons of rugby has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am eager to see what my final season brings. What advice would you give to a Year 7? My advice to a Year 7 is to avoid placing overbearing emphasis on academics. Although academic performance is a key aspect of your identity, it is your sports and extracurriculars that truly determine character and resolve. You’ll come to find that Sydney High caters for every individual, and encourages a transformation that allows you to maximise your potential. Take every opportunity you are presented with and find your passion. If you instil values of resilience and discipline, and find a balance between academics and sports, you will find yourself thriving at this school. What does High Spirit mean to you? High Spirit is a blanket term for pride in our school. The sense of esprit de corps that arises upon the slightest notion of Sydney Boys High School. What High Spirit means to me is giving my all to the school, and being grateful for what the school has helped me become. This means supporting and cheering at every sporting event, and promoting a positive culture in the school. Overall, High Spirit is being a part of all Sydney High has to offer and furthering its outstanding reputation. Mihir Marathe Rugby Prefect 2021 Year 7 Prefect 2021 Afternoon Tea Prefect 2021

17.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Water Polo and Year 10 Prefect What do you love about Water Polo? Having been in the program, since Year 7, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and compete alongside many great players, from the Monday afternoons at Coogee to the Friday mornings at UNSW. Being a sport with a relatively small squad, each player forms a close bond with each other, and it’s the camaraderie within the team; cheering from the side of the pool, group huddles and the exuberant slaps o...Continue reading

16.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Cricket and Publications Prefect Josh Lau What do you love about Cricket at High? It is very hard to pinpoint one single favourite moment during my time playing cricket High. Cricket is an enduring sport that requires a team to work for each other throughout a whole day in order to achieve a common goal. It’s is more than a bat and ball game. Cricket is defined by the friendships and connections forged in the adversity of battling in the field on a 40 degree... day or rescuing your team after a batting collapse. To know every one of your teammates will be supporting you as you go out on a limb for the good of the team is such a strong builder of camaraderie and one of the beauties of the game. One of my favourite memories would be coming third place three years in a row during the annual Five Highs Tournament, and winning the Cec Rubie Trophy in 2019. We had been written off as competitors in past seasons, so our consistency in recent years is a testament to the boys’ hard work and gives promise for future successes. What is your job as Publications prefect? Being a Publications Prefect means that I help out in sharing the initiatives our prefects are implementing to the wider school community. I currently run the Instagram and Facebook prefect pages, allowing us to connect with other prefect bodies to bounce ideas off and respond to any messages or questions people may have about what is going on. As a member of the Publications Team, it is a goal of mine to ensure everyone in the school community is aware of what is going on, increasing the interconnectedness between old boys, seniors and juniors of the school. It is through our social media presence that the Publications Team attempts to bring our school community closer together. Where do you see yourself in five years? In 5 years, I hope to be finishing university and applying or settling into a job I love. I hope to have stayed in contact with my friends from high school. To be honest, I don’t really have a clear picture of where I want to be in 5 years. All I know is that I want to be happy and surrounded by a good group of people. Despite my uncertainty, I know that High has prepared me for whatever this world has in store, and that I just need to have faith in my core values that everything will work out how it should. The next 5 years will be filled with challenges, opportunities and new experiences, which I am eager to face with an open mind. I hope to come out a stronger, more skilled and wiser version of myself, in all facets of my life. Josh Lau Publications Prefect 2021 Cricket Prefect 2021

16.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: William Winter Could you give us an introduction about yourself and your role? My names William Winter, I turn eighteen in May, Im a Taurus, pop culture lover, Feminist, amateur singer, creative writer whos usually lost in my own thoughts, and lover of the oxford comma. My pronouns are he/him. As the Equality Prefect, my role in the school is to lead the Equality Committee in advocating for equal treatment for people of all ethnicities, religions, ge...Continue reading

16.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Steven Meng What do you love about being Publications Prefect? As Publications Prefect, I have the joy of using my creative mind to design posters and social media posts for Prefect projects, Meet the Prefect posts and for school events. I love being able to play around with software such as Adobe Illustrator and photoshop to create designs for the Prefect body. Creating new designs has an element of fun as different colours and shapes can be combined to cre...ate unexpected results. Being the Publications Prefect also comes with the exciting challenge of making an end-product that looks good while meeting its required needs. It is fulfilling to see the final product, after many rounds of drafts and corrections, placed around the school or on the Prefect social media platforms. Making the Meet the Prefect articles has allowed me to know the Prefects better and it is always a great feeling when the Prefects get the recognition they deserve when their articles get posted. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I am sure this question has come into many minds as we all wonder what our lives will hold ahead of us. Especially as the graduation date for the Class of 2020 becomes nearer, this question has been on my mind. I think I speak for many people if I had said that in 5 years, I would like to be finishing a university degree and preparing for the next chapter in my life, which is work. However, I have always been keen to challenge myself and I think the next 5 years will be no different as I prepare to take on my offer for a job as an Australian Defence Force Officer. The next 5 years will for sure be filled with the hardest challenges and unfamiliar situations, but when I come out of it, I hope I will be a braver, stronger, and tougher version of myself. After all, dreams dont work unless you do. What is your advice to students at High? My four years at High has taught me to be confident, to be able to manage my time, to be organised and to able to lead, amongst many other skills. But it has also taught me another valuable lesson; to look for challenges and to take on as many opportunities as possible. The High culture is build built around the idea of Scholar Sportsman, and while we may not all be great at sports or academics, High provides a safe environment, both in the classroom and out on the field, to do our best and to become better through its many GPS sporting options, academic clubs and co-curricular activities like Australian Army Cadets and Band. I encourage every student to take as many opportunities as they can, as these opportunities will create friends, make great memories, and teach you important skills like confidence and time management that you will need after High. And you never know, you might just find your next favourite interest. So, while we may not all be Scholar Sportsman, we can all strive to better here at High. Steven Meng Publications Prefect 2020 Canteen Prefect 2020

