Huddle St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School SPRING EDITION I 2018
Huddle
Contents
Editor Alice Tidmarsh (2007)
Resilience & Relationships
1
Out & About
2
Contributors Toni Riordan Louise McGuire Di Cameron Kate Atkin (1999) Caitlin McCluskey Karen Madden Jackie Child Dimity Beckinsale Jenny Crome Simon Morrison Claire Rush Wendy Biggs (1979) Sue Russell (1979)
Social Emotional Learning
5
Empowering Entrepreneurial Thinking
6
World of Maths
8
Gender Summits 9 Digital Technologies
10
The Living Room 12 Year 8 Book Launch
13
Young Engineers 14 Music 16 Art 18
Graphic Design Annie Fanning
Reconciliation 23
Photographic Contributors
Student Spotlight 26
Victoria Reid Marc Pricop Tahlia Stehbens Annie Fanning
Sport 24
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
27
Foundation 28 Parents & Friends 32 Upcoming Events 34 Archives & Alumni
Cover: Ms Toni Riordan & Sasha White dancing at the 1968 50 Year Reunion.
Open Morning Thursday 11 October 9am-11am
Visit our website to find out more:
www.staidans.qld.edu.au
36
The Last Word 45
Open Morning is a great opportunity to meet members of our Educational Leadership Team, hear our Principal, Toni Riordan, speak about St Aidan’s and take a tour with one of our current students. Ms Toni Riordan will speak at 9.15am and student led tours of the Junior School and/or Senior School will follow from 9.45am. To register to attend Open Morning or book a private tour, please visit our website: www.staidans.qld.edu.au/events or contact Reception on 07 3373 5999.
From the Principal
Resilience and Relationships We are proud of our long tradition of offering outdoor and camping programs at St Aidan’s. Now, more than ever, we recognise the need to provide opportunities for young people to develop coping strategies, healthy and strong relationships, self-care skills and the capacity to see the future with hope and optimism, while reflecting on and learning from the experiences of the past. Our camping programs are developmental, allowing for our youngest students to meet the challenges of camp-like activities while at school during ‘Late
Ms Toni Riordon PRINCIPAL
B Ed, M Ed Le, MACEL, MACE, GAICD
Night’ or close by in the local area, for ‘Big Day Out’, whilst our older Junior School students experience overnight and two-night camps at Kindilan, Maroochydore, Currimundi and Emu Gully (Helidon). Transition into secondary schooling sees our Senior School students faced with opportunities to develop one of our core values, connectedness, with their peers, teachers and with the natural environment. Learning in the outdoors in natural bush, river, dam and surf beach locations challenges students to step outside of their comfort zone, find courage to build new skills and to develop resilience. The camps in Years 7, 8 and 9 are designed for communal living and aim to promote an attitude of cooperation along with the confidence to effectively manage outdoor and leisure activities. All of the twists and turns, bumps and bruises, fear and small failures, successes and joy are necessary for our students to experience, to help them grow inner strength so that they may thrive at school and in all aspects of their lives. I congratulate everyone who has been ‘on camp’ this year. I know students found aspects hard but they met the challenges with brave hearts. Also, I thank our dedicated staff members whom sacrifice nights away from their families so that they may share their talents and expertise with the girls and provide exceptional care of them.
Ms Toni Riordan Principal
huddle I spring 2018 1
OUT AND ABOUT - YEAR 3 CAMP
O u t & A b ou t Year 3 Camp
School camps provide many benefits for students in the Junior School. Exposure to new environments and meeting the challenge of mastery of new activities most certainly contribute to developing twenty-first-century workforce skills such as planning, decisionmaking, communication, and teamwork. Our aim throughout the Junior School is to offer a variety of opportunities in various settings, such as natural bush, river/dam locations and surf beach. Within these settings, our girls can take part in activities (canoeing/kayaking, boogie boarding, dragon boating, stand up paddle boarding, ropes courses, rock climbing, orienteering, team challenges, crawling through narrow tunnels, mud challenges and many more) unlike those they would undertake in the daily school environment.
2
huddle I spring 2018
OUT AND ABOUT - YEAR 3 CAMP
The Year 3 cohort have recently visited Kindilan, on their one-night camp. They participated in many exciting activities including learning to canoe, low ropes and the possum glider, which was a challenge for many of them. Camps provide the teachers and students opportunities to interact in so many different situations and, without a doubt, play a vital role in strengthening relationships and building friendships. They also provide challenges for girls in various ways – learning to live with friends in close quarters (some girls certainly need more sleep than others); perhaps having to eat ‘less than favourite’ foods (although most camp food is generally given high praise); participating in activities that take them ‘out of their comfort zone’, and solving the problem of fitting their very large sleeping bag into its tiny cover (usually in a hurry) in readiness to go home! Hopefully, all girls will have had memorable experiences of some kind, developed their independence and problem-solving skills, and will look forward to camps in years to come with continued excitement and enthusiasm. Mrs Louise McGuire Head of Junior School
huddle I spring 2018 3
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
O u t & A b ou t Year 9 Camp
At this age, friendships are forged through shared experiences – things that the girls can laugh at together or perhaps commiserate with one another. The Year 9 Camp was one of those experiences. It was a physically and mentally challenging week where students were encouraged to think deeply about the foundation on which their decisions were made – ‘the traffic light model’. They experienced the luxury of slowing down the decision-making process. Students safely pushed themselves beyond what they thought were their limits and proudly caught a glimpse of what they could do. Very cool crisp nights, bright stars and planets and a waxing crescent moon made for great opportunities for activities around the campfire. Blue skies and still days allowed for fun daytime challenges. Long time frames allowed time for debriefing and skill development. Within their groups students fully supported each other in all activities. Their positive attitude and willingness to meet the various challenges throughout the week were impressive. Di Cameron Year 9 Coordinator
4
huddle I spring 2018
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Last term Year 9 students were presented with the opportunity to be part of a study by university student Chloe Adamovics. Chloe’s goal was to engage students who do less physical activity and encourage them to participate by trying a different type of activity. Six of the girls were extremely involved in the study, meeting with Chloe on a number of occasions to share their views on what types of dance and music would inspire girls to be involved. Using this feedback, Chloe then led 30-minute Zumba classes with all Year 9 students. All Year 9s were energetically involved in the sessions and it was evident that they enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a different form of activity. The feedback from the girls was positive. Many enjoyed the break from the mental load of their school day. Di Cameron Year 9 Coordinator
