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If you have any queries about the survey, please contact our Marketing Director, Ms Wendy Johnston via email: wjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or telephone (07) 3862 0837 or you may contact MMG directly: Jason Enriquez on (02) 9369 1449.

It seems like a long time ago, given all the events of this year, but at the Parent Information evening in February, I spoke about executive functioning skills and how they are crucial for effective performance in school and life.

I thought it was a good time to revisit this information as success at school and life relies on their development. Executive functioning skills are partly inherited, but they are also sensitive to both negative and positive experiences. Positive experiences which help with the development of executive functioning include opportunities for a balance between play and learning, a caring and emotionally supportive environment and close adults showing self-regulation. Moderate stress is important to the development of these skills, but persistent stress undermines the development of executive functioning – for example, harsh treatment and violence in the home and abuse.

A very important skill is the one that allows us to put aside what we want to do because we have to do something else. We call this inhibitory control. For a child, that might be stopping talking to listen to the teacher or waiting quietly to be called on in class. This type of executive functioning develops first, accelerating during the preschool years.

Another important skill is our working memory: being able to store, maintain and use information over brief periods of time. An example is being able to remember events in a story when answering reading comprehension questions. This ability shows gradual improvement from preschool through adolescence.

Being able to adapt to changing task demands or contexts is an important executive functioning skill. For example, being able to switch from studying multiplication facts to getting started on a maths test. This capacity develops gradually between ages 3 and 5 and continues to mature into adolescence.

Students often need to call on different executive-functioning skills in real time. For example, using inhibitory control to tune out distractions from classmates while recalling from working memory the teacher’s directions to complete a writing assignment.

Schools work hard to build safe, positive, emotionally supportive classrooms. Children who enter school with weak skills will be especially sensitive to school stresses. Children with poor executive development benefit from early intervention and targeted help.

Ros Curtis

The deadline for applications is 3pm this Friday 4 September and interviews will occur on 16 September. The awardee will be announced at the Prize Reading Assembly on 6 October and be presented their scholarship at Speech Night on 13 October.

Last weekend was the Head of River and I would like to congratulate the team on again winning the Aggregate Cup. I was one of the fortunate people who was able to attend the Head of River and I was so impressed by both the performance and support of each other and other schools on the day. I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the rowing parent community, who although unable to attend any of the lead up regattas or Head of River, continued to be an incredible support for the rowers. Thank you for dropping the girls to rowing incredibly early of a morning, assisting with breakfasts and boat loading in a different COVID-safe way and all the other ways you have supported St Margaret’s Rowing this year. What St Margaret’s does best lies in the strength of the community, and it was lovely that the community was behind the girls even from afar. It was lovely to have their send-off on Circular Drive last Friday, with Reverend Susan blessing the crews with teamwork, timing and technique. A special congratulations to Head of Rowing, Jared Bidwell and Rowing Captains, Shanelle Flute and Lucy Scott on a successful season.

Karen Gorrie

When Jesus was arrested the disciple’s world was changed forever, all their plans, everything that they had expected to happen as followers of Jesus had now changed. They had followed Jesus for years and then suddenly, he was taken away. They had no idea what the future held; things had become confusing.

Jesus tried to reassure them, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” We need to trust in something to get us through this uncertain time. For the disciples, they trusted in Jesus. Just because they trusted did not mean that their pain and uncertainty was taken away. We know there were times they were frightened, and they hid from the world. However, they eventually ventured out and started to spread the good news. There may be times that our hearts will be troubled, and we reach out to the things we can trust. For people of faith that means trusting in God.

God of each moment, God of all time: years from now 2020 will still be present in our collective memory; not just for ourselves or our families or this town, or this nation, but for all people, everywhere. May this shared experience, with its sorrow, its anxiety, its lessons and revelations be the beginning of a new ‘we,’ the us you’ve been with from the start. Amen.

