Newsletter Term 4, Week 2 16 Oct 2020

The Junior School was full of joyous children jumping out of their skins. The teachers were not that much more restrained as happy as they were to see the campus come alive again with their beloved students. A colleague likened the Year 7 girls to being like flocks of busy birds swooping in one direction and chirruping away as they first inhabited their Centre once more. Our senior girls were somewhat more considered and, while excited, seemed to find peace just in being back again with each other. One girl said to me that it was reassuring to see that everything at School was the same (same-ish given the presence of hand sanitiser and distancing reminder signs). I had not thought of that. I am sure that this was the case for many of them.

While in some ways it must feel that the world has turned upside down, the constancy of some aspects of life is certainly settling. The physical environment here at School remains much the same: the buildings are unchanged; the leaf blower blows each morning; girls come and go; teachers are comfortingly predictable as they use their skills and experience to settle everyone into learning and assist them re-establish relationships in real time. Having said this, I am also acutely conscious that an important part of our school community is still not with us. These girls are not forgotten, that is for sure, and it is hoped that they can join us very soon.

This week I am sharing with you the 2019 Annual Report. The report forms part of our governance and compliance in reporting to State and Commonwealth governments and our community. The Annual Report is a genuine account and summary of the results, plans and happenings of the year past. It is a rigorous self-evaluation allowing us to look forward, plan and strategise for the future.

Warm regards

Mrs Marise McConaghy, Principal

In this week's edition, you will find the following information on:

•    Dates to Diarise in Term 4
•    RMIT Village
•    Reminder: Pathway to Physiotherapy at Monash University
•    Reminder: Tax File Number Applications
•    USI Applications
•    Study Assist Website
•    Diagnostic Imaging Courses at CQU
•    Subscribe to The Young Professionals Podcast
•    New Website: Your Career
•    C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship
•    Nutrition Studies at Deakin University
•    MathsLink - Maths Methods Bridging Program at Swinburne University
•    Webinar: Career in the Entertainment and Media Industries with Luke Dennehy
•    Reminder: VTAC 2021 Upcoming Key Dates

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

Not only is it fabulous to see a couple of motivated students taking the lead on an issue of importance to them, but it is a way that the entire year level can join together in fun and service. We know from research conducted both prior to this pandemic and during it, that one way of alleviating mental health concerns is by doing things for others. When humans give something of themselves - the impact is great. On Thursday 22 October, all of Year 9 will be "Doing Class for a Day in a Dress" - this is our final day of remote learning (we hope) for the year, so dressing in our uniforms will be a nice way to transition back to Campus.  

Last Friday afternoon, Freya, Rachel, Chloe T and Meg, four students who volunteered to participate in the Global Youth Advocacy Forum on Thursday 5 November, connected online with a small high school in SaPa, Vietnam. The 38 students in the class had never spoken to a foreigner - we had a fun time exchanging details about school life, K-Pop, study, their town and their aspirations beyond school. Our four girls now have to interview local students about their views on equality and equity in preparation for the forum. 

Another highlight for the week was our 'Frame Your Future' Day on Thursday, run by our Head of Careers and Partnerships, Ms Jo Buckley. Completing the Morrisby test, a Safe@Work module, a Personal profile and a personality style test, we encouraged the girls to explore their options and recognise that their career journey may not be a linear path, but rather a series of choices and experiences that they get to navigate. Yesterday, I watched Stephen Curry, NBA Basketball superstar, interview Bill Gates about interview skills and the challenges of employability in the future. In this rapidly changing world, being able to interview confidently and know your value is important. In English this term, all girls are honing their interview skills and elevator pitches and in Envision, we will focus on careers and the acquisition of skills for the future. Next Tuesday, all students will complete a Food Safety certificate which can be added to their personal profile (resume). 

Finally, a reminder that next Wednesday is our last online 'Pop Up' day - featuring Masterchef and a virtual excursion and on Thursday, all Year 9 students are being asked to Do It in A Dress and wear their uniforms for the day online. 

Enjoy the weekend!

Mrs Karyn Murray, Head of Tay Creggan

Thank you to everyone, staff, students and parents for the seamless transition back into school. It has been gratifying to see the happy faces, bouncy steps, the enthusiastic renewal of friendships and to be able to restore some routines, normality and joy back into our children’s lives. This week has just flown by and we have achieved so much. Your daughter is bound to be a little tired after such an exciting week and life back on campus.

We are looking forward to a very exciting term of learning Face to Face and gathering once more in a physical space as a community. Thank you for your trust and support as we navigated through these past months in a unique learning environment.

