Fintona File - Spring/Summer 2016

120 YEARS 1896 2016

The BI-ANNUAL Magazine of Fintona Girls’ School spring/summer 2016

Important Dates for 2017 TERM 1 (9 WEEKS)

From the Fintona File archives: Glencairn in the 1930s and as it is today

Fri 27 & Mon 30 January Start Term 1 - Staff Days

Monday 9 October Start Term 4 - Staff and Students back

Tuesday 31 January Students back

Mon 6 & Tues 7 Nov Mid-term/Melbourne Cup

Monday 13 March Labour Day

Wednesday 13 December Students finish

Friday 31 March End of Term 1

Friday 15 December End of Term 4 - Staff finish

Friday 14 April Good Friday

Morning TOURs

Sunday 16 April Easter Sunday Monday 17 April Easter Monday TERM 2 (11 WEEKS)

PAGE 2 Important Dates for 2017 PAGE 3 From the Principal PAGE 4 ELC A community of learners PAGE 5 Junior School Planning ahead matters…and goodbye PAGE 6 Middle School Discovery Room lights up minds PAGES 7 Senior School Zoe brings home bronze in the International Physics Olympiad PAGEs 8-9 Our Community Cabaret Night, Annual Spring Concert and Father’s Day PAGE 10 ‘Game of Tiaras’ School production

PAGE 14 International Opportunities World Challenge and Japan Trip PAGE 15 Happy Retirement and Farewell PAGE 16-17 Fintona wishes for the future PAGE 18-19 Meet our Teachers Julia Lloyd Bruin and Ruth McKinnon PAGES 20-21 Acknowledgements and Annual Giving PAGES 22-31 OFA Deaths and Obituaries News of Old Fintonians Old Fintonians’ High Tea and Book Launch Reunions 2017 Upcoming Events Back page Own a piece of Fintona History

PAGE 11 Our Amazing Art Show PAGES 12-13 Our Young Achievers

Tuesday 18 April Start Term 2 - Staff Day Wednesday 19 April Students back

This document has been produced to international environmental management standard ISO14001 by a certified green printing company.

9.15am to 11.00am Friday 28 April Wednesday 24 May Friday 23 June Thursday 24 August Tuesday 19 October Twilight Tour

Tuesday 25 April ANZAC Day

Wednesday 1 March 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Monday 12 June Queen’s Birthday

Food & Wine Festival

Friday 30 June End of Term 2

Sunday 26 November 11am to 4pm

TERM 3 (9 WEEKS)

Scholarships

Monday 17 July Start Term 3 - Staff Day

Closing Date for Applications Friday 17 February

Tuesday 18 July Students back Friday 15 September End of Term 3

Fintona File Spring/Summer 2016 Number 70 Published by Fintona Girls’ School 79 Balwyn Road, Balwyn Victoria, Australia 3103 CRICOS Provider number 00139C Ph +613 9830 1388 Fax +613 9888 5682 www.fintona.vic.edu.au Editor Vicky Kapourelakos

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TERM 4 (10 WEEKS)

OFA Editor Kate McPhee

Scholarship Testing Day Saturday 25 February For more information on our Tours or Scholarships, contact our Registrar, Kathy Byrne on 9830 1388 or visit our website at www.fintona. vic.edu.au

Cover photo The beautiful leadlight windows in Tourmont as featured in the history book ‘For the honour of our school’ by Claire Levi Contributors We thank all our staff, students, parents and OFA members for their articles, news stories and photos Professional photographer James Byron Design JWB&CO www.jwb.com.au Print Ellikon

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

From the Principal “ We know that what happens in those early years has life-long consequences.� Professor Frank Oberklaid

At this time of the year, most school communities are focused on their senior year students who have been sitting exams that will determine their preferred courses and possibly their future career paths.

However, we should not lose sight of the fact in the emotion and sometimes drama that accompanies the VCE, that students sitting those exams have been at school and/or kindergarten for at least thirteen years and prior to that were learning from their families and the world around them, even as newborns.

Professor Frank Oberklaid, Foundation Director of the Centre for Community Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital, argues that the synapses of even tiny babies are busy making connections and seeking neural pathways based on the kind of stimuli they are receiving. Children are insatiably curious, delight in the world around them and are keen explorers of that world both physically and mentally. The first ten to twelve years often set a pattern for all future development and the disposition and outlook of that individual. You only

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have to visit the ELC or a primary classroom to see this very clearly and even on the first day of Kindergarten or Prep, children come with a wealth of learned experiences and skills which we like to encourage and enhance.

At Fintona, we place great emphasis on the early years both in the ELC and the primary school. By the time our students are in the final years of senior school it is much more difficult to encourage them to be the kind of curious independent learners we want them to be or to have the 21st century skills that both the government and the workplace are demanding. The majority of that work should happen earlier. We also try to work with parents, most especially in those early years to support them in what is a demanding and sometimes difficult task, not helped sometimes by conflicting messages regarding good parenting or the negative effects of the media and technology.

The world-renowned Reggio Emilia approach is implemented in the ELC, the

Primary Years Programme is implemented in both the ELC and the Junior School, and the new Years 5 and 6 curriculum includes a renewed emphasis on science. These methodologies and our exciting new Years 5 and 6 Discovery Room all ensure that our youngest students are engaged in a stimulating and relevant educational journey. Our students are encouraged to use their existing knowledge and skills to take intellectual risks and see no limits on where their learning can take them. So, no matter where they complete their tertiary education, the strong foundations gained at Fintona, will carry our girls on to successful lives both in their careers and as human beings.

Suzy Chandler Principal

L-R: Chloe Spencer and Tiffany Spencer with Mrs Suzy Chandler at the opening of the Discovery Centre

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ELC

A community of learners

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community is more than just a place or a collection of people who happen to frequent it. Creating a sense of community requires the establishment of quality relationships and connections that bind people together.

As educators, creating a sense of community is an important part of what we do each and every day. It helps children and families belong and has a positive impact on their wellbeing.

The Fintona Early Learning Centre community extends far beyond its walls and we endeavour to create multiple opportunities for parents and extended families to participate and contribute to the educational programs of the children throughout the year.

The ELC children feel very proud to share their learning with members of their family and we encourage connections to be made between children’s homes and the ELC.

1. Vivian Tran and her mother Jenny sharing a favourite story 2. Caitlin Huang and her mother Tracy sharing the skill of writing Chinese characters with traditional brushes 3. William Bannon and his mother Michelle cooking biscuits

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In Term 3, many of the ELC groups invited family members to read a story to the class at the end of the day. Families were encouraged to select a favourite storybook to bring in and share, or perhaps share a story in a language other than English that is significant to their family.

Opportunities have also been created for families to share important elements of their home culture. These included experiences such as writing of Chinese characters with traditional brushes and practising a few ball skills on our annual Footy Day. The experience of cooking has also allowed families to share favourite foods and recipe preparation with the children.

The K3 Primary Years Programme (PYP) Unit of Inquiry, ‘Who we are’, gave opportunity for younger siblings to be part of our ‘Morning Meetings’ as the children discussed ‘How we are growing and changing’.

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We have very much enjoyed sharing our learning with members of our ELC community and we thank them for their input and enthusiasm.

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Cara Mearns Head of Early Learning Centre

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

Junior School

1. With inspiration from Dr Seuss, Head of Junior School, Sally Clayton (middle back) celebrates Book Week with Eden Zapris (back left), Lara Sticca (back right) and Tiffany Spencer (front)

Planning ahead matters...and goodbye

2. Kathryn Karametos and Cynthia Luo with a cuddly ‘friend’ from Ambulance Victoria

The

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future is exciting for the girls in the Junior School. The girls not only achieve academic success through a spirit of inquiry and challenging learning experiences, they also engage in a variety of opportunities that broaden their education and help them develop self-assurance and respect.

This year has been one of reflection and also future planning as Fintona underwent a Five Year Evaluation with the International Baccalaureate for the Primary Years Programme which is taught at Fintona from ELC to Year 4.

