EXTRA!
STUDENT DIARY DATES
Wednesday 16 September • Twilight Concert • Year 8 RE Excursion • 5:45pm-7:45pm Year 8 LOTE French Dinner, Garlic Clove • 7pm Rowing Support Group Meeting, James Meeting Rm 2 Thursday 17 September • Year 11 Test Day Friday 18 September • Head of School Assembly, Sports Complex p6, 8M Chair Duty-swap with Tues 15/9 p6 • Boarders' Travel Day • Student Exchange Baylor student departs • TERM 3 ENDS Sept/Oct Holiday Period 19-20 September • Equestrian Event - Warwick 25 -27 September • Equestrian National Interschool Championships at Weeribee, Victoria TERM 4 5 October: 1pm–6pm • Middle/Senior School ParentTeacher Interviews Full calendar details:
St Hilda’s School Weekly Newsletter 15 September 2009
HEAD OF SCHOOL
During Peter’s absence this week at the AHISA Conference in Hobart, I am delighted to have the opportunity to write this week’s Extra and share with you some of our revelations of recent times. We see many of our students undergo the daily challenges and rewards of school life but in particular, our Year 12 girls have had to undertake their own challenges of academic performance in the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test and Test Block. The QCS aims to assess the capacity of students in key areas of their learning. Although there was nervous energy before this test, the girls came to tell me, with some confidence, that the preparation and support given by staff was appreciated in reaching personal expectations. As a community of learners we feel assured that the partnership with family and school enables our young women to tackle these challenges with courage, commitment and confidence. To have belief in one’s abilities and then to translate this into practice is a desirable attribute we hope to bestow on all of our girls. Another cohort of girls, along with dedicated staff, who have tackled the physical challenges presented in the natural elements of the Australian Bush with success and enjoyment, are the Year 9 girls and the first group of Year 7 girls. School Camps are always a source of debate but through the years I have witnessed and seen so much personal growth in individuals and as teams when placed out of their comfort zone. You will agree that placing ourselves in situations that extend our talents and resources assist in developing our self esteem and nurture the values evidenced in that of our school motto ‘Not for Ourselves Alone’. Feedback from the camp supervisors and from our own staff, was that the girls deserve to be proud of the manner and style they showed in achieving goals in some genuinely challenging conditions. The notion of creative thinking and successful communication between girls appears to be a central aspect of their relationships, regardless of the challenges faced in the school environment or in the bush. I was privileged to attend a conference in Sydney “Creativity in Leadership” upclose… with John Cleese. (I can tick him off my Bucket list.) John Cleese, whom many of you will know as Basil from Faulty Towers, is a Cambridge scholar with a Science background although he chose to further his career in the Arts, and we are forever thankful he did. Cleese presented his views on his leadership style while referencing the book “Hare Brain Tortoise Mind How intelligence increases when you think less” by psychologist Guy Claxton. Both Cleese and Claxton look at how our decisive and business ways of thinking are unprepared for ambiguity, paradox and “sleeping on it”. We make assumptions that the quick thinking “hare brain” will beat the slower intuition of the “tortoise mind”. However, new research in cognitive science is changing this understanding of the human mind. It suggests that patience and confusion - rather than rigor and certainty - are the precursors of wisdom. Both gentleman presented the idea that we be less analytical and let our creativity have free rein. This book will provide interesting discussion amongst family members and I encourage you to take the time and move out of your comfort zone to explore Claxton’s anecdotal studies of creativity with up to date information about the latest research into brain function. If you would like to borrow my copy for holiday reading you need only ask. We have just received the good news as published in the Courier Mail this morning and following the release of state-wide figures by the Federal Government last Friday, that our Year 9 girls have been placed equal first in the large high school sector. We share first place in the state with independent schools such as St Peter’s Lutheran, Brisbane Grammar, Loreto College and Moreton Bay College. This achievement supports the quality of teaching and curriculum at St Hilda’s School. I would like to extend our sincere wishes to Dr Alison Sammel, Head of Senior School who will be leaving us at the end of the term. On behalf of Peter, staff and students, we thank Alison for her contribution to the St Hilda’s School community. We will follow her future endeavours with great interest as she embarks on her Smithsonian scholarship. We are proud to have an Old Girl of this School of such calibre and look forward to her return visits. Maria McIvor, Deputy Principal
