Alma Mater APRIL 2022 EDITION
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S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
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Editor's note
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College leadership
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Q&A with Principal Damian Messer
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Q&A with Deputy Principal Caroline Wilson-Haffenden
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International Women's Day 2022
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College news
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College in colour
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Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers
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Class of 2021, TCE results and 2022 Prefects announced
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Alumni Association report
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Alumni achievements
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Anecdotes from the archives
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Staying in touch with our alumni 19-23 Three generations of St Mary's College women
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Inspiring alumni and pen pals
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Upcoming reunions and knitted baby booties
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Editor: Stefania Bostock Design: Michaela Brighella Articles and photos are a combined effort from students, staff and alumni. Cover image: This edition’s cover image features the Stanfield/Holborow family, three generations of proud St Mary’s College women, whose connection to the College spans almost 60 years. Read the full story on page 24.
164 Harrington Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000 (03) 6108 2560 stmarys@smc.tas.edu.au www.smc.tas.edu.au Printed: April 2022
E ditor's Note Welcome to the April 2022 edition of the Alma Mater! The turn of the calendar brings both the opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and the chance to begin planning for the next dozen. For many of us, it is a time for new beginnings and of looking to the future with purpose and intention. These sentiments ring true for us here at St Mary’s College as we are excitedly writing our latest chapter with our new College leadership team, led by Principal Damian Messer and Deputy Principal Caroline Wilson-Haffenden. You can read more about their appointment in the following pages.
This year's focus is on the Presentation Touchstone of Hospitality.
Our school garden, which is now growing bush tucker plants in connection to our palawa land, and our canteen, which is transitioning to a café status, are two spaces in which we are breaking new ground. Read more about these projects on pages 9 and 11. Our Kinder program is also growing and adapting to support families who are currently utilising childcare options alongside Kinder. The College has developed a flexible Kinder program where Kinders have three compulsory ‘core’ days, but families have the option of requesting four or even five days a week. And, as usual, our fabulous alumni are proving that the current pandemic is no barrier to their success. Have a read of their stories on page 17, plus pages 19-23, and be inspired by their extraordinary professional and personal achievements. Wishing you all a wonderful year. We hope 2022 is kind to you. The St Mary’s College Community Relations team
This year, St Mary’s will be focusing on the Presentation Touchstone of Hospitality. Students and staff will be exploring how we can truly be a welcoming community, sharing the love of God with all those we meet. While the COVID-19 pandemic hindered our plans for our first community event for the year, we will be continuing to look at ways that we can inspire and cultivate a sense of hospitality at the College at a grass-roots level.
S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
Top to bottom: The College garden, Kinder students, Ivy, Zoe and Emma, one of the new additions to the grounds, the garden feature and turf grass to enhance the play area.
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COLLEGE LEADERSHIP
College Leadership The College is delighted to announce the appointment of Damian Messer as the Principal of St Mary’s College, supported by Caroline Wilson-Haffenden in the role of Deputy. Both Mr Messer and Mrs Wilson-Haffenden are well known and loved in the Tasmanian Catholic school community, bringing a wealth of experience to our College. Mr Messer will be best known for his leadership at ‘brother school’, St Virgil’s College, where he was Principal from 2010-2021 and Deputy Principal from 2006-2009, as well as through the shared St Virgil’s College and St Mary’s College Rowing Club. He has a passion for working collaboratively with all members of the community, and a strong track record in leading positive change in curriculum, in teaching and learning, and innovation, which positions him well to steer the College into its next phase. Mr Messer’s connection to St Mary’s College runs in the family. “I’ve been an invested member of the St Mary’s College community for a long time now,” he says. “My daughter, Meg, and son, Tom, attended St Mary’s, my wife, Josephine is an alumna of the College and so is my mother-in-law.
Joining Mr Messer on the College leadership team for 2022, Mrs Wilson-Haffenden says it is an exciting time to be a leader in the Senior School. “It is a privilege to be working alongside Damian, our staff, students and their families,” she says. “This year, the College launches a new strategic plan which guides our vision for the next three years, one that is inspired by Jesus Christ, Gospel values and the Presentation Charism.” A dedicated educator with 18 years of experience in girls’ schools, Mrs Wilson-Haffenden has worked across both primary and secondary settings. “I am looking forward to building on the achievements of the past as we collectively look forward with hope to meeting the challenges of educating our students so that they become women of faith, compassion, learning and leadership,” she says. On behalf of our school community, we congratulate Mr Messer and Mrs Wilson-Haffenden on their appointments and wish them both every success in their new roles. We are excited about the future of the College as they build upon the strong foundations we already have in place.
“It’s a huge part of my family and now it’s time for me to play a new role in the 153-year-old story of St Mary’s College and be part of something special.”
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Q & A W I T H P R I N C I PA L , DAMIAN MESSER
COLLEGE LEADERSHIP
We recently sat down with Damian to chat about all things St Mary’s College, his lifelong passion for education, and what he gets up to in his spare time. Welcome to the St Mary’s College family! How do you feel about stepping into the role of Principal in 2022? It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead a school that has been a part of the Hobart landscape for over 150 years. It is exciting and I really look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. You come to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience from a variety of educational settings. Why are you so passionate about education? Education has been my life’s work. I believe that it is the way to ensure our community’s future. The young people we work with are the future leaders and members of our Hobart and extended Tasmanian and Australian communities. They will make our world a better place. What do you believe brings out the best in each student? Giving each young person a say in how they like to learn is becoming the most critical way for a student to engage and flourish in the teaching and learning presented each day. You were previously Principal at St Virgil’s College. As you embark on a new adventure at an all-girls school, what are you most excited to discover about the St Mary’s College community? The community at SMC is made up of many connected parts, and getting to know how all the connections work is a key part of my work. It takes a village to raise a child. To get all parts of a school to connect and function well together is always a challenge.
Do you have a collective vision for our school and how does this feed into your educational philosophy? As a College, we are charged with the responsibility to allow the young people in our care to make the most of the opportunities presented to them. Our goal is to encourage them to be valuable contributors to our community.
How would you describe yourself in three words? Passionate, committed, emotional. Do you have a favourite sporting team? West Coast Eagles. What’s your go-to Hobart eatery? Dana Eating House. Do you have a quote that you live by? “Life wasn’t meant to be easy.”
The young people we work with are the future leaders of our community.
What are your interests outside of work? I have several interests outside of work. Family, friends and sport are the ones that seem to keep me busy in my spare time.
