Giving Day – Every gift supports the Jenny Allum Scholarships

On Wednesday 5 November, our school community will gather for the Light Her Path annual Giving Day – a day that’s all about coming together and opening doors for every SCEGGS girl. For 24 hours, every donation will be doubled by generous matching donors.

Giving Day is about participation, not just fundraising. This year we hope even more families join in to help us honour Jenny Allum’s 30 years of leadership and service by supporting the Jenny Allum Scholarships. Last year more than 250 donors took part – let us break that record!

These scholarships are more than financial support – they are a celebration of Ms Allum’s enduring legacy defined by her unwavering commitment to education. The Jenny Allum Scholarships will open doors for girls in Year 3, giving them the chance to begin their SCEGGS journey early, laying the foundation for future success while remaining close to home and family.

Plain Clothes Day

On Giving Day, the girls will mark the occasion by wearing plain clothes and enjoying a House BBQ, each bringing a gold coin donation – a small gesture that, when multiplied across our community, becomes something extraordinary.

Giving Day is our chance to pay it forward, to honour the generosity of those who came before us, and to ensure that every girl who walks through the green gate has the chance to thrive.

As Giving Day approaches, we invite you to join us. Give generously for you, for your daughters, and for the generations of SCEGGS girls yet to come.

There will never be a better day to make your mark.

Best wishes

Christy Boyce
Chair of the Capital Campaign and Trust Board
On behalf of the SCEGGS Capital Campaign and Trust
(Jenny Allum, Sally Auld, Niamh Brosnan, Therese Cochrane, George Cooney, Zoë Hart, Matt Jones, Vanessa Liell, Sunny Lusted, Dianne Nguyen, Carrie Roberts)

SCEGGS Gives Back

On Sunday 19 October we held our third SCEGGS Gives Back Day, an Old Girls’ Union community event where we reconnect with each other and make a contribution to our community. It was our second year holding the event at Our Big Kitchen in Bondi. We had Old Girls join us from many alumni years and even some children and grandchildren.

Everyone participated in a Masterchef-style cooking challenge, where each House team had to invent a dish based on the mystery ingredients we were provided with on the day. It was a fast-paced, high-energy environment with much laughter and fun had by all.

Congratulations to Christian House, this year’s winner, with a vegetarian pasta dish, voted in by George and Joe our hosts. At the end of the event, we had prepared more than 100 healthy meals that were delivered that afternoon to some hungry people near Central Station. 

Many thanks to all the Old Girls and their families, who gave up two hours of their Sunday afternoon to volunteer for this fantastic cause.

See you next year!

Quanchai Kellar (1992)

P&F Information Evening – Navigating the introduction of the U16 Social Media Ban

How will the new regulation impact my daughter? What does the new regulation practically mean? Why has this come into effect?

Join clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein as she explores these themes, along with Head of Primary School Helen Dempsey and Director of Student Wellbeing Laura Connolly. Moderating the discussion will be Year 4 parent Cass Matthews, who has 20 years of experience advising large technology platforms on safety and risk management. 

Dr Einstein is a renowned authority on the intersection of technology and mental health. She was the first Australian clinical psychologist to call for school phone bans based on her research on uncertainty. In 2024, Dr Einstein educated the government, colleagues and the public, on the harms of social media, and she provided critical evidence at the Australian Parliament’s Senate Inquiry into the Social Media Age legislation. 

Don’t miss this timely and important discussion to better understand what the social media age restrictions mean and how you can support connections and open conversations at home.

P&F Association

Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards 2025

We are very proud of all the students who entered this year’s Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. The theme “All the beautiful things” encouraged students to write pieces on a range of uplifting and inspiring topics.

Annabel Ling’s (Year 6) poem “Two Children” and Amelie Singer’s (Year 10) work “Icarus” were both Highly Commended in the competition.

Cynthia Cai’s (Year 8) “A Show of Beautiful Things” and Zoe Lindner’s (Year 12) “Generational” both received Commendations.

This is an impressive achievement and we congratulate each of them on their success in this national competition.

Jenny Bean
Head of English

Drama News

Pippin

Drama staff member Mr Stephen Colyer is directing Pippin

Stephen Colyer is a Sydney-based theatre director, teacher, and performer whose career spans dance, musical theatre, and drama. He trained at the Victorian College of the Arts, the Australian Ballet School, and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and holds a BA/BEd from the University of New South Wales.

