eNews Archive Issue 14 - 11 May 2017

While the specific details of some aspects of the system are still to be finalised, St Margaret’s is well advanced in our planning for this change. Among our considerations are the subjects that we will offer, how we prepare girls for external exams, how we support them pastorally through this change, how teachers may need to change their pedagogical or teaching practice and the placement of events through the school year, including leadership selection, Speech Night and subject selection.

Over the last eighteen months our teachers have spent a lot of planning time, liaised with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), the body charged with implementing the system, been on writing and assessment panels and met with the CEO of QCAA, to ensure that as a school we are well prepared for this significant change to senior studies. We are still in the planning stage but will regularly provide you with updates on the new system and our progress towards it.

There are some major events coming up in Term 2 either before school or on weekends for our community and I encourage you all to support at least one of them, if possible. We all lead busy lives but I do know that those who attend have a great time and enjoy the St Margaret’s sense of community. Please consider:

13 May - Rowing Support Group Cocktails on the Creek in the evening. (QGSSSA Cross Country is in the morning)

18 May - the Professional Women’s Breakfast

27 May - The P&F Association Community Ball

4 June - Primary Family Chapel Service and Admission to communion

11 June - the Old Girls’ Annual Brunch (for only those of you who are past students)

I was reading an article on Wisdom in education and came across the following inspirational quotes which I thought I would share with you.

‘We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.’ Anais Nin

‘We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey no-one can take for us or spare us.’ Marcel Proust

‘If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’ Atticus Finch to his daughter in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

‘People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel.’ Maya Angelou

I hope these inspire you in those very challenging parenting and teaching moments.

Ros Curtis 

Could I please say a special thank you to those families who were able to travel in to say ‘Hi’ either at the expo or to have dinner with Lesa and I. Thank you also to Jane for the coffee and homemade biscuits! I completely understand that not all families were able to connect due to large travelling distances or other commitments, and so I am truly looking forward to meeting those who I couldn’t catch up with at another time.

This week I am looking forward to starting the conversation with our Year 9 students about our Global Exchange Program. Successful applicants will take part in the global exchange for approximately one term throughout Year 10 2018.

The schools we have an exchange partnership with are:

The Emma Willard School, Troy, New York State, USA

St Anne’s Diocesan College, Hilton, South Africa

Nga Tawa Diocesan School for Girls, Wellington, New Zealand

St Margaret’s College, Christchurch, New Zealand (Rowing Exchange)

Konan Girls High School, Kobe, Japan

The Licensed Victuallers’ School, Ascot, England

Ursulinenschule School, Hersel, Bonn, Germany

Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Saint-Nom-de-Marie, Montreal, Canada

St Stephen’s College, Stanley, Hong Kong

Crofton House School, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Students are selected for the Exchange Program based on how they reflect and embody the core values of St Margaret’s, their academic standing, personal motivation and participation in school activities. Students selected must demonstrate initiative, strong communication skills, social maturity and resilience. Students are also selected on their suitability as an ambassador for St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School and their ability to adapt and function independently in new environments.

More information to families will occur at the Global Exchange Information Evening, to be held on 7 June 2017 in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC). Ms Angelin Achari and myself will be present at this evening and look forward to seeing you there. This presentation will be recorded and sent to boarder families who may be unable to attend.

Karen Gorrie 

If you are in Year 8 or above, a staff member or parent, and you would like to consider being Confirmed, please let me know! Preparation will begin immediately. There are already a few on the list, so I encourage you to prayerfully consider this important step in the journey of faith.

This is also a chance for the Bishop to formally welcome any adult into the Anglican Communion if that is their desire. Please do not hesitate to contact me on 3862 0716 or ncolledge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Admission to Communion and Confirmation 2017
All members of the school community are invited to consider their own faith journey and relationship with God through the sacrament of Holy Communion and through Confirmation in 2017.

Students in Year 3, through their RVE classes, are essentially preparing for Admission to Communion. 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, 9am in Eton Hall. The form can be accessed 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 if this the case: ncolledge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Upcoming Services
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

Weekly Reflection - Juliana Bate (Student Chaplain 2017)

“Busy.”
The response to the question “How are you?” Is usually “busy.” Is being busy an expectation that we have of ourselves or that others have of us? Are we proud of our busyness? Are we telling people just how hard working we are, in a society that values the early bird who catches the worm?

