WINTER 2020

QUAERITE | The Journal of Shelford Girls’ Grammar Contents Principal’s welcome Principal’s welcome 1 Motivated by an inspired past 2 I began 2020 with nerves, hopes and excitement, as the newly appointed, eleventh Principal of Shelford. I was humbled by Two sides of the one story ... 3 the opportunity and optimistic about the year ahead. Remote learning 4 I anticipated settling in to the community. I looked forward to the reunions and events that would allow me to meet A timely lesson amid a complex world 5 students, families and alumni. I anticipated the key activities, History repeats 6 competitions and performances. Adjusting to COVID-19 7 Yet, this was not to be. From late January, Through it all, we provided onsite New Shelford staff 8 the COVID-19 outbreak has been the supervision to the children of essential dominant force in our lives. Firstly, we workers. managed the return of our international Class of 2019 10 Returning to school during Term 2, students. This grew to a larger issue again a little earlier than expected, also when foreign travel by staff, students Our ELC 12 raised challenges as to how to best keep and families, to a number of countries, students, families and staff safe, and became a focus heading towards the Student art and writing 13 which activities could run. Procedures Term 1 break. Junior School 18 and processes to manage risks were We then had to plan for the coming formulated. Our alumni are an impressive group of pandemic. We knew that remote learning Senior School 19 A key focus for us was regular extraordinary women; many are managing was more than a possibility and much communication with our wider community. the COVID crisis in various parts of the more of a likelihood. Yet pivoting to the Sport 20 We have been honest and open with all world and they have reached out to point where almost the entire school went of our stakeholders about our decision- each other to help their schoolmates to remote learning at the end of Term Year 7 and 8 camps 21 making processes, and transparent about through these difficult times. They have 1, was a remarkable and unprecedented what we are doing and our rationales sought engagement with the School and situation to face. Shelford history 22 for action. We have sought feedback at their connections here. It is at times of crisis that a community like Shelford is Shelfordians on the COVID frontline 23 Our teachers and students were upskilled regular intervals and responded to it. We on Microsoft Teams, the new Learning have not always had everyone agree with at its best and that we all feel a part of a Shelfordian news 26 Management System (LMS) was tested every decision we have made, but we greater whole. and guidelines for remote learning have assured our community that we have I feel personally, a strong sense of the formulated. Year 7–10 attended virtual their best interests at heart and that we history of Shelford, of the women who classrooms for each timetabled lesson have been working tirelessly to provide have gone before me and the challenges and in Foundation to Year 6 the students the safest opportunities possible. that they have faced. I am encouraged by enjoyed a mixture of synchronous, virtual COVID-19 has affected every aspect of their presence in the photos that adorn learning opportunities with teachers and our operations and practices. Through it the walls of the School and I feel that I classes, combined with asynchronous all, we have learnt to accept uncertainty. am walking in their well-trodden pathway. learning through resource packs and That change is inevitable. That we have This School has weathered strong and activities on the Learning Management to move swiftly but carefully. That difficult stormy weather in the past and will System. circumstances show you who people are. continue to do so. We streamed various activities and Our wonderful students have shown Katrina Brennan events online and the social media ‘Iso independence. They have seen the Principal Hopscotch Challenge’ contributed to value of their strong relationships and a continuing sense of community and resilience. Our dedicated and inspiring connection. Students and families could teachers have adopted new technology, continue to access a range of support. incorporated different teaching strategies As the COVID-19 pandemic reverberated and been able to respond in a flexible Our wonderful students have through the community, we helped way, to a completely new mode of Shelford family businesses by advertising living and working. Our hard working shown independence. They through our social media and school professional services staff have put the have seen the value of their community networks, and along with students and our community at the centre generous donations from some of our of all that they do. Our families’ support strong relationships and Shelfordians we were able to assist and care has enabled us to work together resilience. individual families with fee relief. to ensure student wellbeing and learning.

Cover photo: Principal Katrina Brennan pictured with Shelford’s Co-Captains A most extraordinary time Lucy McConville and Jodi Pang.

1 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Motivated by an inspired past Two sides of the one story ...

By Peter Hanlon an epiphany, I knew it was the place I was as Director of Staff and now Principal, Our Deputy Principals Karen Whelan and Dan Belluz reflect on meant to be. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy has sparked regular reunions with alumni When Katrina Brennan was in Grade the law, I just wasn’t passionate about it. who were Year 7-9 girls when they first the impact of COVID-19 on their roles within the School. 4 at a Launceston Primary School, she To be a good lawyer I had to pretend to crossed paths, and are now women doing was blessed to have a teacher whose joining webinars with people from all be someone else, whereas in teaching I amazing things. Their care for each other, Karen Whelan approach to her young students has not over the world I was able to find ways to could be my whole authentic self and it and pride in their old school, moves her. only stayed with her, it’s greatly influenced Deputy Principal, connect and creatively problem solve via seemed to work quite well with the job.’ where she finds herself today. ‘You sew those seeds, but you don’t Staff and Operations a screen. Now she is the 11th Principal of Shelford always see them grow,’ Brennan says. ‘I ‘Mrs Walter was an amazing teacher. Girls’ Grammar, and from her office in can still see the girls they were, intelligent, What is your role at Shelford? What is your biggest lesson during the She did yoga stretches with us, a bit of the historic Helenslea building where the insightful, down to earth girls. And now I am responsible for ensuring that Shelford remote learning period? mindfulness, the things we do today Caulfield education institution began they’re incredible women. And they look develops as a vibrant professional learning When nothing is certain, anything is which were quite innovative at the time,’ more than 120 years ago, she feels not after each other, they’re still in contact community where all staff are supported possible. The pandemic provided us with Brennan says. so much a weight of responsibility as a with their friends.’ to meet the standards and requirements an amazing opportunity to reflect on our ‘She took my friends and I out to humbling honour. of their roles. This involves working current practices and reimagine what the As lawyers, doctors, psychologists, dinner with her family to a Chinese collaboratively with Dan to ensure we can future holds for Shelford! ‘Those strong women, particularly in the businesswomen, advocates (former restaurant, which at the time was a really implement the best teaching practice. I early years, who had that vision for girls’ student Ashleigh Streeter-Jones was What are you most proud of from this sophisticated thing to do. She got to also teach a Year 11 Psychology class. What was your biggest challenge during education and really had to fight hard for ACT Woman of the Year for her work in period of time? know me as an individual, took a personal the remote learning period? the school to sustain itself at times, I walk gender equality), they are showing today’s How did the increasing risk of COVID How adaptable and resilient the Shelford interest in me, which was quite seminal.’ I think the biggest challenge was the in their footsteps. I take that responsibility Shelford girls all that they can achieve. impact your role at Shelford prior to community has shown themselves to be. unknown. Becoming comfortable with Later she was blessed to have a Year very seriously – forging ahead with that Brennan is especially warmed that an remote learning? holding ideas and decisions very loosely What message would you like to send to 12 teacher, Lorna Probst, who became same strong vision, pushing those barriers outstanding former student who could From a teaching perspective, I did not and being able to make changes with little the broader Shelford community at this a significant mentor and ‘one of the for girls and young women.’ have taken her pick of career paths chose have a full class of students physically to no notice. Dealing with this level of time? main reasons I wanted to be an English to be a teacher. present in my classroom, so I had to create uncertainty and knowing that the decisions Brennan used an introductory With a shared focus on learning and teacher’. Further down life’s road, after connections with these students to ensure we were making would impact not only presentation to her Shelford students to ‘I think there’s a real awareness of the wellbeing, there is nothing that the a career false start that was more detour they had access to class materials and was on the teaching and learning programs, speak about the rapidly changing world, need for girls’ education,’ Brennan says. Shelford community can’t achieve together. than wrong turn, she took over from able to begin to develop relationships with but the health and wellbeing of our and how the school’s core values – of ‘It’s not an old-fashioned, cloistered Probst as the Head of Senior School at them remotely. community was difficult to manage. respect, creativity, integrity, passion – are away from the world view of education, Dan Belluz Fintona Girls’ School. ‘It’s a funny old more important than ever. Just as girls’ it’s quite the opposite. It’s about Operationally, I met regularly with the Deputy Principal, What is your biggest lesson during the world,’ Brennan laughs. Executive Team and all other key staff education is so vital, inspired by the sort empowering, raising each other up and Teaching and Learning remote learning period? One that might have been very different. of role models she feels blessed to have working together. members to ensure we were able to keep Trusting one’s instinct, experience and the Brennan loved literature, but opted to had as a student. abreast of the latest government advice ‘Women all around the world who are What is your role at Shelford? facts. Collaboration with colleagues and study law and practised for five years, and guidelines. I also worked to develop the Executive Team, but also colleagues That connection her cherished teachers doing great things have often come from I am responsible for the academic working with a federal tribunal, on guidelines to transition all our staff safely at other schools (sharing) and around the encouraged has already come back to her a girls’ school.’ programs as well as developing the secondment in the Ombudsman’s office, and effectively to a remote learning world. I think we have all learned to share in a most rewarding way. After starting technological platforms used in delivering and in private practice in personal injury This article appeared in an International environment. and listen. her teaching career at Westbourne programs, providing feedback and litigation. Chatting with friends who were Women’s Day feature, Inspiring engaging families from Foundation to Grammar, she worked at Shelford as What did you do during the remote What are you most proud of from this teachers, a missed opportunity gnawed. Tomorrow’s Leaders, in The Age on Year 12. I work closely with both the Director of Middle School before stints learning period? period of time? 7 March 2020 page 7. Deputy Principal, Staff and Operations ‘So I enrolled in a DipEd at Melbourne at Fintona and in regional Victoria. Her It was important to us that we were still That we did not shy away from difficult and the pastoral team to ensure our Uni, and my first teaching round was like return to Shelford 18 months ago, initially able to offer our staff opportunities to decisions and that we came together programs will reflect the needs and continue their own learning during this with a very new leadership team to interests of our students. Every day brings time by participating in professional provide a positive learning experience something a little different, whether it be learning that focused on working in a to our students and support our staff a question from a staff member on how remote learning environment, building and families. In doing so, we have all we can support the learning of individual their own professional learning networks discovered more about resilience and students, to building design elements to and learning from others in the education creativity than I would have thought support teaching and learning in the future profession that were either ahead of us in possible. lockdown or in the same situation. at Shelford. What message would you like to send to One of our key goals was to ensure How did the increasing risk of COVID the broader Shelford community at this Shelford remained connected as a impact your role at Shelford prior to time? community. Education is a social profession remote learning? Probably two things here. The first is and it was of great importance to maintain This was quite easily the most challenging that (as a community) we have risen to staff connectedness during this time. situation I have experienced in my career the challenge of teaching and learning thus far. Within a matter of weeks, we had online. Secondly, that we will not ignore What was your biggest challenge during to train staff and students on using our the lessons we have learned and will look the remote learning period? Learning Management System (LMS) for at how we can use some of the ideas I missed the interaction and the joy of a practical online application of distance to further improve our programs and being in the same room as staff and learning – whilst also developing new structure. students. Through talking with my own policy and delivering our curriculum in a network, my students, other staff and meaningful and managed way.

