9 November 2023 - 9 November 2023
Giving Day Today!

Giving Day Today!

It is Giving Day!

There is no better time to contribute towards the redevelopment of Wilkinson House and the expansion of our means-tested Scholarship program!

Until 9am tomorrow, thanks to our generous matching donors, your donation will be at least doubled.

If you give $100, SCEGGS receives $200.

If you give $500, SCEGGS receives $1,000.

If you give $1,000, SCEGGS receives $2,000.

SCEGGS has been built through the generosity of past generations. It’s our turn to give.

 

Christy Boyce
Chair of the Capital Campaign and Trust Board

On behalf of the SCEGGS Capital Campaign and Trust
(Jenny Allum, Sally Auld, Niamh Brosnan, George Cooney, Therese Cochrane, Elissa Crowther-Pal, Marco Dandolo, Kate Dixon, Marnie Douglas, Zoë Hart, Matt Jones, Fleur Jouault, Vanessa Liell, Dianne Nguyen, Carrie Roberts, Stephen Roberts, John Shin, Stephen Turner)

From The Chaplain

From The Chaplain

The Gift of Giving and a Podcast about Parenting

This week in Chapel we have been talking about giving and receiving, particularly as we head towards Christmas. We were created to be both givers and receivers in order to make the world work the way it should and the message of Christmas is about God’s gift to His creation. In the baby Jesus we see the gift of love, joy, peace and hope. Things that everyone on this planet needs, especially in light of recent events. We can deliver these things to those who have more obvious or pressing needs through providing for what we might call their basic needs.

 

Christmas gift collection

As part of our annual school Christmas service, we ask each student to contribute towards a gift for either a boy or a girl, wrapped in cellophane, to donate to the Vinnie’s Community Centre in Redfern. These gifts will be distributed to children who may not otherwise receive anything at Christmas due to poverty or other family issues. There will be greater demand this year due to the unsettling times that many families face due to financial pressure and housing stresses. The feedback that we get each year is that these gifts make a huge difference to children throughout our city, giving them the message that they are loved and cared for. We will be receiving those gifts up until Friday 1 December. More information will be delivered to students via their Form or class teachers.

 

“Mr Lee-Lindsay needs new undies and socks”

For those new to our community, I would like to introduce you to our socks and undies drive. There are a number of welfare organisations that are always asking for NEW socks and undies for their clientele. This is a serious issue amongst the homeless in terms of hygiene and good foot care. This is a whole school activity and because we want to get a variety of sizes this is how we would like the different year groups to donate:

Primary
  • (Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2) – Girls Socks and/or Undies for 3 to 7 year olds
  • (Years 3 and 4) – Boys Socks and/or Undies for 3 to 7 year olds
  • (Years 5 and 6) – Boys/Girls Socks and/or Undies for 8 to 12 year olds
Secondary
  • Year 7 – men’s medium undies and/or socks
  • Year 8 – women’s medium undies and/or socks
  • Year 9 – men’s large undies and/or socks
  • Year 10 – women’s large undies or socks
  • Year 11 – men’s or women’s small undies or socks

Students can start bringing in donations this week and there will be a basket outside the Chapel for collection, like what we do for Harvest Festival (only we will not decorate the chapel with the items!) I will distribute our collection to local organisations in the last week of Term 4. Thank you in anticipation and for your ongoing generosity.

 

The SCEGGS Podcast “Walk The Mile” Episode 46:The Parent Trap

Being a parent can be a rollercoaster of emotion, never really knowing what the person in your care is going to bring each day. Although there is plenty of advice out there, your child does not come with an instruction manual and it can feel like you are making it up as you go (speaking from firsthand experience here!). This is a conversation with a current parent at our Primary School, Angela McLaughlin, and a former parent and current staff member, Chris Barrett. Our discussion is about the highs and lows of parenting, the perspective of what you hope for as a young parent compared to the stuff you have learnt as a parent of adult children. It’s a very honest and reflective conversation which I found very helpful. I hope you do as well.

