Celebrating Teacher Excellence It Is a Great Privilege to Work with the Staff of Abbotsleigh

TERM 4 - WEEK 6 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

The Headmistress Senior School Chaplain News Community Events Shuttle Junior School Time flies faster than a weaver’s shuttle.

FROM THE HEADMISTRESS Look Up, Reach Out: Celebrating Teacher Excellence It is a great privilege to work with the staff of Abbotsleigh. Every member of staff (teaching and support) is a consummate professional who puts the girls first in all that they do.

Mrs Megan Krimmer Headmistress

This term alone has seen teachers from the be called out. The ones to do this are UPCOMING EVENTS Junior and Senior Schools willingly give up often peers, in spite of our protestations Monday 25 November their time so our girls can undertake myriad otherwise. Thus, it is with delight that we ALE Presentation Day activities. This week, in what is arguably one share with you recent awards made to Wheeldon Cup of the busiest times of the year, many Senior our teachers that have resulted from peer School teachers are accompanying Year 10 nominations. Tuesday 26 November girls to far flung places such as Cape York Year 6 Farewell Chapel Service and the Northern Territory. Others are in The Teachers’ Guild of NSW Award for Boarders’ Christmas Banquet country NSW and still others are in Fiji so Early Career Educators that our girls are able to serve others while The Guild is a professional teaching Wednesday 27 November organisation that has been in existence SS Denim for the Drought Day learning much. since 1892. Annually, the Guild seeks Year 10 PASS Excursion I could not be more grateful to our staff nominations from school leaders ALE: Red Earth Presentation and I know that everyone in our community to highlight exemplary teachers in Evening appreciates all that each member of staff their second or third year of teaching Year 7 Parent Accelerant does for their daughter/s. This week, Ms Sally practice. These early career teachers Evening Ruston has written an article (below) that are already showing passion, dedication highlights the great achievements of some of and commitment to the profession that Thursday 28 November JS Twilight Carol Service our teachers. I commend this to you. sees them stand out in a manner which is fully worthy of recognition. This year, Friday 29 November ‘A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the Abbotsleigh was thrilled to have a finalist Year 8 Surf Ed imagination, and instil a love of learning.’ in both the primary and secondary Year 8 Languages Excursion Brad Henry divisions. The following are citations calling out the inspired practice of two of our early Year 6 Farewell It is an interesting phenomenon of our career teachers. profession that teachers are not ones to Sunday 1 December Year 8 Christmas Markets hold themselves on pedestals or clamour for awards. Instead, many educators would SS Christmas Carol Service attest to the reward and joy had in teaching is through supporting our students to thrive. Yet such selfless dedication to learning should

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01 TERM 4 - WEEK 6 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2019

