Newsletter Term 3, Week 2 24 July 2020

Under her leadership a number of building projects occurred. While Strathcona’s financial position was very sound, it was clear that if that was to remain the case, there was a necessity for fund-raising to occur. A Development Office was set up and a number of events occurred which did indeed raise funds so that, for example, a boat jetty at Tay Creggan could be built. Ruth believed that Strathcona, with its property on the banks of the Yarra, was ideally suited to set itself up as a strong Watersport School. Now, of course, many hundreds, thousands possibly, of students have participated in Rowing and Kayaking. Ruth herself is a most generous woman and philanthropist. When she left the School, she resisted gifts and big events, but asked that donations be directed to a special scholarship fund for students who would not otherwise be able to access a Strathcona Education. 

The spirit of giving in kindness and in kind has a strong history in the School. So, it is unsurprising really that the recently set up Strathcona Family Support Fund with initial substantial donations from the Strathcona Family Association, the Old Strathconians and the School has already attracted a large number of staff donations. I am very touched that so many of our staff, despite their own personal family challenges, busyness and possibly being ‘over’ screen time, took the time to pull out their wallets, key in bank details and, in some cases, a lovely message. We begin launching the fund to our families and our wider community now. Paul Diviny and Sarah Felice of the Family Association describe the fund and the vision behind it in this short video. If you are in a position to contribute to the fund, please access our giving platform here. 

Again, in the spirit of giving, we are very excited that 43 of our alumnae have agreed to present to our students and parents by sharing their career journeys online via Microsoft Live Teams. The alumnae presenters come from a vast range of career backgrounds with each evening covering three different occupation areas including STEM, Health, Law/Policy and many more. This year our alumnae are joining us from both interstate and around the world – UK, USA and even Croatia. We are very blessed to have such a generous alumnae community so willing to share their journey since leaving Strathcona. For further information about the evenings and the biographies of the presenters please click here. 

To finish off this piece, I would like to share a letter written by Ruth Bunyan to the Feliciter group, which she founded. This group is comprised of former Strathcona staff members and they are looked after by Mrs Diana Little (Alumnae Administrator) and Mrs Jo Wilson (Director of Community Relations). They are a wonderful group of people with interesting (and often hilarious) stories going back decades, which chronicle the story of Strathcona. In her letter, Ruth refers to Julia Baird’s (journalist, writer, ABC The Drum host) most recent book Phosphorescence. I bought it weeks ago but have not yet read it. My concentration and focus do not seem up to it. She also wrote a biography of Queen Victoria, again, which remains on my bookshelf but unread by me. I seem to lose touch with reality when I go into a bookstore and think I have time to actually read something non-work related. 

Here are Ruth’s words: 

School and education have always been such a stable and influential part of our lives, usually taken for granted. May the enforced lockdown give everyone a chance to reflect on important aspects of humanity. Let us hope that a new ‘normal’ for Australians will focus more on Michah 6:8 Do justice. Love mercy.  Walk humbly. 

I have been reading Phosphorescence, by Julia Baird. It is subtitled ‘On Awe, Wonder and Things That Sustain You When the World Goes Dark’, published early this year before the pandemic. She uses the book to ask questions such as “how do we make sense of life?” and in disappointments, fragile health, illness and loss, declining economies, changing climate and uncertainty, “how do we retain happiness?”  Although biographical, it is not a biography, and neither is it memoir nor self-help book. The Australian review concludes “Like spending an evening with a wonderful friend with unlimited time and a glass of good wine in hand .... A beautiful and rallying read.”  

Quoting Baird: “Once when I was living in America, a women’s magazine asked me to name my two greatest possessions. Missing the cue to cite something more glamorous, I said my pushbike and my teapot. The editors cut it out of the piece. Dwelling in hilly Sydney now instead of flat Philadelphia, I don’t ride bikes often, but I remain deeply committed to my teapots. At work, I have three, of different sizes, in orange and spots and swirls of vivid colours; and another at home with Alice in Wonderland perched on top. Enjoying a freshly brewed pot of tea on my porch, after a swim or a run, is the best thing on earth. The sun creeps across my feet, cockatoos sweep overhead and even my tyrannical fluffy cat lies serene in the sun. We all have these moments, where we are sated by simple pleasures. Luxuriate in them.”

