Last Chance to Book Tickets!

MLC School Chair of Council Dr Eve Tsironis and Principal Lisa Moloney warmly invite all parents and carers to the 135th Year Celebration Dinner at the Hilton Sydney, to celebrate the 135th year of MLC School. 

Saturday 5 June 2021
Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street Sydney
7pm–11pm

Tickets: $185 per person 
3 course dinner and drinks
Dress code: Black Tie
Please book your tickets by Monday 24 May 2021

The band is booked!
We hope you can join us to celebrate MLC School.

(Please note this is not a fundraising event).

Book tickets here

From the Principal

What a week!

While almost every week at MLC School is filled with activity, fun and community events, this week was certainly one of the busiest.

Teacher Appreciation Week

The annual SRC (Student Representative Council) Teacher Appreciation Week in the Senior School has been filled with fun quizzes, teacher v student challenges, the inaugural staff masked singer competition and notes of appreciation. The recognition and thanks has been very much appreciated by all staff. That the MLC School students would take the time to organise a series of events to show how much they appreciate the efforts of their teachers, reflects the strong relationships and mutual respect that they share.

School Tour

We also had record numbers of prospective families attend the first of our post-Covid School tours. The feedback from these visitors was exceptionally positive. I received many lovely comments about the poise, confidence and interpersonal warmth that the student tour leaders demonstrated while taking the tours. Those of us working with the MLC School girls see these qualities and more every day. How lovely to know that the qualities we see in our girls are also noted by those visiting our School.

My thanks and congratulations to all students who gave of their time and expertise to make these events so successful. 

❤mlcschool Giving Day

Congratulations and thanks are also due to all involved in the organisation and running of our first ❤mlcschool Giving Day. At this stage we have raised over $213,000 and donations continue to come in. With the individual donations matched by the P&F, Old Girls’ Union and other members of our community, every contribution had a magnified impact on the final total.

One of the most significant aspects of this event was the involvement of our whole community, with the shared goal of providing an MLC School education to those who would not otherwise be able to attend our School. MLC School staff, students, current and past parents, Old Girls and Council members worked together to raise funds for the provision of Indigenous and Principal’s scholarships.

Those making donations online often added words of encouragement and support, making the day even more rewarding for those on the front line and giving an insight into the range of donors and their connection to the School.

Some of the comments included:

• A wonderful initiative supporting girls with the gift of an MLC School education.
• All the best.
• An excellent cause, I’m happy to support!
• As an Old Girl and current parent I love MLC School.
• Beautiful cause!
• Can never repay our debt to MLC School.
• From the Captain of Churunga 1946.
• Come on MLC School Sports Community! Let’s race to the total goal!
• Fantastic Initiative! Excited to be supporting girls to Dare to Be More!
• For dreams to come true.
• From some Old Girls to the New Girls x
• I am very lucky and want to help others.
• Thank you MLC School for helping raise such strong, resilient and amazing girls.
• Thank you MLC School. To work in a place that feels like home is so special.
• Great to see MLC School making scholarships available to those who need them.

135th Year Celebration Dinner Invitation

The next major community event is our 135th Year Celebration Dinner to be held on Saturday 5 June 2021 at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney, from 7pm–11pm. Please join us for a night of celebration, dining and dancing.

Tickets are $185 per person and can be purchased here.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

Thank you from the bottom of our ❤

Our inaugural ❤mlcschool Giving Day, held Tuesday 18 May was a signal of unity and strength across the School community.

In terms of the amount of money we raised – at last count it was over $213,000 – this phenomenal sum will impact the lives of many young women in the most tangible way, by providing them with an MLC School education. However, the true spirit of our students, staff, parents and Old Girls who so willingly showed their love for the School and their ambition to ensure more girls have the chance to come here is, in many respects, the bigger story.

• Over 450 individuals/families donated.
• 25 parents and Old Girls volunteered for the operations room to call throughout the day.
• Every student assisted with the promotion of the day, they took photos to show their love for the School, made videos, set challenges and devised fundraising activities for the week.
• Our staff supported by donating, making calls and participating with great energy and enthusiasm.

The message of sharing the love for MLC School was fully embraced with such genuine affection, as the dedications from some of our donors showed (please see the details in the Principal’s article).

My very great thanks to the Marketing and Community Relations team; Heleen Fourie for leading this initiative; and to every single member of the incredible MLC School community, from our youngest to our oldest, for making this day possible.

Please take the time to watch this video from our Chair of MLC School Council, Dr Eve Tsironis.

For more photos from the entire day, please visit our Facebook page.

It is not too late to donate to help us reach our goal of $220,000, please go to the ❤mlcschool Giving Day page here.

– Michele Dunn
Head of Marketing and Community Relations

Click on the image gallery below to view full-sized images.

From the School Nurse

While NSW is currently at 0 transmission for Covid-19, the Health Department guidelines still require parents and carers NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. NSW Health has also requested that we, as a school, encourage anyone who is unwell or has even the mildest flu-like symptoms to be tested for Covid-19 through their general practitioner or through one of the Covid-19 testing clinics. 

We would also remind parents and carers that once tested, students must provide a copy of a negative test result and be symptom free before returning to school. 

It is important for the continued good health of both our School community and the community at large that we remain vigilant with regard to our health. As a result, students who come to school with even mild flu-like symptoms (raised temperature, cough, sore throat, runny nose, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell) will be sent home. They should then remain at home until all symptoms have gone. Your assistance and understanding is much appreciated.

– Katelyn Morris
Senior Nurse

From the Head of Junior School

Thank you for your generosity for our ❤mlcschool Giving Day, hosted on Tuesday. It was a great success. Our School is now able to further plan for and action our belief about inclusivity by providing an MLC School education for young women who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend our wonderful school.

MLC School hosted the first onsite tour day this week since the outbreak of Covid-19. We are the school of choice for so many families, many who have been recommended by our current families. Thank you for sharing what an MLC School education has to offer to other prospective parents.

Our Junior School assembly was hosted by Mooramoora. The girls launched Kindness Day which fits so well with our School value of Compassion, our focus for this term. More information about Kindness Day will be forthcoming.

This week is officially Teacher Appreciate Week. I have always held the strong belief that our teachers, including all staff that contribute to your daughter’s education, are by far the most valued asset within our school. I have the privilege to witness the commitment they give to each girl and the different that makes, now and the years to come.

I have not always worked in education, I have taken leave from teaching to work in the corporate sector. It was a pivotal time during my career. My conditions, salary, and even perceived status from some of my peers, increased. However, my love for learning and teaching, working alongside passionate and dedicated educators and the joy of supporting and educating young people soon drew me back to where I belong. This commitment is shared across the talented and dedicated teaching staff at MLC School. I am inspired each day by my colleagues and take this opportunity to acknowledge all that they do. My thanks to the parents who have sent lovely messages (and food) for Teacher Appreciation Week. On behalf of all the educators and support staff, it is very much appreciated. Thank you.

