Middle/Senior School Bulletin Issue 10 / 4 August 2017
Middle & Senior School News Thank you to all Years 9 and 10 families who attended the Senior School Expo and GOOGA Information Night. A reminder that your electronic subject preference forms are due to be completed by Friday 11 August. If you have any feedback on the event or questions please contact Mrs Wrigley (Director of Learning and Teaching) christina@salc. qld.edu.au or Mr Jeffrey Cross jeffreyc@salc.qld.edu.au (Secondary School Administrator). A reminder to all current Middle School and Years 5 and 6 families that the Middle School Expo will be held on Monday 14 August from 5.00pm-7.00pm. Classes for students in Years 7-9 will finish at 12.40pm on that day so that students and staff can set up for the evening showcase of life in the Middle School. Students are free to go home for the afternoon or to remain at the College and will be supervised and assisting with the set up. Please ensure you have returned your permission form to leave early to Middle School Administration. This week we hosted students from Higashino High School. There is no understating the importance of these cultural exchanges. Thank you to all of the school ‘buddies’, host families and to Ms Forrest for creating these opportunities to broaden our thinking and to make connections beyond our shores a reality. It is simply so much more than a language exchange program.
Five Futsal teams competed in the South Queensland Champion of Champions competition last week and I would like to congratulate all of the students who played, on their sportsmanship and athleticism. The 13 boys team qualified for the Australasian Titles. I’d like to thank Mr Mark Hibbs, Mr Paul McGilveray, Mr Graeme Schache, Christophe Tanguy and Mrs Libby Wood for their work with these teams. Our growing Futsal program continues to provide great opportunities for students to extend their skills as players, and to develop teamwork and grit.
Congratulations to the students who attended the Dance Tour and competed in the Sydney Eisteddfod. They placed 2nd in a category of 43 routines/schools as well as placing 3rd with a new routine. As a new initiative, this is yet another opportunity for our gifted performers to shine. Thanks to Miss Guild and Ms Scott who accompanied the troupe.
This week a group of Year 11 students experienced firsthand the plight of homeless people and raised awareness of “Rosies” by sleeping outside the Worship Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. They each donated $30 to charity and survived on $10 worth of food to last them Tuesday through Thursday. These young people, along with peers in Year 12, have continued to help “Rosies” outreach by giving up a Friday night to talk to and connect with some of the Gold Coast’s homeless and disadvantaged in Southport and Surfers Paradise. A group of our young people also visited Currumbin Special School as part of our Service in Action initiatives. On Mufti day we raised over $1300 to go towards ALWS. Service Learning at St Andrews Lutheran College continues to flourish. Thank you to all of the family and friends who joined us for our Senior School and Middle School Academic Assemblies in the past two weeks. It is always a pleasure to have you join us as we recognise student achievements and endeavours on these occasions.
Year 11 Leadership Camp Year 11 students will attend a leadership camp at Emu Gully next Monday - Wednesday. The camp aims to build leadership and teamwork skills across the cohort. Following that experience, the process of nominating for elected leadership positions in 2018 will commence. The camp experience is both physically intense, mentally challenging and an incredible bonding experience for the whole cohort. Enjoy your time at camp! Year 7 Camp Year 7 students will attend their camp at Lake Ainsworth on Monday 21 August until Wednesday 23 August. This is a new outdoor education experience of our Year 7 cohort and is a really important part of their growth and development. Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School
Chaplains Chat In my wrestling and in my doubts In my failures You won’t walk out…. In the silence, You won’t let go In the questions, Your truth will hold….. I won’t fear what tomorrow brings With each morning I’ll rise and sing My God’s love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea These are part of the lyric of the song “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective. It is a wonderful proclamation and celebration of the faithfulness of God in our lives. Students within our College of all ages sing this song with gusto. It is always a great joy to be present when it is being sung. It brings a lightness to your spirit and a sense of contentment and goodwill. God and His light and love is a beacon shining brightly in the St Andrews community. This does not mean life is always bright and perfect. There are hiccups and heartache amongst us here, just as there is in all walks of life but the good news is that there is always an inexhaustible supply of love and goodness present amongst us because God promises this to us as we place our faith and trust in Him.
