Introducing the 2026 P&F Committee

Following our AGM last Tuesday night, it gives me great pleasure to introduce your 2026 P&F Committee:

I thank the 2025 Committee for their unwavering support of the P&F and the School and engendering a culture focused on building connections and community. And I particularly want to thank the outgoing members of the Committee – Claudine Cooney, Bree Parker and Jenne Tsangaris – for all the time and energy they have put into the work of the P&F over the last few years. We will miss you!

I know the 2026 Committee will continue this positive trajectory and look forward to the year ahead.

Rob Jessup
P&F President

Year 12’s Cuts for Cancer

On Friday 20 March Year 12 will be participating in Cuts for Cancer, a part of the World’s Greatest Shave to fundraise for the Leukaemia Foundation. The Leukaemia Foundation offers several health services, powered by a team of trained healthcare professionals who provide emotional and practical support. They fund leading-edge research, translating to life-saving new treatments and rapid access to clinical trials. The Leukaemia Foundation campaigns and strives for change, pushing for better policies and equitable access to treatment and care.

Please donate here.

Currently, about 170,000 Australians are facing blood cancer, and 17 people lose their life every day due to it. In 2025, there was a shocking number of 2191 reported deaths from leukaemia. The Leukaemia Foundation’s goal is to make sure no lives are lost to blood cancer by 2035, relying on the help from the community, through donations and/or spread of awareness. All donations make a difference.

The World’s Greatest Shave helps fund the Leukaemia Foundation’s health services for blood cancer patients and their families, research projects, and helps them campaign for real change. Through the World’s Greatest Shave, over $310M has been raised, with over $2.7M already raised this year, and over 15,000 people cutting, shaving or dying their hair. Of course, all donations are sincerely appreciated, but if you are unable to do so right now, there are many ways for you to get involved with the Leukaemia Foundation. Make a donation, start your own fundraiser, donate blood and/or bone marrow, or even cut, shave, or colour your hair!

Our goal is to raise $5,000 and we will also be donating hair to Sustainable Salons, which will be sent directly to wigmakers and made into charitable wigs for Australians experiencing medically induced hair loss.

All donations are very much appreciated, and all donations make a difference. Whether it is $1 or $100, your donations will help fund this amazing and vital cause, providing help and care for blood cancer patients and their families. 

2026 Cuts for Cancer Committee

A special presentation for Primary parents by Paul McDonald

Join us for a special Parent Session … and Unlock Your Child’s Love of Reading!

We are delighted to invite you to a special presentation for Primary parents by Paul McDonald, President of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, former bookshop owner, English teacher and highly respected children’s literature expert.

For primary-aged children, research shows that students who read regularly for enjoyment develop richer vocabularies, improved writing skills, an expanded worldview, and greater general knowledge. Reading for pleasure during childhood helps children build curiosity, imagination, and critical thinking skills. These qualities foster lifelong learning, make them more adaptable to change, and help them engage thoughtfully with complex information as they grow older.

When: Friday 27 March

Time: 9am – 10am

Where: Primary Library

RSVP: 23 March, via this RSVP form 

During the presentation, Paul will explore ways to foster genuine engagement with literature and discuss practical strategies to support children in developing strong, sustained reading habits. He will also address some of the common barriers that can affect children’s motivation to read, and share insights into current reading trends and popular book titles.

This session will provide parents with practical ideas and simple, effective strategies to support reading at home. You will gain insight into how children develop strong reading habits, learn ways to encourage reading for enjoyment, and discover new book recommendations that can spark curiosity and interest. Parents will leave with a clearer understanding of how to nurture a lifelong love of reading and support their daughters in becoming confident, engaged readers.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Karen McBride
Primary Teacher Librarian

Public Speaking

Term 1 is always a busy term for Public Speaking with a number of interschool competitions, Inter-House public speaking and the start of Speech lessons all taking place and 2026 has been no exception. 

Congratulations to Pippa Brenner (Year 12) who represented the school at the Lions Youth of the Year competition at the Lions Club of Maroubra.  This competition is a huge undertaking where students complete a detailed questionnaire with information about their schooling, extra-curricular and voluntary positions, participate in a 45 minute interview to a panel and present a 5 minute prepared speech and two impromptu speeches.  Pippa won the public speaking competition, congratulations to her for this outstanding achievement.  She was not the only winner, I won the delicious lucky door prize, so an outstanding night for SCEGGS all around. 

