Dear Parents

Welcome back to the last term for 2009.  How quickly life races by when you are having so much fun!  So what is news at the Chidley Campus?

Well, we celebrated our third birthday at the end of Term 3 and this coincided with a generous gift from the Federal Government’s stimulus package - a lovely outdoor covered art area.

We are also delighted to have been chosen as one of five finalists for the Best School Garden competition run by the Garden Gurus, Channel 9 and the Sunday Times. We are in the running to win a prize of $7,500 worth of aquaponics donated by Hydroponics Express. Please watch the program on Channel 9 on 15 November, when the winner will be announced.

Part of our submission included our revegetation project to replant the indigenous seedlings that have been nurtured by our very green and small-carbon-footprint grandparents.  All of our Year 6 students, Leah Knapp from Mosman Park Town Council and some grandparents planted these seedlings in Ladner Park.  Each week, students in House groups weed, water and care for these seedlings.  As the seedlings grow and flourish, we hope that they will bring back some of the original fauna.

Over the past term, the Pre-Primary students have been growing potatoes, garlic chives and rosemary, the Year 2 students have harvested their successful tomatoes and the Year3s’ lunchtime garden club has resulted in some green fingers.  The Year 1s have contributed with fertiliser produced by their worm farm which has invigorated the growth of these plants.  The ELC children have also been composting their food scraps to add some more nutritious food for our plants.

So, with such productive gardeners, it is wonderful that we are now involved in an inaugural collaborative project with three other schools. The project is supported by the Slow Food Group and Millennium Kids and its aim is to counteract the disappearance of local food traditions, peoples’ dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how individual food choices affect the rest of the world…. Slow Food believes that the food we eat should taste good, that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health and food producers should receive compensation for their work. (p 1, Spice Magazine Oct 2009 on http://www.spicemagazine.com.au/ )

In addition to St Hilda’s Junior School, this project involves Lathlain Primary School, O’Connor Primary School in Kalgoorlie and Ntshidi School in South Africa.  We are each going to investigate growing food as ingredients for the traditional social and cultural preparation and partaking of food.

St Hilda’s Junior School received a cheque from the Slow Food Group to support us to expand our gardens and we will be purchasing some raised garden beds, equipment, utensils and white goods that will support the project. If you have a stove and refrigerator that you are willing to donate, we would  be only too delighted to hear from you.

We will also be looking for parents from all different cultural backgrounds who have a flair and passion for food to help with this project.

Later in this term, we will host the official launch of the Centre for Water Research for which St Hilda’s Junior School is the inaugural and co-founding school. The director of the Centre is WA’s Scientist of the Year, Professor Jorg Imberger, and, through our Junior School’s computer work and expertise, as well as our involvement in water and river watch, we have been invited to participate in monitoring water quality and to feed data into the Centre’s water management process.

While we are on roll, we have also won all the all the Upper Primary School prizes for the Ribbons of Blue competition which involved students researching water as a natural resource and the impact of our changing climate in their catchment ,and then creating a community announcement to inform and persuade people to be water wise.

With the year drawing to an end, I am pleased that we will have a chance to share all our activities, achievements big and small, individual and whole school, with you all at the end-of-year concerts, graduation and celebrations.

I take this opportunity to thank you as our most important partners, after your children of course, in this very important, delicate and complex process of education. Your support, involvement and respect are all very much valued.

I wish you and your child a very successful completion of the 2009 school year and I look forward to 2010 with many exciting events for students, parents and staff.

With every good wish.

Please mark the date of the Advent Carol Service in your diaries.  It will be held on Sunday 22 November at 7.00pm in the School Chapel on the Bay View Terrace Campus.  This is a service of music sung by School choirs with readings on the theme of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas.  This service will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the Christian meaning of Christmas and to spend time in prayer and worship. I look forward to seeing you there.

