eNews Archive Issue 1 - 25 January 2018

A number of new teaching staff joined us this year, and I formally welcome them to the St Margaret’s community. Their names and the areas in which they teach or lead are listed below:

Dean of Pedagogy

• Jo Butterworth

 

Assistant Head of Primary School

• Cathy Cox

 

Head of Faculty – Arts and Design

• Annette Box

 

Head of Faculty – Science and Technology

• Chris Dunn

 

Secondary:

• Tammy MacGinley (Maths/Physics)
• Hannah Calcino (History/Humanities)
• Ysabella Chambers (English)

 

Primary:

• Kimberley Bachmann – Teacher Year 6
• Briar Bracey – Teacher Year 2
• Kylie Briggs – Teacher Prep
• Marguerite Erasmus – Teacher Year 5
• Deanna Lawliss – Pre-Prep

 

Last Friday we heard news that Mrs Nicky Barrie, Head of Sport, is leaving us to be the Head of Sport at All Hallows. We wish Mrs Barrie all the best for her new role and acknowledge her commitment, hard work and focus on the strength of the sporting program over the last 3.5 years. We are fortunate that Ms Helen Lobegeiger was able to take on the role of Head of Sport and she has hit the ground running (so to speak) as she returns to the role she had prior to her maternity leave. 

At the beginning of the year we are holding two very important parent information evenings, one for the Primary school and one for the Secondary school. The dates and times are:

• Primary Parent Information Evening: 31 January, 6:30pm, Atrium
• Secondary Parent Information Evening: 1 February, 6:00pm, Arts Centre Foyer and The Terraces

 

We do hope to see as many parents attending these events as possible. It is a great opportunity to meet staff and to hear about the plans for the year and information relevant to your daughter’s education.

Each week, members of the School’s Education Leadership Team write in our newsletter on a range of topics. It is our major form of communication to the school community about the latest research that is impacting on our teaching and learning program, the achievements of staff and students, what we have said to students at assemblies and a reminder about the latest events in the school. Reading this eNews and using the St Margaret’s APP should keep parents up-to-date with what is happening in all areas of the school. Therefore, I encourage both parents/guardians to read the eNews on a weekly basis.

I’m really excited about the year ahead and hope that you and your daughter are also looking forward to a rewarding and fulfilling year. Welcome to the 2018 Academic Year!

Ros Curtis 

Just a couple of days into Term 1, and already students are looking to join extra-curricular groups and opportunities on offer. I truly encourage this and urge all students to become involved in some way within our school community this year in order to become connected with others, make friends, learn new things, and make their time at St Margaret’s truly memorable. There are so many ways this can be done. Students are encouraged to join that sporting team, enter that music group, put their hand up for volunteer and charity work and take part in many of the activities and initiatives from so many areas of the school.

It is also important at the beginning of the academic year to think about goals for learning and how they can be achieved. Many teachers will be encouraging their students to articulate their goals within their subject areas and write them down, revisit them regularly and evaluate how their progress towards these goals are going. In Years 9 – 12, academic advisors will assist students with this and discuss strategies students may wish to use to achieve their goals.

Student Protection Officers:

St Margaret's Anglican Girls School is committed to:

• promoting and striving to provide a safe, supportive and ethical environment for the wellbeing and holistic development of students; and
• providing a safe secure nurturing environment in which all its students may grow and learn.

Student Protection Officers are persons designated as liaison people to whom students may refer if they are not feeling safe; or to whom they make complaints of harm, inappropriate behaviour or physical/sexual abuse. The St Margaret's Student Protection Officers are:

• Deputy Principal - Karen Gorrie
• Head of Boarding - Lesa Fowler
• Head of Primary School - Angela Drysdale
• Dean of Students - Nikki Townsend
• Student Counsellor - Sharon Stone

Karen Gorrie 

St Margaret’s, a school in the Anglican tradition, grants me the role of “Parish Priest” to the whole school community – students, staff and families. I began at St Margaret’s in 2007, with 10 years of School Chaplaincy experience behind me. I am a trained Secondary teacher of English, Geography and Religious Education and I was ordained a Priest in December 2000.

