eNews Archive Issue 14 - 10 May 2018

In the Secondary school, the Life Saving team won the Sheena Dyason Champion Secondary School Female shield for the 20th consecutive year at this year’s Royal Life Saving Queensland Secondary School Championships.

We have many student wins and achievements throughout the school year but these two are highlighted due to their ‘historic’ nature.

Congratulations to both teams and their coaches. Our students’ dedication, grit and commitment to training clearly reaped great benefits.

Thank you to our Boarding parents who hosted Day students over the weekend as part of the Day/Boarder Long weekend. This event is an important part of the educative experience at St Margaret’s, exposing some of our very suburban and city-oriented day students to the experiences of our rural and regional boarders.

It is that time of year again when members of the school community can submit nominations for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) for Inspirational Educators. This is an opportunity for our school community to publicly recognise and encourage our great teachers.

ASG’s National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) Foundation was established in 1994 to honour exemplary teaching throughout Australia and New Zealand. 

We know that parents value the efforts of our teachers and there are very few opportunities for a public expression of this appreciation and support. One way of doing this is by nominating a teacher for this award. Nominated teachers receive a congratulatory NEiTA Certificate of Nomination and become eligible for NEiTA State and National Awards.

Nominations are quite straightforward and are now open. Thank you for considering nominating a member of the St Margaret’s teaching staff. To nominate a teacher, please log on to https://neita.awardsplatform.com/. Nominations close Tuesday 3 July.

With the MAYO Arts Festival just around the corner, this wonderful community event relies on our own community to get behind it, not only in attending, but in utilising the power of many to each make small contributions to the success of the event. By staging a great event, we draw many people from outside the St Margaret’s community whose enjoyment of the event (and spending power) will help make the event a success and contribute to its fundraising power.

You can read more about the festival later in the newsletter, but we are asking for donations of the following items:

This week: cans of soft drinks and bottled water
Week 5 (14 May) – bags of lollies/chocolate bars
Week 6 (21 May) – cakes and baked goods

There will be some incredible raffle prizes on offer as well, so keep an eye out for raffle sales before the event and on the day.

Also, please watch out for the Boarders Plant Stall at MAYO with over 600 plants available for purchase! You will be able to purchase plants to rejuvenate your garden while supporting the school, specifically the Boarding House.

Ros Curtis 

Last week, Ros Curtis, Cathy Cox and I attended the Alliance of Girls’ Schools conference in Adelaide entitled Fearless Girls, Strong Women. We attended many sessions and listened to keynote speakers, all talking about the issues that face our young women today. We heard uplifting messages about the rise in student voice and leadership development, as well as talked about areas that still need work such as the gender pay gap and various social pressures.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, one of Australia’s highest profile psychologists, spoke about the latest Mission Australia Youth Survey - information about this survey was provided in Ros Curtis’ Principal’s article in last week’s eNews. He spoke about anxiety in children and the pressures children face in an increasingly connected world.

As a consulting psychologist and member of many organisations who develop programmes aimed at providing best practice mental health and wellbeing care in the youth sector, he provided us with a number of Apps that can assist young people in times of trouble. I thought I would share that list with you this week. 

Karen Gorrie 

Sunday Service for Young Families - 20 May, 9am, School Chapel

Our next Sunday Service for ALL members of the School Community AND family and friends, will be on Sunday 20 May. We will have entered what is called ‘Ordinary Time’ in the Church; however, on this day we will explore being anything BUT ordinary people!

All are invited to this contemporary prayer book service, sharing in communion and enjoying what it means to be part of God’s Creation. Year 8 students assist and provide a scrumptious morning tea for us all to share after the service, so come along with all the family and bring some friends along too.

Upcoming Services

Friday 11 May, 2pm - Years 1-6 Eucharist, all are welcome

Tuesday 15 May, 6:30pm - Years 11 and 12 Family Service, St Augustine’s Hamilton

Sunday 20 May, 9am - Young Families’ Service

Tuesday 22 May, 8:30am - Year 5 Chapel in the Sisters’ Chapel

Wednesday 23 May, 6pm - Boarders’ Eucharist

Dadirri – Term 2 Prayer Spaces

Our School Chapel will again offer reflective activities designed for all faiths and none, from Monday 28 May – Friday 8 June.

Prayer for the Week

We place footsteps in trust, following the paths of those before us, or sometimes wandering blindly into the dark. Holy God, lighten our path and strengthen our resolve to move ever forward, ever closer to your will for us. Grant us true faith, trust and courage to move towards the light, share the light with others, and be the light you call us to be.

