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Key findings from this survey include:

Nearly two in three parents (66%) indicated the start of the process of school selection commenced at least two years before the child started school, while one in four (26%) started before or from their child’s birth.

The most influential information sources parents rely on are:

1. family, friends, and colleagues (22%)

2. school open days/formal school visit (20%)

3. other parents with children at the school (17%)

4. school website and social media (14%)

5. family members already attending the school (8%).

Seven in 10 parents (70%) said their choice of school was totally or highly influenced by the look of the school and facilities on offer.

Children are having a greater say in their future school. Five in 10 parents (53%) said their choice of school was totally or highly influenced by their child’s opinion.

School choice is a very personal decision for families. However, there are common factors parents identify. The top 10 reasons why parents choose independent schools:

1. Preparation for student to fulfil potential in later life

2. School seemed right for child’s individual needs

3. The high-quality of teachers

4. Encouragement of responsible attitude to school-work

5. Teaching methods/philosophy

6. Reputation of school

7. Good discipline

8. Emphasis placed by school on developing student’s sense of community responsibility

9. Range of subjects offered

10. Prospects for school leavers

Ros Curtis

I have previously read an article about parents being their child’s academic allies. I like this term. I think it symbolises the encouragement that parents give their children and recognises that education not only happens at school in a formal school setting, but also outside it. Parents guide, role model and teach their children from the day they are born.

Parents tend to be more involved as formal academic allies in the younger year levels. Parents are instrumental in guiding students with their homework, testing those spelling lists that come home, and reading to and with their children each day.

As a student grows older, parental involvement in the academic side of their child’s schooling drops off, but this is to be expected. As children move up through the year levels, they are encouraged to be more independent with their learning, to question more and take risks with their academic learning. Educational trends grow and change, and I’m sure that when parents look at what their children learn, but more importantly how they learn, they will note differences from their own experience.

We do have processes in place at St Margaret’s to keep parents up-to-date with their daughter’s education and we encourage parents to engage with this. All students from Year 5 have their assessment data uploaded to continuous reporting, so students and their parents can see their results from each piece of assessment and more importantly read the comments made by the teachers. We have parent-teacher interviews that occur twice a year. All this information is communicated through the eNews by the Assistant Head of Primary and the Dean of Studies.

There are many other ways parents can be involved in the school. Parents are encouraged to join the P and F meetings, support groups, volunteer at the MAYO Arts Festival, attend assemblies and events, be part of the audience at music and drama events, and cheer our girls on at the sidelines of sporting matches. Please keep an eye out for these opportunities in the eNews each week.

Karen Gorrie

As I mentioned in last week’s eNews, the annual Confirmation service is being held this term on 10 June at 6pm in the Chapel – followed by refreshments. Bishop Jeremy, Bishop for the Northern Region (Anglican Church of Southern QLD) will be conducting the service. Confirmation is a sacrament by which a person owns their baptismal vows for themselves and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit in empowering them on their journey in life, living out these baptismal promises. This rite is open to any member of our school community (14 years and older).

If you or a member of your family would like to be confirmed, please complete by Monday 23 May, 2022. Confirmation preparation will begin in Week 6 and run over 4 lunch times throughout weeks 6-8.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions: jdow@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Rev’d Jazz

Do it for Dolly Day holds a special place in the heart of our boarding house and we are honoured to be taking the reigns in our fundraising efforts for this worthy cause. On Friday 13 May, students can purchase a light blue ribbon (Dolly’s favourite colour) from the breezeway for a gold coin donation. The boarding house has donated the cost of the ribbon, allowing all proceeds to go towards Dolly’s Dream Foundation.

The school staff have also been invited to partake in our ‘best in blue’ competition, where the best blue dressed staff member on Friday, as voted by our boarders, will win an M’s Café voucher.

Hannah Calcino

Dr Rachel Baird from Deakin University is investigating gender bias in leadership. She is surveying Years 11 and 12 students across three girls’ schools and three boys’ schools to investigate the following:

• what traits students associate with a leader and the gender they associate with those traits;
• whether there is any correlation between the leadership views held by students and their teachers within a school environment (Educator affect); and
• whether there is any difference in views held by students across gender and cultural affiliation (environmental affect).

Jennifer Levitt from The University of Queensland is investigating Learner Agency and Feedback. Students in Years 9 and 10 will be invited to participate in this research, with a whole cohort survey and two Year 9 and two Year 10 English classes being involved in further data collection. This will include the collection of work samples and some small group interviews. This is an exciting research opportunity as our English teachers will regularly be working with Jennifer Levitt and her supervisor, Cam Brooks, gaining valuable professional development on Cam’s research on student feedback.

In both of these research projects, no identifying data will be collected and schools will be deidentified in any published research. I know that our school community will be just as excited about these opportunities as I am. Please keep an eye out for an email from me with the consent form that will need to be signed and returned to school.

