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It is important to acknowledge that children mature at different rates and will all be at different stages but here are some basics to consider.

Four to six

Be able to go to the toilet independently and wash hands.

Get dressed without help.

Seven to eight

Know how to ride a bike without stabilisers, or a scooter.

Hone motor skills by climbing trees safely or structures in playgrounds.

Be able to tie shoelaces.

Learn to swim.

Be able to call emergency number on house phone.

Be able to butter toast, make a simple sandwich and pack school lunch.

Know how to set the table.

Nine and ten

Begin to know how money works. Go into shops under supervision but do simple transactions alone.

Know where the local travel routes are to get familiar with transport.

Be able to run short errands such as going to the post box or taking the dog around the block during the day.

Get involved in the cooking of simple dishes under supervision.

Know how to use utensils such as a grater or peeler.

Be involved in household chores such as loading and unloading the washing machine and dishwasher, mopping the floor.

Be able to change a bed.

Know how to summon help if there isn’t a phone. Be confident enough to go to a neighbour’s home for assistance.

Take control of basic personal hygiene – shower/bath daily, regularly wash hair.

Write a thank you letter or email.

Eleven and twelve

Have the confidence to travel independently. Know the route to take to get to school, whether walking or using public transport.

Know what to do if at risk.

Be able to use a washing machine, choose the correct cycle for the fabric and then iron their clothes.

Have some outdoor camping skills. Including lighting a fire under supervision.

Prepare food independently, follow a recipe and prepare simple meals.

Know good mobile phone etiquette, including how to put a passcode on a phone.

Use an Eftpos card responsibly.

Be able to help gardening, like mowing the lawn, weeding, digging, and planting.

Thirteen to sixteen

Have a bank account to manage money independently.

Prepare main meals independently.

Understand the principles of basic first aid.

Be able to sew on a button.

Meet up with friends independently.

Organise, schedule and be prepared for all activities.

Ros Curtis

We are finishing our term in a big way with a number of our students attending the QGSSSA Athletics Carnival. It was lovely to see so many of our students send our girls off in the middle of circular drive on Tuesday at morning tea. This year we were pleased to be able to send the Year 9 and 11 students as spectators for the day and to encourage our competitors. I look forward to seeing the results of the day this afternoon.

Good luck also to the rowers attending the State Rowing Championships in Rockhampton. There are many schools competing in this event, and we wish all the rowers best wishes for a safe and successful regatta.

The first day back at school is Tuesday 5^th of October, and on this day there will be the Prize Reading assembly. At this assembly we will announce those students who will receive awards and prizes at our Annual Speech Night on the 12^th of October. Year 12 parents are now able to reserve their tickets through a link that was sent to them last week. Another link will be sent to families in Year 7-11 on the 5^th of September.

We will also have some awards presented at our Special Awards Ceremony and Sports Awards Evenings. The Sports Awards evening is on the 8^th of October, and the Year 12 Graduation and Special Awards Ceremony is to be held on the 15^th of October.

Karen Gorrie

Last week Rev Susan and I had the privilege of joining the Year 5 students for their RVE class. We spent time in the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent’s Chapel, and walked the labyrinth. The students had been learning about what a labyrinth was with Mrs Briggs and Mr Barnsdale. It was a great time for taking a breather during a busy end-of-term and remembering what we are grateful for. As this busy term draws to a close, I pray you all have a restful break.

Rev Jazz Dow

The staff continually work with the girls to help them to develop skills such as adaptability, social and cultural interaction, self-management and problem solving. These are skills that will in the future be vital to the success in the workplace. Importantly, we encourage the girls to be proactive, not blaming others when things go wrong and to come up with a strategy to deal with issues that arise. The girls will be called upon at different times to do hard things, things that they would rather avoid, and it is important that we support them to be able to have the skills to face difficult situations and preserve. The Boarding community is a safe and caring environment where the girls are encouraged and supported to grow in their own unique way.

Lesa Fowler

In Term 4 there are a few things to note:

Year 12

All students have copies for SWOTVAC timetables and External Assessment Timetable, provided last week in an email. They have covered all the content for the exams, the teachers are here to support, but the hard work and commitment mean it is up to them.

