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This year we incorporated presentations focused on the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Australian military and peace keeping missions across the world. We appreciated students Dulcie Loban, Bella David, Sofia Nona and Ella Nona, as well as guest Lieutenant Shane Bliss speaking to this theme. Thank you to Rev’d Jazz for all her organisation and the contribution of many staff, invited guests and students to this very moving event.

At the end of this week, we farewell primary teacher Scott Barnsdale and thank him for his contribution to St Margaret’s. In Week 4, we will be welcoming Cienna Anders who will be taking his classes.

This weekend is our annual Day/Boarder Weekend. We have a number of our boarder families taking day students home for the weekend. I have spoken to a number of boarders who are excited for this and can’t wait to show their friends where they are from. Equally, I know a lot of day students who are excited to be visiting! I look forward to hearing the stories of their time on their return next week.

The Day/Boarder weekend sees us adding another student free day to the weekend, so please be reminded that there is no school for our students next Tuesday 2 May. Our staff will be here participating in professional development for the day.

At the end of this week, we farewell primary teacher Scott Barnsdale and thank him for his contribution to St Margaret’s. In Week 4, we will be welcoming Cienna Anders who will be taking his classes.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our school community for their support during the busy afternoon pickup times and cooperating with the traffic control measures we have in place. With everyone’s assistance, particularly keeping the stop drop and go zone moving, the flow of vehicles around the school has improved significantly. We have noticed a big difference with the buses being able to access the school more quickly, thus allowing them to collect students and depart in a more timely fashion. Our traffic controllers are assisting with the communication with families by providing the analogy of the pickup/drop off zone at the airport – as you drive past, if you can’t see your student waiting, please keep driving on, do the lap and pull in once you can see them waiting.

Karen Gorrie

St Margaret’s has a long history of educating girls, and without the pioneering attitudes of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, the girls of St Margaret’s would not be able to see as far as they can or have. We are indeed very lucky as a school to have many positive role models for our girls to gain inspiration for their futures.

Albert Bandura, a noted psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, says, “Most human behaviour is learned observationally through modelling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed, and on later occasions, this coded information serves as a guide for action.”

It is clear that girls need role models to look up to, not only for everyday behaviour, but for career choices as well. Numerous studies have found that positive female role models are essential for female students, especially when choosing a career path that will be satisfying in today’s world.

As a school we celebrate these role models through many events such as the Professional Women's Network Breakfast on Wednesday 10 May, 2023.

Nikki Townsend

It is sobering to remember that First Nations soldiers offered themselves to serve in the wars despite not being counted as citizens, not having the right to vote, and upon return, not being afforded the same privileges as non-Indigenous veterans. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have an innate connection with this land now called Australia and are the oldest continuous living culture in the world. There is much to be learned about living in harmony with the environment and one another by listening to the wisdom of First Nations peoples.

You can learn more about Indigenous ANZACs through the . Here is a we watched at the service.

The service reminded us of the importance of building communities of respect, working for peace, valuing diversity, and honouring each other.

Rev’d Jazz Dow

The boarders are also very excited we are now heading into our Day/Boarder Long Weekend. We have many of our boarders taking day students and other boarders home, leaving less than a quarter of the boarding house in this weekend. The girls who choose to stay in boarding are spoilt for choice with activities. This will be a wonderful weekend for all before we head into the busyness of Term 2.

We cannot wait to see and hear about all the adventures. We ask all families hosting girls this weekend to please email photos to boarders@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.

Gracemere Mataia

Year 11

Year 11 Academic Progress meetings will begin on Wednesday of each week. Each Year 11 student is required to book in a meeting with me to discuss their results and goals from Term 1. Parents are more than welcome to attend these meetings either in person or via phone/Teams. Appointments are available before, during and after school. Students are able to book these meetings via the Year 11 Academic Progress Meetings tile on the Year 11 POD page.

Year 10

Year 10 students are currently attending their Career Avenues follow up consultation. This forms a part of the subject selection process. In the coming weeks, students will also attend the Broadening Horizons Conference, Transition Day, Subject Selection evening and a Careers Expo. Following this, the girls will need to fill out their SET planning documentation and meet with a staff member to discuss their subject options for Years 11 and 12. Students are welcome to book in with me to discuss any questions they have throughout this process. Bookings can be made via the bookings tile on the Year 10 POD page.

Caitlin McCluskey

These members of staff will be working with the pre-service teachers to develop their skills in preparation for demands connected with the teaching profession. These experiences are very powerful in that they provide real opportunities for the pre-service teacher to develop their proficiency in planning, organisation, classroom management, and teaching practice. 

I would like to welcome the pre-service teachers to St Margaret’s and thank the supervising teachers for supporting these new teachers entering our wonderful profession.

Chris Dunn

One of the most significant benefits of celebrating ANZAC Day in schools is the opportunity for students to learn about the history of their country and the sacrifices made by the men and women who fought for it. It was excellent to see many of our St Margaret’s students participate in ANZAC Day services, parades and ceremonies on Monday and Tuesday. Participation assists in fostering a sense of pride in their heritage and encourages reflection on the values of courage, mateship, and resilience that were embodied by the ANZACs.

