Thinking Allowed

Our Director of Strings, Ms Anne Sweeney, reflects on her pre-COVID trip to New York and opportunities gained to benefit all our musicians from Kindergarten to Year 12! 

I was incredibly fortunate to be awarded one of the SCEGGS Staff Learning Scholarships for 2020 and travelled to the USA in Term 1, before the COVID-19 global pandemic changed everything for us all.

The irony is not lost on me that, had I visited the USA even a week later, the trip would have been cancelled. I returned to Sydney on Wednesday 11 March and the USA went into lockdown on Friday 13 March. I thankfully tested negative to COVID-19 upon my return to Australia and served the 14-day quarantine period at home before returning to school.

In late February I attended rehearsals, observed masterclasses, workshops and individual lessons with string students of all ages – from pre-schoolers to post-graduate tertiary level – in New York City.

The School for Strings in Manhattan is New York’s premier Suzuki school. I was lucky enough to sit in on both individual and group classes over two days at this hub of musical activity in the centre of Manhattan. I am an accredited Suzuki Violin and Viola teacher here in Australia. It was wonderful to extend my Sydney-based Teacher Training to observe a myriad of students in the nurturing environment at the School for Strings, seeing the students and teachers alike having lots of fun along the way.

To get a sense of the school-based string programs in New York and its surrounds, I travelled to Long Island to spend a very rewarding and insightful day at Herricks High School. The bands, choirs and orchestras rehearse daily at Herricks, rather than once a week as we do in Australia. I was amazed and inspired by the whole process at this school – taking away lots of new warm-ups, repertoire ideas and interesting rehearsal techniques.

The New Jersey Youth Symphony warmly welcomed me to their rehearsal studios over a weekend, to observe tutorials and tutti sessions of beginner to advanced string orchestras as well as their symphony orchestra. It was terrific to see students of all ages engaging in these large ensembles and to gain pedagogical insight from their wonderful conductors.

I was spoilt for choice with tertiary level observation in New York, visiting the Julliard School, the Manhattan School of Music and the Mannes School – all bustling and alive with wonderful music making. There was no mention of Coronavirus and absolutely no social distancing in place whatsoever in the schools and universities that I visited in New York. I was very fortunate to have this “up close and personal” interaction with the many string programs that I visited, without the limitations that we now encounter every day with COVID-19.

After an inspiring week in New York, I flew to Florida to attend the annual American String Teachers’ Association (ASTA) Conference. Both New York and Florida have been so badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. When I arrived in Orlando in early March, I joined hundreds of other string players and music educators from all over the USA and around the world to attend the 5-day ASTA Conference – this is inconceivable now, just a few months later! It could be many years before this annual event occurs again face-to-face in the USA and I was so lucky to be there.

Funnily enough, I attended quite a few lectures at the ASTA Conference on the topic of remote/online teaching. I thought at the time: “I’ll never use this in my own teaching, but I’ll go to this session anyway…it might be interesting to see how these poor folk who have to do this crazy online teaching actually manage it”.  Who knew that I would need all this information and the excellent resources provided just a few weeks later back in Sydney? Talk about serendipity for my very steep online teaching learning curve!

Music is about connection and shared humanity. I feel so incredibly blessed by the opportunity that SCEGGS has given me by being awarded a Staff Learning Scholarship. I was able to connect with and be inspired by so many amazing people. Whilst it was wonderful to attend the many lectures, masterclasses and concerts in the USA, it was equally valuable to connect with other string directors from all over the world, reflect on my own teaching practice and share ideas about music education.

I have been in contact with lots of the wonderful string educators that I met in New York and Florida over the past few months.
We have been swapping online teaching tips and tricks, sharing repertoire ideas and commiserating with each other through this awful pandemic.

It has been very satisfying to apply the plethora of knowledge that I absorbed in the USA to my everyday teaching at SCEGGS. I quite literally bound out of bed every day to come to school! We are so lucky to be able to resume our ensemble rehearsals and not have to rehearse via Zoom anymore. Performances are vital for a musician’s development and the Music Department has lots of exciting concerts planned for all our music ensembles (both pre-recorded and live) in Term 3. I look forward to sharing the wonderful talents of our K-12 string players with the SCEGGS community and feel so fortunate to be alongside the girls every day.

Anne Sweeney
Director of Strings K-12

Acknowledgement of Country Plaque in the Primary School

Acknowledgment of Country is a continuation of protocols that have been practised for thousands of years by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as part of a process of ensuring safe passage and respectful conduct whilst on Country. For non-Indigenous Australians, it is a clear, upfront show of recognition, respect and reconciliation. Molly Hunt, a Balanggarra and Yolngu woman, and an ABC Journalist, says “an Acknowledgment can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person. It’s an opportunity to introduce yourself and to show the respect you have for the Country, the people and water you’re on.”

