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It is a highly personalised program. The mentees meet with their mentors virtually four times a year, and after each session, students are supported by a designated staff member to reflect on their session and prepare for the next. Mentors are sought out based on the career pathways students are intending to pursue.

The voluntary program, which is unique for a secondary school, was introduced this year and had a very healthy uptake in its first year of operation. It has been encouraging to have more than a 42 Year 12 students sign up at the beginning of the year; a similar number of Year 11 students are now being matched with a mentor. We are anticipating this number will increase next year.

The response from our past students has also been extremely positive with many mentors finding the program resonated with them as a way of giving back to their school and stewarding future industry colleagues. The program engages alumni who graduated between 1992 and 2017, which means their career journeys are relatable to students and their workplace experience is contemporary.

It also identifies the many different pathways within an industry or profession where, for example, being a lawyer can lead to many different types of careers. The process can also uncover that possible career considerations were not what was imagined, and choices can be rethought.

This is the fourth Innovative Award recognition for our school in recent times with the school also receiving the award in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Ros Curtis

There are also many ways that parents can support their child’s learning. Supporting learning at home demonstrates your commitment to valuing education and our school. In fact, there are many articles written about how parent involvement in educational activities is associated with improved educational outcomes in students.

Supporting a child and their learning does not mean doing the work for them. Sometimes parents say to us: “I was never good at [insert subject] when I was at school!” It is not a case of being particularly academically strong in a subject that counts, rather you can have an impact on your child’s learning from simply offering support and being positive with your child about the learning experience.

Below is a list of tips I read recently that can help parents become more involved in their child’s learning at any age:

1. Read to your child from an early age. As our children grow and throughout a child’s life, parents can still encourage a positive attitude towards reading.
2. Promote a positive mindset. It is so vital for parents to assist their children to see the benefits in learning.
3. Avoid putting pressure on them. Encouragement involves helping your children improve by discussing any feedback given and ensuring that they always try their best.
4. Help them with their homework. As mentioned earlier, this does not mean doing it for them and in some cases simply means asking them questions about what it is they are doing.
5. Let them be independent learners. Be there to support them to become this.
6. Encourage them when they make mistakes. This is an important part of the learning process for everyone.

Karen Gorrie

At the Boarder Chapel last night, we reflected on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Mary is pregnant with Jesus, and Elizabeth pregnant with John the Baptist. When Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, John leapt with joy within her womb. Even before birth John was recognising Jesus as special – Emmanuel – God with us. We reflected on how we notice God’s presence amongst us today, and particularly, how we notice the presence of God in others. Because each person, even those that we might least expect, reflects a glimpse of the presence of God because we are created in the image of God.

As you prepare for Advent and Christmas, may you know the presence of God’s hope, love, joy and peace with you.

God who is always with us,                                                                         

When despair is close at hand – grant us hope.
When we feel disconnected – remind us that we are loved.

When we feel discouraged – grant us the joy of your compassion.
When all is overwhelming – give us your peace which passes all understanding.

Amen.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

A new initiative was launched in the boarding house last year in the creation of our boarding Christmas Advent calendar. All the fun began last Sunday night when our boarder prefects headed to the year level dorms to create Christmas chains in preparation for the Christmas tree set up which took place on Monday night. The chains are now decorating the hallway to the Garden Room. 

The advent calendar is put together by our boarder prefects under the guidance of our Student Wellbeing Coordinator – Boarding, Hannah Calcino. Each day a new task is set for everyone to participate in. It can be as simple as guess the Christmas jingle over the loudspeaker or wear red and green to prep. A new activity that has been included this year is to write a Christmas card to the residents of a local nursing home. Once completed the cards will be delivered, along with chocolates, to spread some Christmas cheer to the elderly.  

Overall, the calendar has been well received by the boarders and provides a fantastic opportunity for a little light relief in the build up to the end of term craziness.  

Angela Crowe

Year 11 Exam Block and End of Term Assessment

The Year 11 Exam block will begin on Tuesday 15 November with a Study Day and conclude on Monday 21 November. All Biology students have a compulsory excursion on Tuesday 22 November in preparation for their next Internal Assessment. Along with this, English, English as an Additional Language, Literature, Digital Solutions and Physical Education all have assessment due after the Exam Block. Therefore, it is important that no Year 11 student leave early for holidays as all lessons will continue to teach and assess Unit 3 which contributes to student results for their QCE and ATAR.

