CLASS OF 2014 10 YEAR REUNION
We honour and acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of this land. We honour and respect their ongoing cultural and spiritual connection with this country. We pay our respects to the Elders both past, present and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of Indigenous Australia.
Have you moved, married, changed your email, mobile, or other details? You can update your details online here at any time: https://www.tintern.vic.edu.au/past-student-update/ Please note we have endeavoured to reproduce the information provided to us and information from the Emma B Cook Archives in our booklet to ensure it is correct at the time of publication. If you have any concerns, please contact Di Lacey and Tegan Martin in the Community Relations Office at Tintern Grammar for assistance: communityrelations@tintern.vic.edu.au or by phone +61 3 9845 7777
CLASS OF 2014 Charlotte Anderson
Joshua Drakeford
Billy Johnson
Kaity Bakken
Jaimee-Lee Egan
Emma-Kate Jones
Lachlan Beazleigh
James Elliott-Bruce
Harrison Jones
Rhys Bennett
Breanna Fitton
Parmeet Kaur
Laura Berryman
Rachel Flintoff
Bridgette Kenna
Rowena Bicknell
Samantha Forster
Pippa Kennedy-Wilson
Maddi Bird
Rachel Fraser
Sarah Knowles
Daniel Blom
Harry Gale
Ellena Kouris
Alex Bowering
Lucy Garland
Rabeeh Kurban
Regina Chen
Matt Gilling
Alex Lademann
Ann Chen
Ally Guglielmino
Jason Lam
Katie Chen
Sarah Harrison
Claire Lambert
Anna Church
Alexandra Hellard
Jane Liu
Courtney Collins
Megan Henderson
Oliver Loh
Elly D’Arcy
Hashini Herath
Lawrence Lu
Andrew Dellavedova
Brad Heveren
Jason Lu
Caitriona Dempsey
Gordon Hoxley
Shoshanna Lyons
Jordana Di Battista
Chris Jiang
Stanley Mah
CLASS OF 2014 Lucy McDonald
Robert Pywell
Rhian Wilkins
Maeghan McKenzie
Zara Riccioni
Chris Wilks
Nikki McKissack
Jess Ryding
Laura Wills
Georgia McMahon
Olympia Sarris
Anna Wilson
Lauren Merritt
Savannah Barr(n.Simmons)
Matthew Wilson
Joshua Molino
Lauren Spinks
Eliza Wilson-Hall
Niesha Moorad
Samantha Stockley
Naomi Wittner
Elisabeth Moss
Jenny Sun
Emily Maywald (n.Womersley)
Jake Moss
Adrienne Tan
Arthur Wong
Alannah Murray
Samantha Taylor
Peter Wright
Lisa Nairn
Haydn Tierney
Oliver Wykes
Belinda Neal
Tim Tubbs
Steven Yang
Jemma Osbourne
Marc Vecchio
Gary Yu
Laura Page
Chloe Walsh
Moya Zhang
Chris Peng
Henry Wang
Jing Shuang Zhao
Matilda Post
Meredith Watts
Kate Pritchard
Michael Whitbourn
Emma Purcell
Ethan Wilde
Megan Henderson
BIOGRAPHIES
Since leaving Tintern, I've completed a Bachelor of Entertainment Business Management, and begun a career in the Music Industry. I have worked Secret Sounds for 4 years as a Festival Coordinator, which has seen me work on festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Harvest Rock, as well as the recent Post Malone Australian tour. Moya Zhang Since leaving Tintern, I studied a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts at Monash University before going on to qualify as a lawyer. I’ve been practising as a lawyer since 2021, and specialise in the technology, media and telecommunications sector. Excitingly, I am about to relocate to London to work at US law firm, Paul, Weiss in their Intellectual Property / Technology team. Georgia McMahon After fishing up at Tintern in 2014, I went on to study a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. I had anticipated to then go on to study a postgrad in Medicine, but changed my career trajectory as I didn’t feel it was for me and I worked out blood wasn’t my thing! I have spent the last four years working in HR across a few different industries, which I’ve enjoyed. I’m currently in a period of seeking what my next opportunity and career step will be, so I’m taking some time off to think about what that is.
