Pembroke News - Autumn 2024

50 Years of Pembroke

From Mischievous

(2005)

Finding in Unity Strength – Interview with Natasha Stott Despoja AO (1986)

Throughout this edition of Pembroke News we are celebrating 50 years of our School and all that our old scholars and forebears achieved to lead us here today. For me, three of those forebears are Pembroke’s previous custodians of publications Tim O’Loughlin, Paul Cudmore and Ray Clark. I caught up with the three of them to reflect on the processes through the years that have built the Pembroke News that we know today (page 13).

We all agreed that one of the highlights of the role is meeting people and hearing stories from every corner of Pembroke’s widespread community. This continues to hold true for this edition of Pembroke News. On pages 16-19 you’ll find the story of three boarders who are from some of South Australia’s most remote regions.

Our intrepid students have continued to venture out and build their knowledge and skills in far-flung places of the globe including Chile, Germany and South Africa, both on exchange and on Schoolled international language trips, as you’ll find on pages 36-41. Closer to home our Years 9 and 10 students engaged in service–learning trips through Beyond the Horizon, working in the tropics of Far North Queensland and both the East Kimberley and the Pilbara in Western Australia. Flick to page 22-25 to read about the trip to the South Coast region of New South Wales and see stunning photos from across all trips.

Within the School our students have enjoyed a natural collaboration between our Languages Department and our Arts Department in order to deepen intercultural understanding (pages 26-28). Also within Arts our new Dance curriculum has launched, run by Allison Patterson. Meet her and read about the program on pages 30-31.

I couldn’t mention our Arts Department without also highlighting that it is a ‘Musical Year’ this year, and we look forward to the Middle School Musical in September with great anticipation. The production has very big shoes to fill; as Rebecca Ramsey writes on pages 14-15, the Musical has grown over the past 50 years into an endeavour that attracts hundreds of students both on and off stage.

Rebecca also highlights that the experience of being in a Pembroke Musical transcends generations and does not dull with age, with many old scholars recalling every line and every dance move, even from 30 years ago. This is just one of the shared experiences of our old scholars that has been encapsulated into a commemorative publication in celebration of Pembroke’s 50th year entitled Stronger Together: 50 Years of Pembroke . You can read about the making of this publication and order a copy for yourself on pages 42-43.

In my relatively short time at Pembroke I have somewhat paradoxically become accustomed to feeling amazement and awe towards our community. I feel great pride when I speak with, and hear from, our students, and I hold great admiration for our old scholars all across the globe. Natasha Stott Despoja AO (1986) is the perfect example of this and I am pleased to share her story on pages 46-47.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Pembroke News as we look back on 50 years of Pembroke. Happy reading.

Gabbi Agnew Publications Manager

Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the IB Diploma & Primary Years Programme (PYP). Cover Image

(Didi)

From Our Principal

Stronger Together – The Heartof Pembroke

In February it was a true honour to stand before our proud community as we came together for our Commencement of Year Ceremony, which fell upon the very date that King’s and Girton united to become Pembroke half a century earlier.

Back then celebrations and dedications occurred across the King’s and Girton campuses—words were spoken that shared the hopes and aspirations for the new School, dedications were made in the R A Cook Chapel, and newly renovated Angove House was opened by Ms Angove herself. People were inspired, dignitaries gathered and the 840 students on the ‘roll’ at the commencement were treated to visits by the Governor and the Minister of Education, and to the words of the Chair of the Board Mr Mellor and, of course, Mrs Medlin and Mr Moody as Co-Principals.

Declaring a school as open literally does that—it opens the door to a new chapter. The hard work—the thing that takes the time—is the creation of culture, which is the heart that allows the school to thrive and find its uniqueness.

In the very naming of our School there was such resonance with the community. As the archives tell us, it is well known that Pembroke, King’s and Girton are all colleges at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. However, the inspiration for the name was somewhat stumbled upon by an esteemed member of faculty, Professor Potts, as he drove down Pembroke Street one day and made that very connection to Cambridge that led to the naming of the School.

→ Harvey Underdown (Yr 8), Mark Staker and Zoe Chapley (Yr 8)

Inclusivity and Pembroke go hand-in-hand, just like Girton and King’s. In essence it is part of our collective DNA to celebrate each individual. Here, we are all free to be ourselves and find our place, and what could be more special than that? At Pembroke everyone is welcome and no one is left behind, as our founders epitomised by lighting our way in 1974.

Our motto, as well, emerged fortuitously in the period as Mrs Meadows, who was President of the King’s Mother’s Club, recognised the Welsh origins of Pembrokeshire and found the motto for the region: Ex Unitate Vires – Out of Unity, Strength.

Alongside these fascinating origins, a constant has guided and connected all three schools throughout time and place, sitting at the very heart of our special community— Our Values.

Bravery has characterised the Pembroke story. Mrs Diana Medlin’s leadership was brave and inspirational. She knew we needed to honour the voice of young people in the vision for the future, creating opportunities through the Student Staff Executive, and taking the brave step in establishing South Australia’s first International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Pembroke. These were commitments which have shaped the many brave decisions made since that have had such an impact on Pembroke.

Our learning and caring culture fosters Curiosity. It was curiosity that led to the founding of the School, as well as a touch of pragmatism as King’s and Girton ‘experimented’ in 1972 and 1973 with combined matriculation courses for the Leaving Certificate. Rev Cook, then Headmaster of King’s College, marvelled at the benefits of these shared classes; they fostered not only intellectual curiosity but also the shared pursuit of excellence, and the social ease enabled students to learn, care and thrive together.

Honesty has complemented the Pembroke story through our authenticity and egalitarian spirit—never afraid to be ourselves, always accepting of others and willing to engage in adventure. This requires honesty, a virtue we all aspire to share and celebrate.

Inclusivity and Pembroke go hand-in-hand, just like Girton and King’s. In essence it is part of our collective DNA to celebrate each individual. Here, we are all free to be ourselves and find our place, and what could be more special than that? At Pembroke everyone is welcome and no one is left behind, as our founders epitomised by lighting our way in 1974.

This also goes to the heart of Kindness, a value that will always prevail. Imagine the kindness shared between King’s and Girton during the merger … the challenges would at times have seemed

overwhelming, even unsurmountable, such would have been the most ambitious dream, culturally and logistically, to bring two vastly different schools together. I have no doubt that the kindness shared within and across both schools is one of the key ingredients that has led to us all being here today.

Respect is evidenced across our community on any given day—it is in the classroom, in the yard and in the way we care for one another. At Pembroke specifically, we respect the history, the motto, the crest, the rituals, the Aims, the Charters, our inspirational old scholars, and all the way through to the uniform, the corridors we traverse and the grounds we are fortunate to walk upon. On that point, I am always so heartened by the genuine respect and acknowledgment we show and owe to the traditional owners of this land.

Service is a value synonymous with the Pembroke story. Just last year at the Commencement Ceremony I spoke of the way that the King’s community planted and watered the many trees that feature on Haslam Oval, lovingly tending them in times of drought and hardship so that today we all can enjoy their shade and natural beauty. They literally ‘watered the dreams’ for their beloved King’s College, knowing that the true gift of the service they were offering would come to fruition many years after they had left.

Uniqueness is arguably not a value as such but a trait that most certainly should be upheld, and nothing more true could be observed than the uniqueness at the time of our founding schools joining together. The merger no doubt raised many eyebrows, many questions, many reservations … and still our founding schools boldly went forth with the knowledge that they, and now we, would be stronger together. And here we are, 50 years later, with more than two centuries of history from King’s and Girton—now that’s unique—and this is the legacy we pass on to our students of today.

Happy Birthday Pembroke. I am so grateful to be part of such a unique and spirited community filled with big dreams and, above all, the sense of hope that fills our hearts.

Mark Staker Principal

Student Achievements

Hayden Kong (Yr 8) won first place in South Australia for his entry in the 2023 Young ICT Explorers competition (Years 7–8 division) with a mobile app he developed to stop food waste called SmartFoods. In February he attended the National Final, where he was awarded second place in the Years 7–8 division.

Emily Gooi , Phoebe MacLaren , Lucy Sage and Alinda Liu (all Yr 12), Josh Bal , Louis Kent , Oscar Zhou and Hugh Bourke (all Yr 7) made it to the national competition of the OzCLO (Australian Computational and Linguistics) Olympiad. Only six teams from South Australia from Years 7–12 are invited to compete against other states in the national competition. The Year 12 team placed second, and the Year 7 team placed third.

Jack Lawson (Yr 12) and Penelope Carter (Yr 11) were selected to represent South Australian secondary school students on the 2024 South Australian Student Representative Council. This body of 150 students from across the state works together to create student-led change in their communities.

Jack has also had success in the pool, being named a finalist in the 2024 Water Polo Australia Awards for Young Achiever of the Year. He also competed in the South Australian Under 18 Boys Water Polo team at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, and was selected for the Adelaide Jets squad, a South Australian team competing in the Australian National Water Polo League.

Holly Knights (Yr 6) was selected for the 13 and Under State Water Polo National Development Carnival to be held in July this year.

Also in the pool, Gabrielle Prider (Yr 8) celebrated a number of recent wins, including two gold medals at the SA School Sport Diving competition for the 13/14 Years synchronised and 13 Years springboard events. She also competed in the first round of the State Championships, achieving two golds and one silver in the Under 13 Elite category and qualifying for the national competition in September.

Our swimmers also achieved aquatic success, with Rafael Indratno’s (Yr 7) selection in the South Australian State Relay Championship for the 4x50m freestyle relay team and the 4x50m medley relay team, both in the 8–12 Year Old Male category.

Clara Carrocci (Yr 10) swam at the Australian Age Long Course Championships, winning a gold medal for the 200m backstroke and a bronze medal for the 200m butterfly at a national level. She broke a South Australian record with her 200m backstroke time. Clara qualified to swim in six events at the Olympic Trials later this year.

Cayden Zhou (Yr 7) participated in the SA State Championship and won a gold medal in the 11 Year Old Male 50m freestyle and a silver medal in 11 Year Old Male 50m breaststroke events.

Emily Gooi — Year 12

Oscar Zhou — Year 7

Jack Lawson — Year 12

Hayden Kong — Year 8

Josh Bal — Year 7

Alinda Liu — Year 12

Penelope Carter — Year 11

Louis Kent — Year 7

Hugh Bourke — Year 7

Lucy Sage — Year 12

Phoebe MacLaren — Year 12

Holly Knights — Year 6

Clara Carrocci — Year 10

Ruby Knights — Year 8

Cayden Zhou — Year 7

Gabrielle Prider — Year 8

Rafael Indratno — Year 7

Student Achievements

Ruby Knights (Yr 8) represented Somerton and Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club at the National Surf Life Saving Championship, where she was a finalist for the Under 13 Surf Swim, a semi-finalist for the Under 13 Ironwoman, and a quarter-finalist for the Under 13 Board Race. Ruby was also awarded 2024 Nipper of the Year at a state level, and won a bronze medal in the Under 13 Division 1 Board Relay.

On top of the water Emmanuel Lentakis (Yr 9) water-skied 456 km from Murray Bridge to Renmark and raised almost $10,000 along the way as part of Ski for Life.

Keanu Cooper (Yr 7) became the Under 13 State Champion for three different events (high jump, long jump and 100m) at the State Athletics Championships.

On the stage Chloe Ho (Yr 1) starred as Tam in Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of the award-winning musical Miss Saigon

Oscar Sabine (Yr 11) captained the South Australian Metro Basketball team to a silver medal in the 2024 Under 18 National Championships.

On the cricket oval Harry Willis (Yr 12) was selected in the South Australia Under 17 Male State Cricket team in January 2024. They played in the National Championships in January where they placed third.

Eliza Pannell (Yr 11) co-captained the Under 16 Girls State Cricket team at the National Championships where she was the wicket-keeper and a top-order batter. They placed seventh.

Tyler Cunniff (Yr 8) won the Under 15 keirin title in track cycling at the National Championships in Brisbane.

Harry McGregor (Yr 12), Harrison Chandler (Yr 10), and Sasha Sierp (Yr 9) competed in Dirty Weekend, a 24-hour mountain bike challenge. Over 24 hours they raced 432km and achieved second place.

Kate Thomson (Yr 10) continues to perform well on the ice-skating rink. She recently competed in the international competition in Budapest, and in the national competition in Sydney where she placed 10th in the Junior category and 12th in the Advance Novice Girls category. She also earned third place in the Junior division at the 2024 Panda Challenge.

Alston Ma (Yr 5) won the Junior Club Championships at the Mount Osmond Golf Club in late December 2023.

