Huddle Summer 2017/2018

Huddle St Aidan’s Anglican School St Aidan’s Girls’ Anglican Girls’ School

S U M M E R E D I TWI O I NNT EI RD EE CD EI TMI B O EN R I 2J 0U 1N7E 2 0 1 7

Co nt e n t s

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Senior Leadership

Academic Excellence

Community

Extra-curricular

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Library

Sport

Parents and Friends

Staff

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Foundation

Archives/Alumni

Disclaimer The Editors have gone to great efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information compiled in this publication but can accept no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. Although the Editors support the right of expression by members of the student body and other writers, we wish to make it clear that the views expressed by individual authors are not necessarily those held by the Editors or St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Corinda.

St Aidan’s Open Day

Editor Alice Tidmarsh

Saturday 3 March 9am-12noon

Design Annie Fanning

Visit our website to find out more:

www.staidans.qld.edu.au

Contributors Karen Spiller, Michele Grant, Jackie Child, Megan Daley Claire Rush, Sue Russell, Wendy Biggs, Rev Gillian Moses, Kristen Lewis, Madonna King, Claudia Fahart, Lauren Murry, Jenny Crome

Photography Tahlia Stehbens, Annie Fanning, Wendy Biggs Editorial queries, feedback and change of address E: marketing@staidans.qld.edu.au

From the Principal

I have been privileged to be at St Aidan’s now for twenty-one years- three as a Deputy and the last eighteen, as Principal. What an honour and what a joy this has been.

I started at St Aidan’s with three young children, the youngest of whom was only 15 months old. They are all now wonderful young adults pursuing their own lives and careers.

I have seen over 2000 young women graduate from our school and have followed the paths of many of them post school through the alumni events we host annually. I now count as friends the thousands of alumni with whom I have created links over my time at St Aidan’s and this includes ladies from 1929 and through the years.

Karen Spiller OAM

MBA, MEdAdmin, BA, BEdSt, FACE, FAIM, FACEL, FAHRI, FAICD, FCEOI Fellow of Bond University

I thank the staff of our school for their focus to achieve the Vision that we committed to back in 2000 and that was, ‘to be recognised as the Premier Girls’ School in Queensland’ and I congratulate all for achieving that goal. On any measure, student and parent feedback, academic results, variety and success of the extensive extra curricular program and the achievements of our alumni, St Aidan’s is the Premier Girls’ School offering our students the tender balance of an academically rigorous curriculum cradled in the caring and authentic environment that aims to support each young person as they grow and evolve.

I am delighted that The Link, previously known as the Innovation and Design Hub, is complete and acts, as a physical bookend for our school against the Science and Maths focus. The Link and Eunice Plaza are being enjoyed by our students and staff as are the more recent previous projects of the Christine Hartland Centre and Charma Place. It gives me great joy to see our students and staff utilizing and learning in the educational spaces that so many have worked hard to provide for them.

As the year closes and brings my time of leading St Aidan’s to an end, I acknowledge the people in my past who have inspired, encouraged and sponsored me - my previous Heads including past St Aidan’s Head, Mrs Trish Evans, successive members of the St Aidan’s leadership team, staff, and school community members. Most of all, thank you to our students who inspire me daily with their energy, enthusiasm and passion for learning and involvement. Our students readily embrace the philosophy of our Sisters and daily live their values and are so keen and willing to help others.

They act as wonderful ambassadors for our school and graciously demonstrate the qualities that we aspire to instill in them.

I acknowledge and thank Sister Eunice for her wise guidance and leadership over the time of my leadership at St Aidan’s and Sister Gillian and Sister Sandra for their support of our schools. Thank you also to St Aidan’s School Council, led by Ms. Cecile Wake and thank you to all previous council chairs and members for their support, encouragement and confidence in me and their support for all that we have achieved together.

When I assumed the Principal’s role from my predecessor and mentor Mrs Patricia Evans, I always viewed school leadership as a relay race.

I assumed the baton from her as she did from Miss. Marjorie Neil and so on and now, in turn, I pass it to Ms. Toni Riordan with the knowledge that the school that we all love so much, is in fine hands. Ms. Riordan will run her own race and be an inspirational and energetic leader who will devote her many gifts to St Aidan’s and lead with integrity and vision.

Thank you to the school community for your encouragement and support for the past twenty-one years. I will always hold St Aidan’s close to my heart and look forward to following its further and future successes. It has been an honour and privilege to lead this wonderful school.

Once again, thank you again to our wonderful and dedicated staff who have shared our dream to bring St Aidan’s to where we are now. Thank you to the senior leadership team who are some of the most talented leaders in schools anywhere. I have learnt from and been inspired by their commitment and professionalism in all that they do. I also acknowledge and congratulate Mrs Kim Wickham on her appointment as Principal of Loreto College.

I wish all members of the school community the very best for a safe and restful festive season.

Warm regards

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SENIOR SCHOOL - LEADERSHIP

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

2018 Lea der s 2

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SENIOR SCHOOL - LEADERSHIP

2018 Student Leaders

2018 Sport and Activity Captains

SCHOOL CAPTAIN:

Georgia Douglas

VICE CAPTAIN:

Lilly Van Gilst

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS Elizabeth Gralton Jessica Miller

PREFECTS: Charlie Bell Georgia Brown Georgia Douglas Jessica Forbes Phoebe McAuliffe Jessica Miller Sylvie Paulin Kate Riethmuller Jessica Rowe Georgia Scott Lilly Van Gilst

SACRISTANS: Amy Stalley Emma Sargeant

SPORTS CAPTAINS: Ruby Harris Imogen Cottell

MUSIC CAPTAINS: Amy Kuskopf Jade Franklin

DEBATING CAPTAINS: Emmaline Monteith Genevieve Rule

HOUSE CO-CAPTAINS: Austen Gabrielle Terranova Georgina Sawyer Barrett Poppet Savage Ashleigh Neill Bronte Jessica Gullo Robyn Conradie Cavell Bonnie Wegener Imogen Cottell Hartland Jenna Behr Emily Heath Nightingale Caitlin Haughton Jenna Todd

ATHLETICS Isabel Fisher Lily Wolf BADMINTON Isabella Cosgrove Kirsty Madsen BASKETBALL Alice Baumann Carla Spies CROSS COUNTRY Emily Heath Phoebe McAuliffe EQUESTRIAN

Holly Willmore

HOCKEY Sarah Carter Ruby Harris NETBALL Charlie Bell Madison Fanshawe ROWING Georgina Chandler Elise Graham SOCCER Amber Mitchell Melody Ward SOFTBALL Sarah Carter Poppet Savage SWIMMING Jenna Behr Bonnie Wegener TENNIS Lucinda Bankowski Lucia O’Donnell TOUCH FOOTBALL Isabel Fisher Lola Hammond VOLLEYBALL Jaidaeja Gaffney Hintz Jessica Gullo LINK CAPTAINS Lucia O’Donnell Emily Robertson DUKE OF ED Jayde Ramsey INTERACT PRESIDENT Paige Milton INTERACT VICE PRESIDENT Robyn Conradie INTERACT MARKETING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Gralton INTERACT TREASURER Georgia Scott LIBRARY CAPTAIN Maddy Varidel Madison Peabody STAGE DANCE CAPTAINS Jessica Forbes Gemma Rowell BAND CAPTAIN Jade Franklin Amy Kuskopf CHOIR CAPTAINS April Roobottom Casey Wright STRINGS CAPTAINS Isabella Cosgrove Lilian Stoermer INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CAPTAINS Helen Lyu Stacey Ye SCIENCE CAPTAINS Madara Herath Genevieve Rule huddle I summer 2017 3

s eCnAiDo Er M A s cI Ch oEoXl C- EsLpLoErNt C E - N A P L A N

NAPLAN Results St Aidan’ssaw sawyet yetanother anotheroutstanding outstandingperformance performance the 2017 National St Aidan’s onon the 2017 National Assessment Program Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

Our Our state state rankings rankings are are as as follows: follows: nd highest result • Our Year 9 cohort recorded the state’s 2nd • Our Year 7 cohort recorded the state’s highest result •

th highest result – adjusted to 10th th highest with the schools with cohorts Our Year 5 cohort recorded the state’s 7th less than 20 excluded

• Our 3 cohort cohort recorded recorded the the state’s state’s 3 3rdrd highest highest result result including including schools schools with with cohorts cohorts of of 20 20 or or less less • Our Year Year 3 St Aidan’s is again well above the National average for each year level, across all five areas of the NAPLAN test (reading, writing, St Aidan’s is again well above the National average for each year level, across all five areas of the NAPLAN test (reading, writing, spelling, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy). This follows on from our consistently strong results since NAPLAN’s inception. grammar and punctuation, and numeracy). This follows on from our consistently strong results since NAPLAN’s inception.

