THE MAGAZINE OF LAURISTON GIRLS’ SCHOOL // September 2012

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

Learning from discomfort Lauriston Life The magazine of She spoke of the importance of lives, they require an education that classroom, and students accept that ensuring that young women leave enables them to develop critical learning requires commitment and an Lauriston Girls’ School school as ‘agile alumni’, who, she said, evaluation skills, together with deep investment of effort, as it will not always should be: knowing and understanding, and be smooth sailing. Lauriston Girls’ School gives them opportunities to develop • skilled in, and beyond, one Lauriston teaching staff have 38 Huntingtower Road their character. Importantly, it is in discipline completed a professional learning Armadale Vic. 3143 developing their character that our program on John Hattie’s research Australia • highly literate and numerate young women will develop their on teaching practice as a key factor intellects, moral capacity and sense of in improving student outcomes. We t: +61 3 9864 7555 • keen and sceptical learners civic responsibility. will continue to provide professional f: +61 3 9822 7950 • risk-taking, welcoming error and A number of Lauriston staff members, learning opportunities in this area and e: [email protected] complexity as part of their professional learning, will also continue dialogue between www.lauriston.vic.edu.au have been reading the recently teachers with regard to their practice. CRICOS number 00152F • relentlessly curious published Visible Learning for In this context, it is valuable to consider ABN 15 004 264 402 • productively nervous Teachers, by John Hattie. Hattie, a the nature of learning at our Howqua leading educational researcher who • team-oriented and collaborative campus, where both the classroom PRINCIPAL is well known for his work on how curriculum and the outdoor program Susan Just • technologically savvy; able to improve the quality of teaching offer our students learning experiences to apply tools to higher-order and learning, argues that teachers that stretch and challenge them. EDITOR thinking must present challenges to students Marina Johnson while also developing depth in their At Howqua, our philosophy is very • self-starting, self-managing, understanding. He identifies both much about experiential learning, self-critical and self-evaluating. PRODUCTION strategies as crucial to learning and to and there is no room for ‘lawnmower Katie Garrett excellence in student outcomes. I recently attended a presentation Those who have read The Blessings In Erica McWilliam’s view, educators teachers’. Our Howqua teachers provide guidance to our Year 9 by Professor Erica McWilliam entitled of a Good Thick Skirt will know that have forgotten about the value of Teachers who have a high level of CONTRIBUTORS students and establish safe learning ‘Choosing Discomfort: Future all of the women travellers whose challenging students and allowing impact on student learning come into Robyn Ambler settings for them, but the focus is Trajectories, Present Realities and achievements Mary Russell celebrates them to make mistakes. Professor the classroom believing that every Jenny Bars on learning through experiences – the Lessons of History’. Professor chose discomfort over comfort, in McWilliam told us that our society is student can learn and improve – a including mistakes. Howqua is also a Ann Hooper McWilliam, a tertiary educator whose order to lead more fulfilling and creating ‘lawnmower’ teachers, who belief that is reflected in the teachers’ most suitable environment for ongoing Fiona Ireland role involves guiding university adventurous lives. They wanted to smooth the way for their students, attitudes towards and expectations of character building. The campus Marina Johnson students who will become teachers, experience independence and – ensuring that they experience success, their students. places a particular emphasis on Alicia McGain offered wide-ranging observations using their talents, skills and good but diminishing the rigour and value These teachers have a clear civic responsibility, in that, during their Nene Macwhirter on how we currently educate young minds – to discover more about of the curriculum in doing so. While a ‘lawnmower’ approach protects young understanding of what to teach and Howqua year, students learn to live Angela Mare people, focusing in particular on the their world. These were women who education of young women. rejected the restricted or confined people from negative experiences at what level of difficulty. They have a respectfully together in a community. David Morrison lives that society had mapped out for in the classroom, it also leads to deep engagement with the subjects Emma Neal In educating our young women, we A fascinating aspect of the low-challenge classrooms where there they teach, and they have the ability them. need, I believe, to build ‘discomfort’ Sam Ridley presentation was Professor McWilliam’s is indiscriminate promotion of student to foster in their students appropriate into our curriculum and into the Rachel Steele-MacInnis discussion of the book The Blessings Professor McWilliam moved from tales self-esteem. levels of surface learning as well as learning experiences we offer. The Nick Thornton of a Good Thick Skirt (1986), by Mary of adventurous women to provocative the deeper understanding necessary world is not always a comfortable Russell, which tells the stories of women questions about the education we It appears that ‘lawnmower teachers’ for improved student outcomes. These place, and our students are future Design and printing who travelled to remote and often are providing to our young people, are working in concert with ‘helicopter teachers know their students, are parents’, who hover over their children leaders. They will be responsible for Impress Print Management dangerous foreign lands when they particularly girls. keenly mindful of the progress that resolving problems and designing could have stayed within the familiar and then ‘fly in’ to save them from they are making, and provide them new initiatives and breakthroughs in bounds of their homes and families. having to deal with any difficulties with feedback that will assist them to every field of endeavour. The capacity that may arise at school, such as not continue to progress. Such teachers Among the more than 120 women to thrive on discomfort will be an achieving an A on a test, or not finding are also able to evaluate the effects of profiled by Russell are Ann Davison, important quality to have, and the it easy to negotiate a friendship. their teaching on student learning. Cover who in 1953 became the first woman education that our young women Mountain bike riding at Howqua. to sail solo across the Atlantic, and I would like to suggest that in order for The classrooms established by these receive should be preparing them the nineteenth-century traveller and girls to become risk-taking, relentlessly teachers are an environment in which both to meet future challenges and to writer Mary Kingsley, who was the curious, and self-managing young it is acceptable to make mistakes, benefit from future opportunities. first European to visit certain remote women, who are more likely to find because mistakes help individuals to Susan Just regions of West Africa. success in their careers and personal learn. There is a climate of trust in the Principal 2 3 Senior School Howqua

Real world, real skills, real-life learning Pushing the boundaries

• Why does women’s sport have a • promote social awareness and an build on their personal strengths, and lower profile than men’s sport? understanding of social justice. to draw upon these strengths in all (Relevant subjects would include areas of daily life. In a setting where The Experiential Learning Project will Politics, Economics, Sport, Health, they are not using social media and take place in Term 3. To prepare, the Ethics, Science and Mathematics.) mobile phones, the students have students will spend several weeks the opportunity to focus on what The Experiential Learning Project learning a suite of research skills, which is really important – to the Howqua will provide a structure that allows they can then use immediately in a community, their own house groups, students to demonstrate mastery meaningful context. and themselves. of a subject area by creating, The project itself will involve five days and ultimately presenting, a At Howqua, the academic of preparation and research, spaced research-based project that is driven environment also pushes boundaries. out over five weeks. The composition of by their own interest in a particular The Howqua campus is a place where the groups in which the students will topic. In developing their projects, classroom learning and real-world work will be determined on the basis students will be encouraged to think learning experiences are closely of the girls’ areas of interest, and a deeply and analytically, and they integrated. In Environmental Science mentor teacher, with relevant expertise, will work within the same parameters and in Humanities, for example, will be allocated to each group. The as those that ‘real’ researchers work learning is more hands-on and ‘real’ role of this teacher, not unlike that of a within. than in a typical classroom: the Master’s or PhD supervisor working with students have the opportunity to learn In addition to fostering the individual students, will be to guide There are few places in the world of The Howqua fitness program sees in the natural environment, where development of analytical and critical and probe the thinking of the group. education that push the traditional the girls begin the year with a 2.2 they study living flora and fauna, as thinking, the Experiential Learning boundaries more than Howqua does. km run. They then gradually increase well as creeks and rivers, and land Students will document their research Project will: Howqua is unique. To my knowledge, their distances, and by the end of use. Outdoor Studies also combines and learning in an e-portfolio. Portfolios Lauriston is the only girls’ school in the year are able to complete a run the theoretical with the practical • give our students opportunities will contain materials such as data Australia (and possibly the world) to from Mount Stirling to Mount Buller – a and the experiential. A regional tour to capitalise on previous learning tables; observations and other notes; I hear and I forget. I see and I provide its students with a year-long distance of approximately 18 km. provides the girls with experiences that experiences, including the City Cite records of interviews; photographs; remember. I do and I understand. experience that incorporates, in a encourage them to understand Art, program (Year 8) and our Howqua sketches; maps; lists of resources Yes, physical challenges abound at — Confucius boarding environment, the academic, Geography, History and Environmental program (Year 9); the girls will build (including web-based resources); Howqua, yet for most students the co-curricular and outdoor programs Science in ‘real-life’ contexts. Next year will see the launch of our on their prior learning in a number of group progress reports; and so on … experience of living with nine or ten offered at Howqua. new Year 10 Experiential Learning key areas, including other girls their age, in a small house, The culmination of the Experiential Project – an exciting innovation The philosophy underlying the pushes the boundaries in particularly • meeting challenges Learning Project will be the students’ in student-directed learning. This Howqua program is that by challenging ways. presentation of their findings to new program gives students the • working collaboratively challenging our Year 9 students their teachers, parents and peers. In Many of the girls are used to a home opportunity to ask ‘big’ questions on academically, physically and socially, • creative problem solving assessing the projects, we will look environment where they have their topics in which they are personally while at the same time meeting interested, and then, in groups (each at their content, at the students’ own space, a fair amount of privacy, • applying 21st century skills the girls’ pastoral care needs and knowledge and understanding of the and few household responsibilities. with a mentor teacher), to attempt providing constant support and concepts they have been exploring, Imagine, then, coming into a house to answer those questions through • cross-curricular learning encouragement, we are able to offer and at the level of depth of their where you are expected to share interactions with the wider world. an invaluable learning experience. • learning outside the classroom understanding. pretty much everything, and where The following are examples of the Our outdoor program challenges you have a wealth of responsibilities. • engaging with the wider world We are very excited about the Year big, cross-curricular questions that the students in many different ways. Each student has her own jobs to 10 Experiential Learning Project, and, students are likely to tackle: • effective communications Over the course of their Howqua do every morning and evening, must while it will require students to think The Howqua year pushes the year, the girls become proficient in keep the area around her bunk clean boundaries for parents, too. We • Would vegetarianism be better for • applying Lauriston and personal and work ‘outside the square’, it will hiking, navigation, camping, mountain and tidy, must be on time to classes ask parents to place the care and our planet? values to learning also allow them to achieve much that biking, horseriding, cross-country and and meals, and is required to pack (Year 10 subjects concerned with will assist them in their future studies wellbeing of their daughters in our downhill skiing, rock climbing, abseiling properly for all outdoor program issues raised by this question would • prepare the students for Senior and careers. hands. This cannot be easy, and yet include History, Science, Geography, College inquiry-based activities and canoeing – and continually push activities. allowing your daughter to experience (e.g. the extended essay required of Nene Macwhirter their own boundaries as they build Howqua means that she will have a Economics and Mathematics.) The girls are also expected to make our International Baccalaureate (IB) Deputy Principal / Head of Senior their skills and fitness levels. As they truly unique opportunity for learning every effort to get along with one • Do printed books have a future? students; Context writing (English); School gain proficiency in hiking, for example, and personal growth – and memories another, and to work together (Relevant subjects would include art journals; science experiments) the students progress from day walks for a lifetime. cooperatively to achieve goals. English and History.) to a six-day hike that covers between Throughout their time at Howqua, they 90 and 100 km. Sam Ridley are encouraged to recognise and Assistant Principal, Howqua 4 5 Howqua junior School

