The Shuttle - Abbotsleigh

The Shuttle
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Term 3 | week 5 | 19 August 2016
Visit the Parent Portal to edit your profile, view the calender and view parent notices
In this issue
From the Headmistress
This week I am pleased to announce that Mrs Susan Filan, Head of
Environmental Education and Mrs Heba Oweis, Year 3 Teacher, have
been awarded prestigious Vocational Teaching Awards through the
Rotary Club of Wahroonga. We are fortunate to have professionals of
such high calibre on our staff and I congratulate Susan and Heba on
their achievements. Read their nominations here.
Headmistress
Chaplain
Junior School
Featured articles
Events
Senior School
ELC
Upcoming events
Year 12 HSC Showcase
Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 August
ACF parent prayer group
Thursday 25 August
Year 5 father daughter bush dance
Thursday 25 August
Years 7 and 8 mother daughter
breakfast
Friday 26 August
Sports Lunch
Friday 26 August
abbotsleigh sports lunch
leather and laces
FUNDRAISING LUNCH
Friday 26 August 2016, 12-4 pm
Doltone House, Hyde Park
Enquiries: 9473 7738
Save the date
We have had a confirmed case of Influenza A in the Senior School. Please do not send
your daughter to school if she is unwell, particularly if she has a temperature. Influenza A
is highly contagious and patients should be isolated for five days. Read more about this
illness, including about preventative measures, here.
Chaplain
Science, chick flicks and Jesus
Rev Jenni Stoddart | Chaplain
Our assembly devotion in Science Week was given by Molly Rennie in Year 11. She shares it
with us below.
I have a ridiculous obsession with romantic comedies. Rom-coms, chick flicks; everyone knows
these types of cheesy but thrilling movies. But do you know the science behind why some of us
love and feel so deeply while watching them? There are three stages to describe what our brain
and body is up to while we watch romantic comedies.
The first stage is the ‘The meet-cute’, where the couple first meets. It also often includes some
really awkward yet funny conversations which cause us to have a belly laugh. A belly laugh can
lower blood pressure as much as exercise and can burn up to 40 calories every 10 minutes!
The second stage is ‘The build-up’, where the potential couple argues about something.
While this is happening your brain’s empathy centre is activated releasing hormones such as
FUNDRAISING
dopamine and oxytocin, which make you feel like you are the one falling in love.
LUNCH
final stage
FridayThe
26 August
2016is ‘The happy ending’. After finishing that awesome rom-com with the problem
solved
at
the
end, your body gives you a laughter-induced endorphin rush and you walk
12-4 pm
away feeling a lot happier. In fact, if you watch a rom-com before you go to sleep, it can
NEW
VENUE!
cure insomnia.
Doltone House, Hyde Park
How awesome is that? It turns out that chick flicks are of more benefit than some of us
thought. However, sometimes they can make us search for what we are missing in our lives.
Raising funds to support
Enquiries: 9473 7738
Indigenous scholarships
I have another confession. I absolutely love Rap music, but not your usual Eminem or Kendrick
Lamar. I love Christian Rap, and in particular I love the artist Lecrae. One of the lyrics in his
song Don’t wanna waste my life says ‘See your money, your singleness, marriage, talent, your
time, they were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is divine.’ These words hold so
much wisdom for us.
Year 7 2018
scholarship registrations
now open
You see I know that God’s love is enough. In fact, it is more than enough. God loves us more
than any guy or girl could ever love us and I know this because as it says in Philippians 2:8,
Jesus being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to
death – even death on a cross! Jesus humbled himself from royalty, into this world that we all
know is so broken. God came into this world as a vulnerable child, and lived a life where he was
mocked and scorned, so he could save us.
So next time you watch a chick flick and cry at the end, not because it’s a sad story, but
because you want that love life, just remember the greatest love story ever told: where Jesus
gave up his life for us.
