eNews Archive Issue 11 - 21 April 2022

Welcome to Mrs Tennille Ward who is our new Careers Counsellor and Mrs Angela Darvall who is returning to teach in the secondary Sociocultural Faculty.

In the last week of Term 1, St Margaret’s was named one of seven schools in Queensland and one of 25 schools nationally as an Employer of Choice according to 'The Educator Australia' (the only independent publication for the education industry). Schools were assessed on a variety of criteria including staff turnover rates; staff engagement scores; average tenure of staff ;and staff net promoter scores. In addition to this, the school was assessed on various qualitative and quantitative measures including training and professional development for both teaching and support staff; career progression and leadership development; inclusion and staff wellbeing programs;  and awards and recognition.

I want to take this opportunity to let our community know that our school’s Anzac Day Ceremony will be held on Friday 22 April at 9am in the Philip Harris Gym. Some parents may wish to attend our special assembly, which commemorates Anzac Day. Everyone is welcome to attend.

I would also like to remind parents that Tuesday 3 May is a student free day as it backs onto our Day/Boarder Weekend. 

St Margaret’s remains committed to broadening the horizons of our students and thanks our boarding parents for their hospitality in hosting overseas and city students to experience the cultural, geographic, and economic diversity of rural Australia. It is for this reason that we add an extra student free day to the Labour Day long weekend, creating a four-day opportunity for our day students to visit our boarding families and learn something about rural and regional centres. Tuesday 3 May is a student free day for the whole school PP – Year 12 and Outside School Hours Care will be available during the day.

Ros Curtis

Student Protection

St Margaret’s takes student protection seriously, and so it is timely that I remind all families about the policies and processes that we have here.

St Margaret's 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. St Margaret's Student Protection Officers are:

- Deputy Principal - Karen Gorrie

- Head of Boarding - Lesa Fowler

- Dean of Academics – Caitlin McCluskey

- Head of Primary School - Angela Drysdale

- Assistant Head of Primary - Wellbeing and Operations (PP-6) – Annette Box

- Dean of Students - Nikki Townsend

- Guidance Counsellor - Sharon Stone

- Head of Year – Nicole Walker

All Student Protection documentation including all policies and procedures can be viewed on our internet page at https://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/discover-st-margaret-s/student-protection.

Our statement of commitment is as follows:

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School supports the rights of children and young people and are committed to ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students. St Margaret’s is therefore committed to responding to allegations of student harm resulting from the conduct or actions of any person including that of employees.

This commitment includes the provision of a safe and supportive living and learning environment for all students and requires all employees, volunteers and visitors to model and encourage behaviour that upholds the dignity and protection of students from harm.

In support of this commitment, St Margaret’s is dedicated to our Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy which includes having relevant policies, procedures and training in place to effectively address the safety and wellbeing of students in our care.

Karen Gorrie

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

In boarding, the girls are able to examine their personal values and ethics by articulating how their families and social networks have influenced and continue to affect their worldview and values. This leads to the girls connecting their values and ethics to their academic, personal and, eventually, their vocational aspirations. All girls are encouraged to engage in the community and therefore benefit from experiences that prepare them to be socially responsible citizens. The girls over time develop respectful interpersonal relationships and a sense of belonging through the modelling of integrity, honesty, fairness and inclusivity. They learn to resolve conflict in healthy ways and develop strategies for effective conflict resolution. They participate in and build community with others by getting to know girls in all year levels to build interpersonal relationships and establish and abide by boarding house standards and use the St Margaret’s Way as the standard of behaviour management amongst all girls in the boarding house.

Lesa Fowler

Year 11 Academic Progress Meetings

A reminder that all Year 11 students are to book in an Academic Progress Meeting with me. In these meetings, we will discuss their Year 11 progress, including Unit 1 results, goals for 2022 and subjects. Bookings for these meetings will be open from Thursday 31 March at 3:00pm. Dates and times available are listed below:

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

Saturday 23 April 8am-1pm

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

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

Tuesday 3 May 5:30-8pm

Thursday 5 May 5:00-8:00pm

Year 11 Exam Morning

There is a Year 11 Exam morning on Wednesday 27 April. All Biology students are required to be at school at 8am on this day. All Year 11 students who do not study Biology are not required to be at school until Lesson 1C at 9:50am.

