27 June 2024 - 27 June 2024
From Ms Allum

From Ms Allum

As we reach the end of this exciting term, I am filled with gratitude at the strength of our school community. There have been wonderful learning opportunities, from our Year 7s sitting for their first high school exams to our primary girls celebrating Outdoor Classroom Day, as well as engaging music and drama performances, House spirit shining at sport carnivals, competitive spirit rising during Saturday sport competitions, tightly contested inter-school debates and so much more. I could not be prouder of the determination displayed by each girl no matter the pursuit!

Outdoor Classroom Day 
Secondary Athletics Carnival
Musicale 2
Nell Gwynn
Primary Athletics Carnival 

Pleasingly, the redevelopment of Wilkinson House is progressing well too with the excavation nearly complete and the foundations expected to be poured very shortly. I cannot wait to see the excitement of our students when they will be able to enjoy the state-of-the-art classrooms, support facilities, an extended Sports Hall, and the most popular feature (at least according to the students…!)… a wonderful Year 12 Common Room!

I look forward to seeing our students back on Wednesday 24 July to celebrate the School’s 129th birthday! I am also looking forward to seeing many of our parents, staff and Old Girls at our fabulous Festival on Forbes on Sunday 25 August. Until then, Happy Holidays!

Best wishes

Jenny Allum
Head of School

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week

The Student Reconciliation Action Plan Committee was proud to facilitate meaningful and immersive activities for National Reconciliation Week (NRW), celebrated in Week 6.

Senior School 

We started the week off with a powerful assembly, with guest speaker Kylie Captain, a bestselling Aboriginal Author. She shared with us her books and achievements, as well as many life lessons and stories that we will be sure to bring into our everyday lives. Additionally, the Primary school Year 6 choir and Madrigal performed a sung Acknowledgement of Country, called ‘The Promise’. This assembly served as an informative and inspiring start to NRW for all students.  

Throughout Form time, the senior school engaged in deep conversations about what reconciliation truly means, and how we as a community and as individuals can make a difference. These discussions took place whilst weaving bracelets, offering a dedicated moment for reflection and commitment. 

In addition, during Form times, the senior school reflected on tackling casual racism in society. One of the key aspects of the SCEGGS commitment to reconciliation is listening to Aboriginal voices, especially on matters such as racism. It is time for us to stand up as allies and stand up against racism in all its forms. This means not just being non-racist but being actively anti-racist. 

Finally throughout the week each student made their own individual commitment towards reconciliation. These pledges included learning more about Indigenous culture, speaking out against injustices or supporting Indigenous communities in practical ways. The pledges were written down on bunting cards and will later be displayed around the school. Personal commitments are crucial as reconciliation is not just a national agenda but a personal journey for each of us. 

 

Primary School 

Reconciliation in the Primary school consisted of acknowledging Sorry Day and reflecting on Australia’s history. This was done through watching films and engaging with stories written by Aboriginal authors to gain a better understanding of the Stolen Generation and how it impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities today. In the primary school, girls brainstormed ways that we can move forward as a more reconciled country.

In library lessons, students were introduced by Mrs McBride to books written by First Nations Authors. These books will be shared in House Families. In Music classes Year 3 students performed a colourful and creative play telling the story of how three courageous creatures stole fire from the Rainbow Serpent. In addition, Primary girls learnt about powerful Gadi women and were even able to recreate their fishhooks known as bara. 

School Commitment 

As a school now, more than ever, we need to stand together – Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices united in the call for reconciliation. Our collective actions and commitments can create a future where everyone feels valued and respected. Together, we can make a difference. 

Student RAP Committee

Download the SCEGGS Mobile App!

Download the SCEGGS Mobile App!

Welcome to the SCEGGS Mobile App!

All current parents should have received an email on Friday June 21 with information about how to download the SCEGGS Mobile App and sign in.

The SCEGGS Mobile App provides a centralised platform to quickly and conveniently access and receive pertinent information. This will include push notifications from Clipboard as well as other general school reminders that will start being sent through the SCEGGS Mobile App.

Parents and carers of students in Kindergarten – Year 10, be sure to keep an eye out for a notification about student reports due to be released in the school holidays.

If you have not done so already, we remind all parents and students in the secondary school to download the SCEGGS Mobile App from the App Store or Google Play and make sure that you stay connected!

If you require any technical support, please click here.

 

Building a Culture of Reading

Building a Culture of Reading

Are the winter holidays the best time of the year to curl up with a book?

As the temperature drops, I find myself increasingly looking forward to the chance to rug up indoors and escape into the pages of fiction. As the term draws to a close, many of our English classes have spent time in the library looking for some good reads for the holidays. Our Year 7s went “speed dating” to help them choose books, Ms McCarthy’s Year 8s have been trialling a new group reading challenge and our Year 11 Extension students are exploring a range of classic and contemporary fiction as they prepare to embark on their independent research project.