2 3 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Remote learning A timely lesson amid a complex world

By Portia Conyers-East ‘We knew being online for a whole school From their discussions with overseas day was going to be tiring for both educators, Shelford recognised that For more than 122 years, Shelford Girls’ students and teachers, so we had to make maintaining the wellbeing of the school Grammar School in Caulfield has been some changes to our normal day-to-day community was paramount. So, they kept educating girls and young women. In more programming.’ in mind the wellbeing of all – teachers, recent years, the small school has been students and even families. preparing students for a global world, with To help reduce screen time, Shelford’s its constant and fast-paced change and teaching body created ‘no new content’ The school ran virtual challenges to get the growing interconnectivity. days for their Senior School students (Years students up and active, from something 7–12), in which the girls would instead as simple as making a parent a cup of ‘More than ever, our students need to spend the day doing independent study. tea to something more strenuous such as be able to adapt, innovate and problem- The primary school followed a similar going for a bike ride. The wellbeing team solve,’ explains Shelford’s Principal, Katrina structure, with students being given less touched base with every family at the school Brennan. ‘Our girls are going to be living virtual class work and more individually individually, while staff collaborated with in a world of environmental and economic focused tasks. each other, working through the first-term challenges … so they need to expect the holidays and sharing resources constantly. unexpected and work within changing Longer breaks were also introduced paradigms.’ between each class, which allowed the girls ‘We can’t wait to have everyone back on to get up and stretch or go for a short walk. school soil,’ says Brennan. ‘Our families, The current global pandemic is not exactly It brought an epiphany, of sorts. students and staff all love being together what Shelford’s educators explicitly had in on campus. We are aware it is going to be mind when they sought to prepare their ‘We have decided to keep these longer different, but this time has reminded us of students for a complex, global world. breaks once the students start returning the strength of community and why working to the classroom,’ adds Brennan. ‘In the Nevertheless, a period of remote learning together is so important. interim, we will need extra time to sanitise has provided beneficial lessons which the classrooms and for personal hygiene levels ‘We have recognised the importance of school plans to take back into face-to-face to be maintained. being flexible and have acknowledged classroom teaching. things may change some more … and ‘In the long-term, there is the potential to ‘We are learning from what has happened that is okay, because we are prepared for retain these longer class breaks. Why do we and adapting to it,’ says Brennan. ‘We change, and our students are learning to need to rush from class to class? If we have reached out across our teachers’ network be, too.’ longer breaks, the students will arrive at and collaborated with schools from Europe their next class calm, with clearer minds and This article appeared in the Independent and Hong Kong – who were a few weeks ready to learn.’ School Guide, The Sunday Age, 24 May ahead of us – to see how they managed 2020 page 14. remote education.

12 December First case 5 February Australia announces a 14-day of novel coronavirus ban for non-citizens arriving from China. is detected in Wuhan, 11 February The World Health Organisation 26 May Foundation to Year 2 and COVID-19 timeline China. It is not disclosed names the coronavirus, COVID-19. Year 10 to Year 12 students return for several weeks. The global death toll passes 1000. to onsite learning at Shelford.

December January February March April May June July

7 January Chinese authorities confirm they have 1 March A Perth man becomes Australia’s first fatality. 4 April Australia’s death toll hits 30. Globally 1 June Social restrictions ease in Victoria 9 July After a second wave of confirmed identified 2019-nCoV. 7 March Global cases hit 100,000. coronavirus cases surpass 1 million. with social gatherings and community COVID-19 cases, Melbourne returns to sport allowed, with restricted numbers. 9 January A 61-year-old man from Wuhan is the 11 March The WHO declares coronavirus a global pandemic. 11 April The global death toll surpasses Stage 3 social restrictions. world’s first death linked to the virus. 100,000. 9 June Students from Years 3 to 9 16 March Victoria declares a state of emergency. 13 July Students from Foundation to Year 20 January Chinese authorities confirm the virus 12 April Easter services are livestreamed return to onsite learning at Shelford. 9 return to remote learning, students 17 March A human biosecurity emergency is declared in can spread from person-to-person, with coronavirus across the nation as the holiday is celebrated in from Year 10–12 attend school onsite at Australia as the national death toll rises to six. added as a listed human disease under the isolation for the first time in Australia’s history. Shelford. 22 March Global death toll climbs past 11,000. Biosecurity Act of 2015. 15 April Coronavirus cases around the world 23 July Over 15 million cases of COVID-19 25 January The first case of coronavirus in Australia 23 March Shelford moves to remote learning operations, surpass 2 million. are confirmed globally, with the death toll with all teachers and students working from home. is confirmed – a man from Wuhan travelled to 25 April Anzac Day is commemorated with a surpassing 600,000. Melbourne on 19 January. The Prime Minister (PM) announces tough new restrictions simultaneous Dawn Service across the nation, Shelford asks all students returning from China on social distancing across the country in a bid to curb the from people’s homes, for the first time in to self-isolate for two weeks after returning to spread of coronavirus. Australia’s history. Australia, prior to starting the new school year. 25 March Weddings, funerals and birthday celebrations are 29 January Australia records seven confirmed heavily restricted and Australians are banned from travelling cases. overseas in wide-ranging new restrictions announced by PM. 31 January The World Health Organisation (WHO) Australian citizens are only allowed to leave their houses to declares a public health emergency of international work or study, shop for essential items, care for vulnerable concern over the global outbreak of coronavirus. family members, or exercise. Those who can work from home must work from home. Global death toll breaks 20,000. 4 5 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 History repeats Adjusting to COVID-19

