Since 1901, Lauriston has empowered strong, independent, resilient girls who have the courage to speak their minds. Building future generations of capable, all-rounded women.
At Lauriston, we help girls to discover their unique traits. To challenge themselves physically and mentally, to challenge bias and preconceptions, and above all to challenge themselves to be who they want to be.
Lauriston is for those who value a strong, vibrant community underpinned by a unique heritage on the leading edge of education.
Find out more about our graduates www.ola.org.au/#celebratingouralumnae
PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2021 SENIOR SCHOOL: BECOMING AGENTS OF CHANGE HOWQUA: REIMAGINING THE CLASSROOM
JUNIOR SCHOOL: HARNESSING CURIOSITY AND CREATIVITY
KINDERGARTEN: CONNECTING WITH THE PAST, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
JESSICA MORRISON: GOLDEN GIRL SPORT HIGHLIGHTS: ROWING AND NETBALL ON CAMP
THE MANY BENEFITS OF LEARNING LATIN A MUSICAL FUSION COMMUNITY SERVICE: THE POWER OF A COMMUNITY MEET LAURISTON’S 2022 CO-CAPTAINS SOPHIE TISSOT: OUR INAUGURAL FELLOW CELEBRATING OUR 120TH ANNIVERSARY FROM THE ARCHIVES: OVER A CENTURY OF CURRICULUM BUILDING THE ULLMER SPORTS AND WELLBEING CENTRE INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS: MEET THE BEST FAMILY
VICKI REDWOOD: A HISTORY OF SERVICE
JUDITH GREGORY: A LASTING LEGACY VALE ANNOUNCEMENTS
OLD LAURISTONIANS’ CALENDAR OF EVENTS
04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 19 22 23 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 39 40 42 43
When you are an educator, much of your personal energy and motivation comes from the connections you make with students, staff, and parents. Your observations and interactions both inside and outside of the classroom provide you with insights about how to meet the learning and wellbeing needs of your students.
Term 3, 2021 was the most challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic for our teachers and students because we were fatigued and did not have clear sight of what the future looked like. Pandemic Flux Syndrome is a non-clinical term which has been coined to describe the jumble of feelings associated with change, blunted emotions, and spikes in anxiety, and after 18 months of living with uncertainty and unpredictability, we all felt exhausted and disappointed that we had not reached a more normal existence and had little clarity about the future.
In Term 4, and as we approached 2022, I wondered whether we had developed what Futurist, April Rinne, calls a flux mindset for these unpredictable times.
“To thrive in a world in flux, we need to radically reshape our relationship to uncertainty and flip the script to sustain a healthy and productive outlook.”
– April RinneHaving our students return to campus in Term 4 brought a lightness and sense of hope to all of us and reminded me of the strength of our community and all we have achieved. While the celebrations of our 120th anniversary were different to what we planned, we had much to be thankful for and many highlights throughout the year.
During 2021, our students spent the majority of their time on the Howqua campus, and we were able to continue our program through periods of lockdowns and restrictions. With the closure of national parks throughout the year, we discovered the possibilities of utilising our Howqua campus for Outdoor Program activities. Our teachers and students had to contend with remote learning ‘bubbles’ for periods of time however, the academic program and activities within Houses and the campus as a whole continued.
Through the year, we completed a review of our Howqua Program and 2022 will see the introduction of a new academic timetable, including new subject electives in Drama, Physical Education and Environmental Studies. We have appointed an Assistant Principal-Student Experience and Wellbeing who will be responsible for working with our students, families and House Tutors, along with reviewing our wellbeing program. New preparation activities have been included for what will be a large 2022 cohort of Howqua students.
The learning partnership between our teachers, students and parents continued through the second semester. We have continued to maintain routine with a daily timetable
The future depends on what we do in the present .”
- Mahatma Gandhi
for our students and fulfil our curriculum responsibilities.
On our return to face-to-face learning, we continued to give attention to ensuring that our students from Prep onwards were ready for the 2022 School year and providing support for learning gaps and re-invigorating motivation and enjoyment in learning.
We know that wellbeing and academic progress are inextricably linked and while we can measure gaps in learning and identify those students who may need additional support, it is difficult to measure the wellbeing impact that two years of disruption and lengthy periods of remote learning have had on our students.
One of our core School values is Relationships and throughout 2021 our teachers continued to provide personal support to their students through their academic lessons, wellbeing curriculum and co-curricular activities that we have run in face-to-face mode and/or virtually.
In 2022 we will give particular attention to supporting our students’ wellbeing, their ability to reconnect with their peers and the development of coping mechanisms for when there are periods of disruption or change.
Susan Just, Principal
Each House performed colourful and delightful choral and instrumental pieces and this day lifted the spirit of the Senior School.
There is a large cohort of girls off to Howqua in 2022 and I thank our parents and girls for your wonderful questions and reflections.
After two years of remote learning, we thank our Year 12 students for a memorable Valedictory, social activities day and formal. You are our heroes and we are proud of your tenacity and courage.
It was wonderful to share the Year 6 graduation activities and celebrate the young people who bring hope for our future.
I am in awe of the talented young women who completed so many thought-provoking and technically excellent exhibition pieces.
Seeing the construction of the Ullmer Sports and Wellbeing Centre, Playground and Years 5 and 6 Centre take shape has us all excited for its opening later in 2022.
THE RESULTS OF THE CLASS OF 2021 DEMONSTRATE AN OPTIMISM AND RESILIENCE THAT HAS ENABLED THEM TO THRIVE DESPITE A YEAR DOMINATED BY THE CHALLENGES OF LOCKDOWNS AND ONLINE LEARNING.
Exceptional scores were achieved across our VCE and IB cohorts with a combined 18% of students achieving an ATAR of 99 or above, placing them in the top 1% of the state and 68% achieving an ATAR of 90 or above, placing them in the top 10% of the state. Our combined median ATAR was 95.2.
Congratulations must also go to our VCE Dux, Belinda Huang, who achieved a perfect 99.95 and our IB Duces, Amelie Graham and Claudia Wong, who scored a perfect 45.
This year’s outstanding results reflect the commitment and camaraderie of our girls and the quality of our education and there is no doubting our girls have graduated with a depth of character only a willingness to try new things can create. Lauriston has helped them build this strength – from the inside out – through the excellence of our teachers and the diversity and depth of our program. I could not be prouder.
The Class of 2021 – how they bounced back.
Each year the Lauriston co-captains choose a theme to guide their focus throughout the year. This year Megan Ho, who started Lauriston in 3-year-old Kindergarten and Amelie Graham, who was one of our 2021 IB Duces, chose the theme ‘bounce back’ – not knowing that they would experience another year which would test the girls’ emotional resilience.
Megan said the theme aimed to inspire and support girls throughout their year, and to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone, try something new and to increase participation in different activities. “It also speaks to the value of resilience and helped us remain optimistic during the lockdowns.”
Amelie added that the theme was key to helping the girls to redefine what failure is. “We wanted girls to see it not as failing but as an opportunity for growth. They didn’t shy away from challenges, whether it was trying a new sport or activity, we all got to try something new and find new talents and hobbies in 2021.”
The majority of our graduates in the Class of 2021 are pursuing tertiary studies with a number setting their sights on University study overseas. We interviewed Ella Ryan who will be attending ANU, one of many Lauriston students who received an early offer.
What have you enjoyed most about Lauriston?
What makes Lauriston so unique is that you get the opportunity to develop personal skills and attributes that set you up for life. I also loved the fact that we were able to choose from a wide range of subjects. For example, I got to learn about Global Politics, Australian History and Psychology, which were all interesting and allowed me to explore my passions.
I loved doing Legal Studies as part of my VCE course and this has fueled my interest in studying Law. I have accepted an early offer for a double degree in Social Science, Arts, Business and Science as this aligns with my interest areas and will enable me to get a broader education than I would just studying law straight up.
My brother started studying at ANU a couple of years ago and has had an absolute blast, so since then I really have had my heart set on going there. For the first two years I will be staying at Burgmann College which looks like it has a great culture, and it will allow me to meet new friends.
Why did you apply for an early offer?
I felt it was great to be in the secure knowledge that I had something lined up for 2022 - because I wanted to go straight onto further study. Ms D’Altera, our Careers Advisor, was really supportive in the process as it was quite involved. The main thing about an early offer is they don’t just count the marks, they look at your extra-curricular activities and your drivers and motivations. I think that’s a really positive thing as is reflects what employers will look for too.
Lauriston students have never held back in expressing their opinions or speaking up when they believe something is unfair or unjust. In 1947, when the original School song was replaced with the version we now know so well, many students made it clear that they did not approve of the new version! Mary Newsome recalled in an interview, “…any time the new song was sung, we would belt out the old one”! Today, our student leadership positions, debating program, special interest groups, student-led committees and wellbeing programs provide this generation of Lauriston students with more effective avenues to develop and articulate their ideas and to become agents of change.
