eNews Week 4 - Term 2, 2019 | St Ursula's College Toowoomba

eNews Week 4 – Term 2, 2019

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eNews

15th May, 2019

From the Principal...

What is Hope?

“… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

The recent event at our College has the power to cast a dark shadow or we can choose to walk in the light because our school is founded on love, compassion and hope.

The origin of the word ‘hope’ takes its meaning from the Old English and German and means trust, confidence or “leaping in expectation”.[i] In a world that can at times be unexplainable, and events that cross our path may seem senseless, confusing and illogical, I urge you to be hope-filled people that look to tomorrow with a living expectation that the future is worthwhile.

The Holy Father Pope Francis said at a recent Easter gathering, that we should never bury hope.[ii] When I attempt to explain the meaning of hope to our young people, I often use the metaphor of a car. I tell them that hope is like the fuel that keep the us going. It helps us on the journey of life to take a route that promises reward. In taking that journey, we encounter a relationship with Jesus that reminds us that the future is life-giving and optimistic.

Our Foundress, Angela Merici also reminds us to be people who are forward thinking. St Angela says that we should never lose heart, even if we think at that point in time, that we do not have the skills or experiences that we need to cope with the situation that is before us. Hope is such a powerful force that is has the impetus to affect our psyche and position our attitude to remain open to the encounter with the living Christ in our lives.

So, if we find ourselves in the darkness of life and the situation seems bleak, it is then that we need to see the stars that shine before us.

We have cried much in recent days and I am encouraged by those who live and work in our community that our future is wondrous. Our young people are the promise of tomorrow and in them, we invest our time, love and care.

I thank you on behalf of our College community for carrying us through this pain and I look forward to building a future with you, and your daughters, that is founded on infinite hope.

May God bless our Community.

Mrs Tanya Appleby
PRINCIPAL

[i] https://www.etymonline.com/word/hope (accessed 15 May, 2019)
[ii] https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/04/20/do-not-bury-hope-says-pope-francis-easter-vigil (accessed 15 May 2019)

From the Deputy Principal...

This week our Year 7 and 9 students are joining with students across the nation to do NAPLAN. This year marks the end of our girls doing NAPLAN by hard copy, as in 2020 all students will be doing NAPLAN online.
We wish our girls all the best and now they are working hard to demonstrate their depth of learning.

Next week our Year 11 students move into exam block. The final version of the exam block has been emailed out to all students. I encourage you and your daughter to revisit the College Assessment guidelines issued at the start of the year.

Some Key Assessment Reminders for Years 7-12:

Students in Year 11 and 12:
- a medical certificate is required for any absence from exams or assessment due date.
- Girls in Years 7 to 10 are to notify their subject teacher and Head of Year of their absence on the day of the assessment and a note is required from their parent on their return.

We wish the girls all the best in their assessment and encourage them to continue good study habits.

Report Cards
With our new system for Year 11 and 12, our reporting will change. As of this year all Year 11 will receive a written report at the end of Unit 1. This report is planned to go out at the end of Week 7 this term.

Years 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 report cards will also be changing in appearance. These end of semester reports will be released to parents during the June/July holidays.

Have you seen this?
Word of the Week has made a return to the English Faculty at St Ursula’s. The girls are notified by email each Monday of the Word of the Week and the challenge is to use the word in the most creative and skilful way in their English writing throughout the week. So far the following words have been used:

Week 1:Multitudinous
Week 2: Perplexed
Week 3: Arduous

It is great to see the girls trying so hard to implement these words in both class work and assessment – it is a great way to build vocabulary and to express ideas with sophistication.

Have a great week. If there is anything I can do to assist please do not hesitate to call or email me on deputyprincipal@st-ursula.qld.edu.au

Ms Bernadette Witham
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

From the Assistant Principal - Identity & Culture...

Upon reflection for this eNews article I started to think about the importance of this Easter season and how we can draw strength in the resurrection to be a hope filled community. This lead me to start to ponder the importance of community and how we can draw strength, courage and hope from those that we surround ourselves with. It was when I started to reflect on this concept of a faith filled and hope filled community that I was reminded me of a story that Father Michael shared with the community some time ago.

Father Michael shared some excerpts from a well-researched and scientifically supported look at the questions around trees - “What they feel, how they communicate.” The book was titled, “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben.

