eNews Archive Issue 29 - 8 October 2020

These awards are designed to encourage and support educators through recognising those who are examples of excellence in their profession. It is a wonderful way to recognise the fantastic and important work of our teachers and is a great reflection on the quality of the whole school teaching and learning community.

Ms Naomi Holley has started her Long Service Leave for the term and Ms Helen Philp is leaving us in 3 weeks on Maternity Leave. Therefore, we welcome Ms Amanda Jansen, who teaches both History and English, who will be taking their classes.

As the school year has fundamentally changed for Year 12s due to the new arrangement for the QCE and ATAR, so too has our calendar of events. We begin our good-byes to our Year 12s this week with the Music Dinner. The following week sees a whole host of valedictory events which will culminate in the farewell to seniors by the student body on Friday 16 November and the Sports Awards evening. After this time, the Year 12s go into study mode for a whole week prior to the commencement of external exams.

This weekend sees our COVID-19 version of the MAYO ‘Soaring Upwards’ Festival. I do hope you are able to come to the school, even for just a short period of time, to support the gallery and the stalls.

Ros Curtis

Information detailing the arrangements for rehearsals and tickets has been sent to all families in previous weeks and also detailed below are the rehearsal details conducted throughout the day on Tuesday 13 October at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

**It is very important that, if you have booked tickets and no longer need them, please forward them to Ms Kristie Govender at: KGovender@stmargarets.qld.edu.au so that we can reallocate them to families who may have missed out on tickets.

Only prize recipients from Years 7 to 11 and all of Year 12 are to attend this year’s Speech Night due to COVID restrictions. Prize recipients are required to wear church dresses.

Speech Night Rehearsal – Tuesday 13 October 2020

The following students are required to attend Speech Night Rehearsals at QPAC:

8:45am: All Years 7-11 prize recipients will be transported to QPAC from St Margaret’s for Speech Night rehearsal and return to school at 10:45am.

9:30am: Year 12 Boarders and Day students requiring transport will meet on Toorak Lawn and will then be bussed to QPAC from St Margaret’s for the Year 12 Rehearsal. Year 12 students who are not prize recipients or musicians may leave independently from QPAC at 11:30am. A bus will be provided for Boarders at 11:30am.

10:30am: Year 12 students to meet at Door 9 of the Concert Hall, QPAC.

10:30am: All Years 7-11 musicians (not already at QPAC) will be transported to QPAC for Speech Night Music rehearsals. The Musicians will receive a short lunch break whilst at QPAC, students are advised to bring their own lunch on this day (the café will not be available). All musicians will be returned to St Margaret’s following the rehearsal, prior to the end of the school day.

To ensure an effective and straightforward rehearsal for Speech Night, all students involved on the night must be in attendance and punctual for the transport provided to QPAC in the morning. Girls need to bring their own morning tea; and lunch (musicians).

Live Streaming of Speech Night

Parents unable to travel to Brisbane to attend Speech Night may again view the proceedings through our Live Streaming broadcast. Parents wishing to view the live stream should visit the following website on the evening of Speech Night.

The live streaming can be accessed through the following website by clicking here.

A recording of Speech Night will be available ‘on demand’ through the same link following the night.

The live stream commences at 6pm to allow viewers to connect early before the commencement of proceedings.

Year 12 Graduation and Special Awards Ceremony

This event will be held on Friday 16 October 2020 at 9:50am. Please note that this is a student only event; however, will be live streamed for parents. You will be able to access the link via the Year 12 Home page.

Karen Gorrie

Back in the 1970’s, Robert K Greenleaf wrote a book; “The Servant as Leader”. Within the book is a famous quote and one I use for leadership. “The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first… The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?”

This kind of leadership that Greenleaf spoke about, servant leadership, was modelled by Jesus Christ. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. “Just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Therefore, as our 2021 student leaders take up their new roles, we pray that God will bless them as they prepare to lead. We pray that as they lead, and enable others to grow, that they also may grow.

Reference: https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

Susan Crothers-Robertson

It was a different feeling in the Boarding House during the holidays, as the girls’ routines were relaxed. Lily Devlin, our Activities Coordinator provided the girls with a variety of activities to keep them busy and they certainly enjoyed the flexibility of being able to participate in varied activities each day. One of the favourite activities appeared to be ‘Eton Kitchen’ where the girls were able to cook up a number of items to share with each other.

