Term 1, Week 2, 2024 - Unstoppable Together: Celebrating Community 8 Feb 2024

A Strong Start
The first few days of the 2024 academic year were met with much jubilation. Students entered under balloon arches, received a Centenary Cupcake and partook in a Centenary Sausage Sizzle lunch. Coming together as a community and sharing the joys of being back at school, reconnecting with colleagues and entering new stages of growth and development with one’s peer group are all exciting. Schools are places of wonder. Every day presents an opportunity for discovery, understanding oneself, and evolving. I have loved meeting the students and staff of this amazing school and looking forward to guiding their learning trajectories well into the future.

A Singing School
The benefits of music and singing and their impact on memory and mental health are well documented. In preparation for the Foundation Day Service and the Commissioning of Principal on Monday 12 February, at St Paul’s Cathedral, our students have been participating in regular singing practice. They are learning how to use their diaphragm, the difference between singing and speaking voices, how to hit high notes with the scrunch of the nose and how to have the courage to let their voice ring out. I know the acoustics of the cathedral, accompanied by the organ, an orchestra, a grand piano and over a thousand voices - the sound will be something that will be remembered by the students for many years to come. I have impressed upon students that they will be part of history and the creation of a primary historical source that will likely be viewed and referred to over the next 100 years. I am confident that the students will make their school and community immensely proud.

Celebrating the Class of 2023
It is important for me to acknowledge the Class of 2023, our most recent graduates, and their teachers and commend them on their outstanding ATAR and VCE results. Strathcona has a proud and strong academic heritage that has been praised for a hundred years.

This school provides perfect conditions for girls to pursue excellence in many forms, to stretch and grow with the right encouragement and support. The relationship between teachers, staff and students over many years makes this possible – it does not happen overnight, and it does not happen alone – it takes dedication, determination, grit, persistence, and responsibility for everyone to play their part and build each other.

Scholars Assembly
With great pride, we invited members of the Class of 2023 and their families to our Scholars Assembly. You can read a transcript of Strathcona’s 2023 Dux Tamanna Bharaneedharan’s inspirational and insightful speech, which she delivered to Year 5 to Year 12 at the assembly here.

Old Strathcona Association (OSA)

Reflecting on the past, our alumnae stand as pillars of the strength and diversity of our community. They are not just former students but the legacy of Strathcona's enduring values and educational excellence. These women, having ventured into various walks of life, serve as role models for our current students, showcasing the numerous paths one can tread post-Strathcona. I was delighted to meet with the OSA and hear the stories of many members about their time and memories at Strathcona at their meeting this week. They are excited about the many centenary events planned for this year and ‘100 Reasons to Connect.’ These celebrations are an acknowledgement to everyone who has contributed to making Strathcona what it is today.

Strathcona Family Association (SFA)
Special thanks to the volunteer parents for the warm welcome I received from the SFA. Many parents enjoyed the time-honoured Strathconian hospitality at the SFA Parent Welcome Drinks. Participating in the SFA is not only a wonderful way to connect with other parents, network and socialise, but participation in your daughter’s school can display to students the value you place in their educational journey and commitment to their school community.

Centenary Celebrations
This year's centenary celebrations are a testament to our collective spirit as a community. I have reminded students that as we look towards the next chapter in Strathcona’s history, to remember that everyone present plays a part in its unfolding narrative – whichever year they are entering or when they commenced. Students, parents, and staff – we are all on the pages of the history of Strathcona.

As we venture into this centenary year, let's make it memorable. Let's cherish our individual and collective potential as girls, women, students, teachers, staff, parents and those who inspire us to be unstoppable. Alone, we are strong, but together, we are stronger. There is much to celebrate and acknowledge in 2024. What will the Strathcona Community say about us in 2124?

Let's learn, laugh, grow, sing, work and build upon the proud Strathcona legacy – together.

Thank you,
Lorna Beegan
Principal

This year marks a significant milestone for Strathcona Girls Grammar School as we proudly celebrate 100 years of excellence in education. At Tay Creggan the school's 100th year was celebrated with all 106 Year 9 students, including 14 new students, arriving to a balloon arch in our school colours at the main doors to our beautiful Tay Creggan building. At recess, the air was filled with joy as cupcakes added a sweet touch to our celebration. No celebration is complete without a BBQ! At lunchtime a shared lunch in our picturesque gardens, with Melbourne's beautiful weather this week allowing our students to engage in outdoor activities, from playing sports to lounging under trees on picnic rugs and exploring our extensive gardens.

