From the Chair of the Board

Dear Members of the School Community

On behalf of the School Board, I write to send our best wishes to all in the School community at the beginning of the new school year. 

We would particularly like to extend a very warm welcome those new to the School community this year and hope that you all feel settled as quickly as possible. We are all part of a wonderful school with a big heart and we wish you all the very best as you begin your educational experience at SCEGGS Darlinghurst. 

I wanted to communicate a couple of important aspects of the Board’s role and the ownership structure of the School. It is important to note at the outset that the Board does not have a role in the day-to-day running of the School. Our role is to determine and maintain the mission and vision of the School. We set the long-term strategic direction for the School and support the Head as she executes the mission, vision and strategy of our School. We acknowledge the importance of good governance in all our undertakings and aim to provide broad, comprehensive and modern governance of the School. 

You can find out more information about the Board on the School website here which includes a list of all of our Board members.

The School is owned and operated by SCEGGS Darlinghurst Limited, a company limited by guarantee. All adults within the SCEGGS community are eligible for membership, including parents, Old Girls, staff, friends and benefactors. The cost of membership is $100; your membership will last for six years and can be made in the form of a payment or donation. All members receive a copy of the Annual Report and may vote at the AGM. 

Applications for membership are sent to every person who donates to the SCEGGS Trust and to anyone who enquires about membership. It is a great idea to join the company; doing so shows your support for the School and acknowledges the ownership structure of the company which is so clearly vested in our community and the School’s success. 

If you would like to become a company member please contact the Company Secretary, Bridget O’Brien, via email or phone the Director of Administration, Sarah Walters, on 9332 1133.

I wish everyone in the School community a wonderful year ahead.

Sally Auld
Chair

Secondary School Wellbeing Survey – Week 3

It has been lovely seeing everyone back at school, and so wonderful to be able to plan and participate in all the normal school activities.  We hope the first two weeks of the term have gone well for your daughters and for you too!

Over the past couple of years the counsellors have conducted a brief survey of students in Years 7 to 12 to help give us a snapshot of student health and wellbeing. 

During Year Meetings in Week 3 (next week), we will again be conducting a short survey of secondary students, which will take approximately two minutes to complete. The survey will help us to identify any students who may need some additional support, as well as informing initiatives and interventions for particular year groups and assisting us to set wellbeing goals for 2023. This is so important for all of us as we plan for the new school year.

You are welcome to contact any of the SCEGGS School Counsellors if you have any questions.

The Counselling Team
Janet McEwen, Philippa Gibson, Melissa Saxton, Olivia Whelan and Lauren Deadman

From the Chaplain

The SCEGGS Podcast “Walk The Mile”

During the years of lockdown due to Covid, many organisations like ours had to rethink the way that we communicated with our community. Our weekly chapel services continued but in a very different format. Part of those services were recorded interviews with different members of staff having discussions about faith and belief from a wide range of perspectives. These were very well received by students (even some parents got involved too) so we decided that this format was a good way of involving more people in important conversations. This is where our podcast evolved from and continues to be a means of finding out more about people within our community, what happens in it and it has furthered connections amongst our members. They are simple conversations about a wide range of topics. We are published on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcast and Deezer, so you can access it easily from your preferred device. You will find each podcast as they are produced in this newsletter and on the other platforms as well as our website. I always welcome your feedback and suggestions for further conversations.

Episode 31: The carer that cares and caring for the carer

Going to school is more than just sitting in a classroom and absorbing information. Pastoral care and wellbeing play an important part in many schools today. Laura Connolly is our Director of Student Wellbeing and she talks about the challenges and the vision that she has for her role and the students of SCEGGS. Laura only stepped into the position last year and it has come with many challenges. We hear a lot about self care these days but sometimes it isn’t always clear as to what it might mean for us personally. I hope that this discussion might help you in your own understanding of pastoral care and wellbeing.