Thank you to our staff who were prepared to assist over the holiday period to look after these girls and for their dedication. One of the great positives has been witnessing the development of new relationships between the girls in different year groups and staff. We would also like to acknowledge the support and effort from both the Kitchen and Facilities staff during the holidays.

Lesa Fowler

Determination of Honours Awards

Honours awards are given for excellent academic achievement based on results from Terms 1, 2 and 3 of a given year. Students who achieve a Grade Point Average of 13 or above with no overall result lower than a B, receive an Honours award. These awards are calculated using the results of all subjects which are studied for three or more lessons a week. In Years 7 and 8 where some subjects are studied on a rotational basis, only those subjects studied in the first 2 rotations are used in the calculation of these awards. In Year 12, Honours awards are based on the grades awarded using the provisional subject results for the internal summative assessments in each subject.

Determination of Commendation Awards

Commendation awards are given in recognition of excellent engagement in learning. They are based on the level of application demonstrated in class and at home, as well as the attitude displayed in all contexts. The Attitude to Learning result is recorded on the report card. To receive a Commendation award, a student needs to receive an average score of 4.5 or higher over Terms 1, 2 and 3. Students who receive an Honours award are not eligible for a Commendation award.

Determination of Year 10 Subject Prizes

A subject prize is awarded in Year 10 who receives the highest subject result based on three terms of work. If more than one student receives the highest subject result, the decision is made by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the year level teachers on whom should receive the prize.

Determination of Internal Year 12 Subject Prizes

A Year 12 Internal Assessment Subject Prize is awarded at Speech Night to the student who receives the highest provisional subject result based on the internal assessments. Please note that percentage results are used in determining these awards for the Maths and Science Subjects. If more than one student receives the highest internal subject result more than one subject prize will be awarded. To receive a subject prize all internal assessments must be completed.

Determination of the Internal Assessment Dux of the School and the Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School

The Internal Assessment Dux of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School will be awarded at Speech Night. The award is presented to a Year 12 student who has attained the highest internal assessment subject results across 5 subjects. The Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School is the student who has attained the next highest internal assessment subject results in that Year 12 cohort. The determination of these awards is based on students’ subject results at the completion of the summative internal assessment period for Units 3 and 4. This subject result will be calculated by adding together the three internal assessment results for 5 subject results. To be considered for the awards, students must complete all three assessments for five subjects. Subjects are not weighted. If it is not possible to distinguish between two students both shall be awarded the Internal Assessment Dux or Proxime Accessit to the Dux prize. The decision as to the Internal Assessment Dux and the Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School shall remain confidential until the presentation at Speech Night.

2021 Scholars’ Assembly

In response to the new QCE system, Year 12 students will also be considered for the following awards to be presented at the Scholars’ Assembly post their graduation on Tuesday 2 February 2021.

Determination of QCE Subject Prizes

A QCE subject prize will be awarded for each subject to the student who receives the highest overall subject result. This result is based on the overall subject result out of 100 which is calculated by the QCAA, by adding together the internal and external assessment marks. If more than one student receives the highest subject result more than one QCE subject prize will be awarded. To receive a subject prize all four assessments must be completed.

Determination of the QCE Dux of the School and the Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School

The QCE Dux of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School will be awarded at the Scholars’ Assembly in the year following graduation. The award is presented to the student in Year 12 who has attained the highest overall academic result for Units 3 and 4 in that Year 12 cohort. The Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School is the student who has attained the next highest overall academic result for Units 3 and 4 in that Year 12 cohort. The determination of these awards is based on students’ subject results which are calculated by the QCAA by adding together a student’s three internal and one external assessment results. Only the top 5 subject results will be considered for the calculation of the Dux and the Proxime Accessit. To be considered for the awards, students must complete all four assessments for five subjects. Subjects are not weighted. If it is not possible to distinguish between two students both shall be awarded the Dux prize. The decision as to the Dux and the Proxime Accessit to the Dux of the School shall remain confidential until the presentation at the Scholars’ Assembly.

Nicole Devlin

Bookings for all sessions throughout Term 4 can be made via FlexiSchools on the School’s website. While the study sessions are free of charge, if you would like your daughter to have dinner, this can be purchased for $10 at the time of booking. Bookings are essential and should be made before 9am on the day of each session.

