From Ms Allum

As we mark Reconciliation Week for 2025, I wanted to share with you all a new booklet we have published, which describes our commitment to reconciliation, records achievements and actions we have already taken, and outlines the next steps for us. As you read through this booklet, I hope you can also feel our love and respect for all the Indigenous students at SCEGGS and their families.

This booklet is the result of a wonderful collaboration between the staff of the school, Indigenous students and our Reconciliation Action Plan committees. I hope it captures fully our commitment to reconciliation and a just, equitable society, and most importantly the actions we might be able to take next to play our part in achieving this.

I think it is a beautiful document, with striking imagery of school life and some symbols of our journey with all our students. The online version begins with a lovely video of an Acknowledgement of Country performed on the lawn by some of our Kindergarten students several years ago. From the visual symbols on the front cover, representing the long journey and reciprocity of reconciliation, to the meeting place and walking tracks on the back, which acknowledge the mobs and Countries of the Indigenous girls at SCEGGS, there is much for us all to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements.

This booklet continues our exploration of how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. As Aunty Viv Freeman invites us all to do, “walk beside us on this journey of reconciliation”. You can access the document on our website or through the link here.

​

Jenny Allum
Head of School

From The Chaplain

A Massive Donation Drive! Your Generosity Does Not Go Unnoticed

I would like to acknowledge and send a huge thanks to all of those families and individuals that have contributed to our Monday morning meal initiative. We have over 100 names that have signed up to provide much needed meals to those in our city that are doing it tough and finding it hard to feed themselves and their dependants. When I go to deliver the food, I will often participate in handing it out and engaging with those that receive it. I can’t tell you how appreciative the recipients are when they see the variety and recognise that there are people out there that are thinking of them. For all of the organisations that I take food to, it also means that whilst clientele have come to receive the meals, they can also access other services too. As one struggling customer said to me recently “SCEGGS meals are the best!!”. 

Sadly, with the increase of people accessing welfare services in our city, there has been a rapid growth for other items as well. This means that a lot of places can’t keep up with the demand. We are starting our annual collection of “Hoodies, Trackies and Blankies” this week. Any size hoodie or tracksuit pants for any gender are accepted, as long as they are in new or good condition. There will be a basket outside the chapel for collection. 

I have placed a permanent basket in my office to have a continual collection of other items such as food and toiletries. I will announce from time to time through this newsletter and in Chapel the type of products needed and if you can help by donating that would be fantastic. At the moment, all toiletries are in low supply. Items such as soap, conditioner, shampoo and toothpaste are needed (there seems to be an abundance of toothbrushes for some reason??). Non perishable food items such as peanut butter, jams, vegemite, two minute noodles and anything else that doesn’t need too much preparation are also in short supply. This donation drive will continue into next term or for however long the need is there. Thank you in advance for your kindness. 

Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain

Creative Writing Opportunities

Dorothea Mackellar and Red Room Poetry Awards and more!

As we celebrate the completion of the Years 7 – 10 Assessment period, we thought this would be a good time to share some creative writing opportunities with students and parents! Our Year 7, 8 and 9 cohorts have all worked on poetry this term and may be interested in submitting work for the Dorothea Mackellar or Red Room Poetry Awards. Year 10 have completed a unit of prose writing and ‘writing about place’ – a topic which might have piqued your daughter’s interest in one of the Fiction or Creative Non-fiction awards.

In the English Department we are always impressed by the original and compelling writing of our students and we heartily encourage them to consider entering external competitions. A list of upcoming competitions is provided below; please encourage your daughter to reach out to her English teacher if she is interested in submitting work.

The Dorothea Mackellar Writing Competition is one of Australia’s most prestigious poetry awards for young people. This year’s theme is “All the beautiful things.” The school has registered an account for this competition and your daughter will be able to check with her teacher about entering before the due date of Friday 30 June. More information can be found at the website below here.

Red Room’s Poetry Forest Competition encourages students to compose poems which have a positive message on climate change. The theme of this year’s competition is “Understory” and  there are a wealth of resources on the Red Room website and the competition closes on Friday 26 September. More information can be found here.

