St Catherine's News - Autumn 2015 by St Catherine's School

Incorporating the Old Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bulletin AUTUMN 2015

CONTENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

02 Leadership

Open Mornings Bookings: 03 9828 3071 admissions@stcatherines.net.au Tuesday 11 June Friday 21 August Friday 23 October 9.00am starts

04 2020 Vision 06 Class of 2014 08 Opening 10 School Captains 12 Early Learning Centre 14 Junior School

16 Senior School 20 Footsteps into the Past, Lead to a New Future 22 Swimming 24 Warburton…Linking our Past with our Present 26 Student Perspectives 28 Staff Profiles 30 Boarding 32 Development and Community Relations 34 Our Community 36 Archives 37 The Bulletin

Editor Mrs Petalyn Holloway Assistant Editors Ms Narda Edmondson, Miss Kirsten Law, Mrs Jodie Naismith and Ms Meredith Taylor Cover photo Year 6 student, Elodie Ferrali, honing her freestyle swimming skills in the pool Professional Photographers Joe Vittorio Photography Contributors Thank you to all Early Learning Centre, Junior School and Senior School staff and SCOGA (St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association). The Bulletin Editor Deborah Berry (Manos ’77) The Bulletin Assistant Editor Stephanie Lazar (John ‘86) and Helena Lyristaleis (‘11) Design Four Creative Print RA Printing This publication is printed on Pacesetter Laser. It is made from elemental chlorine free bleached pulp which is sourced from ‘Farmed Trees’ and other sustainably managed sources. It is manufactured by an ISO 14001 certified mill.

For editorial queries, feedback or change of address, please email marketing@stcatherines.net.au For extra photos and video, you can read St Catherine’s News eMag online at www.stcatherines.net.au/our-publications Like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest community news www.facebook.com/stcatherinesschooltoorak Connect with other St Catherine’s Community members www.linkedin.com/company/st-catherine’s-school

Performing Arts Senior School Play – The 39 Steps Wednesday 6 May Thursday 7 May Friday 8 May 7.30pm Gala Concert Melbourne Recital Centre Thursday 30 July 7.00pm Junior School Concert Thursday 26 November Community Events Snowsports Swap Sunday 3 May www.stcatherines.net.au/snowsportsswap15 PFA Ruth Langley Luncheon Friday 22 May www.stcatherines.net.au/rll15 Sports Auxiliary Trivia Night Friday 12 June

SCOGA Events Year Reps – Twilight Tour and Reception Tuesday 5 May 2015 Drawing Room at 6.00pm Pre 1956 Luncheon 12.00pm – 2.00pm Friday 15 May 2015 30 Year Reunion – 1985 Friday 7 August 2015 40 Year Reunion – 1975 Saturday 22 August 2015 25 Year Reunion – 1990 Friday 4 September 2015 5 Year Reunion – 2010 Friday 9 October 2015 50 Year Reunion – 1965 Saturday 14 November 2015 SCOGA AGM Saturday 21 November 10.00am St Catherine’s Women in Industry Networking Events June St Catherine’s Women in Medicine and Allied Health Networking Event August St Catherine’s Women in Marketing and Communications Networking Event October St Catherine’s Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Networking Event www.stcatherines.net.au/scogawomeninindustry

“…the dedication and professionalism of the St Catherine’s staff and the development of innovative and rigorous programs that highlight the School’s commitment to nurturing and empowering independent and globally responsive young women, enabling them to approach all their endeavours with confidence, wisdom and integrity.” Mrs Michelle Carroll ~ Principal

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Role Modelling the 2020 Vision at St Catherine’s The St Catherine’s 2020 Vision outlines the School’s strategic intents in the areas of: Academic Success, Student Wellbeing, Co-Curricular Opportunities, Outstanding Educators and General Staff, Community Engagement, Secure Financial Management and Learning Spaces. In essence, this Vision is a means to the goal of empowering young women not just academically, but socially, emotionally and spiritually to take their place at St Catherine’s, and then into the wider world.

There is much written about achieving gender equity in all professions, whether it be as partners in law firms, engineers, mathematicians or in other non-traditional careers, women surgeons, or at the board table. For women to be well represented in these arenas they need female role models and champions and opportunities to network together. St Catherine’s has women in top level leadership positions throughout the School including our Principal, our Chair of Council, our Director of Student Wellbeing and our Director of Business. Approximately half of St Catherine’s Council members are also women. St Catherine’s School is enriched with the support of our Old Girl and Past Parent community. This all-inclusive culture ensures our students are provided access to strong female role models as well as creating enduring opportunities for them into the future. In March, SCOGA in partnership with the School hosted a Women in Law Networking Breakfast. This brought current students, parents, teachers and Old Girls together to discuss the Law as a career. The forum initiated connections and support amongst the St Catherine’s community for law students,

and women working in the legal profession, or women who have used their law degree in their careers elsewhere. Amongst the speakers was Ms Sally Macindoe (’84), Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright. Sally has been a champion for diversity at Norton Rose Fulbright, both domestically and globally. Under her leadership, which includes Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, she leads a major structural and cultural change for women at her firm, which has resulted in the doubling of female partners. Former Family Court judge, AFL Commissioner, incoming Governor of Victoria, and Old Girl, The Honourable Linda Dessau AM (’69), also spoke at the Breakfast. Linda urged the young women in the room to strongly go for opportunities which may arise for them as firms look to diversify their workforce and seat more women at the table. St Catherine’s upholds its reputation as a leading school for girls through our strong education programs, high quality staff, engagement with our community and a rich co-curricular program. The School enjoys a successful partnership with Mercantile Rowing Club. This alliance increases participation, competition, performance and elite pathways, and raises the level of physical health and

wellbeing of rowing students. It also allows students who have completed their studies at St Catherine’s to continue on with their Rowing at the Club. The opening of the new Ruth Langley Research and Learning Centre further demonstrates St Catherine’s commitment to nurturing creative and bold young women who are intellectually and spiritually prepared to contribute to society. This will be a wonderful space for our students and we are greatly appreciative to the St Catherine’s community for their generosity. Through every aspect of our Vision and Intentions I am buoyed by two striking attributes of St Catherine’s. Our School is full of en-couragers, people who inspire with courage, spirit and hope, and our School community is full of doers and sharers who are ready to show the path for our students to achieve their goals both at School and beyond. Mrs Clare Cannon (Darling ’77) Chair of Council

To view the full 2020 Vision please visit www.stcatherines.net.au/vision-values

LEADERSHIP

Jaquelin Cantarella, School Vice Captain, Katherine Sampson (’76), Managing Director of Mahlab Recruitment, The Honourable Linda Dessau AM (’69), Family Court Judge and incoming Governor of Victoria, Sally Macindoe (’84), Partner and Global Head of Diversity at Norton Rose Fulbright, Kate Barber (’96), Associate Director and Management Consulting at KPMG, Mrs Michelle Carroll, Principal, Nicola Sitch, School Captain.

Generations of Inspiration Having a vision is not enough. It must be combined with imagination, determination, faith, hope and passion. It is not enough to just stare up at the stars...we must become the stars that the stars shine down on.” Victoria June

The recent completion of the Senior School Renewal has brought a vibrant and engaging start to the academic year at St Catherine’s. The eagerness and enthusiasm of students to participate in school life is certainly visible with the girls enjoying the new learning spaces in the Ruth Langley Research and Learning Centre, the Edna Holmes Centre for Science, and the community as a whole relishing the social spaces within the refurbished Mary Davis Centre. As a School, we welcomed St Catherine’s Old Girl and Rhodes Scholar, Dr Lisa Gorton (’89) to officially open and name the buildings on 14 April, 2015. As a much celebrated author and poet, Dr Gorton’s love of literature stemmed from her time as a St Catherine’s girl; one among the generations of St Catherine’s girls who have developed a love of reading in the Nicholas Library, which has been extended and refurbished as part of the Senior School Renewal. St Catherine’s Old Girls continue to provide inspiration and encouragement for our current students. As a School community, we wholeheartedly congratulate The Hon Linda Dessau AM on her appointment as the next Governor of Victoria, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Members of the community were fortunate to hear Ms Dessau reflect on her distinguished career as a Family Court Judge at the recent SCOGA Women in Law Networking Breakfast.

At the commencement of the year, we also congratulated Lady (Anna) Cowen (Wittner ’41) who received an AM in the Australia Day Honours. Lady Cowen has made a significant contribution to Australia through her vice-regal patronage and support roles and was a student at St Catherine’s from 1937 to 1942 during our School’s relocation to Warbuton during the Second World War. As a School, we embrace the extensive resources made available through our alumnae across a variety of career interests. I firmly believe there is significant value for current students in maintaining a connection with past St Catherine’s scholars. These connections provide an immediate network of support, a source of career guidance and serve as a reminder of what can be achieved by a St Catherine’s girl. Forging links between Old Girls of different ages and stages of their careers is also an excellent way of reconnecting Old Girls with our School. In partnership with SCOGA, we look forward to linking St Catherine’s Old Girls through the following events this year: –

Women in Medicine and Allied Health Networking Event

–

Women in Marketing and Communications Networking Event

–

Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Networking Event

A focus on celebrating the achievements of St Catherine’s women clearly aims to draw on the strength of our community to further encourage young women with their own career aspirations and study, and forms an integral part of the recently published St Catherine’s Strategic Plan – 2020 Vision, Intent 5 – Connecting our Community. In 2014 members of St Catherine’s School Council, the Council Sub-Committees and representatives of our parent community and Old Girls’ Association, came together with the Senior Leadership Team to determine the strategic direction of the School over the next five years (2015–2020). The 2020 Vision is a reflection of the shared passion for the future of the School. It is a blue print for the next five years and, most significantly, defines the strategic priorities within the educational landscape of the School and the continued reinvigoration of our campus and learning spaces. The development of the School Charter within the 2020 Vision and the seven key focus areas clearly articulates our plan for the future. Detailed in each focus area is comprehensive internal documentation detailing each commitment, strategy, timeline, resource allocation, priority and staff responsibility. I look forward to working in partnership with our School Council and community over the forthcoming years to bring to fruition the St Catherine’s 2020 Vision. This edition of St Catherine’s News provides a visual diary of our educational intent and the journey of the St Catherine’s girl from ELC to VCE graduate and beyond. It also provides insight into the dedication and professionalism of the St Catherine’s staff and the development of innovative and rigorous programs that highlight the School’s commitment to nurturing and empowering independent and globally responsive young women, enabling them to approach all their endeavours with confidence, wisdom and integrity. Mrs Michelle Carroll Principal

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

St Catherine’s School 2020 Vision CHARTER

As a leading girls’ school in Australia, St Catherine’s is committed to nurturing and empowering independent and globally responsive young women, enabling them to approach all their endeavours with confidence, wisdom and integrity.

INTENT

ACA D E M I C SUCCESS

STUDENT WELLBEING

CO - CURRICUL AR O PP O R T U N I T I E S

St Catherine’s School builds on its rich history as an exceptional girls’ school by providing an outstanding and dynamic academic program that is personalised, progressive and contemporary; one that guides, challenges and inspires students to achieve.

With a dedication to girls’ education, St Catherine’s School provides an enriching and vibrant Student Wellbeing Program that includes an engaging Outdoor Education curriculum and House Program. The Wellbeing Program encourages positive relationships, a commitment to life-long learning and the development of leadership skills, resilience, spirituality and social responsibility.

Students are invited to extend their knowledge and skills in the arts, sporting and cultural pursuits through a wealth of co-curricular experiences. The opportunity to participate in national and international Exchanges and Study Tours enables girls to enrich their learning and to develop a greater understanding and awareness of service programs.

2020 VISION

VA L U E S

integrity : curiosity : perseverance : empathy

‘A St Catherine’s student approaches her dealings with all others with absolute and unwavering integrity. She approaches both her work and the world around her with a sense of curiosity. She will always persevere, even when the path ahead seems challenging. She displays genuine empathy at all times.’ R E

A D

2020 VISION

To view the full 2020 Vision please visit www.stcatherines.net.au/vision-values

O U T S TA N D I N G E D U CAT O R S A N D G E N E R A L S TA F F

COMMUNIT Y E N G AG E M E N T

SECURE FINANCIAL M A N AG E M E N T

LEARNING S PAC E S

St Catherine’s School enhances student learning experiences through the employment of exceptional staff. The School is committed to ensuring effective recruitment and the development of dedicated and well-qualified educators who are passionate about the field of education, girls’ wellbeing and advances in technology and educational practice.

St Catherine’s School fosters an all-inclusive culture of engagement with members of our community and strives to effectively invest and develop strategic partnerships to strengthen and enhance opportunities for our students.

St Catherine’s builds on its rich history and foundation as an exceptional girls’ school by providing a strong financial future through sound management of finances and resources, and a philanthropic culture within the School community.

St Catherine’s School is committed to the continued development of modern educational spaces that are innovative in design and respectful to sustainable building practices and our heritage properties.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Class of 2014 The Class of 2014 were very busy during their final year at St Catherine’s School. A diverse group of young women, they displayed their talents in the production of Anything Goes, during their sporting endeavours on the field, in the pool and on the river, in a range of music ensembles, and in leading a number of community service events. Sydney University offered a number of girls an early offer, prior to the VTAC rounds and so an early January decision was made by some students about where they would study in 2015.

In addition to their extensive co-curricular involvement, they also managed to balance the demands of their final year of VCE. In 2014, we once again have all members of the Year 12 graduating class with university offers in Victoria, interstate or overseas. Offers have been made from both public and private institutions. Some applicants were awarded places prior to the examination period. This was due to applications outlining their involvement in community service and co-curricular activities.

Students were offered places in 29 different areas of study at the various tertiary institutes in Victoria. With the most popular areas this year being in Nursing/Midwifery, Commerce, Marketing, Arts, Science/Biomedical Science, Law and Professional Communication. There are a number of students who have successfully applied for and received places in courses with Honours or Masters Degrees attached. There are also nine students who will be studying double degrees at various tertiary institutes. Congratulations go to the students who have been awarded scholarships in their chosen tertiary courses.

Interstate applicants are heading to Sydney and Canberra (those with offers to Queensland have currently deferred these). We have had offers from the United Kingdom – from both the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh. As we go to print, we are also awaiting information on applications to the United States of America. ‘Change of preference’ was a very busy time with a number of girls working with our Careers Practitioner, Mrs Pauline van der Poel to rearrange their preference order to ensure they capitalised on VCE results. All girls received a first round offer and in February we also had two girls receive second-round offers for courses higher on their preference lists.

Of the 100 per cent of students offered a place to study in Victoria, one third of these will be heading to the University of Melbourne. This is closely followed by students who will enrol at RMIT, Monash University, ACU and Deakin University. We are very proud to say that in total we will have our 2014 graduates studying at nine different tertiary environments in Melbourne.

