Fideliter | Summer Edition 2021-2022

FIDELITER S T M A R Y ’S A N G L I C A N G I R L S’ S C H O O L • S U M M E R E D I T I O N 2021-22

the best

IS YET TO BE

contents

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL

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FROM THE CHAPLAIN

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FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

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FROM THE FOUNDATION Thanks to you: 2021 Donor Roll HEAD GIRL: SALLY HICKS

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COVER:

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FIDELITER CONTENTS

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SPEECH NIGHT AND CENTENARY CELEBRATION

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CENTENARY FEATURE: LASTING LINKS

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CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

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A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

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FIRST CLASS RESULTS

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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ST MARY'S AUXILIARY

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ARCHIVAL ANECDOTES

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT

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PARENTS' SOCIETY

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VALE

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT

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OLD GIRLS' ASSOCIATION

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2022 STUDENT LEADERS

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NEWS FROM OLD GIRLS

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JUNIOR SCHOOL

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ELEVATE: A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

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FIDELITER Fideliter is a publication of St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School. please direct all correspondence to:

St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, PO Box 105, Karrinyup WA 6921 telephone:

(08) 9341 9111 email:

publicity@stmarys.wa.edu.au

editors:

Rhys Dickinson and Amanda Kemp

editorial assistants:

Joan Karmelita and Jacinta Spry

design and production:

Dessein

feature photography:

Jacinta Spry

FIDELITER CONTENTS

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL

SHAPING

H

aving celebrated 100 years of girls discovering their best at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School in 2021, it is now timely, while reflecting on the magnificent past of our school, to turn our faces to look to the exciting future that lies ahead. Last year provided a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate our history, but also engage in shaping our future with the launch of Our Strategy: 2021 – 2025.

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FIDELITER From the Principal

I am forever grateful to the custodians who many years ago made the brave decision to relocate our school from West Perth to its current spacious grounds in Karrinyup.

This momentous decision in the 1960s laid the foundations for St Mary’s continued progression and now our flourishing school educates more than 1450 students who benefit from an inspiring learning environment located within idyllic grounds.

Past Principals, Miss Katherine Carter OBE and Mrs Theresa Macdonald, both expressed views during their leadership that the custodians of the School should respect the past traditions but also continue to move forward to facilitate new growth opportunities for each generation of students.

I am pleased that we are honouring this sentiment.

As we look to the future, I am certain that we have the right balance or respecting the past while delivering a contemporary learning

experience for our students so that they will develop into self-aware, adaptable learners who strive for personal and academic excellence with grit and integrity. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that the need for flexibility and adaptability is not going away in a hurry. Thus, we need to focus on teaching our students these skills to enable them to thrive in the future.

We also need to continue developing confident young women who are courageous and compassionate in the face of challenging times.

We saw this compassion in action during 2021 as our community rallied to support those students and families who were affected by a serious car accident in August. I know that this care and kindness will be sustained as as we continue to support our beloved Centenary Head Girl, Sally Hicks, and her parents, Sonia and Steve. In her Head Girl acceptance speech at the Prefect Investiture

in January 2021, Sally encouraged her peers to face obstacles or challenges by identifying and focusing on silver linings. As we prepare to face a period of uncertainty following the end of Western Australia’s hard border, I will be honouring Sally by looking to celebrate the positives during these times.

Throughout 2021, we collectively honoured the past and looked to the future with great hope and anticipation. Our 1938 Almerta featured a poignant quote from poet Robert Browning, “The best is yet to be”, and our Centenary commissioned song by Paul Jarman included the line, “With Fideliter, St Mary’s will always stay strong”. As we embark on the next century of discovery at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, I am confident that we will stay strong and that the best is truly yet to be.

Mrs Judith Tudball Principal

OUR FUTURE

FIDELITER From the Principal

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FROM THE CHAPLAIN

R

ichard Offen’s wonderful Centenary book, A Place to Grow, begins with the following paragraph: “On 14 September 1921, in the fashionable suburb of West Perth, a new private school opened its doors for the first time at 40 Colin St. Formed by the amalgamation of two smaller schools, the Church of England Girls’ School, St Mary’s West Perth was founded in the Parish Hall with an initial roll of 98 pupils”. Its founding principal was the parish priest, Rev C L Riley (later to become Bishop Riley), making the Anglican identity of St Mary’s significant and central from the start.

Over the years, chapel life, religious education and many of the Christian-based rituals that are so important to the rhythm of our school have changed, but St Mary’s is still strongly connected to its Anglican heritage. At present, students attend chapel on a weekly basis in the Junior School and once per cycle in the Senior School.

Religious Education is offered from Kindergarten to Year 12 and there are many special services and community gatherings that have an Anglican ‘flavour’ throughout the year.

Some highlights include Easter services, confirmations, Anzac and Remembrance Day assemblies, Old Girls’ and Grandparents' Day services, NAIDOC Week events,

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FIDELITER From the CHAPLAIN

All Souls’ Day, Valedictory and Stations of the School services, boarders’ chapels, sometimes with Hale School, staff eucharists, and Christmas Eve, to name but a few.

The girls often create their own services, which allows for growth and self-expression. Some of these are very moving.

As we look to the future, I am confident that the scope and creativity of our Anglican expression of Christianity will continue to grow. An example in recent times has been the connection made between our beliefs and values and the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves, inspired by the life of Jesus and others. This includes local, national and international issues, with our priority being the support of excellent Anglican agencies who are doing some incredible work. It also includes the environment and a commitment to non-violent living, as we learn to take much better care of ourselves, our neighbours and the world around us.

Two other exciting developments include the construction of a bush chapel at Metricup and the commissioning by the Parents’ Society of a new chapel icon, based on the resurrection, by Mrs Dalli Cani.

I wish you all the best for the year ahead.

Reverend Richard Pengelley

FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS “It’s impossible,” said pride.

“It’s risky,” said experience.

“It’s pointless,” said reason.

“Give it a try,” whispered the heart.

ANON

J

ust like Indiana Jones, who in the “Last Crusade” takes a leap of faith and steps forth into the unknown, St Mary’s begins its next century of ‘Engaging Hearts and Igniting Curious Minds’.

Whereas Indiana Jones had only his book of crude drawings and inferences of success, St Mary’s has a sound foundation to continually build on. We have a community that is united and grateful, and exhibits true generosity of spirit and compassion.

ABOVE: Principal, Mrs Judith Tudball, and Elizabeth Carr ('81) AM. CAPTIONS: Elizabeth Carr ('81) AM with

The simplest strategies with an uncomplicated focus, ones that come from the heart with words that we all ‘just get’, are often the most successful. The Board of Governors and the Executive hope that Our Strategy: 2021-2025, which Mrs Tudball and I launched late last year, is just that. Our goal was to focus on “the best is yet to be”, to build upon our history, to focus on our community, and to know that our greater society will be in good hands because of the girls we are educating today and tomorrow. They will make their mark by being faithful to our values of aspiration, integrity, compassion, courage and respect.

If we are who we are because of our history, because of the “steps which other feet have trod”, then it also means that we will be “who we are” in 2121 because of the decisions made today, because of the girls who walk through these gates today, because of the parents who raise extraordinary girls and who contribute to our community today, and because of our educators today. I have great confidence that the best is yet to be.

Thank you for everything that you are doing to help build on the firm foundations of our past to create St Mary’s exciting future.

With best wishes for the year ahead, Elizabeth Carr (’81) AM Chair, Board of Governors

FIDELITER From the Board of Governors

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FROM THE FOUNDATION

I

t is my absolute honour to be the new Chair of the St Mary’s Foundation. As a graduate of the Class of 1998, I am eternally grateful to St Mary’s for providing me with an education that enabled me to enjoy a career in Law, as well as friendships that will last a lifetime. I would like to thank outgoing Chair, Miss Marlene Carter (‘63), for all her hard work and commitment to the School. I am delighted that Marlene will continue to lend her passion and expertise to the Foundation as Vice Chair.

A warm welcome must also go to Mrs Yasmin Baskerville and I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mrs Daina De Mattia for her service to the Foundation Board of Management.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our generous donors who supported St Mary’s in our Centenary year. Incredibly, our community of 290 donors raised more than $370,000 for our Scholarship, Building and Library Funds in 2021.

The Foundation was delighted to provide the School with a Centenary gift of $300,000 to develop an adventure challenge course, including a low ropes course, mountain bike and walk trail, as well as a bush Chapel, at St Mary’s at Metricup: The Lady Treatt Centre for Learning and Leadership. Construction commenced last year and the new facilities will be ready for our students to enjoy soon. Further, at our Speech Night and Centenary Celebration, Chair of the Board of Governors, Ms Elizabeth Carr, announced that the Foundation had secured the

ABOVE: Caption?

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FIDELITER From the Foundation

purchase of the adjoining 43 hectares of the original property for $1.7 million. Settlement will occur in the early New Year.

It is our great privilege to continue to fund the Old Girls’ Association life membership fee for all leaving Year 12s, which strengthens our alumni community.

While I am on the topic of our Old Girls, we are immensely proud of our Class of 2021, who founded a wonderful new scholarship, the Spirit of St Mary’s Scholarship, which is their leaving gift to the School.

The girls and their families raised an astonishing $26,800 for the Scholarship. The Foundation and Board of Governors, who were so inspired by their generosity, decided to match their donation on behalf of our extraordinary teaching staff in acknowledgement of their efforts on World Teachers’ Day. As we look ahead to the remainder of this year, you can expect to see a revised and inspired special events calendars for our St Mary’s Foundation donors and supporters, as well as an exciting Annual Giving campaign that will help to support the next generation of St Mary’s students.

If you would like more information about donating to the Foundation, our Philanthropy team would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact them on (08) 9341 9120 or giving@stmarys.wa.edu.au.

Our Centenary year was full of wonderful celebratory occasions; however, I have a feeling that 2022 is going to be equally exciting. I truly believe that the best is yet to be for the next generation of students who walk through our gates.

Bree Rosagro (’98) Chair of the St Mary’s Foundation

THANKS TO YOU 2021 DONOR ROLL

St Mary’s extends its gratitude to everyone who supports our vision to be a leader and innovator in the education of girls. It is our aim to provide the very best learning environment for our students today and in the future.

This Donor Roll records the names of donors who have supported St Mary’s between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021.

The donors listed in maroon have supported St Mary’s for five or more consecutive years and are recognised as members of the Fideliter Society.

