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Last week, we celebrated International Women’s Day at the school. It is a very important event in a girls’ school which gives us cause to celebrate women’s achievements, from major milestones such as gaining the vote to recognising the incredible accomplishments of individual women. However, we are also reminded of the inordinately long time it will take – most recently estimated by the World Economic Forum to be 257 years – before women achieve global gender pay parity. In addition, even in many of the world’s leading economies, women still struggle to comprise more than 20-30 per cent of positions in parliaments, corporations and boardrooms, with even lower proportions at the most senior levels of leadership.

In fact, women have only held the highest position of executive power in 57 countries since 1960. Despite a growing number of female leaders in recent years, there has never been more than 18 women in power in a single year, and the only countries to have had three female leaders are Finland and New Zealand.

Despite these concerning statistics, there is growing confidence that societal changes are steering us towards a more female-friendly world where consumer and technology trends will be redefined around a new set of priorities based on gender, career and family. According to McKinsey & Company, advances in female equality could add $12 trillion to the global economy by 2025, while Ernst & Young predicts that women will control three-quarters of the world’s discretionary spending by 2028.

Fittingly, the global theme for International Women’s Day 2020 is ‘Generation Equality’, marking the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a progressive roadmap for the empowerment of girls and women across the globe. UN Women will also celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020 and, while there has been some progress, they write that “real change has been agonizingly slow”. In fact, “not a single country in the world can claim to have achieved gender equality”. UN Women sees 2020 as a pivotal opportunity to take stock of the past 25 years and “collectively tackle the unfinished business of empowering all women and girls in the years to come”.

Ros Curtis

Check your daughter’s phone. Children should know that you can ask for their mobile phone at any time and expect full access. While some people may feel this is an invasion of privacy, it is important to make a distinction between privacy and safety. A parent is still responsible for monitoring what a child does online. This involves what they are sending out and also what they are receiving as well. If you find the content inappropriate, talk to your child and why you do – and ask them what they think. Verbalising thoughts can help them to think things through and apply values to what they are doing online.

Be app-savvy. If you child in on it, you should be too, or at least have tried it out so that you know how the app works. If your children know that you understand the social media they are using, they are more likely to come to you to talk about issues that may arise.

Help children to understand their ‘why’. Help children to build their own filters. Encourage them to ask why questions – Why am I picking up the phone? Am I bored, lonely, sad, insecure? Why am I posting this? Does this make me feel good or not good? This helps them to separate online experiences from real-life ones. It also helps to slow down impulsive online communications and encourages them to make smarter choices.

Set clear ground rules. Talk to them about appropriate social media and mobile phone use before you give them a phone. Clearly state rules and expectations and stick to them.

Do a digital detox. Learn to be okay with being offline. As a parent, start by modelling that behaviour: no phones at the dinner table, no checking texts while you’re talking with your child. While most children won’t admit it, it can be a relief when parents put restrictions on how and when children can use technology.

Please remember that our mobile phone policy means that no students can have their phones during school time; they are to be in their lockers (Secondary school) or handed in to the office (Primary school). Students in the Secondary school are permitted only to check their phones if needed (for example to access an urgent message from parents) at their lockers during breaks, but they are not to move away from the locker space and are not to access social media during this time.

Karen Gorrie

Amongst the activities there are opportunities for students to express themselves, for instance, writing what they are grateful for, or what is worrying them, their hopes and dreams and their big questions. Not surprisingly, some of the themes running through the Prayer Space were the coronavirus, concerns about ATAR, assignments, relationships, school work, sickness, friendship issues, concern for families - particularly those overseas and relationships. The students wrote about their gratefulness for family, friends and their education.

Recently, I have been reading a book called “How to do Nothing,” and while I don’t agree with many of the concepts within the book, Odell has a point when she says many of us feel guilty when we do nothing. When I asked the students in the Prayer Space how many felt guilty about doing nothing, many of them put up their hands. I do not advocate that our students do nothing, on the contrary, they need to keep on top of their responsibilities; however, we need to be aware of the enormous pressure the students feel. Somewhere in the busyness of life, we need to help our children be counter-cultural and find time to contemplate, reflect, think and if they choose, to pray.

I believe Jesus revealed to us how to be counter-cultural. He was in demand as word had got out that he healed the sick. Many people wanted to be with him and be healed. Yet, he took time out, he withdrew from the crowd, to pray. To replenish his soul, to connect with everything that gave him life. It was like he knew he could not give anymore until he had time out.

Lent invites us to take time. To permit ourselves to do nothing, even if it is for a few short minutes. To sit, to reflect, to think and if we choose, to pray. May you make the time.