Susan Crothers-Robertson

Our goal is also to ensure that the education and welfare of all students are not compromised as a result of COVID-19. The majority of our Boarding international students are also remaining in the Boarding House during the September holidays. There are many international students who have not returned home since January. The great support from staff and the community is greatly appreciated in caring for our international students throughout this year. In Boarding we are a close group, and it is quite rewarding to witness our students of all different year levels be so brave and resilient together during this year. We continue to be resilient with them.

Gracemere Mataia

Illness and misadventure for External Assessment

Over the last 2 weeks we have been running Mock External Assessments for the Year 12s. If a student misses a Mock Assessment, we will be running a make-up Mock Assessment Day on Thursday 17 September. I have included information below about the process for students if they are unwell or an unforeseen circumstance arises during the External Assessment period. The link below outlines when a student may be eligible to apply for AARA for illness and misadventure for external assessment, and what supporting documentation is required.

Year 12 SWOTVAC Week

As previously advertised, the P&F were planning to host a breakfast for our Year 12 girls and their parents on the first day of SWOTVAC; however, due to COVID-19 restrictions around gatherings and food this has been cancelled. However, the P&F have offered to help with the final day of SWOTVAC celebrations and we are working on a plan to give the students the opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of their friends in the cohort. More details around this event will be provided when they are confirmed.

Year 11 Exam Block and Study Day

Next week, the Year 11 students will start their Term 3 Exam Block. This starts with a Study Day on Tuesday 8 September and concludes on Wednesday 16 September. Only Year 11 students who have exams need to attend school. When sitting an exam, all students need to be in full school uniform with the appropriate exam equipment.

A reminder to all day students, if they are attending school during the exam block to study or meet with a teacher, they need to be in full school uniform and all other school rules apply, including the use of mobile phones. Year 11 Boarding students also need to be in full school uniform if they are meeting with a teacher.

Nicole Devlin

From these tests, we will receive an overview of each student in relation to:

• General reasoning (Verbal and Non-Verbal)
• Mathematics Achievement
• Spelling
• Written Expression

Students will also take part in the AAS Testing again in Year 10. This will complete a full picture of students’ abilities, educational skills, achievement and career interests as they move into their senior phase of schooling.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parents are reminded that Parent-Teacher interviews for Students in Years 7-10 will be held on Friday 18 September. The system will be closed for bookings at 5:00pm on Wednesday 9 September.

Please note that we do not offer appointments times for the following subjects:

• Digital Technology
• Literacy Boost
• Health and Physical Education

Tom McCormick

Setting a schedule is vitally important. Students need to schedule everything from sleeping and eating, to studying and exercising. It is one of the best ways to manage inevitable exam stress. Students need to look after themselves when they have big demands in their life.

When it comes to productive study, sometimes less is often more. It is recommended that students hit the books in 50-minute stints, broken up by 15-minute breaks. This gives the brain, and body a rest. Adolescents will often underestimate the amount of sleep they need. Getting enough sleep is key to successful study practices.

Research shows that physical activity also has a very positive impact on mental wellbeing. Eating well is another crucial factor to maintaining concentration and staying focussed on the task ahead. For more information regarding study tips, please visit the POD Parent Resource tile, then click on School TV.

Nikki Townsend

Interhouse Athletics Carnival

As a celebration for the end of term and the girls’ patience with reduced playing areas, this event will become a Colour Fun Run. It will be a great way to raise money for our chosen charities and enjoy a day of running and a kaleidoscope of colour.

Andrews Cup/Leadership

The timing of Cross Country and the introduction of Cricket and Soccer became casualties of COVID. The leaders of these sports have now offered their services to Sustainability. Andrews Cup Athletics for 10,11 AND 12 Years proceeded. Well done to the girls for their efforts. We are all looking forward to watching the girls play Netball in the upcoming Andrews Cup competition.

Parent-Teacher interviews

The interviews on Friday 18 September will take place via Microsoft Teams. Please ensure you sign up with your daughter’s class teacher.

Book Week - Arts Spectacular

The first week of Term 4 will start with a bang when the Book Character Parade (Pre-Prep - Year 4, with Year 4 performing a special dance) and Year 5 Arts Spectacular will be held on Thursday 8 October. In order to have an audience, many plans are in place. Please check the correspondence to allow you to attend the event to see your child. Don’t forget to use the holidays to plan your child’s costume for the theme, “Curious Creatures & Wild Minds”.

