Term 4, Week 3 2024 Spring: A time for Focus, growth, and transition 24 Oct 2024

Change is a constant in life; nowhere is that more evident than in a school environment. For our students, change means moving from one stage of their education to the next, from one challenge to the next, and ultimately from the familiar routines of school life toward the wider world. The journey requires courage, resilience, and an open mind as they discover who they are and want to become. Our role as educators, mentors, and as a community is to guide our students through these transitions, helping them navigate uncertainties and embrace the opportunities that change brings—whether it be on Year 6 Camp to Phillip Island, the Go Girls Challenge, the Kayaking Come and Try, or through the many experiences like the Year 3s visiting the Shrine of Remembrance during our numerous incursions and excursions.

Year 12 Farewell Festival

Our Year 12 Farewell Festival, culminating in our Rose Ceremony and Valedictory Dinner, was a tremendous celebration of community and the shared efforts of students, staff, and their parents and guardians in guiding our young people to this stage of their lives and wishing them all the very best for the future. As our Year 12s leave behind the shelter of childhood and School, they carry forward the values, skills, and courage they have cultivated at Strathcona. They are ready to embark on a new chapter, to transform the knowledge they have gained into wisdom and to use their experiences to shape the world around them. This readiness to embrace change and step into the future with open hearts and open minds is what makes our students so remarkable. We will keep in our thoughts and prayers our Year 12 and those Year 11s accelerating in subjects as they prepare for the VCE Examinations next week and await their ATAR results and university and pathway offers in December.

Welcoming Year 7 2025 - the Class of 2030

While these last few weeks have been a time of farewells, it has also been a time of new beginnings as we welcomed our Year 7 students for 2025, the Class of 2030 and their parents for their 'Edutesting' last Saturday, as we plan our classes and uphold our commitment to a holistic and personalised learning experience. As they begin their Senior School experience, we look forward to guiding them, helping them find their place in our community, and fostering the friendships, skills, and confidence that will carry them through the years to come. As always, our current Year 7s were the standout performers at our Welcome Presentations. They spoke with pride and candour about their transition to high school, the friendships they have formed, the challenges they have overcome, and the excitement they feel about being a part of our vibrant School community.

Celebrating Lifelong Connections

There is a saying, ‘Once a Strathy girl, always a Strathy Girl’. Our School community endures well beyond graduation, bound by shared values, memories, and a deep connection. This sense of togetherness is beautifully reflected in the ongoing involvement of our alumnae, who continue to stay linked to the School long after their student days. Our many reunions this year and the OSA Centenary High Tea united alumnae from 1957 to 2014. Their commitment to our community is evident as our ‘old girls’ return to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate their enduring bond with the School and their lifelong relationships that begin here. The stories and experiences shared by our alumnae inspire our current students, showing them that being part of our School is not just for a few years, but for life. This spirit of unity keeps our community strong, allowing us to support one another through every season and chapter – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Children’s Week

In this Children’s Week, our society recognises children's incredible talents, skills, achievements, and rights while celebrating schools' vital role in nurturing these qualities. The theme, ‘Children have the right to a clean and safe environment,’ is based on Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it speaks directly to the role of schools in creating spaces where students feel safe, valued, and empowered. At our School, we see it as our responsibility to foster an environment that not only prioritises students’ health, safety, and wholebeing but also encourages them to become advocates for their own rights and for the environment. Children’s Week reminds us of our collective duty to support young people as they grow, helping them to understand their rights and the importance of a sustainable world for future generations. It’s an opportunity for us all to come together as a community, celebrating our children's promise and our role in their journey. What better way to acknowledge this week than with the Official Opening of the Strathcona Early Years Campus – we hope you can join us.

Click here to find out more and to book tickets to this free event.

Thank you to our Teachers

Tomorrow, our staff will come together to celebrate World Teachers’ Day in Australia, honouring our teachers' dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts. It’s a time to express our profound gratitude for their impact on our students and community. Teaching is more than a job; it is a chosen profession that requires commitment, expertise, and a passion for shaping young minds. Our teachers believe in the power of education to transform lives. Their role has grown more complex, requiring them to balance diverse needs, adapt to new methods, and address students' social and emotional growth. This year’s theme highlights the importance of listening to teachers' insights in shaping education's future. By valuing their contributions, we ensure they feel respected and empowered. We sincerely thank our teachers at Strathcona for their passion, generosity of spirit, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Their dedication ensures our students are future-ready, making a lasting difference in their lives and helping to build a brighter future for all.

Lorna Beegan
Principal

In Junior School, students are harnessing their curiosity through inquiry-driven projects. The hands-on nature of their studies sparks deep engagement, while their developing skills set the foundation for future learning success. 'The best learning happens when students are active participants in their own education,' and this is evident in the dynamic mix of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving happening in every classroom. It’s also wonderful to see our Year 6 students spending more time in the Senior School, whether in their science classes or the library, as they begin their transition into Year 7.

