eNews Archive Issue 1 - 31 January 2019

Head of Faculty – E-Learning and Research

• Alison Scott

Learning Enhancement Coordinator (Prep – Year 12):

• Louise Burgman

Secondary:

• Gary Bruce (Maths/Science)
• Georgia O'Brien (Maths/History)
• Kate Wiedemann (English/History)
• Jane Martens (Art/History)
• Erin Buckingham (English/History)
• Natalie Grant (English/EAL)
• Helen Philp (English)
• Ben Haig (Maths/Physics)

Primary:

• Lucardia Moulton - (Literacy Leader and Primary teacher)

At the beginning of the year we are holding four very important parent information evenings:

• The Primary Parent Information Evening on Wednesday 6 February, 6–8:45pm in the Atrium and Primary Classrooms. Formal presentations will begin at 6:30pm with most of the evening focussed on Primary School and Teacher presentations in classrooms. However, I will take the opportunity to provide feedback for parents on the results of the Parent Survey at the end of 2018 and key stakeholder groups will talk with you about the role of the P and F and Foundation. I hope you all can attend. Please RSVP via the Primary office or email: primaryreception@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

• The Secondary Parent Information Evening will be held on Thursday 7 February, 6pm, in the Arts Centre Foyer (ACF) and on The Terraces. Drinks and canapés will be served on the Terraces at 6pm, followed by informative discussions specific to your daughter’s year level starting at 6:30pm. I will also take the opportunity to provide feedback for parents on the results of the Parent Survey at the end of 2018. I hope you all can attend. Please RSVP to: reception@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

• Jo Butterworth will also offer an Information Evening about the New Assessment for any parents who may be interested to learn more about the New Senior Assessment system (ATAR) beginning in 2019. This will be particularly relevant for any parents from our current Year 11s and below. I encourage Primary parents to attend and learn more about the new system. The date for this evening is Thursday 28 February, 6:30–7:30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer. No RSVP is necessary for this event.

• A Parent Seminar will be held with Madonna King. Madonna will speak about the topic of her book: Fathers and Daughters. Helping teen girls and their dads build unbreakable bonds. This seminar will be held between 6:30–8pm in the Arts Centre Foyer on Thursday 7 March. I would encourage Dads (and Mums) of daughters of all ages to attend. This free parent seminar is as applicable to Primary parents as it is Secondary parents. Please RSVP by Friday 1 March to reception@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.This is a parent only event.
• Please also do not forget the P and F AGM and Welcome drinks on Monday 25 February in the Arts Centre Foyer. The P and F welcomes all parents to attend and to become involved at whatever level they can manage given work and family constraints.

I’m excited about the year ahead and hope that you and your daughter are also looking forward to a rewarding and fulfilling year.

Ros Curtis 

The positivity I have felt with the students in the first days is reassuring. In talking with students after our first assembly on Tuesday, many expressed that they are looking forward to the year ahead, have already started making plans and goals for their learning, and are all generally ready to take on the new year.

I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight one of the unique programs our school offers - the Flyers Program. Taken from our School motto Per Volar Sunata – Born to Fly Upwards – this is a program that supports and recognises outstanding commitment of students to sport, music and academics.

The objective of the Academic Flyers Program is to inspire, encourage and extend students academically. Those involved in the Academic Flyers Program undergo further extension and enrichment activities, they are invited to join extension courses such as competitions and days dedicated to enrichment, and Music and English extension in their senior year. Students are selected based on the recommendation of Heads of Faculty or one of the Academic Deans in consultation with the Deputy Principal. Selection is based on records of high achievement and demonstrated ability.

The Sports and Performance Flyers Program is for outstanding athletes and performing artists and assists students to achieve both their academic and extra-curricular goals through personalised learning. These students will have their course tailored to allow for extensive rehearsal and practice times needed to reach an elite level. Students applying for the Sports and Performance Flyers Program need to have proof they are performing on an exceptional level in their area. Potential music participants should be performing at the level of the Queensland Youth Orchestra; athletes must be state or national representatives in the relevant semester; and candidates in other fields will only be accepted if they are performing at comparative eligibility levels to sport and music. Students must apply for the Flyers Program through the Head of Sport, the Head of Arts and Design or the Head of Performance.

I wish everyone a fabulous 2019!

