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The Melbourne Grammar School Community Magazine
Year 8 Marine Biology Camp
Photographs by Toby Maxwell-Wright & Cathy Robbins
In March Year 8 students attend a Marine Biology camp at Queenscliff & Ocean Grove. As part of the Science and Geography curriculum, students learn about the interrelationships between various marine organisms, gain personal experience of wave phenomena & observe geographical formations. The students canoe, cruise, beachcomb, surf & snorkel whilst gaining an invaluable perspective in a wonderful natural classroom.
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In this issue From the School Council 4 From the Headmaster 5 2003 Victorian Certificate of Education 6 Beyond the School 7 Out & About at Senior School 8 Out & About at Wadhurst 11 Out & About at Grimwade House 12 Innovative Learning 14 Our Vision 15 Boarding 19 The Old Melburnians 20 Branches & Reunions 22 Community News 24 Archives 26 The Grammar Foundation 27 Friends of Grammar 28 Community Noticeboard 30 Welcome to New Parents 31
VCE Results
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is published three times a year for the Melbourne Grammar School Community
Innovative Learning
Published by Development Office Melbourne Grammar School 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne 3004 Telephone: 9868 7100 Facsimile: 9868 7177 email: newsletter@mgs.vic.edu.au
Our front cover: New students Ella Seaton & Andrew Udovenya discover Prep is full of fun in their first few weeks of primary school at Grimwade House.
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In this edition you will see a detailed summary of the Vision in the centre feature and articles throughout the magazine which show the Vision at work every day in and out of the classroom at Melbourne Grammar. Integral to the Vision, Melbourne Grammar’s values are ever present in all activities at the School and are highlighted in the articles. Leadership is demonstrated in leadership conferences, creative thinking through curriculum initiatives, excellence in VCE results, learning leading to understanding in tours, a positive sense of self in new Year 7 activities, integrity in staff actions, compassion in blood donations, a sense of community in Friends of Grammar activities and diversity in all that we do.
Kirrily Johns
Fostering Learning and Leadership Melbourne Grammar School fosters the pursuit of excellence by offering an educational experience ranging across intellectual, social, cultural, spiritual and physical pursuits.
LEADERSHIP
CREATIVE THINKING
UNDERSTANDING
SELF
A SENSE OF DIVERSITY
COMMUNITY
Kirrily Johns
Editorial Board
Desktop Publishing
SENSE OF & MORAL COURAGE LEADING TO
LEARNING
Editor
Ann Badger Stewart Brook Jane Lee Gordon Sargood (Chairman)
A POSITIVE INTEGRITY
COMPASSION
This year marks the launch of Melbourne Grammar School’s Vision: Learning and Leadership.
Our Vision
EXCELLENCE
From the Editor Welcome to the first edition of Grammar Newsletter for 2004. The photo of Prep students in their first few weeks at School on the front cover illustrates the curiosity and discovery which is revealed in the learning experience.
Grammar Newsletter
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Friends of Grammar
28 Melbourne Grammar School respects the privacy of its community members and is bound by the National Privacy Principles under the Commonwealth Privacy Act. For a copy of the School’s Privacy Policy please visit the School’s website at www.mgs.vic.edu.au or contact the School on 61 3 9868 7100.
Drew Gamble
Printer GT Graphics
Mailing & Distribution Data Connection
Photographs John Batistich Stewart Brook Michael Chesterman Steven de Visser James Grant David Hart Glyn Howitt Sarah Jessup Kirrily Johns Lee Family Toby Maxwell-Wright John Plowright Alberto Rizzo Cathy Robbins Margot Thompson Peter Tooke Simon Waters Tom Woodruff David Woods MGS Archives and others
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From the School Council Welcome to 2004 I would like to welcome to Melbourne Grammar School all the new parents, staff and students. Each new year brings new challenges and fresh opportunities. The School Council has held several meetings in the new year with a major focus on the exciting new Vision for the School, in addition to planning for the Centre for Learning and Leadership at the South Yarra campus. John Hasker
School Council President The Most Reverend Peter Watson Archbishop of Melbourne
Chairman John Hasker
Deputy Chairman Graeme Blackman
Peter Beaumont Sandy Clark Peter Danne Barbara Fary Vince FitzGerald Stuart Gooley Sandy Massina Lelde McCoy Bruce Parncutt Ian Vaughan Catherine Walter
Headmaster Paul Sheahan
Secretary to the Council David Temple (Bursar)
Sandy Clark joins School Council this year. Sandy is an excellent addition to the ranks and is an Old Melburnian (1962) with long standing membership of the Council’s Finance and Planning Committee. As a matter of interest Sandy’s brother John was my predecessor as Council Chairman, retiring in 1998.
New member of School Council Sandy Clark & Chairman John Hasker in the newly renovated Ricketson Room
Our Vision: Learning and Leadership I must congratulate Headmaster Paul Sheahan on his development of the new Vision for the School. It has been a long journey but one I believe will further contribute towards our commitment to Melbourne Grammar being the leading school of our time in Australia and offering young students the finest available education.
Building Update Working towards our objective of outstanding programs and facilities, the design brief for the exciting new Centre for Learning and Leadership is now complete. This is an iconic building for the School with leading architectural firms invited to participate in an architectural design competition. The new MGS Sports Complex at Todd Road, Port Melbourne is nearing completion and it is hoped that the Governor of Victoria John Landy will officially open the Complex later this year. The Foundation Stone for the Alfred Felton Hall at Grimwade House was laid on 18 March
The Orchestral Rehearsal Room takes shape beside the Memorial Hall
and the Hall is scheduled to open for the start of the 2006 school year. The Hall will form a new heart for Grimwade House, a focal point for a wide range of learning and performing activities including concerts, assemblies, plays, meetings and functions. The Alfred Felton Hall was made possible by a leadership gift from the Felton Bequests’ Committee and strong philanthropic support from the Grammar Community. The Ricketson Room was renovated over summer and the Memorial Hall renovations are making steady progress. I toured the site in late February – the orchestral space looks stunning and will be a fine enhancement for our music program. John Hasker
Renovated stained glass windows in the Ricketson Room
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From the Headmaster Teaching and Learning ‘Teaching’ is defined in the Oxford Concise Dictionary as “giving systematic information to a person”, and ‘learning’ is defined as “gaining knowledge of, or skill in, by study, experience or being taught”. Would that it were as simple as that! The two processes are interwoven to such an extent that they are inseparable and no longer is the distinction between teacher and learner clear-cut. Our Vision Statement impels us to put teaching and learning at the very centre of what we do but they must be accompanied by a transmission of the other eight values that Melbourne Grammar sees as integral to the education of our students. Most of us (in the previous century!) learned by being seated in serried ranks and spoken at by adults who might or might not have known what they were talking about, and who certainly found it confronting to be challenged by an adolescent who possibly knew more than they did. We went through the same process and either ‘caught’ what was being said (rather like a disease) or missed out. There was little accounting for individual difference and few opportunities for those whose learning might not have been through auditory means. Few students stayed on at school until the final year (probably not more than thirty per cent); others dropped out, not necessarily because they were dull but possibly because schools did not cater for their needs and their personal learning styles. So much more is known now about how people learn, how their neurological processes filter information and retain what is important, how the brain creates connections that make the information meaningful and what happens when the person wants to make use of the theoretical information they retain in a practical situation. Many researchers worldwide are pressing forward in providing greater insights into these mysteries. Needless to say, they have only just scratched the surface but at least we know enough now to tailor the education we offer to the needs of the individual, rather than forcing everyone through exactly the same process, where only the ‘intellectually fit’ and those destined for highly academic university courses survive. To meet this modern approach, we have restructured Chris Bradtke’s role from ‘Director of Curriculum’ to the broader and deeper ‘Director of Teaching and Learning’. Some responsibilities will remain from his previous job but he will have jettisoned some of the more departmental things so that he can concentrate more on the provision of individualised curriculum and Professional Development of staff.
We hear a great deal about life-long learning but it is so true nowadays that the educational professional cannot rely solely on what he/she learned as an undergraduate. Research and development are progressing at such a pace that what we learned even five years ago has been multiplied four times by discoveries in the intervening period. Someone has said that medical and scientific knowledge are doubling every two and a half years. If that is so then it is true that, if we knew everything there was to know five years ago but had not moved ahead since, we would know only one-quarter of what there is to know now.
Paul Sheahan
The conclusion is two-fold: firstly, we cannot rely on what we learned in the past to carry us through (we MUST continue to learn) and, secondly, it is insufficient (maybe even pointless) to cram a set of facts into a student’s head. All learning relies on some factual knowledge but if all we teach are facts the learner will be left to drift in a sea of irrelevance. Using methods that access the learning styles of each individual, we have to be teaching HOW to learn and how to synthesise what has been learned for use in unfamiliar settings. Technology is the other major advance in the last thirty years. Teaching and learning involve thinking skills—and there is no escaping that contention—but those who promulgate the view that technology does not have a place as a resource are mistaken. The modern world demands skill and facility with technology and that is why it holds a central place in the pedagogy of MGS. You can expect to see, therefore, that in a dynamic, technology-rich and forward-thinking educational institution like Melbourne Grammar, which aims to be amongst the world leaders in the education of pre-university students, each student will be given every opportunity to develop talents in a caring, compassionate and individualised environment.