St Aidan’s is proud of our girls’ results and feel they reflect earnest young people committed to achieving their potential. Principal, St Aidan’s is proud of our girls’ results and feel they reflect earnest young people committed to achieving their potential. Principal, Karen Karen Spiller reiterated this, saying “the strong performance of St Aidan’s students highlights the dedication of both teachers and Spiller reiterated this, saying “the strong performance of St Aidan’s students highlights the dedication of both teachers and students students towards their work. We take our students’ academic performance and their learning progress very seriously, using all towards their work. We take our students’ academic performance and their learning progress very seriously, using all data available to data available to ensure St Aidan’s offers a proactive and, where required, interventionist learning program for our students.” ensure St Aidan’s offers a proactive and, where required, interventionist learning program for our students.”

2017 NAPLAN Results St Aidan’s students achieved well above the national and state averages.

The table below compares St Aidan’s results with of the State and the National average in each area.

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Year 3 2017

Reading

Writing

Spelling

Grammar & Punctuation

Numeracy

St Aidan’s Results

512

475

481

578

497

State Average

425

402

409

437

402

National Average

431.3

413.6

416.2

439.3

409.4

Year 5 2017

Reading

Writing

Spelling

Grammar & Punctuation

Numeracy

St Aidan’s Results

582

530

536

579

559

State Average

503

461

497

496

490

National Average

505.6

472.5

500.9

499.3

493.8

Year 7 2017

Reading

Writing

Spelling

Grammar & Punctuation

Numeracy

St Aidan’s Results

611

598

613

633

643

State Average

540

503

546

538

549

National Average

544.7

513

549.6

541.6

553.8

Year 9 2017

Reading

Writing

Spelling

Grammar & Punctuation

Numeracy

St Aidan’s Results

649

617

635

658

665

State Average

575

539

577

574

585

National Average

580.9

551.9

581.5

574.1

592

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A C A D E M I C E X C E L L E N C E - Dsi es cn oi ov er r s Bc rhi og h o tl S - ps ap rokr st

DISCOVER

BRIGHT SPARKS

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a cCaAdD em i cI C - yE e aXrC 1E2L Lc E e lNe C b rEa t- e S I L I C O N V A L L E Y A EM

St Aidan’s in Silicon Valley

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE - SILICON VALLEY

In August, three St Aidan’s girls and two staff travelled to the USA to attend the Technovation World Pitch in Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley is a nickname for the southern portion of the Bay Area, in the northern part of the U.S. state of California. The “valley” in its name refers to the Santa Clara Valley in Santa Clara County, which includes the city of San Jose and surrounding cities and towns.

The word “silicon” originally referred to the large number of silicon chip innovators and manufacturers in the region, but the area is now the home to many of the world’s largest high-tech corporations, including the headquarters of 39 businesses in the Fortune 1000, and thousands of start-up companies.

Silicon Valley also accounts for one-third of all of the venture capital investment in the United States, which has helped it to become a leading hub and startup ecosystem for high-tech innovation and scientific development. Alisa, Lilyan and Aeshlein were invited to Silicon Valley as an official visiting team at the Technovation World Pitch after being selected as Semi Finalists in this years “Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero”.

Alisa, Lilyan and Aeshlein make up team Speechability and have developed an app

which connects people who have autism with appropriate work opportunities.

70% of autistic adults in Australia are unemployed and their goal is to reduce this figure by providing an app that makes it easier for employers to advertise suitable work opportunities. The girls were lucky enough to pitch their idea to the largest tech companies in the world, including Microsoft, Google and Facebook and received great feedback from this process. The girls learnt about the future in technology such as autonomous cars and artificial intelligence; women in tech also shared their personal struggles and achievements in a male dominated field.

Speechability had the opportunity to meet bright young women from all over the world, who have spent months developing apps to solve global problems. The girls found the interaction with other teams highly valuable and were intrigued to hear about the social issues affecting countries such as Ukraine, Kenya and Canada.

released in 2015 found fewer than one in 20 girls considered careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields—even though girls’ academic results in these subjects were very similar to those of their male classmates. St Aidan’s has been committed to investing in STEM for many years. The shortage of students entering STEM related careers will have negative consequences for Australia’s future prosperity. Industry leaders appreciate the value of diversity and recognise that their workplaces lack the unique female perspective that can bring new creative ideas to technology development teams. St Aidan’s is strongly committed to supporting the Tech Girl Movement and are incredibly proud of team Speechability.

Initiatives such as the Tech Girls Movement and the Technovation World Pitch are necessary and urgent. Statistics

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C O M M U N I T Y - RED EARTH TOUR

St Aidan’s Inau gural Re d Ea r th Tour Adapted from the Red Earth Tour Diary

In 2017 St Aidan’s embarked on our inaugural Red Earth Tour.

Red Earth is an organisation that gives young people the opportunity to make a meaningful connection to remote Indigenous Australia. They achieve this through immersion in remote communities and homelands where traditional Aboriginal culture still lives strong. During the immersion, our girls worked on projects chosen by Traditional Owners and learnt about the rich culture of the land directly from Elders of the local area.

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C O M M U N I T Y - RED EARTH TOUR The first stop of the tour was Hope Vale, a township situated 46km north west of Cooktown. On arrival, we were introduced to some of the community elders and were warmly greeted with a traditional welcome to country and question time, followed by dinner together and roasting marshmallows while Harry (the head ranger) told dreaming stories. Day two was an early start hiking up the mountain range, with regular stops along the way to hear Harry share facts about the flora and fauna. For example, ‘Bloodwood’ is a type of tree known as Babadha in Guugu Yimithirr which has sap that can be used for antiseptic.

On day three the project work for the community started, led by elders Lory, Robbie and Edgar. The community work consisted of three projects; the constructing of a chicken coop, veggie garden, and varnishing the Elders’ main building. It was hard work but the results were extremely rewarding. After lunch Robbie shared his beliefs about indigenous and white culture, and the importance of a dream.

The following day the group were welcomed with open arms in Jaikal. Lizzie and her family conducted a welcome to country ceremony with the burning of ironbark leaves, with the smoke from the leaves keeping the group safe for the rest of their Red Earth journey. The afternoon was spent playing games with Lizzie’s grandkids and cooking damper with the generous help of Lizzie herself (the damper queen).

waterfall, however, up closer inspection we saw a crocodile lounging on a rock and quickly learnt from Aunty Gloria to never turn your back to croc-infested waters. Wujal Wujal aunties, Kathleen, Francis and Gloria, all shared their stories which broadened our perspective on this land’s history.

Day six involved reposting a fence, weeding the driveway, clearing paths to the power box and water pump, taking rubbish to the nearby tip and repainting the shed. Although the work was hot and tiring, the overall results were gratifying and it made the group feel like they had helped the community in Jajikal. Once the hard work was completed, the reward was well worth the wait, a visit to an isolated waterhole.

On day seven it was a fishing expedition with Celvin and he was kind enough to share his abundant knowledge of the area and some fishing tips too (unfortunately they didn’t help). The day was finished off with story time by Lizzie and Celvin and a long reflection on our experience so far in the communities.

The final day was spent snorkelling at Cape Tribulation, a spectacular experience. On reflection of the immersion in remote Indigenous Australia, eyes and hearts have been opened to the beauty and diversity of Indigenous Australia. The whole group have gained a greater insight into the world of Indigenous Australia and have created a lifelong connection to the land and people.

On day five the group travelled to Bana Yiri, and saw the most mesmerising

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COMMUNIT Y - THE LINK

IS OPEN! 10 huddle I summer 2017

COMMUNIT Y - THE LINK

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School opened our state of the art building, The Link, at a ceremony in October led by Executive Director of the Ministry Education Commission and Principal of St Francis College, The Right Rev’d Dr Jonathan Holland.

The new facility provides an environment for design thinking, art, learning for innovation and entrepreneurial practices in a collaborative space that will shape learning beyond four walls.

Karen Spiller said ‘The Link’ invites classes and teachers across disciplines to connect; joins our Junior School and Senior School learners; ties the outside world to the inside and links St Aidan’s to the real world of Start-Ups and other creative industries.

“The Link represents an exciting ecosystem of learning in which people, place, ideas and technologies are connected by a sense of ‘play’, inspire all to imagine and support everyone to reach beyond their imagination.”

Karen said she was pleased to announce the dedication of Eunice Plaza, named after Mother Eunice who assumed leadership of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent in 1982.

“Sister Eunice was professed in 1967 and has dedicated her life to the service of God and the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, and to Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent schools,” she said.

“We at St Aidan’s have been privileged to have her on our School Council for many years and she continues to me a member of the Sisters’ Trust, which oversees both St Aidan’s and St Margaret’s.

“Compassion and caring, friendly and welcoming, humble and assuming are just some of the qualities that Sister Eunice has in abundance.