Student Protection Officers
St Margaret's AGS is committed to:

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

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

• Deputy Principal - Karen Gorrie
• Head of Boarding - Lesa Fowler
• Head of Primary School - Angela Drysdale
• Assistant Head of Primary – Cathy Cox
• Dean of Students - Nikki Townsend
• Guidance Counsellor - Sharon Stone

Karen Gorrie 

Admission to Holy Communion will take place in Term 1. For Years 7 and 8, both new and old students, you are invited to participate in preparation for Admission at the Years 7/8 Family Service on Tuesday 26 February at 6:30pm in the School Chapel.

Years 4-6 are invited to participate in preparation (Year 4s will all have in-class RVE lessons) and Admission to Communion will take place at the Years 4-6 Family Service on Wednesday 13 March at 6pm in the School Chapel.

More information and welcome letters will be coming home soon.

Please note in your diaries that there is a separate PP-3 Twilight Family Service on Wednesday 27 March at 6pm also in the School Chapel.

Sunday Services for ALL Ages
Each term we aim to offer to the wider school community the chance to gather on a Sunday morning for a ‘casually traditional’ Service of Communion. It is for all ages, current, future and past families and any family or friends. In Term 1, we shall be worshipping on Sunday 17 February and Sunday 17 March, 9:30am in the Chapel. Year 8 students assist and also offer morning tea after the service.

Youth Group – Years 5-9
The Anglican Church at Aspley (Ridley Rd) welcomes all young people to join their youth for activities and fellowship on Sunday 3 February from 4-6pm. The theme for Term 1 is “Explorers!” with games, activities, food and reflections following the idea of journeys and discovery.

Upcoming Dates
Thursday 7 February: Year 8 Chapel, 8:20am

Thursday 7 February: Year 10 Chapel, 10:50am

Tuesday 12 February: Year 9 Chapel, 10:50am

Thursday 14 February: Primary Chapel, 9:50am

Sunday 17 February: All Ages Church, 9:30am

Monday 18 February: Year 6 Leaders’ Induction, 8:30am

Reflection – Prayer for the new school year (for mums, dads, guardians …)
Phew, we have made it to the start of a new school year! Thanks God for helping us through the holidays. You know we love them and the joy they bring, but it is such a relief to get them back to school!

But, then there is all that other stuff … Oh, God! What if they struggle? What if they find friendships hard? What if they cannot juggle their responsibilities …?

Loving God, guide us all on this journey of life and learning. Help us all to use our strengths to make it all come together. Hold each one of us – young and old – in the palm of Your hand. Because there are some doozies ahead of us all!

Love us and bless us all.

Bring us a sense of peace in the craziness of our days. May we remember to breathe, and remember You are right beside us!

Thanks. Amen.

Archbishop’s Message for Schools 2019
Each year, our school along with all others in the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland, is invited to engage with a particular theme chosen by our Archbishop, Phillip Aspinall. I will write more about this message next week; however, please click here to view the link.

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,
The Reverend Canon Nicki Colledge 

This year, the Boarding House has a new structure in place to support the girls, families and our community. Gracemere Mataia is Head of Senior House and has the responsibility for Years 10, 11 and 12 and Fiona Spooner is the Head of Junior House and has the responsibility of Years 7, 8 and 9. Sandra Johnson will continue to be responsible for the girls from Years 7-12 in regard to ongoing pastoral concerns. We are looking forward to a very positive year as we work as a team to ensure the best possible outcomes for all of the girls.

In 2019, our overall goal for the Boarding House is Kindness, Gratitude and Respect. Over the coming weeks we will be speaking to the girls about how important it is to develop a deeper sense of community. We will also share with Boarding parents some of the work that we will be doing with the girls in relation to our goals.

This weekend is our Closed Weekend and we are looking forward to all of the girls coming together and enjoying each other’s company.

Lesa Fowler 

The following events and activities are scheduled over the next week:

Assessment Planners – Years 11 and 12
Year 11 and 12 students can access a 12-month Assessment Planner on their Year Level POD pages. All assignments and exams for Term 1 to 4 are recorded so that your daughters can begin to plan their study schedules. Effective study habits rely on your daughter’s capacity to prioritise her academic progress and allocate sufficient time for homework and study. Exam Block schedules will be available in Week 3.

QCS Immersion Day – Year 12
On Wednesday 6 February, Year 12 OP eligible students will participate in a QCS Immersion Day. For the first part of the day the girls will receive feedback about the Short Response practice test they completed at the end of last year. This will enable them to reflect on areas of strength and weakness to then move onto a series of practice questions. Our presenters will be refining the girls approach to answer questions and building skills to respond to each of the Common Curriculum Elements. In the afternoon session the girls will complete another Short Response practice test.