16.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Ivan Liang What is the best thing about playing Basketball at High? Choosing basketball as my summer sport for Sydney Boys is honestly the best decision I have made in my life. The best thing about basketball is that we come together as a family. The bonds developed between my teammates, my coaches and I make basketball so enjoyable and it is the little things that stem from this that makes basketball memorable. Especially when my team claps it in at th...e beginning of the game, when we rush to help each other off the floor, the loud cheering of the bench as someone makes a three and the support we give each other whether it be basketball related or personal life. The family that I am apart of is most definitely the best thing about basketball. What do you love about being at Student at High School? I love how the school has built a supportive and competitive culture where we come together to support the boys at the events. I love our High Spirit. What is one piece of advice you can give to a Year 7 at High? Thinking back about my years in Sydney Boys, I could only wish it was longer because I am going to miss being in a crowd and cheering for the boys. I strongly urge the year 7s to participate in the activities and events the school offers because life is short and school life is shorter. What can Year 7s do to reach their full potential? Reaching your full potential is a difficult task, whether it is on the sporting field or academic. It is important to set goals for yourself, not based on what others expect from you. Setting goals just out of your current reach allows for you to push yourself because who knows, you may just be able to overcome what you originally thought was impossible. Most importantly, it is important to be persistent, especially in year 7 because you have got so many years ahead of you. Remember, Rome wasnt built in a day. How has High made you a better person? It is without a doubt that I have changed since when I first came to Sydney Boys in Year 7. Through the experiences developed from my peers and teachers, during sport, lunchtimes and classes, I have matured both emotionally and physically, enabling me to be the best person I can be. In general, I believe that every boy that leaving Sydney Boys would have left a better man. Ivan Liang Basketball Prefect 2020 Year 7 Prefect 2020

15.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Volleyball Prefect Blair Zong What is your favourite thing about Volleyball? There are many things I love about volleyball. The bonds that are formed as a result of playing in a team sport, consolidated over years of playing with your teammates; the exhilaration of winning, whether it’s in the GPS finals against Grammar, at a State Cup, or at nationals; the feeling of growing into a senior player, a First grader like the ones I used to admire and look up to ...Continue reading

15.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Lawrence D'Mello Tell us about yourself and what your goal is as the Old Boys Prefect? Since Year 7, I have immersed myself within our schools rowing program every summer season, having rowed in the First VIII for the 2019 Head of the River. Last year, I was involved in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and societies, including Debating, Cadets, Athletics and the Social Justice Society, being awarded Academic Achievement at the end of Year ...11. However still, I value this textbook knowledge as being incomparable to the vast base of industry experience and accomplishments of our schools Old Boy community. As Old Boys Prefect, it is my aim to utilise this experience to guide and assist current students at High. Many of our students are under the assumption that ATAR is directly equivalent to success in life or the misconception that ones university degree definitively dictates the rest of their life. I too had believed this until I had an eye-opening experience at last years Old Boys Industry Afternoon in which most of the panel were working in jobs they hadnt initially studied at university. With the invaluable expertise of our OBU, I hope to bridge this gap between such illusions and reality. What do you love about Sydney Boys? The opportunities and availability of activities and groups aside from the regular 5 periods a day school life is undisputedly unmatched by any other high school around. The culture and tradition that comes with our high spirit is so unique in providing such camaraderie between us that you literally cannot leave the school without having secured genuine, lifelong bonds with your peers. What is one piece of advice that you can give the juniors of this school? Follow your passions and dont be scared to try new activities; you never know what will interest you. If you find out you dont like something, you can always leave but you always have only a limited time to join and truly immerse yourself within that activity. I never thought that debating was for me but none the less, I tried out in Year 7 and am now so grateful for the friendships and memories Ive made; all while having so much fun from something Id never even considered in primary school. So go out there and try out whatever even remotely has your attention as after all, you really do miss every shot you dont take! Lawrence DMello Old Boys Prefect 2020

