OPEN GATE JUL 15
THE
INCORPORATING "COR UNUM" THE ALUMNAE NEWSLETTER
Strength in Community
CONTENTS
KRB’S PRODUCTION OF ‘ASH GIRL’.
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From the Board Chair
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Welcome from the Principal
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4 Opening of the Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj Learning Centre 6
HSC Class of 2014
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Anzac Day Commemorations
10 Beyond the Classroom 12 Student Exchange 14 Sacred Heart Day Celebrations 15 Procession of the Lanterns 16 Staff Profiles 17 Archives 18 School Play 19 Junior School Master Plan 20 Sport 22 Community 24 Global Connections 26 Bursaries & Bequests 27 Cor Unum COVER PHOTO Claire Shephard, Year 12, at Procession of the Lanterns 2015 EDITORIAL TEAM Mary Cook, Director of Development Rebecca Curran, Communications Manager Lucia Marin, Graphic Designer
2 New South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029, Australia Tel: +61 2 9388 6000 www.krb.nsw.edu.au CRICOS Provider Code 02268M
FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Board Chair’s Address at the Opening of the Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj Learning Centre
"The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord." St. Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Romans; they could have been written about Sister Philomene Tiernan in whose memory we dedicate this Learning Centre. It is fitting that we name this space in her honour. She was very familiar with this building having served as Boarding Mistress 1970 – 1980, and as a director of Kincoppal Rose Bay School from 2001 – 2010, when the Board approved the School’s Master Plan and the development of contemporary teaching and learning spaces in our heritage buildings. This building, known to many as the Parlour Wing, was completed in 1921, the last stage of the then convent as it was originally designed. It was an addition to the main building for which the foundation stone had been blessed and laid in 1884. If you look in the hallway you can see in this now internal wall, a stone window arch of the original 1884 main wing, now revealed
as part of the renovations. These buildings are part of the rich history of this School to which many past and present have contributed. The words of Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ come to mind: "Generations have trod, have trod, have trod." I thank those who have contributed to this excellent example of the adaptation of our heritage buildings: our Principal Hilary Johnston-Croke, her Leadership Team and staff, and our Building and Maintenance Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Terry Mahady who together planned and co-ordinated this Project; our Project Architect, Mr. Phillip Rossington of BVN Donovan Hill, and our builder Mr Mark Smith, of Smith Projects, brought this development to a successful completion. I thank you for your presence here today. Bryan Curtin Board Chair
BRYAN CURTIN, PETER O'BRIEN AND JOHN FOX AT THE OPENING OF THE SISTER PHILOMENE TIERNAN RSCJ LEARNING CENTRE
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1. SACRED HEART DAY 2015. 2. SUNFLOWERS AT THE OPENING OF THE SISTER PHILOMENE TIERNAN RSCJ LEARNING CENTRE 3. CHAPEL CONCERT 2015. 4 & 5. ‘ASH GIRL’
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL
HSC HIGH ACHIEVERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2014 ‘LEANING IN’ AT THE HIGH ACHIEVERS CEREMONY.
WELCOME TO OUR F1RST EDITION OF OPEN GATE FOR 2015, OUR "STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY" EDITION. OPEN GATE ALLOWS US TO SHARE WITH THE KRB COMMUNITY THE MANY GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN OUR SCHOOL. These stories demonstrate the vibrancy and energy of KRB, where our aim is always to encourage students to be the best they can be and to take advantage of the many opportunities offered to them. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that all members of our school community, the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart, current and past students, parents and staff, feel a sense of connection through all our undertakings. I am increasingly inspired by the strong sense of community inherent at Kincoppal – Rose Bay. I see it amongst our students, their families, the staff and alumnae. It is a value that underpins our entire school community and we draw considerable strength from it. At KRB we have faced a number of challenges in the past twelve months especially in the wake of the tragic death of Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj. We were fortunate to witness the strength of the KRB community shown by our past students, members of other Sacred Heart Schools, parents and friends of KRB, who offered their support and provided their own special memories of Sister Phil. This demonstration of community has continued to be shown over the past year, with many expressing the need to find the most appropriate ways to leave a legacy in Phil's memory. This strength in community has always been an inherent part of Kincoppal – Rose Bay. I see it at our events with alumnae, parents and Sacred Heart Schools and we read about it in the pages of Open Gate. In this edition as well there is a focus on "100 Years of ANZAC" and the roles that our students played in the war as well as the impact of World War I on Rose Bay Bay Convent. We exhibit community in many ways – through participation in the classroom, in sport, in music and drama, and in student exchange and social justice trips overseas. It is also demonstrated in special celebrations, including Sacred Heart Day and Procession of the Lanterns and in affirming the achievements of many in our school community.
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TOP. HILARY JOHNSTON-CROKE PRESENTING FRANCESCA DANIEL & ALICE NOWLAN WITH THE OVERALL HOUSE POINTS AWARD FOR ATHLETICS/SWIMMING. BOTTOM: YEAR 12 BOARDERS AT THE PROCESSION OF THE LANTERNS 2015.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL In February we were delighted to welcome back to KRB the members of the HSC Class of 2014 who achieved an ATAR of 90 and above. These students and the entire class demonstrated the importance they placed on intellectual values and their desire to achieve their personal best. This was reflected in their excellent results: • Both Lucy Miller and Zhenyi (Carrie) Wang achieved an ATAR of 99.85, making them joint Dux of the Class of 2014 and combined recipients of the Distinction in Studies Award • Zhenyi (Carrie) Wang achieved 1st place in the subject, English as a Second Language • KRB ranked 17th in the state for English (ranked numerically) • Four students achieved an ATAR over 99 • 21% of students achieved an ATAR above 95 • Approximately 40% students achieved an ATAR above 90 • Seven students are All Round Achievers, which means 10% of the year group scored more than 90 in at least ten HSC units • Five students were only one or two units from becoming All Round Achievers.
Our KRB parents are a significant component of our community and have consistently supported many of the School's initiatives. We have been delighted to welcome new families at the two Principal's Welcome Dinners held in Term One and Two. These have given new parents the opportunity to meet the Chair of the School Board, myself and members of the Leadership Team and hear about the strategic directions of the School. Many of our parents have also volunteered much of their time to support the upcoming Spring Fair. I also held cocktail parties in Hong Kong, London and New York for alumnae and past parents. This gave them the opportunity to connect with the School and for us to hear about their achievements. Alumnae are inspiring role models for our current students.
"This strength in community has always been an inherent part of Kincoppal – Rose Bay.
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We have continued to enhance the rich heritage of our campus with new developments in 2015. Our Year 10 students arrived in Term One to the new Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj Learning Centre, which was officially opened in July. Our 3 year old Sophie's Cottage students and families also joined our community in Term One and the children are greatly enjoying this new learning environment. Thank you to all those members of the KRB community who continue to support the School in many ways, to ensure we continue to educate our students to be resilient and to take advantage of every opportunity. In knowing they are part of such a strong community, they will have the confidence to actively seek to transform their world. Hilary Johnston-Croke Principal
1. SIX OF THE 7 STUDENTS WHO BEGAN IN ELC AND ACHIEVED AN ATAR OF OVER 90. 2. OPENING OF THE SISTER PHILOMENE TIERNAN RSCJ LEARNING CENTRE. 3. OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE KRB SPRING FAIR. 4. STUDENTS AT SOPHIE’S COTTAGE
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LEGACY
(L – R) GEORGINA HARRISON (HEAD BOARDER 2015/2016), EMILY SHAW (HEAD GIRL 2014/2015), HILARY JOHNSTON-CROKE, SISTER RITA CARROLL RSCJ, JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAINS, MICHAELA SORRENTI & PATRICK MIR & BRYAN CURTIN (BOARD CHAIR)
OPENING OF
THE SISTER PHILOMENE TIERNAN RSCJ LEARNING CENTRE Kincoppal – Rose Bay School celebrated the opening of the Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj Learning Centre on Wednesday 29 July. Over 150 guests attended the Opening, including The Hon. Gabrielle Upton, Attorney General and Member for Vaucluse, members of the Kincoppal – Rose Bay School Board, Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Principals of other Sacred Heart Schools, those involved in the building project and donors to the Philomene Tiernan Boarding Bursary. Sister Rita Carroll rscj, Deputy Chair of the Kincoppal– Rose Bay School Board, officially opened the Centre, which was blessed by Monsignor Tony Doherty. The Centre is named after Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj, a member of staff at Kincoppal – Rose Bay School, who died tragically as a result of the Malaysian Airlines crash on 17 July 2014. In her welcome address, the Principal Mrs Hilary Johnston-Croke spoke of the legacy left by Sister Tiernan: • As a gracious role model of a Sacred Heart Sister Phil inspired all of us to be the best we can be • Our students wrote Sister Phil, you embody the spirit of Sacred Heart and so many girls have adopted this view of life and love because of you.
