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In this last week before the Valedictory week, I take the opportunity to wish all Year 12s well for the future – in the short term, a safe ‘schoolies’ experience, a restorative holiday and joy on receiving their OP and QTAC offers; in the longer term, a life lived well with much to celebrate. I hope they see the value in remaining connected to their School and enjoy their new status as ‘Old Girls’.

Next Step is a state-wide post-school destination survey of all students who complete Year 12 in Queensland. Insights gained from Next Step assists schools to review and plan their services for students, and school system personnel to evaluate education policies as they affect the transition from school to further study and employment.

This year's students will be invited to complete the Next Step survey in March 2020. Graduating students are likely to be contacted by phone or mail using the data in your daughter’s QCAA learning account.

Ros Curtis

We have been made aware that the U2 concert is on at Suncorp Stadium on the same evening and that we may expect heavy traffic along Hale Street and roads leading to the venue. Please allow adequate time to travel to QPAC. Information about meeting times for the students are below.

**It is very important that, if you have booked tickets and no longer need them, please forward them to Mrs Kristie Govender at KGovender@stmargarets.qld.edu.au so that we can reallocate them to families who may have missed out on tickets.

All non-prize recipients in Years 5 to 11 are to report to their Form teachers between 6:20 and 6:40pm to have their names marked at the following venues:

Years 5 and 6: Door 25

Years 7 and 8: Door 4

Years 9 and 10: Door 12

Year 11: Door 23

All prize recipients are to report to the teachers listed below between 6:20 and 6:40pm to have their names marked at the following venues:

Years 5 and 6: Door 5, Mrs Stevenson and Ms Porter – Enter via Door 5

Years 7, 8 and 9: Door 8, Mrs Dawson (Year 7), Ms Argent (Year 8), Mrs Patton (Year 9) – Enter via Door 6

Years 10 and 11: Door 10, Ms Montgomery (Year 10), Mr Higgins (Year 11) – Enter via Door 6

Year 12: Door 9, Mrs Flanagan – Enter via Door 9

Years 5 and 6 students need to be picked up and signed out by parents at 9:30pm from Door 9.

All Musicians are required to arrive at QPAC by 6:00pm and need to enter through the backstage door. Primary Musicians are required to be signed out by a parent/guardian via the backstage door at the end of the evening.

Karen Gorrie

A part of creativity is innovation. In an article published in the this year, the authors emphasised the importance of creativity and innovation. The article suggested that mindfulness is important for engineers as it encouraged them to 'think outside the box' to problem-solve. The same could be said about our students. For one to problem-solve we are often called upon to be creative and innovative. Mindfulness, being reflective or praying is an important skill for most people, not just engineers. Yet they are skills that can be often overlooked.

At St Margaret’s, students are given a variety of opportunities to be creative, innovative, mindful, reflective or to pray. It is also something families could do at home together. Some sticky tape, old cardboard boxes, a mindfulness colouring book, a praying in colour book, colouring pencils, paints and paper, most of us have these at home. It can be fun creating things together. This kind of creative activity can bring great satisfaction, peace and calm which allows one to more fully focus on the work at hand.

For those who like the idea of colouring-in, there are some great mindful colouring books available. There is also a website called which you may enjoy. Another free website is .

Exodus 35: 35

God has filled them with skill to do every kind of work done by an artisan or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and in fine linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of artisan or skilled designer.

Reverend Susan Crothers-Robertson

With the Year 12s in the middle of their final exams and Valedictory celebrations next week, we are confident that we have prepared the Year 12 Boarders well for their future. The senior Boarders of 2019 have been an exceptional cohort who have displayed great leadership and set an example for the younger Boarders. They have truly embraced the St Margaret’s Way and we are confident they will be successful in their future endeavours.

Fiona Spooner

It is also important in these final weeks of Secondary schooling for the girls to think about their own journey, the goals they have achieved and the connections they have made. There is no doubt that the academic, social and emotional journey for each Year 12 would sound quite different, yet there would be moments in all of their stories that would highlight similar times when they have been inspired, challenged and excited. The people who have helped to create these memories also feel a great deal of pride, joy and triumph when they see your daughters graduate next week.

Whether it be a teacher, support staff member, house mother or coach, the girls would probably recall the words of encouragement, advice shared or the helping hand of the people who have assisted them through their school life. Please encourage your daughters to remember the moments that mattered and take time to tell or thank the people who have helped make a difference in their life at St Margaret’s. Sharing these memories helps create connections and inspire the work of all staff to continue delivering a very high quality of education for all of our girls in the future.