Harvest Festival and Monday Food Delivery for Rough Edges Community Centre

Harvest Festival

Next week, we celebrate Harvest Festival, where each student 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 and underprivilege. Harvest Festival recognizes all of the good things that we have been given and the opportunity to give to those in need. Each year, the Chapel is decorated beautifully with these items and other produce and our services are dedicated to the themes of generosity and thankfulness. At the end of the week, the donations will be taken to the St Vincents Community Centre at Redfern which provides for those within inner Sydney. Thanks to all of those who have already donated food and please continue to bring in those items as soon as possible. I appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness in these difficult times.

“Rough Edges” Cooking with love: A great opportunity that the whole community can be involved in

SCEGGS has had a great connection to many of the local welfare agencies for a long period of time. One of those services that we are consistently working with is Rough Edges, a community centre for the poor, lonely and marginalised, located under the hall of St John’s Anglican Church, Darlinghurst. On Wednesdays and Fridays, our staff take whatever leftover food we have at the end of the day from our cafeteria to Rough Edges so that they can provide it to those that attend this centre.

Unfortunately on Monday nights, food is difficult to come by for the centre. In the middle of last year, we started a program where families and individuals were invited to make fully cooked meals, enough for about 6-10 people. In the month after the program started we were able to get almost 70 volunteers from the school community which was amazing. Each week, 8-10 families or individuals would cook enough food to feed Monday nights clientele.  It wasn’t a regular weekly commitment as we had enough people to create a roster where most people cooked once a month. With the more people that we have involved, the more we can share the love around. The food gets dropped off to me at the Forbes St gate on a Monday morning and I deliver it to Rough Edges later that day. If you would like to join our current team of generous volunteers or have further questions, please let me know via email. I have a list of menu ideas, preparation requirements and other important information that I can send you. It has been a great thing for us as a school community to be involved in and a great thing for our local community as well.

Garry Lee-Lindsay
School Chaplain

Term 1 Primary Parent Teacher Interviews

The booking portal for the Primary Parent Teacher interviews will open on Monday 13 February. The interviews will run during Weeks 5, 6 and 7. These will be held with your daughter’s class teacher, with an opportunity to meet with their Specialist Teachers in Semester 2.

Please look out for an email that will be sent by Helen Dempsey and will contain all booking details, including a link to the online booking portal.

Gabriela Grocott
Manager of Primary Administration and Operations

From the Primary School

Jump Rope for Heart

This term the Primary School will be participating in the Jump Rope for Heart program, which is the Heart Foundation’s skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun and raise funds for lifesaving research and programs.

On Friday last week we welcomed two representatives from Jump Rope for Heart to launch the program at SCEGGS. The girls were taught about the health benefits of skipping and reminded of the crucial role that healthy eating and regular physical activity play in enhancing their health and wellbeing. Throughout the presentation the girls and even some teachers were put to the challenge of modelling a variety of the challenging skipping skills that the representatives shared. These included moves called double unders, criss-cross and the pretzel! It was wonderful to see a number of girls giving these a go in the lunchtime that followed.

The Year 6 girls will play a special role in facilitating the program at school. As a part of House Families, they will help teach the girls in Kindergarten to Year 5 new skipping skills, facilitate group skipping as a House and encourage the girls to get their skipping hours up at home. Excitingly, every girl in the Primary School will be given her very own skipping rope to keep and encourage them to do as much skipping as possible. These will be arriving shortly.

This week your daughter will be given information regarding the program and how you can support them with their skipping and the fundraising component at home. Included in the pack is a special keyring, which features a QR code on the back. Simply scan this code to be directed to the online portal or alternatively register your child here online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program.

Toward the end of the term, we will hold our school Jump Off Day which will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills.

We hope this is an initiative that is not only enjoyed by your daughter but also raises awareness about heart health and wellbeing. If you have any questions about the program please feel free to contact me.

Sarah Johnstone
Deputy Head of Primary (Student Wellbeing)

From the Chair of the Trust

I am thrilled to welcome back the SCEGGS community for 2023 and extend a warm welcome to families who are new to SCEGGS. I hope you all found time to relax and recharge.