Reflections on Howqua Redefining the early years of learning

I completed my education in 2003, When I catch up with my old friends, after nine years of being at Lauriston. we still talk about our Howqua I attended Howqua in 2000 and must days. We reminisce about the funny say that Howqua was the highlight of dress-up parties, the strenuous hike my time at school. It tested my mental up Mount Buller, and the runs around and physical capabilities through the Ring Road. We talk about the The role of educating children in and in acquiring fundamental skills and To foster the development of these its incredibly diverse programs, such times we spent camping in the snow, for an ever-changing and complex understandings that will allow them to and other key dispositions, we as skiing, rock climbing, abseiling, swimming in the Howqua River or world is frequently the subject of access all future learning. need to ensure that children learn whitewater rafting, canoeing and doing our extremely challenging debate and commentary. We cannot how to learn; engage children by hiking. While Howqua could be six-day hike. Looking back, we still can’t Recent research, such as that accurately predict what the world providing them with authentic tasks tough at times, it was the rewarding believe we did all those things. I feel conducted by the US-based Time, will be like when the children who and encouraging skill acquisition friendships that I developed that extremely privileged that I was able to Learning, and Afterschool Task Force, are currently at kindergarten or in through problem solving; create definitely got me through. experience Howqua. indicates that in order for children the early primary years finally enter opportunities for students’ learning to to learn, and for their learning to be It feels like only yesterday that I was I now find myself a teacher at my old the workforce, and therefore we be personalised, so that the strengths sustained and transferred into the an excited Year 9 student, nervously school. It is lovely to reflect upon my cannot accurately predict what and interests of individual children are future, they need to have a number of waiting for the bus that was going time at Lauriston and at Howqua – they will need to know. What we catered for, and their needs met; and dispositions. to take us up to Howqua. Unsure and feel so nostalgic. I particularly can be sure of, however, is that our develop opportunities for students of so many things, I was certain enjoyed returning to Howqua for a children’s kindergarten and primary Dispositions conducive to the to contribute to their own learning of one thing – that it was going to staff day at the beginning of the year. school experiences will shape their development of a positive attitude by formulating ideas and offering be a life-changing year filled with It brought back a flood of memories views about learning, and their to learning include intrinsic curiosity suggestions that are then legitimised excitement and new possibilities. that I will never forget. predispositions in respect of all future and motivation; a capacity for as part of the teaching and learning Looking back now, I see that the year learning. excitement about and engagement process. at Howqua provided me with skills and Emma Neal (2003) with learning; a positive and realistic With this in mind, we can provide inner confidence to carry into my life. Kindergarten teacher sense of self-as-learner; a sense of learning environments that support I also realise, however, that Howqua empowerment and ownership with children in developing the capacity fostered something even more special, regard to learning; resilience and to make decisions, formulate their and that was an array of beautiful a willingness to take risks; and an own ideas, explore and research in friendships, which I treasure to this very ability to work independently and a variety of ways, persist when a task day. interdependently. is not easy, and take well-considered risks. We can also support children

6 7 junior School kindergarten

Risk taking in early learning

At Lauriston’s Kindergartens, we the educators have an image of the child as capable, confident, creative and curious. It is this image that directs us as we form relationships with the children: it influences how we talk to the children, how we listen to the children and how we observe the children. The understandings we develop through these relationships then help us to shape the learning environment and the learning situations we offer.

That is why every year, and for every Kindergarten group, the learning environment will look different and will invite children to play in it in a different way. As we listen and respond to the children’s own ideas, we build an environment that is unique to the As leading early childhood expert group that will inhabit it, and presents Kathy Walker points out in Play Matters: the kinds of challenges and poses The concept of risk often carries In young children, the development Investigative Learning for Preschool the kinds of questions that will allow negative connotations. However, while of behaviours – including making to Grade 2 (ACER Press, 2011), it is the children to learn from their current engaging in risk taking can lead to choices and taking risks – occurs at in such environments that children interests. negative outcomes, risk taking can a different rate for every child. Peer develop the foundation skills essential equally have very positive outcomes. behaviour can play an important part for future learning, particularly in the Within this environment, and always Being prepared to take a risk is in a child’s willingness to take risks, as areas of literacy and numeracy, while guided by our image of the child, fundamental to learning. Risk taking children will often prefer to observe Promoting a seamless curriculum, The pedagogical approaches that also finding themselves, discovering we as educators need to be flexible. promotes the acquisition of new skills others before they try something and seamless approaches to underpin the two phases of Lauriston’s their interests, and developing and We need to respond to the children’s and behaviours, and an awareness new themselves. In an early learning learning, across kindergarten and Early Years program – namely, the embracing a love of learning that will inquisitiveness with equal curiosity, and of new responsibilities. It also allows setting, educators play a vital role in the early years of school is also of Reggio Emilia philosophy, which last a lifetime. to explore, together with the children, children to become aware of their encouraging risk taking, by providing major importance. Children do not influences our Kindergarten program, the topics and questions raised in the Ann Hooper capabilities, and their potential to a supportive environment where suddenly, between the last day of and the Australian Developmental group. Kindergarten can never be Deputy Principal / Head of Junior learn new things and to absorb new children are able to learn about risk kindergarten and the first day of Prep, Curriculum, which is central to learning predictable, and we must be open School ideas when they abandon the familiar and to take risks safely, thus extending become ready to sit at their own desks at Blairholme – are based on sound and receptive to the possibility of in search of what they know less well. their capabilities. for long periods of time, completing research and proven practice, and plans changing as ideas grow. work sheets while having minimal both approaches respect and dignify An integral part of the early At kindergarten, children are Many of a child’s opportunities to take opportunities for rich interactions with early learning as a critical stage in a learning experience is play. Having constantly trying new activities, exciting risks occur in the playground, others. child’s development. opportunities for open-ended, and testing their personal limits, in where children can seek out activities Current research around early Both stages of our Early Years program child-directed play, in a rich learning their endeavours to become fully that allow them to explore the limits of learning emphasises that the reflect our belief in and commitment environment, is vital to children’s functioning, competent individuals. their abilities and encourage them to first years of primary school are a to learning that is child-focused, development. Play quality is enhanced Taking a risk can involve something assess and manage the risks involved. when children are challenged, within as simple as making a choice when unique stage of growth, and that and our dedication to providing We recently observed one of the the supportive kindergarten setting, to the outcome of a task or activity is it is vitally important for schools to learning environments that are rich children in our three-year-old take risks. unknown; in this situation, children provide their youngest students with and stimulating, that bring learning Kindergarten as she developed the need to weigh up what their choice a learning environment in which to life, and that promote creativity, ability to jump from an elevated may mean and where it will lead them they can engage in meaningful, active investigation, and concrete board to a mat on the ground. At – in other words, what its outcome is developmentally appropriate learning. experiences relevant to each child’s first she watched other children likely to be. stage of maturation. jumping, laughing with each other (and sometimes pushing!). Then she climbed up onto the board and hovered there. When a staff member

8 9 kindergarten Lauriston’s Libraries

Reading, research and beyond

challenge their own perceptions and responses, and push the boundaries of their imagination.