Walk with us. May we find both pause and action in your vision for us.

Amen.

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,

The Reverend Canon Nicki Colledge 

This makes our vocation so important as we promote high expectations upon the girls’ behaviour and provide opportunities for them to be active; to channel their adrenaline - seeking selves through wholesome experiences. St Margaret’s offers a diversity of sports for girls to participate in throughout the year. In Boarding, we offer carefully managed activities on the weekends. Adolescents are happy and by nature adventurous which is why school camps, holiday trips and global exchanges are integrated within the healthy, comprehensive approach to education at St Margaret’s.

Within our daily pastoral care duties, we are of necessity firm on the rules. Girls must always keep their House Mother informed of their whereabouts. We do not allow any boarder to venture out onto the terraces and other extended areas of the school, without adult supervision. Safety is paramount and together with family support, we must continue to alert girls to the dangers of situations which go against our School’s recommendation and your encouragement.

Adhering to our rules and well-proven routines in Boarding helps create a safe environment that is designed to protect the girls. We continue to guide every boarder to be a positive peer influence and to look out for one another, rather than be distracted by poor decisions and behaviours which can only lead them to later regret. It is much more preferred that girls engage wholeheartedly in their school life and look back with fondness and appreciation for the staff and their friends and accept the disciplines in place.

Dimity Harris 

Most students will not know exactly what they want to do post-school; however, it is important for students to select subjects that:

• they enjoy
• they will achieve well in
• meet the prerequisites for possible future study or employment
• provide the kind of educational program the student and family values.

If students or parents have any questions in relation to the information contained in this Curriculum Handbook or the subject selection process, please contact me, the Careers Counsellor, Ms Elizabeth Johnston, or the relevant Head of Faculty. Contact numbers are recorded at the back of the Handbook. The Parent Information Evening will take place on Monday 6 August.

Years 11 and 12 Exam Block Timetable

From this Friday, the Years 11 and 12 exam timetable will be accessible in the POD. The girls can use this timetable to begin to plan their study for exams and preparation for assignments.

Trends in Education

Our first Trends in Education seminar for 2018 is approaching on Wednesday 6 June 2018 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. Professor Jeff Brand will be raising some thought provoking questions about the megatrends certain to affect the future of our civilisation. These include blending natural and artificial intelligence, designing for a rapidly ageing population, and installing a robot workforce, among many others. The seminar is being held in the St Margaret’s Arts Centre Foyer. Please RSVP by Friday 1 June 2018 to Tammy Church P: +61 7 3862 0777 or reception@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Jo Butterworth 

Please click here (PDF 230.1KB) to view details on how to access Continuous Reporting through Parent Lounge (via The POD).

End of Semester 1 Reports

End of Semester Reports will be available on Parent Lounge by 5pm on Friday 29 June. Each student’s report will consist of a comment from her Head of Year, as well as a page for each subject. The final page of the report shows the Grade Point Average (GPA) graph which records the student’s overall level of achievement and tracks this from semester to semester.

For each subject there is a list of the course content, marks for the criteria assessed, a table showing the distribution of achievement levels within the subject and an assessment of your daughter’s attitude to her learning. The academic ratings are based on the assessment completed throughout Semester 1.

As girls from Years 7 to 12 have been part of the Continuous Reporting process there are no comments for each subject. For specific comments please refer back to assessment activities in Parent Lounge. Girls in all year levels are encouraged to read their comments carefully. These remarks contain advice designed to assist them to develop their skills and improve their outcomes in the future. Ideally, students should review their reports with their parents just prior to beginning Semester 2. In this way, they can use them to set some specific learning goals.

The GPA graph contains a number which is rounded down to the nearest 0.2 increment. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that curriculum becomes more demanding from year to year and that a decline in outcomes in Semester 1 can be quite usual. This is particularly the case from Year 10 to Year 11. The most significant information about a student’s learning progress can be gained by comparing outcomes from Semester 1 to Semester 2, within a calendar year.

Should you have any questions regarding your daughter’s report, please contact the Dean of Studies’ office on 3862 0826 when school resumes in Term 3.

Round 2 Parent Teacher Interviews

The second session of Parent Teacher Interviews for 2018 will be held on Monday 16 July from 10:00am - 8:00pm. These interviews are scheduled to allow you to meet with teachers following the Semester 1 Report.