Junior School
Year 4-5 transition parent
information night
Village people
Mrs Heather McWhannell | T-2 Coordinator
To ensure that all Year 4 parents are fully informed of the
changes and broadening of opportunities available next year
as the girls move to Year 5, an information night for Year 4
parents will be held on Tuesday 23 August at 7 pm in the
Year 5 classrooms. This meeting will give information about
the manner in which the girls will be assessed later this year
and how and why we go about grouping to best meet specific
needs. Mrs Donna Moffatt, Director of Learning Innovation
and I will be present to speak with parents.
Year 1 girls visited Wahroonga Village
to investigate the various service
providers in their local area. A survey
was conducted and information
was collected in a ‘Workers in the
Community’ passport. The girls
enjoyed the opportunity to interview
the many business owners who so
generously gave of their time to answer the girls’ questions and show
them behind the scenes. The visit concluded with a visit to the local
Member of Parliament, Mr Alister Henskens SC MP, to hear about the
role of Government in Australia.
A budding equestrienne
Year 1 getting fired up
Ms Sally Ruston | Head of Junior School
Miss Kate Grzanka | Deputy Head of Junior School
Congratulations to
Charlize Mackie in KG
for competing in the Tara
Equestrian Competition
on Saturday 13 August.
Wahroonga Village visit
Henny Penny chick hatching
Mrs Heather McWhannell | T-2 Coordinator
On Monday 15 August, Henny Penny Hatching delivered the most
exciting additions to each of the Kindergarten classrooms – 12
embryo eggs and three, day-old chicks. The visitors will remain
in the classrooms for two weeks in their specially designed
hatchers and large brooding pens. The girls will observe the
changes that occur over this period, watching the eggs hatching,
the chicks emerging from their shells and the behaviour of the
hatched chicks themselves.
At the end of the program, families may adopt a chick. Full
information on caring for an adopted chick into adulthood
is available from the Henny Penny Hatching website or your
daughter’s teacher.
This captivating, two-week incubation program will complement
their Term 3 HSIE unit, The Farm and provide a fantastic handson opportunity for your daughter to explore the topics of Life
Cycles and Living Things.
Mrs Heather McWhannell | T-2 Coordinator
On Friday 26 August, firefighters from Hornsby Fire Station and their
fire truck will visit Year 1 to deliver the NSW Fire and Rescue Fire
Education program. The firefighters will talk about fire safety and the
role of firefighters in the community.
This is sure to be an extremely interesting and exciting opportunity
for the girls to learn about the role and responsibilities of one of our
key emergency services, and complements their investigations this
term for the HSIE unit, Workers in the Community.
Year 2 visit the Powerhouse Museum
Barbara Nichols Award for Endeavour
Abbsearch Student Independent Research Prize
In both the Infants and Primary assemblies, I have
spoken about our previous Mistress in Charge of the
Junior School, Mrs Barbara Nichols, and the Award for
Endeavour she founded to mark her exemplary work
into the needs of gifted and talented children.
The Junior School Abbsearch Research Prize is a program aimed at recognising
and awarding outstanding examples of independent student research by girls
in Kindergarten to Year 6. The program encourages students to explore their
passions and interests, engage with their learning and seek, analyse and
synthesise information to create new ideas and levels of understanding.
We talked about dreams already firmly held by many
girls and how this award could assist in seeing a
dream realised. All girls in the Junior School are
encouraged to apply for the award with details being
available from Reception or via the Parent Portal.
Past recipients have explored a wide variety of themes in their work and there
are no limits to the fields which may be explored.
Ms Sally Ruston | Head of Junior School
Entries should be submitted to Junior School
Reception by Friday 28 October 2016
Ms Sally Ruston | Head of Junior School
Entries are now open for this prize and all interested girls from Kindergarten to
Year 6 are invited to apply. Application details are available on the Parent Portal.
All entries will be considered based on clarity, methodology, rigour and content,
as well as the contribution the project has made to the student’s understanding
of the topic explored.
Entries should be submitted to Ms Sally Southan by Friday 28 October 2016.
