eNews Archive Issue 16 - 24 May 2018

On Saturday, the festival will open at 10am with a program full of things to see and do. Entry to the festival is free.

Creative workshops, gourmet food and drink, artisan markets and live music and performing arts displays will fill the day, whilst the gallery will again be open for those looking to wander and appreciate the art on display or even purchase a piece for their collection.

There are lots of activities for children of all ages – from rides, to come and try workshops, and sideshow alley.

A highlight of the day will be the raffle prize draw with two Whitsundays holidays and a Byron Bay getaway amongst a significant range of prizes. If you haven’t already purchased tickets you can do so on Saturday, either from the Gallery space, the Ocean Dynamics stall on Circular Drive or the Information stall.

You can plan your day ahead by downloading the festival program here. 

Our school community including students, parents, teachers and staff have worked tirelessly to make this event a great success. Additionally, we are grateful for the support of our festival sponsors who have offered outstanding support to the event.

I look forward to seeing you this weekend.

Just a reminder that St Margaret’s has been chosen as one of the 70 schools participating in the Independent Schools Queensland – What Parents Want Survey. It is a quick survey to complete (taking approximately 15 minutes) and I encourage as many of you as possible to participate. The survey will close on 8 June and can be accessed via this link: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4279373/What-Parents-Want-2018-Survey.

Bulimba School Run to Trial Roll Book App

Roll Book is an application designed for schools with dedicated bus services. The app enables students to view the real-time location of a bus and the school to determine who is currently on board.

Commencing Monday 28 May 2018, we will be trialling the use of the Roll Book app for students boarding the Bulimba school run. Students will need to scan their student card on a second Samsung phone which will record their attendance on the school bus. They will also be asked to scan their student card when they depart the bus.

Students will still be required to scan their cards to make payment for their trip, via ROVR (Flexischools).

This trial will run for approximately one week and will allow the School and Roll Book to work through any issues prior to rolling this out to other bus trips, including excursions, sporting trips and camps.

The St Margaret’s Chief Information Officer and Business Manager have worked closely with the developers of Roll Book to ensure the privacy and security features of this app are rigorous.

Further information will be provided to parents and students on the Bulimba bus run during the trial week. Any feedback regarding the app can be sent to schoolbus@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Ros Curtis

This week, we had the second meeting for the year of our Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy committee.

This committee is made up of staff (teaching and support), students and parents from our Primary, Secondary and Boarding communities.

The Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy (C&YRMS) is a legislative requirement for all Queensland schools to have. It is designed to create safe and supportive environments for children, to minimise the risk of abuse, harm and inappropriate behaviour. The C&YRMS is to be clear, easily understood, implemented and monitored to ensure it’s effectiveness. You can view this document by following the link at: https://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/discover-st-margaret-s/student-protection.

Part of the monitoring process involves this committee coming together throughout the year to share ideas and information about the contents of this strategy in order to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our young people in regard to student protection. Although we officially review the strategy with the School Council in October each year, we continue to adjust the document to best suit the needs of the young people in our community.

I urge all members of our school community to read this document. Feedback is encouraged; please feel free to email me on KGorrie@stmargarets.qld.edu.au with any suggestions or additions you may wish to see reflected in this document.

Karen Gorrie 

So here we were, ‘dressed’ in things that to live fully, needed to be cast aside – but how? The student was invited to run, waving arms and legs, breaking the bonds of the clothing that was weighing her down. Wild pieces of toilet paper went flying, but the point was made!

Then, we considered Paul’s Letter to the Colossians 3:12 -  God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

We dressed our student with fresh fabric of ‘gentleness’, ‘kindness’ and ‘compassion”. We also put on a T-Shirt (inspired by the book and film, “Wonder”) that said ‘Choose Kind’.

We need to clothe ourselves in those things which build hope and optimism in ourselves and in others. We are called to cast aside those things in our lives that cause damage and pain. We are invited to be God’s children who are truly and deeply loved. We are called to love others.

Confirmation 2018 - Sunday 17 June, 6pm

Confirmation preparation classes have begun for students interested in taking the next step in recognising their own faith. If you, or anyone you know, (anyone above the age of 14) is interested as well, please make contact with me as soon as possible on 3862 0716.

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,

The Reverend Canon Nicki Colledge

A surprise supper also took place in the form of a magnificent cake, acknowledging the hard work the House Mothers do for the boarders. The girls themselves also wrote some special comments throughout the week about how much they appreciate their Boarding School. We ran a poster and ‘best room’ competition. Lesa Fowler, Head of Boarding, awarded prizes to the following girls: 

Winners for the poster competition:
1st prize - Meg Mettam
2nd prize - Maggie Cater and Jordana Dowling

Winners for the best room:
Year 7: Helaina Williams
Year 8: Ebony Black
Year 9: Georgina Winter
Year 10: Shanelle Flute
Year 11: Skye Ward
Year 12: Kealey Griffiths

It is also timely that we give thought to the boarder families who are experiencing drought. I asked one of our Year 12s, Isobel Waugh, to share with us a glimpse of what life is like on her property. We are especially proud of the boarders living far from their homes, missing their families and their pets. It’s easy for us to forget about the conditions in the remote areas of NSW, QLD and NT when here in Brisbane, we’ve seen so much rainfall. We extend our heartfelt wishes and hope soon that relief is on its way. 

