Fidelis
The Principal’s reflections
Students encouraged to “dream boldly” at opening of the new Design and Creative Arts Building
Growing in Jesus at Meriden
Meriden’s native beehive takes flight
Annual retreat setting young leaders up for success
Meriden students receive global recognition in John Locke Competition
The first year of ten Houses at Meriden
Girls strengthen Japanese sister school partnership
Meriden’s first Chinese exchange tour a resounding success
Year 10 team wins National da Vinci Decathlon
Championing effective communication using plain English
STEM skills take flight in the Meriden Cadets Program
Annie crowned international champion at Harvard debating
Vicky on the path to Chess Grandmaster
Year 6 growing community connections
Audiences transported to the world of Dr Suess by Seussical cast and crew
Celebrating 80 years of Book Week
Teacher Alex Phillips selected as ICGS GARC Fellow in new ‘Stemship Enterprise’ course
Meriden ‘STEMgineer’ wins UNSW engineering challenge
New Head of Christian Education Mrs Betty Steele-Smith
Badminton at Meriden on the rise
Music: an opportunity for every girl
Celebrating Year 12 with a display of collaboration
A summer of science, discovery and opportunities at ANU
Year 7 student represents Australia at International Olympiads
Meriden Tennis Academy winning on and off the court
Meriden wins Football Cup grand final in dramatic penalty shootout
Student futures day:
London reunion
Teresa set for the world’s stage at Juillard
2025 has been a year of significant achievements and strategic progress at Meriden.
As you browse the pages of Fidelis you will read about remarkable accomplishments across academics, sport, and the arts. Our girls continue to demonstrate excellence and determination, and we are proud to celebrate their success.
This year has been marked by major milestones in our strategic infrastructure plan. The opening of the Design and Creative Arts (DaCA) Building in Term 3 was a highlight for our community. This purpose-built facility provides cutting-edge spaces for visual arts, design and technology, food technology and hospitality students, enabling them to explore their creativity and develop their skills in a world-class environment. As I reflected on during the opening, this building embodies our belief that creativity and design thinking are essential elements of a complete education.
DaCA is just one part of our broader infrastructure development. Planning work has commenced on our new Aquatic Centre, with construction expected to begin in 2026. These projects demonstrate our commitment to providing facilities that match the aspirations and talents of Meriden girls, ensuring they have access to spaces that support excellence across all areas of school life.
Our STEM program continues to thrive. This year saw Mrs Alex Phillips awarded a prestigious fellowship as part of the International Coalition of Girls Schools’ (ICGS) Global Action Research Collective, which will see her travel to Toronto, Canada for the ICGS conference in 2026. The introduction of our native beehive, and its considered integration into classroom learning has engaged students across year levels in hands-on scientific inquiry. Mathematics and science remain vital pillars of girls’ education, and at Meriden we are committed to ensuring our students can pursue pathways in science, technology, engineering, and beyond. These
disciplines complement our strengths in the humanities and arts, developing wellrounded young women equipped to think critically about complex challenges.
In this edition you will read articles that highlight the Christian foundation of our School. You will read about our Student Christian Groups and the transformative experiences at Fuel Camp, and you will meet our new Head of Department –Christian Education in a profile that captures Mrs Steele-Smith’s deep commitment to her faith. These stories remind us of something essential: our Christian values are not an add-on to the school program – they are the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Our crest is framed with the words Semper Fidelis – always faithful. Throughout the year, this faith in God frames every aspect of school life, with a Christ-centred approach leading the way we nurture, support, and share the love of
not goals in themselves. Rather, they are evidence of a culture that prepares girls to enter the world ready to make meaningful contributions – to their own lives, certainly, but also to their communities, to industry, and to society as a whole. At Meriden, we celebrate achievement because we believe that hard work deserves celebrating. All of the achievements we share with you in this edition are the result of hard-work and are therefore worthy of celebration. However, we also acknowledge that our true purpose is not only to aspire to extraordinary achievements but to develop capable, confident young women of character who will go on to do amazing things for themselves and others.
As my third year as Principal of Meriden draws to a close, I thank the Meriden community for their continued support and partnership. I hope you enjoy this edition of Fidelis
THE PRINCIPAL’S reflections
Jesus with every girl. In a world that can feel uncertain, this spiritual foundation provides our students with purpose, community, and an understanding that they are valued not for what they achieve, but for who they are as beloved children of God.
Throughout this edition you will encounter many stories of high achievement: chess champions, a Julliard Scholarship, Plain English Speaking competition winners, and numerous other examples of excellence. I am proud of these achievements, but it is important to frame what they represent. These accomplishments are
Mrs
Lisa Brown
Principal
Students encouraged to “dream boldly” at opening of the new Design and Creative Arts building
The new Design and Creative Arts (DaCA) building stands as a testament to Meriden’s commitment to preparing young women not only for academic success but also for purposeful lives of service and leadership.
The Meriden school community and distinguished guests gathered in September for a momentous occasion: the official opening of our new Design and Creative Arts (DaCA) building. The evening was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone.
Our esteemed guests included the Honourable Courtney Houssos, the NSW Minister for Finance and Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning. We were also delighted to welcome Meriden alumna, celebrated artist and three-time Archibald Prize finalist, Sally Ryan (Class of 1981). Sally shared insights into her artistic journey, and offered invaluable advice to our girls, especially those considering creative arts options.
The three-storey DaCA building is a symbol of Meriden’s commitment to nurturing creativity and design thinking
as fundamental to a complete, holistic education. This new building marks a landmark addition to our 127-year history of providing outstanding education.
As Meriden’s Principal, Mrs Lisa Brown articulated, “In an increasingly complex world, we need young women who can think differently, who can see possibilities when others see problems.”
This custom-designed facility provides the perfect environment for that to happen. From digital design to traditional and contemporary art, students now have a dedicated space where they can explore their imagination and engage in collaborative projects. Meriden’s new Design and Creative Arts building includes dedicated art studios and workshops used by senior students in Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Engineering and Hospitality as well as those participating in exciting cocurricular activities such as FabLab, Art Club and Tech Club.
As part of the school’s strategy, Meriden is committed to providing the facilities which support a world-class, well-rounded education. This philosophy has been reflected in the new DaCA building. Its series of well-considered and expertly designed educational spaces enhance and support girls’ development.
Over the past ten years, the School has undertaken a series of major building projects across its three campuses to provide the best learning environment for students. These projects have included the creation of state-of-the-art facilities for STEM learning, sport and the performing arts, as well as administration spaces, contemporary classrooms, additional open spaces and the redevelopment of the Lingwood campus as a purpose-built campus for four to six-year-old students. These custom-designed spaces are so much more than part of an innovative building. They are spaces for the girls to work, collaborate and learn, and for their imaginations to soar.
Mrs Brown also invited students to “dream boldly” as DaCA’s cutting-edge technology and flexible learning spaces provide the perfect setting for bright ideas to thrive. However, she also emphasised, “The most important element in any creative space is not the equipment or environment – it is the courage to begin, to experiment, to fail, to learn, and to try again.”
The showcase of Year 12 students’ HSC major works perfectly displayed the building’s potential. Mrs Brown noted, “The DaCA building will teach students that creativity and rigorous thinking are not opposing forces, but complementary skills that form the foundation of design thinking.”
Ms Gillian Legge, Head of Design and Creative Arts expressed, “It has been a true privilege to witness the development of these extraordinary HSC major works within the new purpose-built spaces.”
1, 4, 5 World-class teaching spaces
2 The new DaCA building
3, 6 Principal Mrs Lisa Brown and esteemed guests at the opening of the DaCA building
“ These custom-designed spaces are so much more than part of an innovative building. They are spaces for the girls to work, collaborate and learn, and for their imaginations to soar.”
FAITH IN ACTION Growing in Jesus at Meriden
Through weekly Student Christian Groups (SCG), Chapel services, the annual Fuel Camp for senior students, and Leadership Retreat, girls have the opportunity to learn more about God and to encounter Jesus in meaningful, life-shaping ways.
Across Year 7 to Year 12, the SCG program includes before school small Bible Study groups where girls come together to read the bible and pray together, as well as lunchtime gatherings for each year group, run by students and supervised by staff members, where girls come together for games, food, bible reading and prayer time, focusing on a different book of the bible or topic
each term. Girls are encouraged to ask questions, consider Jesus’ example of servant leadership as revealed in the Gospels, and how they can serve Him in their lives. Through studying Jesus’ life, students are encouraged to grow in character, compassion and purpose.
Everyone is welcome to join SCG programs at Meriden. As the chaplaincy team says “every week is a good week to come along to SCG!”
Assistant Chaplain Rev Tamara Ramsay says, “SCG provides a space where girls can explore who Jesus is in a warm and welcoming environment. We’re also committed to supporting those looking to strengthen and grow their faith”.
“SCG provides a space where girls can explore who Jesus is in a warm and welcoming environment. We’re also committed to supporting those looking to strengthen and grow their faith”
– Assistant Chaplain Rev Tamara Ramsay
In addition to ongoing weekly groups, terms often start with an “SCG all in” session with information, games and activities and towards the end of Term 4 SCG girls meet to decorate Christmas baubles run by the SCG prefect.
Dahlia Toovey and Abigail Chan
2025 Fuel Christian Camp
Meriden is also part of Intercru where schools from the Inner West and across Sydney come together at the end of each term for an afternoon of Christian encouragement, with the Term 1 event hosted by Meriden.
Annual Fuel Camp
Held over the June long weekend, students from Meriden and Trinity travelled to Collaroy for the annual Fuel Camp. Each year, the two schools get together to hear God’s word and encourage each other in their Christian faith.
