THE MAGAZINE OF LAURISTON GIRLS’ SCHOOL //July 2012

Live it. Learn it. Love it. From the Principal

Taking a place at the table Lauriston Life The magazine of Dame Jenny referred to the TEDTalk presented in 2010 by the COO Lauriston Girls’ School of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg. Addressing the issue of ‘Why We Have Lauriston Girls’ School Too Few Women Leaders’, Sandberg 38 Huntingtower Road said: ‘No one gets to the corner office Armadale Vic. 3143 by sitting on the side, not at the table, Australia and no one gets the promotion if they don’t think they deserve their success, t: +61 3 9864 7555 or they don’t even understand their f: +61 3 9822 7950 own success’. Continuing this view, e: [email protected] Dame Jenny told us that women are www.lauriston.vic.edu.au not assertive about defining who CRICOS number 00152F they are: they lack confidence in ABN 15 004 264 402 articulating their capabilities and in developing a clear sense of where PRINCIPAL they are going in their lives. Susan Just The second big point that Dame Jenny made was that we need to EDITOR teach our students about the choices Marina Johnson they will be making as they consider careers and families. Again referring being able to work collaboratively values our students come to hold PRODUCTION to observations made by Sheryl in a team setting, where solutions to dear during their time with us remain Katie Garrett Sandberg, she said that women I recently attended the Alliance of Then Dame Jenny posed a problems are created by harnessing with them as they leave school and have more difficult choices to make Girls’ Schools Biennial Staff Conference, thought-provoking question. She the skills and capabilities of the group. embark on new journeys, as young CONTRIBUTORS between professional success and where the keynote speaker was asked her audience whether we were adults. their families. The message here is that A capacity for strategic thinking is Robyn Ambler Dame Jenny Shipley. Dame Jenny, a teaching our students that the world women need to anticipate the kinds an invaluable asset in any career. We I believe that our young women will Prudy Barker former Prime Minister of New Zealand they will enter when they leave school of choices they will be making during ask our students to think strategically, be present at the table. Our job is to Jenny Bars (1997–99), is today an international is a world in which the opportunities their lives. whether they are undertaking the ensure that we continue to provide Joan Hammonds business leader with a special interest available to men and women are not Howqua outdoor program, working on opportunities that enable our students Pauline Holland in building leadership capability. equal. Obstacles remain for women At Lauriston, we communicate to our the extended essay required as part to develop their personal confidence, Ann Hooper in the workforce, she said, and, across students that they can do anything Dame Jenny began by telling us that, of the International Baccalaureate learn to persevere, and learn to all fields of endeavour, there are still in their lives – and this is true. Our Fiona Ireland as principals of and educators at (IB) Diploma Programme, or taking recognise that they have equal insufficient numbers of women in top students know that they can choose Marina Johnson girls’ schools, we needed to continue a leadership role in resolving a peer entitlement to articulate their points positions. from a vast array of careers, including Nene Macwhirter our focus on scholarship, while also issue – to cite just three examples of of view and be heard. We should not many that were once unavailable to John Quay providing students with opportunities Dame Jenny pointed out that it is the many contexts in which strategic be comfortable with the status quo – women. The reasons that we do not Sam Ridley and a sense of the possibilities in life. important that women be at the thinking can play a beneficial role in with how things are in the present. We have more women in top professional Kellie Ryan Dame Jenny made the point that table, developing strategy at the student learning. need to give attention to the future roles are complex but Dame Jenny for our young women and to focus Hayley Sandpearl scholarship matters because it is vital highest levels and making significant Lauriston graduates have a strong makes a valid point when she says on how we can contribute to their Nick Thornton that we equip our students with skills, decisions, rather than supporting the sense of identity. This is forged to a that we must equip our students with understanding of the changes we Michael Ullmer attributes, values and experiences that decision makers and implementing significant extent by our students’ the expectation that they will lead. need to make as a society in order will enable them to define who they their decisions. One of the reasons year at Howqua, where, living Diane Wood to achieve gender equality. Men and are. As I listened, with great interest, I that women find it difficult to take I believe that at Lauriston we not independently in a residential women working together at the table, was feeling confident that at Lauriston their place at the table is that they only give attention to scholarship community, the girls not only Design and printing and bringing together their unique we are taking every step possible underestimate their own abilities and but also empower young women experience remarkable personal Impress Print Management skills and attributes, will have the to ensure that our girls reach their hence do not believe that they have to be confident and articulate. Our growth but develop a strong value potential. equal entitlement to express their power to make positive change in our Cover focus on personal development and system. With this set of values in place, opinions, to challenge the opinions of world. Students performing in the Years experiential learning, particularly they are able to live with each other in others, and to stand their ground. 5–8 Musical, Honk! Junior. through our Howqua program, a positive, supportive and cooperative Susan Just enables our students to develop spirit, while standing their ground on Principal resilience. They also gain an issues they regard as important. The understanding of the importance of

2 3 Senior School

No more helicopters: Teaching courage and resilience in Senior School We have recently developed a cycle of examinations for our Year 10 students. The idea of the ‘Year 10 Practice Exams’, as we call them, is to allow the girls the opportunity to develop the essential skills and strategies that they will need when doing exams in Years 11 and 12. Unfortunately, high-stakes examinations can place great pressure on students, and the risk of underperforming because of anxiety, or insufficient practice of key exam preparation and time management skills, can be a serious concern for our senior girls. Our new practice exam program is not about results or marks; it is simply about learning how to do exams.

Firstly the girls are explicitly taught It is likely that readers of Lauriston Life So, how do teachers achieve these At all times, the staff at Howqua study and exam preparation skills. have heard the phrases ‘helicopter two objectives without exposing encourage and support the girls in Next, they apply what they have parenting’ and ‘helicopter teaching’. students to unnecessary risks and their endeavours and celebrate their learned and ‘sit an examination’ in a They refer to the notion that teachers disappointments? achievements, which are genuinely formal exam room setting. Feedback hover over their students, and parents impressive. is then provided on performance, with In Senior School we have in place a over their children, to ensure that respect to exam strategies, across a number of programs designed to do Some years ago, to prepare our girls for they experience no discomfort in the range of question types: short-answer exactly that! the amazing academic, personal and classroom or difficulties in the wider questions, multiple-choice questions, physical challenges that the Howqua world. I heard a new phrase recently: The Howqua year (Year 9) is no essay questions, and both worded program offers, we established our ‘lawnmower parenting/teaching’. This doubt our most significant and and numerical mathematical Active-8 program. Active-8 sees all of encapsulates the idea that parents lasting contribution to the courage problems. Above all, learning about our Year 8 students participate in a and teachers ‘mow’ a path or clear and resilience of Lauriston students. the wise and calculated use of water skills program, which has been the way so that young people can The extent to which our Howqua examination time provides the designed to complement the mostly avoid experiencing any obstacles or program offers students opportunities girls with an invaluable lesson in land-based challenges that students unevenness in their lives. to develop these capacities makes it examination technique. And if they do tackle at Howqua, and gives the Year unique in the world. Howqua provides not ‘pass’ a particular practice exam, While the prime motivation of parents 8s an opportunity to try sea kayaking, eligible to stand for the twenty-one Year 9 girls with a scaffolded suite they have the opportunity, and the and teachers who take this approach surfing and snorkelling. We also offer leadership positions available, of skills and strategies that will allow time, to reflect upon the reasons why. may be noble and loving, what are the Year 8 girls a range of voluntary between fifty and sixty girls do so. After them to face and overcome all kinds This process of reflection is essential we actually teaching our young outdoor activities so that they can the completion of the voting process, of challenges, both present and learning when it comes to succeeding receive from their peers – that is clear people about handling the inevitable continue to test and challenge the elected students are interviewed future (Lauriston alumni tell us all the in ‘exams that count’. evidence of the strong personal vicissitudes of life? That they will never themselves. We strongly recommend by members of the School Executive – time that the life skills they acquired this is a daunting prospect in itself. qualities that Lauriston girls develop encounter any difficulties in their lives? that students who are physically One of the important areas in which at Howqua have proved meaningful during their school years. In developing Hardly. That we will always be there to less adventurous, or even a little we see the courage and resilience and valuable in their adult lives). Our It is both humbling and gratifying courage, resilience, and empathy, our assist them and pick them up when anxious about adventure activities, try learned at Lauriston being exercised expectations of the girls – from the to witness the courage of the girls students gain immeasurably, both they fall down? No guarantees on something like rock climbing, caving, most explicitly is the leadership cooperation required in a ‘home’ who seek election to leadership while at school and throughout their that either. In fact, we do our young or mountain biking. The leaders of elections held in Year 11. These shared by eight or nine adolescents, positions, knowing that only one-third lives. people a disservice if we don’t equip these activities place special emphasis elections involve Year 11 students to the tenacity required in order to of the candidates for these roles can them with skills and strategies that will on courage and on supported risk choosing the School’s Year 12 leaders Nene Macwhirter undertake a six-day hike where one ultimately be elected. The successful enable them to tackle life’s challenges, taking. for the following year. Consistently Deputy Principal / Head of Senior carries one’s own accommodation candidates show further courage in both academic and personal. And each year – and despite the fact that School and all one’s provisions (regardless their interviews with members of our we must also allow them to test these nominating for election takes real of weather and terrain conditions) – Executive, but it is also the resilience skills and strategies in a supportive courage – of the approximately one would test any adult’s resilience, let of the unsuccessful candidates – environment. hundred students in Year 11 who are alone that of a fifteen-year-old. as well as the caring support they 4 5 Howqua junior School

Building courage and resilience at Howqua Emotional resilience – a skill for life

designed to build this capacity. In our outdoor and fitness programs, and in the classroom, the girls are continually challenged and tested. Sharing one’s home, for the better part of a year, with eight or nine fellow students also requires resilience – as well as cooperation, patience and a willingness to compromise.

