eNews Archive Issue 7 - 14 March 2019

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. If you have a daughter who graduated last year, please encourage her to take part. If the student’s contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Further information on Next Step is available online by clicking here or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Tomorrow - Friday 15 March - is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence and, as promised, I have provided the following links to resources for parents. Parents and carers play a significant role in the prevention of bullying, particularly by setting up processes to check the online activity of their daughters. Parents can access the red Cybersafety button on our POD which contains many useful resources. The Queensland Government’s Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce makes the following recommendations and these resources are on the POD:

Guide to age appropriate screen time and social media use:

• The Queensland Government’s ‘Early Years Count’ website contains advice on managing children’s screen time. https://www.earlyyearscount.earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/age-spaces/managing-childrens-screen-time/
• ‘iParent’, eSafety Commissioner website, “Should my child be on social media?” https://www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent/staying-safe/social-networking/should-my-child-be-on-social-media
• ‘iParent’, eSafety Commissioner website “Is there an age limit for kids on social media?” https://www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent/staying-safe/social-networking/is-there-an-age-limit-for-kids-on-social-media

Smartphone and social media settings
The eSafety Commissioner’s website has a ‘Games, apps and social network’ page providing advice on the latest apps, how to protect personal information, and where to get further safety guidance: https://esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/games-apps-and-social-networking

Ros Curtis 

Studies suggest that students are more likely to engage in school, succeed academically and enjoy their learning if they adopt the following four positive mindsets:

1. I belong in this learning community
2. I can succeed at my schoolwork
3. My ability and confidence will grow with my own efforts
4. The work has value for me

Academic mindsets can vary throughout the school day and can be affected by so many variables. For example, some students feel more positive at the beginning of the day (are they a morning person?) or at the end, some can be very affected by fluctuations in temperature.

Equally, the work that students do at home on things such as homework, assessment and study can also be enhanced by having a positive mindset, and variables such as the set-up of their study environment at home can also have an affect on this.

Parents can help foster a positive academic mindset at home. Asking a student what they learnt and taking an interest in what they have learnt each day can help. Having a conversation about it and asking just a few questions can help, but ultimately letting students be in control of their own learning is important, particularly the older they get.

It was wonderful to see so many parents engaging with teachers at parent teacher interviews in the Primary and Secondary school over the past couple of weeks. We welcome open communication about your daughters and how best we can support their social, emotional and academic development.

Karen Gorrie 

Afterwards, stay and enjoy morning tea lovingly baked and prepared by our Year 8s. See you there!

Upcoming Services:

Sunday 17 March: All Ages Sunday Church, ‘Messy Church!’, 9:30am

Wednesday 27 March: Pre Prep-Year 3 Twilight Family Service, 6pm

Tuesday 7 May: Years 9 and 10 Family Service, St Andrew’s Lutwyche, 6:30pm

Wednesday 15 May: Years 11 and 12 Family Service, St Mark’s Clayfield, 6:30pm

Lenten Prayer Points:

• Seek ways to reduce our use of plastics, especially single-use
• Actively reduce electricity, water and paper use
• Build compassion and understanding for others’ stories
• Deliberately raise the spirits of someone else through time, talents and encouragement

With every blessing on you and your week ahead,
The Reverend Canon Nicki Colledge 

The girls shared their rich experiences, the positives of being a boarder and talked about how they are actively encouraged to embrace all opportunities to build skills and character. The support of the Boarder Support Group, who ran a sausage sizzle on Open Day, provided the opportunity for prospective parents to speak with boarding parents of girls who currently board. Thank you to the Boarder Support Group who volunteered their time to raise funds for the Boarding House.

The Boarding House has many ambassadors who promote boarding and the positives of being a boarder at St Margaret’s. It is important to acknowledge that our most valuable ambassadors are the girls themselves.

Lesa Fowler 

The following information comes directly from our assessment procedures and is shared with the students, but also provides some relevant information for you to assist your daughter’s preparation.

Examination 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, an iPod 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 Pedagogy (Years 10-12) by completing a Request for an Extension form.

Special Provisions
Students with disability, a 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.