15.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Ben Bao Can you give us an introduction about yourself? Im Ben Bao, one of the 2020 prefects. Ive unregrettably spent the past 5 years of my life at one of the best schools in Sydney, maybe even Australia. I spend a lot of my time on my bike and curled up on my bed with a book. My subjects are quite standard, 4 units of maths, advanced English, physics, chemistry and surprise, economics. One of the youngest in the year, I was born in May of 2003. As a...Continue reading

14.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Joshua Lam How have extracurriculars and sports shaped you as a person? As a curious person, I have always wanted to be involved in everything. This meant that when I entered High, I quickly joined lots of extracurriculars. Specifically, the string ensembles have fostered my passion for music through the rewarding experience of playing as a unified group. The Community Services Committee gave me a deeper insight into the struggles of the disadvantaged p...eople in our communities, which has strengthened my desire to support those in need. The Social Justice Society, PAWS, Enviro team and the Equality Committee were also able to provide me with a significantly deeper understanding of the inherent issues in society to allow me to develop a more nuanced perspective of the world. The GPS sports throughout these years have shaped my competitive yet resilient mindset, and an intimate brotherhood relationship. We support one another in Tennis so that we come through victorious as a team, not as individual players, just as we work together to encourage each other to push through in Cross Country. What is community service and how can I get involved? There are many opportunities for us to support our communities financially and mentally disadvantaged people. Now is a good time to begin giving back to our society. Why not start at Highs Community Services Committee? While it can mean attending the weekly Thursday CSC meetings or helping out with the Bourke Street Buddies outreach program, or waking up at 5:30 for morning collections at Central or helping out with the BBQs, it is great to be able to serve the community at a young age. What does Sydney Boys High offer in terms of Music? Having been part of the music programs string ensembles since year 7 as a violinist, it has been great to be able to play with other string players, working together to perfect multiple pieces. High has a wide variety of music ensembles and orchestras to choose from. Yet, all these orchestras are able to come together at the annual music camps, and it is there that we get the opportunity to practise an orchestral work involving all 300 students to create truly tremendous music. These music camps have been the most fulfilling part of my experience in Highs music program throughout these years, as I practise with my ensemble while stuffing myself with food. What do you love about tennis at High? I love the way that the tennis program at High has expanded significantly since I first joined. This tight-knit community has improved its results through intense training. Progressing through the age groups from the 13s to the Opens teams, I have seen us transform into one of the strongest teams amongst the other GPS schools. Joshua Lam Community Service Prefect 2020 Music Prefect 2020 Tennis Prefect 2020

11.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Lachlan Ho What is it like swimming at High? Having been on the swim team since year seven, Ive had the opportunity to meet and compete alongside many great swimmers. Being a small squad, each swimmer forms a close bond with each other, and its the camaraderie among the team; cheering from the side of the pool, group huddles and the exuberant slaps on the back that make it a unique and unforgettable part of my high school. In that moment when you are ...Continue reading

10.01.2022 Meet the Bear Pit Prefect: Aidin Bushati What is the best thing about SBHS? Although its rather trivial, the defining thing about Sydney High could easily be surmised into one word: Opportunity. I was fortunate enough to have an older brother who would ensure I knew each opportunity at High was not to be taken for granted and I urge each student to recognise these opportunities for themselves. The High culture encourages everyone to give everything their best shot, reaching ...both academic and sporting achievements at the highest levels. I know personally, immersing myself into High culture enhanced my passion to work as part of a team and to develop as an individual. Im proud to be a High boy; to be a part of a diverse school community, hopeful to one day add to its culture and I urge everyone to do the same by getting involved in everything High has to offer. You wont regret it. What does it mean to be a High boy? Being a High Boy is more than just wearing the school crest, cramming Legal Studies assignments you forgot were due and afternoon training sessions. No, being a High boy is the way you conduct yourself; a lifestyle. Being a High boy means you enjoy a challenge; being a High boy means you strive to achieve; it means giving it all on the field and in the classroom. Being a High boy means embodying the school mantra scholar sportsmen. It means being an all-rounder. We are all fortunate to have the opportunities, resources and raw talent to carve out our own legacies at High. With the outgoing cohort of every year I see these boys transition their way into men and leave behind the incredible things they did along the way. Thats what it means to be a High boy. What sports do you play and what subjects do you do? I play Rugby in the winter and Water Polo in the summer. I'm currently doing 4-unit Maths, 2-unit English, Physics, Chemistry and Legal Studies. What are some opportunities that High has provided you with? High School has provided me with the opportunity to be the best version of myself. By immersing myself into what High had to offer, I excelled both physically and academically, finding a passion for two sports which I hadnt ever thought of trying before stepping through the gates of High on Open Day. High has allowed me to grow and has nourished me from a scrawny junior to a scrawny senior. When each boy enters High, they are given equal opportunity to leave as a polished young adult and with a little open-mindedness and a willingness to give everything a go, High is the perfect environment to prepare you for the world beyond school. Aidin Bushati Bear-Pit Prefect

