Newsletter Term 3, Week 6 21 Aug 2020

I do not think any of us realised we would be running a marathon this year. The great COVID-19 marathon of 2020 is certainly not something any of us had trained for, nor is it something we might add to our bucket list of achievements. If the pandemic was a real marathon, and if each week of lockdown represented a kilometre, we are just over halfway with some hard yards to go. So how do we keep going? How do we manage the relentlessness of this state of living when the end is not yet in sight? At Strathcona we have asked these questions of ourselves for months now and we continue to come back to the same answers; keep connected, practice self-care and ask for help.

These answers have been somewhat of a mantra for the staff community during this time. We have pivoted, moving between surviving and thriving with every new challenge and we’ve done this by being proactive with our approach to staff care. Connection to each other remains intrinsically linked to our wellbeing even though we are physically distanced. Throughout the periods of remote learning all staff have had regular check-in times with one of our School leaders to share their experiences and receive additional support as needed. The new technology thrust upon us so rapidly to teach from home, has also been harnessed to keep our staff together. The use of the Staff Wellbeing Microsoft Team has provided a regular platform for morning tea and lunch catch ups, has facilitated an online Book Club, trivia quizzes and end of term celebrations. These strategies have nurtured the connections we have with each other, connections that are simpler at School and need to be more deliberate when we are not.

We have invested strongly in the promotion of self-care acknowledging that for staff to finish the COVID-19 marathon we had to find ways to build stamina, resilience and explicitly offer opportunities to relieve stress. We have done this by giving all staff the opportunity to engage in livestreamed fitness, Pilates and yoga sessions several times a week. This has been a successful initiative, supported by a number of health and wellness subscriptions all staff can access online.

One of the real benefits of COVID-19 has been that the staff have quite unexpectedly got to know each other better. With the workplace moving quite literally into our homes, we have got to know each other’s children, partners and pets. It has created a collegiality that hasn’t existed before, and it has provided the opportunity to understand a little better the people who make up our community. The change in our relationships have helped us look after each other. It has allowed us to acknowledge the challenges we all face more readily and it has ensured that everyone knows that it is ok to ask for help, it is ok to say this is hard and that someone in our community is there to provide support.

20kms to go, we’ve got this!

Tips for Getting Through the COVID-19 Marathon
This Way Up, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney Limited

Warm regards
Mrs Amber Sowden, Head of Staff and Student Health and Wellbeing Programs

As such, we have arranged for Kids Disco to run a session with our Year 7 cohort on Friday 18 September at 2.30pm: https://www.kidsdiscos.com.au/. We look forward to sharing this exciting finish to another busy term with your daughter.

Mrs Rhiannon Ward, Year 7 Coordinator

This week's careers newsletter, contains the following information on:

• Dates to Diarise in Term 3
• News from the University of Melbourne
  • Guaranteed ATARs for 2021
  • Fine Arts and Music Degrees
• News from RMIT University
  • Fashion Programs at RMIT
  • Bachelor of Business (Blockchain Enabled Business)
• News from Monash University
  • Medicine Courses
  • Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours)
• Studying Architecture at Swinburne University
• Upcoming Webinars at Federation University
• Snapshot of the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2020
• Exercise Science & Sport Degrees in Victoria in 2020

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

As well as reading your way through our Wheelers ebook collection why not try some free online events currently available.

From 15-31 August you can attend the Edinburgh International Book Festival online for free, including the Baillie Gifford Children’s Program, which caters for ages 0-14 years. YA events include a session on retellings with Joseph Coelho, Juno Dawson & Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Writing Resistance with Nikita Gill & Nic Stone.

Libraries are also running online programs at this time. Boroondara Libraries have an online event coming up for young writers - Secrets, time travel and library love with Julianne Negri on Wednesday 26 August.

Or join Readings online on Thursday 27 August to celebrate author, parent and librarian Christie Nieman’s second book Where We Begin. This heart-racing young adult novel follows 17-year-old runaway Anna as she flees to her grandparents' land in the country in search of answers. Nieman will chat about the novel with writer and editor Miriam Sved. 