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School

Year 1 Masterchefs for a Day

On Tuesday 18 May 2021, our Year 1 girls had a cooking class with Deborah Doyle! We were learning about the processes food may go through before it’s ready for people to eat. We had to add, mix, heat and cool a range of ingredients to make our chocolate muffins. That’s a LOT of processes! Luckily, we ate unprocessed foods like grapes and carrots for crunch and sip! It’s all about having a balance!

Click here to read the procedure written by the girls after their cooking experience.

– Samantha Edwards and Madeline Woods
Year 1 Teachers

Click on the image gallery below to view full-sized images.

Persuasive Texts Tips from Year 3

Girls in Year 3B have been writing persuasive texts with great success! These are some writing tips from the students.

‘Everyone should use reusable items… You need to use interesting language.’ – Sofia Ahamed (Year 3)

‘Persuasive writing is all about stating your opinion…’ – Ella Le (Year 3)

‘You need to persuade the reader to believe in your opinion.’ – Meghana Pasupati (Year 3)

‘You need to ‘hook them in’ with your introduction.’ – Sherlyn Lin (Year 3)

‘You can begin with a rhetorical question.’ – Annaliese Bott (Year 3)

‘You need to state if you agree or disagree.’ – Chelsey Gao (Year 3)

‘Always plan before you write.’ – Daphne L’Estrange (Year 3)

‘Use strong modality language!’ – Aerin Kim (Year 3)

– Susan Blanche
Year 3 Teacher

Storytime from the International Space Station

On Wednesday 19 May 2021 the Junior School celebrated the Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) National Simultaneous Storytime. Students got into the swing of it with impressive models, colouring, illustrations and poetry that highlighted our interest in Space, the Solar System and the world around us. In library, we took time to reflect on our world, recognising that this planet is the only one we have, and acknowledging our responsibility to look after the Earth.

At 11am, all students settled into their studios and watched as Dr Shannon Walker read to us from the International Space Station. It was such a treat to watch her as she read Give Me Some Space by Philip Bunting. We loved watching her hair floating as she read and how she floated away at the end of her reading. We had so many wonders after the reading. My favourite was from Year 2 who wondered how astronauts go to the toilet on the space station!

– Jody Gilroy
Junior School Teacher Librarian

From the Head of Senior School

This time 12 months ago, we were all just returning to school with all year groups back on deck after the Covid-19 lockdown. What have we learnt in the past year? How has it changed how we do things? Are we better for the experience? These are all great questions to ponder on and I am deeply mindful that for many nations around the world, their experiences are still far from positive. It’s a great reminder of how grateful we should be.

At that time, many of the messages we were sharing with the girls were about looking after themselves. Our situations were vastly different, with an inability to mix socially, long periods of time spent in isolation, extended blocks of time behind computer screens and little to no face-to-face engagement with friends and family. Here we are one year on, what should we be doing differently?

Many of the conversations I’ve been having with students over the past week have centred around self-care. What exactly is self-care? Are they getting enough? Is it a priority? What does it look like?

What is self-care?

In a general sense, self-care refers to activities undertaken with the intention of enhancing energy, restoring health and reducing stress. There are many ways to do this and self-care is something that can be personalised for every individual. Self-care can also be about processing emotional reactions to life and doing things that we might find difficult, like asking for help. Being mentally healthy and living well is important to every single one of us – regardless of being in Year 7 or Year 12. It’s about enjoying life and fulfilling your potential. It’s having the ability to cope with stresses and sadness, and it’s about being connected to friends, family, community and culture.

Why is self-care important?

Mental health and wellbeing is important to individuals, families, schools, workplaces and communities. There is a role for everyone to play.

Some of the benefits of self-care include:

• Greater capacity to manage stress
• Increased resilience
• Reduced symptoms of mental health problems

Taking time for self-care is not always easy, but doing something small each day, week or month is a good start.

What does it look like?

Physically

• Be active and eat well.
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Monitor and manage your stress in positive ways.

Relationships

• Nurture and maintain your personal relationships.
• Connect with others to keep strong.

Time for you

• Make time for interests and things you enjoy (outside of school and school work).
• Get involved and join a group with common interests.
• Learn something new to help build you confidence, like new sports or co-curriculars.

Spiritually

• If you have spiritual beliefs, make time for regular spiritual practice.
• Connect with others who share your philosophy.

Term 2 is always a challenging time with assessments and increased workload. Combine that with the change of seasons, shorter days and colder weather, it’s not uncommon for the positive outlook to disappear. Focusing on some self-care will allow girls to ‘breathe’ and gain perspective. Like any skill, self-care is something that requires time and practice.

– Neil Scotney
Head of Senior School

From the Assistant Head of Senior School – Academic Care and Administration

An Open Letter to Year 10 Students

Dear Year 10 students,

I have interviewed 25 of you this week regarding your subject selection and I have been fascinated by the experience. I have discussed these interviews with Jo Cilia, Loretta Toole, Linda Emms, Neil Scotney and Frances Booth and we all agree how enjoyable this time with you has been.

We asked you to listen to all the voices giving advice and you have done exactly that. You have spoken of Parent Teacher night advice, older sisters experiences, parental suggestions but in amongst of those voices the one that is clearest and loudest has been your voice.

You have impressed us because you came to hear our advice with an open heart and open mind.

You impressed us because you have embodied the MLC School dispositions of self awareness and accountability.

In every choice you have shown courage and daring to be more.

I cannot wait to work with you as our new Year 11. You have shared your fears, your dreams and your strengths, each as unique as your personalities and it has been the joy of my week.

Well done.

I have one more request.

Now that you have taken one more step towards your Senior School subject selection…what will you do with these choices?

Will you weave these wonderful opportunities into two years of challenges accepted and bested?

Will you seek help when needed and feedback when offered? Will you see each subject as a lone silo waiting to be filled or will you see your subjects as an interconnected network of concepts and insights for knowledge?

I hope you do, because if you can, the next two years will be extraordinary and you will not regret a moment.

Thank you for sharing this part of your journey with those of us lucky enough to be in the subject selection committee.

As Dr Seuss famously quipped

‘Kid! You’ll move mountains!’