MAYO A Celebration of the Arts

The celebration will go ahead on Saturday of the first week of Term 4 - 10 October. Don’t forget to send in your donations and thank you to the Class Representatives for supporting their year level for this whole school event.

Camps

Years 3 and 5 camps will go ahead as planned in previous years. The Year 6 Canberra trip was postponed and now due to interstate travel restrictions, the girls will not be able to travel to Canberra. Instead, we are now planning a one-off trip to Cairns. The girls were very excited to hear they were still going to fly and go away with their classmates.

P-2 Celebration of Achievement

Due to limiting audience numbers, this event will be limited to P-2 students. The Prep students will perform the Nativity Play with the Years 1 and 2 choir accompanying this performance.

Years 5/6 End of Year Awards Afternoon - 28 October

This event will be a combination of presentations for Years 5 and 6 academic, sporting and cultural prizes and the Year 6 end of year celebration performance. More details to follow.

I thank you in advance for your support of these events as we head towards celebrating the end of a challenging year.

Angela Drysdale

Music Dinner

Music Dinner will be held on Wednesday 7 October, 6:00-9:30pm in Eton Hall. The annual Music Dinner is an occasion where students celebrate the culmination of a wonderful year of music at St Margaret’s. It is always a special night for the music students with awards given, and presentations made to acknowledge the girls’ many achievements. This year’s theme, chosen by the Music Seniors, is ‘Music Megastars: Iconic Individuals, Dynamic Duos and Groovy Groups’. Girls are encouraged to come dressed according to the theme! Music Dinner is open to students in Years 6-12 who have been involved in co-curricular music ensembles throughout the year. Unfortunately, this year, parents will be unable to attend due to COVID safe plan restrictions. Further details will be provided soon.

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 September 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 Head of the River started with strong momentum in the single sculls and continued to build throughout the day. Of the 18 events on offer, St Margaret’s achieved podium finishes in 13 of those events. Placing 2nd in the Year 9 age group and winning the Year 10 and Senior age groups!

St Margaret’s emerged as overall victors and took home the Aggregate Cup for 2020!

Our Year 8 rowers watched the Head of the River via livestream at the Rowing sheds before tackling their first 2km ergo trial. There were some outstanding results amongst the group. The entire shed celebrated the 2020 season with the end of season presentation held in Eton Hall.

Well done to all girls who competed in the Head of the River for St Margaret’s and thank you to the incredible community who supported and worked behind the scenes to make it all happen.

Jared Bidwell

Winter Fixtures

The majority of our teams experienced success in our winter fixtures against Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School. Our Tennis and Hockey teams had a clean sweep winning all games. Our Netball teams won all but one game with the 9B’s and 9C’s remaining undefeated. Meanwhile, our volleyballer’s had competitive games in all grades, with the Year 9 team experiencing a nail-biting third set which eventually led to the team going down 11-15.

This week, we welcome Clayfield College to our home venues. For the game schedule for each sport, please ensure you visit the Secondary Sport POD page or the individual sport pages. Please remember to follow the below guidelines regarding spectators and being COVID safe:

Netball at Windsor Park - 2 spectators

Hockey at Burringbar - 2 spectators

Volleyball at Clayfield College - 0 spectators

Tennis at Northshore Tennis Courts - 2 spectators

Do not attend any sporting competition if you have:

• COVID-19 or have been in direct contact with a known case of COVID-19 within the last 14 days
• Flu-like symptoms or are at a high health risk (e.g. due to age or pre-existing conditions)
• Travelled internationally
• Travelled to a COVID declared hotspot visited affected locations identified by Queensland Health’s contact tracing information page.

