summer 2016 - potentiality online...

Ascham Old Girls’ Magazine Summer 2016

Editorial Team The AOGU Committee greatly appreciates the support of Ascham School in the production of the AOG Magazine

Publisher Ascham School

Layout Ascham School

Founded 1899 Generations of heart and soul

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AOG Calendar of Events 2017 2

From our Patron—Andrew Powell 3

President’s Report 4

The Two of Us—Jessica Beston and Skye Topic (1994) 5

Two Old Girls pursuing careers in Music 8

Music at Ascham 10

Opening of the Centre for the Sciences 12

Ascham turns 130—photo display 14

HSC Art Show Lunch 16

Book launch of Margaret Bailey: Pioneering Headmistress of Ascham School 17

Classes of 1950, 1951 & 1952— ‘Around 65 Year Reunion’ 18

Class of 1956—60 Year Reunion 19






New Ascham Old Girls’ website 24

Year 13 Drinks 25

North/North West Old Girls’ Lunch 26

Engagements Marriages Births Deaths 28

Careers update 31

Do you have any news? 32

Cover image—Composer, Lyricist, Educator etc. Anna Jacobs at work. Full story page 8.

Editorial noteMusic at Ascham has so many different connotations to Old Girls, depending on their personal desire to develop their talent and the encouragement by the School teachers for students of all ages to perform. Showing my age, singing from our songbook at the beginning of each day’s morning assemblies brings back fond memories and could well have been our secret weapon in managing to focus on academia so intensely for the rest of the day. Does anyone else sing those songs to their kids? Also, the light relief and camaraderie of the annual Music Festival, now known as House Festival, gives students the ability to test their skills in the art of leadership and performance managment. I hope you read with interest how many Old Girls, who we have been lucky enough to watch perform while they were at School, have gone on to pursue their musical dreams.

Giselle Collins (Jollie 1986) Honorary Editor, Ascham Old Girls’ Union Committee

The HSC Art Show Lunch

AOG Magazine Summer 2016

Gillian Walker (Windeyer 1956), Patti Howson (Porter 1958) and Marge Clift (Codrington 1956) talk to girls in the new Centre for the Sciences

Ascham 130th Celebration cupcakes

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The involvement of girls in Music at Ascham commences in Hillingdon and continues through their schooling until they reach Year 12—culminating in success at the Higher School Certificate level. The Music program allows our girls to study and develop different styles, fostering self-discipline and diligence in practice. It’s both culturally and physically uplifting.

One of the many strengths of learning through the Dalton Plan is the modelling of success. Our older students are excellent role models for the younger girls throughout the School. This modelling is evident in the Music program where the younger girls play in the same concert as the more senior girls, as well as watch one another perform. The Junior School girls get to see where practice and perseverance will take them. A common message to both staff and students is around the importance of focused feedback, and how the best way to learn is through constructive feedback. This happens through weekly Assignment work, but it also occurs from our experienced peripatetic teachers and Music staff who look after the various ensembles. The self-discipline that comes from learning Music ties in with stronger academic results, as it leads to effective study and work habits.

Two of the highlights of the Music calendar at Ascham are the Senior School and Fiona Music Camps. The girls have several days away at camp, where they work closely with their Music teachers to construct the works they will perform in the concerts upon their return to School. It is wonderful to have the Packer Theatre filled on both concert nights, allowing the girls to perform in front of their family and friends.

The student voice has always been a strong part of Ascham, and we celebrate and encourage girls to come up with ideas. Last year two Senior girls, on their return from exchange in New York, started an a cappella group called The Daltones. They ran the auditions and developed the rehearsal routine. This group has now performed on numerous occasions at various School events, and they also made it to the Grand Championships of the Sydney Eisteddfod where they competed against adult choirs. Choral singing has grown in popularity and the Ascham choirs are all achieving excellent results in the eisteddfods both locally and interstate.

Another growth area has been in the Concert Bands. We now have over 70 girls in the Senior Concert Band, and this has been split into a Junior and Senior group so we can accommodate all players. For our 130th Anniversary celebration this year we commissioned Paul Jarman and Bonnie Nilsson to write a new composition for the opening of the Centre for the Sciences and to celebrate 130 years of Ascham. Their work, Gravitational Waves, was sung by 300 girls from Year 2 to Year 12 on the day. It was very moving having the girls located all around the theatre, surrounding the audience and filling the space with an uplifting choral movement.

On any given morning it’s lovely to walk through the grounds of Ascham and savour the sounds emanating from the Music classrooms and practice areas. Enjoy this issue of the magazine, where we feature some of our graduates who have gone on to great success in Music.

Andrew Powell Head of School

From our Patron—Andrew Powell

Music is a large part of the fabric of an Ascham education; we have over 47 ensembles and 12 choirs.

AOG Calendar of Events 2017

Friday 17 March 5.30pmTildesley Jumper PresentationGlenrock Drawing Room

Friday 24 MarchAnnual Golf and Tennis DayThe Royal Sydney Golf ClubGolf Tee Off from 8am, 9.30am and Tennis from 10am. The day concludes after a light lunch and trophies are presented.

Wednesday 29 March 6.30pmAscham Old Girls’ Union AGMMarie Daley Room, Ascham

Early June, date to be confirmedBusiness Breakfast

Saturday 12 August Class of 1987 Reunion For more information please contact: Kirsty Bloore (Leabeater) on 0403 029 029 or at [email protected]

Friday 25 August 11amHSC Art Show LunchAscham Dining Room and Packer Foyer 11am–2.30pm

Saturday 9 September 10am–12noonMorning Tea for Mothers with Young Children Hillingdon Playground

Friday 20 October 6pm Year 13 DrinksGlenrock Drawing Room

Saturday 18 November, from 11am Class of 1967 Reunion Tour at 11am, followed by lunch in the Dining Room For more information please contact: Julia Tregoning (Gollan) on 0410 547 357 or at [email protected]

Date TBCClass of 1972 – 45 Year Reunion For more information please contact: Debra Moore (Cassidy) on 0438 040 087 or at [email protected]

Date TBCNorth/North West Old Girls Lunch

For more information about any of the events held at Ascham, please contact [email protected] or 02 8356 7065

Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) with Andrew Powell and Old Girl Dr Felicity Fenner at the AOGU HSC Art Show Lunch

Notice of Ascham Old Girls’ Union Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Ascham Old Girls’ Union (‘Union’) will be held on Wednesday 29 March 2017 at 6.30pm in the Marie Daley Room, Ascham School, 188 New South Head Road, Edgecliff NSW 2027, for the purpose of transacting the following business:

1. Report of the Union’s activities since the previous Annual General Meeting 2. Presentation of Balance Sheet 3. Election of Office-Bearers and Members of the Committee

All past pupils of Ascham are welcome, whether or not they are members of the Union. A report will be given to the meeting by the Head of School. Could you please reply to the Old Girl Liaison Officer, Old Girls’ Union, Ascham School, 188 New South Head Road, Edgecliff NSW 2027, or by email to [email protected] or phone the Liaison Officer on 02 8356 7065 before Friday 24 March 2017, if you will attend the AGM.