Emily McMahon the classroom. This took her to Uganda and draws on the strengths of his team. has been for a month in January 2019 to facilitate He is a most worthy recipient of the 2019 teaching in the professional development training for Gladly Teach Award. Junior School local Ugandan teachers where she since July developed her facilitation skills. She has Bernie Newsom 2018. What brought back her experience and new is the Senior has impressed perspectives into the classroom, thus School Awardee about Emily from benefitting our girls as well. of the Gladly inception is that Teach Award for she presents as Diana is an outstanding and valued 2019. Bernie is a passionate, colleague who is held in high esteem the consummate natural born educator. Her commitment by all those who work with her. She has professional to each child’s learning is absolute also been an outstanding tutor to Year who is highly and unwavering. She brings enormous 12 Gilmore over the last two years. The regarded and intellectual capacity, energy, drive and award she was nominated for gives a clear respected by a keen determination to improve to all indication of how well respected she is by students and endeavours. Emily treats each child as an Sean Kelleher, the Head of Social Science teachers alike. Bernie loves teaching and individual who she is curious to come to and the School community broadly. he loves learning – he is a true life-long know. It is a delight to see her find points learner and an outstanding teacher, who Diana is indeed a most worthy finalist of of passion and interest with each child has educated thousands of students the 2019 Teachers’ Guild of NSW Award to build accord and connection. Emily’s across all sectors for the past 59 years. for teachers in their early secondary years teaching practice is a brilliant blend of He is also a great educational leader of teaching. both precise instruction and creative and was the superb Principal of North Sydney Boys High School for many innovations. Her girls find learning to be Abbotsleigh Gladly Teach years. Abbotsleigh has been fortunate to great hard fun and delightful chortles Annual Award have had Bernie as a staff member and regularly emanate from her classroom. A legacy left by Abbotsleigh’s 9th extraordinary Latin Teacher since 2005. Headmistress, Mrs Judith Wheeldon, Additionally, Emily is a great collaborator Bernie is a wonderful role model – a was an annual award whereby peers are and a welcome member of any team humble and gentle man who always has asked to nominate a colleague who is an as she is so quick to respectfully offer a kind and friendly word to say to staff exceptional educator, committed to best ideas and take on workload. Her work and students. He has displayed incredible practice and embodies the characteristics in championing Indigenous matters flexibility, not to mention amazing of passion, integrity, courage and has been especially impressive as she knowledge, to meet the needs wisdom. The nominated person should has supported the entire Junior School of our classical language learners for embrace lifelong learning and create a to recognise and celebrate NAIDOC more than a decade. Bernie is a most collaborative environment of respect Week through inviting speakers, student deserving recipient of this year’s Gladly and compassion. The annual award for workshops and a welcome to country Teach award. a Junior and Senior School teacher is smoking ceremony. announced when we celebrate World Stop Press: We congratulate the following Emily is indeed a most worthy finalist of Teachers’ Day in October. We warmly girls in Year 12, 2019 whose work has the 2019 Teachers’ Guild of NSW Award applaud the following two educators for been chosen for possible inclusion for teachers in their early primary years their exemplary commitment to student in the HSC Showcases: of teaching. learning and Abbotsleigh: 1. Shape (TAS): Isabella Aptaker, Diana Webster Murray Keating Lucinda Bray, Sophie Forsythe, has been is the Junior Stephanie Kah, Charlotte Krell, teaching in the School awardee Rosie Meares, Emma Moy and Senior School of the Gladly Annie Shen for the past Teach Award for two and a half 2019. Murray 2. ARTEXPRESS (Visual Arts): Chelsea years in the commenced Chaffey, Xiaoran Qian, Charlotte Social Science teaching at Banks, Sarah Buchanan, Georgina Department. Abbotsleigh in Cooper, Sophie Forsythe, Olivia During this 1997 and has Gallant, Claire Lloyd, Erin Mackay, time, she led and taught Alice Moosavian Mahdavi, Jessica has taught with distinction Nagy, Emma Shannon, Anna Verheul a range of for the past 22 years. Murray is an and Katrina Wan subjects with a particular passion for outstanding educator who demonstrates Congratulations girls, this is Business Studies, where she brings her an exemplary commitment to educational quite exceptional. perspectives from her previous career as best practice in meeting the academic a management consultant. As an early and wellbeing needs of the students. career teacher, Diana has a passion He is constantly seeking and refining for the geographical study of human innovative initiatives with a determination wellbeing and her own professional to see his students thrive. Murray is a development both within and outside selfless, enabling leader who builds trust

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Chaplain

Celebrating Christmas Rev Jenni Stoddart Chaplain

Join us as we celebrate the blessings of Christmas at one of our services.

ELC Christmas Service Thursday 5 December 4 pm

Junior School Twilight Carol Service Thursday 28 November 7-8.30 pm

Senior School Carol Service Sunday 1 December

• Christmas Markets 6.30 pm • Carol Service 7.30 pm

Community

Christmas EcoBags are here! Mrs Susan Filan Head of Environmental Education and SS Science Teacher

EcoBags from the Environment Council • Coconut scrubber are packed and ready to go home with • Bamboo cutlery set you. For $50 you receive $85 worth of • Metal straw with cleaning brush products that can be given as a big gift or split up for stocking fillers. Each unique • Bamboo toothbrush bag contains the same items: Order through Trybooking now. • Raspberry jam Bags can be picked up in the ACEE • Recycled PET produce bags from 1-2 pm on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November. There will also • Sponge cloths be pick up and cash sales from 3-4pm • Household gloves on Friday 29 November.