My journey home begins with me jumping on a bus for five hours and heading south to Goondiwindi from Brisbane, where I hop off and get straight into Mum’s Toyota Land Cruiser. Recently, when arriving home at our small Goondiwindi property, I was quick to realise the dry surroundings. Drought is an ongoing battle to Aussie farmers, and being away from home for such long periods at a time it’s easy to forget about the dam water levels and whether they’ll be rising any time soon. But, if you’re like any child born and bred on the land, you understand the stress your parents bare if it doesn’t rain. So, when you are back home it doesn’t take long to realise when you’re crossing the grid and turning down your beloved family driveway, to notice the golden mirage of dead grass and barren paddocks. 

Saddling up my stock horse and riding across the sun-dried plains, I was shocked to see the dams cracked and baked. Our livestock is two horses, and the amount of feed and water each paddock has left for them is enough to keep my mother feeling tiresome. So, when I look across to the neighbours’ thousand-acre property and see starving cattle and crops suffering, it’s hard to truly grasp the worries and struggles they are often facing. 

My own situation can’t compare to the set-backs graziers and farming families go through. Watching from the horizon and listening to some of my closest school mates describe their family’s battles, brings me to the overwhelming realisation that many of the most genuine, hardworking families are constantly facing some of the toughest hardships about. This reminds me of the extraordinary strength farmers must have to stay and work with the harsh land they love and call home, which I think is incredible and should never go unnoticed.

Isobel Waugh Year 12

Dimity Harris 

So, with assignment due dates looming across the school, now is an appropriate time to gently weave a reminder into your conversations at home about the importance of self-editing your work. The girls can catch many mistakes simply by taking the time to read or even read aloud their written work. Reading aloud adds an auditory element to writing, but this process has the added benefit of slowing the reader down long enough to think about the content as well. The girls can also use the feedback provided through drafting or conferencing to strengthen their writing. Through both processes, teachers will pose questions to strengthen content and ideas, and encourage reflection. The purpose is to build the girls’ capacity to take ownership of the editing process.

Some other tips for self-editing include:

• Leave time between your last edit and proofreading the final draft. Maybe for a few hours, or even overnight, and proofread when your mind is fresh. Sometimes it is difficult to see what you have written, as opposed to what you intended to write.
• Proofread backwards. Read each sentence in the paper starting with the last sentence and working backwards to the first. This isolates each sentence and helps you to more easily find errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Read your work out loud, slowly. Reading out loud will enable you to hear awkwardness and mistakes in your writing that you might not notice in reading.
• Read slowly and carefully - do not just skim. You may have accidentally left out a sentence, a paragraph, or an entire page. Be sure to read through the final hard copy of your work, exactly as it is to be submitted.

There is no denying that writing is hard work, but if we can do one thing to improve the quality of our work it is learning to self-edit as we write. Very rarely does an essay with every error marked cause a student to become a better writer. Students must learn to self-edit. Taking responsibility for their learning and showing initiative to produce their best work possible requires a degree of persistence and risk-taking in the writing process. Over time, the girls will be able to make editing an ‘automatic’ part of their writing, particularly as they head into senior year levels and the amount of independence increases.

Jo Butterworth 

With the introduction of high stakes testing, websites that publish league tables and a media that is ready to pounce on any negative of a school, teachers and students are feeling the pressure to produce high results and outcomes for schools. This drive for accountability within schools has produced a system facing a level of disengagement. However, at St Margaret’s we have implemented the St Margaret’s Teaching and Learning Framework, that is driven by 5 pillars – Challenge, Differentiation, Feedback and Connection making up the outside pillars all supported by Motivation as the central pillar. As well this year we have begun the Academic Advising Program with Years 9 to 12 with a goal to assist students to become self-regulated, self-motivated and accountable learners.

Erica McWilliam and Peter Taylor have written numerous times about their concerns that accountability and other factors are stopping our students from developing the learning dispositions that will enable them to be self-managing motivated learners (2012). They argue that students need to be given opportunities to take their rightful place as active and ethical participants in the world; not play it safe through imitation and memorisation that is required for a system that is driven by accountability and success seen as high test scores.

