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“When I think of the thing that I value most from my time at St Margaret’s, it is balance. We are taught to balance school work with extra-curricular activities. We are taught to balance our friendships and be inclusive. We are taught the balance between boarders and day girls, the benefits and drawbacks of both. The skills of balance are highly sought, and we will treasure and use them no matter what direction our path takes us.”

Some of you would have seen the recent media coverage about the relationship between increased screen time and literacy. Education experts fear screen time is contributing to a “generation of skim readers with poor literacy, who may struggle to gain employment later in life as low-skilled jobs disappear", according to a Four Corners program aired last week. ABC online reported that screen time took up 30% of a child's waking hours up to the age of 13. Professor Maryanne Wolf, a cognitive neuro-scientist from the University of California, told Four Corners screen culture was reducing deep reading ability. "We're left with a more short-circuited brain. The evidence from our eye movement researchers is that skimming is the new normal and we're becoming browsers and word spotters," Professor Wolf said. (ISQ, November 15, 2019) It is, therefore, so important to encourage reading of text other than that on screens. Our Primary School Accelerated Reading Program has so many benefits, developing a lifelong love of reading is one of them.

Ros Curtis

The Key aspects of Appreciation are:

Self:

• We appreciate our strengths, acknowledge the good that we bring to our community and offer these unique qualities to others.
• We acknowledge our areas requiring development and embrace a mindset for continual improvement.
• We demonstrate respect for, and appreciation of, ourselves by always acting with integrity, consideration and compassion.

Community:

• We genuinely appreciate and acknowledge others in order to strengthen and support our community to be the best we can each day and to boost our relationships with peers, students, staff and parents.
• We acknowledge each other with respect and ensure that all communication is based on this value, with no preconceptions regarding intent of behaviour.
• We appreciate those with whom we share the responsibility for creating a dynamic learning environment.

This year, staff and students have made amazing progress in embedding the key messages of the St Margaret’s Way.

Karen Gorrie

One author suggests, that work-life balance is a fallacy. This is because life is dynamic, ever moving, ever-changing. If this is the case, no matter how hard we try to control all the things in our lives, life still moves on. Maybe, instead of always striving for the elusive work-life balance, perhaps we need to think about making room in our busy lives for the things that really matter.

Advent offers an opportunity to do just that. Advent begins this year on Sunday 1st December. Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. Many Christians use the beginning of the church year, Advent, as a time of reflection as they await the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Advent is a time when we can reflect on what is important to us, what matters so much to us that we are willing to make room in our lives for it.

What is Advent? Advent is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day when we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Many people would be familiar with the Advent Calendars, where we open a little window each day from the beginning of December. Nowadays you can get some very elaborate Advent Calendars. Within the Christian tradition, Advent is used to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. Most churches will have their Advent Wreaths set up and each Sunday there will be a short ceremony as a candle is lit. There are usually three purple candles which represent Love, Peace and Hope, and one pink candle which represents Joy. The final white candle which can be lit Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is the Christ Candle.

As a way of preparing for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, families could consider giving to charity. Both the Primary and Secondary school staff and students are collecting goods which will be donated to charity. There is an opportunity for students to donate new toys or non-perishable food, for instance, tinned or packet food, so that those less fortunate than ourselves are able to celebrate Christmas. There is also a lovely book available called Christmas Countdown: Creating 25 Days of New Advent Traditions for Families by Margie Harding you may find helpful. Alternatively, the Praying in Colour website has just published their free downloadable Advent Calendar for 2019: .

The Reverend Susan Crothers-Robertson

Our Annual Speech Night 2019 was a spectacular event showcasing the vast array of school talent and student successes throughout the year. It was great to see such a large number of students receiving awards. This night not only highlights our students, but it was an opportunity to see our St Margaret’s community on a larger scale filling every seat in the QPAC Concert Hall. The St Margaret’s community really comes together to celebrate, and celebrate we did. Once again, I congratulate all our award recipients and would especially like to acknowledge our very own Year 12 Boarder, Samantha Morgan who received the Valedictorian award amongst her Year 12 cohort of 2019. Samantha has displayed determination and a great work ethic and is awarded for her academic achievements. The Boarding community were thrilled, and her younger boarder peers have recognised her award in hope to follow in her footsteps.

The week was filled with performances, celebrations and achievements and we are so proud of all of our students! We extend our very best wishes to each of our Year 12 graduates as they now spread their wings and set out on their new adventures. The Year 12s have passed the baton to the Year 11s who are now more ready than ever to become the next St Margaret’s leaders.

