New Adventures

EDITION 4 | DECEMBER 2016 10 New adventures Olympian Stephanie Moorhouse on becoming ‘just Steph’ 12 Goodbye Ms Rome Great year caps o long Lauriston career 20 Teachers as role models Why Mr James is not afraid to jump in 32 Senior Old Girls’ Music Lunch Plenty of buzz at annual event 1

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4 CONTRIBUTORS

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8 9 10 11

1. Robyn Ambler 2. Sally de Guingand 3. Earl James 4. Susan Just (Principal) 5. Lisa Khan 6. Kate Nixon 7. Sam Ridley 8. Annette Rome 9. Chris Toms 10. Louise Torney 11. Katrina Walter

ON THE COVER: Stephanie Moorhouse at CrossFit, Richmond PHOTOGRAPHER: Ben King DESIGN: Actual Size PRINTING: New Artworx

Lauriston Life Lauriston Girls’ School t: +61 3 9864 7555 CRICOS number 00152F The magazine of Lauriston Girls’ 38 Huntingtower Road e: [email protected] ABN 15 004 264 402 School Armadale VIC 3143 Australia www.lauriston.vic.edu.au CON TEN TS.

FEATURED STORIES COVER 6 8 12 STORY High achievers The pleasure That’s a wrap Sporting and debating of exercise Ms Rome goes out on a 10 success Lauriston’s recreational high note program is thriving The golden girl Olympian Stephanie Moorhouse resets her goals 24 after elite competition What’s in a name? Lauriston’s new rowing boats revealed

THIS ISSUE

4 14 16 From the Principal Howqua Junior School Sport for life Measuring success All for one and one for all

20 32 Sta proﬁ le In the spotlight The many sides of Mr Senior Old Girls’ Music James Lunch

Volleyball hug Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Sport for life

As we juggle work and family There are important links between physical activity demands in our increasingly busy and improved wellbeing. We want our young women world, regular physical activity all to develop resilience. This means giving them the social and emotional skills to cope with challenges and too often takes a back seat. adversity. Our current approach to sport at Lauriston, Yet sport is essential to our mental and physical health, and the challenging outdoor and fitness programs as a 2013 CSIRO report on the future of Australian sport oered at our Howqua campus, demonstrate the strong made clear. We at Lauriston believe this is especially the links between physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing. case for young women and, as such, are committed to Over the past twelve months we have been developing ensuring our students develop an understanding of the a strategic plan that covers the pillars of sport, physical value of physical activity throughout life. education (PE) curriculum, outdoor recreation and It is encouraging that women’s sport has been given wellbeing. Our consultation sessions with parents and Sports do not more attention of late. For too sta and research focused on how we can utilise sport, long, women have not received recreation and wellbeing to build strong, healthy and build character. the same recognition for their flourishing students who will continue to value sport They reveal it. sporting achievements and skills and physical activity throughout their lives. as men. This can be seen in the - JOHN WOODEN, Our comprehensive plan includes implementing televised sport we watch, the AMERICAN BASKETBALL compulsory participation in at least one physical salary levels of our male and PLAYER activity, either in GSV (Girls Sport Victoria) or a School female sportspeople and the lack activity, per term for all students in Years 7 and 8. of female sporting facilities in our own communities. Our sporting opportunities for students will be increased The CSIRO report provided insights into the dierent in the Junior School and we will be enhancing our skill ways we can maintain regular physical activity. While acquisition programs for all students. We will introduce team sports remain popular, an increasing number of the Compass Award in Years 5 to 8, to complement Australians are choosing to participate in individual the Duke of Edinburgh Award program we currently physical activities, such as running, yoga or training at oer. These two programs are designed to enhance the gym. People are interested more in improving their development of young people by allowing them to personal time or fitness target. I use my Apple watch choose their own challenging physical activities, learn to capture my own progress in physical activities, and new skills and, in the process, develop initiative. more of our sta and students are using Fitbits or other wearables to maintain data on their personal physical progress.

4 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Susan with Barbara Buck (Barker, 1940)

Susan with 2016 Rio Olympian, Lucy Stephan

We will harness technology to develop a platform The facility will have a space for weights and stationary centralising student data on sport and physical activity. bike training, and learning spaces for health and It will allow us to analyse progress on participation, wellbeing classes, yoga, Pilates and meditation. A physical ﬁ tness, skill development and preparedness refurbished indoor swimming pool and outdoor courts for physical activity for each individual student, and will complement the gymnasium. The new gymnasium to share this data with our students and parents. and surrounding precinct will ensure that our Lauriston The use of wearables and the embedding of digital students have contemporary spaces for learning and technologies in our teaching will enhance our sport activities which we believe will inspire our girls to see program and PE curriculum. sport and physical activity as lifelong pursuits.

We are mindful that our approach to sport and In our quest to develop capable and conﬁ dent young physical activity must cover a broad range of interests women we need to give attention to their cognitive, and skill levels. We will look for opportunities to social and emotional, and physical development. We enhance the development of our skilled sportswomen. are looking forward, in the new year, to continued Throughout the history of Lauriston, we have guided consultation with our parents, students and sta about young women who have achieved excellence in sports our work on the sporting strategic plan. Our new as diverse as water polo, gymnastics, swimming, initiatives within the strategic plan for sport and the soccer and rowing. We are mindful that young women proposed building projects demonstrate the value we who strive to achieve excellence in their sport will be place on developing the whole student and fostering given opportunities, through coaching, participation participation in all aspects of life. and competition, to achieve their sporting goals. SUSAN JUST We will also o er new opportunities in sports such as Principal kayaking, orienteering, triathlon and cycling, which are growing in popularity and enable young women to participate at a variety of skill levels. There will be enhanced social sports options for girls who want to participate in non-competitive sports and physical activities.

Our strategic plan is closely aligned with our future building plans. Over the past two years we have been developing a strategic framework for future School facilities. A new gymnasium is one of the signiﬁ cant buildings in our proposed framework. The planned Susan with the 2017 School captains and former contemporary gymnasium includes two full-size indoor Lauriston students at the Senior Old Girls’ Lunch courts for netball, basketball, volleyball and badminton.

5 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS Lauriston high achievers

Hockey champions The Junior School Hockey team are the state champions, following four tough matches at the School Sport Victoria (SSV) state fi nals then a 1-0 victory in the grand fi nal. Congratulations Ashleigh Ting, Sarah McLellan, Emily Harle, Eliza Grey, Lucy Dunlop, Chloe Farrell, Maisie Henshaw, Skye Park, Miranda Wang, Amelia Dethridge, Isabelle Shady and Eliza Grey, and Penny, Luciana and Madeline with their gold medals their coaches, Ms Anna Robinson and Mr Mathew Sires, on a fantastic season. Best on fi eld Lucy Dunlop has been selected to represent Victoria in Nine girls from Lauriston took to the fi eld in September the Under 13 Girls Indoor Hockey State Team. at the Girls Sport Victoria Track and Field fi nals evening, with three coming away with gold: Penny Giddy (shot put and discus), Luciana Treacy (100m and 200m) and Madeline Fitzgerald (high jump). Each girl qualifi ed for the fi nals by placing among the top 10 in the state across their key events.

