eNews Archive Issue 28 - 5 September 2024

Resilience is a shared responsibility. Parents, teachers, and the school community can work together to create an environment that fosters resilience. Our children will inevitably find themselves in situations where they need our help to work through disappointment or setbacks, and sometimes they need encouragement to work through this. They will not always win the race, receive the prize, reach their goal on the first try, or be accepted into the position they have applied for. That’s ok, they will be able to try again or apply for something else, but teaching our students to gracefully accept an award as well as be graceful in defeat is an important measure of resilience.

There are a number of ways we can all help to build resilience in our students both inside and outside of the classroom:

1. Positive Relationships: Creating a supportive, inclusive, and empathetic school community is essential. When students feel connected to their peers and teachers, they are more likely to develop resilience.
2. Growth Mindset: Encouraging a growth mindset helps students view challenges as opportunities for growth. It is important that we emphasise that effort and learning from mistakes lead to success.
3. Emotional Intelligence: Teaching students to identify and manage their emotions can lead to better resilience. This self-awareness is foundational for handling stress and adversity.
4. Problem-Solving Skills: Develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities can help to empower students to tackle challenges with confidence.
5. Mindfulness and Stress Management: Introducing mindfulness practices can be helpful for students to cope with stress and anxiety, promoting emotional wellbeing.
6. Responsibility and Independence: Gradually allowing students to take on responsibilities can support them to develop a sense of independence and self-reliance.

Building resilience in our students is a vital aspect of their education. It equips them with the tools they need to navigate the challenges of life successfully. By nurturing resilience, we are not only preparing our students for academic success but also helping them become resilient, confident, and well-rounded individuals who can thrive in an ever-changing world.

Parent Survey

The parent survey (for Prep to Years 12 parents), which is conducted once every three years, is your chance to have your say and help us reaffirm where we are getting it right as well as telling us where you think we could improve our offerings. The survey will close soon (this Sunday evening) and I urge you to please take the time to complete it. As previously communicated, the survey is confidential with all survey responses going direct to MMG and coming back to St Margaret’s in a report containing aggregated data only and de-identified responses. We highly value your feedback and act upon it, so would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to assist us.

Traffic

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind our community about being very vigilant with regards to safety around our busy drop off and pick up times. For a successful drop-off/pick-up experience, I ask for your patience and courtesy in the process, following the directions of our traffic wardens and being aware of our neighbours who need to get in and out of their driveways.

Also, I remind parents and caregivers that student bags should not be in the boot of the car. It is our policy, due to the significant risk of students walking between moving vehicles, that students place their bags in the back seat of the car where they can be retrieved from the footpath side. For the same reason, Learner Drivers should not park in the drop off/pick-up zones and then have to walk around the car for the changeover of drivers. We ask you to consider doing the changeover further down Towers Street or in one of the side streets.

Whenever possible, I encourage secondary parents to avoid the 3.20pm pick-up traffic by arriving later. Immediately after school, your daughter can go to the library and complete homework before being picked up at 4.30pm when there are no delays.

We recognise traffic around the school perimeter is challenging; however, we ask parents/carers to please drive patiently, obey the road rules and ensure the safety of our community is our number one priority.

Karen Gorrie

Dent emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of self-worth in girls from an early age. She writes, “When a girl feels good about who she is, she’s less likely to seek validation from external sources.” This means encouraging your daughter to embrace her uniqueness and talents, rather than conforming to societal expectations. As Dent suggests, parents should focus on “strengthening their daughter’s emotional toolkit,” which includes teaching her to manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and develop a growth mindset.

Another key point Dent makes is the importance of role modelling. Parents should demonstrate self-compassion and confidence in their actions, as girls often learn by observing those they admire. Dent also advises parents to create an environment where their daughters feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment or criticism. Parents need to reassure their daughters about life’s ups and downs and that not every day or situation is going to be perfect.

Ultimately, raising a girl to have a powerful perspective about herself involves empowering her to recognise her inherent value and potential. Maggie Dent’s book provides a roadmap for this journey, offering practical advice that any parent can implement. By instilling these principles, we can help our daughters grow into confident, resilient, and self-assured women.

Nikki Townsend

The episode I listened to most recently was an interview with Ross Gay titled, The Insistence of Joy. This ties into my general theme of the last few weeks, and perhaps 2024, how do we foster or notice moments of joy and grace amid busyness, tumult, chaos, and pain?