I think we are actually busy people; it is so easy to fill our lives with commitments, social engagements and our children’s extra curriculum activities, we don’t want to miss out on any opportunity. The balance between these experiences and pressures that lead to stress within the family unit and burnout of individuals is challenging. It is simply not possible to stop everything or avoid it. Ignoring the busyness in our lives is not the best option either.

One thing that can help to counter the busyness is stillness. A moment, a few minutes in the day where you are deliberately still and quiet, without distraction or interruption. Pray.

I weave a silence on to my lips
I weave a silence into my mind
I weave a silence within my heart
I close my ears to distractions
I close my eyes to attractions
I close my heart to temptations

Calm me, O Lord, as you stilled the storm
Still me, O, Lord. Keep me from Harm
Let all the tumult within me cease
Enfold me Lord in your peace.

Prayer by David Adam, found in The Book of a Thousand Prayers, Compiled by Angela Ashwin, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,

The Reverend Nicki Colledge 

Boarders from near and far have each painted the sole of one of their feet and placed their footprint upon the new Boarding flag. These markings are personally named and surround a visual representation of the globe. We currently have girls from the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, rural and remote Queensland and New South Wales, Sydney, the Torres Strait and Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom. In recognition of the School’s focus on Boarding, we endeavour to post many snapshots of life in our community.

Dimity Harris 

Details can be found below.

QCS News
Last week, 52 girls attended the first QCS tutorial. This was a wonderful effort and I commend the following students for their commitment:

From next week, I will be offering a third option for the weekly tutorials. They will be held Monday lunchtime, Wednesday lunchtime and on Thursday at 7:30am. They are always in A301.

Samantha Bolton

At St Margaret’s we encourage the students to embrace the many opportunities offered to them through extra-curricular and various school activities. Last week, the Year 7 students thoroughly enjoyed meeting with their buddies for a buddy morning tea, followed by lunch activities in the Year 7 precinct, led by the Year 11 students. The Year 7 activities will be on each Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of the term. We commend Miss Bloomer (Head of Year - 7) and Mrs Walker (Head of Year - 11) for their fantastic initiative. Please read below the articles from the Heads of Year outlining these special events.

Years 7 and 11 Buddy Morning Tea - Nicole Walker

Imagine for a moment … the footsteps of 230 students gathering in the Year 7 precinct! The backdrop is one of blue skies, sunshine, music, balloons, laughter and cupcakes … simply idyllic! This scenario is indeed reminiscent of a wonderful occasion. The Year 7 and 11 cohorts experienced this scene as they enjoyed a special buddy event last Thursday morning. As the students continued to develop their connections and friendship, they were engaged in activities, games and many energetic conversations. Some buddies commented that they didn’t have time for the activities as there was too much to talk about! It was a delight to witness so many students taking steps to develop the sense of family and belonging which are such important parts of our school environment. These opportunities will be ongoing throughout the year as we plan opportunities which will enhance the creation of lasting, supportive and meaningful connections.

Year 7 Lunch Time Activities – Claire Bloomer

Thursday 4 May saw the first of the Year 7 lunchtime activities being held. Students have signed up to groups of 18 and will move through each of the 6 activities on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes during Weeks 3-6. The activities, listed below were suggested by members of the Year 7 cohort: fluffy slime, Just Dance, skipping and hula hooping, the chocolate game, board games and Kahoot.

As you can see from the photos, a great time was had by all students involved.

The program is designed for all students in Year 7 to interact and connect with girls within their cohort so that peer relationships are strengthened in a safe, secure and friendly environment. Year 11 students assist the Year 7 activity leaders in the running of the program building on their leadership and management skills, as well as fostering a sense of community between the Years 7 and Year 11 cohorts.

Thanks to those Years 7 and 11 students who are enabling these activities to run smoothly. 

