From Ms Allum

National Reconciliation Week began on Friday of last week and concludes at the end of this week. Reconciliation has been at the forefront of SCEGGS activities throughout this week as we strive for equality and justice for our Indigenous communities.

The dates for National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June are important – each of these dates marks an important milestone in Australia’s journey to reconciliation. On 27 May in 1967, a referendum saw more than 90% of Australians vote to give the Australian government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census. And, on 3 June 1992, the High Court settled the Mabo decision which led to the statutory recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands.

Committed to social justice, community outreach and reconciliation with our Indigenous community, we are proud of the steps we have taken towards reconciliation over a number of years. Through our Indigenous Scholarship program, established in 2004, we have had the honour of seeing the amazing contributions these students have made to our school community. We recognise that education is one of the keys to address the economic and health disadvantages experienced by many Aboriginal people over generations. By providing these scholarships, we demonstrate our commitment to take action where we can, to make our society a better place.  Our connection with our Indigenous students has been enhanced with the appointment of Miss Jola Cumming in 2020 to the newly created full-time role of K -12 Indigenous Students’ Co-ordinator. A proud Butchulla and Garawa Salt Water Murri woman, Miss Cumming has brought great new perspectives to our programs generally as well as providing additional mentoring for our indigenous students.

We have been working on our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) since 2017 and we continue to refine, improve and implement ideas in striving for Reconciliation.  Both our RAP Committee and our Student RAP Committee, under the co-leadership of Miss Cumming and Ms Grattan-Smith, have made a significant contribution to planning of different events over the last year, including in NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week.

Throughout National Reconciliation Week our staff and students have been involved in a number of activities including acknowledging Sorry Day by wearing handmade Native hibiscus flowers, through discussions and artistic expression and attending commemorative assemblies for the Primary and Secondary School students respectively. In 2021, inspired by ANTaR’s (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) Sea of Hands display, the Student RAP Committee coordinated with Miss Cumming to produce our version of the Sea of Hands which were displayed on the lawn. This year, our Sea of Hands were placed throughout the School’s gardens. Our Visual Arts Committee has created a beautiful reminder of the 2022 NRW theme, “Be Brave. Make Change”.  And our Bush Tucker Garden continues to grow and thrive. We believe that we have made meaningful contributions but also recognise that it is ongoing work – and there is still lots more we can do!

At our Ascension Day Service on 26 May, which coincided with Sorry Day, Rev Garry Lee-Lindsay reminded the Year 11 and 12 girls as well as the Old Girls in attendance, of the importance of Reconciliation in helping us all to grow and understand more about our past and present as being springboards for a more optimistic future. While at the Secondary School Assembly on Tuesday, Isaiah Dawe, the CEO of ID. Know Yourself, was a challenging and thoughtful guest speaker who reinforced to the girls that “you are enough.” These three words encapsulate all that SCEGGS is striving to achieve for every student; to feel strong and confident, to know that they are loved by God and that they are known and acknowledged by their community.

“Be Brave. Make Change” is not a statement to act on for a one day or even a week; it is a call to all of us to reflect, take action, be courageous and to continue to advocate for change!

SCEGGS Community Ensures Light Her Path Campaign Dinner Success

On Saturday night the SCEGGS Capital Campaign Committee held a beautiful evening in the Great Hall as part of its program to raise funds for the refurbishment of Wilkinson House and to expand the SCEGGS scholarship fund. The community responded to the call to action with great enthusiasm and we raised over $1.2 million.

We are delighted at the generosity of our community and very excited about being another step closer to the goal of $12 million to enable work on Wilkinson House to begin at the end of this year. We were equally delighted to see the 225 parents, friends and school staff attending the dinner, particularly after the disruption to lives and to school over the recent few years – it was very gratifying to be able to come together at the School for this event.

There was a clear recognition in the room that the things we value at SCEGGS require investment – the quality of education, the location, the inclusion. SCEGGS’ urban setting is part of who SCEGGS is – but its small footprint in the inner city means we need to make the most of every square metre of space. Our school fees fund a significant investment in teaching staff – but they can’t cover major capital investment or scholarships (and nor have they done so in the past). The generosity of past generations has helped build SCEGGS – both the physical environment and the community. It’s now our generation’s turn to help fund SCEGGS’ future.

The course of the evening was managed by the very entertaining Stuart Gregor (current Year 12 parent) in his role as MC. He was bold and hilarious, but also brilliant in reminding us of the importance of the project and, most importantly, of our capacity to support it. William Smart, the Wilkinson House project architect, walked parents through the exciting new plans for Wilkinson House, its homage to the original design and the sustainability features of the new building, including natural light and air flow.

