Lucis Magazine, June 2018

Winter Edition 2018

The Magazine of the MLC School Family

Tours

Scholarships

To join one of our regular tours, contact our Registrar on (02) 8741 3165, email enrol@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au or visit mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/visit-mlc-school

MLC School offers a range of scholarships, including scholarships for new students, continuing students, all rounders, Music students, Indigenous students and daughters of Old Girls.

Some of our scholarships are means tested.

We welcome individual tours by appointment.

2018 TOUR DATES Junior School (Pre-Kindergarten – Year 5) Start your daughter’s MLC School journey in 2019, limited Pre-K places available.

Term 3

Thursday 2 August 2018

Term 4

Tuesday 13 November 2018

Senior School (Year 6 – Year 12) Term 3

Tuesday 31 July 2018

Term 4

Thursday 15 November 2018

For all scholarships at Year 7 level and above, candidates must sit an entrance examination held at the school. Shortlisted candidates are later invited to a Scholarships Activity Day to take part in a variety of activities with other shortlisted candidates and attend an interview.

The entrance examination for commencement in 2020 will be held early in Term 1 2019, applications will open in October 2018.

No testing is required to be considered for the Gawalgalyung Junior School Scholarship. Candidates are invited to spend the morning in the Junior School and there will also be an interview for parents.

For more information about MLC School scholarships and entry please visit mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Inside this Issue

Cover: Principal Ms Lisa Moloney with Vice-Captain (Year 6 to Year 9) Anastasia Kennett, Captain Jane Liu, and Vice-Captain (Year 10 to Year 12) Anna Michael.

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OUR VALUES Pursue excellence Demonstrate integrity Celebrate diversity Embrace world citizenship

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Live with humility

CONTRIBUTORS Michele Dunn Melissa Pollett Vanessa Roussos

PHOTOGRAPHERS Nicole Anderson Hanh Nguyen

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M S L I S A M O LO N E Y CO M M I S SI O N ED A S P R I N CI PA L O F M LC S CH O O L

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I N T RO D U CI N G DA N I EL S A N D R A L H E A D O F M LC J U N I O R S CH O O L

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F O R A GO O D C AU SE

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I T ' S N O LO N G ER A M A N ' S W O R L D

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M U SI C ACH I E V EM EN T S

Vanessa Roussos MLC School Community

DESIGN & PRINT Openbook Howden

SOCIAL MEDIA YouTube Facebook Twitter Linked In

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From the Principal

LUCIS WINTER 2018

‘In the face of an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world, education can make the difference as to whether people embrace the challenges they are confronted with or whether they are defeated by them.’

As you will see in this edition of Lucis, MLC School girls continue to achieve outstanding academic results while being challenged and immersed in a range of experiences inside and outside the classroom.

Recently, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published their learning framework for 2030. The framework ‘offers a vision and some underpinning principles for the future of education systems’. What is interesting about the 2030 timeline is that this is the year in which our current Kindergarten students will be in Year 12.

According to the OECD, ‘In the face of an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world, education can make the difference as to whether people embrace the challenges they are confronted with or whether they are defeated by them.’ As well as outlining ways in which the curriculum will need to evolve to meet these challenges, the report states that students will need to ‘develop curiosity, imagination, resilience and self-regulation; they will need to respect and appreciate the ideas, perspectives and values of others; and they will need to cope with failure and rejection, and to move forward in the face of adversity.

Their motivation will be more than getting a good job and a high income; they will also need to care about the well-being of their friends and families, their communities and the planet.’

As I have come to know the MLC School community and witnessed the outstanding achievements and contribution made by so many of our current students and Old Girls, I have every confidence that we are very much on track in preparing our girls for this future. By holding true to our mission ‘to educate young women to be fearless thinkers with moral courage and compassion to be agents of change in their own lives and the lives of others’ we can be sure that our girls continue to develop the knowledge, values and dispositions to not only succeed in the future, but to lead others and make a positive difference.

But of course, we must continue to evolve our approach and be innovative in how we achieve our mission. Just as our new Senior School building reflects current research into the best environments for learning, we must adapt to new knowledge and make sure that we are aware of and responding to our community’s needs. With this in mind, feedback from our recent student, staff and parent surveys will be used to help inform the school’s future direction, while also acknowledging and celebrating all that is going well. I am most thankful to everyone who took the time to complete the survey.

MLC School is well placed to be at the forefront of education in 2030 and beyond. There is a wonderful balance between new and enthusiastic staff and those with many years of experience, who continue to look for new opportunities and challenges; the school is moving into an exciting phase of building and facility improvement; and our students are girls who seek to make the most of every opportunity provided for them. I am very much looking forward to leading the school during this period.

LISA MOLONEY / PRINCIPAL

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Ms Lisa Moloney Commissioned as Principal of MLC School 1

Ms Lisa Moloney was commissioned as Principal of MLC School by Moderator, Rev Simon Hansford on Thursday 15 March 2018.

Ms Moloney embraced her responsibility for the leadership of MLC School and the MLC School community and officially accepted the role of leader of MLC School in front of school council members, members of the Old Girls’ Union (OGU), reverends and principals of other Uniting Church schools such as Newington College, Pymble Ladies’ College and Ravenswood. MLC School staff, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 7 students, Middle Years Leaders and Junior and Senior School Captains were also at the service.

1 Head of Junior School, Mr Daniel Sandral, Chair of School Council, Mrs Pauline Johnston, Sydney Presbytery Representative, Rev Kent Crawford, Deputy Principal, Mrs Frances Booth, and MLC School Reverends, Rev Vanessa Williams-Henke and Rev Viniana Ravetali, blessed Ms Lisa Moloney during the Act of Commissioning.

2 Ms Lisa Moloney was presented with gifts at her commissioning, each with significance to MLC School.

Students and members of the community presented Ms Moloney with gifts to honour and celebrate her commissioning, including an MLC School Pocket as a symbol of leadership, achievement and excellence. The Holy Bible was offered as a symbol of integrity and faith. A school diary represented our diverse community, with students and staff coming from 31 different nationalities and 35 different faiths.

A Chiang Mai umbrella symbolised MLC School’s global outlook, which prepares students to be citizens of the world, while a wooden bowl symbolised the life of our Lord Jesus Christ and His humble roots as a carpenter. A candle was given as an ode to the MLC School motto that we walk as ‘Daughters of the Light’.

The MLC School Chamber Ensemble performed, La Rejouissance from The Royal Fireworks by G.F Handel and the MLC School Chamber Choir and Ensemble performed music by Albert Hay Malotte.

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LUCIS WINTER 2018

Senior School Building Nears Completion The new Senior School building will be an exciting place to learn and will inspire teachers and students alike.