As a staff, we have been challenging ourselves to construct classrooms based around personally significant learning for all learners to enable them to understand and appreciate:

• That learning matters more than knowing
• The discomfort of learning should not be avoided
• The need to develop relentless curiosity, knowledge agility and have the ability to unlearn

There is an increasing expectation on the students in terms of their engagement and motivation for their own learning. After all, the intention of learning is that it needs to be ‘owned’ by all who engage in it (McWilliam and Taylor 2012). Therefore, as teachers, we are in a new era for educating young minds. Once being a teacher meant being the ‘Master’ of the classroom, holding all the knowledge and controlling the path students take to learn knowledge. Up until a decade ago the words ‘student engagement’ was used in a binary way; students were either working or not working. (Antonetti and Garver 2015). Antonetti and Garver say it best; “Engagement for its own sake is just fun, to enhance learning, students must be engaged in a cognitive way” (2015:80). Therefore, if the intention of learning is that it needs to be ‘owned’ by all who engage in it, the challenge has been set for teachers to facilitate a classroom of co-learning, modelling, risk-taking and resilience, be a true ‘Meddler in the Middle’ to challenge and engage (Antonetti and Garver 2015, McCrindle 2016, McWilliam and Taylor 2012).

So, put simply, the secret to student engagement at St Margaret’s is understanding that accountability, high stake testing and technological devices will come and go, but the experience of students and teachers learning from each other is timeless.

Klem, A.D. and Connell, J.P. (2004) Relationships Matter: Linking Teacher Support to Student Engagement and Achievement. Journal of School Health, 1-47.

Schlechty, P.C. (2002). Working on the Work: An action plan for teachers, principals, and superintendents. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Antonetti, J.V. and Garver, J.R. (2015). 17000 Classroom visits can’t be wrong: Strategies that engage students, promote active learning and boost achievement. Virginia: ASCD Press.

McWilliam, E. and Taylor, P. (2012). Personally Significant Learning: Why our kids need a powerful disposition to be self-managing learners when they finish their schooling, why they are unlikely to have it, and what we can do about it. http://www.ericamcwilliam.com.au/personally-significant-learning/.

Mark McCrindle (2016) How Can 21st Century Students Learn In 19th Century Schools? http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/mark-mccrindle/how-can-21st-century-students-learn-in-19th-century-schools_b_9677348.html.

Years 9 and 10 Study Hall and Exams
Another way in which we as a school are actively engaging students with their learning is providing our Years 9 and 10 students with time and space to practice good study and revision habits. Below are the dates for the upcoming Study Hall and Exams: 

• Year 10 Study Hall and Exams – Thursday 31 May and Friday 1 June
• Year 9 Study Hall and Exams – Thursday 7 June and Friday 8 June

On these days, the girls will complete their exams as per the Years 9 and 10 Assessment Calendars. During the non-exam time, the girls have the chance to meet with teachers to ask questions and check for understanding as they go over concepts for their upcoming assessments. The timetable has been split into times when the girls can work with teachers and small groups, as well as quiet study time. During Academic Advising time, each girl will devise a study plan for the two days to assist them to manage their time effectively.

Nicole Devlin

Sleep deprivation can have negative consequences such as making it difficult for her to get along with her family and friends, behaving poorly in all sorts of contexts, as well as diminishing her academic and physical performance. The ideal amount of sleep for teenagers is between 9 to 10 hours a night.

Below are some suggestions from the Sleep Foundation Organisation on how to assist your daughter with a healthy sleep routine:

• Make sleep a priority.
• Make their room a sleep haven. Keep it cool, quiet and dark.
• No vitamins or drinks can replace good sleep. Consuming caffeine close to bedtime can impede their sleep, so avoid coffee, tea, soft drink and chocolate late in the day so they can get to sleep at night.
• Establish a bed and wake time and stick to it, even on weekends. A consistent sleep schedule will help them feel less tired since it allows their body to get in sync with its natural patterns. Students will find that it’s easier to fall asleep at bedtime with this type of routine.
• Avoid the TV, computer and telephone in the hour before they go to bed.
• Naps can help pick them up and make them work more efficiently; however, naps that are too long or too close to bedtime can interfere with their regular sleep pattern.
• Stick to quiet, calm activities before bedtime. Doing the same things every night before they go to sleep, teaches their body the signals that it’s time for bed. Try taking a bath or shower or reading a book.
• Try encouraging a diary or to-do list. If they jot notes down before they go to sleep, they will be less likely to stay awake worrying.

Please be aware that most adolescents experience variations in their sleep schedules. Their internal body clocks can cause them to fall asleep and wake up later. But, practicing these suggestions above will hopefully assist your daughter to gain good quality sleep which is a key biological and developmental requirement for good health.

For more information, please visit: https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep/page/0/1.

Year 8 Camp

Last week, the Year 8 students enjoyed a 4-day camp hiking at Kenilworth. I would like to thank Ms Claire Bloomer for her organisation of this activity.

