Newsletter Term 4, Week 7 20 Nov 2020

The Board has a very high level of expertise in a range of areas and it is one of the most professional and high level I have worked with. I am particularly grateful to them this year. Their service and care in the stewardship of this School, which they love, has been extraordinary. Michael Pittendrigh opened the meeting with the Reflection below. I think this speaks to all parents and the vulnerability we have as we place our beloved children in the care of others in the journey of their education. It also speaks to the quality of staff at Strathcona.

Personal reflection

When Jen and I waved our little girl off for the first day at Strathcona, in 2010, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Would you really understand her? Would you appreciate her kindness and special personality? Would you be able to see the beautiful, unique person she really is?

We worried that she would struggle with the pace, the schedule, the number of kids. We worried she would get too much attention or not enough, or that you wouldn’t notice when she had a hard time and needed help. We wondered if she would be too outgoing for the classroom, causing a distraction, or perhaps too shy, and go unnoticed.

We weren’t sure if you would have time to coach her when she felt overwhelmed, or if you would be able to recognize the signs of emotional distress. We wondered if she would slip through the halls of the school like a shadow — unnoticed, unrecognised, unappreciated.

We worried she would miss us.

This year we have finished our parenting ties with Strathcona. Over 11 years, our three girls passed through the playgrounds, the classrooms, and the hallways of the School. This year is our last. There is a tinge of sadness but so much more gratitude.

As parents, we are so grateful to Strathcona. As a community:

• You have coached and complimented our daughters. You have been their advocate, their counsellor and their guide. You have prayed for their struggles and cheered for their successes. You have poured so much into their lives.
• You gave your time — after school, before school, weekends — nothing was ever really nine-to-five for you.
• You gave your diligence. You taught when you were sick. You taught when you were tired. You taught when you were sad and weary from things in your own life. You taught through COVID!
• You gave your passion. You coached, cajoled and cheered. Your desire for our daughters to succeed was second only to Jen’s and mine.
• You gave your attention. You know their names. You know their friends and their favourite subjects. You gave them opportunities to lead and to influence. You built confidence. You made them feel special.
• You gave your heart. You cared about their worries. You felt sadness when they were distressed and you smiled when they were excited. You cared for their future. You loved.

So, thank you.

Thank you for doing what you do and for being who you are. Thank you for giving and giving and giving, even on those days when you felt like you had nothing left to give. Thank you for your encouragement and compassion, your correction and your grace. Thank you for caring for our girls.

A blessing I would like to share with Strathcona (Numbers 6:24-26)

24 “The LORD bless you
      and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you
     and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you
     and give you peace.”

May His favour be upon you.

Warm regards

Mrs Marise McConaghy

Next Thursday 26 November is our Transition Day for all year levels in the Senior School where each year level 'moves up' for the day. For students, transition involves 'new' things to learn about and consider both in wellbeing and in the academic programs at Strathcona, including meeting new class members, discovering new areas of the School and learning about new subjects.

With each new stage at Strathcona there are unique features on offer for everyone and we hope that every Strathcona student embraces all of these wonderful and varied opportunities. For teachers, this transition time gives us an opportunity to reflect on this year’s teaching and learning programs - to consider the successes and failures and begin the reviewing and revamping processes in readiness for 2021.

Ms Tracy Herft

Life on campus is everchanging. In Science the girls are studying light and learning about the finer details of an eye by dissecting Bull's eyes and the final group to make lip balm created some excellent products in the Lab.

More Golf at TC this week - but outside - some of the girls have excellent swings, along with games of ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball. It is great to see the oval getting a workout and the girls happy about trying some new sports.

Our Year 9 Drama Club girls have increased rehearsal times in preparation for their upcoming production of Picnic at Hanging Rock on Friday 27 November. We are looking forward to 'Picnic' Day and learning about the mysteries of the Rock.

Today was Exam Day at Tay Creggan. Despite the nerves, the day has run smoothly and there was a tangible sense of achievement (and relief) when the girls departed. Next week our end of year program will begin with a range of activities and opportunities.

All families should have received a copy of our end of year program via EdSmart. Girls have been asked to check the program for each day carefully to ensure that they are on the right Campus, in the correct attire, with the correct equipment. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Karyn Murray

One of them has been the Music lessons that take place outside my office window on the balcony. We have some very talented musicians in the Junior School and it has been delightful listening to the girls play their instruments.