The SCEGGS Trust is the fundraising arm of the school and our vision is to ensure the opportunity and excellence of a SCEGGS education is secure for generations to come through increasing diversity through scholarships, capital development and cultural resources.

The SCEGGS Trust raises money for two main purposes:

• Scholarships to broaden the opportunity of a SCEGGS education and increase diversity among the school’s students.
• Capital works to evolve our inner-city campus to deliver world-class education through outstanding facilities and technology.

SCEGGS stands here today as the result of the vision, drive and generosity of individuals in our community including those who founded the school, saved SCEGGS from the 1970s financial crisis and invested in our future through scholarships and redevelopment of our unique site.

The development of SCEGGS is the result of ongoing investment and generosity of past and present members of our community – parents, old girls, educators and leaders committed to excellence in education and the unique values the school instils.

2022 was significant year in the history of the Trust. Not only was it our 30-year anniversary, but we also finally launched our Light Her Path campaign with the goal of raising $12 million for the redevelopment of Wilkinson House and $8 million to expand our means-tested scholarship program.

The past year has shown the strength of our SCEGGS community and our ability to rally together with shared vision and values. We are very grateful and proud of the phenomenal support we received from our community. The work of the SCEGGS Trust serves to further that vision and work together to create opportunity for every SCEGGS girl, now and in the future.

I look forward to sharing news with you as the works on Wilkinson House progress and we continue to grow our Scholarship Fund.

The Trust prides itself on doing all that we can for the benefit of SCEGGS girls, and we look forward to sharing in that with you through the year.

If you would like more information on the Trust’s work, or to share your thoughts on the Trust’s fundraising initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact me here.

Alternatively, you may contact Tina Mavritsakis, Director of Development (Acting) here or 9052 2597.

Michael Kotowicz
Chair of the SCEGGS Trust

Visual Arts

This week’s banner is titled ADL —> SYD from Georgia Cate Baker Wood in Year 9 (cover of SCOPE edition 3 # 11).

Want to be part of the SCEGGS Art magazine SCOPE?

The Art Department invites students to join SCOPE, the SCEGGS Art magazine, either as a leader in the editorial team or as a contributing writer. SCOPE is published twice a year. You can join the magazine for a semester or for the whole year.

The magazine showcases student writing about the art world through reviews, critical writing and interviews. It is a student-led initiative that aims to bring all aspects of the artworld into focus and provide critiques and details of current exhibitions in Sydney, as well as exploring national and overseas events. SCOPE is also a place where you can view artworks and exhibitions made by SCEGGS Art students too.

If you are an Art student currently in Years 9 or 10 then you are eligible to apply to the editorial team! Articles are invited from students in Years 7 to 12 and any one can contribute.

Application forms for positions on the Editorial team have been emailed this Week to Years 9 to 12 and are due back at the end of Week 3 on Friday 17 February.

Being part of the SCOPE team helps develop your evaluative and analytical skills, builds your collaborative and critical thinking, and enables you to meet new friends and create new relationships and contacts both in the student community and in the vast network of artists, and art world practitioners associated with SCEGGS. You can negotiate your own deadlines to have flexibility in and around your School work and other commitments.

Here is what founding Editor Hannah Keir (Class of 2021) said about the role:

Working on SCOPE has been a really amazing experience for me. I have gained so many new skills that have helped not only in art but also in my outside of school life. It has been great getting to know girls from all year groups and seeing the amazing work they have put in, as well as learning even more about the art world.

You can view previous editions here:

Scope 11 flipbook

Scope 10 flipbook

Young Archie Competition

The Young Archie competition at the Art Gallery of NSW is open for submissions. This prize invites artists between the ages of 5 and 18 to submit a portrait.

There are four age categories: 5–8-year olds, 9-12 year olds, 13-15 year olds and 16-18 year olds.

This annual competition is judged by the Gallery’s family programs manager and a guest judge, based on merit and originality.

As well as online, all finalists are displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW held in conjunction with the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition.

