eNews Archive Issue 12 - 27 April 2017

These awards have a very short history and are not common in schools. Although Alumni awards are quite common at universities, they are less so in schools. Yet as places of learning and of opportunity for growth and development, it is fitting that we acknowledge the efforts and contributions of our past students as we are proud of them and their relationship with their school should not cease once they walk out of the gates at the end of Year 12.

These awards were established to:

Recognise the many achievements of St Margaret’s Past Students, both professionally and personally:

• To celebrate the diverse achievements of Past Students and provide an opportunity to share stories of success with our current students
• Increase connections between the School and Past Students to honour their legacy.

A number of nominees were received for the two awards for 2017 in two categories.

The Young Past Students Award is the award given to a past student in her 20th reunion year or younger. This year’s winner in 2017 is Penny Twemlow who graduated in the year 2000. (Here is an interesting fact, this is the third year in a row - bearing in mind these awards have only been going for three years - that a year 2000 graduate has won. That must have been a very dynamic year group!)

Penelope Twemlow’s career started in the Australian Defence Force, where she was involved in projects and deployments around Australia and Southeast Asia. After she left the Defence Force, she held senior positions in the mining, oil, construction and gas sectors.

In 2015, Penelope was appointed CEO of Energy Skills Queensland, an independent, not-for-profit organisation providing innovative solutions to enable a skilled and safe energy industry.

She is currently the Chair of the Queensland Electrical Safety Education Committee, and founder and Chair of Women in Power, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and improves the electrical and electro-technology industry by the advancement of women within it.

Penelope has received numerous accolades including most recently the 2016 Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Award for Purpose and Social Enterprise and 2016 APAC Insider CEO of the Year.

The second award is the Distinguished Past Students Award for an Alumnae who has passed her 20th reunion. The winner in 2017 is Associate Professor Louise Gustafsson who graduated in 1987.

Associate Professor Gustafsson (nee Bender) graduated from The University of Queensland (UQ) in 1991, and worked as a hospital-based occupational therapist before transitioning to an academic career at UQ in 2002. She completed her PhD in 2006 and is now Head and Undergraduate Program Director of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS).

Associate Professor Gustaffson has made significant contributions to teaching and learning, receiving a School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences teaching award. She is a national expert in stroke rehabilitation and recovery, and as such Associate Professor Gustafsson conducts research to improve outcomes and community participation for people living with stroke. Her work has been recognised with research awards and the Mary Rankine Wilson Memorial Award for Professional Excellence.

We congratulate both Penny and Louise who were nominated by their peers. I would like to encourage you all to consider those you may wish to nominate for the 2018 awards. Award criteria and eligibility details will be posted on the School’s Website in a few weeks’ time and we are happy to receive nominations at any time.

Ros Curtis 

Last week, we had the Interhouse Cross Country Carnival. This was an energetic, colourful and exciting event on our school calendar. I was very impressed by the participation and support of all students on this day. The second half of the carnival included ball games and tug-o-war competitions between the houses. Congratulations to all students on their participation and enthusiasm for this wonderful event and, of course, to the staff whose organisation and assistance at the event helped it run so smoothly.

Whilst education is a school’s core business, other activities such as these carnivals help to contribute to the opportunities that our students are able to experience. I urge students to become involved in activities that are provided - through participation in carnivals such as these, as well as extra-curricular activities such as sporting, music, cultural and charitable pursuits. Not only are the students’ contributions valued, but they will help to provide them opportunities for meeting new people, skill development and social development. Partaking in activities like these also contributes to the positive mental health of those involved.

There are many people at the school who students can approach if they are interested in joining an activity. In the Secondary school, Heads of Year are more than happy to introduce students to staff members who coordinate these activities. In the Primary school, the class teachers will also be able to point students in the right direction.

Karen Gorrie 

Students in Year 3, through their RVE classes, are essentially preparing for Admission to Communion at the moment. However, any other student (or sibling) in the Primary school from Years 3-6 would be welcome to be formally received at the Primary Family Service on Sunday 4 June at 9am in Eton Hall. The Form can be accessed by clicking here (PDF 189.9KB).

Any Secondary student from Years 7-12 who would like to be admitted to communion has the opportunity on Wednesday 17 May at 6pm. Please email Rev Nicki Colledge as soon as possible: ncolledge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Confirmation is considered a mature, more adult rite. In 2017 this is open to those in Years 8-12 (and other family members) and preparation for the service with Bishop Jeremy will commence soon. The Confirmation Service will be held on Wednesday 12 July at 6pm in the School Chapel. Please contact Rev Nicki if you or your daughter is interested in being involved this year.