In Senior School and at Tay Creggan, students are focused on consolidating their skills across subjects and honing their study habits as they complete their final assessments for the term. As part of this, 'Learning is a journey, not a destination,' and our new end-of-year program has been developed to support students’ wellbeing and academic growth as they transition into their new year levels.

As we approach the end of the year, we are reminded of the importance of transitions at every stage of learning.

Kara Baxter
Dean of Teaching and Learning

Compassion
During our final Year 6 camp, it was our first time staying in tents and it was very challenging to adapt to the new environment while sleeping outdoors. We had to show a lot of compassion towards each other. Unfortunately, there were many bugs including bull ants, which were very hard to get rid of. It was unsettling sleeping because we felt like the bull ants were everywhere. This scared many of us, but we worked together to face our fears.
A few of us were nervous riding the flying fox, but we showed a lot of compassion towards one another, building each other up by saying encouraging words. It ended up being an incredible experience we all enjoyed!!!
As well as this, some of our friends were feeling homesick, especially because it was difficult to adjust to this different way of living. We comforted our friends and helped them get through this camp. Homesickness is very hard to overcome when you are away from your family, especially as this was our first 3 night camp.
Sleeping in a tent was really different to sleeping in a cabin, and it was difficult to adapt. We helped each other by taking down tents when we had to quickly pack up in the pouring rain and move to the nearby surf club. We showed a lot of compassion towards our peers when we all had to travel in the cascading rain that made our trek more challenging.

Yangyang, Cleo, Hannah, Giya, Livie and Amber

Empowerment
During Phillip Island camp, the Year 6s had many opportunities to feel empowered and proud of their achievements.
We had to move our belongings into one backpack for our hike, carrying it all the way to a new campsite. The hike was mentally and physically challenging but we pushed through and came out with a satisfying result of getting to relax in our tents for the rest of the day.
The tent was quite different from a comfortable bed. The walls were extremely thin, so we were not allowed to talk loudly late at night, you could also hear the sound of the ocean as you were trying to sleep. The first campsite had lots of bugs, so sometimes in the night you could find a couple bugs on your pillow.
One of the things that made camp challenging was homesickness, and the fact that we have only ever done 2-night camps. This camp was 3 nights, yet we managed to push through to the very end with the support of our friends. This has given us the confidence to approach the Year 7 outdoor education camp in 2025 with a positive mindset and the knowledge that we can do it!
Violet, Ritisha, Rebecca, Keira and Cici

Respect
We had a great time while on the Phillip Island camp. There were many amazing things to see but we had to respect the rules. We had a wonderful trip to the beach, where we explored the rock pools and saw many extraordinary creatures and shells. We respected our environment by not touching or taking any shells containing animals or sea creatures, because they may be harmed or injured by human contact. In the Koala Sanctuary the Year 6 students and teachers showed respect to the koalas by keeping our distance and not scaring the cute koalas. While we were there, some members of the public were disobeying the rules by touching the koalas, we, however, did not follow their lead. We got to see all the little penguins at the Penguin Parade and we showed respect to the penguins by keeping our voices down and not taking pictures with a flash or light. During the night, while sleeping in tents, everyone respected each other by not going in others’ personal space and not keeping others awake by being too loud. Another example of respect is when we were in public spaces, we did not disturb the public or be disrespectful in public spaces.
Annie, Megan, Serena, Zoe, Jacey, Sophie L

Integrity
On our recent Year 6 camp in Phillip Island, we had lots of fun. And, as Strathcona girls, we had to keep our integrity even away from school. On our first day, we visited the Koala Sanctuary. We saw lots of cute koalas on trees eating leaves, one was so close we could touch it! But we demonstrated integrity by not patting it and leaving it alone. Also, we were attacked by a group of seagulls and didn’t feed them our food. We visited the Penguin Parade, where we watched hundreds of teeny tiny little Penguins swim to the shore and walk up to their burrows. We put our integrity into play by not taking pictures of them as they came up from the shore, making sure to stay quiet so we didn’t scare them away. During our stay, we visited the beach many times, and we didn’t litter, take any shells or touch animals in the rock pools. We kept our distance from any animals and made sure to follow the rules. On camp, we were a perfect example of showing integrity by respecting the environment and each other.
Marisa, Lisa, Mila, Amelia and Cindy

Courage
We have learnt a lot on this inspiring camp. One trait being ‘Courage’. This camp was different from the rest that we have been on because we had to hike, sleep in tents, and face the different flora and fauna in a way that we may not be used to. Yet the Year 6s mustered up all their courage and powered through. Being in an unfamiliar environment, we had to step out of our comfort zone. All the girls had to show lots of courage and perseverance to be able to conquer the multiple challenges. From having to cook our own meals, setting up our tents, and thinking quickly when situations did not go to plan. We also had to show courage towards each other by encouraging people to take risks and face their fears. Overall, Year 6 camp was very fun, and we really learnt a lot about ourselves, the environment, and others.
Nat, Sophie D, CJ, Izzy H, Ansika

The term began with students successfully completing a Barista course, where they learned valuable coffee-making and customer-service skills. This hands-on experience not only enhances their employability but also supports our commitment to fostering practical life skills—and possibly some part-time employment in local cafes!

