eNews Archive Issue 21 - 30 July 2020

We have had a request from parents if we could advertise jobs which may be of interest to some members of our community. If anyone in our community has a position which they would like to advertise to other St Margaret’s families, we are opening up a section of eNews to list those jobs. Of course, there is no pressure to employ anyone who may apply from our community. Nevertheless, it may be of interest to those looking for work, whether it is a full-time, contract, or part-time position. Some will be looking for a short term opening to tide them over; others for a full-time job. If you have a position you would like to open up to the community, please email our Director of Marketing and Communications, Wendy Johnston, at wjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au by Monday 9am each week for the job to appear in that Thursday eNews. The job ad will only appear once unless you email again the following week. If the job fills, you are welcome to email again and we will place a red FILLED, in the eNews edition the advertisement appeared in. Please provide up to 100 words and contact details.

Term’s notice of withdrawal

This is just a reminder to parents that if your child is not returning to St Margaret’s in 2021, we require one full school term’s written notice (or one school term’s fees in lieu of notice) when withdrawing a student from the school. Currently, we are working on the 2021 timetable and staffing, and it is important that we have accurate enrolment numbers. In some year levels, we have waiting lists and we need to be able to contact those on the list who are hoping to secure a place at the school. To meet the requirement of a term’s notice, advice can be received up to the last Friday of the September school holidays. Advice may be emailed directly to me or to our admissions via admissions@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Ros Curtis

Adrians is a Brisbane-based firm, who fundamentally believe in helping family owned businesses build financial resilience across generations through planning and advice services. Through seeking out, developing and evaluating smart technology they provide clarity, automation efficiencies and enable business owners to make better informed decisions.

This prestigious annual scholarship is valued at $4,000 per annum for the four years of university study and also includes opportunities for work experience at Adrians over the December/January period.

An information session about this scholarship opportunity for students of Year 12 will be held on Wednesday 13 August during Year Level Assembly.

The deadline for applications is 3pm, Friday 4 September and interviews will occur on 16 and 17 September. The awardee will be announced at the Prize Reading Assembly on 6 October and be presented their scholarship at Speech Night on 13 October.

Karen Gorrie

I love this time of year because one of my favourite times of the day is when I am just leaving for work, and I look east over Stradbroke Island. At that time of the day, it is neither morning nor night. Last week the moon was a crescent and you could see Jupiter. While the moon was in the sky and I could see stars, the sun was also rising sending out vivid colours. Seeing this always takes my breath away - it reminds me of God’s majesty and that anything is possible. People call this time of day - and in-between time - neither day nor night.

It was that in-between time, or some would call liminal or thin space - not quite dark but not quite light - when the disciples and Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb. When the disciples saw that Jesus was no longer there they ran away. But not Mary Magdalene, she chose to remain in this in-between time, no matter how painful it was for her.

Sometimes we can fear the in-between times in our lives, where there can be pain and confusion, we want certain answers, or we want to run away like the disciples did that Easter morning.

Yet the story reveals hope in amongst the struggles - in this in-between time, neither dark nor light, humanity encountered Divine Love. What anchored Mary, what gave her the courage to stay in the in-between time was Jesus reaching out to her and calling her by name. Just as Jesus reaches out and calls us by name - in the still quiet times of the morning when the moon is still in the sky, or as the sun is setting and we are waiting for the moon to appear - that in-between time.

Mary’s story reveals to us, that even in the uncertainty of life there can be hope. And we are living in a time of uncertainty. The pandemic has meant so many changes for all of us. Yet Mary’s story reveals an extraordinary message - it is in this in-between time, neither dark nor light that we can hear Jesus calling our name. It is in the messiness of life that we can encounter the risen Lord. Divine Love calls us and comforts us and reveals to us that it is ok to be in the space. May we be strong and courageous like Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles who is such an extraordinary role model for us at this time. May we be strong and courageous, and we move forward into the unknown. Amen.

Sundaes on Sunday - St Mark’s Anglican Church, Clayfield

Registrations are essential via TryBooking.

All COVID-Safe requirements will be in place: physical distancing to be observed, sanitiser available in numerous locations and food service compliant with food safety standards. In the event of wet weather, the celebration will be held using the hall and outdoor covered areas.

For further information, please contact The Rev Canon Nicki Colledge: Nicki.colledge@anglicanchurchsq.org.au or 0405 354 035.

Susan Crothers-Robertson

This week, the Boarding staff had the privilege of listening to the Year 11 girls’ speeches for 2021 Boarding leadership positions. I can still remember many of these girls arriving as little Year 7s and at that stage Year 12 seemed so far away. One of the great joys of working in Boarding is that you get to watch these girls grow into confident young women. The girls have developed resilience, kindness and understanding of the needs of others, and an appreciation of all the girls they live with. These girls, whom I remember being in Year 7, have grown to be remarkable young women and I wish them all the best of luck.

