WestMAC Mag Edition 1 2017

...I think all of this helped shape who I am today p4 Life lessons from Lauren p1 Annabel’s back! p2 Coffee with Glinda p6 EDITION 1 2017

EDITION 1 2017

COVER Jake Greer, Squirrel Design Studio.

See full story page 4.

CONTENTS

1

Life lessons from Lauren

2

Annabel’s back!

3

Looking forward, giving back

4

10 questions with Jake

6

Coffee with Glinda

7

Alumni snapshots

8

Improving student engagement

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Class of 2006 - 10 Year Reunion

CONTRIBUTORS We wish to thank everyone who contributed stories and photos to make this edition possible.

DESIGN Redtrike Creative Co. ENQUIRIES T (07) 3813 4555 E collegenews@wmac.com.au 8 Keswick Road, Karrabin IPSWICH 4306 This publication highlights the stories of the WestMAC community. Although the College has made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct, we do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

If you would like to make a contribution to the next edition, please email alumni@wmac.com.au

From the Principal We recently celebrated our annual Founders’ Day. In my address, I drew on human age as a metaphor to describe a 24-year-old West Moreton Anglican College (WestMAC). The WestMAC community has well and truly traversed its adolescent years – that awkward, in‑between phase of life we all go through when, while no longer children, we also don’t feel like we quite fit in with the grown-ups either.

As we approach our Silver anniversary in 2018, it is important for us to continue to develop our programs to embed ourselves as a leader and mature contributor to education in this region. The challenge is to take our place without stagnating. With age and experience, we rightly become more confident, and more self-assured. We have found ways of doing things that work, and an identity that gives us a sense of belonging and pride.

The risk of this phase of life is the temptation to dust off our hands and think we’ve arrived. As soon as we do that, as soon as we start resting on our history and reproducing things the way we’ve always done them, we stop being a healthy living thing engaged in an ongoing process of becoming. We ossify from living, malleable tissue into dry bones. We stop becoming and start dying because what got us here won’t get us there.

I trust you will enjoy reading about just some recent highlights and insights into our alumni and topics of interest around the WestMAC community.

In closing, I warmly invite all past and present members of the WestMAC family to reconnect - or remain connected - as we approach the celebration of our first 25 years in July 2018. We have much to celebrate and be thankful for.

Geoff McLay principal

Life lessons with Lauren Legal television (TV) shows Suits, Law and Order and Boston Legal had 2008 graduate and law student Lauren Crome champing at the bit to work in criminal law.

However, as she told the students at a recent Scholars’ Assembly, life is not as glamorous as a TV show; you have to be prepared to do anything.

This was just one of four ‘life lessons’ she passed onto the students.

services, Lauren decided she wanted to be a lawyer.

The other lessons were to participate in extra-curricular activities, get involved in sport and “don’t forget to laugh along the way”.

She told the students that her first job with a law firm did not pan out like her favourite legal TV shows.

Principal Geoff McLay said that Lauren was an example of her ‘life lessons’, having been a member of the Band and participating in Cross Country and Swimming while at school.

Lauren also held several leadership positions, but the most significant was being College Captain in her final year.

“However, Lauren told me that her finest memories of WestMAC were the lasting relationships she forged across the entire school and those are still strong today,” Mr McLay said.

Lauren was awarded a scholarship at the Queensland University of Technology and completed a five‑and‑a‑half‑year dual degree in Law and Journalism.

During her studies and while working part-time in legal

Lauren is now working as an Employment Lawyer dealing with workplace issues such as harassment and discrimination.

“I spent all of my time driving Barristers to and from Court, which was so nerve-wracking because I’m not a particularly good driver. I had to drive my boss’ brand new car and there were lots of moments where I stalled the car,” she laughed.

“I spent my days making coffee, doing the mail and filing, answering phone calls and taking the office puppy to her appointments.”

Lauren told the story of posting a pile of mail only to find it returned a few days later as she had forgotten to address the envelopes.

“Thankfully my boss was not too annoyed at me.”

“It is important to remember that mistakes can happen and, if they do, try not to beat yourself up about them,” she advised.

Lauren told the students not to undervalue activities outside of study and work.

