In this issue

Celebrating academic success

The foundress of the Order of the Sacred Heart, Madeleine Sophie Barat said, ‘In this struggle concerning education, the Heart of Jesus asks us not for our blood, but for our minds. We must strengthen our studies by intellectual work.’

Today, as a community, we had the opportunity to celebrate our Sacred Heart goal of ‘deep respect of intellectual values’ through acknowledging strong academic performance. This assembly allowed us to celebrate the pursuit of academic success through taking personal responsibility for learning through embracing accountability and effort.

Of significant note was the increase across all year levels in the attainment of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Academic awards of which we are very proud. Achievement like this is testament to the intentional focus on supporting students to activate strategies to ensure they are owners of their learning and wellbeing through a self-determined approach. This is at the heart of our growing to great strategy at Stuartholme.

 How can parents support the development of a self-determined approach?

Self-determination Theory suggests we have three innate needs that act as drivers of motivation – autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When these needs are not met, this can serve to inhibit motivation. Parents can work to support their child’s motivation through:

• Ensuring they can make meaningful choices in their life
• Allowing them to embrace their passion areas
• Supporting their interests through being a ‘guide on the side’
• Encouraging them to dive deeply into their areas of interest to support mastery
• Being there for them and valuing their connection.

Stuartholme setting up students for success in educational pathways

Underpinning our practice at Stuartholme is our distinct commitment to a Sacred Heart education. This is exemplified as we call on the wisdom of Mother Janet Erskine Stuart, whereby she states “our education is not meant to turn the children out small and finished, but seriously begun on a wide-basis.”

Our Year 10 cohort has experienced over the last few weeks the care and guidance to establish a platform for success in senior pathways. Through our extensive careers education, subject and SET planning processes, our students are expertly guided to ensure they are successful well beyond the gates of Stuartholme.

I congratulate all in our community who are working towards their very best through embracing their passion and interests.

Best wishes,

Deb Lonsdale-Walker
Acting Deputy Principal

References:

1. 2019, The Motivation Paradox, Psychology Today 

The Goals of Sacred Heart Education 

It’s often said that the Goals of Sacred Heart Education underpin everything that we do at Stuartholme. As you know, the Goals are that we educate to: 

1. a personal and active faith in God. 
2. a deep respect for intellectual values; 
3. the building community as a Christian value; 
4. a social awareness that impels to action; 
5. personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom. 

One of the great expressions of how these Goals guide us is through our Student Retreat program. Since returning from the mid-year break, Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 have all had their annual retreat day.  

Year 7 Retreat – Cor Unum 

Taking the theme of Cor Unum – One Heart, our Year 7 retreat is a part of the induction of the newest members of our community into the life and mission of our school. Whilst all the Goals are featured throughout the day, it is Goal 1 – a personal and active faith in God – that is at the centre of this retreat, as the students explore the meaning of our School motto Cor Unum. Along the way, they were supported by a group of Year 9 students who volunteered to act as leaders for the day.  

 Year 8 Retreat – Building Community 

Each year, our Year 8 retreat is facilitated by Mr Michael Fitzpatrick. The focus of our Year 8 retreat is Goal 3 – building community as a Christian value. For over 30 years, Michael has worked in Catholic schools across Queensland, supporting individual cohorts of students to understand each other, name some of the challenges they face as a group and that are synonymous with community life, and work together to find solutions to move forward and deepen connections. He does this in a beautifully supportive way that empowers the students and helps them to realise more deeply the Spirit of Cor Unum, where all are embraced for their uniqueness and giftedness. 

Year 9 Retreat – Future Anything 

For the first time, Stuartholme partnered with Future Anything for our Year 9 retreat. Over the course of two days and with a focus on Goal 4 – a social awareness that impels to action – the Year 9 students explored how they can catalyse their unique skills, traits and gifts as “Sacred Heart Leaders” to prototype and pitch innovative ideas to complex problems, with the ultimate aim to make the world a better place. Their awareness of the real concerns that we face in the world, and the innovative solutions they came up with was phenomenal. 

Keys to success 

One of the keys to the success of our Retreat Program is its developmental approach, meeting the students where they are at as the years go by. And of course, the way that they bring to life our Sacred Heart Goals of Education!  

I encourage you to spark a conversation with your daughter about her experience of retreat! 