The move to remote learning was not a first for Shelford. During the polio epidemic of 1937 An article by School psychologist Jacqui Green, that originally the School shut its doors and sent students home to the safety of correspondence classes. appeared in the Shelford staff wellbeing newsletter (Edition 3, 11 May 2020) Because of the epidemic, we were not able to hold our Memories from Anne Warrell Speech Night in the St Kilda Town Hall; however, on the last Today we are adjusting. We are Anger day of the term a very pleasant time was spent. The School (Chamberlin, 1942) all experiencing differing states of adjustment due to COVID-19 and along Anger can feel empowering. Council entertained all the scholars with ice cream, and the Anne Warrell (nee Chamberlin) was nine years old and in Year with this is an individual and collective prizes were distributed by Canon Peatt at a special assembly. 4 at Shelford when the polio epidemic hit Victoria in 1937. Anger can sometimes help us feel a sense of grief. We are grieving the year sense of control over the uncontrollable Despite the fact that the latter half of 1937 was very She remembers the School closed for a term and all school that wasn’t. including our own fears. This can look like disorganised, highly satisfactory results were obtained at work and assignments were sent home to be completed There are plenty of memes circulating blaming others, being hostile and refusing the Public Examinations. We congratulate Mary Marsden on then collected from students’ homes by staff or volunteers about 2020 and the year that needs to to comply with rules. gaining an exhibition for Trinity College (Janet Clarke Hall), each week. She says, ‘we were confined to our houses and be restarted. This illustrates our collective as well as a free place at the University. gardens and couldn’t even play with our neighbours next COVID-19 anger sounds like: sense that we are longing for our sport, door. We would wear wooden clothes pegs on our noses Our thanks and congratulations are due to the Staff for our gatherings for celebrations, weddings, • ‘This is all China’s fault.’ to stop the germs. I had a wonderful time playing games their untiring work in making the Correspondence Classes children in the classroom, fitness classes outside with my older sister, Margaret. My sister, Joy worked • ‘I don’t like what the Government is function so satisfactorily. We must also thank the parents for etc. The list is extensive and personal to in the city and when one of her work colleagues contracted telling me. I’m bored and I’m having their help and co-operation during this trying time. Divinity each and every one of us. polio and died, our mother fumigated our house with some friends over.’ Classes were carried on by Canon Peatt and the Rev. A. G. sulphur.’ The grieving process was first Mee, and examination results were satisfactory. All sporting Bargaining COVID-19 acceptance sounds like: events during third term were cancelled. The Cock House for Her advice for everyone living through the COVID-19 conceptualised by Dr Elisabeth Kübler- • ‘I can’t control coronavirus, but I the year was Langley. pandemic is to ‘do as you’re told’ and she believes that Ross in 1969 as having five stages. Later Bargaining is our way of finding a less can do my part by staying at home, ‘distancing between people is a great idea’. in her life, Dr Kübler-Ross revised her painful way out of a situation but also The first term of 1938 opened with the epidemic still raging theories to acknowledge these stages maintaining the illusion that we still have washing my hands and thinking in our midst, but the majority of upper middle school and are fluid, not fixed. This meaning, the five control. We are not ready yet to face positively.’ senior girls returned, and as the epidemic waned the lower stages of grief might or might not occur reality so we try to find a compromise. • ‘Just because I can’t live like I use to school girls returned gradually. We now have practically our in the order presented below. Kübler- doesn’t mean my life has to stop. I can full complement of pupils, and are glad to be working once COVID-19 bargaining sounds like: Ross proposed that some people may work from home, and I can still connect more under normal conditions. experience variations of the same stage • ‘It’s OK to spend time with friends as with my friends and family via phone multiple times, while some may skip a We said good-bye to Canon and Mrs Peatt late in March, long as they wash their hands.’ and the internet.’ stage (or stages) altogether. However, as and welcomed Canon and Mrs Langley home from their • ‘This will all be over by June. I’ll be a general rule, these are the five common • ‘The world is going to change, but holiday overseas. We are now looking forward to a happy safe until then, and then we can go stages of grief: maybe when we are on the other side and successful time during the remaining portion of this year. back to normal.’ of this, we will be more compassionate 1. Denial School report from Quaerite magazine, July 1938 • ‘I’ll be fine as long as I stay away from to one another.’ 2. Anger sick people.’ 3. Bargaining COVID-19 has asked us to pivot, adjust, 4. Despair and surrender but there has also been a 5. Acceptance Despair lot of grief with this change. Please, allow Joan Rackham (Butler, 1945) School Captain and Dux Despair arises when reality fully sinks in. yourself some anger, denial, bargaining, When we apply the stages of grief We feel hopelessness, disempowered and and a bit of despair. Go ahead and grieve. Joan Rackham (Butler) started in Prep at Little Shelford in 1933 and remembers having framework to understand our experience to stay home for several weeks in 1937 due to the polio outbreak. She said if there all is lost. You have earned it. We all have. Look for of COVID-19 we gain an insight into our acceptance as WE CAN DO THIS! were cases in certain areas, everyone in those areas had to stay home for a while. Joan collective reactions to the pandemic. COVID-19 despair sounds like: went on to complete her secondary education at Shelford and was School Captain and Dux in 1945. • ‘This epidemic is the new normal. I Denial can say goodbye to my hopes and Polio was still circulating in the community and Joan ended up contracting the illness Often in the service of self-preservation, dreams.’ in the second year of her science degree at the University of Melbourne while training for we can deny or reject physical and COVID-19 has asked us to a university fencing competition. She didn’t have to go to hospital but remembers being emotional pain. Denial is the intellectual • ‘We will never have sport ever again.’ pivot, adjust, and surrender at home feeling very unwell. She recalls, ‘I was lucky when I got polio – I was very fit. My and emotional rejection of something that mother was a nurse and I was allowed to stay home quarantined (a bit like today) doing but there has also been a lot of is clear and obvious. Acceptance many exercises but no splints or braces.’ grief with this change. Please, Acceptance occurs when we finally COVID-19 denial sounds like: Joan recovered and competed in national as well as university fencing competitions. Upon acknowledge the facts. We surrender allow yourself some anger, completion of her science degree, she became a microbiologist. Joan says, ‘I worked at • ‘This whole thing is so exaggerated. to the facts and accept them whatever denial, bargaining, and a bit of the Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, until 1955 when I was married, mainly isolating and What a media beat up.’ those facts might be. When we reach despair. identifying bacteria in samples of infections, and testing them against the new antibiotics. acceptance, we can stop denying and • ‘It’s the same as the flu. People get the After several years I ended up as a lecturer in science at the Institute of Early Childhood at resisting reality, and we can start dealing flu every year and hardly anyone dies.’ Kew.’ with what has happened and what is She encourages girls interested in maths and science to pursue their interest as she says, • ‘I’m not old, so I’ll be fine.’ happening, as effectively as we can. ‘I think that there is a wonderful scope of careers for girls in the future in science.’

6 7 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 New Shelford staff

Karen Whelan of English, Head of Year and Head at the Japanese Language Teachers Matt McLellan teaching Chinese in the Junior School. education, Ilse’s of Debating. She has also taught at Association of Victoria annual conference Wei-Yi’s gentle and calm demeanour broad skills include Deputy Principal, Staff and Operations Senior School Mathematics teacher Haileybury College where she was and has spoken at interstate and global and her approachable and enthusiastic a love of English (including VCE Maths Methods) Karen comes to also Head of English and prior to this, conferences. In addition to teaching attitude will assist our students to feel and writing, with us most recently worked in a variety of schools. Rachel is Japanese, Julie has a double major in Matt has a Bachelor confident and capable in their Maths training in VCOP from MLC, where an outstanding Senior English teacher, French and Japanese, and is looking of Science, a studies. and the Big she has worked in who has been on the VCAA English text forward to contributing to the teaching Bachelor of Write. Coming to staffing and as a selection panel, has contributed to and of French in the school and to leading Engineering, Kathryn (Kath) Lucas Shelford midway Psychology teacher. written NEAP Smart Study Guides and the LOTE faculty. a Bachelor of through Term 1, Drama Coordinator Karen has a Masters trial examinations and has contributed Aerospace we are incredibly in Educational to other publications such as VATE’s Madeleine Couloumbe Engineering and Kath joined grateful for Isle’s interpersonal skills and Leadership and (Victorian Association of Teachers a Bachelor of Shelford last year work ethic. Within weeks of joining our Year 11 English and Year 12 Literature has experience in of English) Inside Stories, Jacaranda Education. Most as a temporary staff, Ilse supported her class through diverse schools – in country Victoria, textbooks and The Age. Rachel has Madeleine was the recently, Matt cover and we are the transition to remote learning with London and in Melbourne – including presented at VCE English conferences Head of English worked at Brighton Grammar School for delighted that she excellent student outcomes. Scotch College and Strathcona Baptist for teachers and students. at Ivanhoe Girls’ ten years, teaching all the Mathematics is joining us in a full- Girls Grammar School. She has a Grammar and is a VCE subjects, working in enrichment, time capacity this Simone Lewis significant depth of knowledge in presenter and guest support, and holding coordination and year. Kath has been Karen McMullen Junior School Art teacher relation to girls’ education both through lecturer at Monash leadership roles. He has previously a professional actor Head of Mathematics Years 7–10 her professional experience and as a University Faculty worked at Sacred Heart Girls College and has worked Simone is a mother of two daughters. Karen has just of Education. She Oakleigh where he was the Head of for many years at the National Theatre Shelfordian (1998) completed a PhD has presented Mathematics. Drama School. She previously worked and most recently Jacinta Chambers on how reflective at the Victorian coordinating Drama at St Michael’s taught at Brighton thinking promotes Association of Teachers of English (VATE) Deon Weingarten Grammar and we feel very fortunate Grammar School. Year 9 Coordinator, Humanities, the development State conferences. Madeleine is on that someone with Kath’s background, She has a wealth Mathematics teacher and History teacher of self-regulated the VCAA VCE Literature text advisory experience and passion for her craft, has of experience in Jacinta has learning panel and is a VCE Literature examiner. Deon has a degree joined Shelford. both Junior and previously worked at strategies in Year Her past positions have included roles from Monash Senior School Peninsula Grammar 8 Mathematics, at Scotch College, Wesley College and University and Yuchen Huang teaching. She has and has a Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC). She has been working held a position coordinating community where she was the Year 7–9 Science teacher Head of Humanities. passion for curriculum and pedagogy has also previously worked at the J Paul for ten years service at Brighton Grammar. Simone has She has a Masters in Mathematics. She has worked for Getty Trust in Los Angeles. Madeleine at McKinnon Yuchen has a a passion for visual arts, creativity and of Teaching over ten years at Killester College as is completing postgraduate study and Secondary College. Science degree establishing positive relationships with from Melbourne a Maths Learning Leader. An expert in research at Monash University on the He has a broad and a Masters her students, and she will make a strong University and a Further Maths, she is a textbook writer, teaching of writing. She has a Bachelor of range of interests of Education impression and impact on our students’ Bachelor of Media has been an examination assessor and Arts (BA) in comparative literature from in education and from Melbourne visual arts education. and Communication. Jacinta has been more recently, an examination panel Sarah Lawrence College in New York. in life – he is very well travelled and has University. She has the recipient of the Gandel Holocaust member. Karen has a Masters in School worked volunteering in India, Israel and been the director Camilla McInerney Leadership (in numeracy education) and Laos, has worked as a disability support of a theatre group Scholarship for Australian educators, Julia Lloyd Bruin 3-year-old Kindergarten teacher is a thoughtful and warm teacher, who worker and has studied social work. at Melbourne where she travelled to Israel to study Year 9 and 10 English and will affect the teaching and learning Deon is a gentle, warm, funny and kind University. Camilla comes to for three weeks. She has been an acting Year 9 Q teacher Director of Learning and Wellbeing of Mathematics at Shelford in a very teacher who will fit in to Shelford as Alongside her passion for teaching us with over ten and attended World Challenge trips to positive manner. Julia has a Bachelor both an excellent teacher and wonderful Science to girls, borne from her own years’ experience as Vietnam and Morocco. of Arts with a colleague. experiences in an all girls’ school an early childhood Julie Devine double major in environment and her love of the subject, teacher, nominated English and History. Yuchen is looking forward to assisting supervisor and Rachel Kafka Head of LOTE Wei-Yi Wang She has worked with performing arts this year. Yuchen is educational Year 7–9 Mathematics teacher Year 11 Coordinator, Julie has been the at Fintona Girls’ a passionate and enthusiastic educator; leader. Her most Senior English teacher Head of Languages School since 2016 Wei-Yi has her energy, thoughtfulness and warmth recent position Rachel most recently at Star of the Sea as an English and postgraduate will assist students to engage with her was as Director of taught at Leibler College and is an Literature teacher qualifications in positively in their Science classes. Studley Park Kindergarten and she has Yavneh, where she experienced and and a Year 9 Coordinator. Julia is a Mathematics, ten a postgraduate Diploma of Education has had a number well-renowned pragmatic, engaging, funny and warm years’ experience Ilse Johansen (Early Childhood) as well as a Bachelor teacher of teacher who has excellent relationships teaching of Arts. of leadership roles, Year 6 teacher often holding more Japanese. She is a with colleagues, students and families mathematics at than one position VCAA assessor, was alike. She has experience at Senior Alkira Secondary Ilse comes to us from Korowa Anglican at a time, including on the new Study English but also enjoys teaching lower College in Girls’ School, with a Bachelor of Early Co-Head of Senior Design review panel and the review year levels, where you can have fun and Cranbourne, Childhood and Primary Teaching. A Years 10–12, VCE panel for Japanese in the Australian ignite students’ passions for reading and and was at Grimwade House last year caring teacher with a passion for girls’ Coordinator, Head Curriculum. Julie is a regular presenter writing.