ANNUAL GIVING SCHOLARSHIP FUND, BUILDING FUND AND LIBRARY FUND

2021 SPIRIT OF ST MARY’S

Helen Adams Afilaka Family Ahmed Family Linzey Allinson Appleby Family Elizabeth Atkins Atkins Family Attwill Family Lynette Baker (Price ’74) Wendy Barnao Bronwyn Barnes Glenn and Lisa Barrett Baskerville Family David Bean Adrian Beck Beer Family Sandra Botica Bouckaert Family Ann Boyer Brades Family Paul, Victoria and Lilia Bradley Brennan Family Brindal Family Burbridge Family Vanya Burton Mr and Mrs Paul Butler Buzynski Family Carey Family Marlene Carter (’63) Chen Family Virginia Christie Civitico Family Andrew and Nikki Cornfield Carolyn Cover (Walder ’74) Leonie Coxon (Smith ’61) Crabb Family Jane Crisp (Cyprian ’81) Megan Crust Jaslyn Cullen (Gibson ’94) George Cyprian and Family Sheevaun Darby Amy Dawson (Fraser ’94) De Mattia Family P Dodson Shirly Duncan John Earnshaw Peter Evans Feng Family Mr and Mrs Frederic Teresa Gastevich Marina Georgiou (’00) Gibb Family Rodger and Judith Gibson Gaye and Chas Giglia Jamie and Fay Gilbert Gillmore Family Jane and John Gillon Monica Gordon Elizabeth Gorey (’71) Linda and Rudi Gracias Gregory Family Griffiths Family Gunasekera Family Gurgone Family Cheryl Haak Hancock Family Ian and Kerrie Hardy Fiona Harris Lisa Harris Anne and Nigel Harrison Trish Hawkey Dr Hawksley and Dr Patel Marjorie Heaney (Long ’65) Erica Herron Lybus Hillman (Manning ’65) Dana Hlavacek Michelle Houwen Elizabeth Howson Hurst Family Yupin Intrada Ireland Family Eric and Louise Isaachsen Jackson Family Jago Family Deborah Jarman Jeffs Family, Jasmine Jeffs (’06) Johansen Family

Addis Family Bailey Family Sophie Walford and Family Bond Family Botz Tess and Fiona Boys Elizabeth Buchanan (Mickle ’48) Andrew and Dee Caldow Mackenzie and Amélie Caporn Elizabeth Carr (’81) Arielle Christodulou Jaime Cohenca Conti Family Cooper-Lepre Family Chitty/Cornwell Family Class of 1981 Counsel Family Fairhurst Family Anita and Cilla Daw Andre and Maryka de Vries Rhys and Jessica Dickinson Mia and Beth Dragicevich Duncan Family Farrington Family Finnie Family Stewart Gallagher Marina Georgiou (’00) Gillmore Family Neve Glynn Goh Family Monica Gordon The Hon Justice Michelle Gordon AC Greenland Family Hall Family Hallam Family Erica Herron Stephen and Sonia Hicks Kirsten Hill Holdaway Family (’21, ’18, Eastwood ’87) Elizabeth Howson Fairweather Family Hyde Family, Rachel (’21) Phoebe Jones Caitlyn (’17) and Chelsy Inkster (’21) Ireland Family, Breanna (’21) Janse van Rensburg Family Mr Kahane Keating Family Lawson Family Felicity Letch Letrone Family Lewis Family Logan Family Lönnqvist Family Lowson Family Lucas Family Lynch Family Mahoney Family Manuel Family McCaw Family Julia McGibbon-Briggs and Jason Briggs Rosa McGillivray McKay Family Melville Family Miles Family Mulvay Family Murray Family Needham Family Stephanie Neille Oakley Family Oosthuizen Family Victoria Paterson Pham Family Nathan and Sascha Phillips Price Family Maxine and Mike Regan Caitlyn Ribbons (’21) Natika Riordan (’21) Bree Rosagro (Buxton ’98) Hollie Scholz Sefton Family Shah Family Silver Family

Rhys and Sarah Johnson Johnson Family, Cate Johnson (’20) Johnston Family (’08 and ’12) Joan Karmelita Leo Kelly and Marlene Downing Kemp Family Kenny Family Kercheval Family Mr and Mrs Knight Komaromi Family Koranis Family Jonathon and Sally Langer Tes and David Lynch Mary Ellen MacDonald, in memory of Kerensa Coral Mack (Hayes ’64) Wendy Mann (Barr ’63) Marinovich Family Martino Family Maxwell Family Steve and Sandra McAlpine McLean Family Meharry Family Greg and Louise Miles Millett Family Jane Milloy Mincherton Family Terry Minello Molloy Family Moncrieff Family Kerry Muir-Chandler Vicki Neil Stephanie Neille Nguyen Family Patricia Nicholls (Hobbs ’59) Palmer Family Joan Parke Parnell Family Rebecca Payne Phan Family Jo Philpott (’78) Heather Pickles (’81) Judith Pinczuk (de Castilla ’60) Nick and Corrinna Politis Elizabeth Powley Chris Preston (Ereth-Purves ’58) Price Family Pritchard Family Lesley Prowse Ramel Family Louise Richardson (Kelly ’85) Bree Rosagro (Buxton ’98) Gay Routledge (Kirby ’64) Margaret Saunders (Harris ’70) Indiana (’16) and Madeleine (’18) Scanlon Jenny Scott (Lefroy ’62) Peta-Jane Secrett Sefton Family Desiree Silva Jacinta Sirr-Williams and Glen Williams Jeanie Sojan (Smith ’72) Spencer Family Stout Family Su Family Tan Family Kate and Douglas Thomson Lynne Thomson Thomson Family Debbie and Rik Thornton Dana Trtica Judith and Rod Tudball Liam Twigger Louise Tyson van Rooyen Family Vander Wal Family Vaswani Family Roger and Pam Veary Vella, Jade and Sophie Keeva Verschoor Sharon Warburton Weerakody Family Giles and Elspeth West Stacey-Jane Willis (’75) Zamudio-Concha Family • 16 donors who wish to remain anonymous

Ray and Heidi Simpson Sloggett Family Staple Family Mr and Mrs Sujono Sullivan Family Judith and Rod Tudball Scott Vilé Fiona Waller Ward Family Charlotte Waugh (’21) Webster Family Rebecca Webster West Family Whitfield Family Emma Wiese (’21) Williams Family Worsfold Family Michael and Leah Wright Mr and Mrs Zu • 16 donors who wish to remain anonymous • 256 St Mary’s staff members who made a donation ahead of attending the Centenary Staff Dinner ENDOWMENT FUND The families of all new students in 2021 who contributed to the Foundation’s Endowment Fund, which provides for the long-term future of the School INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIPS Two donors who wish to remain anonymous REALISED BEQUESTS The Estate of the late Thea Bantock (’47) STUDENT AWARDS AND PRIZES Donors who provide awards and prizes that recognise the outstanding achievements and service of students and Old Girls: Estate of Kerensa Allason (’89) Estate of Fay Bailey (’40) Estate of Esmee Byatt (Templeton ’30) Contemporary Metal Dr John Craig, in memory of Frances Craig MBE Estate of Deborah Cook (Parker ’29, Head Girl) Marilynn Freitag Jacqueline, Serena, Malcolm and Graham in memory of Helen Hyslop (Judge ’50, Head Girl) Genevieve Irwin (Stone ’74) Audrey Jackson AM Joan Karmelita Denise Lane (Marshall ’79) Pamela Mathers Ruth Phelps, in memory of Ruth Rowell (Robinson ’33) Maria Stannage St Mary’s Auxiliary St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association St Mary’s Foundation Robyn Taylor Lynne Thomson Estate of Lady Treatt (Wilson ’32, Head Girl) Western Australian Journal of Medicine

Every effort has been made to ensure that this list is accurate. If an error has been made, please accept our sincere apologies and contact us on (08) 9341 9111 or email giving@stmarys.wa.edu.au

FIDELITER From the Foundation

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HEAD GIRL

Student leaders

SALLY HICKS

W

e are sincerely grateful to the entire St Mary’s community for the love, compassion and care that you have offered our family and Sally since the accident in August. This period has been an awful time for us, but your support and prayers have comforted us when we needed it the most. We have been constantly amazed and touched by the response. People we never knew have moved us with their generosity and kindness, and your compassion and strength have helped us through the darkest moments.

Sally’s first day in Year 7 feels like yesterday. Sal insisted on catching the bus from Floreat Forum from day one and we are so glad that she did, because she would end up making some of her dearest friends during those daily bus rides to and from school.

Sally was always eager to test herself and try new things, so she embraced every opportunity that St Mary’s threw her way. She especially loved sport and played IGSSA every term of every year of high school, often participating in sports that she had not played before! She was never a dancing girl but competed in Interhouse Dance every year because she wanted to support her Wittenoom house mates and be a part of it all. But most of all we loved the way the School gave her a safe environment to try something and then supported her to extend herself. What started with swimming and water polo ended with Sally completing her scuba diving certificate through school and diving

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FIDELITER HEAD GIRL

on the Abrolhos Islands.

The Year 7 volleyball tour to Melbourne gave her a taste for travel and in Year 10 she travelled to the other side of the world, Connecticut and New York, with two classmates (and no adults!), to take up her Westover School exchange in Connecticut.

These experiences, plus many more, enhanced her self-confidence and she was not afraid to pursue her potential because of the safe environment that St Mary’s provided and the support and confidence that she received from staff and classmates. We loved the way the School sparked and nurtured her interests and then let her develop in her own way as far as she wanted to go.

Sally often spoke about how lucky their year group was because everyone was so lovely, and we often thought how great it was that such a special group of girls would be graduating in the Centenary year of 2021. When Sally learned that she was to be Head Girl in the School’s 100th year, she was so excited and proud to have been chosen by her peer group and took it all in her stride to make the most of the opportunity she had been provided in such a special year for St Mary’s.

Sally’s high school years have been everything we hoped and dreamed for. We will always be grateful that St Mary’s has given her the best years of her life and been the most wonderful support when she needed it the most.

Sonia and Stephen Hicks

SPEECH NIGHT AND

CENTENARY CELEBRATION WE GATHERED AS A COMMUNITY AT HBF STADIUM ON 3 DECEMBER TO CONCLUDE OUR CENTENARY YEAR AND CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR INSPIRING STUDENTS.

The audience enjoyed a mesmerising performance of Damaged by our Speech Night Dance Ensemble, a colourful reprise of Under the Sea from our Senior School drama production, The Little Mermaid, and the much-anticipated première of our commissioned Centenary work, Fideliter, performed by our Years 5 to 12 massed choir accompanied by our symphony orchestra. Composer Paul Jarman could not be with us in person for the première but his heartfelt video message to staff and students was much appreciated. Other highlights included words of wisdom from guest speaker Jonté Morgan (Pike ’07) and The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO. The evening was an opportunity to reflect on the last 100 years and look forward to St Mary’s next century of discovery. With this in mind, our Chair of the Board of Governors, Elizabeth Carr AM (’81), announced an expansion of St Mary’s at Metricup. Thanks to the St Mary’s Foundation, the purchase of an extra 43 hectares is an exciting addition that will open up more opportunities for our students to learn outside the classroom.

The presentation of awards highlighted the achievements of so many St Mary’s girls, acknowledging their academic, artistic and sporting talents; the commitment, strength and perseverance with which they pursue their goals; and their service as fine, giving citizens of our school and the wider world. It was also a time to acknowledge all those who do not receive awards but who also achieve remarkable feats and give of themselves to others.

