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Term 2 | Week 5 | 26 May 2017
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In this issue
From the Headmistress
Shoulder to shoulder
Mrs Megan Krimmer | Headmistress
Headmistress
‘Australia’s heartfelt sympathy and resolute solidarity is with the
people of the United Kingdom. We stand with them today as we always
have and always will – steadfast allies in freedom’s cause.’
Malcolm Turnbull
Community news
Junior School
Senior School
It was with heavy and sorrowful hearts that we heard about and watched as the shocking
events unfolded in Manchester earlier this week, and then Jakarta last night. It continues to
beggar belief that in our sophisticated, globally connected world of the 21st century, such
Events
barbaric acts occur. Manchester is perhaps all the more raw for us because those targeted
were young teenagers and children who were doing what so many people of their age do,
attending a rock concert. Many were with their parents.
Featured articles
Upcoming events
Abbotsleigh, like the whole of Australia and the rest of the world, stands shoulder to
shoulder in our support of the people of Manchester and Jakarta, and I know that you are
all thinking of, and praying for the victims, the injured and the families of the victims.
Monday 29 May
Year 6 Vivid excursion
In Senior School chapel on Wednesday, as is appropriate, we paused for a moment to
acknowledge what had happened and pray for the people of Manchester.
Tuesday 30 May
SS Vivid excursion
Kindergarten 2018 parent
information evening
The following is Reverend Stoddart’s message to the girls and to us all:
Thursday 1 June
Year 10 and 11 Drama excursion
Friday 2 June
Coonabarabran Expo commences
Moment of Light exhibition at
GCSG opens
Infants Athletics Carnival
Saturday 27 May
SS Europe Tour rehearsal
and parent briefing
Safe… When the world ceases to be so
I still remember in my own youth the day I realised that the world outside was not as safe
as the one I experienced. Australian troops had been sent to the Middle East. This was the
first time, in my lifetime, that war had become more than just a history lesson. I walked into
the school playground that morning and it was eerily quiet. As adults, we have had these
experiences many times over and can easily forget their power and impact. As I type this, it
is a joy for me to hear the laughter of girls down the hall enjoying their lessons. Yet, we must
acknowledge that the events in Manchester this week will have drawn a little closer to many
of our girls. They know Ariana Grande, they know the joy of a concert with a friend or their
parents. This week in chapel we took the time to stop, to recognise and to pray. We sang
these words
When human hearts are breaking
Under sorrow’s iron rod,
Then they find that self same aching
Deep with the heart of God.
How do we know this? The Bible’s testimony is that God himself faced the evil of this world
in the cross at Easter and overcame it to bring life. We recognised how Jesus calls us to
respond to our enemies through the words of the Bishop of Manchester:
14 June, 5.30-7.30 pm
Abbotsleigh
festival of light
TAS, IST, Music, Drama,
CLUBS, Junior School,
GCS Gallery, VA
‘Today is a day to mourn, and I would ask churches throughout greater Manchester and
beyond to make space and time for people who wish to come into their buildings and
pray. But today is also a day to begin our response. A response that will crush terrorism
not by violence, but by the power of love. A love which Christians celebrate especially now
in Eastertide.’
And we prayed.
God of compassion, you hear the cries of all who are in trouble or distress; accept our
prayers for those whose lives are affected by the bombing in Manchester;
We pray especially for those suddenly facing a future without a child, parent or loved one;
young ones who are in deep distress; those who are injured, traumatized or awaiting news.
Strengthen them in their hour of need, grant them perseverance
and courage to face the future and be to them a firm foundation
on which to build their lives. This we ask through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen
It is wonderful for our girls to know that school is their safe
haven. The routines are predictable, their teachers provide great
learning experiences and they are free to talk about things that
are of concern to them.
And then we continued on. We continued on with laughter,
with learning about Jesus, who promises to be our Shepherd,
and with prayers for our own Year 12s doing assessments and
Year 10s on work experience. Why? Here at Abbotsleigh our job
is to provide safety – safety that allows our girls to know the
realities of this world, be able to talk about them and to hear the
promises of the God who is love.