IN SUMMARY, THROUGH VTAC WE HAVE STUDENTS OFFERED PLACES IN:

– 26 different types of courses – 5 degrees with honours or masters attached – 9 double degrees – Nearly 1/3 of the students are offered a place at the University of Melbourne, followed by RMIT, Monash University, ACU and Deakin University

Miss Sally Wilkinson VCE Coordinator

ACU 5

Mrs Pauline van der Poel Careers Practitioner

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

HOLMESGLEN

VTAC OFFERS BY COURSE CATEGORY HEALTH SCIENCE BIOMED/SCIENCE

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY

MONASH UNIVERSITY

RMIT

SWINBURNE

ARTS ENVIRONMENTS

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

LAW

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

1 21 1

BUSINESS/COMMERCE CREATIVE ARTS

Oxford bound After a successful Year 12, Mia Pinto (’14) is heading to Oxford University in the United Kingdom to read English Language and Literature at St Hilda’s College.

When thanking our Careers Practitioner, Mrs Pauline van der Poel, Mia said, “I walked in without the slightest idea of what I wanted to do with my life and walked out with a place at Oxford, so something definitely went right…” Below are more insights into Mia’s journey as she answers a few questions about the application process, her hopes for the future, and advice for other students considering applying to Oxford.

academic success

S T R AT E G I C I N T E N T 1

St Catherine’s 2014 Dux Georgia Sexton was St Catherine’s 2014 School Dux. Georgia achieved an ATAR of 99.35 and placed in the top 2 percent in Victoria for English, Literature and Studio Arts.

“Achieving Dux is a reflection of my hard work and commitment during VCE. I appreciate the support and motivation provided by my teachers,” said Georgia. With an impressive commitment to her work program, Georgia completed Units 3 & 4 Chemistry, English, French, Literature and Mathematical Methods. Whilst in Year 11 she completed Units 3 & 4 Studio Arts.

To view the full interview read the eMag version of St Catherine’s News. www.stcatherines.net.au/our-publications

A student of intellectual depth and consideration, Georgia was a fine member of the St Catherine’s School community and we wish her future success as she commences her study of Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne.

Any advice to other St Catherine’s students? To all current and future Year 12 students – study hard, but don’t forget to enjoy yourselves. You will miss it once it is over.

“Georgia approached her studies with a level-headed maturity and, when combined

In her role as School Music Captain (Instrumental), Georgia provided leadership and support to the younger students with their musical programs. Georgia’s passion for performance also extended to her role as Erma in the School Musical Anything Goes. These efforts were formally recognised with a Music Citizenship Award and Light Blue Awards for Outstanding Performance in Drama and Music.

How do you think being at St Catherine’s School helped you achieve so well academically? Throughout my years at St Catherine’s, I always felt that my teachers were just as invested in my success as I was. They gave me confidence in my abilities, while constantly pushing me to greater achievements. I think it is this combination of support and challenge that makes the School such an enriching academic environment. The small class sizes allow for incredibly close working relationships, and I found that my teachers were always happy to make time for me whenever I was in need of help or encouragement. The staff at St Cath’s inspired me to apply for Oxford and motivated me to succeed, and for that I am immensely grateful.

A quiet achiever, Georgia excelled in a diverse range of activities at St Catherine’s including Music, Dramatic Arts, Visual Arts, Debating, House Athletics and House Cross Country. This willingness to participate resulted in Georgia receiving the Gold Award for Outstanding Service to the School.

with her impressive contribution to our School’s co-curricular program, demonstrated highly developed organisational skills,” says St Catherine’s VCE Coordinator, Miss Sally Wilkinson.

How did you feel when you found out you had been accepted? It was such a shock! I had been feeling uncertain about whether my grades were high enough, and I was somewhat concerned that I had completely embarrassed myself in the interview, so it was both a surprise and a relief to see the word “congratulations” when I opened the email.

St Catherineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s News Autumn 2015

Senior School

Renewal Opening

GA L L

Y ER

9 Left to Right Year 7 students, Julia Thompson and Isabella McDonald enjoying the St Catherine’s cupcakes after the official opening Dr Lisa Gorton (’89) officially opened the buildings Students enjoying the reflective Opening Program prior to official proceedings Ms Fiona Beck, ELC Coordinator with her 4YO class admiring the handwork of ELC teacher’s assistant, Ms Jill Baker, who made the giant St Catherine’s bow Mr Anthony Nicholas outstand the Nicholas Library Chair of Council, Mrs Clare Cannon (Darling ’77) and Principal, Mrs Michelle Carroll receiving gifts from the students to be placed within the three new School buildings Director of Business, Mrs Geraldine Ilott with the architect, project management, construction and landscape designer teams

On Tuesday 14 April the fickle Melbourne weather could not dampen the spirits of students and guests at St Catherine’s School during the official opening of the Ruth Langley Research and Learning Centre, the Edna Holmes Centre for Science and the Mary Davis Centre.

The morning was a celebration of St Catherine’s past, present and future with current students and Old Girls, past and current parents, previous and current Council members, along with special guests joining together for this significant School event. The anticipatory excitement before any School event saw the School Hall filled with the bustle of bubbly voices from Years 5 to 12 students and the remarkable sounds of the School’s music ensembles, along with the delight of seeing the giant St Catherine’s blue bow draped around the exterior of the new library. A highlight of the morning was the memorable speech from Dr Lisa Gorton (’89), St Catherine’s Old Girl, Rhodes Scholar and winner of the Premier’s Prize for Writing 2008, who officially opened the buildings. Dr Gorton reflected on the new buildings as a symbol of the “bold sense of the future” and the “values the community holds towards learning” at St Catherine’s. Recounting her wonderful memories of the School library during her time at St Catherine’s, Lisa stated it was where the “imaginative beginning of [her] writing life began.” Year 12 students, Indi Balderstone, Isabelle Ferrali and Manon Dennison provided detailed reflections on the three significant women being honoured; Miss Ruth Langley, Miss Edna Holmes and Miss Mary Davis. School Captain,

Nicola Sitch had guests chuckling and nodding their heads in agreement during her address, where she expressed gratitude on behalf of all Senior School students for the time, effort and funds to create the new learning spaces. Students from Years 5 to 11 presented gifts; a Cameron Robbins artwork, made during his times as an artist-in-residence at St Catherine’s, a St Catherine’s rose bush and Women Change the World book. Each item will find a place in the new buildings as a gesture of thanks from students. Mrs Michelle Carroll, Principal at St Catherine’s believes the renewal has reinvigorated the School’s heritage whilst investing enormous faith into the future of the School. “The buildings may be renewed and the furniture modern, but the values of scholarship, intellectual endeavour, scientific discovery and imaginative exploration remain the same.” The event was the culmination of three years of planning, fundraising, building and most significantly – renewal. Chair of Council, Mrs Clare Cannon, during her speech highlighted the intent of the School and the Council was to “renew not rebuild” to ensure the history of St Catherine’s remained. The Ruth Langley Research and Learning Centre now houses the revitalised Nicholas Library containing a rich collection of books,

a careers precinct and technology hub. The building provides refreshed learning spaces, allowing girls to work collaboratively on tasks, and in quiet reading areas, filled with ample natural light for contemplative study. The Edna Holmes Centre for Science – encompassing the glass atrium and science laboratories is named as a mark of respect and in admiration of the academic rigour instilled by Miss Edna Holmes during her tenure as Principal, and the Mary Davis Centre – central to the heart of St Catherine’s – provides a well utilised social space for students and the wider community now and in the years to come. Also attending the official opening were Lady Southey AC (Myer ’45), Patron of the Campaign for St Catherine’s, The Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer, Federal Member for Higgins and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, City of Stonnington Lord Mayor, Cr Melina Sehr, Chair of Council Mrs Clare (Darling ’77) Cannon, Reverend Dr Christopher Page from Toorak Uniting Church, past School Principals Ms Dorothy Pizzey and Dr Sylvia Walton AO, members of the Nicholas family along with members of the School Council, including Mrs Pamela Osborn, wife of past Council Chair, Mr Frank Osborn, Past Parents’ and Families’ Network, Parents’ and Friends’ Association and St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Senior School Captains NICOLA SITCH SCHOOL CAPTIAN JAQUELIN CANTARELLA SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN

What duties will you take on in your role? Nicola: Our priority is our association and connection with the girls. Ensuring all students’ days are filled with laughter, debates, questions and inspiration. I believe my duty is to tune into what the students are feeling and saying; being a good listener and translating their messages into action. Jaquelin: One of our main duties is to organise school events, particularly for charity work, so an integral part of our role is to maintain a strong sense of teamwork within the Year 12 cohort. Often, I think, our role as Year 12 leaders is to foster the younger girls’ sense of purpose and unity within the School, not only through encouraging participation and perseverance, but through interacting with other year levels on a personal scale. Ultimately, I think our leadership of the School comes down to acting with the respect and integrity you would expect of a role model. What attracted you to a position on the General Committee? Nicola: Being in our final year at St Catherine’s, we can use our experiences and understanding of the School to build on and enhance the existing strengths of our community. I see the General Committee as a vehicle for achieving this goal, through close collaboration with a group of likeminded peers. Jaquelin: Even as a primary school student, I regarded school leaders with an immense amount of awe and respect. As I’ve progressed at St Catherine’s, I have watched the Year 12 girls lead and felt a real affinity with their roles and motivations. I have always been eager to participate in as many opportunities at School as possible and, having been given so many chances to do so, I felt that being on the General

Committee would be a fantastic way to contribute to the School and convey my gratitude for all I have received in my seven years here. What makes a good leader? Nicola: A good leader has a clear vision and is consistently able to communicate and deliver on that vision. They are inclusive and cooperative, directional, innovative and caring. I see ‘leadership’, in a wider sense, as including leadership of the individual; each girl is in a position of knowing and leading herself. Jaquelin: A good leader doesn’t necessarily mean a ‘perfect’ leader, but one that can admit weakness or challenge, yet does not accept defeat. Rather, they work towards their goals with dogged determination and open-mindedness. In January, Nikki and I were lucky enough to attend a leadership conference at Bond University, where leadership was described as ‘learning, just in front of a lot of people’. I believe a leader does not need to be superhuman, they just need to work with integrity and determination. Is there a high-profile or community leader that you admire? Nicola: Growing up as females today, we are constantly told to be ‘empowered’, to remain ‘self-assured’ and to ‘look after one another’. While it is admirable to tackle the gender gap by acknowledging gender disparities and telling girls to be ‘independent’ and ‘self-confident’, these are just words until somebody demonstrates their actuality. St Catherine’s girls are a case in point. The students accept themselves and encourage one another. They are humorous, intelligent and inquisitive and naturally engender these qualities in others. In my opinion, more than any ‘community leader’, the most admirable

“Ultimately, I think our leadership of the School comes down to acting with the respect and integrity you would expect of a role model”. traits are possessed by the people around me; girls who have taught me so much and who are combating gender limitations at a grass-roots level, through edifying and supporting each other. Jaquelin: Malala Yousafzai. She is a crusader for young women. She is only 17, my age, and is unafraid to defy the oppression of the Taliban, and is still an activist for female education after being shot for doing just that when she was 14. To possess the kind of strength and sheer determination that she does is almost unfathomable to me. She is a crusader for young women. How would you like to be remembered as a student leader of St Catherine’s? Nicola: My only hope is that I am remembered as being entirely there for any girl that should need me. Jaquelin: As a leader that made a significant difference to St Catherine’s. One of our aims is to be different, to break away from the norms whilst maintaining the ethos of the School. We appreciate the value of humour and creativity, while taking our roles very seriously, so it would be incredible to be remembered as part of the leadership team that introduced interesting and innovative initiatives to the School, and who made it a light-hearted but meaningful year. At the end of 2015, if we can confidently say we have serviced the School genuinely and passionately, we have accomplished all we set out to do.

Junior School Captains JASMINE HAYNES JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTIAN ALLEGRA DENNISON JUNIOR SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN GENERAL COMMITTEE 2015

How were you chosen for your role? Jasmine: Mrs Moor had lots of conversations with us about being a leader and all the responsibilities. We made a ‘leadership agreement’ and read through it to process all the things written in it. If we wanted to be School Captain, we had to write why, and what we thought we would be good at. Once completed Mrs Moor assessed our responses. We also gave a speech to the 2014 Year 6s who were voting. It was very nerve-wracking and watching other people give their speeches before I gave mine was quite daunting. My speech was on horse riding. Allegra: We talked about the Year 6 Agreement throughout last year and went through the points of the agreement to understand what we had to do. They did not want to give captaincy roles to anyone they thought would not be suitable, so we had to work hard. My speech to the 2014 Year 6s was on ‘challenges’ and how it is hard to learn something new. How did you feel when you were elected? Jasmine: It was a really nice feeling to know that all of your peers had voted for you and that everyone thinks you are a good person for the role. Allegra: I was really happy and grateful. It is a really great opportunity and we are super excited. What do you enjoy most so far about being a Barbreck Captain? Jasmine: I love having responsibilities. I love speaking at assemblies, because public speaking is really fun. I like being able to talk to Mrs Moor about different things and organising things. Allegra: It is fun knowing that people look up to you, but it is also a lot of pressure in that way as well. I think that is probably the best part – it’s a great honour.

What are you looking forward to doing in your roles this year? Jasmine: The Year 6s organise Fundraising Day. There is a different charity each year and this year it is Heart Kids. Allegra: I’m really excited and looking forward to the Fundraising Day too. All the Year 6s become involved. What are some of the qualities that a good leader should have? Jasmine: All the School Values: Empathy, Integrity, Perseverance and Curiosity. They were a big part of the Year 6 Agreement, so we had to think about them and demonstrate how we apply them in our lives.

School Captain

Nicola Sitch

School Vice Captain

Jaquelin Cantarella

Boarding Captains

Poppy Frances Emily Kwan

Art

Harriet Renn

Community Service

Manon Dennison

Debating

Ruby King

Drama

Alice Philip

Duke of Edinburgh

Ruby Dicker

Environment

Olivia Menzies

International

Zhihui (Jennifer) Wang

Magazine

Sophie Ford

Music

Tamsin Cantwell (Choral) Stacey Messini (Instrumental)

Sport

Jessie Gleeson Grace Lightfoot

House Captains: Beaulieu Blair

Isabelle Ferrali

Allegra: The School Values are very important. Also, being fair and including people, and being respectful.

House Captains: Davis

Juliette Cody

House Captains: Holmes Kilbride

Lucy Gullifer

What makes St Catherine’s such a great school to attend? Jasmine: When I came here in Year 2 for the orientation, it just was so ‘homely’. We had looked at a lot of other schools, but there was something about St Catherine’s. All of the girls were so welcoming and the teachers have a really nice way of teaching. All my teachers have taught me a lot. Mrs Moor is a good role model and I am looking forward to working with her this year. All the different girls are able to meet different people that is what makes the School a really nice place to be.

House Captains: Langley Templeton

Indi Balderstone

Allegra: Because it is quite a small school, there are always opportunities. Also, everyone knows each other, so you have a connection with everybody. I think that is really good.

Sophie Joubert Emma Markakis Annabel Steven Eliza Court

BARBRECK LEADERSHIP POSITIONS 2015 Year 6 students play a very important role in Barbreck and have committed to an agreed Year 6 Code of Conduct. The following students, elected in 2014 by students and staff, have specific responsibilities.