huddle I spring 2018 5
EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING
NOT EVERY STUDENT WILL BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR BUT THEY WILL SOMEDAY NEED TO THINK LIKE ONE. John Spencer
E m p owe r i n g Ent re p re neur ial T hinkin g Entrepreneurship is more than becoming the next Richard Branson, Steve Baxter, or Janine Allis. It is a way of thinking, an attitude or a belief, where you act upon opportunities and ideas, and transform these into value for others. A value that can be either social, cultural and/or financial. As much as our girls will need the technical skills to become, for example, a scientist, lawyer, artist or health professional, employers are increasingly seeking employees who display critical thinking, are confident and effective communicators, empathetic and innovative problem solvers and who are brave enough to put an idea into action. i.e. employees who demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset. 6
huddle I spring 2018
EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING
At St Aidan’s we recognise that these skills are essential for our girls to develop to thrive in the future world of work, where technology is reducing the need for workers to complete routine manual tasks. The Link provides an environment that is tailor made for developing entrepreneurial thinking skills, with the connection of design thinking, art, business and learning for innovation. Entrepreneurial thinking is not necessarily an inherent trait but can be easily developed or improved if nurtured from an early age. There are several overt ways in which these skills are being developed in a practical way across the school, from extra-curricular activities such as Club Kidpreneur and Technovation, through to subjects offered in Design & Innovation Studies and Business courses. Year 9/10 Business students engage in a range of activities and competitions which build not only their financial and digital literacy skills, but also give them the opportunity to be creative, collaborative and enterprising. The Year 9 Young Entrepreneurs are currently using the $20 Boss Program to frame their business projects as a way of ensuring our girls can recognise and talk about these key capabilities. By undertaking a “Real Project” whereby the students are in the driver’s seat of a business venture that matters to them, where they have ownership over the creative process, of which usually involves some level of failure or mistakes, allows the girls to learn to develop this mindset in a practical and meaningful way. We are working towards ensuring all students can engage with and recognise entrepreneurial thinking
References
in action and to align it with their subject of choice.
Bacigalupo, M., Kampylis, P., Punie, Y., Van den Brande, G. (2016). EntreComp: The Entrepreneurship Competence Framework. Luxembourg: Publication Office of the European Union; EUR 27939 EN; doi:10.2791/59388
In doing so it will enable them to identify and seek out new careers or value add to existing roles, have higher aspirations, be resilient and better able to adapt to change. Every student will need to think like an entrepreneur to thrive in a changing world. If we as a community can continue to develop this way of thinking we will not only model the thinking process for our girls but empower them in these changing times to be future ready and able to meet the challenges of 21st Century workplaces. Kate Atkin Teacher
Foundation for Young Australians. (2017). The New Work Smarts. Retrieved from https://www.fya.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FYA_TheNewWorkSmarts_ July2017.pdf FutureLearn. (2018). Teaching Entrepreneurial Thinking. Queensland University of Technology. Retrieved from https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/teachingentrepreneurial-thinking Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. (2018) Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education: Guidance for UK Higher Education Providers. Retrieved from http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Enterprise-andentrpreneurship-education-2018.pdf Tucker, M. (2018). Educating for a Digital Future. Centre for Strategic Education, 27
huddle I spring 2018 7
W O R L D O F M AT H S
Wo r ld of Math s Our Year 7 students recently had the opportunity of a lifetime: developing their team work skills at the same time as honing their maths abilities! World of Maths came to visit and the girls were treated to a session of hands -on problem solving. In groups of two or three, they made their way through a series of exciting and challenging maths problems. There were two types of problems: solving problems for a given situation and guided discovery, where students were able to identify mathematical concepts by working through the problem at hand. Students used clues, compass skills and scale conversion to find hidden treasure. There were opportunities for testing the girls’ spatial skills, important for the future engineers, architects and designers, by building a cube with different shapes displayed on each side. They uncovered the basics of networking when determining shortest and longest paths through a zoo when visiting every animal. This theory lays the foundation for Apps such as Waze and Google Maps, which we rely on to get us to our destination via the fastest route. At one point, a student was heard to exclaim, “this doesn’t even feel like work!”. It is fair to say that it was an experience enjoyed by all students and we were impressed by their team work and resilience when faced with challenging problems. Caitlin McCluskey Head of Faculty (Maths)
A taste of World of Maths: Can you draw 4 straight lines through the 9 dots below without lifting your pen?
8
huddle I spring 2018
GENDER SUMMIT
Year 9 GENDER S ummit s
Our Year 9 girls who participated in two Gender Summits, have spoken of the value in discussing gender issues with peers from boys’ schools. While the two days differed in approach, both offered a welcoming space to discuss critical issues for their generation. The Churchie summit featured workshops run by the One Woman Project, who assisted students in identifying the key issues, with the aim of co-constructing solutions. The guest panel for the Q&A session, included Larissa Waters, former senator in Queensland; Geoff Quinlan, former CEO of Tennis Queensland; Tasman Bain, Co-Founder of Meri Toksave, and a White Ribbon Ambassador, Kristin Ramsay, Head of Employment and Workplace Relations Practice at Hynes Legal. The aim of the summit at BBC was to promote positive relationships, with a belief that the connection will help students to avoid gender disparity, perpetuated through ignorance of each other’s reality. The activities worked to break down barriers between the students to come to a shared understanding of each other’s experiences.