This process of evaluation has required all Primary Years Programme stakeholders in the School to work together to reflect on the achievements of the past five years and make plans for the next five years.

Staff, students, parents and the Fintona Board were able to pause and reflect honestly on the strengths and weaknesses of the School’s educational program.

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As we watched our girls willingly, confidently and eagerly share all aspects of their learning with our visiting Evaluation team, we were filled with optimism for their future.

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The visitors commented on the wonderful feeling of respect that was apparent throughout the School. This included the respect the students had for each other, the staff, their families, the community and the world as a whole, as well as the respect noted amongst the staff and the parents. Through much of their learning, the girls see themselves as part of a global society in which they all have a responsibility. We feel that these young girls are well on their way to becoming caring and respectful global citizens helping to build a better world through understanding and respect.

As I reflect on my 17 years at Fintona, and as this will be my final Fintona File contribution due to retirement, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful staff in the Junior School for their enthusiastic and committed attitude towards the education and welfare of our young learners. It has been an honour to be the Head of the Junior School and I wish Eleni Goulas, the new Head of Junior School, the very best for the future. I will reflect on my career at Fintona with much fondness knowing that the Junior School will always hold a special place in my heart.

Sally Clayton Head of Junior School 5

Middle School

Discovery Room lights up minds

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here has been a lot of emphasis in educational and media circles over the last few years regarding the importance of science, maths and technology skills amongst students and the declining results across Australian schools in those areas against those of other countries.

Fintona students have always been enthusiastic participants in maths and science long before the acronym STEM was coined. As the senior science laboratories are being used continuously, we have created a space for the Year 5 and 6 classes to conduct their own science experiments and activities as well as maths and technology activities. We’ve avoided filling it with too many devices or pre-prepared material as we want it to be a space where students use creativity, imagination and their

hands to make, experiment, create teams, collect and even deconstruct or destroy.

Young students are curious, adventurous, often see no limitations and we feel by encouraging and nurturing those characteristics earlier on, whether or not students go on to be scientists, mathematicians or technology experts, the skills they learn in STEM areas will serve them in good stead in the 21st century.

Suzy Chandler Principal

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1. Chloe Spencer measuring the length of Mrs Chandler’s arm with Ms Christa Ackermann overlooking the measurement exercise 2. Year 11 students Helen Guo and Ayla Edwards assisting Year 5 students Hannah Ogawa and Ai-Ve Le with an experiment showing how milk and detergent react together with food dyes 3. Eleanor Bravin showing the colourful result of her milk, food dye and detergent experiment

Above: Year 7 students creating healthy food options during their transition program.

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L-R: Sara Seresli, Ava Orrico, Yasmin Fadavi Fircoz and Ayushi Chakravorty Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016 6

In

July this year, Year 12 student, Zoe Schwerkolt, triumphantly returned from the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Switzerland with a prestigious Bronze medal, making her one of the brightest physics students in the world. Zoe was among 400 secondary school students from 90 different countries who competed in the IPhO held in Switzerland and the Principality of Lichtenstein over seven days.

“The International Physics Olympiad was the most unforgettable experience of my life so far,” said Zoe when she returned home to Melbourne.

“I loved the opportunity to meet lots of other students from around the world who, like me, are passionate about physics.

All the hard work and preparation for my exams was really worth it.”

The path to Switzerland was a long one and began in 2015 when Zoe sat the Australian Science Olympiad Physics exam. Her excellent performance in this exam enabled her to participate in a two-week summer school at the Australian National University which led her to being selected as one of eight students from across the country for the Australian Physics Olympiad team held in Hong Kong in May this year. Her outstanding efforts finally earned her a spot representing Australia in the 2016 International Physics Olympiad in Switzerland.

Zoe’s Physics teacher, Dr Ruth Barclay first met Zoe when she was a student in her Year 8 Science class and she recalls Zoe’s progress as an all-round student over the years. great things come from a small package

Senior School

”When I introduced the topic Machines, Forces and Electric Circuits, the concepts of Mechanical Advantage, Current and Voltage not only made sense to her, but she set herself extra investigations to confirm her ideas. As one of her Year 10 subjects, she studied Units 1 and 2 Physics, she kept building on her knowledge and her creative story ‘The Adventures of Might Light’ was in the form of an illustrated book with the story in rhyming verse. Not only was it an entertaining read, but Zoe was able to use the story to explain the properties of light and solve a number of Physics equations as well.

The next year Zoe took on Unit 3 and 4 Physics and she was usually the first to class, keen to learn. As a member of the softball team, there were days when Zoe had to leave early but we encouraged her to apply great force to the ball and to hit the softball at 45 degrees to the horizontal to give maximum range – a physics experiment in itself.

Although Zoe completed VCE Physics last year, she had to keep working on Physics tasks from the Olympiad in preparation for the Asian competition in Hong Kong and the International competition in Switzerland. I was so thrilled to hear that Zoe earned herself a place in the international competition. She has achieved these heights of academic success while still keeping up with her Year 12 commitments, music and sport.

It has been a great pleasure to teach Zoe Science and Physics and to see her progressing so far in the Physics Olympiad. I

Zoe brings home bronze in the International Physics Olympiad

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look forward to hearing of the future ‘Adventures of Zoe’ in the world of Physics, Maths and Science, but they may be too erudite to be expressed in rhyming verse!”

1. Zoe with her International Physics Olympiad Bronze Medal after successfully competing in Switzerland 2. Zoe also won a Bronze medal at the Australian Maths Olympiad in 2015

Dr Ruth Barclay Physics Teacher 7

Our Community Cabaret Night

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Spring Music Concert

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

Father’s Day

ELC

Junior School

Middle School

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Game of Tiaras A comedic triumph and Mr Thomson’s last hoorah

1. Prince Charming (Gayatri Chaturvedi) and Cinderella (Lucy Seale) plot their evil plans 2. The French Army decide that it is le picnic time (Sameena Pavri-Thomas and Olivia Johnson) 3. The Snow Queen (Amy Chilcott) and her father the King (Victoria Accadia) attend the execution of Snow White 4. Cinderella’s Guards (Zara Burk & Tanisha Vivekanantham) enjoy telling Belle (Alison Wells) how they are going to turn her into ‘shish keprincess-babs’

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Fintona, we do comedy well. The School play Game of Tiaras, was a funny and satirical exploration of contemporary pop culture and had the audience in raptures with our girls showing fine comedic talent. Drama Co-ordinator, Mr John Thomson, chose the play because it combined the tragedy of King Lear with the melodrama of Game of Thrones. With the main characters as Disney Princesses, Mr Thomson knew this was going to be a winning play.

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Many of the actors were well known to regular audience members at Fintona productions but there were a number of new faces on stage which was very pleasing. We congratulate the actors as well as the students who worked behind the scenes creating the set, costumes, props, lighting and sound for the production.

Being in a school play is an invaluable and memorable experience for the girls and together with the fact that, due to retirement, this production was Mr Thomson’s last, made it that little bit more special.

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Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

Our Amazing Art Show 1

1. Chelsea Fisher, Year 7. Eunyce He, Year 5, 9, Resist dye and Acrylic paint, card, embroidery shirt paper and ink 2. Gayatri Chatuvedi, Year 10, Gouache on paper 3. Genevieve Gill, Year 8, Biro on paper 4. Kate Parmenter, Year 1, Expressive sculpture 2

8. Clara Pelusi, Year 6, Oil pastel on paper 9. Julia Lee, Year 12, Ink on paper 10. Pumpkins, Year 7, Gouache on paper

5. Mona Lisa Taouk, Year 12, Oil on Canvas 6. Yohji Yamamoto, Year 11, Pencil, watercolour paint and fineliner on watercolour paper

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Our Young Achievers

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ALEEN’S VIDEO WINS SECOND PLACE

ELIZABETH M BUTT PUBLIC SPEAKING AWARD GOES TO… Nineteen students presented speeches to the School at the annual Elizabeth M Butt Public Speaking Award in August.

