eNews Archive Issue 34 - 2 November 2017

Parents can assist their daughters in normalising the challenge of thinking by encouraging their daughters to think widely and deeply in many informal settings at home.

Posing some interesting questions (while on family drives, at the dinner table or wherever is appropriate for your family) can be a stimulating activity and certainly helps to reinforce the educational partnership between the school and our families.

Here are some suggestions:

To help build big picture thinking and help people see connections, ask “What would happen if….

1. it never got dark? 
2. the rivers ran dry?
3. everyone ignored the law?
4. school did not exist?

To help build imagination; ask “How would you weigh a…

1. rhinoceros/giraffe?
2. bridge?
3. house?
4. star?

To help build critical and logical thinking and one’s ability to deduct, hypothesise, reason and seek evidence; ask “Why do you think…

1. bread goes mouldy if you don’t freeze it?
2. babies cry?
3. leaves fall when autumn comes?
4. hair goes grey when people age?

One of the most important things parents can do to encourage the development of problem-solving skills is to resist the temptation to always solve their daughter’s problems for her. Instead of providing solutions, I would encourage you to help your child come to her own solution by using questioning. This approach helps your daughter’s growing independence, to become capable and confident young women. They will become much less likely to say they can’t do things and will become effective problem solvers if they have been guided through their own thinking process, rather than being told what to do and how to respond.

Here are a few questions which can be asked:

“How could you do this?”

“Why is this an issue?”

“What are your options?”

“Have you done anything similar before?”

“What did you do then?”

“How did that turn out?”

According to Beau Lotto, the author of Deviate, The Science of Seeing Differently, we really don’t like to think because thinking is hard. To be less anxious, we need to persevere and expend energy to think about new ideas and new concepts (they may only be new to us rather than totally new) because ‘one of the most challenging things we can do is step into uncertainty.’ Thinking deeply will help us cope with uncertainty and give us the confidence that we can all learn and adapt.

Acknowledgment: Great Minds and How to Grow Them (Wendy Berliner and Debrorah Eyre)

Confirmed 2018 Term Dates

Ros Curtis 

There are beginning to be signs in the school that this year is coming to an end. I can imagine that as families, you can see that your daughters are becoming in need of a well-earned rest and are probably counting down until the holidays.

At school the staff are continuing to support the students right until the end of term. We are now embarking on our last pieces of assessment for the year and students must persist and work to their potential.

It is important though that they look after themselves and each other. They must ensure they are getting enough sleep, eat nutritious meals each day, and work at maintaining positive relationships with their family and friends around them.

I urge them to take the time to check in with their fellow classmates; it is amazing how a smile or a little bit of small talk (not in the middle of academic time though!) can really lift people when they are not feeling so great.

I wish all students well for their last pieces of assessment for the year.

Karen Gorrie 

The camp is called “Ichthus”, which is a Greek word for fish! Ichthus camps are run for Primary children in January, Years 7-9 in September and Years 10-12 in July.

The cost for the camp is $199 which covers all activities including messy games and an excursion. For more information check out: http://www.aycf.org.au/camping/ichthus/primary-ichthus/ or contact The Reverend Nicki on 3862 0716 or email: ncolledge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Upcoming Services

Friday 10 November - 2pm, Years 3-6 Eucharist, all are welcome!

Sunday 12 November - 9am, Eucharist for Young Families

Thursday 16 November - 10am, Thanksgiving Service St John’s Cathedral, Years 6-12

Friday 17 November - 2:15pm, P-2 Christmas Chapel, All are welcome!

Tuesday 28 November - 8:30am, Year 6 Graduation Chapel

Reflection

‘Religion’ can seem far removed from us and our needs at times. It can even feel intrusive and bothersome. But for many, small quiet tendrils of hope, faith and light can emerge gradually through moments of darkness. Glimmers of peace and understanding can enter our hearts and we find ourselves open to the possibilities of faith and the spirit. The small quiet voice of God may whisper feelings of love and comfort … and we may not see or hear them for what they are.

