eNews Archive Issue 18 - 8 June 2023

The report makes clear a common denominator to school systems’ problems is the increasing disruption and disorder in classrooms. Australia ranks 70th out of 77 on the “disciplinary climate index” – placing it among the least orderly in the world.”

However, data from the 2020 AGSA report The Girls School Edge: A comparison of outcomes for girls from single-sex and co-educational schools using PISA data from 2015 and 2018, provides strong support for the value of an all-girls schooling environment by showing that all girls’ schools have better conditions for learning. The report says “Single-sex school students are more likely than co-educated girls to report experiencing learning environments in which they are able to fulfill their learning goals due to substantially lower amounts of disruption or distraction.”

• A greater proportion of students attending girls’ schools never or almost never experience an English classroom in which they cannot work well compared with girls in co-educational schools (43% to 31%).
• More students attending girls’ schools stated they are never or almost never in a science classroom where they cannot work well (41% to 29%).
• Girls at single-sex schools are also less likely to have to wait for their teacher to quiet the class before teaching (33% to 22%).

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) developed the National School Improvement Tool (NSIT) which brings together findings from international research into the practices of highly effective schools and school leaders. The NSIT outlines 9 distinct domains which high performing schools demonstrate consistently. The third domain, a Culture that promotes learning, states that, effective and high performing schools have “clear strategies to promote appropriate behaviour - including agreed responses and consequences for inappropriate student behaviour - and the school provides sufficient support for teachers to implement these policies.” (Masters, 2016) In addition, “classrooms are calm but busy and interruptions to teaching time are kept to a minimum. There are no obvious behavioural problems, very high rates of school attendance and engagement, and staff morale is sustained at a high level.” Effective student learning requires a classroom culture which is not disruptive and permits students to participate without undue distraction or inhibition.

We know that St Margaret’s is outstanding in this area as our teaching and learning program was evaluated against the NSIT. Independent reviewers gave us the outstanding rating in Domain 3 ‘Culture that promotes learning’ and claimed we were a lighthouse school as we know that successful learning in the classroom is based on the development of a culture characterised by high expectations, provision of clarity about what teachers are to teach and students are to learn, strong professional learning communities and ongoing efforts to improve teaching practices.

References

Masters, G. (2016). National School Improvement Tool. Retrieved April 17, 2023, from Australian Council for Educational Research: https://research.acer.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=tll_misc

MMG. (2020). A comparison of outcomes for girls from single-sex and co-educational schools using PISA data. Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.agsa.org.au/reports-about-girls-education/

OECD. (2023). Education policy outlook in Australia. Paris: OECD Publishing. doi:https://doi.org/10.1787/ce7a0965-en.

One of the sessions I was able to attend was facilitated by Yasmin London, a former athlete and police officer who is now the executive director of ysafe, a company that provides cyber safety presentations.

According to Yasmin, the most at-risk group of people that are exposed to online safety issues are 12-15 year olds. This is due to these age groups exploring an increased sense of independence, but still having an underdeveloped sense of self control.  Therefore, it is necessary for parents (and schools) to continue to provide boundaries at these ages.

The key online safety risks for girls tend to be:

• Sharing inappropriate content
• Screen time and device use
• Toxic online behaviours
• Grooming and online predators
• Digital footprint
• Privacy and settings in their online accounts
• Gaming and gaming behaviours

Yasmin spoke about families and schools working together to guide students in the correct and safe ways of using technology.

It is important to note that the school has many policies and procedures that are designed to protect our students from dangerous online behaviour. These include the Responsible Use of Information Technology Policy, Mobile Phone and other Mobile Devices Policy, Anti-bullying Policy and eSmart Policy. These policies are all available on the POD for parents and students.

Karen Gorrie

I wonder if you are ever lured by the “not enough” narrative? It can be particularly loud in moments of exhaustion and stress, like, assessment and exam periods, deadlines, and end-of-term, etc. The “not enough” narrative robs us of flourishing (our school theme for 2023). It leads us down ever more frenetic pathways of trying to accumulate more, prove our worth, and we end up completely exhausted.

