Lucis Magazine, June 2017 by MLC School

LUCIS

Winter Edition 2017

The Magazine of the MLC School Family incorporating Collegiate

‘For a school that is in its one hundred and thirty first year, there is so much history, so many traditions and memories that make up the fabric of this place.’

t was fitting and poignant that this year’s Biennial Sydney Opera House Concert, our fourteenth, was presented under the banner of ‘Legacy’. For a school that is in its one hundred and thirty first year, there is so much history, so many traditions and memories that make up the fabric of this place. The concept of Legacy, with its undertones of a bequest or inheritance is richly appropriate. What made the concert even more relevant was that it not only reached back into our tradition of excellence, it also, by including five new and original works, added to our future legacy. Since the essence of an MLC School education is innovation and developing an entrepreneurial spirit, pushing the boundaries with these original works is symbolic of all we stand for.

We are moving on rapidly with our new Senior School building which will be the hub of learning for a number of subject departments including science. The four storey building will incorporate the best in the latest educational design and will be anchored on the ground floor with a magnificent new library. We are on schedule with this build and look forward to its completion towards the end of next year. Although new buildings and facilities are very exciting, the essence of our school remains its people and relationships, past and present. We are so fortunate to have such strong and supportive partners in the P&F and Old Girls Union. It is a pleasure to work with their Presidents, Julie Smith and Sue Cartwright, and their dedicated and hard working committees and members. 2

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FROM Our School Council also works tirelessly for the school. Pauline Johnston and the Council members are to be admired as they juggle their private lives with their considerable governance responsibilities. Their recent appointment of the new Principal, Lisa Moloney who will commence in January 2018, has been the culmination of an exhaustive search

and process. It has been wonderful to meet Lisa and I look forward to a seamless handover over the coming months. In terms of meaningful relationships I must also make special mention of our staff and students. These are complex relationships, there is an ebb and flow to them depending on what is happening

THE PRINCIPAL not only in the school but in their lives beyond the school gate and indeed in an increasingly unpredictable world. It is a tribute to their commitment to the school that whatever issues they face, we can trust each other and move forward with optimism and confidence.

my own legacy, albeit so brief in its total life, will be remembered as a positive and loving contribution to this great school.

I continue to be grateful every day for the privilege of leading MLC School, and hope

Louise Robert-Smith Principal LUCIS Winter 2017

Contents

5 Announcement INTRODUCING MS LISA MOLONEY 6

Building Update

Deputy Principal

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

FAREWELL TO DEPUTY PRINCIPAL AND HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL MR PAUL BROWN APPOINTMENT OF MRS FRANCES BOOTH AS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

8 Farewell MR MICHAEL HAYES Academic Results 10 2016 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2016

School Captains 12 2017 CAPTAINSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; REFLECTIONS Learning 15 Immersive IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES Learning 16 Powerful NATIONAL YOUNG HISTORIAN OF THE YEAR YEAR 10 CLASS BUILDS BINARY CLOCKS

Opportunities 18 Exchange ROUND SQUARE EXCHANGES Tour 20 Overseas DANCE, DRAMA AND ENTERTAINMENT TOUR Opera House Concert 22 Sydney LEGACY Action 24 Taking STUDENT VOICE AND STUDENT ACTION Are They Now? 26 Where RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL Girls' Union 27 Old BACK TO COLLEGE DAY 2017

28 Vale VALE Girls 30 Old COLLEGIATE RELAUNCHED DO YOU HAVE ANY NEWS?

and Scholarships 31 Tours CHOOSING MLC SCHOOL

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OUR VALUES Pursue excellence Demonstrate integrity Celebrate diversity Embrace world citizenship Live with humility

PHOTOGRAPHERS Nicole Anderson Miriam Lai Elliot Toms Community members

SOCIAL MEDIA

Announcement

INTRODUCING MS LISA MOLONEY was very pleased with the number of high calibre educators seeking to lead our school. Throughout this process, the Council was very impressed with Ms Moloney’s consistently demonstrated commitment to our school and its values, vision for its ongoing growth and success, and the necessary experience to lead continued excellence in teaching and learning for the benefit of our girls. Ms Moloney holds a Bachelor of Education in Environmental Science, a Graduate Diploma in Music Education, a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and is currently completing additional studies through the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is known for her love of the Double Bass and she continues to take an active role in community bands. She is the mother of two adult children, a grandmother to one year old Audrey, and an active member of her local church community.

LC School is pleased to announce Ms Lisa Moloney as the next Principal of MLC School commencing in Term 1 2018. Ms Moloney is currently Principal of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School in Victoria, a position she has held since 2011. During this time she has guided the school through a period of academic strengthening, cultural change and capital works projects. She is particularly well respected within St Paul’s for her ability to bring the school community together through her care, compassion and strong sense of purpose and direction.

The School Council is delighted that Ms Moloney will be joining our community to lead MLC School into its next phase of development and we look forward to her commencing with us in January 2018. The Council will provide an opportunity for our community to welcome Ms Moloney in early 2018. An exceptional educator with over 30 years’ educational experience, Ms Moloney’s career commenced as a Geography and Science teacher. Following this she spent time in the USA working at COSI, one of the country’s leading science museums before returning to Australia and moving into educational leadership positions. Prior to her appointment at St Paul’s, Ms Moloney was Deputy Principal, Head of High School and Director of Strategic Planning at Radford College in Canberra.

Thank you for your patience and support as Council has worked carefully to find our next leader. This has been a deeply considered decision and we are confident that we can all look to the future with the optimism and assurance which have always been a hallmark of life at MLC School.

Ms Moloney’s appointment marks the culmination of a rigorous executive recruitment process. The School Council LUCIS Winter 2017

Building Update

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

The breaking of ground began in December 2016.

o support continued academic excellence into the future MLC School is very pleased to have commenced the construction of our new Senior School academic hub. The building will include state of the art science and library facilities as well as the latest in classroom design for a number of our faculties. An additional fourth floor has also been approved by the NSW Department of Planning. This approval provides MLC School with the ability to incorporate additional teaching and learning spaces in this exciting new complex. Demolition of older facilities commenced at the beginning of the year and building will continue throughout 2017 and into 2018.

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An additional fourth floor has been designed.

The interior promises lots of open spaces.

Deputy Principal

FAREWELL TO DEPUTY PRINCIPAL AND HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL MR PAUL BROWN

armest congratulations are in order for our Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, Mr Paul Brown. Paul has accepted the position of Headmaster of Brisbane Boys' College, commencing in January 2018. Brisbane Boys' College is an independent Presbyterian and Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Toowong, a suburb of Brisbane. This is a significant and exciting step in Paul's career in education following his two and a half years as Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School of MLC School.

During his time at MLC School Paul has made a strong contribution to the smooth running of the school, overseeing many important ‘behind the scenes’ projects such as Registration, the institution of a Planning Committee and a Building and Maintenance Committee, the roll out of new timetabling tools and the creation of a framework and process to support teachers though the new Accreditation requirements. Paul will finish his role at MLC School at the end of Term 3 2017 and we wish him and his family all the very best for their new life north of the border.