Congratulations to Gayatri Chaturvedi (Year 10) Cup winner for 2016 who was one of six finalists in the Senior section required to interpret the phrase ‘The Big Picture’.

The Junior section was won by Year 6 student Hannah Ogawa who delivered a speech about ‘What I Love’ or ‘What I Would Love’. The Great Balloon Debate was won by Jacqueline Xavier, who convincingly argued why, as famous Australian Rosie Batty, she deserved to be the sole passenger to survive on a sinking balloon.

The standard of these presentations was outstanding.

As the senior students in the competition, the audience could literally witness the maturity in public speaking skills and performance, developed over years of Elizabeth M Butt participation.

LATIN READING COMPETITION Fintona hosted the state wide Latin Reading Competition on Thursday 25 August. This is an annual event, sponsored by the Classical Association of Victoria, and is the main

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opportunity for Victorian Latin students to fraternise and share their experience in learning an ancient language. Over 60 competitors from Years 7 to 12 assembled for afternoon tea in the tuckshop area before delivering a prepared reading passage of Latin in front of their peers and adjudicators. The finalists from Fintona, selected on account of the accuracy and expression in their delivery, were Olivia Johnson and Erika Valianatos in Year 7, Chloe Bridgeman and Georgia Georgarakis in Year 8 and Anna Lin and Amy Chilcott in Year 9. Congratulations to Erika, Chloe, Georgia and Anna who all received a State-Placing.

NETBALL FINALISTS In September, our Year 7 Netball team won their Grand Final!

The girls played with superior confidence and were justly rewarded for their hard work, accurate passing and strategic thinking. Congratulations to Lani McKernan, Bridget Bolton, Natalie Xavier, Lauren Smith, Clara Pelusi, Paige Stanley, Shangyou Yang, Jessica Le, Somerset Draper and Mon Plant (injured). For our Year 5, 8 and 11 teams it was a bittersweet experience. Sweet, as it was a remarkable achievement to qualify for a Grand Final and bitter because there is always a second place.

Congratulations to these girls for representing Fintona at such a high standard.

Aleen Dhaliwal received second place in the Year 7 division in the National History Challenge for her stop motion video, “Triumph or Tragedy” which focused on whether America’s 2nd amendment protecting citizens’ rights to bear arms was affecting the safety of the citizens. The clip explained the importance of the establishment of the 2nd amendment in the US constitution and how the 2nd amendment has been manipulated in the modern day to allow the American citizens easy access to automatic and repetition weapons with little to no background checks, resulting in the prevalence of gun violence and deaths.

MAYA WINS PRIZE FOR ESSAY ON MULTICULTURISM During Term 3, the girls in Year 6 entered an essay writing competition designed to celebrate multiculturalism and promote harmony and mutual respect in the community.

Organised by the Celebrate India Inc., this competition received entries from many Year 5 and 6 students around Victoria. Maya Martin won second prize in this prestigious competition and she received her award at the Diwali Festival in Federation Square held after Festival.

SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH SUCCESS Congratulations to the girls who won prizes as part of the Science Talent Search Awards.

Science Talent Search is an annual science based competition open to all primary and secondary students in Victoria. The theme for 2016 was ‘Drones, Droids and Robots’. This competition allows for individual and collaborative entries and had nine sections to choose from: Research, Class Project, Creative Writing, Models & Inventions, Posters, Games, Computer Programs, Photography and Video Productions.

Fintona received 23 Major Bursaries and 33 Minor Bursaries for Years 5 to 8. A special word of congratulations to the following students whose projects have been selected for entry into the prestigious BHP Billiton Science and Engineering 2016 Awards: Chloe Bridgeman (The effect of Suggestion on auditory Pareidolia), Maia Edwards (Sunscreen, a Screen), Claire Walters (Washing Powder: worth a pretty penny), Lucy Boyce (Food for Food), Jaqueline Xavier and Mietta Morris (Electrolyte levels in sport and fruit drinks), Dashielle Reid and Anya Latti (How effective are natural dyes?), Emily Muniratna and Lucy Roberts (Oh! What a Pain), Georgia Truong and Georgia Georgarakis (Feel the Beat).

Not only have the girls achieved many high individual accolades, but their contributions also helped Fintona achieve a special school award.

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

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STEM PERFECTION

Congratulations to Catherine Zheng, Yoria Shi and Caroline Pearce who achieved perfect scores in the Bebras IT competition. Fintona entered 16 teams achieving 14 awards including five distinctions and one high distinction. Students were required to think about information relating to discrete structures, computation, data processing and algorithmic concepts.

AUSTRALIAN MATHS COMPETITION Fintona had another year of exceptional results. Fintona received 17 High Distinctions, 55 Distinctions and 65 Credit Certificates. Shangyou Yang in Year 7 was placed in the top 0.3% nationwide. Zoe Schwerkolt received the honour of being the “Best in School”.

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PHYSICS OLYMPIAD 2016 ACHIEVEMENTS Following on from the success of Zoe Schwerkolt in the 2015/16 Physics Olympiads, Mrs Cathy Devlin’s Year 11 Specialist Maths group all sat for this competition on 29 July 2016. The Australia Physics Olympiad is open to high achievers from across Australia and is mainly focussed on testing problem solving skills in both Physics and Mathematics.

Critical thinking and scientific inquiry are also required to perform well in this demanding two hour examination. With very little extra preparation for this competition, Fintona students have had to draw on their sound foundations in both Science and Mathematics in order for them to perform well in this competition.

Congratulations to Joanna Bleakley on gaining a distinction, to CoCo Leng and Queenie Mok receiving Credits and to all who participated in this competition.

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1. L-R: Jacqueline Xavier winner of The Great Balloon Debate, Cup winner Gayatri Chaturvedi and Inez Trambas who was the Elaine Warne Spotlight Speaker 2. L-R: Erika Valianatos, Olivia Johnson, Georgia Georgarakis, Amy Chilcott, Chloe Bridgeman and Anna Lin 3. Aleen Dhaliwal at the National History Challenge Awards 4. Maya Martin with her certificate for writing an essay on Multiculturism

5. The Year 7 Netball Grand Finalists 6. Recipients of the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering 2016 Awards Back Row (L-R): Maia Edwards, Lucy Boyce, Jaqueline Xavier, Claire Walters, Dashielle Reid, Anya Latti; Front Row (L-R): Lucy Roberts, Emily Muniratna, Georgia Georgarakis, Georgia Truong, Mietta Morris, Absent: Chloe Bridgeman

8. Shangyou Yang was placed in the top 0.3% nationwide in the Australian Maths Competition 9. L-R: Queenie Mok, Joanna Bleakley and CoCo Leng performed exceptionally well in the Physics Olympiad 2016

7. L-R: Yoria Shi, Catherine Zheng and Caroline Pearce received perfect scores in the Bebras IT Competition 13

International Opportunities World Challenge and Japan Study Tour World Challenge Trip to Peru had it all This year, during the September holidays, 13 girls from both Years 10 and 11 flew across the other side of the world to Peru for 32 days. Here, we were to travel around the southern side of Peru, venturing through rural and urban cities to experience the rich and vibrant culture of Peru. After four flights and almost 24 hours in the air, we arrived in Lima, the capital, where we all got an enormous rush of anticipation after getting our first glimpse of the Peruvian atmosphere.

During our travels, we were able to experience a variety of both modern and traditional lifestyles in Peru, particularly in historical cities such as Arequipa and Cusco. During our Community Project phase, in the small rural village of Chacan, where we stayed for four days, we helped the community with physical labour and also took the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the traditional aspects of Peruvian life with the locals.

Throughout the course of the month, we completed various activities such as acclimatisation treks, sightseeing, historical tours, and visiting ancient Incan ruins and locations such as Lake Titicaca, Islas Ballestas and Sacsayhuaman before seeking our biggest challenge yet; Mount Ausangate. This was our main trek and we hiked around the biggest mountain in the ancient Incan Empire. Within one short week, we were enlightened with the historical and religious background for which the mountain was 14

famous but were also educated about the importance of the traditional Peruvian religion and their Goddess, the Pachamama.

