Ut Prosim 2017

STEM CENTRE AND SPORTING FACILITY From architect’s drawings to reality, the STEM Centre is coming to life

WENONA ALUMNAE

Our community continues long after our girls leave school, with ‘Ut Prosim - that I may serve’ being the uniting clarion call

Offered for the first time in 2017, Wenona cadets are going from strength to strength

CADETS AT WENONA

SPRING 2017

UT PROSIM T HAT I MAY SE RVE

WELCOME

UT PROSIM 2017 WRITTEN BY: Emma Froggatt Jude Morahan Christine Powis

EDITORS: Belinda Stoneham Christine Powis

DESIGN: OliveInk Graphic Design

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ian Barnes Photography Daryl Charles Photography Rowena Clarke Photographer Katie Dean Anthony Khoury Photography Wenona staff, students and parents Wenonians

COVER IMAGE: Wenona cadets at their first Ceremonial Parade, 16 June 2017 Daryl Charles Photography

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Welcome

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News Bites

Board Chair Mr Gary Turner and Principal Dr Briony Scott reflect on Wenona’s legacy and future.

A glimpse of life at Wenona covering creative and performing arts, design thinking, service, physical activity and boarding.

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Wenona Parents’ Association

Read about Wenona’s connected and vibrant parent community.

WELCOME

CONTENTS

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Features

Celebrating Cadets, Service Learning in the Junior School, our new STEM Centre, Global Learning and a range of HSC Major Works.

Wenona Alumnae

Meet Wenonians at work, in the community, in the news and across the generations.

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WELCOME

WELCOME From the Board Chair of our STEM Centre and Sports Facility on Miller Street which started in February.

I would like to thank the Wenona community for support through the Capital Appeal and ongoing contributions, and for your understanding and flexibility during any unavoidable disturbance or inconvenience. We endeavour to minimise the impact on the School over the coming period, and as we approach the end of the excavation phase, we are on target for mid-2019 completion.

This year has been a very exciting year on a number of fronts for our students, staff and community. Whilst it is hard to select highlights, the following pages bring to life the broad and varied activities and achievements in and around our School.

Our aspiration is to educate and empower new generations of young women who will successfully shape and serve their world. We aim to equip the Renaissance Woman - a woman who is comfortable in the arts, humanities, design and STEM - with a strong sense of service and ethics. To highlight just a few areas, this year has seen the inaugural STEM tour of the USA, our first year sitting HSC Engineering Studies exams, awards and recognition in academic competitions, community service domestically and overseas, support for charities and human rights, and sports achievements

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including international titles. To cap off the year, we also saw our best ever HSC results. The range of activities and depth of commitment is outstanding, and we congratulate all our students on their contributions, participation and successes.

As ever, I would also like to recognise the multiple committees and groups of people who contribute to the leadership of our School. The Wenona Foundation, the Capital Appeal Committee, Wenona Alumnae, Wenona Parents’ Association and year group representatives have all worked tirelessly through the year serving our community and on behalf of the Board of Governors I would like to thank everyone for their personal investment and volunteered time. Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their time, commitment and wisdom during the year.

We cannot deliver on our vision without attracting and investing in our teaching and support staff, for whom we aspire to be an employer of choice. Importantly, to get ahead of the new mandatory accreditation requirements from the NSW Education Standards Authority, we have invested in making Wenona one of the few schools that is an endorsed Professional Development Provider.

This will allow teaching staff of all levels to build and maintain their personal skills and accreditation on-site from 2018 onwards.

Later this year, Dr Scott and the executive team will be working with the Board to refresh our five-year strategy. This provides an opportunity to look over the horizon, considering disruptive challenges and opportunities as we prepare our students and School for the 21st century.

As we look to the future, we do so from a strong vantage point and I would like to thank Dr Scott for her inspirational leadership in the present and her vision for the future of girls’ education.

Comment on this last year would not be complete without mentioning construction

Mr Gary Turner Chair, Board of Governors

WELCOME

From the Principal This journal, full of articles, stories and photographs, is a testament to the energy, enthusiasm, passion and interests of Renaissance women here at Wenona.

We focus on providing a broad based liberal education for our girls, with an emphasis on being well rounded, well educated across a broad range of disciplines, being willing to engage in opportunities as they arise, being adventurous and not being one of those who stand on the sidelines of life.

Our girls are encouraged to develop a strong sense of social justice. They work hard to be active contributors to our society, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with individuals, families, and organisations who seek to bring about positive change.

From girls who challenge the decision to cut down trees in St Leonards park, to those who have raised nearly $20k for World Vision; from girls who take their gift of music into aged care homes or to work with children with autism, or who advocate for sustainable environmental

practices, our girls are engaged in the full complexity of life. I don’t have to agree with everything they support but I do agree with and encourage them to stand up for what they believe - respectfully and courteously. By doing so, they are developing a strong sense of what it means to belong and to play their part in building a society that is more respectful and more just. It is not up to any school to determine what a young woman will do with her life or who she will become.

This is her call. Our community seeks to raise strong, courageous and adventurous women, with a heart for service.

dinner with alumnae of all ages, all of whom were living in NYC for different reasons. It was a joy watching connections being made and fostered half way around the world from the Wenona campus. Then I had the great privilege of being a part of the inaugural Mentoring Program with McCarthy Consulting (run by Sophie McCarthy, Class of 1985, and Tessa Sexton, Class of 1993). Linking more experienced alumnae with those who have left school in the last 5-7 years, allowed for connections to develop and both personal and professional encouragement to take place.

The focus in this edition of Ut Prosim, is on our alumnae. It has been a great joy meeting a number who have dropped by the school campus, who have written cards or messages, who have updated us on their lives and the lives of their fellow Wenonians. Mid year, I had the opportunity of intercepting the Creative Arts Tour in New York. We had a wonderful

Our community continues long after our girls leave school, and ‘Ut Prosim - that I may serve’ has been the uniting clarion call for Wenonians, for 131 years. Long may this be the case.

Dr Briony Scott Principal

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THE ARTS Pretty in pink

Katerina Xenos, Year 11

Katerina Xenos’ two piece outfit

Organic, button-like formations on the bodice

The ‘Pleated Couture’ design brief for Year 11 Textiles and Design challenged students to work with difficult to sew fabrics which had to be manipulated into permanent folds and dyed before being sewn into garments.

organic bubble shapes across the bodice, to zig-zag edging down one side of the skirt. “I just love the way Alexander McQueen manipulates fabric over bodies,” said Katerina, “and making this outfit was like an origami project for me.”

Inspired by British designer Alexander McQueen, Katerina Xenos’ skirt and top in silk organza and polyester features a range of thermoplastic effects - from knife-sharp pleating in skirt and sleeves and soft, diagonal folding about the neck to highly textural, seemingly

Katerina spent a full term plus one holiday on her magnificent two-piece outfit which involved much trial and error, and plenty of steam ironing to set fabrics neatly into tiny shapes but luckily Katerina enjoys this labour intensive, hands-on work as leisure.

To create the round shapes which seem to sprout naturally from the bodice, Katerina tied the fabric around coins before steaming it. Firstly, red wine and shaving cream were used to dye the fabric in subtly graduated pink from the palest shell pink to a full-bodied red wine. Katerina swirled a single drop of wine into a shaving cream base which inhibited the dye from mixing quickly, so that even a small single coin-sized circle of fabric captured the full range of colours from light to dark.

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Wenona writers clean up at Nan Manefield Award

Judge Ceridwen Dovey and Xanthe Muston Year 12, winner of the 16 to 18 years category

Wenona girls stormed the Nan Manefield Young Writers Award mid 2017 and many of the awarded students won a writing masterclass with one of the awards judges, Tim Sinclair.

(third), with merits also awarded for each age group.

For 28 years this respected award has invited writers aged between 11 and 18 years, to submit either a poem or short story of up to 750 words. Overseen by The Stanton Library and North Sydney Council, submissions are judged in five age categories by professional writers working in the young adult and children’s genres.

Wenona girls managed to take out places in all age categories bar the youngest. Charlotte Papendieck of Year 7 won the 12 years category with a short story, Her Stars. Next to Charlotte in the 12 years category and also from Year 7, Constance Panos was awarded a merit for Cyclone. Another merit was awarded to Year 8 student, Caroline Kassel, for her work The Eclipse in the 13 years category.

There are three prize winners for each age group: winner (first), highly commended (second) and commended

Next up, the 14 to 15 years category, was won by Sarah Coren of Year 10 for her poem, God/Girl/Grinning.

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Then the 16 to 18 years category was won by Xanthe Muston of Year 12, with her poem Behind the Checked Curtains - although she had only started writing poetry at the end of 2016 for her Year 12 major work. Alongside Xanthe, Sophie Serafim of Year 11 won a commendation for Presence.

Constance Panos loved the writers’ masterclass given by author Tim Sinclair which was part of her prize.

“Tim Sinclair gave us plenty of exercises to work on. He taught us our writing could be about anything, and that it was okay to have fun with writing and to get a little crazy. He told us, ‘when in doubt, spill it all onto the page’!”

NEWS BITES Charlotte Papendieck of Year 7

Sarah Coren of Year 10

“It feels good when you have written an amazing piece and I encourage anyone who is thinking about it to just do it!”

Australia, and was long-listed for the 2014 Inky Awards. Tim’s other works include verse novel, Nine Hours North, and the poetry collection, Vapour Trails.

Tim runs the micro-press Cottage Industries, is the poetry editor of PAN magazine, and is undertaking a PhD in creative writing which explores young adult post-apocalyptic fiction.

Constance Panos, Year 7 Caroline Kassel favours narratives because she can use her experiences to produce a story which, she says, is “more tangible and authentic” than pure fiction. The Nan Manefield Young Writers Award was the first writing competition Caroline had entered.

“It was a very new experience for me,” says Caroline. “I benefited from the competition’s professional feedback and the opportunity to read other students’ incredible work.”

Writing gives Constance an escape from whatever is on her mind because “you can write about anything beyond what you can do”.

“Entering competitions helps me set goals. It feels good when you have written an amazing piece and I encourage anyone who is thinking about it to just do it!” she says.

“I didn’t think my writing was good enough at all but, with the help of my family and friends, I entered and was absolutely ecstatic when I found out I was awarded!”

Along with Tim Sinclair, the 2017 judges included award-winning children’s author Ursula Dubosarsky, children’s author Yvette Poshoglian, young adult fiction author Will Kostakis, and shortlisted author and previous Young Writers Award winner, Ceridwen Dovey.

“It was a very new experience for me.

I benefited from the competition’s professional feedback and the opportunity to read other students’ incredible work.”

Caroline Kassel, Year 8 See more information and winners’ stories at: www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/ywa

Tim Sinclair’s young adult verse novel Run was a 2014 Notable Book, awarded by the Children’s Book Council of

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The Government Inspector

Hidden behind stylised makeup to demonstrate their corruption, Year 10 Drama students presented an abridged version of The Government Inspector by playwright Nikolai Gogol, in June.

The striking makeup, devised by drama teacher Stephen Colyer, made the characters look unnatural and almost ill, to show the characters are one of a kind, motivated by the same thing: greed.

The play tells the story of corrupt officials in a small Russian town who

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are terrified by the news of an incognito inspector about to arrive in their town.

Head of Drama, Ms Tiffany Crittle, abridged Gogol’s 1836 play so that it was manageable for 15 year old actors, for a more suitable length and to be accessible for today’s audience.

“Nineteenth century audiences enjoyed repartee that’s very different to today’s vernacular,” said Ms Crittle. “Stephen Colyer and I wanted to emphasise the comedy of the piece with physical

comedy so we borrowed more from the commedia dell’arte - a much more physical tradition than 19th century Russian!”

“The aim of the Year 10 play is to get everyone onstage doing a full play and there were many who’d never done a full play. Then they do a costume design for the play based on their own directorial ideas - some set it in Trump’s America, others in Australia, and others in 17th century France.”

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Practically perfect Mary Three hundred auditioned, less than half were chosen! Many thronged to see it, with about 1000 tickets snapped up in a few hours. Wenona’s 2017 senior musical - Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins - played to sell-out audiences at The Concourse Theatre, Chatswood in August.

The cast, including boys from Shore, St Aloysius’ College and Redlands, worked through three months of rehearsals to sing, dance and breathe life into the story. This production, based on the book by P.L. Travers, differs much from

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the movie, as it features bratty children in a dysfunctional family, all needing quite a bit of tweaking from Mary.

“Our Performing Arts students are an extraordinarily talented group and were brilliantly cast. Kate Carey, who has performed for Opera Australia, truly captured Mary,” said Kim Lemon, the show’s Producer and Wenona’s Director of Performing Arts.

The show was, just like Mary’s flattering, self-appraising song, ‘Practically Perfect’.

It was steered by the external expertise of Director Mr Jordan Vassallo and Choreographer Mr Cameron Boxall.

Ms Kim Lemon, and Ms Jessica Farrell, Musical Director and Head of Music, managed the music and choral work with the support of a 15-piece orchestra.

The show looked as good as it sounded, with wardrobe under the management of Mrs Karin Hooper and Mrs Suzie Riley and their team of more than a dozen tireless workers on hair, makeup and countless costumes.

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“Our Performing Arts students are an extraordinarily talented group and were brilliantly cast.”

Ms Kim Lemon Director of Performing Arts

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Junior Archies The traditional art competition, the Junior Archies, sees all Year 5 students paint a portrait of a well-known Australian of their choice. The brief is to paint realistic portraits using students’ recent study of the proportions of the face. After a series of drawings of their subjects, all three Year 5 classes complete their portraits during one term in the Junior Art Studio.

From this group, a winner and runner-up are chosen and a prize is presented to each talented artist by Dr Scott.