We are always delighted that students respond to the Church’s invitation to be baptised and receive Holy Communion.  At the annual celebration of these sacraments last term, nine girls from Years 4-6 were baptised and then joined 15 others to receive their first Holy Communion.  Congratulations to the following girls:

Savannah Armstrong, Anisha Anderson, Sofia Bekir-Fuente, Lauren Bond,
Ella Busby, Sophie Colton, Alyson Cox, Zoe Craig, Charlotte Craig,
Louise D’Souza, Natalie Felstead, Ella Fitzpatrick, Angelina Holland,
Georgina Higgins, Madeline Lee, Zoe Longley, Olivia McFarland,
Kimberley MacFarlane, Sheridan MacFarlane, Julia MacKay, Zari O’Connor, Olivia Rimmer, Holly Varney, Emma Wittenoom
This term we have our Patronal Festival service in honour of St Hilda on her feast day, Tuesday 17 November at 10.00am.  We look forward to sharing this service with Years 1-6, staff, parents and friends, who are most welcome to attend.  It is a great privilege to be able to worship at St George’s Cathedral on this occasion, and to have the experience of choral singing, organ music, beautiful architecture and Christian worship combined in thanksgiving for the life and witness of Hilda. 

I remind you that parents and friends are always welcome to attend the services held regularly in the Cortile and Chapel.  These are formal services which reflect the Anglican tradition, especially focused on the exposition of bible stories and sharing in reflection, Holy Communion and blessings. Singing plays a major part, reflecting research that shows music is a dominant trigger for spiritual experiences and development. Your child’s class teacher will be able to provide the dates and times.

I look forward to seeing many parents at the various end-of-year functions at the Junior School.  Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns of a spiritual nature.

Father Toby - School Chaplain toby.sherring@sthildas.wa.edu.au 9285 4100

Staff Movements
After eight years at St Hilda’s, Mrs Sarah Atkinson is embarking on further professional learning overseas.  Mrs Atkinson is an old scholar as well as a very dedicated and enthusiastic teacher.  She has worked in the Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten.  Together with Mrs Binder, she was instrumental in setting up the Junior Kindergarten classes and the Extend-ED program.  Staff, students and the wider community have benefited from her expertise and her warm, caring and beautiful nature.  We thank Mrs Atkinson for all her tremendous work and, although we are very sad to see her leave, we wish her safe travels and the very best for the future.

Mrs Thomas, our Year 2 teacher during Semester 2, will be leaving St Hilda’s in 2010 due to her very rapidly increasing family commitments.  Mrs Thomas also taught Year 5 in 2008 in Terms 3 and 4.  We have very much appreciated the ease with which she moved into St Hilda’s and shared her wonderful knowledge, skills and very calm, nurturing approach with all students, staff and parents.  We thank her for her work with us and we hope we will see her at St Hilda’s again in a relieving capacity. 

Student Early Departures and Late Arrivals
Please register your child at Reception. This ensures that we have students appropriately accounted for in case of an emergency and staff are not placed at risk looking for a student who is actually not on the premises.

St Hilda’s Christmas Holiday Program
The Cool Christmas holiday program will let your child/ren experience interactive, crafty fun, cooking creations and physical challenge activities. The Christmas holiday program will runfor boys and girls 3 – 9 years.  Dates and times as follows:
Thursday 10 – Friday 11 December
Monday 14 – Friday 18 December
Monday 21 December
9.00am-12.30pm and/or 12.30pm-4.00pm
The cost per day is $80 and $45 for a single session. For more details see the flyer on this website or contact Suzanne Howell or Marie Graystone on 9285 4500.

Results of the International Competition and Assessments for Schools
Congratulations to the following Years 3 – 6 students who received certificates for 2009. 

English                                                                      
High Distinction: Year 6: Charlotte Palfrey
                                                                                     
Distinction
Year 6: Lara Edmands, Christina Grant, Rachel Puglisi, Mira Sertorio
Year 5: Andrea Ho, Gabrielle LeMiere, Olivia Tan, Isobel Yates
Year 4: Alyson Cox, Julia MacKay, Emily-Paris Tan
Year 3: Ella Girdler

Credits
Year 6: Georgina Davis, Mika Kemp, Chantal Mah, Laura Peh,
Emma Wittenoom
Year 5: Novita Carolina, Chloe Dutton, Hazel Dutton, Olivia Ferres,
Claudine Mah, Rana Massoudi, Natasha Mehl, Rosie Peden, Rebecca Smith, Georgia Strydom
Year 4: Madeline Lee, Claire Long, Ashiyana Malil, Stephanie Tan
Year 3: Sarah Low, Tatiana Kurniawan, Sara Palfrey, Octavia Reynolds

