Abbotsleigh Headmistress’s Report 2014

Empowering young women Contents

4 A year of building 19 Developing teamwork and leadership Building project Applied Learning Experience Outstanding staff achievements Recognition of community support Staff movements AbbSchool report Governance Junior School sport School leadership AbbSchool’s dance tour to New York Junior School representative honours 9 Academic excellence Senior School sport Junior School NAPLAN 2014 results Senior School representative honours Senior School NAPLAN 2014 results HSC results 2013 27 Global connections Band summaries 2013 Service project 2014 17 Hope in our Christian community 31 Celebrating the arts Supporting St Jude’s Roedean Choir visit Junior School China tour Literary Festival 37 Community partnerships Jump Rope for Heart

2 Welcome

The 129th year has seen our learning community actively engage in new ventures especially in the area of creative arts. Music, dance, drama, creative writing and visual arts have been explored and celebrated on both campuses. Creativity has also been highlighted in exploring the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Thinking in original ways is celebrated as girls explore the world around them. The theme word for the year has been ‘integrity’. As a school we have explored what this looks like and its importance to one’s character. Students know that integrity is linked to courage in doing the right thing, no matter what the consequences. Character growth is an important feature of an with our values firmly grounded in our Christian faith. I thank you all for your involvement in supporting your daughter’s learning journey and it is with pleasure that I share with you some of the highlights of the year.

Judith Poole Headmistress A year of building

Abbotsleigh is an organisation of her work Anatye Bush Potato. This Each family received a copy of the incredible vibrancy. We reflect on prize raises the profile of the gallery book and it has been available to other the richness and joy of learning as and enhances our relationship with educators as we open up dialogue on students explore their world through the art community. It is important to best practice in girls’ education. The activities that enhance their curiosity acknowledge the visionary work of the book brings our values, based in our and wonder. This year we have focused Director of the gallery, Mrs Mary Faith, Christian understanding, into focus as on extending our learning community during this inaugural year. we promote a culture of hope. Providing through a range of initiatives which educational programs which help girls Our biennial Literary Festival was have brought the local community into grow to be courageous, constructive once again held on both campuses our school and have taken our own and compassionate world citizens, for students and for the community students and parents into the wider who embrace diversity and have a with outstanding success. We had world. Old Girls have shared their stories will to serve others is our mission. more than 2,000 students from and relationships have been built as we other schools join us to hear from 34 The Prefect theme this year has been learn from each other. authors, journalists, dramatists and ‘In black and gold, we are bold’. The One of the most significant illustrators on our program. Our guest Year 12 cohort has challenged the enhancements to learning has been presenters engaged students with a girls ‘to give things a go’ even if it is the wonderful exhibitions in our Grace variety of large and intimate sessions, outside their comfort zone. They have Cossington Smith Gallery. The GCSG and facilitated writing and illustrating also encouraged girls to find their voice opened just one year ago and already workshops. Several of the speakers even when others think differently, has hosted eight exquisite exhibitions. were Abbotsleigh Old Girls: Emily Rodda something that can be difficult around This is a wonderful resource for the (), Belinda Murrell, Katrina peers. Abbotsleigh girls do press the Abbotsleigh students and is shared with Roe, Pip Smith and Louise Schwartzkoff, boundaries in excellence, creative the public from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday and staff members: Darcy-Lee Tindale thinking and making a difference to through Saturday. Linking with the local and Dr Irini Savvides. the world. community has been an important driver The aims of the festival align with for the vision of the School. Exploring the our learning goals in English and our visual arts in the context of a community philosophy of providing rich experiences of learners has provided opportunities to Building project beyond the classroom. The festival join students, parents, Old Girls and the builds connections with experts in the A major building project is local community together. literary world both within and beyond underway and it has been The GCSG has taken us on a journey our Abbotsleigh community. As students exciting to watch the new to explore Indigenous perspectives explore the written word with authors, sports facilities come into form. with Black Art White Walls, share in the creativity and curiosity are ignited with The synthetic all purpose field personal collection of Old Girl Margaret wonder. Parents also had a chance this with underground parking, Tuckson and explore art in the world of year to enjoy the insights of Richard the sports hall and linking books with our illustrators’ exhibition Glover and Jane Caro in social events building have been constructed Drawn to Word. It was wonderful to or take an adult writer’s workshop with simultaneously to minimise the have our HSC works displayed in the Jacqueline Harvey. time in completing the project. gallery space which showcased the The new sports hall will have It was with great pleasure that we girls’ artworks in style. In October we three multi purpose indoor launched our own book on the School’s presented the first Grace Cossington courts, a fitness room and birthday. Empowering Young Women is Smith art award to Margaret Loy Pula for activity rooms for teaching a collection of articles about learning and dance. activities that build a culture where girls can flourish. It begins with a reflection These new facilities will by Professor , an Old integrate with the Aquatic Girl of Abbotsleigh, who has been Centre, the current indoor gym, deeply involved in the education of courts and the upper women at a university level. In oval. Together this area will be her writing she reflects on the known as the Sports Precinct education she received at which will cater for our active Abbotsleigh during Miss students who love their sport Everett’s time and how and dance. It brings much joy to she was challenged to see more than 500 girls playing think differently. sport on Saturday mornings and roughly 600 girls active with the dance program. We look forward to completing this project by Term 2 next year.

4 Outstanding staff achievements (2015). Matt Dooley presented two This year the Junior School award went sessions at the NorthWest Professional to Stephan Kooper for his passion for Schools are dynamic places and Development evening titled Bringing teaching students to love music and his constantly developing in all areas. Maths to life in the Infants and Primary contribution to the culture of musical Abbotsleigh’s highly professional staff classroom and Ming Urwin was the engagement for all girls. The Senior are continually updating their skills Artistic Director for the Chinese School award was presented to Sean and many are engaged in formal post- Language Spectacular held at Kelleher for his outstanding teaching graduate research and study. Many of Town Hall. of Geography, warmth of character and our staff have presented at conferences for his leadership of the Social Science Helen Watkins presented a paper sharing our research about learning with Department. It is with joy we celebrate at the National Conference of the other educators. Other staff members these two fine educators with our whole Australian Association of Environmental have taken on executive responsibilities school community. in professional organisations to network Education on Engaging teenagers with with other educators and contribute Environmental Education and Betina Staff movements to the profession. It is with pleasure Wrightson facilitated AIS workshops on At this time of year, we also acknowledge that I share some of the recent How to integrate the General Course and farewell long serving staff who will accomplishments. into Year 1, How to approach the new Senior Assessment and Differentiated be taking on new challenges outside the Furthering formal qualifications assessment. Sarah Hamper coauthored Abbotsleigh community. For those who will be enjoying retirement, we thank you Jillian Anderson completed her Masters textbooks for the New Century Mathematics series addressing the for your service to Abbotsleigh and wish Degree in English Literature from Sydney you well in your new lifestyle. University, Nicole Hunt completed of a National Curriculum. Masters of Education (Early Childhood Staff leading in their profession Robyn Claydon has been our Chaplain Education) from Macquarie University for 2014 and we thank her for the and Nicole Dowd completed her Terrie Sawczak was selected by the many stories she has told relating to Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) Australian Institute for Teaching and the Bible. She has shared her extensive also from Macquarie University. Claire School Leadership (AITSL) to sit on an world experiences in engaging and Ramshaw completed her Bachelor of accreditation panel for four Masters meaningful ways. Students, parents Arts with Bachelor of Education from of Teaching programs from Deakin and staff have appreciated her gentle Macquarie University, Kate Grzanka University. Malyn Mawby became a nature and pastoral support throughout completed (with distinction) a Certificate Director for ICTE-NSW, a professional the year. We thank Robyn for returning to of Gifted Education at UNSW and Marian organisation for ICT Educators in NSW. Abbotsleigh and bringing such joy to the Doull and Samantha Payton completed Kath Tobin is nationally accredited by Christian message. their Certificate III in Early Childhood BOSTES (Board of Studies, Teaching Education. Head Swimming Coach and Educational Standards, NSW) Leanne Speechley has been awarded as an assessor and sat on a Teacher her Gold Licence from the Australian Education Accreditation panel to Swimming Coaches and Teachers assess tertiary institutions’ Graduate Association (ASCTA). Teacher Standards and Supplementary Documentation. Helen Watkins has been Staff contributing to the elected to the Executive of the NSW teaching profession branch of the Australian Association of Environmental Education. Stephan Our staff have also been sharing and Kooper is the IPSHA Music Umbrella developing their expertise by connecting Group President for 2013-2014. with other educators in our community. Alison Fell, Head of Middle School, Irini Savvides judged the Prime hosted a meeting for the Adolescent Minister’s Literary Awards for 2014 Success Network in which Megan and helped in editing the Empowering Townes, Lead IT Integrator presented Young Women book for Abbotsleigh. the ideas behind Project 5, a new Year Sally Ruston completed her final year as 7 program designed to enhance their Federal President of IPSHA culminating collaborative, creative and IT skills in the IPSHA biennial conference. across the curriculum. Colleen Roche is President of Drama and presiding Chair for the Nicole Hunt guest lectured at Macquarie Board of DA, and has been serving on University in Mathematics and the Board of the Australian Theatre of Technology and at UTS Ku-ring-gai in the Deaf. integrating units of work. Michele Scott and Amanda Lewis presented at the AIS Darcy-Lee Tindale will have her 12+ conference Teach kids, not technology! reader Thumb Pickles and Other Learning through their eyes – Reggio Cautionary Preserves released at Emilia approach. Kylie George presented the end of the year. Darcy was also a workshop titled Dressed for success; nominated for the 2014 Ned Kelly experiential learning through the use Crime Writing Award for her story of role-play at the Knox Creativity The Scars of Noir. Conference and Dr Christine Preston The And Gladly Teach awards were contributed to a newly released book once again presented on both campuses Teaching Primary Science Constructively on International Teachers’ Day. 5 Jen Turnbull is sincerely congratulated pragmatic environmental advocate, to This year we have farewelled Katherine on her new role as Head of Mathematics name just a few. Abbotsleigh wishes Higgs, one of our Old Girl representatives at Arndell Anglican from 2015. Liz well in her new role at UNSW. on Council. Kathryn was on the Strategic This move provides Jen with the ‘farm Planning subcommittee and was Matt Dooley has decided to return to change’ she sought and the opportunity instrumental in the development of international aid and development work to contribute to a young, but growing, the latest strategic plan, Today’s Vision, from 2015. A most respected and highly local Anglican school. Jen made such Tomorrow’s Excellence. Her ethical valued teacher and colleague, Matt’s a valuable contribution to Abbotsleigh business background contributed to passionate vocation to education, his over the last nine years since coming vibrant Council discussions. willingness to take on additional projects to Abbotsleigh in 2006 as Head of and tasks and his ever positive and We welcome to the Council Michelle Mathematics, and then taking on the warmly engaging manner will be missed. Vanzella who is a parent of the School inaugural role of Head of Statistical Abbotsleigh wishes Matt and wife Emma and an Old Girl. She has both a law and Analysis in 2011. every blessing for the next exciting business background bringing sound Gail MacDonald is retiring as permanent chapter in their lives as they head off experience to the Council in marketing, part time Mathematics Teacher at to volunteer work overseas. digital technologies and business Abbotsleigh after nearly 20 years development. Her perspective as a past Sue Coleman has diligently supported at Abbotsleigh. Gail’s commitment student will also be valuable particularly four Deputy Headmistresses and earned to Abbotsleigh, her genuine care of in the strategic planning of future the deep respect and admiration of staff, students and staff, and her constructive direction. students and parents for her tireless positivity within the Mathematics dedication, enormous capacity for This year, the Abbotsleigh Foundation Department in particular has been myriad tasks and remarkable work ethic Board, chaired by school parent Rob deeply appreciated. On behalf of the since commencing at Abbotsleigh in Adams, has again carefully managed staff and students at Abbotsleigh, we January 2000. Many have been touched the Foundation’s funds held for the wish Gail every blessing for a long, by Sue’s service and warmth over the benefit of our students and supported healthy and happy retirement. last 15 years and we wish Sue and her the Director of Development in managing Libby Myles is leaving Abbotsleigh after family every blessing for a healthy and the Foundation’s business. The Council many years of service in the PDHPE happy retirement. and I are grateful for the hours of expert Department and most recently, as advice and assistance contributed by the Brian Campbell has worked at Coordinator of Outdoor Education. Libby Board and its subcommittees. The work Abbotsleigh for 13 years as weekend has been an outstanding teacher and of the Foundation Board enables the chef and more recently, Food Operations former Year Coordinator, always ensuring Development Office to build and sustain Supervisor. Brian has left us to pursue the pastoral needs were met for all an important resource for scholarships, a new opportunity in the hospitality girls in her care. We thank her for her welfare, school building development industry. We thank Brian for the many service since 2000 and look forward and library activities. irregular hours he worked and his to a continued relationship as she is fine contribution through our Catering Board and subcommittee members also an Old Girl of Abbotsleigh. department over the years. include parents and Old Girls and Shannon Rosewood is warmly members of the School Council; together Julie-Ann Taylor decided to pursue a congratulated on her external promotion they are focused on increasing the sea change ‘semi-retirement’ on the to the role of Head of Junior School capacity of the Foundation to support mid north coast having made a hugely at New Girls School. Since the Council’s vision of an excellent valuable contribution as Development commencing at Abbotsleigh in 2005, education for each Abbotsleigh girl. Officer over 2012-2014 following her Shannon’s contribution to Abbotsleigh, The work of the Marian Clarke Society in eight years prior as one of our much and the Junior School specifically, has recognising and celebrating bequests to loved Boarding Coordinators. Julie-Ann’s been extensive and significant. Over the School is appreciated by the Board warm good humour and deep knowledge the last nine years Shannon has proved and together we acknowledge the Society of and commitment to Abbotsleigh herself to be a passionate and effective members’ commitment and affection for has been integral to the success of teacher, an inspiring leader as Year Abbotsleigh. This year, the two areas of boarding life and many community Coordinator and a wonderful colleague. focus have been to increase funds for relations activities and we wish her every She has a passion for teaching and needs-based scholarships and funds happiness at this new stage of life. strong pastoral care of colleagues and available to invest in the new sports students and we wish her every success Governance precinct. I thank parents and the wider in this exciting headship role at and a community for their ongoing support for new, rural lifestyle in Armidale. The School is governed by a highly the Abbotsleigh Foundation, a critical efficient Council which meets monthly part of the School’s bright future. Liz Spielman decided to take an with many subcommittees meeting at exciting new challenge as Project Officer various times throughout the month. School leadership Mathematics and Science at UNSW. We Strategic planning for the School Abbotsleigh is a complex school that thank Liz for her capacity and energy including financial decisions, building is at the forefront of high quality girls’ as she contributed in many ways to the programs, risk management and policy education. The Senior Management vibrancy of the School; as an Assistant formation are some of the critical Team leads the School with individual Head of Department, a fine Mathematics activities of this highly experienced portfolios in specific areas ensuring teacher, promoter of the acceleration group. It has been a joy to work with such there is a range of quality programs, classes, coordinator and active dedicated individuals who spend many varied and extensive facilities, modern participant of the ski club, leader of hours in service to Abbotsleigh. service trips to Cambodia and a quietly IT resources, community services for