In all of life’s moments, from joy to grief, the sacred touch of our Creator may be found … sometimes all we need is time and patience … and a willingness to be touched.

Prayer

God of tenderness and strength, we pray for our newly announced leaders for 2018. May they each rise to the challenge set before them, lead with confidence and compassion and be forever mindful of those in need.

We lift to you, Spirit of Hope, those known to us who are unwell in body, mind or spirit. We pray for their carers and for those touched by their lives. Grant courage and peace of heart, and walk beside each of us as we journey through this life.

Amen

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,

The Reverend Nicki Colledge 

Last Thursday was our Yalari Brisbane dinner for 2017. We were really excited to get the opportunity to perform on stage. The Glennie girls joined us in our dance which was the highlight of the night for me. I am so proud of everyone for their efforts as it was the first time we were able to showcase Torres Strait Islander traditional dancing. We were nervous to show people our culture but we were very proud of our performance.

This night is always so special because, not only do we get to catch up with Yalari alumni and students from all the other schools in Queensland, there are also so many other people there to honour and support us on our journey. The event makes such a difference to the lives of Indigenous students around Australia. It was inspiring to hear from both Bruce Davidson and Waverly Stanley with their encouraging words and it really shows how much they do believe in us. As Yalari Captain, I would like to say thank you to all the girls for their efforts and particularly a big thank you to the seniors, Racy Lawton and Jondayah Martin and on behalf of all the Yalari girls, I wish them good luck in the journey ahead.

Johanna Loban

Yalari Captain 2017

Dimity Harris 

As you know we celebrate achievements of all sorts at St Margaret’s. When you hear the lists read you will hear the names of girls who have been awarded sporting prizes, prizes for the Arts and academic prizes. Among these academic prizes are the Honours and Commendation awards. I wanted to make sure that you understand how these awards are determined. 

Academic Honours Prizes are awarded based on a student’s GPA. A minimum GPA of 13 is required to be eligible. Only subjects which a student studies for three or more lessons a week are considered in these calculations, which are based on the results from Terms 1, 2 and 3. 

To calculate Commendation prizes teachers are asked to award an ‘A+ to E-’ for each student based on the following three criteria:

1. Academic effort in class throughout the year
2. Application to study and homework/projects throughout the year
3. Attitude to learning throughout the year

To receive a Commendation award a student must attain an A- average. 

On occasions like these there are always people who feel happy and those who feel disappointed. This is a normal part of being human. Just make sure that however you feel you think about how you behave. It is a powerful action to accept disappointment, to sit with it, to understand that it does not define you. In fact, disappointment or failure does not define you any more than joy and success do – in every moment whether it be one of joy or one of sorrow it is your behaviour which defines you. How do you treat others? How do you do things when no-one is watching? Last year I told you I did not win an academic prize at school. I did not hold a leadership position either. Was I disappointed? Absolutely! Did I always behave well? I’m not sure, but probably not always. There is a wonderful message from a woman who has written many wonderful messages – Maya Angelou (1928-2014): 

"You did then what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better." 

Perhaps one of the most important learnings we can take from education is that we can always do better…be better…  there is always a better way – this is a powerful and joyous idea and I hope you think about it. 

If you think that you should have received a prize and you haven’t, I encourage you to come and speak to me about it today. It is completely appropriate to inquire about this politely and respectfully. In fact, it is a very good checking mechanism for us. Girls winning prizes, you will receive a letter today that has a considerable amount of important information in it. Please read it carefully and take it home to your parents. It has details of the prize you have won and the expectations of you in terms of the Speech Night rehearsal and the actual evening. 

Samantha Bolton 

Picture this: It’s morning, and your daughter has already left for school. Passing by the kitchen table, you notice her diagram of the solar system lying on one of the chairs, right next to where she was doing her homework the night before. She worked for over an hour on that diagram, measuring each planet to get its size right relative to the others. She colored it carefully, used her neatest printing. It’s due today. And there it is, on a kitchen chair. It was an easy mistake; anyone could have made it. You could have made it. It’s a big grade, and you’re only a short drive away from school.

