eNews Archive Issue 19 - 16 July 2020

It is that time of year again when members of the school community can submit nominations for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) for Inspirational Educators. This is an opportunity for our school community to publicly recognise and encourage our great teachers.

ASG’s National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) Foundation was established 25 years ago to honour exemplary teaching throughout Australia and New Zealand.

We know that parents value the efforts of our teachers and there are very few opportunities for a public expression of this appreciation and support. One way of doing this is by nominating a teacher for this award. Nominated teachers receive a congratulatory NEiTA Certificate of Nomination and become eligible for NEiTA State and National Awards. Many of you had the opportunity, during the period of online learning, to see the efforts of many of our wonderful teachers in action and will be able to refer to that in your nomination.

Nominations are quite straightforward and are now open. Thank you for considering nominating a member of the St Margaret’s teaching staff. To nominate a teacher: please log on to https://www.asg.com.au/about-asg/neita. Nominations close the end of July. If you are having trouble submitting your nomination, please contact Lisa Beeney on lbeeney@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

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 Anglican Girls School 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 School - Wellbeing and Operations (PP-6) - Mary Surtees
• Dean of Students - Nikki Townsend
• Guidance Counsellor - Sharon Stone

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

This term, I celebrate my first year as Chaplain at St Margaret’s. When we are in a new role, or begin a new school year, we have dreams, thoughts and plans of how the year will unfold. This may involve ticking off all the firsts or in our Year 12 girls’ case, ticking off all their last experiences as Year 12 students at St Margaret’s. However, the year has brought with it many surprising changes and challenges. The only constant has been the solid foundation of one’s faith and even that can be challenged in such uncertain times. Yet the bible and reality teach us that there will always be different and sometimes difficult seasons in our lives, whether that be being in a new role, a new relationship, a new child, a new school year, or finishing school.

As we begin this new term, it might be helpful to think of it as a season of change and opportunity. The days will once again get longer and warmer. Spring is just around the corner. Our Year 12 girls are moving closer to finishing their formal education at St Margaret’s. There is a feeling in the air - a feeling of change and opportunity. The challenge for us is to ask ourselves - what do we need to let go of to fully enter this season. How can we turn around those feelings of perhaps disappointment of the things that did not go as we had planned? We began this year with great excitement, we are celebrating our 125th year of education. Education built upon the resilience of our extraordinary sisters, strong leadership, exceptional staff, our students and families, both past and present. Let us embrace what an astonishing year it has been. This season of change will perhaps enable us to reframe how we view the year so far and see it as one that will go down in history and extraordinarily memorable, a year we have grown in unexpected ways.

“By the simple act of altering the position of one’s head a different kind of world may appear.”

Robert Macfarlane Landmarks

Susan Crothers-Robertson

Communities rich in connection have been shown to have positive effects on well-being, productivity, a sense of belonging and collaboration among individuals. We all strive to educate the girls on how they can look out for peers, create a culture of belonging and include all members of the Boarding House. These connections do not have to involve a lasting relationship but just saying hello to fellow boarders can make a huge impact on someone’s day. Feeling connected offers benefits at every level; as an individual and as a whole Boarding House. We hope that as we make our way through a time that is a little different, each of the girls will continue to show their gratitude for the many opportunities they have at St Margaret’s.

Lesa Fowler

Last term was the first Confirmation event. The outcome of this for the teachers and staff has been very positive with only 3 subjects with some student result movement. The subjects that had movement were our smaller cohort subjects and students whose results have been amended have been spoken to this week. If you have any questions about this, please email me or call Rosie Parisi on 3862 0826 to organise a time to speak to me.

Year 12 – Tuesday 21 July – Late start for non-Biology students

Please note, on Tuesday 21 July the Year 12 Biology Data Test is being held. Year 12 Biology students have been sent information about the organisation of this from Mr Chris Dunn. All other Year 12 students will need to be at school by 9:50am for the start of their school day.

Semester 2 Assessment Calendars

Assessment Calendars for all year levels for the remainder of 2020 have been uploaded to year level pages on the POD.

Senior Schooling Parent Information Evening - 3 August

An invitation has been sent home this week to parents of students in Years 5-11 about an Information Evening being held on Monday 3 August at 6:30pm. The intention of this evening is to provide an opportunity for parents of our younger students to gain some understanding of the New QCE System. Topics to be discussed include ATAR, External Exams and Study Pathways at St Margaret’s. Please note this event will be live streamed, with limited numbers to attend due to social distancing requirements. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to: reception@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Nicole Devlin

For each subject, there is a list of the course content, marks for the criteria or assessment item, a table showing the distribution of achievement levels within the subject, and an assessment of your daughter’s attitude to her learning. The academic results reflected in this report are based on the assessment completed throughout Semester 1. However, please note that some scheduled assessment did not occur due to the impact of the global pandemic, and therefore this may affect some student’s GPAs.

Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all Year 11 parents who attended the Parent Teacher Interviews via Microsoft Teams on Monday. We would appreciate any feedback regarding these interviews being conducted online to be emailed to me at: tmccormick@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Tom McCormick

Similarly, the commencement of a new semester is an important time for students to determine what physical activity or sport they will commit to for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, adolescence is often a time when participation in sports can decline due to a number of reasons. In her book, Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls, Dr Mary Pipher discusses how in early adolescence girls can lose their resiliency and optimism and become less inquisitive and inclined to take risks. She goes on to say how this trend can lead to girls becoming more deferential, self-critical and depressed. Sport is seen by many as an avenue for girls to express themselves with energy and confidence - thus enabling them to close the gap between what Dr Pipher describes as their true selves.

The third pillar, spiritual growth is a very personal journey; however, there are many opportunities for our students to work with others in the community with various activities throughout the remainder of the school year.

I look forward to meeting with parents again during the course of the semester at St Margaret’s events.

Nikki Townsend

Starting the term with COVID-19 still in the news, we need to keep in mind the implications for our students. I think bubbling below the surface, students may be struggling with nervousness, anxiety and concerns about social distancing.

World-leading parenting expert and founder of the internationally acclaimed Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, Professor Matt Sanders, has launched the weekly podcast series, Parenting in a Pandemic.

Here are four key research-based strategies Professor Sanders offers:

1. Return to a routine: This is important as the past few months have gone from online learning to school to holidays and now back to school. Discuss the routines and expectations for home during a school term as opposed to holidays.
2. Look for signs your child is struggling: If your child seems fearful, investigate why and don’t spend time focusing on the anxiety but rather focus on the positive. Professor Sanders suggests, “If you can identify the root of their concern – for example, fear that a grandparent may die from coronavirus – then you can address that worry with reassuring messages about social distancing and sanitation, etc." “Ultimately, children will be comforted by your own calm approach to their worries.”
3. Less is more: ‘Minimal sufficiency' is a central component of the Triple P Program, that is you offer your child support without taking on the task for your child. As a parent you are demonstrating support for your child if you only provide what is desired to get your child started. If they are struggling to get started with a task, Professor Sanders recommends helping them craft a strategy for how they might approach the exercise but leave them to implement that strategy themselves. By doing this you are sending a message to your child that you believe in their ability while helping to develop a resourceful, independent problem solver. “Self-belief is a powerful enabler, and a lifelong tool for children to draw on.”
4. Maintain a good relationship with your child’s school: Professor Sanders’ final piece of advice is to ensure you have an open and respectful relationship with your child's school. He believes that children, whose parents have a strong and positive relationship with their school, will always do well."

Respectful communication was certainly evident throughout the past semester and I thank parents for this and their ongoing positive relationships they continue to have with our school. As we continue to tread unchartered waters, I encourage parents to follow the guidelines we have in place to keep our school community safe.

Parenting in a Pandemic is available wherever you get your podcasts. Triple P COVID-19 online resource is available for parents of children from birth to adolescents.

This article is adapted from the following link: https://stories.uq.edu.au/contact-magazine/2020/parenting-in-a-pandemic/index.html.

Angela Drysdale

Welcome back to Ms Eleanor Streatfeild

We welcome Ms Streatfeild, our cello teacher, back to St Margaret’s after being away on leave for Semester 1. We also thank Mr Alex McPherson for stepping into the role in Ms Streatfeild’s absence.

St Margaret’s Spotlight

The Music Department has decided for the time being to continue showcasing student performances via St Margaret’s Spotlight. This week, St Margaret’s Spotlight features one of our Music and Band Captains, Eloise Matyear. Eloise is heavily involved in the St Margaret’s Music Program and is a member of Exultate, Encorah, Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble and the Sister Helen Wind Symphony. Eloise is currently undertaking singing lessons and is also working toward her Grade 8 AMEB Percussion exam. For St Margaret’s Spotlight, Eloise is performing My Salvation by Gabrielle Aplin. Thank you to Eloise for her musical contribution this week!

Brad King

Winter Team Sports

This week has seen a huge number of girls trial for teams in Hockey, Netball, Volleyball and Tennis with the Term 3 training schedule taking effect on Monday 20 July. Please click here (PDF 265.8KB) to access the training schedule. All girls who are selected in a team to compete in the weekly QGSSSA fixtures on Saturdays will be required to wear a sports specific uniform. Details of all uniform requirements, as well as a season draw for each sport can be found on each individual sports POD page.