Construction of the new four-level MLC Senior School building is on schedule and will open for students and staff in Term 1 2019. The combination of glass-walled classroom spaces and open-plan areas offers space for collaborative inquiry, interaction and exploration, as well as rooms and nooks for quieter study and contemplation.

Environmentally sustainable principles are inherent so that our girls can learn respect for the earth and take a leadership role in stewarding its future. Features include a full height, high performance double glazed

façade with automated louvre windows to allow for natural ventilation, and a building management system optimised for energy efficiency.

An abundance of natural light strengthens the connection between indoors and outside.

Glass panels on the rooftop provide light to the central atrium amphitheatre at the heart of the building. It will seat approximately 200 people and feature acoustic panelling for sound absorption. Large pop-out windows protrude into the courtyards, bringing the external environment inside.

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Mixing raw concrete, timber and glass, the new Senior School has a robust, industrial feel. It will include eight new science laboratories with extra preparation areas, the Studies Office, new staff rooms and a ‘genius bar’-style IT area.

The completion of the building will also enable the demolition of several existing buildings on the campus which will be replaced with landscaping and lawns for our girls to enjoy throughout the day.

1 The heart of the building once it's completed.

2 The four-level building will be class ready for Term 1 2019. 3 The heart of the building will be lit from natural light streaming through the glass panels on the rooftop.

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Introducing Daniel Sandral Head of MLC Junior School

‘I love the diversity of MLC School.

I am very proud of the community that we are: we are diverse in the way we look, we are diverse in the way we act and we are diverse in the types of families we have here and even though we have that beautiful Uniting Church philosophy, which is a great strength of MLC School, we are diverse in our faiths.’

Mr Daniel Sandral is a passionate and dedicated educator who joined MLC School as Head of Junior School in Term 1 2018.

Mr Sandral has held significant roles as curriculum consultant in the Catholic Education Office; as an education consultant, working with principals to improve the calibre of their staff as well as executive roles in several primary schools. In 2014 he was appointed as Deputy Head of Junior School at Wenona School. He brings this depth and experience to his current role as Head of Junior School at MLC School.

Mr Sandral has worked in a variety of communities, including non-English speaking schools, and is passionate about the art of teaching and instilling an educational foundation in children.

LUCIS WINTER 2018

You’ve just completed your first term at MLC School.

How did you find it?

I’ve loved it. I feel like I’m at home. I’m back in the trenches. One of the things that surprised me about MLC School was the absolute love for and level of parent engagement at the school. A lot of schools don’t have that to the extent that MLC School does. I enjoy the parents being here in the morning and feeling that sense of welcome. As busy as I am, I love to get out there and have a chat with the parents as well as being a part of the many parent events that we have. We have a really strong parent/community partnership, we have different roles, but our goal is the same. This strength and collaboration is something I’ve encouraged by introducing the book picnics.

I’m really passionate about men being engaged in girls’ schools. Girls’ schools have a strong role to play in Australian society. We need an opportunity for girls to thrive, where they can learn to be strong, resilient and learn from their mistakes, pick themselves up and dust themselves off. I truly believe that young girls need strong male role models, as well as female role models. There is real power in having young girls see how men interact with women in the workplace and how men and women can treat each other with respect.

You mentioned that you were fortunate to have constantly had strong leaders around you. You started at the same time as our Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney – how was that experience for you?

For the school to grow and thrive, the Principal and Head of Junior School need to have a strong working relationship. We both came in with new eyes and with different experiences but we both aligned.

What I was seeing and thinking about, she was also seeing and thinking about, and that was reassuring for me. I said earlier that coming to MLC School felt like coming home and Ms Moloney played a big role in that and it further affirms that I have another strong, extraordinary leader to work with. I know that Ms Moloney and her team are going to take MLC School to even greater heights.

What does a day in the life of Mr Sandral look like?

My days are busy and they’re filled with positive energy. My day starts very early and I try to do some exercise before I start the working day.

I’m a big believer in wellness and that being physically and mentally healthy enables me to be the best that I can be for my team. When I get to school, I like to wish everyone a good morning before the students arrive, to welcome the day and set the tone: our girls are about to arrive and we’re going to have a great day. When the doors open and students begin arriving, I try to be outside amongst the girls – whether that’s in the car line or at the front office door, or even walking around the yard, having a chat to the parents. I like to pop into classes and check in on the girls to see what they’re up to and how they’re going.

During Term 1, I also made it my mission to get to know every staff member who reports to me. I’ve been spending a lot of time listening to get to know them as a person. I’m almost there! My next initiative in Term 2 will be to meet every Head of Department – I’ll go to them and spend some time in their area to get to know them and to listen and open up stronger pathways between primary and secondary education.

My days vary but one of the things I delight in – I told the girls about this a while ago – is when one of the girls has a birthday, they come and visit me and I ask them to tell me something that’s special about them. One of my goals is that by the end of the year, I will have met every girl on a one-to-one basis and we will have spent a short amount of time getting to know one another. It’s about their birthday but it’s more so about acknowledging them as human beings and as individuals.

What happens if a student celebrates their birthday during the school holidays?

Good question! The girls have it all figured out. Some students come to me before or after their birthday and they’ll let me know. I’ve had some students say to me, ‘Mr Sandral, I’m coming to see you on this day because my birthday is during the holidays’. They’ve got a system and they quite delight in that.

What do you think differentiates the MLC School girl?

MLC School girls are strong all-rounders. We do everything well and we dare to be more in everything that we do. We are a strong academic school and we reach for the stars, from Pre-Kindergarten all the way through to Year 12. Having said that, we are a shining light in Music.

Our Dance program – I’ve never seen anything like it, it blows other schools out of the water. Then we look at what’s happening on the sporting field and what’s happening there is extraordinary. We are a school that doesn’t fit into a box. Yes, we are a high-performing, tierone independent girls’ school but we don’t fit into one category – it’s not as simple as that.

I love the diversity of MLC School. I am very proud of the community that we are: we are diverse in the way we look, we are diverse in the way we act and we are diverse in the types of families we have here and, even though we have that beautiful Uniting Church philosophy, which is a great strength of MLC School, we are diverse in our faiths.

The Uniting Church is the underpinning faith of our school but – in the true sense of the word – it unites us all. Girls travel all across Sydney to be here. We all get along, we all work well and yes, we sometimes have our speed bumps, but we all learn from those and that’s natural and it’s human. What makes MLC School so special is that, we are diverse but we are so supportive of each other and we are truly like a family that backs each other. We strive and we dare. Students at MLC School can thrive without interruption and stereotypes and I think MLC School is an amazing model for Australian society.

