Namalata Semester 1 2022

namalata

We pay

that, like

they have

and continue to teach

and ideas in the hope of

about the world, sharing their

them a fulfilling and

life.

First Peoples' perspectives are embedded in

program and are an important aspect of the way we

with

environment. As we strive to help children build connections with the land, it is essential that we also offer them an opportunity to develop an understanding of

heritage.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL DAVID BAKER

WELCOME BACK TO NAMALATA, WOODLEIGH’S COMMUNITY MAGAZINE.

Namalata is an indigenous word meaning ‘message’. Often, these messages were sent by smoke, sharing news to neighbours across country.

After two years of home schooling, and with an entirely new leadership team, it’s timely to rekindle the Woodleigh fires and send our messages out once again, to share stories and experiences unique to Woodleigh, and to foster the connectedness of the extended Woodleigh community.

This publication is for all Woodleigh families and friends, past and present. A space where we can celebrate who we are, what we value and why we do things the Woodleigh way. It’s also a way to commemorate the contributions of the many people who have once called Woodleigh home.

In this edition of Namalata, we share with

you the joy of student life, in all its richness, returning to campus after two years of pandemic education.

Not everything stopped on campus during the pandemic. Our Senior Campus building program was able to progress with the muchawaited redevelopment of Homestead 4, an inspired learning facility that fosters in students a sense of ‘home away from home’ and brings our school infrastructure in line with our progressive educational programming. We are very grateful to Dustin Lloyd and his team at Lloyd Group and Jen Webster from Law Architects for producing such an amazing landmark building for the school.

During Reconciliation Week, our community came together to launch the Woodleigh Reconciliation Action Plan, a document which makes explicit our commitment to reconciliation, providing a roadmap for the actions we will take to make First Nations people, their culture and our shared future an

integral part of school life.

On a personal level, 2022 has finally provided an opportunity for me, as Principal, to fully engage with the many and varied experiences we have at Woodleigh School, and to reconnect with our peninsula community after relocating from Gippsland back to Mount Martha. Whether catching waves at the Prom on Homestead Camp, attending Community Connections Programs, coaching football, being enthralled at the Musicale or being back in the maths classroom, it has been amazing to see the human-powered Woodleigh machine in full flight.

Please enjoy this edition of Namalata. If you have any stories or news to share for upcoming editions, feel free to send a signal through to alumni@woodleigh.vic.edu.au

DAVID BAKER – Principal

“Before I was having a chat to Emma Craven: I’m picking up her science classes for three weeks. She’s teaching me how to do Socratic circles with the class. The Socratic method is a way of generating deep discussions about things. It’s all student driven. It pushes kids deep with their learning.”

What does a 400th century BC philosopher have to do with teaching millennials? Everything.

“Pushing kids and teachers deep with their thinking is critical to everything we do. We live in such a complex world. If students can think deeply, they’re unravelling complexity around them all the time. This has positive outcomes for their wellbeing and mental health. Overall, these things contribute to resilience,” he says.

“Socratic circles are about empowering each student to develop an opinion, to express it, but also to be prepared to receive feedback. Creating a safe space for that to happen with teenagers is tricky. You must be careful about nurturing that sense that nothing is right or wrong, in order for students to want to express their ideas,” David explains.

Being prepared to take a risk is something modelled regularly at Woodleigh, at all levels. David pauses, then shrugs, “I haven’t taught Socratic circles before. It could be a disaster. It could be great! That’s what teaching is like. We’ll wait and see,” he laughs. “This approach it’s so generative. That’s what I love. As a Principal, I’ve got an opportunity to influence everyone in the school in that way.”

In hindsight, you’d think David was always destined to become a teacher. His mum was a teacher too. But it wasn’t until he chose another path that he realised it wasn’t the right one.

“When I was in first year engineering at Monash, I wasn’t enjoying uni at all. Around that time my little sister Carly’s class at Mt Martha Primary asked me to come and do some experiments with the kids. I went in voluntarily and I ran this chemistry experiment with them,” he describes. David soon came around to the idea of teaching.

“I transferred over to Rusden the next year, originally to become a biology teacher. But

while I was at Rusden, I had this great lecturer called Gil Urquhart, and physics became a passion.” The passion continues today as David team-teaches VCE physics with Greg Davies, in between filling in for teachers who are on leave. “There are things that Greg has real strengths in and there’s things that I have real strengths in. We try to utilise each other.”

David’s first impressions of Woodleigh came from friends, former Woodleigh students. “In our group of friends, there were two kids who both came from Woodleigh. They just had a calmness about them. The Woodleigh kids were different. They were calm and respectful and really present. They were just really genuine kids,” he recalls.

Woodleigh remained in David’s mind as he watched Jonathan Walter lead the school from 2011 to 2019. “Jono was a friend of mine.

We taught together at Wesley College, then when he became Principal at Woodleigh, I was Principal at Gippsland Grammar. Both schools are part of the Gang of Five group, so I followed Jono’s journey through that. I always had this

“NONE OF THE PRINCIPAL’S I KNOW TEACH. I COULDN’T NAME ONE.” IN A WORLD WHERE OUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE UP TO 17 DIFFERENT JOBS OVER FIVE DIFFERENT CAREERS, YOU HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT A MAN WHO STILL HAS A PASSION FOR HIS JOB AS HE ENTERS HIS FOURTH DECADE OF TEACHING. THE SECRET TO THIS LONG BURNING FLAME OF A CAREER IS NOT NECESSARILY THE ‘WHAT’, BUT THE ‘HOW’.

WOODLEIGH’S SIXTH PRINCIPAL, DAVID BAKER, EXPLAINS.

MEET DAVID BAKER, WOODLEIGH’S SIXTH PRINCIPAL

PUSHING KIDS AND TEACHERS DEEP WITH THEIR THINKING IS CRITICAL TO EVERYTHING WE DO. WE LIVE IN SUCH A COMPLEX WORLD: IF STUDENTS CAN THINK DEEPLY , THEY’RE UNRAVELLING COMPLEXITY AROUND THEM ALL THE TIME. THESE THINGS CONTRIBUTE TO RESILIENCE.

MR BAKER, IN A NUTSHELL

FIRST CAR

A 1968 HK Holden Kingswood, a gift from my grandparents

FIRST GIG KISS at VFL Park, 1980

impression that it was an innovative school. I was a little bit envious because Gippsland was a more conservative community, so radical change was never on the agenda. I would look at what Jono was doing, and think ‘I wish I could do that’”.

In 2020, that chance arrived. But so did the Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s hard to believe David is in his third year as Woodleigh Principal. To many, David might still seem like ‘the new guy’. It was always going to be tough starting the Principal role, and this was made even more so as his first day was March 26, 2020, the last school day before the first Melbourne lockdown.

Three years into the role, and with lockdowns hopefully behind us, David can see that COVID has given him a deeper appreciation for the community that surrounds him, even though for the last three years much of that connection has been online.

The move from Gippsland to Mt Martha was a homecoming for the Baker family, whose connection to Mt Martha goes back to the early 1980s when David’s parents moved from Donvale. Although David had finished high school by that stage, his connection to the peninsula runs deep. Mt Martha in the 1980s was “brand new. There were no houses. The pine forest was there, there were two other houses in our court at that stage. There was nothing.” Prior to that, the Baker family had spent every summer – from Cup Day to Easter - camping at Rosebud Foreshore; between the rocket ship playground and the lighthouse. The peninsula, with its bush and beach, always felt like home.

Walking the dogs around Mt Martha with his wife Jane during lockdown and discovering places that were new to him were essential for keeping an even keel during Covid, where the school leadership team were spending 16-hour

days on Zoom, negotiating the constantly changing regulatory and health order territory. “That’s the thing I remember about lockdowns of a weekend, was taking the dogs for massive walks, exploring the other side of the Balcombe Creek. I’d take the dogs, and we’d walk up to the cemetery where my mum’s buried, and we’d go along the boardwalk to Craigie Road. These were places I’d never been before.”