Barbreck School Captain Jasmine Haynes Barbreck Vice Captain

Allegra Dennison

Barbreck Music Captains

Clementine Newton-Brown Sophie Williams

House Captains: Beaulieu Blair

Elodie Ferrali

House Captains: Davis

Isabella Hornor

House Captains: Holmes Kilbride

Francesca Demetriou

House Captains: Langley Templeton

Ruby Moir

Chloe Joubert

Isabella Mangano

Ava Lansell

Pippa Naylor

St Catherineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s News Autumn 2015

Relationships and Connectedness in the Early Learning Centre One intrinsic need that is always evident in a young child is the yearning for a feeling of connectedness to their friends and the adults around them. Close relationships, first within, and then reaching beyond the family are believed to be critical to the healthy intellectual, emotional, social and physical development of children.

ELC

As educators of young children, it is our priority to build warm supportive relationships with them and their families in the Early Learning Centre. Teachers develop a sense of belonging through creating warm, welcoming, beautiful environments that encourage participation and inclusion. Positive relationships contribute to the children feeling secure and relaxed in their learning environment. Educators can then work with them closely to develop their skills, nurture their physical growth and build their confidence to try new things. A respect for each child’s uniqueness, family and cultural background allows their identity to shine through. The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia describes ‘belonging’ as acknowledging the children’s interdependence with others and the basis of relationships. The children learn to be part of a social group through belonging to their class. They also learn what it means to belong to a community and a place of shared experience. Through this collaboration, the children become connected to the viewpoints of their friends and immersed in their learning environment. Often, decisions are made together for the benefit of the group. As the children become more confident, resilient and involved in the program, they become more open to challenges and feel valued for their contributions. The learning

environment is planned to connect with real-life and it is through play that the children discover, create, problem solve, improvise and imagine. Much of the learning takes place in a social context. Ideas are discussed and the direction of projects unfolds as the children are encouraged to share their thinking. Openended, interesting, thought-provoking and nature-based materials invite the children to question and ponder the world around them. Throughout the year educators in Campbell House continue to build on the children’s sense of wellbeing to ensure that we can maximise their learning potential and that they enjoy feelings of success and happiness. “A culture of childhood is a shared vision, an agreed upon vision of the needs and the rights of children, including ideas about how the people of the community can collectively nurture them and at the same time be renewed by them. In other words, it is a set of values and beliefs and practices that people have created to guide their way of nurturing young children and their families.” Carolyn Edwards Professor of Psychology and Family Consumer Sciences – University of Nebraska, Lincoln 2003 Ms Fiona Beck and Ms Sarah Bethune ELC Coordinators

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Immersion in

Mathematics

…the wonders of numbers and the methods used are based on strong, effective, well researched based programs that develop the students’ thinking and problem solving abilities. In the Junior School, students are surrounded by Mathematics. From the Preparatory students’ first experiences with connecting number names to numerals and quantities, to the Year 6 students solving equations that require the knowledge of order of operations and algebra, the students are immersed in activities that engage and challenge them.

Left to Right Ella Johns, Mayuri Muralidharan and Anouk Heidenreich constructing models of three dimensional shapes. Sunny Millis and Isabella Bufé investigating and measuring the size of angles.

Mathematics, always an integral focus for every year level in Barbreck, has seen even further emphasis and action in 2015 through the use of new programs and integrated software. While learning Mathematics, the students gain essential numeracy skills, develop the ability to think logically and are able to use their knowledge to answer problems. The staff in the Junior School are keen to expose students to the wonders of numbers and the methods used are based on strong, effective, well researched programs that develop the students’ thinking and problem solving abilities. These programs promote conceptual understanding through the use of explicit teaching, scaffolded learning experiences and active participation by the students. The students engage in activities that involve

working as part of a team, as well as working on individual tasks that require them to extend themselves. Understanding is the aim, and the acquisition of basic mathematical skills, through both discovery and rote learning, is important. A strong Mathematics program in the Junior School helps the students as they progress on to programs such as TIDE (Technology, Innovation, Design, Engineering), in the Senior School where their knowledge and skills will assist them as they undertake challenges that require the use of spatial relations, creative thinking and the development of applied problem solving across all areas of study. Ms Sandra Ching Year 6 Teacher

JUNIOR SCHOOL

“We have loved using our imaginations, bodies and voices to create different kinds of performances” Katharine Soutter, Year 3

Stage Skills A new Year 3 Drama program, ‘Stage Skills’, has been introduced this year. It is designed to foster communication and collaboration in imaginative ways. The sessions are facilitated by Mrs Lynda Fleming, our Speech and Drama Teacher, who has years of experience in the field and prepares our students from Year 5 upwards for their Trinity Guildhall examinations. The Year 3 classes alternate each term, with the sessions running every Tuesday at lunchtime. Year 3T had their first session in Week 2 of Term 1 and this was received with much excitement and enthusiasm from both the students and their teachers! We hope that, in its trial year, the program will serve to develop self-confidence and self-awareness in our Year 3 students. Through exploring stagecraft, different drama

techniques and ensemble activities, girls will learn to express themselves more easily and to fully explore and develop their imaginations. We are excited about plans to further expand the co-curricular drama offerings in the Junior School, so watch this space! Mr James Brown Head of Performing Arts Left to Right Charlotte Wood, Elizabeth Chang, Pia Bobeff and Georgia Hennessy participating in Circle Time ‘What are you doing’ exercise Olivia Monkman-Straub, Zara Shelmerdine and Millie Nilsen being the living sculptures ‘at the beach’ Pia Bobeff, Sophie Dreaver performing pronunciation and articulation vocal work A scene based on 1, 2, 3 action exercise is performed by Katharine Soutter and Olivia Monkman-Straub

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

learning spaces

S T R AT E G I C I N T E N T 7

Fostering a Love of Reading ‘Blind date’ with a book, Breakfast Bookclub and good luck messages are just some of the fun initiatives the Library is doing in 2015.

The St Catherine’s Library Service has hit the ground running in 2015, with an enthusiastic Library team and a reinvigorated sense of energy and purpose. At the Senior School, we have really settled into our modern new space. One major focus this year is bridging the gap between our two Library branches, working towards a solid contribution to the literacies and skills of our middle years students. At the Barbreck Library, Teacher Librarian Mrs Victoria Baldacchino has been busy over the summer holidays adding lots of fabulous new-release titles to the collection, validating our students’ selections by acting on the book suggestions of our many keen readers. Chinese New Year was fully celebrated, through an exploration of Chinese stories and the opportunity for students to write messages of good luck on the scroll outside the Library. The Years 5 and 6 students have begun ‘Write on Wednesday’ workshops, and lunchtimes in the Library are lively with activities, games, reading and fun. The Nicholas Library began the year with a celebration of ‘Library Lovers Day’, where

students were encouraged to go on a ‘blind date’ with a book by borrowing books covered in wrapping paper with only a hint of what they might be about. While there were some matches that did not work out, many girls felt the thrill of being perfectly matched with a new release. Then, taking our cue from one of the emerging trends in Young Adult fiction – ‘crimes and cons’ – we plunged straight into ‘CSI: Nicholas Library’. Amongst a display of crime fiction, the outline of John Doe’s body appeared, and students were off on an online scavenger hunt, using their search skills to crack the case. This year, the St Catherine’s Library Service is excited to launch our ‘Breakfast Book Club’ sessions – a series of morning discussions for mothers and daughters to come together and bond through the shared experience of reading. The novels we discuss will be a combination of new releases and classics and will be accessible to a broad range of ages. Led by our passionate Library and English staff, these Book Club sessions will be a wonderful way of bringing our St Catherine’s community together through reading. Keep an eye on the website events section for upcoming dates.

Writer Sidney Sheldon said: “Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve and contribute to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better.” This is so very true of both our Library branches; each buzzes and hums with energy, discovery and enthusiasm for reading, learning and life. Our Libraries truly serve as some of the great communal spaces within the School, staffed by highly experienced and passionate teachers and librarians who support the School’s curriculum and who are single minded about fostering a love of reading. We cannot wait for the rest of 2015! Ms Kathryn White Head of Educational Resources and Information Centre Left to Right Year 7 Susannah McNab enjoying her novel in the Nicholas Library Year 7 TIDE students learning how to Code using ‘Scratch’ Jane Fenton, Harriet Fortey and Mr Puckering deep in coding conversation!

SENIOR SCHOOL

Making

Waves This year has seen the start of a very exciting new program in Years 7 and 8 – the TIDE Program. In a sense the TIDE Program is designed to develop independent learning, while fostering a specific set of thinking, collaborative, creative and reasoning skills. The TIDE acronym stands for: Technology – this includes information and digital technology, but is certainly not limited to these. Innovation – taking what we already have and discovering new ways and new uses. Design – using creativity to enhance design and employing the design process to define and plan. Engineering – essentially, the methods and processes we engage in to solve problems and challenges. The TIDE Program is part of a greater philosophy and movement to develop the deeper scientific, technical, creative and mathematical

underpinnings students (and indeed nations) will need to be a competitive and educated twenty-first century workforce. This year, all Years 7 and 8 students will take a semester of Digital Coding and a semester of Video Mapping. In Digital Coding, students will learn the basics of programming, through ‘Scratch’, a programming language developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students join an Edx (Harvard University’s online course network) course and independently build up programming skills. This eventually leads to Year 8 students programming the ‘AISoy 1’ robot. In Video Mapping, students learn key videomapping software, and utilise mathematical problem-solving skills to match mapping shapes. Eventually, students will be able to send multiple images from one simple projector, linking such images to musical accompaniment. In a sense, the specific content, curated from across the globe and utilising the very latest twenty-first century skills, is only part of the TIDE Program. At its heart, TIDE has its foundations and vision in six essential characteristics: 1. TIDE lessons focus on real-world applications. Students embark real-world future scenarios and, in time, will identify real-world needs. The skills they learn will be twenty-first century literacy skills. 2. All TIDE lessons are guided by the engineering design process. In essence this

means independent thinking and independent learning. The engineering design process allows each student to run with a basic set of skills to then design their own challenge and solution. Independent thinking and developing solutions go hand-in-hand. 3. TIDE lessons immerse students in true hands-on inquiry. With their basic skillset revealed, students can embark on open-ended exploration (with the only two constraints being available resources/skills and the students own imagination). 4. TIDE lessons may be about independent learning but there is also a strong emphasis on collaboration and productive teamwork. 5. Though it may not be obvious to the students, all TIDE lessons apply important scientific and mathematical content to their learning. 6. TIDE lessons provide an environment of rich possibilities for creative solutions. ‘Failure’ is considered a positive step towards re-designing solutions. There are multiple ‘right’ answers and, sometimes, reframing failure is a powerful learning experience. The TIDE Program is very much in its infancy, but already it is acquiring an innovative and exciting reputation. The TIDE is certainly high. Mr Adrian Puckering Director of Curriculum Innovation and Development

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Diagnose, Scrub, Cut and Stitch Hands-on activities and a wealth of knowledge were shared with the 30 students who participated in an introductory surgery ‘workshop’ in October 2014. The generosity and ingenuity of Mr Frank Chen, Dr Larissa Roeske and Dr Alex Baker, who are all current St Catherine’s parents, enabled students who are interested in pursuing a career in Medicine to participate in a surgery workshop at the Epworth HealthCare, Clinical Education and Simulation Centre. The workshop involved a variety of engaging activities, including: – basic suturing – operating a laparoscope as part of a mock operation – anaesthetising a mock patient, including attempting intubation

– the principles of infection control – how to prepare oneself to enter a sterile environment of an operating room. Students also investigated the basics of diagnosis and patient management including such tasks as analysing a patient’s medical history and performing a physical examination (with an emphasis on abdominal and gastrointestinal system examination) and monitoring vital signs. Students were required to complete a questionnaire upon their return to School. Student responses confirmed that this truly was an amazing experience for them to be involved in and it offered great insights into surgical practice. “I found that the workshop gave a good insight into the methods associated with surgery.”

“Enhanced my interest in surgery by giving me an insight into day to day activities.” “It was a very informative workshop which gave me a lot of knowledge.” “This activity allowed me to see beyond any stereotypes I had in my mind.” “It was very interesting to learn about the ethics involved in medicine.” “It was realistic, hands-on information that I had never been able to access before.” “I realised how wide the range of careers in medicine are.” St Catherine’s will once again offer this wonderful opportunity to 2015 Science students. Ms Vanessa Jackson-McRae Head of Science

SENIOR SCHOOL

‘Whole Lotta Soup’

Recognition Alexandra Culliver, who completed Year 11 at St Catherine’s in 2014, was recognised by the VCE Season of Excellence for her composition ‘Whole Lotta Soup’, which was written as part of her coursework of Music Styles and Composition. The composition was performed at Deakin Edge, Federation Square in February as part of the Top Class Sound 2015 VCE Season of Excellence concert series.

“This excursion cemented my career dream of being a surgeon.”

The ‘Whole Lotta Soup’ piece was inspired by Alexandra’s love of Melbourne’s funk and jazz music scene and her time spent playing the saxophone. Alexandra has been performing and writing since she was 12 years of age and is passionate about music and loves to create her own sound. During her education at St Catherine’s Alexandra has been an active member of the Music Department and performed in music groups Soul Power, Concert Band, Stage Band, Jorgensen Orchestra, Saxophone Ensemble, Viva Voci and other choirs. Alexandra says, “St Catherine’s has given me every opportunity. They have supported me in musical endeavours that most schools certainly would not. The talented music staff are always willing to give their time and assistance towards all of my musical projects.” When asked what it meant to have her composition chosen as part of the Top Class Sound concerts, Alexandra replied, “It is pretty overwhelming being chosen for such a prestigious event in Victoria. It is such a fabulous opportunity to meet and perform alongside some of the State’s best young composers and musicians.” Alexandra hopes to sustain her performing and compositional career, no matter the scale, throughout Australia and internationally. Congratulations Alexandra and we look forward to hearing your next music project.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Footsteps into the Past, Lead to a

New Future For the month of January, Diana Dunlop (’14) trekked through the infamous Burma Railway in Thailand to raise funds to support defence force veterans and families who have lost loved ones at war.

Walking the Railway also took on a personal pilgrimage for Diana whose grandfather, Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, an extraordinary figure in Australian history, was a Prisoner of War who worked on the Railway during the Second World War. On her return from Burma, St Catherine’s News had the opportunity to speak with Diana about her trek and fundraising work. What was it like to trek the Burma Railway? Trekking the infamous Burma Railway, also known as the ‘Death Railway’, was by far the hardest, most draining and incredibly rewarding experience of my life. It has been such a long held dream, and I am so glad to have experienced the historical significance of the Railway firsthand. I knew trekking the Railway was going to mean experiencing extreme highs and lows, but nothing could have quite prepared me for the emotions I experienced over there. At times I would feel extreme pride and respect for the Prisoners of War (POWs) of the Railway, and at other points feelings of deep sorrow and anger at the conditions that endured. It was due to these mixtures of emotions that I started to reference the Thailand Burma Railway as the ‘Bipolar Express’!