I wish your daughters every success in their future endeavours and look forward to hearing about the next stage of their lives.

Jo Butterworth

Throughout the year many opportunities arise at a faculty level to allow girls to test themselves in subject-based challenges and competitions to enrich their learning. Below are results from the UNSW ICAS Science, English, Maths and Writing Competitions.

Congratulations to all girls who have received awards and attempted these competitions which challenge and assess skills the students may not have encountered in the school curriculum.

ICAS English: Alexandra Lannon (7) Merit, Maddison Krook (7) Distinction, Mokhyada Nanda (7) Credit, Ha-Vy Hoang (8) Distinction, Matisse Fennessy (8) Distinction, Vaishnavi Arvapalli (8) Credit, Ella Woods (9) Distinction, Gabriella Henzell (9) Credit, Emilyana Di Meco (10) Credit.

ICAS Maths: Caitlin Williams (7) Distinction, Maddison Krook (7) Credit, Mokhyada Nanda (7) Credit, Ha-Vy Hoang (8) Distinction, Lucy White (8) Merit, Matisse Fennessy (8) Distinction, Vaishnavi Arvapalli (8) Credit, Ella Woods (9) Distinction, Gabriella Henzell (9) Credit, Justine Solomon (12) Merit.

ICAS Science: Alexandra Lannon (7) Merit, Maddison Krook (7) Credit, Mokhyada Nanda (7) Credit, Genevieve Heather (8) Distinction, Ha-Vy Hoang (8) High Distinction, Matisse Fennessy (8) Distinction, Ella Woods (9) Credit, Gabriella Henzell (9) Merit, Rachel Fitzgerald (9) Credit, Justine Solomon (12) Credit.

ICAS Writing: Alexandra Lannon (7) Distinction, Maddison Krook (7) Credit, Mokhyada Nanda (7) Credit, Ha-Vy Hoang (8) Credit, Matisse Fennessy (8) Distinction, Gabriella Henzell (9) Credit.

Nicole Devlin

Heads of Year have spoken to Secondary students in regard to dress and behavioural expectations for the evening. I reiterate that all students are to have the following uniform for the evening:

• White church dress
• White ribbon in hair, which is to be tied back in a ponytail or braid, unless hair is short
• White or flesh coloured underwear
• White socks
• Polished brown leather school shoes

In terms of behavioural expectations on this important evening, could parents please assist us in ensuring that girls do not bring the following items to the event:

• iPods and earphones or gaming devices
• Preferably no mobile phones. Any student with a mobile phone will need to place it in a collection box when rolls are marked at the beginning of the evening. Phones will be held securely with the teachers for the duration of Speech Night and can be collected at the end of the ceremony from the roll marking checkpoint.

I look forward to seeing as many parents as possible on this important evening in the School year.

Nikki Townsend

As we head into the Christmas season and we start our preparations, there is irony in that it is often fraught with many stresses as we strive to finish off many projects and then plan for celebrations. I therefore believe it is not an accident that 16 Days of Kindness (Australian Kindness Movement) occurs in November, starting yesterday (6 November) with National Kindness Day. It is hoped that by planning acts of kindness, the conscious response develops into a habit by the end of the 16 days.

These 16 days incorporate with World Kindness Day, celebrated on 13 November. I think to acknowledge these days is to remind us to stop and remember to be kind to others. Research has revealed that participating in regular small acts of kindness is beneficial to health, longevity and wellbeing. Making the decision to be a little kinder will bring more pleasure and direction of one’s life than ever before. For a child to perform acts of kindness, they need to see the adults in their lives model them. By modelling them, you encourage your child to do the same and together you will value others more and strengthen your relationships.

As part of our educational program, year level ‘Service to Others’ projects are a collective way to show kindness. While participating, students experience the benefits of altruism, as helping others has beneficial effects on each child and is closely linked to our school ethos.

Tomorrow, Year 3 will say ‘thank you’ to all our school volunteers, so please come if you have helped throughout the year. The girls are excited and putting their final touches to their garden party.

Thank you to Mrs Rider, Ms Brennan, Mr King, Chorale and some Year 6 Wearable Art girls who attended or performed at St Mark’s Anglican Church Arts Festival on the weekend.

I look forward to both demonstrating and witnessing acts of kindness as we commit to 16 days of kindness.