All Junior School students vote for their favourite portrait so there is a second award, the ‘People’s Choice’, just as for the adult Archibald Prize at the AGNSW.

A panel of judges, including Visual Arts staff and Dr Scott, determine 12 ‘Highly Commended’ artworks.

Judges consider proportions of the face, three-dimensional qualities, detail on features and skin tone, likeness to the subject - and any ‘X factor’!

First Place ‘Deborra-Lee Furness’ by Zoe Fouter

The winning artists for 2017 are:

Runner Up ‘Layne Beachley’ by Zoe Anderson People’s Choice ‘Ruby Rose’ by Charlotte Stumbles Zoe Fouter and her portrait of Deborra-Lee Furness

Ruby Rose portrait by Charlotte Stumbles

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Layne Beachley portrait by Zoe Anderson

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DESIGN THINKING Jack and the Beanstalk

It’s Jack under the Woodstock beanstalk!

It all started in May when Jack fell asleep with magic beans in his pocket: one slipped out and its verdant, crepe-paper leaves grew strongly up to Woodstock’s ceiling, out a window, carrying Jack with it up into the clouds - the land of the giants.

The beanstalk project wove together studies of living things, the natural environment, Maths, English and a little magic in a STEM project for all Woodstock girls.

Jack and the girls became penpals, swapping ideas on ways he might get down and escape the giants; there was much correspondence. Woodstock girls brought in seed to grow beans, and even made glasshouses to speed their seedling beanstalks’ growth so Jack could one day climb down. Sadly, measurements showed little growth. They brought in worm farms for fertiliser and once again

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We discovered more about worms...

measured their plants which had grown more quickly with improved soil… but the maths showed these baby beans had no chance of becoming a ladder for Jack.

They discussed and crafted camouflaged rescuers such as an army of stick insects but they were not able to transport Jack.

“We wanted some of their ideas to fail to help them learn to take it in their stride and to persevere,” said Kindergarten Teacher and Stage Coordinator, Mrs Clare Froggatt. Discussion points were written up and hung around the room for further consideration. After a few months, they had worked together across age groups and across curricula to read and write many letters, analyse and talk through many options. The older girls learned patience - they wrote up the ideas of the younger girls - who practised putting their ideas forward clearly.

“They saw each other and their teachers working collaboratively - teachers don’t have to be the ‘sage on the stage’. Instead, we used the language of wonder to encourage them to explore with some inquiry-based learning.”

Mrs Clare Froggatt Kindergarten Teacher

NEWS BITES Getting ideas from nature

Discussion points hang in Woodstock

“Their thoughts were valued; they saw them written up on posters and hung around the room,” said Mrs Froggatt.

“They saw each other and their teachers working collaboratively - teachers don’t have to be the ‘sage on the stage’.

Instead, we used the language of wonder to encourage them to explore with some inquiry-based learning.”

In the end, they returned to literature, fairytale characters and their own prolific imaginations and discussed the suitability of different characters’ magic for Jack’s predicament.

In early August, the girls were surprised to find a huge, blonde plait dangling near the beanstalk and even more astonished to see Jack sleeping beneath it.

The solution, once again, was teamwork… Rapunzel’s long plait was the mode of Jack’s descent, Rapunzel was flown in on Aladdin’s carpet, and Jack had been alerted to the rescue plan by Tinkerbell who flew to tell him of Rapunzel’s kind offer. Jack, aka Dean of Professional Studies Mark Staker, awoke to a song sweetly sung by the girls, followed by a barrage of imaginative questions for which he was impressively well prepared.

Measurement and analysis

“Their thoughts were valued; they saw them written up on posters and hung around the room.”

Mrs Clare Froggatt Kindergarten Teacher

What is Design Thinking?

‘Design Thinking’ is a problem solving process involving teamwork, creativity, and planning - often across several subjects. At Wenona it’s an extension of existing study units where students and staff work collaboratively to define, empathise, ideate, prototype and test a solution.

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NEWS BITES Year 7 girls work collaboratively to produce ideal zoo enclosures for mythical creatures

Ceramic Zoo The Ceramic Zoo project combined Year 7’s learning from Science and Visual Art. Students first dreamt up and made fictitious ceramic animals; they then applied the Design Thinking process to produce safe and comfortable environmental enclosures for them.

“Feedback showed up things we had not considered before and the ideas improved our enclosure design,” Alice said. “This project is lots of fun, and it’s good to think about what the creature in the wild needs and then how we should make the enclosure.”

Year 6 students inspected the projects to get a taste of things to come, viewing the projects before they were judged and finding out about the Design Thinking process that they may be involved in next year.

The girls worked in small groups discussing and giving feedback on their ideas to ultimately deliver a poster, a digital model and a 3D model of their creature’s enclosure. They were asked to empathise, to identify the needs of their animals and how their enclosures meet them.

The projects were panel judged on aesthetic appeal, environmental appeal, suitability for an animal and its needs, and on working within the task’s parameters.

“This project is lots of fun, and it’s good to think about what the creature in the wild needs and then how we should make the enclosure.”

They loved the cross-pollination of subjects and each other’s ideas in well-considered feedback to help them modify their concepts and produce their prototypes.

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A number of awards were given in the categories of Best Pitch, Best Model Prototype, Most Effective Use of Materials, Most Creative, Most Suitable Design for the Creature, Overall Winner and People’s Choice award.

Alice Vance, Year 7

‘The Flying Pigs’ were judged the best Design Thinking team in Term 2 and their winning redesign of the Junior School library was so convincingly detailed, it just might fly.

This clever team - Laila Davis and Milly Simpson from Year 5 and Isabella Noe, Morgan Marshman, Ella Barry and Kate MacDiarmid of Year 8 - won because their proposal was thorough and forward-thinking. Elements of the winning plan will be considered for an actual redesign of the space.

“The proposal scored especially well for factoring in the cost of upkeep as well as installation, and because they dedicated a large part of their budget to software and licences,” said Ms Noosha Jalili, TAS Teacher and Year 8 Coordinator.

This project combined Year 5 and Year 8 in mixed groups to digitally create proposal presentations to transform the old junior library into a multipurpose learning space for Years 3 to 6 within a $50,000 budget.

Groups needed to consider what various stakeholders might want, as well as future teaching needs. To spark some ideas, groups heard from librarian, Ms Rosie Stevenson, furniture experts, and TAS teacher, Mrs Amanda Menniti, about interior design. Maths, Social Sciences and Junior School teachers also helped prepare students for the two-day project.

Prior to presentations by finalists, girls were very vocal about many reasons they enjoyed the project: “being an interior designer”, “learning to budget”, “being creative about how to encourage people to use the space”, and “I liked working with Year 8”, were just a few of the reasons to be cheerful about the project.

The winning plan included a fish tank to encourage responsibility and inspire curiosity. Their CAD software drawing of the learning environment was highly detailed and included key learning spaces and the plan’s shapes, colours and textures were all well considered.

“The proposal scored especially well for factoring in the cost of upkeep as well as installation.”

Ms Noosha Jalili, TAS Teacher and Year 8 Coordinator

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Pigs may fly

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OUT AND ABOUT 18

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OUT & ABOUT Sense of adventure

Duke of Edinburgh participants enjoy the Hawkesbury River

Twenty-eight girls paddled through the morning mists of the Hawkesbury River last winter, practising for the ‘adventurous journey’ component of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold and Silver Awards.

Director of Outdoor Learning and Adventure, Mrs Jackie Horsham, paddled with the 16 Year 11 girls going for gold as they worked their way through 60 km of water from Wisemans Ferry to Windsor in four days and three nights. The Silver Award group of a dozen Year 10 girls who paddled from Lower Portland to Windsor in three days and two nights were accompanied by Head of Technology and Applied Studies, Ms Jan McNally.

All paddled up to 20 km each day in their two-man canoes then threw themselves into another kind of teamwork and planning: allocating duties, setting up camp and water stations, cooking, tidying up and settling for the night.

“Because the girls on the team are so involved in the trip and such fun people, it’s all enjoyable,” says Captain of Duke of Edinburgh, Lucy McHutchison, “and singing is the favourite activity while doing all this ‘work’.”

Practice trips are compulsory for the awards and participants say the rehearsal vastly improves skills in planning and navigation, as well as helping manage expectations for the qualifying journey.

The qualifying journey for girls practising last winter will be on Myall Lakes where each participant will be assessed on their performance and teamwork.

Tuning out from everyday information, media and other connections is one of the highlights of a Duke of Edinburgh adventure. “Time away from technology and the busy city is a highlight,” says Lucy. “Telling funny stories under the

“Time away from technology and the busy city is a highlight.

Telling funny stories under the stars and spending relaxed time with girls from your year group make the trip a real break.”

Lucy McHutchison, Year 11 stars and spending relaxed time with girls from your year group make the trip a real break.”

Whilst getting to know each other better, the girls also get an idea of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and how the team will work. Teamwork in canoes and at camp - plus amusing moments in cooking - are all good for bonding and a stronger team.

Past activities for the adventurous journeys component of the awards have included combinations of hike and paddle, urban hikes and even scavenger hunts.

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Cross country skiers

Katie Brennan, Ava McCann, Charlotte Fouter, Sarah Champion, Jemma Hopkins

Scout Deschamps, Isobel Logan, Zara Smith

Shredding the slopes This winter’s snowsports competition showcased the fabulous talents of 44 Wenona girls from Kindergarten to Year 11. Director of Sport, Ms Robyn Waine, was thrilled by the girls’ efforts, posting excitedly on social media in the winter break that Wenona girls were ‘shredding the slopes’ in the Sydney Interschools Snowsports Championships - and they were!

The School’s future in skiing looks brighter than the midday glare off snow because many of the youngest competitors are so promising - and they’re spreading their talent and effort across Alpine, Moguls, Skier Cross, Snowboard GS, Snowboard Cross and Cross Country categories.

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The overall result was impressive, with 16 Wenona teams making it through to compete at NSW State level in all categories - Alpine, Moguls, Skier Cross, Snowboard Grand Slalom and Snowboard Cross. They joined our Cross Country participants as they competed at NSW Interschools for the first time this season.

Then, with very few Year 11 girls competing due to exams, but with fantastic leadership from Snowsports Captain Chloe Hinckfuss, Wenona girls came second out of eleven schools in the Secondary Overall XC Championships and sixth out of eighteen schools in the Female Secondary Overall Championships.

All competed incredibly well: Wenona came first of six schools in the Female Primary Overall XC Championships and came first of twelve schools in the Female Primary Overall Championships.

These top results sent 21 teams from Year 2 to Year 11 through to compete in the Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships. Wenona came third out of 17 schools in the Champion Primary Girls School division and seventh out of 21 schools in the Champion Secondary Girls School division.

NEWS BITES Div 5 girls having fun after their race- Zara McCaughey, Katerina Brennan. Scarlett Couch and Marlene Bombelli

China Meldrum in the marshalling area

“2017 has been a truly remarkable season, in terms of individual and team results for the Wenona Snowsports Team, as well as the unmistakable school spirit and support among our competitors and their families.�

Ms Robyn Waine, Director of Sport

Div 3 girls: Alexandria Brennan, Chloe Kennard, Claudia Cowan, Eloise Siow-Lee, Fleur Treffry, Elise Deveson

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Give it all you’ve got

The winning javelin throw, Oceanic Championships, Fiji

Her mantra is ‘give it all you’ve got’ and Brooke East certainly packs a lot into life.

She represents Australia in javelin, and represents Wenona in javelin and heptathlon - that’s hurdles, 200m and 800m running, long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin. A medley of seven events is a tall order, even for an outstanding all-rounder.

Nevertheless, in four events - javelin, discus, hurdles and 400m at the IGSSA Athletics competition - she qualified for the state athletics titles and then took out first place in the 17 years javelin at State level. Brooke has now been selected for the Australian All Schools Championships in December.

Mid-2017 Brooke wore green and gold for Australia at the Oceania Championships in Fiji and won the Under 18 Girls’ Javelin with a throw of 43.58m. It was not quite her personal best, but windy conditions were tricky for all competitors.

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Brooke East on the podium at the Oceania Championships in Fiji

It was an incredible win considering 22 nations and federations from the Pacific, including Australia, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, all competed.

This Year 11 student trains for a couple of hours six days a week at Olympic Park or Narrabeen Sports Centre, and coordinates with three coaches.

“I’ve learned a lot about time management over the years,” says Brooke, “and my mother is extremely supportive and helpful.”

Brooke plans to keep up her sports schedule alongside her Year 12 timetable. Meanwhile, she’s looking ahead and abroad, not just at overseas competitions but also considering US universities, “because of their collegiate athletics programs”….. No wonder she is Sports Prefect and Athletics Captain.

“I’ve learned a lot about time management over the years and my mother is extremely supportive and helpful.”

Brooke East

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UT PROSIM Music therapy

The Music Therapy Group delights and entertains all ages

The many thank-you notes received after concerts in the community by Wenona’s Music Therapy Group are a sure sign that the benefits of volunteering flow both ways. The most recent heartfelt thanks was from staff of the Giant Steps school for children and families managing autism, who wrote “the interest and enjoyment our students displayed was testament to the great approach and repertoire your students presented”.

Dr Dianne Langan, who is a K-12 Music and Drama Teacher and coordinator of the Music Therapy Group, believes these concerts are about much more than the music itself.

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The Music Therapy Group of 18 meet each week to create repertoire for different audiences and different needs.

Outings this year include performances at Giant Steps at Gladesville, nursing homes St Anne’s and Sirius Cove, and retirement villages including Marion House and Bougainvillea.

“For the very old or very young, it’s often a singalong with music from the right era for the audience say - Danny Boy or Tea for Two for the elderly,” she says.

