Generations

A legacy of tradition

More often than not, the path we have planned for ourselves, as we leave the school gates, ends up taking us down roads we never expected. Life is rarely linear, our plans change, life throws curve balls and we may end up in places we never imagined.

For some though, the familiarity of coming back to Canberra Girls Grammar School, the road back home, brings comfort, vivid memories and a sense of belonging. In this issue of the Grammar Report, we speak to three families whose CGGS family tradition extends deep into the family tree, generation after generation. We learn about what has kept them connected to the School, the hopes and dreams they have for their children and reminisce about the traditions they hold dear.

Sue Hart and family

L-R: Madeleine Harley, Sue Hart, Stephanie Foulkes. Front L-R: Catherine Harley, Juliet, Eleanor Harley

Some would argue that it takes many years for a student to create a bond with their school. Not so for Sue Hart (Grant, 1972), who joined CGGS for her final two years of schooling. So strong was her connection that she would eventually serve as the President of the Grammarians’ Association, Deputy President of the Parents and Friends Association, be appointed to the School Board in 2000 and 10 years later, become Chair of the Board.

All on top of raising a family while enjoying a career spanning federal politics, hospitality and public service. Sue now operates her own secretariat and governance services business and credits CGSS with giving her “the best education and life skills” on which she has built her life.

Reflecting on her time as a student, Sue says the “welcoming, inclusive, encouraging community” was different to what she had experienced at her former school. “In my case, for instance, it was possible for me to be elected School Vice-Captain in the final term of my first year at the School,” Sue said.

“The School saw some potential and encouraged me to strive to be the best I could be.”

A girls-only education and the desire to create a family tradition saw Sue enrol her own daughters, Madeleine Harley (Bacon, 2000) and Stephanie Foulkes (Bacon, 2005), at the School. Following in their footsteps are her three granddaughters, Eleanor (Year 4), Catherine and Juliet (both in Prep).

Madeleine returned to the Senior School in 2019 as a parent, but also as the Head of the English Faculty, saying this career choice was driven by “the great teaching and teachers” at CGGS. “It is because of this that I do what I do now.”

As Lieutenant Commander in the Australian Navy, Stephanie is actively demonstrating to her daughters, and generations to come, that the opportunities at CGGS allow courageous and brave-hearted young women to achieve anything.

“It is great to see, amidst the physical transformation of the School, that what hasn’t changed is the commitment to education and opportunities for students,” Stephanie said.

Sue agrees and recognises that it is everyone’s responsibility to encourage young women to uphold the School’s motto: To the young, anything is possible.

Show them a world beyond themselves and their own experiences; encourage them to step outside and be open to new things and to challenge perceptions.

— Sue Hart

When Sue considers what it is about the School that has created the sense of belonging for her, her daughters and granddaughters, she believes it’s the strong sense of continuity and tradition.

“The fact that all members of a family across the generations belong to the same House is important. Eleanor, Catherine and Juliet felt a sense of belonging before they even joined Girls Grammar, knowing they were following in a family tradition of proud Kilburn girls.”

From her position of leadership within the School, Sue’s hopes for the next generation are that they will carry a sense of optimism and pride in both themselves and their cohort, leaving the world a better place than they found it.

“A preparedness to take on challenges no matter how daunting they might be, an ability to build strong and lasting relationships across all aspects of their life, and a sense of kindness to their fellow human beings,” she said.

Editor's note: Since this story was written, another future-Grammarian has joined Sue Hart's family. On 9 November 2020, Stephanie gave birth to another daughter, Penelope Eliza Foulkes.

Sophia Notaras and family

L-R: Sophia Notaras, Eleni Notaras,Jaime Katsanevas and Sophie Katsanevas

Three generations of Notaras women have walked up the steps of Canberra Girls Grammar School in the last six decades, each embodying its values of inclusion, courage and integrity. As the matriarch of the family, Sophia (Cassidy, 1961) has stayed connected to the School, in one way or another, almost since the day she graduated.

Her daughters, Eleni (1987), Lia (1989) and Parissa (1992) each attended the Senior School and more recently, granddaughters Sophie Katsanevas (2015) and Jaime Katsanevas (2017) have followed in the footsteps of their beloved ‘Yiayia’.

“I joined the Grammarians soon after I left school and a couple of years later, I came back for Founders’ Day,” Sophia said.

“I’ll never forget…some of the older past students, people like Margaret Cornwell, Dawn and Del Waterhouse and Wendy Prance, they stayed over in the Boarding House – and what a mad-cap weekend that was! “They were so funny and I felt a real connection to the School and these women.”

When her eldest daughter, Eleni, was due to start at the School, Sophia became more involved, joining the Grammarians’ Association Committee and volunteering at the uniform pool, amongst other things.

“I also represented the ‘old girls’ on the Parents and Friends Association and on the Gabriel Foundation, and I became a board member as well. I’ve been very involved – I just seem to keep on keeping on.”

As students at CGGS, Sophia and her sister, Maxine Barrie (Cassidy, 1973) started what would ultimately become a legacy for generations to come, with members of the extended family still attending today. The family is almost a microcosm of the broader School community, brimming with women of grit, intellect and determination.

Sophia’s eldest granddaughter, Sophie, recognises the important role the School played in empowering her to become self-sufficient and reflective. “I was very well prepared for university and my current job. Girls Grammar really equipped me to be independent and very capable at handling university life,” she said.

“At school I was given a lot of guidance but I was also left to figure things out for myself. School made me accountable, but for my own benefit.”

Being at an all-girls school gave her, and her sister, the opportunity to concentrate on their studies.

“I can’t imagine not going to an all-girls school,” Jaime said.