Pre-Service Teachers

This term, we welcome four QUT students who will be completing their Prac placements at St Margaret’s:

Charlie Hannaway - HPE and English; supervising teacher - Talia O’Callaghan

Chloe Crichton - English/Drama; supervising teachers - Natalie Grant and Kate Wiedemann

Riley Cummings - History/Humanities/English; supervising teacher - Louise Brown

Patrick Collum - English/Humanities/Geography; supervising teacher - Patrice Chappell

Each of the teachers will have the opportunity to teach classes across Years 7-10 and also observe some senior classes.

Tom McCormick

We look forward to their Prefects Assembly next year, where these seniors will unveil their theme for 2021.

Nikki Townsend

The theme for this event is “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds”. Such a theme highlights the importance of characters in books, as opening a book introduces the reader to a fascinating array of new people, characters who are curious creatures or ones who have wild minds. Curious creatures often take the reader on journeys, they break the rules of ordinary life.

The wild minds of characters can help the reader learn about life, the world around them and how these characters work through their problems.

As the reader learns more about the characters, they also learn about themselves. The characters offer another person’s perspective, what they are going through, their thoughts, emotions, advice and how people in the world react to their circumstances and experiences.

All that they learn from the characters, the reader can bring back to the world the reader lives in. The characters found in books are like friends waiting any time we want them, just open a book to find them.

The Book Character Parade occurred between the Years 5 and 6 Arts Spectacular performances. These items paid homage to our 125-year celebration, highlighting St Margaret’s notables who possessed wild minds. Next week, I will take the opportunity to share more about our first week of special events.

Angela Drysdale

MAYO Festival – Music Performances

All Music Ensembles are looking forward to performing as part of MAYO ‘Soaring Upwards’ Festival on Friday 9 October. With arts performances having been limited throughout the year, the day promises to be a very special one for all involved.

Speech Night

The girls in the Music Department are very excited to present a number of musical items at Speech Night to be held next Tuesday at QPAC. Due to COVID restrictions, a smaller number of performers will be involved this year. Only girls in Chamber Strings, Sister Helen Wind Symphony, Exultate and Tuesday Rock Band will be required to attend. A letter with further details is attached (PDF 385.2KB).

Auditions for Music Ensembles 2021

Auditions will be held in Week 4 for students wishing to participate in Music Ensembles in 2021. Audition music is available from the Sister Helen Orchestra Room and on the POD.

Secondary Music Ensembles will then commence rehearsals from Week 5 of Term 4. Primary ensembles will remain as they are for the remainder of the year. If a Primary student is accepted into a Secondary Ensemble (e.g. Stradivari Strings), they will have the option of attending their new ensemble whilst still participating in their current ensemble.

Audition times are as follows:

Monday 26 October

7:00-8:20am String Auditions (current Primary students), SHOR

3:30-5:00pm Rock Band Auditions for drumkit, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard, J002/003 (Rock Band Room)

Tuesday 27 October

10:25-10:50am String Auditions (current Secondary students), SHOR

3:30-4:30pm Chorale - Primary Sing-along – Get to know your voice (current Years 3, 4 and 5), Primary Music Room

3:30-5:00pm Rock Band Auditions for Vocals (current Years 9-11), J002/003 (Rock Band Room)

3:30-5:30pm String Auditions (current Secondary students), SHOR

Wednesday 28 October

7:00-8:20am String Auditions (current Primary students), Primary Music Room

1:05-1:50pm Band Auditions for percussion/drums (current Primary girls), SHOR Percussion Room

3:30-5:00pm Band Auditions for percussion/drums (current Secondary girls), SHOR Percussion Room

3:30-4:30pm Highly Strung Auditions (guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drumkit, voice), J002/003 (Rock Band Room)

3:30-5:30pm Band Auditions for woodwind/brass (current Secondary girls), SHOR

Thursday 29 October

7:00-8:20am Band Auditions for woodwind/brass (current Primary), SHOR

4:30-5:30pm Exultate Auditions (younger students need to have been in Volare to show rehearsal commitment), SHOR

Friday 30 October

7:00-8:20am Band Auditions for woodwind/brass (current Primary/Secondary students), SHOR

Music Support Group

Music Support Group - Raffle

The Music Support Group is very pleased to launch an exciting fundraising initiative with amazing prizes to be won!