It is equally wonderful that you provide safe havens for your
daughters at home. Your daughters may want to talk about the
events, and, in an age appropriate way, this is a wise thing to
do. There has been some great advice given about this by the
Australian Psychological Society as well as by writers in the print
and social media. Some links that could be useful for you can be
found on the following websites:
This is such an important message for us all. It is also important
that we, as parents, ensure that our children do not watch too
much of the coverage on television, the internet or social media.
It is too distressing. Yes – our children need to know about it
(in an age appropriate manner), but watching too much is too
unsettling for the young and, quite frankly, the not so young.
•Australian Psychological Society
The other factor that I think is really important is that we should
try to help our children separate the terrorists from the vast
majority of those who follow the Islamic faith. We cannot get
away from the fact that, in the name of Allah, some Muslims
wage war against anyone who is not of like mind or faith. The
Muslims I know are as horrified as we are.
•Quartz
Let us remember that we do have hope; hope in our God who is
a God of love, mercy, peace and justice, and the hope that wars
do come to an end and that peace and freedom can, and do,
prevail.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of
God. Matthew 5:9
Community news
Recipes from home
Ms Jacqui Everett | Community Development Officer
Recipes from home is a collection of tried and true recipes from the kitchens of our boarding
families. Need some inspiration for dinner? How about a warming sweet potato, coriander and
red curry soup, or a mouth-watering chicken, leek and mushroom pie? Or go straight to dessert
and indulge in a tangy yoghurt lemon syrup cake or easy mix rhubarb cake.
The cookbooks are just $25 each. To purchase your copy now, order through Trybooking.
Books can be collected from Jacqui Everett in the Marian Clarke building in the Senior School,
or contact Jacqui Everett on 9473 7736 to make arrangements for your copy to come home
with your daughter.
Junior School
Altruism in practice
Ms Sally Ruston | Head of Junior School
If we count the ways in which we give and keep score to ensure
that each offering is repaid in full, it is very easy to develop a
negative mindset and a sense of entitlement. At Abbotsleigh we
have a culture of giving, of being outwardly focused, and a desire
to help our girls understand the opportunities that abound and
the responsibilities that are inherent when contributing to a fully
functioning community. This is especially so when we consider just
how fortunate our girls and our families are in the main.
Being altruistic, devoting energy to being kind to others and
showing care and compassion reflects well on us and is the ‘right
thing to do’. Yet such behaviour is essential as acts of kindness are
also crucial in building emotional wellbeing for the girls. On Sunday
28 May 2017, the students will have the opportunity to give their
precious time to collect funds for the Red Shield Appeal.
A group of Year 5 girls is thrilled that their suggestion of a ‘Walking
Bus’ has been so well taken up with more than 50 girls, including
Transition, walking to school from Wahroonga Park on Friday of last
week and then again today. To see their altruistic determination
to improve the environment, and to enhance fitness coming to
such good fruition, demonstrates that when we work as a team, so
much good is possible. We are most grateful to the parents who
so readily provided supervision to the girls to enable them to safely
navigate the walk to school.
Year 3 girls have lead the charge this week in raising funds for St
Lucy’s through our Without Words Week campaign. The girls have
sold bouncy ball, pen and badge merchandise, we have prayed
using the silent prayer and today we felt the real implications of
having to communicate throughout morning tea without the use
of our words. Sign and body language, the use of whiteboards and
kindly actions were used to communicate our intent.
Our Year 5 girls have had the opportunity to build more meaningful
relationships with the aged care facilities of the Upper North
Shore. They will now visit their ‘adopted grandparents’ to enhance
their empathy, understanding and service.
At the end of the year, the girls will have the opportunity to hone
their maths skills in our end of year Fact-a-thon. Last year we
raised more than $11,000 for St Jude’s in Tanzania from the Facta-thon as we honed our mathematical skills.