It’s easy to say that the trek was very challenging, both mentally and physically, however, we all agreed that it only made us more determined to conquer more!

To top it all off, we visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu and witnessed the famous and spectacular jungle sunrise on our very last day. After putting ourselves through challenging, rewarding, thrill-seeking and eye opening experiences, it had definitely been a trip to remember for a lifetime!

homes and families with open arms and together we went sightseeing around Yokohama and spent two days at our sister school, being immersed in an environment radically different to the one at Fintona.

1. Anushri Kumar and Jess Kioussis at the Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca

The Japan Tour was a huge success, and we are very grateful to Mrs Kirkman for giving us this wonderful opportunity, as well as to Madame Dent and Mrs Woolley who also accompanied us on the trip. Together we created memories that we will never forget.

4. Freya Solnordal and Sameena Pavri-Thomas at the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima

2. Emily Sheerin and Nicola Irving at a convent in Arequipa 3. Group shot with an impressive view of the mountains during the 7 Day Ausangate trek

5. L-R: Judy Wang, Melanie Chi, Isabelle Chen, Sameena PavriThomas, Kathryn Demtschyna, Freya Solnordal and Cherry Zeng

Freya Solnordal Year 10

Nicola Irving Year 11 student

Japan Study Tour During the September holidays, twelve other students and I were given the incredible opportunity to travel to Japan on the Japan Study Tour.

During the first week, we travelled around Japan by Shinkansen, visiting famous landmarks, districts and museums. Witnessing a grand view of Tokyo from the top of the Sky Tree, meeting a Maiko in Kyoto, learning about the harrowing bombing of Hiroshima at the Peace Memorial Museum, and staying in a traditional Japanese guesthouse in Miyajima were but some of the many highlights.

During the second week, we commenced our homestay with girls from our sister school Yokohama Eiwa. Our host sisters welcomed us into their

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Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

Happy Retirement and Farewell

We say goodbye and happy retirement to these teachers who are retiring at the end of 2016 after many years of service to the School

Julie Goldsworthy

Joan Gowdie

Yvette Soedarsono

Sally Clayton

Julie has been teaching at Fintona for thirty-four years which includes a long stint as the Science Co-ordinator and also a period as the Head of Middle School. Julie has also been a loyal supporter of Maxwell House, including her role as Head of House and has always been a dedicated professional with an enormous capacity to inspire girls to engage with science long before STEM became a buzz word. Julie’s love of her old school has also been a hallmark of her time here as a member of staff and she has reminded many of us of the right way to do things, including how to Marche Militaire correctly! Julie will now be able to divide her time between the city and Malmsbury and we wish her well in her ‘tree change’ and for the future.

Joan retires after thirty-one years at the School. In that time she has worked with four Principals and filled numerous roles including French teacher, LOTE Co-ordinator, Staff Co-ordinator, Daily Organiser, VCE Co-ordinator, Careers Advisor, Head of Ower House, Debating Co-ordinator and more latterly, Chief of Staff, a title accorded her in deference to her long contribution to the School. Joan’s quiet, calm and steady hand has appeared in many parts of the School and has always been appreciated.

It’s impossible to thank a person for such dedicated service in a short space but we most sincerely do thank Joan for her contribution to the School and wish her all the very best for her retirement. Bon chance Madame et au revoir.

Yvette retires after twenty-two years at Fintona. Yvette set up our Indonesian language course in 1995. She has been introducing girls to it ever since and encouraging them to fall in love with the language and the culture and study it throughout their secondary education.

Yvette also introduced an exchange program with Krida in Indonesia which many senior girls have benefited from. She was also a much loved House teacher of Murdoch House for seventeen years. We thank Ibu (as she is known to the girls), wish her well in her retirement and say Selamat perjalanannya menyenanghan.

Sally came to Fintona originally in 1999 as the Prep teacher, then became the Year 3 teacher and PYP Co-ordinator for a few years until the then Head of Junior School. The previous Head of Junior School suggested that as she was retiring Sally would be a good replacement and these words have proven true. During her time at Fintona, Sally has been an outstanding Head, always positive and smiling, teaching and leading by example and deeply involved in the lives of the children in her care and in the lives of her staff. We will miss Sally, especially her great collegiality, common sense and sense of humour but wish her well in her retirement and in her new agricultural pursuits on the Mornington Peninsula.

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in the year as part of our 120th year celebrations we asked all of the students from Prep to Year 12 to write their wish for the future on a luggage ticket which we were going to attach to balloons and release at the end of the whole school 120th photo. However, a group of senior girls, concerned about the environmental impact of the balloons, as all good Fintonians would be, convinced me to change those plans and the tickets were mounted on a board; in the Junior School foyer as well as the foyer of the Resource Centre in the Senior School.

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As well as leaving school you are hopefully embarking on a journey of self-discovery and you are all smart enough to know that the best of you does lie within, hopefully already on its way to being discovered.

Don’t stop wishing for things but make sure that you work hard to achieve the ones that are possible and use the impossible ones to fill your dreams and idle moments.

An extract from Suzy Chandler’s Valedictory Speech

I wish that all living creatures could live in harmony and work together to make Earth the most beautiful planet in the universe…..Bethany Year 6

The wishes fell roughly into three categories: wishes for self, wishes for the wider world and esoteric wishes. The minority of wishes were for self and even those were not about new wardrobes of designer clothes and shiny big cars. There were quite a few about wanting to be surrounded by puppies or kittens or both, a few about trips to other countries and some around achieving life goals, a number about having a career in the theatre, one going as far as identifying Bell Shakespeare Company as the preferred venue for that career; good careers, personal happiness or prosperity. A number of girls wanted to pay their parents back for all they had given them.

But mostly wishes for the self were simple and around working out who they were, what they were good at and where their lives were going.

This was best expressed by one girl writing, she wished ‘to get her life in formation’.

Wishes for the wider world were identical whether they were from the Preps or Year 12; for world peace, to find a way to save the earth from destruction and degradation; to find cures for cancer and other fatal diseases. One girl wanted for all girls throughout the world to have a primary education. Another wished that power didn’t rule the world and that society wasn’t so selfish.

My wish for the future is that everyone is nice to each other…

Emma Year 1

Earlier

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

Fintona Wishes for the Future

I wish to be able to inspire someone someday in the future….

Elizabeth Year 9

I wish Age Quod Agis to be the best I can be, always try hard and do what I do well…. Arya Year 5

I wish to find a career path that I am truly passionate about……..

Georgina Year 12 I wish for every person in the world to have equal rights and opportunities. I wish to make a difference in poverty, war, injustice and sickness…..Olivia Year 7

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great things come from a small package

Meet Our Teachers What was the first thing that struck you about Fintona?

The grounds at Fintona are absolutely beautiful. When I arrived for my orientation day, it was nearly summer and there were blooms everywhere. I then sat in on an assembly and the Preps performed a nativity play which was a very adorable and impressive production. All of the students were watching the performance with glee. I remember looking around the room and thinking that I needed to be a part of this beautiful environment. The English department has also been very welcoming and supportive from the beginning; I’ve made firm friends and mentors.

What do you love the most about teaching English?

Julia Lloyd Bruin Julia Lloyd Bruin came to Fintona at the beginning of 2016 and teaches English at Years 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12. Prior to coming to Fintona, she was at Berwick Grammar where she was the Year 10 Co-ordinator and Head of Humanities, both wonderful learning experiences for her. Julia’s first job was in fact in administration at an internet based business that provided programs for online rewards. After moving through the Operations, Client Services and Marketing departments, she realised that a career in teaching was more aligned with her abilities. In 2017, she will add the position of Year 9 Co-ordinator to her already demanding schedule and is very much looking forward to the new challenge.

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Books were my first true love.