And a reminder that we are published on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcast and Deezer, so you can access it easier 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 the other platforms as well as our website.

Rev. Garry Lee-Lindsay
Chaplain

SCEGGS Stories of Immersion in Indigenous Australia

SCEGGS Stories of Immersion in Indigenous Australia

We hope you enjoy reading a range of reflections about Stories of Immersion in Indigenous Australia from the students this week. For the previous week’s reflections see here.

Reflections from the Cape York Immersion (Red Group)

At the conclusion of the 2023 Cape York Immersion, I was overwhelmed with emotions of two opposing extremes, utmost sadness, and a newfound appreciation for the world I often take for granted. In all the Red Earth pre-departure meetings I attended at SCEGGS, it is sure to state that I could never have imagined the rich, beautiful, fun, and unique nature of the Cape York Immersion. It is almost an experience of such specialty, that it can never be explained to someone who did not attend themselves. Both the Melsonby and Binthiwarra Homelands were more welcoming, comforting, and enthusiastic than any set expectations, and the Traditional Owners’ ability to open their land up to us is an act deserving of the highest admiration and respect. As someone who believed that 10 days away may have been challenging, all the Elders created a home away from home for every one of the students, as I recall writing in my journal, “It’s weird to feel homesick from a place you have only stayed at for four nights”.

The Cape York Immersion enriched my appreciation of Indigenous Australian culture to a vast extent, and it is in having participated in the variety of activities provided, that I am capable of seeing a bigger picture of the magnificently diverse, thousands of years old Australia, one that can never be expressed fully in a classroom. One of the key concepts of the Immersion that I took away was the vitality of the sharing of culture amongst Indigenous communities, to ensure that it remains present and interwoven amongst Australian society. On our last night at Melsonby Homeland, many of the Traditional Owners expressed that they believe the only way forward for reconciliation is the passing down of traditions, language, and storytelling. After this was said, I was finally able to grasp an understanding of Indigenous Peoples and the ever-present bond between themselves and their culture, a pillar in which their lives revolve around. Thus, moving forward, I believe that I will have a newfound appreciation for the complexity and importance of Indigenous Australians’ cultural practices, as these serve as the root of their personhood. The most striking moment of the Immersion was at the end of our stay at Binthiwarra, in which Mel, a Traditional Owner asked us to be her voice. As soon as she said this, I thought to myself, how upsetting is it that a grown woman, a mother, a teacher, must ask us, 15–16-year-old school children, to be her voice in society. I truly believe that her raw honesty speaks volumes and is a testament to the continuous need for reconciliation, which is constantly left disregarded. I am forever thankful and blessed to put faces to the names of Bulla, Joe, Julie, Ginger, Valmay, Quandra, Billie, Rayden, Monique, Mel, Alex, Rylie, Tai, Junior, and Caleb and will from hereon carry their stories and knowledge that they shared with me forever. Cape York Immersion 2023 is the epitome of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the relationships I had the privilege of forming on Country will be ones which I cherish for my lifetime.

Cassandra Davies
Year 10

 

Reflections from the Cape York Immersion (Yellow Group)

The Cape York Immersion was one of the highlights of my time at SCEGGS. It has benefitted me in so many ways and given me an unforgettable experience filled with learning and fun. My understanding and knowledge about Indigenous Australians, and their customs and traditions has grown exponentially, which wouldn’t have been possible without going on the Immersion. This trip has changed my perception on the way I view life and provided me with more insight into the beautiful culture here in Australia. I am extremely grateful to have been able to experience this opportunity and will treasure the memories forever.

The first homeland we visited, Yungee Bush Camp, was beautiful, and brought us all so much joy and knowledge. Dez and Estelle (the traditional owners) were extremely welcoming and taught us about their connection to the land, and their life experiences. The children at Yungee Bush Camp showed us traditional dances and did many of the activities with us. Our way of giving back to the community was to do a community project, where we painted the inside of their house, as well as helped construct a new shower block for future campers. This was a fun project and a great way to give back to the community. Our knowledge of Indigenous Australians’ connection to land and family is something we learned over our time at Yungee Bush Camp, something learnt firsthand, that you can’t simply experience by reading a textbook. When our time at Yungee Bush Camp came to an end it was bittersweet, sad to leave, but excited to share our newfound knowledge.