You have two choices:

(A) Take the homework to school. Within fifteen minutes, that diagram will be in her grateful hands. Also, your daughter will think you are amazing and wonderful.

(B) Leave it right where it is and let her face the consequences.

In her book, The Gift of Failure, teacher and author Jessica Lahey urges us to choose option B. It’s the harder choice, the one that goes against so many of our parenting instincts. But ultimately, letting our kids deal with the natural consequences of their actions will help them more quickly develop the skills they need to succeed. In her book, she lays out the research behind why this approach is so necessary, for our students to grow into responsible, self-directed, autonomous people.

Fail Now, Succeed Later

Pulling together research on motivation, growth mindset and cognitive psychology, along with insights from thought leaders like Daniel Pink, Lahey explains exactly how failure benefits kids.

“Small failures, when the stakes are relatively low and the potential for emotional and cognitive growth is high, are what psychologists Elizabeth and Robert Bjork call ‘desirable difficulties.’ Learning that comes with challenge is stored more effectively and more durably in the brain than learning that comes easily.”

That means if we make life too easy for our kids, if we rescue them from every fall, they will never learn the important lessons that will carry them through life. And this is most effective, as Lahey puts it, when the stakes are relatively low. That means the earlier we let our kids experience failure, the better off they’ll be.

As I read this book I was challenged as an educator to think about the process and practices that I take part in everyday and how my behaviours and words shape those students around me. It is that time of the year, the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom and the girls are working on finalising their school learning for the year. And although I often find myself using phrases like “what is the worst thing that can happen if you don’t do well” or “this is a safe place and the stakes are low, it is all about the learning”, I can’t help but validate that for the students these wise words do not always calm them, surprising I know! However, Lahey’s book like Lucy Clark’s book are good food for thought as we work with our young people who, according to recent Gallup Poll, are more anxious, more under pressure and often feel disengaged.

It is important to know that as a school we are always working with the girls to ensure they are feeling supported and prepared for these times of the year. Some strategies we have in place to support the girls to deal with this pressure are:

• Support network – Teachers, Heads of Faculty, Heads of Year and Samantha Bolton and I are always available to support the girls through their learning path.
• Sense of control – Teaching programs are designed so the girls are aware of what to learn and ways to systematically revise.
• Positive attitude and outlook – Through the Teaching and Learning program we assist the girls to see the bright side, to laugh at themselves and to appreciate the positives in life. People who are resilient to stressors have an optimistic attitude.
• Preparation – The more a young person prepares for a stressful situation, such as an exam, the easier it is to cope. Therefore, assistance is given to ensure the girls understand the preparation and planning they have put into studying towards a particular exam and how confident they feel about the material they are to be tested on.

It is important that you as parents also empower your daughter to be the author of her own learning. If your daughter is feeling like she needs more support, advise her to ask for help.

Nicole Devlin

Free dress expectations:

All students are expected to dress appropriately. This means:

• No exposed shoulders
• No exposed midriffs, low or loose necklines
• Hair tied back
• Enclosed foot wear, excluding Ugg boots
• Skirts, tailored shorts and dresses should be a reasonable length for modesty
• No ripped jeans
• No lycra bike pants, leggings or active wear

Students are not permitted to wear a mix of free dress day attire with the school uniform. We asks parents to support the School’s expectations.

Year 7 and 11 Buddy Activities

On Thursday 26 October, the Years 7 and 11 met in House groups to spend some quality time with their buddy. The students participated in activities suggested by the Year 7 cohort. A treasure hunt and scavenger hunt saw Tennyson and Kendall racing around the school. Herrick tested their knowledge of pop culture and St Margaret’s through trivia. Bede made some crafty locker decorations. Spenser decorated delicious cupcakes and Milton got competitive to play the card game ‘spoons’. Lawson and Chaucer had some fun in the sun with handball, skipping and a popular game played by many children across regional Queensland called ‘Fly’. Thanks to all the Form teachers who facilitated the activities.

