Welcome to the 2020 School Year

I hope all of you are glad to be here! So – to parents, and for the girls too – my best wishes for a good year.

A particular welcome to our new students and their families. I hope that you soon feel part of the School community.

There is a lot of information in this edition of the Behind the Green Gate. Please take the time to read all of the major sections, and skim through the rest, reading in detail the things which are relevant to you. Most importantly, SCEGGS is a community of people who look after each other. If you do have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to ask any of us – we really do want you to feel part of our community and know that we care that you get as much as you can out of a SCEGGS education.

I also take this opportunity to invite you to explore our new look website. I hope you all enjoy its improved functionality, ease of navigation and contemporary design. You may have also noticed that Behind the Green Gate also looks a little different too! And, if you haven’t already, you can now follow me on Twitter (@JennyAllum).

Who’s Who at SCEGGS
We know that we will do a better job in educating your daughter if we have a really open and trusting relationship. So we do encourage you to ring us and talk any time – as we will too! We want to hear what is going on for your daughter – and for you and your family. So if you are unsure of whom to contact – whether it is to share some good news, ask a question, or just talk about the education of your daughter – the following may help.

The Class Teacher or Form Teacher is often the best first port of call. These teachers will know your daughter best and will always be willing to listen and chat and can point you in the right direction if there is a better person to be speaking to, or just to help you navigate your way around the school. We encourage you to come to the relevant Parent Information Evening in the first couple of weeks of term to meet him or her.

Your daughter’s subject teachers, Years K-12, have the best information about how your daughter is going, and have day to day contact with her too. They will also have detailed knowledge about our programs of learning within their discipline. In the Secondary School, the relevant Head of Department can also answer questions about courses of study, subject choices and issues concerning their teachers.

In the Secondary School, Year Co-ordinators for each of the different Years may be able to address concerns – about academic, social or other issues.

In the Primary School, any one of the Primary Executive can help with more serious matters.

A list of the relevant senior and pastoral staff for 2020 can be found in the Who’s Who at SCEGGS in the 2020 guide which can be accessed via the SCEGGS Portal.

This includes:

• Form Teachers and Year Co-ordinators in the Secondary School
• Heads of Department
• Primary Class teachers and the Executive for the Primary School

Finally, if you have a serious matter to talk about, or something you feel is not being addressed adequately, (or if you just like one of us and have heard us say something that you want to follow-up on!) please feel free to contact anyone from the senior staff:

• Deputy Head of School – Ms Holly Gyton
• Head of the Primary School – Mrs Helen Dempsey
• Director of Curriculum – Mr Andrew Gallagher
• Director of Pastoral Care – Ms Bethany Lord
• Director of Administration – Ms Sarah Walters
• Director of ICT – Mr Ken Emeleus
• Business Manager – Mr David Tran

I am also happy to talk to any parent – on the telephone or in person. Please ring if you would like to discuss a matter or come in for an appointment.

Welcome to (or welcome back to) SCEGGS!

Jenny Allum
Head of School

2019 HSC Results

Please click here to view our 2019 HSC Results.

2019 Parent Satisfaction Survey Analysis

Firstly, I really want to thank all parents who completed our parent satisfaction survey last year. We do really value all your comments – about the things we do well and the things you think we can do better. I want us to be the best school we can possibly be, and we are definitely assisted in that commitment of ours by all your ideas, feedback and suggestions. So thank you to you all.

As you know, we are really committed to an open and transparent approach in the administration of this school. It is very important to me that:

1. We know what parents think and use this to continue on our journey of striving for excellence and constant improvement.
2. We report to parents openly about the results of this sort of survey, so that parents know, too, what we are thinking and about the way forward.

I hope that this summary of the results of the parent survey from 2019 is clear and helpful. If you do have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a ring.

IPSOS Australia was again commissioned by us to design and administer the survey, and analyse the feedback and present us with the results.  Fieldwork was conducted in August/September of last year. The survey was completed on-line as usual. The structure of the questionnaire was similar to that used in the previous studies conducted for the school. We did ask for a little more information in two main areas than we had in previous cycles – one about our efforts to improve our Sporting Programs, and also about the work of the Trust and its up-coming Capital Campaign.

In total, 347 questionnaires were returned – reasonably representative across students from Kindergarten to Year 12. We thank everyone who returned a survey – your feedback is very important to us and I know your views will contribute to helping us grow and develop in the years ahead. So I really appreciate your taking the time to really reflect on all aspects of the school performance.

Jenny Allum
Head of School

2020 Parent Information Booklet

What time can I drop my daughter at school in the morning? Who do I email an absence note to if my daughter is sick and away from school? What time does the Secondary Library close in the afternoon?