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Congratulations Class of 2017 Congratulations to all girls who were part of the MLC School Year 12 class of 2017. Whether they sat the HSC or the IB, their results were a great testament to their hard work and the support of their families and teachers.

Using the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) as a measure, we can combine the results of the HSC and the IB to summarise the whole cohort’s performance in 2017.

Overall, 37% of our combined Year 12 HSC/ IB cohort achieved an ATAR over 95 and 63.5% achieved an ATAR over 90.

In the HSC there were 145 instances of students being awarded Band 6 or E4 (the highest bands possible) while 65% of the cohort achieved a Band 6 in at least one subject. 55 students were placed on the HSC High Achievers List in 2017.

Over one third of our students sat the International Baccalaureate. Five students from MLC School achieved a perfect score of 45 (an ATAR equivalent of 99.95), placing them among the top academic achievers worldwide. There was a total of 10 perfect scores achieved in NSW. 32% of our IB students achieved an ATAR of 99 or over.

•• 100% of Music 1 students achieved a Band 6 and 100% of Music Extension students received a Band E4.

•• 100% of English Extension 2 students received a Band E4.

•• 100% of Geography students achieved a Band 5 and Band 6.

HSC HIGHLIGHTS There were 145 instances of students being awarded Band 6 or E4 (the highest bands possible) while 65% of the cohort achieved a Band 6 in at least one subject. In 24 of the 27 subjects sat by our students the results in Bands 5 and 6 exceeded the state average.

Four students were placed on the HSC All Rounders list, for those who achieve Band 6 in 10 units of studies. Congratulations to Milly Day-Collett, Anastasia Hatzsirantinos, Victoria Michael and Alice Patterson.

Congratulations also to Madison Allan, Lauren Barclay, Charlotte Beckett, Holly Jones, Ashley Liptak and Anna Wilson who narrowly missed this list, with one Band 5 and otherwise Band 6.

Other HSC highlights include: •• One student placed 7th in Mathematics Extension 2 and one student placed 4th in Entertainment Industry.

•• 100% of Japanese Continuers students achieved a Band 5 and Band 6.

•• 100% of Visual Arts students achieved a Band 5 and Band 6.

•• 87% of Drama students achieved a Band 6.

•• 65% of Ancient History students achieved a Band 6.

•• The works of Frankie Howard-White will be exhibited as part of the ArtExpress showcase of the best visual artists completing the HSC across NSW. •• The work of Catherine Jiang, Isabella Suckling and Anna Wilson was selected for inclusion in ENCORE, a concert of outstanding performances and compositions from HSC music students.

•• The work of Holly Jones was selected for the Texstyle showcase of the best textile works from HSC students across NSW. •• The work of Charlotte Mackie Pawson was selected for InTech, an annual exhibition of Major Design Projects from students across NSW.

HSC DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS Congratulations to the 55 students who were placed on the HSC Distinguished Achievers list for those who achieved a result in the highest possible Band for one or more courses.

Artemis Alfonzetti Isabella Anderson Madison Allan Lauren Barclay Charlotte Beckett Mia Caputo Shirley Chen Annelise Chu Milly Day-Collett Olivia Dodd Geer Du Brittany Duncombe Caitlin Farrell Janjane Feng

Navini Fernando Jacqueline Field Ella Finlay Nina Frissel-Thomas Yizhou Gong April Guest Anastasia Hatzisarantinos Phoebe Hunter-Mole Tedaree Jamieson Rebecca Janes Catherine Jang Holly Jones Hannah Kelly Jessica Kotselas

Lilian Le Francesca Lee Sophie Liang Ashley Liptak Jane Liu Charlotte Mackie-Pawson Georgia McNaughton Victoria Michael Tiffany Pang Alice Patterson Annika Pienaar Mary Pilkinton Vishaya Pracy Isabella Seales

Gabriella Searle Lily Soliman Yaeji Son Amy Song Isabella Suckling Julia Tanevski Kayla Tanevski Elizabeth Tran Elena Viatos Yu Jia Wang Sarah Wellfare Anna Wilson Lilian Wu

LUCIS WINTER 2018

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IB HIGHLIGHTS

The students of MLC School achieved an outstanding result, with 32% of the IB candidature achieving an ATAR of 99 or over.

MLC School continues to achieve at the highest level internationally in the IB, with the current results marking the 39th time that an MLC School student has achieved a perfect score in the last eight years.

The MLC School average score for the November IB examinations was 38.9 (ATAR of 97.6).

Five students achieved a perfect score of 45, placing them among the top academic achievers worldwide. There was a total of 10 perfect scores achieved in NSW.

Congratulations to Shuang Claris Foo, Elizabeth Hewish, Imogen Locke-Sodhi, Rebecca Janssen and Jasmine Todoroska.

Congratulations also to Lilian Hunt and Sreya Parakala who narrowly missed this list, achieving scores of 44.

1 Each year the HSC students return to MLC School after they receive their results to celebrate every student’s achievements. 2 The IB Results Morning Tea in January was a chance to congratulate the students on their results.

IB STUDENTS WITH ATARS OVER 99 Semela Angelides Christina Burjan Sophia Costantino Shuang Claris Foo Elizabeth Hewish Lilian Hunt Carma Jackson Rebecca Janssen Jessica Kim Sheree Kuan Tiffany Lai Imogen Locke-Sodhi Sreya Parakala Jasmine Todoroska Maekayla Tran

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Where are they Now? The MLC School Careers Department provides multiple opportunities for students to stay informed about new and exciting courses at University.

In addition to the annual Careers and Tertiary Expo they hold a series of Career Conversations where students can hear from inspiring young women who have successfully forged careers in a variety of areas.

The annual Study Abroad Evening is another opportunity where MLC School Old Girls studying overseas, return to school and provide insight into why they chose to study abroad. As indicated in the Destination Survey, this event has influenced a number of students to apply to overseas institutions, as well as interstate universities.

There has also been a trend for students to choose a greater variety of courses as well as combined degrees which allow more flexibility and a broader skillset.

DESTINATION NUMBER

COURSE NUMBER

University of Sydney

38

Business

14

University of Technology Sydney

28

Arts/Liberal Studies

13

University of New South Wales

23

Science/Med Science/Forensics

12

Macquarie University

7

Design/Creative Intelligence

11

Overseas

6

Australian Catholic University

5

Health/Physio/Chiro/Speech Path/ Podiatry

10

Western Sydney University

4

Law

10

University of Melbourne

4

Media/Communications

9

University of Wollongong

2

Engineering/IT

7

Torrens University

2

Education

5

Australian National University (ANU) 2

Politics/International/Global Studies

5

University of Newcastle

1

Nursing/Midwifery

4

Charles Sturt University

1

Built Environment/Architecture

3

Macleay College

1

Music

3

National Art School

1

Optometry/Pharmacy

3

University of Notre Dame

1

Clincial Science (Pre-Med)

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Sydney Film School

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Diagnostic Radiography

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RMIT

1

Fine Arts

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University of Tasmania

1

Data Science/Mathematics

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Central Queensland University

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Dentistry

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University of Adelaide

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Medicine

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Philosophy

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Veterinary Science

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The Class of 2017 has now begun their post school journey into life, tertiary study, travel and more. Here are some of their post school destinations and courses.

