In This Together

She left me on ‘read’

Young people use their smartphones in a ‘smart’ way. They navigate them quickly, learn skills in photography, film, for example, such as how to edit. They listen to and curate music, watch a reel or video to learn how to crochet, bake or play piano and even digitally grow trees while managing their time to be productive. This list is far from exhaustive but is indicative of the utilitarian use of the smartphone which is constantly evolving and not going away. Unfortunately, their ubiquity also means there are many times when the smartphone feeds into the anxieties and insecurities of young people exacerbating negative thinking patterns.  

With smartphones remaining a constant, educators and parents have a responsibility to help young people develop skills to navigate digital spaces. In this short video, Harvard researchers Emily Weinstein and Carrie James, who are experts on teens and technology, provide practical tips for adults on how to help young people navigate the digital world. In a world where they use technology to nurture connections and be a good friend, parents and carers need to consider how to ask more open-ended questions to understand how and why teens are using technology and guide them to make informed decisions online.

This is a very helpful video on how to support teens in an online world.

“They left me on read” could be something you have heard your teen say and behind that small statement could be big feelings and thoughts which set off negative thought patterns. This short article, Strengthening Teen Digital Well-Being, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education provides a very clear and brief explanation about how in the online world communication is often misinterpreted, resulting in thinking traps which can contribute to anxiety. These are clearly outlined in the article, as are three simple steps on how we can help teens to make their way out of the negative thinking trap.

Please take the time to watch and read these resources. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We do hope you get a few tips you can apply at home with your daughters.

Carol Bloomfield
Head of Student Wellbeing Programs

Giving Day 2023

The generous support of the SCEGGS community towards the re-development of Wilkinson House has raised over $6 million towards creating a state-of-the-art learning facility. This will include revitalised classrooms, a wonderful Year 12 common room, flexible Academic Support facilities, a culturally appropriate space to support our Indigenous students and will extend our Sports Hall facilities.

Why Give?

We are very grateful to the SCEGGS families and supporters who have supported investment in the school for the SCEGGS girls of today and tomorrow.

We gave to Light Her Path to ensure future generations of students at SCEGGS benefited from modern, efficient and sustainable facilities, as our girls have benefited from facilities paid for by prior generations. We saw it as our way of ‘paying it forward’, given the opportunities that our daughters have received by being a student at one of Australia’s best schools.

Year 11 Family 

From 9am on Thursday 9 November 2023 until 9am on Friday 10 November we will be running our second annual Light Her Path Giving Day. Last year over 240 donors contributed. We are hoping for active participation across the school. Last year we raised $500,000 – and we are hoping to match this achievement this year.

How to Give. Please donate here.

Give generously for you – let’s light her path.

Mufti Day To Celebrate Giving Day

Students are invited to wear mufti on 9 November and join with their Houses for a BBQ. They are asked to bring a gold coin donation for the BBQ.

SCEGGS Stories of Immersion in Indigenous Australia

We hope you enjoy reading a range of reflections about Stories of Immersion in Indigenous Australia from the students this week. For the previous week’s reflections see here.

Reflections from the Cape York Immersion 

The best trip I could have ever taken, this immersion to Cape York, taught me and gave me a greater understanding of Indigenous culture from a different perspective than my own.

This trip really changed my view of Indigenous culture in Australia. It showed and taught me about the different types of viewpoints from the two different elder groups we visited. Melsonby (Gaarraay) elders shared with us the history of the land their home was on. We saw amazing rock art and the stories behind them, with one of them being about the medicine man and how people who were a part of the community would go there to be healed and cared for.

After ten days of immersion, it really showed me a different view of life and how not everyone lives in the city and not everyone gets the same benefits as we do. 

On Day 4 of our final day at Melsonby we asked the elders some questions with one of the questions being, “How can we students help drive towards reconciliation?” Julie replied to the question saying the “Only way we hope you kids can drive towards reconciliation is to teach people back home about what we learnt and talk about the experiences we have had while being on Melsonby”. With Julie saying this, it really made me think, “What can I do?” “How can I drive for reconciliation?” I think by sharing what I learned it could really change people’s views on Indigenous culture in Australia.