Year 11

The current Year 11s will begin their Unit 3 study next term. Each Year 11 has access to the Assessment Calendar until the end of the year that includes Internal Assessments for Unit 3 that counts towards your daughters ATAR calculation. There will be an Information Evening for Year 11 Parents to take a closer look at the Year 12 course of study, including our preparation for External Assessment. A date for this event will be confirmed early in Term 4.

Year 10

All students have received confirmation of their subject selection for Year 11 2022/Year 12 2023. At this stage of the process there are always some second thoughts, and I have been meeting with students to discuss their selection if they were having second thoughts. After speaking to the Year 10 girls at a recent Year Level Assembly they are aware that no more subject changes will be occurring for Year 11 2022 next term.

For all girls, over the holidays, take some time to relax. I certainly will be, I am looking forward to reading a book or two. There’s a reading genre for every literate person on the planet, and whether your tastes lie in classical literature, poetry, fashion magazines, biographies, religious texts, young adult books, self-help guides, street lit, or romance novels, there’s something out there to capture your curiosity and imagination. I am looking forward to stepping away from my computer for a little while, crack open a book, and replenish my soul.

Have a relaxing holiday and I leave you with one of my favourite reading quotes:

“You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend” – Paul Sweeney

Nicole Devlin

Preparing for Term 4

Holidays are times to do several important things; time to relax, clear the mind, enjoy time with friends and family and catch up on sleep!  However, it is also important for all girls to allow some time to honestly self-assess and reflect on the term of learning and prepare for Term 4. I encourage all students to revisit the positive and realistic goals they each set with the help of their Form Teachers and Academic Advisers at the start of the term. Students should consider how they are progressing with each of these goals.

To assist with the planning for Term 4, all Assessment Planners are on the Year Level POD pages. Students are encouraged to take some time to get organised over the holidays so that they can hit the ground running at the beginning of Term 4.

I wish everyone a restful and relaxing holiday so that they are ready to take on the final term of the year.

Caitlin McCluskey

It is so seldom that we can take time to enjoy a moment in this bustling world, and yet it is so important that we do. All too often we have the TV blaring in the background, our children reach for the radio/CD/IPad the minute they climb into the car and of course the incessant bleeps, pings, rings and chirps that emanate from our phones and computers reminding us that we are on call 24/7. Is it any wonder that they, and we, are frazzled at the end of the day – only to have sleep interrupted by vibrations and buzzes from our ‘silenced’ technology? We seem to constantly feel the need to be in touch, to be stimulated and engaged mentally.

It would be wonderful if during the holidays our daughters could take 5 minutes every day to immerse themselves in silence – no music, no phone, no computer. Understandably this may be uncomfortable for them and would require a certain amount of willpower. Susan Leigh, of Lifestyle Therapy, understands that this can be difficult, she says ‘Silence requires us to become more confident, confident in our ability to be quiet and still, to find an inner peace that can enable us to sit and enjoy the silence. Being confident and at one with ourselves means that we can enjoy being on our own or in company and not need to fidget and be constantly active or occupied. It is enough to just be there, in a relaxed, comfortable state of mind’. For those who cannot bear the thought of doing nothing for a few minutes they could fill this time with meditation or reading something that requires some contemplation.

Embracing silence and being comfortable with one’s own company can be a wonderful way to reduce stress at the same time as being very therapeutic. The Dalai Lama states, ‘Sometimes silence is the best answer’.

Nikki Townsend

The academic growth of our early years’ students was certainly on display as they shared their author skills. The Year 1 girls rewrote a story to tell the tale of our one-legged magpie, Maggie, who lives in Maggie’s Garden. They shared the story through reading and dramatizing. The Year 2 girls shared their memorised ‘talk for writing’ story with expression and enthusiasm.  The Year 3 girls taught us about the planets with a song.

Last week, the Prep girls showed their school spirit and abilities when the Churchie Prep boys came to collaboratively participate in athlete-inspired events the mini-Olympics, “Game On: Celebrating the Spirit of the Olympics”. Thank you to Georgie Eadie for her organisation and Camille Poupardin for her support of the event.

At the Assembly, we also acknowledged the girls who read more than 1 million words. I would encourage students to use the holidays to enjoy reading. Children who read on their own improve their reading skills, have greater content knowledge, and score higher on achievement tests than children who do not open a book outside of school - food for holiday thought!