– Chris Barnes
Assistant Head of Senior School – Academic Care and Administration

From the Assistant Head of Senior School – Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Mindful Interactions with Ourselves

As Mindful May continues to progress, and we continue to look at mindfulness, this week I thought I would address the notion of being mindful with ourselves. So often, our girls are not only battling with societal expectations and other external expectations, like social media, pressure to perform to name a few, but they are also battling with the expectations they have of themselves. In fact, all of us, adults and teens can be our own harshest critics.  

Last week we focused on building relationships with others and reflected on the THINK concept which in turn is a way of being mindful towards others when we interact with them. This in turn is effectively a method to be kind to others, but there are times when we are not always kind to ourselves. I’m sure most people can identify a time when we have had harsh or nasty thoughts about ourselves. I see our girls doing this to themselves at times throughout the year, whether it is about a mark they received or how they performed in an assessment, whether they overthink their interaction with another or the most common one, criticise the way they look.

Self-compassion is an important skill that we all need to work on over our life time, but one that our girls really need to put into action. The Pastoral Care and Wellbeing team work constantly with our girls to reframe their thinking, we are human, we make mistakes and as long as we learn from them, they are ok to make. Headspace talks about self-compassion as being ‘okay with who you are, even when you make mistakes or things don’t work out perfectly’. They say that ‘being self-compassionate can help to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, improve your sense of self and your ability to think positively about a range of situations’. A great way to encourage positive self-talk and self-compassion, is to consider if you would say what you’re thinking or saying about yourself to a friend or family member. If you wouldn’t say these things to someone you love or care about, it might be an indication that you’re being hard on yourself.

My hope for our girls this week is that they can start to practice some self-compassion. How do they do this? Well, there are a few ways that come to mind:

1. Acknowledge that we are human and that we make mistakes.
2. Acknowledge that negative self-talk is normal but is not permanent and can be overcome with positive self-talk and self-compassion, but this takes practice and training.
3. Acknowledge that we might not always meet the high expectations we set for ourselves, and that’s ok.
4. Start to practise changing the dialogue of negative self-talk into positive self-talk. For example, ‘I made a mistake at school the other day, I always make mistakes, I am so stupid’, could be reframed into ‘It’s okay to make mistakes, I am learning from each mistake that I make, and everybody makes mistakes, nobody is perfect’. The more that you practise being self-compassionate, the more naturally it will come to you.
5. Practice self-compassion and self-acceptance, as the great Dr Seuss says ‘Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You’ and it is indeed wonderful to be you, being unique and yourself is what makes life interesting. It wouldn’t do if we were all the same, life would be boring.

How will you be mindful of the interactions you have with yourself? Will you help your daughters practice some positive self-talk and self-compassion?

– Sarah Tynan
Assistant Head of Senior School – Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Chaplain’s Corner

To commemorate National Volunteer Week this week, the Senior School Devotional Assembly heard from Ms Gail Yap; Head of Volunteer from Uniting.

Uniting NSW.ACT is responsible for the social justice, community services and chaplaincy work of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT. They provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability!

Ms Yap talked about making a real difference in volunteering and provided information on the different services provided by Uniting and how to register to be a volunteer.

Our 2020 School Captains played a major role in collaborating with Uniting via Ms Yap, engaging and encouraging our community to be volunteers – a vision taken up by our current School Captains and others already involved to make a difference by doing good deeds to enliven communities and confront injustice.

Being a volunteer is to selflessly offer time, skills and passion to help others, and the Chaplains will continue to encourage and journey alongside our students and staff in this act of service to society.

– Reverend Viniana Ravetali
Senior Chaplain

Year 7

It’s been a great week for celebrating School spirit, with the girls taking part in Teacher Appreciation Week and ❤mlcschool Giving Day. I hope the girls have enjoyed these opportunities to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

On Thursday, many groups made the most of the stunning weather and moved Luminary time outside to take part in a Luminary group mix up where the groups teamed up in pairs to get to know each other a bit better. It’s important that the girls develop a broad range of connections in the Year group, and not focus too much on one exclusive small group of friends. There is strength in depth.

Monday 24 May 2021 is the first face-to-face Parent Teacher evening for the Year group. We look forward to welcoming you on site and recommend that students join their parents to talk to their teachers about their progress, to gain an understanding of what strategies they can implement to improve. Perhaps have a discussion with your daughter this weekend about what questions she may have for her teachers so that the short time you have for the conversations is well spent.

– Fiona Pow
Head of Year 7

Year 8

This week the Year 8 girls have continued with their strong and enthusiastic work ethic as they manoeuvre their way through the term. Both individually and as a group they have kept focus and are moving through their assessment schedule with ease, not one seemed phased at Monday Maths Assessment which was very exciting to see! Well done Year 8 for your calm and organised approach.

We also saw our first ❤mlcschool Giving Day launched with great success. The ground floor of the Senior Centre was flooded with pink and it was wonderful to see so many parents and Old Girls “womanning” the phonelines. It was a great success and an inspiration to our students who had a front row seat to seeing what can be achieved with just an idea, team work, and determination, not to mention exactly what being a part of the MLC School community means.

Our senior leaders have continued with the theme this week and are continually putting on a fundraising show for us. On Tuesday we had live music in the Bird Bath Quad as our student bands showcased what they have been working on, this was in conjunction with and inspiration for gold coin donations from each House as Houses competed in the House Coin Collection Race, with all contributions going towards ❤mlcschool Giving Day.

As I am writing this I am preparing to see if I will receive a pie in the face in another of our fun and exciting fundraising activities this week, stay tuned to see if I win or lose (hard to say which one I am hoping for!).
Editor’s note: as you can tell from the main photo, Kylie lost and had a pie thrown in her face at Thursday lunchtime.

Next week, Year 8 will be the focus of our school’s weekly Chapel Service. I am looking forward to this, as it will be my first Chapel service with the girls which is hard to believe but Chapel has been one of the many weekly events that has been greatly affected by NSW Health restrictions. It is interesting to see how we continually take some things for granted and we don’t even know how much we truly appreciated them until we get them back.

Have a great weekend everyone, good luck in sport, debating and dance and enjoy the sunshine.

– Kylie Bickerstaff
Head of Year 8

Year 9

On Monday during Luminary time, all of Year 9 headed down to the sports field to participate in some good old fashioned relay fun! It was wonderful (and also hilarious) to see the students cheering each other on whilst doing a number of ridiculous things such as jumping with a ball between their knees or fitting through a hoop whilst attached to their friends either side of them. Friendships can be tricky during high school, particularly in Year 9 when everyone is finding their voice, working out who they are and who they want to be. Activities like this serve to open their minds to friendships they may not have realised even existed before, or may encourage them to explore other friendships and expand their current circle.

