Huddle St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School A U T U M N
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Content From the Principal
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Focusing on Florishing
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Aspiring Women Leaders Conference 8 Teach Us Consent
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A Little Peace and Quiet
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Junior Music 14 Wildlife Visit 16 Drones are Landing at St Aidan’s
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Art Club 20 The Living Room
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Quiet Days 22 Year 9 Camp 23 Red Earth 24 Nick Earls in Residence
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Futures Conference 28 Year 12 Visual Art
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P&F News 32 Foundation News 33 Alumni News 44
Huddle Editor Alice Brandon
Contributors Kate Aitkin Wendy Biggs Gaye Brown Rachel Condos-Fields Jackie Child Jenny Crome Sue Figliano Karen Madden Jann Manser Julia McKenna Gillian Moses Holly O’Sullivan Williams Toni Riordan Jennie Robinson Claire Rush Sue Russell Lou Stanley Shannon Tobin
Graphic Design Annie Fanning Photographic Contributors Annie Fanning Jann Manser Marc Pricop
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From the Principal M S TO N I R I O R D A N P R I N C I PA L
At the time of writing, preparations for our annual Reunion Week are in full swing. As I look forward to the many events of the week, and indeed, to our interstate reunions too, I am reminded of the incredible sense of belonging to St Aidan’s, I continue to witness in our Alumni each year. There is over three decades of research identifying that the need to feel a sense of belonging is a powerful motivator of human behaviour. Belonging can be defined as an individual’s innate motivation to form and maintain interpersonal relationships that are lasting, positive, and significant – with a general feeling of being an integral part of something including surroundings, culture, community, school, and work. Lockdowns and physical distancing measures over the past two years have made us realise how important a sense of belonging is in our everyday lives. In the middle of lockdowns, I not only longed for family and friend connections, but I also missed weekly Pilates classes with the same group of people; seeing neighbours at community events like Street Fairs; or being with others at cultural activities, such as visits to the theatre and galleries. Once we could no longer belong to the different groups, workplaces, schools, and other places of interaction in our usual way, feelings of “not belonging” may have overwhelmed us. School belonging is the extent to which individuals feel they are accepted, respected, included and supported by others. School belonging can include a sense of affiliation with the school, relationships within the school environment, and individual’s perceptions and feelings about school. Programs and activities, which grow a sense of belonging occur naturally and seem effortless in schools such as St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School; however, we know that belonging should not be undermined just because it seems easy. We continue to create meaningful ways to prioritise belonging at a social level, here at St Aidan’s. Our evidence-based, orientation activities for new students in the Junior and Senior Schools; our Penguin Pal buddy program for Junior School students, and in the Senior School, our Peer Support program assist students to feel at home at St Aidan’s. Weekly SEL (Social Emotional Learning) lessons and the school wide RVE (Religious and Values Education) program support the formation of our students and anchor them to our School values and our School culture. A House system over 90 years old, form classes, contemporary outdoor education and camp programs challenge students to participate, collaborate and take risks together. Connecting with Alumni via Leading Ladies lunches, our guest speaker program for major events such as awards ceremonies and inviting Old Girls to our annual Ascension Day assembly help model what it is like to be a St Aidan’s student over many generations of life. And of course, our extensive extracurricular program, in which Junior and Senior School students with similar interests and passions can try out new challenges with like-minded girls and help forge life-long friendships. The OECD collects information on school belonging through the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), and it has identified that a student’s experience of belonging is an important ingredient in a successful school outcome. In fact, its data identifies that many students don’t belong.
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Since 2003, the number of students who feel like they don’t belong has risen. Now it has been identified as a concerning trend in education.
It revealed that girls in single-sex schools generally enjoy school more, experience less bullying, have fewer disruptions in class, make friends more easily, and feel more like they belong.
Thankfully, we take heart in a report analysing Australian and New Zealand PISA data from 2015 and 2018, which reveals girls at single gender schools outperform girls from co-educational schools, on academic measures, social and emotional outcomes, and other aspects of students’ wellbeing.
At St Aidan’s, we know that a strong sense of connectedness to their school community and the support they get from these networks, while they are at school and after they leave school, is also a driver of student wellbeing, and particular, resilience.
The study, conducted by Macquarie Marketing Group (MMG), included a total of 314 individual measures comparing the responses of girls from single-sex and co-educational schools. Of these, girls from single-sex schools reported a positive difference on 227 (72%) of measures.
Belonging is a fundamental need for humans. For students it makes all the difference to school engagement, mental health, and personal wellbeing. You will see included in this edition of the Huddle many instances of how St Aidan’s encourages all our community members to belong. Enjoy!
A key finding of the PISA report was that all-girls’ schools provide significant health and wellbeing benefits for their students.
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Focusing on Flourishing M S H O L LY O ’ S U L L I VA N W I L L I A M S D E P U T Y P R I N C I PA L
You may hear your child talk about engaging with data in Maths in both the Senior and Junior Schools. Perhaps when we hear the word ‘data’ being used in schools, it provides different connotations for many of us. In engaging in data, it is with the purpose of firstly educating our young people to understand data and as a result, providing them with the best chance of reaching their potential in order to flourish. Dr Selina Fisk in her book Using and Analysing Data in Australian Schools, advocates for schools to be data informed rather than data driven. When we hear data driven it perhaps paints a picture of fearful micromanagement of students, intrusive checking and inflated accountability for the people involved. It really doesn’t sound very liberating at all. However, Dr Fisk describes data informed as understanding that data will inform rather than drive decision making because there are rational, political, and moral elements in decision making and data is only one important element in the process. Data is used differently across the world. In some countries data is competitively driven by the sole purpose of achieving higher educational outcomes. The delivery of standardised testing is controlled and places emphasis on students becoming experts at taking tests as the main priority. Such an approach lacks any real form of ownership from the student and limits creativity and innovation with success dictated by the sole test score alone. When used correctly though, data can tell us more than just a test score. It can provide clarity around what our students need, and we can adjust our strategies for individual students accordingly. Kotter (2017) introduces two neurological responses - survive and thrive, and their significance in educational
institutions. Survive is fear driven, focused on accountability and does not promote a positive working culture. Thrive on the other hand, is freedom to do and be, helping students to flourish. Our focus at St Aidan’s in using data remains on finding the positives in each and every student. That is, what they can do rather than focusing on what they can’t. It isn’t about compliance rather it can be used effectively across pastoral, sporting and curriculum contexts. Often the data captured from each of these contexts is intertwined allowing us to know more about our students. When teachers engage with parents and vice versa, using data across various contexts of a student’s schooling life provides more concrete information and understanding, rather than a gut-feeling or simply generalised feedback. When engaging with data, feedback plays a crucial role and has a significant impact on a student’s ability to flourish. But, perhaps I’ll leave the power of feedback until next time! Acknowledgement: Fisk, Selina (2022) Using and Analysing Data in Australian Schools, Hawker Brownlow Education, Victoria Kotter, (2022) Survive + Thrive - Kotter. [online] Available at: <https://www.kotterinc. com/research-and-insights/survive-thrive/.