The BBC Gender Summit allowed the opportunity for students from single gender schools to discuss male and female stereotypes such as ‘like a girl’ and ‘man up’. Rachel Eng
I was able to get a better understanding of gender issues with the other boys’ schools attending the summit. Charlotte Hill
We were able to learn about gender stereotypes and how we must challenge them. Building friendships and relationships were also discussed, making the whole day a very special, interesting and enjoyable time. Sophia Zhang
I thought the Churchie Gender Summit was valuable as it enabled me to get a better understanding of the problems we have in society with equality. Abby Douglas
Karen Madden Dean of Innovation and Engagement
huddle I spring 2018 9
D I G I TA L T EC H N O LO G I ES
Te c hnolo g ie s The aim of the Digital Technologies curriculum is to enable students to create, manage and evaluate sustainable and innovative digital solutions; use computational thinking and the key concepts of abstraction to create digital solutions; use digital systems to automate and communicate the transformation of data; apply protocols and legal practices that support safe, ethical and respectful communications; apply systems thinking around information systems and predict the impact of these systems on individuals, societies, economies and environments. 10
huddle I spring 2018
D I G I TA L T EC H N O LO G I ES
Teachers in the Junior School are integrating the curriculum throughout various subject areas. Students have been thoroughly enjoying using technology and having opportunities to be able to creatively problem-solve solutions to tasks and challenges. All Junior School students have been learning to code using online programs written by Code.org and Tynker as well as coding robots to navigate courses or complete tasks; for example, learning to code a Pro-Bot (a car robot). The girls had to first earn their ‘Learners License’ by following instructions to learn the capabilities and functions of the robot. Prep students enjoyed and explored fairytales. Some of their sight words got lost in ‘Fairytale Village’. The girls had to program their Bee Bots to retrieve their sight words. Year 1 students welcomed grandparents into their classroom to share memories of their childhood. The girls used Garageband on iPads to retell and record their favourite stories from their visitors. Year 2 students examined what technology used to look like in the past and how technology has changed. A loan from the museum allowed the girls to investigate household items from the past and share how things have changed. Year 3 students researched information on a world celebration and presented their information as a speech. They used iPads to record their speeches and created a trigger image (poster) on PowerPoint about their world celebration. To bring it all together, students used an augmented reality application HP Reveal to overlay the video of their speech from a trigger image. Year 4 created a rescue device using recycled materials powered by a Sphero (a spherical robot) to collect and return their Super-St Aidan’s figure safely home. The girls used the Edu App program to code their devices to navigate and avoid obstacles to complete the rescue. Year 5 read the story ‘The Goldseekers’ and used LittleBits (electronic building blocks) to solve design and technology problems from the story. Year 6 students created holographic videos of themselves, taking on the role of a book character from ‘Ten Pound Pom’ by Carole Wilkinson, and described what it was like to emigrate to Australia as a Ten Pound Pom. Jackie Child Junior School Technology Co-ordinator
huddle I spring 2018 11
THE
LIVING ROOM
What is The Living Room? The Living Room is a speaker series open to the community. We will be welcoming authors, illustrators, media personalities, comedians, professionals and so many others to St Aidan’s to share their stories. The Living Room aims to inspire our community at all ages to foster a love of reading and a love of literature. St Aidan’s are proud to partner with Avid Reader and Where the Wild Things Are to bring you this event series.
Coming soon to The Living Room 11 October Madonna King launches her new 6pm book “Fathers & Daughters”
(Adults only) 27 October Rebecca Johnson’s Vet Convention 10am (Suitable for children aged 5-12)
12
huddle I spring 2018
BOOK LAUNCH
Yea r 8 B o o k L aun c h W hat Mat te r s After days of innovative planning, hours of writing and an enormous amount of time editing stories, Year 8 students submitted a large variety of short stories in their class ebooks on the topic of ‘What matters to me’. The next step was organising the Book Launch with the Project Based Learning groups which included responsibility for the book trailers, editing, launch organisation, illustrations and many more. The book launch wouldn’t have been so successful and enjoyable if it wasn’t for the contribution of each individual in Year 8 and the teachers who supported every student and nurtured them to publish the best story possible. The outcome was great, with the four classes producing an ebook and a hard copy which included each student’s story and a catchy title to match each class. At the book launch, we were lucky enough to have the young adult authors Pamela & Alison Rushby attend. We celebrated the launch in the library and with speeches, raffles and lunch, and the entire event was organized by us! Dimity Beckinsale Year 8
huddle I spring 2018 13
YOUNG ENGINEERS
Youn g En g ine e r s Two inspiring Old Girls have been sharing their passion for engineering with our young students, by volunteering at STEMies, a school holiday program for girls in Years 4 to 6. Ms Karen Madden interviewed Ella Wilson and Madison Burke at our July STEMies event, to gain an insight into what led to their promising careers and what drives their choice to give back to the St Aidan’s community as volunteers. Our impressive young Old Girls had much more to say about what they are doing currently and how St Aidan’s helped to shape their aspirations. To read their full interviews visit www.staidans.qld.edu.au 14
huddle I spring 2018
QA &
YOUNG ENGINEERS
Ella Wilson and Madison Burke STEMies volunteers and St Aidan’s Old Girls
Ella Wilson (2015) is currently a third-year student at QUT, completing a dual Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronics) and Mathematics. Why do you volunteer at STEMies? I genuinely enjoy hanging out and helping the girls with the activities. I find the activities really fun too! Overall, I have a great time and the girls who come to STEMies learn and have fun, so it feels less like volunteering and more like participating. What would you like to see at St Aidan’s in the future? With the new workshop with soldering stations, and an opportunity to learn coding and robotics at all ages, the school is already headed towards technology-oriented education. I think that is the exact way to go! What kind of support could an engineer who may be reading this article give to you to help you achieve your goals? Insight into an engineering career and how everything works would be great. A potential work experience opportunity wouldn’t be bad either!