Our hockey champions

Competing on the world stage Year 12 student and star tri-athlete Olivia Je rey travelled to Cozumel, Mexico over the Term 3 break to represent Australia in the age group races at the World Triathlon Championships. Olivia was the only Australian in her category to compete in all three events of the aquathlon, sprint distance and the standard distance. Placing 11th, 25th and 7th respectively, Olivia pushed Olivia competing for Australia in Mexico hard through intense heat and humidity to achieve fantastic results.

6 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Victorian State Best Speaker Congratulations to Year 10 student Bella Crouch, who was recognised as the Victorian State Best Speaker for debating. Bella knew she was receiving the Swannie Award for Best Speaker in Debating for the Hawthorn Region at C Grade level (Year 10 level), but was surprised on the night with the second statewide award. This is an incredible achievement.

Claudia’s superb jump scored her the gold

State athletics stars Four of our Junior School girls competed at the SSV State Athletics Championship this term. The hard work of the girls paid o with each ﬁ nishing in the top 10 in their events. Well done Claudia Cameron (1st in the 12/13 years long jump, 2nd in the 12/13 years triple jump), Tegan Gheri (9th in the 12/13 years 800m), Bella receiving her Swannie Award Madison Miller (9th in the 11 years 1500m) and Amelia Dethridge (4th in the 9/10 years long jump).

The fi nal word The Year 10 debating team was victorious at the Debaters Association of Victoria’s grand fi nal, coming out on top of a division of 380 teams. The team included Sally Won, Isabel Roberts, Bella Crouch, Michelle Leung and Petra Kasayapanand. They were the only all-girl group competing at the grand fi nal across all four divisions. They won debating a challenging topic: ‘That Western governments should prioritise foreign aid over domestic social welfare (a¨ rmative)’.

The ﬁ rst Lauriston team to get their name on the Debaters Association of Victoria’s Year 10 debating shield

Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

RECREATIONAL SPORT The pleasure of exercise

‘Close your eyes. Tap your leg. Initially the running club met at the School and the Breathe. Keep going.’ These are students ran around the streets of Armadale but, as some of the instructions you will tra¨c intensiﬁed, it moved to Kooyong Park. hear from Lauriston sports teachers ‘Rain, hail or shine girls from Year 5 to 12 meet on and other external experts who Tuesday and Friday. They come to run with friends, run recreational sport sessions for train for the cross-country, to reach a goal but mostly students all-year round. because they enjoy it,’ says Mr Gasson.

Established in the early 1990s, the recreational program ‘I work with students for their entire senior schooling. complements the 23 competitive sports oered at the Many of the girls run over 300 kilometres a year School. because they practice and keep coming back.’

Head of the Physical Education (PE) Faculty Meleah Mr Gasson also enjoys seeing past Lauriston girls who Zanos says the program has many benefits for students are ex-club members running the streets of Malvern, such as o-season fitness development, choice and maintaining their fitness or competing in marathons. experiencing sports not common outside of school. This year the School has implemented softball skill ‘Some people aren’t interested in competitive sport but development into the recreational program. The they enjoy the endorphins generated from exercise or PE department received grant funding to buy new the mental challenge of concentrating during a Pilates equipment and dedicate planning to develop the class or diving tutorial. softball oering, which has had a resurgence in recent years. ‘Its voluntary but the girls are committed. They choose to get out of bed at 6am and be part of the running Softball is an activity that requires multiple skills such as club,’ says Ms Zanos. running, striking, fielding and throwing making it a great addition to the recreational program. Many of Lauriston’s teachers have played a long- term role setting up, instructing and enriching the The recreational program was originally set up for recreational program. Ms Kate Gilchrist, Director Senior School students but has broadened to include of Student Development and Wellbeing, has the younger girls. taught aerobics on Fridays for many years and was ‘We love seeing the junior girls come along; they are instrumental in recruiting state long-distance runner some of our most loyal yoga participants. We want Dean Gasson to set up the running club more than a to nurture a love of exercise, technique, mindfulness decade ago. and persistence from a young age. That’s what the Mr Gasson remains Lauriston’s running coach to this day recreational program is all about,’ says Ms Zanos. because he ‘loves it’. KATRINA WALTER PR Manager

Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Batter up

Keeping home plate safe

Recreational sports at Lauriston: - softball - diving - water polo - swimming - running Water polo skills - aerobics - yoga - personal training - sailing - Pilates

Preparing for the perfect dive

Running strong 9 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

COVER STORY The golden girl

The night before her Commonwealth ‘Many people have said to me that I missed my teenage and Olympic Games’ fi nals, years but I don’t think that. Gymnastics has taken me Stephanie Moorhouse (2005) on some incredible adventures to all parts of the world,’ says Stephanie. calmed herself to sleep by meticulously going over the ‘To feel the adrenalin rush in Athens when I walked into routine—move-by-move and step- the stadium was incredible but the pressure was more by-step—that she would perform the intense. You are surrounded by the best athletes in the next day. world who all train as hard as you—it’s the athlete who can handle the force of the stress who ultimately wins,’ Her use of this mental imagery technique—taught to says Stephanie. her by a sports psychologist—showed an emotional maturity at 15 which explains much about the success So what does an athlete do after the Olympics? of the Lauriston alumna and world-class gymnast. ‘It was defi nitely a case of me transitioning from my Stephanie won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth identity as “Steph the gymnast” to “just Steph”. I had Games in Manchester while studying Year 10 and then to reset my goals, and try to fi nd something as thrilling competed in the fi nals at the 2004 Olympics Games in and exhilarating and exciting as the Olympic Games. Athens while completing her VCE. ‘It took me a few years to settle down and fi nd other Coaches had earmarked Stephanie from an early age passions. I relied on my parents Ann and Stephen, because she had the powerful body type required for brother Nathan and support network to get me gymnastics, natural ability and plenty of courage. Yet, through,’ she says. despite possessing the necessary physical and technical attributes, the test for Stephanie was when she hit the Stephanie found new adventures like a cameo role teenage years. This is when she had to make a choice in Hollywood teen comedy-drama Stick it with a ‘to put the socialising to the side’ and work hard. gymnastic sub-theme. ‘An American producer called my coach just after the Olympics and she recommended Stephanie was eager to continue because she me. I was fl own to Hollywood and treated like a star for loved gymnastics and wanted to take it further. She 10 days. If you look really closely you can see me in the was prepared to fall down and get up again. After background in a couple of scenes,’ she laughs. competing for Australia at the age of 12 she had an inkling that the Commonwealth Games might be next. Stephanie was also a gymnastics commentator at the Her early success helped keep her going. Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010 which was ‘just as nerve racking as performing in the actual event’. Neil Kearney, an experienced Olympics reporter, took her under his wing and coached her through previous broadcasts, giving Stephanie plenty of tips.