And finally, Leunig:

Please accept my continued good wishes that you have some time to luxuriate in the simple joys of life as we all manage the complexities.

Warm regards
Marise McConaghy
Principal

If you have a passion for supporting the School in its successful development of ‘unstoppable girls’ and have skills in finance, risk, or a related field, we would welcome hearing from you. Please contact Jocelyn Furlan at chair@strathcona.vic.edu.au or you can contact the Principal's EA, Marie Kotsanis at mkotsanis@strathcona.vic.edu.au for more details about the role.

Session 1: Tuesday 28 July – Panels: STEM #1 / Technology / Business #1

Session 2: Thursday 30 July – Panels: Business #2 / Sport / STEM #2

Session 3: Tuesday 4 August – Panels: Health #1 / Health #2 / Creative

Session 4: Thursday 6 August – Panels: Communication / Law/Policy / Humanities

All sessions will commence at 7.00pm to 9.15pm.

Further information and the presenter’s biographies have been emailed separately by the Careers Department or can be downloaded here.

General Fitness: 

• Tuesday afternoon - 3.30pm-4pm
• Thursday morning - 7am-7.30am

General Fitness/Stretching:

• Friday lunchtime (Years 7-10) - 12.10pm-12.40pm

NETFIT ISO Academy:

• An 8-week fitness, health and wellbeing program run by elite athletes. 
• Online sessions will take place on Monday mornings - 6.45am-7.30am

For any students who would like to participate in these sessions through Microsoft Teams, please email Ms Keira Wills (kwills@strathcona.vic.edu.au) to be added to the team. 

We also have online training opportunities for our Junior School and Senior School Saturday netballers which has been communicated to these students and their families. Please contact Ms Gayle Burgi (gburgi@strathcona.vic.edu.au) directly if you have not received an email.

Ms Keira Wills, Head of Sport

Click here for this week's careers newsletter, containing information on:  

• Dates to Diarise in Term 3
• Ten jobs you might be interviewed for in 2050
• Discover Deakin – Online Information Events
• Early Access to 2021 Courses at the University of Tasmania (UTAS)
• New Nexus Program at La Trobe University
• News from the University of Melbourne
  • Study Website
  • Stay Connected
  • Meet Melbourne Online 2020
• What does a Neuroscientist do?
• Group of Eight Universities
• Virtual Open Days 2020
  • Getting the most out of a Virtual Open Day
• Snapshot of Box Hill Institute (BHI) in 2020
• Business Degrees in Victoria in 2020 
• Commerce Degrees in Victoria in 2020 

Check out some wonderful new eBook additions that have been added to ourWheelers ebook shared collection for July 2020.

Please follow this procedure:

• Search for the book you would like to borrow in the catalogue: Oliver Catalogue. You can search by title, author, genre and subject.
• When you find the book you would like to borrow, click the reserve button. Do this for as many books as you would like to borrow.
• We will send you an email letting you know when you can collect the books.
• Collect the books from the box on the veranda at 35 Scott St (Second-hand uniform shop, next to the Junior School). The books will be in a parcel with your name on it!
• Please pick your book up within 5 days.

Ms Mandy McAuliffe, Library Technician

History Repeating

“It’s just a little bit of History repeating” so sang Shirley Bassey in 1997. The lyrics came to mind today as I pondered over this May Gibbs cartoon.

In 1919, the Australian author of ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’ fame was commissioned by the NSW Health Department to produce this cartoon to accompany literature which was given to soldiers returning from World War One. Approximately 15,000 Australians died from influenza, roughly equivalent to the number of service personnel who died during active service in the war.

However, by all reports, Australians laconic humour, keen sense of community and quiet observance of regulations in dealing with this major event goes largely unrecognised in our History. There are no monuments to the doctors and nurses, no plaque to recognise researchers, public health officials and the like.