Caitlin McCluskey

As part of St Margaret’s and St Aidan’s ongoing effort to address points one and three above, both schools have been partnering with QUT since 2019 to offer the Born to Fly Scholarship to two final year QUT Education students. The scholarship provides the recipients with an ‘internship’ opportunity, whereby they are part of the St Margaret’s and St Aidan’s communities for one day per week throughout the entire school year (excluding their practical placements). During this time, they assist with unit writing, lesson planning, differentiation exercises and are part of marking discussions. Furthermore, they attend various excursions, take part in extra-curricular activities, and have regular meetings with teacher mentors and me to discuss their development.

This year, our recipients for the Born to Fly Scholarship were Ms Katie Sills, who worked with the Sociocultural and Health & Physical Education Faculties, and Ms Josephine Cranny, who worked with the Sociocultural and Mathematics Faculties. So impressive were Katie and Josephine in their internships, they have gained employment at St Margaret’s and St Aidan’s respectively for 2023. I congratulate them both on an exceptional year and wish them the very best as they commence their teaching careers.

In 2023, we will welcome another two Born to Fly Scholarship recipients from QUT, and excitingly, we have also formed another partnership with The University of Queensland to welcome two students as the inaugural Per Volar Sunata Scholarship recipients.

Chris Dunn

When it comes to productive study, sometimes less is 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 focused on the task ahead. For more information, please go to Parent Resources, School TV on the POD.

Nikki Townsend

An important factor in fostering lifelong readers is choice. Tangible evidence of this is the joy expressed by the girls when students choose books from the library each week. Research has found that children with books of their own read more, and more frequently. During Celebration Week next week, we will hold a Book Fair where visitors can purchase books. This will be held on the tennis courts near the Philip Harris gym to allow visitors time to view the books, buy and help build your child’s own bookcase.  

Next week local bookstore, Bright and Early Books, is offering an ‘In Conversation’ with celebrated author Sally Rippen. Instead of discussing her children’s stories, she will be sharing her own story with adults on 16 November at 6.30pm in the Arts Centre Foyer. In her latest book, ‘Wild Thing’, she tells her personal journey of helping her child through a learning disability to find the joy of reading.

As the adults in the girls’ lives, we have an obligation to encourage reading for pleasure by modelling reading, signing up for membership at the local library and having a variety of books available at home.

“There is something very special about a book – the feel of it in your hands and the way it looks on the table by your bed or nestled in with others in the bookcase” Jane Goodall, ‘A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader’.    

Year 4 Camp

This week the final camp was held. It was strange heading to Year 4 camp at the end of the year when normally, it is the first camp of the year. The girls loved the beach activities with the water park, a real highlight. The girls collaborated and supported each other; they are certainly ready for Year 5. Thank you to Danielle Patterson, Melissa Garbutt, Laurie Wilson, Karen Andrews-Close, Morgan Rowe and Annette Box for everything they did to make it a success, especially their care for the girls. We look forward to doing it all again in a few months, in February. 

Angela Drysdale

Khan MAP Recommended Practice is an online personalised learning resource which offers recommended exercises to support students in Year 3-6 when consolidating their mathematical understanding and developing skill mastery. 

Our students’ mathematical skills are measured at various intervals throughout the year and this data provides information that informs teacher’s planning, measures growth and then builds the content available in MAP Recommended Practice.  

The exercises are intended to not only revise concepts but learn and develop new skills through the use of online videos and a range of exercises. The program allows students to work at their own level and pace both inside and outside the classroom.

Khan MAP Recommended Practice (MAPPERS) can be accessed via the link on Year Level POD pages using the credentials provided by your daughter’s teacher.

Kate Frewin

We look forward to this event becoming an important part of the annual Interhouse competition program in the years to come. Individual section results are below along with the full Primary and Secondary House results.

Band Category

Junior Division (Years 4-6) 1st place: Charlotte Lin (Bede)

Intermediate Division (Years 7-9) 1st place: Edith Barber (Spenser)

Senior Division (Years 10-11): 1st place: Ava Barber (Spenser)

Piano/Guitar Category

Junior Division (Years 4-6) 1st place: Natascha Zdravev (Spenser)

Intermediate Division (Years 7-9) 1st place: Tammy Tang (Lawson)

Senior Division (Years 10-11): 1st place: May Xiong (Herrick)

Strings Category

Junior Division (Years 4-6) 1st place: Pendy Lin (Tennyson)

Intermediate Division (Years 7-9) 1st place: Lily Song (Milton)

