Newsletter Article: Term 3, Week 8 2023

Shout out to our Principal and Boarding House!

In 2023, Stuartholme has continued to feature strongly in a myriad of state and national awards recognising both individuals and teams within our school for the contribution they make in the lives of our young people.

Recently, I was delighted to attend the Australian Educator Awards in Sydney. At this event our Principal Mr Daniel Crump was one of 10 Principals nationwide shortlisted for the PRIME Super Principal of the Year in Non-Government schools.

This was a proud moment for Stuartholme but also an important one in light of the substantial educational literature on the significant impact of the Principal on the teaching and learning outcomes of the young people in their school (Pasi, 2023; Cross, 2023).

Stuartholme is very fortunate to have Daniel Crump at the helm with an inspiring vision calling us to be – bold, joyful, innovative, purposeful and impactful.

This vision positions us well to work together and answer the call from our founder to provide a modern Sacred Heart Education that values and invests in the critical work of shaping the minds and futures of the next generations.

It was also wonderful to celebrate our Boarding School which was nationally recognised for equipping our Boarders to thrive in the community, classroom and beyond. Our Boarding school community does a remarkable job in providing hands on opportunities for our students to acquire and master 21^st century life skills such as conflict resolution, resilience, social skills, leadership, and flexibility. As St Madeleine Sophie Barat says “In coming to a School of the Sacred Heart, you have come into a family and come into a home.” Our boarding house is an impressive home away from home for our boarders and it was wonderful they received this prestigious acknowledgement. A huge congratulations!

Connecting with other Global educational leaders

I was excited whilst in Sydney to visit three other leading Australian schools with our Director of Primary, Mr Brendan Downes. Collaborating, planning and connecting with leading educational organisations is fundamental to our commitment to innovation at Stuartholme.

I am grateful to the hospitality of the Principals and key staff at Kincoppal Rose Bay, Wenona and Pymble Ladies College who extended a warm welcome and shared generously their work in supporting young women to make a global impact. 

Deborah Lonsdale-Walker
Deputy Principal

Newsletter Article: Term 3, Week 8 2023

Inauguration of our Reconciliation Action Plan

Last Tuesday, staff, students and members of the wider community gathered for the inauguration of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

In our Catholic tradition, reconciliation is one of the great acts of love, and as a Sacred Heart community, love is our Mission. In the words of Saint Madeleine Sophie, “our one passion should be the love of Christ and the desire to make him loved.” The actions set forth in our reconciliation action plan are an expression of our mission and a reflection of our love for God and our First Nations people.

We know well that Madeleine Sophie’s vision for education was that it “be concerned not only with studies, but also with whatever may be required for the right ordering of life and requirements of cultivated society.” It’s this vision and approach that underpins our Sacred Heart Goals of Education which call us to social awareness whereby we foster critical reflection on our school community and the diversity within the world, promoting action for justice, peace and integrity of creation. I’m confident that you’ll recognise these sentiments in the actions set forth in our Reconciliation Action Plan.

At the heart of our RAP are all of the students of our school. A central part of our inauguration was hearing from First Nations student Mia Egan-Ireland and Susannah Streeton, our Cor Unum Captain for 2024, who gave their voice on the importance of our RAP.

Mia shared:

My name is Mia Egan-Ireland and I am a Kamilaroi woman, a tribe based in northern New South Wales. If the issue of racial discrimination and inequality towards our First Nations Peoples is not soon rectified, will it ever be? This Reconciliation Action Plan is vital for our First Nations students in this community as it provides a network allowing us to have greater social interactions, reduced stress, improved productivity throughout education, and a more positive view about the diverse and resilient society in which we are living. This also provides our school with actions that supports First Nations Peoples, taking our part in building a more equitable and reconciled country.

