August Monthly Newsletter

“Everything we want to do in life requires discipline, and like strength, flexibility, and endurance, it can be built over time with hard work and an open mind.” Laird Hamilton

This week the students from Prep to Year 12 participated in assemblies with a range of different purposes. The Years 7 to 12 students heard from the Soap Box finalists during the Ethics Assembly. These impressive speakers spoke very convincingly on a range of ethical issues demonstrating not only their courage to stand in front of their peers and staff to state their opinions, but they also showed their strong ability to research and write speeches founded on evidence and fact to support the points they made. I would like to congratulate the girls who participated and thank Mrs Syms, Ms O’Neil and our judges, Old Girl, Poppy-Jane Todd, and teachers for making this event possible.

The Junior School assemblies focused on the importance of developing and maintaining flexible thinking and focusing on utilising goals. The girls discussed how the Matildas demonstrated flexible thinking and a strong commitment to positive thinking, Growth Mindset and engaging their Habits of Mind to achieve success individually and as a team. It was identified that at times being flexible can feel uncomfortable yet important to allow students to gain growth and to reach goals.

Developing these healthy mindsets are critical to assist your daughter to manage times that are disappointing, when something does not work out the way that your daughter may have planned and to help her be prepared to engage positively in an alternative pathway or approach to solve a problem. Cognitive rigidity occurs when students cannot see any other alternative. You can help your daughter achieve flexible thinking:

• by having days when you suddenly change the order of what was planned to happen
• by altering the routines that you have in place at home
• discuss how these changes made everyone feel and how you overcome uncomfortable feelings
• change the rules to a favourite board or card game your family plays
  

This week at St Hilda’s:

Congratulations to the Junior School for winning the Andrews Cup Athletics Carnival for the 9^th year in a row. The competition consists of 10 all girls’ schools competing at the Athletics Centre in Brisbane. The students competed proudly demonstrating great skills and strength. Thank you to Mr Moore, Mrs Murillo and Mrs Hoban and all staff and coaches who supported the girls and ensured the day was a huge success.

• Supporting Women’s Sport – on Wednesday the whole school dressed in green and gold to show our support for the Matildas as they prepared to play a semi-final game in the World Cup event. Our school was a sea of support for the Matildas and we were proud to show our excitement and commitment to women’s sport.
  
  
• Senior Debating team are competing in the final this Sunday at 6pm at Bond University. All are welcome to attend and support the girls as they represent St Hilda’s School in their debating competition.
  
  
• Festival of the Arts and Fete – tonight will be the opening of the Festival of the Arts where more than 50 art pieces will be on display and available to purchase. Funds raised will go to support the St Hilda’s Foundation. The Fete begins at midday on Saturday. I hope to see all our families at the Fete enjoying the rides and stalls and the amazing community atmosphere that is St Hilda’s.
  
  
• Science Fair to celebrate National Science Week today a number of Years 7 to 12 girls showcased the science projects they have researched, designed and created. The creativity, flexible thinking and application of scientific and engineering knowledge was impressive. The projects included new clothing designs to provide protection from the environmental elements, sustainable washing powders and an inventive use of cardboard to create a robotic arm that used liquid to generate hydraulic movement. Our St Hilda’s girls are innovative, creative, flexible and goal focused to persist and achieve the goals they set. Well done St Hilda’s scientists.
  
  
• Fathers Breakfast at Junior School drop off last Friday morning. It was wonderful to have all our dads come together and celebrate their special connection with St Hilda’s School.
  
  
• Today all our students acknowledged the national day of anti-bullying by wearing an orange ribbon and ensuring that kind thoughts and actions were at the centre of what it means to be part of our St Hilda’s School community.
  
  

We wish all our very special St Hilda’s families a wonderful weekend.