On Tuesday 15 May, the Year 8s headed to Kenilworth full of nervous excitement for Year 8 camp. This was the first time many of them had been on an expedition. They had to wear backpacks with all of their belongings for four days of hiking. They also learned to cook using a Trangia and how to set up and pack down their tents. Overall, everyone had a great time and returned home with memories they won’t forget and have forged new friendships. Thanks to Ms Mawer, Ms Calcino, Ms O’Callaghan, Mr McCormick, Mr Smithers, Mr Mandla and Mr Forster for making their time on camp enjoyable. All Year 8s who attended should be proud of their efforts, particularly the persistence they showed when faced with challenges.

Claire Bloomer - Head of Year 8

Nikki Townsend 

Experiencing an old-school setting; sitting at old wooden desks and writing on slate, was a highlight for many of the girls. “The olden day students had to write on slates! Not with a pen, pencil or paper. Personally, I prefer slates. Nowadays we kind of do the same Maths because they did addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, just like us!” reflected Gigi Owen. The Year 2 girls experienced many hands-on opportunities such as talking on phones, Morse Code tapping and hanging out washing from a copper.

The girls reflected that life in the past was much more labour-intensive and required people to be creative in their thinking and problem-solving. “In the olden days they had a glass bottle and when the flies were inside they went to the bottom and their wings got wet and they drowned. Now we don’t have to use that, we have fly spray. I prefer using the fly spray because it is fast,” said Nina Hutchins. It was fascinating for the girls to explore and understand how life in the past was different, and for them to formulate an opinion by comparing and contrasting their present-day experiences. Many girls commented on how things were made from ‘scratch’. During Under 8s Week, this theme of creating things from scratch (linking to our past) was continued.

Under 8s Week

Under 8s Week is about acknowledging the importance of learning in the early years of a child’s life. It has been running for 60 years across Queensland. Over that time the week has evolved, but the purpose to celebrate childhood and promote the importance of early years remains strong.

This year, the theme for Under 8s Week was, “Children Exploring Language and Culture”. Our Prep – Year 2 students wholeheartedly participated in a range of fun and educational activities. These included gardening with our visiting author/illustrator, Megan Forward, who wrote and illustrated “A Patch from Scratch”. Not only did the girls have the opportunity to share a read-aloud story with this talented author/illustrator, they asked her many questions about the process of writing and illustrating a picture book. The students also created art with Megan and were also able to ‘garden’ with her and discuss the inspiration and message of her picture book.

In Science, the Year 2 students have been investigating “Push and Pull” - how objects move in different ways. While Prep and Year 1 students have been investigating how change is a constant and continuous process and can lead to improvement. This concept was explored in the Reverse Garbage activity where the girls planned, designed and made toys from recyclables. Soap making also featured on the day. The girls had to follow a scientific procedure in order to make their own bar of soap. Finally, they participated in the National Simultaneous Storytime. This educational and event-filled day culminated with a shared lunch where the children were able to compare stories and discuss their favourite activity. It was a wonderful student-centred day full of play, investigation and creation. Thank you to all teachers and teacher aides for their organisation and planning in ensuring a successful day.

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year, a picture book written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read aloud, simultaneously, in schools, libraries, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. This year, our Pre-Prep – Year 4 students participated in NSS on Wednesday 23 May at 11am. The students were delighted by some of our Primary staff’s creative abilities in re-enacting the story of “Hickory Dickory Dash”. The purpose of this event is to highlight the value of reading and literacy. It is an engaging and interactive way to model to the girls the enjoyment and pleasure reading can bring. Thank you to Mrs Jackson, Ms Brennan, Miss Richards, Miss Briggs, Mrs Mohr and Ms Sands for their participation.

Years 5 and 6 Camps

What a busy week it has been for our Years 5 and 6 students, participating in their Leadership Camp and visiting Canberra. From all reports, they are having a wonderful time. Mrs Drysdale will update us with more information next week.

MAYO Arts Festival

We are all excited about the wonderful MAYO Arts Festival this coming weekend. This event brings together so many members of our immediate and extended community. It will be a magnificent celebration of the Arts.

On Friday night, the Gallery will be opened from 6:30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer. Tickets for the Cocktail Party ($60 per person) are available via Flexischools. Attendance at this night will give visitors their first opportunity to view and purchase a range of 3-Dimensional works created by Queensland and interstate artists.

The festivities continue on Saturday from 10am – 5:30pm. For those who are interested in staying on, last drinks will be available at the bar until 7pm.

Many groups within the school have been planning and rehearsing hard in preparation for this whole school event. Please ensure you watch some of the many student performances throughout the day. Thank you in anticipation of your support of the MAYO Arts Festival.

