Aim High 2023-2024

Aim High Stories

of Excellence

Our students are so much more than a score or a merit; they are great humans who will shape this society and make an impact.

Cover image: 2023 SACE Dux Matthew Lim, Principal Mark Staker, IB high achiever Everett Webb and Ross Family Leadership Award recipient Alice Sabine.

From Our Principal Aim High and Let Them Fly

At Pembroke we know that success is a very personal measure—it is different for each one of us. There is no one measure or score that marks ultimate achievement, or indeed no one role in terms of leadership that is the final destination. We are all works in progress and we all strive to improve throughout our lives.

As you read the stories within this publication it is worth recognising that each individual has worked hard, shown commitment and understood that, to succeed, there is a need to engage with feedback, in fact embrace it, and then strive to improve. That is personal, as we all start from different and nuanced positions, almost like a staggered start in sport.

When considering the results of a school, many look towards measures such as ATARs or spend their time counting merits and championing a few. While we do celebrate these incredible achievements, we also know that each young person, irrespective of their score or result, has experienced personal success and still has work to do in terms of becoming the best version of themself. This is a lifelong journey and something we strive to impart and model as the adults in our community.

I want to acknowledge the entire student body, and specifically the graduating class of 2023. Irrespective of their credentials—be they the South Australian Certificate of Education or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, including School-supported additional endeavours in Vocational Education and Training or university programs—they worked together as a cohort, supporting one another with grace and good humour as they strove for personal excellence. They remained committed to being well-developed individuals who also played sport, contributed to The Arts, and served communities near and far as part of their final years of schooling. They are so much more than a score or a merit; they are great humans who will shape this society and make an impact.

In acknowledging the full range of personal success stories, many of our young people at the School faced adversity, hardship and challenges. Their grit and determination and the love and support of the people around them made a significant difference. It is this pervasive culture of care that is something we should all be proud of; it’s hard to replicate and can never be taken for granted.

Behind each of these many success stories are the parents and carers who have supported, cajoled and loved each individual. Thank you for your care and partnership in supporting every student in our graduating class—we can’t do it without you and we are committed to walking alongside you on the journey. To the educators and professional services staff who have worked with, believed in and inspired a love of learning in these young people, we are all immensely grateful for your commitment to this community.

Just as success is shared, so is leadership. We are incredibly fortunate at Pembroke to have young people who are willing to step up and lead in so many domains. It isn’t always recognised in a formal way, with a title or a badge, but it is evident on a daily basis. All leaders are a work in progress, learning as we lead, often in complex and challenging circumstances. At Pembroke we encourage all to pursue opportunities to lead and develop.

In Pembroke’s 50th year we will talk a lot about the strength that comes from our community, a unique community that has thousands of stories at its core, and about success and leadership. What characterises us as individuals is that we aim high, but that aim is personal and nuanced and different for each and every one of us. It is what allows us all to ‘fly’ at different points in our lives.

Mr Mark Staker Principal

Top: Year 1 student Emmie Jia, School Captain Lauren Byles and Principal Mark Staker cutting Pembroke’s 50th birthday cake. Bottom: Middle School Leaders with staff following induction at Commencement of Year Ceremony.

Pembroke’s High Flyers across SACE and IB

14 student ATARs

54 student ATARs

99 ABOVE

95 ABOVE

98 student ATARs

90 ABOVE

Top ATAR

Our 2023 SACE Dux

Matthew Lim

Our SACE Dux, Matthew Lim, started at Pembroke in 2018, commencing in Year 7. In completing Year 12 he achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95, an outstanding achievement.

Matthew also received the prestigious Governor of South Australia Commendation Excellence Award and, in addition, was named Dux of the University of Adelaide’s Headstart program for 2023.

We commend Matthew on these truly remarkable accomplishments, and recently asked him a few questions about his time at Pembroke and his plans for the future. Here is his response:

In Year 12, I studied Physics, Chemistry, English Literary Studies and Headstart Maths. I also did two Stage 2 subjects in Year 11, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Maths, as well as Research Project B.

In choosing my subjects I mainly followed my interests, as I enjoyed Science and Maths in Middle School. Tertiary studies were a factor that I considered but I wasn’t sure what exactly I would study at university, so I chose what interested me, thinking that I would choose a degree related to those interests anyway.

My advice to current students would be to dream big and believe in yourselves.

For co-curricular activities I was involved in soccer from Year 10 and tennis from Year 7, and in my final year I also joined VEX Robotics. Throughout the year these activities provided opportunities to enjoy time with my friends as well as giving me space for personal growth and development. Even though Year 12 was super busy, and I sometimes struggled to balance my co-curriculars with schoolwork, I’m really glad I maintained these commitments because they helped me to not lose sight of life outside of schoolwork, and allowed me to actually enjoy the year and grow as a person.

