From Ms Allum

“Gorgeous and fun!” “Everything was beautiful.” “Great night all round.”

These are just some of the phrases used to describe the Light Her Path Fundraising Gala Dinner on Saturday evening. The relentless rain did not dampen the spirits or the power of the community who came together to support the education of our girls and young women.

To all those who attended and contributed on the evening, I extend to you my sincere thanks for the philanthropic leadership you demonstrated. Your support will have a huge impact on helping the School reach its goals and make the refurbishment of Wilkinson House a reality.

To those within our community and beyond who sponsored the evening with goods and services, I thank you for your generosity that truly made the evening shine.

To our performers on the evening, especially our students, I congratulate you for the stellar musical entertainment and the professionalism you displayed – I am so proud of you all!

And finally, to the SCEGGS Trust Board members, the Development Office, the Maintenance Team, our AV support, Music Department and all those who were involved in the planning and organising of the event – we all thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication to creating an evening of connection and friendship.

All these elements together culminated in over $1 million raised. I could not be more grateful or proud to lead a community that is building the SCEGGS of tomorrow and a lifelong supportive community for every girl who passes through our school.

SCEGGS, we love it!

School Photographs

To order online, you will also need to enter the 9 digit SCEGGS Advanced order code, which can be found here.

School photographs are taken and managed by Advanced Life Photography. Photo Order Envelopes have been distributed to students. The envelope will have instructions on how to order school photography packages via their website.

Additional order conditions to note:

• Package delivery – photographic packages will be returned to school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken
• Previous Years’ photos – Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past.

Please contact Advanced Life if you have any other questions.

Festival on Forbes

Collecting Donations for the Gourmet Pantry

We are excited to announce that we are collecting donations for our Gourmet Pantry! If you love to cook, this is your chance to shine and support our community. We are seeking a variety of homemade goodies, including sweet and savoury jams, pickled produce, sauces, relishes, marinades, olives, lemon curd, cordial, salad dressings, and more. The possibilities are endless, and your contributions will help make our pantry stall a huge success.

Jars and bottles for your delicious creations are available for collection from the General Office.

Please email Festival on Forbes with details of the items you intend to donate. This will help us keep accurate records of the wonderful produce that will be arriving.

Join us in helping to create a delicious and varied gourmet pantry for the Festival on Forbes. Your generosity and culinary talents are greatly appreciated!

The Next Stallholder Meeting is Nearly Here

This is a reminder to all Stallholders that the next meeting is on Tuesday, June 11, at 6.30 p.m., with a 7 p.m. start in the Lecture Theatre. Please RSVP here so we can ensure that all stalls are represented.

The Festival on Forbes Committee

B Kinder Day in the Primary School

On Wednesday 26 June in Week 9 the Primary School will be celebrating B Kinder Day. This day is dedicated to celebrating and spreading kindness throughout our community, a value very important to us at SCEGGS. 

As a part of the celebrations, the girls are allowed to wear plain clothes to school. To represent the symbol for the day, a rainbow, everyone is encouraged to wear bright and colourful clothes. Please ensure clothing worn is appropriate for school that will allow learning and play to take place easily. 

Girls are asked to bring in a gold coin donation which will go to the creator of the day, the Fly High Billie foundation, to support their work in spreading kindness in disadvantaged schools around the world. See here for more information on the organisation

The end of term K-6 Assembly will take place on this day at 2.00pm in the Great Hall, all are welcome. 

Sarah Johnstone 
Deputy Head of Primary

Primary Sport

Week 5 IPSHA Results

Round 5 of the IPSHA Netball competition took place on Saturday, however only three teams played as the games had to be cancelled due to wet weather. The 6A and 6B teams managed wins in their games, showcasing their improved spatial awareness and movement, and the 6C team had a close 6-7 loss against Ascham. A fantastic effort from all Year 6 teams this week.

This round was the Indigenous Sport Round as part of National Reconciliation Week. Prior to each game, one student delivered an Acknowledgement of Country.

IPSHA Minkey/Hockey games took place as well, and well done to all SCEGGS teams who came away with convincing wins, including a 10-0 win from the 6A team who proved too strong for Kincoppal.

Primary Athletics Carnival 1500m Races

As part of the Primary Athletics Carnival, the 1500m races took place on Monday 3 June, with 25 girls participating across Years 3-6. All participants put their best foot forward and pushed themselves to complete the race. Results will be released after the Primary Athletics Carnival. Well done to the following girls who participated:

Upcoming Dates 

Have a wonderful week!

Mr Adrian Hammond
Primary Sports Coordinator

From The Chaplain

Another podcast, another drive and another call for confirmation

The SCEGGS Podcast “Walk The Mile” Episode 56: A Voice Still Heard

The SCEGGS Primary School observed Reconciliation Week last week and Secondary School is doing so this week. Going along with these events, this week’s podcast is a conversation with two of our Indigenous Aunties: Aunty Kath Farrawell and Aunty Viv Freeman. They both share their own stories, as well as their ancestors, and talk about what drives them to continue being a voice to future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We discussed reconciliation and its part in constructing a stronger, more compassionate and equitable nation. I hope you gain something from our conversation.

