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Concussion in girls and young women

Concussion recovery has been attracting media attention in recent times as the safety and recovery of athletes at all levels of sports remains high on the agenda of schools, sporting clubs and professional bodies. But there are questions about how much of the research behind concussion recovery actually supports girls and young women. Currently, researchers in the USA and from the University of South Australia are researching this very topic. The researchers hope to provide new outcomes that will potentially change the way adolescent girls’ experiences of concussion and sporting injuries are managed, and to raise awareness about the impact of sporting injuries on adolescent girls.

Despite girls being more likely to sustain a concussion during organised sports, more likely to have severe symptoms associated with the concussion and take longer to recover, and also be more likely to experience additional injuries, girls and young women are drastically underrepresented in research on sports-related concussions. This is the very research that is guiding how girls’ injuries are managed. In fact, one of the most recent reviews of prominent published research studies regarding sports-related concussion injuries showed that just over 80 per cent of participants in the studies were male. Even more concerning was the finding that more than 40 per cent of these studies did not include any female participants. Another survey of studies published in European, American, and British sports medicine journals found that only six per cent of studies released between 2014 and 2020 were focussed specifically on girls and/or women.

Awareness of the risk concussion poses to adolescent girls is of course vitally important for families and coaches. These studies will be valuable in their contribution to women’s health by developing new knowledge on girls’ experiences with sustaining concussion, recovering from the injury and how they manage the risk of future injuries.

Source: International Coalition of Girls’ School, E-Brief, Issue 13, August 2024

Ros Curtis

Many may not realise that talent alone has little or nothing to do with success. In most things, people learn quickly at first, then more slowly and then stop developing completely. However, some people keep improving – how does that happen?

People who have achieved success in their chosen endeavour will mostly say that they have devoted time to effective practice. By effective practice I mean the type that gives you feedback on what you are doing well and what you can improve. It often means doing the same things over and over again until understanding is reached, then moving onto the next step. Using feedback to tweak the practice to improve is also needed. All of this takes time and can be frustrating, but perseverance is the key.

I often urge the students that I see not to do a task with the goal of finishing it; do the task with the goal of doing it well, editing and refining the work along the way. A piece of work is not truly finished until the end of the editing process.

It is possible to practise your schoolwork over and above assessment items that need to be completed. Here are some ways you can try to practise and improve:

• Approach each school task with the goal of getting much better at it
• As you do the task, focus on what’s happening and why you’re doing it the way you are
• After the task, ask your teacher for feedback on your work. Truly digest this feedback – use it to make changes if necessary. Practise the changes.

Karen Gorrie

The theme for the conference is: “Shared Purpose – Shared Joy.” Our Archbishop, Jeremy Greaves, opened the conference with an inspiring address about Joy, he began with this poem by Ullie-Kaye:

joy trickles in

can joy be found in crumpled hearts,
in empty rooms and broken parts.
can it be found in desert earth,
in washed up dreams and faded worth.
can joy come when the rain outweighs
the happy blissful, sunny days.
or in the middle of our grief with
words held tight between our teeth.
can joy be found in trembling hands,
where nothing but the unknown stands.
where the unthinkable comes true
and changes everything we knew.
I wonder if joy even knows
how to emerge when sorrow grows.
does it lay down beside the bed
and still caress our weary head.
and is joy really brave enough
to walk along when things get tough.
is joy right there before our eyes
but stuck between our heavy sighs.
I hear joy say that it’s okay
to feel both joy and pain today.
whatever loss or lacking light,
Joy finds a way to make us bright.
you see our lanterns glow the best
when darkness comes to steal our rest.
and just when sadness seems to win,
joy trickles in.

- Ullie-Kaye.

He reminded us that joy, like (or, perhaps as) the grace of God, always finds a way to trickle in. When things feel overwhelming and hope feels distant, joy and grace arrive, perhaps unexpectedly, but they always arrive.

“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it…

Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb. (Don't Hesitate).”– Mary Oliver.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

Madonna King, a well-known Australian journalist and author, discussed ‘continuing to be a place of living and the vulnerabilities for all’, sharing suggestions with us including raising the ceiling of a student’s potential outside of the classroom, the value of patience, and a discussion on what resilience looks like for everyone.

Psychologist Dr Christopher Thurber led sessions on improving how adults can care for kids and enhancing the experience of adventurous young people who are spending time away from home. He also discussed emotional intelligence, impulses, emotional literacy, and the emotional connections social platforms have on students.