Currently, I am re-reading Brene Brown’s, ‘I Thought it was Just Me (But it isn’t): Making the journey from “what people think?” to “I am enough.”’ In it she documents her research project on the effects and power of shame and provides a suggested pathway out of shame into owning that each of us is “enough”. Part of this pathway out of shame is focusing on connection, building empathy, courage, compassion, and resilience.

As we approach the end of term, remember that you are more than enough, God delights in who you are, and that you are part of a community that celebrates every person in it.

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

(Matthew 11: 28-30)

Rev’d Jazz Dow

As part of the Yalari program the girls have access to a Yalari School Support Officer (SSO). The St Margaret’s SSO is Sandy Boyd who is a proud Aboriginal woman from Mulunjali (Beaudesert) country. She has a Bachelor of Education and is currently employed by Australian Catholic University as a First Nations Peoples National Outreach Officer. Sandy is a wonderful role model for all our First Nations students and provides tremendous support to the girls outside of that given by the boarding house. The boarding house is very grateful to have her support, assistance and guidance which helps us to provide a nurturing home away from home for our Yalari students.

Angela Crowe

Years 11 and 12 Block

Exam block started today for Year 11 students, with Year 12 exam block starting next Monday. A reminder to all students, that when they come to an exam they need to be in full school uniform with the appropriate equipment for the exam.

When attending exams, all students need to have the following equipment:

1. Their Student ID to be presented to the supervisor on entry into the exam room.
2. Approved equipment in a clear, sealed plastic bag, this includes:

• Black or blue pens
• 2B pencils, sharpener and eraser

• Note: a 2B pencil is only required for multiple choice questions and drawing graphs or diagrams. Black or blue pens must be used for all other written responses.

• Highlighters
• Clear plastic ruler
• Water in a clear unlabelled bottle
• Asthma inhaler
• A QCAA approved calculator with memory cleared and ready for checking prior to entering the exam room (if required).

1. Please note that white out and erasable pens are NOT permitted into the exam room.
2. Mobile phones and smart watches are NOT permitted in the exam room.

Finally, can I please remind all Years 11 and 12 day students if they are attending school during the exam block to study or meet with a teacher, they need to be in full school uniform and all other school rules apply, including the use of mobile phones. Years 11 and 12 boarding students also need to be in full school uniform if they are meeting with a teacher.

Caitlin McCluskey

At these interviews, parents will be able to book in to see their daughters’ subject teachers at either of the following sessions:

• Session #1 – 10:00am to 3:00pm (online – Microsoft Teams)
• Session #2 – 3:30pm to 8:00pm (face-to-face – Eton Hall / Circular Drive Classrooms)

Please note, that due to the larger numbers of secondary staff this year, face-to-face interviews will be occurring in the Circular Drive Classrooms as well as in Eton Hall during Session #2. Further details about staff locations for this session will be sent to parents closer to the date.

Below is a summary of the important dates for parents:

• Parent Bookings Open: Wednesday 14 June 9:00am
• Parent Bookings Close: Friday 30 June 5:00pm

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Megan Farnsworth at mfarnsworth@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Chris Dunn

Opportunities for St Margaret’s girls to give of their time, energy and talents are important aspects of life at St Margaret’s. The connections that are created and the gratitude that occurs provides increased perspective and an appreciation of others. The students who volunteered to be involved in recent events including Chapel services and buddy programs demonstrated maturity and kindness toward their peers. Likewise, the current Year 11 Leadership process requires the students to reflect on their strengths, interests and the concept of servant leadership – focusing on others.   

