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She was an inspiration - and her story demonstrated a focus on self-belief, resilience and drive; it was an affirmation of the need for us to help build these characteristics in the young women and girls we teach.

That same day, as the Vice-President of the Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia and the Queensland Chair of the organisation, I received the article below based on the results of a Scottish study investigating the personality traits of 14-year-old students tested in 1947 and 63 years later, again tested at the age of 77. Surprisingly perhaps, researchers discovered that personality characteristics (self-confidence, perseverance, stability of moods, conscientiousness, originality, desire to excel) are not stable over our lifetimes.

The researchers hypothesised that they would observe small to moderate stability in each of the six traits from childhood right through to older age. However, contrary to their expectations, they found there was “no significant stability” over the 63-year period. Only conscientiousness and stability of moods were found to demonstrate some stability but, overall, “the results indicated very low stability of personality from age 14 to age 77 years”. In other words, “personality changes throughout the life course".

Previous studies have found that personality is stable over shorter periods, such as from early to late adulthood. However, this study, which looks at a much longer time span of 63 years, demonstrates that smaller periods of stability do not add up to a lifetime of personality stability. Rather, “personality changes gradually throughout life, which can lead to personality in older age being quite different from personality in childhood”. In fact, “the longer the interval between two assessments of personality, the weaker the relationship between the two tends to be”, and when the interval is increased to 63 years, “there is hardly any relationship at all”.

As American journalist, screen writer and director Nora Ephron told the 1996 graduating class of Wellesley College over twenty years ago, we are not “fixed and immutable” forever. Not only are we capable of reinventing our goals, careers and relationships, but, as this latest research shows, life can also change our personality. Those who show self-confidence, perseverance, mood stability, conscientiousness, originality and desire to excel in childhood may not possess these personality traits in adulthood. Equally, those who do not possess these traits in their youth may develop into creative, confident, conscientious and stable adults who persevere and excel in their chosen field.

I do enjoy this excerpt from her speech (see below) - and you may wish to share it with your daughters as a conversation starter and/or engage your family in the game to list the five things which describe yourself.

In reference to life, Nora Ephron advised:

‘It will be a little messy, but embrace the mess. It will be complicated, but rejoice in the complications. It will not be anything like what you think it will be like, but surprises are good for you. And don’t be frightened: You can always change your mind. I know: I’ve had four careers and three husbands. And this is something else I want to tell you, one of the hundreds of things, I didn’t know when I was sitting here so many years ago: You are not going to be you, fixed and immutable you, forever. We have a game we play when we’re waiting for tables in restaurants, where you have to write the five things that describe yourself on a piece of paper. When I was your age, I would have put: ambitious, Wellesley graduate, daughter, Democrat, single. Ten years later not one of those five things turned up on my list. I was: journalist, feminist, New Yorker, divorced, funny. Today, not one of those five things turns up in my list: writer, director, mother, sister, happy. Whatever those five things are for you today, they won’t make the list in 10 years - not that you still won’t be some of those things, but they won’t be the five most important things about you.’

References:

Harris, M., Brett, C., Johnson, W., & Deary, I. (2016). Personality stability from age 14 to age 77 years. Psychology and Aging, 31(8), 862-874. DOI: 10.1037/pag0000133

Horowitz Satlin, A. (2017, March 9). This Nora Ephron speech is for women who think feminism doesn’t apply to them. Huffington Post. Retrieved from:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/nora-ephron-speechfeminism_us_58c03010e4b054a0ea66e5bf

Ros Curtis 

I recently read about a report on new research from Kings’ College in London that studied the effects of technology on the sleep patterns of children. The study involved over 125,000 young people between the ages of 6 and 19 years old. The study found that those children who used devices such as smart phones and tablets at bedtime have over double the risk of a disrupted sleep compared with those children who did not have access to these devices at bedtime. The study found that, even if the child was not using the device, if the device was in the bedroom then there was an increased likelihood of poor sleep.

Many suggest that not having these devices in the bedroom is beneficial to student wellbeing. Perhaps having a central place in the household (or area out of sight if in boarding) where the device can charge overnight would assist students to ensure they have enough sleep. Also, parents can help to monitor the use of these devices to make sure they are being used safely. If they are always used in a public area of the house, rather than in bedrooms, monitoring can be much easier.

