eNews Archive Issue 9 - 21 March 2024

We ask parents, siblings, and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email, or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone. For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.

What really makes us happy?

Harvard University has engaged in a longitudinal study on what makes us happy. At 86 years duration, it is the world’s longest study on happiness. The study’s recent findings show that “close" relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives” and that the impact of these relationships was equally important regardless of the context — marriage, friendships, family and other social supports were all similarly important in determining happiness for people who participated in the project.

Why is this so important for adolescent girls and the young women they are becoming? The study found that young people “tally the lowest life-satisfaction scores among all age groups”. This new finding is a direct reversal of survey results obtained in 2000. The downward trend in young people’s happiness began during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is now clear that it is continuing.

The Director of the Harvard Study reminds us all that “nobody is happy all the time,” and this does not mean “we’re doing something wrong.” He talks about life’s challenges, its obstacles, and its ups and downs. Relationships are not only “a way to increase our happiness,” but they also form a “safety net” of support that can help us during “those hard times that all of us have in our lives.” Girls will face challenges, obstacles, and sadness. But adults helping their students/daughters to develop positive, healthy relationships as part of a holistic, healthy approach to wellbeing can give girls the best chance possible for healthy, longlasting happiness.

Ros Curtis

Warning Signs

What are some indications that your child might be at risk on the Internet? The signs could be as simple as excessive use of the Internet (especially at night) or as frightening as your child actually setting up a meeting with a stranger. Other things you should watch out for include:

• Unsupervised time in chat rooms
• Downloaded photos of strangers
• Downloaded pornographic pictures
• Phone calls, gifts or letters from strangers
• Using an online account that belongs to someone else
• Changes in behaviour and being secretive about online activity
• Quickly turning off the computer or changing the screen monitor when someone else enters the room

Tips for Parents

What can you do as parents to help protect your child online? Parents need to educate themselves and communicate the dangers and risks of being online with your children. Supervise your children on the Internet just as you would monitor what movies and TV shows they watch and the places they go with their friends.

1. Spend time with your children online, let them show you their favourite sites.
   
   
2. Make reasonable rules and set time and use limits. Enforce them.
   
   
3. Educate yourself and your child about the dangers of the Internet, talking openly and honestly.
   
   
4. Do not allow your child to go into private chat rooms and provide their personal details.
5. Do not let your child download or upload pictures without your permission.
   
   
6. Utilize your Internet Service Provider's parental controls and commercial blocking and filtering software tools.
   
   
7. Be aware of your child using another person's screen name.
   
   
8. Develop a "contract" with your children about their Internet use.
   
   
9. Review the usage histories or logs of your computer to see where your children have been.
   
   

Nikki Townsend

Throughout history humans have constantly sought progress. We have achieved many great things, many scientific discoveries that have changed the course of history. However, the achievements themselves have not equalled being better humans. We humans still spend our lives striving to live a good life, to find meaning.

In our RVE Program, which is in the process of being rebranded as “On Being Human” we reflect on how we can strive to be benevolent humans. How do we be human well? As a school of the Society of the Sacred Advent our faith drives our vision of what it is to be a good human.

In the gospel of Matthew, we find the Sermon on the Mount - a collection of sayings by Jesus, that point us toward the way we are supposed to live on the earth. These sayings are often used as the foundation for Christian ethics. Jesus changes the discourse around what a good life looks like. Rather than attaining status, wealth and power, it is in the building of relationships, seeking peace, showing mercy, empathy and compassion, that we find meaning and purpose.

Jesus didn’t just preach this stuff. He lived it. He teaches forgiveness and then in the passion, the dark night of gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus prays for those who abandon and crucify him. Jesus never meets violence with violence, but rather with a love that is inextinguishable. This is the message of Easter that we celebrate next week – that nothing can diminish the love and life of God, not even death itself – even that is transformed into life-everlasting.

Local Holy Week and Easter Services

Rev’d Jazz Dow

At its core, grace is about recognising each other’s humanity. Acts of grace also come from small inconsequential encounters. It can be the smallest acts that can sometimes have the biggest impact. In boarding we are striving for the girls to show grace to everyone they encounter. To accept and respect each other and take the time to understand how and why someone is feeling the way they do. It is about accepting that we are all different, viewing things from different perspectives and that we are willing to show grace in all of our interactions.