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Uniform Shop Holiday Trading

Mrs Lorraine Boothby Uniform Shop Manager

Term 4 last day of trading Wednesday 4 December

The Uniform Shop reopens

• Monday 13 to Friday 24 January (9.30 am-4 pm) • Closed Monday 27 January • Tuesday 28 to Friday 31 January Click here (9.30 am-5 pm) Normal trading hours resume from Monday 3 February.

Grace Cossington Smith art award 2018 Winners Exhibition 7 November to 5 December 2019

The Grace Cossington Smith art award is a biennial award for two dimensional artworks inspired by the theme Making Connections. This exhibition of the 2018 winners allows us a deeper understanding of the broader practice of each artist. Catherine O’Donnell Winner of GCS art award Stephen Hall Winner Local Artist award (Sponsored by Suzie Stathakis and Di Jones Real Estate Wahroonga) Jane Théau Winner Emerging artist award Opening 9 November at 2 pm with Dr Matt Cox, Curator Asian Art, Art Gallery of NSW

Images: (left to right) Jane Théau, Catherine O’Donnell, Stephen Hall

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Thank You to the 2019 APA APA Book Club Ms Deepa Pillay Committee APA Vice President Dr Ambereen Qureshi APA President For the APA Book Club’s second event in August, we were privileged to have a former Abbotsleigh girl In last week’s Shuttle, Kathy Campbell The 2020 APA Committee is now and renowned author Kate Forsyth graciously introduced the APA looking forward to working with you. join us. Kate enlightened us with Committee for 2020. Please join me We already know that we represent her stories of her childhood, her in sincerely thanking Kathy and all an amazing parent body and are former Abbotsleigh years as well the outgoing Committee members excited about the fantastic events and as her journey to becoming a for their dedication and hard work. activities planned for the year ahead, successful author. Through their varied roles, they have which is Abbotsleigh’s 135th birthday. contributed immensely to the APA On Monday night, the book club Please don’t feel shy to contact me and have been integral to the success members got together once again to or any of the lovely parents on the of many key events and new initiatives share and discuss our thoughts on Committee if you have any ideas or over the last few years. Kate’s latest novel, The Blue Rose. suggestions or just to say hello! It is my honour to be following in Having listened to Kate on the Junior School Barbecue the footsteps of Kathy as the APA amount of research that goes into her Thank you to all the parents who have President. She is due a very special writing allowed us to have a greater volunteered to help at the barbecue vote of thanks for her inspiring appreciation on the book itself. The on Tuesday 3 December. We have leadership. Kathy is an exceptionally level of detail particularly in regards almost all the slots filled up! kind and giving person. If you are to the French Revolution and Chinese feeling a greater sense of family If you are free on the day, help is history were great examples of this, amongst the Abbotsleigh community, still needed between 10-11 am and and promoted a very interesting and it’s largely because of the incredible 12.15-1.30 pm. fruitful discussion. amount of effort Kathy made to build Come along, have a bit of fun and On behalf of the APA, thank you to and strengthen relationships. Thank sign up here. all who attended and we hope to see you again from us all. more of you next year in 2020.