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Aspiring Women
LEADERS
CONFERENCE St Aidan’s has been the convenor of the Aspiring Women Leader’s Conference for the past 15 years. In 2006, St Aidan’s invited female educators who were looking for the next step to senior leadership to join other like-minded teacher-leaders for a weekend of practical and supportive insight into the ‘top job’ in schools. The conference offerings were subsequently strengthened in 2011, by past Principal, Karen Spiller’s Churchill Fellowship examination of the strategies to prepare female leaders for the role of Principalship in Australian Schools. This year’s conference was held in March for over 50 delegates across the nation and commenced with the challenge to ‘be the change’. Words spoken by a candidate for the senate from Illinois, in Boston in 2004 were shared with the delegates. The young speaker of the words went on, four years later, in 2008 to make history and be the first African American to be elected President. This is what Barack Obama said –
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. The conference is designed, planned, and delivered by a network of volunteer senior school leaders, including keynote speakers, Ros Curtis, and Karen Spiller. Dedicated presenters and workshop facilitators open aspiring leaders’ eyes to what they already do; inspire them to consider what they still could do; and to be motivated to make the change as soon as the end of the conference comes around.
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Since the inception of the Aspiring Women’s Conference, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School has ‘grown’ eight educators to go on to principalship. These include:
Ms Kathy Park – St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville
Ms Robyn Bell – Cannon Hill Anglican College
Ms Ros Curtis – St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School
Ms Kim Kiepe – St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, Perth; and Somerville House
Ms Toni Riordan – St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Ms Kim Wickham – Loretto College, Coorparoo Ms Cate Begbie – Presbyterian Ladies College, Perth
Ms Wendy Lauman – St Hilda’s School, Gold Coast It’s clear why the Aspiring Women Leaders’ Conference has become nationally renowned for educational leadership and we look forward to following the careers of the delegates as they become the change.
Aspiring Women
LEADERS
CONFERENCE
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Teach Us Consent Petition Research Project at UQ MS KAREN MADDEN DEAN OF RESEARCH & ENGAGEMENT
Early in 2021, Chanel Contos launched a petition calling for holistic and earlier consent education in Australia. With more than 6,700 testimonies of sexual assault and over 44,000 signatories, the petition represented a defining moment in the sexual health education of young Australians. Current and past St Aidan’s students joined their voices to the conversation, speaking up and speaking out for change. As a result of the petition, and the subsequent advocacy from scores of young women, education ministers around Australia have since unanimously agreed to mandate consent education in schools from 2023. A key aspect of the St Aidan’s Education Leadership Team’s response has been to partner with the University of Queensland, contributing our support to the university in securing funding for a large-scale project. As a result, an expert inter-disciplinary panel of 16 University of Queensland researchers, under the leadership of Professor Lisa Featherstone, has come together to conduct an in-depth analysis of the petition. Researchers with backgrounds in history, criminology, education, the social sciences, politics, law, and social work, are working together to deliver recommendations to governments and schools about how to better teach young Australians about sexual violence. As the only school currently sitting on the reference group for this project, St Aidan’s role is to ensure the project delivers actionable recommendations for schools to assist them in implementing evidence-based, effective programs. The leadership team look forward to working closely with Professor Featherstone’s team to determine what young people need to know about affirmative consent, and healthy relationships more broadly, and the best ways to get the message across. For more on the project, see https://stories.uq.edu.au/news/2021/ we-need-to-do-better-for-young-people/index.html
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A Little Peace and Quiet REVEREND GILLIAN MOSES
Last December, a small but momentous event took place in the life of the Society of the Sacred Advent. An Advent Quiet Morning was held at the Sisters’ Chapel on the grounds of St Margaret’s AGS in Ascot. One hundred and thirty years ago, the Society of the Sacred Advent (SSA) began in Brisbane, and one of the first acts of the new religious order was to hold quiet days for women in the diocese of Brisbane. The SSA continued to hold regular quiet days and retreats for women each year for over a century. Many of the people who attended the SSA Open Morning last October shared strong memories of the many times they had sat in the Sisters’ Chapel for a quiet day and how important those times were in their own spiritual formation. The Advent Quiet Morning last December saw nine people gather in the beautiful Robin Dodd’s designed Sisters’ Chapel to reflect on absence and presence, and the ways in which God can be found in the moments that feel like absence in our lives. There was time for silence and meditation, and for sharing in a simple Eucharist together. The morning was significant because it represents the resumption of SSA activities in the diocese of Brisbane after a time of absence. The SSA is currently transitioning to a new way of being a religious community that envisages other ways of belonging alongside the Sisters. We will continue to hold quiet mornings and retreats for women and men in Brisbane, and these will be advertised through the SSA schools networks. The mission of the SSA is “to prepare a place for God, first in our own hearts and then in the world in which we live.” A quiet morning is an effective way to prepare that place for God. The next quiet morning will be help at the Sisters Chapel on Friday 24 June (Feast of St John the Baptist).
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Innate Talent
or Learned Skill? MRS SUE FIGLIANO & MS SHANNON TOBIN
Despite the common myth, being musical is not an innate talent and musical skills can be learned through early exposure to high quality, effective music teaching. 14
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St Aidan’s is the perfect place for young students
Pre-learned melodic and rhythmic concepts are utilized
to develop the necessary skills to become lifelong
to provide a seamless translation from classroom to band
musicians. Music tuition in the Junior School commences
setting. The Beginner Band Program is free of charge to
in the Kindergarten with Everyday Music Classes
St Aidan’s families and involves weekly group lessons
delivered by specialist music teachers. These classes
with specialist tutors alongside whole band rehearsals
involve singing, listening, moving, playing and improvising
and concert performances. Girls are later invited to take
to music. Though engagement with age-appropriate
private tuition on their band instrument and join the
repertoire and games, neural pathways are activated,
junior extra-curricular band “Charma Band”, with a small
and foundational knowledge embedded. Early exposure
number of girls also being accelerated into “Con Brio
to daily music learning has been widely researched with
Band” with the secondary students. Students who are
amazing benefits not only to student’s music cognition
learning brass instruments at a high level are also able to
but going beyond to enhance academic and social skills.
join “Back-Beat Band” which is the school’s Jazz band to
St Aidan’s is one of only a few schools in Queensland to
begin expanding their skills into differing repertoire.
offer this highly enriching program from such a young age, with students continuing in the Everyday Music Program until the end of Year 3. To extend the vocal and theoretical skills presented in the Everyday Music Program, students in Years 2 and 3 participate in “Junior Singers Choir”, run in activity time once a week during the school day.
