eNews Archive Issue 15 - 22 May 2025

One of the great aspects of leading a school which is 130 years old is that our archives often hold historical documents which are amusing. So, today I thought I would share my joy by sharing part of the 1961 Parent Code of Conduct. Firstly, part of the preamble reveals the most important issue of the day: ‘Our [school has] been concerned for some time about the effect upon the development of character, discipline and concentration of work resulting from the increasing social freedom allowed to girls and boys….Teachers in general consider that if students are permitted to attend social functions too frequently and at too young an age, they come to regard their social activities as the important aim in life and their concentration upon their studies and school interest in general suffers in proportion.’

And some clauses to give flavour to the school’s overreach in the1961 era:

• Parents should appreciate the dangers of young people attending theatres and drive-in unaccompanied by an adult.
• Mothers and Fathers are reminded that, for the finest development of their children, nothing can be a substitute for parental control, patience, and affection.
• Students should be discouraged from

- Frequenting Milk Bars and Coffee Lounges in groups and

- Indulging in behaviour that makes them conspicuous at Public Functions.

Ros Curtis

As the saying goes, “It is important to use the ratio of the face—we have been given two ears and one mouth; we should do more listening than speaking.” This wisdom reminds us that listening should outweigh talking, especially during adolescence when teens need to feel heard and understood. By creating a safe space for dialogue, we empower our teens to express themselves, make thoughtful decisions, and develop confidence. Even when their views differ from ours, listening validates their experiences and encourages mutual respect, laying the foundation for a lifelong, healthy relationship.

Over the next few weeks, I am sure there will be much discussion for our Years 8, 9 and 10 students as they embark on the subject selection process for 2026. Curriculum Handbooks have been uploaded to the POD for current Years 8, 9 and 10 students to continue to investigate their subject choices for 2026. The Year 9 2026 (5:45pm) and the Year 11 2026 (7:00pm) Subject Selection Evenings will be held on Tuesday 27 May. The Year 10 2026 Subject Selection Evening will be held on Thursday 29 May at 6.00pm. Parents and students are encouraged to attend the subject selection evening so that they feel confident when making their selections. These sessions will also be live streamed, and the links will be in the Subject Selection tile on your daughters Year Level page.

Please note, on the day following their subject selection evening, all students in these year levels will receive an email with the information required for entering their subject preferences online. It is very important that this is done by 3pm on Friday 13 June as this is when the portal will be closed. For your records, please print a receipt of your subject selections.  This is for your reference only - there is no need to submit this receipt to the school as we have an electronic copy of your preferences.

Nicole Devlin

As humans we are inherently spiritual beings, so when it comes to our wellbeing we need to attend to the physical, mental, social and spiritual components. Often, in our busyness, our own wellbeing is the first to be removed from the to-do list. And, yet it is the most vital for completing the to-do list.  How do we tend to our own wellbeing without it feeling like another thing we aren’t achieving, or “ticking off” the list?

Part of this is about perspective. Changing perspective is a habit rather than another thing to do. Habitually speaking to ourselves with kindness, or encouragement, instead of critiquing ourselves for what we may or may not have done. Habitually being grateful for the good moments in the day, and the resources we have, instead of letting the weight of scarcity overwhelm. Habitually smiling at the people around us. Habitually carving our moments of silence and spaciousness – even if just five minutes. Practicing these habits helps us to make the practices reality, so that we end up becoming gentler on ourselves, with a capacity for more compassion for those around us, becoming more content with what we have, rather than worrying about what we don’t have.

Peace be with you.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

In the days leading up to the event, the boarding house was a buzz with energy and purpose. Dorms were cleaned, beds neatly made with matching cushions and throws, and beloved photos and mementoes carefully arranged. The girls worked together with enthusiasm, sharing tips for folding blankets just right or organising the tricky corners of a bookshelf. It was more than just cleaning; it was preparation filled with pride.

For boarders, the dorm is more than a sleeping space. It’s where friendships are forged, where late-night laughter happens, and where routines of independence and responsibility take root. From early morning wakeups to evening prep sessions, life in the boarding house teaches resilience, organisation, and how to live harmoniously in community.

Open Morning offered our students a rare chance to flip roles, becoming the hosts, the tour guides, the storytellers. As teaching staff, visitors and families walked through the dorms and common areas, they were met with bright smiles and eager voices sharing what life is really like behind the boarding house doors. Visitors were struck by the warmth and cosy feel that filled each space and the way in which each space felt different for each age level. The boarding house environment is one that reflects not only structure and routine, but also deep connection and care.

Whether one of our younger boarding students showing her carefully decorated windowsill, or a senior boarder proudly explaining how many dorm rooms she has lived in within the house, each girl spoke with confidence and genuine affection for her boarding experience.

The success of Open Morning was not just in the number of visitors or tidy rooms, but in the pride our girls felt in opening up their world to others. For them, this house is more than bricks and beds, it’s a place where they grow, thrive, and build lifelong friendships.

Gracemere Mataia

As part of this conference, I spoke to the girls about the different pathway opportunities we offer in Years 11 and 12 and they had the opportunity to ask Heads of Faculty questions about the various subjects we offer.