This episode contains references and stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that may cause distress.

And a reminder that we are published on Spotify, Apple and other popular podcast platforms so you can access it more easily from your preferred device. I always welcome your feedback or any ideas you may have for further episodes. You will find each podcast as they are produced in this newsletter and on other platforms as well as our website.

Hoodies, Trackies and Blankies

As the mornings become chillier and I sort through my beanie collection, it is time to start thinking about what it might be like for those less fortunate in our local community. I have noticed an increase in the number of people sleeping rough at night around Woolloomooloo and Kings Cross recently and they will be trying hard to stay warm as we head through winter. For the next couple of weeks, I am doing a drive for any tracksuit pants, hoodies or blankets that you would like to donate for distribution in our local area. I will be delivering some of these items personally and taking some of them to different welfare agencies. There is a particular need for large size men’s tracksuits and hoodies. It has also been requested that all items be used (in good condition) for environmental reasons. If you could bring your donations in before the last day of term Friday 28 June that would be really helpful. Items can be left in the basket outside the Chapel or in my office.

Confirmation at SCEGGS

Confirmation has been part of the SCEGGS tradition since 1927. It is the Christian practice of confirming the promises made on one’s behalf at baptism. By being confirmed, the confirmee is saying that they understand the Christian faith and want to make it an important part of their lives. It is a formal way of declaring publicly a belief in Jesus Christ. The confirmation ceremony is not only an expression of faith but also a welcoming into the worldwide Christian church.

Confirmation is offered to all students in years 8 to 11. There will be a number of meetings held during lunchtime to prepare for the confirmation ceremony. During these meetings we will be looking at the basics of the Christian faith, discussing their importance and answering any questions you may have. Neither baptism nor connection with the Anglican Church is necessary. There is also an opportunity for those seeking baptism within the confirmation process. A confirmation service will be held in third term in the school chapel, officiated by the Bishop of South Sydney, the Reverend Michael Stead. Relatives and friends are invited to this very special occasion. Please let me know if you would like your daughter to be part of this tradition by Wednesday 12 June.

Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
Chaplain

Conditions of Enrolment

All families are encouraged to ensure that they are familiar with the Conditions of Enrolment at SCEGGS. These conditions cover important information about areas such as:

• Student and parent obligations
• Payment of fees
• The importance of disclosing any changes in the needs of a student
• Requests for student leave in advance (required for all absences other than illness)
• Process for providing at least one term’s notice before the withdrawal of a student and the charges if a shorter notice period is provided.

A full copy of the conditions of enrolment is always available publicly on the SCEGGS website.

Jenny Allum
Head of School

Debating

Primary B and Year 8 make the ISDA Grand Final!

This is an extraordinary achievement for both teams, and it will be so exciting for the teams to have their hard work and skills recognised at the Grand Final next Friday. Both teams will be debating at 5.45pm at Cranbrook on Friday 14 June – a bus will leave from SCEGGS at 3.45pm to transport the teams there.

We also had two ISDA teams in the Semi Final – Primary A and Year 10. These teams lost in two extremely close and high quality debates, demonstrated by the fact the adjudicators were split 2-1 in both divisions.

It was also lovely on Friday at to the ISDA teams supporting each other and celebrating the success of the school this ISDA season.

Archdale Debating

Well done also to our Archdale teams who have continued to excel, with all teams winning their debates this Tuesday. The Senior debate has been postponed to Term 3.

Next week in Archdale we will be debating Kincoppal Rose Bay at SCEGGS.

Imogen Harper
Debating Coordinator

Secondary Music

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival

Bands (Clarion Concert Band, Holst Wind Ensemble) – Sunday 23 June

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.

Clarion Concert Band – ASBOF Raymond Hanson Event

ASBOF Performance – Sunday 23 June, approximate arrival time 10.30am approximate end time 12.00pm, Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW, Kensington.

Holst Wind Ensemble – ASBOF Graham Lloyd Event

ASBOF Performance – Sunday 23 June, arrival time 12.00pm approximate end time 1.30pm, Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW, Kensington.

Contemporary Strings – ASBOF Loreta Fin Event

ASBOF Staff Day Rehearsal – Tuesday 23 July (the day before Term 3 starts) 3.15-4.45pm in the Great Hall.

ASBOF Performance – Sunday 28 July, Arrival time 9.30am Leighton Hall, University of NSW, Kensington.

Term 2 Secondary Piano Concert

Thursday 13 June at 1.10pm in the Great Hall.

All pianists are invited to perform a short, well-prepared solo. Pieces that exceed 4 minutes will be cut.