St Aidan’s boasts a variety of string ensembles in the Junior School changing from “Staccato Strings”, which is an aural based 6-month ensemble as a steppingstone into “Dolce Strings” for our beginning students and “Vivaldi Strings” for the intermediate players. Our advanced Junior School girls are playing in “Corelli Strings” to provide them with an extension opportunity.
As attention spans lengthen, students in Year 4 can
The “Junior School String Quartet” provides for those
engage in longer classroom music lessons where more
students who are ready to take on the additional
complex musical skills are introduced. Classroom
challenge of playing a solo part within a small group;
learning is organised into a carefully sequenced order to
ready for the Senior School.
allow maximum student engagement and understanding. All girls in Years 4 – 6 are offered the opportunity to attend “Children Crossing” a non-auditioned extra choir to extend their vocal capacities.
Students involved in this enriching musical environment are provided with many performance opportunities throughout the year such as concerts, open days, assembly performances and liturgical performances to
To consolidate this foundational understanding of music
share their musical achievements with the school and
offered through the classroom and choral program,
wider community. With all these opportunities,
St Aidan’s students have the opportunity to participate
St Aidan’s is definitely the perfect place for young
in a wide variety of instrumentally based music
students to develop into lifelong musicians.
experiences. Private instrumental tuition is offered from Prep and due to finger size and physical suitability, piano and string lessons are the most appropriate at this age. Older students have access to more diversified instrumental options. Those girls taking private tuition have the opportunity to perform solos at “Performing Arts Recitals” once per term. These concerts allow students to present repertoire with an accompanist in a nurturing and encouraging environment which develops critical performance skills and is helpful for those preparing for AMEB examinations or competition performances. All Year 4 girls participate in the Beginner Band Program. Although this program is purely instrumental, it is run as an extension of the classroom program. huddle I autumn 2022 15
Wildlife visit Year 3 M R S L O U S TA N L E Y A N D M S G I A A N K E I R
Year 3 had a visit from Geckoes Wildlife in March. Martin, the handler, brought a variety of animals to showcase to our students. Some of the animals included a stick insect, a green tree frog, a carpet python, jumping mice and even a ten-year-old wombat named Bumpy. The students were extremely excited, they had the opportunity to pat the animals and were able to describe the sensation; many were surprised how smooth a snake’s skin was. The students could ask insightful questions about the animals. They learnt about different ways to classify animals within the five distinct animal groups and whether they are invertebrates or vertebrates. The students went home with so many stories to share!
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5
• A group of wombats is known as a wisdom • The heaviest wombat on record was 38kg
Awesome • Wombat • • Facts
They can run as fast as a human Their teeth don’t stop growing They are the second largest of all marsupials.
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Drones are Landing at St Aidan’s MRS JENNY CROME
Drones are becoming more and more popular and are now used in many aspects of everyday life. Not only do drones enable stunning videos from above, but they have also been valuable in natural disaster responses such as in the Victorian bushfires of 2020, where forest and wildlife officers, with the help of the Victorian Police, used drones and infrared technology in a search and rescue operation for koalas. Increasingly used in rescue missions, as a tool to survey crops, or to gather data for conservation, drone technology will continue to improve and will become indispensable for many industries. Using drones in our Junior School has been an important part of our technology lessons led by Mrs Jackie Child. This year, the girls in our upper primary years are entering the How Cool is your School competition. As part of the competition, the students will calculate the percentage of shade and create a map that meets cartographic (mapping) conventions. In addition to using mapping and geospatial science to quantify just how much shade is in the St Aidan’s Junior School, the girls will then use their drones, which they will program, to conduct autonomous flights. Using drones in conjunction with the She Maps program will foster collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. In addition, the girls will develop their orientation and motor skills and acquire a better understanding of the world around them and the Junior School topography.
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art
club MS JANN MANSER
Each term Art Club in the Junior School begins with a new group of students and new art and craft projects. Running over two days a week, the girls are arranged into an early year’s group (Years 1 to 3) and upper primary group (Years 4 to 6). Prep girls are welcome to join from Semester Two. Projects are inspired by a range of sources including picture books, STEAM activities and the girls’ own interests, and include painting and drawing, textiles and threedimensional pieces. Participation in Art Club can be great way to develop important motor skills, foster social interactions within and across year levels, enhance emotional growth and grow confidence. Girls participating in Art Club in the Junior School have the opportunity to learn new skills in an informal setting and experiment with a number of art materials.
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THE
LIVING ROOM Upcoming Events
Madonna King Wednesday 8 June 6pm at St Aidan’s To support our girls, we need to understand the pressures this generation is under by listening to what worries them and what they need – and journalist and social commentator Madonna King has done just that. Having consulted 1000 young women, along with parents, senior educators, and health care professionals in her research for this book, L Platers delivers the answers we need as parents to help our girls on the road to adulthood.
Judith Locke Helping Your Child Become Confident and Capable Kindy – Year 4: Wednesday 20 July 6pm at St Aidan’s Year 5 – 9: Thursday 21 July 6pm at St Aidan’s Senior and Beyond Year 10 – 12: Thursday 14 July 6pm (online) Clinical Psychologist, Dr Judith Locke, will be delivering sessions that cover the latest research and clinical experience for the St Aidan’s community. Judith will share positive, practical, and effective strategies parents can use to help their children or teens continue to develop their confidence and capabilities.
Forty Favours the Brave Wednesday 3 August 6pm at St Aidan’s
Blasting onto the Australian media scene in 2017, Lise Carlaw and Sarah Wills are a duo with a difference. Their extraordinary
SCAN FOR TICKETS
friendship and chemistry landed the pair local and national radio shows with the largest broadcast network in the country. In 2020, Lise and Sarah turned forty and launched the podcast equivalent of a little black book for the middle years, FORTY. In early 2022 they launched their first book, Forty Favours the Brave. Lise and Sarah, along with women from all walks of life, share insightful tales about entering their forties and beyond.
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Quiet Days REVEREND GILLIAN MOSES
Each year our Year 7 students spend one day free from (most) distractions on their Quiet Days at Fancutt’s House. The house at the entrance to Ambiwerra is a peaceful getaway from school life and a great place for students to explore the possibilities of peace and stillness.