We have also had a Year 6 student raise awareness and more than
$700 for support of the work of Anglicare and their Winter Appeal.
There is a literal truckload of warm clothing mounting in Reception
as a consequence of this awareness raising.
Later this term, Year 6 girls will hold the annual Year 6 fundraiser
to build funds to enable a meaningful gift to be donated to the
School as they conclude their primary school years. The girls have
been quick to email me with examples of their peers modelling
the School Values so that we can present bookmarks in assembly
to applaud such impressive behaviours. In times that can be
troubled, it is so affirming, reassuring and uplifting to be attentive
to the good people do, day in, day out around us. Such focus
away from self is an important habit to acquire in shoring up
our wellbeing.
Reporting on Semester 1
Infants Athletics Carnival
The Junior School staff are very busy at present preparing the
Semester 1 report for your daughter. We aim to provide detailed
information to parents so that a very clear picture of each
girl’s achievements is accurately recorded. At this reporting
period we are also concerned with giving directions for areas of
improvement and growth in the second semester.
The Infants Athletics
Carnival will be held on
Friday 2 June 2017 on the
Junior School Oval. The
carnival will commence
with an opening ceremony
and races from 9.50 am.
Parents are invited to
attend the carnival and join
their daughter for a picnic
lunch at approximately
12.45 pm. At the conclusion of the carnival, girls will return to
their classrooms with their teachers.
Ms Sally Ruston | Head of Junior School
On Tuesday 14 June from 7-8 pm, we will hold information
sessions to explain to all parents new to the School just how
to interpret our reporting format. We also strongly encourage
Year 1 parents to come along to one of these sessions as your
daughter’s report has some significantly different elements
included from last year. We look forward to meeting with
you in the Lower Everett Space to further our partnership in
your daughter’s education. Tea and coffee will be available
upon arrival.
Should parents have any queries or questions following the
dissemination of any reports, please make an appointment
to speak with your daughter’s class teacher. This can be done
through a note in the diary, an email to the teacher or by making
a phone call to Junior School Reception.
Junior School Tuckshop (Honey Pot)
specials and roster
Mrs Marilyn Powell | Tuckshop Supervisor
Honey Pot specials Monday 29 to Wednesday 31 May
•Macaroni cheese: Made fresh daily
•Pumpkin soup: Made with fresh pumpkin
Term special for breakfast and may also be ordered for recess
Hot chocolate and two pikelets for $2.50
Can you help?
Mr Paul Guirreri | JS PDHPE Coordinator
If you wish to take your daughter home at this point, then
please meet her at the classroom door so that she can be
handed over to you and communication is facilitated with the
class teacher. Please note that the usual Friday afternoon
school activities will still take place.
time in between. Contact Raelene or Kerrie at the tuckshop on
9473 7621 or contact Marilyn via email if you would like more
information or to volunteer.
Spots available for the rest of Term 2
Tuesday 30 May
Wednesday 14 June
Thursday 15 June
Tuesday 20 June
Thursday 22 June
Thank you to the mums who have volunteered to fill some spots
on the roster. Parent volunteers are still needed on certain
days (listed below) or you may wish to volunteer with a friend
who is already on the roster. Hours are 9 am-1.30 pm or any
Year 5 Claymation digital animation workshop
Mrs Peita van Bussell | Year 5 Coordinator
We are very excited about the Claymation workshop for Year 5
girls scheduled for Thursday 1 June. Qualified professionals from
Digi Ed will be running a full day Claymation digital animation
workshop. The girls will be using the same technology featured in
Wallace and Grommet to make their very own movies. They will
write a narrative, create clay characters, design backdrops, shoot
footage, edit footage, add titles, add music, add sound effects
and burn their finished product to a DVD. This promises to be
an exciting day of discovery in which all girls will participate in
hands-on learning.
