eNews Archive Issue 6 - 5 March 2020

I wanted to assure parents that although St Margaret’s is an independent school, we belong to several networks which provide us with support by way of information, such as Independent Schools Queensland and a network of Anglican schools. In the current situation, with concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus, we also keep up to date daily with information from Queensland Health. We have currently cancelled our study tours, all of which were from Japan, for the semester and are working on an Emergency Plan so we can continue to educate our students in the event of significant illness among the staff and/or school closures. We will be able to use the POD for a teaching and learning program in these circumstances for both Primary and Secondary students. We do not wish to be alarmist, but it is prudent to be prepared. Until such time the advice changes, we will continue to operate as usual. I have advised our international students from areas where Coronavirus is prevalent that they should not return home at the end of term and we are currently helping these international families find alternative accommodation for their daughters during the Easter break. However, our day parents should also consider their travel plans at Easter if there could be any risk to their daughters returning to school on time, given the spread of Coronavirus in some overseas countries.

From time to time, I need to remind parents to follow the road rules around the school during drop off and pick up. The safety of our students is paramount, and we need to all take responsibility for that. I suggest, for older girls, that parents delay pick up, if it is at all possible. When the girls are not in sports training or music rehearsal, they are able to go to the library until 5:00pm to complete their work and study. Traffic movement is particularly difficult now with our current building project.

The construction of our Sports Precinct is at any exciting stage; the pool is currently being tiled, the slab has been laid for the Health and PE Building, the roof is on the new Philip Harris Gym and, this week, you will start to see the Rodecca cladding being installed on the sides of the Gym. Unfortunately, our projected completion date of the end of Semester 1 has to be extended by a few weeks into Semester 2. This means that we will have to reschedule our official opening and Sandshoe Ball; I will keep you informed of those new dates when they are finalised.

Finally, I invite all mothers to the first Professional Women’s Network event for the year on Thursday 19 March. Our guest speaker is past student, Robyn Wilson (’77) who works with CEOs, entrepreneurs and leaders across Asia to manage and grow sustainable organisations. Her story will interest those curious about or currently in business, social enterprises and entrepreneurism. Senior students (Years 10-12) are also able to attend. For further details, please see the Development and Community section of the eNews or the Events page on our website.

Ros Curtis

In 2016, the St Margaret’s Way was launched. The vision of St Margaret’s Way is to ensure social and professional interactions between all within our community - students, staff, families - that foster a sense of belonging, coherence and well-being. The St Margaret’s Way is a set of values and behaviours to which all members of the St Margaret’s community adhere. It grew out of questions put to the community: How do I want to feel every day when I come school? What am I doing to ensure that others feel this way? The vision of this plan is to ensure social and educational interactions that foster a sense of belonging, coherence, well-being and accountability amongst staff, students and parents. Essentially it is a pastoral approach that is designed to give a language to the way we are and strive to be in our interactions with each other. It is a focused energy on wellbeing, noting that all within the St Margaret’s community have a role to play in the wellbeing of all in our community. There are two key focus areas – firstly we appreciate and acknowledge (each other, students, parents), and we are aligned and accountable (to ourselves, to each other, to the vision of the school).

I’m pleased that some of our students will be driving this area of wellbeing in our school in association with our staff. We have a number of students and staff that are involved in a St Margaret’s Way committee which meets each term. Last year, that committee helped to organise a fun lunchtime activity of music, dancing and a sausage sizzle from Year 4 through to 12. In the Primary school, there is a St Margaret’s Way assembly twice per term, where teachers nominate awards for students who have displayed the St Margaret’s Way through a particular action or behaviour.

This year, the committee is also looking at various ways we can continue our message across the school, and with the 125th year anniversary celebration of the school it is a great time to remember what the members of our community value and stand for.

I look forward to a year where our community can continue to embrace and foster the St Margaret’s Way.

Karen Gorrie

Important Dates:

Term 1

Twilight Service Pre-Prep-Year 3

The Pre-Prep to Year 3 Twilight Family Service will be held on 25 March, 6:00pm in St Margaret’s Chapel. Families and their children are invited to attend this 125th Celebrations Family Service.

Term 2

Years 4-6 Family Service

Students in Years 4-6 are invited to participate in preparation for Baptism and Admission to Holy Communion (Year 4s will all have in-class RVE lessons). The service will take place at the Year 4-6 Family Service on Wednesday 29 April, 6:00pm in the School Chapel. Please find the letter and form attached (PDF 435.2KB).

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding this process. Being Admitted to Communion is not the same as Confirmation – please see below.

Confirmation is considered a mature, more adult rite. In 2020, this is open to students in Year 8 and above, as well as other members of the School Community who are warmly invited to consider being Confirmed in the Church. The service of Confirmation, with Bishop Jeremy Greaves, will be held on Wednesday 27 May, 6:30pm in St Margaret’s Chapel. Please find the letter attached (PDF 182.7KB).