The SCEGGS library always encourages borrowing over the holidays and Ms Conliffe and her team are always ready with excellent recommendations. As your daughter should be aware, she also has access to the Sora App for audio books through the library – Click here to access the Sora App.

We are entering the season when many Literary Awards are being announced, offering an interesting picture of the issues capturing the contemporary imagination. Many of you would be aware of The Children’s Book Council of Australia, which awards picture books, Junior Fiction and Young Adult Fiction.

I have also provided links to The Australian Stella and Miles Franklin Awards and for The International Booker and Pullitzer Prizes. You will often begin to see many of these novels in your local bookshops once they have been nominated for awards.

Our SCEGGS Year 7 – 10 students have also offered some more recommendations below for the holidays – we love hearing about the books that they are really enjoying!

Royals by Teegan Bennett Daylight

‘Royals’ by Teegan Bennett Daylight is a captivating book about what happens when 6 teenagers are without their phones and have no outside communication. After their phone’s glitch and time freezes, a group of teenagers are stuck in a shopping centre. They frantically search for adults, and instead find an empty mall and a tiny baby. Soon they discovered there is no way out and that unlimited McDonalds, and all-day shopping sprees is their new reality. Every day, the food refills, the lights turn on, and slowly the teens forget their past, settling into a life, where they are treated like royals. I liked this book because it was a modern take on life as a teenager in Sydney. It challenges how we would live our lives without our phones, and what would happen if there were no adults in the picture. If we were to have everything we ever wanted, would we still want our phones back? I would recommend this to anyone who loves young adult novels.

Clementine Reuss, Year 7

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

This past term I found myself longing for a book that felt distinctive. A book unique in its style or themes, exploration of place and engrossing narrative. Reading Ocean Vuong’s “ On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” I vanished into the pages of Vuong’s short novel, following the tale of “Little Dogs’” upbringing. An upbringing that’s story wound itself through Vuong’s extended letter to his mother, addressing abuse in his youth, his absent father, Vuong’s cultural background and the subsequent discovery of his queer identity as a teenager working on a tobacco farm. Vuong’s pictorial prose beautifully illustrates the complexities of his upbringing, switching between a direct narrative with his mother and further world building Voung creates an engaging novel that I would recommend to any reader interested in coming of age stories with a focus on identity and culture.

Martha Elgood Cann, Year 10

The Naturals’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

‘The Naturals’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a thrilling mystery in a four-book series. The book follows Cassie, a teenager with a natural flair for reading people, who gets recruited by the FBI to investigate cold cases. But she isn’t the only teenager with a ‘natural’ ability, soon finding herself surrounded by other people just like her. A lie detector, emotion reader, human encyclopedia, and a fellow profiler must welcome Cassie (not very warmly) to their tight knit group. But, as their cold case starts to turn hot, there isn’t much that the FBI can do to stop five curious teenagers investigating sinister serial killers.

This book instantly had me hooked, with its intriguing psychological insights into the minds of serial killers and fast paced plot. I really enjoyed how it explored heavy topics but in ways that weren’t intense or boring. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers and short books that are easy to get lost in.

Adison Lewis, Year 8

The Demon King’ by Cinda Williams Chima

‘The Demon King’ by Cinda Williams Chima is an exciting, gripping read, full of adventure, magic and more. It follows the story of a teenager finding out his true identity as a wizard, as well as the journey he and his friends go on to save the Grey Wolf Kingdom. Meanwhile Raisa the heir to the throne is fighting against the oppressive men that are trying to control her, so she can rule her kingdom with thoughtfulness, strength and stability. These two stories connect to create a masterfully crafted book that is impossible to put down. It involves contrasting but interconnected ideas of wizardry and nature and investigates key themes of feminism, and resilience.

Elspeth Herbert, Year 9

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

In this bewitching retelling of Romeo and Juliette, 1926 Shanghai’s streets run red, fuelled by the blood of two rival gangs. But when contagion, madness, a monster starts to infect the city, Juliette Cai, proud heir to the Scarlet gang, must conceal her own feelings and work with the only person she’s ever truly loved, Roma of the White Flowers. Together, these two betrayed lovers must save their city, lest there be anything for them to fight over or to rule. This book is far from a light read with its undercurrents of racism and politics but is still deeply rewarding, particularly when Juliette and Roma’s relationship delves back into their easy rhythm of romance, witty banter and seductive violence. I would highly recommend ‘These Violent Delights’ to anyone who enjoys a loose Shakespeare adaptation or a cunning mystery to solve.