Angela Drysdale

St Mark’s Art Show

Congratulations to Primary Chorale who performed at the St Mark’s Anglican Church Art Show at Clayfield last Saturday afternoon. The girls gave a thoroughly entertaining performance, singing a wide variety of repertoire. Thank you to Ms Brennan for preparing the girls for this event and to all those who came along to listen!

Music Dinner

Music Dinner will be occurring on Friday evening this week in Eton Hall. There is much excitement in the Music Department in the lead up to the event where we celebrate the achievements of the girls in the Music Program at St Margaret’s. Thank you in advance to the Music Support Group for their hard work in organising this special event.

Speech Night

The Music Department is very much looking forward to presenting several musical items at Speech Night to be held next Tuesday evening at QPAC. Please note, there will be an additional rehearsal on Monday afternoon, 11 November. Primary Chorale, Encorah, Stradivari Strings and Rock Band are required to join with Elevarsi Voices in SHOR from 3:30-4:15pm, and then Sister Helen Wind Symphony and Stradivari Strings are required from 4:15-5:00pm also in SHOR. Please see the attached letter (PDF 255.6KB) with further details pertaining to the event.

Auditions for Music Ensembles 2020

Auditions will be held in Week 7 for students wishing to participate in Music Ensembles in 2020. Audition music is available from the Sister Helen Orchestra Room. Audition times are as follows:

Monday 18 November

10:25-10:50am: Highly Strung Auditions (guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drumkit, voice) in the Primary Music Room

3:30-4:30pm: Exultate Auditions (current Years 8-11), in SHOR

3:30-4:30pm: Rock Band Auditions for guitar, bass guitar, keyboard and vocals (current Years 9-11), in J002/003 - Mr Gillespie’s Room.

Tuesday 19 November

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

7:00-8:20am: Band Auditions for woodwind/brass (current Primary students), in SHOR

1:05-1:50pm: String Auditions (current Secondary students), in SHOR

3:30-4:30pm: Chorale ‘Sing-through’ (current Years 3, 4 and 5), in the Primary Music Room

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

Wednesday 20 November

1:05-1:50pm: Volare Auditions (current Years 6 and 7), in SHOR

1:05-1:50pm: Band Auditions for percussion/drums (current Secondary girls), in SHOR Percussion Room

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

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

Thursday 21 November

7:00-8:20am: Band Auditions for woodwind/brass (current Primary/Secondary students), in SHOR

2020 Private Music Tuition

If your daughter is currently undertaking private music tuition, she will automatically be placed on her current teachers’ roll for 2020. Parents do not need to fill in a new application form. However, if your daughter is wanting to discontinue lessons in 2020, we ask that you please email directly to the Music Department at music@stmargarets.qld.edu.au prior to the end of the school year.

Music Support Group Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 26 November at 5:00pm in the Primary Music Room (second floor of Chaseley). We encourage parents from both the Primary and Secondary schools to become involved in this dedicated group of parents who consistently provide wonderful support to the St Margaret’s Music Program.

Brad King

QGSSSA Badminton

The final day of competition for QGSSSA Badminton was held on Saturday 2 November. Our Years 7, 8 and 9 teams were in action. All teams over the course of the competition went from strength to strength. Well done to all teams on their results.

Year 9A: 10th

Year 9B: 5th

Year 9C: 6th

Year 8A: 10th

Year 8B: 10th

Year 7A: 9th

Year 7B: 5th

Swimming Camp

One of the keys to success to our Swimming Program is the annual St Margaret’s Swim Camp. The camp is an ideal way to provide students with quality coaching and teambuilding opportunities prior to the commencement of the 2020 school year. The Swimming Camp will be held on Wednesday 22 January – Friday 24 January 2020 and will include activities such as squad training, cross training, video analysis, meet and greet with an Australian swimmer and social activities such as Wet’n’Wild and the movies. Registration is via Flexischools with further information available via the Swimming POD group page.

The Summer of Cricket is here!

Cricket has commenced for all girls with training being held every Tuesday afternoon at Windsor Park to hone the girls’ skills in anticipation for the QGSSSA competition season in Term 1 2020. All girls are invited to get involved and join this emerging women’s sport.

Knowles Cup Tennis

Congratulations to the Open A Tennis team for progressing through to the Semi-finals of the Knowles Cup. Knowles Cup is a short competition held in Term 4 involving Somerville House, All Hallows’ School, St Rita’s College, Stuartholme, Lourdes Hill, Fairholme College and The Glennie School. We wish our girls the best of luck for their semi-finals on Saturday 9 November.