Upcoming Services:

Wednesday 10 May: Years 11 and 12 Family Service, 6:30pm, St Mark’s Clayfield

Wednesday 17 May: Boarders’ Eucharist and Admission to Communion (Secondary)

Sunday 4 June: Primary Family Service and Admission to Communion, 9am, Eton Hall

Wednesday 12 July: Confirmation, 6pm, Chapel

Reflection - Spirituality and ANZAC Day

In the year 2000, whilst living in Belgium I visited Flanders Fields with two friends - an Australian and a New Zealander. It happened to be during ANZAC Day week, and as our tour rambled over the Belgian farmland, taking in war cemeteries and wartime remains, I became increasingly humbled and awed by what I witnessed. The presence of floral wreaths bearing words such as ‘From the people of Australia’ filled me not just with an aching homesickness, but with a great sense of connectedness with my country’s history - my history.

Near Ieper (Ypres) we visited a preserved area of trenches, underground tunnels and shell craters, and I felt an overwhelming sense of ‘duty’ - despite an innate fear of the dark - to experience one of the passage ways that went underground from one open trench to another. I boldly set forth into the darkness, grateful for the wooden plank that had been placed over the mud. As the natural light that initially kept me company began to fade and I was placed into complete darkness, my confidence faltered and thoughts of ‘Get out! Get out!’ filled my mind. The options were clear; turn around right then and return to where I had entered, or keep moving forward into the black. Nothing that faith told me would take me into the light at the other end.

I urged my feet forward. I was petrified.

I emerged into a rare Belgian moment of bright sunshine. I emerged as one who had just completed a rite of passage. I emerged knowing that, without a doubt, I wouldn’t have made a very good Digger.

I could imagine that my experience was a spiritual epiphany, a physical metaphor of God journeying with us through dark times, providing us with the necessary strength and courage to walk towards the light of Christ … the truth is, I was just glad to have achieved what I had double-dared myself to do. But I did silently thank God for getting me through the ordeal!

So, what is it about ANZAC Day that encourages more Australians to pray publicly at services around the country? I wonder if more people say ‘Amen’ on ANZAC Day than on Christmas Day? I wonder why my local shopping centre is closed on 25 April but open on Easter Day?

One thing I am sure about, though, is that God is present with us, wherever we are, whoever we are, no matter what we are doing. God was present in the trenches, in Paschendale, at Gallipoli, amidst gun fire and land mines, embracing those that died and in the hearts of those who gave medical assistance. God, through Jesus’ passion, knew pain. For us today, just as for those we remember on ANZAC Day, God weeps with us, celebrates with us, struggles with us … and leads us from darkness into light.

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,

The Reverend Nicki Colledge 

We endeavour to continually educate the girls on the use of technology and how to use it wisely. Last term, we had Kirsty O’Neil (St Margaret’s Police Liaison Officer) speak to the Years 7 and 8 students in regards to safety online and how to use it appropriately. It is very difficult to monitor the social media use of 170 girls and therefore we ask that parents help us in this area.

Netflix is becoming an issue for us to monitor in the Boarding House and we ask that parents speak to the girls about what they are viewing. We try very hard to have the girls active on the weekends and not on their laptops continually watching movies. In the Boarding House we have strict rules about which movies the girls can watch and the rating. With Netflix it is impossible for us to monitor everyone. Many girls appear to have Netflix accounts and are spending a great deal of time watching movies. Netflix is blocked during the week and is open on weekends in the Boarding House. From a Boarding point of view this can mean that girls are watching programs which are not appropriate for their age. We therefore ask parents to monitor what their girls are watching on Netflix and speak to them about how much time they are spending watching movies and other programs.

Although we can curb the amount of time that the girls have access to Netflix we cannot control their access when they are using their own data. By working together we can ensure that the content girls are watching is age appropriate. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

A reminder we have the Day/Boarder weekend this weekend and we would love to share some of the great experiences that the girls have at home with you. Thank you to all families that have embraced this initiative and we look forward to seeing some photos from the weekend.

Lesa Fowler 

The immense possibilities for intellectual, emotional and social growth were so clear to me as I interacted with this group of girls. Perhaps our most important role as teachers and parents is to give our children a belief in their own capacity for improvement and development. There are no average children. One of my favourite educational thinkers is Art Costa, who in his book, The School as a Home for the Mind, wrote,

In a school that is a home for the mind, there is an inherent faith that all people can continue to improve their intellectual capacities throughout life; that learning to think is as valid a goal for the “at-risk”... as it is for the “gifted and talented”; and that all of us have the potential for even greater creativity and intellectual power (2008, p. 1).

St Margaret’s is just such a school. We consistently think about and plan for high quality learning experiences for all students and staff. The message for our girls is that they are all A students, but some of them are not there yet! I spoke about this to the Year 8s during the week and to a class of Year 11s the week before and it is a message that I will continue to give. It is important that students understand that they all have the capacity to get where they want to be. It may not happen this year, or next, or even in the next five, but if they want something enough and they are prepared to commit themselves to developing the capacities they require, they will get there. The relentless pursuit of excellence will reap rewards.

