This column has oftentimes been dedicated to a celebration of student achievements, and rightly so – our children achieve at quite extraordinary levels, and they deserve recognition. There has been mention on occasion too of the efforts, equally extraordinary in their way, of the staff of All Saints, whose mission it is to look for the light in your sons and daughters and draw it out. But at the risk of appearing sycophantic, I wanted to reflect this week on another group in our school community who perhaps don’t always receive the gratitude they deserve. I refer of course to the parents, the unsung heroes of the learning process.

Be assured that it is certainly not my intention to offer advice on parenting – I am one myself, after all. In fact, if I have learned anything over the years, it is that notions of 'right' and 'wrong' ways of parenting tend to be misleading at best, and downright destructive at worst. I always come away from those books describing 'best practice' in child rearing feeling both patronised and immensely guilty, which is probably the author’s intention, since the guilt sends me straight back to the parenting and self-help sections in the bookshop where this downwards spiral began! I prefer to stick to fiction, where one can find evidence of parenting so hopelessly inadequate as to cheer even the most guilt-ridden soul. The only wisdom I can hope to offer on these matters is that there is no right or wrong way for me to father my children, but rather just my way, which is different to anyone else’s and sufficiently unique in its strengths and weaknesses to defy unhelpful comparisons. The single fact that unites me with all other parents in our community is that I love my children and try to do my best for them with the limited personal resources allotted to me. Those resources will never be ideal, but fortunately young people are forgiving and, whilst this might not always be as apparent as we might like, generally grateful and accepting of our limitations.

So let us this week simply celebrate the benevolent influence we have as parents on our school community. Ours is a happy school. We say this often, and we say it with pride, because there is a wonder in this simple truth that needs to be acknowledged. We attempt to define the ingredients that severally combine to achieve this miracle, because in so doing, we grope our way towards that fine tuning of our goals and practices that ensures we continue to fulfil our mission as a Christian school. Our parents will always stand at the centre of this delicate enquiry. Our students are happy because they have parents who love them. It is a love that can seem at times exhausting and overwhelming, and whilst we have progressed as a society beyond the wildest dreams of our grandmothers, it is the mothers who, for the most part continue to corner the market on this exhausting love. Those of us who have chosen the path of parenting are likely to discover, sometimes in a rather discomforting way, that it will do more to define our sense of self than anything else. Wander through All Saints during a typically busy day, and you will see the fruits of your labour in glorious hues, as your children express the generosity of spirit and thirst for life that comes from you. 

Patrick Wallas
Headmaster

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes during photo week? It's more than you might think! This week we welcomed Advanced Life Photography to campus to snap both individual portraits and group photos for more than 1,800 students and 300 staff across the school. No mean feat, considering it all happens over just three very tightly scheduled and coordinated days.

Read on to find out how photo day each year comes into being and to take a look at a few iconic 'behind the scenes' moments. 

Stage 1: Planning

The school's photo day schedule is locked in an entire year in advance, and it takes a village to prepare for helping things run smoothly on the day.

Scheduling of the photos is coordinated by representatives from each sub-school. In the Junior School it's Mr Andrew Cowan, in the Middle School it's Mrs Michelle Hunter and in Senior School it's Mrs Katie Ashcroft who have this mammoth task. Schedules have to take into account a myriad of different factors such as how long it takes Pre Prep to walk up to Main Administration, scheduling the youngest scheduled first (to make sure they are photographed before they hit the sand pit and paint!), ensuring classes don't have swimming or PE lessons prior to photos to keep hair looking spick and span, avoid clashes with specialist lessons and/or private classes are taking place - the list goes on! We thank these staff members for doing a fantastic job. 

Stage 2: On the day

The team from Advanced Life are pros at getting the students lined up in height order and seated on the stands. The students' feet must all be in a straight line, their hands folded a specific way in their laps if seated, or hands behind backs if standing, their posture impeccable and their eyes open (trust us, getting 25 students to all smile and not blink at the same time is harder than it sounds). The team also have an eagle eye for accidental uniform mishaps such as popped collars, untucked shirts, loose ties, unfurled ribbons or slinking socks. Try remembering to check all of those things more than 2,000 times! 

We thank the parents for ensuring your All Saints students were looking their absolute best for photo week and thank you for your patience during the morning with sibling photos. Thank you for allowing our staff to jump the queue so they could get to class on time. If you haven't ordered your photos online it's not too late - you have until Saturday 18 February to order online without a late fee.  Photo orders are completed online, please visit www.advancedlife.com.au enter the online order code PLP QNG QFV and follow the prompts. 

Below is a behind the scene gallery of our students on photo day! 