The Year 9 Luminaries and I will be speaking to Year 9 over the coming weeks about how to navigate friends, fall outs and how to be compassionate to others. I encourage you to chat to your Year 9 daughter about her friendships, how they play out in the classroom, on social media and in the playground. As adults we have all been in sticky friendships spots at some point in our lives and learnt valuable lessons, which is why your voice in these challenging teenage times is so important.

As always, if there is anything you wish to discuss please contact me on 8741 3246 or email cwhite@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

– Claire White
Head of Year 9

Year 9 and Year 10 Inquisitive Minds

Last Friday and Monday, girls in Year 9 and Year 10 took part in a Mathematics problem-solving incursion run by Inquisitive Minds. Working in pairs, we worked through a series of increasingly complicated maths problems, racing against the clock and each other for chocolate prizes and the title of Inquisitive Champions.

The problems challenged us to think outside the box and use Mathematics differently. Some questions required us to build three-dimensional models, others were numerical puzzles requiring logical thinking. We raced to the problem boxes, had a teacher mark our answer and even attempted the bonus “Freddo” questions. It was amazing that we were able to solve so many Mathematics problems and have so much fun at the same time.

Inquisitive Minds was a challenging and fun experience and we would like to thank the Mathematics department for organising this incursion.  We all came away invigorated and exhausted after answering so many tough questions. And some of use came away with chocolates too!

– Elizabeth Wilkie (Year 10) and Isabel McKeough (Year 10)

Year 10

Community and Leadership

I may have mentioned a few weeks ago about my appreciation of Year 10 and their desire to give back to the MLC School community, by stepping up and taking on leadership opportunities. Yesterday we had 19 students participate in onsite MLC School tours, the first ones onsite since February 2020. This was an excellent opportunity for them to both reflect on what they appreciate about the School but also to improve their confidence in talking to members of the community as they led groups of families around the School.

Additionally yesterday a large group of Year 10 girls participated in another session with Year 6 in the Year 6 Year 10 Buddy Program. All Year groups appreciate mixing with each other, and I often receive feedback from students they want more activities across Year groups. Year 6 appreciate Year 10’s support and attention, and the Year 10 group enjoy practising leadership skills and supporting Year 6 students.

Today and Saturday we have a group of students taking part in the Round Square mini-conference. The conference provided them with the experience of participating with other schools and discussing a variety of global ideas.

All week we have had Year 10 students participating in both ❤mlcschool Giving Day and Teacher Appreciation Week. The Year 12 girls have led an amazing week full of community activities for Teacher Appreciation Week. Our Year 10 SRC representatives Sofia Jury (Year 10), Julia Lok (Year 10) and Anais Sui (Year 10), contributed to an enjoyable Student-Teacher Trivia competition held at lunchtime on Wednesday. Although my team did not do very well in the competition, we had a lot of fun in the process.

It really is wonderful seeing so many participate in these activities and take on extra responsibilities in Year 10. It is such a pleasure working with them and watching them begin preparing themselves academically as well.

Assessments, Study Skills and Reflection

Year 10 girls are busy getting through a series of assessments currently, with Science dominating the week. On Monday the girls had another Elevate Study Skills session to help them manage their time. Having talked to many students about assessments, there are several who are experimenting and improving their study techniques. Year 10 is also a good time for a student to begin reflecting on her reaction to the feedback she receives from assessments. Disappointment is an unpleasant experience but can be an extremely powerful one that promotes resilience and steers students towards navigating challenges.

If you have any current concerns for your daughter’s wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, by phone 8741 3278 or email arenwick@mlcsydnsw.edu.au.

Coming Up

• Wednesday 26 May to Saturday 29 May 2021 – MLC School Drama Production, Hitler’s Daughter

– Angela Renwick
Head of Year 10

Captivating Chemistry for Year 10

Claudia Padman (Year 10)

‘This week in Science, Year 10 girls were involved in Captivating Chemistry – a set of workshops designed by the science department, highlighting the creative applications of chemistry. Students could choose from a variety of activities, including extracting perfume from flowers, creating lip balm, invisible ink, bouncy balls and extracting dyes from minerals.  

‘The lesson was extremely fun, allowing us to interact with students from other classes and extend our understanding of the role of chemical reactions in our daily life. I chose to participate in the workshop which involved creating paint. To do so, we crushed minerals such as copper carbonate and added oil or egg yolk to bind it together into a smooth, liquid substance. Then, we added ethanol and water, respectively, as an extender to thin the paint out and increase its volume. It was an enjoyable challenge to try and achieve the correct ratio of binder to extender to produce the correct paint consistency. Afterwards, we got to test out our creations and create artworks with the paint, which was really rewarding.  

‘Overall, Captivating Chemistry was a really fun and interesting experience. Thank you to all the teachers in the Science department for organising this for us!’ 

 

Jenna Wright (Year 10)

‘Today we learnt about how chemical principles are applied in the production of cosmetics. We learnt about how cosmetics are tested and formed to make sure that they are visually appealing and effective. We learnt about how a balance of fragrance and function is important for cosmetics and how cosmetics chemists choose from thousands of ingredients to create new products. We learnt about the importance of a balance of oils, butters and waxes to have the correct consistency for a lip balm and how those ratios are essential to create the perfect product. We applied these principles and made a lip balm using three different products commonly used in cosmetics (shea butter, almond oil and beeswax) in a practical experimentation where we were able to put the things we learnt into practice. The lip balm turned out great and it was a great chance to see how cosmetics chemists create products that carry out their function and are also appealing.

Click on the image gallery below to view full-sized images.

Year 11

Parent teacher interviews were completed this week for Year 11. This a valuable opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions and find out more about their daughter’s daily life at school which goes beyond the academic report. Topics of discussion included everything from academic achievements, co-curricular plans, study habits and sleep. If there is any aspect of your daughter’s results that you need to discuss, please reach out to your daughter’s teacher, Head of Department or me.

The girls have been enjoying Teacher Appreciation Week – an initiative run by Year 12 every year to celebrate the staff at MLC School. This aspect of life at MLC School makes it a special place for teachers to work and connect with the students. To celebrate the half term, Year 11 are having a picnic this Friday in their Luminary groups – a chance to take stock and connect outside before the weather gets too cold.

The main photo was taken from the Trinity Grammar Production of  One Man Two Gouvnors, a play our Year 11 students Madeleine Lewis (Year 11), Juliette Beattie (Year 11) and Ruby Scott-Wishart (Year 11) took part in. You can read more about the play by clicking here.

– Sharon Connolly
Head of Year 11

Year 11 Girls Perform in Trinity Production of One Man Two Guvnors

This week and last week, Madeleine Lewis (Year 11), Juliette Beattie (Year 11) and Ruby Scott-Wishart (Year 11) participated in the Trinity Grammar production of One Man Two Guvnors.