8 9 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Class of 2019

Where are they now? Students Students Hospitality Arts and communication enrolled enrolled Music in single in double degree degree Health courses courses

Sciences Business and 25 22 11 3 3 1 1 commerce 53 13 Design and creative arts Course areas being studied Anja Bantick and Television at Swinburne University of Bands’ Festival after months of practising Bachelor of Business/Marketing (applied), Technology. What I enjoy most about my and hard work. Half of the band was RMIT University course is studying Production Techniques composed of Year 12 girls who had been because I have access to film equipment playing music together in Concert Band What do you like best about your including professional cameras which I since Year 7, so it was brilliant to win course? can use to shoot my own films. I love that Gold for the first time and in our last year I am currently studying a Bachelor of I have the opportunity to collaborate with of school too! The second memory was Business/Marketing (applied) degree at other creative students who share my when the Shelford Track and Field team RMIT. Due to the conditions of isolation, passion for filmmaking to produce short came first at GSV athletics, for the first online university has its challenges. Being films. time in around 20 years. The best part a first-year student, missing out on the about both of these successes and my Your favourite Shelford memory? years’ experience and opportunities time at Shelford was the camaraderie and has been disappointing, however, I am I have so many incredible memories friendships that I experienced with girls making the most of online study by video from Shelford, I absolutely loved being from all year levels. chatting with other students and my involved in House Performing Arts, school teachers to engage as much as possible. musical ensembles and performing in Stephanie Leong The subject I most enjoy is Marketing the 2018 school musical Beauty and the Beast. Bachelor of Communication (Advertising), Principles as it has many elements of RMIT design and creativity to it. Olivia Kulesza What do you like best about your Your favourite Shelford memory? Bachelor of Science, course? Being at Shelford since Year 3, I have University of Melbourne I’m studying a Bachelor of Communication many fond memories. From House (Advertising) and my favourite thing about What do you like most about your swimming carnivals and athletic days, my course is the creative aspect mixed course? Year 11 and 12 formals, and being a with strategy. I really enjoy learning how part of the House Performing Arts every I am doing a Bachelor of Science at the to alter an advertisement for the specific year, especially when I was the House University of Melbourne. Before COVID- target audience. It has definitely been Dance Captain for Blundell. Another fond 19 set in and the campus was closed, I harder doing university online, especially memory was auditioning for Top Class really enjoyed going into university and tutorials as you don’t have that face-to- Dance to present a jazz performance walking around to all my classes. face learning, however, I’m still finding for the VCE season of excellence 2019. I was always bumping into people that my course really interesting and engaging My performance received a high score I knew from Shelford, as well as the despite the social adjustments. for VCE VET Dance subject which new friends that I had made from the Premier’s VCE Awards contributed to my mark for the 2019 year. Science Students’ Society and my classes. Your favourite Shelford memory? The Premier’s VCE Awards recognise the outstanding results of Perhaps best of all though is the honour Even though we all had vastly different My favourite Shelford memory would be individual students in Victoria. of becoming a Shelfordian and making timetables, there was always someone Aths day and GSV sports because I love lifelong friends. around to meet up with and have lunch all of the House spirit and how involved We are extremely proud to announce two students from the Class together. My classes themselves are really everyone gets in the school events. I of 2019 who achieved this honour: Elyssa Triskelidis interesting – my Geology class is the best! personally loved playing GSV netball and Alyssa Davies badminton and have some fun memories • – Studio Arts Bachelor of Film and Television, Your favourite Shelford memory? from those games. Another favourite Rachel Lendon Swinburne University of Technology There are too many to choose from! The • – Global Politics memory was creating great relationships big standouts for me both happened What do you like best about your with my friends and teachers who were Congratulations to these Shelfordians and also to Ms Deb Pettigrew during Year 12. The first was when Senior course? always there whenever I needed help or and Ms Claire Taylor, their talented teachers. Concert Band won Gold at the Victorian I am currently studying a Bachelor of Film had any questions.

10 11 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Our ELC Student art and writing Sustainability and indigenous culture

Children need to experience a wide In ELC Denton the focus has been on variety of hands-on experiences with materials, their properties and recycling. nature and issues of environment, Working with materials like socks, sustainability and connection are taken corks and cardboard, our students are into consideration when choosing large- encouraged to choose the materials scale projects for study. We also see they are going to use to create artworks nurturing children’s connection to the carefully, plan and to return to their work natural world as another way of honouring many times, ensuring that materials are the traditional owners of our Country. used to their maximum benefit. As the seasons began to change in In early March, Jenaya from Yarn Strong Term 1, ELC Solomon witnessed some Sista visited our four-year-old ELC classes wonderful storms across the city. to conduct an indigenous education Following the children’s interest in the session with our students. Spending weather they began investigating different time talking about Aboriginal culture types of weather systems and soon and the Aboriginal Flag, the students became fascinated by tornados. They also participated in a craft session. were particularly captivated by their sheer Encouraging the children to learn more Our Early Learning A poem for freedom strength; how they swirl and spin around about indigenous perspectives, this Centre is closing at the at great speeds collecting everything in session also connected to their growing Being indoors gives you a different their paths. From here a collaborative art knowledge of sustainable practices. end of the 2020 perspective on the world. work was born, named ‘Dangerous Storm’ A much-loved and valued educational You can see the oak trees swaying but inspired by their ideas of what it would never feel the icy breeze on your skin. look like if a mighty tornado struck. facility since 1995, hundreds of A letter to myself children have passed through the Watching the sunset from afar but never Toddler Room and 3- and 4-year old Dear Asher, truly immersing yourself in the warm rays kindergarten classrooms in the 25 I am writing this letter so you can look of pure light. years since. Espousing the Emilia back on Term 2 of Grade 6 and remember Observing the seasons change through Reggio educational philosophy, the how different it was to what you were thick windows that always remain closed. ELC has been continually staffed expecting. by dedicated and accomplished The pain in your heart yearns for human educators, who have created Remember how excited you were interaction but is never indulged. stimulating and engaging educational about staying home and doing remote You begin to miss the times when programs and provided the highest schooling? embracing loved ones wasn’t dangerous, level of care for our youngest students. It is VERY different to what you thought. And shopping for groceries wasn’t a luxury. This decision to close the ELC is not Lots of screen time has been tiring and one that has been made lightly. you are very happy to get outside and Humans need love to survive. ‘With low enrolment numbers and paint especially when it is sunny and nice. Not just people saying “i love you”, but a significant financial loss projected You have learnt a lot of things. You can physical love. for 2021 and beyond, the Board was use technology better than your parents. Mothers kissing daughters, fathers left with no alternative but to close You have found lots of new recipes which embracing sons, children playing with the Centre. This decision is purely you can make on your own without any cousins. based on financial viability and is not help. You have even found the ultimate Actions that were taken for granted three reflective of the quality of service chocolate chip cookie recipe. weeks ago. delivery in the ELC. The Board has responsibility for the whole school and Your highlights have been going for walks Now we have adapted and are no longer the ongoing subsidy of the ELC could with your family. Making Dad walk on the reliant on the warmth of arms around us, sand even when he didn’t want to. Going not continue at the expense of services Or on the smiles from kind strangers on to the park and helping Zoe with her to our students in the Junior and the street. Senior Schools’, said Ms Zena Helman, hopscotch challenge. Sewing the heart for Now there is no life on the street, and the Chair of the Board of Governors. year 12 was good fun and has started a new passion. cold faces watching from dark windows We understand this news is significant don’t smile. to many families in our community, I know you are excited to go back to So the girl sat on her white bed, particularly those with a connection school and see your friends. surrounded by white walls and suffocated to our ELC, and thank you for your I hope you enjoyed looking back on this by white masks, ongoing support and understanding Term. during this time. And she yearned for freedom. Asher Kirkilis, Year 6 Anonymous Year 9