In addition to the Broadening Horizon Conference, we also have subject videos and the Years 11 and 12 Curriculum Handbook available via the Subject Selection tile on the Year 10 POD page. All students and parents are encouraged to have a look at the handbook and watch relevant videos prior to the Subject Selection Evening next week.

Following the Subject Selection Evening, Year 10 students will have a 30-minute SET Plan Meeting with a member of staff. Parents are encouraged to attend these meetings either via Teams/phone or in person. The schedule for the SET Plan Meetings will be released early in Week 6. We are looking forward to helping Year 10 students select the best subjects for their success in Years 11 and 12.

“Consistency is far more beneficial than cramming, but you have to be willing to put in the work” – Asia Esler, ’24.

Caitlin McCluskey

Why These AI Tools?

Our plan focuses on these specific platforms because they offer:

Claude.ai:

• Ethical & Safe learning experiences with "Learning Mode" that encourages critical thinking
• Privacy-preserving defaults that don't use student data for training
• Support for diverse academic tasks like brainstorming, outlining, and explaining concepts

Google NotebookLM:

• Responses grounded in student-uploaded source documents to reduce inaccuracies
• Built-in citations that reinforce academic integrity
• Powerful research assistant capabilities for summarising and generating study aids

Together, these tools provide a balanced AI experience: Claude for broader exploration and ethical interaction, and NotebookLM for rigorous, source-based research.

For Parents: Information Evening

We invite all parents to attend our AI Education Parent Information Session on:

Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: The Loft
(This session is conveniently scheduled right before the subject selection evening – it will also be recorded for parents who cannot attend)

During this session, we will:

• Demonstrate how these AI tools can enhance your child's learning
• Address concerns about AI use in education
• Show how we're teaching responsible AI practices
• Answer your questions about our implementation plan

My sincere thanks to Ms Kerry Daud (Head of Faculty – Digital Innovation and Design) for leading this exciting new initiative.

Chris Dunn

Using strategies from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), adults can help young people identify unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced alternatives (Beck, 2011). For example, encouraging a child to change “I always fail” to “I didn’t do well this time, but I can try again” builds resilience and fosters a growth mindset. Carol Dweck’s research emphasises the importance of teaching children that abilities can develop through effort and persistence, rather than being fixed traits (Dweck, 2006).

Parents and teachers can model positive self-talk themselves, use encouraging language, and create safe environments where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Asking reflective questions like, “What would you say to a friend in this situation?” can also help young people be kinder to themselves.

By consistently supporting and modelling self-compassion, adults empower children to build confidence, challenge doubt, and approach challenges with a healthier, more optimistic mindset.

References

• Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Press.
• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.

Nikki Townsend

Through the AR program each student undertakes a range of reading assessments to ascertain their best fit reading level and then selects books from the library at her level. When the book is finished, students take a short quiz on the computer which provides teachers with information about how well students have comprehended the text. With 200,000 AR quizzes available, many books in our primary library have been levelled and colour coded to assist the girls to select a book which should be able to be read without frustration or loss of motivation. These books all have AR quizzes which will be completed once the book has been read. Books are also assigned points based on the length of the book. Students earn points or a portion of a book’s points depending on how well they do on the reading quiz. 

Millionaire's morning tea is a motivational strategy we use to encourage students to read and make the most of the AR program. So far this year, the students in Years 3-6 have read 136 million words. The Millionaire's Morning Tea is inspired by the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and held regularly with students who have read a million words. Each of these girls are invited to this ‘mad’ celebration and receive a certificate from special guest, Principal Ms Curtis. Students who read two million words are presented with their certificate at Assembly, three-million-word readers have morning tea with Ms Curtis in her office. Over 3 million words, students attend another “mad hatter” morning tea. This year so far, we have in Years 3-6:

1-million-word readers - 25 students (2 are Year 3 students) 

2-million-word readers - 6 students

3-million-word readers - 2 students (both Year 3 students).

5-million-word readers – 1 student (Year 5)

Photos of all millionaire readers are on display on the screen in the library.  

Angela Drysdale

On 20 May, St Margaret’s proudly attended the Da Vinci Decathlon event at BBC, with a talented group of Year 6 students: Jade Q, Alice S, Alice M, Evie S, Ivy T, Maddie J, Anika C, and Dora Y. Our team achieved outstanding success by placing 2^nd  in Engineering, 2^nd  in English, and 2^nd  in Ideation, earning them an overall 2^nd place on the day. Competing against students representing schools from all over Brisbane, this is an exceptional achievement. Girls, we are very proud of you! We also extend our sincere thanks to Mr Howard for his effort in preparing these talented Year 6 students for the event.

Kate Frewin

Student Congratulations

Congratulations to Chloe (Year 4) who recently performed at the Admission to Holy Communion and Baptism at St John’s Cathedral for St Margarets and Churchie families. Chloe performed Bach’s Cello Suite No 1 in G Major (Prelude) at communion which was a highlight of the service and a wonderful solo performance opportunity for Chloe.

