RAP | COMMUNITY SPORTS DAY FOUNDERS’ DAY | CREATIVITY CENTRE OPENING GUESTS AND GATHERING

COMMUNITY

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

A VISIT FROM AUNTY CAROLYN

In April we welcomed Aunty Carolyn Briggs and Mr Leon Egan to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). In keeping with our seven School Values and to help achieve greater understanding of our indigenous population, culture and history, we all came together with the hope of a more united and fairer country for all Australians. Aunty Carolyn and Leon also spoke to the whole School about our local indigenous history and encouraged all in our School Community to become involved in ‘contributing to reconciliation and breaking down stereotypes and discrimination’.

Our RAP was developed in consultation with former Mentone Grammar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, our School Community including students and staff, and the School Board. In doing so, we recoginse the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our School stands, and acknowledge this at formal School gatherings. With the development of our RAP we hope to create mutually beneficial opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people to expand knowledge, skills and experience.

At the conclusion of this special Assembly, all 1530 students participated in a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse the spirit. It was a meaningful launch that made way for greater connections throughout the year as our Year 7s continued their Learning Journeys to the Lilla Community as did the VCAL students, who also ventured to Central Australia to assist the elders of the Watarrka region, a place which the School is currently developing even greater educational ties. Here in Australia we’re fortunate enough to have one of the richest and oldest continuing cultures in the world. This is something we should all be proud of and celebrate.

DR TOM CALMA

AO RECONCILATION AUSTRALIA CO-CHAIR

COMMUNITY SPORTS DAY

Clear blue skies and sunshine greeted all upon their arrival at the 2017 Mentone Grammar Community and Sports Day.

Our junior teams played early, followed by a challenge between our Alumni and senior teams in a variety of sports. Presentations for the best players for both the School and the Mentonians followed in the Denyer Courtyard where our junior team members all received their own medallion, presented by Mentonians President, Andrew Oxland (1989). We thank our MC for the day - Jon Ponnusamy (2010) who has missed his calling in life; his stellar efforts ensured that the whole day remained well on track.

Our Panther Productions performances created a great community atmosphere, and attracted a large number of family and friends to watch the student acoustic bands and enjoy superb individual performances of many iconic songs! teams. We also thank Mark Pearman (1982) for his enthusiasm, timetabling skills and ability to work with all of the sports clubs, performers, School staff and Committee members. This day is a School Community event, hosted by The Mentonians Association; and we certainly could not put on a day that caters for over 300 people without volunteers. There were many volunteers who contributed to this day but it is important to acknowledge the dedication of Cameron Dunkerley (1986), Vic Stroumos (1978), Phil Harrington (2010), Jon Ponnusamy (2010), Miranda Ingram (2013), Imogen Lawson (2014), Rob Sinclair (1976), Sven Samild (1987), Josh Burt (1989) and parents Jacquie Phillips, Julie Ahearn, Doone Ballantine and Mia Le Fevre Taylor.

Thank you to all for supporting our extended Mentone Grammar Community.

SUZANNE ASHLEY

ALUMNI RELATIONS MANAGER

FOUNDERS’ DAY

CREATIVITY CENTRE OPENING

IT’S OPEN!

A New Era of Creativity Begins.

After an exciting week of events and a Community Open Day, the Creativity Centre opened for business in June and the celebrations continued right through to September. In between, the Visual Arts, Technologies and Performing Arts faculties all moved in to their purpose built studios, gallery spaces, theatrettes, commercial kitchen and the Thorold Theatre, which is a high-tech recreation of what many would remember as Thorold Hall. To acknowledge and thank the generous members of the Community who supported the building through donations or sponsorships, guests enjoyed a Red Carpet Official Opening on 2 June. In a proud moment, retiring Chair of the Board of Directors, Mr Simon Appel OAM, expressed his heartfelt thanks to those who contributed to the amazing resource with a commemorative lapel pin.

The celebrations concluded into September with a formal assembly and a traditional blessing from our Anglican Archbishop, The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier to mark the official opening of the Centre.

The School Community welcomed back Mentonian and opera singer Blake Fischer (1992), who joined current Year 9 student Harrison Dart on stage to sing, I am the Pirate King, from Pirates of Penzance. Singer Kelsey Cotton (2012) shared the stage with Sarah Green (Year 11) for a beautiful rendition of, For Good, from the stage show Wicked. For Blake and Kelsey, who remember their time at School singing in the old Thorold Hall, it was a reminder of just how far the Arts at Mentone Grammar has expanded and the great privilege it is to have everyday access to professional standard Arts technologies and specialist resources.

The sound and lighting capabilities of the Theatre were on show again that evening when the School excitedly welcomed Daryl Braithwaite on stage for another celebration of things old and new. For some, it was a nostalgic trip back to the 70s and a chance to belt out Horses like no one was listening. For most, however, it was a moment to feel proud of their School that loves celebrate and do what it does so well – bring generations of Mentonians together to enjoy their big, happy School. What a night!

Now that the party is over, the Centre is filled with students coming and going to classes full of incredible art, music, food, design and creativity.

GUESTS & GATHERINGS

This year seemed like one big long party because we had a lot to celebrate! From Week 1 of Term 1, we came together on many memorable occasions, least of all to celebrate the long awaited opening of the Creativity Centre. We welcomed new families, guests, Foundation sponsors, we danced, laughed, took selfies and added to our rich archive of happy, significant events.

Once again the Parents and Friends Association and The Mentonians Association shared in many of our Community events and the seamless synergy between ‘old and new’ forged many new connections. Significantly, our Alumni association celebrated its 90th anniversary in September and surprised everyone with a special lunch with many of our longest serving alumni in the new Centre. We also celebrated our mums, dads and grandparents to thank them for the generous support they give the School. In 2017 our generous Community once again supported all our fundraising initiatives, big and small, whether it be for our international connections with developing countries or, closer to home, fundraising for the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Yarrabah School or Zaidee’s.

Whenever we come together, there is always music and this year provided lots of opportunities for our current students to share the spotlight with Mentonians and members of the TMA’s newest club, Panther Productions. Together they all provided some incredible performance highlights both on and off the Campus.

Sport is always another great reason to get together and with five premierships this year, there was a lot to celebrate and everyone joined the party.

Our Mentone Stories series of speakers was a great success again this year. Our three guest speakers: sports health and fitness advisor Andrew Russell, wellness professional Damian Kristof and drugs and alcohol education expert Paul Dillon all provided fascinating sessions to our appreciative audiences.

We ended the year by farewelling our Year 12s in great style before their final examinations.

Thank you to everyone who joined in the party and supported and applauded our students in this very special year.

Enjoy the year in pictures …