6 parents and Old Girls, rich cocurricular Prefects 2013-2014 Year 8/9 Elizabeth Duggan, Amy Ferrari programs and dedicated and supported Prefect Executive Year 9/10 Lily Cole, Stephanie Graham staff. I thank the leadership team for their Head Prefect Claire Offord Year 10/11 Caitlin Antoon, Isabella Flanery hard work and commitment. Head Boarder Prefect Elizabeth Combes Year 11/12 Lucy Booth, Rebecca Booth The Council of Abbotsleigh Vice Head Prefect Houses Soo-Min Shim President of the School Council Vice Head Prefect Service Jana Pretorius House Leadership The Most Reverend Dr Glenn N Davies Vice Head Prefect Duties Calida Tang Chisholm Captain Samantha Trumper BSc MDiv(Hons 1) ThM(Hons 1) DipA PhD Vice Captains Caroline Abrahams, Isabelle Allworth Archbishop of Sydney Portfolios Franklin Captain Cydney Yeats Metropolitan of Vice Head Boarder Prefect Emily Francis Vice Captains Kelsey Fieldus, Chairman of the School Council Boarding Madeline Andrews, Grace Lillian Gorman Reverend I A Millican BEcon BD(Hons) Gavin, Danika Green, Anna Nelson Gilmore Captain Jessica Broomfield DipMin Chapel Helen Buchholz Vice Captains Rachel Russell, Treasurer of the School Council Debating and Public Speaking Ariel Sachinwalla Mr P Fontanot BCompt(Hons) CA Kaitlyn Crowe Melba Captain Sophie Ranken Drama Veronica Sebesfi Vice Captains Claudia Healy, Ms M Bisley BA LLB Environmental Sustainability Harriet Murray Mrs M Brentnall BCom GAICD Eleanor Clarkson Prichard Captain Sally Chapman Mr E Campbell BA LLB Music Rebecca Li Vice Captains Christina Ayvazian, Dr E Cope MB BS FRACGP FAICD Sport Georgia Smith Georgie Mac Smith The Rev B Heath BA BTh DipA MA (Theol) Student Representative Council Richardson Captain Stephanie Darley Mrs S Hofman MEc ACA GAICD Kendall Shepherd Vice Captains Caroline de Kock, Mr I Londish BA LLB(Hons) Sarah O’Brien Mr P Nicholson BSc BE(Hons) ME MIEAust Year Prefects Tennant Captain Stephanie Maiolo Mr D Pontin MEd BPE DipTeach Junior School Selena Liu, Emma Millican Vice Captains Sophie Phillips, Mrs E Robinson BSc GradDipPhty Year 6/7 Hannah Kelly, Anneka Parker Madison Symonds Dr J Scott DipEd BSc MSc MEd PhD Year 7/8 Philippa Sharpe, Wallace Wright Captain Rebecca Lee Ms M Vanzella BEc LLB (Hons) MBA AICD Vice Captains Seldon Coventry, Emma Weal

7 Vice Captains Annabelle Cavanagh, Isabelle Harris Prichard Captain Hannah Li Vice Captains Sophie Mac Smith, Ella Wright Richardson Captain Olivia Hobill Cole Vice Captains Anika Dhruv, Mia Modaro Tennant Captain Aimee Cant Vice Captains Harriet Graham, Tileah McGrady Wright Captain Briony Wright Vice Captains Sophie Russell, Sarah Svehla

Junior School positions of responsibility 2014 School Captain Catrin Wood Vice School Captain Amelia Rigby Prefects 2014-2015 Environmental Sustainability Prefect Executive Charlotte O’Callaghan Crusader Captain Brianna Ho Head Prefect Lucy Taylor Music Rose Forster Environment Captain Charlotte Woods Vice Head Prefect Duties Clare Rogers Sport Ella Goldsmith Athletics Captain Ella Turner Vice Head Prefect Service Alice Johnson Student Representative Council Cross Country Captain Rosie Fordham Vice Head Prefect Houses Clare O’Rourke Ilasha Prabhu Swimming Captain Madeline Robinson Head Boarder Prefect Lara Dillon Gymnastics Captain Alexandra Bull Year Prefects Skiing Captain Jessica Allsop Portfolios Junior School Sophie Abel, Olivia Armitage Tennis Captain Sasha-Ysabel Nelson Vice Head Boarder Prefect Year 6/7 Krystal Au, Georgia Murray Jessica Sylvester Year 7/8 Courtney Booth, Isabella Patrick Library Captains Caitlin Fichardt, Olivia Lee Boarding Amelia Bryant, Phoebe Year 8/9 Meggan Kamsler, Chadwick, Isabella Clift, Sophie Verheul Caitlin O’Connell Music Captains Ilaria Calo, Chapel Lillian Buchholz Year 9/10 Emma Bell, Zoe Lysaght Dominique D’Silva Debating and Public Speaking Year 10/11 Isabella Baweja, Blaxland House Captains Diana Baynie, Georgia Chahoud Elizabeth Priest Charlotte Kindl Drama Alexandra Moulis Year 11/12 Madeline Lyons, Caroline Yu Vice House Captains Juliette Napton, November Thompson House Leadership Lawson House Captains Georgina Conn, Chisholm Captain Annabel Burnett Anna Wilson Vice Captains Jacqueline Henderson, Vice House Captains Charlotte Jane Lorimer Churchyard, Chloe Leahy Franklin Captain Adelaide Macquarie House Captains Anderson Daniella Speirs, Heidi Windybank Vice Captains Laura Field, Vice House Captains Sophia Cook, Jacqueline Orme Harriet Cummins Gilmore Captain Sturt House Captains Rachael Luton, Rebecca Goddard Gigi Tsai Vice Captains Vice House Captains Katherine Abel, Amelia Katherine Lai Hetherington, Tess Roden Wentworth House Captains Elizabeth Brown, Ruby Gutmann Melba Captain Laura Green Vice House Captains Rosemary Andrew, Grace Higgins

8 Academic excellence

Junior School films. iPads were also introduced to the reading became voracious and diverse. Infants to enable quick access to the This was reflected in almost 100% of For all girls to succeed academically, it broad range of applications designed girls successfully completing either is essential that high quality learning to build skill, knowledge and ability in the Premier’s Reading Challenge or programs are delivered. These in literacy and numeracy lessons via a Abbotsleigh Reading Challenge this turn must respond to the diverse highly motivating platform. year. The likes of Andy Griffiths, Deborah array of learning needs created by Abela, Kim Gamble, Gus Gordon and Video conferencing with the the girls’ varying abilities, range Emily Rodda formed part of our star Powerhouse Museum in Year 2 and of ages and breadth of interests. studded cast of more than 30 authors Scott Base in Antarctica for Year 6 Additional demands have been who shared their passion for all things girls has brought worlds beyond our experienced due to the introduction literary. The festival was tremendous reach into the classroom. 3D printing of the Australian Curriculum that is fun and the benefits of such an was used by Year 2 to create models now fully implemented in the Junior undertaking live on as they inspired of transport, enhancing their unit of School in English, Mathematics the girls to explore real and imagined study. Year 5 used a blog to record and Science, while History units are worlds through print and images. progressively being implemented. This the life experiences of a researched is all well before the mandated dates character on the gold fields. Time Experiential learning opportunities of transition. With all Junior School and lapse photography was a great boon allow girls to apply their understanding, selected Early Learning Centre teachers in recording the science involved in knowledge and skills. Such having completed the Mini Certificate bread making, the popping of corn, the undertakings frequently constitute the of Gifted Education last year and most growth of plants and the movement of ‘fun’ part of the learning cycle as the educators having undertaken the shadows. The online delivery of the Fast girls can focus on content that aligns Harvard online course, Making Thinking ForWord program to a targeted group with their personal areas of interest. Visible, further adjustments to programs of girls on a daily basis throughout The immersion and culminating have also been made. These key Semester 2 saw the overcoming of activities that have bookended initiatives demonstrate our commitment reading difficulties and building of units of study in Year 4 have seen to constantly being on a learning journey auditory processing skills. teachers immerse the girls in an experiential activity that enables to improvement and well referenced Because we know that sound literacy them to understand the time, place innovation in Early Learning and in the skills and a love of reading are great and concept being investigated. In Junior School. predictors of career success, we the unit on Exploration, the girls met were delighted with the outcomes of Children in Early Learning have Australia’s early explorers and went on this year’s biennial Literary Festival. continued to have weekly lessons with an adventure to find out who discovered Children in Early Learning and girls in the IT Integrators. The 3-4 year old Australia first. In the unit on Identity, to Year 6 participated children have made their own videos the girls learned about Australian in the Literary Festival, attending a linked to social stories, while in the personalities Steve Irwin, Princess Mary, range of author, illustrator and poet 4-5 Year old room, iPads were used Kylie Minogue and Julia Gillard to find presentations over three days in Term for children to learn how to interview out why they love and direct each other to make short 2. As a result, the children’s interest in

9 Junior School NAPLAN 2014 results

ong Year 3 a W rin Ka t: is rt A Subject Band 6 (%) Band 5 (%) Band 4 (%) Lower bands combined (%)

Reading Abbotsleigh 77.8 12.7 7.9 1.6 State 29.7 19.6 22.9 27.7 Region/AIS NSW 39.4 21.2 22.3 17.2 Writing Abbotsleigh 57.1 36.5 4.8 1.6 State 11.5 36.3 22.5 29.7 Region/AIS NSW 18.1 43.9 19.9 18 Spelling Abbotsleigh 77.8 11.1 4.8 1.6 State 26.3 24.5 22.8 26.3 Region/AIS NSW 33.7 27.2 22.2 17 Grammar and Abbotsleigh 85.7 11.1 3.2 0 punctuation State 32.5 22 20.7 24.8 Region/AIS NSW 43.4 23.6 18.3 14.8 Numeracy Abbotsleigh 53.1 29.7 12.5 4.7

State 17.7 24.7 23.5 34 ch orba te H Region/AIS NSW 25.4 29.8 22.6 22.2 lot ar Ch Measurement, data, Abbotsleigh 60.9 20.3 14.1 4.7 t: is rt space and geometry State 17.3 26 19.6 37 A Region/AIS NSW 24.6 31.8 19 22.2 Number, patterns Abbotsleigh 42.2 29.7 18.8 9.4 and algebra State 17.2 19.3 25.4 38.2 Region/AIS NSW 24.3 22.5 24.9 28.2

Year 5

Subject Band 8 Band 7 Band 6 Lower bands (%) (%) (%) combined (%) Reading Abbotsleigh 53.5 25.6 16.3 4.7 State 16.9 18.3 25.7 39.1 Region/AIS NSW 25 22.7 25.2 22 Writing Abbotsleigh 29.1 38.4 26.7 5.8 State 5.6 12 28.3 54.2 Region/AIS NSW 8.5 16.5 33.1 42 Jones itlock Wh Spelling Abbotsleigh 32.6 47.7 18.6 1.2 ola ch Ni State 14.7 28.1 25.6 31.6 t: is rt Region/AIS NSW 17.8 33.4 26.4 22.4 A Grammar and Abbotsleigh 77.4 16.3 7 2.3 punctuation State 22.7 21.8 21.5 33.9 Region/AIS NSW 32.8 25.3 21.3 20.6 Numeracy Abbotsleigh 40.7 23.3 29.1 7 State 13.8 14.7 29.8 41.8 Region/AIS NSW 20.4 19.2 32 28.4 Measurement, data, Abbotsleigh 30.2 27.9 30.2 11.7 space and geometry State 10.5 13 29.4 47.1 Region/AIS NSW 15.2 17.5 33.1 34.1 Number, patterns Abbotsleigh 43 25.6 20.9 10.5 and algebra State 17.5 13.7 26.1 42.8 Region/AIS NSW 25.4 16.9 28 29.7

10 their home state. To conclude each learning of such important life unit of work, the girls dressed as a skills beyond the theoretical into a UNSW International convict they had been researching practical context. Competition and ong and took part in a Convict Day at a W Junior School girls enthusiastically rin Assessment for Schools Ka the ACEE. This included making mud t: took part in a number of academic is rt bricks, learning to tie knots and make (ICAS) Mathematics A competitions this year. In the Australian hammocks, and clearing a pathway Mathematics Trust challenge stage Competition as part of a chain gang. competition, 94 students participated • Years 2 to 6 participated At the end of Term 3, we had a in an intensive three week competition (Year 2 for the first time) Multicultural Day where the girls wore across both middle and upper primary. • Seven high distinctions their national dress, participated in Seventeen students achieved a perfect (Jaylise Beale, Caroline Gu, a range of activities that celebrated score and 55 students were awarded Felicity Hu, Abby Kidston, Australia’s diversity and then sampled distinctions (equating to an impressive Jeremia Kim, Sophie Lim food from around the world. 58% of participants) with a further 32 and Amber Young) students receiving credits. Similarly in our Early Learning Centre • 66 distinctions children have engaged in hands on 2G achieved first place in the Maths • 114 credits investigations of scientific principles. Association of NSW Investigating The children collaborated with the Mathematics competition Year 2 Class APSMO Maths Olympiad Maintenance staff to design, make Investigation category for their project, Competition and appraise a marble run based on How do we measure up? A 2G and 2O • 120 students from Years 5 their observations of various gradients student group was awarded second and 6 and features of buildings found on place in the Year 2 Class Investigation ch • More than 1,300 orba the Junior School campus. The girls in category for their project Are we there te H lot international teams ar Transition deconstructed fairy tales and yet? In the Year 4 Individual Investigation Ch t: took part is created short films using storyboards. category, Darcy Bradley was awarded rt A Seeing, thinking and wondering has led first place for her project, What is the • Abbotsleigh was awarded to exploring, designing and creating best type of dog for my family to own?, an outstanding achievement in very real and tangible ways for our while Xanthe Condoleon achieved prize earliest learners. second place for her project, Will I make • 25 girls achieved a perfect more money selling lemonade, doing score in one or more rounds Experiential learning opportunities have chores or earning interest at the bank? also seen the girls regularly taking the • 15 girls placed in the top Darcy’s project was subsequently classroom beyond the school gate. Visits 10% put forward to represent NSW in the to locations such as the Abbotsleigh National Mathematics Talent Quest, Australian Mathematics Centre for Environmental Education where she was awarded first place. (ACEE) with children as young as two Trust Challenge Stage years of age, Calmsley Hill farm for In Terms 2 and 3, Mia Cameron (Year 6) Competition Kindergarten, The Rocks, Cumberland planned and carried out independent • 94 students competed State Forest for Year 4 and The Chinese research on a self designed topic for • 17 students achieved a Gardens followed by a Yum Cha lunch in the STANSW Independent Research perfect score Chinatown with Year 5 girls, all support Projects. This included designing an the making of connections from the experiment with at least one variable, • 55 distinctions (58% of real and practical to the theoretical making observations, recording data, participants) k Jones itloc knowledge acquired in the classroom. drawing conclusions and writing a • 32 credits Wh ola ch scientific report including a discussion Ni t: Outdoor education experiences provide is of findings. Mia was awarded the Young rt A the girls with opportunities to grow in Scientist award for demonstrating an confidence in taking measured and excellent grasp of scientific method in calculated risks, in building the skills of Procrastination and a commended completing her independent research independence without family support for Old Dog. Mia was also awarded project, To determine if elevated levels and home comforts and in collaborating a gold award in the BOSTES WriteOn of carbon dioxide will increase the yield and negotiating with peers to ensure competition, where students submit of farmed algae. the success of an activity. From a day 500 words in response to a particular trip to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, often The Little Big Ideas competition in Term image, for her piece, using public transport for the first time 3 attracted a large number of students The Battle. in Kindergarten and the first night away in Years 3-6, requiring them to come up from family for many in Year 2 to the first with an invention or an idea to create night in a tent under the stars in Year 5 something that will improve people’s and the first time to the top of Australia lives. It was a wonderful learning for most in Year 6, these experiences experience and we look forward to develop the girls’ self belief that they next year’s competition. can succeed in new and unfamiliar In the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards, surroundings. Learning how to ride a bike Eliza Fagan received a commended or to read and safely interact with the award for her poem, The Colours of surf as happens with Years 5 and 6 at the Wind and Mia Cameron received Surf Educate, occur because we take the a highly commended for her poem,