Nominations for New Committee Members

Nominations for new Committee members are welcome. Nominations must be in writing on the Nomination Form obtainable from the Liaison Officer and must be received seven (7) days prior to the Meeting. Please note that only financial members of the Union are eligible to nominate for the Committee.

The Ascham Old Girls’ Committee is always looking for help. If you do wish to be on the Ascham Old Girls’ Union Committee or would like to volunteer to help at AOGU functions, please contact the Old Girl Liaison Officer on 02 8356 7065 or by email at [email protected].

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In addition to the usual calendar of events the AOGU Committee supports, we have been very busy in the latter half of this year with the new AOGU website, which was recently launched with great success. In particular I would like to thank Olivia Crowley (2008) for her work helping the website launch.

We are all so excited to bring this new platform for the connection of AOGU members. For the first time

Old Girls will be able to log in and update their details directly. If you have not visited the website please go to aogu.ascham.nsw.edu.au and have a look around! More information about the new platform can be found on page 24.

This year the annual AOGU HSC Art Show Lunch at Ascham was managed by one of our newer members of the Committee, Svetlana Collantes (2002). Svetlana did a wonderful job working with Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) to create the day, which was a great success. Skye always ensures the day runs smoothly. Our speaker this year was Old Girl Dr Felicity Fenner. Her talk after lunch was very entertaining and a lot of fun. We were very fortunate to be joined by some of the Year 12 Visual Arts students, who gave up their time to explain the work in person.

Once again I greatly enjoyed meeting up with the North/North West group in Glen Innes on Wednesday 19 October to

President’s Report

Spring is such a wonderful time of year and a time to contemplate what we have achieved.

celebrate their 51st year of service and support for the AOGU and Ascham School.

The very popular Business Breakfast was organised once again this year by Giselle Collins (Jollie 1986). Giselle has such a talent for making this event a success. This year’s guest speakers were Katrina Rathie (Yee 1979) and The Hon. Justice Brigitte Markovic (1982). Thank you to King & Wood Mallesons for hosting the event in their beautiful function rooms. The Business Breakfast’s early morning start is to accommodate those working normal business hours and gives those in business an opportunity to interact and make new connections. Our Old Girl speakers gave us a fascinating insight in to their lives and careers. Our new website will enable Old Girls and the Old Girls’ Committee to build on these connections by tapping into a database of Old Girls who wish to connect or give back to the AOG community from a careers point of view.

We thank the School for supporting the AOG Magazine and we thank Mr Powell for the purchase of the software for the website for Ascham Old Girls.

We warmly welcome our newest Ascham Old Girls, who have just sat their HSC exams, to the Ascham Old Girls’ Union. They always bring such a fresh perspective.

We would love to get feedback on the AOG Magazine, so please write to us. Please contact our Old Girl Liaison Officer, Skye Barry at Ascham by email at [email protected] or phone 02 8356 7065.

Vi et animoJennifer Ridhalgh (Harvey 1981)

Skye

I honestly don’t have a lot of memories of Ascham that don’t involve Jess, or music. I believe we were the first two people who ever stood on the Packer Theatre stage after the concrete was laid. We snuck in through the Music Department and stood on the stage, held hands and laughed sneakily, and then ran to the back of the School where our Mums collected us. So it really was Music that brought us together from the very beginning.

We sang in the choir, performed in School plays and played with the Jazz Band. Being a part of the Madrigal group had always been a major goal for me once I entered the Senior School, and with Jess as Soprano 1 and me as Alto 1 we could spend hours harmonising together. We never bunked in different rooms through all our years of attending Music Camp.

After Ascham we didn’t have to work hard to see each other right after school had ended. We both undertook a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney with a focus on Music and Theatre Studies. In our spare time we did plays at The Australian Theatre For Young People (ATYP).

The Two of Us—Jessica Beston and Skye Topic (1994)

Jessica Beston and Skye Topic’s friendship was ‘locked’ in Year 5 at Ascham when they were both cast in the musical The Ragged Child that opened the Packer Theatre in 1988. Although they now live on different continents and it’s been 22 years since they finished school, they remain best friends.

Skye and Jess in The Ragged Child in 1988

After university Jess moved to London while I stayed in Sydney, and when Jess moved back I had already moved to the USA—NYC first and then LA. Thankfully, I return home at least once a year and we always make time to see each other. It is pretty much our number one appointment once I land, and mostly involves listening to new music, singing some of the old Madrigals, wine, and laughing literally until we cry. Jess has also brought many new Australian bands out to LA, and she always stays with me in my home in Hollywood. Sometimes we might see each other a few times a year.

I work at a production company called Bunim-Murray Productions, probably most notably known in Australia for creating Project Runway and Keeping Up With The Kardashians. I now work primarily for a show called The Challenge, which is in its 29th season, airs on MTV and shoots all around the world. Bunim-Murray Productions has a music department and we preview new bands on our shows all the time—music is a big part of how we move the story along for our shows—so although I’m not working specifically in music, my work still involves music.

Skye and Jess at Music Camp in 1990

Hon. Justice Brigitte Markovic (1982), Giselle Collins (Jollie 1986), Katrina Rathie (Yee 1979) and Jenny Ridhalgh (Harvey 1981) at the 2016 Business Breakfast

We encourage you to visit the new Ascham Old Girls’

Online Community at aogu.ascham.nsw.edu.au

Details on page 24

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Music is also a very big part of my personal time. I have been a member of an LA-based choir called Angel City Chorale and I toured South Africa with them in 2010 (http://angelcitychorale.org/). I also sing in a smaller, more light-hearted a cappella group called The Tuesdays (http://singtuesdays.com/), singing primarily pop/rock songs at weddings, book signings etc. For those girls who really enjoy their participation in choir, I would love to take this moment to let you know that when you leave Ascham you don’t have to leave the things you loved doing there—if there’s not a group you want to join, create one—that’s what we did with The Tuesdays.

Jess

Skye started at Ascham in Year 3 and two years later we both auditioned for The Ragged Child. The minute we started rehearsing for that musical over summer, we became best friends. We used to have to hold hands when we went across the road to Edgecliff to get lunch with the older kids in the play, and we haven’t stopped holding hands since.