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Being still, intentionally, is a strange and novel concept for many students whose days are filled with organised activities, classes, sport and music. Even at home they are surrounded by music, tv, and family. Finding real stillness is a challenge for most of us. In the Quiet Days, which model some of the patterns of religious life as followed by the Society of the Sacred Advent, students spend time in worship, mindfulness activities and social mealtimes. Activities include colouring mandalas, making prayer sticks and even writing ransom note prayers. Some find the unstructured quiet times difficult, without the support of routine and outside distractions, while others relish the chance to wind down and reflect. Even for adults, times of quietness without the distraction of devices and work, can be confronting. We can find ourselves tuning in to unhelpful and discouraging voices that tell us we are not good enough, or wasting our time. The Quiet Days give students and staff permission to give their own deep dreams and hopes time and space to be heard. It is also a time to acquire some skills and habits to help us make the most of stillness, and to seek out times of rest and quiet in our lives. Ransom Note Prayer
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“In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.” Carol Dweck
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Experiencing the Great Outdoors Year 9 Camp M R S K AT E AT K I N
Year 9 Camp has long been a rite of
For some, the challenge of camp was
passage at St Aidan’s. When your classroom
conquering a fear of heights whilst for
is the great outdoors, weather plays an
others it was about forging bonds with
active role in your lessons and we were
unfamiliar peers. We were particularly
certainly blessed with exceptional weather
impressed by the positive attitude of each
at Kenilworth this year. Four glorious
student and their willingness to support one
autumn days allowed our Year 9 Family
another as a family throughout the week.
to fully engage in the activities on offer
It was heart-warming to see the kindness,
which included scenic hiking, mountain
compassion, and care amongst out Year
biking, and high ropes activities. The busy
9 community with many students pushing
program certainly pushed each family
themselves beyond their own perceived
member to step outside their comfort zone
limits and discovering new strengths.
and embrace the chance to apply a growth mindset and a chance to grow.
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RED EARTH Immersion B R I D I E ( Y E A R 10 ) A N D M AT I L D A A L L E N ( Y E A R 9)
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In April, a keen group of students and teachers woke up at 3am to embark on an unforgettable experience hundreds of kilometres away, headed for remote Indigenous communities in Cape York. We were both excited and nervous about what the immersion would hold. Once we landed in Cairns, we were welcomed by Jaz and Pete, our group leaders for the next 10 days. We drove 7 hours to Panamuunji, the homeland where we would be staying, and our bus driver Brett bravely put up with our attempts at both yodelling and carpool karaoke. We were welcomed to country with a smoke ceremony, a moving experience for everyone. We were instructed on setting up the tents by our resident intrepid explorer Pete. Once we were all confident, everyone pitched in to get the job done. Over the next three days, we spent most of our time talking with traditional owners, swimming, and painting. All of these we did with the owners, and we felt that we were making strong connections that would last a lifetime. We learned some Dreamtime stories, and talked about issues such as land ownership, closing the gap, and black lives matter. One evening, we went to the PCYC to be in community, and this was an amazing experience that we wouldn’t have gotten if we weren’t on the immersion. We felt we had made a very strong connection to the community and were all very sad to leave our newfound friends at Panamuunji. After saying our goodbyes to Tim and Elaine, we hopped in our trusty troopies and drove (rather bouncily) into Hopevale township to check out the town itself. We were planning on the art centre, although it was unfortunately closed. However, we got to meet a lovely man named Rob who told us some stories and chatted with us. We went into the Hopevale shop to see how incredibly expensive the items were. This was a real learning experience as we got to see the struggle of living in such a remote community. We jumped into the troopies and made our way to a local waterfall, and swam before making our way to the next homeland – Binthi-Warra. There we met Mel, the traditional owner of this homeland, as well as some local girls who were staying there for the holidays. Over the next few days, we made tie-dyed headbands, varnished Mel’s house and painted her bathrooms, played games with the local girls, yarned with Mel and participated in a talent show. It was soon time to embark on the last leg of our journey. We bid adieu to Mel and the girls, and got on our way to Port Douglas. On the next day, we excitedly made our way to the marina to embark on our last hurrah: a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling trip! We had a blast looking at all of the different sea creatures and enjoying our final full day of this fantastic adventure. On the next day, it was time to say goodbye to our leaders, hop on the plane back to Brisbane and into our parents’ open arms. This was an amazing learning opportunity in which we built connections, gained knowledge, and experienced something most would never dream of experiencing.
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The Aspiring
Futures Conference MS JENNIE ROBINSON
After the past two years, it was a delight to be able to hold a face-to-face Futures Conference for Year 10 students in the last week of Term 1. During this week we explored the senior phase of schooling and beyond. We were able to visit universities and also host some outstanding speakers here at school. This week looks at the final years of school and the options available beyond school as well as sessions that encourage girls to consider their personal development. We engaged in some sessions that considered personality type, study skills and the presentation on endometriosis from the Pelvic Pain Foundation was especially well received. It was also valuable to include the Year 10 RVE day into this year’s programme. These sessions allowed girls to explore some big questions we so often struggle to make time to consider. The Futures Conference considers the notion of career not simply as a job choice, but rather as “whole of life” choices and decisions. As students prepare for senior subject selection, their engagement and maturity in participating in the Futures Conference was a joy to observe. We hope that they march towards the end of the year with more clarity and look forward to writing SetPlans in preparation for this final stage of schooling.
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Map out your future but do it in pencil The road ahead is yet to be revealed
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When the only limitation is your imagination…
To even approach the idea of making an object separate from yourself, you must recognise the things that drive, attract, fascinate, and beguile you. The result of each work is not a solitary product but a sign on the journey. Over the year, your works will become a map of that journey: decipherable and potentially highly immersive to others. M R S G AY E B R O W N
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Year 12 Visual Art
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P a r e n t s & Fr i e n d s SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
TRIVIA NIGHT
Prize for best dressed table
Get your friends together and come dressed as a famous family!
Saturday 5.30pm 10.00pm
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JUNE 2022
THE CHRISTINE HARTLAND CENTRE
$25 per person or $250 per table (tables of 10) Purchase your tickets via Flexischools by 27 May 2022 This is a self-catering event with a cash bar
SAVE THE DATE
Fathers Day B R E A K FA ST Fri day 6 S e p te m b e r The Christine Hartland Centre 32
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Expecting the Unexpected Thank you
MRS JULIA MCKENNA
Over the last two years we have come to expect the unexpected when it comes to dealing with Covid-19 and the start of 2022 was no exception. However, we did not expect the extreme weather and subsequent flooding in South East Queensland and Northern Rivers of New South Wales, during the end of February. Many within our school community were affected by the floods, losing homes, businesses, cars and personal items. It was heartening to see St Aidan’s families and the community rally around to assist in any way they could. Our Parents & Friends Association was able to supply meals to families and gather volunteers to assist with the clean up of homes. The School was able to open the Christine Hartland Centre to those that were in need of a hot shower and somewhere to sit, have a coffee and recharge their phones. Days were spent phoning families to ensure they were okay and to offer any assistance. Funds raised at last year’s Giving Day for the Born to Fly Bursary, were able to be utilised to supply any missing uniform items (including new Blues, school bags and panamas) to any student who had been adversely affected, so they could start back at school ready to learn. In addition, the Development Office held a breakfast on campus, providing an opportunity for families to dropoff any good quality second-hand uniforms to be passed on to flood affected students. The number of uniforms of all sizes generously donated was amazing and greatly appreciated.
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Fo u n d a t i o n
First and foremost, on behalf of the Foundation we send our love, thoughts and prayers to all members of the community who have recently been impacted by the devastating weather events. It has been heart-breaking seeing the damage and listening to your stories but so very wonderful to see our community spirit come together and shine in the most difficult of circumstances.