Charlotte Guglielmucci (Yr 10) competed at the Gymnastics State Championships where she placed second in the Level 6 Open Senior category, with a gold medal on floor, bronze on vault, bronze on uneven bars, and fifth place on beam.

Several Pembroke students competed in the Under 16 National Hockey Championships in Hobart, including Harrison De Garis (Yr 9), Jacob Miller , Charlie Chappell , Lucy Chappell (all Yr 10) and Rose Parkin (Yr 11).

Lucy Chappell

Year 10

Charlie Chappell

Year 10

Kate Thomson

Year 10

Jacob Miller

Year 10

Emmanuel Lentakis

Year 9

Harrison De Garis

Year 9

Keanu Cooper

Year 7

Chloe Ho

Year 1

Alston Ma

Year 5

Charlotte Guglielmucci

Year 10

Rose Parkin

Year 11

Oscar Sabine

Year 11

Tyler Cunniff

Year 8

Harry Willis

Year 12

Eliza Pannell

Year 11

Harry McGregor

Year 12

Sasha Sierp

Year 9

Harrison Chandler

Year 10

Harrison and Charlie, along with Oliver Bentley (Yr 9) and Tom Chan (Yr 10) were selected for the Under 15 SA Schoolboys Hockey team to compete in Cairns in August.

Lia Litchfield (Yr 10) was the Vice Captain for South Australia in the 2023 National Lacrosse Under 15 Girls, where her team won the championship. Lia won the MVP medal for one of her games, and was also recognised with ‘most assists’ in the competition. Earlier this year Lia competed at the National Lacrosse Championships where her team, the Under 18 South Australian Girls Lacrosse team, won the championship.

Our musicians have been excelling across all areas, exemplified by the AMEB Awards Ceremony, where many Pembroke students won prizes. Mia Huang (Yr 8) received the Piano Grade 8 Prize, Jimmy Yu (Yr 9) received the Thelma Dent AMEB Prize, Jayden Yue (Yr 9) received the Certificate of Performance in Piano, Lucas Tziavrangos (Yr 10) received the Certificate of Performance in Saxophone for Leisure, Toby Lloyd (Yr 12) received the AMusA Piano, Luca Shin (Yr 12), received the AMusA Violin and Amy Song (Yr 11) completed her LMusA Diploma for piano with Honours in Musicianship Grade 6. She has also completed her AMusA Diploma for flute, with Distinction. She received the AMusA Associate Prize for the most outstanding report.

On the netball court, Daisy Stolle (Year 8) was selected as a reserve for the Under 15 State Girls Netball Squad, and was also selected for the Metro Development Squad for the Thunderbirds Netball Academy.

Our rowers are going from strength to strength with the Girls Year 8/9 B, D and E teams winning Head of the River 2024. Poppy O’Mahony (Yr 11) was selected into the SA State Youth VIII for the Interstate Regatta (Bicentennial Cup) held at the end of the National Rowing Championships in Penrith, NSW, where her crew placed fifth. The South Australian Pathways State team also competed in Penrith more recently, with Pembroke rowers achieving the following: Poppy placed first in the Women’s VIII (Under 19), Mia Chapman (Yr 10) placed first in the Women’s 4x (coxless quad) (Under 17), Seb Willis-Hell (Yr 9) placed first in the Men’s 4x (coxless quad) (Under 17), and Alex Lee (Yr 11) placed fifth in the Men’s VIII (Under 19).

Claire Mohan-Ram (Yr 12) represented Western Australia in the National Softball Championships, where she played pitcher.

Yuana Wu (Yr 7) ranked 18th for Under 11 Girls Table Tennis nationwide at the end of 2023, and she is the only South Australian to place in the top 20 across the Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 divisions.

Emily Vuong (Yr 10) was selected to represent South Australia at the Under 16 Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championship, where her team placed seventh.

Daisy Stolle — Year 8

Poppy O’Mahony — Year 11

Seb Willis-Hell — Year 9

Emily Vuong — Year 10

Claire Mohan-Ram — Year 12

Yuana Wu — Year 7

Alex Lee — Year 11

Mia Chapman — Year 10

Luca Shin — Year 12

Amy Song — Year 11

Oliver Bentley — Year 9

Thomas Chan — Year 10

Jimmy Yu — Year 9

Lucas Tziavrangos — Year 10

Toby Lloyd — Year 12

Jayden Yue — Year 9

Mia Huang — Year 8

Lia Litchfield — Year 10

Pembroke School Board

Our Board is a strong and vital backbone of Pembroke School. It is comprised of highly skilled and passionate members of the community with knowledge and experience across a range of disciplines. The Board and Board-appointed committee members are volunteers who give so generously of their time and expertise to support the ongoing sustainability and future success of our School. The Board works with the Principal to set the strategic direction for the School. It also initiates and reviews policies, monitors the School's performance in line with the School Aims and ensures compliance with the School Constitution and all legislative requirements.

In December, we were delighted to welcome Melissa Mellen to the role of Chair, following on from past Chair Jane Miller (1995) who served Pembroke with distinction for many years. The School Board appointed Mel as a member in 2015, making her the longest-serving member of the current Board. She is a parent of a current student and two old scholars. Mel is a chartered professional engineer and a registered professional engineer in Queensland, Director of MFY Pty Ltd (traffic engineers) and an accredited road safety auditor. In 2015, Mel was awarded the grade of Fellow with the Institution of Engineers Australia and is a member of the Australian

Institute of Traffic Planners and Managers, the Urban Development Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mel is a Foundation Guardian and Chair of the Board Planning and Properties Committee. In 2010, she was the Telstra South Australian Business Woman of the Year and went on to win the National Award for the Business Owner Category. Mel is also Chair of the Young Adelaide Voices Board and has previously held positions on the Lincoln College Council and a subcommittee of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation Board.

In recent months, we also welcomed three new School Board members. Andrew Shaw,

a Pembroke parent of three students, filled a casual vacancy on the School Board in November 2023 and was also appointed to the Governance Committee. Andrew is a lawyer practising in commercial and business law, taxation and revenue law, corporate governance, corporate structuring and banking. He is the principal of his own law firm and acts primarily for a small number of large family-owned private businesses and family offices. Andrew holds Master of Laws (Commercial) and Bachelor of Arts (Jurisprudence) degrees from the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of South Australia. He is also a Chartered Tax Adviser

→ Chair of Pembroke School Board Melissa Mellen and Principal Mark Staker

(The Tax Institute). In addition, Andrew is a director and chair of several private family philanthropic foundations.

Fellow Pembroke parent Ben Wilson was also appointed by the School Board to fill a casual vacancy, again in November 2023. Ben is also a Pembroke Foundation Member who joined the Foundation Board in August 2023 and has recently been appointed to the Risk, Audit and Finance Committee. He has senior executive experience, most recently with Macquarie Asset Management specialising in asset finance, M&A and debt markets, and prior to that at Qantas where he had responsibilities in the treasury team for aircraft fleet financings. He has

an Economics degree from the University of Adelaide, is a Chartered Accountant, Fellow of the Financial Services Institute and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Ben has prior experience as Governor and Chair of Finance and Investment at St Peter’s College in Adelaide, along with other corporate directorships.

Keng Lim is a parent of two current students, Treasurer of the Parents’ and Friends’ Association and was appointed to the Board by the Parents’ and Friends’ Association, commencing January 2024. Keng holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Accounting, postgraduate

degrees in Management and Change Management, and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management. He has spent the majority of his career managing ICT and is now director of the family dental business. Keng’s board and committee experience includes roles on boards of various private charities focused on childhood poverty relief, as well as Linden Park Primary School and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

We take this opportunity to sincerely thank all Board members past and present for their invaluable contributions in ensuring Pembroke School continues to thrive for generations to come.

Andrew Shaw

Ben Wilson

Keng Lim

Girton Girls’ School and King’s College combine to become Pembroke School, and Mrs Diana (Didi) Medlin AM and Mr John Moody AM become Co-Principals.

Lamb

and

Principal.

Hearing Unit is established by Mrs Margaret Vercoe.

‘Pembroke has had an excellent start and I believe it will grow from strength to strength.’

– Julia Bevan, Editor of 1977 Pembroke Yearbook.

John Moody retires at the end of 1978 and Diana Medlin becomes sole Principal of Pembroke.

Pembroke Bears celebrates 25 years. Dr Patrick Duigan (1999) is instrumental in ensuring that 68 teddy bears reach the children in Haiti who suffered from the earthquake tragedy there in 2010.

Inaugural Unreel Film Festival takes place and features the Margaret Bennett Award for Best Film. Magaret Bennett pictured with student winners April and Kate.

‘We are inconceivably lucky to attend a school that has a realistic grasp of the bigger picture, respecting each of us and thus harbouring our individuality.’ Jessica Tidswell, Year 12 Valedictory speech.

The Girls First IV win Head of the River.

Pedal Prix results for Pembroke are the best in our 27-year involvement with many trophies including National Champions.

Wright Hall developed to include a woodwork centre, three art rooms, a pottery and kiln room, a music room and two music teaching rooms, and foyer.

Outdoor Education (introduced to Year 11 in 2002) is extended in 2003 as a fullyear subject and proves to be enormously popular, with two classes operating. Ancient Studies is also added to the Senior School program.

Ocean Sunrise is launched.

Pembroke community celebrates 100 years since the founding of Girton Girls’ School.

Inaugural Yunupingu Cup takes place.

Shipsters Road Building opens, featuring space for Art, Science, Design and Digital Technology in the Middle School.

Malcolm

retires

Mr Luke Thomson begins as

The front of King’s Campus is upgraded with a new garden and the fence is repainted in a green colour that Mrs Medlin hoped would fade.

Old Watulunga property is purchased.

Mr Campbell Whalley introduces the Pembroke Teddy BearMaking Program..

‘It’s a fantastic thing that we take away with us: a belief that maybe I can’t do it, but I will try anyway, and it is in this that we succeed because it’s how we grow and learn.’ Kate Bevan, 2002 Valedictory speech.

Leadlight windows are installed in the Chapel on King’s Campus, which include 1,063 pieces of leadlight glass.

Global COVID-19 pandemic is declared on 11 March 2020 and students begin online lessons to minimise the spread of the virus.

Luke Thomson

and Mr

International Baccalaureate is introduced.

Boarding houses are formally recognised with the official naming of Campbell House (after JA Campbell, Vice Chair of Council) and Yvonne Turner House (after Y Turner, 1964–84 staff).

The new School summer uniform is announced and paraded by student models to the whole School and parents—to be phased in over two years, commencing 1992.

Malcolm Lamb formally establishes a ’sister school’ relationship with Xi’an Middle School of Shaanxi Province, China.

51 Park Road is purchased and becomes home to most of the Year 12 girl boarders.

Diana Medlin retires and Mr Malcolm Lamb commences as Principal in 1991.

Pembroke celebrates 50 years!

retires

Mark Staker begins as Principal.

Our annual Middle School Pet Show was held on the last day of Term 1 on Haslam Oval, attracting creatures great and small. This treasured tradition is almost as old as Pembroke, with the 50th edition coming up next year.

Frankie Lloyd, Amelia Ingham and Jessica Orchard (all Yr 10) holding dogs Posie, Benny and Oscar

Maggie Smerdon, Emma Zhang, Coral Cielens and Jemma Ye (all Yr 1) patting Ms Libby Twigden’s dog Polly

Nate Roberts-Thomson, Mitchell Lentakis and Sascha Barras (all Yr 7) with dogs Maggie, Evie and Skye

Abigail Souter (Yr 7) and Mr Chris Zielinski with Champion Large Dog, Rusty

Mrs Kia Sheidow and Alice Page (Yr 8) holding Stan

Hannah Tanti (Yr 9) and Oakley, Champion Small Dog

Advisha Sujeeve (Yr 9) and Tiffany performing tricks

Chloe Seears and Charlotte Stewart (both Yr 7) with Blueberry

Otto Purcell (Yr 7) with Sigrid

Harry Fawcett (Yr 7) and Maple

On the Same Page: Four Generations of Publications Custodians

It’s a rare thing in any job role to meet your three immediate predecessors (using the word ‘immediate’ lightly, as the earliest of the three was in the role from 1989–1993), and a rarer thing still for them to all have long-lasting, fond memories of their time in the role.

On a brisk morning in 2023 I found myself coordinating the taking of student photographs. I was assisted by Tim O’Loughlin, the Emeritus Head of Publications, who was in the process of teaching me the ins and outs of managing the role, including obtaining team photos for every sporting team.

