eNews Archive Issue 21 - 20 July 2017

At this assembly, I will talk about the founding sister, Sister Caroline Amy, and several Year 11 students will provide us with information about the important role a number of Sisters played within the order and indeed in the life of St Margaret’s. In the afternoon, we have the traditional St Margaret’s Run - which starts in Circular Drive. ‘To go gently with courage’ is our theme this year and one which we think is an appropriate theme for a celebration of the service of the SSA. All parents are very welcome to attend this assembly in the Philip Harris Sports Centre at 12 midday on Friday 21 July.

After school finishes on Friday we begin our whole weekend dedicated to the reunions of Old Girls from 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997, 2007 and an Old Girls’ Chapel Service on Sunday. On the following Monday, we have invited past students from 60 years or more to come to the school for a luncheon. It is a busy weekend - one which sees up to 400 past students return to the school.

As we celebrate 125 of the Sisters of the Sacred Advent, the Sisters have advised that there is a change of leadership of the SSA.

Mother Eunice has been the leader of the Sisters of the Sacred Advent since 1982 (apart from a brief break). Recently, Sister Gillian has assumed this role. At this time, we honour and give thanks to Mother (now Sister) Eunice for her 35 years of commitment and wisdom as leader of the Order.

We also now keep Sister Gillian (who will remain known as Sister) in our thoughts and prayers as she moves into this leadership role.

One of the outcomes of my 2015 Sabbatical Leave was the establishment of an international teacher exchange scholarship with Emma Willard School in Troy, New York State. The purpose of this exchange is to provide the opportunity for teachers, through participation, to reflect and appraise teaching and educational practices in another context, and learn new ideas about teaching and learning strategies and structures. On return, the teacher then has the opportunity to incorporate what has been learned in their own classrooms and to share with other staff at St Margaret’s. We are currently hosting a teacher from Emma Willard on exchange, and it has been a pleasure to have her in the school; there has been significant professional exchange of ideas and observations throughout this time and it has enriched our staffroom and our focus on professional learning to have our American visitor walk alongside our staff.

This teacher exchange is called The Amanda Minotti Teacher Fellowship. As a dedicated and highly effective educator with a focus on professional growth, it is fitting that Amanda’s name be attached to this Fellowship in the school. For 2017, Mrs Kelly Alford (Head of Year 10) has been awarded this fellowship and the opportunity to visit Emma Willard School in November/December this year.

Dads, please do not forget to sign up for the P and F’s Fathers’ Dinner on Friday 28 July. It promises to be a great night. Further details may be found at this link (PDF 420.1KB).

Ros Curtis 

Parent Program:

The Anglican Schools Commission has engaged Brett Lee from Internet Education and Safety Services (INESS) to develop a series of online courses for parents about cyber safety. St Margaret’s strongly supports this training for parents within our school community. This course is a user-friendly and practical resource that will equip parents with information and skills to assist their children to safely navigate the online world.

There are separate, tailored courses for parents with students in:

• Lower Primary (ages 4-8)
• Upper Primary (ages 9-11)
• Lower Secondary (ages 12-14)
• Upper Secondary (ages 15-18)

These courses are free.

All of the courses can be accessed using the link and password below:

http://cybersafe.ascqld.org.au/

Please note: The Anglican Schools Commission has entered into a financial agreement with INESS to provide this training to school parents for a period of five years including annual updates. School parents are asked to honour the agreement with INESS and not to share the login password with persons not directly associated with St Margaret’s.

Statement of Commitment:

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School supports the rights of children and young people and are committed to ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students. St Margaret’s is therefore committed to responding to allegations of student harm resulting from the conduct or actions of any person including that of employees.

This commitment includes the provision of a safe and supportive living and learning environment for all students and requires all employees, volunteers and visitors to model and encourage behaviour that upholds the dignity and protection of students from harm.

In support of this commitment, St Margaret’s is dedicated to our Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy which includes having relevant policies, procedures and training in place to effectively address the safety and wellbeing of students in our care.

Student Protection Officers:
These are persons designated as liaison people to whom students may refer if they are not feeling safe; or to whom they make complaints of harm, inappropriate behaviour or physical/sexual abuse.

The St Margaret's Student Protection Officers are:

• Deputy Principal - Karen Gorrie
• Head of Boarding - Lesa Fowler
• Head of Primary School - Angela Drysdale
• Assistant Head of Primary School – Trudi Edwards
• Dean of Students - Nikki Townsend
• Guidance Counsellor - Sharon Stone

All Student Protection documentation including all polices and procedures can be viewed on our internet page at: https://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/discover-st-margaret-s/student-protection.

Karen Gorrie 

I am reminded in the process of preparing for Confirmation that each of us chooses to journey, we choose our direction and we make choices about each aspect of our attentions. It is worth acknowledging the busyness of our lives and the need to find ‘sacred time and space’, no matter how old we are or where we feel we sit on our Christian walk.