Note: Course numbers are greater due to students selecting combined degrees.

1 Stephanie Dimovski (2017) is in her first semester of a Commerce/Law degree at UNSW.

‘With help from the Careers Department I was able to figure out which course would work best for me and determine what that course would actually be like.’ Stephanie Dimovski (2017) 1

LUCIS WINTER 2018

New Head of Centre Design, Art and Technology (DART) Mr Vince Papa joined MLC School in Term 1 as Head of Centre – Design, Art and Technology (DART), bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.

As Head of DART, Mr Papa is responsible for overseeing Design, Visual Arts and Technology and ensuring that our girls are consistently at the forefront of innovation in their learning and creativity.

Between 1996 and 2013, Mr Papa worked at a number of Catholic schools including Marist College, Penshurst and Trinity Catholic College, Auburn. Mr Papa also led the Visual Arts and Design Department at St Aloysius’ College where, alongside traditional media areas such as painting, ceramics and printmaking, he encouraged staff and students to explore the use of technology in the creative process. More recently, in his role as Assistant Principal – Learning Innovation at Christian Brothers’ High School Lewisham and as Head of Digital Literacy at Cranbrook School, Mr Papa designed and implemented school-wide initiatives in the use of technology in administrative systems, as well in as in the classroom.

MLC School’s impeccable reputation attracted Mr Papa to take the leap into an all-girls school. He says, ‘The outstanding opportunities offered in Visual Arts and Design here are second to none. The Art, Design and Technology team are among the most talented and committed educators I’ve worked with, and the leadership team is extremely supportive of the thriving creative community we have here at the school.’

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‘The outstanding opportunities offered in Visual Arts and Design here are second to none. The Art, Design and Technology team are among the most talented and committed educators I’ve worked with, and the leadership team is extremely supportive of the thriving creative community we have here at the school.’

‘I’m very much looking forward to building links throughout the Art and Design curriculum and, along with my team, embedding design thinking into all that we do with the girls’, says Mr Papa.

1 MLC School's reputation attracted Mr Papa to teach at an all-girls school. 2 Mr Papa has a wealth of experience in Design, Visual Arts and Technology.

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Year 9 Students Immerse Themselves into their Broken Hill Experience The Year 9 Immersion Experience at Broken Hill has been in place for over a decade and has evolved to meet the needs of our students, educating them to think fearlessly, act with courage and compassion and understand their role in a changing world.

Accompanied by their Head of Year, Ms Carmel Cordaro, Mr Marc Berndsen, Ms Emily Cribb, Mr Henry Wijanto, Ms Annie Conway and Ms Alyssha Clarke, Year 9 students travelled to different parts of the town, such as Line of Lode, Keenan’s Lookout and Bushy Whites Mineral Museum before embarking on their first rotation of community service. Students also had the opportunity to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which showcased the amazing work they do for rural Australians.

Students visited Mutawintji National Park where they learnt about the Paakantji people and the customs and traditions of the land, while they marvelled at ochre stencils and rock etchings. The girls also visited an agriculture farm where they flipped sheep before making their way to Broken Hill High School, where they learnt new skills and participated in AFL circuits with some of the local students.

Students visited Menindee Lakes, which is the main source of water for the Broken Hill community. A bake-off and lip sync battle between cabins followed. Students also met the local Uniting Church congregation at the Sunday morning service and brought morning tea to share with the church community. They also painted a desert landscape with a local artist, before travelling underground through the Day Dream Mine to experience life as a miner.

The Broken Hill community is always warm and inviting and they look forward to our annual visits in which they can share their local knowledge with MLC School.

1 The Big Bench in Broken Hill. 2 Students learnt about the customs and traditions of the land at Mutawintji National Park. 3 Beautiful sunsets were a regular occurrence.

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‘The students’ contribution and dedication to each task was greatly appreciated by staff and guides at each activity.’

Ms Alyssha Clarke

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LUCIS WINTER 2018

Year 10 Visit Chiang Mai as part of Immersive Learning Since 2015, Year 10 students have the opportunity to travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand at the beginning of the school year.

During Term 1, students organised and ran a shoe polishing service as well as a lolly guessing competition, which raised money to buy shoes, stationery and sporting equipment for Year 10 to take with them to the school they visited in Chiang Mai. Year 10 students immersed themselves in Thai culture by visiting farms, temples, night markets and jungle cooking. Students took part in monk chats, went to massage school,

and embarked on a guided tour through the fresh produce markets.

During their time in Chiang Mai students spent five days in a village and visited an elephant sanctuary, where they got up close and personal with some gentle giants.

They built roads and interacted with local children from a local Thai school. As part of the service aspect of the trip, students went to Ban Mae Mae where they painted three

‘The trip has encouraged me to be more caring and look at the world from a new perspective.’

classroom ceilings, completed a concrete platform for a statue of the Buddha, widened a 20m path, built concrete walls for a podium, filled walls with dirt and concreted the top of the podium.

The staff accompanying Year 10 to Chiang Mai included, Head of Year 10, Mrs Angela Renwick, Ms Louise Piggott, Mr Michael Hayes, Ms Susan Rowley, Ms Caitlin Boyd, Ms Anne Layman, Mr Benjamin Haeusler, Ms Cristy Gover, Ms Claire White, Mrs Jennifer Brown, Ms Kim Lightfoot, Mr Richard Coward, Ms Renee Willemsen, Ms Olivia Nolan and Ms Sujatha Gunja.

1 Team building exercises helped strengthen bonds of the Year 10 cohort. 2 The physical labour was difficult but rewarding at the same time. 3 Getting up close and personal with the gentle giants at an elephant sanctuary.

– Year 10 student

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For a Good Cause Prescott Puppy Pageant Prescott House organised MLC School’s first ever Puppy Pageant at the beginning of Term 1, in support of Amber, a young guide dog who is currently training with Seeing Eye Dogs Australia.

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Prescott House invited staff to bring in their dogs to compete in an obstacle course, which included hula-hoops, hurdles and lifts, set upon the hockey fields. Congratulations to Georgie Cordaro, for completing the obstacle course with flying colours and on being named the inaugural ‘Prescott Prize Puppy’.