Recently appointed Director of Teaching & Learning Chris Bradtke with students in his French class
The centre feature of this newsletter outlines Our Vision: Learning and Leadership which will inform all aspects of teaching and learning at Melbourne Grammar. I welcome your feedback via email: <vision@mgs.vic.edu.au> on this blueprint for our School’s future. Paul Sheahan
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2003 Victorian Certificate of Education
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
Outstanding Results
Sern-Wei Yeoh & Rowan Minson achieved the maximum VCE score of 99.95
Ian Berryman
Patrick Blain
Many members of the Melbourne Grammar School Community have already celebrated with staff, parents and students following the release of 2003 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) results last December. If VCE results are seen as a measure of success for schools then Melbourne Grammar leads the way. Outstanding performance by students at VCE level has become an accepted norm for this school with 2003 ranking as one of our most successful years. In an increasingly competitive educational market we cannot deny that regularly producing these results increases the attractiveness of Melbourne Grammar School to those who seek to maximise their chances of tertiary entrance. Having said that, however, no school can afford to trumpet success without careful consideration of how this academic success was achieved, how it is to be maintained or, more importantly, how it can be improved. To this end staff at Melbourne Grammar play a very active role in the processes involved with the VCE. Many have taken up the opportunity to act as examination assessors, members and presidents of subject associations and participants in text selection committees; they are frequently involved with setting examinations, vetting them or in-servicing other teachers as to the content of study designs and other VCE related materials. Results are regularly analysed and benchmarked against performance indicators and faculties constantly review their materials and practices in the light of these statistics. It is to their credit that so many see the value of professional development aimed at increasing the collective knowledge which allows us to operate so successfully through the labyrinth that is the VCE.
Nicholas Chenu
Alexander Cornish
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Daniel Elliott
To the students’ credit few staff would disagree with the fact that they are hard-working, resourceful, quick to recognise how to maximise performance within a system and well-supported both at school and at home. All these educational qualities, combined together on a daily basis, dosed with the stimulus of co-curricular activities, *
leadership opportunities and an environment that is the envy of many, form a powerful mixture. Those who pass through Melbourne Grammar School, staff or students, are most fortunate to be part of such a learning environment. The results listed below are the fruit of much labour and professional activity. All those who played a part in achieving them deserve our congratulations.
2003 Results Summary • 52.8% of our students are in the top 10% in the state/nation with an ENTER* of 90 or above • 40% of students attained an ENTER of 95 or above. This means that 78 of our students are in the top 5% in the state/nation • 26 students attained an ENTER of 99 or above. Therefore 13.3 % of our students are in the top 1% of the state/nation • The Melbourne Grammar School median ENTER for 2003 is 91.1 • 2 students achieved the maximum possible ENTER of 99.95. Special congratulations to Rowan Minson and Sern-Wei Yeoh. This score places them in the top 20 in the state • 15 students achieved 19 Study Scores of 50 out of 50 in 8 individual studies. Congratulations go to the following students: Ian Berryman – Physics, Patrick Blain – Physical Education, Nicholas Chenu – English, Alexander Cornish – English, Daniel Elliott – English, George Heriot – English and Physics, Christopher James – History of Revolutions, Nicholas Kozeniauskas – Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics and Physics, Jeremy Leung – English, Kolin Lu – English, Rowan Minson – Literature, Andrew Quine – English, Michael Seng – English and Geography, Sern-Wei Yeoh – Literature, Daniel Yim – Music Performance: Solo. Chris Bradtke
The Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) indicates an individual ranking against all others in Australia who finished or would have finished their secondary education in 2003.
George Heriot
Christopher James
Nicholas Kozeniauskas
Jeremy Leung
Beyond the School Student Destinations
Tertiary offers by Institution
The range of pathways pursued by our school leavers continues to diversify. Whilst we continue to achieve outstanding results and the overwhelming majority of our graduates enter the university sector, the geographic scope of our student destinations broadens each year. Students are taking up opportunities in Technical and Further Education, private colleges and apprenticeships and traineeships. The University of Melbourne was once again the most popular destination. Students received offers from seven of Victoria’s nine universities, four interstate and one overseas university, five institutes of TAFE and four private colleges. Those going directly into employment have taken up opportunities in traineeships and apprenticeships, which will provide the basis for strong sound careers, as well as opportunities to pursue further academic training. Around 10% of students have chosen to defer their studies during 2004 to travel or work. In some cases, students have deferred in order to take up employment based training whilst leaving the way open to pursue further study in 2005. A post Year 12 ‘GAP’ year can be a very valuable experience, allowing students to travel, earn money and achieve greater perspective and a stronger sense of direction. Changes to higher education funding for 2005 will mean higher HECS charges and a growth in the number of institutions offering fee-based places to local students. In 2004, approximately a third of our students received a fee-based offer (the vast majority of these students also received a HECS based offer) with 27 accepting. Business courses, either as single awards or in combination with other disciplines were once again the most popular destinations for our students. Students are fortunate that in this and some other areas, there are numerous alternative courses available in Victoria. For those seeking places in some other fields (e.g. medicine, physiotherapy, architecture) the range of institutions and courses is far more restricted. These students need to look within and beyond Victoria’s borders to maximise their opportunities of receiving an offer.
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University of Melbourne 4
Victoria University 6
Interstate Universities 16
Institutes of TAFE 6
Private Colleges 8
Other Destinations 12
6 38 15 5
Deakin University LaTrobe University
Monash University
RMIT University
Swinburne University
Offers by Type of Course Agriculture/Horticulture 1 Architecture/Building/Planning 11 Arts/Humanities 43 Aviation 2 Business/Commerce 78 Computing/Information Technology 17 Dental Science 2 Engineering 21 Health Sciences 6 Hospitality 2 Landscape Architecture 2 Law 27 Medicine 4 Physical/Outdoor Education 2 Physiotherapy 2 Science 22 Social Welfare/Psychology 1 Visual & Performing Arts/Design 10 Note: Many students are commencing courses that span more than one academic discipline. In the published figures, both areas of a double degree/dual award are included. Consequently, there may appear to be a discrepancy between the total numbers of offers by institution and the total numbers under areas of study.
Awards & Scholarships At the time of publication the School had not been advised of students who had received scholarships or awards due to their excellent results. We will endeavour to publish a comprehensive list in the August edition of Grammar Newsletter and would appreciate if anyone with information regarding scholarships or awards could contact the Careers Department, email: <careers@mgs.vic.edu.au> or telephone: 9868 7146 or 9868 7147.
The offers made to our students of 2003 are summarised above. Where more than one offer was made, I have included only the offer which (I believe) was accepted. For the purposes of this report, deferred offers are treated the same as accepted offers as they reflect the likely eventual destination of the students concerned. In compiling the figures I have relied on information provided by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and personal contact with students.
Kolin Lu
Andrew Quine
Michael Seng
Daniel Yim
Photographs by David Woods
Frank Thompson
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Out & About at Senior School Every summer students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of summer camps and tours. This summer sporting camps in Cricket, Swimming and Rowing were held, as were Outdoor Education camps, an L G Robertson camp, a Quad Play camp and some overseas tours including a Ski Tour of Italy, the Symphony Orchestra Tour of New Zealand and the Renaissance Tour of Italy.
Renaissance Trip to Italy The Renaissance era has long been recognised as one of the outstanding periods in world history. It is a period during which the study of man himself inspired the imagination of scholars, scientists, artists and craftsmen. On 3 January 2004 a motley group comprising nine students, eleven parents and friends and two staff members embarked upon a whirlwind, mercurial, intensive and fun-filled journey to discover and actually ‘touch’ some of the rinascimento in Italy. Beginning in Rome, the group savoured Roman antiquities as well as art from the Vatican and a plethora of museums featuring masters such as Raffaello, Brunelleschi and Michaelangelo. We then headed for Milan where we visited the majestic Duomo and the Sforza Palace. This was followed by a visit to the university and World War II resistance movement, colonnaded town of Bologna. We spent three days on the lagunas of Venice visiting the Doges’ Palace, churches and islands, and seven nights in Florence. From Florence, we took day trips to the towns of Pisa to see its leaning tower, Siena where the annual Pallio is held, and to the wonderful medieval town of San Gimignano which is situated on the verdant, vineyard-covered Tuscan hills. Apart from all the wonderful things we saw and experienced, the delectable Italian food we savoured, and the camaraderie of the group, one of the highlights includes: Jono Grigg standing outside a Venetian shop window, contemplating the mistakes on some chess boards made of the famous Murano glass, then entering the shop and putting the chess pieces in their correct positions. Other highlights were De and Cynthia Neville being persuaded to sing an aria in the church of Santa Maria; and the boys, irrespective of how tired they were, insisting on revisiting each place one final time after dinner in order to ensure that they would not miss an iota of the towns.
Many wonderful sites were visited on the Italy tour
Above all, it was most rewarding and inspiring for us as teachers to see a world to which we were well accustomed through the eyes of the students. They were able to give life to Italy and to our travels in a most unique manner. Claudia Cicuttini & Anne McKane
Photograph by Michael Chesterman
Photographs by the Lee Family
Summer fun
The MGS Symphony Orchestra Tour group at the Awahou Marae in Rotorua
Symphony Orchestra Tour of New Zealand In December last year 85 orchestra players, staff and supporters travelled around the North Island of New Zealand in the fourth concert tour of this part of the world since 1991. Following an overnight stay in Hamilton we spent two days in the art deco city of Napier, where we were hosted by the Napier Girls High School. A fine concert of Christmas music was presented in the Cathedral, student Daniel Yim conducted his recently composed piece Scherzo for Orchestra and Music Captain Jonathan Ryan performed the Oboe Concerto of Cimarosa. Taupo was our base for the next two days and we enjoyed the hot springs and a fishing competition on the lake. The concerts at the Great Lake Centre and at the Rotorua Convention Centre featured Daniel Yim and Mark Chu, who shared the solo part in Ravel’s Piano Concerto, and Reuben Lipohar, who performed Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto. These performances were outstanding and the audiences were most appreciative; one person wrote to the School afterwards: “I was amazed at the wealth of talent presented to us and am in awe at the skill and ability of the soloists.” Rotorua was memorable in many ways. We were given an impressive welcome (Powhiri) at the Awahou Marae, where most of the party stayed, we visited the country’s largest Maori cultural and geothermal visitor attraction at Te Whakarewarewa, spent an entertaining afternoon riding luges down the local mountain slopes and were given a fine farewell at a Civic Reception in the Rotorua Council Chambers. Martin Rutherford
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Another major element of the night was the goal setting session conducted by Mr Tooke. In small groups the prefects outlined their group and individual goals for the year ahead before the prefect body as a whole compiled their top five goals for 2004. Our major ambition was to create an environment where students see leadership as an opportunity rather than a burden and since that night we have begun to develop ideas that will convert our good words into good deeds. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the night was the atmosphere of energy and enthusiasm generated by the prefect group. The sense of co-operation and commitment to the task certainly augurs well for the year ahead. James Newton
Photograph by Steven de Visser
After our first week as formally inducted prefects the student leaders for 2004 met on the Friday night to prepare for our responsibilities in the year ahead. Despite the controversial clash with the first final of the VB One Day Series the night proved a great success. With contributions from Mr Sheahan, Mr Tooke, Ms Hosie and Dr Scott the evening covered a broad range of areas. These included a discussion of the nature and style of leadership, a psychological personality test (fortunately everyone passed) and a series of realistic situations and group formulated solutions.