Harper Jones, Year 8

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton

Lola in the Mirror is the new novel by Trent Dalton, the bestselling author of Boy Swallows Universe. The novel follows a homeless young woman in Brisbane on a journey to learn her name, navigating the Brisbane underground drug world, self-discovery, falling in love and battling the monsters that lie inside us – dancing the “tyrannosaurus waltz”.

This book is a beautiful mix of art and literature, with beautiful illustrations by Paul Heppell, as the protagonist navigates her hopes to become an artist that will be talked about in 2100, having her own exhibition at the Met against her reality. This book is a great, readable book for anyone in year 7-12 who wants to start reading harder, yet enjoyable and compelling texts, which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys touching yet plot-driven novels.

Sky Barrington, Year 10

 

We hope that everyone has a relaxing break and finds something inspiring to curl up on the couch with over the holidays!

Jenny Bean
Head of English

Festival on Forbes

Festival on Forbes

We can’t wait to see the SCEGGS community come together at our Festival on Forbes on Sunday 25 August!

Many stalls run by year groups require donations to make them successful. As we near the end of Term 2, we are reaching out to the school community to ask you to consider how you might contribute to the Fair during the holidays.

The Committee is currently seeking donations for the following items:

  • Bottles of wine for the Coin Toss
  • Prizes for all ages for the Chocolate Wheel
  • Re-sellable books in good condition
  • Vintage clothes, handbags, and jewellery in good condition
  • Second-hand sporting goods
  • Gourmet Pantry items – sauces, marinades, jams, etc. (Jars are available from the General & Primary Office)
  • Silent Auction prizes (hampers, work experience, holiday homes, gift certificates, beauty products, etc.)

Donations may be dropped off at the General Office at the start of Term 3. 

A drop-off zone will be available every Friday morning from Friday 26 July in the Forbes Street carpark, just before the Green Gate. There will be special parking spots reserved for donations to be unloaded – look out for the Festival on Forbes volunteers in high vis! Click here to view the instructions.

For any questions or queries, please email Festival on Forbes.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!

 

Wishing all families a fabulous school holiday break!

The Festival on Forbes Committee

Year 9 World Religions Learning

Year 9 World Religions Learning

At a recent interfaith event attended by members of the Religious Education Department at NSW State Parliament House, Rabbi Zalman from the organisation Together For Humanity said, “We need more options other than to tolerate or hate.” As he spoke these words, I felt the significance of these very deeply. As an educator, I know the power of education. Educare (Latin) means to “bring out” or “nourish”, “to draw out”, “to make manifest”. What is it that we as educators are drawing out of the students? What do we hope that they come to know and understand? What are we wanting to illuminate for them, and what will they be illuminated by?

In Religious Education in Year 9 we focus on learning about some of the Religions of the World. This term we have been learning about the oldest of the monotheistic faiths, Judaism. Judaism is an ancient religion that Christianity emerged from through the teachings of Jesus, himself a Jewish man. We hope to illuminate and draw out of the students an awareness of the different ways that human beings have approached and answered questions of meaning and purpose in life. We hope to illuminate the many varied and unique ways that cultures practice their traditions and express their spiritualties and to promote dialogue through understanding. We know that through dialogue and understanding, we can begin to create more options for humanity so that we can work through questions about what seemingly divides us and more significantly, to realise and discover our common shared humanity. We want there to be a range of options to help heal our world! And as an educator, I am confident that the answers are not necessarily the ones that I have. I am confident that the students in their, and through their education, they arrive at these themselves, and educate us about their world in turn!

In Term 3, our focus will be learning about Islam and the way it ties in and connects with Judaism and Christianity in a shared worldview and understanding of the belief in One God, as well as rituals and beliefs specific to its own faith. In Term 4 we will end the year with a study of women in Religion; a multifaith approach to the question of what spirituality and faith is to women, and how they have and continue to form and shape it and give expression to it through their active roles and participation in faith traditions.

For a taster of the learning we do in Religious Education, please read the response written by Pascale Otton in her Year 9 exam on Judaism and the significance of the festival of Passover for contemporary society. I think you will agree with me that she has thought deeply about the question, was well prepared for the task and shows a level of insight that we can all learn from! Well done Pascale on the beautifully written piece, especially as it was done under examination conditions!

Dynielle Whitney
Head of Religious Education

 

In our modern world, we still see people who are oppressed and without freedom. How do we overcome such challenges? Jewish people are able to look to their past to seek the answers of their future. Passover is a festival celebrating the freedom and autonomy of Jewish People and the formation of the Jewish Nation. This powerful story of hope and resilience still echoes in the hearts of people today. Jewish people can use this example from their past as a model for the future.