Noosa Triathlon

A number of St Margaret’s girls formed teams to compete at the Noosa Triathlon on the weekend. It was a terrific effort and a great morning which was challenging and full of fun for our students. Well done girls!

Congratulations…

Priscilla Russell (Year 10) who recently represented Australia as a Cox in the Rowing at the INAS Global Games, winning two gold medals in the on-water section.

Annabel Bright (Year 7) who competed at the Queensland All Schools Triathlon Championships placing 2nd in her age group and 8th overall, which resulted in her gaining selection in the Metropolitan North Triathlon team to contest the State Titles in February 2020.

Lucinda Bourke (Year 8) who was recently selected in the City Fever Cricket Team to contest the U15 State Cricket Challenge in December.

Helen Lobegeiger

The book will be launched on Wednesday 20 November from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer. Guests will enjoy drinks and canapés and Madonna King will join us to speak about her experience researching and writing Inspired to Fly.

Cost: $70 (includes book), Additional guest $20 (excludes book)

Books will be sold on the night ($55 each or 2 or more for $50 each)

Please download your invitation here. (PDF 1.6MB)

RSVP by Friday 15 November

Tickets available from Flexischools

For all enquiries, please email 125years@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or call Main Reception on 07 3862 0777.

Subject: The works must recognisably reflect 'something St Margaret's' - whether it be architecture, place, people or events. For example - the panama, Middy, house colours, Mooloomburram, the view, the Sisters, students and teachers, Eton Hall, or iconic events such as the MAYO Arts Festival, Classics in the Cathedral, Arts Spectacular, the Ponytail Project, or learning in the classroom, a sporting event etc, or a piece that captures the spirit of St Margaret's.

Medium: Painting, Pencil Sketch, Photography, Lino Block, Watercolour, Stencil

Size: 60cm x 60cm or 30cm x 30cm

Sections and prizes:

Open (must have a demonstrable connection to the St Margaret's community):  $1000 (acquisitive prize)

St Margaret's Secondary School Students: $500 (acquisitive prize)

St Margaret's Primary School Students: $250 (acquisitive prize)

Up to 10 Highly Commended pieces will be recognised with a certificate and the winner of each category, plus the Highly Commended pieces will feature in the St Margaret's 2020 calendar. Selected pieces may appear on various memorabilia produced to celebrate 125 years. Prize winners’ works are acquisitive and all Highly Commended artworks chosen for the calendar will be on loan for the duration of the 125 year anniversary celebrations throughout 2020.

Entries Close: Friday 22 November 2019. Winners announced Thursday 28 November 2019.

All entries will be displayed in the Arts Centre Foyer for the final week of school.

Open entries to be delivered or posted to St Margaret's Main Reception, 11 Petrie Street, Ascot, 4007.

School entries to be delivered to the Secondary Art Staff Room or Secondary Art classes or Primary Art class.

Download the competition flyer (PDF 830.6KB)

Download the entry form (PDF 164.4KB)

We are thrilled to have photographer, Jane Long working with the girls to produce fantasy self-portraits. Pictured below is one of the photographs from the 2016 program when the girls wore the impressionist skirt, they painted themselves (thanks to Sophia Connor who is now in Year 8). Each girl will take home a coloured 16 x 22cm professional standard photograph and will have learned some Photoshop editing skills along the way!

Remember to record your daughter’s t-shirt size as we provide a smART Holidays t-shirt for each participant. Registering via Flexischools in good time allows us to order the correct sizes for all students.

Please direct any queries to me on 0410 562 202

Jenny Lishman

Secondary second-hand books

Second-hand books may be purchased or sold through Sustainable School Shop at: . There is no registration fee for St Margaret’s families to use this trading system.

Hire of church dresses for Speech Night – Tuesday 12 November 2019

Hiring of the church dresses has commenced. To hire a dress a ‘Hire Conditions of Church Dress’ form must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian. This form is available on the Supplies Shop page of the school website or from the Supplies Shop.

Completed and signed forms are to be returned to the School Supplies Shop, together 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.

The return date for church dresses for all students, except Year 6, is no later than Friday 22 November 2019. Year 6 students must return their church dress no later than Friday 29 November 2019. 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 – New online booking system

Bookings for November and December 2019 and January 2020 are available online now.

Book your appointment online via the school website.

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 and School blazer fitting.