I am married to Richard and we have two daughters, Sophia (Year 10) and Naomi (Year 7).

My role within this school community is to share, invite, celebrate and challenge all with ideas and expressions of faith and ways to explore the nature of the Godly and our relationship with God. Chapels, RVE classes, Assemblies, bigger school celebrations are all times where, as a living faith community, we acknowledge the blessings of life in and through all.

As a Priest, I am available to all members of this school for pastoral visits (at home, nursing homes, hospitals), baptisms, weddings, funerals and conversation.

I can be contacted directly at school on 3862 0716 or on 0405 354 035. My email address is: ncolledge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. I look forward to chatting with you and sharing the educational journey of your daughters in our school.

Upcoming Services

Year 11 Chapel: Monday 29 January, 8:20am

Year 8 Chapel: Thursday 1 February, 10:50am

Year 9 Chapel: Thursday 1 February, 12:20pm

Year 10 Chapel: Thursday 8 February, 8:20am

Years 7 and 8 Family Service: Wednesday 21 February, 6:30pm

Young Families Service: Sunday 25 February, 9am

Prayer for the Week – St Margaret’s School Prayer

God of all being, look with your favour on this school

dedicated to your servant, St Margaret of Antioch.

Bless those who teach and those who learn,

and those who work to support and maintain the school.

Grant wisdom and courage in our lives,

gentleness of heart and compassion for all.

May each seek to know and love the truth,

and in humility of heart, ever look to you,

the source of all wisdom and understanding.

We ask these things through your Son's name, Amen.

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,

The Reverend Nicki Colledge 

Community is at the heart of Boarding and working in partnership with families is what makes St Margaret’s Boarding unique. Our focus on, “See my difference, see my worth” opens the doors for all members of the St Margaret’s Boarding community to embrace each other and places value on our differences.

On Tuesday, our new student leaders were inducted with many Boarders receiving positions of responsibility. Congratulations to our Boarder Captains; Prudence Brosnan and Christine Dawanincura and our Boarder Prefects; Annabel Arnott, Charlotte Fordyce, Wing Tung (Angel) Lau, Annabelle Madden, Georgia Sprague, Rosabelle Tully, Annabelle Wagner and Felicity White. Many other Boarders received leadership positions within the school and we congratulate all Year 12 girls.

The new mobile phone policy within the school has also seen some changes for the Boarding House, which includes the Dining Room being a technology free zone. We are encouraging all girls to spend time together getting to know each other and building on our sense of community. Our focus this year will be based on kindness and at our meeting on Wednesday night I spoke to the girls about what this means, the benefits and how we should, as a community, come together with kindness in our minds through all of our day to day interactions. We look forward to a wonderful 2018 in Boarding and building on the values of the School.

Lesa Fowler 

As we navigate our way around these first few weeks, we are all creating our attitudes and behaviours for learning. One of the key focuses of our learning practices this year is to assist students to reflect on their learning and the ‘deep thinking’ processes involved.

In a number of our classes, we will have the opportunity to focus on ‘how we think’. Year 11 Learning Development begins in Week 1 and will focus on a range of topics, including understanding how to think, as well as developing effective study skills, building coping skills and self-management. Year 12 QCST classes also start this week to prepare the students for a test which focuses on a set of generic thinking skills they are developing and transferring across their subjects. Year 10s will also have the opportunity to think about and develop their study skills through the ELEVATE workshop next week. In each of these classes, students will have the capacity to explore strategies they can use to engage their thinking, show initiative and challenge themselves.

The ultimate objective of developing thinking skills is to have the ability to become a lifelong learner with the ability to be innovators, entrepreneurs, valued employees and responsible global citizens. Our St Margaret’s Framework of Quality Teaching and Learning supports our thinking process and we will be looking to enhance our use of this way of working in our classrooms this year. I look forward to meeting and working with you as we move through the first few weeks into an exciting school year.