The world is such a connected place now, which of course has so many significant advantages. However, it is important to ensure that our children are using these devices safely and that they take care of themselves and their usage of them so as not to interrupt their sleep.

Karen Gorrie 

Those in the community not yet admitted to receive, or who are part of other faith journeys, are still welcome to come forward for a blessing. Two opportunities are coming up for those who might wish to be formally Admitted to receive Communion.

Students and other family members from Years 3 and above are invited to consider Admission to Communion as part of the Primary Family Service held on Sunday 4 June at 9am. Year 3s are receiving preparation for this possibility through their current studies in Religious and Values Education. Secondary students and others (including staff, family members etc.) are invited to consider being Admitted to Communion at a Eucharist on Wednesday 17 May at 6pm. The prerequisite for this is that one is baptised. Please contact The Reverend Nicki if you or your children would like to consider this path.

A Reflection on LENT from Student Chaplain, Mrs Juliana Bate:

Lent is a sober time in the Anglican Church calendar; a time where some choose to give up something for forty days, to reflect the fasting of Jesus in the wilderness and to consider the sacrifices of another compared to our own. Some may associate this time of year with adults telling them as a child that they were not to have lollies or dessert. Others know that the supermarkets have plenty of hot cross buns on the shelves alongside the Easter eggs.

For the Christian Church, Lent is about preparation. In our secular lives, preparation for a big event also has an element of change. As we prepare to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ, we should be asking ourselves if we need to change. Are our behaviours, actions and attitudes towards others a reflection of what being Christian is?

No one is perfect; we are after all humans who live in a world that is busy and at times confusing and unjust. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, says that the being Christian is about entering the ministry of Christ, in all the craziness of the world. The ministry of Christ was to bring justice to all of humanity; Jesus cared and loved those who were not socially accepted and for those marginalised in his time, but he had a problem with hypocrites. So, the question is, are we being Christians and caring for those in the world that need help - seeking justice and liberty, or are we being hypocritical to what we call ourselves, and holding the marginalised of society in contempt?

The problems of the world may seem too big. We can, however, make a difference in our own homes and communities. Reflect on the words of Pope Francis, who believes that Lent is a time where our activities should enrich the lives of others “if you do no good for others, you do nothing great”.

In the words of Pope Francis:

Fast from hurting words and say kind words

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and have trust in God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen. (via pietrafitness.com)

Consider how one of these alternative fastings could change your interactions within your context, how it could nourish your family and community. Perhaps decide to take up a task of change for Lent; it’s not too late.

Juliana Bate

Student Chaplain 2017

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday 29 March: Boarders’ End of Term Eucharist, 6pm, School Chapel

Wednesday 19 April: Whole School Easter Service, 9:30am, Philip Harris Sports Centre, All Welcome

Sunday 23 April: Young Families’ Service, 9am, School Chapel

Thursday 27 April: Years 9 and 10 Family Service, St Augustine’s, Hamilton

Wednesday 10 May: Years 11 and 12 Family Service, St Mark’s Clayfield

Please don’t hesitate to contact The Reverend Nicki Colledge on 3862 0716 or ncolledge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au if you have any queries regarding baptisms, communion admission, weddings, funerals or hospital visits.

The Reverend Nicki Colledge 

“My first term has been tough in terms of missing home, but it has been fun experiencing boarding for the first time. I’m from Toowoomba and Charleville and never boarded before. I thought it was going to be a challenge leaving my family for a long period. Friends in Year 7 and girls from older grades have helped me overcome homesickness. Spending time with them helps me not miss home so much. My mother has been able to visit me throughout the term which helped as well. I have loved the weekend activities, particularly rollerblading. All my teachers are super nice and the homework keeps us busy. Housemothers in the Boarding House talk to you when you’re sad, give you hugs and look after us so well. My goal is to continue being strong. I have met so many new friends and I’m looking forward to getting to know them even more. I can’t wait for the holidays and next term I won’t feel so overwhelmed. I now know the school and where to go.”