Guest speaker Moore College student James Marquet spoke to the students on the 2025 theme of ‘The Big Questions,’ addressing topics like the importance of Jesus, where the world is going, and what makes a good life. The weekend gave the 280+ students time to discuss the Bible in groups led by senior students, and to enjoy spending time together with activities including Friday night trivia – and an acoustic worship session following a Saturday night of fun challenges and games.
Chapel Prefect Abigail Chan said “Fuel Camp is a unique time in the school year, it’s very fun and everyone there is so loving and enthusiastic. The band is amazing, the speakers are great and the discussion groups are really encouraging”.
Christian Leadership Retreat
The Meriden Chaplaincy team is passionate about equipping student leaders to handle the Bible well and supporting them as they disciple younger students. Each year incoming Meriden Year 11 and Year 12 Christian leaders attend a Christian Leadership Retreat. Held in Term 3 at the Port Hacking conference centre, 41 students were selected to attend this year’s camp including newly elected Chapel Prefect Abigail Chan and SCG Prefect Dahlia Toovey with training in how to teach the Bible well. They explored Jesus’ examples of servant leadership, bringing the Gospel message to life in supporting the SCG community and more junior students.
SCG Prefect Dahlia Toovey said, “The Leadership Retreat training prepared us for anything that might happen as we lead Bible Studies. We thought about how we can make SCG a very inclusive space that everyone feels welcome to attend.”
With over 150 girls involved in SCG programs, experienced and compassionate School Chaplains are on hand to guide the students in their Christian growth under the banner of “faith, growth, community.” Meriden consistently places Jesus at the centre of every girl’s school experience. All staff support the school’s Christian values of kindness, integrity, courage and respect.
The school’s intent is that the girls’ lives will be enriched by their experience of faith at Meriden as they learn more about God, their personal faith journey and serving others.
Annabelle Desmond and Anjana Kailasanthan
BUZZING WITH PURPOSE Meriden’s native beehive takes flight
In a quiet space, under palm fronds in Meriden’s Senior School garden, a new community has taken up residence – one that hums with purpose and potential. The arrival of Meriden’s first beehive marks the realisation of a visionary student-led initiative, launched by Meriden’s 2024 STEM Captains, Annabelle Desmond and Anjana Kailasanthan
Although the pair graduated in 2025, their legacy is still alive and buzzing, quite literally, thanks to the recent arrival of a colony of Australian native stingless Sugarbag bees. The project, which began as a proposal in early 2024, was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on Land.
“I wanted to bring something to Meriden that would boost biodiversity in Strathfield. My family has a beehive at home with stingless bees and bee hotels, so that sparked the idea,” said Annabelle.
Annabelle and Anjana’s approach embodies the qualities we strive for at Meriden: channelling their curiosity and convictions with purpose and kindness.
Together, Annabelle and Anjana developed a comprehensive proposal to introduce a native beehive to Meriden. Their plan included curriculum integration, risk assessments, and ideas for cross-disciplinary learning opportunities in Science, Design and Technology, and Food Technology.
“The Sugarbag bees are very tiny and have little pollen bags on their legs. Only the females bring back the nutrients the hive needs,” explained Annabelle.
The bees are harmless, making them safe for school environments. The tiny bees can fly up to 500 metres from their hive
to collect nectar and pollen, pollinating school trees and plants and producing small amounts of sweet, strong honey which is thought to have medicinal benefits.
“Bees are a keystone species in the food web and are vital for maintaining ecosystems,” said Anjana. “It was great seeing the idea go from Annabelle’s backyard to the school!”
The hive’s new home was chosen for its proximity to flowering plants and its accessibility for student observation. As the colony grows and the bees require additional space, the hive will eventually divide naturally, with a portion of the bees establishing a second colony. Alternatively, students can take an active role in this process by carefully dividing the hive themselves, creating opportunities for even more hands-on learning and observation of the inside of the hive, how bees store pollen and brood cells for reproduction. Healthy hives typically double in number each year so the long-term potential of this initiative is significant. What begins as a single colony can evolve into a network of hives across the school and surrounding community, amplifying the environmental benefits and enabling more students to get involved.
As bee populations come under increasing pressure, establishing a new native bee colony to pollinate neighbourhood plants and trees is a true act of service and kindness. That the students driving this initiative finished Year 12 before these benefits are realised underscores the initiative’s selflessness and their spirit of community stewardship.
The project was supported by Mrs Alexandra Phillips, Coordinator of Learning Link – Innovation, who praised the students’ initiative and research.
“The girls came up with the idea of improving biodiversity not just at our school, but across Strathfield,” said Mrs Phillips. “They looked into how the hive could be used across subjects, ensured it was safe, and thought about how to make it accessible to all students. I was really impressed.”
With the bees now settled in, the baton has been passed to the 2025 STEM Captains, Misha Sengupta and Amy Chen, who have continued the work of their predecessors.
Plans are underway to involve more students in observing the hive, collecting data, and exploring the unique honey flavours in Food Technology classes.
“I think this is an exciting project because it is unique, student-led, and something that will really make a difference in the ecosystem,” said Mrs Phillips. “It is also an authentic community project – we have had support from the Inner West Beekeepers Association and the beekeeper who supplied the hive is keen to stay involved.”
Annabelle and Anjana’s approach embodies the qualities we strive for at Meriden: channelling their curiosity and convictions with purpose and kindness.
As the bees begin their work, so too does a new generation of STEM leaders at Meriden, building on a foundation laid by two students who dared to dream of a more biodiverse future.
Meriden’s 2025 STEM Captains, Amy Chen and Misha Sengupta
Annual retreat setting young leaders up for success
Strong leadership doesn’t just happen. It’s shaped, encouraged and supported.
In preparation for their 2026 leadership roles, 50 newly elected Year 11 and Year 12 House Leaders and School Prefects attended a two-day Meriden Leadership Retreat at Attunga Christian Conference Centre. Across the two days, the students explored different management styles, and the qualities needed to become confident, articulate and responsible leaders.
This was a great opportunity for these senior girls to think about their own leadership style, to reflect on how they can best serve the school, and to contemplate their own vision for their House or what they want to be known for as a Prefect body.
Following Jesus’ example of servant leadership is a key foundation for Meriden, and these emerging leaders had the time and space over these days to consider how they can be the best role model and support for younger students and lead the student body.
During the retreat the Prefects spent time brainstorming ideas about what their theme will be for the year ahead, to then
launch this in Term 4. They floated a few different ideas and then on the last day were quite set on ‘joy’ being their theme, articulating it as “finding joy”. Through small group discussions within their Houses and with peers, outdoor challenges and discussions on the role of leaders at the school, the girls were able to prepare for their upcoming roles.
“The skills and leadership foundations the girls learned at this retreat will prepare them well for their roles ahead so they can step into them with confidence,” said Acting Head of Student Wellbeing, Mrs Vanessa Kirollos.
For girls in leadership roles at Meriden, this retreat and the skills that they will develop over the next twelve months will help them make their mark in their senior years and beyond.
School prefects
Muyao
Zhang, Alice Feng, Iris Gai, Serena Li, Tracy Hu
Meriden students receive global recognition in John Locke Competition
Alice Feng, Iris Gai, Tracy Hu, Serena Li, and Muyao Zhang – were shortlisted in the prestigious John Locke Essay Writing Competition, earning global recognition for their outstanding submissions.
In 2025, the competition attracted 63,328 essays from talented students worldwide and is known for its rigorous judging process, which is overseen by senior academics from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
The Meriden girls, alongside other shortlisted candidates from over 190 countries, were invited to London for the John Locke Academic Conference. This annual event is a premier gathering to celebrate and recognise the exceptional academic depth of the competition’s finalists. The conference features engaging lectures delivered by renowned philosophers, university scholars, and political scientists.
Year 7 student Muyao, and Year 10 student Iris, were honoured to attend the conference, which concluded with a Prize Awards Ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
At the ceremony, Muyao received a Certificate of Commendation for her essay, Freedom of Speech Benefits Us Equally
– No More, No Less. Her essay persuasively argued that everyone’s freedom of speech holds equal weight, suggesting that meaningful progress requires both the sharing of insights and active listening. This exceptional submission placed Muyao in the top tier of tens of thousands of applicants globally.
“I feel very grateful for this opportunity. During the conference, I discovered inspiring books, including When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows by Professor Steven Pinker, which deepened my interest in critical thinking,” said Muyao.
Iris agreed it was an unforgettable experience and said the ceremony was an inspiring evening of discussion and connection.
“I never could have imagined that writing an essay on atheism would take me all the way to London! I have always been fascinated by Theology – it challenges me to balance reason and reverence in exploring life’s biggest questions. I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to keep growing through writing.”
In her essay, Iris tackled the question, “Is atheism implausible?” She explored the tension between belief and unbelief, suggesting that atheism may be
evolutionarily disadvantageous and lacks the psychosocial benefits that faith can offer. She concluded that while atheism is a valid perspective, it may not fully replace the cultural and emotional roles religion plays.
The John Locke Competition encourages students to grapple with complex philosophical, political, and economic questions. Meriden girls demonstrated their exceptional ability to articulate and analyse multifaceted issues across the humanities, with their essays standing out among thousands of global submissions.
Congratulations to these Meriden students for their extraordinary dedication to critical inquiry and academic excellence. Their success is a superb example of the intellectual curiosity fostered at Meriden.
Muyao Zhang
Yolanda Dolenac, Cambridge (teal)
Kylie Zhang, Lincoln (pink)
Iris Gai, Norfolk (navy)
Anna Satchithananthan, York (maroon)
NEW TRADITIONS
The first year of ten Houses at Meriden
At Meriden, Houses have always been communities – places where girls make friends across year groups and deepen their sense of belonging and community. Girls have embraced the ten smaller Houses of 120 students (including Year 12 students) and welcomed the opportunity to create new connections within their year group and vertically across the school.