Rostrum Voice of Youth begins this week.  The team consists of Bianca Elias (Year 8), Siena Walsh (Year 8), Annabelle Dempsey (Year 8) in the Junior section and Sofia Tzouganatos (Year 10), Jessica Gallie (Year 11), and Pippa Brenner in the Senior section.  Good luck to them as their heats take place.

Finally, Inter-House Public Speaking for Years 7 and 8, and 11 and 12 has now been completed.  The standard was outstanding this year, especially in the Junior division, congratulations to all the girls who represented their houses and thank you for the effort you put in.  Bianca Elias came first in the Junior division and Beck placed first. The Senior division will be announced shortly.

Elizabeth Walsh
Speech and Public Speaking Co-ordinator

Debating

Debating Update – A Strong Start to the Season

It has been a wonderful start to the ISDA and Eastside Debating Competitions this term, with students from Years 6–12 demonstrating impressive commitment, enthusiasm, and growing confidence.

Trials and Training

This year marked the introduction of a formal Trial process for students in Years 7–10, implemented in response to rising interest in the Debating program. The passion, preparation, and courage shown by all students during Trials were outstanding. Coaches unanimously remarked on the high quality of delivery and the maturity displayed throughout the process.

Students who did not qualify for a competitive team this term have continued to engage through Social Debating, held during Monday training sessions. This provides a valuable opportunity to further develop skills, receive coaching, and prepare for selection in future competitions.

All debaters have been training diligently each Monday from 3.10pm–5pm, strengthening their argumentation, case construction, and teamwork across a broad range of topic areas.

ISDA Competition

Round 1

Congratulations to the Primary A, Year 7, and Year 9 ISDA teams for their impressive wins against Brigidine College, St Ives. This strong beginning on the topic of Education reflects excellent preparation and cohesion.

Round 2

A big congratulations to:

• Primary A and Primary B for securing wins against Queenwood
• Year 7, Year 10, Senior A, and Senior B for their victories on the topic of Media

These results demonstrate both skill and adaptability across year levels.

Round 3

Well done to Year 10 and Senior A for their strong win against Ravenswood. All teams are training hard and looking ahead with confidence to Round 4 against Scots.

Eastside Competition

Round 1

Our Eastside teams also enjoyed a fantastic start, competing in Round 1 against Rose Bay Secondary College, hosted at SCEGGS.

Congratulations to the Year 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 teams for their wins on the topic of Education. Their early-season momentum and teamwork are highly commendable.

Please note: Topic distribution on Friday, 13 March will take place in the Auditorium due to an Old Girls’ event.

Hosting and Logistics

We strongly encourage all debaters to support their peers during hosting rounds. For away rounds, the bus will depart at 3:30pm, and all details are available on Clipboard. These arrangements apply across ISDA, Eastside, and Archdale competitions.

This Friday, 13 March:

• ISDA (Round 5) will travel to Scots (bus departing straight after school)
• Eastside (Round 3) will be hosted at SCEGGS against Scots

Looking Ahead

We look forward to finalising and announcing the Archdale teams before the end of Term. Thank you to all students, staff, and coaches for the dedication and energy contributing to such a positive start.

Best of luck to all teams in their upcoming debates! The debaters’ hard work, teamwork, and enthusiasm continue to raise the standard of debating across the school.

Suvini Kottegoda
Debating Co-ordinator 

Drama News

It has been an exciting week in the SCEGGS Drama Department! Read about:

• Inter-House Drama
• Casting for our first production, Girl Asleep
• SCEGGS girls performing in Shrek and Catch me if you can with other schools
• Theatre Sports
• Why ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre is bad luck

Inter-House Drama

Our annually anticipated day of theatrical and thespian expression took place last Thursday, 5 March, when Inter-House Drama took over the Great Hall for a thoroughly entertaining day of House plays.

