Newsletter Term 1, Week 3 17 Feb 2022

The mood at School is positive and quite buoyant and most people are just getting on with it, relishing the opportunities that are now, finally, available to them. We are very conscious, of course, of what has been lost these last two years but rather than spend time and deplete energy focused on that, the matter has been acknowledged certainly, but more importantly, the focus has been on thinking and planning how we approach each level of students with their particular developmental needs post-Melbourne lockdowns and developing approaches, interventions and programs to fill the gaps which inevitably have appeared. This lies particularly in the social or interpersonal realm and it is evident at all year levels from the little three-year-olds through to our senior students. But, while we know this, what we are seeing for the most part from students is adaptability, optimism, resilience and a pretty ‘down to earth’, ‘let’s just get with it approach’. It is early days of course; I shall continue to monitor, not only our students but also the staff who have given so much to keep it all going over all this time.

In the past few days, I have been to two School-related funerals. I was so honoured to have been present for the celebration of the lives of Mr Ken Lyall OAM and the mother of Janet Costello our School Chaplain.

Mr Lyall was Principal of Strathcona from 1773 to 1989. He was a wonderful man, so much loved and respected. His three daughters attended Strathcona and it is hard to relay his impact in a few sentences. Emails and letters have come from former members of his community outlining his kindness and relaying beautiful memories. He was a rock of a man; in fact, he was nicknamed ‘Rocky’ after a Carey sporting feat he demonstrated as a young man. He was so kind to me when I first started at Strathcona in 2015, still quite startled by the interstate move away from family and friends and a community I knew and loved. He would come in every now again and say: ‘How are you, dear?’ or ‘How are you going, sweet?’. He was an elderly man by then, but clearly he remembered the challenges of the job we shared. As he left, he would always say ‘God Bless’, which reminded me of my own father who also used to say this. It is the 8th anniversary of his death today as I write this. I learned I had this job I am now in as I sat in a room in a St Kilda Hotel and took a call from the recruiter.  Just after that call, I received another from my sister about Dad. So, I then flew from Melbourne to Central Queensland to farewell him telling my husband to pack something to wear to funeral and make plans to head up from Brisbane. Today also would be the 100th birthday of my mother-in-law, another quite formidable woman. I wonder about those women who remembered the Depression, lived through the war, stepped up and took the jobs vacated by men, then welcomed them back, some damaged by what they had seen. They lived then through prosperous times and built their lives and watched as the world changed almost beyond recognition. But most of the women I have met from that generation I have admired for their stoicism, wicked sense of humour, not that much regard what other people thought, sense of fun, acceptance of the ironies of life, love of young people and understanding of the trials and tribulations of the younger generations younger. The ones I knew well and remember outlived their husbands and sometimes one their children, they cared for grandchildren, encouraged young women to be independent and clever and endured their own inevitable physical decline with grace.

Mrs Annie Costello could be counted as one of those women who I admire. I was honoured to attend her funeral in support of Janet and to represent Strathcona. What a woman she must have been! Described by her children and grandchildren as loving, hospitable, fierce, formidable, intellectual, ever curious about the world, life and people – she lived to the grand age of 92 – and said: ‘Life is interesting – right until the very end’. Her daughter, Janet, attended Strathcona and we are privileged to have her back as Strathy ‘girl’ working with us. Hospitality, care of those who faced hard times or whose lives had dealt them a tough hand, general kindness to all, humility, disinterest in the motifs of wealth – and most of all – the warm embrace she gave to the communities she contributed to and nourished. These are the lessons I take away from this week and from that generation, humbled to be witness at the closing of the lives of these two Strathcona-connected remarkable nonagenarians. All of what I have described was based on the deep faith they shared and which clearly was precious to them and central to their lives.

Marise McConaghy, Principal

Items in the Career News include -

• Dates to Diarise in Term 1

• Deakin University: Bachelor of Health Sciences - New Public Health Major

• VR comes to Careers at Strathcona!

• Career in Veterinary Nursing

• RMIT: Virtual Tours

• Studying Sports Media at Holmesglen Institute

• Federation University: New Course in 2022

• Monash University: New Bachelor of Criminology and Policing in 2022

• Universities in Western Australia

• Data Science and Information Systems Degrees in Victoria in 2022

During Envision, Mr Geoff Wriedt, a past Head of Tay Creggan joined us to chat about his time at Tay Creggan. Apart from his discussion about past programs, Geoff implored all students to take each opportunity they were offered at Tay Creggan. Whilst this was occurring, Abbey Cairo our Year 12 Debating and Public Speaking Captain ran a Debating workshop for our two teams of debaters.