Empowerment and participation are two interrelated concepts underpinning Child Safe Standard 7, a standard requiring all organisations working with children to have strategies in place “that empower young people to meaningfully participate in decisions that impact them”. Last year, our Student Representative Council began the process of distilling key student-focused policies into a condensed, student-friendly format and in 2022 we have formed a student-led committee to take responsibility for further embedding the ideas of student empowerment and participation into the many different aspects of decision-making at Lauriston.
A small but significant example of how student voice has influenced decision-making is our approach to earrings. The 2021 SRC representatives brought to the meeting complaints from tutor
groups about the earring rule, saying that some students would like to wear two earrings per ear, instead of the permitted single earring per ear rule. The SRC was challenged to turn these complaints into a cogent and well-argued proposal to take to Ms Just. A sub-committee was formed, and they sought further feedback from students, wrote and refined that proposal and set up a meeting with Ms Just to present her with the document and argue their case. Not only were they successful in having the earring rule changed, they have also opened the door to investigate other matters for consideration in 2022.
Child Safe Standard 7, Empowerment and Participation, is about much more than School uniform. It goes to the heart of child safety, resilience, and the confidence of young people to seek support and help if they need it. Lauriston students have always been an articulate, intelligent group who have a voice, whose opinions are sought on a range of matters and whose perspectives help shape our policies and practices. In 2022, we will be working with students across year levels to further strengthen the ways in which students are part of the authentic decision-making of the School. Rather than reacting to decisions with ‘terrible arguments’, future Lauriston graduates will apply critical thinking, evaluate information, consider the perspectives of others, and use their judgement to solve a problem or make a decision.
Anne Wallington Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School
“ Not only were they successful in having the earring rule changed , they have also opened thedoor to investigate other matters for consideration in 2022.”
Howqua was undoubtedly the best year of my life . I was able to experience so many things that I never thought I would during my time there. I could see in myself that I changed and grew as a person and became a much more mature independent version of myself. My favourite part of Howqua was easily the relationships I formed with students and staff. The Outdoor Program was a component I thrived in and I learnt so many life skills which I still think about and use to this day. I will never forget the life I lived at Howqua and I am forever grateful for all those who were able to make it happen and help it be what it is today.”
CAMILLA, YEAR 10
Our Howqua Program is constantly evaluated, updated and manipulated to best suit the needs of our girls and to ensure that the program delivers long-lasting and positive outcomes. Over the years, there have been a number of changes, re-evaluations and variations with most of the recent evolutions related to COVID-19 with many students in the 2020 and 2021 cohorts spending more time on-campus and the surrounds than ever before! Our girls have proven most resilient and adaptable.
In 2022, we are moving to new seven-period per day timetable at Howqua with a number of new electives now available to girls. It is all very exciting and further strengthens the Howqua academic program.
Mathematics. The syllabus builds on concepts introduced in Years 7 and 8. Key topics include Linear Relationships, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, Measurement and their applications.
Science. Closely following the Australian Curriculum, students complete a program that takes advantage of the unique environment of Howqua. Students will complete units of work in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
English. At Howqua, English revolves around the study of diverse texts including films, novels, plays and poetry set in a range of contexts from Shakespearean England to modern-day Australia. Students learn to analyse how texts are constructed and this supports their own creation of analytical work as well as imaginative fiction, dramatic performances and poetry.
History. Students study The Industrial Revolution, The Making of the Australian Nation and Federation, World War I and China’s Qing Dynasty. They also experience the rich cultural heritage of the Victorian High Country through a range of experiences.
PE and Health. Topics include health, the benefits of physical activity, mental health and wellbeing as well as games and sport.
Art. Visual Art is a semester-long course focusing on developing a high level of visual understanding, as well as enhancing confidence with creative thinking and skills. Students work with multiple art mediums such as; drawing, painting, photography, ceramics and textiles.
Drama. The drama course is a new addition to the curriculum in 2022 and will build upon the experiences of students in Year 8, taking advantage of the Howqua site. Students will undertake a se mester-long course including practical workshops and collaborative group tasks working towards creating a performance.
Innovations and Applications. This is a year-long course exploring ICT skills and how digital technologies are being used to promote a sustainable future. Students will have the opportunity to use Python programming language, use design thinking in storytelling, and problem-solving skills using drones. Students will also use Micro:bit to collect and manipulate climate data. We strongly believe that students should continue to build their capacities in using digital technologies while at Howqua.
Fitter, Faster, Stronger. This is a new offering in 2022 and will involve students exploring opportunities to expand their knowledge of physical activity. Students will take advantage of the facilities on-campus undertaking activities such as strength training and yoga. They will develop coaching skills and knowledge of nutrition for physical activity. There will also be opportunities to run student-led soccer tournaments and volleyball.
Environment and Sustainability. The Environment and Sustainability course is a semester-long offering and includes components of Geography, Science and Sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to undertake environmental monitoring, look at sustainable food production, and climate change. Students will also investigate successful measures that are being taken to abate the imposing climate challenges. The course is underpinned by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.
LOTE. The Language faculty will offer both French and Mandarin in 2022. Some students will choose to study one of these languages; some will choose to study both.
We look forward to seeing the girls undertake a new set of subject offerings that will provide them with an even greater set of opportunities during this remarkable Year 9 experience that is Howqua.
Sam Ridley Vice Principal, Howqua
While challenging at times, our second year featuring extended periods of remote learning has provided many opportunities for Junior School students to innovate, create and grow. I have really admired the support displayed by our entire community and am most proud of how our staff continued to go the extra mile to ensure our students were engaged in their home learning and how our students remained optimistic and persistent.
Marie Curie once said, “Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.” As leaders in STEM education, we are always searching for ways to positively influence our students and create a culture of curiosity, creativity and engagement in STEM studies.
From Prep, our girls undertake an inquiry-based approach to STEM with STEM learning integrated throughout our entire curriculum. Girls are given access to a wide range of digital technologies and are provided with challenges linked to real-world problems. This approach helps them develop key skills such as problem-solving, creativity, critical analysis, teamwork, initiative, communication and digital literacy.
STEM remained an essential aspect of our Home Learning Program in 2021 and our Year 4 girls undertook an innovative Endangered
Animals Project involving Art, Science, and Digital Technologies. This rich task centred around the challenge of how humans can help endangered species survive.
As part of their inquiry into living things, each girl chose then investigated an endangered animal such as the blue macaw, the numbat, and the snow leopard before using the Keynote app to create engaging presentations to share with their peers.
In Art, the girls constructed a 3D model of their chosen animal and then used the Procreate app to draw their animal’s habitat. The girls use of Procreate, a professional-level app for digital artists, was very impressive.
After researching their animals and completing their work on habitats, the girls combined what they learnt and their ideas on how to help protect their chosen animal into a short film. The girls used the Stop Motion Studio app to apply green-screen effects, sound effects, filters, music and titles to in creating their movie which were then shared in the Year 4 Endangered Animal (online) Short Film Festival.
Chris Toms Vice Principal, Head of Junior School
I loved making the 3D animal in art and then I enjoyed making the stop motion movie and watching everyone else’s movies at the film festival. It was really a fun learning experience during home learning because it was challenging and interesting.”
MILLIE, YEAR 4
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The Kindergarten children have been exploring the word ‘connections’ throughout 2021 which has encompassed a whole range of investigations and the building of relationships.
As Lauriston celebrated its 120 years, we decided to make connections with the past, to understand some of our history and the history of the School in a simple way.
When we celebrated Grandparents’ Week the children wondered what childhood for grandparents may have been like. We invited grandparents to write a letter to their grandchild and we received many beautiful letters detailing aspects of their own childhoods. These have been shared with the whole group so that all children can make connections to the past and hear stories about very different features of being a child in a different era. Childhood for some of our grandparents ranged from strict cultural Schools in China to austere boarding Schools in the United Kingdom where children attended from a young age. Unimaginable to our children! Most grandparents thought their children were so fortunate to attend a School such as Lauriston.
To celebrate the significant Lauriston milestone of 120 years, the Kindergarten held an ‘olden-days’ dress-up day with a special lunch and games on the oval. The children were asked to dress-up in what they imagined children in the olden days would have worn to School. The children, aided by their parents, made many wonderful costumes and it helped the children to pause for a while and think about life in the past. We set up some old-fashioned games on the oval, sack races, egg and spoon races and hopscotch, and the children were excited by the novelty.
Connections were made in a social and emotional way, and we have explored our connections to nature, space and animals. Wherever the children have had a strong interest, the educators have harnessed their ideas to find out more on a topic.
We hope that as we explored these themes with the children, other conversations were started within families and children were assisted to see how the past has helped shape the present and the future.
Fiona Ireland Director of Kindergarten
Connecting to our past can shape how we understand ourselves today. The stories passed down from our parents or the relationships we have with places, people, or culture can deeply influence our perspectives and how we weigh decisions .”