The Houses were challenged with using a famous art work to inspire a narrative the students would write, produce, direct, design and perform. Our students never cease to impress with their creative accomplishments with only a month to construct. The event is a concentrated activity which builds impressive collaboration, resilience, imagination and problem-solving; while also immersing new students into the student body.

As always, an esteemed panel of adjudicators presided over the performances. We were delighted to host playwright Melanie Tait, actor Deborah Kennedy and theatre reviewer Diana Simmonds.

Drama Captain Frances O’Donnell (Year 12) hosted the day, alongside drama student Nancy Newton (Year 12) and were outstanding in steering the event.

Among the highlights on the day was the presence of international stage and screen actor Toni Collette who was our special guest. She participated in an insightful Q&A session for the students, offering wonderful advice and experience as an actor.

Bravo to all Houses for excellent contributions to the day. And thank you to the staff who assisted the girls in arriving at such inspired theatrical endeavours.

Girl Asleep

Auditions for SCEGGS first production for the year, Girl Asleep, were conducted last Sunday in St Peter’s Playhouse.

Director Poppy Lynch auditioned 35 students from Years 7 to 11 for roles in this engaging play by Matthew Whittet.

Casting was announced on Monday:

• Greta – Sarah Jenkins (Year 9)
• Elliott and Serge Gainsbough – Asha Meagher (Year 9)
• Jade – Zara Anderson (Year 9)
• Umber – Charlotte Self (Year 11)
• Finn Greta –Grace Katekar (Year 8)
• Firebird and Genevive – Alexandra Millin (Year 8)
• Queen and Janet – Josephine Grayden (Year 11)
• Goblin and Conrad – Perri Lawrence (Year 10)
• Denise Mackel – Nina Fitzgerald (Year 8)
• Little Greta and Crone – Amelie Officer (Year 7)

The Dream Catchers

• Tia Mavritsakis (Year 9)
• Eloise Switajewski (Year 7)
• Helena Squires (Year 9)
• Josephine Wheater (Year 10)
• Alannah Morris (Year 8)

Congratulations!

The production plays in Term 2, from Wednesday, 17 June to Saturday, 20 June.

Shrek

Congratulations to SCEGGS actors, Sage Collette-Galafassi (Year 12), Tilly Murphy (Year 12), Reina Steiner Carrion (Year 9), and Matilda Naik (Year 9) for their terrific work in the Newington production of Shrek. The girls have been in rehearsal for the show since September 2025. It is a huge commitment, but one that rewards profoundly as they have made new friends, navigated a great show and learned wonderful new skills.

Catch me if you can

Sydney Grammar is currently in rehearsal for their musical production, Catch me if you can.

SCEGGS students Katerina Giannikouris (Year 11) and Olive O’Keefe (Year 10) have been cast in the production.

Showtime is Week 1 in Term 2.

Theatre Sports

We have commenced a theatre sports class on Friday afternoons during Semester 1. Students are being prepared for a competition friendly with neighbouring schools during Term 2.

We welcome new participants, so if you’d like to join, please contact Mr Colyer in the Drama Department.

Did you know?

Saying ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre is bad luck!

If you’ve ever spent time with an actor or theatre maker, you’ll know that saying ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre, unless you’re performing or rehearsing the tragedy, is bad luck, as it is believed to be deeply cursed. Instead, actors call it ‘The Scottish Play.’ According to legend, the actor playing Lady Macbeth in the first-ever performance of the play died suddenly, meaning Shakespeare himself had to play the role. In one performance, a real dagger was used instead of a prop, killing the actor. There were also audience riots at productions in 1721, 1772 and 1849, the latter allegedly leaving 22 dead. Probably best to play it safe and stick to ‘The Scottish Play’ inside theatres.

Peter Eyers
Head of Drama

Music Matters

In Music Matters this week, read about:

• The annual SCEGGS Eisteddfod
• Musicale 1
• Easter Festival

Eisteddfod

Our Annual SCEGGS Eisteddfod will be held this term with heats during Week 7 and two Highlights concerts at the end of Week 8.

• Primary Highlights Concert – Friday 20 March 4.30 – 5.30pm
• Secondary Highlights Concert – Friday 20 March 6.00 – 7.30pm

Entries are now closed.