TINTERN SCHOOL SONG Come Tinternites all young and old, near and far. Lend your voices and swell our school song. Our school with its burdens well borne in the past, Its foundations laid steady and strong. ‘Tis by deeds, not by words, that we stand or we fall; So we’ll work with a will. Yes we’ll work one and all, For the welfare and honour of Tintern. Of our homeland we’ll sing, young Australians are we, And in love of our country we’re one. In our minds be the breadth of her wide rolling plains, In our hearts the glad warmth of her sun. ‘Tis by deeds, not by words, that we stand or we fall, So whenever she needs us we’ll answer her call. And we’ll work for our own land, Australia. To be true to our God, to our country, our school And repay the great debt that we owe, Let our joy be in service with no thought of self, So that all those who meet us may know ‘Tis by deeds not by words that we offer our praise To the school, and to those who, in earlier days, Helped to build the traditions of Tintern.
Select the image below to view the virtual choir performance from late 2020 of “The Defining Moment” by Pinkzebra. Featuring Alumni Brayden Stokes (YG 2019), Genevieve Barclay (YG 2016), Molly Fleming (YG 2019), Bianca Gerin (YG 2019), Sienna Gerin (YG 2017), Tara McAsey (YG 2018) and Tiana McAsey (YG 2017).
Geoff and Maria Connor Geoff and Maria Connor
We continue to find great pleasure from the 3 aspects that we have always loved about Tintern: the collegiality of fellow staff, working with its wonderful students and enjoying the unmatched environment at the Campus. We can certainly testify that when schools Geoff Connor - I retired at the end of 2017, also went into lockdown in 2020, Tintern provided after 27 memorable years at Tintern teaching outstanding “gold standard” training and Mathematics and including the final 10 years ongoing support for students and staff; so firstly as Head of Tintern Campus and then as much so that as retired teachers both of us one of two Vice Principals. were able to successfully undertake our first However, in many ways it feels as though we ever experience of online teaching. have never left. In fact, this year has been the Of course, nowadays, other activities occupy only year since our formal retirements that we much of our time. We have four grandchildren have not undertaken formal teaching roles to dote on and spend as much time with replacing one or more Science or Mathematics as possible, with ages listed as of July 2021: staff colleagues on leave or taking small Harrison (8) and Oliver (6), whose mother teaching loads that could not be covered Anita (YG 1998) is our older daughter, live otherwise. approximately 10 minutes away from us; and, Through 2021, we have still had reasonably Eva (5) and Ethan (2), whose mother Angela regular appearances at school as casual relief (YG 2000) is our younger daughter, who have teachers. So, we’ve been in the fortunate recently relocated as a family to Noosa Heads. position of observing how things may have In recent years, we have also enjoyed changed at Tintern and yet in many ways they travelling overseas extensively until covid-19 have still stayed the same. The School’s motto, put the brake end on such experiences, at Factis non Verbis, is still very much evident in least until some time in the future. We have practice and Tintern Grammar has the same travelled to: Belgium, The Netherlands, welcoming family feel to it under our current Germany, Austria and Hungary; Thailand; Principal, Brad Fry, as it did under Sylvia Walton Croatia and Hungary (again); and Singapore when we commenced respectively in 1989 and and Vietnam. 1991. Maria Connor - I retired at the end of 2015 as Year 12 and VCE/VET Co-ordinator after 27 happy and fulfilling years at Tintern, teaching Science and Senior Chemistry.