The play follows Francis Henshall in his efforts to keep down two jobs, with Stanley Stubbers and Roscoe Crabbe (played by Madeleine), a crime boss who is secretly the twin sister of Roscoe come back to get money after her brother’s death. Pauline Clench (played by Ruby), was to marry Roscoe but is now marrying Alan, much to her father’s dismay. Dolly (played by Juliette) finds love with Francis but struggles with the fact he is kind of stupid. We loved the experience of getting to know students from both Trinity and Meriden and grow our skills in drama. It was awesome to get to see how much our friends and family enjoyed our performances!

– Ruby Scott-Wishart (Year 11)

Year 12

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
– Emily Dickinson

This week we were very lucky as a staff to have a Teacher Appreciation Week where the students all showed us how much they appreciate us. How edifying.

However, we often don’t take the time to say to the students how much we appreciate them.

Teachers come to teaching at different points in their lives and from different contexts, but if you speak with them for long enough, especially to the ones who have been in the profession for long periods of time, a common thread will emerge…

Prior to going back to university, I contacted my old English teacher to see if I could do a trial lesson at my old high school. She assented with good grace.

They were starting Emily Dickinson and I got to do the introduction. The 45 minutes passed by in a blur, I had so much fun. My old teacher said ‘You’re a natural!”

And I had it. I had found my passion.

I love literature – ask any of my classes and they will tell you. Every text is my ‘favourite’ text!

But I have come to realise more and more as I get older, that it is more than ‘just’ my subject. What actually makes teaching so worthwhile and rewarding is the students.

Your children.

One can find it hard to be an optimist, especially in the face of an increasingly complex and over-shadowed world. However, a lot of teachers are. The reason is because we get to work with young people every day. They are our hope.

They are pure potential and full of the ‘becoming’ that radiates from them like an inner fire. Of course, they will suffer some setbacks and the world will attempt to douse that fire. But they are remarkably resilient and so represent hope.

We want to say thanks to your daughters.

We appreciate them.

They are the reason we can bounce/drag ourselves out of the bed each morning.

It is their smiling faces that keep us going.

It is their enthusiasm that enthuses us.

So, thank you, Year 12.

Last week in Luminary groups we had a mature discussion of some of the issues around consent and how it is reported in the media. We discussed misogynistic language, how this can be perpetuated, even amongst girls, and how we could combat that through some consideration of our own words. We also discussed how to negotiate consent.

On Thursday we looked at how to manage feelings of negativity associated with the news and the daily reports that perennially circle around our newsfeeds.

Next week, we will explore the dangers and opportunities of navigating the Digital Environment with John Clear, Director of e-Learning. This will be followed up with an Academic Care talk by Chris Barnes, Assistant Head of Senior School – Academic Care and Administration

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your daughter’s wellbeing.

– Sarah Tynan, Assistant Head of Senior School – Pastoral Care and Wellbeing, Head of Year 12
– David O’Donohue, Assistant Head of Year 12

CIS Football Cup – Fighting Hard to the End

On the Tuesday 11 May 2021, MLC School underwent the 3^rd round of the 2021 CIS football cup.

Sixteen girls were selected from Year 9 to Year 12 to compete in another local derby against PLC Sydney at Strathfield oval. Despite unfortunately losing 4-0, the team displayed great acts of resilience and commendable efforts, as they fought their hardest until the very last minute.

Whilst the score wasn’t in our favour, the girls still performed exceptionally and played some astounding football even despite only having played together once before as a team.

A huge congratulations to the team for having made it this far in the competition, the furthest any MLC School team has made it before. This is without doubt due to their hard efforts throughout the competition and trainings in the weeks leading up to the match, along with their creditable positive spirit and continual efforts that have prompted their success as a team.

A huge thank you to all the Sports department staff, MLC School staff, parents, and Brad for showing an immense amount of support throughout our games, along with our coach Tony, for continuously developing and supporting us throughout the competition.

Whilst the competition is over, it is without a doubt the girls will continue to develop their skills and team work ahead of their IGSA season and will surely come back even stronger next year.

– Natalia Giannakos (Year 12)
Football Captain

Cross Country Carnival Challenges Competitors

Last Friday 14 May 2021, our Cross Country team headed down to Frensham for the annual IGSA Cross Country Carnival. It was a chilly and windy morning and the course proved to be challenging for many of the competitors.

To their credit, our team competed admirably in these conditions. A special congratulations to our 12-Year-Olds Elysse Diep (Year 7) and Katrina Athanasiou (Year 7) who had to run their race again after a course mishap that caused all the 12-year-olds to run the wrong course.

Good luck to Jessie Phelps (Year 12) and Elysse Diep (Year 7) who have progressed to the CIS Carnival in June.

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport

Ada Qualifies for Diving Nationals with Personal Best

Congratulations to Ada Savage (Year 5) on her recent diving results. Ada placed 1st in the U/11 springboard, with a score of 170.5 (PB), qualifying for the next nationals – 30 points above qualifying score. Well done on a great achievement Ada!

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport

MLC School Marlins Swim PBs at Newington Meet

Last Friday 14 May 2021, we had 12 MLC School Marlins compete at the Newington Meet. There were many PBs swum in preparation for the short course season. Congratulations to the following swimmers:

• Aimee Goodridge (Year 10) – two PBs
• Victoria Wan (Year 10) – three 1st places
• Isabella Liu (Year 8) – two PBs
• Chole Miller (Year 6) – two 1st places, one 2nd place, and one PB
• Euna Cho (Year 4) – three PBs
• Olivia Burke (Year 4) – four PBs
• Zara Stewart (Year 4) – two PBs
• Lexie Bellew (Year 4) – three PBs
• Suyi Yin (Year 8) – one 1st place, three PBs
• Avery Koh (Year 6) – two 1st places, two PBs 
• Zara Kilborn (Year 10) – one 5th place, one 6th place
• Saskia Roberts (Year 7) – one PB

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport

Term 3 2021 Sport Registrations Now Open

This information outlines the sports that are on offer for Term 3 2021. Please read this information to help you decide which sport/s you would like your daughter to participate in. All the information pertaining to each activity can be found on the payment page for each sport. 

For Term 3 2021, sports such as Hockey and Soccer may require a grading session. 

Please check registration details for grading dates and times. 

Some registrations close as early as Friday 21 May 2021. Please register prior to the closing date to avoid disappointment of missing out on a team.

Term 3 Sports

• Year 7 to Year 12 Hockey
• Year 7 to Year 12 5 A-Side Soccer
• Year 6 to Year 12 Friday Night Water Polo
• Year 3 to Year 6 IPSHA Touch Football
• Year 7 to Year 12 Rowing
• Fitness Sessions

If you previously registered for a sport that runs per semester (Term 1 and Term 2) you will need to register again for Semester 2 (Term 3 and Term 4).