Passover is celebrated over 8 days, during which no leavened products are eaten. However, the main celebration is the seder on the first night. On the seder, special foods are eaten symbolically to help tell the story of Passover. For example, green vegetables called karpas are dipped in salty water to symbolise the tears shed by people enslaved in Egypt. The maror is bitter herbs eaten to represent the bitterness of life in slavery, and the charoset is a thick mixture of nuts and apples which remembers the cement the people had to mix as part of their labour in slavery. These symbolic foods enhance the story told at the Passover Seder.

Although Passover has ancient origins, it is still the most celebrated Jewish festival today. This is because the connection to their past provides Jewish people with hope, unity and identity. The exodus of their people from slavery is a powerful story of hope, courage and resilience which resonates with Jewish People today, providing them with a sense of hope. The celebration of Passover unites people, as they come together to commemorate their history. Through remembering their ancestors, Jewish people are reminded of where they came from, to help provide a strong sense of identity.

Passover is also important to preserve Judaism. Through the annual celebrations, these principles of Judaism are not lost to history, instead they are shared with the next generations, who will remember the story.

Finally, Passover is an important festival as it provides Jewish people with answers for the future. Through remembering the pain of their slavery, they know not to enslave others. Through remembering their oppression, they avoid oppressing others. And through remembering their hopes, they know to remain hopeful. So, while the festival has ancient origins, it still has enduring significance today.

Our modern world can be scary. The future can be scary. But in looking forward we must look to history, so we can learn. The story of Passover can serve as a model for the future. It provides Jewish people with a sense of certainty in an uncertain world, a sense of hope in hopeless times and that is why Passover is such a significant ritual in Judaism today.

Public Speaking

Public Speaking

Congratulations to Jessica Gallie (Year 9) who competed in the Rostrum Voice of Youth State Final on the weekend and placed third. Jessica has given countless hours preparing and competing in this year’s competition and it is an outstanding result. She prepared two speeches; her speech in the first round was on the subject “Building Bridges” and her speech for the State Final was on “A New Chapter”. Both speeches were entertaining, engaging and well researched and she delivered them with precision. She also presented two impromptu speeches in the second and third round of the competition which, again, were outstanding. 

Well done Jessica, thank you for your effort and for representing the school so well. Thank you also to Eva Ancher (Year 9), Marnie Flett (Year 9), Elspeth Herbert (Year 9) and Sarah Yun (Year 7) and their families for coming to support Jessica in the competition.

 

Elizabeth Walsh
Speech and Public Speaking Co-ordinator

Stage 3 Oracy Showcase

Stage 3 Oracy Showcase

Now in its second year, the Stage 3 Oracy Showcase, held on Monday, 24 June, was another resounding success, highlighting the exceptional oracy talent in Years 5 and 6. Eight finalists were selected to deliver speeches on topics that mattered to them. The subjects were diverse, and the presentations were memorable, as the girls skilfully considered the Three Ms—Manner, Method, and Matter—while presenting to a rapt audience. Congratulations to our finalists:

  • Annabelle Dempsey (Year 6) who spoke about Why Our Voice Matters
  • Alexandra Millin (Year 6) who spoke about Why Making Your Bed Matters
  • Charlotte Randall (Year 6) who spoke about Why Working Dogs Matter
  • Eve Parker (Year 6) who spoke about Why Travel Matters
  • Dasha Jolley (Year 5) who spoke about Why Introduced Species Matter
  • Klemintine Chylek (Year 5) who spoke about Why Artificial Intelligence Matters
  • Eva Geha (Year 5) who spoke about Why Friends Matter
  • Ava Whiteman (Year 5) who spoke about Why Gender Pay Parity Matters

The girls certainly made the job of our Judges, Ms Elizabeth Walsh, Taylor Yaldwin, Sadie Juneja and Pippa Brenner, difficult. After much deliberation, however, Alexandra Millin was awarded Overall Winner and Klemintine Chylek was awarded Highly Commendable. Congratulations to both girls on their outstanding performance.

 

Ms Kristy Williams
Curriculum Coordinator, English

Secondary Sport News

Secondary Sport News

Basketball

It is with great pride I write this article to let you all know that Term 2 of SCEGGS Basketball has concluded with our girls achieving one of the most successful seasons in SCEGGS history!

Across 11 teams, we achieved an outstanding record of 54 wins, 17 losses and 2 draws. Five of our teams (SCE04, 05, 06, 07 and 08) secured championships all finishing the season undefeated! This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our players and the exceptional guidance of our coaches.

We extend a special mention to parents and supporters whose enthusiasm and unwavering support have strengthened the bond within our community.

As we turn our focus to Term 3, we anticipate more demanding competitions ahead as all our teams progress to higher grade divisions. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break and looking forward to seeing you all in July.