Our year of centenary celebrations concluded with a focus on moving forward into the next century of the life of the school, setting out to “engage hearts and ignite curious minds”, knowing that “the best is yet to be.”

FIDELITER Speech Night and Centenary Celebrations

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A SPECIAL BOND 12

FIDELITER Lasting Links

C E N T E N A R Y F E AT U R E

LASTING LINKS

A LEGACY OF MAROON AHEAD OF CENTENARY WEEK, OLD GIRLS LORRAINE JOHNSTON (PUSTKUCHEN ’72), PETA BROWN (JOHNSTON ’94), SHANNON BROWN (’13) AND TORI BROWN (’15), ONE OF COUNTLESS FAMILIES WHO POSSESS A SPECIAL BOND THAT IS STEEPED IN MAROON, GATHERED IN OUR BELOVED BELVEDERE TO DISCUSS WHY ST MARY’S HAS HAD SUCH A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES.

The family’s St Mary’s legacy began in 1968 with Lorraine, who commenced as a boarder in Year 8.

Hailing from the small country town of North Baandee, she arrived at St Mary’s during a time when the School’s boarding facilities remained at West Perth but classes were held at its burgeoning Karrinyup campus, which was emerging from the ground before the students’ eyes.

“I boarded at West Perth, but the actual school campus was located at Karrinyup. We would get ready in the morning, receive a brown paper bag containing our lunch and morning tea – a sandwich and an apple – and then we would hop on the bus and make our way to Karrinyup, which at that stage had only two wings and an undercroft. Otherwise, it was just sand for as far as the eye could see.

It is mind-blowing to see the school today, with its magnificent gardens and towering buildings.”

Lorraine loved her time at St Mary’s and especially enjoyed forging strong friendships with fellow students, who came from a myriad of regional and international locations.

“I got to meet so many people from across Western Australia and the world. In our year we had girls from Japan and the Congo. The School has given me lifelong friendships and I am still very close with a lot of girls I boarded with. Whenever you meet somebody who attended St Mary’s, there is an instant connection; you have an immediate bond.”

Most of all, Lorraine valued the life lessons that she learned during her time at St Mary’s, and that is why she was adamant about sending her daughter, Peta, to the School.

“St Mary’s gave me everything I needed to succeed in life and I wanted my daughter to have that too.”

Peta started her St Mary’s story in 1989 as a Year 7 student, when the Junior School was located where the mathematics department stands today. Having been captivated by all of her mother’s tales about St Mary’s, it is fair to say that Peta had high expectations of the School.

Fortunately, those expectations were not only met but exceeded.

“I believe that being a St Mary’s girl gave me opportunities that I would not otherwise have been afforded.

The School’s pursuit of excellence was always so inspiring; everybody strived to be the best version of themselves. The sense of community was also amazing. We really are one family forever and it is true when they say that once you’re a St Mary’s girl, you’re always a St Mary’s girl.”

Needless to say, Peta’s time at St Mary’s inspired her to pursue a career in education.

“I am a teacher now because of my experience at St Mary’s. My mum’s home economics teacher, Gaena Duncan, was my home economics teacher and all I wanted to be was a home economics teacher. Mrs Duncan inspired me with her passion for cooking and her cake-baking competitions. Because of her I am now the Head of Home Economics at Mater Dei College.”

As you might have gathered, there was no question in Peta’s mind about what school her daughters would go to.

“Since my girls were old enough to talk, they knew that they were going to St Mary’s. We are certainly not affluent by any means, so we sacrificed everything to make sure that our girls could go here, which is what my mum did for me.”

Any fears that Peta might have had about her sacrifices going unappreciated were quickly allayed when Shannon and Tori beamed upon learning that they would follow in their grandmother and mother’s footsteps by attending St Mary’s. In fact, Tori made her delight known to everyone – including her former primary school classmates.

“I remember when I got my St Mary’s backpack and uniform before starting in Year 5. I took them to my old school and showed them off at recess. I was so excited because of everything I had heard about the School from my mum and grandma,” Tori said.

Like their grandmother and mother before them, both Shannon and Tori relished their schooling experience at St Mary’s. Shannon savoured her interactions with many motivating teachers, while Tori discovered her passion for the theatre.

Shannon said the pair felt honoured to attend St Mary’s.

“We both had such a fabulous time at the School and I think having the family legacy made it all the more special. We all wouldn’t be who we are today without our experiences at St Mary’s.”

FIDELITER Lasting Links

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C E N T E N A R Y F E AT U R E

LASTING LINKS

OLD GIRLS GO FULL CIRCLE Did you know that more than 15 members of St Mary’s teaching staff are former students of the School?

We sat down with three Old Girls – Geraldine Drabble (Sims, ’84), Natalie Sumner (’99) and Natasha Denham (’11) ­­– during our Centenary Week to discuss their journey from student to educator and why they chose to teach at St Mary’s.

Geraldine Drabble (Deputy Head of Junior School) might have only attended St Mary’s in Years 11 and 12, but the dedication of the School’s teaching staff left a lasting impression on her and ultimately inspired her to return in a professional capacity 26 years later.

Like many boarding students of her time, Geraldine, who hailed from the small country town of Beverley, took some time to adjust to life away from the farm. Although she was not overly fond of the rules and routines that came with living in Anne Symington House, Geraldine thrived in the classroom thanks to the support of many wonderful teachers.

“The teachers were excellent at supporting the boarding students.

They went to extraordinary lengths to improve our learning and lift our results. That has always stayed with me, so years later when an opportunity to return as a teacher arose, I knew what the School was like and that it had exceptionally high standards,” Geraldine said.

“I absolutely love being a teacher here. I think being a teacher here is the closest thing that you can get to being part of a tightly knit country community. The campus itself is almost like a country town within the boundaries of the school. Because I came here, my daughters also came here and now I work here. There are so many levels of connection and community at St Mary’s for me.”

Natalie Sumner (Sports Co-ordinator) has been wearing maroon for almost 27 years – and she would not have it any other way. After spending 12 years as a student at St Mary’s from 1988 to 1999, Natalie seized an opportunity continue her association with the School, when she was offered a job in the physical education department in 2006.

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FIDELITER Lasting Links

“I made my mind up in Year 10 that I wanted to be a sports teacher and that was probably influenced by the phys ed teachers at the time – Helen Garnett, Helen Timms and Katie Cox. I just wanted to be them,” Natalie said.

“You could tell that they just loved their job. They were always so positive and made sport so fun. I just thought, ‘that’s what I want to do after school’.”

Natasha Denham (Year 6 teacher) was not shy to admit that she prayed for an opening at St Mary’s every time she refreshed her SEEK search field. Fortunately for the 2011 graduate, her dream of teaching at her beloved school became a reality in 2021.

Natasha said that her desire to become a teacher and work at St Mary’s stemmed from her wonderful experiences as a student at the School and specifically, her interactions with its enthusiastic staff.

“I had so many fabulous teachers during my three years at St Mary’s.

I had such admiration for them, especially the likes of Linda Richards, who was my English Literature teacher,” Natasha said.

“I used to write an extra essay every single week because I was really determined to get a great mark.

Every single week I’d give her an extra essay and every single week she would come back with a full written response to my original and additional essay. Now that I am a teacher I think, ‘What on earth was I doing to this poor woman?’ But she never complained and was always so willing to put in the extra yards to help me.”

FIDELITER Lasting Links

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CENTENARY TREE PLANTING

S

t Mary’s Centenary Week celebrations began with a symbolic ceremony on 13 September. The School’s youngest student, Kiara Chudasama, and oldest student, Arlene Janse van Rensburg, joined Principal, Mrs Judith Tudball, to plant a Wollemi Pine in Chapel Gardens, following a special blessing from Chaplain, Father Richard Pengelley.

The Centenary Tree concept harks back to the St Mary’s brochure entitled A Place to Grow, which was published in 1964 to launch the building fund appeal for the School to expand from the confines of its West Perth site to Karrinyup. At the time, then Principal, Mrs Theresa Macdonald, said, “St Mary’s is as a tree. In its shade, ‘we’, and our children, have grown. On its fruits ‘we’ have fed. In its branches ‘we’ have climbed and grown strong. But a tree cannot be static; it must develop …”

The Wollemi Pine, which is among the world’s oldest and rarest plants, was chosen because it is unique, significant and durable, much like our beloved school.

During the tree planting ceremony, Mrs Tudball said, “We hope that generations of St Mary’s girls will benefit from the shade of this Wollemi Pine and all that it stands for. To hark back to the words of Mrs Macdonald, we are putting down new roots to remain vital and reach full stature. The traditions and example of the past will invigorate new growth and change the minds of each new generation.”

CENTENARY CELEB 16

FIDELITER Lasting Links

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, ST MARY’S! On 14 September, we celebrated 100 years of St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School by honouring the origins of our wonderful school.

The day started at St George’s Cathedral with a Founder’s Day Eucharist Service that paid homage to our first Principal and Chairman of the Board of Governors, The Reverend Charles Lawrence Riley OBE. The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO presided over a moving service that featured song, dance, prayer and many fascinating stories about the history and evolution of the School.

Later in the morning, more than 90 Old Girls gathered at the original site of our school in Colin Street West Perth to witness the unveiling of our Centenary plaque, which will serve as a permanent marker o acknowledge St Mary’s heritage and the generous, founding Parish of St Mary’s West Perth. The Chair of St Mary’s Board of Governors, Elizabeth Carr AM (’81), had the privilege of revealing the plaque alongside Principal, Mrs Judith Tudball. Shortly afterwards, Father Richard Pengelley blessed and dedicated the plaque, which now takes pride of place in the footpath outside the original site of our school.

JUNIOR SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS Our Junior School continued celebrating our milestone birthday during the remainder of Centenary Week. The campus was a hive of activity on 16 September, as all our Junior School girls enjoyed trying their hand at a variety of Olde World Games, including quoits, skittles, hula hoops and sack races, before our Year 3 students wore white dresses during a special chapel service to honour their St Mary’s predecessors, who donned similar dresses while attending church and formal events during the School’s formative years. Father Richard Pengelley led the symbolic service, which also featured a history lesson from our Archivist, Stephanie Neille. The most exciting part of the day, arguably, was the unearthing our 2001 Junior School time capsule and the burying our Centenary time capsule, which will undoubtedly intrigue future generations of St Mary’s girls.

On 17 September, a fun-filled Junior School assembly – complete with a birthday cake, confetti cannons and all students singing Happy Birthday St Mary's – capped off our Centenary Week celebrations. Year 6 student, Lucy Hunter, paraded the first uniform worn at St Mary’s from 1921 to 1933, and Year 5 student, Victoria Naylor, recited a beautiful poem that she wrote about the 100-year evolution of our school.

RAT I O N S FIDELITER Lasting Links

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CENTENARY COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE: PAUL JARMAN St Mary’s staff and students enjoyed being entertained by and working alongside our Centenary Composer-in-Residence, Paul Jarman, in Term 2.