Madison Burke (2014) is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Commerce majoring in Chemical Engineering and Business Information Systems at UQ. Why do you volunteer at STEMies? At the STEMies event in July, before I was introduced, the girls were asked to draw what they thought an engineer looked like. Most of them drew males, and the females that were drawn were all wielding hammers. Once I introduced myself to the girls, the first question I was asked was, “Are you really an engineer?” This is the reason I love volunteering at STEMies events; to help break down the stereotypes in engineering and encourage girls that they can achieve anything. What advice would you give to a St Aidan’s student who is considering pursuing a career in engineering? Just give it a go. First year is a very broad year where you can experience many of the difference disciplines and even if at the end nothing has appealed to you, it’s only one year of your life. Once you get into uni, you realise that one year isn’t that long and you want to relish all the time at uni you can get. What kind of support could an engineer who may be reading this article give to you to help you achieve your goals? I would really like to hear from a mid-career engineer who has taken a break to have children and gone back to work. At uni we hear plenty from graduate engineers or senior engineers but the whole middle area isn’t very well spoken about and something that I’m quite interested to hear about.
huddle I spring 2018
11
St Aidan’s
is a live with the sound of music With over 270 girls enrolled in private instrumental and vocal tuition and almost 450 students involved in extra-curricular ensembles, it’s hard to miss our musicians singing and playing their hearts out at break times. In one week, our girls can choose to attend over 20 different string, band, choir and chamber ensemble rehearsals. There is so much talent at St Aidan’s and it’s no wonder that the inaugural ‘Music Week,’ held in Week Seven of Term Two, was such a success.
16
huddle I spring 2018
On Monday, the Auditorium was filled with the sounds of solos and duets at the Performing Arts Recital. These recitals are held once per term and allow those preparing for examinations or eisteddfods to perform in front of an audience. Students can showcase their talents while also learning performance skills like composure, performing from memory and working with an accompanist. Tuesday saw the instrumental students congregate in the CHC for the Gala Instrumental Concert. This concert was a delightful mix of young and old; our youngest players with the smallest instruments played alongside our older, more experienced musicians. Our newly formed Percussion Ensemble also wowed the crowd with some dancing while playing! One of our Year 12 clarinet students, Amy Kuskopf, performed a solo with Symphony Strings which was such a delight. All the groups presented dynamic performances and it was wonderful to see the progression of skill across the Junior and Senior Schools. On Wednesday, Children Crossing, Chorale and Ensemble Volar travelled to St John’s Cathedral to sing in the Gala Choral Concert. Singers from the Ambrose Treacy College Junior Singers, Senior Singers and Chamber Choir and Queensland Kodály Choir were also invited to perform. Together, over 300 singers joined in song for the first ever St Aidan’s performance in the Cathedral.
The audience was left in awe by the magnificence and power of the sound, space and messages sung throughout the night. Thursday was a day of rest (phew!) but on Friday, 120 girls in the Junior Singers choir performed at the Grandparent’s and Special Friends Assembly. Krissy Teng accompanied the group on harp while they sang about living on the moon and finding beauty in our surroundings. Visitors to the school were then invited into the Every Day Music classes for a ‘show and share’ and some fun music making. Well done to all our St Aidan’s musicians involved in the 2018 Music Week! Carla Trott Music teacher
huddle I spring 2018
17
C R E AT I V E A R T S
The concept behind Messy Church is that “making things together – even simply making a mess together … is reflecting the God who creates and recreates and gives us the chance to be more fully human as we mirror God’s actions”. These are the words of Lucy Moore and Jane Leadbetter, members of the team that developed Messy Church in the Church of England.
Lilly van Gilst - The intersection of art and science is represented by the transient state between the fleeting mortality of human anatomy, and the visceral aspects of memory and introspection. I looked at the transition of corporeal systems and botanical elements to signify human ephemerality.
Ye a r 1 2 A r t
A r t a n d S cie n c e c o nne ctio n s
12
huddle I summer 2018
C R E AT I V E A R T S
In 1986 the Venice Biennale was devoted to “Arte e Scienza” and since then the interest has expanded greatly. Artists have tackled projects normally categorised as science, making the questions, tools, research processes and contexts of science into the materials of art. Their engagement and collaboration with science has allowed the public another view in to the work being done in varied fields of science. From the Renaissance onwards, we have seen great artists and architects compliment their learning through a study of science including Filippo Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci and Sir Christopher Wren. Similarly, famous scientists have studied art such as Galileo Galilei and Louis Pasteur. In Australia many artists including Helen Pynor, Shona Wilson and Janet Lawrence now inform their art practices through a relationship with science. Year 12 students have completed their first body of work, it required them to derive a personal focus from Art + Science. Both are linked by their reliance on enquiry and creative thinking and their encounters with inspiration and visualisation – the Eureka moment! Gaye Brown Head of Faculty-Creative Arts and Design Studies/PAR - Visual Art Amy Stalley - This still from my performance art piece was informed through an enquiry into evolution and the human form. Rachel Liu - This work is about traditional Chinese herbal medicine and my nostalgia for the Chinese landscape. I used a variety of plants and seeds to construct familiar landscapes from home in noodle bowls.
Emily Robertson - The focus of the fragility and tenuous nature of life is explored through insects and their methods of flight.
Madison Peabody - The focus of my body of work was phobias, specifically heamophobia, aquaphobia, trypopphobia.
Emma Sargeant - My works explore the ‘suffocation’ of our environment. I used plastics and paper bark as metaphors for the degradation that is occurring.