Mrs Amanda Shuttlewood
Acting Principal

This term as part of the Year 4 RE programme, students are taught about Baptism and First Communion. They are then offered the chance to be baptised and/or receive First Communion. For many years in this diocese, young people were confirmed about the age of twelve. However, it was thought that such an age was too young to make the promises a person does at their Confirmation, so an extra step was introduced, that of First Communion. So, what is First Communion and Confirmation? First Communion is a service in which a person makes a series of promises about their commitment to the Christian Faith. They then take Communion, the consecrated bread and wine, for the first time. Confirmation is the service where a bishop lays his hands on the Confirmation Candidates after they have repeated the same promises as in the First Communion. It is, if you like, a more formal occasion as the promises that are being made and made in front of the bishop who represents not just the local congregation (or school) but the Church at large. This begs the question as to what are the promises that a person makes? These are fourfold:

Before God and this congregation, you must affirm that you turn to Christ and reject all that is evil:

Do you turn to Christ?

I turn to Christ.

Do you repent of your sins?

I repent of my sins.

Do you reject selfish living, and all that is false and unjust?

I reject them all.

Do you renounce Satan and all evil?

I renounce all that is evil.

Then, after reciting the Apostles’ Creed, the candidates kneel before the bishop who lays hands upon each and prays the following prayer:

Strengthen, Lord, your servant, Name, with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours forever with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

The expectation is that someone who makes their First Communion should later be confirmed when they are older. At St Hilda’s, we have not held a Confirmation for some time but this year we hope to so watch this space for details.

Fr Patrick Duckworth
School Chaplain

School Sport Shout Outs!

State Cross Country – Congratulations to Lola Wight who competed for South Coast at the recent championships in Hervey Bay. Lola’s 1500m relay team also won gold at the State Championship and Lola placed 8^th in her race and was named in the State team to compete at Nationals in August. Well done Lola!

Winter Fixtures Round 2 - Netball

It was our second game of the season, and we came home with 5 wins for the morning.

The Somerville girls were a very competitive group, and it was great to see such a fight in our Opens game with the girls taking the win 20-19, getting up by 1 in the last few minutes of the game. A big thanks to Somerville House for their generosity in providing their barbecue and yummy cupcakes! In addition, a special mention to their amazing new courts, thanks for having us!

Girls, you should be so proud of yourselves and we as your Netball Captains are so extremely grateful to have such a talented group of Netballers! Special shoutout to Sophie Hateley for her awesome shooting, scoring the winning shot in the Opens game and Ellie Wells for her great performance in the Senior A’s. Also great job to the Senior B’s, 8A’s, 7A’s and 7B’s for their wins. Good job girls and looking forward to this great season of Netball ahead of us. Let’s keep up the good work!

Netball Captains- India Rafter & Maisie Alexander

Winter Fixtures Round 2-Tennis

Last Friday, we played our 2nd QGSSSA Tennis round against Somerville House. The Opens, Senior and Junior teams played very well having heaps of fun on the night. Everyone demonstrated great school spirit and showcased a commendable effort in each and every one of their matches. Thank you to the hosts, Somerville, who provided our teams with a complimentary sausage sizzle and snacks throughout the night, which we all really appreciated.

Tennis Captain- Dayna Whiteley-Hall

Winter Fixtures Round 2- Volleyball

Round 2 kicked off on Saturday with our girls playing against Sommerville House. Big shoutout to Sommerville House for having us at the Nissan Area, an amazing atmosphere for a great morning of Volleyball. All the girls fought valiantly with both skill and sportsman ship, with the Opens, 9A, 9B and 8A teams taking home the victory. A big congratulations to the Opens team for their amazing come back, winning 3 sets in a row after losing the first 2. The grueling 2-hour game was definitely an entertaining one, and all the girls were ecstatic to come out of it with the victory. Thank you to all the girls that help out with scoring and lines on the day, it made a big difference to how smoothly the day ran. Overall, everyone worked very hard and had a lot of fun, so it was a success! Good work.