- Jin Xuefei
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essica Morrison (2010) won gold as a member of the women’s coxless four representing Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In August she joined over 300 Lauriston students and staff and shared with us her journey to Olympic success.
Have you always rowed?
I actually didn’t take up rowing until I was 21. I dabbled in rowing in Year 8 but the training times didn’t work with my swimming commitments-I was a very keen swimmer and aspired to be an Olympic swimmer! After I graduated from Lauriston, I was offered a swimming scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. At that time, my goal was to represent Australia by swimming at the 2012 London Olympics.
Even though I performed well in competitions, I wasn’t selected for the 2012 games. I then developed a shoulder injury and needed a full shoulder reconstruction. While I was undergoing rehabilitation I met Kim Brennan, an Olympic medalist who rowed for Australia at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Kim encouraged me to try rowing and the rest is history.
What was the transition from swimming to rowing like?
One of the greatest challenges was building my endurance. In swimming, races are short and intense, whereas in rowing the races are much longer. There are also different muscles involved. In swimming your upper body strength is the most important. In rowing, your strength comes from your lower body. I also had to learn to row as a member of a team. I had always been involved in individual sports and rowing needs everyone in the boat to work together. I remember my first regatta experience; we were beaten by a much younger Schoolgirls’ crew who simply worked very well as a team. My mum came to watch and was so encouraging, but I was so disappointed in my performance.
How did you go from this experience to an Olympic gold medal?
This is my second Olympic Games. I competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics as a member of the women’s eight crew and back then my goal was simply to make the team! I was still relatively new to the sport and didn’t really know how I would go.
In preparing for the 2020 Games, I was far more confident and determined to win gold. There was also an opportunity to compete in two races, the women’s pair and the women’s coxless four, which really helped motivate me.
My rowing partner in the pair is Annabelle McIntyre. We began rowing together at the end of 2018 and gelled really well and have been rowing together ever since. We were also both selected for the four team, along with Rosemary Popa and Lucy Stephan.
What was it like competing on the day?
Competing at an Olympic level is very much a mental game. Most of your competitors have done just as much training as you and the difference can come down to what’s going on in your head and your ability to stay focused and execute while under pressure. While we had our race plan and had practiced that many times at simulation regattas throughout the year, the challenge is always executing the plan under pressure.
In the fours event we were confident that we had what was needed to win. We had a strong start and excellent mid-race rhythm but the last 500m was very tight and required a real wind to the line. We knew we needed to stay clean and move together. The team from the Netherlands really piled on the pressure but we managed to hold them off, beating them by just 0.34 seconds!
We were all stoked with the win, but Annabelle and I had to remain focused as we were set to compete in the pair Final less than two hours later. We finished fourth which was disappointing but meant we qualified for the B Finals the following day. We went on to win that final, which meant that we placed 7th at the Games for this event.
Are there elements from your experience at Lauriston that have helped you achieve success?
Definitely! I took on the challenge of undertaking the IB Diploma in Years 11 and 12. I knew it was a huge workload and at the time I had a heavy training program so I knew it was going to be tough to achieve success in both areas. The Head of IB offered me the option of completing the diploma over three years but I politely declined. If anything, it made me more determined to prove that I could balance both commitments and be successful in both! These two years helped me learn how to structure my week, set bite-size short-term goals, manage my time and set no limit for myself on what I thought I was capable of. The same schedule I had back in School applies to my life today as an athlete and juggling a part-time career in consulting. It is a very familiar territory for me and one I know how to navigate well.
Do you remember any specific times in your School life that set you on the path you are on today?
Without a doubt the year at Howqua. It was such a rich and ful filling year for me and one I could have easily opted out of to stay back in Melbourne to train. I’m glad I made the decision to take some time away from swimming and to live up in the bush with my classmates and experience something totally different. I think at that age it’s risky to take your sporting endeavours too seriously because it can take you away from enjoying all the opportunities
School has to offer and it is not going to affect your long-term performance. Howqua taught me to embrace change and to get excited about new experiences and that is the mantra I have taken with me to where I am today.
Any advice you would give to girls interested in pursuing sport at an elite level?
The support I received from my parents and coaches has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams, even when it meant changing my sport. My advice would be to remain open to opportunities that come your way and to know that if you really want to get somewhere, there are many ways to get there!
Our rowing program offers students a unique sporting experience in a sport commonly regarded as the ultimate team sport.
Year 8 and Year 10 programs focus on participation and technical development and provide the girls with a great foundation leading into the senior program and the amazing racing opportunities that exist at Head of the Schoolgirls and Rowing Australia National Championships.
After an abbreviated preparation for the 2021 Head of the Schoolgirls, some cancelled regattas and a few more ergo sessions at home than anyone likes, Lauriston’s rowing squad had a great end to their season with all crews having their best performance of the year over the Head of the Schoolgirls weekend. This included our Senior 2nd Quad making the Division 3 Quad Scull A-Final!
It has been great to see growth within the rowing program over the past 12 months with more than 50% increase in participation across all squads from Year 8 through to Seniors. This is due to our focus on providing the opportunity to experience rowing to more girls through the Year 8 and Year 10 seasons and by increasing the overall size of the Senior Squad. The School has shown the rowing community amazing support with the purchase of a new Sykes Racing eight for the 2021-22 season and we look forward to seeing the new boat in action in the coming regatta season.
Nick Edwards Head of Rowinghe Lauriston Netball Club was founded in 2018 with the aim of giving all Lauriston girls the chance to play netball in competitions outside of School. We started with eight teams in the Prahran Netball Association (PNA) and quickly grew to being the biggest club within that association. Now we have over 20 teams in two different associations!
We employ qualified coaches who not only love coaching but love netball and are experienced players as well. The girls train before School, usually on our School grounds and our coaches love to have this time with them, doing fitness, ball skills and game play. We are looking forward to the launch of the Ullmer Sports and Wellbeing Centre which will give us two state-of-the-art indoor netball courts to use in addition to our fantastic outdoor netball facilities.
It has been wonderful to see so many girls join the Lauriston Netball Club with girls from Year 3 right up to Year 10 playing and training
each week. This year we took the big step to move our Years 7-10 teams to the Waverley District Netball Association (WDNA), the premier netball competition in Victoria. We have had great success within this association and in 2022 look forward to moving all teams from Years 5 and up to the WDNA while keeping our Year 3-4 girls in a fantastic local competition, PNA. We believe having girls play in both associations provides them with a wonderful introduction to netball before expanding their opportunities to grow via representative teams and the Victorian Netball League.
The Lauriston Netball Club is going from strength to strength and we welcome any Lauriston girl to come along and join our wonderful netball community! We thank all of our players, coaches, parents and supporters for staying connected during 2021 and look forward to seeing you back on the court very soon!
Kellie Strauss Netball CoordinatorAhighlight of the calendar for our Year 2 – Year 6 students are our sleepovers and camps. Beyond the opportunity to have fun, these experiences provide our girls with a chance to step outside their comfort zone in unfamiliar environments, helping to promote self-esteem, resourcefulness, independence, resilience, tolerance and importantly, connection and camaraderie.
With many of our students missing out on camps in 2020, this year we were determined to run all programs – even if we had to contact a large number of venues across Victoria, reshuffle the schedule multiple times and squeeze all events into the final four weeks of the School year!
Our Year 2 girls enjoyed their sleepover and breakfast where they watched a movie and played games. For their first overnight School experience, they showed such independence and courage. Year 3 and Year 4 girls enjoyed their time at Camp Lyrebird in the Yarra Valley bushlands where they immersed themselves in their natural surrounds with nature walks and team games, challenged themselves with many adventure activities and enjoyed spending quality time with one another.
Our Year 5 and Year 6 girls visited Camp Toolangi; enthusiastically getting involved in a range of fun activities such as a high ropes course, BMX racing, abseiling and a trivia night. They further developed the skills they need to initiate, maintain and manage positive social relationships.
On camp, our girls epitomised the ‘care, share and respect’ ethos of the Junior School by looking out for each other. They showed resourcefulness and collaboration when solving team challenges such as the billy cart making and racing. Their leadership was evident when they supported each other to climb the rock climbing wall and it was fantastic to see our girls adapt to their new environments and grow in confidence after what was another challenging year.
With our graduating Year 6 students about to enter their first year of Senior School, it was wonderful to see them celebrate the end of their milestone year together as a group.
“I loved having the opportunity to go on a School trip, especially after missing out on last year’s camp and this year’s planned Canberra trip. I had a great time with my friends and teachers and made some good, end-of-year memories. I especially enjoyed the BMX racing, the ropes course and the scary abseiling!” ~ Imogen, Year 6
Upon their return, we have heard students reflect positively about activities that were new and challenging. They created greater bonds with their cohort. These fond memories are something that our students will no doubt treasure for a lifetime.
