Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 6 2023

My Journey

 Starting at Stuartholme in 2019, I remember looking up to the year 12’s in complete awe. They moved from class to class with a sense of confidence that seemed like light-years away. The fact that next year along with the 2024 cohort, I will be one of those big year 12’s leading the school, amazes me. Over the years, every classroom and every hallway has served as a backdrop to my incredible journey at Stuartholme. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs, but my best friends, greatest role models and fondest memories that I’ve made I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Embracing my mistakes has been a critical part of my high school experience. As a 12-year-old who refused to believe I could ever be wrong, I very soon worked out that all the challenges that I faced were just steppingstones to personal growth. Each misstep, whether a simple wrong answer or a missed goal, has shifted my perspective from competitiveness to ambition, always aiming to contribute positively to our community.

In doing so, I’ve embraced every opportunity that Stuartholme has offered me and had fun. My favourite part of this year was the Queenstown ski trip in June. The trip allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, surround myself with different people, and immerse myself in the Maori culture.

I’ve also learnt over the years that some of the best moments often unfold so subtly that we nearly miss them – like the Year 11 semi-formal. Amongst the mad rush of finding outfits and booking tickets, the night allowed me to appreciate all the wonderful connections I have made over the years. There’s such an incredible burst of energy when our grade comes together that really excites me, and it makes me so proud of the people that we have all become.

Being a part of the Stuartholme family, particularly my cohort, continues to shape me completely into the person I want to be. With all kinds of different girls supporting one another, we all complement each other so well that we connect seamlessly. Our lunchtimes filled with laughter and games are an absolute testament to our sisterhood. This is where my sense of leadership mostly thrives, in the shared moments of quiet inspiration and collective effort.

So, some tips and tricks for success for anyone that would follow would be…

• Embrace Every Opportunity: Stuartholme offers endless opportunities for growth and development. Don’t hesitate to grab them! Say yes more than you say no, and you’ll find yourself growing in ways you never imagined.
• Build Meaningful Relationships: The friendships you make here will last a lifetime. Invest in them, cherish them, and let them help you grow.
• Stay True to Your Values: Remember the values of courage, compassion, and confidence that Stuartholme instils in us. Let them guide you in making an impact, big or small, and being the best version of yourself.
• Never Stop Learning: Embrace the journey of learning and growing. Remember, mistakes are proof that you’re trying, as long as you learn from them and keep moving forward.

My journey at Stuartholme has been nothing short of incredible, and I am grateful for every opportunity, challenge, and moment of growth that has come my way. I encourage all of you to make the most of your Sacred Heart Education and to dare to grow, just as I have.

 Mia Woodhouse

Cor Unum Committee

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 6 2023

Dear Stuartholme Community,

My name is Stella Berge, and I am a boarder from South Mission Beach in Far North Queensland. In 2024 I have the absolute honour of being a part of the 2024 Cor Unm Committee and Grenoble Boarding Captain. It is truly rewarding to be able to take part in these roles, and I am extremely grateful.

When I was asked to takeover the Dean of Mission article, I wanted to bring it back to the core of Stuartholme, our faith found community; the small and vibrant community that continues to reach for greatness each and every day. The community where every student is able to be the best that they can be. Each day we are guided by the Goals of the Sacred Heart and the mission of Stuartholme. We are guided by the teachings of St Madeleine Sophie Barat, our foundress. Madeleine Sophie would have founded the Society of the Sacred Heart for the sake of one child. For each of us to know that we had someone so willing to found a whole society for the sake of us, is truly a special feeling. This emphasises how everyone that makes up the Stuartholme Community has a place with-in our community.

Moving into 2024 our focus goal is ‘Building Community as a Christian Value’. This goal captures two of the most important values in our school, building both community and faith. This goal is not only about supporting each other and bringing everyone together, but it’s also about embracing our faith, guided by the teachings of Madeline Sophie. It’s a year where we can act. Madeleine Sophie once said, “Let us leave acts not words, no – one will have time to read us”. This quote reflects that our words don’t create the legacy, but our actions do.

In 2024 I encourage each Stuartholme girl to set a goal to act and build both on their faith and the strength of our community. As the year draws to an end, I also leave each person with the words, “To be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”. I say this because wherever you may go or whatever you may do, especially for our departing seniors of 2023, the Stuartholme community will always be with you.

Best wishes and God bless, for all upcoming exams and co-curricular activities. In the words of St Madeleine Sophie continue to be humble, be simple and be kind.