Sally Snow and Paris Faint
All Saints Marketing Department

All Saints seeks to support a child safe culture and we are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students. 

All the ways we do this are outlined in our Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy which includes policies, procedures and other controls to minimise the risk of harm to students. This document along with our key Student Protection policies and procedures, and a list of Student Protection Officers at our school (to whom parents or guardians can discuss concerns around child safety), are available on our website.

Our school greatly values the role volunteers play in the education of our students. We welcome and encourage parents, carers and other community members to join our wonderful team of volunteers who generously give up their time to provide this support. With student safety our main priority, all volunteers will need to register with the school and complete an induction. More information is provided on our website. Please note that volunteers require a Blue Card unless an exemption applies (current parents, volunteers under the age of 18 and those who volunteer only a few times a year do not need a blue card). 

Finally, parents and visitors are respectfully required to abide by our Code of Conduct (Parents and Visitors) when visiting our school.

A reminder of our anaphylaxis awareness guidelines as families start preparing for the return of school lunches.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. Common foods causing allergies among students include egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame and wheat. Peanuts and egg allergies are two of the most common food allergies in school-aged children and we are aware that many students in our school suffer from exposure to these foods. Those students, if they come in contact with a nut product, can suffer life threatening consequences. It can be easily contracted from a simple handshake or touching of a student's table who may have had some nuts in their food.

Given the number of foods to which a student may be allergic, it is not possible to remove all allergens. Instead, the School aims to implement practical, age appropriate strategies to minimise exposure to known allergens:

• In the Junior School we request that no nuts, nut products or eggs (e.g. egg sandwich, boiled eggs etc) are included in school lunches and snacks.
• In the Middle and Senior School, we request that no nuts, peanut butter, Nutella etc are used in school lunches and snacks.
• Similarly, the tuckshop does not offer food containing nuts.
• Items which state they ‘may contain traces’ of nuts are ok.

This is not a complete nut and egg ban but rather a strategy to reduce risk for vulnerable students until they are more able to care for themselves.

We thank you for your cooperation.

One of the greatest strengths of our All Saints community is the dedication of students to doing their personal best. A personal best (PB), whether it be mastering a musical challenge, surpassing a previous time, kicking that extra goal, conquering a spelling list, being a better friend or managing self-control, involves hard work, courage to step outside a comfort zone and persistence when things don’t go quite to plan. Achieving a PB is not about being better than anyone else but rather simply being the very best version of yourself. I commend every student for striving to do their very best. It is all we ask of you and all you can ask of yourself.

Shelley Travers
Head of Junior School

The scene was set for a sensational day of competition and camaraderie as our four house teams made their way across the oval towards the indoor swimming venue early on Tuesday morning. The cheering, friendly rivalry and team spirit could be seen and heard across the grounds as excited competitors made their way to the pool and continued throughout the day. Dozens of personal bests were achieved and every student should be congratulated on their determination, courage and commitment to doing their best.

After an eye-watering and voice-cracking All Age Relay race, which Clovelly masterfully won, final points were tallied and Lyndon House was crowned the champions for 2023.

Congratulations to all swimmers for giving your all for your house. From our very experienced racers to our more cautious first-timers, the house spirit was palpable and it was heart-warming to see such a sense of encouragement being shared.

Congratulations to our 2023 House Captains and Year 6 leaders who admirably, and with seemingly unending energy and enthusiasm, led their houses. Their spirit and sportsmanship inspired those around them to give their all.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s carnival such an enormous success:

• Mrs Liussi and Mr Kingsley for their expert organisation and preparation on and leading up to the carnival.
• Mr and Mrs Sabotic for their organisational support throughout the day.
• Parents & Friends volunteers for their assistance with the carnival jobs.
• Junior School families who came along and supported our young swimmers.
• Junior School staff who worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure that everyone stayed safe, made it to their races and had a great day.
• Junior School students who demonstrated such amazing sportspersonship and determination in every race.

For full details of the day’s results, photos and age champions please see Mrs Liussi’s Sports report.

Shelley Travers
Head of Junior School

This wonderful program sees our Year 6 leaders 'adopt' a Pre Prep or Prep buddy for the year and very quickly becomes a favourite time of the week for our biggest and littlest learners in Junior School. Each week the students spend time together building a relationship that will hold a special place in their hearts for years to come. Watching the Year 12 students navigate the Tunnel of Love on their final day of school while searching for their buddy from Year 6 is incredibly beautiful. Our Buddy Program also works to build a powerful range of resilience, confidence and emotional skills.

