From the Principal

In reviewing our communications this term, it would be easy to presume that COVID-19 had so completely consumed everyone’s energy, that nothing else was possible. While it certainly has been a challenging time, I am pleased to report that we have continued to make steady progress on initiatives that support achievement of our strategic goals.

As part of our commitment to ‘More fully understand our families, why they choose MLC School, their aspirations for their daughters and how this informs their expectations of us’, and in keeping with our goal to use data more effectively, short parent and student surveys will be conducted on a regular basis. These surveys will allow us to get regular feedback on initiatives and identify any emerging issue so that we can respond appropriately. You should have received a summary of the findings from this term’s survey earlier this week.  

Our timeline for school-wide implementation of CANVAS was certainly compressed as a result of the move to flexible learning. This and other IT advancements, are part of our strategy to ‘Seek out emerging technologies for integration in the classroom so as to remain at the forefront of pedagogical practice and enhance student learning’. The feedback has been exceptionally positive and it is our intention to continue to improve not only this platform and its use, but also to build upon the many lessons and skills that staff developed during this period.

Our Strategic Plan also commits us to ‘Introduce technologies and processes that enhance our ability to understand and manage each girl’s journey through the School and inform our communications’. Our IT department is already quite advanced in planning for the implementation of our new student information system (SIS) which will coordinate and automate many aspects of our communication and student tracking. It will also save parents an enormous amount of time through the electronic submission of forms, streamlined communications and ready access to school information. It is anticipated that this will be fully operational by mid 2021.

Parent attendance at the Michael Carr-Gregg webinar, so generously sponsored by the P&F, was the highest that we have seen. Next term, we will be providing you with the opportunity to hear from respected Drug and Alcohol educator, Paul Dillon (Thursday 13 August 2020). These presentations are an indication of our desire to ‘Support parents and carers through access to expertise and research contributing to the healthy development of their daughters’.

And in keeping with our stated aim to ‘connect our community with the spiritual life of the School, and ensure that service is at the heart of our expression of faith’, it has been wonderful to see our Chaplains out and about, meeting and greeting our girls and their families and assisting with drop off and pick up. Amongst the many projects that are underway, the Senior School hats for the homeless initiative has seen our girls making beanies to contribute to those in need.

There are many other initiatives underway in Pastoral Care, Teaching and Learning and Masterplanning and I look forward to updating you on these as the year progresses.

My very sincere thanks for your support this term. I look forward to a gradual shift back to a  full range of School activities and the opportunity to interact face to face.

I wish you all a restful break.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

Have a Great Holiday!

The Senior School girls are certainly in holiday mode as you can see below from the lunch time disco.

We wish all of our MLC School community a safe and happy holiday break.

While you may not be able to travel far, there is still a great deal to do in our wonderful city.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Last week, the Student Representative Council (SRC) had the pleasure of coordinating Teacher Appreciation Week, an event first initiated by the 2019 SRC team and eagerly carried on by our representatives this year.

Teacher Appreciation Week was the chance for girls to get involved again within the School community and to show their gratitude for their teachers who had gone above and beyond, especially during online schooling. 

Looking around the School last week, you could see the immense gratitude and appreciation that the student body has for the teachers who have played a significant role in their education and their growth in life.

Girls worked together with teachers in the Teacher Student trivia, wrote words of gratitude and kindness on our Staff Appreciation Notes, and dressed up as their favourite teachers on Friday 18 June 2020, which was also Kindness Day.

This week we also saw the closure of the World’s Greatest Shave. Despite all of the setbacks, the team of staff and girls was still able to pull together a phenomenal effort, raising a total of $16,533 for the Leukaemia Foundation! The strength and commitment of all of these girls and teachers, who put their hair on the line for this awesome cause, is greatly appreciated.

A massive thank you to everyone who was involved in Teacher Appreciation Week, whether it was helping to run the activities, distributing the kindness notes, editing videos, and handing out stickers, the week could not have happened without each and every one of you!

– Charlie Kairaitis
SRC Captain

Kareen Healy’s Doll’s House

A beautiful doll’s house was donated to MLC Junior School last week by Kareen Healy’s mother, Sandra. The doll’s house, made by Kareen’s Uncle Allan, was once Kareen’s favourite toy. It will now be enjoyed by MLC Junior School girls for years to come.

The doll’s house is just one of the tributes to Kareen at MLC School that reflects Kareen’s, and her family’s, warmth and generosity. We thank Sandra for this kindhearted and touching gift.

Kareen Healy (2005)

Kareen Healy was a wonderful girl who was beloved by both her many school friends of all ages, and by the staff at MLC School. She was described as a generous, positive and cheerful person. Tragically, her life was cut short at the end of Year 9 when she collapsed while doing something she loved; playing touch football for MLC School with her schoolmates. Kareen had an anaphylactic reaction and went into cardiac arrest on 2 December 2002. She subsequently passed away without regaining consciousness on 5 December 2002.