In our school communities across Australia, it is important that we continue to explore how we can authentically contribute to reconciliation, build and maintain respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, whilst developing, and acting upon innovative strategies to empower First Nations young people to achieve their full learning potential and shape their own futures. Talking about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures is essential in developing the ability to respect, coexist and communicate with people from different backgrounds. It helps build a deeper respect for our Indigenous histories, perspectives, languages and traditions, therefore, building a stronger community in our society.

My hopes for reconciliation at Stuartholme include promoting a society where our diversity can flourish through equality and equity, uniting as one heart and accepting people as they are. Most

importantly I hope we move forward together, supporting one another whilst also raising awareness for our First Nations Peoples, embracing all Australians with a future based on mutual respect and shared responsibility. This means being aware of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia helping to assist in building stronger relationships, boosting cultural understanding, leading to more efficient discussions, and developing greater empathy. We can support and reinforce the powerful sense of identity, pride and belonging evolving into a more united society.

And from Susannah:

As members of a school community, we must recognise the vital role education plays in empowering young Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and all Australians to reach their full potential in society, and in fostering a community’s awareness of our nation’s history and identity. If in schools we can develop an understanding of traditional cultures and the persisting challenges faced by our First Nations Peoples, then we can effectively and authentically contribute to reconciliation in Australia. Recognising the foundational nature of the attitudes and beliefs we develop throughout our years at Stuartholme, the importance of incorporating reconciliation principles of responsibility and mutual respect for all Australians is clear.

The Reconciliation Action Plan encourages schools to incorporate First Nations perspectives, histories, and achievements into not only the curriculum, but around the school and throughout the community. It fosters empathy, breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions. It shows us that the path to reconciliation begins with knowledge, awareness, and embracing the diversity that defines Australia. I think in many ways, Stuartholme’s continued commitment to a Reconciliation Action Plan reflects our Sacred Heart goal of “A social awareness that impels to action”. Here at Stuartholme, we view the role of a Sacred Heart education as something greater than feeding us with knowledge for knowledge’s sake. We value the power that knowledge gives us in motivating action and change for the betterment of our community. In the words of St Madeleine Sophie Barat, ‘Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.” This is why we have and will continue to commit to our Reconciliation Action Plan.

At Stuartholme we are united in our dedication to fostering an environment where understanding and inclusivity flourish. This plan has been crafted with the input of students, parents, staff, and First Nations people. It is a testament to our shared values of a Sacred Heart School community and our desire to shape a more equitable future. Together, let us move ahead with open hearts and open minds, as we navigate the path of reconciliation and unity. Please take some time to explore our RAP, which can be found on our website here: Reconciliation Action Plan – Stuartholme School | Stuartholme School

Peace and blessings for the week ahead.

Justin Golding
Dean of Mission

Newsletter Article: Term 3, Week 8 2023

Wellbeing

Leadership 2024

Last week we were delighted to make the second round of leadership announcements for 2024. The Year 11 cohort welcomed the announcements with great joy. We congratulate all students who have received positions. Sacred Heart leadership is in good hands, not only with these students, but with the whole 2024 Year 12 cohort.

I am especially delighted to welcome Imogen Foley to the position of Wellbeing Captain supported by Abigail Coogan, as the Wellbeing Committee member. These are new positions and are part of our strategic plan to ensure student voice is evident in the Wellbeing Space. We look forward to their initiatives, ensuring that Wellbeing remains a priority in our community.

Year 5 & 7 Orientation

It was a joy to welcome both Year 5 & 7  2024 students and their familes to our Orientation Day this week. Mrs Alison Correia (Yr 7 2024 Leader of Student Wellbeing) delivered a wonderful day for our Year 7’s, supported capably by our 2024 Cor Unum, Year 10 Big Sister’s, Mrs Byron and Green Ribbons. Ms Natasha Pay also played an integral role in the organisation of the day.  Mr Brendan Downes,  Director of Primary, ensured our new Year 5’s experienced the warmth of the Stuarthome Community. It is always a privilege to welcome new families into our community.

