A note about communication between girls and their parents/carers during the school day.
We know that sometimes girls email home during the school day with some concerns about what is happening the school day, usually bad news, communicating their distress, anxiety or upset to their parents/carers.
If you have concerns for your daughter’s immediate safety, please don’t hesitate to ring the school and report your concerns – we will take it from there.
Otherwise, please do one of two things. Either don’t respond at all, or respond along the following lines:
Dear Daughter
I am not going to do this via email. Let’s talk about it tonight. I know we can sort it out then.
Love you.
Mum or Dad or whoever…
We know that some girls have a great ability to catastrophize situations and expect immediate solutions to any distress. Please refrain from engaging in this behaviour. Times of hurt and anxiety are learning experiences, and you can help your daughter to cope with life’s complexities through calm face-to-face discussion and negotiation. It’s important to listen to what happened and help your daughter to come to her own conclusions about the way forward, rather than trying to solve her problems for her. You want her to develop the skills and resilience she needs to cope with life’s pains and problems, and that is best done face-to-face, at home, calmly, with time to talk and explore emotions and facts.
Jenny Allum Head of School
Celebrating our community
Sunday’s Festival on Forbes was a lovely celebration of our school community. It was joyous to see everyone together, enjoying each other’s company, the beautiful weather and all that the day had to offer! It goes without saying that events like this do not happen without so many people rolling up their sleeves and going above and beyond the call of duty. I am so appreciative of the P&F Fair Committee, ably led by Fair Convenor Bree Parker, who volunteered countless hours of their time, as well as all our staff who contributed to the fantastic Fair! Here a few photos for you to all enjoy!
Best wishes
Jenny Allum Head of School
Festival on Forbes
Dear Parents and Friends,
Sunday 21 August 2022 – A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED!
Thank you to everybody who participated in making our festival such a wonderful day. The sun was shining, the community was out, the smiles on everyone’s faces were evident, a totally joyous day.
None of this would have happened without the wonderful commitment, drive, passion, energy and sleepless nights of the Festival on Forbes Committee 2022, led by our amazing Bree Parker and Danielle Shin. They were complimented by our hardworking and innovative group of Class Parents and individual year groups in creating the best stalls ever and the Merry People who assisted us in the setting up and the very swift bumping out on Sunday afternoon. A huge thanks must also go to the dedicated and hardworking staff involved in the lead-up to the day and on the day itself.
The SCEGGS Parents and Friends Association, of which you are all members, is all about community and friend making and from what I observed on Sunday we achieved our goal. I have never seen more interaction, togetherness and joy on faces young and old for many, many days.
Thank you to our SCEGGS school community.
Bree and the fair committee will be reporting to you all in the coming days.
Penny Newton President P&F
Sister to Sister
Over the past week, students from Years 8 and 11 participated in a range of sister-to-sister activities designed to build friendships between year groups and strengthen our school sense of community. Due to various lockdowns and other covid-related mishaps, many inter-year events were cancelled over the past few years, so this opportunity to get to know the younger girls was deeply valued. Additionally, as students in Year 11 apply for Prefect and House Committee roles this term, these activities were a perfect chance to apply leadership skills and understand the responsibilities of being role models to younger years.
To start the week off, we had a shared chapel service discussing methods to overcome obstacles and build community. This happened to fall on Toasty Tuesday, so both years were dressed snugly in hoodies and Ugg boots, sitting together in mixed year groups. The following morning, both years assembled in the sports hall for some friendly competition between houses. We laughed together and cheered each other on as we took part in team-building activities: we tried to pass a hoop around a circle of girls holding hands, then tried to line up silently in order of our street number. Although Langley came last in almost every event, it was wonderful to be able to talk to some girls who I’d seen before at house events or house meetings but had never been able to get to know.
On Thursday, forms were paired up for a discussion, guided by questions that the Year 8 classes had brainstormed. Year 11 students offered advice and support, sharing their experiences on everything from balancing co-curriculars and elective choices to friendship group dilemmas and note-taking strategies. To close the week, we came together in the sports hall for a surprise hip-hop class with Joel, a familiar face to both years. Just before we returned to class, Year 11 were given care packages from the Year 8s to help us through the upcoming exam block. We received a paper bag each, full of the most thoughtful gifts, including face masks, sweets, mugs and teabags, candles and more. The amount of love and care that went into these care packages was immeasurable, and I know our whole year is very grateful!
A huge thank you to our year coordinators, Ms Wymer and Ms Smith, for this amazing opportunity! I’m looking forward to continuing this tradition of mutual support and compassion throughout the rest of our years at school.
Jemima Louie Smith 11To
Interhouse Science Competition Results 2022
As part of SCEGGS celebration of National Science Week, the annual Inter-house Science Trivia Competition was held on Wednesday 17 August.