Please click here to complete the form. Entries close on Thursday 30 May.

Family and friends are most welcome to attend.

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

Elective Music Performance

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)

Primary Music

Primary String Studio Concerts

These concerts will be held in Week 9 on Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June at 3.20pm in the Primary Music Room.

Please be aware that there are Sports Trials scheduled for Tuesday 25 June so please avoid this date if your child is involved.

All string players are invited to perform a short well-prepared solo. Pieces that exceed 4 minutes will be cut.

Please follow the link to complete the new form, noting that entries will close on Thursday 13 June. Late entries will not be accepted. 

Family and friends are most welcome to attend.

Term 2 Primary Piano Concert

Thursday 13 June at 3.30pm in the Great Hall.

All pianists are invited to perform a short, well-prepared solo. Pieces that exceed 4 minutes will be cut.

Click here to complete the form. Entries close today, Thursday 30 May.

Family and friends are most welcome to attend.

Cantare Choristers

On Wednesday May 29 17 very excited choristers from our primary co-curricular choir, Cantare, attended the final dress rehearsal of Pinchgut Opera’s Dido and Aeneas. At City Recital Hall they noted the distinctive sound of the harpsichord, marvelled at the sheer size of the lute, watched the flurry of the percussion creating the sound effects of storms, laughed at the sailor’s quartet and were gobsmacked at the spectacle of the gold sequinned sorceress complete with snarling cackle. For many of our young choristers it was their first experience of opera and they were captivated by the drama, the effects (including the creation of rain), the experience of a live orchestra and the sheer volume and beauty of the singing. The students were particularly excited to direct their curly questions about the production to Australian soprano Valda Wilson who plays the lead role of Dido. Ms Wilson was very generous with her time in this spontaneous question and answer session and photo shoot with our budding young opera lovers. The students all wrote thank you letters to Pinchgut and I also extend my thanks to Pinchgut Opera and SCEGGS’ Cantare parent Nicole Conrad for creating this rare ‘behind the scenes’ opportunity.

Allison Harrigan
Musical Director of Choirs 

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival

Several SCEGGS ensembles have been enrolled to perform at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival (ASBOF) 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 receive inspirational advice and performance tips from the adjudicators.

For more information click here.

Stringalong – ASBOF Nigel Butterly Event

Sunday 15 September, Arrival time 8.00am, Leighton Hall, University of NSW, Kensington.

Sinfonietta – ASBOF Dulcie Holland Event

Sunday 15 September, Arrival time 8.50am, Leighton Hall, University of NSW Kensington.

Bugles – ASBOF Robert McAnally Event

Sunday 15 September, Approx arrival time 9.30am approx. end time 11:00am, Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW, Kensington.

Chamber Strings – ASBOF Brett Dean Premier Event

Sunday 15 September, Arrival time: 11.00am Leighton Hall University of NSW, Kensington.

Dates for your Diary

Term 2

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)

Public Speaking at SCEGGS

Congratulations to the Captain of Public Speaking 2024/2025, Celia Watson (Year 11) and thank you to Sybilla Hooke (Year 12) for being an outstanding Captain of Public speaking for 2023/2024. 

On Monday 17 June 2024, Week 8, girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 will have the opportunity to try out for the Junior Secondary Public Speaking Award.

Students should contact Ms Walsh if they would like to present a speech. Speeches should be five minutes long, notes may be used and the students who are chosen will receive coaching in the lead up to the competition.

Elizabeth Walsh
Speech and Public Speaking Co-ordinator

ySafe Parent Education Session

Empowering Parents in the Digital Age

All SCEGGS families are welcome to please join us in attending a parent education session with ySafe to hear about real-world and relevant information on the following key topics:

• Youth based behavioural insights on popular social media platforms
• Managing cyberbullying and toxic online behaviours and legalities
• Screen time recommendations and current research
• Practical & realistic steps for setting up a cyber-safe home

The parent education session is suitable for all families navigating the challenges of the digital world. The session aligns with the student sessions for Year 7 and Year 9 which are to be delivered on the same day.

Please indicate your attendance by completing this form.

About ySafe

ySafe is an organisation of child psychologists, ex-police officers and teachers who specialise in cyber safety education. The goal of parent education is to share insight into the challenges and opportunities that participating in a digital environment presents to students, parents, and schools. The parent education session is designed to address the complexities of parenting in the digital age. This session will provide parents with the knowledge and tools to walk alongside children when navigating safety online. Building capacity and fostering a positive digital environment can help to empower us all to feel less overwhelmed by the challenges of the online world in which our young people find themselves immersed.

Carol Bloomfield
Head of Student Wellbeing Programs

Careers Corner

Welcome to the 49^th issue of the Careers Corner newsletter. Click here to find out important information about UAC early admission schemes, upcoming Open Days,  workshops and expos.

Andrea Pinnock
Careers Adviser

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

Class Parent Events