Newsletter Term 2, Week 9 17 June 2021

Through our inaugural Annual Appeal, and the generosity of our ‘’early adopters’’ we predict that we can already abate over 10 Tonnes of CO2 in our first year, thanks to the IoT (Internet of Things) technology we will purchase at the end of the project. But what exactly is IoT technology and why have we chosen to invest in it?

In a nutshell, Internet of Things is the concept of connecting any device (so long as it has an on/off switch) to the Internet and to other connected devices. The IoT is a giant network of connected things and people all of which collect and share data about the way they are used and about the environment around them.

That includes an extraordinary number of objects of all shapes and sizes from smart microwaves, which automatically cook your food for the right length of time, to self-driving cars, whose complex sensors detect objects in their path, to wearable fitness devices that measure your heart rate and the number of steps you have taken that day, then use that information to suggest exercise plans tailored to you.

In our case, with your help, the technology we will purchase will help make our heating, ventilation, cooling and irrigation assets ‘’smarter’’. For example, with IoT in place, our air conditioners will learn patterns of behaviour in the spaces they occupy to ensure they are only ever in use when the spaces themselves are being used. Our irrigation systems will know not to start watering the grounds when rain has been predicted for the next day. The amount of energy Strathcona can save with this type of technology equates to up to 122 Tonnes of CO2 saved from entering the atmosphere – just in the first year!

Strathcona’s proposed IoT project is just one of a suite of actions we will being taking to leave our footprint that little bit greener for generations to come. We already have a 100,000L water tank under our tennis courts, solar panels, a recycling system and dedicated environmental groups. Across our school, our curriculum includes robust interdisciplinary teachings about a broad range of topics, from the water cycle to renewable resources, thermal mass to biodiversity, big weather events to urban sprawl.

My role at Strathcona is to gather support and momentum to fast track those transformational projects that fees alone cannot support. Asking for money is hard, particularly in today’s climate. However, I wholeheartedly believe that this project, which creates a path for others to follow, is a truly good news story in the midst of a pretty difficult time – and every bit worthy of your support. I hope you will join me in donating to Strathcona’s Green Evolution Appeal via this link today. We can’t wait to tell you how we go!

Mrs Eliza Goding, Development Manager

Reference: Ibm.com

We have already raised enough money to save more than 10 Tonnes of CO2 emissions! Help us reach 30 Tonnes by donating today. Your donation will go towards game-changing IoT technology which will help make our buildings more energy-efficient, saving tonnes of C02 in the process. Please help us do our bit for climate change and give towards Strathcona’s first Annual Appeal today: http://www.charidy.com/strathcona

A quick reminder that for the last week of this term, we begin our Semester 2 timetable. We hope that the Senior School will be able to gather on Wednesday for our end-of-term assembly.  It has once again been an unusual Term, so I hope all families will be able to take the next few weeks to recoup, rest and reset for a busy Term 3! 

As a concluding message I would like to share some words from David, our school pedestrian crossing attendant: 

“I send my love to all at Strathcona. I have had a few health issues, with my foot currently in plaster but it is slowly getting better. I miss the Strathcona community terribly and am very keen to get back and see everybody.  I hope to be back at the Strathcona crossing in Term 3 and appreciate everyone’s love and kindness”.

Wishing you well. 

Ms Tracy Herft, Deputy Principal

Items in this edition include –
• Dates to Diarise in Term 3
• News from the University of Melbourne
o A Day at Melbourne
o Meet Melbourne Online Recordings
o Careers in Science
o Mathematics and Statistics Undergraduate Experience
• Torrens University Virtual Careers Expo
• News from RMIT University
o Music Careers Expo
o RMIT Science Experience
• Arts Degrees on offer in Victoria in 2021
• Science Degrees in Victoria in 2021
• Snapshot of Box Hill Institute (BHI) in 2021
• Snapshot of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) in 2021

Please click here for this week's Career News. To visit the Careers page or view previous versions of Careers News click here.

Our week began with “Exam Day” which, for most students, turned out to be not as stressful as they had imagined. Many commented afterwards that the guided meditation before the English exam helped to calm their nerves, and reflected on their own preparation and organisation. I was particularly impressed with the steady, considered manner displayed by the students as we continue to reinforce the learning and experience they can gain from exams. 

