Term 4, Week 3, 2023 19 Oct 2023

Undeterred by the weather, our PE classes have divided their time between the outdoor courts and the Hall to play netball. This is a student-driven activity, with girls coaching, umpiring, compiling statistics and fulfilling every role needed to run a tournament. 

This week in Envision we commenced a new project, focused on harnessing entrepreneurial skills for social good. Based on the five categories of the Earthshot prize, we are asking students to tackle some of the world's most important issues:

PROTECT AND RESTORE NATURE
CLEAN OUR AIR
REVIVE OUR OCEANS
BUILD A WASTE-FREE WORLD
FIX OUR CLIMATE

We will be working through ideation, research, problem-solving and prototyping to discover some of the ways young people can contribute to the greater good. Teams will pitch their ideas towards the end of the term, with one team heading to Melbourne University for the Upschool Pitch Fest at Wade Institute. We can't wait to see their ideas!

Following Morrisby testing and careers discussions last week, we are encouraging all students to get organised for exams on the 20th and 21st of November this term. One of the most important areas of focus is maximising the use of class time and pastoral periods to revise, diarise and organise. Homework Club runs every Thursday lunchtime at TC, and Maths Help also runs weekly. 

Best wishes,

Karyn Murray
Head of Tay Creggan  

Dear Year 12s,
You've studied, learned, and grown immensely throughout your VCE journey, and now it's your time to shine! Trust in all the work you’ve done, stay focused, and remain confident in your knowledge. Don’t forget to take time to care for your wellbeing too – keep getting outside for some sunlight, daily movement, get to bed early and support your friends as you undertake the exam period together as a team.

You've got lots of people behind you who believe in you and want to help you succeed. We’re all cheering for you and are so proud of your hard work throughout the year!

Jess Mitton
Head of Arnold

The 2023 Year 12 Findlay students have shown themselves to be a friendly and resilient group. They have not hesitated to welcome each and every younger student to the House which means they have been looked up to as amazing role models. Their participation and enthusiasm in House events was a driving force behind Findlay winning the House Cup. I hope that all of the Findlay Year 12 students take this positive attitude with them into their study and upcoming exams. Whilst this is a stressful time, I hope that they work hard towards achieving their own individual goals. I have no doubt that they all have very bright futures ahead of them and I look forward to hearing of their future successes!

Brooke Kenwright
Head of Findlay

Dear Year 12s, I wish you all the very best in the coming weeks knowing how hard you have worked towards achieving your best. I am so proud of you and of the young women you have grown into, and I know that ahead of each of you lies an amazing future. As you approach your exams, I would like to remind you of the determination of Vincent from Gattaca, who never gave up in his pursuit to reach his dream of going to space: “You want to know how I did it? This is how I did it, Anton: I never saved anything for the swim back.” Don’t save anything for the swim back Class of 2023, give it your all!

Miranda Gazis
Head of Gilbert

Dear Year 12 Grenfellians.
I wish you all the best as you begin your examinations. You have worked diligently throughout the year and have had a positive attitude towards your goals in striving to achieve them. You are #unstoppable!

You’ve got this!

Lauren Hay
Head of Grenfell

Good luck to our unstoppable Year 12s. 

'What a year it’s been. A rollercoaster would be an understatement but of course we all knew this would be the case when we embarked on our final year of high school. This year has felt like a countdown. Counting down the days until our first sac, the Easter holidays, the July holidays, our last sacs and now, the much-anticipated exams.

I’d like to address the parents now and extend my congratulations to you all. Getting us girls through 13 years of schooling is no mean feat. Getting this far was only made possible by your never-ending support, patience, advice and encouragement which at some stages during the year, I’m sure we all took for granted. Nevertheless, you persevered and in doing so, created a loving and supportive environment away from the pressures of Year 12. However, it is what goes on within the Scott Street gates that I think you should be most proud of. I’ve had the privilege of spending 35 hours a week with this cohort and they’ve provided me with more laughter, happiness and knowledge than I ever thought possible. You should be so beyond proud of the way they face and overcome adversity (and by that I am definitely referring to sacs that were way too hard) but do so in support of one another. I have no doubt each and every one of them will go on to achieve incredible things. You’ve done an incredible job raising such beautiful young women and they really do uphold the kind and caring Strathy values-both in and out of the classroom.