Jo Butterworth 

At these interviews the form teacher or academic advisor shared school-based and external academic data, as well as sharing the goals each girl had set for herself in response to results and teacher feedback.

Much has been written about the importance of data in schools and how we use it to inform teaching and learning. As educators, we are aware of the impact assessment and effective feedback can have on individual students; however, we are also aware of the fact that many students do not use, or do not know how to use this feedback to assist them to improve their learning and its outcomes. As Farrell et al (2015) noted, “Engaging students with their own data allows them to gain a better understanding of their strengths, their weaknesses and how to improve”.

In educational settings, students are provided with feedback that can be either performance oriented (grades and comparison against others) or mastery oriented (focusing on developing and improving skills). The process of Continuous Reporting and Learning Analytics provides students with a hybrid of performance and mastery orientation to enable students to focus on individual improvement, to enable personal evaluation of results, as well as giving the student responsibility and ownership of their learning.

The main aim of the academic advising model at St Margaret’s is to allow for conversation and connection between students and staff to support each girl’s learning path for her to develop independent and resilient learning dispositions, thus forming the foundation of her academic care and general wellbeing. A vital component of this program is the collection and collation of student data. In the next few months, student in Years 7, 9 and 10 will take part in either NAPLAN or AAS data collection to further enhance the data story for your daughter.

Please find below some information about the Year 10 AAS data collection for 2019:

Year 10 AAS Data Collection
In the next few months, Year 10 girls will be making decisions about the direction of their studies and explore their subject options for Years 11 and 12. In order to assist this process, all Year 10 students will again be sitting a series of education tests conducted by Academic Assessment Services (AAS).

From these tests we will receive an overview of each student in relation to:

• Levels of aptitude and achievement compared with other students across Australia
• Likely avenues of learning and education beyond school
• Strengths in particular skills of aptitudes
• Particular skills which may require further development

The following arrangements have been made to collect this data:

Date: Monday 1 April (make-up date Wednesday 24 April)

Where: Eton Hall

Time: 8:20am - 1:00pm

Following the return of results to the school, parents and students will receive a report outlining individual achievements, and we as a school will be able to compare this data for growth comparing the AAS results from when the girls sat these tests in Year 8.

However, most importantly we see this as valuable data to assist the girls to make robust decisions around subject selection and planning for the future.

Nicole Devlin 

A woman is powerful when she realises her true potential, but when women come together we become unstoppable. This is what UN International Women’s Organisation wants to instil into not just every female but every world citizen, because when half of society is being shunned, gender equality and justice is unattainable. This is why St Margaret’s was thrilled to grant 9 lucky Year 10 girls the honour of attending the UN Women’s Breakfast at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 6 March.

At 6:15am Stella, Harriet, Sarah, Imogene, Ellen, Josie, Julia, Eliza, Isabella any I arrived at school where a mini bus awaited to take us on our journey. The speaking panel at the breakfast consisted of women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and cultures, but all shared a common goal; they were at this conference standing in front of 1,600 women, men and students to empower us. To empower women to believe in themselves and to empower men to believe in empowering women. And I can guarantee they did just that.

We sat silently at our table in awe, but also brimming with unity and shared pride, while our world sisters preached about this very pressing issue. We witnessed a range of speakers over the two-hour event, the most notable being Papali’i Mele Maualaivao, a Samoan-based rights activist changing the way isolated communities think about domestic and gender-based violence; Julieanne Alroe, the first woman to own a privatised airport; and Annastacia Palaszczuk, an admirably influential woman in politics. And needless to say, the breakfast of fruit, quiche and sautéed vegetables was as delectable as the speeches themselves.

All the girls in attendance had such a wonderfully eye-opening experience and have come away with new perspectives and practical tips on how to help raise one another up against adversity and discrimination. If we do not take the steps to educate ourselves and one another, the gender equilibrium will forever remain tilted in favour of men, but thankfully, society is changing. Women are changing. Not just changing the way they view themselves and their sisters, and not just changing themselves, but changing their world. Our world. This change is what is sparking the flicker of hope, that society is making the first steps to finding the solution to a world free of oppression, gender-based and otherwise, and filled with the light and warmth of fiery feminism.

