Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 2 2023

Welcome back to Term 4

 It is a delight to extend a warm welcome to all our students, staff, and families as we embark upon the final term of this school year. I trust that you and your families enjoyed a rejuvenating Spring Break.

This concluding term holds a special significance in the life of our school, brimming with memorable occasions. It serves as a moment of transition, where we bid farewell to much loved members of our school community while welcoming new members into the fold.

This period is marked by many rich school traditions and rituals. As we approach the culmination of the year, I encourage each and every one of you to embrace it with an open mind, and open heart to play your part. Let us exemplify the spirit of our founder, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, as we journey towards the festive Christmas season.

Celebrating our success

It is with great excitement and a sense of anticipation that we look forward to our 2023 Celebration of Excellence taking place at 5.30pm on Wednesday 18 October at the QPAC Concert Hall.

This is a key event in the life of our school and affords us the chance to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our Stuartholme community. There is therefore an expectation for all staff and students to attend.

We warmly extend an invitation to all parents and guardians to join us to celebrate this occasion and support our school community. Last year at this event, the Concert Hall was sold out! No Livestream link will be available for this event. Families are invited to get in fast to access tickets online at:  https://www.qpac.com.au/event/snstuartholmeschool_23 .

A reminder that staff and students of Stuartholme School are not required to book a ticket for this event as we have already reserved seating for them. We look forward to sharing our night of excellence with our entire community.

Walking alongside our Senior Students

We continue to support our Senior students to ensure a solid finish to the Academic year. The Hive will be available to Years 10, 11 and 12 students this Term on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the Library from 3.15 – 5.15pm. I encourage your daughter to attend and form part of this experience.

This wonderful initiative provides the opportunity for our students to be mentored by recent graduates and allows our students to explore and develop their skills in learning practices, specific subject assistance, and wellbeing.

As this article is published, we have also just engaged in a range of beautiful rituals acknowledging our amazing Seniors of 2023. We offer them our prayers and blessings as they move forward into their External Assessments before Valedictory and then the exciting adventures that await them beyond the school gate.

Deborah Lonsdale-Walker
Deputy Principal

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 2 2023

Student Leadership Handover, Goals Assembly and Year 12 Farewell

It’s that time of year when we farewell our Senior Class. This morning, we gathered for our Student Leadership Handover and Goals Assembly where the Seniors of 2023 passed the leadership of the school over to Senior Class of 2024. This was also the moment where the school community farewelled Year 12. It was a rousing occasion with guards of honour, prayers, speeches, singing, the giving of badges and handing over of symbols – all symbolic acts of transition.

Senior Gift

It has been a tradition at Stuartholme and other Sacred Heart Schools for the senior year to present a gift to the school community that explicitly links to the Goals of Sacred Heart Education. Alumnae remember this as a precious part of their education which they came to appreciate more fully in later life. Over the years, it was the custom for individual students leaving Stuartholme to give a copy of one of the paintings of the Great Masters as a gift on leaving school. Succeeding generations of students absorbed this beauty and that of the Stuartholme Behan Collection which hung in the corridors of the main building for many years before being transferred to the University of Queensland for safe keeping. This tradition shifted to a Senior Gift of the graduating class, often in the form of an artwork, as a tangible expression of gratitude to enrich the educational environment for those who follow them.

The Cor Unum Committee has the responsibility to choose the senior gift and made the decision based on a close link with the annual goal for this year “a deep respect for intellectual values”. They were guided by the notion that it should also have relevance for all students. Senior gifts of years past can be witnessed in the present art collection which can be seen around the school and each is identified by its small brass plaque that acknowledges the senior year that has gifted that art work. It is thanks to the collective gift of departing Seniors from years 2005-2009 that we now have our beautiful Bronze Sculpture of St Madeleine Sophie Barat in the Joigny Courtyard.

In presenting this year’s gift, the Cor Unum shared the following thoughts:

In organising our senior gift this year, our focus was to draw upon the theme for 2023, “open mind, open heart, play your part” and bring it to life in a physical manner. Stained glass windows are known for their ability to filter and refract light in beautiful and enchanting ways. If we look on a deeper level, this interplay of light and colour can symbolise the search for knowledge and enlightenment. Moreover, our theme this year has stressed an inclusive and proactive approach to life and our educational journey here at Stuartholme. Stained glass windows can embody this concept by inviting people to open their minds to the spiritual and moral messages they convey, open their hearts to empathy and compassion, and inspire them to play an active role in their communities and in promoting positive values.