To the teachers, not only have you gotten us through the toughest year yet, but been friends, supporters and mentors along the way. We are so blessed here to be surrounded by such passionate staff, who have fostered an environment of fun and confidence. Each and every one of you has had a profound impact on our lives in one way or another and I think this became clear to us when we sat down to write our gratitude letters and nobody could settle on just one teacher. I think it’s fair to say that being a Year 12 teacher is by no means the easiest task, but you never wavered in your encouragement and patience with us. Whether it was helping us out with specific questions during lunch, giving us the weekend off homework or setting extra practice sacs, you accommodated your teaching style to suit us all, and that is something we will all be grateful for. I know I speak on behalf of the girls when I say that we hope we do you all proud because the endless hours you have given to us have set us up in the best possible way.

And now finally to the girls, I want to wish you the best of luck in not only your exams but in all your future endeavours. We have finally become the young women we looked up to when we first arrived in our oversized blazers and polished black t-bars. Finally ready to take on the world beyond the Scott Street gates and start determining our own path in life, leaving our own unique Strathy legacy like the alumna before us. I’m so beyond appreciative to be surrounded by such strong, compassionate, intelligent and determined women and for the way you all came together this year. The truth is, we will do better as a whole cohort if we collectively work together and support one another so don’t be afraid to reach out. Please take time for yourself, spending this time surrounded by those you love and doing the things that bring you joy. Do not dwell on what was but look to what could be and what can be done. Thank you'

During a recent visit to our Junior School Assembly, David shared some heartwarming stories from his time with us. He recounted his daily routine, which involved waking up at 5:30am to catch a bus and a train to reach Strathcona. Along the way, he would make pit stops for a much-needed coffee, first at Box Hill while changing trains and then another upon arriving at Strathcona. Punctuality was of utmost importance to him, even though public transport occasionally presented challenges. David also humorously recalled an incident when a ‘P’ plater driver attempted to navigate Scott Street in the wrong direction, making for a slightly nerve-wracking moment. Nevertheless, he emphasised, “I’ve never had a bad day at Strathcona.”

David expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the girls for their kindness and exemplary manners. It is with a heavy heart that he leaves Strathcona, as his health and mobility have posed increasing challenges. He requested that I convey his appreciation to all the staff, families and students for their kindness over the years. This job was one that he genuinely cherished and looked forward to every day.

While David will no longer don the fluorescent orange and yellow attire of our crossing supervisor, his memory will live on at our crossing. We will forever remember the kind and generous many who greeted us each morning with a smile and the cheerful refrain, “Happy Friday.” David, you will be sorely missed, but our lives have been enriched by knowing you at our crossing each day. Even the ELC children now affectionately refer to any crossing guard as “David,” a testament to the lasting impact you’ve had on our community.

Bron Arnott
Junior School Chaplain

We delved into learning all about Indigenous history and discovered the resilience and rich traditions of Indigenous communities.

The students were fascinated by the Wollert Wollert, ‘rug of the possum’ a cloak worn from a young age, that once started out small with a few possum skins sewn together to wrap a baby. Over time, more skins were added so that as a person grew, their cloaks grew with them and tells a story of their life. This possum skin cloak is weatherproof all year round, including when it is raining and provides a great source of warmth.

Outdoors, we explored native plants, including the intriguing Chocolate Flower. When the petals were crushed, a delightful aroma of chocolate filled the air, leaving the students (and teachers) in awe! Each student got to bring home a small plant of the Chocolate Flower to continue the Indigenous tradition in their home gardens. We found our way to the hut in the middle of the garden, a beautifully constructed shelter made from branches and clay.

At the conclusion of the excursion, we were involved in a traditional smoking ceremony, where the smoke acted as a cleansing to keep us safe and rid ourselves of any negative energy, so to only allow the positive energy to surround us! We use crushed Ochre, traditional clay face paint, to display the indigenous symbol meaning female.

Above all, it was a very beneficial and rich learning experience for our Year 2 students, one which will remain with them for many years to come.

Eliza Nolan and Rachel McMahon
Junior School Teachers

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Please click here for the full edition of Career News.

Xin Chen
Head of Careers and Pathways

The session explores why positive body esteem, non-dieting approaches and healthy behaviours in relation to food and exercise are strong protective factors.  It looks at the power of positive role modelling, reducing appearance based talk and importantly how to respond when a child expresses negativity towards themselves or others.  The focus is on prevention and fostering positive body image and healthy behaviours.

Bookings are essential for this parent seminar.

Details:

Monday 23 October 2023 7.00 PM - 8.30 PM 

Year 7 Foyer, Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar

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