My strongest memories with Skye and of Ascham in fact are all music-music-music. Either in Music class together, in choir together, in the Jazz Band together, at Music Camp together, or walking around the School singing various different

songs—in harmony—at the top of our voices! We were in so many musicals together too of course. The Jeremy James Taylor-directed musicals were just amazing, life changing experiences that, without a doubt, fostered my passion for music and helped give me the confidence to pursue a career in music. Jeremy and I are still in touch and I visit him when I am on tour in London, and he comes to see my bands play!

I have so many incredibly strong musical memories tied in with the School, and Skye. One that springs to mind is the impact of the album Together Alone by Crowded House. Released in our HSC year of 1994, it still to this day instantly transports me back to Skye’s bedroom, and all the (strong!) feelings of being in our HSC year. The stress and the hard work, but also the incredible excitement of the ‘unknown’ that was to come! It is so funny that I am now working with Neil Finn and Crowded House.

I have not stopped living and breathing music since I lived and breathed it at Ascham. After university I worked at EMI Records for six years, in Licensing then PR, and then at Universal Music as A&R Manager for four years, where I signed and made records with Children Collide and Gyroscope, and I worked with The Naked & Famous and Violent Soho for their first LPs. I also played in bands for many years after I left school, in London then in Sydney, on

Jess and Skye today

Jess and Skye today

bass then guitar and always singing. Today I am Founder/Director of boutique music business ‘Tiny Monster’, which specialises in Artist Management and Artist Development for independent emerging acts within whom I see big potential.

My current Tiny Monster Management roster includes Holy Holy and new act Alex L’Estrange. At the time of writing, Holy Holy’s brand new single ‘Darwinism’ is the #1 Most Played song on national radio station triple j, which is a huge result for an emerging Australian band. You can check Holy Holy out here: http://www.holyholymusic.com/. I also assist the manager of Neil Finn when Neil is in cycle. I am fortunate to work with one of the best managers in Australia, and Old Cranbrookian, Bill Cullen. Crowded House has some exciting plans coming up, and it is an extraordinary honour to be part of all that.

There is something about our confidence as Ascham girls to be able to conquer a task that is quite formidable I think. I approach many of my management duties as though I were doing an Ascham Assignment; I want to do it incredibly well. An example is government grants. Although the hours before midnight on submission day are far more like a ‘Dalton Monday night’ than I would like to admit, I have been 100% successful in my applications thus far. And I absolutely believe that I have Ascham to thank for that (and so do my bands).

Skye Barry (Edwards 1994)

The Music Department was the best part of Ascham for us

There was nothing you couldn't pursue. We both had vocal lessons, and were members of the choir and Madrigal and the Jazz Band; Jess had piano and flute lessons, and Skye had clarinet and recorder lessons, elocution classes and participated in the orchestra. We were both in every musical and play we could be. Walking past Glenrock and heading underneath the tennis courts to Music class was the best part of our day. It felt like we were walking into an area of the School where we really felt at home and a part of something. We were both fortunate enough to be chosen to receive the Eton Choral Scholarship, a two week choral course at Eton School with Ralph Alwood, including performances at Cambridge and Oxford Universities. What an extraordinary experience!

We feel incredibly lucky to have attended a school that offered such a unique and special opportunity.

We would be remiss not to mention the excellent teaching staff (including Skye's aunty Mrs Carol Lane). The teachers of Ascham, from Mrs Danziger through to the administrative staff and Boards who keep the machine running deserve a standing ovation. We both always felt we could get the help and resources we needed from not just our own teachers, but approach others if needed. If any of you are reading—thank you.

Finally, we also both used to love those hot cheese sandwiches from the tuckshop with the overcooked cheese baked into the alfoil. Delish!

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Anna Jacobs (1998)

Anna Jacobs says that the mantle she likes to use is Composer, Lyricist, Educator, etc. ‘The etc. is important because my expertise is applied in a lot of different ways. Much of my time is dedicated to writing music and lyrics for musicals, but I’m also frequently commissioned to write choral pieces and ‘stand-alone’ songs. As I hail from a classical background, I am sometimes enlisted to work on other people’s music, which often involves tasks such as transcription (creating sheet music from their recordings) and creating vocal or instrumental arrangements. Then I teach a lot, as an Adjunct Professor at Mannes College The New School for Music, and as a Teaching Artist with institutions all over NYC, such as the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Lincoln Center Theater, and the New York Musical Festival. No two programs I teach are alike, though usually they have something to do with creating and performing original songs, musicals, or operas. All in all, I’d say I embrace the free in freelance!’

Two Old Girls pursuing careers in Music

Anna Jacobs (1998) and Anna Albert (1996).

After graduating from the University of Sydney with a degree in Music Composition, Anna spent a few years teaching singing (including at Ascham!), conducting choirs and vocal groups, and composing and arranging music. She was mentored through this period by two artist-educators, Chris Shepard and Vicki Watson, both of whom she met as a student at Ascham. Chris and Vicki encouraged her to pursue graduate studies in music in America, so she commenced a Master’s in Music at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington. It was during her year at IU that Anna realised what she really wanted to do was write musicals, and so she embarked on the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University.

Anna and Lenny at the piano

Anna and Michael collaborating

Anna at keyboard in Lake Country

Anna says, ‘I love making things with other people, and when you’re creating a musical, you’re collaborating with many different types of people, from producers to playwrights to directors to actors to musicians … the list goes on. I think everything I do in life—my work included—is driven by a deep need to feel connected. That is why I will always teach as well as write. Teaching enables me to reach diverse communities of people, and reminds me that what I do as a musician can have an immediate and powerful impact on others.’

Anna says that while at Ascham she found a home in the Music Department, particularly in the Madrigal and choral groups she was part of. Vicki Watson, who was directing the Senior Madrigal group at the time, encouraged Anna to compose a piece for the group to workshop. She says that first experience of hearing a musical ensemble—and a very good one, at that—rehearse something she wrote was exhilarating beyond words, and she says it is the point at which she started to see herself as a composer.

Anna says that looking back at her years at Ascham, she can’t quite believe what incredible facilities and resources we had access to. ‘Now that I’m living and teaching in NYC where a shoebox with an out-of-tune piano and cardboard-thin walls will put you out $25/hr, I’m a lot more aware!’

Anna Albert (1996)

Anna Albert is a freelance violinist based in Sydney, playing mainly with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (AOBO). She also plays for recording sessions for music albums, film and television, and is about to play two concert series as second violin with the Australian Art Quartet. Anna’s work as a freelancer comes in many shapes and sizes. She says, ‘I’ve just played for some HSC music students in their exams and I do whatever else comes my way really. I’m also a mum of two—it’s all a bit of a juggle!’

