Congratulations Ms Sally Ruston: Primary School (Non-Government) Principal of the Year

TERM 3 - WEEK 5 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

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

FROM THE ACTING HEADMISTRESS Congratulations Ms Sally Ruston: Primary School (Non-Government) Principal of the Year Last Friday night I had the great privilege of attending The Educator Australian Education Awards evening where Ms Ruston was announced as Australian Primary School Principal of the Year – Non Government.

Mrs Megan Krimmer UPCOMING EVENTS Headmistress Monday 26 August Last Friday night I had the great privilege of valued and dedicated leader of Abbotsleigh ELC Father’s Day breakfast attending The Educator Australian Education who loves learning, and espouses the ethos, IPSHA Athletics Carnival Awards evening where Ms Ruston was values and vision of the School. announced as Australian Primary School Tuesday 27 August Principal of the Year – Non Government. The Educator Awards Evening was a ELC Father’s Day breakfast This is an exceptional and very well-deserved national event with educators from all over HSC Showcase Opening award for Ms Ruston, who works tirelessly the country in attendance. We are so proud for our girls and staff at Abbotsleigh. of Ms Ruston who deserves our warmest Wednesday 28 August congratulations. ELC Father’s Day breakfast As you are aware, Ms Ruston is a most HSC Showcase accomplished and visionary educator and Congratulations to our newly elected 2019/2020 Prefects and Vice Captains Thursday 29 August leader, who is held in very high esteem, not ELC Father’s Day breakfast only by her students, their parents and her HSC Showcase staff, but by educators throughout New South Wales and around Australia. She is an IGSSA Athletics indomitable advocate of the importance of (Year 7 to attend) education for all, and girls in particular. She Year 6 Sydney Jewish is also a wonderful colleague and a highly Museum Excursion

Friday 30 August Kindergarten and Year 3 Father’s Day Breakfast HSC Showcase Catch a Rising Star Gala Concert

We warmly congratulate our new Prefects and Vice Captains who, together with every member of Year 11, will provide student leadership for Abbotsleigh in 2019/2020.

Visit the Parent Portal to edit your profile, view the calendar and view parent notices.

01 TERM 3 - WEEK 5 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019

Head Prefect Ilaria Calo YEAR PREFECTS Melba Head Boarder Prefect Harriet O’Brien House Captain Annika Tonuri Vice Head Prefect Duties Ottilie Allen Junior School Prefects Jessica Tam, Vice Captains Annabel Brown, Vice Head Prefect Houses Amelia Rigby Catrin Wood Ruby Gutmann Vice Head Prefect Service Year 6/7 Charlotte Pearson, Lauren Sung Satara Uthayakumaran Year 7/8 Katherine Abel, Siena Bolger Prichard Year 8/9 Georgina Conn, Kira Owens House Captain Olivia Lee PORTFOLIOS Year 9/10 Alexandra Bull, Lucie Vayriot Vice Captains May Chit, Heidi Windybank Year 10/11 Lily Adams, Tegan Coughlin Vice Head Boarder Prefect Adelaide Year 11/12 Tara Sweeney, Ella Turner Richardson Taylor House Captain Lizzie Brown Boarding Prefects Louisa Jeffery, Grace Chisholm Vice Captains Annabelle Campbell, Nadin, Sophie Overton, Yael Taylor House Captain Holly Nelson Tiana Doran Chapel Lucinda Wertheimer Vice Captains Georgina Courtney-Stubbs, Debating and Public Speaking Lorna Macfarlane Tennant Rosie Fordham House Captain Callie Leighton Drama Daniella Speirs Franklin Vice Captains Elizabeth Ramsay, Environmental Sustainability Kirsten House Captain Maya Jayawardena Annabelle Stuart Waugh Vice Captains Rosie Andrews, Wright Music Olivia Hobbs Adelaide Sylvester House Captain Phoebe Harris Sport Pascale La Hei Gilmore Vice Captains Heather Kim, Katherine Lai Student Representative House Captain Madeline Robinson Council Orla Hogan Vice Captains Ailee Blackshaw, Sara Chew