Quad Play
Chris Venus, Pat Doube & Jay Bittelmann perform in the Quad Play production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night held in March
Photographs by Peter Tooke
Prefect Leadership Seminar
Prefects workshop ideas for their year of leadership
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
Melbourne Football Club
School Captain & keen Melbourne supporter James Newton meets Melbourne Captain David Neitz after Melbourne’s training session on the MGS oval
The Melbourne Football Club has initiated the concept of a ‘Foundation Day’ of football which included Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College playing a game at the MCG in August 2003. As part of an ongoing relationship with Melbourne Grammar, the Melbourne Football Club has committed to involving themselves in our football program. This includes the Melbourne Football Club training at MGS, AFL players attending our training sessions and the possibility of a school game at the MCG each year. The MFC has been proactive in reinstating the valuable relationships between the AFL clubs and schools and the MGS football department is keen to pursue the benefits that can be derived from such a program. Nick Gibbons
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Out & About at Senior School National History Challenge and imaginative presentation of aspects of Australian History. Four students received extremely high commendation for their entries to the 2003 National History Challenge. Each student researched and wrote an original essay on a topic in Australian History, on the theme of Conflict and Resolution, that was judged by a panel of judges at regional and state level.
Photograph by Simon Waters
Honourable Mention (equal third in State)
National History Challenge award winners from left: Scott Rolph, Nicholas Liau, Paul Annabell, Lindsay Parkhowell & teacher David Woods
Much that takes place in the classroom has further application beyond the School and leads to related activities and competitions at state and national level. The National History Challenge is a competition open to all year levels which encourages individual research
Paul Annabell – Australia’s Heritage (open to all year levels)
Certificate of Excellence
(top 12 in State in each section)
Nicholas Liau – War and Peace (open to all year levels) Lindsay Parkhowell – Australian Parliament (open to all year levels) Scott Rolph – Year Level 9 – 10 David Woods
Debating Distinctions
Photograph by Steven de Visser
Formal and informal debate is a significant component of class activity in many subjects and is taken up enthusiastically both in house debating and in the interschool competition run by the Debating Association of Victoria. The debating season begins towards the end of Term I and continues well into Term III. All houses field a senior and
Swannie Award winners from left: Nicholas Liau, Paul Annabell, James Newton & Oliver Waters
junior team and both levels of the competition are hotly contested in usually packed classrooms. In inter-school debating Melbourne Grammar School fields 20 teams who join other schools at St Kevin’s, our regional host school. In 2003 three MGS teams reached the state semi-finals (one in each of Year 9,10 and 11) and four boys won Swannie Awards. Swannies are awarded to the best speaker in each year level in each region and are compiled over the whole season. No other school (in the competition involving 240 schools) won four Swannie Awards. David Woods
Give and let live
Year 11 student Nicholas Liau gives blood at the South Melbourne Blood Bank as part of the community service program
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Photographs by Alberto Rizzo
Right, from left: Chris Buzzard, Nils Lemanis & Ed Lapin relax after giving blood & feasting on milkshakes & party pies
Out & About at Wadhurst Becoming a secondary student Wadhurst prides itself on the steps it takes to ensure that both students and parents have the smoothest possible beginning to Year 7. The teaching staff at Wadhurst is almost entirely dedicated to that campus and the expertise and experience of staff assists greatly in the transition of boys from a primary setting to a junior secondary school. The Year 7 tutor group structure at Wadhurst consists of 12 tutors, each with a group of 14 or 15 boys. We believe that the smaller groups (half of a full subject class) allow for boys to feel more comfortable and to avoid becoming ‘lost’. Research has also shown that it is important for one person at this level of schooling to know a boy well – hence the smaller tutor groups.
Year 7 parents cocktail party and the three House Services provide further opportunities for parents to meet the teaching staff as well as other parents of students at the School. At Wadhurst we understand the difficulties that boys may face in the early stages of the transition to secondary school. We believe that the programs and activities we have in place do ease that transition for most boys and provide a successful beginning to their years at Melbourne Grammar’s South Yarra campus. Alan Bliss
An Orientation Day in November of the previous year allows boys an early opportunity to learn a little about Wadhurst and Melbourne Grammar School. Boys take one class on that day and then are given a quite comprehensive tour of the South Yarra campus, conducted by student tour guides from the current Year 7.
School tours Why not join one of our regular tours to see what Melbourne Grammar School has to offer? Tours are held during the school day and are particularly designed for families to view educational facilities of each campus.
Similarly, the first day in the new school year is reserved for the incoming Year 7s only. Boys spend some time with their House Tutor and are given just enough information so that they will be able to organise themselves adequately as we seek to avoid the information overload. A session of inter-school sport training allows boys and coaches to see just where they will be best placed in terms of their particular sporting team for the first term. Boys leave Wadhurst early on that day, giving them every chance to practise the home journey on public transport. Various programs at Wadhurst also assist in allowing boys to feel more familiar with the life of a busy secondary school. A cricket clinic is held for the three days prior to the beginning of the new school year. Not only do boys improve their skills, but they also have an opportunity to meet boys with whom they will share the next six years of their education.
2004 Grimwade House Small group tours of our coeducational junior campus are held on a regular basis. Further information and bookings can be made by contacting the Grimwade House office on 9525 9051. Tom Fowler plays table tennis with a new friend at recess
Wadhurst Thursday 17 June 2.00pm Wednesday 1 September 9.30am Thursday 11 November 2.30pm
Senior School Wednesday 12 May 9.30am Wednesday 11 August 9.30am Thursday 28 October 2.00pm Bookings are essential and may be made with the Admissions Secretary on 9868 7170. These tours leave from The Lodge 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne.
Once the year has begun a Year 7 Information Technology Induction course is run for each Year 7 class over the first four weeks. The basics of handling and using computers are dealt with so that boys can use them more effectively within classes at Wadhurst.
Boarding Precinct Photograph by Kirrily Johns
Parents are also welcomed through various occasions when they can meet with their son’s tutor and the staff who teach him. An evening with all parents new to Melbourne Grammar is held in the first week of the school year. A Parent Information Night is held during the second week of the year for parents of all Year 7 boys at Wadhurst. In addition, social occasions such as a
Alex Richards & Peter Lofitis learn the basics of using computers in the Year 7 Information Technology Induction
Tours of the boarding precinct are organised on request. To make a booking please call the Admissions Secretary on 9868 7170. A Boarding Information Day will be held on Friday 30 April at 2.00pm.
Year 7 students enjoy a barbecue lunch hosted by Friends of Grammar on their first day
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Out & About at Grimwade House Learning from Leaders goals and striving to achieve them. The students and teachers were very inspired by his talk and asked many questions about goal setting, role models, life in China and life as a ballet dancer.
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
“Tom Li’s dad came to talk to us. He helped me to understand three important ways to achieve your goals. You must have a vision for the future, courage and be prepared to work hard. We set our own personal goals after the conference. I would like to continue to improve my communications skills. I want to also own a business called Mousecorp. I will start off small and get bigger.” (Edward Grutzner)
Li Cunxin author of Mao’s Last Dancer captivates Grimwade House students on the subject of leadership
“He told us that if we have a vision of what we want to achieve and if we persist with our goal then we can achieve anything.” (Justin de Steiger) Helen Gaudin, our school psychologist, worked with each Year 6 class to help students identify their preferences for the ways that they like to learn. Every student in Year 6 completed a checklist to help them identify their preferred styles.
Leadership is central to the Year 6 program and the students experience many opportunities for formal and informal leadership positions. Throughout this year’s Leadership Conference held in February Year 6 students had a wide range “My learning style is based on music, maths of experiences and these are highlighted through and working out things before they happen. My the reflections of the weakness in the area students themselves. of leadership is being Headmaster Paul impatient with team Sheahan spoke to the members. Sometimes “Compassion, girls and boys about it’s under control and leadership and how sometimes it isn’t. This trustworthiness, building goals are important is something I would for helping us to like to continue to work positive relationships and achieve our dreams. on.” (Nicholas Karsz)
hard work are also important The Year 6 teachers “Through the Leadership Conference also worked with their qualities of leaders.” I have learnt that students on a range leadership can take of areas such as the many different effects of motivation forms. You don’t on effort. People have to have a badge skills and leadership or a certificate to be a leader. Mr Sheahan who questionnaires were also completed during was one of our guest speakers told us that leaders class time. This enabled the students to can be quiet people who have big ideas and reflect and discover more about themselves enormous determination.” (Nina Briedahl) and set their personal goals for the year.
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“Mr Sheahan talked about a leader needing a vision, being strong and having the courage to make tough decisions. Compassion, trustworthiness, building positive relationships and hardwork are also important qualities of leaders.” (Hunter Pie)
Finally Innate Solutions worked with Year 6 students. The interactive games aimed at helping the students to understand the importance of teamwork and cooperative skills. A debriefing session was held at the end of each activity.