Club Netball

Thank you to Head of Netball, Gayle Coutts for getting our Club Netball program back up and running for the 9-week Blast program. The draw and all team members have been posted on the Club Netball POD page. The Downey Park Netball Association (DPNA) has asked all players and spectators to note the following procedures:

• There will be entry and exit points for all courts with directional flow being one way.
• Players should arrive no earlier than fifteen minutes prior to their match time, ready to play with their own drink bottle.
• Coaches will ensure hands are sanitised and record players attendance.
• One spectator per participant.
• Spectators to record their attendance through the manager of the team.
• Vacate the court and venue immediately following your game.

BSRA Announcement

A Statement was issued by the Brisbane Schoolgirls' Rowing Association on Tuesday 14 July 2020 in regard to this year's Rowing season and COVID-19 guidelines. Please click here (PDF 122.8KB) to view the Statement.

A summary of the details has been included below:

• We are returning to Rowing at Wyaralong Dam for Years 9-12, with 4 regattas to be held on 8/15/22/29 August 2020.
• The Head of the River will take place on 29 August with medals, pennants and cups being awarded.
• Point scoring for the Aggerate and Percentage Cups will occur as normal.
• Event numbers exceeding 500 require approval from the local Public Health Unit. BSRA entries surpass this number and will require this approval. Should this approval be delayed, the Year 9 cohort will be unable to compete until such time that approval is granted for the numbers required to include Year 9.
• No spectators are permitted on the headland during these regattas.
• The BSRA are working on live-streaming race coverage and the Rowing Support Group are working on an appropriate venue for holding a viewing of the Head of the River. More information to come on this.
• Our traditional Ekka Wednesday Races and crew photos will occur on Friday 14 August. This race day will include all year levels. It is an expectation all rowers will be in attendance. It will be a great opportunity for Year 8s to experience a regatta and see our Seniors racing. More information to come on this.

St Margaret’s Run

The St Margaret’s Run is an iconic event that forms part of the St Margaret’s Day celebrations on Friday 17 July. The run is in its 21st year and mirrors the ‘Great Court Race’ that was first run at Trinity College, Cambridge. Eighty Secondary students have registered to run across the four divisions of Junior Secondary (Years 7 and 8), Intermediate Secondary (Years 9 and 10), Senior Secondary (Years 11 and 12) and the Prefects Fun Run. The first-place getter in each division will receive a medallion, with the overall fastest time across all divisions crowned the ‘St Margaret’s Run Champion’ with the trophy awarded on Speech Night. Results will be celebrated in next week’s eNews.

Helen Lobegeiger

It is an honour to be joining in such a milestone year, with St Margaret’s celebrating its 125th Anniversary. In addition to this, we have undertaken the biggest construction project in the School’s long history, with the exciting new Sports Precinct in the final stages of construction.

On behalf of St Margaret’s and the Foundation, I would like to acknowledge the generous philanthropic support of our donors who have contributed to this most exciting and significant project, and who continue to support the school in many ways.

As COVID-19 restrictions start to ease across the state in Term 3, we are delighted to be able to begin running some of our fantastic events, including the Professional Women’s Network breakfast on Tuesday 18th August and our Reunion weekend, which will be held on the 18th, 19th and 20th of September. Further details to follow.

I look forward to spending the next few months getting to know our stakeholders across the community. We can’t wait to unveil our amazing new Sports Precinct!

Lindsay Khushal

Conservatorium of Music Application Changes

The process for applying to study at Queensland Conservatorium in 2021 has changed. With the health and safety of applicants and staff in mind, the audition process will now include a video audition component.

Applications open 4 August through QTAC.

Application closing dates:

Bachelor of Acting and Bachelor of Musical Theatre: 31 August

Bachelor of Music: 4 September

Audition requirements and helpful information on how to complete the application process are available at: griffith.edu.au/conservatorium-auditions.

Lattitude Global Volunteering

A Digital Gap Year Information Package has been produced. You’ll find a video presentation, testimonials from returned students, a reflection activity and links to our brochure, website and social channels for students to connect and get in touch. To view the digital materials, please click on the link: Lattitude Digital Gap Year Info Pack.

Torrens University Interactive Online Workshop 22-25 June

• Business
• Design
• Health
• Hospitality

Visit the Careers POD page for the latest information on:

• Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• Australian Defence Force
• Career Exploration
• Financial Assistance and Scholarships
• Gap Year Program News
• Interstate and International
• Open Days, Expos and Career Markets
• Private Provider Updates
• QTAC and Tertiary Entry
• Universities

Elizabeth Johnston