Sandra Johnson

These included:

1. Identifying how much time in your schedule is available for study. You might need to identify activities that can be removed from your schedule or changed.
2. Constructing a timetable that sets aside a time for homework and study, as well as revision, and time for yourself.
3. Setting study goals.
4. Establishing good study habits early to help you cope with periods when you might be busy, tired or just down on motivation.

I encourage all Years 11 and 12 girls to use these simple strategies, as there is nothing stopping them from doing these simple things each term to achieve their academic goals.

Senior Schooling Parent Information Evening - Monday 3 August

Parents of students in Years 5-11 are invited to 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 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. All seats have been booked for The Loft; please click here to view the live stream.

I look forward to discussing the New QCE at the information evening and answering any questions.

Nicole Devlin

As you can imagine, finding a date for this was a challenge due to various calendar restraints. We have therefore selected the following dates:

Year 7 - Wednesday 5 August

Lessons 1A and 1B: Numeracy (65 minutes)

Lessons 2A and 2B: Reading (65 minutes)

Year 9 - Friday 7 August

Lessons 1A and 1B: Numeracy (65 minutes)

Lessons 2A and 2B: Reading (65 minutes)

Tom McCormick

As part of the student leadership process this week, one of the questions we will be asking the Year 11 girls who have applied for leadership positions is how they will deal with disappointment if they are not successful in being selected as a leader?

As adults we are all well aware that life will have its fair share of disappointments and frustrations. At home, reacting to these stressful situations might start with shouting, hiding or feeling sorry for oneself. At school and in the girls’ future careers these types of behaviours could in fact harm their reputation.

We must remember that decisions will be made but, it is the individual’s final decision and choice on how they behave and react. Individuals are encouraged to do the following if they find themselves disappointed:

Have a positive mindset – realise that not all things will go your way all of the time, look for something positive.

Adjust your goal – if you are disappointed that you did not reach your goal, that does not mean the goal is unreachable in the future.

Record your thoughts – writing allows your negative feelings to be expressed and released.

Smile and support those who have been successful – this shows a lot more about your character if you can rise above your disappointment and continue to be the best person you can be.

“Disappointments are just God’s way of saying: ‘I’ve got something better’. Be patient, Live Life and Have Faith.”

Anonymous

Nikki Townsend

Last week, we launched Literature Circles (LC) for Years 3 to 6 students. LC is a child-centred model of learning through sustained conversations about literary texts. LC occurs three times a week in reading cluster with mixed year level groups. Each fortnight, the group members elect to read the same text chosen from a book basket of different titles. Each student’s contribution to the group is from a perspective of a role; these include predictor, quiz master, connector, literary luminary, visualiser and plot profiler. Some of these roles are like ones developed during RT, with LC roles built on a platform of explicit modelling and practice through novel study last term. I would encourage parents to engage in conversations with your daughter about her book and try to ask questions from the perspective of one of the roles.

During the launch on Friday, students visited the library, set up like a millionaire readers morning tea. In class groups, the students munched their way through party food as they investigated the book baskets to see the range of titles in each and find titles, they hoped, for their cluster group. Our LC launch includes a mini bookfair of some of the titles and authors the girls will start reading during LC. The titles and prices are on year level and library POD pages with credit card slips available in the library.

Thank you to our reading coach, Ms Lucardia Moulton for her leadership in this area and to Mrs Stephanie Gillan for the organisation of the texts.

“Literature circles is an extensive and intensive reading program where there is higher engagement with texts as students bring their own ideas and understandings” (Alyson Simpson, PETTA Paper no. 197).

Congratulations

Well done to Bless Daly (Year 6) who was successful in being selected for the Met North Softball team. We wish her all the best for the upcoming competition.

Angela Drysdale

Drum Circle Sessions Recommenced

It was wonderful to once again hear music being performed in the Barley Sugar Garden this week. Thank you to Mrs Emor-Kan and Dr Syntageros for facilitating the drum circle session during Tuesday lunch time. These sessions are open to all students, regardless of experience and are fantastic opportunities for girls to connect with other students in a musical manner. The next session will be held in Week 5 on 11 August and will be offered to Primary students.

St Margaret’s Spotlight

This week, St Margaret’s Spotlight features Year 5 student, Minuli Ilangamage. Minuli is a member of Amati Strings and Belle Voci and is currently working towards her Grade 1 Viola exam. Minuli is performing Study by Herbert Kinsey and in this piece, she is experimenting with different tone colours by changing the contact point of the bow, moving it over the fingerboard and then closer to the bridge. Thank you to Minuli for her musical contribution this week!