Chris Toms Vice Principal, Head of Junior SchoolI loved having the opportunity to go on a School trip, especially after missing out on last year’s camp and this year’s planned Canberra trip. I had a great time with my friends and teachers and made some good, end-of-year memories. I especially enjoyed the BMX racing, the ropes course and the scary abseiling!”
Research shows the many benefits of learning a second language and at Lauriston we are proud to offer a variety of languages and provide our students with the opportunity to study them at a higher level.
We are excited to be introducing Latin to our Year 7 cohort in 2022! After careful consideration, we decided that this subject would be an excellent addition to our current language offerings of French, Chinese and IB Spanish Ab Initio. It is a wonderful subject that fosters strong academic and critical thinking skills and we know there are many girls eager to commence their Latin classes!
Among the many benefits of studying Latin are:
It lifts academic outcomes in other subjects
It helps to strengthen English literacy skills
It helps maximise VCE scores with scaling (in 2020 a raw score of 30 was scaled up to a 47)
It prepares our girls for scientific, legal or medical careers
It equips our girls for coding and computer programming, and assists understanding of mathematical concepts
It helps facilitate learning another language
It provides exposure to ancient history and cosmology
It improves employment prospects as employers know that studying Latin challenges students to think critically
Two Year 7 classes will embark on the exciting journey of learning Latin in 2022 and we hope to see many more girls take up this wonderful opportunity in the coming years.
Lindy Grahn Assistant Principal, Learning and Innovation Fiona Curnow Curriculum Leader, LOTEIn 2021, students in Year 5 began their French studies using the AIM (Accelerative Integrated Method). This is a highly accelerative language teaching method that uses music, dance, gestures and theatre to support learning. In this way, students are able to practise the five macro skills of listening, reading, speaking, writing and viewing. AIM classes are highly interactive and students are speaking in the target language for the entire class.
“French is a beautiful language and I absolutely love learning it as a subject. During French, we love to listen to many French songs. One of our class favourites is ‘La classe commence’, an upbeat song that puts us in a mindset to learn! It is a great feeling when we are all singing and dancing together!”
ELKE, YEAR 5
“I see music in another way now, and I love every minute we spend in Fusion,” says Year 7 student and erhu player Deanna, who has participated enthusiastically in FUSION’s activities throughout 2021. For Deanna and many of the other Lauriston students studying traditional Chinese instruments, FUSION offers them their first real opportunity to play in a musical group.
FUSION and its junior counterpart, FUSION 2, are Lauriston’s world music ensembles-groups that explore folk music styles and bring performers of Western instruments together with those of folk instruments. The ensembles were founded by Lauriston’s cello teacher Ms Yan in 2016 and with 23 students now participating, we celebrated our first world music concert in 2021.
‘Colourful Clouds Chasing the Moon’ was the event’s theme and it focused on the personal stories of ensemble members as they discussed their cultural backgrounds, what drew them to their instruments, and what their own cultural experiences have been. The students shared their voices through video interviews, solo performances, compèring, sharing artwork, and their recorded
contributions to a combined ensemble track. The result was a powerful gesture of generosity and honesty that offered the audience an array of sonic colours and a fascinating and moving experience.
As a group of mostly first-generation and second-generation migrants, the ensemble community is full of stories depicting the fusion of their cultural identities. Some students spoke in interviews of retaining or retying musical connections to their roots while others questioned that connections relevance or pondered its absence. They went on to describe how being in FUSION sparks their curiosity about other musical cultures and ways of thinking about sounds, rhythms, and instrument combinations. Exquisite solo performances marked each thematic chapter with an array of sounds including Chinese ocarina, guzheng, liuqin, erhu, violin, flute, cello, bass guitar and drums.
Jess Foot Woodwind Teacher and Ensemble DirectorOne of the most inspiring aspects of the Community Service Program at Lauriston is GIVE (Girls In Values Education) which is all about working with agencies and community groups to build bridges between Lauriston and those experiencing hardship.
Our aim is to spark positive change by increasing awareness, connection and understanding of the wider community. It has been wonderful to see our community continue to adapt and innovate in order to support those in need, however, I am most grateful for the moments when our students truly understand the meaning and impact of our work. This year year they had the opportunity to hear first-hand from those we support:
Donny and Tash from St Kilda PCYC (Police Citizens Youth Club) spoke to the Year 6 girls about programs they run for local youth in need of support. Our girls did jobs at home and raised funds for a barista training program that assisted PCYC to employ staff for a new café in Balaclava.
Igniting Change leaders, Celia Hirsch and Jane Tewson, spoke to Senior School students and the impact of their stories was evident on the girls’ faces as they listened to members of our local community speak first-hand about their challenging experiences.
Bridgett from Very Special Kids, the only children’s hospice in Victoria caring for children with life-threatening conditions, spoke to our Year 3 students.
Liz Dawes from Robert Connor Dawes (RCD) spoke with the Year 5 girls about paediatric brain cancer. Afterwards, the girls took part in the ‘bird brain’ quiz where $1 from every quiz entry (donated by Sharpie) went to the Foundation. The girls were inspired to hold a ‘Go Grey in May’ casual clothes day and many girls took part in Connor’s Run to support RCD research.
Jane Vadiveloo, founding CEO of Children’s Ground, spoke with Year 7-12 girls during our Reconciliation Assembly about her organisation and how they support indigineous communities facing exclusion and injustice.
In 2021, a number of activities took place such as Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Wear It Pink Day. Maddy (Year 10) organised some of the Melbourne Football Club AFLW girls and special guests including BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti to speak and our Senior AFL team enjoyed a kick to kick with the Melbourne girls. The School truly was a sea of pink!
We teamed up with Melbourne Grammar and Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia to discuss how we can form mentor groups to support the newly arrived evacuees from Afghanistan.
During the lockdown, several of our students provided tutoring each Friday night to assist migrant and refugee students from non-English speaking backgrounds. Friday Night School has been online for most of 2021 and we are grateful for the incredible support of our students and staff who assist in each session.
In the winter months, girls collected children’s coats to be provided to St Kilda Mums. Donations from families filled a clothes rack in a couple of weeks during July and August.
Sporting equipment was collected for Boots 4 All, helping dissolve the barriers to sport and social inclusion across Australia. Year 7 girls donated pet food for Pets of The Homeless and these were distributed to agencies working with homelessness.
Year 5 student Asha organised the Junior School to collect bread tags for a charity called Bread Tags for Wheelchairs. The bread tags are recycled in Robe, South Australia and made into bowls before being sold to fund wheelchairs for those in need in South Africa.
During lockdown, the School community donated Coles and Woolworths vouchers to support grass-roots organisations and individuals and the whole School collected non-perishable food items for the Malvern Emergency Food Program in the lead-up to Christmas.
Maddy (Year 10) and Sass (Year 11) bagged up hundreds of bags of sweets during the September School holidays for the children at South Yarra Housing Towers and the smiles on the children’s faces were priceless!
Ten girls in Year 10 took part in a six-month Youth in Philanthropy Program where they gained an insight into the world of charities, grant making and philanthropy.
Steps Outreach Service and Concern Australia ran a T-shirt design competition to give young people experiencing homelessness a voice and to raise community awareness and create a response to youth homelessness. Nicole in Year 7 was one of the winning entries and her sensational work was displayed in the Walk in My Shoes Augmented Reality and Design exhibition in Federation Square.
We continue to be overwhelmed by the generous support of our community and our focus on making a difference at a grass-roots level has seen the girls giving back to the community this year and into the future.
Sarah Jessup Community Service CoordinatorAs we begin a new year, we hear from Selina and Tegan, Lauriston’s 2022 Co-Captains. Here, they talk about their goals and their belief that after a challenging couple of years, 2022 will be filled with fresh opportunities and events to look forward to.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?
Selina: I came to Lauriston in 2017 and jumped into the extra-curricular action immediately, joining the Year 5-8 Orchestra, Lauriston Voices and the String Quartet. These experiences fuelled my involvement in music groups for years to come, as I found playing cello within a group to be very energising. I remember hearing the Senior Orchestra play for the first time and just being astounded by the rich, lush sound of 50 people playing in sync. Apart from music, I have also loved getting involved in DAV debating, Run Club and projects like Melbourne University’s Spaghetti Machine contest. Outside of School, I enjoy reading novels, going on walks with my family and visiting art galleries with friends.
Tegan: My journey at Lauriston started all the way back in 3-year-old Kindergarten. Through my experiences here, I have been able to find my true passions and interests. My first ever House cross-country in Year 2 sparked my love for running and I’ve been running ever since! Through Lauriston, I have also found my passion for the stage. My first musical in Year 5 ignited my love for theatre and music so it may not come as a surprise that my favourite subjects are PE Theory and Theatre Studies!
I enjoy participating in Girls’ Sport Victoria (GSV) and sport clubs, choral ensembles and have even dabbled in House Debating from time to time. Outside School, I love being with my friends, reading and cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
What are the unique challenges that you have faced as students over the past two years?