Two ensembles from the SCEGGS Music Department, together with old girl, Zoe Vrachnas (2009), entertained the guests, while Lux Strings performed a number of works as guests arrived. We were also able to enjoy beautiful video presentations about the campaign, the history of philanthropy at SCEGGS and very amusing interviews of parent donors conducted by their daughters.

The goodwill and generosity of the SCEGGS community was evident in the exquisite French champagne and wines from parents Stephen and Phi Phi Turner, the delicious welcome Floradora cocktail and Negronis from Four Pillars principals and parents, Matt Jones and Rebecca Bourne Jones, the beer and water from Lewis Hotels and the generous and beautiful food from Kate and Mark White at Katering.

The spectacular lighting was supported by 32 Hundred Lighting (former parents Iain and Marea Reed). The well-crafted videos were provided with generous assistance and resources from Matt Jones and Jodi Matterson respectively. The flowers were sponsored by Mark the Florist. Marcia Machliss donated her graphic design skills.

There is no doubt that the evening would not have been the spectacular event it was without the professionalism and generosity of these wonderful businesses and people. Our heartfelt thanks to you.

The goodwill and common purpose felt throughout the evening embodied the spirit that we enjoy and celebrate as members of the SCEGGS community. Keeping the school at the forefront of education for young women, while also instilling an obligation to play a role in your community, to give of your best. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the evening’s success. There will be other opportunities to become involved in the campaign and we look forward to sharing the goals of Light Her Path and to, one day very soon, enjoying the fruits of all of our efforts.

Christy Boyce
Chair of the Captial Campaign Committee

SPAN Event – A Musical Evening with Anna Dowsley

SPAN Event Thursday 9 June 6.30pm

featuring Internationally Acclaimed Mezzo Soprano Anna Dowsley (Class of 2005) and
Madrigal Ensemble, Choir and Cantare

It really is a great honour having an Old Girl of Anna’s calibre back at SCEGGS! Anna has made her mark on the international stage, making her United Kingdom debut in 2017 performing Meg Page at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. In 2019 she received third prize in the Toulouse International Singing Competition and was the recipient of 2019 Australian Opera Award. Anna has had many roles with Opera Australia including Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Rosina (The Barber of Seville), Cherubino (The Marriage of Figaro), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Siebel (Faust), Smeton (Anna Bolena), Flora (La traviata), Tebaldo (Don Carlos) and Zaida (Il turco in Italia). She received a Helpmann Award nomination for her performance of Dorabella and Green Room Award nominations for Tebaldo, Zaida and Siebel. With Sydney Chamber Opera, Anna performed the title role in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia.

We are fortunate to have this amazing opportunity to enjoy Anna’s talents while she is in Australia.  Anna will be performing items with singers from the Madrigal Ensemble, Choir and Cantare.  She will also be performing some solo items accompanied by Ms Heidi Jones. 

Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students and includes an individually packed picnic platter.

We hope you can join us!

Music Matters

Ascension Day – Madrigal Ensemble and Year 12 Soloists                                        

Congratulations to the singers from the Madrigal ensemble who performed at the two Ascension Day services last Thursday in the school chapel.  The students sang for the school service and also for the Old Girls service later that morning.  Thank you to Mr Kurt Ison for his accompaniment on the organ and to Miss Allison Harrigan for her direction of the performance.

Well done also to the Year 12 Music 1 soloists who sang an item from their HSC program for the Old Girls at the luncheon.  Congratulations to Luella Tobin, Audrey Gregor and Jemima O’Brien.  Special thank you also to Ms Heidi Jones for her accompaniment and preparation of the girls for this performance.

SCEGGS Gala Dinner Performance – Lux Strings, Cantare and Madrigal Ensemble

Students from Lux String Ensemble, choristers of the Madrigal Ensemble and Cantare were invited to perform at the SCEGGS Gala Dinner on Saturday 28 May.  The evening commenced with Lux Strings performing a program of short works for guests as they arrived.  To begin the formalities, students from Madrigal Ensemble and Cantare performed The Promise by Alice Chance and Georgiana Thomas-Pedell.  This was a specially commissioned work for SCEGGS’ 125^th Birthday and was performed as the acknowledgement of country for the night.  Later in the evening, Madrigal Ensemble combined with SCEGGS old girl Zoë Vrachnas (Class of 2009) for a special performance of Shine by Tony Backhouse, a work commissioned for SCEGGS’ 120^th Birthday.  The students’ performances was a wonderful backdrop for the evening’s fund-raising efforts.  Special thanks to Mrs Anne Sweeney and Miss Eliza Sdraulig, who performed alongside Lux Strings.  Special thank you also to Miss Allison Harrigan for her preparation of the students for the performances and to Mr Heinz Schweers for his accompaniment.  Thank you also to Miss Alice Kotowicz (Class of 2018) with her assistance throughout the evening.  Well done girls!