We could see ourselves as “everyday pilgrims” … 

We have each grown within a family and no matter what form or style that family takes, we have been nurtured, moulded, tweaked and sometimes fairly prodded into the exquisite creatures we have become today!

We journey together with family - there’s no avoiding it usually. We are creatures who came into being not only by genetics, but through family experience, birth order, opportunities and struggles faced.

We journey together as members of this school community.

We journey with our creator God. God who has designed us, God who daily walks beside us. With maturity comes changing perspectives of God, with searching comes answers and often more questions!

We are pilgrims - on a journey, a journey of a lifetime and then some. God needs us to be hands and feet in this world. God has called us by name and calls us to have courage and conviction to make a difference. We CAN be pilgrims, working towards God’s plan for this world and for our own lives. We CAN always walk alongside family and friends no matter how old we (or they) are. God walks beside us and gives us the strength we need.

Upcoming Services

Friday 21 July: St Margaret’s Day, Philip Harris Sports Centre, Midday

Sunday 23 July: Old Girls’ Annual Eucharist, School Chapel, 9:30am

Sunday 6 August: Young Families’ Service, Chapel, 9am

Wednesday 9 August: Boarders’ Mid-term Eucharist, Chapel, 6pm

With every blessing on you and yours this week,

The Reverend Nicki Colledge 

Over the weekend, the girls shared their stories, listened to others and appreciated the gifts and talents they all have. The Year 12 girls facilitated the weekend and were outstanding in their approach to embracing difference. Our Boarder Captains, Christine Murr and Susanna Lehman, led the way and were equally as touched by how well the girls contributed.

Saturday involved the girls in learning how to make spring rolls and acai bowls as well as origami, yoga, hip hop dance classes, foot spas and traditional lantern making. We had many girls display their talents of whip cracking and time for them all to just sing and dance together. Music, particularly, has a way of bringing everyone together to dance and sing and you can see the real joy in each of the girls.

On Sunday, the girls woke up early to be involved in the ‘Amazing Race’. Again, the idea of this was for them to work together in teams to complete different challenges. Importantly, the older girls were able to demonstrate their leadership skills in keeping their team together, and showed the younger girls how to use public transport. For many of the younger boarders this was a valuable experience in learning how to use public transport with a ‘Go Card’.

The Closed Weekends are vital to community building and developing the girls’ sense of belonging in St Margaret’s and Boarding. This is their ‘home away from home’ and developing a deeper sense of acceptance is important to their growth and their ability to live in an increasingly global world.

Lesa Fowler 

I have met with many students already this term and thought it may be useful to include some of the ideas I have shared with them here. Students should endeavour to:

• focus from the beginning of the term
• make a schedule which they review every week - include learning time and relaxing time
• speak consistently with their teachers about their learning
• view each day as an opportunity to make some progress
• understand that there will be ups and downs in the learning journey regardless of age or experience to date

QCS News

This has been a busy week in terms of QCS. Students received some feedback on their recent practice tests, which will inform classroom sessions over the next few weeks. We began a series of Intensive Multiple Choice sessions on Friday afternoons and Monday lunchtimes and they sat a Practice Writing Task. General tutorials begin next week and I encourage all students to attend one of these each week between now and Week 8 when the tests are held.

Year 12 OP and Selection Rank Indications

Year 12 students will receive a letter with an updated OP/Selection Rank indication next week. The letter will explain the value of these indications and should be read carefully by girls and their parents.

Subject Selection

Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 will be experiencing a series of presentations over the next few weeks about the subjects on offer for study next year. These presentations, along with the Curriculum Handbooks the girls have received provide the foundation for the subject selection which occurs later in the term. The actual procedure for selecting subjects will be outlined in an email sent by Ms Gorrie just prior to the Subject Selection Evening being held on 7 August. Parents are encouraged to attend this evening which begins at 6pm and is being relocated to the Arts Centre Foyer. Presentations on the newly developed QCE system being implemented for the Year 12 students of 2020 and on the current OP system will be delivered with an opportunity for questions to be asked.

Year 12 Parent Information Evening

On Thursday 10 August from 5:30 until 6.30pm there will be an Information Session for Year 12 parents in the Independent Learning Centre. Students are welcome to attend as well. The purpose of this evening is to ensure that parents are aware of the process involved with the completion of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) forms. I will introduce the evening and Ms Elizabeth Johnston, the Careers Counsellor, will speak in detail about the process between now and the end of the year. There will be some time for questions at the end of the address.