We were also fortunate to have Li Cunxin, author of Mao’s Last Dancer and current parent, speak about his remarkable life as one of the world’s best ballet dancers. Li’s peasant life in Chairman Mao’s communist China changed dramatically when at age eleven, he was chosen to become a student at the Beijing Dance Academy. His story is about resilience, following your dreams and setting
Concepts of learning and leading are interrelated. The Year 6 students explore these concepts during the first four weeks of term. The overall aim of the conference is to develop students who are more aware of qualities of good leaders and how this is directly related to forming positive and productive relationships with each other. Philip Fox
Photographs by Glyn Howitt
Visionary Curriculum The MGS Vision for Learning and Leadership has already had a significant impact on the Prep to Year 6 curriculum at Grimwade House. Teams of teachers have worked together to write integrated units of work in Studies of Society and the Environment, Religious and Values Education and English.
Year 1 students Millie Bongiorno, Andrew TashevskiBeckwith & Timothy Stoney hold up their helping hands
These new units incorporate the nine core values expressed in the Vision. Prep students have been investigating friendship and diversity as they begin their formal education. Students in Years 1 and 2 reflected on how they could be ‘helping hands’ at home and at school. They thought of creative ideas and illustrated these to express such things as showing empathy and being understanding to others, being a good leader and accepting people who are different from themselves. Middle Primary has incorporated activities from ‘Bounce Back’, a social skills and resilience program. Students in Upper Primary focus on leadership with the Leadership Conference
Helping hands working together in class 2H
being held at the beginning of the year. In addition specialist teachers incorporate specific focus areas with the overarching theme at Grimwade House in 2004 being ‘Bounce Back.’ We want to encourage resilient and independent students who have a positive sense of themselves and of those around them. Glyn Howitt
Photographs by Kirrily Johns
Tapestry
Designed & woven by all Grimwade House girls & boys throughout 2003 as part of an annual Artist in Residence Program, this tapestry was cut from the loom & hemmed in a cutting off ceremony in December 2003. Now displayed in the administration building, the tapestry is a colourful & optimistic message to the future from the Grimwade House students of 2003
Salvete During 2003 or at the start of 2004 we welcomed the following staff to Melbourne Grammar School:
Back row, from left: Nicola McKinnon, Michael Reimers, Lisa Paterson, Mark Leslie, Michael Joyce, John Lewis, Jennifer Clarke, Nathan Jones, Greg Lochhead, Joshua Ellenberg, James McGeorge, Ross Featherston & Headmaster Paul Sheahan Front row, from left: Jean-Baptiste Ereno, Christina Seipolt, Ling Hui Gao, Mary Oliver, Kirsten Allen, Libby Carroll, Alison Brunton, Victoria Korner, Georgia Emselle, Sally Darlison, Leonie Stott, Kathryn Bullen, Kirrily Johns & Michelle Le Tisser
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Innovative Learning Visual Computing
Chris Paton
Designing in the Mac lab
Humphrey Clegg
It has been almost ten years since the first computer landed in the Art Department. This event coincided with a couple of other landmarks that also had a huge impact on the Art Department: the refurbishment of the Motor Works and the move from The Lodge to Arnold Street. It also marks the start (quite coincidentally) of my tenure at Melbourne Grammar School. My first year teaching at Melbourne Grammar was spent in The Lodge where, in picturesque and romantic decay at times verging on the bohemian, consumptive ideal of the struggling artist, we battled with rising damp and inadequate classrooms to give the boys what we could by way of a complete art education. The Lodge was also computerless – splendidly and naively computerless. Tom Dudley
Ken Cliché
It was not until 1996 that the first notebooks appeared in the School and in the Art Department, now installed in capacious splendour at the Motor Works and we strove to work out how we could best use them in the core art curriculum for Years 9 and 10. It seemed a simpler task to use the three new Power Macs that arrived the same year with the more senior boys taking Graphics and Studio Arts. Like many on the staff at the time I’d had very little to do with computing until then apart from basic word processing. The task of developing and utilising visual programs with the students was something we all approached with an entirely open mind and very few guidelines. And this, I think, proved to be one of the reasons why we were able to use them so successfully. Because we had no expectations we also had no idea what the limits were and we just tried to get as much from the rather rudimentary programs as we could.
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Sybil Leris Head of Art at the time threw herself into the challenge as only she could. Because of our lateral, ‘loose cannon’ approach the results were wonderfully free of the limits imposed by preconceived notions of acceptable practice or results. It has been a rapid and steep learning curve for us all since those days. Apart from every boy having a notebook computer there are now 20 desktop computers (Mac G4s and G5s) which are used for a whole variety of sophisticated visual programs. The whole system is now also supported by a single state-of-the-art Laser Printer/Copier where students can print off professional quality prints for their folios. What we have, in fact, is an integrated design and IT environment that is second to none. Students studying VCE Art, Studio Arts and Visual Communication & Design have free and continuous access to these computers as well as digital cameras (still), digital video and editing suites and scanners which are used with a variety of programs that can support animation, image manipulation and general design tasks. The work that has been produced over the past few years has developed enormously in both scope and ambition. We now have some boys whose VCE folios are totally digital and have been handed in on a CD! Others have made ‘virtual’ sculpture that exists in the digital space of the computer yet can be rotated and moved around as if it were real. In the Year 9 and 10 core art program we now use digital drawing pads that plug into the notebooks, students ‘morph’ their drawings to photographs and glide seamlessly between Internet images and information, drawings, photographs, digital manipulation and more traditional art-making processes. Now after eight years of computers, eight years of familiarity with digital imaging and its capabilities students feel free to use whatever processes they choose, combining new technologies with traditional methods with a freedom and imagination that is very refreshing. Paul Baxter
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INTRODUCING THE VISION FOR MELBOURNE GRAMMAR SCHOOL A key focus for the past year was the development of the ‘blueprint’ that will guide Melbourne Grammar School’s decision-making for the next five to eight years. This Vision Statement chronicles what the School stands for, what it will hope to achieve and how it will achieve it. The end result comes about through many, many hours of thought, consideration, debate and discussion by School Council, School Executive, staff and some students. The focus throughout has been entirely on creating the best possible teaching and learning environment for our students to explore the unimaginable. The process began with thinking about the ultimate purpose – the essence – of the School. Once that statement had been settled and the description of what is distinctively Melbourne Grammar School had been agreed upon, the Visionary Goals, the Strategies and the Plans that give substance to the philosophical ideal followed naturally. These statements both describe what the School stands for and form the backdrop against which future educational decisions will be made. What you see in this publication is the distillation of a 50-page document which encapsulates the features of the full document. We hope that it will be helpful to you in understanding what the School is doing and why it is doing it. Actions flowing from the Vision will be evident in all areas of teaching and learning for your students.
Paul Sheahan
LEARNING & LEADERSHIP Melbourne Grammar School is committed to being one of the world’s leading teaching and learning institutions by offering young students the finest education. Our purpose is to enable students to look beyond what they think is possible to achieve the unimaginable. Schools are dynamic entities and, as such, evolve and develop over time. To maintain the pursuit of excellence we at Melbourne Grammar regularly review our goals, plans and operation to ensure we have the best and most appropriate programs and facilities for students and staff.
THE MGS VISION Our vision is to create an innovative, multi-faceted, dynamic and technology-rich learning environment that provides every student with a range of opportunities for success, self-discovery and leadership, making Melbourne Grammar the best school in Australia. This demands that the School hold a vision concerned with the development of the ‘whole person’ – intellectually, physically, emotionally, psychologically, socially and spiritually – affirming and valuing students as individuals capable of making valuable contributions to society, while emphasising the dignity of each individual and promoting respect for others.
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MGS VALUES Our core values represent deeply held beliefs that underpin and provide guiding principles to inform
all areas of the Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operation. For each value there is a range of behaviours that demonstrates how you will see these values in the behaviour of students and staff.
We value DISCOVERY supported by: LEARNING LEADING TO UNDERSTANDING
with staff providing a range of learning activities which actively engage students and develop thinking, knowledge and skills
EXCELLENCE
with students recognised and rewarded for individual, team and group achievements in all areas of school life
CREATIVE THINKING
with students experiencing different styles of thinking and actively encouraged to respect different points of view
LEADERSHIP
where students undergo formal training in and have hands-on experience of leadership
INTEGRITY &
where students have an environment with clear behavioural expectations and in which truth, compassion, moral courage and integrity are valued, modelled and recognised
MORAL COURAGE
A POSITIVE SENSE OF SELF
with students happy and well adjusted, able to recognise their shortcomings, seek assistance and build their self esteem
COMMUNITY
with students participating, collaborating and working together to make friends, build networks, show care and support to each other and become responsible community members
COMPASSION
where students develop compassion, understanding and empathy for others
DIVERSITY
with students from different backgrounds interacting positively to develop an understanding of and respect for different cultures and beliefs to prepare them for living and working in a global community
A SENSE OF
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MGS VISIONARY GOALS & INITIATIVES To implement our vision and values, we have developed clear goals, initiatives, strategies and monitoring procedures to plan and measure their implementation and progress.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
CO-CURRICULUM
CULTURE
We will provide the best possible learning environment for each student and member of staff
We will provide a varied and rich experience in the co-curriculum
We will establish a culture in which Council, students and staff develop a belief in, and practise, ethical and morally courageous behaviour
Initiatives include: recruitment, training and development of the best staff to inspire, nurture and support students the development of a competency framework and annual performance review of staff continual review and refurbishment of facilities so students have the best learning spaces
CARING ENVIRONMENT
Initiatives include: progressively staged Outdoor Education program from Year 5 provision of a demanding and challenging sporting program expansion of students’ skills in public presentation through public speaking, drama, music and visual arts
LEADERSHIP We will develop leaders at all levels and in all facets of school life
We will provide the best possible caring environment for each student and member of staff
Initiatives include: development of a well defined leadership program within the curriculum for students from Year 5
Initiatives include: creation of an environment in which all students feel safe and valued
establishment of a Centre for Leadership with a Director that builds students’ leadership capabilities
provision of educational counselling services celebration of difference and diversity leading to the development of mutual understanding and respect
LEARNING EXPERIENCES We will craft an innovative learning experience for every student that encourages creative thinking in a collaborative, technology-rich environment Initiatives include: development of learning opportunities that require both individual and group collaboration projects employment of the best that technology can offer as a means of supporting student learning provision of a range of learning experiences that are open-ended, inquiry-based and require a range of thinking styles
Initiatives include: development, in conjunction with student leaders, of a statement of expectation of students development of a code of professional expectations and ethical conduct for staff
SPIRITUALITY We will promote spiritual exploration in an Anglican school Initiatives include: fostering in each student and staff member a personal value system based on the principles of compassion and morality promotion of discussion about moral and ethical issues at all year levels
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
FACILITIES & RESOURCES
We will be an influential, responsive and responsible member of the broader community
We will gather and utilise the best possible human, physical and financial resources for the creation of an ongoing Teaching and Learning Community
Initiatives include: provision of regular opportunities for MGS students/leaders to review and discuss world events and how we should respond MGS leading and being responsive to community issues consistent with its values
DIVERSITY We will adopt a flexible and dynamic approach to student enrolment and school structure
Initiatives include: comprehensive performance management and improvement system for staff implementation of facility Master Plans for Grimwade House and South Yarra development of five-year rolling plans for the maintenance and improvement of buildings and grounds
Initiatives include: frequently review the diversity of student body to encourage a range of students and talents review current organisational structure
©2004 Melbourne Grammar School
KEEPING YOU INFORMED This Vision Statement will be modified and amended regularly as we review progress of its implementation and measure outcomes. Some plans are self-contained and finite, others are indefinite and ongoing. All will be monitored and updated regularly. We will keep you informed and seek your feedback via channels such as Information Nights, weekly Bulletins, Grammar Newsletter and the Melbourne Grammar School website <www.mgs.vic.edu.au>. The best measure will be your children – seeing them challenged, affirmed, supported, nurtured, valued and achieving beyond what they thought was imaginable. For more information or comment please contact the Headmaster’s Office on 03 9868 7121 or email <vision@mgs.vic.edu.au>.