Cathy Cox 

MAYO Arts Festival

All music students are very excited to be presenting music performances at the MAYO Arts Festival this Saturday. Music performances will be provided from 12pm through to 5:30pm on Saturday 26 May. The schedule for performances is attached here (PDF 104.9KB). All girls in the ensembles on the attached schedule are asked to purchase a MAYO t-shirt which will be worn for performances (with smart jeans and sneakers). T-shirts are available for purchase from the School Supplies Shop or Flexischools. Students who are involved in performances are asked to meet their conductor thirty minutes in advance in the Drama Room (please access via the corridor where the Primary Art classrooms are situated).

Private Music Student Presentations Next Week

Next week, students undertaking private music lessons will be giving short presentations to demonstrate what they have been learning in their lessons. These presentations are not exams but are an opportunity for students to informally present repertoire and technical work they are currently studying. Two teachers will listen to the presentation (one of which will be the student’s own teacher) and following the presentation, written feedback will be made available to students and parents through our end of semester reporting process.

The aim of the initiative is to provide students with a goal to work towards, along with specific, relevant feedback that will allow them to direct their practise in a more focussed manner. Students are encouraged to view the process as one that will assist in improving their musical capacity and provide motivation to maintain a consistent weekly practice routine. We hope they will have a real sense of achievement at the conclusion of their presentation, and look forward to strengthening our private music tuition program through this new initiative.

Congratulations to Dr Colin Noble!
Colin Noble, one of our instrumental teachers, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) through the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. Colin submitted a thesis late last year exploring the performance practice of piano music written by French composer Olivier Messiaen during World War II. In addition to a 90,000 word thesis, he submitted a four-hour folio of live performances of the music he researched and interviewed some of the world's leading pianists including Peter Serkin, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Marielle Labeque. The process covered 4 years of part-time study, alongside his teaching and family responsibilities. This is a very significant achievement and we pass on our sincere congratulations! 

Upcoming concert by Dr Noble
Dr Noble will be presenting a solo piano performance on Saturday 16 June. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear Dr Noble perform as well as celebrate his recently awarded PhD! Dr Noble will be presenting repertoire by Alberto Ginastera, Philip Glass, Agnes Obel and Nigel Sabin. The event will be held on 16 June in the Arts Centre Foyer starting at 5pm. The cost to attend is $10 adults, $5 students/children, $20 family, with all proceeds donated to the Archbishop’s PNG Earthquake Appeal. All are welcome to attend!

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 June 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 

Hockey

The Hockey season was launched on Sunday 20 May when two of Queensland’s best Hockey players, Tiana Barrett and Morgan Gallagher coached girls from Years 5 – 12 in all facets of the game, providing tips and pointers on how to refine and improve their skills for the upcoming QGSSSA season. We thank all coaches and the Hockey Support Group members for assisting with and inspiring a new generation of St Margaret’s Hockey players.

Tennis Open Championships

The St Margaret’s Tennis Open Championships will be held over three days commencing on Friday 1 June for our Primary aged competitors and Saturday 2 June - Sunday 3 June for all Secondary competitors. The Championships are open to all students and will be played in 4 divisions; Primary (Years 4 – 6), Junior (Years 7 and 8), Intermediate (Years 9 and 10) and Senior (Years 11 and 12). Girls will be able to nominate in either singles, doubles or both! A Boarder’s Cup will also be awarded. For more information, please click on the attached link (PDF 337KB). Primary entry forms are available from the Primary Activities Office.

QGSSSA Representative Team – Netball, Tennis and Football

QGSSSA will be selecting a representative team from all member schools to compete in an interstate competition for Netball, Tennis and Football. The QGSSSA team will compete against the best Independent Girls’ School Sport Associations from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. The competition will be held on Friday 5 – Sunday 7 October on the Gold Coast. For further information and nominations, please visit: www.qgsssa.com.au or click here.

Indoor Rowing Championships

The Indoor Rowing Championships held at Somerville House on Tuesday night saw St Margaret’s achieve great results and the promise of an exciting season ahead.

Holly Carrigan led the charge in the Year 8 individual ergo, finishing a strong 4th. Primrose Carrigan followed up in the Year 9 individual, finishing 2nd in an incredibly tight finish with only .01 of a second separating 1st and 2nd. Shanelle Flute led from the front to win the Year 10 individual, with Sophie Gerber (Year 11) and Victoria Franklin (Year 12) performing well to finish midfield.

With girls from Years 8 to 12 returning from a rescheduled Touch Football game at Ipswich, their driver and Head of Swimming, Kevin Sargent chose an outstanding route to get them to Somerville House with a minute to spare, as the Year 8 relay team took to the stage. Holly Carrigan, Verity House, Emma Pickering, Abigail George and Lucy Leaver powered through to achieve a win in the Year 8 relay.

