eNews Archive Issue 22 - 1 August 2019

At the Old Girls’ Service Sister Gillian presided but the homily was delivered by our new Chaplain, Reverend Susan Crothers-Robertson, to be known in the community as Reverend Susan. Reverend Susan’s first official day with us was Monday 29 July and she is a member of the School’s leadership team. Reverend Susan is an experienced school chaplain, having worked 5.5 years at St John’s Anglican College. Today, we introduced Reverend Susan to the students on assembly and I recommend to you her section of this eNews where she tells a little about herself and her mission.

Today was a very successful Ponytail Project. Through The Ponytail Project, our students have raised over $80,000 (at the time of writing) for the Cancer Council Queensland and the Amanda Minotti Trust. Approximately 80 girls had their hair cut to donate it to Real Fringe Hairbands who then sew the hair on to a band, which can be worn under headwear for both cancer and alopecia patents. Thank you to everyone for your support of the students and staff who participated.

Term’s notice of withdrawal
This is just a reminder to parents that if your child is not returning to St Margaret’s in 2020, 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 2020 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 team via: registrar@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Ros Curtis 

There was an impressive number of girls who received awards on this day, and I know there are many more students who may not have received an award, but who have shown gains in many areas of their academic life.

Students should now be looking at their feedback from their Continuous Reporting comments from Semester 2 to look at ways they can improve their skills within their subject areas. Our Academic Advising sessions in Years 9-12 over the next term will be focussed on our students setting goals in response to this feedback.

Often this feedback indicates a change that needs to be made. For example, perhaps time management is an issue and so a change must be made in this area. Maybe feedback from the drafting process was not taken into account when submitting the final assessment piece, and so this must be addressed.

Change can be difficult to address for anyone. I heard a lecture recently where the speaker said that even when people are faced with making a change for life or death reasons (like quitting smoking or eating a healthy diet), only one in seven (13%) of those people actually make or have made that change when checked in with one year later.

What the lecturer did say was that change was made easier with the support of friends, family, colleagues and mentors.

Many people assume people achieve success and change through talent alone; however, it is hard work and not talent that gains those results.

People who have achieved success in their chosen endeavour will mostly say that they have devoted time to effective practice. By effective practice I mean the type that gives you feedback on what you are doing well and what you can improve. It often means doing the same things over and over again until understanding is reached, then moving onto the next step. This can be frustrating, but perseverance is the key.

Congratulations to all students who have seen their hard work pay off. I also offer my encouragement to all students for this semester and wish them well with their learning goals.

Karen Gorrie 

Not long after accepting an invitation from the Principal of St Margaret’s, Ms Ros Curtis, to consider the Chaplain’s role I went to a chaplain’s day. This beautiful quote by T.S. Elliot was used on that day. It affirmed my decision to accept the offer to be the next Chaplain for St Margaret’s. I loved my time at St John’s Anglican College, so the decision to leave was not an easy one. Nevertheless, there was a deep sense that I was being called to something new. However, there is nothing new here. When I first felt the calling to be a priest, I spent quite a bit of time in the retreat house run by the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent. In that time, I became a company member. We also had our ordination retreats at the retreat house. For me, there was a deep sense of connection. I feel like I am coming ‘back’ to the place where it all began, yet there is newness. I am very aware that a lot has changed in that time.

I believe school chaplaincy is a vital ministry in the life of the church. I came from a non-Christian home and attended the local Catholic Church school. Here I was educated mainly by nuns. It was while at this school that I felt called by God and was able to explore my faith. My experience reveals that that school ministry is fundamental to the life of the Church.

My ministry has been very diverse. My spirituality has been shaped and deepened by my life experiences. From Curate in Maryborough, Priest in Charge of Freshwater parish, to Canon Pastor at St John’s Cathedral, Director of Formation and lecturer in pastoral theology at St Francis Theological College to more recently school chaplaincy. Each ministry informed the other, laying the foundations for the next. I have enjoyed and appreciated each role I have served in. However, I have to say that school chaplaincy has brought me great joy. Prayer Spaces in Schools are my passion, and last year I started my Doctor of Education investigating some of the areas that support Prayer Spaces.

