15 minute read
St Cuthbert’s Sisterhood
Meet our inspirational 2022 Student Leadership team; Ishannita Chaudhuri, Head Girl, Maia Subritzky, Deputy Head Girl, Sofia Toes, Deputy Head Girl, Tingmeng Wang, Deputy Head Girl and Sarah Lock, Head Boarder. Together, the girls have over 40 years of St Cuthbert’s experience, with Ishannita and Sofia at the College since the start of their school journey aged 5, Maia and Tingmeng starting in Year 7 and Sarah as a Boarder in Year 9.
What kind of leader are you looking to be this year?
Ishannita: A good leader can take many forms. The most notable leaders are those who stand in front of the crowd and are prepared to shoulder the brunt of responsibility for the group. However, some of the best leaders are those who lead from behind; those who make sure that everyone is included and involved. I hope to embody all these aspects of a leader, so that I can become someone whom others feel comfortable talking to about any issue.
Maia: I want to be a leader who is approachable to all students around the College. I want to be there supporting my peers, watching them strive, and I want to take every opportunity the College has to offer.
Sarah: I hope that I will be a leader not only in the Boarding house, but also in day school, sports and general St Cuthbert’s life. I aspire to be someone who is approachable, reliable, and who leads with compassion in both my words and actions, making sure every voice is heard.
Sofia: I am looking to be a kind, friendly and approachable leader, so anyone can talk to me or our team if they have any problems, questions or think that there is something we can improve on. Tingmeng: Often, it is easier to talk to other students rather than adults. I hope to be an approachable leader, allowing everyone to feel comfortable talking to me and asking questions. I want to get to know more people this year and I hope to support others to help them flourish in their own way. I look to the amazing leaders we have had, such as Carmel, as role models, who have also shaped my leadership journey so far.
What areas will you be focussing on in your role?
Ishannita: As someone who loves to meet new people and create a cheerful environment wherever I go, I intend to reach out and connect with younger
students and encourage them to speak up about issues that they face and would like to change.
Maia: My key focus this year is to encourage inclusiveness among the St Cuthbert’s College community, allowing students to feel supported and heard, by reassuring them that everyone deserves to be valued.
Sarah: This year we are aiming to not only keep the traditions of the College alive but also create new initiatives and be openminded to all opinions, suggestions and ideas. One of the main goals I would like to focus on is developing the ‘sisterhood’ of the College. I feel this idea will help strengthen the foundations of the College, allowing room for support, inclusiveness and friendships to form.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Tingmeng, Maia, Ishannita, Sophia, Sarah.
Sofia: My key focus is students’ wellbeing, especially in these difficult times, and making sure that everyone here feels involved and connected with the College.
Tingmeng: Connection and community are key focusses this year. Due to Covid disruptions over the previous years, we have not been able to spend time together to encourage one another as often as we would have liked. Therefore, this year, I hope that we can strengthen the community and sense of belonging at St Cuthbert’s.
Why do you believe it is so important to be a role model for your peers, especially in the current climate with Covid disruptions?
Ishannita: The past two years have been very difficult and being in isolation is not easy. As a leadership team we know that there is a lot of rebuilding and reconnecting that we have to do as a community. I believe that being a role model and someone who others can trust and confide in is imperative in making a strong system of support within the College.
Maia: I believe it is important to be a role model for our peers because we as Year 13s strive to be the role models younger generations look up to and admire. Online learning has shown both strengths and weaknesses for students, but as leaders of the College we want to inspire and lead with positivity to tackle this “new normal”.
Sarah: To me, being a good role model is leading by example and joining together with other leaders in the College to create a solid and united front. It is extremely important in these uncertain times to strengthen our community and keep people connected. By being approachable, we can put people at ease. Being able to empathise with others helps encourage them to speak up and not to deal with stresses, such as Covid, alone. I want everyone to feel part of the St Cuthbert’s family. Sofia: It is important so that if others are struggling, they can feel like they are able to ask for help or advice. It’s so difficult to stay motivated and connected, especially during periods of isolation so I would love to be able to help motivate my peers throughout this year and make sure that they don’t feel alone.
Tingmeng: Covid has placed a lot of stress — academic, emotional, and social — on everyone. Therefore, I believe that it is even more important for us to show solidarity. In this way, we can spread hope and confidence in these unpredictable times.
What does ‘By Love Serve’ mean to you?
Ishannita: The words, ‘By Love Serve’ have been instilled in me from the first day I came to school and my understanding of these three words has developed throughout my time here. To serve with love is to show kindness and empathy without reservations or rewards. The love and service that we show to those around us must come from a place of genuine compassion and benevolence. Even the simplest acts of holding a door open for another, is an example of serving with love.
