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As I write this, I have just come from the Book Character Parade – where there was much excitement and colour. The Primary Arts Spectacular on Friday will be another wonderful celebration of the Arts and student endeavour. Thank you in advance to all staff members and parent helpers who have worked tirelessly on the Arts Spectacular. I know the Years 5 and 6 students are excited and I hope you enjoy the show on Friday afternoon!

Best of luck to our rowers for the Head of the River on Saturday. This final regatta of the season is always one not to be missed.

There is still much activity to go in the final three weeks of term, and it all occurs around the routine of lessons and assessment. One of the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s goals in its current strategic plan is to ‘Strengthen the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s experience’ for the student. It is all the celebratory events, competitions and outside the classroom experiences which help do this. I don’t know about you but when I look back on my school days, I don’t remember much about the classroom or Period 3 on a Thursday. What I remember (with fondness and nostalgia) are the school musicals, the sport competitions, and the special events. Presumably, this will be the same for our current students.

Ros Curtis

It was wonderful to witness the excitement the students had in showing of their book characters. Reading is something that is so important to a child’s development. Here are just five benefits that all people, young and old, can gain from reading:

• Reading strengthens your brain – there have been many studies where researchers have studied the brain through the use of MRI scans whilst the subjects of the studies have been reading. Reading involves a complex network of circuits within the brain, and as a person’s reading ability matures, those networks become stronger.
• Reading increases your ability to empathize – researchers have found that those that read literary fiction show a very good ability to understand the feelings and beliefs of others.
• Reading builds your vocabulary – testing has shown that people who read a lot from a young age have been found to have large vocabularies.
• Reading helps people to sleep better – reading printed books (rather than those on a screen) is often seen as a great way to help people sleep better.
• Reading helps to reduce stress – researchers have found that 30 minutes of reading can lower blood pressure and the heart rate, having a very similar effect to a session of yoga.

I’m sure there are many more reasons our primary students can tell us as to why they enjoy reading!

Karen Gorrie

Books are a gift! In the world of stories, we find solace and inspiration. We can be transformed and reformed. Books educate and challenge.

Currently, I am reading The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. The book recounts the transformational encounter that Bailey has with a wild snail during a period of illness that keeps her bedridden. Bailey befriends a snail that resides in a terrarium beside her bed. She recounts her observations of the snail and takes the reader on an educative and inspiring journey of facts about snails. I never knew one could learn so much from snails. Particularly surprising to both Bailey and the reader is the sound of a wild snail eating (apparently a rather loud sound), and the fact that snails have teeth! The book heralds the power of observing nature and being present to the present moment. It is a reminder of how easily we slip into worrying about future moments, losing sight of the gifts in this moment.

This week, our primary students reminded us of the joy of the present moment, the joy of imagination, colour and laughter.

Admission to Holy Communion (Years 7 and 8)

At our Term 3 Years 7 and Year 8 Chapel services (in weeks 9 and 10), there will be another opportunity for students to be admitted to Holy Communion. These services take place during the school day. Please fill in if your daughter wishes to be admitted to Holy Communion. If you have any questions, please email me: jdow@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

Many of you will be familiar with the various Art and Craft competitions held as part of the Ekka. One of the categories is Quilts across Queensland. The Boarding House decided to enter our creation in the Class 9 – Group Quilt and we are very excited to advise that we obtained a Highly Commended for our craft. For a first-time effort we were more than happy with this outcome and would like to thank everyone who helped to create our quilt.

Angela Crowe

At ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s, we are fortunate enough to have many teachers who are able and willing to give up a portion of their holidays to run additional feedback sessions and tutorials for Year 12s during the September holidays. Please note that the timetable is organised with teacher availability in mind and not all teachers are available during the school holidays. While attendance at SWOTVAC is not compulsory, mock feedback will be provided in these sessions so students are strongly encouraged to attend any relevant sessions for their subject.

Year 11

At the end of next week, Year 11 students will have their study day before their exam block starts at the beginning of Week 9. This exam block contains the final assessment tasks of Units 1 and 2. The end of the term brings the final opportunity for students to move from one subject into another or to change from ATAR to Portfolio Pathway. Any students who are considering this should book an appointment with me via the POD as soon as possible.

Year 10

Year 10 students also have their Study Hall coming up on Tuesday 29 August and Wednesday 30 August.

Caitlin McCluskey

There are two different forms students can use:

• one for when they are absent on the day of an exam/performance;
• and another to apply for an extension for an assignment ahead of time.

Both of these forms and the procedures can be found via the Extension Form button on each Year Level POD page. A reminder that in Years 7-9, a parent note or email will suffice for evidence; however, in Years 10-11 a Medical Certificate is required.

If a student knows that they will require an extension due to a foreseen event, they should speak with their teacher or the appropriate Head of Faculty as soon as they can.

