eNews Archive Issue 10 - 31 March 2022

Liz Johnston, our careers counsellor, has been teaching and advising students in careers since 2008. She is retiring at the end of this term and I take the opportunity, particularly on behalf of all those students Ms Johnston has guided into tertiary study, to thank her for her service to the school community over the past 15 years. During this time, she has taught secondary Mathematics and Humanities and has participated in the school’s extra-curricular program, including water polo, hockey, and badminton. We wish Ms Johnston all the best for her retirement.

For Term 2, Kate Wiedemann, who teaches English and History in the secondary school, will be on long service leave. We wish her well for this time away. Her absence will necessitate some changes in teachers in the timetable and students will be advised of this before the start of Term 2.

Term 2 will be with us very soon and I will just alert you to a few events which are in Week 1.

• On Tuesday 19 April we will begin the term with our Scholars’ Assembly. This takes place in the morning and our current students will be able to celebrate the achievements of last year’s graduating students and receive advice about strategies for successful and effective study.
• The school’s Anzac Day Service will be held in the Philip Harris Gym on Friday 22 April at 9.00am. Parents are very welcome to attend.
• On the Saturday 23 April we have our Past Student Awards dinner in the evening. This is a wonderful opportunity for our current students to hear from our alumni. It is a great event; in fact, it is one of my personal favourites. I would encourage any parent to bring their daughter to be inspired by the achievements of our past students. Tickets may be purchased here.  

I wish you all a holy Easter and a safe holiday break.

Ros Curtis

In the second session, Beyond the Panama welcomed Director of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement Lara Pickering, who led the girls in a workshop on personal brand management, professional identity, and work values. Finally, the girls took part in a resume workshop run by Mrs Ysabella Dawson, a practical activity that allowed the girls to reflect on their developing professional skills and think deeply about their own network of peers and sponsors. We are excited for the future of Beyond the Panama, which will, in coming months, feature an emphasis on financial literacy and wealth management, as well as other practical skills to empower the graduating cohort for the exciting journeys that lie ahead.

Lesa Fowler

As we move into the Easter school holidays, during which we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead – that death never has the final say, my prayer for each of you is that you will know the fullness of life, joy in the small moments, wonder in the questions your daughter is asking, and rest.

Please find below the times for Easter services in the neighbouring Anglican parishes to St Margaret’s.

St Mark’s, Clayfield

Palm Sunday:                    9.15am Palm Procession

Maundy Thursday:             6.00pm Agape Meal and service

Good Friday:                      8.30am Stations of the Cross

Easter Saturday Vigil:        6.00pm Lighting of New Fire

Easter Day:                        7.30am and 9.15AM Family Service with Easter Egg hunt

 St Augustine’s, Hamilton:

Palm Sunday:                     8.30am Liturgy of the Palms, Procession & Sung Eucharist

Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday of Holy Week:  7.00pm Eucharist

Maundy Thursday:              7.00pm Eucharist of the Last Supper and Watch until midnight (optional)

Good Friday:                      12.00pm-2.00pm Reflections at the Foot of the Cross

Good Friday:                      2.00pm The Liturgy of the Passion

Holy Saturday:                   3.00pm Children's Easter Celebration with Easter egg hunt on the lawn

                                           6.00pm Telling the Story of our Salvation, readings in the darkness 

Easter Day:                         5.00am Lighting of the Paschal Fire, Procession and First Eucharist of Easter

                                            8.30am Sung Eucharist for Easter, with Baptism

Rev’d Jazz Dow

As we reflect on Term 1 in boarding, we’ve welcomed several teachers at boarders’ prep, and the girls benefit enormously from their assistance throughout the week. We acknowledge and thank our Cairnmore House staff members and the Albion Manor Staff, who have cared for our students off campus during COVID isolation periods as well as the kitchen staff who go out of their way to provide the girls with so much choice. We have introduced ‘family-style’ dishes this term, which have been well received by everyone. One of the students’ favourites is making their own tacos with everyone on their dinner tables. We acknowledge the boarder prefects and boarder representatives who have been instrumental in their leadership throughout all events and operations that have occurred this term.  