10 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

After graduating with a Bachelor of Business, Sport Stephanie keeps healthy these days with CrossFit, a Management and a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport combination of weightlifting, gymnastics and functional Science, she knew she would always work in sport. fi tness. Stephanie has worked for Life Saving Victoria, ‘It is high intensity and refl ects the best aspects of my Gymnastics Australia, the Victorian Olympic Council gymnastics and upper body strength training. It also and has recently moved to Australian sports clothing has a competitive element which I love,’ says Stephanie. business, 2XU. Stephanie does CrossFit six days a week, which she ‘2XU puts a lot of time and e ort into the technology fi nds crucial for not only her physical health but also her used to make their compression garments and works mental health. closely with the Victorian Institute of Sport on product development,’ says Stephanie. KATRINA WALTER PR Manager The garments aim to help speed recovery, increase blood fl ow and ultimately improve athletic performance and are being used by athletes across a number of sports. Part of Stephanie’s job as Events Coordinator is to visit di erent sporting events and build brand awareness. She likes the variety of the work and meeting new people.

11 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

SENIOR SCHOOL That’s a wrap

I remember over 25 years ago riding To all the girls with whom I worked this year—whether my bike to the edge of the oval and as prefects, in class, in the corridors or courtyard—thank peering through the Lauriston fence. you. You all worked hard to do the best you could while supporting each other. The School Captains, I saw pristine grounds with a beautiful Moreton Bay Tara Dubljevic and Julia Benoit, have done a sterling fig tree. I was a young trainee teacher and I was very job guiding the girls, along with the other leaders, to nervous. The first lesson of my career was in a small maintain school spirit and manage initiatives such as classroom (now the conference room) and I recall it was the new school trousers and the school mascot. on bacteria. I talked too much and too loudly and got Sta members have continued to go above and beyond firm feedback from my wonderful supervisor. to support the girls and prepare them for their current I went on to teach here for 12 years or so before leaving world and the world of the future. The Directors of IB, to explore other opportunities. I think that early break VCE, Curriculum, and Wellbeing have been cornerstones was one of the luckiest I ever had—it not only changed of the school and have worked extremely well as a my life, but it set the standards that I have taken team. Meetings were always buzzing with energy and forward to every subsequent school at which I have had good humour. the honour to work. I also acknowledge the work of Susan Just who Coming back to Lauriston recently felt like coming continues to lead the community with kindness, justice home. My whole family (husband, children and and intellect. stepchildren) have had strong connections with the While this is my last year here, I know that Lauriston will school and this has even extended to my elderly father always hold a very special part in the heart of my family who recently won the spray tan at the Very Special Kids and though I still talk too much I will take with me the Treadmill Challenge ra±e. learnings from two wonderful years at one of the best We have had a great year. Successes have been schools in Australia. academic, musical, sporting, international, individual ANNETTE ROME and group. Community service events were a highlight Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School of the year with eorts including Michaelia Liu’s shave to beat blood cancer, the aforementioned Treadmill Challenge, Coloured Socks for more breast care nurses in communities across Australia, Youth in Philanthropy and many others. I am still reeling from the fact that over 30% of Years 10 and 11 students volunteered to help at the recent Melbourne Marathon in support of young people with acquired brain injuries.

12 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

On stage at last year’s staff -student challenge

Annette and her band of volunteers who helped out at this year’s Melbourne Marathon

Teaching biology in 1992

13 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

HOWQUA Measuring success

As we reach this time of the year, The students continue to surprise themselves with their I inevitably hear students laughing achievements and the milestones that they reach. Our about how hard they thought one sequential ﬁtness program is a good example. Every Friday the girls undertake their personal best run, which aspect of the program was at some is timed over a set distance that increases each half time in the past only to be taking it term. They generally do the same run around three to in their stride now. four times in dierent conditions, learning about what

This could be a running track, a hike, a concept in one factors aect them and what strategies will assist them of their academic classes or even a resolved issue in to improve. their house. It is wonderful to see that the structured, Some students undertake the runs and work hard sequential and progressive nature of the programs from the ﬁrst to the last and only manage a minute or allows the girls to reﬂect on where they have come from two improvements while others have seen incredible and to recognise their positive achievements. increments of between 8 and 10 minutes. The other

It is really quite amazing to see the level of run that allows the students to challenge themselves accomplishment that the students achieve as a cohort and measure each eort is the Howqua River Road and the progression each individual makes. The girls Challenge at the end of each term. This year, Mollie encountered a lot of ‘firsts’ this year: making their beds Pethick was the first student in eight years able to on the first day; undertaking their first house or campus run from the school to the end of the road in less responsibilities; the first 2.2 kilometre run; their first than 20 minutes. This is a di¨cult feat to accomplish experience on serving; the first day walk or overnight considering Mollie ran a distance of 4.7 kilometres over hike; the first attempt to resolve some kind of concern undulating terrain. with a housemate; and the first time that they sat in The Outdoor Program has a number of opportunities their new class. for the girls to measure their improvement. Whether

It’s testament to the growth and progress each girl has it is hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, rock climbing made that these activities are now viewed as everyday or skiing, the girls have sequentially built their skills events that can be rationalised and undertaken without as the program progressed. More proﬁciency allows conscious thought and with little eort. them to expand their comfort zones and to challenge themselves. This, in turn, allows them to improve their skills in each activity and, combined with the end of activity debrief with sta, the students develop a far deeper understanding of their experiences.

SAM RIDLEY Assistant Principal Howqua Campus

14 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Nearly down

Zipping around campus in billy karts

Trekking across some of Victoria’s most breathtaking ranges

Planting over 350 trees in Benalla

Taking a moment to enjoy the sunshine on the Working together to scale the cliffs slopes

15 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

JUNIOR SCHOOL All for one and one for all

The teaching of values is an intrinsic part of the Junior School and, while not as visible as other areas of the curriculum, can be Relationships: Joining a sports team gives children found in everything we do. a sense of belonging and the opportunity to Lauriston’s fi ve values (relationships, courage, make new friends. These relationships can be an creativity, intellectual curiosity, and engagement in important part of a child’s development and may life) are crucial in the development of the ‘whole be carried with them for the rest of their life. child’ and underpin all our activities. One great Resilience: A study from the Journal of Youth example of this is team sports. and Adolescence found that children who were From school-wide events like House Sports to highly involved in sport were more ‘psychologically regular physical education classes, every student resilient’; that is, they can bounce back when has plenty of opportunities to contribute to a presented with a setback. Rather than dealing with team during her time at Lauriston. More than just setbacks alone, team sports give girls the chance keeping children fi t and active, these activities to lean on each other for support. Whether it’s help foster friendships and let girls take risks in a a loss, an injury or just a bad day, a setback can supportive environment. Other benefi ts include: teach the true importance of perseverance and never giving up.