Academic Progress meetings – Year 12
At the end of last year, a letter was emailed to the parents of students who will complete Year 12 this year. The letter confirmed the academic pathway your daughter has selected, that being either an OP or Selection Rank pathway. This week I will be asking all Year 12s to sign up for an academic progress meeting to discuss their Year 11 progress, goals for 2019 and OP prediction if eligible. Meeting times will be available before, during and after school and you are most welcome to attend these meetings with your daughter.

Senior Subject Information Evening
On Thursday 7 February, 6-8pm, all parents are invited to attend a Senior Subject Information Evening. This year, the new QCE system is beginning in Queensland so the academic program for Years 11 and 12 is different. To be able to address the different requirements we have separated the Year 11 and 12 presentations. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to work with you as we support your daughter’s academic progress this year.

Jo Butterworth 

Academic Assembly – Tuesday 29 January
The Academic Assembly which recognises the achievements of students in Semester 2, 2018 was held on Tuesday this week.

To be eligible for these awards the following criteria needs to be met:

• Progress certificate – awarded to students who have improved their GPA by at least 1 whole point.
• Academic pocket – awarded to students who have achieved a Grade Point Average of 13 or above.

Congratulations to the following girls:

YEAR 8

Progress Certificates: Shemyliah Ahmat, Harriet Buckley, Ruby Dee, Arkie Edwards, Charlie Ferris, Elle Gordon, Alexandra Holland, Yeonju (Julie) Kim, Tiffany-Rose Kimeklis, Olivia McDouall, Ella Sibley, Lilly Smith-Roberts, Tayden Tomich, Ellie Tsien, Julia White, Mikaela Wille, Helaina Williams.

Academic Pocket: Shivali Bagga, Isabella Bluett, Zoe Boland, Sophia Connor, Nicola D’Abreton, Jessica Duncan, Genevieve Heather, Ha-Vy Hoang, Dimity Hunter, Se Yeon Kim, Ella Menigoz, Charlotte (Lottie) Nehill, Beth Slatter, Georgia Warby, Sophie Webster, Lucy Williams.

YEAR 9

Progress Certificates: Imogen Elliott, Olivia Gatenby, Charlotte Hoey, Eloise Maher, Grace Reilly, Ella Steinberg, Sharni-Rae Vale.

Academic Pocket: Elinor Barry, Kate Bloomfield, Amelia Butler-Wood, Miyan Chia, Rachel Fitzgerald, Ruby Greenup, Gabriella  Henzell, Georgie Herring, Kaitlyn Higgins, Eleanor Jewell, Annabel Lauder, Holly Marchant, Isla McWilliam, Rosie Nehill, Millie Nucifora, Ava Robertson, Lauren Searle, Lily Shann, Ella Woods.

YEAR 10

Progress Certificates: Victoria Burns, Stella Pampellonne, Abigail Ramsay, Tikimai Vele.

Progress Certificate and Academic Pocket: Georgia Ditchfield, Hanna Gustafsson, Sarah Kelly, Eva Young.

Academic Pocket: Gabrielle Agnew, Teneille Allen, Paige Bastian, Zara Campbell, Estella Caro, Samantha Cooper, Olivia Donoghue, Paloma Fajardo, Georgie Gaspar, Yolanda Hunt, Casandra Mantis, Ada McKie, Taylah Murphy, Georgia O'Driscoll, Ashleigh Pomeroy, Celia Quinn, Rachel Sands, Ashleigh Witenden.

YEAR 11

Progress Certificates: Jacqueline Bell, Aimee Boylen, Lily Brown, Kydeesha Crawford, Matilda Damman, Olivia Garland, Jemma Goudge, Margot Lisle, Tyeena Pang, Annabel Reddacliff, Georgia Robinson, Lauren Toone, Allysah Toua, Tannisha Tran.

Progress Certificate and Academic Pocket: Brenna Cox, Margot Davis, Bianca Licina.

Academic Pocket: Isobel Barry, Eva Campbell, Leilani Chia, Sophia Colledge, Rose Couper, Cyrah Finlayson, Zali Fisher, Shanelle Flute, Sophie Gerlach-Zuch, Rebecca Lauder, Sophie Leggett, Sarah Mitic, Alice O'Driscoll, Emily Pitt, Tamika Tran, Harriet Warby.

