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At the beginning of each year, I publish the names of staff who are undertaking further study. I do this as it is one of the key indicators of the commitment of our staff to higher learning.

In 2020, 50% of our staff have Masters’ degrees or higher or are currently studying towards this postgraduate qualification. This is a very high percentage within the education industry.

The following staff are currently studying in 2020 towards the Masters’ level qualification. You will note the focus on leadership and management in education. It is heartening to see this demonstration, at a high level, of professional engagement and a commitment to lifelong learning.

• Cassandra Argent - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT
• Jo Butterworth - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT
• Ysabella Dawson - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT
• Chris Dunn - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT
• George Higgins - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT
• Thomas McCormick - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT
• Kate Montgomery - Master of Education - QUT
• Talia O’Callaghan - Master of Education (Educational Leadership) - Southern Cross University
• Mathew Stein - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT
• Alison Scott - Master of Education (Educational Leadership) - University of South Australia
• Annette Box - Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - QUT

This year, Safer Internet Day will be celebrated on Tuesday 11 February 2020. The theme is ‘Together for a better internet’ and Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is encouraging parents to mark the day by starting family conversations about online safety. You can download the Safer Internet Day resources at and use them to start the chat about online safety with your family.

There are also free live webinars with an Esafety Commissioner Trainer:

1. For parents of young people 12-18 years – ‘Teens, tech and time online’ on 11 February, 7:00pm (AEST) and 12 February, 12:00pm (AEST). eSafety’s live webinar for parents and carers will explore the latest research and expert advice for using technology safely. The session will cover how to start the chat about harmful content, relationships and online harassment.
2. Parents of children ages 5-12 years – ‘Helping Kids Thrive Online’ on 12 February, 7:00pm (AEST) and 14 February, 12:00pm (AEST). The session will cover how to start the chat about harmful content, contact with strangers and cyberbullying.

This is a national event. Please book to secure your place. You can register now at .

Ros Curtis

The writer went on to query whether some people are so busy taking a selfie that they miss out on the experience. Should we instead take away our phones and talk to people about the experience and document it that way rather than take a selfie for the record? If we keep the focus on ourselves, we might forget to see the people around us.

Underpinning our culture and respect for those around us and to ensure that we notice everyone here at school is the St Margaret’s Way. The vision of St Margaret’s Way is to ensure social and professional interactions between all within our community – students, staff, families - that foster a sense of belonging, coherence and wellbeing. The St Margaret’s Way is a set of values and behaviours to which all members of the St Margaret’s community adhere. It grew out of questions put to the community: How do I want to feel every day when I come school? What am I doing to ensure that others feel this way? The vision of this plan is to ensure social and educational interactions that foster a sense of belonging, coherence, wellbeing and accountability amongst staff, students and parents. Essentially, it is a pastoral approach that is designed to give a language to the way we are and strive to be in our interactions with each other. It is a focused energy on wellbeing, noting that all within the St Margaret’s community have a role to play in the wellbeing of all in our community. There are two key focus areas – firstly we appreciate and acknowledge (each other, students, parents), and we are aligned and accountable (to ourselves, to each other, to the vision of the school).

I look forward to a year where our community can continue to embrace and foster the St Margaret’s Way.

Karen Gorrie

In 1892 an extraordinary woman, Sister Caroline Amy, answered a call on her life. She was called to establish faith-based schools for girls. And as you know in 1895, our school, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School was established. This school centred on the formation of the whole child - the physical, mental and spiritual. Our history tells us that the Sisters of the Society of Sacred Advent courageously and bravely stood up for their Christian beliefs and their belief of a good strong education for girls, which was certainly unusual 125 years ago.

Developing the spirituality within our students is an important part of educating the whole child. This is why we hold regular worship services within the life of the school.

Please be aware of some key dates and opportunities for our students and families as follows:

In Term 1

Baptism and Admission to Holy Communion will take place in Term 1 for Years 7 and 8. All students in Years 7 and 8 are invited to participate in preparation for Baptism and/or Admission at the Years 7 and 8 Family Service on Tuesday 18 February, 6:30pm in the School Chapel. Families are reminded to please return your forms no later than 10 February informing us whether your child will be baptised and/or admitted to Holy Communion. Please click here (PDF 457.3KB) for further information.