Junior School Meet our New Deputy Head of Junior School 2020 – Mrs Carmen Gaspersic Ms Sally Ruston Head of Junior School

This week, I have taken delight in Currently, she is leading literacy learning at ‘I am genuinely excited by learning. A welcoming and introducing Mrs Carmen the Hills Grammar School and previously love of learning for professionals and Gaspersic to our girls and staff. Mrs has held leadership roles as Acting Deputy students alike is what I aim to model to Gaspersic will take up the role of Deputy Head of Junior School at MLC, Director those around me. Enquiry, exploration, Head of Junior School from Term 1 next of Early Learning (Pre K-Year 2) at Trinity, posing questions, collaborating, resilience year as Mrs Kate Coventry takes up a and Assistant Principal and Academic and and accomplishment are all essential new Pre K-12 role in managing risk and Welfare Team Leader at Newington. components of life long learning.’ compliance across the School. Mrs Gaspersic is experienced in working We are so very much looking forward to With extensive leadership and teaching in high performance leadership teams, is Mrs Gaspersic joining our Junior School and learning experience, we are thrilled passionate for personalised learning and Team in 2020. We will also take time in that Mrs Gaspersic will be joining our committed to the process of continual these final weeks to thank Mrs Coventry teaching and leadership teams. Mrs improvement. She is equally committed for her eight years of dedicated and Gaspersic has a both a Bachelor of to supporting student and staff wellbeing. exemplary teaching and leading in the Teaching and Bachelor of Education The following statement from Mrs Junior School. and 23 years of teaching experience, Gaspersic gives insight to her passion predominantly in independent schools. and dedication to learning:

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We Remembered Ms Sally Ruston Head of Junior School

We take seriously our role in helping our fell silent, fighting stopped and men went girls understand just how fortunate they home as ceasefire to WWI was enacted. are to live in a democracy that enables Also, to commemorate Remembrance great personal and political freedoms due Day, Meera Nirmalendran and Jaimie in large part to the service and sacrifice Gow laid a floral tribute that they had of past generations. While never wishing creatively constructed while attending the to glorify battle, it is important to take memorial service at the Roseville time during the year to remind the girls War Memorial to represent Abbotsleigh. • Giving time to listening to a of the struggle, sacrifices, hardship and grandparent as part of our Year 5 As always, I am keen to help our girls resilience of Australian men, women Nursing Home project. and children during periods of war. This find their voice and be active citizens • Playing and learning next to a child was poignantly done on Tuesday of last in changing the outcome for people at St Lucy’s School to make them week as we all gathered around the flag who find themselves in desperate feel special. pole to remember the sacrifices made circumstances. In Term 3 our Year 6 girls on our behalf. responded powerfully to an HSIE • Giving service in music, library or unit on immigration that had an through the environment club. This year I shared the story of nurse overarching theme of displacement. • All girls from Kindergarten to Year Vivienne Bullwinkel, who served in a It was through this unit of study that 6 participating in the Factathon to military hospital in Singapore before the girls experienced the impact of raise funds for the School of St Jude being captured by the enemy. Throughout displacement and the plight of being in Tanzania. her incarceration and upon returning a refugee fleeing a homeland. to Australia, Vivienne continued to do • Supporting Anglican Aids program all she possibly could to serve and I applauded those girls who have of Toys and Tucker through donating support others in spite of the horrendous contributed and given selfless service and placing food and toys under the conditions and lack of medical supplies this year here at school. Acts of Christmas tree in the foyer. thoughtfulness, kindness and while abroad. Vivienne’s story is a As we took time to reflect on generosity have included: remarkable one of survival and courage. Remembrance Day, I asked the girls Yet, she claims, she just did what she • Contributing by packing a box to to honour the commitment given and could, as she could. support Samaritan’s Purse Christmas sacrifices made by ordinary everyday I impressed on the girls the need to Box appeal. men and women to make our country the free democracy it is today. Perhaps understand just what freedom means and • Raising awareness and providing one of the most powerful ways in which why our forebears have fought so hard the organisation and structure to we can show honour to such selfless to protect and preserve this freedom. fundraise for Danceability through St dedication, is by finding ways we too We also discussed why the 11th hour Lucy’s School. of the 11th day of the 11th month is so can give service, to make our world a • Door knocking to raise funds for the significant. The girls were most attentive better place, one small step at a time. Salvation Army. when explained that this is when the guns