To celebrate the closing of our first term, we had our annual boarding Easter-themed dinner. It was a wonderful time to gather, feast, dress up and enjoy an Easter egg or two together. I have shared our Easter dinner prayer below. Have a safe and wonderful Easter break. We look forward to your return next term.

Gracemere Mataia

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ, Our Risen Saviour, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

Amen. 

In Term 2 there are a few things to note:

Year 12

The students will begin Unit 4 and the last of their Internal Assessments. The External Assessment timetable will be released mid-term. Following this, I will be able to provide you and your daughter with a full calendar of assessments and events leading up to and including the External Assessments in Term 4.

Year 11

As mentioned last week, all Year 11 students and their parents will have the opportunity to meet with me to discuss their Year 11 progress, including Unit 1 results, goals for 2022 and subjects. Bookings for these meetings will be open from Thursday 31 March at 3:00pm. Dates and times available are listed below:

Wednesday 21 April 7-8am, 9-11am

Friday 22 April 7-8am, 4-6pm

Saturday 23 April 8am-1pm

Tuesday 26 April 2:50-4:30pm, 5-8pm

Wednesday 27 April 10am – 1pm, 3:30-5pm

Tuesday 3 May 5:30-8pm

Thursday 5 May 5:00-8:00pm

Year 10

The Careers and Subject Selection process has begun for Year 10 students. Next term, all students will participate in a 1:1 interview with Career Avenues and receive a profile as well as a SET plan process in order to select their Senior subjects. I am looking forward to working through this process with the Year 10 students as they move towards their Senior Studies Pathways.

The holidays are an important time to relax and recharge. I will certainly be taking the opportunity to step away from my computer and phone, get outside and enjoy the fresh air. I encourage all girls to take advantage of this time to do what helps them relax and fill their bucket, ready for Term 2.

Caitlin McCluskey

On Wednesday 20 April, Years 7 and 9 students will undertake a practice NAPLAN Omnibus Test, under exam conditions in Eton Hall, to further assist with their familiarisation with the platform and test protocol. Students are reminded that they must bring a fully charged laptop and wired earphones to school for this practice NAPLAN test, and the real NAPLAN tests in May.

If any parents or carers have concerns or questions about their daughter sitting the NAPLAN tests, they are welcome to contact me, either by email or phone, at any time.

Chris Dunn

Mindfulness is the practice of being in the moment, being present and being open to what you're focusing on. Mindfulness is all about building resilience. It is not a replacement for therapy or medication for mental health issues but will hopefully reduce the need for it later on.

Research has proven that mindfulness has endless benefits for children. This school-taught activity is on the rise, and many experts are wanting it to be a compulsory component of the national curriculum. Not only does mindfulness calm a child’s mind, but it has also been proven to reduce disruptive and bullying behaviour in schools. For more information regarding mindfulness, please go to the POD to school TV or to the student wellbeing hub found on students' year level POD pages.

I wish you and your families a happy and blessed Easter.

Nikki Townsend

When the school year didn’t start face to face, I encouraged the girls to embrace joy through drawing a picture of a favourite toy and then sharing it with those in their new class. This activity helped make connections between the home and school. This connection continued at the inaugural Twilight Service and Family Picnic when Pre-Prep to Year 3 students and families embraced the joy of our early childhood community. By coming together (in pyjamas with their bedtime toy), they shared picnics, candlelight and bubbles under the skylight and lit-up trees. As one parent communicated, “I thought it was a great combination of events and was a cute and lovely way to spend a late Friday afternoon”. Thank you to Annette Box and Reverend Jazz for their organisation of the event and to the Pre-Prep to Year 3 teachers for their support.  

We have also embraced joy in lots of other ways, from the Year 6 Leaders Induction, Andrews Cup (swimming, tennis and touch football) successes, Bullying No Way Day, Free Dress Day, Harmony Day, year level excursions and more. It has still been a joy-filled start to 2022. Embracing joy comes in many different shapes and forms. It can be solving a challenging maths problem in class, making a new friend, engaging in a random act of kindness, conquering a new learning experience, or cheering on peers at the swimming carnival, as the students did this week.  