11 Senior School Abbotsleigh was also awarded a plaque STEM focus for outstanding team achievement. Australian Mathematics Competition This year has seen a considerable focus In Year 7, classes were involved in on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, the MANSW investigation project and • 469 entries Engineering and Mathematics). We two classes submitted projects to the • One prize Mathematical Association of New South have welcomed back Dr Katherine • Four high distinctions Hoekman who has led a research Wales. For these projects the girls were project about Year 7 student learning awarded merits for their investigations. • 80 distinctions in conjunction with Trinity Grammar They included Around the world in eight • 195 credits buildings: A monumental journey and School. Associate Professor Richard UNSW School Mathematics Dripping in chocolate: the mathematics Buckland worked with Year 7 classes Competition and teachers on dynamic assessment of chocolatiering. Students also and the process of identification of participate in the Mathletics World • Two high distinctions plus multiple-criteria gifted students as Maths Day competition and World of prizes (Amy Chang and Sarah part of a number of strategies that Maths Day. Chang) • One distinction plus prize we are using in Mathematics to make Interest in Science Olympiad qualifying (Erika Lo) provision for flexible pacing. We have a examinations has continued to grow this flexible progression cohort that begins year with Abbotsleigh having 75 entries UNSW ICAS Competition in Year 8 to enable the girls to move at across the four disciplines. In Biology, • Years 7 to 10 a more rapid pace and access more Carmen Tung (Year 10) received a high complex senior Mathematics sooner. distinction, and a further distinction and • 27 high distinctions This has been running successfully for two credits were awarded. In Chemistry, • 102 distinctions a number of years now. As we continue Ilasha Prabhu (Year 11) received a Big Science to work in this area, the short term high distinction, and a further three goal is to encourage more girls to do distinctions and eight credits were • 323 entries mathematics and science subjects, awarded. In Earth and Environmental • 43 high distinctions while the long term goal is to encourage Science, all three Year 10 students • 62 distinctions more girls to pursue careers in the competing achieved a distinction. • 133 credits STEM subjects. Finally, in Physics, Ziqing Zhao (Year Other STEM initiatives have included a 11) achieved a high distinction and a UNSW International video conference on 3D printing with further distinction and five credits were Competition and Assessment George Hart for mathematics staff awarded. One of our senior Chemistry for Schools (ICAS) Science and students. Much consideration teams achieved merit certificates in Competition has been given to the mathematics of the National Titration Competition • 444 entries and we also congratulate Elisabeth 3D printing and how it can be utilised • One special award Johnstone who has been selected to and to enhance the teaching of this (Natasha Huang) subject. Our Year 7 students were also attend National Youth Science Forum in • 14 high distinctions fortunate to hear from Lloyd Godson January 2015 where she will pursue her in a video conference organised by the passion across the STEM subjects. • 78 distinctions Australian Maritime Museum. Lloyd, an Teams from our Senior School were • 154 credits ambassador for ocean exploration, is entered in the Young ICT Explorers at • 46 merits committed to encouraging more young UNSW for the first time. Not only did all Australians to undertake STEM studies three teams make the NSW finals but and careers and does this partly by two of the projects received awards. sharing his excitement of exploration Emma Edwards, Kaytlyn Williams and Abbotsleigh girls have continued to excel and adventure with students. Rebecca Whittle (Year 7) achieved merit in a range of other academic areas: Half of the classes in Years 7-10 were awards for their use of LEGO Mindstorms Georgia Murray (Year 11) was a Senior involved in the Mathematics Olympiad EV3 with several prototypes of grippers Category winner of the Mosman Youth and the Abbotsleigh Mathematics (end effectors) to solve the problem Art Prize and Amanda Liew (Year 12) Challenge this year. We congratulate our of opening combination locks. Harini had her film piece selected to be shown Mathematical Olympiad participants Lakshminarayanan (Year 9) was awarded at the Museum of Contemporary Art. In who earned scores in the top 10% of all third place for her digital movie, How addition, we had 16 students in Year 11 participants in Australia, can short movies help address teens’ complete the demanding Moore College and : Madeline Choi, Melissa problems? that she had produced for correspondence course in Theology. Li, Waiwai Yeap, Chelsea Chaffey, an assessment task for IST. Our Year 9 and 10 elective Geography classes achieved an impressive seven Sarah Chang, Ann Yee Lin, Winnie Beyond STEM Yuan, Katharine Laithwaite, Jacinta Lin, high distinctions and 11 distinctions in Andrea Luk, Emily Pratten, Anneliese Our Year 10 Design and Technology the Australian Geography competition. Buddee, Hannah Loh and Susan Sun. students participated in a Fashion Two groups of four Year 11 Business Drawing workshop with the Whitehouse Studies students competed in In addition to this, Madeline Choi, Institute of Design. This led to Innovative Youth Challenge at Macquarie Melissa Li, Waiwai Yeap, Chelsea Emily Cheung receiving a workshop University and came first in their group Chaffey, Sarah Chang, Claire Corbett, scholarship and highly commended presentation and second overall. Alexandra Brice and Grace Elgie were awards for Serena Xu and Alissa Antoon. awarded trophies for achieving the top scores in their respective teams.

12 Senior School NAPLAN 2014 results

tice ren Year 7 e P ac Gr t: is rt Subject Band 9 Band 8 Band 7 Lower bands A (%) (%) (%) combined (%)

Reading Abbotsleigh 44.4 31.1 16.3 8.2 State 12.9 18.5 27.2 41.4 Region/AIS NSW 20.2 24.5 28.5 26.8 Writing Abbotsleigh 31.1 35.6 20 13.4 State 4.9 13.9 21.1 60.1 Region/AIS NSW 8.2 20 26.1 45.8 Spelling Abbotsleigh 40 30.4 19.3 10.3 State 14.7 23.4 26.3 35.5 Region/AIS NSW 19.2 28.5 26.7 25.5 Grammar and Abbotsleigh 54.1 27.4 11.1 7.4 punctuation State 14.9 18.7 27.3 39.1 Region/AIS NSW 22.4 24.4 28.4 24.8 Numeracy Abbotsleigh 50.4 20.3 21.8 7.6 State 14.8 16.6 24.5 44 Region/AIS NSW 22.5 24 26.9 26.6 tter Po el Measurement, data, Abbotsleigh 47.4 23.3 24.1 5.3 ch Ra t: space and geometry is State 14.8 16.6 27.6 41 rt A Region/AIS NSW 22 23.3 29.3 25.3 Number, patterns Abbotsleigh 56.4 18.8 15 9.8 and algebra State 17.4 17.1 21.4 44.1 Region/AIS NSW 26.2 24 22.7 27.2

Year 9

Subject Band 10 Band 9 (%) Band 8 (%) Lower bands (%) combined (%)

Reading Abbotsleigh 23.2 37 27.5 12.3 State 7.9 19.3 26.4 46.4 Region/AIS NSW 12.7 27.2 30 30.1 Writing Abbotsleigh 31.4 20.4 32.1 16.1 State 6.5 9.7 22.7 60.9

Region/AIS NSW 10.7 14.4 29.7 45.2 n ldso Spelling Abbotsleigh 32.1 27.7 25.5 14.6 ona a D m State 12.2 14.3 28.5 45 Em t: is rt Region/AIS NSW 15.1 18.5 32.6 33.8 A Grammar and Abbotsleigh 31.4 30.7 21.2 16.8 punctuation State 7.5 16.7 19.9 55.8 Region/AIS NSW 11.6 24.2 24.8 39.5 Numeracy Abbotsleigh 42.6 29.4 19.1 8.9 State 14.1 15.1 24.6 46.1 Region/AIS NSW 20.9 22.2 28.9 28 Measurement, data, Abbotsleigh 39.7 27.9 23.5 8.8 space and geometry State 13.2 13.8 25.3 47.8 Region/AIS NSW 19.3 19.9 29.6 31.2 Number, patterns and Abbotsleigh 52.9 20.6 15.4 11.1 algebra State 17.6 12.3 22.9 47.2 Region/AIS NSW 26 17.9 27.1 29

13 In the Language Perfect World encourage students to think more instrumental and vocal teachers has Championships, an online language deeply and to promote greater allowed our students to learn through learning competition, Abbotsleigh came engagement. observation and appraisal. third in NSW in our category. The Year The use of professional musicians to For example, our Year 9 Commerce 8 Latin class was the highest scoring accompany the performance repertoire students developed, prepared and Latin class in the area and earned has been hugely beneficial and submitted short videos on consumer a pizza party as their prize. In terms substantially lifted the level of student awareness as part of NSW Fair Trading of individual success, nine students performance. Money Stuff challenge, and in Business achieved gold awards (3000+ points) Studies, gamification (the concept By working with experts in the area of and 12 achieved silver awards (2000+ of applying game design thinking to Games Sense, the PDHPE department points). In the Alliance Française non game applications to make them has changed how it is running the competition, three of our students more fun and engaging) was used to Physical Education lessons. Our Years reached the finals. encourage problem solving, infographics 7-10 students have focused on strategy Tanna Nankivell (Year 10) was awarded and for building apps. In Year 10 and tactical development through a a Goethe Scholarship for a study tour elective Geography, our students used new learning model which is a student in January 2015. She was chosen as recycled materials to build desert centred, inquiry based approach that the sole NSW representative after animals with new adaptations and allows students to develop their own submitting an essay and spoken task considered ethical issues by modelling skills and understandings while being about a festival she would like to attend farms for both caged and free range actively involved in the game. The girls in Germany. Abbotsleigh also achieved hens. have been engaged through active excellence in the China Bridge Speaking questioning, where skills are integrated To allow for higher order learning Proficiency competition, with Prudence into modified learning games, rather activities to take place for those girls Luttrell (Year 9) securing second prize than learned in isolation. This has been who have significant experience, (which included a trip to China to applied to invasion games (e.g. AFL), the Year 7 Music classes have been compete in the world championships) striking games (e.g. ) and net streamed this year. We now have an and Imogen Jones (Year 11) achieved games (e.g. volleyball). extension class running concurrently third place. with each standard Year 7 Music course Our TAS department has also made Changes in the classroom to better meet the needs of each of changes to their programs and their our students. Our senior Music classes delivery. The Year 9 and 10 IST students The Social Science department has have embraced video conferencing participated in the National Computer implemented a number of innovative technology through workshops with the Science School (NCSS) Challenge to teaching practices designed to Cleveland Institute in Ohio. The ongoing improve their skills in software design interaction with the professional and development. This five week program taught students to code in Python 3.3, an easy to learn scripting language that is used by companies such as Google, Facebook and Reddit. Another change has involved the purchase of LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kits to enable our Year 10 IST students to master the accompanying visual programming software and further enhance their programming and computational thinking skills.

14 HSC Results 2013 Abbotsleigh girls achieved outstanding results in their HSC examinations. State placements were gained in most of the English courses. Shannon Brass placed second in Standard English whilst Elizabeth Sheahan, Anya Premaratna and Alison Lee came fifth, 11th and 17th respectively in the Advanced English course. In the Extension 1 English course, Anya Premaratna was placed second and Elizabeth Sheahan was placed eighth. Aimee Openshaw who studied the Extension 2 English course was shortlisted for the Young Writers Showcase. Our students did exceptionally well in a wide range of subjects. Isha Deodhar came eighth in Chemistry, Isobel Pye fourth in Senior Science and Natalie Wu third in Extension German. Sally Wong came 10th in Geography and Yi Seen (Gladys) Tsoi came 20th in Business Studies. Jacqui Grellman came second and Ellen O’Rourke 15th in PDHPE. The consistency of the cohort was another feature of our HSC success with all students achieving a mark in the highest band in the Extension units for Music, French and Japanese Extension. The ATARs for our 2013 boarders were also outstanding (11% over 99, 33% over 96, 56% over 90 and 78% over 80). Several of our 2013 HSC students DesignTECH were nominated for the different HSC ■■ Selected: Nicole Ling, showcases. Jacqui Grellman OnStage ■■ Nominated: Emma Cameron, Rima Martens, Amy Wu ■■ Selected: Britta Fehn-Jeffrey ■■ Nominated: Sophie Bell, Rachael Our girls left to pursue their chosen Potter and Prudence Thompson. fields of interest, in a wide range of subject areas studied in a variety of ARTEXPRESS institutions, including: ■■ Selected*: Emma ■■ Commerce 22% Donaldson, Lucinda Bell, ■■ Health sciences and medicine 18% Georgina Clark, Grace Prentice, ■■ Sciences 12% Rachael Potter and Melanie Toombs ■■ Arts 12% *Generally a maximum of four ■■ Law 11% students are selected from one school.