S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
Top of page: Damian Messer with Millie the dog and Prep students, Isabella Dilokvivat, Amelia Morris, Lilah Van Beest and Zara Brown. Above: Damian Messer with Kinder students after the Belling In. 5
College Leadership Q & A W I T H D E P U T Y P R I N C I PA L , C A RO L I N E W I L S O N - H A F F E N D E N Welcome to the role of Deputy Principal, Caroline. You started your journey with St Mary’s College in 2021 as our Acting Director of Junior School. In your view, what makes SMC so special? There are so many ingredients that make St Mary’s College a special and dynamic community. The rich Presentation traditions of the past provide a strong foundation for our contemporary and innovative programs. The wellbeing of students and staff is at the centre of everything we do. We know that students learn best when they feel valued, safe, supported, confident and connected; only then are they able to actively participate in challenging and engaging learning and co-curricular pursuits. Furthermore, there is a deep sense of pride that is instilled in every one of our students, those presently at the College and those who have walked the corridors of the past. Drawing on your 18 years’ experience in girls’ education, what do you consider to be the greatest benefits of all-girls schools? There has never been a better time for girls to be in an all-girls environment. We want our girls to exceed the expectations of their gender, enabling them to explore opportunities traditionally unavailable to them so that they may forge their own path in today’s world. As Presentation people, they are encouraged to be strong, passionate and confident girls and young women who can act with courage and compassion to not only make a difference in our world but to enrich it.
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It is known that some of the world’s leading women were educated in an all-girls environment. What is SMC doing in a teaching and learning space to help cultivate leadership abilities in girls? Leadership skills are fostered and systematically developed through both formal and informal structures across St Mary’s College. In our teaching and learning spaces, working collaboratively in teams, providing opportunities to speak in front of peers and identifying their own strengths and vulnerabilities allows students to build self-efficacy and confidence. Most significantly, all students are encouraged to develop leadership skills by accepting responsibility for their own learning, actions and environment. Girls must be encouraged to take risks to develop a confident and articulate voice – qualities that are advantageous for leadership and success.
Above: Caroline Wilson-Haffenden with Junior School students, Sophia Wass and Essie Kline.
Girls must be encouraged to take risks to develop a confident and articulate voice – qualities that are advantageous for leadership and success.
S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
Celebrating our women I N T E R N AT I O N A L WO M E N ' S D AY 2022 Celebrations were held across the College on Tuesday 8 March in honour of International Women’s Day (IWD), an annual event that recognises women’s achievements throughout history and around the world. At St Mary’s College, we educate and empower our students to contribute to a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. We champion and celebrate the trailblazers, changemakers and leaders who work hard in their communities to achieve greater gender equality and provide opportunities for women from all walks of life. IWD is also a day when we acknowledge women who are marginalised in our society. As a College, we advocate for First Nations gender justice, recognising the challenges that many First Nations women face and celebrating the importance of women in leadership in these communities.
Our IWD celebrations commenced with a special breakfast for our Year 11 and 12 students, at which we were delighted to welcome Holly Andrée, alumna and 2017 Head Prefect, as guest speaker. Holly delivered an inspiring speech that reflected on her time at St Mary’s and her journey since graduating from the College. In line with this year’s IWD theme, ‘Break the Bias’, Holly spoke about the importance of rewriting the narratives around expectations for young women in today’s society. She encouraged students to tread their own path; to follow their passions and contribute in their own individual ways. “Personal success takes time, and you don’t need to rush into your futures. You are completing your final years of schooling during a pandemic and it’s OK to take time to work out what’s next for you,” Holly said.
The focus on women empowering women continued in the Senior School assembly with Year 12 Deputy Prefects, Caitlin Marr and Mackenzie Kinghorn welcoming alumna Lucy Eade (class of 2020) and Kelsie Raspin (class of 2010) to the couch for an insightful and thought-provoking chat about their journey at St Mary’s, their experience as undergraduate students and how the College has influenced their career trajectory. We are incredibly proud of our students at St Mary’s College and the strong, resilient women they are. Below: Students celebrating International Women's Day with a breakfast and assembly and joined by alumna Holly Andrée (pictured top left with Head Prefect, Millie Lane) and alumna Kelsie Raspin and Lucy Eade on the couch with Deputy Prefects, Caitlin Marr and Mackenzie Kinghorn (pictured top centre).
College News
STAFF FAREWELL AND BEST WISHES It is with very heavy hearts that we farewelled the following staff members who finished working at our school at the end of 2021. We thank each of them for their hard work and commitment to the learning and wellbeing of our students, and their contribution to the tapestry that makes St Mary’s College so wonderful. Helen Spencer, Principal Jacqueline Conboy, Deputy Principal Gai Bath, Counsellor Debbie Claridge, Senior teacher John Russell, Property Services Manager Phil Boulter, Utility Officer, Groundskeeper Gillian Goldsworthy, Learning Area Coordinator, HaSS and Senior teacher Estelle Levey, Music teacher Brendon Gourlay, Joint Learning Area Coordinator, Science and Senior teacher Sarah Adams, Learning Area Coordinator, Art and Languages and Senior teacher Jo Burgess, Enrolment Officer Shelley Medhurst, Acting Community Relations Manager Shona Charleston, Administration Officer Rose Andrewartha, Teacher Assistant, Learning Support
WELCOME TO NEW STAFF We welcome the following new staff to our St Mary's College community and look forward to working with them: Damian Messer, Principal Fiona Chambers, Learning Leader, Religion Diana Nahodil, Learning Leader, Science Sonia O'Leary, Learning Leader, HaSS Julia McCullough, Lantern Coordinator, Junior School Oliva Stephen, Transition Coordinator Bradley Parkin, Secondary teacher (Maths and Science) Maggie Bowman, Secondary teacher (Music) Madeleine Botte, Year 3 Bottlebrush class teacher Alana Bickmore, Year 1 Echidnas class teacher Vanessa Kertesz, Administration Assistant (Student Services) Lily Czeszek, Secondary teacher (HPE, Outdoor Education) Kate Conway, Teacher Assistant, Learning Support Neve Macdonald, Teacher Assistant, Learning Support Erin Ramjan, Teacher Assistant, Learning Support Danika Haeusler, Prep Possums class teacher
LAPTOP CHARGING STATIONS Senior School students can now charge their devices ‘on the go’ thanks to a new laptop charging station, which has been installed outside the Student Resource Centre. The idea for project came out of student feedback and was made possible with funding from the previous SMC Parents and Friends’ Association. It’s currently running as a trial with plans for it to be reviewed this year. 8
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SMC THERAPY DOG Meet SMC’s newest staff member, Miss Millie. She’s no ordinary teacher though—she’s of the furry four-legged kind and she has a very ‘im-paw-tant’ job. A six-month-old Old English Sheepdog, Millie is currently in training as a therapy dog in our Junior School, where she will provide a morale boost (and plenty of hugs and licks) when students need it most. Therapy dogs are proven to reduce anxiety and stress in students and provide a sense of connection during difficult times in a child’s development. Research also shows they can help boost school attendance. Millie is learning under the expert guidance of Heather Collet, our Junior School Administration Assistant.