Staff value this opportunity to discuss your daughter’s learning with you. Students are encouraged to attend the interviews with their parents as this will assist them to increase their understanding of the learning process and their role in it.

Venue

To accommodate all parents, interviews are scheduled for the Philip Harris Sports Centre. Maps of staff seating will be available on the day. Therefore, it is suggested you arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your first interview to ensure you know where you need to go to allow for a smooth transition between interviews.

Bookings

To access these interviews, please log into Parent Lounge and click on the link for Parent Teacher Interviews. Bookings open at 9:00am on Monday 18 June. Please be aware of the closing date, 9:00am on Wednesday 11 July, as no further bookings can be made after this date.

Nicole Devlin 

6. Mind what you say to them just before they go to sleep: Your adolescent will remember most what you say to them just before they go to sleep. Always build a bridge of peace, connection, love and hope.

7. Know their friends: You are in a powerful position if you know your girl’s friendship group and their parents. The best way to do this is to invite them over for a social gathering. Do not ask permission from your daughter to contact her friend’s parents. Also introduce yourself and keep re-introducing yourself at events, because if a problem occurs you are able to join together to discuss.

8. Look out for conversation fuel: Eat together without electronic distractions. Take time to find out what your daughter is interested in. This may take time before conversation feels natural, but make sure you persist.

9. Timing is everything: Talk to them at the right moment and then move away. Please realise it takes time to process your request. It might take a minute for the idea to convert into action.

10. They need you! Children fear abandonment: Learning that you are loved for who you are rather than for what you do is one of the greatest lessons in life.

Finally, your child does not need you as a friend she needs you to be the ‘the lighthouse’ to guide her through good and bad times.

Arrival to school

All students should arrive to school allowing enough time to go to their lockers and get organised for their day which starts at 8:20 am. Students are reminded that they are not to leave the school premises after being dropped to school in the morning. Under no circumstances can they leave St Margaret’s to go buy breakfast, coffee etc. These items are available for purchase at the school tuckshop or M’s Café. Students will be issued with an afternoon detention for this infringement.

Nikki Townsend 

Big Write comprises writing a variety of texts types (genre). There is an emphasis on the structure (genre) and planning. Stimulus is provided through talk. The process of writing allows for children to self-assess and analyse their writing and set goals for improvement. The ways to improve writing, so the writer’s voice is heard, is through VCOP.

Vivacious Vocabulary/phrases that make writing go WOW

Connectives- words that connect sentences, ideas and paragraphs together

Outstanding Openers

Powerful Punctuation

Therefore, the girls are encouraged to 'up-level' (improve) their work by focussing on these four components of VCOP.

The Big Write methodology is ‘if they can’t say it, they can’t write it.’ Therefore, talk is vital to writing and learning. Talk provides oral practice of learning, through different types of talk; conversational talk, talking or reflecting on learning and talking specifically about the learning and using the associated language. Parents and adults have a role to play in this area through ‘home talk’ and as preparation for Big Write. I would encourage you to chat with your child in order to help her gather her thoughts, ideas and language. This chat can be at any time with as many people as possible. Your daughter’s teacher will notify you of the Big Write topic each week and I would encourage you to identify the topic and make this a point of discussion. This is an easy and meaningful way to support your daughters’ writing. Please do not limit your talk to writing topics.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is held for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 each year. It is not a test of content but rather assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are developed over time across the school curriculum.

Next week on 15, 16 and 17 May, the Years 3 and 5 students will complete the NAPLAN tests. Each of the literacy and numeracy tests is conducted over 3 morning sessions over 3 days. On the first day, the students will complete the language conventions and writing component, Day 2 the focus will be reading and Day 3 will focus on numeracy.

The feedback of these test results provided to schools is useful when used to review curriculum and identify areas for further development. It is also important to note that this is one test at one point in time and teachers use this information, along with a broad range of other formative and summative assessment, to plan instruction and learning goals for students.

In preparation for these tests parents are advised not to pump their child up as you do before a sporting event, but to just encourage your child to do her best. The most significant support your daughter can receive during this time is a good night’s sleep, a healthy and substantial breakfast, the necessary equipment (sharp pencils, erasers etc.) and a drink bottle.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg PhD MAPS, one of Australia’s highest profile psychologists, suggests the following tips for helping students to prepare for tests, and learning:

Sleep: research reveals that sleep is the most important study tool going around. All students need at least 9.25 hours as long-term memory is consolidated during stage 4 sleep and the master molecule of mood (serotonin) is replenished, which is why you wake up grumpy when you haven’t had enough sleep.