Kareen was an energetic, fit and fun-loving girl who participated in a number of team sports and always strived to beat her personal best. Teams were incredibly important to Kareen; all she wanted was to compete, support her teammates, and to respect the sport and the spirit in which it was played. This was Kareen’s strength and one that endeared her to all.

Friendships meant a lot to Kareen and she was popular because she did not judge people, rather she acknowledged the strengths of her peers without criticism. She was generous to her friends in many ways. It was fitting that even after death she enriched the lives of others – four adults were the recipients of Kareen’s donated organs. This is something Kareen would have been pleased to know. Her family said ‘Kareen was a generous girl, a loving girl, a team player. She would be wholeheartedly happy at the fact that she kept four people alive.’

Even though she was very disciplined and her attention to detail was widely recognised, Kareen also had a mischievous ‘prankster’ streak aimed at creating fun and laughter for her mates. Her laugh was more like a chuckle and a smile continually lit her face.

Kareen Healy had a personal motto: ‘Be the best you can possibly be and then improve further, in all you do.’

Other Memorials to Kareen Healy at MLC School

Speech Night Award: Year 11 Kareen Healy Memorial All Round Sporting Award

The generosity of spirit that Kareen always displayed is reflected in the annual Kareen Healy Memorial All-Rounder Sports Award which is awarded to a Year 11 student in recognition of their community commitment – someone who has a positive influence on the team, is a quiet achiever, displays respect for the sport played and its officials, and who plays the sport in the spirit of MLC School values.

Kareen’s younger sister Alyssa Healy (2008) was also a student at MLC School. Alyssa left MLC School a couple of years after Kareen died, but for many years returned to the School to present the Speech Night Award in her sister’s honour. Alyssa is currently a part of the Australian Women’s Cricket team as a wicketkeeper, batter and bowler.

Rowing Boat: 4x+ Rowing Boat Purchased and Named ‘Kareenypoo’ in 2003

Kareen didn’t row but as an avid sports player she had a number of good friends who rowed. In 2003, Kareen’s rowing friends purchased a 4x+ boat and named it ‘Kareenypoo’, Kareen’s nickname.

The ‘Kareenypoo’ was launched at a ceremony on 14 February 2003. Kareen’s sister Alyssa christened the boat and her father, Greg Healy, spoke, reminding all present that ‘there will always be six in this boat’.

Kareen Elizabeth Healy Memorial Bench

The bench, donated by Kareen’s family, sits on the verandah of the Sutherland Rooms, overlooking the Principal’s Lawn.

– Barbara Hoffman
MLC School Archivist

Launch of the Gonski Institute for Education’s Parent and Caregiver Resources

The Gonski Institute for Education is committed to helping every child reach their full potential, educationally and in life. They also recognise that parents and caregivers play a crucial role in a child’s learning and development journey.

The Gonski Institute for Education has developed a set of parent guides to support parents through a range of issues related to their child’s education.

These resources, developed by Dr Amy Graham (Gonski Institute for Education Research Fellow), are designed to provide quality, up-to-date information for parents and carers. The guides combine translated research with practical tips for parents and carers to use with their own child. Topics range from digital device use, to social and emotional skills, play and transitioning to high school, among others.

These guides will be regularly updated. If you have feedback about the content, changes to suggest, or topics you would like to see covered, please email gonski@unsw.edu.au 

Access the Parent and Caregiver Resource page here

Apology and Correction Excelsior 2019

The Marketing and Community Relations Department wishes to apologise to the 2019 Captain of Netball, Capri Maher for the error made in her report on page 171 of Excelsior 2019 which was incorrectly attributed to another author. We sincerely apologise for this mistake and are correcting all digital and archival editions of Excelsior 2019.  

The updated edition is available here.

Michele Dunn
Head of Marketing and Community Relations

Term 3 Important Dates

ySafe Online Safety Resources for Parents and Carers

From the Head of Junior School

As Term 2 comes to an end, it has certainly been an unprecedented School term. We commenced Term 2 with flexible learning, involving three sets of video conferencing each morning and alongside lesson videos for all subjects via our new learning management system, Canvas. As the girls have returned, it is exciting to see Canvas used in different, creative and stimulating ways as we learn together at School. A key member of staff who has supported this innovation is Carol Campbell. Carol has been at MLC School since 2010, spending many years as Junior School Teacher-Librarian and recently as our eLearning teacher. Carol concludes her time at MLC School as she returns to New Zealand with her family. She will be greatly missed and we wish her the very best for the future.

As Semester 1 ends, it is an opportune time to celebrate learning. This week you received your daughter’s Semester 1 Report. This provides an opportunity to talk to your daughter about her achievements. Please take the time to also look at your daughter’s work samples and teacher feedback in the Seesaw ‘Portfolio’ that supports this report. Your daughter’s achievements cannot simply be defined by a grade. Her grit, perseverance, attitude and effort are all significant contributions to her learning. Continue to encourage her to give her personal best in all that she does. Personal best is something we discuss and celebrate often at MLC Junior School. As you read your daughter’s report, knowing that she has given her personal best, you should be proud of her efforts.