• First prize: a Day on Moreton Bay for 15 people ($2,000)
• Second prize: a 2-night Gold Coast Getaway ($600)
• Third prize: $200 QPAC voucher + $200 Runway Scout voucher
• Fourth prize: $150 Rebel voucher

Purchase your tickets today! *Open to QLD residents only

Tickets $10 each - please click on the link below:

https://www.raffletix.com.au/musicsupportraffle2020

Your purchase of tickets will greatly assist the Music Support Group as they continue to support the St Margaret’s Music Program through the purchase of a variety of resources.

Raffle drawn on Tuesday 10 November 2020

The next Music Support Group meeting will be the Annual General Meeting and will be held on Tuesday 10 November 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

QGSSSA Athletics Wrap Up

On the final day of Term 3, the St Margaret's Athletics team ran, jumped and threw to the best of their ability at the QGSSSA Athletics Championships. There were some amazing individual achievements and plenty of personal bests throughout the day, helping the team place 3rd in the Percentage Cup and 5th overall. Highlights of the day included the following girls securing a first place:

Charli Spies (12 Years) – 800m B Division

Ebony Okonkwo (13 Years) Long Jump A Division

Milla Roberts (13 Years) – 400m; 800m B Division

Daisy Brown (14 Years) – Discus B Division

Brogan Tomich (14 Years) – 90m Hurdles

Lucinda Bourke (15 Years) – Javelin A Division

Isabella Harte (15 Years) – Open 3000m

Gabrielle Geldard (17 Years) – 100m B Division

A huge thank you to the entire team for their commitment and dedication to Athletics over the last term. Thank you also to Athletics Coordinator, Mr Smithers; Teacher Assistants; Head Athletics Coach, Eric Brown and all assistant coaches for their tireless efforts with the team. Lastly, thank you to the Support Group who have assisted and supported the team in many ways throughout the season.

Badminton

Good luck to our Badminton teams who will compete over the next two Saturdays. The first round of competition commences this Saturday 10 October for the following teams:

• Open, Snr A, Snr B, Snr C, Snr D
• Year 10A, 10B, 10C

Due to COVID-19 restrictions still in place for indoor sporting venues, this competition is a NO SPECTATOR event. Please click here (PDF 94.2KB) to access the competition information.

Water Polo

All Water Polo teams are now in full training in preparation for the Brisbane Water Polo Competition. In total, we have 11 teams representing St Margaret’s making it a very action-packed season. For the game schedule for Saturday 10 October, please click here (PDF 136KB).

Sports Awards Evening - Friday 19 October

There is only one week to go until the annual Sports Awards Evening on Friday 16 October. This event is designed to highlight individual and team sporting success. There will also be several special awards that are normally awarded at Speech Night which will be incorporated into the evening. Please note, due to COVID-19 causing the cancellation of several sports, awards are unable to be granted for the following sports: Cross Country, Touch Football, Basketball, Soccer, Artistic Gymnastics and Rhythmic Gymnastics.

The guest speaker for the evening is Lakeisha Patterson, a world record holder, Commonwealth and Olympic Games gold medallist in the Paralympic sport of Swimming. Lakeisha, or Lucky as she is known, will share her journey and story as it is sheer commitment, not luck, that has seen her overcome obstacles to rise to the top of her sport.

Congratulations:

Lily-Kate Charles (Year 12) who was selected in the Queensland Schoolgirls Hockey team at the recent U19 State Schoolgirls Hockey Championships.

Helen Lobegeiger

Sculpture: Carly Scoufos

Sculpture: Wendy Britton

Glass work: Jo Bone

Jewellery: Caroline Kelly

Another Saturday highlight is artwork from Years 7-12 St Margaret’s girls. The student work will be in the grounds of the school with colourfully decorated feather totems and Year 8 portrait paintings. Downstairs in our Level 1 Gallery within the ARTS Centre, there will be more student work to enjoy. Opening hours are as above.

smart Club -Term 4

Actually, it is not quite all about MAYO. Is your daughter looking for a fun and creative way to spend her Monday afternoons? Join the Christmas decorating team of little elves painting after school in V103. The decorations created will be displayed at St Augustine’s Church, Racecourse Road. Details are in the attached flyer (PDF 238KB).

See you at MAYO!

Lisa Smith

As communicated previously, we are limited in the number of people we can have within the school grounds at any given time, and also within the Arts Centre Foyer. For this reason, there could be periods where you may need to queue to enter the school or enter the Gallery space. We appreciate your patience and maintaining physical distance at these times.