Brainways Quest Competition Mrs Jessica Galvin Classroom Teacher

On 18 and 19 of November, some of our Year Year 2 Team 1: Claire Lee, Sanaa Randhawa, Year 5 Team 2: Kaitlyn Blair, Anouk 2 and Year 5 students went to Australian Amelia Young came first in the Humanities Hakewill, Melanie Wong placed 3rd Catholic University to participate in the component and placed 11th overall. overall and are off to the national finals. Brainways Quest Competition. Year 2 Team 2: Ryka Dave, Charlotte Sadler, All our girls demonstrated an outstanding The Quest involved completing challenges in Paarvathi Thillainathan placed 3rd overall ability and love of learning as they fully three core subjects: Science, Mathematics and are off to the national finals. engaged with the challenges. and Humanities. We had four teams enter Year 5 Team 1: Amber Li, Charlotte Parasyn, We are very excited that three of our and each team achieved consistently well in Leisel Tan placed 1st overall and are off to four teams will be participating in the all topics. the national finals. national final, which will be held on Congratulations to these girls on the Saturday 7 December. following results:

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Transition Tie Dyes Year 5 Farewell Old Friends Mrs Peita van Bussel Mrs Amber Thomson T-2 Coordinator Year 5 Coordinator

The Transition class has been involved in a As the school year rapidly The lessons learnt and the fabulous cross disciplinary project where draws to an end, over the last qualities displayed by girls during connections and expertise have been sought week, Year 5 visited their elderly these experiences have been from both campuses. The girls have been buddies for the last time as a invaluable. They will cherish these enjoying a variety of sewing projects and have class. In preparation for the moments of joy and the wonderful been collaborating with the Senior School’s day, the girls discussed not only feeling of making someone’s day TAS Department. On Friday, Mrs Cait Shairp topics of conversation, but items for a lifetime. The girls should be came down to teach Transition how to tie-dye they may have wanted to bring. incredibly proud of the way they their own t-shirts! It was colourful, messy, These included homemade craft, conducted themselves during creative and great fun. The girls are excited cards and drawings. Year 5 also these visits. that they will be wearing their t-shirts to prepared a series of carol songs perform in their upcoming Christmas concert. to perform for the residents.

JS Tennis Success 2019 Mr Paul Guirreri JS PDHPE Coordinator

Congratulations to the following The Hutchinson (Singles) Cup: girls who were presented with Abigail Ly (5G) Junior School Tennis trophies The Homedale (Doubles) Cup: at Friday’s Primary Assembly. Harriet Chang (6D), It was lovely that the girls had Evelyn Liu (6D) family present to support them at this time. The Cameron Encouragement Cup: Grace Li (6D)

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Speech Day 2019 Ms Sally Ruston Head of Junior School

Wednesday 4 December ceremony will commence at 2 pm and avoid congestion with the earlier Senior 2-3.30 pm we anticipate concluding by School Speech Day event. Judith Poole Sports Hall, Senior School approximately 3.30 pm. Girls are to take home scooters and Our Junior School Speech Day promises On conclusion of the ceremony, Junior bikes by Friday 29 November 2019. to be a very special event to celebrate School girls and teachers will meet Students should: the achievements of our girls. Electronic parents at the Marian Clarke Plaza in invitations have been distributed. Our class groups for refreshments and to • bring morning tea/lunch in disposable packaging guest speaker will be Grace Hamilton, enable a smooth dismissal, after being Captain of the Australian Women’s signed out with your daughter’s teacher. • bring a water bottle Rugby team. Rehearsals are underway Junior School girls requiring After School • wear full summer school uniform, at school and the final rehearsal will Care will be walked back to the Junior including blazer and panama hats occur at the venue before the event. School Campus. Girls catching the • NOT bring school bags The expansive space of the Judith Poole Abbotsleigh bus will be taken to the Dismissal Sports Hall will mean that seating does Senior School bus stops with a staff Junior School girls and their teachers not need to be restricted and queueing member to catch their relevant buses will meet parents at the Plaza area in will not be necessary as all parents will which will be departing as soon as the class groups to enable hand over. Junior be seated in the venue. girls arrive at the bus stop. This may School girls who are returning to school Speech Day will commence as a regular mean the Abbotsleigh buses will depart will be booked into After School Care for school day for the girls with duty and approximately 10-15 minutes later the afternoon. than the normal time. Students who classes commencing as usual and the Absences girls wearing full summer uniform, normally catch the Hills Bus will need to make alternative arrangements. If your daughter is ill on the morning including blazers and white panama hats. of Wednesday 4 December, please The girls will be involved in class-based Please click here to compete your daughter’s attendance for Speech Day. ring Junior School Reception by 8.30 activities on Wednesday morning before am to report the illness. Please ensure departing after an early lunch for the Please note that there will be no a medical certificate is provided. Senior School with their class teacher to parking on the Senior School grounds Attendance by all girls is required. rehearse and enjoy a snack in the Senior or car parks. Where possible, we ask School grounds. The girls will be seated that parents travel by public transport by 1.40 pm and we ask that parents enter and not to queue early on this day to at this time to be seated by 1.50 pm. The

