eNews Archive Issue 12 - 26 April 2024

As the name implies, The Forest, provides much more significant green space and shade in the school for both primary and secondary students. The Forest is not only an aesthetic and functional space for our students, but hopefully one that helps with student wellbeing. UK, USA and Swedish researchers into the benefits of the outdoors and exposure to nature have found that even 120 minutes of time spent in nature each week can improve health and wellbeing (White et al., 2019). If we break this down, that is just 24 minutes a day in any school week.

Of course, reaping the benefits must be more than just spending time in greenspace or gardens and ignoring one’s surroundings; there must be an intentional engagement with nature. The benefits can include improvement to physical and mental health, and even improved life satisfaction. The researchers found that these benefits were only reported once people spent over 120 minutes per week in nature. If the time was below 120 minutes, there was no clear difference in wellbeing outcomes. Interestingly, if the time went above 120 minutes, there also wasn’t necessarily a significantly greater benefit. This led to the conclusion that 120 minutes per week could be the ideal threshold for impactful engagement with nature, that is, one that would produce positive and useful improvements in wellbeing and health.

Intentional engagement with nature can be both passive and active, but if one is physically in a nature-based space or intentionally engaging with nature, the health and productivity benefits can continue long after leaving that space. Some of these benefits can be experienced by a quick walk, eating lunch outside, walking through the space to class, watching the trees move in the breeze, or listening to the sounds of the trees. By paying attention to these things, one can intentionally engage with nature and obtain the benefits of wellbeing and productivity improvements. My wish for The Forest is that it will support the students to achieve the best holistic health and wellbeing outcomes possible.

Ros Curtis

References:

Ransom, H. (2024, April 1). Is nature the missing ingredient in your workplace wellness strategy? [Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nature-missing-ingredient-your-workplace-wellness-strategy-ransom-alvhc/?trackingId=rK2RfZEMQdyuB2t1o90Eyw%3D%3D.

White, M. P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J., Wheeler, B. W., Hartig, T., Warber, S. L., Bone, A., Depledge, M. H., & Fleming, L. E. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Nature Scientific Reports, 9(7730), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3

However, sometimes computers and technologies can become a distraction. At school we have systems in place that both monitor computer usage, but also lessons are structured so that students are not only using their computers, but engaging in discussions and other learning activities.

For homework and study, students often have to regulate their use of technology themselves, and this can be hard.

The below is a list of suggestions to help regulate study and homework routines and use of technology at home:

Have a separate workspace: Ideally the place where students are doing their homework and study shouldn’t be a place they go to relax, like their bedroom or lounge. Equally, the workspace doesn’t have to be in a lockable office area. It just needs to be a place, ideally with a desk or table with a comfortable chair, where other members of the household know is designated for study. Also, parents should be able to see the work and see the screen that the students are working from, to ensure online activities are safe and students are staying on task.

Focus on one distraction: The bizarre but true rule of productivity is that the busier you are, the more you’ll actually do. It is important for students not to succumb to some of the distractions of home, like turning on the TV, playing with the pet dog or making frequent visits to the fridge during times set aside for homework and study. Breaks are important and this is when students should choose one of these distractions as downtime, then go back to study and homework.

Look after your body: Make sure the area students are studying in is well-lit so they don’t strain their eyes. Also remember to eat well, drink lots of water, and schedule some daily exercise outside of study and homework times.

Make it hard to waste time on social media: Social media is designed to make it easy for people to open and browse quickly. Keeping phones out of the study space can help to counteract this. Otherwise, logging out of the apps, making it so that to access them they have to be logged into can also help as it is a bit more cumbersome to do this all the time and the novelty soon wears off!

Karen Gorrie

ANZAC Day brings to mind the many in our world who face violence and unrest as a daily reality, and we also remember them. At this time, we remember the people of Israel and Palestine and pray for peace.

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Important Dates

Years 4 – 6 Admission to Holy Communion Service, 6pm, Wednesday 1 May, St John’s Cathedral
Years 7 and 8 Family Service, 6pm, Wednesday 29 May, School Chapel
Confirmation Service, 6pm, Monday 10 June, School Chapel

Rev’d Jazz Dow

Engaging in social activities with other boarding schools can offer several benefits.

Interacting with students from other boarding schools can expand their social circle and create valuable connections that may benefit them in the future, whether it's for academic collaborations, career opportunities, or personal relationships.

Socialising with students from other boarding schools can improve students’ social skills, including communication, empathy, and teamwork. These skills are valuable for personal and professional development.

Boarding schools often attract students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Socialising with students from other schools allows for cultural exchange, fostering understanding and appreciation for different perspectives and traditions. It is a wonderful reunion also, if students are from the same regional area, small town or country.

