eNews Archive Issue 13 - 2 May 2024

The National Excellence in Teaching Awards program was established in 1994 to honour exemplary teaching throughout Australia and New Zealand.

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

National Awards.

Nominations are quite straightforward and confidential. If you wish to nominate, please access this link. https://www.neita.com

Thank you for considering nominating a member of the St Margaret’s teaching staff. It is always a delight for a staff member to receive feedback that they were nominated. NEiTA has not yet provided the deadline for the close of nominations but I would suggest completing a nomination before the end of Term 2.

Last week I attended the International Coalition of Girls School Symposium in Melbourne. St Margaret’s is a very active member of ICGS, whose purpose is outlined on the website (girlsschools.org).

‘The Coalition is the leading advocate for girls’ schools, connecting and collaborating globally with individuals, schools, and mission-aligned entities dedicated to educating and empowering girls.’

ICGS have four main practice areas: Advocacy, Networking, Research and Professional Development and its work is guided by the following principles:

• Community & Collaboration: We engage the power of many voices to strengthen our schools, communities, and world.

• Equity & Inclusion: We uplift learning communities committed to diversity, equity, justice, and belonging.

• Leadership & Integrity: We inspire the next generation of informed global citizens to lead with courage, competence, and empathy.

• Opportunity & Innovation: We challenge limits to imagine and explore new possibilities.

• Self-efficacy & Agency: We prepare girls for lives of commitment, confidence, contribution, and fulfillment.

Ros Curtis

We often talk to the students about the path to achieve these goals. It can be rare that the path is smooth sailing. In fact, sometimes we can experience ‘failure’ on the way to achievement. However, it is important to remember that we are not defined by this by others, and often we can judge ourselves worse than others in such a scenario.

Instead, we are better to ‘fail forward’. Failing forward means that we can learn from failing and use this new knowledge to do better next time. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, once said “I have not failed 10 000 times, I’ve successfully found 10 000 ways that will not work.”

I like to praise our students for their efforts, even if the result of their efforts is not what they expected or desired. Sure, if a person doesn’t put in any effort and fails and then wonders why, that is another conversation. However, what I observe here at school on a daily basis when I walk in and out of classes, sit on the side of a sports match or watch a musical performance, is the result of incredible effort by our students in the pursuit of growth. This growth is success, and this should be celebrated.

Karen Gorrie

In a time when teenagers are not always given credit when it is due, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank them for their attendance at the service. Despite the very early wakeup they were ready at the designated time in full uniform and proceeded without complaint on foot down to the river. Their behaviour at the service was exemplary and many compliments were received from the general public, mainly referring to how nice it was to see so many girls in attendance in their school uniforms, paying their respects.

The manners displayed by the girls and their general attitude throughout the morning made it a pleasure to be a part of the St Margaret’s boarding team and to be working with the boarders. It gives hope to the phrase, “Lest we Forget”.

Angela Crowe

Year 10 SET planning

Following the subject selection evening, each Year 10 student will attend a SET planning meeting with an allocated staff member. Parents are encouraged to attend these meetings either in person or via Teams. These meetings are the final step in the process to prepare and support our students in selecting their pathway and subjects for success in Years 11 and 12.

Caitlin McCluskey

Thus, it is very important that, where possible, students are remaining in class well into the final week of term. Obviously, individual circumstances may prevent a student remaining at school until the last day, however, in these instances, it is recommended they speak with their teachers to discuss what new learning they are missing out on.

A reminder also, that all student leave must be sent to studentleave@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Chris Dunn

In all school environments, gossip often acts as a form of social currency, and it's not uncommon for certain individuals to take on the role of intermediaries or conduits for this information exchange. These girls, colloquially referred to as "go-betweens," "messengers," or simply "gossip girls," play a pivotal role in disseminating rumours, news, and social dynamics within their peer groups.

These intermediaries possess a keen awareness of the social landscape, often adept at reading subtle cues and picking up on conversations that others might overlook. They cultivate networks of trust, forging alliances with peers who confide in them and share their own insights in return.

The gossip they relay spans a wide spectrum, ranging from innocuous updates about friendships and romantic relationships to more salacious rumours and personal revelations. This information can shape perceptions, influence social hierarchies, and even impact individuals' reputations within the school community.

However, the role of the go-between is not without its complexities and risks. While some may wield their influence with discretion and tact, others may succumb to the temptation to manipulate information or use gossip as a tool for personal gain or social manipulation. In doing so, they may inadvertently sow seeds of discord or contribute to the spread of misinformation and hurtful rumours.

Moreover, those who occupy this intermediary role may themselves become the subject of gossip, facing scrutiny and speculation about their motives and allegiances. The dynamics of gossip within school settings can thus be both intricate and fraught, reflecting the broader complexities of adolescent social dynamics and the quest for belonging and influence. Our pastoral care program is about education our girls regarding life skills. Last week your daughter’s Heads of Year spoke to their cohorts regarding the harmful effects of gossip. We encourage students to speak to their Head of Year at the school if they are concerned about a situation, instead of sharing information with others to gain social capital.