Resit of Exams due to Absence on the day

Any student in Years 7 to 10 who is absent on the day of an exam, will be required to sit this exam on the first day they return to school. Students should report directly to the Senior Library at 8:20am with their correct equipment, and will complete the exam under supervision in Lessons 1A/B.

Chris Dunn

Anxiety in teenagers is a common and significant issue that affects their mental and emotional well-being. Adolescence is a period of rapid changes, both physically and emotionally, and it can be overwhelming for many teens. Anxiety often manifests as excessive worry, fear, and a sense of unease, which can interfere with their daily life and activities.

There are various factors that contribute to anxiety in teenagers. Academic pressures, social expectations, peer relationships, family dynamics, and hormonal changes all play a role in triggering or exacerbating anxiety symptoms. Additionally, the pervasive influence of technology and social media can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and fear of missing out.

Teenagers experiencing anxiety may exhibit physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. They may also display emotional and behavioral changes, such as irritability, restlessness, avoidance of social situations, and difficulty concentrating.

Anxiety disorders can start early in childhood or adolescence. It may only have a moderate impact on a child’s ability to function in daily life and can therefore often remain undetected. If a child finds it extremely difficult to control their anxiety, then you should seek help or medical assistance.

It is crucial for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of anxiety in teenagers and provide appropriate support. This can include fostering open communication, encouraging healthy coping mechanisms, promoting self-care practices, and seeking professional help when needed. With proper understanding and intervention, teenagers can develop effective strategies to manage their anxiety and lead fulfilling lives.

Nikki Townsend

There were characters from many types of books: the classics, fairy tales and picture books. Yet it doesn’t matter which book a reader favours; readers all have one thing in common - a love of books and reading.  

So, I pose the question, why do we love books?

Could it be that feeling of anticipation as you open the cover of a book for the first time to see what lies within?

Is it the characters you meet in the book? Characters can help the reader learn about life, the world around them and how these characters work through their problems.

As the reader learns more about the characters, they also learn about themselves. The characters each offer another person’s perspective - what they are going through, their thoughts, their emotions, their advice, how people in the world react to their circumstances and experiences.

Readers can bring all that they learn from these characters back to the world in which they live. The characters found in books are like friends waiting any time we want them - just open a book to find them.

Book Week was established in 1954 by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and presents annual awards to books of literary merit for their outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature. The Australian Book Council encourages us to think about why we love books when it chooses a theme which aims to inspire us to dig deeper and reflect on this love and value of reading.

This year’s theme; Read, Grow, Inspire is about a focus on how literature and reading have the capacity to develop a child’s inner world as they plant a seed which inspires growth.

All that people have ever thought, done, or dreamed lies waiting to be discovered in a book and, once discovered by reading, it can help the reader grow and in turn inspire them to reach beyond the page. 

The parade was a great success, thank you to our parents for creating fabulous costumes, the staff for supporting their students, Annette Box for coordinating the event and Regina Brennan for conducting the P-1 choir, Piccolo for their performance.  

“Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people – people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book” E.B. White

Angela Drysdale

Thank you to Ms Sands, Mr Howard and Mr Cox for their work preparing the teams and their organisation of the day. We wish the following teams all the very best on Sunday.

Maggies Language Literature

Sophie Borthwick

Holly Clarke

Grace Anderson

Ally Cowley

Nila Vahabi

Amelia Hempel

Violet La Fontaine

Maggies Social Sciences

Charlotte Laherty

Mabel Tovey

Sofia Katsanevas

Isabella Wilhelm

Lily Williams

Lilly-Rose Leftwich

Kate Frewin

Music Dinner

The ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s annual Music Dinner is fast approaching. It will be held on Friday 6 October in Eton Hall from 6pm. Further details will be released soon regarding the purchase of tickets to attend. The Music Captains have announced the theme for this year’s dinner to be 100 Years of Disney as Disney celebrates its 100-year anniversary, with students (and parents) encouraged to come dressed according to the theme.

Music Support Group - Next Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 5 September at 5:00pm in M’s Cafe. We encourage parents from both Primary and Secondary schools to become involved. The following meeting will be the AGM and will be held on 24 October.

Brad King

I would like to highlight and congratulate the following students on their recent achievements:

• Milli Watson (Year 10) who represented Queensland at the recent School Sport Australian Touch Football Tournament in Darwin. Milli’s outstanding performance at the tournament earned her selection in the 12 person 15 Years & Under Australian Touch Football Team of Merit. We congratulate Milli on this outstanding achievement!
• Bless Daly (Year 9) & Ella Hagenbach (Year 10) who represented Queensland at the recent School Sport Australia Hockey Tournament in Adelaide. The Queensland girls went through the tournament undefeated to claim the gold medal in the final against NSW. Well done Bless and Ella on your representation.

Sport Awards Evening - Representative Achievements

At our ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s Sport Awards Evening we recognise and acknowledge the achievements of students who represent team Queensland and Australia within their respective School Sport and Club Sport Pathways.