Across the dewy grass in front of Angove House walked Paul Cudmore, Tim’s own predecessor. Paul volunteers his time in Archives House, and was on his way there when he saw us wrangling students in much the same way he recalls doing so in the ‘90s. While we were chuckling about the coincidence of three ‘generations’ of publications staff in one spot, who should arrive but Ray Clark? Now we had the whole set!

Through the years it seems that while nothing has changed (students still don’t like to pull up their socks), everything has changed, due to the ever-evolving nature of publications.

We all caught up recently and reflected on the ‘occupational hazards of publishing’.

Ray Clark recalled the ‘cut and paste’ years of preparing the yearbook, when it was a manual process done with paper, scissors and glue sticks; and the renaming of the publication to Unitas after an eminent superior expressed disapproval of the title ‘Pembroke Yearbook’. Following a student competition for a new name that ultimately turned in zero responses, Ray fashioned the name based on the School’s motto Ex Unitate Vires. ‘I think my superior believes to this day that this title was furnished by an inspired student.’

In those days students contributed many hours to the yearbook. One cover was designed by Fiona Crombie (1991) who went on to win an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Production Design in 2019.

Over the years technology improved, colour pages were introduced, and the page count of Unitas increased with each edition. Colour printing did not come without its hassles though; despite Paul Cudmore’s best efforts, he was accused of sharing photos of Christian Brothers College (CBC) students when the Pembroke blazers appeared deep purple in one edition.

Paul, in the role during 1994–2008, was grateful for the work of Paul Boggiano from Openbook, who was fastidious in managing the printing process. He was especially grateful one year when, on the day of the final deadline, the courier company lost the proof. With nothing to

be done except wait for Paul Boggiano to handle the situation (before the days of mobile phones), Paul Cudmore decided the best place to wait would be the Kensi Hotel. It wasn’t until late in the evening that the proof showed up and was signed off for printing (perhaps not without error!).

Tim O’Loughlin, who held the Head of Publications role during 2008–2022, still winces at his greatest faux pas from the early days. ‘I learnt a very early editing lesson about checking married names and maiden names and the possibility that old scholars of the same vintage might just live in the same country town. Upon receiving her copy of Pembroke News and reading the notice of her sad passing, a lovely Girton old scholar promptly phoned and very politely advised me that she was feeling quite well.’

Among the laughs, one final thing was agreed among Ray, Paul and Tim. As teachers, the extra responsibility of publications brought a connection to aspects of the School that they wouldn’t otherwise have experienced.

Tim wrapped it up well: ‘Now that the baton has been passed on, I can say that it’s been an absolute privilege to be part of documenting the history of such a wonderful community and institution’.

Gabbi Agnew Publications Manager

→ Gabbi Agnew, Tim O’Loughlin, Paul Cudmore and Ray Clark

There’s No Business Like Show Business

It is difficult to write about what being in a Pembroke Musical means without it sounding like hyperbole. However, in my many years of personal involvement, one thing has become abundantly clear—being part of the Pembroke Musical is a once-ina-lifetime experience and one that lingers in the memory long after the final curtain.

This wonderfully nostalgic phenomenon is not at all limited to those young people who experience the transformation into a shining star on stage. While the opportunity to walk the boards in the famous roles of Tony, the Baker, Dorothy Gale or Roxie Hart is understandably a lifelong dream for any kid who cut their teeth on Disney tunes and junior theatre troupes, the fond memories extend to all who were involved, in big ways and small.

Watch people’s eyes light up when they recall: making costumes for Peter Pan (the best-looking pirates the world has ever seen); being one of the crazy Cookies in Anyone Can Whistle ; the decades of backstage hair and make-up teams who have learnt how to apply a false eyelash and just how much hairspray one head of hair can take; the pleasure in learning to run a follow spot or being part of the well-tuned orchestra; being in the on-stage band for Rock of Ages , complete with fake tattoos and ripped denims; the sheer ridiculousness of having 23 T-Birds and Pink Ladies in Grease ; seeing Tinkerbell on pointe; watching an aerial silks artist spinning from the beams in Aida; or even the simple joy of moving set pieces in a fluid, choreographed moment during a blackout.

If you happen to engage with a Pembroke old scholar and if they reveal that they were in the Musical for their cohort, ask them what they remember. You’ll likely get a fully choreographed number with pitch-perfect delivery and nary a word forgotten. And that is the same whether they finished in 2023 or 1993.

Over its 50 years the size of the Pembroke Musical has certainly grown. Julianne English, current Head of Arts and 17-time director, recalls her first introduction to the Pembroke Musical back in 1985. She remembers watching a rehearsal for a simple little show, Half a Sixpence , staged on the actual stage of the old DY Hall. A girl and a boy danced across the front of that tiny stage singing to the simple accompaniment of the piano positioned in front of the stage as an enthusiastic crowd of about 250 looked on, seated in banks of pop-up chairs that pinched your behind if you wriggled the wrong way and slammed up noisily when people rose for the anthem.

It is fair to say that the scale of our offerings has improved since those halcyon days, and this is due to the talent and investment of all those who have had a hand in bringing these productions to fruition. The Musical has also shifted in terms of its position as a curricular or co-curricular offering. It now sits as a proudly Middle School endeavour that attracts hundreds of students for both on- and off-stage roles and is supported by a team of passionate, experienced staff and old scholars.

Reading through the catalogue of productions staged over the years is a showreel that the best theatres on Broadway would be proud to house. Chicago. Mamma Mia. Fiddler on the Roof. Sweet Charity. West Side Story. Cabaret Anything Goes. And then there is the famous 1994 production of our original Musical Unity Blues that told a very familiar tale of two single-sex schools merging; from their unity came strength.

→ Grease (2004)

→ Hair (1996)

→ Peter Pan (2016)

I always get a thrill out of telling people that we did Hair as a musical when I was at school—a controversial choice but one handled with the School’s trademark boldness and sensitivity. And then the following year was Muriel’s Wedding. The year before Hair was Oh, What a Lovely War! The range here is something to behold.

All musical theatre is about making magic and weaving a spell on the audience. The suspension of disbelief required to accept that people will break into song at the drop of a hat, or at a peak moment of emotional crisis, allows a collective experience of something wonderful. And at Pembroke our community has embraced these flights of fantasy with gusto. As a school we have lived by the ethos that creating wonderful productions and memorable experiences has inherent value, both educationally and for lifelong learning.

Julianne English has directed Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods twice, first in 2000 and then again in 2012. She has been known to reference the powerful words of the finale song Children Will Listen as a defining maxim for The Arts at Pembroke. And it is a fitting way to consider the impact that the Pembroke Musical has had on generations of students:

‘Carefulthethingsyousay

Children will listen

Carefulthethingsyoudo

Children will see

And learn

Childrenmaynotobey

But children will listen

Childrenwilllooktoyou

Forwhichwaytoturn

To learn what to be

Carefulbeforeyousay,listentome

Children will listen.’

Children have been listening and learning in the Pembroke Musical for 50 years. They have had their moments to shine and to be part of something special. It is a proud legacy indeed, and one that we will continue to nurture into the School’s future.

Rebecca Ramsey

Director of the Middle School Musical 2024

→ Rock of Ages (2018)

→ Into the Woods (2012)

→ Aida (2014)

→ Chicago (2020)

From School of the Air to Pembroke

Packing up and moving to boarding school is daunting enough for any student—you are saying goodbye to your normal routine, your childhood bedroom and your family, only returning during long weekends and school holidays. It was even more challenging for three Pembroke students, Lily Hatcher (Yr 11) and siblings Hayden and Ryder Rankin (Yrs 11 and 8), who before arriving at Pembroke had never been to school in a classroom.

Imagine your closest neighbours living 40 km away, driving a 300-km round trip for groceries and sharing a classroom with only your siblings. Long before any of us logged onto Zoom for remote work, School of the Air students were doing it daily.

School of the Air is a type of schooling available to isolated children who live in Australia’s vast outback regions. Developed in the 1950s, classes were originally run via two-way radio. These days students log into their online learning platform and engage in video classes.

For Lily, Hayden and Ryder, School of the Air was part of their day from Reception until Year 7. Assisted by either their parents or a governess (a person employed at the station to help with the children’s education), they learnt from teachers hundreds of kilometres away.

→ Ryder (Yr 8, middle) with younger brothers Eli and Lawson

Lily’s family station, Mount Elm Station, in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges is located 40 minutes out of Hawker (5 hours’ drive north of Adelaide) and there is no school bus. With her parents busy farming 9,000 sheep across 180,000 acres, and the closest school a 1½-hour round trip away, School of the Air was the only viable option for Lily and her brothers.

For Hayden, Ryder and their two younger brothers, whose family station The Twins is sprawled over one million acres halfway between Glendambo and Coober Pedy, School of the Air was also the only choice. As well as working on the station raising 3,000 head of cattle with their parents, they attended online lessons under the supervision of their mum and their governess.

School of the Air consisted of logging on to a school assembly every morning (similar to Tutorial at Pembroke), followed by two lessons where they

broke into smaller year-level groups for Maths, English and other primary-level subjects. They were given worksheets and assignments to complete, and once a term would travel to Port Augusta for face-to-face events with their classmates.

It sounds similar enough to regular school, but day-today realities that we take for granted in Adelaide, such as recess, after-school sport and co-curricular activities, are not accessible for students living in remote areas of the state.

Logging in to School of the Air

Lily riding her motorbike

Shearing sheep at Mount Elm Station

Ryder and a kangaroo joey

Hayden Rankin (Yr 11)

Rankin family enjoying a campfire in the outback

While the stations do have stunning views, thousands of acres for riding motorbikes and a family governess to help, living on a station comes with its challenges. There are no local sporting clubs, no shops for kilometres and no hanging out with mates after school.

Lily and Hayden, who met via School of the Air, understand this more than most. With Adelaide almost 9 hours’ drive from Hayden’s family station, it was always a big adventure for them to visit the state capital. ‘It was so cool coming to Adelaide, it was like a massive holiday. When Mum told us we were going to Adelaide, we would be thinking, “Oh my god we can go to Rundle Mall!”’

The three of them have always known they would have to move away for secondary school, but Pembroke still came with many surprises. The main shock was the number of students. ‘I remember my first day looking out over the quad and looking at how many kids there were … I was just thinking “Whoa”,’ Lily said.

While he knew what to expect from hearing older sister Hayden’s stories, Ryder had the same experience. ‘I knew there was going to be a lot of kids, but wow there were a lot of kids.’

There was an immediate realisation that expectations were high too. ‘There is a lot more pressure compared to School of the Air—we had never, ever sat a test before coming here’, explained Hayden. ‘I didn’t even know algebra existed.’

‘When I started in Year 8, I was 12 years old. I came to Pembroke and I’d never been in a classroom with 25 kids before. I didn’t know anything and the teacher told us to open Excel, but I didn’t even know how to start the laptop let alone get Excel going’, reflected Lily. Both Lily and Hayden appreciated Pembroke’s supportive culture and they quickly learnt the ropes, with Lily explaining, ‘It’s gotten so much easier’.

The opportunity to embrace Pembroke’s many offerings was welcomed by both girls, who felt lucky to have so many choices available. ‘We play a new sport every year. We’ve tried Volleyball, Tennis and Netball. Now we play Basketball and Footy’, said Lily.

Ryder, still in his first year at Pembroke, has trialled Pedal Prix and Table Tennis so far. ‘I’d never played table tennis in my life and now I’ve played a game. I do Pedal Prix every second week. I did mechanics at home on the station but it’s not the same—that’s engines and changing oils, but Pedal Prix is different.’

Hayden, Lily and Ryder continue to reflect on what they’ve learned at school, the independence they’ve gained and the life skills they’ve learned through moving

away from home at a young age. They speak about what they want to do after they finish school and laugh about how easy it is to get to Rundle Mall now, compared to those 9-hour drives they used to do.

While School of the Air provides a crucial lifeline for isolated students in beginning their education and meeting other students their age, their growth in the Pembroke Boarding House is clear. It is due to the effort and care of many that our remote boarders can call Pembroke their home away from home, and Hayden, Lily and Ryder can play sport, learn algebra, set career goals for themselves and go to Rundle Mall on the weekend.

Gabbi Agnew Publications Manager

→ Rankin children

From Mischievous to Meticulous – Old Scholar David Danby (2005)

Nestled among the industrial streets of Thebarton is a dark-grey building that houses an award-winning gin distillery and vibrant venue with a warehouse feel. From the branded tees, old-school pianola, pool table and performance stage right down to the Victorian-era bottles and labels, the attention to detail in here is clear. David Danby (2005) is the director and distiller of Imperial Measures Distilling and the first to admit he wasn’t always this focused.