 Justin Golding
Dean of Mission

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Term 3 is a time of year when the Boarding House hums with the rhythm of routine. Our Boarders are busy studying, playing sports, singing in choirs, reading at mass, sharing the events of the day in The Nest and performing the newest K Pop routine they have learnt. In times like these, we see Boarding as a home and we are privileged to share these moments with our girls.

Life in boarding is always moving forward and we continue to grow and build as a community. This week boarding has welcomed Sarah, our new maths and science tutor, who will enhance our academic support program, and staff are refining our new study tracking system. We celebrated the announcement of our 2023 boarding student leaders and are excited to hear their plans and begin the boarding leadership formation journey with them.  Our rec officers Miss Bree and Miss Taylor formed new bonds with St Hilda’s and TSS which resulted in new social opportunities for our Yr 7 to 9 boarders. We must also mention the spectacular planning of the Christmas in July scavenger hunt which saw boarders discovering all the secret hiding places within Stuartholme.

Although we all live together, we don’t often venture out altogether, which is why our annual dinner with the boarders from Nudgee College is an exciting evening. On Thursday 28^th July, our boarders enjoyed a Christmas in July-themed evening at Nudgee College. We heard from guest speakers, created new friendships, and had the chance to catch up with familiar faces and hometown mates. A huge thank you to Nudgee College for their warm hospitality.

As we move into Week 5, we encourage our Boarders to reflect on the words of Madeline Sophie Barat – Be humble. Be simple, and bring joy to others. For it is in the small moments of our everyday lives, the ones we share so openly with each other, that we reinforce our Sacred Heart community.

Jane Morris
Dean of Boarding

Protecting our children in the real world and online

I was pleased to have the opportunity to join Ms Pierina Curties, Leader of Student Wellbeing for Year 8, at a recent Year Level Assembly.  We spoke to the students about the importance of our school being an inclusive and safe environment for every student. We took the opportunity to remind students about utilising technology responsibly and gave the students some key tips to enhance their online safety which can work to enhance healthy relationships at school.

It is worthwhile sharing some of these tips which were reiterated by a range of experts, including the Queensland Police, at a recent Child Protection seminar I attended.

The top tips for protecting your daughter online

1. It is just as important to play the role of parent in the online world – so keep up to date with this world and who your daughter is connecting with.
2. The internet is the most public place to be – help your daughter understand this before she posts or emails anything online.
3. Keep internet-linked devices out of the bedroom – this reduces the risks to your daughter by 50 percent.
4. No student should be on a device between the hours of 10pm and 6am

Putting the internet in context for our children

The Internet can make it hard for young people to put the real world in context.

A key role that we can play as parents and caregivers is to empower our girls to understand that the online world is merely an extension of the real world.

As such we must encourage our girls to exhibit the very same values online that we as a community would expect in the real world such as kindness, human dignity and respect.

When to get help?

It is important that our girls understand that cyberbullying is a criminal offence and against the law.

The office of the eSafety Commissioner ( www.esafety.gov.au) has been established by the Australian Government to help families with cyberbullying and provide support.

Reports of offensive or illegal content can be made anonymously. The Office can also work to get cyberbullying material removed from any communication service.

Opportunities for parents and carers

The eSafety Commissioner also provides webinars to offer invaluable information to help give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences. You can register for these webinars at the following site: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

Below is the schedule of topics for the rest of 2022.

Elizabeth Foxover
Acting Dean of Student Wellbeing

Don’t forget to visit Toowong Village Shopping Centre and cast your vote in the ‘Art with Heart’ competition.

We are so grateful to Toowong Village for supporting our upcoming Art Show event by featuring an Art Display at The Village called “Art with Heart”.

Stuartholme students decorated small Heart shapes with their interpretation of what it means to “Love the Village” of Stuartholme.  Just like we “Love the Village” of Toowong.

You’ll find the “Art with Heart” Art Display on –

• Level 1 (near the Library)
• Wed 27 July to Wed 10 August, 2022

HOW TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE HEART & WIN!

Visit the “Art with Heart” People’s Choice Display on Level 1 and vote for your favourite Heart, for your chance to win a Toowong Village Gift Card!

1. Scan the QR code at the display
2. Complete the quick online form
3. Vote for your favourite Heart (each Heart has it’s own number on a pink dot)

PRIZES

There are two prizes to be won by Voters –

• 1st prize is $100 Toowong Village Gift Card
• Runner up prize is $50 Toowong Village Gift Card

Stuartholme students submitted incredible heart designs and the public gets to pick the winner!