BUSH TUCKER GARDEN Our edible garden is starting to evolve with the addition of Tasmanian native bush food plants. During the Christmas school holidays our ‘chef of all trades’, Murphy’s Café Manager and Sustainability Officer, Phil Shanny, along with our College Receptionist, Traci-Jean Berresford went along to kipli takara for a bush food walk and history tour at piyura kitina (Risdon Cove). While walking this special piece of palawa land they heard about the history of the area and the native bush foods currently in season at piyura kitina, and sampled those native foods. After experiencing a morning tea of native flavours, fully catered by palawa kipli, Phil and Traci-Jean were inspired to bring some of those beautiful gifts from the land to our gardens here at St Mary’s. As we look after the land we gather on and eat sustainably, we can celebrate the traditions of the original owners of this land and learn the meaning behind these offerings and how people live off the land. As an interactive and productive space, the edible bush garden will be managed by Phil and our students, with the bush plants to eventually feature in the delicious meals served at Murphy’s. Some of the plants include native mint, native raspberry, native cherry, salt bush and pigface.
SCHOOL TV The College has welcomed the launch of SchoolTV—a streamlined, aggregated online wellbeing resource for schools and parents. SchoolTV addresses the modern-day realities of raising safe, happy and resilient young people using credible and sound information from a range of experts. The platform shares realistic and practical strategies through the use of videos, fact sheets, suggested books, apps and a website to help support our students’ wellbeing. Find out more via the SchoolTV link on the College website.
Opposite page, top to bottom: Phil Boulter and John Russell, Debbie Claridge, Jacqueline Conboy and the new laptop charging station.This page, top to bottom: Millie the therapy dog, the bush tucker garden and SchoolTV.
S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
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SCHOOL GROUNDS GET A FACELIFT
College News
Junior School students are excited to have even more options for creative, outdoor play with the introduction of a wonderful water play structure, sensory wall and sandpit in front of the Convent which complements the new raised garden feature outside Kinder. The fun doesn’t stop there, with a permanent four square in the Junior School outdoor area, which means students can get straight into games during breaks.
YEAR 2 BOYS FAREWELLED It was a bittersweet day on 26 November 2021 as we farewelled our Year 2 boys with a Liturgy and graduation ceremony in St Mary’s Cathedral. After having the pleasure of knowing the boys for some four years, the College will miss their smiling faces and vibrant personalities. We wish them all the best in their future education and thank them for being such a treasured part of our SMC community.
GUILFORD YOUNG MEDAL Our very own Sister Majella Kelly was among 12 Tasmanian Catholics honoured in the inaugural year of the Guilford Young Medal. The award, announced on 10 November 2021, acknowledged those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the life and evangelising mission of the Church in Tasmania, whether it be through their leadership, meritorious service, notable deeds of merit or professional responsibilities. Sister Majella is a member of the Presentation Sisters in Tasmania, whose work is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the broader community. We thank her for valuable service to our College.
HERE COME THE BELLS From trapeze artists and clowns to ringmasters and trained animals, our troupe of Year 12 graduates embraced October’s cold, rainy conditions for a grand exit like no other at their Belling Out. In traditional Belling Out style (albeit with a wetweather twist), our whole school gathered to form a guard of honour, leading the Year 12s through the College corridors and parapet until their last dash across the front lawns.
YEAR 12'S NIGHT OF NIGHTS The class of 2021 turned out in style at Glen Albyn Estate on 19 November 2021 for their leavers’ dinner. A special rite of passage for our Year 12s, the leavers’ dinner marks the end of the cohort’s tenure at the College. Spirits were high as the students, resplendent in floor-length gowns in shimmering satin, sequins and lace, posed for photos with family, friends and loved ones, and enjoyed a two-course meal and night of dancing and laughter. Congratulations to each of these girls for finishing their pretertiary education and for celebrating their graduation with their usual poise, elegance and sense of fun. We hope they will remain in touch with the College and keep us updated on how their futures progress.
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GREEN CAFÉ Murphy's Café received an award for sustainability for its practices in Term 4, 2021. The Café was named the winner of Environmentally Friendly School Food Service Award, an initiative of School Food Matters (formerly the Tasmanian School Canteen Association). Murphy’s high-quality service is complemented by the many environmental and sustainable practices that Murphy's Café Manager, Phil Shanny and his team are committed to delivering on a daily basis, including the tireless work that goes into our school gardens from which we harvest the fresh produce they use. In more exciting news, the Café is working with an architect on a redesign and rebrand that will create an authentic outdoor dining experience for our students.
SUSTAINABILITY FAIR We hosted our first-ever Sustainability Fair in 2021, with hundreds of guests flocking to the College Green to learn about how we can reduce our ecological footprint and make a positive impact on the environment. There was something to appeal to every age group: sweet, vegan and umu ground-oven roasted treats, unique plants and succents, beeswax wraps, baby chicks, garden tours, live musical entertainment, outdoor games and an on-site Tesla. From our many stall holders, volunteers and supporters to the dedicated students and staff driving our Footprint and Green Teams and Murphy’s Café—you’re all helping to shape our sustainability story.
SHAPING DIGITAL FUTURES In July 2021, the College partnered with CS in Schools to deliver a new Computer Science coding program to our Year 7 classes. The engaging, mentor-based program is designed to equip students with fundamental coding skills, as well as pathways for forging strong industry connections in preparation for the rapidly growing digital job sphere. It was wonderful to see Ella Striker then in Year 7, receive the award for Student of the Year out of 10,000 students nationwide.
BREATHTAKING NIGHT OF MUSIC During September, Music students and teachers combined talents for a breathtaking and inspiring Music Gala Night in the Nagle Centre. The evening’s performances were exceptional and left the audience in awe of our talented students. We’re so proud of the students who performed, as well as the staff and family who supported them throughout the year.
HERE COMES THE SUN Friday 12 November marked the launch of our 2021 senior art exhibition, titled ‘Here Comes the Sun’. The event showcased an amazing array of selected art and design work from 2021 created by our talented Year 7-12 students, including their final submissions for the TASC external assessments. Congratulations to all students who exhibited their work and thank you to all families who supported their creative endeavours. Thank you also to our fabulous Visual Arts department staff who have guided and encouraged our students through the creation of their projects. S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
Opposite page, top to bottom: Enhancements to the grounds, Belling Out 2021, Year 2 boys' graduation, class of 2021 leavers' dinner. This page, top to bottom: Green Café gardening, Sustainability Fair, Music Gala Night and Here Comes the Sun senior art exhibition. 11
College in colour
Opposite page (left-right, top-bottom): Bandanna Day BBQ, Belling Out, Sustainability Fair, 'Fallen' Drama Performance, First Nations students, Sustainability Fair, Year 2 boys' Graduation, Luzie Gillard Year 12 Art Exhibition, Sustainability Fair, Outdoor Education Camp, Year 12 Graduation, Belling-out, Music Gala Night, Science Week. This page (left-right, topbottom): Crazy Sock Day, Book Week, Emergency Services Visit, Father's Day BBQ, Madame Tussauds, Footprint Project team, Year 9 Business Trading Day, Year 12 Graduation cake, Year 12 leavers' dinner, Kinder fairies, Junior School fun with bubbles and chalk, SSATIS Athletics Year 12.