The Pre-Prep to Year 3 Twilight Family Service will be held on 25 March, 6:00pm. Families and their children are invited to attend this 125th Celebrations Family Service.

In Term 2

Years 4-6 are invited to participate in preparation for Baptism and Admission to Holy Communion (Year 4s will all have in-class RVE lessons). The service will take place at the Years 4-6 Family Service on Wednesday 29 April, 6:00pm in the School Chapel. Further information will be communicated during the term.

We give thanks to God for the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, we ask God to bless the Sisters.

Susan Crothers-Robertson

On Sunday, the senior students of the Boarding House chose to go on leave to the city or to the State Library to study, while the younger girls enjoyed time at the pool, relaxing after an energetic and exhausting night. I must say, the Senior Boarders of 2020 are really demonstrating they lead by example. Their drive for a successful first weekend in Boarding was realised and bonds were created between girls in all year levels.

This weekend, the girls have the choice of attending the Churchie Valentine’s Dance on Saturday night or going on a trip to Eat Street. On Sunday, all Boarders are welcome to join our trip to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) at South Brisbane. There we will be visiting two exhibitions, “Below the Tide Line” and “Island Fashion” in the Children’s Art Centre, followed by a picnic lunch at Southbank. We aim to deliver a full and diverse Activities Calendar which is an excellent way to keep the Boarders busy and stimulated over the weekends.

Fiona Spooner

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) are always updating and providing many resources to keep teachers and parents up-to-date with the changes. We will cover this information during the Parent Information Evening; however, you can also visit their website to find out more: . The presentations from Thursday night will be available via the POD.

Assessment Planners – Years 11 and 12

Years 11 and 12 students can access a 12-month Assessment Planner on their Year Level POD pages. All assignments and exams for Terms 1 to 4 are recorded so that your daughters can begin to plan their study schedules. Effective study habits rely on your daughter’s capacity to prioritise her academic progress and allocate sufficient time for homework and study. Exam Block schedules will be available in Week 3.

Academic Progress meetings – Year 12 (including ATAR Indications)

All Year 12 students will be asked to sign up for an academic progress meeting to discuss their Year 11 progress, goals for 2020 and ATAR Indications, if eligible. At the commencement of the meeting all ATAR eligible students will receive a letter with their ATAR Indication.

Meeting times will be available before, during and after school and you are most welcome to attend these meetings with your daughter. Your daughter will have access to a SharePoint document by 3:00pm, Friday 7 February where she will be able to book in a time to meet. Available dates and times are listed below:

• Monday 10 February – 2:00-6:00pm
• Wednesday 12 February – 2:00-6:00pm
• Thursday 13 February – 7:00-10:00am
• Saturday 15 February – 8.00am-12:00pm
• Monday 17 February – 4:00-6:00pm
• Wednesday 19 February – 3:00-6:00pm
• Thursday 20 February – 7:00-10:00am
• Friday 21 February – 7:00-8:30am and 10:30am-12:00pm

Nicole Devlin

Years 7-12 Continuous Reporting

The aim behind Continuous Reporting is to provide valuable and informative reporting to parents and students in a way they can understand and work in partnership with teachers to support their learning.

For parents, Continuous Reporting will provide:

• Results in a working context – individualised to their daughter.
• Up to date information about how their daughter is performing, rather than waiting for the end of semester report or parent teacher interview.
• All results to parents though Parent Lounge, including results from previous assessment and years.

Continuous Reporting will provide students with:

• Improvements in feedback to students for assessments – focus on improvements.
• The opportunity to own their results and look for areas of improvement.
• Access to an Academic Goal Setting process through Learning Analytics to allow the girls to analyse their results, engage in feedback and set goals for their learning path.

Assessment Calendars

All students have been provided with a copy of their Semester 1 Assessment Calendar. These have also been uploaded to the POD for student reference. Parents will be able to access the list of assessments and due dates after the 21 February through Parent Lounge by accessing ‘Curricular Activities’ (in the drop-down box under student details in the top menu).