Breakfast: research from the University of Ulster in Ireland has found that students who had nothing to eat for breakfast performed very poorly on tests of memory and concentration when arriving at school. Just eating toast boosted their scores. The biggest boost to cognitive powers was from eating toast and baked beans!

Brain food: during the school year, students who eat fish at least 3 times a week, along with eggs, yoghurt and blueberries, all of which have been shown to improve brain function, perform better.

Sipping water: the brain is 80 per cent water and students who sip water at least every 20 minutes while studying hydrate their brain, improving their ability to focus, concentrate and stay motivated when it comes to homework.

Exercise: research has found that students who do 3 lots of aerobic exercise a week perform much better than those who do nothing.

These tips are not just for the next week, but always and for everyone. We wish the girls well and know they will put in their very best effort. 

Library Opening Hours

The Primary Library is open every morning from 8am for girls to do their AR quizzes, select books and read quietly.

Upcoming Events:

Monday 14 May: Extra-curricular Photos – Music and Leadership

Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 May: NAPLAN Years 3 and 5 Students

Monday 21 – Thursday 24 May: Year 6 Canberra Trip

Wednesday 23 – Friday 25 May: Year 5 Camp

Sunday Service for Young Families - 20 May, 9am, School Chapel

Our next Sunday Service for ALL members of the School Community AND family and friends, will be on Sunday 20 May. We will have entered what is called ‘Ordinary Time’ in the Church; however, on this day we will explore being anything BUT ordinary people!

All are invited to this contemporary prayer book service, sharing in communion and enjoying what it means to be part of God’s Creation. Year 8 students assist and provide a scrumptious morning tea for us all to share after the service, so come along with all the family and bring some friends along too.

Upcoming Services:

Friday 11 May: 2pm, Years 1-6 Eucharist, all are welcome

Sunday 20 May: 9am, Young Families’ Service

Angela Drysdale 

STRINGS: Amati Strings, Stradivari Strings, Chamber Strings
CHORAL: Serenata, Belle Voci, Primary Chorale, Elevarsi Voices, Encorah
BANDS: Jackson Wind Ensemble, Sister Helen Wind Symphony, Stage Band, Regale and Elayne Jones Percussion Ensembles
ROCK BANDS: Highly Strung, Secondary Rock Bands

All girls in the ensembles listed above are asked to purchase a MAYO t-shirt which will be worn for performances (with smart jeans and sneakers). Musicians will receive a discount on the t-shirt and are asked to make the purchase directly through the School Supplies Shop.

Please click here to view the MAYO performance schedule (PDF 105.2KB).

Music Ensemble Photos
Students in Music Ensembles will have their photos taken next Monday 14 May in Eton Hall. Students are asked to bring their respective performance uniforms to school, along with their musical instrument. Please click here to view the photo schedule (PDF 234KB).

Anglican Schools Music Festival

The Anglican Schools Music Festival will occur next Friday 18 May with students from Anglican Schools in South East Queensland coming together to perform in the magnificent QPAC Concert Hall. For those who have not yet purchased tickets, they are available via QPAC Ticketing (www.qpac.com.au or call 136 246) at a flat rate of $20 (plus GST). Students who are involved will have received a letter containing details pertaining to the day.

Brad King

​ 

Details of the QGSSSA Cross Country Competition are as follows:

Date: Saturday 12 May

Venue: Rivermount College, Yatala. (Parking via Bel Air Drive)

Transport: The Competitors’ bus will depart St Margaret’s at 6:30am. All team members are expected to travel to the venue with the team. A bus will return from Rivermount College at 12:15pm and arrive at St Margaret’s at approximately 1:15-1:30pm.

Events:

8:30am: 17 years and over, 3000 metres

9:00am: 12 years and under, 3000 metres

9:30am: 13 years, 3000 metres

10:00am: 14 years, 3000 metres

10:30am: 15 years, 3000 metres

Please note, all squad members are expected to stay and enjoy a post-race celebration of pizza and the presentation of awards from Head Coach, Eric Brown.

QGSSSA Cross Country Spectators – Years 8 and 10

All Secondary students are required to attend two major inter-school sporting events as supporters. The QGSSSA Cross Country is the second major sporting event of the year with students from Years 8 and 10 to attend. Please click here (PDF 233.1KB) to access further information.