12 13 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Student art and writing Coronavirus panic buyer’s fever

A red shape hunts acorns in the trees Tiny claws with pearly black eyes A fluffed-up tail with fiery hairs Dig, dig, dig into the ground Cover it up now Don’t tell them, no sound

The beast of the forest Brown-furred body Powerful teeth Shred fish In the creek Then into his hollow crawls No tracks in the snow Just a forest with no Beast of the woods He’s sleeping till spring grows Panic, fevered grabbing Remote learning In Coles, Woolies and Aldi’s People are nabbing reflection Frozen goods, toilet roll So far, for my second term of Year 8 I have Hand sanitizer and soap been remote learning due to the current The elderly are being bowled global pandemic COVID-19. It’s been Who started this craze? interesting to say the least – filled with Dad yelling in a daze some boredom and procrastinating. To Of his journey through the day have experienced this once in a lifetime, He went to five different shops unknown time has made me realise how When will it stop? much I take for granted daily. Throughout The fevered grabbing… these last few months, I would have done anything to go back to Shelford, Rosie Davies, Year 9 have the early morning GSV starts and see all my friends each day, which I really didn’t think too much of before. I have also really appreciated going to a school with a very functional online learning platform. Although I haven’t enjoyed online school nearly as much as going to Hood Crescent each day, I’ve still had Shavasana almost the same opportunities, and have been able to have face to face talks with Move my head side to side my teachers. Staying mainly in isolation Roll my shoulders back has also allowed time for an assortment Lift from the sternum of activities for me to do, such as some Calm Fortnite with my brother, too many walks in the park to remember, cuddling with Rest my eyes my dog, painting, as well as baking Breathe the deepest breath sugary messes. Overall, this COVID-19 Hold experience has been a memorable one; Exhale I hope I will not have to go through it Bow my head again anytime soon. For now, I’m happy Palms come to kiss and grateful as ever to be returning to Raise my hands to the third eye Shelford and getting this rollercoaster of a Breathe year – 2020, back on track. (To centre yourself) Ali Fraser, Year 8 Nina Fraid, Year 9

14 15 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Student art and writing The isolation anthem Inclusion/exclusion

This is a rap about isolation Cape Town, 1973, 10:52 PM. The club, where those perfect girls with About a bunch of dull time in hibernation the bobbing pig-tails and too-bright Skip, jump, vault. Cartwheel, jump, finish. We are stuck at home and there’s no smiles twirled and danced, exactly how I Skip, jump, vault. Cartwheel, jump, escaping did. I had dreamt infinitely about being finish. I flipped and twirled, moonlight Everyone believing Trump’s false one of them. How I would be accepted centered on me like a spotlight. accusations into the club with smiles and polite Spinning and vaulting, dancing across Every one saying “It’s just the flu!” greetings, instead of being kicked like the rooftops. I glanced up at the moon, Then why is now bleach a good medication a pig. How I would be able to twirl and which was glowing, nestled among the On the bright side global warmings non- dance to the music with friends cheering clouds. Shining and beautiful and... existent me on, instead of being laughed at and white. Painfully, blaringly white. I turned And iso is just like a huge vacation disgraced. How, maybe, just maybe, my away from the orb, shutting my eyes. I People going crazy the entire population talent as a gymnast would be recognised, couldn’t bear to even look at the colour. Is freaking out until we get a vaccination and I would perform in elite tournaments, White was an easy shade to find, ever To sum it I up I basically have nothing to do travelling over the world, meeting new since the majority of the people in Cape If I can’t even go to the pool then my whole people and proving that I am strong, I Town had been kicked out by the all- life is through succeeded. But reality slapped me in the white government. Everywhere I looked, 2020 truly is the worst year ever face every time I woke up to the sounds there was someone in a fancy dress or I wish that bats just would die off for forever of shattering windows and crying children. suit, with piercing yet dull eyes, skin as JK they are amazing apart from the disease A little, black nobody from some tiny part blank as parchment paper. Gone were Just remember don’t eat them if they got of Cape Town would never be able to the people with the warm smiles and fleas walk into a white-run building, let alone the bright laughs, like Mr. Arno, the compete in a gymnastics competition. Abbie Halliday-Morris, Year 6 local drug store orner, and Mandla, the Sometimes, when the taunts got too loud crazy storyteller. The people who I had and the punches hurt harder, ideas of been happy with, who had loved and rebelling filled my head. But I knew that supported and believed in me. Gone, those thoughts were foolish and naive. If I kicked out, every shred of pride and even attempted to rebel, they would hurt dignity ripped away from them. It made Mama and Papa, more than they already me mad thinking about the abuse we had had. Drawn back to the pain in my leg, suffered, the honor of our ancestors that I looked down to see two shiny trails of had been ripped from us. All because blood running down my dark skin. With a of the virus called apartheid. I hissed in sigh, I tore myself away from my spotlight pain as I smashed my shin against one of moonshine, gently stepping down of the corrugated, tin covers on our roof, the stairs, kneeling down on the floor of rage consuming me for a moment. As I our gritty kitchen, preparing to patch my dropped into a crouch, blinking tears from wounds, just like I had done every other my eyes, I could see the building of the night before. gymnastics club, shining in the moonlight. Anonymous

16 17 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Junior School Senior School International Women’s Day in the Junior School Lego Masters Going green

The Junior School had the pleasure of welcoming Shelfordian Niesha Happell (2017) The Junior School students participated in On 5 February members of the to speak at assembly for International Women’s Day. A champion swimmer during their very own Lego Masters competition Sustainability Team from Glen Eira City her school years and for the Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club (MVC), Niesha has during the remote learning period. With Council, came to talk to members of a number of Senior School swimming records that remain in her name. Alongside animals, household products and outer staff and the Senior School Environment coaching squads at MVC (that included two current Shelford students), Niesha has space tackled, it was tough to judge a Committee about Shelford’s efforts coached Shelford’s GSV swimming team for the last two years. Niesha is currently winner when the entries were so good! towards environmental sustainability and studying a Bachelor of Communications and Media degree. With insights into training our long-term plan to become carbon as a female athlete in a male world, Niesha has also found herself in a gender-minority neutral. At the meeting, Tahlia Reisacher as she works towards her aspiration of becoming a sports journalist. Speaking to the (Year 12) and Martha Stamatopoulos students about the importance of authenticity and living her adult life through our (Year 10) shared their passion for the Shelford values, Niesha reflected on how being female has never inhibited her from environment and presented their student- Year 12 Induction Service, 25 February dreaming big and working hard to reach her goals. led drink bottle and coffee keep-cup initiative to the group. ‘Congratulations to all our Year 12 students and their parents, for today is a culmination of many days of schooling that have passed. It is also a chance to look ahead at what is to come and confirm your intention to lead, to be strong, to aspire and inspire, and to be kind, to yourself and to others. ‘I wish you all wisdom for the decisions ahead, energy for the actions you will take, clarity for the problems you will encounter, laughter for the trials that await and commitment for the endurance you will require. This year will have times of struggle but you will also create memories and friendships and develop passions and interests that will last for your lifetime. Take the time to enjoy your classmates, to appreciate your teachers and to make the most of the opportunity you have to finish your schooling in a community that holds you at its centre and cares for each of you as the unique and wonderful individuals you are.’ Principal, Ms Katrina Brennan