Reconciliation Week Assembly – Year 7 Choir

Congratulations to all of Year 7 who performed The Promise at the school’s Reconciliation Week Assembly on Tuesday 31 May.  It was wonderful to see all of Year 7 combine to reprise their performance of this work since Musicale 1.  Thank you to Miss Allison Harrigan for her direction of the performance and to Ms Stephanie Holmes for her accompaniment.  Well done Year 7s!

Year 12 Concert Evening – Thursday 2 June Great Hall 5.30pm

Students from Year 12 Music 1 and Music Extension will be performing repertoire from their HSC performance program next Thursday afternoon at 5.30pm in the Great Hall.  This concert forms as part of the students’ preparation for their HSC Performance assessments.  This is a great opportunity for students, friends and family to come along and support them along this journey. 

The duration of the concert will be approximately an hour.

AMEB String Examinations

Congratulations to the 12 girls who performed for practical national music examinations for the Australian Music Examinations Board last Saturday. It was wonderful to welcome string examiner Mrs Sarah Jameson to SCEGGS for a full day of examinations. Special thanks to Ms Heidi Jones for accompanying the students on Saturday and to the string tutors who helped the girls to prepare the syllabus for performance. We will have another day of string examinations this Saturday 4 June.

Congratulations to the following string students:

• Savannah Wechgelaer-Eyssens Grade 1 Viola
• Ivy Zhang Grade 1 Violin
• Kaylee Wang Grade 1 Violin
• Matilda Napthali Grade 1 Violin
• Mimi Naughton Grade 1 Violin
• Eliza Wilcsek Grade 1 Violin
• Holly Ancher Grade 3 Violin
• Olivia Liu Grade 3 Violin
• Angelina Wang Grade 4 Violin
• Olivia Chua Grade 4 Violin
• Grace Chandler Grade 5 Violin
• Sophia Barry Grade 7 Violin

One More Week – Sydney Eisteddfod 6 June Chatswood Concourse – Clarion Concert Band

The Clarion Concert Band will be competing in the Sydney Eisteddfod on Monday 6 June at the Concourse Chatswood in event number 302, Secondary School Novice Band. 

Rehearsal: A special rehearsal will be held on the morning of Monday 6 June, 7:30am in the Great Hall, this will be followed by a performance at assembly. All students must attend.

We encourage parents, family and friends to attend this event and show their support for the Band. Tickets are available for purchase at the venue, from 45mins prior to the session. Adults $25, Concession $25 and Child/youth $10. Sydney Eisteddfod is cashless, EFTPOS facilities will be available.

Piano Concerts – Week 8 – Thursday 16 June

Pianists are invited to perform in the Piano Concerts scheduled in Week 8.

3.30pm – Primary Piano Concert 

4.30pm – Secondary Piano Concert

We encourage students who learn at school, and students who learn externally to perform.

These concerts will be held in the Great Hall. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Upcoming Events

Pauline Chow
Head of Music

Year 5 and 6 Da Vinci Decathlon

The Da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition hosted by Knox Grammar School designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. On Thursday 26^th of May, a Year 5 and a Year 6 team competed virtually in the competition across 10 disciplines: Engineering, Mathematics and Chess, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography, and Legacy.

Each team consisted of eight girls selected for their creative thinking and problem-solving abilities as well as their ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team. Throughout the day the girls amazed us with their team spirit and positivity as they competed against over 150 schools across Australia.

Well done to the Year 5 Team: Tabitha Hyde, Isla Roberts, Anna Slack, Ava Pepper, Ella Chong, Zara Anderson, Olivia Chua and Alice Cameron.

The fantastic Year 6 Team: Ashanti Gillies, Lily Cook, Olivia Plavsic, Olivia Roberts, Chelsy Diec, Amy Resnik, Gemma Shennan, Sophie Downes and Lucinda Morgan.

The girls’ efforts throughout the day were exemplary and they should feel extremely proud of their achievements. We look forward to sharing the results with you in next week’s newsletter.