Building relationships with students from other boarding schools can contribute to a sense of community within the broader boarding school network. This sense of belonging can enhance their overall wellbeing and satisfaction with their boarding school experience, creating lasting connections that extend beyond their time at school.

Our boarders are very grateful we have an activity and social calendar that continues to expand. We also look forward to expanding our senior boarders social calendar.

Gracemere Mataia

Year 10

Year 10 students are currently attending their Career Avenues follow up consultation. This forms a part of the subject selection process. In the coming weeks, students will also attend the Broadening Horizons Conference, Transition Day, Subject Selection evening and a Careers Expo. Following this, the girls will need to fill out their SET planning documentation and meet with a staff member to discuss their subject options for Years 11 and 12. Students are welcome to book in with me to discuss any questions they have throughout this process. Bookings can be made via the bookings tile on the Year 10 POD page.

From the end of Week 3, students and parents will be able to watch videos outlining each senior subject in preparation for their subject selection choices later in the term.

Caitlin McCluskey

This term the following staff will be hosting pre-service teachers from QUT: Ms Patrice Chappell, Mrs Courtney Burton, Ms Helen Philp, Ms Georgia Hopkins, Ms Jess Galpin, Mr Matt Ambrose, Ms Monique Mendham and Ms Georgia O’Brien.

These members of staff will be working with the pre-service teachers to develop their skills in preparation for demands connected with the teaching profession. These experiences are very powerful in that they provide real opportunities for the pre-service teacher to develop their proficiency in planning, organisation, classroom management, and teaching practice. 

I would like to welcome the pre-service teachers to St Margaret’s, and thank the supervising teachers for supporting these new teachers entering our wonderful profession.

Chris Dunn

Approaching learning with confidence is also an intentional decision and students are encouraged to ‘back themselves’ more and interpret their learning as a journey. Australian psychologist Andrew Fuller believes that “one of the most powerful ways we can build resilience is to have students discover how to be successful learners”. As learning can look messy and unorganised, strategies such as creating mind maps and discussing concepts learnt at school can contribute to increased confidence. Engaging in conversations where students explain ideas and teach us, their support team, consolidates learning and strengthens connections.

Nikki Townsend

References

Fuller, A. (2020) Building Learning Strengths. Generation Next.

It has been said that the root of joy is gratefulness. Gratitude is defined as ‘affirming that there are good things in the world – gifts and benefits that we’ve received – and recognising that these sources of goodness come from outside ourselves’ (Zakrzewski, 2013).

Research suggests that practising gratitude at a young age promotes later development of self-control and self-regulation: both qualities that contribute to lifelong success. For egocentric, 6- and 7-year-old children, gratitude can be fostered but it doesn’t fully materialise until ages 10-14 when students develop the ability to empathise.

Teachers and parents have a significant role in encouraging children, from an early age, to say why they are grateful. Adults should model this again and again for children to think more deeply in terms of why they are grateful for someone or something. Gratitude does start with the adults in a child’s life because, by modelling gratitude, you encourage your child to do the same and together you will value others more and strengthen your relationships.

As a school community, we can be grateful for staff, friends and loving families committed to giving children in our care the best education. This week, the wider community had the opportunity to be grateful and show appreciation for the country we live in. As a whole school community, we acknowledged ANZAC Day by paying homage to those who have fought for our country. Once again, we were fortunate to have Lieutenant Shane Bliss, representative of the Clayfield-Toombul RSL and parent, address the Assembly. He encouraged the audience on ANZAC Day, to not just think about the fallen but also about the courage and the bravery of those who came home.

He said: “acknowledge as best we can, the struggle that many endure from time to time, and offer thanks whenever we can. That acknowledgement goes a long way towards letting these people, past, present and in the future, know that they will never be alone, and we support them.”

It is these people who return home who build the country and uphold the values that they were prepared to put themselves in grave danger to protect. They may be your parents, or grandparents, they may be your teachers or a neighbour. They do not seek any particular attention, but they would be pleased to silently witness your acknowledgement.

I look to Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq as recent evidence of true ANZAC spirit and commitment.  Let us all hope, wish and pray that, at the very least, the frequency of war continues to diminish, and commit some of the other 364 days of the year to thinking of and remembering those who have returned and those who love them and to always be grateful for their service”.

Angela Drysdale

There were over 500 students in attendance from independent and state schools across Queensland and New South Wales. The students heard from entrepreneurs, adventurers and business founders who experienced success at a very young age and who first exercised their leadership skills at school. It was an interactive day filled with not only guest speakers, but also games, dancing, and the opportunity to speak with and get to know student leaders from other schools.