Team attitude: A team-ﬁ rst attitude helps students to work together to achieve a common goal. In sports, a team attitude helps students learn that, while they can’t always control the outcome of a game, they can always try their best and support their teammates. A team cannot succeed without working together, no matter how good the individual players are.

Running the relay for Andrews

16 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

The new recruits

Dedication: The discipline of training and the commitment it takes to pursue a team sport is a Passing the baton trait transferrable to many other aspects of life. As one of the more explicit ways a child will see their outcomes through e ort and dedication, sport is Our teachers in the Junior School are the key a great way for girls to learn the value of practice instructors of teamwork, both inside and outside and preparation, an especially useful skill in the the classroom, leading the Junior School Wellbeing later years of her education journey. Program, the Leadership Program and the diverse range of co-curricular programs. When Academic beneﬁ ts: Society places signiﬁ cant we encourage children to follow pursuits such as pressure on our children to be more academic. these we are helping them learn to appreciate each However, there is evidence to suggest that other, to communicate e ectively and to assist one physical activity in team sports improves results another. Students also learn how to demonstrate in numeracy and literacy. Participation in sport is empathy and compassion when working together linked to higher academic achievement in school: to achieve a common goal. These characteristics ‘a healthy body means a healthy mind’. are essential in the personal development of each child as they journey through our School and further into life.

CHRIS TOMS Head of Junior School

The Year 6 girls take on the teachers in netball

17 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

KINDERGARTEN The beneﬁts of the outdoors

The outdoors is an important Children learn to manage emotions and impulses, and learning space which is just as to persevere when faced with challenging learning crucial as the indoor environment. situations. Outdoor play also provides children with time to The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development play without direct adult supervision and allows for Framework supports this view and sees outdoor independent adventure and considered risk-taking. activities planned for in the same, considered manner as indoor tasks. Children can work in small groups, with another friend or play on their own. They are always well supervised The outdoor environment is a place where large muscle but they feel a sense of independence and freedom in skills are developed and practised; children learn the outdoors. to manage their bodies using a variety of dierent equipment; and skills such as balance and coordination Many small learning spaces are set up within the are improved. The outdoor environment also requires playgrounds to allow children the opportunity for early children to exercise eye muscles by requiring constant literacy and numeracy skill development; scientiﬁc change of focus and response to dierent levels investigations; imaginative play; the development of light, from bright sunlight to cloudy conditions. of skills of collaboration and teamwork; as well as This is extremely important to avoid myopia (short reﬂection and contemplation. sightedness). The outside area is a vital and integral part of our Maintaining physical health contributes to our wellbeing. learning environment and a place of much valuable We strive to help children gain a basic understanding learning. Children and teachers alike thrive in the fresh of the aspects of a healthy lifestyle including the air, surrounded by nature. positive experiences of physical exercise and outdoor activity. In our Kindergarten we provide children with ROBYN AMBLER opportunities to grow, tend, harvest and then prepare Co-Director of Kindergarten healthy food, supporting our healthy eating policy. The outdoors is also a feast for the senses; sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell are all stimulated in the outdoors, as are children’s minds.

Another great advantage of outdoor play is the opportunity to reduce stress and anxiety and assist children to refocus to required tasks.

18 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Looking for life in the puddles

Having fun leaping around the planks

Taking a closer look at the gardens

Tending to the seedlings Making a mountain

19 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

STAFF PROFILE The many sides of Mr James

After moving back to Australia I want to be a solid role model for my students and from Amsterdam, where I taught so running for the local council this year presented a in international schools, it has good way to inspire. My campaign provided my legal studies class with a ﬁ rst-hand example of the workings been a real privilege to spend of democracy and they were excited by the prospect of the last ﬁ ve years teaching one of their teachers being elected to o¨ ce. I didn’t win the wonderful, hard-working but I hope that I provided an example of how to engage students we have at Lauriston. with the wider world.

Teaching legal studies, economics and theory of We ask all of our students to ‘engage in life’ so that knowledge presents a great array of subjects to help they use the understanding they have built at Lauriston students think about the values we promote. to positive e ect in the wider world. Teachers can be important role models for students. Recently, the I am always keen to get involved wherever I can to build Minister of Education appointed me to the Victorian enduring relationships with the students. Good learning Institute of Teaching (VIT) Council. This body regulates springs from having a strong, positive relationship with the teaching profession across all sectors in Victoria one’s teachers and that is why ‘relationships’ are a core and I am pleased to be one of the independent schools’ value of the School. I’ve enjoyed being pilloried in the representatives. sta versus student debates (they won) and joining in

the dance festival as the comedy relief. No doubt both This work is crucial to the future of education in the occasions were a lot of fun for all involved. Whether we state as we ensure that teachers maintain their duty of are good at dancing (I’m not) or debating is immaterial: care, are properly equipped to enter the classroom and it is about getting in there and having a go. That is the have an impact on young people’s lives. I hope that my Lauriston ideal which I try to uphold. work with the VIT shows students that wherever they choose to go with their life, they have many ways to inﬂ uence their world.

20 Bikes under the ﬁ g tree, 1951 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

One thing I’ve brought back with me from Amsterdam is the desire to cycle everywhere. Many of us grew up cycling in Melbourne; indeed, there is a great black and white picture of dozens of bicycles under the Moreton Bay ﬁg tree. I needed time in Amsterdam to appreciate the beneﬁts of cycling. While there almost all my students rode their bikes to school. Since taking it up myself I’ve given many students a good laugh, especially when they see me on my folding bike which is somewhat undersized for my frame.

It would be wonderful if Lauriston students did take up the challenge of getting themselves to school more by bike, foot or public transport. If my role modelling doesn’t extend to riding bikes, however, I’ll settle for my students being fabulous, global citizens.

EARL JAMES Head of House, Irving Teacher of Economics, Legal Studies and Theory of Knowledge

21 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

LAURISTON LEARNING Classroom in focus

Camps Candlebark The Year 3 girls enjoyed their ﬁ rst two-night, three-day camp at Candlebark Farm in Healseville. Highlights of their camp included a visit to Healesville Sanctuary and activities which included golf Frisbee, a ski race, bushwalking, orienteering and a low ropes course. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the physical challenges and the experience of sharing rooms, meals, and activities with their friends.

Combing the rock pools

Waratah Bay A mixed bag of weather didn’t deter the Year 4 group from making the most of their outdoor adventure in stunning Waratah Bay in Gippsland. The girls completed the walk to Chicken Rock, the Flying Fish,

Preparing for the ﬂ ying fox the night hike and the challenging Nitro Crossing. The ropes course was also particularly popular. The girls represented Lauriston proudly, and camp sta was most impressed with the girls’ attitude and behaviour throughout their stay.

22 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Putting parents to the test The Year 3 classrooms were transformed into a modern arcade this term, with students sharing their original games with their parents during a special showcase. Laughter and giggles ﬁ lled the room as parents were put to the test, overcoming obstacles and collecting items on the assembled iPads. There were also a few groans as players were sent ‘home’ and had to start the game again, though the girls were on-hand to guide their parents through their creations.