Mathematics
High Distinction: Year 6: Vania Carolina and Year 4: Bethan Holloway-Strong

Distinction
Year 6: Lara Edmands, Alexandra Finlay-Jones, Leila Kint, Chantal Mah, Charlotte Palfrey, Laura Peh
Year 5: Olivia Ferres, Andrea Ho, Mahala Longley, Natasha Mehl,
Emily Parkinson, Olivia Tan

Year 4: Alyson Cox, Zari O’Connor, Emily-Paris Tan, Stephanie Tan,
Year 3: Sarah Low

Credits
Year 6: Julia Baddock, Emily Benson, Lillian Buchholz, Susannah Buss,
Kate Gollschewski, Nicola Robson, Mira Sertorio, Emma Wittenoom
Year 5: Ella Crust, Alisa Dowson, Claudine Mah, Rana Massoudi, Isobel Yates
Year 4: Novita Carolina, Julia MacKay, Ashiyana Malil
Year 3: Chloe Bryant, Kim Dutton, Olivia Hill, Alexandra Ho,
Tatiana Kurniawan, Alexandra Lester, Dominique Nash, Octavia Reynolds

Assembly and Accolades
At the Pre-Primary Assembly on Wednesday 9 September, the following students received Honour Certificates for their efforts in class:

Year 1:
Amelia Beck, Siobhan Collins, Miranda Dyskin, Tian-En Hoong,
Hannah Thompson, Lucy Whelan, Angelica Zafiris
Year 2:
Layla Barr, Annabella Bult, Madison Gagel, Felicity Palmer,
Shikira Simpson-Thomas
Year 3:
Bella Bennett, Brianna Hill,  Tatiana Kurniawan, Hayley O’Donnell,
Charlotte Romberg, Brianna Sinclair, Sacha Smail
Year 4:
Navita Caroline, Serena Cockerill, Natalie Felstead, Chanel Johnson,
Olivia McFarland
Year 5:
Kelsey Bowes, Celeste Kalnenas, Rebecca Kempin, Rosie Peden,
Rebecca Smith, Eleanor Sowerby
Year 6:
Daphne Kyriakaki, Nataya Mills, Zoe Thomson, Sophie Smith

Assembly and Accolades
At the Year 3 Assembly on Wednesday 21 October, the following students received Honour Certificates for their efforts in class:

Year 1:
Catherine King, Annabelle Lovegrove, Sabrina Orczech, Katharine Parker
Year 2:
Silvia Garcia-Cabaces, Rachel Guagliardo, Arabella Matthews,
Madeline Ronci, Isabella Scullard, Sophia Tan
Year 3:
Olivia Hill, Lily Jones, Sarah Low, Dominique Nash, Bianca Naumann,
Nikita Zhuang
Year 4:
Grace Fermanis, Bethan Holloway-Strong, Claire Long, Holly Varney,
Roisin Whelan, Miranda Woelke
Year 5:
Chloe Bayly, Chantel de Tastes, Ella Farrell, Beverley Lim , Andrea Ho,
Isabel Rowley, Olivia Tan, Sascha Turich
Year 6:
Monika Blankenburgs, Susannah Buss, Kate Gollschewski, Maggie MacEvilly, Chantal Mah, Nicola Robson, Katie Roche, Hinano Sakaguchi, Eloise Smith, Georgia Sturgeon, Isabella Watkins

Ribbons of Blue, Water and our Changing Climate Competition
The Year 5 students competed in the State Ribbons of Blue Competition, Water and our Changing Climate, and the following students won the regional prizes for their community service announcements:

Regional Upper Primary Winners Years 4-7:  Alisa Dowson and Georgina McCabe
Highly Commended: Alice White, Isabel Kasten, Victoria Allen, Isabel Rowley,
Henrietta Grayling

The following students were awarded the State prizes:
Upper Primary State Winners Years 4-7: Alisa Dowson and Georgina McCabe
State Runners-up Years 4-7: Isabel Kasten, Victoria Allen, Isabel Rowley

National Trust Photography and Story Competition
Students were invited to participate in the National Trust Photography and Story Competition Valuing our Heritage as part of the Year 5 Inquiry learning.