Nikki Townsend 

Safety Rules

• We need rules to protect us, our homes, our friends and our community.

Things to Remember

• When visiting friends or playing sport, it’s important to remember your personal safety.

Recognise – Body Clues

• Our bodies tell us when we don’t feel safe through our Body Clues e.g. butterflies in your tummy, heart pounding and sweaty palms.
• We want you to recognise that there are dangers out there, but you can help to keep yourself safe. Be alert for the clues that warn us when something is unsafe. These clues can be as simple as smelling smoke which warns us there is a fire or a lock down alarm at school, or your body clues.

React

• If you feel scared, confused, sad or upset you need to React. This could even mean breaking a rule, like smashing a window to escape a fire or screaming “NO” to an adult.
• React by getting away from the danger. Remember to run to a safe location if you feel unsafe.

Report

• This means telling an adult in your life who cares about your safety when there is a problem. It’s an adult who can keep you safe from harm and who can make a situation safe again for you.

Speech Night

On Monday, the recipients of Speech Night awards were announced on Assembly. Previous to this the teachers had undergone a thorough process to identify these girls. If you would like more details about the process, it is clearly explained in the girls’ diary on Page 6 under Academic Awards and also outlined in eNews Issue 33 2017.

The girls will receive their awards at Speech Night on Tuesday 14 November. It is compulsory for all Years 5 and 6 girls to attend. The prize recipients are required to wear the white church dress and other girls in Years 5 and 6 may wear either their church dress or middy. Other Primary students in the audience are required to wear their middy.

Student Involvement

I often write about the many cultural, sporting and academic opportunities offered to the girls. Over the past week, the Primary girls have been involved in such endeavours with amazing results.

Sporting - Andrews Cup Softball

Congratulations to the staff and students who have been involved in the Andrews Cup Softball Teams. On Monday, the girls from Years 4 – 6 selected in the Andrews Cup teams competed in the annual Andrews Cup Softball Carnival. All girls played well and showed resilience and perseverance in many of their games.

Thank you to Morgan Rowe for her organisation and planning for the hosting of this event. Thank you Tahlia Butler for supporting the girls during the season and to Lauren Richards, Suzy Edwards and Sam Coleman who coached, and Georgina Stevenson who helped out on the day. Thank you to the Years 5 and 6 girls who assisted on the day and were fabulous ambassadors for the school.

Sporting Awards

The “Women in Sport Breakfast” is a yearly event which provides recognition of the incredible sporting talent amongst women and girls in Queensland. Lani McWilliam was nominated for the Junior Star Sporting Performance Award. Her nomination was due to her many sporting achievements this year which included City Districts Team for Swimming, City District Team and Met North Team for Netball as well as City Districts Team, Met North Team and State Team for Track and Field.

Lani was awarded with a certificate for her achievements in Swimming, Netball and Track and Field. She also won her 800m event at the State Track and Field Trials on Wednesday 11 October and will now compete at Nationals to be held in Adelaide on 4 December 2017.

Academic - Gateways Challenge

During the past fortnight, five teams entered the Gateways Challenge. The Years 5-6 Challenge was held at Churchie and the Years 3-4 was held at St Margaret’s. Teams had to solve four very different problems. Each team was given 30 minutes to solve each problem. All teams performed well.

Primary School Applications for Class Placement in 2018

Reminder: Primary School Applications for Class Placement for 2018 are due Monday 6 November. Unfortunately, no late forms can be accepted beyond this date. Please click here (PDF 337.1KB) to view the form.

Continuous Reporting

The following assessment results and feedback will be available after 3:30pm on Friday this week:

Year 5 Aboriginal Art

Year 6 Number Assessment

Upcoming Events

Angela Drysdale 

Music Dinner

The Music Dinner will be held on Friday 10 November, 6-9:30pm in Eton Hall. The Annual Music Dinner is an occasion where students and parents celebrate the culmination of a wonderful year of music at St Margaret’s. This year’s theme is ‘Disney’. The Music Dinner is open to students in Years 6-12 who have been involved in the following Co-curricular ensembles for the whole year: Amati Strings, Beath String Quartet, Stradivari Strings, Chamber Strings, Sculthorpe String Quartet, Belle Voci, Primary Chorale, Elevarsi Voices, Encorah, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Flute Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble, Regale Percussion Ensemble, Highly Strung, Senior Rock Band, Junior Rock Band and Stage Band. Please click here (PDF 230.5KB) for further details.