For further information, please do not hesitate to call 3862 0716 or email: scrothers-robertson@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Susan Crothers-Robertson

Providing an environment of silence with no access to mobile phones or music promotes a good habit of allocating a regular time to study and work. The Boarders feel more disciplined given that they are supported by Housemothers supervising and Teachers who assist and ensure that the homework being completed is aligned to classroom work. In the second half of Prep, collaborative work is allowed. Students who prefer to work this way are able to talk and confer. For some Boarders this part of Prep is more engaging, and more work is completed in a group environment.

However your daughters prefer to complete Prep, the Boarding House is committed to providing an environment where every girl is given the opportunity to work to the best of her ability.

Fiona Spooner

Examination and Study Hall Equipment

Students are required to bring into an exam room only the authorised equipment permitted for the exam by the teacher. Students will be asked to deposit any electronic device, including a mobile phone, a smart watch and other unauthorised materials in a place designated by the teacher or exam supervisor.

Requests for an extension

A student must apply to the Head of Faculty for an extension by completing a Request for an Extension form. This form can be accessed from the 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.

Special Provisions or Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments

Students with a disability, medical condition or other circumstances may require reasonable adjustments to assessment conditions. Special provision involves making reasonable adjustments, such as providing alternative arrangements for seating, equipment or time. If your daughter requires special provisions, Louise Burgman, the Learning Enhancement Coordinator will have communicated with you about a learning plan. If you have any questions about these provisions, please contact us prior to exams.

Nicole Devlin

The aim of these days is to assist the girls to learn valuable study skills as they move toward preparing for the external examination process in their senior years of schooling.

On these days, students in Year 9 will complete their STEM (Biology) test, History Short Response test and Maths Round One test. Year 10 students will complete their Economics and Entrepreneurial Studies test, History Short Response test, along with examinations in French, Chinese and Legal Studies.

Alongside these tests the girls will be provided with time to practice good study and review habits. During the non-examination time students have the chance to meet with teachers to ask questions and check for understanding as they go over concepts for their upcoming assessments. The timetable has been split into times when the girls can work with teachers and small groups, as well as quiet study time. The schedule for each of these days will be sent to students on Friday 6 March. Each girl has been encouraged to devise a study plan for the two days to assist them to manage their time effectively.

We hope these days will provide the girls with valuable time and lessons about how to prepare for examinations, as well as provide us with feedback to continue to support them on their journey.

Tom McCormick

At this assembly, students also heard from guest speaker, Kylie Lamprecht. Ms Lamprecht is a third generation St Margaret’s alumni, and graduated in 1990. She is currently one of 18 partners at Pitcher Partners, a top tier accounting practice employing over 200 people in the Brisbane Office with 5 offices across Australia.

Ms Lamprecht sits on many advisory boards for private family business groups. She is lead partner in diversity and community initiatives, advocate for financial literacy and financial independence and advocates for many female-led charities - Allison Baden Clay Foundation, Precious Wings, Mater Little Miracles ...not to mention our own St Margaret’s Foundation.

She is very passionate about being a friend, confidante, sounding block and cheer squad for women in the workforce, profession or business to navigate the everyday challenges of equality. Ms Lamprecht delivered an inspirational speech, which was well received. She shared her thoughts and her personal experiences with gender equality and how framing those thoughts and experiences has enabled her to empower and be empowered to ensure equality is consistently adopted in all walks of life.

Nikki Townsend

To acknowledge the School’s 125-year anniversary, we looked inside the offices of St Margaret’s to find key personnel who shared their career story. The different year levels had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with staff members from different areas within the school. The following staff members generously shared their journey and how they came to be St Margaret’s and the key elements of their current job. Ask your daughter about the visitor she had to her class, Prep - Lara Pickering, Year 1 - Wendy Johnston, Year 2 - Toni Williams, Year 3 - Susan Uhlmann, Year 4 – Reverend Susan and Ms Ros Curtis. The Year 4 girls also researched and wrote biographies about notable old girls who have achieved great success in their careers. These are on display in the Atrium.

The Years 5 and 6 students engaged in a Q&A with a pilot from Virgin Australia who shared her journey. All of our speakers were inspirational and contributed to breaking down possible gender bias by bringing real life success stories to our students.

“Ignoring the process of career development in childhood is similar to a gardener disregarding the quality of the soil in which the garden will be planted.”

Kashefpakdel, Rehill & Hughes, 2018:3

Angela Drysdale

Anglican Schools Music Festival 2020

This year, fifteen Anglican schools from around South East Queensland will once again join together to perform in a variety of ensembles within the spectacular setting of the QPAC Concert Hall on Friday 22 May. The girls will work with outstanding conductors and conclude the evening’s performance with the world premiere of a piece written especially for the event by renowned Australian composer, Paul Jarman. First round offers have now been sent to successful students. This is a very unique and exciting event and we strongly recommend that students who have received an offer make the most of this opportunity. Payment is due by Friday 20 March.

Music Support Group

Thank you to all those who attended the recent Music Support Group meeting. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 21 April 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

Whilst these are outstanding results, the entire swim team should be congratulated on their commitment, participation and performance throughout the season which resulted in the team finishing 3rd place in the Mollie Gould Aggregate Cup and 3rd place in the Sheena Dyason Percentage Cup.