The first full year of Meriden’s new House structure has been completed following the addition of four new Senior School Houses in Term 4 of 2024: Cambridge – Teal, Lincoln – Pink, Norfolk – Navy, and York – Maroon.
This year, the school community has seen the positive benefits of moving from six to ten Houses for girls of all ages. The smaller groups mean that younger girls can interact purposefully, helping girls feel like they belong more easily; Tutor Groups are smaller, with one tutor to ten girls, so our pastoral teams and tutors can care for girls more effectively; and the new structure has created additional leadership opportunities for senior students as well as for staff.
Meriden’s Pastoral Care and House programs perfectly complement each other, helping to develop the attitudes and values of Meriden girls, ensuring that every girl feels like she can contribute, and providing an additional support structure for students.
The ten Houses were on full display at the 2025 House Choral Festival, held for the first time at the International Convention Centre. Led and managed by House
Officers, each House selected, prepared and performed a choral piece following the Year 12 Graduation with every girl on stage participating and creating new memories.
In addition to the new House structure and House Choral Festival, this year a new initiative has been introduced in the form of House Thursdays. In Pastoral time every Thursday, each House comes together as a smaller community for a Chapel service, House Meeting, House Mentoring or fun games led by their House Officers.
Another new activity has been introduced to the school in 2025 with the Festival of Houses in Week 8 of Term 4. The Friday afternoon was spent on a wide range of activities and games designed so that every girl could participate. From chess to art, badminton to just dance, and even Uno, it was a great opportunity for girls to come together in a fun and relaxing way, enjoying time together as they finished the school year.
House culture. One example of this has been tutors of the Lincoln House wearing a touch of pink on House Thursdays, creating a simple new tradition that strengthens their sense of belonging, fosters pride, and builds a visible, shared identity. This culture and House Spirit is on show at swimming carnivals, athletics carnivals and events throughout the year.
One of the important traditions at Meriden is House Service where each House chooses an organisation or charity to support for that year. Through this program girls generate awareness and raise funds for their nominated charity, encouraging and reminding them to look outward and think about acts of service and how they can contribute beyond the school environment. The addition of four new Houses means four more charities for the student body to support each year.
At Meriden, we believe that each girl is uniquely and wonderfully made and we strive to ensure that each girl is cared for. The school’s new House Structure enhances this care by nurturing strong, supportive communities.
This year, patrons of Cambridge, Lincoln, Norfolk, and York have encouraged House Officers to set up a new House identity and establish their “ The school community has seen the benefits of moving from six houses to ten”
Badminton competition
Girls strengthen Japanese sister school partnership
“Our trip was truly life changing. We not only improved our Japanese language skills, but we also made lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.” Christa Leung captured the experience of 11 Meriden students on their return from visiting Kwansei Gakuin High School.
The trip represented an opportunity for Meriden to strengthen the school’s new partnership with Kwansei Gakuin, which is located in the
city of Nishinomiya, near Osaka and Kobe on the main island of Honshu. Having welcomed and hosted a contingent of students and teachers from Japan in July and August last year, it was time for Meriden to reciprocate the visit and for a number of our students to engage in school life in Japan.
This experience was an educational opportunity for students to experience the rich culture of Japan and for girls studying Japanese to extend themselves in the language.
Accompanied by their Japanese teachers and Year 11 Coordinator Miss Ji Mee Lee, the girls attended school with their exchange buddies, immersing themselves in everyday Japanese school life to gain a deeper insight into the culture and build their language skills.
“When we arrived, we experienced Japanese school life through activities like tea ceremonies, cooking and eating in the school cafeteria. We even faced the challenge of attending chemistry lessons taught entirely in Japanese,” Christa shared.
Meriden girls and their host families forged strong connections, which was evident during their emotional and tearful farewells on the final day of the girls’ visit to the school.
Mahika Rathi said, “Our host families were incredibly kind, making it extremely hard to say goodbye. But our excitement quickly returned as we began our culture tour through other parts of the country.”
We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with the families, students and teachers at Kwansei Gakuin High School to support our Japanese language learners and continue to strengthen our cross-cultural ties.
Meriden’s first Chinese exchange tour a resounding success
From bustling Beijing to the serenity of Hangzhou, nine Year 10 students spent their Easter break on Meriden’s inaugural exchange tour of China. The trip offered not only a cultural and linguistic immersion, but also a journey of personal growth, discovery, and friendship.
Over the two-week journey, students explored five iconic Chinese cities, visiting historical and cultural landmarks and experiencing real school life alongside local students.
The highlight of the tour was visiting the high school affiliated to Shaanxi Normal University, where they joined local peers in cultural classes and experienced Chinese school life first-hand. This allowed Meriden students to gain a deeper
appreciation of the values and traditions of their school system, as well as reflect on their own learning, and the importance of empathy and open-mindedness in any intercultural endeavour. Students also explored the ancient heart of China –riding bikes atop the ancient city wall, visiting the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, and dressing respectfully in traditional Hanfu.
Meriden students returned with improved Chinese communication skills, a deeper appreciation for Chinese history and culture, and countless unforgettable memories. We are proud to celebrate the success of this inaugural tour and look forward to many more cultural adventures in the future.
Over the two-week journey, students explored five iconic Chinese cities, visiting historical and cultural landmarks and experiencing real school life alongside local students.
Year 10 team wins National da Vinci Decathlon
The name “da Vinci” conjures up images of inspirational artwork and creative intelligence that spanned a wide range of human endeavours. Named after one of the great thinkers of all time, the da Vinci Decathlon is an annual academic competition designed to celebrate the academic gifts of Australian youth by providing a stimulating and challenging competition run in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon.
Meriden’s Year 10 team was crowned National Champion at the da Vinci Decathlon in June.
This is the second year the team has advanced to the national finals, improving their result from last year when they claimed second place.
The team achieved excellent results at the National Finals and secured a top three placing in eight out of ten disciplines, including first in Art and Poetry, English and Ideation; second in Science and
It encourages girls to adopt a curious mindset, working together to overcome challenges and to constantly grow and develop their confidence and skills.
Code Breaking; and third in Creative Producers, Engineering and Mathematics.
“One of the biggest highlights of this year’s da Vinci Decathlon was the fact that we, as a team, got to go through every level, starting at the regional level and progressing to the state and national competitions!” Chloe Zhou said.
The Year 10 team was delighted to be moving on to the state championships joining the Year 9 team that also won their division in the regional competition.
“We are still reeling from the win at the national competition, and we are so thankful for the preparation and work of our teachers and each other as our collaborative efforts have certainly paid off,” Olivia said of their win.
The girls said preparing for the competition was not about memorising and revising content. “We learned to trust each other. That sense of team chemistry made the competition days much more enjoyable and fulfilling.
“Throughout the competitions, I was constantly reminded of how fun academic challenges can be when I am surrounded by a team of friends who genuinely love thinking deeply and creatively!”
Championing effective communication using plain English
When it comes to communicating, Anna Satchithananthan makes the astute observation that simple, clear, and engaging vocabulary is often the most powerful.
Year 10 student Anna was a State Finalist in the NSW Plain English Speaking Award. “As a speaker I need to not only make what I say and how I say it interesting but also be impactful and insightful,” Anna said.
The Plain English Speaking Award is an annual competition that aims to encourage the use of clear and effective spoken English.
“It’s not a competition about sounding smart, it’s a competition that encourages students to speak about what matters
to them in an engaging way,” explains Mrs Charlotte Yates, Meriden’s Coordinator of Learning Link – Speech.
“The ability to use plain English is increasingly important in our society because of the amount of information that is available to us and competing for our attention,” Mrs Yates said. “We want to speak so that people will listen.”
For Anna, she has found the competition’s focus on plain English refreshing.
“I really like this competition because it calls for the use of simple language – or ‘plain English’ – which is honestly the cornerstone of effective communication.”
At each stage of the competition, students deliver a prepared and an impromptu speech, where they are judged on their effective use of plain English, subject knowledge and how engaging they are.
“Public speaking can be very nervewracking, so the way I like to approach these competitions is seeing it as a platform for me to speak about important issues and be heard,” Anna said.
“The competition gives me the chance to hear unique and insightful ideas on social issues and broaden my knowledge and understanding of our greater society.”
In Anna’s impromptu speech for the local final, she talked about Indigenous women experiencing gender-based violence, and in the regional final, she explored ideas on how we can mitigate homelessness. Themes indeed worthy of effective communication in plain English.
Anna Satchithananthan
STEM skills take flight in the Meriden Cadets Program
Alana Ikladios
Three years ago, 2025 Year 12 student
Alana Ikladios had never flown a drone.
Now, having undertaken a specialist course in Adelaide, she’s set to instruct hundreds of cadets in drone flying and field engineering. Alana is Platoon Commander of the all-new STEM Platoon in the Trinity Grammar School Army Cadet Unit, which was instated at the start of the current Cadets training year in October.
The introduction of the STEM Platoon is an “exciting shift” according to Alana, who sees the new initiative as an exciting opportunity, not only to introduce new activities to the Cadets program, but also to inspire girls in the wider world of STEM beyond the military.
Alana is already looking forward to exploring potential study and career options in STEM, having gained several future-ready skills which will be applicable across any number of different roles and industries.
During January, Alana participated in the Cadet Elective Drone Racing 1 and 2 course in Adelaide, where she learned to pilot a range of drones, build new drones from scratch, and program them to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.
The course taught Alana a variety of STEM skills, as well as reinforcing more general skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork – essential elements of the STEM fields.
“We started the course by flying drones called ‘Tiny Whoops’ to help us get used to the controls, because they’re smaller and harder to control,” Alana shared.
“After that, we had a couple of days to build our own five-inch racing drones from scratch, using 3D printed pieces, motors and props. We had to physically put everything together and solder parts onto the circuit boards, which was my favourite part.”
