Issue no. 29
Ponytail Project Fundraising Tops $21,000!
Students in Years 7 to 12 at St Peter’s Girls’ School have done a fantastic job raising $21,591 for Cancer Council SA so far through the Ponytail Project.
We are now looking forward to Wednesday when the girls will ‘Rock the Chop’ during lunch, with hairdressers from Orbe salon in Norwood donating their time to trim the ponytails the required 10cm. The hair removed will not be wasted, being donated to make wigs for cancer sufferers. On the same day, the School will also donate the results of additional Kilburn House Charity fundraising. The total of more than $24,000 going to Cancer Council SA highlights the contribution the girls are making to their community through the Service Learning Program at St Peter’s Girls.
Of course, there is still the unfinished matter of the Ponytail Project House competition, with Kennion ($8,813) maintaining their lead over Kilburn ($6,355) with Selwyn ($3,382) and Patteson ($3,041) trailing. At this late stage, the only way to shift the positions is to support students and staff in the final part of their fundraising efforts. Donations can be as little as $1. To make your contribution, visit the House team sites:
https://ponytailsa.everydayhero.com/au/team-kennion
https://ponytailsa.everydayhero.com/au/kilburn
https://ponytailsa.everydayhero.com/au/team-patteson
https://ponytailsa.everydayhero.com/au/team-selwyn
Great job girls!
Dr Thomas Barclay
Science Teacher
A Message from the Debating and Public Speaking Prefect
I am proud to say that the debating and public speaking season this year has yielded much success, with girls from an array of year levels excelling in various competitions.
Earlier this year, many of our girls competed in the Rostrum Voice of Youth, and Anika Bruin, Misha Yagnik and Holly Wallman-Craddock really showed their prowess for public speaking, making it all the way to the State Finals. We also had Ellie Anderson from Year 11 win the Don Neill Memorial Trophy in the Probus Club of Burnside’s Schools’ Public Speaking Competition, placing first against fierce competition from Year 11s and 12s from other schools. The debating season has been equally successful, as multiple teams made it to the Semi-Finals of the Debating SA competition (an impressive feat in itself), and our most senior team is currently preparing for the Grand Finals at Parliament House!
This year, although I have observed undeniable skilfulness in the way the girls have tackled each speech that comes their way, what has impressed me the most is each girl’s sheer determination and true sense of camaraderie. Debating and public speaking are both truly fantastic ways to gain confidence, understand global issues and develop the skill of thinking on your feet. It’s also a terrific way to make new friends, learn how to win an argument and talk for eight minutes without anyone stopping you!
More than ever, these are the times when it is imperative that we use our voices and speak up for what we believe in – and the skills you gain from public speaking and debating will ensure you are able to do just that. I have no doubt that next year, under Hattie’s leadership, we will continue to flourish and excel, in true Saints’ fashion!
Aditi Tamhankar
Debating and Public Speaking Prefect
Old Scholar Achieves Life Goals in AFLW
Football Journey
Starting in AFL London, I played my first footy with the Wandsworth Demons. I was originally going to play Gaelic and teach while there. My friend and sister both wanted to play footy and found out AFL London were starting an inaugural women’s league. We went to a come-and-try day and met Rachel Gouldingay who introduced us to the Demons. They were very inclusive and had a great vibe. We then got to explore other places, and support and grow footy over there. I instantly fell in love with the game and the community aspect.
After returning home, I became involved in the talent search and was open to have some sport through the Crows to see where I needed to develop. The SANFL started up and I was named Captain of North Adelaide Roosters. After a season with them, I was back at community footy in winter where our Coach Krissie Steene was able to get our games filmed and sent out to clubs in other states. I decided to trial for Collingwood’s VFLW team and was selected in 2018. I was also named Collingwood Captain. I moved over to Melbourne, working in three different schools doing relief teaching, and living with friends.
In the 2019 draft, I was picked at number 42 for Carlton. I took a full-time job with Westgarth Primary School and played the year with Carlton. I have now been signed on for 2020 with them also.
The whole experience has been very quick as I was quite new to footy, however, it has been a wonderful adventure. I have learnt a lot about behaviours and balance in life.
I consider my educational experience at Saints Girls to be very fortunate. It helped me to further develop leadership and skills that I have taken into my work, social and sporting life. I played hockey, softball, basketball and was in athletics. I tried most of the sports going through my schooling journey.
Challenging me to dive out of my comfort zone and participate in all areas of the School allowed me to graduate as a confident leader and further helped me to shape a vision in passing my knowledge on to the next generation.