My happiest memories of school are when we were allowed to have quiet reading time and I can remember my sister and I perched up on the couch together for hours on the weekends both engrossed in novels which we would then trade once we had finished.

When I’m really engaged in a book, I feel completely transported and I love helping students explore the worlds created by an author. Words are so powerful; they can make you feel wonderful or completely terrible and when students challenge themselves to use new vocabulary powerfully and thoughtfully, it makes me very happy indeed. I think English teaches you to challenge yourself and others and arms you with the power to question – it’s an important skill.

What is your favourite book and what are you reading at the moment?

I could list about 367 books here but I’ll stick with the cream of the crop. Jane Austen’s Persuasion is one of my all-time favourites. I find it’s a bit more understated than a couple of her other novels and I feel every emotion each time I read it – “I am half agony and half hope” might just be my favourite line ever put to paper. Currently I’m reading potential texts for next year and trying to find time to get around to finishing the four books that are half read on my bedside table, one of which is Helen Garner’s latest, Everywhere I Look.

You have been appointed the Year 9 Co-ordinator for next year. What will be your primary responsibility and what excites you about this role?

I’m really excited to take on the responsibility of Year 9 Co-ordinator. It’s a new role for 2017, so I am looking forward to making it my own and working alongside my fellow teachers and Katrina and Suzy to help the Year 9 girls through the year. Year 9 tends to be a time of transition, so positive relationships between teachers and students are essential; fostering these relationships is something I really enjoy about teaching and am particularly excited about the Co-ordinator position. My primary role will be as a point of contact and an advocate for the Year 9 girls.

Additionally, the Connections program and spending one day a fortnight outside of the classroom is a wonderful opportunity for the girls to get out into the community and recognise their responsibilities as a citizen of the world. I am looking forward to working

closely with the girls and their parents to ensure Year 9 is a productive and memorable period in their schooling life.

What is the best advice you can give your students?

Take advantage of the opportunities school offers. I loved singing and acting and sport but when I got into my later schooling years, I gave up singing, school plays and netball because I was shy and didn’t think I was good enough.

What I didn’t realise is that once you leave school, those opportunities dry up. Suddenly you have to pay to join sporting teams and the choirs are not full of your peers and friends, and acting jobs require auditions against professionals with expensive head shots who are totally cut throat. I missed out on a couple of years of absolute joy because I was too worried about what other people thought. I’ve been trying to make up for lost time ever since.

When I was at school, I also don’t think I realised how ‘on my side’ my teachers were.

Students should appreciate that teachers want their students to reach their maximum potential both personally and academically.

We should work together to get there!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have a nearly three-year-old girl named Genevieve who demands all of my attention when I’m not at work. She is hysterical and naughty which makes life very interesting. I also try my hand at boxing and make an effort to spend time with my friends; I find both activities very good for the soul.

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

“Teaching students to critically examine information and make rational conclusions using their critical thinking skills gained from their Fintona education is the essence of learning.“

Ruth McKinnon Ruth McKinnon has been at Fintona for the last 12 years and has made a strong contribution to the School in a variety of ways. She is currently the Head of Curriculum and in addition will be the Head of Staffing in 2017. This year she has been teaching Year 12 Chemistry and Further Maths and was previously the VCE Co-ordinator. Her passion has always been teaching Maths and Science ever since she was a young student interested in finding out how things work.

great things come from a small package

As the new Head of Curriculum, what is your vision for learning?

Can you tell us about any exciting future developments in Fintona’s curriculum?

Learning is the process of becoming an active and informed citizen and a confident and creative individual. This of course involves gaining knowledge and skills in a broad range of areas but also developing capabilities in critical and creative thinking, ethical behaviour and personal and social awareness. Students are bombarded with huge amounts of information and messages every day particularly from the media which are often conflicting. Teaching students to critically examine information and make rational conclusions using their analytical skills gained from their Fintona education is the essence of learning.

I was fortunate to attend a National Coalition of Girls’ Schools conference in America last year on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). STEM is a current global trend in education based on the forecast that many future employment opportunities will involve some or all these areas. We are excited to be using the new Discovery Room in the Middle School to inspire our students in STEM and to be developing new subjects in coding, algorithms and 3D printing.

In your experience, what do you believe has the largest impact on successful learning outcomes?

High quality teaching has by far the greatest impact. We all know that great teachers can inspire students and this is supported by research. We are fortunate at Fintona to have teachers that are highly professional and willing to continuously develop their skills and knowledge to improve their practice thereby enhancing student learning.

How do you inspire your students?

Learning has to be active, not passive. For instance, in my Chemistry classes, I encourage my students to relate the concepts from their text book to real world examples and conduct as many experimental activities as possible. This applies equally in Maths where discussion and questioning assists my students to extend their ability to problem solve.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not conducting chemical experiments, or planning Fintona’s future curriculum?

I love to read and organise my garden and, if time allows, get down to the Mornington Peninsula to go to the beach. I also really enjoy travelling. Italy is the best place I have ever visited and would love to return some day.

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Building Fund donations

The Board and Management acknowledge with sincere appreciation the philanthropic gifts made by all members of our community: parents, grandparents, alumni, staff and friends. Please accept our thanks for your support. In 2015/16, the following families have kindly given to the Building Fund through their voluntary contribution on their fee statement. Note: Building Fund donations from 1/7/15 – 30/6/16.

A

Mr J & Mrs S Alcouffe

Mr D & Ms E Curry Mr P & Ms S Cutter

Mr D & Mrs T Antonios Mr T Assimakopoulos & Mrs C Baho

B

D

Mr C & Mrs C Daly Mr M C & Mrs K M Dancey

H

Mr F Leng & Ms P Fong

Mr K Ong & Mrs M Ting

Mr L Hall & Ms S Ting

Mr A & Mrs T Lewin

Dr A Opat & Ms F Symons

Dr R & Dr B Hamilton

Ms A Lewis

Mr L Han & Ms L Huang

Mr C Li & Mrs X Wang

Dr R M Orme & Dr M J McCann

Mr J Hanney & Ms N Reiter

Ms H Li

Dr M & Mrs K Hassed

Mr E & Mrs Y Bailey

Mr C Detmold & Ms C E Gill

Mr T & Mrs K Bakirtzis

Mr A & Ms R Di Censo

Mr T Hinh & Ms E Lee

Dr R & Mrs T Barua

Mr F & Mrs M Di Pietro

Mr K & Mrs B Ho

Mr B & Ms M Bello

Mr T Dinakis & Mrs M Papa

Mr L Holland

Mr D & Mrs S Bennardo

Mr Z Ding and Mrs D Han

Mr N & Mrs L Hordern

Mr J R Bennett & Ms C L Rogers

Mr D T Draper & Ms F A Waddell

Mr W Hu & Mrs L Lin

Mr A & Mrs C Bianco Mr S & Mrs S Black

Mr G P Dubois & Mrs S Chen

Mr N & Mrs K Bolto

Mr G D & Mrs G M Duncan

Mr J F & Mrs T Bolton Mr C & Ms E Lee Boyce Mr D & Mrs C E Bravin Mr A Bridgeman & Dr A Lo

E

Mr S & Mrs T Ercan Mr D J & Mrs M R Evans

Mr S J Burgess & Ms A E Burke

F

Mr S A Burke & Ms P L West

Mr I Fang & Ms B Wu

C

Mr J Cai & Ms W Yan

Mr X Fan & Mrs R Liang Mr A Farmer & Ms C E Cumming Mr D & Ms K Fedele

Mr P G Campbell & Ms M I Mr F Fei & Mrs L Lu McKinnon Mr N & Mrs R Fels Mr Z Cao & Mrs H Zhu Ms A J Fleming Mr B Carew & Ms J Yun

Mr M J & Ms J Fowler

Mr P K L Chan & Ms S Koo

Mr S A & Ms M Hills

Mr L Huynh & Ms J Toeng

Mr J Li & Mrs L Cai Mr J Liang & Mrs H Zhu Mr R & Mrs S Lorenzi Mr S & Mrs T Lovett Mr Y Lwin & Mrs M N O Kham