A big thank you to the Years 7 and 12 spectators who cheered and barracked for the swim team throughout the night. Thanks also to Head Coach, Kevin Sargent, Swimming Coordinator, Phoebe Mawer, assistant coaches, staff and families who have supported St Margaret’s Swimming this season!

Autumn Fixtures

The 2020 Autumn Fixtures season will commence on Friday 6 March. Approximately 350 students will be involved in playing their first games of Basketball, Touch Football and Soccer at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School. This year, there are a record number of participants with 10 Basketball teams, 18 Touch Football teams and 3 Soccer Teams, indicating that St Margaret's girls are passionate about their sports. Details of all fixtures can be found on the individual Sports POD pages with an overall draw available by clicking here (PDF 156KB).

AFL - Come ‘n’ Try Session

An exciting opportunity exists for girls in Years 7-9 as St Margaret’s will enter in its first AFL competition, Queensland Schools Cup in June. To help introduce this sport, a Come ‘n’ Try session will be held by AFL Qld on Wednesday 11 March. All girls interested in this opportunity are asked to register via the online link on the Secondary Sport POD page. Details of this session can be found here (PDF 634.2KB).

Water Polo

The Water Polo season is winding down with only two rounds of competition remaining. The weekly schedule for all times and venues is available here (PDF 135KB). A Water Polo break-up for all players and coaches will be held on Wednesday 18 March on Circular Drive from 3:30-5:00pm.

Netball Success

Congratulations to Emily Millar (Year 10) for being selected in the Under 15 Metropolitan North Netball Team. Lauren Packer (Year 8) and Darcy Bichel (Year 12) are also congratulated for being selected as shadow players for their respective age groups in Metropolitan North Netball. Well done to all girls.

Helen Lobegeiger

There’ll also be an opportunity to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the new sports precinct development from above in the Primary school’s Chaseley Building.

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast – Thursday 19 March 2020

Join us for our first Professional Women's Network Breakfast in 2020 with leadership expert and trailblazer, Dr Robyn Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Praxis Management Consulting.

Date: Thursday 19 March 2020

Time: 7:00am arrival for a 7:15am start - 8:45am finish

Location: St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot

RSVP: Friday 13 March 2020 (unless SOLD OUT prior)

Individual tickets: $80 Adult, $40 Student (Tertiary, Years 10-12)

Corporate tables: $800 (10 seats)

Dr Robyn Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Praxis Management Consulting

Dr Robyn Wilson (’77) is the Founder and Managing Director of Praxis Management Consulting, a Singapore-based firm that provides facilitated strategy and leadership-related services to the greater Asia Region (covering Japan, Australia and the Middle East and everything in-between).

Regarded as a leadership expert, Robyn has been based in Singapore for 25 years and has worked across industries and a range of organisations from global multinationals including BHP, Hilton, Barclays and Singtel, to start-ups, government entities to development banks.

Believing in championing young women, Robyn is currently an Ambassador for WomenLEAD Nepal. She also actively mentors younger women who are at various stages in their careers. Robyn’s career started in IT and engineering. Amongst other qualifications, Robyn has a PhD from the National University of Singapore, a Masters of Engineering from UWA and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from The University of Queensland.

To buy tickets to this event, please click here.

P&F Father Daughter Breakfast (Years 7-12) – Thursday 2 April 2020

Students in Years 7-12 and their Dads are warmly invited to join us for the 2020 Father Daughter Breakfast!

Date: Thursday 2 April 2020

Time: 6:45am for a 7:00am start, 8:00am finish

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

RSVP: Friday 27 March 2020 (unless SOLD OUT earlier)

Cost: $40 per adult / $30 per student (Years 7-12)

Includes a selection of hot and cold breakfast foods, tea, coffee and orange juice

Tickets are available on Flexischools.

We understand that occasionally it is not possible for all girls to invite their fathers. Girls are welcome to invite a male relative or family friend. Boarders are welcome to 'adopt a Dad' for the event.

Enquiries: David Lisle 0417 735 971, email: dlisle97@gmail.com

St Margaret’s Women’s Luncheon – thank you to our sponsors!

The St Margaret's Women's Luncheon will be hosted on Friday 13 March in celebration of our 125th Anniversary.

We would like to acknowledge and thank our Supporting Sponsors and Major Prize Donor, UMS, Qscan and Snowscene for their support of this event, which will be a wonderful coming together of St Margaret’s women.

Old Girls’ Day 2020 – Enjoy High Tea with a view!

We look forward to this year's OGA Chapel Service and special 125th Anniversary High Tea on Sunday 26 July. Hosted in the Arts Centre Foyer (ACF) and adjoining outdoor terrace, this is a complimentary event for all past students of St Margaret's.

Date: Sunday 26 July 2020

Time: 9:15am arrival for 9:30am Chapel Service (followed by High Tea in the ACF and Terraces)

Venue: St Margaret’s Chapel

RSVP: This is a complimentary event; however, for the courtesy of catering, please RSVP online via www.flexischools.com.au

Lara Pickering

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Elizabeth Johnston