APPOINTMENT OF MRS FRANCES BOOTH AS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

irector of Strategic Initiatives, Mrs Frances Booth, was recently appointed as Deputy Principal of MLC School, effective at the end of Term 3 2017. The selection process identified a number of future leaders within our current staff and a rigorous formal process was undertaken to identify our Deputy Principal. Principal Elect Ms Lisa Moloney joined Principal Mrs Louise Robert-Smith on the selection panel. Prior to her career in education, Mrs Booth was a journalist on The Daily Telegraph in London’s Fleet Street. She has taught English, Film, History and French, all at

senior levels and is currently teaching Year 12 English at MLC School. Frances has been an educator at schools as diverse as St George’s Ascot (UK), Bethlehem College (Ashfield), Ascham School (Edgecliff), Wenona (North Sydney) and MLC School. She has held senior positions in each school she has been a part of including Deputy Head (Pastoral) at St George’s Ascot, Head of Year 9 at Bethlehem College, Head of Boarding at Wenona and Deputy Principal as well as Acting Principal at Ascham School. We all look forward to working with her as Deputy Principal.

LUCIS Winter 2017

Farewell

MR MICHAEL HAYES Mr Michael (Mike) Hayes has made an extraordinary contribution to the life of MLC School.

ike has decided to retire and 2017 will be his final year at the school. While the whole school community will be very sad to see him leave us, we know his plans for domination of various masters rowing regattas need his full attention. Mike Hayes started his life in education in England, when he and a friend joined an urban boys’ school in London for one term, teaching PE. At the end of that term Mike and his fellow Australian teacher were invited to lunch by the Principal. Mike remembers it being an honour, particularly as the Principal’s sherry was involved. The Principal wanted to know why these two young Australians had taken the radical step of teaching the actual curriculum. When the Principal discovered Mike’s talents in Physics he was asked to stay on at the school and abandon his role as a PE teacher. Six months later Mr Hayes found himself the Acting Head of Physics and the die was cast. After an enjoyable time in the UK, Mike and his soon-to-be family returned to Australia and joined our staff as a

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Science teacher in 1978. In his 40 years at the school he has worked with four MLC School Principals: Rev Ken Cornwall, Mrs Barbara Stone, Mrs Denice Scala and Mrs Louise Robert-Smith.

Committee (introduction of Technology into the Year 8 curriculum), a member of the Staff Development Committee (as editor of an Inservice magazine), Senior School representative on the Master Planning Committee, Head of Computing, backstage hand for Drama productions and early Opera House concerts, Duke of Ed cycling expeditioner, excursion master-mind, tour leader and star guest at Old Girls Reunions. What attracted Mr Hayes to MLC School? He says ‘I was aware enough to know that I didn’t know everything, and the Science department here was just loaded with these talented women who were really good to work with. It was a great place for me to learn my craft. It was also my first experience of a girls’ school’.

Since 1992 Mr Hayes has been the Director of Studies and taken on many formal and informal roles within the school. In addition to his work as a classroom teacher, he has been a member of the Curriculum Review

Just as importantly, what has kept him here? ‘I’ve been in my current position for 25 years – but it’s never been the same! I didn’t have to leave here to have change in my career. From someone who was a bit terrified when I first walked in – of the girls – that first class I had, they looked after me.’

Farewell

At MLC School Mr Hayes has taught Theory of Knowledge, Computing Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (for one year) and two General Science courses. He particularly remembers teaching a 4 Unit Science course in his early years. ‘I just got lucky with this exceptional class. One of the girls in that class topped the State and another was in the top 50. It was a large class and they were such a wonderful group. I think there were also two university medalists and a number of them have doctorates now.’ MLC School has always been an early adopter of educational ideas, and for a new teacher the sense of possibility was inspiring. During Mike’s early years, the school developed courses in Computing Science and Design and Technology, years before these courses were offered by the NSW Education Standards Authority. Over Mr Hayes’ time the school has grown markedly in numbers, and in one notable year the school had to quickly build extra classrooms (known as the New English and the New Maths rooms) to cope with a sudden influx of students.

Many things about teaching, learning, students and families have evolved over Mr Hayes’ time at MLC School. Teaching practice has changed from the ‘stand and deliver’ model, when it was considered good practice if students were quiet and didn’t run from the class (particularly during Mike’s time at the boys’ school in London) to a more enquiry based model, with an emphasis on personalised learning. What has not changed during Mr Hayes time at the school is the sense that MLC School students can, and will, try anything, and aim high. While times have changed and teaching has changed, what has not changed are expectations – MLC School students were always expected to go out and beat the world. Mike remarked that ‘The screen life has changed things a bit, but not as much as you might think. It’s had its benefits in terms of imparting information. It means you can concentrate on what to do with the information, which is working at a higher level. The MLC School girls’ attitude has been consistent – they’ve often had a little

bit of a rebellious streak, and always strong on social justice and academic achievement, articulate, confident and not afraid to say what they think.’ Mr Hayes was recently the star guest at the 1986 Old Girls’ Reunion, when a former student came up, beaming with joy, and told him ‘I’m so glad to see you Mr Hayes, you were one of the people who has shaped my life’. As Mike says ‘you can’t get much better than that’. Mr Hayes has clearly loved his time at MLC School, and is loved by the MLC School Community in return. From rowing to backpacker hostels, from Science to stage hand, Mr Hayes has seen it, and done it, all. He has remained a compassionate, forward-thinking and warm colleague, teacher, mentor and friend to all at MLC School. We wish him and his wife Lillian a happy, healthy and exciting time ahead as they take on all comers in the masters rowing world and enjoy being grandparents of Harper.

‘Mr Hayes has clearly loved his time at MLC School, and is loved by the MLC School community in return.’

LUCIS Winter 2017

2016 Academic Results

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2016

ongratulations to all girls who were part of the MLC School Year 12 class of 2016. Whether they sat the HSC or the IB, their results were a great testament to their own hard work and the support of their families and teachers.

Taking both IB and HSC results into account, MLC School continues to rank in the top academic echelons in NSW and would be ranked in the top 25 if both sets of examinations were considered when league tables were produced.

Using the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) as a measure, we can combine the results of the HSC and the IB to summarise the whole cohort’s performance in 2016.

HSC HIGHLIGHTS ÌÌ There were 95 instances of students being awarded Band 6 or E4 (the highest bands possible). ÌÌ 43 students were placed on the HSC Distinguished Achievers list for those who achieved a result in the highest possible Band for one or more courses. ÌÌ 53% of the cohort achieved a Band 6 in at least one subject. In 22 of the 25 subjects sat by our students the results in Bands 5 and 6 exceeded the state average. ÌÌ Two students were placed on the HSC All Rounders list, for those who achieve Band 6 in 10 units of studies. ÌÌ 100% of Music 2 students achieved a Band 6. ÌÌ 86% of Music 1 students achieved a Band 6.

