Speech Night 2025

Speech Night will be held at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday 2 December, with rehearsals conducted throughout the afternoon and the ceremony commencing at 7.30pm. Students are not required to attend school on the Tuesday morning, as the school will be closed. Attendance at Speech Night is compulsory for all girls from Years 3-11. It is anticipated that Speech Night will conclude at approximately 9.30pm. Correct summer uniform should be worn (blazers are not required).

Students in the Secondary School will go straight to the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon, arriving progressively for rehearsals.

• Musicians in ensembles such as the Holst Wind Ensemble, Combined Choirs (Choir, Tour Choir & Madrigal Ensemble), and the SCEGGS Orchestra will be required from approximately 2.30pm. Precise arrival times and rehearsal schedules for all musicians will be provided by the Music Department.
• All remaining students in the Secondary School will be required to meet their Form Teachers in St. Andrew’s Square (next to the Town Hall) at 4.45pm, for the full school rehearsal.

Parents of Secondary girls who are in groups that rehearse prior to the arrival of the majority of the Secondary School should be aware that girls will be dismissed for short, unsupervised breaks in the vicinity of the Town Hall. All students in the Secondary School will also be dismissed for a short dinner break from approximately 6.00pm to 6.45pm when students will also need to remain in the vicinity of the Town Hall. All Secondary students will need to be seated back in the Town Hall, with their Form Teachers, before 7.00pm.

For the Primary School (Years 3-6), girls will meet at school in the afternoon, and will travel by bus to the Town Hall accompanied by their teachers. Girls must arrive at school by 3.15pm for a 3.30pm departure. There will be supervision of the girls in their classrooms from 3.00pm onwards, and girls are asked not to be at school before this time. Primary girls are asked to bring with them an evening meal, clearly labelled with their name and class, packed in disposable wrapping. They should also bring with them a disposable water bottle. Primary girls will not be given permission to meet at the Town Hall, or to leave the Town Hall between the rehearsal and Speech Night.

Holly Gyton
Deputy Head of School

National History Challenge

Congratulations to Ashley Diec in Year 10 who is a state winner in the National History Challenge for 2025. Ashley received her award last week at the Police and Justice Museum for her essay, The Woman’s World Moves: Conflicting Strategies in Australian Women’s Activism, which was judged best in New South Wales in the Australian Women’s History category.

The National History Challenge provides an opportunity for students to design an historical investigation into a particular theme, with this year’s theme being Conflict and Resolution. In her abstract, Ashley explains how her essay addresses the theme:

Congratulations Ashley on your exceptional historical scholarship!

History Department

Cambodia Immersion

On Sunday 28 September at 6.45am, 50 SCEGGS students from Years 10 and 11 and another 10 staff embarked on a most memorable immersion to Cambodia, where we had the privilege to learn about culture, community, and construct four different homes for four amazing families. The way there consisted of an eight-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh Airport and then a rush to our next fifty-minute flight to Siem Reap. These flights immediately set the atmosphere for how the trip would go. Girls from the two years spread across the seats, having chats with each other and the teachers, watching movies together, colouring in, and hardly sleeping. After a long but fun journey, we arrived at Siem Reap Airport and were picked up by two massive buses, then taken back to the hotel, where we were kindly greeted by the friendly and helpful staff. After some dinner, we headed to our rooms, unpacked, and went to bed.

The next day was full of learning about Cambodian culture and history and exploring the city. We visited a rat training centre and learnt how specially trained Tanzanian rats are used to sniff out landmines that were planted during the Vietnam War. These “HeroRATs” have an incredible sense of smell and are light enough not to trigger the explosives. They move across the ground, signalling to their handlers when they detect the scent of TNT, helping to make former war zones safe again for local communities.

At lunchtime, we headed to another authentic Cambodian restaurant and subsequently explored a vibrant artisan market, where we were fortunate to watch the specialist artists at work. We saw craftspeople demonstrating the skill required to create traditional Cambodian sculptures, textiles, and crafts. That evening, our first meeting with the Habitat for Humanity team provided a powerful and moving introduction to our future work. We learned more about the families we were building homes for and the profound, life-changing impact we would be making on their community. We also had the pleasure of meeting the dedicated local staff who make missions like these possible. All that learning and planning certainly worked up an appetite. We wrapped up just in time for another delicious Cambodian dinner.

Our Habitat for Humanity build began with a moment we will never forget. After an early start, we travelled for about an hour through the Cambodian countryside, filled with anticipation and a little excitement. As our buses pulled up, we were greeted with radiant smiles and beautiful flowers from the families we had come to support. The warmth and gratitude in their welcome instantly reminded us why we were there.

After a moving Welcome Ceremony, we rolled up our sleeves and began building. The heat was intense, but the spirit among our group was even stronger. Each shovel of dirt and brick laid, brought us closer together, and by the end of that first day, the sense of satisfaction and purpose was overwhelming. We couldn’t wait to return the next morning and keep going.