 

Loggy Crossing was our second homeland. There, we were taught about the importance of music in connection between family, the land, and the history of Hopevale. The traditional owners gathered us around the campfire whilst they performed beautiful songs about the history of their land and experiences. This created a special connection between all of us, as the music as a form of story telling was passionate and heartfelt, increasing our connection to the community. The goodbye from Loggy Crossing was tear filled, but once again, we were excited to share our experiences back home.

Coming back home, I am now reflecting on the valuable lessons and knowledge that this trip brought me that I will forever be grateful for, such as Indigenous Australians connection to the land through dance, music, and stories, as well as the importance of family. Another huge takeaway from the trip will be the friendships I made across my group. Now, going forward I will keenly spread the knowledge I have learnt and discuss my incredible experience with others, and work towards a better future for Australia.

Phoebe Ruffa
Year 10

 

Reflections from the Top End Immersion

The importance of listening and learning about Indigenous culture and history is something I believe to be so incredibly crucial, and I am so beyond grateful for being able to have had the opportunity to have had meaningful conversations and to have created special connections with everyone I met in the Top End and Cape York region. I know that a lot of my peers and I are striving for a world where recognition is made with indigenous culture and their historic sovereignty, we know that this is the first step for reconciliation. In saying this, going on immersion to indigenous homelands and experiencing culture and conversations on their terms and on their land is something that I think is so important as a step towards reconciliation. Engaging myself in thoughtful and nuanced discussions and learning about First Nations, history, culture, and current events is something I have always been interested in and something that I believe everyone in Australia should actively engage themselves more in.

One important thing I have consistently learnt from going to various indigenous homelands and communities in Australia is the importance of actively engaging yourself in culture and appreciating the beauty in the art, the music, the waterways, and the land.  In Indigenous culture, stories and teachings are passed down through art and music and I loved the opportunity to learn through weaving or even listening to Brendon playing the didgeridoo. The values in indigenous culture of listening, allowing for a balance in voices, appreciation for the land, and for seeing yourself not as an owner but as an occupant and one of the many parts of the land is something that we, and even the whole world, can learn from right now in a time of unsettling political affairs. Appreciating this beautiful culture I think acts as a tangible step towards recognising, reconciling, and building genuine connections with Indigenous Australia.

Nauiyu is a small and peaceful community nestled on the banks of the Daly River. The Malak Malak people are the traditional owners of the land and have continued to care for the land for thousands of years. The Malak Malak land claim was formally lodged in 1981 which in turn improved health, education and established local government services. We engaged in multiple activities in Naiuyu and saw beautiful landscapes. The shape of termite mounds, the colour of the river, we visited the billabong with beautiful lilies, got welcomed to country by the river, and even saw the eyes of crocodiles. We were lucky to have tried native Australian honey, green ants and on the last night had a cook up with the whole community. As a group we made really valuable connections with the kids in the community, whether that be through conversations, playing football, or picking mangoes off the tree. Visiting the local medical centre, general store and initiatives like iron bark gave us an insight into the functioning of communities and what needs to be improved and what works well. We met some incredible people who are working together on a path to close the gap. I hope, once I finish school, to work in communities like Nauiyu not only to close the gap but to experience more of the beautiful culture.

Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann Am is an Australian aboriginal activist, educator, artist of the Ngan’gityemerri language group and is the first indigenous teacher to work in the Northern Territory. We had the pleasure of having numerous interactions with her. She spoke of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians walking together and joining paths, recognising the past, accepting it, and moving towards a better future. She spoke of the cultural practice Dadirri which is a deep contemplative practice of truth telling, quiet still awareness, and the process of listening to one another. Dadirri is applied on the Country, with the cultural custodians to which it belongs, the Ngan’gikurunggkurr people from the Daly River region, Northern Territory. From practicing it with Miriam we gained the ability to ‘tune in’ and experience the beauty of nature and the importance for balance in your life.