Selina: Learning online made me realise how much we rely on social interaction at School and I know some students have found it challenging to stay motivated without this interaction. However, during lockdown, everyone has put in so much effort to check up on each other and we have felt really supported by our teachers. Online learning has brought both negatives and positives-it can be hard to concentrate on class while the neighbour’s dog is barking crazily but online learning does provide the benefit of being able to jump out of bed and arrive at class in seconds. We have also had the pleasure of meeting the teachers’ pets over the past two years!
Tegan: These past two years have been like none we have experienced before. The thought of attending classes from my home over Zoom never crossed my mind. There have been challenges along the way but with the encouragement and support from our teachers, our cohort has adapted to the change and has come out stronger on the other side. Personally, I have found it difficult to be separated from my peers as I thrive off class discussion and face-to-face interaction. However, Lauriston has made astounding efforts to keep us connected as a community by continuing to host virtual House events, extra-curricular activities
and pastoral care and mentoring. I have found these activities kept me feeling engaged and involved.
What are the key aspects of leadership that you will bring to the role?
Selina: I would love to bring a creative outlook to the role and make Lauriston a place where people feel valued and comfortable to be themselves. I also hope to get others involved in activities they haven’t tried before, such as a new GSV sport, music ensemble or drama production. In this way, 2022 can be a new year filled with opportunities and events to look forward to.
Tegan: To this role I will bring my passion, innovation and enthusiasm. I aspire to be a personable leader with the goal to encourage, support and further unite our School community. I wish to rebuild our sense of togetherness after two years of separation by advocating connection and participation. I aim to make 2022 an enjoyable year filled with excitement, positivity and fun.
What are some of the things you have enjoyed most about your time at Lauriston?
Selina: Like many Lauriston girls, some of my favourite memories have come from Howqua, whether it was playing in the snow, hiking up mountains or dancing in the dining hall as part of a flash mob. Howqua was instrumental in developing my confidence and it changed who I am today, so I am forever thankful for the experience. Lauriston’s range of extra-curriculars have also been memorable, including student-led initiatives like Linguistics Club or the Combined School Orchestra where we met students from other Schools. The Jazz Cabaret this year was such a joyous celebration of our Music Department, especially given all the restrictions that had prevented previous concerts. Another one of my favourite things
about Lauriston is the people; the teachers and students are so thoughtful. I will never forget how blown away I was by the kindness everyone showed me, both when I arrived at the School in Year 7 and today as I enter Year 12.
Tegan: My favourite memories at Lauriston have come from participating in various extra-curricular activities. During my time at Lauriston, I have loved launching myself into the musicals and plays, sport clubs and student-led initiatives. It was during these experiences where I felt like I could truly connect with girls from different year levels and grow closer to the Lauriston community. My Howqua year was also one of my most memorable Lauriston experiences. At Howqua, I was given the extraordinary opportunity to try new things, make meaningful connections with my peers and learn about myself. I am so incredibly grateful for what I have learnt through my Howqua journey and I cherish the memories that were made.
Selina: After I graduate at the end of 2022, I plan to follow my passion for biology and study medicine. However, I also want to maintain my love of literature and hope to write a book someday, or create art when I have more free time. I also plan to go travelling to Europe, or really anywhere overseas once borders open!
Tegan: At this point in time, I have an open mind as to the pathway I will follow. After School I plan to pursue my passion in writing and my interest in journalism and media. I wish to take every opportunity that comes my way in order to broaden my knowledge and experience of the world around me. While studying, I plan to travel and enrich my cultural experiences. What lies ahead is not set in stone but that’s what excites me!
After two years of Covid-19, Selina and I aspire to rebuild a sense of community and harbour an inclusive and cohesive environment. We wish to create a passionate and enthusiastic atmosphere by reimagining our way of learning. We also aim to inspire our cohort to grow, reach their goals and to start the year with optimism.”
TEGAN
In June 2021 the Old Lauristonians’ Association proudly launched a new Fellowship program to celebrate and support the professional development of past Lauriston students.
The Fellowship provides a $5,000 contribution to support an Old Lauristonian so that she can undertake professional development, research, or further study in her chosen field, or enable her to deliver a unique project.
The OLA received a number of applications and were delighted to short-list applications from three candidates: Sophie Tissot (2006), Krisha Changrani (2014) and Kathryn Elliott (1990). All three applicants are outstanding examples to the current student body and Old Lauristonians across the world, of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, perseverance, a strong sense of community spirit and connection.
A selection panel, consisting of members of the OLA Committee and a representative from the School Executive, reviewed all applications in line with Fellowship selection criteria and then interviewed selected candidates before unanimously awarding the inaugural OLA Fellowship to Sophie Tissot (2006).
SOPHIE TISSOT (2006)Sophie Tissot (nee Riddell) is a Urology Surgical Trainee and Robotics Fellow at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. Sophie completed her medical degree at the University of Adelaide after which she returned to Melbourne to work at St Vincent’s Hospital. In her pre-surgical training years, she completed a Master of Surgery (University of Sydney), became the inaugural Chief Surgical Resident of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (2017-2018) and gained a position on the Urology Society of Australia and New Zealand surgical training program which she commenced in 2019.
Sophie is currently involved in a project which is a validation study of hydrogel anatomical models to train doctors in robotic surgery. There has been a recent uptake of robotic surgery in favour of open or laparoscopic methods which has resulted in an all-time high demand for robotic surgical training. Surgical trainees like Sophie only work within the public system which limits the accessibility to robotic training, but with the OLA Fellowship funding, Sophie will now have access to robotic surgical training through the Australian Medical Robotics Academy (AMRA). The financial support from the OLA Fellowship, will allow Sophie to be the first novice surgeon in Australia to complete hydrogel prostatectomy model training through AMRA, under the supervision of Professor Tony Costello AM, CEO of AMRA.
Sophie continues to build her skills and experience by seeking non-traditional educational techniques, which she strongly believes are the way of the future. The OLA is proud to award the inaugural OLA Fellowship to Sophie and is thrilled to provide the support she needs to further her medical training.
Krisha Changrani has finished her medical degree and will be completing her internship at The Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2022. Krisha plans to pursue a career in general practice, with a special interest in child and adolescent health. Krisha will soon be completing the Sydney Child Health Program, an internationally recognised professional development program of study in paediatrics to be completed over the next year.
Krisha is a believer that in a COVID-19 world, health awareness is key and completing this program will enable her to deliver evidence-based and up-to-date health information to our youth.
In addition to her medical studies Krisha has played a key role in establishing the not-for-profit organisation ASHA Lectures, with funds raised going towards the ASHA Charity, which is also known as Australian South-Asian Healthcare Association. Her involvement has included the development of a program called ‘Bodyworks’ which delivers health promotion workshops to primary School students.
Krisha hopes that she can continue reaching out to other Lauriston alumnae in the medical field, as well as work with both Lauriston students and recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
In August 2019 Kathryn left her corporate PR role to pursue her passion project, ‘My Breast Friend’, a range of self-care products that encourage women to connect with their bodies and conduct regular self-checks. Kathryn has formed a partnership with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and will be donating $2 from each sale to BCNA. Kathryn is determined to add more products to the range for the breast cancer community, including developing a self-check education video, specific products for chemotherapy and radiation therapies and pursuing opportunities to secure retail stockists for the range.
The work Kathryn has done in her community to support others diagnosed with breast cancer, together with her new business, shows her heart, her passion, and her determination to make her community a better place.
The OLA Fellowship, which will be awarded annually, would not be possible without the generosity of a donor within our School community. The donor, who remains anonymous, says: “Education is a foundation of success in people’s lives. But it is only the beginning. Real community impact comes from long-term investment and nurturing, so we were excited to support the OLA’s dedication and passion for the ongoing development of young women.”
The OLA Fellowship Committee was delighted to be involved in the process of awarding the Fellowship.
“It was an honour to be part of the OLA Fellowship Committee for 2021. Not only did we receive a variety of exceptional applications, but we were also struck by the extraordinary talent and real contribution these women make to their communities. All 2021 Fellowship applicants have continued to make a real difference to the lives of many beyond the Huntingtower gates. As old girls ourselves, they make us all so proud.”
Catherine McVean Alumnae Relations ManagerKathryn Elliott used her traumatic experience with breast cancer in 2019 as the inspiration to make positive changes in her life and start her new business, My Breast Friend.
Kathryn is passionate about generating more awareness around the importance of developing a regular breast self-check routine in young women’s lives. They are their own best breast advocates, and Kathryn is passionate about incorporating breast checks into each woman’s regular weekly routine.
Applications for the OLA Fellowship 2022 will open in June 2022. We encourage all Old Lauristonians world-wide to apply for the Fellowship.
To explore the OLA Fellowship 2022 opportunity, please visit www.ola.org.au/#olafellowship.