15 Band summaries 2013

Band 6 Band 5 Band 4

Number of Subject % Abb % NSW % Abb % NSW % Abb % NSW students Ancient History 29 44.82 8.36 48.27 26.08 3.44 26.94 Biology 43 25.58 6.63 48.83 26.30 23.25 34.85 Business Studies 67 44.77 7.95 35.82 26.90 19.40 30.73 Chemistry 38 31.57 12.08 52.63 29.55 15.78 31.78 Design & Technology 16 50.00 8.27 37.50 28.75 12.50 41.11 Drama 27 62.96 13.80 29.62 29.71 7.40 40.60 Earth & Environmental Science 7 42.85 7.59 57.14 29.75 0.00 34.87 Economics 25 32.00 12.37 40.00 30.74 16.00 25.04 English Advanced 140 58.57 11.96 35.71 41.05 5.71 32.98 English Standard 10 10.00 0.41 30.00 6.42 20.00 27.13 English as a Second Language 4 0.00 2.58 75.00 20.51 25.00 35.98 French Continuers 6 33.33 30.49 50.00 36.45 16.66 22.84 Geography 34 41.17 8.68 58.82 31.09 0.00 24.92 German Continuers 3 33.33 25.28 33.33 36.98 33.33 19.24 Information Processes and Technology 1 0.00 11.19 100.00 25.41 0.00 30.88 Japanese Continuers 3 0.00 13.54 100.00 41.08 0.00 22.53 Latin Continuers 3 33.33 40.96 66.66 40.96 0.00 12.04 Mathematics 56 41.07 18.40 30.35 30.84 23.21 27.29 Mathematics General 57 22.80 5.94 31.57 14.89 31.57 21.12 Modern History 51 39.21 10.77 45.09 36.40 13.72 29.39 Music 1 13 53.84 15.06 46.15 43.83 0.00 30.08 Music 2 6 83.33 36.31 16.66 49.00 0.00 14.10 PDHPE 38 31.57 5.38 42.10 23.01 21.05 30.68 Physics 18 38.88 9.22 38.88 24.14 16.66 32.38 Senior Science 7 28.57 9.17 71.42 29.57 0.00 28.99 Studies of Religion 1 11 81.81 11.64 18.18 36.83 0.00 28.80 Studies of Religion 2 10 40.00 8.52 60.00 37.18 0.00 29.21 Visual Arts 44 75.00 12.24 22.72 39.20 2.27 36.97

Band E4 Band E3

Number of Subject % Abb % NSW % Abb % NSW students English Extension 1 51 62.74 24.65 35.29 63.69 English Extension 2 20 60.00 22.61 40.00 55.28 Mathematics Extension 1 52 50.00 32.75 46.15 50.79 Mathematics Extension 2 33 24.24 33.95 69.69 53.22 History Extension 21 71.42 22.13 28.57 51.80 Music Extension 3 100.00 70.49 0.00 27.72 French Extension 3 100.00 53.44 0.00 43.67 German Extension 2 50.00 20.51 50.00 69.23 Japanese Extension 2 100.00 33.00 0.00 57.63

16 Hope in our Christian community

Junior School boxes for children in the Asia Pacific serving something or someone bigger region so they too may know of the joy than oneself, as being one of the key Understanding what it means to be of celebrating Christmas with presents. contributors to overall wellbeing. Christian is an exercise of the heart CRU girls raised funds to purchase Throughout 2014, Abbotsleigh has and mind. We need to be explicit in our Bibles in support of the Bible Society’s drawn on the rich resources of the biblical instruction to the girls to ensure program, Get the Word out. Additionally Christian faith to encourage members they are able to grow their knowledge, many individual or small groups of girls of the School community to look beyond skills and understanding in reading have been called to give service. These themselves and be agents of hope in and comprehending the Bible stories, have included Turn on the Tap, the the local community and further afield. themes and intent. To that end new RSPCA, Guide Dogs Australia, The Fred programs of instruction have been Hollows Foundation, the National Breast Chapel provides a regular opportunity developed this year in Christian Studies Cancer Foundation, Cancer Council to give voice to the Christian faith that in Years 3, 4 and 5. Year 3 students Australia, Australian Paralympians is the foundation of Abbotsleigh. were introduced to the full text and and Mercy Ships. Girls with a passion During 2014, we were blessed to structure of the Bible. Year 4 explored for supporting a cause are required to have Mrs Robyn Claydon as our what it means to be created ‘in the undertake a process that scaffolds the Chaplain. She enthralled the girls with image of God’, while Year 5 followed process of fund and awareness raising. real and captivating stories of God at the sequence of events and repeated Each event proposal is shared with the work in the world and the girls enriched references to people of the Bible. Head of Junior School to ensure the girls the services with Bible readings, Mini CRU is the new name for the understand the logistics associated and prayers and music, and the student Christian fellowship group for our energy needed in supporting any cause. band and staff bands made a positive contribution to the worship. youngest girls in Infants. This group Sharing our common values and (and CRU for our Primary girls) has seen celebrating the Christian message Boarders’ chapel on Sunday evenings strong and regular participation as girls was possible again this year through provided opportunities for the girls demonstrate their keen curiosity and our Easter and Carol Services for both to reflect on people in the Bible who interest in sharing and exploring biblical our Early Learning and Junior School ‘boarded’ away from home. Mrs themes together. Christian literature students and attended by many in our Claydon’s palpable love of Christ made was made available to the girls and Abbotsleigh community. a huge impression on the girls, with families at our book parade. many expressing deepened interest in Senior School Opportunities to model a Christ like the Christian faith. Boarders also had sense of service have been varied and Any community that is underpinned by the opportunity to be part of an informal diverse this year. Again the ELC and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ Bible Study group that met weekly in each year group have supported a will be well positioned to foster hope. McCredie House. child in a developing country through Recent literature on human flourishing The voluntary lunchtime Christian World Vision sponsorship. The girls and cites a sense of hope, brought about by groups, CRU and Mini CRU, have their families prepared 206 Christmas having an absorbing purpose in life and grown in number this year and it has

17 been exciting to see so many girls 16th Century Reformation for Year 9, enjoying this fellowship. Interschool enabling them to see the importance of Supporting St Jude’s CRU meetings were well attended this period for all believers. Another rich by Abbotsleigh girls, providing learning experience for Year 9 students In a year where we have opportunities for them to come together this year was their visit to a local church seen distressing turmoil and with students from other schools to or youth group to complement their tragedy wreaked upon global share and encourage one another. A classroom learning. Some students communities, a sense of hope highlight of 2014 was the combined have continued to attend the church or can seem to evaporate. We Abbotsleigh-Shore CRU weekend youth group they visited. were therefore pleased to hear away held in June. of the remarkable work and The power of personal stories enhanced faith evident at the School of Special services throughout 2014 the learning in Christian Studies classes St Jude in Tanzania when the were well attended by the School and this year as members from the wider founding Principal, Gemma wider communities. The Choir, Vocal Christian community were invited to Sisia came to speak to the girls Ensemble, Chamber Choir and Senior share their experiences with Year 10 and our parent community in Strings participated in the evening students. A common message of hope Anti-Poverty Week in October. Easter Service and at the Carol Service was presented to the students as each From a very small start 12 years along with the Brass Ensemble. The speaker testified to the transforming ago with one teacher and three Confirmation Service in May saw 20 power of Jesus’ message. pupils, St Jude’s now educates girls, a mix of boarders and day girls, The study of world religions in Year 11 1,800 of the brightest and publicly declare their decision to follow has seen Abbotsleigh girls becoming poorest of Tanzania’s children. Christ and to seek to live according better informed about the beliefs and Hearing that one person’s to his teaching. The Valedictory practices of the ‘big five’. Aside from its Christian calling can have such Communion Service for Year 12 was contribution to increased knowledge, a positive and ongoing impact very moving as we thanked God for the understanding and respect, this course creates a wonderful sense of contribution Year 12 has made to the provides our students with some of the hope. To financially support such School and committed them in prayer to tools necessary for making informed practices allows us to tangibly God. The chapel service concluded with decisions about how they will best find contribute to the creation of the rest of the School singing to them meaning, purpose and hope in their own good in our world. the benediction to the tune Edelweiss; lives. Year 11 students have also had something we will all remember. the opportunity to complete one subject Christian Studies lessons have also towards the Preliminary Theological provided regular opportunities for Certificate offered by Moore Theological learning and reflection. Middle School College. The fine results attained reflect classes have focused on the life and the commitment and hard work of these teachings of Jesus. Steve Barnett, NSW girls, which is all the more impressive State Representative of TEAR Australia, given the tertiary level of the course. challenged students to come up with A Year 11 English class also decided solutions for global water shortage, to support a student at St Andrew’s education, housing and sanitation. School after being touched by the The girls then took part in a term long cause, and conscious of their class project designed to promote hope capacity to make a real difference. through contributing in positive ways to Throughout 2014, Year 12 those in need. students have considered various Having listened in chapel to the approaches to life and have been founder and Principal of St Andrew’s encouraged to consider the merits School in Hyderabad, , speak of of the Christian worldview in providing her students, the Year 7 girls were hope for the present as well as the moved to make a positive contribution, future. This year, the importance of committing to financially support a girl gratitude for wellbeing has been a their own age, Sadia, who attends this key emphasis. Martin Seligman’s school. As the girls move towards Year model for a ‘Meaningful Life’ has 12, they will continue to support Sadia resonated with many students, as she grows with them. In pastoral as they have prepared for life care classes, tutors have been helping beyond school. the girls to see Sadia as someone with Abbotsleigh has continued whom they have much in common to work with many Christian and understanding that they have the organisations such as Anglicare, capacity to help her experience a more Samaritan’s Purse and Hammond hopeful life has generated joy amongst Care, and staff and students have our Year 7 girls. continued their involvement with the The Principal of Sydney Missionary and ‘The Dish’, an initiative of St John’s Bible College, Stuart Coulton, and the Uniting Church in Wahroonga providing Anglican Bishop of North Sydney, Chris meals for the homeless community in Edwards, conducted seminars on the the local area.

18 Developing teamwork and leadership

Junior School finals undefeated, finished runners up The relationship established with to . Girls participating buddies between girls in Kindergarten, True teamwork and collaboration, where in Tournament of the Minds this year Year 1 and Year 6 is one of collaboration all in the group are contributing their were required to work in mixed aged and mutual benefit. The Year 6 girls best efforts, enables outcomes that teams to use their initiative and creativity were initially trained in the ‘Pause, are rarely possible when working alone. to collaboratively problem solve while Prompt, Praise’ method of supporting The skill of being able to contribute in adhering to strict time, organisation reading. Through careful selection of such a valuable and effective manner and structure criteria. The da Vinci stories from the library that piqued the is possible only through practice and Decathlon, which relies on teams using curiosity of their Kindergarten buddy, engagement in joint projects. We their collective knowledge and skills to the Year 6 girls modelled their literacy purposefully create opportunities achieve success, was held at Knox this skills and enjoyment in engaging with for the girls to collaborate in such year. Our Year 5 team placed first in the books. The Year 6 girls also supported initiatives as the Year 6 APE (Animal cartography and philosophy components, their buddies in undertaking research People and Animals) service activities while the Year 6 team placed third overall such as accessing information on where girls formed into small teams after achieving second place in code farming, in conjunction with the to independently develop community breaking and third in philosophy. Kindergarten Farm unit of study. projects. Madeline Robinson (6K) and Learning the process, for instance, of Our outdoor education program Heidi Strong (6K) connected with honey or milk production is informative demands girls work in teams to see refugee children at Westmead Children’s for both learners. Additional benefit for the successful and safe outcome Hospital through the HARK program to the Year 6 girls was the opportunity to of activities. Being a rock climber, discover that basic stationery supplies develop their leadership skills as they coordinating to steer a course in a were needed. The girls approached become more adept at influencing and canoe, preparing a meal with minimal Faber-Castell to ensure the delivery of orchestrating a task to help their young implements and ingredients for the 180 pencil sets to provide resources to buddies remain engaged and focused. group, cooperating to share a cramped support the refugee children they met The Year 6 girls soon learnt that tent and providing encouragement to in their learning. effective leadership is dependent upon see one’s entire group complete each warm relationships being built rather Teamwork and shared intellect were course are fabulous, fun experiences than any assumed authority. certainly essential for our girls to be enjoyed progressively by all girls in so successful in the It’s Academic and the Junior School. When climbing Mt The Early Learning Centre children Kitchen Whiz television shows that Kosciusko we ensure that our strongest collaborated across rooms in a series will be aired early in 2015. Debating climbers walk last. Their capacity to of buddy activities. The 4-5 year old through internal competitions from Year cover terrain quickly and encourage children worked with those in younger 4 onwards and in external events at those ahead in their own desire to years to create poles to enhance the IPSHA, ISDA and SDN all honed the girls’ reach the top of Australia’s highest outdoor environment. These poles skills in collaboration and teamwork. mountain ensures every girl achieves now enhance one of our garden beds Our ISDA team reached the semi finals this outcome. in the Nursery. These older children and the SDN A Team, after reaching the also worked with the nursery children

19 to develop their gross motor and ball of IT expertise in making these Year 8 were given the opportunity handling skills. The 3-4 year olds advertisements and ability to persuade to enrol in the Abbotsleigh Initiative completed music classes with the and influence. Also from Year 4 were the Pennant scheme. The award program nursery children to encourage peer group self named the ‘Game-inators’ aims to help girls build their personal scaffolding and sibling relationships. who volunteered each week to play leadership skills and teaches the value It is never too young to start the mathematical games with Infants girls of service to others. This year has seen development of collaboration skills. to help improve their visualisation and record levels of participation, with more spatial awareness skills. than 90 girls signed up to take part. To Cooking provides another platform for complete the award girls must commit collaboration and teamwork in the Junior The final term of primary schooling for 10 hours in each of the following strands: School. Girls in Year 1 spent a term Year 6 saw the girls building stronger volunteering, camping or bushwalking, building skills in cookery, learning how to bonds and increased capacity to work skill/hobby and physical recreation. chop, grate, interpret recipes and rely on together. In lessons devoted to design teams to see the successful production communication, engineering and The Initiative Pennant is a perfect of a delicious meal. In the final term, construction, billycarts were created stepping stone to the internationally girls in Year 3 led their Year 2 peers in a and team races involving all girls in the recognised Duke of Edinburgh Award process of generating fresh fruit treats driver’s seat took place. Their Junior scheme offered in Year 9 and a large that were sold to our school community School years culminated in the Year 6 number of Year 9 students commenced under the umbrella of our AbbFresh Farewell involving collaborative group this challenging program in 2014. Fruit Festival. Friday afternoon cook performances where the girls maturely ‘Duke of Ed’ allows the girls to work ups in After School Care have become modelled their ability to see a shared towards a set of goals in the areas of a favourite activity that again require goal realised. skill development, service, physical collaboration, patience and compromise recreation and an adventurous journey. to see delicious items materialise. Senior School It is encouraging to see the girls engage so widely with this program and begin Working in small groups to produce Senior School girls have continued to exploring opportunities to contribute to a short advertisement for entry in enjoy many opportunities to develop the wider community. the Australian Tourism Landmarks their leadership skills and learn how to and Significant Sites (ATLAS) awards effectively work in teams. Our Prefect Our outdoor education program is one demanded that each Year 4 team share body challenged the girls to face of the many areas in which teamwork and refine ideas, negotiate when casting challenges and ‘be bold’ and this theme and leadership are learnt and nurtured. and persist with original thoughts to underpinned a very successful year. Our Year 7 to Year 9 camps present enable the screening of the girls’ short Skills gained through challenge are highly the girls with opportunities to enjoy tourist advertisements. The girls’ top 15 valued in the post school environment. facing challenges, solving problems tourism advertisements were premiered In the work place, personal leadership with others and learning about the and special certificates were awarded skills, initiative and team work are the environment. This year’s camps were for various elements keys to individual and organisational a healthy mix of fun and personal success. It was a joy to see our challenge and allowed the girls to Abbotsleigh girls embrace the ‘be bold’ briefly step out of their comfort zones motto. in a supportive setting. While working Year 7 have carried their tutor time collaboratively and learning to be aware pastoral care theme of ‘Stay calm of the needs of others, the girls still took and sparkle on’ through their year. pride in their individual achievements The girls have explored ways to deal and what they had learned about with life when things do not go their themselves and their own resilience. way in the classroom, the playground, Although the Year 9 camp faced an the concert hall and on the sporting unusually high rainfall and the camp field. The theme is a reference point was cut short, the girls showed great for taking a moment to reflect on an flexibility and spirits remained high unsettling situation, make a level headed despite the circumstances. assessment and stay calm. They have The Wheeldon Cup continues to be learnt together that overreacting, having a highlight on the Year 9 calendar. In

a meltdown or inflating a problem is Term 4, students combined in pairs

always counterproductive. They should of tutor groups to create dramatic,

be proud of the way in which they have musical performances based on a

sparkled through their first year of shared theme. The girls worked on the Senior School. The Year 11 Peer Support initial research for their performance, program has also continued to provide creating a proposal for their topic. opportunities for the leaders to guide They then organised themselves into the Year 7 girls as they began their first a variety of roles where they managed year of secondary school education. the scriptwriting, choreography, Random acts of kindness and support costumes and group budgeting. It during examinations were just two of the was an excellent integrated learning student led initiatives this year. experience for the girls, which sees them work collaboratively, express

