Fideliter | Winter Edition 2023

FIDELITER

ST MARY’S ANGLICAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL • WINTER EDITION 2023

COVER: Pre-primary student, Mia Pritchard, showcases her creativity during an art class.

FIDELITER

Fideliter is a publication of St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School. please direct all correspondence to: St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, PO Box 105, Karrinyup WA 6921

telephone: (08) 9341 9111

email: marketing@stmarys.wa.edu.au

editor:

Rhys Dickinson

editorial assistant: Joan Karmelita

design and production:

Dessein

feature photography: Oscar Ward, Kevin McMullan, Daniel Carson, CHRISTOU Design Group, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Elements Margaret River and Rift Photography

FROM THE P rinci Pal

UNLOCKING

As we approach the final stages of the construction of our stunning new Creative Arts and Design Centre, it is timely to reflect on the positive impact of an outstanding education enriched by the creative arts. Beyond simply fostering artistic skills, the creative arts play a crucial role in shaping well-rounded individuals, empowering young women and nurturing future leaders. They cultivate creativity, boost confidence, enhance critical thinking and provide a platform for self-expression.

Creativity is an inherent human trait, and the creative arts provide a space where students can explore and refine their imaginative potential. Creative subjects, such as Visual Arts, Design Technologies (Textiles), Wearable Art and Media Studies, encourage our students to think outside the box, develop innovative ideas and problemsolve creatively. In an ever-changing world that demands adaptability and originality, these skills are invaluable. By encouraging girls to engage with the creative arts, we empower them to challenge norms, question boundaries and envisage unique solutions to global challenges.

Moreover, the creative arts serve as powerful tools for building self-confidence and self-esteem in young girls. By showcasing their creativity, girls gain a sense of accomplishment and validation for their efforts. They learn to analyse, interpret and communicate ideas effectively. Importantly, these skills are transferable to academic subjects and real-life scenarios, and empower girls to tackle challenges with an open and analytical mind. By exploring different perspectives through creative expression, they develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

CREATIVITY

Beyond individual benefits, the creative arts also promote teamwork and collaboration. Students learn to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, compromise, and most importantly, respect the ideas and contributions of others. Additionally, the creative arts open doors to numerous career pathways.

St Mary’s has a proud legacy of students who have succeeded in artistic ventures, including accomplished artists Andrea Huelin (Wilhelm ’87), who won this year’s Archibald Packing Room Prize, Lauren Wilhelm (’85), Joanna Lamb (’89) and Gabi de Vietri (’00); renowned jewellery designer and manufacturer, Kathryn MacNiven (van Rooyen ’07); trailblazing fashion designers Jonté Morgan (Pike ’07) and Laura Addis (’16); up-and-coming wearable art and costume creator Cat Shepherd (’19); established art writers Lee Kinsella (’89) and Madeleine Norton (’08); successful architects Ray Oldham OAM (McClintock '29, Head Girl), Di King ('63, Head Girl), Eleni Gogos (’92) and Katherine Mead (’05); and inspiring filmmakers Pila Mata Dupont (’98) and Laura Hindmarsh (’04). These are just a few of our Old Girls who developed and refined their creative talents at St Mary’s and pursued their passion beyond the gates of the school.

The new Creative Arts and Design Centre sends a strong message that creativity matters in a St Mary’s education. By investing in this dedicated creative space, we are reinforcing the belief that creativity is an integral part of personal growth and holistic development. We envisage that the Creative Arts and Design Centre will be a melting pot for ideas and interdisciplinary collaboration, which will help our students learn perseverance, problem-solving and resilience, traits that are valuable in any field of endeavour.

I look forward to showing you through this spectacular building at the start of the 2024 school year.

Mrs Judith Tudball Principal

FROM THE cha P lain

In the Christian tradition, the arts and faith have long danced hand in hand, forming a harmonious symphony that has enriched the spiritual lives of believers throughout history. From the power of awe-inspiring paintings and sculptures to the intricate beauty of stained-glass windows, many churches and chapels have been a canvas for artistic expression and a vessel to deepen the connection with the divine. At St Mary's, we have carried this legacy forward by embracing the convergence of arts and faith, creating an environment where creativity and spirituality intertwine.

From its earliest days, the School has fostered the artistic expression of faith and spirituality through architecture, poetry, drama, paintings and icons. The stained-glass windows in the Chapel of St Mary, testament to the convergence of art and faith, chart the School’s Christian foundations through their traditional and more modern stories of devotion and inspiration for the generations that follow.

This tradition remains alive within our chapel, where faith and artistic expression continue to find communion. Art teacher Giada Dalli Cani’s intricate icons grace the walls, inviting contemplation and reflection, while our Junior School’s Noongar seasons mural honours the diverse cultural heritage within the School community, weaving together the threads of faith and unity.

In this nurturing environment, our students are encouraged to explore their God-given talents and express them through various artistic mediums. The School embraces a spirit of creativity, with students

regularly offering their artistic contributions in services on themes relevant to their faith and the liturgical calendar.

Moreover, the convergence of arts and faith extends beyond art installations. Frequent musical, dramatic and liturgical dance performances form an integral part of services, transforming worship into a transcendent experience. Significant events like Holy Week, Our Lady in Winter Service and the Patronal Eucharist feature these artistic expressions, resonating with the students and others in the congregation alike, evoking a profound sense of spiritual inspiration.

The intersection of arts and faith is a valuable educational tool, shaping the students' understanding of faith, practice and tradition. It helps them to explore their beliefs in a tangible and experiential manner. Through active participation in creative acts of worship, they develop a deeper connection with their spirituality and are better equipped to apply these principles in their daily lives.

The opening of our new Creative Arts and Design Centre promises to take the convergence of art and faith to even greater heights. This state-of-the-art facility will provide an enriched space for students to explore and express their creative talents within the context of their faith. As students engage in artistic endeavours that are rooted in their beliefs, they will find a deeper connection to their spirituality and a greater appreciation for the role of art in worship. I believe that it will nurture a new generation of artists who will continue to enrich the School community and the wider world through the profound intersection of arts and faith.

The Reverend Richard Pengelley

When we launched our Masterplan 2019-2030, we had several practical projects to be completed, such as the perimeter road, now called Atkins Drive, which has transformed the flow of traffic to our Junior School. We also anticipated two large builds: our Creative Arts and Design Centre, which is currently under construction, and our new Science and Technology Centre. The idea of the Masterplan was to ensure that this generation’s gift for the next century of discovery facilitated the interconnection of creativity and science, a true balance of different forms of learning to ensure that our motto of “engaging hearts and igniting curious minds” continues to be at the forefront of all we do.

I have attended 25 wonderful Speech Nights and I have to say, last year’s was an absolute standout for me. To see our wearable art students be a central part of the evening’s proceedings epitomised Albert Einstein’s view that “creativity is intelligence having fun”. I can only imagine what we will see from our girls over the next decades with the extraordinary facilities that will be at their fingertips with the opening of the new Creative Arts and Design Centre.

When Mrs Tudball began her journey with St Mary’s, she asked if we had plans for a statement building. “No”, I confidently replied, “our girls are our statement”. While we are all anxiously awaiting the opening of the Creative Arts and Design Centre, I am confident that my statement remains true. Buildings and spaces are important to provide a sense of place and wellbeing, to provide tools that make learning more exciting and engaging. But it is our people who are the heart of St Mary’s – our girls, staff and families make our community strong.

Thank you for all you do daily to enrich the lives of others, to encourage intellectual and creative curiosity, and to acknowledge that our styles of learning and aptitudes can differ.

Best wishes for the rest of 2023.

Elizabeth Carr (’81) AM Chair, Board of Governors

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

Albert Einstein

If you have recently visited the school, you likely noticed the exciting development near The Polson Room. This will be the School's new Creative Arts and Design Centre, housing our visual arts, design technologies and media studies programs. The Foundation proudly contributed $3 million towards this state-of-the-art building, which promises to inspire a culture of student innovation, creativity and collaboration.