Brene Brown’s quote “Leadership is the ability of individuals to influence and guide themselves and others” was used to frame the day and the students were given insights into some of the many factors they can use to influence and guide them to be the best leaders they can be as they step into their ‘true self’. Featured leadership qualities and skills included communication, creating change, empowerment, collaboration, empathy, and resilience. The girls were most grateful for the opportunity and enjoyed having the time and space to reflect on and develop their leadership identity.

On Friday 19 April, all Year 6 students were able to participate in leadership activities facilitated by UPP - Unleashing Personal Potential. This program was hosted by Churchie and, along with the Year 6 Churchie boys, the girls participated in a series of practical leadership workshops designed to empower students to thrive as they learn, live and lead.

In the past, the students have engaged with the Churchie students during an activities day in Term 4, however this leadership-focused day earlier in the year served to once again prepare the students to lead the primary school this year, to assist with their readiness for secondary school and to contribute to their personal growth.

With Interhouse Competitions this term including the Giving Day Dance Off, Verse Speaking and ballgames as well as their annual Canberra trip, there will be many opportunities for the girls to exercise and apply these evolving skills and to be role models for our younger girls.

Annette Box

ANZAC Day Service

Thank you to Belle Voce and Encorah for their musical contribution to the ANZAC Day service this week. The combined choirs gave a rousing rendition of ‘The Spirit of the ANZACs’. Thank you also to Hope (Year 9) who provided a very moving performance of The Last Post/Rouse on trumpet. This was a very special moment in the service and Hope’s contribution was very much appreciated.

Classics in the Cathedral

The St Margaret’s Music Department is excited to announce that Classics in the Cathedral will be held in St John’s Anglican Cathedral on Tuesday 14 May. This is an evening of beautiful music, performed by St Margaret’s music ensembles within a spectacular setting and is one of the school’s very special performance events. Tickets are now on sale and must be purchased online via TryBooking (https://www.trybooking.com/CPXIU). The cost for an adult ticket is $30 with no charge for children/students (all attending the concert however must be registered on TryBooking, including children/students). Please print your ticket or download on an electronic device (e.g. mobile phone) to present upon entrance at the concert. All tickets must be pre-purchased as tickets will not be available at the door. A letter with more details is attached (PDF 148.4KB). We look forward to having many in attendance at this special event.

Friends of St Margaret’s Music

For parents who may be interested in providing further support to the St Margaret’s Music Program, there is the opportunity to become a “Friend of Music”. By purchasing a Gold Membership ($500) or Silver Membership ($250), parents are able to further expand opportunities and resources within the Music Program at St Margaret’s. Your donation includes priority seating at Classics in the Cathedral and your name (and donation year) will be added to the Friends of St Margaret's Music Honour Board displayed in the Sister Helen Orchestra Room. Further information is available via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1175832

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 May 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

QLD State Water Polo Championships

Congratulations to those students who represented St Margaret’s at the recent Queensland Water Polo State Titles that took place across the Easter School Holidays. St Margaret’s entered teams in the 12 Year, 14 Year & 16 Year divisions, will all teams performing extremely well. 

Our 12 Years, competing in the White development division, performed extremely well in their first ever state title event. The team finished 2^nd overall in the competition and had an enormous amount of fun participating in the event.

Our 14 Years, competing in the White development division, excelled in the pool. The girls bonded together really well as a team and through determination pulled off an outstanding win in the Grand Final match to be crowned state champions.

Our 16 Years, took on a combined White development and Maroon performance division. This combination of teams saw an extremely competitive competition in the pool. Our girls had some good wins and also learnt a lot through their challenging losses. The team finished 12^th out of 23 teams.

We congratulate all teams on their performances at championships. We would like to thank our coaches, Zac, Georgie and Jacob, as well as all the parents who came along to support.

Sporting Achievement

It’s with great pleasure that we can recognise the outstanding sport performance and representation of St Margaret’s students at a national and international level.

I would like to highlight and congratulate Ava M (Year 12) who was recently selected and represented Queensland at the Rowing Australia pathway competition. Ava’s crew performed extremely well in the A final, coming away with the bronze medal for their performance. We congratulate Ava for her success.  

We would like to continue to recognise the outstanding achievements and representation of students’ participating at a national level, outside of the school sport pathway. I look forward to continuing to hear from our community regarding such outstanding achievement. Please me at lknight@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

Years 7 to 10 Visual Art teacher Emma Cameron recently showcased her work in the ‘Abstraction’ 2024 exhibition at the Royal Queensland Art Society (Petrie Terrace Gallery). The art show ran for a month over March and April and Emma’s charcoal artwork, Wasps Nest, featured among other abstract artworks from artists across Australia. Her artwork focuses on simplifying a natural form to shapes and monochromatic tones. 