20 The ABBOX of FUN camp continues Applied Learning to be an important opportunity for our Recognition of community girls to combine leadership and service Experience in a powerful way. The camp is an service The Applied Learning Experience annual, collaborative venture between In September this year Philippa (ALE) provided an opportunity Abbotsleigh and Knox in partnership with Louey our Vice Head Prefect for Year 10 to develop their The Sony Foundation. A four day (three – Service from 2013 was teamwork and leadership whilst night) holiday camp provides respite awarded the John Lincoln Youth working in a service capacity. care for children with physical and Community Service Awards by The girls worked in small groups intellectual disabilities. This year we had Her Excellency Professor Marie to plan, manage and prepare 90 volunteers for only 40 spots, which is Bashir AC CVO Governor of New for their service work. This year, proof of the commitment our girls have South Wales. This award, given by groups travelled to Vietnam, the to authentic service. We also had girls in the Order of Australia Association, and regional our Year 8 Technology classes working recognises the very significant New South Wales. Other groups in teams to create personalised timber Service-Learning work which Pip worked in Sydney, further gift boxes for the children. In addition drove in Senior School last year. strengthening our ties with St to this, a variety of service clubs made It is an acknowledgment of the Edmund’s School, Holroyd High significant contributions to our wider quality and depth of leadership School, Studio Artes and many community. The girls spent many hours and Service-Learning which is other groups. Wendy Chen (Year volunteering, working in teams and at the heart of the Abbotsleigh 12) was selected as a Salvation organising special events to raise funds community. Army Ambassador after pursuing for their chosen causes. The Abbotsleigh Spurred on by the statistic that her interest with the group Environment Club provided our girls less than 10% of Indigenous following the STUMP (the Short with many opportunities for leadership children in remote communities Term Urban Mission Project, and community service through special graduate from Year 12, Pip which focuses mainly on the events, projects and competitions. designed a comprehensive experiences of the homeless) The ACEE Club, whose members are service project to improve the experience on ALE, and for responsible for maintaining the kitchen learning outcomes for Indigenous which Wendy has volunteered garden and food forest, is now seeing children in Australia. Pip since Year 10. older girls in Year 10 who were part of the initial planning and planting team, connected Abbotsleigh and the mentoring the younger girls and passing local community with the Music on the knowledge they have gained Outback Foundation in their over the past three years. To engage the work to encourage education Senior College girls, the ACEE Club ran and culture preservation of the a very short video competition for Years Indigenous community through themselves creatively and gain self music and the arts. confidence. This year, the theme was 9-11 in which each tutor group came ‘Marked by integrity’. The girls worked up with an awareness raising campaign Her energy and commitment hard on this project throughout Term showcased in assembly, highlighting to reconciliation underpinned 4 and the result was an exceptional simple things that we can do to use less her very significant service to set of performances. Year 9 had the of the world’s resources in our daily lives. others. Her vision was broad opportunity to perform in front of their In Middle School, Year 8 tutor groups and her capacity to involve parents at the end of term which was have considered an environmental issue others was remarkable. a fitting end to a great year. that interests them and developed ideas Over the course of 2013, Pip Our girls have enjoyed a very successful to educate other students about the promoted a number of events year in debating and public speaking. A issue. Projects include Tasmanian devils, to the School and the wider number of in school competitions were the importance of locally grown food and community, culminating in well attended and most entertaining. school waste reduction. Year 11 Earth a community wide, musical Highlights of the year included winning and Environmental Studies students also celebration called Banyabeats. second place in the Archdale Debating took part in a local environment day at involving a number ‘I was extremely flattered to have competition and finishing as the received this award, let alone be winning school in the SDN debating of schools particularly aimed at bush regeneration and conservation. nominated, for the work I loved competition, with our girls winning for a cause that I wholeheartedly both the Year 9 and Year 10 grand The has a very active believe in.’ said Pip. finals and shield. At the end of a very Boarding Prefect body, modelling successful year of debating and public excellent leadership for their younger speaking, Kendall Shepherd and Kaitlyn peers. An annual highlight for Prefects Crowe were selected for the Archdale is their invitational dinner for boarder Representative Team. This is a great leaders from Sydney boarding schools, honour for the girls and a credit to their which took place in Term 4 with 56 commitment and talent. Abbotsleigh senior boarders attending. Each has a particularly special link with the boarding house hosts an annual dinner Archdale Debating Competition as it was for their families with all girls organising established in the early 1970s in honour and executing the event, themed of Miss Betty Archdale, Headmistress of decorations, food and entertainment. Abbotsleigh 1958-1970. The Abbotsleigh Boarder Council

21 comprises Social, Environment, Service This is a most noteworthy semi finals for the first time since 2002 and Food committees. Each contributed accomplishment. Sophie French, and our junior As made the grand finals. to organising events such as dinners the group’s spokesperson, was In the Tildesley competition, Abbotsleigh and twilight games with Knox and interviewed about the film at the public finished a creditable fifth place overall Ravenswood and themed fundraising announcement by celebrity MC Rob with a very young team. Sharyn Stanich dinners, raising funds for the Boarders’ Carlton as they were the only school (Year 11) and Rebecca Jones (Year 12) preferred charities: the Royal Flying group in the finals in which everyone reached the quarter finals of the singles. Doctor Service, World Vision children and was involved in all elements of film the Guide Dog puppy raising program. production. Trop Jr’s signature item Another busy and successful year Other activities and competitions all (included in each film) was ‘monster’, in the pool saw Abbotsleigh achieve contributed to the ‘Battle of the Houses’ which the girls incorporated with a second place at the IGSSA swimming cup where points could be earned in positive, anti bullying message. carnival. At the 2014 National Age anything from a cake baking weekend Championships, 20 swimmers from In dance, 2014 saw the debut of the competition, to uniform standards, the Swim Club participated, with the ADi Certificate IV Dance Teaching and winning twilight games on the oval on club placing 31st overall in Australia. Management and we are pleased to barbecue nights in summer or to having At the State Championships, the Swim announce that two students are great manners in the dining room. Club placed 20th in New South Wales doing this new course. Isabella and we congratulate our National Age Anderssen (Year 8) and Emily Cheung AbbSchool report Championship medallists, Natasha (Year 10), mentored by Sofie Clark, Ramsden, who won gold in the 50 m Theatresports continues to remain will finish the course with excellent dance freestyle with a time of 26.45 seconds immensely popular at Abbotsleigh and teaching qualifications. our congratulations go to Year 7 students (a NSW record) and Katie Strachan who Grace Campbell, Nicola Humphries, In competition results, Company B took out the silver medal in the 50 m Sophie Lloyd-Hurwitz, Hannah Mitchell placed second at the Ryde Eisteddfod freestyle (26.83 seconds) and bronze and Eliza O’Connell who placed third out in August and combined Company in the 100 m freestyle with a time of of 35 schools across NSW in the Impro and Crew performances achieved 58.81 seconds. highly commended. Australia Theatresports grand final held in Junior School sport November 2013. The Year 9 and 10 Fast Junior Companies performed first at & Fresh performance team made it to the The Ultimate Dance Challenge. Both A The variety of sporting events in the Junior top ten out of 50 schools and competed and B groups placed first in their sections. School certainly gives every opportunity in the grand final at the Their energetic and clean performances for girls to see the necessity for working as Riverside Theatre in May. Additionally, our impressed the adjudicators, as well an effective team. With the introduction of Junior Year 7 team, Intermediate Year 10 as the proud parents and teachers in football last year and the inclusion and Senior Year 11 Theatresports teams the audience. The junior dancers also of this year, we have seen an all made it to the semi finals in the Impro competed at even greater increase in participation Australia Schools Theatresports 2014 The Hills Dance Spectacular. Company B levels. A fine example of team effort was mid year challenge and our Year 7 team took out third place, while Company A was illustrated at the National Cross Country made it to the grand final. awarded highly commended. This event Championships in Albany. Hannah Cerezo achieved sixth place in her 11 year age The Year 7 Jr drama group, always sees a large number and broad event, yet when pooling her results with comprising Abigail Coffey, Isabelle variety in competitors, so these results girls from NSW an outstanding first place Ellerker, Sophie French, Kelsea Haste, are a wonderful achievement. team result was achieved. Nicola Humphries, Sophie Hyde, Phoebe Senior teams also had great success Loughhead, Charlotte Raftesath and performing at The Hills Dance Similarly in athletics, both our junior and Ella Ryan produced and directed an Spectacular, taking out a number of senior relay teams were selected to run exceptional short film, Caramella Island, awards. Our hip hop Crew was awarded at CIS with our junior relay team being which made the top 16 short list and second place and our Company B placed first and progressing to state level was showcased to the public at dancers a highly commended. Company where they achieved fourth place. Seven Centennial Park in December 2013. A also achieved third place with their girls went on to compete at the NSW PSSA contemporary routine; a fantastic way Championships where Georgia Fichardt to finish their competition season. and Rosemary Andrew progressed to the 100 m final gaining top ten placings. Taking Service-Learning to the dance Charlotte Barry placed 10th in the senior floor, Nicola Humphries (Year 8), Isabella long jump and Elizabeth Moshirian placed Anderssen (Year 8), Kirsten Mar (Year 9), 19th in the senior shot put. Molly Ley (Year 10), Eliza Kennedy (Year 10) and Sara Nicita (Year 10) volunteered A team of 38 girls competed at the IPSHA on a weekly basis as dance assistants gymnastic competition where our artistic with the Abbox of Bops/Dance Project level 3 team placed first, our rhythmic program. Closely linked with the ABBOX foundation 1 and 2 teams placed third of FUN camp, those weekly classes and our rhythmic category 2 group placed allow girls interested in gaining teaching second. experience to work with students with The Northern Region Interschool special needs from St Lucy’s School. Championships saw 16 of our snowsports Tennis at Abbotsleigh continues to grow girls travel to Thredbo to compete, with in strength, led by Head Coach Brendon six of the girls continuing on to the state Rose. Our IGSSA firsts team made the championships.

22 This year there was a high level of Chung, Xanthe Condoleon, Genevieve AbbSchool’s dance tour participation in cross country with 40 Cook, Julia Creighton-Jones (selected) girls competing at the IPSHA cross Rosie Fordham, Ashley Fung, Madelina to New York country carnival, with 13 of these girls Gordon, Cameron Graham, Sarah competing at NSWCIS level – our biggest An exciting supplement to the Graham, Sabine Grubisa, Isabel team ever. Included in this team was AbbSchool dance program Gunning, Amelia Hansen, Grace Sophia Horbach in Year 2. this year was an international Higgins, Sophia Horbach, Nikita Kyrikos, dance tour to New York during Five of our divers made it through to Katherine Lai, Katya Lal, Tegan Lee, the September holidays CIS level with Jasmin Foster, Samantha Samantha Leech, Josephine Lennox, accompanied by staff Sofie Leech and Lorna Macfarlane going Annabel Magnussen, Chloe McDonell, Clark, Isobel Royston and Elyse on to compete at the NSW PSSA Madeleine McDonell, Sasha Nelson, Holmes. The girls enjoyed championships. In swimming, eight girls Chloe Pearce, Madeline Robinson, classes at some of New York’s competed at NSWCIS level, including Aerin Slater, Gigi Spiller, Jemma Tran, premier studios in all styles of Year 2 students Sophia Horbach and Charlotte Turner, Anastasia Vlassov, dance and visited some of the Veronica Wade. The continued use of Sonia Walsh, Jacinta Walsh, Heidi iconic sites around the city. With the heated pool in the Junior School Windybank girls from Year 8-11 taking part, has ensured that the Infants swimming Represented at CIS it was a wonderful opportunity program has continued strongly, with all Rosemary Andrew, Hannah Cerezo, for them to get to know girls girls further refining their skills. from different year groups Rosie Fordham, Sarah Graham, Amelia sharing a common passion Junior School representative honours Hansen, Sophia Horbach, Tegan Lee, for dance. Annabel Magnussen, Sasha Nelson, Athletics Madeliene Robinson, Jemma Tran, Represented at IPSHA Charlotte Turner, Anastasia Vlassov Bella Alvarez, Rosemary Andrew, Represented at PSSA Charlotte Barry, Monique Batten, Hannah Cerezo, Rosie Fordham Hannah Cerezo, Genevieve Cook, Georgia Fichardt, Rosie Fordham, Ashley Represented at SSA Fung, Cameron Graham, Sabine Grubisa, Hannah Cerezo Amelia Hansen, Sophia Horbach, Chloe Leahy, Tegan Lee, Elizabeth Moshirian, Madeline Robinson, Emily Roffe, Represented at IPSHA Teo, Jemma Tran, Alyssa Tran, Charlotte Alice Candrick, Hannah Cerezo, Julia E Turner, Ella Turner, Veronica Wade, Creighton-Jones, Jasmin Foster, Eliza Heidi Windybank, Caitlin Winslade, Taya Laithwaite, Samantha Leech, Lorna Yerbury, Kasey Young Macfarlane, Eloise Matthews Hornery, Represented at CIS Heidi Strong, Taya Yerbury Bella Alvarez, Rosemary Andrew, Represented at CIS Charlotte Barry, Monique Batten, Julia Creighton-Jones, Jasmin Foster, Hannah Cerezo, Genevieve Cook, Samantha Leech, Lorna Macfarlane, Georgia Fichardt, Sabine Grubisa, Taya Yerbury Amelia Hansen, Chloe Leahy, Elizabeth Moshirian, Jemma Tran, Caitlin Winslade Represented at PSSA Represented at PSSA Jasmin Foster, Samantha Leech, Lorna Macfarlane Bella Alvarez, Rosemary Andrew, Charlotte Barry, Genevieve Cook, Gymnastics Georgia Fichardt, Sabine Grubisa, IPSHA Elizabeth Moshirian Artistic squad Basketball Jessica Allsop, Monique Batten, Kyasia IPSHA Beale, Xanthe Condoleon, Georgina Gracia Kang Courtney-Stubbs, Julia Creighton-Jones, Carysse Evans, Ashley Fung, Katelyn Cricket Glasby, Amy Graham, Cameron Graham, CIS Gemma Hodge, Sophia Horbach, Alexandra Bull Charlotte Kindl, Eliza Laithwaite, Tegan Lee, Samantha Leech, Sophie Lim, Cross country Chloe McDonell, Chloe Pearce, Ruby Represented at IPSHA Selikowitz, Sophia Sugo, Molly Tillet, Bella Alvarez, Rosemary Andrew, Sonia Walsh, Elizabeth Xerri. Monique Batten, Lizzie Brown, Rhythmic squad Alexandra Bull, Anna, Calthorpe Catherine Bai, Georgia Bicego, Hannah (selected) Hannah Cerezo, Phoebe Buchanan, Alexandra Bull, Angelina