Volleyball Captains - Natalie O'Grady & Jessica Jolly

Rowing Regatta 1

With Regatta 1 done and dusted, the rowers had a very successful weekend at the dam. We finished up winning the overall point scoring for the day with 848 points thanks to a strong performance from all age groups. Some of our favourite highlights of the day include the Year 8 sixth quad displaying great determination finishing in 5^th despite only having 3 rowers. Our Year 9s dominated in each division taking out 5 golds and two silvers. With our Senior 4, Open 4^th, 3^rd and 2^nd Eights, taking out the win in their divisions. A special mention to our Open 3^rd Eight, winning by a massive 22 seconds. We can’t wait to see the girls continuing to improve at Regatta 2.

Rowing Captains- Grace Champion & Makayli Wright

Winter Fixtures Round 3 - Netball

Third game of the season was a tough one, shout out to the Senior A’s who brought home a win.

The girls from Brisbane Girls Grammar School were some tough competition, but I’d like to congratulate our girls on their great spirit and for keeping their heads high, great sportsmanship girls!! A big thank you to the Grammar girls for travelling to our courts and to all the parents who came to support our girls.

Another special shoutout to all the girls who came early and left later to watch all the rounds, this is who we are at St Hilda’s Netball, shows that you are really living this year’s moto “PREACH PASSION”. Let’s keep up the hard work, see you at the courts for a home game this weekend!!

Netball Captains – India Rafter & Maisie Alexander

Winter Fixtures Round 3-Tennis

Last Saturday was our 3rd QGSSSA Tennis round up against Brisbane Girls Grammar School. All our teams played a lot of good tennis, having heaps of fun and some tight matches. Our competitive spirit was showcased with our Opens, Seniors and Junior teams giving their all in every match. Shoutout to Gabriela Durinic who played exceptionally well, demonstrating great sportsmanship in her doubles and a 6-0 win in her singles supporting the Open’s victory very much so.

Tennis Captain-Dayna Whiteley-Hall

Winter Fixtures Round 3-Volleyball

An amazing performance from all our girls at this week’s game vs Brisbane Girls Grammar School. The day started off with the 7A’s and 8A’s winning both their sets 2-1. A shoutout to the Senior A’s and 10A’s who had a nail-biting final point to win their second sets. A massive congratulations to the undefeated Opens team winning all 3 sets. Most importantly our favourite baker who brings brownies every week without fail, Anastasia Dakin!

Volleyball Captains – Natalie O’Grady & Jessica Jolly

Rowing Regatta 2

Our girls came away with another day of great results from Regatta 2. St Hilda’s won the overall point score again, dominating in each year group, seeing great performances from all of our 8’s, 9’s, 10’s and Seniors. Special shout out must go to Sara McCarthy, winning the Year 9 single scull, then also winning the Year 9 division 1 race alongside her crew Nikita Rogers, Bella Karathanasopoulos, Dalia Ferraro, and cox Clementine Henderson. Congratulations to all of our rowers for another spectacular day at the dam!

Rowing Captains – Grace Champion & Makayli Wright

Winter Fixtures Round 4 – Netball

Round 4 of the Netball season so far, and a tough one against St Aidan’s. All the players did so well and a massive congratulations to our 7A’s with the win. Thank you to St Aidan’s for making the trip down, as well as our awesome supporters, your help and encouragement means so much to the players! The Senior C team played with a really close loss and another shout out to those girls that stayed around after the games to watch their game. Great job girls and keep training hard for our game this weekend!

Netball Captains - India Rafter & Maisie Alexander

Winter Fixtures Round 4- Tennis

Last Saturday, we played our 4th round of QGSSSA Tennis up against St Aidan’s. Each and every one of our Opens, Senior and Junior girls played to the best of their ability enjoying the morning greatly. There were many close matches with a lot of support being shown by all team members, along with parents that came along, which was very much appreciated by the players.

Tennis Captain- Dayna Whiteley-Hall

Winter Fixtures Round 4- Volleyball

The girls had an amazing round of fixtures on the weekend vs St Aidan’s. They fought very hard throughout the day finishing with 4 wins in the Year 7A’s, 8A’s, 10A’s and Senior A’s. A shoutout to our Senior A’s girls winning all three of their sets and our 8A’s and Opens girls currently undefeated.