Emily Heath - This work is about man-made interruptions to the cycle of nature. Part of my technique was to deconstruct and reconstruct objects as well as combining man-made and organic forms.
Veronica Cheung - Climate warming is an important issue that effects everyone. My works are a statement about ice cap melting and the environmental impact.
Jessica Gullo Science and art are both obsessed with processes and ‘objects’ to create desired outcomes. My work explored the idea of vessels and containers holding matter that can represent ideas about the human condition.
14
huddle I autumn 2018
C R E AT I V E A RT S
glow A CELEBRATION
Chloe Peachey - Flowers and other botanical forms can be a powerful force in mental well-being and appreciation. Through time -based media I experimented with flowers and draping them in honey to alter the way we engage with them on sensory levels.
OF CREATING
AND MAKING IN THE LINK
Friday 5.30pm 7.30pm
2
November 2018
THE LINK Emmaline Monteith - My body of work focuses on the manifestation of pain; how we identify and characterise it. Surface manipulation and exploration allowed me to make different representations of physical and emotional distress. Rust and other corroded surfaces became important symbols in my work.
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School P h o t o g r a p h b y L u c i a O ’ D o n n e l l Ye a r 1 2 A r t
huddle I spring 2018
21
h ead i ng C R E AT I V E G E N E R AT I O N E XC E L L E N C E AW A R D S
CRE ATI V E GENER ATI O N E XCELLEN CE AWA RD S ‘Visual Art takes me places in my imagination I have never been before and allows me the means to give tangible form to my ideas. I love working with textiles and making things. I also love to push ideas around and introduce my own body into the work- not just as a sense of ownership but to me it authenticates my “journey”.’ In her work Cocoon Emma chose to explore the relationship between humanity and nature. As Emma explained, “Nature binds the concepts of birth and death together: humans are born from nature and return to it upon death’. The installation was chosen for the 2017 Creative Generation Awards and was exhibited at GoMA this year. Emma’s parents Lisa and Phil are photographed at the official opening . 22
huddle I spring 2018
R E C O N C I L I AT I O N AT S T A I D A N ’ S
Re c o n ciliatio n a t S t A i d a n’s We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which land we stand, the Jagera and Turrubul people and pay our respects to the elders both past, present and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of our First Nation peoples.
At the beginning of 2018, St Aidan’s began working on the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). While St Aidan’s already has a focus on learning about Indigenous culture across both Junior and Senior schools, participates in cultural immersion trips to far North Queensland with Red Earth, and has built a close connection to our local elders including attendance at Sorry Day ceremonies, we have not formalised, or reflected upon, how we can foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. To this end, a RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) task force consisting of parents, students and teachers in conjunction with our local indigenous elders has been set up to
ensure that we have a framework which supports the national reconciliation movement and appropriately recognises our first peoples. While there is still much to do, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are now displayed on the stage in the CHC and are integral to our assemblies and special occasions. At the beginning of each assembly we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and pay our respects to elders, past, present and future. A number of students, and staff participated in this years Sorry Day ceremony at the Arboretum welcoming the participants as they arrived, carrying the Australian flag in the procession, and assisting with the laying of wreaths and flowers at the commemorative plaque.
Plans for the future include commissioning a local artist to design an artwork for St Aidan’s and, with the assistance of our local elders, to name areas around the school using local Aboriginal names. Through our RAP, it is hoped that we will continue to promote shared respect and cultural understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. We welcome anyone from the school community who would like to join the RAP working group as we continue the St Aidan’s reconciliation journey and build our future on a commitment to reconciliation and acknowledgement of our first peoples. Jenny Crome Year 9 Coordinator
huddle I spring 2018
23
New Records Congratulations to all our athletes who participated at the Senior School interhouse athletics carnival in Julyand particularly to those who broke previous records. Congratulations to Barrett House for taking out the Aggregate Cup. Name Isla Williams Lola Harris Gemma Casaceli Angelina Tignani Emma-Kate Watt Lily Paige Lilley Bishop Shellbee Welsh Charlie Bell 24
huddle I spring 2018
Age Group 12 Years 12 Years 13 Years 13 Years 14 Years 14 Years 14 Years 14 Years 14 Years 14 Years 15 Years 15 Years 15 Years 17+ Years
Event High Jump 200m Long Jump 80m Hurdles 500g Javelin 1kg Discus 3kg Shot Put 1500m 90m Hurdles High Jump 500g Javelin 3kg Shot Put High Jump 3kg Shot Put
Result 1.34m 29.89s 5.07m 14.10s 38.14m 31.08m 11.97m 4:54.63 14.66s 1.61m 33.11m 9.89m 1.67m 11.80m
Previous Record Jasmine Fleming 1.33m Ruby Fraser 30.72s Stephanie Rascoe 4.82m Lily Paige 15.13s Lilley Bishop 31.76m Jasmine Fleming 26.33m Jasmine Fleming 10.19m S Stephens 04:55.3 Ruby Harris 15.47s Shellbee Welsh 1.60m Rachel Mills 31.12m Rachel Mills 9.73m Robyn Todd 1.58m Jayde Mavrik 10.59m
Year 2015 2015 1986 2017 2017 2017 2017 1988 2015 2017 2013 2013 1976 2013
huddle I spring 2018
25
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Student Spotlight
Phoebe Fights Cancer for Conor St Aidan’s Year 12 student, Phoebe McAuliffe, knows the effects of cancer on a family all too well. When Phoebe was 5 years old, she lost her little brother, Conor, to cancer. Phoebe and her family are incredibly passionate about raising money for cancer research, and Phoebe’s latest effort is no different. She has currently raised over $11,000 through her latest campaign, shaving her head at St Aidan’s on 30 May. Since Conor’s death, the McAuliffe family, have worked closely with many charities, especially Tour De Cure, to raise money for cancer research. During this time, it occurred to Phoebe that we should all be donating to cancer charities, as we don’t know when one of our friends, family members or ourselves might be diagnosed. Conor inspired Phoebe to ensure that, one day, no other families will have to experience the pain of losing a loved one to cancer, and that is why she decided to shave her head. Phoebe shared, “Conor was also so brave no matter how many needles he received in hospital”. She wanted to take this lesson from him and embody this spirit of bravery by shaving her head. Some of Phoebe’s friends from Tour de Cure were so inspired by her shave, they took time off to support her at St Aidan’s.