It has been a hectic and disjointed term, but we have all managed to embrace joy in our own way. As we head into the holidays, I would encourage families to find and embrace the joy in celebrating Easter in faith with family and friends. As we give thanks for all that we have, please pray for peace in the world.

Angela Drysdale

In Week 9, the Years 4, 5 and 6 students told us about their reading adventures, recent excursions, and the importance of ‘Bullying: No Way!’ Day, and in Week 10, the Years 1, 2 and 3 cohorts taught us how to make fairy bread, focused on Harmony Day and the importance of inclusivity and belonging, and took us around the world through music, song, and dance.

The assemblies culminated in the presentation of St Margaret’s Way awards, which acknowledge a students’ demonstration of one of the six school values (spirit, faith, integrity, courage, respect, and passion) and one of the keys to success (resilience, confidence, persistence, organisation and getting along). In Term 2, we would like to extend the invitation to parents of Years 1, 2 and 3 students to join us on Tuesday 7 June and parents of Years 4, 5 and 6 students to join us on Tuesday 14 June to share in a St Margaret’s Way assembly. Both will be held in the Philip Harris Gym from 9.50-10.25am. We look forward to welcoming you to join the primary school on these occasions, which certainly embody the 2022 theme of ‘Embracing Joy’.

Annette Box

Practice-a-thon

The Music Support Group is very excited to launch its first fundraiser for the year – the inaugural St Margaret's Practice-a-thon! The Practice-a-thon will run from 2-13 May and will require students to commit to practising for a certain amount of time each day during the allotted two-week period. Students will register the amount of time they will practise each day and will seek donations from family and friends to support them in their commitment to daily practice. Attached is a flyer (PDF 206KB) containing further information, including the link to the MyCause page where students can register their involvement. All students who sign up and raise funds will go into a draw for special prizes. We look forward to hearing lots of music practice over the coming months!

Music Support Group

Thank you to all those who joined our recent meeting via Teams. The next Music Support Group meeting will be on Tuesday 19 April at 5.00pm in M’s Cafe. Parents from both the primary and secondary schools are welcome to attend.

Australian Athletics Championships

This week, several Maggies athletes hit the track and field at the Australian Athletics Championships. For these athletes, the national championships is the culmination of their season, drawing together the large amount of training and mental preparation that goes into a championship performance. Our Maggies girls did not disappoint!

Leading the charge was Isabella Harte. In one of the most hotly contested events of the program, the Women’s U20 3000m, Isabella competed fiercely finishing 4^th overall. Junior athletes Ashley Blackman and Georgia Hopwood performed extremely well. Ashley finished 4^th overall, on count back in the U14 High Jump. Her 1.54m jump placed her equal 2^nd in height on the day. Georgia Hopwood finished 6^th overall in the final of the U15 90m Hurdles. Georgia was ranked 9^th headed into the championships and did incredibility well to make the final and improve her overall standing.  Lily Hicks, in her first ever national championships, contested the U16 Triple Jump. Lily learnt a lot from the experience, which will only put her in good stead for the future. Milla Roberts continued an outstanding season running a personal best of 2.14 to qualify for the U16 800m Final. Ebony Okwonkwo also achieved personal bests in both the U16 100m, 12.30 and 200m, 25.00, qualifying for the final in both events. Both girls demonstrated the ability they have for future performance at this level. The performance of the meet came from Matilda Lee. Matilda became a dual medallist finishing 2^nd overall in the U16 3000m, before winning the U16 2000m Steeplechase, in only her second ever run in the event.

Congratulations to all girls who qualified and competed at the champions. We look forward to your continued improvement into the QGSSSA season later in the year.

If you are a Maggies athlete competing at a national level in your chosen sport, please let us know. We would like to be able to recognise and acknowledge your performance. Please email Mr Knight directly lknight@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

QGSSSA Artistic Gymnastics

Congratulations to our Artistic Gymnastics team who shone brightly at the 2022 QGSSSA Artistic Gymnastics Championships this week. Led by captains Audrey Denton and Madison Smith, our team outdid themselves coming away with three teams winning pennants in the Year 7 2nd division, C Grade division and the blue ribbon Open Grade Division, and 2nd and 3rd placings across most other divisions as well. The Open Grade Division win was extremely close coming down to a 0.10 point differential to 2nd place. Special mention must go to Open team member, Lucy White, who was highlighted for her perfect score on the beam. Congratulations to all students and staff on your outstanding achievements. 