“We cannot hurry the river.

We have to move with its current

and understand its ways.”

–  Miriam Rose

20km from Katherine we stayed at a homeland Banatjarl where we swam in the river, completed a community service project, learnt a lot about bush medicine and learnt the technique of weaving. The traditional owners of the land are a part of the Jawoyn people. With conversations from Geo, Betty and Chiyo we learnt about language groups and how there are more than 250 language groups. We got given skin names from Betty which we learnt are an important aspect of aboriginal culture as it governs an individual right to own certain dreamings, as well as define their relationships and connections to traditional land and extended family.

The experience in the Top End gave me an appreciation into the beautiful landscapes, landforms and waterways that are unique to Australia. The Katherine Gorge gave me an insight into the sublimity of being in it. We should all do our part, just like indigenous Australians have done for centuries in maintaining its beauty. We should all help in continuing the world’s longest continuing culture of 60,000 years not just because of a statistic but because it is truly amazing and so much can be learnt in a contemporary lens. The conversations, connections, storytelling, and things we saw will stay with us all and guide us into the practice of reconciling with Indigenous Australia. I believe that the continuation of traditional culture and language is crucial to maintain, and I hope to in the future see and learn more about culture. I learned that the practice of slowing down, strengthening and healing, which I believe is so important today particularly when navigating our political climate. Going on this trip was an incredible honour for my friends and I, together we promise to do our part in recognising and amplifying indigenous voices.

Akira Nicholson
Year 11

 

 

Year 4 Our Big Kitchen: Cooking for Those in Need

Year 4 Our Big Kitchen: Cooking for Those in Need

On Sunday, the Year 4 P&F Class Parents organised a morning at Our Big Kitchen (OBK). Year 4 mum Melannie Pyzik shares some highlights and photos from the event.

Year 4 had a charity morning at OBK in Bondi on Sunday 5 November. Over 50 people attended the event, cooking 150 meals for those in need and raising almost $2,000 for OBK. 

This was the second year for the mum and daughter event and this year we expanded it with siblings joining in on the fun.

We were also recognised as our event marked the 10th anniversary of SCEGGS working with and supporting OBK. We celebrated this with a cake that the OBK team made for us. It was an amazing morning and a delicious cake! 

 

We plan to continue the tradition next year.

 

SRC in the Primary School

SRC in the Primary School

On Thursday 2 November, the Primary School celebrated Outdoor Classroom Day. The Student Representatives enjoyed providing the teachers with a variety of activities to support the initiative in their Form Classes over the week, and loved promoting learning outdoors as part of a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day to play and learn.

Outdoor Classroom Day is an initiative supporting the evidence that learning outside of the classroom engages and excites children and is key to improving children’s health, wellbeing and happiness, and is an essential part of their development.

Some of the benefits of learning and playing outside include enhanced social skills and collaborative skills, better engagement with learning, and overall happiness.

The SRC team created an additional initiative that encouraged families to partake in a nature walk and collect natural materials and resources to make a display to be showcased in the Fairy Garden in the Primary School. Our team was so impressed by the creations submitted, and we can’t wait to present the participants with an award to acknowledge their contributions.

Miss Jordan-Watt and the Primary SRC Team

Visual Arts

Visual Arts

Congratulations to Kate Ambrogio in Year 12 who has been nominated for ARTEXPRESS! Kate is in the first round of curatorial selection which will be finalised later this month. Kate was also the recipient of the Enid Cambridge Art Award, a special Visual Arts Prize awarded to a Year 12 student. Kate’s triptych, The art museum as ritual in Kate’s words is: a visual representation of the gallery as a series of artistic narratives that unfold through a sequence of spaces.