Samantha Bolton

My approach with the girls is to normalise the feeling. We all feel ‘stressed’ at some time or another and we cannot avoid it. The good news from the research that I read was about the importance of building resilience and thinking about stress in ways to enhance wellbeing and thrive. Basically, the article was saying that we need to think about stress differently, normalise it and discuss it in order to deal with the pressure. The article suggested strategies to do this, these are simple and common sense and I thought I would share them with you as you may be able to use them at home with your daughter.

1. Help you daughter to see the meaning in her stress

   The ideal life isn’t stress-free. According to the Gallup World Poll, the happiest people on earth report high, not low, levels of stress. The reason is that the girls feel stress because school and learning is something that they care about. When you care a lot, you experience more stress. Therefore, help your daughter see this, and work on strategies such as time management, Social Media Free Time and stillness to assist with seeing the meaning and normalising and not catastrophising.

2. Help her to focus on a Growth Mindset

   This can protect your daughter against some of the harmful effects of stress. Get her to focus on what is going well and how to move through the ‘rough patch’ using productive strategies such as talking about the learning that is happening in the ‘rough’ times and focus on the feelings when this ‘patch’ has past.

3. Practice Vicarious Resilience with your daughter

   Vicarious resilience is what psychologists call the flip side of contagious stress. It’s the ability to ‘catch’ resilience from those we see persevere, grow and thrive. Get your daughter to think how someone else might deal with the same problem. Talk to them about how you deal with pressure and how you have seen others to deal with stress. Too often, the girls think they are the only one who is feeling ‘stressed’, and this leads to the final mindset shift when feeling stressed.

4. Get her to Think About Our Common Humanity

   A mindset of ‘I’m the only one’ can drive your daughter to self-destructive behaviors like procrastinating, catastrophising and hiding her problems from people who can help. In contrast, letting your daughter know that others share stress is a powerful source of resilience. Teaching your daughter that pressure/stress is normal to all people she will be less likely to give up on her goals, more willing to talk with others about her problems, and more likely to get the support she needs. 

Parent Teacher Interviews and Reporting

Thank you to all those parents who could make it to Parent Teacher Interviews this week and last week. Currently we are looking at how we offer these interviews in relation to timing and placement in the school year. If you have any feedback in relation to this, can you please email me your thoughts.

If you were unable to attend these interviews, please remember that you can access your Years 5 to 11 daughters’ progressive results and teacher feedback in Parent Lounge. These can be found under the Curricular activities section in the main menu on the front page of Parent Lounge.

At the end of this semester you will have the ability to access an End of Semester Report in Parent Lounge. This will be a summary of overall results for your daughter’s learning in Semester One and will be available at the end of the first week of the holidays.

Continuous Reporting

Parents of girls in Years 7 to 11 can log into Parent Lounge and view results and comments from teachers on recently completed assessments. The following new assessments are available for viewing, along with results already released:

If you need any assistance to access your daughter’s results, please email me and I will send detailed instructions. Reminder that these results can be found under the Curricular Activities tab in Parent Lounge.

Pre-service Teachers

As a school, St Margaret’s is committed to the professional development of staff. Due to this commitment, we also value the opportunity to have pre-service teachers in our school to learn from our professional staff.

This term, on 8 May, we will be welcoming five pre-service teachers from QUT to work with the following teachers: Jayne Schinckel, Nicky Barrie, Noel Peinke, Kelly Alford and Therese Garrahy. These teachers and their classes will be working with pre-service teachers to prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21st century classroom and workplace. To do this the teachers will be assisting the aspiring teachers to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to teach effectively. Therefore, these students will participate in supervised experiences within the classroom to help them develop skills to understand the full scope of a teacher’s role. These experiences are very powerful in that they provide real opportunities for the pre-service teacher to develop skills in planning, organising, running and evaluating in the classroom under the supervision of a teacher.

We look forward to welcoming the pre-service teachers and thank the supervising teachers for their time and professionalism.

Nicole Devlin

During the service past students were acknowledged for their service to our country. A special thank you to Georgia Marshall (Year 10) who was our trumpet soloist for the service. Please see below an extract of the student’s presentation from the service regarding women in war.

So often, ANZAC Day is about courage, men, death and sacrifice. These are, of course, elements well worth remembering and acknowledging, but today I would like us to remember a different group of people who have taken part in war efforts since the beginning of our formation as a school. These are the girls who grew into the women who served in times of conflict. They were girls like me and you; girls who walked the corridors of St Margaret’s. Girls who were unaware that their lives would be changed so drastically by conflicts in other places, places which they were probably unaware even existed. Some would be in action, others in support roles. We have found records of over 150 past students who have taken part in service for our beautiful country. Notably in the Army, the RAN, RAAF and the Medical Services.

We have selected 4 of these inspirational women to discuss further. As we talk about these past St Margaret’s students, you can see pictures of each of them on the screens.

THELMA GIBSON attended St Margaret’s between 1920 and 1925. She was School Captain in 1925. She was the great aunt of Lucy who left in 1994, Kate who left in 1996 and Penny who left in 1998, all of whom were also School Captains. Thelma worked in the 10th Australian General Hospital in Singapore between 1941 and 1944 and worked in the Australian Prisoner of War camp reception group in 1945.