“There’s no male competition, so girls are able to focus on life at the school without the distraction.”

Their mother agrees. “Girls can be overshadowed in a co-ed environment (in the senior years). It takes a strong girl to stand up for herself when boys are watching – so eliminating that, the girls feel more confident to speak for themselves.”

Sophia Notaras

It’s one of the reasons Sophia and her husband, Jim, were keen to support Eleni as she sent Sophie and Jaime to CGGS.

L-R: Jaime Katsanevas, Sophia Notaras, Eleni Notaras and Sophie Katsanevas

“We all believed in the level of education and opportunities available, so Mum and Dad made that available to their grandchildren,” Eleni said.

“The experience and the education we knew they would get was something that was important to the family as a whole.”

Sophia’s youngest daughter, Parissa, says there is a great sense of pride and shared history that comes with having attended CGGS.

“It’s a highly regarded school in Canberra, but even living in Sydney, I bump into past students, and there is a mutual respect and connection, especially when you move away from Canberra.”

Parissa Notaras

Looking at her granddaughters, Sophia has one wish for them.

“To succeed in whatever they do. But they’ve got to try hard to succeed, that’s been instilled in them. Live a good life, the way they want – be happy.”

Sophia is a strong role model to her family and many others within the community, known for her loyalty and integrity. Eleni is perhaps one of her biggest fans.

“Mum’s led by example by not just being part of a community, but fronting up and taking a committee role, taking a treasurer’s role, a Chairman’s role. Without those volunteers, none of the organisations would exist. “She has been a fabulous volunteer throughout her life…and it has really shown us that you have to give back to the community. Both Mum and Dad have always given back through their generosity of time as volunteers. That’s their legacy.”

Mum’s led by example by not just being part of a community, but fronting up and taking a committee role, taking a treasurer’s role, a Chairman’s role. Without those volunteers, none of the organisations would exist.

— Eleni Notaras

Kenyon and Hodgman families

L-R: Elizabeth Hodgman, Louise Hodgman and Helen Kenyon

Arthur Kenyon was a key figure in the creation of the Gabriel Foundation, an organisation established to strengthen our School community by advancing educational opportunities for students, and to further the tradition of philanthropy. Since his death in 2015, Arthur’s legacy of generosity towards CGGS has been carried on by his wife, Helen Kenyon and their children, forming an impressive network covering decades of involvement with the School.

Louise Hodgman (Kenyon, 1975) Arthur and Helen’s only daughter, commenced as a Prep student at CGGS when classes took place in wooden huts by the oval. The modest facilities didn’t restrict the teaching and learning experience, nor the ambition of the students. By the time she graduated, the feminist movement was gaining momentum and opportunities for young women like herself were opening up across Australia.

“Many of the women I was at school with have gone on to have strong careers both domestically and internationally,” Louise said. “One of the things I have always thought about our education, was that we could do whatever we wanted if we chose to, or put our minds to it. I think this in itself was a great start in life.”

As a Grammarian, Louise believes the friendships generated through the School have a “place in the fabric of my life and fabric of the lives of my family members.” It is for that reason she was compelled to serve on the School Board, the Parents and Friends Association and also held the position of President of the Grammarians’ Association.

Having daughters attend the School - Meredith Hodgman (1999) and Elizabeth Hodgman (2016) – also helped enrich her connection with CGGS, one that Meredith identified early on.

“When my dad and Louise chose the Girls Grammar Chapel as the venue for their wedding, I knew then how important the School had been and was going to be for us for generations to come. The School, and the people bound to it, became my family,” Meredith said.

Meredith Hodgman

Elizabeth agrees, and urges current students to understand the significance of being part of such an important ’family’.

“You don’t really get to be a part of a big group for as long, or in the same kind of way, after school ends, so make the most of it! Take all the opportunities to do things with your classmates!”

One of the things I have always thought about our education, was that we could do whatever we wanted if we chose to, or put our minds to it. I think this in itself was a great start in life.

— Louise Hodgman

Another branch of Arthur and Helen’s family – through their son David - also has an enduring connection to Canberra Girls Grammar. David’s wife, Belinda Kenyon (Gore, 1985), her daughter Lucy Trewartha (2013) and her daughter-in-law, Claire Kenyon (Blackwell, 2006) are all proud Grammarians.

“I still have a great sense of school identity,” Belinda said. “I celebrate the School’s long history in Canberra, and the enduring friendships I made at school are an ongoing testament to being a Grammarian.”

Her parents, Evelyne and Ian Gore were committed fundraisers and volunteer workers for the school and its community, a tradition she and her husband have continued.

“We have actively contributed to the school with David serving in the Gabriel Foundation while I was the coconvenor of two successful School fêtes alongside my CGGS friend of 45 years, Suzanne O’Connor (Hatherley, 1985).” When considering options for her daughter’s education, Belinda says, “I wanted my daughter Lucy to have the same positive and empowering school experience I did.”

Lucy, who is now an educator in her own right – teaching at a primary school in central west New South Wales – says her time at CGGS gave her many opportunities to be involved in making a difference within the community.

“There were always chances to step up and contribute in some way, whether it was through tutor groups, pastoral care activities, fundraisers or school events,” Lucy said.

Belinda Kenyon with her daughter, Lucy Trewartha

Claire joined the Kenyon fold when she married David’s son Angus, but she was already connected to a much broader family as a past student of Canberra Girls Grammar.

“The CGGS community not only is about student friendships but also the friendships formed between parents,” Claire said.

“As a young person, I valued knowing that my friends’ parents were also part of my adult support group and this has continued to become an inter-generational community and friendship group.”

Claire Kenyon