David reflects on what – and whom – kept him on an even keel during this time. “Having a clear sense of self outside my professional life is important. While I’m a principal and this is my job and I love it, it’s a huge part of my life, it doesn’t define me. What defines me is being a good husband and father”

“People who live rich lives are connected to a whole lot of different communities, in a whole lot of different ways. For Woodleigh kids, they’re connected to a community outside of school, but then there’s a real opportunity for them to connect here: older kids, kids their own age, and in a broader sense with a group of teachers. They’re creating connections all over the place. That’s the vibrancy of Woodleigh. That’s where you get that rich sense of community, when kids are making rich connections in all sorts of contexts.”

To keep everything in balance, David values time spent with family, particularly if it involves salt water. “I go surfing every single weekend, with my daughters Caitlin and Amy. We’ve got a family group chat; every Friday the discussion is about the tide, the wind, where we’re going to surf this weekend. We often surf in Flinders, depending on the swell, and after a surf, we go and have lunch.”

FAVOURITE FILM Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOU Jackson’s Track

IF YOU HAD A MEAL AND COULD INVITE ANYONE IN THE WORLDLIVING OR DEAD - WHO WOULD IT BE? AND WHAT WOULD YOU EAT? Princess Diana and Nelson Mandella. On the menu: crayfish

IF YOU COULD MASTER AN INSTRUMENT OR A LANGUAGE, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? AND WHY?

I would like to play the bagpipes and speak Kriol, an Aboriginal language spoken in many remote communities.

FAVOURITE SPORTS Surfing, skiing, tennis and football (former player)

IF YOU COULD TAKE A TRIP ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? AND WHOM WOULD YOU GO WITH?

I would go to Whistler to ski with my family

WHAT’S YOUR DAILY ROUTINE?

5:45am Rise, go to Gym

7:20am Leave for school

8:30am Read emails, prepare for day

8:30am Attend meetings until around 5:30pm

6:00pm Leave for home

7.30pm Prepare dinner with my wife, Jane Check email and complete tasks set from the day until 10.30

11.00pm Go to bed and watch an episode of Seinfeld.

WOODLEIGH RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

WOODLEIGH SCHOOL’S HISTORY OF COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING RESPECTFUL AND RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES DATES BACK DECADES. THE RAP PLAN MAKES EXPLICIT THIS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO BOTH OUR COMMUNITY, AND ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE.

RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS

Our approach begins with acknowledging the land on which we live, learn and play; the land of the Bunurong and Boon Wurrung Peoples. Explorations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture begin with acquiring knowledge and understanding from a local perspective, before learning about communities from all over Australia. This knowledge is experiential due to our strong relationship to and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Elders, educators, and community members. Woodleigh’s long-standing collaborations with various indigenous community organisations include Willum Warrain in Hastings, the Wugularr School and Beswick Community in the Northern Territory (NT) - fondly referred to as Wugubank - and community collaboration programs with the Alyawarre people of Ampilatwatja and the Yolngu people of the Laynhapuy region (NT).

‘BOTH WAYS’ LEARNING

Our school is committed to learning through respect; learning the truth;

learning to be knowledgeable and be better as humans; learning ‘both ways’, an approach developed and articulated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers, most significantly, Mandawuy Yunupingu and Nalwarri Ngurruwutthun.

At Woodleigh, two-way learning is a key feature of our programs and interactions. It is where our two cultures meet; on Country, in each other’s schools, in the environment, the classroom, in the community, and through the contribution of Australian curricula that draws upon First Nations knowledge from highly experienced educational professions and community.

It was originally developed as a strategy to help make choice real in both worlds; to provide an opportunity for Aboriginal identity to stay strong, while allowing for Aboriginal people the opportunity to leave and become empowered in terms of the Western world.

OUR COMMITMENTS

• As a school, we commit to advancing the process of reconciliation.

• We commit to our students and the school by engaging in a two-

IN JUNE 2022, WE LAUNCHED WOODLEIGH’S RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN.

The RAP brings together all we do to further reconciliation across our three campuses and beyond, creating a roadmap for our future efforts.

As a school, we commit to advancing the process of reconciliation by engaging in a two-way relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, where there is growth for all.

way relationship where there is growth for all.

• We commit to the communities, schools and organisations involved in our endeavours.

• We commit to respectfully empower First Nations students to grow and participate equitably

participation through cultural immersion opportunities, school events, participation in dedicated National Weeks, partnerships, work experience, focus groups and parent education.

• Creating equitable opportunities that move us from awareness

AS A SCHOOL, WE COMMIT TO ADVANCING THE PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION. WE COMMIT TO OUR STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOL BY ENGAGING IN A TWO-WAY RELATIONSHIP WHERE THERE IS GROWTH FOR ALL.

in all areas with cultural pride.

• We commit to broadening horizons for all beyond school.

• We commit to truthfully educating our students and community about the history of Australia.

• We are committed to supporting our students and community in being strong allies.

WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN REAL WORLD TERMS:

• Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and perspectives, including the true history of colonisation from 3-Year-Old Pre-School to Year 12. We will achieve this by integrating experiences, content and understandings within the school’s curriculum frameworks and experiential programs.

• Developing broader community

to action through mutual respect, listening, optimism and generosity of heart and mind. We will continue the school’s collaborations with the communities of Willum Warrain, Wugularr, Amplatwatja, Laynhapuy and other associations through the provision of scholarships, respecting that contexts and aspirations are not the same for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

• Our school staff being trained in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness conducted by approved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and educators

VIVIENNE WEARNE Deputy Principal –Head of Penbank Campus

WILLUM WARRAIN

WILLUM WARRAIN , MEANING HOME BY THE SEA, IS A GATHERING PLACE SITUATED IN HASTINGS ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA. IT’S A PLACE WHERE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER TO REALIZE COMMUNITY ASPIRATIONS AND FORGE A SHARED IDENTITY. WILLUM WARRAIN IS PROUD TO BE A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANISATION, WITH AN ABORIGINAL BOARD.

Willum Warrain describes itself as a ‘destination for reconciliation’. One of its core aims is cultural strengthening. This will occur by establishing and fostering links between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the broader local community.

The current Executive Officer (Men’s Business) is former Woodleigh teacher, Peter Aldenhoven. Peter has been working at Willum Warrain since leaving Woodleigh in 2018. Peter is a passionate educator and advocate for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in school curriculums.

Woodleigh is incredibly lucky to have Willum Warrain on our doorstep. We have partnered with Willum and are committed to bringing local First Nations perspectives into our curriculum and classrooms. All students from our 3-Year-Old Preschool to our Year 12s have opportunities to visit the Hastings site and to engage in various workshops, forums, tours and reconciliation activities.

Our partnership is a central focus for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students’ Program. Our students regularly visit Peter and the team at Willum for cultural support and mentoring, with some students even being involved as leaders in the Willum ‘Deadly Kids’ Mentoring Program. Recently they attended a Youth Forum with First Nations students from across the Peninsula. One of our alumni, Kyah Stephens (2019), is now to be working as the Willum Youth Support Officer.

Willum Warrain has a 100% Aboriginal community owned Bush Nursery which specialises in local indigenous plants from the Mornington Peninsula. They aim not to just sell plants but to also share cultural knowledge.

Visitors to Willum frequently comment on the beautiful bush surrounds that the community have established there. As Woodleigh students walk the Koorie plant trail and visit the pun pun (billabong), they are able to learn about the cultural uses and meanings of the plants to Aboriginal peoples in South East Australia. This biodiversity is rich and growing. Frogs can often be heard calling and sightings of local birdlife, including the Wedge Tailed Eagle, enhance any visit.

Willum Warrain is carving a name for itself as an important centre for reconciliation. Its doors are open to everyone, including non-indigenous kin, friends, and supporters. Reconciliation is a key focus for us at Woodleigh. The 2022 Reconciliation theme is ‘Be Brave, Make Change’. Through the Willum Warrain-Woodleigh partnership, we are striving to teach all of our students to be brave and make change.

More information about Willum Warrain can be found on their website: www.willumwarrain.org.au

FIRST NATIONS COLLABORATIONS

FIRST NATIONS COLLABORATIONS

CAREY SAUNDERS – Head of First Nations Programs

SINCE 2015, OUR HOMESTEAD RENEWAL PROGRAM HAS TRANSFORMED WOODLEIGH’S MUCH-LOVED 1970s TIMBER HOMESTEADS INTO MODERN, INNOVATIVE LEARNING AND GATHERING SPACES.