M

Mr S & Mrs S B MacDonald

T

Dr T & Mrs J Pastore

Mr S & Mrs A Tan

Mr G Tan & Mrs S Wang

Miss J Pearce

Mr D Tang & Mrs S Li

Mr A & Mrs S Pelusi

Mr R F Plant & Ms S Pak

Mr D A & Mrs C M Martin

Mr H Poon & Ms S Tang

Mr N & Mrs B Masalkovski

Dr H & Mrs J Popat

K

Mr K & Mrs T Kapur Mr C Karagiannis & Ms P Proimos Karagiannis Mr J & Mrs D Karametos Mr P & Mrs S Keeble Mr A G & Mrs V E Kemp

Dr D A & Mrs K Prentice

Dr A S Thavarasah Mr G W & Mrs J Pavri Thomas Mr M A Thomas & Ms A J Rowe Mr M M Thompson & Ms K M Parker

R

Mr D & Mrs K Miles

Mr G Rayson Hill

Mr J & Mrs H Mitchell

Mr M J & Ms K Y Tropea

Mr T D Rayson Hill

Ass Prof K Moinuddin & Mrs T Islam

Mr S A & Mrs F Reid

Mr K Truong & Ms G Nguyen

Dr C Mok & Dr L Teoh

Mr M & Mrs C J Roche

Mr J Tu & Ms R Yang

Mr Y Mok & Ms M Fung

Dr B Roushdy & Ms T Keddis

Mr K & Mrs C Monos

Mr D F & Mrs R J Ryan

Dr K Moussa & Mrs S Farag

Mr M Chilcott & Ms M Conyngham

Mr J Georgarakis & Ms L Teti

Mr K Kontaxis & Ms Y Wadsworth

Mr N Muniratna & Ms C Green

Ms K Chu

Mr G & Mrs E Georgiou

Mr M R & Ms J C Brett Morris

Mr J & Mrs A Kotsifas Dr A & Mrs S Kyoong

Mr M & Mrs D Telfer

Dr R N & Mrs A Timms

Mr D Kon & Ms Y L Chew

Mr Y Kwong & Ms M Lok

Mr C Tay & Ms A Siew

Mr M Rahimi & Dr M Jalilian

Mr A & Mrs L Georgiou Gazos

Dr D & Mrs L King

Mr Z Tang & Mrs Y Yu

Mr R Mifsud & Ms W Rossi

Mr L Chen & Mrs L Tang

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Mr S H & Ms E K Parmenter

Mr M & Dr I Petre

Dr J Kioussis & Dr E Gray Mr M J & Mrs C Klein

Mr J Guo & Mrs H Peng

Mr D & Mrs R Sticca

Mr J & Mrs R Parker

Mr D Marrone & Ms C Di Loreto

Dr Y Gao & Ms W You

Mr K A & Mrs J Gordhandas

Mr S & Mrs R Stephen

Mr J R & Mrs J L Pace

J

Mr A G & Mrs R M Jenkins Mr B L Masters & Ms D P Fleming Mr S M & Mrs L Johnson Mr D K Maxwell & Mrs P Mr R & Mrs R Johnston Brasch Maxwell

Mr B & Mrs J Spencer Dr G & Mrs A Stefanou

P

Mr C Perera & Dr S Muthumuni

Mr C Chen & Ms H Y Han Dr M Chen & Ms I Tilley

Mr S L Croci & Ms M L Eichler Mr B N & Mrs M K Cunningham

Mr G & Mrs J Stanley

Mr S Manolaros & Ms E Argyrou

G

Mr C Chun & Ms S H H Teo Mr M & Mrs D Giang Dr M Clark & Ms M Mr B & Mrs M E Baker Gill Waldron Mr S & Mrs S Gillies Mr P & Mrs S Clausen Mr J L & Mrs M G Ms C Connors Gonsalves Mr D Cooper Mr C A Goodieson & Ms L J Del Din Dr J & Mrs E Couper

Mr M & Mrs M Osborne Smith

Mr P D & Mrs K Irving

Mr A Chen & Mrs M Brazzale

Mr G & Mrs S P Ganeson

Dr C Solnordal & Dr A Dennis

I

Mr K Jayasinghe & Ms D Seneviratne

Mr A & Mrs S Smith

Mr P R & Mrs L M Orrico

Mr V Y S & Mrs F M Man

Mr T O & Mrs R F Jacobs

Mr S Sivayoganathan & Ms S Rao

N

Mr S & Mrs L Nania

Mr T H Tran & Dr T T T Cao

V

Dr O D & Dr F Valianatos Mr M A & Mrs A S Van Der Arend

S

Dr S Salimi & Dr M Horriat

Mr A & Mrs N Versace

Mr S D & Mrs N Santharajah

Mr N Vouziotis & Ms A Fedele

Mr P T & Mrs D J Schroeder Mr E Shen & Mrs C Jin

W

Mr R & Mrs J Wainer Mr D S & Mrs V A Waldron

Mr G Neave & Ms C Ang

Mr S G P Shen & Mrs E C Fan

Dr P R & Dr J Neil

Mr V Q Lam & Ms B K Lee

Mr C & Mrs D Shi

Mr M Walters & Ms F Mason

Mr D P & Mrs J F Newman

Mr D & Mrs L Lau

Mr Y & Mrs F Shibata

Mr X & Mrs C Wang

Mr P & Mrs H Nguyen

Mr D Shires & Ms J C Crawford

Ms E Wang & Mr J Luo

Mr J D Shirley & Mrs J Wu

Mr J Wang & Ms L Liu

L

Mr E S N Lau & Ms H H Hii Mr T A & Mrs T Nguyen Mr K Le & Mrs M Phan Mr M M Nihalsingha & Mrs A R De Silva Mr G & Mrs L F Le Couteur Mr A Lee & Mrs M E Purnama

O

Mrs D M O’Brien

Mr K Shu & Mrs N Zhou Dr A Singh & Dr P Bordbar Mr G Singh & Mrs S Kaur

Mr X Wang & Mrs Y Shao Mr J Wang & Ms D Qiu Mr L Wang & Ms C Liu Mr W Wang & Mrs X Yang

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

Annual Giving Appeal 2016

We are very grateful for the generosity of the Fintona Community, and thank you for your support of the 2016 Annual Giving Appeal towards the Building, Scholarship and Beatrice Chilvers Library and Resource Centre.

K

T

Mrs S & Dr A Kyoong

Dr V M Tarrant

Mrs N Barnes

L

V

Mr H Williams & Dr L P Pellegrini

Ms J Bethell & Mr P Smart

Ms A Liong & Mr E Yu

Mrs C A Vickers-Willis

Mr R & Mrs I Willis

Ms R Bucknall

Mr A & Mrs B Wimalasuriya

Miss E M Butt OAM

Mr T J & Mrs C L Wells Mr D S & Mrs J A Whitbourn Mr R D & Mrs A Whitehead Mr A & Mrs S Wilkinson Mr G D & Mrs S Williams

Dr A S K & Mrs S L A Wong Mr R S Wotherspoon & Dr T S Penovic

X

A

Dr S Abdullah & Dr M Mukhlif

B

Dr P Bordbar & Dr A Singh

C

Mrs J Cai & Mr M Ye Miss T Chan Mr A & Mrs K Chandnani

Ms S Xiang

Mr P & Mrs S Clausen

Mr P & Mrs J Xiao

Ms A Coote

Mr J Xu & Ms L Ji

The Bryan & Rosemary Cutter Foundation

Dr K Xu & Ms Y Ding Mr Q & Mrs J Xu

Y

D

Mrs E M Deighton

Dr A & Dr A B Kapoor

Ms H Leach Miss L J Lloyd Mrs L Lu & Mr F Fei

M

Miss M MacKay Mrs L McAlister Mrs M Macdonald Mrs G McIlwraith Mrs J Mitchell Vera Moore Foundation