In their Health and Wellbeing classes, the students learn about coping with stress. They study the causes and triggers of stress, look at ways to minimise stress factors in their lives, and learn how stress can be managed. Resilience, framed as the ability to Children need a certain amount of Recently, we announced the rollout bounce back from adversity and resilience in order to be able to cope of our revised K–4 wellbeing program. disappointments, is often discussed with the ups and downs that are This program has been designed in the girls’ pastoral care sessions with part of life. They need to learn how to to encourage children to develop Lauriston’s Howqua program is both Courage demonstrated by students their Tutors. It is important that the cope with life’s disappointments and five core social and emotional sequential and continuous, providing while participating in Howqua’s students come to understand that life troubles, and to bounce back after competencies: self-awareness, opportunities for our students to outdoor and fitness programs is more is not always made up of successes, stressful experiences or misfortune. self-management, social awareness, experience growth in a wealth of easily recognisable. The student who and that we can learn a great deal relationship skills, and responsible areas, which embrace social and pushes through the pain barrier in from our so-called failures. As children face the rough-and-tumble decision making. It is in developing emotional development; outdoor skills order to complete a run or hike to of life, they are constantly challenged The structure and continuity of these competencies that children and physical fitness; and academic the best of her ability – tackling that at an emotional level. When the Howqua program, the unique develop emotional resilience. learning. Throughout their year at final hill without stopping, even after they regulate their emotions and negative thought patterns, and to view environment in which learning Howqua, and in all areas of their a tumble and a scraped knee; the respond in constructive ways to the Drawing on aspects of the highly disappointments and ‘failures’ from at Howqua occurs, the myriad learning, the girls are encouraged girl who makes one more move while uncertainties and challenges that regarded Bounce Back and different angles. opportunities both in and outside the to build a deeper understanding of rock climbing, even though she is life presents, they are demonstrating MindMatters programs, our K–4 classroom, and the constant support, In learning to focus on the positive the merits of cooperation (and of scared of heights; the students who the intelligent use of their emotions wellbeing program encourages guidance and careful monitoring elements in their lives, children need compromise); a strong awareness that paddle through rapids despite being – intentionally making their emotions children to recognise their personal provided by our staff, mean that our to be supported by strong adult role their actions have consequences, for frightened by the rushing water – all work for them, rather than being at strengths, to name and identify Year 9 girls are given every chance models. Adults who actively focus on which they must accept responsibility; are demonstrating personal courage their mercy. their feelings and to manage to extend themselves and to build positives when relating to children a keen appreciation of the value in the face of significant physical them effectively, to engage in courage and resilience in a variety Children who develop emotional (for example, by asking them about of effective communication; and, challenges. positive self-talk, to view negative of settings. In turn, the students’ resilience possess an invaluable the good things that have happened perhaps most importantly, courage events realistically rather than to Courage in the academic context achievements are celebrated, capacity. It is about being in control in their day) are helping them to and resilience. catastrophise, and to understand also takes various forms. For some girls, particularly in reflection sessions and believing in one’s ability to develop a frame of reference that will how their actions can impact on the Courage comes in all shapes and making a class presentation, or acting and debriefs. These mark the girls’ work through setbacks and risk see them best placed to deal with the wellbeing of others. sizes at Howqua. Sometimes it is or singing in front of a class, requires completion of activities previously situations in a capable, effective and disappointments, personal conflicts, tangible, concrete and immediately courage; for other students, it takes thought to be impossible or the positive manner. Having a capacity In the increasingly popular field of and other struggles, that are part recognisable; at other times it is less courage to ask questions of teachers reaching of goals that were once for resilience empowers a child to positive psychology, a great deal of of life – and from which we cannot obvious. In the realm of the girls’ and guest presenters, or to express thought unattainable. develop coping behaviours, to persist attention has been given to the link forever protect them. daily lives, showing courage might, a view when there is a risk of being in the face of challenges, to bounce between children’s self-talk and their Sam Ridley The emphasis on positive thinking, for example, involve gently and wrong. back from ‘failure’ with confidence and feelings and subsequent behaviour. Assistant Principal, Howqua and thus on emotional resilience, that constructively confronting a fellow self-esteem intact. Negative self-talk can create Resilience is somewhat different from underpins our K–4 wellbeing program student about a behavioural matter, or self-fulfilling prophecies – it can lead courage. In psychological terms, To achieve emotional resilience, aligns strongly with Lauriston’s ethos, taking a stand on an important issue. children to behave in ways that bring resilience is defined as a capacity children need to develop five wherein focusing on the whole child Building the courage to take positive about new situations that serve only to cope with stress and adversity. ‘emotional capabilities’. They need to is an essential part of providing a action, particularly in situations where to reinforce negative self-perceptions. The Howqua year provides Lauriston learn to know their own emotions; to well-rounded education. others prefer to sit back and observe, Encouraging children to adopt students with an array of experiences manage their emotions; to motivate is an important aspect of our students’ a positive frame of mind means Ann Hooper themselves; to recognise emotions in social and emotional development. providing them with skills that will Deputy Principal / Head of Junior others; and to respond appropriately help them to recognise and interrupt School to the emotions of others. 6 7 kindergarten

Courage, resilience and social skills – building the foundations

As it relates to children, I define resilience as: the ability to bounce back, to have another go, to not give up too soon, to try a different way, to not be too disappointed or devastated if things go wrong, to be able to keep going and not give up. (Kathy Walker, education consultant, parenting expert, and author)

In Lauriston’s Kindergartens, our philosophy is influenced by that of the world-renowned schools of Reggio Emilia in Italy, and we believe that children are strong and powerful. We give our children every possible to hear, when another child knocks opportunity to attempt everyday tasks over a carefully assembled building, themselves. Putting on your shoes after when the spaceship falls apart. a session in the gym, putting on your Our staff support these children own art smock or helping friends to by helping them to develop the While our children are encouraged to put theirs on, unpacking your bag – knowledge and skills they need in build courage and resilience through all are important achievements that order to succeed in their endeavours. an engagement with the creative increase independence and have arts, their kindergarten experience of A close partnership between home a positive impact in terms of how course provides them with an array and kindergarten helps our children children think about themselves: ‘I can of other opportunities for developing gain a strong sense of who they do this!’ these capacities. are and what they are capable of. Our children are constantly presented Children also derive confidence Learning social skills is another vitally with learning materials that lend and self-esteem from developing important aspect of children’s time at There are times when the children themselves to any number of potential positive, caring relationships, both with kindergarten. Children are by nature are explicitly taught social skills. For uses. In providing these materials to other children and with adults. The egocentric, but at kindergarten example, we may remind them about the children, we are encouraging messages that we as adults convey they develop a sense of ‘other’ as manners, or support them as they them to take a risk, to draw on their to children reinforce the beliefs they they learn to successfully negotiate mean so many things: painting a rehearse what to say in a particular own creativity as they decide what have about themselves. As education the social situations that they find picture of a flower; making a wire or circumstance. they will do next. Often we hear consultant Kathy Walker puts it: ‘A key themselves in day-to-day. Many core clay sculpture to enhance our outside children exclaim: ‘What can I do with message for adults when working with social skills are learned through play, area; constructing a spaceship from At Lauriston, celebrations are a big this?’ In this case, staff are on hand children is to discuss or comment on and in our Kindergartens we facilitate recycled materials; the movement part of kindergarten life. When a to support and scaffold the child’s … behaviour. The behaviour may be play situations in which the children of our bodies in space; creating or collaborative project comes to an interactions with the learning materials. inappropriate, but don’t label the child have to cooperate and collaborate responding to music; jumping for joy end, we encourage a celebration to Later, when the child has constructed as if all they are is the behaviour. In with each other – sharing play spaces, when a tower is built out of blocks. acknowledge everyone’s contributions a car or a house or a person, the look other words judge the behaviour not asking each other for help and, most and we all share the joy of a job well of joy on his or her face testifies to a the child’. Creative activities require of children importantly, acknowledging each done, skills practised and knowledge genuine sense of achievement. Some other’s ideas and knowledge. By In our Kindergartens, the creative arts the courage to start (and to take a acquired! children build on prior knowledge and playing games of chance, the children are central to the children’s learning risk), the courage to persevere, and use their materials to make intricate learn to win or lose graciously. The Robyn Ambler & Fiona Ireland and offer them many opportunities the courage to describe their work to a constructions that will evolve over time. acquisition of social skills contributes Directors of Kindergartens to develop courage and resilience. friend, teacher or parent. Resilience is so much to children’s happiness and Engaging with the creative arts can called for when a comment about the work is not what the child was hoping wellbeing.

