eNews Archive Issue 24 - 20 August 2020

The Queensland Government is seeking the support of the school community for the annual survey of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school in 2019, before completing Year 12. This short, confidential survey collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The results of the survey help provide valuable information to improve services available to school leavers in the future.

Between August and September, these school leavers can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. If you are a parent of one of our graduates last year, please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. For more information, visit: www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

From time to time, we hear from our neighbours about their frustration with the parking and driving around the school. I understand their perspective and I can also appreciate the frustration of our parents about where to park when they come early to pick up their daughters or for functions with a lot of attendees. However, I have promised our upset neighbours that we would remind everyone via the eNews to follow the road rules and the parking regulations around the school. Parents of student drivers might also like to take the opportunity to advise their daughters about the rules of parking (particularly distance from driveways and ends of streets as I know frustrated neighbours will call the police/Brisbane City Council about their parking and they will be fined). Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

We had our first ‘event’ in the new Sports Precinct with Open Morning last week. It is still very much a construction zone but we managed to have the Philip Harris Gym available – using the retractable seating and the new sound system (which had just been installed the day before!). We were all very excited! It is not long now until we will be able to start to inhabit part of the site. Some of you would have noticed the large steel structures currently being put in place; these are to support the retractable roof over the pool.

Ros Curtis

Due to COVID restrictions, our venue QPAC is only able to have a 50% audience capacity, so we have had to make a few changes to what will be occurring on the evening. Some of these key changes are below:

• Unfortunately, there will not be any Years 5 and 6 awards included as part of the event. Instead, we will be holding a special Primary Awards Ceremony on another date to be advised. Primary families will receive more information from Angela Drysdale (Head of Primary) in the near future.
• Non-prize winners in the Secondary school will also not be required to attend the event this year. However, please be advised that we will continue to livestream our event and we encourage these students and their families to watch the event online.
• Tickets will be released to Year 12 families first, then opened to the rest of the families of prize winners. I am meeting with QPAC this week to finalise these details and will be in touch via email and the eNews about these arrangement in the near future.
• Prize winners in Years 7-11 will not be sitting in the QPAC Concert Hall, instead they will be in the Lyric Theatre watching the proceedings from there. Staff will assist in ushering them to receive their prizes in the Concert Hall.
• We have added an additional Special Awards Ceremony in the Secondary school on the 16th of October. Some special awards will be presented at this ceremony. Additionally, some of our Sports prizes will now be awarded at the Sports Awards Evening.
• Please note that at the Sports Awards Evening, some sports will not be awarded prizes this year. These sports are those that were unable to compete at the end of Term 1 or in Term 2 due to COVID.

Karen Gorrie

The labyrinth, located behind Durack College, is constructed from the sandstone from St John’s Cathedral. The stonemason from St John’s Cathedral helped with the construction of the labyrinth. A labyrinth is often seen as sacred geometry. One of the most famous labyrinths is in Chartres Cathedral in France.

We are very fortunate to have the beautiful Sisters' Chapel and the labyrinth within the school grounds. I know the Year 5 girls were very grateful to spend some time in these sacred spaces.

Susan Crothers-Robertson

Thank you to Mrs Nicole Devlin, Mrs Ysabella Dawson and Mrs Jane Hacking for bringing in their beautiful dogs. It is well known that dogs play a big part in many of our Boarders’ lives. The girls were able to run, pat, play, chase and relax with the dogs while enjoying the winter weather. It was a chance for the girls to tell us about their own dogs and share photos and stories with each other. The event was such a success we hope to bring our dogs to Boarding every term.

Fiona Spooner

During this External Exam Practice block the students will continue to work with teachers and engage with normal lessons when they do not have a practice exam.

The Mock Exam timetable can be found on the Year 12 POD page.

Year 12 SWOTVAC – Week 1 of the September Holidays

A week-long program has been developed at school to assist our Year 12 students to maintain study routines and provide them with extra opportunities to work with their teachers. Throughout this week, students will review their feedback and results from the practice assessments. This will be supported by tutorials on topics to be revised, whole subject lectures to provide revision and recapping of content. The timetable for this week can be found on the Year 12 POD page.

During this week, Eton Hall will be set up as a practice exam centre where students can self-select practice exams. This will involve them administering their own exam, paying attention to timing and answers to questions. This will be an extra opportunity to practise test-taking skills, as well as testing knowledge acquisition and application.

The ILC and Library will be open, providing areas for quiet study. During this week students can wear appropriate casual dress to attend all sessions. Students are encouraged to bring their own food for snacks and lunch; however, M’s Café will be open.

The week will begin with a breakfast provided by the P&F for Year 12 students and parents and will conclude with a Friday afternoon (3:00-6:00pm) student event to allow the Year 12 students to connect and celebrate the week they have just completed.

Assessment Extensions - reminders

From time to time, students may need to apply for an extension for assessment. An extension may be requested if there are valid grounds to do so. A student must apply to the Head of Faculty by completing a Request for an Extension form. This form can be accessed from the St Margaret’s POD and must be submitted five days prior to the due date. A medical certificate must be supplied in Years 10-12 in the event of illness. If a request for more than one extension is required, a student must apply to the Dean of Studies (Years 7-9) or Dean of Academic Performance (Years 10-12) by completing a Request for an Extension form and further consultation may be required.