Maia: ‘By Love Serve’ means to me leading by example, furthermore, representing our College with attributes like integrity, honesty, enthusiasm, generosity, kindness, and optimism. And using these values not only in school but beyond.
Sarah: To me, ‘By Love Serve’, goes beyond just a College motto, it is a mantra to live by. This sentiment is applicable anywhere you are in life - teaching us that the acts we do must come out of love, and to put others before ourselves, with the expectation of receiving nothing in return. It is not about our greatest or best achievements, but focuses on the acts we do for others.
Sofia: ‘By Love Serve’ means giving and helping others without expecting anything in return.
Tingmeng: To me, ‘By Love Serve’ means helping others with humility and kindness. It is the willingness to put others’ needs before your own. I think the College motto ‘By Love Serve’ can be seen in those who do the right thing and are there for others even when no one is watching.
Getting to know Suzanne Winthrop
Suzanne Winthrop is used to managing transformative change in her accomplished teaching career, so when it came to starting a new role with St Cuthbert’s in the middle of a pandemic, she was well-equipped to support the team to face the ongoing challenges.
Like all school leaders, Suzanne Winthrop (Head of Senior School (Yr 7–13) and Deputy Principal (Yr 0–13) ) and the senior team, led by Justine Mahon, had to prepare for an unpredictable period during the global pandemic.
“I started my role at St Cuthbert’s at the beginning of 2021, and I was just so impressed with the fantastic StCuths@ Home programme that had been developed. The challenges were ongoing, and late last year, we faced our longest period of lockdown and online learning during the pandemic, right before senior examinations.
“That period last year was tough for our students; they lost valuable time on the sports field, the stage, socially, and of course the important face to face learning in the classroom. I was so proud to be part of the team that supported our students to continue to achieve their potential during this time. My Senior School staff were amazing, and really went above and beyond to support our students, and our exemplary results speak for themselves. Now we have the College community back together, we thought it would be the ideal time to get to know Suzanne and gather her thoughts on the period ahead.
On leadership
Suzanne is no stranger to leading staff, parents and most importantly students through significant change. Her previous role was at St Kentigern College as Head of Senior School (Yr 11–13), where she created a legacy over 18 years, and delivered many large-scale projects including introducing the IB Diploma programme.
For Suzanne, effective leadership is all about continuous improvement through listening, learning and never being set in your ways. She points out that she has learned as much from role models making mistakes as she has their successes.
“I’ve always observed leaders closely. The best are empathetic, use the strengths of their leadership team and are prepared to adjust how they do things if they need to. There’s also tremendous skill involved with taking people on a journey with you”.
Suzanne is also passionate about seeing colleagues build their teaching careers, “I get a huge thrill from seeing staff grow and develop - many in leadership roles. I just feel so proud of them. That side of my job is extremely satisfying.”
When asked about leaders in history that have impacted her, without hesitation, Suzanne turns to Mother Teresa, “She walked the talk, and truly lived her values.”
Suzanne talks passionately about many leadership development opportunities at St Cuthbert’s for students, such as the vast number of committees girls can join, opportunities within each House, and the Peer Support programme.
“I also love the concept of the Big Sister, Little Sister programme, and the values and communication skills it teaches,” she says.
Mother Teresa famously said, “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love,” which reminds us of our College motto, ‘By Love Serve’. This is clearly something Suzanne exemplifies in her management roles and is, no doubt, an inspiration to our future leaders.
Post-Covid plans
Suzanne lights up when asked about upcoming plans for the Senior School, now we’re able to move on from the constraints of online learning.
She is thrilled to have the new Senior School leaders on board (profiled in this edition) and is also poised to support many existing opportunities and get new initiatives underway.
Keen to see more emphasis on service, Suzanne mentions that an existing programme (led by Rev. Chaplain, Francois Joubert), and each of the Houses, drives a lot of great fundraising events and awareness of causes. But, along with the Chaplain, Suzanne wants to see this grow even more.
“I love to see service in action. I’ve seen first-hand including on service trips abroad how this has changed young people’s lives. Part of our responsibility is for the girls to understand how privileged they are, and how important it is they make a difference in the world, at school and when they leave”, she says.
Mrs Winthrop and the 2022 student leaders
Reflections to date
Having been in this role at St Cuthbert’s now for 15 months, Suzanne has been able to cast an experienced eye over things, despite the pandemic disruption.
“We have outstanding teachers at this College. The best in the country. And I think we attract such an array of impressive young women who are allrounders… their confidence is way beyond any school I’ve seen.”
Suzanne is also delighted that pastoral care is so well resourced, and wellbeing and careers a central priority, “No other school has a careers department like ours,” she says.