However, it is important to also guide students to manage their time so that they can participate in these broad range of activities as necessary. Writer Anne Fein believes that as students understand the key aspects of executive functioning, they can plan their time well. She suggests several helpful strategies:

• Develop flexible thinking through brainstorming and break large tasks into smaller sections
• Develop self-regulation skills by identifying urgent tasks verses important ones
• Strengthen working memory though repetition, visual cues and explaining concepts to others.

Fein, A.M. 2021, ‘Guiding Students to Improve Executive Functioning Skills’, Edutopia.

Nikki Townsend

1. A sense of security - grandparents can provide a sense of security and support especially in situations that are not going as a child might hope for example, a friendship issue. The grandparent acts as a mentor who can help guide the child through a problem.
2. Provide a history - knowing about the family’s history and where a child fits within it, can help children to be more resilient. Grandparents help their grandchild learn to cope and bounce back from their own adversity.
3. Help children to be less ageist - establishing close ties with grandparents helps make children less ageist. When positive, quality relationships are fostered between children and their grandparents, children are less likely to show bias towards older adults.
4. Quality life - grandparents live longer when grandchildren stay close to them. In a nutshell, the children become more resilient, and grandparents become healthier, and parents have a break. An intergenerational relationship is a win win for everyone.
5. Offer each other - unconditional love, a sense of humour and patience

Importantly, a grandparent is a teacher of life lessons.  

This special day will also include our Interhouse Verse Speaking and Ballgames Competition. A book fair will be available for visitors to purchase books, a great opportunity to build the holiday reading library. Thank you to Ms Box for her extensive organisation of this big day.  

The girls and staff are excited about the Verse Speaking Competition which offers so many challenges - understanding the nuances of poetry, learning, and reciting a poem and presenting in unison. These performances do not happen without the dedication and guidance of all the house teachers. This type of learning is not common, so for both the girls and the teachers, the competition offers some form of challenge. However, as role models, the teachers accept the challenge of the competition and plan, prepare, and support the girls in their house to present their very best efforts as a verse speaking choir. Thank you to Mary Edwards, who has kindly volunteered to do the difficult job of judging.

I wish the staff (and thank them in anticipation) and Years 5 and 6 girls all the best as they head off on Monday to their respective camps - Year 5 to Tambourine Mountain for leadership camp and Year 6 to Canberra. While they are away PP – Year 2 will be celebrating Under 8’s week with daily activities. Thank you to Ms Eadie and Ms Uscinski for taking the lead on this event.

Soccer

This week 60 girls headed off to Toowoomba to compete in Andrews Cup soccer. Each of the teams worked hard to achieve their personal best. Congratulations to Junior A who placed first and B Pink placed second. Thank you to Ms Rowe, Ms Court, Ms Komselis, Ms Richards and coaches for supporting the girls in this long day of competition.

Angela Drysdale

Social media and a consumerist-based society are only exacerbating friendship issues, so we would also recommend engaging your daughter in a conversation about reality verse façade in a TikTok world, their identity being about more than their latest ‘haul’ at the shops and the incredible lessons and experiences they can have if they truly open themselves to an inclusive approach to interacting with their peers. There is a lot of schooling left for the girls so the more caring, compassionate, and respectful they can be with one another, the more the cohort will benefit in the long run, both socially and academically. Teamwork truly does make the dream work.

A valuable source you may also wish to consult is a personal favourite, Rosalind Wiseman’s Queen Bees and Wannabees on which the iconic film Mean Girls is based. Wiseman notes how crucial friendships are for girls as they navigate adolescence and aims to educate parents to empower their daughters. She examines the often toxic impact of cliques and popularity, the impact of perceived and imposed hierarchies and deconstructs effective ways that parents can communicate and adapt their style responsively to their daughter’s behaviour. Wiseman notes in the introduction that the book might be “painful to read” and “hit a nerve”, however, this is exactly why it is a useful text. Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to anticipate your daughter’s concerns, with the ultimate goal of creating girls who will become “healthy young women who will make our communities better”. You can explore the updated third edition of the book here.