Congratulations also to our newly appointed Art Captain for 2024, Jade Brennan. Jade has demonstrated passion and engagement in all aspects of her studies of Visual Arts since Year 7. Having worked in different areas of the co-curricular program such as SCOPE art magazine and Darkroom Photography, Jade brings a high level of commitment beyond the classroom to her role. We know she will take pride in leading the student body and enjoy sharing and celebrating creative arts practice within our school. So many students already know Jade for her generosity of spirit, and genuine love of the Visual Arts. We look forward to her leadership evolving over the course of her position in 2024. Well done Jade!

This week’s banner is a work from Kate Ambrogio.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts

 

Music Matters

Music Matters

Congratulations Year 6 – Moana

Congratulations to all of Year 6 who their amazing performance in last Friday night’s production of Moana.  The students are congratulated for their acting skills, beautiful singing and knowledge of where they had to be.  The girls really shone that night. Many thanks to Ms Lanneke Jones who harnessed the talents of the girls and put together this production. Ms Jones has worked tirelessly with her team of musicians that comprised of SCEGGS staff Miss Allison Harrigan and team of music tutors: Ms Jayne Groves, Mr Matt Moore and Mr Neal Sutherland. Special thank you also to:

Ms Vickie Kalocsay with her beautiful art works decorating the hall and the backdrops for the set.

Ms Eddi Goodfellow with her work on the lighting and sound for the performance.

Year 6 class teachers who supported the girls throughout the Semester with extra rehearsals to re-enforce the learning from their Music classes.

Well done to everyone, it was a musical highlight!

 

Congratulations Cantare – RSCM (Royal School of Church Music)

On the evening of Tuesday October 24 our co-curricular primary choir, Cantare, participated in this year’s Royal School of Church Music’s Junior Choral Festival. This festival was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral where our choristers sang with more than 200 choristers from other schools.  This was a valuable opportunity to sing challenging sacred music in the wonderful acoustic of the cathedral accompanied by the mighty pipe organ.  The SCEGGS’ choristers enjoyed rehearsing with guest conductor Mr Lachlan Massey, sharing a pizza dinner with new friends from schools including Kambala, Kings, Arden and St Andrews Cathedral School and performing for parents and friends attending the service.

Allison Harrigan
Musical Director of Choirs (K-12)

 

Miranda Lin – AMEB Examinations

Congratulations to Miranda Lin (Year 7) who was awarded her C. Mus (Certificate of Music Performance) with honours. This is a wonderful achievement, well done Miranda!

 

Bugles Solo Performance Open Morning

Term 4 Week 6, Tuesday 14 November (7.15am to 8.10am) at Great Hall

In place of our regular Tuesday morning rehearsal, Bugle Band parents and friends will be invited to come in and listen to a selection of solo performances presented by our students. Could parents please discuss this with their daughters’ tutor before completing the performance enrolment form? Solo performances are not mandatory but are highly encouraged. You can find the form here.

 

Upcoming Music Events

Term 4
Week  Event Date and Time Location
Week 6 Primary, Secondary Jazz Combo Concert and Basie Jazz Band Wednesday 15 November
1.10pm to 1.40pm
Upper Primary Playground
Week 7 K-2 Concert Friday 24 November
2.00pm
Great Hall

 

Pauline Chow
Head of Music

 

Secondary Sport News

Secondary Sport News

IGSA Gymnastics

Nine students represented SCEGGS at the IGSA Gymnastics Championships that were held on Friday. The competition was split over two venues, with Rhythmic Gymnastics being held at Abbotsleigh and Artistic being held at PLC Sydney. Overall SCEGGS placed 11th out of 25 schools which was an excellent result for such a small team. All students performed very well on the day, and we are very proud of all their performances. A special congratulations to Year 7 Alexa Falzon and Jamilla Yamani who won individual medals on the day.