All Schools Cross Country

A group of 13 girls had a super morning of running at the 36th Annual All Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday 5 May. Highlights from the day include:

• Isabella Harte (13 Years) 1st place
• Lara Crouch (17 years) 1st place
• Chloe Fenwicke (15 Years) 4th place
• Ciana Jamieson (16 Years) 4th place
• Lucinda Crouch (Old Girl ‘17 and Cross Country Coach) 3rd place

Congratulations to all participants on a terrific run!

Autumn Fixtures

Wishing our teams the very best of luck in their weekly fixtures. Please note, all fixtures will be played on Thursday 10 May due to the QGSSSA Cross Country. For the weekly fixture schedule, please click here (PDF 260.1KB) or visit the Secondary Sport POD page.

Winter Sports

Our winter sports are getting ready to start with Hockey, Netball, Tennis and Volleyball commencing the week of Monday 14 May in their nominated training sessions. Athletics will commence the week of Monday 21 May. Information sheets for each of these sports are available below or via the sport specific POD pages:

Hockey (PDF 104.7KB)

Netball (PDF 246.1KB)

Tennis (PDF 105.4KB)

Volleyball (PDF 103.6KB)

Athletics (PDF 95.1KB)

Congratulations to …

Tiffany-Rose Kimeklis and Daisy Brown who competed in the City District Football Championships on 2 and 3 May at Aspley State High School. Their team won the championships and did not concede one goal! Daisy Brown will now go on to contest the State Championships in August having been selected for the Metropolitan North team.

Helen Lobegeiger 

Pictured below are works by 4 of our MAYO artists: Mela Cooke, Anne Mossman, Bianca Mavrick and Jilly Marsden. 

Year 9 Visual Art students have been working with our MAYO Artist in Residence, Larissa Warren, creating collections of slip moulded clay forms decorated with glazes. Many Primary and Secondary artwork will be displayed at the MAYO Arts Festival.

Lisa Smith 

Correspondence from St Margaret’s Students currently on Exchange

The past 3 and a bit weeks have been awesome for Liv and I! On the weekends, our partners take us to interesting, beautiful places and during the week at school we take part in lunchtime activities and after school events. Although we spend a lot of quality time together as a quad, Sara (partner) and her family have taken me to Whistler - my first time in the snow, Steveston (a coastal town similar to Sandgate, also the set for TV show, 'Once upon a Time') and Granville Island (public market with great vibes and unique shops). The activities are just so much fun and give me a thorough insight into the Vancouver lifestyle! I love wandering the streets, walking Duke, their dog; sending postcards back home and delivering them on the electric scooter I can borrow... Both the school and my host family cater extremely well for my gluten free diet and I feel safe and comfortable at Crofton and at home.

It looks like the girls on the South African exchange seem to be having a blast, and I've been talking a lot with Sophie Gerlach-Zuch, Emily Pitt and Margot Davis, and Rebecca Lauder who are also on exchange in other parts of Canada and Hong Kong and are all really enjoying the experience too! Thanks again for this amazing experience! Perhaps you could also mention to the Year 9s who are considering applying for exchange that I'm available and happy to answer any questions.

Sophia Colledge – Crofton House, Canada

Just thought I’d let you know that everything is going well, and I have settled in nicely. I have also included a photo from Spring Fling which is a semi-formal kind of dance that I went to last weekend.

Sophie Gerlach-Zuch, Shawnigan Lake, Canada

We are having a great time. During the first week we were all feeling quite homesick and it was a tough, but good week. After a great weekend with my exchange family at a rugby game and at the beach, we are all feeling refreshed and much more confident for this upcoming week. We are all much more settled in and are excited for the rest of our trip! Thank you for keeping in touch and we will continue to update you.

Bianca Licina, Indigo Hill and Mackenzie O’Brien - St Anne’s, South Africa

Upcoming Events:

• 31 May and 1 June - visiting Exchange students go on a cultural excursion to Sydney
• 15 and 22 May – the remaining 2017 students who were away on their Exchange in Term 4 and students who were away on Exchange in Term 1 this year will be presenting at a whole school assembly
• 6 June - visiting Exchange students will attend a ‘meet and greet’ morning tea with Ms Curtis and Ms Gorrie.

Angelin Achari 

Download and print a summary of stall donations here (PDF 1.8MB).

Rides

The rides at this year’s Festival will again be situated on Petrie Street. The rides will include giant chairs, a giant slide, cup and saucer ride, jumping castle and rock wall. Don’t forget to pre-purchase ride bands for unlimited, all day fun. Please click for full details (PDF 941KB).