Private Music Students’ Recital

Well done to all girls who performed at the recital held on Wednesday afternoon in the Arts Centre Foyer. These events are excellent opportunities for girls to build confidence in solo music performance. Many wonderful performances were given from students on a variety of instruments and all are to be congratulated on their efforts.

Barley Sugar Garden Performance – Percussion Ensembles

Thank you to the Regale Percussion Ensemble and Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble for the fantastic performances given in the Barley Sugar Garden during morning tea on Wednesday.

Music Support Group Annual General Meeting

The Music Support Group AGM will be held on Tuesday 21 November 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 

Tyla Proctor – New Record 90m Hurdles, 4th Long Jump and 1st 100m

Holly Gall – Javelin 1st and Discus B 1st

Gabrielle Geldard – 100m 1st, 200m 3rd, 400m 6th

Ciana Jamieson – 1500m 3rd, 800m 3rd, 400m 6th

Lara Crouch – 1500m 1st, 800m and 400m 2nd

Lucinda Crouch – 1500 2nd and 800m 3rd

Bianca Licina – High Jump 2nd

Maicey Lynch – 800m and Long Jump 2nd

Genevieve Whitehead – Discus 1st

Elizabeth Gooden – Javelin 2nd

A final thank you to Mr Brown and his committed team of coaches who have worked with the girls throughout the season.

St Margaret’s Sports Awards

The 2017 Sports Awards were held on Friday 20 October. On this evening, the Most Valuable Players across all of the 18 sports played at St Margaret’s were recognised. A rising star in each sport is also presented along with girls who demonstrate the School values in their sport being awarded the St Margaret’s Spirit. This year, we celebrated 52 girls representing Met North at School Sport State Championships, 31 girls representing Queensland at National Championships and 9 Australian Representatives.

Our special guest for the night Bronte Barratt, a St Margaret’s Old Girl, has had a remarkable career as an Australian swimmer, claiming 21 international medals, four of which have been Olympic medals. In 2007, Bronte broke the oldest record in Australian swimming history for women when she cracked Tracey Wickham's 29-year-old record in the 400m freestyle. In the 2008 Olympic Games, Bronte competed in the 200m and 400m individual freestyle events and won gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay team, also breaking the world record at the time by a full six seconds. In 2009, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia "For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games". For her second Olympics, Bronte won the bronze medal in the women's 200m freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics. Bronte then capped off 11 years on the Australian swim team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. There, she swum in the 4x200m freestyle helping the team secure the silver medal. Bronte also managed a personal best in the 200m freestyle where she finished equal fifth. Our Sports Captains interviewed Bronte about the sacrifices and journey. Bronte left the girls with the message to make the most of their opportunities.

Thank you to our 2017 Sport Captains, Lucinda Crouch and Isabella Burdon, for hosting a wonderful celebration of Sport.

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Coach of the Year 2017 – Beck Meares – Tennis

Contribution to Sport 2017 – Kirsty Krynauw – Touch Football Coordinator, Teacher assistant in Softball, Cross Country and Athletics

Captains of the Year 2017 – Samantha Edwards and Zoe Garraway - Netball

ACHPER Women in Sport Breakfast

The ACHPER Women in Sport Breakfast was held last Wednesday and St Margaret’s was represented by 14 students. The Queensland Minister for Sport, The Honourable Michael (Mick) de Brenni launched a 15 million dollar campaign to improve facilities for girls sport, recognising that we have many young girls participating in the formerly male dominated sports with change room facilities that are inadequate for girls.