MELBOURNE GRAMMAR SCHOOL AN ANGLICAN SCHOOL
Fostering Learning & Leadership
Boarding Connected and Communicating
Geographical distance and not seeing their child on a daily basis means that boarders’ parents have worked with staff to maintain regular contact with the School in various ways: print, telephone, electronic, meetings, social events… After discussion with the Boarder Parents Network (BPN) last year, we are piloting this communication initiative for access to areas of the MGS Portal for boarders’ parents only. This access will not be available to day students, other parents or members of the wider School Community. Boarders’ parents can now access the site and check the main boarders’ page for key news and events, link to their child’s house, view recent media coverage, access the accommodation list, note key dates from the calendar, read the weekly bulletin at Wadhurst or Senior School and chat with other parents using the forum. This is a staged process and we are working with staff and the BPN to develop an interactive
Photograph by Tom Woodruff
We have begun the 2004 school year with an exciting new initiative: access to a newly created area of the MGS Portal for our boarders’ parents and guardians. It is their unique space, a selfhelp area and a central point to enable parents to communicate at any time with fellow boarding parents, the Heads of the boarding houses, boarding staff and some senior boarders.
informative site over the course of this year. The Boarders’ Family Day in late February was an opportunity for families to see the site demonstrated and organise their access and logins. Early feedback in the first few weeks of its operation has been most positive with parents finding new uses and advantages every day. Informed and timely communication with the families of our boarders is a continued priority and we hope that this initiative will be a significant leap forward. Ann Badger
New MGS Telephone System Continuous improvement of communications is a priority within the School which has embarked on a communications system upgrade with a move away from the traditional telephone system to Internet Protocol (IP) Technology. The IP Telephony solution distributes voice messaging and calls over the data network and reaches far beyond the extent of the old copper wire distribution infrastructure. The voice-over data allows full integration of the technologies and allows staff to receive both email and voice messages on their computer. A pilot program of the converging technology was implemented at Grimwade House last year and the technology will be progressively extended across Senior School, Wadhurst, boarding houses and administration. In parallel with the upgrade of the core communications system, the School has also arranged an upgrade of the telephone delivery infrastructure in its connection with the external world. As we were serviced by some of the oldest copper wire network in Melbourne, the state of this network was often the cause
Boarders, parents & staff enjoy the Boarders’ Family Day on 22 February 2004, from left: parents Michelle & Stephen Doyle with Head of School House Nick Bates & his wife Margaret
of significant difficulties and problems. In late 2003 the network was replaced with high capacity optic fibre providing three times the trunk capacity that previously existed.
Boarding Information Day Friday 30 April 2004 at 2pm See page 30 for details
Moving from the copper network to optic fibre and bringing all three campuses on to the one integrated system has necessitated a shift in the telephone number range. The School will have telephone numbers in the range 9865 7500 through to 9865 7999. The main indial number for the School will become 9865 7555 (Lodge Reception). There will be a transition period wherein both the old and new telephone numbers will operate concurrently but by the end of 2004 we expect to be fully converted to the new numbers. A more detailed list of numbers will be circulated to the community in campus bulletins, on the MGS website and in other publications as they come into operation. Melbourne Grammar School Reception: 9865 7555
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The Old Melburnians Council From the President With 2004 now well under way, The Old Melburnians welcome all new members, especially those who were 2003 school leavers. We also extend to the School’s leadership group, in particular School Captain James Newton and Vice Captain Malcolm Crang, our best wishes as their busy year progresses.
David Field
The Old Melburnians Council has two new members this year, Peter Ansell (1976) and Nick Russell (2003 School Captain), and I look forward to their contributions to a range of Council’s activities. As Immediate Past President, Jonathan Roberts continues as a council member and I would like to record my thanks to him for his outstanding contributions as President over the past two years. A major objective of the OMs this year is to strengthen communications with a greater proportion of the OM family and to capitalise on the speed and reach of electronic media; a newly established committee of the OM Council is focussing on this project. I am grateful to the large number of OMs who have recently provided the Development Office with updated contact details and, with the calendar of events for this year unfolding, now is the perfect time for all OMs to ensure that the School has a current email address for them. Whilst upcoming year group reunions are published in this edition, I invite all OMs to
visit and explore the Old Melburnians’ section of the School website <www.oms.org.au> which includes a calendar of these functions for 2004 and provides the opportunity to catch up with friends and former classmates via OMs Online. In addition, information will be emailed via the Old Melburnian Update to all OMs for whom an email address is held. Our branch and year group convenors are currently working hard on behalf of the OM community. Two very successful reunions have already been held this year, for the 1954 and 1964 year groups, as have functions for the Riverina Branch (in conjunction with Melbourne Girls Grammar) and the ACT Branch. The 2004 Annual Dinner in Melbourne will be held on Friday 27 August – more details will be available in the coming months. I am delighted to report that three Old Melburnians received awards in this year’s Australia Day Honours list: (see page 25) Free Strickland (1938) – AM, for service to the community; Jim Cousins (1961) – AO, for service to arts administration and the community of Geelong; and Chris Tudor (1969) – AM, for service to education. We congratulate these fine OMs on their achievements. With the School’s program of major new building and facilities projects continuing in a very visible way, it is pleasing to report that the contributions of OMs in 2003 to the School’s Annual Giving program were at a record high level. I do hope that all OMs will give consideration to assisting this program in 2004, so that last year’s generosity can be matched or exceeded. David Field
OMs Online Catch up with friends and former classmates at OMs Online
www.mgs.vic.edu.au Over 1,000 OMs now online – it must be time to visit! For further information contact Stewart Brook in the Development Office on 03 9868 7281.
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The 2004 Old Melburnians Council, back row, from left: David Guthrie, Nigel Thompson, Simon Wilson, David Field (President) & John Batistich, front: Paul Sheahan (Headmaster), Stephen Gibbons, Nick Batrouney, Simon Derham & Jonathan Roberts. Absent: Peter Ansell, David Blackburn, Malcolm Kennedy & Nick Russell
David Field, as the new President of The Old Melburnians, joins a long and distinguished list of Old Melburnians who have served in the role including David’s father Darragh Field who was President in 1971. Indeed there has been a number of fathers and sons who have been President. These include Edmund Herring in 1916 followed by his son Sir Edmund Herring in 1939, Wilfred Hughes in 1912 followed by his son Sir Wilfred Hughes in 1947, Sir Harold Luxton in 1938
followed by his son Lewis Luxton in 1963 and William Moule 1924 followed by his son William Moule in 1953. The presidency has not been restricted to father and son however. John Ross was president in 1903 followed by his brother Hugh Ross in 1937. Frederick Moule the brother of William Moule (Snr) was President in 1899 and Harold Grimwade was President in 1919 followed by his brother Sir Russell Grimwade in 1937.
The Old Melburnians
Lodge members at the Master-elect’s barbecue from left: Geoffrey Heeps (1951) Simon Derham (1973), Oliver Derham, Ian Hunt (1948), John Wall (1947) & Martin Robinson (1956)
Ian Kinross Hunt (1948) will be assuming the office of Master of the Lodge in May 2004, which he previously held in 1983-84. His year will be a challenging one with much work in progress. We have two new candidates in process and another two almost ready to start, while we welcome another old boy, Ian Eilenberg (1964), rejoining after a few years’ absence. We are in a continuing process of re-invigorating the Lodge, following on from the plans Worshipful Masters have developed in recent years with innovative lectures and social activities. Whilst our connections with Melbourne Grammar School are primarily the source of our members we are an ‘open’ lodge and are happy to welcome members from all walks of life. Indeed, a mingling of people from other schools helps to strengthen us in the bonds of Freemasonry, as can be seen when we all get together at the Annual Combined Schools’ night on 31 May. One of the basic tenets of Freemasonry is charity. In this area we have provided support to Prahran City Mission for the past twenty years as well as the Royal Freemasons’ Homes. During the coming year we will be establishing a stronger link with the Bayside Charity Fund where we seek local projects which involve youth.
