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In fact, mothers were six times more likely to be named as a role model than Beyoncé. The What Matters? survey of more than 4,300 guiding and non-guiding New Zealand girls aged 7-17 found that they admire hard work and self-confidence in their role models. On the other hand, being pretty or beautiful was among those traits considered the least important for female role models.

In terms of qualities girls think are desirable in other girls, only 1% feel that being popular is important, 2% think that being good at sport matters and 3% value being pretty. In contrast, the number one quality that girls aspire to is being accepting of others (53%), followed by standing up for what they believe in (51%). Being happy (40%), hard-working (33%) and kind (31%) were also considered important.

The role of fathers is also “critically important”. “Girls are looking to their mothers to look for their future selves,” argues Professor Spencer of Boston University, but they are also looking to their fathers as a “template” for what their future interactions with men might look like. “So how much,” she asks, “does their father convey that he respects girls and women? What are the messages that he delivers about what a girl is supposed to be like and what makes her acceptable?”

Research by Terrance Fiitzsimmons also confirms the important role modelling the ‘quirky’ aunt or grandmother may provide - particularly if the demonstrated version of ‘femaleness’ encompasses more than a domestic role. Girls who end up with executive and CEO roles later in life often report early access to women role models who are not their mothers and who are non-traditionally female.

This Girl Guiding survey reflects international studies showing that girls are increasingly stressed about schoolwork, body image and the pressures of social media. Nearly 40% of girls taking part in the survey strongly believe that there is a lot of pressure to succeed at school. The pressure increases as girls get older, with 60% of girls aged 16-17 naming doing well at school as their number one concern and 47% agreeing there is a lot of pressure to do well.

The survey also found that girls start to worry about how they look in primary school, with 13% of nine-year-olds believing there is a lot of pressure on girls to look good, rising to 49% of girls aged 16. Not surprisingly, nearly two-thirds of girls aged 7-17 feel there should be a better mixture of body types in the media and 52% believe that other girls try to make themselves look “too perfect” on social media.

Professor Spencer says that while the age that girls start to worry about how they look is getting younger, it is not surprising given that today’s girls are inundated with a barrage of social media images about what is pretty and what is supposed to look good. In addition, the age at which girls experience puberty is also getting younger. Developmentally, puberty brings with it the capacity to think about the wider world, says Spencer, and this is positive “we want our young people to become more aware and think about the wider world around them” but, she argues, “one of the risks that comes with that is that other people’s opinions can start to matter”.

Asked about the impact of celebrities and their “perfect”, but often fake lives on social media, Spencer said that it is crucial for girls to have “counter messages”. Girls, she says, need to “hear that there are other lives to aspire to”. That “lives with meaning, with purpose, where they are connected to things that they care about and ways that they can make a difference in the world are much more important than fame, celebrity, status”.

The results of the Girl Guiding survey showing that so many girls value their mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, teachers and activists as female role models over celebrities, combined with so few believing that being pretty or beautiful are important traits for role models, is extremely positive. It is also heartening, says Professor Spencer, that so many girls think that it is important to stand up for what they believe in. The fact that girls want to make a positive difference, she says, “coupled with concrete ideas about how they can do that, I think, is encouraging for all of us for a brighter future”.

References:

Fitzsimmons, T.E. (2011). Navigating CEO appointments: Do Australia’s top male and female CEOs differ in how they made it to the top? PhD Thesis submitted to the University of Queensland Business School.

Kantar TNS New Zealand and Girl Guiding New Zealand. (2017, May). What Matters? Key findings from a study of New Zealand girls. Retrieved from:

Spencer, R. ‘Young girls feel pressure to be perfect on social media: Girl Guides New Zealand’. (2017, May 12). [Interview with Duncan Garner.] Newshub. Retrieved from: 

Ros Curtis 

Interestingly, the study found that such laptop initiatives had a positive impact on student test scores in writing, maths and science. Moreover, there was also evidence of stronger student engagement, more student-centred instruction by teachers, better teacher-student relationships and an increased use of technology by students for activities such as reading, writing, research and note-taking. Students themselves reported more positive attitudes, motivation and persistence when laptops were used.

Parents will no doubt be familiar with their daughters coming home and powering up their laptops to begin homework or assignment work in each of their subjects. They will all be using them to varying degrees in each of their subjects each day.