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ÌÌ 82% of English Extension 1 students achieved a Band 6. ÌÌ 71% of Textiles and Design students achieved a Band 6. ÌÌ 67% of History Extension students achieved a Band 6. ÌÌ 47% of Drama students achieved a Band 6. ÌÌ 33% of Mathematics Advanced students achieved a Band 6. ÌÌ The works of Elizabeth Jo, Jamie Oslington and Erika Vuki will be exhibited as part of the ArtExpress showcase of the best visual artists completing the HSC across NSW. ÌÌ The work of Hayley Cavanagh was selected for inclusion in ENCORE, a concert of outstanding performances and compositions from HSC music

students. Congratulations also to Olivia Hill and Louise Wang who were nominated. ÌÌ The work of Claire Rogers was selected for the SHAPE showcase exhibition of the best work from Industrial Technology/Multimedia HSC students. ÌÌ The Lighting Design work of Georgia Keogh was selected for presentation at OnSTAGE, a selection of the best works of the 2016 HSC Drama Examination across NSW. ÌÌ The work of Louise Wang was selected for the Texstyle showcase of the best textile works from HSC students across NSW.

2016 Academic Results

IB HIGHLIGHTS ÌÌ Six student achieved a perfect score of 45 (99.95 ATAR) and five students achieved 44, the highest number of perfect scores in Australia. ÌÌ 31% of our IB students achieved an ATAR of 99 or over.

ÌÌ The worldwide average score among IB students was 29.21 – at MLC School it was 38.5. ÌÌ Of the 31 perfect scores in Australia, 20% came from MLC School.

HSC DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS

ATARS OVER 99

Divya Ahlawat

Cindy Lo

Jasmine Tan

Angela Bai �� 99.95

Htet Yamin Aung

Imogen Moore

Hope Tzannes

Jessie Cai �� 99.95

Angelique Barrett

Michelle Nguyen

Erika Vuki

Anjali Cuganesan �� 99.95

Ella Beere

Ivy Ning

Louise Wang

Julia de Sterke �� 99.95

Kiara Bletsas

Alexis Norington

Bonnie Wong

Victoria Lee �� 99.95

Alana Braxton-Boal

Jamie Oslington

Amelia Xouris

Rebecca Zhong �� 99.95

Hayley Cavanagh

Angela Peng

Colleen Zhang

Federica Lannan �� 99.85

Rebecca Chen

Esther Rizk

Cindy Zhi

Cherry Liu �� 99.85

Alicia Davies

Claire Rogers

Alexandra Zoras

Carissa Long �� 99.85

Amity Dent

Nazla Sajed

Danielle Zhu

Nicole Moore �� 99.85

Ella Esposito Doolan

Chang Shen

Tess Morrison �� 99.85

Olivia Hill

Emily Shum

Rose Kethel �� 99.70

Selina Ho

Elena Sladkova

Victoria Chang �� 99.45

Elizabeth Jo

Isabelle Stackpool

Sonali Dewan �� 99.45

Hannah Kingsley

Eliza Stewart

Amira Hatoum �� 99.45

Shuyu Lin

Vivian Szeto

Christina Shin �� 99.45

LUCIS Winter 2017

2017 School Captains

CAPTAINSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; REFLECTIONS Zoe Latham, Rebecca Janssen and Jasmine Todoroska have been leading the school all year. Here they share their achievements and advice for future leaders.

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2017 School Captains

What have you learned and what have you achieved so far? Zoe: This has been both the busiest and most fun year of my high school life. One of our main goals has been to make school a fun place to be by fostering a greater sense of community and encouraging involvement in all aspects of MLC School life. I have learnt so much about time management, open-mindedness and being flexible; skills, which will help me in my life after school. Rebecca: One of the greatest lessons that I’ve learnt during my time as a Captain is the importance of hands-on leadership. I’ve realised that the most powerful work is often to simply be a positive and involved member of the student body, who engages with students of all ages and the entire school community. Jasmine: So far, I’ve learnt a lot about the importance of supporting each other not only within the leadership team but as a school community. We’ve been working towards improving the ways we all relate to each other within our year groups but also cultivating cross-year relationships which I think are so fundamental to the culture at MLC School. Just recently, I’ve seen so many Year 11 and Year 12 students reach out to Year 10s who are wondering about subject selection which I think is incredibly helpful, supportive and a clear demonstration of the kind of initiative that we hope we can encourage throughout the school.

Have there been any challenges? Zoe: The biggest challenge has certainly been trying to translate big ideas or concepts into realistic plans. I came into this role with so many things I wanted to achieve, however things are often easier said than done. Rebecca: Year 12 is a full-on time and it’s definitely been a challenge to balance our schoolwork, commitments and duties as Captains. We’ve also been challenged to think outside the box when speaking about certain topics to the school, and coming up with practical solutions to issues which have needed to be addressed throughout the year.

Jasmine: One challenge has been the new developments happening within the school and the construction of the new buildings. However, the school community is really coming together to make the most out of the space we do have while respecting others, whether that be within tight library spaces or in the playground.

Rebecca: Make the most of all of the opportunities and support which is offered to you here at school! There are so many girls and teachers who are so knowledgeable and willing to help you to do your best as a leader. If you aren’t afraid to ask questions and are open to advice, you will grow and learn so much.

What have been the benefits of having two Vice-Captains this year?

Jasmine: To make the most out of each opportunity that is available to you while trying to keep perspective. If something doesn’t go your way, the most important thing is to be able to continue onwards and tackle the next day and the day after that with a resilient and positive attitude. You should try to view each setback as a challenge and trust yourself.

Zoe: Being student leaders has been no small responsibility and it has been great to have two Vice-Captains this year to be able to collaborate with and share our loads. Rebecca: It has been so valuable to have two other amazing peers to work with, each with their own ideas and opinions. We’ve been able to share the load and share ideas so that hopefully, we’ve been more effective in our leadership of the school.

‘Make the most of this wonderful opportunity you’ve been given, work hard and strive to make a positive change within the school.’ Jasmine: Year 12 is obviously a very busy time so having two Vice-Captains has been beneficial in terms of sharing the workload. All of us have packed schedules so having backup for events allows more flexibility so that (at least) two Captains can be present. It’s also great to be able to bounce ideas off more people to get a well-rounded perspective with emphasis and consideration of both the senior and middle schools.

What advice do you have for the students who will follow you? Zoe: Have fun! Make the most of this wonderful opportunity you’ve been given, work hard and strive to make a positive change within the school.