Foundation Chair
Mrs Rachel Condos-Fields
A significant amount of time has gone into understanding the flood risk of Ambiwerra and what’s required to mitigate future risk - this unexpected weather event has reinforced the importance of our planning, funding and strategy which the school, council and independent professionals have considered in great depth. The Foundation Board is working very closely with key stakeholders to bridge the gap between our school’s aspirations and its income to leave a legacy that aspires students and inspires teachers. The re-development of the Ambiwerra campus can only be made possible with your support and now is a perfect time to express interest in making an investment into the future of our school. We are aiming to raise $1 million and have currently raised $200,000. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the Foundation Events scheduled this year.
Giving Day 2022 Can you help us?
GIVING DAY 16 June
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Join the fun in our Operations Room for a two hour shift as we raise funds for the Ambiwerra redevelopment and our Bursary Program. Call scripts and training will be provided to all volunteers.
SCAN HERE TO REGISTER Or contact Julia McKenna j.mckenna@staidans.qld.edu.au 07 3373 5937
Aidan’s St
GOLF Day Friday 5 August Sponsorship opportunities now available! foundation@staidans.qld.edu.au
SAVE THE DATE
Friends & Futures LUNCH Friday 7 October
11.30am for 12.00pm Rose Room, Cloudland
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1929 SOCIET Y
Fo u n d a t i o n
1929 Society
Inaugural High Tea The 1929 Society was launched in March with many St Aidan’s stories shared over a beautiful High Tea at the Queensland Club. The 1929 Society (named after the year St Aidan’s was founded by the Sisters of the Sacred Advent) has been established to recognise members of our community that have made the decision to leave a gift to the school in their Will, so that we can celebrate them during their lifetime. Guests spoke of their fondest memories, some more recent than others, with an underlying thread of “St Aidan’s gave me the belief I could achieve whatever I set my mind to”. During the festivities, Janette and Brian Gibson were presented with a 1929 Society pin and small gift of appreciation, as the first custodians to be welcomed into the Society. Since the launch, we have been overwhelmed with four other generous Old Girls and current parents communicating their decision to leave a gift in their Will. Custodians can discuss their wishes with the Director of Development & Community, to ensure the school is aware of how a gift should be used. A bequest to the school can be of any size, financial or tangible. Over the years we have been lucky to receive art from many talented artists, which we are lucky to enjoy daily as they line the walls of St Aidan’s. Custodians of the 1929 Society will hold a very special place in the life of the school and will be invited as honoured guests to celebrations throughout the year as well as an annual 1929 Society event. Custodianship is offered to anyone who has informed the school that they have left a gift in their Will. We look forward to celebrating and sharing more stories with our custodians throughout the year. All conversations regarding a bequest are treated with confidentiality. If you would like to know more about the 1929 Society or leaving a gift to St Aidan’s, please do not hesitate to contact:
Julia McKenna
Director of Development & Community
3373 5937
j.mckenna@staidans.qld.edu.au
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Fo u n d a t i o n
Why leave a legacy? I know that the benefits I have had in my life, stem from the wonderful environment in which I received my education. It is to allow other girls and young women the benefits and skills that St Aidan’s provides, that I decided to leave a bequest to the School. I am the youngest of four girls who attended St Aidan’s during the time when Mrs Christine Hartland was Headmistress. Although being very young, I can recall her saying, before it became a fashionable phrase. “Gals, you can do anything.” And this is exactly what St Aidan’s girls did, and are still doing. One of the first ever female engineers, along with the first Queensland Paediatric Anaesthetist were St Aidan’s girls. My three daughters, and my only granddaughter who lives in Queensland, all attended St Aidan’s. Each in their own way have achieved highly in their chosen, very different careers. Not only have they been successful in their professions, but they are also all in roles where they are helping people less fortunate than themselves, exemplifying the ethos of The Sister of The Sacred Advent, “Others before self.” I am so proud of them, along with all the other women who are helping to undertake change, explore new heights and make the world a better place in which to live. Now my two very young great granddaughters have their names on the waiting list. I would encourage you to consider leaving a bequest, be it large or small, so that more girls can enjoy The St Aidan’s Experience.
Janette Gibson (McKay 1954)
The greatest joys in life come from those who build with vision . . . Mrs Christine Hartland, 1954 reflecting on the first 25 years of St Aidan’s.
Janette Gibson (McKay 1954)
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Fo u n d a t i o n The St Aidan’s Foundation warmly thanks and acknowledges the support of our community for their generosity, belief in and support of the School. Following is a list of our 2021 community donors. Abbey Duce
Catherine Gulhane
Eric Chan
Ho Shan Wai
Josephine Chu
Adam Gilmore
Chan Family
Erica Drapes
Hodge Family
Joyce
Ahamed Family
Chao Family
Eugene Gracious
Judith Morrison
Aldridge Family
Charlotte & Isabel Lin’s Family
Felicity Conlan
Holly & Maisie O’Sullivan Williams Holly Nahrung
Charlotte Hill
Inge Roberts
Julia & Keira McKenna
Fiona Cranitch
Interact Students
Chelsea
Fiona Richardson (Gray-Buchanan 1991)
Isini Muthumuni
Juliette & Francesca Dube
Cheng Family
Fitzsimmons Family
Izabel Krzysica
Junior School Penguin Aid
Choon Hwang
Fleur Ristic
Jackie Child
Kano Family
Chris & Jill Deveney
Ganjoo Family
Jacqui Frey
Karen Lewis
Christine Streeter
Garry Connelly
James Edelman
Karen Madden
Christopher & Fiona Johnstone
Gaye Brown
Jane Malloch
Kari Melvin
Cindy Liu
Gemma Casaceli
Jane Muir
Karina Walker
Gibson Family
Janet H
Kate & Rosie B
Gillian Moses
Janice Griffin
Kate Grayson
Gloria Lou
Janice Simon
Kate Walsh
Grace Yi
Janie Gibson
Kathleen Ready
Grant Palling
Janna de Groot
Kelly Swan
Green Family
Jayasuriya Family
Kerensa McGraw
Greg Anderson
Jayne Gillespie/Burton
Kift Family
Greg Parker
Jen Crome
Kiko Wang
Guang Ren
Jenifer Hilless
Kim Bishop
Gunnarsson Huang Family
Jennie Cha
Kim Hernandez
Hahn Family
Jennie Robinson
Kim Lawrence
Jenny Green
Kirby Egan
Jenny Sherlock
Kirsten Herring
Jess Steele
Kisa & Greg Baldwin
Jessica Howson
Kondo Family
Jill Jagger
Kristen Lewis
Jillian Rayner
Kristine Cairns
Jin Sun Park
Kyprios Family
JingYi Sun
L Burke
Jo Butterworth
Lauren Ifield
Jo Wise
Lauren McGaw
Joanne Chung
Leah Johnson
Jodie Timoney
Leah Saul
Joe Lau
Leena Gayed
John Preston
Lennon Family
Jolly Family
Lenny & Archie
Jorja Lennon
Lesley Pearce
Alex Baker Alford Family Alice O’Donnell Allen Family Amanda Carpenter Amanda Herman Amanda Lampe Anderson Family Andrea Shackell Andy Dart Anita Haber Ann Jewitt Anna Cen Anna Ding Anne Kruger Annie Fanning Arielle Kruger Astrid Mann Ava & Zoe Wiegand Babette Sutherland Barbara Cundith Barry Walker Beatrice Wallace Ben & Megan Woodhouse Bethmay Watson-O’Loughlin Bih Huey Bilu Zhuang Bishop Family Bristow Family Bronwyn Morris C Chan Cain Family Cam Anderson Campbell Constructions Carmella Littlejohn
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Charlotte Huang
Col Fisher Coleman Tyres: Mechanical Condos Family Connie Shi Cook Family Coralie Burcher Daisy Moss Dan & Lindal Holt Daniel Jung Daniella Harrison David Pope Davies Family Debbie Lim Deborah Sweeney Dr A Spooner Dr Carol Carlisle Dr Susan Carter Dutton Family Ela Martin Elaine Marks Elizabeth Hamilton Elizabeth Hocker Emily & Lilley Bishop Emily Zhang Emmanuel Matzaris
Fiona Bird
Hancock Family Haijing Ren Hannah Shelburn Harriet Vining Hazel Lahey Heather Snowden Helen Clare Woolsey Helen Qiu Helene Dennis Heng Pan Heyn Family Himali Athuraliya Hindmarsh Family Hitesh Kumar Ho Family
Judy Gibson Juliet Bailey
Fo u n d a t i o n Thank you to the many donors who have chosen to remain anonymous; we appreciate your generous support.