Better Read than Dead’s writing competition “Out of this World” invites students between 6 – 17 years old to submit a fantastical story or poem of no longer than 300 words. Winning entries receive book vouchers from the store and are published in their annual Kids Writing Anthology. More information can be found here.

The Insight Writing Competition is open to students in Years 7 – 12. Students are invited to compose creative pieces (short story, poem, script) of up to 1,400 words. The theme for this year is “Soulmates” This competition is open until 1 September. More information can be found here.

The Hachette Australia Prizes are yet to open for 2025, however include prizes for Creative Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction and Poetry. There are wonderful resources that can be found on their website here.

Jenny Bean
Head of English

Primary and Secondary Music

Year 11 & 12 Concert

Congratulations to our Year 12 Music Students!

Well done to the Music 1, Music 2, and Music Extension students who performed on Tuesday 27 May.

Amber Jarman, Avalon Korda, Charlotte Scott, Claudia Parker, Hebe Zines, Lucy Worsley, Lucy McInnes, Samantha Millin, Tess Fleming,  and Zoe Crisafulli from Year 12 and Zara Perkins from Year 11 showcased a selection of pieces from their HSC programs.

Audience members were treated to an impressive variety of instruments and musical styles, highlighting the talent, dedication, and hard work of each performer. This performance marked an important step in their musical journey, and we look forward to hearing more at their next concert on Thursday 24 July where we warmly invite you to join us for another evening of outstanding student performances.

Ascension Day

On the morning of Thursday May 29 the Year 11 and 12 Madrigal Ensemble choristers sang in the Ascension Day Chapel Service. They enjoyed enriching the chosen hymns with their alto lines and descants. Our senior Madrigal singers shared Vaughan Williams’ arrangement of The Old Hundredth Psalm  complete with Jemima Lowe in Year 11 on trumpet obligato. They finished the service with Australian composer Richard Gill’s Alleluia canon. It was inspiring to hear that even after more than fifty years had passed since the old girls attending the service had finished their time at SCEGGS they still knew the words of their school song and sang with joy.

Sunday rehearsals

This Sunday, we had over 250 students across the Primary and Secondary schools come to school in mufti to rehearse for the upcoming 130 Anniversary Concert. Combined groups were put together for the first time, resulting in a 56 person primary string group, and 67 person secondary concert band! It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of all of the students and staff as their pieces come together.

Keep up the practice! We look forward to seeing their progress on Sunday 15 June.

130^th Anniversary Concert

We have an incredibly exciting second half of the term ahead with hundreds of students in Years 3 – 12 preparing for the:

Sunday Rehearsal June 15

Year 3 Band Discovery – Open rehearsal

We were thrilled last week to welcome parents to an open rehearsal of the inaugural Year 3 Discovery Band. These girls began learning their instruments only in Term 1, so it is a fantastic achievement to be able to play together as an ensemble, as well as showing off their own instruments. Parents, thank you for your support of this program. We can’t wait to see what this band does next!

Musical Acknowledgement of Country at Reconciliation Assembly

The Promise is a musical Acknowledgement of Country which was commissioned to celebrate SCEGGS’ 125^th Birthday. The words were written by Georgiana Thomas-Peddell, a mainland Torres Strait Islander, and the music was co-written by Alice Chance and Georgiana Thomas-Peddell. At Monday’s Reconciliation Week Assembly, Madrigal Ensemble and Lux Strings performed the piece, accompanied by Ms Stephanie Holmes. This uplifting piece challenges us all to stay curious, stay serious, to respect, protect and never forget to listen as we travel the road to Reconciliation together.

I promise to: Stay curious, stay serious, respect, protect, never forget to listen, to learn, to lend my voice to lift yours.

Here is the clip from Reconciliation Assembly.

Sydney Youth Orchestra Winter School

The annual Sydney Youth Orchestra Winter School will run in the third week of the upcoming school holidays from Monday 14 July to Saturday 19 July. All levels, all instruments and students from the age of 5 to 18 can receive expert guidance from tutors and conductors who will challenge and support their musical understanding, whilst having lots of fun along the way! SYO Winter School is suitable for any student in primary or high school who plays an orchestral instrument, from those in their first year of playing through to AMEB Grade 8+ or equivalent. Students will be placed in ensembles with peers of similar experience level. Registrations close June 16.