St Margaret’s Open Morning

Congratulations to all the music ensembles that performed at the Open Morning held last Tuesday. Wonderful performances were given by the Clarinet, Saxophone, Brass and Percussion Ensembles as well as Tutti Strings, Chamber String, Exultate, Stage Band, Beath and Sculthorpe String Quartets. All ensembles were able to contribute to the wonderful atmosphere on the day!

   

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 June 2025 at 5:00pm in the Circular Drive Classroom 01 (in front of the Arts Centre Foyer). Parents from both the primary and secondary school are welcome to attend.

Brad King

Athletics is a core sport at St Margaret’s, meaning that participating students attend weekly training sessions and key practice meets to develop their skills to trial for the representative school team that will contest the QGSSSA Championships at the culmination of the season.

Training Sessions:

• Monday morning 6:15am-7:30am
• Tuesday afternoon 3:30pm-4:30pm (held at St Margaret's Strength & Conditioning Gym)
• Wednesday morning 6:15am-7:30am
• Friday morning 6:15am-7:30am

Practice/Trials Meets:

• Friday 8 August
• Friday 15 August
• Friday 22 August
• Friday 29 August
• Friday 12 September

Please visit the Athletics POD page for registration and for more information: The POD - Secondary Athletics

Upcoming Athletics Camp

With the start of the athletics season only a few weeks away, we are pleased to announce that we will again be running the annual Athletics Camp in 2025. This camp will run from Thursday 19 June through to Sunday 22 June 2025. The camp will provide valuable lead in training to the athletics season and education for students surrounding athletic preparation. There will also be a strong focus on building connections with girls in their age group, and the wider St Margaret’s Athletics squad.

Students from Year 7–12 may participate in this camp. Camp is not compulsory for students. However, it is recommended for those girls who are seeking selection in the 2025 St Margaret’s Athletics QGSSSA Championship team. Spaces are limited for this camp so please register your interest as soon as possible.

Please refer to the Athletics POD page for more information, payment and registration details: The POD - Secondary Athletics.

Last Registrations for QGSSSA Winter Sport Season (Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Volleyball)

Registration closes this Friday, 23 May for the 2025 QGSSSA Winter Sport in Hockey, Tennis, Netball & Volleyball which takes place across Term 3.

Students should go to the following POD pages to sign up.
The POD - Secondary Hockey
The POD - Secondary Netball
The POD - Secondary Tennis
The POD - Secondary Volleyball

New Staff Appointment - Sport Administrator

This week we have welcomed a new member to the Sports Team, Lucy Osswald. Lucy will be the first point of contact for all students and visitors coming to the Sport office here at St Margaret’s and will work with the wider team on the administration of our sports program here at school.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ella H (Year 12) who has been selected in the Under 18 QLD Hockey squads. Ella will compete at the upcoming Australian U18 National Championships to be held in the July school holidays over in Perth - a great achievement!

We are happy 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 email me via: awilliams@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)

Anne Louise Williams

Follow our live countdown at: charidy.com/stm130years and watch the Giving Day video to learn more about our priorities.

As we celebrate our past and the incredible legacy of the past 130 years of educating girls, we also look to the future and imagine the possibilities it can bring. This Giving Day, we ask for your kindness and generosity once again to help St Margaret’s thrive for the next 130 years. Your gift is her future.

Your tax-deductable donation to the Building Fund will help to support the realisation of our new masterplan. Or alternatively, your donation our Panama Fund will provide the gift of education through financial needs-based bursaries.

Our students, led by our House Captains, have an exciting day of fundraising activities planned in celebration of Giving Day including a house dance-off, sausage sizzles, bake sales and a coin drive in the Gymnasium (so please save your gold pennies, but notes may stretch further!) It is wonderful to see the culture of philanthropy on show within our current students.

We are also looking for volunteers to help us in the Operations Room which will be located in the ACF. Our volunteers play an important role in raising awareness on Giving Day by making phone calls to members of the St Margaret’s community. If you have an hour or more to spare, we would love to have you.

For more information on the day, or to volunteer in our Operations Room, please visit https://www.charidy.com/stm130years.

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast – with guest speaker Amanda Lacaze ('76), CEO and MD of Lynas Rare Earths

Join us for a thought-provoking breakfast with Amanda Lacaze (’76), a trailblazing executive at the forefront of critical minerals and future technologies. Named as one of The Australian Financial Review’s Business People of the Year, and recognised as 2018 CEO of the Year by MiningNews.Net, Amanda leads one of the world’s most strategically significant resources companies—Lynas Rare Earths.

With rare earths at the heart of the global shift toward electric vehicles, renewable energy and defence technology, Amanda will share how Lynas is positioning itself as a leading player in the critical minerals market, as well as lessons in leadership and resilience from her rise to the helm of a global company.

Date:         Wednesday 11 June 2025
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 with grab-and-go barista coffee on arrival. 
Tickets:     $85 Adult, $45 Student (Years 10-12/Tertiary)
Corporate tables: $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event.

Tickets are available here: https://www.trybooking.com/CUSFP

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners. Supporting Sponsors: Wolff Coffee Roasters, Clear Insurance, The Bathhouse Albion and Resource Innovations.

Lara Pickering