After leaving Ascham, Anna went to the University of Sydney where she began a combined BMus/BA. In her third year she went on exchange to McGill University in Montreal and loved it so much that she ended up finishing her undergraduate studies in Canada. It was such a fantastic experience that Anna stayed on for four years to do a Performance Diploma in violin.

At the end of 2004 Anna moved home and continued to have lessons while taking on any freelance work and teaching. She began auditioning for casual work with Australian orchestras and got her first work with the AOBO at the end of 2005. Since then she has also played with the Sydney Symphony, the Sydney Philharmonia and the Paris Opera/Ballet. On the other end of the spectrum Anna even did a stint with a group called String Angels on electric violin, saying ‘That was a laugh!’ Anna greatly enjoys her work. ‘I love that I get to play music as a profession and I love the people that I have met doing it. I also really enjoy the variety of work; as a freelancer as you are never tied to one job.’

After 13 years at Ascham, Anna has many memories of her school days. She began playing in the Twinkle Starlets in Hillingdon and finished by playing for the whole school in Year 12. She played in the School Orchestra and String Orchestra and also played in the Sydney Youth Orchestra outside of school.

‘I remember the people, the fig tree, the songs in assembly, having to pull your socks up, Mrs Danziger peering out her office window; the list goes on. The Dalton Plan worked for me. It was great to have the freedom of choosing when to do my work and I think it teaches you how to be organised in planning your work. It has definitely been a helpful tool in my life as a violinist as you need to create your own discipline for practising.’


Anna at a performance of her musical ECHO at The Cell in New York

Anna Albert

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What is, I believe, so compelling about Music at Ascham, is its tangible connectedness to everything. This might sound trite but it is true. From when children are very little, they play games, recite rhymes in their play, skip, and are curious and want to explore. This energy, curiosity and creativity that is natural to all children is harnessed at Ascham in the Music program. The whole philosophy of how innately musical children are is embedded in the Kodaly principle of music education and this is what Ascham fosters right from the start. The songs we choose are selected for their ability to engage the child as she grows. Every child has a voice and this voice is empowered through singing.

This concept of empowerment and connectedness through the voice permeates all we do at the School. When the girls sing at a School event—concerts, assemblies, special occasions—they are able to sight-sing and learn a piece of music readily. When they are involved in music projects for other disciplines—Drama, House Festival or other forums in the School that require musical input—they do so without any fuss.

The girls are resourceful and confident, and, to them, singing is just what you do. This is powerfully evident in the recent formation in the Senior School of The Daltones, a student-led initiative where a group of girls, empowered by their voices and a willingness to give it a go and not fearing difficulties ahead, are creating music that is not only highly skilled but joyous, too. The best part of all about using the voice is that the students experience the sense of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing that all of this experience brings.This translates so seamlessly into our Instrumental program. Zoltan Kodaly, the music educator who developed the Kodaly principle of teaching music, said, ‘To teach a child an instrument without first giving him preparatory training and without developing singing, reading and dictating to the highest level along with the playing is to build upon sand.’ By the time our students connect with an instrument at Ascham, they have developed an understanding of all the concepts that are required to pull together a piece of music: rhythm, pitch, tone colour, expression.

It was Rowena Danziger who first initiated the Kodaly Music Philosophy at Ascham. This was a philosophy that resonated with her, and subsequently Carol Berg was appointed in the Junior School with the express purpose of instilling this into the children’s music vocabulary. Jenny Samild continued this practice for many years with the unswerving support of Carolyn Williams, and most recently, with the appointment of Jackie O’Connor as Head of Music P–6, the program has continued to thrive.

These values are maintained as the girls move into the Senior School, and it is the most fascinating process to watch how our students engage in their music in these years. Dealing with the onset of vast developmental changes and the emotional rollercoaster these years entail requires of the Music Department a particularly energetic approach, and the employment of diverse and vast resources. Music activities need to be modified or changed to suit the needs of the girls, while at the same time ensuring they are experiencing the new—all this being achieved within a secure and thoughtful environment that builds on the skills they’ve developed in

Music at Ascham

Ascham fosters a love for music right from the start.

Amy Huang and Brynna Hundy Long-standing members of the Music Department: Catherine Wilson, Jennifer Samild, Richard Charlton and Jackie O’Connor

the Junior School. The understanding of the whole-child is important to connecting and embedding a successful Music curriculum and we are so fortunate to be able to strive for this at Ascham.

Over the years we’ve had many staff who have, through their leadership, fostered a rigorous Music education at Ascham. Richard Charlton has been a most wonderful influence on our performance program. As Director of Performance for many years, and as an incredible composer in his own right, many girls have benefited from his talent and thoughtfulness. In 2015, the Music Department underwent a major re-structure to its leadership team to capture the incredible talent that exists amongst the staff and to further foster the quality of the girls’ music. Our Coordinators of

each discipline (Academic, Strings, Keyboard, Vocal, Wind and Brass, Guitar) ensure that these areas of the girls’ Music education are completely accounted for and nuanced. This has

allowed for greater dialogue between the staff about what we do, how we do things, and why they are done. This connectedness is tangible in our Department for both students and staff.

It is a delight to be able to celebrate our ‘Old Girl’ musicians in this edition of the Old Girls’ magazine. Anna Jacobs (1998), Anna Albert (1996), Skye Topic (1994) and Jessica Beston (1994) were treasured music students and true ‘musos’. They, along with so many other Old Girls, have kept music in their lives, whether as a profession, or something that keeps adding meaning and happiness to their lives. We strive for this for all our girls who experience a Music education at this remarkable school.

Catherine Wilson Head of Music

Girls singing in the Christmas Concert

Richard Charlton

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It was wonderful to see so many members of the Ascham community, including a number of Old Girls in the new Science laboratories, experiencing the colours and wonders of science in our new facilities.

Ascham was very fortunate to have Professor Mary O’Kane AC, NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, officially open the building (with a very large, red helium balloon that defied gravity in a matter of moments!).

The opening was followed by a concert in the Packer Theatre. The voices of 300 Ascham choristers singing Gravitational Waves, Paul Jarman and Bonnie Nilsson’s commemorative composition, was mesmeric and gave the impression of waves moving through the theatre. The afternoon finished with the choristers singing Richard Charlton’s Founder’s Day composition, And We Seek. It was truly a great day—thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event.

Andrew Powell

Opening of the Centre for the Sciences

Saturday 20 August 2016 was the official opening of the Centre for the Sciences and Ascham’s 130th Anniversary Celebration Concert.

