From The Chaplain

A massive thank you to all that donated to Harvest Festival

I am always amazed at how our community responds when the call is put out to provide for those in need. Our annual Harvest Festival collection was an incredible testimony to the generosity and compassion of so many of our families. We had a van full of groceries and fresh produce which was gratefully received by Vinnies Community Centre in Redfern. Taylor, one of the staff there and the guy in the photo, said that our food was going to feed a lot of hungry and struggling families. I am always encouraged by your enthusiasm and delight that many of you adopt for the causes we support.

Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain

Peer Mentors and Year 7 Connections Day

As part of our Peer Mentor roles, we collaborated with our Year 7 Form group for an activity on their Connections Day last Friday.

We were excited about participating in this event as it gave us a chance to bond with our friends and meet new people who we might not have met yet. As part of this, the Peer Mentors met with their Year 7 Form groups to run an activity. This year the activity was a fashion show… with a twist. All the amazing outfits were made with only newspaper and masking tape. Each Form picked a theme and was tasked with creating three outfits relating to their chosen theme. Each outfit was unique and took careful planning. Once our 30 minutes of crafting was up it was runway time. Each Form had announcers who introduced the models and provided a short description of the look. The models then took to the floor to showcase their outfits. The judges then took their time to deliberate and choose the winning Form class, which we were happy to discover was us with the theme of Met Gala!

This activity brought the Forms closer together by getting them to work together and communicate their ideas, allowing Year 7 to use their time wisely to create magnificent newspaper outfits. It also helped bring the Year group together and it was amazing to see the support for one another when the models were on the runway.

Aliyah Bensan, Ruby Hughes, Melody Li, Helena O’Brien, Lily Ranson, Ava Weekes, Taylor Yaldwyn
Peer Mentors for 7H

From the Primary School

Jump Rope for Heart 

After the success of Jump Rope for Heart at SCEGGS last year, we are very excited to announce that the Primary School will once again be participating in this wonderful initiative. Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s skipping and fundraising program. It encourages children to have a positive attitude towards exercise, healthy eating and heart health, while helping to raise money to help fight heart disease.

Last Thursday we were lucky to have Nina, one of the field officers from Jump Rope for Heart, launch the program for 2024 in our first House Family activity of the year at SCEGGS. The girls learnt a range of new skipping skills. Nina also reminded the girls of the importance of healthy eating and regular physical activity and the positive impact they both have on an individual’s overall wellbeing.

Our Year 6 girls will take the lead in House Families this term supporting students from K-5 in their House groups and being advocates for such a great program. Year 6 will help to teach the younger students new skills and tricks and encourage them to continue to be active and involved in physical activity every day.

Last week your daughter was given information regarding how to register for the program and how to support them with their skipping and the fundraising component at home. Your daughter will also receive a special key ring which features the QR code on the back to help you register. Simply scan this code to be directed to the online portal or alternatively you can register your daughter here, so they can receive the full benefits of the program.

We will be holding an exciting Jump Off morning towards the end of the term where the girls will have the opportunity to showcase the new skills they have learned.

We hope that your daughter enjoys this wonderful initiative and takes the opportunity to become aware of the importance of heart health and overall wellbeing. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact me or 9332 1133.

Melissa Joukhadar
Acting Wellbeing Program Leader (Primary)

K-12 Parent Presentation – ‘Kids, Teens and Screens’

When: Wednesday 6 March

Time: 6pm – 7.30pm

Where: Lecture Theatre

We are pleased to be hosting a presentation with Dr Kristy Goodwin who is one of Australia’s leading digital wellbeing researchers, speakers, authors and media commentators. Kristy works to arm parents with science-backed, yet simple solutions to help their ‘screenagers’ develop healthy and sustainable digital behaviours.

In her session ‘Kids, Teens and Screens’ Kristy will explore:

• Why young people are susceptible to potential pitfalls online given their brain development
• Why the online world is appealing to children and adolescents
• Why attention management is the most critical skill for the digital world
• A simple and realistic formula to determine healthy screen time limits for children and teens
• The five vital digital boundaries parents must establish to ensure their children and teens develop healthy digital behaviours
• Why digital disconnection is critical for your child’s physical health and mental wellbeing

Please indicate your interest to attend by clicking here to RSVP.