This year, many students are engaging with our Learning Management System - the POD. The POD (which stands for Place of Discovery) is the go-to area for our students and their teachers, with many classes uploading resources to this area. Our IT department, and our Head of E-learning and Research Services, Peter Cottle, have been in-servicing our teachers on the use of this system with our classes and students.

Students will be using their laptops each day in a variety of ways. The article I read spoke about how the real benefit of laptops is going beyond instructive activities to constructive learning by all students, where classrooms are moving from teaching students to remember something to teaching students how to figure something out.

How many times have we all been in situations where we don’t know the answer and we simply “Google it”?

Classroom practices go deeper than that though. Teaching students to ‘know what to do when they don’t know what to do’ is about acquiring skills to analyse problems and apply learnt techniques in order to solve those problems.

Our laptops do help us by providing a window to information that can help us provide answers or to pose more questions for students to ponder. Our POD provides organisation and structure for students within their classes, to be able to access teacher resources and lessons when required.

Parent Program
The Anglican Schools Commission has engaged Brett Lee from Internet Education and Safety Services (INESS) to develop a series of online courses for parents about cyber safety. St Margaret’s strongly supports this training for parents within our school community. This course is a user-friendly and practical resource that will equip parents with information and skills to assist their children to safely navigate the online world.

There are separate, tailored courses for parents with students in:

• Lower Primary (ages 4-8)
• Upper Primary (ages 9-11)
• Lower Secondary (ages 12-14)
• Upper Secondary (ages 15-18)

These courses are free.

All of the courses can be accessed using the link and password below:

Please note: The Anglican Schools Commission has entered into a financial agreement with INESS to provide this training to school parents for a period of five years including annual updates. School parents are asked to honour the agreement with INESS and not to share the login password with persons not directly associated with St Margaret’s.

Karen Gorrie 

From Monday 29 May - Monday 5 June the School Chapel will host a selection of tactile, sensory and spiritual experiences for all. Students may have the opportunity to visit during class time, however, all are welcome before and after school and during breaks. Our themes for Term 2 Prayer Spaces are:

Reconciliation: next week is also National Reconciliation Week, so using this year’s theme of “Let’s take the Next Steps”, visitors will be able to prayerfully contribute to a large dot painting creation.

Eco-Spirituality: a hands-on and sensory experience allowing visitors to contemplate Creation and our place within it.

Teapot Time!: a favourite - simply sit and contemplate a teapot, honouring moments in life where the sacred is experienced through everyday actions.

Saying Sorry: using magnadoodles, visitors may choose to draw or write something for which they are sorry. In taking a moment to reflect, bringing their heart to a place of recognition, the magnadoodles can be wiped - just as God forgives us when we are sorry.

Are you Cross? Relationships with friends and family take effort and they don’t always make us content. What is a concern you have about a friendship? What are some qualities you need to work on together? What is something you can write or draw to show a particular connection with another? Journey through the ‘tunnel’ with your paper to place in one of the holes in the timber cross.

2017 Confirmation with Bishop Jeremy Greaves, Wednesday 12 July, 6pm
Any student from Year 8, family member or staff member is invited to consider being Confirmed by our regional bishop in July. The beautiful service in the School Chapel is followed by a sit down dinner in the ACF. Preparations have begun, but it is not too late to contact me.

Should you be considering Reception into the Anglican Church, this can also take place with the bishop’s visit. Please contact me on 3862 0716 or ncolledge@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Primary Family Service and Admission to Holy Communion, Sunday 4 June, 9am, Eton Hall
Please continue to keep in your prayers the following students who will be admitted to receive communion on Sunday 4 June in Eton Hall; Elise Castley, Alexandra Dew, Lily Gillan, Kate Greenwood, Annabel Hansen Savannah Hignett, Valletta Hutchins, Bronte Kinloch, Astrid Selwa, Zoe Rossiter, Rose Brown, Isabel Robinson, Sarah Sorensen, Elizabeth Barakat, Sophie Brokken, Charlotte Kropp, Kate Ryan, Sophie Sorensen and Chelsea Johnson. Lily Gillan and her sister Abby will also be baptised that morning.