Jo Butterworth 

Please find below information about Reporting, Parent Teacher Interviews and Supervised Study Sessions.

Reporting and Parent Teacher Interviews 2018

2018 will see the adoption of Continuous Reporting for students in Years 5 to 12. The aim behind Continuous Reporting is to provide valuable and informative reporting to parents in a way they can understand and work in partnership with teachers to support the learning of their daughters.

For parents, Continuous Reporting will provide:

• Results in a working context – individualised to their daughter
• Up to date information about how their daughter is performing, rather than waiting for the end of semester report or parent teacher interview
• All results to parents though Parent Lounge, including results from previous assessment and years.

 

Continuous Reporting will provide students with:

• Improvements in feedback to students for assessments – focus on improvements
• The opportunity to own their results and look for areas of improvement
• Access to an Academic Goal Setting process through Learning Analytics to allow the girls to analyse their results, engage in feedback and set goals for their learning path.

“Engaging students with their own data allows them to gain a better understanding of their strengths, their weaknesses and how to improve.” (Farrell, Marsh and Bertrand 2015)

Next week, at the Parent Information Evening I will share information about accessing this reporting information through Parent Lounge. I will also include this information in my eNews article next week for parents who are unable to attend the Parent Information Evening.

In conjunction with Continuous Reporting all parents have access to Parent Teacher Interviews twice a year (Terms 1 and 3). This year we have made some changes in response to parent requests and the Academic Advising Program. The Term 1 Interviews will be held with your daughter’s Form Teacher (Year 7 and 8) or her Academic Advisor (Years 9-12). The focus of these interviews will be to share with you the information we have on your daughter and the goals she has set with either her Form Teacher or Academic Advisor. The Interviews are being held on Monday 26 February and Thursday 1 March from 3:30-6:00pm in the Philip Harris Sports Centre. Information about booking times will be sent home in the next few weeks.

Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews will give you the opportunity to meet with your daughters’ subject teachers. The Term 3 Interviews will be held on Monday 16 July from 10am-8pm. For Boarding Parents, both interview sessions (Term 1 and 3) will offer Skype Interviews.

However, it is important to note you can contact your daughters’ Subject Teachers, Form Teacher or Academic Advisor via email if you have any questions at any time.

Supervised Study Sessions

In 2018, Supervised Study Sessions (SSS) will operate out of the senior library on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Each session runs from 5pm to 7:30pm, with students having the option of purchasing dinner from the Boarding House for $10 (served at approximately 6pm).

For students attending these sessions after an afternoon of sport, transport is available to and from Windsor Park. For those staying on after school to attend SSS, the senior Library is open until 5pm prior to the commencement of the study sessions.

Parents who book their daughter’s in via Flexischools can feel comfortable knowing that their daughters are receiving academic support, but are also interacting with peers in a physically and emotionally safe environment.

Dates for the sessions and when bookings open are below:

2018 Supervised Study Sessions

Term 1: 29 January – 22 March

Term 2: 23 April – 14 June

Term 3: 23 July – 13 September

Term 4: 15 October – 22 November

To book, parents will need to log into Flexischools and select ‘Supervised Study Sessions’. Bookings are limited to 25 participants each night and when a session is full no more bookings can be made. Bookings are essential and should be made in advance to ensure a place is available. If dinner is required, payment must be paid at the time of booking and this option selected in Flexischools.

During these session girls work with tutors to organise a plan of study for the term. This involves the girls looking at their assessment calendar and planning how to ensure they are planned and ready for the next lesson and assessment. The main goal of SSS is to assist girls to revise work covered so far and support and extend their understanding of learning from lessons so they are prepared for assessment.

Nicole Devlin 

The beginning of a new year can present a plethora of emotions among our students. For many, there is eagerness about catching up with friends after the summer holidays. Some are excited to try new subjects and meet new teachers, while others may experience nerves or anxiety, especially if they are new to the school. An unfamiliar environment and the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. We understand that each girl walking into St Margaret’s this week, whether a returning student or a fresh face to the school, will have her own story and her own needs. With the assistance of our experienced and well-qualified staff we will endeavour to assist your daughters settling into St Margaret’s for 2018.

