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Time flies faster than a weaver’s shuttle.

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It has been an absolute delight to welcome back so many of our girls across the School over the last two weeks. To hear the fantastic screams of delight as the girls see each other at school for the first time in a very long time is pure gold for me and for every member of staff. We have felt keenly the emptiness of our beautiful school without the girls here and we are very much looking forward to seeing the school full of all the girls who are able to be here next week.

The following extract from Ms Ruston’s Shuttle article this week expresses our joy superbly.

Joyful gratitude

‘As humans, we are able to choose how we respond to challenges and opportunities. The current difficulties created by COVID-19 are real and pervasive. Yet, I believe it is our role as caring adults to shine a light on the positive and to be grateful for the innumerable small blessings that surround us.

We need to be hunters of the good stuff and to model this for our children. This week, I have delighted in listening to girls chortling in the playground as they reconnect, ride their scooters so perfectly physically distanced from each other and witness the joy on teachers’ faces as they are able again to teach your daughters face to face. For these things I am grateful.’

I urge you to read the rest of Ms Ruston’s article later in this edition of The Shuttle.

Year 8 girls have also responded to their situation with gratitude, creating beautiful collages of photographs showing what they have been grateful for during their COVID-19 lockdown. Please enjoy this fabulous compilation of collages that Ms Claire Butler (Year 8 Coordinator) shared with the girls during their year group Zoom meeting last week.

We would like to thank all our girls who have demonstrated such joy and gratitude in the face of the most disrupted time in most people’s living memory.

As this week is National Volunteer Week, we would also like to recognise and thank our volunteers. Throughout our 135 year history, service, care and compassion have been central to the very heart of who we are at Abbotsleigh and, despite facing a pandemic, 2020, is no different. We are very grateful to our girls across the School and many members of our Abbotsleigh community for their incredible generosity and the wonderful work they have done for a number of different service activities in which we have been involved this year.

One particular activity I would like to highlight is the outstanding service that is being provided to vulnerable members of our local community by our girls, staff, Old Girls, parents, former staff and partners of staff. Please read the article written by Mrs Marg

The

ShuttleFROM THE HEADMISTRESS

Let’s Celebrate: Our Stories, Our Spirit, Our StrengthThe joy of givingMrs Megan Krimmer Headmistress

IN THIS ISSUE

Headmistress

Chaplain

Community

Junior School

Senior School

News

Events

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Selby, who has coordinated Abbotsleigh’s response to this need, in the Community section later in this edition of The Shuttle.

Mrs Selby has done a magnificent job in coordinating Abbotsleigh’s role in this important work. Thank you, Mrs Selby, and thank you to all the members of our community who are involved in this wonderful service. Everyone in the Ku-ring-gai community is very grateful indeed.

We are also grateful to our Junior School girls who are participating so enthusiastically in Jump Rope for Heart, a cause the Junior School girls have been supporting for many years. Thank you to all girls and parents who are so generously giving of their time and money for this cause.

Another organisation that Abbotsleigh traditionally supports during National Volunteer Week is the Salvation Army through their Red Shield Appeal. Normally hundreds of our girls and parents would be participating in the annual doorknock appeal,

but this cannot happen in 2020. Yet, this year, of all years, the Salvation Army needs our help. They would be very grateful if those who are able to, could donate online so that they can assist the growing number of people in our nation who really need their help. Should you wish to, you can donate to the Salvation Army here.

Please see more details in Ms Ruston’s article.

Giving to others really does bring true joy and nourishes our souls. True gratitude also brings great joy. Thank you to all who give of themselves and thank you to those who feel and express true gratitude.

‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ John 13:34 New International Version (NIV)

ChaplainBehind the scenes – Junior School chapelRev Jenni StoddartChaplain

Each Tuesday morning the Junior School Chaplaincy team and the Audio Visual team are hard at work making sure ‘Bible Masters’ is streamed to our students. This week in the middle of Primary chapel something unusual happened. Mrs Soper and Mrs Kohloff suddenly jumped out of their skins with excitement trying to hold back their screams of delight. Why? The images below tell the story.

The week before many staff had helped carefully search for Mrs Kohlhoff’s wedding ring in Wahroonga Park. Hours later nothing was found. She thought it had fallen off there. In the middle of chapel as Rev Stoddart and Mrs Soper opened the LEGO box, there they were! Joy filled the room. What was lost had been found. Maybe you have felt a little lost lately – it’s been a tough season. God feels the same way about us when we come back to him. Jesus tells this parable:

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Community

Abbotsleigh joins the Civilian ArmyMrs Marg SelbyCareers Advisor and Exchange Coordinator

‘What woman, having 10 silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbours together, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!” Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

Martin Luther King Jnr once opined the view that one of life’s most unrelenting and important queries is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Abbotsleigh was provided with the opportunity to answer this question at the end of Term 1, as the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of our country. Our local member in the NSW parliament, Mr Alister Henskens MP SC, moved decisively to support the vulnerable people of the Ku-ring-gai area, by forming what he termed the ‘Civilian Army’.