“They are the foundations for the style of leadership she has brought to her role as Mother.

“Her vision and courage have been demonstrated in her leadership of the Order.

“It is an honour and a pleasure to dedicate this fine Plaza to recognise her love of and commitment to our school.”

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C O M M U N I T Y - Y E A R 1 2 C E L E B R AT E

St Aidan’s Yea r 12 Gif t As is tradition at St Aidan’s, the 2017 Year 12 cohort will leave behind a gift to the school as their legacy.

This year the Year 12 cohort have presented the school with a unique, commissioned sculpture of a St Aidan’s girl by Dawn Conn.

Some years ago, Dawn was an up and coming sculptor at our St Aidan’s fete. At that fete, she sold several small pieces to the parents of St Aidan’s girls and felt that the St Aidan’s community had supported her as a new artist.

Dawn is now based in the UK, and when asked if she would be interested in creating a unique piece of art for the school she was very enthusiastic.

Dawn carefully studied the values of the school and the idea for “Pearl” was born. Pearl is a young St Aidan’s woman who embodies the essence of the St Aidan’s spirit and is ‘born to fly upwards’.

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Pearl has been nurtured by her St Aidan’s family, like a pearl growing inside an oyster. She is armed with pearls of wisdom, values her education and with compassion in her heart is inspired to venture out into the world. The world is her oyster and a precious gem to protect. Pearl will rise to the challenge!

We hope you all love Pearl. She includes many unique details such as vintage fabric, reclaimed olive tree wood and antique miniature books. Just like our daughters, there are many facets to Pearl, which we hope you all enjoy discovering upon meeting her. Pearl now has a permanent home at St Aidan’s Senior School Reception.

C O M M U N I T Y - Y E A R 1 2 C E L E B R AT E

Class of 2017!

Our newest Old Girls celebrated in style, with colourful and creative dress transformations and a week of celebrations.

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR - GRANDE CONCERT

Grande Concert

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR - JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSIC AND ART SHOW

Music & Art Show S AT U R D AY 7 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 7

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.

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L I B R A R Y - H O L I DAY R E A D I N G

H O LIDAY Reading

Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars

by Martine Murray was a popular choice with many for Year Six Girl Zone Book Club this year. Molly’s mother is not like other mothers: she rides a yellow bike and collects herbs and makes potions, perhaps even magical potions. Molly wants to be normal, like her friend Ellen, and watch television and eat food that comes in packets. But when Molly’s mother accidentally turns herself into a tree, Molly turns to the strange and wonderful Pim for help. And as they look for a way to rescue her mother, Molly discovers how to be happy with the oddness in her life. A heartwarming tale of family, friendship and what really matters in life.

10+ read. Reviewed by Mrs Daley

In Prep Library we have been learning about Silkworms and about Native Stingless Bees.

This is our review of ‘Stella the Silkworm’ and ‘Nifty Native Bees’ by Rebecca Johnson.

We like these books because they are interesting and funny stories and they have lots of good information. We learnt that a silkworm is not a worm and that silk is a very strong material. We touched silkworms in the library and we drew a lifecycle using the book for information and looking with out eyes at our silkworms. Mrs Daley likes ‘Nifty Native Bees’ because she is bee crazy. Dr Toby also talked to us about our native bees after we read ‘Nifty Native Bees’ and we tasted the native bee honey. It was sweet.

We like these books. Thank you Rebecca Johnson – we like you too. Written by 2017 Prep Students.

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Reviews and recommendations from St Aidan’s Library Services.

Follow St Aidan’s Library Services on Pinterest, Facebook or Aidan’s Central to keep up to date with the latest arrivals. Don’t forget that all St Aidan’s students can access Wheelers E-Books and audio books over the holidays using laptops or home devices.

Simple download the e-platform app.

The Shop at Hoopers Bend

by Emily Rodda

The Wishing Chair

by Enid Blyton, there are children and pixies

This book is set in Australia and Emily Rodda makes it seem like you can smell the eucalyptus trees because her descriptions are so good. This story is about an eleven year old name Jonquil, Quil for short. Quil’s parents died in a car accident and she now goes to boarding school, but spends her holidays with her aunt or Summer Camp. On the way to Summer Camp, Quil is drawn to a little town called Hoopers Bend. There are so many mysteries about Hoopers Bend that are unsolved, it is fun to join Quil, Bailey and Pirate the dog as all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

I must admit that at first I thought this book was going to be really boring but as I kept reading I realised that the boring introduction was actually another piece of a very interesting puzzle. I would recommend this story to readers 9+. The book is about how magical things can happen in the real world. My mum says I now should read some other of Emily Roddas 50+ books like ‘Something Special’, ‘Pigs Might Fly’ and ‘The Best Kept Secret’ Reviewed by Ava Daley, Year Four.

and brownies who go on big adventures using the wishing chair as their way of being transported to imaginative, amazing and magical lands. Some of the lands require taking a big risk, like in Topsy Turvy Land they run the risk of living their lives upside down.

‘The Wishing Chair’ is full of adventures and takes you on a tour through wonderful lands without leaving your house!

There is a really funny and mean, plus annoying, character in the story called a Snoogle. It has the head of a monkey, the body of a cat, the tail of a dragon and the beak of a duck and it wants to capture people and pixies. The Snoogle is not a very nice character in the story. Mostly, everyone else is nice, like Chinky the pixie and the friendly Brownie named Winks, even though he is rather foolish.

You should read this book if like stories about fairies or if you like adventures and are imaginative. If you like to meet new people this would also be a good book for you to read.

Reviewed by Thea, Zara, Tilly and Isabella – Year One English Extension

L I B R A R Y - H O L I DAY R E A D I N G

Beautiful Broken Things

by Sara Barnard

Small great things

by Jodi Picoult

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine

by Gail Honeyman

‘Beautiful Broken Things’ follows the story of sixteen-year-old Caddy and her best friend Rosie, living in Brighton who are inseparable, despite going to different schools. Everything changes when popular new girl, Suzanne befriends Rosie. I really enjoyed the writing style of Sara Barnard in this book as I found that it flowed nicely the characters were created to be relatable to teenagers today. This book deals with mature issues so for that reason I would recommend it for people aged 14+.

Reviewed by Xanthia Deboer, Year 8

Small Great Things is not for the faint hearted. Jodi Picoult takes the reader on a roller coaster of a ride, conveying the story from three heart-wrenching perspectives: Ruth, the African American Nurse, Kennedy McQuarrie, the lawyer who takes on her case, and Turk a white supremacist and the father of the deceased baby.

Ruth is on duty when Turk’s baby goes into cardiac arrest. Despite strict instructions from the parents, ‘I don’t want that nurse touching my baby,’ she acts on adrenaline and tries to revive the baby and is charged with negligent homicide. Most importantly, Picoult tells the brutally honest story of trust, compassion and racial prejudice.

Reviewed by Olivia Payne, Year 9

A wonderful story about the impact of friendship and kindness. Eleanor Oliphant lives a very ordered life, where everything is organised and timetabled.

She avoids most social interactions, as she usually finds herself saying the wrong thing. Part of Eleanor’s weekly routine are her phone conversations with mummy. However, Eleanor’s life alters after meeting Raymond, an IT man from her office. It is this friendship that changes Eleanor’s life.

The Turnkey

by Allison Rushby Flossie is a sort of ordinary girl. Oh wait, she’s a ghost. As a turnkey, keeper of Highgate Cemetery, her job as is to keep all the souls of the deceased asleep. This difficult job is hard even at the best times for this twelve-year-old ghost. When World War II hits, Flossie encounters another German ghost, holding a mysterious object. Flossie becomes suspicious and goes to investigate.

While there on her mission, Flossie uncovers a sinister plot that could destroy not only her cemetery, but the whole country. A fantastic, thrilling and on the edge story. Allison Rushby is also a St Aidan’s Old Girl (1991).

Reviewed by Emma Aziz, Year 7

The Road to Winter

by Mark Smith The Road to Winter is a thrilling dystopian novel by debut author, Mark Smith, and is the first in his trilogy of survival novels.

The story is centred around the life of teenager, Fin, who has lost family and friends to the nationwide disease that struck Australia and turned the nation to havoc. With no government enforcing laws and no sign of a cure for the fatal disease, gangs have formed, claiming territory across Australia and inflicting unthinkable consequences to any of those who go against them. This novel is a thrilling and well-written read that kept me wanting more. I would recommend this novel for 12 to 15-year-old readers.

Reviewed by Eloise Wood, Year 7

The Choke

by Sofie Laguna Sofie Laguna’s latest novel The Choke is a heartbreaking story that is very difficult to put down. Set on the banks of the Murray River and told in the voice of ten year old Justine, the story takes you to a world filled with isolation, poverty and despair. While there are some people in Justine’s life that offer help, unfortunately they are unable to change the direction of her childhood. However, the end of the story is uplifting and offers some hope.