Samantha Bolton 

YEAR 7
Academic Half Pockets: Kate Bloomfield, Amelia Butler-Wood, Lucy Craig, Sydney Crawford, Bella Griffiths, Kaitlyn Higgins, Mary Kinross, Stephanie Licina, Eva Matyear, Isla McWilliam, Emily Millar, Jordan Muduioa, Rosie Nehill, Millie Nucifora, Faith Phillips, Jessica Roberts, Alyce Warner, Zoe Wildman and Audrey Wren

Academic Full Pockets: Elinor Barry, Miyan Chia, Rachel Fitzgerald, Ruby Greenup, Georgie Herring, Eleanor Jewell, Holly Marchant, Emi McBride, Lily Shann, Isabel Stephens and Ella Woods

YEAR 8
Progress Certificates: Hannah Baird and Jemmah Ronsen

Progress Certificate and Academic Half Pocket: Morgan Wright

Academic Half Pocket: Olivia Donoghue, Paloma Fajardo, Hayley Forster, Casandra Mantis, Jorja Maundrell, Ada McKie, Taylah Murphy, Meleia Richardson, Rachel Sands, Sofia Turner Garcia, Eva Young and Chloe Ziegenfuss

Academic Full Pocket: Teneille Allen, Paige Bastian, Zara Campbell, Estella Caro, Samantha Cooper, Georgie Gaspar, Hanna Gustafsson, Yolanda Hunt, Ashleigh Pomeroy, Celia Quinn and Ashleigh Witenden

YEAR 9
Progress Certificates: Lily-Kate Charles, Christina Garvey, Mackenzie O'Brien

Progress Certificate and Academic Half Pocket: Elizabeth Bambling

Academic Half Pocket: Rose Couper, Jazmin Goudge, Indigo Hill, Olivia Howard, Victoria Leach, Sophie Leggett, Bianca Licina, Eloise Matyear, Sarah Mitic, Madeleine Rackemann, Sopheena Toovey and Charlotte Willersdorf

Progress Certificate and Academic Full Pocket: Natalie Bluett, Cyrah Finlayson, Rebecca Lauder, Poppy McGown, Rena Mori, Tamika Tran and Imogen Tsien

Academic Full Pocket: Isobel Barry, Eva Campbell, Leilani Chia, Sophia Colledge, Brenna Cox, Lucinda Davidson, Margot Davis, Zali Fisher, Sophie Gerlach-Zuch, Alexandra Hope, Alice O'Driscoll, Emily Pitt, Alyssa Renaut, Amelia Simpson, Isabel Vittone-Taylor and Harriet Warby

YEAR 10
Progress Certificate: Isabelle Cox

Academic Half Pocket: Rose Biddulph, Lillyana Bowden, Ellen Brennan, Bella Donaldson, Lucy Gaspar, Bella Gray, Matilda Palmer, Amira Ryan, Amelia Stapley, Olivia Trempus, Georgia Trier and Charlotte Wala

Academic Full Pocket: Chloe Bloomfield, Kelsey Booth, Isabella Corby-Bakkelund, Sophie Cosgrove, Lily Devereaux, Elizabeth Fowler, Bridie Hunter, Ella Leavey, Georgia Marshall, Hilary McKie, Samantha Morgan, Megan Roxburgh and Emily Woods

YEAR 11
Progress Certificate: Man Wa (Mina) Tsang

Academic Half Pocket: Meg Armstrong, Penelope Crothers, Katharine Fleming, Laura Gatenby, Nothabo Monica Mpofu, Hannah O'Brien, Isabella Pugliese and Yan Wah (Scarlett) Wong

Progress Certificate and Academic Half Pocket: Yuxi (Chloe) Su

Academic Full Pocket: Lara Crouch, Jiangwan (Serina) He, Yi Tung (Selina) Kwok, Yang (Tracy) Li, Natasha Licina, Xanthe Lowe-Brown, Jordan Small and Olivia Zappala

YEAR 12
Progress Certificates: Harriet Biddulph, Freya Callway, Abbey Childs, Emily Green, Lam Shan (Linda) Lee, Susanna Lehman, Wenyu (Celia) Li, Yiu Hei Li, Georgina Liddy, Jondayah Martin, Elizabeth Panau, Maddison Raffe, Konatsu Saito, Yuxin (Tegan) Wang, Zara Warby and Madison Young

Progress Certificate and Academic Half Pocket: Madeleine Graham, Isabella Thomas and Bronte Thompson

Academic Half Pocket: Emily Brand, Charlotte Cosgrove, Lucinda Crouch, Samantha Davidson, Zara Hepple, Hannah Lane, Charlotte Lisle, Lucy McGilvray, Georgina Rankine, Niamh Reid, Sophie Ryan, Ella van den Berg-Leaney and Edwina Whyte

Progress Certificate and Academic Full Pocket: Isabella Burdon, Chi Ting (Kelly) Chan, Eloise Whittaker and XiaoWei (Katrina) Zhang

Academic Full Pocket: Phoebe Coates, Georgia Duhig, Zoe Giles, Arisa Ihara, Annabel Kennedy, Allison King, Isabella Montagu, Ayla Newman, Gi Young Seo, Huiling (Linda) Wang and Hannah Witenden

At this assembly, the girls were reminded that even though the assembly was about results, it is important for all girls to reflect on the process of learning as it is through the process we can find the remedies to our shortcomings as learners. Here is part of my speech in which I have challenged the girls to continue to own, strive and be active in their learning: 

When we develop expectations, we paint a vivid picture in our head of how things are going to be, look and feel. "I'm going to be organised and stay on top of all my assessment!" But what happens if you're like me when I was younger, and you realise the day before the assignment is due and you think, "Dang! I forgot to keep up with my organisational plans!" 

