Term 2, Week 5, 2023 26 May 2023

Strathcona is a non-for-profit organization, and for many decades has been exempt from paying payroll tax in recognition of the long-standing contribution that independent schools such ours, make to the community.

The independent school sector, including ISV (Independent Schools Victoria) and Catholic Education, were not consulted about this change. ISV is now seeking urgent talks with the government to reconsider its positions. The School is already forecasting the budget for 2024 and, like most schools, is in a phase of building and master planning. We also want to attract the best teachers and to remunerate them well, especially in a context of a shortage of teachers. Also, we are conscious that many of our parents make significant sacrifices to send their children to Strathcona and offsetting this tax is not palatable to us.

I have completed a survey from ISV about the possible impact of this tax on our School and will work with them as they try to be a voice for independent schools in ensuring the government understands the impact of this tax. Meanwhile, I want to assure you that the School Board and Senior Leadership’s focus will be to ensure that the School continues to provide the highest quality educational and caring environment for our students and staff.

Marise McConaghy

However, he realised that full-time working and completing his PhD by the due date was not going to work so he decided to resign and go back to the days he so much enjoyed immersed in the world of research and writing in the university library working on his thesis. He has said that he will see what happens for him regarding employment after that.

Ross has been very important to me during my time at Strathcona and I accepted his decision, feeling really happy for him but also with a sense of loss for me personally and professionally but mostly for the loss for Strathcona. He has been here for 15 years at a senior leadership level and is able to sort through the inevitable challenges, particularly human related ones when there are tensions around situations. Ross always remains unjudgmental, calm and helps people – students, staff and parents – work through things until there is some kind of positive outcome for all parties. It is a gift, and we shall miss it. Ross is an intellectual and I am not surprised the world of academia appeals, but he is also one of the most decent men I have met. His contribution to the School overall, to possibly thousands of students and many, many staff has been vast. The School is the better for his presence and poorer for his loss. We wish him well on these next adventures he is on and we know he will stay in touch and follow Strathy’s journey beyond his tenure. We thank him for all he has done and wish him the very best.

Marise McConaghy

My last day will be 1 June when I will leave to visit my daughter and travel with my wife and friends before returning to Melbourne to devote my time to completing my PhD. I love learning and this has both shaped my career to date and my decision to take on something new now.

This was a very difficult decision for me as Strathcona has played a huge part in my life and that of my family. Former principal, Mrs Helen Hughes appointed me to the role of Dean of Studies back when the current Year 12s were three-year-olds. My daughters, Rebecca and Madeline, started Strathcona with me, joining the Year 4 and Year 3 classes respectively. Rebecca is now consulting in environmental engineering and Madeline is about to graduate and commence her first structural engineering job in Seattle, where she has studied on a basketball scholarship. 

Both daughters clocked up their hours on their L plates driving me (us) to school. I am a very lucky dad to have such a close relationship with my daughters nurtured by our common connection to Strathcona. I am very proud of my daughters and to me they are wonderful examples of what a Strathcona education can provide. We have also taken several exchange students into our home, including one for a year, and my wife Leesa has built strong friendships with through connections with some of the mums.

I leave Strathcona with very mixed feelings. Excited about the future but also with some trepidation, not quite knowing what will come next. At the same time, I leave the school to which I have so many emotional ties. I can never forget the host of talented, generous and creative people I have worked with over this period, and the wonderful students. Sometimes people talk about teachers having to put up with difficult students. Strathcona students though are a joy to teach and support in their education. 

I have taught Year 7 to 10 Mathematics and Science, and Years 11 and 12 Physics at Strathcona, and many years of Year 7 and 8 transdisciplinary programs.  I have also taught and championed thinking skills, guided student subject selection, led Physics camps and three study tours to Italy and France, participated in outdoor education camps, supported various Year 9 programs and formed the Strathcona Guitar Ensemble. 