Practicing gratitude Eye witnesses International Women’s Day

During April our Year 3 and 4 students On Thursday 12 March, our Unit 1 Legal The Senior School was fortunate to be visited by Dr Andrea Hinwood for International reflected on the notion of gratitude. Studies classes visited the Supreme and Women’s Day. Andrea is Victoria’s first female Chief Environmental Scientist. An Alongside sharing something they are County Courts, where students engaged accomplished scientist with specialist expertise in environmental exposures and human grateful for each morning in their class with a Supreme and County Court judge health, her role is to give the EPA advice to reduce the harmful effects of pollution and Where is Mrs Ewert? Go Grey in May meetings, they designed a ‘gratitude jar’ to discuss court processes, procedures waste. She also gives advice to senior decision makers, including EPA’s leadership team, to collect daily reflections through the and statistics. the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Victoria’s Chief Health At the start of May, Mrs Ewert set 6B a Our Junior School went ‘grey’ in May. remote learning period. As part of this Officer. challenge. Sending her students a Bitmoji Stepping away from technology to give study, the students also wrote letters of The students viewed a Supreme Plea of herself, she asked the girls to take her their bodies and brains a break from gratitude to people working in essential Hearing where an accused person Speaking to our students about the pathway to her current ‘dream job’, Andrea on an adventure. In one week, Mrs Ewert remote learning for a Pop-Up day of fun, services through the COVID-19 pandemic. pleaded guilty and in the words of reflected on her passion for the environment and science and how that spark motivates practiced ballet, played on the monkey the girls undertook a series of creative the judge ‘showed extreme remorse her professionally. Without ever having had a female role model, Andrea is aware she bars, cooked dinner and even stopped and wellbeing pursuits to raise awareness in apologising for the crime, and is a female-pioneer in her field. Driven by the belief we have a real opportunity to alter by Shelford to poke her nose through the of the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation. demonstrated behaviour rarely seen in the conversation about the environment into positive terms, Andrea plans to continue gate! Phew. What a week! the Supreme Court’. They then had the working to drive positive change. If you would like to support the opportunity to view the examination in Foundation, sign up to Connor’s Run chief of a vulnerable witness via CCTV or play the Birdbrain trivia game visit in the County Court. This was a valuable https://rcdfoundation.org/. learning experience and one that will form the basis of many class discussions throughout their Unit 1–4 course.

18 19 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Sport Year 7 and 8 camps Senior swimming: Blundell takes the pool

On Friday 8 March, our Senior School students travelled to MSAC to compete in the House Swimming and Diving Carnival. Despite tough competition from Langley, Thomas and Lloyd, Blundell broke through to take the 2020 trophy. Junior swimming: Long live Lloyd!

In a thrilling afternoon of swimming, Lloyd took the 2020 Junior School House Swimming Carnival trophy for the first time in nearly 20 years. Congratulations must also go to every member of the Junior School who swam their hearts out and cheered for their friends, irrespective of what House they were in. The Shelford spirit is certainly alive and well amongst our youngest school students.

The Shelford Parents’ Association (SPA) welcome drinks

Thank you to the 200 people who celebrated the start of the new Virtual Cross Country school year with drinks in The Hood on Friday 31 January. It was a Congratulations to the 83 Junior wonderful evening with significant School students who participated Lloyd wins the inaugural cheer. in the SYDSA Virtual Cross Country Shelford House Competition A big thank you must also go to SPA event during the remote learning for hosting this friendly event, even period and ran a total of 220km! Lloyd: 2710 points | Langley: 2070 points through oppressive heat conditions. Our Senior School students put Thomas: 1720 points | Blundell: 1455 points in an equivalent effort in the GSV With just under 500 submissions from Virtual Cross Country Championship Foundation to Year 12, Shelford girls made event and ran a combined 183km. It multiple cups of tea, unpacked dishwashers, was great to see so many students vaccuumed, danced, ran, rode, cartwheeled improve their times from the and walked their way through two weeks in preliminary run to the championship May, in an effort to support their House. In run. the Senior School, the most popular task was A special mention to Thanya 30+ minute walk, run or bike ride with a family Vijayakumar Year 8 who placed 16th member (30 pts) and in the Junior School the and Molly Reiger Year 9 who placed most popular task was a full workout (40 pts). 3rd in their age groups. This is an With a total of 7,955 points earned over two outstanding effort. weeks, it’s fair to say the girls kept moving during the remote learning period.

20 21 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Shelford history Shelfordians on the COVID frontline A leader through adversity: As the COVID-19 crisis unfolded, we spoke to five Shelfordians who have been working on the Miss Ada Mary Thomas (1885–1949) frontline to fight the pandemic. Shelford Principal 1922–1944 Kayla Chivers (2014) Having led the School for 22 years, Ada celebration of her birthday each year on International Relations and Politics Thomas is Shelford’s longest serving 19 June. This often involved a trip to the student and Service Officer at Principal. theatre with the Old Grammarians, with supper afterwards at a restaurant in the Services Australia emergency Born in Kiewa, Victoria to Thomas Vivian city. The other was the highly anticipated taskforce, Canberra Thomas (1859–1947) and Mary Nichol Prefects Weekend held around November (1861–1921), Ada’s family were graziers I am about to graduate from a double each year, where Miss Thomas would of Cornish descent. Ada’s father worked degree of Bachelor of International take the prefects away to the Dandenong in the same farming circles as Dora Relations/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy Ranges or to Frankston for a weekend Blundell’s brother in-law Samuel Penrose and Economics at The Australian National of adventure. Students’ memories also Jessop (married to Florence Blundell) University. Throughout university I have include Miss Thomas sitting in the same and we believe this is how Ada became undertaken casual work in hospitality seat, in the same pew, at the back of connected to our school. Moving to and as a research assistant to a Professor. St Mary’s Church during weekly service Melbourne to work at Shelford after I started working with the Australian on Tuesday and having to submit the the death of her mother, Miss Thomas’s Electoral Commission (AEC) at the end of names of male partners to Miss Thomas legacy at Shelford is a significant one. last year as an educator at Old Parliament for approval prior to the School Dance. House. At the beginning of 1922, Shelford We also know that Miss Thomas was was transferred from Dora Blundell to superstitious and did not like the colour The bulk of my work with the AEC was St Mary’s Church, and Canon Langley green. running educational programs, which appointed Ada to the position of school closures and concerns over border In 1944, suffering from breast cancer and all out myself, so I’ll just share what has stop. Being a MICA Paramedic means Principal. Without teaching qualifications, restrictions quickly reduced. Shortly mourning the death of her sister Daisy, helped me so far. Throw away the goals we tend to be dispatched to the sicker but with experience working as a teacher, after, I was transferred from my position Miss Thomas retired from her position you made in the first days of quarantine patients who require a higher level of Miss Thomas quickly developed a with the AEC to join an Australian Public as Principal. Leading the School through and try to ignore concerns over lost care. No two days are quite the same. reputation for high standards in teaching Service (APS) wide emergency taskforce the Depression, World War II, the polio productivity. Practice self-compassion and learning. Shelford grew from 58 at Services Australia in Canberra. I was There are honestly so many rewarding epidemic of 1937 which closed the School above all else and lean into what makes pupils to 268 in 1927. The number would trained, alongside 1200 others from all aspects to my job! I was able to catch for six months, and growing enrolments to you feel good about your day. grow again in the years to follow. areas of the public service, to process up with a patient who was clinically 450, Miss Thomas left Shelford in a much the huge amount of Jobseeker claims dead when I first met them, and was Aside from having Thomas House named stronger position than when she started. Amanda Kaighin (1992) lodged by Australians who need income successfully resuscitated and has returned after her, Miss Thomas also created a Moving back to be with her family after support due to COVID-19. Currently a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance to living with their family. We followed up number of traditions at Shelford during retirement, Miss Thomas died in 1949 and typical day involves driving 30 minutes to Paramedic Team Manager on a premature baby we delivered who her tenure. The first was a whole-school is buried at Beechworth Cemetery. work (pretty much the longest commute weighed 900 grams. She is now four years possible in Canberra), spending the day When I joined Ambulance Victoria in old, going to kinder and is perfectly well. working through claims, battling technical 2001, you did not need a degree to These jobs and others make my work difficulties and keeping up with the be employed. I was hired as a student worthwhile, however, whenever we have legislative changes. I feel very privileged paramedic which meant I had three the ability to be able to help someone to be in a position to help those affected years of study and working with a clinical and make them feel better – that is by COVID-19 get the help they need. instructor until I became a qualified rewarding. Finalising and approving a claim is very paramedic. Two years later I did further rewarding. study to become a Mobile Intensive Care COVID-19 has impacted our work quite a Ambulance Paramedic (MICA Paramedic). bit. We still respond to all cases that need I’m definitely not an expert in handling an ambulance however we wear more crises like this one and am still working it After five years of MICA, I took off to the Middle East for two years and worked personal protective equipment (PPE). in a helicopter in Qatar for their royal When we attend a patient, we may be family. I returned to Melbourne (and dressed in a full Tyvek suit or a gown as well as gloves, glasses and surgical masks. Throw away the goals you Ambulance Victoria) in October 2012 where I continued my career – becoming We will often ask questions before we made in the first days of a MICA single responder and a clinical enter a house to ascertain if anyone inside quarantine and try to ignore instructor. Last year I became a MICA may have COVID-19. Despite COVID-19, we still do our job and treat patients while concerns over lost productivity. Team Manager. Alongside managing my own team of MICA paramedics, I spend taking them to an appropriate hospital. Practice self-compassion above half my time on the road treating patients. My advice to the Shelford community all else and lean into what Working in the ambulance is different would be, if you are able to stay at home makes you feel good about every day – sometimes we see very few please do. We also need to look out for your day. patients and other days we just don’t the vulnerable people in our communities – the chronically unwell, those with