10.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Alan Ji What is the weights room and what do you love about it? The weights room is a place where boys from all grades can collectively train gain strength and fitness. What I love most would be the weights room atmosphere; surrounded by people who are willingly training and supporting each others lifts. I would like to mention Mr Kurt Rich, whose diligent mentoring has guaranteed everyone who uses the weights room maintains technique when lifting, pr...eventing injuries and teaching the boys skills applicable even after school life. What do you love about High? High provides us with opportunity. To seek for more than the normal, continuously pushing us to achieve greater academically and in sports. But more importantly, the culture of High has created a bond between our classmates, a spirit to cheer each other on and push each other to succeed. This is especially evident at the GPS events such as the swimming carnival, athletics carnival and the Head of The River, where the blue and brown crowd drive the athletics to swim, run and row harder than ever. Favourite TV show? Game of Thrones. No doubt the last season was simply disappointing, but the series is a great example of the transition of books to a film series and the collaboration between the author (George RM Martin) and the directors ensuring that for the most part, the film represented almost exactly George Martins intentions and ideas. But in my opinion, the real greatness of the TV show is its ability to incorporate numerous perspectives in completely different contexts, such as the Starks and the Targaryens, ultimately converging together after one goal, the throne. Of course, theres the filming and acting but its the unique plot and genius scripts that makes Game of Thrones a must watch for me. What do you want to do after school? To be completely honest, I really dont know. Currently on my bucket list, I definitely want to travel to Asia and Europe visiting countries such as Japan, Korea and Germany. I would also love to go skydiving or some kind of underwater diving. As far as academically and career wise, I would like to pursue to kind of engineering path, but Im open to different options. Alan Ji Weights Room Prefect 2020

09.01.2022 Meet the Rugby Prefect: Joshua Zhang What do you love about Rugby? The rugby season is what I look forward to the most every yearfor both the game, and for... the players. The tradition established in High Rugby is one of perseverance and effort, and has instilled in me the values of teamwork, spirit, resolve, and comradery. I love that I know I can trust every man beside me on both the offensive and defensive side; to know that my weaknesses in speed, playmaking, and kicking will be covered; to know every one of us is just as tenacious as one another. I love the physicality for fifty minutes, fighting for every metre on the field; I love the friendships that I have formed, and the shared passion for the game; and I love the memories made over the years of playing. What has been one of your best moments at High? One of the best moments during my time at High is most definitely the victory up at the Armidale School, during the 2018 rugby season. Having woken up early to a cold morning, we warmed up on the main field thinly layered with ice, as our boots crunched the grass beneath. I can still remember the pregame jitters when suiting up before the game, only to be released upon the first moment of contact; and the long arduous struggle from which we emerged victorious. Surrounded by my teammates, we proudly sung the school song, in what I remember as the most intense, joyous, and exciting celebration Ive ever experienced. What do you love about High? I love that High is my home away from home. The positive school climate and culture promotes my own ability to learn, as I am constantly challenged to improve myself. The High family passionately supports each other, whether in sport or any other extracurricular activity, and creates an ethos of unity and determination. Moreover, I am fortunate to be associated with so many talented individuals who excel in so many aspects of life, which encourages me to do better myself. To be able to freely express myself, in a multitude of opportunities that are all special, and able to connect with like-minded people, that is what I love most about High. What are your strengths and weaknesses? My strengths are being patient, working well in a team, being persistent, and honest. My Weaknesses are being overly analytical, being excessively self-critical, at times idealistic, and an inability to find any stationery which have fallen onto the floor. Joshua Zhang Rugby Prefect 2020

09.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Felix Cao What is the best thing about being an Athlete at High? The best thing about being an athlete at high is the mere opportunity to compete alongside and amongst other great athletes. The athletics season is only five weeks wedged in between the summer and winter season, yet for me its the most exciting time of the year. I run middle-distance and because it is essentially a masochists sport, I realised the sheer importance of training with others. I ...think we never fully appreciate how much the people around us push us to our physical limits. And with this social aspect, I understood how sport developed my life skills and honed my well-being. What other sports do you play? Apart from the running, I play water polo during the summer season. Until I started playing the sport last year, I had never been exposed to any sort of team-based sport. And so, I felt enthralled by the amount of fun. Having touched the ball for a total of only 43 seconds last season and getting drowned constantly, I am back playing water polo again this season and feel that it is worth it. The sport itself is fuelled by teamwork, having to move the ball 25 metres to the goal where 85% of your body underwater. What is one strength and one weakness to you have? I think one nice strength that I have is my charisma which carries on to my ability to help others with challenges at school. It also really helps me meet and talk to new people in any situation. I feel my greatest weakness is caring too much about what others think where too many of my day-to-day life choices are influenced by what others do. What do Student Achievement Prefects do? One of the most exciting things I am looking forward to doing as a prefect is launching an Academic Support Group for all students of the school. Me and the other student achievement prefects (Lachlan Ho and Mathew Shuman), will be organising a basic tutoring service that will help students in their schoolwork, especially for those whose academic support network is not as strong. This will also benefit the students who volunteer as tutors as their leadership and communication skills will be ongoingly refined. Felix Cao Athletics Prefect 2020 Student Achievement Prefect 2020