As the senior cohort of 2023’s journey draws to a close, Stuartholme’s journey as a high- school also nears an end, with Grades 5 and 6 being implemented over the next few years. Needless to say, we, as a cohort thought it imperative to play our part in capturing and incorporating the essence of what is means to be a Stuartholme student within the new Junior building through a stained glass window. Not to mention, that we, as a Cor Unum, had the unique opportunity to play our parts by being able to each cut a piece of glass that is to be used in the stained glass window. The vibrancy of the colour palette reflects the vibrancy of not only our school setting, but also of the people who actively play their parts by being proactive members of our community. Moreover, the cross highlights our close relation to Christianity, while the hands encompassing the heart symbolises how we are nurtured and protected whilst at Stuartholme, allowing for a love of learning and a love for community to develop and permeate our lives.

With gratitude we thank the class of 2023 for their generous gift and wish them all the best as they continue their preparations for the external examinations.

Peace and blessings for the week ahead.

 Justin Golding
Dean of Mission

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 2 2023

Cor Unum and Year 12

As we near the end of the learning journey for Year 12, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful leadership qualities that have emerged from this cohort. It has been a privilege to witness their growth under the guidance of Margaret Devlin, the Leader of Student Wellbeing. It has also been a privilege to walk alongside our Cor Unum, Chloe Carew and the Cor Unum Committee, Isobel Martin, Laura Penning and Harriet Moore. They have been inspirational, collaborative and courageous leaders who have represented their peers, encouraging everyone in our community to play their part. I congratulate and thank the Cor Unum and all of Year 12 for their leadership of our community and wish them every blessing for the External Exams.

Professional Learning (learnings for parents to pass on)

On Saturday, together with Leader’s of Learning, Sue Harris and Jeanette MacGregor, I attended the PESA (Positive Education Schools Association) Conference. As Positive Education is a pillar that underpins our Pedagogical Framework, we valued the opportunity to be inspired by a number of well credentialed speakers, such as Dr Tom Brunzell who spoke about trauma informed wellbeing practices and Justin Robinson, who shared practice aligned with Positive Education. I thought I would share a few points that stood out for me and maybe useful for you in parenting:

• Misbehaviour is often an indicator of stress within a child: it might be helpful to ask “What unmet need does this child have?”
• Encourage your daughters to be able to articulate their core values
• Setting goals is important but ensure they are linked to your core values.
• When we lose our boundaries, we lose our integrity
• Our job as parents and educators is to nurture the strengths of young people, not correct their errors
• Foster courage –have a healthy disregard for the impossible.
• The Rule of 3 for daily life: 1. Ask 3 questions 2. Do 3 things for others. 3. Take 3 deep breaths

Some gems that I will certainly call on moving forward.

Positive Expectations Competition

Over the course of Term 3, we ran a Positive Expectations Competition, encouraging students to produce a poster or a video to enhance student understanding of our Positive Expectation Guidelines. We received hundreds of entries! The Cor Unum was delighted to announce the following winners  at our end of term 3 assembly.

Video: First Place: Year 7 Parker

Second Place: 12 Woodlock

Third Place: 12 Parker

Posters

First Place Molly Hetherton-Gwinn Year 7 Stuart

Second Place: Mia Woodhouse and Gemma Stuart

Third Place: 12 Stuart

It was truly joyful to share the many entries and I thank everyone for the spirit in which they entered the competition. Molly’s poster will be displayed around the school.

Safety Reminder

Please remember that the Main Drive round about is not a drop off  or pick up zone. Please utilise Jolimont for dropping off and picking up your daughter.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Term 4!

Blessings to all.