26
huddle I spring 2018
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
G ra n dp a re nt s & S p e cial Fr ie n d s Day A much anticipated yearly event in the Junior School calendar, the girls are always beyond delighted to share their school with their grandparents and special friends!
huddle I autumn 2018 5
F O U N D A T I O N
CHAIRMAN’S Report
2018 has been a year identified for key planning by the Foundation to further assist the school in its future endeavours.
Introduction The Foundation continues its work to prepare for future key strategic initiatives as we proceed through the year. During the term we farewelled Briana Cicchelli who has been transferred to Sydney. We thank Briana for her valuable insights and contribution to the Board and wish her the best for the next part of her journey. Additionally, Shane Lawrence a long-standing director of two terms will be standing down after an enormous contribution to the Board. We are most grateful that Shane continues to assist the Board in event preparation and take this opportunity to formally thank him for a most significant role in the direction of the Foundation Board. Wilhelmina Morrison who has worked tirelessly for the Foundation has taken up a new role at the school assisting in the office of the Junior School. We wish her all the best and thank her for such able assistance to the Foundation. In doing so we welcome Liesa Hogg who will fill Wilhelmina’s shoes. Events 2018 saw a most successful Foundation Lunch with 160 attendees and a record fundraising effort. Everyone enjoyed a fabulous afternoon of food and entertainment. We were privileged to hear from Matthew Ames who shared with us the most inspiring story of his and his family’s courage as he dealt with adversity. There was not a dry eye in the house following our experience with Matthew. We extend our sincere gratitude to Sally Harris, Director of the Foundation who oversaw planning and running of the event. She was assisted ably by Alice Tidmarsh and Wilhelmina Morrison who both ensured in their support that the event ran smoothly.
28
huddle I spring 2018
We thank all of the parents who attended and supported the Foundation Lunch and we look forward to a bigger and better event in 2019. We are busily preparing for our second Fathers Lunch where we are fortunate to have former test cricketer Andy Bichel spend the afternoon with us and share his experiences. The event will offer great prizes, and following the success of the inaugural Fathers Lunch, promises to be a great afternoon. The lunch will be held at the Queensland Cricketers Club on Friday 14 September at 11:30am. I encourage all dads, grandfathers, uncles and friends to come along and share this memorable experience with us. Strategic Planning Following the completion of Foundation fundraising for the building of the Link we are turning our attention, as previously advised, to longer range funding activities to support the future of St Aidan’s School. Following great work being done on master planning, we will be in a position to speak more about this next exciting step in the Foundation’s work. Summary Finally I would like to thank all of the Directors again for their ongoing contribution of time and resources to ensure the Foundation discharges its duties successfully for the school. We are looking forward to exciting things ahead. Simon Morrison Chairman
F O U N D A T I O N
A nnual
Fo un datio n Lun c h Thank you for helping the St Aidan’s Foundation raise over $22,000 to continue their meaningful work in the School.
huddle I spring 2018 23
F O U N D A T I O N
F O U N D AT I O N
We have a lim ited number of stars rem aining, to purchase yo ur star, visit the Foundati on page on our website and click “Donate” or call the Foundation office on 3373 5999 .
St Aidan’s Stars 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. 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.
30
huddle I spring 2018
F O U N D A T I O N
Calling all fathers, grandfathers, uncles, godfathers and males in the St Aidan’s community, the annual lunch is on again! The Foundation is excited to welcome guest
St Aidan’s
Fathers LUNCH
Friday, 14 September 11.30am for 12pm
Queensland Cricketer’s Club The Gabba
speaker, Andy Bichel. Andy is a former Australian cricketer, who played 19 Test matches and 67 One Day Internationals for Australia between 1997 and 2004. He was a right-arm medium-fast bowler, but was also a hard-hitting lower-order batsman. Bichel represented Queensland in Australian domestic competitions and played for Worcestershire, Hampshire and Essex in English county cricket. Since retiring from playing, Bichel has been a coach and a selector. Andy will be interviewed by past President of the Queensland Cricketer’s Club, David Cook.
Gabba Towers, 411 Vulture St, East Brisbane
Guest Speaker: Andy Bichel, Australian Test Cricketer Cost: $160 Tickets: www.eventbrite.com.au For more details contact: foundation@staidans.qld.edu.au 07 3377 5999 Money can’t buy experiences to be won! Live music and cash bar from 3pm
St Aidan’s
foundation
huddle I spring 2018 31
PARENTS AND FRIENDS
Pa re nt s & Fr iend s May saw the legendary Trivia Night held in the CHC, with a theme of Commonwealth Games and a record 23 tables sold. Guests embraced the theme and dressed themselves and their tables extravagantly! All funds raised on the night were put towards the purchase of a new Ptula the Penguin mascot costume. After 22 years loyally supporting the school at every QGSSSA event as well as endless internal school appearances, Ptula is a little worse for wear. A massive $17,000 was raised which ensured the P&F would be able to cover the full cost of a new costume. A huge thanks must go to all of those who supported the event and came along on the night.