Significant developments have also taken place at our outdoor education facility, St Mary's at Metricup: The Lady Treatt Centre for Learning and Leadership. In 2021, the Foundation gifted the school $300,000 to develop an adventure challenge course and mountain biking and walking trails, as well as a bush chapel on the property. It brings me great joy to share that all these projects are now available for the girls to enjoy during their various camps throughout the year. Moreover, the School is currently exploring ideas for the additional 43 hectares of land abutting St Mary's at Metricup, made possible by the Foundation's support, promising an even more remarkable learning environment in the future.

Another project we are planning to deliver is the refurbishment of our Junior School Library. We hope that the revitalisation of this space will excite our young students' minds and continue to encourage their love of literature. Optimising the layout will create space for small group collaboration, problem-solving and robotics sessions, and IT sessions to help our girls learn new ways of communicating.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this year’s Annual Giving appeal. Three girls who could not attend the School without financial assistance are currently enjoying the benefits of a St Mary’s education owing to gifts to our Scholarship Fund. We look forward to awarding another Annual Giving Scholarship in 2024.

Finally, I wish to emphasise how heartwarming it has been to witness our community’s support of the Spirit of St Mary’s Scholarship Fund, which was the vision of our late 2021 Head Girl, Sally Hicks. The Foundation is diligently investing and growing these funds to ensure that they can support deserving girls for many years to come.

Bree Rosagro (Buxton ’98) Chair, St Mary’s Foundation

We are incredibly grateful to have such a wonderful and caring community at St Mary's, where everyone is dedicated to ensuring that every girl who joins our school has the chance to discover her best.

A CELEBRATION OF GIVING

On 2 August 2023, Principal Judith Tudball hosted an event to honour the spirit of giving that radiates through the St Mary’s community. The occasion, which was held on the opening night of our Upper School Production of Anastasia: The Musical, was a remarkable celebration of generosity, community and the arts.

The guest list was testament to the diverse and dynamic nature of the St Mary's community. Among the esteemed attendees were members of the St Mary's Foundation Board of Management, Board of Governors and the Executive team, as well as current and former parents, staff and Old Girls.

The evening's recognition extended to major donors and first-time contributors from 2022 and 2023, as well as new members of the Fideliter Society and Bishop Riley Bequest Society. These individuals, whose unwavering support and contributions have played an integral role in the School's growth, were celebrated as pillars of St Mary’s continued success. The culmination of the event saw the spotlight focus on our wonderfully talented Years 10 to 12 students, who confidently took to the stage for the first of five spectacular shows.

Creative Hub

SET TO INSPIRE STUDENT INNOVATION

CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN CENTRE

Our new Creative Arts and Design Centre promises to unleash the full potential of our students’ artistic talent and creativity. Due for completion at the end of this year, the state-of-the-art facility will boast specialised teaching areas, numerous gallery spaces and several studios, plus a cutting-edge media centre. This architectural gem will be a beacon of inspiration for our community and ignite a culture of student innovation, creativity and collaboration.

The three-storey centre will soon stand tall as testament to St Mary’s commitment to nurturing creativity. By dedicating an entire facility to the creative arts, we are sending a powerful message to our students and community that creativity is valued and encouraged. This promise of support will fuel the aspirations of our budding artists, enabling them to take risks, experiment and express themselves freely.

Within the new building will be thoughtfully designed classrooms that cater to a range of artistic disciplines. The centre will feature specialised spaces dedicated to ceramics, design, 3D construction, fashion and textiles, plus a number of collaborative spaces which will allow students to share ideas and expand their creative horizons.

The third storey of the centre will be the new home of our Media Studies department, which will feature a fully equipped studio. This hub of creativity will provide students with access to cutting-edge equipment and software, allowing them to explore photography, filmmaking and other multimedia disciplines. This facility will empower students to embrace modern mediums and explore new means of storytelling.

Gallery spaces of varying sizes will showcase the works of our students. Revolving exhibits will not only provide a platform for students to display their talents but also serve as a source of inspiration for the entire School community. Additionally, these galleries will

serve as a platform to celebrate the achievements of accomplished Old Girls. By highlighting the success stories of the School's creative individuals, the building will inspire future generations of students to pursue their passions and believe in their own artistic potential. Studios within the new building will act as incubators for creativity. These sanctuaries will allow our students to explore ideas and hone their skills, fostering an environment that nurtures the development of artistic talents. It is our hope that they will also be intermittently occupied by professional artists, who can share their expertise with our staff and students while taking them on their creative journeys.

Lastly, the centre holds the key to unlocking the potential for more exciting curricular and cocurricular offerings. Once this inspiring facility is open, the School can explore the possibility of offering new art and media courses, as well as after-hours clubs, workshops and competitions.

CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN CENTRE

KERYN COOPER Head of Visual Arts and Design

Having specialised art classrooms will encourage the girls' self-esteem because they will have first-class facilities to realise their creative dreams. They will draw inspiration from the centre, empowering them to create things they could not have previously envisioned. The new Creative Arts and Design Centre will be a tremendous asset to our artistic community at St Mary’s. It will truly change how we work and provide access to new technologies and the ability to create contemporary art and design forms. Purpose-built studios for visual arts, including ceramics, painting and design, metal jewellery and small threedimensional construction projects, and wearable arts and fashion, will encourage specialisation and opportunities for enterprise in the future.

STEVE MCLEOD Head of Media

I am excited to see how our talented media students utilise the new facilities in our Creative Arts and Design Centre. The centre will have a professional-standard studio, which will feature a raked ceiling and a cyclorama, allowing shadowfree lighting for creative work, such as live TV shoots and photography. The studio includes a control room and a sound recording room, perfect for coordinating podcasting sessions and, potentially, live radio broadcasts.

With these first-class media facilities at our fingertips, we can explore the possibility of offering certificate courses in the creative industries, such as live production, in the future. It is something that we have been considering for some time now, as we know it would be popular with our students.

JESS GAZIA Head of Design Technologies

The Creative Arts and Design Centre’s vibrant and inspiring atmosphere will serve as a catalyst for creativity and innovation, encouraging students to push their boundaries and think outside the box with their textiles projects.

The opportunity to collaborate with other creative departments, such as Art and Media, will provide inspiration and the chance to embrace technological advancements such as laser cutting and computer-aided design, allowing students to keep pace with industry trends and practices.

Studios within the new building will act as incubators for creativity. These sanctuaries will allow our students to explore ideas and hone their skills, fostering an environment that nurtures the development of artistic talents.

Harnessing potential and shaping futures:

New Student

Wellbeing Framework

their schooling journey, will give every St Mary’s girl

opportunity to discover her best.

We are constantly exploring ways to enhance student wellbeing, adapting to evolving needs and adding to our already comprehensive offerings that support the physical, mental and emotional health of our students.

At the beginning of Term 3, we proudly unveiled our new, comprehensive Student Wellbeing Framework, which is outlined in the diagram on Page 14. Our framework is informed by several Australian and international wellbeing models, and our principles were inspired by the whole school approach created by the UK Government’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition.

We believe that every St Mary’s student has unique potential; therefore, it is our goal to work in partnership with their families to nurture that potential.

We know that if each student is confident, courageous and compassionate, she will be equipped to make the most of her strengths, recognise where she needs to improve, and strive to be her best self.

This can only happen if she is supported by a warm and positive family who know how to be appropriately demanding and encourage her to grow without shielding her from some healthy struggles. Complementing this, each family can rely on the School to provide an environment where their daughter feels connected, knows that she belongs and her contributions matter.

To ensure that this can happen, we have embedded the following eight principles into our Student Wellbeing Framework, which are fundamental to how we work with our students and families. They are informed by our Anglican faith, traditions and values.

Leadership and Management: Our leaders champion, promote and support mental health and wellbeing. They enable strategic change where needed, so we have an effective, whole-of-school approach.