Jenny McArthur I was Head of History at Tintern for 18 years from 1995 to 2012. I also returned for short replacement teaching stints in 2014, 2017 and 2019. During my time at Tintern I taught History to all year levels as well as IB Theory of Knowledge, and English to Years 9 and 10. I really enjoyed my time at Tintern. I found the interaction with students interesting, stimulating, challenging and rewarding and I was fortunate to work with wonderful, supportive colleagues. In 1995 I had two Year 7 classes for History and much to my delight quite a number of these girls were in my 2000 IB History and VCE Revolutions classes. In both 2010 and 2015 I was unable to come to the 2000 reunion due to being overseas and illness respectively. It is a such pity that we missed out again last year. I remember my VCE Revolutions classes in 1995, 1996 and 2001 very well too. Everyone was really engaged in the discussions and presentations and so many of them achieved excellent results. When I arrived at Tintern, the History Department consisted of a vibrant group of teachers and this continued throughout my time there. They were so creative and inspired students to love History. I think the heyday was when we had two VCE Renaissance Italy classes, one VCE Revolutions class, one VCE Australian History class and one large IB History class in Year 12! I have a passion for all aspects of History and I hope I conveyed this to my students. I enjoyed the discussions, the presentations, the performances and helping students to make links between the past and the present. I was always so thrilled when students who had been in my classes lower down in the school choose either IB or VCE History. I loved my senior classes because everyone was really engaged in what we studied, whether it was the French or Russian or Chinese Revolutions or the Cold War or Decolonisation or the history of China and Japan from imperial times. Most students worked so hard and were high achievers. I was involved in teaching IB Theory of Knowledge and worked with a strong team of colleagues. I remember quite a number of demanding TOK camps at Candlebark Farm. The intellectual engagement of the students was wonderful even if they didn’t quite get what TOK was all about when they were just a few days into Year 11, but by Year 12 they were involved fully. Also, the flying fox and the ropes course were exciting challenges, particularly for me! It was wonderful to see students grow intellectually and during Year 12 the IB students were able to come to grips with the nature of knowledge and how we know what we know and deliver insightful presentations and essays. I enjoyed teaching Year 10 English in 2002 and the same Year 9 class for English and History in 2004. I remember the students performing parts of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in English and also recreating a 1960s style protest in History. I was a Debating coach and then Co-ordinator of Debating for 16 years and I was supported by a dedicated team of fellow coaches. Tintern became a Debating Association of Victoria host school so there was always a hive of activity on debating nights, which included take away pizza for some teams preparing at the last minute! As well, we had internal beginning of the year debates, debating dinners at the end of the year and often a minibus load of debaters would go to support those teams which had reached the finals. Each year we always had several teams across all the grades in the finals. In 1997, a B Grade team won the state Grand Final; the same team was runner up in the A Grade Grand Final in 1998 and in 2000 another B Grade team was runner up. We also had many students recognized for being best speakers for the year in their grades in the DAV Schools Competition and winning state and regional Swannie Awards. I was participated in many camps and school trips during my time at Tintern. I remember surprising myself as well as other staff and Year 9 students by climbing to the top of Mt Cathedral. I also went on a Year 10 trip to Tasmania and six Year 10 city experience camps. Having not grown up in Melbourne, I learnt so much about the city on these camps! I also remember really late nights and being exhausted afterwards. In 1999 and 2008 I was one of the leaders of the China tour. These were wonderful experiences because many of the students were in either my IB or VCE History classes and were studying Chinese history. This led to many interesting observations and discussions. In 2000, I was one of the leaders of the trip to Europe. We went from Vienna to London and visited many exciting places along the way. A memorable moment was standing in a queue for four hours to get into the Uffizi Gallery in Florence! We also made a point of visiting Tintern Abbey in Wales. In 2004, I went on a school trip to Vietnam. I found it fascinating and learnt so much about the history of the country. One day we hiked to a remote mountain village near Sapa and stayed overnight in the loft of the headman’s house. Next morning as we had breakfast all the locals came to look at us and the headman’s wife had to keep sending them away! Whilst I was at Tintern, I became very involved in the external marking and paper setting of the IB History exams. I also contributed to two curriculum reviews and wrote parts of the respective syllabi. I was a Deputy Chief Examiner in from 2007-2012.This led to many trips to Cardiff in Wales. This was often a juggling act because every year one of these trips clashed with the Tintern mid-year report writing! I was also a workshop leader who ran professional development sessions for IB teachers between 2007-2018 and this involved travel to various cities in both Australia and Asia. I continued on with my IB work after 2012 and became a Principal Examiner, which meant I was in charge of Paper 3 Asia and Oceania until 2018. Since then, I have cut back on the external IB work and of course the meetings are all done by zoom now! However, I still do some marking. I have also been a consultant to several IB schools in Melbourne concerning TOK, IB History and Extended Essay. In Term 2, 2019 I was asked to take over a Year 11 IB History class and a Unit ½ History one at MLC. I continued on during 2020 with the IB class. It was good to be back with students again despite the remote learning from March to October! Since 2012, I have travelled to different parts of Britain and France as well as Turkey and had several trips to Queensland in the winter. I have also joined U3A, Probus and a local Historical Society. I see different groups of friends regularly and go to the theatre. I have recently acquired an adorable spoodle puppy called Darcy. However, the most enjoyable aspect of being semi-retired is the interaction with my five grandchildren. I have picked them up on a weekly basis from kindergarten and school and been part of their lives.