Continuing Woodleigh’s longstanding relationship with Law Architects, and under the careful craftsmanship of Mornington Peninsula builder Lloyd Group, the most recent rebuild has been Homestead 4, which welcomed students and staff in March 2022.

The success of the Homestead renewal program depends not just on how they function as teaching or gathering spaces: how the buildings nestle into the landscape is equally important. It’s no accident that the Woodleigh landscape feels like it’s always been there; it was designed that way. To find out more, we spoke to Sam Cox, the leading hand in shaping the Woodleigh landscape for the past 20-years.

“I was invited to start working with the school when architect Sean Godsell built the Science building in 2002,” Sam tells me

over the phone from his base in the Yarra Valley. Though we speak over the phone, it is immediately

traces back to landscape royalty Ellis Stones and Edna Walling.

“We find the essence of the natural bush of Australia and Victoria, it resonates with people. It’s a place of solace and comfort and joy, depending on what’s going on in (our) lives,” Sam says.

CONNECTION TO PLACE: FOSTERING THE WOODLEIGH LANDSCAPE

apparent that his knowledge of Woodleigh – both of place and of people – runs deep.

Sam describes his philosophy of landscaping in terms of genus loci, or ‘spirit of place’. “Our work is a continuation of the landscape that was already there, we’ve just brought our way of placing rock.”

He underplays it slightly, but Sam’s work is steeped in 100-years of Australian naturalism, a distinctly Australian style of landscaping that

It takes a strong relationship between architect, landscaper and school leadership to build something that maintains a sense of adventure and wildness. Trust is key. But the rewards of a natural, varied school landscape – both for the environment and the people who inhabit it - far outweigh the risks.

Sam recalls one of his first jobs at Minimbah Campus. “When I worked with Gordon Ford on

the ECC at Minimbah in the late 1990s, placing the boulders into the play areas was something that we had to really consider. They became the most popular play equipment the kids had. That was before bush kinders were developed. But we’ve always known that risk and reward element.”

Another element of risk, it could be argued, is the fact that Sam doesn’t work with plans. “My training with Gordon Ford was without plans. That level of freedom and trust from clients gets the best results. We do find now, through the regulation world, that a level of planning needs to be done. The beauty of working with Sandy (Law, of Law Architects) is that we developed concept plans

“I DON’T KNOW IF STAFF NOTICE IT BECAUSE THEY WORK HERE, BUT WOODLEIGH KIDS MOVE DIFFERENTLY. FOR ME THE KIDS BEING ABLE TO SIT IN THOSE BUILDINGS, ESPECIALLY THE NEW HOMESTEADS, AND WE PURPOSEFULLY MAKE IT FEEL LIKE THE ENVIRONMENT IS RIGHT THERE AT THE WINDOW , I THINK THAT’S A REAL PLUS FOR THE KIDS IN TERMS OF WELL-BEING.”

that were broad. We’re given the freedom to work in a way that is instinctive and organic.”

“We have the paths marked, and that’s quite often done with Sandy’s work in terms of where we need to move the kids. Retaining is always done with boulder work, and then plant design is literally myself allocating plants in place.” Here, again, knowledge of place is critical. “By spending time around each individual building, and even inside the space itself, guides me in terms of where plantings need to go.”

“Kids will always take the simplest routes. We need to design for that. But it’s very much a design which is refined through being on site every day, being the designer that gets that last plant in the last position.” With the Homestead 4 landscaping, Sam and crew were planting on site as the kids were moving around the building in early Term 1, 2022.

“Our planting method is about mass-planting. We like the plants to blend well and seamlessly

HOMESTEADS

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT HOMESTEAD 1 SHOWN IN LATE 2015, IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THAT ANYMORE. GARDENS ARE ESTABLISHED AND THRIVING. HOMESTEAD 4 – NEWLY BUILT AND PLANTED OUT, IT WON’T TAKE LONG FOR THE GARDENS TO SOFTEN THE ANGLES AND EDGES

NEW COOTS

THE BRIAN HENDERSON RESERVE AT SENIOR CAMPUS HAD SOME NEW FOLKS MOVE IN RECENTLY – A COMMUNITY OF SOUTHERN BROWN BANDICOOTS!

BUSH WEEK SCHOOLS HAVE SOME INTERESTING TRADITIONS.

AT WOODLEIGH, IN BUSH WEEK, WE PLANT TREES. EVERY YEAR IN MAY, THE BUSH WEEK HOMESTEAD SESSION SEES YEAR 7 AND YEAR 12 STUDENTS BAND TOGETHER TO GIVE HUNDREDS OF NEW PLANTS A NEW HOME, AND THIS YEAR WAS NO DIFFERENT WITH 950 PLANTS ADDED TO OUR SENIOR CAMPUS GROUNDS.

combine. I’m very much about foliage contrast before flower, so local indigenous plants like lomandras, gardenias, indigenous wattles. For me, all year around I want that sense of contrast and green-on-green,” Sam explains. “I’m a pragmatist. Over the years, we’ve also planted what works. Plants need to grow and they need to be tough. Kids will test most plants, especially near paths. We’ve grown things like myoporums and low grevilleas as ground covers.”

Sam appreciates that the Woodleigh environment is a unique one, and the way the spirit of place has an impact on people. “I don’t know if staff notice it because they work here, but Woodleigh kids move differently. For me the kids being able to sit in those buildings, especially the new Homesteads, and we purposefully make it feel like the environment is right there at the window, I think that’s a real plus for the kids in terms of wellbeing.”

These bouncy little guys are relatives of the Bilby and, importantly, are native to the Peninsula. Though they were once common, they’re now considered endangered across Australia, with the last major population found not too far away in the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens.

At Woodleigh, they’ll have the chance to survive and thrive in the predator-proof confines of the reserve, safe from the foxes and cats who have decimated their wild populations.

Students will help monitor the animals via trapping and night vision cameras while also helping care for the animals who make up our small captive breeding program.

The Brian Henderson Reserve is now home to the Bandicoots, as well as populations of Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies, Red-necked Wallabies, Tammar Wallabies, Tasmanian Pademelons, Rufous Bettongs, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Eastern Quolls and a pair of Emus!

Thank you to Pails for Scales Conservation for donating these animals.

If any past students would like to participate as mentors for one of the Mt Rothwell weekends, please get in touch with Dr Gary Simpson: gsimpson@woodleigh.vic.edu.au.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE CLOSED THE BOOK ON 97 YEARS OF WOODLEIGH’S HISTORY. NINETY-SEVEN YEARS OF TEACHING, MENTORING, COACHING AND LEADING OUR STUDENTS WELL BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

Relationships and experiences are what we base education on at Woodleigh, and it’s fair to say that David Baxter, Helen Billett, and Geoff Rogers have enough runs on the board in the relationships and experiences department to best all comers.

It’s hard to find a domain where these three Woodleigh Legends have not had an impact. Academia, The Arts, Sport, Community Engagement and Community Partnerships have all benefited from the hard work, leadership, stewardship and care of David, Helen and Geoff.

David, after 27-years, and Geoff after 39, we hope you enjoy your very well-earned retirements. And Helen, after 30-years with us, we wish you every success as you continue with new and exciting challenges.

The legacy that these three teachers leave totals far more than 97 years. The thousands of young lives they have impacted during their time at Golf Links Road will live on far longer. Thank you for your tireless dedication to Woodleigh School, its values and its students.

GOOD BYE LEGENDS

MY MOST VIVID FEELING post-retirement is simply to wonder how so much time went past so fast! There’s no way that I spent over 25-years of my life at Woodleigh School. Five. Maybe ten.

But if I have to nominate one particular reaction to leaving, it’s thanks. Thanks to

Teaching is, or ought to be, a vocation, a calling. I believe strongly that when someone enters a school and a classroom to teach, they ought to do so as a ‘keeper of the flame’; the Olympic torch of inquiry, may it never go out! Schools must be places of questions, not ‘answers’.

FROM THE OUTSET, WOODLEIGH WAS THE CLOSEST FIT I FOUND TO PROVIDE THE SORT OF SOCIAL AWARENESS, CULTURAL SENSITIVITY AND PROSELYTISING-FREE EDUCATION THAT I FELT – FEEL – THAT CHILDREN DESERVE AND THAT TEACHERS OUGHT TO ASPIRE TO DELIVER. DAVID BAXTER

Woodleigh; the education, the community, the philosophy. Thanks for the opportunity – the privilege – of learning here, teaching here and for meeting here so many inspiring people on the way through.