Caitlin McCluskey

The purpose of these sessions is to provide girls with a quiet and well-resourced space that is conducive to productive homework and study time. Each SSS will be staffed by up to two tutors, who offer advice and guidance on how to plan effectively for upcoming assessments. The SSS tutor group is made up of ten young women who are currently studying at university and have much to offer our girls in the way of study skills.

For students attending SSS after an afternoon of sport, transport is available to and from Windsor Park. For those staying on after school to attend SSS, the Eunice Centre is open until 5:00pm prior to the commencement of the study sessions.

Chris Dunn

There are some helpful resources available to assist teens become the safest drivers they can be.

• Learn2go App - An initiative of the RACQ and endorsed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, this app provides a mobile logbook to record the 100 supervised hours of driving your child is required to complete before applying for their provisional licence.
• Free2go - A membership program for 16-19 year olds, RACQ’s free2go provides access to free and discounted roadside assistance, resources such as practice learner tests, driving routes and even information to help buy their first car.
• Keys2drive - An Australian Government funded program provides learner drivers and their supervisors a free driving lesson with an accredited driving instructor.

St Margaret’s has a ‘Permission to Drive’ policy, which can be found on the Years 11 and 12 POD pages.

Senior students who have a current driver’s licence may only drive to and from school if they have special permission from the Dean of Students and have a signed contract to abide by certain conditions. This form can be downloaded from the POD.

For further information on teens and driving, you can visit the following sites:

https://appadvice.com/game/app/racq-learn2go-learner-logbook/698433072

www.free2go.com.au

www.keys2drive.com.au

Nikki Townsend

Many parents have already told me of the ease with which their child settled into school. I believe this ease is to do with our school community. Research suggests that it is difficult today to create and maintain a community. The organisational structure and the different people within a school allow for a community to be created. However, a school community is much deeper than a structure. We regard our school community as a learning community, which is based on a high degree of relatedness of the stakeholders who, in turn, share agreed values, behaviours and a vision of learning. Our school is like a ‘nested community’ in which collections of people are tied together by common values, founded on our faith.

The last week of term concluded with a wonderful community event – the Interhouse Swimming Carnival. Congratulations to Bede House which won on the day and took out the Surtees Cup for the first time.  Thank you to Lauren Richards, Morgan Rowe and Suzy Edwards for their preparation of the carnival and to all of the staff for their commitment throughout the day.

This term, our extended community of families and friends will be invited into our school when we celebrate the special people in our lives. On Friday 6 May, we will host the Primary Breakfast to celebrate Mother’s Day, and the term will conclude with a celebration of our grandparents, godparents and friends on Thursday 16 June.    

I look forward to sharing a successful term with the staff, students and our school community.    

Upcoming Events for Term 2

Friday 29 April - PP-Year 2 New parents and Class Parent Representatives Morning Tea

Friday 6 May - St Margaret's Primary Mothers' Breakfast

16-19 May - Year 6 Canberra Trip

24 May - Years 3-4 New parents and Class Parent Representatives Morning Tea

26 May - Years 5-6 New parents and Class Parent Representatives Morning Tea

6-7 June - Year 5 Leadership Days

8-10 June - Year 5 Camp

Angela Drysdale

Clipboard

The Music Department is excited to announce that it is now using Clipboard for scheduling private music lesson times and music ensemble rehearsal times. Clipboard is an extracurricular management system that links with our school management system and allows parents and students to easily check private music lesson times/music ensemble rehearsal times within the St Margaret’s school app and in the POD. To check music lesson/ensemble rehearsal times in the St Margaret’s app, parents will need to:

• download the St Margaret’s app (or if already downloaded, update it)
• login using parent login code
• click on the Extracurricular button (bottom left corner) to access music lesson times/music ensemble rehearsal times

Parents will receive push notifications for music lesson/ensemble rehearsal times. Push notifications will also be sent out should any changes occur to lesson or ensemble times. Please note that notifications can be turned off if needed within phone settings.

Music lesson/ensemble rehearsal times can also be accessed in the POD via the students’ calendars. Student calendars will be updated each week with private music lesson times/music ensemble rehearsal times. To easily check for music lesson/ensemble rehearsal times, go to ‘Filters’ in the top right corner and search under the ‘General’ option.

