'The Doch' Edition 5 2020

ELISABETH MURDOCH HOUSE NEWSLETTER 2020 EDITION 5 JUNE 17

The

DOCH

As the term draws to a close, we reflect on and praise the positive way in which Elisabeth Murdoch students have embraced Remote Learning @ GGS, isolation in House and the constant change that comes from responding to a global pandemic. I am proud of each student and all they have achieved and overcome.

EM’s greatest attribute is the respect and care they all demonstrate for one another. Regardless of year level, each student is valued, respected and treated equally by their peers. This inclusive culture is to be celebrated and cherished and thank all of you for making this such an enjoyable community to be a part of.

I hope you all have a wonderful T2 break and I look forward to welcoming you all back on campus next term. Stay safe!

Ms Mel Bower Head of Elisabeth Murdoch House

WORKING IT

OUT

EM has done some amazing work during this period of remote and semi-remote learning. A highlight has been the way the students have got around each other in order to maintain fitness. With some space in the day, during altered timetables, they have organized and motivated each other in all kinds of training and relaxation, at all times of the day.

PIZZA TIME!

THIS SATURDAY JUST GONE, EM WERE INVITED OVER TO CUTHY TO SHAR THE USE OF THEIR PIZZA OVEN. WITH A SUSPENSION OF TAKE AWAY DELI ERIES, THIS WAS A WELCOME OPPORTUINTY TO DESIGN SOME SWEET ‘DE SIGNER’ STYLE PIES.

!

RE IVE-

Thank you It has now been just over a term since I was invited to join EM as a remote learning coach. I have been fortunate to share each day with such a fabulous group of girls. To tell our stories and discover ways to navigate through this ‘new world’. Without doubt, COVID-19 has been an enormous challenge for all of us. However, one characteristic that is enduring is the strength of friendship and community. I have been fortunate to see the girls in my group encourage each other and share stories of isolation. It certainly helped me enormously get though each week with some humanity.

Since students have returned, I have appreciated connecting with such an encouraging community as EM. Sitting in the house at breakfast and lunch listening to your banter each day and the pure fun and energy you have in the company of each other.

There is much uncertainty in the world at the moment; however, one feature that is always hoped-for is a place for people to belong. EM is such a place. It is a community where ideas can be bounced around, successes and failures shared, and problems solved! Somewhere where we can all “land on our feet”.

I hope that the next six months will provide us with more clarity and clearer understanding of the challenges ahead. The world is challenging us with issues that we should all willingly participate. The confronting images of racial tension in the US is one where we can set an example. GGS is so fortunate to have staff and students from all corners of the earth. Let us celebrate this and let it be a beacon of optimism and understanding for other communities less fortunate than ours.

This holiday coming up will give us all an opportunity to refocus, regroup, restore, relax and re-energise for a liberated final semester -Beaucho.

People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters.

They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.” ― Beth Clark, Kisses from Katie

If you find yourself at home, over the break and in

need of a treat, try these almost healthy

Lemon Cranberry Cookies

125g salted butter, softened 1⁄2 cup brown sugar 1⁄4 cup caster sugar 1 egg 1 cup traditional rolled oats 1⁄2 cup self-raising flour 1⁄2 cup wholemeal self-raising flour 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rind 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1⁄2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until pale and creamy. Add egg. Beat well to combine. Add oats and flours. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine.

Step 2 Preheat oven to 190°C/170°C fan-forced. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Add lemon rind and juice and half the cranberries to dough. Stir to combine.

Step 3 Roll 2 level tablespoons of mixture into 16 balls. Place onto prepared trays, allowing room for spreading. Using the palm of your hand, slightly flatten to form a 5.5cm round. Top with remaining cranberries. Bake for 15 minutes, swapping trays after 10 minutes, or until light golden. Stand cookies on trays for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve.

PEOPLE PROFILES

NAME: Eliza Frazer YEARS AT GGS: Currently in my first year at GGS. Involvements at GGS: Hockey, Rowing, Swimming Away from GGS: I love listening to music, swimming, dancing and photography. Walking and playing with my dog Hugo. Travelling and just being able to spend time at home with my family and friends.

Best thing about being a boarder in EM: The comradery of the girls is really amazing. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, people are willing to support one another. It can feel like a slow process but everyone is really warm and welcoming.

Future Ambitions: I am undecide what life out of school will look like but working in a medical field is the ultimate goal.

Favourite moment this year in EM: Would have to be the swimming carnival. The time and effort we all put in to getting up early and chanting late into the evening was all worth it. We all came together to support one another which I believe was the main reason we won.

Someone who you would want to live with and why? That’s a very tough question. All of the twenty two amazing Richmond boys would be really fun, just to see the adversities many of them have faced and how they chased down their dreams is really inspiring.

Michelle Obama would be my other pick, her strength and values are incredible and I also think that she would be a really fun and positive to be around.

NAME: Millie Forwood  YEARS AT GGS: I am currently undergoing my third year at GGS! I started school here in Year 8 as a Conne girl, which was great, and have loved every step of my journey since.