KATHRYN ELLIOTT (1990)
120th birthday is a significant milestone and Lauriston spent a significant part of 2021 celebrating the people and events that have helped shape the School we have become.
The celebrations started in the first week of the School year, with all students and staff receiving a commemorative 120th anniversary pin to mark 120 years of girls’ education at Lauriston. These pins were also gifted to more than 60 alumnae, past staff and past Foundation Board members who attended the annual Founders’ Day assembly and lunch held early February.
In March our focus shifted to community celebration, with all members of the Lauriston community invited to School for a Community Picnic. Around 500 community members braved inclement weather to enjoy the day, highlighting the strong connection and engagement which are the hallmarks of our community.
Students, families, staff and alumnae took a trip down memory lane thanks to an impressive archives display and a new Heritage Trail which showcases key people and events from Lauriston’s past. A range of old-fashioned games and a magnificent 120th anniversary cake featuring photos from the archives rounded out the history theme.
The Arts were also heavily featured on the day. Lucy (Year 8) performed a moving rendition of her song ‘We all belong’, which she wrote for our 120th Anniversary Song Competition. There was a guest appearance by the Old Lauristonians’ Choir, the Huntingtower Singers, as well as an enthralling performance of scenes from Picnic at Hanging Rock The 30-year retrospective of works acquired through the Lauriston Arts Association Student Art Acquisition Award was another popular activity.
Picnic attendees were also thrilled to learn an exciting new sculpture, Jumping for Joy, had been commissioned to mark our 120th anniversary. The sculpture is the work of Old Lauristonian and former art teacher Heather Ellis (1954), who was delighted to create a new artwork which will join her other sculptures dotted around the campus: The Wednesday Girls, Schoolgirls on a Fence, and several smaller works on display in the Senior School Library. Jumping for Joy was installed in May and now has pride of place under the Moreton Bay fig tree.
The fig tree also served as the inspiration for another sculpture designed to celebrate our community’s connection with the School. This 12m x 3m metal sculpture will feature 300 leaves, with each leaf engraved with the name of the family who donated it, becoming a lasting reminder of the family’s links to Lauriston.
Throughout the year students were treated to presentations from the archives which highlighted both the significant figures in Lauriston’s history and how the curriculum areas they study today have evolved over the past 120 years.
As the year drew to a close, a special 120th anniversary photoboard was created to celebrate many of the families who had shown their support for Lauriston throughout the year. In addition to being published online, the photoboard was also proudly displayed in the Honour Boards in the School’s reception area.
How lucky we are to have such a rich history and it is clear there will be many reminders of this milestone year as we look towards the future.
Marina Johnson Director of Advancement
Lauriston spent a significant part of 2021 celebrating the people and events that have helped shape School.”
“
n important part of any School is its curriculum program and as part of our 120th celebrations, we celebrated over a century of curriculum innovation with our History Week presentations and event banners.
To capture information on our changing curriculum was a challenge. Lauriston has always been an academic School, and our educators’ passion for teaching and innovation was clear right from the beginning.
Over the course of 2021, we shared presentations on Philanthropy/ Social Service, Outdoor Education, Science, Sports, Art and Craft.
In the History of Sport presentation, we shared a photograph from 1905 of our students standing with their hockey sticks to mark their participation in the Girls’ Schools’ Hockey Association. Lilian Irving, one of the two sisters who founded Lauriston and having seen hockey played in England, brought the game back to Melbourne. Lilian arranged for the first girls inter-School hockey match between Lauriston and Ruyton in 1903. Her sister Margaret subsequently joined with Mary Morris of Melbourne Girls’ Grammar to establish the Girls’ Schools’ Hockey Association in 1905.
The Drama department’s performance of Picnic at Hanging Rock at our 120th Anniversary Community Picnic was a highlight of the year and we shared images relating to over 100 years of theatrical productions at Lauriston. It was amazing to see how technology has
In 1901 our first student to complete her equivalent of Year 12 was Geddes Hammond and she had Drawing as one of her final year subjects. For the first several decades of Lauriston’s history, our students’ creative pursuits were often taught by visiting \teachers. Beryl Howie who worked at Lauriston from 1947 to 1982 was our first dedicated Craft teacher and was one of the many champions of the Arts and Crafts syllabus over the decades. Others include alumna Heather Ellis (1954) who taught ceramics from 1971 to 1986 and our current Head of Senior School Art David Morrison who has seen computer technology transform techniques and facilities available to our students. David and Terry Abraham, Head of Junior School Art, both emphasise the importance of learning foundation techniques and that technology augments but does not replace core skills only mastered by effort and practise.
Rght: A house used for Our Town, 2015, that was constructed in the FabLab and designed by the crew.
Philanthropy and Social Service have always been a significant component of life at Lauriston. I found the articles in the first few editions of The Lauristonian during WWI very representative of the general war effort at the time, with students recording their ongoing tally of knitted socks and rope made for the men in the trenches. For over a century, Lauriston has supported a variety of causes including the Royal Children’s Cot Fund; stitching clothes for orphanages such as Brighton Children’s Home; raising money for charities like the Salvation Army and the Australian Red Cross; and in more recent years, Sarah Jessup, our Community Service Coordinator, has mobilised our community to support the Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, Malvern Emergency Food Program, and Friday Night School tutors for migrants and refugees students. Our Lauriston community has also raised money for our School itself, as seen in the badge from the ‘My Brick’ Lauriston Building Memorial Appeal launched in 1950.
Lisl Bladin Archivist
Anna Wilson (1990)
Felicity Forster (1981) for her mother Heather Forster (Le Get, 1953)
Anne Wallington for her mother Joan Thomas (Gray, 1952)
Dr Jacqueline McLeod (1963)
Gabienne Walker (Tucker, 1977)
Sandra McAveney daughter of Mary Harrison (Bell, 1932)
Jane Hider (1985)
Julia Lipski on behalf of Sally Scrimshaw, but the volumes originally belonged to Brenda Bateman (Wood, 1936)
Our educators’ passion for teaching and innovation has been embedded into Lauriston from the beginning .”
“
We’re excited! The Ullmer Sports and Wellbeing Centre is no longer a vision or a set of artist’s renders, it’s a structure whose form is rapidly taking shape. Girls and staff are watching and anticipating the day they will be able to play a game on the new courts, to race one another to determine who is fastest on the rowing machine, and to try something different - Pilates anyone? - in the health and movement studio.
Providing facilities that cater for a range of sports, fitness and wellbeing activities has been a key factor in the design of the Ullmer Centre. The Centre features two multi-purpose courts which will enable two netball, basketball or volleyball games, or eight badminton games, to take place simultaneously, providing more opportunity for girls to be on court. Large, dedicated weights and conditioning and cardio training spaces will enable girls to focus on improving their fitness.
The Centre also contains a health and movement studio where girls can participate in yoga and Pilates, stretching and
meditation, along with a range of non-traditional physical activities such as Boxercise and self-defence.
Sustainability is another factor that has influenced the design of the Ullmer Centre and the developments taking place as part of the School’s multi-stage, multi-year Master Plan.
Environmentally Sustainable Design has been incorporated throughout the project and was a major factor in the decision to retain the existing gymnasium and repurpose it as a Year 5 and 6 Centre.
A large bank of solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Ullmer Centre and will generate 100-kilowatts of electricity which will help power the Centre and other nearby buildings. Using solar-generated electricity will reduce our greenhouse emissions and deliver long-term economic benefits for the School. An energy monitoring system will be installed to track energy generation and usage in the Centre. Teachers are excited to have access to this new technology and are already exploring how it can be incorporated into the curriculum.
The Ullmer Sports and Wellbeing Centre replaces the School’s existing gymnasium which opened in 1969. The new facilities will offer a range of sport and wellbeing programs that will support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of girls for generations to come.
Community support will ensure the new facilities are completed to the highest standard and with minimal borrowings. We extend our gratitude to the 231 families in the Lauriston community who have generously shown their support by making a donation to the It’s Her Turn campaign or by supporting our 120th anniversary initiatives which include the 120 Tree sculpture, and the Community Hub seats.
Please join with us and make a gift to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of girls. You can choose to make a one-off donation or make a pledge over several years. All donations in support of these facilities are tax deductible.
For more information on how your gift can pay it forward for future generations please visit www.lauriston.vic.edu.au/support or contact the Advancement Office via giving@lauriston.vic.edu.au
The Ullmer Centre features large banks of windows designed to capture natural light and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. Over in the Year 5 and 6 Centre additional windows have been added to the ground floor, and double-glazed skylights in the roof will help flood the classrooms below with natural light. Reducing our reliance on artificial light will in turn reduce electricity usage.
Five 30,000-litre rainwater tanks have been installed below the surface of the future Nature Play Space and will capture and store rainwater from the roof of the Ullmer Centre and the Year 5 and 6 Centre. The water from these tanks will be used for toilet flushing and in the surrounding gardens. A 5-megalitre water bore and reverse osmosis desalination plant will supplement the rainwater supply.