Chatting to David over a rather special glass of gin, I get the impression he’s always been good with people. He tells me about his childhood in Frances, in the South East of South Australia, where his parents ran both a regular farm and a host farm. People visited from all over the globe so he ‘kind of’ grew up in hospitality.

He was always keen for city life and remembers meeting and immediately liking then Pembroke Principal Malcolm Lamb who was on a country tour spruiking the School. They clicked instantly and developed a great relationship over the course of his time at Pembroke. And yes, he relished the odd exemption for having his shirt untucked that 2 years of slogging it out in the First XIII Rowing crew may have played a part in. They did, after all, train 11 months a year and win 24 races in a row!

A boarder for 1½ years, he was ecstatic when his parents moved to town. So was Pembroke Rowing. His Dad became such a heavily involved volunteer, tapping into his farming skills to tinker on and transport precious boats all over the countryside, that they now have a boat named after them: The Danby.

Was he interested in Science and Maths too, given his current life as an award-winning distiller? ‘While I liked learning, I was more interested in shaking the cage at school. I certainly didn’t gravitate towards Chemistry and I wasn’t great at Maths. And there is a lot of Maths in distilling! The thing that got me into gin was flavour. I’ll never forget my first taste. It exploded on my palate and opened up a whole new world.’

After a gap year it was a Bachelor of Psychology that David pursued post-school, keen on the idea of helping others. He worked in pubs simultaneously, further cutting his hospitality teeth at the Feathers, Tower and Hackney hotels. He chose not to do Honours and travelled through Central and South America instead.

‘When I came home I became interested in the higher end of hospitality. I probably kicked around a bit too long waiting for the right role, but I only went for the jobs I really wanted and eventually got my foot in the door at the Apothecary (now Apoteca).

‘There were 660 wines on the list, so I learnt a lot. This environment also launched me into cocktails and gin. I was there in 2013, not long after the international gin renaissance and just before the small bar explosion in Adelaide. I did all sorts of research into how to make great drinks and discovered what was available on the

Australian gin market—not much! And cocktail bar tenders wanted locally made interesting gins to work with; otherwise they were restricted to the global brands.’

Fast-forward a few years and by then David had gained experience working with Kangaroo Island Distilling under his belt, launched his own brand through Applewood, and bought the current venue along with his own $70,000 still, the latter move being an exciting yet terrifying prospect.

The risk has paid off. Not only does Imperial Measures Distilling have numerous award-winning gins to its name but the Ounce Bar Sunday Sessions have somewhat of a cult following, with live music and signature burgers included.

‘It was when I took complete control of every element that things really took off. I’m very detail-focused, and I’ve learnt that the more you focus on getting them right the more it all comes together.’

He’d advise anyone wanting to work in hospitality to have a plan. ‘While I highly recommend it, it’s a young person’s game and the business side of hospitality is tough, especially for smaller operations. Be aware of what you are taking on. On the other hand, the wins are all yours so success is amazing.’

If you’re interested in distilling, he suggests getting amongst it. ‘I’m on the board of Distillers SA. It’s a supportive and cohesive industry and you can save so much time just by talking with others. We were the fourth small distiller in South Australia; even the ATO wasn’t sure how to help us in 2014. Now there are 100 and there’s a lot more information available.’

As for the special glass of gin we drank, it was Pembroke’s own! The School invited David to create a special recipe to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. He got this formula right too—it’s delicious.

Kate Holland (1992) Old scholar

If you’re interested in purchasing a bottle of the 50th Anniversary gin, the Parents’ and Friends’ Association will be selling bottles at various upcoming events. You can contact the Development Team at development@pembroke.sa.edu.au should you wish to purchase a bottle sooner!

Beyond the Horizon Reflection

My favourite movie is The Sound of Music and there’s a famous scene in the film where Maria returns to the Abbey looking for guidance and advice. Interestingly, it’s a scene I used to skip over when watching as a child, far more interested in the yodelling, puppets and escape from the Nazis.

If you are familiar with the scene you’ll know that the song sung is Climb Every Mountain, and that the Mother Superior uses this stirring musical number to encourage young, naive Maria to ‘ford every stream, follow every rainbow, until you find your dream’. It also seems to allude to marrying the very handsome Captain Von Trapp, which is solid advice.

A well-known cliché now, to be sure, but the encouragement to ‘climb every mountain’ and to seize every opportunity that crosses your path speaks to the heart of the new Beyond the Horizon program at Pembroke. It encapsulates that essential truism—that the best learning and the most important experiences come when we step outside our comfort zone.

The Pembroke community embraced the concept of Beyond the Horizon straight away. When old scholar Sam Murray (1997) from Infuse Travel came to present to staff, students and families about the service learning projects his company has curated, and the work they have done with schools, the enthusiasm was instantaneous. The benefit and indeed the need for our students to be offered such holistic opportunities was easily understood, and there was no shortage of staff and students volunteering to be the first to embark on these adventures.

Over the October school holidays in 2023, six touring groups departed Adelaide for various locations around Australia including East Kimberley, the Pilbara in Western Australia, the Great Barrier Reef and the tropics of Far North Queensland. Through these milestone journeys Pembroke’s young people were offered the opportunity to connect with communities beyond their immediate surroundings, and support those communities through meaningful service opportunities and cultural immersion.

Mr Luke Borda and I were delighted to take a small group of colourful characters to the South Coast region of New South Wales. The purpose of the trip was to engage in some key service projects such as rehabilitation of the enclosures and vegetation at a dingo sanctuary, and getting our hands dirty as we worked to

preserve the small population of brush-tailed rock-wallabies left in New South Wales after the devastating bushfires in 2019/2020. It was also an opportunity to explore the local surrounds of Kangaroo Valley and the beautiful Huskisson Beach in Jervis Bay.

Anyone who has been on one of these trips will articulate that the external environments, while beautiful and sublime, are not the main takeaway. The key transformation is the seismic shift that occurs in young people.

Learning to plan, budget and cook meals; setting up tents and keeping their belongings relatively well cared for; doing dishes and packing up; playing endless rounds of Monopoly; and being away from their phones, which forced them to talk, sing songs, make sandcastles, swim and return to the idylls of childhood.

Whether it was snorkelling with sea lions (or being sick off the side of the boat!), sea kayaking through crystal clear waters or navigating an adventure ropes course, our students were encouraged to embrace new opportunities, forge new friendships, see the world with new eyes and witness the value in small acts of service, with an understanding that wholesale change can only occur when everyone commits to action and advocacy. The students we returned with at the end of the program were noticeably changed by their experiences and, for many, it will remain a highlight of their Pembroke education.

So, while we didn’t climb any actual mountains (although there was a rather strenuous hike up and down Kangaroo Valley) and there were no streams to ford (just a night of torrential rain and high wind that blew many tents off their pegs), we did follow the advice found in The Sound of Music . The Beyond the Horizon program encouraged us to expand our understanding and look outside our day-to-day spheres. By taking part in these trips we followed some rainbows and along the way found some new dreams.

Rebecca Ramsey Head of English

→ Reef & Rainforest: Visit to Cairns

→ Reef & Rainforest: Snorkelling in Queensland

→ Ancient Cultures & Coral Coasts: Visit to the East Pilbara

Ancient Cultures & Coral Coasts

Joe McGee (Yr 11), Abhinav Alwarappan and Harry Campbell (both Yr 10) on the Ancient Cultures & Coral Coasts trip

Pembroke students on the Reef & Rainforest trip to Queensland

East Kimberley trip

Reef & Rainforest trip

Reef & Rainforest trip

Alex Lewis and Will Jankowski (both Yr 11) on the Reef & Rainforest trip

Gabriel Panagopoulos (Yr 10) on the East Kimberley trip

Emily Amber (Yr 10) on the East Kimberley trip

Reef & Rainforest trip to Queensland

It Takes Two to Tango: The Arts and the Languages

Renowned filmmaker Federico Fellini once observed that ‘knowing a different language gives you a different vision of life’. At Pembroke we support the value of deep and broad language learning. We also recognise the power of The Arts as a ‘universal language that all peoples of the world understand and speak’ (EU) that can traverse barriers of language and deepen intercultural understanding. It is a natural development of this vision that the Arts and Languages departments at Pembroke work together, and this year we have been engaged in a number of exciting interdisciplinary projects fostering appreciation of the interconnection of languages, arts and culture.

Chinese International School Visit

This year Chinese International School (CIS) of Hong Kong toured an original devised play entitled Close at the Adelaide Fringe. Due to the long association between our schools, they visited Pembroke to give our Drama and Chinese Language students in Years 9–12 a special performance in the DY Hall, and spend the day with our students.

Inspired by Lorca’s Spanish tragedy The House of Bernarda Alba and the Chinese classic Thunderstorm, the intercultural and dual-language play was centred around two families, one from the East and one from the West, and explored the impact of systemic oppression on women in traditional societies. Presented in the style of physical theatre with elements of expressionism and performed in both English and Mandarin, Close was a provocative piece and there was lively chatter between our two schools at the conclusion of the performance.

Over lunch, the visitors attended a rehearsal of Pembroke’s Chinese Orchestra in the Music Centre under the able direction of Mr Lester Wong, and enjoyed further opportunity for student engagement. After lunch, the visiting students combined with our Year 11 Drama students for workshops guided by their teachers Ms Alicia Harrington and Mr Andrew Stevenson and our Head of Drama Ms Zoe Tidemann. This gave further opportunity for collaboration between our two schools. It was a wonderful day of shared conversation and creation, and we look forward to further engagement with CIS in the future.

Flamenco Workshop

In March we welcomed flamenco dancer and teacher Emma Fernee from Studio Flamenco to introduce students from both our Dance and Spanish Language programs to flamenco, a graceful art form rooted in the diverse folkloric music traditions of southern Spain and the Romani people. Emma brought her skill, experience and love of the flamenco to the sessions. The primarily focused on learning basic zapateo (from the Spanish word zapato, shoe), also known as taconeo (from the Spanish word tacón, heel), which involves creating rhythmic sounds using both the heel and tip of the foot, adding strength and passion to the dance. We also learned how to do palmas, which are handclapping techniques used to punctuate and accentuate the song and dance.

A particularly stimulating moment was when some of our students with Indian background recognised similarities between the movements and music of flamenco and northern Indian dance traditions, leading to interesting discussion about traces in the dance from the Indian roots of the Romani people.

→ Chinese International School student performers with Pembroke students

We were grateful to Spanish teacher Dr Marisol Garcia and our new Dance teacher Mrs Allison Patterson for collaborating to make this rich cultural experience possible for our Spanish Language and Dance students.

Visual Art in French

Our Year 7 French Bilingual SemiImmersion program students study Visual Art in French. In addition to the use of French language in the class, there is opportunity for exploring some French cultural themes and artistic traditions in the production of art. The course looked at representations of iconic historical French figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and traditional ceramic forms such as the French coffee or hot chocolate breakfast bowl. This focus allowed students to study and discuss aspects of French visual culture, from the grand historical to everyday objects that are part of the French way of life. Visual Art afforded students the chance to use French terminology in functional, creative, poetic and humorous contexts. We acknowledge Visual Art teacher Mr Marcin Kobylecki for

his creative design and delivery of this course.

Drama in French

Our Year 7 French Bilingual SemiImmersion program students study their Drama course using French language as the medium of instruction. In addition, there is opportunity for exploring some of the deeply rooted French traditions in theatre. This semester students practised the French dramatic tradition of mime, including looking at the example of French masters such as Marcel Marceau. The class also explored the French theatrical tradition of clowning, including aspects of the clown theory of French master Jacques Lecoq and examples of clown routines from renowned Québécois circus Cirque du Soleil. It really was as much fun as it sounds! We acknowledge Ms Rebecca Ramsey for establishing this course so successfully in its first iteration last year.

Spanish Music

Early in the year, our Spanish Language and Music departments collaborated to present an absolutely stunning violin

performance of a Spanish composition, the highly technical and very soulful Spanish Dance No. 1 by Manuel de Falla from Ópera Breve . The violinist was Ruby Lee, a student of both Spanish language and Music. Ruby’s performance was moving and unforgettable. Thanks to our new Coordinator of Music Curriculum, Mr Stephen Millar who organised the piano accompaniment and worked with Spanish Language teacher Dr Marisol Garcia to prepare the performance.

Through these varied opportunities we have been reminded that authentic interdisciplinary collaborations bring learning to life, and that The Arts and languages can make exquisite companions. After all, art is a language without words, is it not? It takes two to tango, and the Arts and Languages departments look forward to many more opportunities to share the spotlight.