Congratulations go to Gabrielle Le Miere for her highly commended award in the Years 4-7 category.  Her story and photography entry recounted her grandfather’s life living in a group settlement house in the Alexandra Bridge area.

2009 K-12 Visual Arts Exhibition Awards
At the Opening Night of the K-12 Arts Exhibition on Monday 26 October, Rosie Peden (5R) and Vania Carolina (5R) were winners of the Year 5 Encouragement Award for 2009.  The Encouragement award is given to the students who show persistence, conscientious application and enthusiasm.  Their dedication and commitment to their art made them worthy winners

Bike Riding
The final course for the year has come to a close with 30 students from Years 3- 5, participating in developing their bike handling and safe riding skills.  Students are expected to be competent riders in preparation for their Year 6 Camp at Rottnest.  In addition this mode of transportation to and from school contributes to our sustainability commitment to the environment and reduces road congestion and drive-through difficulties.  Thank you to the teachers and parents for supporting this program.

Walk and Bike to School
The 2009, Walk and Bike to School has slowly been growing in numbers and we sincerely thank Mr Roy Woelke who is our regular bus driver each day.  Mr Woelke has organised prizes for those who participate regularly and have filled up their bus ticket.  Several special Walk and Bike to School with a Healthy Snack days have encouraged many more students to participate.  These days are organised and snacks prepared by Mrs Elias and her band of merry helpers!  Thank you so much to Mr Woelke, Mrs Elias and the school parents who have walked and/or helped with the preparation of snacks. Also thank you to the teachers who have driven the second bus on these days and welcomed and congratulated walkers and riders.

Congratulations Roy!
Mr Roy Woelke was recently nominated and short-listed for the Mosman Park Council Volunteers award.  He was selected and received 2nd place for the award.  Congratulations Roy, this is a great achievement. Thank you for all your hard work.

Junior Kindergarten News
This semester, parents have been a part of the Junior Kindergarten Parent Project - cooking afternoons.  On  Tuesday and Thursday afternoons our wonderful parents have given their time to making an assortment of gourmet foods including French toast, frog cup cakes and biscuits of various shapes.

During Week 2 of this term, parents spent an afternoon in the classroom viewing their children’s portfolios work sample folders.  The children were eager to spend time with their parents, talking about their favourite creations of work and reflecting on their past achievements.

Sarah Atkinson and Ashley Lyon - Junior Kindergarten Teachers

Kindergarten News
Last term as part of our Communities concept, we visited the Mosman Park Shopping Centre. The children had hands-on opportunities in Baker’s Delight and posted their invitations to their Dads at the Post Office.  Our Father’s Day breakfast was a success and the children looked very handsome dressing like their Dads.  We were very fortunate to have the girls from the Senior School sing for us which provided an enjoyable and fun atmosphere with Dads dancing with their children.  

This term the children are involved in the transition to Pre-Primary program.  We are focusing on celebrations around the world.  This will lead us into discussing St Hilda’s Day and the festive season of Christmas.  We will be continuing our concept of the environment and me and will focus on water and how we use and manage our water at home and in our school environment. 

Swimming will commence in Weeks 6 and 7 at Claremont Pool.  As a part of our ICT program, we are incorporating the use of computers in our Library classes to foster children’s exploration of the computer as a tool and to attain basic computer skills.  This is shaping up to be a very busy term

Sandi Duckworth and Erin Jones - Kindergarten Teachers

Pre-Primary News
The Pre-Primary students have had a very busy and varied term with many exciting activities which are listed below.

Father’s Day: The Pre-Primary students invited their fathers to a pyjama story-telling time in the classroom.  Milo, marshmallows and a full moon gave the evening a magical feel.

Garden: Our potato plants have grown above the container; there is a little snail and insect damage, however, we are crossing fingers for a good harvest and a delicious sharing of our slow food.

Community Service: Pre-Primary students are presently collecting old prescription glasses and sunglasses to send to Ecuador for children and adults in need.