I have overseen NAPLAN, Edutest and Academic Awards. I have managed the presentation of student achievement data in the School. I have also had many roles leading the teachers in their professional learning, assessment and reporting, Heads of Departments, preservice teacher placements, learning conferences, parent information nights, and staff days. 

In 2019, I developed the concept of the Centre for Learning Futures which has challenged students, staff, visitors and parents with thinking about the skills and careers relevant to the future of work. In 2016 I embarked on my PhD studies exploring the subtle effects of senior secondary subject selection on the structure of society. It has been a fascinating endeavour which is nearing completion. 

This year has been one of transition for me. I spent the first six weeks of the school year on long service leave, working on my PhD. I loved it. On returning to School, found I could not do both well. Anyway, it is time for me to explore new opportunities in my career. I have seen and overseen much change in the School - it never stands still. 

I look forward to its ongoing development as one of Melbourne’s finest schools. I thank principals Mrs Helen Hughes and Mrs Marise McConaghy for their leadership and wish all the staff and students flourishing futures!

Ross Phillips

Senior Dean of Learning Futures

This convention provided the students with opportunities to learn about Australia's constitution and systems of government. They engaged productively in robust debates with students from 12 other schools in Victoria on the following topic:

Should vaping be regulated in the same way as tobacco and alcohol?

The five students were:
Amelia McIntosh, Year 10
Victoria Toth, Year 10
Eleanor Green, Year 9
Linh Nguyen, Year 9
Liya Luo, Year 9

Here are some of their personal experiences:

“I really enjoyed the experience and I thought it was really interesting to see different point of views on the topic. It was also interesting to see how as we discussed the topic most of us ended up changing our views on the topic.”
 Eleanor Green, Year 9

"An incredible experience. You learn so much about the Parliamentary system and how bills are passed."  
 Victoria Toth, Year 10     

“Through this opportunity, we were able to gain hands-on experience on the process behind creating a law and it granted us a greater understanding and appreciation of the work that goes into this country's running. Overall, this was a wonderful day and very engaging.”

Amelia McIntosh and Linh Nguyen (Year 10)
                             

Mary Petsinis, Teacher

This production not only showcased the talents of our students but also exemplified the values we hold dear at Strathcona. One of the most remarkable aspects of this musical was the collaboration between our students, spanning across the cast, musicians, and production club. 

Their dedication and creativity brought the musical to life. We commend our students for their commitment and creative spirit throughout the entire production process. Additionally, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who supported the show, your unwavering support and encouragement was invaluable.  

Claire Johns

Director of Productions

May 8th-10th – Ainger Peck Public Speaking Award

Three of our students: Mila Podrug (Year 7), Sharon Zhou (Year 9) and Olivia Collett (Year 9) participated in the Ainger Peck Public Speaking Award, run by Richmond Rotary Club, across three nights of heats. 

The girls gave engaging and inspiring speeches and came within a whisker of winning a place in the next round of this high-calibre competition. Many of the competitors were older and more experienced and the girls gained some valuable feedback to continue their growth as speakers. 

May 20th-21st – Model United Nations Assembly

Over the weekend, Strathcona Girls Grammar participated for the first time ever in the Model United Nations Assembly. After weeks of research and preparation, our four teams, representing Israel, Philippines, India and the United Kingdom (ten students from Years 10-12), debated against thirty other schools to advocate for their countries’ best interests. 

They learnt collaboration, negotiation, geopolitics, and what it means to truly have a voice in the crowd, especially with boys in the room! It was evident as the weekend went on, that our girls grew in confidence and overcame nerves to make an impact on proceedings. Plus, they had enormous fun! Our Philippines team earned a special mention for their ability to accurately represent the views of their nation. What a fantastic event, hopefully we will return for many years to come. 