And our Senior Library does not wait for the students to come to the library – a pop-up library appears in the 7/8 Centre every Tuesday at lunchtime.

Sitting alongside the power of reading is the transformative power of knowledge. We know that students must be able to navigate and use information effectively if they are to meet the increasing demands of the knowledge society and to achieve success in their careers – some of them may even work in information- saturated careers that do not yet exist. But how do our students gain information literacy skills?

At Lauriston, library staff, working with teachers, prepare students for the At the core of librarianship lies a insights about the writing of Falling critical thinking, and the resource passion for promoting reading, and from Grace, and delighted and evaluation and analysis, that will be the belief that knowledge transforms captivated her audience. required of them in tertiary studies and lives. These dual focuses are what will also be a key element in lifelong Each year, our junior students are drive and motivate the library staff learning. Students are expected and introduced to the talents of many at Lauriston and ensure that we encouraged, however, to push the authors and illustrators during Book are constantly looking for ways to boundaries when it comes to research Week; the girls also produce their own encourage the girls to read and and not to expect that information will picture books, and bring stories to life research effectively. be handed to them on a platter. by dressing up as their favourite book Many studies have confirmed that characters. As part of the National This year, Lauriston students at all took both her hands, she was For children to achieve optimum In order to establish boundaries for students who read for pleasure are Year of Reading, Media students year levels are being introduced confident to jump. She jumped with development, they need boundaries. the children in our Kindergartens, we more likely to succeed academically. were invited to redesign the covers of to research skills. The girls acquire the staff member’s help for a number In fact, they beg for boundaries, as educators must work in partnership More reading results in greater literacy, books that have waned in popularity these skills over a long period of of days; then the educator suggested, although they do not know how to with families. When there are consistent a wider vocabulary, and broader or have less than interesting jackets – time, learning to search smarter, not ‘Let’s try one hand’. The child felt verbalise their need. If they do not boundaries in place both in the home knowledge. So how do Lauriston’s breathing new life into these volumes harder, as they gain competence in confident to let go with one hand and have boundaries, they are filled with and at kindergarten, children learn libraries promote reading? through the power of art. finding and managing information. jump. She was elated! The very next anxiety, insecurity and rebellion. When to understand that, when it comes to They also learn to critically evaluate First and foremost, we make sure that Our senior students have a say in day, she decided that this was the children step over the line, they want these boundaries, adults will act with and ethically apply the information our libraries are warm, welcoming the acquisition of titles for the Senior day she was going to jump with no you to stop them and they expect you authority; gaining this understanding they find – whether it be used for a places that invite students to read, to Library: the girls are invited to suggest support. She hovered on the plank for to stop them. They will often go as far supports the child’s development of a school assignment or for making a talk about books, and to explore new acquisitions, and to select books for a few minutes, and then – ‘Watch me,’ as they can, all the while expecting a sense of justice and fairness. life decision – and they discover the reading genres and push themselves the library when booksellers, laden she said and she was flying through limit to be placed on them. meaning of perseverance, of pushing Most importantly, however, boundaries beyond the books with which they are with tubs of new books, visit the School. the air. What excitement, what an boundaries until the job is done. Boundaries give children freedom by provide children with a safe and comfortable. Peer recommendations are a powerful achievement! She was ecstatic at her Finally, the development of information giving them the confidence to explore secure environment, thus promoting tool for fostering in students the desire triumph and we all celebrated. Now We also arrange for authors and skills nourishes in the students the spirit their environment, to challenge mental, intellectual and physical to read, and the books that the girls she jumps all the time. illustrators to visit Lauriston. Early this of inquiry that informs all aspects of a themselves, and to take risks; in the health and growth. themselves have introduced to the year, Jane Godwin, the author of the Lauriston education. Sitting alongside this strong image of absence of boundaries, and no longer library sit side by side with those that Robyn Ambler & Fiona Ireland novel Falling from Grace, came to the child, and the need for children experiencing the freedom that they library staff encourage students to Angela Mare Directors of Kindergartens the School and gave a talk to the to take risks, is the necessity of setting bring, children become wanderers. explore. These books often deal with Head of Library and Information Year 8s, who had been studying her firm, clearly defined boundaries. important concepts and issues in ways Services book. Jane shared with the girls many that lead students to think deeply, 10 11 Arts at Lauriston

Festival of Art 2012 The week of 29 July to 4 August saw Lauriston ablaze with the visual arts. The School was transformed, and students’ lives enriched, by a range of creative activities.

Nothing on the scale of our Festival of Art happens overnight. The Friends of Lauriston Arts, the wider School community, our teaching staff, and of course the students, worked passionately to develop events and The wider Lauriston community interpretations of published poetry, artworks for the Festival. The entrance demonstrated its commitment to the combined with the quirky and to the School was ‘yarn bombed’, to School’s arts program through its personal tales of contemporary life the delight of all. As we were sewing support of L’event, a major fundraising penned by the students, provided the yarn installation together, one of event held at the Melbourne gallery of wonderful entertainment. our elderly supporters arrived with the fine art auction house deutscher an Indigenous art workshop, as the work was developed by students in all The week finished in grand style, with her last lot of knitting, wondering how and hackett. This well-attended Year 10 students, led by artist Stan year levels from Kindergarten to Year thirty students and four staff members she was going to fill in her television evening saw an extensive range of Yarramunua, explored Indigenous 11, and many of the pieces featured flying to Hobart on the Saturday The diversity of the artworks, and viewing time, now that this project had artworks, by leading Australian artists, painting techniques, both traditional Lauriston’s iconic Moreton Bay fig tree. morning to visit the renowned Museum their confronting and often bizarre reached its conclusion. presented for both private sale and and contemporary. It was incredibly uplifting to see how of Old and New Art (MONA). After a content, together with the museum’s auction, to benefit the Lauriston arts a single subject could be interpreted stroll through the Salamanca Market, magnificent setting, made our time at Beyond the school gates, students All of the students who took part in program. At L’event, current and past in so many different and wonderfully we were bussed to MONA for what MONA a truly memorable experience participated in an array of art-related these activities were inspired both by parents joined together to celebrate inventive ways. would prove to be the art experience – and one that, fittingly, pushed our activities, under the expert guidance the art making and by the stories that art and its value in their daughters’ of a lifetime. MONA’s collection has to understanding of art well beyond its of professional artists. Indigenous the artists shared with them. The display also showed that art can education. artist Lee Darroch worked with Year truly be an individual or a collective be seen to be believed. previous boundaries. During the Festival the Irving Hall 4, introducing the girls to traditional undertaking, and can be made at any The School’s inaugural Poetry Slam foyer and the Mountain Room were David Morrison Indigenous crafts, while Years 5, 6 age. The girls are to be congratulated concluded the Festival, showcasing home to some three hundred vibrantly Head of Arts and 11 worked with Emma Sulzer, on their passion for art making, and the strength and depth of artistic coloured canvases, felt birds and learning the timeless art of tapestry their diligence in meeting a very tight talent within our student and staff possum-skin armbands. This body of weaving. The Senior Art Room became deadline. body. Fluent, often humorous,

12 13 Sport at Lauriston

The important role of coaches

Like Tim, Abdelhadi Deroune has been coaching at Lauriston for only a short time. Yet Abdel has already exerted a major influence on the School’s soccer team. Abdel plays professional soccer, as a goalkeeper and midfielder; he played in the Premier League in his native Morocco, and currently plays with the South Melbourne Football Club, in the Victorian Premier League competition. He says it is rewarding to see the enjoyment that Lauriston students gain from sport and from developing their sporting skills.

Emma Smith (2009) started coaching at Lauriston three years ago, and is currently coaching volleyball and netball.

‘I think that the best thing about Lauriston’s sporting program is the sense of involvement,’ says Emma. ‘Anyone from any level is welcome and encouraged to participate. GSV is well organised and the girls are always competing against other girls at the same level.’