Share your love of reading with your daughter and spend time reading aloud together; it sends a positive message. Choose a book that is beyond her reading level - never underestimate what children can manage as listeners. While doing so, engage in conversation - chat about the characters, the story, the words, the values, and the ideas. Encourage your child to keep a holiday diary and to write emails or letters. Harness other learning opportunities: visit galleries, museums, and parks; go for a hike; get sand between your toes. Make, create, and TALK.

Use the holidays to get physical. Many girls put their best foot forward and used their athletics skills last week at the Andrews Cup athletics competition and this week at the Interhouse Athletics Carnival. Thank you to Lauren Richards and Morgan Rowe for their organisation of this huge event.

Congratulations to Chaucer  (field events) and Lawson (track events) for placing first.

This well-deserved break will be perfect family time to enjoy building memories together. Make the most of the time you share together with your child and I look forward to sharing Term 4 with them.

“Kids want to know they matter; you communicate that through the gift of time and attention.” (Julie Morgenstern)

Angela Drysdale

Audition times are as follows:

Monday 18 October

7:00 - 8:20am String Auditions (current Primary students), SHOR

3:30 - 5:00pm Rock Band Auditions for guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard, J002/003 (Rock Band Room)

Tuesday 19 October

7:00 - 8:20am String Auditions (current Primary students), SHOR

10:25 – 10:50am String Auditions (current Secondary students), SHOR

3:30 - 4:30pm Chorale - Primary Sing Along – Get to know your voice (current Years 3, 4 and 5), Primary Music Room

3:30 - 5:00pm Rock Band Auditions for Vocals (current Years 9-11), J002/003 (Rock Band Room)

3:30 - 5:30pm String Auditions (current Secondary students), SHOR

Wednesday 20 October

7:15 - 8:15am Band Play Along – Come and try Chaseley Band in Term 4 (current Primary students), SHOR

1:05 - 1:50pm Drum kit Auditions for Rock Bands and Stage Band, J002/003 (Rock Band Room)

3:30 – 4:30pm Highly Strung Auditions (Primary) for guitar, bass guitar, keyboard and drumkit, J002/003 (Rock Band Room)

3:30 - 5:30pm Band Auditions for woodwind/brass (current Secondary students), SHOR

3:30 - 5:00pm Band Auditions for percussion/drums (current Primary and Secondary students), SHOR Percussion Room

Thursday 21 October

7:00 - 8:20am Band Auditions for woodwind/brass (current Year 6 and Secondary), SHOR

3:30 - 5:00pm Exultate/Volare Auditions, SHOR (Exultate)/ACF (Volare)

Music Dinner

Tickets are now available for purchase for our upcoming Music Dinner to be held on Friday 15 October via Flexischools. 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. Music Dinner is a fancy-dress occasion and this year’s theme is ‘Thoroughly Modern Musicals’. Girls are encouraged to explore musicals from 2000 onwards to create their costume for the event. There is a prize for ‘Best Dressed’ for students in each year level as well as ‘Best Dressed Parent’. Music Dinner is open to students in Years 6-12 who have been involved in Co-curricular Music Ensembles for the year. Tickets for adults are $70 per head and students $60 per head (available only via Flexischools: ), and include drinks upon arrival and a two-course meal. For catering purposes, it is imperative you include any dietary requirements and payments are made by 5pm, Wednesday 6 October. Please be mindful there is a capped number, so book your tickets early!

Practice-a-thon

Please note that the Practice-a-thon that was advertised last week will be deferred until Term 1 2022. Further details will be advertised at the start of the new school year.

Music Support Group

The next Music Support Group meeting will be on Tuesday 5 October 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

Sports Awards Evening - Friday 8 October

The annual Sports Awards evening will be held on Friday, 8 October. This event welcomes all award recipients, interested students and parents to attend. It will also be livestreamed with the link made available via the Secondary Sports Page the week of the event. 

The event is a highlight in the St Margaret’s sporting calendar, and I am pleased to announce that four-time Olympian in the sport of Water Polo, Bronwen Knox will be our special guest speaker. Bronwen will no doubt deliver an awe-inspiring speech sharing her personal journey from being a school-girl water polo player to an Olympian. 

To register your attendance at this event, click on the link below.