The theme for National Science Week this year was “Glass-More than Meets the Eye”, which focused on the interesting properties and applications of different types of glass, and the chemistry which imparting these properties.
After a hard-fought 4 rounds of trivia, we had a very close and exciting finish. Here are the results of the competition:
6th place went to Badham on 28 points
5th place went to Beck on 31 points
4th place went to Barton on 33 points
Equal 3rd place went to Christian and Docker on 34 points
1st place went to Langley on 41 points
Congratulations to Langley House for taking out the competition for 2022, and thank you to all girls who participated for their house or who supported the teams as audience members.
Luke Hanson Head of Science
Primary Sport News
IPSHA Athletics
We wish our IPSHA Athletics Team the best of luck before their upcoming Carnival on Monday 29 August at SOPAC.
Congratulations to the following students on your selection:
Georgina Auld
Vivienne Calleja
Klemintine Chylek
Pippa Dodwell
Beatrice Emanuel
Chelsea Fallshaw
Clementine Finlayson
Jessica Grace
Charli Hedley
Sarah Ibrahim
Annabelle Jessup
Emilia Laban
Charlotte Lowe
Lucinda Morgan
Antonia Neal
Gabriella Orth
Ava Pepper
Sarah Reif
Stasia Serafin
Gemma Shennan
Holly Shennan
Anna Slack
Emily Snow
Elizabeth Teoh
Olivia Worldon
Term 4 Sport Nomination Forms
A big thank you to all families who have returned their Sport Nomination Forms for Term 4. If you have not, please do so in the next few days to avoid missing out on enrolments for Term 4.
AFL opportunities
For those girls who are interested, we have some further opportunities for those looking at playing some AFL.
For those looking for a taste of AFL, register here for the holiday clinic at Moore Park on Thursday 29 August from 10am – 2pm. Get along and try AFL today!
For girls looking for a bit more AFL in Term 4, there is an AFLX Competition running at Moore Park on Monday afternoons from 10 October to 12 December. We would love to get a SCEGGS team together to compete; whether you are an experienced player or have never played before, we would love to hear from you! For more information, visit. For those interested in signing up as part of a team or as an individual, please email me.
SCEGGS Training sessions 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 me on 0435 138 037. Alternatively, if you have any news or photos that we can highlight in the newsletters, please email here.
Tom Mitton PDHPE and Sport Coordinator: Primary
HSC Design & Technology Major Design Project Exhibition
Congratulations to the Year 12 Design and Technology students of 2022
Last Wednesday night’s HSC Design and Technology Major Design Project Exhibition was a celebration of every student who had endeavoured to explore and resolve human issues and environmental challenges in truly unique ways.
The innovative Year 12 projects that lined the Joan Freeman Foyer showcased a breadth of contemporary design talent. Featuring architectural, textile and object designs centred around social, ethical, and sustainable issues.
Their empathetic approach towards creating meaningful, inclusive designs was honourable and further solidified that this generation is especially aware of the impact of designing and producing on society and the environment. Each student meticulously analysed and researched their individual issue, utilising creative and critical thinking skills to come up with some remarkable solutions.
The exhibition exemplified their fierce determination and countless hours they poured into the production phase of these projects and the results were truly impressive!
The future looks bright with these creative minds on their way.
Caroline O’Sullivan Head of TAS
Maevie McEvoy TAS Assistant
Visual Arts
This week’s banner is is from the outgoing Art Captain, Evie Watson.
Nominations for Art Captain 2022/23 are now invited!
Year 10 and 11 Art students are eligible to apply and students have been emailed application forms.
The Art Captain is a special position that requires special skills, values and attitudes. We are looking for a student who can do the following and more!
Invent and coordinate art related activities and events that engage students across the Secondary School
Lead others and form sub committees to organise Art related events and activities
Make speeches and announcements in Assemblies and at Openings and exhibitions
Write for, support and engage with the SCOPE Art magazine team
Liaise with the Visual Arts Department regularly
If you would like to apply, please complete the application and forward it to Ms Jackson by Monday 5 September.
Interviews will be held in Week 2, Term 4 and the position will be announced and commence in Week 3.
We take this opportunity to thank Evie Watson who is our outgoing Captain for 2021/22. Her excellent efforts and initiative distinguished her in this role. We could not have asked for a more thoughtful and calm Captain! She has approached all aspects of this leadership position in a positive, level headed and inclusive manner and her organisational skills and love of all the Visual Arts were assets. We trust that she will use many of the skills gained in her studies of Art to flourish in her future beyond SCEGGS.
With our best wishes and gratitude Evie!
Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts
Music Matters
Musicale 3 – Monday 29 August Great Hall
The Music department will be presenting Musicale 3 next Monday 29 August as TWO separate concerts.