Lexee Austen
Min Wang
Rowan Family
Suzanne Williams
Lezah Gildea-Marega
Miranda Good
Rowena & Scott McGrath
Sylvia Hicks
Lilly Harrison
Moira Grant
Rowena Kirkoff
Tan Family
Lilly Zheng
Nadeeka Perera
Rowena Warren
Taryn Donnelly
Lily Ji
Nathan Hatherly
Rush Family
Taylor Family
Linda L
Nicholas Family
Ruth Blakely
Terry Zheng
Lisa Grosskopf
Nicole Jaramazovic
Ruth Matchett
Terry Svenson
Lisa Neale
Nina & Tony Bergin
Saayman Family
Tiana Tong
Lisa Rayner
Nunnink Family
Samantha Lee
Tihari Jayasuriya
Lou Stanley
Nydia Lin
Sarah Bennett
Tingting Yao
Louise Burgman
O’Connor Family
Sarah O’Sullivan
Toni Riordan
Louise McNamara
Olivia Chong
Saskia Van Iperen
Toni Williams
Louraine White
Olivia Gao
Scroop Henriquez
Twidale Family
Lucy Quarterman
O’Sullivan Family
Seo’s Family
V Baradel
Luisa Uriarte
Palingu Aponso
Shannon Hunter
Vause Family
Lydia Bell
Pan Family
Sherlock Family
Walker Family
Maggie Allen
Pat Oliver
Shirley Power
Watkin Family
Maggie Huang Family
Patricia Haymes
Sienna Gualandi
Watt Family
Maggie Schafer
Paul Hernandez
Simon Petie
Wei Li
Mal, Jenni & Ella Edwards
Paul Jewitt
Simply Duo
Wendy Biggs
Mandy Flack
Paul Pedri
Sophia Wallace
Whitehead Family
Mandy Greig
Pauline Lucas
St Aidan’s Foundation
Wilhelmina Morrison
Marais Family
Penn-Davies Family
St Aidan’s Old Girl’s Association
Wilson-Mills Family
Margaret Hanson
Phong Nguyen & Rebecca Gardner
St Aidan’s Parents & Friends Association
Woolley Family
Plummer Family
St Aidan’s Senior School Students
Xiaoqian Li
Margaret Hayes Margaret Williams Maria Chadburn Marion Wilde Marjorie Busby Mark Robinson Matthew Deshon Matthew Lowe McKenna Family McPhee Family McPherson Group Holdings Meg Bishop Mel Stainlay Melania Chirayil Mengling Ruan Mia Hipwood Michelle Robson-Young Millie Walsh
Preston Family Quarterman Family Rachel Cheung Rachel Condos-Fields Rachel Eng Rebecca Paul Richard Mar Robert Petie Roberta Morrison Roberts Family Rocky Mo Ros Humphrey Rosalind Clarke Rose Family Rosemary Blair Rosemary Salisbury
Stacey Hollis Steer Family Stephen Green Stephensen Family Steve Baker Sue Figliano Sue Russell Su-Lyn Lee Susan & Andrew Thornton Susan Du Susan Lewis Susan Linnett Susan Tait
Xiang Ling Xin Li XL Industries Pty Ltd Yang Lin Yasmin & Aisha McDonald Yingbo Liu Yingzi Yan Yitong Wang Yuan Gao Yulia Cha Yumi Sakurai Yvette Kypriadakis Zoe 中野計人
Susan Whitaker Suzanne Tonge
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ALUMNI & Archives
1954 Nightingale House Supper
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ALUMNI Awards Nominate an outstanding St Aidan’s graduate The St Aidan’s Alumni Awards celebrate the diverse achievements of our alumni and provide an opportunity to inspire others through their recognition. From leadership in their professions, enterprise and entrepreneurship or service to global and local communities, the accomplishments of St Aidan’s alumni bring honour to themselves and to their School.
St Aidan’s Alumni Award Categories: Emma Betts Alumni Award Mother Emma Alumni Award Caroline Amy Alumni Award Emma Betts Alumni Award Criteria Recognises young alumni (30 years or younger at the time of nomination) whose professional or volunteer accomplishments demonstrate a significant positive impact - locally, nationally or internationally. As an inspirational role model, they have raised their profile and standing within the community to create positive impact in their field.
Mother Emma Alumni Award Criteria In celebration of St Aidan’s 90 year history, the Mother Emma Award celebrates achievement in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation. The award recipient demonstrates game changing and trail blazing endeavours across community or professional life. They may have pursued an alternative study or experience pathways to create their mark on the world.