Julianne English (Head of Arts)

David Freesmith (Head of Languages)

Chinese International School performance of Close

French breakfast coffee bowl sculpted in Yr 7

French Bilingual Semi-Immersion Art class

Napoleon Bonaparte (ink and wash) created in Yr 7 French Bilingual Semi-Immersion Art class

Senior School Flamenco Workshop

Sid Ion, Anneliese Tse, Angelina Zhou, and Emi Herfurth (all Yr 5) getting ready to perform at Readings & Carols

Matthew Thorne (2011), Acting Head of Film (Technology) Andrew Frazer, Head of Film Vicky Brooks, and Derik Lynch at the Unreel Film Festival

Elodie Jamieson, Lotti (both Yr 5), Justin, Arty (Yr 1) and Ali Phillips getting into the festive spirit at Readings & Carols

Susanna Parkinson (1994) and Bianca Roworth at The Pembroke Club

Malibu Drive pumping out the dance tunes at The Pembroke Club!

Debra and Rick Sarre (1972) walk the red carpet at the Unreel Film Festival

Sam Ion (1994), Nick Clark (1993), Nicholas Nechvoglod and Heath Amber at The Pembroke Club

Leo Sage (Yr 12) performing with the Pembroke Choir at Readings & Carols

Spencer House Leader Lila Howard (Yr 6) with proud parents Ben and Monique at the Commencement of Year Ceremony

Student Staff Executive member Zara Kajani (Yr 12) with her parents Sharmeen and Hussain at the Commencement of Year Ceremony

Special guest musician Ben Gurton (1992) performing with student musicians Angus Abbott (Yr 10) and Chloe Allen (Yr 12) at Jazz Cabaret

Emmie Jia (Yr 1), School Captain Lauren Byles (Yr 12) and Principal Mark Staker cut Pembroke’s 50th birthday cake at the Commencement of Year Ceremony

Old scholar rowers Claire (Oliver) Smith (2006) Georgie Mills (2006), Clementine (Mellor) Berry (2005) and Natalie Duncan (2006) celebrate the naming of a new boat, Girton II, at a Pembroke-hosted rowing regatta during Term 1 2024

Alister Walsh, Kate Walsh (1999), Sally Johnston and Alastair Johnston at The Pembroke Club

New Stage for Dance at Pembroke

Allison has joined us from Scotch College where she had held the role of Head of Dance since 2016. During her tenure she successfully planned and implemented Dance curriculum from Year 8 to SACE Stage 2, and a thriving co-curricular program from early learning to Year 12. She holds a Master of Secondary Teaching from the University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Dance Performance from TAFE SA. Allison prides herself on being a present and visible leader, deeply engaged with both staff and students, and creating an environment that encourages creativity and challenge.

We asked Allison a few questions about what dance means to her, and her vision for Dance at Pembroke:

How did you get into dance?

I remember this moment quite clearly. I was 4 years old and my Mum and I were invited to a friend’s end-of-year ballet concert. As the show began I remember leaning across to my Mum and saying ’I want

Dance is a rapidly growing discipline in Pembroke’s Arts program, with performance opportunities across ELC to Year 12. In 2024 we are delighted to offer more formal learning through Dance and Dance Studies subject options in Year 8, and Dance A, B (SACE Stage 1) in Year 10. This is being led by a new member of the Pembroke staff team, Dance Teacher Mrs Allison Patterson.

to be up there’. The next year we enrolled and that was it. Love at first sight! I was a studio dancer for many years participating in exams and competitions, and then I was fortunate enough to attend a secondary school with an excellent Dance program. It was through this program that I began understanding dance as an art form and considering it as a career. After school I completed my tertiary training in Dance at the Adelaide College of the Arts and enjoyed a decade of working as a performer in the dance industry, both in Australia and overseas.

Why is dance such a powerful art form?

Dance is a powerful art form because of the unquestionable athleticism of dancers combined with their ability to make us feel. Whether the dancing is cultural and ceremonial or placed on stage in a theatre, dance transcends barriers of language and invites us to cherish our single-most commonality—our humanity.

→ Allison Patterson teaching Year 10 Dance

What is your most memorable moment in dance?

When I was living overseas I was accepted to attend a professional workshop in London with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company from New York. I had first learnt about the company at university as they were influential during the Postmodern era of dance in the 1960s. The choreographer, Merce Cunningham, made extraordinary works using chance theory, and in the early days it was the roll of a dice that determined his choreography. I found this fascinating and aspired to somehow connect with the company in the future. The workshop was three days in London working alongside the company. Unfortunately, six months before the workshop Merce passed away so I did not get to meet him. However, at the end of the workshop, the Artistic Director came up to me and said that he thought Merce would have liked me. It was a lovely moment.

What does Pembroke’s expanded Dance offering look like this year?

This year in the Middle School we have two classes of pioneering dancers—Year 8 and Year 10 (SACE Stage 1). These 16 students have courageously put themselves forward as the founding members of Pembroke Dance. I have also been meeting some budding dancers in the Junior School for Dance curriculum lessons. The Junior School Performing Arts team and I are really enjoying working together to build upon the richness of the Performing Arts offerings and outcomes for our younger students.

The inclusive ethos of Pembroke Dance extends beyond the classroom, with plans for a range of co-curricular opportunities aimed at fostering a love for dance across all year levels. This year we plan to run some pilot programs such as lunchtime Dance crews as well as after-school K-pop.

How has the response been from our students?

The response from the students has been one of deep gratitude and excitement. I would like to thank the dancers I have met so far for their warm welcome, their enthusiasm and their courage. The Pembroke dancers are passionate, dedicated, creative and inspiring, and together they will shape the Pembroke Dance program for years to come.

What is the potential for Dance at Pembroke?

I am learning very quickly what a special place Pembroke is, and so whatever we create will be bespoke for this School and community. The essence of the program will be to offer unique and adventurous dance experiences. Some of this will be streamlined to support dance learning and challenge experienced dancers, while also providing opportunities for all dance lovers to come together and foster a sense of belonging and service to our Pembroke community through dance.

What is your advice to current and aspiring Dance students?

If you haven’t already, come and have a chat with me! In my experience there are often two barriers for students becoming involved in Dance. The first is that they will assume they have to be of a certain standard to participate, and the second is that experienced dancers will feel apprehensive to reveal this part of themselves to their school community. First, my advice is that everyone is welcome in Dance irrespective of previous experience, just like most other subjects at Pembroke—if you are genuinely interested, come and give it a go. Second, I encourage experienced dancers to leap in and engage with either a curricular or co-curricular experience. As our program is running from Reception through to Senior School, we need strong role models and leaders for Dance. Also, rest assured that your School community would love to see you shine.

Emily Taylor, Maggie Blanks-Saunders and Stella Yang (all Yr 8)

Stella Yang (Yr 8)

Gabrielle Prider (Yr 8)

The Future of Sport at Pembroke: Meet the Heads

Adriano Pellegrino, Head of Soccer

From badminton to basketball, and tennis to touch football, Pembroke students have the opportunity to play a huge range of sports. Whether they want to try something new or build their skills to an elite level, there’s a place for every student in the Pembroke Sports Program.

In speaking with some of our Heads of Sport, as you will read, there was a common theme in each conversation—a deep love for their chosen sport, a strong advocacy for the benefits that sport brings off the field, and a palpable sense of inclusivity and encouragement in every Pembroke sporting team.

Mr Adriano Pellegrino has enjoyed a lifelong love of soccer after he started playing at age 5, following in his father’s footsteps. From a young age he played club soccer with Adelaide City while also playing for his school’s First XI team. At 16 Adriano signed a contract with Adelaide City in the National Soccer League (the top league nationally, which was replaced with the A-League). He went on to have an illustrious career across Australia, Europe and Asia, including winning an A-League title with Central Coast Mariners. Why soccer? What does it mean to you and what do you love about it?

Soccer has been a huge part of my life from a young age, and I was lucky enough to make a career out of it. I had some great coaches and mentors along my journey, who not only coached me on how to become a better player but also how to become a good person and the best version of myself. Soccer connected me to so many people on and off the pitch and gave me a sense of belonging among the communities and teams I played for.

I am very grateful now to be a coach and role model to the Pembroke students, coaching them to improve on the pitch and also mentoring them to become the best version of themselves.

What is your plan for Pembroke Soccer?

Our Pembroke School Soccer Program has evolved since I started. From day one, my aim was to grow soccer in the Junior School and increase participation numbers, especially among girls. Then, at the Middle and Senior School levels, to improve the quality of coaching and create a more structured curriculum with the aim of providing students with more tools and experience to develop their game, moving up into First XI Boys and Open A Girls teams. Both our senior teams now play in the Wednesday competitions and represent Pembroke School at the highest levels.

What is your advice to students who are interested in getting involved in soccer?

Soccer is a great sport as it promotes physical fitness, improves concentration and focus, and builds confidence. Students can work on their balance, running, jumping and overall agility from a young age. Then as they grow older, soccer teaches great discipline, dedication and teamwork, and provides a great social space to form friendships. Soccer at Pembroke School is an all-inclusive sport played from Reception to Year 12. No matter your skillset, ability or age, we have a team for you! Even if you’ve not played before, it’s never too late to start. Come out to a training session, or come and chat with me or another coach, and give it a go!

Adriano Pellegrino playing for Central Coast Mariners

Sally Martin, Head of Rowing

Mrs Sally Martin (nee Causby) took up rowing at age 19 after she was asked to trial at the Australian Institute of Sport because she had long arms. She remembers many hours of ‘bobbing around in a single scull’ and falling into cold winter waters a lot before she got the hang of it. Her persistence paid off and she went on to represent Australia at four World Cups and four World Championships, including the 2002 World Championships where she and Pembroke old scholar Amber Halliday (1996) won the lightweight double scull. Since 2006 she has enjoyed various roles at Pembroke including teacher, coach, Head of Girls Sport and now Head of Rowing.

Why rowing? What does it mean to you and what do you love about it?

It is the ultimate team sport. I love that there is reward for effort—that you need to collaborate, have shared goals, commit and be present. You must learn to get along and work with others and appreciate the strengths others bring. There are so many transferable skills learnt on the water that you can take into other areas of life.

What is your plan for Pembroke Rowing?

My plan for this role is fairly simple—to facilitate an extremely competitive and inclusive Rowing program that adds value to the individuals involved and the School as a whole. To break that down a bit further, it means developing a fun and hardworking team culture, organising some special and memorable experiences (camps, trainings and competitions), and providing relevant pathway options for beginners right through to elite rowers aspiring to international representation.

What is your advice to students who are interested in getting involved in rowing?

We are lucky at Pembroke to have a very well-resourced Rowing Program that all students have the option of trialling. Most people never have this opportunity. I’d love it if every Pembroke student gave rowing a try at some point, so they can get a taste for the experience. From that glimpse into the sport, who knows where it could take you?

So … my advice is simply GIVE IT A GO! Especially if you like being outdoors around water, like being a teammate, like being super fit and like being challenged. Bring your friends too!

Michael Knoll, Head of Football

Mr Michael Knoll had a late start to football, following many successful years in basketball that won him a scholarship to study in the USA. Returning to Adelaide from his time in America, he made the switch to football and hasn’t looked back. He has played as a ruckman in both the VFL and SANFL (for South Adelaide), and in 2019 was drafted to the Sydney Swans. Dogged by injury, he eventually shifted from Sydney back to the SANFL, where he played for Norwood. Following another injury, Michael tried his hand at coaching, leading Norwood’s Under 18 team in 2022 and the Reserves team in 2023.

Why football? What does it mean to you and what do you love about it?

I love playing and coaching football. I believe football is a truly unique and amazing sport that enables players to constantly challenge themselves in a positive team environment. The dynamic and physical style of the game creates an exciting game to both play and coach. I enjoy creating high-performing environments for students to enjoy!

What is your plan for Pembroke Football?

My plan is to give every student the experience of participating in an inclusive, enjoyable and high-level program that ensures ongoing development from beginners to elite performers. My aim is to create a strong and unified Football Program that successfully coordinates the development of students from Junior School to Senior School. It is my hope that students truly enjoy training and playing football for Pembroke School with pride.

What is your advice to students who are interested in getting involved in football?

My advice would be to give football a go and see if you like it! Football is a great way to make new friends, feel a part of a team and learn new skills. Whether you are a Junior, Middle or Senior School student, it’s never too late to give football a try!