Unfortunately, midway through the build, several students fell ill with influenza and needed medical care. It was disheartening for the whole SCEGGS team, as it meant we had to scale back some activities to protect the families and ensure everyone’s wellbeing. Yet, the resilience we had learned onsite helped us adapt. We supported one another, stayed positive, and made the most of every moment.

Fourteen students were able to attend the emotional handover ceremony on Day 5 of the build, where we presented the nearly finished homes to the families. Watching their joy and gratitude was very moving, a powerful reminder of how small acts of service can make a lasting difference to people.

Beyond the building work, our days were filled with rich cultural experiences like exploring local markets, visiting Angkor Wat, sampling new foods, and watching traditional performances of dance and music. Each moment helped us understand Cambodia’s vibrant culture and history further.

This immersion was life-changing—an experience that opened our eyes to community, compassion, and understanding our place in the world. We returned home inspired, humbled, and united by the belief that when people come together, they can build far more than just houses—they can build hope for the future.

Finlay Simmons
Year 11 Student

Drama News

Pippin

SCEGGS’ musical Pippin opened last night to rapturous applause from the assembled audience. The cast shone brightly in the show, singing gloriously the Stephen Schwartz score and delivering vivid and engaging performances.

Congratulations to the entire company of teachers and students, on stage and off, who have worked tirelessly over the past two terms to bring Pippin to life on the Playhouse stage.

Don’t miss Pippin. There are three more performances – Thursday and Friday evening at 7pm, and Saturday at 1pm.

Click here to book.

DID YOU KNOW?

‘Ghost lights’ are left on all night in many theatres

Whether this is a superstition depends on who you ask. A single bare bulb is left lit on the stage in many theatres around the world, so it is never completely dark. Some believe that this allows ghosts to perform at night, meaning they will spare the actors and not curse the production. Others say it is merely a health and safety measure to ensure no one falls into the orchestra pit after the company has left. You can choose which one to believe.

Peter Eyers
Head of Drama

Road Safety Around our School

Parking Safely in School Zones

It is important that the entire SCEGGS community are mindful of parking around our inner-city campus where space is limited and therefore safety is paramount.

In recent weeks we have had a number of reports of parents stopping and dropping off girls on pedestrian crossings. Please remember this is illegal and can attract a fine exceeding $562 and two demerit points.

Further critical parking information is available on this succinct flyer created by the City of Sydney and could save you significant fines and demerit points given the high regularity of parking wardens around SCEGGS at drop off and pick up times.

Please help keep our girls and comunity safe on the roads around SCEGGS.

Phil Rogers
Director of Administration

From The Chaplain

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Our Festival of Lessons and Carols is being held this year on Wednesday 26 November at 7pm in the Great Hall. Everyone in and connected to our community is warmly invited as we celebrate the joy and meaning of Christmas. We take a collection at this service every year and the money donated always goes towards a local charity. I hope to see you there!

Christmas gifts collection

As part of our annual school Christmas Service, we ask each student to contribute towards a gift for either a boy or a girl, wrapped in cellophane, to donate to the Vinnies’ Community Centre in Redfern. These gifts will be distributed to children who may not otherwise receive anything at Christmas due to poverty or other family issues. There will be a greater demand this year due to the unsettling times that many families face from financial pressure and housing stresses. The feedback we get each year is that these gifts make a huge difference to children throughout our city, giving them the message that they are loved and cared for. We will be receiving those gifts up until Friday 28 November. More information will be delivered to students via their Form or class teachers.

Mr Lee-Lindsay needs NEW Socks and Undies

For those new to our community, I would like to introduce you to our socks and undies drive. There are a number of welfare organisations that are always asking for NEW socks and undies for their clientele. This is a serious issue amongst the homeless in terms of hygiene and good foot care. It is a whole-school activity, and we would love to receive a variety of sizes for boys and girls, men and women. There is a basket outside the Chapel where all donations can be delivered. I will be taking the items to various locations in the last week of school.

Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain

Class Parents 2026

Looking for a way to be more involved with your daughter’s school?

Then why don’t you register as a Class Parent?

You will play a vital role in fostering connections between your Year Group, the P&F Association, the Trust and the School.

Click here to register today!

Secondary Sports News

Snowsports

Congratulations to Phoebe Cridland (Class of 2019) who has been selected in 2025/2026 National Cross Country Skiing Team. Phoebe will be part of the Australian World Cup team that will compete across Finland, Norway, Switzerland, and Italy, in the lead up to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February.

We wish Phoebe well with her training and upcoming events as she strives to become the first ever SCEGGS Winter Olympian!

Indoor Hockey

Congratulations to Romy Schmidt (Year 8), Maddison Soulos (Year 8) and Annabel Armstrong (Year 7) who competed for SEHA (Sydney East Hockey Association) at the U14 Girls Indoor Hockey State Championships last weekend in Orange.

They all played well against some tough competition and improved over the course of the weekend. Well done on being selected and playing your hearts out. We look forward to watching you progress in future tournaments.