1 Many teachers brought in their furry companions to show off their tricks. 2 Georgie took out the inaugural ‘Prescott Prize Puppy’. 3 Kirby is always a hit among students.

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Shoes for Planet Earth Mooramoora collected shoes and raised funds in Term 1 for Shoes for Planet Earth, which provide school supplies to Indigenous communities.

1 Students with some of the shoes collected for their cause.

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LUCIS WINTER 2018

Faculty Family Feud Face-off Year 11 students put the ‘fun’ in ‘fundraiser’ with their Faculty Family Feud. Staff and students joined forces for fame and glory against their opponents. Faculty Family Feud raised money for supplies and sporting equipment for a school in Cambodia, which the students later visited during the school holidays as part of the Duke of Ed program.

1 MLC School faculties faced off during a fundraiser for the Duke of Edinburgh trip to Cambodia.

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Bald and Beautiful The MLC School community, led by the Student Representative Council (SRC), raised over $20,000 for the World’s Greatest Shave in Term 1.

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The World’s Greatest Shave is an initiative which supports the Leukaemia Foundation in offering support to patients and families affected by blood cancer.

The event was organised and driven by the student body and with the help of Just Cuts, Burwood, the following students and teachers bravely shaved or coloured their hair in solidarity with people battling leukaemia: •• Sanya Mehta (Year 8)

•• Ms Tracy Getts

•• Sophia Murphy (Year 9)

•• Mr Peter Klamka

•• Jane Liu (Year 12)

•• Mr Bryce Lindstrom

•• Jade Di Girolamo (Year 8)

•• Mr Wayne Donley

•• Lok Yu Tess Tsoi (Year 11)

•• Mr Gavin Starr

•• Katrina Marshall (Year 11)

•• Mr Christopher Eddleston

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•• Zoe Scoufis (Year 11) 1 Participants were all smiles. 2 School Captain, Jane Liu, proudly shaved her head. 3 The brave shavers. 4 The SRC raised $20,000 for this year’s event.

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It’s No Longer a Man’s World The first Career Conversations for the year focused on Women in Property and Construction Management and was attended by over 100 Year 10 to Year 12 students and their parents. This fascinating presentation featured Old Girl, Alison Mirams (nee Hocking, 1991), CEO of Roberts Pizzarotti and Simona Henley, Project Coordinator with Lipman Pty Ltd, who is currently working on the new Senior School learning space at MLC School. They each shared their advice about a career in this sector.

Alison Mirams

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Alison Mirams (nee Hocking, 1991) is the CEO of Roberts Pizzarotti, a boutique, tier-one building contractor based in Sydney CBD. Alison attended MLC School from Year 7 to Year 12 and graduated in 1991. She studied a Bachelor of Building (Construction Economics) and a Graduate Diploma of Urban Estate Management at University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

What initially attracted you to this career field? Was it something you’d been thinking about, while you were in high school?

My grandfather worked in building as a quantity surveyor, but he died before I was born. When my father was growing up, my grandfather always discussed his work and took Dad to see buildings under construction. They discussed different construction techniques, tower cranes and architecture. My father raised my sister and I with the same discussions. I studied Quantity Surveying and my sister studied Civil Engineering.

‘One of the best co-curricular programs I undertook at school was speech lessons. I was taught how to do public speaking and that has been one of the things I’ve used on a regular basis throughout my career.’

What’s one of your favourite things about the construction and building industry?

Some people think construction is about the 18-24 months spent delivering the project, however, if you think about the footprint a building leaves in the community and what difference it makes to the community, construction has a much greater impact.

I worked on the Chris O’Brien LifeHouse facility at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

If they find the cure for cancer in that facility, in a really small way, my team and I have contributed to finding that cure because we built the facility which enabled the best researchers to work to their full potential.

Are you now seeing more and more women show an interest in the building and construction industry?

Construction still has the lowest numbers of female participation than any other sector in Australia, but there are certainly more women coming through the ranks.

The challenge we have now isn’t hiring them out of university, it’s getting them into construction related courses in the first place. That’s one of the reasons I was excited to come back to MLC School and chat to the girls. For me, choosing Building

as a career path was unusual. Sometimes if construction isn’t on parent’s radar, it never becomes an option for daughters.

How did your time at MLC School shape your experience at university and subsequently, in your career?

One of the best co-curricular programs I undertook at school was speech lessons.

I was taught how to do public speaking and that has been one of the things I’ve used on a regular basis throughout my career.

What do you envision changing in the next 10 years in the industry?

It will be a great day when we have achieved real diversity of thought in our industry and we don’t have to talk about gender as an indicator anymore. The real goal for business is diversity of thought. Having people from diverse backgrounds – cultural, religious, gender, age – brings different thinking and it’s the thinking that makes businesses more successful.

1 Photograph courtesy of Roberts Pizzarotti.

LUCIS WINTER 2018

Simona Henley

‘If you’re presented with an opportunity, take it. In this industry, you’ll come across some hard times but it's definitely worth it.’

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Simona Henley studied Construction Management and Property at The University of New South Wales (UNSW).

When you decided to study construction, did you consider it a male-dominated industry?

I did view it as a male-dominated industry but I didn’t think too much about it before I started. When I actually started the course, I realised it was way more male-dominated than I thought it would be.

Have you ever experienced any gender-based discrimination or bias that made you feel uncomfortable being in this industry as a woman?

I’ve never been put in a situation where I’ve felt very uncomfortable but I also think it has a lot to do with attitude. If you’re someone who is very easily offended, it’s not the industry for you. I’m not that type of person so it doesn’t really get to me. On the contrary, I believe being a female can set you apart when applying for jobs as companies are actively looking for female applicants.

And why do you think that is?

Do you think it’s to show inclusivity?

I think it is to show that we’re inclusive but I also think that hiring females creates a very different dynamic. Putting a female in the ‘boys club’ really changes it up. I think that they want to be inclusive and they also want to change the nature of the industry and having females introduces different ways of thinking and different ways of approaching things.

What would your advice be to get more women looking at joining the industry?

I don’t think many women know that this is available to them. Construction is generally, or was generally, not advertised to women.

In my school, no one asked me if I was interested in the industry or anything like that. I think the biggest reason many women aren’t aware of this as a career path is lack of information. Women don’t know what’s possible in this industry and what they can achieve, so they don’t consider it seriously.

a team and three of them are women, it’s not going to be a boy’s club anymore, it’s not going to be that sort of environment, simply because it can’t be.

I remember going to a meeting at my last job and met with one of the consultants and he asked me if I was a work experience student.