Jess Edwards (Patteson ’07)
Carlton Football Club AFLW Player
From the Director of Teaching and Learning
Research tells us that outcomes for students improve when parents are actively involved in the learning of their children. This can be as simple as a question or two during mealtimes or thinking together about the best ways of researching a new topic. Busy 21st century lives can make these precious moments more difficult to find, but all the evidence suggests that such family activities, even brief ones, can have big impacts on academic outcomes and general wellbeing. After all, teachers are in loco parentis; the parents are the teachers with whom young people spend the most time.
We are fortunate in having a community of engaged and supportive parents. We hope that the forthcoming academic progress reports will provide some conversation prompts and, in many cases, cause for some praise and celebration. Next week, the Middle and Senior School teachers will be introduced to a simple tracking system that provides an overview of report grades within a year and across the years; this system will enable us to more easily identify particular patterns, such as ‘plateauing’ students or students whose end-of-year grades do not quite match those from Terms 1 or 2. Quality teaching, meaningful data analysis, and support at home – all potent ingredients that maximise the likelihood of positive outcomes and the meeting of goals.
NAPLAN results have all now arrived in school, and if your daughter participated in the testing this year, you will shortly be receiving her NAPLAN student report. As you will be aware, our students were tested in online mode this year. One of the many benefits of this approach is that the data produced for school analysis is richer and much more focused on individual students. An enhanced and easier-to-navigate analysis platform means that more teachers and support staff will more readily be able to extract useful information which can then be fed back into future NAPLAN test preparations and teaching approaches more generally to improve outcomes in 2020 and beyond.
Nigel Scoggins
Director of Teaching and Learning
Patteson House Dinner
Last Friday, Patteson students from Years 7 to 12 attended the annual House Dinner, ready for a night of games, food, music and fun in the Arts Centre disguised as an American high school.
This year did not fail to meet expectations! We were blown away with all of the girls’ costumes which matched the American clique given to each year. The Year 7s did a brilliant job as the nerds, wearing fake braces, geeky glasses and groovy suspenders. A particularly creative Year 7 dressed as an actual box of nerds! The Year 8s nailed the jock look, finding a perfect balance between looking super cool without even trying. The Year 9s brought all the spirit with their cheerleading outfits, but despite their efforts, nothing could inspire enthusiasm in the Year 10 goths! Then we had the Year 11s, or should I say the teachers. There were some unnervingly accurate look-a-likes of Ms Mortimer, Mr Dingwall, Mr Mills, Ms Lines and Ms O’Brien! Our special guests, the Year 12s, decked out in pink as the ‘popular girls’ for their last ever House Dinner. Finally, the teachers looked very comfortable in their hippie outfits; a big shoutout to Mr Durant who went to the effort of buying a long, grey haired wig for the occasion.
The night was a huge success and we were happy to see the girls putting their best efforts into all of the games while filling up on tater-tots, pizza and ice-cream sundaes! A big thank you to the parent volunteers and teachers who helped organise the night, making it one to remember!
Emily Downie and Belle Black
Year 11 students
Composer’s Outstanding Composure at Music Festival
This month, the Primary Schools’ Music Festival took to the stage of the Festival Theatre. Each of the 10 performances featured a 500-strong choir, a youth orchestra, a primary school drama troupe and a number of guest musical items by primary and secondary students from across the State. The festival involves around 12,000 children and the music is heard by approximately 30,000 people.
I was honoured this year to be asked to compose the commissioned work, entitled Dear Pen Pal. The theme is Adelaide and her six sister cities. Each song composed for the song cycle taught the children about the music and the culture of our six sister cites – Himeji, Japan; Austin, Texas, USA; Qingdao, China; Christchurch, New Zealand; and Georgetown, Malaysia.
The presentation of the work by primary school students was truly amazing. On top of hearing the work sung by the choir and performed by an orchestra, the troupe brought each city to life with beautiful costumes and outstanding dance choreography. As a composer, the whole event has been a real career highlight.
Robyn Habel
Music Teacher
Year 5 Production Next Week – Don’t Miss Out on Tickets!
Time’s running out to secure your seats to see this wonderful show: Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR.
Grandparents who would prefer to attend a matinee performance will be invited to buy tickets to the school session on Friday 27 September at 1.15pm, which our Junior School students will be attending.
26 – 27 September 2019 at 7pm
St Peter’s Girls’ School Arts Centre
Ticket prices:
Adult $17
Student/Concession $12
Family (2 Adults/2 Children) $42
Visit www.trybooking.com/BDZQK
Junior School Vacation Care – Countdown is On!
Our next awesome instalment of Junior School Vacation Care is almost here. We have some great activities guaranteed to keep the children entertained through the break. With an array of excursions and on-site adventures, there is plenty of fun to be had.