Stella Berge 

Cor Unum Committee

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 6 2023

Dear Stuartholme community,

My name is Rosie and as a member of the 2024 Cor Unum Committee, I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the newsletter on Mrs Foxover’s behalf. As the end of the year is quickly approaching, I am sure I share the feeling that this action-packed year has absolutely flown by. We’ve seen so many great academic, sport, music, and cultural achievements from Year 7s to 12s this year, as well as the little things everyday which embody the Stuartholme spirit.

It doesn’t go unnoticed that our parents and caregivers play a significant role in allowing us to have these opportunities inside and outside of school. Creating routines, preparing meals, running us around to sports, and simply supporting us with the many decisions that come with being a high school student, enable us to make the most of our time at school. Ever since the first drop off in Year 7 (and long before), my parents have been with me each step of the way, reminding me that all you can do is your best, with unconditional love and support, and for that I will always be thankful. Although amidst those busy days and weeks, we might sometimes forget to say to our parents and caregivers just how thankful we are, we hope our appreciation and gratitude is never forgotten.

As we gear up towards exam and assignment season, we have to remember that those final strong efforts in our studies will make the long-awaited Christmas holidays all that more relaxing, knowing we tried our best. Having said that, maintaining a balance during these times is just as important and can actually boost our productivity. When we are well-rested and remember to look after our wellbeing, we’re much more likely to achieve our academic goals, no matter what they might be. Little things like playing sport and chatting with friends, taking my dogs for a scenic walk, or listening to my favourite playlist help to clear my head and feel prepared for study and exams. Putting into practice ideas and strategies from our Wise Wellness lessons, like gratitude, a positive mindset and resilience, can help us to see the broader picture, staying confident and happy through all the ups and downs. It’s a nice opportunity to check in with our friends at this time too, as we’re all in the same boat, and the genuine care we offer each other is what makes the Stuartholme sisterhood so special.

Best wishes for the end of the school year and a relaxing break to spend time with family and friends.

Rosie Sheehan

Cor Unum Committee

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 6 2023

Dear Stuartholme community,

My name is Ava Cheal, and I am your Academic Captain for 2024. It is my pleasure to deliver the Student Newsletter Takeover for this term.

The end of the year is always an exciting time. Christmas is just around the corner and the holidays a mere few weeks away. After a long year of working hard, it is an important time to rest, reflect and be grateful for the past year. As we enter exam season it is easy to slip into the holiday mindset a bit early, I know I do it! However even though it is daunting, the best thing to do is to keep a good school-life balance until the very end. For me to manage stress and procrastination in assessment times I find organising my study habits is very helpful. Here are three techniques which I like to use:

1. Make a calendar for what you need to prioritise in the week or two up to exam block. Segment your study time during the week and allocate it to different subject revisions you would like to achieve in this time (make it specific!). However also make sure you give yourself plenty of time to rest and rewind.
2. Use the Pomodoro technique. Set a timer to work for 25minutes non-stop and then have a five-minute break to space out your study and give optimal time for your brain to get focussed. A good app for this is called Flora which grows you a garden for every study period you log.
3. Organise your To Do list using numbers to prioritise what you need to focus on. For example 1-5 with 1 most important and 5 least important.

The end of the year is also a time where I am especially grateful for the impact of my teachers on my life, especially with World Teachers Day just a few weeks ago. I know for many of us, things like putting up our hand to answer a question can be daunting.  I really appreciate the way that our teachers support us to grow in confidence by encouraging us to share our thoughts and ideas more in class . Thank you to our incredible teachers for all the little things like this that you do for us each day to make a big difference in our lives.

As Malala Yousafzai once said, “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”

Ava Cheal

Academic Captain

Newsletter Article: Term 4, Week 6 2023

Dear Stuartholme Community,

As my cohort and I begin to enter our senior year, I have been provided the privilege to be Amiens Captain alongside my dear friends and fellow boarders Stella Berge, (Grenoble Captain), Amy Bellingham (Amiens Vice Captain) and Mia McMillan (Grenoble Vice Captain). My name is Grace Moffatt, I am from Goondiwindi and I have been a Stuartholme boarder for three years. I have been given the opportunity to address our Stuartholme community on behalf of Ms Morris our Dean of Boarding.

.

(Stella and Grace)

(Mia and Amy)

When I first walked through these gates I was in year 9, my parents either side. I often reflect back to this moment and feel great gratitude for what this school has offered me. To be a boarder is an experience like no other, it offers growth, opportunity, moral direction and most importantly connections. We are so lucky to have such beautiful buildings and surroundings that house us, but it is the girls, the staff and Stuartholme values that make it a home.