23 Cheung, Zara Fisher, Kristen Kam, Our most notable highlight this year was performance. Our swimmers came Rachel Kim, Sophie Lim, Ananya our wonderful athletics team which won second at the IGSSA carnival this year, Salhotra, Gigi Spiller, Claire Williams, the IGSSA athletics carnival for the first as did our divers; another fantastic Lucia Williamson. time in six years. Not since 2008 have result. we held the Overall Champion School Hockey Our cross country runners had shield aloft and it was a magnificent another good year; second place at IPSHA team feeling. The team took home a total of IGSSA followed by a return trip to Madeline Robinson seven trophies this year, including two ‘The Balmoral Burn’ in June. Eight individual champions and two relay Abbotsleigh teams entered the charity trophies, which shows our athletic event supporting the Humpty Dumpty IPSHA team depth, and the ability of our girls to Foundation and once again, our top Charlotte Barry, Elizabeth Xerri work together towards a common goal. team proved too strong for their rivals, Snowsports Congratulations to Mia Hemsworth taking out first place in record time. (Year 7) for coming equal first in the We must also congratulate Annabel Regionals junior individual point score and for McDermott (Year 10) on her solo effort Jessica Allsop, Melanie Allsop, Hannah winning the 12 years 80 m hurdles, at the World Schools Cross Country Cerezo, Sophie Cheung, Georgia Elsley, 200 m and 100 m, and for breaking Championships, which were held in Emma Fontanot, Rosie Fordham, two records in the process. We must Israel in April. Fifteen-year-old Annabel Mackenzie Goldthorpe, Piper Gregory- also mention Kristina Moore (Year 9) came second in the world in the under Reid, Tessa Gregory-Reid, Isabel for breaking two records on the day: 18 age group; a superb effort. Gunning, Jessica Gunning, Rachel Kim, intermediate discus and 15 years shot Zali Slunjski, Sophia Sugo, Jemma Term 3 proved to be a very active and put. Sarah Healey (Year 10) should Vizard successful term, with 30 netball teams also be congratulated on taking out and 15 hockey teams entered into the State the intermediate individual point score IGSSA competition. An impressive 20 Emma Fontanot, Rosie Fordham, Isabel trophy. netball and nine hockey teams made Gunning, Zali Slunjski, Sophia Sugo, Our tennis players have had a wonderful semis with eight teams making the Jemma Vizard 12 months, starting with winning finals and three going on to win. Four the Schools Tennis Tournament held hockey teams made it to the grand at Pennant Hills Park in November finals and one team won. We must CIS team 2013. Our girls took home the trophy make particular mention however of Ella Turner that week; a feat made even more our hockey firsts, who beat Pymble Swimming impressive by the fact it was a mixed Ladies’ College this year in the round (girls and boys) competition. The matches 2-0; their first win over Pymble Represented at IPSHA Tildesley Shield girls then went on to since the 1990s. Bella Alvarez, Rosemary Andrew, place fifth at the tournament in March, Shaniece Antoon, Charlotte Barry, their best result in three years. Elysse Byer, , Georgia Fichardt, , A standout effort at the Tildesley Shield Ashley Fung, Cameron Graham, Amelia tournament this year came not just Hansen, Sophia Horbach, Nikita Kyrikos, from our players, but from our lines Emma Lai, , Alice Lee, Samantha Leech, girls. More than 400 girls from up to Laura Miller, Madeline Robinson, 26 schools performed the role of Heidi Strong, Trinity Teh, Jemma Tran, lines girl at the tournament and Veronica Wade, Jacinta Walsh as is custom, the best 20 girls Represented at CIS are recognised for their high level of achievement. This year, Georgia Fichardt, Amelia Hansen, all 12 of our Abbotsleigh girls Sophia Horbach, Nikita Kyrikos, Alice were chosen – a high honour Lee, Madeline Robinson, Trinity Teh, indeed. This just goes to show Veronica Wade. that even when an Abbotsleigh Tennis girl is not competing, she still represents her school with pride IPSHA team and shows her school spirit as part of Sasha Nelson the greater Abbotsleigh team. CIS Tennis team In swimming, our girls came together Sasha Nelson in another team effort to win the Senior School Sport junior 4 x 50 m freestyle relay at NSWCIS and NSW All Schools If you look back at the past twelve and also broke the NSW record months, there have been more in the process. Natasha than a few notable highlights. 2014 Ramsden, Imogen Short, Katie certainly had its fair share of individual Strachan and Jaimey Yeats achievements but more than that, it was (all Year 8) were part of this a year of teams coming together to do record-breaking team and are the unimaginable. congratulated on a wonderful

24 Senior School sport results Overall results in major IGSSA carnivals and tournaments in 2014 IGSSA carnivals are contested by up to 27 schools

Sport 1st 2nd 3rd

Athletics Abbotsleigh Pymble Roseville

Cross country Pymble Abbotsleigh SCEGGS

Diving Pymble Abbotsleigh MLC

Gymnastics Pymble MLC Abbotsleigh

Swimming PLC Sydney Abbotsleigh Pymble

Tildesley* Meriden Queenwood Pymble

* Abbotsleigh 5th place Abbotsleigh team sports - Term 4 2013 to Term 3 2014 Sport Number Semifinalists Grand Premiers of teams* finalists

Badminton 35 24 12 4 – Teams 1 (S1), 14, 24, 28

Basketball 20 straight finals 5 1 – Team 1

Football 17 straight finals 5 5 – Teams 3, 5, 8**, 9, 14**

Hockey 15 9 3 1 – Team 8

Netball 30 20 8 3 – Team 3, 6, 19

Softball 14 6 3 1 – Team 6

Tennis 32 17 10 5 – Teams 11, 18, 22, 24, 26

Touch football 26 18 6 2 – Teams 1 (S1), 6

Water polo 8 7 3 3 – 1, 3, 5

* Number of Abbotsleigh teams entered in each competition ** Joint premier (due to matches washed out) – Teams 8, 14

Team sports are very popular at Senior School representative McDermott, 15 yrs team Emma Chan, Abbotsleigh. What is remarkable about honours Saffron Sylvester the number of girls playing is the fact that Diving sport at Abbotsleigh is not compulsory IGSSA champions 15-16 years platform and springboard – just strongly encouraged. Even though First placegetters at IGSSA carnivals Jocelyn Abbott we are only about the fifth biggest school in the IGSSA system, we often have the Athletics Gymnastics most number of teams entered into 14 yrs shot put Lauren Clark; 13 yrs Level 5 vault Sophia Nicita; category 3 each sport. This year, we had the most shot put Claire Eaton; 12 yrs 80 m group Danielle Boniface, Juliet Boniface, teams for badminton, hockey and touch hurdles (record), 100 m (record) and Anna Chapman, Sabreen Hussain; open football, the second most for softball 200 m Mia Hemsworth; 16 yrs 100 m group Sarah Duggan; level 7 ball, clubs and football, and the third most for hurdles, long jump and intermediate and ribbon and open group Annelise basketball, netball and tennis. 4 x 100 m relay Sarah Healey; 14 yrs Harper; level 7 hoop Mary-Louise 800 m Sarah McDermott; intermediate Fleischner; level 8 hoop and open group Kiana Elliott in Year 12, this year 1500 m Annabel McDermott; Charlotte Wong; level 9 ball and ribbon competed at the Youth Olympic Games in intermediate discus (record) and 15 and open group Lauren Klemt; junior China in the sport of weightlifting. Having yrs shot put (record) Kristina Moore; 16 international clubs and open group only taken up the sport twelve months yrs 100 m and intermediate 4 x 100 m Emma Chan ago, Kiana has achieved some amazing relay Helen Pretorius; intermediate 4 feats. Not only did she achieve a personal x 100 m relay Sophie Norrish, Saffron Swimming best in the snatch event, she came Sylvester; senior 4 x 100 m relay Marnie 18 yrs 50 m backstroke (record) and seventh at the Games and in the process Clarkson, Sophie Gee, Teaan Mocatta, senior 4 x 50 m medley relay Rebecca set a new Junior Australian record. We Georgia Smith Booth; 16 yrs 50 m backstroke Zoe wish Kiana all the best in her future Lysaght; 17 yrs 50 m freestyle and endeavours in this sport and hope to see Cross country senior 4 x 50 m medley relay Clare her on stage at the 2018 Commonwealth 14 yrs team Annabelle Andrew, O’Rourke; 13 yrs 50 m freestyle and 50 Games on the Gold Coast. Mackenzie Penn, Sarah McDermott, m butterfly Natasha Ramsden; senior 4 15 yrs individual and team Annabel x 50 m medley relay Rebecca Booth, Clare 25 O’Rourke, Eleanor Short, Imogen Short; m Mia Hemsworth; 13 yrs javelin Julia Rebecca St Vincent, Katie 14 yrs 50 m freestyle Katie Strachan; 14 Kelland; 15 yrs 800 m and 1500 m Strachan, Jaimey Yeats yrs 50 m backstroke and 50 m butterfly Annabel McDermott; 15 yrs discus and Tennis Jaimey Yeats shot put Kristina Moore; 14 yrs 1500 m Sharyn Stanich Mackenzie Penn IGSSA representative team Touch football Girls who were chosen to represent IGSSA Cross country Under 16 Rose Murray; Open Madeline and went on to compete at NSWCIS 14 years team Annabelle Andrew, Sarah Lyons, Tileah McGrady McDermott, Mackenzie Penn, Daniela Athletics Salisbury; 15 years individual and team NSW All Schools champions Lauren Clark, Marnie Clarkson, Lara Annabel McDermott; 15 years team Dillon, Claire Eaton, Sophie Gee, Ella First placegetters at NSW All Schools Emma Chan, Teaan Mocatta, and Saffron Goldsmith, Sarah Healey, Mia Hemsworth, carnivals Sylvester Julia Kelland, Sarah Kelland, Hannah Li, Athletics Annabel McDermott, Sarah McDermott, Diving 15 yrs 1500 m and 3000 m Annabel Kristina Moore, Sophie Norrish, 15-16 years platform Jocelyn Abbott McDermott; 15 yrs discus Kristina Moore Mackenzie Penn, Helen Pretorius, Saffron Swimming Sylvester Cross country 13 yrs 50 m freestyle (record), 50 m 15 yrs Annabel McDermott Basketball butterfly (record) and junior 4 x 50 m Open Alessandra Burke, Teaan Mocatta, freestyle relay Natasha Ramsden; 14 Swimming Kristina Moore years 50 m, 100 m, 200 m freestyle, Junior 4 x 50 m freestyle relay (record) 200 m individual medley and 4 x 50 m Natasha Ramsden, Imogen Short, Jaimey Cross country freestyle relay Katie Strachan; Junior 4 x Yeats; 14 yrs 50 m, 100 m freestyle and Annabelle Andrew, Emma Chan, Emily 50 m freestyle relay Imogen Short; Jaimey junior 4 x 50 m freestyle relay (record) Hazell, Clementine Hobill Cole, Hannah Li, Yeats; senior 4 x 50 m medley Courtney Katie Strachan Annabel McDermott, Sarah McDermott, Booth, Rebecca Booth, Clare O’Rourke, Teaan Mocatta, Emma Moy, Jessica Nagy, NSW All Schools representative team Eleanor Short; senior 50 m backstroke Caitlin O’Connell, Mackenzie Penn, Sophie Rebecca Booth; 15 yrs 50 m backstroke Girls who were selected to represent NSW Ranken, Daniela Salisbury, Charlotte Annabelle Druce; 16 yrs 50 m backstroke and went on to compete at SSA events Stump, Saffron Sylvester, Ella Wright, Zoe Lysaght; 17 yrs 50 m freestyle Clare Waiwai Yeap Athletics (December 2013) O’Rourke Lauren Clark, Annabel McDermott Diving NSWCIS representative team Jocelyn Abbott, Katharine Laithwaite, Diving Celine Marshall, Erin Modaro, Sophia Girls who were chosen to represent Jocelyn Abbott Nicita CIS and went on to compete at NSW All Swimming Schools Hockey Katie Strachan Under 16 Penelope King; open Harriet Athletics Tennis Graham, Stephanie Graham, Emily Hazell (Merit team) Lauren Clark, Marnie Clarkson, Lara Dillon, Claire Eaton, Sharyn Stanich Netball Sarah Healey, Mia Hemsworth, Julia SSA champions Open Madalaine Clark Kelland, Sarah Kelland, Annabel First placegetters at a School Sport Softball McDermott, Sarah McDermott, Kristina Australia carnival Isabella Serhan Moore, Mackenzie Penn, Helen Pretorius, Saffron Sylvester Athletics (December 2013) Swimming Lauren Clark Courtney Booth, Emily Booth, Rebecca Basketball U14 hammer throw Booth, Sophie de Salis, Annabelle Druce, Alessandra Burke Morgan Graham, Li-Ling Kam, Sheina Cross country Tennis Low, Winona Lu, Zoe Lysaght, Clare Annabel McDermott, Sarah McDermott, Sharyn Stanich O’Rourke, Emily Ong, Natasha Ramsden, Jessica Nagy, Mackenzie Penn, Eleanor Short, Imogen Short, Rebecca Ella Wright St Vincent, Katie Strachan, Rani West, Jaimey Yeats Diving Jocelyn Abbott, Sophia Nicita Tennis Open Sharyn Stanich Hockey Under 16 Penelope King Touch football Under 16 Rose Murray; open Madeline Swimming Lyons, Tileah McGrady Courtney Booth, Emily Booth, Rebecca Booth, NSWCIS champions Annabelle Druce, First place getters at NSWCIS carnival Morgan Graham, Sheina Low, Winona Athletics Lu, Zoe Lysaght, Clare 14 yrs discus Lauren Clark; 13 yrs discus O’Rourke, Natasha Claire Eaton; 16 yrs long jump Sarah Ramsden, Eleanor Healey; 12 yrs hurdles, 100 m and 200 Short, Imogen Short,

26 Global connections

Junior School Chinese Language Spectacular at the Sydney Town Hall along with The nature of a primary aged child is Mandarin language learners from 22 to hold a strong preoccupation with schools was a wonderful celebration self. This is absolutely normal and of language learning and culture. natural. It is the responsibility of all involved in the education of young Perhaps the most powerful global minds to help each child realise their connection was made when 28 girls role in contributing to the good of the from Years 5 and 6 and their parents global community in which they live. travelled to China for the inaugural Junior School international sister school In Year 1 our girls met and interviewed exchange. Two days spent as students members of our community such as fire at Yu Cai School attending lessons fighters, Guide Dog volunteers, wildlife with Chinese nationals and then being volunteers, a local doctor and a local Abbotsleigh’s integrated and authentic billeted in pairs in two separate homes commitment to Service-Learning. dentist to better understand how order gave the girls enormous insight into and structure is achieved in our local the Chinese culture and lifestyle. Mrs Sorrell and Mrs Reynolds took community. Year 2 and 5 girls linked a group of girls to in the April with local nursing homes to host and Visiting sites of cultural and historical holidays. The girls visited Japanese visit older generations to hear of their importance and learning about the cultural sites and enjoyed a week at life experiences that span well beyond French influence on Shanghai increased Ohtani, our sister school. The highlight the girls’ sphere. Year 3 girls continued our girls’ understanding of how diverse of the trip was making friends in their to play and learn in art and drama and intriguing our world truly is. For the homestay experience. A group of Ohtani lessons with children from St Lucy’s to girls to have been able to share these girls returned the visit in August. Ohtani build a better understanding that we exciting experiences with a parent students attended lessons, performed are all able to contribute our creative was a real bonus. We are very excited at our assembly and shared some gifts irrespective of our abilities. about hosting Yu Cai cultural events, including a typical children in Australia early in 2015. Studies in French and Mandarin give Aussie sausage sizzle. Several Japanese insight to cultures and languages Senior School schools also visited for one or beyond our own. A bilingual puppet more days, with students attending This year saw a continued growth play presented in French and English classes with a day buddy to experience in global connections in the Senior titled Aladdin and his Magic Lamp school life here at Abbotsleigh and School and the girls learnt from performed for girls from Kindergarten learn about Australian culture. a range of exchange programs, to Year 1 helped them understand international trips, language The Year 8 Languages day in June gave the universality of classical literature. learning and cultural experiences. our girls a wonderful array of activities The opportunity for all girls from Underpinning all of these was linked to their language learning Years 5-8 to participate in the including German dancing, French