22 23 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Shelfordians on the COVID frontline medical conditions that make them Katie Young (1989) system that regulates blood pressure more susceptible and the elderly. Simply by controlling the hormones that are checking in on our neighbours can make Clinical Lead Speech and important for fluid balance (in the kidney, a huge difference to them. Also, find Language Pathologist (Therapist) i.e. how much you wee), blood vessel different ways to stay in touch with family SLP in Derby, UK contraction and a few other functions. and friends, keep exercising and stay as ACE2 is considered to be the ‘good’ healthy as you can. I work as a Clinical Lead Speech and part of this system because it produces Language Pathologist (Therapist) SLP hormones that act to reduce blood Mietta Kyrios (2009) in Derby UK. I have specialised in voice pressure. Common medications for high Medical student and COVID-19 disorders including professional and blood pressure are known to increase performance voice, head and neck (ENT ACE2 levels in the body which caused a Clinical Support Coordinator at and maxillofacial) cancer rehabilitation lot of concern early on that people taking HealthDirect and tracheostomy. I am an autonomous these medications were at higher risk of allied heath professional, responsible for infection or more likely to progress to I am studying medicine at the University assessment, diagnosis, treatment and severe disease. of Sydney and completing my clinical management planning within a multi- training at Westmead Hospital. I always professional team. I am very fortunate While my group is not involved in these wanted to work in health but envisioned professionally to be in a challenging and big international studies, we are able myself as more of an academic than a immensely enjoyable professional role. to investigate how ACE2 is regulated in clinician – I actually dropped Chemistry samples from heart failure patients and in Year 12 because I thought ‘I definitely SLP was not a profession I considered till experimental models in which the medical don’t want to be a doctor’. I guess it I was looking at my university options. It The period of COVID-19 has been a Morag Young (1989) research has been changed in some way. offered me a vocational career path that challenge of planning, endurance and just shows you have to keep an open I have nothing but admiration This will hopefully contribute to what mind when you start university and your included several of my interests in English, exceptional caution in our practice. We Alice Baker and Eleanor Shaw we know about SARS-Cov2 infections in early career! I think I landed on medicine for the doctors, nurses and Science and Music. I decided I wanted to lost one of our consultant colleagues Gender Equity Fellow and Head of patients with heart disease. Our goal is to because it’s like a career passport, the allied health clinicians who enable another person the ability to be in ENT early on in the pandemic due the Cardiovascular Endocrinology generate information about the specific skills are universal and wherever I go now are thinking on their feet heard. Communication is a basic human to COVID-19. It is quite stressful and Laboratory at the Baker Heart and effects of these drugs that will assist right and enables us to enjoy and partake with my work I will be able to help people mentally fatiguing. A large part of my case Diabetes Institute doctors looking after patients in the long in a real and tangible way. and adapting daily to ensure in many other human rights. load are vulnerable neck breathers who term, especially those patients with lasting patients still receive quality require aerosol generating procedures organ damage from COVID-19 disease. Every day I get to the ward early for Completing a Bachelor of Applied I am a medical research scientist who as part of their routine care. I have rounds and then try to get as many ‘jobs’ treatment. It has been Science with an honour’s thesis in voice studied biomedical science with an I was fortunate to be invited to write restructured my team’s delivery of service done as I can. Currently in my geriatrics challenging but nonetheless disorders at La Trobe University, I knew honours year of research followed by a a detailed review article with two and we have very strict procedures for placement, this usually means mental after my first lecture I wanted to specialise PhD. I have recently moved my laboratory colleagues, one from Melbourne and extremely valuable to be seeing our patients including how we walk state exams, taking bloods, histories, in voice disorders. I first worked for the from the Hudson Institute of Medical one in Edinburgh, discussing how steroid learning in hospitals in these our patients in and out of our department. some physical examination, consulting Education Department and treated both Research (Clayton) to the Baker Heart and hormones (estrogen, testosterone, Much of our voice therapy is delivered with Allied Health – it’s a specialty times. children and teachers and then moved Diabetes Institute (Prahran) where I am cortisol, thyroid hormones etc.) can remotely by video links but head and that requires diverse skills. Then in the to the UK and worked in acute specialist the current Alice Baker and Eleanor Shaw impact SARS-Cov2 infection and the neck cancer work is ongoing. I am unable afternoon I go to the HealthDirect office care in large UK hospitals with patients Gender Equity Fellow. development of severe COVID-19 to do several invasive assessments with and look through what’s happened some positive impacts in a system where who had airway problems, swallowing symptoms. This was exciting but a lot nasendoscopy due to infection risk, Many researchers are interested in SARS- throughout the day regarding COVID-19 there has been a huge need for help, disorders, injury and surgery. When I of hard work because new data for making our daily work more difficult. We Cov2/COVID-19, not just the ones who – media releases, state policy changes, and for a population facing a lot of started at the Royal Derby, I had found COVID-19 were being published every work in full PPE with all its challenges. work on viruses and new immunisations. new information regarding the virus from confusion. Thankfully, the University of a busy position to develop and run the day. There will be a lot of research Some of the shortages have meant we In a small number of patients, COVID-19 the World Health Organisation, everything Sydney decided to keep us in hospitals, specialist Voice Clinic, Head & Neck continuing on this topic to try and answer receive homemade hoods and scrubs can cause damage to the lungs, heart, that’s happened since the morning. Then so even though I’ve been a little busier SLP service and tracheostomy care. I questions about why some people have from the Women’s Institute but I have not kidneys and other tissues that may we set about updating the information than planned, my work with HealthDirect have also been advising and writing worse disease than others (men are resorted to ski goggles yet. Derby falls cause long-lasting health issues. So, and resources we have – this includes the has also enabled me to communicate policy documents for the Royal College more severely affected than women for into a region that has one of the highest some researchers are looking at ways to National Coronavirus Helpline, a national information and resources to my patients of Speech & Language Therapists in example) and how to best treat patients infection rates outside of London. I have help those patients recover with as little web-based Symptom Checker, and who have questions about COVID-19. London. I am very fortunate to now in the future. Watch out for the excellent been upskilled to work beyond my role as damage as possible. resources for health professionals working run a voice clinic with an international work being done by Australian scientists. In regards to the hospital, the wards are a precaution when we did not know at the with COVID-19 cases. Then I go home reputation and teach with my surgical Early on in the SARS-Cov2 pandemic There is a lot of research underway! currently under ‘crisis conditions’ and start of the pandemic how much of our and try to review what I learned from my colleagues as leaders in our field and also (COVID-19) researchers around the world there is not a single facet of the day- workforce in the hospital may become ill. In the meantime, keep washing your patients in the morning! teach undergraduate medical students. identified a protein called ACE2 as the to-day that isn’t affected by COVID-19. hands regularly with soap (hand sanitiser I received a Fellowship of the Royal I would like to advise the Shelford receptor on the surface of cells to which When COVID-19 first became an I have nothing but admiration for the helps when you don’t have access to soap College of Speech & Language Therapists community to wash your hands, wash your the virus attached and can then gain entry issue in Australia, there was talk that doctors, nurses and Allied Health and water), and always practice good in 2015 for clinical excellence. I may be shoes and do not walk in them into your to the cell using the normal cell machinery medical students would be pulled from clinicians who are thinking on their feet hygiene if you cough or sneeze. The remembered as being quiet at school, house. It is imperative to self-isolate if that recycles cell-surface proteins. placements and it made me reflect and adapting daily to ensure patients efforts to stop the spread of SARS-Cov2 but my experiences at Shelford taught you have any chance of being in contact (the virus that was responsible for the on what I’d like to look back and say I still receive quality treatment. It has been has dramatically reduced the number of me this does not prevent a person from with someone who is unwell or if you ‘SARS’ epidemic in 2002 used the same did in this time. I definitely didn’t want challenging but nonetheless extremely cases of the flu and other illnesses, which becoming an effective, influential and are unwell. It will make a very significant mechanism!) to be sitting at home. My work with valuable to be learning in hospitals in is good news too. resilient leader. difference over the coming months. Stay HealthDirect has enabled me to make these times. ACE2 is peripherally linked to my well, it is an awful illness at its worst. work because it is part of a biological