YEAR 12

Progress Certificates: Alexis Bennett, Claudia Bosworth, Lillyana Bowden, Nina Conomos, Maria Dines Muntaner, Annabelle Gould, Ji A Kim, Gabrielle McGann, Hannah Newton, Isabella Polovich, Kristy Ramina, Hannah Reid, Grace Solomon-Innes, Georgia Trier, Lillian Wallace.

Progress Certificate and Academic Pocket: Isabella Corby-Bakkelund, Elizabeth Fowler.

Academic Pocket: Kelsey Booth, Sophie Cosgrove, Lucy Gaspar, Ella Leavey, Hilary McKie, Samantha Morgan, Megan Roxburgh, Justine Solomon, Chisaki Warita, Yingying Wu.

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

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

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

Dates for the sessions and when bookings open are below:

2019 Supervised Study Sessions

Term 1: 4 February – 28 March (except 21 February due to Interhouse Swimming)
Term 2: 29 April – 13 June
Term 3: 22 July – 12 September (except for 13 August due to Classics in the Cathedral)
Term 4: 14 October – 21 November (except for 12 November due to Speech Night)

To book, parents will need to log into Flexischools and select ‘Supervised Study Sessions’. Bookings are limited to 25 participants each night and when a session is full no further bookings can be made. Bookings are essential and should be made in advance to ensure a place is available. If dinner is required, payment must be paid at the time of booking and this option selected in Flexischools. Please note, if you are booking dinner for your daughter and she has special dietary requirements, please email Barbara Orts at: BOrts@stmargarets.qld.edu.au with the date and dietary needs to ensure these are catered for.

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

Nicole Devlin 

Each girl in the Secondary school is allocated a Form teacher (Years 7 and 8) or an Academic Advisor (Years 9-12), who will have face-to-face contact with your daughter most days. There is also a Head of Year assigned to each cohort, who will work closely with the Form teacher and Academic Advisor to oversee student wellbeing. Along with these key people, a number of other staff may be of assistance; Heads of Faculty, Dean of Studies (Years 7-9), Dean of Pedagogy (Years 10-12), Student Councellor and Chaplain.

As parents, I encourage you to keep the lines of communication open with your daughters as to her schooling experience. Usually we say that no news is good news, but sometimes no news can mean something is bothering a student and she may not know the best way to deal with it. Each year can present new challenges, socially and academically, and often these challenges are unexpected.  All of the staff can be reached by telephone or email, and I encourage you to contact the school if you have any concerns with your daughter throughout the year.

Secondary Parent Information Evening
Parents are cordially invited to attend the Secondary Parent Information Evening on Thursday 7 February 2019, 6–8pm in the Arts Centre Foyer and Terraces. Drinks and canapés will be served on the Terraces at 6pm, followed by informative discussions specific to your daughter’s year level starting at 6:30pm. Please RSVP to reception@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Secondary School Assembly
This year, with the construction of our new Sporting Precinct, the school will hold separate assemblies for Primary and Secondary students in various locations. Primary students will attend their assembly in the Atrium, while the Secondary School assembly will be held in Eton Hall. However, due to the size of the Secondary school we no longer have the capacity to fit all students in Eton Hall. Therefore, Secondary students from Years 7-11 will be rotated from Eton Hall to either the LOFT or ACF where the assembly will be live-streamed to these venues. This will occur every Tuesday from 9:50-10:25am. As assemblies are very much student-led, Year 12 students will be required in Eton Hall for each assembly.

Nikki Townsend 

The beginning of a new school year is new for all members of the school community. A new class of students means making new friends and getting to know the teachers for both the students and the parents. For the teachers, a new year means getting to know all aspects of each child’s personality and development (social, emotional, academic, spiritual and physical). A new year level also brings new knowledge within a new classroom. Added to this for 90 new students, it also about becoming a member of the school community. I believe this is made easier because our community’s foundation is one of hospitality and helping others. I know our parents, buddies and new students’ classmates will help new students and families with their transition to our school. The Primary Parent Handbook is also a useful source. All new parents received a hard copy from the class teacher and it is also available online https://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/learning/primary-school (bottom of the page).

In the upcoming weeks I will meet with the new students at morning teas as an opportunity to get to know them better. I will also have the opportunity to meet new parents at our Parent Information Night on Wednesday 6 February.

The physical environment of the Primary school is certainly new for everyone this year with playground and eating area changes. Classroom location changes for Prep to Year 3 students helped them settle very easily into them on the first day. These changes are the outcome of the new sporting precinct being created alongside the Primary school classrooms. The teachers will use this as a source of learning as the girls regularly observe (from a safe spot) the buildings coming down and then throughout the year watch the precinct rise.