In partnership with the Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre, several local schools, including Abbotsleigh, were asked to provide manpower to service the increasing number of calls for assistance. The Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) is normally staffed by a team of loyal volunteers. However, many of them are aged over 70 and therefore are now classified as being ‘vulnerable’ themselves! Hence, there was an urgent need to find additional supporters to aid this valued community-based organisation and so the concept of the Civilian Army was born! The Abbotsleigh community was asked if they could assist and, pleasingly, a substantial number of students, parents, Old Girls, staff, staff partners and former staff all expressed a keenness to help. The School has been united across the Junior and

Senior School campuses and beyond in their support of the volunteer work done by the KNC.

Over the past two months, KNC has been able to effectively harness the willing and enthusiastic spirit of our community in myriad ways. We have had families involved in letterbox drops and in packing and delivering supplies of fruit and vegetables donated by Harris Farm Markets to different local charity organisations. Others have driven clients to appointments. Our volunteers have also done shopping and delivered it, collected pharmaceutical supplies, gathered and returned library books and kept in contact with those feeling isolated by making friendly phone calls.

These activities have not only allowed our families to work together for the common good, but also have brought enormous benefit to our local community. In addition, the volunteer work has created a feeling of goodwill and appreciation between different generations and strengthened societal bonds. Thus, in the true spirit of volunteerism, those giving and those receiving have been fulfilled in equal measure.

Pictured: Lauren Soo (Year 11), Claire Williams (Year 11), Eleanor Smith (Year 8) and Abby Kidston (Year 11)

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Return to SchoolDr Ambereen Qureshi APA President

Next week sees the long-awaited return of many of our girls back to school. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking every member of the Abbotsleigh staff for making AOCL and AOCE such great successes. We appreciate the countless hours you have spent ensuring our girls are taught to the highest standards in a nurturing environment, despite the challenge of COVID-19. You really are the ‘A Team’!

As it is likely to be busy on the roads next week, safety is imperative. Please follow the instructions that you have been sent about school drop-offs and pick-ups. If girls are cycling or scootering to the Junior School, they are welcome to leave their scooters outside the classrooms, and bicycles in the area near the handball courts in the Primary Courtyard.

We’d love to hear from you

Lockdown was challenging, but did it ignite (or re-ignite) an interest in gardening, art and crafts, sport or cooking? Were you watching movies, documentaries or reading? Would you like to share some of these experiences by participating in an online group? The APA is working on ideas to encourage connectivity amongst the school community and we would love to have your input. Please feel free to contact me, or Lisa Morson, APR Coordinator, with your suggestions.

Every idea, big or small, is welcome.

Please keep an eye out for forthcoming events in the Community section of The Shuttle.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Junior School

Joyful gratitudeMs Sally Ruston Head of Junior School

As humans, we are able to choose how we respond to challenges and opportunities. The current difficulties created by COVID-19 are real and pervasive. Yet, I believe it is our role as caring adults to shine a light on the positive and to be grateful for the innumerable small blessings that surround us. We need to be hunters of the good stuff and to model this for our children. This week, I have delighted in listening to girls chortling in the playground as they reconnect, ride their scooters so perfectly physically distanced from each other and witness the joy on teachers’ faces as they are able again to teach your daughter face to face. For these things I am grateful.

Class Teachers have been encouraging the girls to show gratitude. In fact, this very quote (right) is one some Year 5 girls have been responding to with poems that recognise their blessings.

Yet I would also argue that we don’t have to wait for such joyful opportunities to serendipitously appear. We can actually be creators of such experiences. I see this as the girls proactively go about practising their skipping to build their repertoire of tricks and to build fitness. Equally I see you as families being so generous in signing up to Jump Rope for Heart and sponsoring your daughters to skip. Already we

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Return to full time schoolingMs Sally RustonHead of Junior School

With all classes resuming full time schooling next week, we are most excited at all that will be possible as we engage face to face with each other as we connect and learn. I share with you the following information to assist in organisation:

• The regular timetable will recommence. This can be found in your daughter’s diary and will predominantly operate as was happening before AOCL commenced. Please reference the timetable when assisting your daughter in preparing each night for school the following morning. When to bring PE gear or to return the library books, for instance, is well defined on the timetable.

• Temperature checking will continue each morning as girls enter the classroom. Only girls who are completely well should attend school.

• Assembly, chapel and choirs will continue to be delivered live via Zoom to classrooms with selected classes attending in the Hall so that physical distancing can be assured.

• There will be no Cocurricular or AbbSchool in Week 5. Constant reviews are being undertaken to determine when these programs can recommence. Further updates will be shared with parents prior to activities recommencing.