The philosophy underlying Lauriston’s at Howqua, the Year 9 girls build their Dean Gasson, who coaches According to Sharyn Baddeley, sports program is that participation in, fitness as they undertake activities cross-country and middle distance coaches who attended Lauriston and enjoyment of, physical activities including abseiling, camping, athletics, has been at Lauriston for themselves have a deep are essential to personal wellbeing. canoeing, hiking, horseriding, the past fourteen years. An avid understanding of – and in fact mountain biking, running and skiing. cross-country and middle- and Instilling in our students a lifelong embody – the philosophy that long-distance runner, Dean has love of physical activity is a long-term The School’s extensive sports program underpins the School’s sports program. chalked up many wins and top-ten project. Physical education lessons is delivered by a core team of physical Sharyn says: ‘Not only do these young finishes during his own running are part of the school curriculum educators, and a dedicated team women have a lifelong love of physical career. For Dean, the best part of his for students in all year levels from of coaches who help students activity, but they are also helping to coaching role is ‘seeing the enjoyment Kindergarten to Year 10. From Prep develop the skills they need in order instil this value in our current students’. the girls get from participating in onwards, the girls also have the to participate in their chosen sports. sport, and seeing many of the girls Lauren Wilson (2009) currently opportunity, through Lauriston’s A number of Lauriston’s coaches participating in fun runs many years coaches Years 8 and 10 netball, co-curricular program, to participate in are experts in their field, and have after graduating from school’. volleyball, rowing and water polo. a range of physical activities, including themselves achieved significant Lauren says that sport has always sports, every week – some twice fact that everyone can be involved in ballet, diving, gymnastics, hip-hop and sporting success (four members of Tim Strapp has been coaching been a big part of her life. a week. I would definitely say that the sport that they want to play. Team tennis. Competitive sports in addition Australia’s current Olympic rowing at Lauriston for twelve months. A Lauriston sport gave me fantastic membership is not based simply on to tennis are introduced in Year 5, team have coached Lauriston specialist in alleviating sports injuries, ‘I started at Lauriston in Year 4, and sporting opportunities, and skills that ability – commitment and a desire to at which stage the girls are able to rowers!). Tim has been working closely with since then I have involved myself in I have carried into my own sporting be part of the team are of equal, if not compete in twenty-four different sports, the rowing team, as well as running almost all of the sports offered at the The School’s Director of Sport, endeavours now.’ greater, importance’. through Girls Sport Victoria (GSV). personal training sessions. ‘My most School – rowing, netball, swimming, Sharyn Baddeley, says of our sports important role is to make sure the girls’ volleyball, water polo, basketball, When asked for her thoughts about Marina Johnson Our Howqua program also plays coaches: ‘We have a diverse range of functional development occurs in a softball and snowsports. I also took Lauriston’s sports program, Lauren Director of Marketing and a major role in encouraging our coaches, including specialist trainers, systematic process,’ says Tim. part in sports outside of school says, echoing the sentiments Advancement students to develop a love of physical highly experienced generalists, and and went skiing regularly with my expressed by Emma: ‘The best part activity. Over the course of their year former students. Each coach brings family. I still play many of the same of the program would have to be the something different to the sports program, and the girls gain enormous benefit from this’. 14 15 t Lauriston Public Speaking a congratulations

Speaking up Acknowledging our students’ achievements A member of the 2012 Victorian State Young citizen committed to making a difference Debating Team and twice a state finalist in the prestigious VCAA Plain Lauriston Co-Captain Georgina Davie In accepting her award, Georgie said English Speaking Award, Georgia is a (Year 12) has received the City of that she was both honoured and passionate public speaker who has Stonnington’s 2012 Young Citizen of humbled. ‘I’m proud to be part of the inspired younger students to embrace the Year award. Stonnington community and to be able to support Inclusion Melbourne, the opportunities available to them at Georgie was nominated for the an organisation whose efforts make Lauriston. award by Inclusion Melbourne, a such a difference to the lives of those it nonprofit disability services provider. touches,’ she said. Participation in public speaking Inclusion Melbourne supports people competitions requires students to with intellectual disabilities to create According to Lauriston’s Principal, identify an area of interest, define lifestyles based on their individual Susan Just, Georgie is a shining their focus, research thoroughly, craft needs and interests. Georgie has example of a young woman carefully constructed arguments and been a regular volunteer at the committed to making a difference. exercise their oratory skills. Challenging organisation’s offices for the past ‘In addition to being a School and rewarding, involvement in eighteen months, working closely with Co-Captain, Georgie has been Lauriston’s public speaking program Inclusion Melbourne client Cuong as actively involved in the School’s music is voluntary and girls who participate he undertakes reception and office duties. and sporting programs, and in House comment frequently on the many activities. She often speaks about the ways in which they have benefited as Daniel Leighton, CEO of Inclusion value of broad involvement both in the a result of their involvement. Melbourne, says of Georgie: ‘As a School and in the wider community, volunteer, Georgie definitely lives up because she believes that this is a This year girls have entered a range to our ethos of inclusion and making positive way of making a contribution,’ of competitions, placing first in people feel valued, and she is a Susan says. regional finals and proceeding to wonderful role model for any volunteer. represent the School at state level. I know that Cuong, whom Georgina These competitions have included supports, and his family, really value the Rostrum Voice of Youth (Georgina the friendship they have formed’. Frazer); the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award (Chloe Gration); Bridget was the Deana travelled Natalie, a diver, joint winner of the the Debaters Association of Victoria’s to South Korea in recently returned annual student the July holidays, from diving at Junior Public Speaking Competition competition run to train for and the 3rd National (Felicity Huang, Caitlin Louey and by the Victorian compete in the 6th Sports Academy College of the Arts Chloe Sennitt); and the VCAA Plain World Taekwondo Diving Cup in Sofia, (VCA) School of Culture Expo. Bulgaria. Natalie Coordinating Lauriston’s public Our Debating and Public Speaking English Speaking Award (Alessandra Performing Arts’ Competitors won the gold speaking program has been Captain, Georgia Kay, has been Chinsen and Georgia Kay). Winter School, from twenty-four medal in her 1 m immensely fulfilling. In my capacity instrumental in coaching the which invited countries attended event, and silver in Our public speaking program is students to write the championships, her 3 m event. as coordinator, I work alongside younger girls in preparation for their a brief piece and Deana placed dynamic and continues to flourish. Bridget Hyland Deana Gheri Natalie Kozlov students from all year levels who have competitions. (Year 12) titled ‘Why I Love (Year 11) third in her division, (Year 11) taken up the opportunity to represent Our public speakers are confident, Drama’. The VCA winning a bronze ‘Public speaking has been a highlight was inundated with entries, from across medal. the School in public speaking articulate and committed and of my time at Lauriston and I’ve Victoria, but Bridget’s entry was judged joint competitions. should be congratulated on their fine winner because it ‘reflected a strong slant on benefited from the coaching program In early October, achievements. the world of acting’. Bridget was awarded Anna sailed in Clara will travel In 2012, we have hosted training just as much as the younger girls have. the wonderful opportunity of completing a the 2012 World to Caloundra, workshops run by Judith Field, of I know that the skills I’ve developed will Rachel Steele-MacInnis week-long intensive drama course at the VCA. Laser Radial Youth Queensland, to English teacher Championship, held Direct Speech, and have organised be an asset in future years and I’m so represent Victoria at Julienne, an in Queensland. She the 2012 Val Nesbitt peer coaching sessions, providing glad I decided to become involved avid golfer, won achieved four top-five U15, a national senior girls with the chance to in Year 7,’ she commented when the San Diego placings in the Girls championship Junior Masters Championship, to finish mentor younger girls taking part in reflecting on her involvement in public event hosted by Championship fifth overall, and was the Queensland competitions they themselves had speaking. in the Girls 15–18 crowned U17 World Badminton entered in previous years. It is always division. Anna Philip Champion. (Year 10) Clara Chen Association. Clara, a joy to supervise these sessions (Year 8) who has competed and observe friendships developing in many badminton tournaments and has won many trophies, between girls in various year levels. is currently ranked as Australia’s top U15 Julienne Soo (Year 10) badminton player.