From the outset, Woodleigh was the closest fit I found to provide the sort of social awareness, cultural sensitivity and proselytising-free education that I felt – feel – that children deserve and that teachers ought to aspire to deliver.

Students are endlessly singular; old ideas and beliefs must be tested and challenged. They might survive until tomorrow or fall away. But I always felt that confronting, accepting, and initiating those challenges was integral to what we call ‘the Woodleigh Way.”

Just like the students, teachers who spend their time here listening emerge changed. I hope that Woodleigh remains committed to being the kind of place where people learn to listen

to each other. Not necessarily ‘agree with’, and certainly not jump to ‘obey’. But that they would take the time to listen, consider, and factor in ideas or questions into the respectful framing of their own views of the world. That’s the way to reach a future that makes parley with its past and

honours its commitment to its future.

That’s what I learned from my time at Woodleigh. I certainly didn’t know that when I started there, but I met some amazing people – students and teachers – who taught me everything I know!

DAVID BAXTER

I’D LIKE TO THANK THE WOODLEIGH COMMUNITY for the wonderful farewell they hosted earlier in 2022. I shared the night with long-time friends, colleagues and Woodleigh icons David Baxter and Geoff Rogers. It was an honour to be part of their celebration, and to celebrate the amazing contribution they have made to Woodleigh. Between us, we had clocked up nearly 100 years of service!

Thank you, too, to the past staff members and students who wrote to me during that time. And, a huge thank-you to Woodleigh legend Nigel Lawler for his kind words on the night. What a fitting ending to my time at Woodleigh, once more being on the receiving end of a Lawler-speech. It was reminiscent of the Woodleigh Staff-Student Debates, a fabulous Woodleigh tradition where staff and students pitted their wits, showed their respect for one another, their love of irreverence and capacity to laugh at all that is ridiculous, while celebrating all that is important. Those debates were not for the faint-hearted, but then true

Woodleighians are anything but faint-hearted.

Thirty years is a long time to work at one place, but it didn’t feel that way. The joy of Woodleigh is that there are always new students to meet and learn about, new challenges to overcome, and new ideas to integrate into the wisdom of ‘the Woodleigh Way’.

and there are so many ways that students have taken these into the world to make a difference.

I love to think of all the paths marked ‘the Woodleigh Way’ being trod in so many walks of life and in so many places. I love to think that so many students discovered and developed their passion and voice at such a young age and have

I LOVE TO THINK OF ALL THE PATHS MARKED ‘THE WOODLEIGH WAY’ BEING TROD IN SO MANY WALKS OF LIFE AND IN SO MANY PLACES

I LOVE TO THINK THAT SO MANY STUDENTS DISCOVERED AND DEVELOPED THEIR PASSION AND VOICE AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE AND HAVE MADE THE MOST OF THEIR MANY OPPORTUNITIES. HELEN BILLETT

I met so many terrific young people during my time at Woodleigh and was honoured to share their education journey. It was humbling to hear so many familiar stories viewed from a different perspective and to hear and celebrate the inspiring things those past students are now achieving. We all share the same values, Respect for Self, Others and the Environment,

made the most of their many opportunities.

In the tradition of the Great Debates, I shall finish by mixing my metaphors. I wish Woodleigh, and all who sail and sailed in her, all the very best. Thank you for having me on board for so long.

HELEN BILLETT

I STARTED AT WOODLEIGH IN MAY 1983. Responding to a position advertised in The Age, I turned up to a little school carved out of the ti-tree scrub at Baxter. An acquaintance had told me that he’d found this great school for his kids. He explained, “They are in little houses, and they have to clean them,” but that they love going to school.

After an interview with Ken Jago, Brian Henderson, and Peter Wilson, I was lucky to get a start the next day!

Observing how students were thriving within the Woodleigh culture, it became obvious to my wife, Jo, and I that we couldn’t ignore the opportunity to give our own children a Woodleigh education; a perfectly normal way you would like your children to be treated. We subsequently renovated two houses and sold them on to keep ahead of the fees as Sean, Jason, Tim, and Emma enjoyed their Woodleigh experiences. Granddaughter Jet recently started in Year 10, and our four-year-old granddaughters are enrolled.

I have been very fortunate to stay at this school for a long time and witness the development, achievements, and adventures of many students under the guidance of our nurturing staff. Seeing their academic and sporting successes, amazing artworks, and fabulous musical performances is a testament to their work ethic.

Equally heartening is witnessing them face the challenges of camping out for the first time, presenting at an all-school assembly, or students who find it a struggle to continue to maintain their attendance; pitching their own

tent at the Prom or diving to the bottom of Mornington Pier for the first time. Woodleigh does this so well.

It’s always a pleasure to meet up with past students around Frankston and the Peninsula. They always present as being well-grounded, empathetic; not taking themselves too seriously.

Sadly, some of our Woodleigh family have passed on to another place and

IT’S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO MEET UP WITH PAST STUDENTS AROUND FRANKSTON AND THE PENINSULA. THEY ALWAYS PRESENT AS BEING WELL-GROUNDED, EMPATHETIC; NOT TAKING THEMSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY. GEOFF ROGERS

time. It has been an honour and a privilege to remember and reflect on their achievements and courage. I would like to thank the entire Woodleigh community who have supported me enthusiastically and unequivocally and taught me the ‘Woodleigh Way’ since that first day in 1983.

Finally, I would like to thank Jo, my patient and supportive wife, for putting up with all the demands that are made on Woodleigh staff families. We would do it all again in a heartbeat.

GEOFF ROGERS

THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY THEME WAS ‘BREAKING THE BIAS’, AND WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE CURRENT RICHMOND AFLW PLAYER AND 2016 GRADUATE MEG MACDONALD TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT. JOINING MEG WAS FORMER TEACHER IAN TYMMS, WHO TAUGHT AT WOODLEIGH FROM 1998 TO 2011.

After leaving Woodleigh, Ian taught at United World College South East Asia in Singapore. During his tenure, he learned about the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation through UWC’s Service-Learning Curriculum and their incredible work supporting children in Vietnam. Nine years later, Ian is back on the Mornington Peninsula and continuing to support Blue Dragon as a volunteer.

Supported by a strong organising committee and our catering sponsors, Roll’d Karingal, this year’s lunch raised $1,580, which has been donated to Blue Dragon to go toward removing young Vietnamese women from human trafficking situations. Thank you to our Year 12 organising committee, Tealia Holmes, Cara Eades, Lyla Perkin, Lila McDonagh, Pippin Seagren Hughes, April-Rose Strilec and Nikki Sartori, our performers Olivia Simpson Y11 and Tayla Basso, Pippin Seagren Hughes, Lila McDonagh, and Rupert O’Neill Y12, and our Year 6 students from Penbank and Minimbah who made the trip to Senior Campus.

BREAKING THE BIAS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCH

MY WOODLEIGH EXPERIENCE WAS SO REWARDING AND I FEEL IT SUPPORTED SHAPING WHO I AM TODAY. THE TEACHERS WERE QUITE REMARKABLE, THERE WAS SO MUCH DIVERSITY THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL, AND YOU COULD ALWAYS FIND SOMEONE YOU CONNECTED WITH.

I knew I would never be the dux of the school, and I had no idea what I wanted to do. As a child, I was never one to dress up as a princess or play with Barbies. I was the one nagging my older brother and my dad to come play outside and kick the footy with me. They used to love doing this until I hit the age where I was kicking the ball further than they were. From that day on, I never seemed to get an invite any more.

I tried different sports. I found quite a bit of expectation on what sports were ‘acceptable’; netball was for the girls, and footy was for the boys. I think this is a factor in society even today. However, I do believe there have been some big changes to help make any sport ‘acceptable’ for anyone.

Woodleigh is not the sportiest school going around. We were seen

as the ‘underdogs,’ but I don’t think we would have it another way. Win, lose or draw, it didn’t matter. If we had enough students for a team, it was a win. Woodleigh and many other schools have helped change how we view gender and sport.

There is so much variety on offer, and there is always a girls’ and a boys’ team. I hope all schools can offer the same equal opportunities.