The Year 9 relay team of Primrose Carrigan, Rosie Turnbull, Sophia Wightman, Morgan Wright and Lucinda MacPherson got away to a great start. Midway through the race, they were jostling for a podium finish when a technical error in the closing stages of the relay saw their computer system shutdown. After a quick discussion, the team graciously opted not to re-row at the end of the championships and allowed the other teams to enjoy their success.

The Year 10 relay was a great display of grit and determination. Finding themselves in fourth place by 70m in the closing stages of the race. The team of Shanelle Flute, Margot Lisle, Lucy Scott, Camilla Hudson and Pia Malouf threw everything they had at a sprint finish to claw their way from behind and finish in 3rd place.

The Year 11 relay delivered strong performances from Sophie Gerber, Lily Devereaux, Rose Biddulph, Mia Fahrensohn and Isabelle Cox to finish 3rd.

The Year 12 relay team of Victoria Franklin, Genevieve Whitehead, Elizabeth Gooden, Charlotte Alton-Triggs and Rhiannon Proper finished midfield.

The All Age Relay consisting of 2 rowers from each year level saw the girls rise to the occasion as our Year 8s led the way. Well done to Emma Pickering, Holly Carrigan, Sophia Wightman, Primrose Carrigan, Shanelle Flute, Margot Lisle, Lily Devereaux, Sophie Gerber, Victoria Franklin and Gen Whitehead on a hard-fought 2nd place.

Well done to those competing on the night, outstanding achievements both on and off the ergo.

Jared Bidwell

Head of Rowing

Upcoming Events

• Friday 25 May – Round 8 of Autumn Fixtures v Brisbane Girls Grammar School – Away venues from 4pm; Soccer at Mitchelton Football Club.
• Monday 28 May – Rescheduled Soccer games v St Peter’s Lutheran College – Away venues from 4pm.
• Friday 1 June – Final round of Autumn Fixtures – Home venues from 4pm.
• Friday 1 June – 3 June – Open Tennis Championships

Helen Lobegeiger 

On Saturday, the festival will kick off at 10am with the gallery, market stalls, coffee and some workshops. Food trucks, rides, Barley Sugar Garden activities, live entertainment and workshops will commence from 12pm. Most of the festival will wrap up at 5:30pm, but for those keen to linger as the sun sets on what promises to be a spectacular day, last drinks will be available until 7pm. Food truck, Roam’in Pizza will also be serving delicious woodfired pizzas until this time.

You can plan your day by downloading the festival program, which features the market stalls, performance program, workshops and food and drink options.

If you haven’t already purchased raffle tickets, they will be available on the day from the Arts Centre Foyer, Ocean Dynamics stall and Information stall. 

St Margaret’s appreciates the support of our MAYO Arts Festival Sponsors: 

Platinum

Luxury Private Charters and Exclusive Tour Agent

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Stalls

Supporting Partners

To be eligible for the CCB or the CCR, families must register with the Family Assistance Office (FAO) to receive a parent and child registration number (CRN). These numbers must be supplied to the Service in order to receive your CCB or CCR. To test your eligibility for CCB and CCR, please contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50.

From 2 July 2018, Australia will have a New Child Care Package. Under the new package, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will replace the existing Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.

CCS will be the main way the Government assists families with their childcare fees. Families using child care will be contacted in early 2018 by the Department of Education and Training with more details about the changes.

Please refer to: www.education.gov.au/new-child-care-package-families-2-july-2018 for further information. 

Current crossing times: 7:45am – 8:30am and 3:00pm – 3:45pm. 

The current rate of pay is $29.61 per hour. 

Commencement of work for the successful applicant is dependent on: 

• The favourable outcome of a health assessment.
• A Positive Notice Blue Card (you do not need to have a blue card to apply for the position).

Closing date for applications: ASAP. 

Completed applications should be emailed to: employment@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Join us for our third exciting breakfast in 2018 and learn how Alison has achieved outstanding success in her long and distinguished career in the property sector.

When: Thursday 23 August 2018

Where: Arts Centre Foyer

Tickets: Corporate tables $800 for 10, $60 adult and $40 students (Years 10-12/tertiary)

Special thank you to our wonderful corporate sponsors:

Major sponsor: Laureate Universities

Associate Sponsors: Pitcher Partners and McCullough Robertson

Special Table Sponsor: Programmed Property Services

Supporting Partner: Qld Brain Institute

All funds raised from the Professional Women’s Network events support the School through our Endowment Fund, which assists with bursaries and the future development of facilities at St Margaret’s.

Tickets can be purchased via the Flexischools link under Quick Links on the St Margaret’s website: www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Fathers’ Dinner Tickets now on sale

Join us for the St Margaret’s Fathers’ Dinner with guest speaker and Young Past Student of Distinction Gwyneth Olsen ('00). Gwyneth is the Head Winemaker at Peppertree Wines, Briar Ridge Vineyard and Davis Premium Vineyards in the Hunter Valley. Among many other accolades, in 2014 Gwyneth was awarded Gourmet Traveller Wine's Young Winemaker of the Year. Join us to hear from Gwyneth on her inspiring journey from St Margaret's to becoming a Len Evans Tutorial Scholar at 'the most exclusive wine school in the world'.