16 17 congratulations staff profiles

Chloe successfully Kathryn was Charlotte was the to participate in the Year 9 outdoor When asked about her special participated in the Best Speaker winner of her division program. She feels proud of the interests outside Lauriston, Donna Legacy Junior Public (Junior School) in (U12 Female) at students as they make progress, while Speaking Award Lauriston’s inaugural the 2012 Buller Cup mentions overseas travel (she competition, making Poetry Slam, held Snowboard. She also thriving on their new experiences. recently returned from Peru), golf (she it to the state finals. during our recent placed second in ‘It’s extremely rewarding to challenge describes herself as ‘a happy hacker’ Festival of Art. her division in the 1st 2XU Mini Grand the girls and then see them come who can boast a hole in one), food Prix – Snowboard, through, smiling, at the other end,’ and wine, friends and family. and eighth in the 2nd Megan says. 2XU Mini Grand Prix – In her personal time Megan enjoys Chloe Gration Kathryn Lawrence Charlotte Batten Snowboard. (Year 8) (Year 6) (Year 6) being active and travelling to new places. During the July holidays, she and some friends rode their bikes Chloe won silver Lily, a dedicated Penelope’s medals in both around Sumatra, covering some 630 skier, gained second contribution to Freeskate 2 (Technical) km. Megan also loves listening to place at the Junior Lauriston’s inaugural and Artistic (10 Years National Mogul Poetry Slam, held in music, reading, and catching up with and Over) at the Megan Butler Championships August during our friends. Dragon City Trophy (Youth Women Festival of Art, was & Sun Loong Artistic division). judged Best Original Megan started working at Lauriston, Challenge figure Poem. skating competition, as a casual member of our outdoor held in Melbourne. program staff, in 2008. In her current As Lauriston Life goes role, as a full-time Outdoor Assistant, to press, Chloe is Lily Schwarz Chloe Di Gemma Megan works alongside the Director representing Victoria Penelope Giddy (Year 6) (Year 5) of Outdoor Programs, Stephen Dea. at the National (Year 4) Federation Challenge, in Canberra, and later this Together Megan and Stephen plan month she will compete at the Crystal Challenge, the outdoor program trips that take Shannon Huang to be held at Melbourne’s Icehouse. place every Tuesday and Wednesday. Megan’s role also includes preparing Stephanie Amalie achieved Hailing from mainland China, the equipment required for each trip, competed in second place in the Shannon completed a Bachelor of Taekwondo Best Speaker (Junior and undertaking reconnaissance so Victoria’s Victorian School) section that information on trips can be kept Arts degree at Shanghai International Technical at the School’s up-to-date. Studies University, majoring in Teaching Championships, inaugural Poetry Chinese as a Foreign Language. finishing third Slam. Megan is also one of the four fitness She went on to teach Chinese in her division. coordinators at Howqua, who plan The competition and organise the Year 9 students’ Donna Galloway to undergraduate students, in a was Individual college in Wuhan, for seven years. Traditional progressive running program. Poomsae, Ages Megan and her colleagues are After immigrating to Australia, in Stephanie Padgham Amalie Newbound Donna joined Lauriston in June this (Year 4) 8–10, Belt Level Red. (Year 2) now preparing the girls for their final 1999, Shannon obtained a Graduate Stephanie has now challenge for the year – the 18 km year as our Registrar. As Registrar, Diploma in Education at Monash qualified to represent Victoria in the Australian Donna is responsible for all local and Taekwondo National Championships. ‘Stirling to Buller’ run, to be held in University. November. international enrolments and spends Shannon joined Lauriston in 2009. In Megan has a Certificate III in Fitness, much of her time showcasing Lauriston her first three years with us, she taught and a Diploma of Outdoor Recreation to prospective students and their and Business from Holmesglen. She is families. Donna joined Lauriston from Chinese to students in Years 7, 8 and currently studying towards a Bachelor Toorak College, Mount Eliza, where she 10. Since the introduction of Chinese of Applied Science (Adventure had been managing enrolments since to the Junior School curriculum (in Ecotourism) degree from Charles Sturt 2002. 2011), Shannon has been teaching University. She has worked for outdoor Prep to Year 3, as well as Year 7. education providers (including Donna has extensive experience Having been influenced by her Felicity Huang, Caitlin Louey and Stephanie Krohn, Helena Lansell and Bindaree Outdoors, Lake Mountain in education, having also worked Chloe Sennitt (Year 7) Madison Mursell (Year 4) Alpine Resort, and Stirling Experience), at Ashridge Management College parents, who are retired teachers, as well as for schools. (Berkhamsted, UK), Monash Mt Eliza Shannon has a passion for education, Felicity, Caitlin and Chloe made it to the state finals Congratulations to Stephanie, Helena and of the Debaters Association of Victoria’s Junior Madison, who placed third in the Division 5 Girls The decision to pursue a career in Business School, RMIT University, and and particularly for the teaching of Public Speaking Competition. Tyrol Cross Country Classic (Teams) at the 2012 outdoor education and recreation CYW Consulting (Shanghai, Beijing Chinese as a foreign language. When Victorian Interschools SnowSports Championships. came easily to Megan, because and Guangzhou). her students achieve milestones in she loves being active in the natural their Chinese, Shannon feels extremely environment and she enjoys sharing Donna is passionate about education gratified to have contributed to their her knowledge of the environment. At in general and about her role at success. Howqua, she loves being able to assist Lauriston, where she particularly enjoys the girls in developing their fitness and establishing relationships with staff, In her spare time, Shannon enjoys the various skills they need in order students, and prospective students reading, cycling, sudoku, karaoke, and and their parents. relaxing with her family and friends.

18 19 staff profiles Lauriston Institute

Technology in the classroom

For those of us who are old enough • accessing educational apps Alicia McGain to remember manual typewriters, and • accessing educational content In her spare time, Lauriston’s School computation machines based on the on the internet Nurse, Alicia McGain, works on a Hollerith punched-card system, today’s voluntary basis providing support technology – in the form of laptops, • making videos, taking photos and to intellectually disabled athletes. iPads, netbooks and handheld making voice recordings, for use In December this year she will be devices – is simply mind-boggling. But, both in classroom learning and in leading a delegation of athletes and while it might faze adults, it does not assignments supporters to the Special Olympics faze our children in the slightest. Junior National Games. • submitting work for assessment. The key pedagogical question is, We asked Alicia to tell us a little bit how much is too much? In a recent In many ways, the advent of the new about her experiences as a volunteer article in the Age (26 July 2012), the devices has created opportunities for with Special Olympics. paper’s Technology Editor, Garry Barker, all children to use technology without suggests that most if not all students adverse impact on the all-important Special Olympics is a worldwide are engaged by the new technologies classroom atmosphere. Nevertheless, movement that inspires people with and expect to be connected wherever at Lauriston we are very conscious an intellectual disability to reach their they go. Barker quotes Gary Bass, a that in using technology as a learning 2012 Special Olympics Victoria Junior National Games State Team. personal best through regular sport tool we must not allow our learning teacher at Macleod College and opportunities for learning. (Articles by and competition. environments to be overwhelmed by it. an Apple Distinguished Educator, Alan November can be accessed at: I’m an athletics coach, the State We continue to trial the new devices, It is not a single event and it is not as saying that the iPad is an almost novemberlearning.com/resources/ Athletics Coordinator for Special while constantly monitoring and just for the elite. Instead Special essential tool in the classroom. Bass archive-of-articles.) Olympics volunteers provide sports Olympics Victoria and the Chair of the says that what can be achieved with evaluating their use. For our teachers, opportunities for all people with an Melbourne Inner East region. All of the a whiteboard can also be achieved professional learning also plays a very Importantly, wherever technology intellectual disability regardless of their roles are voluntary. I was fortunate to using iPad technology, which, Barker important part in ensuring that they is utilised as a learning tool, a skills, and they do this every week in attend the Special Olympics National points out, offers users some 220,000 gain a deeper understanding of how balance has to be struck so that its communities across Australia. Games held in Adelaide in April apps. to use technology appropriately – as adoption is not at the expense of the 2010, and was also selected as the adults, we need to ‘get up to speed’. social aspects of life. The learning While some Special Olympics athletes Athletics Assistant Coach for Team If we look at the possible applications conversation and exchanges of views Alan November, a pioneer in the strive to win medals, others enjoy Australia in the 2011 World Games, for the new technologies in an are fundamental to learning and to field of education technology, the chance to get active, have fun, held in Athens. The World Games are educational setting, we find that the acquisition of social competency. argues in a very cogent way make friends and be part of a family. the equivalent of the Olympics for most of those I have referred to are for the use of technology in the Whatever their motivation, we cater for people with intellectual disabilities, capable of contributing meaningfully Lauriston’s Howqua program takes classroom. November’s view is that them by providing meaningful sports and included 7500 athletes (including to learning. Laptops, tablet computers a unique approach to technology. wise schools and teachers will be programs delivered within a supportive 131 from Australia), representing 175 and handheld devices can enhance While the students have access The Junior National Games will be able to embrace technology and environment where people with an countries. These trips were amazing learning when used for purposes such to technology in the classroom, held 6–10 December in Newcastle, use it to create extraordinary new intellectual disability are accepted experiences and witnessing Special as: social media (e.g. Facebook and NSW. and can feel proud. Olympics athletes participate in such Twitter) are not available and the girls communicate with their families competitions is truly life-changing. Personally, I’m really looking forward to I’ve been involved with Special in writing. Interestingly, the students heading to Newcastle and seeing the Olympics for about ten years. Initially This year I have been selected as don’t seem to pine all that much athletes participate in sporting events, we started up an athletics program the Head of Delegation to lead Team for the technology they don’t have. but, also, enabling these children that involved fortnightly coaching Victoria to the Junior National Games. Anecdotal evidence suggests that to represent their state in a sporting in my local area with a group of This event will involve approximately for many of them Howqua offers a competition and establishing that about fifteen athletes with intellectual 300 athletes (including 19 from welcome break from the dominance team spirit will be fantastic. disabilities, ranging in age from 8 to Victoria) with an intellectual disability, of technology in their world. more than 50 years old. competing in two sports. The Victorian I would like to acknowledge the Maybe, after all, there is still room for athletes will be accompanied by 11 support that Lauriston offers, as this sometimes doing things the traditional officials comprising coaching, medical enables me to volunteer my skills, and way. It is all about balance. and team support staff. therefore provide the opportunities for the athletes involved. This high ratio of volunteers to athletes Nick Thornton Director, Lauriston Institute enables many children, who would For more information on the Special not otherwise get the opportunity to Olympics Junior National Games, visit travel with a sports team, to have this specialolympics.com.au/juniorgames. amazing experience. 20 21 Lauriston Foundation From the Archives