Mark Handel
SCEGGS Head Coach of Basketball

 

Touch

On Tuesday, 18 June, six Year 11 students participated in the NSW Touch Mixed Tournament at Waterworth Park, Earlwood, alongside eight Cranbrook students. This regular event in our Touch calendar offers a valuable opportunity to play touch in a different format and to foster relationships with other local schools, promoting mixed sports opportunities.

The students enjoyed a day of play and improvement with each game, despite having limited time to gel as a team. Although missing out on the quarter-finals was disappointing, everyone had a fantastic day. Sport fosters a unique bond, and we witnessed the team grow more connected as the day progressed, enhancing their skills, confidence, teamwork, and communication. The team effectively played to their strengths, and we must say, the girls certainly showed the boys a thing or two about touch!

 

Gymnastics

Well done to Alexa Falzon (Year 8) and Annalise Zimmerle (Year 9) who competed in the Level 7 WAG at the Inner-City Regional Gymnastics Competition on the weekend.

Alexa placed 1st overall after coming 1st on vault, 1st on beam, 2nd on floor and 3rd on bars. 

Alexa Falzon (Year 8)

 

Cross Country

Well done to Annabelle Jessup (Year 8) who competed at the NSW Cross Country Championships in Nowra last weekend. Annabelle finished the 4km course in 7th place so has now qualified to represent NSW at the Nationals in August in Tasmania.

Snowsports

Good luck to the SCEGGS Snowsports team who will be competing at various ski races over the holiday break. SCEGGS has 42 students who will contest the Redlands Cup, Scots Cup and Sydney Region Interschools races that will be held across Thredbo and Perisher.

 

Hockey

Well done to Audrey Rivers (Year 9) who represented Lithgow at the NSW U’16 Girls Hockey State Championships in Bathurst on the weekend.  

Jess Weatherall (Year 10) represented SEHA who placed 4th in div 1 – after a heartbreaking 0-1 loss in the semi-final.  

 

SCEGGS Around the Grounds

 

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.

 

IGSA Fixtures, Results and Wet Weather

The IGSA website and platform for accessing wet weather, 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

Primary Sport News

Primary Athletics Carnival

Fantastic weather conditions greeted us on Friday 21 June for the Primary Athletics Carnival at ES Marks Field. It was wonderful to see the great enthusiasm from the girls to participate in the track and field events. Well done to all students! Also, a big thank you to all the primary staff and coaches for their support in judging, marshalling, taking photos, recording, giving out ribbons, supervising the houses, and recording distances and heights in the field events. Without these people, the day would not have gone ahead. Lastly, thanks to the parents who attended the Athletics Carnival and cheered on the girls. It was lovely to have such a great atmosphere at the track.

Congratulations to the following students who also achieved excellent results:

Primary Championship
Open 100m
Stasia Serafin (Year 5) Christian

 

 

Age Champions  Name House 
8 Years Sienna Fleming (Year 3) Langley
9 Years Charlotte Willis (Year 4) Beck
10 Years Stasia Serafin (Year 5) Christian
11 Years Alice Beaumont (Year 5) Badham
12 Years Sarah Ibrahim (Year 6) Langley

 

New Records
Name House Event Old Record New Record 
Beatrice Emanuel
(Year 5)
Christian 1500m Open 5:34.79
(2023 Anna Slack)
5:25.87
Beatrice Emanuel
(Year 5)
Christian 800m
11 Years
2:49.89
(2022 Ava Pepper)
2:44.06

 

Overall Winning House

Place House Total Points
1st Langley 394
2nd Christian 374
3rd Badham 309
4th Barton  289
5th Docker 268
6th Beck 250

 

Here are some images from the Athletics Carnival

 

IPSHA Term 3 Sport

  • IPSHA AFL 
Find more information here.
  • IPSHA Touch Football Team Trials
Find more information here
  • Year 3 Minkey Team Trials
Find more information here.

 

Primary Sport Achievements

Does your daughter compete in any sport outside of school (for example, at a representative level or a sport we do not currently offer)? If so, we would love to celebrate their achievements by recognising them in this newsletter!

Please email Adrian Hammond any information (and photos, if possible). These will be included in newsletters throughout the year.

Upcoming Dates:

Week 1 Tuesday 23 July IPSHA Round 1 AFL and Touch Football
  Saturday 27 July Year 3 Minkey Competition

 

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday break!

Mr Adrian Hammond
Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary Music

Secondary Music

Commitment to SCEGGS Co-Curricular Music

Participation in co-curricular music activities has many benefits for social and emotional wellbeing. Participation is a choice and with that choice, a high level of commitment to both rehearsals and performances is expected. Relationships, musicianship, and teamwork can only be developed when members of the ensemble are committed to rehearsals and performances. We expect a full commitment to all co-curricular music activities at SCEGGS. Students should be respectful of the impact that any absence has on their ensemble: their peers, their conductor, and the reputation of the school.