Space Dome:  Scitech presented a wonderful learning experience in their Space dome.  The children from Kindergarten and Pre-Primary learned how the Earth was tilted on its axis therefore giving us seasons, light pollution, planets and star constellations.

Pre-Primary Assembly: The Pre-Primary students took on the role of assembly leaders very seriously.  They were assisted to write a simplified version of the welcome to country and their own prayers.  At the Assembly they presented a rotation of Earth to demonstrate night and day and described each of the planets through rhyme.  They also delighted the audience with a song about “Rocket Sam” and his friends Rusty Robot, Singing Star and Magic Moon who were characters in the song.

Book Week: Two visiting speakers, Mr Kim Crossing and Mrs Olivia Dawes, came to visit the students in Pre-Primary for Book Week.  They helped the students address a gap in their timeline by sharing their wonderful childhood experiences in the 1940s in Mosman Park and Western Australia.

Liz Binder and Tina Elsegood – Pre-Primary Teachers

Year 3 Visiting Artist and Author
The Year 3 students were enthralled by a session from visiting Western Australian author and illustrator, Wendy Binks.  Wendy, who comes from Denmark, has written two stories about Australian animals.  Her first was Where’s Stripey, followed soon after by Scrambled Egg. 

During her session Wendy talked about her books and illustrations, including the research which she does before starting to write or draw and the process of printing books.  The girls were amazed that printers use icing sugar to stop the pages sticking together during the printing process. 

Wendy’s books have motivated the girls to create puppets in their Art lessons and write stories, with Wendy Binks’ style illustrations, involving Australian animals.  It was an inspiring session and the School is very grateful for the generous contribution made by Andrew Pitchford and Andrea Lascelles, to enable the visit to take place.

Year 3 Fire Safety and Awareness
On Friday 4 September, the Year 3 students were thrilled by a visit from the fire fighters from Claremont Fire Station.  The students learnt all about what to do in the event of a fire.  The fire fighters arrived in two fire trucks and showed us how all of the equipment is stored, ready for easy access.  One fireman dressed up in full uniform and explained the function of part of his uniform. All the girls had a chance to spray water out of the massive hose, which was great fun.  The firemen were kind, very approachable and happy to answer all of our questions.  The visit was concluded by the fire fighters leaving the oval amidst a fanfare of honking horns, wailing sirens and flashing lights, much to the delight of the students.

Year 3 Gardening Gurus Club
The girls in Year 3 have loved their gardening this year.  In Semester 1, the girls learnt how to plant and care for a variety of herbs which could be used in cooking or food preparation such as delicious salads and sandwiches.

Their enthusiasm for gardening encouraged us to commence The Year 3 Gardening Gurus Club, which was held at lunchtime in Semester 2.

With spring approaching, we extended the girls’ knowledge about tending herbs to include planting and caring for tomato seedlings.  The girls’ gardening skills have really developed and they are now able to prune tomato plants.
 
The tomato seedlings were finally wrapped and taken home to celebrate Father’s Day.  Instructions about transplanting and tending the tomatoes were attached, so we are sure there are now many thriving tomato plants in several home gardens.  Let the harvest begin.

Jenni Massey and Beth Stubbs – Year 3 Teachers

Year 5 French Activities Day
This Monday 19 October we welcomed 26 students from Santa Maria College to join us for French activities.  We were especially pleased to see and welcome back Santa Maria teacher Ms Heeking who taught at St Hilda’s in 2008.

The students from both schools had already exchanged letters introducing themselves so the first task for each girl was to find her pen pal.

After introductions it was time for a break with pain au chocolate for each student to eat.  Then the girls divided into three groups.  The first group learnt traditional French dances with Mme Laurel de Vietri, the second group acted out dramatic dialogues and the third group played French games. All activities were rotated to ensure the students’ full participation.

All too soon it was time to say au revoir before the girls from Santa Maria boarded their bus.  Each girl took with her a certificate with Vive le Francais written on it.  This means, Long Live French!

Sue Downing and Caroline Winwood – French Teachers

Japanese News
Over the semester students learning Japanese in Years 4, 5 and 6 have engaged in a variety of activities to support their language learning while exposing them to some aspects of Japanese culture.