8 9 the arts at lauriston

Years 5–8 Musical

Drama and performance In late May, Irving Hall was transformed into an idyllic farmyard, as fifty-three Our Years 10–12 Drama students have Under the guidance of teacher girls from Years 5–8 presented the spent the past semester creating and Lisa Khan, the girls had developed musical Honk! Junior to the Lauriston developing original pieces of work. characters based on seven notable community. The VCE Drama students devised women, including Annette Kellerman Honk! Junior, created by George ensemble performances on the theme (known as ‘the Australian Mermaid’), Stiles (music) and Anthony Drewe of ‘Mythology of the Sea’, drawing on who overcame disability to swim the (lyrics), is a contemporary version narratives in Ovid’s Metamorphoses English Channel; Zhu Xiao-Mei, who of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic and Homer’s Odyssey, while the was born in China during the Cultural tale The Ugly Duckling. Ugly is born IB students devised work inspired Revolution and watched as her piano to a time-poor mother and a father by Picasso’s celebrated painting was smashed to pieces by the Red who shirks his responsibilities; his four Guernica (1937). Guard – but went on to become siblings delight in teasing their young a concert pianist; and Miep Gies, Following the VCE and IB students’ brother. Ugly decides to run away and and to be appreciative of each My sincere gratitude to Deb the Dutch woman who harboured performances, we finished our season is assisted first by some deluded geese other’s contributions. A strong spirit of Carman, Bron Grieg and Kate the Frank family in her home in of ‘devised presentations’ with the Year and then by a chorus of froglets. In the cooperation fosters respect both for Kaleski (from Lauriston’s Music and Amsterdam during World War II and 10s’ performance in the 17th Monash end, although he has realised that he others and for oneself, and leads to Drama departments), who assisted was subsequently honoured for her Schools’ Theatre Festival. The Year 10 is a swan, he decides to return to his polished productions of which the girls throughout the rehearsal period and act of heroism. girls presented their original work duck family and to embrace being can be proud. production week. different. The Carolines, which tells the stories The Monash Schools’ Theatre Festival, Special thanks go to the Year 8 crew, Finally I would like to thank of inspirational women who have where The Carolines ‘debuted’, All cast members are to be who displayed enormous initiative and Jannah Davies, our director and experienced great suffering and who provides a showcase for original short congratulated on their exuberant teamwork during production week, choreographer. We were most ‘have risen above hardship and … theatre works by Year 9 and Year 10 performances, and also on their and to our Year 10 assistants – Sophie fortunate to work with a person of exceeded expectations placed upon students. The festival offers students a positive and committed approach Ralph, Georgia Sinclair and Ellen Soust Jannah’s experience and talents. them, or succumbed to the oppression wonderful opportunity to share their to rehearsals. At Lauriston we place – who encouraged and supported our Jannah guided the girls with great of their surroundings’. work with audiences and to be part of great value on the idea of theatre cast throughout the rehearsal period. vision and inspired them to do their a wider drama community. as a collaborative process: the girls very best. involved in school productions are Hayley Sandpearl Kellie Ryan encouraged to support each other Director of Drama Director of Music

10 11 maths at lauriston science at lauriston

Guided tour and courageous exploration

Studying Mathematics at Lauriston This year, fifty-nine of our students from is both guided tour and courageous Years 5–10 entered the Mathematics exploration. Students are introduced Challenge for Young Australians to new concepts in a variety of ways: conducted by the Australian they learn by working with concrete Mathematics Trust. The Mathematics materials, patterns, diagrams, graphs Challenge is held over a three-week and technology, and their learning is period, during which time the always supported by many examples. participating students are required Guided by their teachers, they are to write comprehensive, elegant encouraged to write fluent and logical and mathematically sophisticated solutions, using correct mathematical solutions to six problems. In August, notation. Thus the students, working all of our students in Years 7–9, with their teachers and peers, often together with volunteers from Years follow a traditional path, one that 10–12, will take part in the Australian has been trod for hundreds if not Mathematics Competition, a thousands of years – although of prestigious international event that course this path is new when one has has been running for more than thirty never walked it before. years.

Mathematics at Lauriston is also about demonstrating courage and resilience, by setting off on a Junior School students participate in a CSIRO incursion. In the beautiful novel The Housekeeper journey with little guidance but with and the Professor, by Yoko Ogawa, the great determination. Students are Keeping an eye on the bigger picture Professor says: ‘Solving a problem for introduced to problems and inquiry which you know there’s an answer is tasks that are unfamiliar and perhaps Science is a cutting-edge subject. It been studying forces carried out a haemagglutination (blood typing) test, like climbing a mountain with a guide, open-ended, and when an attempted is exciting to be involved in an area design experiment that investigated as an introduction to differentiating along a trail someone else has laid. In solution leads to a dead end it may that is constantly changing – an area friction. When conducting an self from non-self. They also used mathematics, the truth is somewhere be necessary to backtrack and tackle where new ideas are continually investigation such as this, students an enzyme-linked immunosorbent out there in a place no one knows, a new trail. being generated. Many of the need to be resilient – to have the assay (ELISA) to investigate the beyond all the beaten paths. And groundbreaking advances made by courage to try again – as sometimes role of the specific immune system it’s not always at the top of the The students also have opportunities scientists have resulted from years of their design does not work and has to and differentiate its function from mountain. It might be in a crack on to enter national and international study and research; only occasionally be adjusted. that of the non-specific immune the smoothest cliff or somewhere deep mathematics competitions that can they be attributed to chance. At response. Other hands-on activities To ensure that our students are in the valley’. pose unique, puzzling questions. In Lauriston our students are taught to allowed the students to deepen their exposed to the latest technologies early May thirty Lauriston students follow a rigorous scientific method, to understanding of immunity. For those of us who have travelled to being used in our universities and participated in the University of substantiate their findings and, where exotic and unfamiliar places, following research institutions, we take the girls Lauriston’s cooperative relationships Melbourne’s School Mathematics necessary, to defend their ethical a trail that someone else has laid off campus to visit facilities such as with research bodies and tertiary Competition. This competition is not for standpoint. Our Science teachers and having a knowledgeable and the Gene Technology Access Centre institutions, and the exploratory nature the faint-hearted. For students in Years are always mindful, however, that the interesting guide, capable of opening (GTAC) at the University of Melbourne. of our Science programs, ensure 7 and 8, it takes the form of a two-hour students need to have open minds. one’s eyes to the wonders of the local ‘The Professor never really seemed to We also invite experts to come to that our students not only acquire a examination; students in Years 10–12 They also need to be able to embrace history and culture, is exciting and care whether we figured out the right Lauriston. sound body of scientific knowledge sit a three-hour paper. And the failure as part of the learning process, stimulating. But when one has the answer to a problem. He … believed but also gain an appreciation of how competition questions are particularly and, when faced with a setback, to Recently CSIRO facilitated in our courage to set off alone, not quite sure that mistakes were often as revealing advances in science and technology challenging. have the courage to try again. laboratories a series of experiments of one’s destination – but prepared as the right answers.’ come about. We hope that some concerned with immunity. It is for an adventure – that too is exciting. (The Housekeeper and the Professor) In Year 7 Science and indeed day, equipped also with the courage important that our VCE and IB Biology Indeed, achieving success when again at Years 8, 9 and 10, students and resilience they have learned at Pauline Holland students gain an understanding of relying on oneself can be particularly are required to design their own school, they might even contribute to a Head of Mathematics the immune response. Learning how satisfying. experiments in order to investigate a scientific breakthrough! organisms recognise and eliminate concept they have been studying in invading pathogens allows us to Diane Wood their lessons. This process introduces effectively manage the impact Head of Science the girls to scientific method and they of infectious diseases. The CSIRO learn how it allows them, after analysis, program saw the girls perform a to come to a justified conclusion. Recently the Year 7 students who have 12 13 t lauriston Community service a congratulations

Connecting with the community

Chloe has been selected to attend Georgia won the regional final National Youth Science Week, which is of the Victorian Curriculum held in Pretoria, South Africa. In January and Assessment Authority’s this year Chloe participated in the Plain English Speaking National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), Award (PESA). As Lauriston a twelve-day residential program for Life goes to press, Georgia is Australia’s top science students. To gain competing in the PESA state admission to the NYSF – in which there final. are only 432 places – Chloe competed with some two thousand other applicants nationwide.

Following on from the NYSF, Chloe was Chloe Higgins Georgia Kay selected as one of only six Australian (Year 12) (Year 12) students who will be attending National Youth Science Week in Pretoria.