I acknowledge the ministry and the many years that my colleague, Canon Reverend Nicki College, served at St Margaret’s and look forward to building upon Nicki’s legacy.

I am excited to be serving the community of St Margaret’s as I move into this new stage of my ministry and ‘know the place for the first time’.

Reverend Susan Crothers-Robertson 

Prizes to choose from are:

• MECCA Voucher - valued at $250.00
• Air BNB Two-night accommodation for 5 in Goondiwindi and an overnight bag - valued at $500
• 2 hot pink Adirondack chairs with matching navy cushions - valued at $270
• Oversized wine bucket filled with lollies - valued at $380
• A voucher for Dan Murphy’s plus a bottle of Moët - valued at $250

Sandra Johnson 

More information about this evening can be found in the Dean of Studies section of this eNews.

Years 11 and 12 Exam Block
The Years 11 and 12 Exam Block for Term 3 is now available for students on their year level POD pages. At last week’s Academic Assembly, I shared some of the simple practices I hear many students say have turned around their academic results. 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.

There is nothing stopping all students from doing these simple things each term to achieve the academic success they are after. 

Jo Butterworth 

All students can access the Semester 2 Assessment Calendars through their Year Level page on The POD. Academic Advisors and Form Teachers will encourage all girls to ensure they save or print their Assessment Calender so they are aware of their assessment commitments for the rest of the year. However, it is important to note that due to the Continuous Reporting Process, assessment is held in the last weeks of school and all girls are required to attend school until the last day to complete all assessment.

2020 Curriculum Handbooks and Subject Selection
A reminder, all year level Curriculum Handbooks for 2020 are available for download on Year Level pages on The POD. Please take the time to look at the courses of study for your daughter next year as there has been some changes to the organisation of the curriculum.

Students in Year 7 will be asked to decide in the coming weeks about which 2 Arts subjects they would like to continue to study in 2020. The girls will choose 2 from either Music, Drama or Visual Art. The Years 8 and 10 girls will be making some bigger decisions about their course of study, and they have been spoken to by the Heads of Faculty about the subjects on offer and have the opportunity to attend the Subject Selection Evening next Monday (more information about this is below). Current Year 9 girls will continue with their subjects from this year.

The Subject Selection evening for current Years 8 and 10 parents and students is being held on Monday 5 August. This event will incorporate a Subject Expo where parents and students can speak with staff about subject offerings, as well as a Tertiary Pathways Displays. Please find below an outline for the organisation of the evening. Mrs Jo Butterworth, Dean of Pedagogy,  and I look forward to speaking to you all at this night and to assist, along with teaching staff, with your daughter’s subject decisions.

Overview:
Year 8
6:30pm: Presentation in The Loft - Subject Selection Process
6:45pm: Subject Displays – Avoca and Toorak, Tea and Coffee - Toorak
7:30pm: Evening concludes

Year 10
7:00pm: Presentation in The Loft on Subject Selection Process and New QCE
7:30pm: Barrington’s Presentation re Diploma in The Loft; Tertiary and Subject Displays – Avoca and Toorak; Tea and Coffee - Toorak
8:30pm: Evening concludes

Nicole Devlin 

Powerful girls grow up feeling secure in themselves. They learn to take action, making positive choices about their own lives and doing positive things for others. They think critically about the world around them. They express their feelings and acknowledge the feelings and thoughts of others in caring ways. Powerful girls feel good about themselves and grow up with a “can-do” attitude. Of course, strong girls may (like all of us) have times of insecurity and self-doubt, but these feelings aren’t paralysing because the girls have learned to work through their problems. Powerful girls will grow up to lead full, valuable lives.

Here are some of our experts’ ideas to help you raise powerful daughters:
Encourage your daughter to pursue a passion.
Identify the values most important to your family.
Encourage her to solve issues on her own rather than fixing things for her.
Encourage her to take physical risks.
Allow her to disagree with you and get angry.
Address girl fighting when you see it.
Acknowledge her struggles but keep a sense of perspective.
Enjoy her!

