Newsletter Term 2, Week 6 27 May 2021

As a School we are well equipped to continue our learning from home with minimal disruption through our Continuous Online Learning Program. As a community we will continue to support each other through these challenging times. An important communication has been emailed today to students, families and staff regarding our preparations for the following week as we learn and work from home.  

In celebration of our community, this week I would like to share with you two important articles of news, both of which relate to some things we are proud of in our community at this time. There are always things to think about, work on and develop, but it is nice to take the time to quietly celebrate what is good. I would like to sincerely thank all those in our community who took the time to complete this Survey. It came to you in the closing days of that strange year that was 2020 (which we seem to be revisiting now). You were so generous in giving the time to do this for the School and this deserves to be acknowledged.

One thing that has been identified is that people in our community feel very strongly about sustainability. This has come from our students, our alumnae and our parents. It is timely then, that we are launching a Sustainability Appeal after an audit of the School’s performance in this area.

Strathcona School Survey

Parent and staff responses to our Annual Surveys provide Strathcona with the powerful tool of data in order to understand how School performance is perceived. This allows us to identify potential opportunities for improvement and also importantly to recognize where Strathcona performs well.  The Surveys are conducted by a Sydney-based independent provider, MMG Education, which surveys hundreds of independent schools across the country and thus can benchmark. Results are collated by them and sent to us in graphic image form for analysis.

The below graphic is a high-level snapshot summary of our 2020 survey results. The percentage is arrived at by benchmarking with other ‘like’ schools.

Surveys are designed to provide schools with useful data to foster a positive learning and working environment. Information from surveys influence our decision making across a range of areas including strategic planning, community events, curriculum, co-curriculum, communication mechanisms etc.  This data helps us create meaningful future goals and objectives and allows us to celebrate as a community what we are doing well.

2020 may seem like a distant memory; however, I am sure no one needs reminding of what our community achieved last year. Together we navigated a pandemic, moved from face-to-face learning to our Continuous Online Learning model and then back again.  We connected as a community through our values and care and continued to deliver high level academic, co-curricular and pastoral care to our students.

The graphic above illustrates Strathcona’s responses to the survey. Analysis of responses ranked us in the “Very High” percentile for:

• Strathcona’s response to the pandemic
• Relationships, wellbeing and connection
• Communication
• Values 
• Staff performance

The lower percentage for curriculum is interesting and may be indicative of the adjustments that were required to adapt the curriculum, accommodating a different learning and changed physical arrangements in the online environment. It could also be, however, that our parents are wanting either a more innovative approach, or it may be that some are looking for us to remain entirely traditional in delivery.  It will be very interesting to pursue this more as we know high performing academic schools such as Strathcona have to navigate that tension carefully. 

I would like to take this opportunity once again to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to the many families and staff who completed the surveys last year. Your engagement helped render a representative picture and a guide to the future. 

Welcome to our new Chaplain

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Rev Janet Costello to the position of School Chaplain.

Rev Janet Costello is an alumna of Strathcona, a Baptist Minister, a teacher, an experienced counsellor and a leader in addressing the wellbeing needs of a school community. I am sure you will all join me in warmly welcoming Rev Costello to our community. Below are a few words she shared with me prior to her appointment.

I have been involved in Christian ministry within the Baptist denomination for much of my life. I have a passion for pastoral care which is what led me to complete ordination studies to be a Baptist Minister.

I am currently working as a Pastoral Carer at Epworth Hospital.  I believe that listening to people as they talk about what gives them meaning and connection in life is what spirituality is all about. I am aware that many people do not view themselves as “religious”, but most people see themselves as “spiritual” beings. I am aligned to the Christian and Baptist values of Strathcona.  I am aware that Strathcona is a diverse community and I would ensure School Church and Chapel services are times where each person feels able to explore their own spiritual understanding in a stimulating and authentic way.

I welcome working in a high performing all girls’ school where girls learn with other girls to be “unstoppable” in their choice of future careers. I believe that in having a balance between body, mind and spirit we can support students to achieve and choose to live life in all its fullness. (John 10:10) 

I close wishing you all a special time with your family, as once again you live, learn and work from home.  We have navigated this path before with brave hearts and we are here to support your children through this next week and beyond, both academically and pastorally.