Some of the delegates have provided a testimonial about what they gained from this experience: 

The MUNA program definitely exceeded our expectations. We learnt a lot, made some great friends, had so many enlightening conversations and overall had a lot of fun! We think, although our team did speak on many resolutions, next time we will contribute even more than we did and not be afraid to use our voice. We learnt a lot about having the confidence to speak up and assert ourselves in a room with confident people - we’ll definitely use these public speaking skills in the future. The most enjoyable part of MUNA for us was meeting likeminded people with the same interest and passion for politics as we have! We have made so many great friends and connections that we are really grateful for.

– Amy, Linh and Theresa (Israel)

Participating in our first Model United Nations (MUNA) conference was a fun experience that taught us lots about public speaking and global politics. To prepare for the MUNA, we researched our assigned country's position on various global issues. We particularly had to be familiar with our country’s view regarding the resolutions, which ranged from topics like trade and commerce, to human rights and the environment. 

Our team worked together and monopolised on our respective skills. We delegated tasks so that each member had something to do and the tasks did not feel overwhelming. We communicated our ideas to each other and stayed true to the values of our country. Next time, we would focus our preparation on 10 key resolutions for the country. We would write 1-2 min speeches on these resolutions and briefly research the arguments of other key opposing countries. This way, potential rebuttals can be prepared and fact checking other countries is a lot easier.

The MUNA conference exceeded expectations. Going in, I think we thought the event would be more serious. However, while it was quite official it was also not taken too seriously and allowed for some informal debate to really get to the bottom of issues. The event was a combination of lots of passionate people with an interest in politics. All the delegates from different countries got really into their role which made for a really engaging weekend. We met loads of new people with similar interests as us and definitely made some new friends, which was the most enjoyable part of the experience. 

If you are interested in politics, it is especially fun to be able to relate to lots of students who have similar interests as you. There are so many things we have taken away from this MUNA experience. We gained a deeper understanding of global political issues, international relations, and the inner workings of the United Nations. Additionally, we developed collaborative skills and learned to negotiate diplomatically to reach a favourable outcome for all. 

Finally, the experience improved our public speaking skills, boosted our confidence, and gave us a change to meet new people! Overall, our first time at Model United Nations was an enriching experience. 

– Jas, Angela and Rachel (India) 

The MUNA experience was truly a unique weekend, with all the participants expected to exhibit a variety of skills such as fast thinking and critical analysis. The process was initially daunting as we didn't exactly know what to expect from the weekend and were in a room filled with seasoned debaters and thinkers. However, as we discovered, the weekend wasn't at all that intimidating, and after making a few friends and getting used to the environment, we settled in well. 

Our team was good at quickly preparing content and cobbling together evidence for our speeches, however, we could have been braver in 'point of ordering' other countries' inaccurate claims. Overall, we were able to make friends with not only the people sitting next to us, but also formed bonds with people all over the room (or globe), whether it be through banding together in agreement and forming alliances, or debating against each other. The room was full of laughter, particularly from a few teams who did a great job channelling their country's viewpoints in a light-hearted, humorous way. We learnt a great deal about the current political scene and gained understanding about the inner workings of the UN. 

Over the course of the weekend, we also also gained confidence and improved our speaking skills, learning to better think on our feet and exercise our critical thinking. 

– Steph and Naomi (Philippines) 

We thought that the process of MUNA would be a more formal experience, with expectations that were similar to that of the actual UN assembly. However, it was a lot of fun with more formal parts but also relaxed bits where we got to meet new people we would not usually interact with. In hindsight, we probably could have decorated our table more with things that represent the United Kingdom, like some of the other teams did for their tables. 

Out of the 12 resolutions discussed we talked on 8 of them which meant that we were involved as much as possible which elevated the experience. Getting to know people we would not have usually met otherwise was the most enjoyable part of the experience as it meant that we got to understand a wide variety of viewpoints on different resolutions. This amazing opportunity gave us an idea of what the UN assembly is like and the work and dedication the delegates from different countries put into the resolutions. MUNA additionally, helped develop our social and public speaking skills, that will help us with further endeavours in life. 