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• Her great love, compassion and empathy for others • She developed community – talking to staff and students in our corridors and hallways and Boarding house • Her great gift of affirmation – "Darling you are doing so well." She helped many of us feel special and in doing so transformed us • She was an Educator of great faith and intellect. Students also saw her as mentor, friend, grandmother and an inspiration • A leader who inspired and influenced others – she helped me become the Sacred Heart Educator I am today • She was Provincial (Leader of the Society of the Sacred Heart) and a Board member of KRB for nine years • She coordinated the Network of Sacred Heart Schools in Australia and New Zealand when I became Principal of KRB • Our students wrote – You will always remain in our hearts and you will forever be an inspirational role model for us as young women and throughout the rest of our lives.
STUDENTS WITH SUNFLOWERS AT THE OPENING OF THE SISTER PHILOMENE TIERNAN RSCJ LEARNING CENTRE.
1 In her address Sister Carroll spoke of the ways in which Phil lived out the goals of Sacred Heart education. She commented on Phil's outstanding ability to relate to people quickly and easily. "This has been so evident in the testimony of her family, especially of her nieces and nephews, as they spoke of her individual love and care for each of them. Her friends from around the world mourned her loss. The boarders, who were the focus of her role here in the School, knew how she cared for each of them, followed their interests and helped them through the difficult times that being far from home and family always brings. It is through the care and love for each one that we 'build community as a Christian value' here among the whole Kincoppal – Rose Bay family."
"While we grieve Phil's loss, we know that she loved each one here in this school. She knew that you are capable of continuing to provide the atmosphere of wise freedom in which young women can flourish and continue to grow."
LEGACY
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1. EMILY SHAW. 2. MICHAELA SORRENTI, PATRICK MIR & SISTER RITA CARROLL RSCJ. 3. OPENING OF THE SISTER PHILOMENE TIERNAN RSCJ LEARNING CENTRE. 4. (L– R) JADE LAIDLAW, PRUE ANDERSON & ELENA COLUZZI FARRELL 5. THE HON. GABRIELLE UPTON MP. 6. (L – R) SHUYA (LOUISE) LI, ALEXANDRA OWEN & EMMA HUNTER
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FEATURES OF THE CENTRE • An area combining links to the history of the School with its exposed sandstone walls with modern facilities • A meeting place for the entire year group with operable glass walls • A collaborative learning space with break out spaces for small group work • State of the art technology • A community area for gathering during break times, such as morning tea and lunch, containing a refrigerator, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities • An office for the Year Co-ordinator to meet with individual students or groups • Easy access to lockers, which form part of the space.
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HSC CLASS OF 2014
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YEAR 12 CLASS OF 2014 Places in the State
All-Round Achievers
The Distinguished Achievers
Zhenyi (Carrie) Wang was placed first in the subject, English as a Second Language out of 2,316 candidates. Carrie attended the First in Course Ceremony on Tuesday 16 December, where she was awarded the Certificate for Excellence by NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli.
The Board of Studies 'All-Round Achievers' List contains the names of all students who achieved 90 or more (Band 6) for courses totalling ten or more units. Seven students from the Class of 2014 were included on the 'All-Round Achievers' List:
The Distinguished Achievers List contains students who have achieved the highest band (Band 6) for a course or, in the case of higher level extension courses, Band E4. To reach this standard, students need to have achieved an HSC mark of at least 90.
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In 2014, Year 12 students from Kincoppal – Rose Bay School achieved a total of 105 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers List in 2014 and 15 mentions in 2013 when they sat the examinations for the Mathematics 2 Unit, Mathematics Extension 1, French Continuers and French Extension courses.
Individual Course Performance For all HSC subjects, a significant proportion of KRB students achieved in the top two performance bands (Band 6 or Band 5). We were particularly pleased with the performance of KRB students in the following courses, with a high percentage of students achieving in the top two bands.
100%
Chinese Background Speakers, Drama, English Extension 1, English Extension 2, French Extension, History Extension, Japanese Continuers, Legal Studies, Music 1, Music 2
93% 83% 82%
Visual Arts
80%
French Continuers, Mathematics Extension 1
Ancient History English (Advanced)
* Based on a percentile ranking
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Madeleine Clunies-Ross Eloise Gibbs Lucy Miller Madison Mooney Zoe Sigalla Zhenyi (Carrie) Wang
• Gina Welsh A further five students achieved 90 or more in eight or nine units. These high performing students are: • • • •
Claire Dunworth Possati Alexandra Powell Georgina Ringler Nicola Ryan
• Angela Stevens
Creative Arts Claudia Nolan's major work in HSC Drama was selected for inclusion in the Board of Studies OnStage. Her Portfolio of Theatre Criticism was presented in the style of an arts magazine publication, and included her reviews of both international and contemporary Australian theatre productions. Michaela Wong was awarded the Monsignor Doherty Award in 2014 which is a part of the Clancy Art Prize for Religious Art. She was awarded this prize for her HSC Major Work entitled "Which Side Are You Drawn To."
PHOTO: (L–R) GEORGINA RINGLER (HEAD GIRL 2013/2014), LUCY MILLER, HILARY JOHNSTON-CROKE, CARRIE WANG & MADISON MOONEY
HSC CLASS OF 2014 HSC 2014 ATAR SCORES 6% Above 98
Above 99
11% 25%
Above 95
40%
Above 90
54%
Above 85
2014 YEAR SCHOLARS
35%
TERTIARY DESTINATIONS BY COURSE*
Speech Pathology 1 Social Work 1 Science 3 Political Philosophy 1 Nursing 1 Medicinal Science 2 Liberal Arts/Sci 3
Commerce 3 General Studies 1 Architecture 2 Arts 7 Arts/Business 4
Int/Global Studies 4
Arts/Comms 17
Fine Arts 3 Engineering 1 Education 2 Design 2 Law 6
Business 5
BY DESTINATION* University of New South Wales
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Australian National University University of Sydney
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University of Technology Sydney
14
Charles Sturt University
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Australian Catholic University
2
University of Western Sydney
3
University of Newcastle
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University of New England
2
National Arts School
3
University of California, Los Angeles
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* 7 students are studying abroad or taking a gap year. TOP: CLAUDIA NOLAN. MIDDLE: MICHAELA WONG. BOTTOM: MICHAELA WONG'S ARTWORK
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TEACHING & LEARNING
ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS
This year marks 100 Years since the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli and as such the School has focused on commemorating those who lost their lives in the wars, particularly at Gallipoli. Principal, Hilary Johnston-Croke spoke to students at a special ANZAC assembly and discussed KRB's own connection with the First World War. The families of students who were attending Rose Bay Convent at the time were deeply affected by this event. Many of these students and ex-students gave their own time and effort in supporting Australia's armed forces. Junior School students immersed themselves in the spirit of ANZAC by undertaking a diverse range of activities throughout the week leading up to ANZAC Day. • The Joigny Children participated in the Junior School's projectbased learning enquiry into Anzac Day. The children shared their ideas about what Anzac meant and then became engaged in many activities, discovering a variety of aspects of Anzacs. They were particularly engaged with the idea of medals – creating their own medals and sharing thoughts about what soldiers might get medals for. • Kindergarten and Year One students joined forces in teams to learn all about 'mateship'. Each 'team' made a team banner based on the theme and learnt about the history of ANZAC cookies. Students engaged in literacy sessions, where they read Simpson and His Donkey, numeracy sessions on '100 Years of Mateship', cooperative learning tasks based on the number 100 and a Visual Arts session where the students created black and white symbolic representations of mateship using chalk and charcoal. • Years 2 and 3 looked at the symbolism of the Anzac traditions in the Dawn Service. Using iPads and laptops they researched the traditions and discovered their meaning. "Did you know that the Dawn Service is at dawn because this is the time that was favoured for an attack during battle times?" They also read 'ANZAC BISCUITS' by Phil Cummings and examined the metaphors in the
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TOP: SENIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS AT CAMP GALLIPOLI. BELOW: JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW BOTTRELL AT THE JUNIOR SCHOOL ASSEMBLY (FAR BACK CAPTAIN MARGARET NICHOLS WITH CHRIS BOTTRELL)
TEACHING & LEARNING SPORT
story, before discussing the history of the biscuits which have their origins in Scotland. The students also explored the importance and symbolism of religion and faith to the ANZAC soldiers, noting that every soldier wore an identity tag around their neck which included details such as their name and religion. A focus was the cross as an important symbol for the ANZACS and the graves of Christian soldiers had large crosses. • Years 4, 5 and 6 students focused on what the diggers would have had in their packs and investigated the iconic slouch hat and its meaning, not only for the ANZACs themselves, but for all Australians. As well they investigated the symbolism of the ANZAC Diggers and the spirit of mateship that was developed during the preparation and landing at the Gallipoli Peninsular in Turkey and what was to become known as Anzac Cove. • In remembrance of the centenary of the ANZACS landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula, students viewed propaganda posters and researched the use and purpose of them during WWI. As well they researched the medals that were awarded during World War 1, particularly the The Victoria Cross. • On Friday 24 April, KRB Senior School students and staff attended Camp Gallipoli at the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park. The students enjoyed a mixture of light entertainment as well as several meaningful reflections from dignitaries and celebrities regarding the significance of the ANZAC Centenary. Students also represented KRB at the Dawn Service.
1. JUNIOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR ANZAC DAY. 2. JUNIOR SCHOOL GROUP AT THE WAR MEMORIAL. 3. MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW BOTTRELL AT THE JUNIOR SCHOOL ASSEMBLY. 4. JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS AT THE WAR MEMORIAL. 5. JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS AT THE CENOTAPH
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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
A number of students and staff have undertaken a variety of trips overseas in 2015, many with a social justice focus. Vienna Music Tour
Trip to India
Twenty-Two members of the KRB Choirs and Orchestra from Years 6–11 embarked on the school's first European Music tour in December 2014, accompanied by Hilary Johnston-Croke, Nicole James, Mark Stubley and Margaret Ferguson.
On 5 December a group of 17 students, a tour guide, and two teachers embarked on a flight from Sydney through Bangkok on to Delhi. The students had fundraised extensively – completing the City to Surf in full hiking gear, a sausage sizzle, and raffles, selling biscuits, cleaning windows and baking cakes to sell at school. From Delhi the tour continued to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, which was an amazing experience. There were wild monkeys on route and rickshaw drivers who wanted to know where KRB students were from and what they were doing in India. The Indians were warm and friendly and genuinely curious about us, as we were them.
The students visited Prague, Vienna, Graz and Salzburg. Two highlights of the tour were the visits to Sacred Heart sister schools in Vienna and Graz. Sasha Danswan, Year 10, wrote in her review that "the tour showed me how alike we are to other Sacred Heart Schools and it has shown me how lucky I am to be a part of this wide and welcoming community". On 11 December, Sacré Coeur Vienna and KRB students combined into a large ensemble to perform together in a combined Advent Concert. The students had prepared their music in advance and then rehearsed together in Vienna and presented an exhilarating concert. While in Vienna, students also saw all the sights, had a back-stage tour of the Vienna State Opera House, learned how to waltz and also to cook in true Viennese fashion. The final destination was Salzburg, where students experienced the musical culture and history of the city. Another highlight was the workshop with the Choral Director at the Salzburg Dom. Following the workshop students were taken to see the largest organ in the cathedral and also viewed the Salzburg skyline from the vantage point on the roof of the cathedral. Megan Fitzgerald wrote "For me personally, it was the people that made the trip. Whether I was embracing the culture with my host sister Vicki and her family, or listening to our tour guide Ulrike or even just with the students from the other year groups – it was the people that I shared the country and culture with that made the trip special."
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To get to Sikkim, the northern State in which students would be for the next weeks, the tour group flew to Bagdogra and then caught a bus to the monastery. Here the students worked hard and painted and installed a roof for the common kitchen, in memory of Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj. Students slept on mats on the concrete floor and there were no washing facilities. One of the highlights of the time there was the soccer match in which the students faced the Lama, the group of young monks living at the monastery. This game drew a lot of attention with many of the villagers coming to support the match. There was also a bush hike and visit to a Sherpa village, a visit to a female monastic community and a high school. Students left the monastery with heavy hearts but pleased to have had such a beautiful experience and made their way to the starting point of the trek. Every day brought new challenges and they stopped at a teahouse for lunch where the cooks made amazing local food. The student leadership group made sure everyone had plenty of water and was in good health. The highest point of the trek was Mount Sandakphu, the highest point in the state of West Bengal and part of the Singalila ridge between Nepal and India. It is from here that they hoped to see Everest. This was the toughest day due to the altitude and the fatigue that some of
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM the students were feeling, despite being in good spirits. As they approached the camp, snow began to fall. The next morning there was enough visibility to see Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu, four of the five highest peaks in the world soaring over the mountain range. After the trek, the student leadership group set out arranging accommodation for their stay in Darjeeling. They sampled local cuisine in the town, went to a tea tasting, visited a beautiful Buddhist temple on a hill absolutely covered with prayer flags and woke one morning at 4am to witness the sunrise over the hills and mountains. The next step in the journey was Calcutta, where the group made their way through the streets with a tour guide who showed them the artist quarter where men made thousands of religious statues for the various celebration in the many different faiths in India. Students visited Mother Teresa's community house and saw the room in which she lived.
Trip to China From 4 April to 18 April 2015, 10 students from Year 8 and 9 went to China. The group went to Beijing, Xi'an, Lijiang, Zhongdian-Shangri-la Tibetan area, Kunming, Shanghai. In Beijing, they visited the Summer Palace, the Great China Wall, the Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and took the rickshaws in the Beijing Alleys. Students visited Beijing Huiwen Middle School and Beijing No.156 Middle School. At Beijing No. 156 Middle School, they played basketball, skipped ropes and had a relay race with the local students. The tour group spent two days in the picturesque old town centre of Lijiang and enjoyed a visit to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Students were excited with the snow on their way to the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Zhongdian, which is 3,300 metres above sea level. In the Songzanlin Monastery, they explored Tibetan Buddhism. In Shanghai they visited the Yuyuan Garden and took pictures on the top of the Oriental Tower in Pudong. Students saw pandas in the Shanghai Zoo, and watched the amazing acrobats show in the evening.
"It was great immersing myself in the Chinese culture and applying the Mandarin I have learnt in class to real life situations."– Claudia, Year 9 "I really enjoyed visiting China and seeing all of the historic and cultural sites that I used to see only in the books and on TV." – Andrea, Year 9
TOP: STUDENTS AT THE TIGER LEAPING GORGE, THE NARROWEST SECTION OF THE YANGTZE RIVER, ZHONGDIAN (SHANGRI-LA), YUNNAN PROVINCE. MIDDLE: STUDENTS WITH THE CERTIFICATES FOR PARTICIPATING IN REBUILDING THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, BEIJING BOTTOM: STUDENTS AT THE FOOT OF THE JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN, LIJIANG, YUNNAN PROVINCE OPPOSITE PAGE: VIENNA MUSIC TOUR. 2. STUDENTS AT THE RED FORT, DELHI 3. KRB CHOIR AT THE ADVENT CONCERT, SACRÉ COEUR VIENNA.
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STUDENT SPORT EXCHANGE
KRB VISITS SACRED HEART SCHOOLS Vanessa Luvio The Sacred Heart School of Montreal
Madeleine McDonald Obayashi Sacred Heart School, Osaka, Japan
My student exchange to the Sacred Heart School of Montreal this past January was such a great and cool experience (literally). After getting used to -30 C temperatures and all the snow, I explored Montreal and took in its Quebec French culture while also experiencing life at another Sacred Heart school. The school was different in so many ways, starting with the fact that it had around 200 students. Highlights were seeing a hockey game, going tobogganing, the endless snow, and getting to know my exchange family and the girls at the school.
I had an amazing cultural experience while on exchange in Japan. My time with the host family ensured I was exposed to various aspects of Japanese lifestyle and daily ritual. While I was there, I took a day trip into the old capital city, Kyoto, where I was introduced to ancient Japanese tradition through various temples. At school I helped the younger years with their English pronunciation, attended classes and participated in Drama and Sports lessons.
Caroline Reilly, Brooke Long & Lara Parmenter Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Boston, MA
Our trip consisted of many snow days and long weekends, Throughout our stay we were all lucky enough to visit NYC, ski in New Hampshire and do numerous, eventful trips around Boston getting to know the amazing city! The girls we were paired with, their parents and siblings, and every girl we met at the school was so welcoming and made our trip so amazing! This has truly been such an amazing adventure and has instilled in us a more confident belief in our own self sufficiency and growing independence.
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Lena Albin Colegio Sagrado Corazon, Mexico City, Mexico
I attended Sagrado Corazon in Mexico City during January this year and it was the most amazing experience of my life! My exchange student took me all over the city and sometimes she and her family took me on weekend trips to other towns that were filled with Mexican culture. At her school, everybody was so warm and welcoming and I have met the most amazing friends.
Saskia Riedel Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton, NJ
While on exchange I attended Stuart Country Day School,located in Princeton, New Jersey. I was able to see Princeton, one of the most prestigious universities in the world on a daily basis. Some real highlights of the trip include visiting Philadelphia and Washington one weekend and New York the other. It was also interesting to see how another Sacred Heart school operated and there were quite a few similarities between Stuart and KRB. Ruby Harrison, Isabel Sigalla, Madeleine Coutts Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich
During January, we left for the US. We all met up with our respective families and went to their house which would be our home for the next three weeks. We went to the Convent of the Sacred Heart School and witnessed many similarities and differences. The girls at the school were very welcoming and so kind.