27

theatre, Chinese martial arts Europe, USA, and New Zealand. In one of these conferences Year 10 and Japanese cooking. This Host students learn more about our History students made use of the was complemented by the Latin culture, lifestyle and faith and are given New York Holocaust Memorial and weekend in September. opportunities in class to share their the Museum of Tolerance New York. experiences, assisting Abbotsleigh Student responses to the survivors Our connections with China continue were quite profound. Abbotsleigh to grow. Students from Yu Cai School, students to make global connections. These connections were supported students sent thank you notes our sister school in Beijing, visited expressing their gratitude to the Abbotsleigh for one week in early by a range of meaningful activities in our academic programs, which prompt survivors and commented on what February. The students attended they had learnt about courage and the classes, visited famous Sydney tourist cultural awareness and integrate our commitment to Service-Learning. In need to ensure that such inhumanity attractions and stayed in the homes is not allowed to occur again. of Abbotsleigh families to learn about English, our Year 9 girls considered The Australian home life. The Year 9 Examined Life based on the premise The Science and Social Science Chinese class also had an authentic that the process of reflecting on all curricula are embedded with global learning experience, speaking with that you read, view and contemplate connections and concerns. Issues students from Yan Chai Hospital Wong should help you to have a more studied include astronomy, DNA Wha San Secondary School through meaningful life. The Socratic truth that extraction, genetics, poverty, global video conferencing sessions. The ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’ warming, political turmoil, active topic was ‘My school’. Abbotsleigh leads us to explore the civic virtues citizenship and the global concerns. students prepared questions in and the pursuit of the common good Chinese on school subjects, such as through a productive life of civic duty. school buildings and classes and the This study leads directly into the Year 9 students in responded Service Project, including commitments to these questions in Chinese. to Operation Christmas Child, care packages for women and caring for In addition to these school visits Christian refugees through the Bible we continued our rich and vibrant Society in Iraq exchange program in 2014. Some of our girls enjoyed, or are planning to In History there were many enjoy, exchanges in Munster, Germany opportunities to understand (at Annette von Droste-Hülshoff more about our world Gymnasium); in Paris, France (at École and what it means to be Alsacienne); in Osaka, Japan (at Ohtani) a compassionate world and in Beijing, China (at Yu Cai School). citizen. These included the Each year Abbotsleigh also hosts Year 10 multi disciplinary exchange students and we have trip to Canberra, the Museum welcomed visitors from many of our of Childhood and a range of sister schools, including girls from international video conferences.

28 Year 10 elective Geography class used their knowledge of political geography to run an impressive assembly on contemporary global issues. In connection with this learning, many girls participate in the Fair Trade Club. Girls apply their knowledge of business practice to support Fair Trade initiatives in the School, raising money and awareness. Each week they sell products sourced from a Fair Trade supplier.

A group of Year 10 students visited the Garvan Institute for a special program showcasing inspiring women in science. All of the women had international experience and were able to help students make connections beyond the classroom. Opportunities to celebrate the cultural and reflect on the process in a diversity of our girls’ experiences were presentation to the Middle School. enjoyed in elective Music as students The action learning of this program were invited to undertake research was incredibly valuable. into their own cultural heritage and Our Year 10 Applied Learning educate their peers in the process. The Experience (ALE) program Faith seminars in the Christian Studies for 2014 included two new course also invite representatives of initiatives: Habitat for Humanity each of the major religious traditions in Vietnam and conservation to explain their practices and beliefs, volunteering within Australia. and answer student questions. Students in Years 9 and 10 Our boarders have also supported a studied Katherine in the Northern range of Service-Learning projects. Territory in Australian Geography. The connection with the Guide Dog This unit was developed to NSW organisation saw our ninth puppy broaden their understanding being raised by the boarders before of Indigenous issues as well as going on to training to be a Guide Dog. support the ALE program. Fundraising and awareness raising Another important celebration for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of our global connections with a included a visit of a replica aeroplane Service-Learning focus came cockpit. Quite a few boarding families together in our 2014 International Day. living in rural or remote areas have Our special guest was Her Majesty made use of the service, so it was the Queen Mother of Bhutan. The visit a very worthwhile activity for all. helped our girls to understand the During tutor time our Year 8 students special needs of children in countries worked on sustainability projects, where educational opportunities which support the School’s purpose of are challenging. In preparation for helping girls to be world citizens with the event our girls thought about a will to serve. These special projects their own aspirations and their are designed to encourage the girls to fundraising was focused on providing understand that they are custodians of greater opportunities for young our world, not unthinking consumers of people in the developing world. it. To complete this, girls were invited to identify a problem that addresses a community need, collect relevant information to support their project, design and implement an action plan

29 Service project 2014

Our Service Prefect Jana Pretorius inspired our girls to better understand the needs of others in the developing world. Teaming up with the international organisation World Bicycle Relief based in , the girls organised a range of activities to help their fellow students understand what a significant difference having access to transport can make. World Bicycle Relief aims to close the distance between remote communities and education, healthcare and jobs through the provision of bicycles. Today, World Bicycle Relief operates in 12 African countries, from as far south as Zimbabwe to as far north as , providing more than 160,000 individuals and communities with the power of mobility. The bicycles are specifically designed for the harsh, off road conditions of rural Africa and can carry more than 100 kg of goods. In Zambia, 25% of all girls will drop out of school before Year 8. The humble bicycle can change all of this. World Bicycle Relief has seen grades in schools increase by almost 60% in some areas, with attendance increasing almost 30%. Bicycles also enable people to travel four times further than they would be able to on foot. This is especially important.

Due to vast distances, it can be virtually impossible for health care workers to reach remote communities to provide immediate healthcare, vaccinations and aged care services. World Bicycle Relief also works as part of a program called RAPIDS – reaching HIV/AIDS affected people with integrated development and support. The final focus of World Bicycle Relief is economic empowerment. Bicycles are donated with microfinance loans to small business owners. These loans enable people to cart five times the farm produce and other goods for sale in towns and cities, thus increasing the profits of their businesses. In addition, for every 50 bicycles that World Bicycle Relief puts in the field, a mechanic is trained to perform maintenance work, while the six assembly facilities in Africa create local jobs. sideshow games and stalls and an interactive wheelchair basketball demonstration. An admirable $8,800 was donated A fête style event, Kuna Kuramu (Swahili for ‘celebrate’) to World Bicycle Relief. brought the whole school together to enjoy relay races,

30 Celebrating the arts

Junior School painted their own girl spirits. Using skewers, matchsticks and cigarette Our goal is to have all girls complete filters poked into sticks, and a palette of their primary education with a strong earth coloured paints, the girls had the conviction that they can create, perform opportunity to work in a very different and appreciate. With expert instruction, way to their normal practice. They ready access to resources and an experimented with different techniques environment that invites participation for making dots and patterning and and experimentation, we see all girls gained an authentic insight into fully engaged in the creative and Indigenous art. Their yawk yawks can performing arts. be seen in the garden outside the Year Access to a fully functional, professional 3 classrooms, in front of the Uniform art space through the Grace Cossington Shop and at the entrance to the ACEE Smith Gallery has been a wonderful in the Senior School. boon to promoting the creative arts. The In Term 3 in Early Learning the children Year 3 Indigenous Studies unit provides in the Dragonfly Room examined art; In addition to regular trips to the Grace an excellent example of the ways in what it is and how it is created, and which this space has enhanced the girls Cossington Smith Gallery for children linked that to technology asking the from Early Learning to Year 6, the girls learning, creating and appreciation. question, ‘Can technology be art’? The gallery’s exhibition of Indigenous in each Primary year level are also The children created artworks using exposed to a range of art styles. This art titled, Black Art, White Walls was a the Freshpaint app on the tablets. The brilliant immersion experience where, year included visits to the Sol LeWitt children also explored different artists exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW, lead by the gallery Director Mrs Mary and art techniques such as Kandinsky, Faith, the girls had the opportunity exploration of contemporary art at the Monet, Albert Namatjira and Bronwyn Museum of Contemporary Art at to view Indigenous art works and Bancroft. This exploration coincided understand better what art means to with the children’s first excursion to the culture of Indigenous Australians. the Gallery to A visit by Kuninjku artist Owen Yalandja, examine the print making exhibition. from Maningrida in Central Arnhem The girls in Transition created their Land provided wonderful inspiration. very own art gallery in the ACEE after Yalandja is best known for creating yawk interviewing Mrs Faith to find out yawk sculptures, believed to be young what is required to set up a gallery girl spirits who were transformed into and exhibition. The detailed drawings mermaid-like figures with fish tails. After created for this exhibition were inspired closely examining the three beautiful by a visit to the Wildflower Garden at yawk yawks in the exhibition, the girls St Ives and were enhanced by the use of microscopes.

31 Senior School The visual arts have continued to flourish this year. This is due in part to the addition of the beautiful Grace Cossington Smith Gallery and the Vindin House studios. Students have had the opportunity to view and learn from a range of exhibitions held in the gallery such as the National Art School drawing exhibition. This exhibition of cutting edge practice by lecturers from the highly esteemed National Art School enabled students to be inspired by a range of contemporary approaches. This exhibition was integrated explicitly into Senior School teaching programs and also impacted positively on the development of Year 12 bodies of work. In a broader way the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery has given all Visual Arts students the opportunity to hone their abilities in constructing critical reviews based on real life experiences and to be inspired and challenged in their own art making. In 2014 the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery also became the focal point for the annual Year 12 Visual Arts

Circular Quay, walking the route of of peers and parents at a 631 concert Sculpture by the Sea from Bondi to to full scale involvement in either Bronte and visiting the National Gallery the Let’s Grow concert for Infants of Australia to view a selection of the or the Snap, Crackle and Pop permanent works including Blue Poles concert for Primary girls. by Jackson Pollack. Girls have also contributed to concerts and workshops The dramatic arts have been well beyond our community when represented in 2014. The Junior School performing at the IPSHA production of Disney’s Mulan was an Performing Arts Festival at action packed and exciting adventure the Sydney Town Hall, band of Fa Mulan, a young woman who and string workshops and takes her father’s place to defeat concerts with Knox and Shore the Huns from invading China. It is a and by being mentored by the story of courage, friendship and trust. Royal Australian Navy Band. We The production was filled with fun celebrated the end of this year with characters, song and dance, suspense a feast of contributions from all girls and scary Huns and included more than through musical ensembles and choirs 60 keen actors and crew. Our girls love at the Carol Service and Speech Day. to perform and this was energetically demonstrated at the AbbSchool Dance The Chinese Language Spectacular and Drama concerts, and finally at the took place on Sunday 19 October. Junior School Variety Concerts at the Twenty-three schools took part end of the year. in this student concert, with students performing a range Music making is also a joyous activity of items that culminated in the Junior School. Girls from in a mass choir medley. Kindergarten to Year 6 fill more than 20 Abbotsleigh took the initiative ensembles and choirs and relish the for this event with Mrs Ming opportunities to perform to anything Urwin, Chinese teacher, from a small and appreciative audience organising this event.

32 exhibition, which was a part of a whole dramatic arts and the ways in which school HSC evening showcasing Design drama can explore powerful themes Roedean Choir visit and Technology, Extension 2 English, with great effect. Music and History Extension works. One of the musical highlights Year 8 received a visit from Actors at The gallery provided the perfect of the year was the visit from Work, part of the Bell Shakespeare backdrop for highly resolved artworks the Roedean School in South Australian National Touring Company, in such diverse areas as printmaking, Africa at the beginning of and they enjoyed a performance drawing and video. The atmosphere Term 2. The visiting choir entitled Such Sweet Sorrow, which is and sense of achievement generated by endeared themselves to their based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and this exhibition was a testament to the host girls and shared their Juliet. As the girls had studied the play value of this space and the excellent many musical talents with extensively in class, they proved to be teaching and learning that had occurred us in chapel, workshops and a most appreciative audience. throughout the year. a most impressive concert. Abbreviate is Abbotsleigh’s short film Numerous standing ovations As part of the Year 7 English unit in festival. Each year students submit from the capacity crowd in the which students study poetry from films in a wide range of genres and the Peter Duly Concert Hall at the different cultures, the classes visited shortlist of finalist films are screened closing concert demonstrated the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery to at a special Abbreviate assembly. Four the magic and energy of their view the Adrian and Anne Newstead awards are presented at this assembly: performances. The Roedean Indigenous art collection Black Art Best film, Best performance, Best use Choir reminded us that music White Walls. Gallery Director Mrs Mary of signature item and the People’s is ‘the universal language Faith walked the girls through the choice award. This year, the signature of mankind’ and the girls’ exhibition, explaining the artworks, item was an apple, which proved to be performances, workshops and and the students wrote poems inspired very entertaining. Abbreviate aims to chapel songs were beautiful and by particular objects of art, including promote filmmaking within the School joyous. Our Junior School and paintings and sculpture. community, to highlight the role of film Senior School girls sang with In a project based approach to learning, in our culture and to improve students’ gusto and delight. Both school Year 8 students created portraits filmmaking skills. The Abbreviate families gained so much from that were submitted as a part of their assembly was a great success and this wonderful visit. investigations of the Archibald prize and students and staff enjoyed having their Australian portraiture. This also saw say by voting for the People’s choice the introduction of a school wide Year award. One of the winners from last 8 portrait prize. Students were also year’s festival, Amanda Liew was a provided with opportunities to learn contender in the 2014 AHIGS short film beyond the class, specifically through competition and her film was shown at their participation in workshops, the Museum of Contemporary Art as a excursions and lectures. Rich extension part of their Youth Festival. opportunities with renowned artists The School community has enjoyed so such as Archibald finalist Tom Carment many wonderful musical performances and painter Pina Bartollo and a full day in the usual rhythm of the school of plein air painting in Manly for Year calendar. Chamber music, bands 10 were some of the highlights. and soloists have regularly Many opportunities for the performing provided music of a high standard arts were celebrated this year. In Term for school and community events 1 we saw the staging of our wonderfully these include Twilight on the produced musical, Les Misérables, with Plaza, the opening of the Grace an orchestra, cast and crew of 90 girls, Cossington Smith Gallery, the including three talented boys from Knox School’s birthday and various Grammar School. Les Misérables was service events and assemblies. an ambitious and challenging musical, In addition to this, Concert Band but worthwhile in every respect. The Buddies continues to foster the performances beautifully captured musical relationships between the the important themes of justice and Junior School and the Senior School. forgiveness. The collaboration with We have also enjoyed concerts Knox boys added another musical and and soirées for music classes and dramatic dimension to this production. individual music tuition students. The cast was extended in every respect School assemblies have also provided and always rose to the challenge. invaluable opportunity for concerts In addition to the School musical, our across a broad spectrum of musical 2013-2014 Drama Prefect, Veronica styles and have given the girls Sebesfi, directed a new series of short performance practice and built plays written by Abbotsleigh students, on their presentation skills Script to Stage. The plays showcased and confidence. the girls’ strong understanding of the