The girls have worked hard on their games all term, coding each part of the game carefully and sequentially. Emma and Mr Toms share a game Parents also had the chance to read the girls’ original Cinderella stories featuring beautiful illustrations.

Keeping Howqua sustainable Being sustainable is an important part of the Howqua Literary heroes program and this term the girls are working hard to Spell-binding wizards and witches, some elusive Waldos meet the 2017 criteria. We are aiming for Howqua and Wendas, and a cavalcade of crayons were among to be rated a ﬁ ve-star school through the Victorian a very special parade in Irving Hall to conclude Book Government’s ResourceSmart program for the second Week. Each girl in the Junior School came to school consecutive year. in full costume as their favourite literary hero and, Every day students and sta work together to reduce accompanied by their most-loved book, they took waste, increase awareness of behaving di erently and to the stage with their classmates to show o their to build a community that leaves a positive impact on fabulous outﬁ ts. the environment.

Recently we have installed 54 solar panels around the campus, worked with local groups like the Regent Honeyeater Project, and held weekly Greenies meetings. We have also published a special page on sustainability on the Lauriston website. Check it out at www.lauriston. vic.edu.au/sustainability.

Having fun on-stage at the parade

Planting trees around campus

23 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

ROWING What’s in a

name? Hitting the water at the Sydney International Rowing Regatta

The 2016/2017 rowing season They have developed a fi ve-year strategic plan which opened this October with a special aims to grow participation and retention, enhance boat naming ceremony. performance, develop physically resilient rowers and provide quality equipment and training environments. The School’s 12 new boats were o¨ cially named and They have already devised new ways of teaching christened at this special event, with the Lauriston fl eet technical aspects of the program like power creation now boasting four quad sculls, three double sculls and and delivery through the use of simple prompts like fi ve single sculls. ‘push’, ‘hang’ and ‘pull’. Explains Rob Manning, Head Coach of Rowing: ‘These ‘These instructions help the rowers focus and work new boats, named after past rowers and contributors together so they can quickly determine where they are to the rowing program, will allow us to greatly expand at,’ says Mr Manning. upon the rowing program and take part in some new and exciting events. Mr Manning has also been instrumental in changing the timetabling of the students’ practice. ‘These names will stick for as long as the new fl eet is in existence because we don’t want to upset the river There is no early morning rowing or 5.30am starts on gods. We trust the new boats will earn their names and the water. Strengthening and conditioning exercises are have stories to tell of great victory, persistence, laughter done from 7am in the gym and then girls have more and triumph,’ says Mr Manning. energy in the afternoons to study and fi nish their days with twilight rowing on the water. Thanks to the fundraising of the Lauriston Rowers Association (LRA), the School has been able to ‘By introducing more gym work, we are reducing the purchase 32 sets of sculling oars and a motorboat for chance of injury and enhancing the rowers’ technical coaching to round out the new fl otilla, and ensure the ability.’ explains Mr Manning. rowers are set for the future. The LRA is an intrinsic part of Lauriston rowing and Rowing has been a part of Lauriston since the mid- without them the program would not have grown and seventies, touching countless lives. As well as rowers fl ourished as it has. and coaches, families and friends have always proudly supported our teams, with wonderful communities Rowing is an incredibly rewarding sport and, while it growing and evolving over the past forty years. can present girls with challenges, it provides athletes with the opportunity to develop a great camaraderie Our teams have enjoyed many successful seasons, with their team and build key skills for life, including taking out a plethora of Head of School Girls divisions, leadership, coordination, problem-solving and as well as state and national championships. confi dence.

In 2015, Rob Manning was appointed as the Head Coach We look forward to continuing the Lauriston rowing with the expert support of Richard Hamilton as the program for many years to come. Head of Rowing. Rob and Richard have both rowed and trained at the elite level; Richard competed for Britain at LOUISE TORNEY the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Communications O¨ cer 24 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Lauriston’s 1st team at the Barwon Regatta

Having fun by the water

The names 4 x Quad Sculls: 3 x Double Sculls: 5 x Single Sculls: Susan Just Emma Webley Isobel Honan

The Sim Family Jessica Morrison Anne Bongiorno

The MacLauchlan Family India McKenzie G Johns – H Shannon 2016

Liz Lockwood The Read Racer

The Taylor Family

Susan Just with the Susan Just

A rowing regatta in 1984

The 1978 squad Stroke 25 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

SNOWSPORTS 2016 season

The 2016 SnowSports team enjoyed Lauriston’s 20-strong national team headed to Perisher a fantastic season, with many in the last week of Term 3 to compete at the Australian great achievements and victories championship. The girls had an incredible time and put in some stellar performances. The Junior School team achieved in both individual and finished third overall out of 16 female teams, while the team events. Senior School team improved greatly on last year. They The team of 75 students was one of the biggest jumped four positions to take fourth place out of 24 Lauriston has had in recent memory and included tough female teams. Three students placed in the top students from Years 1 to 12. The skill and athleticism three of their events individually, with one silver and consistently exhibited by the team was truly two bronze medals awarded, and one team took out remarkable. For some, this was their first competitive silver in the team moguls. season while for others, including the Year 12s, it was a Congratulations to everyone who took part in this bittersweet time as this was their last season competing fantastic season and a big thank you to the families and for Lauriston. friends who consistently supported our girls and the The Lauriston SnowSports team competes at two main team, often travelling to the mountains to assist. We events across the season: the Victorian Interschools and look forward to the 2017 season and are excited to build the Australian Interschools competitions. The Victorian upon the fantastic 2016 results. Interschools Championship was held over the last two weeks of August and saw the team take to the slopes of Mt Buller after a special opening ceremony, including a parade and fireworks. Competitors were greeted with pristine conditions and were able to put in some great performances, with 16 teams and individuals placing on the podium in events including cross-country, skier and Individual 3 3 4 snowboard cross, alpine and snowboard giant slalom, Team 5 2 3 and moguls. From this, 31 girls qualified for the national event, the Australian Interschools Competition. Total 8 5 7

26 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Getting ready for the competition

Young and old competitors

Youngest members of the team

The cross-country team—Lauren Schiller, Olivia Jeffrey Having a great time on the slopes and Ellie Taylor—receiving their silver medals

27 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY Lauriston’s take on Peter Pan

‘So come with me where dreams A Year 8 team built the set during lunchtimes. The are born, and time is never planned. white drama room became a construction zone as Just think of happy things and your they created barbed wire from PVA glue and string. Rocks emerged from the wreckage of cardboard boxes, heart will fl y on wings, forever in newspaper and an incredible rock-like paint product. Neverland.’ So inspired were the Year 8 team by the vision for the So says Peter Pan to the Darling children in JM production of Peter Pan that two students volunteered Barrie’s classic tale of a boy who never grew up. to research and design make-up for the show. Lexi Many of us have our own memories and experiences Kotzman and Lucy Tassie are to be congratulated on from childhood books, movies and plays of Peter their make-up designs and also helping to organise the Pan. This year our production team wanted to create huge team of artists from senior year levels. Lauriston’s own version of the story. After some great The next dilemma for us as Directors was how to fl y brainstorming with students from various year levels, we the cast for the well-known nursery scene when Peter, decided to explore why the children were fl ying out of Wendy, Michael and John soar out of the nursery a window, and what could be waiting for them outside windows and into Neverland. We dreamed of fl y towers the door of the nursery. and Circ du Soleil harnesses and then turned to the The story opens in London at the start of the Second word’s best resource—girl power! Our wonderful Year 10 World War. It is a world of insecurities, where families and 11 Fly Squad was formed and they learned the art and children were living in fear. Faced with this of various physical theatre lifts until we discovered the reality as the Darling children and the Lost Boys were right lift for our cast. evacuated, their only escape was to let imagination take fl ight to Neverland. Once we had this concept, the setting of the story inside a nursery, framed by a set of blitzed building pieces and a crocodile created from the remains of a bombed building came together.