Kind regards,

Mrs Marise McConaghy, Principal

During the session, we were treated to sweets and fruit, as arranged by the Heads of House. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with some girls who came along for the first time. It was really exciting to see the girls engaging with God's word and exploring our theme of courage.
- Carissa, Year 12 

Dear Lord,

I thank you for all the teachers at Strathcona. I thank you for their wisdom and unwavering support of everyone, especially coming into this time of exams. I pray that you will give everyone the strength to overcome the anticipation and give us the tools we need to prepare for the tests, assignments, and exams. Lord, I pray that those who are struggling with stress and other burdens will lie them at your cross and give them to you so that we will be free from them. Help us, Lord, to have courage to ask for help if we need. Aid us to remember that you are in control and will never let us go.

Amen.

Prayer by Alyssa (10) 

We have been working with Mamachi, an energy strategist and auditing service to find out what our opportunities are across water, electricity, gas and waste. It has been a comprehensive data analysis that has included all buildings, all rooms, all electrical infrastructure, all lights, air-conditioners and pumps across all Junior, Senior and Tay Creggan learning spaces.

The data is showing that the areas with greatest potential for impact lie in behavioural, systems and policy changes regarding waste management and projects which will reduce our overall energy consumption.

Within our staff sustainability committee lie existing champions for change. This group will review the waste management findings in detail and will be looking for opportunities to not only transform the way waste is managed across our school but also to build on what is already robust teaching and learning occurring at a curriculum level.

In terms of our overall carbon emissions profile, the most effective environmental changes that Strathcona can make will be reducing our energy consumption. Priorities include further upgrades to lighting, additions to our solar array/battery storage, and adopting 'Smart' technology, creating efficiencies across our heating, ventilation and cooling. If we can find a way to adopt all three of these changes within the near future, up to 400 tonnes of CO2 could be abated.

To support immediate environmental impact, we will be raising funds to accelerate one of the above priorities. Our inaugural Tax Appeal will be launching soon and I hope you will help us strive for a greener future by making a tax-deductible donation. For more information, please contact Eliza Goding, Development Manager egoding@strathcona.vic.edu.au

Ms Eliza Goding, Development Manager

Year 7s have recently elected their first Class Leaders after a term getting to know each other and identifying leadership skills. Congratulations to Phoebe, Saloni, Isla, Siena, Erin, Olivia, Jasmine and Sharon on being selected as the first leaders in their year level.

Year 7

Sarah Chen - Credit
Janelle Cheok - Credit
Claire Dai - Credit
Helen He – Credit
Gabrielle King – Credit
Selina Li – Credit
Anusha Nadig – Distinction
Saidie Schlicht – Credit
Rebecca Tong – Credit
Edilyn Wong - Distinction

Year 8

Grace Beaton – Credit
Aaryn Chieng – Distinction
Charlotte Donaldson – Distinction
Jessica Field – Credit
Tessa Kohne – Credit
Olivia Ma – Distinction
Yolanda Mao – Credit
Cindy Qu – Credit
Jessica Tang – Credit
Theresa Wang – Credit
Olivia Xin – Distinction

Mrs Christy Kertes, Head of Mathematics

This winter the Environment Club needs you. We are calling for donations for an innovative project our Senior Girls are completing to create a giant rug made from recycled products. We are kindly asking parents to donate any forms of plastic bag (it doesn't matter the thickness or the brand name). Please donate your plastic bags to the Senior Centre or the 7/8 area. Each area has a labelled tub. We need at least 300 bags to start our project. There is much anticipation to commence this activity which is being led by Sarina Hausler in Year 12 and Frankie Simon and Sarah Carrington in Year 7.

Ms Hollie Fields, Head of Arnold House and Strathcona's Sustainability Team Leader

Dean of Students, Mrs Amber Sowden writes about how to get the balance right and the best out of extracurricular activities, in Schooldays Magazine, 24 May 2021. Read the full article on our website here.

To keep up to date with Strathcona in the media or to read recent articles visit the News section on our website.