Hachette Australia Prize FOR YOUNG WRITERS
“While I workshopped the story several times, I knew what I wanted to say when I began writing, and although the overall writing process was smooth, the motivation to keep workshopping and editing came less easily!” Lara, who aspires to a career as a creative author or an art conservator, says she enjoys the freedom that creative writing allows. “For me, it isn’t difficult to remain factual while being creative because that is how my brain processes everything,” she says. Miranda too admits that her story-writing process wasn’t linear but rather developed organically and included several drafts. In her story, titled Nanna, Miranda reminisces about her relationship with her late grandmother. “My Nanna had passed away only a few weeks before our English Writing class began our unit on autobiographical writing, and I thought that the stories she had told me were the ones she would want me to continue to share,” Miranda says.
Above: Miranda Guy and Lara Vincent They say write what you know – and St Mary’s College alumni, Lara Vincent and Miranda Guy both had plenty to draw on for the autobiographical short stories they penned for an English writing class in 2021. With the encouragement of their Level 3 Writing teacher, Angela Fraser, Lara and Miranda – then in Year 12, submitted their final pieces into the 2021 Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers, which recognises excellence in creative writing from Australian secondary school-aged students. Both students achieved exceptional results – Lara and Miranda were the only Tasmanian candidates to be named on the 2021 Hachette Prize for Young Writers shortlist, alongside just 13 other students nationwide. They were also two of only five students shortlisted in the creative non-fiction category. Lara was ultimately named the joint winner of the 2021 Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers in creative non-fiction for her piece, What Home Is – an outstanding achievement considering the 2021 prize attracted more than 550 story submissions Australiawide in fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. Although they grapple with different subject matter and themes, Lara and Miranda’s stories are both intensely personal autobiographical pieces that touch on their life experiences and memories, some of which are linked to sadness and pain. For Lara, her story was also an exercise in courage in addressing her own childhood and adolescence, a process she found therapeutic. “Everything I wrote about was true and was either something I have experienced or am experiencing,” Lara says. 14
“At the beginning, I found it difficult to sit down and draft my story, because it wasn’t really a subject I wanted to dwell on, but once I reached about halfway, the process became a lot easier. The more I wrote, the more I remembered. “I love the idea of painting with words. The fact that a single word or phrase can change the entire atmosphere of a piece of writing is fascinating to me, and this compels me to keep writing.” When asked about what advice she would give to other aspiring young writers, or students interested in pursuing creative writing as a subject, Miranda’s answer is simple: “start by starting!” “I think the biggest setback when it comes to writing is self-doubt. At a Q&A that Lara and I attended, one of the agents at Hachette told us not to write what we know, but what we want to know, and I think that’s an excellent piece of advice,” she shared. “If you’re unsure of what you’re writing at the beginning – or how to write it – trust that you will know by the end. The more you write, the more you understand.” Lara accepts that giving advice is “tricky when I’m still figuring things out myself,” but she says she would encourage aspiring writers to simply “stick with it.” “It can be difficult to keep your motivation with creative writing when all you’re doing is writing in an analytical style for school, so take some time to write what you want to,” she says. As part of her prize, Lara’s story was published on the Express Media website. Read it online at https://expressmedia.org.au/news/ the-2021-hachette-australia-prize-nonfiction-2-2/.
S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
Class of
T CE
Congratulations to the class of 2021 on their strong academic results during a challenging year. Their resilience, determination and grit were evident in every aspect of their studies and engagement in school life throughout the year.
97% of our Year 12 cohort have achieved the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE).
2021
On behalf of the College, we wish them many blessings for their future study, endeavours and life beyond SMC. We couldn’t be prouder of them, graduating as spirited young women ready to make their mark on the world.
RESULTS
10% of our Year 12 cohort were placed in the top 5% of Year 12 students based on their ATAR. 23% were in the top 10% and 43% were in the top 20% of Year 12 students. Congratulations to Year 12 student, Charlotte Chambers who placed in the top 100 students in the state. Year 12 student, Sophie Weeding was awarded the TASC Outstanding Achievement Award in VET. Well done, Sophie! 30% of our Year 12 students have also completed some modules towards VET qualifications.
2022 Prefects
Above: Charlotte Chambers (top right), Year 12 cohort and Sophie Weeding at the Year 12 Graduation 2021. Below: Year 12 Commissioning 2022.
ANNOUNCED Congratulations to our new Prefects for 2022, who will step into the shoes of those before them. Head Prefect – Millie Lane Deputy Prefects – Caitlin Marr, Mackenzie Kinghorn Prefects – Ella Booth, Bonnie Bowden, Felicity Carter, Amelie Cox, Amelia Howell, Grace Lemin, Eliza Mason, Meg Pinelli, Liliana Radic, Lily Ransley, Holly Sice, Mia Smith and Molly Topham.
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Alumni Association report I start by referring back to the story of our Alumni Association over the last few years. As you know, even when we were led by the wonderful freshness of the lovely Brigid O’Shea and Bridget Gralak, with Vicki Turvey as Secretary and Anne Morrison as faithful committee member, we began to struggle, not only for interest in our events, but also in terms of interest in membership. This is a struggle which continues for us, although I must say we have been reinvigorated in the last couple of years by the addition of youth and
innovation in Luci Casey, Rebecca Godfrey and Peta-Maree Davidson, as well as the wisdom and life experience of Cecily Verrier, Jane Short and the always faithful Anne. Elizabeth McKay also rejoined us for a time. I pay particular tribute to Cecily, a woman of great experience and integrity, whose wisdom and guidance I strongly rely on. As reported at last year’s AGM, the College has expressed the desire that we build our Alumni community rather than concentrate on fundraising activities. In 2020 of course, the
pandemic prevented much happening at all and 2021 we spent in meeting to take stock and to decide on future directions. To this end, we held several Saturday meetings, in May and September, to brainstorm and discuss ways in which we might rejuvenate business. We are very grateful to Luci for travelling from Canberra to Hobart to lead us in our Saturday in May. One outcome of our deliberations was our attempt to revise the Constitution, and the proposed changes were discussed at length at our Annual General Meeting on 13 November 2021. The meeting chose not to take the suggested path of incorporation, but to refer the changes to the Constitution back to the committee for more in-depth consideration. And finally, the story of Mary Smith’s generous gift to the College in the form of a beautifully designed Nano Lantern. Mary has been most gracious and patient in waiting for all elements of this creation to come together. Jane Short’s son Ben Clark, a highly regarded and talented blacksmith, created the structure of the lantern early in 2021. Gavin Merrington, an equally talented artisan, completed the stunning stained glass late last year. We look forward to seeing the lantern installed in our Adrian Doyle Chapel in the College, with a small ceremony to mark the unveiling. Thank you again to Mary for this very thoughtful and generous bequest to the College.