Many ways to show your support Lauriston Olympians

The philanthropy of our School In recent weeks, Australians have Sally Bachman (Rodd, 1973) Stephanie Moorhouse community plays a key role in helping enjoyed watching the spectacle Represented Australia in alpine skiing (2005) us achieve our aspirations for girls’ of the London Olympics. While the at the Innsbruck Winter Olympics in Won a gold medal in artistic education. In recent issues of Lauriston achievements of Australia’s Olympic 1976. gymnastics at the 2002 Life, we have focused on bequests athletes are fresh in our minds, we Commonwealth Games, held in and the Lauriston Foundation’s Annual would like to update the information Ondine McGlashan (1979) Manchester. Competed in artistic Appeal as two important means by we currently have on Lauriston’s Represented Australia in alpine skiing gymnastics at the Athens Olympics which members of our community Olympians and Commonwealth at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics in in 2004. can support the School. However, Games athletes, who are listed below. 1984. there are many other ways to help Victoria Brown (2003) Lauriston continue to offer innovative Margot Evans (1958) Sue Chapman-Popa (1980) Won a bronze medal for water polo academic and co-curricular programs Was a member of the Victorian Won a bronze medal in rowing at the at the 2012 Olympic Games, held in that engage, inspire and instil a love of women’s hurdling team at the 1962 Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. London. learning in our students. British Empire and Commonwealth Games, held in Perth. Supporting our arts program is such Jenny Danks (Lidgett, 1982) If you have further names to add to this list, or further information on any a mechanism, and one that helps Competed in 470 class sailing at the of the athletes listed, please contact ensure that we are able to provide – Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996) Lauriston’s Archivist, Jenny Bars, at both now and into the future – vibrant, Olympics. dynamic and inspiring arts-focused [email protected]. activities for our students.

Our inaugural Festival of Art (see Recent donation pages 12 & 13) was a wonderful The Archives recently received a celebration of art at Lauriston and small autograph book containing brought together all of our students, wonderful sketches and watercolours from Kindergarten through to Year 12. The donation of Dorothy’s painting was Part of the funding needed in order produced by Lauriston students in the facilitated by Lauriston parent Peter that the research can proceed has early 1940s. Some of the girls’ imagery, In the course of the Festival, Lauriston Strover and Rod Eastgate, a director of been secured, thanks to support from which is marvellously evocative of the was yarn bombed, poetry slammed Eastgate & Holst Dealers in Fine Art. the School community; however, further period, is reproduced here. The School and painted, and our students were financial support is still required. would like to thank Mr Joe Clough, able to learn from professional artists Another way to show your support Nannette Johnson who found the book in a box of and craftspeople as well as having the for Lauriston is to help fund important Marina Johnson garden tools and delivered it in person opportunity to work on collaborative research that will enable us to ensure Director of Marketing and to the Archives. artworks and to develop their own that we continue to offer our students Advancement pieces. innovative and effective academic Jenny Bars For further information on the various and co-curricular programs. Archivist The School received a marvellous ways in which you can support donation during the Festival: We have recently begun conversations Lauriston, please contact the Director Cherry Kaye the painting Party, 1988, by Old with two universities about research of Marketing and Advancement, Lauristonian and well-known modernist projects in two key areas: gender, Marina Johnson, on (03) 9864 7525 or artist Dorothy Braund (1943). leadership and secondary education; email [email protected]. Dorothy has exhibited widely and and the tangible benefits of Lauriston’s is represented in the collections of Year 9 program. several major Australian art museums, The findings from formal research including the National Gallery of in these areas will allow us to better Australia, the National Gallery of understand the value of the learning Victoria and the Art Gallery of South programs we currently offer our Australia. Joan Duncan students, and also to identify further opportunities for enhancing and developing our programs in line with the evolving needs of 21st century June Morton learners. Peggy Roark

22 23 Community News Community News

OLA prepares to celebrate centenary Alumni profiles McCaughey’s remarkable life, from his in Melbourne. He was a charming Belfast childhood through to his death man who brought out the best in in 2005. everyone he met and he was held in high esteem and affection by almost Sarah has had a long involvement everyone who knew him. His story was with Lauriston. A student at the School so interesting that after his death I felt from Kindergarten to Year 12, she compelled to write it’. subsequently graduated with a BA, BEd from the University of Melbourne. Sarah’s decision to write McCaughey’s She then spent a year and a half biography saw her return to university. travelling overseas. When she returned ‘[The project] took me back to uni as A gathering of the OLA in the 1940s to Melbourne, she took up a teaching a student, and I completed a Master’s position at Lauriston and, with time degree and a PhD researching his life. The Old Lauristonians’ Association We will be launching our centenary range of qualities, including a positive off for babies and a three-year stint in The tricky bit then was to combine the reaches an important milestone in celebrations with a luncheon on attitude to learning, and enthusiasm Canberra, taught French, English and two theses into a readable book for 2013 – our 100th anniversary. Over the Saturday 23 March 2013. This event for the fun and challenging year at History at the School for twenty years. the general public. The whole thing past one hundred years, the OLA has is open to all Old Lauristonians and Howqua that lies ahead. Lauriston has been an enormously satisfying welcomed more than eight thousand will encompass a number of next girls have been benefiting from the In 1991, while still teaching, Sarah project, in the course of which I members, has worked hard to create year’s major class reunions (20th, 25th, unique and life-changing Howqua began working part-time in Lauriston’s discovered a complex and interesting a connected alumni community, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th and 50th), with experience for twenty years, and the Development Office. Two years later man. I hope that will resonate with has supported Lauriston students by each reunion group having its own OLA wishes the current Year 8s all the her role with the Development Office readers,’ Sarah says. awarding bursaries and scholarships, dedicated meeting area. Please keep best for their Howqua year in 2013. became a full-time job, when she and has provided significant funding Saturday 23 March 2013 free on your Applications for the Howqua Bursary Sarah Martin took over the writing and editing Davis McCaughey: A Life is Sarah’s for major projects at the School; calendar for what will be a fabulous have now closed and we will be (Meldrum, 1965) of Lauriston’s newsletter and the first book, but it has whetted her in addition, a member of the OLA celebration at the School. Further announcing the recipient soon. publishing of materials relating to enthusiasm for writing, and at the age Sarah always wanted to write, Committee sits on the Lauriston information will be included in the the School’s educational initiatives, of sixty-three she has just begun her Can you help us make the OLA’s and is delighted that her book Foundation and the School Council. December issue of Lauriston Life. including the newly developed third career – as an author. centenary luncheon a success? Davis McCaughey: A Life will be in We look forward to providing continued Howqua program. This year the OLA has extended its If you would like to assist us with bookshops in October. Published by support to alumni, and to the School, Join Sarah at the Wheeler Centre bursary and scholarship program organising this event, or would like UNSW Press, it is the first biography of into the future. Sarah’s experience in development on 26 November, at 6.15 pm, as she through the introduction of a new to donate to the Howqua Bursary, McCaughey, an influential theologian work opened the way to her reads from her new book and answers grant – the Howqua Bursary. This $5000 please contact Prudy Barker, OLA who arrived in Australia from Britain in appointment as Development audience questions. The event is bursary will be awarded each year President, at [email protected]. 1953. McCaughey went on to become Manager at Ormond College. It was presented as part of the Wheeler to a Year 8 girl who demonstrates a the Master of Ormond College at the here that she met Davis McCaughey, Centre’s Debut Mondays program. For University of Melbourne and to play who had been Master at the College more information, visit wheelercentre. a leading role in the establishment from 1959 to 1979. Sarah says of com. of the Uniting Church in Australia. Davis McCaughey: ‘I became aware The culmination of his illustrious of the enormous influence he had career was his appointment as had on generations of students, and Governor of Victoria in 1986. Sarah’s the significant role he had played biography explores the many facets of in modernising several institutions

Lauriston Life is distributed to more Lauriston Life than 6000 families, both locally and internationally. In order to reduce our to go digital environmental footprint, we are now offering the Lauriston community the in 2012 opportunity to receive this magazine via email. If you would like to receive future issues of We’re on Facebook Lauriston Life electronically, please email our You can now keep in touch with Lauriston, and with the OLA, via Facebook. Next time you visit Communications Officer, Katie Garrett, on garrettka@ Facebook, why not visit the School’s page, at www.facebook.com/LauristonArmadale. Then lauriston.vic.edu.au. Alternatively, please visit our website just search on Old Lauristonians to access the OLA’s page. ‘Like’ our pages to ensure that you (www.lauriston.vic.edu.au), where you will need to click on receive all our latest news. ‘Community’, and then select ‘Subscribe to Lauriston Life’.