It’s hard to put into words all the knowledge I was able to obtain whilst being in Cape York. Much of what we experienced can’t be expressed fully through just words, but they can be shown through our actions. Hearing about the struggles Dez, one of the Traditional Owners (TOs) at Yungee, faced when asking for water rights and the racism both families still face to this day, enlightened me with all we still need to work on as a nation. It also motivated me to speak and act more when it comes to these issues. There were many times where the TOs said things that brought us all to tears, but a quote that I will forever remember is, as we were leaving Loggy crossing (our second homeland), Dora, one of the Elders, told my friend Maddie and I ‘Just like you have learnt from us, we have learnt from you. You give me hope that there are good non-Indigenous people out there.” This one sentence holds so much emotion and value in the way that our involvement and engagement also benefitted the communities who were so generous to us. It was beautiful to hear that we were able to give back just that little bit of hope after all we had received. All the memories of our tents getting creeked, thankfully our Taj Mahal stayed dry, all of our hugs, the bonding between year groups and witnessing a new way of life, will never be forgotten.

 

Although 10 days in rural Australia without your phone might sound daunting, it was actually extremely refreshing and in Pheobe’s case, it gave her enough time to steal everyone’s books to read. For me the most emotional part of our journey was having to leave. I most certainly did not want to go back to the city. No matter how many hugs I was given by Trev, Tammy and the girls, my tears would not stop. There is no way I would have believed that I would be that emotional when leaving, but the impact of hearing all the community members stories changed me and will forever be with me. The connections we formed in such a short amount of time are indescribable. The one-on-one conversations, group yarns, and story telling when teaching us about First Nations culture and land, were truly a blessing. Coming out of the immersion, I have made so many new Year 10 friends (in Ms Connelly’s words I was ‘adopted’) and have been able to share what I have learnt with those around me. Being able to show my family some of the songs Tammy and Nas have sung, along with describing the homelands to my friends has given me a sense of pride. I am proud to have learnt so much and have been chosen to experience all I have. I wouldn’t have swapped Cape York for anything, and I just hope I can make the Traditional Owners proud through my actions in the future.

Scarlett Falzon
Year 9

Peer Mentoring

Midweek Madness: Lunchtime Sports with Peer Mentors and Year 7!

Many in Year 7 were ready to add some adrenaline to their midweek routines, enthusiastically joining their House Peer Mentors every Wednesday during lunchtime for a sports extravaganza. 

From epic football showdowns, perfectly timed with the Women’s World Cup, to fierce basketball battles, Midweek Madness provided the ideal platform to flaunt their athletic prowess and enjoy the company of friends. It didn’t matter if you were a seasoned sports pro or just seeking some light-hearted fun—there was something for everyone in the friendly House competitions held during lunchtimes.

What made it even better was that Midweek Madness wasn’t solely about the competition; it offered a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the bonds within their Houses, guided by our fantastic Peer Mentors. Students eagerly gathered in the Sports Hall, each bringing their A-game, thereby making Midweek Madness a standout highlight of the week.

During the football rounds, the Grand Finalists were Beck and Langley, and it was Beck who ultimately clinched the coveted trophy. In the basketball rounds, Beck once again faced off against Badham, and yet again, they emerged as the victorious team.

Thank you to all who contributed House spirit, humour, skill, sportsmanship, and fun to Wednesday lunchtimes throughout Term 3 and Term 4. Their passion and energy transformed Midweek Madness into an enjoyable addition to the school timetable.

