THE ALLIANCE OF GIRLS’SCHOOLS, AUSTRALASIA VOLUME 17 PO BOX 296, MALVERN, VICTORIA 3144 AUSTRALIA OCTOBER 2000 ■ ImpressionsImpressions fromfrom thethe NationalNational Coalition of Girls’ Schools Annual Conference 2000 ■ The Alliance Games 2000: a day to remember! ■ What is Happening inin OurOur Schools...Schools... ■ A Successful Foundation in alliance The Alliance of Girls’ Schools, Australasia Executive Officer: Sue Collister Tel: 03 9828 3041 Fax: 03 9824 8553 President: Ros Otzen Korowa AGS, Vic Executive: Beth Blackwood PLC, WA Lesley Boston MacRobertson Girls’ High School, Vic Nancy Hillier Annesley College, SA Stan Klan Fairholme College, Qld Suzanne McChesney Seymour College, SA Barbara Stone MLC, NSW In Alliance Editorial Deadlines 2000/01 FROM THE EDITOR... Volume 18 Monday 30 October 2000 The Alliance grows ever stronger... Volume 19 Tuesday 15 May 2001 Volume 20 This edition of In Alliance acknowledges the Conference held in 1998 and 1999 at Ipswich Girls’ Tuesday 14 August 2001 importance of marketing and development in our Grammar School, over twenty member schools have Volume 21 schools. At the ADAPE Conference held in Sydney in already indicated their intent to attend the next Monday 29 October 2001 May, Somerville House took out several awards, Conference to be held in Adelaide at acknowledging the growth and success this Brisbane Annesley College in January 2001. I commend this All copy is welcome School has enjoyed in the development field. opportunity for your new team; our report of the but must be submitted 1999 Conference in the last edition together with Our on-going reporting of activities and to Dr Nancy Hillier plaudits from attendees in the Executive Officer’s programmes in our schools highlights the at Annesley College or report in this edition acknowledge the benefits and Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School Victoria, Queen through opportunities accruing. Margaret College in Wellington, New Zealand and [email protected] The Wilderness School and St Peter’s Collegiate With every good wish for the final term. by the above dates. Girls’ School in Adelaide. Programmes for Gifted and Talented students, work experience and our infusion of Asia in School’s Week are all elements of Alliance schools. I hope the sharing of other ways of Nancy Hillier, Editor undertaking these activities will provide interest, challenge and difference. In this Olympic year, the Alliance Games held in Congratulations... May provided a showcase of excellence and Noelene Horton, Principal of Lowther Hall in athleticism. Sport and physical education are central Victoria, has recently been appointed the Chair- to our schools. To improve facilities further, elect of AHISA. Noelene will take over from information is provided on the Australian Sports Father Chris Gleeson at the conclusion of the Foundation Limited. AHISA Bi-ennial Conference to be held in Each year, members have taken the opportunity Sydney next September. Noelene, a founding to link study leave or long-service leave with the member of EGGS (Education of Girls in Girls’ National Coalition of Girls’ Schools August Schools), later to become AGSA, has served our Conference. As Barbara Stone notes in her report organisation with distinction and we salute her “the end of June is a good time to pause...for a and wish her well in this key role. healthy dose of inspiration.” As we head down toward the final weeks for Year 12 students, ALLIANCE OF GIRLS’ SCHOOLS AUSTRALASIA elections for new leadership teams & THE INTERNATIONAL BOYS’ SCHOOL COALITION are occurring and again leadership (AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER) training for the 2001 group is sought. Following the highly successful Student Leadership JOINT CONFERENCE 2001 EQUAL AND DIFFERENT? LLIANCE OF IRLS CHOOLS USTRALASIA A G ’ S A An interesting and thought provoking conference LEADERSHIP with a variety of excellent presenters. FOR WOMEN OF THE FUTURE Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th August, 2001 The Southport School, Gold Coast, Queensland The Conference for Student Leaders of the Year 2001 FRI 3 AUGUST SAT 4 AUGUST SUN 5 AUGUST 2pm Meetings: Session 1 Session 4 Presented by the Alliance of Girls’ Schools, Australasia IBSC & AGSA Session 2 Plenary Session 4pm Registration JANUARY 16 – 21, 2001 Session 3 Opening Address Discussion Forums Annesley College, Adelaide, Australia Conference Dinner Dinner Contact the Executive Officer, Sue Collister on Full details will be distributed in early 2001 61 3 9828 3041 or Peter Gubbins on 61 8 8422 2288 For further details contact the Executive Officer, Sue Collister on 61 3 9828 3041 2 FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER... Over the past few months, I have had a “I really learnt so much about myself and this The next Student Leadership Conference number of phone calls from our member has given me confidence that I can carry out will be hosted by Annesley College in schools asking about the value of the Student my role” (New Zealand