Items in this edition include
• News from Monash University
o Inside Monash: Advanced Science Degrees
o Science Precinct Tours
o Useful Science Website
• News from Australian Catholic University
o New Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
o Experience ACU on-campus Event
• Career as a Dermatologist
• Deakin Explore
• Diploma of Agritourism Operations at Box Hill Institute
• Career as a Sound Technician
• Music Production Courses in Victoria in 2021
• Performance Degrees in Victoria in 2021
• Snapshot of James Cook University in 2021

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

Since 1988 over 14,000 young Australians from across Australia have sailed in Young Endeavour, taking part in the inspiring youth development experience that helps participants develop self-awareness and confidence, and gives them an opportunity to grow their teamwork and leadership skills through sail training and self-development activities.

During each voyage the ship embarks a crew of young Australians who will learn the skills to sail a square-rigged tall ship, including how to navigate, keep watch, cook in the gallery, set and furl sails, climb the 30 metre mast, and take the helm. They will live ‘between decks’ with fellow youth crew from across Australia, and will be encouraged to pursue personal and team goals and challenges.

View the voyage dates. Read about the COVID-19 safe voyaging measures that have been developed to ensure youth crew safety.

Applications are now open at www.youngendeavour.gov.au. Financial assistance is available to eligible candidates. 

Thank you for your support of the Young Endeavour Program

Initially, the weather was kind although the rain and winds have now featured more heavily and students have had to dig deep and find their inner strength.  There will be plenty of memories to share when they arrive back at Tay Creggan I am sure. The photos below are a terrific snapshot of the journey!

Mrs Karyn Murray, Head of Tay Creggan 

This month's edition is ‘Friendship & Belonging’. It is a great edition for parents and adult carers with children across all year levels. 

Read the special report here.

Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some these skills will come very naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate. Belonging to a group that is like-minded with similar interests is highly beneficial to a young person’s wellbeing. It gives them a sense of security helping them feel valued which in turn builds their confidence.

SchoolTV is an online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies. Click here to access the website.

Tomorrow at 7.15am is Strathcona's Green Evolution Breakfast. We hope that you can join us for what is going to be a very informative event. 

Hear from our panel of experts about climate change and rising sea levels, and be inspired by stories of action from local sustainability heroes. Learn about Strathcona’s own "Green Evolution’’ and commitment to a better Earth for girls and families everywhere.

Click here to register for this event.

Dr Kathleen McInnes ('79) - CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere 

Kathleen McInnes leads the Climate Extremes and Projections group of the Climate Science Centre in CSIRO's Ocean and Atmosphere business unit. Her work deals with how climate change will affect severe weather and coastal extreme sea levels through numerical modelling and climate model analysis with a focus on Australia and small islands. She has developed climate projections for impact and adaptation assessments to assist local government manage and adapt to climate change. Her contribution to this work was awarded Eureka award in 2003 and 2009. She has published over 200 refereed publications and other reports and articles and was a contributing author on the IPCC second, third, fourth and sixth assessment reports. She was a lead author on the IPCC Fifth assessment report chapter on Coastal Systems and Low-Lying Areas as well as a lead author on the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adapation in 2012 and the IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in 2019. She currently serves as a co-chair of the World Climate Research Program Grand Challenge on Regional Sea Level Changes and Coastal Impacts. In 2017 she became a Fellow of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society and in 2020 she was awarded the CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement.

Ninna K Larsen, Founder and Director - Reground

"Reground exists to help businesses help the environment and not let coffee, chaff or soft plastic waste end in landfill. Reground creates a community around waste resources to educate us all on how to make our future more sustainable.Reground changes our current waste disposal structure making it more resourceful for our pocket, people and planet.Reground exists to create positive change."Ninna is an expert in behavioural design, marrying her passion for sustainability and practicality to create real change in the waste and innovation space. She founded Reground in 2014 after experiencing the unnecessary coffee waste in Melbourne. Determined to see businesses stepping into the circular economy, she is creating a movement of businesses that puts impact over profit.

Matt Jones, Director - Mamachi

Matt owns and operates a number of Energy and Technology businesses and is driven to accelerate Australia's Energy and Carbon Transition. His passion and experience in Sustainability and Renewable Energy drives Matt to create impact and value for the Education Sector and other large organisations across the country. Through increasingly intelling and automated Building, Asset and Energy Management technologies Matt has delivered large scale programs and portfolio wide data management strategies nationally, achieving meaningful energy, emissions and building outcomes across most sectors.