The Library Team

Cybersafety has been an important issue at Year 9 this week. Several social media breaches were reported, and as a result, Ms Michelle Dennis, Head of Digital Technology spoke to all girls about privacy online and how to deal with such incidents. Year 9 students are to be commended for the maturity they displayed dealing with the situation. Please refer to Michelle’s article on Cybersafety Tips during Isolation under the Senior School News in this newsletter. It contains information she shared with the girls about how to stay safe online.

Our English classes are in full flow this week with creative writing activities focussed on Romeo & Juliet. Examples of the girls’ writing are featured below.

Finally, to round out our week, our ‘7 Continents in 1 day’ adventure last Friday was a great hit! I think the staff took the day quite literally (we all dressed for a holiday!) and the girls really enjoyed meeting new people around the world. We discussed an amazing array of topics – from how marine organisms are classified, to policing in Los Angeles, to what South African Braais are (a BBQ). The girls all had the opportunity to ask questions on any topic they liked. For you to share a glimpse of our experience, we thought you might like the video below.

Best wishes
Mrs Karyn Murray, Head of Tay Creggan

The dense clouds covered the sky like a warm blanket,
A shimmering crescent breaking through the darkness.
The hailstones clattered to the ground like marbles spilling from a box,
Lightning flashed across the sky lighting up the world with a charming glow.
The stormed brewed like a hot cup of tea.

Sophie Tremewen

The storm you gave passed, yet I still felt the rain.
The sun was out, although you still put me in the shade.
I was on land, nonetheless, I was drowning.
You said goodbye, although I still see you.

Lauren Phillips


Love can be like jewels, just for show.
Jewels are beautiful to the eye, an addition to a look.
Jewels can be fake, fake like love.
Who knows if its true or fake?

Shreya Khanna

The dewy grass of love sparkled,
Glistening like warm sun on a summer’s morning.

Holly Whiting

Love can be kind of crazy. It can sneak up on you, like a monster.
It can stay hidden and jump out of nowhere, when you least expect it.
It can be scary, but it is harmless in a way.

Bethany Moore

Each day I filed a thought of you. Perhaps, a fleeting wish. Or far more likely a brief recount of some past occurrence, an awkward interaction that could hopefully be forgotten as it wears away within. Yet this cabinet once new and beautiful now lies still and rusted, and although cobwebs have not taken hold, its paint fades and chips nonetheless. The scent of each heavy document that lies on top of yet another, a scent that was once thrilling. Now grows stale and ordinary from within these hefty drawers. Despite the way some words or details become smudged upon their page, it is no longer my responsibility to organise their cage.

Meg Harrison

Every day I live without fear as I have my mother. The love of a mother is more than love itself. She tries to guide you. She is selfless and always puts others before herself making sure that everybody is ok and functioning well. Mothers love is stronger than any friend or family member as you are her little girl. She only ever wants the best for you even if that means it’s not what she thinks is the best for you. The smell of a mother is welcoming and calming.

Jessica Buick

The love of a sister is like a cat,
Can be sinister and menacing, rude and ignorant,
Switches to softly meowing and playful at the best of times.
It will stare you down and growl whenever it wants,
But rub up against you and be there for you forever.

Isabel White

The first time a child’s ears hear the harsh percussion of rain droplets hitting their roof, is like a first love.
Mysterious and unexpected, it can overwhelm their emotions.
As the rain continues, their ears soften the sound and what felt like uncharted territory, becomes more familiar.
Finding the bravery to step outside, the rain feels like sharp needles on their skin, and the thunder strikes, flooding their ears.
What felt like an intoxicating storm, eventually starts to calm them and becomes the soundtrack to their first love.

Leah Curnow

Love is a storm that is chaotic and scary.
The rain can vary and fall harder on you.
Your soul is passioned and uplifted.
You could never imagine how the love could be shifted.
If the storm passes, the seas of love is gone.
You will never forget the love felt during the storm.

April Price

My dog is a thief. She likes to steal socks
and people’s hearts.

Giulia Luxton

Love is like a thief, that steals away your heart -
Makes you feel unsafe and hurt;
It takes what is worthy with a flirt.
Builds much memory full of dirt,
Only to snatch every bit of your heart.