Margaret Rootes Heritage Officer and Alumni Association President
Pictured (clockwise from above): The Alumni committee and fellow alumni members meeting at the Annual AGM Meeting and Mary Smith with the newly commissioned Nano Nagle Lantern in the Adrian Doyle Chapel. 16 16
SSTT M MAARY RY’’SS CCO OLLLLEEG GEE AALLM MAA M MAT ATEERR AAPPRRIILL 2022 2022
Alumni
ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to the following alumni who have been recognised for their accomplishments across many and varied fields. Amanda Lohrey (class of 1963) has won the $80,000 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for her novel, The Labyrinth – compounding a banner year in which she also won the $60,000 Miles Franklin Literary Award. In bestowing the award, the judges praised Amanda as ‘a writer of uncompromising artistic purpose who is never content for the novel to be mere entertainment’. The Labyrinth tells the story of a woman who retreats to a quiet hamlet near where her son has been incarcerated and obsesses over creating a labyrinth by the ocean. The novel has been described as ‘a beautifully written reflection on the conflicts between parents and children, men and women, and the value and purpose of creative work’. Sophie Muller (class of 1991) was presented with a Tasplan International Women’s Day Award for Excellence for her ‘inspirational leadership in Tasmanian State Service’ with the COVID-19 Coordination Centre. The annual awards recognise the significant contributions of women across state and local government and the community services industry. Therese Wahl (class of 2000) was recognised as a winner of the Yamaha Music Australia Breakout Award. After graduating from the Conservatorium of Music, Therese has worked as a piano teacher for the past 20 years both in her home studio and at Launceston Church Grammar School, dedicated to passing on the gift of music to students of all ages. As one of 10 winners nationwide, Therese travelled to Yamaha Headquarters in Melbourne in January 2022 for two days of professional development.
Shewit Belay (class of 2014) is in the cast of the 2021 production of Hamilton. The musical’s Melbourne season opened on 15 March. Read more about Shewit on page 20. Kate Choraziak (class of 2015) performed in Hamley Productions' Hobart show, 'A Midsummer's Much Ado about Kings, Queens and Jokers'. Kate studied an Advanced Diploma of Acting at Sydney Theatre School in 2017. Now based in Hobart, she works as a tutor for React Drama School, sharing her passion for the stage with young budding actors. Kate has worked with a number of local theatre companies in recent years. She has also appeared in a number of television commercials and featured as an extra in various local films. You may also recognise Kate from her performance in the St Mary's College production of 'House on Fire' back in 2014. Molly Payne nee Gerke (class of 2012) was appointed as Justice Contact member for the Tasmanian Presentation Congregation. Her role is to represent the Sisters on the Presentation Society Justice Contact group, which is also a member of the International Presentation Association’s Action for Justice. There are several subgroups and Molly belongs to the ‘Towards the IPA Assembly 2022: Women and Children Working Group’. Members represent Australia, Dubuque (USA), Staten Island (USA), Papua New Guinea, Zambia/Zimbabwe, and the Philippines. A strong history for advocating for the rights of women and children has led to Molly pursuing a pathway that has brought her rich and rewarding experiences, from teaching in rural Vanuatu and representing the Institute of Public Affairs at the United Nations to carrying out the roles of founder and president of an NGO focusing on education and
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capacity building in the South Pacific. Molly has also worked with Wesley LifeForce Networks’ suicide prevention services and Colony 47 as a Homeless Youth Coach. Her enduring passion for community development, advocacy and mental health has seen Molly, in recent years, journey from Tasmania to Vanuatu to New York and back again to facilitate community-led programs for education, health, business and women’s capacity building. Lily Ward (class of 2018) took to the stage at Canberra’s Albert Hall to perform in Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) Pocket Opera, hosted by National Opera in June 2021. Lily is a soprano currently completing a double degree in music and politics, philosophy and economics at the Australian National University. Chloe Bowden (class of 2019) officially joined the ranks of Tasmania Police as a first-year Constable in 2021. Chloe is stationed at the Launceston Police Academy, where she is putting her training into action, serving and protecting the Launceston community. A proud palawa woman, Chloe’s police badge displays the Aboriginal flag to help the general public identify her as a member of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. Kate Oliver and Sophie Robinson (class of 2020) represented the Tasmanian University Boat Club at the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships, which were held at Lake Barrington from 22-28 March 2021. Georgina Taskunas (class of 2011) choreographed the St Mary’s College production of Matilda, The Musical, which was performed from 25-27 February 2021. 17
Anecdo tes F RO M T H E A RC H I V E S PRESENTATION SISTERS – WOMEN WITH VISION If you are reading the Alma Mater, and if you are reading this article, it is highly likely that, like me, you have a great affection for our Presentation Sisters, both those who are still with us, and those who have gone to their reward. People of my vintage – and earlier, will remember St Mary’s College as a place of learning where the Sisters were in the majority as our teachers, as well as filling the roles of bursar and principal. Probably well before the first wave of feminism we saw daily that women could run the show, achieve higher education and work full time. Of course, we could never know at the time the sheer exhaustion of those Sisters who rose at 5.30am for Mass, worked full days in the classroom, supervised boarders after school and, in the evenings, marked their students’ work and prepared their lessons for the following full day. We had no idea of their strength or their privations, we just saw them in action. I’ve been feeling nostalgic about the Sisters lately because they
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have been receiving publicity about their stunning act of generosity in gifting their very valuable land at Blackmans Bay for use as affordable housing, in partnership with CatholicCare. Congregational Leader, Sister Gabrielle Morgan, when at the stage of leading the Sisters in the repurposing of Maryknoll, was concerned at the struggle in Tasmania of people seeking affordable housing. From that concern, a vision for the future of Maryknoll easily emerged.
Of particular interest to the Sisters was the situation of many women over 55 years of age, in terms of affordable housing. This concern resonated with one of the main thrusts of the work of Nano Nagle in Cork in the 1700s, for gentlewomen who were turned into the streets after a lifetime of domestic work. Her aim, to give them a roof over their heads and dignity. Nearly three centuries later, our own Sisters have been able to meet this same need, one so dear to Nano’s heart. There is a photo from 1950 in which all the Tasmanian Presentation Sisters are in a group,
row upon row of them, and growing in numbers. Sadly now, those numbers have dwindled and the Sisters are an ageing demographic. We should not, however, lose sight of the amazing impact and influence they have had in so many Tasmanian towns, big and small. Hundreds of thousands of Tasmanian women and men have been educated by the Sisters and have been visited and cared for by Presentation Sister pastoral workers and parish sisters. Only recently the Presentation Sisters of Tasmania were admitted to the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women, an achievement which speaks for itself. And all this has emanated and sprung from the arrival, in 1866 in Hobart – from the other side of the world, of a small band of nine Presentation women. In their simplicity they would never have dreamed that their organisation would one day gift homeless Tasmanian people with millions of dollars of real estate to provide them with shelter and dignity. What an amazing and profound story! Margaret Rootes Heritage Officer and Alumni Association President
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Staying in touch OLIVIA EADE (CLASS OF 2018) What are you currently studying and at which university? I’m currently studying Medicine in my fourth year at UTAS’ Rural Clinical School, which is based in Burnie. This year involves mainly clinical placements across the Northwest Coast in hospitals such as the Northwest Regional in Burnie and Mersey in Latrobe, as well as primary care placements in towns scattered across the north of the state. Why did you choose this pathway? I was always really interested in science at school and am an inquisitive person. As I gained experience in administering first aid through surf lifesaving, I really enjoyed the idea of something exciting, hands-on and involving patients that combined my love for learning, and I found medicine to be the best fit. How did you find the transition from school to university life? The transition from school to university definitely had its challenges. Initially, I found it difficult to deal with a more intense study load and being in a new environment where I had to make new friends and be more outgoing, in comparison to the very comfortable environment of St Mary’s College. I’m having to continually adapt to find a good work-life balance and maintain my studies, while at the same time not letting myself get too burnt out. The disruption to learning due to COVID-19 made it difficult to separate work from home, where I was often on the computer watching lectures for countless hours a day. Being at UTAS, I was lucky that we rapidly returned to face-to-face learning and that most things are relatively back to ‘normal’. What are your career aspirations for the future?