To hear more advice from Matthew, watch our video:

My plan for the next few years is to study Medicine at Monash University, then eventually become a doctor. This was something I realised I wanted to do quite late in high school, but I feel like it would be a really meaningful job, so I’m excited about the future.

My advice to current students would be to dream big and believe in yourselves. The only difference between a dream and a goal is the belief that it’s achievable, and as long as you’re ready to put in the work, I really think the world is your oyster.

Another thing I would say is to form meaningful connections with the people around you. I’ve found that Pembroke has a really warm community, regarding both the staff and students, and there are people who genuinely want the best for you. Connecting with these people can be a huge help throughout your school journey and beyond, as it’s uplifting to know others who you care about and who care about you.

Our 2024 School Captains

Dear Pembroke Community

Our names are Enoch Osei-Tutu and Lauren Byles, and we are writing this letter to introduce ourselves and our roles as the 2024 Pembroke School Captains. As Pembroke students since Year 7, we are privileged to have been given this special opportunity to represent and lead our community, which includes students from ELC to Year 12, in the year ahead. We are both currently undertaking the IB Diploma Programme and are excited to pursue a variety of academic and co-curricular goals throughout our final year of secondary education. This includes playing Basketball at the highest level for Enoch and School Soccer during the winter for Lauren, while aiming to achieve our personal best in our studies.

Although student leadership is primarily focused on being positive role models who give back to our School community, we understand the importance of addressing global issues that affect our daily lives. As the upcoming generation, breaking down social prejudices surrounding gender, sexuality, appearance and race are vital in creating a welcoming and diverse community. As School Captains we hope to represent your thoughts, opinions and ideas to inspire active change, while concurrently empowering those around us. We are very fortunate that Pembroke is a school that encourages student agency, leadership and the development of global citizens. From our experiences we have learnt that leadership entails setting an example for others through respectful interactions, while also being an effective communicator and an active listener. Furthermore, we aim to act with integrity and inclusiveness as they are essential hallmarks of successful leaders. Inclusivity being a staple value of our School, we would like to build further connections between the campuses to enable students to feel supported throughout their journey here at Pembroke. Our motto, Ex Unitate Vires – ‘Out of Unity, Strength’, inspires us to foster smooth transitions with the Middle School and hence create a sense of belonging and cohesion to ensure that we are One School. Maintaining student wellbeing is also our principal focus as Captains. One of the ways we would like to do this is by giving the Student Charter a more relevant role in students’ lives, guiding them through their day-to-day activities. Our role as School Captains will assist in developing us holistically as people, as well as improving our social and emotional intelligence. We are keen to attain and foster skills such as public speaking, adaptability and resilience.

Learn more about leadership at Pembroke from our Captains and 2023 Ross Family Leadership Award recipient Alice Sabine:

In addition to this, we are looking forward to meeting and forming relationships with new people, whether that is an inquisitive ELC student, a dedicated staff member or a respected School Board member.

2024 is a particularly notable year for our community as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the uniting of the Girton and King’s establishments. This merger and its ideals of successful co-education were both visionary and instrumental in creating the foundation in which we thrive today. Pembroke is not only known for its impressive academic results but also its humble yet progressive culture, and we would like to honour the founding members of our beloved School who systematically developed this. Furthermore, we will strive to build upon the traditions and heritage that past old scholars and committed staff members have embraced to write the next chapter in our history—most notably Pembroke’s commitment to global projects, such as supporting humanitarian charities, raising awareness about pressing issues and promoting student volunteerism.

We would like to thank Mr Staker, Mrs Piggott, Mr Pascale and the rest of the Pembroke staff for giving us this opportunity to represent you all, collaborate with all our extremely dedicated teachers, motivate our peers and contribute to the overall success of the School. To the Student Staff Executive (SSE), we are fortunate and excited to be working alongside a group of passionate and thoughtful students who we know will serve and represent our community with pride and respect. Finally, a thank you to our families and friends who have supported us and will continue to do so in this rewarding experience. The invaluable lessons that we will inevitably learn will assist us in becoming not only better students but also better people. We wish everyone in the Pembroke community a successful 2024.