This is also the 2017 Primary Family Service and all members of the community are invited to come along to enjoy our celebration for the Feast of Pentecost. Morning tea will be held in Eton Courtyard after the service and the School’s Prayer Space will also be open.

Upcoming Services
Friday 26 May: 9:05am, Year 3 Service of Communion, classroom
Sunday 4 June: 9am, Eton Hall, Primary Family Service and Admission to Communion
Friday 9 June: 2pm, Years 1-6 Eucharist
Wednesday 12 July: 6pm, Confirmation Service

Reflection
With National Reconciliation Week next week, I think “A Thanksgiving for Australia”, written by The Rev Lenore Parker and found in A Prayer Book for Australia, p219, is a wonderful prayer of hope and thanks:

God of holy dreaming, Great Creator Spirit,

from the dawn of creation you have given your children

the good things of Mother Earth.

You spoke and the gum tree grew.

In the vast desert and dense forest, and in cities at the water’s edge, creation sings your praise.

Your presence endures

as the rock at the heart of our Land.

When Jesus hung on the tree

you heard the cries of all your people

and became one with your wounded ones:

the convicts, the hunted, and the dispossessed.

The sunrise of your Son coloured the earth anew,

and bathed it in glorious hope.

In Jesus we have been reconciled to you,

to each other and to your whole creation.

Lead us on, Great Spirit,

as we gather from the four corners of the earth;

enable us to walk together in trust

from the hurt and shame of the past

into the full day which has dawned

in Jesus Christ.  Amen

With every blessing on you and yours,

The Reverend Nicki Colledge 

1. Listen to your teachers
2. Take relevant notes which will help you with the assessment
3. Clarify instructions by asking questions when needed
4. Check the criteria sheets

It is essential that the girls understand what is expected of them. Assessment guidelines and criteria sheets are provided by teachers and we encourage the girls to keep these handy when completing the work. The assigned tasks will invariably present different challenges and the girls are encouraged to adopt a calm yet rigorous approach to their efforts. Gaining new knowledge, developing skills, thinking more deeply and working independently to ‘nut out’ solutions are all part of academic progress. Another set of simple suggestions we use when guiding the girls at Prep is:

1. Get organised - check you have the correct books, handouts and equipment.
2. Plan your Prep time - use your diary and keep your eye on the time.
3. Write check lists.
4. Seek help from the Teaching staff supervising Prep time.
5. ‘Have a go’ even when you are unsure.
6. Formulate questions for your subject teacher.

Boarders are encouraged to attend tutorials outside of class time should they be on offer from various teaching staff. Also, if boarders need to spend extra time on their work beyond the hours of Prep - there is always the opportunity to do this quietly at their desk. Boarding staff encourage the girls to keep their dorm and work spaces tidy; however, it is their responsibility to keep on top of this. Finally, the importance of sleep must be mentioned as it is key to the girls’ vitality. Boarders in Years 6-10 hand in their phones at night and House Mothers also insist that the girls put their laptops away at a designated time.

All in all, boarders impress us with their diligence at Prep time and whilst working in their dorms. When everyone applies themselves and avoids distraction, a truly successful and hard working environment is created. House Mothers are on hand to help girls deal with any concerns from the day and we acknowledge the daily and somewhat unpredictable management of the girls in their care, particularly during the stressful weeks.

Dimity Harris 

This week we have begun a new initiative - Peer Tutoring. Thank you to Ella van den Berg-Leaney, Gi Young Seo, Hannah Lane, Hannah Witenden, Edwina Whyte, Phoebe Coates, Isabella Burdon and Allison King for agreeing to be tutors. This is an initiative which has emerged because of girls indicating that this is something they would like. Each pair of tutors has been assigned 12 students to tutor. This is not one on one tutoring but rather group sessions are provided. The idea is that each group will experience 3 or 4 peer tutoring sessions by the time they sit the test.

Finishing Well

It is hard to believe that we are nearly half way through 2017 and approaching the end of the first semester. The end of semester is a time of stress for many people - students, parents and staff. We all need to remember to stay focused on the present and do what we can realistically do in the moment. Year 12s may feel that it is too late for them to make a difference to their learning. They may be disappointed in the approach they have taken to their studies and feel that the behaviours they have demonstrated to this point will determine their outcomes for the rest of the year. The cliché, today is the first day of the rest of your life can be adapted to this context - start now, stay steady and persevere! Choose to commit and to engage and do your best each day. We are defined by the choices we make as we navigate our daily lives - choices regarding how we will respond to other people and to the challenges we face shape us. As the authors of our lives we can choose how we will be in this moment and in the next and the next. It is the sum of these moments that make our lives. As our girls face the stress of exams and the disappointments sometimes associated with learning it is important that we encourage them to be their best selves in each moment.

