TERM 1 - WEEK 4 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 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 – Our Girls Creating a Better Tomorrow, Today ’We have a great ability to bring JOY, much JOY, to the lives of others.’ Claire Luger, Vice Head Prefect – Service Mrs Megan Krimmer A wonderful and very special characteristic Christmas time, so that we could share with UPCOMING EVENTS for which our Abbotsleigh girls (and the them the joy of Christmas.’ whole Abbotsleigh community) are renowned, Monday 25 February In a powerfully empathic activity, Claire is their collective hearts for service and Junior School Camp Week invited the girls to ‘become’ one of the social justice. Following in the footsteps of commences 800,000 people living in Sydney who generations of Abbotsleigh girls, our girls are experienced the awful situation of facing a No AbbSchool or co-curricular extremely passionate about making a positive Christmas with little food and no presents events this week difference in our world: ‘creating a better last year. They and their ‘family’ then tomorrow, today’. Middle School Parent and ‘experienced’ the great joy of receiving toys Tutor Afternoon Tea Our Junior School girls enthusiastically and and a massive food hamper from Anglicare. generously support St Jude’s in Tanzania and We are sure that our girls will continue Tuesday 26 February sponsor World Vision children. They also visit to bring joy to others in Sydney as they Senior School Swimming aged care facilities and do fabulous work with implement the ‘Connect our Community’ Carnival the students at St Lucy’s School. Each year, service project through the different the girls support several other organisations Wednesday 27 February initiatives they have planned for the year. Senior College/Archdale and they also support the senior girls’ annual Breakfast service project. In addition to reminding the girls about this year’s service project, Claire reported on last As Claire Luger said in Senior School Year 7 Study Skills Workshop year’s project, which was finalised during Assembly on Tuesday: for students and parents the Christmas break. ‘Every year Abbotsleigh has the exciting Thursday 28 February opportunity to be part of a service project NSW All School Triathlon that helps us learn about current issues (individual) facing our world and provides opportunities Friday 1 March to serve those affected. This year our project NSW All School Triathlon ‘Connect our Community’ is focused on (teams) forming connections with members of our wider Sydney community.’ Year 12 Mother Daughter Breakfast Claire reminded the girls of the tremendous support the School gave to the Toys ‘n’ Tucker initiative in Term 4 last year, donating much food and many toys ‘...for distribution to members of our community doing it tough at Visit the Parent Portal to edit your profile, view the calendar and view parent notices. 01 TERM 1 - WEEK 4 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019 The following is an extract from Claire’s presentation: ‘As part of last years’ service project, ‘Educate to Empower’, Abbotsleigh girls supported Goods for Girls – an organisation that improves the educational opportunities for teenage girls in rural Kenya, through its focus on menstrual health. Last year, many of you ‘walked a mile’ in the shoes of Mejuma, or Mercy, or Mary, or Bahati or Hope. And, as a result, you felt what it was like to be a girl in rural Kenya when you get your period and you experienced a little of what it feels like to have to miss out on school. Many of you were touched deeply by this experience, and you wanted to make a difference ... and as a school, students and staff, we raised more than $8,000. So how is that money being used? blossoming enrolments, the school community will dig an initial pit for the requires more cubicles. GFG will also toilet block to show their commitment This summer, Ms Susanna Matters, look into providing girls’ showers this to the project. The Head of the School Founder of Goods for Girls (GFG) and year to encourage students to remain at was overjoyed to receive Abbotsleigh’s Year 6 Abbotsleigh teacher, travelled to school throughout the school day even assistance saying, ‘If we’d known Goods Rift Valley, Kenya to visit schools that will when they have their period. for Girls was coming, we would have all benefit from Abbotsleigh’s outstanding helped to dig the hole yesterday.’ fundraising efforts in 2018. Ethi Secondary School currently has 34 students (an increase from 14 in 2018) The staff and students at both schools are Susanna visited five schools on behalf and at this new school, there are only very thankful for Abbotsleigh’s support. of Goods for Girls, undertaking a needs makeshift toilets for staff and students. Can you feel their JOY? I can! Let’s continue analysis, teaching some maths lessons The classrooms are still awaiting flooring to bring JOY to others through 2019’ and speaking with staff and students. and the staff have been planning lessons Goods for Girls has decided to allocate in a tin shed as a makeshift staffroom. You can read more about the ‘Come, Abbotsleigh’s funds to build girls’ The school is hoping that having some walk a mile in my shoes’ project and the toilets at Ethi Primary School and Ethi toilets will increase their desirability as a history of Goods for Girls in the most Secondary School. school and allow them to offer a Form IV recent edition of Around Abbotsleigh. Ethi Primary School was the recipient class and the Leaving Certificate for the of a GFG toilet block in 2018 but with very first time. Members of the school An exhibition of HSC 2018 Visual Arts from schools in the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai district. 2 to 30 March 2019 EXHIBITION OPENING: SATURDAY 2 MARCH, 2-4 PM Mr Alister Henskens SC MP, member for Ku-ring-gai 02 TERM 1 - WEEK 4 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019 Chaplain Prayer – A Language of Love Rev Jenni Stoddart Chaplain On Monday morning a group of listening. Below are some of the points contributes to students belonging parents gathered in the Library. we prayed for our community. in the School. It’s a beautiful spot in the morning Abbotsleigh is richly blessed in many • for the Prefects and their leadership. where you can see girls on the sports ways. We rejoice and give thanks field, others in the Library and still We pray others on the way in to school. Why • for the diversity of students and do we gather? To talk to God about families who make up our school • for staff, students and school the students, staff and broader community. families who are unwell, grieving or community of Abbotsleigh. Not all in • for staff who give themselves facing difficulties. our community are people who pray, wholeheartedly to the purpose of and I often find myself explaining • for new students across the School. the School. that, for those of us who do, it is a • for our Boarding community – love language. We know a God whose • for the new staff who have joined particularly those who continue to love is steadfast and faithful and us this year and the skills, gifts and face the devastating impact of both so we entrust those in our lives to care they bring to our students. drought and flood. him. Perhaps you might like to take • for the House Choir competition a moment to pray. God is always held last Friday and the way it Community The Year Ahead – Dates to Diarise Ms Kathy Campbell APA President The APA works closely with the School Junior School students who run most of to organise events that help to build the market stalls prior to the movie. community, foster friendship and goodwill. Monday 27 May Please see below some events that we Parent Seminar with Susan McLean warmly encourage you to diarise. 7 pm, Peter Duly Concert Hall, Senior School Monday 11 March Abbotsleigh Parents’ Book Club Australia’s foremost expert in cybersafety (inaugural!) and a policewoman with 27 years’ Saturday 15 June 6.30 pm, Grace Cossington Smith Gallery experience, Susan McLean has a great APA Social – Trivia Night deal of important information to share 7 pm, venue to be confirmed We are privileged to have Meg Keneally with parents about the online world and doing an author talk and book signings. This should be a really fun night! keeping our daughters educated and Themes are being discussed and plans Saturday 6 April making safe choices. made. We encourage you to start putting Cinema Under the Stars Invitation and booking details will be together tables for your year group. All 4-9 pm, Junior School Oval sent via email. details will be sent via email This biennial event is for all Abbotsleigh Feel free to contact me with any families and is particularly enjoyed by the suggestions or questions. 03 TERM 1 - WEEK 4 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019 Free Practical Driving Workshop for Learner Driver Parents and Supervisors Mrs Heidi Grout Community Relations Manager Ku-ring-gai Council and the RMS The workshop will cover: are running another free practical workshop for learner driver parents • How to complete the learner drivers and supervisors on how to help log book learner drivers become safer drivers. • the process of gaining a P1 (red P) driving license and beyond Thursday 4 April 2019 6.30 pm • the use of licensed driving Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers instructors Bookings are essential, so • practical tips for teaching book online now • any questions or uncertainties A light dinner, tea and coffee are provided.