Preserving a record of our students’ experiences at Howqua

As the School Archivist, while undertaking research to provide historical content for our 30 year celebrations, I have reflected on what records best represent the ‘Howqua experience’.

Ithink that it is not generally the official records, although they provide important context, but the actual words of our students and the photographs of their events and activities.

Our archival collection includes copies of the Howquarian magazines dating from the first semester in 1993. This campus magazine started as a black and white production with student illustrations that were most likely printed onsite as a memento for each class of their time at Howqua. It has evolved over 30 years to become a professionally printed colour publication. The magazine records some of our Howqua students’ day-to-day experiences living on campus away from their family and friends during term.

What struck me was the obvious camaraderie between both the students and residential staff at Howqua. The articles include ‘in-jokes’ relating to both students and staff, including their quirks and nicknames and routines. I laughed when reading one article where the timetable was contrasted with the reality of dealing with teenage students – especially when bedtime was listed as 9.30pm! I wondered how many teenagers would have wanted to go to bed by then.

A poem that took my fancy was part of the Gillespie House Report in Semester 1, 1995:

Some of us are a bit crazy, Some maybe a bit lazy. Some of us are rude, Some prude. All of us have our quirks. Behind the covers they may lurk. Or out in the open they may be, For all of us to see.

They can make us feel a little queasy, Gettingonisn’talway[sic]easy.

Another record that captures our students’ personal voice is the Howqua Student Reflections books, in which students from each Year 9 class are encouraged to write an entry in the volume addressed to “Dear Future Howqua Girls”, with their thoughts for the students yet to attend the campus. The volumes provide each cohort of Year 9’s feedback from their time at Howqua, encouraging future students to take up all the opportunities and challenges offered at Howqua. A quote from the entry written by Zoe, one of our students in 2022 sums up our students’ description of their time at Howqua:

“Dear Future Howqua Girls,

This year has been one of the best and hardest years of my life.EveryhighandlowhasbeenextremebutIwouldn’t change it for the world. I am so grateful for the amazing experiences & opportunities I was given. Howqua is a place like no other, the more effort you put in, the more you get out of it. I will never forget the amazing staff, housemates, teachers and friends I’ve met here…”

As the school Archivist I am looking to represent our Year 9 students’ experiences at Howqua. I welcome donations of hoodies, polo tops and other items of apparel with our Howqua logo. We are also looking for back copies of the Howquarian magazine as we don’t have a complete set and for many editions, we just have a single copy.

Lisl Bladin Archivist

We wish to acknowledge recent donations to our Archives collection.

Object Donor

School photographs, examples of craft book binding, teacup and saucer, teaspoon, blazer pocket and newspaper clippings.

Lauriston crockery set and school photographs.

Testimonial letter written by Elizabeth Kirkhope and volume of School Prayers, by W.S Littlejohn.

Craft curriculum exercise book and binder with enclosed samplers, and linen table mats with cross stitching.

Tie-dye cushion with hand-coloured applique panels, videos and DVDs of school drama and musical productions 2003 to 2005.

Certificate and Prize List, 1942.

Year 12 blazer, Junior School summer dresses, school reports and certificates.

1950s Lauriston summer hatband.

School photographs, prize book, examples of craft book binding and Lauriston napkin ring.

Lauriston Doll, Year 6 artwork.

Large collection of planning documents, promotional material, magazines and reports of the Howqua campus setup and early operations.

Sally Nevett (Rial, OL 1957)

Wanda Batchelor (Watt, OL 1948), donated by her daughter Sue Collier

Jean Torry, teacher in Lauriston’s Junior School, 1942-1947, donated by her nephew Geoff McCracken

Georgie Clegg (Best, OL 1966)

Prashanti Manchikanti (OL 2005)

Barbara Cohen (Knight, OL 1950), donated by her daughter Katrina Shackell

Elisabeth Shugg (OL 1982)

Liz Howcroft (Bradley, OL 1954)

Pamela Romanes (Barber, OL 1953)

Isobel Caldwell (OL 2014)

Michael and Helen Hennessy, Co-Directors of Howqua, 1993 – 1997