Earlier in the semester the Year 6 students visited Perth Zoo and had the opportunity to tour the Hyogo Prefectural Japanese Garden.  A volunteer docent, Mrs Yvonne Garnsey assisted the girls to understand specific features unique to a Japanese garden.  Since the tour the Year 6s have been researching various Japanese gardens in Japan and sharing their understanding through visual stories with accompanying Japanese language.

This term, the Years 4 and 5 students were fortunate to meet Mrs Mutsuko Bonnardeaux, a renowned artist who introduced some traditional aspects of Japanese dance and instructed them in how to make hashioki, chopstick rest, with matching coaster using chiyogami paper and some bead work.

These special days are a wonderful way to give girls the unique opportunity to engage and interact with Japanese language and culture.  

Margo Whittle – Japanese Teacher

The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) Celebration Night
On Friday 23 October the Ribbons of Blue awards were presented to teachers acknowledging their outstanding efforts in enabling students to understand, respect and care for local creeks, rivers, wetlands and their catchments.

One of these teacher awards was received by Tonia Ranford for the Swan River science program that she and Year 5 teachers Merrilee Jongsma and Lisa Soroko have developed and implemented throughout the year.  

The program focuses on developing an appreciation and value of the Swan River through field investigations to learn about the ecology and health of the river.   Through an indigenous perspective of the local Noongar people, the history of the river has been learnt and also the perspective of the students’ grandparents who grew up on the river.

From here the goal was to promote the need for students to take action to sustain the Swan for future generations.  During National Water Week, the students had a Clean- up the Swan River Day that involved clearing river areas of litter, identification and removal of some common weeds and some snake identification and handling.  This enabled the students to make positive changes to their local wetland.

Year 5 Clean-Up the Swan River Day 
On Wednesday 21 October as part of our focus on Sustaining our Swan River program the Year 5s participated in a day that celebrates our commitment to sustaining the health of the Swan River.  Kate from Millennium Kids held a short ceremony to acknowledge the original custodians of the river, the Nyoongar people.  

The students then identified non-indigenous plants and learnt about the problems associated with invasive weeds along the river.  They also learnt about indigenous snakes and got to hold them up close.  The students participated in cleaning up the river banks by gathering up litter and removing it from the area.  It was a lot of fun and a great day to get out and celebrate how lucky we are to have such an amazing river on our doorstep.

Year 5 Scitech Excursion
To support our sustainability program in Providing Academic Challenge for Everyone (PACE), Science and Society and Environment, Year 5 visited Scitech to view the Climate Change exhibition.  The exhibition highlighted the affects of temperature change, encouraging students to consider the consequences of human actions and what they can do as individuals to help the planet.

Students had the opportunity to become presidents of countries around the world and make vital decisions on what sustainable measures that country had to make in order to help the planet.  They were also given an insight into how Perth would look in 100 years if we do not address environmental issues immediately.

It was a very exciting day, topped off with a visit to the wonderful activities offered in the main area of Scitech.

Year 5 Technology and Enterprise
This semester the Year 5 students devised and produced inventions during their Technology and Enterprise classes.  They worked hard to produce a design that would sustain the environment or improve their quality of life or the quality of life of others.

Their thinking process started very quickly, coming up with some big ideas. Once the girls had decided on their invention, they wrote design briefs and drew up plans for a prototype.  Extensive research was then undertaken to determine the suitability of their invention in the market place.  Following their preliminary work, they each produced a prototype of their invention.  These were then displayed in the Library and evaluated by a panel of judges.

We saw a range of ideas come to life including a recycling crusher, a portable greenhouse and a device for catching flies. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the project and should be proud of their accomplishments.

Tonia Ranford, Merrilee Jongsma, Lisa Soroko – Year 5 Teachers

Year 6 News
The Years 6 students are very excited to be working with the Mosman Council in the development and revegetation of Ladner Park on Mc Cabe Street in Mosman Park.     
We have now begun planting the seedlings that were nurtured by the children’s grandparents and already we have planted approximately 300 native shrubs and bushes at Ladner Park.  They will be studying and learning about grass trees and the ground understory required for these to flourish and grow.  This is an exciting opportunity for the girls at St Hilda’s to gain a wonderful understanding of the cycle required for plants to grow and to actually be a part of this process.