Emilyana Di Meco

Nikki Townsend 

Careers Week
Careers Week was also a great success. Thank you to our guest speakers who enlightened our girls. Many thanks to Sasha Flynn for sharing with us insights into her career as an architect.

Bullying No Way
On 15 March, the school will acknowledge the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, when the girls take a pledge against bullying and wear a wrist band to acknowledge “Bullying, No Way”. Our Principal, Ms Curtis has addressed this in her article this week.

As a school we have clearly articulated values and respectful relationships which are understood and endorsed by the whole school community. Our school values and The St Margaret’s Way are enhanced and linked to the key components of our social and emotional wellbeing program.

If you are looking for support with a bullying situation, you will find ideas on the ‘Bullying. No Way!’ website for parents. Here are the key points:

1. Listen calmly to get the full story.
2. Reassure your child that they are not to blame.
3. Ask your child what they want to do about it and how you can help.
4. Visit https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/ to find some strategies.
5. Contact the school.
6. Check in regularly with your child.

Angela Drysdale

Continuous Reporting
Just a reminder, when accessing continuous reporting on the POD, click on Parent Lounge then Student Details and Curricular Activities. The following results will be available this week, through Parent Lounge:

• Year 5 Chinese Writing Assessment
• Year 6 Visual Arts Reflection
• Year 6 Science: Natural Disasters Test

Cathy Cox
Assistant Head of Primary

Upcoming Events:
Friday 15 March: Pre-Prep-Year 3 Family Fun Night, Arts Centre Foyer, 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday 21 March: Konan Elementary Visit, 8:30am-1pm
Wednesday 27 March: Pre-Prep-Year 3, Twilight Family Service, 6pm

Please click here (PDF 368.4KB) to view additional photos from Open Day.

Musical
The girls in both the cast and orchestra have been working very hard in preparation for the upcoming performances of the school musical “The Addams Family” to be presented at La Boite Theatre on 21/22/23 March. The school musical is a very special event within the School’s calendar, bringing together many different parts of the school community and providing a unique performance opportunity for students to experience the magic of live theatre. A reminder that tickets for the performances are available via the QTIX website: https://www.qtix.com.au. We look forward to it being a memorable experience for both participants and audience members alike!

Music Support Group
Many thanks to the parents who assisted at the Music Support Group stand at Open Day held last Saturday. Your contribution to the day was greatly appreciated! The next Music Support Group meeting will be on Tuesday 30 April at 5pm in the Primary Music Room (second floor of Chaseley). Parents from both the Primary and Secondary Schools are welcome to attend.

Brad King 

Autumn Fixtures
Basketball recorded 5 wins out of 9 games with the Open, Snr A and 10A teams all having strong wins. Touch Football teams recorded 3 draws from 11 games, while our Junior and Intermediate Soccer teams all scored but unfortunately could not defend against St Hilda’s, losing both games.

Congratulations to all girls on a good start to the season. This week, we travel to Somerville House’s home grounds in what will be a challenging, yet exciting round of sport.

Water Polo Success
Our Water Polo season is coming to an end this Saturday with all teams playing their final game. All teams have developed their skills and fitness and all players are to be commended on their efforts and commitment displayed over the 16-week season. A huge thank you to all coaches, staff and parents for their continued support of the girls and the sport of Water Polo. The final game schedule is available through the Water Polo POD page.

Cross Country
The Cross Country squad has entered the competition season with Invitational meets being held on the following dates:

• Wednesday 13 March
• Tuesday 19 March
• Monday 25 March

All details of the competition Meets can be found on the Cross Country POD page.

The Sport Department is very motivated to ensure all girls perform to the best of their ability in Cross Country, therefore all girls are encouraged to attend 3 sessions per week with Wednesday morning at 6:30am now compulsory.