Nicole Devlin

You will be able to book interview times with your daughter’s subject teachers who value this opportunity to discuss your daughter’s learning with you. Students are encouraged to attend the interviews with their parents as this will assist them to increase their understanding of the learning process and their role in it. Information on how to book in for interviews will be sent out next week.

ICAS

Please note that all ICAS Tests start at 7:00am. Students must report to the Independent Learning Centre no later than 6:50am in preparation for the tests. All students must bring their school-issued laptop and ensure that it is fully charged. All students have also been emailed this information.

Tom McCormick

Helpful Information and live links to websites are accessible via the Parent Resource tile found on the POD.

Nikki Townsend

Some Years 2, 3 and 4 girls were offered physical challenges when they competed in our inaugural ‘Sister Meet’. This meet was against our sister school, St Aidan’s and provided the opportunity for these girls to experience their first athletics competition in lieu of the Andrews Cup competition. The ten, eleven and twelve-year old girls participated in Andrews Cup Athletics today. 

These girls competed in 80m, 100m, 200m, 800m, Long Jump and Relays. They demonstrated great determination and spirit. Thank you to St Aidan’s for their organisation. The success of this meet has set the foundation for other sporting ‘Sister Meets’ in the future. These sit alongside the Cultural Sister Meets. Each year, Years 5 and 6 students elect to compete in public speaking and debating competition with St Aidan’s. Unfortunately, due to visitor restrictions, this competition will not occur but instead we will provide inhouse public speaking opportunities for these girls. We look forward to this cultural competition next year.

As we are all aware, restrictions have altered our lives this year and I am so grateful for continued parent support. The most significant changes to Term 3 dates are as follows:

Athletics Carnival – will become a Fun Run Morning - more detail to follow.

Years 5/6 Arts Spectacular - the girls will perform and share their fabulous art during MAYO - A Celebration of the Arts on 10 October.

Book Week - officially changed to 17-October. We will make use of MAYO staging and host our book character parade for Years Pre-Prep-Year 4 on Thursday 8 October. Details will be shared next week.

By having these events as part of MAYO it is hoped that we will be able to accommodate an audience with maximum numbers.

Our Primary breakfast to celebrate Father’s Day scheduled for Thursday 3 September is unable to go ahead due to COVID restrictions.

Please note that Friday 4 September is a student free day.

Angela Drysdale

We understand that some will miss out on attending this year but are very pleased to announce that Classics in the Cathedral will be available to view via a live stream. A link will be made available via the St Margaret’s Music POD page. The link will go up onto the page on Friday afternoon.

Barley Sugar Garden Performance

Thank you to Stradivari Strings and Mr Ng for their performance last Thursday in the Barley Sugar Garden. It was very much enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

Private Music Students’ Recital

A number of students who are undertaking private music lessons will perform at a recital to be given in the Arts Centre Foyer next Wednesday afternoon 26 August at 3:30pm. Please note that due to current COVID restrictions, limited seating will be available. All guests are required to register their attendance upon arrival, via the main door to the Arts Centre Foyer. Strict social distancing must be maintained throughout the event. We ask that guests do not attend if they are feeling unwell.

Student Congratulations

Congratulations to Nadia Charoensuk (Year 7) who was recently awarded a Distinction for her Grade 7 Contemporary Piano exam through the Australian Guild of Music. This is an outstanding result – well done Nadia!

St Margaret’s Spotlight

This week, St Margaret’s Spotlight features Year 11 student, Akari Komoto who recently composed and recorded a piece entitled ‘My Heart Says Otherwise’ as part of her Year 11 Music course. The composition features Akari on piano and Meleia Richardson on vocals. Akari is a member of Stradivari Strings, Chamber Strings, Elayne Jones Percussion Ensemble and Stage Band and was recently announced as one of our 2021 Music Captains. Thank you to Akari for her musical contribution this week!

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 September 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

This weekend’s fixtures will be against St Hilda’s at the Gold Coast. Please check the game schedule and bus departure times via the Secondary Sport POD page, as well as the individual POD pages.

Water Polo

Registrations for the 2020/21 Water Polo season are now open. All students from 10 Years to 17 Years are invited to register to play in the Brisbane Water Polo Incorporated Junior 2020/21 Season for St Margaret’s. For further information, please visit the Water Polo POD page for season information and upcoming trial dates.

Athletics

Last Wednesday 12 August, St Margaret’s Sport hosted a relay meet which included teams from Brisbane State High School and Clayfield College. This was an exciting afternoon of competition with all schools displaying speed and teamwork. Whilst our relay teams are still to be confirmed, all teams did exceptionally well for their first interschool competition. The afternoon finished with the Junior and Senior Swedish relay teams winning in commanding style. Well done to all girls!