Keep practising!

Musicale 1

Musicale 1 will be held on Wednesday 25 March, 6.00-7.15pm in the SCEGGS Great Hall.

Performers

Primary Ensembles performing:

Training Band, Bugles’ Band, Cantare, Primary Percussion Ensemble, Sinfonia, Primary String Orchestra

Secondary Ensembles performing:

Clarion Concert Band, Emma Pask Jazz Band, Contemporary Vocal Ensemble (Years 7-10 only), Cremona Strings, Edwardes Percussion Ensemble

Rehearsals

All rehearsal information can be viewed on Clipboard. Please check rehearsal venues in the lead-up to the concert as we try to schedule at least one Great Hall rehearsal for each group.

Parents of students involved were sent the following information by email earlier in the week:

• Click here to read the Primary information.
• Click here to read the Secondary information.

Primary parents are asked to complete this form to confirm their daughter’s involvement in the concert.

Easter Festival

Cantare, Choir, Madrigal Ensemble and Amati Strings are preparing for involvement in the Easter Festival which will be held on Wednesday 1 April at 7.00pm in the Great Hall.

The following communication was sent to parents earlier in the week:

• Primary Note
• Secondary Note

Beyond the Green Gate

We love hearing about ways our musicians are involved in music-making outside of school. Please send details to Heidi Jones.

Clipboard 

All co-curricular music ensemble schedules are now available on Clipboard. For any issues with Clipboard set-up, contact our Music Administrator.

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)

Secondary Sport News

Team Touch – International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, we recognise Anika Buchanan (Year 10), Sofia White (Year 10) and Adelaide Gilpin (Year 10), who have generously volunteered their time to support our Year 7 students through coaching Touch Football.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights how sharing time, skills and leadership helps create opportunities for others while also building confidence and experience for those who give. Anika, Sofia and Adelaide have embraced this spirit by mentoring younger students, encouraging participation in sport and helping our Year 7 girls develop their skills and confidence on the field.

Their willingness to give back to the school community is a wonderful example of student leadership in action. Through their encouragement, guidance and enthusiasm, they have helped create a positive sporting environment and shown exactly what “Give to Gain” looks like in action.

We thank Anika, Sofia and Adelaide for their leadership and generosity in supporting our Year 7 Touch program and for embodying the spirit of International Women’s Day – Give to Gain.

Lisa Thompson
PDHPE/Sport Teacher

IGSSA Tennis

Congratulations to the SCEGGS senior tennis team (SCE01) who played incredibly well against Loreto Normanhurst (LON01) out at Normanhurst, walking away with a win for the team.

Social Sciences Fieldwork Activities

Fieldwork and geographical inquiry is a compulsory element of the study of Geography and Global and Environmental Studies.

Our Geography teachers have been very busy co-ordinating fieldwork activities across all year groups including:

• Year 11 Geography excursion to Surry Hills
• Year 12 Geography Bonna Point Wetlands Fieldwork
• Year 9 Global and Environmental Studies excursion to Cabramatta

Year 11 Geography excursion to Surry Hills

Last Wednesday Year 11 Geography students explored the diverse culture of place in our neighbouring suburb, Surry Hills. Throughout Term 1, we have been learning about culture of place which is defined as the enduring identity of a specific location and is made up of seven elements, which are colour, lifestyle, architecture, streetscape, street life, heritage, energy and noise. Surry Hills as a suburb has been undergoing gentrification and urban renewal since the late 1980s, developing it into a diverse and vibrant community close to Sydney’s CBD, making it an ideal area to investigate culture of place.

Departing SCEGGS at recess, we set off towards Taylor Square to begin our fieldwork. Shortly after crossing Oxford Street, we were presented with multiple examples of Surry Hills’ colour and inclusive culture; rainbow painted pedestrian crossings and muraled buildings stood out amongst the terrace houses and busy streets, establishing its unique identity. Weaving our way through the streets, our cameras were out capturing Surry Hills’ bold street art and striking architecture nestled amongst sandstone terraces and refurbished brick warehouses. A highlight amongst the cohort was McElhone Place, tucked in on the east edge of Surry Hills. Its heritage was presented through restored workers cottages and lush gardens (along with a few cute cats) which contributed to its beautiful streetscape and demonstrated the resilient efforts of urban renewal within the area and its culture of place.