Unlike most others, these racing drones are controlled with a direct line of sight from the device, with the use of VR headsets.
Alana relished the opportunity to learn new skills with 47 other young cadets from units all over Australia, including five others from New South Wales. “Being able to meet new people and make new friends really added to the experience,” she said.
Having successfully completed the Drone Racing 1 and 2 elective courses, Alana is now fully qualified to instruct other cadets in drone flying, showing them how to build and fly drones, as well as programming them for preset flight paths.
Capt (AAC) Fiona Brennan, Meriden’s Coordinator of Cadets, said that the STEM platoon offers a new pathway of interest for students at Meriden and Trinity Grammar School who are exploring options within the Cadets program.
“Cadets is for everybody,” she said. “The new STEM Platoon helps inspire girls like Alana, giving them exposure and skills in STEM out in the field that they otherwise wouldn’t have, and a headstart towards their future career.”
While the STEM Platoon is just in its first year, the new drone flying initiative led by Alana has been received with excitement by the whole unit.
“Exposing the cadets to different skills means we can continue to grow the STEM Platoon in future years,” said Capt Brennan. “It will also provide career opportunities for those who join the STEM Platoon.”
Beyond Cadets, Meriden offers iSTEM as an elective subject for girls in Years 9 and 10. Alana enrolled in the subject in both years, and she says it was a vital starting point for her, saying “In the iSTEM elective class, we learned how to program drones, which started my interest in the area.”
“I have been able to take the theory I learned in that class and embrace the practical side, which is why Cadets is such a great way for girls to find STEM opportunities.”
Many younger cadets at Meriden are excited about the opportunities that will be open to them when they reach the senior ranks, in large part thanks to the initiative of students like Alana.
And right now, Alana is one of the many Meriden students who are looking forward to a potential career in STEM.
“I want to study Mechatronic Engineering at university,” she said. “A big part of the reason why is because I have been able to experience engineering skills and activities first-hand through the Cadets program.”
“I have been able to take the theory I learned in that class and embrace the practical side, which is why Cadets is such a great way for girls to find STEM opportunities.”
— Alana Ikladios
Annie crowned international champion at Harvard debating tournament
Following a lively and hotly contested series of debates, Annie Li, a Year 10 student, has been named winner of the prestigious Harvard College World Schools Invitational tournament after competing against many of the world’s best high school debaters.
The annual tournament brings together more than 300 students from around the world to Harvard College, including national teams from USA, Canada and Mexico. This competition is adjudicated by expert debating coaches and former world champions.
After seven rounds of intense competition over three days, a panel of five adjudicators unanimously voted Annie’s team as the Novice division champions against the Portuguese national team.
Annie said, “I used to think debating was a very Australian thing, since so many of the world’s best university debaters are from Sydney, but this competition made me realise just how many people worldwide also do the same things we do; the debating community is a lot bigger than we think.” Annie says.
During the tournament, Annie employed the strategy of ‘persistence’ that she learned at Debating Club and Archdale Debating.
“Sometimes our Archdale seasons start off rocky, or the first half of our debate is really tough, but if you stay patient, keep listening and keep improving, you can turn it around.”
Debating competitions and tournaments strengthen critical thinking skills, deepens student’s understanding of real-world issues and encourages collaboration and teamwork.
“Every bit of training and practice from Debating Club reaps its returns in competitions like these, so it certainly did prepare me. I am also fortunate to have immensely talented debating friends at Meriden who I have learned so much from.”
Year 10 students Tina Dong, Ashley Shu, and Jasmine Yang have qualified for the 2026 Harvard College World Schools Invitational tournament after an impressive performance in the regional round in April. We wish Tina, Ashley, and Jasmine every success as they head to the U.S. for this highly respected tournament.
Annie Li
Vicky Qian
Vicky on the path to Chess Grandmaster
Known as a game of strategy, chess teaches players to think ahead, to make decisions with logic and intuition, and to remain calm under pressure.
Year 8 student Vicky Qian displays all of these skills, and in 2025 she achieved a significant milestone in her chess career: earning the International Chess Federation (FIDE) title of Woman Candidate Master (WCM).
The Woman Candidate Master title is exclusive to female players who have reached a rating of at least 1800 and won at least half of the games played in a continental tournament. Vicky achieved this in May, becoming one of only 884 WCMs in the world.
“I never thought I would get a chess title. I am grateful for the progress I have made. It makes my hard work even more rewarding,” Vicky said of her achievement.
Obtaining this chess title has opened even more opportunities for Vicky. She is now eligible for tournaments, clubs and communities that are exclusive to titled players.
Vicky appreciates the opportunity to be part of the Meriden Chess Club, where she established herself as Meriden 01 Board 1 player last year. She enjoys playing in competitions against players from other schools, some of whom are friends she’s met in the chess circuit.
“Chess is a lot of fun, and I enjoy playing with my friends at tournaments – they make the experience more enjoyable for me, and of course, it is fun to win!”
In particular, she is excited when the Meriden Chess Club establishes and builds a strong team and comes away with outstanding results at competitions. At last year’s IGSA Chess Championship,
“Chess is a lot of fun, and I enjoy playing with my friends at tournaments –they make the experience more enjoyable for me, and of course, it is fun to win!”
— Vicky Qian
Meriden had three finalist teams, with the Meriden 01 team emerging as the eventual winners.
For Vicky, the title of Grandmaster had not crossed her mind, but now, as a WCM, the title is within sight.
“Achieving the Grandmaster title would take many years of commitment,” she said. “Right now, I am focused on enjoying the game and improving as much as I can.”
Year 6 growing community connections
Year 6 Environment Club —
The Meriden Environment Club has recently started a school vegetable garden to grow fresh herbs and vegetables – and create a reason to regularly visit their neighbours at Marian Court Retirement Village.
A team of highly engaged and innovative Year 6 students including Charlotte Chen, Aarya Tarvade and Catherine Yip approached Mr Toby Argent with the idea of creating a sustainable vegetable garden in the playground. Demonstrating a passion for serving others, and a commitment to making a difference, these young leaders were interested in growing fresh herbs and vegetables, but not to take home for their own families. They wanted to grow them for their neighbours in Marian Court to eat and enjoy.
Mr Argent said “the future is in good hands when we have students who value and recognise community service.”
These Year 6 girls are living Meriden’s strategic focus on Serving: Culture and Community. Connecting with community allows Meriden girls to develop an understanding and appreciation of different perspectives, and providing opportunities to serve our community equips Meriden girls with the skills to enhance their contribution to society.
With the support of Mrs Cath Evans, the Environment Club worked together on budgeting and planning. The girls considered where the garden could go, how big it would need to be and what sort of produce they could plant. In the process, they learned the practicality of how things grow
and thrive. They made decisions together about seeds and soils, gaining an appreciation for nature and managing challenges like the weather and pests. In the process, they also learned valuable lessons about responsibility and commitment, resilience and patience.
Most of all they are working hard to serve others and build their community by connecting with their neighbours.
As the girls prepare to pick their first crop of flavourful herbs and new lettuce, the Environment Club students are also deciding how they will gift their harvest to the residents of Marian Court.
As they finish Year 6 they leave a great legacy for the Junior School of culture and community in action.
Digital mentors help Marian Court residents stay connected
When Meriden Year 10 students started visiting Marian Court Retirement Village residents, questions like “Can you help me find the photos from my grandson’s birthday?” became the start of warm conversations and strong new connections.
An initiative of the new cocurricular Service Learning Club, which started in 2025 has provided Year 10 students with opportunities to live Meriden’s Christian values through providing acts of meaningful service and care in the local community.
Their first focus for the year was to become Digital Mentors through the “Be Connected” program. A federal government-funded initiative, “Be
Connected” aims to increase digital literacy among older Australians, improving their digital skills and enhancing their online safety.
Meriden collaborated with the ‘I.T. Lady’ computer support services team who oversaw the program and delivered the initial training to the girls to become proficient digital mentors. The girls then visited residents of nearby Marian Court retirement village on a weekly basis, assisting residents by helping with their I.T. needs and building their skills and confidence.
This initiative has provided a unique opportunity for Meriden girls to support the local community. The girls took time
to show residents how to get the most out of their technology. Week by week, Meriden girls assisted Marian Court residents in staying connected with friends and family, keeping up to date with messages and news, and taking photos on their devices to capture memories.
As with many acts of service, through meeting new people, helping others and working in a new environment, the girls gained so much in return for their kindness. This initiative has been deeply rewarding for both Meriden girls and for Marian Court residents. The Service Learning Club has enriched their sense of purpose, reinforced their strong technical capabilities and communication skills and confidence.
While these Year 10 students provided practical Digital Mentorships, they have also created connections, building enduring personal relationships, and fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Mrs Michelle Harmont, Coordinator of Learning Link – Service Learning, said that the program is a wonderful step forward not only for Meriden girls in their Service Learning, but also for the school’s impact in the community.
“This has been an opportunity for girls to support the digital literacy of those in the community while forming inspirational connections with the residents at Marian Court,” said Mrs Harmont.
Year 10 students working with neighbouring Marian Court residents.
Audiences transported to the world of Dr Seuss by Seussical cast and crew
When the applause finally died down after the last performance of Seussical, the cast and crew had indeed proven that “anything’s possible”, in the words of one of the memorable musical numbers.
Two terms of rehearsal led to three wonderful performing nights in the Concourse professional theatre space, complete with an exceptional set, extraordinary lighting features, creative props and whimsical sound effects.
Seussical is a magical show set in the world of Dr Seuss, featuring Horton, The Grinch and The Cat in the Hat, among a myriad of other famous and familiar characters from his classic stories.
“Seussical was selected because it’s such a big, bright musical with lots of great roles for lots of our girls,” said Meriden music teacher Ms Annemaree McLeod. “With a cast of almost 60, many of them speaking roles, it provided an opportunity for more girls to act, sing and dance.”