Enoch Osei-Tutu and Lauren Byles 2024 Pembroke School Captains

Middle School Leadership Journey

Learning and Leading Together

To me, being a leader is having the ability to create changes that have a positive effect on someone or something in our world. It can come from the smallest gesture to the biggest solution, but the key is to make sure that your actions respect the wishes of everyone, because each and every single individual in a community is important. My leadership journey began in 2019, when I was lucky enough to be asked to represent Yorke House as a Junior School House Captain. From then to now Pembroke has offered and supported me in many different leadership roles that I have been able to engage in throughout my schooling, such as Student Voice Executive (SVE), House Sports and Cause Captains and, most recently, Middle School Head Girl. This position was a pivotal part in my growth as a leader but also as a person. Through recommendation by Pembroke, I was fortunate to undertake the Youth Governor’s Leadership Foundation program in 2023. I was included in a selected group of Year 10s who were divided into community action groups with an aim to use our leadership skills to create a positive impact on a worldwide topic. My project encouraged me and my group to fundraise and educate as many people as possible about our issue (malaria in Uganda), and I seized this opportunity by holding a fundraiser in the Middle School that raised a total of $1,260. This experience was an incredible journey for me and I learnt many things about myself as a leader and a person. The responsibilities and skills that I learnt will be applicable in my whole life, and I was also introduced to people and friends who are great influences and let me extend my community beyond Pembroke.

In 2023, I was also a part of the SVE, where I and 15 other Year 10 students worked together to plan, improve and grow the Middle School environment, hoping to make a space where everyone feels safe. We focused a lot on the uniform review, participating in workshops and meetings that encouraged brainstorming across year levels. I enjoyed being able to work with my friends, and this aspect of my leadership sparked much creative thinking and communication.

Being part of the SVE allowed me to build and develop my public speaking skills and improve my time management, and taught me the importance of self-organisation. I think one of the biggest things I have learnt from leadership is the meaning of empathy.

Working with many different people throughout our School allowed me to recognise the importance of each individual’s voice, opinions and needs.

Being the Head Girl of the Middle School or on the SVE are examples of leadership positions, but I know that I and many of my friends would agree that you don’t need a labelled leadership title to be deemed a leader. In the yard, setting good examples or helping younger peers navigate through the new environment are all reflections of being a leader. I truly believe that everyone can be a leader. If you are seeking or aspiring to undertake a leadership opportunity, just know that you don’t need a label to make an impact. In your sporting clubs, co-curricular groups and even with family and friends, being a leader can evolve from taking action or suggesting ideas. I believe that it is important that you know what being a leader means to you, as this is the core value that you base your future decisions on. You want to make sure that you are leading truthfully and respectfully and try to find this balance. All you have to do is ask yourself: What is leadership to me?

Leadership has had a big impact on my life already, and I know it will continue to support me throughout my future. I feel that attributes I have learnt and developed through my leadership roles have helped shape my personality and contributed to many of my values and beliefs. The attitude that I have developed through leading is one that will encourage me to become the best version of myself and hopefully help me achieve my goals. Leadership is an ongoing journey of personal growth and empowerment, and I look forward to witnessing myself and many other young students following this journey with all their future endeavours.

Ariel Higgs Year 11 Student

One of the biggest things I have learnt from leadership is the meaning of empathy.

Our Junior School Leaders

Arav Joshi (Spencer House)

What does being the leader of Spencer House mean to you?

Being a House Captain for Spencer House means a lot to me. Since Reception, I have always dreamt of being a House Captain because they inspired me a lot with their characteristics such as determination, leadership and gratitude towards others. It is my pleasure to be leading such an exemplary House.

Lila Howard (Spencer House)

What do you want to do when you leave school?

When I leave school, I will try to be organised and enjoy every day. I would like to have a fun job, one working with younger kids or a job where I can help people! I would love to encourage younger ones to go for a leadership role like I once had. I think it’s a great opportunity to get out of your comfort zone, whether that be by speaking publicly, cheering loudly or even just being put in a big role like a House Captain!

Holly Knights (Flinders House)

What does being the leader of Flinders House mean to you?

Being the leader of Flinders House means a lot to me because I get to meet a lot of new people who have influenced the world in positive ways and are well known. I enjoy having the responsibility to lead and guide my House and School in various ways. I am also very passionate about sport and love being successful in many ways, not just winning but being the best I can be. So, as House Captain this year, I would love Flinders as a whole House to have some success in events such as Swimming Carnival, Cross Country and Athletics Day.

Aksel Okar (Flinders House)

What are your hopes and aspirations for this year?

My goal for Flinders this year is to win Sports Day as we haven’t for a long time. Also, another aspiration is to win Swimming Carnival for the second time.

Leo Roberts-Thomson (Yorke House)

What’s your favourite thing about being a student at Pembroke?

My absolute favourite thing about being a student at Pembroke is the diversity in the students and the teachers.

Nicole Wang (Yorke House)

What does being the leader of Yorke House mean to you?