Melbourne LUNCHEO N Cup Tuesday 6 November, 11am Ind ooroop il l y G ol f C l ub Meiers Road, Indooroopilly 32
huddle I spring 2018
PARENTS AND FRIENDS
Celebrate the race that stops the nation at the St Aidan’s Melbourne Cup Luncheon Tickets available from www.flexischools.com.au Tickets are $110 each and can be purchased individually or in table groups of 10. For more information contact the St Aidan’s P&F Office: 3278 5124
Start organis ing your group now so that y ou don’t miss ou t!
huddle I spring 2018 33
UPCOMING EVENTS
St Aidan’s UPCOMING EVENTS TERM
TERM
concludes
commences
3
FOUNDATION FATHERS LUNCH Friday 14 September 11.30am The Cricketer’s Club Queensland - The Gabba
4
TERM 3 CONCLUDES
TERM 4 COMMENCES
Friday 21 September St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Monday 8 October St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
JUNIOR SCHOOL THE
LIVING ROOM
OPEN MORNING
Thursday 11 October 9.00am St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Greatest Show on Earth JUNIOR SCHOOL DISCO
Friday 19 October 6.00pm Christine Hartland Centre St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School 34
huddle I spring 2018
MADONNA KING
Thursday 11 October 6.00pm Auditorium St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Art & Music Show
JUNIOR SCHOOL ART & MUSIC EVENING Wednesday 17 October 4.00pm Christine Hartland Centre St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
The Grande Concert THE GRANDE CONCERT
Sunday 21 October 3.00pm Christine Hartland Centre St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
P&F MEETING Wednesday 24 October 6.30pm Auditorium St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
UPCOMING EVENTS
St Aidan’s UPCOMING EVENTS
glow
Melbourne Cup
A CELEBRATION
OF CREATING
AND MAKING IN THE LINK
VET CONVENTION
Saturday 27 October 10.00am The Link St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
GLOW Friday 2 November 5.30pm
P & F MELBOURNE CUP LUNCH
SPECIAL AWARDS ASSEMBLY
SCHOOL DANCE
The Link St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Tuesday 6 November 11.00am Indooroopilly Golf Club
Sports Awards Evening 2018
SPORTS AWARDS EVENING
Thursday 8 November 6.30pm Christine Hartland Centre St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Thursday 9 November 8.45am Christine Hartland Centre St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
YEAR 12’S LAST DAY
Saturday 10 November 7.00pm Christine Hartland Centre St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
JUNIOR
got
SCHOOL’S
TALENT
Annual Awards
CEREMONY
ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY Monday 12 November 7.00pm Concert Hall QPAC
YEAR 12’S LAST DAY Friday 16 November St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
JUNIOR SCHOOL’S GOT TALENT Tuesday 27 November 12noon Christine Hartland Centre St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
huddle I spring 2018 35
ARCHIVES AND ALUMNI
From the
ARCHI V ES The Letters
LIVE ON Many Old Girls may recall the pictured “St Aidan’s” letters from their Senior year. These were gifted to St Aidan’s by the class of 1998. They have each signed the back of the A and the T, which can still be seen today. The letters have appeared at all of the QGSSSA sporting events over the past 20 years and the 1998 girls were very excited to see them at their recent reunion.
36
huddle I spring 2018
1998 20 Year Reunion
ARCHIVES AND ALUMNI
2018 QGSSSA Cross Country
huddle I spring 2018 37
ARCHIVES AND ALUMNI
ALUMNI News
Engagements Maggie Spencer (2009) to David Theobald Anne Smith (2009) to Alex Woodland Kate Jacques (2009) to Alex Colby Annabel Kerr (2008) to Steen Balodis Kathy Brunnen (2008) to Brendon Ward Clementine Fox (2007) to Jim McNicol Sarina Raniga (2005) to Ashell Chand Danielle Prince (2009) to Greg Tischljar
Mrs Nancy Browning turns 100 Mrs Nancy Browning (McKellar) started her association with St Aidan’s as student number 280 in 1935. She was the first Austen sports captain and her two daughters, Kimberley (1971) and Nikki (1973), also attended St Aidan’s. Mrs Browning first taught with Sister Lois at St John’s Cathedral School, then alternating between teaching at St Aidan’s and St Margaret’s until 1953. When pregnant she taught her senior students at her home in Chelmer. After Nikki was born she resumed teaching and became a full-time staff member in 1966. Mrs Browning loved dogs and was even known to hide the local dogs in her art room to escape the Brisbane City Council dog catcher. There are many Old Girls who remember the technical skill and appreciation of Art implanted in them by Mrs Browning. She retired from teaching at the end of 1983 with a St Aidan’s association of nearly 50 years.
Births Rebecca Bickerton (Boyle 2013) welcomed Evelyn Karen on 23 May. Francesca (McLeod 2009) and Tony Reid welcomed Sally Francesca on 2 July.