Paul, an Australian multiinstrumentalist, composer and choir director, who has written more than 100 local and international school anthems, as well as 300-plus commissioned works, spent two weeks on campus sharing his musical expertise with our Junior and Senior School girls, all the while compiling research to

write a piece honouring St Mary’s Centenary.

The charismatic composer’s passion for music was palpable and he left an impression on every student and staff member he interacted with.

A highlight of his residency was a rousing performance at a Senior School assembly which had our entire Year 7 to 12 cohort, plus the Executive, up on their feet and dancing. He also stole the show at a lively Junior School assembly held in the Lady Wardle Performing Arts Centre. By the end of formalities,

all the girls and their teachers were filled with the joy of music as they participated in a melodious singalong.

Unfortunately, Paul could not return to Western Australia to conduct the première performance of his commissioned Centenary song, Fideliter, but it was evident to all who heard the item at our Speech Night and Centenary Celebration that St Mary’s had left a lasting on impression on him, much like he did on the School.

PAST AND PRESENT STAFF CENTENARY CELEBRATION Principal, Mrs Judith Tudball, was delighted to host more than 130 past and present staff members on 24 July to honour their contribution to St Mary’s in the School’s Centenary year. Former Principals Mrs Audrey Jackson (1983 to 1997) and Mrs Lynne Thomson (1997 to 2018) were present, as were a number of staff who commenced their teaching at St Mary’s in West Perth and later moved with the School to Karrinyup.

The event provided a wonderful opportunity for past and present staff to catch up with former colleagues, share some of their fondest memories of their time spent at St Mary’s and celebrate the School’s incredible milestone.

The tales of their contributions to the fabric of St Mary’s ensure that our rich and vibrant history is kept alive.

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FIDELITER Lasting Links

CENTENARY COMMUNITY MURAL UNVEILED During Junior School Chapel on 18 October, our students unveiled St Mary’s Centenary Community Mural, which they helped bring to life with the assistance of our Indigenous Senior School girls and students of Dandjoo Darbalung St Catherine's College, University of Western Australia during NAIDOC Week. The stunning five-metre

mural, which features different coloured panels representing the six Noongar seasons, was designed to portray the girls’ family trees Dandjoo Darbalung Director, Ben Lewis, and Dandjoo Darbalung Indigenous Program Co-ordinator, Andrew Beck, attended the unveiling to share their knowledge

and experiences, and help the students understand the richness of Indigenous culture.

The Centenary Community Mural now takes pride of place in the Chapel of St Mary as a permanent fixture.

EVENING OF EMINENCE

Less than a week after farewelling our 2021 student leadership group and welcoming our newest student leaders and Head Girl, we celebrated our former student leaders, as well as St Mary’s Duxes and General Exhibition and Beazley Medal winners at our Centenary Evening of Eminence.

The Polson Room was alive with chatter as Old Girls shared stories of their experiences at and beyond St Mary’s. A diverse range of alumnae attended the event, from a Class of 1948 leaver through to students from the 2021 cohort. It was wonderful to host so many of St Mary’s inspiring former students on campus in our Centenary year.

FIDELITER Lasting Links

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F U T U R E F E AT U R E

STRONG FOUNDATIONS INSPIRE OUR FUTURE OUR ROADMAP Our Centenary year provided an opportunity to reflect and consider what lies ahead for St Mary’s as we continue to support our students to pursue personal and academic excellence.

Our path is outlined in Our Strategy: 2021-2025, which was launched in October 2021.

Engaging hearts and igniting curious minds is at the heart of our school ethos and we are bringing this purpose to life with five guiding strands which will weave through all aspects of life at St Mary’s.

The five strands and their strategic intents are:

Active Learners: To develop selfaware adaptable learners who strive for personal excellence with grit and integrity.

Thriving Students: To foster a culture of care and wellbeing that develops courageous, compassionate, and confident young woman.

Purposeful People: To enable staff to flourish in a supportive and inspirational environment that encourages personal and professional growth.

Connected Community: To foster a positive and purposely engaged community with a sense of belonging and a lifelong connection to the School.

Judicious Stewardship: To provide a secure platform to facilitate ongoing success.

Each of the five strategic strands has been developed to be relevant across different areas of school life but also designed to reflect the interconnected nature of our school environment. We are confident the actions attributed to each strand will ensure that we are building a strong school community.

Our Strategy: 2021-2025 can be viewed online via our website.

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FIDELITER A Look To The Future

EXCITING NEW LEARNING SPACES Providing inspiring and contemporary learning spaces has always been an integral component of our vision for St Mary’s future. We are very excited to announce that construction will shortly begin on our new Art and Design Centre, after it received planning approval in late 2021.

The future is also looking bright for St Mary’s at Metricup: The Lady Treatt Centre for Learning and Leadership, thanks to two generous donations from the St Mary’s Foundation.

The new Centre will house visual arts, textile technology and media studies, forming a creative hub on the southern edge of our campus. Overlooking our lower oval, the building will boast spacious, light-filled classrooms, studio and multimedia rooms, as well as construction and gallery space.

Once the new Art and Design Centre is complete, our attention will turn to the construction of a new Science and Technology Centre which will be built on the footprint of our existing Mathematics Centre.

This will be a space where students can immerse themselves in scientific inquiry, analysis, innovation and technology.

The Foundation made a Centenary gift of $300,000 to develop an adventure challenge course, including a low ropes course, and a mountain bike and walk trail, as well as a bush chapel. Construction began in our Centenary year and the new facilities will be ready for our students to enjoy in 2022.

In late 2021, the Foundation also purchased a 43-hectare parcel of land next to our current Metricup property. This will create even more opportunities for our students to engage in experiential learning outside the classroom. We are particularly looking forward to strengthening our outdoor education options and introducing some environmental rehabilitation programs.

FIDELITER A Look To The Future

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FIRST CLASS RESULTS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2021 “We are immensely proud of the Class of 2021. They are strong young women who are deserving of these outstanding academic results. Our Centenary leavers are also to be congratulated for their commitment to the extensive opportunities afforded to them through our co-curricular and service programs. Balancing academic study while contributing to our community shows that they are adaptable young women who possess grit and persistence. I commend the Class of 2021 for their courage and compassion. They are incredible young women and I wish them success and happiness in their lives beyond the gates of St Mary’s.”

Mrs Judith Tudball, Principal

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FIDELITER First Class Results

FIRST CLASS RESULTS

> 1 SUBJECT EXHIBITION (Marine and Maritime Studies) > 1 VET EXHIBITION (Creative Industries)

> 1 VET CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE > 38 CERTIFICATES OF DISTINCTION > 48 CERTIFICATES OF MERIT

General Exhibition Winners

ATAR Certificate of Excellence

Isobel Finnie Ingrid Sefton Rainn Zu

Ingrid Sefton (Chemistry) Ella Dix (Children, Family and the Community) Isobel Finnie (English) Laura Kung (English) Arlene Janse van Rensburg (English) Kim de Vries (Marine and Maritime Studies) Hannah Duncan (Mathematics: Applications) Isobel Finnie (Mathematics: Applications) Ashleigh Williams (Mathematics: Applications)

Subject Exhibition Kim de Vries (Marine and Maritime Studies) VET Exhibition Amélie Caporn (Creative Industries)

VET Certificate of Excellence Amélie Caporn (Creative Industries)

E

N

80%

D ABOV

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AT

55%

D ABOV

99ers MEMBERSHIP IS FOR STUDENTS WHO ACHIEVED AN ATAR OF 99.0 OR OVER. THIS YEAR WE WELCOMED 10 MEMBERS.

Kaitlyn Bent Noelle Chitty Lee Connor Isobel Finnie Sally Hicks Arlene Janse van Rensburg Catharina Micucci-Allen Ingrid Sefton Alice Ward Rainn Zu

400 CLUB TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE 400 CLUB, STUDENTS REQUIRE AN ATAR OVER 96.7.

THIS YEAR WE WELCOMED 16 MEMBERS.

first class results

> 9 ATAR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

AT

AT

> 3 GENERAL EXHIBITIONS (Top 50 students in WA based on a five-subject average)

E

E

AT

AT

E

R

A

Congratulations to our Exhibition and Award Winners

N

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24%

D ABOV

OF 80 AR

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N

.0

11%

D ABOV

OF 90 AR

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N

.0

7%

D ABOV

OF 95 AR

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N

.0

R

A

P ATA

A

E

A N AT

99.95

TO

.0

M

91.05

DI

OF 98 AR

OF 99 AR

Marie Benyamine Remi Caldow Arielle Christodulou Kim de Vries Hannah Duncan Annabel Greenland Eva Hill Hannah Hopkins Lucy Lönnqvist Kate Lucas Charlotte Norrish Caitlin Vieraitis Charlotte Waugh Sophie Whitfield Emma Wiese Ashleigh Williams

FIDELITER First Class Results

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

ELLA SHINES AT TECH CONFERENCE A MOMENTOUS MOCK TRIALS TRIUMPH A judicious group of Year 12 students helped St Mary’s break a 29-year drought by winning the 2021 WA Law Society Mock Trials Competition on 18 October.

Appearing before The Hon Chief Justice Peter Quinlan in Courtroom 1 at the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the girls won their Grand Final case against a talented team from Christ Church Grammar School.

The girls successfully prosecuted an assault charge that featured some very colourful witness accounts of an

Australia Day altercation between a mother and her son.

Our two magnificent barristers, Alice Ward and Annabel Greenland, were ably instructed by their solicitor, Gabrielle Waller. Abbi Dean and Aarya Shah did a fantastic job as our compelling witnesses, while Neve Glynn was our impeccable court orderly.

The girls, who were undefeated over a two-year period, placed first out of 112 teams.

HISTORIANS SWEEP COMPETITION HONOURS Congratulations to several Senior School students who achieved fantastic results in the 2021 State and National History Challenges.

Sienna Weerakody won State and National titles for the Year 9 Category and Anne-Marie Lau (Year 9) placed second for the ‘Asia and Australia’ Open Category.

Ava Davis was the State winner for the Year 7 Category and State winner for the ‘Indigenous History’ Open Category.

Tinnie Choi and Matilda Bartlett were runners-up in the Year 7 Category, while Mackenzie Bolt (Year 7) was runner-up in the ‘Australian Wartime Experiences’ Open Category.

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FIDELITER Student spotlight

The National History Challenge is a research-based competition that encourages students to research world history, study Australia’s past, investigate their local communities or explore their own roots.

St Mary’s 2022 Technology Captain, Ella Cay Smith, starred at the 2021 Women in Technology WA Tech [+] Conference held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on 4 November.

Ella was invited to join a panel to discuss, “What important perspectives do women bring to tech?” As a representative of the next generation of the tech industry, she shared her views on the topic and vision for the future.

Having grown up in a rural community that lacked access to technology, Ella is passionate about using everything she has learnt about technology at St Mary’s to improve the world around her.