Lisa Thompson
Peer Mentoring Facilitator

Roughtober Sleepout

The Roughtober Sleepout was held on Friday 20 to Saturday 21 October. While some got more sleep than others, it was an extremely successful fundraiser, raising over $45 000 (a huge thank you to all who financially contributed to this) and awareness raising initiative. I would like to thank the 85 Year 11 students who set a fine example of compassion, care and leadership, as well as the staff who gave up their time so willingly to attend. The sleepout could not have happened, nor been such a wonderful success without both the staff and students. I would like to say a particular thank you to Ms Nicola Kidston, Ms Nicole Styles and Mr Tom Mitton who joined me in sleeping rough for the night. A further thank you must also go to the following staff who joined us on a walk through our local community on the Friday evening, accompanying students to help them learn from the stories and experiences of people who have, or currently do, live rough: Ms Laura Connolly, Ms Carol Bloomfield, Ms Michele Storrie, Ms Allison Harrigan, Mr Brett Blinman and Ms Eddie Goodfellow.

As we moved to each of the six stations around Darlinghurst, we encountered people whose lives have been affected by experiences such as homelessness, social isolation and living rough. As you will read in the reflections from some of the students and staff who attended, these stories will sit with us, forever changing how we see and understand our own community.

Reflections

I had always thought of homelessness as being an economic issue – no money equals no home. During our street walk in Roughtober I learnt that the common factor was homelessness through childhood trauma, fracturing of families and home not being a safe space anymore. I was also shocked at the ripple effect of being homeless – the ongoing stress manifests itself in physical ailments and poor mental health, the economic disadvantage that can translate into prostitution and time in jail and the destructive coping mechanisms including drugs and alcohol. I have a new gratitude for the privilege of growing up in a safe home and a renewed empathy and compassion of all in our community who face the daily challenge of homelessness.

Ms Allison Harrigan

As we move into our last year as a cohort, it is these times that I will cherish forever. The atmosphere between teachers and students was unmatched, it truly felt like we were a strong knit family who could laugh and chat all night, until we had to finally close our eyes at 12am for Saturday morning sport. This night held so much meaning, not just as a social night but a time where we could learn, listen, and take in all of these impactful stories from people who have slept rough, and those who continue to sleep rough. This was such a wonderful exposure to a side of life that we have never experienced. Speaking on behalf of all the girls who went, this night will stick with us forever, touching hearts and minds, making us strive for a better community and society.

Madeleine Tudehope and Hannah Marchant-Williams
Year 11

The Dalai Lama said, “If you want others to be happy, practise compassion. If you want to be happy, practise compassion”

The Roughtober sleepout illustrated this so well and so beautifully: the strength of community.

Dynielle Whitney
Head of Religious Education & Social Justice Coordinator

Inquisitive Minds Mathematics Incursion

Last week, the Years 3-6 girls participated in a Mathematics incursion facilitated by Inquisitive Minds. Each year group enjoyed an 80 minute session filled with problem-solving challenges.

Led by experienced Mathematics teacher, Debbie, the girls warmed up with brainteasers which emphasised the importance of approaching problems strategically. Through Debbie’s explicit teaching of some useful problem-solving skills, the girls were able to add a few more strategies to their tool kits. And then the fun really started as the girls raced to complete as many problems as they could in the Relay Challenge. Working collaboratively with a partner, the girls used their Mathematics content knowledge together with their problem-solving skills to answer as many tricky Mathematics problems as they could. Each group had their own problem-solving kit with manipulatives like tiles and 2D shapes to help them explore possible solutions using these concrete materials.

While some questions might have initially looked easy, the girls soon realised that jumping to assumptions about what they thought the question was asking led to an incorrect response. Debbie spoke about the importance of taking time to carefully read and interpret problems before just racing in. By working in pairs, girls were able to articulate their interpretation of each problem with their partner and had the opportunity to debate and discuss solutions. Another important learning point was the need to double check answers! With each correct answer, the girls received a prized stamp on their Stamp Chart! The more stamps they collected the better! It was a joy to see every girl across Years 3-6 engaging in this incursion with so much energy and persistence.

Congratulations to the girls for making the most of this wonderful learning opportunity.