Lesa Fowler

It would also be worth noting this so that in Term 2, you can support your daughter in implementing a more balanced approach earlier in the term. An Eisenhower Matrix (urgent/not urgent, important/not important) can assist with prioritising tasks. Ideally, 80% of time should be spent working on “important, not urgent” tasks. If time is distributed appropriately throughout the term, there should be a limited number of tasks that fall into the “important, urgent” category.

Year 11 Academic Progress Meetings

Early next term, I will be meeting with all Year 11 students to reflect on their progress in Term 1 and assist with goal setting moving forward. The meetings will run for approximately ten minutes and will be available before, during and after school hours. Students will have access to book in for these meetings via the “Year 11 Academic Progress Meetings” tile on the POD. This will become live in Week 1 of Term 2. Parents are more than welcome to attend these meetings either in person, via Teams or phone.

Caitlin McCluskey

“Be consistent throughout the year and know that it’s solely your responsibility to succeed” – Olivia McDouall – ’23.

• For Years 7 to 10 assessments – results and comments are released two school weeks after their submission/sitting date.
• For Year 11 – most results and comments are released two school weeks after their submission/sitting date, however, for some larger assessments it will be three school weeks.
• For Year 12 - results and comments are released three school weeks after their submission/sitting date.

To access these results, please log into the Learning Analytics Parent Portal and click on the Continuous Reporting Quick Link button.

Interim Attitude to Learning Grades

Interim Attitude to Learning grades will be available for parents and students to view through Learning Analytics from next Wednesday 27 March.

To access these results, please log into the Learning Analytics Parent Portal and click on the Pastoral Care Quick Link button.

If you have any questions regarding parent access to Learning Analytics, please don’t hesitate to contact me (07) 3862 0703.

Chris Dunn

When we tackle periods of busyness, maintaining a practical approach and continuing positive routines can assist students to navigate the fuller times in the calendar and their lengthier to-do lists. Heads of year, subject teachers, academic advisors, and form teachers have equipped the girls with practical strategies and successful frameworks for study. But when there’s a narrative of being time-poor, finding time for something other than study (or talking about studying) can be compromised. Enter the old-as-time advice to find joy in the little things; while applicable to every day, it can be exceptionally helpful for a more balanced outlook during these busier periods.

In looking more deeply into phenomena of the everyday, the individual daily pursuit of awe and wonder has proven humbling powers that bring perspective – an essential ingredient to the building of resilience. In her book, Phosphorescence, author and journalist Julia Baird champions awe in the everyday and the benefits of micro-doses of awe to wellbeing.

As we enter the final week of term, there are also opportunities for awe not only to be pursued individually but experienced collectively. Penned by social scientists as ‘collective effervescence,’ glittering recent evidence of this phenomena can be found in footage taken from Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour — joyful crowds of (mostly) girls and women connected in song. Albeit on a smaller yet still powerful stage, school offers the opportunity for collective awe to be shared frequently amongst our students.

In our final week, Year 12 will celebrate 100 Days until graduation, Year 11 will come together on the dance floor for the Dinner Dance, and the last day of school will be marked by our Easter service and final assembly. Indeed, these are rich and rewarding weeks that capture students’ academic efforts and the connectedness of the school community.

Julia Baird, Phosphorescence, 2019.

Amanda Jansen

Every year, Konan Elementary School staff and students visit in March - this visit aligns with the end of their school year. It is also fortuitous that their visit falls during Harmony Week, a national celebration that recognises the country’s diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds; a week which highlights inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. The goals for this week align with our school values and by living these values, we are encouraging a peaceful and respectful community.  

Thank you to Ms Box, Mrs Gillan (Japanese Club coordinator) and our Year 5 staff for their contribution to the day so that the Konan staff and 20 Year 5 students can engage and enjoy intercultural activities. The visit will be a celebration of diversity and friendship with students from both schools coming together to learn from each other and build connections that transcend borders.  