Chaplain

The First Mangoes of the Season – Craving Rev Jenni Stoddart Chaplain

Doing the grocery shopping last weekend him I will find a taste that out nourishes I spotted them – the first Kensington anything the world might have on offer. Pride mangoes of the season. They were a ridiculous price and far more green ‘Like newborn babies, you must crave than gold, but the minute I saw them the pure spiritual milk so that you will grow craving for summer and sweet juicy KPs into a full experience of salvation. Cry began. What it is that you crave? Sleep? A out for this nourishment, now that you glass of wine at the end of the week? The have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness, kids all tucked up in bed and a moment now that you have tasted that the Lord is to yourself? Getting away? God gives us good.’ (1 Peter 2:2-3) good things that bring us joy in so many Ever since I tasted my first KP mango – I ways, but his best gift of all is himself. At vividly remember being handed it as a the heart of the Christian faith is the God very young child and sent to sit in the surf who came to us in Jesus and offers to be so the juice would not stain my swimsuit – present through his word the Bible and by I have craved them. Yet Jesus is better. He his spirit. KPs are here for a season, but is worth craving and is available every day. God invites us to more than joy in bites, is his biography as recorded in the 1st His promise is to sustain me on the days more than joy for a season. He offers century; an eyewitness account of the life without mangoes and swimsuits. Perhaps to meet us daily and sustain us in every of a man we are still talking about 2000 you haven’t come face to face with Jesus season. The Bible encourages me to crave years later. for a while. Why not take a moment each the goodness shown in Jesus – in craving day to read about him. The book of Mark

02 TERM 3 - WEEK 5 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019 Community

Kate Forsyth – A Wonderful Evening Ms Kathy Campbell APA President

On Monday this week, we were so lucky Attendees gained a good understanding to have author Kate Forsyth at the of how Kate documents ideas, develops APA Book Club. Kate arrived early and characters and researches historical happily spent time with parents at the facts, before beginning the writing of Grace Cossington Smith Gallery before her books. Kate also shared what it the formal interview commenced. means to have a Doctorate of Creative Arts in Fairy-Tale studies! Kate is an Abbotsleigh Old Girl (Humphrey, 1984) who wrote her first The interview, conducted by Sarah book at seven years of age. Kate warmly Luke, was full of insight, warmth and described how her teacher encouraged wit. Sarah is a member of the Senior her writing by starting a Writing School’s English Department and a Group for a group of enthusiastic published author of an historical non- young students. Kate’s creative fiction work. Sarah was impressively talent continued to develop and she prepared, despite having just finished graduated Year 12 with the Prize for marking Trial HSC papers one hour prior! Creative Writing. Since then, she has Overall, it was an inspirational evening. gone on to receive numerous accolades and awards, and has sold more than a Please feel free to join us at the book million books worldwide. discussion next term on Monday 18 November from 7-8.30 pm. We will Kate was so candid and generous with be discussing Kate’s latest book, the telling of her own personal story The Blue Rose. and sharing the process of her writing. We really were treated to Kate’s gift with storytelling.

The Entertainment Book Mrs Natalie Doyle APA Entertainment Book Liaison

As has been the case in previous years, an App (iPhone or Android). It is very the APA is selling the Entertainment convenient to search by restaurant name Book to add to the funds we raise (for example) or look for offers in your for Abbotsleigh. It is excellent value, location. The offer is then redeemed providing thousands of offers, including directly from your mobile device. up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers for many 2. A BOOK membership restaurants, cafés, arts, attractions, (Entertainment™ Book Membership) hotels, travel, and shopping. which will provide you with a hard copy It is possible to purchase: of the book, including vouchers. 1. A DIGITAL membership Entertainment™ Memberships still sell (Entertainment™ Digital Membership) for $70 and include over $20,000 in If you’d like to have a look through one of which is downloaded onto your phone as offers you can use until 1 June 2020. the books, there are samples on display at Reception on both campuses. To purchase a membership, please use this link which takes you to the For any questions, please contact Abbotsleigh page to place an order. Natalie Doyle.