Artworks receiving an honourable mention are also displayed online and, since 2014, at Sydney’s SH Ervin Gallery.

SCEGGS students are encouraged to submit work to this prize.

Further details and submission forms can be found here.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts

Music Matters

Music Committee 2023

The music committee is a group of five students, each holding an individual role associated with a type of ensemble at SCEGGS. Over the next few weeks, each member of the committee will share a little bit about themselves and why they love music! This week, Lara Greenfield (Year 12), our 2023 Music Captain, shares her musical journey.

My name is Lara Greenfield, and I feel very honoured to be the SCEGGS Music Captain for 2023. This is my second year serving on the Music Committee, last year holding the position of Small Ensemble and Rock Band Captain, which I enjoyed thoroughly. My main instruments are voice, piano, and drums which is my main instrument, and which has allowed me to join many bands and ensembles throughout my life. Outside of school, I have a job working at a music holiday camp for Years 2-9 which has been an amazing experience for me as I hope to one day become a music teacher. Since moving to SCEGGS in Year 7, I have been in CVE, Choir, Madrigal ensemble, Holst, Basie Jazz Band, several rock bands, Glennie Percussion, and have started my own ukulele group. Being a senior musician has given me the opportunity to help ensembles which I normally wouldn’t get to such as Brass ensemble, Amati strings, Contemporary Strings, Clarion, and even Bugles Band. I believe that ensembles are a great way to build connections and teamwork skills, widen your listening palate, and to improve your own playing by learning from others.

Music Ensemble Sign-Up at the Co-Curricular Expo – Wednesday 8 February

It was wonderful to see a fabulous turn-out of interested students seeking to join an ensemble this year!  Members of the Music department and Music Committee were there on hand to welcome students who have discovered a new passion to be a part of a music ensemble.  All ensembles will commence rehearsals in Week 3 and we are looking forward to a fabulous year of music making!

String Power

Our Kindergarten and Year 1 beginner string players had their first String Power rehearsal together this week. Seven talented young musicians playing violin and cello made beautiful music together at lunchtime, playing “Busy Busy Stop Stop” and “Very Hungry Caterpillar” on their instruments. Posture and technique are a vital component of beginner tuition and the girls had lots of fun together in rehearsal with Mrs Sweeney. The debut performance for String Power will be at Musicale 2 in Week 3 next term so the girls will be practising every day at home to be ready for this. They have made an excellent start already!

Peripatetic Music Program

All students enrolled in the Peripatetic Music Program should have heard from their Music tutor by now. If you have not heard from your Music tutor, please contact Ms Heidi Jones.

If you wish to read more about the program, you may read the information through the Peripatetic Music Program here.

Music Tutors

A reminder about the role of our Music Tutors. Music Tutors:

• are not full-time employees of SCEGGS;
• understand that students may need to miss lessons through illness or other school disruptions, and expect that parents will notify them at least 24 hours in advance;
• cannot always offer make-up lessons;
• develop rotating timetables to provide a weekly lesson for each student;
• display their timetables on Cognito;
• are responsible for collecting and returning Primary School students promptly, to and from their  classrooms, for each music lesson;
• require four weeks’ notice if lessons are to be discontinued.

Secondary Students

Secondary students must advise their classroom teachers, at least 48 hours in advance, that they will be absent for a music lesson.

Enrolling for Peripatetic Music lessons

The Music Department accepts applications for instrumental and vocal lessons all year round. Please fill in this form if you wish to apply. Click here for music tuition request form.

Waiting lists may be created when tutors reach capacity.

Practice-a-thon

The Practice-a-thon will run from Weeks 3-6 in preparation for the SCEGGS Eisteddfod.

Practice trackers will be available from music tutors and classroom music teachers. Use the tracker to monitor your daily practice. We are aiming to see how long our best practice streak is. Earn a Bronze award for a 7-day streak, a Silver award for a 14 day streak, a Gold award for a 21 day streak and a Platinum award for a 28+ day streak. The awards will be distributed along with your Eisteddfod award.  