Sarah Johnstone (Deputy Head of Primary, Student Wellbeing)
Laura Connolly (Director of Student Wellbeing K-12)

Public Speaking

The Public Speaking year has begun with the Lions Youth of the Year competition underway. The first round took place on Sunday with Sybilla Hooke (Year 12) representing SCEGGS.

This competition involves an interview where students speak about their experiences and community involvement and answer a range of questions about current events. The students then compete in a Public Speaking round where they present two short impromptu speeches and one longer prepared speech on a topic of their choice. 

There is a Public Speaking winner and an overall winner and it is with great pleasure that I announce that Sybilla won both awards. She will go on to compete against the winners from the other Sydney Lions Clubs later in the term. 

This a challenging competition which requires a student with a range of skills, experience, and community involvement. Congratulations to Sybilla on her victory and we wish her well for the next round.    

Elizabeth Walsh
Public Speaking Co-ordinator

Science News

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Did you know it was the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Sunday 11 February? It is a wonderful day to pause and think about how we can increase the number of women in Science, and support all women in their scientific endeavours. As part of our celebrations, the Science Leaders invited Associate Professor Lana McClements (A/Prof McClements) to visit the School at lunch on Monday and present about her career and research.

A/Prof McClements’ research area is in cardiac obstetrics – a difficult area to investigate since cells from the placenta cannot usually be obtained during a pregnancy. It was very interesting to see an example of how living cells can be 3D printed onto a chip, and then used to make a model placenta for testing to improve fetal outcomes. She showed how useful 3D bioprinting can be to show how the organoids produced by this process are different to those grown through traditional methods. She also discussed how she has helped develop quick tests to detect pre-eclampsia (a common pregnancy complication).

A/Prof McClements also spoke about her career, including her journey from school through university, then to working as a pharmacist. However, she realised that her passion lay in research, so she returned to university to complete a PhD, and has been successfully pursuing an academic career ever since. This inspiring message of working hard and finding your passion is important for success and happiness.

Many thanks to A/Prof McClements for her time, and to our Science Leaders for their excellent organisation of this event.

Happy International Women in Science Day to everyone!

The banner image is of our Science Leaders presenting the Acknowledgement of Country at A/Prof Lana McClement’s presentation.

Luke Hanson
Head of  Science

Visual Arts

The NAS HSC Intensive Studio Practice Course is a great opportunity for Year 11 Visual Arts students who are passionate about art and want to extend their skills and expand their awareness of art practice in the unique atelier setting of the National Art School. 

As a University Developed Board Endorsed Course, the HSC Intensive contributes an extra unit of Visual Arts study to the HSC.

To apply for the course, applicants need to: 

• Be a high achiever in their Preliminary Visual Arts Course and show that they are serious about their studies. 
• Tell us a bit about why they want to participate in the HSC Intensive. 
• Submit a portfolio of four images. 
• Have an endorsement from their Visual Arts teacher. 

Visit the NAS website to find out how to apply.

The dates for the 2024 HSC program are:

Applications close Friday 12 April 2024. 

The Waverley Youth Art Prize is open!

The Prize is open to anyone aged between 9-18 living, studying and playing in Sydney’s East. This year, artists have been asked to respond to the theme Mysteries of the Deep. Entrants are encouraged to think about the possibilities of water as a subject in a new way. Broad creative interpretation of this theme is encouraged. Entrants may utilise ideas relating to popular culture, science fiction, sustainability, or something else. All mediums and interpretations are welcome.

Winners of the Youth Art Prize will receive a range of art materials to help with future creations while the winner of the senior section will receive a voucher for a week at the National Art School’s Summer School.

Applications must be submitted through the online portal before Friday, May 24. Artworks must be delivered to the Waverley Library on Friday, May 24.

Visit the website to submit your applications here.

This week’s banner is from Astrid Hooper. Astrid was one of three SCEGGS students selected for the NAS HSC Intensive in 2023.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts

Primary Sport News

Year 3 Basketball

The Year 3 Basketball competition kicked off on Saturday with great success. The games against Ascham and Kambala were fun and challenging, and great team spirit was shown across all teams. Some of the girls volunteered to play two matches to support other SCEGGS teams. It is wonderful to see the girls working together and playing the game with such a positive attitude.