As the Concourse Performing Arts Centre explained: Each night, audiences found themselves captivated by the sprawling storyline of Seussical. The musical tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo played by Lucy Elton, a Who child sent off to military school for
thinking too many “thinks”. Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.
This highly polished production was a complete professional performance of the two-act show. While the school remained true to the original material, the interpretation was tailored to senior students with a more elegantly dressed Cat in the Hat (played by Vienna Korkis) resplendent in top hat and tails, deeper meaning of the scenes drawn out and a set that befit the talent on stage. Maddy Wood who plays Mayzie LaBird said “I think there’s a nice balance between the big flashy musical numbers and the softer ballads.”
While Meriden girls are known for their rich musicality, this performance also presented the opportunity to have the entire cast on stage harmonising together, backed by Meriden’s dynamic full orchestra.
This grand musical extravaganza was entertaining and uplifting, loved by the students on stage, behind the scenes and their wonderful audiences.
Students perform in Seussical the Musical
Celebrating 80 years of Book Week
The Children’s Book Council of Australia celebrated 80 years of Children’s Book Week in 2025 with the theme of “book an adventure”.
Characters from beloved children’s books paraded through the Junior School when students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 dressed up to celebrate Book Week.
Seeing the girls’ favourite book characters come to life is always a highlight of our school calendar and this year’s cast of book characters included animals (an owl, a bowerbird, a llama, and cats), muchloved heroines (Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, Alice from Alice in Wonderland, and Little Red Riding Hood), titular diary characters (Dork Diaries and Ella Diaries), and even food from the Pizza and Taco series.
Meriden’s aim is always to provide girls with opportunities to thrive, and a foundation of reading and a love of books unlocks student’s curiosity, opens their minds up to new worlds and experiences and helps instil a love of learning from a very young age.
The students had a wonderful time personifying their favourite characters and sharing their passion for reading. It’s always a great opportunity to celebrate their best-loved books in a way that brings colour, energy and excitement to the school community.
Teacher Alex Phillips selected as ICGS GARC Fellow in new ‘Stemship Enterprise’ course
A life-long dedication to encouraging girls to achieve their potential in STEM, has inspired Meriden teacher Mrs Alexandra Phillips to initiate a new ‘STEMship Enterprise’ Course.
Mrs Phillips has been appointed as a Fellow of the Global Action Research Collaborative on Girls’ Education (GARC), an initiative of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS). This exceptional program provides an in-depth professional learning experience bringing together educators from around the world, with participants’ contributions circulated within the wider girls’ education community and special recognition given to projects that demonstrate exceptional creativity or insight.
Meriden Science Teacher and Coordinator of Learning Link –Innovation, Mrs Phillips, has been selected under the theme Creativity as Catalyst: Teaching for Possibility in Girls’ Schools, a well-deserved acknowledgment of her work in STEM and her commitment to instilling an understanding and passion for STEM in the next generation of girls.
Through this Fellowship, Mrs Phillips continues to live Meriden’s strong tradition of academic achievement and pastoral care, supporting the development of our students’ future skills.
In 2018–23, women accounted for only 35% of all STEM graduates worldwide (UNESCO, 2024). In looking to address this imbalance, Mrs Phillips asked the question: “How might our school community create innovative opportunities for STEM to engage girls to develop creativity and skills?”
Based on her extensive research and the enthusiastic response from staff and students, Mrs Phillips has developed a new transdisciplinary elective that gives students a chance to explore STEM, entrepreneurship, and the space sector. This has led to the launch of our Year 8 2026 elective: STEMship Enterprise.
Developed as a transdisciplinary project across departments at the school, the STEMship Enterprise course introduces students to social entrepreneurship and the space industry. Focused on sustainable communities in space and back here on Earth, this is a future-orientated course offering students a window into careers in the Australian Space Agency and an opportunity to use design thinking and STEM to create a product pitch for a sustainable space enterprise. This elective aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 and the upcoming UN Decade of Sustainable Transport. It is a unique, inventive, creative and imaginative program that offers Meriden students the chance to make their marks in the space industry by innovating in space travel and future space living, while leveraging STEM advancements that also benefit life on Earth.
This new course will help to enable Meriden girls to learn optimally and to leave school ready for the challenges ahead.
Mrs Phillips’ ambition is that the STEMship Enterprise course will create space for authentic collaboration across disciplines and encourage meaningful STEM education that will ultimately increase female participation in STEM and inspire girls to pursue STEM careers.
“This elective aims to strengthen uptake of Year 9 subjects like iSTEM and Commerce for our school, expand student toolkits in enterprise and creative thinking, and foster staff collaboration. This fellowship will help measure its impact on creative thinking and shape future goals,” said Mrs Phillips.
“ This elective aims to strengthen uptake of Year 9 subjects like iSTEM and Commerce for our school, expand student toolkits in enterprise and creative thinking, and foster staff collaboration.”
— Mrs Alexandra Phillips
“To prepare for this course I had the great opportunity to attend the International Astronautical Congress this year as part of my professional development to network within the global space sector. This included speaking to astronauts and space agencies, to better understand the challenges that we hope to inspire students to solve in STEMship Enterprise.”
Participating in the GARC Fellowship will give Mrs Phillips the chance to share the impact of STEMship Enterprise on STEM education for girls with other IGCS schools in Australia and globally.
In all of her work, Mrs Phillips puts her STEM students first “There are countless opportunities waiting for them, and I know they will be futureready with great ideas for solving the challenges we face!”
Meriden ‘STEMgineer’ wins UNSW engineering challenge
Kate Nguyen
Life on Mars is more than just a future possibility.
Hosted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Young Women In Engineering, the Life on Mars Challenge was created to inspire young women to consider a career in the world of engineering. This was the challenge for Year 9 student and STEMgineer Kate Nguyen. Her innovative design addressed the unique conditions of Mars – its atmosphere, temperature, radiation, and gravity – while considering sustainability, essential resources and innovative technologies.
“My design is an underground habitat for future inhabitants of Mars within a pre-existing cave on the planet,” Kate explained. Her design incorporated carefully placed mirrors to channel sunlight into the caves to allow plants to grow underground.
“The habitat will be constructed by robots sent to Mars before humans, allowing the habitat to be almost complete and liveable when humans arrive.”
Kate said she found out about the opportunity to extend her engineering and design skills through Meriden’s STEM community. Meriden is not only equipping girls with strong foundations in STEM but also nurturing their vision and confidence to shape the future.
The girls’ exceptional performance in national and international examinations and competitions like this UNSW
Engineering challenge reflects their dedication and passion and is testament to their success and the school’s supportive and innovative culture.
At Meriden, girls are supported with everything they need to succeed in STEM at school and beyond. Students enjoy working in The Foundry, a high-tech open-plan learning space dedicated solely to STEM. Engineering, robotics, coding classes and clubs are held there and the students see their projects come to life through robotics equipment, electrical circuits, 3D printers and an industrialstandard Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine.
But more than this, Meriden girls love STEM: they are excited by the possibilities it offers them to build a brighter future.
STAFF PROFILE
New Head of Christian Education Mrs Betty Steele-Smith
With a heart for Jesus and a dedication to teaching, Mrs Betty Steele-Smith is Meriden’s new Head of Department – Christian Education.
Having previously provided maternity leave cover as an Assistant Chaplain at the school, and with an active role in Meriden’s Student Christian Groups (SCG) program, Mrs SteeleSmith is looking forward to stepping into the role in 2026.
Her strong Christian faith and passion for sharing Jesus’ word, together with her teaching experience, have further strengthened Mrs Steele-Smith’s interest in continuing to work in Christian Education. This strong background has also given her a clear understanding of the way students consider, learn and engage with the Bible.
“With all students from Years 7 to 11 participating in a Christian Education lesson for one period each week, there’s a genuine opportunity for the Christian Education team to continue to have a real impact,” said Mrs Steele-Smith.
Her ambition for Christian Education is that it continues to grow and strengthen the faith of Christian students in the school, while also challenging students who aren’t
Christians, encouraging them to follow Jesus. She says, “We will continue to present the Gospel in a way that helps students to appreciate the Christian faith and encourages them to follow Jesus.”
Mrs Steel-Smith’s strong interest in Christian education opportunities led her to Meriden, where she joined the Social Sciences faculty in 2021 as a history and geography teacher. From her first day on campus, Mrs Steele-Smith had a strong affinity with the school through shared values and a commitment to learning. She says “Meriden is unique as a school because the girls are so engaged in learning and value hard work. That creates a wonderful environment
for meaningful conversations and encourages students to think deeply.”
This eagerness to learn also shapes the way students approach Christian Education, a subject she believes plays a crucial role in the education and wellbeing of adolescents.
“Christian Education answers not just the why, but the how, enabling students to discuss and explore deeper questions which are really important, especially in their teenage years.”
In this new role Mrs Steele-Smith is eager to create new opportunities to talk about Jesus and foster meaningful conversations about the Gospel with students across the school community.
Victoria Tjonadi
Badminton at Meriden on the rise
What began as a simple initiative to encourage more Meriden girls to participate in sport has grown into an extraordinary surge of engagement and achievement on state, national and international stages.
At the recent NSW Open Challenge, Meriden athletes performed strongly with valuable courtside coaching support enhancing their competition experience.
At the U17 National Team and Individual Championships in Perth, Isabelle Kingsley continued Meriden’s strong presence by winning a silver medal with NSW Thunder and adding bronze medals in both Singles and Doubles competitions.