Caroline Amy Alumni Award Criteria This pinnacle Alumni award recipient exemplifies continuous and significant contributions in professional, community, cultural, sporting or leadership achievement. They inspire and uplift those around them through their lifelong pursuits. For more information on how to nominate visit staidans.qld.edu.au/community/alumni/awards Contact us: paststudents@staidans.qld.edu.au
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ALUMNI NE WS
Vale
Mrs Nancy Browning (McKellar 1936) 1918-2022 Past Student & Past Staff Member Mrs Browning first met Sister Lois when teaching art at St John’s Cathedral School in the late 1930s and early 1940s, which led her to a long career working with the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent. Alternating between teaching at St Aidan’s and St Margaret’s until 1953, Mrs Browning taught St Aidan’s Senior students from her home in Chelmer, while pregnant with her first child, Kimberley (Browning 1971) and after her second child, Nicola (Browning 1973), was born Mrs Browning resumed teaching in 1957 and became a full-time St Aidan’s staff member in 1966. Mrs Browning remembered Sister Lois as ‘terrific, very intelligent, a wonderful tennis player and full of fun’, while she reminisced on her time as a St Aidan’s staff member with pride, ‘A very happy teaching experience, a marvellous teaching team’. Both daughters, Kim and Nikki, attended St Aidan’s while Mrs Browning was still teaching.
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ALUMNI
NE WS Many past students remember Mrs Browning fondly, whether it be for her teaching or her love of animals. Coralie Burcher (1961) shared, ‘St Aidan’s was like a family to me, but also gave us a well-rounded education. My intense interest in Art was encouraged. My Art teacher, Mrs Browning, gave me a remarkable grounding in the history of Art, I still have the exercise books with my reference notes!’ Mrs Browning’s black Labrador, Rhino, was a feature of her years at St Aidan’s – famed for removing sandwiches intended for the Sisters’ lunch and burying them. A roasted chicken, made by students for a staff lunch disappeared, with Rhino’s involvement unproven, however, Mrs Browning went on the record for the St Aidan’s History Book sharing, ‘but I know where that chicken went’. Many students have shared their memories of when the dog catcher would be in the neighbourhood and Mrs Browning would spread word among the girls, to bring the stray dogs to the Broads House where the art room was, next to a bathroom. The dogs would all be hidden in the bathroom until the coast was clear and it was safe to let them out again.
Vale Jane Sheehy (Geach 1959) passed away on 28 September 2021. Jane attended St Aidan’s from 1954 – 1959 and was Austen House Captain. She was a teacher aide in the St Aidan’s Junior School from 1985 – 2011. Jane’s daughter Angela (1993) also attended St Aidan’s and her granddaughter is a current student.
Her love of animals was not limited to dogs, when two stray horses wandered around Corinda, Mrs Browning took a rope to catch them and was surprised to see ‘Sister Lois catching the other one’.
Jean Adam (Beard 1940) passed away on 31 July 2021 aged 99 years
Mrs Browning retired from teaching at St Aidan’s in 1983 at 65 years old. Miss Marjorie Neil, who was the headmistress at the time gave the following address at the 1983 Speech Night:
Nancy Browning (McKellar 1936), Old Girl and Past Staff member passed away on 30 January 2022
‘There are many Old Girls of the School who remember with appreciation the technical skill and appreciation of Art implanted in them by Mrs Browning… I express, I am sure, the wishes of all for a long and happy retirement. The trunk will be different without you, but you have given it strength.’ We are thankful for Mrs Browning’s commitment and dedication to the St Aidan’s community and offer our condolences to her family at this difficult time.
Lynette Owens (Doyle 1952) passed away on 23 March 2022 Glenice Bowles (Duggan 1948) Mariel (Ellie) Gray (2003) passed away on 1 April 2022 Beverely Boyd (1955) passed away on 2 April 2022
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ALUMNI
NE WS Engagements Maddie Wilson (2010) to Alex Vickers Alexandra McDermott (2010) to James Hallam Nikki Jones (2008) to Dillan Cassano
Marriages Tara Schultz (2007) married Kail Marshall 26 May 2018 Isabelle Edmunds (2012) married Jake Davey on 28 August 2021 in Kalbar (pictured) Emily Wood (2003) married Christopher Airey on 16 October 2021 Emily Sawyer (2011) married Henry Kan with bridesmaids including Old Girls, Harriet Sawyer (2017), Eva Sheppard (2011) and Stacey Farmer (2011).
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NE WS Births Tara (Schultz 2007) and Kail Marshall welcomed Ellis on 13 August 2020 Amanda Wood (2002) welcomed Sophie Elizabeth on 18 May 2021 Emily (Strickland 2007) and Matt Bennison welcomed Jack on 25 May 2021 Emily (McLaughlin 2007) and Hugh Norton welcomed Sebastian on 2 October 2021 Meg (Russell 2009) and Simon Warren welcomed Charlotte Sue on 24 November 2021 Courtney (Phelps 2007) and Michael Hayes welcomed Ablie James in December 2021 Emily (Wood 2002) and Christopher Airey welcomed Charlotte Rose on 13 December 2021 Chloe Daglish (2009) and Sam Dutney welcomed Henry and Charles on 14 December 2021
Donations Thank you for helping us preserve the history of St Aidan’s
Stephanie (Grice 2006) and Wade Harrop welcomed Isabella Rose on 30 January 2022 with your generous donations:
Tarryn Minto (2008) Jan Ringrose (Cameron 1956) Melissa Bristowe-Browne (Meredith 1979) Lisa Hulot (Hoffman 2009) Wendy Jones (Shellshear 1987) Courtney Phelps (2007) Sally Carrick (Robertson 1966) Sue Henderson (1971) donated items including her panama hat and the original Allen & Stark box in the photographs above. Please consider donating items of school memorabilia and photos to the St Aidan’s Archives. All donations are catalogued and attributed to those who have donated them.
Katie Stenzel (2006) and Charlie Ohtomo welcomed Harry on 10 February 2022 Paige Archard (2009) and Declan Smith welcomed Sophia on 18 February 2022 Francesca (McLeod 2009) and Tony Reid welcomed Rosie on 19 February 2022 Belinda Wood (2009) and Adam Carberry welcomed George on 8 March 2022 Elizabeth Ossendryver (Lagos 1999) welcomed Jonathan on 11 March 2022 after a 12-year fertility journey. Elizabeth wrote to us to share “some things come easy to some people but not to others, I was taught by my parents and St Aidan’s to never give up”. Eloise (Stephenson 2007) and Tim Skinner welcomed Fraser Burke on 3 May 2022
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ALUMNI NE WS Hansen Scholarship Experience M S A D E L A I D E P O P E ( 2019)
Whilst at St Aidan’s I was surrounded by so much warmth and was really inspired to make the most of my quality education. After graduating in 2019 I moved to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Spanish and Latin American Studies at the nation’s top institution – The University of Melbourne. Despite the challenges that Covid-19 have brought (particularly in Melbourne who is now the world’s most locked-down city), this is undoubtedly the best decision I have made, and I know that had it not been for the support, sense of empowerment, and ability to think critically, that St Aidan’s has equipped me with, it would never have been realised. In my degree to date, I have interned with the Institute for the Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF)— a prominent research institution based in Jakarta—where my work on labour policy in G20 Countries will be presented by the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower at next year’s G20 Summit in Bali; I have worked with the Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC) on their project with the Centre for Innovative Industries Economic Research (CIIER) to adapt the European Digital Cities Index (EDCI) to a Pacific context, thus helping to capture critically important data on digital entrepreneurship and urban economies in our region, and ultimately help to inform policy decisions regarding cyber security, international relations, and international development; I have been actively involved in the Melbourne Microfinance Initiative (MMI)— a student-run microfinance organisation who provide pro-bono consulting services to underprivileged communities—as a consultant, a columnist and now Treasurer; and in 2022 I will join EY in their Cadet program, where I will be combining work with study to further develop my skills and enhance my understanding of the business world outside of the classroom.