Evan Shillabeer (Boat Manager) and Sally Martin

Michael Knoll

Cornall Library, Senior School Resource Centre in 1998

1991 Pet Show

Diana Medlin at the 1989 Pet Show

1992 Senior School Dance

1991 Pet Show

1992 Senior School Dance

John Moody Tech Centre in 1994

Pat Hansen and students at the opening of the Diana Medlin Building in 1993

1997 Swimming Carnival

2005 Head of the River Girls First VIII winning crew

2015: Lillie Smith Play

2019 Pedal Prix

1984: Happiest Days of Our Lives

1992 Senior School Dance

German Trip

My time on the German Trip was invaluable; the trip has created lasting and irreplaceable memories for me and every other Pembroke student there. A special thank you to Mrs Siebert, Ms Twigden, Mrs Barnard and Mr Lindner for making this trip possible and for the tremendous success that it was. We owe it all to you.

A visit to the top of the Berliner Fernsehturm

Freya Whittle, Dasha Tokareff, Evelyn King (all Yr 11), Manal Choudhury (Yr 12), Ariana Johnson, Genevieve Glavas, Remington Kidman, Alex Lewis (all Yr 11), Alijah Bursill (Yr 12), Will Harvey, Vijay Vigneswaran, Sam Black (all Yr 11) outside the DDR Museum in Berlin.

Bremen Town Hall

The Bremen Hauptbahnhof

There were 12 Pembroke students on the trip, each staying with our respective host families in the town of Friesoythe, Lower Saxony, Germany. The town was extremely social and welcoming to us, and this made all the difference as we attempted to acclimatise to such an unfamiliar environment with a language we had only been learning within our classroom.

During the month of December we attended the Albertus-Magnus-Gymnasium with our exchange partners and lived their lives with them. We had the privilege to be able to tour the beautiful town and attend their annual festivities, as well as experience diverse cultural and religious events throughout the month.

We then said our goodbyes to our host families and embarked on a trip around Germany. First, we travelled from Friesoythe to Hamburg via train. Personally, I had never seen or felt snow before and neither had some other students on the trip with me. The feeling of arriving at the train station in Hamburg and seeing snow falling outside

the window was surreal. We visited some beautiful places in Hamburg, including the Miniature Wonderland and a walk through the city itself, which was breathtaking with its architecture. A definite highlight from Hamburg would be the snowball fight that we students had outside our hostel, approved by the teachers of course. We also enjoyed the Hamburg Dungeon Historical Tour, which was closer to a haunted house that was too realistic. My personal favourite moment in Hamburg would be our early morning trip to the fish market. It was a perfect encapsulation of the city, full of many different vendors and even a concert with live music at 7 am. Watching the sunrise as we ate our breakfast next to the river is a memory I will never forget.

After our four nights in the hostel in Hamburg, we travelled to Berlin on the train. Berlin was fantastic to say the least. The culture of the city was so vibrant and exceeded any expectation we had. Our guided tour of some spectacular street art and graffiti was a clear highlight, alongside

seeing the Brandenburg Gate and visiting so many museums full of huge history. A personal highlight in Berlin for some of my friends and me was to build our very first snowman. We received some odd looks from strangers but had no regrets and enjoyed our free time in the city to the fullest.

Being able to travel through these amazing cities by train, and having time to be independent and make our own decisions on where we wanted to go, added such a special touch to this trip and allowed us to feel the responsibility of being young adults while having no pressure to do any homework when we got back to our hostel.

I would truly recommend to any German student reading this to say yes to any exchange or school trip to Germany. It was an amazing experience that I and all the other students will treasure forever, and of course it improved our German skills immensely.

Manal Choudhury Year 12

Berlin Cathedral

Admiring the view from outside the hostel in Hamburg

Walking underwater in the Alter Elbtunnel

Exchange to South Africa

Last year I was very lucky to have been given the opportunity to participate in Pembroke's reciprocal Exchange Program to Cape Town in South Africa. Those who were at Pembroke last year might remember Madi, my exchange partner who came to Pembroke in Term 3 from an all-girls’ school in Cape Town called St Cyprians.

I spent my Term 4 at St Cyprians with Madi and was welcomed warmly by teachers and all the girls into the school community. Madi, her host mum and her brother were also extremely kind to me and became like family over the three months I spent there. Exchange is really what you make it to be, so I tried to throw myself into everything and take every opportunity that was offered.

St Cyprians, like Pembroke, offers a lot of co-curricular. I played indoor and outdoor hockey, water polo and athletics, and also participated in food tech classes and sat in during Madi’s Afrikaans classes, the most-spoken language in Cape Town.

My host family lives in a beautiful part of Cape Town. The gated neighbourhood is located at the base of Table Mountain, the iconic mountain of Cape Town. My host family, like my family, are extremely outdoorsy people and I spent most of my afternoons on the mountain with my host family exploring various hikes along both Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.

One of the highlights of my exchange was joining Bok Bus tours with fellow Pembroke student Yibin and a group of tourists from around the world to explore the Western and Eastern Cape on the Garden Route. Two highlights of this week were getting to see the beautiful native wildlife

of South Africa—elephants, lions, rhinos—and also bungee jumping the highest bungee jump in the world.

I also spent three weeks on Quest, a journey with the Year 9 girls in the beautiful Cederberg mountains. I got to mountain bike, hike overnight and participate in community service at a rural South African school where I spent a couple of days teaching English, doing crafts and playing with disadvantaged children.

After school finished for the year, my host family and I went to Kruger National Park, the biggest game reserve in South Africa, where I saw the big five—lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo.

For me, exchange was a brilliant experience—not only did I learn a lot about another country and way of living, but I also learnt a lot about myself. It is a very special feeling knowing that I will always have lifelong friendships, and a second mum, brother and sister halfway across the world.

I highly recommend applying if you are an adventurous person who is looking to experience a different culture and lifestyle.

Roszi Bentley (Year 11)

Madi and Roszi

Bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa

→ Roszi Bentley (Yr 11) and Madi Eskinazi (Roszi’s exchange host) in Cape Town, South Africa

Exchange to Chile

Chile as a country is known for its beautiful landscapes in regions such as Patagonia, Easter Island and the Andes mountains. However, my exchange experience there showed me the many other beautiful things that Chile has to offer from the food, the people and the culture.

During my time in Chile I stayed with the Román family in the small town of Curicó and attended Orchard College along with two other exchange students from Pembroke, Ali and Sasha. Overall I spent a total of just under three months in Chile and attended school for around 10 weeks. Orchard College is a Catholic school that ranges from ELC to Year 12. Despite this, it is much smaller than what I am used to here at Pembroke and consists of one class of around 25 students for each year level. Orchard College is a very warm and friendly school, and its smaller size allows for much more bonding with not only all the students but also the teachers. Its culture and people made me feel very welcome and comfortable each and every day and I was always part of the community. The school offers four sports which are all heavily participated in by the students there. These are soccer, rugby, hockey and volleyball. Sports are a large part of the school, with around three hours of lesson time being included in the timetable.

An average school day for me started with an early wake-up and a quick drive to school. Mornings in Curicó were commonly quite cold before warming up a lot as the day progressed. At school my day was mixed, with many different learning opportunities and activities. At times I would attend younger Spanish classes to improve my Spanish, sometimes I would attend a range of different English classes to help and teach a little, and at other times I would be given personal time to enjoy the day or catch up with work from Pembroke. We were lucky enough to have three Year 10 students from South Africa who happened to be on exchange at Orchard at the same time as us. This meant that we had a small group of exchangees facing many challenges together. After school I would participate in soccer trainings with the school, which was very enjoyable in what was a very different style of play to that which I was used to. The school life also consisted of many other fun events sprinkled in, such as a bingo night, a rock concert and sports carnivals.

→ Thomas and his exchange partner, Joaquín Román

Outside of school, opportunities arose to explore other parts of Chile. I was able to visit many other large cities such as the capital Santiago and Concepción. I travelled there with my exchange family and was able to explore all the views and activities that the cities have to offer. Closer to home, I was able to travel into the Andes mountains, and also ventured into a national park called Siete Tazas known for its many beautiful waterfalls. One notable thing about Curicó is how close everyone lives to each other. This meant that whenever I wasn’t exploring the depths of Chile, I was able to hang out with everyone as it was just so convenient, and therefore much time was spent doing so.

Taking the opportunity to go to Chile as an exchange student, I can confidently say, was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. I enjoyed every part of it, such as the school, the people, the food and the adventures. I have made many new friends and experiences that I will cherish forever and won’t ever forget. I loved Chile and am already looking for time to travel back to see more and meet some of the friends I made again. I will be forever grateful that such an opportunity presented itself to me and I am very content to know that more students will also have this opportunity in the future. Thank you to everyone from both schools who put in the effort to make this exchange possible for me. A special thanks to Mrs Sheidow for all her work, as without her, this would not have been possible. And a thank you to my fellow exchangees Ali and Sasha who were brave enough to embark on this journey with me.

Thomas Fang (Year 11)

→ Thomas (third from left) with the Orchard College Years 9/10 soccer team after winning a carnival against other schools

→ Celebrations for the last day of school!

→ Sasha Onuma (third from left), Thomas (second from right) and Ali Burns (far right) with other exchange students at Orchard College

The Making of … Stronger Together: 50 Years of Pembroke

If you’re yet to get your hands on a copy of Pembroke’s latest release, a stunning archival book showcasing the School’s cherished history, now is the time.

Stronger Together: 50 Years of Pembroke is filled to the brim with memories, historical artefacts and stories from old scholars that invite you to relive your cherished memories of Pembroke. From the earliest years at the ELC, to snuggling deep into a sleeping bag on Junior School camps, donning House colours in Middle School or flaunting a Year 12 jumper for the first time in Senior School, this book will take you on a nostalgic journey through the years.

Encapsulating the experiences of over 16,000 old scholars and 1,700 current students through their many years of education at Pembroke and fitting them into 50(ish) pages is no easy feat. How could one book reflect so many unique memories? A plan was

devised—50 years, 50 topics, across 50 pages—one topic to a page, typically about something relevant to that year. For example, flip to the 1986 page and you’ll find the year that the Pembroke Girls Choir sang in front of royalty three times, or peruse the 2000 page and you’ll recall the leadlight windows being installed in the Chapel.

So, where does one begin when tasked with this gargantuan task? Archives House. The newly refurbished Archives House is a literal trove of historical artefacts, with copies of every Pembroke publication ever printed, boxes and boxes of paraphernalia, and a trophy room to boot. Armed with a copy of John Davis’s Principles and Pragmatism, and greatly assisted by the wise and resourceful School Archivist Peta Harries and her top-notch team of volunteers, the pile of objects to be photographed grew, the information and stories flowed, and the fact-checking began.

Items such as Diana Medlin’s personal inkwell, an original copy of the Pembroke Hymn, and the yellow academic gown worn by Alex Russo in the 1994 musical Unity Blues were collected, and countless photos spanning Pembroke’s 50 years were tracked down. Every artefact was collected with thought, care and precision. Old scholars, staff and students lent their belongings to showcase in this book, often at the last minute as new ideas were dreamt up just in time.

Photographer Mike Hemus joined the fray, and with expert precision and a well-trained eye for detail, he photographed every flat-lay you’ll find in this book. Each page features an original backdrop, whether it be a surface somewhere within the School or somewhere outdoors (roughly ¼ of the photos were taken outdoors on ‘real’ surfaces), or material carefully chosen to reflect the topic. From the crease at the Kensington Oval cricket training nets (on the 1984 page) to the large, flat rocks in the yard at the Junior School (on the 1996 page), we traversed the entire School searching for backdrops. On top of each background, laid out with care, were photographs, letters, cards, newspaper clippings, tickets, clothing items, medals and trophies. Not a single item or photo was photoshopped.

And the outcome? A beautiful hardcover book, trimmed with gold foil and bound with cloth, bursting with memories, historical artefacts and stories from old scholars that will transport you through time.

So join us, pull up a chair and revisit iconic Pembroke moments, whether it’s fighting off bugs on Year 9 Camp at Innes National Park, performing on stage in the Middle School Musical, or wrestling with sharp sewing needles while making Pembroke Bears to brighten the days of sick children.

Gabbi Agnew Publications Manager

Old Scholars

President’s Report

What an exhilarating time to be an old scholar of Pembroke School— Pembroke reaching 50 years and one of our founding schools King’s College at 100 years! Celebrating such monumental milestones with our ever-expanding community of 17,000 is proving to be an incredibly exciting experience.

Mark Staker and I began our year of celebrations with a trip to Canberra, where we had dinner with many of our King’s, Girton and Pembroke old scholars. It was a

humbling experience to be in a room filled with so many accomplished individuals. Stories were shared about people’s time back at school, and Malcolm Lamb’s anecdotes about his time at Pembroke had many of us in fits of laughter. Personally, reconnecting with fellow ‘97 classmates was a highlight; it felt as though no time had passed at all.