Students are expected to be fully committed and attend all scheduled rehearsals and performances.

All absences must be communicated to the Music Department using the following guidelines:

  • Parents and guardians are to request written permission for leave from Ms Jones, Head of Music Co-Curricular (Primary & Secondary parents) at least two weeks in advance of a performance if they are unable to attend.
  • If a student is sick on a performance day, a parent/guardian must email or message the Music Department (Administrator or Ensemble Director) or Head of Music Co-Curricular, explaining the absence as soon as possible.
  • If a student is unable to attend a rehearsal, the student, or their parent, is to notify the relevant Ensemble Conductor or Ensemble Director.  
  • In case of a clash with school co-curricular activities e.g. Sports Trials, Duke of Ed Hike, the student is to liaise with both Co-ordinators to negotiate an acceptable outcome.

 

Failure to adhere to the above guidelines in the secondary school will result in:

  • A detention for any unexplained absences from a performance.
  • A penalty point for any unexplained absence from rehearsal.
  • A penalty point for late arrival to more than two rehearsals or performances in the same term.
  • A student being ineligible for House points and recognition on school reports if their attendance is deemed unsatisfactory.

 

Music Department Contacts

Head of Music Co-curricular Ms Heidi Jones
Music Administration Assistant Miss Alice Kotowicz
Director of Bands Mr Michael Tierney
Director of Choirs Miss Allison Harrigan
Director of Strings Mrs Anne Sweeney

 

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival

Clarion Concert Band & Holst Wind Ensemble perform at the Australian Schools Band and Orchestra Festival

Last Sunday was a fantastic day for our school’s music program, as both the Holst and Clarion Wind Bands performed at the Australian Schools Band and Orchestra Festival. We are thrilled to announce that both bands received a gold award, the highest honour within their section.

The dedication and hard work of our students truly shone through in their performances. Their concentration, musicality, and artistry were key factors in achieving this outstanding result.

We are deeply grateful for the support of our parent community, whose encouragement played a vital role in this success.

Special thanks to Mr Michael Tierney, Ms Alison Ryan and Miss Elenarose Plaister.

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival

Strings (Contemporary Strings) – Sunday 28 July

Several SCEGGS ensembles have been enrolled to perform at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival this year. The Festival is a non-competitive event and rather than being ranked, all ensembles received a Gold, Silver or Bronze rating which reflects their level of achievement for the particular event level in which they have performed. All events are adjudicated by professional musicians and music educators. ASBOF is a wonderful opportunity for our SCEGGS ensembles to perform on stage, to hear ensembles from other schools and to receive inspirational advice and performance tips from the adjudicators.

More information can be found here.

Further details can be found in this note.

ASBOF Events 
Contemporary Strings – Loreta Fin Event    
  • Staff Day Rehearsel 
Tuesday 23 July (the day before Term 3 starts) 3.15-4.45pm  The Great Hall 
  • Performance
Sunday 28 July, Arrival time 9.30am Leighton Hall, University of NSW, Kensington

 

Musicale 3 at the Festival on Forbes

This year’s Musicale 3 will be held at the Festival on Forbes, on Sunday 25 August.

Every Primary and Secondary Music Ensemble will play during the day on one of three separate stages. A timetable will be circulated early next term so you can plan your day. We can’t wait to entertain the SCEGGS community.

Please be aware that the date in the school diary is incorrect. There will be no Musicale on Thursday 1 August.

 

The Cat Empire

Please note that The Cat Empire has added a second SCEGGS’ performance to our schedule meaning we will now be performing on both Friday September 5 and Saturday September 6 at the Sydney Opera House.  Please note that both of these concerts are now listed as sold out so I encourage parents to keep a look out for further ticket releases closer to the performance dates. Friday’s performance is with our full The Cat Empire Choir of 53 singers and Saturday’s performance is with a smaller chamber choir of 29 of our most senior singers.  Our first rehearsal as The Cat Empire Choir will be on Tuesday July 23 (Staff day) from 12.30 – 2.30pm in the Lecture Theatre – attendance is very important.

 

AMEB

Congratulations to the following students who have completed AMEB Exams this semester.

  • Phoebe Lowe (Year 8)
Grade 2 Saxophone
  • Zoe Rajaratnam (Year 7)
Grade 4 Piano
  • Samantha Millin (Year 11)
Grade 7 French Horn

 

Clipboard

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

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

 

Beyond the Green Gate

We are always happy to hear about the ways our secondary musicians are involved in music-making outside the school. Please send the details to Heidi Jones.