Music is an uplifting ice-breaker and often brings an emotive response.

“The response among dementia patients can be extraordinary,” says Ms Seale, Director of Community and Service Learning and History Teacher.

“When it’s music that people relate to, they can go from being slumped in a chair to dancing.”

Students gain organisational and social skills and the concerts help develop confidence, empathy and understanding.

“The whole experience helps ‘burst the everyday bubble’ a bit,” says Ms Seale, “because it gets them out meeting people they might not meet in their usual lives.”

When a burst of fundraising for the 40 Hour Famine finished last year, a teacher talked to Year 10 about showcasing their musical talent.

“Suddenly we realised it was something we could do for money,” said Sophie Keddie, who was a House Captain at the time and had been intensely involved with 40 Hour Famine fundraising.

Pop songs and older favourites were on the songlist when, towards the end of 2016, Sophie and friend, guitarist Jess Riley, kicked off Busking for Change during lunchtimes in the amphitheatre.

The pair then announced the initiative at Senior School Assembly, asking others to get involved, and musical students started approaching Sophie and Jess with offers of time and talent. In Term 4, 2016, about $200 was raised. It seemed natural to donate to Mission Australia because of Sophie’s family connection with the not-for-profit organisation where her dad is the Chief Financial Officer.

Brownies for brain cancer “It’s great to be able to give a reasonable sum, especially at Christmas, when people need more,” said Sophie. “They want to give their children a Christmas just when they might have less work and money.”

Busking for Change was also boosted by the 2016-17 Prefects’ initiative, ‘Be the Change Maker’, which was based on values of kindness and service, and urges students to take a stand on a community issue and to do something about it.

Inspired by the efforts of the Mark Hughes Foundation and its Beanies for Brain Cancer campaign, Chloe commandeered her Year 7 colleagues to run Brownies for Brain Cancer.

The delicious event sold more than 200 brownies and Chloe will channel funds through the foundation to help beat brain cancer. See more at www.markhughesfoundation.com.au

“Even younger years, such as Year 7 students just coming in, soon get a good idea of what the Prefect team is about, and what sorts of activities follow from that.”

Since the first performance, Busking for Change has become a semi-regular, end-of-week highlight, with more than 25 Friday performances and buskers ranging from Year 8 to Year 12.

Year 7 bakers

“It’s great to be able to give a reasonable sum, especially at Christmas, when people need more.

They want to give their children a Christmas just when they might have less work and money.”

Sophie Keddie, Year 11 Full house during lunchtime busking performances

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Busking for change

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“It’s small things like a wig that bring a huge amount of comfort and normality to children whose lives have been overturned by cancer treatment or alopecia.”

So many ponytails get the chop for donation to Sustainable Salons Australia

Miranda Ilchef (2016)

The kindest cut The excitement and nerves were palpable, the cheering and clapping nearly deafening, at Wenona’s third annual ponytail donation which saw 42 girls’ ponytails get the chop.

The expressions on the faces of six girls perched on stools on stage were priceless as they had their 15-20cm locks placed in their hands by Sydney TAFE Hairdressing and Barbering School teachers. Paul Frasca, co-founder of Sustainable Salons Australia, kept up the momentum as MC for the event and encouraged the next volutneers to take the stage.

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Year 12 student Holly donated 15 cm but “wished hers was longer so she could donate more”.

The mass ponytail donation is made through Sustainable Salons Australia who rescue 95% of a salon’s waste from landfill. These ponytails are to be given to Variety the Children’s Charity who sell them to New Zealand wigmakers and give proceeds to families who need to buy wigs, worth thousands of dollars, for their children with cancer or alopecia.

The 2017 event was organised by two final-year students, Charlotte Doughty

and Xanthe Muston, who took on the project from founder, Miranda Ilchef, a 2016 graduate. Miranda, who was inspired to create the 2015 event by her aunt’s hair loss through chemotherapy, was there this year to cheer donors onto the stage.

“It’s small things like a wig that bring a huge amount of comfort and normality to children whose lives have been overturned by cancer treatment or alopecia,” Miranda said. “It’s easy for us to make this huge difference because we don’t have to do anything to grow our hair, it just happens, yet donating our hair can mean so much to others.”

Neatly fitting the 2016-2017 Prefects’ initiative, ‘Be the Game Changer’ a call to act for change within local communities or beyond - Years 7-12 were encouraged to write letters to their members of Parliament urging change in one of three areas. These were: ban the plastic bag, legalisation of same-sex marriage, and relaxation of restrictions on refugees on Manus Island, PNG, and Nauru in Micronesia - with Twittersphere conversation on the latter funneled by the hashtag #bringthemhere.

Letter writers were spurred on by information packs emailed to all Middle School and Senior College students offering facts on these topics to potentially be included in letters to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Federal Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman, and to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Letters were written during Pastoral Care time and a postbox was set up in the Undercroft to collect the mail for posting.

Also neatly fitting were the lycra gym outfits the girls wore to an ’80’s-style aerobics session they joined in the Undercroft after dropping their letters - to celebrate their ability to make change. The results are in on one topic: the month after the girls added their letters to the wave of anti-bag sentiment, Coles and Woolworths both promised to stop giving away free plastic bags with shopping.

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Tights and brights for human rights

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Head of Boarding

Mrs Nonie Ayling, who became Head of Boarding in early 2017, has held positions across corporate, not-for-profit, education and health sectors. She has held similar positions at Ascham School, Edgecliff, Sydney and Stuartholme School, Brisbane.

She’s also been successful in a range of roles at St Scholastica’s College in Glebe, Loreto in Normanhurst, St Lucy’s School, Wahroonga, also Northside Clinic, Sydney, and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Mrs Ayling is a community-minded foundation committee member of The Emerald Ball which raises funds for Kids Rehab at the Children’s Hospital

at Westmead and has hosted Light the Night evenings for the Leukaemia Foundation. At Wenona, trust between her team and boarders is solidly built up in shared experiences and many conversations over time.

“They see I’m here most of the time and available and that I care,” she said.

“A good relationship builds up over the everyday things that girls come to me about for guidance and advice.”

“I’m privileged to get to know these girls and to work alongside them as they embrace the joys, opportunities and challenges that boarding offers.”

“I’m privileged to get to know these girls and to work alongside them as they embrace the joys, opportunities and challenges that boarding offers.”

Nonie Ayling Head of Boarding

Wenona boarders love their Sydney location

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Profile Nonie Ayling

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Why we love boarding.....

I love the life-long friendships formed Annelise Year 7 There are a lot of benefits about boarding.

I like boarding because I don’t have to walk all the way to a bus stop in the afternoon and then get on the bus for ages using up time that I could be doing some kind of fun activity with my friends.

It is like a sleepover every night. I don’t have to remember to bring my hat to school every morning. lol. We can sleep in rather than waking up early to get to school and once again the bus issue!

I like boarding because of the allocated time for prep Emily Year 7 Close relationships we form across all the year groups Bella Year 8 Relationships with the girls especially in your year group and how everyone helps each other Ellie Year 8

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Love that I get to live in Sydney and I love my friends Neve Year 8

How well we get to know the girls - older and younger Laura Year 11

Wenona is close to shops and love that I have my friends with me all the time Amber Year 8

Love that the school resources are available to us at night and on the weekend Bia Year 11

Quite fun to have time with other girls Jill Year 9 Love the friendships Amber Year 9 Love the community Libby Year 9 Friendships made with girls from all over the world Eliza Year 10 Friendships within the community Jess Year 10 Bonding with the girls in the years below Portia Year 11

The fact that we are a relatively small boarding community means everyone gets to know each other much more closely and develop friendships across different year groups Lily Year 12 The small boarding environment allows the house to feel like a real “home away from home” where you can foster relationships with girls across all year groups Maddie Year 12 Sense of community; definitely home away from home Camryn Year 12

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MARATHON WITH A DIFFERENCE “Wenona has helped make this a reality.

Thank you to the school for getting behind this.

Thanks to the families who are raising such beautiful girls - and girls, the biggest thanks goes to you. You have done amazing things and really helped make a ‘Difference.’”

Scott Groves, Ambassador, Marathon with a Difference

In June this year, as part of the Service Learning Program, 136 Wenona students from Kindergarten to Year 6 swapped their school shoes for trainers and committed themselves to the ultimate challenge: to run a marathon. The very first school in Australia to register for the ‘Marathon with a Difference’, Wenona students were set the challenge to run a kilometre a day for 42 days in order to raise funds for the Day of Difference Foundation.

Injury is the leading cause of death of children aged 1-16 years in Australia

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Scott Groves, creator of the ‘Marathon with a Difference’

The Day of Difference Foundation’s goal is to reduce the incidence and impact of critical injury in children by: • supporting research into the trauma journey from injury to returning home • building a database of information on the causes of injuries to Australian children admitted to hospitals and • funding support staff for families of critically injured children

The average hospital cost of injury each year is $212 million

Home is the most common place of injury to children

“I ran my marathon with band-aids and bandages in my medical bag in case anyone needed first aid.”

Bethan, aged 6

Fracture is the most common type of injury

Up to 47% of parents of critically injured children develop PTSD

Emily, aged 6

“I am delighted that ‘Marathon with a Difference’ has the capacity to engage so many school students to raise awareness about keeping safe, to be challenged to reach goals, to develop empathy for others and to raise funds in support of other children and their families.”

Mrs Carolyn Martin, Co-founder, Day of Difference Day of Difference plans to use the proceeds raised by the marathon to fund specialist trauma nurses and psychologists to support injured children and their families whilst they undergo treatment in paediatric hospitals across Australia. The first two positions at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane have now been filled with a Family Trauma Social Worker and a Family Trauma Nurse. The plan is to expand the program to the six other major children’s hospitals in Australia,

including The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in NSW. Each step of the marathon was a personal and meaningful journey for the Wenona students as a co- founder of the Day of Difference charity, Carolyn Martin, is a teacher at Wenona’s Junior School.

Mrs Carolyn Martin and her husband Ron launched the charity following their daughter Sophie’s first critical injury. Carolyn reflects that “originally, Day of Difference funded equipment for hospitals, trained staff and built infrastructure so that outcomes for children who spend time in hospital as a result of an injury could be improved.

We quickly realised, however, that the impact on families of children who experience extended hospital stays was significant, and more support was required.”

A need was identified in hospitals for ‘family centred practices’ however, the absence of any national data made it difficult to assess the number of families impacted in Australia each year and how, when, where, and why accidents happen. Sydney University’s School of Nursing led a six-year research project to collate the data needed. The research data was published in August and coincided with the first of two funded positions to support families at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Brisbane.

The fundamental finding was that childhood injury is preventable.

Childhood injury hospitalisation rates have not decreased over a ten year period and child injury remains a costly and tragic public health issue in Australia. Reducing hospitalised childhood injury remains a national priority.

Scott Groves, Ambassador for Day of Difference and creator of the ‘Marathon with a Difference’ established the fundraising activity around the idea of active compassion. “The marathon is symbolic of a child’s long journey to recovery from hospital to home. Running one kilometre a day sounds easy. Do it 42 times in a row and the real life empathy kicks in. Making yourself do something when you don’t feel like it can be likened to a child facing the recovery process - whether that be learning to walk, talk, eat or getting used to a new way of life.”

The Wenona marathon participants raised $8117 for the foundation and ran, walked or scootered an inspiring total of 1608 kilometres. Scott Groves observed that “the girls at Wenona were just amazing. Their enthusiasm and genuine spirit in helping children they have never met was just so heart warming. This was not an easy fundraising event to support - it required a dedication beyond just raising money.”

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“I walked along Balmoral Beach more than once; it is longer than two kilometres. I ran at school around the tennis court, at recess and at lunch. I walked from Palm Beach to Whale Beach and that’s how I finished my marathon.”

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CADETS AT WENONA From strength to strength In a world away from books and classrooms, Year 9 and 10 Wenona cadets crawl stealthily over mud-covered, sodden terrain in the dead of night to fulfil their challenge. Shrouded in camouflage uniforms and face paint, the girls are cold and weary but triumphant getting back to base and completing their mission.

Wenona this year offered Army Cadets as one of its co-curricular activities to students, welcoming 45 girls into the program. The Cadet program supports Wenona’s ‘Renaissance Woman’ Framework, encouraging students to become confident, resilient and graceful women, whilst developing their sense of adventure, leadership, lateral thinking and teamwork skills.

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As members of the Shore Cadet Unit within the Australian Army Cadets, the Wenona cadets meet every Monday afternoon at Shore, for outdoor training, to learn the intricacies of rank and drills, for ceremonial activities and to develop their confidence and leadership skills.

During Term 1, the girls were familiarised with their training surrounds and outfitted with a full cadet uniform, army hat and vital equipment such as ration packs, radios, compasses and camouflage paint.

During training sessions, the girls replaced their habitual classroom instructions with new commands and call signs, learning marching drills and the correct way to salute. Expectations of the girls as cadets and the Australian Army Code of Conduct were outlined, preparing these new cadets for their challenges ahead.

“The essence of cadets is that it is student-led.

There’s a knowledge that when you wear your rank people will respect you because you have worked hard for it.”

CDTSGT Richardson

CDTSGT Richardson

The Year 10 cadets’ skills were tested at the Bivouac Training Camp - offered as part of their fast track leadership course. Setting up camping hoochies, tying complicated knots, communicating via two-way radios, ration packing, navigating with compasses, and the all-important application of ‘camo’ paint provided the cadets with both physical and mental challenges plus teamwork and leadership opportunities.

Integral to the values of the cadet program is respect and admiration for Australian servicemen and women.

The Wenona cadets participated in one of the most significant military ceremonies - being the ANZAC Day Dawn Service - held at Martin Place and the school’s own ANZAC commemoration, laying a wreath at North Sydney War Memorial.