Congratulations to …

• Tyeena Pang for being selected in the Metropolitan North Softball Team and will contest the State Championships on Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 March.
• Lily-Kate Charles for being selected in the Metropolitan Hockey Team and will contest the State Championships on 30 May – 2 June.
• Tyla Proctor for placing 1st in the Under 17 100m Hurdles at the Queensland Athletics State Championships.
• Isabella Harte for placing 1st in the U15 1500m and 3rd in the 800m at the Queensland Athletics State Championships.
• Maicey Lynch for placing 2nd in the U15 800m at the Queensland Athletics State Championships.
• Bella Donaldson for placing 3rd in the U17 1500m at the Queensland Athletics State Championships.
• Sophia Wightman and Sophie Gerber who have been selected to represent Queensland in upcoming rowing events. Sophia Wightman is part of the Qld Schoolgirl Pathway squad that will travel to Sydney in April to compete, while Sophie Gerber has been selected in the Under 21 Women's Youth VIII that will row in the Interstate regatta at the Sydney International Rowing Centre.

Touch Football/Cross Country and Athletics Support Group Meeting
When: Wednesday 20 March
Where: Year 7 Precinct
Time: 6:30pm

Helen Lobegeiger 

You can visit the QTIX website to purchase tickets and if you want to book for groups of 10 or more, please call The Roundhouse Theatre on 07 3007 8600.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Annette Box 

Chris Dunn 

Current crossing time: 7:45am - 8:30am and 3pm - 3:45pm.

The current rate of pay is $30.34 per hour.

Commencement of work for the successful applicant is dependent on:

• The favourable outcome of a health assessment.
• A Positive Notice Blue Card (you do not need to have a blue card to apply for the position).

Those interested are encouraged to apply without delay as the position is to commence ASAP.

Completed applications should be returned via email to: employment@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or they may be dropped into the Primary Office. For enquiries, please contact Kate Curran, Director of Human Resources on 3862 0702. 

Sporting participation has long been a hallmark of a St Margaret's education, and our current students continue to do the school proud.

Last week saw an impressive performance and finish to the season from our swim team at the QGSSSA Swimming Championships. The team placed 3rd in the Mollie Gould Aggregate Cup and 2nd in the Sheena Dyason Percentage Cup. On Saturday morning, the Softball team won their two games against Moreton Bay College and St Aidan’s Anglican Girls' School and in Basketball on Friday, first fixtures of the season, the team won six of their nine matches including the Open Girls.

As we continue to thrive in absence of certain facilities on campus, I am extremely excited about what the students will achieve with a new state-of-the-art Sports Precinct here at the school.

It was wonderful to engage with many people from the community on Open Day, including many of our prospective families, about these exciting plans. There was a lot of excitement about the features of the new facility and what it will mean for not only sport, but also the health and wellbeing of our students. So much so, we are pleased to report that thanks to the generosity of our school community, including past students, parents and staff, we have raised more than $891,000 of our $1 million goal!

With our next capital project at least five years away, the Sports Precinct Capital Campaign provides a unique opportunity for past students and families to leave their name on a significant St Margaret's development for generations to come.

A permanent Donor Wall will be erected in the precinct with the names of those who have given $1,000 or more; here your contribution will be etched into the School's history of giving.

We are so close, but it will be the collective support of our community at all levels that will enable the school to achieve this.

If you would like to donate to the Sports Precinct Capital Campaign or discuss giving options, please contact me directly on +61 7 3862 0884 or email foundation@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Your tax-deductible donation can also be made online through the St Margaret’s Foundation Building Fund.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the members of the school community who have already donated to support this important project. We are very grateful for your support.

Tickets for the 2019 Father Daughter Breakfast (Years 7-12) are now on sale!
Join us for the 2019 P&F Father Daughter Breakfast for students in Years 7 to 12. An annual favourite on the last day of Term 1, this sell-out breakfast will be held on the Art Centre Terraces this year.

Date: Thursday 4 April 2019
Time: 6:45am for a 7am start, 8am finish
Venue: Arts Centre Foyer and Terraces, St Margaret's AGS
RSVP: Friday 29 March 2019 (unless SOLD OUT earlier)
Cost: $40 per adult /$30 per student (Years 7-12) Includes a selection of hot and cold foods, tea, coffee and orange juice.

For all enquiries, please contact David Lisle on 0417 735 971 or email: dlisle97@gmail.com

Tickets are on sale via Flexischools. Please click here to purchase your ticket.