During this school holiday period, I urge you to encourage your daughters to continue read (or depending on her age, be read to). Take the time to talk to your daughter about what she is reading. Talking about books has a positive impact on developing comprehension. It is pleasing to know that many girls have borrowed extra books this week from our School library. Playing games that involves mathematical thinking is also a great thing to do during the school holidays to keep our brains active as well as having some fun family time.

When we return to School to commence Semester 2 there are many things to look forward to, including our full and extensive Co-curricular program and all music activities. You can read more about co-curricular in this week’s edition of Audacia.

Please stay safe during this holiday period and I very much look forward to seeing all the girls in Term 3.

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School

School Leaders Unite

The Junior School Captains, Jodhi Bou (Year 5) and Sophia Antipas (Year 5), joined the Middle School leaders and Senior School leaders at their meetings this week. It was fantastic for Jodhi and Sophia to see how the Senior School leaders work together – both groups were very different. Jodhi and Sophia gained insight into how our MLC School ‘older’ girls view and action leadership and how they work together to better the School and represent the students. We thank these leadership groups for making us so welcome. We look forward to making further links between the leaders of the Senior School and the leaders of the Junior School.

– Joanne Sharpe
Deputy Head of Junior School, Student Life

Pre-K and the Beanstalk

The Junior School kitchen gardeners took the opportunity to plant some seedlings last term before flexible learning commenced. Over the last few months, the bean seeds have grown significantly. The beans have climbed up the windmill structure, reminding us of the story Jack and the Beanstalk.  The Pre-K girls took advantage of the sunny weather and picked all the beans from the vine and also the cherry tomatoes. The joy of eating freshly picked vegetables is priceless.

– Gina Zucco, Claudia De Pasquale, Eleonora Monda, Vicki Liubinskas
Pre-Kindergarten team

The Day the Year 1 Chairs Quit

This week after reading The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, our chairs decided they were also fed up and left. Year 1 were very surprised and decided to write letters to the chairs to apologise and try to convince them to come back. We tried to persuade them with good arguments, examples and strong words.

I am happy to report, the chairs were convinced and decided to give us another chance! Phew.

– Michelle Wyatt
Year 1 Teacher

Year 1 are Smashing it Up

This term Year 1 girls have been investigating how and why food can be processed. This week we worked together to chop, smash, add, mix, heat and melt food ingredients to create new dishes! We smashed avocado and added salt, lime and tomatoes to make some guacamole. Then we used heat to mix raw egg, milk, vanilla, cornflour, making custard that is safe for us to eat. Finally, we melted some icing sugar, adding food dye to make it prettier, and used it to decorate some biscuits.

– Samantha Edwards, Michelle Wyatt, Madeline Woods
Year 1 Teachers

Year 6 Dishing Up French Fare

Year 6 girls have been working on the topic of food at the end of Term 2. They get the chance to learn about food items and typical French food, which helped them design their own French menu. Following this hard work, they have been rewarded with a French style buffet afternoon tea and the famous cartoon Ratatouille!

– Helene Schmit
French Teacher

Rest, Recharge and READ

This week the Library Monitors, in collaboration with girls from across the Junior School, release their first edition of the Junior Journal. This much anticipated COVID-19 edition will be sent to all girls and families through Seesaw on Friday afternoon. It contains interviews, a short story, poetry and recounts of student experiences throughout the term. There are also book reviews, puzzles and activities. The girls have written and illustrated the entire edition and should be most proud of their achievement.

This holiday, take the time to rest, recharge and READ. This will be a good time to remember to log books read on the Premier’s Reading Challenge. For those after a creative challenge, the Children’s Book Council of Australia have initiated the Book Trailer Competition. For those from Year 3 to Year 6 who would like to compete, and you are encouraged to do so. Those girls looking for inspiration for their trailers, look no further than the Junior School library guide for some how-to videos and examples of book trailers.

Have a wonderful holiday.

– Jody Gilroy
Junior School Teacher-Librarian

Junior School Photos Available in Term 4

In Term 1 our Junior School girls had their individual and sibling photos taken but due to wet weather, whole grade photos were rescheduled for Term 4.

Normally, by this time of year parents are able to purchase packages with both the individual and grade photos, but due to the rescheduled group photo this is not possible. Packages will now be available in Term 4, after the whole grade photo is taken. It is not possible to purchase the individual photos separately at this time.

We thank parents and carers for their understanding and look forward to providing a superior keepsake to remember 2020.

Photo: Year 4 2019

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School

2020 Tea Towel Fundraiser

The Junior School P&F is offering a special Christmas tea towel as a fundraiser, which will be available at the end of this year.

All families now have the opportunity to purchase a tea towel if they have not already done so, or purchase more if they wish, with delivery occurring before the Christmas school holidays. If you have purchased a tea towel and no longer wish to receive one, please email Junior School Reception for a refund. 

On behalf of the School and parent community, I would like to thank you for your understanding and support.

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School

Uniting MLC School OSHC Vacation Care

The Uniting MLC School OSHC Vacation Care is on during the June/July holidays from Monday 29 June 2020 to Friday 3 July 2020.