Important Dates

Term 1

Twilight Service Pre-Prep-Year 3

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

Term 2

Years 4-6 Family Service

Students in Years 4-6 are invited to participate in preparation for Baptism and Admission to Holy Communion (Year 4s will all have in-class RVE lessons). The service will take place at the Year 4-6 Family Service on Wednesday 29 April, 6:00pm in the School Chapel. Please find the letter and form attached (PDF 435.2KB).

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding this process. Being Admitted to Communion is not the same as Confirmation – please see below.

Confirmation is considered a mature, more adult rite. In 2020, this is open to students in Year 8 and above, as well as other members of the School Community who are warmly invited to consider being Confirmed in the Church. The service of Confirmation, with Bishop Jeremy Greaves, will be held on Wednesday 27 May, 6:30pm in St Margaret’s Chapel. Please find the letter attached (PDF 182.7KB).

For further information, please do not hesitate to call 3862 0716 or email: scrothers-robertson@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Susan Crothers-Robertson

Positivity starts with gratitude, kind gestures, complimenting/identifying other’s traits, reaching personal goals, celebration of others and thanking others for kind gestures. Sharron is encouraging the girls to reciprocate these values and experiences on to others. The girls reciprocate and practise this daily and learn that true friendship and tenacity matter more than popularity and appearance. The hand numbers continue to grow daily.

Sandra Johnson

Can I please remind all Years 11 and 12 students (Day and Boarding) if they are attending school during the examination block to study or meet with a teacher, they are required to be in full school uniform and all other school rules apply including the use of mobile phones.

Year 10 – Introduction to Years 11 and 12 Pathways

During this term, the Year 10s have been receiving information from Naomi Holley, the Director of Careers and Portfolio Pathways. All Year 10 girls have completed a career profiling program through Careers Avenue which will support the Set Planning and subject selection process later this year. Following this testing, each student will be attending a 30-minute individual career counselling session with a Careers Avenues Career Psychologist over the next few weeks. To support this, Naomi and I will present to the Year 10 girls some introductory information about ATAR and the Portfolio Pathway next Monday. I have put a summary of the information we will be sharing below:

1. The Australian Tertiary ¸£ÀûÐÂÇøÒ»Çø¶þÇø Rank (ATAR) pathway will provide students with an ATAR to seek entrance to tertiary study in Australian Universities. Students selecting this pathway must select five or six General subjects. All students must select at least one subject from the English discipline. The calculation of an ATAR will be based on a student’s best five General subject results. Results in General subjects also contribute to the award of a QCE.
2. The portfolio pathway gives students qualifications that allow access to work, apprenticeship and study options. Students selecting this pathway are not eligible for an ATAR. All students must select three General subjects, including one subject from the English discipline. Students selecting the Portfolio pathway will be eligible for a QCE.

Both Naomi and I are looking forward to working with the Year 10 girls throughout this year to help them plan for Years 11 and 12.

Nicole Devlin

Academic Advisors and students are continuing to engage in Learning Analytics to look for feedback from teachers from assessment to assist in tailoring the specific areas for improvement. This process is important and is designed for your daughter to engage in her results and to reflect on her next move in her learning journey to challenge herself. Academic Advisors are encouraging students to revel in the process of learning however challenging and difficult it may seem.

A reminder for parents to engage with your daughters’ results and feedback in assessments through Parent Lounge.

Tom McCormick

The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increasing your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition and we always welcome your feedback. This information can be found on the POD please click on the tile parenting resources, then SchoolTV.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact your Head of Year for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Nikki Townsend

Whilst all our School values are relevant to Primary education, respect and integrity are especially important during these years as this is when students are developing their moral character and identity. Staff constantly talk about respect with the girls and how they can demonstrate respect for self, for others and the school environment. Recently, the staff and I discussed with the students how they can demonstrate respect for the environment. This is an important and relevant lesson given the girls are growing up in a ‘disposable society’. They need to show appreciation for the many resources they have access to in our school environment e.g. play equipment, books, games, instruments etc. They demonstrate respect through being careful with resources, using them appropriately and packing them away properly. The resources need to be handled this way to ensure they are available for all members of our school community.

On Open Day we welcomed many visitors to the Primary classrooms and library. Many comments were made about the appealing environments and this is due to the value the staff place on the importance of the learning environment. Mrs Gillan, our new library assistant, and I have been working together to create a space that promotes a love of reading through a beautiful, organised and inviting environment. The books and displays are there to be valued and respected, not mistreated or removed from the library which has recently occurred and contradicts the value of integrity.

Parents, please support our commitment to provide resources and an aesthetic environment by encouraging your child to demonstrate respect for all environments.

Angela Drysdale

Mother Emma’s Day Service

Thank you to Volare who provided a choral performance at the Mother Emma’s Day Service at St John’s Cathedral held on Monday. It was a lovely service with students from both St Margaret’s and St Aidan’s involved. The musical contribution made by the girls was much appreciated.