Annette Box

St Mark’s Village Fair Performances

Congratulations to all students who performed recently at the St Mark’s Village Fair. Students in the Clarinet, Flute and Saxophone Ensembles along with the Primary Chorale all provided wonderful entertainment at this special community event. Thank you also to Dr Syntageros, Ms Brennan and Ms Walker for their assistance with the performances at the fair.

  

  

State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP)

Congratulations to our students who participated in the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) last weekend. Hosted and organised by the Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium, the Honours Ensemble Programs bring together the finest young secondary school musicians from around the country to rehearse and perform together with renowned international and national conductors. These programs are wonderful opportunities for our music students to further develop their musical capacity whilst also developing friendships with other young musicians from around Southeast Queensland. Congratulations to the following students: Clara Adom (Voice), Isabella Beasley (Bass Clarinet), Olivia Berger (Cello), Genevieve Bissett (Cello), Sophie Borthwick (Viola), Audrey Chen (Violin), Asher Grant-Taylor (Double Bass), Gemma Kirchner (Trumpet), Sophie McDonnell (Viola),  Lauren Mossman (Voice), Chloe Nheu (Cello), Matilda Owen (Voice), Ellen Robinson (French Horn), Astrid Sawers (Voice), Clara Schwarz (Violin), Sienna Steggall (Violin), Isobel Stobie (Voice), Jayden Tse (Flute), Siena Wright (Voice).

Open Mic Performances

Our first Open Mic Session for 2023 was held on Thursday last week. Congratulations to all students who performed. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their musical talents to the broader student community. Thank you, especially to our 2023 Music Captains for their assistance in organising the event.

  

  

Soloists’ Recital

Congratulations to all students who performed at the second Soloists’ Recital for the year on Wednesday afternoon. It was a fantastic afternoon of music with a wide range of styles performed on a variety of different instruments. All girls should be exceptionally proud of their performances! Thank you also to Ms Catherine Stirling who accompanied students for the event.

Tutti Strings Performance

Thank you to Tutti Strings, Beath String Quartet and Chamber Strings for entertaining the primary school students during morning tea last Friday. All the performances were highly engaging. One of the highlights of the morning was a performance of Baby Shark with Ms Rayner conducting in an axolotl hat. Thank you especially to Ms Rayner for organising the ensembles to perform!

  

Music Support Group – Next Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 18 July at 5:00pm in M’s Cafe. We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

Touch Football

In Touch Football we had over 250 girls participating as part of our Intra-School ‘Navy vs Orange’ competition, as well as our Inter-School QGSSSA Autumn Fixture Competition.

All teams performed extremely well, with 9 of our 11 representative teams finishing inside the top 3. Congratulations to our Year 9B team who claimed their respective premiership and our Open Team, whose 5th place finish in the premier grade was the highest St Margaret's has finished in the past ten years. Congratulations to all players on the spirited contribution made towards the program in 2023.

A big thanks to our Touch Football captains Ava Hampson, Poppy Tritton, Georgia Warby, as well as our Touch Football Coordinators Ms Harre, Mr Stuart and all the supporting teachers and coaches for their hard work across the season. 

Soccer

In Soccer we had over 50 girls participating in the program, across three division teams. We were extremely proud of the teamwork and support displayed by all players towards their respective teams throughout the season.

Our Open & Junior teams had exciting games against Clayfield, Somerville House and St Hilda's. While our mighty Intermediate team won or drew all but two of their games for the season, resulting with a third place finish on their respective ladder. 

A big thanks to our Soccer captains Stella Goncalves & Molly Litfin, as well as our Soccer Coordinator Ms Ferri and all the supporting teachers and coaches from Brisbane City FC for their hard work and support across the season.

Basketball

In Basketball we had over 90 girls participating in program, bringing an enormous amount of energy towards each team. We are extremely proud of the effort and energy of all players throughout the season.