We are excited to provide this extra level of communication to our parents and students. Should there be any questions or feedback regarding the use of Clipboard, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Extra-curricular photo schedule

Music Ensemble photos are taking place in Week 2. Students will be required to bring their instrument to school for the photos, and they will need to wear the appropriate performance uniform for their ensemble (or their middy if their ensemble does not require a performance uniform). The only ensembles requiring performance uniforms will be Chamber Strings, Sister Helen Wind Symphony, Encorah, Volare and the Secondary Rock Bands. All other ensembles, students should be in their middies. The photo schedule is as follows:

Station 1:

8:00am             Encorah

8:30am             Belle Voci

9:00am             Serenata

Station 2:

8:00am             Secondary/Primary Choral Captains, Primary Band Leader

8:20am             Primary String Leader

8:30am             Secondary Music Captains

8:40am             Secondary Band Captains, Secondary String Captains

9:30am             Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble, Assembly Band

9:40am             Highly Strung

9:50am             Beath String Quartet

10:00am           Chaseley Concert Band

10:10am           Chorale

1:10pm            Monday Rock Band

1:20pm            Flute Ensemble

1:30pm            Clarinet Ensemble

1:40pm            Exultate

Station 3:

9:30am             Brass Ensemble

9:40am             Chamber Strings

9:50am             Amati Strings

10:00am           Tutti Strings

12:00pm           Stradivari Strings

12:20pm           Jackson Wind Ensemble

12:30pm           Volare

1:10pm            Tuesday Rock Band

1:20pm            Saxophone Ensemble

1:30pm            Sculthorpe String Quartet

1:40pm            Stage Band

1:50pm            Sister Helen Wind Symphony

Music Support Group

Thank you to all those who joined our recent meeting via Teams. The next Music Support Group meeting will be on Tuesday 17 May at 5.00pm in M’s Cafe. Parents from both the primary and secondary schools are welcome to attend.

Seeking Classics in the Cathedral Raffle Donations

The Music Support Group is seeking raffle prize donations from the school community for their annual Classics in the Cathedral raffle. Some examples of donations from previous years include QPAC vouchers, an Apple iPad and a two-day Gold Coast getaway. If you are able to support the St Margaret’s Music Program in this way, please contact the President of the Music Support Group, Antoinette Aquilina, by emailing antoinetteaquilina@me.com. Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated.

Brad King

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SPORT POD & SPORT TIMETABLE

QGSSSA Autumn Season Sport

The concluding rounds of the QGSSSA Autumn season will take place across the first half of term 2. Fixtures for these events are available on the POD pages:

Please view the Basketball POD page for further details

Please view the Football POD page for further details

STM Aquatics

We look forward to a great term of sport ahead.

GO MAGGIES!

Lloyd Knight

In order for this event to be successful, we invite the whole school community to support. We are looking for sponsors and raffle prize donations. Sponsorship of the MAYO Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity to promote your business to the school community, their networks and to local residents.

There are several sponsorship opportunities available which you can view here (PDF 5.2MB). If you are interested in taking up one of these sponsorship opportunities, please contact Pru Reed via email preed@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Thank you in anticipation of your support of this year’s event.

Father Daughter Breakfast wrap up

We finished Term 1 with a very successful Secondary Father Daughter Breakfast. It was wonderful to see so many members of the St Margaret's community come together to share breakfast and conversation on Circular Drive.

Thank you to Datacom for generously donating the major raffle prize of the morning with one lucky winner taking home a new Microsoft Surface Go 3 Platinum tablet.

St Margaret’s Mothers’ Luncheon Raffle live

The Raffle is now live online and this year we have some amazing prizes by local supporters! The raffle is open to all members of the St Margaret’s community; you do not need to be in attendance to win.

Raffle prizes include a bar fridge stocked with French Champagne, a two-night stay at The Beach Ranch in Angourie Point, and a one-night stay in the Hotel X Penthouse Apartment, just to name a few!

You can purchase your raffle tickets and view the full listing of prizes online via Raffletix.

If you are attending the lunch, why not get in early and pre-purchase your raffle tickets.

Thank you to our generous prize donors: The Beach Ranch, Hotel X, Old School Phonics, M Body, Samantha Ogilvie, P&F, Pilates on Collingwood, Oscar Oscar, Bella & Lace, Small Blooms, Tigerlamb, V-Golf Virginia and Tulio.

2022 Past Student Awards

Congratulations to this year's remarkable award recipients, Christine Wells ('91), internationally-acclaimed fiction writer and Grace Tobin ('05), Four Corners Walkley Award-winning journalist.