 

Results for the Rhythmic Gymnastics were as follows:

Level 6
Hannah James (Year 11) 9th Freehand
Lily Hallgath-Jolly (Year 11) 9th Ribbon, 9th Ball

 

Lily Hallgath-Jolly
Level 9
Ilana Patkar (Year 11) 5th Ribbon, 7th Clubs, 7th Ball

 

Ilana Patkar

Results from Artistic Gymnastics are as follows:

Level 4
Peggy Van Haandel Williams (Year 9) 14th Beam, 18th Vault

 

Level 6
Abigail Sauer (Year 9) 15th Vault, 11th Beam
Emilia Narev (Year 9) 13th Beam, 18th Floor

 

Level 7
Alexa Falzon (Year 7) 1st Vault, 4th Bars, 5th Beam, 3rd Bars
Jamilla Yamani (Year 7) 1st Bars, 4th Beam, 7th Floor, 25th Vault
Annalise Zimmerle (Year 8) 11th Floor, 16th Vault, 17th Bars, 17th Beam

 

You can watch the video of Annalise Zimmerle on the bars here.

 

SCEGGS Striders

Get ready to dive headfirst into the exhilarating world of Cross Country at SCEGGS!

At first glance, it might seem like an individual sport, but let us assure you that here, we are more than just runners; we are a close community bound by our shared passion for pounding the pavement and leaving our mark on the trails.

Our weeks kick off with Wednesday training, named “Striders.” It’s a midweek adventure that transforms ordinary mornings into extraordinary experiences. Picture this: the sun is just beginning to cast its warm glow over the city, and you’re lacing up your running shoes at 6.30am sharp. The excitement in the air is palpable, and you know you’re about to embark on an epic journey. As you gather at school, the energy is infectious. You and your fellow runners are ready to ‘stride’ around the stunning city of Sydney. Our runs are like a tour of Sydney’s greatest hits. From the iconic Harbor Bridge to the breathtaking Bondi coastal run, we’ve explored it all. You’ll get to witness some of the most stunning views this city has to offer, and it’s even more breathtaking when you’re running through it!

Later in the week, on Fridays, we have our traditional cross-country sessions based at McKay Oval, Centennial Park. Here we do all things running training! From laps around the pond or drills and sprints in the oval, these sessions are designed to challenge and improve our endurance, speed, and agility. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting started, our dedicated coaches are also there to guide you every step of the way, helping you reach your personal best. The serene natural surroundings of Centennial Park provide the perfect backdrop for our rigorous training, making each Friday session an invigorating and enjoyable experience for all participants.

So, if you’re ready to lace up your running shoes, embrace the thrill of Cross Country, and become a part of our running community, SCEGGS cross country is the place to be! Join us on Wednesdays and Friday mornings, where the road is your canvas, and the adventure never ends.

Take a look at the Images of some of our adventures with Striders.

Susannah Sheumack & Julia Richards
Year 11 

 

Sports Nominations Term 1, 2024

Sports Nominations for Term 1, 2024 are now overdue. If you have any further questions, or have missed the deadline, please email Brittany Robbins as soon as possible as we are currently submitting entries to our various competitions.

 

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 and matches Wet Weather

Wet weather notifications will now be sent out on Clipboard.

 

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

Primary Sport

Sports Enrolments Term 1

Thanks to those families who have already completed their nominations for Term 1 sport for 2024. A reminder that these have officially closed. If you have any further questions, or have missed the deadline, please email Brittany Robbins or Tom Mitton.  

Saturday Leave Requests

SCEGGS expects parents/guardians to request permission for Saturday Sports Leave from Mrs Helen Dempsey in the same way Leave would be requested from the ordinary school day, at least one week before the requested date.

 

IPSHA Gymnastics

Having won Division 2 in 2022 for Artistic Gymnastics, SCEGGS were moved to Division 1 for 2023, a big ask, however, girls delivered and performed excellently on the day.