Today, I want to dare you… 

Use Learning Analytics to set your learning expectations of yourself. Use teacher feedback to help set these goals and think about the process of learning. All students from Years 7-12 will use Form time in the coming weeks to think about and write these goals. 

Here are my dares…

1. Become conscious of your expectations. Acknowledge expectations as they will help you set more realistic goals.
2. Do some heavy vetting. Try not to expect outcomes you can't control. Try not to set goals around results, instead plan them around the process of learning.
3. Drop the prerequisites. There are no conditions on goal setting, as long as you take your rightful place as an active and ethical participant in the classroom… not play it safe though passive imitation and compliancy. Embrace the challenges and learn with grit!

Remember, learning matters more than knowing - develop relentless curiosity, be an agile learner and be open to all learning and possibilities.

Being open to all learning is important throughout your whole life. Even teachers need to revise, review and rewrite. 2018 will see changes to the curriculum program for the Secondary School as we move towards the new process for Senior Schooling in 2020. Part of this process has seen us review and change the parameters surrounding the award of Academic Pockets. This is part of the School’s commitment to deep and rigorous learning. An Academic Pocket will now be awarded to students who receive a Grade Point Average of 13.5 with no result lower than a B. There will no longer be full and half pockets, but just one pocket in recognition of very high academic achievement. This change is the result of a thorough analysis of pockets awarded over the past four years, and research relating to academic awards in a broad range of contexts. Together this revealed that one would expect approximately ten percent (10%) of a group of students to be awarded an academic award. Progress Certificates will continue to be presented to those girls who make an improvement in their GPA by one whole point. 2018 will also see changes to the process for awards at Speech Night. There will be more information regarding this in the coming Semester.

Supervised Study Sessions
Supervised Study Sessions have started and they run every Monday and Thursday until 7 September, from 5:00-7:30pm in the Eunice Resource Centre. These sessions are supervised by tutors from St Margaret’s College and have been a great support to the girls who attend. Bookings for the all sessions for the term can be done through FlexiSchools on the School’s website.

Nicole Devlin 

• Leave priority seating free for those who need it
• Avoid disturbing other passengers with high volume noise (e.g. loud music, phone calls and shouting among groups)
• Move toward the back of crowded buses for new passengers to board and exit freely
• Saying good day and thank you are also always appreciated

The Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses provides clear processes for dealing with misconduct and outlines consequences for students who misbehave. The Code encourages all students to be safe and responsible passengers. Information sheets which support this Code can be found by clicking on the links below:

Information for Students http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/travel-information/network-information/school/code-of-conduct-student-factsheet.pdf

Information for Parents/Carers http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/travel-information/network-information/school/code-of-conduct-parents-carers-factsheet.pdf

St Margaret’s Day

Students are looking forward in anticipation to our St Margaret’s Day celebrations to be held this Friday 21 July. Our Year 11 students will be assisting with the speeches and ushering at the special assembly, while the senior students have organised House picnics and activities for all students to participate in prior to the St Margaret’s Run.

Nikki Townsend 

Each year a theme is identified by the Book Council and this year’s theme is “Escape to Everywhere”. Last year and in some past years, we have reflected this theme in our Arts Spectacular evening. This year for the first time, Book Week will conclude with Arts Spectacular on Friday 25 August at 6:30pm. So, the parents of Years 5 and 6 will experience the theme through a spectacular of singing, dancing and visual arts.

Families of Pre-Prep to Year 4 will have the opportunity to watch the Book Character Parade on Thursday 24 August. These girls will relish the experience of parading their costume in Eton Hall on the catwalk in front of a backdrop. Costumes may reflect the theme or a favourite book character. Girls in Years 5 and 6 will not parade on this day as they will be saving their creations for their big event the following night. These girls will come in simple costumes of book characters and support the younger girls and their visitors.

Throughout Book Week there will be special activities in the Library and the Atrium. More details and an invitation will be issued in the upcoming weeks.