As such, the SCEGGS Reconciliation Working Group have made it a priority this year to run workshops and educate the whole school on how to give a meaningful Acknowledgment of Country. Jola Cumming, a Butchulla woman, and the Indigenous Student Co-ordinator at SCEGGS, says “to hear an non-Indigenous person Acknowledge Country is powerful as it recognises that we as Indigenous people are still here today and it shows that we are on the right path to reconciliation.”

Year 2 took on this meaningful initiative with their usual gusto and after reflecting on the history of The Stolen Generations and the National Reconciliation Week theme, In This Together, set about writing their own, heartfelt individual Acknowledgements of Country (some of which you can read below).

We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and we thank them for sharing their land. We show respect to the Aboriginal Elders of the past, present and future. We promise to look after the animals. We will put our rubbish in the bins. We will take care of your Land and Country. We say sorry for taking kids away from their families and their culture.
Ella 

We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We promise to look after your Land. We will learn from your stories. We are sorry for what has happened in the past, it will never happen again. Thank you for sharing your Land with us.
Anara 

We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the people who looked after this land long before we did. We respect your Elders past, present and future. Hello land. Hello sky. Hello ocean. Hello loving friends and family.
Jessie and Mackenzie 

We then engaged with Kinya Lerrk – a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated business, to create an Acknowledgement of Country plaque for the entrance of the Primary School, which will be installed over the coming weeks. Year 2 excitedly participated with the process by voting on the designs they felt were most appropriate for children learning on Gadigal Country.

Please take your time to stop and read the plaque and absorb the meaning behind the artwork, called Mulana (“Spirit” in Yorta Yorta language). As Kinya Lerrk describes: “This plaque features beautiful bright colours and layers of land which hold the spirit of our Ancestors, theirs stories and their dreaming.  The footprints represent walking on and connection to Country and the circles represent significant places for Aboriginal people on Country”.

Sarah Kearney
Co-chair of the SCEGGS Reconciliation Working Group

From the P&F

Welcome Parents and Friends to Term 3 –  certainly unlike any other that we have experienced before.  I do hope you and your families are all well and safe.

Whilst the P & F were optimistic that class parent and other calendar scheduled events would recommence in Term 3, at this time, given the current NSW Health Restrictions and School’s directive regarding COVID-19, the following events will be cancelled:

• Primary School Disco scheduled for Friday 31 July 2020
• P & F Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 4 August 2020
• Years 7 and 8 Father/Daughter Breakfast scheduled for Friday, 7 August 2020

The response to COVID-19 is fluid and we hope that things will improve and that events can be rescheduled for later in the year.

I will keep you updated as things change.

Penny Newton
P&F President

Celebrating 125 Years in 125 Stories and Treasures

One more sleep left to share your story, photo or “treasure” about SCEGGS that you hold dear.  Together, they will create a treasure trove of our collective story of being part of the SCEGGS Darlinghurst community, will make a valuable contribution to our Archives and a selection of these will be curated and posted on the School’s website.

To share your story, please click here. We look forward to receiving your stories by Friday 31 July.

Sport News

It was very pleasing to see Saturday sport resume last weekend. Thank you to all families for following all the guidelines and supporting the various competitions so well. Whilst not ideal, this appears to be the “new normal” for now. We are just grateful to have some form of competition running presently. We will update you if there are any changes as the competition progresses.

Each school is different in how they operate so please be respectful of staff from other schools as they implement their school procedures. Some schools may have additional rules in place, particularly for larger venues e.g. drop off zones. Could I also ask all parents to keep their phones handy in case of injury or any emergency and we need to contact you urgently.

We are looking forward to the Primary School commencing their competition this weekend and wish everyone well in their respective matches.

Absent from Sport

A reminder that if any students are planning to be absent from Saturday sport, parents are required to request permission from Ms Allum (Secondary) and Mrs Dempsey (Primary).  Students are expected to notify their coach and Sports Co-ordinator if they will miss training at any stage.

SCEGGS Long Weekend – August 17

A reminder that all students are still expected to play their Saturday morning sports fixtures over the SCEGGS Long Weekend. It is the school expectation that all girls will honour their commitments to their teams.

Netball Specialist Training Sessions

We have started specialist Netball training sessions with some of our elite level coaches every Friday morning from 6:45am – 8am in the Sports Hall.

These sessions are in addition to the regular team training sessions. This week will focus on MID COURT PLAYERS so if you play C, WA or WD we would love to see you all attend. Mrs McAllan will send out the link each week for everyone to sign up so students are asked to check their emails.

It was great to see several our Shooters attending the specialist session on Friday, they worked very hard and found the session most valuable.