N

Ms V na Ranong Mr T A & Mrs T Nguyen Mrs H Niu & Mr J Feng

Mr E F Yakop & Mrs L Dwijayanti

Dr A Dennis & Dr C Solnordal

Mr B Yang & Ms Y Wang

Mrs C A Dennis

Mr Z Yang & Mrs H Shan

Ms Y Ding & Dr K Xu

OFA Western Australia Branch

E

Mrs H Eddy

P

F

Mrs H Peng & Mr J Guo

Mr C Ye & Ms D Mou Mr M Ye & Mrs J Cai Mr Y Ye & Ms Y Sheng Dr W & Mrs S Yousif Mr K Yu & Mrs K Chan Ms S Yu Mr Q Yuan & Ms J Zheng

Z

Mr J & Mrs D Zaicos Mr S Zamani & Mrs F Abbasi Mr C P & Mrs G Zapris Mr S Zeng & Mrs T Fang Mr W Zhang and Mrs H Deng Mr H X Zheng & Ms L Lin Mr C Zhou & Ms Y Shen Mr G Zhou & Ms H Yi Mr G Zhou & Mrs J Chen Mr T & Mrs R Zoobi Mr V Zubenko & Mrs T Derevyanko

Mrs P Farmer Mr B & Mrs E Fernandes Mrs A M Fleming Mrs H K Francis

G

Dr D M & Mr M Gerstman Dr K E Gillman-Sheer (Kayte) Mrs A M Gordon

H

Mrs J T Hadges Dr M D Harper (Margaret) Mrs B Herbert

J

Mr A G & Mrs R M Jenkins

O

Mr B Tal & Mrs R Tal

Dr F & Dr O D Valianatos

W

Ms Y Wadsworth & Mr K Kontaxis Mr R & Mrs J Wainer Mrs N Walsh Mrs C A Watson Mr A & Mrs N A Watson Mrs J R Wilcox

X

Mr P Xiao & Mrs J Xiao

Y

Ms R Yang & Mr J Tu Ms W You & Dr Y Gao

Z

Mr V Zubenko & Mrs T Derevyanko

Mr S H & Ms E K Parmenter Mrs M Plotkin Miss E Pyper

Q

Ms D Qiu & Mr J Wang

R

Fintona is greatly appreciative of the bequest from the Estate of Elizabeth Chisholm (Box ’52)

Ramses Foundation Mrs P Rixton Mr N & Mrs E Roberts Miss L E Rose

S

Schapper Family Foundation Mrs M Schoeffel Ms J E Seitz Mrs Y Shao & Mr X Wang Mrs P F Sharwood Miss A J Smith Mrs L A Steven

great things come from a small package

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OFA

Old Fintonians’ Alumni spring/summer 2016

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Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

OFA

Deaths

Obituaries

Joyce McDowell (Robinson ’28) 24/8/1912 - 3/8/16

The Fintona community is saddened to learn of the deaths of: Betty Jones (Barstow ’38) 25/11/15 Patricia Digby (Crespin ’51) 17/7/16 Joan Greenway (Horsfall ’62) 24/7/16

Joyce Emily Robinson was born in Melbourne on the 24 August, 1912. She spent her primary and secondary school days at Fintona, where she developed a love of history and literature, and made lifelong friends. After secondary school, Joy studied physical education, following in her father’s footsteps, but her study was interrupted by a knee injury. She worked in retail until the Second World War, when she enlisted with her sister, Gwen, and worked as a driver for troops in Melbourne. After the War, she spent many years occupied with home duties, supporting her parents and brother, and looking after her father in his later years. She also did voluntary work in Op shops.

great things come from a small package

In 1991, at the age of 78, Joy married Ronald Ernest McDowell, and enjoyed 12 years of marriage, including a good deal of travelling in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. In the mid 1990s, they moved to Point Lonsdale with Joy’s brother, Peter.

When her brother’s and husband’s mobility became more limited in their later years, Joy gladly devoted a good deal of her energies to looking after them both.

Her husband died in 2003, and her brother in 2007. In 2008, Joy moved into Coorabin Aged Care and, later, Arcare Aged Care, Point Lonsdale.

There she made new friends among residents and staff, very much appreciated their care and company, and gave considerable enjoyment to them at the same time.

Joy was a keen and very good cook and gardener. She helped maintain the garden of her parents’ home in Canterbury, established the garden where she later lived in Kew with her brother, Peter, and more recently the garden at Point Lonsdale.

When living in Melbourne, Joy enjoyed playing tennis at a nearby club to which she belonged. She was also very interested in reading, especially historical novels and travel books. Joy loved the countryside and travelling, and took up and enjoyed oil painting.

Joy particularly valued her family and friends, and just as they meant so much to her, she enriched their lives with her cheerfulness, affection, intelligence and sense of humour. Joy had a lively sense of humour, and could laugh readily at herself.

Joy didn’t have any children of her own, but she had two God-daughters she was very fond of, and her nephew, nieces, cousins and great nephews meant a great deal to her. Her family and friends were devoted to her, as she was to them.

Joy died peacefully in Point Lonsdale, on 4 August, 2016, just a few weeks short of her 104th birthday.

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News of Old Fintonians

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Births Congratulations to staff member and Old Fintonian, Kate Brooke (Syme ’99) and Daniel Brooke on the safe arrival of Jack Michael Lawrence Brooke on 26 July, 2016. Big sisters Evie, 4, and Juliet, 2, are pleased to welcome the new addition too .

Oral History Group receives recognition Congratulations to Mary Lush (’65), Lis Christensen (’58), Prue Gill (Harper ’65) and Libby Roberts (Parker ’62) for their essay ‘The Lady Principal, Miss Annie Hughston 1859-1943’ which won a commendation at the 2016 annual Community Awards of the Royal Victorian Historical Society. The essay can be read at http://adb.anu. edu.au/essay/16. The ‘Hughston project’, which grew out of the work of the Oral History Group (OHG), is now complete. In addition to the essay on Miss Hughston, the project included an essay on 24

1. Evie and Juliet with baby Jack

4. OFA for Charities Committee

2. Joanna Syme

5. L – R: Ann Hawker (Staff/ OFA President), Natalia Rettich (2017 Sports Captain), Louise Bawden (’99) Simon Bourke (Sports Co-ordinator)

3. L – R: Rosemary Garoni (Swinburne ’54), Kath Metherall (Lucas ’44), Marion McKinnon (McArthur ’56)

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her brother William Hughston (Victorian Historical Journal vol.

86 pp. 299-320, 2015, with a photograph of old Fintona on the front cover), and a sound recording in which pupils of Miss Hughston’s Fintona recall their school days (release 6, downloadable from http:// fintonahistory.com.au/). The Old Fintonians’ Alumni is extremely grateful for all the hard work and dedication that the OHG, which has now disbanded, put into recording Fintona’s history, and to Tourmont Inc for its timely support for the OHG.

Music Success Congratulations to Old Fintonian, Joanna Syme (‘04) whose band Big Scary has released their third album ‘Animal’. Joanna plays the drums with vocalist, pianist and guitarist Tom Iansek. The acclaimed duo have been playing together for 10 years and have toured multiple times overseas, including two months touring in the US last year. Jo’s passion for music began at an

early age - flipping through her parent’s record collection. She says her drum teacher whilst at Fintona, Sonja Horbelt, was a huge influence and encouraged her to continue drumming after she finished school, and to join bands. After dropping out of jazz school which “wasn’t for her”, Jo finally joined some local bands, eventually leading to Big Scary.

The band has received ARIA, AIR and J Award nominations, and won the $30,000 2013 Australian Music Prize (The AMP) for their sophomore LP “Not Art”. Their new album ‘Animal’ charted at number 5 on the ARIA charts, and number 1 on the Australian charts.