– Indiana and Amelia (United Kingdom)    

Nesrene Barakat

Senior English and Humanities Teacher and Public Speaking Coordinator

The History of Me presentation evening marked a joyous occasion where families joined in harmony, sharing and attentively listening to the captivating narratives of family histories. 

Two families took the stage and spoke, sharing their personal stories and reflections on the project. It was a night filled with a sense of belonging, as students and their families connected through the rich tapestry of their family backgrounds. 

The event provided a unique opportunity for students to learn from their own heritage and the experiences of others, fostering a deeper appreciation for their roots and the importance of preserving family history. With special thanks to the Majernik and Gregory families for speaking.

Lyall Nelligan and Ari Josefsberg-Blum

Thank you to our Strathy mums for supporting the lucky ticket draw which raised $1,800 for the Centenary scholarship. We were grateful to receive donated prizes from parents Lise Allen who kindly donated 3 hours of personal styling, Jen Broadhurst for the beautiful hamper from Coconut Home & Co, Yvette Price for the gorgeous Australian botanical inspired bags from alexisandcharli and Jen Aitchison for the chocolate hampers from KoKo Black. 

We are lucky to have such a generous community!

Joanne Wilson
Director of School and Community Relations

It was an event not to be missed! Also, thank you to Chris Howell, Kulraj Liddar and SoonWai Lim, our 3 Strathy dads who delivered 70 pizzas!

Joanne Wilson

Director of School and Community Relations

Bookings can be made via the events section of our website, or the Trybooking link:

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1013944?eid=1013944&

Self-control is a vital skill that is instrumental in helping our children and teens develop into healthy, happy adults. It will take time to take shape – nobody was born knowing how to manage big feelings and delay immediate wants in favour of a longer-term goal, but parents have enormous power to provide their young people with the experiences that will build this vital skill. This seminar will explore the powerful ways parents can, quite literally, influence the strengthening of the brain in ways that will build self-control, emotional regulation, and resilience in their children for life. We will look at the importance of relationship in nurturing self-control, and how parents can strengthen their connection and influence with their children and teens during childhood, adolescence, and beyond.

Karen has worked as a psychologist in private practice, and organisational and educational settings. She is a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant, and works with parents, schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations both in Australia and overseas. Karen is the founder of ‘Hey Sigmund’, an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on anxiety, parenting, and the neurodevelopment of young people. She has written three books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’, 'Hey Awesome’, ‘Dear You Love From Your Brain', which creatively assist young people to understand anxiety, feelings, behaviour, and the workings of the brain.


Kerri Rhodes & Sharon Turner

School Psychologists

 

• Bachelor of Aviation at Holmes Institute

• Defence Work Experience program

• Monash Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences (MNHS) courses - Minimum Age Requirements

• Nursing and/or Midwifery Degrees in Victoria in 2023

• Nursing – Division 2 (Enrolled) Courses in Victoria in 2023

• Snapshot of JMC Academy in 2023

Please click here for the full edition of Career News.

Joanna Buckley

Head of Careers and Partnerships

This seminar will explore the powerful ways parents can, quite literally, influence the strengthening of the brain in ways that will build self-control, emotional regulation, and resilience in their children for life. We will look at the importance of relationship in nurturing self-control, and how parents can strengthen their connection and influence with their children and teens during childhood, adolescence, and beyond.

About the Guest Speaker:

Karen Young has worked as a psychologist in private practice, and organisational and educational settings. She is a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant, and works with parents, schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations both in Australia and overseas. Karen is the founder of ‘Hey Sigmund’, an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on anxiety, parenting, and the neurodevelopment of young people. She has written three books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’, 'Hey Awesome’, ‘Dear You Love From Your Brain', which creatively assist young people to understand anxiety, feelings, behaviour, and the workings of the brain.

Details:

Time - 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Date - Monday 29 May 2023

Location: 

Featherstone Hall, Strathcona Girls Grammar

Bookings: 

To book, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/CFR...

Bookings are essential