Senior Division (Years 10-11): 1st place: Hilary Davis (Chaucer) & Tara Krakat (Chaucer)

Voice Category

Junior Division (Years 4-6) 1st place: Eliza Cowie (Spenser) & Stephanie Dortolina George (Bede)

Intermediate Division (Years 7-9) 1st place: Ruby Reynolds Campbell (Spenser)

Senior Division (Years 10-11) 1st place: Nicola D’Abreton (Chaucer)

Overall House Winners:  

Soloists’ Recital Series 4

Congratulations to all students who performed in the Soloists Recital on Wednesday afternoon. It was a fantastic afternoon of music with a wide range of styles performed on a variety of different instruments. All girls should be exceptionally proud of their performances!

Return of hired instruments

Please note that all hired instruments are to be returned to the Sister Helen Orchestra Room Music Department no later than 3pm on Friday 18 November for cleaning and repairs. Students who are wanting to hire instruments over the Christmas holidays will be able to collect their instrument on the last day of term.

2023 Private Music Tuition

If your daughter is currently undertaking private music tuition, she will automatically be placed on her current teachers’ roll for 2023. Parents do not need to fill in a new application form. However, if your daughter is wanting to discontinue lessons in 2023, 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

The St Margaret’s Music Department would like to extend special thanks to our 2022 Music Support Group office holders, president Antoinette Aquilina, vice-president Kerrith Matyear, treasurer Brendan Alford and secretary Mandy Kennedy. We are very grateful for your support of the St Margaret’s Music Program. Thank you to all parents who attended meetings and offered support in a variety of capacities throughout 2022.

The Annual General Meeting was held last Tuesday evening and we are pleased to announce the 2023 office holders:

President                   Antoinette Aquilina

Vice President           Charlotte Davis

Treasurer                  Katrina Carrick

Secretary                   Mandy Kennedy

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 31 January 2023 at 5:00pm in M’s Café. We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

For a full list of QGSSSA results please check out the following . and for future information regarding fixtures please see our

2023 Sport Preference

2023 sport registration (Terms 1 & 2) is now open for secondary school sports. Registration is open for those existing students in Years 7 to 11. New students will receive information regarding selections at their upcoming student induction sessions.

Sport registration is important for it ensures students receive the most up to date information regarding the trials and training for the commencement of the new year. It also provides automatic access to the respective sport POD pages.

Sport registrations should be completed by students. However, we would greatly appreciate the support of parents/guardians to please assist in encouraging their daughters to complete this task. Sport registrations will close Thursday 24 November at 3pm.

Further sport information and registration links can be found on the

If you have any questions please see Mr Knight or Ms Eastland in the Activities Office.

Beach Volleyball

Congratulations to the Year 7 quartet of Ava Smith, Georgia Williams, Mandile Mpofu and Ava Twomey who over the weekend competed at the Queensland Beach Volleyball Tournament in Coolangatta. All four girls were members of the Year 7 QGSSSA Volleyball team that showed lots of promise throughout the QGSSSA season. It was exciting to hear that these girls took their talents to the sand and enjoyed the experience. Congratulations girls.

Club Water Polo – Meat Drive

The Water Polo Support Group have collaborated with Dylan's Gallery of Meats - Ascot to offer the popular cut of 1kg Full Eye Fillets. These are certified grass fed, are super lean and tender. Purchasing is a great way to support the growing sport of Water Polo at St Margaret’s as well as our primary produce industry. Why not stock up for Christmas!

Orders will be ready for collection in the week commencing the 21 November - all supporters will be contacted with specific collection information.

Orders close 13 November at 5.00 pm

Please order via the following link:

GO MAGGIES!

Lloyd Knight

Year 9 Visual Art

The Year 9 Visual Art students are starting to display their final art pieces for 2022. This unit asked the students to explore a chosen sustainability issue and educate their audience using only reclaimed and recycled objects. The wonderful thing about this task is that no two sculptures are the same and students have been able to explore some unusual mediums to create their desired piece. These works will be on display until Open Day 2023 along with works from Years 7 to Year 10.

smART Holiday Workshop

Join the smART Holiday crew for art and colour adventures between 28 November and 2 December. This workshop is open to girls in Years 4-8. This fun and colourful art event always books out so please register ASAP through

Adrian Walker

Boarders ONLY are able to have their book pack delivered to St Margaret’s for pickup on their return to school in January 2023 by confirming in the delivery address: Boarder – Deliver to St Margaret’s AGS.