In 1941, Thelma sailed from Sydney to help staff the Australian General Hospital in Singapore. In 1942, hospital staff were evacuated on the ship the ‘Empire Star’ just before the fall of Singapore. Their ship was bombed but it made it to Perth 10 days later. She was originally supposed to sail on the ‘Vyner Brook’ but changed places with another nurse. The ‘Vyner Brook’ was sunk by the Japanese and all the nurses either died or became Prisoners of War.

Thelma’s War Service Medals are in the School’s archive collection.

PAULINE, also known as BLANCHE, HEMPSTED enrolled at St Margaret’s in 1922. She trained at Brisbane General Hospital from 1934 to 1938. Pauline enlisted in 1941 and was attached to the 13th Australian General Hospital in Malaya. Her duties included treating patients injured from attacks by the Japanese.

Pauline was evacuated from Singapore on the ‘Vyner Brook’ which was sunk by the Japanese just off Banka Island in 1942. Blanche was one of 32 (out of 65) nurses who survived and were captured as Prisoners of War. She died of illness in a prison camp on Sumatra on 19 March 1945.

MARCIA THORPE Attended St Margaret’s between 1931 and 1932 and MARY WALLACE attended St Margaret’s in 1922.

Both of these extraordinary ladies enlisted in 1940 and were attached to a Casualty Clearing station. Casualty Clearing Stations were smaller medical units which worked close to the front line of conflict and their main aim was to deal with and stabilise casualties before they could be transported to the main hospital units.

Both Marcia and Mary Served together in the Middle East, Java and New Guinea. In October 1942 the nurses moved to treat soldiers fighting on the Kokoda Trail.

Mary Wallace had an unusual ‘top secret’ mission in Brisbane in 1944:

She was part of a medical team who were suddenly told to report to Stuartholme to set up a secure hospital for 81 patients. Their patients were Prisoners of War who were being transported to Japan. Their boat had been sunk and the survivors were picked up by allied naval boats and brought to Brisbane. Intelligence believed that important strategic information could be gained from these men and it was essential that the Japanese did not know that they had survived. For three weeks, the men were nursed back to health and interviewed by Intelligence Officers in this top secret security camp at Stuartholme Convent.

We would like to thank Mrs Bronwyn Perry, the School’s Archivist who helped in our research of these amazing women.

Nikki Townsend 

Michael Grose strongly advocates the need for raising kids to be courageous problem-solvers, rather than self-critical avoiders. He offers a range of tips “To Help Kids Avoid Anxiety, Develop Positive Self-Esteem and Not to be Scared of Making Mistakes” (parentingideas.com.au; 17 February 2017).

Two of the 6 tips are listed below:

1. Turn requests into problems for children to solve

   Michael Grose suggests that children all too often bring problems to parents to solve and warns that if we keep on solving them, they will keep on bringing them. He cites the following “Mum, my sister is annoying me!”, “Dad can you talk to my teacher about picking me for the team?”, “I can’t find my sock.” Although tempting, if we are time-poor, to jump in and solve the concern for them, he recommends taking the problem-solving approach by cuing them to resolve their own problems and take responsibility for their concerns. “What can you do to make her stop annoying you?”, “What’s the best approach to take in relation to your being chosen for the team?”, “Where else might your socks be?”

    

2. Ask good questions to prompt problem solving

   Rather than solving the problem and robbing children of the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence that results in addressing it themselves, consider the following responses when next your child brings a problem to you - “Can you handle this on your own?”, “What do you want me to do to help you solve the problem?” He suggests that this strategy is not to deter children from coming to you, rather it is to encourage and teach them to start working through their own concerns themselves.

Having faith that children can solve problems and, in fact, a firm belief that children are indeed natural problem-solvers are critical to their sense of self-belief and their willingness to take increasing responsibility for their own problems. Our language should portray our belief in them, along with the message that mistakes really are just opportunities to learn. Most importantly, as with all situations, our children learn more from our responses than they do from our messages, so modelling a positive approach to problem-solving and effective emotional responses when we ourselves make mistakes, or when mishaps happen to us are the powerful lessons for children.

Tuesday 2 May

A reminder that next Tuesday 2 May is a pupil free day, following the public holiday on Monday 1 May.

Upcoming Events

Trudi Edwards 

The choir sings a wide selection of repertoire ranging from contemporary pop songs to folk music to more traditional pieces. Girls in Elevarsi Voices will have the opportunity to perform at Classics in the Cathedral held in St John’s Cathedral, our annual Choral Concert and they will also participate in our special Speech Night performances. No sign-up or audition is required. Girls just need to come along to the rehearsal in the Sister Helen Orchestra Room on Monday 8 May at 3:30pm. We look forward to having many girls involved!