Year 4-6 Football

The morning rain wasn’t enough to deter the girls from their first week of Football. There were many close matches, with the girls engaging in some healthy competition. Well done to all teams for showing the SCEGGS Sports Values regardless of the game score. A special mention to the girls who tested their goal-keeping abilities for the first time; some of the saves were fantastic! We look forward to an enjoyable Football season ahead.

IPSHA Tennis Trials

A big shout out to Sofea Davey (Year 6) for her efforts at the IPSHA Tennis Trials. Sofea is a passionate tennis player, trains regularly, and tested her skills against some top players with great success. She was even complimented for her ‘beautiful manners’ on the court by a parent from another school. Congratulations Sofea! You should be extremely proud of your efforts.

As we head into the season, a quick reminder for all parents and supporters taken from the IPSHA rules.

• Focus on the efforts and performance of the children rather than the result.
• Children play organised sports for fun. They are not playing for spectators’ entertainment, nor are they miniature professionals.
• Applaud good performances and efforts from each team. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
• Respect the officials’ decision.
• Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition.
• Positive comments are motivational and encourage continued effort.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, or harassing players, coaches or officials.
• Comments should not interfere with the running of the game.

Sporting Reminders

• Students are to arrive 30 minutes prior to scheduled game times for IPSHA games.
• Girls must arrive in the correct uniform, including a hat, water bottle and other sports-specific equipment required to play (e.g. shin pads for football).
• Any potential changes or cancellations, including for wet weather will be made in Clipboard via a push notification.
• If your child is going to be absent from sport, then you need to contact Helen Dempsey to gain approved leave.

Important Sports Dates

Primary Sport Achievements

Does your daughter compete in any sport outside of school (for example, at a representative level or a sport we do not currently offer)? If so, I would love to celebrate their achievements by recognising them in this newsletter! Please email any information (and photos, if possible) to Adrian Hammond. These will be included in newsletters throughout the year.

Have a wonderful week!

Mr Adrian Hammond
Primary Sport Coordinator

Music Matters

Assembly Music

Thank you to Emmaline Shapiro for playing the intro and outro for Ms Allum and the Hymn this week. If you would like to join the roster to play the piano in Assembly, please contact Ms Jones. Members of the Choir, Madrigal Ensemble joined us on stage this week to support the singing of the Hymn. Thank you for your contribution.

SCEGGS Eisteddfod

• The SCEGGS Music Eisteddfod is a competition open to all musicians currently taking private lessons, inside or outside of school.
• Entry into the Eisteddfod is free, and applications will open in Week 4 (from Monday 19 February).
• A well-prepared piece at the student’s current ability level is best. Chat with your tutor to discuss this.
• All Elective Music students are preparing for participation.
• Heats will be held in the Week 7 beginning in 11 March.

Highlights Concerts

Highlights Concerts will be held on Wednesday 20 March.

A variety of awards are made at these concerts:

1. Outstanding Musician of the Primary School/Secondary School
2. Wran Prize for Up-and-Coming Vocalist (Secondary only)
3. Acknowledgement Awards

Co-curricular Expo

What a great atmosphere in the Sports Hall last Friday! Lots of girls signed up to Music Ensembles. Please communicate directly with the Program Directors if you have discovered a clash or are unable to commit to rehearsals and performances this term.

Miss Allison Harrigan – Choirs 

Mrs Anne Sweeney – Strings 

Mr Michael Tierney – Bands 

Clipboard 

All co-curricular music ensemble schedules are now available on Clipboard. If you haven’t set this up yet, please log-in to Clipboard.

If you are having any issues with Clipboard set-up, please contact our Music Administration Assistant, Miss Alice Kotowicz.

Upcoming Music Events

Term 1

Heidi Jones
Head of  Music (Co-curricular)

Careers Corner

The Careers Department are thrilled to share with you the first issue of the Careers Corner Newsletter for 2024. This newsletter, particularly aimed at students in Years 10 – 12, contains information about post-school options, career insights and much more! We hope you find this issue helpful and encourage you to share any feedback here. 

Andrea Pinnock
Careers Adviser

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

Welcome Cocktail Party

We are looking forward to seeing you at our annual P&F Welcome Cocktail Party to be held on Friday 1 March from 6.00pm – 8.00pm on the Joan Freeman Terrace. Please see the invitation below for booking details.

P&F Parent Events