When you look back on your MLC School years, what do you think your fondest memories will be? Zoe: I have been privileged to have such an amazing high school experience and I will definitely miss all of the opportunities I have been fortunate to have, especially spending everyday with my friends and peers. I know for sure that I’ll be able to look back with my friends and laugh while remembering our service adventures in Thailand, hiking across Sydney or even getting lost in the Opera House, worrying we would miss the concert. Rebecca: Over the years, I’ve enjoyed being a part of so many different and vibrant parts of the school community. The memories that I have made through spending time with sports teams, musical ensembles and school tours through thick and thin will always be dear to me. Jasmine: I’m so lucky to have had so many unforgettable experiences at MLC School from flooding my cabin at Broken Hill to the absolutely incredible time spent in Chiang Mai to the amazing music trip to Cuba. At the same time, all the incredible friends I’ve made and all the laughter I’ll forever associate with this school is something that I’ll never forget.

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‘I have learnt more about home living, education, the meaning of community, Aboriginal history and importantly, myself.’ – YEAR 9 STUDENT

Building works in the village above Chiang Mai.

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Exploring Broken Hill.

Immersive Learning

IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES Encouraging resilience, building friendships and underpinning academic success.

he immersive learning experiences at MLC School take place from Year 6 to Year 10. They involve whole year groups and are designed to broaden horizons, encourage resilience and foster a growth mindset. This helps to underpin academic success for our girls, particularly in the Senior Years. The immersive experiences begin in Year 6 with Down the Rabbit Hole, while Year 7 enjoy a week immersed in Shakespeare’s World with the professional theatre company Sport For Jove. The City Experience in Year 8 expands horizons on a local level, while Year 9 travel to Broken Hill in smaller groups over a longer period of time, coming to a new

appreciation of their own capabilities and life in regional Australia.

Team building in Thailand.

‘I am stronger and more resilient than I once thought.’ – YEAR 9 STUDENT

These experiences progress through the high school years and culminate in an international service learning experience for all of Year 10 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. All of the programs deepen the bonds between students, open new perspectives on the world and allow the girls to

meet significant personal and academic challenges prior to their entry to the Senior Years of high school.

CHIANG MAI 2017

LC School Year 10 students returned to the same area of Chiang Mai the school has been visiting for the last two years, a beautiful and reasonably remote place that is home to an orphanage, school and small villages. The girls completed and progressed the projects begun by the students of 2015 and 2016, completing a soccer field, driveway and a road.

The Chiang Mai immersive learning experience is service learning at its best – it brings out the best in each girl as she rises to meet new challenges, in the company of her peers, in a very different environment. The MLC School Year 10

cohort rose to the physical and emotional challenges with resilience, courage and a strong sense of service and making a contribution to something greater than their normal concerns. This will stand them in good stead for the years ahead.

Washing elephants in Chiang Mai.

Each of the four groups took part in a similar program of cultural immersion and practical service, including hands on experiences with elephants, meeting and speaking with Buddhist monks, learning about Thai cuisine and visiting the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred place for Thai people and one of the great temples of Asia. LUCIS Winter 2017

Powerful Learning

NATIONAL YOUNG HISTORIAN OF THE YEAR

t the end of 2016, Rachel Wang (Year 10) was awarded the prestigious National Young Historian of the Year Award. The Minister for Education and Training Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham presented Rachel with the award in Parliament House Canberra. Rachel’s 2000-word essay required extensive research on a topic of her choice to correlate with the competition theme of triumph and tragedy. She chose to explore the Australian artist Albert Namatjira. ‘I explored how his life was framed by tragedy yet he was a very successful Indigenous artist and fought for Indigenous rights’, Rachel said. Minister Birmingham said, ‘Rachel’s description of Namatjira as the “first bridge between two vastly different cultures” is fitting and serves as a lesson to us all about

the importance of mutual understanding and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians’.

‘It was a very worthwhile experience both writing the essay and winning the four-day trip to Canberra’, she said. Rachel won the award competing across all categories and ages including Year 11 and Year 12 students from across Australia. With the same essay she also won NSW Young Historian of the Year, as well as the Year 9 and Indigenous categories. Rachel won a cash prize, several medals and a plaque. The competition is organised by the History Teachers’ Association of Australia and supported by the federal government.

‘I explored how his life was framed by tragedy yet he was a very successful Indigenous artist and fought for Indigenous rights.’ Through her research Rachel gained a more nuanced understanding of the artist’s life as well as learning how to use archival records and write an essay with an annotated bibliography and footnotes.

Rachel Wang accepts her award from the Hon Simon Birmingham.

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YEAR 10 CLASS BUILDS BINARY CLOCKS There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that know binary, and those that don’t.

hat is a joke that many of our girls understand and appreciate, thanks to our efforts in engaging growing numbers of students in the world of computing. Recently our Year 10 Information and Software Technology students undertook the building of a binary clock. The Year 10 students built binary clocks as part of a unit on Hardware and Networking Systems. Computer networks are ubiquitous and an essential part of modern life. In the study of technologies it is important to grasp the theories that underpin the development of systems. The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is critical to networks, and the creation of the binary clock helped the girls gain important insights into how a computer works at many different layers of the OSI model. Teacher Mr Bryce Lyndstrom explained further: ‘Binary is the foundation of computer communication, essentially meaning off/on or 0/1. Then we look at hardware being a physical layer, and the coding being another layer of the model.

Networking systems are integral to the nature in which the modern world works and communicates and they are all based on binary thinking. So through this unit, students develop knowledge of and skills in networking, which can then be applied to various scenarios. In addition to the syllabus content, students will look at other content and concepts that are relevant to modern day networking systems. This includes cloud computing, issues around Big Data, and the social and ethical issues surrounding the National Broadband Network, etc.’ Students are currently working on a new unit of work, Internet and Website Development, which flows directly on from the building of the binary clocks. In this unit students are learning basic web development using HTML5 and CSS (both being the languages that websites use). They are also building, in pairs, their own web servers constructed from Raspberry Pi components. A Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that runs a UNIX operating system. These are used at MLC School to give students a sense of what it is like to build up the software on blank computer components to get a working and fully functional computer.

Raspberry Pis can be used for many projects such as mini game arcades, weather stations, media servers etc. At MLC School, the students will be using their Raspberry Pis to create a web server, which will host

‘This combination of rigorous theory and engaging project work integrate well to provide our students with a deep appreciation of technology and essential skills in manipulating and creating with it.’ their website. This combination of rigorous theory and engaging project work integrate well to provide our students with a deep appreciation of technology and essential skills in manipulating and creating with it. This is just a sample of the types of projects being created by our students across the school. LUCIS Winter 2017

Exchange Opportunities

ROUND SQUARE EXCHANGES

very year, MLC School students have the opportunity to undertake a two-week exchange to other Australasian Round Square schools. This experience is both rewarding and challenging, helping students to develop

confidence, independence, resilience and self-esteem. MLC School students travel to their host school and become a member of the host school community.

Past exchange opportunities have taken place in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Singapore, and Switzerland, as well as interstate opportunities. Here are some excerpts of just a few exchanges.

EXCHANGE TO ST STITHIANS COLLEGE ZOE LATHAM (YEAR 12)

n Year 11, I went on a six-week exchange to St Stithians College in South Africa and gained a different world perspective.