Our Stuartholme Boarding house encompasses such a strong sense of community and belonging. Each year the entirety of the Boarding House competes in House Activities, including Anzac Day Cup, Glo Wave and just of recently we held our first Annual Melbourne Cup Day, where the girls participated in Fashions on the field, the Steeple chase, and the Cup Day Dash. This event was enjoyed all round and is exemplary of the spirit and community we hold as a boarding community. This then links to next year’s focus of goal of ‘Building Community as a Christian Value’.

We are fortunate to be supported by our student mentors for next year. These girls will work alongside their year levels throughout the year providing they’re guidance and support whilst being actively involved with activities each term of 2024.

Mary Sevil (Year 7)

Gemma Giblett (Year 8)

Lousie Poggio (Year 9)

Molly Coventry (Year 10)

Brooke Tait (Year 11)

As the academic year comes to a close, we begin to pack our bags and Farwell our senior class of 2023. The rest of the boarding house has been preparing a song and dance as a message of thanks and goodbye to our seniors, which always manages to evoke many emotions. This special night is known as Boarders Farewell and is very special to our boarding house.

On Behalf of myself and fellow captains we wish the outgoing senior leaders Lily Nolan, Bronte Rigney, Sam Connelly and Isobel Martin and the rest of their cohort the very best for their journey as Stuartholme Alumnae.

All the best

Grace Moffatt

Amiens Captain

Communication. For humans, communicating with others is the foundation of all relationships. It’s an essential part of daily life and generally achieved through speech. However, some medical conditions can make it extremely hard for people to communicate through speech. Motor disorders such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or locked-in syndrome are just examples of conditions which can impair individuals’ ability to speak.  Currently, brain activity sensors fused to thin material are lain on top of the brain however this method is often cumbersome and slow. The decoded speech rate using this is significantly lower than the spoken speech rate. Gregory Cogan professor of neurology at Duke University’s School of Medicine and Duke Institute for Brain Sciences faculty member Jonathan Viventi have teamed up to find a solution to this problem. They have managed to create an implant the size of a postage stamp which has 256 microscopic brain sensors on it. These many sensors enable and extremely accurate prediction of intended speech. This prosthetic is able to predict what someone is trying to say by decoding signals from the brain’s speech centre. The implant was then tested on 4 patients and the overall interpreting accuracy was 40%.  Whilst there is still a long way to go and further research to be done, this implant has the potential to enable communication through thoughts alone, and benefit those with speech impairments.

To find out more about this amazing research, check out science daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231106134844.htm

Anna Newham

2023 UQ Science Ambassador

Upcoming Science Opportunities:

CSIRO Virtual Work Experience opportunities

In 2023, the CSIRO virtual work experience program will support students to undertake work experience remotely, providing opportunities for those who may face geographic or other barriers to participating in traditional work experience. It also allows you the opportunity to experience contemporary ways of working, from homes, and with people across geographic boundaries, just as CSIRO scientists do every day.

Virtual work experience allows you to undertake collaborative, group science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) projects, including projects linked to real-world CSIRO research and industry challenges. Instead of attending a CSIRO site, experienced CSIRO staff will supervise groups of students remotely using a secure online platform. The groups will comprise of five to ten students who may be remote from each other and who will work together to complete tasks that can be used as part of portfolios and help inform your study and career plans.

Eligibility

To be eligible to do virtual work experience with CSIRO, students must be:

• in year 10 or 11, and aged 15-17 years for the duration of the work experience
• enrolled in a school in Australia
• able to commit to a designated week between February and December 2023
• be supported by a teacher, parent or other approved adult in their physical location throughout their work experience project.

To apply, follow this link: Apply for Virtual Work Experience – CSIRO

Bright SPARQs of the Future

SPARQ-ed (Students Performing Advanced Research – Queensland Education) is a unique biomedical educational program for school students, delivered through a collaboration between the Department of Education and the Translational Research Institute (TRI).

Students and teachers from across the Queensland schooling sectors (State Schools, Queensland Catholic Education Commission and Independent Schools Queensland) are provided with a practical introduction to biomedical research at our cutting-edge facility featuring a fully equipped Physical Containment (PC2) teaching laboratory and learning centre, located at the TRI in Brisbane.
Student workshops, teacher professional development and research immersion programs use contemporary biomedical research contexts to enhance the delivery of curriculum, including the development of 21st century skills.

Our Vision

To be a leader in Australian STEM education through the delivery of innovative biomedical research education that fosters students’ aspirations as future global leaders and innovators.