Drill and theory assessments offered the girls the chance to develop their communication and leadership skills by preparing and teaching their own lessons on topics such as giving commands, forming rank and standing to attention.

Term 2 saw the cadets participating in a Junior Promotions Course in Singleton, where physical training sessions demanded they leopard-crawl across the oval to complete circuits in full uniform and webbing, and carry jerry-cans all over the grounds for supply drops.

Navigation and team building activities involved leading syndicates to various location points using field formations and signals. Searching for missing objects, simulating emergency evacuations and walking perfect squares provided ample opportunity to demonstrate their newly acquired talents.

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“Ration packs were a big highlight of the field phase. The packs contain three main meals and a whole load of snacks – as you can imagine a lot of intense trading happens.”

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At the end of the course, all Wenona cadets ranked highly: everyone in the Junior Promotions Course was among the top 20 of 70 cadets; five ranked in the top 10; and one, CDTSGT Richardson, took first place. High standards were achieved just six weeks after the School introduced the co-curricular activity.

The cadets’ very first Ceremonial Parade was held at Shore on 16 June. Marching out in companies, the cadets were addressed by the visiting Lieutenant Colonel Garren Hamilton before the march past around the oval. Promotions Course winners fell out of rank to come forward to collect their prizes. Wenona’s CDTSGT Richardson achieved first place overall. “It was a huge honour to come first on the course and to be promoted to the rank of sergeant placing me in charge of the Wenona cadets. It was amazing to be a part of such a momentous occasion - I am very proud of everything the girls have achieved.”

Have you served in the armed forces?

The Wenona Cadet program would love to hear from any member of the alumnae who has gone on to serve in the Australian Armed Forces.

Please contact cadets@wenona.nsw.edu.au

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GLOBAL LEARNING Education without borders In an increasingly small global village, driven by technology and instant communication, Wenona’s focus on internationalism and global opportunities prepares young women for many different futures.

Nazi and Roman archaeological sites, the Vatican and museums housing artefacts and artworks. The girls revelled in experiencing historical sites that, up until then, had been words on pages and photographs in textbooks.

Underpinning its commitment to ‘educating and empowering young women in a global learning community to serve and shape their world’, Wenona offers a range of international experiences to broaden students’ horizons. Girls studying elective subjects such as Languages, Ancient or Modern History, Design and Technology, Textiles, Visual Arts or Photography can join overseas tours to enhance their classroom learning.

In June, 38 students in Years 10 and 11 journeyed to Europe and the US, eager to immerse themselves in design, art and culture. The tour highlighted the minimalist style of Danish architecture,

To stand in the Colosseum and imagine gladiatorial combat, to feel the desolation of the WW2 concentration camp in Dachau or marvel at Monet’s huge canvases, are all emotional and educational experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

Australia’s geographic isolation challenges both teachers and students interested in foreign perspectives. Overseas experiences build on classroom learning with unique ways of cultivating language skills, cultural knowledge and an international context.

There were two student tours offered by Wenona in 2017 - the History Tour and the Cultural Arts Tour. During the Easter break, enthusiastic students ranging from Years 10 to 12 visited significant European historical sites to deepen their understanding for HSC study units. The History group toured Germany, Belgium and France, visiting WW1 battlefields,

Paris

sculpture, furniture and industrial design and showcased contemporary and classical art in Parisian galleries. The girls also experienced working artists’ studios in Montmartre, the extraordinary architecture and artworks of La Fondation Louis Vuitton and wandered the gardens of Versailles. The Creative Arts tour concluded in New York where students admired collections at the Guggenheim, Museum of Modern Art and the Hewitt Cooper and Brooklyn

Students attended a brick-making workshop in Ypres

Pompeii, a highlight of the trip

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Museums. The trip inspired many students’ Major Works and there were practical opportunities, too, to buy beautiful fabrics to use in Textiles and Design major works.

Wenona’s new Director of International and Global Studies and Head of Languages, Antonio Boschiero, believes internationalised learning is integral to learning today. “The world is much smaller now, and many students are interested in studying and working overseas and want international experiences to foster these interests,” says Mr Boschiero.

To date, student exchanges and arts tours have been organised by students or teachers with an external provider but Mr Boschiero plans to offer exchanges through Wenona in future. He has been cultivating relationships with exchange partner schools in the European and Asian languages offered by Wenona.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris

“I like to have an individual connection - a relationship so we know it’s the right school,” he says.

Teachers are responsible for putting local classroom learning into a global framework so they, too, might be exposed to opportunities to internationalise their practice for students’ benefit. “Later we could develop an international program for staff to spend time in schools that have a similar focus to Wenona or a common specialisation such as STEM subjects.”

“First-hand experience makes such a difference to our understanding of artists’ and designers’ works and why they’re influential.”

Antonio Boschiero Director of International and Global Studies and Head of Languages

Antonio Boschiero: Wenona’s new Director of International and Global Studies and Head of Languages Antonio Boschiero brought 25 years’ teaching and leadership experience when he came to Wenona this year. Gaining a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education at University of NSW, Mr Boschiero later taught for 14 years at independent girls’ schools.

A native Spanish speaker, Mr Boschiero has also taught English in France and was awarded a scholarship to study French language, grammar and civilisation at La Sorbonne.

Current President of the Spanish Teachers Association of NSW, Mr Boschiero brings much experience in HSC marking and examining, and has taught French and Spanish for the International Baccalaureate.

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“It’s exciting to work at Wenona in languages because languages are compulsory for Years 7 to 10. Students learn not only how to speak a language but a way of being - including understanding the ways of other cultures and how to respect them.”

Mr Boschiero likes to remind students of Charlemagne’s words: “to know two languages is to possess a second soul” and that, he says, is a noble goal.

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DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY HSC Design and Technology Major Projects ‘Design Thinking’ is a problem solving process involving teamwork, creativity, and planning.

At Wenona, it’s a lively extension of existing study units where students and staff work collaboratively to define, empathise, ideate, prototype and test solutions to problems and challenges.

Students undertake a project if they have researched and identified a problem to solve or an opportunity to be filled. This year’s students chose an industrial design path, targeting specific users.

This contemporary approach to design and problem-solving is employed across many business sectors and educational fields. Whilst it can straddle learning from diverse subjects such as Art, Science, Maths, Sociology and History, the approach is very suited to design and technology projects.

“If I’d told these girls a year ago about the incredible quality of the work they’d be doing, they’d never have believed me,” says teacher, Greg McArdle.

“Reaching this skill level in a short time is the greatest challenge. The girls excel at generating an idea in a collaborative environment yet the skill required and their relative inexperience in manufacturing means they have little time to get it right. In my experience, the girls can make this leap because of their patience and attention to detail.”

Reddy Desk and Box Seat by Charlotte Doughty

Reddy Desk and Box Seat: Charlotte Doughty Charlotte wanted to help refugees, displaced teachers and children keep their schools going. Inspired by UNICEF’s ‘School in a Box’ (portable school supplies in a blackboard-lidded box), she decided to create a desk and stool in a box.

Charlotte’s desk set emphasises the basics - compact, portable, good quality

and value and no disposable packaging.

Flat-packed for easy transportation, the desk set forms its own packaging. Value was enhanced by using almost the entire 600x900mm plywood sheet to minimise waste. “We removed the beam that stabilises table legs. We borrowed from old furniture-making methods, using a 4 - 5 degree compound angle. When assembled, this effectively secures the leg with a combination of friction and confinement.”

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Guitar Aid: Madeline Davis Inspired by her passion for music and her research into the positive effects of music therapy for stroke patients, Madeline designed a robotic system that allows a guitar to be played with one hand and a foot for people who would like to play guitar but have little movement in their upper limbs.

Using laser sensors and servo motor-driven fingers, Madeline’s device attaches directly to a guitar.

The aid comprises a robotic device as a guitarist’s picking hand plus a hexagonal foot-operated base that houses sensory lasers which select strings to be played. The guitarist works the fret board in the usual way to change the string length for different notes.

To put all these sophisticated elements together, Madi had to upskill. “I learned a lot more about coding and electronic circuitry for the small computer that runs the device.”

Guitar Aid by Madeline Davis

“I learned a lot more about coding and electronic circuitry for the small computer that runs the device.” Madeline Davis Feline Fun Cat Playhouse: Claire Anderson Claire’s product allows pet owners to properly care for their animals and improve their living standards by providing regular exercise, entertainment and relaxation, whilst living in high density housing.

The project is a space effective, customisable and flat-packable play area designed specifically for cats but can be adjusted for small dogs.

Claire’s playhouse is made of plywood with acrylic hinges. All panels are interchangeable, and can form a triangular, hexagonal, or rectangular play space to house pet toys or plants such as catnip or a cat-scratch surface.

Toys can be attached with Velcro strips or mobile toys on flexible sticks can slot into supportive holes. “A pair of toys can be connected so when one is pounced upon, the other is pulled in reaction,” says Claire.

Feline Fun Cat Playhouse by Claire Anderson

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Made from PVC piping, the lock-box holds iphones, keys and wallets.

The cylinder is finished with acrylic 3D-printed cuffs which close neatly around the stake to form a lid and bottom, and has a clasp that can be padlocked. User-friendliness was paramount: the challenge was to find a hinge big enough for the cylinder backswing so it could fully open.

Beach Safe by Montana Londregan

Café Seating System: Anna MacGregor Anna’s lightweight, fabric hinged, collapsible and stackable café stools will reduce time and effort spent removing seating in and out of cafes.

These stools flatten in seconds allowing easy set up, removal, cleaning and storage. “The idea was to move away from stackable plastic seats that take up space and are awkward to move,” says Anna.

Using four fabric slips that can feature branding designs, their long edges were sewn together to create washable ‘hinges.’ Wooden panels were slipped into the top ends to form the four fabric-covered sides of a stool. The stool holds its square shape when its timber seat is fitted, like a sink plug, into the top end. It can be collapsed and flattened when the seat is flipped out. “I used natural finishes and biodegradable materials and all the parts are modular and replaceable so the seat is as sustainable as it can be.”

Café Seating Systems by Anna MacGregor

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Beach Safe: Montana Londregan “Everyone knows someone who’s had something stolen at the beach,” says Montana. Beach Safe is a lock-box allowing beach goers to swim and safely leave their valuables behind in a cylindrical lockable box that sits on an umbrella pole. This project combats beach theft, sun safety, and enables people to take their phone to the beach.

Melanoma rates are very high, so this product encourages the use of an umbrella and fits standard sizes.

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HSC VISUAL ARTS AND TEXTILES Visual Arts Xanthe Muston (Above) Distant scenes from a window: domestic dislocation Drawing I feel the home is a human and sacred space, an area of one’s own that is inextricably linked to the identity of its inhabitant.

However, the circuitous nature of mundane chores and repetitive living routines within this familiar setting may psychologically constrict one’s identity in their daily efforts to find meaning and value.

“I am very grateful for the support of the Wenona Alumnae Association; their inaugural Creative Arts Alumna prize of $1000 was awarded to me at the end of last year to assist me with my HSC Body of Work.”

Xanthe Muston

Lilli Donovan (Above) A reflection upon Gerhard Richter Painting

Julia Goodnow (Right) You’re not useful anymore Drawing

Through exploring the technique of blurring one area of colour into another using selected tools such as a squeegee, the result creates an out of focus image that aims to excite an audience through its ambiguity.

One-use items such as coffee cups have turned us into a disposable world where the imperfect is discarded. There’s a similar stigma around age where we see the elderly - particularly women - as only wrinkled, fragile and powerless, discarded like a wilted flower or a broken cup. In these drawings, the women represented defy this notion.

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Celeste Robertson (Left) Leda and the Swan Scuplture This body of work explores imagery associated with female fertility, nests, eggs and flesh mediated through the smooth and flesh-like texture of wax surfaces. The Ancient Greek mythology surrounding the narrative of Leda and the Swan can be viewed through a revisionist lens that questions the swan (Zeus) invasive treatment of Leda, as he overpowers and impregnates her.

Alice Glen (Above) Though shalt not: boast, trust easily, rush, find misfortune in curiosity Painting Through fables, the tortoise and the hare tell us to go slowly rather than rush. The fox and the hare challenge individuals who abandoned their own instincts and find great misfortune in curiosity. The fox who misled the crow by flattering her, shows that trusting seemingly kind people too easily can be deceiving. The beautiful deer boasting of her long legs to the short hare then stumbles and becomes prey.

Lucy Waterson (Above) Allegory of the artist Painting I have aimed to represent what lies at the crux of the artmaking practice developed in the 17th century Baroque genre, through a study of the key elements of an artist’s practice: the intense use of light, the tools and materials, as well as carrying through the element of drapery.

Shakiera Mununggur (Above) Galimidirrk Printmaking The use of animals is significant as they depict cultural totems from my homelands in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. This representation of traditional Yolgnu artworks is carved by small lino tools to create patterns and symbols of dream time. They deliver a message about strong cultural values in women who live in the best of both worlds, indigenous and non-indigenous.

Ella Marshman (Right) A mediated landscape Painting Using a range of approaches to representation, I have painted, smeared, scratched, pressed, torn, stitched and photographed the majestic beauty of the sublime New Zealand landscape.

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Textiles The HSC Textiles and Design course extends students’ practical work to include historical and cultural influences on contemporary design. The study of innovation and emerging technologies in textiles covers developments such as the effects of ‘smart’ fibres on fabric performance. Their Textiles and Design Major Project is supported by a portfolio.

Emily Joyce, ‘Caretto Siciliano’, Apparel.

Italian culture - particularly the carretto Siciliano - the camryn ornate and brightly painted carts which are part of folklore, inspired Emily’s design.