After the first season, I had a few injuries and couldn’t perform. Unfortunately I missed out on selection and a contract for the following season. I felt dejected, and my love for footy waivered. I was set on going back to play local footy until, again, I was pushed by one of my friends to come down and train with Casey Demons VFLW. I felt at home straight away and trained in

Two weeks before the 2022 AFLW season started, I received a call from Richmond’s AFLW list manager asking me to come down to training as they had an opening on their list due to injury. I went down to training on New Year’s Eve: my excitement was high, but I kept my expectations low. Much to my delight, I was signed that night. To say it was a great end to the year

I THINK I SPEAK FOR THE AFLW PLAYERS IN SAYING HOW PROUD WE ARE OF HOW FAR WOMEN’S FOOTY HAS COME; ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO, WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

My football pathway became clearer as a friend pushed me to play footy with her at Mount Eliza.

Watching the looks on people’s faces when I told them I played footy was funny. I went on to play for the Seaford VFLW club before moving to St Kilda VFLW. There I was lucky enough to be part of history and play in their first-ever women’s team in the AFLW. It was all so overwhelming and exciting, being able to visualise women going further with their footy and possibly being able to make a career out of it.

the pre-season until COVID hit in early 2020.

We continued to train away from the club and were excited to return for the next season, though it was an interrupted one. We had a great team, and everyone loved it. My coach moved me from the backline to the midfield; a decision which was pivotal for me. The role suited how I play, and I was pretty dominant. The end-of-year draft came, and I didn’t get picked up. I wasn’t too upset about this as I loved where I was.

was an understatement!

Watching my parents’ faces when telling them I would be wearing yellow and black was one of the best moments. Dad has been a Richmond supporter since he was a kid. I still pinch myself every time I walk through the doors at Punt Road Oval. Having my family and friends turn on the TV to watch me play is crazy.

I think I speak for all AFLW players in saying how proud we are of how far women’s footy has come; although there is still a long way

EMERGING COMMUNITIES EDUCATION GROUP PEER TUTORING PROGRAM

to go, we are heading in the right direction. I feel proud of my role in inspiring the next generation of footballers. It’s no longer a pipe dream that AFLW players may one day be able to be full-time athletes and dedicate 100% of their time to the program.

Around the world, women’s sport is growing. Its attendance, media coverage, sponsorships and pay scales have increased dramatically. It’s almost hard to keep up with the rate it is growing.

I hope this motivates the younger generation to become physically active and participate in as many sports as possible. I believe team sport is so rewarding both physically and mentally, and there are so many benefits and life lessons from being part of a team.

My journey from local footy to AFLW was unexpected. I was fortunate to have been provided with opportunities, and I feel very lucky and privileged. I hope my story can inspire others to jump at opportunities as they present and not to give up.

MEG MACDONALD (2016)

WOODLEIGH’S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE EMERGING COMMUNITIES EDUCATION GROUP STARTED IN 2010. IT HAS UNDERGONE MANY NAME AND ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE ‘HOMEWORK CLUB’) BUT IT’S ROLE OF IMPROVING THE EDUCATIONAL PROSPECTS OF NEWLYARRIVED REFUGEES IN THE LOCAL AREA HAS REMAINED FRONT AND CENTRE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WOODLEIGH WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST LAURENCE, WHO OVERSEES THE ORGANISATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE OF THE PROGRAM.

run straight in the door and make a beeline for their regular Woodleigh buddy!

The most successful ‘buddying’ occurs with our students who have committed themselves to the program over a number of years. This includes our long standing Year 12 tutors, Tealia, Lou Lou, Izzy, Lucia, and Lachie, who have formed wonderful bonds with their young tutees. While observing one of these incredible students in action, another adult volunteer asked if they were teacher trained and couldn’t believe it when they found out they were still at school!

The program runs weekly, with 35 passionate students volunteering from Years 9 to 12. It aims to mentor and support refugee students and their families from other schools in the area, with most families coming from South Sudan. Our volunteers support students from pre-schoolers through to primary school students with homework, reading, writing, or maths activities, educational games, and some outdoor sports and games.

At the start of each session, it can appear to be a little chaotic! The young kids can be tired and cranky after a day at school and may require some cajoling to participate! Other times they’ll

Our students are pushed out of their comfort zone at times, and whilst there is always support from Woodleigh staff on tap, they are required to develop initiative and to learn to problem-solve. It never ceases to amaze people how skilled our students become at ‘thinking on their feet’ and inventing creative ways to encourage and engage the children.

This program is very much a two-way relationship, with our students benefiting as much from the program as their young tutees.

OUR STUDENTS ARE PUSHED OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE AT TIMES, AND WHILST THERE IS ALWAYS SUPPORT FROM WOODLEIGH STAFF ON TAP, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DEVELOP INITIATIVE AND TO LEARN TO PROBLEM-SOLVE.

CATHY HOLT - Emerging Communities Education Group Coordinator

HARMONY DAY

WOODLEIGH SURE LOVES A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION. HOWEVER, SINCE COVID HIT IN 2020, THERE HAVEN’T BEEN MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE THEM!

So it wasn’t a big ask to get families and friends down to Penbank for the 2022 Harmony Day Picnic in March to share a night of music, food, family, colour and fun.

Harmony Week is an annual celebration of Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect, and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone, and Penbank’s grassy oval was the perfect setting for us all to get together in the name of peace and mutual respect.

Entertainment on the evening was provided by students from all three campuses who performed beautifully, before jumping at the opportunity to dance along with Jessica Hitchcock, the Stiletto Sisters, and the Indigenous Outreach Project – Hip Hop performers.

Even better than coming together perhaps was the fact that the event raised $8,257 for Woodleigh School’s Indigenous Scholarship Fund!

IT WAS FABULOUS TO RETURN TO THE MT ROTHWELL CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE THIS YEAR, OUR FIRST WEEKEND FIELD GNATS TRIP SINCE COVID HIT IN MARCH 2020.

The Biodiversity Interpretation team at Mt Rothwell has supported Woodleigh’s Brian Henderson Wildlife Reserve since the reserve’s inception in 2008, providing advice, training, and our first animals. This included two Pademelons (small marsupials from the Macropodidae family) and seven Rufous Bettongs (rufous rat-kangaroo from the Potoroidae family).

Our original Field Gnats – Callum Simpson and Alex Miglietti (2014); and Alexander Simpson, Tan Somkiat and Liam Thomas (2017) – wanted to give back to the Mt Rothwell team, so they joined us as to volunteer as conservation workers and the tradition was born. It was wonderful to have Callum, Alex S. and Liam return as mentors on our latest trip.

We left Woodleigh on a cool, grey morning with light drizzle, ready for another Mt Rothwell adventure. Our students were so excited to have this opportunity again. We weren’t worried about rain, as it never rains up there… This time, however, it did rain, but there was no dampening our spirits!

The Mt Rothwell team met us with a list of tasks; cleaning out the breeding pens, quolls needing attention, and dingos that required walking.

With the success of the Eastern Quoll and Eastern Barred Bandicoot breeding programs, the pens are now home to the endangered Bush Stone Curlew, who have been breeding in great numbers at Mt Rothwell. The team explained that there were six breeding pairs last year, and now there are 23 birds.

The gnats divided into two groups. The first group searched for rabbits, whose eradication has been a huge but highly successful program. The second group replaced a section

of fence and pegged down new external skirts.

After dinner – for us, the dingos, the curlew, and quolls – we took the opportunity to go spotlighting, where we spotted various endangered species.

The following day we continued our jobs, before hiking up the granite rises, spotting Whistling Kites and Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies perched high on their boulders. This highly productive weekend provided the students with a sense of achievement – they left Mt Rothwell feeling proud of their work and their contribution to the Mt Rothwell team.

DR GARY SIMPSON – Director of the Brian Henderson Reserve THOMAS HENNESSEY – Land and Animal Management Assistant

RETURN TO MT ROTHWELL

WINTER MUSICALE

AT THE END OF TERM 2, the Senior Campus Hall’s stage once again played host to a performance of epic proportions, as two years of cobwebs were burned away in an instant with the return of Woodleigh’s biannual Musicale.