Purchase through Flexischools here.

Barley Sugar Bonanza (PDF 2.3MB)

Join in the fun of sideshow alley games and activities at the Festival with a Barley Sugar Bonanza pass at $30 for seven activities.

Your loyalty pass for seven activities can be redeemed at any of the following in the Barley Sugar Garden:

• A turn at sideshow alley (3 attempts)
• 1 x lucky dip
• make a bracelet
• face painting/coloured hair spray
• decorate a Vanilla Pod Cupcake
• a turn at Golf Central putt putt

Barley Sugar Bonanza passes will be available for purchase on the day for $35, but you can jump the queue and save by pre-purchasing via Flexischools.

Food and Drinks

Some of Brisbane’s most popular food trucks will line up to serve delicious sweet and savoury fare at this year’s MAYO Arts Festival, including:

• Breakfast BBQ
• Queen of Pops – specialty coffee and ice cream pops
• Bruce the Food Truck – delicious injectable donuts, cronuts and organic coffee
• Roam’in Pizza – wood fired pizzas
• Sate House – steam yum cha delights
• Dippin Dots – ice cream
• Iced Tea Co. – refreshing iced teas
• Wicked Wafflez – delectable waffles
• Chokola’j – chocolate and dessert atelier
• Stone & Wood pop-up bar – craft beer
• Music Support Group Wine bar – a selection of wines
• Soft drinks and water
• M’s Café - coffee
• Tapas on the Terraces (available from 3pm)

There will also be our very own stalls selling popcorn, chocolates, lollies and scrumptious cakes.

Workshops

There will be many opportunities for young and old to unleash their creative side at this year’s MAYO Arts Festival.

A range of come and try workshops will run throughout the day such as:

• Decorate a cupcake with Vanilla Pod (12pm - 4:30pm)
• Learn the art of Island Dancing: A workshop which embodies the spirit of the islands, taking you through a magical voyage in time, places and legends, and leaving you with a Polynesian wanderlust. (2:00pm - workshop runs for approximately 40 minutes), gold coin donation.
• Bracelet making: Use beads of all colours, shapes and sizes to design and make your very own bracelet. (12pm - 4:30pm)
• Make a crystal sun catcher: Create your own sun catcher in this workshop where all materials are supplied at these session times (Session 1: 11:30am, Session 2: 12:30pm, Session 3: 3:30pm), $15pp

Ticketed workshops will run at set times throughout the day including:

• Terrarium Log making: Create and take home a gorgeous, unique Terrarium Log masterpiece. (Session 1: 12pm, Session 2: 1:15pm, Session 3: 3:30pm) $30pp. Workshop will be available to book via Flexischools soon.
• Brush Lettering Basics (11am – 2pm): If you’ve ever wanted to try brush lettering but didn’t know where to start, then here’s your chance. Hosted by Brisbane Hand Lettering, this workshop will provide the perfect opportunity to learn this popular art. Places are limited to 10 people. Suitable for 12 years and up. Each workshop attendee will receive a Brush Lettering kit including a brush pen, work booklet and ‘Support Zine’. $70pp. To book, visit: Eventbrite: https://brushletteringmayo.eventbrite.com.au.

Souvenir T-Shirts

Souvenir MAYO t-shirts are now on sale. Purchase through Flexischools here.  

St Margaret’s appreciates the support of our MAYO Arts Festival Sponsors: 

Platinum

Luxury Private Charters and Exclusive Tour Agent

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Stalls

Supporting Partners

Fathers’ Dinner Tickets Now on Sale

The St Margaret's Fathers' Dinner is an annual event where all fathers and male role models are invited to share a sumptuous two course dinner and drinks. To view the invitation, please click here (PDF 431.1KB).

Date: Friday 15 June 2018

Time: 6:30pm pre-dinner drinks in Eton Courtyard, 7:00pm Dinner

Venue: Eton Hall

Cost: $100.00 per person includes two course dinner and drinks

Our guest speaker is Young Past Student of Distinction, Gwyneth Olsen ('00). Gwyneth is the Head Winemaker at Peppertree Wines, Briar Ridge Vineyard and Davis Premium Vineyards in the Hunter Valley. Among many other accolades, in 2014 Gwyneth was awarded Gourmet Traveller Wine's Young Winemaker of the Year. Join us to hear from Gwyneth on her inspiring journey from St Margaret's to becoming a Len Evans Tutorial Scholar at 'the most exclusive wine school in the world'.