Subject Selection for 2018 Subject information booklets for 2018 are handed out at the annual Middle School Expo. For the past few years the College has used an online preference system for allocating these electives. All students enrolled in the Middle School for 2018 will shortly gain access to this system and be able to register preferences. Any student who was not able to collect a subject information booklet from the Expo will be able to collect it from Middle School Administration following the event. It is important to remember that while every effort is completed to ensure that students gain their top preferences in elective subjects this is not possible if some subjects are oversubscribed with enthusiastic students. Debating Two Middle School teams have progressed through to the quarter-finals in the annual Gold Coast Debating Association’s Competition. This is a significant achievement from our Year 7 and Year 9 team to reach this level of the competition as it features scores of teams from all over the Gold Coast region. Enormous thanks must go to all staff who have assisted with the teams but in particular, Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Stockwell and Mrs Mackay for their guidance of these two teams. As always, please contact me if I can offer any assistance tomc@salc.qld.edu.au Tom Casey Head of Middle School
Psalm 136:1 says - Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.(version NLT)
Flourishing in the Senior School
This fact underpins all we endeavour to live out in our community. It is a reassurance that breathes life into situations of pain and despair. It is an ever present inspiration leading us to live life with courage and vitality. May God continue to be present here in our community, working His ways amongst us as His Spirit moves us to love and live in His will.
Positive Education It is hard to believe we are mid-way through the term and life at St Andrews is certainly exciting, some might say hectic. However, while the focus is always on the academic imperative it is also heartening to see our students in the Senior School take on the challenges and joy of contributing to community. For example, we have had:
Graeme Schache College Chaplain
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Middle School News Middle School Expo. The annual Middle School Expo will be held on Monday 14 August. Classes for Middle School students will cease at lunchtime on the day to allow students and staff to set up for the evening. An information letter has been sent home with more details about the event and a permission slip for students to leave at 12:40pm on the day. This is a wonderful evening for parents and students to wander around and experience elements of middle schooling.
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Year 11’s cook sausages and greet parents at the Senior School Expo, Year 12’s visit the Junior School during LAG time to read and sing together, Bake sales to raise money for more Super Max the Turtle Nightlights, Year 12’s presented at Griffith University, Buddies to host Japanese students visiting from our sister school, Our gifted performers compete in eisteddfods in both Queensland and Sydney.
Actually, I am exhausted just thinking about it all. In amongst these oppurtunities, we also continue to focus intently on academic goals, pursuing personal bests and persevering through challenges. To assist this process we have the after school whole cohort study sessions for Year 12’s on Wednesday of Week 7 and Year 11’s on Wednesday of Week 8. Teachers from all subject areas will attend.
See pictured below Year 12’s from Mrs Myles LAG class who visited Year 1 to read and sing – pictured are Abbie Hawkins, Millie Nyssen & Mikayla Van Kampen, Arjuna Conforti & Olivia English. Thanks Year 1 for having our Year 12’s down in your world.
Congratulations to: • Joshua Palfreyman on his selection and attendance at the Sydney Futsal Institute – Youth Tournament and NZ National Championships and World Futsal Championships in Orlando Florida. • Lilli MacDonald for taking the initiative to organise a workshop for our girls in Years 5, 6 & 7. The focus is on being a good friend, taking care of each other and getting along. She has conscripted a range of Year 11 girls to assist – I look forward to watching them engage with our young girls in the Junior and Middle Schools. If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me on tanias@salc.qld.edu.au Tania Stewart Head of Senior School
Performing Arts News Success at the Sydney Dance Eisteddfods Over the weekend students from the Combined Intensity Dance Troupe attended our first ever Sydney Dance Tour. Throughout the weekend, students were involved in numerous activities enhancing their knowledge of dance and further developing their skills and technique. Students were involved in workshops with Village on Broadway, watched a professional dance production at the Sydney Opera House and competed at the Sydney Dance Eisteddfod. The standard of competition was extremely high in Sydney. Our dancers competed their ‘Mad World’ routine in a section of 43 competitors and were awarded 2nd place. They also received 3rd for their new contemporary routine ‘To This Day’ about the effects of bullying. We are so incredibly proud of our dancers and this wonderful achievement.