Speech Day in brief

7.50 am Normal drop off procedures in place in the Junior School

1.40 pm Doors open for parents to enter

2 pm Official ceremony begins

* Speech Day concludes with refreshments being served on the Plaza at the front of the Senior School. 3.30 pm * Girls not departing with parents will be walked back to After School Care.

* Normal bus routines in operation departing from the Senior School.

08 TERM 4 - WEEK 6 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2019 Senior School

Women’s Cricket Alive and Well at Abbotsleigh! Mrs Kate Howitt Head of Sport

The ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup between Australia and India, to be held at takes place in Australia next year. It is going the Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday to be a spectacular celebration of women 21 February from 7 pm. in sport! It will raise the bar in women’s Tickets are $5 for children (aged 2-16) and sporting events – with all major stadiums $20 for adults. We would love to sell all being used, prime time coverage being given 100 tickets by Speech Day (Wednesday 6 and full resourcing from the ICC to make it December), but please make sure you buy the best event yet! through us so we can all sit together. Purchase tickets your tickets here. Once tickets are purchased, we will keep a record of sales and forward on the actual tickets in the new year. For any inquiries, please contact Mrs Kate Howitt or Mrs Belinda Robertson. In other cricketing news, last week, Senior School staff member Mrs Belinda Robertson (née Haggett) was presented with a copy of the new book, Baggy Green Legends, written by Martin Lenehan. Belinda features prominently in the book as she is a former NSW and Australian player. She played test cricket for Australia between 1987 and 1992, and even scored 126 runs on debut Abbotsleigh, being one of only two schools against England! She also played in 37 ODIs in the IGSSA system to still play cricket, is between 1986 and 1993. getting fully behind this event. One of the She has more recently been managing the main goals of the tournaments is to inspire the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL and we are next generation of cricketers, especially girls. For your copy of Baggy Green Legends, visit exceptionally fortunate to have her on staff Bauer Books and search for Baggy Green Thus, the ICC have set aside a block of in the Senior School PDHPE Department Legends. To gain a $20 discount, type in tickets for Abbotsleigh girls (and their and as our Duke Of Edinburgh Coordinator. baggy30 for the promo code. families and friends) for the opening match

Host Families Urgently Needed for Japanese Students in Term 1 2020 Mrs Masumi Sorrell Languages Teacher

Abbotsleigh will again be hosting a • Daily program (Monday-Friday) • Great experience visit by Japanese students from attending Abbotsleigh Year 10 classes for all Fujimigaoka High School from • Japanese language not necessary • Make new 27 January to 6 April 2020. • Normal Australian meals friends We are urgently seeking host families • A stipend of $50 per night will be to share their lifestyle and home while given to host families to assist with experiencing another culture. hosting costs. TERM 4 - WEEK 6 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2019

Little Green Ideas: Buy from the Bush Transportation To Keep The Find out how to do your Christmas shopping online, and Planet Habitable For Humans help support our boarder communities.

In today’s world, we would all benefit from spending more time exercising and less time sitting in cars.