Summer Sports

Throughout Term 4 there are many events, competitions and trainings for our students to look forward. Below is the list of sports/trainings available:

Badminton - Years 7-12: training will commence in the Sports Precinct as of Monday 14 September, with information available via the Badminton POD page. The QGSSSA competition will be held on Saturday 10 October for our Senior and Year 10 teams and Saturday 17 October for all Years 7, 8 and 9 teams.

Cricket - Years 6-12: In partnership with Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club, weekly development sessions will be available to all girls interested in representing St Margaret’s in Cricket in 2021. All sessions will occur every Monday afternoon from 19 October to 23 November.

Football (Soccer) - Years 5-11: In partnership with Brisbane City Football Club, weekly development sessions will be available to all girls interested in representing St Margaret’s in Football (Soccer) in 2021. Information on session details will be released shortly.

QCNA (Netball) - from 9 Years of age to Year 12 students: St Margaret’s will be entering teams into the QCNA Summer Competition at Downey Park Netball Association. Please note, registration cut-off for this competition was Wednesday 2 September; however, limited spaces may still be available. Please contact Gayle Coutts, Head of Netball, for further information.

Run Club - Years 5-11: Girls interested in building on their fitness in readiness for the 2021 Cross Country season will be able to do so with St M Run Club. Further details to be released shortly.

Water Polo - Years 4-11: Girls are currently trialling with training commencing at a training camp to be held on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 October (Queen’s Birthday Holiday). The season runs every Saturday in Term 4 2020 and Term 1 2021.

Swimming: Training for all year levels will commence from Tuesday 6 October. The training schedule will be released prior to the end of Term 3.

Touch Football: QGSSSA will be holding a Touch Football competition on Saturday 31 October for girls in Years 7-11. The format of the competition and further information will be released shortly.

Junior Softball: The school has decided that due to the above offerings and the declining participation in Softball at St Margaret’s, this sport will no longer be offered to students in Years 7-9 in Term 4 2020 or Years 10-12 in Term 1 2021.

Congratulations…

Isabella Harte (Year 9) who competed in the All Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday 29 August at Minnippi Parklands with Lucinda Geldard (Year 10) and Aimee Young (Year 9). Isabella won in commanding style beating all her competitors in the 15 Years 4000m race.

Support Group Meetings

The Athletics Support Group Meeting will be held in M’s Café on Monday 7 September, from 5:30pm-6:30pm. All welcome.

The Water Polo Support Group (WPSG)’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 September at 6:00pm in M’s Café. With growing participation numbers in Water Polo at St Margaret’s, it’s a great time to join the WSPG as we focus on the sport’s continued development as the School’s new state-of-the-art Sports Precinct and Water Polo facility is set to open. All welcome.

Helen Lobegeiger

Sculpture 1 - Rick Everingham

Sculpture 2: Kirstin Farr

Jewellery - Bianca Mavrick

Lisa Smith

We are still working through our planning for MAYO and are working with Metro North Health to deliver a COVID safe event. We hope to be able to share more details about the event soon. In the meantime, please see some updates below.

Stall Donations - We need your support

We need your help to make the MAYO stalls a huge success. Next time you are shopping, you might like to add an item or two to contribute to MAYO. We invite all families to donate goods during the identified weeks or by donating all at once.

Week 9 (7 September) prizes for lucky dips and bottles of wine/anything all things wine (what does this mean - or will the suggested list reveal?).

Week 10 (14 September) cans of soft drinks/bottled water and bags of lollies/chips and chocolate bars.

View a suggested list of donation items and details on how to donate here. (PDF 2MB)

Workshops

Details of each of the workshops are listed below and bookings can be made through Flexischools.

Macrame – Students will choose from a range of beautifully coloured recycled t-shirt material before learning the basic techniques of this tactile art form to create a potholder. All materials included.

Date: Wednesday 7 October

Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm

Price: $55 per student

Suitable for: 12 years and up

Maximum 10 in this workshop

Pinch a Pot – Participants will make a Pinch a Pot bell or small hanging or standing pot by working with a sandy coloured clay and decorating with a Royal Blue slip. Pieces will be fired, glazed and available for collection two weeks after the workshop. All materials included.