http://www.sthildas.qld.edu.au
COMMUNITY NOTICES
World Challenge High Tea When: 18 September 2009 Time: 9.30am Where: Bumbles, Budds Beach Cost: $25.00 Lots of lucky door prizes. Contact: Ms Rhonda Oliver 5532 4922 World Challenge – Camp Island THE WORLD CHALLENGE TEAM are not going to sell on EBay! They would like to give people one more opportunity to bid for the Camp Island Resort Holiday through the school. Details: http://www.sthildas.qld.edu.au Women’s Auxiliary Thank you The Women’s Auxiliary would like to thank the many sponsors for their generous support
See attached Sponsor list
CHAPLAIN
Coming into the break I encourage us all to open ourselves to the reality of the faiths around us. While our world view may be different to that of our neighbour, the command of Jesus to love them regardless rings truly. Who knows what doors may be opened to us by showing some love for our neighbours. The future of our culture will depend upon how we react when faced with those different to ourselves. What kind of Australia do we want to become? What kind of a community do we hope for our children? Let’s begin acting in a way which honours our future, today. Amen. Ian Dredge
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Stress As we near the end of the school year students may feel as though they are becoming increasingly stressed. High levels of stress can affect a person’s concentration, thinking and decision making. Everybody will have different ways of dealing with the stress they experience. As parents you will no doubt find that as your children become more stressed, so to do you. The question may therefore be what can you do to help your children to manage their stress? There are a number of everyday things that you can do to help your children to relax and unwind. If you find that they are still experiencing high levels of stress then perhaps they need to learn more specific stress management skills. If this is the case you may want to encourage them to contact the school counsellor to arrange this. Things that you can do at home to help children to manage their stress are: ensure children take a break to spend time on activities they enjoy; encourage children to get some exercise e.g. going for a walk together, going to the beach; taking regular breaks while studying; eating health; getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night; spending time with friends and family; and find out what sorts of things help your children to feel relaxed e.g. listening to music, talking to a friend or family member, and encourage them to do this. Students are also able to access relaxation exercises through the counselling site on blackboard.
BOARDING
BPSG & Fete Day Helpers Thank you to Sally Burey and Kim Northcott and all parent helpers at the Boarders’ Kebab Stall on Fete Day. It was a fabulous day for the fine weather, fun, food and friendships. The joeys were popular with many of our stall visitors Last Day of Term Collection Points Parents of McCulloch and Whitby House Boarders may collect their daughters from Old Day Reception, after 3.30pm on Friday 18 September. Parking is available via Gate 7. Our Darragh Boarders (Years 11 and 12) may be collected from Boarders’ Reception, Gate 4 entry to the pick-up zone for sign-out. Term 4 return The Boarding School will open at 11am on Monday 5 October, with all boarders returning by 7.30pm ready for the commencement of Term 4 classes the next day. Dinner will be served at 6pm and notification of your daughter’s planned return time is helpful for the Chef’s catering numbers. Packing up for holidays All boarders are provided with instructions for the end of term packing up procedures on Thursday afternoon and evening. Room inspections occur on Friday morning and the boarders are aware that unsatisfactory rooms impact on their request for room allocations next term. Girls who have been granted early travel permission will need to take all luggage with them. We wish all families safe travels over the holiday break. Kim Kiepe, Head of Boarding
SENIOR SCHOOL