You can find more information here.

Young Musicians’ Workshop

Sydney Symphony is running a motivational 3-day student orchestral workshop for aspiring young musicians in Years 4-12 during the October school holidays. Students will take a deep dive into the finer elements of rehearsing and performing a major orchestral work, with the guidance of the talented musicians of the Sydney Symphony and the 2025 Sydney Symphony Fellows. Applications close Friday 4 July.

Please find more information here.

Beyond the Green Gate

We love hearing about ways our musicians are involved in music-making outside of school. Please send details to Heidi Jones.

Clipboard

All co-curricular music ensemble schedules are now available on Clipboard. If you haven’t set this up yet, please follow the provided instructions. For any issues with Clipboard set-up, contact our Music Administration Assistant, Miss Alice Kotowicz.

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)

Secondary Sport News

SCEGGS Striders Reconciliation Run

On Wednesday morning, the SCEGGS Striders braved the cold and a light sprinkle of rain to take part in our annual Reconciliation Run. Students ran along the scenic foreshore of Barangaroo Reserve, taking in significant locations including Stargazer Lawn, Nawi Cove, and the Wulugul Walk.

It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with and reflect on the rich history and culture of the Gadigal Land on which they ran.

Reconciliation Round

On Saturday both IGSA and IPSHA dedicated the round as part of Reconciliation Week. Many schools and venues chose different ways to celebrate this occasion from Smoking Ceremonies with local Elders, Acknowledgment of Country and sharing information about the local land. Some venues used Indigenous designed balls and soccer players participated in the ‘Little Long Walk’ at Heffron Park. We share some photos from the round.

Cricket

Congratulations to Marnie Flett (Year 10) who was recently selected in the U16 Cricket NSW Metro State Squad. We wish her well with all her training over the offseason in preparation for the 2025/26 Cricket Season.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Congratulations to the gymnasts for their participation at the annual Club PERO In-House Meet held on 17 May at SCEGGS Darlinghurst.

Click here to find out more.

Equestrian

Well done to Isla Oxley (Year 9) who recently competed in the Sydney CDI and won the Children’s Championship.

The Team Selection Dilemma

Co-curricular Sport is an important dimension of a SCEGGS education – it offers our students the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of activities to develop their fitness, love of sport and self-esteem. We also enjoy some healthy competition too!  SCEGGS is a member of IGSA, the Independent Girls’ Schools Association. Our girls also participate in a graded Inter-School competition offering a wide variety of sports. Compiling teams is also an important part of the process.

As we prepare for the upcoming Term 3 competitions, the PDHPE Department will be busy conducting trials for various team sports. Selection trials can be a lot of fun, an opportunity to make new friends and demonstrate various sport related skills. For some students it can also be a time of anxiety and disappointment. At SCEGGS we want to make the selection process as positive and transparent as possible.

For the graded IPSHA and IGSA sports SCEGGS offers weekly skill sessions each term prior to competition where individuals can work on various aspects of their game, learn some of the rules and gain specific fitness for their chosen sport. This is an excellent starting point if a student has never played the sport before and wants to gain some confidence. We also use these sessions to closely monitor players development each season.

We use independent specialist coaches to assist with all our team selections. Where time and weather constraints permit, we conduct two trials across each age group when grading players (sometimes more). Any feedback from the previous season from a coach will also be considered. If a student is unwell or carrying an injury on the day of trials, they should let the staff know before trialling.

Our policy regarding ‘A’ teams across all sports is to select our strongest teams. In the Secondary School this may mean moving younger players up into older age groups should they be of a suitable standard. We believe it adds to the enjoyment of the game if students are playing with and against other players of similar ability. Experience has shown that stronger players tend to dominate matches at the expense of less experienced players. These players will not be very involved, lose interest quickly and struggle in their own development.  

