Student opportunities and activities

Student Representative Council

The Sylvania High School SRC team is a peer elected group which represents the students of Sylvania High School.  Our SRC provides authentic opportunities for students to develop and exercise their leadership skills within the school environment.

• Provide a student perspective on school issues with school executive, school committees and the School Finance Committee.
• Develop and promote leadership and responsibility.
• Provide a link between teachers and students, and between the school and the wider community
• To encourage the involvement of students in the school decision making process, when appropriate.
• Fund raise for school projects and charities.
• Provide a forum for students to raise issues and consider their ideas.
• Represent Sylvania High School at official functions.
• Represent Sylvania High School at community events and commemorations
• Leading and chairing school assemblies and Year Group meetings.
• The Sylvania High School SRC team is a peer elected group which represents the students of Sylvania High School.  Our SRC provides authentic opportunities for students to develop and exercise their leadership skills within the school environment.

At Sylvania High School, the Student Representative Council team consists of student leaders from Years 7 to 12 who work cohesively to achieve community and school goals. We represent student perspectives and give all students a voice on important issues. By doing this we aim to provide a link between teachers and students and also provide a forum for students to express their opinions and concerns to better our school.

• ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Miranda RSL
• Jeans for Genes Day
• Sylvania High School Open Night
• Sylvania High School Orientation Day
• Elevate Leadership conference at Wollongong University
• e-Smart program to promote the safe, smart and responsible use of technology
• Young Women’s Leadership conference
• Lions Youth of the Year Public Speaking Award
• Movember
• R U OK? Day
• White Ribbon

Student Sustainability Council

Stay tuned for more info!

Mock Trial

Each year Sylvania High School enters a team in the NSW Mock Trial Competition. The Mock Trial Competition is conducted by the Law Society of NSW and is a practical means of introducing students to the law and to increase understanding of the basis of our judicial system. Over 150 schools compete annually.

The competition also helps students to enhance core skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading and advocating, as well as team work and working under pressure. The goal is not to win for the sake of winning, but to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship through participation in our system of law and justice. All who participate in the Mock Trial Competition are winners in this sense.
Sylvania High School now enters a Year 11 team in the competition each year, with a Year 10 “training” team waiting in the wings and learning from their senior peers.

Each team consists of 6 students who play the roles of barristers, solicitor, court officer and witnesses. In most cases the Law Society will assign a Coach to each team, who is a qualified barrister or solicitor. The Coach provides information about court procedures and advocacy techniques.

The Law Society also provides ‘the case’ for the mock trials. The cases mirror criminal and civil matters actually heard in the Local or District Court. A team may act as either the defence or prosecution during a trial, with each team member taking on the role of a barrister, solicitor, court officer or witness, pitting their skills against the opposing side – a team from another school.

Each trial is presided over by a Magistrate (a solicitor or barrister), who awards marks to each team based on a range of criteria, such as strength of opening addresses and closing submissions, understanding statutory provisions and the relevance of case law, and effective cross examination. The team with the highest mark wins the trial.

Entertainment Crew

The Entertainment Crew is a diverse group that covers a wide range of Entertainment crew occupational areas including audio, costume, customer service, front of house, lighting, make-up, props, scenic art, sets, staging, technical operations and vision systems. Students are able to experience roles that are current practice in the professional entertainment industry, and will attain an insight into potential future career paths. The Tech Crew meet each week to discuss future events at SHS. Events include SHS Musical Productions, Showcases, Achievement Assemblies and Workshops. Each year the Entertainment Crew go through training and learn about new work areas of stage management and production.

Entertainment Crew stage management and production roles include:

• Stage Crew – props and rolling stage management
• Bump in / out – band setup / staging requirements of a general nature, signage etc.
• Audio – gain an understanding of communications maintenance and distribution
• Ushering
• Foyer entertainment set up – bump in and out
• Sound or lighting set up and operation
• Filming and computer operations
• Cast movement coordination
• Staging elements
• General duties as required ​

Debating and Public Speaking

Debating and Public Speaking is one of the many areas of extra-curricular life at Sylvania High School that gives our students the opportunity to improve their communication and teamwork skills.

The debating competitions allow students from Years 7 and 8, Years 9 and 10 and Year 11 to develop their skills of persuasion, engagement, and explore current world issues as part of their arguments while competing against other schools.

Sylvania High School enters the following competitions:

• The Premier’s Debating Challenge
• Sutherland Shire Schools Debating Competition

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award - Australia

The Duke of Ed is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. The Duke of Ed is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.

How is the Duke of Ed Achieved?

To achieve the Duke of Ed, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical well-being, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All Participants are supported by a network of adult Duke of Ed Leaders, Assessors and Supervisors.

The key elements of our program are:

• Open to all young people aged 14 to 24.
• Three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold – each progressively more challenging.
• Four Sections: Physical Recreations, Skills, Voluntary Service, Adventurous Journey.
• Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement.