UNIFORM OUTFITTING APPOINTMENTS – online booking system

Bookings for October, November & December 2022 and January 2023 are available online now!

Book your appointment

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 and Pre-Prep/Prep.

We have fun-filled and exciting activities planned for our December/ January School Holiday Program. Further details of the program can be found here (PDF 276.2KB). Boys and girls, siblings, friends and family welcome!

Please refer to the attached Information Guide for full booking terms and conditions. We are unable to accept bookings via email or text message. The OSHC registration and Debitsuccess form must be completed, signed and sent back to us to finalise your booking. Please read the information guide carefully as some information has changed. OSHC Registration and Debitsuccess can be completed via the My Family Lounge.

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR VACATION CARE BOOKING FORM VIA THE MY FAMILY LOUNGE APP

We are very excited to inform you that St Margaret’s OSHC has subscribed to a fantastic online Booking and Waitlist management program called QK Enrol. This program will give you access to manage your own account information, where you will have the ability to make bookings requests and allows you to complete and submit an online enrolment form for your child. You can do this and much, much more all within a parent portal called ’My Family Lounge’.

How do I log in?

Please navigate to the link below and either sign in with your existing My Family Lounge account or Register for an account if you do not already have one. Please note all families who have previously submitted an enrolment form will have an account already set up; all you will need to do is click ‘forgotten password’ and use the email address you used to receive this form.

When making a Vacation Care booking please select Casual bookings, not Permanent.

What is the cost?*

Early Bird Fees: $63 per day

Early Bird Bookings close: 14 November 2022

Fees: $68 per day*

Bookings close: 21 November 2022

*Incursions and excursions incur additional costs. These are compulsory for all students and therefore you are able to claim CCS.

What are the hours of operation?

The service is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm.

How can I obtain more information?

If you would like further information regarding our OSHC Program or if you would like to make a booking, feel free to contact me on 0423 547 653 or email: oshc@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Palu Ingram

At the moment we are looking for families that would be interested in hosting them for the duration of the time they are here. We partner with homestay provider organisations to help arrange their homestay, and homestay families will receive some renumeration to offset living expenses during their 10 week stay.

If you would be interested in becoming a homestay family, please contact me at fspooner@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or on 3862 0861.

Congratulations to the Years 2, 3 and 4 Speech and Drama students who entertained and delighted their audience last Wednesday as they took to the stage as forest animals, sea creatures, and a range of other colourful characters in their end-of-year plays.

Our Speech and Drama students in Years 5 to 10 are busily rehearsing for their performances at the upcoming Eisteddfods. These performances will be held in Eton Hall and parents of performers in Years 5 to 9 are most welcome to join us for the events.

For more information about these events, please contact mchamberlain@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Maria Chamberlain

Pricing for an advertisement in the 2023 Online Business Directory will be $500 per listing and this will include:

• Listing for the 2023 school year 
• Company Logo
• Summary of your business – max 100 words
• Hyperlink to your website
• Contact details
• Opportunity to offer special discount to St Margaret’s community
• The ability to update the advertisement at any time
• Links to the directory from the POD, as well as promotional posts for the Online Business Directory via St Margaret’s social media channels once per quarter
• An advertisement promoting the Online Business Directory will appear in the St Margaret’s Flyer Magazine – The Flyer magazine is St Margaret’s flagship biannual publication for past students, current and future parents, distributed to over 8,000 contacts.

To list your business in the 2023 Business Directory, please register by Friday 18 November 2022.

Several opportunities for sponsorship are also available for P&F events on an annual basis. The P&F welcome your enquiry regarding the via P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. 

Join the waitlist for tickets to the 2023 Fathers’ Dinner, featuring guest speaker and Australian Rugby League legend, Wayne Bennett AM.

Due to unprecedented demand, this event has now sold out, however it is not too late to  to join the waitlist should you be interested in attending. Please see below the key event details.

Date:       Friday 3 March 2023 (Term 1)

Venue:    Queensland Cricketers Club

RSVP:      9.30am Thursday 16 February, unless sold out prior.

Tables:    Maximum table capacity is 10 people. Seating requests can be made by nominating a Table    Captain or Year Group at the time of booking. Best efforts will be made to meet any requests.

Enquiries:  P&F@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Join the waitlist for an individual ticket or group table via Try Booking:  

Thank you to our event sponsors: Supporting Sponsor, Morgans and Maggies Supporter, Wheelchair Vehicle Sales.

Lara Pickering