STUDENT EXCHANGE Antoinette Radford Lycee de la Perverie" in Nantes, France
Jade Laidlaw Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York, USA
day where we all visited a rehabilitation centre for women struggling with drug addiction. The stories we heard were really touching and made me appreciate all the opportunities we are given at Kincoppal – Rose Bay. Georgie Kearney & Selina Cheung, Year 11 Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Seattle, USA
Over the Christmas holiday break, I went on a language exchange to "Lycee de la Perverie" in Nantes, France. A huge change was waking up to go to school in pitch black, and -6 degrees, but school was such a rewarding experience, the students so welcoming and kind to me as an exchange student. My family took me skiing and around the local area and I was fortunate enough to spend Christmas and New Year in a completely different culture, which was amazing. Madeleine Maganas Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, San Francsico
In the December holidays I was fortunate enough to go on exchange to the Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York and it was by far the most amazing experience of my life. My host family was extremely warm and welcoming, ensuring that I got the best experience while in New York, taking me on weekend trips to the Poconos for snow tubing and Washington DC, as well as ensuring I saw all the iconic tourist destinations such as Times Square, The Empire State Building, museums, art galleries and many more. Exchange was a unique experience for me as I was able to see how New Yorkers live and participate in their day to day activities, going to their church, and eating iconic American foods. Going to The Convent of the Sacred Heart NY, was also a highlight of my trip as I was welcomed with the warm Sacred Heart spirit that I had heard much about! Tara Ritchie Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton In January, I went on a school exchange to Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. It was the most amazing experience because it really brought me out of my comfort zone, made my try new things and I became much more independent. It was a once in a life time opportunity to live the life of a student in a different culture and to live with another family. – Georgia
Over the spring holidays I was lucky to have the opportunity to participate on a student exchange to San Francisco. Of course, my exchange sister Bella took me to see all the sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and a Giants baseball game - but she did more than just that. She welcomed me into her life and her school, making me feel like a part of a broader community. At the school, I recognised the familiar sense of community which comes with being in a Sacred Heart school, and going to a foreign place knowing all but one person, that sense of familiarity and the nature of Sacred Heart girls is one I am grateful for. In my three weeks in San Francisco I have made friendships which I hope will last a lifetime and gained so much confidence and independence from the experience.
In January I was given the opportunity to visit Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton and had the most amazing time. I participated in many interesting classes, like Dance, Prayer and Meditation and Resistance Training. The school was extremely different to our school as it was co-ed, had no uniform and was a more college style of teaching. It was also huge and even had a farm where I had the opportunity to help out by mucking out the pens. I also had the opportunity to visit two of the Sacred Heart Schools in the city while I was there, Stuart Hall (the all-boys school) and Convent of the Sacred Heart (the all-girls school). On my last day, my year had a community service
During the school holidays I went on a trip to Seattle with Georgie Kearney. We attended school with our exchange students who were all very warm and welcoming I spent my birthday over in America with my exchange and we had a dinner at the Space Needle to celebrate her, her brother's and my birthday. – Selina
"I recognised the familiar sense of community which comes with being in a Sacred Heart school." – Madelaine Maganas
JULY 2015 // OPEN GATE 13
SACRED HEART DAY
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PROCESSION OF THE LANTERNS
MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART CELEBRATIONS The month of the Sacred Heart is a very significant one in all Sacred Heart schools. As a community, the School came together in the MTC for Mass, celebrated by Father Jeremy Clarke sj. A special part of the Mass was the renewal of vows by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart who were present at the Mass. There was a wonderful sense of community displayed throughout the day with students and staff participating and performing in a "lip-synching" talent quest. Lunch and a number of activities engaging all our students were held on the Fernon Fields. Finally all students performed a special Sacred Heart Day Dance to Pharrell Williams’ "Happy." This song will be shared with our sister schools all around the world. The focus of the day was about enacting the ‘Cor Unum’ spirit and raising funds for the valuable work of the RSJCs in Jakarta, Indonesia, which caters for children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are unable to access fee-paying kindergartens. Procession of the Lanterns was celebrated on the eve of Sacred Heart Day by our boarding community. This is traditionally a very significant and much loved occasion for our boarders, particularly for those in Year 12 who lead the Procession. It is traditionally held in all Sacred Heart schools. This beautiful tradition has been happening on the Rose Bay Campus since the 1890s. Our boarders sing hymns and pray for the school community and all who have gone before them as they process through the Chapel. Our Year 12 Boarding parents joined us for dinner prior to the event and were able to then watch the Procession. JULY 2015 // OPEN GATE
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LEADERSHIP TEAM
Welcome to Elizabeth Clark, Deputy Principal and Michelle Chaplin, Head of Junior School, to KRB
Elizabeth Clark
Michelle Chaplin
The role of Deputy Principal ELC – Year 12 at KRB is quite an allencompassing role. I am located in the Senior School and have responsibilities for human resources, student activities such as assemblies and whole-school events and the overall operations of the School. I am a Senior School teacher in the area of Human Society and Its Environment, however I work with staff across the School. My role is challenging but always enjoyable as something different happens every single day.
Returning to KRB has been invigorating and energising. I love the joy that is in evidence throughout the day every day – the children full of smiles, the students full of interesting adventures and eager to tell me what they are learning and feeling – their ideas on what’s good and what could be better and the laughter that resounds through the classrooms. I have enjoyed many activities since returning, including Wellness Week when I received lots of little notes from students, our very special K–2 assembly and World Mud Day with the ELC. I loved opening the fairy garden with our littlest students and equally felt a great sense of pride at our Year 3 First Eucharist. I travelled to Melbourne with the student leaders and loved their chatter on the plane – in contrast to their brilliance as debaters winning the ISDA competition.
I have been at KRB since May of this year. It is always a challenge to start a new role part way through the year but my transition has been made so much easier by the support of helpful staff and students. The students here at KRB have been particularly welcoming, always greeting me with a friendly smile and helping me navigate the campus when I get lost! Schools by their nature are similar in terms of their curriculum but differ in terms of their teaching and charism. KRB truly lives the Sacred Heart Goals that it is guided by. I am amazed by the wealth of opportunity offered to students here at KRB and the strength of the community. I applaud the encouragement of students to participate in sport and accomplishments and have truly enjoyed the opportunity to see students participate in their co-curricular activities. The opportunity to meet with parents at events such as Family Masses, Sports and displays of student talent and work reinforces for me personally, the strong community feel of KRB. My favourite memory of my short time here is the "Happy Dance" on the harbour terrace on Sacred Heart Day this year. It was wonderful to see the whole school involved in a crazy dance and everyone enjoying themselves and truly being happy. Most people were wearing an "I love KRB" T-Shirt and it really felt like it was true. My dream for KRB is that it will continue to produce worthy young women and men who are great advocates of the Sacred Heart tradition; that our students will avail themselves of every opportunity – academic, sporting, cultural and social – to become people who achieve their dreams.
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I see my role as all about making Barat Burn the best junior school it can be. I explore what we are doing, how we can do it better – or not – and what exciting adventures we can add to our repertoire. I look at the systems and structures in place and investigate whether they work for every student and teacher. KRB has so much to offer each student and staff member. It embraces you as a person and inspires you to "go the extra mile." I would hope that KRB continues to be a cutting edge school that embraces learning for the future, a school that grows intellectually good thinkers who are resourceful and balanced. I also see it as important to be a community who works hard and appreciates everyone for who they are, their differences and the diversity that is the world of the future and now. I also see that it is vitally important for KRB students to truly care about others in the world, the environment and to make a difference to world justice and injustice.