TheCentrefortheSciencesisofficallyopenedbyProfessorMaryO’KaneAC

Di Treble (Cohen 1972), Wendy Cohen (1970) and Anne Cohen

The entrance to Duntrim House Two Old Girls who have pursued careers in the sciences from the Class of 1958, Dr Ronnie Harding and Dr Sandra Anderson

External view of the Centre for Sciences and Duntrim House The Periodic Table of Elements in the Centre for the Sciences

Julia Elphinstone (Weickhardt 1987) inside one of the labs Gravitational Waves is performed during the Celebration Concert

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Part of these celebrations included a candid photo display in the Packer Foyer on Saturday 20 August. A call out was made to Old Girls, particularly from the 1960s to the 1990s, and the response was fantastic. A heartfelt thanks to all the Old Girls who sent through digital copies of their photographs or allowed us to copy them. We use your donated photographs for a wide variety of purposes, not least of all for research (especially handy for looking at the changing grounds and uniforms) and also to remind the current girls about how the School was before their time. A small selection appears below.

The Ascham Archives is still on the lookout for candid photos of your time at School and we are particularly keen to have more photos from the 1970s and 1980s.

If you would like to donate or lend photos such as these to the Archives so we can post them on our new AOG website, please contact Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) at [email protected] or on 02 8356 7065.


Ascham turns 130—photo display

This year Ascham has celebrated its 130th Anniversary.

Girls ready for Church, mid 1950s Shore girls, 1954 Assembly Hall, 1960s

Boarders’ picnic Middle Harbour, 1950 Class group, 1959

Final Day of School Morning Tea, Class of 1994

Sports Carnival, 1973 Teachers Race, 1973 Skye Topic, Isabella Alexander and ‘Boo’

Harvey at the Swimming Carnival 1994

2nd X1 Hockey, 1978 Girls at front gate, late 1970s

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It was a beautiful day with the sun shining bright and smiles everywhere. At 11am guests arrived at the Packer Theatre and were greeted by champagne and canapés. While they were enjoying their food and drink, the guests had the opportunity to view the latest artworks produced by the current HSC students. We also had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Felicity Fenner, Ascham Old Girl and Director of the UNSW Galleries (a photo of Felicity from the Lunch can be found in the Patron’s Report on page 3). Dr Fenner is also a renowned curator of contemporary art, having curated over 30 exhibitions of Australian and international art. We were fortunate to have some of the HSC girls on site, who spoke about the interpretation and meaning behind their artworks, which were supplemented by Dr Fenner’s remarks.

After admiring the artworks for an hour, the guests retired to the Dining Room for lunch. We were served a delicious two course lunch accompanied by wine. It was a lovely experience mixing with Ascham Old Girls from all different generations and professions. Dr Fenner also delivered a short presentation on her life, her career and her ‘Ten Confessions of what it means to be an Ascham Old Girl’ and how Ascham has continued to influence her career. After a long lunch, some of the guests attended a tour of Duntrim House and the new Centre for Sciences. I would like to thank all of the AOGU Committee members for their support, the Office Bearers and Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) for organising such a fabulous and successful day. I look forward to the next AOGU event.

Svetlana Collantes (2002)

HSC Art Show Lunch

On 26 August 2016, the Ascham Old Girls’ Union hosted the HSC Art Show Lunch.

Ann Booth (Foster 1954), Inga Holmes (Melville 1953), Carol Jones (Kelly 1959), Annette ‘Dizzy’ Robinson (Dezarnualds 1954)

Those present included the biography’s author and distant relative of Miss Bailey, Dr Jane Gilmour, Mrs Rowena Danziger, Mr Andrew Powell, members of the School Council, Old Girls of Miss Bailey’s era, as well as family members whose mothers had been at school under Miss Bailey. Additional members of the School community were joined by Jane Gilmour’s sister, brother, nephew, niece and their various children, all of whom are directly descended from Miss Bailey’s sister, Eva Lundie. Eva’s three daughters, Margaret, Kathleen (Jane’s mother) and Beth attended Ascham as boarders when Miss Bailey was headmistress.

Mr Powell introduced Mrs Danziger, who officially launched the book and spoke about Miss Bailey. She referenced Miss Bailey’s portrait hanging in the front Drawing Room, gazing down on the gathered company. Mrs Danziger gave an excellent tribute to Miss Bailey, reminding us of her substantial legacy to Ascham. Dr Gilmour followed by talking about Miss Bailey from the perspective of a family member, speaking about a woman who is not only highly regarded as one of Australia’s great 20th century educators, but who is also legend in her own family. Jane later signed copies of her book, which very quickly sold out.

A few weeks’ later, Jane returned to Ascham and addressed the Senior School girls at assembly, accompanying her talk with a very interesting slideshow of photographs. She put Miss Bailey’s significant achievement in context, describing her upbringing in Queensland in the late 19th century, her attendance at the University of Sydney in the 1890s where women were overwhelmingly in the minority, and the continuation of her studies abroad before eventually becoming Ascham’s longest serving headmistress.

Margaret Bailey: Pioneering Headmistress of Ascham School is a timely addition to the previous published histories of Ascham, particularly in the year the School celebrates its 130th Anniversary.

Copies of the book can be ordered from the publisher: Australian Scholarly Publishing, tel: +61 03 9329 6963; email: [email protected]

Marguerite Gillezeau Archivist

Book launch of Margaret Bailey: Pioneering Headmistress of Ascham School

A wonderfully eclectic crowd came together for the book launch of Margaret Bailey: Pioneering Headmistress of Ascham School on 28 July 2016 in the Glenrock Drawing Room.

Roseanne Collins (Mould 1954) and Penny Collins (1979)

Sabrina Barry (Hutchinson 1973), Clytie Williams (Cullip 1973) and LeaStracey(Serafim1973)

Jane Gilmour, Rowena Danziger and Andrew Powell

Marguerite Gillezeau and Jane Gilmour

Robby Harricks (Moline 1957), Elizabeth Bowman (1948) and Shayne Brown

Curriculum Coordinator Catherine Crawford (Crouch 1974) and her mother Barbara Crouch (Showers 1948)

Jane Gilmour signing a copy of her book for Sandra Anderson (1958)

AOGU Committee Members Sarah Merrick (1986), Svetlana Collantes (2002), Jenny Ridhalgh (Harvey 1981) and Julia Booth (1988)

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The lunch was certainly a step up from the old days! We were so appreciative of the work Skye, Patti and Jackie did to make the day so enjoyable. We were delighted Mr Powell could join us, and answer our numerous questions.

Our thanks to Mr Taaffe for his tour of the new Centre for the Sciences, which was such an eye opener, as was the new Duntrim House.