Each girl in the Secondary school is allocated a Form teacher (Years 7 and 8) or an Academic Advisor (Years 9 to 12), who will support your daughter this year. There is also a Head of Year assigned to each cohort, who will work closely with the Form teacher or your daughter’s Academic Advisor to oversee student well-being and academic learning. Along with these key people, a number of other staff may be of assistance to your daughter; namely the Heads of Faculty, Dean of Studies, Dean of Pedagogy, Student Counsellor, Chaplain or myself. Boarders will also have access to the Head and Assistant Heads of Boarding, House Mothers and the Pastoral Care Coordinator.

As parents, I encourage you to keep the lines of communication open with your daughters as to her schooling experience. Each year can present new challenges, socially and academically, and often these challenges are unexpected. All of the staff can be reached via telephone or email, and I encourage you to contact the school if you have any concerns with your daughter throughout the year.

The Secondary School Parent Welcome and Information Evening will be held on Thursday 1 February, from 6 to 8 pm held in the Arts Centre Foyer (ACF). Drinks and canapes will be served on the Terraces from 6 to 6:30 pm, followed by a welcome from the Principal, Ms Curtis, staff and community groups. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with your daughter’s Head of Year. Years 11 and 12 parents will also meet with Mrs Jo Butterworth the new Dean of Pedagogy who will discuss QCS and OP information. I look forward to seeing you there.

Here’s to a productive and enriching 2018!

Nikki Townsend 

I will share some of the key points from the presentation throughout the term. One point that is particularly relevant now is the way, as a society, we are always striving for the next thing. For example: starting school, counting the days to the next holiday, experiencing the last year in primary school or school. He highlighted that it is important to live in the moment and enjoy the journey.

“This moment – this day – is good as any moment in all eternity. I shall make of this day – each moment of this day – a heaven on earth.  This is my day of opportunity.”

Dan Custer

The first day of a new school year is a day of opportunity and the first day of many more. The beginning of the new school year marks the beginning of new social experiences – new teacher, new year level, making new friends and becoming part of a class community.

For new staff, students and their families it is about becoming part of the school community. The new students are managing the transition to their new school with the help of their buddies and classmates. I look forward to getting to know more about them in the upcoming new students’ morning teas.

I also welcome several new staff members: Mrs Cathy Cox, Assistant Head of Primary; Ms Deanna Lawliss, Pre-Prep teacher; Ms Kylie Briggs, Prep teacher; Ms Briar Bracey, Year 2G teacher; Ms Marguerite Erasmus, Year 5 teacher and Ms Bachmann, Year 6 teacher.

Primary parents will have the opportunity to meet with staff and families at the Parent Information Night on Tuesday 31 January at 6:30pm. The evening will commence in the Atrium at which time Mrs Gorrie and I will share goals for the year. This will be followed by a visit to the classroom to meet with the teacher. The night will conclude at approximately 8:45pm. I look forward to meeting with many parents on this night and working together throughout the year.

“If you walk fast, walk alone. But if you walk far, walk together.” Anon

Important Information for 2018

I encourage parents to refer to the Primary Parent’s Handbook available online for relevant information about the Primary School.

Morning School Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up

Please familiarise yourself with the procedures for morning school drop off and afternoon pick up on Page 6 of the Primary Parent’s Handbook.

Parents are encouraged to drop students in the Drop Off zone in order for them to walk into the Atrium. Students will wait in the Atrium under teacher supervision and move to their classes at 8:15am. As a school, we encourage the children to be independent throughout their school day. Therefore, we request that parents do not accompany their child to the classroom so that each child is responsible for organising herself for the school day.

A teacher is on gate duty in Butler Street from Monday to Thursday until 3:40pm, and Friday until 3:30pm. Please encourage your daughter to look out for you so the teacher can supervise her as she moves to your car.