Please download the information pack and email back the forms to mlcoshc@uniting.org.

From the Head of Senior School

As Week 9 and Term 2 rolls around, we can now officially say we have made it! With all the speculation and doubt we experienced at the start of the term, it’s reassuring to know that we have successfully navigated all the challenges and made it through. I would once again like to acknowledge the incredible strength and resilience of all staff and girls this term, it’s been far from easy but the sense of fun and good will around the School has been overwhelming. To all of our families, I also extend my sincere thanks. Your willingness to adapt to the constant change and continue to support your daughters has been very much appreciated.

This week we have been able to allow the girls to share time in House Meetings, for the first time since Term 1, which was a great way to end the term. I have admired the way our Heads of House and House Captains have managed to keep their House buzzing along and maintain such a strong culture throughout this COVID-19 period. This time last year we were celebrating the success of the Prescott Puppy Pageant, but with many restrictions still in place, we have been unable to host this event this week. Like many other events, they have been postponed or cancelled, which is far from ideal, but to the credit of all our community, the spirits remain high. This was clearly evident at the end of term where girls took part in the House Public Speaking Competition. We look forward to seeing this wrap up early next term. I congratulate all girls who have taken part and used the opportunity to develop skills and test themselves in this area.

We will shortly enter into the exciting time of year where the Senior School leadership roles are vacated by the current Year 12 and the incoming cohort will have the opportunity to nominate themselves as 2021 leaders. Girls that have served in a particular area of the School and have developed strong leadership skills will be allocated a portfolio with the support and guidance from the outgoing Captains. Parents will receive further information about this process early in Term 3. I take this opportunity to commend all of the 2020 Leaders for their ongoing leadership of our School. They were one of the first groups within the School to respond to the ‘COVID-call’ and adapt their leadership and continue to meet the needs of the girls by launching their virtual assemblies. I know first-hand how time consuming this can be so offer my sincere thanks to all Captains for the way they embraced change and continued to lead the School with an incredible sense of fun and pride. We look forward to working with you throughout next term as you make the most of the time remaining until the official handover begins. The School is in a better place for the work you are doing – thank you!

During this holiday period, I encourage all girls and their families to make the most of the break and make the time to (temporarily) disconnect from their studies. It is a common misconception that we must remain deeply committed to work and be ‘on’ at all times. This is merely a reflection of the strong work ethic our girls hold as they strive to do well in all areas of School life. However, I must stress that a school community is built on much more than attending classes and achieving outcomes. Life happens outside of school and we are often juggling multiple commitments, complex family relationships, family illness and of course, our own care. In the absence of formal lessons and timetables, there is an opportunity to regain some balance, reflect on the past term and set new goals and new directions for the term ahead. Take the time to read, sleep in, enjoy the outdoors and engage in an activity that supports individual mental and physical wellbeing.

I would like to wish all families a very relaxing and refreshing break and thank you for your trust in us as we continue to work together.

– Neil Scotney
Head of Senior School

Co-curricular and Sport Photographs for Year 7 to Year 12 in Term 3

Year 7 to Year 12 co-curricular photographs are scheduled for Thursday 23 July 2020.

Groups include Daughters of Old Girls, Design Art and Technology (DART) Committee, Debating, choirs, bands, orchestras, and ensembles. Also, Netball, Tennis, Softball, Soccer, Water Polo, Swimming and Diving team, Fencing, Badminton, Rowing, AFL, Hockey, Dance companies, Co-curricular Drama, Round Square, Cadets and SRC.

Girls are to be in full school uniform, including a blazer. No jumpers.

The schedule is below and will be published via Schoology/Canvas for the girls.

Orders for packages can be placed securely online at advancedlife.com.au using MLC School’s unique 9-digit online order code: 9DY JGM 577.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them to AdvancedLife by email.

Girls in the Senior Choir and Chamber Choir are to go to P1a for roll call

Photos will be taken at the back of the Year 6 Centre

Senior School Library Holiday Hours

The Library will be open for Year 11 and Year 12 girls from Monday to Friday 9am to 3.30pm.

– Louise Piggott
Head of Library Services

Year 7

I am so pleased with how the girls have navigated this term. It’s been a challenging time for them and I think they’ve coped very well to make the shift from learning at home online to being back on campus. Online learning posed many challenges for the girls and I think they’ve showed an immeasurable amount of resilience and perseverance. Many of the girls are still feeling behind in some subjects, so while the holidays should be a time to rest and reset, I would like to encourage the girls to use some of the time to revise, or catch up where they feel behind. 

The Luminary groups focused on friendship and connection this week. Either spending Luminary time creating a gift or writing a note or poem to their ‘Anonymous Appreciation Amigos’, or taking some time out on the Hockey fields to bond over a game of dodgeball. It’s been wonderful to see the girls carry out their random acts of kindness, showing their appreciation for their peers. 

I hope you and your daughters have a relaxing break and I look forward to working with Year 7 in Term 3.