Staying with my new family with four siblings, my lifestyle was very different to home but it enabled me to experience many new things. Round Square Exchange in South Africa provided me the opportunity to watch a cheetah lazily stroll across the African plains, fly down a two-kilometre zipline with my host sister, and attend a school completely different to MLC School.

South Africa is one of the most vibrant and friendly countries I have ever visited and everyone went out of their way to make me feel welcome and comfortable. I will be forever grateful for being able to make lifelong friends halfway across the world, to have spent time outside of my comfort zone and to have gained a second family and home. I look forward to the day I can go back to visit my friends and family in this incredible country.

EXCHANGE TO WOODLEIGH SCHOOL KATE CARTWRIGHT (YEAR 9)

uring the last two weeks of Term 3 2016, I participated in a Round Square exchange to Woodleigh School in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria and stayed with a wonderful family at Mount Martha. Before I left for exchange, I was reminded of one simple word, ‘adapt’. This made me open to all the things that my host family and Woodleigh did differently to what I was used to; and instead of it being intimidating, I kept in mind that it was not wrong, it was just different. Adapting to the situations that were thrown at me didn’t just make me more open minded to other ways of doing things but it also allowed me to really appreciate all that I did while I was there.

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Woodleigh is a co-ed school and completely connected to nature. The teachers were inviting and included me in all classes allowing me to have a glimpse of the ‘Woodleigh way’, which focuses on respect, and reflects the Round Square IDEALS. Despite having attended a co-ed school for all my education until starting at MLC School, it was a surprisingly unfamiliar feeling being back in a mixed gender school. And another big difference was that Woodleigh has no uniform, just a colour code. My exchange family were very welcoming, allowing me to feel a part of the family and participate in activities like fencing and surfing. Their kindness was wonderful.

Exchange Opportunities

EXCHANGE TO UWCSEA AMELIE ROEDIGER (YEAR 9)

n 2016 I travelled to Singapore on a Round Square exchange, attending the United World College of South East Asia, Dover (UWCSEA). The people were completely welcoming and I immediately became friends with everyone, joining the orange house called Adriatic. I participated with my tutor group (similar to Luminaries) in the House Touch Football, Soccer and Basketball tournaments. I also went dragon boating for a day although the year group was quite disappointed to find that there weren’t any dragon heads on the boats! The classes I had were the same as at MLC School apart from Geography, Health and History, which were replaced by Humanities (a class combining Geography and History together) and Life Skills (which taught important life skills such as first aid and what to do in difficult situations, similar to Health). The food at school was unbelievable – including curries, naan, Western and Mexican cuisines. While at school, I did homework, assignments and agility tests – the same as everyone else. The best moment in class was definitely in Chinese when no one knew I spoke Mandarin except for Katie, my host student, and the teacher. Katie

asked me in Chinese what my favourite colour of clothes was and I answered in Chinese, ‘I like blue!’. The whole class stared at me and then started clapping and cheering – it was great. While away, I visited the Singapore Zoo, attended a Macklemore concert, ate traditional ‘chicken rice’, visited Little India

and spent a day in Sentosa (a little island with Universal Studios, beaches, zip lines and rock climbing). My exchange family were horse trainers and after school I saw their work and helped clean out some of the stables. Overall, my Round Square exchange was an amazing experience and I encourage anyone who loves an adventure to apply.

LONE BROMLEY (YEAR 8)

n Term 1 of 2017 I was very lucky to go on exchange to Singapore through the Round Square Exchange program at MLC School. I attended the international school United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) for two weeks. UWC was an amazing school with a fabulous campus and so many different nationalities. It was very diverse and their school had a large focus on service and languages. While I was there I attended art service and outdoor service. At outdoor service I had the opportunity to meet helpers who had been abused by their

employers and were currently being relocated into new families. It was truly heartwarming to see them laugh so much with each other and smile as we played games around the school. On the weekends my host family showed me around Singapore – Universal Studios, Vivo-city, Singapore Flyer, Cloud Forest and Gardens by the Bay were a few of the highlights of the busy weekends we had. Two weeks flew by so quickly and I had truly become used to their routine. Exchange really gave me an insight into another culture and allowed me to see

how another family worked. I think I have become more flexible through this trip and better at meeting new people. I have made lifelong friends and will never forget the amazing time I had in Singapore.

LUCIS Winter 2017

Overseas Tour

DDE students on tour.

DANCE, DRAMA AND ENTERTAINMENT TOUR The inaugural DDE Tour flew to the hubs of entertainment – New York and Los Angeles – during Term 1 holidays.

n April 2017, five staff from MLC School’s Dance, Drama and Entertainment Department were excited to set off with 48 students on our inaugural overseas tour to the USA – to New York and Los Angeles. The tour provided an extraordinary opportunity for our girls to perform, undertake drama and/or dance courses with renowned experts at historic studios such as The Actors Studio or Alvin Ailey Studios as well as attend outstanding performances in both cities. We all agreed the Cirque’s du Soleil’s, Paramour a blend of musical theatre, drama, movement, gymnastics and circus was the most amazing theatrical experience imaginable.

MLC SCHOOL

New York was fabulous, whether we had been there previously or if it was our first visit. Drama students attended workshops on Meisner and Lecoq acting methods whilst Dance students participated in workshops at Alvin Ailey Studios and Broadway Dance Center where they took a West African class. We tried on costumes from the Lion King at the Amsterdam Theatre, one of the oldest in the city. Dancers attended a Masterclass with a cast member from Aladdin and we all saw the fantastic show. Our Drama students were written up on the filmnewyork blog post after a sensational acting for the camera workshop with

the New York Film School. Director and producer Madalen Zinky gave the girls “a glowing review”. Our Dance students attended Chadwick School, a Round Square School where they did a physical theatre workshop and performed their piece, Firebird for the school community. New York also produced some of the most memorable moments on our tour. We walked 5th Avenue to Central Park for a horse and carriage ride, visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chelsea Market, Radio City Music Hall and Lincoln Center for backstage tours, walked the reclaimed Highline, attended a church service in Harlem as part of a Harlem

Overseas Tour

Gospel Tour where we were invited into another community’s way of life. But the most moving activity was a visit to the 9/11 Memorial, which gave us all a chance to ponder how lucky we are when we witness tragedies that have befallen others. In Los Angeles, our Dance students really took center stage. We were so proud of their magnificent performances at Madame Tussauds, Universal Studios and the best of all, at Disneyland. We went to Santa Monica, the Grove Farmers Market and a Hollywood tour. We did a Warner Brothers back stage tour and some of us attended a private screening in the plush RatPac screening room with director/producer Brett Ratner, himself. A four-day Disney pass sounds fun but it also included workshops and our Firebird performance. We still did classes – at Stella Adler Studio of Acting and Actors Artistry or Millennium and Abby Lee Dance! Our senior Drama girls attended The Actors’ Gang performance of Commedia dell’ Arte, a show written and directed by Academy Award winner, Tim Robbins, whom we met afterwards. He spoke to us and was genuinely interested in our work (my personal highlight of the tour)! The tour was an amazing whirlwind of immersion into the performing arts, 18 days of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. We were mighty tired at the end but with memories to last a lifetime. Ms Lisa Jinga Head of Department – Dance, Drama and Entertainment

MLC School meets New York.