Rain gardens areas planted with trees and shrubs – will be created aboveground to help treat surplus stormwater. These gardens will help filter excess nutrients and sediment from rainwater so any excess water can be returned safely to the stormwater system. The trees and shrubs in the rain gardens will help attract birds,
butterflies and insects, and studies of these mini habitats will also be incorporated into various curriculum areas.
The Ullmer Centre and the Year 5 and 6 Centre will be surrounded by extensive landscaping. These areas will include more than 110 mature trees and just under 6,000 plants. The mature trees will provide shady sitting areas and will help cool the surrounding buildings, reducing air-conditioning requirements and therefore energy consumption.
Although work on these facilities and the Prep Learning Hub (located between Montrose and the Year 5 and 6 Centre) is slightly behind schedule due to 2021 restrictions, we anticipate completion in mid-2022. Until then we will continue to watch work progress and, like our girls, anticipate the day when they can play a game on the courts, race each other on the rowing machines, and build their core strength by taking part in a Pilates class!
Marina Johnson Director of Advancement
The Best family has been part of the Lauriston community since 1927 when matriarch Joan Ramsay first passed through the School gates. Nine girls have attended the School since then, with two of Joan’s great-granddaughters , Claudia and Brigitte, currently students. We are delighted to share their story as part of our Intergenerational Families project.
Joan Best (Ramsay) attended Lauriston from 19271932. She had a great love of her time at the School, especially as a boarder. After leaving School, Joan went on to become a keen golfer, got married and had three daughters, and raised many funds for charities. Joan remained connected to the Lauriston community and was an active member of the OLA for many years.
Joan’s daughters Carolyn (1958), Jennie (1964) and Georgie (1966) all attended Lauriston from Kindergarten. Two of Joan’s granddaughters-Sass Salter (Dickie, 1997) and Jo Muir (Dickie, 1998)also studied here.
The lives of these women took many different turns and they pursued diverse careers in retail, small business, advertising, publishing, nursing, jewellery design, interior design, farming and airline travel.
Here they share their memories of their time at Lauriston; the fun, the friends, the teachers and their experiences.
“I think Lauriston gave me the confidence in myself to embark on a life journey that wasn’t typical.”
I was part of the introductory group to experience Howqua in Year 9 in 1994 and this was such a memorable time with my friends - the achievements of a three-day hikes and having fitness levels I’ve never been able to get back to! At the time it felt like torture, though!
I enjoyed drama with Mrs Heath, playing tennis, and diving. I was part of the combined School musicals we had with Ivanhoe Grammar and the drama plays with St Kevin’s College. It was great fun!
I made many lifelong friends at Lauriston with three of them being my bridesmaids. After graduating, I completed a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at Swinburne University and now run my own business.
“School enabled me to be independent and determined in all life’s goals, as there have been many interesting challenges, in one way or another. I have wonderful and dear friends from School days. No matter where they are in the world, we always catch up as if it were yesterday.”
I have fond memories of my 13 years at Lauriston and many wonderful teachers such as Mrs Tabart, Miss Ikin, (Head of the Junior School) Mrs Holmes, Mrs O’Halloran, Miss Bell, Miss Sanders (such a character!), our very dedicated science teacher Miss Hook, Miss Mackay (she persevered with me in History and finally gave up!), Miss Jackson, Miss Blackham, Mrs Cass, Mrs Jovanovic and Miss Curr (Visual Aids).
I loved Craft with the wonderful Miss Howie which was held in the old School house in the enclosed veranda upstairs, where boarders used to sleep. She has inspired me to this day with my love of needlework and quilting.
I also enjoyed Sport, particularly Athletics. I was in Andrews House throughout my years at School and was made Captain in 1966. We used to play Saturday sport against other girls’ Schools and I remember visiting them in Geelong, Mt Macedon or Berwick being such fun.
(Dickie, 1997)
(Best, 1966)
“Lauriston was quite strict and many of the staff were real disciplinarians, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Although non-denominational, there was an environment of right and wrong and this was always reinforced in the daily assemblies. This moral code has stayed with me, and it continues at the School today.”
My earliest memories are in the Junior School playground. The enormous plank swing that could squeeze about 10 girls on and swung so high that girls would get flung off on the upswing. In Montrose, we played ‘1,2,3 home’. The gardens were wild and overgrown and full of secret spots to hide, including the hedge on Mercer Road. There was no swimming pool back then, so the School used to loan the use of pools in nearby streets.
Particularly memorable teachers were Miss Julian in Grade 3; she wore the sweetest perfume and had the pinkest lipstick! The glamorous Miss Gell in Grade 4, the very harsh but effective Mrs Thompson in Grade 6 and the theatrical Mr Towers in the Music Department. I remember that the Tuckshop never changed its menu and we jostled and queued as soon as that bell went to get our half cheese rolls, pizza slices, Paddlepops, Sunnyboys, Jupiter bars and Nut Chews.
“Lauriston created great memories for me particularly from the sports field, where I had many achievements during my time at School.”
I spent the first full year at Howqua in 1995, which was fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I loved much of my later years at Lauriston in the art room and Drama Department. The creative opportunities at School carried on into university, where I completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts majoring in Drama and Photography.
JENNIE PLOWMAN
School enabled me to be independent and determined in all life’s goals.”
(Dahlsen, 1985)
(Dickie, 1998)
RAMSAY
DAHLSEN
PLOWMAN
DICKIECAROLYN CAMERON GEORGIE CLEGG SASSICA DICKIE LUCY PLOWMAN CLAUDIA CAMERON
Vicki Redwood (Canning, 1971) has been part of Lauriston for more than six decades. Vicki joined Lauriston as a Year 6 student in 1965. She recalls her time at School with great fondness.
“I just loved everything about School; Drama, Music, Sport and even ‘work’. Sport for me was baseball in the summer and basketball in winter. Lauriston bought a ski lodge in the late 60s and this was the start of hikes and winter activities, which was unusual for a girls’ School.”
In her final year Vicki was named School Captain. After completing her matriculation, she studied engineering at Melbourne University.
“Engineering students studied computer programming and I commenced my career in the fledgling Data Processing industry as a programr at the Melbourne Stock Exchange. More than 45 years later I am still in the IT industry, advising companies how to effectively integrate IT into their future development.”
After graduating in 1971, Vicki remained connected with the School.
“Whilst I was at University I returned as a leader at the School’s ski lodge to assist staff managing teams of girls in the holidays. This was lots of fun and sometimes very eventful.”
She also became involved with the Old Lauristonians’ Association (OLA) Committee.
“School Captains automatically became part of the committee when they graduated. You might think that practice ‘overbearing’ but it really was a different time. Fewer people did gap years and hardly anyone went ‘away’ to University. Even the ‘Farm’ (at Monash) was too far away!”
Vicki remained part of the OLA committee for the next five decades, including 11 years as President (2000-2011). As part of her role with the OLA Committee, Vicki also sat on both the School Council (2000-2008) and the Lauriston Foundation Board (20072021).
In these roles Vicki was able to provide valuable insight into the alumnae community and the history of the School. She was also able to contribute a parent’s perspective (daughter
Alice attended Lauriston from 1993-1996). Vicki advocated strongly to provide opportunities for deserving young girls through needs-based scholarships and was a loyal supporter of the Foundation’s Scholarship Program.
Although Vicki officially stepped down from the Foundation Board in 2021, she has been invited to join a new Museum and Galleries Sub-ommittee where her deep knowledge of the School’s history, the OLA committee, and the alumnae community will help develop the School’s Archive collection.
She is also having a great time as a member of the newly formed Old Girls’ Choir, the Huntingtower Singers, and is looking forward to the choir continuing to grow over time.
“For me, involvement has been all about volunteering time, human capital, and knowledge. Being able to help financially is a little extra.”
Marina Johnson Director of Advancement
Throughout its history, our School has been sustained and developed from generation to generation by wonderful, inspiring acts of generosity. There is a growing group of parents, grandparents, alumnae and staff who, over the years, have left gifts which helped fund many facilities, programs and educational innovation at Lauriston.
The most recent bequest received from Judith Gregory demonstrates Judith’s strong and enduring connection with the School and her foresight to invest in girls’ education, understanding the transformative power education wields.
Judith was a second-generation Lauriston girl, finishing in 1947, 38 years after her mother, Nina Lang, left the School in 1909. With Judith’s daughter, Jillian Gregory (1980) and granddaughters Tory Gregory (2006) and Joanna Gregory (2009), the family connection with Lauriston goes for more than 112 years.
Judith was a boarder at Lauriston and happily involved in many aspects of School life – she was Boarding House Captain, received the Boarders’ Prize, was Kirkhope House Captain and loved playing Hockey and Baseball. She continued her interest in sport later in life, spending considerable time on the tennis court and the golf course. She had many other interests too: her garden was her passion, she loved challenging her friends to a game of bridge, and she also enjoyed reading.