Every vote goes into the draw to win a $100 Toowong Village gift voucher.

The competition runs until Thursday 11 August.

As the days are getting warmer, we are taking this opportunity to remind everyone that from the 15th of August, students may choose to wear their summer uniform.

School blazers, navy rib stockings, and navy school jumpers are no longer compulsory when travelling to and from school. However, if it is cool in the mornings the blazer is still the outer garment worn when travelling to and from school.

As the season changes it is also a good opportunity to check current uniform for splits in seams and fallen hems. For those who have gone through a growth spurt, this is a timely reminder that the formal day uniform should be worn just below the knee.

Thank you in advance for your support with these matters.

Elizabeth Foxover
Acting Dean of Student Wellbeing

Equestrian News

In the second week of school holidays and again in the first weekend of term 3, ten riders from the Stuartholme Equestrian Team along with their horses travelled to Toowoomba to compete at the Hygain Interschool Equestrian Queensland State Championships. The girls have been training all year and going to as many competitions as possible in order to get enough qualifiers to compete at this event. The first week of competition was Show Horse, Show Jumping and Dressage, and the second weekend was for Combined Training and Eventing. We had an extremely successful time in both events bringing home the win for the eventing and combined training overall school, and fifth in the dressage teams. We also had many individual successes, and a special mention needs to go to Sienna Pelto for winning the 95cm Combined Training and Grace Anthony for winning the 2* Eventing. In both of these classes there was extremely stiff competition and these girls have worked tirelessly all year for these results. Any of the Stuartholme girls who placed in the top four in their chosen discipline will now be going off to Sydney next holidays to represent Queensland.

As always, events like this cannot happen without a huge input from many people. A massive thank you to the amazing team coaches, Lesley Brodbeck and Lily Ballard. They worked tirelessly over the entire competition preparing the riders for each of their events and helping us warm-up and ready ourselves and our horses for the events. Thank you to the parents who multitask and take on the roles of groom, truck driver, and support crew. Without these people, we would never be able to compete at these competitions.

Hannah Cioccarelli

The above competition will be held again this year with competitors split into three Year Groups – Year 7 (2 minutes), Years 8 & 9 (3 minutes) and Years 10, 11 and 12 (3 and half minutes).

You can choose your own topic from quotes by either Janet Erskine Stuart or Madeleine Sophie Barat.  If you wish, you can choose from a list of possible topics from either Mr Costantini or Mrs Gallagher R201.

The competition will commence on 15 August and will be conducted over 3 days during the lunch break.  First, second and third place getters will receive medals. The adjudicators will select a Junior Champion (Years 7 to 9) and a Senior Champion (Years 10 to 12) and both will receive a trophy and have their names engraved on the Perpetual Public Speaking Trophies displayed at Stuartholme.  Honour Pocket notations will be awarded to the respective champions.

Make contact with Mr Costantini or Mrs Gallagher if you would like a task sheet. (mgallagher@stuartholme.com).

To celebrate Stuartholme’s 2022 Art Show –  Exposition des Beaux – Arts hosted by the Stuartholme Sacré Coeur Association we will be running a Junior Art Competition

We are encouraging young girls to create self-portraits that convey who they truly are. It could be drawings, paintings, digital art or photography – Make yourself.

All works will be showcased and prize recipients announced at the Stuartholme Art Show – Exposition des Beaux – Arts on Sunday 14 August 2022.  The finalist’s work will be shown in an online gallery for parents and family to share.

For more information please visit https://stuartholme.com/makeyourself-artcompetition2022/

S60 is in full swing! We have group fitness classes, supervised gym access and adult training sessions!

We’ve freshened up the area, the tunes are on and we have an amazing group of trainers. There is something for everyone down at Freers so visit S60’s MyStu page for more details!

S60 Classes:

We have seven classes throughout the week on offer to the girls. These include aerobics, cardio, strength and core training. The emphasis on having fun and creating a healthy relationship with exercise!

> $10/ week

YouthFit:

Supervised gym access is now available! YouthFit allows girls to learn techniques and boost their confidence in a safe, training environment.

> $15/ week (includes classes!)