Cassie Rogers, Kaitlin Ryan and Nada Siljanovska
Da Vinci Decathlon Primary Facilitators

Secondary Sport News

IGSA Cross Country                                                            

The IGSA Cross Country Carnival was held on Friday May 25 at Frensham School. We were finally blessed with a lovely day, after the event had previously been postponed. SCEGGS sent a team of 38 competitors in total across all age groups.

Highlights of the day were:

• 14 years: Matilda Emanuel (4^th), Lily Cooney (5^th), Nancy Newton (9^th) and Annaliese Stackpool (10^th). The 14 years team won the Silver Medal after being beaten by Wenona by two points!
• 15 years: Ruby Fry (4^th)
• 18 Years: Gabriella Ibrahim (9^th). The 18 years team won the Bronze Medal. The team consisted of Gabriella Ibrahim, Mia Lintzeris and Clementine Hooper.

Thank you to Ms Thompson and Ms Tucker who accompanied the team on the day with coaches Matt, Zac and Old Girl Caitlin Andrews.

Good luck to the following runners who will compete at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships next Wednesday at Eastern Creek: Lily Cooney, Matilda Emanuel, Ruby Fry, Gabriella Ibrahim, Nancy Newton and Annaliese Stackpool. Ms Thompson will be the IGSA Team Manager.

Hockey

Congratulations to Madeleine Tudehope and Jessica Weatherall who represented South-East Hockey Association (SEHA) in Division 1 at the NSW U15 State Championships that were held in Parkes last weekend.

Well done also to Beatrix Rivers, Ella Fogarty, Zoe Newman and Billie Pritchard who represented SEHA at the NSW U18 State Championships that were held in Armidale.

Secondary Athletics Carnival

The Secondary Athletics Carnival will officially be held at Hensley Athletics Track at the start of Term 3 on Friday July 22. Due to the proximity of HSC Trials and reduced capacity at the venue, the day will be optional for Year 12 to attend.

Unfortunately, due to the limited capacity at the venue, parents will be unable to attend. We look forward to welcoming back all our parents in 2023 at the newly refurbished ES Marks Track.

More details to follow…

IGSA Fixtures, Results and Wet Weather

There is a new IGSA website and platform for accessing wet weather, fixtures and team results. You do not need to register or sign up to be a member to access this site.

SCEGGS Training sessions before and after school plus Saturday Sport

Please check the @SCEGGSSport Twitter feed for the latest updates relating to cancellations.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself on 9052 2721 or 0418 491 521. Alternatively, if you have any news or photos that we can highlight in the newsletters please email alisongowan@sceggs.nsw.edu.au

Alison Gowan
Director of Sport

Festival on Forbes – Contributions for the Year 9 Gourmet Pantry Stall 

Calling all Cooks! The Gourmet Pantry Stall needs your help. We are looking for sweet and savoury jams, pickled produce, sauces, relishes, marinades, olives, lemon curd, cordial, salad dressings … the options are endless! 

Jars and bottles to sell your contributions in will be available for collection from the General Office. Please email sceggsfof2022@gmail.com to specify how many jars/bottles you will need and what sizes (small, medium or large). We will notify you about the collection once your order is in.

The Next Stallholder Meeting is nearly here:

A reminder to all Stallholders about the next meeting on Tuesday 7 June at 7pm in the Lecture Theatre. Please RSVP so we can make sure all stalls are represented.

The Festival on Forbes Committee

Primary Sport News

Athletics                                                                   

Due to the significant renovations occurring at ES Marks Athletics Track not being completed in time, we have moved our Athletics Carnival to Hensley Athletics Track on Monday, August 1.

More details about the day will be released soon.

Saturday Sport

Congratulations to all the IPSHA Teams that played on the weekend. With several girls away due to illness and musical exams, we thank the girls that stepped up and played in different teams to help for the day. A special thanks goes to Lucinda and Alexandra Carroll (Year 4), who played in the Year 6A Netball team with their elder sister Sophia. Another thanks goes to Anna Slack and Claudia Rennie-Meyenn who stayed behind an hour to play for the other Year 5 Netball Team. Thanks also go to Sacha Tehan, Adison Lewis and Harper Jones who volunteered to play Netball despite already having played a Hockey game that morning. Congratulations to all the girls who helped out your friends and made a successful day!

Primary Cross Country

What a lovely way to start the day! A lovely foggy Friday morning for our Primary Cross Country girls (and Charlie the dog).

Sport Enrolments – Term 3

Enrolments for some sports are still open for Term 3. Please email Tom Mitton or Brittany Robbins for any further Term 3 Sport enrolments or questions.

