Edition 1 31 January 2014 From the Principal Dear Stuartholme Family, Welcome to the 2014 Academic year. A very warm welcome to all returning students and their families, to Year 8 students and their families and to the 31 new students in Years 9-11 and their families. Welcome back to returning staff, to staff returning from extended leave: Georgina Hooper, Anna Starosta, Willemena Endres, Mary Raineri, Juliette Johnson and Lara Rich. Welcome to Jennifer McGrath (Drama Teacher) who will pick up Ms Hannah Brown’s teaching load while she engages in the wonderful opportunity at the Sydney Theatre Company in 2014. I welcome staff moving into new roles: Mrs Shannon Lacey, Year 12 Co-ordinator and Ms Jessica Moran, Communications Coordinator. The year before us celebrates in a very special way the foundation of the Stuartholme story. Mother Janet Erskine Stuart rscJ, was the Superior General in 1913 when Archbishop Duhig invited the Society of the Sacred Heart to establish a School in Brisbane. Her positive response on behalf of the Society led to the Foundation stone of Stuartholme being laid on 25 May, 1919. In 2014 we will celebrate the vision of St Madeleine Sophie Barat and the enactment of this by Mother Stuart on 25 May. A community celebration at Stuartholme will be a highlight of this Centenary year of Mother Stuart. A renowned educator and author of the seminal text ‘The Education of Catholic Girls’, Mother Stuart’s centenary provided the fitting context for our 2014 Focus Goal: ‘to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values’. Invitations and details about our celebration will follow later this term. Over the holiday period the Maintenance, IT, Finance, Enrolments and Marketing Teams have been very busy. As you drive into the School the partially finished stone wall is testimony to the great craftsmanship of Mr Mark Burrill, Maintenance Manager. Despite the wonderful support of his sons Frazer and Sam, Mark’s detailed knowledge of the site meant that he was the point of contact for the various contractors. I acknowledge with deep gratitude Mark’s work and that of Frazer and Sam. The painters have busily painted external and internal areas of the School. As you walk around the effect of their work will be before you. I am sure both girls and parents will relish the freshened outdoor furniture. It looks great! New gardeners from ‘Green Options’ have made a dramatic mark on the School. I look forward to the newly planted gardens bursting in colour. The 2014 Summer Camp was an incredible success with over 240 girls attending. Peter and Michele Rosengren together with their wonderful team are to be heartily congratulated and thanked for the wonderful programme. The function on Friday night was an absolute joy with an inspirational address by Matthew Ames. The P&F function on Tuesday night seems to have been a ‘winner’. Boarder and Day Parents took the opportunity to enjoy the balmy evening together. New Parents were warmly welcomed and a beautiful spirit of hospitality pervaded the event. Thank you to Karen Collins, Susan Gibson, Fe Rafferty, Margaret Stephens and Stacey Fabris for their great work. Thanks also to Gary Townsend (P&F President) for his words of welcome and warm invitation to future events. The return of the girls has been a joy and we are sharing the commencement with Irene Lai, an Exchange student from our Sister School in Taipei. We are well and truly into the academic programme with co-curricular about to begin. The year is before us. May it be richly fulfilling and rewarding. God Bless, Helen Sinclair | Principal From the Director of Pastoral Care Parent Information Evenings Over the first few weeks of Term 1 we will be conducting Parent Information Evenings for each respective year level. At this evening key staff will share information specific to the year ahead. The following are the dates for the evenings for Term 1. All evenings will be held in the Chapel. Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Monday 3 February Tuesday 18 February Tuesday 11 February Monday 17 February Monday 10 February All evenings will commence at 7.00pm and will finish before 8.30pm. I look forward to seeing you there. Please email me your intention to attend at [email protected]. Years 10, 11 and 12 Evenings will include short presentations as follows:  Year Level Coordinator will provide an overview of events for the year  Director Teaching and Learning provides explanation of the QCS/ OP and Tertiary Rank systems  Careers Advisor will outline the career planning process in the Senior Years Andrea Reddan | Deputy Principal - Director of Pastoral Care From the Director of Business Operations 2014 Fee Statements Please note that Fee Statements will now be distributed via email. Term 1 statements will be sent next week. To update your email address please contact the Registrar via email [email protected] To assist our families with their financial commitment to the School you have the option to pay your School fees via direct debit on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Please visit the School’s website under Payments for a Direct Debit Authority form. John Fitzgerald | Director of Business Operations Music News Ensemble Workshop To kick start the musical year, Ensemble members are required to attend an Ensemble Workshop on Sunday 9 February. This will be a good time for the students to re-connect with their old friends, meet the Conductor and meet new members of the Ensemble. The Ensemble will be given an introduction to the music for the Term and the day will conclude with a barbecue for students and parents, provided by the Music Support Group. Concert Band & Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble & Jazz