Meet Our New TC-Based Staff:
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our five new TC-based staff members: Mr Soo, Mr Egan, Ms Zitto, Ms Gorman, and Mr Clarke. They join our returning staff members, Ms Grace, Ms Steff, Ms Rowlands, and Mrs Connolly and Ms Swayne as TC-based Staff. We also have a number of staff who are based at the main campus, and travel to TC for specialist classes, who will be introduced over the coming weeks. We extend a warm welcome to all our TC staff and look forward to the positive impact you will undoubtedly bring to our Tay Creggan community.

Upcoming Events for Week 2 and Week 3:
Parent Coffee Morning - 9th February: Join us this Friday from 8:30am to 10am for a delightful parent coffee morning. Check the Maple update for further details and join us for a casual and informative gathering.

Centenary Foundation Service – 12th February: In Week 3, all students will meet at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne to commemorate our centenary and commissioning of our new principal Lorna Beegan. Students and staff from Tay Creggan will depart at 8:30am to walk to Hawthorn Station and travel to Flinders St Station. Following the service, TC students will stay in Melbourne for a River Cruise excursion. Students will be able to depart directly home from Flinders Street Station at 3:00pm.

Year 9 Parent Information Evening 13th February: Join us for an information session from 7pm at the Tay Creggan campus.

Final Thoughts
Unstoppable girls begin at Strathcona – this is our school motto. The wonderful thing about the start of a brand-new school year is that it is filled with endless possibilities and exciting opportunities. At our first TC assembly, students were asked to consider what they hope to experience during their Tay Creggan year. It is a time for our students to celebrate their potential and the incredible journey that awaits them. As I shared with them, "Today is not just the first day of school – today is your day – it is a fresh start, a new chapter, and an opportunity to shape your journey. TC stands for Tay Creggan, but it also stands for 'Take Charge.'

Take Charge this year, embrace the potential within you, and be unstoppable at Tay Creggan!"

As we embark on this monumental centennial year, we are filled with gratitude for the past and excitement for the future. Here's to a year filled with academic achievements, personal growth, and cherished moments for all our young people at Tay Creggan in 2024!

Jen Buchanan
Head Of Tay Creggan

Illuminating Learning: Examples of Lighting the Legacy

It is important to embrace organisational skills. Cultivating effective organisational skills early in the year through creating structured study routines, using a planner and maintaining tidy study spaces, will allow students to optimise their learning experience and enhance their academic performance. Students should be across their schoolwork with their classroom teachers and mentors to support these habits early in the year.

In Senior school our students are starting the year by goal setting for success: we are encouraging all students to set clear, achievable goals for the academic year or semester. Whether it's aiming for improvement in results, pursuing extracurricular passions, or developing leadership skills, goal setting empowers students to chart their own path to success.

It is important that all students across the school utilise the expertise and guidance of our dedicated teachers to enhance learning and overcome challenges. From seeking clarification on what they are learning in class, or requesting additional feedback, students can leverage teacher support to maximise their academic potential.

Finally, we encourage all our students to own their learning journey. We encourage students to take ownership of their learning by actively engaging in class, asking questions, and seeking growth opportunities. By embracing a growth mindset and taking initiative in their education, our girls can take ownership of their learning journey and make meaningful progress towards their goals.

I eagerly anticipate witnessing the remarkable achievements that lie ahead for each and every one of our students. With dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, there is no limit to what we can achieve together.

Here's to a year filled with growth, achievement, and the illumination of our school's remarkable legacy.

Kara Baxter
Dean of Teaching and Learning

Students in the senior school are learning the skills required to be responsible online users at Year 7, 8 and 9 through Digital Technologies and from Year 7-12 through our Wholebeing Programs delivered in SOUL (7-8) and Feliciter (9-12).

On Tuesday, we joined the celebration of Safer Internet Day, a global initiative led by the eSafety Commissioner in Australia to raise awareness about online safety issues. The initiative aims to educate individuals on online safety risks and provides guidance on staying safe online and where to seek help. It encourages safer and more positive use of digital technology and mobile devices, especially for children and young people. The main message of the day is Connect. Reflect. Protect.

- Connect safely by keeping your apps and devices up to date and checking your privacy settings often.
- Reflect on how your online behaviour may impact yourself or others.
- Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to learn how to stay safe online and report any online abuse.

The significance of Safer Internet Day lies in the widespread use of the internet in various aspects of our lives. It serves as an opportunity for us to promote online safety education and advocate for the benefits of being safe online. The goal is to inform everyone about online safety, encourage understanding of how to report online abuse, and actively contribute to creating a safer online environment.

We recognise that online safety is a team effort between schools, parents, and the wider community.