This annual event is a great opportunity for all fathers and male role models to come together and share a sumptuous two-course dinner and drinks. To view the invitation, please click here (PDF 431.1KB).

Date: Friday 15 June 2018

Time: 6:30pm pre-dinner drinks in Eton Courtyard, 7:00pm Dinner

Venue: Eton Hall

Cost: $100.00 per person includes two course dinner and drinks

This event is proudly sponsored by Morgans.

Mother Daughter High Tea – save the date!

Join us for the St Margaret’s P&F Association Inaugural Mother Daughter High Tea. To view the ‘save the date’ flyer, please click here (PDF 703.2KB).

Date: Sunday 12 August

Time: 3pm to 5pm

Old Girls' Events 2018

OGA Annual Brunch – Sunday 3 June

RSVP’s MUST CLOSE THIS FRIDAY 25 MAY 2018

Tickets can be purchases via Flexischools using the link below.

The Annual Brunch is a wonderful opportunity to reflect and enjoy the company of friends and other past students. This year, Guest Speakers Christine Murr ('17) and Mel Buttle ('99) will share their stories and insights from their journeys since graduation.

BUY TICKETS TO THE OGA ANNUAL BRUNCH HERE or by calling the Development and Community Office on 07 3862 0768.

Reunions

Tickets are on sale now via Flexischools.

Please contact our office if you are a member of an Alumni listed below and haven’t received your invitation: phone: 07 3862 0768 or email: developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2008 – Friday 27 July

20 Year Reunion – Class of 1998 – Friday 27 July

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1988 – Friday 27 July

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1978 – Saturday 28 July

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1968 – Saturday 28 July

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1958 – Saturday 28 July

60+ Year Reunion – Classes prior to 1957 – Monday 30 July

Chapel Service and Morning Tea – Sunday 29 July

60+ Year Reunion – Monday 30 July

Lara Pickering 

UNE Early Entry is open to all Year 12 applicants and relies solely on your School’s assessment of your attributes and abilities to determine your suitability for entry. The assessment is based around your ability to work and learn independently, as well as your overall potential for academic success at UNE.

Because UNE doesn’t need to wait to receive your OP score, you can apply to UNE early, receive an offer and secure a place at university, even before scores are released. This gives you the certainty you need to begin making other arrangements such as where to live and finding part-time work to get ahead of the pack.

Benefits of UNE Early Entry Direct:

• Apply directly to UNE online
• No application fees
• Know earlier (November) that you have a place at UNE to relieve the pressure of waiting for results, and let you plan your big move
• No QTAC application required - Applying through UNE Early Entry does not prevent you from making another application through a tertiary admissions centre so it’s a great way to increase your chances of getting into the course you want.

Who can apply for Early Entry?
Early Entry is available for most UNE degrees for:

• current Year 12 students

For most courses you are offered, you will also have the option to accept the offer and defer for up to two years.

Australian Catholic University

Apply for CAP now.

What is CAP?
Have you volunteered in a sporting or cultural group, parish or community service activity? We'd love to hear about your experiences. ACU's Community Achiever Program is designed to acknowledge commitment to our local communities.

Regular volunteer work in your community – through a social justice organisation, sporting, performance, cultural or religious group – may be rewarded through our Community Achievers' Program with entry into an undergraduate degree.

A successful CAP application means you could receive an offer as early as August to study at ACU. Being part of this CAP group also offers unique opportunities to enhance your leadership and volunteering skills while you study with us.

CAP entry is only available for Undergraduate bachelor level degrees at ACU.

Who can apply?
Anyone applying for a Bachelor degree at ACU with a history of regular voluntary experience in the designated categories. You can apply if you are:

• currently completing Year 12 in Australia
• a non-recent school leaver (such as a mature-age student)
• an international student, currently completing Year 12 in Australia and planning to apply to ACU.

Remember, the experience must have been voluntary, so ACU will not consider community involvement undertaken as part of your schoolwork, work experience or paid employment.

CAP applications to study in 2019

• Opened 10am, Tuesday 1 May 2018
• Close Midnight, Tuesday 31 July 2018
• Offers will be released by the end of August 2018

The University of Sydney
Our undergraduate degrees are streamlined so you can choose your ideal course. To help you navigate our study areas and pathways, we have streamlined and simplified our degrees. If you know precisely where you want to head or want to explore different areas before deciding what to do, we have an undergraduate degree that will take you where you want to go.

We’ve also expanded access for you to study across disciplines by introducing a shared pool of over 100 majors and minors. This gives you the opportunity to explore a wide range of study areas within the following degrees: 

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Design Computing
• Bachelor of Economics
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Visual Arts
• combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies

For example, if you enjoy studying science and history you can now pursue both areas of study by enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree.