Barbara North (Bennett 1951)

Classes of 1950, 1951 & 1952—‘Around 65 Year Reunion’

On Friday 22 July a reunion of the years 1950, 51 & 52 was held in the Glenrock Drawing Room, and what a day it was! Thirty-five of us in all, so plenty of reminiscing of our days at Ascham.

The Around 65 Year Reunion Group

Alison Lever (Williams), Joan Hey (Tracy) and Joan Grimwade OBE (Rich)

There was lots of fabulous chatter and catching up with classmates. The boarders were particularly impressed with the boarding facilities in Duntrim House, a far cry from the top balcony in Glenrock.

A big thank you to Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) for organising the day and for showing us the new buildings, Packer Theatre and Mac House.

Margaret Durham (Leslie)

Class of 1956—60 Year Reunion

A very happy reunion was held at Ascham on Friday 5 August, with lunch in the Glenrock Drawing Room followed by a tour of the new Centre for the Sciences and Duntrim House.

Suzanne Monro (Brunninghausen) and Simone Arnott (Pirenne)

Glee Dunn (Peters), Patricia Irving (Walker) and Robin Ridge (Penzer)

Janet McCredie, Dolores Belisario and Sue Fitzhardinge (Siddins)

The Class of 1956 with Andrew Powell

Ready for lunch Joan Gillis (Laverty), Gillian Walker (Windeyer), Julie Machin (Fisher) and Marge Clift (Codrington)

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Country and city friendships were rekindled at The Royal Oak Hotel. A few brave partners arrived and were soon given the task of photographing everyone, as the girls were too busy talking. It was wonderful to see lots of girls, as many had other commitments on Saturday, so providing two opportunities for catch up, on Friday as well as Saturday, worked well; especially for those boarders who travelled a long way.

The Sydney weather made for a great day on Saturday as a small group of boarders caught the ferry from Double Bay wharf, with many reliving hockey memories to enjoy the city sights. We explored the Botanic Gardens and walked past the Boy Charlton Swimming Pool complex and remembered the many school swimming carnivals chanting the sports House songs.

That evening many of us assembled under the fig tree for a tour of the School. It was fascinating to see the changes, with

many of us going down memory lane and regaling stories of our years spent at Ascham; everything looks so different with adult eyes. We then made our way up Edgecliff Road to the home of Caroline Stephens (Atwill).

The group was a great mix of country and city and from the minute everyone arrived we all picked up from where we left off. Lots of chatting and laughter coupled together with lots to eat and drink made for a really enjoyable evening. So much so there was talk of a weekend in Cowra next year!

On behalf of everyone who attended the functions over the weekend we would like to thank Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) for liaising with many of us and for giving up her time on Saturday afternoon to conduct the tour of the School.

Belinda Norton (Futter) and Caroline Stephens (Atwill)


Friday 9 September saw 30 Old Girls from near and far gather for the Class of 1976 Reunion.

Class of 1976 at the home of Caroline Stephens (Atwill) Alex Woodgate (Bosch) and Alex Reid

Amanda Cross (Furber), Sally McLean (Prell), Jane Easthope (Matthews), Fiona Middleton (Boyd)

Twenty-one of us attended and I would like to especially thank Jill Lawson for giving both Rosie Whitehouse (Bath) and Brenda Cox (Lugsdin) a lift to the School. Brenda, by the way, had only been out of hospital for one week after having surgery—what a great effort!We were met by Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) under the fig tree. Skye took us on a very interesting guided tour of the School, which is a far cry from the 1950s, particularly the common areas in Duntrim House with their comfortable couches, flat screen television sets, not to mention microwaves and electric jugs!A delicious serve-yourself lunch was served in the Drawing Room, during which Andrew Powell came and gave a very informative talk on all the goings on at the School, including the purchase of four chooks! Suppose next thing we hear the School will be selling eggs to raise money!Many thanks to all who came. Everyone requested we don’t leave it as long as another five years, so I’m looking forward


On 26 October we had our 55 Year Reunion and what a great day it was!

The Class of 1961

Gaynor Thearle (Bowie-Wilson), Mabs Carruthers (Maitland), Jan Sam (Gill), Libby Ord (Laird) and Biddy Scales (Hordern)

RobynBarrett(Whitfield),SueMcNaughton(Beveridge)and SueLitchfield(Robinson)

AndrewPowellandSueLitchfield(Robinson)

to seeing you all in 2 ½ years! Once again a special thanks to all who made it such a great day. A special thanks to Skye. Without her help the day would not have eventuated.

Sue Litchfield (Robinson)

Deidre Pickett Heaps (Clarke) points out her sister Kerry on the Honour Boards

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We came from overseas, interstate, countryside, across the bridge and round the corner to celebrate 30 years since we left School in 1986.

There was a buzz of excitement and anticipation as the room started to fill. It soon turned into a deafening combination of conversation, shrieks and laughter as we caught up and shared our stories and news.

School Captain, Noni Hoskin (Cameron) welcomed everyone and commented on how lucky we were to be part of such

a friendly and harmonious Year group and how good we all looked 30 years on! A sentiment we all agreed with.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening that seemed to go far too quickly, with everyone so happy to see one another and we found ourselves saying, ‘Let’s do this again next year!’

Thank you to Annabel Pegler (Ashton) for hosting us at the beautiful Yacht Club and to Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) for helping with the coordination.

We look forward to doing it all again soon.

Lucy Regan (Cannington) and Vanessa Cox (Martin)


On Saturday 10 September, 55 Ascham Old Girls gathered at the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club in Point Piper.

Phoebe Clift (Lane), Emma McCathie (Spring), Mindy Alker (Burey), Lucy Regan (Cannington)

Class of 1986

Sarah Mason (Bower-Williams), Lissy Abrahams, Skye Moore (Munro), Freya Fitzhardinge (Salter)

We particularly loved the walk down memory lane, visiting the Packer Theatre. We were fascinated to see the new Science and boarding facilities, and meet the Ascham chickens!

That evening about 60 of us descended on The Bellevue in Paddington to celebrate 20 years of friendship and memories. Four Old Girls flew in from overseas for the event (special thank you), while others came from interstate and regional NSW. Our peers overseas also celebrated with a small LA-based gathering on the day and there are plans afoot for London celebrations. Those who were not there

were deeply missed but not forgotten, as we reminisced about all the great stories that formed part of our childhood and adolescence.

It was wonderful to hear the diversity of news about great careers, growing families and inspiring hobbies. We were all happy that there were no name tags required, we all look just the same! We will be getting together again soon!

Rebecca Heap (Howard) and Tehani Legeay


Twenty of us met at Ascham for a brilliant morning tour of the School.