Drum Circle

This week saw the first drum circle session occur with students from Years 10-12 attending. This was an excellent opportunity for students to meet in an informal manner to experience the power of group music-making. Special thanks must go to the P&F for their generous donation, allowing the purchase of a set of djembes. The drum circle session will be made available next week to students in Years 7-9 during Tuesday lunchtime in the Barley Sugar Garden and then the following week to Primary students with sessions ongoing in Term 2. Everyone is welcome, regardless of musical experience and we look forward to having many girls involved!

Strings Festival

Congratulations to Ashleigh Witenden (Year 11), Hilary Davis (Year 8) and Jihyo (Lily) Song (Year 7) who performed this week at the Strings Festival hosted by Brisbane Grammar School. These events are excellent opportunities for our students to perform unique repertoire with students from other schools within a large string orchestra.

Anglican Schools Music Festival 2020

This year, fifteen Anglican schools from around South East Queensland will once again join together to perform in a variety of ensembles within the spectacular setting of the QPAC Concert Hall on Friday 22 May. The girls will work with outstanding conductors and conclude the evening’s performance with the world premiere of a piece written especially for the event by renowned Australian composer, Paul Jarman. First round offers have now been sent to successful students. This is a very unique and exciting event and we strongly recommend that students who have received an offer make the most of this opportunity. Payment is due by Friday 20 March.

Music Support Group

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 21 April 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

Cross Country

The competition season for Cross Country gets underway in Week 8 with the first Invitational QGSSSA Cross Country Meet on Tuesday 17 March, hosted by Brisbane State High School. This Meet will give all girls an opportunity to race, many for the first time this season, in a challenging, yet friendly competition. Details of the Meet can be found below:

Yeronga Memorial Park

4:30pm – 14 and 15 years, 3km

4:50pm – 12 and 13 years, 3km

5:10pm – 16 and 17+ years, 3km

All members of the Cross Country team are expected to attend and are to sign on via the link found on the Cross Country POD page.

Water Polo break-up

Our Water Polo players and coaches are leading into the last game for the season. To celebrate the efforts of all, including team managers, a break-up party with pizza, sushi and team awards will be held on Wednesday 18 March at 3:45pm-5:00pm on Circular Drive. For further information, please see the Water Polo POD page.

Rowing

St Margaret's was well represented at the Queensland Rowing State Team presentation held last Sunday. Imogen Tsien (Year 12) was selected in the Schoolgirl Pathway crew, Director of Rowing, Jared Bidwell is in the King's Cup crew and 2019 Rowing Captain, Sophie Gerber ('19) will row in the Women's Youth VIII boat. Former alumni, Wallis Russell (’16) was named in the Lightweight Women's quad and Jacinta Edmunds (’11) and Lily Alton (’15) are part of the Queen's Cup squad. Jared, Sophie, Wallis, Jacinta and Lily will all compete at the Interstate Regatta to be held in Sydney late March, while Imogen will travel to Sydney to race during the selection trials in mid-April.

Congratulations…

Lucinda Bourke (Year 9) who recently played at the National U15 Cricket Championships and was selected in the Cricket Australian XI squad, receiving her first ‘baggy green’.

Abigail Anderson, Jaclyn Barclay, Kydeesha Crawford, Portia Creevey, Lucy Dunning, Hayley Forster, Anna Lincoln, Tiffany Mackay, Olivia Peck, Stella Stuart, Sienna Timms and Lauren Walker for being selected in the Metropolitan North Swimming Team.

Success at the Queensland Clubs Athletics Championships

St Margaret’s was well represented at the Queensland Clubs Athletics Championships last weekend with many girls achieving podium finishes. Congratulations to the following students:

Annabel Bright – 3rd U14 1500m

Chloe Fenwicke – 2nd U18 2000m Steeplechase

Isabella Harte – 2nd U16 1500m; 3rd U16 800m

Matilda Lee – 3rd U14 800m

Kayla Newberry – 2nd U16 Long Jump; 3rd U16 High Jump

Tyla Proctor – 3rd U18 Shot Put

Milla Roberts – 2nd U14 400m

Tayden Tomich – 3rd U16 90m Hurdles

Helen Lobegeiger

Lisa Smith

The new times will be:

The Bulimba Route - Morning Run

Depart

6:45am: Riding Road bus stop 35/41 Bulimba Pre School on corner at roundabout across from school oval, Bulimba

6:50am: Bus stop 21b Forbes St on Hawthorne Rd, Hawthorne

6:55am: Bus stop 18 Norman Ave on Wynnum Rd, Norman Park

7:15am: Entrance to Maurice Herring Memorial Drive, Churchie, Norman Park

7:30am: Bus stop 12 Merthyr Rd at Alford Street, New Farm

7:32am: Bus stop 14 Macquarie Street at Mercantile Place, Teneriffe

7:35am: Bus Stop 10 Breakfast Creek Rd at Evelyn St, Newstead

7:40am: Bus Stop 20 Racecourse Rd at Hamilton Central, Hamilton

7:42am Bus Stop 22 Racecourse Rd at Beatrice Tce, Ascot

Arrive

7:50am: St Margaret's Bus Zone Gate 3

You should have then received a follow up email direct from pixevety, asking you to click on a link and register a free account with them which, when you do, will give you access to the St Margaret’s photo gallery. If you have been nominated as an ‘authoriser’ (one parent/guardian per child), before you can access the gallery, you will be asked to agree to or change the default consent settings applied to all St Margaret’s students.

