eNews Archive Issue 27 - 29 August 2024

No doubt, one of the most valuable tools any parent has is their ability to listen. When your child faces disappointment—perhaps they didn’t make the team or selected for a role or experience or perhaps they think their friends have more freedoms — or, just generally, when their plans don’t go as hoped, never underestimate the power of the listening ear.

It’s important to remember that you don’t need to “fix” every challenge for your child. Instead, you can be assured that your active listening can make a profound difference. As we know:

• by listening attentively, you show that their thoughts and feelings are important to you.
• by acknowledging their experiences, you validate their perspective and help them feel heard.
• by giving them space to explore solutions, you demonstrate your trust in their problem-solving abilities.

Active Listening means that you are demonstrating that you are present, understanding, and supportive. This approach not only helps your child feel valued but also empowers them to navigate their own emotions and challenges with confidence.

Summarised from an article “The Skill of Listening” published by The Centre for Parenting Education – reproduced in 2024 Principal’s digest. Volume 30, No.38.

Term’s notice of withdrawal

Just another reminder that we are working on the 2025 timetable and staffing, and it is important that we have accurate enrolment numbers. Therefore, we would very much appreciate you contacting us in writing to indicate that your child is not returning to St Margaret’s in 2025. In most year levels, we have waiting lists, and we need to be able to contact those on the list who are hoping to secure a place at the school. To meet the requirement of one term’s notice, advice can be received up to the last Friday of the September school holidays. Advice may be emailed directly to me or to our admissions team via jfishergrimshaw@stmargarets.qld.edu.au (primary) or jrobinson@stmargarets.qld.edu.au (secondary and boarding).

Parent Survey

Last Friday, parents of Prep to Years 12 students would have received communications from education consultancy MMG, who are conducting this year’s parent survey on behalf of St Margaret’s. We truly value your feedback so would greatly appreciate your time in taking a few minutes to answer the survey questions which will greatly assist us to identify what we are doing well as well as help us to continually improve our offerings. As mentioned previously, the results of the survey are confidential, with all responses going back to MMG, after which the school receives only aggregated data and de-identified responses. If you have any questions about the surveys, or did not receive a link to the survey via an email from MMG, please contact our Director of Marketing and Communications, Ms Wendy Johnston, via email wjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. 

I have added two weeks long service leave to the September holidays. During that time, Karen Gorrie will be taking on Principal duties and Nikki Townsend will be taking on the duties of Deputy Principal.

Ros Curtis

This year we will again be booking tickets for Speech Night online through QPAC booking system. As outlined in a previous eNews, the following students will be required to attend Speech Night:

• All Years 11 and 12 students. All students in Year 12 will be required to wear a Church dress. Only prize winners in Year 11 will be required to wear a Church dress. Students in Year 11 who are not prize winners will wear their school middy.
• All boarders will be attending. Boarders who are not prize winners or in Year 12 will wear their school middy.
• All additional prize winners in Years 5-10.

Bookings will open for Year 12 parents only next Friday, and these families will receive an email early next week with the details of how to make their booking.

Tickets for all other year levels will open to the rest of the school at 5pm on 1 October. The prize reading assembly occurs on this day.

Your daughters will receive their tickets at school (they will not be sitting with you) and therefore you do not need to book seats for them.

We look forward to seeing many students and families at our annual Speech Night and Prize Giving Ceremony.

Karen Gorrie

Instead of holding difference in harmony and working to bridge our diversity, politics, and perhaps even society, has become more of an us/them, race to see who will win.

In a recent Sydney Morning Herald article, Julia Baird, responds to Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Conference, where she mentions grace, and its important place in the political space. Baird says: “Grace is not fluffy… it’s not kittens and rainbows. It’s hard work. What’s apparent is that many current leaders seem to think there is only one way to respond to people’s exhaustion and fatigue with the political process, thinking they should just whip up enthusiasm with outrage and fear, offering vengeance and retribution against “them”. They assume it’s too much of a risk to go another way – to call to what Abraham Lincoln described as “the better angels of our nature”, to what Paul Keating called the “golden threads” in our community. There are varying ways to respond to political apathy and disaffection – to promise to destroy your enemies, to mock, vilify and disrespect others… or to invite people to remember the values they share, the importance of building each other up, of recognising that people can have different political views but still have decency and big hearts, still volunteer alongside you at the local surf club, coach a community football team, stand side by side in labs conducting experiments that just might lead to a breakthrough…Still human, in other words. Just like you.”

