eNews Archive Issue 10 - 28 March 2024

Ms Kate Montgomery is taking Long Service Leave in Term 2, and we welcome to the role of Acting Head of Year 9 Ms Collette Anderson. Thank you, too, to Ms Amanda Jansen who acted in the role of Dean of Students while Ms Nikki Townsend was Acting Deputy Principal, while Ms Karen Gorrie was on long service leave.

At the P and F meeting on Monday, I had the opportunity to take those present through the school’s Master Plan. I will do this with the students in Term 2; however, if you were not at the P and F meeting, I would encourage you to read about the plan (which is the result of two years of work by the School Council) in the Flyer magazine.

With Term 2 almost here, I will just alert you to just a few events which are held in Weeks 1 and 2.

• Secondary Interhouse Cross Country in the afternoon of Tuesday 16 April.
• The First Stroke – for parents of rowers – in the afternoon of Saturday 20 April
• The School’s Anzac Day Service will be held in the Philip Harris Gym on Wednesday 23 April at 9.40am. Parents are very welcome to attend.

I wish you all a holy Easter and a safe holiday break. I am looking forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday 16 April.

Ros Curtis

At the beginning of the term, all girls set SMART goals as part of either form class or academic advising sessions. While the Easter break allows for rest and recuperation and time with family, I strongly suggest that you speak to your daughter about her goals and, if needed, review them for the beginning of Term 2. It is easy to lose sight or forget about our goals when we are so busy moving from one task to the next in a bid to ‘fit it all in’. These conversations may evolve from discussions at Parent/Teacher interviews. Linking teacher feedback to student actions usually sees improvement in practice and, often, academic achievement.

I have encouraged our students to 'reboot' themselves over the break. This involves resting, reflecting and rejuvenating, fostering mental clarity, being creative and showing resilience, crucial for personal growth and wellbeing to prepare for another busy term ahead.

I do hope you have a restful holiday over Easter and enjoy some time with those you care about and I look forward to another great term.

Nikki Townsend

Yesterday, we celebrated our Whole School Easter Service, reflecting on the gift and struggle of being human, using a scene from Barbie for inspiration (Barbie Becomes Human Scene (youtube.com)). We reflected on the gift of freedom and the ability to make choices, and what criteria we can use to make healthy and life-giving choices. We finished with the reality of Good Friday and the death of Jesus, and the death experiences that humans face, and the promise of God to be present even in that experience, and that life will always triumph through these experiences. A big thank you to all the students and staff who made our Easter service such a beautiful celebration.

This has been a big term for our community. May the Easter holidays be a time for you to connect with your loved ones, renew and restore by doing the things that bring you joy, and to slow down.

Local Holy Week and Easter Services

Rev’d Jazz Dow

There was much laughter and cheers as all schools showcased their agility and sportsmanship during the event. Divided into teams and year levels, the tournament transcended mere competition, serving as a powerful catalyst for community building.

Amidst the backdrop of rigorous academic pursuits and extracurricular commitments, the touch football tournament on this final weekend of Term 1, provided an opportunity for students and staff alike to unwind and forge meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Whether they were sprinting across the field, strategising plays, or cheering from the sidelines, everyone contributed to the event.

One of the most striking aspects of the tournament was the inclusive atmosphere it fostered. Regardless of skill level or prior experience, participants were encouraged to join in the fun, emphasising the importance of participation and collaboration over individual prowess. This ethos not only reinforced the school's commitment to inclusivity but also nurtured a sense of belonging among all members of the boarding community.

One of our junior teams came away with an overall win of their age group which no doubt will be highly contested in next year’s tournament. This was a fantastic way for our boarding house to celebrate the end of term and we wish you a safe and restful Easter break.

Gracemere Mataia

The holidays are also an important time to relax and recharge. Recharging is crucial for building resilience as it allows us to replenish our physical, emotional and mental resources after a period of stress or depletion. Just like a battery needs to be recharged to continue functioning optimally, we also need to recharge to maintain our overall well-being and function at our best. Recharging can take many forms, such as engaging in activities that bring joy, practicing self-care, getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and taking breaks to relax and recharge. When we prioritise recharging, we can enhance our resilience, improve our ability to cope with challenges, and reduce the risk of burnout.

These holidays, you will find me spending time with family, reading books and exercising outside. I hope that you are able to find time for the activities that will recharge you.

Caitlin McCluskey

“Make sure you take a proper break – Ms McCluskey” – Lucy Williams, ’23.

Holidays provide us all with opportunity for quiet, unstructured time. It is through enabling the girls time for personal choice, solitude, reading for pleasure, and informal activity, that they can make sense of what happens to them at school, and of their continually changing perception of what life means and their place in it.