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I was very fortunate to have been awarded the University of Melbourne’s Hansen Scholarship which enabled me to move to Melbourne and take advantage of all the opportunities this great university and vibrant city has to offer, without worrying about my rent or my living expenses. A major highlight of this scholarship program for me is the cohort of 20 students who I have come to know through living and studying alongside. Representing diversity in academic discipline, culture, personality and geography, these peers have made my time at university truly special and have virtually eliminated the isolation and stress one can feel when transitioning to university and moving to a new city. These experiences have taught me so much about myself and the world around me, and I look forward to delving deeper into these themes of macroeconomics, international development and international relations as I continue with my studies and subsequent career. I would sincerely like to thank all my teachers and sources of strength from St Aidan’s, as well as the Hansen Little foundation for their generosity and commitment to our education. I am determined to pay both back and forward all the opportunities I have been afforded, and hope that I can use them to make a positive and tangible impact.
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ALUMNI
NE WS Congratulations Congratulations to Betty Davies (Park 1939) who turned 100 years old on 9 April. Betty attended St Aidan’s with her sisters Joan Casey (Park 1941) and Kay Henderson (Park 1944). Betty’s daughter Martine Davies (1977) also attended St Aidan’s. Kate Carnell (Knowlman 1972) was appointed as the first Patron of The Family Business Association. Betty Davies (Park 1939)
Jessica Allen (2021) has been awarded the Australian National University CECS Engineering Research and Development Female Excellence Scholarship. Tessa Heath (2015) has released a new single and music video under her stage name Tessa Fleur. Tessa emerged on the music scene in 2020 with her debut single ‘Sunset Melancholy’ and again in 2021 with her single, ‘The Hell of it All’. ‘The Hell of it All’ received national radio spins and reviews from Triple J with the music video that was nominated in two categories in the Clipped Music Video Festival for 2021/22 and received highly commended in the Queensland Music Awards 2021. Tessa was the inaugural recipient of The Tara Simmons Scholarship at QUT in 2020, which aims to enrich the education and aspirations of a talented and committed female student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) course who may be disadvantaged through financial or personal hardship or from a regional or remote location. The scholarship honours the life of QUT graduate, Tara Simmons. Tara heroically fought a battle with cancer while working tirelessly on her recent posthumously released album, before passing away in January 2019. Tessa said she felt honoured to be awarded the scholarship in the legacy of Tara.
Tessa Heath (2015)
“Tara continues to be a special role model for many women to look up to in the music industry, including myself. The creativity and fearlessness she demonstrated through her music and artistry is something I will admire forever,” she said. You can listen to Tessa’s music on Spotify or Apple Music and follow her here: facebook.com/tessafleurmusic/
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ALUMNI
NE WS Hannah Gartside (2004) is featured in The Museum of Contemporary Art’s annual exhibition of Young Australian Artists. “Embedded in feminism and material culture, Gartside used found textiles to create installations, sculptures and costumes; employing her skills of dress-making, patchwork, quilting and fabric dying accrued during her former career as a ballet and theatre costumier”.
Photo by Ilona Nelson, 2021
Katie Ohtomo (Stenzel 2004), Old Girl and current voice teacher has been selected as the lead in the Barber of Seville opera production. Katie has also been cast in Opera Queensland’s Sopranos which opened at QPAC in April. Brenda Sullivan (Porter 1978) celebrated 40 years with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as a violinist. Brenda has played with many incredible musicians including Peter Allen, Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra.
Photo by Jade Ferguson at Visual Poets Society courtesy of Opera Queensland
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The Last Word In the Shadow of an Apocalypse? I’m feeling a little shell-shocked this term. In fact, the most common phrase I have heard in the last couple of weeks, as we attempt to regroup after Covid, floods and the war in Ukraine, is “What next?” It is an understandable lament, but one that frightens me, as I utterly failed to predict any of those three events. Why even try to predict what else might be heading our way? I want to resist the question, because it feels like it only expects a disaster as an answer. “A plague of locusts!” is the most common response I have heard, but I think that seems too mundane. And I don’t want to fall into the trap of thinking there are only bad things to anticipate, as though we are living in the shadow of an apocalypse. Then, I am reminded of what an apocalypse is, in theological terms at least. Apocalypse means an unveiling or revelation. The genre of apocalyptic writing, which is originally a biblical genre, painted a picture of a future so uncertain that only God could intervene and save God’s people! So when a tiny nation like Israel was about to be invaded by the might of Babylon or Rome, they prayed for an apocalypse which meant that God would step in and save them from almost certain disaster. Given this meaning, I am okay with living in the shadow of an Apocalypse. Not because I think we are in imminent danger of being overwhelmed, but Reverend Gillian Moses Chaplain
because if we are, then I am waiting for God to show up! Now, in a literary sense, when God shows up in your story weird things happen. Rivers run with blood and dragons. But in real life, when God shows up we know it looks like community, compassion, care and presence. Sometimes, these seem even more extraordinary than dragons. If things feel a little apocalyptic to you, and you feel as though disaster is imminent, I encourage you to watch out for the signs of God’s presence. When someone shows up to help you, or does something to help you feel loved and included, or responds to your need, that is God at work. And when you show up for someone else, you are God for them. God is always with us, and we can always be there with one another.
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Open Day Wednesday 8 June 2022
At St Aidan’s our focus is to develop and promote authentic, caring, confident, creative and connected women who value reason, imagination, truth, compassion and responsibility. Our strong and dynamic music, dance, debating and sporting programs provide the foundation for our activities program. We proudly encourage girls to develop a
St Aidan’s AnglicanloveGirls’ School of participation and competition.
We invite you to come and experience everything that St Aidan’s has to offer at our Open Day on Wednesday 8 June 2022. Visit our website to register and for the schedule: staidans.qld.edu.au/events Or book a private tour: staidans.qld.edu.au/take-a-tour
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Anglican Girls’ School
St Aidan’s
AUTHENTIC CARING 11 Ruthven St, Corinda Qld 4075 Australia P +61 7 3373 5999 E reception@staidans.qld.edu.au www.staidans.qld.edu.au A School of the Society of the Sacred Advent ABN 71079817981 CRICOS Provider Number 01194k
CONFIDENT C R E AT I V E CONNECTED