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Year 7 2021 Scholarships Mrs Colleen Fenn Registrar

To acknowledge and encourage excellence, Abbotsleigh offers a number of scholarships to day and boarding students in Year 7. Criteria such as school reports, examination results, financial need, personal interview and in the case of music scholarships, performance, are Monday 18 November 2019 used to award scholarships. Kate Forsyth’s book A scholarship exam will be held on Saturday 21 September 2019 The Blue Rose discussion for Year 5 students wishing to 7-8.30 pm apply for a Year 7 2021 scholarship. Registration is online with VIP Room (Level 4) applications closing on Wednesday Judith Poole Sports Hall 11 September 2019. RSVP to Deepa Pillay

Junior School

When Does Homework Work? Ms Sally Ruston Head of Junior School

If one gives credence to the frequent benefit (or effect size) of homework is such activity maximises benefit and writing of educational experts low for primary school students. Yet, outcome for each child? and media reports this year that a more in depth analysis of this data The following attributes and factors homework makes no difference, and my own experience over 30 years are those necessary to see time spent then why is it that good schools of educating, leave me believing that on homework being worthwhile and and diligent parents persist with it is very much a matter of what type resulting in a positive impact on the task of distribution, supervision of homework and the characteristics student learning. and marking of school work done at of the children that determine home? whether or not homework is a valid • Task orientated activities are and worthwhile pursuit. Given we beneficial, where the child engages As always, I am interested in the are talking about discretionary after in review, revision and rehearsal research and go to the meta analysis independently. Such activities school time, what is it that we as undertaken by Professor John Hattie build fluency, competence and educators can do to ensure that on the topic of homework. If one looks confidence that is difficult to simplistically at his research, then the achieve in a busy school day.

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Conversely, open ended tasks in which So when doesn’t homework work? ended and nebulous that intent and the child has to navigate their own Too often homework is given to direction are lost. A failure to mark learning pathway show low benefit. children that is ‘one size fits all’ and homework and give targeted feedback • Short, sharp and frequent bursts of is the same for the entire class. Such also contributes to negative effects. homework that is differentiated and tasks rarely meet the learning needs of It is true that poor quality homework closely aligned to student ability the child as they are either too difficult abounds. But it is wrong to then label see good benefit. or too easy – neither of which enable all homework as ineffectual. • Older children, who can self- pertinent practice to be achieved. Worthwhile learning experiences, monitor and independently sustain Some tasks can be so challenging and whether in the classroom or beyond, concentration benefit more than beyond the scope of the curriculum don’t happen by chance. They require younger students. that they are impossible for the child the expertise, creativity and innovation • Teacher involvement in homework to complete unaided. I have been made of an experienced educator to devise, is paramount to its success. The aware of parents hiring architects to deliver and then give feedback. nature of the task needs to be make the models of Inca civilizations tailored to student learning needs, When time on task is extended by all in the name of homework. Activities feedback needs to be timely and differentiated homework pertinent can be set so far in advance in a expectations need to be high to each child’s needs, then the ‘contract’ format that it is difficult for regarding the quality of the work and benefit to academic success is the tasks to be differentiated to meet the value attributed to the exercise. manifold and positive. the immediate learning needs of the child. Other tasks can be so open

Sick Leave Year 4 Convict Camp and Medical Mr Murray Keating Year 4 Coordinator Certificates Ms Sally Ruston On Thursday 5 and Friday 6 Day 2 will begin with the girls enjoying Head of Junior School September Year 4 will participate in breakfast on Cockatoo Island followed Convict Camp. This unique experience by a ferry ride up the Parramatta River. Unfortunately, the prevalence of Influenza will see the girls learning about Upon arrival at Parramatta, girls and B in the community is quite high this Australia’s convict past and the First staff will travel by bus to Elizabeth year and we have noted an increase in absences as a result. To ensure the Fleet through numerous experiential Farm where they will learn about life in wellbeing and full recovery of all girls learning activities. early Sydney. Day 2 will conclude with and staff, we recommend that should a guided tour of St John’s Cemetery Day 1 will begin with girls and staff your daughter present with any flu-like where many of colonial Sydney’s travelling to The Rocks by bus then symptoms, you visit your family doctor and notable pioneers are buried. participating in a guided tour of this adhere to the recommendations provided historic area of Sydney. This will be To add to the authenticity and fun of regarding rest and recovery periods. followed by an exciting cruise around Convict Camp, each Year 4 girl will So that we can ensure the safety of all Sydney Harbour aboard the tall ship, wear a convict themed outfit. This will girls, we remind parents that should your Soren Larsen. At the conclusion of the consist of long pants, school shoes, a daughter be ill and thus unable to attend tall ship cruise, girls and staff will convict themed shirt and a straw hat school, that you email or call Junior School disembark at Cockatoo Island where or bonnet. Reception on 9473 7700 by 9 am on the morning she will be away sick. If your they will undertake a guided tour of Year 4 staff and girls are very much daughter is going to be away from school convict ruins. Day 1 will conclude with looking forward to the learning, fun for two or more days, please secure a a barbecue dinner, campfire (weather and memories that this exciting medical certificate and then email this to permitting) and campout in onsite tent experience will provide. Junior School Reception. accommodation on Cockatoo Island. Please also be aware that we have reinforced with the girls the need to cover their mouth when a sneeze or cough is imminent and to ensure that all tissues go into bins to reduce the risk of spreading infection. I thank you for working with us to ensure the health and wellbeing of all in our community.