We are still seeking more girls to join Dance with Joel (Friday Lunchtime) in the Old Gym! For those keen dancers, or those just wanting to give it a go for the first time, get involved today!

SCEGGS Training sessions before and after school, plus Saturday Sport

Please check the @SCEGGSSport Twitter feed for the latest updates relating to cancellations.

If you have any news or photos from sports that we can highlight in the newsletters, please email TomMitton@sceggs.nsw.edu.au

Tom Mitton
Primary Sport Co-ordinator

Primary School Library News

Now in its 22nd successful year, National Simultaneous Storytime is organised by the Australian Library & Information Association with the aim of promoting the value of reading and literacy. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously to children around the country and increasingly across the world. 

“Family Tree” by Josh Pyke & Ronojoy Ghosh is the selected picture book for 2022. The story is a celebration of family, community, and the seasons of life, with beautiful illustrations of Australian animals and Eucalyptus trees.

Many of our primary students participated in National Simultaneous Storytime, with some classes discussing and making family trees of their own. The Kindergarten students enjoyed drawing their favourite family activities on their super-sized leaves!

This year more than 2 million readers participated in National Simultaneous Storytime in over 33,000 locations, including in New Zealand, Thailand, UK, Canada, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Karen McBride
Teacher Librarian – Primary

From the Chaplain

On 26 May, our school community recognised National Sorry Day through a variety of activities. This week we continue to remember the Stolen Generation and the ongoing consequences that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people endure due to a tumultuous history as we acknowledge and observe Reconciliation Week. Here is a prayer that was said at our chapel services on Sorry Day this year:

Almighty and loving God, you who created all people in your image, lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past. You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will be forgiven.

We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the separation of children from their families. We are sorry and ask God’s forgiveness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits. In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable. Lord, you are our hope. Amen.

Sorry Day Prayer written by the Aboriginal and Islander Commission National Council of Churches in Australia 2002

Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain

Debating

The past few weeks have been great for our SCEGGS Debaters! In Eastside, our Year 9 team were runners up in their division, and in ISDA, our Year 8 team made it to the semi-finals, while our Senior B team will be competing in the Grand Final this Friday at Roseville College.

Congratulations to our 7B, 8B, Year 10, and Senior teams for winning their Archdale debates on Tuesday. This leaves our 7B and Year 10 team undefeated in the season so far!

Next week Archdale will be held at SCEGGS. Supper will be served in the cafeteria, and debates will take place in the Old Girls’ Building. Spectators are welcome.

For information on future Archdale rounds, all students can access the Debating 2022 page on Cognito.

Imogen Harper
Debating Co-ordinator

Go Greener – World Environment Day 6 June

What does an affinity for nature mean to you? Is it having grown accustomed to the rhythm of the seasons, of floods and fires and drought, being able to detect woodsmoke on the barest breeze, and sense the damp air holding its breath minutes before the first peal of thunder? Is it lying in a tree so long that your back has memorised the ridges of the branch, you can feel the wood beating with your own pulse? Or is it watching a wounded animal tipping over into life that has seen a pair of eyes stare back at them, wide and dark, and some part of them has thought, are we so different?

These are all an affinity to nature. It comes with the recognition of our dependence on the natural world, a dependence which is far too easy to forget when our lives don’t revolve around the cycle of harvest and hunts and hibernation. And it’s been a while since the earth of our country cracked open like the carapace of a dead beetle. It’s been some time since the sun turned red above Sydney, and the air hung thick with fine grey ash. But I think all of us remember what it was like. Even if we wish it could be forgotten.

Only One Earth. That’s the theme for World Environment Day this year. We don’t just depend on the natural world. We belong to it. We belong to an ancient force of life, and we’re tipping it out of balance, just enough for humanity to slide off. The world will recover no matter what we do. But our civilisation may not. Because we only have one earth. One shot at getting this right. One critical decade left. One generation who’s standing ready to shoulder the burden. That generation is us. That decade is here. That earth is our home.

There are a number of activities planned at school:

• Friday June 3: #OnlyOneEarth banner competition entries due to Eve Anderson eveanderson@sceggs.nsw.edu.au
• Monday June 6: Bring your keep cup and a donation for hot chocolate and marshmallows. Primary will have their hot chocolate at recess near the art room. Secondary will be on the lawn at lunchtime.
• Thursday June 9: Secondary only. Banner painting, second hand uniform sale (all items $5 and EFTPOS available) and collection of lost property.

Nicola Allen
Maailma Captain

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

Class Parent Events