Primary Concert will commence at 4.30pm
String Power
Primary Cello Ensemble
Ukulele Ensemble
Chamber Strings
Primary Jazz Combo
Cantare
Secondary Concert will commence at 6pm
Secondary Jazz Combo
Chapter 5 – Rock band
Year 10 Class Ensemble
Woodwind Ensemble
Music Extension Ensemble
Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
We look forward to sharing our performances with you next Monday.
Congratulations! Festival on Forbes Music Performances
Congratulations to all the musicians who performed with their ensembles at the Festival on Forbes. Well done to the girls in:
Beginners Band
Primary Jazz Combo
Bugles
Secondary Jazz Combo
Clarion Band
Holst Wind Band
Basie Jazz Band
Contemporary Vocal Ensemble (CVE)
String Power
Stringalong
Sinfonietta
Chamber Strings
Amati Strings
Lux Strings
Maca Rock Band
Your performances helped to add to the celebration of the day and a smile to many faces. Special thank you also to members of the Music staff, tutors and assistants who provided additional support.
Lux Strings
Lux Strings
Congratulations – Year 11 Music 1 and 2 Concert
Congratulations to the students from Year 11 Music 1 and Music 2 who performed last Thursday 18 August, 4pm in the Great Hall. It was a wonderful afternoon of music with students from both courses presenting a variety of solo musical items.
Special thank you to Ms Alison Ryan (Music 1) and to Ms Heidi Jones who carefully rehearsed with each student for the event. Well done to all students, it was great to hear your performances live on stage!
Lara Greenfield (Year 11)
Maggie-Rose Dunlop (Year 11)
Olivia Wolff (Year 11)
Combined Concert with Shore School – Choir and Madrigal Ensemble
SCEGGS’ Choir and Madrigal Ensemble are soon to be performing with choirs from Shore School in North Sydney. This collaboration will culminate in a performance in the Smith Auditorium at Shore School on the evening of Tuesday 13 September. This opportunity to perform choral music with tenors and basses allows us to present the magnificent Vivaldi Gloria – one of the great classics in choral music. The girls are quite taken with this music and are very excited to be singing with their friends from Shore.
Parents and friends are warmly invited to this concert. Preparation for this concert will include two rehearsals on site at Shore:
Rehearsal 1 at Shore: Wednesday 7 September
Rehearsal 2 at Shore: Monday 12 September
Concert: Tuesday 13 September
Information have been sent to families with details for both rehearsals and the concert at Shore.
The girls are loving this music and are so looking forward to sharing the delights of Vivaldi with an enthusiastic audience.
Ms Allison Harrigan
Director of Choral
SCEGGS Voices for STC’s “Chalkface”
Eight students from Year 5 were invited to take part in a recording for Sydney Theatre Company’s upcoming production of “Chalkface”. The composer for this production Ms Jessica Dunn came to record the students at the Diana Bowman Centre on Monday 22 August. Sydney Theatre Company would credit SCEGGS in the play acknowledgements.
The girls had a wonderful time recording the songs for the production. You can find out more about the production via this link to STC’s website.
Well done girls and thank you to Ms Lanneke Jones for organising this amazing opportunity.
Primary Piano Concert – Thursday 1 SeptemberGreat Hall
Invitation opened to ALL Primary pianists to sign up to perform in the upcoming Primary Piano Concert.
The concert will take place Week 7 – 1 September, 3.30pm – 4.30pm.
Parents and friends are welcome to attend.
To enrol your daughter in the concert please complete this form by Friday 26 August (Week 6).
We look forward to seeing you there!
ASBOF Competition – Important Change of Venue for Bugles
The ASBOF competition for SCEGGS ensembles will begin this Sunday 28 August.
*Change of venue for Bugles
Please note that Bugles will now perform at the University of NSW’s Sir John Clancy Auditorium. Students will need to arrive at the venue by 9.45am.
Tickets for the ASBOF Competition are now on sale. The tickets for this event (25% discount when purchasing online) can be accessed via the ASBOF website.
The ASBOF Web App is also accessible via the website and gives parents access to the full Festival Draw.
Please see below for the information and ensembles that are involved in this year’s competition:
Sunday 28 August – Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Sinfonietta – arrival time of 8.30am
Stringalong – arrival time of 9.35am
Sunday 28 August – University of NSW’s Sir John Clancy Auditorium
Bugles – arrival time of 9:45am
Sunday 11 September – Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Amati – arrival time of 10am
Holst Wind Band – arrival time of 1pm
Term 3 Calendar of Music Events
Week 6
HSC ENCORE Concert, Thursday 25 August, 6pm, Great Hall *Please note the change of date from the school diary
ASBOF Competition, Sunday 28 August, Sydney Conservatorium: Stringalong and Sinfonietta and University of NSW’s Sir John Clancy Auditorium: Bugles. Further information will be provided by ensemble directors.