Volleyball Captains- Natalie O'Grady & Jessica Jolly

Rowing Regatta 3

Congratulations to our rowers for a great weekend at the dam. With many crews having to persevere through challenges, the continued efforts and determination are to be highly commended! Shout out to our Year 10 second quad, getting their first win of the season and our open second 8, competing in division 1 in the second rotation.

Rowing Captains- Grace Champion & Makayli Wright

Winter Fixtures Round 5-Netball

Brisbane State High showed some tough competition, but we would to like to commend all the girls on keeping their heads high and making every goal count.

Thank you to all the parents and siblings who came along to support our girls for the home game. An extra congratulations to those girls who showed great sportsmanship and support by staying in the heat to watch the last round. Job well done to the Opens, 7Cs and 7Bs for sticking out playing the last round, you all did amazing while working through the heat.

Let’s keep up the hard work, see you at the bus stop for the game against IGGS this weekend!

Netball Captains- India Rafter & Maisie Alexander

Winter Fixtures Round 5 - Tennis

Last Saturday, our Opens, Seniors and Junior Teams played their 5th round against Brisbane State High. All teams played exceptionally well, enjoying the morning with family and friends. Shoutout to Shining who showed a lot of great spirit and a positive attitude to all her games, along with amazing support to every girl who played.

Tennis Captain – Dayna Whiteley-Hall

Winter Fixtures Round 5- Volleyball

Congratulations to all the girls who competed in volleyball over the weekend, with Round 5 being a home round against Brisbane State High. Despite facing these tough competitors, our girls gave it their all, and showed great teamwork and strength! Thank you, Brisbane State High, for coming down, and congratulations again to all the girls who competed last weekend.

Volleyball Captains – Natalie O’Grady & Jessica Jolly

District Athletics

Congratulations and well done to the following Middle/Senior School students who represented St Hilda’s School at the recent HDSS Athletics trial held at Somerset College: Alexia Abela, Anneliese Clarke, Isabella De Vincentiis, Isla Hawkins, Lila Jolly, Charne Louw, Jess Marshall, Elizabeth McManus, Lucy Nash, Ella Ramsay, Ella Salam, Dior Scholz, Lorielle Scholz, Shyon Simpson, Jasmine Smith, Katie Spowart, Elise Virr, Lola Wight, Olivia Williams and Kate Worboys.

We are looking forward in finding out which students have qualified to trial at the Regional Athletics Trial coming up in early September.

Club & Non-School Sport Shout Outs!

Australian Surf Life Saving Championships – Congratulations to Isabella De Vincentiis who received a silver medal in the 4x50m medley and a bronze medal in the 2x10m line throw Open and finished 4th in the 50m swim with fins Open. Isabella also received a gold medal at Queensland Pool Rescue Championships in Cairns for the 100m obstacles. Well done Isabella!

Inter-Schools Snow Sports – Congratulations to Darcy Lynton who won most of her events for QLD in Alpine and Moguls. Darcy has now been invited to compete at Nationals in September. Well done Darcy!

The St Hilda’s Sport team regularly receive school sport results and achievement. The Sport team loves to be kept up to date with our girl’s achievements across a wide range of club and non-school sports. Please email [email protected] with any sporting news that we can recognise and celebrate!

Middle/Senior Sport information regarding trials, training and competition is communicated directly to students and can also be found via the school app.

For all enquiries relating to Middle/Senior Sport at St Hilda’s please email [email protected] and ensure that you have downloaded the isthildas app for all our sporting notices.

Mrs Mel Lilley
Director of Sport and Coaching

Gala Concert – Dreams

Although it now seems a lifetime ago, we must commend all St Hilda’s musicians from Prep to Year 12 who performed in the 2023 Gala Music Concert on Sunday 23 July in the Annand Theatre at The Southport School. This year’s concert, themed around “Dreams”, featured as usual, all the School’s Music Ensembles (plus the traditional staff ensemble) performing a variety of musical styles from classical, jazz, pop and music theatre repertoire. The finale featured the Years 2-12 all working together to perform one of the hits from the movie “The Greatest Showman” – A Million Dreams.