Congratulations to our Senior B (2nd), 10B (2nd), 9B (2nd), 8B (3rd) who all finished within the top 3 of their respective ladders. A special mention also to our 8A who played a great series of matches resulting in a top 4 finish in the A Grade draw.

A big thanks to our Basketball captains Sarah Le, Stephanie Peereboom, as well as our Basketball Coordinator Ms Galpin and all the supporting teachers and coaches at Northside Wizards for their hard work and support across the season.

Sporting Achievement

It’s with great pleasure that we can recognise the outstanding sport performances and representation of St Margaret’s students at a national and international level. I would like to highlight and congratulate the following students on their recent achievements:

•           Lucy Bourke (Year 12) has been selected in the Rugby 7’s squad to represent Australia at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinbago. The process for selection has been gruelling and we wish Lucy all the best in her representation of the green and gold later in the year.

•           Adelaide Bothwell (Year 8), Annabelle Spall (Year 8) Clementine Cooke (Year 7), Mena Bertinato (Year 8) and Ruby Comiskey (Year 8) have all been selected as part of the Water Polo Queensland 2023 U13 State Development Program. These girls will compete at the upcoming Water Polo Australia National Development Series, in Hobart, Tasmania. We wish them all the best in their preparations. 

•           Charlotte Perry (Year 9) and Lily McLeod (Year 8) have been selected as part of the Water Polo Queensland 2023 U14 State Development Program. These girls shall compete at the upcoming East Coast Challenge, in Melbourne. We wish them all the best in their preparations. 

•           Ella Menigoz (Year 12) who claimed gold in the 2023 AusCycling Mountain Bike National Championships. We congratulate Ella on her outstanding achievement in this tough event.

We would like to continue to recognise the outstanding achievements and representation of students participating at a national level, outside of the school sport pathway. I look forward to continuing to hear from our community regarding such outstanding achievement. Please email me at lknight@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Latest Sport News and Information

For the latest sport news and information please check out the following Secondary School Sport POD Pages:

QGSSSA Hockey - The POD - Secondary Hockey (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

QGSSSA Netball - The POD - Secondary Netball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

QGSSSA Tennis - The POD - Secondary Tennis (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

QGSSSA Volleyball - The POD - Secondary Volleyball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Athletics - The POD - Secondary Athletics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Rowing - The POD - Secondary Rowing (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Rhythmic Gymnastics - The POD - Secondary Rhythmic Gymnastics (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Club Netball - The POD - Club Netball (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

Club Swimming - The POD - Club Swimming (stmargarets.qld.edu.au)

GO MAGGIES!

Lloyd Knight

Visual Art Captains Georgia Barrett and Phoebe Zavros said: "We loved Lauren's artwork of a snake wrapped around a pot, symbolising the Brisbane River which is commonly referred to as the brown snake. Lauren has shown great skill and attention to detail in her artwork."

SmART Club

Join the SmART Holiday crew for art and colourful adventures in the upcoming school holidays.

Places are limited and do fill up quickly. Download this flyer (PDF 1.7MB) for more details including how to book.

Blazer Pocket Embroidery

Blazers that require pocket embroidery must be submitted by morning tea on a Wednesday and will take approximately two weeks to be returned to the Supplies Shop from collection.

Trading Hours (Term Time)

Monday 8am – 2pm
Tuesday 8am – 2pm
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday 8am – 2pm
Friday 8am – 2pm

Public Holidays Closed

We have fun-filled and exciting activities planned for our June/July School Holiday Program. Further details of the program can be found here (PDF 290.5KB). Boys and girls, siblings, friends and family welcome!

Please refer to the attached Information Guide for full booking terms and conditions. We are unable to accept bookings via email or text message. The OSHC registration and Debitsuccess form must be completed, signed and sent back to us to finalise your booking. Please read the information guide carefully as some information has changed. OSHC Registration and Debitsuccess can be completed via the My Family Lounge.