During this time of change, I would like to thank parents for their understanding and support. I also encourage parents to familiarise themselves with our drop-off and pick-up procedures. Parents are encouraged to drop students in the Drop-Off zone in order for them to walk into the Atrium. Students will wait in the Atrium under teacher supervision and move to their classes at 8:15am. As a school, we encourage the children to be independent throughout their school day. Therefore, we request that parents do not accompany their child to the classroom so that each child is responsible for organising herself.

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

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

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

• Staff and students will wait at the end of the pick-up zone (half way down Butler Street, near the light pole).
• Parents, please have your car prepared for your child’s easy access. Please put your car in park but do not turn off your engine.
• Early childhood students are expected at the pick-up zone at 3:25pm (approximately).
• Students in older year levels will arrive after 3:30pm.

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

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

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

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

I thank parents in anticipation of their support and please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any aspect of your child in the Primary School.

So, on the advice of the King in Alice in Wonderland we have started at the beginning and I know by the time we come to the end we will be a greater community because of the growth in learning and understanding and acceptance of others.

Angela Drysdale

Goal Setting in the Primary School
With the beginning of a new school year our students find themselves in a new year level, being taught by a new teacher, interacting with new class mates and for some, even being in a new school; this is an opportune time to begin to think about setting new learning goals.

Goal setting is an incredibly important factor in improving performance in nearly every aspect of life. Goals motivate us, they focus our efforts and help us make decisions along the way. Goals make us think about how we want to improve.

Most students do not reflect on their own learning naturally. It is not an innate skill that students have when they come to school. It is something that needs to be taught. The process of setting goals allows students to choose where they want to improve their performance in school and what they want to achieve. By knowing what they want to achieve, students can identify what they have to concentrate on in order to see growth.

By setting goals and measuring their achievements, students are able to see what they have done and what they are capable of. Seeing their results gives the confidence and assurance that they need to believe they can achieve higher goals.

When we talk to our children about setting goals we need to ensure we encourage them to think about:

• What exactly do they want to improve
• Ensure it is something they will need to work hard to achieve
• Set a time for when they want to have it achieved by
• Discuss how they will know when they have achieved their goal

It is important to note that all goals should be expressed positively. Sometimes our children will set aspirational goals and they may not meet their goal. This is okay. We then need to talk with them about how to adjust their goal, understand the reason/s for why they were not able to achieve it and what their next actions should be. However, if they have achieved their goal, this accomplishment should be celebrated.

Each step in the goal setting process is important; our dedicated teachers are committed to giving our students the learning tools they need to reach their full potential. Our students, with their teachers, will set individual learning goals across academic and non-academic areas.

These goals will be identified and set in a variety of meaningful ways, for example, through individual conferencing where the teacher discusses personalised learning targets and assists the student with setting a goal. Conferencing is regularly carried out to ensure students feel connected with their learning and have the opportunity to provide evidence that they are progressing toward their mutually agreed goals.

Please take the time to talk to your children about some of the goals they are going to work towards in 2019.

Cathy Cox
Assistant Head of Primary

Upcoming Events
Saturday 2 February: Primary Swimming Camp, Nudgee College, 9am-2:30pm
Wednesday 6 February: Primary Information Evening, Atrium and Classrooms, 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday 14 February: Class Parent Representative Morning Tea, Primary Library, 8:30-10am
Sunday 17 February: All Ages Church, 9:30am

Weekly information will be provided via the St Margaret’s Music POD page. The Music Department also sends out a weekly newsletter via email that provides parents with relevant information pertaining to rehearsals, upcoming concert information, special events etc. If your daughter is undertaking music lessons or is involved in a music ensemble, you will automatically receive the newsletter. If you are not receiving this email but would like to, please email music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au and we can ensure you are on the mailing list.

For further information on the St Margaret’s Music Program, please click here (PDF 10.6MB) to download the St Margaret’s Music Handbook.

Music Staff News
A very big welcome to new staff who will be joining us in 2019. We welcome Ms Alice Emor-Kan who will take on the role of Percussion Teacher. Alice currently also teaches at Churchie and St Patrick’s College. She has had a wide range of performance experience, ranging from performing with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the WA Symphony Orchestra, to performing with the acclaimed percussion ensemble, Percussimo.