We will be accepting both contactless payment and cash at the Gallery and stalls this weekend; however, we will not have an ATM on site this year.

MAYO Raffle

Of course, if you cannot make it to MAYO this weekend you can still support the event and St Margaret’s commitment to the Arts through the MAYO Raffle.

There is an incredible prize pool on offer, with our first prize winner receiving first choice of their preferred holiday prize of either a Hayman Island Package or a Byron Bay Stay. Our second prize winner will secure the remaining holiday! Other fantastic prizes include an Airlie Beach Getaway.

Tickets prices are:

1 ticket for $10

5 tickets for $45

10 tickets for $80

For more details on the amazing prizes on offer or to purchase your tickets, please visit: https://www.raffletix.com.au/mayoraffle2020. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday 15 October.

Thank you to our generous sponsors of this year’s MAYO Raffle including Ocean Dynamics, Intercontinental Hayman Island, Hinterland House, Racecourse Road Dental, Brisbane Racing Club, Archie Bros Cirque Electriq, Keri Craig, Brisbane Safes, Ciao Papi, Howard Smith Wharves, Athlete's Foot, The Goodnight Company and Dapple + Waver.

Hayman Island Offer

If you miss out on first prize in this year’s raffle, you can still take advantage of amazing special offers at the Intercontinental Hayman Island:

Stay 3/Pay 2

https://haymanisland.intercontinental.com/specialoffers/stay-3-nights-pay-2/

Stay Longer for Less

Stay a min of 4 nights and enjoy a 20% saving on your room, food and beverage

https://haymanisland.intercontinental.com/specialoffers/stay-longer-and-save/

Important Entry Information

To monitor the number of people on site at any given time, there will only be one entry and exit point, which will be via Gate 1, Petrie Street. This may result in a queue to enter. We ask anyone who is unwell to please stay at home so as to protect St Margaret’s students, community and staff.

All visitors will need to sign in via the EVA Check-in App and must agree that they have not been to a COVID hotspot in the past 14 days; been in close contact of a COVID positive person; have COVID-19; or have any of the COVID-19 symptoms.

Visitors will also need to maintain physical distance (1.5m) at all times and use hand sanitiser while at the event.

St Margaret’s can refuse right of entry if anyone is displaying symptoms or refuses to adhere to the above COVID-safe measures.

Thank you to our MAYO sponsors

P&F General Meeting

The P&F invites the school community to attend our final General Meeting of 2020. We are pleased this meeting can again be held face to face; however, we will still need to adhere to strict social distancing rules and restrict the number of attendees. This meeting is an opportunity to share your views and ideas, so please join us.

Date: Monday 26 October 2020

Time: 6:30pm start

Venue: Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

Lindsay Khushal

The University of Melbourne

Despite the many challenges faced by the world due to COVID-19, teaching, learning and research at the University of Melbourne continues. The University is, and always will be, a dynamic community. We’re currently working through a range of scenarios to minimise the impact COVID-19 may have upon prospective student plans to commence their tertiary studies. Access the latest information and advice for students planning to commence their studies in 2021;please Visit the website.

UQ College is offering an intensive short course over 4 weeks for students to obtain a prerequisite in Mathematical Methods, Biology or Chemistry. Successful completion of an individual course will satisfy the prerequisite requirement for The University of Queensland or other universities. Results will be ready for the 2021 January QTAC Major Offer Round.

Dates: 24 November-19 December 2020 (4 weeks)

Cost: $1500

Attendance: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

Discover more

QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme

The Scheme applies to courses in the areas of business, creative industries, IT, justice, public health and science. Eligible students who include one of the specified courses in their top three QTAC preferences will be invited to apply for an early offer by uploading the Year 12 grades they have achieved so far this year, to their QTAC application by 4:30pm on Friday 6 November 2020. Eligible students will receive their QUT course offer via QTAC on Friday 20 November, the final day of school. Year 12 Early Offer Scheme

Durack College

Applications for Durack College are now open for 2020. Durack College offers a boutique residential experience, with a personalised focus on educational success. We work hard to create a culture and environment based on academic excellence. The small but vibrant community of female learners is offered a tailored living environment, making the transition to new routines easier and more rewarding. There are only 25 residency places, allowing Durack College to be both a private sanctuary and a busy and exciting community. Discover more

JCU

Early offers until 21 October. You must list JCU as your first QTAC preference to be eligible. Find out more information here.

Elizabeth Johnston