She developed her first Progressive Web App for a client in 2021 and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others. She is a mentor within several programs, including She Codes Australia, and she also teaches aged care residents about the benefits of technology.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT GREAT-GRANDMOTHER INSPIRES ART AWARD WIN

WEARABLE ART DESIGNERS WOW JUDGES Past and present St Mary’s Wearable Art creators starred in two significant competitions late last year.

On 30 October, Class of 2021 students Lee Connor, Anni Conti, Cate Hazelden and Summer Chui hit the catwalk at the Apex Australia Teenage Fashion and Arts Youth Festival to show off their incredible Wearable Art pieces.

Lee’s work, ‘Heritage’, won first prize in the state-wide competition. They will now contest the national finals in

Tasmania later this year.

In November, Year 12 student Amélie Caporn and Old Girl Catherine Shepherd (’19) showcased their artistic prowess at the Wearable Art Mandurah event.

Amélie submitted two costumes, ‘Aether’ and ‘Let Them Eat Cake’, with the former being selected to feature in the final show, while Catherine’s piece, ‘Crossing the Line’, won its category.

Class of 2021 student, Emma Harvey, used her creative talents to claim one of Western Australia’s most prestigious youth art honours in August. Emma won the Upper Secondary category of the City of Subiaco Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists for an eye-catching artwork depicting her great-grandmother, Joan. She created the piece by burning a wooden art board with a variety of soldering irons.

“My great-grandmother is a very inspirational person. She is a 93-yearold woman who has had a beautiful and really interesting life, so it felt like the right thing to produce a piece of artwork for her,” Emma said.

“I paid her a visit in Merredin and took photos of her. I picked a photo that really captured her essence; it felt very honest, close and intimate. I used a burning technique to produce the artwork because it felt like a very natural form and one where I could produce a lot of detail. To find out that I was in the top three was incredible and I was even more surprised to learn that I had won the Upper Secondary category.”

2022 PREMIER’S ANZAC STUDENT TOUR Congratulations to Year 10 student Lilia Dorfman who has been selected to attend the 2022 Premier's Anzac Tour.

Lilia earned the right to join the prestigious tour on the back of a compelling application that demonstrated her interest in Australian history and the Anzac legacy.

The 2022 Premier's Anzac Tour will travel from Albany to Darwin between 16 and 26 April to commemorate the Anzac legacy in the context of nationbuilding between the wars, and defence of the home front during World War II.

ST MARY’S HAS THE ‘WRITE’ STUFF Not even the most accomplished authors can claim to have written and published a book in one sitting, but that’s exactly what a group of our Year 9 English Extension girls did en route to helping St Mary’s win the ‘Best Book, Middle School WA Award’ in the 2021 Write a Book in a Day competition.

Thanks to the extraordinary literary efforts of Ally Bowman, Anne-Marie Lau, Avneet Grewal, Josephine Peirce, Laura Frederic, Lilia Bradley, Lilia Dorfman, Marylou McBain, Merlyn Jijo and Gloria Li, St Mary’s has now won the Write a Book in a Day competition four years in a row.

FIDELITER Student spotlight

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT

LONG-SERVING STAFF

Congratulating

WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE FOLLOWING STAFF WHO ACHIEVED 20 YEARS’ SERVICE IN 2021:

Caroline Brand (Drama), Peter Evans (HASS), Naomi McKenzie (Music), James Moore (Music)

Welcoming

CHRIS DE HAER | Head of Mathematics

Mr Chris De Haer joins St Mary’s with a wealth of leadership and teaching experience, having held positions at Aquinas College, Murdoch College and more recently, at Applecross Senior High School. Chris has undertaken examiner positions with SCSA, where he was responsible for writing examinations at Year 11 and 12 WACE level, and Year 10 GATE examinations. He is well-placed to lead our mathematics department with his enthusiasm and passion for developing engaging teaching and learning programs.

JULES WEEKS | Head of Psychology Mr Jules Weeks is a well-regarded clinical psychologist who has worked in both schools and private practice. After ten years as College Clinical Psychologist at All Saints’ College, Jules joins St Mary’s as our Head of Psychology and is looking forward to contributing to our wellbeing program and positive student outcomes. He is particularly interested in the psychology of learning, positive neuroplasticity and health psychology, with specialised knowledge in learning disorders.

Farewelling

WITH GRATITUDE FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS, WE FAREWELLED SIX LONG-SERVING STAFF AT THE END OF 2021.

Mrs Jo Pengelley began her career St Mary’s in 2011 as a Year 7 teacher and transferred to a teacher librarian role, before becoming Head of Senior School Library in 2013.

A selfless servant of St Mary’s, Jo also previously served as our Indigenous Support Co-ordinator and in addition, co-ordinated several student service trips to Cambodia.

Mrs Marie McNeil is retiring from teaching, having begun her career at St Mary’s in 1998 as a Junior School art teacher. Marie’s passion for creativity and fostering a love of learning in our students has always shone through in our annual Junior School Art Exhibitions.

Mrs Robyn Taylor first joined St Mary’s in 1996 and became Head of Mathematics in 1999. After a brief overseas stint, Robyn returned to the Mathematics Department, taking on the responsibility of Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator in 2016, and resuming the Head of Mathematics role from 2019 onwards.

Mrs Bev Ashby commenced at St Mary’s in 1997 as a physical education teacher and was Assistant Head of Department from 2009 onwards. After 21 very happy years being part of our Physical Education Department, Bev is retiring and looking forward to new adventures.

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FIDELITER StAFF Spotlight

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Jo Pengelley, Marie McNeil, Robyn Taylor, Bev Ashby, Lynette Taylor and Erica Herron

Mrs Lynette Taylor joined St Mary’s as a music teacher in 1996. In 2014, Lynette was our Choral Specialist and Concert Manager and in 2017 she became St Mary’s Head of Music Performance. After 26 years of dedicated service, we are excited for Lynette as she steps into the role of Director of Music at Iona Presentation College.

Ms Erica Herron is retiring from her substantive role at St Mary’s after 13 years of service. She has held the Executive positions of Dean of Administration, Dean of Students and Dean of Boarding.

Announcing

Congratulations to Ms Jodie Upton, who takes on the role of Director of Music, and Miss Meg Watson, who has been appointed as Head of Performance, which encompasses drama, dance and music. Jodie joined us in 2016 as a music teacher and Meg has been Head of Drama and Dance for the past four years.

We congratulate Mrs Dionn Godinho, who has been appointed Acting Dean of Teaching and Learning for 2022, while Mrs Louise Tyson is on 12 months deferred service leave.

FAREWELLING MS ERICA HERRON MS ERICA HERRON JOINED ST MARY’S AS DEAN OF ADMINISTRATION IN 2008, REMAINED IN THAT ROLE UNTIL SHE TOOK ON THE POSITION OF DEAN OF STUDENTS IN 2015. FINALLY IN JANUARY 2021, ERICA TOOK ON THE ROLE OF DEAN OF BOARDING TO ENSURE STEADY OVERSIGHT OF OUR BOARDERS WHILE OUR NEW HEAD OF BOARDING, MRS KELLIE DOUGLAS, MOVED TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND GOT TO KNOW OUR ST MARY’S COMMUNITY. LATER IN THAT YEAR, SHE ALSO ASSUMED THE ADDITIONAL ROLE OF HEAD OF YEAR 11.

T

hroughout her time at St Mary’s, Erica has had several roles in the school – timetable, pastoral care, boarding; she has always been willing to jump in where there is a need. She is a dedicated member of staff who works long hours, putting the girls and their families first. She has happily volunteered for camps and supported many other student activities, including enthusiastically attending countless music, drama and dance performances, and sporting events. She is fearless, as was most recently demonstrated when she agreed to abseil down Perth’s Central Park Tower to fundraise for Anglicare WA. Throughout her years at the School, Erica offered wise counsel to students and thoughtful, knowledgeable advice to staff, as she balanced timetables and classes across the Senior School. She developed excellent relationships with staff, students and parents and is known for caring deeply about each person and their particular life journey. Staff were affirmed and supported, and there are countless girls over the years who have benefited from her care. Erica is always happiest when she is helping students thrive and flourish. Her kindness, along with her caring and compassionate approach to students and staff, has affirmed St Mary’s as a place where everyone feels safe and respected. As one who lives life with a clear-sighted sense purpose and caring commitment, Erica has been an extraordinary role model for all the St Mary’s girls who have known her.

Having delivered on what she set out to do this year, Erica decided that it was the right time to finish in her substantive role at St Mary’s. We are grateful for her exceptional contribution to the St Mary’s family over the past 13 years. Although we know that we will continue to see Erica from time to time at St Mary’s, we wish her every success for her future adventures.

FIDELITER StAFF Spotlight

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Amelie Ree

Anastasia Panagodimos

Megan Attwill

Olivia Brades

Hannah Wang

Nicola Tolcon

FIDELITER Prefects

Kate Seymour

Jorja Young

Hamilton

Music

Riley Wardle

Tothill

RILEY CAPTAINS Myles

WARDLE CAPTAINS

Sasha Green

C A P TA I N S Grace Morgan

Saskia Pope

Samantha Lourey School

Chloe Ryan

Lefroy

Rebecca Garas

Library

Rachel Daw

Senuri Warusawithana

Gabrielle Pang

Ella Talbot

Chapel Day

Alexa Shillington

LEFROY CAPTAINS

Audrey Tan

Mitchell

Emily Evans

Technology

Juliet Crabb

Drama

Madison Green

Hackett

Grace Hailes

Debating

Chelsea Mutter

Abi Naulls

Chapel Boarder

Mia Peel

HACKETT CAPTAINS Olivia Fitzgerald

Lucy Wakefield

Keely Boekeman

Senior Boarder

Neve Baumgartner

Media

Annabelle Trezise

Craig

Elsie Williams

Ella-Cay Smith

Jessica Bradley

Ashlee Ladyman

Dance

Jasmine Hughes

Kiera Sabavala

Lucy Cardaci

COMMUNITY

Senior Day Girl

Giordana Marra

Teddy Tasker-Murphy

Anushka Vineet

Jenna Kauhanen

Madeleine Peirce

DANCE

CRAIG CAPTAINS

Jasmine Kenagy

Phoebe Eddon

Lusia Martino

DRAMA

Art

Hanah Samnakay

Brooke Moore

MUSIC Head Girl

Jaya Rule

Mikaela Innocent

SPORT

Alexandria Moncrieff

Caitlin McIlveen

Chloe Campbell

Elise Ruscoe

Tessa Hudson

Darcie Westlake

Annabelle Willis

Menaaz Khan

2022 STUDENT LEADERS PREFECTS

School School

Sport

Wittenoom

W I N G C A P TA I N S

Dannatt Macdonald

WITTENOOM CAPTAINS

HANDOVER ASSEMBLY The sense of excitement was palpable in Hearn Hall on 21 October as the entire Senior School gathered for St Mary’s annual Handover Assembly. As is tradition, our departing Year 12 prefects and captains embraced their respective successors and offered them a bouquet of flowers to welcome them into their new leadership roles. Emotions ran particularly high when Sonia and Stephen Hicks, the parents of our muchloved 2021 Head Girl Sally, presented the boater hat to our 2022 Head Girl, Menaaz Khan.