Reviews by Kristen Lewis, Senior School Teacher Librarian

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L I B R A R Y - A FAIRY G ARDEN

A Fairy Garden Reading Collection

St Aidan’s Old Girl, Jean Adam (Beard 1940), recently donated a beautiful collection of treasured fairy books to the Junior School Library, together with a monetary donation to purchase some more fairy books for our collection. Fairy books are extremely popular in the Junior School Library so this was a much appreciated gift. Mrs Morris has created a beautiful fairy display in the front display cabinet of the Junior Library, which has been much admired by the girls this week.

The Junior School Earth Angels have been establishing a Junior School Fairy Garden throughout 2017 – and welcome donations of upcycled or no longer needed fairy paraphernalia from home, it can be left under the fairy tree, which is covered in bunting made from fabric scraps.

The fairy book donation was timely, and we have now created an outdoor reading space for the Junior School girls to enjoy the new fairy books, under our fairy tree. Each lunchtime, Year Three students will set up our reading mat and our baskets of fairy books and girls from Prep to Year Six can read, play and create under the shade of the beautiful paperbark tree – with hats on! All the beautiful brand new fairy books for the collection are clearly labelled as ‘Fairy Garden Collection’ and are not to be taken home. Students are always welcome to take books home from the community library near the Stingless Native Bee Hive.

We hope this will be a much enjoyed and relacing space for Junior School students and a source of creative and magical inspiration!

Junior Library Staff

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j u n i o r s cLhI oBoRl A-Rm Y u- sBi O c OcKo nWcEeErKt

Book Week 2017

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S P O R T - AT H L E T I C S

Athletics In October, St Aidan’s largest ever Athletics team won the Del Mellefont Percentage Cup for the fourth consecutive year at the QGSSSA Athletics Championships. In addition, our 13 years team were crowned Age Champions, which is only the second time St Aidan’s has won an age group pennant at the competition.

Highlights

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4th place Overall in the Stephens Cup Aggregate Trophy

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2017 Del Mellefont Percentage Cup Champions – 4th consecutive victory

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13 Years Age Championship (only the 2nd time St Aidan’s has won an age group pennant)

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39 Top 3 finishes (13 x 1st, 13 x 2nd, 13 x 3rd)

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2 Championship Records – Angelina Tignani 13 Years Javelin (50.31m). Previous record 41.13m (2000) Kate Riethmuller 16 Years 800m (2:12.16). Previous record 2:12.27 (2016)

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72 of our 124 performances on the day were placed in the Top 5

•

40 personal and season best performances.

Thank you to our captains, Sachini Godamunne and Hayley Walker for their outstanding leadership throughout the season. Behind every dedicated athlete there is an equally dedicated parent, thank you to our Parent Support Group for their assistance in organising after training BBQ’s, afternoon teas and the end of season break up function.

Thank you to our Director of Athletics, Miss Murry and our Co-ordinator Ms Bolger for their organisation and planning throughout the season. We are very lucky to have an amazing team of experienced coaches at St Aidan’s and they were instrumental in the success of the team. Thank you to Gav Hunter, Des Davis, Nik Bojic, Clare Geraghty and Naa Anang.

Good luck to our Junior and Senior teams who are competing at the Athletics Australia Schools Knockout National Finals in Adelaide in early December.

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huddle I summer 2017 2017

S P O R T - AT H L E T I C S

huddle I summer 2017 21

S P O R T - AWARDS

Sportswoman of the Year 2017 Ruby Harris Representative Highlights • Hockey Australia “Futures” National Squad •

Hockey Australia U21 National Championships (3rd)

•

Hockey Australia U18 National Championships (National Champions and top goal scorer at the competition)

•

2016 Pacific School Games – Queensland U16

•

Australian U15 Indoor Hockey Championships (2nd)

•

Queensland Secondary Schools U19 Hockey State Championships (State Champions and top goal scorer at

the competition)

•

Queensland Hockey State Championships (2nd)

St Aidan’s Highlights •

QGSSSA Cross Country Championships (31st)

•

QGSSSA Athletics Championships (100m Hurdles A 1st, 100m C 5th, Long Jump B 6th)

•

QGSSSA Open Touch Football

•

QGSSSA Open Hockey (Captain)

•

QGSSSA Open Badminton

•

Interhouse Athletics - Runner-Up 16 years Age Champion (New record 16 years Hurdles)

Junior Sportswoman of the Year 2017 Jasmine Fleming Representative Highlights • •

• • • • •

Australian U15 Junior Volleyball Championships (National Champions) Invited to Australia Junior Women’s Volleyball Development Program (December 2017) Recipient of a Queensland Academy of Sport Volleyball Scholarship Queensland Secondary Schools U15 Volleyball State Championships Queensland Volleyball State Championships (State Champions) Basketball Queensland U15 Emerging Team (USA Tour) Queensland Secondary Schools U15 Basketball State Championships

St Aidan’s Highlights

22

•

QGSSSA Swimming Championships

•

•

QGSSSA Athletics Championships – Javelin B (2nd) Shot Put A (4th Discus A (2nd) 3rd Highest individual point scorer for St Aidan’s (25pts) QGSSSA 9A Basketball (4th)

•

QGSSSA 9A Volleyball (3rd)

•

QGSSSA 9A Softball

•

Interhouse Swimming & Athletics 14 years Runner-Up Age Champion

•

Interhouse records for 14 Years Shot Put & Discus

•

Sporting All-rounder Award

huddle I summer 2017

S P O R T - AWARDS

Team of the Year

QGSSSA Open Tennis Team Danielle Morris, Manasi Ramadani, Sophie Idzikowski, Kiera Meier-Elliott and Cassidy Mataia Coach: Heath Denman Co-ordinator: Steve Baker

Season Highlights

STA

RUN TO REGISTER GO TO

www.surveymonkey.com/r/STARUN

•

QGSSSA Premiership (joint)

•

3rd Consecutive Premiership for the Open Tennis Team

•

Won a total of 310 games, conceding 84

•

4 of the 5 players represented Queensland in 2017

•

Danielle Morris was Captain of the Queensland team at the School

•

Sport Australia U19 Tennis Championships and was named in the Australian Merit Team.

St Aidan’s Run Club welcomes runners of all ability levels.

We are your running support group!

By sharing our experience and passion for running, we inspire and motivate one another to reach our own personal running goals. Whether it is to run further or faster, we aim to make running a social and fun experience that will ultimately make you healthier, happier and more confident.

Who When Where

Senior School students, staff and parents TUESDAY (4.00pm) and SATURDAY (6.45am) TUESDAY - Training will leave from St Aidan’s (meet under S&T Apron) SATURDAY - will be supporting local Park Runs

Date

Time

Venue

Sat 16 Dec

6.45am for 7.00am

South Bank Parkrun – South Bank Parklands (5km)

Tues 19 Dec

4.00pm – 5.00pm

Meet under S&T Apron

CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS // NEW NEW YEAR Y Tues 9 Jan

4.00pm – 5.00pm

Meet under S&T Apron

Sat 13 Jan

6.45am for 7.00am

Rocks Riverside Parkrun – Seventeen Mile Rocks (5km)

Tues 16 Jan

4.00pm – 5.00pm

Meet under S&T Apron

Sat 20 Jan

6.45am for 7.00am

Sherwood Forest Runners - Sherwood Arboretum (2/4/6km)

Tues 23 Jan

4.00pm – 5.00pm

Meet under S&T Apron

Sat 27 Jan

6.45am for 7.00am

South Bank Parkrun – South Bank Parklands (5km)

I RUN LIKE A GIRL

try to keep up

huddle I summer 2017 23

COMMUNIT Y - PARENTS AND FRIENDS

PARENTS

and Friends 2017 has been another busy and fruitful year for the P & F. To you - our parents, we thank you sincerely, without your assistance and support, 2017 would not have been as successful as it has and many events would not have been possible.

NOW ON SALE

Of course, the year started with our annual Trivia Night in February which had a theme - Battle of the Bands. Needless to say, costuming at every table was quite spectacular and interesting. It was another great community event and across the parent and school community we raised approximately $7,000. The 2018 Trivia Night will be held in May, so keep an eye out for this great event.

Of course, our regular school dances were held each term. It is a safe environment for year 7 -10 students to have fun and mingle. We once again thank all the parent volunteers because without you, the dances could not happen.

This year also saw the culmination of all the hard work that went into putting together the St Aidan’s Cookbook. This Cookbook is a beautiful keepsake with over 300 favourite family recipes from the St Aidan’s community. The Cookbook was launched on 3 November with a high tea held in The Link. The St Aidan’s Cookbook can be purchased via flexischools.com.au, from the P&F Office or the Uniform Shop until the end of Term 4 and then collected from Reception until 20 December.