24 25 Community News Community News

job in a plant nursery and studied horticulture at TAFE in the evenings. News of Old Faye is currently living in Baguio City Over the years, Jean has also I spent the next fifteen years working in the Philippines, where her husband supported children’s groups, at the State Schools’ Nursery, which Lauristonians is on an overseas posting with the including CleftPALS, a group for was established in the early 1900s to aeronautical engineering company parents of children born with cleft provide plants for school gardens and Mina Foundation update Moog. lip and/or palate. Jean has been to educate children in horticultural married for twenty-one years and As reported in the December Faye says that the weather in Baguio principles. has two sons (19 and 13 years old). 2011 issue of Lauriston Life, Jillian City, which is about 260 km north of It was during this time that I met Hocking (1976) has been working Manila and is located at an elevation Jo Muir (Dickie, 1998) gardening identity Kevin Heinze, who for the United Nations Assistance of 5300 feet, is quite similar to that in went on to become a good friend and Mission in Afghanistan, and on her Melbourne. mentor. Kevin visited the nursery when weekends has been assisting the Faye expects to be living in the I was working with a group of disabled Kabul-based Mina Foundation. Philippines for the next five years. people undertaking work experience. Established in 2009, the Foundation I guess my combination of botanical helps young girls and war widows, knowledge and teaching expertise offering classes in sewing, using Jean Sheehan resonated with him, for he invited me computers, and English. (Michailidis, 1984) to take over his role as host on the Towards the end of last year, ABC’s Sow What program. I found this Lauriston families donated a quite amusing, given that I was very large number of books to the After graduating from Lauriston, shy when I was a girl and would blush Jo completed a Bachelor of whenever anyone spoke to me. Here I Contemporary Arts, Photography body. If I missed a lesson Mrs Taylor was, being offered a role on television! Jane Edmanson, OAM and Drama degree at Deakin always had the time to go through I think my time at Lauriston gave me University. Jo then worked as a (1967) the missed lesson with me to ensure I the confidence to make the leap into photographer for a design studio, Jane Edmanson, gardening expert understood what had been covered television; you were instilled with the before moving to Qantas, where she and a presenter on the ABC’s in class. belief that if something challenging worked initially as a flight attendant Gardening Australia program, takes comes, you don’t avoid it, you jump I also learned Latin, which was taught and then as a member of the time out from her busy schedule to into it. by Principal Gladys Davies. This was a airline’s ground staff. share her story with us. terrifying experience but Miss Davies During that time each state had Foundation, for use in its English After nursing for fifteen years, Jean Jo, who has ridden horses most I started at Lauriston in secondary did manage to get the best out of me! a gardening program, but these language classes. Our photo commenced a career in metaphysical of her life, has now taken a path school. My family were from Mildura Studying Latin has proved invaluable, were stopped and combined into a shows Jillian attending the and quantum physics, teaching pursuing a dual role – as Mum to and they made considerable sacrifices given my involvement in horticulture; national program, and Gardening graduation of an Introduction to into the health and education her son, Max, and as a dressage so that I could attend the School. it gave me a significant advantage Australia was born. I’ve now been English class. systems alternative life skills for an rider. when it came to understanding the involved with the program for I remember we had a tour of the For further information on the Mina empowered life. Jean’s work has botanical names of plants. twenty-three years. ‘I first became serious about my School on my first day; Mum looked at Foundation, please visit www. included professional development riding when I was twenty-three, and the tennis courts and exclaimed, ‘Jane After Matriculation the range of further Gardening offers incredible minafoundation.org. for schoolteachers, around children’s was very fortunate to be trained will just love that!’ and she was right. study options available to girls was therapeutic benefits. Gardens are personalities. by the late showjumping veteran limited – it was typically teaching or places where people can relax, reflect, Faye Vawdrey (Hill, 1973) I joined the tennis team and in my Jean has worked in Bali, Thailand, Jack Gilchrist, whose wife, Marianne nursing. I pursued the teaching path be inspired and connect with the final year was vice-captain of the France, India and Kuala Lumpur with Gilchrist, was Australia’s leading and completed a Bachelor of Arts/ environment. A great example is the tennis team and Andrews House. Being her company, Millennium Education. showjumper in the 70s and 80s,’ says Diploma of Education at Monash Royal Talbot Hospital with its sensory involved in Lauriston’s sports program She continues to coach individuals Jo. ‘I’m now training with professional University. garden. (I also played basketball and baseball and groups, and has trained others to dressage rider Sylvia McLachlan, and enjoyed running) unlocked a I remember my first teaching A final thought on Lauriston? When become practitioners and teachers of who competes at both state and wealth of unknown talents, which were experiences at Dimboola High School; you look at Lauriston, I think the Millennium Modality. national levels.’ further developed by some inspiring here I was, teaching Australian History school culture has produced, and In 2010, Jean was nominated for the With husband Andy, and Max, Jo staff members and the School’s to students who were only three years continues to produce, independent Telstra Business Women’s Awards, and (who is expecting another baby in sporting facilities. younger than me! and successful young women who In November 2011, Faye has also been a finalist in the Sunshine October) has moved to a property are achieving highly in their chosen I was a middle-of-the-road student After taking a year off to explore completed a Master of Social Coast Business Women’s Network out of Geelong so that she can field. We need to celebrate these academically but enjoyed History Africa and the highlights of Egypt, Science (Human Services – Business Woman’s Awards. spend more time training two horses achievements! and Literature. Mrs Taylor, my Biology and to learn some Italian, I decided it Counselling) degree at Swinburne for competition. teacher, was a great influence; I loved was time for a career change. When University. learning about plants and the human I returned to Australia I secured a

26 27 Community News Community News

Weddings According to Jo, dressage is In 2010 Sandra commenced Phoebe, who taught gymnastics Births Vale primarily about building the strength Advanced Surgical Training in Urology. at Lauriston while completing her and balance of the horse, and an Also in 2010, Sandra married Dougald Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degree understanding between horse and Elmer. The couple welcomed son Harry at the University of Melbourne, rider. ‘In dressage training,’ Jo says, in July 2011. commenced her doctorate in ‘you are focusing on developing 2009. Her research was focused on the horse’s natural abilities and Emily Ryan (Duncan, 1999) paediatric obsessive compulsive strengthening the horse so that it is disorder, which, she believes, the able to carry more of its weight on medical profession is becoming the hindquarters and to perform a better equipped to identify and treat. range of specified movements with power and expression. The stronger Phoebe is currently in private the horse, the more they can do practice on the Gold Coast, working and the better the quality of the in child and adolescent psychology, Briony Davenport (2002) and she hopes to continue movement. It’s a bit like horse ballet!’ Briony and partner Dion Hall Amelia Beech (2000) practising in this field. Amelia and Ben Chamberlain Jo hopes to continue working with welcomed Theadora (Thea) Violet married on 2 April 2011, at Amelia’s the two horses she has in training, on 17 June 2012. Briony, a teacher Caitlin Ripper (2005) home, Pinehill, at Metcalfe in central so that they develop the strength, Emily first became involved with the and tutor at our Howqua campus, is Since leaving Lauriston, Caitlin has Victoria. and learn the skills, that they will charity Very Special Kids while she was currently on maternity leave; Dion also Ruth Marcelle Hensall (1994) been volunteering with Scarf, a need in order to progress through at Lauriston, through her role as House teaches at Howqua. The Lauriston community was Melbourne-based nonprofit social the various levels of dressage Captain of Mitchell House. She is now saddened in July to learn of the enterprise. competition. Chairman of Very Special Kids’ Friends death of Ruth, who attended Year 12 Committee (fundraising committee) Future Lauristonians? at the School. Ruth’s partner, Jacob Sandra Hallamore (1999) and loves being involved with what If you are expecting a future Torney, has provided the following she describes as ‘an amazing charity’. Lauristonian, please contact our information on Ruth’s journey after she Registrar on 9864 7555 to register left Lauriston. Very Special Kids provides counselling your interest in securing a place and other support services to at Lauriston for your child. After graduating from Lauriston, Ruth families caring for a child with a completed a BA (Hons) in English life-threatening illness. Very Special Kids and Classics and a BSc in Geology, at House, which is just around the corner the University of Melbourne, in 2002. from Lauriston, in Glenferrie Road, She then left to work as an English offers planned and emergency respite Engagements teacher in Korea and eventually as well as end-of-life care. moved to Scotland with her fiancé. Amanda Szakiel (2001) She returned to Australia in 2005 and ‘The Very Special Kids Piggy Bank Amanda married Joshua Tebb at began a postgraduate Diploma in Appeal is now on,’ Emily says. ‘So if you Scarf works with restaurants to Lorne in April this year. Josh is the Environmental Management at RMIT, After leaving Lauriston, Sandra see a piggy driving around please provide hands-on hospitality training brother of Old Lauristonian Kirsten working in the field of environmental studied Medicine at the University help feed him so they can reach their and mentoring to marginalised Tebb. Amanda and Kirsten lived in the consulting at Australian Landscape of Melbourne, graduating in $1 million target!’ youth who face barriers to obtaining same house at Howqua and have Trust and ICLEI until she gave birth to 2005. In 2002–03, she travelled to fair access to training and to work remained close friends ever since. daughter Emily in 2008. Kenya to undertake an Advanced Phoebe Lodge (2001) opportunities. Many Scarf trainees Lauriston staff members Sam Ridley Medical Science research year, are refugees. (Assistant Principal, Howqua) and Mel Ruth completed her Grad Dip and investigating malaria in pregnancy, looked at converting it into a Master’s, Caitlin coordinates all Scarf Dalheimer (Coordinator of Pastoral Keeping in touch before completing her internship which she had nearly completed bookings. ‘It’s a fantastic Care and Boarding at Howqua) with Lauriston at the Geelong Hospital. In 2007 as of July 2012. She returned to organisation, started by young became engaged in mid July. Sandra returned to Melbourne to If you know of an Old work in Warrnambool in 2010, at people for young people,’ she start Basic Surgical Training, and The couple met at Howqua, about Lauristonian who has recently the Warrnambool City Council, and says. ‘The organisation is currently in 2009 was awarded a Master of three years ago. ‘We lived next to each moved interstate or overseas, in 2012 she began working as a recruiting mentors for our Spring Surgery degree on the basis of her other in the staff houses,’ Mel says. please let us know, or, better Landcare Facilitator in Ballarat. Scarf program, running from Monday investigation into the relationship ‘Sam used to let himself into my house still, put her in contact with us, 1 October to Monday 3 December.’ Ruth passed away in a motor vehicle between circumcision and HIV. to start the fire for me so it was warm so that we can update her when I got home … He won me over accident on 14 July 2012, aged Phoebe has recently been awarded a To learn more about volunteering at details in our database and with his thoughtfulness!’ thirty-five. She is survived by Emily, aged Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) degree Scarf, visit scarfcommunity.org. keep in touch. There are some exciting alumni networks being four, her parents, Bill and Dianne, her from Griffith University. Mel and Sam hope to marry around established abroad in 2012. younger brother, Evan, and her partner, Easter next year, at Sam’s parents’ Jake. property in the country. 28 29 Community News Community News