Parent Invitations

LAB FOR PARENTS

You may have already registered to attend the Safe of Social Parent Evening on September 11. Guiding their daughters with Social Media is an area parents often share with me that they struggle with. I encourage you to come along and learn how to manage this challenging area.

You can RSVP here: The Lab for Parents – Stuartholme School

Please see the information below. Further information can be found on the Year level pages.

Parent Presentation 11 September, 6.00-7.00pm, Stuartholme Theatre

Kirra Pendergast from Safe On Social helps parents to protect their children on Social Media. 

The explosive growth of social media brings with it an array of challenges that can seem insurmountable. But with Safe On Social’s VIP Parents and Carers Program, those challenges become opportunities to engage, inform, and protect your family.  Our Parents and Carers Program provides you with the latest, most comprehensive online safety resources. Crafted with the busy person in mind, our easy-to-understand and relatable content empowers you to stay informed about your children’s online activities, allowing for proactive and meaningful conversations about their digital experiences.

Invitation from Marist College

We are grateful to Marist College Ashgrove who has invited Parents of Stuartholme School to a night with Madonna King and John Rouse on Wednesday, 13 September.

Madonna King is one of Australia’s most accomplished parenting journalists and John Rouse, a detective Inspector, who for three decades headed up Taskforce Argos. The presentation will unmask the new world of sexual exploitation content online that too often tricks young people into being blackmailed by their perpetrator. This is a concerning world for parents to navigate with their children.

This presentation will be held in the Champagnat Centre at Marist College Ashgrove on Wednesday, 13 September at 6:00pm. Bookings for this presentation can be made here.

Working in Partnership

As we enter the time of term where our attention turns to assessment, I encourage all families to continue working in partnership, and let us know if your daughter needs support. For Wellbeing issues the first port of call is your daughters’ Teacher Mentor, followed by their Leader of Student Wellbeing. Maintaining regular attendance until the end of term is essential to optimize learning opportunities and, as research reinforces, optimizing  connectedness to the community  acts as a protective mechanism for a student’s wellbeing. “Every day counts and there is no ‘safe’ threshold for absences”  (Hancock et al., 2013).  From time to time, however, circumstances result in necessary absences. Please ensure you alert the school, by registering any absence via the school app. Any absence beyond 3 days will require a medical certificate.

Reference: Hancock, K. J., Shepherd, C. C. J., Lawrence, D., & Zubrick, S. R. (2013). Student attendance and educational outcomes: Every day counts. Report for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Canberra. https://doi. org/10.13140/2.1.4956.672

I wish all families well as we move toward the final phase of learning for the term. Our Year 12 students and their families are especially in our prayers as they undertake Mock Exams and prepare for their Year 12 Retreat in Week 10.

Blessings to all.

Elizabeth Foxover

Dean of Student Wellbeing

Newsletter Article: Term 3, Week 8 2023

Term 3 is always a significant time in the teaching and learning calendar and 2023 is no exception!

Our Year 10s have engaged in an individualised SET Planning process to consider their post-school plans and select subjects for their senior years.  Year 7s, 8s and 9s have also been conscientiously considering their elective preferences for 2024.  It has been wonderful to engage our young people and their parents in conversations about their futures and to hear their ambitious plans for the years ahead.  I am grateful to our magnificent team of SET Planners, expert Leaders of Learning, and dedicated teachers for all their support in these important decision-making processes.

Students in Years 7 and 9 have recently received their Individual Student Reports for NAPLAN 2023. Stuartholme School has enjoyed a long tradition of academic excellence and we are very proud of our Year 7 and 9 students who continue this tradition with strong results in 2023.

This year, ACARA introduced a new time series where students are assessed against four levels of proficiency based on previous years of schooling: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support.  Across all domains (Writing, Reading, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation, and Numeracy) our students achieved well above state averages in both Years 7 and 9.