Camilla Mackenzie

Year 7 Boarder

“As we approach the end of the term, the life as a senior not only shortens but becomes demanding with exams coming up and committing to not only sports but other extra-curricular pursuits. Throughout this term, I have come to realise that the effort I put into this year will reflect my years ahead. In Year 12 there is a lot more independence with how one manages their time, with the workload growing and the juggling of other outside school activities. Senior year so far has tested our organisation skills! In boarding, we have Housemothers who understand the challenges that we face and ensure that we are maintaining a good balance. Ms Spooner has introduced us to the four-step plan to survive Year 12. Firstly, food - eat well and have a healthy diet. Secondly, rest - making sure you have enough sleep. Thirdly, exercise and keeping yourself active. Lastly, emotions and making sure we are ok and are balancing the stress. These steps ensure that we maintain a balance in the busy life of a senior. With Term 1 coming to a close, we are looking forward to the Senior Formal at the end of the term to establish that we are well and truly a quarter of the way through our last year of school.”

Aria Esguerra

Year 12 Boarder

Dimity Harris 

The ability of students to transfer their understandings to unfamiliar contexts is vitally important in terms of their academic progress and success.

This week, I read a particularly effective explanation of the importance of transfer in education in a text by Dylan Wiliam and Siobhan Leahy.  I include it below:

…when we teach our students how to do something, we are rarely interested in their ability to do the things we have taught them. That sounds paradoxical but it is, in our experience, true. If we teach our students to add two numbers, such as 278 and 345, we are no longer interested in those two numbers; our students can almost certainly add those two numbers because we have shown them how to do it. We are interested in whether they can use what they learned to add two different numbers. If we teach our students how to punctuate a sentence, we are no longer interested in that particular sentence; we are interested in whether we can apply what they have learned to a different sentence, or even better, that they can punctuate when writing a story as opposed to doing a punctuation exercise…. If the only things our students can do is what we have taught them to do, they can’t do very much at all, because those exact circumstances are unlikely ever to arise again. The only useful learning is that which the student can apply beyond the context of the learning (2015, 31-32)

The examples above seem obvious and straightforward and that is why they are valuable. Transferring learning to a different context is difficult and we need to be consistently engaging our girls in a dialogue about what it is that they are learning. Encouraging them to think about their learning and asking three simple questions can help them to understand the concept of transfer:

• What am I learning?
• Why am I learning it?
• How will I use it?

Teaching for cognitive transfer means ensuring that students think about the purpose of what they are doing. They need to struggle and embrace challenges, which may initially defeat them, but which will ultimately allow them to develop the thinking required for deep and sustained learning.

Samantha Bolton

Year 8

• Chinese Listening Task
• French Reading and Listening Task
• Science Poster
• Humanities Field Booklet

Year 9

• Chinese Reading
• Business Exam - Personal Finance

Year 10

• Chinese Reading and Listening
• Visual Art Written Assignment

Year 11

• German Speaking
• French Speaking
• Drama Prac and Responding Task
• IPT
• Visual Art Written Assignment
• ESL Written Task

If you need any assistance to access your daughter’s results, please email me at: ndevlin@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Please be aware the booking system will close at 9:00am on Monday 27 March for Parent Teacher Interviews.

If you need assistance with Parent Lounge Access please email School Support: schoolsupport@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

ICAS Competitions

A reminder if you would like to register for your daughter to participate in the ICAS competitions this year you will need to do so via Flexischools. These competitions will be run under strict timed conditions on the following dates. Please note the time and venue for each of the competitions.

All bookings need to be made by Friday 28 April 2017.

Nicole Devlin 

This day is the seventh National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. It provides a focus for all schools to say Bullying - No Way! It is a timely reminder to reinforce our existing everyday messages that bullying and violence at St Margaret’s school are not acceptable at any time.

Student’s behaviour must always reflect the core values of St Margaret’s and students who display unacceptable behaviour will be asked to explain their behaviour and will face serious consequences.

Toc H Easter Drive
On Sunday 16 April; Years 11 and 12 Toc H members will be spending the morning at The Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital visiting the sick children who cannot go home for Easter. Students are asked to bring in Easter eggs, new toys, colouring-in books and pencils to distribute to the children and their families on the morning. Your donations are greatly appreciated; these gifts would be wonderful and provide a little magic and a few smiles to these families on Easter Sunday.

