7 minute read
Our Community
Spotlight on Claudette Siroky
Claudette Siroky is the Vice President of the Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School Parents’ Association (IGGSPA). Claudette has enjoyed being an active member and becoming part of the Ivanhoe Girls’ community.
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Claudette first started volunteering at Ivanhoe Girls’ on the annual Alpine Snowsports Camp and Interschools Championships when her daughter Scarlett was in Year 5. Being involved with school Alpine Skiing turned out to be a lot of fun. “It became a beautiful community thing to do, with a pre competition dinner in Melbourne and then getting together with some of the parents at the snow, having dinner, the kids making friends and playing card games at the table” she says.
Since then, Claudette has been a regular fixture at IGGSPA, and has helped out at everything from Jam Making, the Second Life Uniform Shop (SLU), Hot Cross Bun Drive and Year 6 Class Event Coordinator. More recently IGGSPA has had to adapt to a virtual world and Claudette has helped with the Virtual Mother’s Day lunch and Virtual Movie Nights to keep community connections going.
“I’m a firm believer in doing whatever we can do to make the world a better place,” explains Claudette. “Everything we do as individuals contributes to the greater good and this is one way that I can contribute.”
“Whether it’s bringing people together, or helping people out… or just a feeling that you want to do something good, that's where it all comes from,” she says.
Claudette works full time as an Art Director, and when her daughter first started at Ivanhoe Girls’, being involved became a great way to meet other families.
“It’s not the same as it used to be, when parents would drop kids off and you'd meet people that way,” explains Claudette. “A lot of parents work and as the kids get older you are not going to be walking them into school.”
Instead, Claudette has found those friendly connections volunteering through IGGSPA. “The School has a nice amount of social activities,” explains Claudette, “and it keeps you connected with the School and the people that are part of the School and I think that's a really lovely community spirit to have,” she says. “I really like that.”
As Vice President, Claudette would love to see more parents joining IGGSPA. “It doesn’t have to be a big commitment,” she says. “Even if you helped at SLU three times a year, or volunteered to help on Open Day, many hands make light work.”
In particular she would love to see more parents coming along to social events, for example the Father’s Day Breakfast or the Christmas Lunch. “Even if you come to one or two events in a year it's a nice way to connect to the community,” she says. “They end up being a lot of fun.”
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All About IGGSPA
The Ivanhoe Girls’ Parents Association (IGGSPA) was formed in 2018 after the amalgamation of the Mothers’ Association and the Parents’ and Friends Association. It’s a vibrant organisation and a warm and welcoming community of like-minded parents.
“I’ve made lots of nice friends who will probably now be lifelong friends,” says IGGSPA President, Lynne Pike-Overall. “It's nice to get together with a group of people that have a common goal and a common understanding of being part of a community and working together to achieve things.”
IGGSPA offers a variety of sub-committees for parents to join, and contribute as little or as much as they like. Attending monthly meetings can pose a challenge to many busy parents, but with activities ranging from organising events, to coordinating parent seminars and helping out in the Second Life Uniform Shop, there is something for everyone.
“We are all there because we are interested in our children’s lives, and we want to be a part of what they are a part of,” says Lynne. “I just wanted to be more involved, and to help out where I could.”
“It’s a way of becoming part of the School community and contributing and giving back to the School that personally has done a lot for my child and my family. We’ve loved every minute.” If you would like to find out more about joining IGGSPA, contact: parentsassociation@ivanhoegirls.vic.edu.au
A Place To Chill
In a year full of disruption and upheaval, it’s timely that a special wellness space has been created specifically for students to relax in a peaceful space far from the hustle and bustle of the School yard.
Nestled into the Federation-style house that also houses the Counselling rooms, the Chaplain and the Careers Centre, the “Igloo” is a space for students to chill out, reflect and take time out from their busy schedules.
The space was renovated and refurbished thanks to the support of the Ivanhoe Girls’ Parents’ Association (IGGSPA). President Mrs Lynne Pike-Overall believes it’s more important than ever for students to have a quiet place to escape the “masses”. “I think it will be quite overwhelming for a lot of girls to be in the hustle and bustle of 800+ students again after being in their own ‘iso’ bubble for six months,” she says. “Making a space available for tranquil, calm downtime, is really important.”
Ms Katrina Morrow, Head of Counselling agrees. “Some students, who are struggling with mental health concerns, often benefit from having a space where they can go to relax and calm themselves if they are feeling overwhelmed during their day,” she explains. She points out that Student Services is available to students who feel unwell. “We felt it was important to have a space available for students with mental health concerns as well.”
As well as a quiet, reflective space, the Igloo will also be used by Tutor Groups for activities like meditation, relaxation or quiet group discussions. The Counselling team will use the quiet space to accommodate private family meetings, while the Chaplain will use the room for Monday morning prayer meetings.
It is this multi-purpose dimension to the space that attracted the interest of IGGSPA. “We are very mindful about spending money on things that are for a broad spectrum of the School community, not just a select few,” explains Lynne. “So we thought it was a project that was definitely well worth putting funds into.”
IGGSPA raises money through various fundraisers throughout the year, but its main revenue stream is the Second Life Uniform Shop. “Our main priority is to bring the School community together,” explains Lynne.
Projects funded by IGGSPA include the ovens in the Hillsley Visual Arts and Hospitality Complex, the BBQ in the cafe forecourt and the 3D printer in the Innovation Station.
For the Igloo, IGGSPA contributed funds towards the refurbishment of the room, including a sofa and rug and artworks. Katrina says the room now has a “relaxed and gentle, calm feeling.”
“We have specifically chosen furniture that would be common in a homely space so students can feel relaxed and 'at home'”, she says. She’s looking forward to seeing the students use the rooms and come to the space to chill out, relax and feel safe whilst remaining at school.
NEW RUG NEW FURNISHINGS NEW ARTWORK
NEW SOFA
Save the Date 2021
Open Day
Saturday 20 March
10.00am – 1.00pm
Information Evening
Discover Year 7 Parent Information Evening
Thursday 18 March 6.00pm
Discover Prep Information Evening
Wednesday 24 March 6.30pm
Discover ELC Information Evening
Thursday 20 May 7.00pm
School Tours
Tours run from 9.00am – 10.00am and depart from the Performing Arts Centre. Register on our website ivanhoegirls.vic.edu.au
Wednesday 10 February Wednesday 5 May Thursday 24 June Tuesday 3 August Wednesday 1 September Tuesday 19 October Friday 12 November
Reunions
Class of 1990 and 1991
Friday 28 May
Class of 1985 and 1986
Friday 28 May
Class of 2000 and 2001
Friday 27 August
Class of 1995 and 1996
Friday 27 August
Class of 2010 and 2011
Friday 23 July
Class of 2019
Wednesday 25 August
Class of 1970 and 1971 50 Year Reunion and Past Student Luncheon pre-1985
Friday 1 October
Please update your contact details so we can send you a reunion invitation.
Please note that all dates are subject to change.
123 Marshall Street Ivanhoe Victoria 3079 Australia T +61 3 9490 6222 E enquiries@ivanhoegirls.vic.edu.au W ivanhoegirls.vic.edu.au