Congratulations to all students who took part in the World Vision Techno Famine and raised over $3000. Mrs Churchill would like any students with outstanding booklets and money to return these to her before the end of term. I would also like to congratulate Alessandra Hobbs, Shurae Goh, Christabel Wood, Savannah Fry, Samantha Hebron, Ailie James-McMaster, Courtney Curtis, Monique Provest and Maddison Taylor who were chosen to represent St Hilda’s at the inaugural 2009 TSS Sony Foundation Holiday Camp. The camp, held from 20–23 September, allows these girls to be companions to young campers with disabilities. I am sure it will be an amazing experience that they will treasure for a long time. Next term, girls should wear their summer uniform, including panamas. As this is my last week as the Head of Senior School, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and guardians for your support and warmth. It has been a pleasure working with you. And to the girls of the Senior School – you are all some of the most inspiring, motivating, generous and beautiful women I have ever met. It has been an honour knowing you; and knowing you not only gives me great hope for the future but also great pride in being a St Hilda’s girl myself. I will miss you all terribly. Dr Ali Sammel, Head of Senior School
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Parents want opportunities for their daughters that enable them to be happy and successful such as the ability to get along with others, thinking and problem-solving skills and a good self-concept. Camp experiences are recognized by child development professionals as valuable in helping young people mature socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. “The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning, and contributing. Camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas.” (Michael Popkin - family therapist and founder of Active Parenting). The Year 7 and Year 9 camps offered a nurturing environment, helping the girls to discover their unique gifts, whilst encouraging them to move beyond their comfort zone and experience a sense of achievement. Through challenge, at both a personal and team level, the girls experience enhanced self esteem and confidence, improved communication skills and a greater sense of community with both their peers and teachers. The following comments from the girls encapsulates the experience.
Catherine McQuoid-Mason School Counsellor
MUSIC
On Friday 6 November, Senza Ragazzi is performing at the chorus in a ‘miniature’ version to the Puccini opera Madame Butterfly, which will be presented at Avalon Gardens , Mt Tambourine. If you happen to have a kimono that the girls could wear for this performance, please contact Tania Edmunds on 5545 2540 or Jackie Stewart at Senior Music Administration ph 55777235.
“ I learnt that I could push myself and discover more about my capabilities.” Arden Vail “The best camp we have ever been to – we faced challenges but got through them together.” Emma
Andrews and Lauren Gilloran
“Camp was a good opportunity to learn not only about myself but other girls that I do not normally mix with.” Isabelle Chorley
In Year 9 students undertake the Queensland Comparable Assessment Tasks (QCATs) in English, Mathematics and Science. QTACs aim to provide a model of authentic, performance-based assessment aligned to a selection of Essential Learnings and Standards. QCATs are assessments that encourage and
Janette Kelly, Director of Music
SPOR RT
QGS SSSA WINTER F FIXTURES V Bris sbane Girls’ Gra ammar School It w a great Win Fixtures was nter sea ason. Well done to the Year e 10 Volleyball and Year 10 and Sen B Tennis te nior eams. The Sen A & B Tenn Teams have nior nis e wo their compet on titions and We ednesday’s confirmation sho ould see two pennants arri iving for those teams. Well don to the 150 g who ne girls par rticipated in the 9 rounds ese ove the last 10 w er weeks. The end d of s season barbeque was both rew warding and em motional for coa aches and capta alike who ains gav their presen ve ntations for all the teams involve Thanks go e ed. to a the coaches venue all s, coo ordinators and Mr Graham for r the hard work and eir org ganisation throu ughout the sea ason. Thank you to the par rents who cook the ked bar rbeque. QGS SSSA BADMINT TON Dat for your dia tes aries: There wil ll be a QGSSSA Badm minton clinic on the first weeke after the end holidays. Please s Mr Graham see m fore the end of term if there f bef are any problems attending this e s s clin nic; Sat turday 10 Octob ber Yea 9 & 10 Team – 2-5pm in ars ms the Sports Centre e Sun nday 11 Octobe er Yea 11-12 Team – 2-5pm ars ms Please note your competition dat are: tes Sat turday 17 Octob ber Sen A & B and Yr 10 nior Sat turday 31 Octob ber Ope & Yr 9 ens QGS SSSA ATHLETICS S We done the 25 athletes who ell trav velled to UQ track on Friday to t Lead-Up m the meet against the other QGSSSA schools. Some e A e goo results were recorded and od e d PBs set. The next and final Meet s is F Friday 9 Octobe first Friday er, nex term when t whole xt the squ will be required to travel uad to U track. Last s UQ selections will be made this eve ening for the Tea that will compete on am Frid 16 October at QSAC, day r Nat than. Permissio forms will on be on rolls and also posted on the school sport p e page this we eek. Please could squad me embers return t these asap.