Involvements at GGS: Soccer, Rowing, Swimming, JLS, Duke of Ed bronze, Giving for a better world programme, Meals on wheels, GGS writers retreat, STEM science camp, MS & SS Band (I play and love playing the drums!)

Away from GGS: I love Art (painting, drawing, creating), learning random new things (such as ukele, cooking different foods, learning skipping rope tricks, literally anything), going for runs, traveling the world, hanging out with friends both from GGS and in my hometown (Singapore), and family time! I can’t sit still and enjoy keeping myself busy.

Best thing about being a boarder in EM: The best thing about being a boarder in EM is the community we have created – how all year levels have come together so well. I also love EM’s constant vibe and attitude towards everything; everyone is always willing to buy in and participate in everything that is thrown our way.

I love how we all look for the fun in everything.

Future Ambitions: I would love to pursue a career in law, medicine or physiotherapy. I’ve always loved the idea of being someone that is of aid to those in need.

Favourite moment this year in EM: House Music and the swimming carnival were, of course, house highlights this year. However, the 2 week iso-period in house has been a personal highlight for me. You learn to love the people that surround you, and when the EM girls were the only girls we could all see for two weeks, I felt we grew closer as a house. The Final Jam was so much fun as well.

Someone who you would want to live with and why?: It’s hard to name just one person I’d want to live with. Jlo (my idol), Keith Haring, Katy Perry, Romee Strijd, David Dobrik (to name a few!), but at the end of the day probably Kylie Jenner because she’s the youngest self-made billionaire and Stormi is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen.

NAME: Jemima Smith YEARS AT GGS: since year 9 Involvements at GGS: diving, rugby, footy, chess club, avid crossword solver.

Away from GGS: Best thing about being a boarder in EM: I love the culture in the house and how we are all so proud to be EM girls. The bond you form with your friends is a completely different friendship and relationship like anything else which I feel is really special.

Future Ambitions: Happy and successful in my career, Michael B. Jordan replica husband.

Favourite moment this year in EM: my favourite moment was EM’s final Jam (the talent show). Was super fun watching all year levels get up to show off something they have prepared and how creative everyone gets. Also loved how close the all year levels were when cheering on each other. Really good energy that night.

Someone who you would want to live with and why?: Even though my sister Lola would hate it, I do want to live with her as I feel it would be easy for us, and we love each other’s company (well I think she likes mine) and I fully think we work well together like we have recently living together in Barwon heads. If you’re ready this sissy don’t move to Melbourne #ILYSFM

Name: Martin Beaver (Beavis) What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Cathedral Rock beach, 3-4 ft waves, offshore wind and only three people out (and I’m one of them).

What is the quality you most like in other people? Authenticity. I like that when you talk with people, you can tell that they are truthful and passionate about what they believe.

Where in the world are you happiest? In the treehouse with my grandson Chet. Although if Shikoku (in Japan) was an option....

Which talent would you most like to have? I have always wanted to blow glass. maybe one day. It would be awesome to have musical ability, oh and to have a second laguage, Japanese?

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, who/what would it be? Maybe Ryuchi Sakamoto because he is gorgeous and talented (and My wife loves him).

What is your most treasured possession? A small ivory netsuke fish that my wife gave me 35 years ago, when we were young lovers.

Who are your favourite writers/musicians or filmakers? Favourite writer; Gunter Grass or Haruki Murakami, musicians; Radiohead, filmmaker; Terence Mallick.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? My great great great grandfather. He was a stonemason and If I had been alive then, I would be too.

Who are your heroes in real life? Geena Davis, (because of her activism for women in media) and Charlie Musselwhite (because he is a living legend of the harmonica).

STAFF PROFILE

HOWMUCH DO THE YARTZ?

The butterfly project, so far. The ISO project, which saw students in EM painting acrylic butterflies, has mon Room and will remain a memory of these past few weeks together and hopefully continue grow in

O WE ROCK

s been installed in the Comn the coming years.

Our front cover this issue was created by Bonnie Muir, who took the idea of the protective mask to new levels with her portraits of Emma, on the cover and Mia, pictured here.

Restricted access to classrooms and studios, in the first weeks of our return to ‘normal’ School called for creative solutions. Kasey, above, and Issy, below, set up temporary studios in Em and continued to be the creative legends that they are.

Caitie Remen, who is clearly now 16, has won the 1st Prize in the Senior School Student Category of the Iso-Life Photo Competition, sponsored by the Hirschfield Mac Arts Support Group.

This prize has been awarded for her photo entitled: “Saturday Nights� (Above)

Did you know?

The option in the GGS uniform code that allows female students to wear trousers has only been in place since late in 2018? Good friends and EM students Fleur and Su Sze were hugely instrumental in lobbying the School,on behalf of all female students, for this to happen. One of Su Sze’s first questions to the Head of House when they met at Timbertop at the end of Year 9 was, “Do I have to wear a dress?” Finally, 3 years later, the answer became, “No, you don’t have to wear a dress, you can finally wear the uniform that makes you feel comfortable”. So, for the final term of Su-Sze’s school life, pants were an option. EM trailblazers.