Class of 1996 at Ascham for the tour

Sarah Rothwell (Manning), Amanda Richmond, Olivia Broomhead (Robertson), Samantha Sample and Marissa Koop

Alex Knight and Elisabeth Maynier (Cannon)

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We were pleased to welcome nearly 40 of our newest Old Girls back to Ascham in October for the annual Year 13 Drinks. The girls were delighted to catch up with their old teachers, fill us in on their first year outside school and collect their Charivaris.


Year 13 Drinks

Class of 2015 – The first reunion.

What better time of year to reminisce on our years at Ascham than in the days leading up to the HSC exams of 2016! Everyone has come a long way from those last exams and it was a pleasure discovering what the girls have been up to since. With a few short of the entire Year in attendance, it was a loud and cheerful afternoon that stretched well into the night. There was even a guest appearance of our much loved year coordinator Mrs Bird. Her ongoing interest and support

for our diverse paths was a humbling reminder of the journey through school we shared that lay the foundation for the accomplished women we are today. Thank you to everyone who made it and to those who travelled to attend, your efforts were much appreciated. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again very soon.

Sally Laughton


The Class of 2011 came together for our 5 Year Reunion on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Surry Hills early in October.

Teacher Daniele Honeyball, Laura Rando, Emily Koltai and Mimi Karp Georgina Masters, Thursday Anderson and Georgie Psaltis

Thursday AndersonShantelle AyadHolly BakerTamara BestMila BetarPia BoileauEmma BotrosCaitlin BubbSasha CamdenNatasha ChowXanthe CoffmanEvie CollinsSusannah CookeSarah CouplandAlice CrammondSiobhan DangMadeleine DobbieMallory DobnerHannah Douglas-KinniburghEmma DrevonCatherine Du

Lucinda DunhamAlexandra ElgueCerentha FavettiNatasha GalgutClare GavinAntonia GazalLeah GreenLily GreenawayMiranda HallAlbertine HedleyLouisa HoSarah HoodSiena HopkinsonIndia HowardGeorgia HutchinsonMadeleine JohnstonPhilippa JonesImogen KarpAlexandra KingstonOlivia KlotzEmily Koltai

Sophie LeicesterVivienne LeongRomy L’EstrangeMia MacMahonYi Wen MaoEmily MasonGeorgina MastersAinslie McTaggartEmily MeadesAntonia MijatovicEliza MillettOlivia MoulderAzura NicholsShadia NobleEmily NortonIsabella PakAllegra ParkerAnnabelle ParmegianiYaiyenti PavriSophie Petersen TymSarah Pongrass

Georgina PsaltisAlexandra RaineLaura RandoHannah RangerRuby RiethmullerGreta RitchardLuna Rodriguez GrieveSophia SemmlerMadeleine ShelestWilhelmina SheltonRachel SloaneLucinda SpenceIsabella StanhopeAnnabel SweeneyRebecca SzaboNell TurnerAudrey WongAntonia WorkmanRebecca ZhangBranda Zhong

The AOGU welcomes the following students from the Class of 2015 and encourages them to stay in touch:

Alice Crammond, Allegra Parker and Ruby Riethmuller

Megan Lingafelter and Geena Dunne Alysse Scotton, Hannah Murray, Alice Scott, Harriet Young, Harriet Kelly and Ellen Russell

The new Ascham Old Girls’ Online Community launches

The AOGU is proud to announce the launch of the Ascham Old Girls’ Online Community—a dedicated website that will allow Old Girls to find each other and reconnect.

All Ascham Old Girls have access to the website where they can: • connect with friends from Ascham• read about and register for upcoming reunions and events• keep up-to-date with important information via our newsletters and news alerts• post and share photos and announcements with our Old Girls’ community• add business details to our Business Directory.

In November all Ascham Old Girls were emailed and mailed information about the launch of Online Community. If you did not receive communications about the Community, including your personal login and registration details, please contact the Old Girl Liaison Officer, Skye Barry (Edwards) on 8356 7065 or at [email protected] For you personally, we hope that the Online Community will make it easier for you to keep in contact with former classmates, as well as renew old friendships. We encourage you to visit the site today at aogu.ascham.nsw.edu.au.

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Although the group was small in size, the noise level from conversation was near deafening! A great catch-up was had by all with the oldest attendee being a 1947-er!Andrew Powell and Jenny Ridhalgh (Harvey 1981), AOGU President, flew into Armidale and were escorted around The Armidale School by Pip Warwick (Street) prior to travelling on to Glen Innes. The Town and Country Club was a blaze of colour with flowers from local Glen Innes gardens. Mrs Jenny Anderson, mother of old girls Belinda (1982) and Mia Anderson (1983), did a wonderful job arranging the flowers for the event. Belinda Norton (Futter 1976) welcomed everyone to Glen Innes and thanked them for travelling north before sitting to enjoy a delightful lunch. Mrs Morag Faithfull (Jackson 1948) from Armidale proposed the toast to Ascham and said Grace.During the meal Jenny spoke about the contribution this particular group makes to the School and how valuable it is

for so many families in the region. Jenny also mentioned the new website which is designed to aid the connection of Old Girls. This will be driven by the Old Girls themselves with more information to come on that project. Andrew Powell spoke about the science building, various boarding projects and other developments planned in the future.Jane Newsome (Houston 1982) thanked both Andrew and Jenny for their input and commented on the ease of organising a function with another Ascham girl and how all our schooling pays off years down the track.Thank you to the Old Girls at the School for helping coordinate the day and to Jane Newsome (Houston 1982) and Belinda Norton (Futter 1976) for arranging to host the lunch.

Belinda Norton (Futter 1976) and Jane Newsome (Houston (1982)

North/North West Old Girls’ Lunch

On Wednesday 19 October, 30 Ascham Old Girls from around the region gathered in Glen Innes for their annual lunch.

Lyndy Simpson (1982) and Jacky Cadell (Rollinson 1982)

Belinda Norton (Futter 1976), Sally Wollen (Zeck 1977) Andrew Powell and Jenny Stearn (Field 1964)

The North North West Old Girls listening to Andrew Powell speak at lunch

Pam Lord (Fraser 1974) and Pip Murray (1975)

Engagements Marriages Births Deaths

Marriages

Harriet Burton Taylor (2001) to Emad Tahtouh on 19 March 2016 Jane Walker (1984) to James Marshall on 2 April 2016

Births

Dr Eleni Batten (Mayson 1999)—son, Austin Michael Batten on 9 May 2016, a brother for Zara Maria

Georgia Hansen (Page 1998)—twin daughters, Matilda Cecilia Rose and Quinn Ivy Adelaide Hansen on 22 July 2016

Kate McFadyen (Barry 1997)—daughter, Harriet Jean McFadyen on 27 October 2015, a sister for Molly

Philippa O’Brien (Lee 2005)—son, Alfred (Freddie) Stuart Robert O’Brien on 21 August 2016

Georgina Shepherd (Fairlie-Cuninghame 1997)—daughter, Madeleine Marie on 17 February 2016, a sister for Will.