05 TERM 3 - WEEK 5 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019

To Game or Not to Game Ms Sally Ruston Head of Junior School

To support parents in building this warning sign and explain what game where the purpose is to survive knowledge and confidence in the she can do to stay safe. by killing other players. Be the last online world that our children inhabit, • All young people need support person standing and you’re declared again our Information Technology to make safe decisions online. the winner. In order to win, players Integrator, Jon Adams, has written It is recommended that primary need to build infrastructure to an informative and helpful article on aged children remain under adult protect themselves and accumulate the place of online gaming. He has supervision while gaming, for additional weapons to attack. It is suggested means of ensuring that example ensuring that an adult estimated that up to 40 million people the benefits are amplified and the is within earshot of conversations and are playing this game worldwide. detractors minimised. able to see any chat taking place. The most common concern many Online Gaming and Your • Playing games online can leave parents have relates to the addictive Child – The Basics computers/devices open to risk of culture that this online game creates. a virus. Protect your computer by There are compulsive loops built into For many children, online gaming ensuring that you have up to date the game, making it more enticing plays a large part in their social anti-virus software in place. to keep playing. As with all multi- interactions. It can be a fun way to player games, there are potential risks spend time with friends and create • Ensure that your child knows how associated with kids being subject to opportunities to develop teamwork, to report or block other players cyber-bullying or being groomed by concentration skills and problem- who engage in online harassment online predators. If your child plays solving. Many games that girls engage or any other unsuitable behaviour. this or similar online games, be sure with on their phones, tablets or home The Fortnite Craze to have a discussion with them about computers have functions allowing To some parents’ surprise, the the games they play, strategies to stay users to chat with one another. Chat Fortnite craze is not just something safe and agreed times in which these functions in games do differ; however, that boys play. In its simplest form, games can be played. there are ways that you can support Fortnite is a shooting and killing your child to stay safe: • Have ongoing conversations with your daughter about who she is talking to online. Have a discussion with her about whether she knows the person she is playing against or with in real life and what she shares with them. • Take time to explore games with your child. Ask her to show you what she likes about the game and take an interest. Speak with her about making her profile private if possible and talk with her about information that is safe to share e.g. nicknames as opposed to full names. • Be aware of the chat platforms your child is using. Ask your child about what she would do if someone within a game asked to talk to her in private whether that’s on another platform or within the game. Help your child to identify

06 TERM 3 - WEEK 5 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019

Year 4 Parent Return and Earn: Recycling in the Information Junior School Ms Sally Ruston Evening Head of Junior School Ms Sally Ruston Head of Junior School The Junior School has been recycling Girls are welcome to bring in plastic drink containers through the Return recyclables (no glass) to school to add To ensure that all Year 4 parents and Earn program for the past 18 to the Junior School bin. are fully informed of the changes months. The girls place their empties and broadening of opportunities with the 10c label on them in the available next year as the girls move big yellow Sulo bin located outside to Year 5, a Parent Information the Tuckshop. Evening for Year 4 parents will be held on Tuesday 10 September at 7 Pictured are the four drinks that the pm in the Year 5 classrooms. Tuckshop sells that can be recycled through Return and Earn. This meeting will give information about the manner in which the girls So far, the Environment Club has will be assessed later this year and raised $100 from Return and Earn. how and why we go about grouping Recycling is a great way to care for to best meet specific needs. Mrs our Environment. As parents, it is Donna Moffatt, Director of Learning important to hold conversations with Innovation and I will be present to children about this and model how to speak with parents. recycle, not only Return and Earn, but using your local council recycling bins.