This year, we have compiled a parent booklet to answer all of these questions and more! The 2020 Parent Information Booklet contains the most important logistical and organisational information for parents including:

• Arrangements for Before and After School Supervision
• School Attendance Information for all students K-12
• Pedestrian Safety
• Students Driving to and from School and School Activities
• Students Riding Bicycles to and from School
• Food Allergy Awareness
• Student accident insurance
• School shop opening hours
• … and much, much more!

The 2020 Parent Information Booklet is now available for all current SCEGGS families to download from the SCEGGS Portal and we would strongly encourage all families to be aware of the important information contained inside.

Email Communications from the School & Portal Logins

Most information from the School is sent to parents by email. Some emails sent from databases can be interpreted as SPAM by many email programs, with those messages going straight to junk folders. To make sure you receive all communications from SCEGGS, please add @sceggs.nsw.edu.au to your email address book. For more detailed information about how to do this and how specific email platforms handle this issue, please click here.

From January 2020, SCEGGS will be using Microsoft Azure to manage logging in (authentication) for the Parent Portal and Cognito. This is a change in the School’s process and all parents will need to set up their new login. Parents will have received an email invitation to access the SCEGGS Darlinghurst organisation.

Once the email instructions have been followed, parents will then be able to gain access to the Parent Portal and Cognito.

Please also keep in mind that the web address of the Portal has recently changed. To make sure you are not trying to log in to the old web address, follow the Portal link on the SCEGGS website or go directly to https://portal.sceggs.nsw.edu.au/.

Please contact the School if you are experiencing any difficulties.

Angelique Cooper
Special Projects

From the Primary School

Welcome everyone, to a new school year! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday, enjoying special time with family and friends. I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to all our new girls and their families; we hope you soon settle into life at SCEGGS quickly but please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all.

We are very much looking forward to meeting you all at our Parent Information Evenings, coming early this term. These evenings are for all parents of girls from Kindergarten to Year 6. Parents will hear from their daughters’ teachers about aspects of the classroom programs, activities planned for the year and ways parents can assist their daughters at home. The sessions will be held in the girl’s nominated classrooms. We urge you to come along and meet our wonderful team of teachers and to hear about the exciting things that will be happening at the school during 2020.

As the Bourke Street entrance to the school closes each night at 6.00 pm and we ask that parents enter the School from Forbes Street on these evenings.

Parent Information Evenings

I would also like to remind parents that you are warmly invited to join us at any of our Primary School Assemblies and Chapel Services.

Please do feel free to call or email me to discuss any concerns you might have throughout the school year. I am very much looking forward to working with you and your family to ensure your daughter has a successful school year!

Helen Dempsey
Head of Primary

SCEGGS Scholarships

A reminder for parents that all applications for scholarships for 2021 close on Monday 10 February, 2020.

Registrations for Year 7 Academic Scholarships are being taken online through the ACER website. Applications for all other scholarships are downloadable here.

Any questions should be directed to the Enrolments Office on 9332 1133.

Sonja Richards
Registrar

From the Chaplain

Welcome back to the new school year to everyone in the SCEGGS community. I look forward to catching up with you or meeting you soon. I hope and pray that this year will be one of fulfilment and support in all that you do.

In Week 3 we celebrate Harvest Festival, where each girl is asked to bring to school at least one non-perishable food item which will eventually be distributed to those in our city whose lives have been affected by misfortune. Two million Australians rely on food relief every year and half of them are children.

These one million children often go to school without breakfast, or to bed without dinner. Unfortunately, this number has only increased in the last few years. This festival recognises all of the good things that we have been given and the opportunity to give to those in need.

With the tragedy of the recent bushfires throughout our country I am sure these numbers would have increased. We continue to pray for those affected and dealing with great loss and trauma. We will continue to consider ways that we as a community may be able to help in the process of restoration.

The Chapel is decorated beautifully with these items and other produce. You are all very welcome to view the Chapel at any time. At the end of the week the food will be given to our local Anglicare office and distributed throughout the south eastern area of Sydney.

Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

A very warm welcome to 2020 from the SCEGGS P&F. We would particularly like to welcome all new families to our SCEGGS community and extend our warmest wishes to you and your daughters as you begin your SCEGGS journey.

Thank you to everyone, especially our hardworking Class Parents for your 2019 contributions to school community life. Please note the following P&F Term I events for your diary

Year 9 “Father”/Daughter Breakfast

The SCEGGS P&F Association is delighted to host the Years 9 &10 “Father”/Daughter Breakfast on Friday 14 February 2020 for Year 9 and 10 students and their “fathers”.

Enjoy a buffet breakfast from 7.00am – 8.15am in St Peter’s Playhouse, while also enjoying the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker, a SCEGGS Old Girl, talking about life beyond the Green Gate.