Ms Lauren Albury will take on the role of Upper Brass teacher. She has maintained a private teaching studio for several years and has taught at several state schools and also currently teaches at Grace Lutheran College and at Mt St Michael’s. Lauren has performed with the Qld Pops Orchestra, the Qld Symphony Orchestra and the Qld Youth Orchestra. (For students learning with Ms Albury, please note that lessons will not commence until Week 3).

We also welcome Ms Alys Rayner who will teach Upper Strings. Alys is a very accomplished performer, having performed with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, the Qld Conservatorium Symphony and Opera Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Canberra Youth Orchestra. Alys has also maintained a private teaching studio for the past eight years.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming our new staff to the St Margaret’s Music team!

Private Music Lessons will start in Week 2
On Friday 1 February during lunchtime, students from Years 5-12 are asked to come to the Sister Helen Orchestra Room (SHOR) to meet their private music teacher and arrange a lesson time for Week 2. If a student is in a younger grade, or is unable to attend that day, the music teacher will contact parents/students directly to arrange a lesson time. A list will be up outside of SHOR with the name of each girl’s private music teacher. (It is not too late to enrol your daughter in private music lessons. An application form with terms and conditions is attached (PDF 200.9KB) should you wish to do this.) Private music lessons will start from Week 2.

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

Music Ensemble Rehearsals will start in Week 2
Primary and Secondary Music Ensembles will begin rehearsing in Week 2 from Monday 4 February. Please see attached Ensemble Timetable (PDF 159.1KB)e for rehearsal times. Please note that there are some changes to rehearsal times for 2019. In particular, the Chaseley Concert Band will rehearse on Wednesday mornings (7:15 - 8:15am) and the Jackson Concert Band will rehearse on Thursday morning (7:15 - 8:15am) in the Sister Helen Orchestra Room (SHOR). Encorah will commence rehearsals in Term 2 due to the school Musical. Elevarsi Voices will commence rehearsals in Week 4 - Monday 18 February.

New students are welcome to join ensembles and are encouraged to see Mr King or Ms Brennan as to what ensembles might best suit them.

Music Support Group
The St Margaret’s Music Support Group is a committee of dedicated parents who meet regularly to support the girls who participate in the School’s Music Program. The Music Support Group organises and assists with refreshments at school concerts and fundraises to purchase a range of instruments/equipment to enhance the department’s resources. The first meeting for 2019 will be on Tuesday 5 February at 5pm in the Primary Music Room (second floor of Chaseley). Parents from both the Primary and Secondary Schools are welcome to attend.

Brad King 

Sport Registrations
All girls have the opportunity to experience a number of different sports this semester and can do so by registering online via the Secondary Sport POD page for one or more of the below sports:

• Artistic Gymnastics
• Basketball
• Club Netball
• Cross Country
• Cricket
• Softball - Years 10, 11 and 12 only
• Soccer
• Touch Football
• Sacre Coeur Tennis
• Swimming

Communication surrounding each of the sports comes through the Secondary Sport POD page and the individual Sport POD pages. To assist parents in logging into the POD and joining the individual sport groups please access the ‘Pod Parent Guide’ here (PDF 1MB). Additionally, to access the POD via your mobile phone, ensure you have downloaded the St Margaret’s App. To assist in accessing this App, click here for the App guide (PDF 849.2KB).

Swimming Camp
On Wednesday 23 January, 75 girls from Years 7 to 12 arrived at The Southport School on the Gold Coast to participate in the St Margaret’s Swim Camp. The camp, led by Head Coach Kevin Sargent, provided all participants an opportunity to develop their swimming technique, fitness and team spirit through various swimming sessions, fitness classes and team building activities including team meetings, a scavenger hunt, a day at Wet ‘n’ Wild and a visit from an up and coming Australian swimmer.

Special thanks to all parents who provided items and to those who assisted at the annual Support Group Beach BBQ on Friday 25 January. Additional thanks to Ms Phoebe Mawer, Mr Kevin Sargent, Mr Karl Mandla and assistant coaches who helped coordinate the camp throughout the week.

The camp has now provided the building blocks for yet another successful St Margaret's Swim Team and I look forward to all girls achieving their absolute personal best in 2019.

Swimming Schedule – Term 1
A new training schedule has been released. Please access it through the swimming POD page. Please note, any new girls or old who would like to commence training are very welcome.

Water Polo
This weekend signals the commencement of the second half of the Water Polo season with all teams raring to go to continue to improve and enjoy this sport. A change to training has occurred for a number of teams, please ensure you note the changes:

Draws for Term 1 2019 are now available for all teams and can be accessed through the BWPI website by clicking here.