Earlier this term, Katie was As a member of Rowing selected for the Victorian Australia’s Junior In my role as Community Service Recently, a number of our senior girls squad to go to the Development Team, Sophie Coordinator at Lauriston, I am participated in World Vision’s Global Australian Schools Water recently travelled to Lake responsible for overseeing the Leaders Convention for 2012. Global Polo Championships (held Karapiro, New Zealand, to earlier this term), and she compete against the NZ planning, development and Leaders Conventions are one-day has since been chosen as Junior Team. Before leaving implementation of the School’s leadership events that are ‘designed the goalkeeper for the All Australia, Sophie undertook community service program. I support to inform and empower students Australian Girls’ Water Polo four days of training at the Team. Australian Institute of Sport in and encourage individual students in Years 10–12 who are passionate Canberra. in their community service activities about being a voice for justice in the and liaise, on behalf of the School, world’. Vicky Tan, one of the Lauriston Katie Blunt Sophie Coltman with many service and community students who attended this year’s (Year 11) (Year 11) organisations. These include the St convention, says: ‘It explained to us in Kilda Crisis Centre, the St Vincent de a meaningful way what is happening Paul Society, Cancer Council Victoria, in the world today. It illustrated the Sandy was named runner-up Georgina achieved Second in the regional final of the Place in the 18 Years and and UNICEF. contrast between our lives and the and donated a gold coin to Epilepsy Victorian Curriculum and Under Woodwind/Brass – lives of children in Africa’. Assessment Authority’s Plain Own Choice Solo category Lauriston believes that the benefits of Australia. Lauriston’s School Nurse, English Speaking Award at the South Eastern Arts service are multifaceted. At a school it The Year 6 Community Service Alicia McGain, spoke to the children (PESA). Festival. Georgina also is important that service be seen as an Leadership Group has attended a Kids about epilepsy and read aloud competed in the state finals of the Rostrum Voice of Youth opportunity not only to help others, but View conference. These events are from a picture storybook about the where she was awarded third also to learn about the world beyond hosted by Bahay Tuluyan Philippines illness so as to help them gain an place in the junior division. the School community and to become Australia on behalf of Bahay Tuluyan, a understanding of it. connected to the wider community, Filipino non-government organisation This year Lauriston again participated Sandy Chinsen Georgina Frazer whether local or global. It is in keeping that provides a variety of programs in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, (Year 10) (Year 10) with Lauriston’s philosophy that service and services aimed at preventing which raises funds for Cancer Council to others is seen as a vital aspect of and responding to the abuse Victoria. Morning teas were held at an individual’s finding of her moral and exploitation of children in the both Armadale and Howqua, and the Hannah and Amelia were compass. The School offers its students, Philippines. members of the Victorian event was its usual success. Students, at every year level from Kindergarten squad competing at the In March we saw Purple Heroes in parents and staff ate their way through Australian Schools Water Polo to Year 12, an array of opportunities Championships, which were our Kindergartens, as our youngest $2199 worth of baked treats! to contribute to their community, both held earlier this term. students raised awareness of epilepsy individually and in groups. I find it truly Each year, individuals throughout the through their involvement in Purple heartening that so many students, as School community also continue to Day (26 March). Founded by Cassidy well as members of staff, approach me pursue their own voluntary activities, Megan, a young Canadian girl, Purple because they wish to promote and enriching their own lives and those Day raises funds to support people support an organisation they consider of the people and organisations they with epilepsy, and their families. Our Hannah Dawson Amelia James to be of value. support. (Year 11) (Year 10) Kindergarten children added a touch of purple to their clothes on the day Joan Hammonds K–12 Community Service Coordinator 14 15 congratulations staff profiles

Samantha recently Anna participated in competed in the Australian the Laser 4.7 Youth World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship in Buenos Championships, held in Aires, Argentina, earlier Sydney. Her Senior Group this year. She competed gained second place. very successfully in this international event for Laser 4.7 sailors, placing tenth in the Girls Under 18 category – a wonderful result!

Samantha Lim Anna Philip Rachel Young Jo Amott Nia Ente (Year 10) (Year 10) Rachel has recently joined the team Jo came to Lauriston in 2004, and Nia began teaching at Lauriston in at Lauriston on a part-time basis, as her first role was teaching PE in both April 2007. She first taught a Year 1 Grace competed in Vanessa Mae was chosen our Events and Community Relations Junior School and Senior School. class, then the following year she the Australian Women’s to compete, as part of the intern. Over the years, Jo has taken on the moved on to teaching Year 5 and Gymnastics Championships Victorian state team, in the In this role, Rachel works closely roles of Year 9 Armadale Coordinator, to the position of Coordinator of and Olympic trials, held in Australian Trampolining Head of Andrews House, Senior Years 5 and 6. In 2011, Nia moved to Sydney. Grace competed at Championships, held in with our marketing team, helping the Junior International level, Sydney. Vanessa Mae came to organise events and reunions at Rowing Coordinator, and Snowsports Blairholme to teach Year 2 and took up representing Victoria, and was twelfth, despite dislocating Lauriston. Coordinator. Jo chose to become a the position of Blairholme Coordinator. awarded a bronze medal for her knee three times. PE teacher because she loves playing Nia is currently teaching Year 2 and her performance in Floor. Rachel is currently in her second sport and being physically active. year at La Trobe University, studying she gains a great deal of satisfaction for a Bachelor of Business (Event Today, Jo has another role in addition from seeing the girls make progress Management/Marketing) degree – to her teaching. She is currently as they develop their confidence as Grace Flood Vanessa Mae Cohen and loving it! Assistant Head of Senior School, a learners. As Blairholme Coordinator, (Year 9) (Year 8) position that involves managing Senior Nia is responsible for the day-to-day After completing high school in School’s day-to-day operations, and management and coordination of the Gippsland, Rachel undertook a events (which range from meetings, pastoral, academic and administrative Sally competed in the Amelia achieved traineeship in business administration, assemblies and information evenings aspects of Blairholme. Synchronised Swimming Honours in her AMEB at a local manufacturing business. to community events). She is also Nia studied at Sturt College of National Championships, held Clarinet examination. After two years with the company, overseeing the implementation of our in Perth. Sally placed third Rachel was ready for a new Advanced Education, South Australia, in Division B for figures, and new Years 7–12 pastoral care program challenge, so last year she made the completing her Diploma in Teaching, sixth for solo synchronised (SOPHIA) and assisting the Head of with a major in art; and at Victoria swimming. big move to Melbourne to study at La Senior School with a number of tasks Trobe. College, where she completed a relating to educational leadership; Bachelor of Education degree, with parent and community relations; majors in science and children’s management and financial planning; literature. She has taught at two and staffing. South Australian schools (Elizabeth Sally Davies Amelia Hamilton Jo says her new role has given her Primary School and Seymour College), (Year 8) (Year 7) unique opportunities: to be mentored at Presbyterian Ladies’ College in by an experienced manager, to take Melbourne, at Jakarta International on a leadership role, and to become School and at the British School in the Helena won first prize in more involved in administration – Netherlands. Stonnington Council’s Historic which she finds very different from Poster Competition, for which Nia has a great passion for travelling teaching. there were hundreds of entries. the world and exploring new countries. Helena will be presented with her Jo thoroughly enjoys engaging with She also enjoys cooking, dining out prize of $300, and a prize of $500 Senior School students, and says that and gardening. Nia has an Australian will be presented to the School, at a special ceremony. it is a privilege to see the girls ‘grow’ Ballet subscription, is a member of the during their years at Lauriston. National Gallery of Victoria, and is a Jo has a Bachelor of Education member of the Melbourne Football (Physical Education) degree, and has Club. Helena Lansell previously worked at Loreto Mandeville (Year 4) Hall Toorak. In her personal time, Jo enjoys netball, basketball, walking, going to the gym, snowboarding, reading and shopping. 16 17 oping quality teachers devel Lauriston Institute