As always, please email if you have any questions or concerns. 

– Karen Roberts
Head of Year 7

Year 8

The countdown until the end of term has been echoing around school this week. I’m sure Year 8 are no exception and are also looking forward to a well deserved three weeks of rest. In our haste to take a break from the hectic – albeit rewarding – life of school, it’s tempting to hurtle into the holidays without daring to look back at the term that has passed.

Please encourage your daughters to reflect on Term 2 – the what went wells and the even better ifs. The capacity to reflect and self-manage is as important as the knowledge they acquire or the assessment results they achieve. Reflection and self-management are valued in any workplace and can contribute to our wellbeing more broadly. So we hope that before the girls wipe the slate clean in preparation for next term, they take some time to look back on Term 2 with a critical – but not too critical – eye.

Enjoy the break if you are taking one with your daughters. I look forward to seeing them back next term, refreshed and ready to complete their final term of Year 8.

– Carmel Cordaro
Head of Year 8

Year 9

As the last few assessments are swept away and teachers conclude their term’s work with the girls, there has been a tangible sense of relief across the School campus this week. As the photos attest, the girls have enjoyed PDHPE lessons in the sun, and proudly displayed their completed solar powered cars in Design and Technology. It has been an utterly bonkers term, unlike any other, and I can only commend the girls for how they have rolled with the changes and handled the situation. This week we have had opportunities to unwind a little together, through the cupcake communion that the Reverends offered on Tuesday, or through low key Luminary time gatherings on Thursday. They have been timely reminders of the importance of the strength of our community which has served us so well in the last few months.

Our Middle Years Leaders extended their sense of community to some of our Junior School students on Monday. Jodhi Bou (Year 5) and Sophia Antipas (Year 5), Captain and Vice-Captain in the Junior School, joined our team to discuss leadership, both the opportunities and challenges that this provides. I know that our Year 9 girls loved talking to the younger girls and sharing ideas with them. A massive thank you to Ariana Haghighi, our School Vice-Captain (Year 6 to Year 9), who helped organise this and who guides the girls so well.

I hope your daughters take ample time to unwind and switch off from School over the break. It will be a quieter break than some of us may have planned, with no overseas travel possible, and hopefully the girls can rest up, get plenty fresh air and enjoy the gorgeous winter weather that Sydney usually has on offer. I look forward to seeing Year 9 back, revitalised, for Term 3.

– Fiona Pow
Head of Year 9

Year 10

The end of term is finally here. It’s been quite a term of progressive starts, changes and adaptations to new ways of doing things. It’s been a term of looking to the future while keeping our feet firmly planted in the present with the demands of class work and assessments. The Year 10 Luminary team will be encouraging the girls to set new goals next term based on their progress and previous goals from Term 1 and Term 2. Now that the subject selection process is complete, we will have some time to just be Year 10 again.

Congratulations to all of the Year 10 girls who have completed Personal Projects for their MYP qualification. They will be assessed by staff in Week 1 of Term 3 and results will be available shortly after. These projects are a long haul and require substantial levels of commitment and communication between girls and supervisors. Each girl has had the opportunity to have a personal supervisor who has mentored each girl through the entire project since Term 4 last year. My thanks go to the supervisors, Louise Piggott, Head of Library Services, and Jennifer Brown, Director of Curriculum (Year 7 to Year 10) for their dedication to the project process and organisation of the logistics surrounding such a large task. We are so looking forward to hearing and seeing the final products of the girls’ work.

I hope that the holidays provide some time to get things done, whether it be organising a study space and finishing up final pieces of work, to finally resting and having some time with family and friends. Some girls struggle with the break in routine and being away from their friend, but I really encourage the girls to use the time to find some quiet, find some joy, do some exercise and take a break from screens, including social media. Building positive relationships will be a key focus of the Term 3 program and this starts with how the girls interact with social media, so being mindful of how your daughter is spending her time is really helpful for us to support your daughter at School.

On behalf of the Year 10 Luminary team, I wish you and your daughter a happy and restful break and look forward to seeing you rested and refreshed next term.

Please don’t hesitate to email me regarding any issue with your daughter’s wellbeing, academic work and pastoral care.

– Sharon Connolly
Head of Year 10

Year 11

We’ve been blessed with lovely weather and good spirits for the final week of Term 2. In Pastoral Care this week, the Year 11 girls have spent time with their House groups decorating thrones for Illuminate. This annual event, showcasing the artistic endeavours and talents of the Design, Art and Technology subjects, will be open for girls to attend on the Thursday 23 July 2020. Luminary groups have also spent some time reflecting on and celebrating a highly successful finish to what has been a very challenging term.

As well as looking forward to their holiday, I know that the Year 11 girls are also looking to what lies ahead, with their coming final term as Year 11s. Term 3 will bring new opportunities to stand up and serve and lead, as well as the challenges that come with transitioning towards their final year of schooling. However, while there is a lot to look forward to, it’s important that we also take some time to rest and reflect on the past few months.