Thank You to the Sculthorpe String Quartet

Thank you to the Sculthorpe Strings Quartet (Hannah Witenden, Rena Mori, Zoe Giles and Ella Leavey) who performed at the Past Students Awards Dinner held last Friday evening. The girls provided musical entertainment as guests arrived and also gave a special performance as part of the evening’s proceedings. We thank them for their wonderful contribution to this event!

Encorah ANZAC Day performance

Thank you to Encorah for their involvement in the ANZAC Day service held at the war memorial of the Anglican Parish of Hendra/Clayfield. The girls assisted in leading the hymns and performed the moving piece “In Flanders Fields” based on the famous poem by John McCrae. Well done to all involved.

Private Music Students’ Recital

Our Term 2 Private Music Students’ Recital will be held on Wednesday 31 May in the Arts Centre Foyer at 3:30pm. These recitals are excellent opportunities for girls to perform in a solo capacity to a supportive audience. If your daughter is interested in performing at this recital, she is encouraged to speak with her private music teacher who can then organise to have her included in the program.

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 May 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 

Our House Captains once again did a superb job in building house spirit and encouraging their house to enjoy the occasion. Lawson showed their strength winning the Tug of War and Milton with their hand-eye coordination won the ball games. The Champion House for 2017 winning the Aggregate Trophy was Bede.

With the QGSSSA Cross Country Carnival only two weeks away, the girls have been training consistently and enjoying the hills of Ascot. We had the annual camp on the Sunshine Coast last weekend and would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Brown, Mr Mandla, Mrs Krynauw and Ms O’Callaghan for their work in the Cross Country program.

Next week, is the final meet at Rivermount College and the girls have been sent the sign-on link. Students in Years 8 and 10 will be the compulsory supporters at the Cross Country in 2017. Parents in these year levels will be sent an email with the details of transport and uniform requirements next week.

Autumn Fixtures

It is hard to believe that we are in Round 5 with most teams having only played two matches due to the weather. The touch football and soccer matches will not be replayed as these rounds were declared wash outs across the schools. There are still some outstanding basketball matches against St Peters Lutheran College that will be played over the next few weeks.

The girls were a formidable force last Friday when they played Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School dominating the basketball and touch football rounds. The soccer teams found Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School a tough opposition, however, improved their margins from 2016. Next week the girls will play St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School away.

Australian Representatives

Over the past week, we have had three girls named in Australian teams; Kirrily Siebenhausen in swimming and the Crouch sisters, Lucinda and Lara, in Athletics. We wish the girls well on their sporting campaigns later in the year.

Nicky Barrie

Netball Support Group – Annual General Meeting
The Netball Support Group Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 3 May, 6:30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer.

Jayne Schinckel  

It was a very intimate and touching service, with Georgia Marshall once again playing “The Last Post” and our girls laying the wreaths by the Eternal Flame. This event was followed by some girls marching on ANZAC Day with Toc H Northern Region. 

This Sunday, we have the Toc H ANZAC Concert from 2pm-5pm at St John’s Anglican Church Bulimba. Our very own Sculthorpe String Quartet are playing, in addition to the beautiful voice of Xenia Puskarz-Thomas (’13) and another old girl, Trisha Anderson reciting poetry. Well-known and award-winning Brisbane homegrown musician, Francesca de Valence has put together a fantastic concert - Songs from the Trenches. We would appreciate your support and attendance. Tickets are now on sale via www.trybooking.com/PKSU.

May is the month when Toc H St Margaret’s is supporting the RSPCA by collecting food for our furry friends. Please help us to help this crucial service provided by the RSPCA by sending some food for those furry friends that are not as fortunate as your pets.

Shirley Patton 

So this time we lost! It may well be different next time if we resort to some sneaky tactics!

Of course, the real goal is to raise money for the Sony Camp and there is no lack of enthusiasm in supporting this endeavour.

Jenny Lishman 

We are grateful to everyone involved in the organisation of the event - Pam Smiles, Tess Rival-Quinn and to Victoria Nikolova for her fantastic photographs - some of which are shown here. Thank you also to Form teachers, the Senior Leadership Team and Boarding staff who supported the girls on the night.

Jenny Lishman 

When: Saturday 13 May 2017

Time: 6pm to 10pm

Where: Tony Elliot Boatshed, Sandgate Road. Albion

Cost: $55 per head

RSVP: Friday 5 May 2017

Michelle Smith

Email: moosh13@bigpond.com

Please click here (PDF 1015.2KB) to view booking details.

Come and support St Margaret’s Rowing as they prepare for a record 7th consecutive Head of the River win and a 'three-peat' of the Aggregate Cup.

How does it work?

Parent’s set up a FlexiSchools account online and pre-load their account with funds. Students can make purchases at the Supplies Shop by swiping their card at the register. The register shows a photo of the student for security. Parents can view their daughter’s purchases online and can set daily spending limits on the student’s card.

The system is now available and we look forward to seeing your purchase made with your student card.