US Votes 2024: I jumped up and down when I heard Michelle Obama utter one amazing word (smh.com.au)

Holy God,
In the final weeks of term, strengthen us to strive to show grace to one another. Amen

SSA Monthly Service - Invitation

You are invited to join the Sisters for the monthly service in the Sisters' Chapel this Sunday 1 September at 4pm.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

The highlight of the week was a spectacular costume event where students dressed as their favourite book characters. From swashbuckling pirates to the whimsical Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr Seuss, the creativity was truly impressive. As the girls entered the dining hall, they were transported to the magical world of Harry Potter. The room was alive with the iconic theme song, and the tables were arranged to reflect the four Hogwarts houses, adding a touch of authenticity to the event.

The ambiance was further enhanced by floating candles and shimmering lights, creating a mystical setting. The room was adorned with props like wizard potions, golden cups, and the Marauder's Map, adding to the immersive experience. During the dinner, overseen by the ‘headmasters’ (Boarder Captains), the girls participated in a Harry Potter-themed quiz. They had to decipher codes and collect clues around the dining hall before they could be dismissed, adding an element of fun and teamwork to the evening.

Overall, the night was a resounding success, filled with laughter, creativity, and a shared love for literature.

Looking ahead, next week brings another exciting event: the cohort formal dinners for Years 8 and 10. These formal dinners are a cherished tradition, allowing the girls to dress up, enjoy a meal together, and spend quality time with their peers. This year’s events will be held against the backdrop of our beautiful new forest garden at sunset, providing a picturesque setting for the special occasion.

The chefs prepare a heavenly spread, culminating in the students’ favourite treat—ice cream! The evening will be filled with music, games, and heartfelt moments, offering a chance for everyone to reminisce and celebrate the journey they have shared. These formal dinners not only strengthen the sense of unity and community but also create lasting memories for both students and staff alike.

Kelli Boucaut

Strategies for turning stress into productivity:

• Plan. Schedule your time to incorporate work from multiple subjects and breaks for socialising, exercising, eating and sleeping.
• Be realistic about how much work you can complete in a session. If you usually only focus for 30 minutes at a time, don’t plan to work for three hours straight.
• Breathe. Step away from your work area, take some deep breaths and stretch every now and then. This gets the blood flowing and make sure your brain has plenty of oxygen.
• Reward yourself. This could be going out with friends, watching TV, anything that you look forward to. Make sure you schedule these things in to keep your motivation going.
• Sleep. Aim for 10 hours a night whenever possible, plan to have 30 minutes of screen free time before bed to aid the transition.

Caitlin McCluskey

The Attitude to Learning grades are:

• Excellent
• Good
• Satisfactory
• Needs Improvement

Teachers will be progressively uploading these Interim Attitude to Learning grades over the next couple of weeks to Learning Analytics, with all grades being available from 5:00pm Friday 13 September.

Students are encouraged to speak with their teachers about these interim grades and ask how they can improve in Term 4. As always, it is expected that these conversations are conducted in a courteous and respectful manner, and that their intention is centred on ways the student can improve or maintain their attitude to learning.

Interim Attitude to Learning grades are subject to change in Term 4, with a final Attitude to Learning grade to be published for each subject in the Semester 2 Academic Reports.

How to access Interim Attitude to Learning Grades?

1. Log into Learning Analytics Portal (via the POD)
2. Click on the Pastoral Care Button, where you will see the Attitude to Learning data for each subject.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Chris Dunn

The girls are taught that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward despite it. When we take risks, we expose ourselves to potential failure, criticism, or discomfort. However, these experiences are invaluable; they teach resilience, foster creativity, and build confidence. In fact, when we fail this is when our biggest lessons are learnt. Each time we push our boundaries, we expand our horizons, discovering new capabilities and strengths within ourselves.

Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth. It’s in those moments of challenge and uncertainty that we truly learn who we are and what we’re capable of achieving. By embracing courage and facing the unknown, we open ourselves to a life rich with experiences, learning, and progress. Ultimately, the rewards of stepping out of your comfort zone far outweigh the initial fear, leading to a more fulfilling and empowered life.

Nikki Townsend

The week kicked off on Friday night with Arts Spectacular, where Years 5 and 6 students' artistic skills shone brightly, leaving everyone in awe of their creativity through dance, art and singing. Arts Spectacular allowed our students to express themselves creatively, an essential outlet that builds confidence and encourages self-expression. Thank you to Ms Free, Ms Stewart and to all the staff who worked backstage. Thank you also to Ms Box for her artistic direction and organisation and Ms Brennan for her music coordination. Thank you to the Year 5 parents who organised the food and to those who worked on the bar.

Saturday marked the end of a long season of Downey Park netball with 13 primary teams participating. Being a member of a club netball team has provided the girls with the opportunity to not only foster physical fitness but also learn important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience. I was impressed to witness the girls handle both success and setbacks with grace throughout the season. Congratulations to STM21 (12 Yrs Div 1) who made it to the Semi Finals and a special mention to STM29 who were undefeated all season up until their final playoff. Playing sport weekly contributes to the girl’s overall wellbeing and helps shape them into well-rounded individuals, prepared to take on challenges both on and off the court.

On Sunday, the focus shifted to academics and problem-solving as four teams competed in the Opti-MINDS competition. The challenge required them to write, dramatize, and present a twisted fairytale, a task they handled with impressive skill. Each girl’s ability to think critically, solve problems, and articulate her ideas to each of the judges reflects the strong foundation our school provides in developing leadership skills and academic excellence. I was particularly proud of how confidently the girls responded to the judges' questions, showcasing their team-building abilities and self-assurance. Congratulations to Team 3 girls, Eva G, Grace H, Ivy C, Pippa B and Alexandra BJ who were awarded Honours. Thank you to Mr Cox for training and attending on the day alongside Ms Sands.

Earlier this week, the Years 5 and 6 girls were presented with further opportunities when many of the girls elected to compete in a friendly public speaking and debating competition against our sister school St Aidan’s. This competition helps build critical communication skills, fosters confidence and encourages girls to voice their opinions and ideas in a public forum. By encouraging girls to compete in public speaking and debating, we are not only nurturing their intellectual and communicative abilities but also preparing them to be confident leaders who can effectively advocate for themselves and others in any situation. Thank you to Ms Calcutt for her organisation of the event.

The activities that have taken place over the past week, collectively highlight the well-roundedness of the education we provide at St Margaret’s and our students have proactively embraced these opportunities across the arts, sport and academics alike.

Angela Drysdale

One such tale was Fancy Long Legs which tells the story of Fancy, a spider who loves to create but struggles to stay focused on her creative task of web-building. With the support of her spiderling friends, Fancy goes on a beautiful journey of self-discovery to find her own style and make something no one else can. This uplifting story takes a sparkly and relatable look at neurodivergence, offering a playful and glitter-covered adventure of acceptance, staying true to yourself and finding friends who love you and celebrate your differences.

This new illustrated book by Rachel Burke is also about to make its world premiere as a new musical at La Boite Theatre as part of this year’s Brisbane Festival. To celebrate the inclusion of Drama in the primary school while developing the capacity to appreciate and respond to live performance, students in Years 1 to 4 will be attending the show on Thursday 12 September at 10.00am. This excursion will give students the opportunity to attend a professional production and to witness the magic of live theatre firsthand. And the good news is that if they love the performance, they can take the family and see it again, as it plays until 22 September, with interactive crafting stations and other activities also on offer.