How did it make you feel to walk in your Grandfather’s footsteps? At a particular point in my trek at the Hellfire Pass Cutting, I was made aware that I was standing directly on my Grandfather’s ashes. The feeling I felt afterwards was something I struggle to explain. The best I can describe it would be an eerie sense of his presence, followed by an uncontrollable mixture of tears and smiling. I have never felt my heart so full of warmth. I will never forget that feeling for the rest of my life. What about the fundraising side of your trek. Were people willing to support your cause? SmallSteps415 is a non-profit organisation created during my final year at St Catherine’s. This organisation has, and will hopefully continue to, raise awareness as well as commemorate the 13,000 Australian POWs who worked on the 415km Thailand Burma Railway. Due to the fact that more than 2,500 of those 13,000 Australians died as a result of disease, deprivation and murder, it was my long held goal to raise awareness for those men and women who died during their time as POWs on the ‘Death Railway’. However, not only was it my goal to raise awareness, but also funds for two very worthy

“Trekking the infamous Burma Railway, also known as the ‘Death Railway’, was by far the hardest, most draining and incredibly rewarding experience of my life.” Diana Dunlop

causes for the particular pilgrimage that was taking place - The Legacy Australia Foundation and the Sir Edward Weary Dunlop Medical Research Foundation. What was the hardest part of the trek? There were many challenges within this crazy endeavour. At the very top of my list would have to be both the physical and mental exhaustion – having to carry a 25kg backpack for hours on end, whilst walking ‘a life for every sleeper’ was absolute torture. Along with the danger aspect – having to fend off stray, aggressive dogs riddled with rabies every few minutes. Food was another major challenge. It got to the point where I did not know which one was worse – a dehydrated mincemeat ration pack or cheap Thai cuisine. However, as hard as it seemed at the time, I look back and am so proud at what I have achieved. The whole experience has made me such a strong, resilient person. What was the most rewarding aspect for you? My first visit to Hellfire Pass was incredible. Without letting anyone at the Memorial know I was coming, I walked around paying my respects and taking in the surroundings just like everyone

else. However, once I reached my Grandfather’s plaque at the end of the Cutting I broke down into tears. In order to try and keep my cover, I decided to walk around the corner and try and compose myself. However, despite my best efforts my cover was quickly blown. An Aussie standing close by asked if I was alright, and eventually we both introduced ourselves. After a couple of minutes, I was approached by the leader of the 2/10th Field Regiment Association (QLD), along with a crowd of around 35 other Australians. After having, I think, every Australian at Hellfire Pass introduce themselves, I was then told I absolutely must meet Rod Beattie. Rod, also known as ‘The Railway Man’, made his way down to the Cutting, and with every Australian present crowding around, he shook my hand, and with the biggest smile on his face and tears forming in his eyes said “I do not want to let go.” People in the crowd of Aussies began to take photos, and then Rod, with visible tears in his eyes, said to me, “You know you are standing in the exact spot your Grandfather’s ashes were spread?” People in the crowd of Aussies, along with myself, began to cry. Then Rod cracked the silence of the crowd by saying, “Now put your hand up if you are a member from D Force, also known as ‘Dunlop

Force; many people from the crowd surrounding me raised their hands. For the next hour or so I met some incredible Australians, and had the opportunity to explain SmallSteps415. Within this time the 2/10th Field Regiment had donated hundreds of dollars. Thinking this day could not possibly become any better I had the opportunity to meet the manager of the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, Mr Mick Clark. We then drove to the jungle resort ‘Home Phu Toey’ where there is the ‘Weary Dunlop Park’, and a statue of my Grandfather. Up until that point in time, I have never in my life felt so proud of my family’s history, and never quite understood what impression my Grandfather had on so many Australians. For the first time in my life I felt spellbound. How has the trek changed your outlook on life and future endeavours? This trek has changed my outlook on life, and has really opened my eyes to how much my Grandfather meant to people. To know on any given day, groups of people from all around the world read my Grandfather’s plaque at Hellfire Pass makes me prouder than I ever thought possible.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

co-curricular opportunities S T R AT E G I C I N T E N T 3

Team Spirit The Barbreck House Competition started with a splash on Friday 13 February at the annual House Swimming carnival. The Marigold Southey Sports & Aquatic Centre was full of energy and excitement. With all students from Years 3 to 6 dressed in their team colours and cheering throughout the day, the enthusiasm and healthy spirit of competition, was at an all-time high. The morning session commenced with Years 3 and 4 girls diving into the pool and speeding through their races with confidence and determination. It was incredible to see each and every girl, regardless of their Swimming skill level, striving for her own personal best. Special mention must be made to those girls who took part in their first Swimming carnival. Staff had the pleasure of timing, which meant we could talk to the girls moments before they made their way to the starting block. There were many nervous conversations and the occasional giggle or two, but one young student, who is not a regular swimmer at the pool, summed it all up in a single sentence, “It really does not matter who wins or loses, it is just about having a go and trying your best.” The Competition naturally stepped up when the older girls took to the pool. There were plenty of

personal bests recorded, thunderous amounts of applause and of course an overwhelming sense of team spirit. The Years 5 and 6 girls swam their way through all strokes, with many girls competing in all four events. The final event for the afternoon were the relays. To see teams swimming their hardest and encouraging each other from the first dive to the final touch of the wall was an absolute delight. The carnival setting also provided a perfect opportunity for our new Barbreck House Captains to showcase their leadership, which they certainly did. The House Captains, Chloe Joubert and Elodie Ferrali (Beaulieu Blair), Ava Lansell and Francesca Demetriou (Holmes Kilbride), Isabella Hornor and Isabella Mangano (Davis) and Pippa Naylor and Ruby Moir (Langley Templeton) led their teams throughout the day and never faltered in their enthusiasm and energy. It was Beaulieu Blair that won the overall trophy for the day, with the other Houses finishing closely behind. Congratulations to all the Swimming coaches and staff involved in preparing the girls for the

day’s events. The confidence and enthusiasm displayed by all of the girls highlighted the careful and thorough preparation they are given to ensure they are feeling comfortable on the day. Parents, teachers and Year 6 leaders who helped make the day a success, are all thanked sincerely. One would assume most of the magic would happen in the pool at a Swimming carnival, but on reflection one had to disagree! Yes, there were some nail-biting finishes, exceptionally fast times and many girls who showed perseverance and determination to make it through their races. However, the most magical part of the day, was watching and listening to the girls on the grandstand supporting their teammates, encouraging their peers, displaying outstanding sportsmanship for the other teams and sharing in the true house spirit. A truly successful day, in so many ways! Miss Kirrilly Wootton Year 4 teacher

Swimming Skills for Life

Head Swimming Coach

The Marigold Southey Sports and Aquatic Centre is moving into its fifth year. As we continue to develop our swimmers we also continue to grow our aquatic activities and programs to ensure St Catherine’s students continually learn new skills that develop and evolve them, not just as swimmers and athletes, but as School students and members of the community, with the aim to make them swimmers for life.

Having been around swimming pools since the age of two weeks, it seemed a natural progression to go on and swim competitively at an elite level for 12 years. Eleven of those years were spent in New Zealand (NZ), with the final year of my career winding up in Melbourne 2008.

St Catherine’s has had remarkable success in the Swimming arena over a number of years, most recently with our Junior School District Swimming Team taking out the Armadale District Swimming event as the overall winners and the Population Trophy. Our girls displayed talent, competitiveness, leadership and sportsmanship throughout the entire event. This success is testament to our staff’s commitment to students and the sport and the integrity of our Swimming Programs. Our Learn to Swim Program is progression focussed with students building on their skills. We believe moving children to the next level too early will delay their ability to consolidate skills and may even affect their enjoyment of the sport, both short and long term. It is always rewarding to watch our students progress from initial water awareness, water safety and stroke technique, to competitively and athletically undertaking our Swim Squad Program.

This transition requires careful consideration, including the acquisition of the required skills and the mental ability of the student to ensure longevity in the sport. Most children will complete all levels of Learn to Swim through half hour classes once per week. However, when moving into the Swim Squad environment the sessions are one, to one and a half hours duration and swimmers are required to swim two sessions or more per week. During this transition period our staff work closely with the student and their parents/guardians to ensure the change is smooth and enjoyable for all involved. Once a swimmer joins a Squad this opens the door to more learning! A whole new set of skills is acquired including reading the clock, competitive dives (starts) and turns and finishes. Our Program ensures that Squad members are training smart not hard. We are excited to introduce new activities to our Aquatics Program in 2015 with the aim of inspiring more students to undertake Swimming. The introduction of Diving and Synchronised Swimming during our school holiday programs as well as being offered as a Year 10 elective will hopefully encourage more girls to jump in and give Swimming a go!

Mr Mark Cooper

The last eight years have been spent learning, growing and evolving my coaching knowledge and experience. First acting in an assistant coach capacity at my home program in NZ, then to running a junior development program at CA Tritons. The past five years have been spent developing a national age program out of the Surrey Park Swimming Club and developing the Trinity School Swimming Program. I aim to bring a level of experience and knowledge to St Catherine’s School that can allow the girls to grow and improve their swimming ability, associated knowledge and confidence, whilst at the same time enjoying the experience of being involved in such a fantastic sport.

Left to Right

Year 6 student, Elodie Ferrali Coco Marshall in the pool

Ms Susan Mothershaw Aquatic Programs Manager

Ava Lansell, Francesca Demetriou, Chloe Joubert and Elodie Ferrali celebrating Beaulieu Blair win at Junior School House Swimming Mr Mark Cooper coaching students

VI D

GA L L

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Y ER

Warburton… Linking our Past with our Present

In 1942 as the Second World War actions edged closer to Australian soil, the St Catherine’s School site was vacated and became a training base for the WAAAF. On the 10 March 1942 the Australian Government took over the campus grounds and within two weeks the entire School population (280 girls) relocated to Warburton.

Sherren House provided the RAAF personnel a more accessible rest and recreation centre while the School operated at the foot of Mt Donna Buang amidst the tall forest and ferns and the sprawling azalea and rhododendron garden of the Warburton Chalet. On the 14 November 2014 the students of 1942, Warburton Old Girls, were invited to attend a Principal’s Morning Tea to reconnect and share their memories of that time. The group of 31 ladies were entertained by a Year 2 music performance, answered the inquisitive Year 2’s history questions and shared their memories with a few Year 7 students who recorded this on iPads. They were also addressed by Principal, Mrs Michelle Carroll, 2014 SCOGA President, Mrs Deborah Berry and Dean of Year 10 and English and Literature Teacher, Ms Vasiliki Spanos. Following is part of Ms Spanos’ speech.

This morning we honour you, the dear students of 1942, whose time in a little town some 80 kilometres east of Melbourne, has helped add to the rich tapestry of our School history, as well as to the rich tapestry of Warburton, my home town. I have spent much of the past couple of weeks reading your memories in Warburton Reminiscences and one point that came up quite often was indeed how cold it gets in Warburton. When the weather is cold, inevitably, people get closer to keep warm and it is clear that during your time in Warburton you came together in so many ways that I am sure words cannot fully express and we, from a very different time, may not even be able to imagine. Miss Sophie Borland’s words resonate deeply, ‘Looking back over this time, it seemed like a lifetime, but was actually only about eight months, I see that there were things of positive value in the experience…All I think were influenced by the nearness of the bush and the hills. However, the growth of fellowship between girls and adults, forced into living in a new way and sharing the responsibilities and the problems, was – as I see it – the best thing that came out of the Warburton experience.’

The manner in which the School adapted and adjusted to the Warburton move in 1942 and the subsequent manner in which staff and students carried on and made the most of the situation, has set the optimistic tone that represents an undeniable St Catherine’s School quality. Our ethos embraces challenges and certainly seeks to make the most of a situation, whilst simultaneously serving others. But where do these values come from? Family, society, faith, our personal experiences, and of course, our history. The history of our School has many examples of strong individuals, strong women dedicated to education, who loved their work and who led by example. The Warburton move, and everyone involved in it – students – teachers – parents – is one such instance and we are grateful for your input. These girls, now women sitting in front of me, were asked to move and change their lifestyles, not on a whim. It was a time of war. The headlines of the day, allow us a way to understand what it must have been like at the time. The Argus, on Monday, 24 March, 1942 ran with “Katherine and Darwin Bombed by Japs…Canberra, Sunday… Enemy aircraft attacked Katherine, in the

community engagement

S T R AT E G I C I N T E N T 5

Northern Territory, on the railway 160 miles south of Darwin, this afternoon, bombs were dropped, killing one aborigine and injuring another. Little damage was done during this raid, stated a communique issued by Mr Curtin, Prime Minister, Late tonight.” This was the social and political context, the reality, of the St Catherine’s School move to Warburton. It was a time of great sorrow and pain for so many. Again, what is emphasised and noteworthy in reading the School records is how the School community remained focused and resilient at such a challenging time in world history. Warburton remains a quiet little town, just as it was in 1942, but I imagine there are a number of changes. The Chalet is gone. The Fruit Farm that is so fondly recalled by a number of Old Girls, no longer exists. We have three churches, a community garden in the main stretch of the Warburton Highway in the town. The old bakery is now a bookshop and the old petrol station is a bakery! We have a Vietnamese restaurant and an Indian Curry Club. The train no longer comes to Warburton, but the track provides hours of pleasure to cyclists from

around the state as they ride along the LilydaleWarburton bike track. It is along this track that I walk and pass the property which was once, as one time a lady walking her dog told me, a school for girls. ‘I think’ (she said to me) ‘that there was a school here once …oh yes… it was St Catherine’s School. Have you heard of it? It is this fancy school in the city.’ I smiled at her and said that indeed I had. Ms Vasiliki Spanos Dean of Year 10 To see more Warburton Morning Tea photos please read the eMag version of St Catherine’s News www.stcatherines.net.au/our-publications Left to Right 1942 Blair House with Miss Walker and Miss Joske Anna Cowen (Wittner ’41), Margery Snowball (Hilford ’43) and Diana Brélaz (Deutgen ’44) Year 2 singing to the Warburton ladies Jill Richards (Sargood ’48) with her great grand daughter Coco Lutz (4YO ELC) Judith Matear (Spry ’49), Barbara Mayes (Spry ’52), Joan Gray (Spry ’52) and Ms Vasiliki Spanos

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Meet four of our students…

Sophie Lovell

Coco Kudelka

SOPHIE LOVELL / YEAR 2

COCO KUDELKA / YEAR 4

MEG WATKINS / YEAR 8

What do you love most about School? I like Science. In Year 2 Science we look after mealworms. We feed them – they like to eat a lot. They do not like doing much else apart from lying around. They turn into beetles.

What do you like most about School? I like the teachers and playing outside with my friends. The teachers are always nice and can help you whenever you need their help.

What do you enjoy the most about School? I like the sense of community that I find in GSV and the afterschool sport offered each term. Girls in different year levels can connect in a sport they all love. Each term there is a great range of sports I do not normally do out of school and it is always fun trying new activities.

At School I also like to play games, like the one I call ‘Three Ghosts and the Wicked Witch’. I like scary things. My favourite scary story is ‘The Three Little Kids’. It is about three goats, whose mother leaves them to find food. Then a wolf tries to eat them. The wolf says, ‘Let me come in! Let me come in!’ The kids reply, ‘No, no!’ What are some of the things you have been learning about this year? So far at School this year I have done Swimming, writing, and reading. We are reading a book called The Recess Queen. What have you enjoyed so far this year? I was very excited to go to the Twilight Picnic. I wanted to bring my dog instead of a teddy bear, because he looks like a bear – he is a Pomeranian and Maltese cross. What is your favourite thing to do outside of School? I like to visit the Melbourne Aquarium. What do you want to be when you grow up? I would like to be a vet and work at the zoo. My favourite animal would probably be the lion, because they are scary. They are very big and they are beautiful!