FIDELITER Prefects

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FIDELITER Centenary Memories

FIDELITER Centenary Memories

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F E AT U R E

SETTING OUT TO SAVE THE WORLD In 2021, St Mary’s Year 5 and 6 students embarked on a series of exciting Global Competencies Project Based Learning Inquiries. The Year 6 cohort studied the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child to demonstrate the harsh world in which some children live. Our Year 5.1 class researched the importance of play and became involved in the planning and purchasing of outdoor education equipment for the school, while our Year 5.2 class explored what it means to be a global citizen by teaming up with volunteers from the Friends of Trigg Bushland to restore a section of Trigg’s foreshore.

The environmentally minded Year 5.3 class embarked on an ambitious pollution inquiry in a bid to influence policymakers’ approach to solving one of the world’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This is an account of their journey of discovery.

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FIDELITER Junior School

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t the beginning of 2021, our Year 5.3 class was asked to investigate a global environmental issue and they emphatically chose to explore how they could help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.

Their classroom teacher, Geraldine Drabble, believed that St Mary’s proximity to the ocean influenced the students’ decision.

“The girls almost unanimously voted to address Sustainable Development Goal No.14, Life Below Water, and specifically, how people are impacted by plastic pollution in the ocean,” Mrs Drabble said.

“I think that decision was influenced by the school’s location and the girls’ passion for the ocean.”

Guided by their teachers, who prepared for the project by participating in a 20-week course that saw them undertake professional learning with a range of local and international education experts, the students established a framework for their inquiry, learned how and why plastic is made, and researched the global impact of ocean pollution.

They documented their research journey on a variety of digital platforms, including PowerPoint, iMovie and an online blog, while broadening their inquiries in a more traditional manner by penning letters to Federal and State politicians.

On 26 July, the girls put their research in to action by teaming up with environmental scientists and volunteers from the Mullaloo Beach Community Group to collect and test sand samples for evidence of microplastics at Mullaloo Beach.

The following day, they worked with St Mary’s scientist-in-residence, Dr Tabitha Yngstrom, to analyse the samples and send their data to the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project, a national citizen-led science study.

“By involving our students every step of the way, from the research to action phase, we believe that they will have a much deeper understanding of the issue at hand,” Mrs Drabble said.

“We hope these girls will become change agents who not only alter habits in their own households but influence others in the process.”

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY ACCOLADES Congratulations to Junior School teachers Heidi Butterworth, Geraldine Drabble, Vikki Kennedy, Mandy Minshell and Lola Mitakos, who were awarded a United Nations Association of WA World Teachers' Day 2021 Award on 29 October in recognition of their Purposeful Pedagogies Projects.

Each teacher worked with their students to produce a digital resource that communicated their evidence-based perspective on a global issue, demonstrating global competencies such as creative and critical thinking, ICT capabilities, and ethical and intercultural understanding. The teachers demonstrated their professional growth by documenting their teaching and learning journey.

SUSTAINABLE GOALS FIDELITER Junior School

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EMBRACING THE

S

BIG STAGE

t Mary’s Centenary year provided our performing arts students with countless opportunities to showcase their talents. Our remarkable musicians revelled in the spotlight at a variety of events, while our gifted dancers and extraordinary actors mesmerised audiences whenever they took to the stage. The girls’ passion for the arts was on full display during performances of our Centenary productions, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. More than 50 girls from Years 10 to 12 – supported by students from Hale School, John Curtin College of the Arts and John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School – took our community on a magical journey under the sea across three evening performances and one matinee in, arguably, one of the most memorable productions of St Mary’s 100-year history.

Not to be outdone, our Years 7 to 9 girls wowed audiences with three captivating performances of the classic rags-to-riches tale featuring a young hero, a beautiful princess, an evil villain and a genie or two.

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FIDELITER Arts & Sports

The School’s inspiring athletes also shone in our 100th year. Dynamic surfing duo, Chloe Campbell and Jaya Rule, caused the upset of the 2021 WA School Surfing Titles by claiming victory in the Senior Girls' event. The girls drew on their local knowledge of Trigg Beach break and surfed their hearts out to win a thrilling final against a highly touted pair from Margaret River Senior High School. Our Junior School girls dominated their JIGSSA competitions this year.

Our Year 6 swim team were crowned champions at the JIGSSA Twilight Swim Meet, while our Year 5 and 6 girls won both year group pennants at the JIGSSA Athletics Carnival. Our Senior School swimming team placed second overall in the IGSSA Swimming Carnival, winning the Year 8, 9 and 11 pennants, and on our 100th birthday, our Senior School athletes placed second in the IGSSA Athletics Carnival. Despite being pipped at the post in the pool and on the athletics track, our girls reigned supreme on the IGSSA basketball courts and soccer fields in 2021. Our basketballers helped St Mary’s claim its 11th straight overall IGSSA title on the back of eight out of 12 teams placing in the top three of their leagues, and all five of our soccer teams placed in the top four to help the School clinch the overall IGSSA title by just two points.

FIDELITER Arts & Sports

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E L E VAT E :

first class results

A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

Unique to St Mary’s, our Elevate pathway provides Year 11 and 12 students opportunities to experience professions in real-world settings while they earn nationally recognised qualifications and Endorsed Workplace Learning Units.

Practical workplace experience helps our Elevate students discover where their passions lie, develop a deeper understanding of specific professions, and make informed decisions about their career and study options.

By the end of Year 12, our Elevate students have a wealth of real-world experiences and the skills required to kick-start a career in a profession that they are enthusiastic about.

In 2021, we ventured into the workforce with three students to learn more about their Elevate journeys.

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FIDELITER ELEVATE

AMÉLIE CAPORN (’21)

I

t would be an understatement to say that Class of 2021 graduate Amélie Caporn relished her Elevate experience. In addition to earning a Certificate II in Visual Arts, Certificate III in Design Fundamentals and Certificate IV in Live Production Technical Services, Amélie also claimed the VET Exhibition Award for Creative Industries, an astonishing achievement for someone who was contemplating leaving school at the end of Year 10.

“I never really wanted to do ATAR because I knew that doing exams would be impossible for me. I also learn a lot better from doing physical things, so I knew that the Elevate pathway was just more up my alley.”

Amélie hopes the skills that she learnt while working alongside the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts’ (WAAPA) brightest minds will help her secure a job in the film industry.

“Doing the Certificate IV in Live Production Technical Services has been amazing because I have been able to try out so many different things and see what I like. You can read online what goes into a job but unless you actually do it, you really never know if you’ll enjoy it. Doing it all and being able to speak to people who work in the industry has been amazing.”

NATIKA RIORDAN (’21)

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atika Riordan’s career path is set, thanks to St Mary’s Elevate pathway. The recent Year 12 graduate is determined to become a veterinary nurse after completing a Certificate II in Animal Studies and undertaking extensive work experience as a stablehand at Lindsey Smith Racing Stables throughout 2021.

“I didn’t really want to be at school in Year 10 but having a Certificate that I was interested in doing made it better and gave me more motivation to finish school. For me, the Elevate pathway gave me opportunities to work and figure out what I wanted to do.

“I am now applying for a job in Baldivis to ride thoroughbreds and re-train them. I have also applied for a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.”

CHELSEA MUTTER (’22)

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helsea Mutter might only be halfway through her Elevate journey, but the Year 12 student believes that she has already identified her future occupation.

After shadowing several Allied Health professionals at St John of God Mount Lawley Hospital in 2021, the boarding student is eager to pursue a career in midwifery.

“I really loved my placement at St John of God in Mount Lawley. I went to the restorative unit and the family birthing unit, and I shadowed a dietician and speech pathologist. I also went to the day surgery unit, endoscopy unit and their specialist rehab services. It was good to have a bit of a taste of everything. After all that, I think I am set on midwifery. I love babies and I think it’s really special being able to help someone bring a baby into the world.”

“Experiencing everything firsthand is so beneficial. I love doing the practical side of things, so I think that going down the Elevate pathway is the best choice that I could have made. I am really enjoying it.”

FIDELITER ELEVATE

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ST MARY’S AUXILIARY

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he St Mary’s Auxiliary has had a successful and energetic year celebrating our School’s 100th birthday. We worked hard to create opportunities that sparked community engagement, from welcoming new families through to planning events that built friendships within year groups and links across Kindergarten to Year 12.

Junior School Assembly Morning Teas With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the St Mary’s Auxiliary was able to continue hosting its traditional morning teas in the Junior School staffroom. These gatherings enabled parents to reflect on their daughters’ assembly and catch up with fellow parents and staff.

Thank you to Bindi O’Brien, our St Mary’s Auxiliary Vice President, who provided the catering for these morning teas.

Junior School Athletics Carnival We had a record-breaking cake stall headed up by our Year 2 Parents, who raised more than $500 for the St Mary’s Auxiliary. Thank you to everyone who contributed and made the day a success. Our traditional Subway lunch fundraising initiative also delivered a $300 profit.

Grandparents’ Day and Orientation Days Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed to Grandparents’ Day and our School Orientation Days.

Together, we served almost 1000 guests in the space of a week!

St Mary’s Auxiliary Lunch This year’s St Mary’s Auxiliary Lunch was held in the beautiful surrounds of Lake Karrinyup Country Club. The Year 4/5 Chorale, led by Ms Naomi McKenzie, opened the lunch and between ticket sales, games and auctions, we raised approximately $5000. All our guests, who truly embraced the ‘Celebrating 100 Years of Friendship’ theme, had a fantastic time. Thank you to everyone who helped organise the event and contributed to the silent auction.

Speech Night Awards The St Mary’s Auxiliary had the privilege of awarding two prizes for outstanding service to the School

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FIDELITER St Mary's Auxiliary

and wider community at our Speech Night and Centenary Celebration.

The Marney Penn Memorial Prize was awarded to Year 10 student, Alana Gregory, and the Bonnie Barnes Memorial Prize was awarded to Year 11 student, Alexandria Moncrieff.

Honorary Life Members and Final Auxiliary Meeting On behalf of the St Mary’s Auxiliary, I would like to congratulate Elizabeth Price, Michelle Ireland and Matt Fong for receiving Honorary Life Membership of the St Mary’s Auxiliary. Their collective contributions and commitment to fostering friendship and community engagement during their daughters’ time at St Mary’s will always be remembered and appreciated.

We closed the year on Wednesday 1 December by welcoming our new Year Group Representatives for 2022 and farewelling the Class Representatives of our Centenary year, in the Boarders Recreation Room. Chef Eric and Deb Jarman spoilt us with their exceptional service and afternoon tea. It was a wonderful and fitting way to welcome the next Year Group Representatives, who absorbed the experience of those who led the Auxiliary in 2021.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and contribution of the St Mary’s Auxiliary Committee, Class Representatives and School Executive. Having a friendly and dynamic team makes it a pleasure to contribute. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the St Mary’s Auxiliary in our School’s Centenary year and I cannot wait to see what the beginning of our next century of discovery brings.