Deaths Dorothy Knowlman (Grenning 1945) Margot Rickleman (Feather 1950) Caroline Davis (2002) Joan Casey (1941) Billie Roberts (Walker 1951) Judith Henzell (Mirls 1942)
Donations Thank you to the following people for their donations to the Archives: Elizabeth Grigg (past teacher) Helen Vann (1977) The Knowlman Family Rita Page (Stewart 1960) Wilhelmina Morrison (Rowlings 1977)
38
huddle I spring 2018
ARCHIVES AND ALUMNI
ALUMNI News Where are they now Isabelle Skinner (Lenigas 1979) has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nursing, as a federation of more than 130 national nursing associations, including the Australian College of Nursing. Isabelle will represent more than 20 million nurses worldwide. She will begin her role with the International Council of Nursing in Geneva in August. Sevannah Ellis (2012) moved to Melbourne at the beginning of the year to start her PhD in Neuroscience. Danielle Morris (2017) will be joining Austin Peay State University (Tennessee) as a freshman in 2018-19 class on a Tennis scholarship. Ross Brown head coach commented “Danielle is a great competitor with international experience, she will also help with doubles and I think will form the foundation of our team for seasons to come. She is very mature
Isabelle Skinner
for her age and will also make an immediate impact on our team.” Emma Woodhouse (2006) works for Virgin Australia. She recently found Josie Elliott’s (2007) photo book completed by her Mum Sue Elliott (Alumni Officer 2004-2007) in the Brisbane airport. Emma recognised Josie and returned the book safely. Love that St Aidan’s community! Vicki Morley (Henderson 1979) and Letita Alder (Duncan 1979) competed at the 11th International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew Championships in Szeged, Hungary and came away with 2nd in the women’s standard 200m and 4th in the women’s standard 500m boat races. Joan Solaga (Wilcox 1944) and Kay Walton (Heane 1959) have been friends for many years but had not met in person until Ascension Day. Both having low vision they regularly communicated through Telelink, a service run by Vision Australia. The ladies first met through the Telelink bible study group. Joan Solaga (Wilcox 1944) and Kay Walton (Heane 1959)
huddle I spring 2018 39
Donations
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
30
Re unio n s 2018 has seen the introduction of Reunion Week, celebrating 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 Year reunions along with Ascension Day all in the middle week of May.
60
Ms Toni Riordan was also able to catch up with Old Girls in New York on a recent trip.
20
YOG
30
50
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
40
40
ACT
50
20
YOG
huddle I autumn 2018 5
NY
ARCHIVES AND ALUMNI
Reclaimed: Objects & Images from Home In August, Old Girl Stephanie Theobald (1986) and her mother Bronwyn Theobald (past staff member) exhibited at Sidespace Gallery Salamanca Place, Hobart. Andrew Harper in the TasWeekend Mercury reported that “The exhibition investigates both artists’ reactions to recent exhibitions they have encountered around themes of colonialism and the traditions of scientific illustration. In the UK Steph was influenced by Bauer Brothers: Masters of Scientific Illustration at the Natural History Museum in London. Bronwyn was similarly thrilled by the recent Baudin exhibition at TMAG, and the two artists shared ideas, and cooked up a new show exploring the results.” Bronwyn has produced engaging and beautiful ceramic works, and Stephanie, paintings and collages made in a strong expressive style.
42
huddle I spring 2018
ARCHIVES AND ALUMNI
2019
reunion week After a very successful 2018 reunion week, we look forward to welcoming all of our Old Girls to St Aidan’s who are celebrating their reunions in 2019. 2019 marks the 90th birthday of St Aidan’s and there will be many other events throughout the year to celebrate this occasion. It would be fantastic to see Old Girls from all years attending these events!
Saturday 25 May 10 Year Reunion 5pm at St Aidan’s Sunday 26 May 40 Year Reunion 12noon at St Aidan’s Wednesday 29 May 50 Year Reunion 10am at St Aidan’s Thursday 30 May Ascension Day 2pm at St John’s Cathedral Thursday 30 May 60 & 70 Year Reunions 12noon at The Brisbane Club Friday 31 May Young Old Girls 5pm at St Aidan’s Friday 31 May 20 Year Reunion 7pm at St Aidan’s Saturday 1 June 30 Year Reunion 5pm at St Aidan’s huddle I spring 2018 43
OPEN MORNING
Open St Aidan’s Morning Open Morning is a great opportunity to meet members of our Educational Leadership Team, hear our Principal, Ms Toni Riordan, speak about St Aidan’s and take a tour with one of our current students.
Ms Toni Riordan will speak at 9.15am and student led tours of the Junior School and/or Senior School will follow from 9.45am.
Thurs 11 October 9am-11am
New places now available in Year 3 and Year 5 for 2019.
To register to attend Open Morning or book a private tour, please visit our website: www.staidans.qld.edu.au/events or contact Reception on 07 3373 5999.
44
huddle I spring 2018
THE LAST WORD
It’s like a schoolhouse of little words, thousands of words. First you figure out what each one means by itself, The jingle, the periwinkle, the scallop full of moonlight. Then you begin, slowly, to read the whole story. (Mary Oliver, Breakage)
Each year we take the Year 7 students out to the Brookfield Centre for Christian Spirituality for a Quiet Day. While any time spent being quiet, practising mindfulness, has clear benefits for health and wellbeing, there is an added bonus in being still in the middle of creation. Author Richard Louv writes about what he calls naturedeficit disorder, the result of children spending less and less time outside, connecting with nature. There is ample evidence that spending time outside leads to benefits in mental health, educational achievement and even eyesight. And the joy of discovering the beauty and potential of the natural world, along with negotiating its risks, stretches us to grow and develop in a myriad of ways. The spiritual dimension to being outdoors includes a growing awareness of our connection with the rest of the natural world. For we as humans do not sit outside of nature but we are firmly embedded within in. We breathe in what the trees breathe out. We are as dependent upon water as any fish. We rely on the soil to produce our food, clothing and much else. All of this bears God’s fingerprints, sometimes so subtly that we must be paying very close attention to notice. As the poet reminds us, even a flower or sea creature has a story to tell about what it means to hold something of the divine within. Bringing our students into the outside, slowing them down, and framing the experience with worship and reflection, invites them to begin to read.
Anglican Girls’ School
St Aidan’s
AUTHENTIC CARING CONFIDENT C R E AT I V E CONNECTED
Open Morning 11 Ruthven St, Corinda Qld 4075 Australia P +61 7 3373 5999 F +61 7 3379 9432 E reception@staidans.qld.edu.au www.staidans.qld.edu.au
Thursday 11 October 9am-11am
Visit our website to find out more:
www.staidans.qld.edu.au
A School of the Society of the Sacred Advent ABN 71079817981 CRICOS Provider Number 01194k
www.youtube.com/staidansags
www.facebook.com/StAidans
twitter.com/staidansagsidansags