Judith remained closely involved with Lauriston all her life. She enjoyed catching up with her many friends and attending a variety of events including the Music Lunches and Founders’ Day celebrations each year. She was OLA Peer Year Representative and a longtime contributor to the School, regularly supporting Howqua and the arts programs.
I remember a conversation with her in April last year when, despite being in her ninth decade, she was still keenly interested in what was happening at the School, looking forward to reading Lauriston Life and other School electronic (!) communications. But, most of all, she was grateful to her family for looking after her and making her time during the COVID-19 pandemic safe, feeling secure in their love and caring attention.
Philanthropy runs deep in the Gregory family, with her husband Bruce also a dedicated supporter of education. Judith was keen to follow her husband’s steps and wished her bequest to support Lauriston scholarships.
Lauriston offers a range of scholarships to students who otherwise be unable to experience a Lauriston education. You can find more details about scholarships on our website.
Judith’s generosity will help provide opportunities for girls keen to pursue their dreams and aspirations for many years to come. As Alex (2013), a scholarship recipient, says: “I do believe that the experience I had at Lauriston is a testament to the ability that scholarships have to change someone’s life and open up a myriad of possibilities.”
Judith’s generous gift will be creating an enduring legacy lasting more than a lifetime.
Bo Rutecki Advancement Associate
ONE FAMILY AND MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF LAURISTON EDUCATIONCELEBRATING THE GIFT IN WILL FROM JUDITH GREGORY (TURNER, 1947)
Lauriston Girls’ School is saddened to learn of the passing of past staff member Chris Zwalf, who passed away on 20 October 2021 following a prolonged illness.
Chris studied at Cambridge University where he obtained his MA from the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages. Chris moved to Melbourne in the mid-1970s and joined Lauriston in 1978. He spent the following 26 years teaching English, French and Latin to Senior School students. He was also Head of Irving House from 1992-2004.
Fiona Curnow, Lauriston’s current Head of Languages Other than English (LOTE), remembers being taught German by Chris.
“I have wonderful memories of Herr Zwalf who taught me German at Lauriston. I remember his enthusiasm and humour and I remember him coming to tell me I’d won the Goethe poetry competition-I think he was even more excited than I was! I will always be grateful for his wonderful teaching and funny stories and his constant encouragement in our language studies.”
Chris was one of the first contacts that language teacher Jeffrey Goonan made when he joined Lauriston in 2000.
“My impressions of Chris were one of great dedication, passion, a wry sense of humour and an extremely perceptive mind. I am sure that Chris has left an equally indelible impression upon his students as he did on me.”
Chris continued his valued connection with the School by tutoring many students.
Chris will be sadly missed by the many colleagues and students he worked with throughout his long career at Lauriston.
We extend our sincere condolences to Chris’s wife Felicity, children Tristan, Sebastian, Liesbeth and Oliver, and his grandchildren.
We were saddened by the news that John Orr, one of Lauriston’s longest-serving committee members, had passed away in June 2021.
John served on the School Council between 1995-2015 and was also a member (and Chair for several years) of the Property Sub-Committee. An experienced civil engineer, John was involved in the development of many of Lauriston’s key facilities including accommodation and learning facilities at our Howqua campus, of our Science and Resource Centre and the Lilian Bayly 7/8 Centre. He also contributed to the development of the School’s current Master Plan which maps out the development of world-class facilities for sport, health and wellbeing, music, the arts and innovative learning spaces.
John served under a number of School Council Chairs. Alix Bradfield (Chair 1990-1995) remembers John as a wonderfully stable, wise, devoted influence who was well respected by all. These sentiments were reflected by Elspeth Arnold (Chair 2007-2014) who also noted John’s dedication to Lauriston. Rick Ball, our current Chair, believes John would be delighted to see what the School is doing to develop its facilities.
John’s two daughters Annabel (1990) and Georgina (1993) remain connected with the School, with granddaughter Amelia joining the Senior School in 2021.
I will always be grateful for his wonderful teaching and funny stories.”
FIONA CURNOW
“ROSALIE PATTENDEN (MacPhee, 1966)
Lauriston Girls’ School, together with the Old Lauristonians’ Association, were saddened to learn of the passing of Rosalie Pattenden (MacPhee, 1966) in February 2021 following a lengthy, courageous battle with lymphoma.
Rosalie was a loving sister, wife, mother and grandmother and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Rosalie was a Counselling Psychologist working in private practice. For many years she was the Clinical Practice Manager and Training Co-ordinator for Catholic Care in Melbourne. She was previously the Clinical Practice Leader for Relationships Australia (Victoria) and over the 25 years she worked there she was a manager, counsellor, relationship educator, student co-ordinator, family violence supervisor and media representative. Rosalie was a relationship counsellor and was an advocate for couples and families to work through difficulties and repair their relationships where possible. If separation had occurred, she helped couples to do this with respect and dignity, with the well-being of children a priority.
She lived with love, kindness and endless compassion. Empathetic in life and work, she touched and healed the lives of so many through her dedicated work with couples and families until the end.
GRETA HAWKE (Macgeorge, 1976)Lauriston Girls’ School is saddened to learn of the passing of Greta Hawke on 23 December 2020.
Greta was an active and well-loved member of the year of 76. She was Andrews House Captain, excelled in athletics and netball, and made many life-long friends.
She met the love of her life, Jeff, in 1987, and they made a successful life together in the hospitality industry in regional Victoria, where they raised their 3 children, Edward, Tessa and William. During this time, she discovered her creative side; her love of dressmaking and knitting provided her joy, particularly as she tackled life with breast cancer.
Although her family remained the most important focus in her life, it was ironic that her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2013 provided a platform for Greta to discover she was a powerful communicator. She presented impassioned and articulate talks documenting her experiences, to educate multi-disciplinary medical teams in understanding the difficulties and frustrations that cancer patients suffer in all aspects of their lives.
Greta also volunteered for Counterpart, a support network for women with cancer. Her natural warmth and communication style provided invaluable support for many women and other volunteers.
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Ethell (Levi, 1947), who died aged 91 on 11 September 2021. Lauriston Girls’ School, together with the Old Lauristonians’ Association, extend very best wishes to Margaret’s family and friends.
Margaret was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Margaret was also a wonderful friend and was connected with her Lauriston friends throughout her life. We were fortunate to have her attend the Senior Old Girls’ Music Luncheon in 2019. She will be missed.
MARGARET ETHELL (Levi, 1947)
Lauriston Girls’ School and the Old Lauristonians’ Association are proud to announce that Jan Armstrong-Conn OAM (1963) received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for service to the community through a range of organisations:
• University of Melbourne Social Work Alumni Association
• The University of Melbourne
• Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (RCH)
• Melbourne South Yarra Residents Group Inc
• Pasley Streets Precinct Group.
• South Yarra Readers’ Book Club
• Melbourne Grammar School
• Taralye Language Centre for Deaf Children
• Middle Park Primary School Council
• Australian Breastfeeding Association (formerly Nursing Mothers’ Association)
Lauriston Girls’ School and the Old Lauristonians’ Association are proud to announce that a Medal of the Order of Australia was posthumously awarded to past student Mary Chandler OAM (1953) in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for service to the community of Red Cliffs.
On reading the tributes posted online of Mary’s contribution to her district and the wider Mildura community, she will be missed by many throughout the region, and we are so pleased for Mary’s family and
friends that she now receives this esteemed recognition. Apart from a wonderful friend and community member, Mary was also an author, historian, gardener, naturalist, actor, and advocate.
Lauriston Girls’ School and the Old Lauristonians’ Association are proud to acknowledge that Erika Feller AO (1966) received an Order of Australia in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for distinguished service to the international community, to the recognition and protection of human rights, and to refugee law.
Erika Feller is a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at The University of Melbourne. From 2005 to 2013, Erika held the post of Assistant High Commissioner (Protection), one of the four top management positions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This was the culmination of a 26-year long career with UNHCR and had been preceded by 14 years’ service as an Australian diplomat, in Canberra and overseas.
For UNHCR, Erika served both in Geneva and in the field. She was the initiator and manager of the 2001-2002 Global Consultations on International Protection, which generated the Agenda for Protection, the internationally endorsed global ‘road map’ on protection policy for refugees. She has visited all major refugee situations during her time with UNHCR and is broadly respected as a refugee law advocate who has been widely published. She was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
Our 3 and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs are grounded in robust inquiry and play-based learnings which support children as they are challenged to solve problems and engage with their community and the environment.
A combination of an expertly planned curriculum with rich learning environments means our children can immerse themselves in both child and teacher-led play, learning to embrace new experiences, build social skills and develop their curiosity.
It’s a grounding that’s seen Lauriston Kindergarten create children who can express themselves with confidence, develop foundational skills in literacy and numeracy and above all, enjoy learning.
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