Arisa Takada ‘La Réve’, Apparel.

Arisa drew inspiration from Picasso’s simple and ethereal line drawings and the aesthetically pleasing Japanese pottery-repairing technique, kintsukuroi, inspired by the philosophy of wabi sabi the perfect imperfect.

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Charlotte Poole ‘Aziza’, Apparel.

Charlotte drew inspiration from contemporary designer Mary Katrantzou, traditional Moroccan fesi hand embroidery and Morocco’s blue city, Chefchaouen.

Charlotte Ling, ‘Abstract’, Apparel.

Charlotte’s inspiration was the unconventional volume and structure of Viktor and Rolf’s Vagabond Collection, the continuous life cycle of the reborn soul in Hinduism and the pastels of Cinque Terre, Italy.

F E AT U R E Tara Hunter ‘Italian Collections’, Apparel Roman gladiatorial culture, Italian Baroque architecture and the Fall 2012 Ready-to-wear Collection by Dolce and Gabbana, all combine in Tara’s design.

Isabelle Rees ‘Veritable Amour’, Apparel The Palace of Versailles, the 2006 movie ‘Marie Antoinette’, the fleur-de-lis motif and Valentin Yudashkin’s 2015-16 Spring Collection inspired Isabelle’s work.

Brooke Underwood ‘Lumière Bleue’, Apparel Brooke’s garment reflects its prime inspiration, Valentino’s 2012 Spring Couture Collection, and also intricate detailing, symmetry and filigree of French Baroque architecture, décor and gardens.

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HSC MUSIC AND DRAMA MAJOR WORKS HSC Drama The HSC Drama course is demanding yet worthwhile because it’s so stimulating. Australian Drama and Theatre, and Group Performance, are the two core components of HSC Drama, complemented by two additional subjects, Studies in Drama and Theatre, and Individual Project.

Many students double up on performance by doing it for their Individual Project, while others relish the chance to do something different in which they’re keenly interested.

Their interests could be set or costume design, scriptwriting or writing a portfolio of theatre reviews, or choosing a play and creating a director’s portfolio around it. Many Wenona students have done well in all these areas.

We are now studying two plays in Australian Drama - The Removalists

by David Williamson and Norm and Ahmed by Alex Buzo. Tragedy is the focus for Studies in Drama and Theatre where students compare Sophocles’ ancient tragedy, Oedipus Rex, with a modern tragedy, Angels in America by Tony Kushner. Performing and directing these plays and investigating dramatic techniques to bring out the playwright’s intention, gives students first-hand insight into drama.

Many people ask how Drama is examined. Girls will write an essay for Australian Drama and Theatre and for Studies in Drama and Theatre.

In Group Performance students are examined, according to strict criteria,

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Till Thou Art Wed

on their individual performance within the group. These include the ability to portray a character, to work as part of an ensemble and to use skills such as vocal projection and timing. If a student is doing a performance for their Individual Project, this is examined by HSC examiners at the same time as the Group Performance. If they are doing another type of project it will be submitted to NSW Education Standards Authority in the same way as Visual Arts projects are submitted.

This multi-dimensional approach incorporates experiential and theoretical learning. Students enjoy the variety of projects and the opportunity to work collaboratively with other students.

The Undiscovered Country

F E AT U R E Look Where That Got Us

The Undiscovered Country

Till Thou Art Wed

Look Where That Got Us

“Performing and directing these plays and investigating dramatic techniques to bring out the playwright’s intention, gives students first-hand insight into drama.”

HSC Drama Class of 2017

Ms Tiffany Crittle Head of Drama

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HSC Music

Emily Hurley, Music 2

Students choose from two main options for the HSC. Music 1 is a very flexible two-unit course focusing on students’ chosen combination of Performance, Musicology and Composition. Many students choose Music 1 so they can pursue their favourite types of music and a preferred strength. Most students perform four pieces - of any style.

Students in Music 1 tend to not rely on much notation with the aural examination asking for point-form observations on examples of music. This course is often seen as a contemporary music course - however it caters for all types of musicians.

At Wenona, students often combine Performance and Musicology electives to create a more varied program and musical experience. The Musicology examination is a 10-minute oral exam on their chosen topic - markers and candidate discuss and demonstrate key points. A topic could be as simple as use of a film score or as complex as comparing the ways one idea is treated by different composers. Students who elect to do Composition develop a work of up to four minutes.

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Eleanor Foster, Music 2

Wenona has a record of success with submitted compositions, including development of some truly wonderful works.

Music 2 is also a two-unit course where an extension unit is optional. Students choose to major in Performance, Musicology or Composition. The mandatory unit, Music of the Last 25 Years, requires a performance and a composition of a two-minute piece which reflects a chosen style relating to this topic. Much time is spent crafting this composition because the musical details need to be carefully developed to ensure the growth of musical ideas is captured in the two-minute piece.

Music 2 students are usually highly experienced in music. The ability to draw information from scores and recordings means general musicianship needs to be sufficiently developed for details to be found in the musical material. This then needs to be articulated and discussed to show stylistic understanding.

Most Music 2 students elect the additional extension unit and then major in one discipline.

At Wenona, we usually have both Performance and Musicology majors each year; both offer demanding yet rewarding experiences. For Performance, students present an ensemble work plus two contrasting solo works, while in Musicology, students develop a 3000-word essay highlighting personal analysis and a significant, scholarly conclusion.

Adele Saunders, Music 1

F E AT U R E Allegra Stuart, Music 1

Emily Joyce, Music 2

Sophie Cohen, Music 1

Vivienne Armstrong, Music 1

Emily Ramsay, Music 1

Alexandra Solterbeck, Music 2

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STEM CENTRE AND SPORTING FACILITY A vision to reality

Building bridges

Deep foundations: the view from on high

On Friday 17 February, new ground was broken as student representatives, staff and dignitaries gathered to officially turn the soil, marking the launch of stage one of the Master Plan - construction of Wenona’s new world class STEM Centre and Sporting Facility.

This state-of-the-art centre embodies Wenona’s profound passion for learning and the School’s resounding commitment to providing leading educational resources and stimulating learning environments for young women.

Continually looking towards the future global workplace, Wenona strives to equip students with the skills and

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abilities they will require to adapt to a high-speed, digitally-driven world offering professions and occupations that may not have yet been conceived.

Aptitude in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is internationally acknowledged as the lifeblood of emerging industries such as biotechnology, information and communications technology, manufacturing and renewable energy.

Offering students access to specialist equipment and educational resources within these disciplines will enable both present and future Wenonians to develop their skills and pursue their passions.

The STEM Centre and Sporting Facility has enjoyed significant progress thus far and students and staff have enjoyed observing the advancement.

From initial site preparation and laying of the temporary driveway to the deep excavation and erection of the new Miller Street bridge, the building has started to materialise from architectural designs and visions to a physical and tangible presence.

The scale of the construction and the magnitude of earth moving equipment on-site are formidable. The site was bulldozed and cleared at the beginning of the year, in readiness for excavation.

Extensive geo-technical support ensures the structural stability of the building and also the properties of Wenona’s residential neighbours. Subterranean bore holes were drilled and the capping piles run deep. Resilient iron-rich sandstone proved challenging to excise and vast saw cutters were employed to assist in this excavation stage.

• Purpose-built STEM learning areas, state-of-the-art labs, and a food technology kitchen, • An ecologically designed Aquatic Centre, including a water polo-ready 25m swimming pool, learn-to-swim pool and change rooms, • A sports science hub including a gymnastics centre and bio mechanics sports equipment, • University-grade learning areas, seminar and exhibition spaces and flexible, interchangeable learning and collaboration areas, • Internal and external green spaces for reflection, study and collaboration.

The progress of the building tells its own external narrative, however there are numerous anecdotes that will become part of the building’s fabric and history over time. The construction and connection of the new bridge symbolised the past converging with the present as the bridge was removed piece by piece and new sections were craned in. The recognition bricks honouring donors that lined the bridge since 2004 were removed and remounted in the Miller Street courtyard.

The palm tree gracing the front of the site was also tenderly removed and will be rehoused within the school grounds so Wenonians can continue to cherish it.

Beautiful sandstone slabs were rescued from deep within the excavation trenches.

New ground is broken

These slabs are strikingly patterned from the saw cutters and are on display in the garden for students to enjoy.

The Project Committee is “excited to create a building that not only has a beautiful design aesthetic, but speaks for itself in terms of how it works and what it does.” The STEM Centre and Sporting Facility will offer significant and intriguing learning experiences embedded into the building, giving an insight into the engineering and its mechanisms.

These ‘learning artefacts’ such as the suspended hanging walls will feature educational signage and are designed to invite curiosity and conversation.

Funding for this $40 million project is being provided by the support of generous

community donors to the Capital Appeal.

Wenona’s prudent financial management ensured a significant proportion of funds were available prior to the commencement of the build. These funds will be nurtured throughout the process, as the build is on course for a 2019 delivery. The STEM Centre and Sporting Facility is the first step in a renewal journey and the School is grateful for and looks forward to this continuing partnership with parents.

Updates on the building progress can be found at www.wenona130plus.com.au.

“We shape our buildings, and afterwards, our buildings shape us.”

Winston Churchill

Pouring the temporary driveway

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F E AT U R E

Wenona’s multi-level, open space, university style STEM Centre and Sporting Facility will include:

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W PA Mother’s Day Walk for Breast Cancer Research

From the WPA President My final busy year as President of the Wenona Parents’ Association (WPA) has reminded me of what a wonderful community we have at Wenona.

Our welcome lunches, the icebreaker cocktail event, the wonderful success of our first Mother’s Day Classic, the always amazing Spring Fair and each year group’s events for parents and girls have been well supported and are a reminder of what a close and connected community we are. A number of mothers and fathers have stepped up to be year representatives, others have offered their homes for events and still others have helped a family in moving or dealing with serious illness by dropping off meals or driving boarding students to sport. We really do have a special community.

The WPA has an important and challenging role to play in engaging with the large and diverse community we have at Wenona.

We have cancelled some events due

to low attendance and tried some new ones like the Mother’s Day Classic Walk in support of breast cancer research.

Your participation showed the walk is something families love to do with their daughters and also that our community is a big supporter of breast cancer research - which was supported by money raised from the sale of Wenona Walkers Hats.

It was wonderful to see Dr Scott on stage to receive the award for the largest school team in our first year of participation.

Huge thanks go to our Spring Fair Committee lead by Paul Packham and Karen Markell. Another amazing day with all funds raised going towards the fit-out of the new pool in the STEM Centre, something all our girls will be able to enjoy. The event demonstrates the WPA’s ability to create opportunities to bring the Wenona community together.

Every family contributed to the success of the Fair whether by organising, volunteering or coming on the day.

Our other key purpose, in partnership with the School Executive, Board and Alumnae, is to provide support for families in times of need through Wenona c.a.r.e.s. Many families have welcomed this assistance, none more so than my own, when earlier this year my own family felt first-hand the community support through the Wenona network.

It was a clear reminder to us how lucky we are to be part of Wenona.

With the feedback you provide we will continue to refresh our events, replace the old with some new and exciting ones to look forward to in 2018. What you can expect is the biannual WPA Gala Ball to be in full swing next year so let’s continue to build on the Wenona spirit and community that is so intrinsic to our School.

Mrs Rachel Banks WPA President

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The Wenona Spring Fair

Spring Day, Spring Fair

BBQ chefs

Fun at the Fair

A garden in the garden

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Happy helpers

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WPA French Cafe, ooh-la-la!

W PA Boarders stall- amazing regional produce

WPA cafe, all ready for customers

Bouncy castles too!

Not quite sugar-free

Helpers galore!

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ALUMNAE

WENONA ALUMNAE

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I’m always amazed by the breadth of diversity of professions and further education that Wenonians move into in their alumnae years. As I write this, Constable Maher (2007) is presenting to the Junior School girls about cybersafety and by pure coincidence, my morning coffee was made by a first-year Alumnae working as a part-time barista whilst studying at uni. The Wenona red, white and blue hair ribbon gave her away!

The Wenona Alumnae continues to evolve, strengthen and grow to over 6,000 members - and for good reason.

The school ran an incredibly successful pilot Alumnae Mentoring Program which included two of our committee members and Dr Scott as mentors. It is fabulous to see our school continue to provide support, direction, education and coaching to not just the students, but also our talented and diverse alumnae.

In May, the alumnae hosted our ‘signature’ event, Women of Spirit Breakfast for 200 atttendees. Our keynote speaker, Kate Obermayer (Locke, 1997) dazzled the audience with her courageous story about coming to terms and dealing with her progressive hearing loss from the age of 21. Kate went on to receive her first cochlear implant at 29 years old and recently received a second implant. The recipient of an Australian Human Rights Community Award, Kate is also a mother of two young children.

Our heartfelt thanks go to our Event Coordinator and Alumna Elly Paterson (Vas, 1980), Committee Member Fiona Hudson (2009), Treasurer Jennifer Mildren (Stiel 1989), Foundation Board Chair Marie Soghomonian (Seferian, 1992) and our parent and alumnae community who always come together to ensure this event is not to be missed in the busy Wenona calendar.

Thank you also to our Patron and Wenona Principal, Dr Scott, whose never-ending support towards the alumnae is graciously appreciated.

As another year flies past, watching Year 12 move through their end-ofschool events is always a sentimental and emotional time. This milestone is commemorated by the alumnae with customised gifts to the girls at Valedictory and by hosting their festive farewell lunch.