08.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Tennis and Student Achievement Prefect Julian Zheng What initiatives are being taken to improve student achievement? The Student Achievement Team’s goal for the year is to help the school as a whole raise the standard of collaboration and effort. We aim to largely increase our audience through more online networking. Currently a school wide Discord server is being developed, where all year groups can create virtual study sessions, utilising the strengths and... experience of schoolmates to coach each other throughout their time at High. As former juniors and current seniors, we understand how our actions and behaviour affects those who are to proceed us and the Student Achievement Team is focussed on improving inter-cohort communication. We are trying to break down the social barriers which intimidated us as juniors and restricted us from seeking advice from higher years. Our initiative is to evaluate our past mistakes and missed opportunities, ensuring that they are not repeated so each and every student can reach their maximum potential at High. What have you learnt from playing Tennis at High? Before my life at High, tennis was nothing more than a recreational side activity - but ever since I stepped onto those blue courts, it has become one of the drivers in my life. High Tennis has shown me what it means to be a true scholar sportsman; someone who perseveres through pain and fatigue for the collective goal of school pride. High Tennis has exposed me to a far greater level and intensity which cannot be found anywhere else. I have met coaches, mentors and players who inspire me on and off the court. High Tennis has been a constant in my life - always giving me a higher goal to reach, someone else to compete with and another person to overtake. Now as a member of First Grade, I look back and appreciate all the grit, all the strength and all the endurance that High has taught me. What does High Spirit mean to you? High Spirit is the underlying thought in my mind that tells me, whatever I do: do it for my school, for my peers, and then for myself. It reminds me that High is not just a place to get a good mark and get out, but a place to make life-long friends, support others and become a better person. As we all grow and progress through school, we find that one sport, one extra-curricular or one subject that creates a lingering attachment and desire to learn and grow. For me it was Tennis. I wanted to get better and prove myself to the team so I could rise among the ranks and reach my goal. For others, it has been robotics, or maths, or cadets which have captured their hearts and minds, leading them into social networks and friend groups which develop into unbreakable bonds. To me, High Spirit is the intrinsic energy within all students of High which teaches us that actions extend beyond ourselves, but to our friends, cohort and school. Julian Zheng Tennis Prefect 2021 Student Achievement Prefect 2021

08.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Matthew Shuman What do you love about the sports that High offer? There are many things which make the sports offered at High special. Some may say its the variety, while others may say its the winning mentality, but for me, it's the culture. Ive played basketball for 5 years at High and when I came in year 7 we were losing badly, like 40 points every game badly. That didn't matter to any of us though. We put our heads down and kept working hard. We ...had each others back and pushed each other to our limits. In year 8, we were losing by 10, but by year 9, we were winning. That's what I love about the sports in High. We are never the biggest, fastest or most athletic players, but we played hard, played smart and we played together. What drew you into choosing waterpolo as a sport? As mentioned above, there is a great amount of camaraderie in each sport and for me I just felt most attracted to waterpolo. It might be because many of my closest friends also chose play waterpolo. What advice you can give to the Year 9s? There are two main things I would change if I could go back to Year 9. The first is setting up a good work ethic. While Year 9 is a pretty relaxing year because who cares it's just year 9, I still find it very important that you know how to study and work hard because thats something you take everywhere you go after HSC. The second thing is to take advantage of everything that is offered here at High. The extra-curriculars, such as ISCF, band, environment team and CSC. Your friends here at High and youll soon learn that they are your brothers. After HSC, there are not many places where you can form these intimate friendships with people so savour it while youre at High and enjoy it. How do you balance sports and extracurriculars with your academics? You can go about this in two ways. Either you procrastinate and have the mindset of Ill do it later and fail to balance your life or you can plan out what youre going to do. For me, I have 3 training sessions a week, 3 tutoring sessions, 1 piano lesson, youth group and church, although I do often fall into the first category. However, through the work ethic I mentioned in the last question, by working hard and planning ahead, you can get everything done. Theres also one last point Id like to add. If you ever need help, dont be afraid to ask. Ask your teachers, your prefects, your peers and so on. Be proud to be a High Boy and make the most out of it. Mathew Shuman Year 9 Prefect 2020 Waterpolo Prefect 2020

08.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Ritchie Ah-koon What are some of your fondest experiences at High? After taking on so much of what High has to offer, I have accrued a rich library of memories. I remember the thrill of working with other passionate and diligent students in the Da Vinci Decathlon team, Mock Mediation team, Mock Trial team and International Space Station Zero Robotics team. My experience as a debater is one that I will cherish forever. Since the start of year 7, all of t...Continue reading