The theme for the breakfast focused on what sport provides students beyond school. The Athlete guests; Kate McCarthy - Brisbane Lions, Lucky Patterson - Paralympic Swimmer and Lucy Stirling - Rock Climbing had a clear message of commitment, teamwork, resilience and playing fair. They discussed how they narrow their focus in training and competition to focus on their own goals rather than other competitors. They also spoke of the opportunities their sport has given them and encouraged the girls to train hard and take every opportunity.

These girls received awards at the breakfast:

Highly Commended - Ciana Jamieson, Tyla Proctor, Chloe Fenwicke, Kirrily Siebenhausen, Holly Pilgrim, Lucinda Crouch and Lara Crouch

Commended - Kate Bloomfield and Lani McWilliam

Badminton

We have been the host school for the annual QGSSSA Badminton competition over the past three weeks. Our girls once again participated in huge numbers and played with spirit and determination. Some noteworthy results were found in the junior divisions with the Year 7A 6th, 7B a commendable 4th and congratulations to the girls in the Year 8A team who won the pennant. Thank you to our Captains, Natasha McGuire and Jessica Govan, Ms Kate Montgomery, Badminton Coordinator and the staff who assisted her this season.

Tennis

Despite the poor weather this term, the girls have had a very successful season. They finished their final rounds of the Knowles Cup in Toowoomba last weekend. This weekend, we will have the Open A team play in the finals at UQ Tennis Centre on Sunday. Congratulations to all the girls involved and a special thank you to Mrs Delia Eastland, Tennis Coordinator and Head Coach, Beck Meares.

Upcoming Trials

Girls have been sent the information for these sporting seasons:

• Cricket
• Senior Softball (current Years 9 to 11 students)
• Artistic Gymnastics
• Swimming
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Touch Football

If you would like to access the season information you can view this on the St Margaret’s School App. In 2018, we will no longer use Team App and will move to the School App and POD.

Nicky Barrie 

The focus of the day was to enhance Geographical Skills. An example of one of the sessions was an in-depth data analysis presentation by Mr Stein, Head of Global Studies. This session focused on the electronic app, Gapminder, to investigate statistical data relevant to this term’s assessment on challenging locations around the world. The day was full of fun, laughter and learning. It included several geographical quizzes where girls were in small groups competing for prizes. Below are some of the student reflections on the day:

One of the things I most enjoyed about the day was the fact that we were working in groups which encouraged team building and strengthening relationships with people we usually don’t interact with. This encouraged everyone to work together and use each other's strengths and help one another. When we did the quizzes towards the end I really enjoyed it, this is because everyone focused on one small question and worked hard to finish first. Coming up with the strategy was very helpful in finishing the sessions on time and fully complete.

The session that I found most helpful was definitely the data session. This session gave me a better understanding of what data is used for and how it can be misinterpreted. I realised that data is something that is important in answering question thoroughly and that using the right type of data is extremely important as well. This will help me in the future when answering question to do with data, and when I am analysing a lot of numbers and finding what is necessary and what is not. The way it was presented was amazing as it showed how to find the right data from all the different types.

Elyne Tighe, 7B

During the Geography incursion, I really enjoyed session three after lunch. This is because I felt that my team worked really well together and we were having a lot of fun playing interactive games and completing other written and reading activities. I also really enjoyed Mr Stein's presentation because it opened my eyes to helpful resources, and it was so exciting to see what varies between more liveable/less liveable locations. Yesterday, I learnt the capitals of countries, appearance of continents and languages spoken in Peru. This was so exciting for me as I now know more information about the places and locations I may experience in the future. I felt like the activities used to help us learn during the incursion were important, educational as well as being fun. I learnt that St Margaret's liveability/usefulness is very advanced and organised as well as being aesthetically pleasing. This is because each location has been organised into areas that are suitable for various things including meetings as well as eating. This means that the school can be transformed from formal areas into a more relaxed environment easily. I believe that the ACF, Library and, ILC are very advanced locations as they are perfect for formal information sessions as well as student studying and lessons.