If you would like to prepare your daughter further for this adventure, you can use the social story created by La Boite here, designed to help make the theatre going experience as accessible as possible. We look forward to sharing this fancy outing with the girls to round out a wonderful Term 3.

Annette Box

Soloists Recital Series #3

Congratulations to all students who performed at the third Soloists Recital for the year on Wednesday afternoon in the Arts Centre Foyer. It was a lovely afternoon of music with a wide range of styles performed on a variety of different instruments. All girls should be exceptionally proud of their performances!

AYWN Breakfast Performance

Thank you to Ruby Reynolds Campbell who provided a beautiful performance of Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful at the recent Aspiring Young Women’s Networking Breakfast. The performance was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in attendance!

Interhouse Solo Music Competition – Primary

Congratulations to all primary students who participated in the Interhouse Solo Music Competition this week. Every lunchtime, students competed on a wide range of instruments. It has been fantastic to see so many girls performing and showing house spirit. We will look forward to announcing the overall results at the respective primary and secondary end of term assemblies.

Music Dinner

The St Margaret’s annual Music Dinner is fast approaching with tickets now on sale. Music Dinner is an occasion for students and parents to celebrate a wonderful year of music-making at St Margaret’s. Special performances are given, speeches are made, and awards presented to acknowledge the girls’ many achievements. The Music Dinner will be held on Friday 4 October in Eton Hall from 6pm. The Music Captains have announced the theme for this year’s dinner will be Barbie. Students (and parents) are encouraged to come along dressed as their favourite Barbie (or Ken), or you may just consider wearing lots of pink! A letter with further details is attached (and includes the link to purchase tickets). (PDF 453.8KB)

Viva La Musica

Stradivari Strings, Jackson Wind Ensemble and Volare will be presenting special performances at an upcoming concert we are entitling Viva La Musica to be held in the Phillip Harris Gym on Monday 9 September at 6:30pm. This will be a fantastic opportunity for these ensembles to showcase their hard work for 2024 and we look forward to having many in attendance to support the students. A letter with further details is attached here. (PDF 248.2KB)

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 September 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

Our total point score of 748 was just 12 points shy of last year’s impressive 760, earning us a second place in both the Aggregate and Percentage Cups. This highlights the consistency and competitive spirit of our athletes.

We extend our gratitude to the entire Shed community, including our dedicated coaches, volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who played a role in making this event a success. Your commitment and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind this remarkable season. Congratulations to all for a job well done.

Jack Armitage

Head of Rowing

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 am delighted to highlight and congratulate the follow achievements:

• Ruby S (Year 7) who recently represented Queensland at the 12 Years & Under School Sport Australia, National Hockey Championships. Ruby’s Queensland team finished in the bronze medal position. Congratulations Ruby.

• Letitia W (Year 10) who has been selected to represent Queensland in the 13-15 Years School Sport Australia, National Cricket Championships. The championships will be held in Mackay and we wish Letitia all the very best.

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 directly contact Mr Knight via lknight@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Sport Awards Evening – Save the Date

The annual St Margaret’s Sport Awards will be held on Thursday 3 October, celebrating the outstanding achievements of our students in all areas of sport. Award winners and their families will receive personal invitations towards the end of Term 3, but we warmly invite and encourage the entire St Margaret’s community to join us in celebrating the successes of the 2024 program. Tickets will be available soon—don’t miss out on this special evening!

Sport award criteria can be found on the St Margaret’s Sport POD page.

At our Sport Awards Evening, we recognise and celebrate the achievements of students who have represented Queensland or Australia through their respective school sport and club sport pathways. Since club sports are external to St Margaret’s, we rely on students and/or parents/guardians to inform the Activities Office about representation at this level. We acknowledge and honour those students who have been selected for and competed in a Queensland or Australian representative team.