Samantha Bolton 

One of the ways we are developing the skills of our girls to ‘surf the waves’ is by continuing the Study Hall concept for the Year 9 students next Friday.

On this day, the Year 9 cohort will complete their Maths Round One exam and have time to practise good study and review habits under the guidance of staff. During the non-exam time the girls will have the chance to meet with teachers to ask questions and check for understanding as they go over concepts for their upcoming assessments. The aim of this initiative is to assist the girls to learn valuable study skills as they move toward preparing for the external exam process in their senior years of schooling.

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

Supervised Study

Many girls and parents have been taking the opportunity to attend Supervised Study Sessions this term. The learning community is growing and is proving to be beneficial to all who attend. If your daughter needs help developing study skills or help to navigate assessment and homework, booking into one session per week will provide her with skills to assist the development of her scholarship. Here are some quotes from current parents whose daughters attend:

… seemed very proud of what she had achieved and I think it gave her confidence a boost working in a slightly different environment. It wasn’t what I had initially expected, however, I felt it was perfectly suited to her. (Mother of a Year 7 Student)

… had a great time tonight. When she came out, she said that she had an awesome evening and was delighted with what she had achieved. She came across as outwardly more confident as a result. (Mother of a Year 7 Student)

A reminder about End of Semester Reporting and Parent Teacher Interviews

With the end of term fast approaching I would like to draw your attention to the dates and times for the release of reports and the booking system for Parent Teacher Interviews.

End of Semester Reporting

End of Semester Reports will be able to be accessed through Parent Lounge on Friday 23 June after 3:00pm. Each student’s report will consist of a comment from her Head of Year, as well as a page 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 1. For parents with students in Year 12 the end of semester report will include a comment from the teacher of each subject.

Parent Teacher Interviews

The second session of Parent Teacher Interviews for 2017 will be held on Monday 10 July from 10:00am-6:00pm. These interviews are scheduled at this time to allow you to meet with teachers following the Semester One Report.

Staff value this opportunity to discuss your daughter’s learning with you. Students are encouraged to attend the interviews with their parents as this will assist them to increase their understanding of the learning process and their role in it.

Bookings for Parent Teacher interviews will be facilitated in Parent Lounge. The booking system will be open to parents at 9:00am on Monday 12 June and close at 9:00am on Wednesday 5 July.

Nicole Devlin 

This camp experience provided valuable personal growth opportunities for the girls as it developed their autonomy, confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills while strengthening friendships amongst the cohort. The camp programme was both challenging and rewarding for the girls. Facilitated by Queensland Conference and Camping Centres (QCCC) Mapleton, over the four days, the girls participated in a hiking expedition in small groups of approximately 16 students, 1 teacher and 1 camp facilitator in the Mary Valley. The girls carried all of their belongings and essential group gear and contributed to cooking, clean-up and camp setup each day. I would like to thank Ms Montgomery (Head of Year 8) for organising such a successful camp as well as Mr Smithers, Ms Argent, Mr Stein, Ms Pallot, Mr McCormick and Ms Davis who supervised the groups.

Reflections by our Year 8 students:

From Tuesday to Friday last week, Year 8 undertook their camp around Kenilworth in the Mary Valley. It was a challenging, yet fun couple of days. It enabled the girls to get to know each other better and build their resilience whilst learning new camping skills. Some of their reflections are included below:

On camp, we participated in many challenging and memorable activities. During the 4 days we were away, we built a raft, treated numerous scenario injuries, hiked up Mt Allan and hiked to and from our different camp sites. At both camp sites, we swam, cooked and prepared food and sang around the camp fire. The highlights of the camp were swimming in the freezing, crystal clear streams, Kingston biscuits and the many hilarious jokes and conversations within the groups. However, camp was not without many difficult challenges. Some of the most exerting activities were hiking up Mt Allan and lasting 3 nights without showers! I got a lot out of camp including, new foods, better stamina and getting to know people better.