Yasmin Baskerville President

PARENTS' SOCIETY

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he St Mary’s Parents’ Society takes great pride in supporting our School community by organising and running events, and allocating levy funds to special school initiatives.

We had the opportunity to fund some terrific initiatives in our second fund allocation for 2021. Items included display shelving for the sports department, Indigenous literature resources, virtual reality sets, podcasting equipment, kindy and early years resources, and audio visual equipment for Metricup.

Our Committee hosted a flurry of events and activities during the second half of our Centenary year.

We held a fantastic Careers Expo in August, after we managed to reschedule a rained-out event within a week with the amazing support of our incredible exhibitors. Students from both St Mary’s and Hale enjoyed exhibits and information from a wide variety of organisations, and lively conversations could be heard all around Dannatt Hall.

We were also excited to support an extra-fun lunchtime in early September, with Monday Fun Day! The girls, and a few teachers, enjoyed a selection of games on the front lawn. It was really lovely to be part of all that laughter and excitement.

Our Centenary Quiz Night was a huge success, raising more than $10,000 for some fantastic causes: Cambodian Children’s Fund, Indigenous Literacy Foundation, Street Connect Perth and Possum Valley Animal Sanctuary. Thank you to everyone who attended, donated and helped on the night. I must also extend my gratitude to our

extraordinary Quiz Masters, David Redding and Steve McLeod, who ensured that it was a fabulous and fun-filled night.

We were very lucky to be able to plan a special event to finish off the school year, the Parents’ Society Sunday Sunset Celebration. More than 600 people gathered at the school on 28 November to toast the year that was, with a few drinks, some food, and lots of great company.

After careful consideration, our Centenary gifts to the School were selected on behalf of all parents.

A new icon was commissioned for the Chapel of St Mary and a commitment has been made to fund the installation of an artful relaxation and contemplation area for the girls in our new Art and Design Centre.

May I take this opportunity to bid a very fond farewell to Erica Herron. She is an incredible lady, with an enormous capacity to love and support everyone in our school community. Erica, thank you for the kindness you have shown all of us over the past 13½ years. I would also like to thank all the wonderful school staff for their support and assistance with our events and endeavours throughout 2021.

It was an absolute pleasure to award Honorary Life Memberships to Fiona Waller and Tanya Hazelden for their exemplary commitment and contribution to the Parents’ Society.

Thank you to everyone for my award and your extremely kind words.

To every member of the Parents’ Society Committee, thank you for your unwavering support of me, the Parents’ Society family and our whole school community. Your commitment to this wonderful school has been incredible and cannot be underestimated.

To the Class of 2021, we wish you all the very best for the future. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

Elizabeth Price President

FIDELITER Parents' Society

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OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

A PRESIDENT’S REPORT

s we embark on 2022, we reflect on what an incredible year 2021 was, with all its centenary celebrations, an amazing year filled with special occasions for many Old Girls. A standout for me was the Centenary Book Launch and Old Girls’ Day, including the presentation of the Women of Distinction Awards.

In early September, we had the pleasure of awarding the Marlene Carter and Ethel Beaton Scholarships.

Congratulations to Elle Lawrance, daughter of Dani Lawrance (Albrechtson ’91) and Chelsea Clancy-Lowe, daughter of Lisa Clancy-Lowe (Elder ’82) on receiving the 2022 Marlene Carter Scholarships for Years 8 and 7, respectively, and Isabella Fazio, daughter of Sasha Fazio (Moss ’95), on receiving the 2022/23 Ethel Beaton Scholarship for Years 11 and 12.

OGA MEETINGS FOR 2022

All Old Girls are welcome to attend our committee meetings.

Meetings are held in the Seminar Room of the Senior School Administration building.

For 2022 meeting dates, please email oga@stmarys.wa.edu.au

2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 7.00PM, THURSDAY 31 MARCH 2022 You are invited to join the OGA Committee for the 2022 Annual General Meeting.

Please email oga@stmarys. wa.edu.au if you would like to attend or join the committee.

OGA Committee Members who are seeking re-election in 2022 are Shelley Civitico (Robson ’73) and Julie Martin (Huxtable ’73).

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FIDELITER Old Girls' Association

Towards the end of the year, we welcomed our newest Old Girls – the Class of 2021. We wish them all the best for the years ahead and look forward to welcoming them back to school and connecting with them as Old Girls in the future.

A highlight in November 2021 was honouring Jane Crisp (Cyprian ’81) with Honorary Life Membership. This recognises Jane’s commitment over the years to the Old Girls’ Association, our Committee and the School. Congratulations, Jane.

In closing, I would like to thank the Committee and all the staff who support the Old Girls’ Association; I look forward to a productive and enjoyable 2022. We are also thankful to Mrs Judith Tudball and the Executive for everything that they have done to support our Old Girls and our future Old Girls throughout 2021.

Amy Dawson (Fraser ’94) President Old Girls’ Association

OLD GIRLS NEWS AND EVENTS

OLD GIRLS’ GOLF DAY We thought it would be a good omen hosting the 56th Combined Independent Girls’ Schools Golf Day in our Centenary year but unfortunately a win didn’t eventuate! Cottesloe Golf Club’s greens were in near perfect condition and a fabulous day was had by all. There were plenty of laughs, a lot of camaraderie and a touch of friendly rivalry. Congratulations to St Hilda’s on taking out the win. St Mary’s tied with Perth College for third.

Our counting pairs were Helen Walker (Graham ’61) and Jodie Benney, with Cheryl Miller (Lamplugh ’65) and Danielle Hyde (Moschella ’87), and due to the tie a third pair, Ermie Robinson (Seabrook ’69) and Bev Moxham (Brown ’69), were considered. Thank you to our Principal, Mrs Judith Tudball, for joining us to present the awards and catch up on the day’s golfing stories!

Our amazing captain and organiser for the past seven years, Lynne Malone (Eakins ’66), is passing the baton to Danielle Hyde (Moschella ’87). We would like to thank Lynne for her tireless work and dedication to our St Mary’s Golf Team.

If you would like to join the 2022 team, please email oga@stmarys.wa.edu.au

OLD GIRLS’ SCHOLARSHIPS NOW OPEN Several scholarships, generously supported by former students and members of the School community, are available to Old Girls seeking assistance throughout their university years.

Applications for the 2022 Scholarships are now open in the areas of medicine, nursing, science, law, engineering and fine art. We also invite applications for the Molly Riley RISE Award. For more information about how to apply for these scholarships, please email oga@stmarys.wa.edu.au.

UPCOMING EVENTS

OLD GIRLS’ DAY SATURDAY 19 MARCH 2022 Former students are warmly invited to attend Old Girls’ Day. A special invitation is extended to our Old Girls from the classes of 1952, 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012, who are celebrating significant anniversaries since leaving St Mary’s.

Join us for a fabulous day to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about times gone by.

To register your details or to update your details, please email oga@stmarys.wa.edu.au

Applications close on Friday 25 March 2022.

FIDELITER Old Girls' NEWS and EVENTS

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NEWS FROM OLD GIRLS 2021 REUNIONS DURING OUR CENTENARY YEAR, THE CLASSES OF 1961, 1968, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2000 AND 2011 CELEBRATED SIGNIFICANT

ANNIVERSARIES

SINCE

LEAVING

ST MARY’S. THEY ALL HAD A FANTASTIC TIME CATCHING UP WITH OLD SCHOOL FRIENDS AND MANY BUSTED OUT DANCE MOVES TO TUNES FROM THEIR SCHOOL DAYS! ABOVE: Members of the Class of 1961.

ABOVE: The Class of 1968 celebrated their 70th birthdays during our Centenary Year.

ABOVE: Class of 2000 – 20th Anniversary.

ABOVE: Class of 1981 – 40th Anniversary.

ABOVE: Class of 2011 on their pre-reunion school tour.

2022 REUNIONS The classes of 1952, 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012 will celebrate significant anniversaries in 2022. If you would like to hold a class reunion, please email oga@stmarys.wa.edu.au The Class of 1990 is holding their 30 + 2 Reunion on Saturday 19 March.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.trybooking.com/BTGKZ ABOVE: Class of 1991 – 30th Anniversary.

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FIDELITER News from Old Girls

NEWS FROM OLD GIRLS GLORIA BURNETT (Pethick '69) set off in a caravan for a trip around Australia in February 2020.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit and she was stranded in Queensland for 17 weeks! Gloria then moved on to the Northern Territory but was caught there for four weeks! Finally, in August, she was allowed home on compassionate grounds, but only after 15 nights’ quarantine in Kununurra. Gloria arrived home to Geraldton, just in time to meet her first great granddaughter, Rebecca, born in September 2020.

Congratulations to HEATHER ZAMPATTI (’77) on being awarded a Doctor of Commerce honoris causa from Edith Cowan University.

Heather is only the fifth recipient of this award since it was first awarded in 1999. She was bestowed this great honour for “her admirable work in breaking down barriers, providing support to and mentoring women in Perth’s finance and investment industry”.

MIMI KWA ('91) has published her first book, House of Kwa. The memoir spans four generations of Mimi's family and has received rave reviews since its launch in June.

Sisters, KIRRILEE LEHMAN (Hoffman ’94) and TARYN MAYBURY (Hoffman ’96), launched their decluttering business, Queens of Clutter, two years ago when they saw a gap in the market to help people overwhelmed with their belongings. The Old Girls are members of the Institute of Professional Organisers and employ three other team members, enabling the business to cover the entire Perth metropolitan region. They each have two small children and continue to pursue their careers, Kirrilee in pharmacy and training and Taryn as a forensic officer within the WA Police.

CLAUDIA CAPORN ('14) has been named a one of ten artists in the inaugural cohort of the Minderoo Foundation Artist Fund. Six recipients will each receive a $25,000 grant and four have been awarded artist residencies, valued at $10,000 each.

We are excited to share that Claudia is one of the artists to receive a grant! In addition to the grants and residencies offered, one of the ten artists will receive the $50,000 Minderoo Artist Fund Award.

Claudia's project for the artist fund, 'Western Australian Women of the Land', will be a photographic exploration of women working in agriculture.

RIGHT: Claudia Caporn's photo of her mum, Lisa, at the family's woodpile on a winter's morning in 2019.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NIAMH WILKINS ('16) on being awarded a 2022 New Colombo Plan Scholarship for Singapore. She will travel to both Singapore and Malaysia next year to undertake an additional Honours year to accompany her undergraduate Bachelor of Laws degree.

Well done, Niamh!

Former German Teacher, HEATHER ROGERS nee Whiting, regularly hosts a get-together for some of her former St Mary’s students. It is a wonderful chance for Heather to catch up on their careers and life experiences over the past 30-plus years.

L-R: Michelle Rhodes (Northover ’88), Natasha Williams (Rogers ’87), Andrea Coomber (’89), Ainslie Mitchell (’90), Sandy Mercer (’89) and Heather Rogers.