I appreciate the staff and students’ efforts to ensure Konan school members feel like they belong in a school and country far from their home. Here’s to many more opportunities for our students to connect, learn and grow together across oceans and continents.

Dive into Excitement:  Our Upcoming Swimming Carnival

There is an air of excitement for the much-anticipated event of the school year – our annual Primary Interhouse Swimming Carnival.  The swimming carnival is not just about showcasing swimming skills: it's an opportunity for students to demonstrate teamwork, sportsmanship, and house spirit.

We encourage all students to participate, embrace the spirit of friendly competition, and make lasting memories with their peers. Parents and friends are most welcome to attend. The details of the day are available here.

Angela Drysdale

Students are graded on a four-point scale.

• Excellent
• Good
• Satisfactory
• Needs Improvement

The following elements are considered by teachers in the primary school when they are allocating an Attitude to Learning result.

• Attitude and Behaviour: interest, attention and engagement in learning, class rules and the school values
• Work Ethic: perseverance, focus and pride
• Managing Self: management of learning tasks, including home learning. Care for belongings
• Participation and Contribution: participation, cooperation and contribution to learning activities.

Goal Setting

This term the Years 5 and 6 students have set individual, semester long goals for English and Mathematics which will be completed by the end of term and available to be viewed in Learning Analytics under the My Goals section. Please take the time to review these goals with your daughters.

Kate Frewin

Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast

Thank you to our musicians who performed at the Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast held on Tuesday morning. Congratulations to the Sculthorpe String Quartet (Christy, Esther, Charlotte and Tram) who provided musical entertainment as guest arrived. Congratulations also to Ruby (Yr 11) who provided a wonderful solo performance of True North from the musical Bananaland written by Kate Miller-Heidke. Thank you also to her teacher Ms Taylor who accompanied Ruby on the piano and backing vocals. All the music provided was very much appreciated by everyone in attendance.

Soloists’ Recital Series #1

Congratulations to all students who performed at the first Soloists Recital for the year on Wednesday afternoon in the Arts Centre Foyer. It was a fantastic 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!

Staff News

It is with sadness that we let our school community know that Ms Helen Carvolth (upper strings teacher) will be leaving St Margaret’s at the end of Term 1. Ms Carvolth has been at St Margaret’s for two years and has made a wonderful contribution to the strings program. We thank her for all that she has given and wish her the very best in her future role at Ipswich Grammar School.

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 April 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

The sprinters were strong across all age groups, with Erin G (U15), Georgina F (U16), Charlotte F (U17), Ebony O (U18) and Leah C (U18) all showing how much speed they have by qualifying for finals. Erin, Georgina and Charlotte all ran huge PBs in both the 100m and 200m events. Leah Cox smashed her 400m PB to win gold, while Ebony took home two silver medals in the 100m and 200m, narrowly missing out on the gold.

Zara F (U15), Charlize H (U16) and Coco F (U17) all took to the track in the middle-distance events. In her first ever steeplechase race, Coco took home the gold medal and then backed it up with a silver in the 1500m. In a hotly contested field, Charlize ran a super-fast 2 min 17s 800m to qualify for the final. Zara showed her impressive combination of speed and endurance, taking home silver medals in both the 400m and 800m events.

In the field events, Ashley B (U16) and Lily H (U18) both jumped their way to medal winning performances. Lily went over 11m in the triple jump and 5m in the long jump to earn silver and bronze medals respectively. After winning gold in the high jump, Ash showed her versatility by competing in the triple jump and making it through to the final in the hurdles.

Well done to all girls who competed, the competition was tough, and you should all be extremely proud of yourselves.