Fewer than 5 tickets left for the Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast!
Don’t miss special guest speaker, Susan McDonald, Managing Director Super Butcher. Susan has over 20 years of experience in accountancy and business management and served as chief of staff to the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines in the Queensland Government. Susan is a director of Beef Australia, a Queensland divisional councillor of the Retail and General Industry Group of Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and is treasurer of the Queensland RNA.

When: Thursday 21 March 2019
Where: Arts Centre Foyer
Tickets: Corporate tables $800 for 10, $80 adult and $40 students (Years 10-12/tertiary)

Tickets are on sale via Flexischools. Please click here to purchase your ticket.

We sincerely thank our Corporate Sponsors for their generous support of this event and the Series:
Associate Sponsors: Pitcher Partners and McCullough Robertson
Supporting Partners: Downer, Programmed Property Services and NAB

Lara Pickering 

UQ Changes to Bonded Medical Places (BMP)
In January 2020, the Bonded Medical Places (BMP) program will be reformed as part of measures announced in the 2018/19 Federal budget. The existing agreement currently requires students to complete 12 months return of service within an area of workforce shortage. Under the new scheme, students accepted into a bonded place from 2020 will be required to complete 3 years return of service.

UQ European Double Degrees
As part of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Engineering program, students are now offered the exciting opportunity to study overseas with one of our premier European partners. Selected students will spend at least three semesters studying in either Germany, France or Sweden. Students will graduate with two master degrees - one from the partner university and one from The University of Queensland.

UQ: Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology (FEAST)
Students in Years 11 and 12 are invited to apply for FEAST, a five-day residential program inspiring high school students about rewarding science careers in the agriculture, animal, plant and food industries. The camp will be held at the UQ Gatton campus from Sunday 30 June - Thursday 4 July 2019. Applications close on Monday 1 April. Discover more here.

UQ: Experience Science is a free event which provides students in Years 10-12 with the opportunity to discover what studying science is like at The University of Queensland (UQ). Programs will be held on 12 July (last week of the holidays) and in the first week of Term 3 (16, 17, 18 July). Discover more here.

Scholarships in Australia
No matter what you are intending to study and where, you will be sure to find some financial assistance on offer to help you pay for it. https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/scholarships

QTAC Year 12 Tertiary Applications
The Educational Access Scheme (EAS) https://www.qtac.edu.au/applying/educational-access-scheme can help you if you have experienced circumstances that negatively affected your most recent studies. If you are eligible for EAS, you may get OP or rank adjustments which improve your chances of getting an offer. Apply when you complete your QTAC application in August.

QUT New Double Degrees

• Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Justice
• Bachelor of Property Economics/Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Property Economics/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

QUT Match My Skills
Looking for some inspiration on what to study? https://match-my-skills.qut.edu.au/

Open days
Most tertiary providers hold open days in July and August each year for future students. If you can't make the open day, don't panic. Many universities, private colleges and TAFE Queensland also hold campus tours and information sessions throughout the year. More information is available here.

UCAT
Any Year 12 students who are seeking entry into medicine, dentistry and health science degree programs in 2020, please note that some pathways to medicine/dentistry/clinical sciences will not require the UCAT. For more information about the new test, including price, testing dates, format and FAQs, please visit: https://www.ucat.edu.au.

Preparing for UCAT
You can find the official preparation materials at https://www.ucat.edu.au/ucat-anz/practice-tests

MedEntry UCAT Preparation https://www.medentry.edu.au/our-services

NIE UCAT preparation https://www.nie.edu.au/ucat-courses/simulated-ucat-day-workshop

Crimson Education UCAT preparation https://www.crimsoneducation.org/sg/standardised-testing/ucat

QUT Parent Information Seminar
Come along and here about the options available at QUT at the Gardens Point Campus.

Date: Wednesday 8 May 2019
Time: Campus tour 5:15–5:45pm, Seminar 6–7:30pm

TSXPO
The 38th annual Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO) will be held on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2019.

KEY DATES: 2019

17 May, 11.59pm: UCAT Registration closes

24/25 May: The National Careers and Employment EXPO (Brisbane Convention Centre).

1 July: UCAT testing begins

 20/21 July: Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO), Brisbane Showgrounds

31 July: UCAT testing finishes

Elizabeth Johnston