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell hatch a plan

The fearsome crocodile takes out Captain Hook

28 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

On the hunt Dreaming of Neverland with Nanna

Great make-up by the students

A Year 10 choreography team workshopped ideas Finally the production required the commitment and with our dancers to help create transitions between enthusiasm of the actors, students from Years 5 to 8. As the scenes and allow us to further develop the idea of they gathered every Monday and Friday they learned Peter Pan being set during World War 2. The Lost Boy about the joys of seeing the words of a script come to Dancers, who represented the evacuees of London, life on the stage. opened the show and took the audience with them to The process helped our girls increase their self- Neverland between Act 1 and Act 2. The Indian and confi dence, form new friendships and create memories pirate dancers became integral to the main scenes, which they will treasure. They have also gained an fi lling the stage with animated characters. understanding of the aspects involved in the behind- As the dates for the performance drew closer we the-scenes work, whether it is choreography, set, involved our musicians who, with the help of Music costumes or make-up design. Together we created a Director Kellie Ryan, created a live sound track based unique performance of Peter Pan. upon ideas we brainstormed in rehearsals. This was LISA KHAN an amazing process and the fi nal soundscape was Co-Director of Drama stunning.

The Lost Boys take shelter

The pirates take the Darling children captive

The devious Captain Hook

29 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Lauriston events

Boat Naming Ceremony More than 200 people attended Lauriston’s Boat Naming Ceremony on Sunday 23 October. The season opening event attracted current and past rowers, coaches, family, Olympians, sta and friends. It was hosted by the Lauriston Rowing Association in conjunction with Lauriston rowing.

The proud teachers at the art exhibition’s opening night.

VCE/IB Art Exhibition Paintings, photographs, sculptures, models and even a few life-size dolls were on display when parents, students and teachers gathered for the VCE/IB Art Exhibition opening in late October. This special night featured the creations of the Units 3 and 4 Studio Arts, Visual Communications Design and Media and the Year 12 IB Visual Arts students. It was truly incredible to see the amazing work the students have created come together in one space, with such a breadth and depth of talent on display.

Isabel Solin, Jessamie Holmes, Georgia Carns and Millie Taylor have been shortlisted for the VCE Top Visual Communications Design exhibition. Cracking the champagne over the Liz Lockwood

30 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Student work up in lights Sta -student challenges Debating The hard work of this year’s Units 3/4 Media students The Senior Debating team took on one of their was showcased to a packed crowd of parents, family, toughest opponents yet this year—their teachers. This friends and actors this term at Lauriston’s Media Film sta -student challenge saw Eleanor Cli ord, Catie Screening. The evening was especially exciting as McDonough and Debating Captain Chloe Gration go this was the fi rst time the event was held in an actual up against Mr Earl James, Ms Kavita Mathai and Mr Tim cinema. The eight fi lms premiered at Hawthorn’s Lido Watson, arguing whether dating techniques should be Cinema demonstrated animation, documentary and taught in the classroom. silent fi lm techniques. The media team look forward to

continuing the cinema format in future years. The hall was ﬁ lled with the giggles of students and sta as each side made their case. The teachers, arguing the Tessa Himpoo has been shortlisted for the prestigious a¨ rmative, tried to convince the assembled crowd that VCE Top Screen Awards. Tessa’s short ﬁ lm entitled along with their combined experiences, dating would be [Insert Child’s Name Here] explores the curious and a natural progression in the curriculum and, in fact, was racing mind of a child. ‘I hoped to convey the idea already touched on in subjects like literature and French that children, although they may lack the ability and (and economics, if Mr James was to be believed). The knowledge to express themselves, still have complex students, however, were too good on the day, taking thoughts and opinions that few recognise,’ says Tessa. out the victory with their passionate, pro-independence pitch, with Chloe closing the debate succinctly: ‘We’re Lauriston girls—we don’t date doctors, we become them’.

A still from [Insert Child’s Name Here]

Mr James debating

Taking the teachers to task

Netball Sta and students took to the court this term for the annual netball challenge. Though the fi erce match was hotly contested, the teachers were the ultimate winners on the day, taking out the victory by a narrow margin of Looking for an opening only one goal. The girls at one point became a bit too much (literally) for sta as all fi ve student teams took to the court in the last minutes of the fi nal round for a last-ditch e ort to even the scores. Well done to the teachers who, after last year’s netball win, remain the undefeated champions.

The teachers jump high

31 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Senior Old Girls’ Music Lunch

While they may have graduated Many of the women were boarders and started as early from Lauriston more than 50 years as six at the school. If the cook didn’t arrive in the ago, the 60-strong crowd at this boarding house, the girls and principal were in charge of dinner. year’s Senior Old Girls’ Music Lunch were not letting their age hold them Others remembered getting themselves to and from back. school at an early age. They all had a fondness for sport and many rode in the equestrian program which the These fabulous women have achieved so much and Irvings had set up. continue to enjoy active and stimulating lives. The school was much smaller when they were here with One alumna, Pat Ritter OAM (Sandral, 1950), continues about twenty students per year level. This meant they to work as a casual relief teacher of German and had all knew one another and socialised across the dierent a placement in a school the following day. Others sing years. together in a local choir and at one stage many got up and sang the previous Lauriston school song, ‘We are Some resented the fact that they had to leave school the girls from Lauriston School’, and the current ‘We hail early because they were women or that they had to thee Lauriston’ but they much preferred the old version. push the envelope if they wanted to do something other than teaching or nursing. Barbara Buck (Barker, 1940) travelled from Albury to give the School her memorabilia from her life at Mostly they had good memories and felt lucky they Lauriston and to be part of the day. had been well educated. Some thought they’d like to come back and study now but many thought the lives Barbara is a niece of the Irving sisters who set up of young women of today were too busy and stressful, Lauriston in 1901. She explained that Margaret and Lilian perhaps overlooking their own experiences of war, polio Irving’s father was one of the four English professors and the restrictive nature of society for women. brought out to Australia to establish Melbourne University. Their father, Martin Howey Irving, home It was very special to have these wonderful alumnae schooled his daughters, Margaret and Lilian. They loved back at Lauriston. Thanks to the Year 11 music students learning and wanted to provide the opportunity for Dana Boden, Matisse Andrews, Celine Manikhode and other women to study so decided to create their own Lauren Alexander for playing such an excellent array of school for girls. Barbara said that the Irving family had music. many fun family Christmas parties in the grounds of Lauriston.