The 2-Minute Zone is a set down and collection point only. The 2-Minute Zone is not an area for parking (or prolonged parking). It is illegal to leave your car when parked in this area.

Please note, there is a teacher on duty only at the Butler Street Pick Up Zone.

• Staff and students will wait at the end of the pick-up zone (half way down Butler Street, near the light pole).
• Parents, please have your car prepared for your child’s easy access. Please put your car in park but do not turn off your engine.
• Early childhood students are expected at the pick-up zone at 3.25pm approximately.
• Students in older year levels will arrive after 3.30pm.

We encourage parents of students in Years 1 – 6 not to park and walk into the school but to meet your child outside.

These arrangements are in place to help reduce the congestion at the top of the zone and the school crossing.

Pre-Prep Parking

Four parking bays are allocated to Pre-Prep parents for drop off and pick up for a maximum of 10 minutes. We request that only Pre-Prep parents park in these bays (maximum of 10 minutes) with their permit on display in their car. Staff monitor these parks to ensure they are only used by cars displaying these permits. We encourage you to follow this process to ensure the safety of our Pre-Prep students.

Please note, the Pre-Prep parks may be used by all other parents between 9:00am - 2:00pm or after 3:00pm. Outside of these hours, the parks are for use by Pre-Prep parents only for a maximum of 10 minutes.

I look forward to a positive and successful year and I invite you to come and see me if you have any questions about the Primary School.

Angela Drysdale

The Music Department sends out a weekly newsletter via email that provides parents with relevant information pertaining to rehearsals, upcoming concert information, special events etc. If your daughter is undertaking music lessons or is involved in a music ensemble, you will automatically receive the newsletter. If you are not receiving this email but would like to, please email music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au and we can ensure you are on the mailing list. The weekly emails will be sent out from Week 2. Over time this information will be disseminated via the St Margaret’s App so parents are encouraged to download the App to their phones. Information will of course also be made available via the Pod.

For further information on the St Margaret’s Music Program, please click here to view the St Margaret’s Music Handbook.

Music Staff News

It is with sadness that I announce that Mr Evan Clements (lower brass teacher and Stage Band conductor) has resigned from St Margaret’s to move back to Victoria to be closer to family. We thank him for his wonderful contribution to the St Margaret’s Music Program over many years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We are in the process of appointing a teacher to this role and will let parents and students know when the position is filled.

Private Music Lessons will start in Week 2

On Thursday 25 January during lunchtime, students from Year 5-12 were asked to come to the Sister Helen Orchestra Room (SHOR) to meet their private music teacher, and arrange a lesson time. If a student is in a younger grade, or was unable to attend that day, the music teacher will contact parents/students directly to arrange a lesson time. A list will be up outside of SHOR with the name of each girl’s private music teacher. (It is not too late to enrol your daughter in private music lessons. An application form (PDF 823.2KB) with terms and conditions is attached should you wish to do this.) Private Music lessons will start from Week 2.

There have been many requests from parents for lesson times to occur outside of school time. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate these requests, it may not always be possible. Older students in the Secondary school are always given first preference to these time slots. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Group Music Lessons

Parents may be interested in enrolling their daughters in Group Music Lessons. These lessons may be a good alternative for students who have recently completed the Year 3 Strings Program or the Year 5 Band Program. It is important to note that group lessons can only be offered when other students of a similar level have enrolled to participate. An application form with further information is attached here (PDF 197.8KB).

Music Ensemble Rehearsals will start in Week 2

Primary and Secondary Music Ensembles will begin rehearsing in Week 2 from Monday 30 January. Please see the attached Ensemble Timetable (PDF 160KB) for rehearsal times (this is more current than the timetable printed in the Music Handbook). Please note that there are some small changes to rehearsal times for 2018. In particular, Primary Chorale rehearsals will now occur on Tuesday afternoons 3:30 – 4:30pm in the Primary Music Room and the Chaseley Concert Band will rehearse during Wednesday lunch time in the Primary Music Room.