We are excited to be celebrating with these two inspirational St Margaret's women and hearing about the impact they have made within their field and community:

Distinguished Past Student 2022: Christine Wells ('91)

Young Past Student of Distinction 2022: Grace Tobin ('05)

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast with guest speaker, Jane Campbell

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

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

Tickets are selling fast!

Date: Wednesday 11 May 2022 

Time: 6.45am arrival for 7.00am - 8.45am

Location: Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot

Format: Sit down breakfast 

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

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

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

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

We sincerely thank our generous corporate sponsors:

Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners

Associate Sponsors: Programmed Property Services, Wolff Coffee Roasters

Supporting Partners: Downer Group, Westpac, Clear Insurance, O’Reilly Shaw Lawyers and UniformLink.

P&F Meeting

The next P&F Association Meeting will be held on Monday 9 May 2021 from 6.30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer.

If you have an agenda item or suggestions, we encourage you to send these via email to Tom Reddacliff, President, P&F Association: P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Lara Pickering

Our individual meetings will continue with Year 12 students this term to discuss general ideas about their future, check pre-requisite requirements, and offer information and assistance with tertiary applications. In addition to this, we will commence meetings with Year 11 students as they complete Unit 1. All meetings will take place in the Student Pathways & Futures Office, in the Eunice Library, during the school day and can be booked via the Careers and Portfolio Pathways Appointment Bookings tile on the POD page. Parents are welcome to attend but this is not compulsory.

Below is a small snippet of what’s happening in careers this week. For more detailed information about upcoming career events and opportunities throughout Australia please click here.

Bond | Pathways to Psychology Webinar

Wednesday 20 April 2022, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Online

Interested in a career in Psychology, but not sure where to start? Perhaps you are well into your Psychology journey and looking for some helpful advice from the experts? Tune in to this live webinar to have all your Psychology questions answered. Bond University’s School of Psychology has earned a reputation as a leader in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research. Our Head of School (Psychology) Dr Bruce Watt and Psychology Program Administrator Joel Mason look forward to meeting you and supporting you in your decision to study Psychology at Bond.

Find out more: https://bond.edu.au/event/70883/pathways-psychology-webinar

QUT | STEM Subject Selection

Wednesday 4 May 2022, 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

QUT Kelvin Grove Campus

Are you in Year 9 or 10 and thinking about what subjects to take in senior high school? Your STEM future starts here! The QUT STEM Subject Selection event is specifically designed to help you make informed decisions about your future study and career options in STEM. Hear from QUT experts and current university students about the exciting study and career opportunities in Health, Science, IT and Games, Engineering, Maths, Urban Development, Design and Data Science. Each session will introduce:

• degree options including double degree programs
• pathways to exciting STEM careers
• ·opportunities for exchanges, work experience, scholarships
• career planning tips and STEM jobs of the future
• guidance about choosing subjects and preparing for uni

Current STEM Student Ambassadors will also be on hand to share their experiences and answer your questions. Find out more: https://www.qut.edu.au/study/career-advisers-and-teachers/stem-for-schools/whats-on-in-2022/stem-subject-selection

ADF | Women in Trades Careers Information Session, Brisbane

Wednesday 4 May 2022, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Defence Force Recruiting Centre Brisbane

If you’ve considered maximising your potential as a member of the Navy, Army or Air Force, then join us soon for an info session. Speak with current serving women in Defence about their own experiences and advice, and ask any questions you have about ADF careers and opportunities.

Find out more: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/events/events-detail/zt147cg

Griffith | Pathways to Medicine Webinar

Thursday 5 May 2022, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Online

This event is designed specifically to provide current high school students with information about entry into our postgraduate Doctor of Medicine program through undergraduate study.

Our experts will introduce you to the various pathways into the Doctor of Medicine at Griffith, including an accelerated program for high-achieving school leavers. The webinar will be followed by a Q&A session covering everything you need to know about Griffith’s admissions criteria and selection processes. Find out more: https://www.griffith.edu.au/medicine-information-evenings

MedEntry | Online UCAT Workshop

Monday 16 May 2022, 9:00 am - Wednesday 18 May 2022, 5:00 pm

Saturday 28 May 2022, 9:00 am - Monday 30 May 2022, 5:00 pm

Online

Feeling intimidated by the UCAT? You’re not alone. Most students are nervous as they approach this huge obstacle in their medical career. But you can sit the UCAT with confidence, knowing you have the right strategies and techniques to overcome every challenge. The key is Dr Ray’s UCAT Workshop – the most effective UCAT training course available.