Annabel Lauder, 7E

In Week 4, The Year 11 Ancient History class enjoyed an excursion to the Queensland Museum at Southbank to see the current exhibit, Gladiators, Heroes of the Colosseum.

The exhibition features more than 110 original artefacts including pieces of the Colosseum, authentic, elaborately decorated bronze gladiator helmets and original arms and armour preserved in the ashes of Pompeii.

Students were able to immerse themselves in the everyday lives of Ancient Roman gladiators with interactive games and displays that reveal who gladiators were, where they lived and how they trained. The whole focus on the excursion was an in-depth analysis of Primary Evidence in preparation for the Year 12 course.

In Term 2, 93 Geography students across Years 8 to 12 tested their core geographical skills and knowledge against over 70,000 students from 743 schools across Australia in the National Geography competition. The results have now been released and we would like to congratulate all students who took part in this competition.

The following girls performed at a very high level and received their certificates on Assembly this week:

Year 8

Distinction: Charlotte Aralar, Samantha Cooper, Estella Caro, Hayley Forster, Ashleigh Pomeroy, Anna Martin, Emma Arnott, Stella Pampellonne, Zara Campbell

High Distinction:

Top 2% - Tully Button

Top 3% - Celia Quinn

Top 6% - Georgia O’Driscoll

Top 10% - Arabella O’Neill, Yolanda Hunt, Elizabeth Ekeledo-Smith

Year 9

High Distinction: Top 2% - Sophie Gerlach-Zuch

Year 10

High Distinction: Top 10% - Isabella Corby-Bakkelund

Year 12

High Distinction: Top 10% - Lucy Arnott

In Week 3 of this term, the Year 10s had the opportunity to hear about the important support programs and charity operations run by St Vincent de Paul in their Religious and Values Education Class. Students heard from Anthony Forshaw, a member of the Youth Team of Vinnies, about how they can become volunteers themselves and help make a difference to those less fortunate within the community.

A huge well done to all staff and students involved in such fabulous learning activities.

Tom McCormick 

2nd Round Collection and Deliveries:
St Margaret’s Supplies Shop orders close Friday 17 November
Sequel Online orders close Sunday 19 November
Collection from St Margaret’s, Eton Hall Friday 19 January 2018 from 9am-2pm
Deliveries made between 2-16 January 2018

Speech Night - Church Dress Hire
Church Dress Hire begins Wednesday 1 November
Speech Night Tuesday 14 November
Hire Return (all year levels except Year 6) Monday 20 November
Year 6 Chapel Service Tuesday 28 November
Hire Return Year 6 Thursday 30 November

All students wishing to hire a church dress must have a ‘Hire form’ completed and signed by a parent/guardian at the time of hiring. These forms are available on the St Margaret’s website or from the Supplies Shop. There is a $100 deposit at time of hire with a $70 refund when the church dress is returned as per conditions on hire form. A late return may result in a late fee after Monday 20 November.

White fold down socks (not competition socks) $9, and a white ribbon for long hair $1, are also available for purchase from the Supplies Shop. Clean polished brown shoes are to be worn with the church dress.

Shop Trading Hours
Thursday 30 November 2017, End of Term 8am-2pm
Friday 1 December 2017,10am-2pm
Monday 4 December 2017, Shop Closed, 8am-2pm Appointments only
Tuesday 5 December 2017, Shop Closed, 8am-2pm Appointments only
Wednesday 6 December 2017, Shop Closed, 8am-2pm Appointments only
Shop closed from Thursday 7 December 2017
Shop reopens Monday 15 January 2018
Monday 15 January 2018 to Friday 19 January 2018, 9am-2pm
Monday 22 January 2018, Boarders only, 1pm-5pm
Tuesday 23 January 2018, Students return, 8am-2pm
Wednesday 24 January 2018, 10am-5pm
Thursday 25 January 2018, 8am-2pm
Friday 26 January 2018, Australia Day Public Holiday, Closed

All new students wishing to purchase uniforms before the end of 2017 will be required to make an appointment. 
A numbering system for ALL purchases will operate during the January 2018 trading hours. All parents and students wishing to purchase from the School Supplies Shop will be required to take a number and wait to be attended to.