Students are asked to bring in their donations to their Form teacher by Monday 27 March 2017.

End of Term
Students and parents are reminded that Term 1 concludes on Thursday 30 March 2017 at 12pm. Buses will run at 12:20pm on the day for students who normally catch the after school bus.

Student Leave
Parents are strongly encouraged to assist the school by ensuring that students are at school up until the last day of term. If due to extenuating circumstances students have to leave before the end of term, requests for leave should be made well in advance via: studentleave@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Nikki Townsend 

The examples below highlight common errors in spoken language which are assessed on the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

An alarming number of students in Australia are unable to answer the questions below correctly.

Which is a correct sentence?

I packed a old sleeping bag for camp.

I slept in a tent with my friend.

We cooked on a open fire.

We had a outdoor table for eating.

Less than 35% of Australian Year 3 students answered this question correctly and only 50% of Year 5 students nation-wide provided the correct response.

Which is the correct sentence?

I done the washing up after tea.

The wind blown over the plastic table.

He chosen the black pup with white spots.

He drew a picture to send with the card.

An alarming 47% of Year 3 students provided incorrect responses to this question.

Which option completes the sentence correctly?

Dictionaries use symbols which ________ how words are pronounced.

• Have shown
• Showing
• Are shown
• Show

Only 64% of Year 5 students could identify the correct word.

Students at St Margaret’s are explicitly taught grammar. However, if a student’s oral language contains incorrect grammatical structures and errors, these are incredibly hard to remedy as they have already become habit and are often fixed in long term memory. Error correction, through re-stating sentences that contain mistakes, and ensuring children say the sentence correctly, can greatly assist in ensuring oral language is grammatically correct. Written communication relies on effective and accurate oral language, and the simple act of consistently correcting children’s grammatical errors at the earliest of ages can be greatly beneficial, not only for grammar assessments, but for effective written communication.

Parent Teacher Interviews

You will have received an email outlining the process for booking parent/teacher interviews on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 March. Please remember bookings will close promptly at 9:00am on Monday 27 March. Unfortunately, no further bookings can be made after this time. We urge all parents to please make sure you go back into your schedules and check the times of your interviews, as in some cases, times may have been slightly modified.

School concludes for Term 1 at 12:00pm on Thursday 30 March and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Tuesday 18 April.

Pick Up Zone

We continue to have pick up issues which is causing increasing frustration and safety concerns for our learners. It was disappointing to be advised by the Brisbane City Council that cars were illegally parked in our two minute drop off and pick up zone recently. The police have been contacted and will be doing regular rounds to ensure the safety of our students. Cars are also stopping in the bus pick up zone which is causing undue congestion. We reiterate the importance of parents arriving at 3:30pm or just after 3:30pm as the girls need time to move to the pick-up zone after the conclusion of school at 3:20pm.

Touch Football

Congratulations to Kaya Agnew, Lani McWilliam and Ava Hampson who made the City Districts Touch Team.

Upcoming Events

Trudi Edwards 

The exhilaration (and relief) of ‘pulling it off’ and presenting something of quality is something that I know everyone involved will remember for a long time to come. It is truly a privilege to work with such positive, hard-working students, who not only did a wonderful job performing, but also showed kindness and care for those around them throughout the entire rehearsal and performance period. We must also extend a very big thank you to the many parents who provided an extraordinary level of support to staff and students throughout the whole production process. Well done to all on a wonderful show!

Private Music Students’ Recital

All the best to students who will be performing in the first of our Private Music Students’ Recitals to be held this year on Wednesday 29 March at 3:30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer. These recitals provide the opportunity for students undertaking private music lessons to perform to a warm and supportive audience. They are also useful in providing the girls with a goal to work towards. The recitals are held once a term in the Arts Centre Foyer with the next recital to be held on 31 May. If your daughter is interested in performing at the next recital, she is encouraged to speak with her private music teacher who can then organise to have her included in the program.

Music Support Group

The next MSG meeting will be on Wednesday 26 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 

These rounds will be abandoned under the QGSSSA by-laws and as such will not be rescheduled. The basketball matches that were not played will be played early in Term 2.