Nicholson Museum Fun – Latin Club Excursion Juliet Henderson, Soraya Kaufmann and Elinor Lewis Year 6

On the Latin Club excursion to the A highlight was observing the LEGO children when they were training to Nicholson Museum, we had the Pompeii structure showing modern be soldiers. opportunity to look at many artefacts features and ancient features. Overall, the Latin Club excursion to the from the Roman world and enjoy many The hands-on experience was Nicholson Museum was definitely an hands-on activities. We learnt about awesome! It was amazing to touch and experience all the girls will remember the Etruscans and the way that the investigate figures and specimens from and we strongly recommend joining Romans copied many of their ideas, 1500 BC-700 BC. We all took notes Latin Club in the years to come. such as gladiator fights. We also learnt and answered questions about our about the Romans and how they dealt artefacts. It was so cool to be a part with bad behaviour from any of the of history. We even got to hold a real soldiers and about Emperor Augustus sword which was for the emperor’s and his life in the roman society.

07 TERM 3 - WEEK 5 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019 Senior School

Career Aspirations

Mrs Marg Selby Careers Advisor

Hopefully last weekend, many senior and Notre Dame will all be open, along students to become entrepreneurial and to students and their families were able to with private colleges like AMPA and AIE. create their own work opportunities. This visit the Macquarie University Open Day The questions that you need to ask them is an important skill to acquire because, and to learn about their modern, flexible on your visits have been included here in the ‘gig’ economy, about 30% of programs that have been designed to suit again for your convenience. employment is flexible and self-managed. the needs of the future workforce. In addition to asking these questions, Lastly, technology is allowing the This weekend on 24 August, some of the imagine the future workplace, as you look workplace to spread on a global basis. private colleges like Macleay, Whitehouse, at tertiary courses and consider the fact We can carry out many roles from almost AIT and also the Australian Defence Forces that information which can be ‘taught’, is anywhere across the globe. Thus, it is wise Academy at their UNSW Canberra campus probably more likely to be the sort of thing to look for courses which allow global are open for inspection. The following that can be automated in workplace. Areas opportunities as part of their structure. weekend, it will be the turn of a number of of study that rely more on empathy, caring Enjoy the busy Open Day season and make both metropolitan and regional universities and creativity are areas that are less easily the most of the opportunity to compare to open their doors to prospective able to be automated. and contrast a wide range of courses. students. On Saturday 31 August, ANU, For other careers news, please visit the Newcastle Callaghan campus, Sydney, UTS In addition, you can look for aspects of the tertiary program that are designed to allow Careers page. Boarding

Three, two, one…GO!

Skye Weston Year 9 boarder

On Sunday August 11, approximately 100 people ran under the Abbotsleigh banner for 14 km in the City2Surf fun run. Parents, staff, siblings, day students and boarders arrived with great enthusiasm and excitement, ready to start bright and early on Sunday morning. Easy to spot, we were all wearing bright Like a true champion, Year 8 boarder Xanthe yellow shirts with the Abbotsleigh Daisy Cogan was the first Abbotsleigh girl to cross Club logo on the back. In the weeks leading the finish line – what a tremendous effort! up to the event, the Year 9 boarders, under boarder parent Christine Weston’s guidance, It was such a fun event that was enjoyed silk-screened the logos onto the shirts. by everyone. Thanks must go to Christine Weston, Kate Phillips, Juliet Meares, Sue At the starting line, the massive crowd Sylvester and the other boarding parents started to move and everyone was off! Some that made this event possible. people were running, some walking and some talking. No matter how the race was We hope to see you all there in 2020!!! travelled, everyone had an incredible time.

08 TERM 3 - WEEK 5 ABBOTSLEIGH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019

Congratulations Ms Sally Fun and fundraising at the Ruston: Primary School 2019 Sports Lunch (Non-Gov.) Principal of the Year The 2019 Sports Lunch was an outstanding success, with a brilliant fundraising result for our facilities and A truly deserved award for one of Abbotsleigh’s most Indigenous Scholarships. beloved educators and leaders.