This special week is a celebration that focuses on reading and the love of it. Providing opportunities to experience literature allows a child to enter into and become involved in a book. One of the best ways to interest children in books is to surround children with many of the finest books. Once children have been surrounded by books they need time to read and listen to stories. It is very important to expose children to a wide variety of literature: prose and poetry, realism and fantasy, contemporary and historical fiction, traditional and modern.

Each classroom teacher provides the opportunity for their students to experience the different forms of literature by reading to them, exploring them in library and time to read silently. It is during these experiences, both at home and at school, that students experience book language.

“The experience of book language cannot be over-estimated. It gives children - and adults - the subtle shades of words they need to express their wants, their worries and their questions. It helps them to be purposely hilarious. It assists their thinking about their philosophy of life.”

Mem Fox

The staff and students are looking forward to celebrating Book Week as we “Escape through Books to Everywhere”. Don’t forget to put these dates in your diary. 

 Angela Drysdale

The concert will be held in Eton Hall and begins at 6:30pm, concluding at approximately 8:00pm. The cost of admission is $5 adults, free for students/children. Please join us for pre-concert refreshments, generously provided by the Music Support Group, in Eton Courtyard from 6:00pm.

Music Tour 2018

A part of the St Margaret’s Strategic Plan is to broaden students’ horizons and provide them with opportunities to connect with global communities. In line with this, the Music Department is very excited to offer the girls the opportunity to join with student musicians from around the world in the Summa Cum Laude Festival which will occur in Vienna, Austria during the June/July holidays in 2018. Students will have the opportunity to perform in world class venues such as the Musikverein, home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as participate in workshops provided by the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts. The tour will also include time in Prague and Salzburg where students will visit and perform in sites of historical and musical significance. The tour will be open to students in Years 8-12 (2018). A meeting will be organised in the near future to provide parents with further details. A draft itinerary is attached (PDF 1.1MB) for your perusal. We look forward to having many girls involved!

Community Choir

Community Choir will commence rehearsals from Thursday evening next week (27 July). This is always a fantastic way of engaging with the St Margaret’s community through the medium of music. This year, the Community Choir will again participate in our annual Classics in the Cathedral concert held in St John’s Cathedral singing Leonard Cohen’s classic Hallelujah, as well as in the whole of school Choral Concert held in Eton Hall at the end of Term 3. There is no need to register in advance for the choir - just come along to the first rehearsal next week in the Drama Room (directly below the Arts Centre Foyer). Please find attached a letter (PDF 222.1KB) with further details, and feel free to advertise the information to family and friends!

Congratulations to Rena Mori

Congratulations to Rena Mori (Year 9) who recently participated in the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy in Sydney during the first week of Term 3 for an inspirational week of intensive rehearsals and performances with ACO musicians. The event culminated with a concert given in the Sydney City Recital Hall. The ACO, under the direction of Richard Tognetti, is arguably one of the best chamber orchestras in the world. Rena was one of only 22 students chosen from around Australia to participate in the event, and she was one of only a small number to be awarded a scholarship to be involved. Only two students were chosen from Queensland and Rena was the only student from Brisbane to be accepted in the program. This is an outstanding achievement. Well done Rena!

Music Support Group Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be on Tuesday 1 August at 5:00pm in the Primary Music Room (second floor of Chaseley). Parents from both the Primary and Secondary Schools are welcome to attend.

Brad King 

St Margaret's 2017 Age Champions
Junior: Elizabeth Ekeledo-Smith
Intermediate: Tyla Proctor
Senior: Annabelle Warner 

St Margaret's Gift
Vanessa Haynes

Winter Fixtures
The girls returned to their sport training clinics on the student fee day in preparation for the weekend’s first round of winter fixtures. The girls opened the season well with Senior A and Junior B Tennis winning and the Opens losing by a marginal 1 game. Across the Hockey, the Open girls had a bye, the Junior B won their match and Junior A fought hard but lost. Our Volleyball teams had similar results to Hockey winning two of their four matches. The Year 8 girls entered their second QGSSSA season with an exciting opening win with the match still undecided until the final stages of the third set. The Netball teams won half of the games with the Year 7A and C teams having success for their first time in the QG competition. The Year 10 girls dominated winning the 10A and B games with large margins and finally our girls in 8C had a close win. Congratulations to all the girls and coaches on a successful week.

Draws and match times are available along with this term’s busy training schedule across the team apps. I would encourage you all to join these if you haven’t already done this.

Over the holidays I came across some tips on how to be a ‘good’ sporting parent and I thought that the beginning of a new season would be timely to share them: 

• Children are involved in sport for their enjoyment not yours.
• Be a role model by supporting your child.
• Respect all decisions made by coaches, referees and officials. There is a process to follow if you have a grievance.
• Do not coach your child in games or training (This one is my biggest challenge!)
• Applaud effort and hard work, as well as success.
• Encourage children to accept the umpire’s decision and play by the rules.
• Be respectful towards opposing spectators.
• Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.
• After the match acknowledge a win or a loss without false praise.