What have you been learning about so far this year? We are learning about ‘place value’ in Maths. In English, we are doing spelling. What do you hope to do by the end of the year that you have not been able to do in other years? Is there anything you have wanted to learn this year? Maths is my favourite subject, so I would like to learn how to do longer Maths sums, including long division. What is your favourite thing to do outside of School? I like to play sport – I do Swimming, Tennis and Netball. I also like to spend time with my friends. My friends also play sport with me. What is your favourite thing to do in School? My favourite subject is Maths. It is lots of fun and you are able to find an answer to everything! What does it mean to you to be a St Catherine’s girl? Being a St Catherine’s girl means that you have to demonstrate all the School values – empathy, integrity, perseverance and curiosity. Demonstrating the values can sometimes be easy, but sometimes more difficult.

Inside the classroom, what has been the highlight of your 2015 School year so far? In English we are studying Bend it like Beckham the movie and our main assessment task was a wedding speech about how if two of the main characters got married who would you be at their wedding and what would you say. It was a really exciting class when people were presenting because everyone was really into it and the speeches were hilarious. Outside the classroom, what has been the highlight of your 2015 School year so far? Thursday morning Boot Camp has been tough but rewarding. Tennis was really good too because you meet girls from other schools who enjoy the same sport and sometimes you even keep in contact with them. Which co-curricular activities are you involved in? Yes, I do trumpet, piano and the Years 7 and 8 Band. In sport I do a GSV sport each term, Cross Country and Boot Camp. I am also looking forward to Public Speaking and Debating.

STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Meg Watkins

What does it mean to you to be a St Catherine’s girl? A really great part of being at St Catherine’s is knowing that you could go to any teacher and ask them a question knowing they will answer in a friendly way. Or, if you cannot find your usual friends you sit with at lunch you can go to anyone else and they will be happy for you to sit with them. What are you most looking forward to over the coming years? I am most looking forward to Years 9 and 10 camps because you hear all the older girls talking about how great they are. Of course the Exchanges in Year 9 will be awesome and finally moving up to the Senior GSV sport and trying all the new sports on offer. CHARLOTTE WEBSTER / YEAR 12 What do you enjoy most about School? At St Catherine’s I love the small class sizes. They allow you to develop a real connection with your teachers and provide a comfortable environment to work and learn. It is also great having small year levels, because this enables you to get to know every girl personally and also allows for relationships to develop across different year levels. The new School buildings are also incredible. They are open and filled with light, which fosters a desire to stay at School and study. Inside the classroom, what has been the highlight of your 2015 School year so far? This year has been great because, as it is my final year, I am doing the subjects that interest me most. As a Year 12, you are able to develop strong connections with your teachers and they provide you with the utmost support and insight, treating you as mature young adults. So far, I have found studying French amazing; it is a unique opportunity that is challenging, but all

Charlotte Webster

the more rewarding. The topics I study in all of my classes are interesting and relevant, making learning more enjoyable.

Our donations will be sent to the charity ‘Develop Africa’, who are responsible for distributing the school supplies.

Outside the classroom, what has been the highlight of your 2015 School year so far? To date, the best experience outside the classroom was getting involved in the P.A.R.T.Y (Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth) Program. In February, a group of 32 girls from Years 11 and 12 went to the Alfred Hospital to learn about ‘Preventing Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth’. We spent the day speaking to different doctors and specialists who warned us of the dangers of drinking alcohol and participating in risktaking behaviour. This was an eye-opening experience as we heard from two different people who had been personally affected by these circumstances. This Program taught me many valuable lessons about how to act and respond to different situations and I am very glad and grateful that I was able to be involved in this.

What does it mean to you to be a St Catherine’s girl? For me, being a St Catherine’s student extends far past the uniform we wear. St Catherine’s girls are distinctive due to the empathy and compassion we share, not only towards each other, but to the broader community. Being a St Catherine’s girl means being insightful, yet curious, thoughtful and generous in spirit. I have been at this school since the ELC, so St Catherine’s has been instrumental in defining me as a person. St Catherine’s is a community that I am so grateful to have been a part of, as it is unlike any other I have experienced.

Which co-curricular activities are you involved in? At the moment I am involved in Tennis, which is great fun. Later in the year I will participate in Cross Country, Athletics and Soccer. Every year, I also debate in the DAV team, which provides invaluable experience for speaking in public and conversing in a logical and concise manner. With my fellow Year 12 student, Ruby King, I started the ‘Donationery’ initiative, which provides new and barely used stationery to primary school-aged students in Sierra Leone, Africa. We have been collecting pens and pencils from businesses in Melbourne as well as from students at School. We are so fortunate at St Catherine’s to be provided with so many opportunities that we felt compelled to reciprocate some of our blessings.

What are you most looking forward to about Year 12 and the transition from School to work or further study? Year 12 will be a year of study and fun! The new Common Room has already been a highlight of the School year. It is amazing, and also frightening, to finally be at the top of the School, with the knowledge that our time at St Catherine’s is quickly drawing to a close. I am excited to begin university in 2016 and make new friends outside of the St Catherine’s community. I am looking to pursuing all the opportunities that university life presents, such as attending college.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Mr James Brown

MR JAMES BROWN HEAD OF PERFORMING ARTS, THEATRE STUDIES AND ENGLISH TEACHER

outstanding educators and general staff

S T R AT E G I C I N T E N T 4

Publishing Award A textbook co-authored by St Catherine’s Psychology teacher Ms Fiona Ganino-Day has won an award at the 2014 Educational Publishing Awards Australia… The 21st Educational Publishing Awards Australia (EPAAs) were held on 17 September 2014 at the State Library of Victoria. Organised by the Australian Publishers Association, the EPAAs celebrate excellence in educational publishing and exemplify the work publishers devote to producing world-class educational resources. St Catherine’s Psychology teacher, Ms Fiona Ganino-Day, is a contributing author of Oxford Psychology, which won the award for Best Senior Student Resource in a well-contested field. The EPAA judges said: ‘The Oxford Psychology series encompasses a textbook, a workbook and assessment book as a complete package.

[We] felt the series is beautifully presented and accessible while still containing the academic rigour required in this field of study. The illustrations and visual stimulus matter are of a high quality. Each chapter has been evaluated by an academic member of the faculties of Education, Medicine or Psychology from Monash University which enhances teacher and student confidence in the subject matter.’ Congratulations to Fiona, who is part of an expert team delivering a high-quality educational resource.

For James Brown, his days of leading the Performing Arts department, preparing lessons, rehearsing for the School’s upcoming production The 39 Steps, and marking essays and assessment tasks is only achieved through copious amounts of coffee! Although his days are frantic, James says teaching was a natural pathway for him given his interests and abilities. “The support and advice of my family and friends, as well as the influence of some wonderful teachers from my own secondary schooling made the decision to take on a Grad Dip Ed pretty easy,” James says. “I have been teaching for nine years and am enjoying it now more than ever. In my new role as Head of Performing Arts, I am able to collaborate with the Performing Arts team to develop, direct and produce the co-curricular performances the School has to offer. “Watching the transformation during rehearsals of the students and the performance itself is the most rewarding aspect of my job. The end product becomes bigger than the sum of its parts and the confidence and pride this instils in each student is astounding.” Along with a passion for teaching and Performing Arts, James loves Football, travel and Horse Racing, having grown up on his parents’ thoroughbred horse farm in Strathewen. “Whenever possible I will go to the theatre or see a band play, but not if the Sydney Swans are in town, I will be at the game. I also enjoy heading to the races when we have got one running. I am especially looking forward to British General’s return in the autumn.”

S TA F F P R O F I L E S

Miss Kirrilly Wootton

Mr Michael Dahlenburg

MISS KIRRILLY WOOTTON YEAR 4 TEACHER

MR MICHAEL DAHLENBURG CELLO TEACHER

Coming from a long line of teachers, Kirrilly was determined to do something different. So she studied Commerce, majored in Accounting and Commercial Law and then after graduating realised perhaps she was fighting a losing battle.

Voted as one of the top 100 most influential people by The Age magazine in 2009-10 as a member of the Hamer Quartet, St Catherine’s resident Cello teacher, Mr Michael Dahlenburg has travelled the world with his musical talent.

“I remember the day I told my mum that I was returning to university to study Primary Education. Mum’s response was along the lines of, ‘I am so glad you have finally seen what I have known all along, you will love teaching.’ As it turns out, she was right, as mothers often are,” says Kirrilly. “Without a doubt, the most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is the ‘light bulb moment’ students have. When what you have planned makes a connection with a student and they learn something they did not know before.” Along with making fundamental differences to her student’s lives Kirrilly enjoys the lasting relationships developed between a student and teacher. “The relationships you develop as a teacher are absolutely amazing. You are meeting children at a critical point in their lives, and having a chance to shape their lives. You see your students so frequently that you grow to know their minds and their hearts. It is a great privilege and such a wonderful aspect of teaching.” Along with her normal teaching duties, Kirrilly is also involved in Junior Joggers, the Junior School production of Alice The Musical and part of a team of educators implementing the St Catherine’s Wellbeing Program WeThrive. In what spare time she does have, Kirrilly coaches and participates in the artistic dance sport Calisthenics, is a very proud supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club, is a doting aunty and has grand plans to perform in a Broadway musical.

As a professional musician, cellist, with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, freelance conductor and teacher it is not surprising that one of Michael’s favourite pastimes is sleep! “I like to sleep, because my teaching and performing is quite full on, sleeping is a luxury. However, if I am not sleeping then just enjoying the normal everyday things in life like housework, going for walks and going to cafés is a treat,” Michael says. Explaining his passion for teaching and the role music instruction plays in the curriculum, Michael says it is important to keep music education alive in schools. “I enjoy helping my students succeed in their artistic studies, it is an integral part of education, even though music can seem at times irrelevant to academic success at school. Stephen Fry once said, ‘all art is irrelevant’, a statement made in defence of art. I feel it is important to keep cello and vicariously, classical music, alive in schools. Just because we think something is not integral to education does not mean it is not important.”

Miss Skye Stansfield

MISS SKYE STANSFIELD HEAD OF LANGLEY TEMPLETON HOUSE, SNOWSPORTS COORDINATOR, PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER A typical day at work for Skye involves arriving at School around 6.30am for sport training, teaching throughout the school day and then quite often afterschool sports, and that is in the summer months. “Through Terms 2 and 3 I am extremely busy as Snowsports Coordinator as the season is in full swing. We have a great number of girls participating in our Snowsports Program and it is great seeing them take on a new activity and learning new skills,” Skye explains. “I really enjoy seeing the girls outside of the academic scene and out on the sporting arena. It definitely brings out another side to them and it is fantastic to see them doing what they love.” Prior to joining St Catherine’s in 2010, Skye was working at two other schools coaching Swimming, Rowing and a number of other sports. “I have always had a passion for sport and enjoyed working with children, so teaching seemed the perfect profession. I had a few very inspirational Physical Education teachers while I was at school and from Year 8 I knew that I wanted to become a teacher and motivate and encourage students the way my teachers inspired me.” In Skye’s spare time she is completing her Masters of Education (Leadership and Management) and enjoys keeping active and catching up with family and friends.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Junior School Visits to the John Macrae Centre The enthusiasm with which the Barbreck students have responded to the request for volunteers to perform at the John Macrae Centre, a Day Centre for older people in the Stonnington municipality, has been outstanding. Over the past few years, due to an overwhelming response from the Barbreck students, we now program at least two visits per term, providing opportunities for students to sing, play an instrument or recite poetry to participants of the program. It is inspirational to witness the enthusiasm with which students from Years 2 to 6 register their willingness to give up a lunchtime to perform for others. Some of our youngest musicians have never performed for an audience before, but they always rise to the occasion and present their pieces with pride. Some of the most moving times are when members of our lunchtime audiences join in with the singing.

Generations join together, the joy of music is shared and the joy of giving is multiplied. At the end of the performance, without fail, the overwhelming response is, “Can I come again?” Inevitably, the waiting list for return visits to the John Macrae Centre grows longer and longer. These visits are a true demonstration of the words, “It is by giving that we receive”. Ms Sue Cooke Year 2 Teacher

“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa Left to Right Morgana Walton (Year 6), Claire Gray (Year 6), Julia Kent (Year 4) and Emma Gregory (Year 4) visiting the John Macrae Centre Julia Kent playing for the crowd Emma Gregory playing the flute

BOARDING

student wellbeing

S T R AT E G I C I N T E N T 2

llawarra News A major focus of the St Catherine’s School Boarding House over the past year has been reconnecting with our past boarders and their families throughout Victoria and southern New South Wales.

Successful visits to Albury, Deniliquin, Hamilton and Elmore have enabled us to meet and hear about boarders who left St Catherine’s in the 1980s, 1990s, and even as far back as the 1940s. Our past students were thrilled to see us back in the country, and perhaps the sentiment was best summed up by a past parent at Sheepvention in Hamilton, Western Victoria, who proudly told me that “sending my three daughters to St Catherine’s was the best decision I ever made”. Our final country visit in October, 2014 was to Woomagarma Station, NSW to a high tea hosted by our Chair of Council. It was wonderful to see a group of past students from 1986 and their daughters attend this function and share their memories about their days as boarders. We had current parents, past students and their families, future and prospective families, and grandparents attend the high tea, along with a number of School staff.

This year, we will be attending the Boarding Expo in Deniliquin, NSW, and Sheepvention in Hamilton. We will also be hosting a Spring High Tea in the Albury area. It will be wonderful to meet more of our past boarders when we are in regional areas and I encourage any past boarders to make contact with the School. Another very successful program, introduced last year and continuing this year, is ‘Enjoy a Night as a Boarder’ at Illawarra. Our first sleepover coincided with our MAD (Music Art and Drama) Night and some of our 2015 Year 7 boarders loved the opportunity to attend St Catherine’s for the school day and the fun night-time event. If you would like to know more about our 2015 Enjoy a Night as a Boarder Program, please consult the School’s website (www.stcatherines.net.au/ enjoyanightasaboarder) or ring our Admissions Office on 03 98283071.