SCEGGS Eisteddfod

• The SCEGGS Music Eisteddfod is a competition open to all musicians currently taking private lessons, inside or outside of school.
• Entry into the Eisteddfod is FREE.
• All Elective Music students are preparing for participation.

Applications

• Will be collected through a google doc form which will be available in Weeks 4 & 5 (Monday 20 February and Friday 3 March).
• No entries will be accepted after Friday 3 March. 

Heats – Week 7

All heats will be held in Week 7.

• Instrumental heats will be held during regular Music class lessons for Primary students, Year 7 students and Elective Music students.
• All other heats will be held during regular class lesson time.
• Students will perform for the external, specialist adjudicator in a music studio – there is no audience.
• Due to timetabling restrictions, adjudicators do not provide written reports or any other feedback.
• Time limit: 5 minutes

Highlights Concerts – Week 8 – Friday 24 March

• Adjudicators select between 15-20 performers to perform at each Highlights concert (Primary & Secondary).
• Primary Highlights concert: Friday 24 March at 4.30pm
• Secondary Highlights concert: Friday 24 March at 6.00pm
• A variety of awards are made at these concerts:

1. Outstanding Musician of the Primary School/Secondary School
2. Wran Prize for Up and Coming Vocalist (Secondary only)
3. Acknowledgement Awards

Any questions please contact Heidi Jones – Peripatetic Music Co-ordinator/Accompanist & Performance Coach by email here.

Talented String Staff

At SCEGGS, our talented visiting tutors regularly perform on stage with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the Opera Australia Orchestra and in concert halls and orchestra pits in Sydney and beyond. This week, Eliza Sdraulig, one of our cello tutors who also directs Lux Strings, performed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in concerts in Melbourne and Sydney with electrifying the violinist Ilya Gringolts performing the Bruch Violin Concerto. The concerts were very special for Eliza because the program also featured the world premiere performance of her brother Harry Sdraulig’s new composition “Slanted”. This new Australian work was wonderfully well-received by audiences and critics alike.  Eliza and Harry will be touring with the Australian Chamber Orchestra to Brisbane and Canberra for more performances of the program next week.

Pauline Chow
Head of Music

Science News

Co-curricular Science Opportunities at SCEGGS

The SCEGGS Science Olympiad Team got off to a terrific start this week, with students enjoying the interesting, fast paced lessons related to Chemistry and Physics. Students said they found it “challenging but in a good way”. We look forward to seeing what the next few weeks bring!

Students attending the Co-curricular Expo on Wednesday at lunch were given a taste of the wonderful range of activities in which they could participate to extend their knowledge and interest in the Sciences. For example, students in Chemistry are encouraged to compete in the Titration Competition (and continue to build on SCEGGS’ great results) as well as other competitions such as Crystal Growing Competition, and other co-curricular experiences including celebrating International Women in STEM and National Science Week activities. Science Club will be starting back soon, led by our enthusiastic and very capable Year 12s who spent the holidays designing fun experiments and activities ready for the new year.

We are all looking forward to a Super Science year filled with excellent experiments and experiences!

Mia Sharma
Science Teacher

Secondary Sport News

A big welcome to everyone who is new to SCEGGS sport in 2023.  It has been a busy time in the PDHPE Department as we get ready to commence our Term 1 Sports. Please be patient as we await final draws and match times from our various associations. We are still finalising teams and will have everything loaded onto Cognito and emailed to students as soon as it becomes available.

In the meantime, we would like to share a few highlights from our amazing students. 

Sailing

Over the holidays Grace Morrow (Year 12) and her sailing partner from Woollahra Sailing Club competed in the Australian National Championships for the 420 International Class in Victoria.  

At the regatta they became the Australian Open Female Champions, Australian Youth Female Champions and won the Australian 420 Champion – Overall Handicap prize.

This is an incredible achievement, and we are so proud of you Grace. We wish you well all the best in 2023 as you juggle the HSC and your Sailing commitments.