For the full article, including many other ideas on how best to support your daughter in becoming a powerful girl and thus a strong, independent woman please visit: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/raising-a-powerful-girl.

Nikki Townsend 

The students have embraced the community of kindness maxims and quote them when unkind behaviours occur. The inclusion of this phrase in the students’ vocabulary shows the school has succeeded in penetrating the student culture and consciousness.

“The most difficult thing in the world is to know how to do a thing and to watch someone else do it wrong without comment.”

T.H.White

Angela Drysdale 

Old Girl News
Congratulations to Old Girl, Felicity Mohr (‘15) who is in her fourth year of a BMus (Hons) degree at the University of Queensland, majoring in composition under Dr Robert Davidson. Her composition A Mostly Feel Good Mostly Quintet was premiered at the recent Queensland Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensembles concert and was received incredibly well by all in attendance. Felicity has also had another work premiered by Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony - her Journey to the Moon movement was performed as part of a collaborative Apollo 11 Suite. This is a wonderful achievement and we look forward to hearing more of Felicity’s musical works in the future!

Music Support Group
The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 27 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

Athletics
The Athletics squad has been selected and will now compete in the Super Six Series; a series of Meets held at the University of Queensland Athletics Centre every Friday afternoon/evening, commencing Friday 9 August. The competition Meets are vital to the squad’s preparation for the QGSSSA Competition on Thursday 19 September. The dates for each warm-up Athletics Meet is found below (from 4:00-7:30pm for all dates):

• 9 August
• 16 August
• 23 August
• 30 August
• 6 September
• 13 September

Please visit the Athletics POD page to keep up to date with the Athletics season.

Winter Sports
It was a super Saturday of sport and whilst Brisbane State High School proved to be tough opposition, all teams stepped onto the court or field with a great attitude and determination to win. This was reflected throughout the results with 5 out of 13 Netball teams winning, with the Open, 7B and 7C teams remaining undefeated. The Open Hockey team experienced a narrow lost as did the Volleyball teams. Meanwhile, our Tennis girls were competitive with the Senior C team leading the charge, also remaining undefeated.

Congratulations to…
Annabel Bright (Year 7) who was crowned the Queensland Athletics Cross Country 12 Years State Champion and will now contest the National Championships in Wollongong in August.

Sienna Timms (Year 8), Stella Stuart (Year 7) and Jaclyn Barclay (Year 7) who recently competed at the Australian School Sport National Swimming Championships in Melbourne. All girls recorded terrific results in their events.

Sports Awards Evening – Save the Date
The annual Sports Awards Evening will be held on Friday 18 October, from 6:00–9:30pm. The evening honours and celebrates students, coaches and staff in the following categories:

• Most Valuable Player/Athlete
• Rising Stars
• Summer, Winter and Autumn Team of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Captain of the Year

More details will follow over the coming weeks.

Helen Lobegeiger 

Term 3 2019 smART Club for Students in Years 7-12 (PDF 1.1MB)

Term 3 2019 smART Cub for Adults (PDF 1019.3KB)

Lisa Smith 

Angelin Achari 

We highly encourage all students in Years 10-12 to attend these sessions. Also, a reminder that suggestion boxes are placed in the Senior Library and School Support. All suggestions are welcome.

 Hetal Raniga 

The second ‘Postcard Project’ will run alongside the Lunch as we offer for sale unique little postcard sized artworks. Our vision is that we plant the seed of collecting with our girls – gift them their first original artwork! There is certainly something for everyone. If you attend the Long Lunch, you get first choice of the pieces, but they will remain on sale for the week following the Lunch, 12-18 August.

There are very limited tickets available, so purchase your ticket today if you would like to join us for this friendly and delicious event!

Jenny Lishman 

The evening is open to all students and parents who are interested in running their own business. Please see the attached flyer (PDF 599.4KB) for details and contact Mr Stein: mstein@stmargarets.qld.edu.au if you would like to attend.

Mathew Stein 

Limited tickets are still available via Flexischools. Please click here to purchase your ticket.