Adult Sessions:

We currently have two adult groups who train at S60 who would love for you to join! The classes are 60 minutes and combines cardio and weights training. The groups are mostly made up of past and present Stuartholme parents.

Group 1: Training on Monday & Thursday @ 8:15am

Group 2: Training on Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 5:30am

To register your interest in either group, please email s60@ghrc.com.au 

Last week, I shared some steps for using the personalised digital assessment calendars (available now via myStuartholme) to create a heatmap of the term ahead.  This is an effective way to proactively plan for the times of peak busyness and set a sustainable pace for the full ten weeks.  Even with a clear plan ahead, students can still struggle to get started when it comes time to sit down and study.  This is especially true if they are not working towards a deadline or feel like the due date is in the distant future.  When we know that we have a set amount of time to do something, it can inspire us to leave the work to the very last minute and procrastinate that perfectly planned time away.  And when the task at hand is not particularly enticing, it becomes even more difficult to find the motivation to begin.  What is needed, is a little creativity to feel inspired to start.

The French artist Henri Matisse said, ““Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working.”  It would be reasonable to assume that Matisse was someone with high intrinsic motivation. For most of us, we need at least some extrinsic motivation to get started. On Monday, as part of the “study hacks that work” series, our Year 7s learned how music and dance can be used as creative study tools to overcome procrastination and get into the “inspired while working” zone.  The focus of this week’s article is to answer the same question that our youngest scholars have been considering: can music help me study?

In the early 1990s, there was a popular theory that listening to classical music made people more intelligent.  Further research found that music had no impact on a person’s IQ, but it could significantly affect their mood.  When we are in a good mood, we are more likely to try a bit harder and stick with more challenging tasks.  The “Mozart Effect” was actually a case of students studying more effectively and achieving improved academic outcomes as a result of their efforts.  But it is not just a case of putting on your headphones and getting to work, because music can also be distracting.

When is music distracting?  It can be a distraction if:

•   It is on while you are trying to learn something new or challenging
•   It is too fast or too slow
•   It is too angry or too sad (puts you in a bad mood)
•   It has vocals (hip-hop and rap are the most distracting)
•   You are an introvert or you are someone who is sensitive to noise

When is music helpful?  It can support your study if it:

•   Is played during memorization activities or repetitive routine tasks
•   Is not too fast, not too slow: 50 to 80 beats per minute is ideal
•   Makes you feel pleasant and relaxed
•  Does not have any vocals (no words)
•   Is background music at a low volume

Despite the Mozart Effect being debunked, classical music still comes out on top as the best choice to enhance study.  If you want to try adding music to your own study routine, rock a little Baroque!

For more strategies to overcome procrastination, students can make an appointment for an Academic Performance meeting with me by emailing: avanhomrigh@stuartholme.com

Hi everyone,

It’s been a great fortnight with lots of careers things happening.

Year 10 SET planning

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with lots of Year 10 students and parents for SET planning. This was a really valuable process and I hope that all students and families are feeling clearer and more confident about the future as a result of their meetings. Please know I am always here to help, so if you have any questions or would like to talk further, you are welcome to email me.

University applications open plus ATAR portal registrations open

This week, university applications open for Year 12 students interested in further study. Students were also able to register themselves for the ATAR portal this week and this is where they will go to receive their ATAR in December.

Year 12 students who are interested in making an application for university are encouraged to re-visit the QTAC presentation from last week and/or to come along to TAC Attack for application tips and help. TAC Attack begins next Monday afternoon and will run each Monday until the end of term (excluding exam blocks).

As per usual, please find below a collection of info and events that might interest you and your daughters.

If your daughter would like to book in to chat to me, please ask her to use this booking form (which she should also have received from me via email earlier this term): Bookings: Chat with Mr Lillyman

Warm regards,

Mr Tom Lillyman
Careers Counsellor

OPEN DAYS

Reminder: Open Days are a really great way to check out the different institutions you could study with. Here are the 2022 dates for Open Days around Queensland.

Please follow the links below to register for the Open Days you would like to attend. Registering for the day allows you to book in for any tours, seminars, and other activities that have limited places (and cannot be registered for on the day).