32 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Pat listening to an old friend

Singing ‘We are the girls from Lauriston School’

Dana plays the Old Lauristonians a melodic piece

Great women Happy days

33 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

TEACHER RETIREMENTS

Janice is clapping along with the Junior girls as they learn more about African drumming

Janice Snow A natural teacher with a deft touch for connecting with Nia reads Olivia’s fresh children, Janice Snow, our Year 2 teacher, will be retiring take on Cinderella at the end of the year.

Janice has had a longstanding association with the Nia Ente Junior School, starting her teaching career here in the After 39 consecutive years as a teacher in Australia, 1980s. After ﬁ ve years teaching she went on maternity Jakarta and Holland, Nia Ente is retiring. Known for her leave. She returned in 1994 and has been here ever organisation and immaculate presentation, our most since helping girls through the crucial early years of glamourous teacher will be missed, especially by the their education. girls and sta in Blairholme. During her years at Lauriston, Janice has taught in Nia has worked at Lauriston for 11 years and has been most areas of the Junior School and was the 3/4 the 5/6 Coordinator, Blairholme Coordinator and the Unit Coordinator for eight years before returning to Prep-Year 4 Teacher Mentor for the last three years, Blairholme. Janice often takes on student teachers as ensuring all the teachers are supported and their she likes to give back to the profession and nurture new lessons are updated with fresh new curriculum ideas. As talent. well as these management responsibilities she has also taught Years 1, 2 and 5. What an incredible impact Janice has made at Lauriston. We hope Janice enjoys her new found free time. Her meticulous approach ensures all children are able to learn at their own pace and nothing goes unchecked or unnoticed. Thank you Nia for your wonderful service to Robyn Ambler the Lauriston community. Robyn will be leaving the kindergarten in a strong place when she retires at the end of the term after 17 years of We hope Nia has more time at her beach house and service. She and Fiona Ireland have been Co-Directors travelling the world. for a number a years and have shown the Lauriston community the beneﬁ ts of sharing a role and the richness of experience two people can o er.

Robyn is a passionate advocate for the Reggio Emilia learning approach, which is the philosophy used in the Kindergarten. She has been instrumental in focusing more on Indigenous culture, awareness of sustainability and encouraging children to follow their interests.

Robyn will be sadly missed but we hope she will visit us often and continue to inspire us all. We know that she is Robyn learns more about ﬁ re services looking forward to lots of time with her grandchildren.

34 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

ADVANCEMENT NEWS A great first year

What a wonderfully productive year 2016 has been for The Foundation and Advancement Offices have the Lauriston Advancement Office. When I started in worked closely to build and develop our structure January I was somewhat nervous but also excited about and giving across the School. We want to recognise what was ahead. Over the past year I have only been and acknowledge our donors who continue to make enthused and inspired with the response, generosity significant contributions. We have two new Foundation and positive attitude of the Lauriston community. membership levels, the Patron and Huntingtower Circle, that together with our Founders, Trustees, Governors The Advancement Office’s ultimate goal is to work and Fellows acknowledge the transformational impact closely with our community. We want to support they make. existing relationships, help develop new friendships, promote the importance of community and build our Whether it is through our scholarship levy, the annual fundraising opportunities so we can improve our school appeal, building programs or supporting one of our for future generations. Associations in their endeavours, we urge you to remember the lasting impact this support makes for It is hard to summarise a year filled with so many our School. different and strong engagement and fundraising activities. We have worked with the parent associations, Enjoy the holiday season and have a happy new year. the Foundation and current and past families, all making SALLY DE GUINGAND a positive impact. This year we raised over $120,000 Director of Advancement for the scholarship levy giving a girl a life-changing opportunity to be educated at Lauriston. You, our community, have helped to make this happen.

The Advancement Office has collaborated closely with the Old Girls Association and continues to build a strong alumnae culture. This year we have engaged with alumnaes 50, 60 and even 70 years out from school who are still connected with one another, a true testament that Lauriston really is a school for life.

We also launched the Lauriston Life breakfast series where we learned about mindfulness in our busy world and listened to one of our esteemed alumna Suzie Cameron, a Melbourne Magistrate who is making an important difference in the Victorian community every day. We look forward to continuing the Life series in

2017, with the introduction of a third breakfast focused At the Senior Old Girls’ Lunch on philanthropy locally and globally.

35 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

ALUMNAE NEWS Sea turtle wrangler Keeping a close eye on the bandicoot population

Not many people have spent more one great friend in your dorm, but you learned to get time with turtles than alumna along with everyone and you learned that everyone was Elizabeth Lockwood (Liz, 2007). di erent. I absolutely loved it and it’s where I got my appreciation for the outdoors,’ says Liz. We think she has earned the title of ‘Sea Turtle Whisperer’ or ‘Sea Turtle After the Howqua experience Liz believed she would Wrangler’. enjoy working with the environment after leaving school. She wasn’t sure what it would be but Howqua Liz spent three months volunteering with sea turtles in opened her eyes to new experiences. the Seychelles in 2013 where she lived remotely in an idyllic, island setting: white sands, gorgeous blue water ‘I especially loved the hands-on approach and the and palm trees. All supplies had to be shipped from the “learning locally” ethos. Howqua really was the making mainland, which was ten minutes away by boat. of me,’ says Liz.

She lived with a small group of like-minded volunteers When Liz fi nished her degree in Social Sciences and spent her days walking barefoot across the (Environments) in 2012, it was hard to fi nd paid mangroves to monitor the biodiversity of the island. employment with little or no experience so she started This included conducting bird surveys, coco de mer volunteering. On the way to the Seychelles, Liz spent surveys (the world’s rarest nut), mangrove work, giant time working in Zambia with elephants for an anti- tortoise population mapping and her ongoing work to poaching non-government organisation. You can further understand the behaviour of sea turtles. probably guess that elephants are Liz’s second favourite animal. Liz was required to monitor the nesting Hawksbill population which included measuring them, counting The volunteering continued back in Melbourne and Liz their eggs, tagging, cheek shots for identifi cation and was up before dawn to assist with an Eastern Barred triangulations of the nest for an accurate pinpoint to Bandicoot Recovery program with an organisation fi nally watch the hatchlings make it to the water before called Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), where becoming food for the local birds or crabs. The odds Liz now works full-time. All that volunteering did are stacked against sea turtle hatchlings with only 1 in eventually pay o and Liz now manages the Green 1000 making it to full maturity. Army for CVA, a national youth conservation program for 17- to 24-year-olds. Liz’s love for the natural world started with her year at Howqua. Liz was ‘busting’ to get there despite not having an outdoorsy life beforehand.