As the weather is cooler and girls require their tracksuits it is an expectation the tracksuit is worn in full over winter sport uniforms with the sports cap or visor to and from sporting fixtures. For those girls who were unable to finalise their uniform at the end of term please ensure this is finalised before the weekend.

Day girls are asked to meet their coaches at the various venues thirty minutes prior to their game for the team warm up and they may be required to assist with scoring in the following rounds of play. As busy parents there may be times when you are unable to take your daughter to their fixture. There is always transport from St Margaret’s to all fixtures departing from Butler Street at 6:30am returning after matches. If your daughter requires transport please let your sport coordinator know.

2017 Winter Sport Coordinators
Hockey: Talia O’Callaghan tocallaghan@stmargarets.qld.edu.au
Tennis: Delia Eastland deastland@stmargarets.qld.edu.au
Volleyball: Desley Upton dupton@stmargarets.qld.edu.au
Netball: Hayley Mann hmann@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

The holiday period saw the St Margaret’s Rowers hard at work with training camps taking place in the first and last weeks. The girls are very excited about this weekend’s first regatta at the new venue of Wyaralong Dam. Looking ahead to the forecast it looks like it might be a cool start to the season. Jared Bidwell has highlighted specific information on the team app about what to bring and wear. One note for parents is that the venue is dog free in 2017. Please arrive with some spare time before your daughter’s race as there is a shuttle bus from the carpark to the supporters’ headland. Wishing all the girls much luck, especially our Year 8s embarking on their first competition. Buses depart from Butler Street at 5:30am and return to the boatshed at 3pm.

Club Netball
The Club Netball season is coming to a close this weekend for the junior teams. I would like to thank all the team managers and coaches for their hard work across this successful season. A celebration will be held next Tuesday 25 July at Windsor Park with finalised details available on the team app. For the senior teams, in the club competition we have four or five teams who have qualified for the finals campaign and I wish them well over the next few weeks and look forward to sharing their results with you.

State Cross Country Championships
The State Cross Country Championships were held over the weekend with St Margaret’s well represented. In the 10 Year girls event Milla Roberts ran at her first State Championships and finished in the top ten. Lara Crouch won the 16 Year girls and her sister Lucinda, who was named the Metropolitan North Team Captain, won the 17 Year girls. We also entered a team to compete in the schools event and the girls finished a commendable 2nd. Congratulations to Lara Crouch, Bella Donaldson, Julia Elks, Chloe Fenwicke, Ciana Jamieson, and Chloe Ziegenfuss who ran in this team.

Nicky Barrie

Two of our St Margaret’s students, Sophie Cosgrove and Imogen Morison, are currently on their exchange at St Anne’s in South Africa and we wish them well.

In addition, the following St Margaret’s students have returned from exchange: Chloe Bloomfield and Olivia Trempus (Shawnigan Lake, Canada); Lillyana Bowden, Emily O’Neill and Skye Littlewood (St Anne’s, South Africa), Claudia Bosworth and Tessa Sprott (Crofton House, Canada), Gabriella Sedgwick and Laura Manly (St Stephen’s, Hong Kong).

IMPORTANT:

• Applications for the 2018 Global Exchange Program close on Friday 21 July 2017.
• Applications can be submitted to Ms Achari either via email: aachari@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or a hard copy can be submitted at Main Reception.
• All applicants will be required to sit a 15-20min online Cultural Competence test at a nominated time between 24 July and 4 August.
• Panel interviews will occur during the weeks of 7-11 and 14-18 August and each applicant is required to do a 2-min PowerPoint presentation.
• Applicants will be informed of outcome via email on Tuesday 12 September.

I would like to encourage all Year 9 students to apply for the 2018 Global Exchange Program as this is an enriching opportunity to appreciate the diversity of learning, cultural experiences overseas and life-long friendships.

Angelin Achari 

Our current residents attend UQ, QUT, Griffith University South Bank Campus and ACU. With good public transport links, the College is fully inclusive of board, utilities, Wi-Fi and incorporates a Student Success Program with access to tutoring, network events and employment opportunities at the adjacent St Margaret’s Anglican Girl’s School.

Please click here (PDF 562.3KB) to view further information.

Dr Kylie Armstrong 

Critics could not believe that Emily had never heard of abstraction or modernist methods of painting as her work looked as though it had been informed by those styles. Emily’s influence was exclusively her country and her dreaming - elements of the landscape and food sources.

Her pieces are owned by major art galleries across the world as well as individual collectors and investors.

We are thrilled to look after ‘My Country’ by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, on loan from two St Margaret’s families and Michael Eather (Fireworks Gallery) who co-own the work. It is a real privilege for us all to be able to view it on a daily basis as we use the Library.