Here are some images from the Incursion:

Cristi Wilsmore
Deputy Head of Primary (Teaching and Learning)

Secondary Sport News

Inter-house Tennis – November 7

Inter-house Tennis will be held on Tuesday November 7 at Parklands Tennis Centre. The competition will start at 6.30am sharp! Please arrive at 6.20am

• Please bring a racquet, drink bottle, sunscreen, hat and some food.
• Each team is required to field four players. They must have two juniors (Years 7-9) and two seniors (Years 10-12) for each round.
• Matches between houses will consist of a Junior and a Senior Doubles and will be 4 games each. Sudden death deuce.  
• Buses will transport all students back to school. If you have any questions, please see Ms Tucker or Mrs Joukhadar.

CGSSA Aquathon – November 7

Good luck to the 34 SCEGGS students who are competing at the CGSSA Aquathon next Tuesday. A bus will depart directly from Parklands Tennis Centre at 7.45am at the completion of Interhouse. The bus will return back to SCEGGS at approximately 1.30pm at the completion of the competition.

Water Polo

SCEGGS Water Polo has got off to a flying start.

On the weekend the Senior 1 had a close match against Pymble and were eventually defeated 9-4. SCEGGS 2 are sitting at the top of the table undefeated after a 13-1 win over St Vincent’s. Our SCEGGS 3 team are also undefeated and had a tough match against Santa Sabina before winning 11 – 6. Pictured is our SCEGGS 3 team who found the outdoor pool quite chilly.

Equestrian

Congratulations to Scarlett Webber (Year 8) who competed at the Tamworth Interschool Extravaganza.

There were 720 horses and riders representing their schools. Scarlett and her horses had a terrific week of competition with some excellent results. Scarlett competed on two horses; Prince William Sharma and Don Skipcello. 

• Don competed in the 80cm Eventing finishing 8^th and dressage 1.3 finishing 8^th. This was Scarlett’s first competition on this horse. 
• William competed in the Show Jumping 90cm in 2 classes, Superphase (7^th) & Accumulator (1^st). She was awarded the reserve point score.

Sports Nominations Term 1, 2024

Sports Nominations for Term 1, 2024 are now open. These can be accessed via Clipboard. Parents are now required to complete Sports Nominations.

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 and matches Wet Weather

Wet weather notifications will now be sent out on Clipboard.

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

Primary Sport

Sports Enrolments Term 1

Thanks to those families who have already completed their nominations for Term 1 sport for 2024. A reminder that these will close for current students on Thursday 2 November.

Get in quickly to avoid missing out! If you have any further questions, please email Brittany Robbins or Tom Mitton.  

Saturday Leave Requests

SCEGGS expects parents/guardians to request permission for Saturday Sports Leave from Mrs Helen Dempsey in the same way Leave would be requested from the ordinary school day, at least one week before the requested date.

Primary Sport Training

A big thank you to all the students (and families) who followed last week’s message of ensuring attendance at sports training on Tuesday. This goes a long way in ensuring we continue to create a positive culture towards sports and professionalism in attending training. Many thanks for your help towards this.

Years 2-6 Primary Swimming Carnival

We look forward to a fantastic day for our annual Years 2-6 Swimming Carnival held in Week 7 on Monday, 20 November, at Lane Cove Leisure Centre.

As usual, girls must be at school by 8.15 am on the carnival day. Students will travel by hired bus and leave SCEGGS at 8.30 am to take students to Lane Cove Leisure Centre. Students wishing to travel straight to Lane Cove will need to provide an email to their class teachers before the day. Upon arrival at Lane Cove, students must get their names marked off by the class teacher. After the event, girls will either return to school by bus or can be collected by a parent from the venue. No students are to be collected before the conclusion of the carnival. Written permission must also be sent to their Classroom Teacher if a student is being collected from the carnival. School will conclude at the usual time of 3.10 pm.

Girls should come to school in PE uniform with their swimmers on underneath. At the carnival, the girls may wear decorated hats, coloured socks, t-shirts, and the like in House colours. Students are not to bring pom-poms or streamers to the carnival in our efforts to minimise any adverse impact on the environment. PE uniform must be worn correctly to and from school.