As a benefit of our partnership with the Cyber Safety Project, we are pleased to offer our parents and school community access to 6 parent webinars throughout the year. These are informative sessions that will help you support your child’s online safety and wellbeing. We encourage you to sign up for these events by clicking the link below. Cyber Safety Project will also send you reminders before each webinar.

We appreciate your support and collaboration.

A summary of the webinars are listed below

Protecting Children Online | 6 March 2024
Kristi McVee (Child Abuse Prevention & Education) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)

The Se*ual World of the 21st Century Adolescent | 30 April 2024
Daniel Principe (Collective Shout) & Sam Macaulay (Cyber Safety Project)

Talk to Me First: Exposure to Explicit Content | 1 May 2024
Justine Keily-Scott (Sex Education Australia) & Sam Macaulay (Cyber Safety Project)

Game Aware – Healthy Gaming | 30 July 2024
Andrew Kinch (Game Aware) & Sam Macaulay (Cyber Safety Project)

Building Digital Resilience | 3 September 2024
Ash Manuel (Growing with Gratitude) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)

My First Mobile Device | 22 October 2024
Luca Gennai (Cyber Safety Project) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)

WHERE
Live online via Zoom with on-demand rewatch (available within 24 hours of live webinar).

All live webinars begin at 7:30pm (AEDT/AEST) and run for approximately 45 minutes.

HOW
Parents/Guardians need to register for each webinar by clicking on the “Register Now” button on the registration page (https://cybersafetyproject.com.au/parents/).

Once registered reminders will be sent to ensure you don’t miss the live webinar. Rewatch on-demand will be available by revisiting the registration page and clicking on the ‘Watch Now” button available after the webinar has concluded (within 24 hours).

Students were welcomed with balloons and cupcakes to celebrate a significant milestone in our School’s history – our Centenary.

It was wonderful to see so many faces at our Parent Information Evening and SFA Welcome Drinks last night.

This week our Junior School students celebrated Safer Internet Day, an initiative to raise awareness of online safety issues.

In partnership with the Cyber Safety Project, we are pleased to offer our parents and school community access to 6 parent webinars throughout the year. The webinars can be accessed here.

We look forward to what 2024 has in store.

It was a fabulous night with new connections being made and also providing an opportunity to catch up with friends.

I thank the SFA for supporting our wonderful community and providing opportunities for families to come together at a social gathering.

Below are some photographs from the evening. The strength of a school community lies in its ability to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where all members of the community share a common commitment to the success of the School.

A robust school community enhances the overall educational experience promoting positive relationships. At Strathcona, we are so fortunate to have a wonderful community with all our parent volunteer groups playing a vital role in Strathcona’s success.

Please join us for our upcoming events over the next few weeks.

Links to book below.

Also, please let me know if you would like to volunteer as a class representative for your year level – jwilson@strathcona.vic.edu.au

Class reps are well supported by the Community Relations office and the SFA. There will be a meeting for class reps on Thursday 22 February at 7pm in the Year 10/11 Centre.

Again, welcome to the Centenary year at Strathcona.

Jo Wilson
Director of School and Community Relations

You can read the full article here

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Please click here for the full edition of Career News.

Xin Chen
Head of Careers and Pathways

The night promises to be a genuine celebration of the school's glorious history. Attendees will be treated to canapes and drinks on arrival, a delicious 3-course dinner accompanied by a selection of beverages, historical tributes, keynote speakers, live entertainment from The Baker Boys Band and abundant opportunities to connect with old and new friends.

Andrew Fuller is a clinical psychologist, family therapist, author, speaker and creator of Learning Strengths ™.

Andrew has worked with over 4,000 schools in Australia, NZ, Asia and the UK and with more than 500,000 young people on core elements of resilience. Having worked with people who were at their last hopes, Andrew’s mission is to help people create futures they can fall in love with.

Andrew Fuller is an Honorary Fellow at the Uni of Melbourne and has been a scientific consultant for the ABC and a regular presenter on Radio National. He has established programs for neuroscience and education, neurodiversity, and the promotion of mental health in schools, substance abuse prevention, and the reduction of violence and bullying, suicide prevention programs and for assisting homeless young people.

Book your spot here 

This will be a great opportunity to meet other families in your year level and your daughter's House.

The SFA will also be hosting a sausage sizzle.BYO your picnic basket and blanket for a fun evening.

All family members are most welcome! RSVP here

$30 per person for finger food and drinks at bar prices.This is always a fun evening and a great opportunity, particularly for new parents, to relax and meet other dads and have a few laughs.

RSVP here

We hope to see you soon!

A great casual opportunity to get together and they encourage new parents to join them.

A private room and bar has been booked for your enjoyment.

$30 per person for finger food and a glass of bubbles with drinks then at bar prices.

RSVP here

We hope to see you!