Nikki Townsend

John Maxwell suggests you need to think of four things to have a positive attitude:

1. A person makes the choice to have a negative or positive attitude; attitude is a person’s sole responsibility.

2. A positive attitude has found to be the measure for success and how one acts.

3. Positive people surround themselves with positive people.

4. Possessing a positive attitude is easier than trying to regain one.   

A positive attitude extends beyond being happy go lucky towards others but includes having a positive mindset or a growth mindset about oneself. Thankfully, the mind can be trained. It starts by reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning and embracing setbacks as lessons to improve. This can be in any area of learning e.g., learning a new concept, playing an instrument, developing sporting skills. Additionally, Maxwell (1999 page. 93) identifies three simple ways to improve a person’s attitude:

• Feed yourself the right “food”. If you’ve been starved of anything positive, then you need to start feeding yourself a regular diet of motivational material. Read books that encourage a positive attitude. The more negative you are, the longer it will take to turn your attitude around. But if you consume a steady diet of the right ‘food’, you can become a positive thinker.
• Achieve a goal every day. Set achievable daily goals for yourself. A pattern of positive achievement will help you develop a pattern of positive thinking.
• Write it on your wall. We all need reminders to help us keep thinking right. Alex Haley used to keep a picture in his office of a turtle on a fence to remind him that everybody needed the help of others.

As incentive, people put up awards they’ve won, inspirational posters, or letters they’ve received. Find something that will work for you and put it on your wall.

In summary, with a positive attitude, created through joy and gratefulness, combined with the constructive habits listed above, growth mindset can be achieved.

Angela Drysdale

If you haven’t clicked onto this page, it is available via The Primary School POD page. This term we will be adding stories from sport, primary boarding, art, clubs, music and all year levels will be contributing. Thank you to Ms Eadie and Ms Calcutt for their work coordinating this page.

Kate Frewin

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.

Staff News

It is with sadness that I inform the school community that Ms Stephanie Taylor has resigned from St Margaret’s and will be leaving at the end of Term 2. Ms Taylor has been an integral part of the music department for over seven years, having taught many private music students throughout her time at the school whilst also conducting several choirs. She has made a wonderful contribution to numerous school musicals, and other school concerts and festivals. Ms Taylor is looking to move into the university sector with the potential of overseas teaching opportunities, whilst also pursuing her recording career. We sincerely thank Ms Taylor for all that she has given, and we wish her the very best as she embarks on this next chapter in her life.

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

QGSSSA Winter Sport takes place across the second half of Term 2 and into Term 3. The options available for students include Athletics, Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Volleyball.

Student sign-up is essential to ensure the effective planning and preparation of each sport. Sign-up ensures that all students will receive the most up-to-date information regarding the trials and training for the commencement of the new season.

Failure to sign-up may result in a student being unable to participate in their chosen sport/s.

Important notes:

• Students may only select to participate in one QG Winter sport in any given season. This is a QGSSSA Association rule. Students may participate in both QG Winter sport and QG Athletics.
• Students participating in Rowing are unable to participate in QG Winter sports due to a clash in Saturday fixtures. Rowers may participate in QG Athletics.
• Club Netballers should consider their prior Netball commitments before signing up for a QG Winter sport. QG Winter Fixtures are played on Saturday mornings across Term 3. Club Netball may participate in QG Athletics.

2024 Winter Sport Registrations

QG Core Sports

• QGSSSA Athletics Sign-up (All students can participate in Athletics, in addition to any other/s St Margaret’s sport being played)

QG Winter Sports

• QGSSSA Hockey Sign-up (Students may only participate in 1 QG Winter Sport) 
• QGSSSA Netball Sign-up (Students may only participate in 1 QG Winter Sport)
• QGSSSA Tennis Sign-up (Students may only participate in 1 QG Winter Sport)
• QGSSSA Volleyball Sign-up (Students may only participate in 1 QG Winter Sport)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the respective Sports Coordinator, or Mr Knight, Director of Sport.

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 the follow students on their recent achievements:

• Congratulations to Lucy S. (Year 10) & Bless D. (Year 10) who have been selected in the 16 & Under Australian Water Polo squad. The high-performance program is a pathway designed to develop athletes towards future Aussie Stingers teams. The program is designed to educate aspiring athletes about all aspects of water polo, both in and out of the pool. We congratulate both girls on their selection and wish them the very best of luck for upcoming camps and trials.

I look forward to continuing to hear from our community regarding the outstanding sporting achievements of our students. Please email 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)
• Athletics - The POD - Secondary Athletics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Hockey – The POD - Secondary Hockey (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Netball – The POD - Secondary Netball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Tennis – The POD - Secondary Tennis (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Volleyball - The POD - Secondary Volleyball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Lloyd Knight

The Supplies Shop will be OPEN to assist with any uniform requirements on the Student Free Day (7 May) between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:45 am and 12:30pm and 2:00 pm.  We will be closed for part of the day for staff training.

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/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. 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. We will not be able to complete the purchase if there are insufficient funds available on the Student Card.

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 are available to purchase online: https://www.trybooking.com/CQZEE

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

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast – Featuring Emma Covacevich (‘93), Chief Executive Partner of Clayton Utz

Tickets are available for the third Professional Women’s Network Breakfast on Tuesday 20 August, with Guest Speaker Emma Covacevich (’93). 

Emma is the Chief Executive Partner (CEP) of Clayton Utz - a leading Australian law firm, and recently celebrated 25 years with the firm.

Emma has deep expertise in the energy sector in Australia and New Zealand, and has advised major energy companies and supported new entrants establish themselves in the Australian energy market.

Prior to being appointed CEP, Emma was the Deputy CEP from 2020 to 2023, a Clayton Utz Board Member from 2017 to 2022, and has been a Partner of the firm since 2007. Emma was on the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Board from 2017 until late last year and is a member of Chief Executive Women.

Event Details

Date:   Tuesday 20 August 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: 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.

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.