Zara Campbell

Camp was an exciting adventure away from routine and daily life. We experienced many great enjoyable activities while in the Mary Valley, roughly 30 minutes out of Maleny.

The thing I enjoyed the most was climbing to the top of Mount Allan and climbing up the fire tower. The 5km walk up was definitely a challenging endeavour and showed a lot of people’s leadership skills. Another fun activity was swimming in the crystal-clear waters at Boolumba. It was amazing being able to see your feet touch the rocky bottom of the icy-cold water. On the last night, all the group came together and had a sing off, where the teachers/judges gave us a category to sing to.

Overall, camp was a pleasurable time that will be remembered by all Year 8s in years to come.

Georgia Ditchfield and Ashleigh Witenden

Nikki Townsend 

Police have advised us of recent covert and overt operations which have resulted in numerous infringement notices being sent. The processes for pick up, outlined in the Parent Handbook, have been reviewed and updated by Miss Surtees. I would encourage parents to read the processes below to ensure our children are safe at all times.

Afternoon Pick Up

A teacher is on gate duty in Butler Street from Monday to Thursday until 3:40pm and Friday until 3:30pm. Please encourage your daughter to look out for you so the teacher can supervise her as she moves to your car.

Please do not arrive before 3:25pm in the pick-up zone as students are not dismissed until 3:20pm (Monday to Thursday) and 3:05pm on Friday. Parents who come early are then parking in the pick-up zone and our rolling zone cannot operate.

Please note, there is a teacher on duty only at the Butler Street Pick Up Zone.

2-Minute Drop-off Zones

The local council has designated two areas near the school for 2 minute drop off - Butler Street and Lapraik Street. The 2-Minute Zone is a set down and collection point only and is not an area for parking. It is illegal to leave your car when parked in this area. Please note that it is also illegal to park beside gutters marked with yellow lines especially in front of the 2-minute drop zone in Lapraik Street. Please respect our neighbours and do not park across or in their driveways.

Safety of students in the pickup area

The safety of our children is paramount. For this reason, we again ask you to do the following:

• Do not stop before the crossing, waiting for a space in the pick-up zone. If there is no space in the pick-up zone, you MUST keep moving. Stopping to wait for a parking space is dangerous and causes a bank-up of traffic all the way to Towers Street. Cars, trucks and buses cannot move freely if you stop to wait for a parking space. Tempers fray and then drivers place lives at risk by taking matters into their own hands - overtaking on the wrong side of the road as happened last week, with a serious accident narrowly avoided.
• Continue to move right down in the pick-up line. Don’t stop at the top of the line as this creates issues with the cars following behind.
• Please avoid allowing your child to get in to the car on the road-side of the vehicle rather than the curb side. Lives are being placed unnecessarily at risk with this practice.
• Staff and students will wait at the end of the pick-up zone (half way down Butler Street, near the light pole).
• Students will wait with other family members. Parents, please have your car prepared for your child’s easy access. Please put your car in park but do not turn off your engine.

These arrangements are in place to help reduce the congestion at the top of the zone and the school crossing.

Illegal driver behaviours which place our students at risk are:

• Doing a U-turn at the top of Butler Street across the unbroken white line. This is illegal and can result in a fine of $175 and loss of 3 points.
• Sudden U-turns in front of other traffic causing emergency breaking.
• Speeding. School zones are signed at 40km/h.
• Stopping unexpectedly and in the middle of the street, to allow students to move onto the road and into oncoming traffic.

• Stopping at the crossing to await a parking space. This blocks the free flow of traffic which can result in a $300 fine.
• Parking in the 2-Minute Loading Zone.
• Double Parking at the Loading Zone and in surrounding streets.

If you wish to park, please use the designated spots in Butler or Lapraik Streets.

Parents collecting their children in Lapraik Street are reminded that there is no staff member on duty there. Parents are engaging in dangerous practices by double parking or driving up on to the footpath at the gate and placing children in an unsafe situation. Children can’t be seen as they exit the gate if cars - especially four-wheel drives - are parked up on the footpath.