We sincerely thank our corporate sponsors for their generous support of the Series.
Associate Sponsors: Pitcher Partners and McCullough Robertson.
Supporting Partners: Downer, NAB, Programmed Property Services, Clear Insurance and Red Oak.

2019 St Margaret’s School Raffle
The 2019 St Margaret’s School Raffle is now LIVE! This year, the prize pool is valued at over $11,000, featuring prizes from The Derm Lab, the Beach Ranch at Angourie, The Standard Market Company and Black Toyota.

You can purchase your tickets here.

The St Margaret's Raffle will close at 2:30pm on Saturday 7 September. The draw will take place at 3:00pm on Saturday 7 September 2019 at The Birdcage, Eagle Farm. Winners will be notified in person, by email or phone.

MAYO Long Lunch - The Australian Story
Join us for the hugely popular Friends of MAYO Long Lunch on Sunday 11 August 2019! This year, we will be taking a culinary tour through the history of Australia, accompanied by beautifully paired wines.

Date: Sunday 11 August 2019
Time: 12noon to 3:00pm
Venue: Gallery, Level 1 Arts Centre, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School
Cost: $100 per person (includes paired wines)
RSVP: Friday 2 August (unless SOLD OUT prior)

Limited tickets are still available via Flexischools. Please click here to purchase your ticket.

For all enquiries, please contact the Development and Community Office on 07 3862 0768 or email: developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

The Long Lunch will once again feature the Friends of MAYO Postcard Project, where guests will be able to purchase authentic, original artworks from artists connected to our school community.

This year's Long Lunch will also feature selected artworks from Fireworks Gallery.

Lara Pickering 

Griffith University
Audition applications for Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University degrees are now open. Find out more or submit your application online at: griffith.edu.au/conservatorium-auditions.

Griffith University – International student scholarship
International students completing high school in Australia who are applying for undergraduate studies at Griffith University have a chance to have 10% of their tuition fees for their first two trimesters covered as part of the International Student School Leavers Scholarship program. Find out more at: griffith.edu.au/international/scholarships-finance/scholarships/international-student-school-leavers-scholarship.

Griffith University - Alternative admission pathway into Engineering
For more information visit: griffith.edu.au/griffith-sciences/school-engineering-built-environment/learning-teaching/aptitude-for-engineering-assessment.

QUT Scholarship opportunities
Scholarships make a big difference to the lives of our students, and there are many scholarships available. Explore QUT Excellence Scholarships (academic and creative industries), Sport Scholarships and Law Founders’ Scholarships, or check out the full range.

QUT Creative Industries course updates
Applications for creative industries courses with auditions or portfolios close at 5pm on Friday 20 September. The online course information has been updated with details about this process so students can start preparing.

QUT Meeting assumed knowledge and prerequisites
QUT offers a bridging program for students to complete Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics subjects that they may require for entry into university.

QTAC Key Dates
QTAC’s admissions period runs from the beginning of August 2019 to the end of June 2021. The cost will be $44 which includes three changes of preferences.

1 August: Applications for 2020 open
28 September: Early closing date some courses
28 September: Scholarship Applications due
October: Submit EAS and supporting documents
15 November: First offer round Year 12
14 December: OP’s released
23 December: QTAC Offer Round
7 January: Last day to change preference
15 January: Offer Round
24 January: Top Up round
31 January: Top Up Round

Year 12 students will receive their QTAC course guide and instructions about how to apply through QTAC during this term. Whether or not they are applying to QTAC, each Year 12 student will also meet with Ms Johnston, Careers Counsellor, on an individual basis to discuss their post Year 12 options.

The University of Queensland
The UQ situational judgement test for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours). tests are scheduled in August, October and November 2019. Registration will open shortly and will remain open until the day before the scheduled November exam date. Discover more

University Open Days: These dates are available from the Careers page on the POD.

UNE
Year 12 students are invited to participate in our Early Entry Program for admission in 2020. UNE's Early Entry application process is fully online, it’s free to apply and you can submit your Early Entry applications now.

Elizabeth Johnston