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President’s Medals to Old Fintonians Over the last few years, Rosemary Garoni (Swinburne ’54), Kath Metherall (Lucas ’44) and Marion McKinnon (McArthur ’56) support to the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria have been recognized with awards of the President’s Medal from the Society.

Rosemary for her work with the Heritage Committee and judging and stewarding, Kath who won two Garryowen Equestrienne Turnouts in 1947 and ’49 and is the oldest surviving Garryowen winner and Marion who is the author of two books on the history of the Garryowen Trophy which is competed for at the Royal Melbourne Show each year. Her second book, ’The Garryowen Tradition 2001 to 2014’ was launched earlier this year. The book is a wonderful testament to Victoria’s horse heritage.

Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

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End of an era – OFA for Charities In September, around 50 Old Fintonians gathered at the School for their final Card Party.

For 77 years, this group has held parties twice a year to raise money firstly for the Red Cross then in more recent years the Mirabel Foundation.

Special thank you to the Committee for their dedication over the years, the thousands of dollars they have raised for charity is an extraordinary achievement.

Visit from Olympian and Old Fintonian, Louise Bawden (’99) The Fintona community followed Old Fintonian, Louise Bawden (’99) and her team mate, Taliqua Clancy’s Beach Volleyball success at the recent Rio Olympics with much great things come from a small package

interest. Their skill on the court enabled them to win their first four matches but they unfortunately lost to the United States of America in the quarterfinals. This meant, however, that the pair produced the best finish for Australia in the event since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, an achievement of which they should be very proud.

Louise joined the national indoor volleyball program in Canberra at the age of sixteen.

She competed at a national level, then three years later she was selected to compete at the Sydney 2000 Olympics as a member of the indoor volleyball team which finished in ninth position, a superb achievement at Olympic standard. In 2009, Louise switched to Beach Volleyball and was selected for the 2012 London Olympics and in 2016 for the Rio Olympics which has exhibited not only incredible talent but also determination and commitment on Louise’s behalf.

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Presently, Louise is based in Adelaide due to training commitments but she kindly managed to fit in a visit to Fintona recently. During Senior School assembly, Natalia Rettich, the 2017 Sports Captain, interviewed Louise about her amazing sporting achievements, covering a range of topics from Louise’s start in Volleyball as a teenager, motivation, intensity of training and her commitment to the sport. Louise spoke of her great pride in representing Australia at the Sydney Games and Natalia duly congratulated Louise on being selected for three Olympic teams which is an amazing accomplishment.

Louise’s insight into life of an athlete at the elite level was inspiring. The intensity of training programs, the need for sponsorship, the lack of publicity for women’s sport in Australia were aspects which Natalia spoke of with Louise and her responses were most interesting and informative.

The present students of

Fintona were treated to an enthralling and delightful discussion.

At the conclusion of the interview Louise spoke about the need to differentiate between sacrifices and choices.

She stated that a sacrifice is not made when you really want to do something; you are actually making a choice in order to achieve your goals which was a very wise piece of advice and one that the students could certainly take with them for their futures. Louise also paid tribute to the contribution that her education at Fintona which had inculcated values and beliefs which enabled her to achieve her goals in a sporting and academic sense and she advised the girls to use the opportunities which were presented to them at Fintona.

Louise Bawden, triple Olympian is a shining example of Age Quod Agis!

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Old Fintonians’ High Tea Sunday 23 October, 2016 at Leonda By The Yarra

Celebrating 120 Years of Fintona Girls’ School and the launch of the new School History book, ‘For the honour of our school’ by Claire Levi

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Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016

great things come from a small package

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Reunions

Class of 2006 10 Year Reunion Friday 3 June, 2016

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1. Class of 2006 2. L – R: Caitlin Roberts (Brown), Jane Dang (Zhou), Sarah Spottiswood

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2

Class of 1986 30 Year Reunion FRIDAY 22 JULY, 2016

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Class of 1966 50 Year Reunion SATURDAY 22 AUGUST, 2016 28

1. Class of 1986 2. 2. L – R: Catherine Horton (Rice), Sally Romanella (Colledge), Samantha Boxer (Mayne)

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1. Class of 1966 2. L- R: The tennis team from 1966.

Debbie Robert (Rhind), Robyn Golder (Henty-Wilson), Margaret Edwards (Tipping), Marian Letcher, Susan Ryan (Balderstone), Margaret Bristow

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Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016 28

North East Victoria Reunion wednesday 12 october, 2016

1. Back L – R: Margot Colson (Hughes ’55), Jane Derrick (Hurst ’60) Front L – R: Lorraine Adams (Christensen ’59), Dot Falkiner (Strangward ’44)

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WA Reunion saturday 7 MAY, 2016

1. Back L - R: Kate Collin (McIlwraithSmith ‘53), Julie Dickinson (Adams ’53) Front L - R: Alison Smith (Pyper ’50), Marg Bruns (Loughnan ‘44), Judy Williams (Gray ‘63)

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NSW/ACT Reunion

THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, 2016 1. NSW/ACT Reunion great things come from a small package 29

1

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Reunions

OLD Reunion

saturday 29 OCTOBER, 2016 1. L- R: Joan Claringbould, Mandy Dixon, Daniele Williams, Priscilla Everson, Barbara Gunn, Helen Jane, Beth Ivory, Mary Cameron, Michelle Harris

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1

OFA Golf Day

monday 19 september, 2016

OFA Art Show Tour and Afternoon Tea THURSDAY 18 august, 2016 30

1. OFA Golf Day competitors 2. L – R: Marg Picken (Mill ’67) Golf Rep OFA with the 2016 Prize winners, Libby Day (’71), Sally Kelaher (Day ’75), Cathy Vickers-Willis (Maxwell ’78)

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1. L – R: Jean Hadges (’49) with Year 7 student Bridget Bolton

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Fintona File | autumn/winter 2016 30

Join the OFA Facebook Group Please join the Old Fintonians’ Alumni Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/ofafintona to keep up to date with Alumni news including reunion dates and photos.

UPCOMING EVENTS Reunion Dates 2017 Class of 2012, 5 Year Reunion Friday 24 March, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Class of 1977, 40 Year Reunion Saturday 29 April, 12 noon Class of 1997, 20 Year Reunion Friday 26 May, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Class of 2007, 10 Year Reunion Friday 16 June, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Class of 1987, 30 Year Reunion Friday 4 August, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Class of 1967, 50 Year Reunion Saturday 26 August, 12 noon Art Show Tour & Afternoon Tea Thursday 24 August, 2pm – 4pm 1958 & 1959 Luncheons The Baths Restaurant, Sorrento Monday 13 February Glenferrie Hotel, Hawthorn Monday 8 May Glenferrie Hotel, Hawthorn Monday 13 November Contact: Mel Marsh (Merilyn Seward ’58) M: 0407 855 538 INTERSTATE/COUNTRY REUNIONS North East Victoria (Benalla) Wednesday 5 April - 12 noon Wednesday 11 October - 12 noon WA Saturday 13 May NSW/ACT Thursday 14 September QLD Saturday 28 October SA October/November TBC great things come from a small package

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OWN A PIECE OF FINTONA HISTORY

Order your own piece of Fintona history at the special price of $60 (inc.GST) plus postage and handling.

Written by Old Fintonian, Claire Levi (Buckner ‘83) from HistorySmiths Pty Ltd, the book is a beautifully presented hardcover, full colour publication of more than 200 pages and includes over 150 photos and historical documents.

Old Fintonians will love the trip down memory lane.

For current parents, it is a great opportunity to purchase the book as a memento of this special anniversary year as every student’s name from ELC to Year 12 enrolled at the school in 2016 is included in the book.

Order online at www.trybooking.com/LUUA or contact Reception on

9830 1388.

Middle & Senior School 79 Balwyn Road Balwyn Vic 3103 Australia

ELC & JUNIOR SCHOOL 80 Balwyn Road Balwyn VIC 3103 Australia

P. (03) 9830 1388 F. (03) 9888 5682 E. fgs@fintona.vic.edu.au www.fintona.vic.edu.au