3 minute read
Hannah Whittemore
Head of Girls Boarding
Hannah Whittemore, Head of Girls Boarding
Hannah Whittemore is no newcomer to boarding life.
She and her husband Ben lived at Ascham School between 2014-2020 and St Vincent’s College in Sydney between the end of 2020 and the first term of 2021. During that time, she climbed the ladder from Boarding Coordinator to Boarder Studies Coordinator, Head of House and Deputy Head of Boarding.
In April, during the lockdown, the couple decided it was time for a tree change and Mrs Whittemore joined KWS as Head of Girls Boarding.
“I was approached for this role at the end of 2020 and immediately began researching the School, boarding and its values. After speaking with a few colleagues, it became clear the School had a fantastic reputation and its values aligned closely with mine,” said Mrs Whittemore.
“Moving away from family and friends in Sydney was a difficult decision, but one I knew would be a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for myself and my family.”
Mr and Mrs Whittemore are enjoying boarding in a regional setting with the addition of their adorable four-year-old daughter, Ruby, who attends KWS PreKinder.
Every weekend, the family finds a new spot to explore in Orange and has already experienced the Borenore Caves, Mount Canobolas and Duntryleague Walk! Ben, who is managing his landscape design business in Sydney remotely during the lockdown, is a keen cyclist and has also joined The Pinnacle Peddlers in Orange.
Mrs Whittemore is also eager to get to know the boarding girls, staff and culture at KWS and Presbyterian Ladies College during her first 12 months.
“Navigating COVID-19 in the boarding community is challenging, however, it has provided me the opportunity to really get to know the girls and their families in a way I never would have under normal circumstances,” said Mrs Whittemore.
“Next year, the School has plans to invest in boarding at PLC, which is something the girls and staff are incredibly invested in. I’m so pleased to be part of something that’s going to contribute to the positive culture and space in boarding.”
Despite lockdown limiting the time Mrs Whittemore can spend with the boarders, she has been impressed with the calibre of students she’s met so far.
“My observations about the female boarding students of KWS are that they are grounded, resilient, salt of the earth young women who are invested in their education and their future. They throw themselves not only into their academics, but also their co and extra curricular commitments, and are committed to and invested in the boarding community - their home away from home,” said Mrs Whittemore. Mrs Whittemore has also been buoyed by the female representation among the leadership team at KWS.
“KWS is committed to surrounding itself with strong leaders who are aligned with its mission and vision. Five out of ten Senior Management Team members are female. This is also identified in student leadership selection, with strong leaders, both male and female, empowered to lead, learn and grow their potential as agents of change,” said Mrs Whittemore.
Mrs Whittemore says everything the school does is considered and reflective in practise and purpose, which results in an environment that is reflective of the views and cultural norms that are meaningful to young people today.
“The young women at KWS are given every tool necessary to achieve their potential in readiness for life beyond school,” she said. “My job is a fantastic example of the School’s recognition of the need for there to be someone who is an advocate for the girls boarding. I see it as my job to empower young women with the tools, power and confidence to be leaders who can impact positive change for themselves and their peers. We achieve this through the lived boarding experience, leadership opportunities, academic and activities program, which is embedded in our wellbeing program.” •