Cricket were unable to play their final Division 1 round due to the closure of Windsor Park. The girls have enjoyed their season and developed their cricket skills. The Open team, which is filled with young players, were in a rebuilding phase in 2017 and unfortunately for the girls they didn’t manage to secure a win. The Division 1 team have had two wins and are currently placed 6th on the ladder, with one match to play against Brisbane State High School.

The cross country meet at Yeronga was also cancelled due to the grounds being closed. The first meet of the cross country season at UQ Sports Centre last Tuesday was very successful for the girls. The fastest 3km runner in each age group is listed below. On Tuesday next week, St Margaret’s will host the final meet for the term at Shaw Park. Nine schools will be attending the meet and it will be competitive racing for all ages.

The annual Cross Country Camp will be held on the Sunshine Coast, 21-23 April. Information can be found on the Team app and sign on is via Flexischools. It is an expectation that all team members will attend the camp.

The Parent Support Group and the Senior girls volunteered at the UQ Twilight Running Festival coordinating a water station. Sport is a wonderful avenue for developing resilience and experiencing service to others. On Monday morning the school received a phone call from a patron at the event thanking our girls for their wonderful efforts and support of the runners during the races. I would like to thank the girls and parents for supporting this and showing the public the St Margaret’s Way last Sunday evening. 

Winter Sports sign on has been sent out to all girls this week. The information about the 2017 seasons and uniforms are available on the sports team apps. Training and trials for these sports will commence in Week 5 of Term 2 at the conclusion of the Autumn sports season.

Swimming

Over the next five days we will have 25 St Margaret’s girls competing at the Queensland Schools State Swimming Championships. Good luck to all girls; we hope you achieve your goals and swim personal bests.

Nicky Barrie 

Participants will learn how to make silver jewellery with talented young Brisbane jeweller Clare Poppi. Clare will teach students how to drill, shape and solder with silver and an added extra this year will be learning how to set stones into silver jewellery using tab settings.

The classes will run for 7 weeks from Week 2 of Term 2. There are only 10 places in each class, so enrol via Flexischools today. The cost is $175 per person with all materials supplied.

Term 2 2017 smART Club Adult Classes (PDF335.4KB)

Term 2 2017 smART Club Student Classes (PDF249KB)

Lisa Smith 

We faced competitors from Nudgee, Terrace and Brisbane Girls Grammar. I was placed in building the bridge team, which is the biggest event of the day. At the end, everyone watched a 2kg trolley, with selected weight placed on top, run over the bridge. The day started out with the four of us discussing a design and then trying to refine it with improvements. Half an hour before the testing we had only half built the bridge. We were all frantically putting it together, when we ran out of our 10 metre limited tape, but luckily the very kind Nudgee boys next to us let us use 5 metres of theirs. Our bridge was not the best on the day, but we were happy with our efforts. The St Margaret’s team finished 3rd overall, which is a phenomenal achievement. The day was a lot of fun and I would recommend it to all the girls in younger year groups.

Rose Biddulph

World Science Festival

The World Science Festival is being held in Brisbane between 20-26 March. A large variety of events will be on during this time, especially on the weekend of 25 and 26 March. Most events are at QPAC or Queensland Museum. Whilst some of our Year 10 students will be attending events on Friday 24 March, we would like to encourage all girls and their families to attend at least one event over the weekend. To stay up to date with all new event announcements, please visit: .

Space School

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School is pleased to announce that through the Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia (AGSA) we are once again offering students the opportunity to join the HASSE Space School International Study Program in December.

HASSE Space School is an amazing opportunity for students seeking to pursue success in a STEM career. Students will be immersed in enriched and exclusive space science activities to explore the multi-facets of STEM. Students will also learn and engage in an inspiring personal and leadership development program to truly empower them for changing times.

Junior Space School is astronaut training for youth and is an engaging, hands-on adventure. Students learn about space travel, the development of space-related technologies and are led through several simulated missions.

Senior Space School is the MBA for Youth. With greater program depth, students have incredible access to NASA. It is an immersive program that hones their individual leadership, project management, resource allocation crisis management and team work skills.

Students return with big dreams and lasting confidence, inspired by the ultimate STEM experience at NASA.