National Walk Safely to School Day 2017
Miss Kate Grzanka | Deputy Head of Junior School
National Walk Safely to School Day was held last Friday 19
May and it was a wonderful success that saw the launch
of the ‘Walking Bus’ from Wahroonga Park. Overall, traffic
congestion in the village was reduced, carlines were not as busy
and, most importantly, many of the girls came to school in an
environmentally friendly way. Let’s see if we can maintain this by
making it a more regular part of our daily routines!
The Walking Bus will be operating every Friday morning from
Wahroonga Park, meeting at 7.45 am for a 7.50 am departure.
Please drop your daughter off along the perimeter of Wahroonga
Park so that she does not have to cross any roads to meet us.
A special thank you to our parent volunteers on last Friday’s
Walking Bus: Fran Wilson, Peter Wade, Pieter Van de Ree and
Sabrina Wang. If you would like to volunteer to go on the Walking
Bus roster, please email Miss Grzanka.
Year 6 IT Bootcamp
Mrs Kylie George | Year 6 Coordinator
This term, Year 6 has been learning about the art of persuasion by focusing on
Aristotle’s work, Rhetoric. Aristotle stated that there are three modes of persuasion –
pathos (emotion), logos (logic) and ethos (character). We have been using these modes
to analyse persuasive texts in both print and digital environments. To conclude the unit,
we will be working in small groups to create advertisements that hope to persuade
the girls of Abbotsleigh to take action. Some of the ideas include riding your scooter at
lunch, picking up rubbish, donating to World Vision and bringing nude food lunches.
During the Year 6 IT Bootcamp in Week 5, students worked with our IT integrators,
Mr Knott and Mr Arber, to learn how to use the computer application; Premiere
Elements. This program allows users to edit and enhance video footage, photos, music
and voice recordings to create a short movie, or in our case, advertisement. The girls
will be spending the next two weeks planning and filming their advertisement, so that
they are ready to edit what they have filmed during our Week 8 IT Bootcamp.
The Year 6 girls are looking forward to sharing their advertisements with the Abbotsleigh
girls to find out once and for all if they have mastered the art of persuasion and more
importantly, been able to make a difference in our community.
Student success
Miss Kate Grzanka | Deputy Head of
Junior School
Congratulations to Meera
Nirmalendran (4G) who entered
two artworks into the St Ives Art
Competition. Meera’s drawing of a
kingfisher was awarded 1st place and
her acrylic painting of a chicken was
awarded 3rd place.
Funds for the Maker Space
Ms Kathy Campbell | APA President
It was my pleasure, along with several other parents from the
APA, to be present during the Primary assembly last week
on Friday.
Gaby Fontanot, Nelly Maroon-Yacoub, Mai-Tran Nguyen and
Melissa Finnerty presented the cheque for the funds raised at
Cinema Under the Stars.
We were delighted to give the sum of $13,903.28 towards the
Maker Space.
Ms Sally Ruston confirmed that the Maker Space will become
a ‘real thing’ this year. The construction will commence at the
beginning of the mid-year break and will, fingers crossed, be
ready by Term 4.
Thank you, again, to all the parents who participated, particularly
those who purchased tickets. Your funds are going towards a
great project.
Year 5 nursing home visits
Mrs Peita van Bussell | Year 5 Coordinator
The forthcoming weeks will see Year 5 girls revisiting their
‘adopted grandparents’ as part of the Service Learning
program.
It is intended that in the process of giving of their time and
energy, the girls will come to a better understanding of elderly
members of the community, and also a better understanding of
their own ability to bring joy to others.
Senior School
A fit body means a fit mind
Mrs Victoria Rennie | Deputy Headmistress
and Head of Senior School
This week I have been pleased to see our Year 12 students
launch into an assessment week and still find time to exercise.
The girls have been working hard but still attending regular
fitness sessions and their sport practice sessions.
We know from myriad research that physical and emotional
wellbeing plays a major role in academic and personal success.