New students are welcome to join ensembles and are encouraged to see Mr King or Ms Brennan as to what ensembles might best suit them. New students who wish to participate in music ensembles are asked to attend a placement audition during Monday lunch time (29 January) in the Sister Helen Orchestra Room. Students are asked to perform a short piece that they feel best demonstrates their ability. If students are unable to make that time, please see Mr King or Ms Brennan to arrange an alternate time.

Music Camp

The St Margaret’s Music Department is very excited to be offering a Music Camp to students involved in the Music Co-curricular Program. The camp will be held on the weekend of 2-4 March at the Gold Coast Recreation Centre and is open to students in Years 7-12. The Music Camp is an excellent opportunity for girls to not only improve musically but also connect and build relationships with other girls in the Music Program. There will be a lot of rehearsal opportunities as well as social activities to encourage interactions across the different year levels. A letter is attached (PDF 128.5KB) with further details. Please return the camp forms to the Music Department no later than Wednesday 7 February and register via Flexischools by Friday 9 February.

Music Support Group

The St Margaret’s Music Support Group is a committee of dedicated parents who meet regularly to support the girls who participate in the School’s Music Program. The Music Support Group organises and assists with refreshments at school concerts and fundraises to purchase a range of instruments/equipment to enhance the department’s resources. The first meeting for 2018 will be held on Tuesday 13 February at 5:00pm in the Primary Music Room (second floor of Chaseley). Parents from both the Primary and Secondary Schools are welcome to attend.

Brad King 

Club Netball is a great way to learn or improve your netball skills while meeting and forming close bonds with other school students and families. St Margaret’s Club Netball has qualified, experienced coaches, and in 2017 had many successes including our Intermediate team being elevated two grades throughout the season and taking out the Premiership and our U11A team coming Runners Up.

Our theme is ‘Fun and Achievement’ with emphasis on each and every player getting the most out of their experience. Please click on the links below for more information regarding trials, dates and sign-on. St Margaret’s Netball also competes in the QGSSSA competition  (for Secondary students) and Andrews Cup (for Primary students) against other schools. Trials for QGSSSA will be in Term 2 and matches played during Term 3.

St Margaret’s Club Netball Registration 2018 (PDF 374KB)

St Margaret’s Club Netball Sign-on Information 2018 (PDF 83KB)

Gayle Coutts 
Head of Netball

All students are encouraged to enter the MAYO t-shirt competition. The successful design, which must be an original artwork, will be worn by all students at the MAYO Arts Festival. Competition details can be found here (PDF 453.2KB).

All Visual Art students in Years 9-12 will travel to GoMA in the next two weeks to view the Yayoi Kusama exhibition. The work of this dynamic and intriguing artist will provide inspiration for the Kaleidoscope theme being explored by our art girls in readiness for the MAYO Festival.

Lisa Smith 

Look here for an animation if you prefer the comfort of your bed: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/australia/brisbane

Chris Farrelly 

If you have any enquiries about the Private Speech and Drama Program, please contact the Coordinator, Maria Chamberlain at mchamberlain@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Maria Chamberlain 

I have been humbled by the community spirit that past students, parents, friends and staff have shown so far, and I look forward to meeting many more of you during the exciting events that we have planned for this year.

Melbourne Reunion Event

Hosted by the Principal, Ros Curtis

Date: Friday 23 February 2018

Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Venue: Kirk's Cellar, Corner Hardware Lane and Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

RSVP: Online via this link

Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast

Wednesday 14 March 2018 with guest speaker Roberta (Bobbie) Brazil

Solicitor, High Court of Australia (1998)

Chairman, Land and Water Australia (2001 – 2009)

Chairman, Australian Landcare Council (2005 – 2008)

Director of Heritage Building Society, Director of Condamine Catchment Management Association

Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister (Regional Women’s Advisory Council)

Chancellor, University of Southern Queensland (2006 – 2014), Deputy Chancellor (1995 – 2001)

Officer in the general division of the Order of Australia (AO)

More information about this exciting event to come. 

Tickets on sale soon….!

