Canterbury Road Mural: Adding Colour to the Street

NATALIE OLVER, PARENT OF LIZA GRIFFIN, YEAR 10

Our daughter is artistically creative and the school has actively encouraged and supported her to follow her passion for the arts. She has achieved amazing results academically and enjoys terrific relationships with her teachers and fellow-students — the sort of relationships that will remain with her forever.

It is easy to identify and understand the positive impact Strathcona has had on our daughter. From her first days as a Year 4 student, up to the present time, the trips to and from school have been filled with discussions on what was happening at school on any given day — always delivered with a great deal of enthusiasm, even when the day’s subjects weren’t necessarily her favourites.

The school has consistently nurtured and supported her development and growth. The educational program extends well beyond the classroom and encourages skills including: acting/drama — with amazing stage productions, artistic creativity — holding regular art displays, music, sporting activities and family-oriented social events.

I can only speak from my experience as a parent of a young girl, who has grown to be a strong and confident young woman. We have seen our daughter develop, as a student, as a leader and as a person. This has been supported by the school and its commitment to promoting strong values and the development of strong women. We are so proud of what our daughter has been able to achieve at Strathcona and the opportunities the school has provided. We feel really fortunate. I personally can’t think of a better school for her.

Liza Griffin was awarded an Honourable Mention in the 2021 Young Archie painting competition with her artwork titled Dr Ben.

IT’S PERSONAL

“This is my ear doctor of over ten years. Dr Ben was the one who diagnosed me with profound hearing loss when I was four years of age. He’s done about a dozen procedures on my ears, and I know whenever he operates on me that I am in safe hands. He is always positive, and I wanted to show him how much he’s helped me through life — even with my hearing impairment — through this portrait. For the background, I illustrated an old audiogram of mine.”

– Liza Griffin, Year 9, 2021

CHLOE AU (’07)

I graduated from Strathcona in 2007 believing I could fly. We were emboldened to do anything and everything — even if we weren’t the best at it. Every teacher pushed us in all forms of learning. Mr Parker taught me how to balance sheets in Accounting and also how to put on a high calibre musical. Mrs Devlin taught me right angles in maths and also how to throw a javelin.

At Strathcona, we focused on including everyone and creating a space where all you needed was a thirst for knowledge and a willing spirit. I carry that spirit with me today and try to encourage others to do the same, because we can all fly when we uplift each other!

KYLIE WOOD, AQUATICS MANAGER

I took the role as Aquatics Manager at Strathcona after a long stint coaching swimming and preparing swimmers for States and Nationals. I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016 and on return to work, after only 10 weeks off, I struggled to cope. The role at Strathcona was advertised at a time I was seeking a change. It turned out to be a fantastic move; the community feel and the staff and students I worked with, made it a joy to come to work each day.

I started my swimming journey differently to most; I disliked swimming lessons and water at a young age. I didn’t do any structured swimming until Year 5 and 6 when we did intensives with school. I started swimming competitively in Year 7, worked incredibly hard and won medals at states in my first season and qualified for Nationals a year later. I spent around 10 years competing at a national level. I then began teaching and coaching swimming to give back to the sport that gave so much to me.

It is important to me to instill a love of the water and what can be done in and on the water to those that come through the Strathcona pool. We have students from local primary schools learn to swim here as part of the year round after school program, and often later I will see them back in the pool as Strathcona students and it’s great to see the community building beyond the Strathcona gates.

STRATHCONA GIRLS GRAMMAR

ROSS PHILLIPS, SENIOR DEAN OF LEARNING FUTURES

Authentic learning is personal, unlike training. Learning is an individual journey — everyone has a unique learning pathway. All learners having different strengths and interests. At the same time, learning is a social process. We learn through interaction with others, so it is important who we surround ourselves with.

I am a teacher, but I regard myself more as a learner. I learn from everyone around me in everything I do. Strathcona is a great place to learn because of the respect between the teachers and the students, the curiosity of the students and their desire to challenge themselves and develop.

Part of my role is subject selection. I counsel students about their pathways through school and work to find the best path for them that will support their learning. I also help teachers with their development. That is what I thrive on, helping each student and teacher develop their personal understanding of themselves and their worlds.

With a personal approach every student is valued equally. All students can learn, all students can contribute to society. The real joy for me as a teacher, is not the perfect score or knowing that everyone in the class has understood. It is when the student emerges with something that excites their curiosity, when they experience the thrill of learning — of developing their own personal understanding. Education is a process where you don’t know exactly what you are going to get. It is not a factory, they all come out different. It is personal.

SALONI GUNASEKERA, YEAR 8

We are all different in terms of our personalities, interests, skills, and abilities. Yet, I feel Strathy girls have a unique sense of connection to the school, because it’s personal. The academic curriculum, range of sports, music and performing arts programs offer opportunities to fulfill every girl’s wishes.

Our teachers are approachable and always open for discussions. They have a very good understanding of individual students’ capabilities hence can offer personalised advice. I know the school community and my teachers have worked hard to identify and enhance my personal strengths to support me to excel in areas that I like. This approach makes me feel valued and has given me an immense amount of confidence to believe in myself.

When students leave the gates of Strathcona they have the strength of self-belief that contributes to their success. At Strathy, every girl has something that they can fall in love with, because it’s personal.

IT’S PERSONAL ELIZA NOLAN, YEAR 2 TEACHER

As teachers in the Junior School, the wellbeing of the students and their families is our number one focus. My aim for my students is for them to grow up with a strong sense of self, to explore their spark and to not be afraid to challenge certain norms, particularly those that women may face. Through the SOUL Program and our pastoral care, we ensure students can feel proud of being themselves, whilst feeling a sense of pride and belonging to a community. Celebrating each student’s individuality is fundamental to creating a successful and treasured learning experience for all. It develops a sense of acceptance and connectedness and allows girls the space to continue to strive with perseverance not only in their education but in their lives. The students are encouraged to use their voice, in the classroom and the community. The Year 6 leaders are always creating new ideas of change that will better our school.

Students arrive at school each day with various experiences that they enjoy outside of school and once in the classroom, they get to know other students on a personal level which consequently strengthens their relationships with teachers and their peers. Building and nurturing the channels of communication between parents and teachers ensures that together we facilitate certain desired learning and wellbeing outcomes for all students so that they can reach their full personal and academic potential.

Strathcona fosters a sense of community whether you are a staff member, student or a family, and members feel welcomed and valued by the School, and that’s why at Strathy, it’s personal.