08.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Terry Zhai What are some of your goals as a Welfare Prefect? My goals as Welfare Prefect are to promote both mental and physical wellbeing to all. Most students suffer from stress and anxiety towards exam periods, which results in them being sleep deprived and tired. I hope to help these students through Study Help Group, where prefects and talented individuals would sit down and help anyone who needs, regardless of what year or subject, they will alway...s find knowledge! Furthermore, I hope to organise a mufti day where we would raise awareness of inappropriate slurs in order to improve the general environment in the playground. What sports and extracurriculars are you apart of? What I love about Sydney High is the amount of opportunities it provides you with, and I encourage everyone to cherish every minute of it. I have been an active participant in both winter and summer GPS sports, as well as being a part of the Athletics team for two seasons. In my junior years, I have chosen Rowing and Football as my two sports, which has fundamentally changed me as a person. I now do Cricket and Football as my two sports, which has acquired me friendships that will last years to come. I have also taken advantage of the High Music program, being in both Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands. I strongly recommend taking every opportunity you are given, because if there is one thing that I regret, is that I didnt do enough! Whats your favourite aspect of High? My favourite aspect about High is not only the friendships and bonds you build throughout these years, but the opportunity the school provides you with. Attending High for 6 years has undoubtedly changed my personality and perspective, and for the better. High has taught me that no matter who you are, no matter what background you have, you will always find a group of mates to laugh about. No matter when you fall, there will always be a pair of hands reaching to help you up. High isnt defined by the 100-year old buildings, or the cityscape view from MPW, but is defined by the students who race within the corridors, the loud classrooms and the booming chants. High isnt just 4 letters, it's a culture, a unique culture that I am so fortunate to be a part of. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years, I would see myself hopefully graduating University, or perhaps entering my career. I would hope to utilise all the things that Ive learnt from High in my everyday living, and not just from the textbook. High has taught me so much and made me see so much more that I need to learn about. Perhaps I could be overseas or working in rural areas helping people in need. No matter where I go, Im excited for my future, because if any school were to best prepare me for my life onwards, it would be Sydney High for sure! Terry Zhai Mckay House Captain 2020 Welfare Prefect 2020

07.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Adam Masen Can you tell us a bit about Army Cadets at High? When people think of the word cadets, they normally think of the stereotypical marching and standing for periods of time. However, cadets is much more than that. It is an organisation which enables young people to step out of their usual comfort zone and grow as a person. In cadets, you learn how to work in teams, how to take care of yourself and others around you. It is one of the only extra...curricular activities which involves both Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls. You will be provided with skills and opportunities people in the real world might not get to experience. These include strengthening leadership skills, learning aspects of army life and being equipped with military skills that will benefit you throughout your whole life. I highly recommend joining if you want to broaden your horizon and meet new people. What made you join Cadets? I remember sitting between Ivan Liang and Kevin Tran in Year 9 during science. Every Tuesday, they would rock up to class wearing their cadet uniform and honestly, I would feel jealous. Watching them wearing that uniform proudly really made me want to join and experience what it was like being a cadet. So later in that year, I summed up the courage to join. At first, I was scared, nervous and even anxious. However, as the weeks went by, I enjoyed it more and more. I met new people, learnt lots of new skills and experienced lots of new things. Although I regret my decision of not joining earlier, Im still extremely glad I joined. Its helped me grow so much as a person and I really feel like Im much more confident now. What is your role as a year 7 prefect? As one of the Year 7 Prefects, my job is to ensure the transition from primary school into high school is as smooth as possible for all the boys. It is important that everyone feels welcomed and feels like they belong in the school. If any of the boys have any problems they might have, I am more than happy to help them. Do you have anything to say to the year 7s? High school isnt all about studying all day and getting that perfect Atar. Theres so much more to it. Yes, achieving a good Atar is important, but so is developing new skills and friendships. Try things you have never tried before. You might surprise yourself. During high school, you will make friendships which will last you a lifetime. Hold onto these bonds and cherish these years in high school because the years will really fly by. If you receive a result after an exam which you aren't happy with, dont feel bad about it. Treat it as a learning experience. Move on and strive to improve in the future. But remember, never be afraid to ask for help. Were all human and we all get stuck at some point. Adam Masen Year 7 Prefect 2020 Cadets Prefect 2020