Cricket Club The 2003/2004 season began promisingly. A washout, followed by a comprehensive thrashing of Old Scotch and a narrow loss to a Xavier team filled with the last six first XI captains, saw the OM Cricket Club sitting in the top four. This was the first season in a long time that we managed to field a team every week throughout the spring carnival. We even managed to field more than half a decent team in the annual grudge match against the MGS First XI which we lost narrowly. These were the highlights of the season, for sadly we were unable to field a side after the Christmas break. For the last six years there have been about three year groups supporting the OMs. This year a large group from 1998, who made up about half the team, all went overseas. They will return for next season and the OMs Cricket team may be up and running again but more support is needed. If you want to continue your cricketing career at a district thirds or forths level, or you feel you have something to contribute to the running of the club, then please give either John Batistich (0418 554 497) or me (0412 541 179) a call.
Interested in joining an Old Melburnian Sporting Club? Visit the Grammar Community section of the School’s website: <www.mgs.vic.edu.au> to contact the various clubs.
Jonathan Charlton
Soccer Club It is an exciting time at the Old Melburnians Soccer Club. Last year we left the amateurs and fielded two teams in the Victorian Soccer Federation.
Success came early as we beat the Old Xaverians in a penalty shootout to win the Old Boys preseason tournament. Our goal for the season was a top two finish and thus earning much coveted promotion up the VSF ranks. We fought hard all season and secured second place on the last day of the season with a come from behind victory over Thornbury SC. The 2nds team did very well finishing a commendable fourth.
For further information about the Lodge or Freemasonry please contact John Plowright on 9866 4059.
This year we are expanding and are in the process of entering a third team into the Victorian Soccer Federation. We encourage players of all backgrounds and abilities to come and train and check out the club. From 23 March we will be training under lights on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:30pm at Gosch’s Paddock on Punt Road near the Yarra River or visit our website <www.omsc.org.au>.
John Plowright
Dale Nicholls
Simon Derham (1973) is on the Old Melburnians Council and is developing a program for closer ties with the School Community. Of course the Lodge has now been quietly running Treasury for the School Fair for just on thirty years.
OM Sporting Clubs
Photograph by John Batistich
Photograph by John Plowright
Lodge
The Old Melburnians Soccer Club 1sts team following their Associated Old Boys Soccer Clubs of Victoria pre-season tournament win
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Branches & Reunions 1
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1973 Thirty Year Reunion 1 1973 Thirty Year Reunion Committee Simon Derham, Andrew Bristow, David Elam and Rick Prince enjoy the fruits of their labour at the Royce Hotel.
5 Stepping down from the OM Council was Immediate Past President Sandy Massina (1971) with outgoing President Jonathan Roberts (1972) and newly elected President David Field (1965).
10 Free Strickland (1943), Donald Cordner (1939) and Headmaster Paul Sheahan.
2 Tony Myer, Andrew Bristow, Anthony Watson and Peter Cudlipp enjoy catching up at the reunion.
6 OM Vice President Simon Derham (1973) with Past Presidents Ken Mitchell (1950) and Sir Peter Derham (1943).
12 Stephen Gibbons (1979) and Andrew Watson (1981) catch up at the AGM.
3 Henry Stephens and James Bate remember days gone by.
The Old Melburnians AGM 2003 4 Outgoing President Jonathan Roberts (1972) with Helen Penrose, author of Free Stricklandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memoirs commissioned by The Old Melburnians, and Free Strickland (1943) at the AGM.
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7 OM Council members Nigel Thompson (1969), David Guthrie (1985) and David Blackburn (1968). 8 Outgoing President Jonathan Roberts (1972) with Nigel Thompson (1969) and Past President David Smart (1957). 9 Past President of School Council John Clark (1951) enjoys catching up with Ken Mitchell (1950).
11 Helen Penrose, Free Stickland (1943) and Freeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Lindy Neylan at the OMs AGM.
2002 One Year Out Function 13 Christopher Vlahanosinos and Irena Laska at the function at the Max Hotel. 14 Scott Pullen, David Dixon and Paul Devlin at the One Year Out function.
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Photographs by Stewart Brook
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Obituaries The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy and understanding is extended to their family and friends. Blackman C (past parent) Blackwell D D (1939) Cathcart J D (past staff) Chen X P (current parent) Clegg S R (past parent) Davies N F (1941) Davis K W S (1943) Diver W E (1953) Dyson J (Foundation) Feltham J D (1949) Finlason R M (1934) Foard J H (1921) Foard R A E (1919) Gair H H R (1940) Hallamore R A (1929) Jennings F A (1950) Kernot W M (1968) Morris R A (1968) McDonald H F (past staff)
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Patrick Porter (1994) has been awarded a MPhil with 1st class honours at Oxford University as the James Fairfax Scholar for Australia. He now moves forward to his DPhil on World War I while remaining at Magdalen College in 2004-2005 Congratulations to David Crawshay (1997) on being selected to represent Australia in the Men’s Quad Scull at the Olympic Games in Athens later this year. Don Jones (1951) was the designer of the super maxi yacht Skandia-Wild Thing, the winner in the Sydney to Hobart Race Yacht Race. Jones is a very experienced sailor and the radically designed yacht is the first super maxi to have a canting keel as part of its initial design and it was this innovation that led to the much coveted win. Anthony Goh (1998) and Vanessa Vincent (1998) were both members of the winning University of Melbourne Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team that won the SIFE national competition late last year. Following their win they then travelled to Germany to represent Australia in the SIFE World Cup and in doing so became the first Australian team to make it to the finals and are ranked in the top five in the world. Christopher King (2002) is currently in Oxford completing a GAP year at Summerfields School. Charles Westh (2002) spent 2003 as an AFS Young Scholar to China studying Mandarin, Chinese Culture and Media at Beijing Foreign Language University. When not studying Charles travelled extensively and visited border towns near Tibet and Afghanistan. Charles returned earlier this year to study Commerce/Arts (Mandarin Major) at the University of Melbourne. Since graduating in Arts, Andrea Genovesi (1995) has been working as an English teacher. His first position was at a junior school in South Korea and he is presently working for the Overseas Training Centre in Tokyo where he teaches the employees of Japanese companies.
Photograph by Margot Thompson
Community News
What must undoubtedly be a record, nine of the those graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Melbourne last year were from the Class of 1997, with three of them graduating with first class honours. Pictured above Andris Ellims (centre) graduated as top overall student, Alex Incarni (left) was second and Philip Thompson (right) was in sixth position. Ian Eilenberg (1964) is an Associate Professor at RMIT University in the Department of Building and Construction Economics and has recently published Dispute Resolution in Construction Management and was Visiting International Professor of Construction Dispute Resolution at the University of Florida in Gainsville. After 28 years as the Managing Director of Marco Fabrics Peter Kent (1964) has sold the business and is now concentrating on investments. Peter’s two sons are involved in textiles and finance. His main interests apart from his investments are farming, golf, racing and historic automobiles. Nigel Sacks (1973) has been living in the UK since 1989 and has been working as a Consultant Breast Cancer specialist since 1990 at The Royal Marsden Hospital, London. He is a consultant surgeon heading up the Breast Unit and has been recently appointed Medical Director. He is living in Putney with his Dutch wife Annette and three daughters Josephine, Juliette and Henrietta. He has very little time off but tries to keep his golf handicap of eight and remains an ardent Demons fan. However, three flights home for the weekend to see three losing grand finals gets him down. Ian Bruce (1974) is a Certified Financial Planner and has worked in the profession since 1998. Personal Investor Magazine included him in its Masterclass of Financial Planners in 2002 and 2003. His specialties include assistance to those moving into aged care accommodation, retirement planning, superannuation, and life insurances.
Sam Riggall (1989) reports that the Lefroy family, including his wife Nicola (MGGS 1989), launched the Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research. The Centre is housed at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and is dedicated to reducing the incidence and severity of genetic health problems. Bruce Lefroy, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and Founding Director Associate Professor Martin Delatycki, opened the centre in June 2003. World class research facilities and opportunities are available to both Australian and international scientists. For more information please contact the Director on (03) 8341 6284. Bill Robinson (1961) is still actively involved in the Red Cross Murray Marathon, which has recently celebrated its 35th Anniversary. The five day event covers 404 kilometres of the Murray River from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill. Bill was a class winner in the event in 1993 and 1994. Bill’s daughter Jane has also participated in the marathon in past years but will not be able to join her father this year due to her rowing commitments. Jane, a world championship gold medallist and dual Olympian, will be training to secure a spot for the Athens in the quad sculls. Jonathan Cantwell (1990) has completed a postgraduate Diploma of Education and will begin teaching at St Kevin’s College in 2004. He had a great time at MGS during his practical student teaching rounds with Tim Morris and Peter Newbury. Expect to see him on the riverbank coaching rowing crews for the ‘opposition’. Joshua Bloom (1992) completed a Bachelor of Arts (history) at University of Melbourne in 1996. He is currently studying singing with Anna Connolly. Joshua debuted with Opera Australia as Figaro in the production of Barber of Seville and has sung many other roles with Opera Australia and with the San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program. Joshua was the recipient of the Wiener Staatsoper Award (Vienna State Opera) and spent six months with the Wiener Staatsoper early in 2002. In 2004 Joshua will be an Adler Fellow at the San Francisco Opera. Last year Joshua sang the bass solo in the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic production of Handel’s Messiah in the Melbourne Town Hall and has sung other oratorio roles with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic.
Australia Day Honours 2004 On behalf of the Grammar Community we extend our congratulations to the following people who were awarded an honour in the Australia Day Honours list.
Officer (AO) in the General Division
Photograph by Stewart Brook
Fifty years later, on 8 December 2003, members of the choir sang Christmas carols again when Peter and Betty celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Albert Park Yacht Club (above). MGS Head of Choral Studies Philip Carmody brought along 10 choir members and accompanied them on the piano. The yacht club was decorated with oriental lilies, the same flowers that adorned the chapel 50 years ago.