Learning Opportunities: We provide a range of student learning opportunities and experiences that develop holistic skills to support students to accept, know and trust themselves.

Staff Development: Our staff are trained to support student wellbeing and to incorporate practices into their teaching that promote lifelong learning, mental wellbeing, engagement and personal growth.

Data Informed: We regularly monitor the wellbeing of our staff and students, take action when needed, and review the impact of interventions.

Student Voice: We consult our students on their experiences, take their advice to ensure our approach is relevant to them and empower them to make decisions when appropriate.

Family Partnerships: We work alongside families in partnership to ensure that we have a shared understanding of each student’s needs and how these may be supported.

Student Support: We have a coordinated approach with clear roles and responsibilities to provide support to all students in a proactive and responsive manner.

Culture and Environment: We provide a school environment where each student feels safe and connected, knows that she belongs and that her contribution matters.

It is our strong belief that this detailed framework will help us to continue providing our students with the best environment to pursue personal and academic excellence.

Nurturing the wellbeing of our students is our top priority at St Mary’s. We know that fostering a culture of care where our students feel known by their teachers and peers, have a say in their learning pathway and are supported throughout

an

Spirit of giving shines brightly at St Mary’s

St Mary's has a rich and enduring history of charity and service that has been ingrained in our culture for more than a century. The School has consistently fostered a strong sense of compassion and responsibility in its students, encouraging them to make a positive impact on their school and wider community. In 2023, this spirit of giving remains as strong as ever, as our students and staff continue to engage in a range of charitable endeavours.

Fundraising milestone in sight for charitable cohort

When Ian Thompson assumed his role as Head of Year 10 in 2010, it was obvious to him that the students were committed fundraisers who were eager to support a myriad of worthy causes.

However, he identified a gap in their commendable philanthropic endeavours.

“I noticed that the girls were doing a lot of meaningful fundraising, but it was a bit here and there. I thought it was important for them to have something to focus their fundraising on. I also recognised that although we are an Anglican school, we didn’t have a fundraiser in place to support Anglicare WA,” Mr Thompson said.

“I found out about Anglicare WA’s Street Connect program, which seeks to help homeless youths aged 15 to 25. Given that our Year 10 girls are 15, there was a connection there.”

It would have been easy for the students to simply donate to the worthy cause, but Mr Thompson thought they would better understand the plight of the people they were helping by experiencing what a night on the streets might be like. Hence, St Mary’s annual Year 10 Sleep-out began.

“In 2012, we had our first sleep-out on campus. Sixty-four girls attended that first sleep-out in the Senior School library undercroft. The sleep-out grew rapidly from 64 girls in the first year to almost the entire cohort participating just two years later. Now, it is truly part of our Year 10 cohort’s culture and identity,” Mr Thompson said. Every sleep-out begins with a moving presentation from Anglicare WA’s Street Connect team and a tour of the Street Connect Bus, which is stocked with information on services and referral resources, and provides food and useful items, including freshly made sandwiches, water, pregnancy tests, condoms, first aid kits, hygiene packs and sleeping bags.

The girls then have soup and a bread roll, to replicate getting a meal from a soup kitchen, before sleeping outside on sheets of cardboard in their sleeping bags, usually on the school’s tennis courts. “They get to understand the reality of what some people go through,” Ian said.

“In the morning, they acknowledge that it was an uncomfortable night – but it’s only one night in their lives. I tell them, ‘imagine doing that every night’.

“One of the terrible things that happens to young people is when circumstances rip away their hope. I think that when you take away someone’s hope, it cripples them. Anglicare WA’s Street Connect team gives these people their hope back. They find them housing, get them educated and help them to find jobs. They help them to build a life that they never thought possible."

St Mary’s is closing in on raising $100,000 for Anglicare WA’s Street Connect Program, thanks to the vision of a passionate staff member and the dedication of a charitable cohort.

“The Street Connect team are truly special and we are so proud to support them. For a single school, and more specifically, a single year group, to raise close to $100,000 for one charity, I think that’s magic. It’s an incredible thing that has grown beyond my hopes and expectations.”

Phys Ed teachers push for better

The spirit of compassion and generosity knows no boundaries at St Mary’s. While our students have long been recognised for their dedication to making a positive impact in the community, it is equally important to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of our benevolent staff members. Beyond their roles as educators and administrators, they wholeheartedly embrace St Mary’s values of compassion and social responsibility, extending their support and involvement to various charitable causes. Their commitment serves as testament to the culture of care that thrives within our School community.

So many of our staff have led fundraising efforts throughout this year, one of which was our Senior School Health and Physical Education Department, who put their bodies and resilience to the test for a worthy cause throughout the month of June.

The inspiring collective participated in this year’s PushUp Challenge, which aims to raise awareness and muchneeded funds for mental health services. Each member of the team was tasked with completing 3144 pushups, with each push-up representing a life that was lost to suicide in 2021. By the end of June, the team completed more than 27,000 push-ups, playing their part in a nationwide push that helped to raise more than $14.5 million for Lifeline, Movember and the Push for Better Foundation.

Senior School Head of Sport, Jamie Birrell, was immensely grateful for the support of his colleagues.

“I have done the challenge since 2019 and am thankful to have been supported by my colleagues the past three years. While it is unfortunate that I have been impacted by suicide, it is a reality in Australia. I believe that not talking about suicide or avoiding the topic due to the stigma attached, isn’t helpful, so while any funds raised through this challenge are fantastic, I think spreading awareness about mental health is helping us to push for better,” Jamie said.

Sowing the seeds for a sustainable future

On 22 June, our Year 9 students travelled to suburban Belhus in the City of Swan to participate in an environmental service opportunity.

The goal was simple: to plant as many trees as possible in one day to benefit the local community.

With all hands on deck, the dedicated cohort managed to plant more than 16,000 trees. This enriching experience enabled our students to actively contribute to environmental conservation and make a lasting impact on the wider community.

Girls chop locks for a good cause

On 12 May, 51 selfless Year 12 students bade farewell to their hair to raise valuable funds for the Leukaemia Foundation by participating in this year’s World Greatest Shave and Ponytail Chop.

Five students had their heads shaved, while the remaining girls trimmed at least 20cm of their locks to aid Australia’s only dedicated blood cancer support service.

Needless to say, St Mary’s charitable community rallied behind the students and donated more than $52,000 to the worthy cause.

Thanks to the efforts of our compassionate students and the generosity of the School community, St Mary’s has now raised more than $230,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation over the past four years.

Fostering hope for remote communities

Under the guidance of Senior Boarder, Matilda Forwood, our wonderful boarding community collected a multitude of toiletries, sanitary items and other useful goods to donate to local charity, Fostering Hope.

Fostering Hope provides care packs for emergency foster placements and supplies essential items to foster carers, vulnerable families, victims of domestic violence and refugees in remote Western Australian communities.

This is just one example of our boarding community's commitment to supporting women in need, especially those living in the regions.

Inquiry takes girls on a journey through time

How has my world changed from the past?

What will my world look like in the future?

Those are the questions that our Year 1 students sought to answer during their Term 2 inquiry learning project.

Some of you might be wondering, what is inquiry learning? Simply put, inquiry learning is grounded in the philosophy that education begins with the curiosity of the learner. It empowers students to take charge of their learning journeys and encourages them to arrive at an understanding of concepts by themselves. Of course, teachers play an important role in inquiry learning. It is their responsibility to support the students by developing their abilities to ask good questions, determine what needs to be learned and what resources are required to answer those questions, and share their

Our Year 1 students began their inquiry into the past and future by creating a whole class inquiry board split into two columns with the following headlines: ‘What do I know?’ and ‘I wonder…’. They then considered a number of questions, including ‘What was life like for my parents and grandparents?’, ‘What aspects of the past can we see today and what do they tell us?’ and ‘How have technology, transport, school, entertainment and communication changed and how do they shape our lives today?’. Their answers to those questions led to several engaging lessons, such as exploring terms like

‘then and now’, learning why we celebrate Anzac Day, reviewing interviews that they conducted with their grandparents during St Mary’s annual Grandparents’ Day, and examining the evolution of Trigg Bushland Reserve using Google Earth as part of their weekly Bush School activities.