“The Sydney Dance Trip was definitely a highlight of my year. What an amazing experience for all of us that competed! This trip helped us all bond closer together as a team through our tremendous wins and team activities.” - Tayla Lawless, Year 8 Dance Student
“The Sydney Dance Tour was a wonderful opportunity and experience for the dance troupe. New friendships were made across the different year levels making our team become closer and stronger as a whole.” - Emily Holloway, Year 11 Dance Student
ers, particularly the string sections who we don’t normally hear. Students gained much more than an opportunity to perform. They undertook a musical adventure which will encourage them to excel into the future. It reminded me of a quote by one of my own conservatorium lectures, Mr Harry Gillfeder, who suggested that “recordings were musically dead. It must be seen and heard live with an opportunity to experience the energy and soul of the sound.” So as you read this, take a leaf out of our successful musicians score and plan an outing with your students to explore some new and exciting musical landscape. They will be enthused and thank you for it. Congratulations to all band members and keep up the good work.
“The dance trip was such a great experience not only for me but for the schools reputation. It was so much to fun to compete in a different city and to have the opportunity to dance along side all my friends.” - Tenika Fielder, Year 8 Dance Student Animi Dance Middle and Senior Animi Dance students competed admirably at the Starbound Eisteddfod on Friday 21 July. Well done to all involved, it was a wonderful morning of dance and comradery. Year 7: Very Highly Commended Year 8-10: Highly Commended Year 12: Highly Commended
“Sydney was such an amazing experience. It made our team stronger and brought us all closer together. I can’t wait to do it again next year!” - Finn Nyssen, Year 11 Dance Student Beenleigh Eisteddfod It’s great to celebrate a win. As many know our bands had a very positive experience at the Beenleigh Eisteddfod with the Concert band bringing home 1st place and Jazz Band and Percussion Ensemble a 2nd. Although the gratification of placing is rewarding, the biggest joy for me is the enthusiasm shown at our next rehearsal. There was a real sense of achievement leading to an exciting and productive session. The hard work and consistent development in teamwork finally makes sense. All the music just feels and sounds better. Some of this comes from the confidence that wells up after a successful performance. But much of it also comes from the opportunity of seeing other performers on the same journey with a realisation that you are part of a much bigger community. It was great to hear animated conversations relating to other performers of both our own sections and oth-
Peter Pan Auditions Week 9 Our next whole of College musical is Peter Pan Jr. It will be on at The Arts Centre in Term 2 2018. Students from Years 3 – 11 are welcome to audition. See the flyer for details.
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Jayden Racette and Zach Nussey with their ‘Thirsty Flamingo’ Peter Thomas with his ‘Information World Map’ Dane Hunter and Jared Scott with their ‘Temperature and Humidity Sensor’ Mariel U’Ren and Kenzie Hoskins with their ’Robotic Wireless Prosthetic Hand’ Soham Kale and Xavier Cairns-Betts with their ’Advanced Driven Robot Assisted Vehicle’ Timini Turner and Kenzie Hoskins with their ‘Snakes and Ladders game’ Bailey Potter and Mackenzie Glover with their ‘Interactive Animal Sounds Project’
Priscilla Scott Head of Arts
IT News In I.T. electives we continually look for innovative ways that engage students in experiences that help them become inspired to be lifelong learners. We strive on making students’ learning process more enjoyable and impactful, less contrived and more integrative. The focus is on Project-Based Learning (PBL), a teaching and learning methodology that engages students’ hearts and minds, and its real-world relevance. Students are encouraged to connect with their community and recognise “real world” needs. This said, I am very proud to announce that the following students have been invited to present their Projects at the Young ICT Explorers Competition to be held on Saturday the 26th of August 2017 at The University of Queensland, UQ Centre at their St Lucia Campus, Brisbane. Students used skills, such as planning, critical thinking, reasoning, creativity, and decision-making to produce projects that solve existing problems. • Noah Broeckx and Aston Ralph with their ‘Water Level Sensor’,
Liz Polentas
Thursday our teams will once again engage in some friendly matches against Miami State High School and Hillcrest Christian College.