HOW TO REGISTER

Go to www.flexischools.com.au

Step 1: Click the ‘REGISTER NOW’ button

Step 2: Enter your Email Address

Step 3: You will be emailed a link to an online form - follow the link

Step 4: Choose a Name and Password and complete the form

Step 5: Add each of your Daughter/s name and their year group and link their student ID card number to the account

Step 6: Top-Up the Account - VISA, MasterCard or Direct Deposit.

What does it cost?

Student Card payments are FREE.

There are a variety of payment options supported to top up your Flexischools account, including Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and Bank Transfer. There may be a fee associated with topping up your Flexischools account. Bank Transfers are free but may take up to two days to reach your account. Credit Card payments are online and immediate and incur a 29c fee. PayPal payments are also online and immediate, and incur an additional 35c fee.

If you have any questions, Flexischools provide a great help desk on 1300 361 769, or you can contact them via their website.

Terisa Arnold 

Hours

• Before School Care: 7:00am - 8:15am. Breakfast will be served between 7:15am and 7:45am
• After School Care: 2:45pm - 6:00pm. Afternoon tea is served
• Vacation Care: 7:00am - 6:00pm

Pre-Prep and Prep students are escorted to their classrooms in the mornings and to the OSHC room in the afternoon. The OSHC educators can escort the students to their after school extra-curricular activities when required in the afternoons.

Fees (as at 24 January 2017)

• Before School Care - $12 per day
• After School Care - $25 per day
• Vacation Care - $60 per day (incursions and excursions may incur additional costs)

Late Collection

St Margaret’s OSHC is strictly licensed to run between the hours of 7am and 6pm. It is essential that all children be collected by 6pm. A late fee of $10 for the first 10 minutes or part thereof, and $1 per minute thereafter will apply if your child is collected after the closing time of the centre. Please note late fees are charged per child.

Cancellation Policy

If your child is unable to attend OSHC as arranged, please advise as soon as possible. Fees will not be charged for non-attendance if 48 business hours or more notice is given. Cancellation should be made in writing to oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or by phoning 0423 547 653. Notification is also important for safety reasons and to prevent time being spent looking for a child who is not present.

Bookings and Further Information

If you would like further information regarding our Outside School Hours Care program or if you would like to make a booking, feel free to contact me via mobile on 0423 547 653 or email on oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Palu Ingram 

How do you purchase a valid bus pass?

1. Using your child’s student ID: the buses are fitted with Rovr - a Samsung mobile device - which will scan your child’s student ID card and this will charge your Flexischools account for an individual trip. Instructions on how to set this up can be found by clicking here (PDF1.3MB) or by calling Flexischools on 1300 361 769. Please make sure sufficient funds are available on the student card and that your daughter’s student ID card number has been linked to your account.
2. Logon to Flexischools: www.flexischools.com.au and pay for a 10-trip ticket online and collect the bus pass from the Finance Office.
3. Purchase a 10-trip ticket directly from the Finance Office with cash or credit card.

If you require assistance setting up your Flexischools account, please contact 1300 361 769 from 8am Monday to Friday.

Leah Saul 

Catherine has built her career on developing, implementing and championing innovative education strategies with a heartfelt dedication to improve Indigenous education outcomes.

Be inspired by this amazing woman who believes that when you capture the hearts and minds of people, anything is possible.

When: Thursday 18 May 2017

Where: Arts Centre Foyer

Tickets: Corporate tables $650 for 10, $60 adult and $40 students (Years 10-12/tertiary)

Tickets are now on sale via Flexischools under Quick Links on the St Margaret’s Website.

St Margaret’s P&F Association

P&F General Meetings

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

Monday 8 May 2017

Monday 31 July 2017

Monday 30 October 2017

P&F Event Dates 2017

Term 2

Saturday 27 May - Community Ball

Friday 28 July - Fathers’ Dinner

Term 3

Saturday 2 September - Race Day

The Fathers’ Dinner

*We regret to advise that the date advertised in the School Calendar is incorrect.

This year’s event will be held on Friday 28 July in Eton Hall

This is a great night for Fathers, and other male role models of the girls, to meet. It’s a fun night filled with great conversation and good food.

Get a table of 10 together or indicate your daughter’s year level and we will seat you with that cohort.

Tickets will be on sale soon via FlexiSchools

The Community Ball

The P&F invite you to attend the Community Ball held this year in the spectacular Rainbow Room at Cloudland.

Join us for a wonderful evening of excellent food, great wine and good company. The band will delight and wonderful raffle prizes will be available exclusively on the night.

Purchase a single ticket; book a table of 10 with your alumni group, or get your daughter's class/year level together to support this wonderful event.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW - BUY YOURS TODAY!

To book your ticket or table of 10, register online at Flexischools.