I leave you with one of my personal philosophies that I have shared and still share with our students:

"Never doubt you were born to do great things! Find ways around the obstacles in your life. The power lies within you and your ability to change the way you think and act. Never forget that, and never give up."

Mike Finley

Gracemere Mataia

The course will develop their knowledge of academic integrity, academic misconduct, submitting work that is their own and improving their work. The course is interactive and offers scenarios to respond to and case studies to answer. By completing the course, they will be able to explain why academic integrity is important, identify acts of academic misconduct and understand how to avoid them, as well as understand how to make sure the work they submit is their own.

As parents, you can see this information in our Academic Policy which includes information about effective academic practices, including using appropriate processes and materials in academic work, drafting practices to improve work and identifying when referencing is needed to acknowledge others’ work. The academic integrity course will take approximately 45–60 minutes to complete.

Year 11 Exam Block

Year 11 Exam Block begins today, Thursday 21 November and finishes on Monday 25 November. Tuesday 26 November is a normal school day for all Year 11s. Students who have chosen to present their English spoken response live will be provided with this opportunity on Tuesday afternoon.

Jo Butterworth

Each student’s report will consist of a comment from her Head of Year, as well as a summary of results for each subject. The final page of the report is the Grade Point Average (GPA) graph which records the student’s overall level of achievement and tracks this from semester to semester.

For each subject, there is a list of the course content, marks for the criteria assessed, a table showing the distribution of achievement levels within the subject and an assessment of your daughter’s attitude to her learning. The academic results reflected in this report are based on the assessment completed throughout Semester 2. However, please note, assessment that is being completed by Year 11 students during Weeks 7 and 8 will not be reported on until next year. These assessments form part of the results for Unit 3 to be recorded for exit results in 2020.

Year 11 parents will also receive a QCE point summary report. This report records a satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U) result for Unit 1 and Unit 2 for all subjects studied in Year 11. A satisfactory result is awarded at the completion of a unit when all teaching, learning and assessment of the unit has been completed and evidence is produced in response to the complete assessment program and demonstrates, on-balance, achievement of the syllabus standards at a C standard or better.

Nicole Devlin

After another quick visit to my locker it was off to History where we discussed the Battle of the Somme and prepared responses to assist us with the upcoming exam. The thought of having to catch Mr McCormick’s question ball was terrifying, but I knew it was all to assist me in ensuring I was prepared and engaged in learning. Then was RVE where we discussed self-worth and why part of being human is being different and that is what makes the world so wonderful. Then we were off to Maths, where we started revision for the exam next week.

At lunch it didn’t stop! It was off to get some food from M’s café and attend an Economics tutorial for assistance with upcoming assessment.

After lunch, all the Year 9s were in The Loft to learn how to record and upload their vlogs for… you guessed it …assessment! A highlight of the day was surely Mrs Flanagan’s Vlog about how to make a good vlog. The day finished off with Drama where we played a very challenging warm-up game and performed to the class.

Overall, the day gave me a new appreciation for how many things Year 9 students are ‘juggling’ and how welcoming and caring the Year 9s are as a cohort. Additionally, I saw first-hand how caring and motivated my colleagues are to support students to be the best they can be.

A huge thank you to Ella Gibson for welcoming me into her classes for the day and reassuring me when I felt nervous about subjects I haven’t studied for many years.

Nikki Townsend

Last week, we also announced the Primary Captains for 2020; congratulations to Alexandra Dew and Mana Fua. They will work alongside the School Captains, Isobel Barry and Alice O’Driscoll who also attended our Primary School. As we move towards a new year, the Year 6 girls are currently preparing for their final days left in the Primary School. Tomorrow they will experience a transition day in the Secondary School. On Tuesday, one of the most significant Year 6 events, the final chapel service and morning tea will be held. The morning tea is always a special event as the girls share their Primary journey with family and friends with many laughs, tears and happy memories.

Other events include:

Monday 25 November: Lifetime Friends Morning Tea, 10:25-10:50am

Tuesday 26 November: Year 6 Chapel Service and Morning Tea, 8:30-11:00am in the Chapel and Arts Centre Foyer

Wednesday 27 November: Pre-Prep Chapel Service, 2:00-3:20pm

Thursday 28 November:

Fundraising Fiesta

Final Primary Assembly, 2:00pm in the Atrium

School finishes at 3:00pm on this final day

Year 6 End of Year Party, 6:00-8.30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer

There is; however, one event at the end of the year that all the students in the Primary school get behind, MAGGIES GOT TALENT! This activity is organised and hosted by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and done so without any teacher input. This is a credit to the members of the SRC, contestants and audience. We look forward to the girls announcing the winners at the final assembly. This assembly will also include acknowledgement of the students who have been in the Primary school since Pre-Prep and Prep.  The staff and I look forward to sharing this final week with the girls.