Avery Mann, CEO and cofounder of Safety of Students 360, Inc, discussed boundaries outside of the classroom and in a homely setting and what schools do differently from others.

Kellie Britnell, from the eSafety Commissioner, spoke about keeping children safe online including the depths in awareness, building empowerment and resilience in students, critical reasoning skills and guidance on mitigating online risks. The eSafety guide provides up to date information on new online platforms or apps that students may have access to - our aim is to have a shared understanding of the current social media platforms our students are using, the challenges the students face online and the response to these challenges. Awareness is power and we all continue to be staff who students can turn to if they are ever faced with a concern online.

Gracemere Mataia

At St Margaret’s, we are fortunate enough to have many teachers who are able and willing to give up a portion of their holidays to run additional feedback sessions and tutorials for Year 12s during the September holidays. Please note that the timetable is organised with teacher availability in mind and not all teachers are available during the school holidays. While attendance at SWOTVAC is not compulsory, mock feedback will be provided in these sessions so students are strongly encouraged to attend any relevant sessions for their subject.

Year 11

At the end of next week, Year 11 students will have their study day before their exam block starts at the beginning of Week 9. This exam block contains the final assessment tasks of Units 1 and 2. The end of the term brings the final opportunity for students to move from one subject into another or to change from ATAR to Portfolio Pathway. Any students who are considering this should book an appointment with me via the POD as soon as possible.

Year 10

Year 10 students also have their Study Hall coming up on Tuesday 27 August and Wednesday 28 August.

Caitlin McCluskey

Both of these forms and the procedures can be found via the Extension Form button on each Year Level POD page. A reminder that in Years 7-9, a parent note or email will suffice for evidence; however, in Years 10-11 a Medical Certificate is required.

If a student knows that they will require an extension due to a foreseen event, they should speak with their teacher or the appropriate Head of Faculty as soon as they can.

Resit of Exams due to Absence on the day

Any student in Years 7 to 10 who is absent on the day of an exam, will be required to sit this exam on the first day they return to school. Students should report directly to the Senior Library at 8:20am with their correct equipment, and will complete the exam under supervision in Lessons 1A/B.

Chris Dunn

After students set their goals, they should break their goals down into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Having a roadmap makes it easier to see progress and stay focused. Here at St Margaret’s, we refer to these as SMART goals.

Creating a positive environment that fosters motivation by surrounding oneself with supportive and inspiring people, in addition to eliminating distractions that can derail efforts, is crucial for students. A clean, organised space can also enhance a student’s mental clarity and productivity.

Developing a routine that incorporates regular breaks and rewards is also discussed. Consistent habits can build momentum, while breaks prevent burnout. Rewards for completing tasks, no matter how small, can boost students’ morale and reinforce positive behaviour. I remember Ms Curtis once addressing the school regarding the notion of being excellent; she stressed to the students that this requires them to be always consistent with their habits.

Reflection is important. Time should be spent focusing on the reasons behind goals. For students, understanding 'why' can provide a deeper sense of purpose and drive. Whether it's personal growth, helping others, or achieving financial stability, connecting with their underlying motivations can keep them committed.

Obviously staying flexible and adaptable is key. Setbacks are inevitable but viewing them as learning opportunities rather than failures can help maintain students’ motivation. We reiterate the importance of reflecting on what went wrong, adjusting their approach, and continuing to move forward.

Finally, students must practise self-compassion by celebrating their successes, but also be kind to themselves when things don’t go as planned. Students are encouraged to remember that motivation ebbs and flows and maintaining a positive mindset is key to long-term perseverance.

Nikki Townsend

The diverse array of book characters we saw walk across the stage on Tuesday serves as a powerful reminder that characters in books can help readers navigate life, understand the world around them, and learn how to confront challenges. As readers delve deeper into these characters' lives, they also embark on a journey of self-discovery. Each character offers a unique perspective—sharing their experiences, thoughts, emotions, and advice, while also revealing how others react to their circumstances. Readers can take the wisdom and insights gained from these characters and apply them to their own lives. The characters found in books become like trusted friends, always ready to offer comfort and guidance—just open a book, and they’re there waiting for you.

Book Week is a significant week in education. It was established in 1954 by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and presents annual awards to books of literary merit for their outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature. The Australian Book Council encourages us to think about why we love books when it chooses a theme which aims to inspire us to dig deeper and reflect on this love and value of reading.