ARCHIVES
ALUMNAE WHO SERVED IN WWI
The nation has recently commemorated the 100th anniversary of World War One, with much recent attention on the centenary of the Gallipoli Landings. KRB's own link to the events of 1914 – 1918 has been recently re-discovered. As was typical of many women of the time, a number of alumnae gave their time and energy to various efforts in support of soldiers on the front line, mostly through the Australian Red Cross. The Rose Bay Alumnae Association helped to raise funds in support of the nationwide War Fund which was operating at the time. Eight alumnae took their voluntary service one step further, joining the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) in order to work as nursing orderlies in hospitals and convalescent homes. In 1916 the Australian government lifted its ban on VADs travelling overseas, which resulted in the first official group leaving Sydney for England in September that year. Amongst them were our girls: Adele Brennan (RB 1896-1900), Helen Barlow (RB 1901-1907), Mabel Horsley (RB 1906-1909), Gwen Horsley (RB 1910-1915), Mary Hughes (RB 19031908) and Cecily Hughes (RB 1903-1909). We also know that two married alumnae served in hospitals in the UK: Sara McEwan (née Toohey, RB 1902-1907) and Katie McDonough (née Craven, RB 1896-1902). Both most likely followed their husbands overseas using independent means. The VAD was eventually subsumed into the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). Helen Barlow served at Westbourne Hospital, near London. She was promoted to staff nurse after several months as a VAD. The Horsley sisters both served at Furness Officers' Convalescent Home at Harrogate until the end of the war, while the Hughes sisters worked
at Coulter Hospital, also for Officers, which had been established in 1915 in a house in Grosvenor Square. It was affiliated with the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, but closed in 1919 when no longer required. Adele Brennan served at Evington Hospital in East Midlands city of Leicester. Evington was a substantial hospital, with a capacity of 800 beds. She was the first VAD allowed to serve in a ward, and, like Helen Barlow, was promoted to staff nurse in 1917, receiving a medal for 12 months service around the same time. Sadly, Adele did not return home to Australia when the war was over. In November 1918 she contracted Influenza in the start of the pandemic that was to sweep the globe the following year. She died on 24 November, less than two weeks after Armistice. Adele Brennan is one of 46 Australian women who gave their lives in service during WWI. The Australian War Memorial holds a number of images of Kathleen Adele Brennan (always known as Adele), some of which are reproduced here. Two of her brothers also served during WWI. John Clive Brennan served with 4th Battalion in France. Although seriously wounded, he survived the war, returning home in 1919. William Keating Brennan joined the Australian Light Horse in 1916. He died of wounds in April 1917 during the campaign for Palestine, and is buried in the Military Cemetery at Gaza. May they rest in peace.
ABOVE: THE MILITARY FUNERAL PROCESSION OF ADELE BRENNAN, NOVEMBER 1918, LEICESTER UK. TOP RIGHT: ADELE BRENNAN DRESSED IN A VAD 'OUTDOOR' UNIFORM. BOTTOM RIGHT: ADELE BRENNAN WEARING A VAD WARD UNIFORM. SOURCE: AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL.
JULY 2015 // OPEN GATE 17
SCHOOL SPORT PLAY
THE CAST OF ‘ASH GIRL’
This year's production of The Ash Girl was held in the Edwina Taylor Clark Auditorium on 26 and 27 March to sold out audiences. The production, written by Timberlake Wertenbaker, was a richly imaginative play that saw KRB students grow in confidence and inventiveness throughout the rehearsal process. Director, Ed Wightman said, "The students threw themselves into this production with a boldness and enthusiasm that would cause many professional actors to pause for thought; and in a play which throws up no shortage of challenges – from heightened, lyrical language, to its mash up of human, anthropomorphic and allegorical characters, not to mention the darkness of some of the play's emotional terrain."
in order to regain the fleeting happiness she found in the arms of the prince, she must fight the monsters who have slithered and insinuated their way into her heart and mind. With stylistic hints of the Brothers Grimm, The Ash Girl is a rich folk tale with hints of allegory, myth and fantasy. Only when she finds the strength to confront the monsters lurking in the forest, will Ash Girl regain her missing happiness.
The play begins in a big old house, where the Ash Girl lives huddled deep in the protection of an ashy hearth. She lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters.
Ash Girl finds the courage to face her fears and emerges renewed and strengthened as a consequence. Along the way, she encounters a fellow discontented soul in Prince Amir, as he deals with the displacement from his homeland, and we witness these two outsiders light the spark of hope in one another.
When the invitation to the ball arrives from the prince, Ash Girl finds the strength to go. When she gets home, Ash Girl realises that
The play The Ash Girl, directed by Ed Wightman, was one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences I have had at KRB. The whole production was full of challenges as well as being great fun, beginning from when I walked into the audition room not expecting to even be cast in a role, until the final, very emotional last performance which truly felt like the end of an era. The best part of the production was meeting the other students, many of whom I now call my close friends. This play was totally different to anything I had ever done before, as it took me out of my comfort zone with more lines and stage time than I had had previously. We had so much talent shown in this production, varying from the amazing costume design by Imogen to the inspiring acting skills of the 29 students who performed on stage, to all of the KRB teachers who helped with poster design, music and set design. The stage crew were my saviours during my "drama queen" panic attacks where I thought I had lost something or had a quick costume change!
LEFT: GABRIELLE JAMES-BENNETT, LENA ALBIN AND GEORGINA KEARNEY. RIGHT: AUDREY MCGUIRE
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Honor Douglas, Year 8
JUNIOR SCHOOL MASTERPLAN
JUNIOR SCHOOL MASTERPLAN The first stage of the Junior School Masterplan will be implemented in 2016 with the building of Stage One, the new Administration Area. This is an exciting time for KRB as we begin a strategic approach to the upgrade of the Junior School over a number of years. It will incorporate contemporary teaching and learning spaces, improved administration and recreation areas and the introduction of a new Early Learning Centre. The Master Plan will continue to transform learning in the Junior School, with its focus on facilities which provide for collaborative and
independent learning. It will offer all students the opportunity for creative and critical thinking and an ability to develop a "growth mindset" as they take on new challenges, both within and outside the classrooms. It also provides a learning environment that showcases the unique location and view towards Sydney Harbour. It encourages creativity, wonder and curiosity with an emphasis on open spaces, creative play areas and use of the natural environment for both learning and play.
STAGE ONE
BRINGING THE MASTER PLAN TO FRUITION During the coming years we will be asking for financial support for the building of this project. Your support will assist in providing a learning environment that will be transformative for all Junior School students and will offer opportunities for each one to be the best they can be. For enquiries, contact: Mary Cook, Director of Development 9388 6024 or cookm@krb.nsw.edu.au
STAGE THREE
New Administration area
Early Learning Centre
Estimate: $1.2 million
Estimate: $4.3 million
STAGE TWO
New Assembly space in ELC location Estimate: $4 million
STAGE FIVE
Years 5 & 6 teaching and community spaces Estimate: $6.1 million
STAGE FOUR
Teaching spaces & Resources Hub over 3 levels to the northern courtyard wing Estimate: $5.5 million
SPORT Swimming STATE AGE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Valentina Colombini – 13 years 50m Final – 5th Rhiannon Carr – 100m Butterfly 2nd place overall, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle & 50m Butterfly
AUSTRALIAN AGE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Valentina Colombini – 13th Freestyle 50m & 100m Freestyle Alessandra Gazal – 100 Butterfly, 50 Freestyle & 100m Freestyle Elly O'Donoghue – 50m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke & 200m Breaststroke (8th in final) Rhiannon Carr – 100mm Butterfly 2nd place overall, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle & 50m Butterfly
AUSTRALIAN U/16 NATIONAL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Maisie Stevens competed at in National. Maisie was awarded the following medals: 4 x 100m relay – Gold 90m Hurdles – 4th in the final 200m – Silver 100m – Bronze 4 x 200m relay – Silver.
NSW PSSA Congratulations to Alex Field for her outstanding performance in track and field this year. Alex qualified as a member of the NSW PSSA Team and raced in the School Sports Australia championship in Melbourne. She came 8th in the Under 10 girls and won two National Silver medals for the Teams event and the Relay, representing NSW. As well Alex gained 4th place in the Combined Independent Schools 800m Championship.
GOLD YOUTH PERFORMANCE STANDARD Congratulations Rhiannon Carr (Year 10) on being selected in the NSW emerging Youth Talent squad for Swimming. The selection is based on the selection criteria by Swimming Australia. Rhiannon will compete in the NSW team at the Australian State teams Swimming Carnival in September.
Tennis
Athletics
Lauren Whiting was chosen to represent the NSWCIS Tennis team and was also selected to represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Tennis competition.
NSW STATE ATHLETICS Congratulations to Maisie Stevens who participated in the NSW State Junior Championships on 7 and 8 February in Homebush. U16's 90m Hurdles – GOLD (State Champion) 200m – GOLD (State Champion) 100m – Bronze
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NSWCIS TENNIS
TILDESLEY TENNIS 2015 The 2015 Tildesley tennis competition was held in March at Pennant Hills. KRB was the recipient of the 2015 Spender Cup for Most Improved School, placing 5th out of 25 schools, a great improvement on 13th place in 2014.
SPORT Singles players:
Cross Country
Georgina Harrison – 4th round
KRB CROSS COUNTRY
Bijanka Bacic – 2nd round
The Year 7–12 Cross Country Carnival was held in April. Congratulations to Lucy Edwards on winning the Liz Miller Shield presented to the fastest runner in the school
Bianca Cruz – 3rd round Garner Hancock – 1st round Amelia Coutts – 4th round Doubles players: Josephine Harrison & Eloise Bridgers – 3rd round Lucinda Lindsay & Claire McRedmond – 2nd round Sarah Maloney & Audrey McGuire – 2nd round Claire Hamblin & Amy O'Reilly – 2nd round and 1st reserve – Lucia Cattana.