Old Girls’ Association

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2007 - Friday 21 July 2017

20 Year Reunion – Class of 1997 - Saturday 22 July 2017

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1987 - Friday 21 July 2017

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1977 - Saturday 22 July 2017

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1967 - Saturday 22 July 2017

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1957 - Saturday 22 July 2017

Chapel Service and Morning Tea - Sunday 23 July 2017

1938-1956 (60+) Year Reunion - Monday 24 July 2017

OGA Annual Brunch - Sunday 11 June 2017

AGM - Tuesday 28 November 2017

Luanne Wishart 

There really is something for almost everyone - from fully paid university degrees and graduate entry schemes, rewarding trade and technical careers, exciting combat roles, through to support and administration positions. With more than 250 jobs on offer, with a multitude of entry avenues, there has never been a better time to find out more.

To learn more, attend an Australian Defence Force Careers Information Session.

When: Wednesday 10 May 2017
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Defence Force Recruiting Brisbane, Level 13, 295 Ann Street, Brisbane.
To RSVP visit: http://events.defencejobs.gov.au/event/P1DP99/ or email cptqld@dfr.com.au

QUT Information evening for parents and students
Parents and guardians of senior high school students, as well as their child, are encouraged to attend a QUT Parent Information Seminar on 16, 17 or 18 May to find out about making course and career decisions, gaining entry to university, study costs and financial support and more. Register now.

Get all your questions about uni answered. We invite current senior high school students, and their parents, to find out about studying at QUT.

QUT New entry requirement for education courses
Applicants for education courses must submit a written statement addressing suitability criteria for the course when they apply as part of their QTAC application. Information on the selection guidelines, including the process for assessment of non-academic capabilities, is available from the QTAC website.

QUT For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
QUT’s Oodgeroo Unit offers the Centralised Assessment Selection Program entry pathway from mid-October for QTAC applicants who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and place QUT within their top three preferences. Applicants need to have their Confirmation of Australian Indigenous Heritage from a registered Indigenous corporation and as this process can take time, we recommend students and/or their parents start this process early.

QUT Additional entry requirements and scholarships in creative industries
For creative industries courses with additional entry requirements such as auditions, portfolios or interviews, students must apply online to QUT by 5pm on Friday 15 September as well as applying through QTAC. Students interested in creative industries can also access generous scholarships, ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, many of which are awarded based on creative ability.

QUT Open Day program now available - register your interest
Mark the date in your diary! Visit us on Sunday 30 July to find out everything you need to know about studying at QUT. Register your interest to receive event updates and go into the draw for a MacBook.

Study in the USA
US College and University Fair to be held at Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) on Tuesday 2 May from 6:00-8:00pm. Participating Universities:

• Central Penn College
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• University of Buffalo
• State University of New York
• University of Colorado
• Boulder University of South Carolina
• Whitworth University

For more information, please contact Scott.Gannon@Churchie.com.au.

Queensland School of Film and Television (QSFT)
DIRECT IT! - Introduction to Directing
Date: Saturday 29 April 2017
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Venue: 22 Warwick Street, Annerley QLD 4103

QSFT's DIRECT IT! - Introduction to Directing workshop is designed to give participants an understanding of what a Director's role is on a film set, trained by an industry professional! This four hour workshop is perfect for those who want to explore what it is like to be a Director.

http://www.qsft.qld.edu.au/assets/files/2017/Flyer_QSFT_WS08_WRITE%20IT_v1_WEB.pdf

The University of Sydney
Join us to find out why we are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th in the world for graduate employability. Find out about our wide range of courses, scholarships, how to apply and life on our unique and exciting campus.

Date: Saturday 20 May
Time: 3pm-5pm
Venue: Pullman Hotel, Corner Anna and Roma Streets, Brisbane
Register at: www.meetsydneyqld.eventbrite.com.au

The University of Queensland
Economics scholarships for Year 12 students
The school of economics is offering two new scholarships for Year 12 students: the Australian Domestics Students Scholarship (ADSS) and the Year 12 Equity and Diversity Scholarship. Both scholarships are valued at $5000p.a. for up to three years. The EDS scholarship also offers professional mentoring and is designed for students who have a strong interest in economics and have experienced disadvantage during their schooling, impacting upon their OP results. Students who have experienced social or emotional setbacks throughout senior school, or are from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or low socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The ADSS closes on 3 November 2017. The EDS deadline to apply is 28 November 2017. For more information visit https://economics.uq.edu.au/scholarships.

Early Entry Schemes to University:
Several Tertiary Institutions offer early entry schemes that require you to apply directly to the University:

UNE: http://www.une.edu.au/study/study-on-campus/get-early-entry

• Apply directly to UNE through the Early Entry Scheme
• No application fees
• Know in early November
• ATAR or OP not required
• No UAC/QTAC applications
• Currently open and available to all Year 12s (OP and non OP)

USC: http://www.usc.edu.au/learn/how-do-i-apply/pathways-to-study/pathways-from-year-12/early-offer-guarantee

The Early Offer Guarantee enables Year 12 students to be offered an early and guaranteed place at the University of the Sunshine Coast in November. These offers are made prior to the release of Year 12 results, rather than student having to wait until the main QTAC offer round in January. Early and guaranteed offers will be made to students based on the recommendations of their school Principal. Applications open 3 August.