Tom McCormick

We would very much appreciate your support in publicising the event to friends and colleagues who may be interested in seeking a St Margaret’s education for their daughter and in doing so ‘Discover the Difference’.

Furthermore, Saturday 7 March is a day when we require all our students to be present at school, in full uniform and either participating in curricular, co-curricular or community activities.

If your daughter is unable to attend Open Day, please submit a leave request to the Dean of Students via studentleave@stmargarets.qld.edu.au by Monday 2 March 2020.

Each student in the Secondary School will be issued with a timetable for the duration of Open Day. It is expected that girls attend the sessions they have been allocated to as rolls will be marked. Secondary School students are required to be at school by 9:15am.

Primary students are asked to report to their classroom at 9:25am and they will engage in activities with their classroom and specialist teachers throughout the morning.

Students are asked to bring along their morning tea, including a drink bottle. There will be opportunities for girls to eat between sessions.

Girls who are involved in sport on the day are asked to attend Open Day either before or after their games.

We look forward to seeing you for a successful Open Day.

Nikki Townsend

One area that is always of interest is homework which contributes to a home/school partnership. We refer to homework as home learning, as this term reflects our belief that learning happens everywhere. Our home learning is based on researched evidence which shows that it is most effective when it takes the form of short, frequent learning experiences.

Homework comprises two approaches that evidence indicates are effective for learning:

• Multiple exposures/Spaced Practice
• Previewing (Home Preview)

Multiple exposures/spaced practice presents the student with more opportunities to experience, connect with and elaborate on skills and knowledge to enhance mastery and fluency. Students have access to a range of online digital resources which provide interesting and effective ways to practise and master English and mathematical skills. These digital resources provide students with immediate feedback allowing them to accurately monitor their progress.

Previewing – Home Preview is preparation at home, preparation where the student previews the next topic to be studied in class either tomorrow or the next week. Students might be required to find three interesting things about the topic and/or identify two questions. Big Talk is discussing and modelling the use of vocabulary in relation to the writing stimulus that is outlined on the homework task sheet.

Home Preview and Big Talk are perfect opportunities for adults to engage in discussions about writing tasks and/or topics of study. The adult’s role is to foster questioning and encourage dialogue. It doesn’t have to be a set time; it could be at the dinner table or in the car. By engaging in this dialogue with your child, you are helping them to be prepared for their classroom learning.

Information was also presented to families regarding parent access via the POD, including submitting student absentees online. If you would like to review the POD presentation it can be found on the Primary School home page on the POD.

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday 18 February: Year 6 Leaders Induction, School Chapel, 8:30am-11:00am

Thursday 20 February: Primary Parent Interviews, Classrooms, 3:45pm-6:00pm

Friday 21 February: Primary Parent Interviews, Classrooms, 1:15pm-6:00pm

Friday 21 February: Free Dress Day

Wednesday 26 February: Year 4 Camp

Angela Drysdale

Music Camp

St Margaret's Music is excited to once again offer the opportunity for girls in Years 7-12 to attend our biennial Music Camp! The Music Camp will take place on the weekend of Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February 2020 at Luther Heights Youth Camp. It is an expectation that all Years 7-12 girls who participate in Secondary school Co-curricular music groups will attend the camp. Time will be spent rehearsing in music ensembles improving musical skills and participating in other fun activities. This will be an excellent opportunity for girls to not only learn new music repertoire within music ensembles but also build relationships with other girls in the music program and the music staff. Music Camp will also be an opportunity to rehearse for upcoming performances at Open Day. The cost to attend the camp is $230 with Flexischools now open to take bookings. Further details are available here (PDF 250.3KB).