The end of the year also brings changes to the number of classes and staff. We farewelled Donna Jackson this week and will do the same to Deanna Lawliss, Steve Box and Janice Emmett at the final assembly. These teachers are moving to other schools, except Mrs Emmett who is retiring. We thank them for their contributions made to our school.

The staff placements for 2020 are as follows, with background information about our four new staff members to be shared in the upcoming weeks:

Pre-Prep: Belinda Knowles

Prep: Katie Bryant

Year 1: Kylie Briggs and Georgie Eadie

Year 2: Rowena Harle

Year 3: Nicole Jonathan

Year 4: Melissa Garbutt, Briar Bracey and Louise Sands (3days)/Kate Frewin (Assistant Head of Primary – Curriculum, 2 days)

Year 5: Evan Chia, Kate Porter and Lucardia Moulton

Year 6: Karen Andrews-Close, Kimberley Bachmann, Georgina Stevenson and Jess Fumar (3 days)/Marilyn Ivers (2 days)

Angela Drysdale

Year 5 Band Morning

Congratulations to all Year 5 students who performed at the Year 5 Bands Morning on Wednesday. All Year 5 students have been undertaking tuition on a band instrument throughout the year. Under the direction of Dr Camille Syntageros, Mr Sean Mackenzie and Ms Regina Brennan the students gave several fantastic performances. The Chaseley Concert Band also performed at the presentation. Students who have just completed the Year 5 Band program may consider joining this ensemble if they are interested in further developing their musical skills. Well done to all Year 5 students on their efforts this year in the Year 5 Band Program!

Private Music Students’ Recital

Congratulations to all students who performed in the Private Music Students’ Recital on Wednesday afternoon. There was a wide range of styles performed on a variety of different instruments. All girls should be exceptionally proud of their performances!

Return of Hired Instruments

All hired instruments are to be returned to the Sister Helen Orchestra Room Music Department no later than 8:20am on Wednesday 27 November for cleaning and repairs.

2020 Private Music Tuition

If your daughter is currently undertaking private music tuition, she will automatically be placed on her current teachers’ roll for 2020. Parents do not need to fill in a new application form. However, if your daughter is wanting to discontinue lessons in 2020, we ask that you please email directly to the Music Department at: music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au prior to the end of the school year.

2020 Date Claimer

Music Camp will be held at the end of Week 4 in Term 1 of 2020 from Friday afternoon 21 February through to Sunday afternoon 23 February at Luther Heights Youth Camp, Coolum. All girls in Years 7-12 who are involved in the Co-Curricular Music Program are invited and encouraged to attend. Further details will be provided at the start of the school year.

Music Support Group Annual General Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 26 November at 5:00pm in the Primary Music Room (second floor of Chaseley). We encourage parents from both the Primary and Secondary schools to become involved in this dedicated group of parents who consistently provide wonderful support to the St Margaret’s Music Program.

Brad King

Keep an eye out for further opportunities in Term 1 2020 for Year 8 to give Rowing a try before sign-on commences. 2020 Year 7 students will have an opportunity in Term 4 2020.

Should you have any questions about Rowing at St Margaret’s in 2020, please contact Jared Bidwell, Head of Rowing: jbidwell@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Water Polo

Our Water Polo girls have completed six rounds of competition and are to be congratulated on their efforts in the water. All teams have been challenged yet competitive, with several teams taking out either a draw or a win last weekend. Results from Saturday 16 November are as follows:

U12C St Margaret’s 6-6 Loreto

U13A Barras Green 6-4 St Margaret’s

U13C St Margaret’s 7-5 Brigidine

U15C MBC 16-0 St Margaret’s

U16C St Margaret’s 14-1 Somerville House

U18C All Hallows 16-1 St Margaret’s

U18B All Hallows 8-1 St Margaret’s

Swimming

Holiday Swimming training will take place at Nudgee College from Monday 2 December to Friday 13 December and Monday 13 January to Tuesday 21 January. For further information regarding holiday training, please click here. (PDF 151.6KB)

Swimming Camp

All students are encouraged to attend the annual Swim Camp on Wednesday 22 January to Friday 24 January at The Southport School. This camp is an integral part of the Swim Program.  To learn more about this camp, please visit the Swimming POD page and register via .

Congratulations…

Nicola Johnson, a current parent and coaching consultant for St Margaret’s Water Polo, who was recently selected and will make history at the Tokyo Olympic Games by becoming the first Australian female referee. We look forward to seeing Nicola on the world stage next year at the world’s pinnacle sporting event.