Medallists:

• Zara F: 400m and 800m Silver
• Erin G: 200m Gold
• Ashley B: High Jump Gold
• Coco F: 2000m Steeplechase Gold and 1500m Silver
• Lily H: Triple Jump Silver and Long Jump Bronze
• Ebony O: 100m and 200m Silver
• Leah C: 400m Gold

QGSSSA Cricket Season Wrap

As the curtains fall on another memorable QGSSSA Cricket Season, we reflect on the incredible journey our players have undertaken. Their unwavering spirit and collective effort have been the backbone of their development, nurtured through dedicated training sessions at the national cricket centre. Despite the Open Team's challenging season without a win, their leadership and mentorship towards our Div 1 players have been invaluable. Victories against tough opponents like St Hilda's and St Aidan's for the Div 1 team highlighted their grit and determination. We commend all players for their hard work and perseverance this season and look forward to the QGSSSA season again next year.

A big thanks must be given to our Cricket Coordinator, Ms Talia O’Callaghan, and her able assistant, Mr Gary Bruce. We must also thank our coaches of the Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club with whom we share a partnership. We look forward to next 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 student on her recent achievements:

• Congratulations to Charli S (Year 11) who recently represented Queensland at the School Sport Australia Triathlon Championships in Perth. In an incredible effort, Charli finished 3^rd overall in the Intermediate category, earning herself the bronze medal. Well done Charli on your efforts!

We would like to continue to recognise the outstanding achievements and representation of students’ participating 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

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)
• Swimming - The POD - Secondary Swimming (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Cross Country - The POD - Secondary Cross Country (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Artistic Gymnastic – The POD - Secondary Artistic Gymnastics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)
• Club Water Polo - The POD - Club Water Polo (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)

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.

At this meeting, Ros Curtis will share an update on the school including the school's current request to amend its existing, approved master plan, to allow the development of the St Margaret’s Arts Precinct (SMAP) and new classrooms south of Petrie Street.

Please find meeting details below:

Date:               Monday 25 March 2024
Time:              6.30pm to 7.30pm (followed by light refreshments)
Location:        Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's 

RSVP:             Please click Here

There is also an option to join this meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend the meeting in person.

Please find a list of nominees below:

P&F Secondary Mother Daughter Luncheon – Tickets on sale now

The St Margaret’s P&F Association invites all girls in Years 7 to 12 and their mothers or significant women in their lives to the 2024 Secondary Mother Daughter Luncheon.

After a successful event in 2023, we're delighted to host this special event on the St Margaret's calendar and welcome guest speaker Susie Taaffe, CEO and founder of anti-shapewear brand Skanties. Susie will share her fresh approach to empowering women and girls to embrace their natural form and reject unnatural beauty standards.

Event details

Date        Sunday 19 May 2024

Time       11:00am - 3:00pm

Venue     Rivershed at Howard Smith Wharves

Cost        $150 Adult (includes a glass of Chandon NV Brut on arrival)
                $130 Student (includes four hour soft drink package)

Tickets include a grazing style Italian menu and dessert, tea and coffee, photo booth and live band. Additional beverages are available for purchase.

Tickets    On sale via https://www.trybooking.com/CPZCO. Please advise your table captain at the time of purchase. Tickets are non-refundable. 

RSVP        5:00pm Thursday 2 May 2024 (unless sold out prior).

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast

Thank you to those who Joined us on Tuesday 19 March for our first Professional Women's Network Breakfast of 2024 with guest speaker Rhyll Gardner (’81). 

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.

We would like to invite you to attend our next PWN event with guest speaker Patricia O’Callaghan, CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Patricia O’Callaghan is an experienced Chief Executive Officer who has held significant senior executive positions over the past 15 years and has a passion for growing companies, communities and bettering the lives of people.

Trish joined Tourism and Events Queensland as CEO in January 2023, after heading up Destination Gold Coast from February 2021 – December 2022 and following nine years with Townsville Enterprise, first as General Manager for Tourism and Events before being promoted to CEO, a position she held for five years.

With extensive experience in strategy development, advocacy, corporate communications, Government, stakeholder and media relations and marketing, Patricia has a proven record of working with communities to convert strategy into tangible outcomes.

Patricia has previously been accepted into the Australian American Young Leadership Dialogue, was named 2018 BOSS Young Executive by the Australian Financial Review and the recipient of the 2014 Australian Institute of Management – Young Manager of the Year Award for Queensland.

Date:               Wednesday 1 May 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 or a corporate table: Please click Here

Georgia Mitchell