Mentoring the Teachers of the Future A hectic few months

One aspect of schooling that we are As always in the first half of the year, a of current thinking on enhanced all very aware of is the importance of period in which there are numerous learning. Later this year we will quality teachers. Lauriston is blessed professional learning opportunities for be introducing the instructional with a plethora of quality teachers. But our teaching staff, the past few months leadership program at Blairholme. where do they come from? How does have been a flurry of activity for the The Institute is also involved in the a quality teacher become a quality Lauriston Institute. parent information sessions held teacher? Much can be attributed In the last issue of Lauriston Life, I throughout the year. In Term 1, the to the professional learning culture spoke of the visit by our entire staff to well-known adolescent psychologist of a school and the opportunities our Howqua campus – a wonderful Dr Michael Carr-Gregg spoke to an and incentives offered in the career opportunity for us all to deepen audience of about two hundred structure of a teacher. But what our understanding of the unique parents and staff about building happens before this, in the training a contribution that Howqua makes to resilience, and about cyber safety and person receives at university so as to our curriculum and to the life of the talking to teenagers. Michael was well graduate as a teacher? School. received and will be doing more work We don’t often stop to think about with us around a range of student The Howqua visit, however, was just how our favourite teachers were welfare strategies. one of a range of major activities on once university students. And that the Institute’s calendar. Over the coming months, we will be before this, they were school students We decided to address this issue by holding seminars for the girls (topics themselves. Deciding to become a Teacher trainees, currently undertaking the Master of Teaching Before the beginning of the school appointing a number of staff contact program, in action in Lauriston’s Junior School classes. will include alcohol, drugs and safe teacher is a big step to take. Often year, new staff completed a two-day officers, and were delighted that both partying), further seminars for parents this decision is based on perceptions induction program, where they were teaching and non-teaching staff by placing them with quality mentors. (on raising toddlers and younger of one’s own favourite teachers, or introduced to their mentors and members volunteered to train for the But such training is not simply about siblings; and understanding and relatives who are teachers, or it may briefed on a range of policy and new role. The School now has five copying good practice. The Master managing allergies), and sessions on be based on enjoying particular organisational matters. They were staff contact officers, all of whom are of Teaching degree is renowned as cyberbullying, for both students and subjects, or on a wish to work with also trained in the use of Moodle, the available to talk with and offer support being very intensive because it strives parents. young people; there are many to achieve a strong collaborative online curriculum delivery system now to fellow staff. The new program will be reasons. Once this decision is made, partnership between schools and the being used by our staff and students. Another recent initiative is the trialled for twelve months, and will be though, then a university course must University. establishment of a group of staff regularly reviewed during this period to An all-day coaching training session be selected. contact officers. We use Independent ensure that it meets staff needs. was conducted during the first week of This collaboration is most visible in the Schools Victoria (ISV) staff, student Such a decision can be a bewildering Term 1, providing Faculty Heads, Junior The Institute continues to play a role way teacher candidates spend their and parent satisfaction surveys to one – as there are many courses on School Coordinators, non-teaching in the wider community. We have time. They are in schools two days per gather data about the connections offer. But recently there has been a staff section managers and the been involved in the development of week and then in university classes for that staff, students and parents make significant change in the marketplace, Executive Learning Team with training the Becoming Asia Literate initiative, the remaining three days. This enables with the School. Our staff survey a change that Lauriston has been in peer coaching methodology. All of which is managed by the Asia a close connection to be achieved: drew our attention to the fact that part of. I work at the University of teacher candidates bring knowledge the research evidence points to peer Education Foundation on behalf Blairholme, and undertakes her current staff need to be able, from time to Melbourne, where our pre-service and understanding from university coaching as a way of enhancing of the Australian Government; we role in close liaison with Ann Hooper, time, to have a neutral professional teacher education is only available to their school placement, as well as capacity. Our Term 1 coaching have had discussions with the Lauriston’s Head of Junior School conversation with a person who can at the graduate level. This means using the experience gained in the training session was the first part of Faculty of Business and Economics and Deputy Principal. I work closely offer advice but who is not a member that students must have completed school to inform their discussions and a training program whose aim is to at Monash University about some with Susannah from the University of the current School Executive. In the an undergraduate degree before assessments at university. In addition up-skill middle managers in the art of ongoing projects with our Humanities of Melbourne end, and together we past, staff could discuss professional they can study to become a teacher. to the two days per week, teacher coaching others. Faculty; we have conducted two make a great team. issues with Lauriston’s Director of To graduate from the University of candidates undertake a concentrated school reviews; and during Term 2 we We plan to continue with our Human Resources (Teaching), Gillian Melbourne as a teacher, you are now two- or three-week stint in the school managed a leadership conference for A final point of interest for the Lauriston instructional leadership program, Anderson. Since Gillian’s retirement, required to complete a Master of 280 school principals and other senior classroom each semester. community is that we have had a in July last year, the School’s human Teaching. which is being facilitated by Associate number of Lauriston girls graduate educators. The Director continues to Of central importance to this Professor John Munro from the resources management function has with their Master of Teaching. We have be an adviser to the International A central aspect of the Master of collaboration is the employment of University of Melbourne. This program been shared between the Principal, been very impressed with our teacher Confederation of Principals and to Teaching program is that our teacher experienced staff to manage and utilises videotapes of Year 3 and Year the Business Manager, and the candidates from Lauriston; they are provide education advice to the candidates spend about half of their support both teacher candidates 8 literacy and numeracy classes Director of the Lauriston Institute, all of quality teachers in the making. Asthma Foundation of Victoria. time during the degree actually in and mentor teachers during the to illustrate particular instruction whom are members of the Executive. schools. Lauriston is a key player in placements. Lauriston employs Dr John Quay techniques that are at the centre Nick Thornton this undertaking, helping to train the Susannah Johns in this role. Susannah Lecturer and Program Coordinator Director, Lauriston Institute next generation of quality teachers has been a classroom teacher at Melbourne Graduate School of Lauriston as well as Coordinator of Education 18 19 Lauriston Foundation

Why bequests matter Update on the Lauriston Community

Making a bequest to Lauriston allows education that gave me incredible Scholarship program former students and their families to opportunities to develop the career Thanks to generous support from the ‘I’m so grateful for the help I’ve We ask you to consider showing your maintain their connection with the I have. For this reason I have always Lauriston community, the Lauriston received from the Lauriston support for the Lauriston Community School in a special way, while also focused part of my philanthropic work Foundation has awarded the School’s community. The scholarship I’ve Scholarship program by making a ensuring that Lauriston students on education. I recently became inaugural equity scholarship. This received has enabled me to complete donation to the Annual Appeal online will continue to benefit from an Chairman of the Business Working with two-year scholarship, which has been my studies with confidence and plenty (visit www.lauriston.vic.edu.au, select exceptional educational experience. Education Foundation, whose aim is to renamed and is now the Lauriston of encouragement to thrive.’ ‘About Lauriston’ and then ‘Payments increase business and philanthropic Past School Treasurer Michael Ullmer, Community Scholarship, is awarded Online’ and select as your payment engagement with government Lauriston Foundation President a former Lauriston parent, has recently to young women who would not type Donation to Scholarship Fund). schools. Michael Rowland says that the decided to make a bequest to the otherwise have the financial capacity Another option is to purchase a Foundation was thrilled with the School. Here he tells to experience a Lauriston education. personalised brick, for $150 (for each Lauriston Life Why are bequests important support given to the new scholarship why he believes that bequests are so brick purchased, $130 is directed In 2011, the Lauriston community program in 2011. to Lauriston? to our Scholarship Fund). Your brick important to Lauriston’s future. donated almost $250,000 in support As an ex-Treasurer of the School, I ‘Thanks to this support, we have will be laid under the Moreton Bay of the scholarship program. The know full well that the fees parents pay, education will get the same start in already made a life-changing fig at the School, and will become a Could you tell us about your donations were used to establish together with grants from government, life that I was able to have, and that difference to our first scholarship permanent memento of your support family’s links with Lauriston? a corpus, and the interest earned are barely enough to cover the annual we have given our children. Education recipient. In 2012, we are again asking for our scholarship program and of When we arrived in Australia, in 1979, from this investment is funding the running costs. Many parents find is the great leveller that allows the Lauriston community to show their your links with Lauriston. a good friend of our family, who had a inaugural Lauriston Community this surprising. But the reality is that, individuals to reach their potential support so that we can increase the long association with Lauriston, highly Scholarship. To find out more about the Lauriston without the generosity of others in the regardless of background, and to number of scholarships we offer and recommended the School for our Community Scholarship program, and past who have contributed capital to make their full contribution to society. Were it not for the generosity of the make a difference to the lives of more (yet-to-be-born!) daughter Jane. When to discuss ways you can show your build the infrastructure and create the School community, our inaugural young women,’ says Michael. Jane arrived, in January 1980, we put support, please call our Director of reserves for scholarship funds and the There is a vast difference scholarship recipient would not have her name down straight away, and ‘In 2012, we hope to raise $350,000 Advancement, Marina Johnson, on like, there would be no school for the between the level of had the opportunity to experience a she started in Prep in 1985. A few years through the Annual Appeal so that 03 9864 7525 or email johnsonma@ girls to attend. Hence I feel strongly Lauriston education. later I was invited to join the Lauriston philanthropic support lauriston.vic.edu.au. that, as parents whose children have we can offer additional scholarships. Foundation, and subsequently joined benefited from the contributions provided to girls’ schools She is already making the most of These scholarships will be funded the Council and took over from John of others in the past, we have an and that provided to boys’ her time at Lauriston – playing in an directly from interest earned on Donges as Treasurer of the School. At obligation to contribute, where we orchestra, singing in a choir, playing donations, which means that money that time John and I were partners schools. Would you care to can, to the education of current and netball and throwing herself into already donated, along with future at KPMG. I remained Treasurer until comment? future generations. House activities. donations, will continue to provide 1994, when we moved to Sydney in One thing that has always intrigued scholarships for deserving young ‘Studying at Lauriston is a wonderful connection with my work. My time as Many parents contribute generously me is why the level of philanthropic women, for perpetuity.’ experience. I’ve been welcomed by Treasurer spanned the conception through annual giving programs support, including bequests, for boys’ both staff and students, and been and development of Howqua, and we and capital campaigns, but an area schools so significantly outweighs that presented with endless opportunities,’ were delighted that Jane was able to that is often overlooked is bequests. for girls’ schools – notwithstanding that she says. benefit from the Howqua experience In part this is because people are the girls live longer than the boys and in Year 9, her final year at the School often reluctant to contemplate how have the money to bequest. The reality before joining us in Sydney. their estate will be handled. However, is that when making a bequest a I believe it is important to think today woman will often favour her husband’s Filled with gorgeous full-colour Why have you chosen to about what sort of legacy one can school. I take the view that we must tilt photographs – of dishes ranging from leave, and where one can make a the playing field in favour of the girls, Lauriston make a bequest to the chicken tenderloins with tarragon real difference. It is also important to to even up the balance over time, and School? Kitchens cream sauce, to BBQ red duck curry, discuss this with the family so they that we must encourage the School to to chocolate raspberry pavlova – this Lauriston is a fantastic school, and This unique and beautifully understand your wishes. build stronger alumni links to redress 200-page publication contains recipes the objective of providing girls with photographed cookbook was the balance! for every occasion. developed by the Lauriston Parents’ a rounded education that opens up How would you like to see an independent future, and a future Michael Ullmer spent his early Association and features many At only $45 per copy (or $120 for 3 copies), Lauriston of possibilities, is a philosophy that your bequest used by the career with KPMG and with Coopers delicious and simple-to-cook recipes Kitchens makes an ideal gift. To order your copy – all of them tried-and-true favourites resonates strongly with me. I have School? & Lybrand. He went on to join the now, visit www.lauriston.vic.edu.au and click on supplied by members of our School ‘Community’ and then on ‘Lauriston Kitchens: A come from a modest background, In leaving a bequest to the School, Commonwealth Bank as CFO and community. Cookbook for Life’. Alternatively, email events@ and it was the commitment of my my intention is to fund a scholarship then National Australia Bank, where he lauriston.vic.edu.au or call 03 9864 7555. parents to ensuring I had a good so that a girl who otherwise would not recently retired as Deputy CEO. be able to benefit from a Lauriston