John Holland During my time at Tintern, I was Head of Information Technology and taught students from Years 7 to 12 in a wide range of core and elective studies. I was privileged to be able to work with a team of talented technicians who ably assisted with the constantly changing hardware and software configurations needed to support our various courses. I really enjoyed teaching Information Technology as the curriculum was constantly changing and I enjoyed learning with the students. Particularly satisfying was working with students who shared my passion for programming and seeing them pursue that interest as a career. It is wonderful to then be able to reconnect with those students at Tintern reunion events. Other roles included managing the school’s RTO registration for our VET programs, six and a half years as Tintern’s Timetabler and initiating the use of SportsTrak software to manage the House athletics, swimming and cross-country events. I enjoyed working with many different sporting teams during my time at Tintern including badminton, soccer and softball. I was always impressed with how our students represented themselves and competed with enthusiasm and good sportsmanship. A fond memory was the opportunity to combine my passion for cycling with two participations in the Great
Victorian Bike Ride, with one particularly memorable day riding an iconic section of the Great Ocean Road on a perfect sunny day with a tailwind. Since retiring I have been able to devote more time to travelling – both on and off my road bike. I had a wonderful week in Bright earlier in the year conquering four of the alpine ascents in that region. I am currently planning trips to WA and the North Island of New Zealand. I also enjoy live theatre and being able to spend more time with family and friends.
Stewart Taplin Father Stewart was the Chaplain at Tintern for 22 years, commencing in 1994. CHAPLAIN’S CORNER REVISTED A box of past Chaplain’s Corners sits in the corner of our garage with many other historical documents. One relates to the large cross that I used for many years for Easter services in all parts of the school. I was carrying it through the Junior school quadrangle. I later heard that a young girl had rushed into the Junior School office. ‘Mrs Moore, Mrs Moore I just saw Jesus carrying his Cross!!’. It was constructed with skill by the maintenance team, to be strong and to last the rigours of school life, and carefully stored for important events. A symbol which was part of my life at Tintern that reflected both sadness and joy, death and new life, together with the cost of ministry within the school community during my time as Chaplain. The carrying of a cross for the life of Tintern, during the times of deep sadness at the death of several staff members, school family members and a muchloved Year 12 student. Joy, sadness and further joy as Southwood, faltered but became stronger than ever. Meals and gatherings at the boarding house,
many marriages, baptisms and confirmations coupled with untold assemblies and worship services across the various sections of the school were life giving. The work of passionate Student leaders in areas of community building and social service can never be underestimated as they strived to make the school stronger than ever. Many Outdoor Education experiences, camps and conferences provided both challenge and pleasure; the Snowy and Mitchell Rivers, Tasmania, Marysville, Canberra, Gippsland Lakes and various parts of Victoria. As these rich experiences were shared, I saw the growth of students and staff taking place and the climate of the school both in and outside the classroom growing stronger than ever. The time of restructuring in the life of Tintern was no easy task with much pain. Ultimately, however, it brought new life and an exciting move forward, in order that the school might be what it is today. The journey continues into the future underpinned by the foundations laid by so many across the generations. Past history, current life and hope into the future will make Tintern Grammar stronger than ever. Chaplain’s corners, written for the weekly
newsletter, gave me time to reflect on the journey of the school and the privileged ministry that I shared with an excellent team of Staff. Led by three outstanding principals during my time at the school, twenty-two years moulded me into the person I am today. Although officially retired and very grey, I was drawn back into locum parish work in Sydenham for a year and two years in Collingwood. I was also made stronger than ever by two full knee replacements. The result of many a large pack carried, slope skied and mountain climbed. I am currently Locum minister at the Anglican church in Upper Ferntree Gully and enjoy my Ukulele classes at the local community centre. My wife still works as part time chaplain to the Anglican Diocesan Centre and our two daughters are busy in life, one working as a doctor and the other working in Outdoor Education at a camp in the Western District. Life moves forward into new realms of discovery no matter in what place or stage we may be. Whatever cross we may carry or bear in the journey of life, in sadness and joy, we can be stronger than ever and find peace with ourselves and the world.
Lauryn van den Akker I joined the Tintern staff in 1997 and my 17 years spent working with the talented and dedicated Mathematics staff were definitely the highlight of my teaching career. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with students ranging from Year 6 Enhancement Maths through to Year 12 VCE and IB students and it was always rewarding to help them achieve their best. I also enjoyed coaching the tennis team and overseeing visits to Tintern by the Red Cross Blood Bank (Lifeblood), which enabled many students to hopefully become life long blood donors. Since my retirement in 2013, I have thoroughly enjoyed returning to the school for reunions. It is wonderful to hear the journeys of past students and to see them achieve their career goals, as well as catching up with colleagues. These visits also allow me to view the many new developments at the campus as part of the extensive building and grounds programs. Current students are indeed fortunate to have so many wonderful facilities available and such a beautiful and unique environment in which to complete their primary and secondary education. I have enjoyed overseas travel since retirement, completing many wonderful walks including the Coast to Coast in the UK. I was also fortunate to make
several trips to New Zealand in between lockdowns to visit our two grandchildren and my daughter Natalie (YG 2001) who spent 2 years there in the role of General Manager, Dulux NZ. Apart from regular walks, I like to keep fit by playing golf at the Dunes Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula whilst staying at our beach house and I attend regular pilates classes. With extra time for reading, I also thoroughly enjoy regular Bookclub meetings. Although I have missed being in the classroom, I have continued my contact with students by offering tutoring which keeps me in touch with current Maths courses and Tintern news. The pandemic has certainly provided many challenges for staff and students over the past few years and I have been so impressed by the efforts of staff to provide learning opportunities which ensure the best possible outcome for students whilst at the same time, building on their resilience. This year, it has been wonderful to spend more time with our grandchildren who are now back in Melbourne and I have continued to tutor senior students in order to help them prepare for the final examinations.
STAYING IN TOUCH TOGA & TGA Committee Welcome back to Tintern. If this is your first time since leaving then there will be plenty of changes for you to see. I know that every time I am here I notice something new. The fenced-off area between the Bush Car park and the Administration building which had goats in it! When I was at Tintern back in the 1970s, this area was out of bounds. Life changes and evolves and so does Tintern. Tradition is still strong however without change we cannot learn or grow. I love coming back to Tintern to see these changes and am looking forward to hearing the new school song which reflects the current school. Our old school song will still be around as are many of the experiences - such as the farm and I am grateful to be able to be here today watching you mingle with past peers. We have all grown, changed and evolved since school and please enjoy today with new eyes, listen to your school friends as they are now, be interested and most of all laugh with those with whom you have shared many experiences. Factis non verbis. If you would like to join TOGA with a once off $75 Life membership fee to support their ongoing legacy please download a membership form here: https://www.tintern.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ Tintern-Old-Girls-Association-form.pdf and email to TOGA@tintern.vic. edu.au Carol Robertson (Hogan YG 1980) TOGA President
facebook.com/groups/ TinternOldGirlsAssociation
The new Tintern Grammar Alumni (TGA) and TOGA (Tintern Old Girls Association) play important roles in our community, understanding the importance of maintaining the links with our past. Enriching the present and building for the future of our school and our Alumni. We are committed to preserving our history and maintaining our connections both past and present, creating ongoing memories, providing valuable networking opportunities and a continued historical legacy for our future alumni. TGA TOGA committees meet throughout the year and together with the School these committees create opportunities through events, activities and communications supporting a vibrant, healthy and inclusive alumni community. A membership fee is paid to the TGA upon enrolment. Alumni from previous years are welcome to join by downloading a membership form on our website: https://www.tintern.vic.edu.au/community/alumni/ and emailing to alumni@tintern.vic.edu.au
facebook.com/ TinternGrammarAlumni
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tintern.vic.edu.au 90 Alexandra Road Ringwood East VIC 3135 Australia | PO Box 26 Ringwood East VIC 3135 Australia ACN 004 293 994 | ABN 24 693 089 021 | CRICOS 00348E