Performance Uniforms

For many of the music ensembles at St Margaret’s, students are required to wear a performance uniform. Students are encouraged to purchase the uniform as soon as possible from the School Supplies Shop in preparation for Open Day (7 March). Performance uniform requirements are as follows:

CHORAL ENSEMBLES

Serenata, Belle Voci: School Middy

Chorale: School Middy (but required to purchase a white church dress for future performances)

Elevarsi: School Middy

Encorah, Volare: Black performance uniform with black shoes (ballet flats)

Exultate: Black pants with a plum coloured shirt and black jazz shoes

BAND ENSEMBLES

Chaseley Concert Band, Jackson Wind Ensemble: School Middy

Sister Helen Wind Symphony, Stage Band, Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/EJ Percussion Ensembles: Black performance uniform with black shoes (ballet flats)

STRING ENSEMBLES

Tutti Strings, Amati Strings, Beath String Quartet: School Middy

Stradivari Strings, Chamber Strings, Sculthorpe String Quartet: Black performance uniform with black shoes (ballet flats)

ROCK BANDS

Highly Strung: School Middy

Secondary Rock Bands: Smart blue jeans, sneakers and ‘M Factor’ polo shirt

Music Support Group

The St Margaret’s Music Support Group is a committee of dedicated parents who meet regularly to support the girls who participate in the School’s Music Program. The Music Support Group organises and assists with refreshments at school concerts and fundraises to purchase a range of instruments/equipment to enhance the department’s resources. The first meeting for 2020 will be on Tuesday 11 February 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

Artistic Gymnastics - Mrs Louise Burgman: lburgman@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Basketball - Mr Ben Haig: bhaig@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Cricket - Mr Mathew Stein: mstein@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Cross Country - Ms Helen Lobegeiger: hlobegeiger@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Soccer - Mr Chris Forster: cforster@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Softball - Ms Desley Upton dupton@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Swimming - Ms Phoebe Mawer: pmawer@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Touch Football - Ms Kirsty Krynauw: kkrynauw@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Water Polo - Ms Emily Ethell: eethell@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Swimming – 1st Swim Meet – Centenary Pool

Our swimmers are ready to make a splash at the first swim meet this Friday 7 February at the Centenary Pool. All swimmers are required to sign on via the Swimming POD. A team meeting will be held at M’s Café for all swimmers at the conclusion of school. We thank all the Years 8 and 9 parents for supplying pasta for our team.

The program of events is available via the POD or can be downloaded by clicking here (PDF 211.7KB).

Basketball welcomes Brian Kerle

St Margaret’s is excited to announce a partnership with Brian Kerle Basketball. Brian Kerle is one of the most successful Basketball coaches in Australia, having coached 456 NBL games over 13 seasons. He was Assistant Coach for the Australian Men’s team at a World Championships and Olympic Games and took the Bullets to the 1984, 1986 and 1990 NBL grand finals and two championship titles. Brian was inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame in 2006 and, most recently nominated for the Queensland Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. St Margaret’s is looking forward to Brian’s involvement within the Basketball program by providing professional and experienced coaching to build upon the previous program and continue to develop Basketball at St Margaret’s.

Wilston Norths Cricket Partnership

Our Cricket program is off to a flying start having entered into a partnership with Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club. This arrangement sees the Wilston Norths’ Director of Cricket, Wes Hosking design, implement and oversee the training sessions and all fixture matches. To further bolster the program, Dr Dirk Wellham who recently joined the teaching staff and is an ex-Australian test and one day player will be assisting with coaching and mentoring our girls.

The first round of matches occurred on Wednesday 5 February against Somerville House; results can be found on the POD. We look forward to welcoming Brisbane State High School to our home grounds at Windsor Park on Wednesday 12 February.

Water Polo Supporters Cap – Purchase now before they sell out!

St Margaret’s Water Polo is back in action with all teams enjoying being back in the water. The Water Polo Support Group has been working hard behind the scenes and would like to remind all parents and friends to purchase a Water Polo Supporters cap and become one of the ‘Maggies Army’. If you are interested in purchasing a cap, please see the details via the Water Polo POD page or email Coordinator, Emily Ethell: eethell@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Congratulations…

Tiffany-Rose Kimeklis (Year 9) competed in the Futsal National Club Championships as Goal Keeper and was selected to play for Australian in the U14 Girls team who will travel to Spain in July to play.

Inge Mellor (Year 9) who won silver at the National Water Polo Championships in the U14 division in January.