• Instrumental Program for Years 2 and 3: The Instrumental Program will not recommend in Week 5. Girls should not bring their instruments to school. Peripatetic lessons will continue via Zoom at home after hours.

have raised $5,500 for medical research into heart disease. When we go about engaging in physical activity and doing something for the collective good of others, we too feel joyful, grateful and empowered.

One of the ways in which we typically support our community and show our compassion is through the raising of funds for the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal. Although the door knocking is not suitable at present, the work of the Salvation Army is so important, especially now, given the huge challenges many people and families are facing. This week in assembly I shared with

the girls the essential work that the Salvation Army does in seeking out and supporting our most vulnerable with practical help, financial assistance and pastoral support. I seek your assistance in ensuring we are able to continue the work of the Salvation Army through donating online. Visit the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal page for more information or donate now.

This coming week as all girls return to school, we will channel our weekly chapel donation to the Salvation Army. I have encouraged the girls to give some of their pocket money or savings to support the work of this organisation, which, in spite of the challenges of the virus, continues with its work in reaching out to make our immediate community a healthy and sustained one.

Walk or ride to school every dayMs Sally Ruston Head of Junior School

One of the silver linings in self isolation has been the reduction of traffic on our roads. However, this is all coming to a very abrupt end as we head back to school and work using our own vehicles. The continued isolation of the family car makes perfect sense. That is until we are confronted with traffic jams, lengthy delays and challenges finding parking at our destination. This week we have seen extensive delays here in streets around Wahroonga as parents drive girls to and from school. While I have been impressed with the patience and fortitude of all involved, this is a frustrating exercise.

One means of reducing the traffic congestion in our local streets would be achieved if girls treated every day as a ‘walk or ride to school day’. For some, the distance to school precludes walking or riding the entire distance. Yet, I have always delighted in watching the ingenuity of families on the national campaign

days. Whether dropping your daughter on the other side of the railway line or supporting her to ride to school using the footpaths, all efforts, no matter how small, will make a difference to the congestion. Students up to 16 years of age may ride on footpaths, as can supervising adults. The girls will enjoy this newfound freedom and the opportunity to exercise as a part of travelling to and from school.

Girls riding to school on scooters or bikes need to be wearing correctly fitted helmets and be very respectful of all pedestrians. There are racks at school to store scooters and bikes. Both crossings are supervised to ensure safe passage across the surrounding streets. Let’s use these circumstances as a time to create new habits that are enabling and healthy for both us and the environment.

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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

• Palmer Library is open from 8 am and at lunchtime each day to enable girls to return and borrow.

• Before and After School Care is operating as normal each morning and evening.

• Tuckshop will open in Week 6 (Monday 1 June). There will be no Tuckshop available next week.

• Resources. All school devices and resources should be returned on Monday if this hasn’t already occurred. We are strongly urging girls to bring scooters, helmets and named skipping ropes to school. Both scooting and skipping allow the girls to easily physically distance at play times.

• AOCL For very small number of girls who are unable to return to school on Monday, Class Teachers will be in touch to explain the nature of the learning program that can be accessed remotely. Please adopt the usual routine of phoning Reception before 9 am on Monday if your daughter is absent from school – do not email the Class Teacher.

• Uniforms. Girls should come to school dressed wholly in any one of the following uniforms:

– winter uniform

– summer uniform

– full PE uniform with tracksuit

See email distributed on Thursday regarding means of purchasing the winter uniform

• Drop-off and pick-up. This week has demonstrated that many families are choosing to avoid public transport. Please see the earlier Shuttle article titled, ‘Walk and ride to school every day’ for suggestions as to how to prevent queuing and lengthy arrival and departure experiences. Abbotsleigh buses are in full operation.

Visitors to campus. We are doing all possible to keep the campus environment controlled, safe and healthy for the girls and staff. We ask that parents do not come onto campus. Please direct queries to Reception.

Senior SchoolFollow your passionsMrs Marg Selby Careers Advisor and Exchange Coordinator

Perhaps one of the most annoying pieces of advice that can be given to a student who is struggling to decide on a future pathway is to ‘follow your passion’. What if you can’t identify any passions? How can you follow this advice?

Many people are not good at self-reflection and find it hard to work out what values and interests motivate them the most. For this reason, it is often family and friends who are best placed to shed light on this area if the student is struggling to find direction. To decide what it is that brings you pleasure, it is necessary to think over all your past activities and then to identify what it is about them that you have enjoyed. Does it relate to independence, creativity, lifestyle, physical activity, security, helping others and so on? As you explore these ideas,

you will come to realise that people are often like icebergs, and there is a lot more going on below the surface than is readily apparent to the casual observer.

So, anyone who is finding it hard to work out what motivates them should ask those close to them for their opinions and then consider them carefully. Make this a time to learn and grow and thus be able to seek tertiary pathways that will reinforce your growth and help you to seek and discover the ‘real you’.

For details of career related events and information please visit the Careers page on AbbNet.