“Another term-long activity centred on the girls conducting a research project on an artefact from their households. We asked them to write down facts about it and present to the class. One of the items was a suitcase that the student’s grandfather had when he emigrated from Italy to Australia more than 70 years ago. It contained all his worldly possessions and the girls loved looking at it and observing how it was made differently,” Year 1

Teacher Josie Stanton said.

“The suitcase also prompted them to think about what items they might have packed in their suitcase if they were living at that time, and what would they take now. It was an interesting and engaging exercise.”

With their curiosity driving the inquiry, the Year 1 girls examined games that children played in the past, researched a 1945 toy catalogue to note the evolution in how toys were made and used, and analysed the change in modes of transport by creating a sequential timeline. They also designed and built their very own time machine.

Their learning journey culminated in an exciting ‘Time Travel Day’, where the girls dressed up in outfits from the past and participated in a range of activities.

The day was designed to help the girls reflect on everything that they had learnt throughout the inquiry and consider what actions they might take to share and act on their learning.

The day began with several parents speaking to the students about their occupations. Compelling presentations from a business owner, dentist, lawyer and psychologist prompted the girls to consider what profession they might like to pursue when they are older. The students then broke into groups and enjoyed a rotation of fun activities, which included playing games from the past, designing and creating garments for the future, and exploring how Probots work to draw and design things with Academic Centre for Enrichment Teacher, Dencker Morrison.

“Our Time Travel Day was a fitting way to celebrate the girls’ learning journey. It was truly inspiring to witness the girls’ growth throughout this inquiry. They were so engaged because they owned the journey, and it was our privilege to nurture their natural disposition to discover more and be researchers,” Year 1 Teacher Lexi Doheny said.

METRICUP OPEN DAY

On Sunday 21 May, more than 100 members of our School community jumped at the opportunity to explore our world-class outdoor learning facility, St Mary’s at Metricup: The Lady Treatt Centre for Learning and Leadership.

Located in the heart of the world-famous Margaret River region, St Mary’s at Metricup is the largest outdoor education centre of its kind for an all-girls’ school in Western Australia. The picturesque 84-hectare property – which boasts a large recreation and dining area, commercial kitchen, four dormitories that sleep up to 112 students, a dam, eco tent camping ground, adventure challenge course, outdoor bush chapel and much more – offers our students wonderful opportunities to learn, explore and experiment outside the walls of a conventional classroom.

Current families, Old Girls and prospective students were among those who enjoyed an exciting day of canoeing, bush walking, climbing and testing their skills on the property’s new adventure challenge course.

A highlight of the day was a service held at the property’s unique Bush Chapel. Local Wadandi man, Josh Whiteland, conducted a Welcome to Country ceremony before School Chaplain, The Reverend Richard Pengelley, blessed the beautiful chapel.

student spotlight

JAIME MAKES HER POINT

Congratulations to our 2023 Debating Prefect, Jaime Leivers, who was one of five students selected to represent Australia at this year's World Schools Debating Competition held in Vietnam.

CHARLEE SECURES COVETED SCHOLARSHIP

Year 12 student, Charlee BatesBird, won a University of Tasmania scholarship to attend a week-long expedition to Maria Island, where she worked closely with experts from the university’s renowned Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS).

Charlee, who joined 22 other students from across Australia on the expedition, enjoyed snorkelling to conduct fish surveys, analysing the biodiversity of rock pools and learning how to take ocean samples. She later examined plankton and sediment samples in a lab on the island and developed a deeper understanding of issues threatening marine biodiversity.

The scientific data that Charlee and the other students collected was used by IMAS to document environmental changes on Maria Island.

YEAR 6 STUDENTS SHINE AT DA VINCI DECATHLON

We are thrilled to share that our Year 6 da Vinci Decathlon team were crowned Western Australian State Champions in May.

Vivian Chen, Madeleine Chua, Ashleigh Clancy-Lowe, Isabelle Iyamu, Mila Johnson, Ella Ren, Amelia Scarr and Kaia Su combined their academic talents to reign supreme at the event held at the University of Western Australia. They won the Art and Poetry, Code Breaking and Creative Producers disciplines, placed second in Legacy and Science, and secured third place in English.

YEAR 8 s DOMINATE IGSSA CROSS COUNTRY

Well done to our Year 8 Cross Country team, who claimed their year group pennant at the IGSSA Cross Country event held on 14 June at Alderbury Reserve.

Two girls claimed individual accolades at the event: Kyla Narrier placed first in the Year 7 race and Ella Rayner placed third in the Year 8 event.

St Mary’s placed fifth overall at the event thanks to the collective efforts of all the girls who put their best feet forward in trying conditions.

SOPHIA WOWS JUDGES IN NEW YORK

Congratulations to Year 8 student, Sophia Wu, who was invited to perform at the 2023 Golden Key Music Festival held at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The Golden Key Music Festival is designed to educate and inspire student musicians, and to help them unlock their musical potential.

Sophia impressed the judging panel with her moving piano item during the Winner’s Recital and was awarded a gold medal and diploma.

PORTIA WINS PRESTIGIOUS PORTRAITURE AWARD

On behalf of the entire St Mary’s community, we wish to congratulate Year 11 student, Portia Connor, who on 27 April was announced as the winner of the Years 9 to 10 category at the 2023 Lester Prize Youth Awards.

Portia impressed the judging panel with her powerful depiction of her sibling, Lee, modelling a Wearable Art costume they created during their time at St Mary’s.

Her eye-catching portrait, Revisiting Heritage, was exhibited at the WA Museum Boola Bardip.

SPRINGBOARD TO SUCCESS

Congratulations to our Senior School Diving Team for defending their Champion School title at this year’s School Sport WA Interschool Diving Championships. A combination of team consistency and some brilliant individual performances propelled our girls to victory.

Special mentions must be made of Years 7/8 division gold medallist, Emily Wallace, Years 9/10 division runner-up, Annalise Haliburton, and Holly Davison and Brooke Carter, who placed second and third respectively in the Years 11/12 event.

DANCING TO VICTORY

Congratulations to Year 8 students, Elena Murray, Madeline Dawson, Emily Hodgson and Isla Marinovich, for winning The FUSE Cup Just Dance eSports competition on 16 March.

The Fuse Cup is an Australia-wide competition that brings together students in Years 5 to 8 to compete in a safe, structured and supervised series of eSport competitions.

St Mary’s entered two teams in the competition, which was held at MLC and contested by students from five Perth-based schools. Our winning squad qualified to compete in the Just Dance National Final, which will be held later this year.

JIGSSA SWIMMING SUCCESS

Well done to our Junior School swimmers who performed brilliantly at the JIGSSA meet held at HBF Stadium on 27 March.

The Year 6 team left the competition in their wake en route to winning their pennant, while our Years 5 and 4 squads placed second and fifth respectively.

LIFE-AFFIRMING PORTRAITS

Congratulations to Year 12 students, Megan Coull and Portia Connor, whose artwork featured in the National Finale Exhibition for the Centenarian Portrait Project.

The Centenarian Portrait Project is an uplifting initiative that paired teenage artists with local centenarians. Through storytelling,

reminiscing, joy and laughter, the young artists produced portraits of their subjects and, following local exhibitions, gifted them to their new, 100-year-old friends.

Megan and Portia’s portraits were among 100 pieces exhibited in Canberra.