rely upon i interaction between teachers and students. s . The task w be complete in class over three days. It is important t will ed t that students are in attendance for a this week a from 12 to 16 October so that the effec and o o ctiveness of these assessmen is optimal. nts d I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable holiday. Susan Sanb burg, Head of M Middle School
JUNIOR SCHOOL R
Interim Effort Ratings Interim Effort Ratings for students in Prep to Year 6 w be distribute on Wednesd will ed day. Attached to the Effort Ratin will be the associated crit ngs teria. Parents and students s should note tha the ratings a at are interim and not final sem d mester ratings. An Effort 1 ind dicates that a s student is work king very well but it should be remembered t that the effort needs to be su ustained during Term 4 in order to ensure th the g hat semester r rating is the same. In the cas of the stude who is awarded an Effort 2 or 3 it should be se ent d seen as a s stimulus to incr rease effort an work toward a more susta nd ds ained approach h. At the end of Terms 1 and 3 the staff have been using a plus (+) or minus (-) in ad g ddition to the numerical rating. This op ption has been added to the s semester reports in order to give parents and students a clearer indicat tion of their eff within the Efforts 2 and 3 ranges. fort Junior Scho Disco ool Confirmatio of attendan at the Junio School Disco to be held on Friday 16 Octo on nce or ober should be received by staff at the Ju unior School Re eception by We ednesday 16 September. Day upport of Breas Cancer Research st Mother’s D Classic in su I have been advised by the organisers of the Mother’s Day Classic th St Hilda’s Ju o s hat unior School were not iggest participa ating school in Queensland bu were the be in Australia. The organisers will ut est . only the bi present the School with a trophy to mark the success. e . Parent/Tea acher/Student Portfolio Inter rviews Parent/Tea acher/Student Interviews wil be conducted on Monday 19 October. Det ll d tails regarding the availability of staff, venue and booking procedure will be distributed on Tuesday 6 October. y d Reminder Parents are reminded tha if they intend to depart St Hilda’s School at the end of the 2009 acade e at t emic year that they are require to give one term’s notice. Please direct your letter to the Registrar b ed by ctober. Friday 9 Oc idays Happy Holi I wish all m members of the Junior School community a happy and saf holiday. On behalf of the st I e fe b taff would like to thank all pa arents/grandpa arents for their ongoing supp r port. We look fo orward to the s students returning o Tuesday 6 O on October. A remi inder that the s students are to wear their su o ummer panama when a they return in Term 4. n Cecilia Kirb Head of Junior School by,
VISUAL ARTS
girls rs mbarked on a t three-day trip to Melbourne t On the 28 of August, 20 g from Year 10 and 11 em accompani by Mrs Won Mrs Vincen Ms Makin and Mrs Rogers and we experienced a cultur ied ng, nt, re almost com mpletely in con ntrast to the Go Coast. For a start, the tem old mperature! Whe we boarded the en plane we f the warmth of a heat wave; when we d felt h disembarked w walked into a wall of cold. We we were able to warm up as we strolled th streets of th southern city trading beac s he he y, chside pathway