Our annual Father/Daughter Disco held in October was again successful for the Junior School and a lot of fun and was had by all. This was followed by the Melbourne Cup Lunch in November held at The Indooroopilly Golf Club, emceed by Rebecca Sparrow with a fashion presentation of new collections by one of Brisbane’s leading fashion houses and St Aidan’s Old Girl, Samantha Ogilvie. This event was well attended and raised just under $7,000 for the P&F. We again facilitated the Year 12 breakfast which is hosted by the Year 11 students and parents to celebrate the last day of school. This is a nice way for parents and Year 12 students to celebrate this important milestone.

We can’t forget to thank our staff and volunteers in our core service areas of the tuckshop, uniform shop and textbook hire, for your assistance we are truly grateful.

To all our volunteers and various support groups who have worked so hard to achieve such fantastic results this year: a big thank you. Remember, all the work that we do is aimed at making St Aidan’s the best it can be for your daughters. And we hope that, with your help, we can continue to support the school in this endeavour.

We wish you all the best for the festive season.

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huddle I summer 2017

The St Aidan’s Cookbook can be purchased via flexischools.com.au, from the P&F Office or the Uniform Shop until the end of Term 4 and then collected from Reception until 20 December.

COMMUNIT Y - PARENTS AND FRIENDS

SUPER HERO

Junior School Disco Students from Kindy to Year 6 brought thier special male HERO to the fun filled Junior School Disco on Friday 20 October in the Christine Hartland Centre.

huddle I summer 2017 25

COMMUNITY - MELBOURNE CUP

St Aidan’s

MELBOURNE CUP

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huddle I summer 2017

COMMUNITY - UPCOMING EVENTS

Inaugural

St Aidan’s P&F COCKTAIL PARTY

& ART SHOW

6pm, Saturday 24 February 2018 The Link, St Aidan’s 11 Ruthven St, Corinda T IC KET S O N SA LE 15 JA NUA RY Numb er s ar e li m i ted!

huddle I summer 2017 27

FAREWELL MRS SPILLER BY MADONNA KING

Believe it or not, Karen Spiller used to be a bit naughty. Not really naughty, but naughty enough for her to remember it.

She’s telling me, during an interview for my recent book Being 14; Helping fierce teens become awesome women.

“I’ve got to say I was pretty naughty in Year 8,’’ she says. “I was at a large school ...

I don’t know what I was doing, but I’d climb out windows and be rude to teachers who let me be rude to them,’’ she says. “Teachers who weren’t strong enough. Then, if the deputy principal was walking around the school, I’d be so terrified. In my heart of hearts I knew I wanted to be a good kid but I was playing on the fringes of being naughty.’’

In the naughty stakes of 2017, it wouldn’t quite make the cut, but that’s not the point. It’s the authenticity with which she reveals it - and how she understands our girls pushing the boundaries now - that makes such a small personal revelation so important for them to hear.

Over years, Karen has repeatedly shown all of us the value of being real and having the empathy to be able to relate to others. They are the same qualities Australia yearns for in its leaders; an attribute Karen has shown at St Aidan’s as principal, but also nationally in a host of different roles.

It almost becomes tiresome to roll off Karen’s celebrated achievements. She practices what she preaches, as evidenced by the long list of qualifications she brings to work each day. A Bachelor of Arts. A Diploma in Education. A Bachelor of Educational Studies. A Master of Educational Administration. A Master of Business Administration.

She’s completed the Harvard Experienced Principals’ Course and the Harvard Business School’s Women’s Leadership Forum. That list just goes on, and her encouragement of teachers furthering their own education means St Aidan’s boasts the State’s most highly qualified teaching staff.

Karen has used those stellar qualifications along the way, here at St Aidan’s, and previously at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, and Hillbrook Anglican School. The awards she’s picked up recognise, in a small way, her achievements - from a Churchill Fellowship, to being one of Queensland’s Best and Brightest, as well as a string of education, business and leadership awards. This year, as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, Karen was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia - an OAM. It shouldn’t have surprised any of us.

28

huddle I summer 2017

FAREWELL MRS SPILLER BY MADONNA KING

But Karen’s most sterling quality is that she listens.

To students. To teachers.

To parents. To her children.

To her friends. To people whose names she does not know, but in the belief she can learn something more.

At heart, Karen is an educator, and the changes she has brought over her 17 years at St Aidan’s is testament to that (just look at our NAPLAN data and OP results!). But it stretches beyond that to national leadership positions, like her chairmanship of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools (which represents the needs of 430 independent schools across the nation) as well as setting up the Aspiring Women Leaders’ Conference series, which has made a substantial difference to hundreds and hundreds of women across the nation.

But it’s what runs beneath all these achievements that characterises Karen Eve Spiller.

Her advocacy for girls, and women, has enveloped her whole 36-year career as an educator. Much of that has been unseen, as Karen has lobbied, cajoled, argued and demanded change. But it’s also shown off in all those she has mentored; women aspiring to be teachers and businesswomen, or others who are simply searching to find their own voice. Karen’s given that to so, so many.

Karen is smart. And she’s funny, with an ability to laugh at herself too. In something jokingly akin to our own Thelma and Louise, Ros Curtis, principal of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, has spent holiday after holiday with Karen, in a car, traversing America. On last count, Karen only had four states left to visit - Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota and Rhode Island. That defines her sense of adventure as well as her determination to meet every goal she sets. I love her laugh too; it’s as infectious as the warmth that wraps every word spoken about her family.

But Karen’s most sterling quality is that she listens. To students. To teachers. To parents.

To her children. To her friends. To people whose names she does not know, but in the belief she can learn something more.

And in a world of noise, there is no better quality we could have in a leader, a role model, a mentor, or a friend.

Congratulations, and thank you Karen. I, for one, can’t wait to see the heights you scale in the next 20 years!

By Madonna King

huddle I summer 2017 29

S TA F F - W E LC O M E D E A N O F ST U D E N T S A N D AC A D E M I C W E L FA R E

to St Aidan’s It was a bitter sweet moment for Holly O’Sullivan Williams when she began her new role this term at St Aidan’s.

Now the Dean of Students and Academic Welfare (7-9), Holly admits to missing teaching at her previous job at Hillbrook Anglican School. It is hardly surprising after Holly spent 16 years at Hillbrook, the school forming an integral part of both her work and family life.

And yet Holly is embracing her new

It is this belief in fostering confidence

well. As part of it, I want the students

position with her usual enthusiasm

and ambition in young women that

to start to realise their own strengths

and enjoys being wrapped up in what

Holly hopes to bring to her new role.

and to always be inspired to achieve

she calls the ‘warm St Aidan’s hug’.

Indeed the catalyst for Holly’s

girls know that it is great to have

move came from attending the

aspirations and that’s what we need

2013 Aspiring Women Leadership

to strive for if we are to reach our

Conference, hosted by St Aidan’s.

full potential. Too often our society

“Attending the conference and hearing what was said definitely planted a seed of thought in me to believe that, as a woman, I should not be afraid to have ambition.

It made me want to try more to

tries to pigeon hole us in what are

school. The pastoral element of my job is so important. I want to encourage the girls to find the right balance in their lives.”

Holly’s warm St Aidan’s hug will extend to her two daughters next year

enemies sometimes, because as

when they transfer to their mother’s

women we feel that we have to stifle

school. She laughs: “The whole

our ambitions,” she says.

family came to an Open Day this

step to leave Hillbrook, which had

Holly hopes to pass on to the young

been my home for so long, and apply

women she will mentor at St Aidan’s.

huddle I summer 2017

do, both academically and outside

professions. We are our own worst

It is this personal self-belief which

says.

their best in whatever they decide to

deemed to be historically female

succeed and that’s why I took the big

for a new role at St Aidan’s,” Holly

30

“I believe that it is important that

“I know that this new role begins a new professional journey for me as

year and my daughters are very keen to begin attending the school. As a family we are sold on St Aidan’s.”

S TA F F - H E A D O F J U N I O R S C H O O L

Educational EXCELLENCE

An inspiring, passionate and masterful educator Article written by Claudia Fahart, Media and Communications Officer, The Queensland College of Teachers

Louise McGuire is a passionate educator and a masterful leader in her school community whose high aspirations inspire students and staff alike.

With a strong focus on achieving success for each and every student at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ Junior School, Louise is constantly searching for ways to stretch, challenge, and support all students, in order for them to reach their goals.

With almost 30 years of experience as an educator, she inspires and empowers the school’s entire teaching team by modelling best practice, and her colleagues comment that they are all better teachers after working beside her.

“Louise is an excellent leader who has ensured that St Aidan’s primary component is a nurturing and inclusive community where each child is supported, encouraged, and cared for,” Principal Karen Spiller said.