Equestrian EVANS CROWN HORSE SPORTS DAY Claudia Pring and Abbi Pring both represented KRB at the Evans Crown Horse Sports Day at Lithgow. Claudia was placed 3rd in both her ridden events and Abbi was awarded the Citizenship Award during the events.
NSWCIS CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL
NORTH WEST EQUESTRIAN EXPO
Outstanding results were achieved at the NSWCIS Cross Country carnival at Eastern Creek. Stand out KRB
KRB had a strong representation at the North West Equestrian Expo at Coonabarabran and the following results were achieved:
10 Years Alexandra Field – 3rd Place
Sarah Noonan Year 7: 3rd, 1st, 1st, 75cm 12 year old Showjumping with 12 years Showjumping champion, placed in a sporting event with 12 years girls, reserve champion
12 Years all girls below– 1st Place as team
Football FOOTBALL 1STS TRAINING SESSION On Thursday the 14 May, Catherine Cannuli, a retired Australian Matilda's and Australia W-League Football player attended the Senior 1st & 2nd soccer training session. Catherine ran part of the session highlighting key football skills and positional plays for the girls to work on for their up and coming games. Having played for Australia and in the W-League for teams like Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers, Catherine gave an insight into her career, barriers she faced and overcame and her upbringing. Catherine talked to the girls about nutrition, injury prevention and the career pathways for female football players.
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COMMUNITY
Past Parents 2010-2015
KRB Connection Breakfast 2015
The Past Parents' Celebration for parents whose daughters and sons graduated from KRB between 2010 and 2014 was a great success. It gave many past parents the opportunity to catch up and renew friendships made over many years.
Over 50 current and past parents and past students attended the KRB Connection Breakfast in May at the Queen Victoria Tea Rooms. Facilitator Mary Still, past parent and a partner with Clayton Utz coordinated a panel of outstanding speakers and parents who reflected on their professional and personal journeys – Susan Panuccio who is the Chief Financial Officer at News Corporation, Virginia Briggs, partner at Minter Ellison and Cathy Kovacs Head of Equities, BT Financial Group. There were many common themes running through their reflections including
Celebrating Mothers Two special events in May gave the students the opportunity to come together to celebrate the significance that mothers play in our lives. The Junior School Mother Child Mass and Afternoon Tea had a special liturgy for mothers and included a blessing of mothers with babies. This was followed by Afternoon Tea. The Senior School Mother Daughter Lunch held the next day, involved mothers from the city, country NSW and overseas coming together to celebrate with their daughters. We were delighted to have Lyndall Stoyles (KRB 1987) as our guest speaker. Lyndall is currently the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary for ASCIANO Ltd. Asciano owns Pacific National, the largest freight rail operator in Australia and Patrick, the largest port and logistics Company in Australia and New Zealand. Lyndall gave an inspiring speech in which she described some of her journey and the opportunities and challenges she had faced. She emphasised the importance of education and the difference an education had made to her life. Lyndall pointed out the many challenges in her role, particularly in relation to safety issues for those working at the ports. As well, she emphasised the importance of a work life balance and the changes having a child had made to her life. She spoke of her mother as being an inspiring woman who faced all challenges with a positive outlook.
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• Take yourself out of your comfort zone and take opportunities • Apply for positions you are not sure you will be able to do and learn on the job • Manage expectations • Don't be afraid to ask for what you need • Build a network of supporters • Develop your confidence • Keep your tools and skills sharpened. 1. KRB CONNECTION BREAKFAST. 2. EMILY SHAW, HILARY JOHNSTON-CROKE, LYNDALL STOYLES AND GRACE GERATHY. 3: HILARY JOHNSTON-CROKE, MARY STILL, CATHY KOVACS, VIRGINIA BRIGGS & SUSAN PANUCCIO. 4. JUNIOR SCHOOL MOTHERS’ DAY MASS & AFTERNOON TEA
COMMUNITY
International Women's Day – Making it Happen "Making it Happen" was the theme for this year's International Women's Day. KRB was privileged to have alumna and environmental conservationist and activist Alice Forrest, (KRB 2005) speak at our annual International Women's Day luncheon. After finishing her studies at KRB, Alice travelled and worked before deciding how she really wanted to make a difference to the world. She gained a Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity & Conservation) in 2013 from Macquarie University. Since then Alice has travelled to Japan to be a voice for the dolphins of The Cove, sailed across the Indian Ocean studying blue whales, explored deserted islands researching seabird colonies and worked with schools in Fiji to protect our oceans from plastic pollution. Alice really engaged with Senior School students who were enlightened by her experiences worldwide. Alice's advice to students was to: • • • • • • • •
Focus on using reusable products Become educated and knowledgeable in your areas of interest Eat wisely Tell a friend about the importance of sustainability Do what you love, you will gain a great deal from this Be open minded about new situations and challenges Get involved in your areas of interest Practise conservation to save one baby whale.
In April, 2015 Alice and her mother Nicolee travelled to Nepal and were there when the disastrous earthquake struck. Alice and her mother escaped the disaster unscathed but then did everything they could to organise groups of volunteers to assist. She was involved in packaging foods to send to the isolated villages that were still desperately awaiting aid.
They encouraged friends to assist and used Facebook as a means of making contact. Alice at the time wrote: I feel like I'm helping a bit but also just getting out of the way could help as I'm still using food and water. I would love to donate blood but the hospitals are so ill-equipped they are unable to store it. I'll do whatever I can and if I find a way to be really useful I'll stay longer. And this is just the beginning, once the urgent need to rescue people is over there are still years of rebuilding ahead for Nepal, and it's so important to do this properly and build safe homes against future earthquakes. After just a couple of weeks here I've totally fallen in love with Nepal and the beautiful people here. They are probably the most generous people I've ever met, so it would be incredible for everyone to be generous back and donate to groups who are helping to face the current disaster as well as the ongoing rebuild. This is a country that will take many years to recover, but once the rebuild begins and the crisis is over it is definitely still a place you should visit. Income from tourism is vital here, plus everyone should experience the magic of this friendly, magical country.
ABOVE: HILARY JOHNSTON-CROKE WITH ALICE FORREST AND STUDENT LEADERS AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY. INSET: NICOLEE (LEFT) & ALICE FORREST (2005) IN NEPAL
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GLOBAL CONNECTIONS ďƒ˘
OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS In the past six months there have been a number of opportunities to connect with our international students. These include a function hosted by the Principal in the USA for Australian students who are now living and working overseas and one for international students in Hong Kong who are KRB graduates. We have profiled some of them. NEWS FROM ALUMNAE LIVING IN THE USA Johanna Walton-Hespe (2003) "I studied Environmental Science and Arts at UNSW, wrote my thesis in Indonesia and now work as a Sustainability Manager at UGE a renewable energy start up .I am working on cleaning up the supply chain and manufacturing of renewable energy products, implementing social equity policies and working on making our working conditions for all staff equitable."
Charlotte Madden (2005) Charlotte who comes from Moree, is an Account Manager at Transit Wireless New York. Transit Wireless is currently developing WiFi and wireless in the New York subway. Charlotte manages all wireless and WiFi customer relationships.
Victoria Scharrer (2004) "I am Associate Creative Director at Sparks New York, an experimental marketing company. I design events and experiences (3D spatial design) that allows people to interact with a brand. Google, Twitter and Dropbox are notable clients."
Maddison Daniel (2006) Maddison is an In house lawyer at PricewaterhouseCoopers New York. She works in the global office of the General Counsel, and focuses on global mergers and acquisitions and cross border transactions.
Marliesha Bartrop (Kuiper 1997) "I am both an investment banker and mother. I work in the Risk Management Group at Macquarie, New York where I have worked since I graduated from the University of Sydney and Women's College. I worked in the Investment Banking Group at Macquarie in Sydney and then in London. I now live in Manhattan with my husband and am currently on maternity leave."
Katrina Hetherington (Cramer 1995) "KRB gave me the confidence to do a gap year in the UK after I left school. I then did a degree in Theatre Performance, then a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science followed by my Masters of Chiropractic. I moved to NYC with my husband where I worked in a clinic on Madison Avenue before leaving to have my four fantastic baby boys."
Lucy Gregory-Roberts (2003) "After completing a Masters of Interior Design at the Pratt institute in Brooklyn I found a job in Manhattan working as an Interior Designer for an Australian firm, BKH. I would never have dreamed of living and working in NYC when I left KRB, however, the education, confidence and resilience I learned there definitely prepared me."