P&F General Meetings 2018

The P&F invites the school community to share your views and ideas at the General Meetings, held in the Arts Centre Foyer from 6:30pm on the following dates:

Monday 26 February 2018 (Annual General Meeting)

Monday 14 May 2018

Monday 30 July 2018

Monday 29 October 2018

P&F Event Dates 2018

Friday 2 March - Mothers’ Luncheon

Wednesday 28 March - Father Daughter Breakfast

Friday 15 June - Fathers’ Dinner

Sunday 12 August – Mother Daughter High Tea

Saturday 8 September - Race Day

ST MARGARET’S P&F ASSOCIATION INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE is given that the Annual General Meeting of the St Margaret’s P&F Association Inc. is to be held on Monday 26 February 2018 in the Arts Centre Foyer at 6:30pm.

NOMINATION FOR POSITION

Any one member of the P&F shall be at liberty to nominate any other member to serve as an officer or other member of the Management Committee. If you are interested in joining the P&F Association, all positions of the Management Committee will be declared vacant at the AGM and a new committee for 2018 will be elected. Nominations can be made by downloading and completing a Nomination for Position form (PDF 149.8KB).

All nomination forms must be returned to P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au  or via School Reception by Friday 9 February 2018.

Old Girls' Events 2018

OGA Annual Brunch – Sunday 17 June

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2008 – Friday 27 July

20 Year Reunion – Class of 1998 – Friday 27 July

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1988 – Friday 27 July

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1978 – Saturday 28 July

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1968 – Saturday 28 July

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1958 – Saturday 28 July

Chapel Service and Morning Tea – Sunday 29 July

60+ Year Reunion – Monday 30 July

AGM – Tuesday 27 November  

Lara Pickering

Registrations for UMAT 2018 are now open. Copies of the Information Booklet can be downloaded from the UMAT website. Please note that before registering for the test students are required to carefully read the UMAT 2018 Information Booklet, which will only be available online from the UMAT website.

UMAT 2018 Key Dates:

Registrations opened first week in December 2017

Registrations close Friday 1 June 2018, 5pm AEST

Late registrations close Friday 15 June 2018, 5pm AEST

Applications for Special Testing Conditions close Friday 15 June 2018

UMAT test date Wednesday 25 July 2018

Results released mid-September 2018

UMAT is only available once every year. If you do not register by the due date, you will have to wait until 2019 to sit the test.

UMAT Preparation
MedEntry: If you are interested in studying medicine or a career in health that requires sitting the UMAT test, visit the MedEntry website for assistance in your preparation: www.MedEntry.edu.au. MedEntry is the only government accredited training organisation for UMAT preparation.

MedStart: is an organisation that assists students to prepare for UMAT. Courses are available in Brisbane. Check the MedStart website: http://www.medstart.com.au/#home for more details.

NIE - UMAT Workshops

Along with the 8 or 10 UMAT books our Premium, Platinum and Concession courses include the intensive one-day UMAT preparation and training workshop. Our workshops are designed to cover every UMAT construct (previously known as UMAT sections), the various types of questions to be encountered and how to tackle them, and then to check where you are at with respect to UMAT-specific study, throwing a full-blown UMAT NIE practice test at you. How will you fare? How have you been going? Which UMAT style questions still need work?

Details on workshop dates are available from: https://www.nie.edu.au/umat-courses/umat-workshops.

KEY DATES:

Friday 11 and Saturday 12 May 2018
The National Careers and Employment EXPO (Brisbane Convention Centre)

Friday 1 June 2018
UMAT Registrations close 5pm

Wednesday 25 July 2018
UMAT Exam

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July 2018
The 37th annual Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO), Australia's largest tertiary studies expo, offers a unique opportunity for anyone interested in starting, changing or upgrading their career! Featuring many local, interstate and overseas education providers, student services and support agencies. Don't miss this great opportunity to map out your future, all in the one location! 8am – 4pm, RICC Brisbane Showgrounds. A great opportunity for students to collect information from a huge number of exhibitors.

Elizabeth Johnston