Mandana Moridi

She is the monster behind her nightmares, the reason for her despondency. She fears herself yet she is too weak, too stuck, too persistent in her own hate to seize her life back.  Every second controlled by the monster in her mind, each moment of happiness only a temporary numbness of the pain. Why is it that when others praise her the monster takes over, deflecting until the homage seizes? Is it impossible for her to accept and find peace amongst her thoughts or shall she give up trying to defeat the extreme negativity, aware it will always win?  Whilst she seeks for happiness within herself, the battle of love is one rarely won and it is understood that the monster will forever be superior, a persistent dark cloud over her life. Is it too much to ask for her to love herself for a while? What darkness has possessed her eyes and prevented her from seeing her true beauty?

Audrey Macdonald

Your love is presented as fire.
The beauty of your burn is intensely passionate.
It builds and builds creating tension, this love takes me to another dimension.
The flames roll with the emotions. But in the end, remember all of the devotions.

Jessica Findlay

Love is a monster:
It can be scary at first
But when you discover what’s at the heart of it,
You realise there’s more to love then meets the eye.

Milla O’Brien

Love. Comparable to a unicorn
Wished for but unattainable.
Is it only a Magical fantasy?
Its Non-human, beyond rainbows in the sky.

Madeleine Charlaftis

Love is a stranger approaching six feet ahead,
A feeling, so complicated, it cannot be said.
Seeing only this figure, this figure alone,
This strangeness inside me invading my home.

Nicola Franklin

Tiny minerals under the earth, coming together to create a gleaming jewel, much like two people’s deep love for each other uniting.
Incredibly difficult to break apart, their emotions for one another generating an unwavering bond, unbreakable by even the strongest force.
Happiness illuminating their senses, the brightness of the love making their faces beam with smiles, like a jewel glowing when light strikes.
Each pairs love different from the next, all varying in size, shape and colour, every single one entirely unique.
Whether it is underneath the ground, hidden from the world, or above earth out in the open, love resembles the vivid jewels of the world.

Maddy Couttie

Students have worked on the steps required to make their businesses, through up skill sessions, business modules and team meetings. Some of these include practice in marketing, sustainability, and finance management. The final component of their given checklist before launching their business, was to Pitch their product outlining cost, revenue, value proposition and target customer. They needed to develop a prototype of their product and analyse customer feedback. The following pitch was the first submitted, and outlines Micky and Rosie’s business 'Cocoa Loco'. They sell homemade hot-chocolate sticks and cookies in generous gift boxes.

The logos of several other companies shown here will give you an idea of other products in the Envision marketplace …

A deft line of argument was conjured by both teams, ranging from the depiction of guns as Australian farmers’ 'primary tool of compassion' to a 'devastating economic and social burden'.

Warm congratulations are due to the members of Strathcona02, who won their debate, Tamanna Bharaneedharan, Emilia Bowers and especially to Milla Pitkanen, who was awarded Best Speaker. Also, a huge shout out to their team members who worked as speechwriters and coaches: Georgia Snadden, Maddy Couttie and Leah Curnow, in preparation for this win. Equal commendation of the efforts and skill of Strathcona01 speakers Beth Moore, Mathilde Stolz and Bethany Koh, their coach and speech writer Bridget Diviny and to the other speechwriters in the team Emily Osborn and Beth Moore. While the team were runners up by a single, solitary point, their speeches were fantastic and the focus of much of the adjudicator’s lyrical waxing about the girls’ skills and professionalism. Well done to everyone. Go Strathy!

Ms Katrina Renard and Mrs Cathie Waldron

It is important to find a balance with learning activities that are hands on and stimulating in a different way. We have decided to continue with an afternoon each week where the children can engage in a variety of fun activities related to different curriculum areas. Further details will be provided by your classroom teacher.

Thank you for the kind and supportive emails to our teachers. It really does make a difference to hear positive words during this time even though I know not everything always goes to plan.

Ms Lisa Miller, Head of Junior School

There are some fantastic online resources available for young readers from local libraries and beyond!

Discover all the ways you can access digital picture books and storytimes from the Boroondara Library

How about attending an international book festival online? From 15-31 August you can attend the Edinburgh International Book Festival online for free, including the Baillie Gifford Children’s Program, which caters for ages 0-14 years. Young readers events include a conversation with Eoin Colfer and Cressida Cowell, all things Gruffalo with Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and Nick Sharatt, and an inside look at Oliver Jeffers' world.