'Heritage'

As I write, I am watching sculptor Graham Radcliffe installing ‘Heritage’, a marble sculpture designed especially for St Margaret’s Barley-Sugar Garden.

This has been another project of Friends of Mayo, with funds raised from the activities of the last year or so, including the 2016 Mayo Festival. It has taken twelve months, so we are thrilled to see it come to fruition. Graham and his wife Margit live and work on an amazing property at Mt Glorious called ‘Phoenix Sculpture Garden’ which is open to the public each Sunday. It is a very special day out, especially if you have a chance to chat with Graham and Margit.

It is serendipitous that it will be ready for St Margaret’s Day which is lovely timing considering the design is based on the celtic heritage of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent. We hope that it will be a very special part of the story of St Margaret’s for generations to come.

Jenny Lishman 

Tickets are available for sale via Flexischools. Select this link to purchase your ticket.

ST MARGARET’S P&F ASSOCIATION

P&F General Meeting

The P&F invites the school community to share their views and ideas at the General Meetings. Our next meeting will be held in the Arts Centre Foyer on Monday 31 July 2017 from 6:30 to 8pm.

P&F Event Dates 2017

Our next Event is the Fathers’ Dinner. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for all Fathers and male role models to meet and enjoy a sumptuous two course dinner and drinks.

Date: Friday 28 July 2017

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

Venue: Eton Hall

Cost:  $95.00 per person  which includes a two course dinner and drinks

RSVP: Wednesday 26 July 2017

In the event the online ticket sales reach room capacity prior to this date, the opportunity to purchase tickets will cease and the event will be considered SOLD OUT.

Select this link and book your ticket today.

TRIVIA NIGHT

The P&F Netball Support Group will be hosting a Trivia Night in Eton Hall on Saturday 5 August at 6:30pm. All money raised will go towards improvements to Windsor Park.

Come along for a night of entertainment, fabulous 80s music, trivia, great prizes and plenty of laughs. BYO Food (bring a cheese platter or order a pizza!) Cash/EFTPOS bar.

Tickets are $20 per person on tables of 10. To book your table, please contact Megan Stanley on 0434 212 247 or email meganstanley@live.com.au. RSVP by Wednesday 26 July.

OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

This month is School Reunion Month! Thank you to all the past students in our community who have purchased tickets. The community engagement in terms of numbers are fantastic and we look forward to welcoming the reunion years back to school in the coming days.

If you have any last-minute ticketing enquiries, please contact our office on 3862 0768 or 3862 0765.

10 Year Reunion - Class of 2007 - Friday 21 July 2017, 6:30-9:00pm

20 Year Reunion - Class of 1997 - Saturday 22 July 2017, 12:00-2:30pm

30 Year Reunion - Class of 1987 - Friday 21 July 2017, 6:30-9:00pm

40 Year Reunion - Class of 1977 - Saturday 22 July 2017, 12:00-2:30pm

50 Year Reunion - Class of 1967 - Saturday 22 July 2017, 12:00-2:30pm

60 Year Reunion - Class of 1957 - Saturday 22 July 2017, 12:00-2:30pm

Chapel Service and Morning Tea - Sunday 23 July 2017, 9:30-12:00pm

1938-1956 (60+) Year Reunion - Monday 24 July 2017, 12:00-2:30pm

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

Friends of Mayo Long Lunch

Our hugely popular Friends of MAYO Long Lunch will be held on Sunday 6 August 2017. Don't miss out on a seat at the table laden with sumptuous French cuisine paired with beautiful wines.

Guests will also be treated to selected art works from Edwina Corlette Gallery, Brunswick Street, New Farm.

RSVP: Friday 28 July, unless SOLD OUT prior. Tickets are on sale via Flexischools.

Luanne Wishart 

Engineering and Technology Careers Evening 2017
Do you want an exciting and fast-paced career, qualifications that will enable you to work around the world and the skills to solve both local and global challenges? You can have all this and more with a career in Engineering and Technology!

At UQ's 2017 Engineering and Technology Careers Evening, you will have the opportunity to:

• Hear from recent Engineering and Information Technology graduates about their experiences in industry
• Talk to academic staff and current students about the study options available at UQ
• Ask practicing engineers and technology innovators about job opportunities available in industry
• Discover why UQ provides students with the best foundation for careers in Engineering and Information Technology

The event will be held on Thursday 17 August from 6:00pm-8:00pm in the GHD Auditorium, Advanced Engineering Building (#49), The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus https://uqfuture.custhelp.com/rd?1=AvMo~wrADv8S~xb~Gv9S~yJNYPcr0C77Mv~A~z7~Pv8J&2=11497

Audition Information for Bachelor of Music (Honours) applications
The School of Music has released its audition information for Year 12 students wanting to enter the Bachelor of Music (Honours) program in 2018. Written applications for entry are due by Monday 14 August, with the on-campus audition process occurring between Saturday 16 and Saturday 30 September. Auditions are limited to students performing using classical orchestral instruments, classical guitar, piano and classical voice. https://music.uq.edu.au/about/auditions

School of Economics Scholarships
Applications are now open for two invaluable scholarship opportunities at the UQ School of Economics: The Year 12 Domestic Australian Scholarship and the Year 12 Equity and Diversity Scholarship.