Water Polo

Well done to the three Water Polo teams that were in action over the weekend and recorded some very closely fought wins. Special shout out to Zoe Argyrides (Year 10) who scored two goals for the Senior 1sts

Well done also to Georgiana Porter (Year 9), Alexandra and Lucinda Carroll (Year 7) who competed in the Canberra Cup over the weekend with their respective club teams.

SCEGGS at Play

Do you have any sporting news or photos to share in the Green Gate?

We love seeing our students being active and want to celebrate their passion and enjoyment amongst the SCEGGS community. Please send in any action shots from the weekend and any other interesting sporting highlights to Alison Gowan.

SCEGGS Training sessions before and after school plus Saturday Sport

Any cancellations or adjustments will be made in Clipboard and families will receive a notification or email when changes are made. Please ensure you have notifications enabled.

All Clipboard notifications will now come through the SCEGGS Mobile App too, so if you have been receiving notifications from Clipboard (eg when sport is cancelled due to wet weather), you will need to download the SCEGGS Mobile App to ensure that you continue to receive these push notifications.

IGSA Fixtures, Results and Wet Weather

The IGSA website and platform for accessing wet weather, fixtures and team results can be found here.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself on 9052 2721 or 0418 491 521.

Alison Gowan
Director of Sport

Visual Arts

We were thrilled with the number of students across the school who submitted works for the Howard Tanner Drawing Prize this year. All original works will be exhibited as part of the annual Visual Arts Co-Curricular Exhibition:

All students who have submitted a drawing are invited to attend with their families. Refreshments will be served.

Ms Allum will announce the 2025 Award Recipient in the Final Assembly of this term.

We hope you continue to draw in your spare time and see this as a wonderful skill to be developed. Drawing helps you slow down, observe the world more closely, and express ideas that words can’t always capture. Over the holidays, take time to draw! It’s a relaxing, creative way to explore your imagination and see things in new ways.

This week’s banner is a Howard Tanner submission by Year 9 student Sophia Whiting.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts

Primary and Secondary Music

Musicale 4

Musicale 4 will be held on Wednesday 19 November in the SCEGGS Great Hall. The Primary Concert will run from 5.00pm – 5.45pm (approximately) and the Secondary Concert will run from 6.30pm – 7.30pm (approximately).

Primary Ensembles performing at the 5pm Concert

Please note that there will be no Year 2 students performing in this concert due to the Year 2 Camp.

Primary arrangements for Wednesday afternoon – 19  November (After-school care for Primary students)

Primary parents who need care for their daughters before the event can book into After School Care using the Xplor Childcare App. If you are using the service for the first time or need account details, please email after school care for an enrolment link and more information, including any fees. Make sure bookings are completed by Friday 14 November.
When booking, please note that your daughter is in Musicale 4, so we can ensure she is escorted to the Great Hall by 4.30pm

Sport

The Sport Department has given permission for all Primary girls who normally have off-site sport to miss the session this afternoon. You can either collect your daughter at the end of the school day or book her into After-School Care as per the arrangement above.

Students with on-site sport (gymnastics) should attend the start of their session as usual. A member of the Primary staff will arrive at 4.15 pm, at which time girls should have a snack and change back into their school uniform. 

Please make sure your child has enough food to eat before the performance. All Primary performers must arrive at 4.30 pm.

Secondary Ensembles performing at the 6.30pm Concert

Secondary arrangements for Wednesday afternoon – 19 November (Secondary rehearsals)

Amati Strings and the Holst Wind Ensemble will rehearse from 3.15 pm to 4.15 pm (finishing 30 minutes early).

Sport or other co-curricular activities

Secondary students should attend their usual Wednesday afternoon co-curricular activity. 

All Secondary performers must arrive at 6pm.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Family and friends are invited to join us for the Festival of Lessons and Carols on the evening of Wednesday 26 November, 7pm. Years 5 & 6 Choir, Cantare, Choir, Madrigal Ensemble, Amati Strings, and Tour Choir are preparing for involvement in the upcoming services.

On Wednesday 26 November, Students will be dismissed as usual and should follow their regular afternoon routine before returning to the Great Hall at the times listed below.

On Friday 28 November

Bassoon Concert

Congratulations to Laura Brown’s students who performed last Thursday!

Term 4 Overview

Please refer to Clipboard for information regarding Term 4 rehearsals and performances. It’s a very busy term as we prepare for the K-2 Concert, Musicale 4, Festival of Lessons and Carol, Speech Night, Music Tour and several community performances out of school hours.

Secondary students are reminded that they must communicate with their conductor or ensemble director in advance, if they are unable to attend a rehearsal.

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. If you haven’t set this up yet, please follow the provided instructions. For any issues with Clipboard set-up, contact our Music Administration Assistant, Miss Alice Kotowicz.

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)

Primary School Paddle Pops and Icy Poles Day

On Tuesday 18 November at lunchtime, the SCEGGS Parents & Friends Association will be holding a Paddle Pop Day in the Primary School Playground.

Paddle Pops and ice blocks will be offered. The girls are asked to bring $3 on the day if they want to enjoy a treat.

Parents’ and Friends’ Association