Caitlin McCluskey

We encourage students and their parents to discuss this teacher feedback as it is released, to help ensure a plan is formulated for academic development and growth. Further, girls can use their Term 1 grades and feedback to help evaluate their progression towards the academic goals they set earlier in the year with their Form Teacher or Academic Advisor.

Years 9 and 10 Study Hall

As we draw closer to the halfway mark of Term 2, this also means the Study Hall days for Years 9 and 10 are fast approaching. A reminder that during these days, normal classes are suspended for these year levels, and students may have examination and performance assessments scheduled (please refer to your daughter’s Assessment Calendar on the POD).

When girls are not sitting assessment during Study Hall, they are afforded time to undertake independent study, where they can continue with other schoolwork and assessments.

Term 2 Study Hall dates are as follows:

Study Hall schedules will be made available through the Years 9 and 10 POD Pages in the coming weeks.

Chris Dunn

It is therefore important for children and parents alike, to consciously and intentionally learn good wellbeing strategies. Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to the digital landscape we find ourselves in and this often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and can result in increased levels of stress and anxiety. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences.

The blueprint for parenting, based on our own experiences, is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming. Although we can’t provide our kids with certainty, we can provide them with the skills and strategies to cope and to enable them to flourish and thrive, socially, emotionally and academically. It may not necessarily be the information itself that is harmful, but more their inability to process and make sense of it. The Pastoral Care team at St Margaret’s speak to the girls regularly about these concerns. For more information regarding this please go to the POD, Parent Resources, School TV.

Nikki Townsend

The gift of song was also appreciated by all present; thank you to Regina Brennan and Brad King for supporting the choir. Thank you to Annette Box and the teachers who contributed to this special event and particular thanks to Kari Potts (Functions and Events Coordinator) for her contribution to this event and many other past primary functions.  Ironically, the Mother’s Day breakfast was her last event before she headed off on maternity leave. We wish her well and look forward to meeting her baby.

I know this event was a wonderful way to start the weekend celebrations for all the women who have a significant impact on the lives of others. Not surprisingly, on the weekend, there was much to read in the media about many mothers and their impact. I think the common thread that ran through the stories was a mothering person is always a role model e.g. of care and kindness, balancing work and family, good manners etc. As a school, we are doing our part to model and support the girls in developing manners. Manners enable society to exist with the most basic tenets of respect. In each classroom, the manners we expect everyone to demonstrate are on display. Our first rule is saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. We do encourage your daughter when making requests to use ‘please’ and show gratitude by saying ‘thank you’. Other rules include ‘listen when others speak’, ‘don’t interrupt’ and ‘wait your turn’. We seek your support with your daughters in reinforcing and demonstrating to them that these practices are a platform for developing a grateful attitude and respect for others. So, can I just say ‘thank you’ to everyone who attended our event and for working in partnership with us so your daughter can become the best version of herself.

Angela Drysdale

Further information is available here. (PDF 326.1KB)

Classics in the Cathedral – Raffle Donations

The Music Support Group is seeking raffle prize donations from the school community for their annual Classics in the Cathedral raffle. Some examples of donations from previous years include QPAC vouchers, an Apple iPad and a 2-day Gold Coast getaway. If you are able to support the St Margaret’s Music Program in this way, please contact the President of the Music Support Group, Antoinette Aquilina, by emailing antoinetteaquilina@me.com. Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated!

Classics in the Cathedral - Volunteers

The Music Support Group are searching for volunteers to assist at Classics in the Cathedral on Friday 27 May. Volunteer positions available include assisting with food and drink service at the bar, checking tickets at the door and selling raffle tickets. Furthermore, the Music Support Group are looking for volunteers to provide food items to be sold at the bar. For further information about the help required and to sign up for a position, please visit the appropriate link below. Your support of the St Margaret’s Music program is greatly appreciated!

To volunteer to provide food: 

To volunteer to assist with the event: 

PWN Breakfast

Thank you to the Sculthorpe Quartet (Lily Song, Ella Woods, Isabella Bluett and Elia Chen) and Miyan Chia who performed a beautiful arrangement of Downton Abbey at the Professional Women’s Networking Breakfast held on Wednesday morning. The performance was very much appreciated by all in attendance!

Music Support Group

Thank you to all those who attended the last Music Support Group meeting. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 May at 5.00pm in M’s Cafe. Parents from both the Primary and Secondary Schools are welcome to attend.

Brad King

Our U14 team finished ninth in their pool of the division 1 competition. This was an extremely close competition with a one goal difference separating the teams placing third to ninth. Despite not progressing through to the semi-final stage, our girls enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot about performing at a state championship level.

Zac Hudson, Head Coach and Talia O’Callaghan, Water Polo Coordinator both praised the incredible efforts of our players who stepped up to compete against A division players at a State Championship level. Both look forward to the continued future development in season ahead.