Bookings and payments can be made here.

Cost:    $30 per person
RSVP: Tuesday 11 February

Penny Gerstle
P&F President

From the Chair of the SCEGGS Trust

I am delighted to welcome back the SCEGGS community for another year; and a very warm welcome to families who are new to SCEGGS. I trust you all had a relaxing holiday break.

As we embark on a new decade, we do so with a sense of eagerness and expectation – and an even greater commitment to ensuring we continue to be of value and relevance – beyond just education. By working together as a community we can give every SCEGGS girl the opportunity to build on her attributes and prepare for a challenging, exciting and meaningful future.

With this collective effort will come considerable reward: education facilities and opportunities relevant to urban living, global connectivity, and the demands of modern life; new and exciting opportunities for SCEGGS girls now and into the future; benefits to our community of alumni, students, parents and friends, and staff; and the continued development of our teaching and learning capabilities.

Over the course of this year I look forward to sharing with you news as we embark on our capital campaign to raise funds for the redevelopment of Wilkinson House, and also to continue to grow our Scholarship Fund as the School expands the diversity of its student body for which we are well known.

Our vision for the SCEGGS Trust is an ongoing culture of giving at SCEGGS that values the long-term development of girls’ education and achievements. So I hope that when you are asked to contribute to our capital campaign, you will help us “Light her Path”… and give as generously as you can!

We hope that your actions this year will in turn inspire our girls to contribute throughout their personal and professional lives – whichever path they tread – building on our culture of giving for generations of SCEGGS girls.

We are in this together: this critical fundraising activity needs participation and generosity from every one of us – right across our community and at every level of donation. All donations matter, no matter their size. Together, we can realise our vision to provide the opportunities for all girls and help light her path to future success.

We have planned a series of events and activities that we will share with you as the year unfolds. We ask that join us, engage with us, have some fun, and contribute in whatever way possible. Everything that we in the Trust do is for the benefit of SCEGGS girls – those who enjoy the opportunity today and those who will follow in their footsteps.

If you would like more information on the Trust’s work, or to share your thoughts and comments on the Trust’s fundraising programs, please do not hesitate to contact me via trustchair@sceggs.nsw.edu.au

Alternatively, you can also contact SCEGGS Director of Development (Acting), Joseph Herschel via email or 9052 2592.

Michael Kotowicz
Chair of the SCEGGS Trust

Parent Information Evenings and Parent-Teacher Afternoons

Parent Information Evenings: 

These evenings are for parents of girls from Kindergarten to Year 12. Parents will hear from their daughters’ teachers about aspects of the classroom programs, activities planned for the year and ways parents can assist their daughters at home. These are important sessions and all parents are urged to attend.

Primary

• Year 3 and Year 4: Tuesday 4 February, 6.00pm-7.30pm
• Year 5 and Year 6: Tuesday 4 February, 7.30pm-9.00pm
• Kindergarten-Year 2: Wednesday 5 February, 6.00pm-7.30pm

  All Primary sessions will be held in the girl’s nominated classrooms. The Bourke Street entrance to the school closes each night at 6.00pm and we ask that parents enter the School from Forbes Street on these evenings.

Secondary

• Year 7: Monday 3 February
• Year 12: Wednesday 12 February (HSC and Tertiary Information)
• Year 11: Monday 17 February
• Year 9: Thursday 27 February (with Guest Speaker Paul Dillon)
• Year 10: Tuesday 3 March
• Year 8: Monday 9 March

All Secondary sessions will be held in the Lecture Theatre beginning at 7.00pm. Parking is available in the JF Carpark. The Carpark will close promptly at the conclusion of each event.

Parent Information Talks:

Year 7: Wednesday 19 February (with Guest Speaker Paul Dillon) in the Lecture Theatre
Years K-4: Thursday 7 May (with Guest Speaker Paul Dillon) in the Lecture Theatre beginning at 6.00pm

Parent-Teacher Afternoons:

Primary
Parent-Teacher Interviews for Primary classes will take place during Weeks 5, 6 and 7 in Term I. Teachers will organise interview times directly with parents.

Secondary Term I
Year 12: Thursday 12 March
Year 9: Wednesday 25 March
Year 7: Monday 6 April

Term II
Year 10: Thursday 30 April
Year 8: Monday 4 May
Year 11: Tuesday 12 May

Secondary sessions will take place in the JFSATC from 3.30pm.

SCEGGS Cafeteria

The Cafeteria menu embraces the principles of Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia and the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy. The girls will have the option to purchase from the specials menu, sandwich bar, salad bar or the bakery. The Cafeteria Menu for Term I is available here.

Opening times are:

Lunch orders can be placed before school and at morning tea. Orders are to be written on a paper bag stating student’s name, class, and details of food and price. Correct money should be enclosed.