Year 6 House Meetings
The House Captains have been meeting with Mrs Millar, Year 6 teacher, every Monday at lunch time to organise activities for Period 5 on Thursdays.  We have been very impressed with the responsible attitude displayed by all of the House Captains and their mature approach has made working with them a pleasure.  Together we have worked through a variety of activities including art and craft, concerts, sporting activities and games.  Over the last few weeks, the girls from one House each week have been working in Ladner Park to give the newly planted trees the best chance possible of survival.  We would like to congratulate the House Captains on their hard work and cheerful disposition throughout the year.  They will be a great asset to the Senior School.

Year 6 Fun-raising Day
Late in Term 3 the Year 6 students held their Fun-raising Day.  This was an opportunity for all girls in Year 6 to take on a leadership role and run an activity for the other students.  This year with over 60 Year 6 students involved, we had a wonderful range of games for the younger pupils.  The activities were arranged in a huge circle using the cortile, cortile lawn area and the gymnasium.  The younger students started the first part of the event at a table and after hearing the whistle blow proceeded to the next activity.  The event was such a success that the time was extended beyond Period 5 and into lunch.  At this point many stalls were overwhelmed by girls wanting to have-a- go.  The money raised from the day goes towards buying materials for our tree planting work next year.  We will need to buy more potting mix, pots and general equipment to continue with our project in Ladner Park.

Music
Congratulations to all the wonderful musicians who performed so brilliantly at the Concert in the Cortile on Tuesday 3 November.

Year 2 Strings students showed their amazing development through the year playing a number of pieces from Tricks to Tunes by Audrey Akerman.  They were conducted by their wonderful teacher and director, Head of Strings Mr Adrian Wayte, and accompanied by cello teacher Ms Amber Day.

Beautiful harp solos was played by an angelic sounding Charlotte Romberg and Ella Girdler.  They combined talents to present a sweet Harp Duet, I (Trad).  Emma Hadi in Year 1 played a very confident cello solo Bouree by Stolzel, which was quite remarkable for someone of her age.  The fantastic Junior String Orchestra, played the beautiful Gabriel’s Oboe byEnio Morricone withChantal Mah playing the gorgeous violin solo, and conducted by Mr Adrian Wayte.  Chantal and Claudine Mah played a delightful violin duet, Rondo. 

The audience was then treated to some delightful solo singing, with Marcella Kandiah singing the Irish Cockels and Mussels and Lucy Goodrick singing Farewell My Own True Love.  Nikita Zhuang played a confident and mellow Pretty Flower on her clarinet.  The Junior Concert Band, conducted by Mr Matthew Kidd, played Celtic Dance followed by Smoke On Water.  We were very lucky to hear Mira Sertorio sing Mercy, in her lovely warm voice.  The contemporary sound was continued with a confident vocal ensemble sung by Emma Bond, Shania Gardiner, Leila Kint, Sarah Moody, Mira Sertorio, Taylor Smail, Eloise Smith, Sophie Smith, Isabelle Watkins and Emma Wittenoom. 

The whole evening’s feast of music was concluded by the combined Junior String Orchestra and Concert Band coming together to play an arrangement of Carl Orff’s dramatic Fortuna Imperatix Mundi, conducted by Mr Matthew Kidd. What a fantastic evening of music and thank you to the Arts Captain, Noni Mills and the Music Committee, Katie Gollschewski, Leila Kint, Chantal Mah and Nicola Robinson for comparing and hosting the concert.

The Music Department is very busy preparing for the four Christmas productions and Graduations coming up in Week 8.  These promise to be delightful celebrations of music and dance.  Keep the following dates free:
Monday 30 November :
Year 5/6 Graduation – 2.00pm – Chidley Cortile                              
Tuesday 1 December:
Pre-Primary –Year 2 Christmas Concert – 10.00am – Chidley Cortile                                     Years 3 / 4 Christmas Concert – 2.00pm – Chidley Cortile
Thursday 3 December:
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Christmas Picnic – 11.30am – Mezze lawn area                  
Louise Bladen- Music Department

Physical Education
Athletics
The Interhouse Athletics Competition was held on the Wednesday and Friday of the last week of Term 3.  Congratulations to all students who took part.  A fun time was had by all and students performed to the best of their ability.  Thank you to all parents for their support and assistance throughout the day.  Congratulations to the mums, dads and staff who participated against our Year 6 students in a circular relay extravaganza.   