Photos – Monday 15 May 2017
MSP Photography will be in Eton Hall on Monday 15 May to take photos of the following groups:

• Boarding House
• Music Ensembles – Primary and Secondary
• Cultural
• Student Leaders

Please refer to the photo schedule displayed around the school for full details. Students are requested to be on time for their scheduled photos and in their correct uniform. Please contact the Dean of Students’ Office if you have any questions.

Nikki Townsend

For the past two years, the focus for maths teaching in Years 1-4 has been the application of the PRIME Maths Program. It is an Australian program with a teaching approach aligned with Singapore maths.  Singapore is one of the highest ranking countries in the international testing regime, TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study).

Such results are testament to the school’s commitment to investigate and use a program that is based on this particular approach to teaching mathematics. The adoption of this program was the focus of a school based research project last year. Supported by ISQ (Independent Schools Queensland) the P-3 staff implemented the program.

This year, the school continues to be involved in a research project with ISQ and again with a focus on Prime Maths, in particular problem solving. The beginning of the year commenced with the teachers' involvement in professional development. All the teachers in the Primary school undertook a program presented by a leader in Singapore maths. As a school, we were fortunate to have this expert fly from Singapore to share her knowledge and provide answers to teachers’ questions and concerns.

Problem Solving is a significant component of the PRIME Maths Program. It is important as problem solving contributes to life-long learning. The Australian mathematics curriculum also acknowledges that problem solving has an impact on a child both now and in the future. This acknowledgement is evident by the inclusion of problem solving as a proficiency to be developed within all strands of mathematics across all year levels. As a proficiency strand, students are encouraged to interpret, investigate problem situations and communicate.

The Prime Maths Program offers students strategies for problem solving, outlined in the Primary Handbook, page 24. However, different problems require different types of thinking. Students need to develop an understanding of the different types of thinking in order to solve problems. The development of this thinking will be a particular focus of the ISQ project.

Andrews Cup Cross Country

Our Cross Country runners performed to the best of their ability at the recent Andrews Cup Cross Country Carnival held in Ipswich. Well done to all girls for putting their best foot forward during the lead up with training and on competition day. St Margaret’s placed 5th overall and 4th in the Percentage Cup, with a 2nd place in the 10 Year division and 1st in the 9 Year division.

Congratulations to Kate Greenwood who came 3rd in the 9 Years age group. Many thanks to Miss Rowe, Ms Lewis and Miss Lucht for their coaching throughout the season and assistance on the day.

St Margaret’s Primary School Breakfast

We are looking forward to seeing many Mums and significant women at the Primary School Breakfast tomorrow morning. There will be raffle tickets available at the door with the prize drawn after the performance. We look forward to sharing the morning with you.

Upcoming Events

Angela Drysdale 

Student Congratulations

Congratulations to Rena Mori (Year 9) who has been accepted into the Australian Chamber Orchestra ACO Academy to be held in Sydney over the June/July holidays. The ACO Academy is an inspirational week of intensive rehearsals and performances with ACO musicians for outstanding secondary school students who play violin, viola, cello or double bass. Rena will have the opportunity to be challenged and inspired in a professional learning environment, working side by side with ACO musicians and ACO Emerging Artists throughout the week. Well done Rena!

Congratulations also to Akari Komoto (Year 8) who has been selected to perform as part of the Little Lev Piano Festival. Only a small, select group of students from around Australia are chosen to perform as part of this event. As part of this festival, Akari will have the opportunity to perform in a masterclass with the world-renowned pianist Oleg Stepanov, graduate of the Moscow Conservatory and current Artistic Director of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition. We wish Akari all the best!

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 MSG meeting will be on Tuesday 11 July 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 

Once again, Sue Baxter Winch and Eloise Crouch trained the girls how to throw and tow with precision and are to be congratulated on their enthusiasm for the St Margaret’s program. A further thank you to Mr Chris Farrelly, the coordinator of the program for this year.