My message to the girls in Year 9 girls this week has been simple. Your unseen efforts are important. A kind word to a friend, completing work to the best of your ability without being directly scrutinised by a teacher and checking up on classmate who may have hit a roadblock never win awards – but are incredibly worthy.

Scientific research has proven that by helping others, being kind, our own sense of wellbeing improves. In 1919, during the height of the influenza season in Melbourne there are reports of a “system where the sick would tie a white cloth from their door, gate or front window to indicate they needed assistance. Volunteers or neighbours would then know to provide food or other help”. [1]

My hope is that History does indeed keep repeating and that these small acts of kindness, both to others and ourselves become just as vital to building and nourishing community spirit now as they were in 1919.

________________________________

[1] (1919) 'White flag of distress', The Herald, 30 April.

Next Monday, all Year 9’s will be invited to participate in a Webinar hosted by Danielle Miller 'Gratitude-adding thankfulness to your wellbeing toolkit' and on Tuesday, Shakespeare Day online will go ahead with a number of exciting activities planned. Ms Claire Johns has posted a workshop booklet to the girls – fingers crossed that they all arrive!

Year 10, 2021 Subject Selection:

Year 9 students have now had presentations from Mr Ross Phillips (Senior Dean of Learning Futures), Mr David Pargetter (Head of English) and Mrs Christy Kertes (Head of Maths). This information, along with the 2021 Curriculum Handbook should enable students to make initial subject selections. Links to presentations and the Handbook are on the Year 9 page.

Envision

Business development is occurring in Envision over the next couple of weeks as all Year 9 businesses must complete a series of modules before their launch. Modules include: Financial Management, Business Model Canvas, Prototyping, Customer Feedback, Competitor Discovery, Sustainable and Ethical awareness and Pitch training. 

Many businesses are looking to take advantage of isolation and have pivoted their businesses to enable them to launch online. Below are two examples of 'Customer Discovery'. Understanding your customer enables you to target marketing and increase sales!

'Cookie Crumble' – Oli R, Jas, Maddie C and Liana

'Paper Walls' – Georgia, Milla, Isa and Nicole

Year 9 PE

Ever wondered what it would be like to be an Olympian only to discover that the Olympics had been cancelled?  Ms Liesl Wood’s PE classes this week had to create and practise a dance routine they designed to tell a story of an historical Olympic event. Leah, Milla O, Chloe T and Kate’s reactions represent the cancellation of this year’s Olympics! Can’t wait to see the actual dance next week girls! 

Karyn

Session 1: Tuesday 28 July – Panels: STEM #1 / Technology / Business #1

Session 2: Thursday 30 July – Panels: Business #2 / Sport / STEM #2

Session 3: Tuesday 4 August – Panels: Health #1 / Health #2 / Creative

Session 4: Thursday 6 August – Panels: Communication / Law/Policy / Humanities

All sessions will commence at 7.00pm to 9.15pm.

Further information and the presenter’s biographies have been emailed separately by the Careers Department or can be downloaded here.

This week in assembly we reflected on the School value of empowerment and the girls listened to an inspiring message from Jessica Watson. Jessica talked about the importance of having a dream, believing in it, and working hard. Whilst some of our dreams and goals appear to have been paused for the moment it is important to still find ways to work toward these, even if the journey is taking a slightly different path for now. 

Our maintenance team have exceeded the challenge of freshening up the Junior School gardens. There are a few surprises in construction for the girls and I am waiting in anticipation to see the joy on their faces when they arrive back onsite.