I strongly encourage as many of you as possible to attend our interstate dinners. These gatherings are always enjoyable, offering opportunities to build or rekindle networks. Mark and I will be attending events in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne this year; you can find the dates on our website. Please join us—we would love to see you there.

By the time this edition goes to print, we will have already celebrated the monumental Old Scholars Week, featuring seven days filled with events, concerts, breakfasts, art classes and more. This reflects the new leadership at Pembroke, valuing old scholars as integral members of the community. The support provided by the School has fostered unprecedented engagement within the old scholar community, and it is a privilege to be part of it.

In August we will be hosting, in collaboration with the School and the Parents’ and Friends’ Association, the 50th birthday celebration of Pembroke School. This black tie event will be held in the mesmerising Eos ballroom, featuring entertainment befitting such a grand occasion. Old scholar and internationally recognised violinist Sally Cooper (1999) will perform alongside the fantastic band The 60 Four. If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, act swiftly.

I must also mention the growing numbers in Adelaide with our Affiliated Clubs. They have never been bigger or more successful, and they invite YOU to join them. Don’t hesitate to contact POSA or any of the clubs to enquire about their training schedules—whether it’s lacing up your boots or warming up your vocal cords, these clubs offer more than just activities.

I eagerly anticipate seeing many more of you throughout this year.

Happy Birthday to Pembroke School and King’s College!

Holly Jamieson-Loveday (1997) President, Pembroke Old Scholars Association

Scan QR code to purchase your tickets to the 50 Years of Pembroke Black Tie Dinner.

Pembroke Old Scholars’ Affiliated Clubs

Women’s Soccer Club pembrokewomenssoccer@gmail.com

facebook.com /poswsc

Football Club pembrokekings.com.au facebook.com /pembrokekings

Netball Club

facebook.com/ pembrokeoldscholarsnetballclub

Men’s Soccer Club possc.net pembroke.soccer@hotmail.com

facebook.com /pembroke.os.soccer.club

Cricket Club pembrokeoscc@gmail.com

facebook.com /groups/18278828118

In Unitate inuchoir@gmail.com

facebook.com /inunitate

Finding in Unity, Strength –Interview with Natasha Stott

Despoja AO (1986)

Natasha is currently Professor in the Practice of Politics at the Australian National University, Expert Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and Royal Commissioner of the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.

She spoke to Kate Holland about Pembroke, politics and how we must all unite to create change.

Tell me about starting at Pembroke. What were you like?

I started in 1980 in Year 6 as the new girl in Mrs Black’s class. I met my lifelong friend Katie Snarskis (now Gleeson) with whom I still dance to Duran Duran songs. I look at that class photo now and can’t believe how many of us have stayed in touch.

It was a big sacrifice for my single mother Shirley to get my brother Luke and me into this School. On many occasions Principal Diana Medlin—a pioneering educator and great role model— showed us compassion when school fees were hard. Once when Mum travelled overseas, Luke and I were allowed to board for a few weeks and I will never forget the camaraderie of the boarders.

Singing the School Song at Assembly has left an indelible mark on Natasha Stott Despoja AO (1986). She says the School Motto and the song’s final line have stayed with her. Those formative years were profoundly influential, shaping a social conscience and fervent passion for leadership, for which she is grateful.

How did Pembroke influence your life direction?

My Middle School teachers were among the people that would shape my interests and my future. John Davis (History) and Bernice Robins (History and Debating), for example, helped hone my social justice interests and were quick to challenge me. One of my first and favourite leadership roles was as Class Captain in Year 8 when Charles Edelman used to make us greet him as ‘Hail, O great one!’

My nerdy passion for student representation led to regular meetings with then Deputy Principal John Inverarity. His encouragement of me as an SRC President meant a lot and we still have contact.

Principal Diana Medlin was also an inspiration, encouraging me to pursue student representation and think critically about issues. She sent me to a conference for the UN International Year of Youth (IYY), which led to a group of us, from a range of schools, establishing the first statewide student representative body. We also got to meet Midnight Oil!

What did you favour—sport, arts or academia?

If you saw my Netball debut in Year 6 you would know that my passion for sport has been more as a spectator. I was a ballet dancer for 10 years and I still love the ballet (I am now on The Australian Ballet Board of Directors). I enjoyed some aspects of academic work, especially English, History and even Latin, and definitely The Arts. I was a section leader in the Choir under the tough, yet brilliant, Choir Director Colin Curtis, and music still is one of the greatest things in my life.

Describe your trajectory towards politics—did it start with debating?

I certainly debated in a lot of tournaments across Middle School and Senior School. Melissa McEwen and I still giggle at some of the topics we had. The highlight remains, ‘That pop stars are the dimmest!’

I went straight to the University of Adelaide after graduating from Pembroke and majored in Politics and History (BA). I intended to pursue Law but I was offered a job as a Legislative Adviser/ Researcher while I was the Students’ Association President, and that led me to the Australian Democrats and then the Senate (after a brief interlude in radio!).

Although my favourite subjects at university were Politics, History and Philosophy, I never thought that I would be what I called a capital ‘P’ politician.

Yet, quite inspirationally, you became the youngest woman to enter Federal Parliament and the youngest federal party political leader! Be honest, did the endless focus on your Doc Martens get tiresome?

While it was intriguing to me that my footwear got more attention than my policies on some occasions, I feel happy in some ways that the symbolism of the shoes meant something, especially to younger people and Australians who just wanted MPs who exemplified difference and a fresh approach to politics.

I still have the shoes. They are currently in a ‘changemakers’ exhibition in the Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD) in Canberra’s Old Parliament House. And I still love a sensible shoe!

What advice do you have for young people keen to enter politics now, or any who are unsure if they can make a difference?

My

message to people—especially

young people and young women and girls—is

to

take

over

parliament. Don’t give up on running for parliament because it seems to have given up on you.

I worry that some of the recent revelations about politics and parliament are a disincentive to participate in politics, yet we need diversity and difference reflected and represented more than ever. We know that strengthens our democracy and our faith in democracy. As a legislator I knew that with the stroke of a pen (these days, with the click of a keyboard!), legislation can change lives for the better.

As I said in my First Speech to Parliament in 1996, ‘I look forward to the day when I look across this chamber from my seat and see such a diversity of faces—young people, old people, different ages, men and women, and the many cultures that make up our nation, including Indigenous cultures, that we no longer have to strive for it.’

In 2020 you were elected to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in 2022 you were appointed inaugural Chair of Our Watch (the foundation to prevent violence against women and their children), and this year you were made SA’s Royal Commissioner into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. You remain as passionate as ever about advocating for women. Do you think things are improving?

I often describe my role as Chair of Our Watch as one the greatest privileges of my life. However, it meant that I was conscious of one of the most heinous manifestations of gender inequality and that is violence against women and children. The good news is that this violence is preventable.

We all have a role to play in creating an Australia in which women are not only safe but respected and treated as equals in private and public life. We need to take action in all the places where we live, love, learn, work and play. As individuals we can call out sexist or derogatory comments at work, at home or in social situations. As parents/caregivers we can model behaviours that promote gender equality and not treat children differently based on gender.

Gender equality is about ensuring that men and women and non-binary people can enjoy lives without discrimination and rigid gender stereotypes.

Do you have an ongoing connection to Pembroke?

To this day I have dear friends from school in my life. My children have both attended Pembroke (Conrad graduated in 2022 and Cordelia will finish in the School’s 51st year).

Over the past few years I have bumped into more old scholars before breakfast than I had for 20 years! It says a lot about Pembroke that generations have chosen it. It feels like it is family as well as a school.

Kate Holland (1992)

Old scholar

Interview with Old Scholar

Bruce Carter AO (1975)

After seeing his face in the crowd at this year’s Commencement Ceremony, I caught up recently with old scholar (1975) Bruce Carter and enjoyed chatting with him about his life and career since leaving Pembroke. His has been a life of instinctive, complete commitment to all that he takes on. Fittingly, he was awarded the Order of Australia on 26 January 2024 for service to business, to charitable organisations and to the community. Bruce was Head Boy in 1975 in Pembroke's second year, after coming through King’s from 1969 until 1973, and Marryatville Primary School before that. I asked him if he could shed some light on what it was like to experience the merging of King’s College and Girton Girls’ School into Pembroke School from the perspective of a student.

→ Bruce Carter and Judy Nicolls (back) with Co-Principals Diana Medlin and John Moody in 1975

Bruce, the merger in 1974 must have been something that the King’s and Girton communities were excited about, and no doubt there would have also been some who were less excited about the proposal. What are some of the things you remember from that time?

A few Girton girls and King’s boys used to share some classes in Years 11 and 12, but we had no real contact with Girton other than through Bunty Knox’s dancing classes. The first day of the merger for me was in Year 11 and thus we were on the Girton Campus. It was all a bit surreal but once we were in classes it settled down. Initially there was no real school spirit as we were trying to work out what we were. Without John Moody (nicknamed ‘Long John’ as he was a big man) roaming the yard, there was a lessening of discipline, which was welcomed and was appropriate given our age. There is no doubt that the presence of girls positively modified our behaviour. At King’s fist fights were a regular event and part of a boys’ school in those days. In my two years of Pembroke however, they just disappeared. Music was much more prominent, and the Mixed Choir and Boys Choir were established. In Year 12 I was Head of the Boys Choir, the lead in the musical The Boyfriend and Captain of the Second XVIII Football team. Such a mix would never have occurred at King’s.

It’s well known that Co-Principals Di Medlin and John Moody had different styles—what do you remember of how they governed this new School?

Di Medlin was just a wonderful leader and so proud of Pembroke. She worked hard to know the King’s boys and made us feel part of her family. Both Di Medlin and Barbara Possingham (Deputy Co-Principal) were great educators. John Moody was a teacher and Deputy Head at King’s that we all simultaneously feared and respected. He also was a great leader who insisted on discipline and always encouraged us to perform to the best of our ability. We did not see much of him at the Girton Campus but he would make visits from time to time and sort the boys out. I remember in Year 12 rounding a corner and there was Mr Moody waiting with, ‘Well, Carter, Mr Head Boy, smarten yourself up—get a haircut and shine those dirty shoes.’

I did that immediately! Of all the male teachers at Pembroke/King’s, his teachings and standards have influenced me most.

Do you feel that your time at Pembroke had a positive impact on your career/life choices?

Absolutely, and I had a wonderful education. What I realised was that the bonus of Pembroke was the broadening of my interests and education, and the development of my desire to learn lifelong. My late wife Briony Hayward taught at the Junior School for many years and established the first Reception class. After Briony’s passing, I subsequently married Dina Kenihan who I had sat next to in Mr Egar’s Maths class on day one at Pembroke. She became my best friend at school but was not my girlfriend. Di Medlin loved that about Pembroke and sometimes spoke of it publicly as representing some of the positive benefits of a co-education. With my career, Joe Winter was the Chair of King’s pre-merger and his sons were friends of mine. In Year 9 I came home to my parents and advised that I knew what I wanted to do when I left school, and that was to do what Mr Winter did, which was to get an Economics degree, become a chartered accountant (specialising in restructuring) and then move onto board work. And that’s exactly what I have done!

On the occasion of Pembroke’s 50th birthday, how do you reflect on the coming together of those two proud, traditional schools back in 1974?

In many respects Pembroke was an experiment that has worked out better than could be expected. It took two struggling schools and merged them into what has become a very strong nondenominational school. Apart from the wide offering of subjects and extra-curricular activities, what appears to me to have been its secret to success is that it takes care and educates all its students, including the lower and middle performers who can often be lost in the system. That is a powerful culture and offering that I am sure will underpin Pembroke’s success for the next 50 years.

Tim O’Loughlin Teacher

→ Bruce with his Officer of the Order of Australia medal

Old Scholars Week

The anniversary year called for a monumental Old Scholars Week celebrating all things Pembroke, King’s and Girton. This year Old Scholars Week was celebrated during 8—14 April. True to form, the campuses were alive with old scholars from all over Australia (and overseas!) spanning various generations, ready to reconnect and reminisce on their shared experiences and collective aspirations.

The week began with tours of Pembroke’s Home of Archives, where Archivist Peta Harries took guests on a walk down memory lane through the wonderful School memorabilia from our antecedent schools as well as Pembroke. From photo albums to old yearbooks and uniforms of the past, guests were treated to the mosaic of items from years gone by.

In the Junior School we welcomed old scholar and children’s book author Katrina Germein (1991), who spoke to ELC, Reception and Year 1 students about her process of writing children’s books, as well as reading a couple of her own books titled One Little Duck and Little Book Baby. After all the songs and dancing the students were left inspired to go and write their own stories. It was heartwarming to witness all the fun, but it was even better to hear from the early learners what their definition of an old scholar was—‘someone who is proud of their school’ and ‘someone who went to the School a long time ago’ were some of the answers!

