Volume 18

In a world of culinary innovation, there is nothing quite like a beautifully crafted dessert. Two teams of Year 9 Food Technology students recently demonstrated their creative skills by collaboratively putting together 12 exact portions of a Berry Tart. Each group created their tart shells and had access to a variety of ingredients to express their creative freedom. They used their knowledge and skills gained from this term's Food Service and Catering unit and put teamwork to the test. Each tart was a visual masterpiece worthy of a place in a MasterChef Kitchen! Well done Year 9, we look forward to more culinary adventures in the future.

Mrs Rosalie Gossow
TAS Teacher

One of the first sustainable programmes for supermarkets was an initiative that would see an end to plastic bags. In 2023 the initiative involved making bags out of scrap material and then leaving the bag in the stores for people to borrow and return in lieu of plastic. Whilst the initiative had some teething issues and the ‘boomerang’ didn’t always come back it was pioneering in starting the discussion around sustainability.

Year Eight students at Rosebank designed and sewed a number of ‘Boomerang Bags’ that were donated to Marrickville Metro in an initiative to support sustainability in the community. We are so proud of their commitment to the environment.

Mrs Maree Lucas
TAS Teacher

2022 Graduates Excel in Apprenticeship Pathway

The increasing demand for skilled workers in various industries has seen a greater number of students pursuing apprenticeship pathways, both in their senior study pattern and post school.

This week I became aware of a Rosebank family business, Terry’s Electrical Services, employing three of our 2022 graduates. Our special thank you to the Bertuccio family for their support of the College and congratulations to the students listed below, of whom Rosebank is very proud.

Pictured above:

• Charlie Morris - 1st year Apprentice working at Barangaroo new Metro Station
• Raven Hassse - 1st year Apprentice - Junior Engineering Team
• Josh Broome - 1st Year Apprentice working at the New Western Sydney Airport

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - Simone Amelia Jordan (Class of 1998)

Simone Amelia Jordan (nee Kapsalides) graduated from Rosebank in 1998. Her story is inspirational: starting at Rosebank after a suspension elsewhere, with the odds stacked against her; she finished her schooling as College Captain. Then her star just kept rising.  

“I was a teenager best described as rough around the edges,” Simone says. “During my time at Rosebank, I was grateful for the respect and support given to me by the school's Principal, Mr. Hawley. He led by example and was firm but fair, a true man of principle.”

As a child, Simone fell in love with hip-hop music and storytelling, so becoming a music journalist was something she always had her heart set on. “Towards the end of high school, I was fortunate enough to score a part-time gig as an editorial assistant at Juice (a now-defunct pop/rock music magazine). Sony BMG commissioned them to produce a special ‘urban’ music insert, and they gave me the green light to co-produce it. It was my first published work, and I still have copies to this day.”

It comes as no surprise that Simone’s favourite subject by far was English, recalling being taught by the late Mrs Brooks, who she describes as “a wonderful woman who nurtured my passion for words”.

In 2003 at just 23, Simone founded and edited Urban Hitz, which became Australia's highest-selling hip-hop and R&B magazine and one of her proudest career moments. “When I said I was ready to start an on-sale hip-hop and R&B publication, people looked at me like I was crazy. It became the most successful urban music publication out of Australia and New Zealand, so I remember that part of my career with extremely fond memories.”

During her run with Urban Hitz, Simone built a relationship with a New York City-based online clothing retailer, DrJays.com. Having worked well together, she told them about her dreams of living and working in the Big Apple. Coincidentally, the company was looking to expand their website by adding content and lifestyle elements.

Simone was offered the job and left Sydney with two suitcases and a dream for the next step in her career.

Her time at DrJays.com saw her writing articles, editing, and on-camera interviews with some heavyweights in the music and fashion industries, including Mary J. Blige and Diddy. Some years later, she became Content Director of The Source, a publication widely considered the ‘Hip-Hop Bible’.

After remaining in the U.S. for a decade, Simone returned to Australia. This year, she published her prize-winning book debut, a memoir called Tell Her She’s Dreamin’. 

“It's been a unique professional path with several bumps, but I'm fortunate to have enjoyed a rewarding international career,” she says. Her message to current Rosebank students? “Follow your dreams, and don't stop until you get there.”

Today, Simone is regarded as Australia's most successful hip-hop journalist. She has held senior positions in print, radio, TV, and digital media, with her celebrity interviews notching over 13 million YouTube views. She currently mentors the next generation of multicultural talent through her work with Media Diversity Australia and Diversity Arts Australia and is resolute about hip-hop’s power to change the world.

Pick up a copy of Simone’s memoir, Tell Her She’s Dreamin’, where all good books are sold. 

Congratulations to Simone on her achievements.