Also, Cafeteria orders can be placed by the Primary and Secondary Schools online through www.flexischools.com.au or through the Flexischools App. For further information, please refer to the Cafeteria Menu.

The Cafeteria accepts cash and EFTPOS cards.

Student Health Information

Food Allergy Awareness

At SCEGGS we are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of all our students. Many of you will know someone who is affected by anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. A food allergy is an immune system response to a normally harmless food protein that the body believes is harmful. When the individual eats food containing that protein, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, triggering symptoms that can affect a person’s breathing, digestion, skin and/or heart. Nine foods cause 90% of food allergies. Peanuts are the leading cause of severe allergic reactions, followed by tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, wheat, sesame and soy.

There are girls at SCEGGS from Kindergarten to Year 12 with mild to severe food allergies. The only way to manage a food allergy is avoidance. Whilst the children with allergies are being taught to care for themselves at an age appropriate level, we also seek your support. To minimise the risk of exposure for these students we request that no nuts, peanut butter or other nut products are brought to the school site or other school activities.

We also ask that you help us educate your daughter on the importance of not sharing food with others, washing hands after eating and calling out to an adult if she thinks her friend with allergies is sick. We can never totally eliminate the risk of an anaphylaxis episode, but we are all responsible for helping to lessen that risk.

Thank you for your help in protecting those around us. To learn more about anaphylaxis and food allergies, go to www.allergyfacts.org.au and www.allergy.org.au.

Student Health, Medical and Emergency Information

All parents are reminded to provide the School with accurate and relevant medical information. Parents of all new students, as well as Years 3 and  7 students, have been sent the Student Health, Medical and Emergency Information Form. We have upgraded the medical module of our database and want to ensure that all our medical information is absolutely accurate and current.

We value your patience and attention to completing the form so that our data collection, retention and updating is of the highest standard. These forms should have now been returned to the school.

Given that medical circumstances may change, it is essential that our records reflect your daughter’s current health status. If the records require updating and your daughter is in the Primary School, please contact Sarah Johnstone (Acting Primary Head of Student Wellbeing K-6).

All updates for Secondary students should go to your daughter’s Year Co-ordinator.

Year 7  Immunisation Program

The NSW Ministry of Health offers all school students free vaccinations recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). These vaccines are important and protect students through to adulthood.

At SCEGGS all Year 7 Students will be offered the following vaccines on the following dates:

• Visit 1: Wednesday 26 February
• Visit 2: Friday 6 November
• Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine as a booster dose for all students
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine 2 dose course

Further information will be provided in the 2020 Parent Information Packs and is also available now in many languages here.

A Record of Vaccination Card will be given to the student at the time of each vaccination at each school clinic. Please keep these cards for your records and provide a copy to your local doctor. The School does not keep vaccination records.  If a student is absent for any of the clinics, they will have the opportunity to catch up at the next school visit.

Consent Forms

When available, all Year 7 students will receive consent forms for completion. Only return the consent form if you wish your daughter to receive the vaccines.

Please note that the consent forms for Year 7 students will need a parent/guardian signature for each vaccine requested. The nurses will not be able to vaccinate any student if their form is not signed.

Secondary Sport News

Secondary Inter-House Swimming Carnival                                              

The Secondary Inter-House Swimming Carnival will be on Friday 7 February from 9.30am – 2.30pm at Drummoyne Swim Centre.

Travel Arrangements
All girls must come to school (8.15am) in correct sports uniform and travel on the buses to the carnival. Girls are to go to their Form room and wait for instructions to move to the buses. Form Teachers will travel on the bus with their class.

The Carnival will finish at 2.30pm. All girls will travel back to school on the buses unless a written permission note has been given to the Form Teacher. If parents are present at the carnival, students may be dismissed at the conclusion of the carnival, after consulting their Form Teacher.

Uniform
Girls must wear correct sports uniform to and from the Carnival. They may change into other decorative House attire once at the pool. No girl is to travel to or from school in any clothing other than their correct sports uniform.

A school hat, sunscreen, a school jumper or tracksuit must also be brought to the Carnival.

Girls should swim in the SCEGGS swimming costume or approved race suit, and House swimming cap (available from the School Shop).

Lunch and refreshments
There will be no canteen facilities available. All girls must bring enough food and drink for the day.

Parents and spectators
There is an entry fee of $3.90 for parents and other spectators.

Parents are advised to bring a fold-up chair.

General

• There are to be no mobile phones, Tablet PCs or chewing gum.
• Girls are to move to their allocated House area when they arrive at the pool.
• Attendance at the Carnival is compulsory. Girls unable to attend on the day are required to submit an explanatory note to their Form Teacher.
• The most important contribution on the day is each girl’s support of her House.
• Girls must adhere to the pool rules – no running, pushing, bombing, unsafe or disruptive behaviour. The wading pool is out of bounds.