The strength of the performances seen at the Myths and Legends Musicale made it seem like COVID was a blip on the radar of our consciousness rather than more than two years of constant upheaval and the sidelining of community, The Arts and celebration. It would seem our young musicians used that time to rehearse, because when they hit that stage they set it alight.

Congratulations to all who performed, and a massive thank you to the teachers and parents who do so much to support Woodleigh’s vibrant, eclectic and electric music program.

We look forward to another electric performance at the Spring Musicale on Thursday 3 November, 2022.

MOTHER’S DAY OUT

IN WHAT IS BECOMING A MUCH-ANTICIPATED STAPLE IN THE WOODLEIGH CALENDAR, MUMS, GRANDMAS AND SPECIAL WOMENFOLK ENJOYED A LEISURELY LONG LUNCH AT MERRICKS GENERAL STORE BACK IN MAY IN CELEBRATION OF MOTHER’S DAY. AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH, PRIOR TO SITTING DOWN TO A DELICIOUS MEAL, GUESTS WERE TREATED TO A MINI STUDENTLED ARTY MARKET ON THE LAWN. WHAT A DAY!

During the lunch, guests were treated to a Q & A with two well-respected and admired Woodleigh alumni; Mel Gleeson, Founder & CEO of Endota Spa, current Woodleigh parent and Woodleigh Board member; and Emma Cleine, Founder & Owner of Lumiere Art & Co, current Woodleigh parent and Leader of the Arts Learning Area.

Through an engaging conversation, Mel and Emma challenged Woodleigh women to take risks, to back themselves, and do something they are passionate about. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!

We also need to extend a special thank you to our Woodleigh community who helped make this day extra special by donating items and services for our goodie bags, and allowing us to raffle off some fantastic prizes!

The funds raised on the Mother’s Day Out will go towards student stall materials for our annual Woodleigh Arty Market, which we are very excited to be hosting on Friday, 2 December. Pencil that date on your calendar and come along to show your support of our young entrepreneurs and creatives!

MEL GLEESON (1992)

Looking back at my Woodleigh experience as a student, I wasn’t aware of the profound impact the school had on my confidence and outlook on life. This understanding didn’t come until after I finished school, and I could reflect on the learnings and friendships.

The natural environment at Woodleigh provides the setting for deep learning to occur. Woodleigh is a values-led education, and the three Rs

really gave me a solid grounding for life. They cover everything, respect for self, others, and the environment. This is GOLD.

Woodleigh is able to recognise individuals’ strengths and builds on those. It allows for creativity, creative thinking and gives a sense of place and belonging.

Woodleigh is a place where, as a student, you felt safe to not only express who you are but to learn who you are. This changes as you grow through those critical years.

Woodleigh gives you the space to figure it out, try things, fail at things, and win at things, all in a caring environment. The camps and activities were a highlight. The resilience and life skills you acquire through experiential learning serves you well in the real world.

I am so appreciative of the time I spent a Woodleigh and the friendships I made. They have helped shape me into the person I am today.

EMMA CLEINE (1997)

Why Woodleigh? This question was asked at this year’s Mother’s Day Out. Without hesitation, I knew the answer. Woodleigh isn’t paralysed by its traditions; its values align with my family’s values and, it’s a truly contemporary education.

I started at Woodleigh way back in 1985 in Prep. I’ve come full circle. I had 13 years here as a student and this year is my third as a teacher.

Before I commenced here as a teacher, I decided to scale back my artwork, put our furniture business into hibernation and sell my third business. I also realised that the Mornington Peninsula was my home and I decided to settle into a familiar life for my children. I have embraced that I am a teacher and the ‘Woodleigh way’ has helped me become who I am.

Through my experiences I have realised that my purpose is to encourage young people to question, try, succeed, and reinvent, just like my teachers at Woodleigh did for the 13 years I was here. My experiences and education gave a me a unique outlook. Whilst I was not the most

WOODLEIGH ISN’T PARALYSED BY ITS TRADITIONS; ITS VALUES ALIGN WITH MY FAMILY’S AND, IT’S A TRULY CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION.

EMMA CLEINE

GIRL POWER IN ENGINEERING AND IT

consistent student at school, I learned how to persist, be experimental, treat people with respect and apply my love of the environment and culture to everything I do.

I am so lucky to now work and inspire on this beautiful Bunurong / Boon Wurrung land. So, why Woodleigh? I will always have my art practice and I will lean into it again down the track. However, to properly feed my creativity, I need the three R’s. Woodleigh is where I’m supposed to be in this time and place and it feels right.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PARTNERS!

OVER THE JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO ATTEND A FOUR-DAY GIRL POWER IN ENGINEERING AND IT CAMP AT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY.

While there, I got to participate in a variety of awesome workshops; hear from industry and academic staff; and interact with current engineering and IT university students. I shared this experience with a group of likeminded girls that I made lots of connections with.

FIVE GREAT THINGS I NEVER KNEW ABOUT ENGINEERING AND IT:

1. YOU GET TO SOLVE THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS

When you think about it, Engineering and IT are such rewarding disciplines because you get to solve the world’s problems. When you work to make your own and other people’s lives easier, you’re basically a superhero! For example, the Wright brothers invented the plane so that we can now travel overseas efficiently.

2. YOUR IDEAS –COMING TO LIFE

After all your hard work it can be gratifying to see your product or design come to life, whether that be as a civil engineer designing a skyscraper or as a biomedical engineer developing an artificial limb. It makes the hard work worthwhile.

3. YOU ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE

As an engineer, you are amplifying human capability, pushing limits and testing boundaries, allowing humans to travel into space, and giving amputees the chance to walk again. The opportunities to improve society, the environment and the planet are endless. As a bonus, the levels of job security for engineering are high!

4. VARIETY AND CHOICE

I don’t think people are aware of the variety that becomes available to you when choosing a career in engineering/IT. There are so many different types of engineering, that there is most likely something for everyone; from being a Formula One racing engineer perfecting the aerodynamics of the car and running lap simulations, to working for NASA and controlling the Curiosity Rover, a robot that is exploring Mars!

5. CREATIVITY

Finally, with creativity, you get to use your imagination to design, build, code, and create: from designing aeroplanes to building bridges, there are no limits to the imagination.

POPPY MOLLETT Y9

POPPY

TAKING ACTION: STUDENTS LEAD THE WAY

THE BIG FREEZE

In Terms 2 and 3 Year 12 students

Tessa, Harry and Rose took action, raising awareness of Motor Neuron Disease by hosting staff versus students netball and basketball games. Gold coin donations on entry meant that valuable funds and awareness has been raised for the fight against MND.

What the staff gave away in age, they made up in wit, guile, and determination to win both games, with their Year 12 opposition facing a cheeky challenge from Mr Ogier to choose a competition they might have a chance of winning. Congratulations to all players and officials and to the student organising committee, led by Tessa Cox Y12, who wore a very refreshing bucket of ice-cold water for her trouble!

THE SUSTAINABLES

During this year’s Bush Week, the Woodleigh Sustainables supported Seed Mob, an Indigenous youth-led organisation that fights for national climate justice and equality. Seed Mob’s aim is to build a more sustainable and just society, that puts the life of its citizens before the sake of the economy.

Seed Mob has a strong connection to culture and hope to provide a voice for the many Indigenous communities who currently don’t

have the right to make decisions about the use of the precious land they belong to.

THE GREATEST SHAVE Year 10 student, Charlie Stevering, did his bit for Leukaemia research, participating in this year’s Worlds Greatest Shave fundraiser. Congratulations Charlie on your efforts, raising more than $1,470.

BILLY CART RAFFLE

Congratulaions to Year 6 Penbank students Archie, Cooper, Will, Jasmine, and Zac who built a Billy Cart which was raffled off to raise funds for an excursion for the Wugularr kids when they visit Penbank. Thank you to those who helped raise $350!

affected. This year, Year 8 student Isabelle C. ran a fundraising day to support Epilepsy Action Australia’s Purple Day efforts.

With help from her mates Dash, Nox and Cooper, and Year 12 students Lou Lou, Rupert, Nikki and Gigi, Isabelle raised more than $600. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who made donations!

INDONESIAN FUNDRAISER

Congratulations to the team who ran a yummy lunch fundraiser for the Indonesian communities struggling to recover from COVID-19. All proceeds went to Rotary supporting Indonesian communities in need.