There are a couple of key things to note:

• Only current St Margaret’s parents and staff have access to this gallery.
• If you do not give your consent, it is implied (at the default settings) until such time you register an account to change them.
• You can change your consent at any time.
• If you have previously submitted restrictions on the use of your child’s image, we still require you to log in to pixevety and agree to or change the current settings. These new settings are a lot more granular than our previous consent form, so it is important you review what they mean.
• You can download a form from within pixevety and give your consent manually by emailing that form back to the school to: wjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

The benefit of creating an account is that you will have access to a wide range of photos that are taken throughout the year.

Below is a screenshot of the 2019 highlight gallery. Please note that any students who have previously had restrictions on the use of their child’s image are not included in these galleries.

If you have not already done so, we would appreciate all parents creating an account (by clicking on the link sent by pixevety) to enable you to update your child’s consent settings.

If you did not receive an email from pixevety, please email wjohnston@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. An email will be sent by pixevety next Tuesday to all parents who have not yet registered an account.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me or call on 07 3862 0837.

Wendy Johnston

Follow the live countdown at: and view the Giving Day video at .

Join us and be bold this Giving Day!

Last chance to buy tickets to the Professional Women’s Network Breakfast!

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

Date: Thursday 19 March 2020

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

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

RSVP: Friday 13 March 2020 (unless SOLD OUT prior)

Individual tickets: $80 Adult, $40 Student (Tertiary, Years 10-12)

Corporate tables: $800 (10 seats)

Dr Robyn Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Praxis Management Consulting

Dr Robyn Wilson (’77) is the Founder and Managing Director of Praxis Management Consulting, a Singapore-based firm that provides facilitated strategy and leadership-related services to the greater Asia Region (covering Japan, Australia and the Middle East and everything in-between).

Regarded as a leadership expert, Robyn has been based in Singapore for 25 years and has worked across industries and a range of organisations from global multinationals including BHP, Hilton, Barclays and Singtel, to start-ups, government entities to development banks.

Believing in championing young women, Robyn is currently an Ambassador for WomenLEAD Nepal. She also actively mentors younger women who are at various stages in their careers. Robyn’s career started in IT and engineering. Amongst other qualifications, Robyn has a PhD from the National University of Singapore, a Masters of Engineering from UWA and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from The University of Queensland.

To buy tickets to this event, please .

P&F Father Daughter Breakfast (Years 7-12) – Thursday 2 April 2020

Students in Years 7-12 and their Dads are warmly invited to join us for the 2020 Father Daughter Breakfast!

Date: Thursday 2 April 2020

Time: 6:45am for a 7:00am start, 8:00am finish

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

RSVP: Friday 27 March 2020 (unless SOLD OUT earlier)

Cost: $40 per adult /$30 per student (Years 7-12)

Includes a selection of hot and cold breakfast foods, tea, coffee and orange juice

Tickets are available via Flexischools.

We understand that occasionally it is not possible for all girls to invite their fathers. Girls are welcome to invite a male relative or family friend. Boarders are welcome to 'adopt a Dad' for the event.

Enquiries: David Lisle Ph:0417 735 971 or Email: dlisle97@gmail.com

St Margaret’s Women’s Luncheon – thank you to our sponsors!

The St Margaret's Women's Luncheon will be hosted on Friday 13 March in celebration of our 125th Anniversary. We would like to acknowledge and thank our Supporting Sponsors and Major Prize Donor: UMS, Qscan and Snowscene, for their support of this event which will be a wonderful coming together of St Margaret’s women.

Old Girls’ Day 2020 – Enjoy High Tea with a view!

We look forward to this year's OGA Chapel Service and special 125th Anniversary High Tea on Sunday 26 July. Hosted in the Arts Centre Foyer (ACF) and adjoining outdoor terrace, this is a complimentary event for all past students of St Margaret's.

Date: Sunday 26 July 2020

Time: 9:15am arrival for 9:30am Chapel Service (followed by High Tea in the ACF and Terraces)

Venue: St Margaret’s Chapel

RSVP: This is a complimentary event; however, for the courtesy of catering, please RSVP online via .

Lara Pickering

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