Guests of the Spring High Tea enjoying Woomagarma Station

At the beginning of this year, we welcomed many new boarders to Illawarra from regional Victoria, metropolitan Melbourne, Western Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and mainland China. Already, we have celebrated Chinese New Year, enjoyed the opening of our designated lunch area in the new café, participated in a range of sporting, musical, debating and community service activities, and organised our first intra-boarding badminton tournament. With academic success and the wellbeing of our boarders central to everything we do at Illawarra, we have continued with visits from external tutors for our Years 7 and 8 boarders twice weekly. We have moved ‘prep’ to the new School Library on a Wednesday evening and continue to help girls develop individual study programs, while assisting them with their nightly homework tasks. Mrs Sue Collister Director of Boarding Services

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Development and Community Relations

secure financial management

S T R AT E G I C I N T E N T 6

On my first day at St Catherine’s, as I met staff, parents, and alumnae, I heard a common refrain – St Catherine’s has a great School community. In my third week, I am confident to say – to quote the ’80s supergroup Duran Duran – “I know this much is true”. As I talk with more parents, I also hear that their daughters are genuinely thriving with the focus on personalised learning and development at St Catherine’s. So my job is done, then! No – not even close. The School Council has affirmed a strong vision for continued excellence in girls’ education in Victoria and my role is clear: support our teachers and students to fund the educational landscape they need, not just today but for the future. This is demonstrated by the newly re-opened Mary Davis Centre, which provides a bright new compass and community hub for the School. As I meet my counterparts at other independent schools, the grapevine has been at work. They have heard about our new learning centres and the great response from students and parents. You may be wondering who is sitting in the Development and Community Relations chair. As a very brief introduction, for the past three years, I managed Philanthropy, Communications and Community Engagement at one of Victoria’s leading medical research institutes, affiliated with the University of Melbourne. I also have over a decade’s experience as a Board Member of a children’s welfare organisation in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs. In that capacity, I chaired

for many years the Development and Public Relations board committees. I have a personal commitment to girls’ education, with two amazing eight-year-old daughters of my own. My immediate objectives are to continue listening, learning and absorbing St Catherine’s culture. I joined the committee, led by Mrs Gina Peele, in raising support for our Indigenous Scholarship Program to provide our Indigenous girls with the opportunity to learn and grow in our community. I was delighted to attend SCOGA’s Women in Law Networking Breakfast – congratulations to Mrs Phoebe Norman (Olsen’95), Mrs Deborah Berry (Manos ’77) and the team for organising a terrific event with an impressive range of speakers and strong attendance. It was great to see representatives from across the School community at a strategic planning forum for philanthropy and community engagement on 24 March. At the heart of the strategy will be a comprehensive program of engagement, clear and consistent communication and ambitious, but realistic targets aligned with the School’s 2020 Vision.

I look forward to working with the Foundation Board and the School community in the years ahead to realise this strategy and the development of strategic partnerships to strengthen and enhance opportunities for our students. Mr Stuart Galbraith Director of Development and Community Relations

If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation, or would like to support our School’s educational resources, please contact Mr Stuart Galbraith on +61 3 9828 3032 or email sgalbraith@stcatherines.net.au

DEVELOPMENT

ST CATHERINE’S SCHOOL FOUNDATION The Foundation’s purpose is to help the School achieve its strategic vision to have the best educational resources, teachers, staff and educational experiences to ‘nurture and empower’ all our girls. Income from fees alone cannot provide the financial basis for future development, and so the Foundation helps to build a culture of philanthropy in which we raise funds to assist with the ongoing development of the School and its scholarship programs. Donors who give $10,000 or more, whether through a one off gift or pledge, become members of the Foundation. On behalf of all girls at the school, we thank all donors for their generosity most sincerely. Patti & Frank Ainalis Anna & Tom Alexiadis Julia & Warwick Anderson Desi & Manny Anezakis Toni & Martin Armstrong Caroline & Wayne Arthurs Samantha & Charles Baillieu Samantha & Andrew Ballantyne Lyndal & Michael Barrington Mim & Michael Bartlett Meg Begg Nicole & Ross Begley Bennison Mackinnon Alba & Nick Bernardo Deborah & Peter Berry Lloyd Bickerton Anthea & Stephen Bickford Donna & Michael Boyd Celia Burrell AM & Will Burrell AM Gail & Jim Butler Suanne & Peter Cahill Andrea Donaldson & Bruce Caine Sarah & James Cameron Clare & Andrew Cannon Belinda & Iain Carmichael Louise & Don Carroll Annie Carter Rebecca & John Clark Peter Clements Jodie & Patrick Cody Kate & George Colman Astrida & Craig Cooper Jocelyn Cooper Andrea Coote Sarah & Andrew Cormie Caroline & Philip Cornish Jenifer & Stephen Cottrell Anne Court Cathryn & Andrew Darbyshire Margaret Darling AM † Marina & Anthony Darling Kristene & David Deague Symone & Andrew Demetriou Linda Dessau AM Carolyne & Graeme Devlin Axy & Gordon Dickinson Melissa & Dom Doyle Alison Eaves Robert Eaves Jane & John Edwards Jenny Elstoft Sally & Mark Elstoft Susan & John Estes Jane & Scott Favaloro Anna & John Field Amanda Catanach & Nigel Fish

Barbara & Stuart Foley Fiona & Andrew Fox

Jenny Lempriere Andrew Leyden

Becky Hyde & Dale Rodgers

Pam & Graeme Fraser Neilma Gantner Margaret & Adrian Gardner Gaby Tomkin & John Gdanski

Marita & Jim Lillie Sally & David Lindsay Lisa & Stuart Macciolli

Katrina & John Shackell Laraine & Peter Sharr

Maryanne & Dario Giannarelli Kerry Gillespie Kate & Craig Gilmour Judith Gosper Suzie & Simon Gough Rebecca & Jamie Gray Joan Gray Peta & Robert Gray Isabella Green OAM & Richard Green Deborah & Euan Gronow Sally Clarke & Tim Gullifer Jane & Andrew Guy Sherene & Peter Guy Kay Sneath & Anthony Hall Amanda & Richard Hamer Taff & Will Hamilton Carol Haynes & Skipp Williamson Sam Hayward Louise & Anthony Heffernan Fleur & Lars Heidenreich Jane & Stephen Hiscock Annabel & Allan Holmes Miche Bonett-Horton & Ted Horton Karen & Graeme Hunt Ann & Tony Hyams Gina & Peter Israel Michelle Jablko & Paul Wegener Anne Waterhouse & Bill Johnson Kate & Mark Johnson Sally & Richard Joubert Susan & Nicholas Karunaratne Russell Keating Sally Keating Alice Keilar & Brendan Keilar † Merran Kelsall Sonia & Wayne Kent Diana & James Kimpton AM William King † Elizabeth & Jerry Koh Andrew Kroger Cathy & Peter Kudelka Jill & Tim L’Estrange Louise Lampard & Gavin Gleeson † Janet Langdon † Sarah & David Lawford Mary-Louise & Christopher Leach Karen & William Lee

Carey Baker-Mackie & Terrence Mackie Vanessa & Joseph Mahon Kirsten & Scott Mailer Jane & Ian Mandie Erica & Peter Marriott Judy Matear & Bruce Matear AM Alexandra Mayes Lelde & Peter McCoy Sarah & Robert McKay Patricia McKenzie Julie & Justin McNab Rosemary & Roderick McRae Shayne & Graeme Menzies Deborah & Ross Middleton Carole & John Middleton Paula & Stuart Moir Annabel Montgomery Sally Morrell & Andrew Bolt Jenifer Murchie Jane & Fraser Murrell Annabel Myer & Rupert Myer AM Fiona & Sid Myer AM Louise Myer & Martyn Myer AO Sarah Myer & Bails Myer AC Kerrie & Jamie Nasser Felicity & Michael Nettlefold Christina & Anthony Nicholas Sandra & Stephen Nicholas Lisa Nicoll-Cooke Ginny & Michael Palmer Annie & John Paterson Elizabeth & Hugh Paton Conny & Spiro Paule Rowena Phillips & David Vote Dorothy Pizzey AM Irene Pollard & Quintin Pollard † Catherine & Roger Poole Carrie & Dennis Price Meredith & Michael Pryse Avril Rainford & Ian Rainford OAM Lady Ramsay † Cathy & Michael Ramsden Barbara Randall Stephen Randall Lucy Ravida Don Ravida Melissa & Ghadir Razuki Carina & Douglas Reid Yumin Ren & Hui Wang Gill & Charles Richardson Anni Grimwade & Tim Roberts

Katy & Chris Sadler

Kate Shelmerdine & Stephen Shelmerdine AM Lindy Shelmerdine Nathalie & David Shergold Sam & Robert Sinclair Jackie & Greg Sitch Charles Sitch Chrissy & Andrew Skinner Linda & Garnet Smith Nicky Schooling & Ross Smith Jenny Smyth & Dacre Smyth AO † Margery Snowball Marigold Southey AC St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association St Catherine’s Parents’ & Friends’ Association St Catherine’s Sports Auxiliary Clive Standish Vicki Standish Lisa & John Steven Amanda & Bruce Stewart Catherine & Rohan Sutherland Vincent Thomas Amanda & Warren Thompson Rebecca & Nick Turnbull Tatiana Drever-Turner & Andrew Turner Sandra & Achilles Tzelepis Louise & Jonathan Walmsley Fiona & Patrick Walsh Sylvia Walton AO Jane Hodder & Murray Ware Sandra Meena & Brendon Watkins Alison & Rod Watkins Anne Watson † & Rhys Watson Jill Watson Prue Weber Alvie & Stephen Webster Jane & Richard Whiter Judith Williams Jennifer Wilson William Wilson † Samantha & Stuart Wood QC Wei Jun Wu & Xuan Weng Lisa & John Zeigler Cindy Yuan & Adam Zhang Michelle Zheng & Harry Wang †

deceased

Family, community and giving Gina Israel (Shackell ’77) How did you become part of the St Catherine’s community? St Catherine’s is very much part of our family – my mum (Patricia Sargood ’46), my daughter (Juliet Israel ’09) and myself have all attended the School. I also served as Treasurer of the St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association (SCOGA) a few years back. What was your most memorable experience at St Catherine’s? I had a lot of fun playing sport – we would all literally pile into the boot of a friend’s car to play a game with a neighbouring school. There was a great sense of School spirit through sport, an enjoyable competitive spirit and strong parental involvement. Why did you decide to include St Catherine’s in your will? I believe it is up to the community of St Catherine’s to look after our School. If we want to see St Catherine’s grow we have to be the ones to look after it. Why would you encourage other people to consider a bequest? Historically, there is a lack of giving to girls’ schools, so we must try to change this and create a foundation for the School. If the School is going to continue to provide the terrific opportunities it offers today, it cannot rely soley on government funding and tuition fees. Other people have given generously in the past and we have benefited from that. It is now up to those of us who can to do the same for following generations. Your bequest, large or small, will help secure the future of our School. For a confidential discussion on how you can assist St Catherine’s in this way, contact Mr Stuart Galbraith on (03) 9828 3032.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

The Parents and Friends Association (PFA) has had a busy start to the new School year and with assistance from class representatives has ensured Term 1 for St Catherine’s families has been filled with opportunities to connect with our wonderful School community.

The New Parents Social Evening was held on Tuesday 10 February in the courtyard outside Sherren House and the refurbished Mary Davis Centre. New parents were welcomed on this warm summer evening by our Principal, Mrs Michelle Carroll, our Chair of Council, Mrs Clare Cannon, the PFA and class representatives. Thank you to all the parents who helped organise the evening. On Friday 27 February, the PFA hosted the annual Barbreck Twilight Picnic. With fabulous weather, there was nothing to stop the parade of teddy bears dressed in creative and iconic ‘All Things Australian’ outfits. Thank you to our School Captain, Nicola Sitch and Vice Captain, Jaquelin Cantarella, for judging the teddy bear competition. The evening went really well with about 400 parents and children enjoying either their own picnic or food provided by the PFA. Special thanks to Baker’s Delight Toorak Village for donating the bread rolls, to Sushi Sushi at Malvern Central, to Peter Bouchier for the wholesale supply of sausages, Emma & Toms for their juices and also to Chucks Ice-Creamery. Many thanks also to Mrs Alana Moor, Head of ELC and Junior School, the Barbreck staff, the PFA and class representatives for their help in making this event such a lovely night for Barbreck families. The Year Level Social Evenings have been underway this term and from all reports, they

have been well attended and greatly enjoyed. Thank you to the parents who have generously opened their homes to host their year level. This year the PFA has organised a single raffle prize for all of the social evenings. A beautiful south sea pearl pendant and diamond necklace, which has been generously donated by Catanach’s Jewellery and the single raffle winner will be drawn at this year’s Ruth Langley Luncheon. The Ruth Langley Luncheon will be held on Friday 22 May at Leonda and this year our guest speaker is The Honourable Quentin Bryce, AD, CVO, the former Govenor-General of Australia. Tickets are on sale and I encourage you to book quickly. Also this year, the PFA has decided to donate a substantial amount of the proceeds from this event to the Indigenous Scholarship Program. The Ruth Langley Sub-Committee is currently organising silent auction items, raffle prizes and ‘lucky bottle’ wine prizes for the event. If you would like to donate an item please contact the PFA or the School directly. Our donors will be appropriately acknowledged at the Luncheon and in the next St Catherine’s News. We hope you are enjoying the year so far and hope to see you at upcoming events. Mrs Jane Newton-Brown PFA President 2015

OUR COMMUNITY

Left to Right Ariana Rajan and School Vice Captain Jaquelin Cantarella during teddy bear judging Lexie Hill with her Vegemite Ted Alessandra Lane (Year 1) with her Ned Kelly inspired teddy Year 1s Giselle Mangano; Lulu Kyriakou; Mia Upton enjoying the Twilight Picnic Madelle Petralba and Magician, Amazing Ashley entertaining the crowd School Vice Captain, Jaquelin Cantarella; Clementine Newton-Brown; School Captain, Nicola Sitch

connecting our community Hong Kong Principal Breakfast Principal Mrs Michelle Carroll hosted a breakfast for past and current students at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club on Friday 26 September 2014. This was a lovely morning that provided the opportunity for current students, families and past alumnae to network and connect with fellow Hong Kong residents and reminisce about their St Catherine’s School days. Thank you to Susan Hargreaves (Morris ’79) for her assistance in organising this overseas event.

Principal, Mrs Michelle Carroll, Nadine Lecocq (Anthopoulos ‘91), Annabelle Gunnersen (Peters ‘99), Edwina Barrington (‘03), Susan Hargreaves (Morris ’79), Xiao Dong (Iris) Lee (‘06), Ho Yan (Jacqueline) Lee (‘08), Wai Yin (Priscilla) Lau (‘14) and Hiu-Tung (Gloria) Leung (Year 10) Ms Susanna Law, Wai Yin (Priscilla) Lau (‘14), Mr Hung Lau and Agent Ho Yan (Jacqueline) Lee (‘08), Hiu-Tung (Gloria) Leung, Year 10 and Wai Yin (Priscilla) Lau (‘14) Annabelle Gunnersen (Peters ‘99) and Xiao Dong (Iris) Lee (‘06) Edwina Barrington (‘03), Nadine Lecocq (Anthopoulos ‘91) and Annabelle Gunnersen (Peters ‘99)

St Catherine’s News Spring 2014

1942

ARCHI V ES St Catherine’s School Time at Warburton The Headmistresses’ Association together with the State Evacuation Committee had made plans for the evacuation of girls’ colleges by January 1942. This plan was quickly changed with the need for the RAAF to move its No.1 Medical Rehabilitation Unit (1MRU) RAAF Warburton to the St Catherine’s School in Toorak by the earliest possible date. Notices dated the 11 March 1942 were sent home to parents of the immediate evacuation to The Chalet, Warburton. Under the leadership of Principal, Miss Edna Holmes, all 280 of St Catherine’s girls were relocated to Warburton where their experience at a predominately day school in the city, transformed into a country boarding-school. With nothing short of supreme organisation and improvisation Miss Holmes and her staff turned The Chalet into a high functioning School environment with form plays, visits from sports teams and charity work. A home movie by Elizabeth Marwick’s father records the girls walking to Heyington Station wearing their School Uniform and home-made knapsacks boarding the train and leaving the platform. Janet Gibson (Currie ’53) recalled as a six year old “Standing on the platform at Heyington Station, a little lost amidst a throng of girls, an enormous black knapsack on my back with my koala bear inside. Feelings of apprehension and excitement.” The first stanza of the poem Evacuation Episodes reads:

Top to Bottom Around the chalet Dancers of the Polish evening Form VIA class Inhabitants of North West Passage Dormitory Kinder students

Long ago in far off Melbourne Ere the clouds of war had darkened Ere our buildings charmed the Air Force Lived we lives of peace and pleasure Nought disturbed our even tenour. [sic] But the powers that sit above us Came to us and dropped a bombshell, Told us we must be uprooted, Took us from our homes and classrooms, Took us from our pets and mothers Sent us up here to the Chalet.