AFL

Congratulations to Emma Juneja (Year 12) who has been selected in the Sydney Swans U’18 Top End female team to compete against other state teams. We look forward to hearing more about her exploits throughout the year as she too juggles the HSC.

Well done also to Julia Machliss who has also been selected in the Sydney Swans U’16 Top End Academy.

Cheer, Cheer the Red and the White!

Equestrian

Another Year 12 student to watch in 2023 is Chloe Copp who will be competing at the NSW Show Jumping Indoor State Titles to be held in Tamworth later in February. Chloe juggles her academic studies with a busy riding and competition schedule at an elite level.

Hockey

Congratulations to Jess Weatherall (Year 9) who has been selected in the NSW U’15 Hockey Team to compete at the Australian U’15 Championships in Darwin in April

Water Polo

Well done to all of our SCEGGS Water Polo players who competed at the Australian Youth Championships in Perth over the holidays.

Claudia Quinn (Year 11) represented the Balmain Tigers who won the Gold Medal in the U’16 Gold Division. Claudia scored 4 goals on their way to winning the final 13 – 8.

Elizabeth Shin (Year 10) and Cassandra Davies (Year 10) represented the Sydney Uni Cubs in the U’16 Green Division who also won the Gold Medal. Elizabeth also scored 4 goals in their final.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Congratulations to Ilana Patkar (Year 11) who has kicked off her Rhythmic Gymnastics competition season this year with her performances at the Northern Beaches RG club friendly held on Saturday 29 January.

Ilana (Level 9) debuted her new Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon routines in front a highly accredited judging panel, where she received positive feedback for the strength of her balances, rotations and musicality, and constructive feedback for her throw technique.

Ilana will continue her competition season throughout February and March – best of luck!

Cole Classic Ocean Swim

Congratulations to Mia Costa (Year 11) who competed in the Cole Classic Ocean Swim on the weekend. Mia completed the course in a time of 13:31, finishing 19^th overall out of 839 females. Well done!

Secondary Swimming Carnival

We were blessed with a warm sunny day to conduct our swimming carnival on Monday. After missing out last year due to Covid restrictions, participation and house spirit was at an all-time high amongst everyone in attendance.

Swimming Carnival Results

Prize List

New Records

Overall Point Score

Champion House: LANGLEY

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 alisongowan@sceggs.nsw.edu.au

SCEGGS Training sessions before and after school plus Saturday Sport

Please check the @SCEGGSSport Twitter feed for the latest updates relating to cancellations.

IGSA Fixtures, Results and Wet Weather

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

IPSHA Football, IPSHA Water Polo & Year 3 Basketball

Games for all Primary Saturday sports will begin this weekend on Saturday 11 February.

In the interest of conserving paper all draws will be sent out via Cognito (Parent Access) on the Sports homepage. Wet weather details are also contained on the draw.

Please ensure your daughter is at the venue ready to start 30 mins before her game so that there is time to complete a full warm-up as a team. Girls must arrive in the correct uniform, have a full water bottle and bring all other sports-specific equipment required to play (e.g. shin pads for football).

Sport information

For Years 4-6, please download and use the IPSHA App on your mobile device for Saturday matches. All match locations are posted through the app.  Any wet weather will also be posted on the @SCEGGSport Twitter feed.

Primary Sport Achievements

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

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

Mr Tom Mitton
PDHPE and Sport Coordinator: Primary

Year 7 and 10 Vaccination Clinic Dates and Online Consent

Year 7 and Year 10 students are able to receive free vaccinations through the NSW School Vaccination Program offered by NSW Health.

SCEGGS Vaccination Clinic dates for 2023 are as follows:

• Clinic 1: Year 7 – diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV)vaccines – Thursday 2 March
• Clinic 2: Year 10 – meningococcal ACWY vaccine – Thursday 27 July
• Clinic 3 – Catch-up vaccinations – Wednesday 8 November

From 2023 parents can provide consent online for their child’s routine school vaccinations.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

How to provide consent:

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

We ask that parents of Year 7 students complete their online consent form by Wednesday 15 February.