Sport News Futsal In Week 2 of this Term, five of our futsal teams played in the South East Queensland Champion of Champions tournament. It was a wonderful effort to players and their coaches to make it through to this high-level competition. A huge congratulation must go to the 13 boy’s team who qualified for the Australasian Titles to be held in late November. These boys included: • Flynn Charters • Kris Hayward • Tom Renneberg • Jayden Racette • Andreas Koster • Jordyn Hinds • Jermey Host • Dylan Franklin-Platt Netball Over the past two weeks our Years 7-9 and Years 10-12 Netball teams have competed in the Vicki Wilson Shield and Cup held at Coomera Indoor Sport Centre. Our girls played very well and whilst we did not manage to get through to the finals week, they played with skill and determination. Our Years 10-12 team will take a break until Term 4 with the Middle School program continuing to run on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Mondays is a selective squad of girls who train with Nicole Cusack, however all Middle School girls are welcome to join the development squad on Wednesday mornings.
Touch Last week in Touch Excellence both our boys, girls and open mixed teams had an opportunity to play either Miami State High or Palm Beach Currumbin High School in some friendly matches. This experience is a wonderful opportunity, for our teams to apply the skills and strategies they are learning in their training sessions. Students who want to remain in the Touch Excellence Program need to be reminded that attendance at their morning training session is a requirement. Next
Libby Wood Secondary Sports Co-Ordinator
Visual Art News This term has started with a frenzy of site specific artwork and environmental art. The Year 11s are working toward the development of their body of work at Fingal which looks at place, space and how artists have used the scape to frame their artmaking. Their creations have involved using materials from the site between J and H block to create hanging sculptures, yarn bombing the fences, both temporary and permanent and using chalk in a myriad of ways and inspired by a variety of artists. Year 11 have also ventured to Tweed River Art Gallery to experience David Hockney prints. A massive exhibition of an internationally recognised artist, students explored his images inspired by other pieces of workPicasso’s Blue Guitarist, Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Students also considered the work of Margaret Olley and the many portraits and self-portraits people have completed with her as subject. They were particularly impressed with how much Olley’s house and studio influenced her work, how she used her immediate and intimate surroundings to make art from. The Year 7s are working on both etching and mystical pastel drawing and are looking forward to exhibiting their work at the Middle School Expo. Digitalis elective have started the term in the new Mac Lab and are Photoshopping random objects onto other random objects to create new images both real and imagined.
Year 10 have started the term with their Suite 16 - an opportunity to make art every day for 16 days using a wide
range of techniques and media. Monoprinting has been a particular favourite so far. Year 12 are staring down the end of this term and their final body of work and Art essay coming to an end. They are madly experimenting with imagery and media, planning and re-planning their compositions and considering their display options and choices. Their work will be on display in the Hub as part of their graduating exhibition from the 1st November. They are encouraged to continue to work a little every day and maintain momentum in the final weeks of their body of work.
LOTE News Higashino High School Sister School visit: Part #1 On Saturday 29 July, 14 students and 3 teachers arrived from Saitama in Japan. They will spend 6 nights with their hostfamilies. Here are some pictures of their adventures last weekend. Thank you to the families who hosted students, to the others who offered, and to the school community who always makes them feel so welcome. Stay tuned for more photos after their 4 days at school this week. Kerry Forrest Japanese
Year 6 have been exploring the history of pattern as part of their exploration of past, present and future and in preparation for their PYP Exhibition. Look out around the College for more of the student’s artwork on display.