Dance students on tour.

‘The tour was an amazing whirlwind of immersion into the performing arts, 18 days of oncein-a-lifetime opportunities.’

MLC School meets Los Angeles.

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‘An undertaking like this is also the work of many unsung heroes.’

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Sydney Opera House Concert

LEGACY An ambitious undertaking involving the majority of our school community.

n May 2017 the 14th Biennial Sydney Opera House Concert, entitled Legacy was presented by MLC School. This ambitious undertaking involved the vast majority of our school community. Students from Year 4 to Year 12 performed 14 items, along with staff and special guests. To all our girls performed with such exuberance and talent, from our talented soloists to the smallest chorister, our community thanks you. Significantly, five of the items presented were original works. The essence of an education at MLC School is innovation and the development of fearless thinkers with an entrepreneurial spirit. The Legacy concert was a perfect expression of this spirit. Of the five original works, one was commissioned from renowned Australian composers Paul Jarman and Bonnie

Nilsson, another from our own MLC School colleague Tristan Coelho (written for the current Year 12 Elective Music students) the exciting Taiko piece written for our students by the remarkable Kerryn Joyce and Brooke Shelley's commissioned choral piece for the Chamber and Senior Choirs. A particular highlight was the piece composed by one of our 2016 HSC Distinguished Achievers, Hayley Cavanagh (2016). These works were extraordinary in their diversity, quality and the very high standard of performance achieved. Also of special note is Year 11 student Nikki Zanuttini who won the MLC School competition to write lyrics for the final item, Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4. In addition to the many months spent preparing with the girls, our music staff

performed as conductors, including Kerryn Joyce, Guy de Villiers, Joanna Drimatis, Tristan Coelho, Richard Coward and Elizabeth Gilberthorpe, ably led by Music Director James Allington and Assistant Director Emma Bourke.

‘Music gives my girls confidence, purpose and a sense of belonging, joy, satisfaction and friendship.’ – MLC SCHOOL PARENT

An undertaking like this is also the work of many unsung heroes, including the many staff who made this concert possible, on the buses, backstage, supervising classes and rehearsals and rolling with good humour at the inevitable disruptions to their teaching programs. Their whole-hearted support is invaluable, and one of the reasons why MLC School is the wonderful place it is. The support of our parents and community on these special occasions and indeed through all the school’s endeavours is much appreciated. Parents in particular make huge efforts to give their daughters the opportunity to participate in the many programs offered through the school. For the families with a music focus we know that this concert is always a special and affirming occasion. The Sydney Opera House Concert Hall is about to be closed for several years for extensive refurbishment. We are fortunate to have been able to use this iconic venue for so many years and, in the MLC School spirit of fearless thinking and innovation, look forward to what will come in two year's time.

LUCIS Winter 2017

Taking Action

STUDENT VOICE AND STUDENT ACTION ‘Children should be seen and not heard.’ Not at MLC Junior School! Head of Junior School Mrs Suzanne Floro talks about the initiative headed by some of our youngest students.

was recently summonsed to a meeting with two of our Kindergarten girls, who proceeded to read a letter they had constructed, imploring me to take recycling and sustainability in the Junior School, more seriously. They were nearing the end of a collaborative learning project, during which, they had collected all of the rubbish amassed in the school on one particular day. They identified the problems related to what they had seen, discussed many ideas for solving these problems, and sought to communicate their findings – to exact significant change in our community, their own sphere of influence. In the Junior School we value student voice and encourage student action. Action is the manifestation of a student’s understanding of, and commitment to, the learning happening in class each day. What does that

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look like to a group of 5 and 6 year olds? And how do we know they are not just talking the talk? By their self driven actions – not only did our Kindy girls promote ‘nude food’ (lunchboxes filled with containers

‘We value student voice and encourage student action.’ of food rather than packaged goods), in an effort to change behaviour, they took it upon themselves to create a playground roster, where Kindy girls would supervise the garbage bins, teaching the older girls into which bins their food scraps and rubbish should be placed… all of their own accord, in their own play time. Such was their commitment to their cause.

What are the conditions under which such action not only can happen, but does? An atmosphere of openness to new ideas; a learning environment dedicated to a model of guided inquiry; teachers who ‘meddle in the middle’ and learn with the girls, generating excitement for new learning and opening young minds to possibilities for growth, innovation and change. Our Kindy girls’ remarkable capacity for student action leading to positive change in our world is to be commended. They are indeed fearless thinkers, and have demonstrated tremendous commitment and creativity. Look out world – one day, these little girls will be young women of influence and the world will be a better place for their contribution. Bravo Kindergarten!

Taking Action

‘Action is the manifestation of a student’s understanding of, and commitment to, the learning happening in class each day.’

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Where Are They Now?

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL DESTINATION Hayley Cavanagh (2016) composed the musical piece â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sailingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which was performed at the 14th Biennial Sydney Opera House Concert this year. She has just commenced study for a degree in Civil Engineering at UTS.

LC School provides a richly diverse learning environment, encouraging success in a myriad of ways. Beginning in Year 10, our students and families participate in an extensive program to support their decisions on subject selection, learning pathways, potential career choices and the possibilities for tertiary study. As well as individual analysis and support, senior students are able to take advantage of a series of presentations from a wide range of universities from around Australia and internationally. The MLC School community also benefits by hearing directly from successful women on a multitude of occasions throughout the school year, including our well-known Careers and Tertiary Expo. Just as important as the structured support program we offer is the sense of positive agency and independence that we aim to foster in every girl at every level of student life at MLC School. We ask our girls to think big and to challenge themselves throughout their time at school and it is the young women of Year 12 who ultimately rise to meet these challenges. The Class of 2016 have now begun their post school journey into life, tertiary study, travel and more. Here are some of their post school destinations.

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NUMBER

University of New South Wales

University of Sydney

University of Technology Sydney

Macquarie University

Australian National University

Western Sydney University

University of Melbourne

Australian Catholic University

Notre Dame

Overseas

Torrens University

National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

National Art School

Newcastle University

University of Canberra

University of Wollongong

COURSE

NUMBER

Business/Commerce/Accounting Design/Architecture/Built Environment Science/Med Science/Forensics/Psych Arts/Liberal Arts Media/Communications Health Physio/Chiro/Speech

16 14 14 13 11 10

Law Engineering Nursing Political Science Comb. Creative Intelligence and Innovation Education Screen/Sound and Stage Production Medicine Philosophy Criminology and Justice Fine Art Music Optometry Pharmacy

8 7 6 6 4 4 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 1

Old Girls' Union

BACK TO COLLEGE DAY 2017 Old Girls of all ages reunited for the first reunion of the 2017 calendar.

he Back to College Reunion was once devoted to sport matches between past and present students and between city and country Old Girls. This was followed by an afternoon tea in Schofield Hall (now the MLC School Chapel). We now forgo the exertion of sporting competition and devote ourselves to indulging in afternoon tea, renewing friendships and revisiting happy memories. 2017 was no different.