20 21 From the Archives Community News

Faces from the past: A changing of the guard for the OLA Student photographs of teachers Treasurer – Xing Zhang (2000) Despite looming large in the day-to-day life of a school, and in the memories of their students, teachers are curiously Xing, who studied Engineering/ shadowy creatures in the documentary record. In the Lauriston Archives, for example, we have many hundreds of Commerce at the University of photographs of students and School buildings, but only a handful of photos of staff members, particularly for the period Melbourne, works in the private prior to 1970. It has been extremely gratifying, therefore, to receive a number of donations of snapshots, taken by students, investments area at Acorn Capital, of Lauriston teachers of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. a funds management business in We are delighted to bring a selection of these images to readers of Lauriston Life – and we would love to receive more Melbourne. Prior to joining Acorn, donations of photographs like these. They tell us all so much about the life of the School. Jenny Bars Archivist Xing spent more than three years with Macquarie Capital, in its Hong Kong and London offices. Xing is passionate about fostering networks between Lauriston alumni and the School. L-R Members of the new OLA executive: Xing Zhang, Prudy Barker, Sarah Korman (absent Sarah Gamboni). Secretary – For the past ten years, the Old President – Sarah Gamboni (2000) Lauristonians’ Association has been Prudy Barker (2000) admirably led by Vicki Redwood Sarah completed a Bachelor of Prudy has been Vice-President of (President), supported by Heather Science (Hons) degree at the the OLA for the past year and the Barker as Vice-President, Georgie University of Melbourne and then OLA representative on the Lauriston Clegg as Treasurer, and Ro Pitt as moved to Flinders University, in South Council for two years. Prudy is Secretary. The smooth running of the Australia, to study postgraduate excited about the OLA’s upcoming OLA over the past decade is due to Medicine. Having completed two hundred-year anniversary, and hopes the hard work and dedication of these years at the Alfred Hospital, she is that many alumni will help the OLA four women and to the commitment now working at the Skin & Cancer celebrate this important milestone. shown by the other members of the Foundation in Carlton and has her OLA Committee. fingers crossed that she will get Vice-President – into Dermatology! Sarah is excited After so many years of service to Sarah Korman (2000) about the upcoming hundred-year the OLA, the Committee’s Executive Sarah studied Commerce/Law at anniversary of the OLA. recently decided that it was time to the University of Melbourne, and step down. Thankfully, four relatively The OLA Committee would love while a student she also went on an new members of the Committee to hear from any alumni who are exchange to University College Dublin. have enthusiastically taken on the interested in helping out with OLA After completing her university studies, responsibility of leading the OLA. events and other activities. If you Sarah worked for a large investment would like to help, contact Prudy bank in Melbourne. She now works at We are delighted to take this Barker at [email protected]. opportunity to introduce Old one of the ‘big four’ Australian banks, Lauristonians to the OLA’s new running its debt investor relations Executive. function.

L’art will feature a wealth of student work; artists-in- residence; tapestry workshops; yarn bombing and a poetry slam; a display of book illustrations; and an open studio, where students can be seen making their art. A festival highlight will be L’event, a cocktail party The Lauriston Parents’ Association and Friends of Lauriston Arts and art auction at which fine art made available invite all members of the by Melbourne’s leading commercial galleries will School community to L’art – a come under the hammer. We hope that you will be Top L–R: Miss Judith Carrick (History and English 1952–53), Mrs Evelyn Gordon (Mathematics 1938–48), Mrs Joy Shepherd (Gym and Sport 1947–52), whole-school arts festival that will able to join us for what promises to be a very lively Miss Jean Baker (French 1937–39), Middle L–R: Miss Judy Bagnall (Gym and Sport 1944–46), Miss Patricia Weir (Music 1939–55), Miss Barbara Woodham (History 1947–48), Miss Ruth Hoban (History 1934–37), Bottom L–R: Mademoiselle Adrienne Delapraz (French 1946–52), Miss Elizabeth run from 30 July to 1 August. fundraising event! (see page 31 for more details). Kirkhope (Headmistress 1933–56), Miss Jean Hook (Science 1942–67) and Mrs Connie Irwin (English 1945–47).

22 23 Community News Community News

Naomi Tippett (Jacobi, 1947) Victoria Keon-Cohen (2003) After graduating from Lauriston, in To commemorate the Dalai Lama’s ‘The modelling industry has been 1947, Naomi completed a Diploma of visit to Melbourne in 1992, Naomi rife with exploitation for many years. Graphic Art at RMIT and a degree in established a Peace Garden in the The closed nature of the industry, in Fine Arts at the University of Melbourne. Carlton Gardens and produced a combination with the “Cinderella” She then worked as a graphic artist, Peace Kit for teachers and primary dream, has resulted in young girls both in industry and freelance. school children. being exploited, leaving their families in order to work under extreme In 1954 Naomi married, and went on From 1998 to 2011 Naomi was circumstances, with no child labour to raise four children and to teach art president of ForChildren (Australia), an laws, protection from harassment, or at Carey Grammar School. In 1976 she organisation focused on ‘enhancing support network. became the General Manager of the the welfare of children and families Creative School, a school holiday ‘kids’ irrespective of race, colour, sex, religion, ‘With the ease of international travel, skills’ program that catered for some disability or birth status’. ForChildren models have become viewed as eight hundred primary school children. ‘strives for a world where children are disposable labour and through Equity highly valued in society and where we have been working to introduce In 1978, with the aim of building they have the opportunity to grow regulations and rights to the industry. primary school children’s multicultural in an environment where they can This includes the Fashion Week Code understanding, and self-esteem, reach their potential’. ForChildren’s of Conduct, which was agreed Naomi established the Polyglot Puppet commitment to children extends between the British Fashion Council, Theatre. Polyglot, which today has across Australia (the organisation the Association of Model Agents, and an international reputation, performs supports Yiyili Aboriginal Community the Greater London Authority. The around five hundred shows each School in the Kimberley), and globally Victoria started modelling at the photographic Code of Conduct, the the High Court judges and barristers year in primary schools, using seven (ForChildren assists the Goodwill Social age of fifteen, after her sister Emily first documented set of regulations involved in the case, including Justice languages in the program. Naomi In June, Naomi was recognised in Work Centre in Madurai, India). (1999) submitted Victoria’s photo written by models rather than Margaret White, Greg McIntyre QC, was General Manager of Polyglot for the Queen’s Birthday 2012 Honours to a competition run by Girlfriend agencies, outlines basic rights that Gavan Griffith QC and the Hon. Sir twenty years, and in 1996 she received Naomi has published two books – List. Naomi was appointed a Member magazine. until recently have been considered Gerard Brennan, AC, KBE, and was the Kenneth Myer Medallion for the Planning for Play (1984) (co-authored of the Order of Australia (AM) ‘for unnecessary for models. thrilled when many generously loaned Performing Arts, in recognition of her with Dorothy Rickards) and A Family Victoria’s journey in the nine years service to children and their families the robes they wore during the case. A dedicated work with the company. Haggadah (2002) (interpreted by since she graduated from Lauriston ‘The new Code of Conduct has nationally and internationally through wonderful treat for a costumer! Rabbi John Levi and illustrated by has been quite remarkable. Here she generated significant media support, the development of health and Together with her husband, Dr children from the King David School). tells us a little bit about it. including interviews with British MP ‘I’ve also just filmed my first short film, welfare programs, as a contributor to George Tippett, Naomi initiated Jo Swinson on Sky, and articles titled Eternal Return, a medieval Gothic multicultural education, and to the a Melbourne-based program Naomi’s artistic interests include ‘I travelled to Europe and the US appearing internationally (New York romance. Funds for the project were promotion of social harmony’. that encourages local dentists to ceramics and silk painting. Her works to model, and worked with clients magazine, the Independent, the raised through crowd funding and work among Tibetan children in can be viewed at www.naomitippett. including Vogue, Dior, Armani, Replay Times) and nationally (the Sydney private investment. The film is also Dharamsala, India, and has assisted net. and Levi’s. Morning Herald, the Age). being used as a platform to raise in a program to minimise worm awareness of the charity Bipolar UK. infestation among children in Vietnam. ‘After some time travelling, I was ‘As far as my film work goes, my first accepted to study Performance role was as costumer to Robert De Niro ‘I am also excited about another Design at Central Saint Martins in on Killer Elite (shot in Melbourne). Last film project, involving a well-known London. At twenty-one, Dunja Knezevic year, I worked as a costume assistant Australian actor, which is scheduled and I co-founded the first trade union on Mabo, and had the responsibility Lauriston Life is distributed to more to begin filming in Australia in a few for models, as a branch of Equity. After of organising the court robes. With the Lauriston Life than 6000 families, both locally and months’ time, but that’s a story for a year I stood as founding chair of the assistance of my father (barrister Bryan internationally. In order to reduce our another time!’ Equity Models’ Committee – a position Keon-Cohen), I contacted many of environmental footprint, we are now to go digital I held for five years. offering the Lauriston community the in 2012 opportunity to receive this magazine via email. If you would like to receive future issues of Lauriston Life electronically, please email our Old Lauristonians on Facebook Communications Officer, Katie Garrett, on garrettka@ You can now keep in touch with Lauriston and with the Old Lauristonians’ Association (OLA) lauriston.vic.edu.au. Alternatively, please visit our website via Facebook. Next time you visit Facebook, why not visit the School’s page, at www.facebook. (www.lauriston.vic.edu.au), where you will need to click on com/LauristonArmadale (from there, just search on Old Lauristonians to access the OLA’s ‘Community’, and then select ‘Subscribe to Lauriston Life’. page)? ‘Like’ our pages to ensure that you receive all our latest news.