“Because they really impact on your motivation; your energy levels will increase and this will influence how well you perform in your study or work,” she said.

Lauren also extolled the virtues of sport.

“The discipline that comes from sport can be very useful to study or work,” she said.

“Being physically fit means you are able to push yourself harder.

The leadership skills I gained from sport have also been useful in handling different personalities within my team.”

Her final words of advice were to never forget to “laugh along the way”.

“As Charlie Chaplin once said - a day without laughter is a day wasted.”

“I have learned that success is not achieved without failure. There will be ups and downs, and things don’t always go as you may plan.

But my advice is to make the most of the moment, nothing is ever as bad as it may seem.”

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Annabel’s back!

A backyard treehouse was the first classroom for talented portrait artist Annabel Simmonds who has returned to WestMAC as an Art and Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) teacher, after graduating from the College in 2006.

“I never imagined I would be a teacher but I love my new career,” Annabel said.

Annabel studied a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Gallery Studies major) at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba with the dream of opening her own gallery.

That dream became reality when she opened Attic Art Space.

But Annabel wanted more.

After a chat with her mum, she decided to enrol in an Education degree.

“Mum reminded me how I used to make my cousins be my ‘class’ in our treehouse, and how I would ring my Aunts and Uncles if they hadn’t completed their set homework.”

Annabel says her initial forays into teaching were a challenge.

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“My first two years of teaching were not in very nice, inclusive environments and I felt isolated due to being offered only short‑term teaching contracts,” she said.

So, when a job opportunity came up at the College, Annabel applied because she has always held great memories of her time as a student.

I never imagined I would be a teacher but I love my new career Since becoming a teacher at WestMAC, Annabel says she has flourished.

“I love the level of engagement between the staff and students,” she said.

“I feel as though I am truly part of a community.”

Annabel believes her particular teaching strengths lie in her attitude to Art. “I think Art should have a function, be sustainable, biodegradable, and be seen as a business not just as decorative expression,” she said.

Annabel says that she is exactly where she wants to be and loves her job.

“Be happy in the moment but you also need to work hard and put yourself forward.”

Looking forward, giving back One of the College’s strategic priorities is to create and maintain high quality, inviting and flexible spaces that optimise student learning (Strategic Plan 2016‑2018).

The Science Precinct major refurbishment was recently completed, including state‑of‑the‑art laboratories with improved layouts for storage, an extended preparation area,

and safe amenities for chemical storage endorsed by Workplace Health and Safety.

Over the next two years, the College is embarking on an ambitious construction project; improving the built environment and ensuring that it is both enabling and adaptive to current and future technologies.

Together, the generous and supportive WestMAC community

Relocating Year 6 classrooms from the Middle School to create a collective and unified identity for the students in the Junior School.

Senior School Precinct

.. .. ..

Becoming a donor is a special way of making a difference. Give back to WestMAC today. Donations of all sizes make a difference to the lives of our students.

To provide a tax‑deductible gift to WestMAC visit www.wmac. com.au/community or email giving@wmac.com.au

Timeline: May 2017 to Nov 2017 Build cost: $3.2 million (approx.)

Junior School Precinct

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can make these aspiring dreams a reality.

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Relocating the Junior School administration office as an entry point for students, parents, staff and visitors to the sub-school.

Timeline: Dec 2017 to late 2018 Build cost: $4.5 million (approx.)

Undertaking a major Senior School Precinct project to provide modern classrooms, reception, offices, student services, study facilities, student kitchen and covered amphitheatre/ lecture space.

Creating an open physical environment that fosters a collaborative learning environment between students, parents and staff.

Promoting student learning communities through flexible learning spaces.

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10 questions with Jake Jake Greer studied at WestMAC from Prep to Year 7, when his family relocated to North Queensland in 2004. He is one of Brisbane’s up and coming illustrators, joining Squirrel Design Studio, the creators of a unique range of greeting designs.

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What are you doing now?

I work full-time as part of Squirrel Design Studio (Squirrel). I’ve been involved since its initial conception.

My main role is that of an illustrator, however I also run the social media accounts and do other graphic design work where required.