Patrice Chappell

Artistic Gymnastics Coordinator

OPEN                                     

• Adison Wilkin                          
• Bella White                             
• Lucy White                             
• Madison Jones                         
• Miller Enders

C GRADE                                           

• Emily Smith
• Astrid O'Meara
• Eloise Round
• Emily Kernick

YEAR 7 (ii)                                                                                           

• Chloe Hardman
• Claire Gray
• Pippa Jonsson
• Elizabeth Astill

Water Polo

The Water Polo 2021/22 season has been another successful year for our club development, with thirteen teams playing in the BWPI competition. Under Head Coach Zac Hudson, St Margaret’s introduced two A division teams in the 12's and 13’s competition where these teams finish 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the regular season competition. Our season concluded with eight teams entering into the semi-final playoffs and saw the 16C take the BWPI championship trophy and the 15C Orange team runners up to AHS. Congratulations to all players for making the 2021/22 competition successful; your commitment to the sport was evident in the individual and team improvements made throughout the season. To conclude the season, St Margaret’s will be competing in the QLD Water Polo State Titles and we wish the U12 and U14 players representing the school all the best in their Division 1 Maroon pursuit.

GO MAGGIES!

Lloyd Knight

Tickets are on sale for our second Professional Women’s Network Breakfast with guest speaker Jane Campbell.

Jane operates Manana Pastoral with her husband, Ian, and has been in agribusiness since 1999. The Campbells co-founded Barambah Organics in 2002 and are strong advocates of the benefits of consuming organic produce throughout Australia and overseas. In October 2020, they sold a major share of Barambah Organics and leased their three organics dairy farms and a grain property to a private equity group. Jane has a law degree from UNE and was admitted as a lawyer in NSW in 2021. Her interests are Australian Consumer Law and Environmental Law. Jane is intending on being a strong advocate for farmers and environmental matters.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to host a corporate table of staff as a professional development opportunity, to host a table of clients who have an interest in agribusiness, or to attend with your daughter.

Date: Wednesday 11 May 2022 

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 

We also invite you to enjoy Barista Coffee from the Wolff Coffee Roasters cart, before and after the event!

Tickets: $85 Adult, $40 Student (Years 10-12/Tertiary).

Corporate tables: $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event.

Book online at https://www.trybooking.com/BXIZM

Lara Pickering

QUT | Pathways to QUT

Wednesday 4 May 2022, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Online

Join us for a live webinar to help you find the best pathway to your preferred course. Find out more: https://www.qut.edu.au/study/events/pathways-to-qut

NIE | UCAT and Pathways into Medicine and Dentistry Information Session

Thursday 14 April 2022, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Online

Find out more: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_orjrbqGnQLmvuvRuItA9SQ

University of Sydney Year 12 Information Evening 

Explore our campus and all the courses that the University of Sydney has to offer first-hand. Join us on Thursday, April 28th from 4pm-7pm and attend our course advice expo, a student-led tour and an information session to get insight into scholarships, applications and why Sydney may be the right choice for you. Register here

Griffith | Creative Arts Open Day

Sunday 12 June 2022, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Griffith University, South Bank Campus

Get expert advice on your study options at our Open Days. You’ll find information about our degrees, as well as essential details on student support services, admission pathways, applying to study and scholarships. Get a taste of life at Griffith and chat with our study advisers. Find out more

Women in Engineering opportunities

The University of Queensland Women in Engineering (WE) team are happy to offer these opportunities to educate your students on the diverse careers an engineering degree can lead to:

School holiday tour of Engineering precinct at UQ - April 12 and April 14 2-4pm

UQ: What can I do with my ATAR?

This link can provide students with more information about ATAR requirements, and which courses they might want to study. Discover here

ACU | Entry and Pathways for Year 12 Students

Tuesday 24 May 2022, 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm Online

Find out more: https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/events/2022/may/acu-entry-and-pathways-for-year-12-students

Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo

Friday 20 and Saturday 21 May Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.