Week 7
Musicale 3, Monday 29 August, Primary concert, 4.30pm and Secondary concert, 6pm, Great Hall
Primary Piano Concert, Thursday 1 September, 3.30 – 4.40pm, Great Hall
Gala Dinner Performance, Saturday 3 September, 6.30pm (Basie Jazz Band, Madrigal Ensemble and Lux Strings), Great Hall
Week 8
IPSHA Performance, Tuesday 6 September, Sydney Town Hall. Further information to come.
ASBOF Competition, Sunday 11 September (Amati Strings and Holst Wind Ensemble)
Week 9
Stage 3 Concert, Thursday 15 September, 6pm, Great Hall
Pauline Chow Head of Music
Busking for Change
Following the Primary School’s recent participation in The Great Book Swap, Year 4 were invited to engage in ‘Busking for Change’, a new fundraising initiative from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Developed by singer songwriter, author and ILF Ambassador Josh Pyke, and singer, actor and Play School host, Justine Clarke, the initiative aims to support Primary School students in a multi-literacy activity incorporating song, music, movement, and indigenous language.
Following many weeks of practice, Year 4 are looking forward to bringing their Busking For Change Concert to all girls in K-6, next Thursday afternoon from 2pm – 3pm in The Great Hall. This will be an afternoon of song, dance, and fun, with a special performance of the song “Words Make the World go Around”, in both English and Kriol by Year 4 alongside Josh Pyke and Justine Clarke!
We encourage all K-6 girls to make a donation either via the following link or with a gold coin on the day.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Rebecca Woodcock Acting Head of Student Wellbeing
Debating
Congratulations to all our debating teams who competed in the Archdale Quarter Final on Tuesday – all of the debates were of an incredible standard. The Year 7Bs, Juniors, and Year 9s won their debates and will progress to the Semi Finals, which will be held next Tuesday at either Kambala or Roseville.
Imogen Harper Debating Coordinator
Primary School Father’s Day Breakfast
The Primary School is delighted to host a Father’s Day event for the significant people in the lives of our students.
With the Spring holidays fast approaching, we would like to take the opportunity to share our Spring Vacation Care Program with you.
The service will be operating from Monday 26 – Friday 30 September, Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 October, with school returning on the Monday 10 October 2022. The service is open for current Primary SCEGGS girls and their school aged siblings only.
The vacation care program for Spring has a wonderful variety of excursions and incursions and exciting in-house days at the centre for all children to enjoy.
If you would like to book your child into Vacation Care, please follow the TryBooking link to generate your tickets.
Please note, that if you have not yet enrolled your child into our After School/ Vacation Care Service through the OWNA website or you are a new family joining SCEGGS in 2022, you will be required to fill out enrolment documentation prior to booking. This can be accessed via the link.
Book your tickets today for our next SPAN Event – Ethics in the Media. Join our outstanding panel including Network 10’s Hugh Riminton, Old Girls and journalists Celina Edmonds (1988), Anne Davies (1977) and Sally Bowrey (1999), who will discuss the ethical implications of topics such as, the role of traditional versus new media, how journalism is impacted by digital media and much more!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Go Greener
Toasty Tuesday Wrap Up
Did we save Energy?
The forecast for Toasty Tuesday was sunshine and an expected temperature of 170C. There were many unusual outfits and happy faces as the girls arrived at school for the challenge of keeping themselves warm with no heating and as few lights as possible turned on. The aim of the day was to raise awareness about our energy use and see if we could reduce our carbon emissions.
The results are in, and we did manage to reduce our energy use! On Toasty Tuesday the whole school used 2,792kWh (senior school used 2,385kWh). If we compare this to the previous Tuesday, August 9, the whole school used 3,189kWh (senior school used 2,599kWh). The day after Toasty Tuesday on Wednesday 17 August we used 2,977 kWh (senior school used 2,520). The two graphs below show the load was clearly lower on Toasty Tuesday. The Graph 1 shows the energy used by the Senior school only and Graph 2 does a comparison for the whole school.
Graph 1: Energy used by the Senior SchoolGraph 2: Energy used by the whole school
Another tradition of Toasty Tuesday is of course toasted sandwiches! The cafeteria sold about two hundred toasted sandwiches to keep people warm. Plain cheese was the most popular variety purchased.
Year 6
Year 12
Year 6
This year we decided to use our own energy to created pedal powered strawberry and mango smoothies. It was a hectic time as about 380 smoothies were made by Primary and Secondary students with pedal power.
As mentioned in a previous edition of Go Greener, the energy for the school comes from solar and wind power. There are number of interesting podcasts on the 100 climate conversations website dealing with solar and wind energy in Australia. These include:
