IT’S PERSONAL

CHLOE OSBOURNE-SMITH, YEAR 8

When I reflect on what connection means to me, I think about my connection to the people and places around me. My family, my friends, my peers, my teachers. Featherstone Hall, the maple tree, my classrooms, the bus.

At Strathcona, there has never been a time when I haven’t felt supported, motivated, or like I don’t belong. Whether it’s getting up at 6.00am on a rainy morning for tennis, or facing a challenging science test, I have loved going through all the ups and downs together with my friends and peers.

Something I love is how passionate and excited the teachers are about the various subjects they teach. Whether it’s sharing a story from their past, or jumping online if they cannot be at School, the teachers are constantly working to make our experience at Strathy all the more memorable. As I get to know them as individuals, I have enjoyed building closer relationships with them, to a point where I feel I can approach them whenever I need.

For me, Strathcona is not simply a School. It is a place where memories are made, girls can connect with places and people, and where one can be inspired to be unstoppable.

AMBER SOWDEN, DEAN OF STUDENTS

I joined Strathcona in 2019, which following the COVID years, now feels like a lifetime ago! My role as the Dean of Students allows me to work closely with students and their families through all aspects of their schooling life. It is a very dynamic — sometimes challenging — but immensely rewarding role. I feel privileged to be able lead in a School that values wellbeing so highly — where the students are cared for and engaged with in every facet of their education by our staff across ELC to Year 12.

Over the last 12 months, my priority has been to reactivate all the things that make Strathcona great. The COVID years had such a profound impact on student life, activities, and whole school connection, therefore one of my focus areas is around reinvesting and reminding our students of all the fantastic opportunities that exist both within and outside the classroom.

During this time, Strathcona has also entered a co-design partnership with The University of Melbourne in the development of an ELC to Year 12 ‘Wholebeing Framework’. The centre of the framework is connection to self, others, and the community with the view that together, we are better. I am very excited and proud to be implementing this with my team over the next few years and greatly look forward to the outcomes as they arise.

MEGAN BATES, PREP TEACHER

As a Junior School teacher at Strathcona, I am privileged to work with some of the most incredible young minds of our time. My passion for teaching and instilling values of excellence, empathy and integrity drives my everyday interactions with my students. As an educator, I believe that connection plays a vital role in shaping the future of our children.

Connection, to me, means creating an environment where students feel valued, understood and supported. It means fostering a culture of respect, where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and students can express themselves freely. It means cultivating relationships that inspire learning, growth and collaboration.

In my role as a Prep teacher, I strive to create meaningful connections with my students every day. Whether it’s through individual discussions, group activities or personalised feedback,

I believe that each interaction is an opportunity to make a positive impact on a student’s life. I make a conscious effort to connect individually with my students so that I can understand their interests, strengths and challenges. I encourage them to take risks, to ask questions and to challenge themselves, knowing that I am there to support them every step of the way. I believe that my students’ love for school lies in the sense of connection they feel.

The significance of connection extends beyond the realm of education and is pertinent to every facet of our lives. It enables us to build relationships and fosters a sense of community and belonging. In a digital society that is more interconnected than ever before, it is crucial to acknowledge that genuine connections arise from authentic human interactions.

DEAN GOURLEY, DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SCHOOL MUSIC

As a Music Director in a girls’ school, I am privileged to be in a position where I can help students connect with each other and the world around them through music. I believe that music can transcend barriers and bring people together, and I see it as my responsibility as an educator to cultivate this connection in our students; empowering them to explore ideas through a range of musical experiences and collaborating creatively with their fellow musicians.

At the heart of my approach as a Music Director is the belief that our music program should also foster a deep appreciation and lifelong passion for music in our students, whilst simultaneously developing their technical skills and proficiency. At Strathcona, we are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where students of all musical abilities can thrive. Beyond the classroom, we offer a range of instrumental ensembles for musicians seeking to extend their musical experience.

This cocurricular program provides valuable learning experiences for students to develop their talents as well as encouraging friendships and connections across year levels, and it is a privilege to be in a position where I can facilitate this.

HANNAH PEACE, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COORDINATOR

As the International Student Coordinator, I have the honour of working with students from all over the world, helping them navigate their new home away from home. It is a position I cherish deeply, as it allows me to connect with those from diverse backgrounds and cultures, nurturing a sense of belonging and community. I believe that connection within this space is a fundamental human need, and it is essential for personal growth, learning, and wellbeing.

Connection, to me, means building relationships and making meaningful connections with those around us. It means working together towards a common goal, supporting each other through challenges, and celebrating each other’s successes. Ultimately, at its core, I view connection as being the recognition and celebration of our shared humanity.

IT’S

I am passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that values diversity and promotes cultural understanding. By fostering connections between students, teachers, and the wider school community, we are creating a supportive, compassionate and respectful learning environment where everyone can thrive.

SOFIA POMEROY, YEAR 7

Having started at Strathcona as a Year 4 student, I was immediately welcomed and I knew this was going to be a place where I could learn, make amazing friends and try new skills, some perhaps I would not have otherwise tried. I was very fortunate be elected Deputy Junior School Captain when I was in Year 6 and considered this role an opportunity to contribute to the Strathcona community. I also had the opportunity to participate in GSV diving for Strathcona this year and although I found it challenging, with the help and encouragement of my peers and coaches I felt I performed my best on competition day. The Strathcona community is so supportive and kind and this makes it a great place to be a part of.

My time at Strathcona is best described as both challenging and stimulating, while being filled with brilliant opportunities. It a safe environment to be myself, surrounded by talented teaching staff and encouraging friends. I am really looking forward to the next six years!

OLIVIA GIGLIA, PARENT

Relatively new to the Strathcona community, I am struck by the reciprocity I see permeating the School. It was in the genuine care and encouragement extended by teachers, staff and fellow students alike to my daughter Sydney, who joined as a Year 7 student in 2021. It shines from past parents lending their insights to the newbie School musical/netball/kayaking/rowing/Tay Creggan (etc) families. It is in the stories of the Strathcona community helping bereaved families or those struck by illness; in the celebration of girls and women within the Strathcona community but also more broadly; and in the impressive Strathy alumni creating professional and social networks for life. These connections are remarkable and enduring.

Giving back is a personal value that has extended to my professional life and something I am now also practising via Strathcona’s Philanthropy Committee. I think it’s an exciting time to be a parent at Strathcona. Collectively, our girls already experience the benefits from the School’s first 99 years and we have the extraordinarily good fortune to be part of the next 100 years right from the beginning, as the School commences Centenary Celebrations next year.

I hope that together — past and current parents alongside staff and student alumnae — we continue the spirit of reciprocity and extend it to include the transformative power of philanthropic giving as a cornerstone in the fabric of Strathcona for the next 100 years.