Shelley Travers
Head of Junior School

Our world famous (almost) Year 4 New Friends Day had our new students spending time building and strengthening their friendships with classmates this week. All Year 4 students including 25 'newbies' worked through a series of activities designed to get them working together and making friends across the entire year level. I think the photos below tell the best stories of the day.

Shelley Travers
Head of Junior School

A large number of parents attended last our recent Partnerships With Parents (PWP) Volunteer Induction workshops. We will continue to regularly offer these induction information sessions as it is now mandatory for volunteers to undertake this training before working with children in our classrooms.

In Weeks 6 and 9 on March 3 and 24, I will be conducting two of my Cook’s Tours classroom experiences. I love to wander in and out of classrooms with interested parents sharing the ins and outs of our teaching and learning program. Our partnership tours are wonderful opportunities to gather details about classroom practices and see and feel the passion and energy that fills our learning spaces. I would love to take you on a personal tour and share the wonderful learning that takes place in every room. If you’d like to join me for a partnerships tour just meet me outside of the Junior School office at about 9am for an hour of classroom exploration.

We continue to work hard to provide PWP workshop experiences for parents designed to help you navigate Junior School as smoothly and successfully as possible. I am very keen to hear of any particular areas of interest that parents would like more information about. Please feel free to contact me at any time with your thoughts, feedback and ideas.

Please find below and on FIDO for the overview of workshop experiences offered to families this term. 

All workshops start at 9.00am. Please RSVP to juniorschoolreception@asas.qld.edu.au.

Shelley Travers
Head of Junior School

Shelley Travers

Head of Junior School

The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness. Students in Years 3 to 6 participate in this program and there is a wealth of information and resources for parents to access on FIDO. It really is worth a look. Please take some time to explore the short videos and gain an understanding of the power of this program for our young people. The Wellbeing page for parents also offers parents a wide range of support resources. 

We have scheduled a Partnerships with Parents workshop in Week 7 if you’d like to learn more about the social and emotional support programs available to our students in the Junior School. 

Resilience is a powerful factor that helps keep us happy and healthy. Here a few interesting points to consider:

What does resilience mean?
Resilience is an essential element of a growth mindset. Resilience is being able to bounce back from stress, challenge, tragedy, trauma or adversity. When children are resilient, they are braver, more curious, more adaptable and more able to extend their reach into the world. To help children develop, we need to allow them to experience adversity and give them the opportunity to problem solve and experience the feelings, emotions and thinking that comes along with these experiences. Resilience helps to build grit.

How do we help children build resilience?
Building children into healthy, thriving adults is not about clearing adversity out of their way. Of course, it would be wonderful if we could help our children avoid difficult times but it would not be doing them any favours. A little bit of stress is life-giving and helps children to develop the skills they need to flourish. Strengthening them towards healthy living allows them to develop the strategies they need to deal with that adversity. Following are a few tips for how to support your child to be more resilient:

• Resilience needs relationships, not uncompromising independence.
  Children need at least one loving and supportive relationship with a caring adult. This will help the child to develop vital coping skills. The presence of a responsive adult can also help to reverse the physiological changes that are activated by stress. Anyone in the life of a child can make a difference such as family, teachers and coaches.
  
  
• Build their executive functioning.
  Strengthening a child’s executive functioning will strengthen the prefrontal cortex. This will help them manage their own behaviour and feelings, and increase their capacity to develop coping strategies. Some powerful ways to build a child's executive functioning are establishing routines, modelling healthy social behaviour, encouraging creative play, creating opportunities for social connections, playing board or memory games, engaging in exercise and offering opportunities for them to think independently and make their own decisions.
  
  
• Let them know that it’s okay to ask for help.
  Children will often have the idea that being brave is about dealing with things by themselves. Let them know that being brave and strong means knowing when to ask for help. If there is anything they can do themselves, guide them towards that but resist carrying them there. 
  
  
• Nurture optimism.
  Optimism has been found to be one of the key characteristics of resilient people. The brain can be rewired to be more optimistic through the experiences it is exposed to. If you have a child who tends to look at the glass as being half empty, show them a different view.
• Model resilience. 
  Imitation is such a powerful way to learn. The children in your life will want to be just like you, and they will be watching everything. Without pitching it above what they can cope with, let them see how you deal with disappointment. When experiences are normalised, there will be a safety and security that will open the way for them to explore what those experiences mean for them and experiment with ways to respond.
  
  
• Encourage them to take safe, considered risks.
  Let them know that the courage they show in doing something brave and difficult is more important than the outcome. Age-appropriate freedom lets them learn where their edges are, encourages them to think about their decisions and teaches them that they can cope with the things that go wrong.
  