Vale

Margaret Elizabeth Viney Margaret returned to teaching, to Class of 1959, 70th birthday celebration Class of 2002, 10-year support her family, when her husband (Wellington, 1937) Twenty-six members of the Class of 1959 met on 31 March for a joint celebration contracted poliomyelitis and was reunion Margaret (known as Wig or Wiggy to of their 70th birthdays. The suggestion for this lunchtime event came from ‘the hospitalised for a year. Several years More than thirty girls attended their her friends and family) passed away Sydney contingent’, and Dee Beville (Sheezel) very generously offered her home later, following the dissolution of her 10-year reunion. on 10 June, aged ninety-two. as our venue. We all had such a happy time, catching up and swapping school marriage, Margaret married fellow memories, and sharing news of current activities. Some classmates hadn’t met Margaret was born on the kitchen teacher Jack Viney. He died tragically up for over fifty years! table at her family home in Armadale soon after their marriage, and in 1919, the youngest of four children Margaret went to live on a small farm born to Elizabeth and Frank Wellington. at Korumburra. Both Margaret and her elder sister In later life, Margaret moved to Dorothy attended Lauriston for the Horsham, and then to Redcliffe in whole of their school lives: from Queensland, while maintaining a kindergarten to Form 6. While Dorothy Margaret returned to Lauriston, as a close connection with her family and excelled academically, Margaret part-time teacher of needlework, in the friends in Melbourne. shone on the sports field. She was war years 1942–45. L–R: Jane Glowrey, Zoe Tostevin, Emily Milne a member of the tennis, baseball, Margaret is survived by her daughter (Brown), Sarah Edgar, Alex Harvey. hockey and running teams, and, Margaret’s other talent was for music, Robin, son Andrew, stepson Richard, in her final year at Lauriston, was and it was while playing second violin eight grandchildren and eight great- Vice-Captain of Mitchell House and in the Zelman Memorial Symphony grandchildren. captain of the hockey team. Orchestra that she met her future Jenny Bars husband Frank Bell. After her marriage, Upon leaving school, Margaret in 1947, Margaret went to live in the L–R Back row: Lis Moglia (Alsop), Pam Lee, Pam Borin (McLeish), Jenny Ward (Loughrey), Judy enrolled at the Invergowrie Homecraft Sennitt (Mogg), Wendy Forbes (Penwarden), Jacki Burgess (McElroy), Fiona Aitchison, Carolyn then rural suburb of Croydon, where Hostel, where her talent for needlework Raymond (Johnson), Janet Guthrie (Hasker). she put into practice the domestic Middle row: Barb Wilde (Green), Denise Hose (Simpson), Mandy Matthews (Damman), Gill Cohen, was honed. After working as a science skills she had learned at Marg Edmonds (King), Wendy Chandler (Marks), Meryl (Mem) Alexander, Diana Jones (Lees), seamstress for a number of years, Margaret Birch (Deane), Margaret Black (Fabinyi). Invergowrie. L–R: Jann Macrae (1964), Anne Abbink Front row: Dee Beville (Sheezel), Barb Lonie (Hattam), Helen Wirtz (Isaachsen), (Beckingsale, 1965), Irene Young (1967), Helen Ann Knowles (Mountain), Sue Sennett (Farquhar). Dunn (1954), Jill Goddard (1957), Gail Tulloch Absent: Sue Brown (Metz). (1958), Susan Just. Reunions and other events Class of 2007, 5-year reunion Queensland Class of 1967, 45-year reunion Lauriston staff members Jo Amott (left) and Joan Hammonds (centre) joined Alumni Lunch more than twenty girls from the Class of 2007 as they celebrated their 5-year This reunion was a special evening for Denise Freedman, who volunteers at Lauriston’s Principal, Susan Just, was reunion. Jo, who taught the girls Physical Education, says she has fond memories Lauriston one afternoon a week, helping the School to remain connected with a welcome guest at the annual of them. ‘They were a fantastic bunch of girls, whom I shared many laughs with,’ Old Lauristonians. Although travel and other commitments meant that a number Queensland Alumni Lunch, held in Jo says. ‘It was great to see them again and hear about what they’ve been up to of alumni from this year group were unable to join in their reunion celebrations, early July. Anne Abbink (Beckingsale, over the past five years. I look forward to seeing them again in years to come.’ those who were able to attend the reunion had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. 1965) says that Susan’s presence was much appreciated.

‘Susan was interested – and amused at times! – by our stories of our time Enjoying the reunion were: Vanessa Hewitt at Lauriston, the good and the bad!’ (Ford), Melissa Dundas, Stacey Colquhoun, Anne says. ‘We chatted about the Pauline Mak, Melissa Donnelly (Hagen) and Tori Leask. school trips that were available during our time (they were mostly within Class of 1987, Australia), and now, when students 25-year reunion have the opportunity to travel overseas on school trips. We were also interested Tammy Zanchi (Blahovec) reports on in Susan’s news of developments at the Class of 1987’s 25th reunion: ‘It the School over the years, particularly was a wonderful night – lots of laughs L–R: Mary Stephen, Robin Gale Baker, Denise Freedman(Goodman). the geographical expansion of the and good memories. We were all School into neighbouring properties, there because we loved our time at which were residential homes when we Lauriston! We have already planned were at Lauriston.’ another get together, in November’. 30 31

Term 4 Events Monday 8 October – Tuesday 11 December

VCE Recital Vocal Soiree Thursday 11 October, 5.00–7.00pm Wednesday 31 October, 5.00–7.00pm Senior Old Girls Lunch Year 5 2013 Parent Information Evening Friday 12 October, 10.45am–2.00pm Thursday 8 November, 7.00–8.00pm Howqua 2013 Parent and Student Information Evening Class of 2011 1-Year Reunion Thursday 18 October, 7.00–8.00pm Friday 9 November, 6.30–8.30pm Discover Howqua and Back to Howqua Picnic Kindergarten Parents 2013 Information Evening Reunion of ‘Howqua Class of 2005’ Tuesday 13 November, 7.00–8.00pm Sunday 21 October, 11.00am–2.00pm Year 3 2013 Parent Information Morning VCE/IB Art Exhibition Opening Thursday 15 November, 8.45–10.30am Wednesday 24 October, 6.30–8.30pm Montrose Presentation Evening VCE/IB Art Exhibition Thursday 29 November, 7.30–9.00pm Thursday 25 October–Saturday 27 October Valedictory WA Reunion Tuesday 4 December, 7.30–10.00pm Thursday 25 October, 6.30–8.30pm (venue to be confirmed) Blairholme Lunchtime Recital Principal’s Morning Tea and School Tour Wednesday 5 December, 1.00–1.30pm Wednesday 31 October, 9.30–11.00am

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

Live it. Learn it. Love it.

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

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

Lauriston Girls’ School ABN 15 004 264 402

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

www.lauriston.vic.edu.au

CRICOS number 00152F