Given club sport is external to ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s we do appreciate students and/or parents/guardians notifying the Activities Office of student representation at this level. Recognition is acknowledged of those students who are selected and compete within a representative Queensland or Australian team.

If your daughter has represented at this level, could you please notify email me details by Friday 8 September - lknight@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

GO MAGGIES!

Lloyd Knight

Orders placed after 9 September will be sent ASAP; however, Sequel cannot guarantee delivery prior to the commencement of Term 4.

Boarders are able to have their book pack delivered to the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s Boarding House for pickup on return to school in Term 4. Boarders requiring their book pack delivered to the school must complete their delivery address as: Boarder – Deliver to ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s AGS.

Booklists for Pre-Prep to Year 11 2024 will be posted in early Term 4.

Blazer Fittings

Blazer fittings - Students entering Year 10 in 2024 should consider coming into the Supplies Shop to be fitted for their blazer prior to the end of term 4, 2023. This will ensure the best fit and will allow time for a custom make blazer for the students who require extra or shorter length through the body and arms. All orders will need to be placed by 24th November for a March 2024 delivery. Students can visit the Supplies Shop during our opening hours with a blazer fitting taking around 10 minutes per student. The cost of the blazer is $275 and is payable at the time of ordering.

Uniform Fitting Appointments - Online booking system

Bookings for October, November & December 2023 and January 2024 are available online. We encourage families to book a fitting appointment as soon as possible, as appointments are filling fast.

Book your appointment online via the school website

Appointment times are either 30mins or 60mins depending on your fitting type. Fitting types include New Student, Existing Student, Boarder Only and Pre-Prep/Prep.

• One appointment = one student fitting
  If you are booking for two or more students, please book separate fitting appointments for each student. These can be at the same time if times are available.

• All fittings will take place in the Supplies Shop, which is located onsite, just off Circular Drive through Gate 1, Petrie Street, Ascot.

Trading Hours (Term Time)

Monday               8am – 2pm
Tuesday               8am – 2pm
Wednesday        10am – 5pm
Thursday              8am – 2pm
Friday                   8am – 2pm

Public Holidays Closed

Guest speaker, Jane Carland has over 25 years’ experience in the energy sector across ANZ and Asia Pacific having worked in most aspects of the energy value chain including Operations, Marketing, Sales, Strategy and Business Development. She also holds several Director roles.

Jane has had the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and energy transition initiatives, providing customers with alternate, lower emission energy options. Prior to her current role, she led the development of LNG as an alternative fuel across Asia Pacific which provided her and the family an amazing cultural experience. She is passionate about customers and seeing people achieve their potential.

Event Details

Date                Tuesday 12 September 2023
Time               6.45am arrival for 7.00am - 8.45am
Location         Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School
Format           Sit down breakfast  
We also invite you to enjoy Barista Coffee from the Wolff Coffee Roasters cart, before and after the event!
Tickets           $85 Adult, $40 Student (Years 10-12/Tertiary).  
Corporate tables $850 (10 seats), includes company logo displayed on table and acknowledgement during event.

To purchase tickets or a corporate table: 

We thank our series sponsors, Major Sponsor: Pitcher Partners, Associate Sponsors: Programmed Property Services and Wolff Coffee Roasters, and Supporting Sponsors: Downer, Clear Insurance, Westpac, O’Reilly Shaw Lawyers, Uniform Link and Move Recruitment Solutions.

P&F Secondary Mother Daughter Luncheon - Tickets on sale

The ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s P&F Association invites all girls in Years 7 to 12 and their mothers or significant women in their lives to the 2023 Secondary Mother Daughter Luncheon.

This new event on the St Margaret's calendar is not to be missed, and will feature guest speaker, Shea Morrison ('96), co-founder of The Goodnight Co., live music and a photo booth. 

Event Details

Date        Sunday 10 September 2023

Time        11:00am - 3:00pm

Venue Rivershed at Howard Smith Wharves

Cost         $150 Adult (includes a glass of Chandon NV Brut on arrival)

            $130 Student (includes four hour soft drink package)

Your package includes:

• Equivalent three course Italian grazing luncheon with dessert, tea and coffee.
• Guest Speaker, Shea Morrison, co-founder of The Goodnight Co and host of successful podcast ‘Sleep with Shea’. With Q&A session hosted by Jo Stone, former ABC journalist.
• Live music
• Photo booth with unlimited prints
• Additional beverages are available for purchase.

Dress       Cocktail/garden party

Tickets    

Tables of 10 - please nominate a table captain or preferred year level. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Please note, no refunds will be provided after the RSVP date.

RSVP        5pm, Thursday 31 August 2023 (unless sold out prior)

Enquiries    p&f@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

This event is proudly supported by Major Sponsor; KLM Solicitors and Maggie’s Supporter; Shingle Inn.

Lara Pickering