07.01.2022 Meet the Vice Captain: Angus Henningham What is one memorable moment at High? My most memorable moment at high was following the HOTR race. Our boat had just landed and for the first time, I looked around at the faces of my fellow rowers and saw that all the year 12s in the boat had begun to tear up. I realised that finishing HOTR not only signalled the end of all the training and hell that came with rowing, but it also meant the end of my time rowing with the other 8 boys in... that boat. There was finally an end to the 5am wake ups and 6k ergs, but instead of feeling glad it was over, I felt crushed that Id never do any of that with my crew again. How has High made you a better person? High has instilled values of comradery, teamwork, leadership and hard work within me. From its academically competitive atmosphere that made me realise the importance of working to achieve goals, to its extracurricular like sports and debating, which grew my confidence as a leader and my ability to work as a team, its the opportunities offered by High that have shaped me into the person I am today. What subjects do you take? I'm currently taking 3-unit English, 3-unit Maths, Accelerated Modern History, Chemistry and Biology. What sports do you play? I am a rower during the summer season and play rugby during the winter season. What is the best thing about SBHS? I think the best thing about SBHS is the incredible variety of opportunities it offers to all boys. Whether you want to debate, play sports, join a band or water pot plants, High not only has a program for you, but will nurture and develop your skills through their excellent network of teachers and coaching staff. As Vice-Captain for 2020, I aim to work in unison with this years prefects to create an environment that maximises the potential of all students. I hope that our prefect body will be remembered for years to come for their positive contribution to all aspects of High life. Angus Henningham Vice-Captain

06.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Sean Giang What’s the best thing about playing Basketball at High? Basketball is arguably the biggest and most competitive sports program at High and being a part of it since Year 7 has certainly been a journey. Over the years of playing basketball, through the ups and downs, wins and losses, early morning trainings and late afternoon grinds, I have come to realise that the best thing about playing basketball at Sydney High isn’t about making shots or winnin...g games. It’s about the community, friends and family that cheer for you as you make those shots and win those games. It’s about learning from our losses so we can celebrate our wins. It’s about applying our basketball motto of hard, smart and together to every aspect of school. The unforgettable feeling of putting on a jersey every Saturday, clapping in before every game, picking your teammates off the floor, dapping up the boys after a tough shot or hearing the bench and crowd cheer as you sink a three makes choosing Sydney High Basketball one of the best decisions of my life. What is your job as Public Relations Prefect? As the public relations prefect I have an array of responsibilities and duties that entail our schools relationship with students, parents, other schools and the public. It is my job along with our Prefect Publications Team to oversee our social media accounts such as Instagram and Facebook pages that is responsible for relaying who this year’s amazing prefects are through things like meet the prefect and letting the people know what we as prefects of 2021 want to accomplish this year. All in all my job as public relations prefect is to maintain and build upon our schools exemplary outreach to our past, present and future community. How has High made you a better person? Life at High is extremely competitive in all aspects of school, with every student pushing themselves to be the best person they can be, forcing you to give every challenge your all. In saying this, coming to Sydney high has taught me to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way and to never back down from a challenge despite how tough it may seem. By embracing the culture of High Spirit, I have learnt the significance of camaraderie and friendship and by doing so I could learn from everyone’s individual strengths and grow along with all the boys around me. High has made me more resilient in never accepting failure and to only strive for nothing less than the best I can do in everything. High has given me the tools I need to be a better person and achieve success. Sean Giang Basketball Prefect 2021 Public Relations Prefect 2021

05.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Yishan Shen What is the Student Representative Council? The Student Representative Council at Sydney High is a group of students elected by the peers in their grade to voice any suggestions or raise key issues within the school. Weekly meetings are held to discuss solutions to these issues or organise events such as Trivia Night, Junior Dance, and the Talent Quest to quell our stress-induced high school lives. The SRC is a great opportunity to experienc...Continue reading

04.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Charlie Clay What do you love about Cricket? For me, cricket is a sport that accommodates the perfect balance between the individual, and team aspects of sport. It allows you to set ambitious personal goals, which cannot however be achieved without a greater effort from the team. The sense of camaraderie and brotherhood which is instilled from this mutual desire, creates a bond between fellow cricketers like no other, and that is one of the reasons why ...I love cricket. For when I look back at my cricketing memories, whether it was when we came back from 5/24 to edge the win over Grammar, or the narrow loss against Kings in our second trial match, I remember the time I spent with the close-knit group of boys I call my brothers. How has High changed you as a person? The breadth of opportunities High offers has allowed me to become a much more well-rounded individual, with a greater range of experiences, skill-sets and understanding to arm myself with as I eventually move on from high-school. Not only this, but I have learnt to manage my time. Coping with sporting, extra-curricular and academic commitments has been challenging, but so far, I am much better off for it. What activities do you do outside of school? I enjoy surfing on the Northern Beaches with mates, playing cricket for my local club, and occasionally indulging in the quick-wittedness of Jane Austen. What are some tips you have to new students at High? At first, High can seem like a very daunting place. From the huge cohort, to the sheer number of daily notices posted everyday, I initially thought I was in for a long two years. However, in little to no time, I had forged valuable relationships between fellow peers, and teachers alike who, from the get-go, had been nothing but friendly and approachable. Now, as I am writing this with 2020 looming ahead, I can confidently say that the last year has flown by. For that is my advice to new students, make as many friends as possible with whom you can enjoy your time at school with. Moreover, no one knows the school better than the students, so if youre ever lost or in need of assistance, just ask another student. Charlie Clay Cricket and Football Prefect 2020