As a director, Mr Colyer has established a strong reputation for his dynamic staging and actor-focused process. His work with Gaiety Theatre and across Sydney’s independent theatre scene has highlighted his passion for bringing diverse voices to the stage. For Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Mr Colyer has directed productions including Falsettos, Torch Song Trilogy, Fit to Be Tied, Boston Marriage, Dying City, Hello Again, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and No Way to Treat a Lady. His acclaimed revival of Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy was remounted in 2018 after its original 2013 production.

Mr Colyer has also worked widely as a resident director on large-scale musicals. He has served as resident director for Dirty Dancing, The Full Monty, The Rocky Horror Show, and Cabaret. On behalf of Sam Mendes, Mr Colyer directed Cabaret in Madrid, Seoul, and Paris. In Canberra, he directed Mary Poppins for Free Rain Theatre Company.

Alongside his directing, Mr Colyer’s background as a dancer has informed his choreographic and teaching practice. He has also worked as the dance supervisor and a choreographer on the ABC TV series Dance Academy. He has performed with companies such as The Australian Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Feld Ballet New York, and Opera Australia. He has also appeared in film (Moulin Rouge, Scooby Doo) and stage musicals (Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tabaluga and Lili, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Damn Yankees).

Student productions he has directed or choreographed include The Book of Everything, Twelfth Night, The Government Inspector, and Much Ado About Nothing at Wenona. Curtains and Once on This Island at Redlands School. Romeo and Juliet and Little Women at Ascham. Living With Lady Macbeth at Kambala and Great Expectations at Cranbrook.

Stephen Colyer’s career reflects a commitment to both the artistry of musical theatre and the integrity of socially resonant drama. His work consistently blends theatrical precision with a focus on inclusivity, ensuring that theatre speaks to diverse audiences and remains an accessible, vital cultural form.

Quote/Trivia

Saying ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre (unless you’re performing) 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

IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge

On Monday 14 October, two of our Primary students in Year 6, Eva Geha and Klemintine Chylek, proudly represented SCEGGS in our very first appearance at the IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge, held at Macarthur Anglican College, Cobbitty.

This year’s theme, Unexpected, invited participants to think creatively and critically, exploring ideas and moments that surprise, inspire, or challenge our expectations. Eva and Klemintine rose to the occasion, delivering powerful and engaging speeches that reflected the value we place on Oracy in the Primary School. A special congratulations to Eva, who was selected as a finalist, one of only eight chosen from a field of approximately 60 participants.

Speaking before an audience and connecting with peers from other schools provided a wonderful opportunity for the girls to grow in confidence and skill. We are immensely proud of both Eva and Klemintine for representing SCEGGS with such confidence and enthusiasm. This experience marks the beginning of what we hope will become a lasting tradition of participation in the IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge.

Kristy Williams
Acting Curriculum Coordinator

Stage 1 Oracy Showcase – A Growing Tradition

In the Primary School, we understand that oral language is the foundation of all learning. By learning to express ideas clearly and listen thoughtfully, the girls become confident communicators who can collaborate, solve problems, and express themselves with understanding and respect, both in the classroom and beyond.

Last term, Stage 1 explored the art of poetry recitation. Through this experience, they enriched their language skills and learned to use their voices effectively. As the girls rehearsed, read and performed their chosen poems, they became more aware of how to control volume, pace, and expression, and how rhythm brings words to life.

Congratulations to our finalists, who were selected by their classroom teacher to present at the Stage 1 Oracy Showcase this week. They performed admirably, projecting their voices with confidence, using expression to characterise and emote, and captivating the audience with their delivery. Congratulations also to our Year 6 hosts, Emily Snow, Annabelle Coonan, Josephine Smith and Clementine Finlayson, who led the proceedings with poise.

Finalists

Year 2

Year 1

These events could not be possible without the dedication and support of our teachers. We would like to thank Ms Hood, Mrs Lodge and Ms Woodcock who played such an important role in helping the girls strengthen their oral language and communication skills. Thank you also to the parents of the finalists, your encouragement and guidance was evident in the girls’ performances.

The third Stage 1 Oracy Showcase has once again highlighted the wonderful progress our girls are making in developing their speaking and listening skills. This event is fast becoming a great tradition in K-2, a celebration of the power of oracy.

Kristy Williams
Acting Curriculum Coordinator

Secondary Sports News

Athletics

A big congratulations to Coco Espie (Year 11) who competed at the World Para Athletics Championships that were held in New Delhi, India over the holidays. Coco competed in the 100m, 400m and 800m events and performed very well being the youngest competitor in her category. A particular highlight was seeing her racing against the British World Champion Hannah Cockroft.