Our first city excursion on Tuesday was a tremendous success as we covered over 10 kms of inner city Melbourne, allowing students to guide teachers around the city after a visit up 88 floors of the Eureka Tower. Having had fewer opportunities to visit the city over the past two years, this excursion exposed students to many city landmarks, familiarised them with public transport and making their way around the city. The pink pond at the NGV was a huge hit, as were the hot jam donuts at the Queen Victoria Market.

Today, Mrs McConaghy joined us for our Leadership Assembly at Tay Creggan, re-scheduled to the driveway at the last minute. All Year 9 students received a Tay Creggan badge to commemorate their year and our new students received their School and House badges. We congratulate the following elected leaders and encourage those who missed out to continue striving to be effective leaders, despite not having a badge this year. 

Tay Creggan Leaders – Elissa Pomeroy & Eleanor Smith
Sport Leader – Hannah Crow
Performing Arts Leader – Sienna Quantock
Duke of Edinburgh Leader – Amelia McIntosh
Debating Leader – Eva Harrington
Environment Leader – Zara Hamilton
Service Leader – Harriet Aitchison
House Leader – Arnold – Alice Molloy
House Leader – Findlay –  Zara Ralph
House Leader – Gilbert – Jessica Fields
House Leader- Grenfell – Sophie Reid

I feel sure that the class of 2025 will have numerous, admirable leaders both now and in the future. On Friday, our Tay Creggan Leaders, Eleanor Smith and Elissa Pomeroy will represent us at the Student Executive Planning Day at Main School. 

We look forward to watching our Year 9’s, both with a badge and without, lead us through the myriad of activities on offer at Tay Creggan, finding their voice and shaping their year.

Karyn Murray, Head of Tay Creggan

I know this week the children are feeling a little tired as they are adjusting to life back at school after 2 years of disruption. Your daughter may require more rest on the weekend and after school especially following a day full of learning, activities and socialising in the Junior School. 

They may at times appear frustrated or teary following a long day, especially in the comfortable surroundings of their home,  but please take the time to consider their reactions and contact the classroom teacher the following day if you would like some feedback. 

At assembly we talked about it being ok and completely normal to sometimes feel happy, sad and most importantly somewhere in between. The common 'fine' response to how was your day, is very normal and may just mean your daughter is neither really happy or sad but very comfortable and settled in her environment.

I hope you enjoy a restful weekend,

Lisa Miller, Head of Junior School

View their video here: https://vimeo.com/638516418

The past two years have been a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences for children, young people and adults alike. The beginning of the school year is a time to reflect and put in place strategies that will support the young people in your life to build their capacity to cope and be ready for challenges and changes that the coming year may present. While we cannot be happy all the time it is important to support our children to understand their emotions and utilise strategies to support their wellbeing. This seminar will explore practical ideas and concepts that will assist you to support the development of your child’s capacity to cope and be happy both now and in the future.

Sharon Turner is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with over 24 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, and parents. Sharon has recently published a children’s picture book ‘Rosie Finds Her Power’ designed to explore how young people can find their inner strength to cope and change with uncertainty. She has spent over 15 years working as a School Psychologist and currently works as at Strathcona Girls Grammar. Sharon has also worked in private practice, community health, medical and university settings.

This will be an online event. The link for TryBooking is available via clicking the image in the banner on the Maple home page or through the link https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=859784&

Kerri Rhodes, Senior School Psychologist

Join us for our first Parent Seminar Series Event for the year, ‘Building your child’s capacity to cope and be happy, now and in the future’. Junior School Psychologist Sharon Turner will discuss the beginning of the school year and how it is a time to reflect and put strategies in place that will support the young people in your life to build their capacity to cope and be ready for challenges and changes that the coming year may present. Sharon is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with over 24 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and parents. Sharon has recently published a children’s picture book ‘Rosie Finds Her Power’ designed to explore how young people can find their inner strength to cope and change with uncertainty. The past two years have been a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences for children, young people, and adults alike, join us for this seminar as it will explore practical ideas and concepts that may assist you to support the development of your child’s capacity to cope and be happy both now and in the future.

This is a free online event. To register click here

Class Reps Welcome & Information Evening
Tuesday 22 February – 7pm – The Deck, Senior Campus

Please consider being a Class Rep in 2022 as it is a great way to meet other parents and feel part of life at Strathcona. Thank you to those parents who have already offered.
The SFA Committee will host an evening for the 2022 Class Reps to welcome them and chat about suggestions for events during the year. Experienced Class Reps will share their knowledge with the group.