24 25 Community News Community News

News of Old Lauristonians Christen Richardson (2011) Christen recently spent four months in Europe, training for snowboarding competitions for the Europa Cup circuit in the discipline of boarder cross. Christen, who aspires to one day represent Australia in the Winter Olympics and on the World Cup circuit, spent her time in Europe gaining experience, a key success Margot, second from left, with some of her factor for snowboarding racing. She extended family. was based in South Tirol in Austria, and Margot Erlich in France, just over the border with Italy. (Shotlander, 1953) Victoria Brown (2003) In February this year, Margot travelled to Israel, where she joined Victoria has been selected in the Australian Women’s Water Polo Caroline, 3rd from right with Postcards presenter Glen Moriati. her eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren to celebrate Team that will compete at the her grandson’s bar mitzvah. 2012 London Olympic Games. Caroline Wood ‘I am currently advocating for Stephanie Alice Phillips Victoria was an avid sportswoman (Hudson, 1985) a dedicated whale museum in (2004) throughout her years at Lauriston, Caroline’s riding school, Blazing Warrnambool and working for social Stephanie Alice graduated with a representing the School in water Saddles, featured in the Valentine’s justice through Warrnambool City Master of Clinical Research Methods polo, hockey, swimming, baseball, Day edition of the television travel Council’s International Relations degree from Monash University in May athletics, cross country and series Postcards. Blazing Saddles is Advisory Committee,’ she said. 2012 and will be pursuing a career in equestrian. She credits PE teachers located at Aireys Inlet, and Caroline the mining industry as part of Evolution Carolyn was recently awarded a Kate Gilchrist and Jeanette Gunn welcomes visits from any Old Mining’s inaugural graduate program. Victorian Women’s Governance with having had a significant Christen in action. Lauristonians who may be heading Scholarship to attend the Company influence on her in the early stages down the Great Ocean Road in Christen achieved some good Directors Course run by the Australian of her sporting career. search of outdoor activities, or who results, and ended up finishing the Institute of Company Directors. This just want a short get-out-and-about Since leaving school, Victoria has season with a ranking of 21st in the program aims to build the capacity, session – the business is open every completed a Bachelor of Planning final Europa Cup standings for her skills and experience of women day. and Design and a Bachelor of discipline; she ranked 16th in the Swiss currently serving on Victorian Property and Construction at the nationals for boarder cross and 4th not-for-profit boards. Emily Keon-Cohen (1999) Carolyn Moore University of Melbourne. In 2011 in the Junior Swiss nationals, also for After leaving Lauriston, in 1999, Emily Carolyn was awarded her scholarship she co-founded her own business, boarder cross. (Champion, 1962) undertook an Arts/Law degree in recognition of her work with Elite Mentors, which supports elite After graduating from Lauriston, at Monash University, completed While in Europe, Christen visited seven Southern Way and her years of athletes looking to transition into Carolyn enrolled at RMIT to study articles at a Melbourne law firm and countries but says that Russia was the community work in various fields. small business ownership. Architecture. She subsequently was admitted to practice in 2009. highlight. ‘I competed in Sochi, the site discovered a passion for skiing, and Southern Way is a non-government, In the same year she married and Victoria has been involved with of the next Winter Olympics, in 2014. spent some time as a ski instructor at not-for-profit charitable organisation moved to Sydney with husband the Australian Women’s Water Polo Jessica Morrison (2010) The event I competed in was a test Zürs in Austria. that has developed into the David Mariani. During her time in Team since 2005 and narrowly Jessica recently accepted a event for the Games, which was very service it is today through the initial Sydney, Emily has been working missed out on selection for the scholarship offer from the Australian interesting, especially with the security.’ Carolyn, who has also lived in efforts of families associated with as an in-house corporate lawyer 2008 Beijing Olympics, being Institute of Sport. Jessica, a swimmer, Jakarta, and farmed cattle and Warrnambool’s Yalundah Adult Day and has had two children – a son, named as a reserve, one month will train in Canberra in preparation sheep at Timboon, recently settled in Training Centre. After considerable Christian, born in August 2010, and a out from the Games. She bounced for the 2016 Olympic Games, which Warrnambool. fundraising within the local community, daughter, Alessandra, born in March back from the disappointment to will be held in Rio de Janeiro. Jessica At her 50-year reunion, earlier this and successful submissions to the 2012. be named 2010 Australian Female has transferred from the University of year, Carolyn indicated that she still State Government for funds, Southern Player of the Year, and then on 12 Melbourne to the Australian National has much to accomplish. Way was able to establish a service June this year she was named in University, where she will study focusing on residential care for people the team to compete in London. Commerce/Law. Jessica certainly is with disabilities. Her sporting goal is simple – to be busy, juggling her training, study and the best in the world. casual work at the National Museum of Australia. We will be watching …

26 27 Community News Community News

Judy curated other important Births exhibitions, including the feted Joseph Wright of Derby (1990), and she collaborated on the catalogue of a part of the Tate’s permanent collection, The Age of Hogarth.

After she retired from the Tate, Judy took up a senior research fellowship at the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, in order to complete her superb Stubbs catalogue, published in 2007 as George Stubbs, Painter.