If you are fortunate to have time with your daughter during the holidays, I encourage you to provide periods of unstructured time to help her rest, rejuvenate and reflect.

I wish all St Margaret’s families a safe, happy and holy Easter.

Chris Dunn

Now, as we enter the school holidays, we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to take a breath and reflect on how we navigated the term. Although academics are central to our purpose at school, academic success is underpinned by a critical and strong foundation of student wellbeing. A crucial aspect of this foundation that is often compromised in pursuit of academic success is sleep. While it might sound simple, the importance of sleep cannot be underestimated or undervalued, and consistent studies make a clear connection between sleep and mental health. One of the many positives of the school holidays is that the reduced pace of day-to-day activities does offer students a chance to reevaluate their sleep routine and start breaking any potentially unhealthy habits in preparation for Term 2.

In speaking to this topic in her insightful and highly readable book Untangled, Lisa Damour offers strategies for parents to guide teenage girls through seven distinct transitions into adulthood. In assisting girls to navigate the final stage titled Caring for herself, Damour cites technology as the enemy of sleep and centres in on the importance of a healthy sleep environment free from digital devices. She proposes the following practical advice for the creation of optimal sleep patterns for teenage girls: schoolwork should be done at a desk and never on a bed or lounge (this turns environments of comfort into makeshift offices that blur the lines of downtime and work), devices should be turned off at least half an hour before bedtime, and phones should be stored and charged overnight outside of the bedroom. Damour also emphasises that girls need to see these habits modelled and in response to the science of sleep, not age-specific, thus avoiding your words being those of the opposition —the ‘high-handed adult criticising how today’s teens use technology.’

I hope the girls have a fabulous break full of family, friends, rest, and rejuvenation!

Amanda Jansen

Lisa Damour, Untangled, 2016

The Andrews Cup Competition and Interhouse Swimming each provided the opportunity for students to train and aim for personal best results, develop the opportunity to bounce back from disappointment, to win gracefully, to share in other’s success and be a team member. The inclement weather during the swimming carnival did not dampen the girls’ spirit or the teachers’ efforts, as one parent recorded in a thank- you email “the teachers had the girls organised while many of you were drenched to the bone all day and you all kept it moving forward.” Thank you to Morgan Rowe, Suzy Edwards and Lauren Richards for their preparation of the Interhouse Swimming Carnival and to the staff for their support throughout the day.

In the cultural arena, many students practised the skills of performing both as an individual and as members of a performance group and shared with the community at Open Day and many assemblies. Greater intercultural understanding was the outcome of the Konan Elementary visit last week. All students loved welcoming the visitors at a special assembly which was followed by the Year 5 and Pre-Prep students working alongside our visitors. Thank you to the staff of these year levels and Annette Box for ensuring our visitors had a memorable experience.   

Developing relationships with others was offered at two special Term 1 family events - the Twilight Service and Years 3 and 4 disco which were held last week. The staff ensured the girls and families shared an evening of fun and friendship. To witness the generosity of our school community was a wonderful way to conclude the term.

For over ten years, our primary school families have donated Easter eggs for children in foster care. These years of generosity have not gone unnoticed as this year we received a letter from the Regional Executive Director from Child Safety who expressed thanks to our families for their generosity “this has and will continue to make a difference to children who are away from their families during these special occasions”.

Together, all these experiences have gifted your child opportunities to develop attributes that will help them on their journey of life.

I wish everyone a safe and Holy Easter break.

Angela Drysdale

Last week, to immerse Year 5 students into the world of Public Speaking and highlight World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, Year 5 student Beatrix C delivered a moving and empowering speech to her cohort on what it is like to have autism. She came to school equipped with 100 ‘Values’ inspired cupcakes and friendship bands for the Year 5 teachers and students to help raise awareness, acceptance, and inclusion around autism. Beatrix passionately told her story of how she understands, experiences, and processes the world very differently to her peers. She likened her life to that of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, when she joined the human world, and found it difficult to communicate, fit in and navigate the ‘hidden’ rules and customs of life.

Beatrix spoke about her day-to-day challenges as a learner with autism but acknowledged that being neurodivergent is also her ‘superpower’. It means she has creative ideas and can problem solve from a different perspective, just like Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and her singing idol Billie Eilish. Speaking to an audience was Beatrix’s segue to introducing the Year 5 students to what it is like to participate in Public Speaking; a Term 2 and 3 event with our sister school St Aidan’s.