Helen Lobegeiger

Incoming Exchange Students

This term, we welcome 8 visiting Exchange students to our St Margaret’s Community: Elexa Baxter and Lucy Jagger (Crofton House, Vancouver, Canada); Sarah Hill (Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, Canada); Clodine Hardy, Florence Laboursodiere, Ouma Thibert, Zoe Grandvoinnet and Gabrielle Desjardins (Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie, Montreal, Canada).

We also welcome two study experience students for a term from Toyo Eiwa Senior High School in Tokyo, Japan – Miki Sasago and Chiyuki Kawashima.

Outgoing Exchange Students

Abigail George and Grace Shearer are currently on their Rowing Exchange at St Margaret’s College in Christchurch, New Zealand and we wish them a fantastic experience. We recently heard from the girls:

“The Exchange is going well here, everyone is so kind and welcoming. I have made some new friends from rowing and still meeting everyone at school. It’s my second day of school today and enjoying it all so much already.” Grace Shearer

“Loving the Exchange so far! Rowing camp was very hard, but it was good to meet all of the girls. I have my first day of school today, met so many girls and teachers and all seem very nice.” Abigail George

Exchange meetings

Our weekly Global Exchange meetings commenced this term with a lot of excitement and positive energy. Throughout this term, we will be inviting the 2019 Exchange students to the meetings to share some useful tips with our 2020 exchange cohort, especially those who will be away on their exchange in Term 2.

Upcoming events:

• 12 and 13 February - Visiting Exchange students go on a cultural excursion to Sydney.
• 4 March - Visiting Exchange students attend a ‘meet and greet’ lunch with the Principal and Deputy Principal.
• 7 March – Exchange Stall at St Margaret’s Open Day.
• Over the 8 weeks, feedback sessions will be held with the 2019 Exchange Participants.

Upcoming opportunity to host visiting German students

Every two years St Margaret’s hosts a tour group from our Exchange school, Ursulinenschule Hersel, in Bornheim, Germany. This year, in Term 3, we will have fourteen (14) Years 11 and 12 students visiting us from 14-27 July (total of 9 nights). These students require homestay placements amongst our St Margaret’s families during this time. Hosting is open to both Primary and Secondary families and the student would travel to and from school with your child. Hosting would be a great opportunity for your family to experience another culture and make an international friend. If you are interested, please contact me on 07 3862 0862 or aachari@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Angelin Achari

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

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

Professional Women’s Network Breakfast – Thursday 19 March 2020

Our Professional Women’s Network events program for 2020 has been confirmed!

Join us for our first Professional Women's Network Breakfast in 2020 with leadership expert, Dr Robyn Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Praxis Management Consulting.

Dr Robyn Wilson (’77) is the Founder and Managing Director of Praxis Management Consulting, a Singapore-based firm that provides facilitated strategy and leadership-related services to the greater Asia Region (covering Japan, Australia and the Middle East and everything in-between). Regarded as a leadership expert, Robyn has been based in Singapore for 25 years and has worked across industries and a range of organisations from global multinationals including BHP, Hilton, Barclays and Singtel, to start-ups, government entities to development banks.

Believing in championing young women, Robyn is currently an Ambassador for WomenLEAD Nepal. She also actively mentors younger women who are at various stages in their careers.

Robyn’s career started in IT and Engineering. Amongst other qualifications, Robyn has a PhD from the National University of Singapore, a Masters of Engineering from UWA and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from The University of Queensland.

Tickets will be on sale shortly!

2020 Milestone Reunion Dates

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

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2010 – Friday 24 July

20 Year Reunion – Class of 2000 – Friday 24 July

30 Year Reunion – Class of 1990 – Friday 24 July

40 Year Reunion – Class of 1980 – Saturday 25 July

50 Year Reunion – Class of 1970 – Saturday 25 July

60 Year Reunion – Class of 1960 – Saturday 25 July

Old Girls’ Day (Chapel Service and Morning Tea) – Sunday 26 July

60+ Year Reunion – Monday 27 July

Lara Pickering

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Elizabeth Johnston