The pool at Lane Cove Leisure Centre is an outdoor pool. While ample undercover seating is available, girls must wear t-shirts and sun hats when not swimming and are expected to bring and apply sunscreen throughout the day. Girls may wear any sun-protective swimwear for the day if preferred. We ask that the girls bring enough food and drink for the day. 

Parents may sit near the students’ seating area or on the balcony overlooking the pool’s finish line. While the canteen facilities are open to parents, we ask that parents not purchase food or drinks for their children. For students attending before-school and after-school activities, the school swim squad, Art Club and Drama Club will be cancelled for the day. All after-school sports activities will be on, but attendance is not compulsory.

This year’s carnival will be used to select next year’s IPSHA Swimming Team. We encourage all girls to get involved in all events and strive for their personal best! Any students who are absent and do not attend the carnival and wish to try for the IPSHA Swimming Team will be able to do so in early 2024. This date is yet to be confirmed.

We are all looking forward to a beautiful day. In the case of inclement weather and the need to cancel the carnival, a decision will be made by 7.30 am.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to the girls selected to represent CIS at the NSWPSSA Athletics carnival held last Wednesday and Thursday at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre. For these girls, they have successfully been selected to represent SCEGGS then IPSHA and now CIS in their respective Athletic events.

Well done to the following girls who gave it their all in their events.

Congratulations to Ava, who made it to the 12 Years 100m final.

A further congratulations to Stasia, who finished 2^nd overall in the 9 Years 100m final, making her the 2^nd fastest 9-year-old in the state!

Well done to Ingrid Soerensen (Year 5), who competed at the Club Nationals on the Gold Coast, taking place in which took place in the October holidays.

Last Saturday, Clementine Finlayson (North Bondi), Beatrice Emanuel (Bronte) and Emily Snow (Bronte) represented their Nippers Clubs in several events. Emily and Beatrice finished 1^st in the 2x500m relay, with Clementine and another student finishing 2^nd. In the 1km event, Beatrice finished 1^st, and Clementine finished 4^th. Congratulations girls!

Please help us celebrate any other achievements outside of school!

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 Tom Mitton any information (and photos, if possible), will be included in newsletters throughout the term.

Upcoming Sport Events

Tom Mitton
Primary Sport Co-ordinator

Music Matters

Moana Year 6 Musical

There is a buzz throughout Year 6 this week with the girls busily putting their final touches for this Friday night’s performance of Moana. Ms Lanneke Jones and her team of musicians have been rehearsing with our talented Year 6 students in the Great Hall in preparation.

We look forward to seeing you this Friday 3 November 6pm in the Great Hall with this wonderful production of Moana.

Musicale 4 ‘Our Natural World’ Congratulations

Well done to all our amazing performers who took part in last Thursday’s Musicale 4 ‘Our Natural World’.  The concert featured ensembles from primary and secondary students each performing a piece of music that represented the theme for the concert.  Congratulations to the following ensembles:

Primary Ensembles – Cantare, String Power, Stringalong, Training Band, Bugles’ Band, Sinfonietta, Chamber Strings, Primary Cello Ensemble and Primary String Octet.

Secondary Ensembles – Van Reyk Percussion Ensemble, LUX Strings, Holst Wind Ensemble, Contemporary Strings and Clarion Concert Band.

Thank you to the dedicated team of Music staff and tutors who carefully prepared the students for this final concert of the year.

Suzuki Graduation at The Sydney Opera House

Congratulations Georgina Sharp and Bronte Lusted for graduating Suzuki Cello Level 1 and Harriet Hilton graduating Suzuki Violin Level 3. All students performed in the annual Suzuki Graduation Concert at the Sydney Opera House last weekend. Thank you to their violin tutor Ms Michelle Kelly and cello tutor Ms Amelia McCluney. Well done girls!

Primary String Studio Concerts – Congratulations!