Three other St Mary’s students, Year 11s Anrui Sun, Marylou McBain and Nina Musk, also contributed to the special project, and all five girls’ works were exhibited in the Wilkinson Gallery at the Claremont Showgrounds.

staff spotlight

ST MARY’S ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

On 27 June, Principal, Mrs Judith Tudball, and Dean of School Operations, Paul McCarthy, copresented an INSPIRE! session at the International Coalition of Girls' Schools conference held in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Their presentation focused on the impact of external trends such as global connectivity, innovation and personal agency alongside increasing mental fragility, and explored how traditional educational models need to adapt accordingly.

“In addition to co-presenting an INSPIRE! session alongside Paul, I spent quality time engaging with school leaders from across the globe about the latest innovations in girls’ education. It was an invaluable experience, and I left the conference with a sense of assuredness and pride, knowing that so much of what we are doing at St Mary’s is truly on par with, and exceeding, some of the best girls’ schools across the world,” Mrs Tudball said.

INSPIRING STAFF SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE

Associate Dean of Wellbeing, Felicity Monck, and Head of Technology and Enterprise, Michelle Fitzpatrick, were invited to facilitate two breakout sessions at this year’s Asia Pacific Summit on Girls’ Education in Hobart.

Felicity presented on the topic of countering perfection in the classroom. Her session examined current research on perfectionism in children and adolescents, unpacked multi-dimensional perfectionism, explored how to identify perfectionism in the classroom and detailed actionable classroom strategies to counter perfectionism.

Michelle provided insight on the development, evolution and benefits of St Mary’s internationally acclaimed i3 Program, which sees our Year 10 students work in teams alongside industry mentors to develop a digital solution to solve one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

SCHOOL CHAPLAIN LEADS WELLBEING WORKSHOP

The Reverend Richard Pengelley shared his wellbeing wisdom at June’s Positive Schools Wellbeing in Action Conference held in Brisbane. He facilitated a workshop entitled The Cost of Excellence, which explored the implications of childhood excellence and high achievement. Attendees were encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and observations, and to consider the application of positive psychology principles with the children that they influence.

The Reverend Pengelley will deliver his presentation again when the Positive Schools Conference is held in Fremantle later this year.

ALEX EMBRACES LEARNING OPPORTUNITY IN LOS ANGELES

Senior School Education Support Teacher, Alex Lawson, recently utilised her Lynne Thomson Excellence in Education Scholarship to attend the Study with the Masters 2023 Summer Institute held at the Bridges Academy in Los Angeles, USA.

The Bridges Academy caters to students aged between 9 and 18 who are considered to be twice exceptional (2e). The Academy defines 2e students as those who are gifted in one or more domain (physical or sensory, intellectual, creative, social, emotional) but also have learning differences. Due to their dual exceptionalities, 2e students may be misunderstood, misdiagnosed or under-identified

“I have returned to St Mary’s with a better understanding of these remarkable students, and with strategies that support them to optimise and embrace their strengths while respecting the learning challenges that they may face,” Alex said.

GEORGIA ON JODIE’S MIND

Senior School Visual Arts Teacher, Jodie Sanders, made the most of her 2020 Lynne Thomson Excellence in Education Scholarship by travelling to Georgia, USA to attend Savannah College of Art and Design’s (SCAD) annual Educator Forum from July 10 to 14.

Jodie participated in two workshops at the forum: Industrial Design: Research, Ideation and Concept Generation, and From Graphic Design to LED Art. In the industrial design workshop, she learned how everyday objects can be brought to life by exploring the many methods used in modern industrial design processes. The LED art workshop provided her with an opportunity to design and build LED signs with unique patterns of light.

Jodie also used the opportunity to learn more about the worldrenowned school and pick the brains of its educators and fellow teachers attending the forum.

“The USA is truly at the forefront of culture and industrial design, so it was fantastic to see how one of their top universities is educating their students," Jodie said.

ELIZABETH FOSTERS CONNECTIONS ABROAD

2023 Lynne Thomson Excellence in Education Scholarship recipient, Elizabeth Grzyb, travelled to Europe during the mid-year break to attend a Children’s Literature conference at Belgium’s Antwerp University and the International Association of School Librarianship conference in Rome, Italy.

The trip enabled Elizabeth to make valuable connections with literature and library specialists from around the globe, while expanding her theoretical and pedagogical skills.

“The summer school unit at Antwerp University underpinned my work in teaching English and resourcing our library. It also added value to a seminar that I attended last year on de-colonising libraries, supporting my goal to ensure that diverse voices are a part of our library offerings,” Elizabeth said.

“Attending the International Association of School Librarianship Conference allowed me to explore some of the flagship programs being introduced by libraries across the world, inspiring new possibilities for our school.”

Parents ' SOCIETY

Wow, it is hard to believe that we are already halfway through another busy year at St Mary’s. I am proud to say that our new-look Parents’ Society has been quietly organising and running events to support our wider community.

The year started in a celebratory manner with our Welcome Sundowner, which attracted more 1000 members of the School community. It was wonderful to bring everyone together on the front lawn of the school for a relaxed, social gathering prior to the beginning of Term 1.

Following the great success of the Sundowner, the Parents’ Society helped organise St Mary’s annual Australia’s Biggest Afternoon Tea event, which was held in The Polson Room. Thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing this charitable event to life. I would also like this opportunity to acknowledge our magnificent guest speakers, St Mary’s parent, Dr Melanie Jackson, who is a radiation oncologist and Head of Department at GenesisCare, and Old Girl, Ellen Hart (’06), who is a Senior Campaign Coordinator for the Cancer Council Western Australia. This event was supported by some talented students who provided musical performances throughout the afternoon. Funds raised were donated to the Cancer Council Western Australia, so thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this worthy cause.

On 19 July, the School hosted its annual Careers Expo which featured more than 35 exhibitors, including representatives from all the state’s major tertiary institutions and a wide range of industries. I am thrilled to report that the expo was extremely well supported by students and families from both St Mary’s and Hale School. The success of this year’s Expo was largely due to the efforts of St Mary’s staff and Year 12 parent, Kristine Gillmore

I would like to thank everyone who made the trek down south to attend our inaugural St Mary’s at Metricup Open Day on 21 May. I hope that our current families have seized the opportunity to be involved in one of the activities coordinated by our year group representative groups throughout the year. These events are great not only for our girls, but for the wider community of parents and families.

While we have several other events planned within year groups for the remainder of 2023, please keep your eyes peeled for details about our 2023 Quiz night, which will be held on 17 November. The Fathers’ Group is also organising some events of their own in the next few months; they will share specifics once they have been finalised and advertise them, so you won’t miss out.

Best wishes for the remainder of the school year.

Martyn Clancy-Lowe President, Parents’ Society

OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

We have enjoyed a wonderful first half of the year, with our program of Old Girl events back in full swing, and we are grateful for the opportunity to connect with our community once more.

Earlier in the year, we celebrated one of the biggest events in our calendar, Old Girls’ Day. Attendees enjoyed campus tours, a chapel service, a delicious lunch and reminiscing with old friends. Guest speaker, Talia Nicholson (’10), delivered a heartfelt account of her time at St Mary’s and her work as a provisional psychologist in the veterans mental health space. Thank you to everyone who attended; it was wonderful to host this event again after such a long hiatus!

The Old Girls’ Association was thrilled to host its inaugural Pilates in the Park event in April. Old Girl, Ebony Cunningham (’19), took attendees through a light pilates session before everyone caught up over coffee and breakfast. We look forward to seeing you at our next Pilates in the Park session in the warmer months.

Another highlight was the gathering of our community to celebrate Old Girl and author, Mimi Kwa (’91), who returned to St Mary’s to discuss her family history, as told in her memoir, House of Kwa. Mimi explored her life and time at St Mary’s in a very honest and vulnerable way.