 

Date for Your Diary

Term 2
Week 9 Friday 28 June Secondary Students  House Music The Great Hall
 
Term 3
Week 1 Tuesday 23 July Year 12 Elective Music students Rehearsals The Great Hall
  3.15pm – 4.45pm Contemporary Strings Rehearsals The Great Hall
  12.30pm – 2.30pm Cat Empire Choir Intensive rehearsal Lecture Theatre
  Thursday 25 July
6.00pm
Year 12 Elective Music students Concert The Great Hall
  Sunday 28 July
9.30am
Contemporary Strings ASBOF performance Leighton Hall, University of NSW
 Week 5 Thursday 22 August Year 11 Elective Music students Concert The Great Hall
  Sunday 25 August All Secondary Ensembles Musicale 3 at the Festival on Forbes Timetables to be distributed next term
 Week 6 Monday 26 August
6.00pm
Year 12 Elective Music students SCEGGS Encore Concert The Great Hall
 Week 7 Saturday 31 August – Thursday 4 September (refer to separate schedule) Rehearsals with Cat Empire, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Gondwana Choirs Combined Choirs Rehearsals at SCEGGS and Sydney Opera House
  Friday 5 September Performance with Cat Empire, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Gondwana Choirs Combined Choirs Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House

Year 8 – 10 Elective Music students are encouraged to attend one of the Year 11 or 12 Concerts in Term 3.

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)

Primary Music

Primary Music

String Studio Concerts

Congratulations to the 50 string players who performed in the three Primary String Studio Concerts held this week. It was lovely to see the progress that the K-6 string students have made this semester. Special thanks to Ms Heidi Jones, Ms Stephanie Holmes and Miss Allison Harrigan for their support with accompaniment at the concerts. Performances such as this, in a familiar and non-threatening environment, are vital for a musician’s development. All performers are to be commended for their regular home practice routine which enabled them to perform with such musical maturity this week.

String Lessons for Kindergarten

If you are interested in your daughter enrolling to start tuition in violin, viola or cello please complete the Music Tuition Form here. Learning a musical instrument is lots of fun, both musically and socially, and once your daughter has had a term or two of lessons, she will be invited to join one of our four primary string ensembles at SCEGGS. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact K-12 Director of Strings Mrs Anne Sweeney.

For more information click here.

 

Musicale 3 at the Festival on Forbes

This year’s Musicale 3 will be held at the Festival on Forbes, on Sunday 25 August.

Every Primary and Secondary Music Ensemble will play during the day on one of three separate stages. A timetable will be circulated early next term so you can plan your day. We can’t wait to entertain the SCEGGS community.

Please be aware that the date in the school diary is incorrect. There will be no Musicale on Thursday 1 August.

 

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival – Sunday 15 September

Several SCEGGS ensembles have been enrolled to perform at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival this year. The Festival is a non-competitive event and rather than being ranked, all ensembles received a Gold, Silver or Bronze rating which reflects their level of achievement for the particular event level in which they have performed. All events are adjudicated by professional musicians and music educators. ASBOF is a wonderful opportunity for our SCEGGS ensembles to perform on stage, to hear ensembles from other schools and to receive inspirational advice and performance tips from the adjudicators.

More information can be found here.

Please see the table below for details of the events occurring on Sunday 15 September

Stringalong – Nigel Butterly Event Arrival time 8.00am Leighton Hall, University of NSW, Kensington
Sinfonietta – Dulcie Holland Evten Arrival time 8.50am Leighton Hall, University of NSW Kensington
Bugles –  Robert McAnally Event Approx arrival time 9.30am approx. end time 11.00am Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW, Kensington
Chamber Strings – Brett Dean Premier Event Arrival time 11.00am Leighton Hall University of NSW, Kensington

 

AMEB

Congratulations to the following students who have completed AMEB exams this semester:

Luciana Kwok (Year 1) Preliminary Violin
Henrietta Wharton (Year 1) Preliminary Violin
Sophie Assaad (Year 2) Preliminary Violin
Eleanor Brown (Year 2) Preliminary Violin
Amelia Hidayat (Year 4) Preliminary Violin
Rose Johnston (Year 4) Preliminary Viola
Alyssa Kisirwani (Year 4) Preliminary Piano
Olivia Yan (Year 1) Grade 1 Cello
Bronte Lusted (Year 3) Grade 1 Theory
Chloe Humphrys (Year 4) Grade 1 Violin
Olivia Yeo (Year 5) Grade 2 Viola
Hana Yao (Year 3) Grade 3 Violin
Amelia Chow (Year 4) Grade 3 Violin
Matilda Napthali (Year 6) Grade 3 Violin

 

Clipboard

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

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

 

Beyond the Green Gate

We are always happy to hear about ways our primary musicians are involved in music-making outside the school. Please send details to Heidi Jones.