QGSSSA Cross Country

The girls ran over the new course at Rivermount college last week in preparation for Saturday. Once again, we had some fast times and strong finishes. St Margaret’s was also represented by ten of the Cross Country Team at the Queensland All Schools Cross Country at Kedron last Saturday. Noteworthy performers were:

Lara Crouch – 1st 16 Years

Lucinda Crouch – 3rd 17 Years

Chloe Fenwicke – 3rd 14 Years

Ciana Jamieson – 6th 15 Years

Maicey Lynch – 10th 12 Years

QGSSSA Cross Country Reminders

Team Bus Departure Time: 6:15am for 6:30am departure from St Margaret’s, Butler Street

Supporters Bus for Years 8 and 10: 7:30am departure from St Margaret’s, Butler Street

All students will return to St Margaret’s around 1pm. Parents are welcome to collect their daughter from Rivermount College. Please have your daughter’s name marked off the roll prior to departing.

QGSSSA Autumn Sports

The girls travelled to our sister school, St Aidan’s last Friday afternoon. The school spirit was strong and the competition had a sense of friendly rivalry. Our basketball teams in the A division across all year levels continued their success for the season. The touch football teams had mixed results and we still have two teams sitting at the top of the table. Soccer found St Aidan’s a tough opposition and lost both of their matches. This week, fixtures will be on Thursday afternoon due to the QGSSSA Cross Country on Saturday.

QGSSSA Winter Trials

As one season ends, another begins. Next week, our winter sport trials will commence. The girls will enter their first round of testing on the ergos for rowing. Netball and Volleyball will begin on Saturday morning and Hockey on Saturday afternoon. Finishing with the St Margaret’s Tennis Cup on Saturday and Sunday. Season information across all sports is available on the team apps as well as the noticeboards around the school. If you have any questions, please contact the respective sport coordinator:

Volleyball - Desley Upton: dupton@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Hockey - Peter Cottle: pcottle@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Tennis - Delia Eastland: deastland@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Netball - Jayne Schinckel: jschinckel@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Rowing - Jared Bidwell: jbidwell@stmargarets.qld.edu.au 

Nicky Barrie

Rostrum Voice of Youth is an annual competition aimed to encourage Secondary school students to further develop their verbal communication skills and confidence by giving them a platform to speak out on topics that are important to them.

Students in the Senior Division were required to deliver an eight-minute speech on one of five topics including “Trusting Our Instincts”, “Life Without Limits” and “Creating History”.

We wish the girls all the best for the Regional Finals.

Drama and Performance - Barbara Sisley Awards

The Communication, Speech and Performance Teachers Inc. presents the Barbara Sisley Awards annually. Recipients are students who have attained the highest results in Queensland in each grade of AMEB (Drama and Performance) and Trinity College of London (Speech and Drama) examinations in the preceding year.

Congratulations to Lily Howells (Year 8) who achieved the highest result in Queensland for her AMEB Drama and Performance Grade One exam in 2016 and to Hannah Lane (Year 12) who achieved the highest result in Queensland for her AMEB Drama and Performance Grade Six exam last year.

Both students have been invited to attend the 71st Barbara Sisley Awards at Parliament House on 27 May to perform and receive their award. Well done on this wonderful achievement!

Maria Chamberlain

Artwork of the Month - May

Congratulations to Ella Woods (Year 7) for her lovely clay sculpture and our featured Artwork of the Month for May.

Ella’s ceramic ‘River’ themed sculpture has a range of textures contrasting with realistic modelling of the buildings. Ella has embedded colour into her design effectively. Great result, well done Ella!

Eliza McKendry and Annabel Kennedy

Visual Art Captains 

Lisa Smith 

Please see Mr Farrelly if you have any questions or require further information.

Chris Farrelly

The chance to study ecology in one of the last medieval landscapes in Europe is being offered to St Margaret’s students in 2018. Spend 2 weeks in small villages, foothills and forests of the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, working as part of a team of ecologists, scientists and postgraduate researchers who specialise in biodiversity. This area boasts the largest population of brown bears anywhere in Europe. This unique medieval landscape has the most diverse wildflower meadows left in the lowlands. You will complete a course on ecology and take part in biodiversity surveys for large mammals, small mammals and herpetofauna, birds, plants, butterflies, moths and bats.

Chris Farrelly 

Artist/Photographer Jane Long returns to work with us, along with the same team of past and present students who are always excited to be part of the week’s activities. Students will work on the theme: ‘Artist with her Dreams’, learning new painting, printmaking and digital imaging skills.