It is so important that the girls take time to establish and
maintain an active lifestyle. Exercise not only energises the
body, it also kick starts the brain. The research shows us that
physical exercise releases proteins in the brain that can actually
help improve memory and increase cognitive performance. The
other key benefit of regular exercise is that it helps relieve stress.
The key to a productive assessment week isn’t hours and hours
spent at a desk, it is much healthier to punctuate study and
assessments with a short jog or walk, or by attending a fitness
session or sport practice. These activities mean time with
friends, time to relax and time for ourselves. Balance is the key!
Meningococcal vaccinations
Mrs Ally Binfield | SAO
Meningococcal vaccinations are being
offered to Year 11 and 12 students next
Friday 2 June.
If you wish your daughter to be vaccinated,
please return the permission form to SAO
as soon as possible.
Permission forms were distributed to
all girls, with forms posted home to
boarding families. If you have not received
a form, please contact SAO (Student
Administration Office) on 9473 7797.
Moment of Light
2 to 28 June 2017
Lucy Barker, Ruth Burgess, David Collins, Viola Dominello,
Virginia Hilyard, Andrew Leslie, Ana Pollak, Sherna Teperson
Exhibition event: meet the artists during GLOW
(Abbotsleigh’s festival of light)
Wednesday 14 June 5.30-7.30 pm
Gallery hours Mon to Fri 10 am-5 pm Sat 9 am-4 pm FREE ENTRY | Gate 7, 1666 Pacific Highway, Wahroonga | 02 9473 7878
[email protected] | www.gcsgallery.com.au | An Anglican Pre K–12 Day and Boarding School for Girls
Year 10 work experience – a great success!
Mrs Marg Selby | Careers Advisor
This week, our Year 10 students went out into the workforce,
having first sourced their own position in an area of work that
interested them. In some cases, this necessitated multiple
applications being made before a position was secured. This
was a bit daunting, but nonetheless, a real life experience. The
variety of workplaces they selected ranged from vets to preschools, from lawyers to museums, from speech pathologists
to physiotherapists, from media to businesses, from university
research to fashion design and many more exciting placements
as well.
From all the reports received back from their work placements,
the girls acquitted themselves very well and showed the kinds
of attributes that are needed in the workforce today. Most of
them managed to communicate effectively with their new work
colleagues and showed initiative by creating opportunities for
themselves to participate in workplace activities when the
pace of work slowed down. They adapted quickly to their new
environments, were responsive to the needs of their supervisors
and collaborative and innovative in their work practices. As
always, the supervisors were amazed at how capable and
competent our young women were and how much they had to
contribute, especially in their use of technology.
For other careers news please go to the Careers page on AbbNet.
Senior School Tuckshop (The Beehive)
specials and roster
without ordering. We also now have EPTPOS for over the counter
purchases.
Mrs Marilyn Powell | Tuckshop Supervisor
Can you help?
The Beehive specials Monday 29 to Wednesday 31 May
Thank you to those who have offered to volunteer. We are in
great need of people who can help once a term for 3-4 hours
– even if it’s a one-off. Ring a friend and we can roster you on
together. If you can assist in any way, it would be very much
appreciated.
•Bacon and mushroom creamy pasta: Made fresh in
The Beehive
•Pumpkin Soup: Made fresh in The Beehive
•State of Origin donuts
Support your favourite team with donuts (blue or maroon icing)
available Wednesday 31 May. Order now on Flexischools so you
don’t miss out. A limited number will be available to purchase
over the counter.
Watch out at recess for Mrs Susan Filan’s healthy vegetable rolls
(featured in last week’s Shuttle) made at The Beehive.