Team Places

Level 1 2nd place Team
Level 2 1st place Team
Level 3 5th place Team
Level 4 6th place Team

 

Special Mention to the following students who placed individually – Top 4 on an Apparatus!
Vivienne Calleja (Year 4) 3rd Vault & 3rd Floor
Chloe Anderson (Year 3) 3rd Beam
Alice Chandler (Year 3) 2nd Floor
Amelie Officer (Year 4) 4th Vault
Inez Newby (Year 4) 1st Beam & 1st Floor
Diya Shankar (Year 5) 3rd Beam
Ying Huang (Year 4) 1st Floor
Evie Thorpe (Year 5) 1st Vault & 1st Bars
Matilda Napthali (Year 5) 4th Vault

Ingrid Soerensen (Year 5) , who is in Level 5, is an amazing achievement for a primary-aged student. Ingrid performed beautifully and placed in the top 10 on both Bars and Floor.

Thanks to Glen, Rachel and their great group of coaches in preparing the girls for the day.

 

Years 2-6 Primary Swimming Carnival

We look forward to a fantastic day for our annual Years 2-6 Swimming Carnival held in Week 7 on Monday, 20 November, at Lane Cove Leisure Centre.

As usual, girls must be at school by 8.15 am on the carnival day. Students will travel by hired bus and leave SCEGGS at 8.30 am to take students to Lane Cove Leisure Centre. Students wishing to travel straight to Lane Cove will need to provide an email to their class teachers before the day. Upon arrival at Lane Cove, students must get their names marked off by the class teacher. After the event, girls will either return to school by bus or can be collected by a parent from the venue. No students are to be collected before the conclusion of the carnival. Written permission must also be sent to their Classroom Teacher if a student is being collected from the carnival. School will conclude at the usual time of 3.10 pm.

Girls should come to school in PE uniform with their swimmers on underneath. At the carnival, the girls may wear decorated hats, coloured socks, t-shirts, and the like in House colours. Students are not to bring pom-poms or streamers to be brought to the carnival in our efforts to minimise any adverse impact on the environment. PE uniform must be worn correctly to and from school.

The pool at Lane Cove Leisure Centre is an outdoor pool. While ample undercover seating is available, girls must wear t-shirts and sun hats when not swimming and are expected to bring and apply sunscreen throughout the day. Girls may wear any sun-protective swimwear for the day if preferred. We ask that the girls bring enough food and drink for the day. 

Parents may sit near the students’ seating area or on the balcony overlooking the pool’s finish line. While the canteen facilities are open to parents, we ask that parents not purchase food or drinks for their children. For students attending before-school and after-school activities, the school swim squad, Art Club and Drama Club will be cancelled for the day. All after-school sports activities will be on, but attendance is not compulsory.

This year’s carnival will be used to select next year’s IPSHA Swimming Team. We encourage all girls to get involved in all events and strive for their personal best! Any students who are absent and do not attend the carnival and wish to try for the IPSHA Swimming Team will be able to do so in early 2024. This date is yet to be confirmed.

We are all looking forward to a beautiful day. In the case of inclement weather and the need to cancel the carnival, a decision will be made by 7.30 am.

 

Student achievements

Congratulations to Alice Zhang (Kindergarten) who competed in her clubs swimming carnival over the weekend. Alice received a gold medal in the 6 Years 25m Backstroke and silver in the 25m Freestyle. Well done Alice on your fantastic achievement!

 

Please help us celebrate any other achievements outside of school!

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 Tom Mitton any information (and photos, if possible), will be included in newsletters throughout the term.

 

Tom Mitton
Primary Sport Co-ordinator

Science News

Science News

Introducing our new Science Club Leaders

We are excited to introduce our new Science Club Leaders for 2024. The new team started collaborating in the holidays, working hard to prepare exciting activities and opportunities for our avid young scientists. They’ve led the first few meetings with poise, eloquence and heart. Here is a sneak peek into their ideas and aspirations.

Janet Zheng

I’m super excited for Science Club this year! As a passionate STEM student, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to help run the sessions. Science Club is an incredible way to get a dip into science – for fun and for knowledge – while getting to meet other people and share ideas in the spirit of scientific research. I’m most looking forward to getting to meet new students, not breaking glassware (hopefully) and sharing my love of Hank Green (who you may know from CrashCourse on YouTube).