He spoke of a chapter called, “Social Security” and it was about the belief that some trees are planted too close together and this causes competition for valuable resources. It proposes that this is certainly true for those forests that are planted for later harvesting, as they are required to be a certain size and shape ready to removed. Despite this, the author goes on to state that in a natural forest where trees grow close together, researchers have found a different phenomenon occurring, where each tree seems to grow at a similar rate and not stifle each other in a competitive manner. “The rate of photosynthesis is the same for all the trees [in the forest]. The trees, it seems, are equalising differences between the strong and the weak. This equalisation is taking place underground through the roots….whoever has an abundance of sugar hands some over; whoever is running short gets help. When trees grow together, nutrients and water can be optimally divided among them all so that each tree can grow into the best tree it can be. If you “help” individual trees by getting rid of their supposed competition, the remaining trees are bereft. They send messages out to their neighbors in vain, because nothing remains but stumps.” It goes on to talk about the fact that these trees will grow bigger, if other close trees are cut down, due to their greater use of photosynthesis without competition, but they will not grow to be old trees. “This is because a tree can be only as strong as the forest that surrounds it. Weaker members, who would have been supported by the stronger ones, suddenly fall behind” (page 16ff).

I also turned to some words of Pope Francis about the importance of family. At St Ursula’s College we are a family imbued with not only the story of Jesus but strengthened in the spirit of St Ursula and St Angela. This larger Ursuline family is one of faith and hope.

Pope Francis offered some suggestion on how a community/family can be strengthened. He offers us ten tips in his book “The Blessing of Family: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis”. He tells us to be sure to;

1. Say These Three Words.

Three essential words!
Please, thank you, sorry. Be sure to be respectful of self and others and at its core we need to look at and respect the dignity of all humanity. Be mindful and grateful for all those who should come in contact with.
2. Do the Little Things.
3. Keep Dreaming!
4. Make Time to Play.
5. Pray Together.
6. Accept Your Imperfections.
7. Be Patient.
8. Look to Our Elders.
9. Set an Example.
10. Light the Way.

As we continue to grow within our Ursuline family we can take wisdom not only from trees, the resurrected Christ, St Ursula and St Angela, but these gentle reminders from Pope Francis.

A Prayer for our Ursuline Family

God of the journey
Ignite in us the spirit of Serviam.
Open our hearts to accept and embrace the challenges that we face each day.
Grow in us a healthy respect for ourselves and others as we work together to build a united community. Inspire in us the desire to act for justice and empower us to live a life of service in faith filled witness to your gospel.

St Angela Merici – Pray for us
St Ursula – Protect us.

Amen

Mrs Debbie Ryan
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - IDENTITY & CULTURE

From the Assistant Principal - Pastoral Relationships...

This month on SchoolTV - Trauma

Children and teens will experience events during their lives that will affect them emotionally and physically. How they react to these events depends on their age, personality and past experiences. Children can experience strong feelings of fear, sadness, guilt, anger or grief, making it difficult for them to cope with everyday life.

There are a number of ways that parents and care givers can support children after a traumatic event. Your reaction to an event will impact your child’s ability to cope and recover. Children will look to the adults in their lives to help them better understand a traumatic event, so it is important to ‘tune in’ to their fears and provide them with the comfort and support they need.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn how to gain a better understanding of trauma and how it affects children of all ages. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month's edition https://st-ursula.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/trauma

Last year our Premier set up the Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce to develop a framework to address cyberbullying of children and young people and to recommend community and government action.

All stakeholders in Queensland were given an opportunity to voice concerns and to offer suggestions. As a College we were a part of that.

In September 2018 the report was finalised and has since been released to schools with recommendations for programs and frameworks. The committee made 29 recommendations, of which numbers 11 to 18 are relevant to schools. Recommendation 10 is for parents.

The report is called Adjust our Settings: A community approach to address cyberbullying among children and young people in Queensland (PDF, 2.73MB), and is available online for you to read.

As a College we must have practices in place for recommendations 11, 17 and 19 by the end of 2019. These are:

Programs that promote social emotional capability in students
Clear processes and procedures that address cyberbullying
Policy and procedures for boarding staff

Please go to this document and have a read. I will keep you informed of what is happening through the eNews.You may also have seen the Television Advertisement campaign that is being run at the moment.

For assistance please contact us or go to the eSafety website, as it has so much valuable information and advice for you and your daughter.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Thank you

Ms Jennifer Langton
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL RELATIONSHIPS

From the Director of Sport...

Cross country
We had a very successful inter-house carnival this year. On a cool morning which developed into a perfect running morning we actually had an increase in girls running the entire course. The end result was that we had 3 College records broken. The course is measured every year to confirm it is the exact 3 km race, so that we can verify that records are broken.