In the spirit of community engagement, we are also immensely proud of the many students who participated in the GoGirls 100km fundraiser. Led by the amazing Abbey Zitto, their dedication to raising funds for a worthy cause demonstrates both resilience and teamwork (and an excellent level of fitness… 100km completed on the day!). Their efforts have been nothing short of inspiring… well done everyone.

Further enriching this term, Tay Creggan had the privilege of welcoming two notable guest speakers. Amelia Hamer, the Liberal candidate for Kooyong, and Senator Jane Hume, the Shadow Minister for Finance, visited the school to share their journeys in leadership and public service. Their insights into the intersections of personal growth, career challenges, and public responsibilities gave students a unique perspective on navigating the world of politics and leadership.

Looking ahead, the upcoming events promise to bring even more opportunities for growth and learning:

23 October: Ian Penrose, riverkeeper and spokesperson for the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, will visit Tay Creggan to speak on the vital role of environmental stewardship. His talk will focus on the importance of protecting natural waterways like the Yarra River, offering students an important reminder of our collective responsibility to the environment.

1 November: Our science students will embark on an exciting excursion to Healesville Sanctuary, where they will explore wildlife conservation firsthand. This immersive experience will tie directly into our science curriculum, providing a day of discovery and real-world learning.

Spring is truly a season of growth here at Tay Creggan, and we look forward to the continued success, focus, and transformation of our students as they engage with the world around them.

Jen Buchanan
Head of Tay Creggan

The days are becoming warmer, and the children are noticing the seasonal changes of nature in our playground, with sunny days and rainfall creating the perfect climate for growth in the vegetable garden. The broccoli has been left to flower, providing opportunity for the native bees to pollinate, the soil turned over and prepped for the next set of seedlings for our summer crop. The Gumtree house children have focused on the growth of the seeds they planted earlier in the term. These have been nurtured inside the warm classroom and are nearly ready to transfer into the vegetable garden as soon as the soil temperature rises. The children have participated in observational drawings and predictions sharing what they think, see and wonder. The Banksia house children are also utilising this thinking routine as they closely observe their clew of silk worms, who are madly munching through what seems hundreds of mulberry leaves, and growing bigger every day. What will happen?

Jo Dowling
Director Early Years Kindergarten

This year, our students demonstrated remarkable aptitude, with numerous participants achieving outstanding scores. We are proud to report that six of our students from the 63 that participated, have earned high distinctions, reflecting their hard work, dedication, and talent in mathematics.

We would like to commend the following students for their outstanding results:

Emma Chan Yr 4 Z-Score 2.74 High Distinction
Mia Healey Yr 5 Z-Score 2.75 High Distinction
Mimi Nguyen Yr 6 Z-Score 1.95 High Distinction
Junru Teng Yr 7 Z-Score 2.62 High Distinction
Pippa Kelley Yr 7 Z-Score 1.83 High Distinction
Zhou Jossie Yr 10 Z-Score 2.0 High Distinction

To put the success of our students into perspective, let's briefly discuss the significance of the z-score, particularly the impressive score of 2.75 achieved by some of our top performers. A z-score is a statistical measurement that indicates how many standard deviations an element is from the mean. In this context, a z-score of 2.75 means that the individual scored 2.75 standard deviations above the average score of all participants. This places them well within the top percentile of competitors, showcasing not just proficiency but exceptional excellence in mathematical reasoning.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participants and especially to those who excelled. Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we look forward to celebrating your achievements at our upcoming awards ceremony.

Summary of our results:
High Distinction 6
Distinction 24
Credit 19
Achievement 8
Proficiency 6

We are also excited to share the outstanding results from this year's Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO)! This prestigious competition attracts talented young mathematicians from across the nation, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their skills in a challenging environment.

The AIMO consists of a series of complex problems designed to test students’ logical reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Participants engage with questions that go beyond standard curriculum material, encouraging innovative thinking and a deep understanding of mathematical concepts.

We are proud to announce that several of our students achieved creditable results. Special congratulations go to Sarah Khuu from Year 8, who was our top achiever in the competition.

Lastly, we would like to congratulate Jessica Tang (Year 11), Charlotte Li (Year 9) and Junru Teng (Year 7) for their meritorious performance in the Melbourne University Mathematics competition.