Again, I want to take this opportunity to commend the girls for the wonderful way that they have handled themselves this term, and the flexibility, understanding, and resilience, that they have shown. As an educator, I have honestly marvelled at the way they have handled themselves this term, and I hope that all families and girls have a safe and enjoyable break.

If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 02 8741 3268 or by email.

– Felicity Berry
Head of Year 11

Year 12

Year 12 girls have certainly met a few milestones this term and all with the uncertainty that COVID-19 brought with it. I am extremely proud of the girls for forging ahead and continuing to devote time and effort into their academics along with their wellbeing.

During Luminary this week, we have spent some time on a Year 12 Statement of Service, which operates as an informal reference from the School. Formal references required by universities still continue to be managed by our Careers Department. Our last Elevate study session was also allocated this week, which focused on planning for a holiday study break. Some ideas around this were to create a routine using the school day as a guide and to have the evenings off. The Careers Department also spoke to the girls on Thursday during Luminary regarding application to universities.

This week during the individual Year 12 Wellbeing meetings with Neil Scotney, Head of Senior School and myself, I have become aware of how so many of the cohort have matured and become very aware of their own limits and have made adjustments in their days to enable them to have more productive study sessions and better quality sleep.

I do hope the girls have a really productive break but that they also have appropriate rest times as well. To get the most out of their study, they will need to have some reward and time away from thinking about the challenges that Term 3 will bring.

If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to email me or phone 8741 3278.

– Angela Renwick
Head of Year 12

Year 12 Mathematics Holiday Workshops

During the school holidays, the Mathematics Department is offering a variety of workshops to help prepare the girls for their upcoming Trial Examinations.

We encourage all girls to attend as many workshops as possible. They are reminded to also ask their teachers for any additional study material or help with areas they are finding difficult.

Below is a list of the workshops available. Please encourage your daughters to ask their teachers about the details of each workshop.

– Penny Pachos
Head of Department – Mathematics

Sports Update

Sports Activities in the Holidays

The following sports will be training during the term break.

• Tildesley Tennis
• ERNA Netball
• Squad Swimming
• Gymnastics

ERNA Netball Reminders

The ERNA Netball season will commence its season on Saturday 18 July 2020.

Please ensure you have your netball uniform ready for the first game.

• MLC School Netball dress
• Navy bike pants
• White socks
• Netball shoes
• MLC School tracksuit/hoodie when travelling to and from the venue.

Players should be at the venue 30 minutes before their game to allow adequate time to warm up. Parking can be quite busy, so please allow for this.

Wet weather for ERNA

The association will post wet weather cancellations on their website and Facebook Page.

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

Remember

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

Follow Us on Facebook

Please follow MLC School Sport on Facebook for all sports updates and important information.

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport

Important Sports Notices

Sports Due to Commence in Term 3

Quote of the Week

A culture is strong when people work with each other, for each other. A culture is weak when people work against each other, for themselves”

 

 

Simon Sinek

Woodwind Rising Starts

Year 3 Flutes and Oboes won the prize this week for their professional attitude in rehearsals and their outstanding performing posture. 

We are loving being able to play together as a band and look forward to our weekly Tuesday rehearsals where we journey up to the Music Auditorium in the Senior School and play beautiful music together. 

I can’t wait to see where these girls will take their Music in the years ahead.

Look out music world, here they come!

– Elizabeth Gilberthorpe
Music Teacher

New Brass Ensemble

The new Brass Ensemble was launched during Week 8 (15 June 2020). The focus of the ensemble is to stretch the musical and technical abilities of the brass students with targeted music, while having fun! This ensemble comprises girls from Year 7 to Year 12 and is conducted by Ros Jorgensen. Rehearsals are every Tuesday at lunch time.

For more information please contact me.

– Richard Coward
Head of Bands

Australian Music Day Online

Australian Music Day is going online this year! MLC School has teamed up with innovative new music group, Ensemble Offspring, with a ‘call for scores’, inviting students to compose short solo pieces in any style for either flute, clarinet or percussion. The ensemble will video record select works and provide feedback – a great opportunity for MLC School students in elective music!

Click here for our Australian Music Day Composition Toolkit for tips on how to get started. This includes access to ‘how to’ video guides for writing for flute, clarinet, and percussion, along with information on how to submit your work.

Please email me for more information.

– Tristan Coelho
Head of Composition

Taiko Drumming is Back!

We are excited to announce that Taiko drumming lessons will start up again in Term 3. We welcome all returning Taiko students and any new students who would like to try this very special form of Japanese drumming. The program is open to girls from Year 5 to Year 12 of all levels of ability and experience.

Our specialist teachers from the world-renowned Australian group Taikoz come to the Junior School on Tuesday afternoons and the Senior School on Wednesday afternoons.

Taiko students will have the opportunity to perform at events ranging from School assemblies to concerts at the Town Hall and the Opera House. (Please view the 2019 MLC School Opera House performance, password is mlcmusic.)

Some MLC School students have even had the opportunity to perform with Taikoz, including Zara Luong (Year 8). Zara will be performing in the digital premiere of Taikoz production Seven Flowers this Saturday 27 June 2020.