TOP: JOHANNA WALTON-HESPE (2003), HILARY JOHNSTON-CROKE & LUCY GREGORY-ROBERTS (2003). MIDDLE: LUCY GREGORY-ROBERTS (2003) & SOPHIE HOSKIN (FITZGERALD, ’87). BOTTOM: PHOTO 3: MADDISON DANIEL (2006) & CHARLOTTE MADDEN (2005)
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GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
NEWS FROM ALUMNAE LIVING IN BEIJING AND HONG KONG Grace Ho (1999)
Samantha Kwok (1999)
Gloria So (1999)
Samantha graduated from the University of Sydney in 2013 with a Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Science (B.P.E.S.S.) In 2013 she moved to Beijing to do a 6 month Intensive Mandarin Course at Beijing International Chinese College
Gloria gained a Bachelor of Architecture from University of New South Wales in 2004 and is now working as an architect with MTR Coporation Limited.
Grace studied for a Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW then studied post graduate Global Law at Sydney University. She is now working as a solicitor in Business Development/ Law at Harney Westwood & Riegels.
Kei Kei Hui (2009) Kei Kei began her career in finance, then moved into hospitality. She is the Executive. Assistant to the Company Director with the Ovolo Group. The Ovolo Group is expanding in Sydney with introduction of Serviced Apartments.
Annie Ko (1999)
She founded JingJobs.com in April 2014 – a curated China-focused job listing platform connecting young professionals and graduates with opportunities in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Guangzhou.
Victoria Lam (2006)
Sabrina Kwok (2014)
Michelle studied a Bachelor Media and Communications at Sydney University. She is now working as a Marketing Executive with NOW TV. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce/Science Carmen became Strategy Planner for the advertising company Publicis.
Chaai Chaai Wu (2007)
Victoria studied Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) in the City University of Hong Kong from 2007 to 2012. She went on to study an MSc Criminal Justice Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the UK from 2012 to 2013. She then began working as a trainee solicitor in a Hong Kong law firm, specialising in corporate, commercial and litigation. An Australian education opens doors to opportunities not just in Australia, but elsewhere in the world. Boarding school life at KRB enabled me to meet students from different parts of the world, broadening my horizon and social skills.
Since I have left school, I have been back to swim training and racing in Hong Kong trying to better my times and still hoping to make the Olympic qualifying time by April 2016. I'm still 3 seconds off the qualifying time. Going to UCLA in August where I will be a full time student-athlete will hopefully help me slice those 3 seconds off the 100m backstroke! I will be studying Business Economics, then Communications. I will then consider going to Law School.
Wing Ka (Michelle) Wong (2009)
Carmen Wu (1998)
After completing her Bachelor of Economics degree at University of New South Wales, Annie became Marketing Director for TECH LANE. The company mainly manufactures small domestic appliances and Annie's role is to link up clients with interest in developing new products with the company. KRB provided me with my best friends. As well I have learnt a lot through all the different experiences and activities at school. I especially appreciate how the teachers were honest and caring to their students.
KRB gave me an extremely invaluable basis for exploration, opening a window of opportunity to learn, understand and develop at a young age.
Diana Leung (1999) Diana studied photography at Sydney College of th Arts. She now works from home in merchandise for the Caesar brand.
Chaai Chaai started her career with BNP Paribas in 2012. She worked in various departments within the Bank, including Investment Banking Division, Financial and Official Institutions Coverage. Based in Hong Kong, she has worked in various locations including London, Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia. She has recently been accepted to the certificate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Columbia University Teachers College.
Teresa Yeung (1999) Teresa studied Communications at the University of Technology. She is now working in merchandising with Malloy ltd, an exporting business. JULY 2015 // OPEN GATE
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BURSARY SPORT
BURSARIES & BEQUESTS We are delighted to announce the establishment of the Sister Philomene Tiernan rscj Boarding Bursary. The bursary has been established in honour of Sr Tiernan who died tragically as a result of the Malaysian Airline crash on 17 July 2014. This decision has come about as a result of the wishes of many members of the KRB community who wished to honour Sr Tiernan and create a lasting memory to her in an area to which she was so dedicated.
She enjoyed many activities, including swimming and surfing, skiing and warer skiing, golf and bridge and she avidly supported the wallabies and the Balmain Tigers. She especially loved being surrounded by three generations of her precious family.
The bursary covers full boarding fees at KRB, with the possibility of tuition support. It will be awarded to a student: • Who comes from a regional area in NSW or QLD and is not currently attending Kincoppal – Rose Bay School • who can demonstrate financial need and who would be unable to attend Kincoppal – Rose Bay School without this assistance • whose family is able to demonstrate support of the goals of Sacred Heart education • who can demonstrate the ability to contribute to the school community We thank all our donors who have contributed to make this legacy a possibility. If you would like to make a contribution to this perpetual bursary please contact Mary Cook, Director of Development, 02 9388 6024, email cookm@krb.nsw.edu.au The KRB Bursary Fund has received much support over the past three years. This is due to Alison Stephen, whose generous donation of $1million enabled the School to establish the Alison Stephen Scholarship, a means tested scholarship for a student from country NSW. As well the School was fortunate to receive a bequest of $1million from the estate of Margaret Kirkpatrick, which has provided a means tested scholarship, the Margaret Kirkpatrick Scholarship, to a student from country NSW. Bequests have also greatly assisted in providing more funds for the Bursary Fund. The School was privileged to receive a bequest from the Estate of the late Dr Robert McInerney. This bequest was made as a tribute to Robert's wife, Betty Rose McInerney (Stormon, K 1940). Julia Cuming, niece of Robert and Betty and Executor of the estate wrote "Betty Rose loved her time at school and friends made there, remained life time friends. The sisters gave her the space to develop her creative bent. She loved poetry, art, piano and speech, talents she carried into adulthood. Both Robert and Betty valued the gift of education and the way in which it can empower a student." We were also delighted to receive another significant bequest from the Estate of Marie Toohey (1950). Marie's nieces Sarah (Toohey, 1981) and Amelia (1985) are also alumnae of KRB and Sarah's daughter, Arabella is third generation. Emma Toohey (2007) is a great niece of Marie. Marie attended Kincoppal Elizabeth Bay from 1945 – 1951. In their reflections on Marie, her nieces, Sarah and Amelia said: Marie was a keen and accomplished tennis player, and played in the U13 & U14 NSW Championships, where she was runner-up. After Marie left Kincoppal, she travelled abroad with her parents, returning to work at solicitors, Freehill, Hollingdale and Page. Marie was a person of much warmth and sincerity. She took a genuine interest in everyone and was the first to offer help and advice. She was a very significant and ever present part of the lives of her nieces and nephews, John, Peter, Sarah, David & Amelia. In more recent times she regularly watched her grandniece, Arabella Gardiner, play touch football. Her work at St Vincent's Hospital, spanned some 50 years with the Sisters of Charity. This was one of her proudest achievements, one which she enjoyed immensely.
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1. MARIE TOOHEY WITH HER GRAND-NIECE ARABELLA GARDINER (2011). 2. LYN GEARING, HANNAH GUY (YEAR 11, RECIPIENT OF THE ALISON STEPHEN SCHOLARSHIP) ALISON STEPHEN, (RB'1938), MARY SHANAHAN RSCJ & ABBEY HEGYI (YEAR 12, RECIPIENT OF THE MARGARET KIRKPATRICK SCHOLARSHIP). 3. GERRY MCINERNEY, BETTY-ROSE MCINERNEY (STORMON K 1940) & ROBERT MCINERNEY
If you would like to learn more about our Bequest Program, please contact Mary Cook, Director of Development on cookm@krb.nsw.edu.au or 9388 6024.
COR UNUM FROM THE PRESIDENT My name is Elizabeth Clunies-Ross and at the July AGM I was elected as the new President of the Sacré Coeur Association. I thank Denise Jones for her tireless work as President for the last three years and thankfully, Denise is remaining as Vice President to support me in my new role. Special thanks must also go to Mary Marsh (Grogan, 1969) who has retired after many years of service. A very special thank you to Mary for her kind and sensitive sympathy letters to alumnae who have lost a family member. Our committee for 2015/16 • Denise Jones ( Ryan, KRB 1974/75) Vice President • Jan Eldershaw (KRB 1974) Treasurer • Anne de Broglio (Lissoir, 1958) Secretary • Laura Courtney (KRB, 1999) • Geraldine Daley (RB, 1968) • Abbie Jones (KRB, 2010) • Liz Jones (KRB, 2007) • Katherine Summers (KRB, 2010) • Elizabeth Macarthur-Onslow (Green, 1982) • Libby Dammann (Webb, KRB 1973) who along with myself is joining the Committee. I am very grateful to everyone for nominating for the Committee and for being so welcoming and supportive. I have had a long association with Kincoppal– Rose Bay, beginning in Barat Burn in the early 70s and graduating in 1984. My two girls, Ali and Maddie graduated in 2012 and 2014. I am looking forward to giving back a little of that which KRB has offered me and my family.