Local competitions in 2025 further showcased Meriden’s depth of talent, with standout results at the NSW Junior Spring Open, the Knockout Series and other state tournaments. Among the many impressive performances, Isabelle Kingsley won the U17s Singles, came Runner Up in the U17 Doubles with Ella Chen, U17 Mixed Doubles, U19 Singles, U19 Doubles with Ella Chen and won the U19 Mixed Doubles. Angelina Li secured gold in the D Grade Women’s Doubles, while Isabelle Kingsley and Ella
Chen collected numerous podium finishes across Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles events. Ella Chen was also a semi-finalist in the U19 Singles.
There were also several badminton team event highlights with students representing various state teams at the national championships: Victoria Tjonadi placed 2nd (silver) U19 for NSW Thunder; Isabelle Kingsley placed 3rd (bronze) for U15 NSW Thunder; Ella Chen represented NSW U15; Angelina Li represented South Australia U15 and Emily Xie represented ACT U15.
The badminton program at Meriden has done so much more than boost sports participation, it has taught the players about the importance of being part of a team, built resilience and brought out their best.
Kingsley and Ella Chen
Katie Qin of Year 9 said, “This year in badminton, the sport has taught me a lot about how to work closely with my teammates both on and off the court. I’ve learned how important communication is, especially while playing in competitions –whether it’s calling shots, taking the time to plan our games, or simply encouraging my teammates after a match or rally.
Personally, this year has been quite eventful with competitive games such as IGSA, TKS, and the Invitational. While reflecting on all my experiences, I’ve learned how to push through the harder moments: long matches, tight scores, and days when my mindset wasn’t at its best. Over these past seasons, I have tried to improve my mentality by committing fully to every shot, staying focused, and backing up my friends – and even myself – when things get challenging. I’ve realised how important it is to be resilient and stay positive, and I’m really proud of how far my teammates and I have come.”
Reflecting on her year, Sophia Wang of Year 7 said, “This year has been an incredible badminton journey, and I’m so proud to be part of such a talented and committed group of players. Our main achievements include winning our IGSA division, which reflects the hard work, commitment, and teamwork we all shared.
The Meriden Invitational was also a highlight of the year, where our team showed great resilience and determination, ultimately coming out on top. However, none of these achievements would have been possible without the support, encouragement, and involvement of our coaches and teammates throughout our training and preparation.
Through team events, I’ve developed a deep understanding of each other’s strengths, which has helped us complement one another’s playing styles on the court. With training and
competitions combined, we’ve learned to push each other to be better, and it’s that camaraderie that has driven our success. It’s been amazing to see how we’ve grown, both as individuals and as a team. I’m looking forward to continuing to work together and taking on even more challenges in the years to come.”
Adding to the program’s growth, Head Coach Patrick Hii achieved his Badminton World Federation Level 2 coaching qualification, enhancing Meriden’s coaching capacity and strengthening development pathways for junior athletes.
With record participation, exceptional results and increasing international representation, Meriden’s badminton program continues to reach new heights –propelled by dedication, opportunity and a growing passion for the sport.
Isabelle
Celebrating Year 12 with a display of collaboration and creativity
In Meriden’s third year at the International Convention Centre (ICC) for the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony, students embraced the technical capabilities of the venue to create an immersive and truly unforgettable experience.
In a true collaboration, three students from the media team and arts faculty – Sofianna Han, Keira Taganesia and Ella Zhang – created a hand-drawn animation as the focal piece to perfectly complement the ceremony’s musical performance.
The school’s full symphony orchestra and a choir of 100 girls from Years 9 to 12 performed the original suite from How To Train Your Dragon in full, with the original score sourced from Austria.
Overlaying the striking and thoughtful animation as a backdrop didn’t just showcase the technical ability and musicianship of the school’s symphony orchestra and Senior Singers, it was a testament to their collaborative and creative approach, resulting in a spectacular send-off for the Year 12 girls.
MUSIC INCLUSION AT MERIDEN
An opportunity for every girl
Not all students engage with music in the same way, and a truly diverse music department recognises the importance of offering multiple pathways for participation.
By providing a wide range of opportunities from choirs, string ensembles, orchestras, bands, and composition, the Meriden music program truly offers something for every student, whether they are mentored on an instrument for the first time in the Year 3 Instrument Program to performing with the Symphony Orchestra at the International Convention Centre.
The school’s focus is on encouraging every student to be involved and fostering what will become a lifetime love of music. It spans from choirs, and a piano club to musical theatre, rock and jazz bands and two full symphony orchestras.
Fidelis
Year 10 student, Alyssa Wahhab says, “I began learning the clarinet in the Year 3 Instrument Program in small group lessons with an amazing music tutor who inspired and encouraged me to continue in private lessons in the Music Academy. Now, clarinet is a major part of my life and my involvement in the Clarinet Ensemble, Sinfonia and Wind Symphony allows me to work in a team environment to create beautiful pieces. I am looking forward to studying Music in Year 11 and 12 and really enjoy learning about different periods of music and the history of music. I am involved in Senior Singers and Madrigals, and this is my favourite part of my week as I love singing in choirs. I read an article about how singing together makes everyone’s heart beat at the same time and I really believe that.”
Year 9 student, Juliet Maroun loved singing from a young age, but through her involvement in the Meriden choirs and Junior School musical, has now been learning classical voice in the Meriden
Music Academy and singing in the choirs, musicals and rock bands. Juliet says, “The Music Department has nurtured my skills into diverse repertoire – from rock band to hone in my contemporary singing to Italian opera arias, which is a whole different vocal technique. Working with other students who love singing as much as I do, along with learning sightreading techniques in Senior Singers and Madrigals to develop my musicianship, has been so beneficial. I used to only sing by ear but now I am confident in aural skills and reading notation.”
At Meriden, music is a highly valued part of the school, practiced and developed on a daily and weekly basis across more than 30 ensembles, groups and bands, and celebrated through school events.
A highlight of the school calendar is that 420 students attended music camp in 2025 across a wide range of bands, smaller ensembles, groups, and choirs.
Dean of Music, Ms Jodie SpoonerRyan said, “Music Camp is the highlight of the year for many of our musicians with three days of rehearsals, workshops, and performances, and a time where girls from Years 5 – 12 sit side-by-side in rehearsals and collaborate and engage in their love of music.”
Several concerts are featured in the Meriden events calendar and one of the most inclusive is Music Under the Stars, where audiences are encouraged to clap and sing along, and to show their appreciation for the ensembles performing a variety of musical genres from pop music to film soundtracks, jazz and musical theatre.
In addition to the many accolades and outstanding results from music competitions over many years, the school’s music program, led by Ms Spooner-Ryan, will be embarking on a trip to Europe with 80 students at the end of 2025, with workshops, church services, and concerts in Budapest, Salzburg, Vienna and Prague. “The opportunity to sing and play in Europe’s most renowned venues will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and to link culture and history with music will be so memorable.”
Juliet Maroun and Alyssa Wahhab
“ The professionals we met were generous with their time and patience in sharing their experiences and knowledge.”
— Laura Croxon
A summer of science, discovery and opportunities at ANU
While many students were easing into the summer holidays, two budding Meriden scientists were privileged to pack their bags for the exclusive science enrichment programs at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.
Following her outstanding result in the Earth and Environmental Science Olympiad exam, Year 12 student Emily Chen was invited to attend the Earth and Environmental Science Summer School at ANU. This is the second time Emily has been chosen to attend the summer school.
Emily had the opportunity to study geology, astronomy and climatology, and engage in hands-on investigations into Australian Science Innovations’ mineral, rock and fossil collections.
“We heard lectures from Summer School mentors and experts and had the chance to see some of the labs at ANU, including a fluid lab where researchers modelled the influence of ocean water dynamics on climate. Overall, it was an engaging and challenging experience that helped me grow as a leader.”
Meanwhile, Year 12 student Laura Croxon was chosen to attend the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). The program inspires students drawn to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), extending their learning beyond the classroom and helping them explore real-world applications and future directions.
Like Emily, Laura’s experience was also at ANU in Canberra. “The National Youth Science Forum was an incredible opportunity that exposed and introduced
me to branches of STEM I was unfamiliar with, such as biomedicine, Indigenous genomics and astrophysics,” Laura said.
“I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from professionals in a range of STEM fields and meeting other students with similar interests. The professionals we met were generous with their time and patience in sharing their experiences and knowledge. I returned home from NYSF with a clearer sense of direction, and a fantastic group of new friends from across Australia.”
These world-class programs are more than an inspiring way to spend the summer. They provide unique access to leading scientific minds, advanced equipment, and industry expertise, strengthening the girls’ passion for STEM and opening pathways to future opportunities.
Emily Chen
Laura Croxon
Year 7 student represents Australia at International Olympiads
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly important, complementing traditional skills and knowledge in subjects like mathematics, science and engineering.
Meriden Year 7 student Muyao Zhang is already excelling in these emerging fields. In 2025 she represented Australia in at two prestigious International Olympiads: in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence.
The first of the two events was the inaugural International Cybersecurity Olympiad (ICO), which was hosted by the National University of Singapore in June. The event aims to identify and nurture the brightest young minds in cybersecurity.
Muyao was faced with 65 challenges that simulated real-world scenarios to test her cybersecurity skills, completing all challenges and achieving a perfect score.
Muyao said, “As the world becomes more digitally connected, cybersecurity is becoming a growing global concern. Its content is evolving rapidly, far beyond protecting data and systems.”
Muyao is interested in cybersecurity and a future career in the field because she enjoys critical thinking and solving realworld problems.
Muyao was also selected to represent Australia at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) in Beijing, just weeks after the ICO.
This marks her second appearance at the IOAI, after representing Australia at the inaugural edition in Burgas, Bulgaria in 2024, where the team won a gold medal.
The Olympiad was established to inspire and engage high school students worldwide in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Like the ICO, it brings together the brightest young minds from across the globe to compete, collaborate, and explore ethical and technological frontiers for the future.
The Meriden community congratulates Muyao for earning the opportunity to represent Australia at these elite events.
