Hey guys i'm going to Sydney boys in 2008 (year 11) and I just had a few questions for current HIGH students.
1. Is all this talk about segregation of Anglo saxons and asians true? (As in like do Asians stick with asians and do anglos stick with anglos or whatever)
Absolutely no problems with the big "R" at SBHS, BUT over the past year I have come to realise there is a big problem in the concentration of students (dare I use the "N" word as in "revenge of the") coming from Enlish-is-second-language-homes as 90% of us do - doesnt allow absorption of higher level english skills from the "anglos" (i.e. third generation aussies) resulting in a group of higher level maths mutants who speak in symbols of one word!
I came to SBHS from North Sydney school so I didn't have to cross bridge everyday but my english skills have essentially stagnated to the stage where it is going to impact on my HSC. Really wishing I had gone to North Sydney Boys and continued to sponge on their english skills - so easy to learn by contact and seems to be so hard to learn at School.
2. Can i get some information on the Year 11 mathematics Options exam? (When is it, what is tested, what does it count towards, etc)
2. Options Exam is 30% of "placement mark" to see who gets in the top Maths Class - they will probably factor you in on basis of whatever exam you sat to get into school. Very competitive as this is a very strong Maths school who are all going to become Doctors (contradition in terms - not in Chinese).
3. In general how is everyone, like is it easy to make friends, fit in, etc ?
3. Easy peasy, very accepting. This is a great school just a pity about the english, real bummer. I am starting to panic because clearly in the HSC you have to be able to 'write a story' rather than just cross a, b, c or d. This was driven home in the School Certificate Exam where none of us got a 6. Realise now I used to be carried along in english by the literate North Shore anglos and now I am getting dragged down into the Mathlish mire .... if only it was a competition to answer the questions in the least number of words - we would would be all over the high achievers list - no one could match us not even the SMSperts.
Anyway, something for you to think about. I would certainly appreciate advice from anyone about improving english writing skills for HSC through coaching, personal tutor etc.