Mrs Lisa Miller, Head of Junior School

Our focus has been to ensure that we provide them time to ease back into some type of normality and routine as they reconnect with each other. It has been lovely to be able to speak and reconnect with families too. To be able to converse in person is such a privilege these days. Term 4 always seems a busy term, with the celebration of Book Week happening next week. Although the date for Book Week has moved for Junior and Senior School we are very much looking forward to still celebrating this next week.

Book Week - Curious Creatures, Wild Minds: Monday 19 October – Friday 23 October

This is the theme for the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week, and you are likely to agree that most children’s books are filled with curious and mythical creatures. Book Week is about fostering the love of literature through storytelling, learning about new books and sharing old favourites. Reading books together provides the opportunity for a language rich experience which captures the imagination of young children. All the ELC classes will be celebrating Book Week and children are encouraged to bring a treasured book to share.

• 3YO Group (Banksia): Children may bring their favourite story book any day during Book Week to share.
• 4YO Groups (Jacaranda, Wattle, Melaleuca):
  Tuesday 20 October: Children from these groups can dress as their favourite character/mythical creature. They can also bring a favourite book to share any day during  book week.

Mrs Jo Dowing, Director of Early Learning Centre

There are a range of restrictions in place on how sport is to be run within schools, but we will be offering all senior school students the opportunity to participate in Tennis and Ultimate Frisbee after school on various days, as well as continuing our very successful general fitness sessions on campus on a Thursday morning. Students can sign up to these opportunities through the News item that was posted on Thursday morning on MyStrathcona. 

Sport opportunities for Junior School students on Tuesday afternoons are also being finalised and will be posted on MyStrathcona once confirmed. 

We are also hopeful that in the coming weeks we will be able to provide the opportunity for our students to use the swimming pool for leisurely lap swimming, depending on government restrictions. Further information about this opportunity will be posted on MyStrathcona in due course.

Ms Keira Wills, Head of Sport

This year you will once again be able to buy and sell second-hand textbooks and other student resources for example, calculators, sporting items, musical items, stationery and much more from the Sustainable Schools Shop. More information about how to register and what textbooks and student materials you can buy and sell will be provided in next week’s Magnolia.

Dobsons are having a buy early and save sale! The sale ends on Saturday 31 October, get in early if you need to purchase any new uniform items. Visit them online to find out more.

Due to COVID-19 we will be restricted to using online ordering via Flexischools and contactless pick up out the front of the canteen for both recess and lunch orders.

For Senior School Families

The cut off time for ordering at recess is 9.30am and lunch is 11am. If you do not have a Flexischools account, please visit Flexischools and follow the easy steps to register today.

For Junior School Families

The cut off time for Junior School orders is 9.30am. Lunches will be delivered to the Junior School before lunch. If you do not have a Flexischools account, please visit Flexischools and follow the easy steps to register today.

Please download the latest Canteen Menu from MyStrathcona.

Send your details to cro@strathcona.vic.edu.au.

To support a local business and shop local, you can find Strathcona Community businesses in our latest Business Directory.

The Community Relations Office continues to work with the Strathcona Family Association and the Old Strathconians in supporting our community during these uncertain times. If you have any questions please email Mrs Jo Wilson via email jwilson@strathcona.vic.edu.au.

Mrs Jo Wilson, Director of School and Community Relations

The annual CSEF amount per student is:
• $125 for primary school students
• $225 for secondary school students

HOW TO APPLY - New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a form or visit the Department of Education and Training and download the CSEF application form. 

If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2019, you do not need to complete an application form in 2020 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
· new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2020 or you did not apply in 2019.
· changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2020.

Check with the business office if you are unsure.

For more information please visit the Department of Education and Training website. 

The Department of Education & Training has extended the eligibility date and therefore if you wish to apply, please complete the application form.

When you have completed the form, email this to businessoffice@strathcona.vic.edu.au before Friday 22 October 2020.

Business Office

A Youtube link for the livestreaming will be published on MyStrathcona News on Monday and will then be available for all family and friends to share and enjoy from Tuesday 20 October at 7pm.

A series of videos that have been cleverly and creatively edited featuring the talents of the members of the Senior Vocal Showcase and their director Tori Wood who mixed and edited the work of the singers rehearsed and recorded throughout Term 3. If you enjoyed the video they made of 'For Now' screened last week during the assembly, then this is for you!!

Mrs Jenny Meacham, Head of Performing Arts