It’s evident that aroha and a passion for education is central to Suzanne’s career to date, and no doubt her future footprint at St Cuthbert’s. We look forward to seeing her impact in the years ahead.
Exciting New Appointments to Senior Academic Team
Over the last 107 years, St Cuthbert’s has built a powerful legacy of excellence in education. Our goal is to continue to build on that legacy, offering a world class, all round, independent education for girls. Key to the College’s strategy going forward, is ensuring that we continue to invest in our dedicated and talented staff. The College has recently made some exciting new leadership appointments to the senior academic team at St Cuthbert’s.
ABOVE Left to Right:
Tom Curtis, Julia Fuge, Rob Griffiths and Julie Hogg
Assistant Principal Years 0 –13, Rob Griffiths
Head of Faculty (HOF) for Languages, Rob Griffiths, has been appointed to a new role of Assistant Principal, reporting directly to Principal Justine Mahon. In his role, Rob will assume responsibility for strategically developing the curriculum across the College and work in conjunction with the other senior staff on streamlining delivery of student systems. Rob has taught across both the public and independent sectors and is an inspirational and dedicated teacher, with a formidable reputation for excellence in all he does.
Rob says: “I am really excited by the opportunities to work with staff on developing a curriculum which is unashamedly ambitious and aspirational. We have already started planning new initiatives which will be unique to St Cuthbert’s, inside and outside the classroom, preparing our students for success not only in learning but in life.”
Deputy Heads of Senior School Years 7–13
To support our growing Senior School of over 1200 students, St Cuthbert’s has created three new Deputy Head of Senior School roles, reporting to Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, Suzanne Winthrop.
Deputy Head of Senior School: Academic Enhancement and Tracking, Julia Fuge
Julia Fuge has an outstanding track record of excellence in education both in New Zealand and internationally. She has taught in both state and independent sectors, and in co-ed and single sex schools, holding roles in previous institutions as Head of Faculties of Mathematics, Accounting and Computer Studies, and Deputy Principal. In addition to teaching her mathematics classes, she will now be responsible for Academic Enhancement and Tracking for the Senior School. Her strategic focus will be on ensuring that St Cuthbert’s maintains its leading academic results through academic tracking, and ensuring each child has the right support to achieve her potential. Julia brings a wealth of experience to her new role; we are very proud of Julia’s recent achievement in supporting four of our students to be selected to the prestigious 2022 NZ Maths Olympiad Squad, with St Cuthbert’s girls making up one third of the team, and the only girls’ school represented.
Julia says: “I am really delighted to take on the role of Deputy Head Senior School. The focus on academic enhancement and tracking of all our students, to support them achieve their true academic potential, is an exciting opportunity and challenge. I am looking forward to working with students at all levels and our incredibly capable staff throughout the college.”
Deputy Head of Senior School: Academic Reporting and Logistics, Tom Curtis
St Cuthbert’s is well known for its leading science programme, with our students continuing to achieve top results in the subject across both IB and NCEA, and in Scholarship examinations. Tom Curtis has served the College as our Head of Faculty for Science for the past six years, and previously has worked in leadership roles at the Methodist Ladies College in Melbourne. Tom has played a key role in the development of the science curriculum, and has led the implementation of the Junior School Science Programme from Years 5 - 6. He has had extensive experience in the operational organisation of the College for the past several years, and in addition to his responsibilities as HOF for Science, and as a Biology teacher, he will support the Senior School across all aspects of logistics, and will be leading a review of our academic reporting to parents.
Tom says: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to fulfil the role of Deputy Head of Senior School. I feel that we are going to make a great team and really place our stamp on making the Senior School a place where our students will thrive and excel.”
Deputy Head of Senior School: Student Services, Julie Hogg
Julie Hogg is our current Director of Boarding and has done an outstanding job of developing the Boarding programme at St Cuthbert’s for many years, with recognition by the Independent Schools of New Zealand, in 2019, through an Honours Award for Services to the Boarding Sector. Julie is also an extremely talented teacher, with a breadth of experience in both primary and secondary sectors, having previously taught Economics, Social Sciences, and Physical Education, and been a former Head of Geography and Careers. Julie has proven leadership experience which is reflected in her many management roles in NZ sport such as manager of the Football Ferns for the FIFA World Cups.
Julie says: “I am honoured to have been appointed to a senior leadership position after an enjoyable fourteen years leading the boarding community and teaching at the College. I feel my new role is an opportunity that will enable me to use my extensive teaching and pastoral experience to ensure the students at St Cuthbert’s are supported in all aspects of their life to enable them to achieve their personal best and fulfil their future aspirations.”