The Old Girls’ Association cannot wait to honour our Old Girls who left St Mary’s 50 or more years ago at our annual Fleur de Lis Club Morning Tea on Wednesday 6 September, and we are looking forward to hosting an afternoon garden party on 19 November to unveil the Association’s Centenary gift to the School. We will provide more detail about this event shortly.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of our treasured Old Girls and Honorary Life Member of the Old Girls’ Association, Dorothy Harbisher (Van Dal ’39) at the age of 101. We were equally upset to learn about the passing of our oldest Old Girl, Lorina (Lorrie) Maley (Rowledge ’33) at age 106 years. It goes without saying that both Dorothy and Lorrie lived incredible lives.

Amy Dawson (Fraser ’94) President, Old Girls' Association

OLD GIRLSʼ NEWS AND EVENTS

Reigniting our MENTORING PROGRAM

Many of you may remember the Old Girl to Old Girl Mentoring Program that we launched in 2018. We are very fortunate to have so many Old Girls with extraordinary experience in their professions, and as such, the program was established to enhance the careers of younger Old Girls by drawing on the experience of more established Old Girls who were willing to give back. Some of our mentors and mentees who matched in 2018 are still in touch today. Now, upon graduation our students become part of a global network of more than 9000 Old Girls. By reigniting the Old Girl to Old Girl Mentoring Program, this global knowledge bank has the potential to provide so much to our Old Girl community, as well as our current students.

So, how do you know if the Old Girl to Old Girl Mentoring Program is for you?

As a mentor, we ask that you have at least five years of experience in your career and the capacity to commit a certain amount of time to the program to aid our mentees, who will either be studying or starting out their careers.

To register your interest in the program, please email oga@stmarys.wa.edu.au and we will send you an online form.

Old Girl SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, the Old Girls’ Association and St Mary’s Foundation offer several scholarships to past students. The scholarships – offered in the fields of nursing, medicine, science, law, engineering, and fine arts – give Old Girls the financial means to do wonderful things in their chosen professions. Please make sure that your friends, daughters and granddaughters know about our scholarships and encourage them to apply next year. Applications will open later this year.

Congratulations to our 2023 scholarship recipients:

Deborah Cook Scholarship for Nursing

Esmee Byatt Scholarship for Medicine

Fay Bailey Scholarships for Engineering, Science and Law

Helen Judge Arts Award

Lynne Thomson Overseas Study Scholarship

Molly Riley RISE Award

Gemma Campbell (’19)

Andrea Acosta-Vargas (’18)

Giovanna Bongiorno (’20)

Sarah Bond (’21)

Lucy Lönnqvist (’21) and Catherine Bock (’15)

Kelly Boden-Hawes (’13)

REMEMBERING

our former teachers

GAENA DUNCAN Head of Home Economics 1971 to 1993

It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Gaena Duncan on Saturday 17 June, at age 89. A beloved teacher at St Mary’s for 23 years, Gaena made an exceptional contribution to the School community. As Head of Home Economics, she was instrumental in reshaping the curriculum in the 1970s. She was a wonderful role model to her students, involving herself in all areas of school life.

A passionate baker, Gaena’s talent for cake decorating was often the talk of the town.

ANN GIBB CORNISH (MAITLAND ’ 44)

Old Girl and Biology Teacher 1973 to 1986

Old Girl and much-admired teacher, Ann Cornish (Gibb Maitland ’44), commenced 1st Form at St Mary’s and remained at the school until 1939. She completed her schooling at Presbyterian Ladies’ College. Ann returned to St Mary's as a Biology Teacher in 1973 and taught at the school until her retirement in 1986. Ann loved her time at St Mary's and said that the school was always very kind to her. Following her retirement, Ann attended Claremont School of Art to learn how to paint and draw and she worked as a volunteer guide at the Perth Art Gallery for 15 years. One of her granddaughters, Katherine Alex Browne (’10), is an Old Girl. Before her passing, Ann was enjoying teaching her three-year-old great-granddaughter how to read.

FAMILY’S GIFT funds future of art at St Mary’s

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr Raymond Hyslop OAM, husband of Helen Hyslop (Judge ’50), who was an Archbishop Riley Prize recipient and Head Girl in 1950. Helen and Ray maintained their connection with St Mary’s throughout the years, and it was Helen’s love of art that led them to establish art awards for current students and Old Girls. Upon his passing, Ray graciously gifted $100,000 to St Mary’s in Helen’s honour.

On behalf of the St Mary’s community, we wish to acknowledge Ray’s extremely generous gift to the School, which will enable even more girls to flourish in the arts, a subject that Helen was so passionate about.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fleur de Lis Club Morning Tea

Wednesday 6 September

Celebrating Old Girls who left St Mary’s 50 or more years ago.

Old Girls’ Association Garden Party

Sunday 19 November

Save the date for the unveiling of the Old Girls’ Association’s Centenary gift to the School.

Reunions

The Classes of 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, and 2013 will all be celebrating significant anniversaries in 2023. Invitations will be sent from reunion coordinators in the coming months.

OLD GIRL PROFILES

HUELIN (WILHELM ’87)

ANDREA

Tertiary Education:

Bachelor of Arts (English), Curtin University

Current Occupation:

Professional Artist

Andrea Huelin (Wilhelm

Where has life after St Mary’s taken you?

Unexpectedly, life took me to Far North Queensland! I have had a varied and interesting career. I started as a radio journalist with the ABC, and then moved into broadcasting and management, which led me to the ABC station in Cairns. When I finished up there in 1998, I decided to stay in Cairns and work for the Cairns Art Gallery, which was the first of my many roles in the arts industry. Being surrounded by artists inspired me to pick up where I left off at St Mary’s, and get out my paint brushes myself. A bit of study and lots of ‘brush miles’ later, I am a practising artist, represented by Michael Reid Gallery in Sydney and Berlin.

What does your current role entail and what does a typical day look like?

I am usually working towards an exhibition or a project of some kind, so I need to be fairly organised and disciplined. I rent a studio down the road from my house, and I am usually there by 9.00am. Depending what kind of deadline pressure I am on, I might stay and work until 7.00pm. Now that my children have left home, I can really focus on my painting, so I spend as much time at the studio as my energy and concentration allow.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

This year, I won the Packing Room Prize in the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales with my portrait of the comedian, Cal Wilson. It was such an amazing surprise to win, and I have had such lovely feedback from people who have seen it. There have been plenty of opportunities to attend special events, talks and functions that are associated with the Archibald, so it has been a lot of fun.

artist full-time

How did St Mary’s help you to discover your passion for the creative arts?

St Mary’s offered a great choice of activities across the arts, and I took advantage of most of them. I had five full years of studying visual art with the wonderful Ms Peggy Gale. Her enthusiasm for art was infectious, and she taught us to appreciate modern and contemporary art, as well as the Masters. She also taught us so many practical studio and materials management techniques, like stretching canvas and paper, which I call upon every day.

What advice would you offer to current students who are contemplating a career in the creative arts?

I think that these days there are many opportunities in the creative arts, and it is possible to have a career that involves regular paid work in the arts industry alongside your own personal art practice. The skills that artists have in creativity, lateral thinking and visual communication are valuable in the workforce, and companies are very hungry for imaginative content for their marketing. I would also encourage students to think about arts administration, management, curating or research roles as well – you don’t have to be amazing at drawing to get into the arts!

What is your fondest memory of your time at St Mary’s?

I loved the thrilling atmosphere and sense of camaraderie at the interschool swimming carnivals. I never swam in a single race, but I yelled very loudly from the grandstand. I remember when the new art rooms were built on the oval, which made it quite easy to pop in and work on my painting when I was supposed to be doing laps in Phys Ed. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t missed.

How do you think the School’s new Creative Arts and Design Centre will unleash the full potential of our students’ artistic talents?

It’s so important as an aspiring artist to have the space and resources to be able to achieve what you set out to do, and the new centre will give the students the chance to think big and to take chances. It sends an important message to the students and the wider school community that the arts are as valid as the STEM subjects, and the students can feel proud of occupying such a significant part of the school’s infrastructure. It also means that they enter tertiary study, or the workforce, being familiar with industry standard facilities.