Special Performance Event - Annabelle Traves (’14) Violin Recital

Old Girl, Annabelle Traves (’14) will be holding a violin recital in the Arts Centre Foyer on the afternoon of 23 August at 5pm. Annabelle was Music Captain and Strings Captains in 2014 and the recipient of the Old Girls’ Speech Night Prize. Since leaving school Annabelle has gone on to complete her Bachelor of Music at the University of Sydney and is now undertaking Masters studies in performance in Germany. She has been awarded a number of national and international prizes and has studied under some of the world’s top violinists. Annabelle has been listed as one of St Margaret’s 125 ‘Notables’ as part of the school’s 125th anniversary with a link here to her many achievements: https://www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/125/125-notables/annabelle-traves. This recital will be a special opportunity for those in our community to hear Annabelle perform, as well as Mr Jonny Ng, who will accompany on piano, so please stay tuned for further details in regard to the purchase of tickets.

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be on Tuesday 11 August at 5.00pm in the Primary Music Room (second floor of Chaseley). Parents from both the Primary and Secondary Schools are welcome to attend.

Brad King

The Open and Junior A Hockey teams got off to a winning start, both recording a 1-0 win. Netball also had a super morning, winning 11 out of 15 games with the Open Netball game identified as the ‘game of the day’ by reporter Andrew Dawson from the Courier Mail (please click here to access the article) due to the nail biting finish with St Margaret’s winning 29-28 in the final seconds. Lastly, the Volleyballers had mixed success with the Year 9A and Year 7A teams winning 2 sets to 1.

The full schedule of games for Friday 31 July (Tennis) and Saturday 1 August vs Brisbane State High School can be accessed here (PDF 167.6KB).

Thank you to all community members for supporting and following the current QGSSSA ruling of no spectators for the first two weekends of competition, inclusive of this Saturday 1 August.

To access the COVID Safe Plan with entry and exit zones of the home venues, please click here (PDF 557.8KB).

Athletics Training

There has been an impressive number of girls training and competing across all track and field events over the last three weeks. The final internal mini meet will be held on Friday 31 July, with all girls wishing to secure a place in the QGSSSA Track and Field squad to attend. The season is looking very different from previous years, therefore all girls and parents are asked to be aware of key dates published in the Athletics Newsletter released through the POD page.

Congratulations…

Lily-Kate Charles (Year 12) who was selected to contest the Queensland School Sport State Hockey Championships in September, as a member of the Under 19 Girls Metropolitan North Hockey team.

Tiffany-Rose Kimeklis (Year 9) who was selected to represent Queensland at the National Club Futsal Championships in Sydney in 2021.

Helen Lobegeiger

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast

Our Term 3 PWN Breakfast is being held on Tuesday 18 August with special guest speaker, Annabelle Chaplain AM. This will be held at 7:00am in the Arts Centre Foyer, and as previously announced, numbers are limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. We still have just a few spots available, so if you are interested in purchasing a ticket, please contact the Development Office: developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Tickets: $45 Adult, $35 Student (Tertiary, Years 10 -12)

Melbourne Reunion Cancelled

Unfortunately, the school has had to make the difficult decision to cancel the Melbourne Reunion event that was scheduled for 30 Oct 2020. The travel and event restrictions in place currently in Victoria will make it difficult to run the event this year.

Thank you for your ongoing support and do take care of each other. It is heart-warming to see how the St Margaret’s community rallies together as 2020 continues to throw challenges our way!

Lindsay Khushal

You will be able to access the link at least 5mins prior to the scheduled start. The presentation runs for approximately 45 minutes and the QTAC presenter will be staying on until 6:30pm for the Q and A section of the Zoom event. The details can be found via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83957922436?pwd=ajdORUYvbXpsWEJZVDRDYzZFVmFTQT09 Meeting ID: 839 5792 2436 Password: 836429

University of Melbourne

Register now for the University of Melbourne’s Moving to Melbourne webinar series, kicking off next Tuesday 4 August with the first session Moving to Melbourne: How to Apply. During this session you’ll learn all about applying through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), course entry requirements, the University’s special entry access scheme Access Melbourne, key application dates and deadlines, and any changes due to COVID-19. Places are limited, so register now: http://go.unimelb.edu.au/48ij.

University of Sydney

Parent Information Session

Join us for this session where we will provide some helpful tips on supporting your child as they finish their high school studies and embark on their journey to university. Tuesday 4 August, 6.00pm-7.00pm.

Sydney Scholars Award - applications open early! Our flagship suite of scholarships have opened early for applications. Students can join us for a workshop in early August or apply now!

Monash University Open Day

Monash Open Day 2020 will be an interactive digital experience held over three days:

Saturday 29 August - 10am-2pm, Sunday 30 August - 10am–2pm and Monday 31 August - 4-7pm

Register here

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: 4th September

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

Opening Dates Tertiary Application 2021 for current Year 12 students:

Queensland - QTAC 4 August www.qtac.edu.au

Victoria - VTAC 3 August www.vtac.edu.au

New South Wales - 1 August www.uac.edu.au

Elizabeth Johnston