Ross speaks of the importance of practicing noticing joy and beauty, like a muscle that needs to be strengthened, joy is something that can be cultivated. Ross decided that he would spend one year looking for delight every day and writing a mini essay on a moment of delight each day. This project became his book, The Book of Delights. It is a book that speaks about his struggle for justice, his personal story, and some of the struggles of life, through the lens of finding delightful moments in the everyday that hold transformative power. After listening to the episode, I immediately bought the book!

I am encouraged and inspired to notice the moments of delight…. and there are so many. Let us form a community that looks for the moments of delight in our day-to-day lives. As we are engulfed by the many things that require our attention every day, may we also cultivate joy through practicing noticing the small (or grand) moments of delight.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

Yalari, founded in 2005, has a clear mission: to offer educational opportunities to First Nations students through scholarships to some of Australia’s leading boarding schools. St Margaret’s is proud to be one of these schools, welcoming Yalari scholars into its community and providing a supportive environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and culturally.

For the Yalari scholars at St Margaret’s, the opportunity to study at such a prestigious institution opens doors to new possibilities, fosters leadership skills and encourages a sense of pride in their cultural identity. These students bring unique perspectives and experiences to the school, enriching the learning environment for everyone.

The annual Yalari Dinner is a significant event on the St Margaret’s calendar. It’s more than just a dinner, it’s a celebration of the partnership between Yalari, St Margaret’s, and the wider community. This event is a time to honour the achievements of the Yalari scholars and to acknowledge the support of those who make the program possible, including donors, educators, and families.

Attending the Yalari Dinner is a reminder of the importance of community in education. It highlights the collective effort required to support the aspirations of young First Nation Australians. The evening is filled with stories of resilience, determination, and success, as current students and alumni share their journeys.

We also congratulate Sofia Nona our very own Boarder Captain and graduating senior, who was selected as this year’s Yalari Valedictorian. Sofia is a shining example of how education can be a powerful tool for change. 

Gracemere Mataia

Self-regulation is a powerful skill to develop with respect to their learning. It requires students to set goals, develop strategies and monitor the effectiveness of their strategies throughout. Learning self-regulation should start early and takes time and practise (like any skill!). By being intentional about their actions throughout each term or learning period and reflecting on their application and subsequent achievement on each task, students are able to evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies and make adjustments to their approach for the next learning period.

I encourage all students to consider this as they come to the end of Term 3. What were your strategies for this term? How successfully did you follow them? And did they result in an outcome you are happy with? Take the opportunity to discuss this with your Academic Advisor as they can help to tweak current strategies or introduce new ones to optimise your learning and achievement.

Caitlin McCluskey

These sessions are supervised by tutors from Durack College and Old Girls, and have been a great support to the girls who attend. Bookings for all sessions for the term can be done through FlexiSchools on the schools’ website. While the study session is free of charge, if you would like you daughter to have dinner this can be purchased for $12.50 at the time of booking. Bookings are essential and should be made before 9:00 am on the day of each session.

Chris Dunn

On this special morning, a carnival atmosphere permeated - the men mingled, and the girls proudly gifted their ‘ties’.  Thank you to Annette Box for organising and overseeing this event and to everyone else involved in making this event a great success: Donna Free, Maria Lakis, Maria Chamberlain, teachers, administration staff and the kitchen staff. 

Sport News

Well done to our 76 primary athletes in Years 2-6 who competed at the Andrews Cup Athletics at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre on 15 August. A big congratulations to our 4 x 100 Relay team consisting of, Ena F, Ivy L, Audrey B and Phoebe W who placed in the Sue Pavish Relay.  Congratulations also to our 12 years athletes who placed third overall.  Well done to all of our athletes who put in a tremendous effort.

The 40 students who participated in Andrews Cup Basketball on Tuesday at Coomera earned kudos with all teams playing exceptionally well. A special congratulations to the Junior team who placed second and to the Senior B team for winning the B grade trophy.

Throughout the year, selected students have had the opportunity to trial for representative sport and several students have been successful in making City Districts and Met North Teams. A big congratulations to the following students who have been successful in making Met North and a special mention to Estella U who has made a total of three Met North Teams - Cross Country, Track and Field, Touch Football and Aquathlon.

Process for Class Allocation

As part of the class allocation selection process, students complete a friendship sociogram as part of our Student Wellbeing Program. The teachers use this information to construct class lists for the following year. The teachers value this information as it allows girls to think about friends who they can work with in a classroom setting.

The process for the development of class lists is as follows:

1. Each student completes a sociogram sheet. Students record friends who they’d like to be in next year’s class with, from their year level. This includes a sociogram where students identify friends with whom they can work in a classroom setting. Teachers will make every effort to allocate at least one identified friend. All students also record names of new students they know.
2. Teacher records friends’ names on a class master sheet.
3. Teacher reviews sociograms (based on social behaviour and academics) and creates form classes ensuring there is a balance between the classes.
4. Class teacher discusses with specialist teachers and Learning Enhancement.
5. Parent applications are considered.
6. Class teachers create list.
7. Prior to the end of the year, parents are informed of the class and teacher of their child for 2025.