Alison Gowan
Director of Sport

Primary Sport

Athletics Carnival

We are excited to be able to have our Primary Inter-house Athletics Carnival on Monday 10 August at ES Marks Athletic field. This will be subject to current health warnings.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to have any spectators at the event due to Government legislation around venue capacity.

IPSHA have informed us that the IPSHA Athletics Carnival will not go ahead this year.

IPSHA Touch Football

The first round of Touch Football will begin on Saturday 1 August. A draw has been emailed to each parent and can be accessed on Cognito Parent access. Look for Co-curricular Sport.

Please take note of the IPSHA guidelines for spectators.

• One Parent/Guardian per participant can attend.
• Please leave all dogs at home
• Everyone is required to leave the venue immediately after the game.

Year 3 Minkey

This Saturday, 1 August, Year 3 will have a training session at Moore Park, Robertson Road, from 8.00am-10.00am. Please ensure your daughter has a mouth guard, shin pads, hockey stick and full water bottle.

Please note there should be no spectators at this training session.

The Saturday competition will begin on 8 August. All games will be held at Kambala and a draw will be emailed to you next week.

Sue Phillips
PDHPE & Sport Co-ordinator

Music Matters

The Bugles Wind Band Return!

Despite the modifications last term with at-home learning, the Bugles Wind Band are back and playing well as a cohesive ensemble!  Mr Michael Tierney (Director of Bands) is the conductor of the Bugles Band, has remarked how well the girls have come together with their parts learnt and ready to rehearse as an ensemble.  The students have learnt many pieces of repertoire since their return last term to onsite rehearsals.  These pieces include: Mucho Mariachi by Mark Williams, Quiet Moments by Brian West and Skyfall words and music by Adkins and Epworth arr. Longfield.  Please enjoy the performance of Mucho Mariachi by Mark Williams.

Bugles Wind Band rehearses weekly on Tuesday mornings 7:30am. Please email Michael Tierney if you have an enquiry michaeltierney@sceggs.nsw.edu.au. 

That COVID Show – Call for Musicians!

Calling for musicians from years 7 to 11 who would like to share their musical talents in song writing, performing to audition their acts on Wednesday 5 August Week 3. 

The show is in conjunction with the Drama department and will feature individual acts from both disciplines in a Cabaret/Revue style of performance. The project will showcase individuals, duos and smaller ensembles.  The performances will then be filmed and collated as a show.

This project will allow preparation of the performance to take place safely in observation of health advice.

It is anticipated that rehearsals will not be an extensive commitment. Once the selected item is rehearsed, it will be prepared for filming and then participation for that student will be done.

Please talk to any members of the Music Department if you are interested or have further questions.

Registration for auditions will take place from 23-30 July.

Upcoming Events:

Year 12 HSC Music Performance Evening – Week 3, 6 August 5:30pm (Closed Event)

Pauline Chow
Head of Music

Drama

Last year we held our inaugural Agent Forum. This information session is a terrific opportunity for members of our school community to access an Actors’ Agent to learn more about the Industry. Many of our girls regularly enquire as to how they might acquire an Agent. Parent too are often unaware of what is involved in this relationship.

Our Agent Guest this year is Sonya Marturano from Random Management. 

I have been working with Random Management since 2009. Random is an agency for both adults and kids owned by the Morrissey Management Group. Our focus at Random is developing our talent and helping them break into the Film & Television industries.
After many years of interviewing prospective talent and parents that are looking for representation, I’ve found that parents are simply not informed about the world of entertainment and how to go about helping their children reach their dreams.

Not knowing where to start is often the biggest problem. There are many schools, classes, and workshops, just like there seem to be endless agencies. Knowing which one is right for your child can be daunting.

I have my own children who are involved in the entertainment business.

For more information on Random management, check out their website.

The 2020 Agent Forum will be conducted via Zoom on Monday 10 August at 6pm.  To indicate your participation please RSVP to Mr Eyers.

Participants will be emailed the Zoom Meeting invitation on Friday 7 August . The session will go for an hour and there will be time at the end to ask your own questions.

That Covid Show

Auditions for our filmed Revue will take place next Wednesday, 5 August. Thanks to the many girls who have submitted applications. It’s not too late. Applications will be taken up until Tuesday 4 August.

Being a star is an Agent’s dream, not an actor’s.
Robert Duvall

Peter Eyers
Head of Drama

Visual Arts – Mindfulness Workshops and Classroom Works

Visual Arts Captain Elenarose Plaister will continue to run Mindfulness Art workshops this term for students from Years 7 to 12. Elenarose facilitates a quiet, friendly space where students can enjoy the process of creating works that are open ended and relaxing, and aim to help keep perspective and calm!

Here are some artworks from Year 11 students Pei Xiang Deacon, Claudia Holmes and Zoe Zeigler. They formed part of an outstanding exhibition installed at the end of last term by the students displaying a culmination of their work on Objects.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts