Welcoming Claudette Leeming

Our new Chair of council.

Claudette Leeming (1991) is an Old Lauristonian, current Lauriston parent, and in mid-2022 commenced her role as the Chair of the Lauriston School Council – the very first Old Lauristonian to be appointed to this role.

At School, Claudette enjoyed a broad range of activities both academic and extra-curricular. She enjoyed an academic challenge and undertook a diverse range of subjects. She also loved Drama, playing Tennis, Cricket and being part of the SnowSports Team. Claudette was part of Kirkhope House, and she enjoyed being involved in House competitions and events.

Claudette believes that Lauriston provided her with the foundations that have contributed to the person that she is today, and left School with no questions about her ability to take her life in whatever direction she chose.

Together with her husband Mark and daughters Eleanor and Maddie, she lives in South Melbourne. Eleanor graduated in 2022 and Maddie is currently in Year 10. She loves seeing her daughters enjoying their own Lauriston experience, with some traditions that haven’t changed, as well as learning about the School’s evolution.

Claudette’s career has taken a path that she didn’t know existed when she left School. She studied Interior Design at RMIT and spent the next 20 years working in the design industry. She very quickly gravitated towards workplace design and strategy, as she loves understanding different businesses and the way people work, and translating that into workplaces that enhance culture and performance. She is currently the Head of Workplace at Australia Post and is responsible for its corporate workplace portfolio nationally. She is passionate about the future of work,

and in a post-pandemic world where people are working anywhere, anytime, realising the new role the physical workplace will play in bringing people together.

On her appointment as Chair of School Council, Claudette says, “It is an enormous honour and I am excited by the passion and commitment of my fellow council and sub-committee members, and to be working with a very talented and dedicated School Executive, led by Principal Susan Just. There is a lot of love for the school and the values that is stands for. We have such a strong community at Lauriston, with a genuine desire to see Lauriston continue to lead the way in delivering education that really does prepare the girls for life. My hope is to contribute to celebrating and growing the School community and culture, working with the School Executive to maintain Lauriston’s position as a leader and innovator in truly holistic and inclusive education.”

One of strengths that Claudette will bring to the role is an inclusive leadership style that focuses on bringing together the skills and experience of a wider group to achieve the best possible outcomes for students, parents, teachers and the wider community.

Claudette also plans to spend her time balancing focus on the School’s long-term future, while maintaining an eye on the here and now.

“COVID has taught us all the importance of being able to rapidly adapt and change, which Lauriston has done very successfully over the last two and a half years. This inherent agility puts the School in such a great position to set its sights on the next evolution of girls’ education,” she says.

Thank you Rick Ball

In the middle of 2022, Rick Ball stood down from his position as Chair of School Council having been a member of School Council and the Chair of Finance Committee since 2007, and the Chair since 2014.

Rick’s leadership, as both Chair of Finance Committee and Chair of School Council, has been instrumental in the planning and fruition of our current building Masterplan and these new facilities will add significant value to the education we can provide to our girls, now and for many years to come.

Rick’s legacy goes well beyond these facilities, as important as they are, and has contributed to ensuring the continuation of a well-rounded and unique education for girls in an environment where our learning is valued, doing things differently is encour aged, teachers and staff members are valued for their professional expertise, and having a strong community is a key indicator of success.

On a personal note, I have valued the opportunity to work with Rick as Chair of School Council. His guidance and advice throughout my years as Principal of Lauriston, and particularly during COVID-19, has been appreciated.

Susan Just Principal