More Information

Grade Sport - Summer Mixed

• Junior Volleyball
• Junior Netball

Grade Sport - Summer Boys

• Senior Beach Volleyball
• Junior Touch Football
• Senior Touch Football

Grade Sport - Summer Girls

• Senior Beach Volleyball
• Junior Touch Football
• Senior Touch Football
• Junior Basketball
• Senior Basketball

Grade Sport - Winter Mixed

Junior Waterpolo

Grade Sport - Winter Boys

• Junior Netball
• Senior Netball
• Junior Soccer
• Senior Soccer
• Junior Oztag
• Senior Oztag

Grade Sport - Winter Girls

• Junior Basketball
• Senior Basketball
• Junior Soccer
• Senior Soccer
• Junior Oztag
• Senior Oztag

Year 7 Sport

Year 7 sport is organised by the Sports Coordinator for Terms 1, 2 and 3. During this time, students will participate in a rotation of the following sports on school grounds.

• Dance
• Theatre Sports
• Basketball
• Oztag
• Futsal

Year 7 students continue their participation in these structured activities until the summer sport season starts in late August.

Aerobics (girls only)

Fernwood Fitness, Sylvania

Beach walking

The Esplanade, Cronulla

Gym

School gym

Lawn Bowls

Sylvania Bowling Club

Meditation

School

Multi Sport

School

Pilates

School

Sandhill Activities

Cronulla sand dunes

School Soccer

School

School walking

School and local area

Surfing

North Cronulla Beach

Surf Awareness

North Cronulla (must be completed to do surfing)

Table Tennis

School

Tennis

Gilmour Tennis, Miranda

Tenpin Bowling

AMF Bowling, Southgate

Elite Representation

Your child will be able to participate in NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) program across a range of individual and team sports. Every year, we have strong representation at Sydney East and CHS carnivals, with students receiving Sporting Blues in their respective fields. This elite competition provides an avenue for talented sports students to refine their skills, compete at the highest level, and achieve individual success.

Maroubra Beach Touch

Our school has a long-standing tradition of participating in this unique and highly popular interschool competition. The competition sees multiple teams of students at our school compete against schools from across NSW at Maroubra Beach. Beach Touch is described as a hybrid form of Touch Football, Rugby League and OzTag, and every year we have a strong contingent of students proudly representing our school.

Rugby League

The recently re-established Rugby League and League Tag competitions across the Port Hacking Zone for both U14 and U16 boys and girls allows students to showcase their skills and talents for Rugby League and League Tag in front of peers as they compete against other local schools. Your child will have the opportunity to be involved in this program and be coached by experienced teachers and former players on our staff.

Dance

Dance ensembles

There are numerous opportunities for students to become involved in Dance. Our facilities are of an excellent standard and are well utilised by our various dance groups. Sylvania High School is renowned for its achievements in performing arts and our students get chosen to participate in a range of representative dance programs.

Dance ensembles

Dance Companies and Ensembles are comprised of students from years 7 to year 12 who are interested in broadening their skillset as a dancer. It allows students to build confidence, have performance experiences, and make new friends and valuable technique/performance quality skills and mainly to have fun.

Sylvania High School co-curricular dance program aims to –

– Extend students skill set in dance

– Engage students learning in a fun and encouraging way

– Provide opportunities for performance in dance both within the school and wider community

– Apply the syllabus in the development of dance works that reflect the outcomes of the NSW 7-12 Dance Syllabus

– Develop a willingness to aim for excellence in dance performance and choreography

To be a part of a Dance Company or Ensemble you need to attend the SHS audition held during Term 1. If you are unable to make it please come to the dance studio to express your interest in joining.

Cost – $100 per year this fee contributes to costumes, props, festival fees, external tutors etc.

Extra-curricular opportunities -

• Junior Dance Company for students in Years 7-9.

• Intermediate Dance Company for students in Years 8-10

• Senior Dance Company Years 10-12.

• Senior dance tutors

• QLD Dance Tour

• Performance opportunities with school assemblies and special occasions

• Performances for Education week

• Schools Spectacular participation

• In The Spotlight Dance Festival

• Sutherland Shire Dance Festival

• Excursions to shows such as Sydney Dance Company / Bangarra Dance Theatre

• Exemplary HSC Dancers chosen for Callback

• Sylvania High School end of year CAPA Showcase

• HSC Dance Showcase night

Drama

Drama Ensembles have the opportunity to perform and engage in at a range of events throughout the year including Performing Arts Showcase matinees and evenings, SHS Open Night, Drama Play Days, practical workshops involving a breadth of skills  and Performing Arts Festivals within Sydney.

Drama students have the opportunity to experience the following:

* Excursions and incursions involving professional productions and theatre companies

*  Auditions for NSW state Drama Ensembles and Companies

* Drama workshops with experienced teachers, actors and theatre practitioners

* Tours of performances to local senior centres and primary schools

* Participation in competitions such as ‘Speak for the Planet’ and ‘Film By…’

* Training and experience in technical and backstage production and design elements including costume, set, sound, lighting and promotion.