Extended Trading Hours*

2019

Thursday 28 November: 8:00am-2:00pm

Friday 29 November: 10:00am-2:00pm

Monday 2 December: 8:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday 3 December: 8:00am-12:00pm

Wednesday 4 December: 8:00am-12:00pm

2020

Wednesday 15 January: 8:00am-12:00pm

Thursday 16 January: 1:00pm-5:00pm

Friday 17 January: 8:00am-12:00pm

Monday 20 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Tuesday 21 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Wednesday 22 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Thursday 23 January: 1:00pm-8:00pm

Friday 24 January: 8:00am-3:00pm

Saturday 25 January: 9:00am-2:00pm

Sunday 26 January: Closed

Monday 27 January: 9:00am-12:00pm

Monday 27 January: 1:00pm-5:00pm Boarders Only

Tuesday 28 January: Regular trading resumes

*Fitting appointment times may extend beyond shop opening hours during peak periods.

Terisa Arnold

St Margaret’s is travelling to New York!

St Margaret’s will be visiting New York this December and will be hosting a social reception at the Juniper Bar & Grill. This complimentary event provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with all members of the St Margaret's community who are living, working or travelling in the New York area, over drinks and canapés.

Should you be travelling for work or for pleasure, and this event coincides with a visit to the city, we would love for you to join us.

Date: Monday 9 December 2019

Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Venue: Juniper Bar & Grill, 237 W 35th St, New York

Dress: Smart casual/business attire

RSVP: Friday 29 November 2019 via the

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

Chapel Service and Morning Tea – Sunday 26 July

60+ Year Reunion – Monday 27 July

Advertise your business in our 2020 Family Directory

This A5 full colour booklet is a frequent ‘go to’ reference for school parents throughout the year, full of valuable school information such as staff contact details, the 2020 school calendar, sports venue locations, bell times, parent contact details and much more.

Our advertising prices remain unchanged from last year with full colour ads starting from as low as $125.00 for an Eight Block, up to $1,000 for a full page.

We have limited advertising space available. If you are interested in securing one of these positions, please contact the Development Office to discuss.

For standard advertising options and pricing information please click here (PDF 132.6KB).

For any enquiries please contact:

Development and Community Office

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School

PH: 07 3862 0765

E: developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Lara Pickering

Want more Medical Interview support? We offer private tutoring with interview experts! Register your interest and about 1-1 tutoring with MedView. with any questions or to learn more about taking part in MedView's MMI Webinar this November.

Brisbane Defence Force recruiting information sessions

Adventure, travel, great pay and diverse career opportunities – just to name a few of the benefits on offer when you join the Navy, Army or Air Force. If you’re up for the challenge and would like to find out more, come along to one of our upcoming information sessions taking place at DFRC Brisbane, Level 13, 295 Ann Street, Brisbane. To RSVP, email: cptqld@dfr.com.au or visit: .

Monash University

From 2020, students with a passion for physiotherapy can use a pathway qualification such as Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Science or Health Sciences to a Doctor to enroll in a Doctor of Physiotherapy, graduate-entry degree. More information is available .

The Queensland Mathematics Summer School (QMSS) at UQ is a five-day program to be held from Monday 20-Friday 24 January 2020 and is available to Year 10 students planning to study Year 11 Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics in 2020.

QUT

A new four-year double degree in Biomedical Science and Mathematics is now available for Semester 1 2020. Read more about this .

Upcoming events

Participate in family-friendly activities offered in in January. ATAR Notes are presenting on 20-21 January 2020 to prepare them for the transition to the ATAR system and to perform well in specific subjects.

Scholarships and Bridging Programs: Information is available .

It's not too late to join our Summer High School Projects!

This short-term overseas volunteer placement with Projects Abroad is available for students in Years 10 and 11. Find out more .

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.

Griffith Scholarships in 2020

Find out more and apply online at: .

The University of Queensland Scholarships:

QUT Scholarship opportunities: .

QUT Meeting assumed knowledge and prerequisites

QUT offers a in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

UQ College is offering University Prerequisite Courses in Mathematics B, Chemistry or Biology.

QTAC Key Dates

15 November: First offer round Year 12

14 December: OP’s released

23 December: QTAC Offer Round

7 January: Last day to change preference

15 January: Offer Round

UQ  16 December 2019, 3:00-6:00pm, UQ Centre, St Lucia campus

Griffith University: Explore your Options (for Year 12)

Monday 16 December – Thursday 19 December. Find out more .

(for Year 12)

Date: 17 December

When: 9:00am-12:00pm

Where: P Block, QUT Gardens Point campus

Elizabeth Johnston