How to Register

• Please visit the MLC School Payment Page at https://payments.mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au/.
• Choose the sport icon to view all the sports on offer.
• Select the sport you want to register for and complete the registration form and payment.  

  If you have any queries, please contact the sports department at sports@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport

Middle/Senior Years Athletics Championships 2021 – Year 6 to Year 12

We are accepting entries to MLC School Middle/Senior Years Athletics Championships involving students in Year 6 to Year 12.

The MLC School Athletics Championships will be held on Thursday 17 June 2021 from 1pm–6pm at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Warm Up Arena.

Athletes will be able to enter across the following events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, Long Jump, Shot Put and High Jump.

Please select the events that you would like to trial for. Extra events such as Javelin, Discus, Hurdles and 1500m will be trialled at the IGSA Twilight meets.

Year 6 students trialling for the IPSHA team will be trialled for Discus and 1500m at a later date to be advised.

Please complete this form if you would like to be entered into the MLC School Senior Athletics Championships.

Entries will close Friday 31 May 2021.

The Championships will constitute as the trial for the MLC School Athletics Team competing at the 2021 IGSA Athletics Carnival.

Year 7 to Year 12 Selection into the MLC School Athletic Squad will require attendance at the Term 3 IGSA Twilight Events to be held at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Track at Homebush and will commence at 4.15pm and conclude at 8.30pm. (Athletes are able to leave after the completion of their last event). Dates for each Twilight event are listed below.

• Friday 16 July 2021 – IGSA Sport Twilight Athletics 1
• Friday 23 July 2021 – IGSA Sport Twilight Athletics 2
• Friday 30 July 2021 – IGSA Sport Twilight Athletics 3
• Friday 6 August 2021 – IGSA Sport Twilight Athletics 4

Results from the Championships, Twilight evenings 1 and 2 and current IGSA requirements will assist with selection of the MLC School Athletics Team.

At the IGSA Athletics Carnival athletes will compete in their qualified events and any extra events will be decided in consultation with the MLC School Sports department under IGSA guidelines.

– Kylie Bickerstaff
Assistant Director of Sport

Representative Netball Program

To give our more experienced netballers an opportunity to increase skill level and have greater exposure to competitions, the MLC School Sports department is continuing with the Representative Netball Program. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students who are experienced netball players, and who play club netball, to represent MLC School in a variety of netball competitions. The program aims to identify potentially talented netballers, conduct skills sessions for continual progression, enter them into competitions and prepare them for representative trials.

The program will run during Term 3 2021, with training to commence in the June/July school holidays or earlier if we can accommodate extra teams training. 

Selected athletes will train once a week.

Session 1 – Netball skill and court training – 7am–8am (Day to be advised)
Students in this program are strongly encouraged to sign up for one of the fitness classes offered by the Sports department.

The total cost of the program is $170 to be paid at the point of registration. This cost includes all training costs, the entries for competitions and the IGSA fees.

Proposed Competitions

• IGSA Netball (Saturday Competition)
• Netball NSW Schools Cup (to be confirmed)
• Netball NSW Carnival (subject to approval)

Who is eligible for this program? 

• Students from Year 7 to Year 12 who are experienced netballers and who are registered to play club netball in 2021 (see below). 

Important Information

• Students are required to be a financial member of Netball NSW in 2021 so that they are eligible to play in the proposed competitions (if you are registered for a club in 2021 you will be financial). If you are unsure, please contact Lisa Filby who will be able to provide further information. 
• You will need to provide your MynetballID number for competition entry forms.
• The IGSA Netball rounds in Term 3 will most likely clash with club games for players in Year 7 to Year 9. Unfortunately, this is a long-standing issue with club and IGSA games. We try to minimise the clashes but wanted you to be aware in case this happens. In the event of clashes, students should talk to the Sports department to discuss where their priority should be. 
• Students in Year 10 to Year 12 should be able to avoid clashes as club games are usually played in the afternoon.
• The grand final round for the IGSA competition will be played on the first Saturday of the MLC School holidays (18 September 2021). Students must be able to meet this commitment.

Trials

Students who wish to be part of this program must commit to the full program of the proposed training and competitions. Absences must be discussed with your coach well in advance.

Teams will be chosen based on performance at selection trials. If trials cannot be conducted due to social distancing restrictions, the Sports department may have to conduct a paper trial based on playing history and past performance and taking into consideration the positions each individual plays.

There may be two teams chosen.

Trial Date: Friday 11 June 2021 (to be confirmed)

There is also a proposed round robin on Wednesday 9 June 2021. If required, we will use these games for team selections.

To register for the trial, please complete the below form. The EOI form will close on Friday 28 May 2021.

Trial Registration

Uniform

• MLC School PE Shirt 
• MLC School Shorts/Tights
• MLC School Netball Dress for competitions

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport

Weekend Fixtures and Upcoming Dates

Weekend Fixtures – Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May 2021

Saturday 22 May 2021

Upcoming Dates

• Friday 28 May 2021 – All Schools Swimming, Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC), 7am–3pm
• Saturday 29 May 2021 – Saturday Sport Round 6, various locations and times
• Sunday 30 May 2021 – SVL Volleyball, venue and time to be confirmed
• Saturday 5 June 2021 – Saturday Sport Round 7, various locations and times
• Sunday 6 June 2021 – SVL Volleyball, venue and time to be confirmed
• Thursday 10 June 2021 – CIS Cross Country, Eastern Creek, 8am–4pm

Important Sports Notices and Procedures

Follow MLC School Sport on Facebook

MLC School Sport has its own Facebook page. Please follow us for all sports updates and important information.

Remember!

Do not miss any important sports information! Please make sure you check Canvas messages, emails, Facebook AND the Sports Update in the newsletter. The sports update always contains fixtures and registration information so you should never miss a registration.

Absences from Sport

 What to do when you are unable to make training or a game

On the rare occasions that it may be necessary for a player to miss training or a competition, please follow these instructions.

• If the inability to attend is known in advance – a written explanation (email) from the player’s parent/carer is to be given to the coach and Sports Department in advance. This notice should be given as early as possible.
• If the player is absent from school on the day of training or on competition day – the player’s parent/carer is asked to advise the coach and Sports Department of their daughter’s absence from training or the game.
• Do not ask your friends or team mates to give your coach the message.
• Do give as much notice as possible.
• If there is a clash with another sport or school event, please speak with the Sports Department to determine which game/event you should attend.

Please note: Continued failure to attend training or competitions without a timely written explanation is unacceptable and may jeopardise the player’s continued involvement in sport.