And don't forget Strathcona's own subscription to Storybox for young readers with a wealth of top Australian picture books, read aloud by some of our favourite authors, actors and performers. Make a playlist and settle in for storytime, anytime.

Junior School Library

Lord God,  

We thank you for our Baptist School communities. For every family represented and every student that we care for. We are so grateful for the joy and peace that your Holy Spirit shares with us.
We thank you that although our world has troubles, we can take heart because your son Jesus came to overcome the word.
We consider it a joy that each trial we face individually, as families and as school communities tests our faith to produce perseverance and maturity. That our challenges are not wasted because you are working for the good of those who love you.
Lord we pray for the safety and health of our school communities, that each student, sibling, parent and staff member would be blessed and protected by you.
May we receive the grace and mercy that you choose to share with each of us.  We trust that as we draw near to you, you would draw near to us and as we seek you and find you.
We pray for each student as they learn online and particularly lift up our year 12 Students and ask that they have clarity of mind and peace as they adapt to the many changes that each month brings. May your love shine within us as we serve you wholeheartedly,

In Jesus name,

Amen

Mrs Kathleen Vergers, School Chaplain

We hope you enjoy this worship song Psalm 23 Recording recorded and sung by Dan, Sarah, Amelie, Madeline and Hannah Wimpress.

The four main areas of emotional intelligence that young people develop include: emotional awareness and expression, understanding of emotions of others, emotional reasoning, and emotional management and control.

The presentation acknowledges that both emotions that feel good and those that make us feel uncomfortable occur for a reason and function to assist us. It is suggested that stress is a 'build up of negative emotions' that may relate to an imbalance between what you think you need to do and your perception of your ability to cope with these demands. Some stress is a normal part of life, but chronic or high levels of stress should be managed. Some of the main causes of stress in young people are pertinent to our current situation in the midst of COVID restrictions, including change, uncertainty, too many demands, competing or conflicting demands, perception of being in a dangerous environment, physical illness, among others.

The presenters discuss how parents can support their daughters with a range of practical strategies and encourage parents to listen, without feeling the need to have all the answers or to necessarily solve problems. Validating how young people feel is important as is role modelling expressing and coping with difficult feelings and situations. In addition, self-care and promoting good habits with sleep, nutrition, exercise, connection with others, relaxation and fun are basics that make a difference.

Justine and Maryanne indicated that how we think about a situation will impact how we feel and suggested that being aware of our challenging unhelpful thoughts will assist in managing difficult feelings. Strategies like mindfulness, practicing gratitude, finding ways to self-soothe and developing emotional intelligence will all assist young people to manage stress.

Further information about emotional intelligence can be obtained at these sites:

Website www.aristotle-ei.com; or
Email: info@aristotle-ei.com

Here is the Parent Seminar presentation for you to watch if you haven't had a chance to view it.

• videos to be no longer than 90 seconds
• all participants in the video must be visible on the same screen
• there must be a range of different gymnasts in your video
• warm up routines must be performed in a clear space; and
• must be synchronised minus any computer glitches.

The Judging criteria was creativity and originality, inclusivity, energy and variety of movements (dynamic, static and aerobic).

The gymnasts placed second in the competition winning the gymnastics club $2000.

Well done to:

• Year 5: Shalini Balashankar and Yinyan Fang
• Year 6: Isabella Cheng, Jasmine Liddar, Emma Orgill and Bella Wallis
• Year 7: Amelia Chuah, Emma Pitkanen, Amanda Un and Olivia Xin
• Year 8: Alicia Green and Charlotte Harris
• Year 9: Elizabeth Tong
• Year 10: Lauren Joyce, Caitlin Murphy and Monique Thomson
• Year 11: Caitlin Teo

Due to the current COVID-19 Lockdown Advice, the Uniform Shop will be temporarily closed. The decision to re-open will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Apologies for any inconvenience this causes.

If you urgently require second hand uniforms please contact Fiona White by email fwhite@strathcona.vic.edu.au for an alternative arrangement.

Please note that there are currently no second hand V-neck Jumpers, Hoodies or White Winter Shirts in stock.