To me, it means that I can be a person to look up to and help people.

Kayla Foeng (Torrens House)

What are your hopes and aspirations for this year?

Some of my biggest goals this year are to be able to change and influence the Junior School to be more intuitive and take initiative in picking up rubbish, helping others around them and being more aware of what’s going on in both the School and the world (for example, Hearing Awareness Week which we explored at Assembly and supporting people with disabilities).

Roy Hu (Torrens House)

What’s your favourite thing about being a student at Pembroke?

My favourite part of being a student at Pembroke is the enormous number of opportunities you get. From a Drama lesson to the Year 5 Musical, you must remember that not everyone gets these chances, so we need to take these opportunities and cherish them.

Pembroke School Reflections

From Old Scholar

Nicholas Duddy (2012)

I remember walking out of DY Hall after my Year 12 English exam with a smile as bright as the November sun. As I stood in the Senior School campus, bathing in the spring air telling of grass and trees and the horizon, I was overcome by an irresistible thought: ‘I’ll never have to write another essay on Arthur Miller.’

After Pembroke I briefly studied acting at New York University before realising that my passion rested with the page, not the stage. I returned to South Australia where, after a brief amour with Law, I studied Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide. Following this I completed a Master’s degree in Dramatic Writing at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

academic breadth, I appreciated how Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) fostered personal development outside of the classroom. The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, too, encouraged us to question not only what we know but also how we know it. In our digital world, where we’re inundated with information every day, these critical thinking skills remain as important as ever.

Julianne English, my brilliant Theatre teacher, had a poster in her office bearing the words of an Irishman: ‘Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.’

Lih Ling Wong, my wonderful tute group teacher, was a paragon of calmness and kindness. On those days when the world feels overwhelmed by hostility, I try to breathe and proceed with a touch of her equanimity.

It’s inspiring to think about the students who preceded us; it’s inspiring to think about the students who will follow us.

Now, still a student, I’m pursuing a Doctorate in English at the University of Oxford where I’m writing a thesis on—yes, you guessed it—Arthur Miller.

I’ve always loved reading. My family owns books that belonged to my grandfather, who relocated from the UK to Australia to become an English teacher. As a kid I could pick up one of these books—cover faded, spine broken, paper yellowed by the years—and find his messy pencil marks across the page. I never knew my grandfather; he departed this world with cancer long before I entered it with a cry. But holding these pages, these palimpsests, I almost felt like I met the man—at least a part of him—in the margins. And throughout my time at Pembroke I benefited from the generosity of English teachers (Tom Heffer, Robert Andrews, Helen Rice, Felicity Lobban, Linda Koopman) who nurtured this same love of literature.

I chose the IB Diploma because I valued the opportunity to study a range of subjects over two years. I enjoyed the challenge of switching between classes on Mathematics, Mandarin and Modern History. Beyond the programme’s

Whenever I’ve stared into that familiar face of failure, I’ve found comfort in Samuel Beckett’s sentiment.

The Class of 2023 doesn’t need me to say it, but we’ve all been afforded tremendous opportunities by attending Pembroke. I often reminisce about my six years at the School. Indeed, there are times when I would give anything to listen once more to the stirring game-day speeches of Eddie Dadds on Kensi Oval, or watch Abby Hampton transform into another soul on the stage of Wright Hall. It’s inspiring to think about the students who preceded us; it’s inspiring to think about the students who will follow us. If we combine our ambition with our altruism, if we take this opportunity and turn it into a sense of duty, if we connect everyday acts to the enduring pact of our humanity, maybe we can make the world a better place for the Class of 2073.

Nicholas in Year 12 (2012)

Nicholas at the University of Oxford

Middle School Musical (2010)

Nicholas Duddy at the University of Oxford.

Learning for Life

Our New Dean of Learning Cultures and Innovation

Pembroke is proud to announce that a familiar face is taking on an exciting new role to lead strategic change across our education platform. Dr Michele McEvoy, our most recent Head of SACE, has been appointed as our first Dean of Learning Cultures and Innovation.

Michele is an outstanding and experienced educator and leader with a passion for innovative and holistic education, and a strong commitment to the professional development and ongoing learning of teachers.

With a Doctor of Philosophy in English, a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Michele previously held the positions of Learning and Teaching Leader for English, Research Project Program Coordinator and Senior Years Learning Leader at Immanuel College before joining Pembroke in 2020.

Michele says she’s looking forward to further supporting students in unlocking their academic potential and helping them find their place through Pembroke’s abundance of choice.