If students are unsure why they have been placed in a particular team, we encourage them to come chat and seek feedback from the relevant Sport Co-ordinator in the PDHPE Department. Learning to overcome disappointment and setting challenges are lifelong lessons that can be learned in this situation. If a student has been injured and unable to trial, or feels they have not demonstrated their full potential, we will continue to closely monitor them at training and early round matches with the possibility for regrading if warranted.

Some common concerns:

Numbers matter

Sometimes the number of students participating in a particular sport may mean that numbers do not work out nicely when we divide teams evenly. Someone will inevitably miss out on a team who may have expected to be selected in a higher grade.

Team numbers are crucial when we enter teams into our various associations. Once students sign up for a particular sport, we expect them to fully commit to the season. If students withdraw prior to the competition, it places stress on fellow players and staff as teams are forced to play short or without substitutions. On the flip side when students decide to enroll late it can leave teams with too many players and not as much game time. In this situation we may not be able to accept late enrolments if teams are already full.

A player from the SCEGGS 7A netball team last year has been placed in the Junior D’s this year

When students move up age groups the cohort doubles in size from Year 7 to Juniors (Years 8 & 9). Then in seniors the cohort size triples (Years 10, 11, & 12). They are now competing against a larger group of older students.

Students all develop at a different rate. Some girls grow taller, become stronger or take up a particular sport outside of school.

Additionally, some talented students have clashes with club sport and chose not to play school sport in their first year at SCEGGS. As they move into school teams, they may displace other players. In addition, we often have new students who commence at SCEGGS who need to be placed in teams.

Playing Positions Matter

When nominating for team trials it is important to consider what position you would like to play. For example: in netball most players want to play in the centre court positions but not many players want to be a goal shooter.

The student that puts up their hand to specialize as a goalie in hockey or soccer may find themselves in a higher grade. Similarly opting to play wing rather than link at touch may improve your chance at a higher grade, especially if you have a good turn of speed.

Students who have never played the game have been placed in a higher graded team 

Students may not have represented SCEGGS before, but may play in club teams outside of school. Just because you have not seen them before doesn’t mean they have not played the game. Alternatively, some talented athletes have skills that are readily transferable across several sports e.g. an elite hockey player will come with excellent positioning and game awareness that may translate well to soccer.

Physical attributes may give students an advantage in some sports. Students are encouraged to try lots of different sports to find what is the best fit for them.

Whether competing at the state or club level or simply enjoying a social activity, all girls are encouraged to give their best!

SCEGGS at Play

Do you have any sporting news or photos to share in the Green Gate?

We love seeing our students being active and want to celebrate their passion and enjoyment amongst the SCEGGS community. Please send in any action shots from the weekend and any other interesting sporting highlights to Alison Gowan.

SCEGGS Training sessions before and after school plus Saturday Sport

Any cancellations or adjustments will be made in Clipboard and families will receive a notification or email when changes are made. Please ensure you have notifications enabled.

All Clipboard notifications will now come through the SCEGGS Mobile App too, so if you have been receiving notifications from Clipboard (eg when sport is cancelled due to wet weather), you will need to download the SCEGGS Mobile App to ensure that you continue to receive these push notifications.

IGSA Fixtures, Results and Wet Weather

The IGSA website and platform for accessing wet weather, fixtures and team results can be found here.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself on 9052 2721 or 0418 491 521.

Alison Gowan
Director of Sport

Primary Sport News

Saturday Sport Indigenous Round  

It was Indigenous Sport Round last Saturday 31 May as part of Reconciliation Week. The SCEGGS teams wore red and blue ribbons, and the artwork on the ribbons was produced by Glen Ella, an Indigenous man from Yuin country. The story behind the artwork is that the circular symbols represent meeting places, where Traditional Owners would gather to share knowledge. Many of the teams participated in a warmup from a traditional Indigenous game, including the Year 3 Touch Football teams participating in ‘Birray’ (or ‘March Fly’) which was played by young children in the Bloomfield area of North Queensland. Prior to each game, an Acknowledgement of Country was also given to show respect for the land and traditional custodians.