Back to College Day on Saturday 6 May 2017. Multiple generations of mothers, daughters and aunts joined Old Girls from across the years for a beautiful afternoon of reminiscing, catching up with friends and enjoying the sunshine in CafĂŠ 1886. Our youngest guest was just under six months old (a prospective student) while our oldest guest was (best not to mention!). It was a great opportunity to meet some new friends, share with old friends and talk about the growth of MLC School.

GET IN TOUCH Old Girls are encouraged to email the school with news of their life events for inclusion in our various publications â&#x20AC;&#x201C; oldgirlsunion@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

It was a very warm welcome back to MLC School for Old Girls who attended

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Vale

VALE The MLC School Community was saddened to hear of deaths of some of our Old Girls. MARION LAMBERT (SMITH, 1940)

iona Ewen, granddaughter of Marion Lambert (Smith, 1940), has written to tell us that Marion passed away on 29 March 2017 at the age of 92. Fiona penned the following tribute to her grandmother. Marion’s 93rd birthday would have been in May and we always thought she was going to outlive us all. She was an MLC School girl from way back and loved it. She spent many years at MLC School as a day girl and as a boarder. Marion was a scallywag, a trouble maker, an avid story teller and mischief maker. She loved being the centre of attention. She had lots of stories to tell about playing tennis in her early days at MLC School, of going to the family farm at Varroville, and of being a keen golfer later in life. Marion is survived by her daughter, MLC School Old Girl Judith Buchtmann (Pearce, 1964). Marion had three granddaughters: Fiona, Belinda and Kristen, and three great grandchildren: Rebecca, Brandon and Jordan. She spent most of her adult life in the Blue Mountains where for many years she helped run JH Lambert Hardware in Wentworth Falls with her husband of over 40 years Jack Lambert. They eventually retired to Coffs Harbour for a few years then returned to their beloved Mountains. We will miss her – it’s a much less interesting place without her. BERYL STONE (COOKE, 1941)

avid, Rod and Geoff Stone, the three sons of Beryl Stone (Cooke, 1941), have written to tell us the sad news of Beryl’s passing on 9 June 2017 in Hillingdon Hospital, London, UK. She was 93. Beryl’s sons tell us that she remembered a number of her MLC School teachers

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with affection – particularly the pianist Marjorie Hesse who taught her music, first at MLC School and later at the NSW Conservatorium of Music. Beryl always said it was Marjorie who really got her working at, and understanding, music.

days at MLC School and the friendships she made here were very important to her.

Beryl went on to do a BA in English, History and Psychology at the University of Sydney in the mid 1940s and returned in the early 1950s to do a Masters degree in English with a thesis titled ‘The nature and development of satire in English prose’.

WENDY PHYLLIS HUDSON ROBERTS (SCALES, 1942)

In 1954 Beryl travelled to the UK with three friends for a working holiday. It was there that she met her husband-to-be, married and settled in Uxbridge, west London to raise her children. She continued to work as an English teacher until retirement at the local further education college. Beryl enjoyed keeping up with MLC school via Excelsior and Lucis and on her two return visits to Sydney after retirement she visited the school. Her sons say she maintained life-long friendships with her friends from her school days. LAWRIE DAVIS (WARD, 1942)

awrie’s daughter Rachel contacted us this year to tell us that her mother had passed.

Rachel says that her mother always spoke very highly of MLC School and that she particularly enjoyed reading Lucis and keeping up with news about the school. BETTY RAWARD (SAMS, 1942)

etty’s daughter Robyn has written to us to let us know that her mother passed away peacefully in October 2016 at the age of almost 92 years old. Betty attended MLC School from 1933 to 1939. Robyn says that in the last few months of her life, Betty’s memories of her

Betty is survived by her loving husband Wilbur, daughter Robyn, son Peter and his family.

endy’s daughters, Helen Roxburg (Roberts, 1969) and Catherine Pilko (Roberts, 1971), sent us the following tribute to their mother, Wendy, who passed away on 10 September 2016. Wendy was born in Epping in 1925, the second child of Mabel and Frederick Scales. In 6th grade, Wendy won a scholarship to MLC School, which she attended as a day girl from 1938 to 1942. She loved her secondary schooling at MLC School – she had plenty of friends, enjoyed sport (playing A grade hockey and tennis for the school), and was very involved musically, singing in the choir and playing hymns on the piano for assembly. Wendy excelled academically, and was particularly inspired by her chemistry teacher, Dr Alice Whitley. She was Dux of the school in her final year. After leaving school, Wendy enrolled in Science at Sydney University and completed her BSc in 1944, majoring in organic and inorganic chemistry. Wendy met her future husband Don while still at school and they married in 1947. In 1948 Wendy moved to Armidale for Don to take up an accountancy position and Wendy was fortunate enough to be able to use her Science degree demonstrating chemistry at the University of New England. Some years later Wendy changed direction at the university and took up a part-time position as an analytical chemist for the Professor of the Geology Department. Wendy had three children – Keith, Helen and Catherine. Although Wendy loved her

science (and would often demonstrate basic principles of chemistry to her children in the kitchen), she took her roles as mother and wife very seriously and was a wonderful homemaker. She was always there to support her husband in his career and to encourage and support her children at school. She continued her contact with MLC School and sent both Helen (1969) and Catherine (1971) to MLC School as boarders to complete their Year 11 and Year 12 schooling. Wendy and Don became very involved in the local community – Wendy was a board member of Mary White College at the University of New England, and was active in Women Graduates, the Bridge Club, the Stamp Club, the Garden Club, the Alter Guild and later the Golf Club. In later years Wendy travelled extensively with Don and became a wonderful and much-loved grandmother and great grandmother and was responsible for many memorable and happy extended family times. After Don’s death in 2014, Wendy moved to Adelaide to Kalyra Aged Care Facility to be closer to Helen’s family. She eventually became very settled and considered it her home. Over the months before her death, life had become more of a struggle and the family are grateful that she died so peacefully. JUDITH NORTHCOTT WHITEMAN (LAW, 1948)

udy’s family including Judy’s MLC School daughters Helen Gleeson (1974), Ruth Patrick (1978) and Judi Drown (1980) wish to share some memories of their mother who passed away peacefully at home on 13 January 2017. Judy had many connections with both the MLC School and Newington College which meant a great deal to her. Judy was born on the 8 September 1930, the second daughter to Kathleen Law (Burns, 1919) and Archibald Law (graduated from Newington College in 1919). Judy attended MLC School from 1943 to 1948, travelling daily from Cronulla with her sisters. She represented the school in hockey, swimming and netball (basketball in those days). Judy was also a School Prefect in 1948.