If your daughter has represented at this level, email me by Friday 6 September, with the relevant details: 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:

• QGSSSA Hockey - The POD - Secondary Hockey (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• QGSSSA Netball - The POD - Secondary Netball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• QGSSSA Tennis - The POD - Secondary Tennis (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• QGSSSA Volleyball - The POD - Secondary Volleyball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Athletics - The POD - Secondary Athletics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Rowing - The POD - Secondary Rowing (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Rhythmic Gymnastics - The POD - Secondary Rhythmic Gymnastics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Club Netball - The POD - Club Netball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Club Swimming - The POD - Club Swimming (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Mr Lloyd Knight

Year 11 Term 4 2024 Booklist

The order cut-off date for the Year 11 Term 4 booklist was 16 August 2024. Any orders submitted after this date will be packed ASAP, but Campion Education cannot guarantee delivery prior to the commencement of Term 4 and all late orders will incur a delivery fee. 

To access the Campion Education Online Booklist for Year 11 Term 4 2024 (Year 12 2025) please click use this link: https://campion.com.au/parents/how-to-order/

Booklists for Pre-Prep to Year 11 2025 will be posted in early Term 4

Blazer Fittings – current Year 9 Cohort 2024

Students entering Year 10 in 2025 should consider coming into the Supplies Shop to be fitted for their blazer prior to the end of Term 4 2024. This will ensure the best fit and will allow time for a custom make blazer for the students who require extra or shorter length through the body and arms. All orders will need to be placed by 15 November 2024 for a March 2025 delivery. Students can visit the Supplies Shop during our opening hours (no appointment required). A blazer fitting takes around 15 minutes. The cost of the blazer is $275 and is payable at the time of ordering.

Uniform Fitting Appointments – Online booking system

Bookings for October, November and December 2024 and January 2025 are available online. We encourage families to book a fitting appointment as soon as possible, as appointments are filling fast.

Book your appointment online via the school website here: http://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/admissions/supplies-shop

Appointment times are either 30mins or 60mins depending on your fitting type. Fitting types include New Student, Existing Student, Boarder Only and Pre-Prep/Prep.

• One appointment = one student fitting
  If you are booking for two or more students, please book separate fitting appointments for each student. These can be at the same time if times are available.

• All fittings will take place in the Supplies Shop, which is located onsite, just off Circular Drive through Gate 1, Petrie Street.

Trading Hours (Term Time)

Monday          8am – 2pm
Tuesday         8am – 2pm
Wednesday    10am – 5pm
Thursday         8am – 2pm
Friday              8am – 2pm

Public Holidays Closed

We have fun-filled and exciting activities planned for our September Vacation Care Program. Further details of the program can be found here. (PDF 289.7KB) 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

Early Bird Bookings close: 30 August 2024

Fees: $68 per day*

Bookings close: 6 September 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

Bring a colleague or a friend and enjoy a gourmet breakfast and coffee whilst listening to our guest speaker Helen Moore, Chief Operating Officer, KFC Australia.

We encourage all parents to attend, especially those with daughters in Years 11 or 12. These events provide an exceptional opportunity for your daughters to hear from inspiring female leaders across a wide range of industries and emphasise the importance of visible role models in shaping their ambitions.

Helen is a commercially astute, passionate, people and business leader, with extensive experience growing businesses across the Food & Retail sectors. Helen currently leads a 14,000 strong team to operate 300 KFC restaurants across Australia from Busselton to Brisbane and everywhere in between!

Prior to joining Collins Foods, Helen was CEO of Oporto, leading 180 restaurants across Australia and New Zealand. Prior to that, Helen was General Manager – Convenience Development for Ampol (formerly Caltex Australia) creating the successful Foodary retail format. Helen has over 15 years’ experience in retail and consumer goods, commencing her career in investment banking with JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank before transitioning to senior leadership roles at Woolworths Group.

Event Details

Date:             Tuesday 15 October 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.

St Margaret’s Online Business Directory

Now more than ever it’s important to get behind business owners within our community and support those who support the school.

If you are looking for services such as accommodation, accounting, automobile, healthcare or legal, looking to buy or sell property or make home improvements take a look at the St Margaret’s Online Business Directory. 

The 2024 Directory can be viewed via this link: https://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/community/business-directory

Georgia Mitchell