Collegian focus: A leading light

TOORAK COLLEGE Collegians

A leading light

BY IRIS ZHONG Collegian (TC ‘12)

ORIGINALLY FROM SHANGHAI, CHINA, IRIS IS A BOARDING HOUSE SUPERVISOR AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COORDINATOR AT TOORAK COLLEGE. HER JOB ENTAILS LOOKING AFTER OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND BEING THE COMMUNICATION BRIDGE BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND OUR INTERNATIONAL FAMILIES. What were your aspirations before coming to Toorak College?

Before coming to Toorak College, my aspiration was to be an event host. I hosted some school events when I was in China, and I really enjoyed the experience.

Tell us about graduating from Toorak and your ventures into university afterwards. What did you study?

I studied Media and Communications at The University of Melbourne and a Master of Business Management at RMIT.

As a Collegian, what was it about the Toorak Community that made you become a staff member?

First of all, I love Toorak College. This is a beautiful school and some of my best memories are from this school. Toorak College is like my second home in Australia. I know how difficult it is to adapt to new environments as an international student. I would like to use my own experiences to help our international students settle into Toorak College smoothly. These two reasons made me become a staff member of Toorak. I was very fortunate to be offered a job here, working in a role that helped international students in this way.

As a former boarder, what is most rewarding about now being a Boarding House Supervisor/ International Student Coordinator?

The most rewarding thing is being able to witness the growth of the international students. We send off many international students at the end of each year. Most of them have been with us since they were in Year 7 and others have joined us in different year levels. I have witnessed them grow taller, more mature and confident. Some of them were so little the first day they arrived, curious and unsure about all the new things. They quickly grew their confidence and were ready for new adventures when they graduated. Seeing this process every year reminds me of my boarding life in Toorak which feels like not long ago.

How does Toorak empower our international students to shine?

Toorak College offers lots of support, care and opportunities to the international students. We have our Intensive English Language Centre to help improve their English skills and the teachers are experienced and patient so they know how to support international students well. The boarding house provides a warm and loving environment to the international students so that they feel comfortable here. There are also many leadership opportunities in Toorak College to increase students’ confidence, communication and management skills, which help to set up their university life and future career.

This is a beautiful school and some of my best memories are from this school. Toorak College is like my second home in Australia.”

How did Toorak shape your aspirations for your future?

When I was studying in university, Toorak offered me an opportunity to come back and work in the Boarding House. The role keeps growing, and it’s getting more interesting and challenging.

THE HAMILTON SOCIETY

‘The Hamilton Society’ is a giving circle in celebration of those who choose to acknowledge Toorak College in their Will. This milestone initiative for our school has been established in consideration of the growing number of Collegians who have expressed their wish to create an enduring legacy. The Hamilton Society Scholarship is a newly formed accumulative fund established as part of this initiative, for those wishing to direct their gift towards supporting scholarships for those who would otherwise not have the means to attend Toorak College.

We wish to thank the following people who have chosen to leave their legacy by way of a planned gift to Toorak College:

ROSEMARY PEISLEY (BROMLEY, TC’60) CHRISTINE FRIDAY (TC’64) BARBARA THOMAS OAM (PHILLIPS, TC’65) JILL GRIFFITHS (STEWART, TC’69) SARAH NORRIS (TC’69) CAROLYN SUCH (WILTSHIRE, TC’69) JACQUE ROSS (HAZARD, TC’71) ROSEMARY SEWELL (MAJOR, TC’74) PAM HALL (WILKINSON, TC’75) KATE HOOK (TC’80) ALISON SWIFT (HURST, TC’86) PENNY BOWMAN (BOURKE, TC’01)

and all those who choose to remain anonymous.

FUTURE INDUCTEES

A luncheon for those wishing to be inducted into the Hamilton Society will be held later in the year. To find out more about this opportunity and the benefits of becoming a society member call the Development Office on (03) 97887200 visit www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au/community/giving/the-hamilton-society or scan the QR Code.