Helen Lobegeiger

To view this animated short film, please .

Each frame in this animation was hand-drawn in Adobe Photoshop and edited in Adobe Premiere Pro. The film features over 1,100 hand-drawn images and tells the story of a boy who finds a magical music box that transports him to a different world. In this world, he realises that he is very far from home and does not know how to return. The boy meets a snow giant who gives him shelter and teaches him that the way home is in his heart. The boy listens to his heart and is taken back home, teaching us the valuable lesson that we must listen to ourselves to know our heart’s will.

In other Digital Art Club news, our students have been busy creating augmented reality Christmas artworks which are currently on display in the library. Augmented reality superimposes computer-generated imagery over our view of the real world. While these artworks may seem like typical images, when viewers hold the iPad camera over these works, a hidden animation comes to life and plays out on the screen. These artworks will be on display in the library until the end of the year. From all of us in Digital Art Club, we wish you a merry Christmas.

Jane Martens

If you would like to enrol your daughter in Speech and Drama for 2020, please complete and return the Application for Tuition form (PDF 102.8KB). Places in the Program are limited and are provided to continuing students and then to new students based on the order in which enrolment applications are received and according to availability of spaces in each year level.

Please note that students who are currently enrolled in the program will automatically be re-enrolled for lessons next year. If your daughter is currently enrolled but is not intending to continue lessons in 2020, please email your daughter’s teacher or mchamberlain@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

New enrolments or cancellation of current enrolments are required by Monday 25 November 2019.

Your consideration regarding this procedure is greatly appreciated. Accurate enrolment numbers are essential for ensuring successful timetabling, suitable staffing arrangements and a smooth start to the year for current and new students.

Lessons for 2020 will commence in Week 2 of Term 1. We are looking forward to another exciting year of cultivating confident, capable communicators.

For further information about the Program, please contact the Coordinator on mchamberlain@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or phone 3862 0750 or refer to the Private Speech and Drama Handbook on the website or the Private Speech and Drama POD Page.

Speech and Drama Performances

Listed below are the details of the Speech and Drama Eisteddfods being held next week. Parents of performers are most welcome to attend. All performances are being held in the Independent Learning Centre (off Circular Drive).

Year 5 Speech and Drama Eisteddfod - Monday 25 November, 10:50am to approx. 3:00pm

Year 6 Speech and Drama Eisteddfod - Wednesday 27 November, 8:20am to approx. 12:10pm

Year 7 Speech and Drama Eisteddfod - Friday 22 November, 8:20am to approx. 12:45pm

Years 8 and 9 Speech and Drama Eisteddfod - Tuesday 26 November, 8:20am to approx.12:00pm

Year 10 Speech and Drama Eisteddfod - Monday 25 November, 8:20am to approx. 9:50am

Maria Chamberlain

Secondary second-hand books

Second-hand books may be purchased or sold through Sustainable School Shop at: . There is no registration fee for St Margaret’s families to use this trading system.

Church dress hire return

Return date for all students, except Year 6, is no later than Friday 22 November 2019. Year 6 students must return their church dress no later than Friday 29 November 2019. All church dresses must be laundered, ironed and returned as per the “Hire Conditions” for an amount of $70 to be refunded.

Uniform Fitting Appointments – New online booking system

Bookings for November and December 2019 and January 2020 are available online now. Book your appointment online via the school website.

We encourage families to book a fitting appointment as soon as possible to avoid missing your preferred day and time. Appointment times are either 30 minutes or 60 minutes depending on your fitting type. Fitting types include: New Student, Existing Student, Boarder Only, Pre-Prep and School Blazer Fitting.

Extended Trading Hours*

2019

Thursday 28 November: 8:00am-2:00pm

Friday 29 November: 10:00am-2:00pm

Monday 2 December: 8:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday 3 December: 8:00am-12:00pm

Wednesday 4 December: 8:00am-12:00pm

2020

Wednesday 15 January: 8:00am-12:00pm

Thursday 16 January: 1:00pm-5:00pm

Friday 17 January: 8:00am-12:00pm

Monday 20 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Tuesday 21 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Wednesday 22 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Thursday 23 January: 1:00pm-8:00pm

Friday 24 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Saturday 25 January: 9:00am-2:00pm

Sunday 26 January: Closed

Monday 27 January: 9:00am-12pm

Monday 27 January: 1:00-5:00pm Boarders only

Tuesday 28 January: Regular trading resumes

*Fitting appointment times may extend beyond shop opening hours during peak periods.

Terisa Arnold

Bookings for the St Margaret’s OSHC December/January School Holiday Program has opened. If you require care for the upcoming school holiday period, please return your booking form by 22 November 2019.

How do I book?

Complete the official booking form attached to the program. For further details, please email: oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

What is the cost?*

Fees: $65 per day*

*Incursions and excursions incur additional costs. These are compulsory for all students and therefore you are able to claim CCS.

SERVICE IS CLOSED: 20 December 2019 - 12 January 2020

What are the hours of operation?

The service is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm.

NEW LOCATION FOR THIS VACATION CARE ONLY: Wearin Room, Ground Level Avoca, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

How can I obtain more information?

If you would like further information regarding our OSHC Program or if you would like to make a booking, feel free to contact me on 0423 547 653 or email: oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Palu Ingram

Nomination for Position

Any one member of the P&F shall be at liberty to nominate any other member to serve as an officer or other member of the Management Committee.

If you are interested in joining the P&F Association, all positions of the Management Committee will be declared vacant at the AGM and a new committee for 2020 will be elected.

Nominations can be made by downloading and completing the Nomination for Position (PDF 75.6KB) form. All nomination forms must be returned to: P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or via School Reception by Friday 14 February 2020.

OGA Annual General Meeting

The Old Girls’ Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 November from 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Mooloomburram Boardroom. Past students of St Margaret’s are warmly invited to attend to share their views and ideas.

2020 Milestone Reunion Dates

We are pleased to announce the dates for our 2020 Milestone reunions:

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2010 – Friday 24 July

20 Year Reunion – Class of 2000 – Friday 24 July

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1990 – Friday 24 July

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1980 – Saturday 25 July

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1970 – Saturday 25 July

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1960 – Saturday 25 July

Chapel Service and Morning Tea – Sunday 26 July

60+ Year Reunion – Monday 27 July

2020 St Margaret’s Women’s Luncheon

In celebration of our 125 Year Anniversary next year, you are warmly invited to join us at the St Margaret's Women's Luncheon. This special anniversary event is a wonderful opportunity for all women of St Margaret’s, past, present and future to come together.

Date: Friday 13 March 2020

Time: 11:30am-3:00pm

Location: The Greek Club, 29 Edmonstone Street, South Brisbane

Tickets: $125 per person/$1,250 for a table of 10 and includes drink on arrival, 2-course lunch and 3-hour drinks package

RSVP: Monday 2 March 2020 (No refunds will be given after the RSVP date)

Table and Ticket Enquiries: Please contact the Development Office on 07 3862 0765 or email: developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

General Enquiries: Anthea Damman 0403 846 258 or Angela Pratt 0413 701 407

Lara Pickering

The University of Queensland

The Language Immersion Foreign Travel (LIFT) scholarship will allow one high school student in Years 10 and 11 experiencing financial hardship to have the opportunity to experience a foreign language immersion program overseas. Applications are now open to students who are currently studying Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish.

The Institute of Modern Languages (IML) invites Years 11 and 12 students studying Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish to enrol in the 2020 IML Summer High School Enrichment Program delivered at The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus.

Brisbane Defence Force recruiting information sessions

Adventure, travel, great pay and diverse career opportunities – just to name a few of the benefits on offer when you join the Navy, Army or Air Force. If you’re up for the challenge and would like to find out more, come along to one of our upcoming information sessions .

The Queensland Mathematics Summer School (QMSS) at UQ is a five-day program from Monday 20-Friday 24 January 2020 for Year 10 students planning to study Year 11 Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics in 2020. Applications close 25 November 2019.

QUT

Upcoming events:

• Participate in family-friendly activities offered in in January. Full program and bookings open in early-December
• ATAR Notes is presenting on 20-21 January
• Scholarships and Bridging Programs: Information is available

It's not too late to join our Summer High School Projects!

This short-term overseas volunteer placement with Projects Abroad is available for students in Years 10 and 11. Find out more .

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.

Griffith Scholarships in 2020: Find out more and apply online at:

The University of Queensland Scholarships:

QUT Scholarship opportunities:

QUT Meeting assumed knowledge and prerequisites

QUT offers a in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

UQ College is offering University Prerequisite Courses in Mathematics B, Chemistry or Biology.

QTAC Key Dates:

14 December: OP’s released

23 December: QTAC Offer Round

7 January: Last day to change preference

15 January: Offer Round

UQ 16 December 2019, 3:00pm–6:00pm, UQ Centre, St Lucia campus

Griffith University: Explore your Options (for Year 12)

Monday 16 December – Thursday 19 December. Find out more

(for Year 12)

Date: 17 December, 9:00am-12:00pm, P Block, QUT Gardens Point campus

Elizabeth Johnston