  
• Nurture a growth mindset. We can change, and so can other people.
  Research has found that children who have a growth mindset – the belief that people have the potential to change – are more likely to show resilience when things get tough. Children who believe that people can change report less stress and anxiety, better feelings about themselves and better physical health.

Shelley Travers
Head of Junior School

A reminder to parents who are driving in through the Junior School gates at the Pre Prep building and parking just inside on the Baymill Court service road that this is Gold Coast City Council property and we have been advised that parking inspectors will be making random visits to this area and fining cars parked here. At present cars parked here in the morning and afternoons are also blocking trucks moving down to the construction site behind the JFC. Please do not park in this area. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Shelley Travers
Head of Junior School

We would like to wish the below students a very happy birthday and thank them for their wonderful Birthday Book donations to the Junior School Library.

• Adeline Kenworthy - 1L
• Henry McDougall - 1L
• Farah Mahomed - 2C
• Sienna Ovcaric - 2T
• Finn Kollrepp - 3T

The Junior School Library Team 

A huge thank you to all those parents who have been able to attend the parent information evenings in recent weeks. I hope you found the evenings informative and enjoyed the opportunity to meet your student's Core teacher to establish a solid working relationship with them. 

Very soon we will be inviting parents to arrange a Round Table Conference between parent, student and teacher at a mutually-convenient time. 

Year 7 families will have a two-week window, both before and after school, from Monday 20 February to Friday 3 March. Year 8 and Year 9 families will be able to meet on either Tuesday 28 February between 3.30pm and 6.00pm, or on Wednesday 1 March between 6.00pm and 8.30pm.

These conferences allow all the key stakeholders to map out the learning journey for the year and more information on these interviews will be distributed in the weeks to come via the relevant FIDO Parent Communication pages, Saints Alive and email.

Todd Harm
Head of Middle School

On Monday 13 February, the entire Year 9 cohort and staff will travel to the Alexandra Park Conference Centre at Alexandra Headlands on the Sunshine Coast. This three-day camp focuses on the themes of Leadership and Ownership by way of preparing students to vote for Middle School leadership positions, and it also includes a significant Service Learning component. In house groups, the students learn about various styles of leadership and become involved in a dune care initiative and workshop led by local Indigenous elders. There will still be ample time for relaxation and reflection, though, and so the cohort will be able to undertake some substantial personal growth during their time away, learning much about themselves and their peers in a range of oft-times challenging contexts.

A huge thank you to Mr David Terblanche (Year 9 Coordinator), Mrs Marnie Wainwright (Assistant Head of Middle School, Curriculum), Mr Stephen Chipps (Assistant Head of Middle Schoo, Student Wellbeing) and Mrs Louise Thorpe (Service Learning Coordinator) for the mountain of admin they have already undertaken to make the camp happen as well as all the Year 9 Core and Specialist teachers for mentoring and caring for the students while they are away.

Todd Harm
Head of Middle School

Please note that finishing time on a Friday afternoon is something of a 'moveable feast'. Typically, the school day ends at 3.00pm on a Friday (e.g. following Swim Trials or Home APS games). However, once the APS season commences, traffic conditions will often mean that students travelling to another campus will return sometime between 3.10pm and 3.30pm. With regards to supervision of Middle School students at such times, it is the same routine as any other day: if a student is not being picked up immediately after school, they are to head to the library (which remains open until 5.00pm on Fridays). If you have any questions about the above arrangements, please contact Middle School Administration.

Todd Harm
Head of Middle School

Please note that Semester 1 APS Sport training commences next week on Monday 13 February. For the majority of students, this means 3.30 to 4.45pm on Monday afternoons continuing throughout the term. Students are aware that APS training must take priority over any other co-curricular or extra-curricular commitment. Should your child have an important commitment that clashes with this time, please liaise directly with our Director of Sport Mr Fergus Leslie at fleslie@asas.qld.edu.au rather than contact your child’s coach.

Todd Harm
Head of Middle School

Congratulations to all members of the Middle School for their spirited involvement in Wednesday’s Swim Carnival. The opening march past kicked the whole event off in exactly the right spirit, with some hilarious themes in evidence; Day-liens, Boot Scootin’ Burling and Rapp Blueys being three of the cleverer ones. Several parents and past students involved in the All Saints Swim Club managed the canteen for this event - thank you all so much for your efforts – and every single Middle School staff member was on deck to officiate, motivate and spectate.

Mr Leslie’s section in the next edition of Saints Alive will give you a comprehensive run down of all the results, but of course we should single out Burling House for winning the competition and the House Spirit trophy.