Last week we posted on the POD, the class list consideration form (link here) where parents were offered the opportunity to provide information that they believe would be valuable for teachers when creating classes. This form must be completed by Tuesday 10 September. No late forms can be accepted beyond this date.

Whilst all applications will be considered, it is important to note that the submission does not provide a guarantee that application requests will be granted. These applications, along with the professional judgement of the primary staff and sociograms from the students, will be used to inform decisions about class placement.

Angela Drysdale

We encourage all parents to participate in these discussions to gain a deeper understanding of their daughter’s academic development and to contribute to their continued success.

Additionally, we look forward to Years 5 and Year 6 students leading their own Student-Led Interviews. This initiative allows students to take an active role in reflecting on their learning, presenting their achievements, and setting future goals. It’s a fantastic way for students to showcase their progress and develop essential communication skills while engaging in their educational journey.

Years 5 and 6 Continuous Reporting

As we approach the end of Term 3, it’s important to highlight the upcoming release schedules for Years 5 and Year 6 continuous reporting. All Year 5 results will be available by 5:00 pm on Friday, 13 September, and Year 6 results will be accessible by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 11 September.

The Power of Feedback

Students are encouraged to leverage their feedback for several important reasons:

1. Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses: Feedback provides insights into students’ strengths and areas needing improvement, helping them focus on specific aspects that require attention.
2. Setting Realistic Goals: Continuous Reporting offers valuable insights that assist students in setting both short-term and long-term goals that are realistic and achievable.
3. Celebrating Successes: Feedback is not only about identifying areas for improvement but also about recognising and celebrating successes, which boosts morale and motivation.

By effectively utilising the feedback available through Continuous Reporting, students can drive their own growth and success. All results can be reviewed on the Learning Analytics platform, ensuring easy access and ongoing support for their educational journey.

Kate Frewin

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 (including the link to purchase tickets) (PDF 453.8KB).

Viva La Musica

Stradivari Strings, Jackson Wind Ensemble and Volare are very much looking forward to presenting performances at their upcoming Viva La Musica concert 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 the AGM and will be held on Tuesday 22 October 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

The awarding of Pockets at St Margaret’s acknowledges two components: Achievement and Participation. Pockets are awarded to students to denote excellence in an activity when representing St Margaret’s and/or in recognition of extended participation in a school activity. Excellence in an activity is recognised through Full and Half Pockets, while extended participation in an activity is recognised through Gold Service Pockets.

Students may also be recognised for elite levels of representation in an activity through state and national Representation pockets. State Representation Pockets are awarded to students who have participated in the specific activity for the school and are selected in a Queensland team or individual event competing at national selection level through School Sport pathways. National Representation Pockets are awarded to students who have participated in the specific activity for the school and are selected in a national team or individual event competing at an international level through School Sport pathways. At the discretion of the Principal, Representative Pockets may also be awarded to students who participate in other activities outside of School Sport pathways.

A full list of Pocket awardees can now be found on the respective Sport POD pages. Students' Pocket certificates can be collected from the Sport and Activities Office and processed through the school's Supply Shop for insignia on student blazers. (certificates will be made available in week 1 of Term 3).

We are proud of all students and their achievements. Please note that Semester 2 Sport Pockets will be acknowledged at the completion of QGSSSA Winter Sport Season.

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 achievement/s:

• Mena B (Year 9) who recently was selected and represented Queensland at the New Zealand Short Course Championships. Mena had a fantastic championship claiming gold medals in both the 200m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle, silver medals in the 50m Backstroke and 100m Backstroke and a bronze medal in the 100m Freestyle. This representative team was a fantastic opportunity for Mena to practice what is required for an athlete touring at an international level. We are sure this will put her in good stead for the future.

• Jordy W (Year 12) who, after recently represented Queensland at the School Sport Australian Football (Soccer) Championships, has been selected as a shadow player in the Australian School Sport U18 Girls Team. We congratulate Jordy on this high achievement.

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 email me at lknight@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Sports Awards Evening – Save the Date

The annual St Margaret’s Sports 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!

Sports award criterias can be found of the St Margaret’s Sport POD Page.

At our Sports 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, please notify the Activities Office by Friday, 6th September, with the relevant details.

Please email Mr Lloyd Knight, Director of Sport 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:

• 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 on 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 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