Embracing ANZAC Day celebrations in school communities serves as a powerful educational and cultural tool. By acknowledging and commemorating the sacrifices and bravery of the ANZACs, we can help students form meaningful connections with their history and heritage. These ceremonies foster a strong sense of national pride, unity, and responsibility - essential qualities for shaping well-rounded citizens. By empowering our future generations with an appreciation for the past, we can inspire them to strive for a more peaceful and inclusive world, where the values embodied by the ANZACs continue to flourish.

This weekend is our Day/Boarder weekend where many of our secondary day students will have the opportunity to travel to a boarder family home for the long weekend. Stay tuned to our social media platforms for some great photos of their experiences. A reminder also that Tuesday 2 May is a Student Free Day. We look forward to welcoming all our students back to the classroom on Wednesday 3 May.

Kelly Alford

One component is cross-curriculum priorities which are:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures 
• Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia 
• Sustainability.  

Cross-curriculum priorities are incorporated through learning area content; they are not separate learning areas or subjects. They provide opportunities to enrich the content of the learning areas, where most appropriate and authentic, allowing students to engage with and better understand their world. 

The students understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was enhanced at the ANZAC Day Assembly conducted on Monday. This service paid tribute to all men, women and to the many First Nations peoples who fought for their country. 

Lieutenant Shane Bliss, a St Margaret’s parent, addressed the Assembly and made particular reference to the role of First Nations peoples in war stating:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were brave and capable warriors well before our current Commonwealth was considering excursions to the Great War of 1914 to 1918. They proved themselves courageously against a force that came to this land and sought to change the lives and order of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A life they had considered to have existed as it was since the very dawn of time. 

It should therefore be no surprise that these same men and women have in Australian modern history made significant contributions to our Australian Defence Forces, and the many conflicts in which our young nation has found itself involved.

Over 5000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women have served in conflicts from WWI right through to our most recent conflicts in the Middle East.

More than 3000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples currently serve in our defence forces, with a number of our units, such as the Pilbara Regiment, Norforce, and 51 Far North Queensland regiment, having large numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples serving in roles that are harnessing their skills and deep knowledge of our land and sea to patrol and defend our northern borders.

Angela Drysdale

In the coming weeks, new bins for outdoor and common areas around the school will be delivered, enabling students to be purposeful with their waste disposal to contribute to a more sustainable school. These bins use colours and shapes to clearly indicate which type of waste to put and where to promote the potential to recycle and benefit from our waste. The bins allow for landfill (red), co-mingled recycling (yellow), and paper and cardboard (blue) rubbish to be differentiated for disposal. Outdoor bins also feature a green option for the disposal of multi-sort organic waste. While the school is committed to playing our role in protecting the environment as published in our ESG statement, educating the girls about how they contribute to society in a meaningful way is something that can also be adopted in the home context. Waste sorting and recycling is an easy and significant way to promote responsible life choices and one that the girls may like to take the lead with, by educating their families.

Healthy eating and ‘fuel for functioning’ was also raised at the assembly as more and more students flock to the tuckshop for post-training breakfast and top-up snacks. The school provides a range of nutritious and appealing food and beverage options, as can be viewed on the Tuckshop Menu. However, the girls also need to exercise judgement and decision-making skills as to what foods are best, when they should consume them, and how much of any food type they can have. For example, a flavoured sparkling fruit drink might be a good lunch accompaniment but should not be consumed before school. Muffins and sweet treats are best consumed at Morning or Afternoon Tea, as opposed to prior to a full day of learning. Daily lunch specials are available for the primary students to pre-order, but it may be worth perusing the menu linked above with your daughters to reach a shared understanding, based on their activities and weekly schedules, about what might best suit their needs.

As always, the school and home partnership is a crucial one and a way for learning at school to become embedded at home and vice versa. Our ultimate aim as teachers is to develop the whole child and create conditions for the best educational experience they can have.

Annette Box

Encorah

It was exciting to see so many students attend the first rehearsal of Encorah last week. Encorah is the school’s all-comer choir and is open to all students in Years 7 to 12. It is not too late for students to join the ensemble should they wish to participate. The choir will rehearse from 3:30-4:30pm on Thursdays in the Arts Centre Foyer. All are welcome!

Music Support Group – Next Meeting

The next Music Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 May at 5:00pm in M’s Cafe. We encourage parents from both primary and secondary schools to become involved.

Brad King

Lifesaving has had a strong and proud tradition at our school with lifesaving classes commencing at St Margaret’s in 1916. In 1931, we entered the McWhirter Cup, the QGSSSA competition for lifesaving. In 1933, we won our first McWhirter Cup and the Qld Ladies Life Saving Championship. Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ won the McWhirter cup a further 24 times before the competition ceased in 1990. We were the last school to win the McWhirter Cup and still hold the cup today.

St Margaret’s convincingly won the 2023 Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Pool Lifesaving Championships, finishing on a total point score of 861 against its nearest rival Sunshine Coast Grammar on 505. Adel Kusztor of Year 9 was awarded female athlete of the meet, attaining the most points scored by any athlete.

