Farewell to Dr Lloyd Dawe

Penrhos College has been fortunate to have had leading Australian educator, Dr Lloyd Dawe, as our visiting Mathematician in Residence since 2014. Dr Dawe has a PhD in Mathematics from Cambridge University, as well as a MEd, BSc and Dip Ed. Travelling from Sydney to be with us, Dr Dawe has spent two weeks at Penrhos each year since 2014 (until COVID-19 when he connected with us online), staying on campus in Anglesey House as he works with students and staff to share his deep knowledge and love of Mathematics.

With an inspirational ability to bring real world mathematical problems to life, Dr Dawe shows students new ways to approach solving problems. With the skills to make complex mathematics look easy and accessible, our students enjoyed working with him on a range of practical activities, such as making and using sundials to calculate the latitude of Perth via trigonometry.

Dr Dawe also worked with staff to prepare and run classroom activities for all secondary students, to challenge and extend the girls beyond the school curriculum. Students from the Maths Mentor Program were always keen to also attend his notoriously early before-school master-classes.

To mark the special occasion of Dr Dawe’s retirement from Penrhos College, many past and present students have shared their fond memories and words. I feel incredibly lucky to have had Dr Dawe play a core role in my maths journey throughout Secondary School. It takes a phenomenal teacher to get Year 10s and 11s out of bed and into a Library before sunrise in winter; and consistent attendance alone shows just how unique and enjoyable learning from him was. His wealth of knowledge, creative teaching strategies and endless patience prepared our teams over multiple years for the World Mathematics Team Championships- to which we are all endlessly grateful for. Bianca Masters (2020)

Dr Dawe has an infectious enthusiasm for maths which he instils in his students. He has such a kind and caring nature when teaching and takes pleasure in watching us grow and achieve our goals in maths. When working with his students, Dr Dawe breaks down complex maths problems into more understandable steps which helps make the learning process easier and more enjoyable. I was fortunate enough to receive the Dr Dawe Encouragement Award at the 2021 MathsNight@ Penrhos in which I received an informative and interesting book with some very kind and inspirational words from Dr Dawe reminding me that “maths is so often a natural part of my appreciation for beauty”. Dr Dawe has been a huge part of the Penrhos College Maths Mentor Program and although we are sad to no longer work with him, we are forever grateful for the knowledge and insight he has offered us. Dakota Kiss (2024)

I still remember the feeling of awe and excitement in the room during Dr Dawe’s first visit to Penrhos almost 10 years ago now. It is truly a special gift to be able to inspire a group of young minds (especially about maths!). I know Dr Dawe will be missed at Penrhos and wish him well in retirement. Sweta Samanta (2016)

Before finishing his time at Penrhos College, Dr Dawe has provided a kind message to the College:

“It gives me great pleasure to write in response to the expressions of thanks from the staff and students of Penrhos College. The period 2014 -2019 (my last visit and a wonderful birthday party!) was long enough to meet some of you personally over several years. To see you grow in knowledge, understanding and maturity with each succeeding year was a joy.

Maths Night is an annual treat to see what so many of you have achieved. Not the least this year, it is always a special time for me too. I choose a book from my library I have read and valued for many years, to honour and encourage just one girl, while knowing there are dozens more who deserve one too.

The Alumni on the panel this year were again amazing examples of the impact of what “striving for the highest” at Penrhos means. To see you giving back your expertise and knowledge to support the potential of younger girls is so satisfying to staff and the community. I can honestly tell you that your enthusiasm and hard work match any I have shared with students in other states and indeed other schools around the world. I know what getting up early in winter to get yourself to a Dr Dawe workshop before school means!

For the girls I have taught who are now alumni, it has also been a pleasure to admire your progress or graduation from university degrees, and to see you engaged in successful careers. The creativity which began in class and developed in Maths Mentor problem solving has carried over into the world of work.

From a very grateful Visiting Mathematician, I wish you all a very happy Christmas, and an exciting and successful new year as you complete your journey to “the peak of the moor”. I even have a Welsh name too mind!

With special thanks to Mr Chandler, Ms Rowden, Mr Birrell, Mrs Melville, and Ms Haran, and kind regards to parents, especially those of you I met each year, mathematics staff and students.”

Dr Lloyd Dawe