 

 

Jasmine So

As a science student, I appreciate how SCEGGS’s Science Club, through our weekly science-related experiments, such as the science behind ice cream to the science behind COVID RAT tests, is able to highlight the enjoyable side of science outside of the classroom. Weekly science experiments increase SCEGGS students’ scientific curiosity, and allow students to understand the scientific aspect behind simple everyday things that are rarely questioned, and even give students from different year groups a chance to get to know one another. Through my role as Science Club Leader, I wish to further inspire students’ scientific curiosity and give them a wide range of opportunities.

 

Teagan Barrack

Science has always been one of my passions. I have enjoyed learning about biology, physics and chemistry in the classroom and have continued my studies through choosing to study chemistry for my HSC. Last year I took part in the Biotech Futures Competition with Rebecca, Janet, and Sophia where we got a taste of some of the inspiring paths that science can lead us. As a Science Club Leader, I hope to inspire many more students to get as excited about science as I am. I hope to use our Science Club lunchtimes to show students the breadth of science and the fun and inspiring applications of it. I look forward to a great year!

 

 

 

Sophia Chu

When I got the opportunity to be a Science Club Leader I thought what an amazing way to get more experience in a leadership position combined with my passion for science which I can share and impart on other students! Science was my favourite subject in the junior years and this year I picked up biology and chemistry which have become one of the most interesting and exciting parts of my school day! I am incredibly excited to plan, present and participate in many fun and insightful experiments over the next year with my friends leading with me and avid scientists across the school!

 

 

Rebecca Colwell

I’m super excited to be a Science Club Leader this year! I’ve always found science and STEM really interesting – currently I take chemistry and I want to continue studying science at uni. So, as a Science Club Leader I’m hoping to promote the fun side of science and encourage younger students especially to get involved and consider pursuing science in the future. I’m looking forward to running Science Club with my friends and we have lots of exciting things in store this year such as a wide range of experiments, competitions, and speakers!

 

Mia Sharma
Science Teacher 

Drama News

Drama News

The Influencers – Musical

SCEGGS will stage their second musical this year in November when we present the world premiere of The Influencers.

The Influencers is an original musical with a score by Samantha Millin (Year 10) and book by Head of Drama, Mr Eyers. It will be performed by students from Years 7, 8 and 9.

What happens when four dynamic social media influencers become stranded in a town where technology is banned? The musical explores our reliance and addiction to technology. It’s a salient reminder for us to occasionally stop and appreciate the world around us.

Ms Romy Bartz and Ms Poppy Lynch direct the production, with Ms Monique Langford as Design Consultant and Mr Tim Hope providing Sound and Lighting design.

The season runs:

Date and Time Location
  • Wednesday November 22  at 7pm
  • Thursday November 23 at 7pm
  • Friday November 24 at 7pm
  • Saturday November 25 at 1pm
St Peter’s Playhouse on Campus

 

Bookings are now open via TryBooking.

See you there!

Peter Eyers
Head of Drama

Careers Corner

Careers Corner

Welcome to the newest issue of the Careers Corner Newsletter. This edition features lots of details about upcoming university information sessions as well as how to apply for a UNSW Elite Athlete Scholarship. For any Careers enquiries, please contact me

Andrea Pinnock
Careers Adviser

Lets be Friends

Lets be Friends

Have fun exploring what it means to be a good friend through Music, Art and Drama at the K-2 Concert.

Everyone is welcome on Friday November 24 at 2.00pm in the Great Hall.

Bring a cushion and a rug to sit close.

Bronwyn Cleworth
Primary Music Teacher

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

Parents’ and Friends’ Association

Year 9 End of Year Parent/Carer Event

When: 6.30pm, Friday 10 November

Where: Darling Point (Year 9 class Parent’s home)

Cost: $80p/p – covers beverages and cocktail-style food

Year 5 Year-End Family Event

When: 9.30am – 11.30am, Sunday  26 Novemeber

Where: Redleaf Pool (Murray Rose Pool), Woollahra Municipal Council, 536 New South Head Road

What to bring: Swimmers and snacks