This week many students also picked up their Duke of Edinburgh activities. You can see the gardening group who worked on the TC front garden for their hour on Wednesday - I tried to book them in for my house! For your information, Toni Black, our Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator is in discussion with the governing body about how we can credit students who have not completed their full Camp2Campus journey. We will let students know when we have a resolution.

Now we are back on site, Envision classes will focus on building a business that will operate in Term 3. We are encouraging students to think with an entrepreneurial mind and not be locked into an idea at this stage. Running a business is really only a small part of the overall task - we will also be teaching students about budgets, spreadsheets, tax, customer discovery, prototyping, and many more business development strategies. 

On Friday, we will have a panel of three League of Extraordinary Women (Renee Moore owner of Cinch, Olivia Carr from Shh Silk and Mia Klitsas for the third year in succession from Moxie) who will speak to the Year 9 cohort about their entrepreneurial journey, the challenges they have faced along the way. We hope that this will be a valuable launchpad for their entrepreneurial quest.

On the last day of term, Friday 25 June, we will be holding Envision Day. More information about this day will follow shortly.

Mrs Karyn Murray, Head of Tay Creggan

Year 10 Play Production - The Tempest adapted by Lynne Bradley.
7.00pm - 8.30pm, 22 and 23 June 2021, Strathcona Drama Studio.

Livestreamed for the Community and in-person audience tickets available for Staff and Students only.
Adults $12. Students $10. Click here to purchase tickets. 

Come to Pospero’s magical island and be captivated by airy spirits, savage monsters, ship-wrecked sailors, and young lovers. This visually and aurally stunning adaption of Shakespeare's last play is a vibrant exploration of magic, betrayal, revenge, and dispossession. It includes enchanting music, songs, and stunning physical theatre. Be prepared to be mesmerised!

Livestream links:

Tuesday 22 June 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyaaa8gywPE

Wednesday 23 June 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvGsYfr3Izo

We hope you can join us! 

STRATHCONA MOVIE AFTERNOON - DREAM HORSE

We warmly invite you and your family to join us on Sunday 27 June 2021 at the Palace Balwyn Cinema for a special viewing of the film, Dream Horse. 

Experience the inspiring true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely racehorse bred by small-town bartender, Jan Vokes (Toni Collette). With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream and compete with the racing elites. Their investment pays off as Dream rises through the ranks and becomes a beacon of hope in their struggling community. Also starring Damian Lewis. Dream Horse is rated PG.

Only $14 per family member and refreshments can be purchased at the Candy Bar. Bookings can be made here

The session time will be confirmed closer to the day via email but it will be Sunday afternoon.

We hope you can join us!

On Sunday 27 June 2021 at 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Location

Palace Cinema Balwyn
231 Whitehorse Road, BALWYN, VICTORIA 3127

Planning Liveable Cities event is tonight 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Register now! 

You are warmly invited to the Strathcona Centre Learning Futures event – Planning Liveable Cities.Hear about urban planning and the impact it has on lives now and into the future. Madison Robb and Yang Bai from Plan Melbourne will share about their careers in urban planning. We eagerly await their presentation where we will learn something that will have enormous impacts on our futures - the future of Melbourne.

Read more about our guest speakers below.

Madison Robb
Madison has over seven years' experience in urban planning, project management and Ministerial roles in State Government, delivering high-profile, large-scale planning and urban renewal projects, including Docklands and Fishermans Bend in Victoria and Perth City Link and Scarborough Beach in WA. Originally from Perth, Madison moved to Melbourne 4 years ago and took a short break from planning to explore cities as cabin crew for Virgin Australia, before COVID-19 hit the travel industry. Madison now works on delivering Plan Melbourne 2017-2050, the Victorian Government's strategy to guide the growth of Melbourne until 2050, including where people live and work and how we connect people to jobs and services.

Yang Bai
Yang Bai is a strategic planner working on the 20 minute neighbourhoods project in the Planning Department of Victoria. Her passion is in understanding the relationship between people and urban space, and also how we can create quality spaces. She is also interested in spatial data analysis and visualisation to facilitate communication and decision making. She was an engineer before moving to Melbourne to study Urban Planning. She is now also studying Urban Design.

Click here to register for this event.

