Farewell to key staff

Jane Clark

As an alum, a parent of three wonderful young women who attended Penrhos College and as a valued staff member of 23 and a half years, Jane, it is time to say goodbye.

Your quiet, softly spoken demeanor is actually a front for a fiercely determined professional who cares deeply about the students in her care. Jane, you are always prepared to advocate strongly for those students who are often unable to do so for themselves, for whom many others have given up on. You have challenged us to look outside the box particularly when typical strategies to support a student and her family are not gaining traction.

You have the capacity to find the best in all students no matter how challenging their behaviour or complex their lives may be. Were you to pen your memoirs of your time at Penrhos many would think it a work of fiction given the situations that you found yourself in.

Your legacy lives on around us, in the students with whom you have worked and supported - we see how functional and active they are in society. You have sat in dark places with girls and their families and provided to them a support that they could rely on. You are that person that others can’t help but open up to, sometimes with things that they have never been able to talk about, with anyone, before. Only those girls will know the impact that you have had on their lives and for this they will never forget you.

Your care extends to staff and parents. You are the person we go to for advice and counsel and you never let us down. You provide us with the strategies and the words and the confidence to approach life and its challenges. We all wish we could channel a little ‘Jane’ into our professional and personal lives.

Your professional knowledge is both broad and deep and you are highly respected by staff. Decisions are never made without thorough consideration, planning and consultation. As a group, and as individuals, we have learned so much from you. Our understandings of the complexities facing young people today and the strategies to manage these; the importance and value of working with others in a team to achieve shared goals; the importance of patience in dealing with those who are impatient; what empathy truly looks like; that humility not self-aggrandisement is the most important quality to have; that all students have potential and deserve an equal opportunity to achieve this and that above all, this is worth fighting for.

Your contribution to the pastoral care programs, practices and processes has been phenomenal. You are understated in your knowledge, intelligence, and impact. You were the instigator and initial driver of community service and service tours at Penrhos, you have led ‘Big Sister’ and trained our ‘Big Sisters’ and you have made a significant contribution to the development, evaluation and refinement of pastoral curriculum, frameworks and policies.

You have touched the lives of so many and played such a pivot role in the story of countless Penrhosians, Jane, students, staff and parents. You have been our heart in shining armour. Always ready to brave the difficult, the volatile, the emotional situations, always ready to show the hand of friendship, always ready to show kindness, and compassion to others, and never, ever prepared to give up on those that need the greatest care.

Jane, today, we thank you for your outstanding loyalty and service, and wish you all the very best in life post Penrhos. There is a wedding on the horizon, more family time and family dinners on the menu, a menagerie of pets to care for and some pilates moves to fine tune.

Michelle Taylor

David Ballantyne

David Ballantyne started at the College 26 years ago in 1996. From his very first production everyone knew he would become an integral part of Penrhos College. His fun and energetic ways of teaching drama enthralled students, with many going on to pursue a career in the field of performing arts.

David never once repeated a production over his 26 years, until his final production earlier this year, where he once again directed The Wizard of Oz, the first production he directed at the College. Using pieces of the original set from 1996 he took his audience back to his first production. It was a fantastic way to finish his career in the performing arts and we wish David all the very best for his post-Penrhos life.

Bal! Where do I start? Well... Bal IS the drama at Penrhos! His kindness, caring soul, dedication and jokes/burns is what makes drama at the College so special. Whether its during class, production, or Dramafest, Bal makes it a happy, enjoyable place to be. Growing up doing Drama at Penrhos I always looked up to Bal. Seeing how kind he was to everyone, his positive mindset and how he treated the students with such respect made me excited to get to know him, and what a pleasure it has been. He truly cares so deeply for all his students. Bal is always there to offer advice, support (and snacks!) when you need it most. Some of my best memories at the College have taken place in Drama and Dance. If you have had the opportunity to have Bal as a teacher, work with him in production or had a chat with him, you are extremely lucky to have met such a wonderful teacher and person. Bal, you will be missed more than you will ever know! You will always be a part of Penrhos, the Drama department and a core part of my Penrhos journey. Sophie Trainer, Class of 2022

Most of my favourite memories of Bal revolve around him simply making a cheeky comment or joke, in class or during production rehearsals, which would have everyone in a fit of laughter. He’s extremely iconic around Penrhos and we will miss how well coordinated his outfits always are, all the way down to his matching funny socks. Erin Whitehead, Class of 2022

My favourite memory of Bal would have to be my time spent with him in the College’s annual productions. Bal is a force to be reckoned with. He is funny, witty, kind and incredibly wise. I was lucky enough to be cast as Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz this year, and this experience was elevated by the time shared with Bal and other cast members. He worked so very hard to make sure we performed at our best and helped us to capture the true essence of our characters. I can’t thank him enough for his constant feedback, kindness and unwavering support. Macy Curtis, Year 11

Mardi Shaw

Mardi Shaw first started at Penrhos College as a student, graduating in 1978. She then returned the College as a parent to Xanthe Shaw (2010) and Persephone Shaw (2013). Both of Mardi’s daughters were very involved in performing arts during their time at the College. Mardi then started at Penrhos as the Costume Coordinator in 2007, where she began creating all the beautiful costumes for the College productions. Mardi has always had an eye for creating extravagant, yet practical costumes for the girls to perform in. The girls loved visiting Mardi’s magical shed where girls could explore all the costumes Mardi has created. Her iconic line of “take your costume off the hanger, leave the hanger on the rack!” will be missed! We wish Mardi all the best for her retirement life.

Mardi’s excitement and pure joy when all the costumes come together is a facial expression that no one can ever forget. The sheer pride that overwhelms the room during production when everything comes together; the costumes, lighting, set, singing, dancing and acting, would always make Mardi beam with happiness. Alex Cearns, Class of 2022

This is about the lady with those incredible shoes, those outstanding earrings, and of course, the biggest heart you’ll ever come across. The lady who will adopt you into her heart, feed you, listen to you, and love you like you are her own child. The lady whose stories could fill more pages than the entire Harry Potter series. This is about Mardi.Can everyone reading this just take a second to imagine the past 16 productions without costumes, the past 16 Dramafests, Dance Fests, Variety Nights, Dance Showcases and more. This is Penrhos without Mardi. Amelia Hayes, Class of 2022