The automatic assumption was that I could not possibly work for the company and be there as an active participant in the meeting and that’s just how it is. I feel like with more women in the industry and more women in senior roles, that mentality will shift.

In your opinion, what can be done to get more women knowledgeable about the industry?

Apart from talking in schools, what other advertising can the industry do to target women specifically?

Advertising in schools. After university, one thing I really wanted to do was go back to schools and just tell students about it because they don’t know about the industry and the roles available to women.

I think it’s about educating people and promotion: promoting it as a career for women. I think construction companies showing women in the industry support really goes a long way. I also think scholarships entice people into joining the industry.

When you spoke at the Career Conversations breakfast, did you feel that there was an interest in the construction industry?

Definitely. Since the breakfast, we’ve had around 16 girls who want to come on a site tour and who are interested in the career.

We have set up work experience for Year 10 and Year 12 students this year. Lipman has been working with MLC School to set up a work experience program that will be available to the girls each year.

What would you like to see changed in the next 10 years in the industry?

I think that that if there are more women in the industry, there’ll be a natural attitude change. You know, if you have six people in

Do you think that girls should take advantage of that?

100%. If you’re presented with an opportunity, take it. In this industry, you’ll come across some hard times but it's definitely worth it. There aren’t a lot of women in the industry, companies are looking for them and there isn’t a big pool to choose from. If you’re smart and you’re motivated and willing to learn, companies will invest in you.

1 Photograph courtesy of Lipman Pty Ltd.

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Junior School The MLC Junior School is constantly buzzing with inspiration and ideas. Students and staff collaborate to learn about new things and spread awareness of global issues. From Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6, students are encouraged to discuss, question, create and share their opinion with the world.

Chefs in the Making Throughout Term 1, Year 1 learnt about the different processes that foods go through before they are eaten. Their studies culminated in a Cooking Day, which was hosted by the Year 1 students, and supported by their very organised and committed parents.

On Cooking Day, Year 1 students had the opportunity to gain some hands-on experience of how ingredients change throughout the cooking process, by making delicious meatballs, spring rolls, muffins, biscuits, strawberry shortcake and cupcakes.

1 & 2 Learning about the cooking process led to some delicious snacks made by the Year 1 students.

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Celebrations and Buncee Presentations Year 2 girls have been familiarising themselves with Buncee, a new digital platform for creating multimodal presentations. Throughout Term 1, students worked independently and individually on presentations of celebrations from their own cultural backgrounds, using images, videos, voiceovers, written text and interactive icons to showcase their learning to their parents during the Year 2 Celebration of Learning.

1 Year 2 students were excited to show their parents their new skills on Buncee.

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LUCIS WINTER 2018

Playing Dirty Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students took part in Mud Day, a global initiative which encourages students to enjoy the simple, natural act of playing in the natural environment.

Mud Day encourages children to step out of their comfort zone by getting messy and understanding that doing so doesn’t need to have negative connotations. Feeling the squelch of mud between their toes, students excitedly ran around the Junior School, covered head to toe in mud, laughing as they threw mud balls and made mud pies, which they offered to their teachers and classmates.

Mud Day was a messy affair and the girls absolutely loved every minute of it.

1 - 3 Mud Day encouraged our youngest students to get a little bit messy.

‘Mud Day was the best day ever.

I wish it could happen every day!’ Mia Licenblat (Kindergarten)

Book Picnics a Big Hit Term 1 saw the introduction of Book Picnics in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes.

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Book Picnics are open invitations to parents and families of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, as well as MLC School staff members, to join the classes and read picture books to the girls.

Reading aloud to children has many benefits, including enriched language and listening skills, as well as improved spelling, reading comprehension and vocabulary.

The Book Picnics have been a huge hit in the Junior School, with parents and families dedicating 15 minutes once a week to spend some time reading with their daughters and their peers. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students have shown immense enthusiasm upon seeing their families in their studios and reading some of their favourite books together.

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1 - 3 Everyone is welcome to read to our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students. They appreciate every minute.

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Careers and Tertiary Expo

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The Careers and Tertiary Expo is an exciting event where students can discover the many options available to them when their time at MLC School comes to an end.

Each year, MLC School hosts universities from metropolitan and regional NSW, interstate, overseas, and TAFE and private tertiary institutions to talk with and answer their questions. Industry groups, GAP year programs and group training organisations were also featured at the expo.

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Wide-eyed, excited students from Year 10 to Year 12, and their parents filled The Daphne Line Hall, eager to engage in conversations with representatives from the various institutions in attendance.

The expo was open to students from other schools and there were many families in attendance.

1 The MLC School Careers and Tertiary Expo is always a success among MLC School students, as well as students from surrounding schools. 2 Students left the expo with many decisions to be made. 3 Some parents/guardians attended with their daughters to see what courses may pique their interest.

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LUCIS WINTER 2018

Music Achievements Celine Kang at Carnegie Hall Year 12 student, Celine Kang, performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, in New York in March. Celine, who is an aspiring concert pianist, took out 1st prize in the advanced piano section at the Golden Classical Music Awards to claim the honour of playing in New York.

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At the encore-like performance at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, Celine performed Pierre Sancan’s Toccata, to an audience comprised of fellow musicians, teachers and the Golden Classical Competition foundation members, as well as parents and families of prize-winners.

Celine has already established herself as a performer of high calibre. Her many major achievements include winning 1st place at the Grand Virtuoso International Competition, being nominated to perform at the Weiner Musikverein in Austria, being nominated to perform at the Port Macquarie Glass House and performing a solo concerto at the Sydney Opera House as part of MLC School’s biennial Music Concert, Legacy.

1 Celine Kang at Carnegie Hall. Photo courtesy of New York Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition.

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Kittu and Sydney Chamber Opera Year 9 student Kittu Hoyne took on a professional role in Sydney Chamber Opera's world premiere work, The Howling Girls, which ran from Wednesday 28 March to Saturday 7 April 2018 at Carriageworks.

Kittu, is a singer, dancer and drama student, studying classical voice with Maria Timofeeva at MLC School. She was one of six women who supported the star of the show, Boston-based, Australian soprano, Jane Sheldon. Created by director, Adena Jacobs and composer, Damien Ricketson, The Howling Girls is a contemporary opera based on the true story of five young women who, following 9/11, emerge at different hospitals across New York, panicking and claiming that they have debris lodged in their throats. Upon examination, doctors establish that no such debris exists.

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Celine has already established herself as a performer of high calibre.

The Howling Girls explores the notion of trauma, and the girls in the vocal ensemble were required to use their voices in a variety of ways, from howling to wailing and intense dissonance. Ancient and unusual instruments including Aztec death whistles, megaphones and milk frothers on cymbals were also featured in the production.