Louise is known and loved for her support of everyone in the school community: she lobbies for students of all abilities, she encourages her colleagues to embrace new directions in the classroom, and she develops strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers at the start of every year.

In her role as a Curriculum Leader, Louise familiarises herself with all aspects of the curriculum so she can embrace innovative teaching and learning practices in her classroom. “Louise is a visionary who values and fosters a contributory culture and who has been integral in successfully innovating, improving, supporting, and overseeing the introduction of a multitude of first rate educational programs and initiatives all contributing to the continuous improvement of a 21st Century education,” parent Elizabeth Boden said.

The school’s NAPLAN results are a testament to the incredible work Louise has done with her colleagues; the Year 3 class has topped the state for three out of the last five years.

Louise works tirelessly to ensure her students are thriving not only in their academic development but also in their personal development. She has developed a Year 6 leadership program where every single student holds a leadership position and is supported in their role throughout the year, allowing all students to access the enormous benefits that come with taking on new responsibilities.

With a deep understanding of how important physical activity is for students’ wellbeing, Louise models an active lifestyle and supports all aspects of school sport. Her ongoing encouragement in this area has resulted in the Junior School holding an impressive 100 per cent participation rate in inter-school sporting competitions.

Committed to fostering skills to nurture, prepare, and equip students to lead successful and productive lives within our ever-changing technological landscape, Louise has introduced countless 21st Century initiatives to the school, including Coding and Robotics, Kidpreneur, Earth Angels – Environmental Group, and STEMies Holiday programs.

Louise’s staff comment that she places trust in them that they have not found anywhere else. She provides ongoing mentoring and constantly encourages them to engage in professional development activities to promote excellence among the teaching team.

Louise has contributed significantly to the St Aidan’s Mission of creating a vibrant, learner centred environment that encourages girls to believe in themselves and strive for high standards.

huddle I summer 2017 31

S TA F F - AC H I E V E M E N T S

STAF F

Achievements National Awards Celebrate Mathematical Education Excellence Congratulations to Ms Patricia Hosking on being awarded the CHOOSEMATHS Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award for 2017 at the recent CHOOSEMATHS Awards in Melbourne.

A partnership between the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and BHP Billiton Foundation, the national awards recognised finalists for the engagement of students in maths and excellence in and beyond the classroom. Only two teachers, including our very own Ms Patricia Hosking, were presented with $10,000 Outstanding Primary and Secondary Teacher Awards.

Megan Daley Receives Prestigious Dromkeen Librarian’s Award

Ms Tracey Jeanes-Fraser was awarded Netball High Performance Coach of the Year and appointed Queensland Fusion Coach again for the 2018 season.

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huddle I summer 2017

The Dromkeen Librarian’s Award is presented annually to an Australian teacher, teacher librarian or children’s and youth services personnel in a library setting, in recognition of the important role they play in introducing young people to literature and encouraging an enjoyment and love of reading. Megan was honoured at a ceremony at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne on 30 November, we couldn’t be prouder of Megan and congratulate her on this wonderful achievement!

17 foundation - a year in review

St Aidan’s

huddle huddle I summer I winter 2017 2017 35 33

F O U N D A T I O N

foundation

F O U N D A T I O N

FO U N DAT I O N - N E W S

Chair ma n s Re p o r t 2017 has again been a successful year for the Foundation, particularly as we were heavily focussed on our capital campaign raising funds for The Link (previously known as The Innovation & Design Hub). The Link is an exciting and unique opportunity for St Aidan’s to differentiate itself from others in this space During the year we farewelled Directors Steve Boyd and Anna Cottell. Steve and Anna have made enormous contributions to the Foundation and we are most grateful for everything they have done for the Foundation. We were fortunate to have new Directors Andrew Harris, Rebecca Brice (1991) and Rachel Sakurai (1999) join the Foundation Board. Andrew, Rebecca and Rachel have been great contributors to the work of the Foundation in the short time they have been on the Board.

The Donor Wall and Wall of Inspiration have been well supported and take pride of place in The Link.

Strategic Planning The Foundation has recently embarked on a strategic planning exercise to consider the medium and long term objectives of the Foundation in assisting the school in its future development. We look forward to more dialogue in regard to this important area of development in due course.

Summary

Events

I would also like to thank Toni Williams, Wilhelmina Morrison, Alice Tidmarsh, and Sharon Hill-Lewis of the school community who have given tirelessly of their time to assist the Foundation activities during the year.

The Annual Foundation Lunch was a sellout. We enjoyed the company of Laura Geitz, Australian netballer who took us through her story from school through to representing her country. In particular, she acknowledged, and we acknowledge the tremendous influence that St Aidan’s staff member Tracey Jeans-Fraser has had on Laura’s early career.

The Fathers’ Day Breakfast was run with a new ‘stand up’ format. This provided great opportunity for more mingling of dads and was well received.

We held our inaugural Fathers’ Day Lunch in October of this year. The lunch, although celebrated by a smaller number of dads, was a runaway success and has laid a fantastic platform for an annual event for fathers moving forward.

huddle I summer 2017

We are pleased to say that we have all but met our fundraising goal to assist the school in respect to the Link campaign. This facility is already coming in to its own and the Foundation is proud to have played its role in assisting in the raising of funds for the construction of this great space.

In addition we farewelled Matthew Clapham from staff support. Mathew has done a tremendous job supporting the Foundation.

In his place we were most fortunate to secure the services of Toni Williams who has been an outstanding addition to the team.

Our annual Mothers’ Day Breakfast was a great success. Old girl Kyra Baker (1997) spoke offering great insights to the girls.

34

The Link Campaign

I would like to thank the Foundation Directors for another successful year supporting the St Aidan’s community.

Our Directors freely give up their time in ensuring that much needed funds are raised for the school.

Finally, we farewell our Principal Karen Spiller who has been an inspiration to the Foundation and although will be sadly missed, will take on new challenges in earnest at John Paul College.

We are blessed to have Toni Riordan step into the Principal’s role. Already we have seen Toni shining bright and the school could not be in better hands as we move forward. We look forward to working with Toni to assist the school in achieving its goals moving forward.

On behalf of the Foundation I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and look forward to a successful 2018.

Simon Morrison Chairman

Junior Sportswoman of the Year Samantha Watkin

huddle I summer 2017 35

F O U N D A T I O N

FO U N DAT I O N - T H E L I N K

F O U N D A T I O N

FO U N DAT I O N - C O N F I D E N C E TO G ROW

Your business name here

Your name here

Your name here

St Aidan’s Stars – secure yours today!

The St Aidan’s star donor wall has been installed in The Link and we need your help to fill the wall with names!

The star wall forms an important element of our fundraising and a visual representation of our community coming together to support The Link project and the future of St Aidan’s. The final stage of The Link, the landscaping project, is being installed over the Christmas break. The focus for this space is on wellness and play with a treehouse overlooking a trail of activities, balanced by quiet zones.

Three different sizes and price points form this opportunity, $250 for small, $500 for medium and $1000 for large. We have very limited number of stars remaining and this is a wonderful opportunity to leave a lasting and much appreciated legacy to the school for years to come.

We have a limited number of stars remaining, to purchase your star, visit the Foundation page on our website and click “Donate” or call the Foundation office on 3373 5999.

36

huddle I summer 2017

Thank you to our 2017 Donors A Reis

M Williams

The Gjorgioski Family

The Ralston Family

Alice Tidmarsh

Matthew Clapham

The Goffage Family

The Reynolds Family

Andrew and Emma Harris

Nanette Lilley

The Graham Family

The Roberts Family

Anne-Marie Rice

Perry-Martin Family

The Guest Family

The Rogers Family

Annette Ebzery

Rob and Lina Jolly

The Hamilton Family

The Russ Family

Annie Fanning

Rob Whiteley – Madison

The Hancock Family

The Rylance Family

The Harris Family

The Sakurai Family

B Howard

S Power

The Hirst Family

The Schwennesen Family

B Littleboy

Shane, Julie, Jayla and

The Hodge Family

The Scroggie Family

The Hughes Family

The Shelburn Family

Audrey Morgan

Briana Cicchelli

Cleaning Services

Zoe Lawrence

Bronwyn Brown

St Aidan’s P&F Association

The Jackson Family

The Smiths - Year 1

C Evans

The Abercrombie-Brown Family

The Jackson-Uriarte Family

The Spies Family

Cate Begbie

The Accad Family

The Jacques Family

The Stalley Family

Cheryl Parkyn

The Arthurs Family

The Jayasuriya Family

The Stoermer Family

Cuskelly College of Music

The Banh Family

The Ji-Shao Family

The Sweeney Family

Frank Rich

The Baumann Family

The Jolly Family

The Taylor Family

Freidin-Lyons Family

The Bergin Family

The Keeping-Johnston Family

The Thornton Family

G Jackson

The Bishop Family

The Kenny Family

The Timoney Family

Gabriella Cooper

The Bland Family

The Kerr Family

The Trainor Family

Gaye Brown

The Bonifant Family

The King-Daly Family

The Vitale Family

Gillian Moses

The Boyd Family

The Kypriadakis Family

The Wake Family

Greg Anderson

The Bristow Family

The Launay Family

The Webb Family

Isini Muthumuni

The Brown Family

The Levison Family

The West Family

J L Major

The Burke Family

The Lin Family

The Whelan Family

James Roache

The Chandler Family

The Markwell Family

The White Family

Jean Adam

The Chen Family

The Masterson Family

The Wilson Family

Jean Pink

The Chen Family

The Mathers Family

The Woolley Family

Jean Seale

The Chen-Liu Family

The McGregor Family

The Yin-Liang Family

Jennie Robinson

The Clarke Family

The McLellan Family

The Yu Family

Jill Jagger

The Cottell Family

The McNee Family

The Zhang-Li Family

John and Joan Casey (nee Park)