Congratulations to all primary string players from Kindergarten to Year 5 who performed a short solo at one of three Studio Concerts that were held on Monday 30 October, Tuesday 31 October and Wednesday 1 November in the Primary Music Room. It was lovely to have parents, siblings and relatives to form an appreciative audience to support the girls with their solo performances. Thank you to Mrs Sweeney who organised the three very busy concerts.

Bugles Solo Performance Open Morning

Term 4 Week 6, Tuesday 14 November (7.15am to 8.10am) at Great Hall

Click here to find out more information. 

Upcoming Music Events

Term 4

Pauline Chow
Head of Music

Drama News

onSTAGE Nominations

The HSC Drama course is now complete for our 2023 cohort who sat their written examination last Monday, October 23.

We were delighted to learn that our students received five onSTAGE nominations for their Individual Project (IP) and Group Performance works. onSTAGE is an annual exhibition of performance and project works created during the preceding year’s course.

Congratulations to Eva Harris, Eliza Newton, and Allegra Sintras who had their IPs nominated.

And to the ensembles of Billie Palmer, Lucia Habib and Zoe Keusgen (Closing Hour), Anne-Marie Aroney, Natayleah Georgetown, Amelia Moran, Scarlett Phillips and Allegra Sintras (B.S. Assemble) who had their Group Performances nominated.

A stellar year all ‘round. Thanks, and bravo to the 25 students who undertook the course.

The Influencers – Musical

SCEGGS will stage their second musical this year when we present the world premiere of The Influencers.

The Influencers is an original musical with a score by Samantha Millin (Year 10) and book by Head of Drama, Mr Eyers. It will be performed by students from Years 7, 8 and 9.

What happens when four dynamic social media influencers become stranded in a town where technology is banned? The musical explores our reliance and addiction to technology. It’s a salient reminder for us to occasionally stop and appreciate the world around us.

Ms Romy Bartz and Ms Poppy Lynch direct the production, with Ms Monique Langford as Design Consultant and Mr Tim Hope providing Sound and Lighting design.

The season runs:

Bookings are now open via TryBooking.

See you there!

Senior Play 2024

The Drama Department will present Jessica Swale’s play Nell Gwynne in term 2, 2024. An information afternoon will be conducted on Wednesday November 8 at 3.30pm in the Playhouse for any students who would like to audition for the play.

Auditions will be conducted in week 6 of this term.

“Theatre is crucial to survival. The dinosaurs did not have theatre and look how that turned out!”

Peter Eyers
Head of Drama

SRC

‘Fresh Fruit Friday’, a new initiative led by the SRC, is an opportunity for SCEGGS families to donate fresh fruits and vegetables to a local charity, Rough Edges.

Rough Edges is a program of St John’s Community Services that provides a space for people experiencing homelessness to find a community, connect with others, reach out for help, and share a meal. As a school, Rough Edges is important to us, as it cares for people in our local community of the Kings Cross and Darlinghurst area.

If you would like to help out this wonderful charity, students are asked to bring in some fresh fruits or vegetables on Friday of Weeks 5 and 8 to the Jacaranda Gate or to the Cafeteria for it to be collected and taken to Rough Edges. It’s an easy, small gesture, but one that will be highly appreciated and enjoyed.

Again, that’s fresh fruit and veggies dropped at the Jacaranda Gate or Cafeteria on Friday of Weeks 5 and 8.

We hope to see as many of you as possible dropping your donations off at the Jacaranda Gate or the Cafeteria!

The SRC 

Lets be Friends

Have fun exploring what it means to be a good friend through Music, Art and Drama at the K-2 Concert.

Everyone is welcome on Friday November 24 at 2.00pm in the Great Hall.

Bring a cushion and a rug to sit close.

Bronwyn Cleworth
Primary Music Teacher

Year 6 Musical: “Disney’s Moana Jnr“

Members of the SCEGGS School community are warmly invited to the Year 6 Musical: “Disney’s Moana Jnr” on Friday 3 November at 6pm in The Great Hall.

Lanneke Jones
Primary Music Teacher

Parents’ and Friends’ Association