The public speaking experience is designed to assist the girls in being effective oral communicators as they prepare for leadership roles in Year 6. It boosts their self-confidence and increases their creative thinking skills as they prepare and deliver their speeches to an audience, a necessary skill for any student wishing to participate in our Year 6 debating club next year. Coinciding with Harmony Day, Beatrix’s message to her fellow students was to live the St Margaret’s Way by having the courage to be themselves, respect others who may think differently to them, and be inclusive of everyone.

Kylie Briggs – Year 5 Teacher

Student Congratulations

Congratulations to Nadia (Yr 11) who recently had her AMusAGMS graduation ceremony where she received her certificate with a High Distinction and along with the National Award for the highest score in the country. As part of the proceedings, Nadia was invited to perform. A video of the performance may be seen here:  AGMS National Award 2024: Nadia graduated AMUS with HD & National Award. - YouTube Congratulations to Nadia on this wonderful achievement!

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 5:00pm in the Circular Drive Classroom 01 (in front of the Arts Centre Foyer). We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

As we conclude the first three rounds of the season, I would like to highlight the outstanding achievements of a few standout teams. The Open Basketball team made an impressive start with 2 wins, 1 loss and as result share 2nd position on the QG ladder. Our Junior A Soccer team exhibited brilliance with 2 wins and 1 draw, securing the outright 2nd spot on the QG ladder. Notably, the 8A Touch Football team remain undefeated.

We eagerly await the concluding rounds of the season in Term 2 and look forward to supporting and cheering on our Maggies teams. Autumn Sport training will resume afterschool on the first day back of Term 2, Tuesday 16 April. Please note there is NO before school training on the first day back.

BWPI Club Water Polo Wrap

St Margaret's Club Water Polo enjoyed an exceptional season in the BWPI competition, embodying the Maggies spirit and delivering an exciting brand of water polo. With 15 teams participating in our program, an impressive 13 teams advanced to finals, with 9 teams progressing to the semi-finals. These outstanding results underscore the remarkable depth and talent of our Maggies players.

Notably, 6 teams advanced to the grand final matches, including the 16 Orange, 16 Blue, 15 Blue, 14 Orange, 14 Brown, and 12 Orange. These teams showcased immense courage, determination, and resilience both in and out of the pool. In thrilling encounters, our 16 Orange, 14 Orange, and 14 Brown teams proved too formidable for their opponents, securing BWPI premierships.

St Margaret’s extends heartfelt congratulations to these teams and all the players who represented our school throughout the season. Special appreciation goes to our dedicated coaches, led by Head Coach Zac Hudson, as well as our invaluable parent volunteers who served as team managers, table officials, crowd controllers, sausage sizzlers, and fundraisers. A sincere gratitude is extended to our Parent Support Group, under the leadership of Lisa Brown, for their tireless efforts behind the scenes. Thank you all for an outstanding season. We eagerly anticipate another exciting year ahead.

School Holidays Strength & Conditioning Programs

During the school holiday period, we are pleased to offer a series of strength and conditioning training sessions for secondary students. Whether you're looking to continue your training regimen or start afresh, all students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the following sessions:

• Tuesday 2 April

• Thursday 4 April

• Tuesday 9 April

• Thursday 11 April

Time: 8:00am-9:00am

Venue: St Margaret's Strength & Conditioning Gym

Uniform: Remains the same as during term - Navy HPE polo, St Margaret's sport shorts or bike pants.

SIGN UP HERE

For further information please contact Josh Partridge, Head of Athletics & Development via email: jpartridge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or visit the POD: The POD - Strength & Conditioning (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Latest Sport News and Information

For the latest sport news and information please check out the following Secondary School Sport POD Pages:

• Basketball (Autumn Sport) - (The POD - Secondary Basketball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Soccer (Autumn Sport) - (The POD - Secondary Football (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Touch Football (Autumn Sport) - (The POD - Secondary Touch Football (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Cross Country - The POD - Secondary Cross Country (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Club Netball -The POD - Club Netball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Rhythmic Gymnastics – The POD - Secondary Rhythmic Gymnastics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Rowing - The POD - Secondary Rowing (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Lloyd Knight

Blazer Pocket Embroidery

Blazers that require pocket embroidery must be submitted by morning tea on a Wednesday and take approximately two to three weeks to be returned to the Supplies Shop from collection. 

Student Card Purchases

Student Card fund top-ups

Please allow up to 24 hours for funds to clear when depositing funds onto student cards.

Flexischools daily limit

Please ensure the daily limit is set high enough to cover the cost of the uniform items being purchased. We will not be able to complete the purchase if there are insufficient funds available on the Student Card.