The Daley Family

The Metcalf-Grimshaw Family

The Zhong-Yin Family

Julie Lowes

The Daly Family

The Miller Family

The Zhuang Family

Karen Gorrie and Bradley

The Doncon Family

The Milton Family

Tiana Tong & Family

Burnton

The Douglas Family

The Mobsby Family

Toni Riordan

Karen Madden

The Dunn Family

The Morgan Family

Toni Williams

Karen Spiller

The Edwards Family

The Morrison Family

Tracey Barker

Kim Wickham

The Evenden Family

The Morrison-Davies Family

Wil and Rob Morrison

Larrissa Williams

The Fairbairn Family

The Mullis Family

Year 9/10 Young Entrepreneurs

Liz Vella

The Fanshawe Family

The Murray Family

Louise McGuire

The Feros Family

The O’Dwyer Family

M Kronk

The Ford Family

The Parker Sisters

M Page

The Fuller Family

The Preston Family

2017

huddle I summer 2017 37

F O U N D A T I O N

FO U N DAT I O N - C O N F I D E N C E TO G ROW

ALUMNI - OLD GIRLS NETWORK

Old Girls connect

When Andrea Davey (Tjeong 2002) received an email from the St Aidan’s Old Girls network asking for help for a fellow former student, she was only too happy to oblige.

As the general manager of Scout Talent, a web-based candidate company, Andrea has extensive knowledge of the job market, not only in Queensland, but globally.

It is this experience that St Aidan’s was hoping to tap into to assist a newer Old Girl, Julia Killoran, who emailed looking for valuable work experience as she looked to launch her career.

Currently finishing a dual degree at UQ in Human Resources and International Business, Julia had contacted the Old Girls network looking to open doors in an industry she had been studying since 2014.

38

huddle I summer 2017

And from an introduction via St Aidan’s, an email exchange, a meeting over a cup of coffee and seven days’ work experience, Julia has now been offered a permanent part-time position with Scout Talent.

“I am thrilled about my new job,” says Julia. “I did try to find an internship in Brisbane through the usual networking channels but only met with limited success. Then I thought to approach St Aidan’s and their Old Girls network.

After an initial email, they put me in touch with Andrea and I couldn’t be happier with the result.”

Andrea Davey believes that taking on Julia is a lucky and positive move for both her company and her new employee.

“Julia has proved herself to be a valuable asset. Her initial work experience consisted of her working one day a week for seven weeks at various different

departments within Scout. After the first day, in her first department, the head of that department approached me and asked if they could offer Julia a part-time job,” Andrea says.

“This was a position that we had advertised for some time, had conducted countless interviews but we couldn’t find the right person, until Julia.”

Andrea says that she is delighted to welcome Julia on board and happy that she could assist a fellow St Aidan’s Old Girl.

“I have always been open to the idea of employing Old Girls from my former school. And, in the case of Julia, it is very much a move that has been mutually beneficial.”

If you are interested in being connected with a mentor in your industry, please contact the Alumni Office at St Aidan’s.

A L U M N I - 2 017 AW A R D S

Alumni Awards The accomplishments of St Aidan’s alumni bring honour to themselves and to their School in a multitude of ways – through leadership in their professions, business and government; ground-breaking advances in science and medicine; accomplishments in athletics, humanities and the arts; and service to the global and local communities.

These annual awards recognise outstanding achievements made by alumni locally and outside of Australia in community service and their professional field. The awards celebrate the diverse achievements of our past students.

Congratulations to our 2017 Alumni Award winners:

Distinguished Young Alumnus (under 30) MEG RYLANCE (2007) While at St Aidan’s Meg was Hartland House Co-Captain and Rowing Captain.

In 2011 Meg graduated from Bond University with a Bachelor of Film and Television. Meg’s interest in film and TV was sparked in Mr Kemp’s IT class.

Meg has worked on MasterChef, My Kitchen Rules, Spelling B, Australia’s Got Talent, The Great Australian Bake Off and The Block. One of the Executive Producers from Channel 7 states “I can safely say that Meg has a gift. A rare and unique skill set, that is well beyond her years. She is truly one of the countries great young editors. In a relatively short space of time she has gone from an unknown face around the Seven Network, to being one of our productions ‘must have’ editors”. Congratulations Meg - amazing achievements for someone so young!

Caroline Amy Alumni Award ANNE-MARIE RICE (1991) While at St Aidan’s Anne-Marie was the School Vice-Captain and Swimming Captain. She was admitted as a Solicitor in 2000. Anne-Marie holds a Bachelor of Arts (English/Communications) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and has rigorously maintained and expanded her legal, technical and associated skills since graduating in 1998. Anne-Marie has practised exclusively in family law and is a: •

Queensland Law Society Family Law Accredited Specialist

•

Nationally Accredited Mediator

•

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner registered with the Commonwealth Attorney Generals Department and

•

Family Law Arbitrator.

In 2005 Anne-Marie started her own practice Rice Naughton McCarthy Family Law. Anne-Marie Rice has consistently been listed as a “leading” practitioner in each of the annual Queensland Doyle’s guides since its inception in 2012.

Known for her intellect and insight, Anne-Marie has held executive positions in family law’s most significant committees, teaches the family law subject at the University of Queensland and is one of only a handful of women among the Australian Fellows of the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers.

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ARCHIVES - LINKING MEMORIES

From the Archives A heart-warming story from the Archives, linking memories over the generations.

In May, just before Ascension Day, a very precious work of art was uncovered and matched up with its creator after nearly thirty years.

A large hand-worked chapel banner of the St Aidan’s School crest had been stored in the Archives for many years, until recently when it was brought out for conservation assessment. Coincidently, only one week later, Mrs Val Harvey, a past parent and current grandmother called at the school office to ask about the banner’s whereabouts.

Val worked in the school uniform shop (clothing pool) during the 1980s and early 1990s. A mothers’ project was suggested, where every mother who popped in to the Uniform shop could also do some cross stitch for a short time, with the result being a beautiful banner. Unfortunately, individual differences in stitch tension meant the overall look was uneven, and Val eventually took on the project of cross-stitching the banner herself, working with blue and white silk thread for the crest and a brown wheat stitch (a variation of chain stitch) for the background. Val donated the banner to the school on St Aidan’s Day in 1990 in memory of her own mother who had passed away one year earlier.

Linking the generations, the beautiful banner was processed down the chapel aisle carried by Val Harvey’s granddaughters Samantha (Year 7) and Ashleigh Neill (Year 11), daughters of Susan Harvey-Neill (1982), during this year’s Ascension Day. All are welcome to admire the banner, which is now on display in the Chapel.

A message in a book from 1943 Catherine Thomson, was helping her friend Beth Newton, niece of Elizabeth Mathieson (1948) after Elizabeth had passed away, when they found a book with St Aidan’s crest emblazoned on the cover. Inside the cover of Elizabeth Mathieson’s prize book is a handwritten quote from Mrs Hartland. It is an excerpt from a book by Robert Louis Stevenson:

“A happy woman is a better thing to find than a five-pound note. She is a radiating focus of goodwill and her entrance into a room is as though her candle had been lighted.

We need not care whether she can prove the forty-seventh proposition,

she can do a better thing than that; she practically demonstrates the

liveableness of life.”

Christine E.A. Hartland St Aidan’s School, 1943

STOP AND LOOK BEFORE YOU THROW OUT TREASURES

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STOP AND LOOK before you throw out treasures. Please consider donating any items from your school days to the School Archives. We would love any photos, Recorders, printed matter, memorabilia or uniforms.

For example, our collection of school or sports uniforms from the 1980s is very limited and we would love to hear from you. If your mother or grandmother or aunt came to school, you might like to help them do a “spring clean” to St Aidan’s archives collection. We look forward to hearing from you.