2 How did you get started?

While studying an animation degree, I worked part-time at Metro News Indooroopilly, for Brett and Ellen Deans. Years later in 2015, Brett and Ellen were at a gift and card fair in New York looking for new brands to bring back to their shop. Disappointed from what was on offer, Brett thought he could create better concepts than what he saw.

Shortly after this he asked me to join him at Squirrel.

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3 What are you working on at the moment?

We have two new card ranges of about 64 designs that we are ready to launch, both of which have distinctly different artistic styles to each other, and the original designs.

One is called the ‘Australiana’ range which is the most detailed artwork I’ve ever done. The other has more of a stylised pencil outline with a watercolour look. I’ve had a lot of fun drawing these ranges as it is reminiscent of the way I would draw in my free time before Squirrel.

4 What inspires you?

In primary school (while at WestMAC) I would constantly be borrowing out the ‘Just...’ series of books by Andy Griffiths or the ‘Captain Underpants’ series by Dav Pilkey. As a child I enjoyed both for their stories. I was most intrigued by the comical illustrations and I would often

emulate that style in my own drawings. The latter book, in particular, inspired classmate Sam Macey and myself to make our own comic book series starring cartoon versions of our pet dogs. I guess I pictured myself becoming a cartoonist or animator for a children’s TV show or something similar.

I can draw similarities from how I approached drawing, then to how I go about it now, but there are intricacies and details in my artwork now that I wouldn’t have considered including back then. Brett always says to make our designs ‘artistic’ and not ‘cartoony’.

5 W hat’s your favourite character and why?

I have always been fond of the Genie from Aladdin. How the animators in tandem with Robin Williams’ energetic voice-acting

brought a 2D drawing to life has always astounded me. I think the ability for animators to immerse the audience with a character like that is underrated.

I think my time at WestMAC helped shape who I am today.

Our favourite character is an elderly tortoise called Mr Galapagos who appears from time to time across a few of our card designs. We like him a lot and are happy to see him getting around... albeit slowly.

I think everyone expects me to say Art or Graphics were my favourite subjects. I enjoyed them, and at times they probably were, but that was something I could easily take upon myself to do in my own time.

I was definitely a mathematics student. It just made sense to me. By the end of my schooling I was doing Maths B, Maths C and Physics.

6 W hat are your fondest memories of your time at WestMAC? I was at WestMAC for my artistic formative years and I am thankful for the encouragement of both my peers and teachers. I always felt I had a creative outlet during my time at the College. I remember several occasions where classmates would ask me to draw a picture for them during lunch break. A drawing of Super Mario and Yoshi was a common request!

I remember class-wide performances we’d put on for younger classes; trying out different types of artistic styles in Year 4 Art lessons; creating comic-strips in Year 6 featuring our weekly spelling lists; and in Year 7 creating a stop-motion plasticine animation with Timothy Barnes.

There’s more I could mention but

7 What were your favourite subjects at school?

8 If you knew then, what you know now….

It can be notoriously hard to make a career as an Artist. There was a period of time after completing my degree where I didn’t have any design work. I was feeling rather disheartened and not interested in pursuing it anymore. I was even considering a different career path.

I think I would’ve spent more time focussed on this path, not straying, and honing my skills on a graphics tablet, if I had known that I would eventually end up doing this for a living.

9 H ow would you describe yourself?

For someone who has a very sedentary job in front of a computer, I have a lot of energy to burn when I’m not working.

I would describe myself as social.

I spend most of my free time with family and friends at various engagements. I also consider myself quite generous, whether that be with my time or otherwise.

I think most of all I would describe myself as a bit of a Nintendo geek, which has informed a lot of my life (including practicing drawing their characters) – this is something that I treasure.

10 W here can people find your cards?

They are currently on sale at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre at Metro News and Mott & Mulberry.

However, in the coming weeks we have quite a few new retailers that will stock the new range; across the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and a range of Brisbane suburbs. I will be sure to update the stockists on our social media accounts! /SquirrelDS /squirreldesignstudio

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Annabelle Harbison (Class of 2014) recently sat down with us over coffee to chat about life post-WestMAC and her performance as Glinda in the Ipswich Musical Theatre Company’s (IMTC) version of Wicked.