Whilst this new way of reporting means that NAPLAN results form 2023 cannot be compared to results from previous years, our students have demonstrated academic courage in their commitment to growing their skills in literacy and numeracy. These achievements reflect the dedication and exceptional work of our teachers and students, and the quality of the teaching and learning that is supported by parents through our partnership approach.

We congratulate our young scholars on their impressive performance in NAPLAN whilst appreciating that this is just one measure of success in a student’s individual academic journey.  In addition to developing core skills in literacy and numeracy, the values taught through a Sacred Heart education provide our students with the foundation to be collaborative, critical and creative thinkers and leaders who demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges.

Our older students continue to impress with their diligent and dedicated approach to their studies.  Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 will soon commence end-of-term Exam Block and our seniors are currently in the thick of Mock Exams.  The Mock Exams are one step in our Optimising Senior Success plan to support students in preparation for External Assessment.  It is clear from their studious and focused engagement with Mocks that Year 12s are already implementing these strategies to perform their personal best.  We wish them every success for the rest of their Mocks and will continue to cheer them on as they approach their Externals.

Annie Van Homrigh

Dean of Teaching and Learning Innovation

Newsletter Article: Term 3, Week 8 2023

Over the past few weeks, while on Regional Tour to Talwood and Goondiwindi and most recently at our Orientation night, we have engaged in a celebration of community.  Building and maintaining strong community connections is something we cherish at Stuartholme and this is seen through our involvement in the community and here in the Boarding House.

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the Talwood Ladies Day and connected with current and past mothers and alumnae of Stuartholme. Catching up with our families is always a joyful occasion.

This week, staff, boarders and our incoming Boarding Captains and mentors for 2024 excitedly counted down the minutes until Orientation Day, where our incoming boarders arrived for their “welcome to Boarding” sleepover. What a beautiful experience it was, seeing our boarders volunteer to be a buddy on the night. It was a great opportunity for everyone to come together, enrich connections and start their boarding journey. Our Captains, Stella Berge and Grace Moffat along with 2024 year 7 mentor, Mary Sevil, ran activities with staff and slept over with our incoming boarders which enriched their boarding experience and brought joy to our newest members of boarding.

In an incredible display of team work and community engagement : our 2024 Boarding Leaders: Stella Berge, Grace Moffat, Mia McMillan, Amy Belingham, Eve Hallman, Molly Coventry, Louise Poggio, Brooke Tait, Mary Sevil and Gemma Giblet are to be commended for their involvement and participation at the new boarder parent presentation. Each of these leaders shared insight into their own Boarding experience and gave tips and advice to new parents. These boarding leaders demonstrated what it means to be a Stuartholme woman, embodying the sacred heart values.

We also celebrate year 7 Boarder Clem Cochrane who delivered a powerfully moving speech to year 7 parents about her experience as a new boarder. It enriched the evening and uplifted all those in attendance. What a remarkable display of leadership.

It has been absolutely heartwarming to see the many efforts being made to ensure our boarders and their families feel welcomed, supported and valued within the Stuartholme Community. These celebrations and Regional Tours leave a positive impact on our Boarding Community, creating lasting memories and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

Jane Morris
Dean of Boarding

Study Tips

The time for preparing for exams and finishing up assignments is approaching quickly, so here are some tips and tricks proven to work effectively so that you get the most out of every piece of assignment that leaves you satisfied and proud. Remember that our brain is one of the most mysterious organs in our body and is capable of nearly anything, so use it to its full potential. Work smarter not harder. Here are the ones that stood out for me, feel free to check out the full article below.

1. Emotions influence our ability to learn.

Research has shown that our emotions affect everything from how we perceive information, how we pay attention, how we remember information and how we solve problems. Feeling stressed, anxious, fearful or ashamed are the worst emotional states for learning. The limbic system is activated by these emotions. When the limbic system is activated it interferes with how memory is generated. This is why it is very important to create a safe and stress-free online learning environment. If you are relaxed it will help you learn and retain information better.