 A member of the Sports Department will contact parents/carers of students whose non-attendance at training or games is not notified in the correct manner.

 Pockets are only awarded to students who have attended at least 80% of training and games.

What Do I Do If It’s Wet Weather?

While on most occasions we would not cancel training for wet weather, cancellations may occur if rain is too heavy to train in or weather conditions deem it unsafe. Additionally, due to safe distancing measures and government guidelines, we may be required to cancel training when we cannot accommodate students safely in an indoor space.

Morning Training

The decision to cancel any morning training sessions will be made by 8pm the night before training.

Wet weather cancellations will be posted on the MLC School Sport Facebook page, followed by an email.

No Facebook post, or email means that activities will still go ahead.

After School Training

The decision to cancel any after school training sessions will be made by 1pm on the day of training.

Wet weather cancellations will be posted on the MLC School Sport Facebook page, followed by an email.

Saturdays

If you are playing an IPSHA Sport, please download the IPSHA app (instructions below). IPSHA normally makes a decision by 7am.

If you are playing an IGSA Sport, visit https://m.ahigs.nsw.edu.au/venues. The IGSA website will let you know if your venue is closed or open.

When possible, we will also post the cancellations on our MLC School Sport Facebook page

On all occasions, it is the individuals’ responsibility to check the wet weather information. The Sports Department, coaches and managers are not always in a position to relay any game cancellations.

IPSHA App Instructions

Search on the app store for ‘IPSHA’ – follow the download instructions.

Once downloaded and opened you will receive the following popup messages:

1. Allow IPSHA to access your location – select whichever is appropriate for you – if this is turned on it may help with directions to sports fields with Google locations linked.
2. Enable Push notifications – if you would like to receive push notifications, which is a feature that will be used on the app and can be turned on and off at any time, then allow push notifications. If you do not allow push notifications, it can be turned on via the settings on your phone at any time.
3. If you allow push notifications, all notification subscriptions will be turned on as the default set up.
4. To turn the push notifications such as Girls Saturday Sport Wet Weather Messages, Swimming/Cross Country and/or Athletics marshalling calls or IPSHA Trials messages on and off at any time follow the instructions below.
   1. Click on the mail icon on the top left-hand corner of the home page.
   2. Click on the cog on the top right-hand corner of the page.
   3. Choose which notifications you would like to receive by clicking on the on/off icon next to the name of the notifications you would like to receive.
   4. You must hit save for any changes you have made for them to take effect.

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport

Quote of the Week

The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.” – Mohadesa Najumi

New Date for the Piano Festival

The Piano Festival originally scheduled for Friday 14 May 2021 has now been rescheduled for Friday 4 June 2021.

We look forward to welcoming parents to this event. Venues will be advised shortly.

– Sophie Podrasky
Music Administrator

Chamber Music Festival – Friday 28 May 2021

The MLC School Music department will be hosting a Chamber Music Festival on Friday 28 May 2021 at 3.30pm in the Senior School Music Auditorium. Several groups will perform repertoire by composers that include Mozart, Schubert, Palmer and Dvorak.

Parents and friends are welcome. Last year the students performed a ‘virtual’ concert so it is wonderful to have an opportunity for our students to perform in front of a live audience.

– Joanna Drimatis
Head of Strings

Save the Date for these Music Events

Below are some important dates to add to your diary:

• Friday 28 May 2021, 3.30pm–4.30pm – Chamber Music Festival, Music Auditorium
• Friday 4 June 2021, 3.30pm–5.30pm – Piano Festival, various locations around the school
• Wednesday 9 June 2021, 7pm – Groove @ Camelot Lounge, Camelot Lounge, Marrickville
• Friday 11 June 2021, 5.30pm – Music Live, Music Auditorium
• Monday 12 July to Tuesday 13 July 2021, 8am–3.15pm – Concert Rehearsal Days, Music Centre
• Wednesday 14 July 2021, 7pm – Triumph and Tragedy Concert, City Retical Hall, Angel Place, Sydney

– Sophie Podrasky
Music Administrator

Chinese Culture Society Week 5 Update

Hello and welcome back to the weekly update for CCS! This week we experimented with many different types of herbal teas which benefit your health in many ways. To go along with the herbal tea, we had mochi which is a glutenous snack.

Come next week to enjoy a traditional Chinese snack and to learn more about Chinese Culture!

– Chinese Culture Society Committee

MLC School makes it through to the State Carnival

On Tuesday 18 May, 12 MLC School students travelled to Trinity College in Summer Hill to compete in the Regional Shakespeare Carnival after winning their category in the MLC School competition. Full of nerves and excitement the four groups joined the other schools for a group warm-up led by Carnival organiser’s Sport for Jove.

When performances started it was an evening full of laughter, excitement and wonder as students showcased a great variety of interpretations on Shakespeare’s works. Categories included Duologue, Ensemble Scene, Devised Scene, iPhone Film, Music and Movement. It was an incredible experience for MLC School students to perform and to learn from the amazing works from other schools. As prizes were announced we held our breath and as it was announced that MLC School placed 2^nd in Duologue and Devised and would both be going through to the State Finals as Wild Card choices. Our iPhone Film also placed 1st and will be going through to the State final. Congratulations to all students who competed.

For information regarding the Middle Years Company please contact Emilia Stubbs or Monica Brian at The Speech and Drama Studio.

From Our Students

‘I really enjoyed the Shakespeare Carnival. It was amazing seeing other people’s takes on some of Shakespeare’s most famous and well known plays.  Everyone performing was truly amazing and I’m excited to perform in and watch the State Carnival.’ – Christina Coffey (Year 8)

‘I had an amazing experience attending the 2021 Shakespeare Carnival. It was a great educational opportunity to learn and watch exceptional performances from fellow schools and performing on stage. Our team performed Macbeth and it was an extraordinary chance to improve and learn from professionals who are extremely talented in acting Shakespeare. I cannot wait to attend again next year!’ – Sophia Shaikh (Year 8)

‘The 2021 Shakespeare Carnival run by Sport for Jove was a great experience for me. We got to spend more time with each other and meet new people at the carnival. We got to see the many talented groups perform and get the opportunity to perform ourselves. The night was awesome and I had so much fun preparing for it and experiencing it. Can’t wait for States!’ – Samantha Brady (Year 9)

– Monica Brian
Director, The Speech and Drama Studio

Click on the image gallery below to view full-sized images.