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR VACATION CARE BOOKING FORM VIA THE MY FAMILY LOUNGE APP

We are very excited to inform you that St Margaret’s OSHC has subscribed to a fantastic online Booking and Waitlist management program called QK Enrol. This program will give you access to manage your own account information, where you will have the ability to make bookings requests and allows you to complete and submit an online enrolment form for your child. You can do this and much, much more all within a parent portal called ’My Family Lounge’.

How do I log in?

Please navigate to the link below and either sign in with your existing My Family Lounge account or Register for an account if you do not already have one. Please note all families who have previously submitted an enrolment form will have an account already set up; all you will need to do is click ‘forgotten password’ and use the email address you used to receive this form.

https://www.qkenhanced.com.au/Account/Embeddable/?databaseId=9385

When making a Vacation Care booking please select Casual bookings, not Permanent.

What is the cost?*

Fees: $68 per day*

Bookings close: 12 June 2023

*Incursions and excursions incur additional costs. These are compulsory for all students and therefore you are able to claim CCS.

What are the hours of operation?

The service is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm.

How can I obtain more information?

If you would like further information regarding our OSHC Program or if you would like to make a booking, feel free to contact me on 0423 547 653 or email: oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Palu Ingram

Congratulations to Ellen Robinson (Year 8), Mana Fua, Ava Futcher, Milana Sorbello, Polly Young (Year 9) and Skye Clifford (Year 11) who achieved the highest results in Queensland for their respective AMEB Speech and Performance exams in 2022. Outstanding achievements!

On Saturday night, Ellen, Mana, Ava, Milana and Polly joined other very talented students from throughout Queensland in performing at Parliament House to a captivated audience of approximately 200 guests at the 77^th anniversary of the event.

The Communication, Speech and Performance Teachers Inc. first established the Barbara Sisley Awards in 1947 to honour the outstanding contribution Miss Sisley made to teaching and the Arts in Queensland over many years. Barbara Sisley was a creative and dynamic actor, director, producer and teacher of Speech and Drama who taught here at St Margaret’s for some time during her early career.

Semester 2 - New Enrolments

The Private Speech and Drama Program has limited vacancies in some year levels for Semester 2. To enrol your daughter for Speech and Drama lessons commencing next term, please complete the online Application Form by clicking HERE or if you would like some information about the program, please contact me by phone 3862 0750 or email mchamberlain@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. 

Please note current enrolments continue into Semester 2 and do not require completion of a new application form.

Maria Chamberlain

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast

Tickets are now on sale for the third Professional Women's Network Breakfast for 2023 with guest speaker Jane Carland.

Jane Carland is the General Manager of Castrol for Australia and New Zealand. She has over 25 years’ experience in the energy sector across ANZ and Asia Pacific having worked in most aspects of the energy value chain including Operations, Marketing, Sales, Strategy and Business Development. She also holds several Director roles.

Jane has had the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and energy transition initiatives, providing customers with alternate, lower emission energy options. Prior to her current role, she led the development of LNG as an alternative fuel across Asia Pacific which provided her and the family an amazing cultural experience. She is passionate about customers and seeing people achieve their potential.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 24 August 2023
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.
To purchase tickets or a corporate table: Click here

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners, Associate Sponsors: Programmed Property Services and Wolff Coffee Roasters, and Supporting Sponsors: Downer, Clear Insurance, Westpac, O’Reilly Shaw Lawyers, Uniform Link and Move Recruitment Solutions.

Reunion Weekend

St Margaret's warmly invites current parents who are Old Girls to attend the Old Girls’ Day Chapel Service and morning tea on Sunday 23 July. Old Girls’ Day is always a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, remember and share personal histories with one another.

We also invite all Old Girls who graduated in 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973, 1963, and VIP graduates from the years 1962 and prior, to return to the school for their reunion weekend.

The milestone reunions will be held at various locations at St Margaret’s over the weekend of Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July.

To register to attend Reunion Weekend and Old Girls’ Day, please visit https://paststudents.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/events

Lara Pickering