Pre-Prep Parking

Four parking bays are allocated to Pre-Prep parents for drop off and pick up for a maximum of 10 minutes. We request that only Pre-Prep parents park in these bays (maximum of 10 minutes) with their permit on display in their car. Staff monitor these parks to ensure they are only used by cars displaying these permits. We encourage you to follow this process to ensure the safety of our Pre-Prep students.

Please note, the Pre-Prep parks may be used by all other parents between 9:00am – 2:00pm or after 3:00pm. Outside of these hours, the parks are for use by Pre-Prep parents only for a maximum of 10 minutes.

Last term, the morning drop off was aided by the Year 6 students who are the ‘Meet and Greet’ leaders for 2017. These girls did a wonderful job helping the younger children into the Atrium at the start of the school day. Unfortunately, some of these girls were met with unpleasant comments from some parents not wanting to use their services. As a result, these girls have felt uncomfortable carrying out these duties and therefore the service was withdrawn in Term 2. The school, girls and I would love to reinstate this service in Term 3, and I request that parents support the girls and demonstrate appreciation for their efforts.

Upcoming Events

Angela Drysdale 

This is a unique opportunity for Voice, String, Wind, Brass and Percussion middle school students from South-East Queensland to work with their peers in an intensive environment of musical excellence. Students are guided by a team of eminent conductors from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. The girls will rehearse material throughout the weekend Friday 2 June- 4 June at the conservatorium, and present concerts on the afternoon of Sunday 4 June. We wish these girls all the very best for this upcoming event!

Music Students’ Recital

Our Term 2 Private Music Students’ Recital will be held next week on Wednesday 31 May in the Arts Centre Foyer at 3:30pm. All are welcome to come along and support the girls at the event. At this point all performance places have been filled. If your daughter is interested in performing at the next recital (Wednesday 30 August), she is encouraged to speak with her private music teacher who can organise to have her included in the program.

Strings Concert

The annual Strings Concert, ‘Strings Celebration’ is fast approaching. The concert features all of St Margaret’s string ensembles, with a program of exciting, exquisite and entertaining music performed by Chamber Strings, Stradivari Strings, Amati Strings, Tutti Strings, Sculthorpe String Quartet, Beath String Quartet and Year 3 Strings. The evening will also feature Music Extension students and conclude with a fun performance of Can’t Stop The Feeling, in which all ensembles and members of the St Margaret’s community will perform together. The concert will be held on Tuesday 13 June in the Arts Centre Foyer starting at 6:30pm. Please be sure to mark the event into your diaries!

Music Support Group Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 July 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 

The 8B team are currently head to head with Brisbane State High School and this week’s game will determine who takes home the premiership. We would like to acknowledge the tireless effort that our coaches put into their teams, along with the teaching staff who support the programs. Thank you for a very successful Autumn season.

Cross Country continues with the girls training for the Met North Carnival in two weeks. Students and parents are reminded to return their paperwork to the Activities Office.

Winter Trials - Saturday 27 May

Despite the beautiful sunshine on Saturday our venues were still too wet and soggy to run trials safely. We will head into the second week of trials and continue these into the beginning of the winter season training sessions next week to ensure the girls have the best opportunities. If your daughter has not yet signed on, please attend the respective trial and her name will be added to the roll. For information about uniforms and the 2017 season home and away draw, please join your sports team app.

Netball at Windsor Park

7:30am - 9:30am Years 7 and 8

9:00am - 10:30am Years 9 and 10

10:30am - 12noon Years 11 and 12

Volleyball in the Philip Harris Sports Centre

8:30am - 10:10am all year levels

Hockey at Windsor Park

1:00pm - 3:00pm all year levels

Tennis at St Margaret's Tennis Courts

Juniors (Years 7 & 8) from 10:00am
Intermediates (Years 9 & 10) from 8:00am
Seniors (Years 11 & 12) from 8:00am

The winter teams will now be announced on Friday 2 June.

Tennis

Last Sunday, although the forecast rain postponed play on Saturday, our annual St Margaret’s Boarders Cup went ahead. With a turnout of 10 boarders, it was an eventful and competitive day. We saw two of our seniors, Lucy McGilvray and Taleah Rogers battle it out for the top spot with Lucy narrowly defeating Taleah in a hotly contested match. The doubles matches were also a success with seniors, Hannah Witenden and Taleah Rogers taking out the top spot on the ladder. Elyne Tighe and Ebony Black, and Emily Curr and Margot Behrend tied in second place based on games.