33

Many of our girls achieved wonderful The arts are also important in our rocks from the boarders’ properties, success in their chosen areas of the teaching and learning programs. In old fence posts and pieces of performing arts. Olivia Urbaniak was Christian Studies students examined interesting rusted metal farm pieces. awarded the coveted Young Steinway artworks in conjunction with their Each boarder stencilled the name of Artist prize in recognition of her study of the Gospels and web logs to their property or town onto the ‘rusted’ exceptional talent and commitment explore the life of the Apostle Paul. A chicken shed wall to celebrate the to musical performance and Emma private collection of artworks was also diversity of our boarding community. Zhuang’s rendition of the Concerto in displayed on campus to complement Several boarders are also developing D minor, Op 47 by Sibelius won her the the students’ study of Matthew’s art works from natural materials to go first prize in the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Gospel. Drama is widely used to teach into the area. Orchestra’s NSW Secondary Schools narratives and parables, and a Reader’s Concerto Competition. A spectacular Theatre (a dramatic presentation of performance of the Beethoven Violin a written work in a script form where Concerto has seen Grace Clifford win the scripts are held by the readers and final of the 2014 ABC Young Performer of lines are not memorised) is used to the Year Award. As well as being named assist with Bible reading. Our Library Young Performer of the Year, Grace also and English department support the won prizes for Best Recital and Best annual Write a book in a day workshop, Chamber Music Performance and the which gives our girls the opportunity to People’s Choice Award. sharpen their own literary skills. Abbotsleigh had a successful year Our boarders continue to share their in Theatresports with Year 11 team creative skills in their House dinners comprising Rachel Drubetsky, Alexandra and in the creation of a wonderful Moulis, Olivia Hobill Cole, Rose Forster, cookbook filled with favourites from Eliza Priest winning the senior division home. Boarder Prefects also held of the Impro Australia Theatresports a competition open to all boarders Competition. Rosemary Dixon has to design a birthday card. Several continued to perform with the designs were chosen to be printed for Australian Girls’ Choir and was awarded sale for use on boarders’ birthdays. a scholarship to travel overseas In collaboration with the ACEE our to perform. In addition Rosemary ‘Boarders Rock’ garden has been performed with the AGC on Channel designed next to the chicken shed, 9’s Sunrise program earlier in the year. with totem poles constructed from

34 Junior School China tour

The inaugural Abbotsleigh Junior School trip to China was an exciting undertaking for staff and students. The rationale behind the tour was primarily to provide a Chinese experiential learning opportunity, bringing to life the history and culture of China and to learn new things about schooling in China by offering educational programs at Yu Cai, our sister school in Beijing. Added benefits included allowing the girls to engage in an entirely new cultural family setting, while hosted by Yu Cai School families, and to provide a motivating, real life opportunity to develop Mandarin language skills in an authentic setting. It has been five years since Mandarin was first introduced to Abbotsleigh as part of the curriculum and in October 2012, a sister school relationship was established with Yu Cai School. Visiting Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, the girls and their parents marvelled at Chinese cultural highlights including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Beijing’s Olympic sites and the Terracotta Warriors, while enjoying the thrill of the high speed train and the joy of seeing baby pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre. Total immersion in the language was experienced over two days at Yu Cai School where the girls attended various lessons and two nights with homestay families who showed them great hospitality. It is anticipated that this tour will take place every second year.

35 Literary Festival

In June we celebrated our biennial Literary Festival. During the festival our girls met with over 30 authors, illustrators, dramatists and journalists. We welcomed more than a thousand visitors including adults and students from local schools, which ensured it was one of our most successful festivals yet. The week began with a special assembly in the Senior School with Isobel Carmody, followed by a wide range of class activities for all students from Junior School and Senior School. Hosting our special guests gave our girls a wonderful opportunity to interact with some very creative people with special workshops and interactive events to engage our girls in learning about all things literary. As part of the festival the Drawn to Word exhibition in the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery showcased a wonderful range of illustrators’ works. This exhibition was opened with a champagne reception with Richard Glover and the festival ended with an adult writing workshop with Jacqueline Harvey and an entertaining literary lunch with social commentator, writer and lecturer Jane Caro.

36 Community partnerships

Junior School was the construction of a fort of which Girls in Years 2 and 5 have maintained the children were justifiably proud. connections with our older generations Engaging in meaningful partnerships through programs with neighbourhood Building the fort often resembled with parents and our wider public is aged care facilities. The residents science more than imagination because such an important measure of our from UPA have been hosted to it required children to form a hypothesis health and wellbeing as a community. morning tea prepared by our Year 2 and repeatedly test their ideas until they This is especially so as we celebrate 60 girls before attending the matinee got a successful result. The children years since the establishment of the of Mulan. The girls in Year 5 visited Junior School campus. We have sought quickly discovered that teamwork was to share the learning journey our girls a powerful tool. Their families were are on with parents whose contributions then invited to the ACEE to view the have been integral to the success children’s hard work and were provided Jump Rope for Heart with a delicious barbeque lunch. of programs and the girls’ learning. For the School’s 129th birthday, Parents have demonstrated community Girls and boys from the Early Learning all girls from Kindergarten support through volunteering time to Centre were also involved in the to Year 12 were involved in be trained and to run small literacy and Indigenous Book Swap raising funds a lunchtime ‘jump off’ on numeracy group activities in Infants. for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. the Senior School oval and This is the first year we have expanded All the children enjoyed the process tennis courts. All girls benefit the program to include mathematical of swapping dearly loved books for from coming together in such activities, and are pleased to see a someone else’s favourites. The book activities where whole school greater enthusiasm for Mathematics swap is a wonderful initiative of the spirit is fostered. as a result. Parent help with cooking Indigenous Literacy Foundation to raise Group activities and skills in Years 1, 2 and 3 has been essential money to improve literacy levels in demonstrations contributed to the success of these programs. remote Indigenous communities and to a very enjoyable afternoon Senior School girls seeking to earn coincided with Book Week in August. where funds were raised for Duke of Edinburgh awards have given the Heart Foundation. The girls The entire Junior School participated invaluable service in both the Early gained insight into a valuable in the Week Without Words fundraising Learning Centre and After School Care. organisation while reaping the initiative with girls learning some health benefits that the Heart We have sought to build connections simple sign language. A silent recess, Foundation promotes. beyond our school gates and the girls where communication was enjoyed have engaged broadly in the community. with gestures and hand written notes, The children in Early Learning worked gave the girls a greater appreciation with the Head of Sustainability for the spoken word. More than and Environmental Education and 300 girls and staff attended the community members to make mud culminating Week Without Words bricks and construct wattle and daub breakfast at St Lucy’s in a very visible shelters. The highlight of this activity demonstration of our support.

37 local nursing homes to perform and raised $852 towards the provision of The day finished with a barbecue lunch hear the stories of times past. fresh drinking water in Cambodia. and was an excellent opportunity for our girls to develop and foster Using a cheque donated by the Old Aneisha Naganayagam (5G) held a friendships with the boys from King’s. Girls of 1963 to the ACEE, Indigenous cake stall and raised $594.15 and flora was purchased and then planted awareness for the work of the RSPCA Our Year 10 work experience program by the Year 4 girls in the area they had in Term 3. In a valuable exercise in enables our students to interact with cleared during their Convict Day chain friendship building and preparation for members of the wider community. The gang activity. Junior School Environment Year 7, Year 6 students spent Terms 3 outstanding reports that came back Captain Charlotte Woods with the Years and 4 connecting with new students from employers indicated that it was 3-6 Term 2 Class Captains spent Tree who are starting at Abbotsleigh in Year 7 a great success again this year. They Day at the bush regeneration site near 2015 through an email buddy program. were impressed with the maturity, the Sydney Adventist Hospital helping initiative and work ethic displayed by with replanting part of the area. Senior School our students. Not surprisingly, these students have been actively involved Fund and awareness raising activities The Senior School staff and in clubs since they joined the Senior in the ELC included participating in students have continued to embrace School and it was pleasing to note how Jeans for Genes day and the Great partnerships with a number of different many of them were interested in club Cake Bake. The sale of the baked goods community organisations for the benefit leadership positions for 2014/15. allowed the children to celebrate 100 of all participants. Our Year 7 students years of Red Cross while developing have greatly valued their discussions There have been several partnerships financial and literacy skills. with Mrs Julie Daly, School Archivist with other schools that encouraged this year. It helped them to get a better cooperation between students to Individuals and groups took the sense of the diverse and interesting further their knowledge of languages. opportunity to raise funds and community that they have joined, and For example, Year 10 German awareness for causes close to their enhanced their sense of belonging students partnered with a school hearts. Aerin Slater (4G) spent an entire to the tapestry of Abbotsleigh. in Adelaide, decorating cloth bags week on crutches to raise awareness and sending postcards to establish of the funding inequity for Australia’s Some of our talented Years 8 and a link with other German language Paralympic athletes. By asking others to 9 Mathematics students spent the learners. Other events included the sponsor her, Aerin raised $133.30 for day mixing with students from other Year 12 Latin Study Day at Shore, the Australian Paralympic Committee. 17 schools at a problem solving day hosted by Brigidine College. Not only a senior classical students’ dinner Madeleine (5O) and Chloe (3L) McDonell did the supervising staff come back at Riverview, the Year 12 French initiated a project to raise awareness with many ideas to engage students, speaking practice day at Pymble for the Fred Hollows Foundation and one of our Year 9 students, Pei Siauw Ladies’ College, the German Year 12 develop other students’ understanding (photo below), is congratulated HSC practice speaking day at King’s of the difficulties that people with vision for being part of the third place and the Year 11 German speaking impairment face each day. These girls winning team of 34 groups. practice day at PLC Pymble and the ran a fundraising stall during lunchtime Knox speaking afternoon for senior that provided a range of tasks for their Our Year 9 students have demonstrated German students. Year 12 Japanese peers to trial such as pouring a glass strong commitment to community had a JTAN (Japanese Teachers’ of water and writing their name whilst partnerships with a group of Australian Association of NSW) continuers day blindfolded. Madeleine and Chloe raised History students attending the AIS at North Sydney Boys High School. $185 for the Fred Hollows Foundation. Anzac Day memorial service in Hyde Park Sydney, representing Abbotsleigh Whilst our own community is important, As part of our Service-Learning initiative and laying a wreath at the Sydney War our students recognise that this is for this year, Year 4 wore red on the Memorial. The Year 9 Physical Activity enhanced by interacting with others Friday before the Salvation Army’s and Sport Studies (PASS) class also beyond Abbotsleigh. The Senior annual appeal to raise awareness engaged in Jump Rope for Heart College Breakfast Club established about the campaign and encourage training sessions as part of the K-12 by Mrs Annette Ware, Head of Senior others to give generously that weekend. School’s 129th birthday celebrations to College, has gone from strength to Emma (5L) and Lily Thornthwaite (2O) raise funds for the Heart Foundation. strength. With outstanding speakers ran a ‘Turn on the Tap’ fundraiser and such as Dorothy Hoddinott and Hugh Dance lessons were provided for our Mackay, this has been a calendar Year 9 students by the Joan Carmody highlight for staff and students from Dance School this year. This allowed Abbotsleigh and neighbouring schools. our girls to develop and practise their formal dancing skills, which they Abbotsleigh has continued to host the enjoyed putting into practice with the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra for boys from St Joseph’s College and rehearsal, concerts and competitions. in two dance The Chamber Choir and Vocal events. Another social opportunity for Ensemble performed Neptune the this cohort included a pastoral care day Mystic with the KPO in August this with Year 9 boys from The King’s School. year under the skilled leadership of The students heard from some expert Lynette Clarke. They were a credit to speakers on safe social behaviour and the School both musically and in the had the opportunity to discuss these way they conducted themselves. issues with their male counterparts.

38 In support of young musicians in our local area, Abbotsleigh has recently become a partner to the Ku-ring-gai Youth Orchestra which performed two concerts in September and November. The Allegro Trio also played for a charity function for homeless women in the area in October. As part of our World Environment Day celebrations, our Senior School Environment Council invited students from some neighbouring schools to attend an afternoon tea. The discussions that day led to a joint project to raise awareness of the problems of plastic waste in our environment. This culminated in All the Yalari girls had an afternoon at Roseville College the opportunity to attend a spent creating a joint piece of Bangarra Dance Theatre performance Clubs. The APA social dinner dance 3D art with various plastics at the Opera House in June. The in 2014 was so popular that it sold collected by the individual schools; girls were lucky enough to meet out and was a credit to the wonderful Ravenswood, Roseville College, with the performers and crew work of the APA and the close Asquith Boys High School and Saint afterwards, which was very exciting. bonds in the parent community. Ignatius’ College, Riverview. At International Day in October, the Community support for the Abbotsleigh We also congratulate Amanda Wang Yalari students presented a Dreamtime Foundation has been warm and (2013) who has been invited back story, ‘How the birds got their generous. Parents, alumni and the to be a mentor for elite student colours’, with an acknowledgement community have contributed funds, mathematicians at the next of country in Kamilaroi language. time and expertise to the Foundation’s National Mathematics Summer purpose: to promote the interests of There were many opportunities for School in January 2015. the School and its current and future senior girls to visit University open students. Grandparents’ Day, the Our Yalari Indigenous scholars enjoyed days for Indigenous students. One of Golden Oldies lunch on the School’s a number of valuable opportunities these was the Nanga Mai day held at birthday and a high tea for Marian and experiences this year. UTS in September. Girls nominated Clarke Society members were well two faculties in which to spend Year 11 and 12 students attended attended functions organised by the time investigating realistic options the ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation’s bequests committee. In about tertiary education. A highlight Foundation’s Indigenous Networking August, the Foundation’s sports lunch for the Year 12 girls, Danika Green dinner for Year 11 and 12 students ‘Leather and Laces’ raised funds and and Rhianna Pitt, was the Yalari and our senior Yalari students had an generated much goodwill towards the graduation ceremony in Canberra, outing to the ABC studios in Ultimo to School’s development of the new sports followed by a weekend in the snow. look at the media career opportunities precinct. The generosity of parents for Indigenous students. Years 7 and The School community is strengthened giving regular voluntary donations, and 8 Yalari girls went to PLC Croydon more every year by its wonderful the gifts made during the year and to talk to the Junior School children alumni. The Development Office works Annual Giving all contributed to one in their assembly about themselves closely with the Abbotsleigh Old Girls’ of the Foundation’s goals which is to and the Yalari program and the Year Union and throughout 2014 assisted sustain scholarships that enable girls 8 girls took a non Indigenous peer to in the organisation of events including who might not otherwise have had the Ku-ring-gai Voices for Reconciliation reunions in Sydney, country NSW and opportunity, to attend Abbotsleigh. at Ravenswood. This annual event overseas, networking events and hosts Indigenous motivational social occasions such as Card Day speakers and entertainment from and Golf Day. Many parents worked professionals and local schools. with the Development Office to plan and run events, volunteer time for Year 8 and 9 Yalari scholars attended school tours and perform office bearer a book launch of Home: Mapping roles in the APA and the ABPA. The the stories of Redfern, a book that School is grateful for all this assistance the girls had written for at the end with many essential school activities of 2013 while attending a writing including Junior and Senior School workshop at the Sydney Story Factory. canteens, libraries, the New to Sydney Alana Sharpley’s (Year 8) story was Group, the City Family Scheme and included in the book and Tyesha assisting to run the Tennis and Swim Armstrong (Year 9) had her introduction to one of the stories published.

39 Junior School & Early Learning Centre 22 Woonona Avenue Wahroonga NSW 2076 Telephone 02 9473 7700 Senior School 1666 Pacific Highway (Cnr Ada Avenue) Wahroonga NSW 2076 Telephone 02 9473 7777 www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au

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