PURPLE DAY

Purple day is a global initiative dedicated to raising epilepsy awareness, dispelling myths, and increasing support for those

WALKING THE TALK - LIVING BY OUR VALUES: RESPECT FOR SELF, OTHERS & THE ENVIRONMENT.

YEAR 12 2021

A HARD ROAD BESTED

AFTER TWO YEARS OF VCE STUDY, RUDELY INTERRUPTED BY MORE THAN 260 DAYS SPENT IN LOCKDOWN, students, families, and staff were finally able to celebrate the talents, efforts, and achievements of Woodleigh’s Class of 2021 at their Valedictory.

Throughout the pandemic, Woodleigh’s senior students showed great maturity and resolve; they accepted the circumstances we were all experiencing and showed themselves to be an incredibly resourceful, independent, and resilient group.

Stories of their success range from those who have completed their education against all odds and are now venturing into their chosen career path, to those who achieved outstanding academic scores.

We are proud of them all and wish them every success in their lives beyond school.

2021 WOODLEIGH PRIZE WINNER

Congratulations to our 2021 Woodleigh Prize winner, Emma Sherrington. Her commitment and aptitude across the academic, music, sporting, and, importantly, our Community Partnerships Programs was outstanding. Congratulations, Emma, on an exceptional school career, and thank you for the life you brought to our school.

MY KITCHEN TABLE

Talk about leading by example! A team of Senior Campus staff have introduced My Kitchen Table to raise money for our Community Partnerships Programs.

Each Wednesday during term, staff pay $5 to grab themselves a yummy bowl of soup prepared and donated by a staff member. So far, we have raised funds for Safe Steps, Beyond Blue and the Asylum Seeker Centre.

KATE HADLEY REFLECTS ON HER COASTREK CHALLENGE

AS A TEACHER AT WOODLEIGH, IT’S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND LIVE A LIFESTYLE THAT SHOWS WE ARE PUTTING THE SCHOOL’S VALUES AND WHAT WE TEACH INTO ACTION WHENEVER WE CAN.

I’m not the fittest staff member, but earlier this year, I had my own ‘Adventurous Minds Day’ and took on the Coastrek challenge of walking 45km in one day from Cape Schanck to Point Nepean to raise money for Beyond Blue.

I’m not going to lie – it was tough! But our team raised over $3000, and the event raised over $2,380,000.

Did you know it costs $48 to answer every call to Beyond Blue? No call should go unanswered. Thank you to our community who supported me with donations and sent me good-luck vibes for the day!”

2021 PRINCIPAL’S AWARD WINNERS – LTOR: Isabel Allen, Bella Gosling, Gemma Bond, Ainsley Paton, Ruby Broomhall, Raia Flinos, Alexei Guy-Toogood, Liv Marshall and Charlotte Swayn –with Principal, David Baker.

2021 YEAR 12 FACULTY AWARD WINNERS – LTOR: Bella Gosling – English and Humanities, Jack Shalekoff – Mathematics and Science, Ned Murdoch – Personal Development, Owen Kirschenberg – Arts, Ainsley Paton – LOTE –with Nat McLennan – Deputy Principal Head of Senior Campus

STUDENT SUCCESS– REDEFINING EXCELLENCE

YEAR 12s FIND POSITIVES TO GET THROUGH PANDEMIC

The Age, December 12, 2021 by Anna Prytz

STUDYING FOR VCE EXAMS AND ENDURING LOCKDOWN MIGHT SEEM LIKE CHALLENGES ENOUGH, BUT FOR ALYSSA SCHNEIDER, ADDING ONE MORE THING TO HER PLATE HELPED HER THRIVE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

In March, inspired by her passion for fighting climate change, Alyssa started a business making sustainable underwear using offcuts and old stock from designers. Since its launch, demand for House of Blyss products has grown steadily.

“There’s a misconception that during Year 12 that’s all you can focus on, but I’ve always prioritised other things alongside of school,” Alyssa said.

“It’s nice to know I’ve accomplished something alongside of graduating, which with COVID is a feat of its

own.” Alyssa said starting the business helped her stay positive and engaged as we transitioned repeatedly to remote learning.

“We didn’t have a single term for VCE this year or last year where we were completely at school,” she said. “Definitely having other hobbies was super-vital during COVID and during online school. If school was my entire focus during online school, I don’t think I’d have been able to cope.”

PENINSULA FILM FESTIVAL

MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO KAITLYN EVERETT, YEAR 12 2021, FOR TAKING OUT THIS YEAR’S WOODLEIGH EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD AT THE PENINSULA FILM FESTIVAL.

The festival was this year held at the Dromana Drive-in, in a creative Covid-style pivot.

Woodleigh has partnered with the festival for nine years by sponsoring this award for emerging film talent. We’re rapt to be able to support the production and promotion of creativity and The Arts by young people, not only on the Peninsula, but in the wider community.

In 2023, the festival will be back at its traditional home, Village Green, Rosebud from February 3 to 5, 2023.

COME JOIN IN AT MINIMBAH PLAYGROUP

2020-2021 TOPSHOTS WINNER

ANIKA MCCLEAN (2020) WAS THE WINNER OF THE VCE TOPSHOTS AWARD 2020–21. Her photographic work, entitled ‘Knocking on COVID’s door’, was selected by MGA collection artist and 2010 Bowness Photography Prize winner Lee Grant, a Korean-Australian photographer and researcher with a background in social anthropology.

In selection the winning work, Grant was drawn to Anika’s work because “it speaks both simply and beautifully – using an experimental process – to speak of the times we are living in. I can’t imagine the impact COVID must have on our young people, but Anika’s focus on being creative in a difficult time and speaking of her experiences on a really simple level, i.e. her doorstep, is both captivating and inspiring.” Congratulations, Anika, on this awesome achievement!

Minimbah has created a fantastic Playgroup program for 2-year-old children. This program provides a rich and diverse play-based program, and children have the opportunity to explore all areas of the Early Childhood curriculum whilst building friendships and bonds with other children. This program has also supported children as they become comfortable with the Minimbah Campus and enjoy the spaces before transitioning into our ECC program.

For more information, please contact Kerrie Brodie at Minimbah Reception 9788 6488.

ALUMNI

AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

COMPETITORS

January’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane, saw three past Woodleigh students looking to go as deep as possible.

(LtoR) Lachlan Armour (2015), Lawrence Curtis (2014) and Bryden Macpherson (2008) were all on course.

INTERN OF THE YEAR

Doctor Rebecca Sherrington (2015), was this year voted Intern of The Year by the Senior Medical Staff at Peninsula Health.

Whilst we were delighted to hear this news (as it is an outstanding achievement), we weren’t particularly surprised to hear that this smart, caring, humble and hard-working young doctor has caught the eye of the establishment at PenHealth.

Congratulations Bec!

WOODLEIGH PEOPLE HAVE DEEP ROOTS. STAY CONNECTED TO OUR COMMUNITY!

AFTER A TWO YEAR PAUSE, WOODLEIGH IS DELIGHTED TO BE REINVIGORATING ITS ALUMNI PROGRAM. We’ve got big plans for you in 2022 and beyond, but first things first: we need to stay connected! Head to the Woodleigh website and update your details to receive regular news and event details from our Community team: www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au/community#alumni WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

We love having past students and staff members back on campus, sharing their wisdom and passion. If you would be interested in participating in any of the following, email us at alumni@woodleigh.vic.edu.au

TARA MINTON

Tara Minton (2003) is a London-based harpist, vocalist and songwriter. She’s returned to Melbourne in April, touring and promoting her new album, Two For The Road.

Tara dropped in during Term 2 to chat with Woodleigh VCE Music students about her art, career, and songwriting process. All while playing songs from her catalogue. It was an exceptional lesson.

Tara’s performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday 9 April, where she played with Owen Downie on Double Bass, blurred the lines between Jazz and Chamber Music.

ARTY MARKET

GUEST SPEAKERS MOCK INTERVIEWER WORK EXPERIENCE MUSICIANS / PERFORMERS SPORT COACHES FIELD GNATS EAT UP HELPERS FOOD TRUCKS VOLUNTEER INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIPS

KEEP ACROSS ALL THE WOODLEIGH ACTION...