ALUMNI - NEWS

Alumni News Births

Engagements

Deaths

Kimberley (Bennett 2000) and Michael Whitrod welcomed Max Callum on 22 March.

Genevieve Yates (2007) engaged to Dylan Crowther

Bernice Goodall (Worssell 1947) 14 August 2017

Eliza Goddard (2007) engaged to Tom Woodley

Donations

Hayley Morphet (2000) and Stuart Hetper welcomed Hugh Robert Andrew on 9 July.

Molly Shevill (2007) engaged to Andrew Egan

We thank the following people for their donations to our archives: Heather Ede (1969)

Amy (Rickleman 2006) and Sam Clark welcomed Ewan Alexander on 11 April.

Eloise Stephenson (2007) engaged to Tim Skinner

Ashleigh (Downes 2003) and John Petrou welcomed their second daughter Sappheire Quinn on 8 October.

Alice Finley (2002) engaged to David Pesce

Michelle Page (1983)

Courtney Phelps (2007) engaged to Michael Hayes

Michelle Page (1983)

Marriages

Catherine Thomson, donated items from the estate of Elizabeth Mathieson (1948) and Mary Newton (Mathieson 1942).

Victoria Thorne (Holland 2007) welcomed Andrew Joseph Raymond on 14 June, little brother to Bridie Victoria Angela.

Rachel (Capp 2007) and Trent Crowley welcomed another daughter, Belle May on 5 June.

Sam Geldard (2008) married Nick Godfrey on 1 October Georgia Griffin (2007) married Jose Ausejo on 4 August Natalie East (2010) married Joel Capill in March Libby Hucker (2008) married Angus Low in August

Lyn Strachan (McKay 1945) Rita Page (Stewart, 1960) Meryl Pryor (Frau Pryor) German Teacher 1967 - 2002

Ann Eeson daughter of Nita Fowler (Doyle 1936) – Nita was student number four on the roll. Ann donated a whole school photo (below) from 1931 complete with names.

1931 All School Photo huddle I summer 2017 41

ALUMNI - REUNIONS

MELBOURNE REUNION Nearly 30 Old Girls from classes of 1944 through to 2014 enjoyed the annual Melbourne Reunion at the National Gallery of Victoria on a sunny Saturday afternoon in October. While some girls have been regular attendees for many years, there were a number of girls attending for the first time. There was much chatter as old friends caught up and the ‘older’ girls took the opportunity to meet some of St Aidan’s remarkable young graduates. It was also a time to farewell and thank Karen Spiller, as she leaves St Aidan’s and welcome Toni Riordan in her new role as Principal. By Kathy Wells (1979)

Jo Dodd (Archer 1977) with the sign at the Archer and Templeton Science and Technology Centre which was named in honour of her Father Ron Archer and Bob Templeton, the founding Chairmen of the St Aidan’s Foundation.

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ALUMNI - REUNIONS

30 YEAR REUNION | 1987 The class of 1987 returned to St Aidan’s in October to celebrate leaving 30 years ago. We had trouble recognising the school, but had no trouble recognising each other, despite the years. Worries about wrinkles, grey hair and old school anxieties soon evaporated as we delighted in what an accomplished and amazing bunch of women we have become. What a great opportunity to reconnect and hopefully we will follow through on our renewed promises to keep in touch. By Lisa Creighton (Buntain 1987)

40 YEAR REUNION | 1977 On Sunday 30 July, 35 past students (not “Old” girls!), gathered in the courtyard outside the Junior School.

It was a beautiful sunny Winter’s day and the perfect setting for our 40-year reunion. 40 years since we left school – could that really be true? With a little help from name tags, we were quickly taken back to the 1970s and sharing the many memories from our days at St Aidan’s.

The many photos and old uniforms on display helped to jog the memory. Over a delicious lunch, the reminiscing continued. After lunch, a tour of the school was offered for those who have not visited recently – it has certainly changed significantly since our school days! By Penny Krause (Boyd 1977)

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Where are they now

2018

Alumni Events

Jenny Young (1971, Cavell House Captain) recently visited the Edith Cavell Clinic and memorial in Brussels. Jenny had an amazing time learning a little more about Edith Cavell and sharing some St Aidan’s memorabilia.

Isabelle Skinner (Lenigas 1979) was a finalist in the Entrepreneur category of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

Kate Buckley (2006) commenced as a Barrister at the QLD Bar on 1 July.

Robyn Sanders (1982) is General Counsel and Company Secretary for eftpos Payments Australia Limited.

We are looking forward to hosting all of our Old Girls at St Aidan’s over the course of the week and showcasing some of our beautiful new facilities.

Ashleigh McGill (2014) is currently studying a Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management at UQ and fundraising to save the Great Barrier Reef.

Friday 11 May - 5pm Young Old Girls

Genevieve Gray (2004) will be starting a new venture in January 2018 as the proud owner of Kip McGrath tutoring at Moorooka. Genevieve would love to help any current St Aidan’s girls if they need any assistance.

Marj Henderson (1977) is now semiretired and has a small consultancy business assisting community organisations with research/policy/ projects including pro-bono work. Marj and her husband have a small cattle property near Esk. Ilona Glastonbury (1996) created and coordinated a fundraising event on Instagram which ran for two weeks and raised $35,000 which went directly to NGO’s working in Syria. It was a huge event and saw ceramicists from around Australia and even across the world donate pieces of their work for auction.

Nicola Mendoza (Pinnell 1995) is currently a Buying Director for Aldi.

Catriona Murray (1990) studied Archaeology and Anthropology at UQ, and worked as a cultural heritage consultant and cultural heritage manager before answering the call of travel.

After teaching English and teaching herself French, she began translating, gradually specialising in cinema and the humanities and is now at a school of CG animation in Arles called MoPA. Amy Earle (2010) and Eloise Jolly (2010) were both admitted as Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 13 November 2017.

Save the trees Want the Huddle by email? Please email huddle@staidans.qld.edu.au if you would prefer an email copy of the Huddle.

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(graduated 2008-2017)

Saturday 22 September - 4pm 10 Year Reunion Friday 11 May - 6.30pm 20 Year Reunion Saturday 12 May - 5pm 30 Year Reunion Sunday 6 May - 12 noon 40 Year Reunion

Lydia Wardale (2013) is currently on a 6-month exchange in Gothenburg, Sweden to study economics.

Rebecca Sumby (1987) has a Degree in Occupational Health and Safety from Curtin University and holds the position of OSH & Welfare at the Department of Justice, of the Western Australian Government.

In 2018, we are excited to announce the first ever “reunion week”, built around our annual celebration of Ascension Day on 10 May.

If you have news you would like to share in the next edition of the Huddle, please let us know: huddle@staidans.qld.edu.au

Wednesday 9 May - 10am 50 Year Reunion Thursday 10 May - 11am 60 & 70 Year Reunion and Ascension Day

faith - the last word

Christmas is really for the Children Christmas is really for the children.

Especially for children who like animals, stables, stars and babies wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Easter is not really for the children unless accompanied by a cream filled egg.

(T)hey’d do better to wait for a re-run of Christmas without asking too many questions about what Jesus did when he grew up or whether there’s any connection.

(Steve Turner)

I like to tell my Year 7 students, as we learn the history of Christmas, that the Church wasn’t very interested in Christmas originally. Easter was always big, celebrating as it did the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was not until the 4th century that a date for celebrating the feast of Christ’s birth was first recorded.

Steve Turner’s poem neatly captures the way Christmas has been redesigned in the centuries since. It is more about the cute baby and his magical visitors (angels, shepherds, wise kings) and less about the man the child becomes. We forget the outrageousness of a God who chooses to be born as one of us, and allow ourselves to be distracted by the shiny presents and exotic camels.

But the baby in the manger is only remembered because he grew up to be the man on the cross, who walked out of a tomb and into eternity. Jesus shows us a God who deigned to give up a heavenly throne for straw, cow dung, the indignities of human life, and ultimately a gruesome death, because it was the way to show us our own worth and belovedness.

It is easy for us to picture each other as the body on the cross; our willingness to go to war, to make weapons of mass destruction, and to consume the planet at warp speed show our low regard for one another. What we need is an ability to connect one another to the baby in the manger. What if the angels sang for you at your birth? What if the wise still brought precious gifts to celebrate the miracle of another human life? May the cries of all the Christ-children reach us this Christmas, and point us to the places where God is here with us.

The Reverend Gillian Moses - Chaplain

Anglican Girls’ School

St Aidan’s

11 Ruthven St, Corinda Qld 4075 Australia P +61 7 3373 5999 F +61 7 3379 9432 E school@staidans.qld.edu.au www.staidans.qld.edu.au A School of the Society of the Sacred Advent

Open Day Saturday 3rd March 9am-12noon

Visit our website to find out more:

www.staidans.qld.edu.au

ABN 71079817981 CRICOS Provider Number 01194k

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