Please Enrol Here

– Trevor Mee
Director of Music

Term 3 Music Rehearsals

In line with the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we anticipate being able to begin regular ensemble rehearsals from the beginning of next term. There will be no change to the timetable, but we may need to start with sectional rehearsals rather than full ensembles. More details on this will follow.

We are looking forward to having our department fully swinging back into action. We will endeavour to make up for the lost opportunities of the last few months with some amazing events in the last half of the year.

See you there!

– Trevor Mee
Director of Music

Co-curricular Returns – Enrol Now

Term 3 will see the return to almost normal operations for our co-curricular programs. There are some external events we participate in annually that have been cancelled for 2020 and some we are still waiting confirmation on, otherwise weekly operations of programs will return as of Week 2, Term 3.

Co-curricular programs that were posted in the Newsletter over the last few weeks and that require registration, are now accepting enrolment. We ask that families complete these enrolments as soon as possible in order to confirm our co-curricular staffing arrangement for next term.

If you daughter is interested in participating in a co-curricular that does not require enrolment, please contact the program co-ordinator to confirm Term 3 arrangements.

We are looking forward to the return of all of our exceptional programs. If you have any questions about MLC School’s co-curricular programs, please contact me.

– Blake Fatouros
Director of Co-Curricular

Junior School Knitting Club

As the weather gets cooler, Knitting Club is a great chance to escape the cold and learn a new skill. The girls learn the basics of knitting and work on a simple knitting project. The group is for girls in Years 3 to Year 5 and runs at Wednesday lunchtimes, facilitated by Claudia DePasquale and Michelle Wyatt in their learning studio. There is a $15 cost for materials and if your daughter is interested in participating, please complete the enrolment form below.

ENROL 

Junior School STEAM

Please complete enrolment forms below to express your daughters interest by 4pm Friday 17 July 2020

ENROL in Year 4 Code Club – Monday Lunchtimes

ENROL in Year 2 Robotics Club – Wednesday Lunchtimes

ENROL in Kindergarten Tinkerbelles – Thursday Lunchtimes

Co-Curricular Dance

MLC School Dance Terms 3 and 4

We are thrilled to announce the return of MLC School co-curricular Dance for Semester 2. We require all girls who are interested in continuing or joining the program to complete the enrolment link below. 

Term 3

Week 2 – Monday 27 July 2020 to Week 9 – Thursday 17 September 2020

Term 4

Week 2 – Monday 19 October 2020 to Week 8 – Thursday 3 December 2020

*Please note that existing Term 1 registrations will not roll over and every girl wishing to participate in Dance for Terms 3 and 4 will need to re-register, with an automatic roll over of fees into Term 4 as usual.

ENROL

Middle Years Drama Company and Middle Years Theatresports

Middle Years Drama Company and Middle Years Theatresports will be recommencing in Week 2, Term 3. If you wish your daughter to continue with Drama in Term 3 and Term 4 this year, please ensure you register via the payments link as soon as possible per the Term 1 process.

Middle Years Drama Company – Monday 3:30pm – 5pm in ILC3

Middle Years Theatresports – Tuesday 3:30pm – 5pm G33

ENROL

Interhouse Public Speaking Competition 2020

Schools have been constantly challenged by the restrictions of COVID-19, but it has also led to creative and novel ways to do things. This year, the Interhouse Public Speaking Competition has embraced a new format. The prepared speeches were pre-recorded and submitted online. A panel of adjudicators, including student representatives, watched the speeches, scoring them and giving feedback.

The Impromptu Speaking Round 2 was very exciting. It was held in the Senior School playgrounds. The participants found it confronting, as they had a large audience to entertain and a stage with a microphone to present from. However there was an exciting vibe emanating from the audience. More people were able to take part and House spirit abounded.

Every competitor was impressive but only three from each division could progress to the final round which will be held next term. The winners are:

– Jan Falls
Learning Enhancement Teacher

– Cherie Pepperell 
2020 Debating Captain

Enrolling Now for July Holiday Programs and Term 3 Speech and Drama

Congratulations to Misha Behi (Year 7) who excelled in her Speech and Drama Grade 5 Trinity examination performance. The examination was filmed and sent to London to be examined by an International Trinity Examiner. 

Misha is looking forward to preparing for her Communications Skills Grade 5 examination in November.

In Term 3, Year 2 to Year 4 girls will commence work on their ASCA (Australian Speech Communication Association) examination to be held in Term 4.

Year 5 to Year 12 girls will start preparing for their Trinity College of London examinations to be held in Term 4.   

ASCA and Trinity are well respected national and international examining boards. Examinations focus on assessing skills and are specifically designed to help students progress. They inspire learners and mark their achievement at each stage of their development and at all levels of competence.

Term 2 Wrap Up

The Speech and Drama teaching team have really enjoyed our online lessons with our Term 2 students. It has been a wonderful opportunity to experience online learning and discover new skills. We are so proud of our students for adapting and embracing their online lessons. Thank you to all the wonderful feedback we have received from parents.