OLD GIRL PROFILES

Tertiary Education:

Bachelor of Arts (Multimedia Design), Curtin University

Diploma in Gemmology, Gemmological Association of Australia

Cert III Jewellery Manufacture, Central TAFE

Current Occupation:

Jewellery Designer and Manufacturer; Gemmology Lecturer and Demonstrator

KathrynMacNiven (van Rooyen ’07)

Where has life after St Mary’s taken you?

The value of education and skill building has certainly followed me since leaving St Mary’s. I pursued a degree in design to discover what sort of ‘creative’ I wanted to be. Before I finished Year 12, I started a job in a jewellery store, working as a casual sales assistant, and found myself falling in love with the stories and sentimentality linked to jewellery, as well as the science and meaning behind gemstones. I decided I would look to train as a fine jeweller once I had finished my bachelor's degree, and the next year, I was offered an apprenticeship. I also completed a two-year study in gemmology. For more than 15 years, I have worked with clients from all walks of life, travelled overseas to source gemstones for bespoke designs, and been lucky enough to handle some of the Earth’s rarest gifts.

KATHRYN MACNIVEN (VAN ROOYEN ’07)

What does your current role entail and what does a typical day look like?

I manage a small jewellery manufacturing workshop based in Karrinyup. It has grown significantly from a solo project of our master jeweller, Simon, to a duo when I joined several years ago, and it is now a fourperson team. I manage the day-to-day operations of the workshop, which involves consultations with our clients, ordering materials such as precious metals, diamonds and gemstones, and the assembly and finishing of fine jewellery pieces.

I also teach a course provided by the Gemmological Association. Students learn the science behind the testing and properties of precious gemstones and minerals. My own studies have provided an extra layer of joy and understanding when designing with these materials.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I was as a finalist in an Australia/New Zealand jewellery design competition early in my apprenticeship, which was followed by being awarded runner-up WA Apprentice of the Year.

I am most proud of being awarded the prize for the top practical exam paper in Australia by the Gemmological Association of Australia.

How did St Mary’s help you to discover your passion for the creative arts?

When we immigrated to Australia and I was welcomed into St Mary’s Junior School, I was quickly taught that art was more than just pencils and paper. It was a means of expression beyond words through different media, while exercising discipline to convey a message. It was like learning a new language and appreciating the history, culture and community surrounding art. St Mary’s taught me that art was personal. After studying the creative arts at every moment I could, it seemed impossible that I could ever not be part of that world in some way.

What advice would you offer to current students who are contemplating a career in the creative arts?

It’s a cliché, but it is a privilege to be able to do what you love for a living. As tiring as it can be, the late nights and long hours sometimes needed to meet a deadline for an art project at school or any learning environment are worth it if you find a path to living your passion. Find a career that allows you to engage that creative processor of yours in

some way, whether it is picking up a paint brush, or devising solutions to problems that require creative insight, or being able to grow a business in a way that numbers alone can’t.

One more bit of advice - if your career choice is challenging but doesn’t wholly fulfil you creatively, be sure to make time in your life for your art. It’s a beautiful passion that shouldn’t be left behind.

What is your fondest memory of your time at St Mary’s?

My fondest memories would be found in the Senior School art department. My favourite time of every senior year was during the Creative and Performing Arts Festival (CAPAF). It would start weeks ahead with working on a wearable art design that would be donned for a catwalk appearance on the day of the festival or preparing any art pieces that were to be entered into the exhibition. I would spend as many hours as I could in the art department amongst my educators and peers, who I really felt understood me and my passion.

How do you think the School’s new Creative Arts and Design Centre will unleash the full potential of our students’ artistic talents?

I think this new Creative Arts and Design Centre could truly inspire some amazing artists and creators beyond the traditional disciplines associated with the creative arts. It is led by a passionate team of artists and educators and can only help students’ creativity blossom further.

OLD GIRL PROFILES

LAUREN WILHELM (’85)

Tertiary Education:

Bachelor of Arts (Design), Curtin University

Current Occupation:

I am a full-time artist, for which I sometimes have to pinch myself! I was a graphic designer for many years and grew my own company, but over time, the painting just took over, and I am glad to say I haven't designed any logos or annual reports in years!

Lauren Wilhelm (’85)

Where has life after St Mary’s taken you?

There was study and travel, and a year's full scholarship to study at the Academy of Art, Budapest Hungary in 1990/91. I had wanted to study somewhere off the beaten track, and in those days, with the previously Soviet Eastern Bloc just having opened up a little, it certainly was different from life in sunny Perth. I really appreciated the experience though, and I'm sure it nurtured an appreciation of classical art and traditional techniques of printmaking. Many years later, I joined an established art studio in Northbridge and over the years, I have exhibited in Melbourne and Sydney, Spain, Italy and New York.

What does your current role entail and what does a typical day look like?

My studio is set amongst the trees on our peaceful 35acre property in the Margaret River region, where I'm often interrupted by our tame kangaroos and parrots who do their best to come inside the working space. I try to be in the studio every day, with paintings and sculptures everywhere in various states of completion. There's nothing better than getting right into the creative 'zone' where you completely immerse yourself in the process, and you lose all track of time.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

artist full-time

Being part of an art residency in Puglia, Italy several years in a row, with a group of international artists, and exhibiting with them.

How did St Mary’s help you to discover your passion for the creative arts?

It was a very supportive environment and we were lucky to have talented and passionate art teachers. Peggy Gale, who passed recently, was a wonderful, encouraging figure, as was Mrs Wilson, who gave me good advice.

What advice would you offer to current students who are contemplating a career in the creative arts?

I would strongly encourage perseverance in whatever area they're passionate about, and taking up every single opportunity, however small, to learn and make contacts. I also think having a separate income stream alongside your art is important in the beginning, so your passion doesn't have the heavy burden of having to pay the bills too!

What is your fondest memory of your time at St Mary’s?

I graduated with such a nice bunch of girls! I remember them all fondly and the camaraderie we had over the years. I think my favourite memory was when St Mary's won the IGSSA Swimming Carnival in 1985 at Beatty Park. I still remember how exciting it was in the stands, with everybody shouting our school songs and cheering the swimmers.

How do you think the School’s new Creative Arts and Design Centre will unleash the full potential of our students’ artistic talents?

Having a well set-up space for the arts and design will be a wonderful opportunity for students to explore ideas and express themselves in a positive, nurturing environment, while they also tackle the pressures of study. The field itself is such a worthy avenue of career choice too, and having a school background where creativity is seen to be valued is a great launching pad for students going out into the world.

OLD GIRL PROFILES

Laura Addis (’16)

Tertiary Education: Bachelor of Fashion Design at Fashion Design Studio, TAFE NSW

Current Occupation: Design and Production Assistant at Status Anxiety

Where has life after St Mary’s taken you?

St Mary’s set me up with a great foundation and understanding of the creative arts, providing me with the confidence to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Having been a boarder from Year 8 to 12, I was accustomed to being away from home and wanted to study interstate. Mum wasn’t so keen on the idea of me moving to Sydney straight after school, so I packed my bags and went to England for a year. During this time, I worked in the art department of a secondary school in the Cotswolds. In 2018, I moved to Sydney where I studied a Bachelor of Fashion Design and now work full-time in the fashion industry. It is crazy to think I am going into my sixth year of living in Sydney!

LAURA ADDIS (’16)

What does your current role entail and what does a typical day look like?

I am very fortunate with my role, as no day is the same as the last. I work with a small team and my role ranges from research and design to development and production, and I assist the general manager with retail and wholesale. Right now, most of my day is taken up with preparing for our SS23 launch, and researching and designing for the next season's collection.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

It might sound silly, but I’m really proud of the life I’ve made in Sydney since moving away from the comfort of home. I have grown so much since St Mary’s and have allowed myself to explore each little creative idea, especially in my degree. Having grown up on a merino wool sheep farm in Cranbrook WA, I wanted wool to be a large part of my graduating collection at the Fashion Design Studios. My collection had eight looks made up of 17 garments and 12 garments had wool; I showed that wool can be used in high-end streetwear and can also consist of quirky prints and colours. After my graduating fashion show, my pieces were shown in Vogue Australia, which was a major ‘pinch-me’ moment.

