Kincoppal-Rose Bay is a member of an international group of 200-plus Sacred Heart schools. In 2012, Kincoppal-Rose Bay celebrated its 130th birthday. Among the many highlights from that year were the class of 2012 gaining an average ATAR of 90.28; 12 students from this class were “All-Round Achievers” and two students were awarded equal first in “French Continuers”. Kincoppal–Rose Bay, a non-selective school, was ranked 34th in The Sydney Morning Herald’s “Top 100 Schools”, based on the number of band 6s in courses awarded.
The school prides itself on its strong pastoral care and academic support for every student. After-school support is available in the library until 8.30pm Monday to Thursday, with teachers on hand to help students, and there is also the option to dine with the boarders. As a part of the global Sacred Heart school network, Kincoppal-Rose Bay is able to offer students opportunities to take part in student exchange programs.
To develop well-rounded students, a range of extra-curricular activities is offered including drama, dance, debating, public speaking, gymnastics, choir, orchestra, jazz and rock bands, swimming, soccer, cricket, basketball, netball, softball, athletics, hockey, rugby league, rugby union, snow sports, tennis, water polo and many more.
The school is proud of its diverse body of students in the day and boarding school and works to develop the personal strengths and talents of each child. The environment facilitates the development of personal excellence in all areas of school life and beyond.
Kincoppal–Rose Bay offers academic, all-rounder and choral scholarships. The Margaret Kirkpatrick Scholarship and Alison Stephen Scholarship are also offered from time to time.
Facilities: A state-of-the-art multipurpose centre with sporting, music and performance facilities and spaces, Science Centre, technology suite containing the latest computers, Visual Arts Centre, design and technology suite, assembly hall, junior library, senior library containing areas for group and independent study, music, Performing Arts Centre, Independent Learning Centre computer networked with internet and intranet facilities and audio-visual facilities, Community Learning Spaces for Years 6,7,11 and 12, flexible digital learning spaces in the Junior School with laptop trolleys and interactive whiteboards, gymnasium, swimming pool, basketball courts, sporting fields and tennis courts; two boarding houses comprising two-,three- or four-study bedroom units and a senior boarding house with single and twin rooms.
Curriculum Prep to Year 6: From Prep to Year 2 teachers follow the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and from Year 3 onwards teaching and learning are app roached using the personalised learning framework. The Prep to Year 6 curriculum follows the key areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, Creative and Performing Arts and PD/Health/PE, Italian (Prep to Year 4), French (from Year 5).
Electives Years 7 and 8: Key Learning Areas are English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, Human Society and its Environment, Languages (French) Creative Arts (Visual Arts and Music), Technology, PD/Health/PE.
Electives Years 9 and 10: All students study English Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, PD/Health/PE, Learning to Learn and two electives from Commerce, Design and Technology, Drama, French, Music, Photographic and Digital Media, Visual Arts, Information and Software Technology (Year 10 only) and ESL (for international students as required). All subjects, with the exception of French, may be taken up in Year 10 without previous study.
Electives Years 11 and 12: For the Year 11 Preliminary Course, students must study at least one unit of Studies of Religion and one of the three English courses (English Advanced, English Standard and ESL). Preliminary courses offered are Fundamentals of English, Photography, Visual Design.
Other courses: English Extension, Mathematics (all levels), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Modern History, Ancient History, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Legal Studies, French Continuers, Italian Beginners, Japanese Beginners, Information Processes and Technology, Software Design and Development, Visual Arts, Music 1 & 2, Drama and PD/Health/PE. HSC courses include all listed above as well as these extension courses in English, Mathematics, History, French, Music. Courses not included at school may be studied via the Saturday School of Community Languages, the Open High School or Distance Education.
Sport: Junior: Sports include athletics, basketball, cross-country, minkey (hockey), netball, indoor soccer, rugby, soccer, swimming, touch football and water polo. Saturday sport is organised through the IPSHA and is non-competitive. Senior: Teams compete in the IGSSA Competition in athletics, crosscountry, swimming, touch football (separate competition), tennis, softball, soccer, skiing, gymnastics, basketball, water polo, hockey and netball. After-school classes are offered in gymnastics, tennis, martial arts and dance. Inter-house competitions are held for swimming, athletics and cross-country.
Creative and performing arts: Choir, chamber choir, chamber strings, flute choir, orchestra, clarinet and rock band. Individual music tutors are available for piano, musicianship, pipe and electric organ, flute, french horn, flugelhorn, cornet, trumpet, tuba, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, violin, viola, double bass, cello, acoustic guitar, electric bass guitar, singing, drums, and percussion. Speech and drama courses are available in Acting, Communication Skills, Speech and Drama.
Welfare and development: Each senior student is a member of a pastoral group under the care of a pastoral mentor. Pastoral groups provide a support function for students so that they develop academically, socially and spiritually. Students also gain support from the Junior School counsellor, who is available to identify and devise strategies of dealing with learning and behavioural difficulties. The Senior School counsellor provides support to day girls and boarders.
Leadership opportunities include the Senior School Leadership Committee, Student Representative Council, various co-curricular committees, class liaison groups, peer tutors, peer support. Year 6 leadership includes School Captain, Sports Captain, Peer Support Leader, Member of Liturgy, Environment, Health, Library, IT, Sport and Music committees. Special features: Kincoppal-Rose Bay runs a Learning Advantage Program, whereby each student in Years 7 to 11 is provided with a notebook computer as part of the compulsor curriculum.
The school also offers a mini-bus pick-up and drop-off service that is safe, secure and comfortable. Five different routes are run, starting and finishing in Balmoral, Rozelle, Little Bay, Maroubra and Circular Quay, with drop-off points along all routes.
From the school: At Kincoppal-Rose Bay we offer your child the challenge of achieving personal excellence in all areas of school life, working to their personal strengths and talents. We challenge our students to become independent life-long learners and equip them with the skills necessary for life-long learning. We aim to give our students an empathy with others and the self-confidence to believe they can transform their world. However, of utmost importance is the caring, supportive environment that is Kincoppal-Rose Bay. We say — come as you are and you will be cared for with great love.
Principal: Mrs Hilary Johnston-Croke.
co-ed junior (4 year olds to year 6), girls only senior (years 7–12)