District Trials
Any girls wishing to trial for the following sports for the North Independent district team must nominate through the Activities Office by Monday 4 February.

• Softball: 13 - 19 Years
• Volleyball: 13 - 15 Years and 16 - 19 Years
• Basketball: 12 Years

Helen Lobegeiger

ST MARGARET'S CLUB NETBALL 2019
St Margaret’s Club Netball endeavours to place all interested students from Year 2 (must be turning 7 years old) to Year 12 into teams to compete against other club teams at the Downey Park Netball Association (located on the corner of Northey Street and Green Terrace, Windsor) on Saturdays from April through to September. All teams are selected from trials and squad training beginning mid-February and are given a qualified coach and parent manager to guide the team throughout the season.

Training will occur once a week during term time before or after school at our Windsor Park Courts located at Grafton Street, Windsor. This a separate competition from the QGSSSA Netball for Years 7-12 that is played in Term 3. Whilst players can play both Club Netball and QGSSSA Netball, please note that the Netball and Rowing programs clash.

2019 St Margaret’s Club Netball checklist:

• Step 1: Join the St Margaret’s Club Netball POD page for all information.
• Step 2: Complete the St Margaret's Club Netball Information and Registration Form 2019.
• Step 3: Register and pay through Mynetball using the appropriate link: NetSetGo Registration Link 7, 8, 9, 10 year olds OR Club Netball Registration Link 11+ years.
• Step 4 - Save the dates for the season. Trials 16 and 23 February, Round 1, 27 April.

Please note: Age groups are determined by the age a player will be turning in the year of competition. For example, if you are turning 12 at any time during 2019 you will play in the 12's. For further information, please contact Mrs Gayle Coutts, Head of Netball on 0403 262 840 or Email: gcoutts@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Gayle Coutts

We would like to extend a very warm welcome Ms Jane Martens who has joined the Secondary Visual Art staff. Miss Martens will offer the new Digital Art Club (DAC).

Three after school extra-curricular opportunities will be on offer during Term1. Tuesday afternoon is Art Workshop with Mrs Lishman until 5pm. Students may sign on after school on Tuesdays and work in the art studios on individual projects. On Wednesday afternoons, the Musical sets and props team will work until 5:30pm with Ms Smith. The new DAC will operate until 5pm on Thursday afternoons. Students are required to email Ms Smith and Ms Martens to join the Musical sets and props team and DAC. Please see the attached flyers for further details:

Musical Sets and Props (PDF 116.3KB)

Digital Art Club (PDF 238.2KB)

Lisa Smith 

Before the start of Week 2, parents of Speech and Drama students will be emailed with their daughter’s first lesson time and a letter with further details about the exciting year ahead. If you have any enquiries about the Private Speech and Drama Program, please contact the Coordinator, Maria Chamberlain at mchamberlain@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Maria Chamberlain 

Outgoing Exchange Students
Emma Arnott and Lucinda MacPherson are currently on their Rowing Exchange at St Margaret’s College in Christchurch, New Zealand. They have already fully immersed themselves into the rowing program and are having a wonderful experience.

Exchange Meetings
Our weekly Global Exchange meetings will commence on Tuesday 5 February, 1:15-1:45pm and will be held in the Senior Library in Tutorial Room 1.

Upcoming Events

• 21 and 22 February - Visiting Exchange students go on a cultural excursion to Sydney
• 9 March – Exchange Stall at Open Day
• 8 March – Visiting Exchange students present at the Year 9 level assembly
• Over the coming weeks St Margaret’s 2018 Exchange students who were away on their exchanges in Term 4 will attend feedback sessions with Ms Gorrie and Ms Achari.

Angelin Achari 

Please click here (PDF 2.9MB) to view the advertisement regarding a group of Japanese students who will be joining us for 9 nights from 9-18 March 2019. Host families receive a payment of $810 for hosting 2 students. One shared room is fine, and a second mattress, futon or camping bed on the floor is suitable.

Please contact Nathan and Sachiko from Global Student Institute: info@thegsi.com.au or text “MSAGS” with your name and email address to Nathan Evans at 0414 702 402.

Susan Uhlmann 

It has been wonderful to see such generosity so far from our community with many of our parents, past students and staff making a philanthropic gift to support this amazing new facility through the Capital Campaign. So far, we have raised $794,000 of our $1m target, but it will be the participation of our community that helps us to achieve this goal.