Mrs Sally Douvis (Crennan, 1993) Wenona Alumnae President

Alumnae President Sally Douvis (Crennan, 1993) with members of the Alumnae at the Year 12 farewell lunch

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From the Alumnae President

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Dr Scott opening the inaugural Wenona Mentoring Program in February 2017

Wenona Alumnae Mentoring Program Committed to supporting Wenonians on their future learning journeys, the Wenona Alumnae Mentoring Program was introduced this year with much success. Designed to strengthen professional relationships and build a mentoring culture among alumnae, Sophie McCarthy (1985) and Tessa Sexton (1993) - through their business McCarthy Mentoring - pioneered this program at Wenona.

Launching in February, the six month pilot program sought to assist women in succeeding in the early stages of their career or business life by connecting them with more experienced Wenona alumnae members. The program gathered together alumnae who are invested in professional development by applying to be part of the pilot.

These women traverse a range of fields and industries such as fashion, law, education, HR, and retail. Some were small business owners and others

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emerging leaders in multi-national organisations. Mentees were required to have a minimum of two years’ experience in their employment field, and be receptive to learning from others and motivated to improve themselves both professionally and personally.

The mentoring program offered alumnae a unique professional development opportunity to work with an experienced member of the Wenona Alumnae network. Wenona’s powerful cohort of mentors drew on their 10-20 years’ experience as leaders and experts in their fields to provide confidential advice and support. This dedicated network has a prevailing desire to see the next generation of Wenonians triumph.

Mentoring is a unique professional development opportunity that addresses the needs of the individual by assisting in clarifying goals and building skills, knowledge and confidence to perform

at their best. Mentors act as sounding boards, drawing on their experience to offer guidance, a fresh perspective and insights into career paths, business planning, challenging workplace situations and professional goals.

Mentors offer practical advice such as influencing, negotiating and communicating with workplace peers, building networks, balancing work and family life and developing confidence and self-awareness.

“I would strongly recommend the program to others.

It’s a very important program that was effective in influencing my career.”

Another reported “I would strongly recommend the program to others.

It’s a very important program that was effective in influencing my career.”

Mentors experienced a reconnection with Wenona and the satisfaction of being able to give back. “It was very satisfying being able to pass on wisdom I wish I had known at the age and work stage my mentee was at” and “it makes me feel great that I can pass on knowledge to make life easier for someone.”

The young Wenona alumnae who participated in the program have achieved goals and accomplished much since its conclusion. Mentees have launched a business, enjoyed promotion, secured a new job, created and activated a business plan for new business and mentored others less experienced.

Grateful for the opportunity to be involved in the program, these young women have expressed their thanks in being able to clarify their career goals, plan their career direction, improve their business practices and skills and increase confidence.

Dr Briony Scott believes “the strength of our Wenona community is a direct result of those who have invested, contributed and built it up over many years. When we listen and learn from those who have gone before us, our lives are enriched and we are encouraged to give things a go that we may not have the courage to do alone.”

Dr Scott reflects that students, once they graduate from Wenona, “are scattered to the four winds and enter enormously diverse fields. Some of our young women move into in predominantly male industries, others into startups, and others into highly competitive corporates. Thus, the mentoring program, in some respects, is an obvious move, as we connect our younger alumnae with our more experienced alumnae. The program provides opportunities for professional relationships to develop and support to be offered to our young women as they navigate the workplace and invest in their careers.”

“This has been a life-changing experience. I am completely blown away by the transformation I have experienced in myself, my confidence in my work and my ability to be out in the world using my skills.”

Dr Scott and the inaugural 2017 mentors and mentees

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The 2017 pilot program saw eight mentors and mentees matched for the program duration and meeting every month. Mentees and mentors alike deemed the experience hugely beneficial. One mentee stated “this has been a life-changing experience.

I am completely blown away by the transformation I have experienced in myself, my confidence in my work and my ability to be out in the world using my skills.”

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Ella Geddes

Isabella Camplisson

Women in the workplace Ella Geddes In September 2016, Ella Geddes (2008) bumped into the last group of people she would expect to see in the Pilbara Wenona students. “It was extraordinary seeing Wenona girls near the Pilbara, let alone a mining company,” Ella said.

The students were on their Service Learning trip, about to tour the mine.

Ella was thrilled to see students encouraged to understand geology and how mining works. “I had no idea about [mining] coming from an inner Sydney school,” she said. “STEM is what mining industries and employers are looking for.”

Ella never expected to wind up on mining sites four hours from Perth.

During high school, she wanted to be a theatre set designer. In Year 11, she realised she didn’t want to spend her career indoors, motivating her to drop her creative subjects for Physics and Earth and Environmental Science.

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Isabella Camplisson At The University of Sydney, she realised she was more excited by her geology field trips - taking her from Yass to New Zealand and Central Australia, and graduated with honours in Geology, Geophysics and Marine Geoscience. Ella worked as an Exploration Geologist at BHP Billiton for two years, spending 12 hour days working in Newman, a small town in Western Australia. She conducted geological interpretations on drill rigs, looking for mineable iron ore. A STEM background is not solely the purview of technical science careers as recently Ella traded her high-vis uniform for a corporate suit and moved from the Pilbara desert to Canberra to take up a PwC management consultant role. Ella is passionate about more girls studying STEM and believes that’s what industries are looking for in the current market: “STEM-oriented females think for themselves and challenge the way they have worked - this is what science teaches you.”

Dreaming of attending university abroad for over a decade, Isabella Camplisson (2016) has realised this aspiration with her recent acceptance into California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California, USA. A world-renowned science and engineering institute, Caltech students are offered the opportunity to investigate challenging and complex problems currently facing the fields of science and technology. Isabella began planning her applications at the beginning of Year 12, after spending two weeks in the US with her mother and visiting 14 different colleges.

Taking on the daunting task of writing over 30 different essays as part of her applications, Isabella attributes her acceptance success to the constant support, advice, and confidence given by the Wenona Careers Advisor and her

ALUMNAE

other teachers. “Their encouragement and assistance kept me going throughout the lengthy and difficult scholarship process. Turning this dream into a reality was greatly helped by the opportunities I received at Wenona.”

During her senior year, Isabella studied 14 HSC units and was part of Australia’s first Engineering Studies class at an allgirls school. “I was offered a world-class education in STEM subjects both in and out of the classroom, participating in the Car Restoration Club and learning about the applications of engineering hands-on. I was inspired by my teachers and peers alike to push myself towards my dreams and, eventually, reach them.”

Once at Caltech, Isabella aims to double major in Bioengineering and Computation and Neural Systems.

This degree combines the love of science and engineering that she acquired at Wenona, and requires the diligence and determination to succeed that a supportive, yet competitive, environment taught her.

“Soon I may be spending my Saturday afternoons in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Wenona helped me get here. I may no longer be a part of Wenona, but Wenona will forever remain a defining part of me.”

“Their encouragement and assistance kept me going throughout the lengthy and difficult scholarship process. Turning this dream into a reality was greatly helped by the opportunities I received at Wenona.”

Isabelle Camplisson

Malinda Zerefos

Malinda Zerefos For Malinda Zerefos (2002), a career enabling her to pursue her love of writing and traversing industries across the globe was essential. At Wenona, Malinda studied humanities subjects, taking four-unit English for HSC. “I think it was inevitable I was going down the communications route!” she says.

Upon moving to Hong Kong, where the publishing industry was limited, she looked to other industries for employment. As publishing industries are changing dramatically, Malinda is grateful to possess marketing and communications skills that are “easily transferable across many industries.”

Over the past decade, she has progressed from marketing in the publishing industry to communications for creative industries in Sydney, London and Hong Kong. Presently, Malinda is a consultant for Elliot Scott HR, developing marketing and communicating strategy for the business.

Malinda obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Writing and Cultural Studies) in 2006. In 2007 she completed her Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing; and in 2014, obtained her Graduate Diploma in Psychology. She also trained as a make-up-artist, a yoga teacher and a sommelier, ‘just for fun.’

Malinda was fortunate to work in London publishing house Simon and Schuster early in her career. “Working on book launches and events with authors such as Jackie Collins, Philippa Gregory and Lynda La Plante was amazing.” She reminisces about seeing her campaigns spread across double-decker buses and in London’s underground tube stations.

“It was a huge buzz.” she says. She was thrilled to be part of the Books and the City team, who won the BMS Best Partnership award in 2012.

Malinda is an advocate for acquiring global experience. “You may not be able to get a transfer overseas straight away,” she says, “but jump on a plane and try your luck.” She believes working internationally is essential for gaining perspective. “I found the Australian initiative and work ethic is valued abroad, but a global perspective is a feather in your bow, wherever you choose to live and work.”

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ALUMNAE Natalie Vladmiroff

Stephanie Anderson

Natalie Vladmiroff

Stephanie Anderson

Natalie Vladmiroff (2012) was one of 12 finalists to present her graduate collection to 1200 consumers and industry leaders at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival in March.

Four days later, her work went international. Chosen from 150 entries from 18 countries, Natalie exhibited her ‘UnReal’ collection at the iD International Emerging Designer Awards in Dunedin. After years of refining her designs, it felt like a reward.

“You have to be passionate about [fashion design],” Natalie says. “It can be challenging, but does pay off.”

Her ‘UnReal’ collection was formed during her honours year at UTS, where she completed a Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles Design in 2016. Her qualification required a dissertation and the design of 12 looks, six of which she produced and has now exhibited.

Natalie sought to subvert fashion perceptions through taxidermy symbolism, which she believes epitomizes the real and unreal. “The dissertation analysed the falseness of taxidermy and how the same thing exists in fashion,” she says.

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Her collection includes custom textile coats, skirts and dresses layered over trousers, shirts and dresses tied with silks and belt buckles. She describes it as “contemporary cowgirl meets taxidermy kitsch.” Natalie custom dyed cowhide in synthetic colours, used latch hooking and embroidered contrasting yarns to create furry textures.

Natalie has been interested in the intersection between art and fashion since high school. “I loved Textiles and Design and Visual Arts and studying fashion brought them together.” She credits her inspiration to her studies at Wenona.

“Art theory studied in high school opened up a world of artists and people to be inspired by.” Her UnReal collection was inspired by surrealist artist and sculptor Joseph Cornell.

Natalie dreams of developing a major fashion label. First, she will complete her Master’s in Fashion in New York, which she commenced in September.

Stephanie Anderson (Vogan, 1973) has served on the Wenona Alumnae Committee for 43 years. The year after she left, Stephanie attended the Old Girls’ Committee AGM. At the meeting, her teacher, Miss Langford, suggested Stephanie join. “That was 1974,” she says “and I have been on it since!”

Stephanie has cherished her involvement.

“It’s always been part of my life. I can’t imagine not being on it.” Over the years, Stephanie served in various roles and witnessed much change. She was Secretary on two occasions, and recalls typing letters and handwriting addresses on envelopes that were sent to some 400 committee members.

Responsible for memberships, Stephanie printed, collated and folded newsletters to send to alumnae members. She remembers folding hundreds the day before she got married! After children, she took up the role of Secretary again, and technology advancements made her job easier as all members’ names were transferred to a database.

Stephanie is thrilled alumnae are more involved in the school. In 2017 alone, alumnae attended a ‘Back to School’ event at Wenona, the Alumnae Mentoring Program was launched, and many girls attended Wenona Alumnae Professional Networking events. “I like that the old girls are involved with the present girls.

I think that’s really important.”

Serving on the Wenona Alumnae Spring Fair Café for a number of years, Stephanie loves meeting girls, staff and current parents. The Ut Prosim spirit the desire to serve - runs in her family.

Her mother, Natalie Vogan (Weir, 1946) served on the Old Girls’ Ball committee in the late ‘40s and her daughter, Rebecca Murray (Anderson, 2002) served on the committee for years.

“I encourage all young women to join the Alumnae Committee. It’s a wonderful way to meet Wenonians from all different age groups and leaving years and to keep in contact with the School.”

Natalie Maher When Senior Constable Natalie Maher (nee King) graduated from Wenona in 1987, she departed with the firm resolve to be a police officer in the water police.

Enticed by world travel and the opportunity to work in the banking and finance sector, Natalie was happily distracted for some years but the pull to be a police officer remained. In 2000 Natalie followed her ambition to join the NSW Police Force enrolling in a university diploma and undertaking her training at the academy in Goulburn.

Enjoying communications subjects at Wenona, Natalie has a particular talent for public speaking and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, age groups, life situations and experiences.

“I was a great communicator at school, and I enjoy standing up and speaking in front of people,” says Natalie.

Natalie embodies the Ut Prosim spirit and dedicates herself to serving the community. She strives to ensure the vulnerable among the community are able to be heard and have the endorsement of the NSW Police Force to assist them.

“Policing is a very varied career.

Although there are many unpleasant situations, I always have it in my mind that I am helping the community.”

Enjoying countless career highlights, Natalie recently received a Police Medal from the Commissioner of Police for her service, and in 2005 worked tirelessly to successfully reunite mother and child after an intense family court matter.

As a Youth Liaison Officer, Natalie is responsible for educating young people about keeping safe in the community, and cyber safety at school and home.

“I help these young people in improving their lives after being investigated for crimes.”

Natalie is pleased to see the progression of women in a traditionally male dominated police force. “There have been many fine women that have progressed through the ranks of the NSW Police Force. Women currently comprise approximately 40% of the police work force. There is much encouragement from senior officers through mentoring and career programs.

I am looking forward to the day a female Commissioner of Police is appointed.”

“I encourage all young women to join the Alumnae Committee. It’s a wonderful way to meet Wenonians from all different age groups and leaving years and to keep in contact with the school.”

Stephanie Anderson

Natalie Maher

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Stephanie believes the special sense of belonging has remained unchanged.

“We try to foster the feeling we are all one community. It’s what makes Wenona unique.”