Combo 9.00am - 12.00noon Barat, Celtic and Duchesne String Ensembles 1.00 - 4.00pm Vocal Ensemble, Stuartholme Choir & Year 8 Choir 1.00 - 4.00pm If a student is in both Strings and Choir, please liaise with Ms Nixon and Miss Saal as to which rehearsal to attend. Any Ensemble member who cannot attend this event is required to advise the Head of Music in writing. Codes of Conduct for Ensemble Membership 2014 Codes of Conduct for Ensemble Membership have been emailed to all students who have been successfully placed in the following ensembles: Jazz Band; Concert Band Wind Ensemble; Jazz Combo Vocal Ensemble Barat String Ensemble; Duchesne String Ensemble Placements for other Ensembles are still being finalised and students will be notified as soon as possible. Ensemble placement is conditional on signing of the Code of Conduct by both student and parent/caregiver and the payment of the Co-curricula Ensemble Levy. The signed form and payment must be received by the Music Department no later than Friday 21 February. Ensemble Auditions Interested in being involved in an Ensemble this year? Come along to an informal audition on Wednesday 5 February at lunchtime. The auditions will be held in J14. Students will need to bring their own instruments and prepare a short piece of music to play. Stuartholme Choir and Year 8 Choir Stuartholme Choir and Year 8 Choir are seeking members who love to sing. Students are invited to come along to the first choir rehearsal for the Stuartholme Choir and the Year 8 Choir before making a commitment. The details for both rehearsals are as follows: Stuartholme Choir (Years 9 -12) Rehearsal: Tuesday 4 February Time: 3.15 – 4.30pm Venue: Auditorium Year 8 Choir Rehearsal: Time: Venue: Thursday 6 February 7.15 – 8.15am (Please arrive by 7.05am) Australian Room Congratulations! Congratulations to our clarinet/saxophone tutor Miranda Sue Yek and her husband Duncan on the birth of their second child, Hugo William. Hugo is a little brother to Felix. Miranda is on maternity leave for 2014. Mrs Melissa Baldwin will be teaching Miranda’s students whilst she is on leave. Congratulations to Melissa who married our very own trumpet teacher, Mr Chris Baldwin, in December. We wish them a very long and happy life together. Ensemble Rehearsals All Ensemble rehearsals will commence the week beginning 3 February. Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday After School Before School Lunch Time After School Before School Lunch Time After School Before School Lunch Time After School Before School Lunch Time When 3.15 – 4.45pm 7.15 – 8.15am 3.15 – 4.30pm 7.15 – 8.15am 3.15 – 4.30pm 7.15 – 8.15am 3.15 – 4.30pm 7.15 – 8.15am What Vocal Ensemble Wind Ensemble Jazz Combo Stuartholme Choir Barat String Ensemble Flute Ensemble Jazz Band Celtic Ensemble Year 8 Choir Percussion Ensemble Concert Band Duchesne String Ensemble Guitar Ensemble Attendance at rehearsals is compulsory. Please be reminded that students are expected to arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the rehearsal so that they can assist with setting up, have their instruments tuned and music ready for the rehearsal to commence at the scheduled starting time. If a member is unable to attend a rehearsal they must contact the Ensemble Conductor and/or the Music Secretary via email. Students absent due to illness should email upon their return to School. Music Support Group News The first Music Support Group General Meeting will be held on Monday 3 February at 7.00pm in the Music Department. The Music Support Group Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 10 February at 7.00pm in the Music Department. For further information regarding the Music Support Group, please contact Jamie Schwarz on mobile 0474 175 93 Andrew Mear | Head of Music Debating The Debating Information letter and permission form have been emailed to all students. Trials will be held for Year 8 students on Monday 3 February and Tuesday 4 February. Students have been sent the topic they need to prepare. As outlined in the letter, Co-curricula enrolments will no longer be completed online, nor will these activities be charged to your school account. Instead, students are to print the permission form and return it with payment to the box outside Mrs Jackson’s office by 8.30am Thursday 6 February. To facilitate trials and employment of coaches, it is vital that all forms are back by the due date. Forms received after this date will be accepted at the discretion of the Co-curricula Director. We have employed an Alumna, Miss Rachel Poole, as the Debating Coordinator and she is working very hard behind the scenes to make this a wonderful and challenging year for the girls. Louise Jackson | Co-curricula Director Equestrian Training Camp at Burpengary In December last year, the Equestrian team for 2014 enjoyed a wonderful training camp at the Burpengary Centre. The new Year 8 students were able to attend and also some eager riders who are coming to Stuartholme in 2015 and 2016. The coaches covered the major disciplines of Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country. It was not only a great way to end the school year but also a great way to keep the momentum going as the Equestrian year starts in July. Equestrian Federation of Australia Awards One of the biggest nights of the calendar is the Equestrian Federation of Australia Awards presentation. The Queensland evening is on Saturday 8 February at the Royal on the Park in Brisbane. After nominations were received in December, we were informed that we were successful in achieving finalist status in not only The School of the Year which we won for 2012 but also for The Team of the Year. We also have individual finalists in the Para Equestrian