Muyao Zhang
Meriden Tennis Academy winning on and off the court
The Tennis Academy at Meriden is so much more than a world-class junior tennis program – it is a tight-knit team of girls who support each other on and off the court. These strong bonds help to shape the Academy’s culture and encourage our younger players who join the team each year.
Giselle Guillen of Year 11 exemplifies the spirit of Meriden and continues to make her mark in tennis. Giselle has achieved a career high Junior International Ranking of 86 and was the Tildesley Shield Singles Champion in 2025 and 2024 and runner up in 2023. Giselle achieved a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) International Ranking: Career high 981 (August 2025); was the 2023 Australian National Champion (16 & under); the J200 Sydney Regional Championships Junior ITF Champion, J200 Sydney Junior ITF Champion and J500 Osaka Junior ITF quarterfinalist and W15 Tweed Heads
Winner. Giselle joins a long list of Meriden students who have gained ITF Junior rankings and competed at the ITF Junior Grand Slam level.
Giselle’s performance, her focus, and her faith, are inspiring her teammates and breaking records.
The Meriden Tennis Academy had 130 Students participate in the IGSA Tennis Competition held in Term 1, and 160 students in Junior School participate in the Junior Hot Shots Program. In the Term 4 IPSHA Tennis Competition there were 30 Meriden students involved.
In 2025, 12 students participated in the invitation-only Junior Development Squad for selected students, and 20 students in the Senior Development squad were working towards developing their skills for IGSA Tennis Competition.
Meriden’s prestigious tennis program continues to build on its remarkable record of achievements, having won the Tildesley Shield Tournament and the Tildesley Shield Doubles for 16 years consecutively since 2010. The Meriden Tildesley Squad consists of 36 players currently qualifying and competing at Australian National’s tournaments and Junior International Tournaments
As a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport, Ivana Popovic (current Meriden Coach) Alexandra Osborne (currently on the WTA circuit) , Martina Hudaly, Miki Haet and Giselle Guillen all gained World rankings while students at the school. In total, 22 previous Meriden students have graduated from or are currently attending U.S. colleges to continue tennis and their educational journey, a remarkable achievement for the Meriden Tennis Academy and these talented young players.
Meriden wins Football Cup grand final in dramatic penalty shootout
Not traditionally known as a strong football school, Meriden showed in 2025 that teamwork, persistence and calm under pressure can change the story, with the High Performance Football squad making a strong showing at the SACS x Sydney FC First XI Cup.
This highly anticipated competition brought together talented teams from IGSA and beyond, for a full day of competitive football.
In a display of teamwork and determination, Meriden’s campaign began impressively in the group stage, securing three decisive victories, including against last year’s champions. The girls’ attack proved potent, with their cohesive play and focus netting 22 goals while conceding only a single penalty.
The semi-final presented a challenge against a capable side. However, Meriden rose to the occasion, building on their success to deliver a commanding performance that resulted in a convincing 6-0 win. This victory showcased strong teamwork, defensive acumen and goalscoring ability.
The grand final saw Meriden face a team with a similarly tight defence, having conceded just one goal throughout the tournament. It was a
closely fought contest, with Meriden creating an abundance of chances but unable to capitalise. Despite having a goal disallowed, Meriden continued to play assertive, attacking football. The opposition managed to break the deadlock against the run of play with a penalty to go 1-0 up in the first half. The Meriden girls threw everything they had at their opponents and came agonisingly close to scoring on countless occasions.
With the clock ticking down, Meriden mounted a final push, culminating in a dramatic equaliser at the end of a brilliant team build-up, which saw Dolly Fava guiding the ball past the keeper in the dying seconds to send the match to penalties.
The penalty shootout was a tense affair. An opposition penalty smashed off the crossbar, and a crucial save from Meriden goalkeeper Irini Paleologos gave Meriden the edge. Finally, Lexi Modena stepped up to score the winning penalty, securing the SACS x Sydney FC First XI Cup trophy for Meriden!
The team celebrated their hard-earned victory, a testament to the contributions of each of the following players: Dolly Fava, Chelsea Gruchot, Tahlia Hedley, Mary Ibrahim, Julia Meaker, Lexi Modena, Zella Modena, Isabella Moran, Irini Paleologos, Caitlin Probets, Alannah Roberts, Olivia Robinson, Ashmita Saha, Cindy Xu and Caitlin Yeoh. A true team effort, and a well-earned trophy for the Meriden High Performance Football squad to defend in 2026
OGU Committee
President’s Message
The Meriden Old Girls’ Union (OGU) has enjoyed another remarkable year, and I take great pride in our committee’s dedication to nurturing the OGU network. We continue to cultivate connections that honour shared experiences from our time at school, strengthen our bonds with fellow Old Girls, and reinforce our ties to the school and the current students who join our community each year.
This year, we welcomed a new committee for 2025/26 at our Annual General Meeting, held on 12 June 2025 at Meriden. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both current and previous committee members for their commitment and dedication throughout the year. I look forward to serving with this team for another year.
Kylie Kapeleris (2004) President
Amy Taylor (2015) Vice President
Billie Lottey (1980) Treasurer
Monica Luong (2024) Secretary
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Irene Karantonis (1994)
Marina Mitrevski (2000)
Hermione Kidd (1980)
Natalya Rodrigo (2000)
Carla Gagliano (2000)
Jessica Meldrum (1996)
Nadene O’Neill (1996)
Fiona Brennan (1985)
Sarah Hainsworth (1998)
In 2025, we were pleased to start the year with one of our most requested events: our Annual Spotlight Series, which celebrated Meriden Old Girls in STEM, Tech & Innovation. Jessica Meldrum (Class of 1996), Head of Cyber Risk at Westpac, led an inspiring discussion with alumnae making strides in Engineering, IT, Cyber Risk, and Innovation. We also heard from two distinguished speakers, Sharmila Tsourdalakis GAICD (Class of 1992), Chief Customer & Digital Officer at Stockland and Board Director at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, and Sulata Bhattacharjee (Class of 1998), Executive Information Security & Risk Officer for Equifax. Each shared how early exposure to STEM ignited their curiosity, how opportunities like attending Space Camp in Year 6
empowered them, and how travelling the world and accepting challenges shaped their careers. Echoing Sheryl Sandberg, our panelists described their career paths as navigating a “jungle gym” rather than climbing a ladder. Confidence and resilience, nurtured during their time at Meriden, emerged as central themes. We also explored the next digital evolution – artificial intelligence (AI) – and unpacked its impact on the future of work.
Back to Meriden Day, held on 23 August 2025, saw many Old Girls in attendance. The day commenced with a Chapel Service, followed by guided school tours and lunch in the Greenhalgh Building for Music and Drama, providing ample opportunity to reconnect and reminisce. We extend our congratulations to all cohorts who celebrated reunion milestones this year.
The OGU also hosted its annual private tour of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 at the Art Gallery of NSW. Thank you to Milica Mitrevski (2005) and Marina Mitrevski (2000) for organising this event. It was especially significant this year as two Old Girls were featured: Justene Williams (Class of 1988), the subject of Julie Fragar’s entry “Flagship Mother Multiverse (Justene)” and winner of the Archibald Prize 2025; and Sally Ryan (Class of 1981), a renowned artist and three-time finalist whose painting “Lette Loose” was selected as a finalist.
We were also delighted by the many reunions held this year, including the London Alumnae reunion hosted by Meriden and Mrs Lisa Brown in June. Hearing of reunions held globally is always a wonderful reminder of
Meriden Old Girls leaving their mark all over the world.
We were privileged to attend the PK/K-12 Dinner, where we presented embossed Bibles to the girls – an enduring OGU tradition. This gift serves as a lasting reminder of God’s presence and the support of the Union. Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that the OGU Vocational Prize Scholarship for 2025 has been awarded to Year 12 student Abbey Cameron. Upon commencing, Abbey immediately immersed herself in the Meriden Community, developing into a well-rounded student who has successfully maximised the opportunities afforded by her Meriden education. Her inherent kindness and steadfast dedication to service make her a most deserving recipient and we look forward to hearing about her impact as she considers her future studies.
As part of our efforts to strengthen relationships with senior students, we participated as mentors in the Year 10 Futures Day on 12 November 2025. Jessica Meldrum represented the Old Girls, sharing insights on the vital support the OGU offers during the transition from school.
We express our gratitude to Mrs Brown, Mrs Jessica Chilton, Mrs Vanessa Kirollos, and Mrs Cecilia Brophy-Williams for their support.
Finally, we send our best wishes to the graduating Class of 2025. Their tenacity exemplifies the Meriden values of faithfulness and perseverance. We look forward to personally welcoming the Class of 2025 as OGU Members in the new year.
On behalf of the OGU, I look forward to connecting with you in 2026.
Semper Fidelis Kylie Kapeleris (2004)
Meriden Old Girls 2025 events
Vale
Vale Lt Col (Ret)
John Macpherson former Meriden Council Chair
Former Council Chair (1986-1995) and long-term supporter of Meriden, Lieutenant Colonel John Macpherson, passed away in March 2025, aged 89. A significant figure in the school’s history, John was a forward-thinking leader, and remained involved in the school until his youngest granddaughter graduated in 2023.
Following a career in the Army, which began at Duntroon and later Officer Cadet School, Portsea, in 1954 John graduated as a First Lieutenant with the Governor’s medal, placing first in his class. John’s postings were up and down the east coast of Australia and active service in Vietnam as an artillery officer, followed by two years in the United Kingdom.
Upon his return to Australia in 1974, John’s sons Wesley (1979) and Robert (1980) were enrolled at Trinity and a few years later his daughter Fiona (1985) started at Meriden. John retired from the Army in 1981 and took
on other executive posts in private enterprise. Given his strong support of Meriden and his army background, John was invited to join the School Council which he went on to Chair for nine years.