Elizabeth Foxover

Dean of Student Wellbeing

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 2 2023

Today was a bittersweet moment for our year 12s as various leadership roles were handed over. At 3:00pm, they will leave Stuartholme knowing that was the last day of classes for their cohort. Over the next few weeks, our year 12 Boarders, many of whom have called Stuartholme Boarding home for the past 6 years, will be packing up their rooms for the very last time, ready for their next adventure. As a community, we are filled with excitement for the journey our 12s are about to embark on, grateful for the cherished time we have had with them and saddened that our time with these incredible women in boarding is coming to a close.

I would like to share the heart warming Homily message, written and presented by two of our Year 12 boarders: Millie Cook and Flo Armstrong. This message was shared with our boarding community last Sunday and beautifully encapsulates the core spirit of boarding, showcasing the profound love and interconnectedness among our students.

In todays gospel, Jesus tells us a parable about a vineyard owner and his tenants. It teaches us valuable lessons about love, patience and community.

Imagine boarding as the beautifully tended vineyard in the parable. The landowner, in our case, are our parents, supervisors, and heads of boarding. And we are the plants, with the potential to bear fruit in the form of knowledge, love and positive interactions with each other.

Just as the landowner in the parable placed a fence around the vineyard to protect it, we are protected here in our boarding community, and given the chance to grow and flourish.

Yet, like the tenants in the parable, we too face choices and challenges. Sometimes, we forget that we are responsible for our own individual growth, and for making sure that everyone feels respected and loved throughout their journey here. In our vineyard, we are encouraged to be the best version of ourselves and provide one another with support and love when it is needed.

It is also important to be patient, as much like the plants in vineyard, everyone one of us is on their own course of individual growth, learning and developing alongside one another.

So I want to encourage everyone to keep doing what we all do best, which is loving, supporting and lifting each other up every chance we get, so that our vineyard, which is boarding, can thrive.

As a Boarding Community, we celebrate our beautiful year 12s and wish them all the very best as they head into external exams.

Jane Morris
Dean of Boarding

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 2 2023

The Hive

A warm welcome back for the final term for 2023.  Whilst our younger students were enjoying the Spring holidays, our Year 12 students have been diligently continuing their preparations for the upcoming External Assessment period.  It was wonderful to see many senior students take advantage of The Hive in the Holidays program in the second week of the September break.  Our Hive mentors were on hand to support students with their exam preparation by supervising practice exams, sharing study strategies and providing helpful tips and advice.  We are grateful to alumnae, Grace Deeran and Abbey Moore for providing this great mentoring opportunity for our senior students.

Our regular Hive Mentoring program continues in Term 4.  Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are invited to work with Mentors in our school library from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  This program offers students the opportunity to be mentored by our alumnae to explore and develop their skills in learning practices, specific subject assistance and wellbeing.  The Hive kicks off from Week 2 and draws to a close as Exam Block commences.

Year 12s External Assessment

Year 12s commence External Assessment on Monday, 23 October.  They have the support of the entire school behind them and we know that they will make Sophie proud.  All of our teachers recently joined in prayer to wish our students well as they embark on this last, important chapter of their academic journey.  A copy of the prayer is included below and I invite you to keep our Year 12s in your hearts, minds and prayers over the coming weeks.

Exams can be a stressful period for students, so additional support is available to Year 12s throughout the External Assessment period.  Teachers of Year 12 General subjects will be available for tutorials in regularly timetabled lessons right up to the day before the subject’s exam. Seniors are also welcome to come to school for independent study while exams are on.  Year 12s are reminded that they must register for tutorials or study sessions by completing the sign-up form by 3 pm the day before.  Links to the forms and additional information about External Assessment is available via myStuartholme.

For any questions or assistance over the External Assessment period, please get in touch with me.

Annie Van Homrigh

Dean of Teaching and Learning Innovation

Scientists develop 3D printing technique to treat Traumatic Brain Injury

Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered a new treatment technique that could one day provide tailored repairs for those who suffer brain injuries. The team of researchers found that neural cells contained within the brain can be 3D printed to mimic the architecture of the cerebral cortex.

Brain injuries, caused by trauma, stroke and surgery, typically result in significant damage to the cerebral cortex which can lead to cognition, movement and communication problems. Each year, around 70 million people globally suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI), and unfortunately, there isn’t an effective treatment. With this in mind, researchers at the University of Oxford fabricated a two-layered brain tissue by 3D printing human neural stem cells. A cortical structure was made from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). hiPSCs for tissue repair are easily derived patient cells meaning there is minimal risk of an overaction by the immune system.