Inner West Eisteddfod High Achievers

A huge congratulations to 24 of our Speech and Drama Studio students who represented MLC School last weekend at the Inner West Eisteddfod in the 6-10 years categories. Sections included set poem, set nursery rhyme, verse speaking, humorous recitation, set prepared reading, duologue in costume and group improvisation. Whilst a number of our MLC School speech and drama students achieved  1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd  place and Highly commended awards, we are more focused on the experience rather than the result. Every single student performed with confidence, focus and energy. We are proud of each student for daring to be more, by challenging herself to strive for excellence in her Eisteddfod piece and being fearless performing in front of an Adjudicator and audience. The students really enjoyed the experience and are already excited about next year’s Eisteddfod!

We are looking forward to this weekend’s Eisteddfod with our 11-12 year old sections.

Congratulations to the following students:

• Tara Kuhan (Kindergarten) – set poem and set nursery rhyme
• Amanda Zhang (Year 1) – set poem and set nursery rhyme
• Leanna Shen (Year 1) – 2^nd place in set poem
• Annika Bou (Year 2) – set poem
• Catherine Coorey (Year 2) – verse speaking, Encouragement Award
• Eve Hutchison (Year 2) – verse speaking
• Victoria Wai (Year 2) – verse speaking
• Vivienne Woon (Year 2) – set prepared reading
• Estella Tran (Year 2) – set prepared reading
• Mariette Karam (Year 3) – 3^rd place in Humorous Recitation
• Claire Liang (Year 3) – Highly Commended in Humorous Recitation, Highly Commended in verse speaking
• Abira Sanan (Year 3) – 2^nd place in verse speaking
• Hayley Trinh (Year 3) – verse speaking
• Olive Simmons (Year 4) and Anastasia Countouros (Year 4) – 2nd place in Duologue in Costume
• Amara Sivaguranthan (Year 4) and Jasmine Chib (Year 4) – 1st place in Duologue in Costume 
• Aurora Sharma (Year 4) and Layla Abdelrahim (Year 4) – Highly Commended in Improvisation
• Jenny Lin (Year 4), Anna Poortvliet (Year 4) and Jaya Mehta (Year 4) – Highly Commended in Improvisation
• Jasmine Chib (Year 4) and Jaya Mehta (Year 4) – Highly Commended in Improvisation
• Katie Goldring (Year 5) and Adelaide Akers (Year 5) – Duologue in Costume

Reflections

‘IWE is one of the venues that the girls can try to show their confidence and their love of performance. As a parent, the most wonderful thing to see at the IWE was how the MLC School girls encourage each other and dare to be more! Thank you to MLC School Speech and Drama Studio Team for bringing up these brave little girls!’ – Dao Coorey, Year 2 Parent

‘I am so happy I actually did my poem at the eisteddfod. It was a lot of fun watching the big MLC School girls competing.’ – Tara Kuhan (Kindergarten)

‘We participated in the Inner West Eisteddfod. My friend Jasmine Chib was my partner. We learnt a scene called NO TEACHERS! It was so much fun with Miss Taylor I could not wait to do it. On the day of the Eisteddfod I was really scared but when I got on the stage I was ok and enjoyed it. We WONNNNNNNN!, we were so happy and we couldn’t believe it.’ – Amara Sivagurunathan (Year 4)

‘Last weekend I participated in the Inner West Eisteddfod in Speech and Drama. As it was my first time performing in front of the audience and adjudicators, having fun and learning from my peers is my main aim. When waiting for my turn for the competition in the venue, I tried to keep myself relaxed and think repeatedly the key matters that needed my attention. When my name was called out, I walked onto the stage confidently and performed my poem brilliantly. Thanks to Ms Fort’s dedication, enthusiasm and guidance, I got 2nd place in the set poem category of my age group. I think it was a good start and a valuable experience to me on the road of learning in speech and drama.’ – Leanna Shen (Year 1)

‘I was brave to speak to the parents. I was brave to recite the poem “Uh-oh” to the audience. I was happy to go through the rehearsal. Thank you to Ms de Marco and Ms Brian.’ – Cathy Coorey (Year 2)

‘My favourite part about the Inner West Eisteddfod is that I get to watch a variety of fun poems performed by children from other schools. Although performing in front of strangers can be a bit scary, it is a lot of fun!!’ – Abira Sanan (Year 3)

‘In my first experience I felt nervous and there were huge butterflies in my stomach. While I performed there were many people laughing and enjoying my performance. I felt brave and happy as I was performing. I can’t wait to do it again!’ – Jasmin Chib (Year 4)

‘It was very scary when I walked up to perform because I had to say my line first but when I started to talk I got less scared. It was very fun to do and entertaining. Watching the other performers was like watching a movie because they were so good.’ – Olive Simmons (Year 4)

‘It is always nerve racking at the start, but it builds to excitement especially when I am on stage. It becomes fun and always a good experience.’ – Mariette Karam (Year 3)

‘Olive and I competed in the Inner West Eisteddfod. Our script was called the The Mad Tea Party, from Alice in Wonderland. We practised so hard and put a lot of effort in and we did our personal best. We came second place with a score of 93% and also won best costume.’ – Anastasia Countouris (Year 4)

– Monica Brian
Director, The Speech and Drama Studio

Click on the image gallery below to view full-sized images.

Acting & Communication Academy

Creative Communicators | Passionate Performers

Save the Date! 

Our next Masterclass is Saturday 12 June 2021 from 1pm to 4pm with Miss Jessica Spies. She will be presenting on Laban/physical theatre including archetypes and Keith Bain principles. Booking details will be shared soon.

Jess holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) from NIDA and a Diploma of Acting from WAAPA. As well as working professionally as an actor, Jess is a passionate teacher who shares her love of performance with her students at several locations across Sydney, including the NIDA Open Acting program. Jess prioritises a sense of community and belonging in the classroom, encouraging students to interact in a brave and open way. She believes in using performance as a tool for academic and social growth. 

To see what our students had to say about our previous Musical Theatre Masterclass, click here.

If you have not signed up for classes yet in Term 2 but would like to, we still have openings in the following classes:

• Chatterbox Club as an introduction for Pre-K to Year 2
• Acting Up for Drama – Levels 1 to 3 for Year 3 to Year 10
• Speak Easy for Public Speaking and Communication – Levels 1 to 3 for Year 3 to Year 10
• Musical Theatre – Levels 1 to 3 for Year 3 to Year 10
• The Production Company – Expressions of Interest for Year 7 to Year 12
• Private Coaching for all students
• Professional Qualifications through Trinity College London Diplomas for Year 8 to Year 10

For more information about Acting & Communication Academy, to enrol in a class, masterclass, or holiday program, please visit www.actingandcommunication.com or email perform@actingandcommunication.sydney. You can also ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

– Acting & Communication Academy

Photo caption: Miss Jessica Spies for our next Masterclass!