Winter items

The School Supplies Shop now has supply of the following winter uniform items in preparation for the cooler months:

• Formal jumper – both poly/cotton and wool/nylon
• Pre-Prep/Prep fleecy tracksuit
• School tracksuit jacket and pants
• School Scarf
• Winter Tights – St Margaret’s Brown

We would encourage all families to call into the Supplies Shop as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your preferred size.

We have fun-filled and exciting activities planned for our Student Free Day Program. Further details of the program can be found here (PDF 221.4KB). Boys and girls, siblings, friends and family welcome!

Please refer to the attached Information Guide for full booking terms and conditions. We are unable to accept bookings via email or text message. The OSHC registration and Debitsuccess form must be completed, signed and sent back to us to finalise your booking. Please read the information guide carefully as some information has changed. OSHC Registration and Debitsuccess can be completed via the My Family Lounge.

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR VACATION CARE BOOKING FORM VIA THE MY FAMILY LOUNGE APP

We are very excited to inform you that St Margaret’s OSHC has subscribed to a fantastic online Booking and Waitlist management program called QK Enrol. This program will give you access to manage your own account information, where you will have the ability to make bookings requests and allows you to complete and submit an online enrolment form for your child. You can do this and much, much more all within a parent portal called ’My Family Lounge’.

How do I log in?

Please navigate to the link below and either sign in with your existing My Family Lounge account or Register for an account if you do not already have one. Please note all families who have previously submitted an enrolment form will have an account already set up; all you will need to do is click ‘forgotten password’ and use the email address you used to receive this form.

https://www.qkenhanced.com.au/Account/Embeddable/?databaseId=9385

When making a Vacation Care booking please select Casual bookings, not Permanent.

What is the cost?*

Early Bird Fees: $63 per day

Early Bird Bookings close: 22 April 2024

Fees: $68 per day*

Bookings close: 29 April 2024

*Incursions and excursions incur additional costs. These are compulsory for all students and therefore you are able to claim CCS.

What are the hours of operation?

The service is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm.

How can I obtain more information?

If you would like further information regarding our OSHC Program or if you would like to make a booking, feel free to contact me on 0423 547 653 or email: oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Palu Ingram

Like all milestones, St Margaret’s wants to make its mark - by moving the overall fundraising needle to the million-dollar mark! It’s a bold target, so we are calling in the cavalry. We have raised more than $700,000, in nine years, so our goal is to raise close to $300,000 this year to reach our target.

To achieve this, we are calling for the involvement not only of students to cut their hair and donate, but also any other family members and alumni who’d like to #rockthechop – whether they live locally or outside of Brisbane.

If you are an Old Girl or past or current parent and would like to help us reach our target, we are asking you to register your interest so we can keep you up to date with the 2024 event. And some of you might need to start growing your mane now!

Can’t get to Brisbane? You can still be involved wherever you are by joining the fundraising page and getting your local hairdresser or a trusted friend to lop off your ponytail or consider holding your own event in a regional area or international city!

We’d love to connect our boarding families keen to be involved from afar – perhaps to even host a morning tea on the day.  

If you are interested in becoming involved, we have set up an Expression of Interest form where you can indicate what type of involvement you are interested in, and if you are in another town, we could connect you with other’s keen to be involved.

Click here to record your interest.

Ready to join the cause? You can register to participate in this year's Ponytail Project here using the passcode STM2024.

If you have any enquiries, please email Wendy Johnston, Director of Marketing and Communications, on wjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or call (07) 3862 0837.

Trish joined Tourism and Events Queensland as CEO in January 2023, after heading up Destination Gold Coast from February 2021 – December 2022 and following nine years with Townsville Enterprise, first as General Manager for Tourism and Events before being promoted to CEO, a position she held for five years.

With extensive experience in strategy development, advocacy, corporate communications, Government, stakeholder and media relations and marketing, Patricia has a proven record of working with communities to convert strategy into tangible outcomes.

Patricia has previously been accepted into the Australian American Young Leadership Dialogue, was named 2018 BOSS Young Executive by the Australian Financial Review and the recipient of the 2014 Australian Institute of Management – Young Manager of the Year Award for Queensland.

Event Details

Date:               Wednesday 1 May 2024
Time:              6.45am arrival for 7.00am - 8.45am
Location:        Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot
Format:          Sit down breakfast  

Tickets:           $85 Adult, $40 Student (Years 10-12/Tertiary)
Corporate tables: $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event.

To purchase tickets or a corporate table:Click Here

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners, Supporting Sponsors: Wolff Coffee Roasters, Downer, Clear Insurance, Move Recruitment Solutions and O’Reilly Shaw Family Lawyers.

Georgia Mitchell