This annual event is proudly sponsored by Morgans.

Mother Daughter High Tea – Save the Date!

Join us for the St Margaret’s P&F Association Inaugural Mother Daughter High Tea. To view the ‘save the date’ flyer, please click here (PDF 703.2KB).

Date: Sunday 12 August

Time: 3pm to 5pm

P&F General Meeting - 14 May

The P&F invites the school community to attend our first General Meeting of 2018. This is an opportunity to share your views and ideas, so please join us.

Date: Monday 14 May 2018

Venue: ILC (independent Learning Centre)

Time: 6:30pm start

Old Girls' Events 2018

OGA Annual Brunch – Sunday 3 June - TICKETS ON SALE NOW THROUGH FLEXISCHOOLS

Reunions

Reunion invitations were distributed on Tuesday 24 April. Those past students who have informed the school of their email address, will have received their invite by email. Anyone for whom we do not have an email address for, will receive an invite by post at their last known address.

Please contact our office if you are a member of an Alumni listed below and haven’t received an invitation via phone: 07 3862 0768 or email: developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2008 – Friday 27 July

20 Year Reunion – Class of 1998 – Friday 27 July

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1988 – Friday 27 July

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1978 – Saturday 28 July

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1968 – Saturday 28 July

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1958 – Saturday 28 July

Chapel Service and Morning Tea – Sunday 29 July

60+ Year Reunion – Monday 30 July

Lara Pickering 

What are the changes?
There are two main changes to the selection process for the MD Program at UQ:

• The introduction of a Mini Multiple Interview as part of the selection process (only impacting current Year 10 students, or younger)
• The introduction of prerequisite courses to ensure students are well prepared for the first two years of the program (impacting all students)

Why the change?
Our revised admission process is designed to ensure the highly sought-after places in the MD program are offered to applicants who demonstrate the attributes and abilities most suited to the profession of medicine and most likely to succeed in the MD program.

ANU
A pathway to medicine at ANU
The Bachelor of Health Science offers a pathway to the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) at ANU without having to sit the GAMSAT. At the end of their second year in the Bachelor of Health Science up to 30 students will receive an offer of entry to the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD), contingent upon their grade point average (GPA), an interview process and successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science. Ten of the 30 places in the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) program are reserved for rural and Indigenous students from the Bachelor of Health Science.

Program details: QLD OP 6. Other prerequisites apply. For further details on admission, fees and program requirements, visit the ANU Programs & courses website.

Griffith University
Discover the new and exciting Parent and Student Advice Nights at our Nathan and Gold Coast campuses. These information evenings give parents and students the opportunity to speak with our expert staff about study options at Griffith University and subject selection. The Parent and Student Advice Nights are a substitution for the previously advertised Griffith Business School specific 'GriffithBUSINESS Discover Innovate Succeed information evenings'.

Event details: Years 9, 10 and 11 students, and their parents, are invited to attend the parent and student advice nights, giving them an opportunity to tour the campus and meet current Griffith University students, providing valuable insight about their experiences transitioning from school to university.

Nathan campus
Date: Tuesday 22 May
Time: 5:00 - 7:00pm
Venue: To be confirmed

Gold Coast campus
Date: Thursday 24 May
Time: 5:00 - 7:00pm
Venue: To be confirmed

Register at: https://www2.griffith.edu.au/parent-student-advice-nights

UQ Experience Science - register now
Experience Science is a free event, providing students in Years 10-12 the opportunity to discover what studying Science is like at UQ. With programs occurring across Thursday 12 July - Tuesday 17 July, this event is facilitated by experts from UQ and industry, and provides hands-on, interactive Science workshops. More information is available from: http://www.science.uq.edu.au/expsci.

UQ Pharmacy Experience Day - save the date
Pharmacy Experience Day is an annual UQ showcase which invites students to discover where a Bachelor of Pharmacy can take them. Throughout the day guests will take part in a range of hands-on laboratory activities, meet and quiz current students and participate on a guided tour through the world class facilities. All members of the public are invited to attend the Pharmacy Experience Day, to be held on Sunday 19 August 2018.

UQ New Bachelor of Arts Program Planner
The Bachelor of Arts offers students unrivalled flexibility, but this often causes confusion among new students. UQ have launched a new Bachelor of Arts Program Planner as a resource for guidance officers, teachers and students. Students interested in the Bachelor of Arts can use the program planner to plan and guide their studies, while ensuring their choice of majors and courses are compliant with the complex rules and requirements of the program.