Ngaire Harman Visual Arts
Student Development Practising the language of forgiveness and healing Through this term students will have opportunities to engage with learning around forgiveness, as part of the development of the character strength. Chapels present some of how faith informs a stance in which we value relationships with God and others, that forgiveness and healing will be essential parts of us knowing ourselves as loved children of God. Teachers will seek opportunities to integrate this into curriculum examples for students. In LAGs students can practise and discuss experiences of forgiveness and restoring relationships; Year 9 HPE may integrate this into a conflict resolution sessions in preparation for Googa; History students will experience a Social & Emotional experience during their study on Peace and Conflict studies; Year 8s might build on ‘Getting Along’ and ‘Camp Kindness’ from last term; and Year 12BCT might work this in as extension activity in Human Resource Management this term. Please consider opportunities for your child to practise turning the Value of Forgiveness into Action. As we seek to build the learning culture here at St Andrews and share these values in our wider community you might use this link as a simple place to start http://www.apologyletter.org/ This link takes you and/or your children directly to the page where you can begin the 6 simple steps that guide your through apologising, forgiving or recovering. You can elect for the script you construct to be emailed to you, or to the person you are thinking of. It is worth reading how your letter gets constructed and it will help the writer/reader process what has happened. If you’re interested in reading more to discuss with your adolescent children http://www.benfurman.com/ en/2014/02/08/the-power-of-apology/ A fundamental precept in wellbeing and strengths based parenting/teaching, is to give people opportunity to take Action in the direction of Values they value; especially as they relate to “caring for self”, “connecting with others” and “challenging myself.” James Nelson Director of Student Development
Blazer fittings for Year 9 students Next year your child will require a College Blazer to be worn for school photos at the beginning of Term 1, and then daily as part of the formal winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Blazers (new and 2nd hand) must be ordered from the Uniform Shop BY THE END OF THIS TERM. This is to ensure that the order can be placed on 30th September and the blazers will arrive in time for official school photos. NB: Orders for blazers placed after this date may incur a late fee as charged by the supplier. The Uniform Shop has sample blazers to try on and there are some new and second hand blazers available for immediate purchase. More 2nd hand blazers are expected at the end of the year and requests for these will be taken on First-In basis. We encourage parents to accompany their child when ordering these blazers to ensure the correct fitting. Blazer sizes can be changed in January if necessary. Please ask staff for details. New Blazers Girls $190-$195 Boys $195-$200 Second Hand Blazers $100-$130 depending on quality A $50 deposit will be required when placing your order and you are welcome to use our Lay-by facility to make payments
Dates to Remember AUGUST Sunday 6 Years 5-9 All Hallows Touch (Selected Students) Monday 7 Year 11 Leadership Camp at Emu Gully Years 4-12 HDSS Athletics Carnival Day 1 (Selected Students) Tuesday 8 Years 7-12 SQBD Touch Tournament (Selected Students) Year 11 Leadership Camp at Emu Gully Years 4-12 HDSS Athletics Carnival Day 2 (Selected Students) Year 12 QCS Writing Task Practice Wednesday 9 Year 11 Leadership Camp at Emu Gully Year 10 Geography Excursion (Selected Students) Year 12 Drama Excursion (Selected Students) Thursday 10 Years 7-12 Dance Eisteddfod (Selected Students) Years 11-12 Drama Festival (Selected Students) Friday 11 AGCC Chess Comps (Selected Students) Year 11 Crossroads Excursion (Selected Students) Sunday 13 SCNA Netball Carnival Monday 14 National Science Week Year 11 Hospitality Class Excursion MS Expo Tuesday 15 ICAS Comp Maths (Selected Students) National Science Week Years 7-9 Science Trivia Challenge Years 10-12 Science Trivia Challenge Wednesday 16 National Science Week Interschool Chess Tournament (Selected Students) Thursday 17 National Science Week GC Eisteddfod – MS/SS Choir (Selected Students) Friday 18 National Science Week Years 9-12 Mens & Womens Assembly QCS Workshop
LLL School Banking Do your kids know the value of money?
In today’s world of electronic payments and internet banking, it is difficult to teach children the value of money. When you’re at the shops, how often do you pay with actual cash? Australians only use cash for 37% of purchases, mainly for goods costing under $10. Our kids have learned that money lives in a plastic card, and lack clear understanding of how money works. The LLL recommends teaching kids the “three ‘S’s”: Saving: Have a savings goal. Instead of purchasing a birthday or Christmas present for them, let this be the motivation for saving. Spending: For everyday items: when you’re buying a coffee and your child wants a biscuit, they can use their ‘spending’ money. They’ll learn that once money is spent, it’s gone, and it’s a great way to talk about comparing the value of items. Sharing: Help your child to develop an attitude of giving at a young age. Let them choose a cause they are passionate about. One way to do this is with three clear jam jars with the labels ‘saving, ‘spending’, and ‘sharing’. Your child can tangibly see the growth as the money accumulates.