If you would like to volunteer, please email Jo Wilson – jwilson@strathcona.vic.edu.au or call me to discuss further on 8779 7503.

Year 7 Family Picnic/Sausage Sizzle – hosted  by the SFA
Friday 25 February from 6.30pm – 8.30pm – The Deck/Oval, Senior Campus

To kick off the year before your daughters go off to camp, the Community Relations Office, in conjunction with the Strathcona Family Association, would like to invite Year 7 families to a casual picnic on the Senior School Oval. This will be a great opportunity to meet other families in your year level and your daughter's House.

BYO picnic basket and all members of your family are welcome. A sausage sizzle will also be available.

For catering purposes, please register your attendance and how many members of your family will be joining you by clicking here.

Tuesday 8 March 2022, 7.30am - 9.30am
Chin Chin, Melbourne 
To book in for this special event click here.

Don't miss out - limited seats available! 

Come and celebrate International Women's Day with us. This special breakfast is the first event in our inaugural ‘’Strathcona Women's Series’’. The International Women’s Day Breakfast brings the community together to recognise how far we have come towards achieving gender equality, how far we have to go, and the outstanding work and contribution of the women in our community and beyond.This year's theme for IWD is Break the Bias. Specifically, striving for a gender-equal world, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Strathcona's International Women's Day breakfast aims to bring our community together to celebrate women's achievements and raise awareness and continue to advocate for gender equality both in Australia and around the world. 

We look forward to hosting the event at the beautiful Chin Chin upstairs event space and providing our community the opportunity to come together, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and listen to our guest speaker, author of Leader by Design, and former CEO of Sportsgirl Colleen Callander. Colleen empowers and encourages women to have the confidence to believe in themselves, their ability and to share their voice. 

The breakfast will commence at 7.30 am. A ticket to the breakfast will include a sit-down meal, a special gift, and a chance to celebrate the women in our community on International Women's Day. Tickets are limited so book in quick!  Tell your friends and bring them along too, and come and meet some others in the community!

Our IWD Breakfast will also raise money in support of our School Charity Partner Women's Property Initiatives (WPI). Women's Property Initiatives create new beginnings for women and children at risk of homelessness by providing permanent and affordable homes, access to support, and ongoing advocacy. 

To support WPI, we will be hosting a raffle at the breakfast. The prizes have been donated by our wonderful Strathcona community members. 

Raffle prizes:

Major Prize - Loreal Product Hamper donated by the Khuu Family. (Valued at $1200)

High Tea for 2, at No 35 Restaurant at the Sofitel Melbourne

Raffle tickets can be purchased on TryBooking along with your ticket or on the day at your table. Good luck! 

We invite all Strathcona dads and caregivers to the Strathcona Family Association annual dads' pub night at the Hawthorn Hotel Beer Garden.

$25 per person for finger food and drinks at bar prices.A great opportunity to relax and meet other dads and have a few laughs.

Please note the Hawthorn Hotel requires you to be double vaccinated to attend and you will need to show your certificate to staff on arrival.

Relax and enjoy an evening out with other Strathcona mums and caregivers. A great opportunity to meet our new mums and reconnect with others after a long two years.

$25 per person for finger food and drinks at bar prices.

We have reserved a large private area at the recently renovated Hawthorn Hotel.

The evening has been arranged by the Strathcona Family Association Mothers' subcommittee. 

The Hawthorn Hotel will require double vaccination status to enter the function and will require proof of your COVID-19 vaccination on arrival.

The SFA is a group of like-minded parents and friends who willingly give their time to actively engage with the School community and provide support for initiatives that benefit all students.

The SFA Committee meets once a month usually on the first Wednesday. We invite you to come along to their meeting on Wednesday 2 March 2022 at 7.00pm on The Deck. You are under no obligation to join the Committee.

Parents’ Night Out – Dancing Under the Stars 2
Saturday 26 March 2022

The Strathcona Family Association are delighted to invite parents to join them for a fun evening at Dancing Under the Stars 2. Last year's event was a huge success with parents enjoying an evening on the Deck socialising and dancing the night away.

Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival and then drinks can be purchased at the bar. Bountiful finger food and a DJ to entertain you who will be happy to play your requests!

Blow the Covid cobwebs away and have a fabulous evening with other Strathcona parents!

Smart casual attire and only $45per person.

* Please note that parents must be double vaccinated to attend