QGSSSA Autumn Sport – Parent/Student Sign out

To assist Autumn Sport Coordinators in the logistics of Weekly Sport Matches, could I please ask that all parents remind their daughter/s that they must sign-out with their Coordinator or nominated member of staff at the completion of their weekly match. No student is to depart the venue without being signed out. We greatly appreciate your support in ensuring the safety of all students while participating in school sport.  

GO MAGGIES!

Lloyd Knight

ART

This year the bi-annual MAYO festival will take place on 29 and 30 July 2022. As part of this key school event, we have been fortunate enough to have confirmed Glen Skien as St Margaret’s ‘Artist in Residence’ commencing on 9 May. The concept for MAYO 2022 is ‘reconnect’.

Glen Skien is a Brisbane based artist who specialises in printmaking by exploring personal narratives in his work. Glen will create a collaborative installation of prints, photographic transfer, and collage with our students. The workshops will take place in the St Margaret’s Art Centre during school hours and timetabled class times.

We are very excited to welcome Glen into our school community. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our girls to reconnect and work alongside a renowned artist.

MUSIC

The St Margaret’s community enjoyed the highly anticipated ‘Battle of the Bands’ – performances of five last week featuring five Year 9 bands. To prepare for this event, they had developed performance skills on the electric and bass guitars, drum kit, piano and voice. The girls are commended for their enthusiasm, teamwork and on the effective ways that they collaborated with their peers.

DRAMA

Year 10 Drama students have been involved in ‘The Scene Project’ by Queensland Theatre Company. The Scene Project is a participatory style project, which involves schools in the creative process of performance, from rehearsal through to presentation. The Scene Project is about acknowledging students and teachers as artists and encouraging live performance in a professional space and manner.

This year the students have had the opportunity to explore a newly commissioned work for young people; Chroma Town, by Suzie Miller.  Chroma Town examines the symbiotic relationship between the mining industry and the communities under its shadow to find a common way forward with transition and care.

The students have workshopped their creative ideas with professional dramatist, Darcy Brown, of the Queensland Theatre Company, and will be performing their scene at the Billie Brown Theatre on the 27 July.

ARTWORK OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to Year 9 student Matilda Litfin on winning the May Artwork of the Month as judged by Visual Art Captains Isla McWilliam and Claire Crossley. Matilda created a charcoal drawing over paper collage - a still life that pairs the organic rips of the newspaper with the stark black smearing lines of charcoal. Her work is both skilful and visually pleasing. Well done Matilda.

Adrian Walker

2022 Mothers’ Luncheon wrap up

On behalf of the P and F Association and St Margaret’s we thank you our community for supporting and being part of the 2022 Mothers' Luncheon hosted at Brisbane City Hall last Friday. Your participation meant that this event was a huge success and demonstrated your amazing Maggie's spirit.

Together with the support of our sponsors and prize donors we raised just shy of $70,000, a new fundraising record for the P and F Association. This is an amazing achievement, and we are grateful for every single person who showed their support. This will allow us to make a significant contribution to the St Margaret’s Building Fund to help support the development of new student amenities, including a new cafeteria and outdoor seating area, and new learning spaces.

As we reflect on the success of this event, we look forward to welcoming you and the St Margaret's community to up and coming events in 2022 and 2023.

We sincerely thank Major Sponsors, Qscan, KLM Solicitors, Adcock Prestige and Hotel X, and Supporting Sponsor, UMS.

We also thank the businesses and people within our community who kindly donated prizes to the raffle: The Beach Ranch, Hotel X, Old School Phonics, M Body, Samantha Ogilvie, P&F, Pilates on Collingwood, Oscar Oscar, Bella & Lace, Small Blooms, Tigerlamb, V-Golf Virginia and Tulio.

Giving Day 2022: For every girl in brown, white and blue.

St Margaret’s third annual Giving Day will be held on Wednesday 25 May, for 12 hours only from 9am – 9pm.

Donations will be DOUBLED on the day by our generous matching donors and will help a generation of young women make their ambitions come true.

A donation to the Scholarship Fund will, through needs-based bursaries, help us provide a St Margaret’s education to some girls who thought such an opportunity would never exist for them.

A donation to the Building Fund will help us to develop new student amenities, including a new cafeteria and outdoor seating area, and learning spaces so that we can continue to deliver the best educational experience to St Margaret’s students.

Crucial to the success of the day are our Matching Donors, those in our community willing and able to contribute $5,000+ to their chosen cause (building or bursary) ahead of the day.

This philanthropic leadership encourages community spirit and participation, and we thank them for their generosity. If you are interested in being a Matching Donor for Giving Day this year, please do not hesitate to contact me on 07 3862 0884 or email foundation@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

We are also looking for volunteers to help us spread the word on the day by making some phone calls to members of our community from the Operations Room in M’s Café. If you can spare an hour of your time to volunteer, we would be very grateful. The sign-up form can be accessed via this link:

Thank you for your support.

Lara Pickering