The girls investigated different structures with LEGO in the playground during recess and lunch times and it was the perfect spot to play during the warmer weather.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Ms Lisa Miller

The Art Exhibition will be launched next Wednesday 25 November at 4.00pm.

To view the exhibition, please ensure you are logged into MyStrathcona at 4.00pm next Wednesday, as a news item will be posted that will include the link for families to view the exhibition.

At Strathcona we regard home learning as an integral and planned part of the academic program and school life. Regular Home Learning allows the breadth and depth of courses to be greater than they normally would be. Learning skills and knowledge to a level of proficiency requires practice and builds on your daughter’s confidence.

Strathcona has newly adapted our Home Learning Policy and we share it with you here. You can also find the policy located on our website under Governance, then Policies and within MyStrathcona on the Parent Portal under Governance.

Simone Boland, Dean of Teaching and Learning

The Dobsons Buy Early & Save Sale has been EXTENDED! Continue to save on selected uniform items until Saturday 21 November when you shop with Dobsons.

Shop in-store or online with a $10 flat rate delivery or click and collect. Visit Dobsons to shop online.

*Terms & Conditions apply. Sale available online and in stores. COVID-safe policies are in place for all in store transactions including click and collect.

Booklists are available through Campion Education and to access the lists use the four digit code of: J9U6.

The link is also available on the parent portal on MyStrathcona through clicking Learning, then Booklist.

• Prep to Year 2 orders are due by Wednesday 2 December and will be distributed by the class teachers next year.
• Year 3 to Year 6 orders are due by Wednesday 9 December and will be delivered to your home in January.
• Year 7 to 10 orders are due by Wednesday 9 December and will be available for booking following the close of the Early English and VCE orders next Monday.

Mr Ross Phillips, Senior Dean of Learning Futures

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.

The Art Exhibition will be launched next Wednesday 25 November at 4.00pm.

To view the exhibition, please ensure you are logged into MyStrathcona at 4.00pm next Wednesday, as a news item will be posted that will include the link for families to view the exhibition.

Trivia for a Claus, Strathcona's family trivia event, is looking even more exciting with the announcement of some more amazing prizes!

• A Microsoft Surface Go has been donated by CompNow. This lightweight tablet runs Windows 10 and is a delight to draw on with the Surface Pen - perfect for any budding artists!
• Pamper yourself with a $200 skincare and cosmetics hamper from Natio. A special thank you to the Briffa family for coordinating the donation from Natio.
• Some delicious Gingergirl creations.
• A Reading Book voucher to help you read away the summer break.

To take one of these prizes home, have the family us in the online trivia competition on Monday 30 November at 6.30pm. Tickets on sale now! 

Your $10 entry fee will not only give you the opportunity to win great prizes but will also help us continue to support the School of St Jude in Tanzania.

We unfortunately are unable to have our Annual Presentation Night at Hamer Hall due to the current restrictions and we will be running an alternative evening. The night will have elements from our Presentation Night including awards for Years 5 to 11 students.

It will be live streamed for you and your daughter to reflect on the year 2020.

This year for our Awards Evening we offer you the chance to also purchase a meal pack from Grossi Florentino to enjoy while watching the special evening online. The menu options available are:

Menu 1 - $125 (serves four people)

Starters:
Grossi sourdough
Salumi, Cured Meat and Salami
Saffron & Mozzarella Arancini

Main course: Pumpkin Tortellini, Brown Butter, Sage

Menu 2 - $125 (serves four people)

Starters:
Grossi sourdough
Salumi, Cured Meat and Salami
Spinach & Ricotta Panzerotti

Main course: Lasagne

The above are set menus and there cannot be any changes.

Packs will be delivered directly to you and the cost also includes delivery, a special dessert for you all to share and your own printed copy of the nights program.

You do not need to register your attendance for this event, you only need to purchase your Grossi Florentine meal pack if you are interested. A link to the live event will be sent on the day of the event to the School community.

To make your purchase of one of the above menus please visit here to purchase either Menu 1 or Menu 2, be quick as bookings will be closing this weekend!!!