‘One of the best things about Howqua was that you were friends with everyone. You got to have at least

36 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

Liz travels all over Victoria for her work but lives in Melbourne. On a typical day Liz might be twitching in the Gippsland forests in search of the Powerful Owl or removing coastal tea tree from coastal land tracks that are not local to the area. A career highlight was re-introducing the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, which is extinct in the wild, back into a pest-free area. The population is now thriving.

Every now and then, Liz might get a call and have to head over to northern Western Australia to ‘wrangle’ Counting hawksbill eggs the Flatback sea turtles that she cherishes.

‘There is not enough known about this particular species of sea turtle, they are listed as data deﬁ cient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Endangered status, and every nesting sea turtle we ﬁ nd on this project goes a long way to getting them accurately listed,’ she says.

Throughout her studying and volunteering years, Liz was also a volunteer rowing coach at Lauriston. There is a Lockwood Family boat somewhere at Lauriston. Liz says it’s named after her, although her parents say it’s named after them in recognition of the parental hours Hanging out with a giant tortoise on Bird Island they put in.

Liz’s message to the current girls: ‘Life is not always easy and it isn’t given to you on a silver platter when If you want to learn more about the Green Army and you leave school, but if you work hard and are prepared volunteering for CVA, Liz invites you to sign up and get to think outside the square, I really believe that all that in touch at www.conservationvolunteers.com.au. hard work pays o . I just love what I do now but I got here in a roundabout way.’ KATE NIXON Alumnae and Events Assistant

Monitoring a nesting turtle at Eco Beach

37 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

COMMUNITY NEWS Reunions and events The Class of 1976

OLA golf day Class of 1976 – 40 Year Reunion In October, the OLA On Friday 2 September the Class of 1976 40 Year held their annual golf Reunion was held at Lauriston with 30 guests but day at Woodlands Golf what seemed like many more, if the chatter was Club. After enjoying anything to go by. The girls headed o to the a few rounds on the Malvern Hotel afterwards to continue their catch course, the Old Girls up. A special thanks goes to Sam Elam for assisting came together with in getting this crew together. They now have their the current Lauriston own Facebook group page and it’s great to see parents for lunch and these women connecting more and more. shared stories about past years, how the school is tracking today and who had the best Class of 2009 – 10 Year Howqua Reunion hole-in-one story. Girls from the Class of 2009 made the trek up to Howqua this term to commemorate the passing Winning team of three: Kate Jackson, Amelia Kennedy and Tory West (Class of 1995) of ten years since their time at the campus. The girls had a great day catching up with old friends, connecting with current students and touring their Lauriston Life Series Breakfast old houses. The inaugural OLA Lauriston Life Series event with Suzie Cameron (Weiss, 1984), a leading Melbourne Magistrate was held recently at Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club. Suzie gave a heartfelt and honest account of a life working in criminal law.

Fiercely intelligent, very real and extremely modest for a woman who has achieved so much—it is comforting that this type of person presides over the Magistrate Court. Those who attended came away spellbound. Suzie spoke about her life at Lauriston; the progressive Monash Law School that took her three hours to get to in her ﬁrst year; her ﬁrst job with a now infamous disbarred lawyer; some very notable clients; and the honour and responsibility of being a Magistrate.

It was lovely to see the OLAs from all eras, parents and sta attend this event. We look forward to the next Lauriston Life Series breakfast in 2017. Catching up at Howqua 10 years on

38 Lauriston Life EDITION 04 | DEC 2016

COMMUNITY NEWS Alumnae news

Vale Melissa Kiddle (1978) Yvonne Hurley 14.03.1961 – 20.08.2016, aged 55 28.11.1926 – 1.9.2016, aged 89 Melissa Kiddle passed away peacefully on Saturday 20 The OLA sends its deepest condolences to the family August 2016. She was the deeply beloved partner of and friends of Yvonne Hurley. Yvonne was a teacher and Liza, loving daughter of Felicity and Graham (dec) and librarian at Lauriston from 1982 to 1989 and a much- beloved sister of Richard and Peter. loved friend of the community. Her love for education was clearly demonstrated at her recent memorial. Melissa was heavily involved in the Some recent comments from past students and Lauriston community teachers about ‘Mrs Hurley’: while at school. She was the Vice Captain ‘I often took refuge in the of Kirkhope, dabbling library at school. She was a in a variety of sports very welcoming lady.’ including rowing and ‘She was a lovely woman, athletics where she was always digniﬁ ed and helpful a very keen hurdler. and kind.’ Melissa eventually moved to South ‘Lots of fond memories of Australia where she Mrs Hurley. Condolences to enjoyed working in Melissa Kiddle at school in 1978 her family.’ viticulture.

‘RIP Yvonne. She was a lovely gentle teacher and Yvonne Hurley colleague.’ OLA key dates

‘I remember Mrs Hurley. A lovely, kind and gentle teacher.’ Tuesday 14 February Founders Day assembly

Birth Friday 24 February Class of 2012 5 Year reunion Oliver Hunter Christie Elise Gillespie (1999) and David Christie welcomed the arrival of their second child, Wednesday 8 March Oliver on 6 October. A little brother for sister Izzy. Philanthropy in the community

39 We’re on Term 1 Social Media

2017 Events /LauristonArmadale

Monday Monday /LauristonGirls 30 January 20 March All new girls from Year 7-12 Principal’s forum /lauristongs orientation morning Thursday /company/lauriston-girls’-school Tuesday 23 March 31 January Fathers of Lauriston dinner All students Prep-Year 12 start school Friday 24 March Saturday Jazz cabaret night 11 February Scholarship testing Thursday 30 March Thursday 23 LPA tennis day February LPA New Parents Cocktail Function

Homes for international students wanted Do you have a spare room? Want to host an international student from mainland China? You could be the perfect ﬁ t for Lauriston’s home stay program. Contact the admissions oﬃ ce on (03) 9864 7555.

Lauriston Life is digital Advertising in Lauriston Life Lauriston Life is distributed to more than 5000 families, both in Australia and If you have a business or service that you would like to promote, consider overseas. In order to reduce our environmental footprint, we are now off ering placing an advertisement in Lauriston Life, which goes out to more than 5000 the Lauriston community the option of receiving this magazine via email. readers – alumnae, Lauriston parents, current and past staff , and all of our donors – and can also be viewed online. Our advertising rates are: full page If you would like to receive future issues of Lauriston Life electronically, please $800, half page $500, quarter page $350. email our Communications Offi cer at [email protected]. For further information, please contact our Communications O cer at [email protected].

Lauriston Girls’ School 38 Huntingtower Road t: +61 3 9864 7555 facebook.com/LauristonArmadale Armadale VIC 3143 Australia e: [email protected] twitter.com/LauristonGirls CRICOS number 00152F www.lauriston.vic.edu.au ABN 15 004 264 402