Todd Harm
Head of Middle School

At our assembly this week, we recognised students from the Class of 2022 who achieved an ATAR above 99.00. It was wonderful to see these talented and committed students return for us to celebrate their achievements in front of the current students. The Headmaster presented these students with a special plaque for Academic Excellence. Congratulations to:

• Ava Cowley
• Coeby Frigo
• Elliot Gao,
• Eric Ji
• Maria Kabir
• Adam Li
• Chloe Liu
• Evelyn Mulcahy

A special mention was also made of the achievements of Elliot Gao and Chloe Liu who tied for the highest ATAR for the Class of 2022. 

Bryn Evans
Head of Senior School

After a year’s hiatus, it was so great to once again experience the unbridled enthusiasm of a Senior School Swim Carnival. The Senior School students never cease to amaze me with their sense of spirit and determination. Those in attendance certainly typified the All Saints spirit, with costumes, war cries and teamwork the order of the day. It was definitely in evidence at our Swim Carnival on Thursday, where the thrill of intense competition was perfectly balanced by the great sense of fun and encouragement that invariably accompanies these superbly organised events. 

My congratulations to Hobart House who took out the Senior School carnival ahead of Reeves and Burchill. The Baildon Shield, for the combined Senior and Middle School Champion House was won by Hobart House. My sincere congratulations to every student who gave their best effort on the day, whether making a splash; cheering the swimmers; supporting their House; or ably helping behind the scenes. Finally, a huge thank you to the staff, Heads of House, House Leaders, Mr Michael Mathews and of course our Director of Sport, Mr Leslie, for all the hard work leading up to, and on, the day.

Full results will be available in the next edition of Saints Alive.

Bryn Evans
Head of Senior School

The Senior School Business department is proud to launch The Shark Tank eSchool Program for 2023.

With 14 Senior School teams taking part in Term 1, Shark Tank is a project-based learning program where students work through an entrepreneurial process. This includes identifying existing problems (or anticipated future challenges), generating a solution in the form of a product, service, or user experience, designing and testing a prototype, building a business model and pitching the idea in venture showcase events, with the Showcase Finale taking place in Term 4. The first Shark Tank workshop last week was a great success with students taking part in ImagineIT! in the Senior library, working on the CommBoxes to imagine and visually map the strengths, skills, goals and objectives of their respective teams.

Mr Reuben Kremer
Senior School Teacher

Just a final reminder that the Year 10, 11 and 12 parent information evening presentations are now on the FIDO Parent Communication pages for your viewing. These presentations provide parents and students with invaluable details and guidance regarding the academic and pastoral programs, careers and pathways, and excursions and camps. If you have not done so yet, please put aside an hour one evening soon to watch the presentation with your student. It will provide you with invaluable information to assist in attaining success in Senior School.

Bryn Evans
Head of Senior School

At the parent information evenings, Ms Julie Klein, Ms Stacey Ward and I all spoke about time management and effective study being so important for Senior School success. One of the most helpful things a parent can do is to make the home an excellent place to study. My advice to parents on how to help create a study friendly home (mixed with some thoughts from child psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg) would be:

1. Because studying is thinking, it is important to make your home a place where it is easy for your children to think. There are two key things to remember about thinking: students can concentrate on only one thing at a time, and they can choose what to think about. If a study area is free from noise and other distractions, such as phones and social media, it will be easier for them to choose to think about what they are studying. One of the study tips that I stress with students in our year level meetings is that multitasking is a myth. Study one thing, study it well and then focus on the next subject or topic.
2. There are 168 hours in the week. Take away the time young people need for sleeping, eating and attending school, and there are about 60 hours left. You can support students in their final years by helping them focus on these 60 hours and use them wisely. The importance of a scheduled, routine study time is impossible to overstate. Quite often, the busiest students still do the most study. There is time to be a leader, a sportsperson, a musician, a performer and still more than enough hours in the week to get a great ATAR, if they aren't wasted.
3. Students do not need to be online to study. Log off! There are too many distractions when you have a constant news or social media feed. Students will say they are researching, but often it becomes just hours of distractions. Students should set aside a short time for research and then revise their work. A good old-fashioned pen and notebook will stop you being constantly distracted by screens. The external examinations use a pen and a book. You will not only be improving your examination fitness and technique, but also limiting distractions.
4. Study times should be scheduled for whenever there are the fewest distractions or interruptions. If your student needs help to establish a routine, make a note of their activities during the free hours and have a chat with them about which times could be best used for studying. Decide together on the best time to study, then set that time aside on at least five days a week. It is a good practice to use the afternoon or early evening as study time, as this leaves time later in the evening for relaxing activities.
5. Plan on studying in two lots of 45 minutes with a fifteen-minute break. One 45 minute slab of study is better than several hours full of distractions and interruptions. Use a kitchen timer or an alarm clock to signal breaks and to indicate the end of study time.
6. Whatever plan they make, help them stick to it. Eliminate common distractions such as television or cluttered work areas. It is impossible to watch TV and at the same time give full attention to what is being studied. Show how important schoolwork is by keeping the television off or putting all phones on the kitchen bench during their study time.
7. In many cases, it is the students themselves who set their own standards of achievement, and it’s usually the student who knows how much or how little they need to do in order to succeed. If they were to underachieve, the only person they would be letting down is themselves. My catch cry to the students is one they heard from Glenn Gerreyn on the Year 10 Day of Hope, "if it has to be, it’s up to me". They often know, within themselves, if they are doing enough and also when they are not doing enough. While we hope they find this intrinsic motivation, often they will need boundaries from parents to put the changes in place. Many Year 12 students have said to me at the end of their studies that it just comes down to hard work.