An information evening will be held on Tuesday 28 March at the Learning Resource Centre at Clayfield College where students and parents can learn more about the program. .

Trish Kirkpatrick 

How does it work?

Parents set up a FlexiSchools account online and pre-load their account with funds. Students can make purchases at the Supplies Shop by swiping their card at the register. The register shows a photo of the student for security. Parents can view their student’s purchases online and can set daily spending limits on the student’s card.

The system is now available, and we look forward to seeing your purchase made with your student card.

How to Register:

Go to

Step 1: Click the ‘REGISTER NOW’ button

Step 2: Enter your email address

Step 3: You will be emailed a link to an online form - follow the link

Step 4: Choose a Name and Password and complete the form

Step 5: Add each of your Daughter/s’ name/s and their year group/s and link their student ID card number to the account

Step 6: Top-Up the Account - VISA, MasterCard or Direct Deposit.

What does it cost?

Student Card payments are FREE.

There is a variety of payment options supported to top up your Flexischools account, including Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and Bank Transfer. There may be a fee associated with topping up your Flexischools account.

Cashless Card Fees: Nil

Account Top-Up Fees:

Direct Deposit (normal banking timeframes apply) - Nil

Credit card VISA/MasterCard (immediate) - 15c + 1%

PayPal (immediate) - 15c + 1%

If you have any questions, Flexischools provide excellent customer service via their help desk by calling 1300 361 769, or you can contact them via their website.

Terisa Arnold 

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?*
$60 per day. Incursions and excursions incur additional costs. These are compulsory for all students and therefore you are able to claim CCB/CCR for these.

What are the hours of operation?
The service is open from 7:00am until 6pm.
The service is closed from 14 April 2017 - 17 April 2017.

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 

Catherine has built her career on developing, implementing and championing innovative education strategies with a heartfelt dedication to improve Indigenous education outcomes.

Be inspired by this amazing woman who believes that when you capture the hearts and minds of people, anything is possible.

When: Thursday 18 May 2017

Where: Arts Centre Foyer

Tickets: Corporate tables $650 for 10, $60 adult and $40 students (Years 10-12/tertiary)

Tickets are now on sale via Flexischools under Quicklinks on the St Margaret’s Website.

P&F General Meetings

The P&F invites the school community to share their views and ideas at the General Meetings, held in the Arts Centre Foyer from 6:30pm on the following dates:

Monday 8 May 2017

Monday 31 July 2017

Monday 30 October 2017

P&F Event Dates 2017

Term 1

Thursday 30 March - Father Daughter Breakfast (SOLD OUT)

Term 2

Saturday 27 May - Community Ball

Friday 9 June - Fathers’ Dinner

Term 3

Saturday 2 September - Race Day

Family Directory 2017

In the coming days, you will receive your copy of the Family Directory. We hope you find this a valuable reference tool throughout the year.

St Margaret’s Community Ball - Saturday 27 May 2017

Keep an eye out for your invitation to the Ball, which is being distributed this week with the Family Directory. Full details can be found on the St Margaret’s website Events page.

Tickets are now on sale via Flexischools under Quicklinks on the St Margaret’s Website.

Old Girls’ Association

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2007 - Friday 21 July 2017

20 Year Reunion – Class of 1997 - Saturday 22 July 2017

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1987 - Friday 21 July 2017

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1977 - Saturday 22 July 2017

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1967 - Saturday 22 July 2017

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1957 - Saturday 22 July 2017

Chapel Service and Morning Tea - Sunday 23 July 2017

1938-1956 (60+) Year Reunion - Monday 24 July 2017

OGA Annual Brunch - Sunday 11 June 2017

AGM - Tuesday 28 November 2017

Luanne Wishart 

Placements should be confirmed by early July 2017 and commence from 1 January 2018 and continue throughout the year. Further information is available at: .