You can design your own degree with our new combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies

Taken in combination with a three-year degree, the combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies not only allows you to design your own degree, but also supercharges your undergraduate experience at Sydney.

As part of the combined degree you have the opportunity to: 

• access at least one major outside your primary field of study
• complete a second major
• build on your expertise with advanced coursework and project work
• complete an Honours component
• enrich your experience in community, industry or entrepreneurship settings.

The future is in your hands. Find out more about the Sydney Undergraduate Experience.

Crimson Education
Applications for our Study Abroad Scholarship are now open for students in Years 10-12. Students with the most outstanding application will receive a $500 prize and a comprehensive mentoring package to study overseas. Applications close on 1 June.

The University of Queensland
Changes to Doctor of Medicine program from 2021
The UQ Academic Board have approved changes to the selection process for UQ's Doctor of Medicine (MD) program that will impact current high school students. These changes will be progressively introduced over the coming years, allowing students ample time to prepare.

What are the changes?
There are two main changes to the selection process for the MD Program at UQ: 

• The introduction of a Mini Multiple Interview as part of the selection process (only impacting current Year 10 students, or younger)
• The introduction of prerequisite courses to ensure students are well prepared for the first two years of the program (impacting all students)

Why the change?
Our revised admission process is designed to ensure the highly sought-after places in the MD program are offered to applicants who demonstrate the attributes and abilities most suited to the profession of medicine, and most likely to succeed in the MD program.

ANU
A pathway to medicine at ANU
The Bachelor of Health Science offers a pathway to the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) at ANU without having to sit the GAMSAT. At the end of their second year in the Bachelor of Health Science up to 30 students will receive an offer of entry to the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD), contingent upon their grade point average (GPA), an interview process and successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science. Ten of the 30 places in the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) program are reserved for rural and Indigenous students from the Bachelor of Health Science.

Program details: QLD OP: 6 and other prerequisites apply. For further details on admission, fees and program requirements visit the ANU Programs & courses website.

UQ Pharmacy Experience Day - save the date
Pharmacy Experience Day is an annual UQ showcase which invites students to discover where a Bachelor of Pharmacy can take them. Throughout the day, guests will take part in a range of hands-on laboratory activities, meet and quiz current students and participate on a guided tour through the world class facilities. All members of the public are invited to attend the Pharmacy Experience Day, held on Sunday 19 August 2018.

UQ New Bachelor of Arts Program Planner
The Bachelor of Arts offers students unrivalled flexibility, but this often causes confusion among new students. UQ have launched a new Bachelor of Arts Program Planner as a resource for guidance officers, teachers and students.

UMAT
UMAT is developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the UMAT Consortium universities. The test is used specifically to assist with the selection of students into the medicine, dentistry and health science degree programs at undergraduate level at the universities listed on this website: https://umat.acer.edu.au/. Registrations for UMAT 2018 are now open. Copies of the Information Booklet can be downloaded from the UMAT website. Please note that before registering for the test students are required to carefully read the UMAT 2018 Information Booklet, which will only be available online from the UMAT website.

UMAT 2018 Key Dates:

Registrations opened first week in December 2017

Registrations close Friday 1 June 2018, 5pm AEST

Late registrations close Friday 15 June 2018, 5pm AEST

Applications for Special Testing Conditions close Friday 15 June 2018

UMAT test date Wednesday 25 July 2018

Results released Mid-September 2018

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

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

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

University Open Days
Australian Catholic University (ACU)
28 July 2018 (Saturday) - Open Day Brisbane 9am-2pm

Bond University (BOND)
28 July 2018(Saturday) - Twilight Open Day Gold Coast

CQ University (CQU)
9 August 2018 (Thursday) - Brisbane Open Day, 3pm-6pm
11 August (Saturday) - Bundaberg and Mackay

Griffith University (GRIFFITH)
12 August 2018 - Open Day Gold Coast, Nathan and South Bank Campuses

James Cook University (JCU)
19 August 2018 (Sunday) - Townsville Campus
26 August 2018 (Sunday) - Cairns Campus

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
29 July 2018 (Sunday) - Open Day Gardens Point (City) campus

Southern Cross University (SCU)
29 July 2018 - Gold Coast Open Day, 10am-2pm

The University of Queensland (UQ)
Sunday 5 August - St Lucia campus, 9am-3pm
Sunday 19 August - Gatton campus, 9am-3pm

University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
Sunday 19 August - USQ Toowoomba
Saturday 1 September - USQ Ipswich
Friday 7 September - USQ Springfield

KEY DATES:
Friday 1 June
UMAT Registrations close 5pm

Wednesday 25 July
UMAT Exam

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

Elizabeth Johnston