It is difficult to understand the flux and uncertainty of the times and duration of the stay at Warburton was going to be so a prospectus was produced promoting the new campus. “St Catherine’s School Warburton is carried on in the premises formerly known as The Chalet and Mountain Grand…In a war-racked and anxious world, the calm of the countryside and the carefree pleasure of country life, provide the peace and sense of security necessary to normal development through childhood and adolescence.” For the girls at Warburton it was a year of adventure. Betty Durr (Bennett ’43) recalls School life at Warburton. “We are together in Houses. We helped at table and cleared up. In all manner of ways we mixed and mingled with girls we had scarcely known before and with the staff too. It made for fun and gossip and exchange of thoughts and feelings. After all we were now flung together 24 hours a day – well almost. So we discovered and appreciated each other in new ways.” Then on 28 November 1942 it was announced the School’s return to Toorak. The adventure was over but it had created something special. Miss Holmes in her end of year report wrote: “We have had to turn into a boarding school from being largely a day school and I know that you have felt the quickening and stirring of that intangible thing which can be so precious and which we call the School spirit. This is what we must keep vital and flourishing.” Ms Melissa Campbell Archivist To see the video of the students leaving for Warburton in 1942 please visit St Catherine’s You Tube Channel www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ dwx5Z7BuU

St Cat her i ne’s Old G i rl s’ A s s o c i at ion

THE BULLETIN

A Message from the President It is with great pleasure that I write my first report as President of the St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association (SCOGA). I would like to warmly welcome our newest members, the Class of 2014! Congratulations on your VCE results and we look forward to seeing you at reunions and events in the years to come. Welcome I would also like to welcome and congratulate our newest SCOGA Committee members who have recently been elected: Stephanie Lazar (John ’86), Megan Macdonald (Benson ’00), Zelia Ranger (’06) and Emily Smith (’10), together with Tess Price and Lucinda Davies, 2014 School Captain and Vice Captain, as ex-officio members. Joining the Committee is a great way to engage and stay connected with the School and we have a number of exciting projects being planned, including the Women in Industry Networking events, the ongoing Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum Project and our involvement with the 120th Anniversary celebrations next year. We would love to hear from you! SCOGA Women in Industry Networking Events This year SCOGA, with the support of the School, is delighted and very excited to launch our career specific networking events for all Old Girls and members of the School community. Through these events we hope to celebrate talent, share knowledge and experience, and make connections with each other and the School. Networking is such an important aspect to developing your career and whilst it can be achieved in so many ways and in different groups, the most obvious group to many is that of the girls you went to School with, or fellow parents you met whilst your daughter attended St Catherine’s. As an Old Girl, current or past parent, you automatically have a connection with an amazing group of people, from a vast array of ages and

experience levels, across a phenomenal range of industries. SCOGA is actively trying to facilitate making these connections easier by organising networking events. On Wednesday 11 March, we launched the series with our ‘Women in Law Networking Breakfast’ and welcomed four Old Girls to the speaker panel: The Honourable Linda Dessau AM (’69), Katherine Sampson (’76), Sally Macindoe (’84) and Kate Barber (’96). All speakers spoke on a subject relevant to their field of expertise in the law industry and were enthusiastically welcomed by more than 70 Old Girls and members of the School community at a breakfast held at the RACV Club. The event was an enormous success with more information about the event found over the page. Reunions This year we will welcome back the following year groups who will celebrate milestone reunions with a tour and cocktail party at the School: 2000, 2005, 2010, 1995, 1990, 1985, 1975, 1965 and the Pre-1956 lunch. Our reunions are always very well attended and a great way for year groups to stay connected. We thank Sally Ahern (Watson ’74), our Reunion Coordinator, for her tireless effort in organising these events, together with the School’s Community Relations Department and the respective Year Group Representatives. We look forward to thanking our Year Group Representatives at the annual cocktail party to be held on Tuesday 5 May in the Drawing Room of Sherren House.

Combined Old Girls’ Association (COGA) AGM SCOGA is a valued member of the Combined Old Girls’ Association which meet once a year to share ideas and initiatives. The AGM was held at Ivanhoe Grammar Girls School on Sunday 26 October, 2014. Developing ideas for networking events and sharing suggestions around mentoring and career development for current school girls and Old Girls’ were the main topics for discussion. Honorary Old Girl We are delighted that Mr Michael Bond, former Head of Drama, has become our latest Honorary Old Girl, in recognition of his valuable service as a member of staff at St Catherine’s School. We look forward to welcoming Mr Bond to various reunions and events in the coming years. Thank You My sincere thanks must go to the Committee for their tireless work and dedication towards all of the events and programs that we run each year. We have a strong representation of year groups on the Committee, which in turn gives us a great breadth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm that can only add value to all our members. I would also like to particularly thank Deborah Berry (Manos ’77) for her outstanding leadership and contribution as President over the last two years. Thank you must also go to our Year Group Representatives who we regularly rely on to pass on information about our events to their Year Group and keep the Committee up to date with news and information. Our sincere thanks must also go to Principal, Mrs Michelle Carroll, the Development and Community Relations, Marketing, Archives and Business Offices for their ongoing assistance and support. Phoebe Norman (Olsen ’95) SCOGA President, 2015 phoebe_norman@icloud.com

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

2015 SCOGA

Law Networking Breakfast SCOGA was delighted to host the inaugural Law Networking Breakfast on 11 March at the RACV Club. Supported by the School, the event brought together Old Girls, Years 11 and 12 students and parents to network and hear panel discussion on topical issues in the legal industry. Our outstanding Old Girl speakers were The Honourable Linda Dessau AM (’69), retired Family Court judge, Katherine Sampson (’76), Owner and Managing Director of Mahlab Recruitment, Sally Macindoe (’84), Partner and Global Head of Diversity at Norton Rose Fulbright, and Kate Barber (’96) Associate Director, Management Consulting at KPMG. Moderated by Deborah Berry (Manos ’77), the panel discussion aimed to give attendees as much information and advice to inform career choices and decisions at all stages, whether contemplating studying law, entering the job market, considering a change, or considering life after law. Katherine, who has seen it all from inside a law firm to working independently as a law recruitment specialist, was expertly placed to talk about trends and developments in the legal services market and career options for lawyers. Kate, who has a passionate interest in government and has had an interesting journey so far, discussed taking a non-traditional path as a lawyer. Consideration was given to alternative options in light of the current oversupply of law graduates and the reduction in the number of jobs for them. On the topic of flexibility, diversity and inclusion, Sally, who is prominently involved in driving change in the legal profession and has been recognised for her work, spoke about women in law firms and changes occurring in the profession.

With a breadth of experience as a jurist and a non-executive director, Linda spoke about using a law degree at a later stage in a career and taking opportunities such as board roles. On 11 February, Linda was named the next Governor of Victoria, the first female in that role (see inset). The response to the speakers and the event was conveyed in some very enthusiastic feedback: “The speakers were insightful, illuminating, pithy and entertaining…I enjoyed it immensely and it was great to catch up with fellow Old Girl lawyers and meet the current Principal,” said Sally Carew-Reid (’88), Senior Lawyer, Department of Education and Training. “As a recent St Cath’s girl, I am very interested to hear how other women have navigated their university and early career days in order to develop a passion for a particular vocation. It is reassuring to see how the careers of such impressive women have evolved, and the challenges that they have encountered along the way,” stated Saskia Holloway (’13), university student. “Thank you for organising a brilliant networking event. I loved the fact that this event had a distinct focus (ie law) and brought people with such an interesting variety of experience together. Would definitely recommend and attend again,” said Nicole Cullen, current parent, Owner and Founder, Cullaborate Pty Ltd.

Sincere thanks to our speakers for making this event such a great success, and to Mrs Michelle Carroll, Principal and St Catherine’s staff. Thank you also to the organising committee; Phoebe Norman (Olsen ’95), Deborah Berry (Manos ’77), Tori Landale (’10), Emily Smith (’10) and Helena Lyristakis (’11). The Law Breakfast was the first in a series of networking events this year and further information on the upcoming events can be found here: www.stcatherines.net.au/scogawomeninindustry

Left to right Nicole Cullen (parent), Penny Grau (’81), Assoc. Prof. Dr Melinda Truesdale (’81) Katherine Sampson (’76), Deborah Berry (Manos ’77), Sarah McArthur (’04), Alexandra Berry (’11) General Room shot from front Jane Carew-Reid (’90), Hon. Linda Dessau AM (’69), Sarah Keating (’99), Carolene Gwynn (’87) John Steven, Alexandra Dworjanyn (’09), Emily Moeller (parent), Taylan Moeller (Year 12) Nakita Wilson (’13), Natasha Wilson (’07), Sophie Kearney (’07), Loren Leung (’07)

St Cat her i ne’s Old G i rl s’ A s s o c i at ion

THE BULLETIN

2015 SCOGA NETWORKING BREAKFASTS If you would like to be involved, please contact Phoebe Norman on 0459 024 183 or email phoebe_norman@icloud.com or oldgirls@stcatherines.net.au June St Catherine’s Women in Medicine and Allied Health Networking Event August St Catherine’s Women in Marketing and Communications Networking Event October St Catherine’s Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Networking Event

The Honourable Linda Dessau AM (’69) will become the 29th Governor of Victoria on 1 July, 2015. A judge in the Family Court of Australia from 1995 to 2013, Linda was previously a magistrate in the Children’s Court, Coroner’s Court and Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, a barrister, and Senior Crown Counsel in Hong Kong. Linda has had a long-standing involvement in various community organisations, boards, and councils including school, hospital, opera and football organisations. She was the founding chair of the Essendon Women’s Network and was appointed to the AFL Commission in 2008. Linda is also President of the Melbourne Festival, Director of AFL Sportsready and Artsready, a Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria, a Director of the Churchill Fellowship Trust and Chair of the Churchill Victorian Regional Committee, a Director of the Unicorn Foundation and Patron of SportsConnect. In 2010, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the judiciary, in particular for her contribution to family law policy and practice and to the community. “With my background in the courts it is the community roles that resonate with me,” Linda told reporters on the announcement of her governorship. “Social inclusion and respect for diversity and harmony and unity generally in our community will be very much at the forefront of the activities I will be doing.” SCOGA extends its best wishes to Linda in her new role.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

SCOGA Committee 2015 President Phoebe Norman (Olsen ’95) phoebe_norman@icloud.com Vice President Lucy Fortey (King ’90) Treasurer Lisa Trosdal (’79) Secretary Susie Borthwick (Morris ’81) Reunion Coordinator Sally Ahern (Watson ’74) Mobile 0419 001 012

AM Award for Warbuton Old Girl

Email sahern@bigpond.net.au Public Officer/Registrar Sara Petautschnig (Sutton ’83) Bulletin Editor Deborah Berry (Manos ’77) Email oldgirls@stcatherines.net.au School Council Nominee Louise Lampard (’79) General Committee Meg Begg (Christensen ’61) Virginia Edwards (Smith ’56) Abigail Hand (Hossack ’83) Victoria Landale (’10) Stephanie Lazar (John ‘86) Helena Lyristakis (’11) Megan MacDonald (Benson ‘00) Anissa Millis (Cavallo ’93) Zelia Ranger (‘06) Emily Smith (’10) Ex Officio Mrs Michelle Carroll (Principal) Tess Price (’14) Lucinda Davies (’14) SCOGA is looking for volunteer writers to join our editorial team. For more information please email oldgirls@stcatherines.net.au

Lady Anna Cowen (Wittner ’42) was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2015 for her significant service to youth, medical research, educational, historical and cultural organisations, and to the people of Australia through vice-regal patronages and support roles. “I was surprised to have been nominated, and quite overwhelmed,” says Lady Cowen. Supporting her husband, the late Sir Zelman Cowen, during his term as Governor General from 1977 to 1982, Lady Cowen’s Vice-Regal roles included the patronage of 23 national organisations. Throughout her life, Lady Cowen’s focus has been on education and health. In Oxford, UK, she ran a campaign committee for cancer research. She is an ambassador and supporter of the Ardoch Youth Foundation and an ambassador of the Sir Zelman Cowen Fellowship Fund, supporting research into major health issues affecting women and children in poor and vulnerable communities both in Australia and internationally. She is also patron of the Australian Jewish Historical Society (Victoria) and a supporter of the Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourne. Lady Cowen developed an interest in the World Education Fellowship (WEF) and how it examines new ideas that emerge in education as times

change. Founded in the UK in 1921 to promote educational reform, it established branches in many countries including Australia, and forged close links with academic institutions and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. On moving to Brisbane in 1970, Lady Cowen helped re-launch the WEF in Queensland and served as President. Lady Cowen attended St Catherine’s from 1937 to 1942, her last year being at Warburton. She was interested to find out that her Headmistress, Miss Edna Holmes, had also been involved with the WEF (then named the New Education Fellowship). A Victorian branch was formed in 1938, and Miss Holmes was the only girls’ school Headmistress on the inaugural committee. Lady Cowen feels “it is a lovely connection to have with Miss Holmes, even though I was totally unaware of it at the time, and shows the very progressive thinking at St Catherine’s when I was at School.”

St Cat her i ne’s Old G i rl s’ A s s o c i at ion

THE BULLETIN

Connecting our Community Ensure your details are up-to-date so you do not miss out on any invites or School news. To update your contacts (email, postal or phone numbers) please email oldgirls@stcatherines.net.au or phone Ms Meredith Taylor, Community Relations Officer, on +61 3 9828 3081. You can also like the School’s Facebook page to keep up with the latest community news – www.facebook.com/stcatherines schooltoorak Join the St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association (SCOGA) closed group page on LinkedIn. The page is set up for Old Girls’ to communicate, network and hear about upcoming alumnae events. Once a member of the page feel free to share with other Old Girls’ in your LinkedIn network.