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Founding members of the Wenona Student Environment Group: Imogen Gay, Jessica Hodgson, Charlotte Doughty and Rebecca Karnani

Jacqui Mills and ‘Wiggles’, a Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat

Serving our community Jacqui Mills

Spending carefree days in the Blue Mountains bushland instilled a love of wildlife in Jacqui Mills (1998); particularly for the endearingly rotund wombat. When Jacqui discovered one of Australia’s three wombat species was critically endangered with less than 200 remaining, she resolved to act.

In 2005, Jacqui became one of few people to come face-to-face with a Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat in Queensland’s remote Epping Forest National Park.

“I was was determined to see a wombat - these animals are notoriously secretive.

Late one night, the spotlight finally revealed a rustling in the grasses and a wombat’s rump scuttling away!” says Jacqui. Although the days were scorching hot and the park facilities basic, Jacqui was hooked. Years later, Jacqui joined The Wombat Foundation board. The foundation is the only organisation in Australia dedicated to saving the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Queensland’s most endangered mammal. “We’re a small team, so we rely on community

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input and generosity to fund conservation and research.” The gateway to the wombat community, Jacqui is delighted with the impact of the organisation.

When the Wenona Student Environment Group contacted the foundation this year, Jacqui was fundraising for a new wombat relocation site. “The contact from Wenona was very timely. We’ve seen 15 years of slow and steady wombat population growth and we’re now at 240 wombats. However, most of the wombats remain in a single population at Epping Forest National Park.” Whilst they are surrounded by a predator-proof fence, the species remains at serious risk in the event of fire, flood or disease outbreak. The foundation estimates that by 2020, the wombats will have little room to grow at the single site they currently occupy.

Taking out a four year membership with the foundation, Wenona’s Student Environment Group members reflect: “we came across the foundation in Year 8

when researching endangered Australian animals. After discovering how critically endangered the little-known Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat was, we were compelled to act. Wenona’s environmental group provided a platform to support the foundation, and spread awareness.

Raising funds to gain membership through selling chocolates was a simple way to engage students and staff with our cause - it has been a team effort and something to be very proud of.”

With 70 student members meeting weekly, the group can make a difference. The group, captained by Jessica Bradbury, represents the school at environmental events and provides students with a collective voice about environmental concerns. Mr Andrew Kirkwood, one of the group convenors, says “the group runs direct action projects with the aim of improving our environment, promoting environmental awareness in the school and raising funds for selected environmental organisations.”

Kate Carey: 2017 Wenona Alumnae Scholarship recipient Kate Carey of Year 11 embodies the essence of the Wenona Alumnae Scholarship - active contribution across all aspects of school life and a genuine service to the school; in keeping with the motto Ut Prosim, that I may serve.

Holly Dawson and Kate Carey, scholarship recipients

Holly Dawson: 2017 Barbara Jackson Scholarship recipient Holly feels incredibly lucky to have worn the Wenona crest since Kindergarten.

Now in Year 10, Holly was awarded the Barbara Jackson Scholarship this year as a young woman who takes advantage of all the school has to offer in the classroom, on the sporting field, on the stage, in leadership and in service.

Whilst she is well known for sport, Holly also enjoys public speaking, debating and performing arts and has been involved in choirs since Kindergarten!

Holly believes a Wenonian is a young woman who makes the most of all available opportunities. “I like to think a Wenonian is strong, resilient and respectful of those around them; someone who acts truthfully with integrity and intelligence.”

Holly is consistently among the top group of students for all her subjects, and she has enjoyed the challenges extension Mathematics and English have provided.She is well known for her sporting ability, and has represented Wenona in various competitions including cross country, athletics and hockey. She also plays local club sports and was selected in the Girls’ NSW U15 Hockey Squad last year, and still finds time to coach a Mosman hockey team and umpire indoor hockey.

How will this Wenonian make the most of her opportunities? “I am lucky to have been exposed to such a variety of interesting possibilities in my time at Wenona - music, sport, science and engineering challenges. The STEM course at Wenona has interested me in a career in engineering, and after school, I would love to study agricultural engineering or sustainability.” Holly is very proud of being awarded this scholarship and is very grateful to the Wenona Alumnae.

Kate loves trying new things and pushing herself out of her comfort zone, embracing school camps, music, sport, debating, Duke of Edinburgh, SLIC and the Service Learning Tour to Laos last year. “My time at Wenona has allowed me to try so many different activities and find what I love”, Kate says. “Without the school, I would never have had the chance to be involved in school musicals and concerts, debating, human rights clubs, netball, or touch football.

I know so many girls have found what makes them special during their time at Wenona”.

Kate wowed the audiences as the ‘practically perfect in every way’ Mary Poppins in the recent musical, and has been a very active member of all things musical over her six years at Wenona.

She recognises the impact of a strong school community on her development.

“The community at Wenona has instilled a confidence in myself and in what makes me unique. I am also very grateful for the academic benefits of attending a school like Wenona and how it will prepare me for when I leave the school.”

Kate is very grateful to the Wenona Alumnae for the donation of this scholarship. “This scholarship allows me to continue learning, growing, and contributing to the school, which I have loved doing over the past years. I am incredibly honoured to have received this and to be recognised as someone who embodies the school and all that it stands for.”

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Scholarship recipients

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Alumna success Professor Jane McAdam awarded prestigious human rights prize

The very first Australian to be awarded the esteemed Calouste Gulbenkian Prize, Scientia Professor Jane McAdam (1992) embodies Wenona’s commitment to empowering and educating young women to serve and shape their world.

The very first Australian to be awarded the esteemed Calouste Gulbenkian Prize, Scientia Professor Jane McAdam (1992) embodies Wenona’s commitment to empowering and educating young women to serve and shape their world.

Sharing the prize of 100 000 Euros with the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Jane is recognised for her work to create enduring legal solutions to the multifaceted challenges inherent in forced migration. Jane’s pioneering work on displacement linked to the impacts of climate change and disasters was found to be ‘transformative’ by the judging panel.

Jane reflects that her years of learning at Wenona underscored the axiom ‘that I may serve’ and the significance of service to the broader community.

“Giving back was instilled in us at Wenona as part of the culture. It inspires my work in international human rights and refugee law; I am continually looking at serving through the lens of international law.”

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ALUMNAE Jane McAdam and Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau

Speaking at the Intelligence Squared Debate, Sydney Town Hall, June 2017

Serving on the Wenona board until recently, Jane believes that Wenona’s support for the talents of each and every student remains a core part of the school’s ethos. “We were a small year group and there was a strong sense of valuing every individual girl - the teaching staff focused on drawing out our strengths and talents and encouraging us to make the most of them. For instance, for my HSC I did not study maths or science, instead I chose subjects I felt passionate about - this was encouraged at Wenona.

in law and history from the University of Sydney and a doctorate in law from the University of Oxford. She has served on a number of international committees and has published widely.

She is an expert advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and has been honoured as one of Australia’s ‘Top Ten Women of Influence.’

Wenona fostered an intellectual curiosity, a strong work ethic, a love of learning and a dedication to following passions. We had supportive teachers and excellent end-of-year results.”

Jane has enjoyed an inspiring and accomplished career. She was bestowed the title Scientia Professor

by UNSW in acknowledgement of her outstanding research performance.

She has first class honours degrees

The Calouste Gulbenkian award was presented by the President of the Portugese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at a gala ceremony in Lisbon in July this year. “Winning the prize is a humbling experience given the number of worthy recipients. I am delighted to share it with an outstanding NGO, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee.

By recognising both of us, the jury has acknowledged both the importance of day-to-day, on-the-ground work to assist refugees, as well as the need for longer-term, strategic thinking.

The world still needs to foster greater international cooperation on refugee protection, and to see refugees as

valuable future citizens, not as a drain on society. Indeed, all the evidence shows that, given the opportunity, refugees are some of our greatest contributors economically, socially and intellectually.

There are countless examples of refugees doing very positive things.”

In January 2018, with their new baby son in tow, Jane and her partner Ben are heading to Harvard Law School for six months. Ben will take up the Chair of Australian Studies and Jane will be a Visiting Fellow in the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program.

“Wenona fostered an intellectual curiosity, a strong work ethic, a love of learning and a dedication to following passions.”

Jane McAdam

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Helen Gourlay (Leverrier, 1983), Jazmin Schmatloch (Yr 12), Louise Leverrier (Roseby, 1956), Heidi Schmatloch (Yr 10), Cath Schmatloch (Leverrier 1983)

The Leverrier Family Five generations of Wenonians

The Leverrier women span over a century of life at Wenona. From Beatrice Leverrier’s time at the school in the late 1890s and early 1900s to her great-great-grandchildren Heidi and Jazmin Schmatloch’s presence at Wenona today, five generations of this family have witnessed much change and progress and have woven themselves into the rich historical fabric of the school.

For Louise Leverrier, Wenona holds fond memories for her of her early years at the school in the mid 1940s. Louise remembers the headmistress, Miss Edith Ralston, very well, as she acted as guardian to the young Louise for a period of time before she started school.

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“We lived very close to school - in Morton Street - and my cousin Sue Heron and I walked together every day. We played tunnel ball and captain ball at the oval at the top of the street.

Our PE classes were spent running in egg and spoon and sack races.” Fast forward nearly 70 years to today to the world of competitive sports Louise’s granddaughters now reside in with both girls playing touch football and netball and Jazmin captaining netball for the school.

Louise’s daughters Catherine and Helen and daughter-in-law Ingrid attended Wenona in the 1980s during the time Barbara Jackson (BJ) was Principal.

Ingrid Mitchell graduated with Catherine

in 1983 and went on to marry Cath’s brother and become a part of the Leverrier family. Reflecting on the transformations at the school since her time, Cath observed that in addition to the physical changes such as new buildings both built and acquired, the most fundamental difference is the overarching presence of technology in all aspects of school life. “There were no computers or printers or mobile phones when I was at school. Exams and assignments were all handwritten I remember how sore my fingers used to be, gripped around a pen for hours!”

Looking across the global timeline of the last century, the world has witnessed events that shaped the course of history.

The Leverrier family value their extensive history at the school and enjoy attending Foundation Day and other Wenona events together. Miriam Leverrier gave the Foundation Day address in 1945 which is kept in the school archives today. They share a strong bond with School House, with all family members being placed in this house over the decades.

Whilst progress and time continue to march forwards at Wenona, there are elements that have comfortingly

experienced little change at all.

Wenona’s passion for educational excellence and commitment to the development of the girls in its care is as fervent today as it was in Beatrice Leverrier’s time. Jazmin, whose time at Wenona is soon coming to an end with her Year 12 graduation in sight, is emotional about her experience at the school. “I have loved my years here.

Wenona sends very influential messages to young women. Our role in society has changed. Women are independent and empowered - there is nothing to stop us from achieving.” Miriam Leverrier was ahead of her time in this regard, being one of 13 girls to sit the leaving certificate in 1929 and going on to become one of the first women ever to enrol in law at The University of Sydney.

Cath also contemplates the balance between celebrating advancement and respecting tradition. “There have been many changes at Wenona over the years. However, whilst there has been change, there is much that has remained the same. My girls - as I did, and my mother before me - feel a real sense of community at Wenona - and that hasn’t changed. Wenonians are very confident girls and always strive to do their best. I remember it exactly like that.

Refreshingly, that hasn’t changed a bit.”

Mrs Beatrice Leverrier nee Cole late 1890s/early 1900s - Deceased (Mother of Miriam)

Mrs Miriam Roseby nee Leverrier 1929 - Deceased (Mother of Louise)

Mrs Louise Leverrier nee Roseby 1956 (Mother of Cath and Helen)

Mrs Cath Schmatloch nee Leverrier 1983

Mrs Helen Gourlay nee Leverrier 1986

(Mother of Jazmin and Heidi)

Miss Heidi Schmatloch

Miss Jazmin Schmatloch

Currently Year 10

Currently Year 12

“There were no computers or printers or mobile phones when I was at school. Exams and assignments were all handwritten - I remember how sore my fingers used to be, gripped around a pen for hours!”

Cath Schmatloch

Mrs Louise Leverrier, nee Roseby (1956) - front row, third from left

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These events touched the Leverrier women too over their generational divides. Beatrice Leverrier and her daughter Miriam (attended Wenona in the 1920s) would have felt firsthand the hardships of the First World War. Louise remembers the sound of the air raid sirens - a signal to the Wenona girls to move quickly to the long trenches dug into the school oval to provide safety for the girls. “I remember the day World War II ended - we were sent home early with medals to celebrate.” The modern day has seen a linkage with this aspect of her family’s past, as last year Jazmin completed the gruelling 115 km Kokoda trail with her father.

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Reunion news Class of 1952 Five ‘oldies’ were available for a reunion lunch on Saturday 30 September in Neutral Bay. “It was great to catch-up; lots of reminiscing!”

Lindy Lane (Barnett, 1952) Class of 1957 Twenty three excited ‘girls’ came together in June for their 60 year reunion at Northbridge Golf Club. Classmates as far afield as Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and country New South Wales made the journey, bringing with them memorabilia and plenty of memories to share. “The prefects’ blazer with embroidered pocket and sporting achievements was worn by Gillian, Lesley had her signed 1955 blouse and Elaine’s hat did the rounds. Many old photos were shared of our days at Wenona; geology excursions to Balmoral and Yass, plus the day Wenona took part in the Old North Sydney Celebrations.

We sang the school song heartily, promising and hoping to all be around to attend our next reunion in March 2020.”