Throughout this time, John took a long-term, strategic view of what would be required to support a growing student population, maintain consistently high standards of education and expand opportunities for Meriden girls. Under his leadership, the Council played an instrumental role in identifying, negotiating and acquiring several key properties adjacent to the School. This was an ambitious plan well ahead of its time that has continued to benefit Meriden, its staff and students.
In addition to his farsighted approach to expanding the School’s physical footprint, John also championed the future-proofing of Meriden through early adoption of emerging technologies, including the installation of fibre-optic internet and foundational digital infrastructure. His commitment to embracing
innovation, particularly in 1992, demonstrated remarkable vision and helped him to position the school for long-term success.
John’s daughter, Mrs Fiona Brennan, School Adjutant and Coordinator of Cadets, House Coordinator and PDHPE Teacher at Meriden recalls when her father became Council Chair. She said, “Dad had a strong work ethic and a focus on providing opportunities for the girls which has had a long-term impact on the school.”
A supportive father and proud grandfather, John saw his granddaughters, Charlotte Brennan (Meriden Class of 2020) and Sophie Brennan (2023), follow in his footsteps through their leadership roles in the Meriden Cadet Unit. Vale John, your legacy lives on through your beautiful family, and your realised vision for the school.
Vale Margaret Adcock (nee Munnoch)
The Meriden community and Old Girls fondly remember Mrs Margaret Adcock (nee Munnoch) who passed away in May 2025, aged 93.
Margaret entered the school in 1944 and became a respected student leader, sitting her Intermediate Certificate in 1946 before serving as a pro-prefect in 1947 and a prefect in 1947-1948.
In 1948 Margaret was the Sussex House Officer, receiving the Dancing Prize and was formally farewelled by the school as part of that year’s Valete.
Together with her husband, Mr Warren Adcock, who was Chairman of the School Council from 1974-1979, Margaret was a dedicated long-term supporter of Meriden. Four of their daughters – Jenny, Julie, Catherine and Louise – also attended the school. Vale Margaret, you will be remembered for your warm smile and welcoming nature.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
Psalm 31:24
Published in the Meriden Magazine in 1948
STUDENT FUTURES DAY
Expanding horizons
Meriden’s annual Student Futures Day inspires Year 10 Students with potential educational paths and career opportunities, providing practical advice as they look ahead.
The Student Futures Day provided girls with invaluable insights from Meriden alumnae, including their tertiary study, career journey to their current role and the inevitable twists and turns they faced along the way.
Over 50 Meriden alumnae at various stages of their career, and from a wide variety of industries and organisations generously attended to share their experiences and advice with the girls. Students also had the opportunity to meet with former Meriden students currently at university studying a range of disciplines.
Attendees represented a powerhouse of talent: Lecturers; CEOs; Business Owners; Chief Financial Officers; Ecologists; Public Relations Specialists; Solicitors; Speech Pathologists; Environmental Consultants; Biomedical Engineers; Senior Program Managers; Account Managers; Analysts; General Managers; Technical Systems Analysts; Security Analysts; Entrepreneurs; Brand Leads; Music Educators; Data Scientists; Olympians; Software Engineers; Designers; Marketing Managers; Investment Bankers. Many have built thriving businesses. Others have driven breakthroughs in medical research, environmental sustainability, and community development, and all were willing to share their experiences with the Year 10 girls.
Old Girls supporting current students at the Student Futures Day
The day-long event enabled students to meet with the Meriden alumnae and former students, to practice their interview skills and make enquiries about tertiary study and post-school options. The day opened with a panel of guest speakers followed by information sessions focused on successful interview techniques, personal styling and digital presence.
The girls finished the day engaging in a practical industry workshop that aligned with their interests, followed by a university expo and connections with industry partners from leading organisations like Buildcorp, The Australian Defence Force, CTPG, Thomson Geer, Urbis, Atlassian, and more.
Head of Department – Tertiary Pathways Mr Ryan Richards spoke of the exciting opportunities ahead of the girls, “Some of the jobs you will have don’t even exist yet. Ten years ago, there were no music therapists, climate change analysts, electric vehicle transitions specialists, battery design engineers or machine learning engineers.”
The Student Futures Day was designed to bring some of these exciting opportunities and pathways to life, expanding the girls’ horizons, encouraging them to consider their passions and strengths, and helping them learn from those who have gone before them. As Mr Richards said “Your future isn’t something you find – it’s something you create.”
London reunion
One of the wonderful things about Meriden is being part of the alumnae community well after graduating from school. In addition to local events such as the annual ‘back to Meriden day’ and regular school reunions, in July 2025 Meriden alumnae living or travelling in the UK were invited to a special London reunion.
Hosted by Meriden Principal Mrs Lisa Brown at the popular Drift restaurant, it was a welcome opportunity for former students to reconnect, reminisce and rekindle their school spirit.
Mrs Brown said, “The gathering brought together graduates spanning several decades, creating a wonderful opportunity for shared memories and new connections alike. I particularly enjoyed updating everyone on recent developments at Meriden and sharing highlights from our recent trip to Meriden Village in the West Midlands –the historic village from which we take our name.”
Former Meriden student Liv Harrison said, “Attending the recent Meriden alumni evening in London was a reminder of how far life has taken me since my high school days in Sydney. The event drew an impressive number of women from a broad range of graduating years, and in true Meriden fashion, the reception was warm and lively, even when arriving on one’s own.
Living abroad, you don’t always expect moments of home to find you. The reunion offered exactly that – a moment of nostalgia amidst the chaos of summer that reminded me how special it is to be part of the Meriden alumnae network, no matter where life takes us.”
With such a positive response from so many attendees, it’s clear the Meriden Old Girl community continues to thrive and grow, extending right across the globe.
Teresa set for the world’s stage at Juilliard
Teresa Yang is taking the next step towards building her music career at The Juilliard School, after receiving a full-tuition scholarship to attend the world-renowned performing arts institution.
Wielding a prodigious talent, which countless Meriden concert audience members have witnessed over the years, many would have predicted great things for Teresa’s music career. When Teresa shared the news that she was accepted into The Juilliard School on a fulltuition scholarship, the students and staff who know her best were equally impressed as they were elated.
Teresa, Meriden’s 2024 Head Prefect, knew from an early age that the violin would be right at the centre of her life and career.
“Music has been central for me. I can’t imagine my life without playing my violin,” she said.
Juilliard, in New York City, is considered one of the most prestigious music academies, not just in the United States, but globally. Alumni of the leading performing arts school have gone on to have illustrious solo careers or have conquered the world stage in top orchestras.
Teresa travelled to the US in March for a live audition and interview, and on her return to Australia, the nervous wait for results began.
“I found out I was accepted in early April. At one point, I was nervously refreshing my results page every couple of minutes.” she said.
“This is a dream come true, I can hardly believe it!”
Having joyfully accepted her admission, Teresa flew back to the US to begin a Bachelor of Music
“ Teresa always embraced everything musical at Meriden. She was a very good role model to the younger students in rehearsal; always focused, always committed, always wanting the best out of the music, and this set the bar high for other students.”
Ms Jodie Spooner-Ryan, Dean of Music (P-12)
Performance, living on campus and joining the community of other exceptional artists from all over the world.
Teresa says that during her time at Meriden, she was given every opportunity that she needed to succeed as a performer. Perhaps even more importantly, she realised that her time at Meriden has equipped her both musically and for life after finishing school.
“Meriden has prepared me well for this journey over the last six years.
“I am grateful that my parents sent me to Meriden, which was my mother’s choice. I have learnt so much as a student and grown so much as a person.”
Ms Jodie Spooner-Ryan, Dean of Music (P-12), oversaw much of Teresa’s development both musically and personally. She says that Teresa’s impact on the Performing Arts Department can hardly be overstated from the moment she started:
“Teresa always embraced everything musical at Meriden.
“She was a very good role model to the younger students in rehearsal; always focused, always committed, always wanting the best out of the music, and this set the bar high for other students. There are many students who looked up to her,” Ms Spooner-Ryan said.
As she prepared for the HSC examinations last year, Teresa began to consider her options for university and her future career – something all Meriden girls are encouraged to do under the guidance of Meriden’s Head of Department – Tertiary Pathways, Mr Ryan Richards. In addition to Australian institutions, Teresa investigated global tertiary opportunities and ways for her to pursue her exceptional violin talent and love of music.
“Of course, there was a significant repertoire to build for my applications, but that was only one part of the process. I had to put together other documents like essays and letters of recommendation. The school gave me a lot of support in that way,” she said.
Mr Richards said that schools like Juilliard consider not only the talent and performance level for musicians like Teresa, but their character and personal development as well. He says that the staff who gave support through letters of recommendation did so “with ease,” given her positivity, humility and contributions to the school.
“We have always marvelled at Teresa’s performances here at Meriden,” he said. “But if you consider this from an Australian perspective, people apply for Juilliard from all over the world, so receiving a 100% tuition scholarship is such a rare achievement, not just for a Meriden girl, but for any young Australian musician.”
For Juilliard in particular, around 2,000 of the world’s brightest young musicians apply for only 150 available undergraduate positions. Violin is also one of the most competitive instruments given its popularity for students, making Teresa’s achievement even more exceptional.
Teresa herself is taking on the magnitude of her accomplishment with typical grace and clarity, as she looks forward to what the next few years might offer.
“I am really excited to meet new people and join a community of artists of such a high calibre. I am looking forward to all of it: orchestras, chamber music, meeting new teachers and, of course, other students as well. I have heard it’s like a big family at Juilliard!”
“Of course there is a lot I can’t predict. There will be some unseen challenges as an international student, but I am excited to face them.”
Teresa wanted to share some advice from her experience as a student here at Meriden, too:
“I would say to younger students that they should find joy in those around you and in the things you do.”