We are all so proud of you Coco.

Touch

Some belated news from Touch. The Rooster Rockets were a combination of Year 7 SCEGGS students who competed in the Eastern Suburbs Touch Association Winter Competition. The team was coached by the SCEGGS Touch Captain Olivia Davis (Year 11) who volunteered her time and did a terrific job after seeing the team warm up in week 1.

The team played incredibly well together and have developed significantly over the season. They finished with a 8-1 win in their final match. We look forward to watching them in action in the Term 4 Easts Touch comp.

Cross Country

Well done to Ruby Fry (Year 12) who competed at the Australian All Schools Cross Country Championships that were held in QLD. Ruby placed 14^th Overall in the 18 years 6km event. She won the Gold Medal in the 2km time trial, and her NSW team also won the gold medal. Well done Ruby and good luck as you complete your HSC exams.

Equestrian

Congratulations to Isla Oxley (Year 9) and Scarlett Webber (Year 10) who represented the NSW team at the Australian Interschools Equestrian Championships over the holidays (and Georgina Sharp from Year 5 and Alessandra Voitenko Turner from Year 6 from the Primary school).

Isla and her horse “Enbarr” won the Advanced Championship and were Reserve Champions in the Medium class.

Other equestrian news

Abby Simmons (Year 10) and her horse “Clancy’s Lad” have also been busy.

Berry Interschools Championships:

ISHE Interschools Tamworth:

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

Primary Sport News

Years 2-6 Swimming Carnival Event Registration

Years 4–6

All students will automatically be entered into the following events:

Additional events are available for students who attend squad training and are capable of completing them confidently, within an appropriate time:

Students wishing to enter these additional events must complete the Clipboard form. 

Year 3

All Year 3 students must complete the Clipboard form. 
They may choose to compete in either 25m or 50m races for Freestyle, Breaststroke, and Backstroke.
Students are encouraged to challenge themselves with 50m distances, though confidence and enjoyment are the top priorities. Please discuss with your daughter which events best suit her ability and comfort level.

Year 2

Year 2 students will compete in 25m Freestyle and Backstroke events.
This serves as an introduction to the swimming carnival experience and a chance to support their House. From Year 3 onwards, they will have the opportunity to participate in a wider range of 50m events.

Years 3-6 Event Registration

Please complete the 2025 Primary Swim Carnival form via Clipboard here.

Student Achievements

At the end of last term, Georgina Sharp (Year 5) competed at the Australian Interschools Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. She won her riding class, was third in the led category, and was awarded third overall in the primary show horse competition. Georgina was also a part of the NSW team who were the champion state overall in primary show horse. Congratulations to Georgina for an outstanding effort!

Last weekend, Clementine Finlayson (Year 6) participated in the Pink triathlon at Sydney Olympic Park, consisting of a 200m swim, 6km cycle and 2.5km run. She not only completed the course but managed to place 2nd in the Under 15 category. Congratulations to Clementine.

Reminder

Due to the Year 7 2026 Orientation morning, no Year 6 teams will play IPSHA sport on Saturday 25 October.

Important Sports Dates

All the best to the IPSHA Gymnastics team on Friday!

Have a wonderful week.

Adrian Hammond
Primary Sports Coordinator

Visual Arts

Ashley Marie Marcos Award

Congratulations to Zara Eade in Year 11 who was announced as the recipient of the Ashley Marie Marcos Award in the final assembly last term. Zara wrote a very eloquent, sincere and clear proposal and has elected to study Drawing at the National Art School. We look forward to seeing how this experience informs her Body of Work development in her HSC year. It will also give her the opportunity to meet with Old Girl (Class of 2004) Ashley Marie who will mentor Zara and provide another point of support and guidance throughout the process. Congratulations Zara!

Howard Tanner Drawing Prize

A reminder that entries for the Howard Tanner Drawing Prize close this Friday at 9am. All students from Years 7 to 11 are encouraged to submit up to 3 works in any drawing media representing any subject or theme. A selection of finalists will be displayed later this term. Please drop your work into the Art Staffroom with your name and year group clearly written on the back.

Applications for Art Captain

Applications for Art Captain are also due this Friday to Ms Jackson via this link.

Banner Acknowledgement: This week’s banner is from Year 11 student Zara Eade’s work last term on The Body.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts

Year 11 Roughtober Sleepout

Over 90 Year 11 students have signed up to participate in the Youth Roughtober Sleepout, on Friday 24 October. This is an awareness and fundraising event for Rough Edges, a drop in café for people who are living in vulnerable and at-risk situations to have a place where they can belong, get food, and develop a sense of community with other people each night.