discipline with 2013 Year 12 student, Phoebe Roche, and 2014 Year 12 student Brittany Murphy for Show Jumping. We would like to give our sincere congratulations to all the riders and to also congratulate them on their achievements in 2013, which have resulted in these nominations. This very special event will be streamed live by LHM TV direct from the event. Camp at the Queensland State Centre Our first camp for 2014 is being held at the Queensland State Centre in Caboolture from 4.00pm on Friday 21 February until 4.00pm on Sunday 23 February. The team always enjoys training at this centre as it is very professionally set up and the riders know that they are following in the footsteps of Queensland’s best. The coaches are looking forward to seeing everyone and also to welcome new riders who are interested in joining the team. Lakes and Crater 3 Day Event Exciting news for one of the young riders! After a stellar 2013, Emily Rink in Year 9 received some wonderful news. She took her two horses to the Lakes and Crater 3 Day Event run by Barry Roycroft in Melbourne. This was a very large event with approximately 35 competitors in each class. Emily won the Junior Pre-Novice Event on ‘Kirby Park Irish Empress’ and also came 12th on her horse ‘Ace’. This was a huge achievement for Emily and has earned her a place on the Young Riders Eventing Squad for 2014. The mare, ‘Kirby Park,’ also won the award for best overall eventing mare gaining her a service to one of the top Melbourne Stallions. This is a wonderful result for Emily and her family who have certainly put in the hours of work and covered huge miles to compete. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting for the Equestrian Parent Support Group will be held on Tuesday 4 February from 6.00 - 8.00pm in the Renard Room (under the Chapel). This will also be an information evening for all team members, parents and coaches. In closing, I quote Henry Ford - ‘Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is Success’. Anna Starosta | Equestrian Coordinator Rowing Rowing Information Evening The Rowing Information Night will be held on Wednesday 5 February in the Auditorium from 7.00 - 8.00pm. The night is for all parents and girls interested in more information about rowing and the upcoming season. Rowing Parent Support Group Meeting There will not be a Rowing Parent Support Group Meeting on Monday 3 February as advertised in the School calendar. The first Rowing Parent Support Group Meeting of 2014 will be held on Tuesday 18 March. Matt Marden | Rowing Director Sign on and trials begin this week. It is a busy week for sports with students being emailed permission forms for Tennis, Indoor Cricket, Volleyball, Netball, Swimming and Core Strength. Co-curricula enrolments will no longer be completed online, nor charged to school accounts. Students are to hand in the permission form along with payment and place it inside the red letterbox outside Mrs McMain’s office by the due date. To facilitate trials and employment of coaches it is vital that all forms are back by the due date set out in the table below. SPORT FORM DUE TRIALS DAY SEASON DURATION GAME DAY CLASHES TENNIS 31/1 Sat 1 Feb/Sun 2 Feb 15 Feb – 25 May Saturday Netball INDOOR CRICKET 6/2 Mon 10 Feb 26 Feb – 30 April Wednesday afterschool Volleyball VOLLEYBALL 6/2 Tues 11 - Thurs 13 Feb 26 Feb – 30 April Wednesday afterschool NETBALL 13/2 Sun 16 Feb 26 April – 13 Sept Saturday BASKETBALL Mon 24 February Mid March – Mid Sept Friday Night TOUCH FOOTBALL (ALL SCHOOLS TEAM) Thurs 27 Feb All Year Thursday Night HOCKEY Mon 10 March Late March – Mid Sept Saturday Rowing Netball ROWING Info Night Feb 5 7.00pm-8.00pm Auditorium March 23 – August 30 Saturday Netball Hockey SOCCER Mon 5 July 21 May – 6 August Wednesday afterschool TOUCH FOOTBALL Mon 16 July – Wed 18 July Early Aug – Late Nov Thursday Night WATER POLO Sun 24 Aug & 14 Sep Early Oct – Late March Saturday SWIMMING Before attending sessions Tennis Rowing The swimming season runs in Terms 1 and 4. There are no trials – all girls are invited to join the squad. From training girls will be selected to compete at the Inter School Carnival. The Cross Country and Athletics seasons commence on 17 March and concludes on 29 August. There are no trials – all girls are invited to join the squad. From training girls will be selected to compete at the Inter School Carnivals. CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETICS CORE STRENGTH Indoor Cricket Before attending sessions Fitness sessions will be run year round. Information will be sent out each term. Katharine McMain | Sports Coordinator Dates to remember 3 February 5 February 6 February 7 February 10 February Stuartholme Ladies Committee Meeting 1.30pm Year 8 Parent Information Evening 7.00pm Music Parent Support Group Meeting 7.00pm Equestrian Combined Group Meeting 6.15pm Rowing Information Evening 7.00pm Yeronga Homework Club starts Opening School Mass 8.30am New Parent Afternoon Tea 2.30pm Academic Assembly Year 12 Parent Information Evening 7.00pm Music Parent Support Group AGM 7.00pm School Shop Roster The School Shop Roster is available on the School Portal at https://portal.stuartholme.qld.edu.au/Pages/School%20Shop.aspx Care and Concern Coordinator needed The Care & Concern Group is looking for a new Coordinator for 2014! It is not a demanding role and provides you with an opportunity to assist the School community and meet new people. You will arrange rosters for baking/cooking, transport for boarders and general assistance where needed in the school community. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Lines via email [email protected] Don’t forget! Stuartholme Supporter Polo Shirts are available for $42 from the School Shop.