Each year, a theme is chosen for Book Week, inspiring creative and exciting ways to delve into the world of books. This year, we're celebrating the enchanting power of literature with the theme "Reading is Magic." The book character parade truly brought this theme to life as each girl embraced the magic of reading through their imaginative costumes. It was a joy to see characters from a wide variety of books come alive. Regardless of which books capture our hearts, all readers share one common bond—a deep love for books and the magic they bring into our lives. 

The parade was a great success; thank you to our parents for creating fabulous costumes, the staff for supporting their students, Annette Box for coordinating the event, and Regina Brennan for conducting the P-1 Piccolo choir for their performance, and to the staff for supporting their students and getting into the spirit of Book Week.  

Book Week activities have continued this week with author visits and special events. The school is also eagerly anticipating the Arts Spectacular tomorrow, where the magic of Book Week will come to life on stage through the enchanting performances of Years 5 and 6 students in "Midwinter Magic".

“Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people – people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” E.B. White

Angela Drysdale

What is the Da Vinci Decathlon?

The Da Vinci Decathlon spans ten core areas, each designed to assess different aspects of a student's knowledge and abilities:

1. Engineering - Challenges students to apply design principles and problem-solving skills.
2. Mathematics - Participants tackle complex problems and demonstrate mathematical reasoning.
3. Chess - Tests strategic thinking and problem-solving through chess challenges.
4. Code Breaking - Focuses on logical and analytical thinking through cryptographic puzzles.
5. Art and Poetry - Encourages creativity and artistic expression through various mediums.
6. Science - Evaluates students’ understanding of scientific principles and experimental methods.
7. English - Involves literary analysis, reading comprehension, and creative writing.
8. Ideation - Tests innovation and creativity in generating and developing new ideas.
9. Creative Producers - Assesses students’ ability to create and present original projects.

This year, the Da Vinci Decathlon celebrated the impressive debut of the Year 6 team from St Margaret's. Their participation marked a significant milestone for the school. The St Margaret's team achieved the following notable results:

• 8th Overall
• 1st in English
• 4th in Science
• 7th in Mathematics
• 8th in Engineering
• 9th in Ideation
• 11th in Art and Poetry
• 13th in Creative Producers
• 14th in Code Breaking
• 15th in Cartography and Legacy

Their standout performance in English, where they secured first place, demonstrated exceptional literary analysis and creative writing skills. The team also excelled in Science and Mathematics, showcasing their broad academic talents. Congratulations to Holly C, Cassie L, Lily W, Audrey C, Sarah L, Diana C, Mia M, Mabel T and Mr Howard who worked diligently with the girls to prepare them for this challenging event.  

Kate Frewin

PWN Breakfast Performance

Thank you to Ava Barber who provided a beautiful performance of Entr’acte by Georges Bizet on the flute at the recent Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast. Thank you also to Ms Papas (Director of Durack College) for her accompaniment on the harp. Many thanks also to the Sculthorpe String Quartet for their ongoing support at these events by providing music as guests arrive.

Live on the Drive

Congratulations to all our Rock Bands across the primary and secondary schools who performed as part of our Term 3 Live on the Drive! These performances are always fun and thoroughly appreciated by everyone in attendance.

Interhouse Solo Music Week

Congratulations to all secondary students who participated in the Interhouse Solo Music Competition. Every lunchtime this week, students have been competing on a wide range of instruments. It has been fantastic to see so many girls performing and showing house spirit. We will look forward to hearing the primary students performing and competing next week! All results will be announced at the respective primary and secondary end of term assemblies.

Music Dinner

The St Margaret’s annual Music Dinner is fast approaching with tickets now on sale. Music Dinner is an occasion for students and parents to celebrate a wonderful year of music-making at St Margaret’s. Special performances are given, speeches are made, and awards presented to acknowledge the girls’ many achievements. The Music Dinner will be held on Friday 4 October in Eton Hall from 6pm. The Music Captains have announced the theme for this year’s dinner will be Barbie. Students (and parents) are encouraged to come along dressed as their favourite Barbie (or Ken), or you may just consider wearing lots of pink! A letter with further details is attached (and include the link to purchase tickets). (PDF 453.8KB)

Viva La Musica - Save the Date

Stradivari Strings, Jackson Wind Ensemble and Volare will be presenting special performances at an upcoming concert we are entitling Viva La Musica to be held in the Philip Harris Gym on Monday 9 September at 6:30pm. This will be a fantastic opportunity for these ensembles to showcase their hard work for 2024, and we look forward to having many in attendance to support the students. A letter with further details is attached here. (PDF 248.2KB)

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 September at 5:00pm in the Circular Drive Classroom 01 (in front of the Arts Centre Foyer). We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

A special thank you to our Rhythmic Gymnastics Captains, Kate Matheson and Emily Smith, whose leadership and enthusiasm inspired their teammates to achieve their best. Our deepest gratitude also goes to our incredible coaches, led by Ms Heather Lane, for their expertise, passion, and dedication that were key to our team’s success.