Wet Weather
Be fully prepared for wet weather – bring umbrella and/or raincoat.

In the case of extremely inclement weather a decision will be made at school on the morning of the Carnival. All girls must be prepared for Day 10 lessons in the event the Carnival does not proceed.

Water Polo Championships

Congratulations to Camilla Mackay (Year 12) and Sienna Green (Year 10) who, as part of the Sydney University Team, won the U18 Girls Gold Medal Final at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships in Brisbane last week. Fantastic effort!

Alison Gowan
Director of Sport

Primary Sport News

Congratulations to Sondrine Bethke!

In December, Sondrine and another young junior golfer opened the Australian Open Golf Tournament at the Australian Golf Club by being the first to ‘Tee Off’ on the first tee ahead of the professionals. 

Sondrine also played in the Sarah Kemp junior tournament just before Christmas and was fortunate enough to win the 11 years and under event playing 18 holes for the first time.

Co-curricular Sport

Co-curricular sport for all year levels will start in Week 2, with the exception of Year 3 Basketball, IPSHA Football and Flipper Ball that will all commence on Saturday 1^st February. Please see below for details.

Transport to and from venues for training will be provided for all girls. Parents can either pick up at the venue or back at school outside the Sports Hall entrance in Forbes Street.

IPSHA Football Yrs 4-6

On Saturday 1 February, we will have our first training session for the year at Moore Park Turf fields. We will decide final teams in Week 2 of Term 1.

             
The first Tuesday training session will be on Tuesday 4 February at Moore Park Turf Fields. The girls will catch the bus from SCEGGS and can be picked up at 4:50pm at Moore Park or approximately 5:20pm outside the Sports Hall on Forbes Street.

Year 3 Basketball 

Year 3 Basketball will start with two weeks of training and learning the rules of the game.

IPSHA Flippa Ball

The first training session will be held on Saturday 1 February at Prince Alfred Pool, 105 Chalmers St, Surry Hills, from 8.00am-9.30am.

Your daughter will need a one piece swimming costume, cap, goggles, water bottle and towel.

Training will be on Monday morning at NCIE Pool from 6.30-7.30am. The girls will catch a bus back to school.

Sue Phillips
Primary PDHPE and Sport Co-ordinator

Music Matters

Important Dates for 2020 Calendar – Music Workshops

To celebrate the school’s 125^th Birthday celebration, a special concert will be held in the Town Hall on Thursday 18 June.  The concert will feature exciting pieces of music by Australian composers and will feature many of our ensembles.

To facilitate with the preparation of this concert, the Music Department will be holding two weekend workshops for the featured ensembles.  The dates are as follows:

Workshop 1 – Monday 27 April (Day before the commencement of Term 2)

Workshop 2 – Sunday 14 June (Sunday before the concert)

The attendance of both workshops is compulsory for students who will be performing.  We would appreciate your support with your daughters’ regular attendance of rehearsals and for both workshops.  Further information about each of the workshops will be provided closer to the time.

The concert will be a wonderful celebration of the school’s birthday. It will be a wonderful evening of music!

HSC NESA Encore Nomination

Congratulations to the following students who have received a NESA Encore Nomination in the following:

• Hiroi Migita – Music 2 and Extension (Performance)
• Thareni Parameswaran – Music 2 (Composition)
• Elizabeth Armour – Music 1 (Performance)
• Diana Sideris – Music 1 (Performance)
• Zoe Biggs – Music 1 (Composition and Musicology)

We are incredibly proud of all our students’ achievements in each of the Music courses.  Whilst our students were not in the final selection for the ENCORE concert program, the nomination themselves is an incredible honour and a testament to their hard work.

I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and contribution from the Music staff as everyone has made a substantial contribution to the learning journey of each student in 2019.

Music Ensemble sign-up at the Co-Curricular Expo – Wednesday 5 February

If you are keen to join an ensemble so you can exercise your musical talents, the Music Department would love to see you at the Co-curricular Expo on Wednesday 5 February – Sports Hall.

 This year our sign-up process for NEW members will take place as part of the school’s Co-curricular Expo.  Come see the ensembles we have on offer and meet our ensemble directors (Choral, Band, String), the 2020 Music captain and Music leaders. For a full list of the school’s music ensembles – please consult page 34 & 35 of the school diary.

 Students who were involved in an ensemble last year will be automatically included in this year’s roll.  If you want to start something NEW then you will need to come and sign up.

When? Wednesday 5 February 1:00pm

Where? Sports Hall

Who should come? Anyone NEW to SCEGGS or those would like to join a music ensemble.