July Holiday Online Programs

Don’t go stir crazy these holidays. Join us for our exciting online holiday programs.

Please download the enrolment form to view the exciting programs on offer.

• Self-Taping 101: Monologues (Year 4 to Year 12)
• Self-Taping 101: Scene Work (Year 4 to Year 12)
• Narrative and Poetry Speaking (Year 1 to Year 12)
• Text Analysis (Year 3 to Year 12)
• Characterisation (Year 1 to Year 12)
• Reporting, Researching, Interviewing and Presenting (Year 5 to Year 12)
• Individualised Lessons (Kindergarten to Year 12)
• Breaking News – We are Live (Year 2 to Year 10)
• Just Fooling Around (Year 1 to Year 6)
• It’s No Crime to Speak in Rhyme (Year 4 to Year 6)
• Wish-Architects Pty Ltd (Year 4 to Year 6)
• 3…2…1…Blast Off!!! A Journey Through Imagination (Kindergarten to Year 2)
• Monologue Writing (Year 4 to Year 12)

For enrolments and enquiries contact Monica Brian 

Term 3 Enrolments Now Open

We are pleased to announce that Speech and Drama will recommence face-to-face onsite lessons for Term 3.

The Speech & Drama Studio is MLC School’s onsite provider for Speech and Drama. If you love acting, want to gain more confidence in public speaking, have fun with improvisation and Theatresports enter ASCA or Trinity examinations, enjoy performance opportunities or simply just want to have fun, then why not join us for Speech and Drama in Term 3. You can join one of our group classes, team up with friends for a duo or trio class, or have a tailored course designed specifically for you with private tuition. Our team are qualified and experienced teachers and industry professionals providing cutting edge training for our students.

The $100 Creative Kids voucher can be used for speech and drama, writer’s clubs and holiday productions and programs. 

For enrolments and enquiries contact Studio Director, Monica Brian 

The Speech and Drama team are excited that we are able continue to deliver our high standard of speech and drama education.        

The Sydney Eisteddfod
STAGE AT HOME

If you would like to Showcase your talent, the Sydney Eisteddfod is accepting digital submissions for Stage at Home. This opportunity is open to ALL MLC School girls, not just Speech and Drama students. If you are interested in exploring a performance piece to submit for Stage at Home, we are offering individual coaching sessions with one of our experienced teachers. Many students are entering monologues, duologues, scenes, poems, prose, speeches, etc. that they have been working on for their Trinity or ASCA exam, Inner West, Ryde and Sydney Eisteddfods or even writing their own monologue or scene. It’s a great chance for girls to challenge themselves to utilise the skills developed in class and create something amazing!

*Please note, this is NOT a competition but a fun way for everyone to share and witness amazing talent and connect with one another during isolation.

More information is available at the Sydney Eisteddford website or contact the Speech & Drama Studio Director, Monica Brian.

– Monica Brian
Speech and Drama Studio Director

Acting and Communication Academy

What a year so far with so many changes. We thank you for your support as we have worked through this together. We are returning to face to face teaching from Monday 27 July 2020 for Term 3. Please find a link to our COVID-19 Protocols here.

We are all learning many new skills! Not the least being resilience, spontaneity and flexibility!

A reminder that if you wish for your daughter to sit the Trinity College London examination, please let us know as soon as possible. The opportunity to submit filmed examination work is another great area our students can grow in, which will no doubt benefit them greatly in the future. Please indicate your intention to sit an exam by Friday 9 July 2020. Payment will be required by Friday 31 July 2020.

Also, we have our Holiday Programs online and ready to book:

• American Accents & Phonetics – Saturday 27 June 2020
• Voice Over Artists – Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 July 2020
• Stage to Screen Superstars – Tuesday 14 July to Thursday 16 July 2020

Enrolment

Please remember, as usual, our Term Fees will automatically be deducted on the first of the quarter. If you have currently moved your enrolment to a different day or time from Term 1, you will need to request a transfer through the customer portal after Wednesday 1 July 2020 to move back to the original timetable. Zoom will remain an option for those students wishing to continue with individual lessons though it may be necessary to reallocate times and tutors accordingly to availability. 

For more information about the Acting & Communication Academy, to enrol in a course, Masterclass or holiday program, please visit our website or send us an email. You can also ‘like’ us on Facebook.

Pets of the Week

We would love to hear about your pet. Please email a photo and a paragraph to editor@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

This is Molly, she is a mini-groodle and is 12 weeks old. She is very energetic and loves eating. She is a very smart puppy as she is already toilet trained! She loves cuddles and snuggling up to people. Molly loves to run around the house and at times she begins to go a bit crazy. If she can find a way to escape, she would usually go for it and run straight onto the street to our horror. Overall, she is a very loving puppy who we love dearly.

– Yasmine Teoh (Year 5)

Hi my name is Bruno and I just graduated from puppy school. I am a six month old cavoodle who loves cuddles from everyone. I can’t wait to come to MLC School to play with girls.

– Debra McRostie
Student Services Administrator