This annual event continues to highlight the students’ musical talents and ability to work as a cohesive musical team, led by 2023’s talented Year 12 musicians. It is always a delight to see the girls from Middle and Senior School working with those of the Junior School and when combined with a very trusty group of teachers, parents and supporting staff it makes it easy to produce a seamless and entertaining concert event. Congratulations to all involved and thank you to all those who attended to provide us with such a supportive audience.

Another AMusA

The Australian Music Examinations Board first Diploma after the grade exams is the Associate of Music Australia which when attained recognises an advanced level of technical accomplishment, mature musical understanding and the ability to communicate the character of the music when performing.

St Hilda’s is currently blessed with 4 students who have attained this amazing level of performance with the latest being Annalize de Wet (Year 12) who attained her AMusA for Trombone. Congratulations to Annalize on this incredible achievement.

Junior Assembly Performances

Junior Assembly on 31 July had a distinctive music feature, with our Year 6 Band and Junior Concert Band showing their instrumental skills to their fellow students.

It was great to see the abilities that the Year 6's have developed with their instrumental playing over the last year to be able to present three concert band pieces – “Samba de Soleil”, “Cango Caves” and the very popular “Ozzie Mozzie” and Junior Concert Band were also a hit with the classic “Ghostbusters” and “It’s Raining Tacos”.

Gold Coast Eisteddfod

The Gold Coast Eisteddfod has commenced in earnest for 2023, with nearly all our ensembles performing live, and the Year 6 Band and Senza Ragazzi performing in the virtual competition as well.

Congratulations to all our ensembles that have performed so far with:

• Junior Concert Band receiving a Silver Award in C Grade Primary Concert Band and Junior String Ensemble a Gold Award in B Grade Primary String Ensemble
• Senior String Ensemble were placed 3^rd with a Gold Award in Secondary School B Grade String Ensemble.
• Middle/Senior Concert Band were placed 3^rd with a Silver Award in Secondary School B Grade Concert Band.
• Rhythm and Blues Band were placed 3^rd with a Platinum Award in the inaugural Secondary School Jazz/Rock Combo.
  
  

Many of our talented musicians have also continued to perform individually as part of the Gold Coast and Redlands Eisteddfod. Whether they have received an award or not, the self-confidence gained from the experience is very valuable. If there are any individual results that we may not be aware of and are not listed below, please do not hesitate to advise the music department via [email protected].

Redlands Eisteddfod:

AMEB Examination Results

Congratulations also to the following girls on their hard work to enable the achievement of the following music examination certificates.

Ms Janette Kelly

Head of Music

Sports Psychology Session

Sports psychologist, Kat Mellon, returned this week to continue her work with the Athena students. Activities undertaken by the students included positive self-talk and visualisation exercises. Important points to take away included how the students recognise they are becoming negative in their self-talk through their actions and language and how they can challenge negative thoughts to transfer their focus to things they can control in competition.

Congratulations

Isla Hawkins (Year 8) has been selected in the Queensland Triathlon Team for 2023/24 season.

Willow Helgeson (Year 5) placed 1^st at the Hinterland athletics in the 11 Years Shot Pout and Discus, setting records by significant margins in both events (over 4m in Discus).

Lorielle Scholz (Year 7) who competed at the District Athletics with the following outstanding results:

1^st place in 100m breaking the record in a personal best time of 12.78, 200m, 400m, high jump, long jump and triple jump.

Dior Scholz (Year 11) who competed at the District Athletics with the following outstanding results:

1^st place in 100m, 200m, 400m, high jump, long jump and triple jump.

Dior broke records in the 100m, 200m, high jump and equaled the 400m record.

Keeleigh Wise (Year 12) competed at the Ekka in equestrian placing 1^st in four events and 2^nd in another. Keeleigh has also been appointed as the Queensland State Team Captain. Congratulations!

Mrs Lisa Cleverly
Head of Athena

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