The Year 12 Domestic Australian Scholarship is for outstanding Australian domestic students who are completing Year 12 studies. The successful candidate will receive a $5,000 bursary each year for three years. Applications close 3 November 2017.

The Year 12 Equity and Diversity is for students who can demonstrate a very keen interest in economics but who have faced educational disadvantage during high school. The successful candidate will receive a $5,000 bursary each year plus a mentoring scheme. Applications close 28 November 2017. https://economics.uq.edu.au/

Support for International Students under 18 years of age
If you have international students who will be aged 17 at the time they will commence their studies at UQ, The University of Queensland Student Services offers a supervision program which approves the accommodation, support and general welfare of unaccompanied international students under 18 years of age.

Applicants under the age of 18 will be identified in the admission process and an offer of admission will be conditional on the applicant submitting a completed International Student Supervision registration form signed by the applicant and their parent/legal custodian.

If the University accepts responsibility for accommodation and welfare arrangements, a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) alongside a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) letter will be issued, so applicants can then apply for a student visa. http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/u18-supervision

Bond University
You can apply direct to Bond right now. Applying online to study at Bond University is free and easy. We encourage you to lodge your application as soon as you have decided what you would like to study. There’s no application fee - no obligation to accept a place if it is offered - it simply gives you another option when it comes to making a decision about your future.

Applying for a scholarship is as simple as completing an additional section of the general Bond application form. In other words, there's no need to submit multiple applications. Your applications acts as both an application for a scholarship as well as an application to study at Bond University all in one form. Before you start an application, read our top scholarship application tips: https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/how-apply

The University of Queensland: Accommodation guarantee for new students
For students commencing study at UQ and looking for accommodation, UQ's accommodation services is providing guaranteed accommodation for eligible students before they arrive! Students who will be studying as an international, regional or interstate student at the St Lucia or Herston campuses will receive guaranteed accommodation through the UQ Colleges and UQ's external partners.

Upon application, students will receive an offer within five days, allowing them to plan and prepare for their move to Brisbane.

For information, contact Andrea Strachan:
Phone: 07 3365 1720
Email: a.strachan@uq.edu.au
Web: http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/guaranteed-accommodation

QUT For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
QUT’s Oodgeroo Unit offers the Centralised Assessment Selection Program entry pathway from mid-October for QTAC applicants who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and place QUT within their top three preferences. Applicants need to have their Confirmation of Australian Indigenous Heritage from a registered Indigenous corporation and as this process can take time, we recommend students and/or their parents start this process early.

QUT Additional entry requirements and scholarships in creative industries
For creative industries courses with additional entry requirements such as auditions, portfolios or interviews, students must apply online to QUT by 5pm on Friday 15 September as well as applying through QTAC. Students interested in creative industries can also access generous scholarships, ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, many of which are awarded based on creative ability.

QUT Open Day program now available - register your interest
Mark the date in your diary! Visit us on Sunday 30 July to find out everything you need to know about studying at QUT. Register your interest to receive event updates and go into the draw for a MacBook.

UNSW Open Day - Save the date: Saturday 2 September
Open Day is an opportunity for your students to get their first taste of university life. Attend lectures, chat with current staff and students, explore campus and find out if UNSW is the right place for them. Registration will open later this month. Visit openday.unsw.edu.au for more information.

QTAC:Selection guidelines for initial teacher education courses (pre-service teachers)
As part of the Australian Institute for Teaching and Leadership (AITSL) revised Standards and Procedures (2015), all applicants to initial teacher education courses (pre-service teachers) must satisfy both academic and non-academic entry criteria for selection to the course. This requirement applies for the 2018 tertiary admissions period onwards. Details may be found at: http://www.qtac.edu.au/courses---institutions/initial-teacher-education

KEY DATES:
Saturday 22 July: 9am-2pm, Australian Catholic University (ACU) Banyo
http://www.acu.edu.au/student_experience/student_life/experience_uni_before_you_start/Open_Day

Saturday 22 July: 2pm-6pm, Bond University Gold Coast
www.bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/see-yourself/open-day

Sunday 23 July: Griffith University - Nathan, Gold Coast, Southbank
www.griffith.edu.au/open-day

Sunday 23 July: 10am-2pm (TBC), Sunshine Coast University Sippy Downs

Sunday 30 July: 9am-3pm, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Gardens Point
https://www.qut.edu.au/study/events/qut-open-day

Elizabeth Johnston