for ys crowded ci laneways. ity d tunate enough to attend the Salvador Dali Exhibition as w as E well The art was fabulous, and we were fort seeing the experimental films and kine sculptures o Len Lye and other contemp etic of porary artists a at n quare. It was so interesting to see the differ o o rence in the pe eople too; the w way galleries in Federation Sq they dresse walked and all around be ed, d ehaved. ‘Artsy’ was the vibe o Melbourne, around each corner of we discove ered hidden bo outiques, galler or thrift shops. But it was just the dif ries sn’t fference in peo ople and shops that indicated how we had shifte in terms of o cultural loc w ed our cation, things li our Sunday visit to ike y the grand S Patrick’s Cat St thedral, the back alley ways teeming with graffiti, the jazz s band playing in a nook in one of n Melbourne well-known arcades. These e’s e small, but obvious differe ences kept reminding us of where w were: a very we y long way f from the Gold C Coast. We truly y experience what this tri offered to us ed ip s, embracing whole-heartedly the city of Melbourne Ailie James-M e. McMaster and Ali-Rose Ho obbs
SPOR RT
Training times are as follows: e Mo ondays 3.3 30pm-4.50pm – hurdles, sprints & jumps on the oval esdays & Friday ys Tue 6.4 45am-7.45am – Throws on the oval e Tue esdays & Thursdays 3.30pm-4.20pm – Distance on the oval e We ednesdays 3.30pm-5.30pm – Griffith Track - ALL EVENTS To be pocket eligi ible girls must com to 2 training sessions a me we – or see Ms Kaleta to sign eek s aP Pocket Agreeme if there are ent e con nflicting commitments. SPO ORTS DINNER TICKETS Spo Dinner Tick orts kets for Friday 23 October are no on sale ow from the Sports O m Office at $20 per head. All Spor players are r rts we elcome and enc couraged to atte end, as are par rents. Natalie Coo the 2000 Oly ok ympic Volleyball Gold M Medallist is this ar’s aker. yea Guest Spea SSSA TEAM PHO OTOGRAPHS QGS The following tea e am pho otographs will be taken on Frid 9 October b day between 12.30-1.30pm in the Sports Com mplex – please ensure correct e Spo uniforms a worn for orts are the photograph ese hs: QGS SSSA Swimmin Crossng, Cou untry, Athletics Softball, s, Artistic Gymnastic Badminton, cs, Row wing and Golf. A time-table will be distributed at the start o d of nex term. Please could xt e Boa arders ensure t they bring their uniforms back fro their om holidays with them.
JUNIOR HONOUR BO OARD
wards Student Aw Congratula ations to the following studen who have b nts been recognise for their wor ethic, ed rk commitme to their stud or contribu ent dies ution in class. PA: Shard Heron, Ha ayley McGrath, Stephanie Spr , rague, Paris Torti (Effort Awar rd) PL: Anastasia Kutuk A kov, Madalynn Reed, Isabella Taylor (Effort Recognition) PR: Ella Furney, Lily Licciardi, Molly Norman, Cha y y arley West (Effo Award) ort 1O: Lucia McCarthy (Academic Aw L y ward/Science), Makaela Saun nders (Academic Award/Writi ing) 1P: Je erica Partridge, Clelia Thorn (A , Academic Achievement) 1V: Paris Bradley, Lilliana Swainso (Encouragem P on ment Award) 2A: Marissa Cheung (Improvemen Award/Litera M g nt acy), Anna Ster rgiou (Improve ement Award/Mathem A matics), Tyler-M Marie Ransby (N Nobis Solu Non um) 2C: Caitlin Boyle, Ch C harlize Rettie, Keely van der V K Vegt (Academic Award) 2W: Cerys Hughes-A C Ainsworth (Improvement Awa ard), Georgia N (Non Nobis Solum), Nye s Savannah van N Nieuwburg (Academic Award/Literacy) 6G: Grace Branch (A G Academic Awar rd/Mathematic Daniella Br cs), rewer, Katey-Leigh Holmes, Madeleine Stora (Consistent and Positive A M ace t Attitude), Haem Kang, Valen mi ntina Libretto, Ju Morahan (Poetry Present ulia tation) 6R: Ally A Donald, Georgia Frizelle, Isabelle Goddard, Magenta Neath-Cowan, Zeldene Peat, I Z Emily-Jane Sarro off Form Capta ains/Term 4 3F: Eleni Clifton, An E nnabelle Potter r 3R: Alexandra Carey Rachel Lin A y, 4H: Melina Mackey, Lauren Spragu M , ue 4W: Courtney Box, Is C sabel Brealey Student Co ouncil Represen ntative/Term 4 4W: Shiori Uemura Junior Scho Talent Competition ool Congratula ations to the stu udents in Years 3 and 4 who participated in the final of th Junior Schoo Talent s n he ol Competitio The results were: First - Gabriella Brewer Second - S on. G Samantha Youn Third- Claire Green ng e ards - Tristania: Maxine Moore House Awa Why Not Poetry Competition? Congratula ations to the following studen who have b nts been selected t compete in the final of the Why to t e Not Poetry Competition? y • Year 2 Octavia Bugden, Gra Flynn, Mign French, Mih Inoue, Justin Ramsay, ace non ho ne Charliz Rettie, Dom ze minique Roesch Isabella Scho h, ofield, Candice Simpson, Savan nnah van Nieuw wberg, Keely van der Vegt, Lu Wilkins, ucy Winne Isabelle Sch er: hofield Runne Up: Grace Flynn er • Year 3 Nicola Anderson, Iso a obel Crowther, Kasey Evans, Z Zara Harmer, Bianca Meredith h • Year 4 Gabrie Brewer, Ell ella loise Campbell, Allexis Dooha Sophie Miza , an, arollis, Catherine Sutherland Claire Watso d, on • Year 5 Elizabeth Gunther, Katherine Gunth K horpe, Ella McK Kenzie, Matilda Robertson, a Eleni T Thorn, Cristina Vinaccia, Madd dison Waton • Year 6 Daniella Brewer, Cha arlotte Birch, K Kate Christophe Isabelle Com er, man, Annaliese Edwards, Nina Eid, Moni ique Fullerton-Smith, Kirrily Saich, Madeleine Storace, Bridgette Wats son Well done to Brontie Tapping on her success at the Qu ueensland Arab bian Saddle Ho orse Competitio held on last Saturday at Gatton. Brontie was th Reserve Champion Rider in the Under 8 Section. he n S 3P: 4E: 4K: 5C: eong Natasha Buckler, Uni Kye Gabriella B Brewer, Hope Nixon N Zoe Wei, Samantha Youn ng Kathryn Gu unthorpe
Ste ephanie Kaleta Hea of Sport ead
MIDDLE AND SENIO HONOUR BOARD E OR
Gold Coast Eisteddfod Results Victoria Bailey Year 9 Vocal Solo 12-15 5years 1st
South Coas Regional Tea qualifiers in Athletics, will compete at QSAC, Nathan 22 st am n l 2-25 October: Courtney C Colman (Yr 9) – 14 Years Shot put 4 Tamika Gillett (Yr 9) – 14 Years 100m Sarah Turner (Yr 9) – 14 Years High Jum mp Tina Campbell (Yr 11) – 17 Years Discus
HIGH TEA THANK YOU The Women’s Auxiliary would like to thank the many sponsors for their generous support of the successful High Tea held on Wednesday 17 June at the Sheraton Mirage, Gold Coast.
Dr Craig Layt Jay Pask of Main Beach
HORNERS BAKERY
Bumbles
Café & catering
PACIFIC FAIR, GOLD COAST
PAM TOOGOOD FLOWERS
Marina Mirage TOTALLY TEETH
Zoe and Steve Miller Look4Travel.com
Margies Cafe
Simone Gillespie - Artist
SUGA SUGA BUDDS BEACH
Agapae Day Retreat and Beauty Studio Evergreen Lifestyle Centre
JOHN McGHEE PHOTOGRAPHY
Caroline Taylor Entertainer & Singing Teacher
HARBOUR TOWN
MARINA MIRAGE