Thank You

As the curtain draws to a close on the Winter sporting season, I would like to thank all students and parents for their enthusiasm and support in what has been a disrupted term of sport.  I would also like to sincerely thank the staff members who coached, coordinated and assisted in the running of each of winter sports of Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Volleyball, Rowing and Athletics. Whilst the September break will be welcomed by all, I look forward to the renewed vigour of the girls in Term 4 when our student athletes take centre stage in the pool, on the Badminton and Tennis courts and out on the field for AFL.  

Good Luck

Best wishes to our athletes competing at the QGSSSA Athletics Championships on Thursday 16 September.  The team is 108 members strong, and we are looking forward to seeing our girls thrive on this day!

Wishing all our crews all the best at the upcoming State Rowing Championships on Saturday 18 September – Monday 20 September.

Helen Lobegeiger

Completed and signed forms are to be returned to the School Supplies Shop, along with a deposit of $100. Plain white, fold down ankle socks (not St Margaret’s competition socks), clean brown school shoes and a white ribbon (for long hair) are to be worn with the Church Dress on Speech Night. Socks are available from the School Supplies Shop for $8.00, as is a white ribbon for $1.

Return date for all students except Year 6 is no later than Monday 25 October 2021.

Year 6 students’ church dresses must be returned no later than Friday 26 November 2021.

All church dresses must be laundered, ironed and returned as per the ‘Hire Conditions’ for an amount of $70 to be refunded.

UNIFORM FITTING APPOINTMENTS – Online booking system

Bookings for October, November & December 2021 and January 2022 are available online now!

Book your appointment via the school website.

/admissions/supplies-shop/uniforms

We encourage families to book a fitting appointment as soon as possible to avoid missing your preferred day and time.

Appointment times are either 30 minutes or 60 minutes depending on your fitting type.

Fitting types include: New Student, Existing Student, Boarder Only, Pre-Prep / Prep and School Blazer Fitting

End of Term 3 Trading Hours

Wednesday 15^th September      10:00am- 5:00pm

Thursday 16^th September          8:00am-2:00pm

Closed from Friday 17th September 2021 to Tuesday 5^th October

Normal trading hours recommence Tuesday 5th October 2021

Kielee Alcantara

The School Crossing Supervisor is a paid position through the Department of Transport and Main Roads and supports the School both morning and afternoon on the Butler Street crossing.

We would love to hear from you, if you’re interested in the position please contact facilities@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or call 07 3862 0777.

Ruth has had a diverse career with more than 20 years’ experience in management, business development, marketing and commercialisation, investment in emerging technology companies and capital raising.

She has been at the forefront of change in Angel investment and start-up activity. As an experienced non-executive Director, Ruth has sat on several Boards and Advisory Panels. She is currently Chair of Alkira Software Pty Ltd and Mrs Clucks Pty Ltd and a past CEO of Alkira Software, as well a past Director of several other quasi-Government, university and private company Boards. She is a co-founder of Mrs Clucks, continues as a member of the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland grant assessment committee and is a long-term member of Brisbane Angels.

Date: Wednesday 20 October 2021

Time: 6.45am for a 7.00am start. 8.45am finish

Venue: Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School

Tickets: $80 Adult, $40 Student (tertiary, Year 10 -12)

Book online via .

Lara Pickering

Tuesday 28 September 2021, 10:00 am - Thursday 30 September 2021, 12:15 pm

The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus

Find out more:

Value: $10,000 AUD per year. Open/Closing Dates: July 23, 2020 – October 19, 2020

The Virtual Work Experience opportunities that are currently available are:

Utilising Graphic Design to Communicate Genomics. 29 November – 3 December, 9am – 3pm
Applications close Sunday 19 September.

Would you like to kickstart your career in health? There are a few Dental Assistant Traineeships open for applications now:     , QLD

Saturday 18 September 2021, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Find out more:

Saturday 18 September 2021, 2:00pm-4:00pm

Find out more:

Thursday 23 September 2021, 11:00am-12:00pm

Find out more:

Griffith University Experience Days.

During the September holidays, Year 11 and 12 students, can join our Experience Days to get a feel for life at Griffith University.

QUT |

Wednesday 13 October 2021, 6:00pm-7:30pm. Online. Join us for a live webinar to help you find the best pathway to your preferred course.

Liz Johnston