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

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

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

Update regarding Year 7 & Year 8 Catch-up HPV Vaccinations

From February 2023, only one dose of HPV vaccination is required to be fully vaccinated. Previously, Year 7 students were offered two doses of the HPV vaccine in the NSW School Vaccination Program. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reviewed recent international evidence and has advised that a single dose of the HPV vaccine gives the same protection as two dose course. 

If you have already consented to your child receiving two doses of HPV vaccine, they will only receive one dose.

If your child is in Year 8 or above and previously missed their second dose of HPV vaccine, they are now considered fully vaccinated and do not require a second dose.

A small number of students who are immunocompromised are still recommended to receive a three-dose course of HPV vaccine. If your child is immunocompromised, it is important to discuss their immunisation needs with their GP. 

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

For more information on school vaccination visit here or if you have any questions, please contact South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit on 9382 8333 (Ext 2).

Sarah Walters
Director of Administration

Public Speaking

Rostrum – Voice of Youth Tryouts 2023 

Rostrum Voice of Youth is the first interschool public speaking competition of the year.  6 girls will represent SCEGGS, 3 from Years 7-9 in the Junior Division and 3 from Years 10-12 in the Senior Division.  Girls are able to choose one topic from a selection of 5 and write a 6 minute (junior) and 8 minute (senior) speech to present at the competition.  Topics are available from the Speech room or online at here. Try outs will be held in the Speech room G6 on Friday 17 February at lunch time for Years 7-9 and Monday 20 February at lunch time for Years 10-12.  Students can contact Ms Walsh for any more details. 

Elizabeth Walsh
Speech and Public Speaking 

New Parent Dinner – Save the Date

Dear New Parents,

Welcome to SCEGGS!

Each year the SCEGGS Trust takes great pleasure in formally welcoming our new parents into the school’s vibrant community. It is also a great opportunity to meet fellow parents, SCEGGS staff members and members of our Boards and Committees.

The dinner is scheduled to be held in the SCEGGS Great Hall on Thursday 16 March, starting with drinks at 7pm, followed by dinner at 7.30pm. Please save the date and the Trust will be in touch with a formal invitation in the coming weeks.

I look forward to meeting you all as the year progresses!

Tina Mavritsakis
Director of Development (Acting)

Years 9 and 10 “Father”/Daughter Breakfast

Years 9 and 10 students and their “fathers” are warmly invited to join us for the P&F’s first “Father”/Daughter Breakfast for 2023 on Friday 17 February from 7.00am – 8.15am in the Great Hall.

Our special guest speaker will be Old Girl Rose DAVIES (2008), a practising architect focused on regenerative design and environmental sustainability.

Since leaving school, Rose has had a winding and varied journey involving; working as a public artist; labouring for a builder in Mparntwe (Alice Springs); working as a landscape architect; co-directing a NFP circular economy plastic recycling manufacturing business; researching built environment policy and teaching at universities. Rose is currently working as a project architect at Dunn & Hillam Architects and as a sessional academic at Sydney University.

In her spare time, Rose cycles, sails with her dad, sews, and when she can, she gets out for an overnight bush walk, continuing her passion first unlocked doing Duke of Edinburgh in Year 9 at SCEGGS.

Rose will share her story, reflections on being in the design world, and tips about finishing school and starting on the next chapter.

SPAN Event – Women in Law and The Australian Defence Force

Join distinguished Old Girl Commodore Fiona Sneath, RAN, the Deputy Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (Class of 1984) as she shares her insights and experiences about a career in law and the Australian Defence Force.

Embracing roles from investigating organised crime to deployment on operations in the Middle East, Fiona was also the first woman and lawyer to command HMAS Albatross – the Naval Air Station and base for the Navy Fleet Air Arm.

If you want to hear how you too can carve a diverse and challenging career, this event is for you!

Click here to book your ticket and join us on Monday 20 February on the JF Terrace from 6.00pm – 8.00pm.