How did St Mary’s help you to discover your passion for the creative arts?

I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to have an education at St Mary’s, as there was such a vast range of creative art curricular in which to participate, study and enjoy. I have dyslexia and academics were a little challenging for me. The support of the amazing staff at school during my time there helped me to find the confidence to pursue my interest in the creative arts. During my time at St Mary’s, I studied some form of art/ creative class every year. I participated in Wearable Art from Year 9 to Year 12, and in Years 11 and 12, I studied Materials Design Technology and ATAR Art. In my final year, I think I spent every second of the day either in the Art Department or the sewing room in Home Economics, sitting at a sewing machine.

What advice would you offer to current students who are contemplating a career in the creative arts?

I am definitely biased, but if you have the slightest feeling that you want to be working in a creative space, why not give it a go? It isn’t all glamour like the stereotype suggests but it can be very rewarding and exciting when you see your designs or projects come to life.

What is your fondest memory of your time at St Mary’s?

Being a boarder and living at the school, I have an impossible number of fond memories. Wearable Art would have to be one of my favourite memories. Each year, the theme was so different, and it allowed me to create outside of my comfort zone and develop new skills in design or sewing. Materials Design Technology goes hand in hand with wearable art, as it helped me to refine my sewing techniques and gave me an understanding of commercial garment construction. I think these memories stand out so much, because they gave me a space to be completely in my element and I was constantly learning, creating, talking and, most importantly, laughing.

How do you think the School’s new Creative Arts and Design Centre will unleash the full potential of our students’ artistic talents?

Investing in a new centre shows how much St Mary's values the creative arts. This will give each student the opportunity to explore all the different areas and techniques within the arts and design. It will be a place where students can zone in on their creative side and be confident and comfortable with any ideas that they come up with. As someone who loved mixed media, and merging art techniques with garment construction techniques, this new centre will enable direct access to both. I feel more students will be interested and enjoy being involved in the creative arts.

ARCHIVAL ANECDOTES

Learning and Doing T

owards the end of the 19th Century, a group of rebellious artists in France emerged and became known as the Impressionists. Some of the group’s more famous members were Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and PierreAuguste Renoir. Shunned by art critics of the time and rejected by renowned galleries and salons, they went on to produce some of the world’s most recognisable and loved works of art. What made these artists discard the practices of the Old Masters? Was it the energy of a new age, burgeoning technologies or a greater pace of life in more urban living environments? That could be now; it could be 2023! Artists and designers, like poets, writers and musicians, have always been challenged by the process of representing their observations and interpretation of what surrounds them and how it makes them feel. How to harness and teach that creative process, without stifling the student and the next generations’ ideas, is even more difficult.

Educated at the Dublin School of Art, Miss Margaret Saunders was the first appointed Art teacher at St Mary’s in 1923. A gifted and well-respected artist in her own right, she took the subject of drawing or painting in the Upper School, while Miss Edith Tothill taught drawing and nature study in the Lower School. By the time Margaret retired in 1945, Art was part of the Junior Certificate and Matriculation or Leaving curricula, taught throughout the school as a core subject, and St Mary’s had gained a reputation for producing Old Girls who were artists, fashion illustrators, designers and creatives. Kings Park was a close resource for the observance of flora, fauna, rock specimens, still life and landscapes. Regular visits were organised to the WA Museum and travelling exhibitions, and to the CBD for technical drawing of buildings. Although Art was underresourced, it was hugely valued, as Miss Dannatt, Principal 1923 to 1937, stated to the Board of Governors in 1925: ‘no life is really happy unless there runs through it a vein of deep pleasure in some form of art’.

ABOVE: Miss Margaret Saunders self portrait 1914, pastel on paper, courtesy of the Rariora Gallery Editorial illustration for the Almerta 1930, by Miss Margaret Saunders

RIGHT: Miss Edith Tothill and Miss Peggy Gale

Art was viewed by Mrs Theresa Macdonald, Principal 1957 to 1965, as a ‘learning and doing’ subject. She supported an art room being added as an annex to the back of School House and employed Mrs Pritchard, who had been educated at the Bath Academy of Art, to take the subject forward. Mrs Pumfrey and Mrs Whitchurch developed the subject even further, introducing quilting, lino printing and craft techniques. Following St Mary’s move to Karrinyup, pottery, sculpture, fabric design, screen printing and macramé were introduced. When Miss Peggy Gale was appointed as Head of the Art Department in 1977, Art truly came into its own with the addition of two work areas, storage space, two potter’s wheels and the study of art history. The School Report of 1980 states, ‘Art is very much alive in the school, not only as an examination subject, but as an aid to other studies and to allow talents to find an outlet’.

Peggy was such a remarkable teacher that she inspired many of her students to become artists and art teachers themselves, including our current Head of the Art Department, Ms Keryn Cooper (’83), who will oversee the Art Department’s move into our new Creative Arts and Design Centre. What will our next generation of students produce in these innovative spaces designed to engage and ignite creativity? Will they discard the old and race forward with the new, or will we see an amalgam, a layering of styles and techniques into new ways of learning and doing? I, for one, cannot wait to see the results.

Stephanie Neille, Archivist

Dorothy Harbisher (Van Dal ’39)

Dorothy Harbisher (Van Dal '39) holds a special place in our hearts as a beloved Old Girl who made a lasting impact on the St Mary’s community. As a past President and Honorary Life Member of the Old Girls' Association, Dorothy was a loyal supporter, organiser and attendee of many Old Girl activities throughout the years, even at age 100, when she attended our 2022 Fleur dis Lis Morning Tea.

We would like to express our sincere condolences to Dorothy’s family and friends on the passing of this treasured Old Girl at the age of 101.

Lorina (Lorrie) Maley (Rowledge ’33)

Earlier this year, we bid farewell to our oldest ever Old Girl, Lorina (Lorrie) Maley (Rowledge ’33), who passed away peacefully at the age of 106. An Old Girls’ Association Life Member, past Committee Member and Treasurer of the Association, Lorrie was incredibly special to the School, attending West Perth from 1923 to 1932. Lorrie received form prizes for academic achievement at St Mary’s and was involved in many school productions, wearing Anne Symington's (Paton ’33) father’s formal dinner suit to play the main role in The Tempest.

Lorrie married Colin Maley at St Mary’s Church West Perth on 18 December 1940. They both served during World War II. Lorrie was assigned to the St John’s Ambulance and served for six years as a Voluntary Aide Detachment (VAD) in West Perth. Lorrie and Colin had four children, 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

An exemplary hostess with a generosity of spirit and joy for life, famous for her homemade Victoria Sponge even up to her late 90s, Lorrie will remain forever in our hearts as a quintessential St Mary’s Old Girl.

St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School offers its condolences to the families of the following members of our community.

Ann Gibb Cornish (Maitland ’44), Teacher 1973-1986

Gaena Duncan, Teacher 1971-1993

Dorothy Harbisher (Van Dal ’39)

Dr Ray Hyslop OAM

Jeannie Lofts (Preston '42)

Lorina (Lorrie) Maley (Rowledge ’33).

Johnella (Joni) Page (Holland ’63)

Jack Sheedy

LEFT: Native orchids by Bettie Davies, Form VB, a student in Miss Tothill’s Drawing and Nature Studies class, 1926.

ST MARY’S ANGLICAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL INCORPORATED 75 Elliott Road Karrinyup Western Australia PO Box 105 Karrinyup WA 6921

TELEPHONE: (08) 9341 9111

WEBSITE: stmarys.wa.edu.au

CRICOS Number 00454C

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