Overall, all girls played to their full potential and we are extremely proud of their efforts. Next Saturday, 27 May, the St Margaret’s Cup will be held at the school courts, open to both day and boarding students to participate. A sausage sizzle will be available at $2 with drinks $1 and bake sale items 50cents to $1.

Nicky Barrie 

The Thursday evening art show was very well attended and there has been a real buzz in the gallery ever since. Congratulations to Ayla Newman and Jiangwan (Serina) He who won the Peoples’ Choice awards. Pictured are visitors to the gallery last week including Ms Curtis, Mr Terry Dean from the Education section of QAGoMA, Art Staff and students. Thank you to the girls for such outstanding work and to our hard working Visual Art Aide, Mrs Mazzotta for hanging a great show.

Attached is the Term 3 smART Club Flyer (PDF 210.6KB), advertising a photography course. The course begins Tuesday of Week 2, Term 3 and the Flexischool payment link will be available from next week. Places in the course are strictly limited to 12.

Lisa Smith 

Last month, St Margaret’s nominated three Year 10 students for the new program. The girls completed an application form which asked them about why they wanted to be student ambassadors and what they liked best about living in Brisbane.

The feedback we received was that all three applications were of a great standard and that they would have liked to have all three of our girls as ambassadors.

However, as they could only appoint one St Margaret’s student, Mei-Yen (Annita) Lu was selected. She was appointed because of her willingness to help others and the way in which she shared her experiences on her application form. Annita commented that she enjoys studying in Brisbane because all the locals are warm and kind and that she has enjoyed learning about Australian culture since arriving in January 2017.

Annita will now be invited to attend events with the other Brisbane Ambassadors and there will be a profile of her on the Study Brisbane website which potential international students view when they are deciding whether to study in Brisbane or not.

Congratulations on this achievement Annita!

Emily Labinsky 

Congratulations to Varsha De Silva, Paris Hall, Millicent McKendry, Gabriella Reynolds Campbell and Hannah Lane who all delivered their speeches at a very high standard in the company of other very impressive speakers. Hannah Lane and Paris Hall were chosen as reserves for the next round of the competition. Well done to all who participated.

Maria Chamberlain 

Bookings for the St Margaret’s OSHC June/July School Holiday Program opened on Monday 22 May. If you require care for the upcoming school holiday period, please return your booking form before 5 June 2017.

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.

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 

All volunteers must be trained in Student Protection and Safety Protocols before they can lend their skills and services within the School Community. All parents, grandparents and friends who undertake the training must sign the appropriate documentation and agree to our Volunteer Code of Conduct, Engagement Policy and Procedures and be officially registered as a volunteer at St Margaret’s. If you are a non-parent volunteer (for example step-parents, grandparents or friend), you must also hold a positive notice Blue Card.

There are some very specific expectations on schools in relation to volunteers who work in the school.

All volunteers at St Margaret’s, including parents, must complete the necessary training by following these steps:

All volunteers must read the Volunteer Code of Conduct, Engagement Policy and Procedures document:

All volunteers must be registered with the school. This is done by completing the online Volunteer Register. By completing the online register, you are stating that you have read, understood and accept the information provided and that you understand your reporting responsibilities as a volunteer. The school will record your name on the school's Volunteer Register.

All volunteers are required to complete the Volunteer Register form before commencing their volunteering engagement. Once you have commenced the form you cannot save or leave the page, it must be completed in its entirety. The questionnaire should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You are only required to complete this once per year.

Once registered as a volunteer, every time you visit St Margaret’s to work as a volunteer, you must report to either the Primary or Main Reception to record your name, time of arrival/departure and indicate that you are a registered volunteer within the school.

Should you have any queries or concerns regarding this process or your position as a Volunteer within the School please do not hesitate to contact:

Karen Gorrie - Deputy Principal on kgorrie@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Angela Drysdale - Head of Primary School on adrysdale@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Leah Saul - Business Manager SSA on lsaul@ssa.qld.edu.au

If you are no longer volunteering at the School please email compliance@ssa.qld.edu.au and you will be removed from the register.

Leah Saul 

 For further information and contact details, please .