• Exclusive to MedEntry
• Every session personally run by Dr Ray
• Specific strategies for each of the five subtests
• Mini mocks, analysis and discussion
• Q&As with specialists and UCAT experts
• Insider information on medical entry
• Dramatically improves speed, analysis and reasoning
• Online three day workshop plus bonus day

Find out more: https://www.medentry.edu.au/ucat-workshop

QSFT | FILM IT! – Introduction to Video Production Workshop

Saturday 21 May 2022, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Queensland School of Film & Television

QSFT’s FILM IT! – Introduction to Video Production workshop offers an ideal introduction for those who desire a better understanding of the principles behind shooting video. Trained by an industry professional, this four-hour workshop is designed for everyone and covers all basic areas in digital video production.

• Workshop topics:
• Exposure (Aperture & Shutter Speed)
• Focus (Depth of Field)
• White Balance
• Framing and Composition
• Basic Sound Recording

Find out more: https://qsft.qld.edu.au/assets/files/2022/FRM_QSFT%20WS_FILM%20IT_2022_WEB.pdf

MedEntry Free UCAT Bootcamp

Let the leaders in medical entry guide you through UCAT, medical interviews and the admissions process with this free two-hour information session. The MedEntry UCAT Bootcamp covers:

• Tips from Dr Ray on how to secure your place in medicine
• Step-by-step breakdown of UCAT
• Strategies from students who achieved 99th percentile
• Techniques to maximise your performance on test day
• Medical interviews with example questions

You can watch the recording for free here: https://www.medentry.edu.au/resources/free-resources

Bond | Power, War and Peace (An Introduction to International Relations)

Saturday 11 June 2022, 8:45 am - 2:00 pm

Bond University

The entire history of international relations exists somewhere between the parameters of war and peace. Fundamental to both war and peace is the concept of power: the capacity of one actor to make another do something out of the ordinary. This course is delivered via three interactive online modules and an in-person, five-hour practical workshop. Learning at your own pace, you will discover the intertwined nature of power, war and peace, providing you with a foundational understanding of the modern international relations system. This course extends on concepts covered in the QCAA Modern History syllabus and is ideal for those passionate about global politics.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 18 May. Find out more: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/power-war-and-peace-tickets-298927388867

UQ | Junior Physics Odyssey

Wednesday 6 July 2022, 9:00 am - Friday 8 July 2022, 4:00 pm

The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia Campus

Hear from our researchers, meet with current students and explore diverse topics in physics in the Junior Physics Odyssey. In this 3-day program for Year 10 students, you’ll meet like-minded people while participating in an exciting range of hands-on physics experiments and workshops.

What’s involved:

• Learn important principles of physics, preparing you for senior physics
• Talk with current UQ students about study options and university life
• Meet people with similar interests to you
• Hear from UQ researchers on topics such as quantum physics, relativity and astrophysics.

Applications for 2022 are open until 6 May. Find out more: https://future-students.uq.edu.au/events/junior-physics-odyssey

2022 School Poetry and Short Story Writing Competition

Entry is open to the 2022 Schools Poetry & Short Story ‘National Treasures’ Writing Competition. Students all over Australia are invited to enter their poems or short stories, and battle it out for the great cash prizes on offer. There is no theme. Entrants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and write on any topic and in any style. Students from all grades are welcome to enter – from Kindergarten/Preparatory to Grade 12. Entry is free and closes on 30 April. Find out more and enter here: https://www.write4fun.net/competitions/71

Liam and Frankie Davison Award

Each year RANZCOG invites senior secondary students resident in Australia or New Zealand to apply for the Liam and Frankie Davison Award for outstanding achievement in literary writing on Women’s Health. This $1000 award provides an exciting opportunity for students, whether they are interested in medicine, science, mental health, sociology, politics or law. Entrants can write about any issue in women’s health that interests them. Previous submissions have included fictional and non-fictional pieces addressing a broad range of issues including anorexia, child marriage, pregnancy in third world countries, assisted reproductive technology and violence against women. Applications for the Liam and Frankie Davison Award close at 5pm on Friday 29 April 2022. Find out more and enter here: https://ranzcog.edu.au/womens-health/foundation/liam-and-frankie-davison-award

Naomi Holley