Results were as follows:

Age Champions
Under 12 – Amelia Doherty – Fiducia (13.59.00) New record - (previous 14.29.33 - Ella Scutt 2017)
Under 13 – Caitlin Jones - Speranza (14.17.39)
Under 14 – Delaney Burke - Fiducia (12.57.01) New record – (previous 13.27.00 – Alysha Camm 2016)
Under 15 – Sophie Coleman - Stella (13.33)
Under 16 – Lauren Denman – Speranza (13.19.02)
Open – Alysha Camm – Speranza (11.46.99) New record – (previous 15.29.05 – Charlotte Purcell 2016)
Junior Champion – Delaney Burke (12.57.01)
Senior Champion – Alysha Camm (11.46.99)

A Champion
1 Speranza
2 Stella
3 Fiducia
4 Carita

Spirit
1 Fiducia
=2 Speranza
=3 Stella
4 Carita

Lifesaving
On April 28, Sofie and Lucy McGrath represented St Ursula's College at the 2019 Queensland Schools Pool Saving Championships.
Out of the 3 individual events, Lucy placed 1st in the line throw, 2nd in the 100m rescue carry and 3rd in the 200m survival medley. Both girls also both received 2 silver medals in the relays. St Ursula's College came 3rd overall, including Lucy winning the Women’s Open overall champion.

This is a wonderful achievement for these two girls. Well done Lucy and Sofie!

Polocrosse
Late last year Bridget Shepherd received the Queensland Polocrosse Junior Scholarship to New Zealand. In January, Bridget was selected as the Captain of the Queensland junior team that played in New Zealand in March. She travelled at the beginning of March and her team went on to win the tournament, while Bridget won the 'Best Female' of the competition.

In a few weeks Bridget will also captain the Queensland junior girls’ team, who play both New South Wales and Victoria.
This is a fantastic achievement and we are very proud of Bridget's achievements.

Swimming
From April 7th - 12th in Adelaide, Isabelle Mason competed at the Australian Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships. She swam in the 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200m butterfly and 100m backstroke. Isabelle was placed 2nd in the 17-18 year old age group in the 200m butterfly, swimming a season's best time and missing the Junior Australian team by a narrow 0.6 of a second. Isabelle said it was a great experience and she is looking forward to competing at the Australian World Trials in June at Brisbane. Congratulations Isabelle on some wonderful results.

At the state Swimming titles at Chandler, Lucy McGrath competed in 5 individual events, achieving personal bests in all events. She also received 2 bronze medals; in the 16 years medley relay and the freestyle relay. Sofie McGrath swam the 50 breaststroke and ended up swimming a half a second under her previous personal best. Well done to both Sofie and Lucy.
Hope McKellar swam personal bests in both the 50m and 100m butterfly.

Netball
All College netball teams have been training hard for the upcoming QC Cup in Brisbane next Tuesday 21 May and Downlands on Friday 24 May. The Junior A and Senior teams have played a number of games against St Mary’s (Ipswich), Brigidine College, St Joseph’s, Lockyer District State High School, Fairholme and The Glennie School. Our Year 7,8 and 9 teams played Toowoomba Anglican School (TAS) on Tuesday in what was great preparation for the QC Cup next week. Special thanks to our coaches for all their hard work and Mrs Louise Neenan who has co-ordinated our umpires for these games. I greatly appreciate what Louise has arranged with the umpires. The opportunities that we have given these girls to develop their umpiring has been greatly assisted by Louise’s coaching.

Upcoming netball games:

QC Cup times Tuesday 21 May to Brisbane (Metropolitan courts – Coorparoo)
Departure at 5.20am, returning at 5.45pm. All teams (Year 7, 8,9, Junior A, Senior A, B and C)

MC Cup night times for Friday 24 May at Downlands:

4:30pm	4:30pm	5:45pm	5.45pm	7.15pm
Northern Court	Southern Court	Northern Court	Southern Court	Southern Court
Year 7	Year 8	Junior A	Senior B	Senior A

Please note that Downlands does not supply a Senior C or Yr 9 game. We will play a full round of games against The Glennie School.
Girls attending as spectators are reminded to wear full winter uniform without hat or scarf please. Girls need to be at Downlands by 7pm and need to be collected by 8.30pm, once the presentations are completed.

Softball
This week our softball team competed in the Golden Glove competition against other Toowoomba schools at Kearney Spring Softball fields. In particular, I thank coaches Leah Millward and Tracee Hoyling for their outstanding work with the team.
The girls played some entertaining games and demonstrated some wonderful team work as the day progressed. Congratulations to our team, led so well by Softball Captain Olivia Millward.

Volleyball
The College teams continue to impress with some very successful results against the other Toowoomba schools. The hard work being performed at training is certainly paying off and if you have not seen these teams play on a Tuesday night, it is worth attending. They are very entertaining games to watch.