Information is being distributed this week and places can be booked via Flexischools. The program runs from 9:30am – 2:30pm each day. Girls in Years 5-8 may enrol and they are welcome to bring their friends from other schools.

For any enquiries, please contact Jenny Lishman on 3862 0791 or email: jlishman@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Jenny Lishman 

Artists have been invited to donate Postcard sized artworks - intimate, collectable, original works which will be sold at the lunch in August.

Based on a similar event run each year by the Royal Academy in London, our greatest hope is that this might be an affordable way for your daughters to begin their own art collection!

Artists who have currently returned postcards include Deb Cohen, Deb Mostert, Sophie Munns, Wayne Singleton, as well as three Maggies Art teachers and a surprise member of the St Margaret’s Leadership Team! Twenty-three other artists have each committed 4 works to our Project, so we’re excited to see what they produce!

Next week, we will outline the arrangements for purchase and include some sneak pics of our postcard collection. Watch this space!

Jenny Lishman 

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 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 31 July 2017

Monday 30 October 2017

P&F Event Dates 2017

Term 2

Saturday 27 May - Community Ball
Friday 9 June - Fathers’ Dinner

Term 3

Saturday 2 September - Race Day

The Community Ball is only weeks away - buy your tickets now!

Join us for a wonderful evening in the spectacular Rainbow Room at Cloudland where you will enjoy good food, great wine and excellent 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 

Discover what Griffith has to offer in a relaxed market atmosphere with food, games and entertainment.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday 16 May 2017, 4pm-6:30pm, Venue: Arrival Plaza Campus: Nathan
Date: Thursday 18 May 2017, 4pm-6:30pm, Venue: University Drive lawn Campus: Gold Coast
Find out more and register: https://ask.secure.griffith.edu.au/rd?1=AvMa~wreDv8S~xb~Gv8u~yL0sP0rNS77Mv~e~z7~Pv8X&2=4474

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.

University of New South Wales (UNSW) Registrations for the 2017 LAT are now open and must be completed online via the ACER website.
The Law Admission Test or LAT is a written test that is used to demonstrate your aptitude and suitability for studying undergraduate Law at UNSW. Your LAT score, in addition to your academic results (e.g. ATAR + additional points) will be used in our selection process to allow us to better differentiate between the many high achieving applicants to Law. The LAT was introduced in 2016 for entry to UNSW Law dual degree programs from 2017 onwards.

If you are interested in studying Law at UNSW in 2018 then you should sit the LAT in 2017. Visit www.law.unsw.edu.au/lat?mc_cid=25e128ec7f&mc_eid=ccf114835f for more information.

UNSW Theatre and Performance
Tuesday 30 May 2017 - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Io Myers Studio, UNSW Kensington

Do you have a passion for music, theatre and performance, but are unsure of the opportunities a tertiary degree can grant you in the future? This event will shed light on the diverse career pathways available through studying these disciplines. You will experience student performances and hear from UNSW academics, current students and graduates on the merits of studying in the creative arts. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session, so come prepared with your questions! Registrations essential - please register by clicking on this link: https://sam.arts.unsw.edu.au/othersites/?path=othersites/fass/form/index.php&i=766

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.

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

International Tertiary Application Information
United Kingdom: 2018 entry key dates
23 May 2017 - UCAS Undergraduate Apply opens for 2018 entry.
6 September 2017 - Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS.
15 October 2017 (18:00 UK time) - Deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/science. The reference must be completed before the application can be sent to us. Please plan ahead for this deadline falling on a Sunday.

African Conservation Experience -Gap year opportunity
www.conservationafrica.net/who-travels-with-us/gap-years-and-students/
Benefits for Participating Students
Gap year volunteering and conservation travel is increasingly being recognised by employers and universities for providing real life experience and the opportunity to learn valuable skills. The students will gain a range of skills and experience, including increased independence, team work and gaining practical knowledge essential for a career in the animal care fields, conservation, veterinary science or wildlife research. The experience gained on a project can stretch a young student and be demanding while giving them an experience of a lifetime, passion and drive which they take home with them. Many of our volunteers have continued in the field of wildlife care and management, and now work in their dream careers!

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

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 students 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
Open - 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

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
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 opened 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: 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 to 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