Lastly, heartfelt thanks to our teachers, under the leadership of Rhythmic Gymnastics Coordinator Nikki Anderson. Their organisation, encouragement, and belief in our students has been invaluable in guiding them to reach their full potential.

We congratulate our Rhythmic Gymnastics team for representing St Margaret’s with pride and distinction!

Sport Awards Evening – Save the Date

The annual St Margaret’s Sport Awards will be held on Thursday 3 October, celebrating the outstanding achievements of our students in all areas of sport. Award winners and their families will receive personal invitations towards the end of Term 3, but we warmly invite and encourage the entire St Margaret’s community to join us in celebrating the successes of the 2024 program. Tickets will be available soon—don’t miss out on this special evening!

Sport award criteria can be found on the .

At our Sport Awards Evening, we recognise and celebrate the achievements of students who have represented Queensland or Australia through their respective school sport and club sport pathways. Since club sports are external to St Margaret’s, we rely on students and/or parents/guardians to inform the Activities Office about representation at this level. We acknowledge and honour those students who have been selected for and competed in a Queensland or Australian representative team.

If your daughter has represented at this level, please notify me via email by Friday 6 September with the relevant details: lknight@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Latest Sport News and Information

For the latest sport news and information please check out the following secondary school sport POD pages:

• QGSSSA Hockey -
• QGSSSA Netball -
• QGSSSA Tennis -
• QGSSSA Volleyball -
• Athletics -
• Rowing -
• Rhythmic Gymnastics -
• Club Netball -
• Club Swimming -

Lloyd Knight

Year 11 Term 4 2024 Booklist

The order cut-off date for the Year 11 Term 4 booklist was 16 August 2024. Any orders submitted after this date will be packed ASAP, but Campion Education cannot guarantee delivery prior to the commencement of Term 4 and all late orders will incur a delivery fee. 

To access the Campion Education Online Booklist for Year 11 Term 4 2024 (Year 12 2025) please click here:  

Booklists for Pre-Prep to Year 11 2025 will be posted in early Term 4

Blazer Fittings – current Year 9 Cohort 2024

Students entering Year 10 in 2025 should consider coming into the Supplies Shop to be fitted for their blazer prior to the end of Term 4 this year. This will ensure the best fit and will allow time for a custom make blazer for the students who require extra or shorter length through the body and arms. All orders will need to be placed by 15 November 2024 for a March 2025 delivery. Students can visit the Supplies Shop during our opening hours (no appointment required). A blazer fitting takes around 15 minutes. The cost of the blazer is $275 and is payable at the time of ordering.

Uniform Fitting Appointments – Online booking system

Bookings for October, November and December 2024 and January 2025 are available online. We encourage families to book a fitting appointment as soon as possible, as appointments are filling fast.

Book your appointment online via the school website

Appointment times are either 30mins or 60mins depending on your fitting type. Fitting types include New Student, Existing Student, Boarder Only and Pre-Prep/Prep.

• One appointment = one student fitting
  If you are booking for two or more students, please book separate fitting appointments for each student. These can be at the same time if times are available.

• All fittings will take place in the Supplies Shop, which is located onsite, just off Circular Drive through Gate 1, Petrie Street, Ascot.

Trading Hours (Term Time)

Monday          8am – 2pm
Tuesday         8am – 2pm
Wednesday    10am – 5pm
Thursday         8am – 2pm
Friday              8am – 2pm

Public Holidays Closed

We have fun-filled and exciting activities planned. Further details of the Student Free program can be found here (PDF 217.4KB) and the September Vacation Care program here. (PDF 289.7KB) Boys and girls, siblings, friends and family welcome!

Please refer to the attached Information Guide for full booking terms and conditions. We are unable to accept bookings via email or text message. The OSHC registration and Debitsuccess form must be completed, signed and sent back to us to finalise your booking. Please read the information guide carefully as some information has changed. OSHC Registration and Debitsuccess can be completed via the My Family Lounge.

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR VACATION CARE BOOKING FORM VIA THE MY FAMILY LOUNGE APP

We are very excited to inform you that St Margaret’s OSHC has subscribed to a fantastic online Booking and Waitlist management program called QK Enrol. This program will give you access to manage your own account information, where you will have the ability to make bookings requests and allows you to complete and submit an online enrolment form for your child. You can do this and much, much more all within a parent portal called ’My Family Lounge’.