April Artwork of the Month

Congratulations to Leewana in Year 9, April Artwork of the Month nominee. 

"Leewana has exemplified a striking use of colour and dimensional texture to ultimately render an eye-catching resolved still life portrait. Her simultaneous use of sharp yet delicate line has created a unique contrasting effect. The intricacy of the work speaks to the talent of the student as an artist. The work maintains a warm variance in colour palette, letting the stark royal blue vase become a vibrant focal point giving compositional depth to the still life." Awarded by the Visual Art Captains - Sara Jo, Amy and Amelia.

Winter items

The School Supplies Shop has supply of the following winter uniform items in preparation for the cooler months.  We would encourage all families to call into the Supplies Shop as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your preferred size.

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

Books and Stationery

The School Supplies Shop wishes to advise that Campion Education will be our Book and Stationery Supplier moving forward. Any families needing to place a book order during the transition phase can contact the School Supplies Shop for assistance. Further details will follow in the coming weeks.

Blazer Pocket Embroidery

Blazers that require pocket embroidery must be submitted by morning tea on a Wednesday and it takes 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. Purchases will not be able to be completed if there are insufficient funds available on the Student Card.

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.

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.

We understand that it is not possible for all girls to invite their fathers. Girls are welcome to invite a relative or family friend. Boarders are welcome to 'adopt a dad' for the event.

Due to the popularity of this event, we are delighted to announce that we have been able to increase the number of tickets available in 2024.

Tickets will be available to purchase online from 9.30am Tuesday 30 April, with a presale open to Year 12 families from Monday 29 April.

Date:     Thursday 13 June 2024

Time:    6:45am for a 7:00am start. Concludes at 8:00am

Venue:  Circular Drive and Arts Centre Terraces

Cost:      $45 per adult /$35 per student (Years 7-12). This is a stand-up event, with a hot breakfast offering, fruit and yoghurt cups, tea, coffee and orange juice.

RSVP:    9.30am, Thursday 6 June 2024, unless sold out prior.

Enquiries: p&f@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfast

Tickets are available for the first Aspiring Young Women's Network breakfast for 2024 with guest speaker Alice Mort (‘13).

Parents are welcome to attend these events with their daughters.

The Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfast (AYWN) Series provides an opportunity for secondary school students, from Years 9-12, to hear firsthand from alumni who have recently transitioned to university or their chosen career at these networking breakfast events.

Alice Mort is an emerging leader in agribusiness management, currently serving as the Agribusiness Manager for NAB in Charleville, Queensland. A St Margaret’s Old Girl, Alice boarded between 2009 and 2013 before earning a Bachelor of Business from Marcus Oldham College. Alice has quickly

made her mark in the field with a six-year tenure at NAB, specialising in financial solutions for graziers across Western QLD. Her role capitalises on her deep-rooted passion for agriculture, fostered by experiences such as a formative season in the Northern Territory and a commerce cadetship in Beijing.

Outside her capacity at NAB, Alice is recognised as a Meat and Livestock Australia Ambassador, where she champions the red meat industry and promotes the vital role of rural women in agribusiness. She is a vocal advocate for acknowledging the contributions of women, who often manage the financial streams and organisational tasks of rural enterprises.

Alice is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable professional, whose early-career achievements signify her potential to impact the agribusiness sector significantly. As a guest speaker, Alice offers insightful perspectives on agricultural operations, financial management, and the empowerment of women in rural areas.

Event Details

Date:                    Thursday 23 May 2024
Time:                    6.45am arrival for 7.00am - 8.10am
Location:             Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot
Format:                Sit down breakfast  

Tickets:                $38 Adult/Student (Years 10-12/Tertiary), includes continental style breakfast.

To purchase tickets: Click Here

We thank our series sponsors: Pitcher Partners and the St Margaret’s Old Girls’ Association.

P&F General Meeting

The next P&F Association General Meeting will be held on Monday 13 May from 6.30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer.

All members of the St Margaret’s community are encouraged to attend. The meeting provides a great opportunity to connect with other families, keep informed regarding P&F and Support Group initiatives, and raise funds for the benefit of all students.  

There is also an option to join this meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend the meeting in person. To register, please click here.

Volunteering at St Margaret’s this term?

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School acknowledges the important work that volunteers carry out within our school environment. Assistance, whether it is as a volunteer in the classroom, tuckshop, excursions, P&F activities or sporting carnivals, enhances the quality of your child’s teaching and learning experience.

All volunteers must be registered with the school and this is done by completing the online Volunteer Register form.

The Volunteer Registration Form should be completed annually, only takes a few minutes, and can be accessed via this link: https://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/discover-st-margarets/student-protection/volunteering-at-st-margaret-s-

Georgia Mitchell