If you would like to join us in supporting this important project, you can make your donation online through the St Margaret’s Foundation Building Fund, or please feel free to contact me directly on +61 7 3862 0884 or email: foundation@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. All donations are gratefully received.

We also have another action-packed year of events and activities planned to bring our school community together through the Professional Women’s Network, P&F, Old Girls’ Association and Friends of MAYO.

My colleagues, Julie Gibbons and Bronwyn Small, and I look forward to seeing you at these events throughout the year and working with you to achieve great things for St Margaret’s in 2019.

Interested in joining the Parents and Friends Association?
NOTICE is given that the Annual General Meeting of the St Margaret’s P and F Association Inc is to be held on Monday 25 February 2019 in the Arts Centre Foyer at 6:30pm.

NOMINATION FOR POSITION
Any one member of the P&F shall be at liberty to nominate any other member to serve as an officer or other member of the Management Committee. If you are interested in joining the P&F Association, all positions of the Management Committee will be declared vacant at the AGM and a new committee for 2019 will be elected.

Nominations can be made by downloading and completing this Nomination for Position form (PDF 152.9KB). All nomination forms must be returned to P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or via School Reception by Friday 16 February 2019.

2019 Milestone Reunion Dates
We are pleased to announce the dates for our 2019 Milestone reunions!

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2009 – Friday 26 July

20 Year Reunion – Class of 1999 – Friday 26 July

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1989 – Friday 26 July

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1979 – Saturday 27 July

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1969 – Saturday 27 July

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1959 – Saturday 27 July

Old Girls’ Day (Chapel Service and Morning Tea) – Sunday 28 July

60+ Year Reunion – Monday 29 July

2019 Professional Women’s Network
Our Professional Women’s Network events program for 2019 has been confirmed! Tickets will be on sale shortly for the first event!

In the meantime, please add these dates to your diary:

• Professional Women’s Network Event 1 – 21 March 2019
• Professional Women’s Network Event 2 – 15 May 2019
• Professional Women’s Network Event 3 – 20 August 2019
• Professional Women’s Network Event 1 – 17 October 2019

2019 P&F Mothers’ Luncheon
All Mothers and friends of St Margaret's Anglican Girls School are invited to attend our annual Mothers' Luncheon.

Date: Friday 1 March 2019

Time: 11:30am arrival (for a 12noon start), 3pm finish

Venue: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 23 Leichardt Street, Brisbane

RSVP: Friday 22 February 2019 (unless SOLD OUT prior)

Tickets: $100 per person - Includes drink on arrival, two course lunch a drink, followed by a cash bar.

Tables: maximum table capacity is strictly 10.

To purchase your tickets, please click here.

Enquiries: Angela Pratt: 0413 701 407 and Anthea Damman: 0403 846 258 or please email antheadamman@hotmail.com.

New families are encouraged to attend! 

Lara Pickering 

UCAT ANZ Dates and Fees
Candidates taking the UCAT in 2019 for entry to universities in Australia and New Zealand in 2020 should note these key dates:

• Registration and booking opens 1 March 2019
• Concession scheme opens 1 March 2019
• Concession deadline 10 May 2019 at 5pm AEST
• Access arrangement application deadline 10 May 2019 at 5pm AEST
• Registration closes 17 May 2019 at 11:59pm AEST
• Final booking deadline 17 May 2019 at 11:59pm AEST
• Cancellation deadline 17 May 2019 at 11:59pm AEST
• Testing begins 1 July 2019
• Last testing date 31 July 2019
• Results delivered to universities Early September 2019

UCAT ANZ Registration and Booking
If you are applying to UCAT ANZ Consortium universities in Australia and New Zealand you should ensure that you register for and book the ANZ (Australia and New Zealand) version of UCAT test – known as the UCAT ANZ or UCATSEN ANZ. UCAT ANZ testing takes place between 1 July and 31 July 2019. You must complete a two-step process using the Pearson VUE online registration system to register and then book a test.

For more information about the new test, including price, testing dates and format, visit: https://www.ucatofficial.com/ucat-anz/.

Preparing for UCAT
You can find the official preparation materials at: https://www.ucatofficial.com/ucat-anz/preparation.

TSXPO
The 38th annual Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO) will be held on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2019. 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.

KEY DATES

1 March 2019: UCAT Registration opens

17 May, 11.59pm: UCAT Registrations close

24/25 May: The National Careers and Employment EXPO (Brisbane Convention Centre)

1 July: UCAT testing begins

20/21 July: Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO) – Brisbane Showgrounds

31 July: UCAT testing finishes

Elizabeth Johnston