Hollie Fields - Head of House, Strathcona Sustainability Team Leader

Hollie Fields has taught the Geography curriculum in schools across Victoria and Tasmania. She is committed to giving students on active role in sustainability education by providing them with knowledge and skills to foster change. Currently she teaches at Strathcona Girls Grammar where she leads the Senior curriculum for Geography (10-12). Alongside this, Hollie is a member of the School's sustainability committee, oversees the environment club and participates in the Boroondara Indigenous Network. Having presented at the Australian Geography Teachers Conference in 2019, Hollie engages with an Australia wide network of teachers to consider the best approaches for raising awareness for an ecological mindset. She believes everyone has a key role and that significant change is required to reduce the impacts of modern lifestyles on the natural environment. 

Year 10 Play Production - The Tempest adapted by Lynne Bradley.
7.00pm - 8.30pm, 22 and 23 June 2021, Strathcona Drama Studio.

Livestreamed for the Community and in-person audience tickets available for Staff and Students only.
Adults $12. Students $10. Click here to purchase tickets. 

Come to Pospero’s magical island and be captivated by airy spirits, savage monsters, ship-wrecked sailors, and young lovers. This visually and aurally stunning adaption of Shakespeare's last play is a vibrant exploration of magic, betrayal, revenge, and dispossession. It includes enchanting music, songs, and stunning physical theatre. Be prepared to be mesmerised!

Livestream links:

Tuesday 22 June 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyaaa8gywPE

Wednesday 23 June 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvGsYfr3Izo

We hope you can join us! 

STRATHCONA MOVIE AFTERNOON - DREAM HORSE

We warmly invite you and your family to join us on Sunday 27 June 2021 at the Palace Balwyn Cinema for a special viewing of the film, Dream Horse. 

Experience the inspiring true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely racehorse bred by small-town bartender, Jan Vokes (Toni Collette). With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream and compete with the racing elites. Their investment pays off as Dream rises through the ranks and becomes a beacon of hope in their struggling community. Also starring Damian Lewis. Dream Horse is rated PG.

Only $14 per family member and refreshments can be purchased at the Candy Bar. Bookings can be made here

The session time will be confirmed closer to the day via email but it will be Sunday afternoon.

We hope you can join us!

On Sunday 27 June 2021 at 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Location

Palace Cinema Balwyn
231 Whitehorse Road, BALWYN, VICTORIA 3127

Planning Liveable Cities event is tonight 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Register now! 

You are warmly invited to the Strathcona Centre Learning Futures event – Planning Liveable Cities.Hear about urban planning and the impact it has on lives now and into the future. Madison Robb and Yang Bai from Plan Melbourne will share about their careers in urban planning. We eagerly await their presentation where we will learn something that will have enormous impacts on our futures - the future of Melbourne.

Read more about our guest speakers below.

Madison Robb
Madison has over seven years' experience in urban planning, project management and Ministerial roles in State Government, delivering high-profile, large-scale planning and urban renewal projects, including Docklands and Fishermans Bend in Victoria and Perth City Link and Scarborough Beach in WA. Originally from Perth, Madison moved to Melbourne 4 years ago and took a short break from planning to explore cities as cabin crew for Virgin Australia, before COVID-19 hit the travel industry. Madison now works on delivering Plan Melbourne 2017-2050, the Victorian Government's strategy to guide the growth of Melbourne until 2050, including where people live and work and how we connect people to jobs and services.

Yang Bai
Yang Bai is a strategic planner working on the 20 minute neighbourhoods project in the Planning Department of Victoria. Her passion is in understanding the relationship between people and urban space, and also how we can create quality spaces. She is also interested in spatial data analysis and visualisation to facilitate communication and decision making. She was an engineer before moving to Melbourne to study Urban Planning. She is now also studying Urban Design.

Click here to register for this event.

Strathcona Friends of Kayaking are running a fundraiser for the club with a special Entertainment Book offer.

Save hundreds of dollars with great dining and entertainment deals. Only $70 plus get a free a $20 gift card.
To order your money-saving Entertainment Book please click on this link: https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/18240f4
 
We appreciate your support of our Club.

Strathcona Friends of Kayaking