Q Tell

us a little bit about your Wicked performance late last year?

Playing Glinda in Wicked was an absolute dream come true! Working with such a professional creative team in a professional setting was extremely valuable and a truly unforgettable experience.

My inner five-year-old was screaming in delight when winning the role of Glinda. I am such a pink girly-girl, so I adored the curly wig and big dresses of the costumes.

Q How did WestMAC prepare you for your career?

I wasn’t the most academic student but now, looking back, I feel that the WestMAC standard of schooling and teacher professionalism is so much higher than those of the schools of my uni peers. I’m thankful for my time at WestMAC; helping me get to where I am now.

Q How did you get into musicals?

Photo courtesy of Mark Duffus for Ipswich Musical Theatre Company.

It was a chance attendance in Sydney in 2009 to see the musical Wicked that stole my heart forever.

I was already a singer and dancer and I knew I had to be like those performers on stage and try out for musicals too.

Now that dream has come poetically full circle, taking on the dream role of Glinda.

I feel so honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to be in this production and will only look back on Wicked with true pride.

Q You’re an old hand at musicals, aren’t you?

Yes, I was cast in two WestMAC musicals, Back to the 80s and Guys and Dolls. I was also recently in the Phoenix Ensembles version of Grease on the Gold Coast, cast as Marty in the run that lasted six weeks.

I will also be in the ensemble of IMTC’s production of Les Mis this September.

Q What are you doing now?

I am studying a joint degree in Business (Management) and Creative Industries (Dance) at QUT (Queensland University of Technology). At this stage, I would like to work in the performing arts industry, but it is still early days; exploring opportunities presented by my studies to figure out which way I want to take my career in the future.

Q What advice do you have for Year 12s?

Breathe. You are all so young. There is so much time to change courses. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure what you want to do now. You never know where you will end up.

Q What are your fondest memories of the College?

Oh, I miss Miss Judd and the Dance Company. That is the biggest hole in my life since finishing Year 12.

See Annabelle Harbison and Sophie Salvesani (Class of 2011) in the Ipswich Musical Theatre Company’s production of Les Misérables this September at the Ipswich Civic Centre.

For more information visit www.ipswichmusicaltheatrecompany.com.au

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Alumni snapshots Dr Clint Douglas Dr Clint Douglas (Class of 1999) started at WestMAC in Year 8. He has since gone on to have a vibrant career as a Registered Nurse.

WestMAC encourages students to work hard to achieve their goals.

Clint may never have finished at the top of his class. He faced real challenges like everyone else in making it through senior school, but along the way, Clint says he realised that success is a result of determination, resilience and a growth mindset. His advice to WestMAC students and alumni is, “there is no point in studying something that will not make you feel fulfilled.”

With the help of his teachers, Clint came to realise the value of studying at university – and went on to graduate with a Bachelor degree and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing in 2008.

Clint now works as an Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology School of Nursing where he leads a program of acute care health services research. His research focuses on optimising the influence of nursing to keep patients safe: strengthening nurse surveillance for early recognition and response to patient deterioration in general wards; the impact of hospital nurse staffing on patient outcomes; and evaluation of innovative nurse-led services. He also has expertise in pain and symptom research, with a focus on symptom burden and self-management in chronic disease. As a Nurse Researcher he works closely with government and industry to improve patient care and holds Research Fellow appointments at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery.

Clint believes that the field of nursing is people-centric, rapidly changing, and intellectually challenging, and opens the door to a variety of career pathways. Clint is very happy to share his knowledge with WestMAC students and alumni that may be interested in studying Nursing. Contact Clint via email c2.douglas@qut.edu.au

India Richter India Richter (nee Wood, Class of 2011) spent the majority of her schooling at WestMAC and thoroughly enjoyed the College’s supportive environment. Her advice to WestMAC students and alumni is, “make the most of the opportunities that the College offers”.

WestMAC helped me get to where I am today... they taught me to have the confidence to take my career overseas.

India went on to study a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) while simultaneously completing her Diploma of Children’s Services and working at a childcare centre.