After last year’s tie, the Old Scholars vs Students Debate was back again for round two, with the topic ‘That all state parliamentarians should be sacked and replaced by Fringe stars.’ We had some returning debaters on both sides—this year’s old scholars’ team (on the negative) included

Amelia Weston (1999), Rick Sarre (1972) and Texan old scholar Brian Rogers (1974), who travelled across continents to join us for Old Scholars Week and his 50 Year Reunion. The student team was on fire this year and their hard work and research paid off, with the audience declaring the affirmative the clear winners. You’ll get them next time, old scholars!

The Generations Breakfast was once again an inspiring morning where we welcomed our old scholar families with generational connections to Pembroke, King’s and Girton. We were delighted to share a moving video about the Stock family, who celebrate their 100-year association with the School in 2024. Geoff Stock (1981) and Harrison Stock (2022) spoke of their ties to King’s through Patriarch Laurence Stock (1925), who began at King’s when it opened in 1924. You can view the video by scanning the QR code to the right.

→ Angela Plew (1972), Gillian Kent (1972) and Julienne Barton (1972) at the Archives Tour

→ Michael Ferrier with guests at the Ceramics Back to School Workshop

→ An Evening with Michael Griffiths

On the Middle School campus we brought back Quad Jam—the Old Scholars Edition with Lucinda Peters (1985) and Emilie Woolfall (2020) serenading students during lunchtime. The best part was that we had the old scholar who started it all (who is now a staff member), Emil Smith (2021), as our AV technician on the day.

On the Friday we were off to lawn bowls with A Night on the Green, organised by the Pembroke Old Scholars Association Committee. Participants, from seasoned veterans to fresh-faced newcomers, enjoyed the friendly competition and camaraderie. Just across the way, the 1974 Leavers were enjoying their 50 Year Reunion at the Marryatville Hotel! There were many cheeky stories shared by all guests, and it was lovely to see that although 50 years had passed, friendships were rekindled and new memories were made to discuss at the next reunion!

On the weekend we celebrated the wonderful Pembroke Arts community with An Evening with Michael Griffiths and the Back to School Creative Workshops.

Old scholar and iconic cabaret artist Michael Griffiths (1991) curated a wonderful show just for Pembroke to celebrate not only our 50th Anniversary but his own 50th year. Guests were treated to an intimate performance where Michael shared memories from his days at Pembroke, weaving them into his captivating repertoire.

Old Scholars Week ended with the inaugural Back to School Creative Workshops hosted by Pembroke’s Head of Art Michael Ferrier and Art Teacher Angela Brewerton, with catering by old scholar Steph Heaven (1988). The morning ceramics class had participants creating a vase out of clay, and it was great to see everyone unleashing their creativity. The afternoon

View a short video of the festivities by scanning the QR code

still-life drawing class was a relaxing end to Old Scholars Week, with participants enjoying a serene studio setting for artistic exploration and self-expression.

As the curtain draws to a close on this year's Old Scholars Week festivities, the echoes of laughter, nostalgia and shared memories linger in the air, serving as a testament to the enduring spirit of our old scholar community. Thank you to all who attended events or participated in one way or another. I was delighted to see many of you at multiple events throughout the week, and we look forward to next year!

Candace

Cox-Tuck Manager, Old Scholar Engagement

View the video about the Stock family, who are celebrating a 100-year association with King’s College and Pembroke School

→ Bowlers at a Night on the Green

→ Geoffrey Stock (1981), Harrison Stock (2022), Nicholas Stock (Yr 11) and Tania Stock at the Generations Breakfast

Old Scholars News

Births

Claire (Ross) Smith (2005) and Chris Smith (2004) welcomed baby Hazel on 2 November 2023. Hazel is a sister to Matilda, aged four.

Engagements

Congratulations to Johnathon Evans (2016) and Kate Harris (2015) who were engaged on 3 November 2023.

Congratulations to Beau Reschke (2007) and Nellie Lapanowski who were engaged on 10 March 2024 in the company of their dog Sodi.

Marriages

Alex Forster (2011) and Laura Liminton (2013) were married on Saturday 10 February 2024 at Mount Lofty House. Many old scholars were in the bridal party including Tom Forster (2013), James Brinsley (2011), Alex McFarlane (2011), Steven Bevan (2011), Isabella Liminton (2012), Meg Brinsley (2013), Sharmani Krishnan (2013), Kate Forster (2017) and Brittany Ferguson (2013).

Deaths

John Bell (1975) sadly passed away on 16 February 2024, aged 66.

Hazel (Engel) Bickford (1962) sadly passed away on 12 May 2023, aged 78.

Peter Bradley (1955) sadly passed away on 7 November 2023, aged 82.

Michael Harding (1980) sadly passed away on 10 December 2023, aged 59.

Trudy Hong (2014) sadly passed away on 6 November 2023, aged 26.

Dr John ‘Noel’ Hutchins sadly passed away on 3 March 2024, aged 88.

Margaret (Hall) Luke (1955) sadly passed away on 9 November 2023, aged 84.

Barrie Moeller (1953) sadly passed away on 12 February 2024, aged 86.

Gabrielle (Chinnery) Monten sadly passed away on 5 December 2023, aged 85.

William Price (1981) sadly passed on 25 February 2024, aged 60.

John Walkley (1969) sadly passed away on 11 November 2023, aged 71.

Roger Wheaton (1959) sadly passed away on 23 September 2023, aged 82.

Datuk Wong Seng Chow (1958) sadly passed away on 25 January 2024, aged 83. He was the father of old scholars Anne Wong (1984), Wong Yee Kong (1985), Peng Wong (1989) and Pembroke Old Scholars Association Past President Weng Wong (1997), and grandfather to current students Lucas and Abigail. Datuk Wong was highly regarded in the legal profession in Malaysia and served as a transport deputy minister and senator there.

→ Beau Reschke (2007) and Nellie Lapanowski

1973 Girton Girls with Principal Mark Staker at their 50 Year Reunion

Students at the Old Scholars Week Back to School Creative Workshops

Dominique Klotz, Susan Paltridge and Jocelyn Rudd at their 1984 40 Year Reunion

Class of 1984 at their 40 Year Reunion

Diane Peters (1984), Lucinda Peters (1985) and Lyndon Grey (1998) performing at The Pembroke Club

A game of millimetres during A Night on the Green!

Brian Rogers, Peter Holmes, Lindsay Cirillo, Jane Whiting and Liz Coudraye at their 1974 50 Year Reunion

Old Scholars vs Students Debaters – Luca Shin, Spiridon Spiliopoulos (both Yr 12), Mark Staker, Holly Jamieson-Loveday (1997), Amelia Weston (1999), Rick Sarre (1972), Philippa Hook (1958) and Brian Rogers (1974)

Celebrating 50 Years Through our Archives

As Pembroke embarks on its 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Home of Archives has opened its doors to tour groups keen to discover our rich history. 51 Park Road has become a hub of activity, welcoming a surge of visitors—from alumni seeking to reconnect with their past to current Senior School students curious to learn about the School's history.

Archive volunteers have found themselves found themselves immersed in a flurry of research projects and sourcing various memorabilia to uncover hidden gems illustrating our history. Artefacts were used in photo shoots for the Anniversary book and documented as part of our Timelines Project. This ongoing project highlights significant events in a chronological journey through our era. As always I am especially grateful for the team of volunteers and I admire their dedication and passion.

It is hoped that visitors can appreciate the preservation of the School's rich heritage as we celebrate in 2024.

Remember – Archives Matter!

Peta Harries School Archivist

1974: A Year in Summary

Diana Medlin (in charge of Girton campus) and John Moody (in charge of King’s campus) were appointed Co-Principals for the new Pembroke School.

• Governor of SA Sir Mark Oliphant officially opened Pembroke School, named after Pembroke College, Cambridge.

• Pembroke Girls Choir had a huge year—53 members joined by 12 boys performing at the official Opening Ceremony of Pembroke; in March two Festival of Arts evening concerts; a recording in July with well-known Adelaide Tenor Thomas Edmonds; Adelaide Town Hall concerts and 4 days in Sydney for a successful Sydney Eisteddfod at the Opera House, winning two (of three) sections entered including the Open Choir section.

• Pembroke’s first Senior Dance was held at Payneham Civic Centre on 26 April (300 attended).

• Libraries specialised in their individual age groups—Harris Library (King’s) removed all senior book material and approximately 900 books were sent to Girton Campus for the Cornell Library, which was concentrating on Leaving- and Matriculation-level studies.

• During the year there was a modern interpretation of Androcles and the Lion by GB Shaw produced by Jean White, a most professional production of the musical Half a Sixpence, and an outstanding School concert held in the Adelaide Town Hall.

• A co-ed Flinders Ranges study tour was held during 11–14 September with approximately 120 Leaving students travelling in four buses.

• Open Day and School Athletics Day were held in October and the School Fete (Spring Fair) was held on Girton campus on Saturday 26 October, clearing over $3,000 with proceeds to assist the libraries.

• Cadets formed two closely knit platoons although Mr Moody was forced to withdraw from active participation in the unit due to Co-Principal demands. A display afternoon was held on Haslam Oval during the third term.

• It was a very successful year for Scouting. The newly named Pembroke Venturers attracted large numbers and their busy schedule included a hike through Mt Remarkable National Park in the Flinders Ranges and a training course at Woodhouse, and finished with a Tasmanian venture to Hobart in December.

→ Peta Harries, School Archivist

2024 Calendar

June

- Pembroke Old Scholars

Brisbane Event

Friday 7

- Class of 2014 10 Year Reunion

Friday 14

- Pembroke Winter Festival of Music

Wednesday 19 – Monday 24

- Pembroke Old Scholars Perth Event

Friday 28

July

- Darwin Community Lunch

Sunday 28

August

- Year 5 Musical

Wednesday 7 – Friday 9

- Cleve Community Event

Wednesday 14

- Junior School Book Week

Monday 19 – Friday 23

- 50 Years of Pembroke Black Tie Dinner

Saturday 24

- Music Showcase

Friday 30

Term Dates

Term 1

Tuesday 30 January – Friday 12 April

Term 2

Tuesday 30 April – Friday 28 June

Term 3

Monday 22 July – Friday 27 September

Term 4

Monday 14 October – Friday 6 December

September

- King’s Week – Celebrating the King’s Centenary

Monday 2 – Friday 6

- Back to School Assembly with King’s Old Collegians

Wednesday 4

- King’s Luncheon

Thursday 5

- P&F Father’s Day Event

Friday 6

- Middle School Art Exhibition

Tuesday 10

- Barmera (Riverland)

Community Event

Friday 13

- Middle School Musical

Wednesday 18 – Saturday 21

- Class of 1994 30 Year Reunion

Friday 20

- Year 6 Exhibition

Thursday 26

- POSA Sydney Event

Friday 27

October

- London Community Event

Sunday 6 (of October).

Athletics Day

Wednesday 16

- Valedictory Ceremony and Dinner

Friday 18

- Grandfriends’ Day

Thursday 24

November

- ELC – Year 6 Sports Day

Friday 1

- Year 11-12 SACE/IB Art Exhibition

Friday 1

- Pembroke Old Scholars

Melbourne Event

Friday 8

- Pembroke Live

Sunday 17

- Junior School Spanish Day

Thursday 14

- Year 11 SACE Drama Performance

Thursday 14 – Saturday 16

- Class of 2004 20 Year Reunion

Friday 22

- P&F Committee AGM

Tuesday 26

December

- Readings and Carols

Sunday 1

Public Holidays and Student

Free Days

Term 2

Monday 10 June (King’s Birthday)

Term 3

Friday 6 September (Student Free Day)

Open Days

We warmly invite families of prospective studentsto experience Pembroke for yourself. Please register to attend an Open Day at www.pembroke.sa.edu.au/ admissions/open-days-and-tours

Term 3

Wednesday 7 August

Wednesday 11 September

Term 4

Thursday 31 October

Publications Manager

Gabbi Agnew

Email gagnew@pembroke.sa.edu.au

Editorial Team

Gabbi Agnew (Editor)

Candace Cox-Tuck (Manager, Old Scholar Engagement)

Contact Website pembroke.sa.edu.au

Telephone (08) 8366 6200

Email enquiries@pembroke.sa.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Number 00367B

Please send all address changes to The Reception Office Pembroke School

342 The Parade

Kensington Park SA 5068

Telephone (08) 8366 6200

Email update@pembroke.sa.edu.au

Pembroke News is published twice annually.

Registered by Australia Post Print Post no 100003637

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