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)

Poetry Writing Prizes and opportunities

Poetry Writing Prizes and opportunities

Sienna Weir Prize for Poetry

Sienna was a vibrant young woman with a passion for English, and in particular, poetry writing. She wrote and studied poetry from Primary School through to University and completed English at the highest level at SCEGGS, where she excelled in her HSC results and completed an Extension 2 Major Work. To celebrate her life, her family wanted to help foster a love of poetry in young writers and have sponsored a poetry workshop and Speech Night Prize aimed at students in Years 6 and 7.

This year we are excited to invite Australian poet, Jane Gibian, to SCEGGS to work with a small group of Year 6 and 7 students. The students will spend a day in Week 8 of Term 3 learning about poetry, writing and drafting their own pieces while also receiving feedback from Ms Gibian. Their work will be published by the school and considered for the Speech Night prize.  Students are invited to apply for this opportunity by submitting one or two pieces of poetry to either Ms Cristi Wilsmore (Year 6 students) or Ms Jenny Bean (Year 7 students) at the email addresses below. Students may submit any pieces they have composed this year (including pieces they may have worked on in class or submitted for other competitions).  All entries must be submitted electronically by Friday 28 June. We look forward to reading your work!

 

Dorothea Mackellar Writing Competition

The Dorothea Mackellar Writing Competition entries are due this Sunday 30 June. Students can submit entries themselves using the login details here.

Username: jennybean@sceggs.nsw.edu.au
Password: SCEGGSDarlinghurst!!

 

Red Room’s Poetry Forest Competition

This competition encourages students to compose poems which have a positive message on climate change. This competition is open until Friday 27 September. More information can be found here.

 

The Poetry in Action Poetry Award

Over the last two weeks Years 7 – 10 have all viewed Poetry in Action performances. This group also runs their own poetry competition which gives students the opportunity to win up to $500 and have their work performed in a future production – how exciting!

More information can be found here.

 

Jenny Bean
Head of English 

Support Scholarships Through Art

Support Scholarships Through Art

The Old Girls’ online Art Exhibition website has been updated with new original works and limited edition prints!

Works are selling quickly, so click on the link today to secure your favourite artwork.

We are proud to present over 100 amazing artworks created by Old Girls, current and former Visual Arts staff, and friends of the SCEGGS community.

We have artworks in varying sizes, media and budgets.

By purchasing a work, you will support the Old Girls’ Union scholarship program and help girls in the future to have the benefit of a SCEGGS education.

Enquiries to Jo Whiteman

Click here view the website!

 

SCEGGS Old Girls’ Union

Blazer Pocket Awards

Blazer Pocket Awards

Girls in the Secondary School who are awarded a blazer ‘Pocket’ for excellence and outstanding achievement in a co-curricular activity are able to have their blazers embroidered only during holiday periods.

Awards will be announced at the End of Term Assembly on Friday 28 June. Blazers may be left at the Student Services Reception from Friday 28 June until Monday 1 July, 1.00pm (The first weekday of the School Holidays).

Students with previous pockets that have not yet been embroidered can also leave their blazers at this time.

Blazers cannot be accepted after the cut-off time of 1.00pm Monday 1 July. Any late submissions will need to wait until the next School Holidays.

Embroidery and dry cleaning will be done during the holidays and the cost will be charged to your daughter’s account.

 

Administration Office

Careers Corner

Careers Corner

Welcome to the 51st issue of the Careers Corner newsletter.

Please click here to read the latest Newsletter.

Andrea Pinnock
Careers Adviser

Year 10 (& Year 7 catch-up) Vaccination Clinic Dates and Online Consent

Year 10 (& Year 7 catch-up) Vaccination Clinic Dates and Online Consent

In Week 2 of Term 3, all Year 10 Students will be offered the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine through the NSW School Vaccination Program offered by NSW Health on Friday 2 August.

Additionally, any Year 7 students who missed the Term 1 Clinic will be caught up with the dTpa and the HPV vaccinations. If your Year 7 child is on the list to be vaccinated at the upcoming Clinic you will receive an email from the school.

Vaccinations will only be provided at school if consent has been received. Online consent is accepted through the NSW Health School Vaccination Program portal.

How to provide consent:

  1. To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit here.
  2. Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
  3. Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
  4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:
    1. Enter your child’s personal details
    2. Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
    3. Read the Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement
    4. Provide consent

Detailed instructions can be found on the NSW Health website.

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper consent form from the school.

We ask that Parents of Year 10 students complete their online consent form by Thursday 25 July.

If your child misses the school vaccination clinic, the immunisation nurses will try to catch them up at their next visit. Alternately, you can speak to a GP or pharmacist about catching up on vaccinations.

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit here.

or if you have any questions, please contact South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit on:

9382 8333 (Ext 2).

If you require information in your language, please visit here.

Phil Rogers
Director of Administration