Vacation Care Program – October 2019
Places are limited, so please click here to secure your booking now!
Raising ‘Dough’ for Cambodia Trip
To support fundraising for the Cambodia Service Learning Trip, we invite you to enjoy a pizza dinner at the Feathers Hotel on 23 September (next Monday, Week 10). For every pizza sold, $10 will go towards the trip. You can make a reservation by clicking here, or by calling the Feathers on 8249 7700. On the night, there will be a raffle with a great prize.
The fundraising team is also selling portable chargers for just $40 via www.trybooking.com/BEYTR.
We are all very excited to take part in this trip, making life-long memories and seeing the impact of our fundraising in a community where we can improve the quality of life.
Old Scholars’ Generations Photo – Friday 18 October
To acknowledge the Old Scholars’ connection and highlight the importance of generations in the School’s rich history, there is an opportunity to capture a moment in time with a photograph of the current students with their Old Scholar mothers and/or grandmothers.
Please join us for morning tea on Chiverton Lawns at 10am prior to a group photograph with your daughter and/or granddaughter.
We encourage you to bring an item of School memorabilia to wear, e.g. blazer, hat, badge or gloves.
You are then invited to join in the School Assembly at 12.25pm in the Arts Centre for the official cutting of the 125th birthday cake.
RSVP by Monday 14 October to Megan McCormack via mmccormack@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au or 8334 2239
Women’s Workshop Empowers Year 8 Girls
A group of Year 8 girls visited Burnside Council this week to participate in the Suffragette Workshop aimed at empowering women. The speakers included South Australia’s first female Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, and local member, the Hon Vickie Chapman, Burnside Mayor, past staff member and Old Scholar Anne Monceaux (nee Harrington, Kennion ’66), not-for-profit organisation CEO Evelyn O’Loughlin, soccer captain and footy player Marijana Rajcic, human rights and anti-domestic violence campaigner Saru Rana, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s advocate Vicky Welgraven, and YWCA Young Women’s Leadership Coordinator Lisa Gascoigne.
We learned about their experiences with gender inequality and the troubles they have faced. The speakers taught us that we need to acknowledge the important people who make our lives better and encourage us to follow our dreams. What we found especially valuable was the message that the speakers unanimously agreed upon, that we are put on this earth to do something to inspire others. The women strongly believe in encouraging us to follow our dreams, no matter what other people say. They spoke about using your voice and taking advantage of the opportunities you have.
In the 125th anniversary year of our School – and South Australian women winning the right to vote – the Suffragette Workshop was a meaningful experience. We are especially grateful to Anne Monceaux for talking to our group, as she taught us many interesting things and we enjoyed hearing about her personal journey.
Lucy Schirripa and Ariel Spartalis
Year 8 students
Eisteddfod Results
Nicole Wang – Adelaide Eisteddfod
12 years and under Piano Solo (own choice) – Honorary Mention
Grade 7/8 Piano Solo – 2nd Prize
12 years and under Piano Solo (romantic era own choice) – 1st Prize
11-16 years Piano Solo (3 or 4 works from at least 3 different eras) – 3rd Prize.
Abigail Papps – Balaklava Eisteddfod
2nd in the Junior Contemporary Vocal category
Honourable Mention in the Junior Non-Classical Vocal category
Emily Kim – Adelaide Eisteddfod
Silver medal in the Under 9 Violin section
Jasmin Baker
Piano Intermediate – Bronze
Instrumental (Cello) Intermediate – Silver
Well done girls!
You’re Invited! Friends of Rowing Season Opening BBQ
Sunday 27 October from 5 – 7pm on the School grounds
$25 per adult
$20 per rower/child
(includes yummy chicken, lamb or falafel yiros, nibbles and soft drinks)
Bubbly, white wine, red wine and beer available on the night for purchase.
Join us as we welcome all of our new and returning rowers and their families to mark the opening of the 2019-2020 season.
Tickets available via www.trybooking.com/BEZUT
Thursday Club Special Performance
Thursday Club is an extension program for vocalists and instrumentalists who show interest and aptitude for performing within the Jazz ad pop genre. Renowned Adelaide Jazz guitarist Mike Bevan works weekly with students to develop their knowledge and skills in creating unique music arrangements for performance.
Next Thursday 26 September, our Thursday Club will be performing a two hour set at Base Camp Café on Glynburn Road at Burnside from 5 – 7pm. We invite everyone to come along to this local venue, hosted by past Saints Girls’ parent Boris Vidic. Entry is free, and tapas and beverages will be available for purchase to enjoy while listening to some high-quality music from our Thursday Club vocalists accompanied by Mike on guitar.
A great way to celebrate the end of term and relax after a busy Thursday!