Extra-Curricular Drama has a fee of $100 per year which goes towards purchasing of props, costume and set design components as well as competition fees and guest tutor payments. Students are encouraged to see Mrs Kendrick in the Performing Arts department should they wish to become involved in this activity at Sylvania High School.

Music

The Music Co-curricular program at Sylvania High School offers all students vocal and instrumental opportunities. We have ensembles to cater for different styles and levels of abilities. Sylvania High School has an extensive instrumental program where students can play in one or more of the school’s music ensembles.

The program is managed by the Music Coordinator and specialist tutors are brought in to lead the music ensembles. The Music Performance Program is very active and has a variety of activities throughout the year. All instrumental students, regardless of where they learn, are encouraged to participate in the school’s many ensembles. These provide a wonderful opportunity for students to be part of school life, make friends and share their talents. Joining the vocal ensemble is a great way to become involved in the musical life of the school and no formal vocal tuition is required.

Performance opportunities for students include performances at school, community functions and concerts.

Bands - Currently we have 4 bands – 1 senior, 2 middle and 1 junior band. They perform many styles including Latin, Jazz, Rock and Disco.

Drum Squad - This percussion ensemble is for our students who wish to extend their percussion skills with performance opportunities.

Vocal Ensemble - This group combines vocal technique with singing and having fun. If you like Glee this is the group for you! Lots of singing from various genres with some harmonies.

Music Tutorial program

Sylvania High School offers a large variety of music enrichment activities. These include tutors in piano, guitar, percussion and singing. Tutors are found for instruments including violin and saxophone. These lessons occur outside school hours. Please see the Music Coordinator if your child is interested in lessons on these or any other instrument.

Use of technology pervades teaching and learning across all courses as we prepare students t thrive in the creative economy of the future. Our innovative learning environments are embedded with digital infrastructure to support teaching and learning, including wireless internet and audiovisual resources. Our commitment to upgrading hardware and devices ensures your child will utilise cutting edge resources to build their skills in using technology to enhance their learning.

Robotics

Students who have a passion for technology in all its forms engage in a range of learning activities stemming from engineering and coding, to robotics, drone technology and design. Students bring concepts into reality and test innovative solutions to complex problems.

Technologies Lab

Students who have a passion for technology engage in learning activities stemming from software development and engineering, to robotics and drone technology. This learning space allows students to use a range of software to form the architecture behind product manufacturing, and explore algorithms that enhance skills in robotics and coding such as speech recognition, visual perception and decision making. These processes also extend to our 3D printing facilities and laser technology that will enable your child to prototype and test ideas.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Our Virtual Reality Immersive tools are available to STEM students and teachers across subject areas where students delve into alternate realities and fully engage in experiential learning. This technology accelerates their understanding as they travel to locations across the globe, or view inside the human body to better understand anatomy. These highly engaging tools expose students to interconnected learning.

Fabrication Lab

This creative space is a flexible learning environment that comes fully equipped with interactive technology, and resources to facilitate design thinking, fabrication and creativity. The mixed materials facility enables your child to keep pace with the expectations of creative design across industries creating pathways to careers in UX experiences, interface and fashion design.

Multimedia

Our film and video production resources enhance creative and critical thinking across a range of subject areas. Students utilise the features of the green screen in the development and production of film and video. This production also extends to our 3D printing facilities that enable students to prototype ideas and engage in software and design processes.

Multimedia Lab

Our multimedia lab features a range of resources to enhance creative and critical thinking across media. Your child will be able to utilise graphics technology including film and video editing, to ideate and realise digital projects. The multimedia landscape features audiovisual equipment to create high quality multimodal texts leading to pathways in multimedia, animation and graphics.

School Based Traineeships (SBAT)

School based Traineeships

It is possible to complete a traineeship while you are still at school. In a School Based, Part Time Traineeship, you complete your Traineeship part time and complete your HSC as well. A school based, part time trainee must complete the same number of hours of work and training that a full time trainee is expected to complete (normally 1200-1600 hours) they just do it over a longer period of time.

You will normally complete a minimum of 100 days of paid employment over the term of your traineeship.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (nsw.gov.au)

TVET

Get a head start on your career and complete a TAFE-Delivered Vocational Education and Training (TVET) course, while you’re still at school.

All TVET courses help you build practical skills and industry-specific knowledge, and count towards your school outcome, with some courses contributing towards an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

Vocational Education and Training Courses – TVET – TAFE NSW

University

Students can use the UAC link for universities that is already on the site Universities Admissions Centre

Mock Interviews

As part of the SHS Careers program, Year 10 students take part in Mock Interviews. Mock Interviews are set up to resemble an environment and a scenario of a typical job interview. Students benefit greatly from this experience as it assists in building their confidence levels and provides students with constructive feedback that they may implement when it comes to the real thing.

Benefits of Mock Interviews