Study skills are not a secret art form. Each year I see dedicated students get a higher ATAR than those with more natural ability, simply because they are prepared to sit at a desk and do the time drafting, revising, redoing questions, sitting practice papers and rewriting notes. I wish every student the best of luck for this year and ask them to always seek help if they are looking for that magical motivation. We would love to help find their passion.

Bryn Evans
Head of Senior School

A highlight on the All Saints calendar is the annual Performing Arts Staff Concert which will be held on Friday 24 February at 7.00pm. 

This is relaxed evening where patrons can experience exceptional music while enjoying drinks and nibbles. The cost is $25 per person. The Friends of Performing Arts will be selling drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and patrons may bring their own platters or nibbles.

Tickets available now at events.humanitix.com/staff-concert.

Doors open at 6.45pm and drinks are available in the foyer from 6.30pm.

Our great music teachers are also wonderfully talented performers, so get in quickly as this event always sells out and tickets are limited. All funds raised go to the Friends of Performing Arts who of course use them to directly benefit the department through the purchase of instruments, equipment or services.

Owen Clarke
Director of Performing Arts

If there ever was a 'perfect' camp, this one certainly qualifies!

Our dedicated Legally Blonde team spent last weekend in the hills of Tyalgum rehearsing for our upcoming production.

The camp kicked off with a teamwork challenge, where groups of students made Elle Woods’ gown out of newspaper. These teams were comprised of students from many different year levels and resulted in the creation of many new friendships. 

Following the icebreaker, it was rehearsal time! We were joined by our choreographer and assistant choreographer (both All Saints alumni) Michelle Hopper-Doyle and Brodie Gardiner. This dynamic duo worked around the clock to create visually striking routines and whip the cast into fine dancing form.

When it came to singing, students were coached by our very own Mrs Tania Vadeikis and Mrs Gaynor Donnelly, whose collective vocal expertise was invaluable. Our orchestra worked hard and sounded impeccable, thanks to the help of Mr Owen Clarke, Mr Scott Mason, Mrs Brie Ramirez, Mrs Noelle McAlister and Mr Nigel Bardsley. All-rounders Mr Todd Harm and Miss Brooke Edwards kept the camp moving by supporting the company. Wardrobe extraordinaire Mrs Julianne Mutton also attended camp and created costumes that bring these iconic characters to life! Stage Manager Ariana Sinner (Year 10) managed the tech operations and rose to the demands of this challenging role.

This camp wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless work of our Director Mrs Chantelle Flint, who we are all so grateful for.

Musical camp wrapped up with a sneak-preview of some numbers including Omigod, Serious, Harvard Variations and What You Want, which were met with thunderous applause. Tyalgum Ridge even provided a beautiful afternoon tea to finalise our rewarding weekend.

Director of Performing Arts Mr Owen Clarke shared the following message, congratulating all involved: 

"Well done to the students and staff who journeyed to Tyalgum Ridge for a weekend of intense dancing, singing and orchestral practice last weekend. It was a very successful camp with two of the big production numbers now completely choreographed and many of the other songs and orchestral accompaniments underway. The students were simply magnificent, and they had to endure intense heat, the likes I have not witnessed at Tyalgum in previous years. Thanks to the parents who came to pick up their children on the on final day – I’m sure the sample of weekend’s work made you very proud of your children!"

Team LB would like to thank the 90 students who attended this camp for your grit, work ethic, and positivity - and of course the families for your support.

Brooke Edwards
Senior School Teacher

It was great to have Holloway come to life with ensemble rehearsals gradually starting these past weeks. Most groups have had their first rehearsals and are starting to get their teeth into interesting, challenging and fun repertoire. It’s never too late to get involved in an ensemble (concert bands, jazz bands, string ensembles or choirs).