Our Maggies displayed great spirit and teamwork throughout the championships, with students of all year levels assisting each other with patenting for line throws and tows to ensure our team could compete at its best. A big thank you to our captains Evie Phillips and Greta King, coaches Sue and Jaquie, and our coordinator Ms Jade Gray for their support and encouragement.  

We look forward to taking part in the event next year.

Autumn Sport Term 2 Fixtures

Please be aware of the following adjustments to QGSSSA Autumn Sport upcoming dates:

• Thursday 18 May

Sporting Achievement

It’s with great pleasure that we can recognise the outstanding sport performances and representation of St Margaret’s students at a national and international level. I would like to highlight and congratulate the following students on their recent achievements:

• Ashley Blackman (Year 9) who over the weekend won the U14 Girls High Jump at the Australian Little Athletics Championships. Her points helped secure Queensland a top 3 finish at the championships.

• Bless Daly (Year 9) & Ivy Yannakouros (Year 9) who represented Queensland & the Northern Territory respectively at the 2023 Hockey Australia Under 15 Championships. Bless’ Queensland team proved to be too strong winning the championships overall. Well done Bless and Ivy.

We would like to continue to recognise the outstanding achievements and representation of students participating a national level, outside of the school sport pathway. I look forward to continuing to hear from our community regarding such outstanding achievement. Please email me at lknight@stmargarets.qld.edu.au   

Latest Sport News and Information

For the latest sport news and information please check out the following Secondary School Sport POD Pages:

• Basketball (Autumn Sport) -
• Soccer (Autumn Sport) -
• Touch Football (Autumn Sport) -
• Cross Country -
• Rowing -
• Rhythmic Gymnastics -
• Club Netball -
• Club Swimming -

GO MAGGIES!

Lloyd Knight

Raffle prizes include a two-night stay at Hotel X Penthouse suite worth $3,500, a two-night stay at The Beach Ranch in Angourie Point valued at $1,500, a $1,000 gift voucher to KAILO Wellness Medispa, a $1,000 Verve Photography package, a $990 bottomless brunch at Maggie May, $600 Champagne Bucket with Champagne, $500 shopping at Samantha Ogilvie, more shopping and restaurant vouchers and many more.

You can purchase your raffle tickets and view the full listing of prizes online via

Thank you to our Prize Donors: Hotel X, Iris Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, Bisou Bisou, The Beach Ranch, KAILO Wellness Medispa, Verve Photography, Western Truck Group, Samantha Ogilvie, LOUENHIDE, Studio Pilates, VANO Studio, Tres Belle Jewellery, Murray’s Gardening and Maintenance, Sign Artist, New England Flower Co, Maggie May and Dandelion and Driftwood.

On Friday 12 May the St Margaret’s Mothers’ Luncheon will be hosted at Brisbane City Hall, and we thank and acknowledge our event sponsors for their support.  Thank you to Supporting Sponsors; UMS and KLM Solicitors.

Volunteering at St Margaret’s this term?

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School acknowledges the important work that volunteers carry out within our school environment. Assistance, whether it is as a volunteer in the classroom, tuckshop, excursions, P&F activities or sporting carnivals, enhances the quality of your child’s teaching and learning experience.

All volunteers must be registered with the school and this is done by completing the online Volunteer Register form.

The Volunteer Registration Form should be completed annually, only takes a few minutes, and can be accessed via this link: /discover-st-margarets/student-protection/volunteering-at-st-margaret-s-

Professional Women’s Network with Tracy Cooper-Lavery ('87) Director, Gallery and Visual Arts, HOTA Home of the Arts

Join us on Wednesday 10 May for our second Professional Women's Network Breakfast of 2023 with Tracy Cooper-Lavery ('87) Director, Gallery and Visual Arts, HOTA Home of the Arts, as guest speaker. 

Tracy is an arts museum leader with a career spanning 25 years. Tracy will share her personal and professional experiences in the industry, her vision for the future for HOTA, and discuss the business opportunities and challenges for visual arts in Queensland. 

These events are excellent opportunities for you to attend with your daughter or to take a corporate table and host your colleagues or clients.

While our speaker list features female leaders, the events are attended by male and female members of the Brisbane business community.

Time:             6:45am arrival for 7:00am-8:45am.

 Enjoy barista coffee from a Wolff Coffee Roasters cart, before and after the event.                              

Venue:            Arts Centre Foyer, Ó£ÌÒ¸£ÀûÊÓƵ Anglican Girls School

Cost:              $85 adults, $40 students (Years 10 to 12/tertiary)

 $850 corporate table (10 seats)

Book:             

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.

Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfast
Tickets are available for the second Aspiring Young Women's Network breakfast for 2023 with guest speaker Dr Emma Smith ('11).

Parents are welcome to attend these events with their daughters.

The Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfast (AYWN) Series provides an opportunity for secondary school students, from Years 9-12, to hear firsthand from alumni who have recently transitioned to university or their chosen career at these networking breakfast events. 

Date:              Thursday 25 May March 2023
Time:             6:45am arrival for 7:00am start
Where:           Arts Centre Foyer, St Margaret’s AGS
Cost:              $38 Adults/Students
Book:             

Lara Pickering