‘Pembroke is truly fortunate and unique in that we are able to leverage our scale and our world-class teaching expertise to offer our students so many different opportunities and pathways, over and above and entwined with the SACE and IB’, she said.

‘In 2023 an incredible 39 Pembroke students completed university studies—our largest number ever—with 9 in the University of Adelaide’s Headstart program, 24 in Flinders University’s Extension Studies program and 6 in UniSA’s Accelerate program. Of these students, 28 achieved a High Distinction or Distinction, making a valuable contribution to their ATAR, and perhaps more importantly providing invaluable tertiary experience to set them up for future studies.’

‘2023 was also another fantastic year for students studying Vocational Education and Training, with 70 completing a VET course as part of their SACE’, she said.

In her new role, Michele’s immediate priorities include the development of a learning and caring framework to further enhance the gift of a Pembroke education.

Michele McEvoy (Dean of Learning Cultures and Innovation)

Michele commenced at Pembroke in 2020 as Head of SACE, and took up the inaugural position of Dean of Learning Cultures and Innovation in January 2024. She has previously held the positions of Learning and Teaching leader for English, Research Project Program Coordinator and Senior Years Learning Leader at Immanuel College. Michele is a passionate teacher of English and History, and has a strong interest in 21st century education and pedagogical innovation. Michele has extensive research experience, completing a Doctor of Philosophy in English in 2003. She also holds a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Future Pathways

In 2024, career development services for our students are being elevated through our new Future Pathways program. It is wonderful that Pembroke is increasing its profile and resources at a time when our young people are required to explore and investigate an increasingly broad range of potential career pathway possibilities. In our students’ planning as they move beyond school, they particularly appreciate the extra career support provided as they initiate and start to navigate an often complex career decision-making process.

The Future Pathways team will be delivering a broad range of contemporary career development services throughout the year for our students, providing career education programs, vocational education opportunities, career development events, up-to-date career information and individual career advice and guidance.

In 2024, we will be the first school in South Australia to provide Morrisby testing for all Year 10 students as part of their new course, Exploring Identities and Futures. A 30-minute interview with one of our certified staff will help students and parents ‘unpack’ the report that is generated. The Morrisby test is a comprehensive aptitude test that matches each student’s strengths in mechanical, verbal, numerical, abstract and spatial reasoning to suggested career and study areas.

Watch our video with old scholar and police officer Natasha Sukacz (2021) as she talks career pathways:

Each year, we highly value our engagement with employers, tertiary institutions and community organisations. On both the Middle and Senior School campuses this year, we look forward to information sessions and workshops highlighting tertiary opportunities in South Australia, interstate and overseas, as well as gap year programs, scholarships, apprenticeships and volunteering. We also look forward to our ongoing support from within the wider School community. Highlights of the year will include the Careers Breakfast supported by the Pembroke Old Scholars Association, the Year 12 Tertiary Expo and the Year 11 Work Experience program.

The Future Pathways team is very much looking forward to 2024 where we will be working in partnership with our students, parents, old scholars, employers, and both local and interstate tertiary institutions to explore potential pathways.

Ms Andrea Schultz Head of Future Pathways

Stronger Together: Pembroke Strategic Plan 2030

The Pembroke story began half a century ago when our founders recognised that the union between Girton Girls’ School and King’s College for boys would make us ‘stronger together’. Fifty years on, as we celebrate this golden co-educational milestone, Pembroke is indeed stronger than ever. While we reflect upon our proud history, it is timely and prudent to prepare for an even stronger future, one that is increasingly diverse, sustainable and hopeful. Enter our Strategic Plan 2030.

This plan has been carefully crafted through a process of co-design where we welcomed all members of our community on the journey. We were delighted to hear your voices and have listened intently. The result is a humancentric plan that reflects our learning and caring culture in our delivery of world-class education. In the age of digital disruption there has arguably never been a more important time to value our human connections, sense of belonging and devotion to the service of others.

Our future graduates will not only be career-ready, but will also be creative, empathic and free-thinking individuals who are prepared and inspired to be agents for positive change in a complex and uncertain world.

To achieve our vision, our Strategic Plan 2030 is supported by four key pillars:

• Our Hearts and Minds

• Our Place and Home

• Our Service to Community

• Our Sustainable Future

This aspirational plan sets out our strategic initiatives across the pillars, what success looks like and where we will be in 2030. We hope that it engages your hearts and minds as we boldly embark upon the next incredible chapter of the Pembroke story.

At Pembroke, we are Stronger Together.

Ms Melissa Mellen Chair, School Board

Mr Mark Staker Principal

To read our Strategic Plan 2030, scan the QR code:

To watch our Strategic Plan 2030 highlights video, scan the QR code:

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