Following school, Judy went to Sydney Hospital in 1949 to train as a nurse, finishing in 1953 when she married her childhood sweetheart, Fred Whiteman (graduated from Newington College in 1948). Judy and Fred made their home in Camden where the Whiteman family operated their business as general storekeepers. They became very involved in the local community, with Judy generously supporting a number of local charities and sports, and being very involved in Girl Guides. Their main focus, however, was their six children Anne, Helen, Fred Jnr, Ruth, Judi and Keith. Judy lost her soul mate in November 1981, when Fred passed away suddenly leaving a shattered family. Judy spent the next 35 years continuing to nurture and support all her family. Over the years Judy had the joy of welcoming 17 grandchildren and five great grandchildren into her family. Family meant a great deal to her and she was always there, either physically or at the end of the phone, ready to encourage and support all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Judy’s elder sister, Patricia Treloar (Law, 1946) and her baby brother John (graduated from Newington College in 1962) had both predeceased her. Her younger sister, Margaret Waters (Law, 1952) and brother Brian Law (graduated from Newington College in 1951) are now the only remaining siblings. Many of Judy’s nieces and nephews and their children have attended both MLC School and Newington College. Judy had some great times at both MLC School and Newington College and told the family many stories from her and Fred’s school days. Judy continued to keep in touch with many of her ‘old‘ schoolmates. Over the years, she had seen their numbers dwindle but their memories live on with all of those who knew and loved them. RUTH NOAKES (MACPHERSON, 1953)

anet Bilinsky (Thicknesse, 1953) called to advise us of the passing of Ruth Noakes (MacPherson, 1953) on 5 March 2017.

JILL WILLIAMS (O’DONOUGHUE, 1959)

ill’s husband Frank and daughter Penny have written to tell us the sad news of Jill’s passing. Jill passed away peacefully on 28 October 2016, aged 74. She had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in early 2016. Jill completed her Leaving Certificate at MLC School in 1959 and went on to the University of Sydney where she attained a degree in physiotherapy. Jill was a physiotherapist for 40 years; 30 of them in her own private practice in Merrylands. After retiring in 2000, Jill took up porcelain doll making and ran her own classes in her studio right up till the end of her life. She was a grand master/teacher of doll making. Jill was also a very active member of Holroyd Rotary; she became the first female President in 1997–1998 and then went on to be Assistant District Governor in 2000. Over 250 people attended Jill’s funeral on 2 November 2016 at her home church All Saints Anglican Church, North Parramatta. Jill’s daughter Penny says that her mother was well-loved and highly respected and that she died far too soon. Both Penny and Frank say that right to the end Jill was hoping to attend the Sapphires’ Luncheon – she was a true Old Girl, loyal and proud of her school. MLC School sends Jill’s family and friends our deepest sympathies, particularly to her husband Frank and her daughters Gretl Willett (Williams, 1986) and Penelope Healey (Williams, 1990), both also MLC School Old Girls. WENDY RELTON

aiba (Barbara) Berzins (1960) has contacted us to let us know that Miss Relton, Modern History teacher at MLC School in the 1950s, passed away on 8 October 2016. Miss Relton was admired and respected by the many students she taught during her long teaching career. Helena Grahame (1959) remembers Miss Relton as a ‘very trendy history teacher who certainly inspired us to the world of Modern History’.

LUCIS Winter 2017

Old Girls

COLLEGIATE RELAUNCHED MLC School is thrilled to announce the production of a new magazine, Collegiate, an MLC School Old Girls’ Union Magazine.

Collegiate MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ UNION MAGAZINE

This publication will include articles of interest to Old Girls of MLC School, and will be a place where readers can keep up to date with all of their school friends.

ISSUE 1 — APRIL 2017

Collegiate will be launched at the Sapphires’ Luncheon on Thursday 26 October 2017, with copies mailed to the Old Girls community shortly after. To update your details to ensure you receive a copy, please email oldgirlsunion@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au with your full name and updated address. If you would like to be a part of this new venture please either fill out the form below or email oldgirlsunion@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au with the news you would like to include.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEWS? MLC School welcomes any information regarding Old Girls. Graduations, careers, reunions, engagements, marriages, births, deaths will be accepted. If you would like to let us know of your MLC School lineage (for example, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, etc), please provide as many details as possible, including name, maiden name and leaving year. You can fill out this form or email oldgirlsunion@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Title First Name Surname Maiden Name (if applicable) Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________Post code:______________ Email: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________Mobile: ___________________________________Years at school:_______ Current career/studies: _____________________________________________________________________________________ News:_________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mail this form to: MLC School, PO Box 643, Burwood NSW 1805 30

MLC SCHOOL

Tours and Scholarships

CHOOSING MLC SCHOOL SCHOOL TOURS

ne of the best ways to decide if MLC School is right for your family is to come and see the school in action. When you join one of our scheduled tours you will have the opportunity to meet students, see the classes in action, meet teachers and get an excellent feel for the life of the school. We also welcome individual tours at any time, so please feel free to contact our friendly and knowledgeable Enrolments staff on 02 8741 3165.

TOUR DATES 2017 SENIOR

‘I am definitely feeling more confident about my career prospects having been a student at MLC School.’

Term 3 Term 4

Thursday 7 September Wednesday 8 November

JUNIOR Term 3 Term 4

SCHOOL

Tuesday 5 September Thursday 9 November

– MLC SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

To join one of our regular tours, contact our Registrar on 02 8741 3165 or email enrol@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

SCHOLARSHIPS

here is a range of scholarships available at MLC School, including scholarships for new students, continuing students, all rounders, music students, Aboriginal students and daughters of Old Girls. Some of our scholarships are means tested. The application process begins early in Term 4. For all scholarships at Year 7 level and above, candidates must sit an entrance examination held at the school. Shortlisted candidates and their parents are later invited to a Scholarship Activity Day where girls will have an interview, tour the school and take part in a variety of activities with other shortlisted candidates.

The entrance examination is held early in Term 1 with the Scholarship Activity Day held later in the term. Scholarship offers are

‘It was a real boost to receive a scholarship and know that the school was behind me in my learning.’ – MLC SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

learn more about MLC School and the many opportunities available for their daughters. To be considered for the Gawalgalyung Junior School Scholarship no test is required. Candidates are invited to spend the morning in the Junior School and there will also be an interview for parents. For information about Scholarships and the application process please contact the Enrolments office at scholarships@mlcsyd. nsw.edu.au or visit our website.

made to successful candidates by the end of Term 1. Parents will have the opportunity to

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A UNITING CHURCH DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS PRE-KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 12 Rowley Street, Burwood NSW 2134 Australia PO Box 643 Burwood 1805 Ph +61 2 9747 1266 Fax +61 2 9745 3254 ABN 75 549 644 535 CRICOS No. 02328D The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) (trading as MLC School) mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au