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

Music Ensemble Rehearsals

Rehearsals for your ensembles commence in Week 3. Students who are taking Music as an elective study MUST participate in at least one Music Ensemble. If for whatever reason you cannot attend your rehearsal, please do the courtesy of letting your conductor or Mr Jewitt know ahead of the rehearsal.

Director of Bands – Mr Michael Tierney

We welcome Mr Michael Tierney as our new Director of Bands.  Mr Tierney has a background as a classroom music teacher and was also the Co-ordinator of Bands at The Scots College.  He has also had many years’ experience conducting and developing band programs in both the Sydney metropolitan and in regional areas including Newcastle.  Mr Tierney’s principal instrument is the trumpet, and he has also had extensive conducting experience with wind orchestras. Not only will Mr Tierney be overseeing the Band program from K-12, but he will also be teaching some secondary Music classes. We look forward to Mr Tierney’s contribution to the SCEGGS Music Department.

Music Tuition

Music tuition will begin on Monday 3 February Week 2. Please contact your instrumental tutor if you are unsure of your lesson time. If you would like to commence instrumental or vocal tuition, please do not hesitate to request for an Instrumental Tuition form. The form is available on Cognito or from the Music Department.

Primary Strings Ensemble Rehearsals

All Primary String Ensembles will start rehearsals next week as follows at 7.30am in the Primary Music Room:

Pauline Chow
Head of Music

SCEGGS Drama News

Welcome back! I trust everyone has had a restful break and perhaps enjoyed some of what’s on offer at the Sydney Festival.

Another big year planned for the Drama department; including St Peter’s Players, A Musical, A Play and a Drama Tour to the USA. Welcome also to the girls who are new to the school or new to Drama. We look forward to constructing and telling some great stories.

School Of Rock

Please note that the planned theatre excursion to the musical School of Rock on Thursday February 6th, will not be going ahead. The producers have cancelled this performance of the show. There will be other opportunities to attend live performance throughout the year.

The planned excursion to War Horse is going ahead on Thursday February 27^th. Places are still available and permission forms may be obtained from Mr Eyers.

OnSTAGE

Students from Year 11 and 12 Academic Drama will attend OnSTAGE – the annual exhibition of practical work from HSC candidates. Students will observe examples of high achieving works to propel them into their 2020 study. This excursion will take place on February 10^th. Ms Rodda is the excursion co-ordinator.

Griffin Theatre Ambassador

Congratulations to Year 11 student Stella Middleditch who has been appointed to the Griffin Theatre Ambassador program. The program allows students from schools to participate in workshops and observe plays in their 2020 season. Applications for participation are called for in November of each year.

Ladies In Black – Auditions

The SCEGGS Musical for 2020 is Ladies in Black and will be presented at the Eternity Playhouse from June 4 to 6. The score is by Tim Finn and the Book & Lyrics are by Carolyn Burns.

The production will be directed and choreographed by Chloe Dallimore and our musical director is Mr Tim Cunniffe. The set/costume design will be completed by Ms Anna Gardiner and lighting design by Ms Eddi Goodfellow.

It is a charming story set in Sydney during the 1950s following a young girl’s experience in a department store whilst on break between her HSC and University. The show features an assortment of terrific characters and auditions are open to girls in years 7 to 11.

A compulsory orientation afternoon will be held on Wednesday February 12^th. Students wishing to audition for the show will be taught 2 songs from the show for audition and hear from the director regarding expectations and vision for the production.

Following the orientation afternoon, students will be required to submit an audition form to the Head of Drama who will then allocate audition times. Auditions will be conducted on Friday 14/2, Monday 17/2 and Wednesday 19/2. If required, Callback auditions will take place on Friday 21/2.

Students keen to audition might like to seek out the recent Australian film directed by Bruce Beresford. It is not the musical but presents the story beautifully. I know it can be accessed from Amazon Prime streaming.

Chloe Dallimore – Director/Choreographer – Ladies in Black

Chloe is probably best known for her portrayal of Ulla, the Swedish blonde bombshell in The Producers – The New Mel Brooks Musical which won her five awards, including the 2005 Helpmann Award. Bryce Hallett from The Sydney Morning Herald called her “the newest triple threat”, whilst Mel Brooks himself, upon meeting Chloe remarked, “I love what you do in the show…your comic timing…the way you belt the song.”

Melbourne-born Chloe trained in classical ballet from an early age. After completing her formal schooling, she travelled to London to accept the Cameron Mackintosh Scholarship to study Theatre Dance performance at London Studio Centre. Upon graduation she won the Dame Anna Neagle award for most outstanding achievement.