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My hope is to graduate Medicine to become an intern somewhere exciting, perhaps in a rural community. Eventually, I would like to become a general practitioner or gynaecologist, but the area I want to go into tends to change all the time as I start learning about different fields.
at school where I got to study more interesting subjects and had the most fun with my friends. Additionally, it was the time where I was the most involved with the College community through extracurricular activities such as band and sports, as well as through groups like the Prefects and Vinnies.
There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has, and is continuing to have, a profound impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. What affect has the pandemic had on your current studies, and how have you overcome these challenges?
What advice would you give to current students?
COVID-19 has presented many challenges for my studies. During the major lockdown in 2020, all my teaching and learning moved online, including dissections and other practical, hands-on activities which were reduced to Powerpoints. As second year was very content heavy, I spent over five hours a day watching lectures and ‘attending’ tutorials that would usually be held in person. I was lucky though that as soon as the initial lockdown period lifted, all the practical components, including placements, returned to face-to-face teaching. This is my second year doing placements and fortunately, unlike other medical schools on the mainland, I haven’t had to miss out on them due to COVID-19.
My advice to current students is to not take yourself too seriously and give everything a go. In my younger years of high school, I didn’t participate as much as I should have in extra-curricular activities as I was worried about what people thought about me. Eventually, however, I found that the best things I did at school were those that I put effort into and that weren’t necessarily the ‘coolest’. I think it all comes down to having a good attitude and being willing to take every opportunity that is presented to you, as you never know what could turn out to be something really amazing.
The pandemic also made it challenging to manage screen fatigue and the risk of burning out. I try to overcome this by making sure I get outside a lot, exercise and go into uni or to the library to study. This, however, continues to be an ongoing struggle for me and something I am striving to become better at. Thinking back to your years as a school student, what is your strongest memory of your time at St Mary’s College? My strongest memory of my time at St Mary’s was Year 11 and 12. These were my most exciting years
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of whom were women. Seeing their commitment to teaching and how that translated into a positive learning environment for me and my peers was a big motivator. Women are, or have been, at least, underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and medicine. I am grateful that my learning environment empowered me to engage with these subjects despite this.
SHEWIT BELAY (CLASS OF 2014) Can you take us through your education and/or training pathway to where you are today? My journey since graduating from St Mary’s College has been eventful, to say the least! After Year 12, I moved to Townsville to pursue my medical studies at James Cook University. I spent four years in Townsville, followed by 18 months in Mackay and then another five months in the Torres Strait for my final medical rotation as a student. In 2021, I started working as a junior doctor at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital – a challenging but fulfilling experience, especially in the time of COVID-19. I also started working towards my Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Juggling work and study – particularly in my last year – has been very busy, but I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to broaden my skills and knowledge. Have you always wanted to pursue a degree in this field? Who inspired or motivated you along the way? Although I was both academically and musically inclined, I made the decision to pursue mainly science and maths subjects from Year 10 onwards. Around this time, I had been taught by some phenomenal science teachers at St Mary’s, two 20
My family is also a significant source of inspiration. My mother always prioritised education and many sacrifices were made by my parents to allow me to complete my schooling undisturbed. The opportunities I have had to study and work I attribute to them completely. To a large extent, arriving in Australia as a refugee with my immediate family has also coloured my ambitions. There are many ways that refugees have been portrayed in the media with many of these images being negative. I refuse to subscribe to this, and this fuels my determination to exceed the expectations placed on me simply because I am a refugee. Although I consider myself Australian, I am also a proud Eritrean, and I would like to return to Eritrea to work in the future. I never met him, but the legacy of my late uncle, Dr Semere Fre (a graduate of the Addis Ababa University School of Medicine), is something I endeavour to continue. The likes of Dr Catherine Hamlin, Dr Andrew Browning and Dr Fred Hollows, all of whom have worked in East Africa, are also some of the people from whom I draw my inspiration.
am currently in rehearsals for the show. It’s a big change from my previous job but I’m grateful that I can pursue music in the current climate. I plan to continue working on my Masters and look forward to keeping in touch with my medical side in this way. You attended St Mary’s College from 2003-2014. What did you most enjoy about your time as a student here? Although there were a lot of changes over the 12 years I was at St Mary’s, there were some things that remained the same. One of these was the pastoral care element that was included in our schooling. It contributed to the sense of a familiar, close-knit school community that promoted a culture of friendship and inclusiveness. I’d like to think that I still carry those values and that culture with me wherever I go. What are your passions/interests outside of study and work? Outside of my day-to-day, I enjoy spending time with my family, seeing and playing live music, food, skin care, reading and walks along any body of water (but to be honest, the Brisbane River has nothing on the Derwent). What advice would you give to current students? 1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it – there is no shame in recognising when something is beyond your abilities and getting back-up. 2. Grab opportunities with both hands and keep a steady grip!
What are your next steps for 2022? I’m extremely excited to be joining the Australian cast of Hamilton and
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Staying in touch SHELLEY MACLEOD (CLASS OF 1975) Shelley Macleod is celebrating her retirement after 20 years of dedicated service to St Mary’s. A much-loved teacher at the College and a great ambassador for languages, Shelley taught Chinese in the Senior School and Japanese across Prep to Year 12. She also spent some time abroad teaching English in China and Japan. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Shelley’s daughter, Millie Macleod (class of 2013) studied Japanese and Italian at St Mary’s before going on to study Chinese and Danish at Melbourne’s Monash University, where she completed a Bachelor of Global Studies in 2017.
