Issue 1 Week 10, Term 2, 2017

THE BULLETIN

School Of Champions

C.H.E.E.R For Bonnyrigg

Our Stories MARIANA BARSOUM & FAITH MOALA On the night of June 28th, the Our Stories Program launched a film screening, attended by the

Indigenous Community including Aunty Mae, Local MP Nick Lalich and the acting director of Fairfield

Public School, Scott Davidson. Students of Bonnyrigg High School and their families also attended. This

night was only possible because of the amazing efforts put in by the Our Stories Team Members:

The idea of the Our Stories Program came into the making in 2016 just after NAIDOC WEEK and its

main focus was to create a film project. The main concept of this film project was to maintain the

history and stories of the local indigenous people, since many of its historical events have either been

lost over time or have not been recorded.

With the help of Indigenous Students from Bonnyrigg High School, they were able to investigate their

history and community through multiple interviews with their elders. Bonnyrigg Students were given the

opportunity to participate in a really meaningful way with culture and community, and learn from their

elders. By recording them on film, it means that they will have something vital that will be preserved for

future generations. “Our stories is about the stories of our Aboriginal elders and it is a vital part of

Aboriginal culture. Our stories is based upon education of the traditional owners of this land and

something that the Bonnyrigg community strongly supports,” explains Ms Smith.

The Bonnyrigg community appreciates the Our Stories Program not only because of the hard work and

effort put in by the Team Members and Bonnyrigg Students but because they see the vital need to

preserve the culture and traditions of the Traditional Owners of this land.

By Rachel Huynh

Dance as a subject and a hobby continues

to dominate at Bonnyrigg High School.

There are two ensemble dance groups this

year, under the guidance of Miss Gilmour

and Miss Press. The Dance groups

contribute and participate in many dance

events, they continue to raise Bonnyrigg

High School’s dance reputation across the

greater community.

The dance ensembles and elective classes

participate in a variety of dance

competitions and performances such as

Southern Stars Arena Soectacular, the Ultimo

Regional Dance Festival and were successful in

their audition to perform in the prestigious

NSW Schools Spectacular for 2017. The two

teachers are in charge of managing the dance

leaders program whereby year 10 dance

students teach the junior students a routine for

the annual dance night and BHS offers elective

dance classes for Year 9-12.

"Students engage in a combination of

performance, composition and appreciation

units in the elective classes” said Miss Press.

“For practical units, the students perform

learned dances and choreograph their own

routines. And for theory aspects of the course

they analyse dance works of both live and

prerecorded performances”. As of 2018 there

will be a new Dance Ensemble Z

elective introduced into the curriculum

at Bonnyrigg High School. Miss Gilmour

said "This will be a valuable addition to

the dance courses as it will provide

students with the opportunity to

develop their technique through more

intensive training and performance

opportunities"

Bonnyrigg High School has a new purpose built

Dance Studio on the school grounds.

Miss Gilmour explains, “The new dance studio

has changed the way we teach the students.

Dance is such a practical based subject, it is

important to be able to have the space to

develop technique in such a profession

avenue. The studio has already allowed the

students to develop their skills and approach

dance with more focus and

professionalism.” “We are very thankful to Mr

Bryce for letting us have a new dance studio”

stated Miss Press. The new studio provides

great opportunities for Bonnyrigg High School

students.

Pictured: Students utilising the new dance space.

Dancing in a new space

Year 8 Cultural Day Year 8 Language students went on a variety of excursions/ incursions in order to further develop their

understanding of the subject area they are studying.

Year 8 Japanese students went on an excursion to the Japan Foundation Sydney on 2/06/2017. There they

listened to a talk about Japanese New Year - what food is usually served on the day and other customs.

Pictured below: students participating in various games that Japanese children usually play on New Year's

Day.

Spanish had an incursion and cooked

Traditional Spanish and South

American food. They were able to

make Empanadas (similar to a

pie) and Buñuelos (similar to

doughnuts but in ball shape with fruit

inside). They were also exposed to the

famous Paella which was made by Ms

Obredors.

Pictured right: students participating in

cooking traditional Spanish food.

By Rachel Huynh

Mr J Conroy has taken charge of

Bonnyrigg High School as a relieving

Principal for the last few weeks of

Term 2. He has enjoyed the

challenge of further leadership as he

was a Head Teacher of PE and

Deputy Principal at Prairiewood High

School.

Being a Deputy Principal for 9 years,

Mr Conroy had always aspired to

become a principal. “This job was

advertised and it gave me the

opportunity for a short term posi-

tion”, Mr Conroy states. “I was very

fortunate to be given a leadership

position at Bonnyrigg High School”.

He explains how staff and students

have all been approaching him in a

very accommodating way and have

been accepting and acknowledging

him as he walks around the school.

Mr Conroy has had many

opportunities to meet the majority of

the staff and everybody has been

wonderfully supportive.

Overall, Mr Conroy is thankful for the

support that staff and students have

given him and has enjoyed his time

here so far. “If I was fortunate one

day to gain a substantive Principal

position at Bonnyrigg, I would be

extremely appreciative and look

forward to the role of being chal-

lenged at a big school”.

Welcome Mr Conroy!

Pictured: Mr Jason Conroy

Regional Cross Country

By- Issabella Ferraro and Kelly Nguyen

On Thursday the 15th of June, Bonnyrigg High School participated in the Sydney South West Regional Cross Country Carnival at Hurlstone Agricultural High School. 19 students aged 12-16 years old attended the event.

“We didn’t have too many older age groups, but the young ones really stepped up and did a great job.” Mr Leslie said, one of the teachers that travelled with Bonnyrigg students to Hurlstone.

To get to the Regional Cross Country level, students needed to first make it to the Bernera Zone Cross Country by excelling in the Cross Country Carnival at school. The Top 8 for each age group at the Zone Cross Country Carnival then go on to the Regional Cross Country Carnival. The Regional Cross Country Carnival is a crucial event that our school enters in. “ It’s important to enter students for the Cross Country as it allows the students to demonstrate their abilities, firstly, and it’s just a great way for our school to show how great we are in a range of different sports.” Mr Leslie stated.

The results of the Regional Cross Country showed just how great our school is. Charlotte Smith from Year 7 made it to the State Cross Country Carnival. Mr Leslie was pleased when he heard about the results. “I’m proud of the students that have entered. They actually tried their best and gave it their all. It’s great that we have at least 1 or possibly 2 students heading off to State.”

Film, fun & sustainability Issabella Ferraro

A Year 7 English class from Bonnyrigg High

School entered the ‘Brand without a Bottle’

competition run by Sydney Water. They had to

create a storyboard in order to convince

people to use tap water instead of buying

bottled water.

The year 7 class was named one of the 6

finalists and were given the opportunity to

film their storyboards. Teacher, Ms Simpson

explained, “We designed the storyboards to

touch on the ethics of human compassion.”

Voting has commenced on the Syndey Water

Website and the students from Bonnyrigg

High School have a good chance of winning.

They have showcased their skills in film

making and are highlighting the importance

of sustainability.

Pictured: Ms Simpson with students attending the show case of short films.