Sandwiches and Song is coming up on 19 October and again this year spouses will be invited. The Spring Fair will be held on Sunday 8 November. We look forward to this being an occasion which brings our whole community together. We hope to see you all there! Finally, we would love to hear from you. We are here to serve you and keep our wonderful community together. Thank you. Liz Clunies-Ross (Linton '84) 0416 250 525
At our AGM Jan Eldershaw told us approximately $5500 has been raised for the KRB Bursary Fund. This adds a further opportunity for the daughter of an alumna to attend KRB.
FROM THE CHAPEL SOCIETY At a recent wedding, the altar was decorated with battery operated flameless candles of varying shapes and sizes, from large to tealights. While these will never replace the candles used on the exquisite candelabra, Sacristan Maureen Brian is very happy that they can be used some of the time as they help minimise damage to the altar cloths caused by dripping wax. The School has recently paid for the restoration of 2 sets of heritage brass candelabra plus two single candlesticks and one ciborium. Some of the candlebra have very fine lace-work design and are of French origin. They will be used for the Year 12 Vale Mass in September.
The magnificent 1890 Puget organ celebrates 125 years since its installation in the Sacred Heart Convent, Bordeaux. We hope to arrange a short recital to celebrate this milestone. Please check the latest News on our website – www. puget-organ-restoration.org.au for further details. Also on our website, under Chapel Society News, is an account of a special ceremony which members of The Chapel Society attended at St Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, North Parramatta, with the story of Sister Margaret McKay rscj and her great-great-great-grandfather, "Captain" Hugh O'Donnell's grave there. Ann Henderson President
TOP: LIBBY DAMMANN (WEBB '73) & LIZ CLUNIES-ROSS (LINTON '84)
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NEWS & NOTICES Alumnae Update LUCY MACKEN ('87) – JOURNALIST After leaving KRB at the end of 1987, and two years in Europe with her fellow class mates, Lucy returned to Sydney to try her hand at journalism. After a year as a "copygirl" at The Australian and posing as a journalist in a few freelance feature stories for a business magazine, Lucy was given a cadetship at The Sydney Morning Herald. Three years later Lucy left Fairfax Media to go overseas again, later stopping in Mexico for a year when she was appointed World Editor at The Mexico City News, then the only English-speaking newspaper in Mexico City.
Returning to Sydney in 1997 and after a quick stint at ABC Radio and finally completing her BA degree from UNSW, Lucy went to The Sunday Telegraph, first as deputy editor of Body+Soul liftout, then as the newspaper's production editor. In 2002, Lucy returned to writing for The Sydney Morning Herald as a freelance property writer for the Domain liftout. Now based in Greenwich with her husband Damian Barry, and their three children, Liam, Finn and Evie, Lucy returned to the Herald fulltime a few years ago when she took over the Title Deeds column.
GABBY MCKAY (2007) has completed her second degree and is
now LLB, currently working for the Family Law Court SAMANTHA MCKAY (2011) finished her degree in Radiography at Newcastle University at the end of last year and in June began her first job as a radiographer at the Royal Darwin Hospital
PENNY SIMMONS (2006) works as a physiotherapist at Newcastle
Marriages Alexandra Lazar (2003) & James Kanabar Jane Henderson (1997) & Brian Combes Jenny Wei (2006) & Mark Flynn Maddie Ellis (2005) & Adam Gwynne Kate Staff (2005) & Henry King Kelye Woodgate ('89) & Dale Lieshout Luci Chiappini & Alex Corley Elizabeth Burns ('86) & Ramin Jahremi LEFT: ALEXANDRA LAZAR & JAMES KANABAR. RIGHT: KATE STAFF & HENRY KING
Births
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2
Sophie (Connors, 2000) and Chris Slater, a son, Charlie Alexandra (Blok, 1988) and Thomas Grendel, a daughter Amelie Alexandra Henrietta Laura (Golden, ’03) and Adrian Hoight a daughter, Eleonore Louise Jenny (Umali, 96) and Myles Thompson, a son, Aston 1. MARGIE BLOCK (PENDERGAST, '72), ALEX BLOK ('88) & AMELIE GRENDEL. 2. CHARLIE SLATER. 3. ELEONORE LOUISE HOIGHT. 4. ASTON THOMPSON
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NEWS & NOTICES
REUNIONS Sandwiches & Song The Kincoppal and Rose Bay Classes of 1945 and 1946, who usually combine for their Reunions, will be celebrating their 70th Class Reunion (Classes of '46 "foreshadowing!) at "Sandwiches and Song" on Monday, 19 October, 2015. You will receive the usual invitation to "Sandwiches and Song" but if anyone in the above classes needs further information, Mary Cavanagh (Kincoppal) and Margaret McKay, RSCJ (Rose Bay) would be happy to provide it. Their contact details may be obtained through the school. Husbands (including widowers of Class members) are included – also daughters and carers if necessary.
Deaths Brian Anderson, husband of Barbara (McAlary, dec. RB '48), father of Sally Windsor (Anderson, '77), Suzie Beach (Anderson, '78), Caroline Jones (Anderson, dec. '82), Peter, Mike & Tony Patricia Austin (Leabeater, K '45), mother of Anne Leist (Austin, K '70), Paula Okell (Austin), Clare Parbery (Austin, RB '71) & Philippa Toohey (Austin, '80) Timothy Barrett, brother of twins Julie Garling (Barrett, K '63), Kerry Burke (Barrett, dec. K '70) & Toni Ryan (Barrett, K '63) Jenny Bennett (Sacré Coeur '69), mother of Megan Fleming (Bennett, '98) and Eleanore ('96) Sally Bryant (Lennon, RB '51), sister of Judith Gorman (Lennon, RB '46) John Carmody, husband of Brenda, father of Mary-Lou Matthews (Carmody, '81), & Jennifer ('85)
Margot Clear (McMahon, RB '44), daughter of Marjorie McMahon, (dec. RB 1918) sister of Anne McLachlan (McMahon, dec. RB '46), Ruth Heesh (McMahon, dec. RB '48), & Frances McClemens (McMahon, RB '53) Shirley Chapman (Gray, K '45), mother of Chris ('71) Susan Cohen (Best, RB '49), sister of Sally O'Connell (Best, RB '53) Constance Crisp (Hughes, K '42), sister of Robert (dec.) and Tom, aunt of Lucy Turnbull AO (Hughes, '75) & Greg Hughes ('79) Vincent Curtis, husband of Karen, father of Olivia (2015) & Isabella (Year 9) Fernanda de Carvalho, sister of Candida Meriwether (de Carvalho, '42) Katrina Dawson, sister and sister-in-law of Sandy Dawson & Alexandra Hunter Cecile Joy Evans (McDermott, RB '33), sister of Annette Keighery (McDermott, dec. RB
'38), Estelle Macken (McDermott, dec.) Joan McDermott (dec.) & Mary Morgan (McDermott, dec. RB '31) Pamela Fahey, mother of Helen Foster (Fahey, dec. '73) & Anne Montgomery (Fahey, '77) Joan Hayes (Sheedy, RB '44), sister of Marie Anne Johnston (Tonking, RB '45) Min Keating, mother of Lyn King, grandmother of Alison McLean (King, '91), Liz Thorp (King, '88) & Jane King ('94) Michael Kelaher, father of Elizabeth ('92) Surendra Manandhar, husband of Sarala, father of Maya (Year 9) & Tara (Year 7) Paul McKay, father of Gabby (2007), brother of Geoffrey, Bob, John & Kerrie Gaynor (McKay, '77) Callum Orr, husband of Eleanor (McKay, '79)
John Pidcock, father of Caroline ('80), Lou Lindsay (Pidcock, '82), Maryanne ('85), Lucy White (Pidcock, '92) and Katie Stack (Pidcock '93), brother of Mary Lynne Pidcock, husband of Mary Pidcock (Stevens, dec. RB '54) & Colleen Pidcock (Goyen, dec. RB '56) Richard Pye, father of Vivienne MacMahon (Pye, RB '70) Virginia Ross (Theodore, RB '58), sister of Camille William Ryan, husband of Patricia (dec.), father of Trish Goodfellow (Ryan, '83) & Eunice Ryan Alannah Stedman ('87), daughter of Ronald (dec.) and Deirdre, sister of Fiona Bunting (Stedman, '84) Prudence Stitt (Weaver, RB '52), sister of Elizabeth Malloy (dec. RB '44) Peter Stanley, husband of Elizabeth, father of Ellen ('86) & Priscilla Lister (Stanley, '93) William Weigall, brother of Catherine (K '57)
John Pidcock John was a member of the Kincoppal – Rose Bay Board for about 17 years. He had daughters at KRB from 1975 to 1993 with only one year, 1986, without one of the Pidcock daughters there. While on the Board, he worked on a number of projects including, the preservation of the Chapel, particularly damp-proofing and improving the lighting.
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