Pictured above Helen Merfield, the Headmaster Paul Sheahan and Mrs Clare Edwards ex wife of the late Dr Derek Merfield (1948) photographed at the School in November 2003. Derek, a Witherby Tower Society member, made a bequest to assist with the education of an MGS student.
Compiled by Stewart Brook
Member (AM) in the General Division
Mr Freeman Roland George STRICKLAND OBE (OM 1938) For service to the community, particularly through St John Ambulance Australia and the Aerospace Maritime and Defence Foundation of Australia. Mr Christopher David TUDOR (OM 1969) For service to education, particularly as Principal of St Philip’s College, and through the introduction and development of outdoor education as a major area of interest. We would be happy to hear from anyone else who received an honour. Information as listed in the Herald Sun 16 January 2004.
Weddings Congratulations The Grammar Community is pleased to congratulate the following couples who recently celebrated their marriage in the Chapel of St Peter:
2 November Randal Leung (1994) & Valerie Sung
29 November Robert Leonard Read (1995) & Amanda Gray
6 December
Sixty Years Ago In the summer of 1944, Melbourne Grammar School won the Associated Public Schools Cricket Premiership. After a number of exciting matches, Grammar needed to beat Wesley College outright in the last match of the season in order to defeat traditional rivals Scotch College for the title. In an enthralling match, Melbourne Grammar 1944 1st XI Cricket defeated Wesley College outright with just Captain John four minutes of play remaining, much to the Molyneux batting on relief of the boy who took the winning catch, the main oval namely Philip Molyneux. Of the ten living members of the 1944 1st XI, John Molyneux (Captain), Tony Street (Vice Captain), Eddie Hart, Val Holten, Dick Potter, Ian McMullin, Neil Smyth, Geoff Wenzel and Philip Molyneux lunched together in the Morrow Room at the Lodge on 6 February 2004. Also in attendance was Arthur Davie (1946), a son of the late Bert Davie (Staff 1927-1964) who was coach of the 1st XI. Obviously not so youthful as of yore, the venerable gentlemen were able to take themselves back to their athletic days of 1944. After lunch the old boys from 1944 moved to the main oval to watch, with a little envy, the young boys of 2004 play their cricket match against Xavier College. It had been a memorable day for us all.
Philip Molyneux (1945)
Photograph by Stewart Brook
Photograph by David Hart
When Betty and Peter Game (1945) were married in the Chapel of St Peter on 8 December 1953 (above) the chapel choir sang Christmas carols as they led Betty and her father into the Chapel. Peter’s uncle, Archdeacon Hedley Raymond, assisted by the senior school chaplain, the Reverend J C W Brown, performed the wedding ceremony.
Mr James Granville COUSINS (OM 1961) For service to arts administration, particularly as a major contributor to advisory and management committees of the National Gallery of Victoria. Mr Frederic Alan SCHEPISI (past parent) For service to the Australian film industry as a director, producer and screenwriter, to the development of creative talent as a mentor and to support for the preservation of Australia’s film heritage.
David Gray (1987) & Vanessa Hutchinson
20 December Andrew Gillon (1992) & Georgina Candy
21 December Samuel Ramsden (1989) & Emily Williams
23 December David Bennett (1991) & Karen Manning
6 February Jonathan Meredith-Smith (1991) & Emily Collingwood
14 February Jonathon Harris (1988) & Claire Issom
20 February Alexander Smith (1962) & Jutta Provis
1944 1st XI Cricket team at their reunion. From left - back: Val Holten, Eddie Hart, Neil Smyth, Ian McMullin, front: Philip Molyneux, Tony Street, John Molyneux, Dick Potter, Geoff Wenzel
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Archives Archival Gallery
Keeping Tally
Regular displays are held at the School’s Archives Gallery situated at the rear of The Lodge 355 St Kilda Road. The Gallery is open each day during term time and visitors are most welcome.
For the first 100 years of its history the scoreboards of Melbourne Grammar School remained modest in size and fully ‘manumatic’ in operation. Black boards and metal plates inscribed in soluble white paint and suspended from hooks or nails proclaimed the state of play.
Term II
In the first issue of The Melburnian published after the Second World War it was reported that a new sports pavilion and scoreboard were planned for the NE corner of the main oval, i.e. the corner of Domain Road and Domain Street. Some contributions were already in hand and more were invited. The response, however, was disappointing.
The School and the Armed Services
Term III The School and Sport
1992 – MGS v Scotch at the Opening of the Electronic Scoreboard
2003 – RWE Wilmot Memorial Scoreboard 1907 Above right: 1915 – World Record Public School Score
The death of RWE ‘Bung’ Wilmot in 1949 led to the project being recast as a memorial to this greatly respected Old Melburnian. Reginald Wilmot wrote in Melbourne newspapers as ‘Old Boy’ covering Public School sport. He also served on hospital, school and community boards. He compiled the 1914 edition of Liber Melburniensis, was Honorary Secretary of The Old Melburnians 1903 - 1925 and President 1929 - 1930. The necessary funds for the proposed pavilion and scoreboard were still not forthcoming and the idea was abandoned. With the erection of the Centenary Building in 1959 the opportunity was taken to incorporate a large scoreboard operated on a roller system with adjoining storage and work space, to be named the RWE Wilmot Memorial Scoreboard.
Reginald W E Wilmot
The scoreboard was run by boarders as part of their Games Room responsibilities and was not without some attractive perks. In the cricket
season opposing schools would send in the names of their team on Thursdays so that the scoreboard could be prepared in time. This, to their delight, meant that the amateur signwriters could not be expected to attend Thursday night prep in the boarding house. Furthermore, as the two day matches began straight after lunch on Fridays, afternoon classes were quite out of the question. This 1959 scoreboard was in turn replaced (in the same location) in 1992 by an electronic board operated remotely from the other side of the ground. After an encouraging opening on the occasion of the Scotch match on 14 August the new board gradually succumbed to chronic malfunction, resulting first in frustration and then in disillusionment. When the Centenary Building was adapted into the Student Centre in 1999 the errant board was committed without ceremony to the industrial waste. Its replacement, a larger and reliable version, has been mounted on the Science Wing and beneath it a plaque continues the association of the scoreboard with the memory of RWE Wilmot. The ‘jumbo’ scoreboard being installed at the MGS Sports Complex at Todd Road, Port Melbourne, should complete the evolution of our tally keeping across three centuries.
1957
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Gordon Sargood
The Grammar Foundation Developing Philanthropy at Grammar Michael Joyce joined the MGS Development team this year as Director of Fundraising. Michael, who is married with a two year old daughter, worked most recently as National Corporate and Philanthropic Development Manager at The Smith Family. Previously he worked in development at RMIT University and the University of South Australia. In this interview he shares with the Grammar Community some of his insights and observations about the pivotal role of philanthropy at Melbourne Grammar School.
Development Office
Michael welcomes contact from members of the Grammar Community on (03) 9868 7283 or <mdjoyce@mgs.vic.edu.au>. Michael, tell us a little about your background.
For the past decade the focus of my professional career has been the promotion, support and advancement of education in Australia. In leading development at two Australian universities I have had broad experience advancing domestic and international Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Endowment and Bequests. More recently my focus has been in the development of major national partnerships supporting access and participation in education from early childhood through to adulthood. Prior to this I had spent five years in banking and finance. I also spent time in Japan teaching English both in secondary schools and in university colleges, a wonderful and challenging experience. This mosaic of experience has helped me to come to understand that the advancement in support of education, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, is vital to our future. What is your role at Melbourne Grammar School?
As Director of Fundraising my primary role is to enable the School Community to become informed and involved in the advancement of the School through active participation and philanthropic support. Recently Melbourne Grammar released its Vision Statement: Our Vision − Learning and Leadership. This is significant as it will guide and influence the School’s decision making for the next five to eight years. For Melbourne Grammar School to be one of Australia’s leading teaching and learning institutions it will take no less than the best teachers, outstanding programs and worldclass facilities. In this respect a significant focus of my role will be to encourage the ongoing involvement and support of the Grammar Community through philanthropic contributions towards major facility developments.
Michael Joyce, Melbourne Grammar’s new Director of Fundraising
Michael, tell us a little about philanthropy.
The Development Office works to advance Melbourne Grammar School in alumni, communications and fundraising. The office works closely with The Grammar Foundation, The Old Melburnians, Friends of Grammar and other Grammar Community support groups who are all based at The Lodge.
Philanthropy is simply about being selfless. Giving without expectation of personal gain or benefit. Advancing the human spirit and potential for the greater benefit of society.
Enquiries are always welcome and should be directed to:
In its long history Melbourne Grammar School has been the beneficiary of grand and modest philanthropy. The desire to support the growth and development of young people so that they may participate in life and society to the full extent of their potential is a hallmark of the School’s philanthropy. This reflects the strength of connectedness between the Grammar Community − past, present and future. Importantly, at Melbourne Grammar School the act of philanthropy – giving – is not expected, rather invited and respected.
Facsmile: 03 9868 7177
What is the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today campaign centred on?
The campaign is centred on developing a world-class facility for Learning and Leadership. The Centre for Learning and Leadership will inspire and challenge students and teachers alike through its iconic architecture and integration of library and IT functions as well as providing a centre for our leadership programs. It will be innovative and, importantly, will anticipate future developments in learning as well as the evolving relationship between teacher and learner. The success of the campaign will be determined by the strength of leadership and support we can marshal from within the Grammar Community. I will be working closely with donors, staff, key stakeholders and The Grammar Foundation to create a structure that will ensure the campaign achieves the target of $10M.