The lunch specials each week are becoming more popular, so to
guarantee that you receive the special, it is advisable that you
order via Flexischools. If you miss the Flexischools cut off, it is
still possible to go to the The Beehive in the morning or at recess
and place your order and pay over the counter. A limited amount
of items is available to purchase at lunchtime over the counter
Spots available for the rest of Term 2
Thursday 1 June
Monday 5 June
Tuesday 6 June
Friday 9 June (note: Boarder travel day prior to long weekend)
Friday 16 June
Monday 19 June
Thursday 22 June
Timeslots are 8.30-11.30 am or 11 am-2 pm or 8.30-2 pm.
To put your name down or for more information, call Shannon
or Evelyn at the tuckshop 9473 7621 or email Marilyn.
Sharp Short Theatre Parramatta
Riverside Theatre
Ms Darcy-Lee Tindale | AbbSchool Speech and
Drama Coordinator
The best of luck to Alyssa Davis (9T), Ella Ryan (11M), Hayley
Armsworth (9W), Kiara Davies (11W), Madalene Seit (9M), Portia
Donaldson (9R) and Vimbainashe Murambi (11R) who will be
performing at Parramatta Riverside Theatre on Wednesday 31
May in the Sharp Short Theatre play competition.
Pull on your pink socks
Ms Jacqui Everett | Community Development Officer
There will be pink all round at Abbotsleigh Junior School on
Friday, 2 June as our Years 3 to 6 students will be wearing their
long pink sports socks to school to show their support for the
McGrath Foundation, ‘Pull on your socks’ campaign.
The pink fever will continue on Saturday, 3 June with our Senior
and Junior Saturday sport teams wearing their long pink McGrath
socks to their competition sporting games.
Healthy lunchbox; Cheesymite scrolls
Mrs Susan Filan | Head of Environmental Education
and SS Science Teacher
Scrolls are an easy and convenient lunch or recess. In addition to
cheesymite, try pizza scrolls with pizza sauce, cheese and your
favourite toppings. For smaller scrolls, roll dough into a longer
rectangle. For larger, roll dough out in a square.
Ingredients:
Bread dough
Vegemite (or Promite or Marmite)
Grated tasty cheese
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 190◦C.
2. On a floured counter, roll the bread dough into a rectangle.
3. Spread Vegemite over dough, then top with cheese.
4. Roll up and seal the edge of the dough.
5. Cut into individual rolls.
6. Arrange rolls on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
7. Bake until brown and cooked through.
Cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Schools from around NSW compete each night for a place in
the grand final with the top two performances of each heat
progressing to the final. Plays must be student written, devised
and directed, and no more than 10 minutes long. Eight prizes
will be awarded at the grand final in four categories – writing,
performing, directing and overall. This is a wonderful opportunity
to perform in a professional theatre, in front of a public audience.
Sharp Short Theatre is a youth arts initiative with a focus
on promoting the works of students in theatre. Its aim is to
unearth and cultivate the next generation of Australian theatre
professionals. We wish you the very best of luck girls – break
a leg.
Thank you in advance to all families that have purchased a pair
of socks for their daughter/s to wear in supporting a campaign
that helps place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities
across Australia and increase breast awareness in young people.
For further information, visit the website.
Thank you for supporting this worthy cause. Together, we’ve
got this.
Betty Archdale’s early mentors
Wellbeing: building resilience
Betty Archdale, the sixth Headmistress of Abbotsleigh,
grew up raised by women heavily involved in the suffrage
militancy, with her mother imprisoned for fighting
for equality.
School counsellor Liz Cannon writes on the fine balance
for parents between being there to nurture and guide
their child and becoming overinvolved in their child’s life.
Read more
Read more
Black and Gold lunch
GLOW Abbotsleigh Festival of Light
The Headmistress and the Marian Clarke Society
Committee invite Old Girls to join them for lunch on the
School’s Birthday. Friday 21 July, 12.45 pm
Join us for the launch of our second GLOW Abbotsleigh
Festival of Light featured across the Senior School
campus. Wednesday 14 June, 5.45 pm.
Read more
Read more
Senior School 02 9473 7777 | Junior School 02 9473 7700 | www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au
An Anglican Pre K-12 Day and Boarding School for Girls