Term 3 Introductory Program for Rhythmic Gymnastics
Term 3 Saturdays, commencing Saturday 17 July from 11.00am - 1.00pm

If you've ever wanted to try Rhythmic Gymnastics this is your chance! Strathcona's Term 3 Introductory Program for Rhythmic Gymnastics is commencing on 17 July 2021, and will run every Saturday of the term. Rhythmic Gymnastics is a graceful sport that combines dance, acrobatics and gymnastics and develops coordination, strength, balance, flexibility, posture and musicality. Above all, it's fun! We can't wait for you to join us in the program. 

$232.00 for the full term, or attend a trial class pro rata of the full term fee.

Classes will run from 11.00am - 1.00pm on the below dates:

Saturday 17 July
Saturday 24 July 
Saturday 31 July
Saturday 7 August
Saturday 14 August
Saturday 21 August
Saturday 28 August
Saturday 4 September

To book in click here.

Tomorrow at 7.15am is Strathcona's Green Evolution Breakfast. We hope that you can join us for what is going to be a very informative event. 

Hear from our panel of experts about climate change and rising sea levels, and be inspired by stories of action from local sustainability heroes. Learn about Strathcona’s own "Green Evolution’’ and commitment to a better Earth for girls and families everywhere.

Click here to register for this event.

Dr Kathleen McInnes ('79) - CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere 

Kathleen McInnes leads the Climate Extremes and Projections group of the Climate Science Centre in CSIRO's Ocean and Atmosphere business unit. Her work deals with how climate change will affect severe weather and coastal extreme sea levels through numerical modelling and climate model analysis with a focus on Australia and small islands. She has developed climate projections for impact and adaptation assessments to assist local government manage and adapt to climate change. Her contribution to this work was awarded Eureka award in 2003 and 2009. She has published over 200 refereed publications and other reports and articles and was a contributing author on the IPCC second, third, fourth and sixth assessment reports. She was a lead author on the IPCC Fifth assessment report chapter on Coastal Systems and Low-Lying Areas as well as a lead author on the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adapation in 2012 and the IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in 2019. She currently serves as a co-chair of the World Climate Research Program Grand Challenge on Regional Sea Level Changes and Coastal Impacts. In 2017 she became a Fellow of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society and in 2020 she was awarded the CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement.

Ninna K Larsen, Founder and Director - Reground

"Reground exists to help businesses help the environment and not let coffee, chaff or soft plastic waste end in landfill. Reground creates a community around waste resources to educate us all on how to make our future more sustainable.Reground changes our current waste disposal structure making it more resourceful for our pocket, people and planet.Reground exists to create positive change."Ninna is an expert in behavioural design, marrying her passion for sustainability and practicality to create real change in the waste and innovation space. She founded Reground in 2014 after experiencing the unnecessary coffee waste in Melbourne. Determined to see businesses stepping into the circular economy, she is creating a movement of businesses that puts impact over profit.

Matt Jones, Director - Mamachi

Matt owns and operates a number of Energy and Technology businesses and is driven to accelerate Australia's Energy and Carbon Transition. His passion and experience in Sustainability and Renewable Energy drives Matt to create impact and value for the Education Sector and other large organisations across the country. Through increasingly intelling and automated Building, Asset and Energy Management technologies Matt has delivered large scale programs and portfolio wide data management strategies nationally, achieving meaningful energy, emissions and building outcomes across most sectors.

Hollie Fields - Head of House, Strathcona Sustainability Team Leader

Hollie Fields has taught the Geography curriculum in schools across Victoria and Tasmania. She is committed to giving students on active role in sustainability education by providing them with knowledge and skills to foster change. Currently she teaches at Strathcona Girls Grammar where she leads the Senior curriculum for Geography (10-12). Alongside this, Hollie is a member of the School's sustainability committee, oversees the environment club and participates in the Boroondara Indigenous Network. Having presented at the Australian Geography Teachers Conference in 2019, Hollie engages with an Australia wide network of teachers to consider the best approaches for raising awareness for an ecological mindset. She believes everyone has a key role and that significant change is required to reduce the impacts of modern lifestyles on the natural environment. 

This month's edition is ‘Friendship & Belonging’. It is a great edition for parents and adult carers with children across all year levels. 

Read the special report here.

Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some these skills will come very naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate. Belonging to a group that is like-minded with similar interests is highly beneficial to a young person’s wellbeing. It gives them a sense of security helping them feel valued which in turn builds their confidence.

SchoolTV is an online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies. Click here to access the website.