delegate) Adelaide from 16-21 January, 2001. If your Leadership Conference organised by the school would like to register for the “I’m bursting with ideas and confidence in my Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia. I feel Conference, please contact either own ability because of how much I’ve grown that the best way to explain its value is from Peter Gubbins (Annesley College) on and learnt” (NSW delegate) comments I received from some of the 83 08 8422 2288 ([email protected]) or delegates who attended the 1999 Conference “one big learning experience ... meeting new Sue Collister at the AGSA office on at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School: people and learning new things ... thanks for 03 9828 3041 ([email protected]). the opportunity” (Qld delegate) “the conference has helped me build up my The other exciting project that I am confidence “ (Queensland delegate) “before coming I was apprehensive - but it working on is the 2001 Joint Conference that was fantastic” (NSW delegate) AGSA is organising with the International “this conference has given me confidence in Boys’ Schools Coalition (Australian Chapter). my own abilities as a leader and inspired me “I learnt a lot which is bound to help me in The Conference will be held at The Southport to be an amazing leader” (Victorian delegate) 2000 and for the rest of my life” (Tasmanian delegate) School, Gold Coast, Queensland from “I really learnt heaps of valuable skills that I 3-5 August, 2001. believe will help me next year” “Friendship and new ideas from other Warmest regards, (NSW delegate) schools... I also enjoyed the guest speakers” (Western Australia delegate) Sue Collister, Executive Officer INSPIRATION, RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNITY Impressions from the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools Annual Conference 2000 It could be argued that the opportunity to conference with peers feeling of community between the leaders of girls’ schools (this time internationally is inspiration enough! This year’s NCGS Conference at from South Africa, United Kingdom and Canada as well as The United Dana Hall, Wellesley, Ma., however, also offered many other States) and, indeed, between the girls within our schools. The social and opportunities for inspiration with the preview of “A Hero for Daisy”, the emotional value of girls’ schools for their students was spelt out by the reflections of the President of Wellesley College, Diana Chapman Walsh, researchers’ report on the success of girls’ schools in the United States in and the opportunity to laugh and learn with Professor Rosabeth Moss generating student achievement, leadership and success. Although Kantner from Harvard. already familiar with the study from our own Conference earlier this year in Toowoomba, the findings of the NCGS study were given special voice How many of us have sought appropriate material to celebrate the by the engaging panel of NCGS students and their focus on “wholeness” power of “ordinary” determined women to make a serious difference in and “how we can grow together”. the lives of others? “A Hero for Daisy” does this on two levels. Rosabeth Moss Kantner, Professor of Business Administration at The film itself has as its hero, Chris Ernst, a dedicated but, to use her Harvard Business School and former Editor of the Harvard Business own description, not a particularly outstanding rower, who not only Review, was an inspiration of yet a different kind. Her central message, became a two-time Olympian but also galvanised Yale, (and by so doing the importance of treating people as assets and of providing the tools led other, previously all male, ivy league institutions) into finally doing and conditions that liberate them to use their brainpower to make a something about providing adequate facilities for women. difference, transcends time and gender. Her cutting-edge ideas and The second level of heroism is provided by the successful quest of warm wisdom moved us all a little further along the road in thinking Mary Mazzio, lawyer and mother, making this film to provide a about how we can manage today’s issues while simultaneously challenging and appropriate message for her daughter, Daisy. Chris Ernst innovating for tomorrow. was one wonderful role model; Mary Mazzio, the life-long learner, multi- In other sessions, insights into developing girls’ financial skilling herself and following through to make such a powerful film was independence were balanced by stirring arguments for schools to focus surely another! What a pity our video systems are incompatible with on the spiritual life of girls. those in USA. Don’t hesitate to watch it should “A Hero for Daisy” ever become available on cable! I’m sure that none of the representatives of the 58 member schools who took part in the Conference would have left disappointed. Many of Further inspiration came from the address by Diana Chapman Walsh, us have already promised to meet again at the 10th Anniversary President of Wellesley College.