Thank you especially to the St Hilda’s Auxiliary and our Years 2 and 5 mums who provided delicious refreshments on the day. They not only worked incredibly hard to make the food but also volunteered all day to serve it.  Thank you also to Jenny and Jon Petelczyc who coordinated the Trackside extravaganza.

Overall results for the day were as follows:
Year 4
Runner-up: Holly Varney (GA) Champion : Julia MacKay (FI)
Year 5Runner-up: Eleanor Sowerby (DE) Champion: Gabrielle Le Miere (GA)
Year 6
Runner-up: Megan Tonkinson (DE) Champion: Eleni Tsaknis (GA)

House Results
4th place: Fitzroy; 3rd place: Blackwood; 2nd place: De Grey; 1st place: Gascoyne

IPSHA Year 4, 5 and 6 Athletics
Congratulations to our Year 4, 5 and 6 students who participated in IPSHA Athletics Carnivals.  All the girls participated throughout the day in a variety of events with enthusiasm and team spirit.  The day was capped off with a lunch to catch up with old friends and create new friendships.  A special thank you to our brilliant Year 5 parents who assisted with  running the Year 5 carnival hosted by St Hilda’s.

Basketball
Well done to all students who participate in the after-school basketball program for Term 4.  Information has been distributed to all girls outlining fixtures, game rules and parent scoring schedules.  Thank you to all our wonderful coaches: our girls have made a great start to the competition.  Please note the final fixture will take place on Thursday 3 December.

Swimming
In-term swimming will start for all Kindergarten students in Week 6 on Monday 16 November.  Students will be bussed to and from the pool.  Parents are more than welcome to come and watch although a pool entry fee may apply.  Please ensure you have returned your enrolment form to your class teacher.

In-term Swimming Lessons Term 1 2010
Pre-Primary to Year 6 students will be participating in the in-term swimming program for 2010 at Claremont Swimming Pool.  Rare Indigo management is a private organisation which will be conducting St Hilda’s students’ lessons.  This Learn-to-Swim program is endorsed by the Royal Life Saving Society. Enrolment forms and more information will be distributed at the end of the term.

Holiday Swimming Training Year 7-12 (current Year 6s)
We will be conducting swimming training sessions throughout the Christmas holidays for all girls who would like to be considered for the 2010 Interschool Swimming Team or who wish to improve their fitness. These sessions will be a great opportunity for you to meet senior school students (if you are a new girl) and to improve your technique and fitness at the same time.

Holiday times and dates are:
Summer holiday training will be held in December on Monday 7, 14 and 21, Wednesday 9, 16 and 23 and Friday 11, and 18 from 8.30-9.30am.  Dates for January are Monday 4, 11 and 18, Wednesday 6, 13 and 20 and Friday 8, 15 and 22.  January training sessions will be held from 8.00-9.30am.  All training sessions will be held at Challenge Stadium.  Students must find their own transport to and from the pool during the holiday period.

Swimming and Tennis Camp Years 7 – 12, 2010
St Hilda’s is once again arranging a combined day camp for all interschool and prospective swimmers, tennis and volleyball players during the January holidays to promote and develop swimming, tennis and volleyball at the School. The aim of the camp is for girls to spend quality time focusing on technique and fitness and develop a strong sense of team spirit and pride.  The camp will include fun daily fitness sessions, which will be run by external fitness instructors, and a variety of team building, nutrition and goal setting activities.   

Notes will be distributed to all students in Year 6. 

Miss Emma Wood- Junior School Physical Education Coordinator

There are no articles from the Support Groups this issue.

Event at PLC on Wednesday 18 November
Bestselling author Paullina Simons will give a talk on her latest book A Song in the Daylight in the PLC Drama Centre at 7.00pm.  Tickets are $15 and include finger food, a glass of wine, tea and coffee and one of her previous titles.

There is no Quiz Corner this issue.

Dates for your Diary