She also revised the British pictures catalogue of the National Gallery Emily Keon-Cohen (1999) (London) – an enormous challenge Emily and husband David Mariani Emily Wilmoth (1999) that yielded a volume that was welcomed Alessandra, born in March Emily and husband Ged McDonald lauded by her peers. 2012. welcomed Thomas on 30 March 2012. Judy returned to Australia only twice, In January 1949, she married Ansell the first time with a Picasso exhibition, Renee Kharsas (1999) Vale Egerton and they moved to the and the second in 1996, when she Renee and husband Andrew Close Future Lauristonians? Judy Egerton United Kingdom. Judy worked as a accompanied J. M. W. Turner’s painting welcomed Archer on 19 March 2012. tutorial assistant in History at Queen’s If you are expecting a future (Attiwill, 1945) The Fighting Temeraire. University, Belfast. In 1956, following a Lauristonian, please contact our (Thanks to Peter Attiwill for this Jessica Lake (1999) move to London, Judy worked on both Judy’s marriage was dissolved in the Registrar on 9864 7555 to register contribution) early 1970s. She is survived by her Jessica and husband Lachlan Tan the Australian Dictionary of Biography your interest in securing a place daughters Bridget and Fabia, in Britain, welcomed Matilda on 12 April 2012. Judy Egerton, a leading scholar and the British Dictionary of National at Lauriston for your child. and her brother, Peter, in Melbourne. of eighteenth-century British art, in Biography, as well as contributing particular the works of the celebrated articles to historical journals and Lois Keast painter of animals George Stubbs, raising her family. died in London after a long illness. (Righetti,1934) In the late 1960s, she assisted Dudley She was eighty-three. Passed away on 9 April, aged Weddings Snelgrove with cataloguing the vast Katherine Nickolls (1999) ninety-four, after a short illness. Judy was born in Melbourne in 1928, number of paintings, drawings and Katherine and husband Shane the third of five children born to Jean prints that the American philanthropist Lois attended Lauriston from 1926 Stevens welcomed Isabel Rose on 10 (née Muecke) and Keith Attiwill, a Paul Mellon was acquiring. to 1934 and was Vice-Captain of June 2011. journalist. Kirkhope. She played tennis, hockey In doing this work her interest in and basketball and was involved in Stubbs’s work was first aroused – it was Judy and her three sisters all athletics, and although she was not Engagements further stimulated in 1974, when the attended Lauriston. Judy undertook really fond of playing sport, she was Tate staged the exhibition Stubbs and her Matriculation year in 1945 and an avid watcher of sports as she grew Wedgwood. In that year, Judy joined achieved outstanding results. She older. was awarded top marks in the state the Tate as Assistant Keeper in the of Victoria for British History and Historic (British) Department, and two Lois’s daughter, Jo-Anne McDonald French, and also received the Alliance years later she was the guiding light (Keast), also attended Lauriston Stephanie Morton (2001) Alexandra Gibson (2002) Française Prize for French. Her results behind the exhibition George Stubbs: (1964–72). In November last year, Stephanie Alexandra married Johnny Cleary in were so outstanding that Lauriston Anatomist and Animal Painter, which Lois regularly attended OLA meetings married David Murphy at the Yarra November last year. students were given a full day’s focused on the artist’s anatomical until a few years ago, when she could Yarra Golf Club, in a civil ceremony holiday in her honour. drawings. no longer drive to meetings. Jane Newman (2004) conducted by Stephanie’s godmother. Kate Edgar (2000) Jane Newman and Thomas Scott Judy was awarded a full scholarship This was followed by the remarkable Stephanie and David honeymooned Kate married Andrew Cramer in March Lois is survived by her husband, Bruce, became engaged in November last to Janet Clarke Hall at the University Stubbs exhibition in 1984–85 at the in Bali. They are now expecting their this year. daughter Jo-Anne and son Rowan, year. Jane and Thomas celebrated their of Melbourne, and graduated in 1948 Tate Gallery and the Yale Center for first baby, due in early September. and five grandchildren. engagement with family and friends, with a First in History. British Art, Connecticut, regarded as who included many of Jane’s Lauriston one of the greatest ever held at the classmates, in February. Tate.

28 29 Community News Community News

Reunions and other events Upcoming interstate and overseas reunions New York Reunion Friday 17 August, 6.30–8.30 pm

Following hot on the heels of our successful London event, a similar event is being planned for New York–based alumni. Further details will be emailed to US-based alumni, and posted on Facebook (see page 25 for instructions on accessing the OLA page on Facebook). We are very grateful to Bryony Cole (2000) L–R: Margaret Pitcher (Marx), Wendy Coghill (Foote), Delphine Alston (Dean), Jocelyn Goodall L-R Sam Russell, Lisa Dowd, Anne Radvansky (Purnell), Alison Western (Smith), Mary Lou Philip (Doggett). and Monica Hyams at the 1982 reunion. ([email protected]), who has agreed to act as our ‘person on the Class of 1982, ground’ for the event. Class of 1949, 80th birthday celebration UK Alumni Network Reunion in London Mary Lou Philip (Doggett) recently hosted a get-together to celebrate the fact 30-year reunion Robyn Hudson (1989) has reported that the London reunion on 31 May was a NSW/ACT Reunion that the girls from the Class of 1949 turn eighty this year. The girls, who still call Some forty members of the Class of great success: ‘It was a wonderful event. Twenty girls came along and enjoyed When: Thursday 6 September, each other by the nicknames they had at Lauriston, enjoyed exchanging fond 1982, several of whom currently have hearing old and new stories from the School. It was fascinating to hear the 6.30–8.30 pm reminiscences of their time at school. daughters at Lauriston, attended their reasons for coming to England and then for staying; many had come for work 30-year reunion. Anne Radvansky soon – and had then been in the UK for between four months and sixty years. The Where: Angel Hotel Jocelyn Goodall (Purnell) delighted those in attendance by sharing memories of had the group in fits of laughter, which professions round the table stretched from nursing to jewellery designing, the her younger brother, Danby, who also attended Lauriston – albeit for a short time. was a common occurrence while they 125 Pitt Street music industry to accountancy’. (corner of Angel Place), Sydney ‘He was the only boy I know of who was expelled from Lauriston’s Kindergarten,’ were at school, according to Jane Fox (Hamilton). Rosheeka Field (1998) says: ‘It was such a lovely evening, catching up with old Jocelyn said, ‘and, to this day, none of us are exactly sure why!’ Register online at friends and seeing faces I had not seen for many years. Thanks to the School for www.trybooking.com/BQAT its generosity in hosting the evening and for making the effort to keep in touch Keeping in touch with us “Old Girls” on the other side of the globe! I do hope that this can be an Upcoming Reunions annual event, as it means so much to know the Lauriston community is with us with Lauriston 19 July Class of 1967 wherever we may go’. If you know of an Old 27 July Class of 2002 Lauristonian who has recently 9 August Class of 1987 moved interstate or overseas, 24 August Class of 1972 please let us know, or, better 9 November Class of 2011 still, put her in contact with us, so that we can update her details in our database and keep in touch. There are some exciting alumni networks being Where: deutscher and hackett established abroad in 2012. L’event 105 Commercial Road, South Yarra Tuesday 31 July, Tickets: $65 (includes finger food and drinks) 7.00–10.00 pm Class of 1962. To book visit www.trybooking.com/ Class of 1962, A cocktail party and BOLK or to view our e-catalogue of 50-year reunion art auction featuring fine art from some of art visit www.lauriston.vic.edu.au Around twenty-five girls from the Class of 1962 attended their 50-year reunion. Melbourne’s leading and click on ‘News and Event’s, or According to Carolyn Moore (Champion), it was a great night and was commercial galleries. thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. phone the School on 9864 7555.

30 31 Term 3 Events Tuesday 17 July – Friday 14 September

Class of 1967 45-Year Reunion Class of 1972 40-Year Reunion Thursday 19 July, 6.30–8.30 pm Friday 24 August, 6.30–8.30 pm Year 12 Formal Parent Seminar: Food Allergies in Children Friday 20 July, 7.00–10.00 pm Thursday 30 August, 7.30–8.30 pm Year 11 2013 Parent Information Evening Lauriston Parents’ Association Monday 23 July, 6.30–7.30 pm Fathers and Daughters Breakfast Principal’s Morning Tea and School Tour Friday 31 August, 7.00–8.15 am Tuesday 24 July, 9.30–11.00 am Friends of Lauriston Arts Chamber Music Lunch Class of 2002 10-Year Reunion Friday 31 August, 12.00 noon–2.00 pm Friday 27 July, 6.30–8.30 pm Class of 1977 35-Year Reunion L’event - Cocktail Party and Art Auction Friday 31 August, 6.30–8.30 pm Tuesday 31 July, 7.30-10.00pm Fathers of Lauriston Dinner LPA and Friends of Lauriston Arts L’Art Festival Tuesday 4 September, 7.00–10.30 pm Monday 30 July – Wednesday 1 August inclusive Blairholme Concert Senior College Play Wednesday 5 September, 5.30–6.30 pm Thursday 9 August – Friday 10 August, 7.30–9.30 pm NSW/ACT Reunion Class of 1987 25-Year Reunion Thursday 6 September, 6.30–8.30 pm Thursday 9 August, 6.30–8.30 pm (see page 31 for further details) Year 10 2013 Parent Information Evening Years 3 & 4 Presentation Evening Tuesday 14 August, 6.30–8.00 pm Tuesday 11 September, 5.30–6.30 pm New York Reunion VCE Drama Solo Night Friday 17 August, 6.30–8.30 pm (see page 31 for further details) Tuesday 11 September, 7.30–9.00 pm Year 7 2013/2014 Parent Information Evening Blairholme Lunchtime Recital Monday 20 August, 7.00–8.00 pm Wednesday 12 September, 1.00–1.30 pm Principal’s Morning Tea and School Tour Year 12 Parents and Students Dinner Tuesday 21 August, 9.30–11.00 am Wednesday 12 September, 6.30–9.30 pm Years 5–12 Annual Concert Thursday 23 August, 7.30–10.00 pm

More information on these and other events can be found in the ‘News and Events’ section of the Lauriston website (www.lauriston.vic.edu.au). Live it. Learn it. Love it.

Advertising in Lauriston Life Members of the Lauriston community now have the opportunity to advertise in Lauriston Life. If you have a business or service that you would like to promote, consider placing an advertisement in a magazine that goes out to more than 6000 readers – alumni, parents of current students, current and past staff, and all of our donors. Advertising rates are: full page $800; half page $500; quarter page $350; eighth of a page $200.

For more information on advertising please contact Director of Marketing and Advancement, Marina Johnson, at [email protected].

Lauriston Girls’ School ABN 15 004 264 402

38 Huntingtower Road, Armadale Vic 3143, Australia t: +61 3 9864 7555 f: +61 3 9822 7950 e: [email protected]

www.lauriston.vic.edu.au

CRICOS number 00152F