Everyone is welcome to join a choir across all year levels, and instrumentalists are welcome to join bands provided they are also taking either internal or external private lessons.

Please contact me at oclarke@asas.qld.edu.au if you would like to get involved in a musical ensemble. Below you can see photos of our All Saints Camerata String Ensemble preparing for special Easter performances.

A Reminder About Commitment
Ensemble playing or singing is a rewarding experience and crucial to the development of young musicians. In order for All Saints to provide a range of quality ensembles for our students, we require instrumentalists and vocalists receiving tuition at school to take part in a core (large group) ensemble relevant to their year level (in most cases) and instrument. They can then participate in an optional ensemble and are encouraged to do so. These include jazz bands and small ensembles such as clarinet, flute, sax, or percussion. Commitment is required for the weekly rehearsal and performances throughout the year. If an absence is to be requested, please do so to the relevant Music Director of the relevant ensemble via email.

Owen Clarke
Director of Performing Arts

The Queensland Conservatorium of Music will offer advanced ensemble training for students from Years 5 to 12 in the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) on two weekends this year. SHEP is a standard or experience-based program, rather than one determined by age or year level. The 2 to 4 June event is for musicians in AMEB (or equivalent) Grades 2 to 4, or vocalists with similar levels of choral experience. The 6 to 9 July event is for musicians in AMEB Grades 4 to 6, or vocalists with intermediate level choral experience. We usually have around 10 students attending each of these each year. The cost is $280.

Click here for more information or make contact with me if your student is interested in attending SHEP. Nominations need must be submitted by Thursday 2 March and all nominations must come through the school.

Note that there will also be the Queensland SHEP (28 September to 1 October) for Grade 4 and above, and the Primary SHEP (5 to 6 November) for Grades 1 to 3. The nominations for these close later in the year.

Australian Honours Ensemble Program at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (AHEP)
The Conservatorium of Music also offers the AHEP from September 27 to 30. It is for advanced musicians; AMEB Grade 6 and above for instrumentalists and Grade 4 and above for vocalists. Nominations for this program must be submitted to myself by Thursday 23 February.

Owen Clarke
Director of Performing Arts

Please save the date for the below upcoming events in Term 1:

• Performing Arts Staff Concert – Friday 24 February at 7.00pm

• Band Twilight Concert – Thursday 9 March at 6.00pm

• String Twilight Concert – Tuesday 14 March at 6.00pm

• Choral Twilight Concerts - Thursday 16 March, Junior School section at 5.30pm and Middle/Senior School section at 6.30pm 

• Year 5 Band Program Concert – Friday 24 March at 2.00pm

Our full events calendar is available on the Performing Arts FIDO page. 

Owen Clarke
Director of Performing Arts

Congratulations to all students for their incredible efforts at the 2023 Junior School Inter-House Swim Carnival. It was a fantastic day filled with excitement, fun and house spirit.

Records

• Aria Coetser 50m Butterfly 12 Years Girls – 35.30
• Aria Coetser 50m Breaststroke, 12 Years Girls – 40.86
• Kirralee Jones 50m Backstroke 12 Years Girls – 37.15
• Kirralee Jones 50m Freestyle 12 Years Girls – 32.32

Thank you to all the parents and friends for supporting the carnival. We are especially gratefully to those that helped with timekeeping. It would not have been such a success without your help. Congratulations also to the parents for winning the Student/Parent/Teacher relay. You certainly showed us why our students are such fantastic swimmers! Thank you to Mr Ken and Mrs Michelle Sabotic for all the extras they do to help make the carnival run smoothly. Finally, thank you to the amazing Junior School staff for their unwavering support, boundless enthusiasm and extreme versatility to do any job presented to them with a smile. Special mention to the Physical Education team, including the school-based trainees and the 2023 All Saints Swimming Captains Emma Steele and Ryley Harland, for their assistance in the lead up to the carnival and on the day.

The APS Swim Carnival Ages 9 to 12 (Years 4 to 7)
The APS Swimming Carnival is on Tuesday 14 February at Somerset College. Congratulations to those students selected in the team and our best wishes to the Team Captains Aria Coetser and Jack Ludbrook, and Vice Captains Kirralee Jones, Eden Mulley and Lachlan Von Bibra.   

Georgia Liussi
Junior School Teacher (Sports Coordinator)

ATHLETICS 
Congratulations to Arya Venkat (Year 6) who won five medals at the South Coast Athletics Championship: Gold in 800m, Silver in 400m, 200m, Long Jump and Shotput.

OZTAG
Congratulations to Taz Traill (Year 6) who competed in U12’s team for Miami Raptors in the Qld State Cup in Oztag which won their age division in a 8-0 Grand Final. 