Nursery 2 adventure at ACEE
Ms Sharon Lee | Nursery 2 Educator
Last Friday a group of four Nursery 2 children set off in our brand new four-seater stroller on their
first trip to the ACEE. We received warm greetings from the Wahroonga community with waving
hands and delighted expressions as our unusual stroller passed by with four enchanted passengers
who voluntarily sang a medley of songs.
On arrival, the new environment did not deter our adventure seekers from exploring and
investigating this inviting, natural space. The children moved about freely. Chickens were fed,
digging and thumping dirt was a must, and taking on roles as sailors in the old but ‘real’ boats all
exhibited the children wholeheartedly taking ownership of their learning, demonstrating eagerness
to just immerse themselves in that moment of play.
What they were not too keen on was leaving when it was finally time to go.
Drama group trial
performances
Every year the Drama Studio
fills with an audience of excited
parents and friends of our Year
12 Drama students, for the
one night of the year when they
present for their Trial Group
Performances. Watch the
videos here.
Read more
A journey of self-discipline
Kristina’s slam dunk
The Extension 2 English course
allows Year 12 students to
challenge ideas; explore what
they are passionate about or
interested in investigating;
and creatively searching life’s
big questions.
Abbotsleigh congratulates
Kristina Moore (Year 11) who
last week played for New
South Wales at the School
Sport Australia basketball
championships in Terrigal. Her
team won the Gold Medal match
against Victoria in the Grand
Final with a final score of 88-71.
Read more
Read more
Shining performances at
Town Hall
What a truly memorable and
impressive night of musical
performance by our Junior
School at the magnificent
Town Hall on 15 August,
collaborating with students and
music educators from eight
Independent Schools around
New South Wales.
HSC Showcase
Museum of childhood
This is a display event of the
Year 12 major works for the HSC
from Design and Technology,
Extension 2 English, History
Extension, Music and Visual
Arts. The program runs from
5.30 - 8.30 pm with displays in
several school locations. Image
courtesy of Year 12 student
Sophie Spencer. 23 August.
The Year 9 students will have
their history works on display
in the Museum of Childhood at
the Betty Archdale Library. The
official opening is Wednesday
31 August from 4 pm. Works
will remain on display until 8 pm
on Friday 2 September. Image
courtesy of Sophie Meier from
her work in 2015.
Read more
Read more
Read more
Senior School
Music enabling positive ageing
Mrs Annette Ware | Head of Senior College
The ability of music to improve the quality of life through increased enjoyment and
enhanced relationships was the theme of this week’s Senior College Breakfast.
Abbotsleigh Old Girl, Dr Kirsty Beilharz (1986), is a world renowned musician, composer
and researcher. She shared about her work with HammondCare and especially how
music is making a positive difference in the lives of dementia sufferers. Students
from Turramurra High, Roseville College, Brigidine College, PLC and Tara joined
with Abbotsleigh students for an informative and inspiring morning. Students were
challenged to consider the dignity and worth of all human beings irrespective of age,
capacities or health. Many in attendance were keen musicians, and they left with a
deeper awareness of the beauty of music and how they might be able to use their skill
and passion in this area to enhance the life experience of others.
UNSW School Mathematics Competition
Betina Wrightson | Head of Mathematics
The School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of New
South Wales (UNSW) has conducted the Mathematics Competition
for secondary school students in Australia for more than 50 years.
In 2016, more than 600 students entered the competition in the
Senior and Junior divisions from 30 schools. The competition is
designed to assess mathematical insight and ingenuity rather
than efficiency in tackling routine examples.
Unlike other competitions, students are awarded marks as they
work towards an answer, rather than just a correct or incorrect
solution. The competition is three hours in length with six
questions in the Senior (Years 11 and 12) and Junior Divisions
(Years 7 to 10).