Date: Thursday 8 October

Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm

Price: $35 per student

Suitable for: 8 years and up

Maximum 10 in this workshop

Please note: Tickets will be available on sale through Flexischools within the next week for this workshop.

Terrarium Log – Students will create their own Terrarium Log with all materials provided.

Date: Saturday 10 October

Times: 12pm, 1pm and 2pm

Price: $30 per student

Maximum 15 in each workshop

Resin Jewellery – In this workshop, students can make their own resin jewellery piece, either a bangle, a pendant or a ring. All materials included.

Date: Saturday 10 October

Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm

Price: $50 per student

Suitable for: 12 years and up

Maximum 15 in this workshop

Orders must be placed by midnight, Friday 18 September 2020 to ensure students have their textbooks and stationery in time for Term 4 2020.

Home delivery is free for all orders placed before Friday 18 September 2020.

If you are going away during the holidays, you may nominate an alternative address e.g. a relative, neighbour or business address for deliveries to be sent to.

Only Boarders may have their book pack sent to St Margaret’s by completing the address on their order as (Student’s Name), St Margaret’s Boarding, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot, Qld, 4007.

Terisa Arnold

Caitlin McConnel was a boarder at St Margaret's from 2003 to 2007 and was recently recognised in St Margaret’s 125th Anniversary Notable Old Girls’ project. Caitlin is currently a Senior Associate in the commercial litigation, restructuring and insolvency and agribusiness and food industry groups at Australian law firm, Clayton Utz. In March 2020, Caitlin was recognised as one of the top 50 early career lawyers in Australia, as an Australasian Lawyer 2020 Rising Star.

Caitlin will share how she has successfully juggled her career, dividing her time equally between the city and her family’s land at Cressbrook Station. Mental health in rural areas has been a significant challenge for many, particularly due to the COVID pandemic, and Caitlin will talk about these issues, as well as insights into what she believes is to come for the next generation of Agri professionals.

Date: Thursday 8 October

Time: 7:00am arrival for a 7:15am start, 8:45am finish

Location: St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot

Tickets will be available shortly

Sponsorship 2020/2021

We sincerely thank our corporate sponsors for their generous support of the Series:

Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners

Associate Sponsor: Programmed Property Services

Supporting Partners: Downer Group, NAB and Clear Insurance

The Development and Community Office will soon be looking for sponsors who may wish to join our existing sponsors in 2021. A sponsorship prospectus will be available soon with full details. Watch this space!

Lindsay Khushal

The University of Sydney

Our are being held next week on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September. Students will get the opportunity to receive personalised course advice before their final exams.

Portfolio submissions

Year 12 students who would like to study at the Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) in 2021 will need to submit a portfolio of their artwork. .Year 12 domestic students who are expecting to receive an ATAR (or equivalent) of up to five points lower than the ATAR for their preferred course are encouraged to submit a portfolio.

UNSW Canberra to create new Naval Architecture Degree

UNSW Canberra Rector Michael Frater said that the new Bachelor of Engineering: Naval Architecture program will continue UNSW’s long history of educating naval architects, but in a refreshed context in Canberra that is responsive to the future needs of the country, and particularly the Navy. More information is available .

Durack College

Applications for Durack College are now open for 2020. Durack College offers a boutique residential experience with a personalised focus on educational success. We work hard to create a culture and environment based on academic excellence. The small but vibrant community of female learners is offered a tailored living environment, making the transition to new routines easier and more rewarding. There are only 25 residency places, allowing Durack College to be both a private sanctuary and a busy and exciting community.

University of the Sunshine Coast

Students and their parents are invited to our online Headstart Information Evening where we’ll take them through everything they need to know to get started.

Date: Thursday 17 September via Zoom

Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

Who should attend: Parents and students in Years 10-11

James Cook University Early Offer Program

If you’re in Year 12 and graduating this year, you may be able to receive an early offer for a course. To participate in JCU’s Early Offer Program, work with your school on a recommendation and list JCU as your first preference in QTAC when applications open. To support your success at uni, you may be required to meet entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.

Elizabeth Johnston