1 Kittu was one of the six women who supported Jane Sheldon. Photo courtesy of Sam Hodge for Carriageworks. 2 Kittu performing in The Howling Girls. Photo courtest of Zan Wimberley for The Conversation.

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Around the World with Round Square Round Square is a worldwide association consisting of over 150 countries. MLC School is an international member of Round Square and shares the same unique and ambitious goals.

A key feature of Round Square are the IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

The IDEALS are the pillars of Round Square and are also a key focus within MLC School.

Round Square initiates programs which help bring schools together who may not be similar institutionally and culturally, but who are likeminded in their approaches to education and their IDEALS.

As a Round Square school, MLC School hosts students from Round Square schools around the world, meaning that our students also have the opportunity to experience life at other participating schools both regionally and internationally. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students from Year 8 to Year 11 to experience a different way of life and learning.

This year, MLC School hosted the Round Square International Conference (RSIC) in May, with schools from across Australia and New Zealand.

Beijing Bonds

Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Our exchange to Beijing Concord College of Sino-Canada started when Jocelyn Ting (Year 9) and I arrived in Beijing International Airport at midnight. This was the first exchange for the both of us, as well as the first time MLC School had an exchange with this school.

During our time in Beijing, China, I stayed with Summer Zhang, who was my exchange student, and Jocelyn stayed with Cindy Zhang.

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Exchange is never going to be easy; you’re in a faraway country, with new people and different routines – yet it’s this unfamiliarity that makes it the unprecedented and the exciting experience that it is.

My exchange was to Scotland, and so in late December 2017, I flew into Edinburgh Airport to celebrate Hogmanay (Scottish New Year) with my exchange family. I enjoyed exploring Edinburgh; the city was just beautiful (although the weather not so much) and the New Years street party was fantastic.

My time at Gordonstoun School began in early January and the first two weeks were definitely a challenge and not necessarily what I had expected. Boarding was a new experience for me and trying to navigate my way through all the other students, lessons, the terrible weather and the school was overwhelming at times. This process is one that is hard and took time but I did settle in, and once I did, I absolutely loved it there.

I came to Beijing with the intention of improving my Chinese, while Jocelyn, on the other hand, was fluent in Chinese but wanted to come to learn about their different teaching methods. Though we had different goals, we managed to fulfil them after the two weeks. While it may seem nerve-racking to be in a classroom full of people who do not know you and who you do not know, everyone was extremely friendly. Though the school was much larger than MLC School, a majority of the area was covered by pathways and buildings, which allowed us to familiarise ourselves with the school easily.

This experience was beyond our expectations, where many opportunities opened to learn a new language, to develop independence, and most importantly, to be able to build new friendship bonds with people from a city 8,943km away.

CHRISTIE CH’NG / YEAR 9 1 Christie and Jocelyn with their Beijing exchange family.

My exchange has been an amazing experience, and one that definitely went too quickly. I’m already missing the school and the people.

YIJUN CUI / YEAR 11 1 Yijun outside Gordonstoun House after a night of snow.

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LUCIS WINTER 2018

Oh, Canada I went on a Round Square exchange to Montréal, Canada, where I stayed with Ella from Lower Canada College (LCC) for five weeks. We visited the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), drove along the famous Bridle Path, went to Drake’s house and store, and drove to Niagara Falls for the day.

Niagara Falls was definitely a big highlight of the trip, because it was so beautiful and something that has always been on my bucket list! Another highlight was crossing the border on our trip to Vermont in the United States.

During the second part of the trip, I went to school at LCC, where I was able to choose electives and organise my own timetable.

The school was very confusing to navigate at first, but after a week I knew it well and made lots of new friends.

I experienced all kinds of different Canadian food, including the typical Quebecois dish

poutine, smoked meat, tourtière, Montréal bagels and beavertails. I developed a love of Tim Horton’s cinnamon bun flavoured oreos, and warm, 80 cent bagels fresh out of the oven, which are all truly missed.

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The best thing about doing an exchange is that you get to experience a place in a way you would never be able to on a holiday.

Having Ella and her family show me around enabled me to experience the city as a local and go to places that tourists generally don’t know about. I even feel like I know Montréal almost as well as I know Sydney now! I’m so grateful to have had this experience.

SARAH DAY / YEAR 10 1 Sarah ticking an item off her bucket list with a visit to Niagara Falls. 2 Sarah on her final day at Lower Canada College.

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A Parisian Adventure I went on exchange to Ermitage International School of France in Paris for five weeks, and I have to say that while I had an amazing time, this whole experience has been very different to what I expected and I definitely underestimated just how different it would be.

I spent my time staying with Elisa and her family, a really lovely girl who stayed with me earlier on in the year. Things I never paid attention to, such as when dinner was, having recess and lunch at school, and so many other little things that were just part of life, became very apparent when they were different, and it did really strike me that little variations made such a big difference to everyday life.

Throughout my time we visited all the classic places: Versailles, The Eiffel Tower, Giverny and others, but I found that some of my favourite places turned out to be the beautiful parks and bustling streets in Jouy-le-Moutier and Maisons Laffitte, which is where the school is located. I underestimated how challenging learning in another language would be, and how simply

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trying to keep up for a lesson was draining.

It did, however, mean that my listening skills in French were forced to improve.

While it was tiring, and at times, difficult, the entire experience was enlightening about other cultures and incredibly valuable and enjoyable. I would really recommend it to anyone who wants a challenge, and who wants to see an amazing and different place.

EVA JESSURUN / YEAR 10 1 Eva and her host Elisa exploring Paris.

‘I underestimated how challenging learning in another language would be, and how simply trying to keep up for a lesson was draining.’

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Sport Making a Splash YEAR 3 TO YEAR 5 SWIMMING CARNIVAL 1

The Junior School Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 16 February 2018 at the MLC School Aquatic Centre. Congratulations to our winning House, Mooramoora.

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YEAR 6 TO YEAR 12 SWIMMING CARNIVAL The Senior School Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 2 March 2018 at the MLC School Aquatic Centre. Congratulations to Leawarra for winning 1st place in House Spirit and for being the overall House Champions of the day.

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1 Churunga girls getting into the spirt of the Swimming Carnival. 2 The Swimming Carnivals are as much about fun as they are about competing. 3 MLC School Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney, with Junior School Mooramoora House captains celebrating their achievement. 4 MLC School carnivals celebrate student achievement and camaraderie. 5 Ms Lisa Moloney judging the Year 12 synchronised swimming event with MLC School staff. 6 Junior School Leawarra students enjoying the Swimming Carnival.