Crossing Devonshire Street, past Wimbo Park with stomachs rumbling, we were all ready for a delicious meal at Samir’s Indian Kitchen. Enjoying a warm plate of butter chicken, we listened to Samir’s experience as a Bangladeshi man opening his restaurant just as COVID hit, his resilience keeping his business strong. Samir now owns two restaurants in Surry Hills, bringing diversity to the community.

After a great meal, we continued along Crown Street where we began investigating the diversity of culture of place surrounding Shannon Reserve, looking into vast cuisine diversity in the local restaurants and recording noise levels in several areas. Testing our surveying skills, in small groups we interviewed residents, business owners and visitors regarding their experience of Surry Hills and any changes that they have witnessed over time. The responses demonstrated the significant gentrification of Surry Hills over time as well as the successful improvements of the streetscape more recently.

Concluding our fieldwork, we made a few stops at the local Salvation Army and Crown Street Public School as final destinations of inquiry, before continuing back to school. After a great day of exploring, we were all satisfied with an understanding of Surry Hills’ cultural diversity, urban renewal and gentrification which makes it a welcoming and vibrant community we are glad to be surrounded by at SCEGGS.

April Palling and Elspeth Herbert (Year 11)

Year 12 Geography Bonna Point Wetlands Fieldwork

Staff often equate a scheduled Geography excursion with the need to bring an umbrella to school! The hardy Year 12 Geographers didn’t let the significant rainfall event bearing down upon Sydney the day prior to our departure deter us from embarking upon our study of the Bonna Point Intertidal Wetlands, located in Botany Bay. Putting our faith in the BOM radar paid off, as forecasted clearance in the weather enabled us to successfully achieve the programme run by AUSECO, the fieldwork operators. Characteristics, functioning and impacts associated with the wetland ecosystem were explored via a range of primary research methodologies that involved measuring, counting, photographing, wading, dip-netting and acquainting ourselves closely with the Mangroves. Getting our boots muddy and enduring a light rain shower were small sacrifices on the day, considering the valuable information and observations gathered in support of this case study, which constitutes an important component of the HSC Geography syllabus.

Darryn Sullivan
Social Sciences Teacher

Year 9 Global & Environmental Studies excursion to Cabramatta

To enrich their studies of Asia-Pacific cultural elements and settlement within Sydney, the Year 9 Global and Environmental Studies class recently ventured to Canley Vale and Cabramatta to immerse themselves in the vibrant and diverse Asian culture of the area and to learn more specifically about the Vietnamese Community. Included in the day was an enlightening guided visit to the Kwan Yin Buddhist Temple, experiencing Vietnamese/Chinese fusion cuisine at the Tan Viet Noodle House and listening to an informative address from Guest Speaker Dai Le, Independent Federal Member for Fowler, regarding the history, diversity and promotion of the cultural groups that reside in the district. The class now look forward to applying their primary findings to their associated research assignment. Special thanks to current parent Dianne Nguyen for organising our guest speaker on the day.

Darryn Sullivan
Social Sciences Teacher

Zoe Thompson
Head of Social Sciences

P&F Class Parent Events for Year 4, Year 5 and Year 12

Year 4 Easter Egg Hunt

Date:    Thursday 2 April 

Time:    3.30pm – 5.00pm

Venue: Paddington Gates Playground, Centennial Park

Cost: $15 per child (includes bags and eggs, hot cross buns, cold drink and icy poles)

RSVP:  by Wednesday 1 April via Trybooking.

Year 5 Parent Drinks & Dinner

Date:    Thursday 23 April

Time:    6.30pm – 10.30pm

Venue: The Royal Hotel, Paddington

Cost: $59.00 per person, includes food (canape based) and drink on arrival

RSVP: Thursday 16 April via Trybooking.

Year 12 Parent & Carer Cocktail Party             

Date: Friday 27 March

Time: 7.00pm

Venue: Private Residence

Cost: $95 per person (includes beverages and canapes)

RSVP: by 24 March via Trybooking.