The LLL provides savings accounts for children. The accounts have a good interest rate with no bonus hurdles to jump over AND we also pay a $5 gift for the first savings account opened for the child. Talk to the school office about opening an LLL Children’s Saving Account and participating in LLL school banking today, or visit www.lll.org.au for more information. Note: School Banking Day is Tuesday. Books can be left at Junior School Admin, Middle School Admin, Senior School Admin or Main Reception.
2017 Parent Webinar Program
Through the ISDCN Parent Webinar Program, parents can access a wealth of information to help them understand and respond to the complex range of issues associated with raising children, as well as experts ready to help arm them with well-researched strategies and considered advice.
Parents face a myriad of challenges in raising happy and healthy children. Some of these issues have not changed over time, such as dealing with moody adolescents during puberty or helping kids be the best they can be. Others, like keeping children safe online, are new.
www.isdcn.edu.au
The ISDCN is a joint initiative of Independent Schools Queensland and the Association of Independent Schools (NSW) for all Australian independent schools.
The ISDCN operates for all independent schools. The parent webinar program is part of a larger program of services including a National Virtual Debating Competition, professional leaning webinars for staff and virtual excursions for students.
ABOUT ISDCN
Parents can also access recordings of previous webinars.
Webinars are free and no registration is required. Parents simply click on a provided link at the advertised time. Participants will see the computer screen and video of the presenter, hear their audio and can interact by asking formal questions with the Q&A tool or have informal discussion on a chat channel. These interactions can be the most valuable part of the session.
Live sessions are scheduled to start at 7:45pm AESDT for the convenience of busy households.
HOW ISDCN PARENT WEBINARS WORK
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ISDCN also welcomes input into the program. Please contact us with your ideas and feedback.
School, parent organisations and associations of independent schools are encouraged to promote ISDCN’s upcoming and previous webinars within their parent communities. These webinars would make great content for social media channels, or in school newsletters to help boost parent engagement.
Brett Lee (INESS)
SOCIAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES ONLINE
Dr. Helen Street
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY
Dr. Toni Noble
DEVELOPING RESILIENCE IN YOUR CHILD – HELPING YOUR CHILD TO BOUNCE BACK!
Sarah McMahon
BUILDING BODY CONFIDENT KIDS
Paul Dillon (DARTA)
TEENAGERS, ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS 2016 – HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO PARENTS REALLY HAVE?
Dr. Justin Coulsen
HELPING YOUR CHILD THRIVE – AT SCHOOL AND IN LIFE
Prof. Donna Cross
PREVENTING BULLYING TO ENHANCE CHILDREN’S AND ADOLESCENTS’ BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Safer Schoolies Initiative, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
SAFER SCHOOLIES – PARENT INFORMATION SESSION
Brett Lee (INESS)
INTERNET SAFETY FOR PARENTS – YOUR CHILDREN AND THE WEB
previous webinars
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2017 Parent Webinar Program
The Independent Schools Digital Collaboration Network (ISDCN) is an initiative of Independent Schools Queensland and the Association of Independent Schools (NSW) for all Australian independent schools.
T 07 3228 1550 M 0410 426 654 iquartermaine@isq.qld.edu.au
Ian Quartermaine Project Manager (ISDCN) Independent Schools Digital Collaboration Network
Contact
This webinar is proudly funded by the Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network.
How technology can help student’s mental health: A case study. This presentation demonstrates how people working with young people in health education and welfare can use new and emerging technologies to help students with depression and anxiety. Using real life examples, participants will be taken through a step by step approach how to use technology in the pre-assessment phase, for smartphones, psycho-education for the young person and their family, treatment, homework and ongoing support.
Access the live webinar here.
Thursday 10 August 7:45pm AESDT
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY DR. MICHAEL CARR-GREGG