Letz Live Tutors Worldwide are holding an information evening next Monday:
Venue: P&F Centre, St. Peter’s Lutheran College
Address: 66 Harts Rd, Indooroopilly, Brisbane, QLD, 4068
Date: Monday 27 March
Starting time: 7:00pm
You will need to register to attend the evening as places are limited:

Lattitude Global Volunteering organise international placements for 17 - 25 year olds. If you are looking to volunteer in an English speaking country with a culture similar to Australia, the UK may be the right place for you. You’ll have the opportunity to create an energetic and positive environment for young students, camp-goers, program participants and residents. Exercise your good communication skills and leadership qualities by becoming a role model for those who need it most. You’ll have the opportunity to meet other hardworking volunteers from all over the world, explore the British culture like a local and gain a sense of independence during this longer placement. More information is available via:

Griffith University - Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Stand out from the pack at the tertiary music auditions with Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University's Tertiary Preparation Workshop (TPW) program.

TPW prepares students (in Years 10, 11 and 12) to approach the theoretical and practical aspects of their university audition process with confidence. Now in its fourteenth year, the workshop runs Monday 26 to Friday 30 June and provides prospective instrumental and vocal students with an opportunity to work closely with Queensland Conservatorium staff and music industry professionals in state-of-the-art facilities at South Bank in Brisbane, Queensland. For more information visit:

When: 26 June - 30 June 2017, Enrol Now
Where: Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, South Bank
Cost: $495

The University of Queensland: Find out what girls can do with a career in technology!
The University of Queensland, together with Digital Careers and Australian Computer Society, invites Years 8 to 12 girls and their parents, for a night of inspiration and empowerment.

Hear from our alumni speakers as they share their experience of studying technology and now working in the industry. You’ll also meet our current female students and learn what it is like to study information technology at UQ.

After the talks, there will be an opportunity to try fun hands-on activities like creating your own binary bracelet, view student displays, experience virtual reality and get more information.

When: 6:00pm - 7:30pm, Thursday 27 April 2017
Where: Level 3, GHD Auditorium Advanced Engineering Building (Building 49), The University of Queensland
Register:
RSVP: By Friday 21 April 2017

Australian Defence Force
Women In Defence Information Session
This information session will provide an excellent opportunity to engage with a current serving female from the Australian Defence Force and discuss not only the recruiting process, but also life in the Australian Defence Force as a female. The information session will be able to provide valuable information to help assist you through the recruiting process and into a rewarding career in the Australian Defence Force.

When: Monday 27 March 2017
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Defence Force Recruiting - Level 13, 295 Ann Street, Brisbane
To RSVP email: wid@dfr.com.au or visit

Bond University
Are you an ambitious Year 11 or 12 high school student living on the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Northern NSW? Bond University’s Student for a Semester program gives high achieving Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to gain an authentic university experience before they finish high school.

‘Student for a Semester’ students enrol in a Bond University subject, attend lectures and tutorials on campus, complete assignments and sit their subject exams. You’ll be mixing with uni students, meeting academics and getting involved in university life. You’re welcome to use the Main and Law Libraries and all of our on-campus sport and recreation facilities. You can socialise in the cafes and restaurants and join student clubs - exactly as you would if you were a full-time Bondy.

Make no mistake, this is a challenging program. You’ll have to find time for the extra classes and study on top of your school work - but if your parents and school agree that you are capable, then we highly recommend you apply. You'll receive plenty of support from us, including your own Bond Student Mentor to help you enjoy every minute of your semester at Bond.

Applications for the May 2017 program are now open and close Friday 7 April. Download a copy of the May 2017 class timetable and read more about this program at .

The University of Queensland
Special entry into the Bachelor of Dental Science for rural or remote students
Rural areas of Australia often have limited access to educational opportunities and dental services. To assist in addressing this ongoing challenge, 8 per cent of Bachelor of Dental Sciences (Honours) places in UQ's annual intake are now designated to applicants who come from a rural background.

What classifies as rural is determined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification Remoteness Area system (ASGC-RA), which also categorises various levels of remoteness, identified by their Remoteness Areas (RAs) rating. Students will need to live in a remote area for a set amount of time to be eligible.

This rural background sub quota for the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) will be available for students within the RA2 - RA5 category. This will include most Queensland regional cities, as well as rural areas near Ipswich and some parts of the Gold and Sunshine Coast hinterlands. Students can check the classification of their homes on the Department of Health website.

