Creatathon and a lasting gift

The online learning environment of 2020 encouraged us all to look for new ways to connect online.

Creatathon was devised as a fun way for students and our Yarra community to use their creativity, imagination and problem solving skills to solve a number of challenges whilst staying connected and collaborating with friends and colleagues. Students, staff, parents and community members signed up as part of a team (3-7 people) or as individuals (and we helped create teams). The event was held in 2020. We had 24 teams compete with over 90 participants submitting over 100 challenge entries. Our inaugural year saw two winners for the event – The Cement Heads and Team Average! We would like to congratulate everyone who participated, got creative, collaborated, stayed connected, contributed and were part of the amazing Yarra Creatathon Community.

A lasting gift

In February, the School was delighted to receive a donation of some artwork from the estate of the late Lesley Jonas. Amanda Knox presented the paintings, by Pip Davey (YOG 1982) to Dr Merry and Ngaire Thomson, Head of Art, Design and Technology.

Sadly, Lesley passed away in December 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Lesley had a long association with Yarra Valley Grammar, managing the Yarra Café, catering all Yarra events, working in the Food Tech department, as well as, with Amanda, running the Yarra Sports Food van on a Saturday morning. She was also a great supporter of the Yarra Fete and was a keen purchaser of art, including these paintings, from the Yarra Art Show.

The art is displayed in the recently renovated School House. The School would like to thank Amanda and the Jonas family for this gift in Lesley’s memory.