K-6 Athletics Carnival 2025

The Primary (K-6) Athletics Carnival is scheduled for Friday 13 June (Week 7). Important information on the day can be found here.

AFL All Schools Competition

On Monday 2 to Tuesday 3 June, Klemintine Chylek, Emily Snow and Alice Beaumont (Year 6) attended the All Schools AFL State Championships after being selected to represent the Sydney Metro East team. The girls played five games against the best regional representative squads from around NSW. After two gruelling days of high-level football, the Sydney Metro team made it to the Grand Final. They ultimately went down to a very slick team from the mid-North Coast but were right in it even up to the last quarter. Congratulations girls.

What an excellent achievement!

Rhythmic Gymnastics News

Congratulations to

for their participation at the annual Club PERO In-House Meet held on 17 May at SCEGGS Darlinghurst.

The gymnasts demonstrated new body, apparatus and dance skills to their parents with new routines in freehand, hoop, and clubs!

Well done to all!

July Holiday Basketball Camp

Mark Handel (SCEGGS Head Basketball Coach) is running a Basketball Camp in the July break. If you would like your daughter to be involved, Click here for more information and sign-up details.

Upcoming Sports Dates:

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Mr Adrian Hammond
Primary Sports Coordinator

Visual Arts

Please join the current Head of Visual Arts, Ms Heidi Jackson and our former Head of Department, Ms Katrina Collins for Opening Drinks on Tuesday 10 June 6pm to 8pm to view their works in a Group Show titled NoMO.

Katrina and Heidi alongside six other artists have been invited to respond to flower arrangements from the Margaret Olley Estate.

Preview the work of Heidi Jackson here and Katrina Collins here.

This week’s banner are works from the upcoming NoMO show.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts

Support Old Girls’ Scholarships Through Art

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

Cape York 2024 Student Immersion

This week’s reflections of the Cape York Immersion come from Georgia O’Keefe now Year 11 student who travelled with the Yellow Group to Wurrey and Melsonby homelands.  

Here is an excerpt from Georgia’s Cape York Reflection

Cape York was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Amongst the bustle of school and sounds of the city, I ask myself: when will I ever again experience such natural, fluent wisdom. Life lessons gifted under an amber sun, uniting new-found friends, teachers, and knowledge-holders with a warmth so deep it glows now. To convey the significance and preciousness of these glowing memories I would like to first return to their moments of happening, transcribing points captured in my journal entries over the 10 day trip.

30 September 2024

Wantharra! This morning we had a language workshop – Wanthara meaning Good morning in the Guugu Yimidhirrr language – and art activities with Auntie Cheryl. Uncle Bernie also read to us a book written by his father that retells Guugu Yimidhirr Dreaming. We learnt that Old Man Fog, an ancient spirit with whom Bernie connects deeply, is the creator of Wurrey. Their generosity is immense. After such a busy morning we headed to the snaking river and lay in the shallow, chilly water like barnacles gripping to cool sandstone. I closed my eyes while a hot pink AFL splashed around me and felt the spirit of Old Man Fog.

1 October 2024

It’s October now, the seasons are changing, the frangipani and jacarandas beginning to blossom. A trip so foreign to everything I know is the perfect herald for change, for growth. Around me, girls scrawl feverishly in their dairies as we feast on bacon and eggs. Earlier, before egg yolk and barbecue sauce smothered my lips, Bernie guided us around his land. He explained the significance and purpose of each plant, tenderly admiring the trees as if they were his children. There were Date and Sultana Trees for sweet-toothed children, Paperbarks for baby carries and the lining of boats, green ants for a pre-breakfast snack, and the Soapy Tree’s sudsy leaves to rinse of our hands of their tangy citrus bodies. We too are growing resourceful in the absence of technology… with no phones, we turn to glitter pens for technicoloured vibrancy. 

Although words will never really express what our Cape York Immersion meant to me, these reflections are absolutely a step in the right direction. I hope it inspires more footsteps, more indents in red earth. Footsteps that straighten knotted spirals into paths of winding freedom, cloaking all in the love, respect, and knowledge experienced at Melsonby and Wurrey. 

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

Class Parent Events