How do I log in?

Please navigate to the link below and either sign in with your existing My Family Lounge account or Register for an account if you do not already have one. Please note all families who have previously submitted an enrolment form will have an account already set up; all you will need to do is click ‘forgotten password’ and use the email address you used to receive this form.

When making a Vacation Care booking please select Casual bookings, not Permanent.

What is the cost?*

Student Free Day - 30 August 2024

Fees: $68 per day*

Bookings close: 19 August 2024

September Vacation Care Program 2024

Early Bird Fees: $63

Early Bird Bookings close: 30 August 2024

Fees: $68 per day*

Bookings close: 6 September 2024

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

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

What are the hours of operation?

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

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

From time to time, the QISPN provides free webinars for parents on a range of topics. The next upcoming seminar is on ‘Unpacking VET’ and may be of interest to parents of high school students. The seminar is a collaboration from Queensland’s four peak parenting groups: P&Cs Qld (Parents & Citizens), ICPA Qld (Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association), Catholic School Parents Qld and the QISPN. The online seminar will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 28 August 2024 and registration for the event is via this link 

The QISPN is keen to hear from as many parents as possible and has two main channels for parents to follow them. They publish a monthly newsletter to which parents can subscribe by visiting the Queensland Independent Schools Parent Network website and filling out their contact details in the ‘pop up’ that appears, or there is a sign up at the bottom of almost every page of the website . Further, parents can follow the Facebook page

Clarissa is keen to hear from all parents on any and all topics related to their experiences as parents in the independent school sector. She can be contacted via email clarissajane2003@gmail.com

All members of the St Margaret’s community are encouraged to attend. The meeting provides a great opportunity to connect with other families, keep informed regarding P&F and Support Group initiatives, and raise funds for the benefit of all students.  

There is also an option to join this meeting remotely via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend the meeting in person. To register, please  Meeting papers will be available to download via  on Monday 26 August.

St Margaret’s Mothers Luncheon

Last Thursday we welcomed 500 mums to Brisbane City Hall for the 2024 Mothers’ Luncheon. It was wonderful to join together to celebrate St Margaret’s mothers and the women who play a significant role in the lives of our girls.

Together with the support of our sponsors (UMS, Hundt Law and Jimena Alejandra), businesses and people within our community who kindly donated prizes, we raised over $35,000. This is an amazing achievement, and we are grateful for every single person who showed their support.

We would like to thank those who donated to the raffle: The Story Bridge Hotel, The Beach Ranch, KAILO Wellness Medispa, The Running Cook, Verve Photography, Jimena Alejandra, Number Works N Words, Edito James Street, UMS, Hey Chica, Tigerlamb, KraftieChickie, Hoppy’s Car Wash and St Margaret's P&F Association.

Event photographs will be available shortly on pixevety (St Margaret’s image management program) at. All parents would have at some stage been invited to create a pixevety account linked to the St Margaret’s gallery. If you need further assistance to link to the gallery, please contact Mitchell Hollywood on mhollywood@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast – Featuring Helen Moore, Chief Operating Officer, KFC Australia

Tickets are available for the fourth Professional Women’s Network Breakfast on Tuesday 15 October, with guest speaker Helen Moore. 

Helen is a commercially astute, passionate, people and business leader, with extensive experience growing businesses across the Food & Retail sectors. Helen currently leads a 14,000 strong team to operate ~300 KFC restaurants across Australia from Busselton to Brisbane and everywhere in between!

Prior to joining Collins Foods, Helen was CEO of Oporto, leading 180 restaurants across Australia and New Zealand. Prior to that, Helen was General Manager – Convenience Development for Ampol (formerly Caltex Australia) creating the successful Foodary retail format, Helen brings over 15 years’ experience in retail and consumer goods, commencing her career in investment banking with JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank before transitioning to senior leadership roles at Woolworths Group.

Event Details

Date:              Tuesday 15 October 2024
Time:              6.45am arrival for 7.00am - 8.45am
Location:       Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot
Format:          Sit down breakfast  
Tickets:          $85 Adult, $40 Student (Years 10-12/Tertiary). 
Corporate tables: $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event.

To purchase tickets: 

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: , Supporting Sponsors: Wolff Coffee Roasters, , , and O’Reilly Shaw Family Lawyers.

Georgia Mitchell