Our Mission

To deliver accessible world-class biomedical education experiences that:

• inspire students to consider STEM subjects and careers
• enhance the professional practice of teachers
• build strong connections with the community, including TRI partners: The University of Queensland, Mater Research, Queensland University of Technology and Queensland Health.

 To find out more, follow this link:

Biomedical Education for School students | Translational Research Institute (tri.edu.au)

Kind regards,

Mr Timothy Butler

Acting Leader of Learning – Science

Sister Molly Ahern Service Awards

These awards are presented to students who have lived out a spirituality of service at Stuartholme School.

 Sr Molly Ahern was born in Queensland and educated at Stuartholme. Her early years in the Society were spent in teaching. In the early 1970s she returned to the University of Queensland to begin studying for her Master of Arts. During this time she formed the desire to contribute to breaking down prejudice between people of different cultures. In 1975, Sr Molly asked to be allowed to serve overseas, and was sent to the Vice-Province of Uganda/Kenya. Sr Molly’s service in Africa included years of teaching in the Catholic-founded Primary Teachers’ College, acting as the Provincial of the Uganda/Kenya Province and Chancellor to the newly appointed Bishop in Karamoja. Sr Molly carried out this difficult role as Chancellor for three years with loyalty, humility, diligence and suffering.  Upon returning to Australia in 1999, Sr Molly involved herself in the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society. She tutored refugees, led a scripture reflection group and supported her family members through times of sorrow. Sr Molly died on 8^th July 2008 and is buried in our cemetery. Hers was a life characterised by a spirituality of service. 

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Sister Molly Ahern Service Award in todays assembly.

Silver

Bronze

The Stuartholme Arts Department invites you to The Bleeding Tree by Angus Cerini on Friday 17^th November at 6:30pm.

In a dirt-dry town in rural Australia, a shot shatters the still night. A mother and her daughters have just welcomed home the man of the house – with a crack. Set against a deceptively deadly Aussie backdrop, three fierce females fight back against the cruel and hopeless cycle they exist in. This absurdist take on Angus Cerini ‘s play will leave the audience wondering if Mum and her daughter ever escape their nightmare or will they be stuck in in their playing make believe forever?

Please be aware, the performance contains mature themes, some course language and discussion of death. Therefore this performance is suitable for mature audience, above the age of 15 only.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here Stuartholme School Online Community (ptly.com).

We look forward to seeing you there to support the senior Drama students in their first IA performance.

Share the Dignity

Starting from Week 5 of Term 4 continuing through to Week 7 of Term 4, Stuartholme will be participating in the 2023 Share the Dignity Drive.

In response to our Share The Dignity campaign, each TMG will be required to purchase and fill one bag of sanitary items – either for a woman, adolescent, or mum and baby. The table below will tell you what type of bag your TMG is creating. The students in each TMG are responsible for the bag and the products that need to be gathered. This means that each person in your TMG is responsible for bringing in one item to complete this initiative. It is essential that a bag is purchased for each TMG.

Students are encouraged to work alongside their TMG teachers to utilise the checklist below to tick off the essential and additional items needed in each bag and ensuring every bag within the TMG is complete. Please encourage everyone to donate items that they believe would bring a smile to someone experiencing disadvantage, this could include a personally written card, a pair of headphones, a lipstick or a pair of fluffy socks. The Year 7 and 9 SRC reps will collect the bags during TMG on Friday 25th November.

Saint Vincent de Paul

St Vincent de Paul is a Catholic organisation which focuses on supporting those who are pushed to the edges of our society. By supporting St Vincent de Paul Stuartholme has the opportunity to collaborate with an organisation who share our values and traditions, whilst aligning to our social justice theme, solidarity with the marginalised. The SVdP Sprint focuses on food items.

Each TMG has been allocated to brings in specific items – please see the table below. Each person in your TMG is encouraged to bring at least one item and to place it in the basket that will be brought to your classroom. We do ask that all items have at least a 6 month from donation time expiration date.

The SVdP Sprint is solely for giving back to those who need it most in our community so it will be great to see some full hampers from each TMG by Friday 17^th November when Year 10 SRC reps will collect your TMG’s donations.

NEW Labelling Service Available

Garments are to be placed into a bag with relevant paper work obtained through the school shop. The items are then sent to the laundry to be named. The laundry will return the labelled items back to the school shop for payment. Labelling will be done usually on a Wednesday with items returned to the school shop the following Friday.

New School Satchels have arrived and they are available for $39. Strong canvas book bags that have plenty of room for your books, a water bottle and lunchbox.

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)