Training Clinic

This Sunday 23 August, we are offering an intensive training clinic for all Secondary athletes. This training day offers team building activities, event specific training and analysis, as well as personal accounts from our coaching team that include insights into what it is like being a professional athlete. The Athletics Support Group will be providing lunch for all girls and will also be selling merchandise for both supporters and athletes. For details on this training clinic, please see the Athletics POD page or contact Coordinator, Tom Smithers: tsmithers@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

The following items will be available for purchase via EFTPOS on Sunday:

Supporter’s Cap - $25

Athletics Mesh Storage Bag - $20

Good luck…

Isabella Harte (Year 9), Aimee Young (Year 9) and Lucinda Geldard (Year 10) who will be representing St Margaret’s at the All Schools Cross Country Series #2 Meet for 14 Years – 19 Years at Minnippi Parklands at Tingalpa on Saturday 22 August.

Helen Lobegeiger

Chooks by Wendy Britton

Cows by Elizabeth Poole

Earrings by Barbara Heath

Lisa Smith

MAYO Workshops

Details of each of the workshops are listed below and bookings can be made through Flexischools.

Macrame

Students will choose from a range of beautifully coloured recycled t-shirt material before learning the basic techniques of this tactile art form to create a pot holder. All materials included.

Date: Wednesday 7 October

Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm

Price: $55 per student

Suitable for: 12 years and up

Maximum 10 in this workshop

Pinch a Pot

Participants will make a Pinch a Pot bell or small hanging or standing pot by working with a sandy coloured clay and decorating with a Royal Blue slip. Pieces will be fired, glazed and available for collection two weeks after the workshop. All materials included.

Date: Thursday 8 October

Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm

Price: $35 per student

Suitable for: 8 years and up

Maximum 10 in this workshop

Please note: Tickets will be available on sale through Flexischools within the next week for this workshop.

Terrarium Log

Students will create their own Terrarium Log with all materials provided.

Date: Saturday 10 October

Times: 12pm, 1pm and 2pm

Price: $30 per student

Maximum 15 in each workshop

Resin Jewellery

In this workshop, students can make their own resin jewellery piece; either a bangle, a pendant or a ring. All materials included.

Date: Saturday 10 October

Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm

Price: $50 per student

Suitable for: 12 years and up

Maximum 15 in this workshop

Guests enjoyed stunning views of the city on a crisp and clear Brisbane Winter’s morning as they networked out on the Terraces. They enjoyed breakfast with music from our Sculthorpe String Quartet: Lily Song (Violin 1), Ashleigh Witenden (Violin 2), Emily Pitt (Viola) and Elia Chen (Cello). Guests also enjoyed a beautiful singing performance by Grace Hutcheson and Etienne Steven, St Margaret’s 2020 Choral Captains, accompanied on piano by Mr Jonny Ng.

The Professional Women’s Network is delighted to confirm the date for our next event, which will be held on Thursday 8 October. The final event for the year is usually in an evening cocktail style format; however, due to COVID we will be holding it as a morning breakfast networking event. Details to follow, but numbers will once again be limited, so get in early to avoid disappointment!

We sincerely thank our corporate sponsors for their generous support of the series:

Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners

Associate Sponsor: Programmed Property Services

Supporting Partners: Downer Group, NAB and Clear Insurance

Lindsay Khushal

ACU’s Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) is an exciting new course opening the intellectual tradition and culture of the West. It will be offered at the North Sydney Campus from 2021. It is a liberal arts degree that will give ambitious students a deep understanding of western literature, philosophy, art, politics, religion, science and history, and how these help us to understand our world and the dialogue between cultures. As an exceptional and high-achieving student, you will study with an intellectually motivated group of peers dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and academic enquiry. The Ramsay Centre is funding 30 scholarships valued at $30,000 per year ($90,000 total) across the duration of your degree. More information is available here.

University of Sydney - Online Open Nights

Wednesday 9 or Thursday 10 September, 5:00-9:00pm

Get course advice, chat to current students and attend a range of webinars at one of our Online Open Nights. Choose from either of our convenient weeknight sessions and learn about the University of Sydney from home. Register your interest here

QTAC EAS

The Educational Access Scheme (EAS) can help you if you have experienced circumstances that negatively affected your most recent studies. If you are assessed as eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or QTAC selection rank under EAS, it will be combined with other adjustments you may be eligible for. You apply for EAS when you are applying for tertiary study through QTAC. You must complete a cover sheet for each category that you feel you are eligible for and provide written evidence to support your application.

How to get your ATAR result

To get your ATAR result you need to register with QTAC who will then notify you of your ATAR on 19 December 2020. This registration is COMPLETELY SEPARATE to your QTAC course application for study in 2021. If you are ATAR eligible you need to apply/register for BOTH. To register to receive your ATAR you need to go to the QTAC website, scroll down the home page and click on ATAR PORTAL. Registering for your ATAR is FREE. QTAC have developed a helpful video showing you the process and there is an ATAR FAQs section towards the bottom of the page. REMEMBER, you STILL need to do a separate QTAC application if you are wanting to apply for course entry in 2021 and this will cost you $45.

Elizabeth Johnston