Congratulations to all the girls who entered and worked
tirelessly in solving some very complex questions. In particular,
congratulations to:
Distinction: Rebecca Whittle (Year 9)
Credit: Waiwai Yeap (Year 9), Stella Leonardi (Year 9)
Spring is in the air
Mrs Marg Selby | Careers Advisor
HSC Trials are over, Year 12 girls are starting to plan in earnest for
2017 and there is an atmosphere of new beginnings around the
Year 12 corridor!
Whether planning to take a gap year or not, Year 12 students need
to lodge their tertiary preferences with UAC by the end of Term
3 and so they have to start making some decisions. Nothing is
binding until final choices are made early next year, but judicious
planning prevents poor choices down the track.
Decision making always involves solid research and asking
pertinent questions. The senior girls have all been emailed
questions that they might like to ask when they are visiting tertiary
institutions over the coming weeks at their respective annual
Open Days. Questions might revolve around entry standards,
the possibility of transferring into another course, recommended
subject knowledge, costs and how the content of the course might
differ from another institution’s.
For other careers information please visit the Careers page
on AbbNet.
RACI National Titration Competition
Kai Yang (36), Celeste Thomson (49) Martine Illing-Kelly (64),
Caroline Grace (81) and Harini Lakshminarayanan (100).
Three teams of Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students competed in
the NSW Schools Titration Competition at Macquarie University
on Saturday 18 June. The full team and individual results have
now been released.
Our teams came 2nd, 4th and 24th at the venue (from 30 teams)
and 10th, 33rd and 289th in the state (from 387 teams). The
team of Emily Cheung, Caroline Grace and Kai Yang from Year 12
have been invited to the national competition at the University
of NSW on 10 September. We wish them well in this highly
challenging competition.
Dr Jenny Hart | Science Teacher
There were some excellent individual results in the state
competition where high performance is reflected by a low score:
Sharpening the axe
Mr Lachlan Skulander | Cross Country Coordinator
Abbotsleigh has had great success
over many years in cross country,
but more recently the program
has flourished under the guidance
of Head Coach, James ‘Jimbo’
FitzGerald. Jimbo has been
coaching professionally for almost
24 years and this year his number
one professional goal has been
realised. Jimbo had two athletes
competing at the Rio Olympics:
Jenny Blundell in the 1500 m and
Milly Clark in the marathon. He has
also guided Annabel McDermott
(Year 12) to three Australian teams
in three years.
2016 has been a fantastic year for Jimbo and Abbotsleigh cross
country in IGSSA, CIS and NSW All Schools, with three girls gaining
NSW representation for the upcoming National Cross Country
Championships.
Jimbo loves coaching at Abbotsleigh and has built up great rapport
and trust with the girls. He follows a simple coaching philosophy:
preparation is everything. One of his favourite quotes is from
Abraham Lincoln, ‘If one is to be given six hours to chop down a
tree, one should spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.’
Now that he has become an Olympic coach, Jimbo’s next goal is to
coach a team to the World Schools Cross Country Championships.
Abbotsleigh has missed out twice in the past four years, missing
out both times at Nationals. Jimbo thinks that the girls will be well
placed next year to win Nationals and represent the School in 2018
in Paris.
Year 7 2018 scholarship registrations open
Mrs Colleen Fenn | Registrar
A combined entrance and scholarship test will be held on
Saturday 10 September 2016 for Year 5 students wishing to
apply for a Year 7 2018 scholarship. Online registrations are
now open and close on Wednesday 31 August 2016.
Visit the Enrolments page on the Abbotsleigh website
to register.
Upcoming APA events
Ms Jacqui Everett | Community Development Officer
Parent prayer meeting
Thursday 24 August
7.45-8.15 am
Senior School Library – all welcome
Kindergarten and Year 3 Father daughter breakfast
Friday 2 September
7 am
Junior School. Book here
Year 6 parent/child laser tag
Saturday 10 September
6-8 pm Email for queries
Year 3 parent dinner
Friday 16 September
The Butcher’s Apprentice, Wahroonga. Book here
Year 9 parent end of year function
Save the date – Saturday 26 November
We look forward to seeing Jimbo’s goal realised.
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