Mrs Lisa Miller

The Australian Childhood Foundation has created a lovely story about ‘Hugs’ to explain COVID-19 to children. They have now added a new story book that discusses ‘Hugs’ during this second lockdown and the things that children and families can do to keep well during this time. It shares the story of how ‘Hugs’ now needs to call on friends to help (“Calling Smiles and Laughter Calling Creative Ideas Calling Healthy Eating Calling Enough Sleep Calling Movement and Exercise Calling Gratitude Calling Staying in Touch Calling Good Music Calling Fun and Play Calling Kindness”).  It is a delightful story that you may like to share with your children to discuss as a family the important aspects of keeping well during this lockdown. Please see the link below for the story. 

https://www.childhood.org.au/app/uploads/2020/07/hug-two.pdf 

Ms Sharon Turner, School Psychologist, Junior School

We also have online training opportunities for our Junior School and Senior School Saturday netballers which has been communicated to these students and their families. Please contact Ms Gayle Burgi (gburgi@strathcona.vic.edu.au) directly if you have not received an email.

Ms Keira Wills, Head of Sport

Ms Michelle Dennis wrote this article on Digital Health and Safety for the ISV website. As your daughter is on-line so much more now, there is helpful information to keep your daughter safe in the digital world. 

We are a Be You School and I think you will find some of their latest fact sheets informative and helpful. Look at them as a family.

For students:

• Beyond Blue Surviving School before, during and after COVID 19
• A guide to dealing with constant change due to COVID 19
• 5 steps to study success at home
• 7 tips to help with stress and anxiety
• Tips to keep good mental health

For parents:

• How to have a great conversation
• Tips for supporting a teenager who is stressed
• Surviving Year 12 (for parents)

As always, if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact myself, your daughter’s Year Level Co-ordinator or Head of House. We are only a phone call away.

Mrs Jenni Farmilo, Deputy Principal

'So it’s not whether your kids will survive this period of being more ‘close and personal’, the big question is how do you get through with your sanity and dignity largely intact.' says Andrew. Learning at home is set to continue for a number of weeks for many students. Andrew offers some advice for parents - including the Big Three factors that can make a powerful impact.

To read Andrew's article please click here.

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Don’t touch the front of the mask or your face.
• Carefully remove your mask by grasping the ear loops or untying the ties. For masks with a pair of ties, unfasten the bottom one first, then the top one.
• If your mask has filters, remove them and throw them away. Fold the mask and put it directly into the laundry or into a disposable or washable bag for laundering. Single use surgical masks should be disposed of responsibly.
• Clean your hands again.

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-covid-19

Send through your details to cro@strathcona.vic.edu.au. To support a local business and shop local, click here (https://www.strathcona.vic.edu.au/support-our-community/) to find Strathcona Community businesses. The Community Relations Office continues to work with the Strathcona Family Association and the Old Strathconians in supporting our community during these uncertain times. If you have any questions please email Jo Wilson via email jwilson@strathcona.vic.edu.au

With Tay Creggan being part of Open House Melbourne 2020 you can take a virtual tour of the magnificent building Tay Creggan and learn about its interesting history. You can also take a tour of Tay Creggan in Minecraft or download the TC Minecraft world and explore on your own in Minecraft. Additionally, listen to the TC Envision webinar with the League of Extraordinary Women or listen to mini lessons of food technology, science or drama.

Closing this Sunday 26 July, 2020. To tour Tay Creggan virtually please click here.

Have you listened to the Little Women Radio Play produced by our Year 10s? It is still available to listen to until midnight this Sunday night. So be quick as after this it will no longer be available to listen to!

The Year 10 Play Production classembraced the opportunity of performing the endearing American play, Little Women. As young women on the cusp of adulthood, they connected with this rite of passage story which follows the four March sisters from childhood to womanhood. It is also about the birth of a female artist at a time that was averse to granting equal rights to women and disinterested in hearing their voice. The girls connected with the feisty protagonist, a free-spirited young woman whose unquenchable ambition defied gender stereotyping “Women have minds and souls as well as just hearts, and they’ve got ambition and talent…”

We warmly invite you take our radio play into your homes. It was created in nineteen different homes during the first Stage 3 lockdown and is proof of the power of the Arts to connect, inspire and empower us.

Click here to enjoy this Year 10 Play Production.

Enjoy!

Mrs Marisa Rowland, Drama Teacher