24 25 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Shelfordian news Shelfordians at work Engagements and marriages Keryn Batsilas (Salter, 2000) Keryn works as a financial advisor Amy Coghill (1995) married Mark in Melbourne. Her business, Your Fatharly on 28 March 2020 at St George’s Life & Money Matters (https://www. Cathedral in Perth. Due to COVID-19 yourlifeandmoneymatters.com.au/) restrictions, they had to abide by strict focuses on helping women, couples and social distancing rules and were only families in their 20s, 30s and 40s achieve allowed five people in total, that being the Reverend, two witnesses, Amy and financial freedom now and into the her husband. It was not what they had future. Keryn is offering Shelfordians a initially planned, but it was a very special 10% discount on her advice services. day nonetheless. Beth Griffith Clarke (2008) Jess Sleep (2009) married Christopher Beth is currently working as a lawyer in Randall on 4 October 2019. Among the London for an international law firm. bridal party were her sister Eva Lasky (Sleep, 2004) and Alex Hardisty (2009). Brittany Croft (2010) Courtney Biggs (2009) has been living Brittany received her PhD in Human and working in New York for the past Genetics from Monash University and four years. She became engaged to will begin a post-doctoral position at her partner Andrew Nathanson on the University of Cambridge after the Juliet Sampson 17 April 2020 when he proposed on the COVID-19 pandemic. Brooklyn Bridge (which of course was uncharacteristically empty) overlooking Helen Merry (Mourtzios, 1993) Juliet Sampson Recently she has been mainly focused the Manhattan skyline. Selfies were Helen runs networking events for women (Sammut, 1999) on TV commercials as both a hair and the only option for photos under the COVID-19 circumstances! with engaging speakers. Offering Juliet’s debut picture book Grace’s makeup and costume designer/stylist. opportunities for women to connect Mystery Seed was released last year. and share ideas and support each other, It was shortlisted for the 2019 Speech Kate Vale (1989) she has over 150 women in her private Pathology book award. This story was Kate has built a career in the technology Facebook group: ‘Helen’s Networking inspired after attending Bryce Courtenay’s sector. After leaving Shelford she studied Group’. final masterclass. She has written four Business at Monash University. In 1998 young adult novels and a new picture she immersed herself in the digital Alexandrea Pantos (2018) book is hitting bookshops at the end of world and was lucky enough to land a Alexandrea has been selected to this year or early 2021. Juliet is currently job at Google in 2002 as their Country represent Australia in dance and will writing her fifth young adult book and a Manager. She grew the business to close travel to the US to compete in the women’s contemporary fiction novel. to 2,000 employees and then moved to World’s Cheer and Dance Competition. Spotify as Managing Director and first Olivia Still (1989) employee of the Australian business. In Angelique Park (1988) Olivia has been working in the film 2016 she relocated to Los Angeles with her husband and two children, initially Angelique has been working as a industry for the past 20 years. She has with Spotify and now she is Managing psychologist for the past 20 years. She worked on films as Head of Department Director, North America of a music currently practices at Body to Balance – Hair & Make-Up Design and in the licensing company called Epidemic in Rowville and New Pathways in Collins past ten years she has been doing both Sound. Street, Melbourne. costume design and hair and make-up design, special effects and the rest.

Babies

Georgie Amott-Stewart (2004) welcomed daughter Edie on 27 April 2020. (Pictured left.) Sakina Haque (1996) welcomed daughter Inaya on 26 July 2019 in the UK, making her a dual citizen of Australia and Britain.

26 27 QUAERITE | Winter 2020 Shelfordian news Once a Shelford girl, Vale always a Shelfordian ... Nona Wilson (Lloyd, 1938) embroideries that she left to us, the prize working, although she still contributed to A group of our Shelfordians from the School Captain and Dux of School was well deserved. the community in many valued ways. Classes of 1944 and 1945 have been 3 July 1921–28 December 2019 I am proud that Nona was my mother. She A lot of her leisure time was spent regularly getting together since leaving You would think that not much would was intelligent, warm, caring and lived travelling widely around Australia. school over 70 years ago. Many of come as a surprise when you are 96, but by her truth to her Anglican faith. I can’t Jill’s final years were spent in aged care them have been friends since primary for my mother Nona Wilson (Lloyd) one remember her ever saying an unpleasant at Baptcare’s Strathalan Community, word about anyone. These were qualities Macleod where she resided from mid- school at Shelford and over the past thing certainly did. In 2018, researching that she inherited from her family and 2011 until her death on 1 April 2020 in her 12 months they have been celebrating for Shelford’s 120th Anniversary, Brigid Steele contacted me to see if I had any were very much reinforced by the school 93rd year. their 90th birthdays together. information about my grandfather Maurice that Shelford was and continues to be. Although a life of such length contains by Sally Lloyd Bourne many triumphs and many setbacks, Jill The Class of 1969 held their annual Lloyd who Lloyd House was named after. I think that Brigid was amazed to learn always continued on, making a success reunion in March just before the that Maurice’s daughter Nona at 96 was Marjorie Emma Haycroft of whatever she undertook, using her COVID-19 restrictions. Two people still alive, making her the oldest living (Stevenson, 1939) abilities, taking part in the activities came who had not been since the ‘70s, Shelfordian. Nona was certainly thrilled Marjorie passed away peacefully in Colac available to her with enthusiasm, and Fiona Telford (Ross) from Queensland and delighted that Brigid and Shelford on 31 January 2020 aged 95 years. making new friends ‘as long as life doth and Bronwyn Halls. were interested in her. This led to a Marjorie attended Shelford from 1938 last’. warm and very special reconnection with to 1939 achieving her Intermediate by Erica Place (1961), in consultation with Like most Shelfordians, the Class of the School. From this, Nona began to Certificate. A keen sportswoman, she was Pam Dalrymple (Criswick, 1964) 1988 are spread all over Australia and reminisce more about her days at Shelford a member of the 1938 athletics team and dotted around the world. Their 30-year and we as a family were able to learn the 1938–39 basketball teams. She was in Margaret Sutherland Denvil (Yorston, more about her and her father. Thomas house. Vale Marj. 1961), School Captain and Dux of reunion in 2018 at the School was such It was inevitable that Nona attend School good fun that none of them wanted Jill Mee (Welshman, 1944) Shelford. She started in 1926 at the age Margaret died on 4 March 2020, in the night to end. So they decided Jill was born at Shepparton, Victoria on of five. Her father was a member of the Baltimore, MD, USA at the age of 76. 10 July 1927, the daughter of JL Gordon to have an annual four day catch up Vestry of St Mary’s Church with Canon Born in Melbourne, Margaret attended Welshman and his wife Margaret. After somewhere in Australia, each March, Langley. Maurice had been instrumental in the University of Melbourne and then the the deaths of her parents, Jill lived with thereafter. In 2019 they gathered in ensuring that in 1921 when Shelford was 3SA Radio Training School. She worked her Aunt and Uncle, Muriel and Harold Hobart, in 2020 it was Adelaide, and in about to close, after the retirement of Miss as an announcer at Radio Australia Criswick, as one of the family from a very Blundell, that the School be associated before moving to the United States in 2021 it will be Sydney. young age until her marriage in 1951. with the Church and financially be able to 1979, where she worked as morning continue. Following her older cousin Nancie announcer and program director for Criswick to Shelford, Jill spent most of her We now have many stories of Nona’s days WSHU in Fairfield, CT. In 1994, Margaret school days there from about nine years at Shelford. We also have many photos earned a degree in pastoral counselling of age. She was a Probationary Prefect in Thank you! of Nona as a fairy in a school play, as a from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Any alumni who are interested in 1943 and a Prefect in 1944. In that year Seeking information basketballer, as a prefect and as Captain School of Medicine. She was ordained she was also Sports Captain of Langley, Thank you to the Shelfordians who have organising an event or connecting and Dux of the School. She once won an in the Companions of St Thomas and and a member of the School Tennis team. generously contributed to the School’s Are there any Shelfordians who with one of our regional or interstate embroidery prize which still embarrassed focused her ministry on bereavement During her school days Jill also joined the bursary appeal. caught the 693 bus to Glen Waverley Branches are invited to contact: her as her mother was one of the judges. and end-of-life issues. Widow of William around 1984? Girl Guides. Jill left Shelford in 1944 Denvil, she leaves sons Alasdair and Kate Higgins However, from the tapestries and All gifts go directly towards Shelford’s aged 17. James, daughter-in-law Deborah Hazlett, We have Shelford Community Relations efforts to support families of current Sometime after her marriage Jill and her granddaughters Eliza and Rosslyn, sister Email: [email protected] Nona Wilson students experiencing financial hardship recently been husband, Russell Mee, whose trade was Barbara Ballenden (Yorston, 1963), and a Telephone: 9524 7467 at this difficult time. contacted by motor body building, established a factory host of loved ones around the globe. Darron Stuttard, building bus bodies, and later started A Shelford education is something We are also always interested in Carol Baxter (Laurence, 1964) a Caulfield a bus line, Mee’s, which is still active in many Shelfordians are grateful for. By receiving donations to our archive Carol’s sister Sue (1969) was also a student Grammarian, who the Ivanhoe, Rosanna, Macleod area. Jill assisting current students to continue collection. at Shelford. would like to reconnect with a group managed the administrative side of these their education at Shelford through of Shelford women he travelled businesses until she suffered a stroke Carol’s friends of many years will sadly scholarships or bursaries, Shelfordians miss her – Meredith Jubb (Jones), to and from school with each day in 1971, making her unable to continue make an investment in young women Elizabeth Dent (Fowler), Sue Cliff on the 693 bus. Darron would like who will make positive differences to Pamela Maidment and Marj Haycroft (Beasley), Lesley Van de Velde (Hanstein), to organise a 693 reunion and is society in the future. Apology Elizabeth Ruth (Coghill), Wendy Du keen to reconnect with a number The obituary for Sue Clarke (1964), in Guesclin (Miller). Sue Clarke (dec) was also To discuss how you can support of old friends, including a Shelford the last edition of Quaerite, noted that in their group of lifelong friends. Shelford students please contact Kate girl he called Bruno. Darron can be her sister Ann was also deceased. This Pamela Lynette Maidment (Lake, 1969) Higgins in the Community Relations contacted on email dstutt6669@ is incorrect and the editor would like to Pamela passed away in late February office on 9524 7464 or email outlook.com. publicly apologise to Ann, her family and 2020. She is missed by all of her 1969 [email protected] friends for this error. classmates.

28 29 One community. Countless opportunities.