As a school with a Christian foundation, we are guided by the example of Jesus to love our neighbours. When we think about what Jesus meant by love, and how he showed this, we see that he began by noticing who were those people in need, suffering, lonely or forgotten by society. Not only did he notice, but he also then reached out and through these actions was the presence of a loving God to those society had neglected. Our Year 11 students participating in Roughtober have demonstrated a commitment to addressing the injustices of homelessness and disadvantage in our local community and reflecting a core teaching in the dignity of all human beings.

Rough Edges relies very much on the fundraising efforts to sustain its vital services in our neighbourhood of Darlinghurst. You can read about the ways in which this service helps people rebuild their lives and treat patrons who visit with dignity through the love and care shown by those serving and volunteering at the café here. 

We hope that you will help support our Year 11’s who are sleeping rough at St John’s in Darlinghurst through a donation to our SCEGGS Darlinghurst Roughtober fundraiser. 

We thank you for your generosity and support of this important and life changing service. I am very proud of the students who have embraced this fundraising initiative so enthusiastically and have shown great commitment to giving back to our local community.

Dynielle Whitney
Head of Religious Education & Social Justice Coordinator

Careers Corner

Work Experience

At SCEGGS, we recognise the value of work experience to allow students to explore potential career paths, develop practical capabilities, and gain insight into the world of work. Moreover, work experience helps the girls to make connections between school subjects, career research and real-life situations. Year 11’s Pippa Brenner shares her insights from her recent work experience as a geologist – we hope you enjoy it!

Over the Term 3 holidays, I travelled to Cobar in rural NSW to complete work experience as a geologist with Aurelia Metals. Over three days, I visited several mine sites to understand how modern mining operations work, the importance of sustainability, and the vital role geologists play in managing resources responsibly.

On my first day, I toured Federation Mine, a high-grade zinc, lead, gold, copper, and silver deposit. There, I learnt how geologists map and analyse the earth using traditional hand-drawn maps alongside advanced CAD software and 3D scanning technologies. Seeing how data translates into real-world mining plans showed me how essential geology is in both exploration and environmental management. The second day began early at Peak Mine, one of Aurelia’s most successful operations. I joined the daily geology meeting and saw how the mine runs 24 hours a day through precise planning and teamwork. Later, I visited Fort Bourke, where exploration geologists showed me active drill sites and explained how they determine viable exploration zones. What stood out most was Aurelia’s commitment to Indigenous relations, working closely with Traditional Owners to ensure mining does not disturb sacred land or natural ecosystems.

The company also partners with local Indigenous communities to provide employment, training, and long-term opportunities, fostering strong and respectful relationships. At Kairos Deep, one of Peak Mine’s newest discoveries, I learnt how drill rigs operate and how vital safety and environmental checks are before any operation begins. My supervisors, Dinesh and Susie, explained that mining plays a crucial role in Australia’s transition to a low-carbon future. The minerals extracted, including copper, zinc, and rare earth elements, are essential for renewable technologies such as solar panels, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.

Mining, when done responsibly, supports global decarbonisation efforts and drives innovation in sustainable resource use. At Peak, I also learned how rehabilitation is essential in the mining process. Sustainability measures are taken at every stage to ensure the environment remains as undamaged as possible. When a mine is completed, great care is taken to restore the area to its natural state by reintroducing native flora and fauna, filling in mining voids, and removing any remaining equipment or waste. I visited a rehabilitated site near Peak and was amazed by how untouched it appeared. The landscape was vibrant and full of life, with greenery and wildlife thriving, showing how effective these rehabilitation efforts can be. On my final day at Hera Mine, I visited the core lab, where samples are analysed for valuable minerals such as gold. I was able to conduct my own analysis, marking core samples and identifying mineralisation.

This experience deepened my understanding of geology’s precision and purpose. Through this experience, I gained a new appreciation for geology’s role in building a sustainable and ethical mining future. I also recognised the need for greater female representation in the industry. Mining remains largely male-dominated, yet the inclusion of women’s perspectives and ideas is essential to drive progress, innovation, and environmental responsibility. My time in Cobar reinforced my passion for geology and showed me how it can shape a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future.

Careers Corner

Please click here to read this week’s Careers Corner Newsletter.

Andrea Pinnock
Careers Advisor

Parents’ and Friends’ Association