04.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Jarrod Khaw What do you love about the sailing? Choosing sailing as a summer sport in year 7 has been one of the best decisions I have ever made and one of the best opportunities the school has provided for me. I love every aspect of the sport; how you will never know everything and there is always some way to learn and improve, and how the sport is constantly evolving, with each boat being unique to sail. I love how developments in sailing translates to you... going faster, or how sailing forces you to think on your feet, having to adjust in different weather conditions or constantly formulate different plans to outsmart each of your opponents. But overall, nothing beats being out on the water, against some of the states best sailors every single week. What has been one of your best moments at High? One of my best moments at High happened this year, at the NSW State Teams Racing Championships which the first-grade sailing team competed. After having half the team graduate since last season, we had entered the season comparatively inexperienced. But we reached a high point at the state championships, where we had won 8 races against some of the top teams in the state and nation. This reflected all the hard work we had put in as a team throughout the season, to have become one of the most competitive teams in the competition; something Im proud to have been a part of. What do you love about High? I love how High pushes you to push yourself in all aspects of school life and gives you many opportunities along the way. I think what separates this school from other schools is how we are not only pushed to try and exceed academically, but also achieve a good life balance with sport and extra-curricular activities. From this, I feel that its really helped me enjoy the full experience of being at Sydney High, having been part of the sports, music and debating programs, and really set me up with life skills for the future, besides academics. I highly recommend everyone to grasp every opportunity the school provides, so that when you leave the school, you believe you have achieved your full potential. Jarrod Khaw Sailing Prefect 2020

03.01.2022 Meet the Rowing Prefect: Alan Jessup What do you love about rowing? Nothing can compare to that feeling when youre paddling in the eight on a glassy...Continue reading

03.01.2022 Meet the 2020 Prefect: Suvipra Vaidya What does your role as Publicity Prefect entail? As publicity prefect, I tend to oversee the photography and video work for the prefect body. That includes publications such as the meet the prefect photos as well as any photos and videos that are published on the prefect social media pages. Additionally, this year I have teamed up with Ms. May and the school photographers for the Record, contributing to the photos that are published in th...Continue reading

03.01.2022 Well done to all our senior athletes today, especially to all the Year 12s for their final ever competition! Despite these unfortunate circumstances, many of our boys were watching the livestream and commenting their support over the live chat Make sure to support our intermediate and junior athletes on Sunday! Livestream link: https://youtu.be/cdTZpzuHQdM

02.01.2022 Congratulations to Rubie for winning the first ever Year 7 Dodgeball competition and to Fairland for being the runners up! The Rubie house banner is now hanging above the bear pit. But whoever wins Year 7 House Basketball will be able to take their place! Good luck to all!

01.01.2022 Meet the Prefect: Athletics and Year 7 Prefect Justin Nonis What is your favourite thing about Athletics at High? There’s nothing more thrilling than when the butterflies in your stomach evolve into a surge of excitement. Athletics is a group of sporting events that involve running, jumping, and throwing. I love how Athletics at High is a sport for athletes of all backgrounds. During the intense GPS Athletics season, athletes push their physical and mental boundaries. Hard wo...rk pays off. This makes the Athletics season at High exciting. However, there’s only one thing better than training competing. It’s AAGPS day. Crouched down and hips rocked forwards, I try to hold myself ready at the hundred metre start line. I glance behind my shoulder, nod, and turn back. I nod to thank the coaches that helped me throughout the season. I nod to the High crowd to let them know that the spirit in their cheers reside within me. I nod to let them know my palpating heart has not taken control over my body. I hold myself ready. Bang! The butterflies in my stomach vanish and excitement takes over. It’s exhilarating. Your efforts in training are brought to light. My favourite thing about Athletics at High is experiencing the moment of joy knowing that you’ve given it your all. What advice would you give to a Year 7? First of all, welcome to High. As a scholar student, immerse yourself in the activities that High has to offer. There are so many extracurricular at High! Participate in a range of activities such as sports, music, community services, debating, and cadets. Join as many as you can and pursue the ones you enjoy most. The first few weeks will feel strange as you adapt to high school life. High school is more than increased amounts of homework and moving to different classrooms high school is a rollercoaster. Welcome aboard. We’ll show you the various facets of High, but it’s your role to snatch them up. Only stop and look back to see how far you’ve come. Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I may be graduating from university with a degree in engineering. I may decide to further pursue studies in engineering or even begin a different course. I may be starting my career in the work force. I may even be studying, working, and living in another city. In five years, I will be with friends both old and new. I will be participating in club activities I have yet to discover. I will be travelling to better understand the perspective of different cultures. I will be exploring what this world has to offer. Well five years. In five years, I’ll still be looking back to these days at High. I’ll relive the ups, the downs, the joys, and the pains. And I will not regret these experiences, I will embrace them. They make me who I am a High boy. This is where I see myself in five years. Justin Nonis Athletics Prefect 2021 Year 7 Prefect 2021