After graduating from QUT, India completed a shortterm contract before applying for work in the United Kingdom (UK). She has been living in the UK since 2015 teaching 4-to-5 year old children. She also enjoys travelling every six to eight weeks to different European countries; spending Christmas last year skiing in the French Alps.

In 2016 India returned to Australia to marry her long-time boyfriend, before returning to the UK to continue her teaching career.

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Improving student engagement WestMAC has implemented a unique and innovative program to gauge teacher performance and student engagement.

Many schools use classroom observation to measure teacher performance, but it has been found to be of no real measure.

In 2015 the College developed and introduced their Professional Engagement Program (PEP) which not only includes a unique way of measuring teacher performance, but also developing their teaching skills to the benefit of all students.

Fifty teachers volunteered to further develop the PEP strategy last year and it has been rolled out across all staff this year.

PEP requires teaching staff to look at their student data and identify student learning needs as well as what goals they should have for the year. Teachers in leadership positions, including Heads of Department and Year Level Coordinators, have an additional leadership goal to reach. All of this information is documented in an online form for staff to reflect on throughout the year.

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These goals can cover a wide variety of issues. For example, one teacher’s goal is to develop an understanding of how to use technologies to improve student engagement and attitudes towards Geography and Science.

Another teacher is aiming to improve knowledge frameworks and teaching strategies related to reading comprehension to be able to more effectively aid students in English Communication.

categorised the goals into six sections: Differentiation; Technology; Literacy; Numeracy; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Behaviour and Engagement.

These sections were formed into Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with similar numbers of teachers in each group. The groups meet several times each term to share ideas and help other team members reach their goals.

Each teacher is matched with a colleague who has been involved in the program to coach them in reaching their goals. Staff work to implement strategies with their class, monitor the change, and evaluate the effects of the change. Teacher goals are guided by the College’s Strategic Plan as well as the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership’s (AITSL) teaching standards.

“The PLCs are working really well, giving us great feedback and building social capital across teaching areas and sub-schools,” Ian said.

Towards the end of 2016 Mr Ian Hayne (PEP Coordinator)

“WestMAC is using the innovative PEP strategy to improve the experience our students receive by improving teacher engagement.”

PEP is the start of a new chapter for WestMAC.

Class of 2006 - 10 Year Reunion Late last year the Class of 2006 celebrated their 10 Year Reunion.

From left to right: Lisbeth Goldston, Sally Winter, Sarah Parker & Eternity (Lisa) Hausen

From left to right: Andrew Back and Annabel Simmonds

From left to right: Chris Johnston, Sinitta Angerer and Jason Walsh

From left to right: Brooke Hagen and Kathryn Shepard-Ashby

From left to right: Emma Gardiner and Jason Hornsby

From left to right: Claire Jolliffe, Ashleigh and Elyse Scott

Stay Connected Stay connected with WestMAC and your fellow Alumni by registering or updating your contact details via www.wmac.com.au/community/alumni/update-your-details Connect with our Alumni Facebook page at www.facebook.com/West-Moreton-Anglican-College-Alumni-240543435983387/

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ALUMNI Our Alumni are important to us.

Update your contact details so that we can stay in touch with you.

To update your details go to www.wmac.com.au under Community

SHARE YOUR NEWS AND EVENTS WITH THE COLLEGE Email: alumni@wmac.com.au Telephone: (07) 3813 4555

– D AT E – Saturday 19 August, from 7 to 9pm

– VENUE– Lord Lamington Suite, Pumpyard Bar & Brewery 88 Limestone St, Ipswich

– RSVP – Friday 4 August online at wmac.com.au/news-events/classof2007

WEST MORETON ANGLICAN COLLEGE Keswick Road, Karrabin Queensland 4306 Australia ENQUIRIES T (07) 3813 4555 F (07) 3813 4566 E info@wmac.com.au www.wmac.com.au

CRICOS PROVIDER NUMBER 01329M The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane (trading as West Moreton Anglican College)

– D AT E – Saturday 19 August, from 2 to 4pm

– VENUE– WestMAC Staff Common Room & Garden

– RSVP – Friday 4 August online at wmac.com.au/news-events/classof1997