School Shop Reminder – Summer Uniform
With only one week left in Term 3 and a change from winter to summer uniform imminent, it’s time to dig out those summer dresses to ensure they still fit, or to upgrade if necessary.
The School Shop will be open on Thursday and Friday of the second week of the school holidays (10 – 11 October) from 9am – 4pm.
Summer uniform is required from the first day of Term 4.
Please call the School Shop on 83342228 or email schoolshop@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au to book a uniform fitting appointment.
School Shop
Australian Made – The Partners of Veterans Association – SA
2pm Sunday 29 September
The Band of the 10th/27th Battalion, Royal South Australia Regiment will be performing a concert – Australian Made – on Sunday 29 September, featuring music from Australian artists who have helped shape our great nation.
Tickets: $15
Venue: St Peter’s Girls’ School Arts Centre
For tickets, click here, or contact Chris on 0468 786 241, Angela on 0416 221 328, or Linda on 0417 081 150.
Sports News
BADMINTON
Yang Yang Gu (Year 8) has been selected to attend the U15 National Championships as a member of the SA team in Queensland from 29 September to 5 October.
SURFING
Imogen Elliott (Year 9) has been invited to Hawaii to train with other members of Surfing SA and WA during the school holidays. This is an outstanding opportunity for Imi to challenge herself in some difficult conditions, prior to her attending Junior Nationals at Margaret River in December.
She has also been selected by Surfing Australia/AIS to again attend a three day training/mentoring course with Layne Beachley from 29-31 October. This not only encompasses surfing, but also positive thinking, goal setting, health and nutrition, and competing as a female in sport. With only 10 positions available nationally to attend this course, it is a great achievement to receive an invite.
BASKETBALL
Year 6 Blue – Saints 18 defeated by Seymour 31
Our last game for the term and first loss. We came up against the other undefeated team and, on this occasion, they were too good. As usual, the effort was there, but we missed a lot of easy baskets and had good opportunities. I was really pleased with the improvement the girls have shown throughout the term and their attitude, which was one of wanting to learn. Thank you girls for your efforts. – Brenton Davies (Coach)
Year 6 White – Saints 34 defeated Pembroke 12
The Saints girls faced Pembroke yesterday in the last game of the season. They started off slow going into the second half level with Pembroke. In the second half the Saints girls’ scoring and effort on the rebounds benefitted them, with multiple girls scoring baskets. – Jacob Evans (coach)
Under 13 – Saints 11 defeated by Glenelg 15
Our team played in the Grand Final, facing our biggest rival: Glenelg. The first quarter ended with the score being 3 to 4 Glenelg’s way. It continued to be nail-bitingly close the whole game, with scores tied at 6 goals each at half-time. In the second half, Glenelg pulled ahead by 4 goals, and as hard as the girls tried, we couldn’t catch up by the end of the last quarter. The girls’ efforts, accomplishments and skill development over the last year was obvious in their play and, as a Coach, I could not be prouder of what they have achieved. – Caitlyn Grayston (Coach)
NETBALL
Year 4 Blue – Saints 7 defeated Pembroke Blue 2
Saints Girls came out strongly in the first quarter, scoring 5 of their 7 goals; well done Amelia Massicci and Wei Ning Khoo. Our girls were great in defence with interceptions and rebounds. Passing and reoffering ensured there were some great passages of play. Well done girls, great team work. – Karen Braund (Coach)
Year 3/4 White – Saints 14 defeated Seymour 0
Our last away game for the term was a great success. The girls were able to keep the opposition from scoring a goal. Saints demonstrated how far they have come over the term with their skills. Of particular note was their ability to make space after a turn-over. Rather than crowding the area, our girls spread out over the court, providing many options to our passer. Phoebe Fan shot brilliantly in goals and Lois showed her skills in passing brilliantly to the goal circle. All girls displayed excellent team spirit. Congratulations girls! – Georgie Owler (Student Coach)
SOCCER
Year 6 – Saints 0 defeated by Wilderness Blue 3
In a hard-fought game, it was great to see the girls getting more tackles, moving the ball around the pitch and getting out of trouble. Thanks go to Emily Tolladay and Matilda Powell for being goalkeepers. Looking forward to our last game. – Seb Mazzarolo (Coach)
Year 3/4 – Saints 1 defeated by Loreto 2
This match, we were finally tested, and it was tight. Loreto started well, managing to score 2 goals in the first half. Lauren Disney slotted through 1 goal for St Peter’s Girls. The defence of both teams was amazing and special mention to Lily Forby who was particularly strong in her role as ‘general of defence’. Even though this was our first defeat for the season, the girls showed grit and perseverance right up to the final whistle. – Mark Routley (Coach)