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORIES

We would love to share your latest news with the wider Woodleigh community. Whatever big news is unfolding in your life, whether it be profesionnal or personal, we’d love to hear about it!

Drop us a line at alumni@woodleigh.vic.edu.au WE NEED MORE WOODLEIGH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

Priority is given to alumni when enrolling your children into Woodleigh. We invite you to come along and meet Principal David Baker at one of our regular Enrolment Information Evenings. Visit the Woodleigh website for further details.

CAITLIN RUSSO (2012)

My name is Caitlin and I graduated from Woodleigh in 2012. Straight from school I went to Australian Catholic University in Melbourne and studied for a Bachelor of Nursing, which took 3 years. Then I was fortunate to be offered a graduate position as a Registered Nurse at the Alfred Hospital in 2016.

I am still at The Alfred Hospital nearly 7 years later and am now a Clinical Nurse Specialist in my area of Theatre and Recovery. My role in my department is broad, and each day is very different. In recovery, I help patients wake up from surgery and manage their pain, nausea, and wounds.

I also work as a scrub nurse in Theatre, assisting the surgeons in completing the surgeries. Additionally, as a Resource Nurse, I am in charge of my area and staffing while coordinating the Undergraduate Program within my department, assisting student

nurses from university on their clinical placements.

While it is a challenging career - especially in the last few years during the pandemic - it is an extremely rewarding one. We are with our patients during the worst time of their lives, and they are often scared and alone, so being able to provide that care and comfort to them is so important and a part of my job I will never take for granted.

It is a career I recommend if you’re passionate about helping people and making a difference in the community.

TAHNEE BURGESS (2011)

HI, MY NAME IS TAHNEE, AND I GRADUATED IN 2011. While at Woodleigh, I was inspired working with the Chunkriel Language School in Cambodia and went on to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in International Relations at Monash. In undertaking this degree, I realised the impact climate change had on

global systems and transferred to a double degree in climate science.

I have since gone on to complete my Masters of Environment and Sustainability and researched how to most effectively communicate climate change across Australia and the Pacific.

I work as the Communications officer with the Climate Systems Hub. We’re a group that brings together climate scientists from across Australia to help inform federal and state government policies and help community organisations adapt to climate change. My work involves translating science for a range of audiences.

It’s important that people understand the science of climate change so they can manage the impacts of climate change and make informed choices to reduce emissions. Climate change impacts every aspect of our lives.

A lot of the time the communities who are adapting to the impacts of climate change are society’s most

WE LOVE IT WHEN PAST STUDENTS COME BACK TO SHARE THEIR STORIES!

Tahnee Burgess (2011), Dylan Bolch (2019), Caitlin Russo (2012) and Vanessa Weir (2011) returned to Senior Campus for our ‘Making a Difference in the Community’ Careers Assembly in Term 2. Addressing a crowd of Year 10 to 12 students, they spoke of their post-school journeys through tertiary education, employment progression and the twists, turns and reinventions that make up the passion and purpose-finding process that is building a career.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and insights with us!

vulnerable. In the Pacific we see increased rates of domestic violence linked to shifts in weather and increasing drought. LGBT people are most likely to be left vulnerable as climate change exacerbates existing poverty. And the impacts of climate change are going to worsen. A 10-year-old today will experience 5 times more extreme weather than their parents.

In 2018, I attended the Katowice UN Conference of Parties 24, the global forum where countries pledge emission reduction targets based on the latest science. While there, I was confronted by watching countries like Nauru and the Solomon Islands advocate the 1.5 degrees of warming would literally mean the loss of nations. This while Australians were arguing that building coal mines were still a good idea.

Having the opportunity to work on the global stage has shown me how communities can act on climate change. In many cases, they’re already adapting to climate change.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

ALUMNI

A lot of the time it’s women, young people and Traditional Owners leading the charge and traditional knowledge is being used across the world to store carbon in natural spaces, protect biodiversity and adapt to extreme weather.

It’s important that as you enter the workforce you do something you’re passionate about. It’s not as simple as just getting a degree, or degrees and landing a job in your field. But there are also so many opportunities in emerging industries in sustainability. Explore your passions. It’s okay to not know what that is at age 18.

VANESSA WEIR (2011)

I GRADUATED FROM WOODLEIGH IN 2011 and completed a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, with a double major in International Studies and Criminology. I discovered a passion for social justice through my studies. I volunteered as a mentor for a young person in foster care and worked in the Youth Justice System before completing a Master of Social Work at RMIT in 2020. .

I currently work at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, or VACCA, an independent, not-forprofit organisation that is governed by and held accountable to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to provide services for children, young people, and families.

I work in the Nugel program, which is a Wurundjeri word meaning ‘belong.’ The program provides a culturally safe and appropriate Child Protection service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

I work with children who have been removed from their parent’s care and live either with family in kinship care, or with foster carers. The Nugel program began in 2017 in response to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in child protection, out of home care, and youth justice systems. Nugel aims to put culture and relationships with family at the centre of all work. Nugel also provides healing approaches which address the impact of past child removals and trauma. The overall goal of Nugel and my work is to keep children connected to culture, to community and to Country. While it is not always possible to reunite children with their parents, Nugel works hard to ensure that the children remain connected with their family. Supporting the cultural safety and identity of Aboriginal children is linked to better outcomes, with the overall goal of eliminating overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in government systems.

A challenge that I’m currently facing is trying to look after myself whilst doing challenging work with community. Sometimes it can be hard to separate work from the rest of my life. Maintaining perspective about why I’m doing this work can help in the more challenging moments. Priorities, values, and circumstances change, and sometimes we find ourselves on a completely different path to the one you think you want. My advice to other young people would be to keep your mind open to the opportunities that come your way.

We love having past students and staff members back on campus, sharing their wisdom and passion. If you would be interested in participating in any of the following, email us at alumni@woodleigh.vic.edu.au

DYLAN BOLCH (2019)

The roar of a Formula 1 car engine can be heard from kilometres away. Being trackside is deafening. As the race official waves the chequered flag, it’s a mad rush down to pit lane to enter the media pen. There, it’s a scrap between journos to try and access each driver as they finish the race and embark on their required media commitments.

I’m lucky enough to talk to Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who was buzzing after a season-best finish in Melbourne. He reveals to me how happy he is to get his season back on track and that he is set to “rehydrate with a few beers” later that night.

My name is Dylan, and I graduated from Woodleigh in 2019. I’ve always had a passion for sport and everything to do with it. From a young age, I would watch the footy with the family and took a great interest in statistics and analytics, which fostered my enjoyment of maths and numbers. Once I got to university, I applied for every sports journalism internship possible and was eventually offered one at the SMJFL, a junior local footy league. At the end of my second year at uni, I saw a job advertisement on Twitter for a Media Manager at the Melbourne Renegades. I didn’t get the job. However, the Renegades asked me to jump on board on a casual basis and help with writing match reports. This lead to me jumping on board with the Melbourne Stars as well. So while a lot of my mates were out at the beach or away camping having fun, I was going to and from either the MCG or Marvel Stadium every second night working at the cricket.

Career aspirations aside, that was absolutely awesome to experience

as a sports tragic. I was the first person to speak to Glenn Maxwell after his record-breaking innings in the Big Bash, and have now interviewed Marcus Stoinis a couple of times.

At the conclusion of the cricket season, the Herald Sun contacted my boss at Cricket Victoria, asking if he knew of anyone who might be keen on doing paid work. Fortunately for me, my boss put me forward for the role and within a month I was working for the Herald Sun covering AFL matches. It also helped that I had done an internship at the Herald Sun in January.

I am also the media manager at the Sandringham Dragons, which is something I am really determined to excel in. Being a volunteer role, there are no set hours and it is totally unpaid; I can do as much or as little as possible. However, I dedicate approximately 15-20 hours a week here, making sure that what I do is as good as it can be. There’s a saying in sport ‘train like you play’ and I have tried to use that approach in my work for the Dragons.

Within this role, I write weekly articles, have changed the face of the webpage in terms of graphics and have recently launched a podcast for the club.

I’ve recently taken on the role of AFL Social Media Producer, controlling the socials and video content. One of my highlights of this has been creating content for the AFLW draft. Seeing young women realise their dreams of making it to the AFLW was so rewarding, especially with the girls I had worked with at Sandringham.