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brought back many memories and I was pleasantly surprised by the brightly painted walls (very different to the more traditional bland tones in my day) and good atmosphere. It was lovely to find quite a few from my era as a student back teaching as well. I was welcomed by all staff, but especially by the wonderful Presentation Sisters. You hold a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Education degree in Asian Languages. Had you always wanted to pursue a career in education and, in particular, as a language teacher? My journey to a career in education began with my desire to go back to university to study languages. I hadn’t set out to become a teacher, but my studies led me there. After first graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Japanese and Indonesian, with my family I headed to Aomori in the north of Japan where I worked in education for two years. I returned to Hobart and decided that education and teaching languages was where I wanted to be and so, went on to complete a Bachelor of Education. What are some of your fondest memories of your time at St Mary’s College?
You have a long-standing connection with St Mary’s College as an alumna, parent and teacher, which is quite remarkable. What was it like returning to teach at the College in 2001? I hadn’t actually thought I would be returning to the College after my school days. Teaching wasn’t a career I had considered pursuing until my return to university to study languages. This eventually led to teaching and back to St Mary’s. Returning in 2001 was a great feeling. Walking around the school
Watching the first moon landing! Crowded into a Junior School classroom, my classmates and I piled in, sat wherever we could find room and watched on what was probably the only TV in the Junior School. The friendships from my school days are something I also treasure. As a parent, I remember watching my daughter, Millie, flourish, encouraged by wonderful SMC teachers, many of whom are still teaching there today. She was so proud to be Junior School Captain in Year 6 (or Head Prefect of the Junior School as the lovely Sally Haig, then Head of Humanities, used to say). We got to go on a school trip to Japan together as well. I so loved teaching at St Mary’s. I look back and have happy
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O U R A LU M N I memories of many fun times in class; of the amazing students I have had the privilege of teaching, sharing in their language learning journeys and, in recent years, my wonderful Homeroom. Of course, the school trips to Japan and China are amongst my fond memories, as well as the wonderful exchanges we set up with our sister cities in Japan and China in conjunction with Hobart City. I have some wonderful friendships at the College especially with those associated with the Languages department. We worked hard together over the years, had some great times with lots of laughter and shared successes, and supported one another when needed. I know these friendships will endure. The SMC community is caring and compassionate and I hope to remain a part of it always. A lot has changed at St Mary’s since the start of your career, from the buildings and grounds to advancements in technology and most recently, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Is there a ‘defining’ moment or experience that you would say helped shape your career or impacted you on a personal and/ or professional level? I feel that the smarter we get, the busier we become and so many jobs, including the teaching profession, have changed immensely over the years. Keeping up with change has had its challenges though – it has been good for language teaching and learning with greater access to authentic and contemporary resources. For me, moving into teaching the Senior year levels impacted me on a personal and professional level. The change from Japanese to Chinese as our Asian language, for a few years teaching both during the transition, was a time of big change in my career. Preparing the girls for tertiary study of Japanese and then Chinese was an extremely rewarding aspect of my job.
Above: Shelley with daughter Millie. 21
Staying in touch CONTINUED In March last year you received the 2020 Supervising Teacher of the Year Award from UTAS in recognition of your outstanding contribution to the university’s education program. Can you tell us a bit more about your work in this space? I felt honoured to have been nominated for this award and, of course, thrilled to have been selected. Between 2016 and 2021, I mentored 11 preservice teachers. I felt that it was very important for me, as an experienced teacher, to mentor and nurture those aspiring to teach, especially in my field of language teaching. However, it is not a one-way street! We learn from each other. It is extremely important to work closely together on the lesson planning, delivery and then reflection and feedback. Yes, I was the mentor and teacher, but I always learned something from each student through the collaboration, observations and discussions. All were valuable experiences for me and my practice as a teacher and I hope so too for my preservice teachers.
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Casting your mind back to your school days, was there a teacher who inspired you as a student? Yes, and it was Sister Julianne Tapping. Her beautiful nature and constant encouragement to strive to improve and do my best is something that has inspired me personally and will stay with me always. There are other teachers to whom I am grateful for my education, but Sister Julianne is the one who not only taught but inspired me. I do hope that I have inspired some students over the years in this way.
My journey to a career in education began with my desire to go back to university to study languages.
Your daughter Millie is also a proud SMC alumna! What has she been up to since hanging up her green blazer? Millie went off to university to do International Studies and took opportunities for exchange and study abroad to experience and immerse in different cultures and enhance her language studies. She completed an intensive semester at Shanghai University and in her final year, a semester at the University of Copenhagen. After graduating from Monash University in 2017, Millie took up a graduate position with the Commonwealth Government in the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Just recently, she transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as Assistant Director in the Environment, Oceans and Biodiversity Section. Millie is living and working in Sydney, is studying a Master of International Law at the University of Sydney and is well and happy. Do you have any wise words for our alumni? Let’s always carry with us the Presentation charism and Christian values of compassion, hospitality and kindness as taught to us through Nano Nagle’s story and life’s work. Always be kind, to each other and to ourselves. And…learn another language! You don’t have to become a fluent speaker, even some simple greetings and basic communication can help to make someone’s day. If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. ~ Nelson Mandela
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In 2014, Nicki came home to St Mary’s College, where she has taught ever since.
NICOLE SHANNY NEE GANNON (CLASS OF 1994) It will come as no surprise that there are many alumni amongst our teaching staff: they loved their school days so much that they wanted to come back for more! In this edition of the Alma Mater, we feature the former Nicole Gannon, Mrs Shanny. Nicki commenced at St Mary’s College in 1985 in Year 3. At the time, Sister Barbara was Principal of the College, and Sister Marilyn and the late Sister Joseph also had roles in the school. The late Sister Ona was Principal in 1994, and Nicki still treasures fond memories of working as a Prefect with that delightful Sister. Nicki laughingly recalls that she 'played netball badly' as her sporting contribution to school life. She also played the clarinet in the Concert Band and Jazz Band. She threw herself into the social action aspects of school as a member of Vinnies over a number of years. This led to her being appointed the charity/ mission Prefect in Year 12, and in later years to her reconnection as a member of the St Mary’s College Staff Loui’s Van Team.
Nicki was committed to her studies, loving reading and spelling in her early days, and later, the opportunities to participate in school camps and class retreats. She maintains many close friendships from her time at St Mary’s and in fact now teaches next door to her old friend Jayne (Dickson) Brown! Nicki was a dedicated member of College House. She felt that she benefitted greatly from being taught by ‘so many wonderful, genuine, invested, kind and dedicated teachers’ and was inspired by them to become a teacher herself. In fact, when she had her own children, Freya and Joe, she enrolled them at St Mary’s so that they too could experience the community, guidance and enduring friendships which marked her own education. Nicki studied teaching at UTAS, and during her final year in 1999, she was invited by the Principal of St Mary’s College, Mrs Ann Stanfield, to cover for a term during which a teacher was away. Her first year after graduation saw Nicki teaching at Immaculate Heart School, followed by an appointment to Dominic College, where she worked until 2013. In 2014, Nicki came home to St Mary’s College, where she has taught ever since.