ACU Early Achievers' Program (EAP)
http://www.acu.edu.au/study_at_acu/pathways_And_entry_schemes/year_12_student_entry/early_entry

We believe students should be recognised for their contribution and leadership potential, and this is why we grant them status as Early Achievers. One of the biggest benefits of the program is that successful applicants receive an offer well ahead of the usual tertiary admissions announcements.

You can apply if you are currently in Year 12. Both domestic and international students can apply if you hope to enrol in a course at ACU.

EAP applications to study in 2018
Opened - Wednesday 26 April 2017
Close - Monday 17 July 2017
Offers released by end of August 2017

Griffith University - Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Stand out from the pack at the Tertiary music auditions with Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University's Tertiary Preparation Workshop (TPW) program. TPW prepares students (in Years 10, 11 and 12) to approach the theoretical and practical aspects of their university audition process with confidence.

Now in its fourteenth year, the workshop runs Monday 26 to Friday 30 June and provides prospective instrumental and vocal students with an opportunity to work closely with Queensland Conservatorium staff and music industry professionals in state-of-the-art facilities at South Bank in Brisbane, Queensland. For more information visit: https://www.griffith.edu.au/music/open-conservatorium/tertiary-preparation-workshop/tertiary-preparation-workshop-information.

When: 26 June - 30 June 2017, Enrol now for 2017
Where: Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, South Bank
Cost: $495

The University of Queensland
Special entry into the Bachelor of Dental Science for rural or remote students
Rural areas of Australia often have limited access to educational opportunities and dental services. To assist in addressing this ongoing challenge, 8 per cent of Bachelor of Dental Sciences (Honours) places in UQ's annual intake are now designated to applicants who come from a rural background.

What classifies as rural is determined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification Remoteness Area system (ASGC-RA), which also categorises various levels of remoteness, identified by their Remoteness Areas (RAs) rating. Students will need to live in a remote area for a set amount of time to be eligible.

This rural background sub quota for the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) will be available for students within the RA2 - RA5 category. This will include most Queensland regional cities, as well as rural areas near Ipswich and some parts of the Gold and Sunshine Coast hinterlands. Students can check the classification of their homes on the Department of Health website.

Approved rural background applicants must still meet all the entry requirements of the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) program, including sitting the UMAT Exam. However, to assist with meeting the ranking requirements, rural background applicants will be competing against a smaller cohort of applicants (for a smaller number of places) where the standard UMAT cut offs may not apply.

Further information on the scheme and eligibility requirements can be found on the UQ website

UQ 'Getting Ready for University' - Info Sessions for Year 10 parents, guardians and carers
As a parent or guardian you play a vital role in helping your children make the best choices about their future and Year 10 is the best time to start.

When teenagers select their senior subjects, it is important that they select the right prerequisites for the university programs they are interested in.

Your child’s dream is our mission and these interactive group sessions are designed to give you the necessary information to assist your child in making an informed choice about their future. All our interactive sessions are hosted by recent UQ professional staff graduates and run for approximately one hour with plenty of time set aside for any questions you may have.

Topics include:

• Understanding the university language;
• Key differences between high school and university;
• Pathways into your child’s dream program;
• Scholarships; and
• QTAC, fees, accommodation and more!

Session Dates: week of 15-18 May 2017, St Lucia campus

It’s never too late to find out more about university and we would love to hear from you! Please email us or call 07 3346 9872.

UMAT
Registrations for UMAT 2017 are open. Copies of the Information Booklet can be downloaded from the UMAT website at https://umat.acer.edu.au/. Please note that before registering for the Test students are required to carefully read the UMAT 2017 Information Booklet, which will only be available online from the UMAT website.

UMAT 2017 Key Dates:

Registrations open First week in December 2016

Registrations close Friday 2 June 2017, 5pm AEST

Late registrations close Friday 16 June 2017, 5pm AEST

Applications for Special Testing Conditions close Friday 16 June 2017

UMAT Test date Wednesday 26 July 2017

Results released late September 2017

The only Identification documents accepted for UMAT 2017 are:

• Current passport
• Current photo-bearing driver's licence (full, probationary or learner's permit)
• Current photo-bearing Australian Keypass
• Current photo-bearing Australian Proof of Age Card

For further details, please refer to the UMAT website. Candidates without correct identification will not be permitted to sit UMAT2017 and will be turned away from the test centre. UMAT is only available once every year. If you do not register by 2 June 2017, you will have to wait until 2018 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
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 Australia

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?

Brisbane workshops will be held at UQ, St Lucia on 28 June and 23 July.

KEY DATES:
Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June 2017
The National Careers and Employment EXPO (Brisbane Convention Centre). All Year 10 students will attend this exciting event on the morning of Friday 2 June.

Friday 2 June
UMAT Registrations close 5pm

Wednesday 26 July
UMAT Exam

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July 2017
The 36th 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