Elaine Caldwell (Watt, 1957)

Class of 1957. Sitting left to right: Bronwen (Judd) Mitchell, Jan (Coleman) Roberts, Pam (Wiley) Mance, Isobel Humphery, Wendy (Small) Baird, Jan (Bonthorne) Trench, Jan (Just) Clifford, Annette (Jacob) Inwood, Top row from the left: Marg (Simmat) Keith, Helen (Morrison) Curll, Roslyn (Coulter) Lambert, Diana (Murphy) McIntosh, Gillian Boulton-Lewis, Helen (Hudson) Ling, Lesley Battersby) Cameron, Georgie (Reynolds) Handley, Lesley (Hodgson) Hackshall, Susan (Wallis) Jeffers, Sandra (Saxton) Goddard, Roslyn (Broadfoot) Maguire, Helen (Myers) Spencer, and Elaine (Watt) Caldwell.

Class of 1967 “The Class of 1967 celebrated their 50 year reunion in The Independent Theatre on Saturday 23 September. It was a buzzy atmosphere with lots of laughs as we remembered our days at Wenona; the bloomer inspections, the Penny Mile, the Monks Bench and sunning our legs with coconut oil in the bottom playground.

Our time at Wenona spanned three Principals; Edith Ralston, Frances Mills and Barbara Jackson. Our year was also the ‘guinea pig’ year for the very first HSC and 6th Form. We were delighted that so many girls travelled from interstate and we have agreed to meet informally a couple of times per year and hold another reunion in 5 years’ time.”

Di Crebbin (1967) Class of 1967 - 50 Year Reunion

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ALUMNAE Class of 1997

Class of 2007 (left to right) Jessica McConnell, Elise Perry, Sally McBride

Class of 1971 - A fitting tribute

Class of 1997

Class of 2007

“The Class of ’71 were so sorry to hear about the death of our dear friend Sue Godwin on 31 January this year.

Sue was a much-loved girl in our class.

We held a tribute/wake for Sue in May at The Greens, across the road from Wenona and Sue’s old Boarding House in Ridge Street. Everyone shared their memories of Sue and her inspirational life which is proving to be a catalyst for the Class of ‘71 to keep in touch and start looking after each other a little more than we have in the past.”

Cathy Bray (1971)

The cohort of 1997 held their 20 year reunion on Saturday 7 October, 2017.

After a very lively School tour, a group of 45 gathered at The Greens in North Sydney. Thanks to Lucy Byers (Pantling) and Kate MacDonald who teamed up to co-ordinate this celebration.

An impressive 50 girls turned out to celebrate the Class of 2007’s 10-year reunion in July. Event organisers Sally McBride and Elise Perry said it was a fantastic night and so lovely to hear all the amazing things that everyone has been up to, whether it was travelling, studying or embarking on impressive careers.

Class of 1977 ‘The Wonderful Wenona Spirit’ was celebrated at the 40 year reunion of the Class of 1977 held on 16 September 2017. The organising committee headed up by Sue Murray (Ohlsson) said “the evening was such a success, we are planning another in five years. To those who were unable to make it, we missed you and hope you can join us next time. We raised a glass to those that have sadly left us but remain forever in our hearts and memories.”

Class of 2002 A fabulous 14 girls enjoyed a relaxed afternoon at The Greens in North Sydney to mark 15 years since leaving School. Reunion Co-ordinator Jane Shaw said “everything went really well and the venue was perfect for the casual catch up; babies and all.”

Class of 2012 The Class of 2012 held their five year reunion on 14 October, 2017 at the Treehouse Hotel in North Sydney.

Rebecca Cavenagh, appointed alumnae representative for this cohort, organised this celebration.

Class of 1987 The 30 year reunion for the Class of ’87 was held on Saturday 1 November, 2017 at The Greens in North Sydney.

Kate Crowe (Donoghoe) organised this event.

Class of 2002 - (left to right) Kate Gerahty, Olivia Skinner, Sophie Purcell, Alex Day, Helen Caldwell, Kate Jarman, Annabelle Jones, Vanessa Walsh, Jane Shaw (McBride), Celia Mander-Jones, Lucy Greenyer, Andrea Lau (Henning), Amanda Guy, Ellie Waterhouse

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Alumnae Networking Events New York, Canberra, Sydney

Gabrielle Grech, Jessica Wright, Dr Scott, Ashley Metcalfe and Sarah Linney in New York

Jennifer Burns and Patricia Mulcare, connecting in Canberra

Alumnae in New York On Thursday 6 July, 2017, at a beautiful restaurant on the Lower West side of New York, Wenonians from all walks of life congregated for a meal and a chat! The Creative Arts Tour 2017 was in town, along with one Year 10 and two Year 9 students who were studying as part of the Oxbridge Summer Study Program, and a number of our alumnae.

Yes - the Principal rocked up and there were a number of staff, and a couple of parents! It was a joy to connect and to introduce ourselves to Wenonians past and present. Our alumnae included Professor Dell Kingsford-Smith (1976), Melissa Calderwood (1991), Karina Gulesserian (Kanjian, 2006), Ashley Metcalfe (2007), Sarah Linney (2007), Gabrielle Grech (2011) and Jessica Wright (2011).

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Dr Scott dines with the Creative Arts Tour and members of the local alumnae in New York.

ALUMNAE Wenona alumnae, Canberra

Lindsay Mackerras and Susan King in Canberra

Connecting our Community in Canberra Wenona hosted a casual catch up in Canberra for alumnae and parents, on Saturday 27 May. ‘Connecting our Community’ saw three Wenona staff and 15 alumnae and parents sipping, snacking and chatting the afternoon away at the Library Bar in Peppers Gallery Hotel in New Acton. Graduating years ranged from 1951 to 2010, with equally strong and happy memories of Wenona.

It was wonderful to see older and younger alumnae connecting so easily and generously during the afternoon, and so apparent that their Wenona experiences shaped the professional women they had each become.

Alumnae Networking Event, Sydney

Sydney Networking Event

A small and cheerful group of alumnae enjoyed catching up with a drink whilst overlooking the city lights from the new PwC building in Barangaroo. Our diverse cohort chatted and reminisced while we listened to Luisa Horton (2005) share the story of her impressive, yet multi-faceted career in corporate tax.

Luisa’s message to all alumnae, “always be open to new pathways because nothing is set in stone.”

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Dates for the diary Wenona Alumnae AGM

Brisbane Alumnae Networking Event

Monday 20 November, 2017 alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au

Wednesday 8 August, 2018 alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au

Women of Spirit Breakfast

Sydney Alumnae Networking Event

Friday 4 May, 2018 alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au

Tuesday 21 August, 2018 alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au

Dubbo Community Event

WPA Gala Ball

Saturday 20 May, 2018 alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au

Saturday 4 August, 2018 alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au

Wagga Wagga Community Event Friday 15 June, 2018 alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au

2018 Reunions The School is seeking reunion coordinators for the following year groups: Class of 1958 - 60 Year Class of 1968 - 50 Year Class of 1978 - 40 Year Class of 1988 - 30 Year Class of 1993 - 25 Year Class of 1998 - 20 Year Class of 2003 - 15 Year Class of 2008 - 10 Year Class of 2013 - 5 Year

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White & Blue Reunion Tuesday 13 March, 2018 We welcome all graduating alumnae from 1977 onwards to lunch and tour the School grounds. alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au Please contact the Wenona Community Relations Office on (02) 9955 3000 or email alumnae@wenona.nsw.edu.au to find out how to register as a coordinator and book a School tour.

All reunion dates are subject to change.

ALUMNAE

Tributes In fond memory We acknowledge the passing of the following Wenonians and friends of the School and give thanks for their diverse contributions.

Susan Margaret Godwin (1971) passed away on 31 January, 2017 Helen Gardner (Ruhfus, 1954) passed away on 5 December, 2016 Rosemary Eastway (Field, 1943) passed away on 15 September, 2016 Prue Jenkins (1976) passed away on 10 November, 2016 Elaine Roberts (1945) passed away on 24 August, 2015 Tonia Oswald-Sealy (1988) passed away on 1 April, 2017 Virgina McCoy Irwin (1952) passed away on 16 June, 2017 Holly Fallows (1958) passed away on 10 May, 2017 Mary Appleby (Fox, 1945) passed away on 23 May, 2017 Margaret June Burness (Mutton, 1958) passed away 8 April, 2017 Helen Edith Lethbridge (Clarke, 1939) passed away on 24 June, 2017 Cecile Tucker (Waley,1939) passed away on 4 April, 2016 Suzanne Hicks (Pascoe, 1949) passed away on 22 February, 2017 Tempe Merewether (Helsham, 1940) passed away on 24 May, 2017 Peg Read (Love, 1941) passed away in May 2017 Sarah Taylor (Peterson, 1986) passed away 23 January, 2017 Beverley Gabriel (Bush, 1944) passed away 24 March, 2016 Sue Clilverd (McGowan, 1958) passed away on 22 August 2015 Sheila MacPherson (1930) passed away on 1 September, 2016 Jill Vaughan (Steward, 1947) passed away on 8 February, 2016 Rosemary Kitchin (Evans, 1957) passed away in December, 2016 Patricia Mary Maher (Webb, 1962) passed away on 15th September, 2017

Susan Margaret Godwin (1971)

Helen Gardner (Ruhfus, 1954)

Rosemary Eastway (Field, 1943)

Sue passed away on 31 January, 2017.

She grew up in Coonamble with an enduring love of the land and boarded at Wenona from 1965. She was a popular, memorable student, not least because of her sense of fun and uncompromising honesty. She was multi-talented: a prefect, a kind boarding house captain, junior netball captain, Tildesley Shield champion and a pianist. In 1974 she even won ‘Miss Royal Easter Showgirl’ for her knowledge of rural issues. She earned an outstanding B.Sc. in Armidale and became an inspiring teacher. Further diplomas led to her teaching adults and private students and she is fondly remembered by many for making a difference to their lives.

Helen passed away in her sleep on 5 December, 2016, after a weekend celebrating her 80th birthday with family and friends. She spent many happy years at Wenona where she developed a love of the arts in all its forms. In her later years, Helen went to Anglia University in Cambridge and graduated with an arts degree at the age of 63.

The Wenona School Song, which Helen and school friend, Audrey Raymond, sang at parties, was played at Helen’s funeral.

Rosemary Eastway passed away on September 15, 2016, aged 89. She was both a student and, briefly, a Geography and French teacher at Wenona. Rosemary was the middle of three generations of her family who went to Wenona - following her mother, Kathleen Fulcher Field, and ahead of her daughter, Janet McGuigan (Eastway). Rosemary studied at The University of Sydney then became a social worker at the Crippled Children’s Association and the Child Guidance Clinic. Rosemary loved community work and enjoyed spending time with friends, family and grandchildren.

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Tributes Tonia Oswald-Sealy (1988) Tonia Oswald-Sealy passed away in April, 2017, after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease only a few years ago. She was at Wenona from Kindergarten through to Year 12; became a firefighter, and lived in Albury with her husband Jim Browne and their daughter Jessica, now 5. Tonia was a keen sportswoman and loved snowboarding and mountain biking.

Tonia Oswarld-Sealy. Photo by Tara Goonan, Border Mail

Helen Lethbridge (Clarke, 1939) and Cecile ‘Buzz’ Tucker (Waley,1939) Helen and Cecile were next-door neighbours since they were toddlers and best friends for life. Both were educated at Wenona and always spoke lovingly about School, especially about Miss Ralston. After Buzz and her husband moved to Mollymook some years ago, she and Helen phoned each other every Saturday, no exceptions.

Helen used to say, ‘Gosh I hope Buzz and I depart on the same day - otherwise one of us will be sad and lonely.’

She almost got her wish: Buzz passed away on 4 April 2016, and Helen on 24 June, 2016.

Virgina Irwin (Ludlow, 1952) Virginia passed away peacefully on 16 June, 2017. She was just four years old when she started at Wenona, where she cultivated her love of writing plays and poetry. At just 11 years old, one of her plays aired on radio and another won an Eisteddfod when she was 12.

It seemed natural to become a writer and Virginia was a cadet journalist for the Sydney Sun when she met her husband Jim, also a journalist. In their later years, they travelled as much as possible; Virginia loved New York and Rio - and apparently Rio was the last thing she spoke and smiled about.

Members of Tonia’s class, led by Catriona Dixon, have raised money for an award to be given in Tonia’s name, to a girl with courage, determination and an adventurous spirit. As Ms Dixon says, “Tonia had great tenacity; we hope her legacy inspires that in other Wenonians - to stand strong as who they are”.

Peg Read (Love, 1941) Peg Read (Love, 1941) passed away on 3 May 2017, surrounded by her large extended and adoring family.

Peg spoke very fondly of her years at Wenona, which included her final year as School Captain. Starting in Grade 1, she spent many happy years there enjoying tennis, poetry and Geology and also making several firm friendships which were to last a lifetime.

In her own quiet way she led her life by the school’s motto - ‘That I may serve’, always being there for others.

In 1949 she married Warwick Read, a dentist from Killara and together they created a loving and happy home for their 4 children. Peg’s later years saw her continue her love of tennis and volunteering up until the age of 83. Her two sisters attended Wenona; Lynette Rossiter (1946) and Joan Trembath (Dec 1944).

Helen Lethbridge and Cecile ‘Buzz’ Tucker

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Our engaged Wenona community

Sophie McCarthy (1985) and Tessa Sexton (1993) of McCarthy Mentoring with Dr Scott at the opening of the Alumnae Mentoring Program

Sally Douvis with Sarine Soghomonian at the Year 12 Alumnae Lunch 2017

Guest speaker Alex Lisney (Green 2005) and Dr Scott with Hermes Taione of Kindergarten at Foundation Day 2017

WPA Committee Members Rachel Banks, Victoria Fox-Smith, Denise Harvey and Michele Baric with Dr Briony Scott at the ‘Mother’s Day Classic’ walk

Dr Scott welcomed a visit from alumna, Mrs Philippa Poole (1950)

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