The student achievements in various competitions reflect the strong mathematical culture we foster in our school, and we encourage all students to continue exploring their passion for mathematics.

Sanjeev Meston
Head of Mathematics

The Go Girls Foundation is dedicated to empowering women at risk across Victoria, supporting women who have experienced domestic violence, illness, social isolation, and homelessness to become work-ready and financially independent. The inaugural Go Girls 100km Challenge was born to ensure the future of Go Girls’ life-changing programs, with nearly $150,000 currently raised towards their goal. Not only did they run a combined 150km on the day, but Strathcona’s four teams have so far contributed an incredible total of over $8,800, with Year 9 student Poppy currently the second highest fundraiser in the state!

A heartfelt thank you to Ms Turner, Steph Daperis, and Brihny Unwin for accompanying the teams on the day, and to our very own Tamysn Manou, who enthusiastically supported our teams while balancing her roles as event ambassador and commentator extraordinaire! A special mention also to Jessica, who received the ‘Go Girls Spirit Award’ for Strathcona, after displaying the Go Girls values of compassion, courage, and acceptance throughout the event.

Thank you to all who supported our girls leading up to the day as they prepared to ‘Run For Her Freedom.’ Fundraising remains open until midnight on Melbourne Cup Day, so if you would still like to donate to any individuals, teams, or on behalf of the Strathcona community, please visit the Go Girls 100km Challenge website: https://www.gogirlschallenge.org.au/t/strathcona-girls-grammar-school

As a part of the Envision marketplace program at Tay Creggan, Tilly and Maya created their business ‘Booby Bites’, delicious biscuits created with a powerful cause in mind. The business concept came about after the girls had an empowering guest speaker visit Tay Creggan, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 21. Realising that statistically 12% of girls in their year level may face breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, Tilly and Maya were inspired to create a business model focused on raising funds for breast cancer awareness.

The girls shared how their business came to fruition, and how their product was marketed at the Envision Marketplace. The judges were extremely complimentary of the girl’s presentation, one even asking for a sample to be sent to them!

Congratulations Tilly and Maya on this wonderful initiative!

Future Anything is a program that transforms young people’s passion and curiosity into innovative ideas that make their world a better place. During 2024, 7500 students in over 75 schools were in the driving seat of entrepreneurship, challenging themselves to create enterprising ideas that make their world a better place, through our Activate program. There were over 300 teams that applied from schools across Australia – with 40 teams making it to the semi-finals.

This task spanned over one week, with students dedicating their lunchtimes to perfect their cakes, demonstrating incredible effort and commitment. Each student planned, designed and brought their cake ideas to life, considering everything from flavours to aesthetic details. The results were a testament to their hard work, with each cake reflecting the students’ unique creativity and skill, making this project a highlight of the year.

Narelle Cameron
Head of Co-curricular and Service

Last Thursday the Year 10 music class had the privilege of seeing Six the Musical at the Melbourne Comedy Theatre. It was an excellent production that inspired all of us this week to begin creating our own class musical. The show was about Henry the VIII’s six wives and each were portrayed as pop singers which combined humour, empowerment and catchy songs too.

The musical had many strong female leads, with each wife having their own distinctive performance. I know all my peers loved seeing this production and it was a fantastic way to start term 4 Music. Another component which was incredible to see, was the band playing up on stage with the singers, I really enjoyed seeing professionals play their part in such a fantastic performance, it was truly inspiring.

Thank you for all the teachers who went out of their way to make this excursion possible for us, we all had the best time.

Olivia Harris
Year 10

Eliza highlights that the School’s wholebeing strategy provides opportunities to staff and students to actively engage in wellbeing experiences and to continue encouraging mental health and wellbeing conversations in all spaces.

Read more: https://beyou.edu.au/stories/educator-wellbeing-is-more-than-fresh-fruit-in-staffrooms

-Dates to Diarise in Term 3
-News from the University of Melbourne
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           New Guaranteed Pathways for Bachelor of Design Students
-Studying the Doctor of Medicine at Deakin
-Careers in Economics
-Psychiatrists and Psychologists: What's the Difference?
-Useful Tips for a University Degree Wannabe
-How to be Successful in First Year of Uni?
-Scholarships to Study Abroad
-Study Abroad & Exchange Programs - Victorian Universities

Click here to read the full careers article

Xin Chen
Head of Careers and Pathways

$40 per person which includes delicious nibbles which will keep you energised and smiling.

Please RSVP here by Thursday 10 October for catering purposes.
Sunday 27 October 2024 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Urban Climb 5/15-33 Alfred Street, BLACKBURN VICTORIA 3130

Bring your family and friends for a fun afternoon which is sure to bring much excitement, as we welcome the loveable Peppa Pig who will be singing, dancing, and ready to meet her biggest fans.

Click here to find out more and to book tickets to this free event.