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Swimming Achievements Year 5 student, Annaliese Yan (right) swam at the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships and placed 8th in NSW for the 11 Years Girls 50m Freestyle and won a silver medal in the 11 Years Girls 50m Breaststroke.

Isabelle Barakat (Year 6) (far right) swam at the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships and placed 10th in the 50m Breaststroke, 9th in the 50m Backstroke and won a bronze medal in the 50m Butterfly.

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LUCIS WINTER 2018

Rhythmic Gymnastics Five students represented MLC School Gymnastics at the NSW State Championships in March. The team took out 1st place overall.

Congratulations to the team of Maria Gourlas (Year 7) and Isabella Wang (Year 7), as well as all staff, coaches and families on an incredible achievement.

1 MLC School students celebrating their 1st place achievement.

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23rd Rowing Regatta

100 Years of Tildesley Tennis

The 23rd MLC School Rowing Regatta was held in February at Hen and Chicken Bay.

In 1918, Miss Evelyn Tildesley, Headmistress of Normanhurst School, Ashfield, donated a beautiful oak and bronze shield to encourage a tennis competition between independent girls’ schools. Through this initiative, Miss Tildesley’s goal was to emphasise team spirit rather than individual competition.

Conditions were unusually calm, with all competitors and officials enjoying the opportunity to race on this great course for the first time.

The Rowing community is close-knit and so many families gave tirelessly of their time to help organise and run the regatta. Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney, Head of Senior School, Mr Neil Scotney, Ms Kylie Bickerstaff and Rev Vanessa Williams-Henke were on hand to present the MLC School Regatta medals to the winning crews.

1 - 3 MLC School students enjoying the day at the 23rd MLC School Rowing Regatta.

This year marked the 100-year anniversary of the Tildesley Shield and MLC School girls braved the rain to compete again this year.

MLC School has won the shield seven times: 1940, 1941, 1947, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1964, and Old Girls from across the years gathered for a morning tea to celebrate the anniversary.

1 Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney, with MLC School Old Girls celebrating 100 years of Tildesley Tennis. 2 MLC School tennis players waiting for the rain to clear at the Tildesley Tennis tournament.

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MLC School Community Throughout the year there are many opportunities for the community to come together at MLC School events.

Here’s a snapshot of some recent events.

Year 6 Parent Welcome Afternoon Tea

Year 7 Parent Morning Tea

Year 6 parents chat with teachers and the new Head of Junior School Mr Daniel Sandral.

The Year 7 Parent Morning Tea introduced parents to high school life at MLC School.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Parent Morning Teas Mr Daniel Sandral and Ms Lisa Moloney spent time with MLC School's newest parents at the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten morning teas.

LUCIS WINTER 2018

Principal's Welcome Cocktail Evening The Principal's Cocktail Welcome Evening was an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet the new Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney.

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Mother’s Day MLC School celebrated Mother’s Day with a variety of activities and events planned to show our appreciation for our mums.

The Junior School mothers ran a Mother’s Day Stall for three days, and helped students pick the perfect gift before running the raffle. In the Senior School, Leawarra also ran a Mother’s Day Stall, which culminated in a raffle and raised funds for The Girls Refuge.

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On Mother’s Day, over 100 people from our MLC School community gathered to take part in the Mother’s Day Classic Walk, which raised funds for breast cancer. The walk was a wonderful event, filled with pink MLC School caps. Students met and walked with Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and his wife, Lucy, and we placed 2nd in the school team category.

1 The Junior School Mother's Day Stall was a hit among the students. 2 & 3 With over 100 participants, MLC School placed 2nd in the school team category.

P&F Forum with Deng Adut The P&F Association hosted Deng Adut to a packed room in a forum held in The Daphne Line Hall in May. Deng was a child soldier in South Sudan and is now a respected lawyer, refugee advocate and inspirational speaker.

Deng was conscripted into the Sudan People’s Liberation Army at the age of six, where he remained until his brother smuggled him to Kenya.

After living in a refugee camp, Deng came to Australia, aged 14. He was illiterate and spoke little English but over the next couple of years, Deng worked part time jobs to support himself and his studies.

In 2005, Deng was accepted into Western Sydney University where he began studying law. He now holds a Masters of Law, is co-founder of a legal firm, which represents disadvantaged clients, and is a corporate speaker. Deng is also the author of Songs of a War Boy, a story of courage, compassion and survival, and was named NSW Australian of the Year in 2016.

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The audience listened intently to Deng, who captivated the room with his eloquent speeches and admirable humour in the face of diversity.

Deng’s story was inspirational and it was incredible to witness him speak about his life in Sudan and the struggles, which led to his success.

1 Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney, Deng Adut, and President of MLC School P&F, Ms Julie Smith.

LUCIS WINTER 2018

Reunion Events Back to College MLC School and the Old Girls’ Union invited all Old Girls of MLC School ‘Back to College’ for a reception to meet our new Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney on Friday 4 May 2018.

1 MLC School Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney (centre), is warmly welcomed by our wonderful Old Girls.

2 Two generations of one of MLC School’s five generation families. 3 Head of Department – History, Mr Peter Klamka, caught up with a number of his former students. 4 Old Girl and former Council member, Ms Helena Grahame (1959), with Council member Ms Anne Empson (1978) and our five generation family.

5 Sixty-five Old Girls from the classes of 1955 to 2017 joined us at this year’s Back to College.

Upcoming Reunions MLC School and the Old Girls’ Union invite you to save the date...

Class of 1978 40 Year Reunion Saturday 17 November 2018, 1–4pm Class of 1988 30 Year Reunion Saturday 28 July 2018, 1–4pm

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Class of 1998 20 Year Reunion Saturday 18 August 2018, 1–4pm Class of 2008 10 Year Reunion Saturday 18 August 2018, 1–4pm Sapphires’ Luncheon

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For Old Girls in the 1963 cohort and before Tuesday 16 October 2018, 12–2pm Invitations will be sent closer to each date.

To ensure you receive your invitation please email oldgirlsunion@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au with your contact details.

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For enquires regarding these events please contact MLC School Events Coordinator Jillian Avramis on 02 8741 3180 or email javramis@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

SEND US YOUR EMAIL! We would love to send you news about MLC School achievements, building updates and student success stories.

Please send us your email address so we can provide you with the most up to date MLC School news.

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oldgirlsunion@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

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A UNITING CHURCH DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, PRE-KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 12 Rowley Street, Burwood NSW 2134 Australia PO Box 643 Burwood 1805 Ph +61 2 9747 1266 Fax +61 2 9745 3254 enquiries@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au ABN 75 549 644 535 CRICOS No. 02328D The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) (trading as MLC School)

mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au