EVERYONE LOVES to know what their contemporaries are up to.

Please send us news of what you are doing now, as well as photographs.

Email: oga@stmarys.wa.edu.au Telephone: (08) 9341 9132 By post: Old Girls’ Association, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, PO Box 105, Karrinyup WA 6921

FIDELITER News from Old Girls

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ARCHIVAL ANECDOTES

BUILDING CATHEDRALS DURING OUR CENTENARY YEAR, WE SOUGHT TO RECORD THE NAME OF EVERY STUDENT WHO ATTENDED ST MARY’S, WHETHER IT BE AT OUR WEST PERTH OR KARRINYUP CAMPUS. TITLED THE CENTENARY ROLL CALL, IT CONTAINS THE NAMES OF MORE THAN 15,000 STUDENTS. OF THOSE, I HAVE CHOSEN TO SHARE THE STORY OF ONE PARTICULAR GIRL WHO WAS RECORDED IN THE SCHOOL’S 1921 FOUNDATION PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY ST MARY’S FIRST PHOTOGRAPHER, ERNEST LUND MITCHELL. SHE WAS A PREFECT IN HER LEAVING YEAR OF 1927, AND HER NAME WAS ISABEL KATHERINE GREIG. ABOVE: Isabel Greig at home, 18 Rheola St West Perth.

1927 SCHOOL PREFECTS:

BACK ROW, L – R: Betty Hart, Violet Bethell, Erica Hall, Ngaere Purser, Amy Saw, Nancy Armstrong FRONT ROW, L - R: Mollie Grove, Helen Smith, Ethel Trigg, Mollie Lukis, Isabel Greig

ISABEL KATHERINE GREIG 44

FIDELITER Archival Anecdotes

ARCHIVAL ANECDOTES

LEFT TO RIGHT: Isabel Greig in the School’s foundation photograph, 1921, Nedra Greig, Robert Browning c/o National Portrait Gallery, London.

I

sabel lived at 18 Rheola Street West Perth, not far from St Mary’s on Colin Street. Walking to school and being an active member of the St Mary’s Church parish, she had previously attended the Girls’ Grammar School which amalgamated with the Alexandra High School to create the Church of England Girls’ School, St Mary’s West Perth in September of 1921. Her sister, Nedra, would also attend St Mary’s.

Living quietly in Rheola Street with their small dogs and enormous garden, Isabel and Nedra would grow to be very happy and successful graduates of the School.

Isabel was also the ten-year-old girl who won a competition contested by all the students from the amalgamating schools to create St Mary’s motto, and design the School’s crest and colours. The prize for all three parts of the competition – ten shillings and sixpence – was presented to Isabel by Mrs Edith Cowan OBE and Mr J.H. Maxwell Lefroy. The concept of letting the students determine the School’s identifiers demonstrated the empowering educational approach that was not just preached by the Board and Principal, Bishop Charles Lawrence Riley CBE, and later Miss Ethel Dannatt, but taught throughout the School. That was also evident in the calibre of the graduating

students’ contributions to the School annual, The Almerta. Previous to the modern Almerta, which is edited by School staff, The Almerta was then compiled and edited by the leaving girls.

Isabel contributed a written piece entitled Day-Dreams in the 1927 edition, which included: “I have always loved the story of the three men working on a new cathedral.

When one man was asked what he was doing, he answered, ‘Putting this brick on the next one’. The second man said, ‘Earning money for my bread’. But the third answered, ‘I am building a cathedral,’ and he proceeded to tell his idea of the finished cathedral.” Isabel was a dreamer, but one with determined goals and ideals.

Editors of the 1938 Almerta, Dorothy Richmond and Shirley Clark, discussed the importance of the education of the whole person and a positive mindset, highlighting their point with a quote from poet Robert Browning, whose works they had been studying in English Literature “…the best is yet to be”, projecting themselves into their future and wondrous lives to live after school.

They continued, “The realisation of this will help us to get from life the best there is, and also to give of our best, and to travel the road hopefully, and with that merry heart that goes

all the way”. This generation would unfortunately be challenged by the Second World War, but they would rise once more to become those cathedral builders that Isabel had written about. Sadly, Isabel lost her husband Paul Laney to the Second World War in a flying battle over Timor in January 1945, but she would marry again, have three children and numerous grandchildren, and live a long and fulfilling life before passing away in 2007 at the age of 96 years.

Each generation always faces its own challenges and defining moments, but I was reassured to see that some things never change. In the creative writing section of the 2021 Almerta, Year 10 student Madison Hamilton wrote a dramatic monologue based on the poem by Robert Browning, My Last Duchess. A difficult poem for a young mind to study, the words of Browning are still having an impact today with his eternal themes.

As Miss Katherine Carter MBE, Principal 1938 to 1940, quoted from Browning in the 1938 Almerta, “How good is man’s life, the mere living!

How fit to employ all the heart and soul and senses for ever in joy”.

Stephanie Neille Archivist

FIDELITER Archival Anecdotes

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VALE IT IS WITH SADNESS THAT WE RECORD THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE ST MARY’S COMMUNITY.

JOAN (JO) MAY SKEVINGTON (RILEY ’42) 27 NOVEMBER 1924 – 13 SEPTEMBER 2021

In September of 2021, Jo Skevington, the youngest and last surviving child of St Mary’s founding Principal, Bishop Charles Lawrence Riley CBE, and his wife Lucille Mary Riley (nee Lefroy), passed away at 96 years of age.

Jo attended St Mary’s in West Perth up to the age of 13 between 1932 and 1938 when, on her father’s appointment as the Bishop of Bendigo, the family relocated to Victoria where Jo completed her schooling. Inspired by her teachers, and faithful to her passion for working with children, Jo enrolled at the Kindergarten Training College in Kew, Victoria.

Jo married in 1949, four years after the end of the World War II, and went on to have three children with her beloved husband Frank (Bill) Skevington. Living through the Great Depression in her childhood, and World War II as a young adult, Jo developed incredible resilience and resourcefulness. These skills helped her work full-time and be a hands-on mother to three children, something not common in the 1950s.

Jo had a distinguished career, teaching in both London and Perth, and was regarded as one of the best early childhood teachers in the State. She had a passion for teaching in underprivileged areas and her teaching philosophy was innovative and forward-thinking. Jo implemented programs to improve educational outcomes, including a bus service to pick up children in the morning and feed them breakfast, and outreach services to bring families into the school environment, including Indigenous coffee mornings, yoga sessions and play groups. Jo was sought out to help establish new kindergartens and was involved in educating generations of teachers. Her skills were acknowledged in many ways, including being invited to showcase her kindergarten program to the former Japanese Empress Michiko, when she visited Perth in 1974. For all of Jo’s life, people would approach her and remind her that she was their kindergarten teacher.

‘Retirement’ for Jo and Bill was not a time for rest and relaxation; rather it was time for a career change and to give cattle farming a go. Even in ‘retirement’ on a farm, Jo’s teaching skills were not overlooked and she was invited to oversee the local early childhood education centres as Regional Director. Jo and Bill did eventually retire to enjoy more time on their small boat and with their grandchildren. After Bill died, Jo sold her large family home and began a new phase of life, walking to the beach for a swim each day and continuing to socialise.

In these later years, the close bond between Jo and her beloved sister Molly (Riley ‘37), came to the fore. They were proud of their shared history as early students of St Mary’s and welcomed invitations from the School to celebrate speech nights and to visit junior classes to talk about their school days. Jo also enjoyed attending Hale and St Mary’s musical events and proudly wore her St Mary’s badge!

Jo’s spirit lives on through her three children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

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FIDELITER vale

LESLEY ELIZABETH KERR (ELLIOTT ’58)

MERLE EVELYN CRUTE (THOMAS ’59)

8 DECEMBER 1940 – 18 AUGUST 2021

14 JANUARY 1942 – 10 OCTOBER 2021

Lesley was born in pre-independence India during World War II, where her father worked as an Anglican Church minister in the British Army, and she spent her initial years speaking a mixture of Hindi and English. Following the tragic death of her mother, Lesley and her brother Noel were cared for in Sydney for a period of time by their future stepmother and aunt.

Merle was the eldest child of Olive and Dave Thomas and was born in Dumbleyung, a small town in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Her father’s job as a bank officer meant that their family moved from town to town and Merle started her schooling in Williams and then moved to Geraldton. She completed her Junior Certificate in Pemberton, before spending two years as a boarder at St Mary’s in West Perth in 1958 and 1959. She then went on to study teaching.

Lesley’s father accepted a position at the Perth Cathedral and the family moved to live in West Perth where Lesley attended nearby St Mary’s from 19481950 and later, after a stint in Geraldton, from 19561958 as a boarder. It was here she met her lifelong friend Fay Avery (Percival ’57), who would later be one of her bridesmaids, along with Lesley’s sister Helen. Lesley achieved excellent academic results and in her final year at St Mary’s, won the School’s prizes for English, English Essay, Biology and History, as well as being runner-up to Dux. She also captained the St Mary’s field hockey team.

Lesley enrolled at the Mount Hospital for nurse training, which she loved. In her final exams she achieved distinctions in all subjects and topped the State. She relocated to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney to complete midwifery training, again winning the prize for top graduate. She returned to Perth to work at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, focusing on cardiovascular surgical nursing and nursing education. It was here she met property auctioneer Bob Kerr, and they were married in 1965.

Lesley’s conscientious hard work and care for others never abated, and during the mid-1980s, she returned to nursing to restart a career in cardiovascular surgical nursing, focusing on patient co-ordination and education at Royal Perth and Fremantle Hospitals. She devoted many hours to working with the Anglican Church, making a broad and varied group of friends. Her strong faith enabled her to fight the cancer, which ultimately claimed her life, with such strength and grace.

After a life of moving from town to town, it was Wyalkatchem where Merle finally found her home and this is where she was married, raised her family and became a valued member of the community. She was involved in many organisations in Wyalkatchem and in recent years had a special interest in the Hospital Auxiliary.

Merle had a love of sport, including playing hockey and running, and was an active member of the Minnivale Tennis Club and Wyalkatchem Golf Club. She was also a very creative person and her hobbies included paper making, pottery, sewing, and in her later years, painting.

Books were important to Merle right from the time she could first read, and her collection of the Anne of Green Gables series were her childhood favourites. She was a founding member of her local book club and enjoyed the discussions that they would have about various books, especially the ones that were not so popular!

Merle’s father once referred to her as “no fuss Merle”.

She spoke her mind and never sought recognition, and was happiest entertaining visitors with a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. She loved her family and friends unconditionally.

Lesley is survived by her husband Bob, daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Richard, son Peter and daughter-in-law Kate, and grandchildren Emma (’20), Sara (current St Mary’s student) and James.

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ST MARY’S ANGLICAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL INCORPORATED 75 Elliott Road Karrinyup Western Australia PO Box 105 Karrinyup WA 6921 TELEPHONE: (08) 9341 9111 WEBSITE: www.stmarys.wa.edu.au CRICOS Number 00454C

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