Chloe returned to Australia as an original cast member of Crazy For You and since then her musical theatre credits include Chicago-The Musical, Sweet Charity, Annie, Wizard Of Oz, Shout! and Oliver! She also danced in Pearl, choreographed by Meryl Tankard for the 30th Anniversary of the Sydney Opera House, performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and was a featured artist in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Shanghai and Beijing.

Chloe was honoured to sing the National Anthem at the 2006 Bledisloe Cup and was invited by the Australian Consulate in New York City, to perform at the Opening Gala of G’Day USA at the American History Museum, New York, the same year. Performance credits include the title role in Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company), Broadway Showstoppers with the Sydney Symphony, Chloe Dallimore’s Magic of Musicals at Taronga Zoo Twilight Series, Showstoppers with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Amy in Company (Kookaburra), Helga in Allo, Allo (Twelfth Night Theatre).

Chloe has been a television regular on GMA with Bert Newton, Mornings With Kerri-Anne, Spicks and Specks, Sunrise, Carols in the Domain, and can be seen in George Miller’s feature movie Happy Feet.

Chloe was also the Assistant Resident Choreographer of the premiere production Billy Elliot-The Musical in Australia.

I just am committed wholeheartedly to theatre with no intermission.

Lady Gaga

Peter Eyers
Head of Drama

Semester 1 Co-curricular Visual Arts Program

The Visual Arts Department are pleased to provide our Co-curricular program for Semester 1.

Darkroom Photography is run by Ian Lever who is a professional photographer with decades of national and international experience. His work is widely acknowledged especially his social documentation of Sydney Life. Lilli Stromland and Eliza Gosse are both Old Girls (Class of 2012) and Graduates of the National Art School. Both are exceptionally skilled artists who have established successful fine arts careers. Both gained Gallery representation upon graduation and continue build a strong critical and commercial following.

Classes are as follows:

Classes are capped at 10 for each session of Darkroom Photography and 15 for Drawing and Painting. Visual Arts students are given priority enrolment in Years 9 to 12 with possible non-elective student enrolment available if space is available. The program begins again in Semester 2. Further information and sign up is available online and will be emailed to all Visual Arts students and their parents in week 1.

Students are encouraged to find out more at the Co-curricular Expo on Wednesday lunchtime in Week 2 where representatives from each program will be available to talk further!

Heidi Jackson 
Head Teacher Visual Arts

Speech and Public Speaking

Extra Subject Speech Lessons will start next week. Enrolment forms are available at the General Office (Senior School) and Primary Office or from the Speech Room. (Please email Mrs Carter if you would like a digital copy.) 

Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition

School heats will be held in the Speech Room Thursday 20 February 1.00 pm for both Senior and Junior students.

Juniors (students in years 7 – 9) Seniors (students in years 10 – 12).

Juniors speak for 6 minutes and Seniors 8 minutes.

Junior Topics

• The right attitude
• An incredible discovery
• A story that matters
• In the spotlight
• It gets easier with practice

Senior Topics

• Caught in the crossfire
• Isolated from humanity
• Life in colour
• Confident and world ready
• A message to critics

Sandra Carter
Speech and Public Speaking

Air Force Cadets Squadron 306 Information Night

Details: Friday 7 February 5-6pm Palladium Theatre, Sydney Grammar School

SCEGGS girls and Grammar boys can join the Air Force Cadets SQN306 from Year 8 and experience Air Force Cadet camps, excursions and parades. On Friday 7 February, AAFC Flying Officer and Grammar History Master Matthew Glozier will host an information night for students and parents, giving an overview of the Squadron and its activities. Student Cadet Non-Commissioned Officers will also speak about their experiences in the Squadron and there will be a Q&A for parents.

Dorothy Wilkinson Memorial Library

The Library is available to Secondary Students at the following times:

Hours

7.30am – 6.00pm     Monday to Wednesday
8.00am – 6.00pm     Thursday
8.00am – 4.30pm     Friday

School Shop

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday
8.00am to 12.00pm
12.40pm to 3.30pm

A uniform price list is available on the SCEGGS website.

If you have queries regarding the School Uniform or the Clothing Pool please feel free to contact us during school hours.

Lost Property

Ensure all clothing, footwear, books and stationery items are labelled. It is advisable to include the full surname and first name or initial so the items can be clearly identified and returned. If required, laundry markers are available from the School Shop.

Years K-6 Lost Property is located in bins outside the Primary School Office.

Years 7-12 Lost Property is located within the School Shop. If the item is labelled, the girls are notified by email. A gold coin donation is required when claiming the item. All donations are for Plan International sponsored children.

Lost lunch boxes and drink bottles are kept in containers just inside the School Shop entry. No notification is sent to the girls. It is their responsibility to check the containers and no donation is required to claim the items.