Telephone: 03 9868 7282
E-mail: <aebadger@mgs.vic.edu.au>
Ann Badger
Director of Community Relations Tel: 03 9868 7280
Stewart Brook
Alumni Manager Tel: 03 9868 7281
Kirrily Johns
Communications Manager Tel: 03 9868 7132
Michael Joyce
Director of Fundraising Tel: 03 9868 7283
Jane Lee
Grammar Community (OM, FOG) Secretary Tel: 03 9868 7288
Judith Mein
Director & Foundation Secretary Tel: 03 9868 7282
I would welcome the advice, guidance, support and involvement of all members of the Grammar Community in achieving this goal. Ann Badger 27
Friends of Grammar At the Senior School Committee level I am happy to report that the various Auxiliaries, designed to support areas of interest such as Art and Music are all busy with this year’s programs. New members are of course always welcome. The Drama Auxiliary organised by Beverley Lindstrum assisted the English Department with catering for the annual Quad Play. This year the boys and the girls from MGGS performed Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
2004 Committees Senior School President
Pauline Musgrove
Vice President
Karen Skillington Mary Jane Bulford Dianne Crang Louise Crosby Joan Cumbrae-Stewart Sharon Hill Kristin Hoy Julie Ireland Ellen King Beverley Lindstrum Edward Lipohar Sue-Virginia Mackay Jackie Mackinnon Virginia O’Dwyer Marjorie Pardasani Denise Williams
Wadhurst President
Cathie Vickers-Willis
Vice President Sally Dane
Milly Cameron Jane de Fegely Mandy Hatfield Gail Journeaux Cynthia Masters Jane Payne Anne Rundell Lucinda Scott Jennifer Shaw Sarah Shutt Tina Siebert
Grimwade House President
Rosalba Renzella
Vice President
Robina Brookes Jane Hiscock Mandy Jackson Annemaree Jones Carolyn Kirby Georgina Leigh Alison Monotti Glenda Ralph Franca Rao-Hardaker Lucinda Udovenya Rita Varma
Friends of Grammar 2004 Presidents from left: Rosalba Renzella (Grimwade House) Cathie Vickers-Willis (Wadhurst) & Pauline Musgrove (Senior School)
Senior School The Friends of Grammar Senior School Committee would like to welcome you all to the 2004 school year. Planning for this year’s activities and fundraising has occupied much of our time in the early days of Term I. We hope to provide the School Community with a variety of events and activities, which will allow as many as possible to join with us in getting to know and to enjoy the company of fellow parents in a relaxed and fun environment. The New Parents’ Cocktail Party was a wonderful opportunity to welcome all new parents to the School. Term II will see the first of the year level cocktail parties that are always great fun. Our first major event for 2004 the Grammar Idol Picnic on the Wadhurst Oval on 19 March was a great opportunity for the three campuses to gather as one and enjoy a twilight picnic and barbecue. The highlight of the evening was the showcasing of some of the school’s musical talent. Interest across all three campuses was greeted with excitement and we experienced an exhilarating grand finale. Julian Cairns and the music departments were incredibly generous and supportive as always in helping to unearth our next super stars! At the moment our major fundraising event to be held on 8 October is in the final stages of planning. All the exciting details will be released at the end of this term.
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2004 promises to be an exciting and significant time for the School Community. We look forward to the opening of the MGS Sports Complex and its facilities which will provide us all with a brand new space in which to gather, whilst rejoicing in many MGS sporting triumphs. My thanks go to the 2004 Committee for their enthusiasm, help and commitment .We look forward to meeting new parents and renewing old friendships throughout the year. Pauline Musgrove
Wadhurst Welcome to the wonderful world of Wadhurst. Well, it wasn’t quite like that when we held our sausage sizzle for the Year 7 boys on their first day but they certainly enjoyed their sausages and drinks. In the rain and wind perhaps the icy poles were not all that appealing! With the Committee having been elected, portfolios distributed and class representatives appointed all the fun and excitement is well under way. I have no doubt that without these groups of people my job would be much more difficult. The New Parents Welcome, the Year 7 Welcome Coffee Morning and the Year 7 & 8 Information Nights were all a great way to meet parents new to the School and to help them feel part of the Wadhurst Community. We would like to encourage everyone to support the functions that Friends of Grammar organise and very exciting functions are planned for later this year. The Grammar Idol Picnic on 19 March included all three campuses competing and was an excellent way of catching up with other MGS families. The Wadhurst Choir sang a selection of Beatles songs. Many thanks must go to Julian Cairns for his invaluable assistance. Other dates for your diaries are our famous Wadhurst Breakfast on 16 June, the Spring Luncheon on 1 September and the MGS Special Event on 8 October.
As you can see Wadhurst is a wonderful place to be a part of because of its students, its staff and of course you the parents and we look forward to meeting you all during your time at Wadhurst. Cathie Vickers-Willis
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
I would like to thank sincerely Past President Fiona May and her retiring Committee for all their support during 2003. Your 2004 Committee is a great team dedicated to the Wadhurst Community.
Friends of Grammar Wadhurst class representatives meet to plan activities for the year ahead
Grimwade House We have had a fabulous start to the school year with well attended coffee mornings for new parents during the first two days back. It was great to see the FOG Grimwade House Committee in full swing at 7.30am and still smiling! Class representatives have also been busy organising year level coffee mornings, walks, and cocktail parties. The Grimwade House Tennis Day was held on 1 March and once again proved to be a popular event with over 230 guests attending. Sarah and Steve Vizard generously allowed us to share their glorious garden for the day and combined with the sunshine, the hard work by the Committee and the volunteers, a successful day was ensured. Last, but definitely not least, Lynore Cody, a Grimwade House mother of two and renowned opera singer, magically captivated each and every guest with her extraordinary voice as she sang a selection of three songs that moved many to tears. Everything combined to make it a wonderful day.
Lynore Cody captivates guests with her magnificent performance at the Tennis Day
Sandra Costa-McMahon & Alison Monotti serve up entrĂŠe at the Tennis Day
The first few weeks of Term I have been hectic with social activities and parent information evenings. Next term should be less rigorous. There will be preparations for the MGS Major Event which takes place on Friday 8 October and there will be further cocktail parties throughout the term. Perhaps not such a quiet term after all...but plenty of fun anyhow! Rosalba Renzella
Photographs by Sarah Jessup
Grimwade House students have not only been busy settling into their classes, their shiny shoes and new books, they have also been busy rehearsing for Grammar Idol. We received 48 entries with over 140 students participating. What a magnificent and enthusiastic effort! After two heats of judging, the finalists from the three campuses performed spectacularly on 19 March at the Grammar Idol Picnic.
Over 230 guests enjoy the Tennis Day lunch, beautiful surrounds & sunshine
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Community Noticeboard The Grammar Foundation AGM Please join us for The Grammar Foundation’s AGM on Monday 17 May at 6pm at The Lodge.
Boarding Information Day Boarding is an outstanding formative experience and there is no better place in which to enjoy it than at Melbourne Grammar School. Come and visit our outstanding boarding facilities on Friday 30 April 2004 at 2pm.
Guest Speaker will be Jim Cousins AO, KStJ (1961), Deputy President & Trustee of the NGV 1994-2003. Jim chairs the National Gallery Foundation and the Gallery Redevelopment Board.
This is a special opportunity for interested parents and students to tour the boarding facilities and meet staff and students. For bookings or more information about boarding contact the Director of Admissions Kathy Howell on 03 9868 7170 or <enrol@mgs.vic.edu.au> by 23 April 2004.
Details will be mailed in early May.
2004 Year Group Reunions
Motor Works Gallery 2004
Reunions are planned for the dates listed below. Each reunion is generally organised by a small committee of volunteers. Those willing to help are asked to contact Stewart Brook on 03 9868 7281 or email <sdbrook@mgs.vic.edu.au>.
Anne Pridmore ‘Off, on and above the beaten track’ 6 March – 21 March
1974 Thirty Year Reunion Friday 26 November 2004 – Royce Hotel 1984 Twenty Year Reunion Friday 15 October 2004 – Royce Hotel 1994 Ten Year Reunion Friday 3 September 2004 – Student Centre
Exhibition Calendar
Jan Rizzo 27 April – 14 May Prep to Year 10 Exhibition 8 June – 25 June Nick Terry and Kirsty Hicks 22 July – 6 August Jasmine Estorninho – Paintings 9 August – 27 August
1999 Five Year Reunion Friday 7 May 2004 – Student Centre
Wadhurst Exhibition 30 August – 10 September
2003 One Year Out Reunion Friday 3 December 2004 – Max Hotel
VCE Art, Studio Arts and Visual Communication & Design Exhibition 5 November – 19 November
The Reverend Adrienne Simondson Memorial Fun Walk/Run Sunday 16 May 2004 Staff, students (current and past), parents and friends are invited to gather in memory of Adie and to take a jog or walk around the tan. Afterwards a barbecue lunch will be held in the boarding quad (BYO drinks) and we welcome all Fun Walk/Run participants and their families.
10.00am Chapel service in the Chapel of St Peter 11.00am Run/Walk registration at the Boarding House, 140 Domain Street South Yarra 11.30am Run/Walk commences Entrance donation: Adults $12.00
Students $6.00
Cheques payable to: Melbourne Grammar School Proceeds from the day will go to the Adie Simondson Memorial Fund. This fund maintains the student scholarship with the Diocesan School for Girls, Grahamstown, South Africa, and has contributed to the annual Ethics Prize in Adie’s memory. For further information contact: Michael Shaw telephone: 9868 7198 or email: <mshaw@mgs.vic.edu.au>
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Welcome to New Parents New parents to Melbourne Grammar School were welcomed at a cocktail party on the Wadhurst deck on 5 February 2004. The event provided the opportunity for over 200
new parents to meet each other, the Headmaster, Heads of Campus, staff and Friends of Grammar representatives.
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Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
School Leaders 2004
The Headmaster & 2004 school leaders pictured at the Ross Gates in Senior School. Grimwade House: Co Captains Emma Hoy & Giles Whittaker Wadhurst: Captain Charles Shaw & Vice Captain Hugh Vickers-Willis Senior School: Captain James Newton & Vice Captain Malcolm Crang Grimwade House, Wadhurst and Senior School offer a wide range of formal and informal leadership opportunities and experiences in curricular and co-curricular activities. Two new captains will be appointed at Grimwade House for second semester.