WATER POLO 
Congratulations to Kirralee Jones (Year 6) who won a silver medal in the under 12 girls Australian Youth Water Polo Championships in Perth.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
All Saints students achieve great things all the time and we’re always keen to acknowledge them in these pages.

Please email your relevant sub-school with details and photos.

• juniorreception@asas.qld.edu.au
• middlereception@asas.qld.edu.au
• seniorreception@asas.qld.edu.au

A couple of years ago a student gave me a little box of cards entitled Pass Around the Smile. Each week I diligently open the box and place the next positive motivational card on my monitor.

With Week 4 on the near horizon, I am delighted to report that there are many smiles absolutely flourishing at All Saints. 

Week 1 brought dazzling smiles (and some oversized shoes, I noticed) through our school gates. What an absolute joy to see our seasoned students welcome the newbies throughout the school.

Week 2 meant settling in and getting to know our way around CommBoxes, new devices and the campus itself. As a heat wave settled upon us, we thanked God for aircon and smiles remained big and bright.

Week 3 was filled with photos (oh the excitement as I passed a group of Pre Preppies this morning!) and the Inter-House Swimming Carnivals.

Some of our students have already ventured on school camps. Rehearsals for the musical are well underway. Sport is up and running. What’s not to smile about?

These are only a few of the highlights which have already happened, and somewhere in the middle of all the fun, academic learning happens. And it does – as manifested in our eight 2022 Alumni who returned to receive their certificates for achieving over 99 in their ATAR results last year. You just have to smile at that!

I often wonder how we manage it all and remain smiling. So much happens at All Saints every day, outside of the classrooms. Living on campus gives me an insight into the busyness of our school that never seems to sleep – even on the weekends where we have sporting events, rehearsals, baptisms and so much more. The Happening! crew are completing their preparation for the experience to take place at school at the end of Week 4. Yes, I am smiling about that!

It sometimes seems relentless, and yet we are smiling. They are genuine smiles. Smiles which are evident of happy students and happy staff. Sure they invert from time to time, but with so many sunny smiles around it is difficult to frown for too long.

The smiles are there because our students and staff are generally happy, learning, growing, exploring, developing into what can be when given the opportunities to try, fail and try again until they get it right.

What is it that keeps us resilient as a school, as a community in this world which has so much sadness unfolding in the daily news? I believe that it has a great deal to do with our school culture.

My Pass Around the Smile card for this week states 'have unwavering faith'. Perhaps that is the truth of it. That we have faith in a Higher Power, in each other, in our own capacity to make the world a better place.

Thank you all for making All Saints the very special place it is, and keep passing around those great, big, beautiful smiles.

Ann McGuinness
School Chaplain

The P&F Rugby Supporters Group proudly presents the Poms Away Fundraiser, an evening raising funds for the Rugby and Basketball UK and Ireland Tour 2023.

'Spice up your life' with an event full of fun with friends and family, including a silent auction and a UK themed dress up. Need some inspiration? Perhaps the likes of Paddington Bear, Bono, William Wallace or Susan Boyle might be the jam to your scone? 

Remember to do it like Bowie and 'put on your red shoes and dance the blues' to an amazing live band who will be playing nothing but the best British bangers from top to tail on the night.

Most of the proceeds from the event will go towards funding the upcoming Rugby and Basketball UK and Ireland Tour, with a portion also saved to support two charities: the Albatross Nippers (a charity very close to All Saints Rugby's heart with our players frequently volunteering at their club) and the UK's Street Kitchen (where the teams will engage in service-learning opportunities while on tour).

DETAILS

• Where: All Saints Health and Physical Education (HPE) Centre
• When: Saturday 11 March from 5.00pm to 11.00pm
• Price: $50 per ticket (food included)
• Dress: UK theme
• Food: Pies and British pub fare. A gluten free/dairy free/vegetarian option will be available.

Please contact Damian Boulton dboulton@asas.qld.edu.au with any enquires.

The P&F Friends of Performing Arts invite you to a wonderful night of friend and fundraising, featuring a private screening of Titanic in 3D.

In celebration of the movie's 25th anniversary, join friends from the All Saints community to watch James Cameron’s re-released multi-Academy Award-winning epic in 4K 3D (rated M). All funds will be used to support the Performing Arts Tour for 2023. There will be lucky door prizes and a raffle on the night, so you won't want to miss out.

When: Sunday 26 February 
Time: 5.00pm to 8.15pm (the movie run time is 194 mins)
When: Event Cinemas, Robina
Price: $20 per ticket

Book now at events.humanitix.com/titanic