Clare Reid
School Shop Manager

School Fees and Student Insurance

First Fee Account due:

At the end of 2019, all families should have received the first fee account for 2020. This is due for payment on 10 February 2020. Should you require another copy of your account please contact the Business Office on 9332 1133 or email.

SCEGGS Fees Prepayment Plan:

The essential features of the SCEGGS Fees Prepayment Plan are:

• you will be offered a 3% discount on tuition fees;
• the policy is restricted to the payment of at least two years’ fees in advance;
• the initial amount charged will be equal to the current fee schedule, with adjustments being made each subsequent year to reflect the fee increase which occurs.

Student Accident Insurance:

The School requires your daughter to have personal accident insurance cover. An amount of $25.50 (including GST) will be charged to your February fee account to cover this. 

Should you require any more information regarding the SCEGGS Fees Prepayment Plan or our Student Accident Insurance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

David Tran
Business Manager

1:1 Computer Program

SCEGGS is continuing the 1:1 Computer Program in 2020. Every girl in Years 5 to 12 will have their own convertible laptop. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 have access to class sets of iPads. A number of laptops are also used regularly in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. The parent information sessions run during the first part of Term I will include information on the 1:1 program.

The girls will receive their laptops during the first weeks of school. Parents and girls will also be provided with important information about using and caring for the computer, as well as other essential information, such as cyber safety, ergonomics and accessing the technical support services at School.

We look forward to the exciting opportunities this 1:1 Computer Program will create for teaching and learning at SCEGGS. More information about the program is also available by clicking here.

If you have any questions about the program at SCEGGS, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Internet Usage
Typically both at school and home your daughter now has access to a technology rich environment. Effective and appropriate use of the powerful tools within the IT sphere requires responsible behaviour to accompany use of the computers, mobile phones and the Internet. Of real concern to us as a school, however, are some instances where there is reported inappropriate use of the Internet by some students. The School has put in place a number of strategies to ensure our students use available technologies to achieve suitable and productive outcomes but there are some ways in which you can assist your daughter to make effective use of the Internet within the home environment.

Important information and advice for students and parents about laws and other information relevant to the Internet can be found in the front section of the School Diary. Students in Years 7-12 and their parents are asked to sign the Internet and Network Users Agreement. This agreement clearly states our belief that students should be responsible for their own actions and goes on to outline the conditions under which access to the Internet and the School’s network is allowed. As a parent you are asked to sign the agreement to ensure that your daughter understands the agreement and to make you aware that use of the Internet and School’s network is conditional. If the agreement is not signed by both the parent and the student, students’ access to the Internet on all School computers will be disabled.

The School takes other measures to ensure that our students’ online experience is productive, safe and appropriate. Web filtering is used so that our students do not access, intentionally or otherwise, inappropriate websites. Websites on block and allow lists are updated regularly and placed into categories that the School may choose to apply. At present the sites that are blocked fall into the following broad categories: ads, adult, aggressive, audio-visual, drugs, forums, gambling, hacking, pornography, proxys, violence, virus-infected and more. We are able to (and do) block other unsuitable sites not included in these classifications.

Students should treat their login password as an important personal credential and keep it confidential, as they would a PIN for a bank account. If a student suspects that someone else knows their password, or that it has been compromised in any way, she should immediately change it or request that it be changed by visiting the ICT Service Desk. Students must necessarily assume responsibility for any use of a computer accessed via their login name and password.

The School takes these measures to help ensure that each student’s experience on the Internet is positive and productive but, unfortunately, it is not always possible to ensure that all students will use this resource properly. In the past some students have posted, from home and from school, unacceptable material on the Internet. Students must understand that matters on the Internet are accessible to the entire world and that, as a result, care must be taken not to malign other people, or institutions. Any such activity can be subject to legal redress. Parents should be aware that it is not realistic to monitor or control such activities from school computers or, of course, from home computers. Combating this type of activity requires persistent and continuing efforts on our part as well as by you, at home.

Because students’ access to the Internet is not confined to their time at school it is important that you participate in the partnership with the School in educating your daughters about the use of the Internet. The Australian Communication and Media Authority has published several useful articles and tips for parents and students. These can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents. I strongly recommend that you read this and other sections of the site where you will find tips for children of different ages. Discussing these with your daughter and adopting some of the suggested strategies would be one practical way in which you could support the School in encouraging more appropriate Internet use.

The Internet can be a powerful and constructive technology that provides great educational benefits. Unfortunately, like many other technologies, the Internet has a negative side. Students need on-going education about Internet use and the dangers and pitfalls present and all parents are encouraged to join with the School to ensure that the Internet continues to deliver positive educational and social outcomes for all.

Ken Emeleus
Director of ICT