The hiPSCs were analysed, based on growth factors and chemical present, to separate and focus in on neural progenitor cells within the tissue. The cells of interest were suspended in a solution to generate two ‘bioinks’, which were then printed using a 3D printer to produce a two-layered structure. When the printed tissues were implanted into the brains of mice, they showed strong integration and signalling activity between the brain cells of the mice and the implanted cells. This indicates that there was a high level of communication between the cells, indicating the effectiveness of the generated neural cells in promoting brain activity and function.

Considering this, the researchers are now looking at refining the droplet printing technique to design more complex cerebral cortex tissues that can mimic the human brain on a multi-functional level. The researchers are also looking at how engineered tissues could be utilised in drug evaluation, studies of brain development, and understanding of cognition.

Find out more at: Scientists develop 3D printing method that shows promise for repairing brain injuries | ScienceDaily

Sophie Ladbrook

2023 UQ Science Ambassador

Upcoming Science Opportunities:

Queensland Mathematics Summer School

The Queensland Mathematics Summer School, held at UQ from the 15^th of January to 18^th of January in 2024,  introduces Year 10 students to Year 11 Mathematical Methods and Specialist Maths. Hosted by UQ’s School of Mathematics and Physics, this program is aimed at current Year 10 students who have passion for mathematics.

What you’ll learn:

• Explore and immerse yourself in mathematics: learn about contemporary topics such as artificial intelligence, number theory, abstract algebra, machine learning, cryptography, and pandemic modelling through interactive lectures, tutorials and seminars.
• Develop and extend your mathematical skills in problem solving, communication, analysis and reasoning.
• Learn from mathematicians who are passionate about their subject – from globally renowned researchers to experts in mathematical education, and current students, who are all keen to share their experience and knowledge.
• Make friends with a diverse cohort of students from around the state and discover how much fun it is to be around people who are passionate about mathematics.

Applications Due: 14^th of October

Kind regards,

Mr Timothy Butler

Acting Leader of Learning – Science

HONOUR POCKETS TERM 4

The Honour Pocket Committee wishes to advise that the 2023 initiative will proceed in Term 4 Week 3/4 following the Celebration of Excellence. Students will be notified of pocket eligibility via email from the Student Wellbeing Office in accordance with the criteria for awarding pockets – 2023. This will be finalised through the following departments Academic, Sport, Music and Co Curricular.

Blazers need to be handed in to the Uniform Shop on Monday 23, Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 October only.

Correct signed paperwork is necessary.  No handwritten forms will be accepted.

You will be notified when your blazer is ready to be picked up. Please note this will not be until February 2024. The blazers will need to be paid for on pick up at the school shop only. For your convenience your daughter’s blazer can be dry cleaned at the embroiders for the sum of $15.00, you will be provided with this option on your daughter’s Honour Pocket form which you will need to complete before handing it in to the uniform shop.

HONOUR POCKET COMMITTEE 2023

If you are interested in this webinar, please register here Artificial Intelligence (AI) Webinar | October 09, 2023 (eventcreate.com)

Tickets for the Celebration of Excellence are now available. To reserve your seats, please click on the following link: https://www.qpac.com.au/event/snstuartholmeschool_23

Please note: Staff and students of Stuartholme School are not required to book a ticket for this event.

To RSVP please visit: SSCA Remembrance Mass and Morning Tea – Stuartholme School

On Friday September 25, the Order of Australia Secondary Schools Citizenship Awards 2023 were held at Parliament House in Brisbane. The awards were inaugurated in 1999, and designed to foster pride in Australian citizenship, are presented to those secondary school students in Queensland who have demonstrated outstanding service to their schools and communities. The guest of honour was the honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO KC former Governor of Queensland. Year 12 student Darcy Mansul was one of 14 students who received a Certificate of Community Service for her contribution to the community. Ninety-four students from fifty-six schools across Queensland were nominated for these awards making Darcy’s recognition something to be very proud of.

Congratulations Darcy!

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)