Touch Rugby
This new sport without the tackling will be run in Term 3 with a 5-week program held at the College. The girls will be asked to sign up for this via the google form later this term. It is run by Queensland Rugby. A large number of girls participated last year and found it is actually faster than normal touch football. We would love to see a big number sign up once again for this new program.

Track and Field Carnival
The College track and field carnival will be conducted on Wednesday 29 May at O’Quinn St. The girls have had the program sent to them and the nominations for all A events on Sportstracker close this Friday at 3pm. This year, I have asked the girls to make sure they have completed their nominations for A events by the deadline, as I do not want last minute nominations on the day. Last year, we had far too many not follow the required procedure and simply show up at an event, which led to some delays with recording results and conducting the events.
B events are conducted in Year levels and there is no requirement for nominating beforehand. For these events, the girls just attend them on the day.
A letter will be sent to parents shortly with all the travel and other arrangements including the program for the day. Track and Field training is conducted on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.30pm – 4.30pm. A team for the annual TSSS Track and Field carnival in August will be selected from this carnival.

Mr Dan Fox
DIRECTOR OF SPORT

IN THIS ISSUE...

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The Amazing Arts Challenge
Wednesday 8 May, 2019

Imagine 30 excited girls from primary schools across Toowoomba, St Ursula’s College students, teachers, preservice teachers and teachers’ aides all gathered on the Salo Centre stage, ready for a day immersed in the Arts.

The challenge of the day was to create a multi-modal art installation based on the theme of Home, a book by Carson Ellis. The book was projected on the stage screen and the story told, setting the tone for the day.

The visiting students were then taken on journey through the Arts to find the meaning of home. Through Music, they rehearsed and recorded the song Home by Pearson, Holden and Gilpin. Through Dance, created and recorded movements based on the actions of home. Through Drama, recorded words and thoughts on the people found at home. Through Visual Arts, created 3-dimensional paper homes filled with imagery of their inspiration.
Through Media Arts: moved throughout Home via green screen, capturing and manipulating images through Photoshop.

After the first and middle sessions, students and staff gathered for lunch in the Salo under croft while the St Ursula’s Contemporary Vocal Ensemble and Drumline performed, and our Year 5 & 6 guests were encouraged to join in.

The culmination of the day was the installation which connected all five Arts subjects of St Ursula’s College. Recorded moving-image and photographs taken from the day were projected throughout the space, as the student’s paper homes were suspended and sounds from home and individual interviews were played. Parents were invited in during the final session to move through the installation, witnessing their daughter’s creative skills achieved from the day.

Come to our Open Day on Sunday, 26^th May to experience the Home installation in the Salo foyer for yourself.

Street Art Excursion

As part of their Term 2 assessment, our Year 11 Visual Arts in Practice students attended a Street Art excursion. Walking through the Toowoomba CBD led by Mrs McIvor, students learned about the mural design process, construction procedures and facets of increased tourism and culture creation to the local community that public artworks generate.

The students took a number of photos for inspiration to include in their own design brief. During the term, the students will create their own simulated wall mural using various materials and the Adobe Creative Suite, aimed to promote St Ursula’s Creative Arts around the College.

MUSIC NOTES

Eisteddfod News

The 74^th Toowoomba Eisteddfod will be presenting the Choral and Vocal sections of the competition during the month of May and St Ursula’s College Choral Ensembles will be competing in various section of the Eisteddfod.

Parents, family members and friends are welcome to come along to listen to the performances. All sections are held at the Empire Theatre Auditorium, and tickets for each session can be purchased from the Empire Theatre box office.

Programs can also be purchased from the box office. Students who are performing do not require a ticket.

Below is the schedule of performances. We wish all students, conductors and accompanists the best of luck.

Friday 17 May Empire Theatre Auditorium	Ursa Minors (Middle School Vocal Ensemble – 3^rd section of the evening) Session begins at 6:00pm.
Saturday 18 May Empire Theatre Auditorium	Angela’s Voices (Secondary School Vocal Ensemble – 1^st section of the evening) Session begins at 6:00pm. College Choir plus all students singing Na Na Na (Secondary Choir & Modern Choir – 2^nd & 3^rd sections of the evening).
Sunday 19 May Empire Theatre Auditorium	Contemporary Vocal Ensemble (Open Contemporary Choir – 5^th section of the evening) Session begins at 6:30pm.
Monday 20 May Empire Theatre Auditorium	Angela’s Voices (Folk Ensemble – 1^st section of the evening) Session begins at 6:00pm Ursula’s Voices (Hymn Singing, and Spiritual & Gospel Choir – 2^nd & 3^rd sections of the evening, performed together).