SCOGA Golf The Fun Cup for Old Girls from St Catherine’s, Clyde and Toorak College was played at Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club on Monday 13 October, 2014. Organiser Axy Dickinson (Boynton ’76) said “although all our numbers were down we had a total of 40 golfers, with Toorak College winners and St Catherine’s and Clyde equal second! Barbie Hammon (Boynton ‘73) won ‘B’ Grade with 36 points. We had Old Girls from a range of ages and handicaps and everyone seemed to enjoy the day.” Our sincere thanks to Axy, the SCOGA Golf Representative for the past six years, for organising teams and helping to maintain connections among so many Old Girls. Axy has now taken over as Vice Captain at Royal Melbourne Golf Club and passed the baton to Pia Perkins (Foley ‘81). “It has been a great pleasure and a lot of fun to be the SCOGA Golf Representative. I’m sure Pia will enjoy the involvement with the St Cath’s community as much as I have,” said Axy. This year the Fun Cup will be held at Barwon Heads Golf Club on Monday 12 October. For more information please contact Pia Perkins on 0412 230 483.

Creative Industries News

Tribute to Old Girl Curator

Old Girl Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios (Wilson ‘86), co-author of The Water Diviner, was at the Fourth Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards in January to see the film of the same name receive an award for Best Film.

An obituary published by The Age in 1980, following the death of Kiffy (Kristen) Rubbo (’61), remembered the visionary art curator as imaginative, warm, charming and spontaneous. Her legacy remains as respected and admired today as it did 35 years ago, as demonstrated last August at the ‘Lecture and Symposium: Kiffy Rubbo and The George Paton Gallery: Curating the 1970s’.

The film, Russell Crowe’s directorial debut, received six nominations, including Best Original Screenplay. Meaghan adapted the script as a novel for Pan Macmillan Publishing House with her husband Andrew Anastasios, who co-wrote the original screenplay with Andrew Knight. Meaghan is a lapsed archaeologist who worked in Greece and the Middle East, but now uses her PhD in Art History and Cultural Economics to teach postgraduate students at the University of Melbourne. Prior to her foray into academia, Meaghan worked in the art world at major organisations including the National Gallery of Victoria, Artbank and Leonard Joel. In addition to writing for academic publications, Meaghan writes for The Age, Gourmet Traveller and her blog, Art Matters, which discusses the relationship between art and money. Regularly called upon by newspapers and ABC radio as a commentator, her media experience extended to involvement with a Four Corners program, ‘Art For Art’s Sake’, which looked at dodgy practices in the Australian art auction market and the Aboriginal art trade. An accredited member of AACTA, Meaghan has also co-written and researched several series for Australian television. Meaghan’s mission in life is to “introduce exciting but otherwise fairly esoteric fields or subjects to general audiences.” To visit her art blog, Art Matters, go to www.wilsonanastasios.com

Dr Janine Burke, in conjunction with the University of Melbourne and Victorian College of the Arts, held the Symposium in recognition of Rubbo’s work in the Australian art world and towards the Women’s Art Register. Rubbo was director of the nationally recognised George Paton Gallery at the University of Melbourne from 1973–1980 and a co-founder of the Art Almanac (1974) and Arts Melbourne (1976) magazines. Highlighting Rubbo’s work were a number of renowned scholars, artists and curators including Frances Lindsay AM, Jill Orr, Stelarc and Professor Lyndal Jones. They were joined by Rubbo’s sister, Anna Rubbo and her daughter, actress Bridie Carter, who spoke of the formidable woman they knew so well. Rubbo nurtured and promoted new talent. Her presentation of feminist exhibitions and a wide range of art forms was innovative, radical and sometimes controversial. The Symposium heard how ‘Australian Women Artists: 1840–1940’, commissioned by Rubbo, and the ‘A Room of One’s Own: Three Women Artists’, co-curated by Rubbo, were among the exhibitions which initiated the Melbourne Women’s Art Movement. The seminars papers will be published as a book by Scribe Publications, co-edited by Dr Burke, to be released in 2016. It will stand as a beautiful vestige of Rubbo’s life and creative achievements. Audio recordings from the Symposium can be accessed at http://australian-centre.unimelb.edu. au/event/lecture-and-symposium-kiffy-rubboand-george-paton-gallery-curating-1970s Kiffy Rubbo attended St Catherine’s School from 1959–1961 and was elected as Drama Club President in her final year.

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Reunions 1964 Year Group “Thirty women from the Class of 1964 enjoyed a tour of the School and the Coffee Morning in the Drawing Room where reconnections were made and memories reflected on,” says Reunion Coordinator, Sally Ahern (Watson ’74). We had fun organising the get together as we had organised the previous reunions and it was a good test of our memories! We found having lunch at a private home was a great success and we would encourage other year groups to do the same. We were all much more relaxed than we had been at past reunions as no one was concerned about appearance any more – many sensible shoes! The joys of old age.

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Ann Hyams (Pisterman), Rosemary Scarborough (Catchlove), Trish Burdeu (Ansell) and Anne Neate (Harbig)

2005 Year Group The 2005 Reunion started with a tour of the School. We walked through the grounds pointing out what was and was not there ten years ago, with the Marigold Southey Sports & Aquatic Centre standing out as the biggest change. Following the tour we recounted fond memories, shared jokes with friends we had not seen in years and caught up on everyone’s lives. SCOGA kindly organised awards, with Lily Keating receiving ‘Most Entertaining’, Skye Maree Dixon ‘Person who had Travelled the Furthest’ and Kathryn Gronow for ‘Being the Most Recent Mum’. We were delighted Mr Gale and Mrs Weereratne joined us and it was great to meet the new Principal, Mrs Carroll.

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Laura Riordan and Sophie Molyneaux

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Some claimed it only felt like yesterday that we finished School, while others said it felt like more than a decade ago.

St Cat her i ne’s Old G i rl s’ A s s o c i at ion

Dates for

2015 Reunions

THE BULLETIN

“…the one thing for sure was that it was a great night of celebrating all the special relationships and memories…” Class of 2005 Reflection

Tuesday 5 May 2015 Year Reps Cocktail Party Drawing Room at 6.30pm Tour at 6.00pm Friday 15 May 2015 Pre 1956 Luncheon 12.00pm – 2.00pm Abigail Hand 0422 272 358 / (03) 9819 6552 abihossack@msn.com Virginia Edwards (03) 9503 1222 Friday 7 August 2015 30 Year – 1985 Tour 5.30pm, Drinks in Drawing Room at 6.00pm Lisa Ritchie 0400 838 840 lisa.ritchie06@gmail.com Saturday 22 August 2015 40 Year – 1975 Tour 10.00am, Morning Coffee and Tea at 10.30am in the Drawing Room Ann Walker 0410 592 312 / (03) 9882 8016 awalker888@gmail.com

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Friday 4 September 2015 25 Year – 1990 Tour 5.30pm, Drinks in Drawing Room at 6.00pm

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Lucy Fortey 0439 331 789 / (03) 9822 8027 lucy.fortey@pdsgroup.com.au Friday 9 October 2015 5 Year – 2010 Tour 5.30pm, Drinks in Drawing Room at 6.00pm Lucy Cameron 0449 911 936 luc_cameron@hotmail.com

2009 Year Group While the idea of a five-year reunion seemed a distant eventuality during our time as Year 12 students, September 2014 arrived a lot faster than most anticipated.

Amy Wilson 0401 202 378 wilsonfamily.a@hotmail.com

Half a decade after our final School days, the Class of 2009 gathered in Sherren House to reflect, regroup and relish our time at St Cath’s. Although slightly depleted in numbers due to career commitments and overseas sojourns, we nonetheless felt as though little had changed.

Saturday 14 November 2015 50 Year – 1965 Tour 10.00am Morning Coffee and Tea at 10.30am in the Drawing Room

We gathered in small groups to chat about careers and university courses. While many were already embroiled in further study after successful undergraduate degrees, others had jumped straight into jobs as nutritionists, nurses, accountants, public relations representatives, journalists and more.

Cynthia Howell 0425 761 304 / (03) 9571 7575 cynibh@yahoo.com Saturday 21 November 2015 SCOGA AGM 10.00am start

Those absent were scattered around the globe on trips, or simply caught up in a litany of work commitments, but the night ended with a large group (for our tiny year level, that is) chattering as if it were 2009 all over again. Susannah Guthrie

St Catherine’s News Autumn 2015

Weddings

Left to Right Laura Waters (Phillips-Waite ’03) married Alexander Waters on 29 November, 2014 at All Saints Winery in Rutherglen. L–R: Lucinda Sgro (’03), Nick Waters, Avesia Calman (’03), Charlie Fairbairn, Maija McCoy (’03), Tom Waters, Laura Phillips (’03), Alexander Waters, Annie Waters, Jamie Bell, Phoebe Lucas, James Urquhart Phoebe Olsen (’95) married Stuart Norman on 4 November, 2014 at Stones of the Yarra Valley. L-R: Kate Cooper (Olsen ’98), Damian Shutie, Philippa Piper, Stuart Norman, Phoebe Norman (Olsen ’95), Pasquale Scrimizzi, Lucy Cashmore (Olsen ’97) and Johhny Morrison Polly Viska (’01) married Nicholas Larkins on 20 April, 2014 in Koh Samui, Thailand. Caroline Viska (’95), Polly Viska (’01), Nicholas Larkins, Sophie Viska (’97) and Edward Viska (ELC)

Phillipa Hicks (Baker ’96) married Ben Hicks on 25 January 2015, in Kamala, Phuket, Thailand. L–R: Sam Marriott, Tom Hicks, Tom Janzow, Nicholas Hicks, Matthew Fraser, Ben Hicks (Groom), Philippa Hicks (Baker ’96), Sebastian Di-Lorenzo, Alexandra Di-Lorenzo (Baker ’92), Olivia McLeod (Hiddlestone ’96), Jenny McKay (’96), Kate McMillan (Baker ’91), Katrina Peden, Anna Harcourt Verity Benson (’02) married Nicholas Davison on 26 April 2014, at the Orange Botanical Gardens, NSW. Back Row – Alysha Dutton (Searle ’02), Elizabeth Fry (’02), Lucy Ferguson (’02), Emma Fitz-Walter (’02), Madeleine Simson (’02), Tess Kavanagh (’02), Stephanie Manolas (’02), Lou Dempsey (’02), Jane Smith (Willersdorf ’02). Front row – Jessica Byrne (’02), Morgan Cloke (’02), Meghan Smith (’02), Verity Davison (Benson ’02), Clementine Lilley (’02), Lucinda Barber (’02), Christina Gozzo.

Our new babies

Left to Right Lucy Elizabeth Southwood, a daughter for Angela Southwood (Pilley ‘99) and Julius Southwood, a sister for Millicent and Edward; Grace Eloise Bayford, a daughter for Melanie Bayford (Wallace-Smith ‘00) and Tom Bayford; Louis Simon Jack Peck, a son for Sarah Peck (Hutchins ‘00) and Lawrence Peck; Jack William Hector MacDonald, a son for Anna MacDonald (Riordan ‘00) and William MacDonald; Isabella Ava Mosely, a daughter for Alice Mosely (Bristow ‘00) and Robert Mosely

St Cat her i ne’s Old G i rl s’ A s s o c i at ion

THE BULLETIN

Obituaries Lisa Cruickshank (’78) Reverend Nanette Good OAM (Nutt ’46) Lady April Hamer (Mackintosh ’37) Wendy Keller (Pisterman ’57) Rebekah McClelland (’02) Beatrice MacDonald (Foster ’41) Sophie McBride (’02) Laraine Mitchell (’64) Judith Randol (Paterson ’41) Joyce Williams (Stranger ’34)

Reverend Nanette Good OAM (Nutt ’46) Nanette ‘Nan’ Good OAM, was, in her fruitful life, “an actress (amateur and professional), a speech pathologist, a wife and mother, a teacher, a hospital chaplain, a mentor, an ordained Anglican Priest, a pastoral care giver, retired, an artist, a writer and quite a good cook” as stated in the blurb of her book Just Anybody, The Journey of a Lifetime (Mosaic Press 2013). Born Nanette Henriette Irving Nutt on 20 January 1930, Nan was nicknamed ‘Nutty’ at School and in her book described some fairly unhappy memories until she went with the School during the Second World War as a boarder to Warburton. Nan described the exhausting steam train trip from Heyington Station to Warburton Chalet,

enjoying the new experiences of “sharing a bedroom, long tables at mealtimes, grace before meals, supervised homework and garages used as classrooms”. Struggling to find time alone which she preferred, Nan found she could slip inside an old fir tree and think, dream and wonder – a treasured secret. Back in Heyington Place, Nan loved the Rose Garden, but her favourite was the old Morton Bay Fig with spreading buttress roots. Many years ago I was interviewed by Nan. Afterwards, she wondered whether the School I so carefully avoided naming was by any chance St Catherine’s. When I said it was, she laughed and said that she went there too! Over the years, when we met at church-related things, we would often share a wink or a laugh at the idea of two Old Girls being Anglican Priests – probably “the only ones”, she once mused. About a year before she died, I asked her whether she would like to go to Old Girls’ Day, but I had left the question too late and health concerns defeated the idea. Her family wrote in her Obituary in The Age that Nan was “an eminently wise lady who taught that life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards.” Her reflections on her life are honest and reveal a strong, although very private self, which her poetry goes some way to unmask. Nan passed into eternal life on 7 December 2013. Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory: Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum. Reverend Wendy Hudson (’61)

Pauline Riordan (Johnston ’68) Pauline died tragically in December 2013 in a car accident whilst travelling from her home in Mildura to Melbourne for a family Christmas reunion. Pauline entered the doors of St Catherine’s Boarding House in Form 4 in 1966 from Mildura High School following in the footsteps of her sister, Eleanor (‘62). With her came a breath of fresh air and many surprises for her new schoolmates. Her distinctive sense of humour was, and continued to be infectious and irreverent, lighting many an otherwise dull day. Pauline laughed, joked and ate her way through her School life, and could always be relied upon to brighten others moods. After School she returned to Mildura, working as a kindergarten assistant before managing her mother’s boutique. On her return from an overseas trip she married a local, Jeff Riordan, and they had three children, Fleur, Courtney and Tiffany. We extend our sympathies to them. Pauline leaves the world a little darker and duller by her absence. She was a very loyal friend. Her dearest School friends met to celebrate her life and contributions to us all. Jillian Fowler (Baird ’68)

Left to Right Lachlan John Hunter, a son for Kate Barber (‘96) and Anthony Hunter. “Proud, Passionate and Paid Up!”; Maxwell Juntaro Hunt, a son for Kate Hunt (Mann ‘00) and Matthew Hunt; Annabel Marie Robertson, a daughter for Dr Amanda Robertson (‘79), a sister for Hugh L- R: Anni Grimwade (‘79), Sally Morrell (‘79) with Annabel, Amanda Robertson (‘79) with Hugh, Anne Thompson (‘79); William Jones, a son for Katie Jones (Bartley ‘00) and Sam Jones, a brother for Sophie; Massimo Roberto Millis, a son for Anissa Millis (Cavallo ‘93) and David Millis, a brother for Francesca, Sunny and Clover

www.stcatherines.net.au 17 Heyington Place, Toorak Victoria, Australia 3142 T +61 3 9822 1285 E info@stcatherines.net.au CRICOS 00574F ABN 90 004 251 816

St Catherine's News - Autumn 2015

Articles inside

Warburton… Linking our Past with our Present