Sunday, 24 July – University of Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay campus (at Petrie)

Sunday, 31 July – QUT, Gardens Point & Kelvin Grove campuses

Saturday, 6 August – TAFE Queensland, Southbank campus

Sunday, 7 August – The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus

Sunday, 7 August – University of Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast campus

Sunday, 14 August – Griffith University, Nathan & Gold Coast campuses

Sunday, 14 August – University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich & Springfield campuses

Sunday, 21 August – The University of Queensland, Gatton campus

Sunday, 21 August – University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba campus

OPEN DAY CHECKLIST from the Good Universities Guide

What to do on the day

In and amongst the freebies, food and entertainment, there are a few key things you should do on the day.

• Take a tour of the campus and facilities
• Collect brochures, course guides and other useful information for further reading
• Talk to students and staff and ask plenty of questions
• Attend information sessions for courses or faculties of interest

Key questions to ask staff and students about courses

• What are the entry requirements?  Are there any prerequisite subjects or additional requirements (such as a portfolio or interview)?
• How much time can you expect to spend in classes each week? How many hours will need to be dedicated to study outside of class?
• What are the most common forms of assessment (for example: exams, group projects or essays)?
• Where are graduates of the course working now? What are some typical career paths?
• Are there opportunities for practical learning, work experience or internships?
• Are there any pathway options to help you gain entry to the course?
• Does the course offer a pathway to further study?
• Are double degrees available?
• Does the university have any industry connections in the field?
• How much choice is there in subject selection? Are there opportunities to study elective subjects?

Key questions to ask staff and students about the university

• What facilities are available on campus?
• What support services are offered to students?
• Are there accommodation options on campus or nearby?
• Does the university offer any scholarships?
• Does the university have any exchange agreements with institutions overseas?
• Does the university provide assistance with finding work after graduation?

Key questions to ask staff and students about student life

• What clubs and societies are on offer?
• Are there opportunities to socialise on campus?
• Is there a student union? What services and activities does the union coordinate?

Other things to consider

• Getting there: Is the campus easy to get to? Can you catch public transport? If you plan to drive, what are the parking options around the campus?
• Accommodation: For those planning on moving out of home to study, consider having a look around the local area for potential neighbourhoods to live in or take a tour of on-campus accommodation.
• Facilities: What facilities are available on and around campus? Look at food options, gyms, banks, medical centres, libraries and any other facilities you consider important It’s also worth investigating the practical facilities available for your course, such as laboratories and studios.

Get the most out of your university open day provides more information.

EXPLORE & EXPERIENCE

START QUT¬ (STEM Intensive)

If you’re in Year 11 and have a passion for STEM subjects, QUT is offering the START QUT (STEM Intensive). The STEM Intensive is a free two-week program being held in January 2023 where you can undertake a first year STEM unit led by academics and current QUT students. Applications for the program open 15 July and close on 24 August 2022. Find out more about the application process and the benefits of completing a START QUT (STEM Intensive).

GOOD TO KNOW

Year 12 Academic Boot camp

Academic Bootcamps offer courses designed to assist students to improve their confidence and understanding in senior subject areas, achieve their full academic potential and reduce anxiety around assessment. Subjects offered include psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths Methods. The 2022 Bootcamps will be held during the September school holidays on 19 September to 22 September 2022 or 26 September to 29 September from 9am–3pm with a cost of $149 per course. Click here to find out more and to register.

Year 12 revision lectures

Worried about your Year 12 exams? You’re not alone. We know this can be a stressful time, which is why ACU have teamed up with InspirED to help you do your very best and get ready for what’s to come.

Join us for a series of free online webinars run by experienced Year 12 exam markers and assessors. They’ll guide you through how to respond to possible exam questions, help you get your head around the class content to deepen your understanding, and offer plenty of tips and strategies along the way.

You’ll also have an opportunity to get your questions answered during a live 30-minute Q&A. Find out more and register here: Year 12 Revision Webinars (acu.edu.au)

Missing prerequisites for a UQ course?

UQ College bridging programs in Mathematical Methods, Physics, Chemistry and Biology over 4 weeks where you to obtain a prerequisite in Mathematical Methods, Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Successful completion of an individual course will satisfy the prerequisites at The University of Queensland and some other universities (check each university individually). Results will be ready for the QTAC Offer Round in January each year. Bridging Program – UQ College – University of Queensland

On Friday 5 August, schools are required to provide the Commonwealth Government both student and staff data as part of the annual census process. This data enables the government to determine our annual recurrent funding allocation. Student and staff names are not provided as part of this process. For your information, please click here for the Commonwealth Government’s privacy notice for your review and record.