2. More information doesn’t always mean more learning

When learning something new, no one usually aims for failure. Generally, it’s something we want to avoid. Without a doubt, you would to successfully complete their online courses or training content. However, the science of learning shows us that making mistakes is actually an essential part of learning. For example, the first time we get on a bike we don’t all learn to ride right away, we get better by practicing. Making mistakes is essential to the learning process and it also applies to academic learning. If individuals are being pressured to succeed it may inhibit learning. Research has shown that some students learn and perform better when they are told failure is a normal and expected part of learning. This may be because feeling less pressure leads to better performance. Additionally, when errors are emphasized, students will usually focus more on those errors rather than what they should be learning.

3. Learning happens best through teaching others

Teaching others something you have learned is one of the most effective study methods. In fact there is a highly effective study technique designed on this principle, called the Feynman Technique. This technique proposes when learning a new skill or studying for an exam, learners write about their topic as if they were teaching someone else, even a child. The concept of figuring out how to explain something complex, briefly using non-jargon language helps consolidate the learning that is already there and it will help identify any knowledge gaps.

https://skyprep.com/2021/06/01/7-interesting-facts-about-the-science-of-learning/

Mary Sevil

Year 11 UQ Science Ambassador

Science opportunities:

Young ChangeMakers Program

26 – 29 November, applications close 3 September

The program is a 4-day experience for Year 11 students based at UQ’s St Lucia campus. The program is centred around igniting young change makers’ passions for leadership, academic achievement and community development. Young ChangeMakers – University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)

Soil Week Competition

Entries close 15 September

Tell us about the connection between worms, soil and climate for your chance to win great prizes (over $9000 worth of vouchers on offer). Entries can be any digital format – videos, magazines,  pictures, speeches, plays, murals, games and more! Students and schools can submit individual, group, or class entries. Schools Competition – Soil Week Australia

Australian Physics Magazine – Call for Submissions

Entries close 15 September

The Australian Physics Magazine is seeking exceptional physics research articles or essays written by Year 12 students.

In the final issue of 2023, they will publish one engaging article that demonstrates excellent critical thinking and research skills. Please contact the editors at editor@aip.org.au for further information. The Australian Institute of Physics – Australian Physics Magazine (aip.org.au)

Kind regards,

Mr Butler

Acting Leader of Learning – Science

Congratulations to Toohey House! 

Toohey is the first house to be engraved on the House Chess cup since 1997!

House captain, Darcy Mansul, accepted the trophy at assembly along with the other leaders of the house, Grace Brown; Hayley Letica; and Chido Munro.

To RSVP, please visit The Lab for Parents – Stuartholme School

Last Friday we celebrated the Dads and Daughters and the Father Daughter Social.

The Joigny Courtyard came alive with laughter, delectable food crafted by Kester and the Connective Cuisine team, and an array of exciting games including Connect Four, CornHole, and Mini Golf.

If you would like to see the photo from the night, please visit: https://geosnapshot.com/e/father-daughter-social/22169  Password: shqld

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared in this special event, lending their support and making memories.

The Swim Shorts have arrived and are available for $65. Swim shorts are to wear over togs or water polo suit for those students who require more coverage.

New House shirts have also arrived. Cost is $42. House shirts will be compulsory for the new Junior School. They are colourful and will certainly stand out.

You can purchase these along with the other products available at our School Shop through Flexischools: https://flexischools.com.au/

If you need a new unform and it to be professionally fitted, book an appointment here: SHS School Shop (office365.com)

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This is a reminder to please check that your daughters photo consent details are up-to-date in Consent2Go via the MyStuartholme- Update details tile.

Details that are up-to-date give photo permission for student images to be used in social media, print and online publications. Students that have consent will also have permission to have their photos uploaded to GeoSnapShot, a program that Stuartholme uses to share photos easily with families. You can access these images through Stuartholme.com.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact marketing@stuartholme.com.