Normal Trading Hours Resume from Monday 29 January 2018
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8am-2pm

Wednesday
10am-5pm

Public Holidays Closed

For all enquiries, please contact the School Supplies Shop on:
Phone:  07 3862 0776
Email:  suppliesshop@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Terisa Arnold 

P&F ASSOCIATION

The Family Directory

We will soon be launching advertising opportunities in our 2018 Family Directory. Businesses can gain valuable exposure to over 700 families in our school community by advertising in this full colour annual publication.

The Family Directory contains a lot of useful information including parent contact details by year group. To be listed in the Directory you will need to complete an online form with your details.

Further information with links to the advertising and contact forms will be distributed shortly.

Development and Community Office 

Bond University College Options Evening - Thursday 2 November
Are you unsure of what to do when you finish Year 12?
Bond University College offers alternative pathways to university studies and exciting career opportunities with a range of two-semester Preparation and Diploma programs. Our supported learning environment helps develop core academic skills, with direct entry to the Bond degree of your choice, while enjoying all the benefits (and fun!) of university life.

Best of all, students will complete their Bachelor degree at the same time as their friends at other universities, thanks to Bond’s three-semesters-per-year schedule. Applications are now open for our University Preparation Program and Diplomas in Business, Communication, Criminology, Health Sciences, International Hotel and Tourism Management, Law, Sports Management and Sustainable Environments and Planning, for start dates in January, May and September 2018. Read more and register here.

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. https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/how-apply

New Psychometric Testing as an entry requirement to the Bond Medical Program
The top 500 eligible applicants will be invited to complete a compulsory online psychometric assessment. Applicants will be required to pay a fee to sit the test. The results will identify 250 applicants who will be shortlisted and invited to attend an interview to gain selection into the Medical Program.

University of Sydney Info Day
Don’t miss the University’s Info Day on Saturday 16 December 2017. To find out more and keep up to date with the day’s activities, visit: www.sydney.edu.au/info-day

Queensland School of Film and Television
Workshop details:
Saturday 18 November, 9am to 1pm (half day) - FILM IT! Introduction Video Production
Saturday 25 November, 9am to 1pm (half day) - EDIT IT! Introduction to Editing Workshop

For more information please visit: https://qsft.qld.edu.au/

UQ 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/

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.

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, including a new video, may be found at: http://www.qtac.edu.au/courses---institutions/initial-teacher-education.

Students can upload their completed personal statements to their applications by logging in to QTAC Applications Services. Normal QTAC documentation due dates apply.

KEY DATES:

10 November
Due date to apply and submit documents for 17 November offer round

15 November
QCS Ttest results available in student learning accounts.
https://studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au/learning.html

17 November
Final day for Year 12 students: You must stay at school up to this day to be eligible to receive a QCE and OP.

8 December, 10am
Due date to supply documents to QTAC for 21 December offer round

15 December
QCAA posts QCEs, Senior Statements, Statements of Results, QCIA and Tertiary Entrance Statements to Year 12 students.

16 December
QCAA publishes Year 12 results and OPs in student learning accounts on the Student Connect website: https://studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au/learning.html

16 December – 22 December
Griffith University: Know Your Options
Chat online with our expert study advisers after you have received your tertiary entry score, to discuss your study options. Find out about pathways, entry requirements and program options, plus what you can do if your score was higher or lower than expected.

18 December
UQ OP Results Advice Night, Advanced Engineering Building, St Lucia campus, 4:00pm - 7:00pm. OP Results Advice Night is the perfect opportunity to discuss your study options at UQ after receiving your OP.

19 December
QUT: Real Decisions, Gardens Point Campus, 9am – 1pm
Throughout the day, staff and current students from each faculty will be on hand to answer your questions and provide advice on courses and career outcomes.

21 December 2017
QTAC offer round

9 January 2018, 10am
Due date to supply documents to QTAC for 16 January offer round

16 January 2018
QTAC January offer round

Elizabeth Johnston