Approved rural background applicants must still meet all the entry requirements of the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) program, including sitting the UMAT exam. However, to assist with meeting the ranking requirements, rural background applicants will be competing against a smaller cohort of applicants (for a smaller number of places) where the standard UMAT cut offs may not apply.

Further information on the scheme and eligibility requirements can be found on the
 

'Getting Ready for University' - Info Sessions for Year 10 parents, guardians and carers
As a parent or guardian, you play a vital role in helping your children make the best choices about their future and Year 10 is the best time to start.

When teenagers select their senior subjects, it is important that they select the right prerequisites for the university programs they are interested in.

Your child’s dream is our mission and these interactive group sessions are designed to give you the necessary information to assist your child in making an informed choice about their future. All our interactive sessions are hosted by recent UQ professional staff graduates and run for approximately one hour with plenty of time set aside for any questions you may have.

Topics include:

• Understanding the university language;
• Key differences between high school and university;
• Pathways into your child’s dream program;
• Scholarships; and
• QTAC, fees, accommodation and more!

Session Dates: week of 15-18 May 2017, St Lucia campus

It’s never too late to find out more about university and we would love to hear from you! Please email us or call 07 3346 9872.

UMAT
Registrations for UMAT 2017 are open. Copies of the Information Booklet can be downloaded from the UMAT website at: . Please note that before registering for the Test, students are required to carefully read the UMAT 2017 Information Booklet, which will only be available online from the UMAT website.

UMAT 2017 Key Dates:

Registrations open First week in December 2016

Registrations close Friday 2 June 2017, 5pm AEST

Late registrations close Friday 16 June 2017, 5pm AEST

Applications for Special Testing Conditions close Friday 16 June 2017

UMAT Test date Wednesday 26 July 2017

Results released late September 2017

The only identification documents accepted for UMAT 2017 are:

• Current passport
• Current photo-bearing driver's licence (full, probationary or learner's permit)
• Current photo-bearing Australian Keypass
• Current photo-bearing Australian Proof of Age Card

For further details, please refer to the UMAT website. Candidates without correct identification will not be permitted to sit UMAT2017 and will be turned away from the test centre.

UMAT is only available once every year. If you do not register by 2 June 2017, you will have to wait until 2018 to sit the test.

UMAT Preparation
MedEntry: If you are interested in studying Medicine or a career in health that requires sitting the UMAT Test, visit the MedEntry website for assistance in your preparation: . MedEntry is the only government accredited training organisation for UMAT preparation.

MedStart: is an organisation that assists students to prepare for UMAT. Courses are available in Brisbane.
Please check the MedStart website for more details.

NIE - UMAT Workshops Australia
Along with the 8 or 10 UMAT books our Premium, Platinum and Concession courses include the intensive one-day UMAT preparation and training workshop.

Our workshops are designed to cover every UMAT construct (previously known as UMAT sections), the various types of questions to be encountered and how to tackle them, and then to check where you are at with respect to UMAT-specific study, throwing a full-blown UMAT NIE practice test at you. How will you fare? How have you been going? Which UMAT style questions still need work?

Brisbane Workshop details to be held at UQ, St Lucia: 5 April, 28 June and 23 July.

UQ Guides

Copies of the UQ Australian Undergraduate Guide 2018 are now available from the Careers Corner in the Library. Individual Faculty Guides will be available later in the year.

QUT Guides

Copies of the QUT ‘Real Choices’ 2018 guide to undergraduate study are available via this link:

Griffith University

A hard copy of the 2017 Undergraduate Guide is available from the Careers section of the library. An electronic copy is available at:

KEY DATES:
Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June 2017
The National Careers and Employment EXPO (Brisbane Convention Centre).
All Year 10 students will attend this exciting event on the morning of Friday 2 June.

Friday 2 June
UMAT Registrations close 5pm

Wednesday 26 July
UMAT Exam

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July 2017
The 36th annual Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO), Australia's largest tertiary studies expo, offers a unique opportunity for anyone interested in starting, changing or upgrading their career! Featuring many local, interstate and overseas education providers, student services and support agencies. Don't miss this great opportunity to map out your future, all in the one location! 8am-4pm, RICC Brisbane Showgrounds. A great opportunity for students to collect information from a huge number of exhibitors.

Elizabeth Johnston