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On the day of her graduation from UTAS, Nicki became engaged to the love of her life, Phil Shanny. And who knew that 21 years later, they would both be working at the College? Phil is our amazing Murphy's Café Manager and College Sustainability Officer. Phil and Nicki are very proud of Freya, now a Year 9 student at the College, and Joe, a Year 7 student at St Virgil’s College. Margaret Rootes Heritage Officer and Alumni Association President
Above: Nicki with daughter Freya who is currently in Year 9 at St Mary's College and also with husband Phil. 23
Three generations of When Annie Jordan and Sophie Kowaluk (nee Holborow) were students at St Mary’s College back in the early 2000s, they walked the same ground that their grandmother, and first lay Principal of the College, Ann (nee Masters) did in the years before them. While having a former school principal in the family might be intimidating for some people, for the Holborow sisters, it was a source of pride. “I was in Year 3 when Grandma retired and Sophie was one year away from starting Kinder, so we only really saw her when she visited for assemblies or Cathedral. It was pretty special, but it felt normal for us. We were very proud,” Annie says. Ann was appointed Principal of St Mary’s College in 1999 after serving as Deputy Principal in 1981 and Head of the Junior School (19791985). In 1991, she was called on to act as lay Principal for a full year— the first Acting lay Principal in the history of the College. It was under Ann’s guidance that the College segued from being run by the Presentation Sisters to lay Principals in a seamless way. “From smaller beginnings, the College has now grown into such an icon in Hobart. I think it’s wonderful,” Ann says.
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“The people who came after me have worked hard to produce something that is going to go on for a long time and that proves the quality, both of the people who are here now and their aspirations for the future,” she says. “I am proud that the girls chose to continue the St Mary’s College legacy in our family, but it was not with any great encouragement from me!” In 2014, Annie (class of 2010) graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Primary), before returning to teach at St Mary’s in 2018. As a Junior School class teacher, Annie works in close quarters with her mum, Jo Holborow, who is the College’s Junior School Administrative Officer.
From smaller beginnings, the College has now grown into such an icon in Hobart. I think it’s wonderful.
“It has been a privilege working at SMC for 26 years as I’ve witnessed my daughters’ journey from the sidelines,” Jo says. For Jo, St Mary’s College was embedded into the fabric of her family well before she had children. “The natural thing for John and I to do was to enrol our girls. We wanted them to journey through their school life and gain the values of the College and the Presentation Sisters,” she says. “We are so very proud to say that St Mary’s College helped shape Annie and Sophie into the strong, independent and kind young women they are.” In 2021 Jo celebrated 25 years at St Mary's College after beginning her journey here in 1996 as a Teacher's Assistant in the very first Kindergarten class. Jo is also a very proud grandmother. Her son, Daniel has a daughter, Daisy, age seven, and Annie gave birth to her daughter, April in May 2021 – future SMC alumni.
Pictured above: Jo Holborow, Ann Stanfield, Annie Jordan, baby April Jordan and Sophie Kowaluk during a recent visit to St Mary's College. On the right: Jo Holborow, Ann Stanfield and Annie Jordan at the 150th Anniversary Gala Dinner in 2018. 24
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Sharing tales of our There are many St Mary’s women who inspire us across the generations, and we are very happy to be sharing their inspiring pathways. Our alumni have forged unique paths in a variety of different fields and endeavours, from medicine, science, technology, engineering and agriculture to news media, education, national and international sports, and motherhood. Each is making a worthwhile contribution as they inspire upcoming generations. In celebration of this, we have
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launched an Inspiring Alumni webpage in the Alumni section of the St Mary’s College website. Discover their stories by visiting the starting collection at www.smc. tas.edu.au/community/inspiringalumni/ Some of the profiles are sourced from the wonderful collection in our 150 Faces of St Mary’s College book, which features stories of 150 notable members of our St Mary’s College community from 1868-2018. These profiles were researched and written by Heritage Officer, Margaret
The power of the pen
Rootes in celebration of our 150th anniversary. All recent profiles were current at the time they were written. We look forward to adding to these as our alumni take their next steps in their personal and professional journeys. There will be more to come soon! If you would like to share your story or know an alumni member with an inspiring tale, we’d love to hear from you. Please email communications@smc.tas.edu.au
You’ve go t a friend in me…
Twenty twenty-one was a wonderful year for our SMC pen pals who have discovered the joys of letter writing and receiving.
Special friendships are being forged between students and alumni thanks to our College pen pal program.
We’ve seen beautiful handwritten notes, humourous tales exchanged of pets and family adventures, and reflections on what school is like today at St Mary’s College.
Alumna Mary Smith (class of 1951) dropped by the College recently to say hello and in turn received a very warm welcome from her pen friends, Lucinda and Lucy (Year 6), pictured here, who were eager to catch her up on the latest happenings around the College.
In the lead up to the festive season, our Junior School pen pal participants were busy crafting their Christmas letters and cards for the year. Each Christmas card included an Irish Christmas blessing from the students and Nano Nagle.
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If you'd like to be a part of the pen pal program, we would love to have you! Please email communications@ smc.tas.edu.au to join the ladies who letter write!
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Upcoming reunions CLASS OF 2011 (10 YEARS) (POSTPONED UNTIL LATER IN 2022) A reunion for the class of 2011 is currently being organised. Email and print invitations will be sent closer to the date so please ensure your contact details are updated with the College via the webform at www.smc.tas.edu. au/community/alumni.
2022 REUNIONS
CLASS OF 1989 (30 YEARS) (RESCHEDULED) When: Saturday 12 November 2022 Where: TBC RSVP: Melissa Read, missread3@gmail.com
If you'd like to organise or join an upcoming reunion, please email communications@smc. tas.edu.au. We would love to hear from you!
When and where: To be confirmed Contact: Charlotte Tokmak (Walsh), tokmakcharlotte@gmail.com
Knitting with love
BOOTIES FOR ALUMNI
We are delighted to launch a small selection of St Mary’s College baby booties, which are now available to our alumni community. Featuring the College colour palette and delicate button details, these beautiful woollen booties have been made with love and will keep little feet snug and warm this winter.
A special thank you to wonderful alumni, Elizabeth Nickols (class of 1963), grandmother of Mikayla (Year 11), and Maureen Hindley, grandmother of Izzy (Year 3), who generously gave their time and skills to this project.
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If you or an alumni friend have had a baby in recent months, please email communications@smc.tas.edu.au to receive a free pair of booties on us. Numbers are limited, so be quick!
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Join milangkani at St Mary’s College on Monday mornings All families with children aged birth to five years are welcome to attend our free program for play-based learning opportunites that will engage your child’s curiosity in a nuturing environment.
Learn more and register at www.smc.tas.edu.au/learning/milangkani-0-to-5-years/ S T M A RY ’ S C O L L E G E A L M A M AT E R A P R I L 2022
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164 Harrington Street Hobart TAS 7000 03 6108 2560 stmarys@smc.tas.edu.au www.smc.tas.edu.au