This initiative will improve students' ability to plan the structure of their program, allowing them to save their selections for future reference and share their program planner with staff. Further Program Planners for additional UQ programs will be released throughout 2018.

UMAT
UMAT is developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the UMAT Consortium universities. The test is used specifically to assist with the selection of students into the medicine, dentistry and health science degree programs at undergraduate level at the universities listed on this website: https://umat.acer.edu.au/. Registrations for UMAT 2018 are now open. Copies of the Information Booklet can be downloaded from the UMAT website. Please note that before registering for the test students are required to carefully read the UMAT 2018 Information Booklet, which will only be available online from the UMAT website.

UMAT 2018 Key Dates:

Registrations opened first week in December 2017

Registrations close Friday 1 June 2018, 5pm AEST

Late registrations close Friday 15 June 2018, 5pm AEST

Applications for Special Testing Conditions close Friday 15 June 2018

UMAT test date Wednesday 25 July 2018

Results released Mid-September 2018

UMAT is only available once every year. If you do not register by the due date, you will have to wait until 2019 to sit the test.

UMAT Preparation
MedEntry: If you are interested in studying Medicine or a career in health that requires sitting the UMAT test, visit the MedEntry website for assistance in your preparation: www.MedEntry.edu.au. MedEntry is the only government accredited training organisation for UMAT preparation.

MedStart: is an organisation that assists students to prepare for UMAT. Courses are available in Brisbane. Check the MedStart website: http://www.medstart.com.au/#home for more details.

The University of Queensland
Changes to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
In 2018, The University of Queensland will be introducing an additional entry requirement for prospective students applying for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours). This change will impact current Year 12 students applying for study in 2019. This new entry requirement, a Situational Judgement Test (SJT), is an on-line, video-scenario based test with 12 sections and open-ended questions.

The University recognises that attributes such as resilience, critical thinking and communication skills that are essential for veterinarians are not reflected in academic performance alone. The SJT will be used to assist in the selection of a student cohort best equipped for the rigours of the profession.

The test will be held between July and September 2018 with multiple test dates. Students need to have access to a computer with reliable internet connection, a web-cam and hold photo identification. The test may be completed at home, a library/community centre or another suitable location. The cost to complete the test is approximately $80. Students should allow 90 minutes to complete the test.

Further details about how and when to complete the SJT will be available soon on https://future-students.uq.edu.au/study/program/Bachelor-of-Veterinary-Science-Honours-2378.

Where can I go for more information?
Visit the CASPer website and view the FAQs: https://takecasper.com/faq/.

University Open Days
Australian Catholic University (ACU)
28 July 2018 (Saturday) - Open Day Brisbane 9am-2pm

Bond University (BOND)
28 July 2018(Saturday) - Twilight Open Day Gold Coast

CQ University (CQU)
9 August 2018 (Thursday) - Brisbane Open Day, 3pm-6pm
11 August (Saturday) - Bundaberg and Mackay

Griffith University (GRIFFITH)
12 August 2018 - Open Day Gold Coast, Nathan and South Bank Campuses

James Cook University (JCU)
19 August 2018 (Sunday) - Townsville Campus
26 August 2018 (Sunday) - Cairns Campus

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
29 July 2018 (Sunday) - Open Day Gardens Point (City) campus

Southern Cross University (SCU)
29 July 2018 - Gold Coast Open Day, 10am-2pm

The University of Queensland (UQ)
Sunday 5 August - St Lucia campus, 9am-3pm
Sunday 19 August - Gatton campus, 9am-3pm

University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
Sunday 19 August - USQ Toowoomba
Saturday 1 September - USQ Ipswich
Friday 7 September - USQ Springfield

KEY DATES:
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 May 2018
The National Careers and Employment EXPO (Brisbane Convention Centre)

Friday 1 June
UMAT Registrations close 5pm

Wednesday 25 July
UMAT Exam

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July 2018
The 37th annual Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO), Australia's largest tertiary studies expo, offers a unique opportunity for anyone interested in starting, changing or upgrading their career! Featuring many local, interstate and overseas education providers, student services and support agencies. Don't miss this great opportunity to map out your future, all in the one location! 8am – 4pm, RICC Brisbane Showgrounds. A great opportunity for students to collect information from a huge number of exhibitors.

Elizabeth Johnston