P&F Event Dates 2017

Date Change

The date for the Fathers’ Dinner has changed to Friday 28 July.

Tickets will be available for sale via Flexischools in the coming days.

Term 3

Friday 28 July - Fathers’ Dinner

Saturday 2 September - Race Day

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 

Applying for a scholarship is as simple as completing an additional section of the general Bond application form. In other words, there's no need to submit multiple applications. Your application acts as both an application for a scholarship as well as an application to study at Bond University all in one form. Before you start an application, read our top scholarship application tips: 

University of New South Wales (UNSW) Registrations for the 2017 LAT are now open and must be completed online via the ACER website.
The Law Admission Test or LAT is a written test that is used to demonstrate your aptitude and suitability for studying undergraduate Law at UNSW. Your LAT score, in addition to your academic results (e.g. ATAR + additional points) will be used in our selection process to allow us to better differentiate between the many high achieving applicants to Law. The LAT was introduced in 2016 for entry to UNSW Law dual degree programs from 2017 onwards.

If you are interested in studying Law at UNSW in 2018 then you should sit the LAT in 2017. Visit for more information.

The University of Queensland: Accommodation guarantee for new students
For students commencing study at UQ and looking for accommodation, UQ's accommodation services is providing guaranteed accommodation for eligible students before they arrive! Students who will be studying as an international, regional or interstate student at the St Lucia or Herston campuses will receive guaranteed accommodation through the UQ Colleges and UQ's external partners.

Upon application, students will receive an offer within five days, allowing them to plan and prepare for their move to Brisbane.

For information, contact:
Andrea Strachan - Phone:07 3365 1720, Email: a.strachan@uq.edu.au
Web:

Get all your questions about uni answered
We invite current senior high school students and their parents to find out about studying at QUT.

QUT New entry requirement for education courses
Applicants for must submit a written statement addressing suitability criteria for the course when they apply as part of their QTAC application. Information on the selection guidelines, including the process for assessment of non-academic capabilities, is available from the .

QUT For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
QUT’s Oodgeroo Unit offers the entry pathway from mid-October for QTAC applicants who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and place QUT within their top three preferences. Applicants need to have their from a and as this process can take time, we recommend students and/or their parents start this process early.

QUT Additional entry requirements and scholarships in creative industries
For such as auditions, portfolios or interviews, students must apply online to QUT by 5pm on Friday 15 September as well as applying through QTAC. Students interested in creative industries can also access , ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, many of which are awarded based on creative ability.

QUT Open Day program now available - register your interest
Mark the date in your diary! Visit us on Sunday 30 July to find out everything you need to know about studying at QUT. to receive event updates and go into the draw for a MacBook

Early Entry Schemes to University:
Several tertiary institutions offer early entry schemes that require you to apply directly to the University:

UNE:

• Apply directly to UNE through the Early Entry Scheme:
• No application fees
• Know in early November
• ATAR or OP not required
• No UAC/QTAC applications
• Currently open and available to all year 12s (OP and non OP)

USC:

The Early Offer Guarantee enables Year 12 students to be offered an early and guaranteed place at the University of the Sunshine Coast in November. These offers are made prior to the release of Year 12 results, rather than students having to wait until the main QTAC offer round in January. Early and guaranteed offers will be made to students based on the recommendations of their school Principal. Applications open 3 August.

ACU: Early Achievers' Program (EAP) 

We believe students should be recognised for their contribution and leadership potential, and this is why we grant them status as Early Achievers. One of the biggest benefits of the program is that successful applicants receive an offer well ahead of the usual tertiary admissions announcements.

You can apply if you are currently in Year 12. Both domestic and international students can apply if you hope to enrol in a course at ACU.

EAP applications to study in 2018
Opened - Wednesday 26 April 2017
Close - Monday 17 July 2017
Offers released by end of August 2017

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 for 2017
Where: Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, South Bank
Cost: $495

UMAT
Registrations for UMAT 2017 are open. Copies of the Information Booklet can be downloaded from the UMAT website: . 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 opened 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

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. Check the MedStart website: for more details.

NIE UMAT Workshops Australia

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 interested in medicine or dentistry will probably need to sit the UMAT (examination). On 28 June 2017, The National Institute of Education (NIE) will be conducting a full day UMAT preparation workshop. Places are strictly limited. All details are available via: .

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