Sophie Vanderburgt (Warner 2005)—daughter, Hannah Antonia Vanderburgt on 12 July 2016, a sister for Gabriella Lou

Rachel Wald (Slack-Smith 1994)—daughter, Lara Elizabeth Wald on 19 November 2015, a sister for Samuel and Abigail

Austin Michael Batten

Deaths

Judy Arnott (Hunt 1950) on 10 July 2016, mother of Caroline Arnott (1976) and Jillian Goodwin (1977) and grandmother of Susannah Hyles (2009)

Catriona Bell (Oberg 1983) on Monday 10 October 2016, mother of Adelaide Bell (2014) and Grace Bell, sister of Prudence Pavitt (1973), Doone Ponder (1978)

Peter Dowling on 7 May 2016, husband of Jill Dowling (Hawker 1954)

Mary Dunlop Mills (DeSalis 1951) on Saturday 25 June 2016

Laura Hinds (2008) on Monday 26 September 2016

Jenny Longworth on 5 September 2016, mother of Emma Longworth (1987) and grandmother of Erica in Year 6 and Rachel in Year 9

David McCure in June 2016, husband of Catherine McCure (Rodgers 1964)

Andrew Melville Holmes on 24 May 2016, son of Inga Holmes (Melville 1953), brother of Katie Jaques (Holmes 1987), uncle of Ava Jaques in Year 7

Valmae Rundle on 11 September 2016, mother of Philippa Harvey-Sutton (1968), mother in law of Virginia Rundle (1974), grandmother of Josie Ashton (1995)

Freddie O’Brien with three generations of Old Girls, his mother Pippie O’Brien (Lee 2005), Grandmother Suz Lord (McMillan 1975) and Great Grandmother Shirley McMillan (Pye 1947)

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Jesselene Simpson—Head of Art History at Ascham 1971–1982 3 January 1938 to 30 May 2016

Jesselene, or Ms Simpson as she was known at Ascham, had a long and productive life of almost eight decades that ended on Monday 30 May 2016 after a stroke. She was a Form Teacher to many and Art History teacher par excellence to others.

Alexina Jesselene Simpson, or Jesselene, Ms Simpson or Joss, as she was affectionately called, was born on 3 January 1938. She attended PLC Goulburn and later studied Sculpture and Art at East Sydney Tech. In the early 60s, she moved to London and worked at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). She was offered a job down in Melbourne at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and felt it was time to head home in the mid-60s.

Jesselene was offered a job at Ascham around 1972 as Head of the Art History Department and began a brilliant teaching career. She commenced around the same time that Rowena Danziger took the reins as Headmistress and Jesselene provided a source of invaluable practical and moral support to ‘Mrs D’ both in and out of the classroom.

For Jesselene, it was the Ascham students she lived for and I have spoken to so many of my fellow Old Girls whose lives

were changed for the better through her ability to make her subject matter come alive; the way she could engage and provoke their imagination and bring out the best in so many students. Melinda Plant (now Cullman), Head Girl in our Class of 1979, says she will always remember those ancient cave paintings that captivated her and started the journey that led her to choose an artist’s life. For Ruth Roberts it was the flying buttress and Ms Simpson’s drilling into us of the differences between the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns in Greek architecture.

I was captivated by her Japanese architecture lessons and my major work in Art was a Japanese-inspired watercolour painting of monks and temples. I was so intrigued by her tales of the Todai-ji Temple, the largest all-wooden building in Japan, that I went to live and work in Japan for a year after school so I could see it for myself. There have been countless girls who found in Jesselene a compassionate ear to listen to their troubles, a tower of strength and support when needed, a firm but fair voice of reason when required and a kind shoulder to cry on. She was generally unshockable and had seen it all before. She accepted people as they were and didn’t judge their failings. She was very broad-minded and understood the

Obituaries

Deaths continued

Diana Schermer (Maddox 1961) in June 2016

James Street on 26 June 2016, father of Hannah Crawford (Street 1994) and Katie Street (1992), brother of Tempe Onus (1974) and Phillipa Warwick (1971)

Lucas Souvlis on 15 July 2016, father of Deanne Chapman (1974), Pamela Ingall (1978), Stephanie Matters (1980), and Alex Souvlis (1988), grandfather of Tawna Tourle (2001), Charlotte Chapman (2007), Claudia Ingall (2011) and Emma Chirnside (2008)

Leonie Star (Brass 1955) in December 2015, mother of Adrienne (1981) and Naomi Star (1979)

Mark Snyders in January 2016, father of Jennifer Snyders (1984)

Christina Taylor on 22 July 2016, mother of Mandy Solomon (1978) and Christy Taylor (1976) and grandmother of Alexandra Solomon (2010) and Eliza Solomon (2013)

Stephanie Turner (Liddle 1961) on 11 May 2015

Georgina Wass (Coglan 1947) on 19 July 2016, mother of Helen Pratt (1982)

James Whitehouse on 12 May 2016, husband of Rosie Whitehouse (Bath 1961)

Robin Widdy (Miller 1961) in August 2016

Obituaries continued

helplessness of vulnerability and perhaps because she was a bit of a rebel and felt she didn’t quite fit in herself, she was comfortable around the unconventional or misunderstood.

Shayne Higson remembers: ‘She was just so dedicated and skilled at inspiring everyone to do their best, even perfectionists like me. She once gave me a P-, which was not a pass but a P for perfect. She said it was above an A+ and it would have been a P but for one spelling mistake so it was a P minus. So many teachers, not usually Ascham ones though, don’t push high achievers to do even better but she did. I will always treasure that Assignment and I still have it somewhere.’

Jesselene made lifetime friends with some of her Ascham colleagues, including Mary Coupland and Liz Conti, who described her as ‘Empathic, highly educated, eloquent, broad-minded—a bit of a rebel at times, downright rude at others, enjoyed getting a dig in if she felt you deserved it but one of the most compassionate people if she saw injustice in any form.”

Jesselene loved watercolour painting. It was watercolour that brought us back together after some 35 years, the day I walked into Susie Murphie’s watercolour class in Leichhardt

two years ago, sat down and looked up. ‘Ms Simpson? Is that you?’ Frail and crumpled, with a walking stick but still larger than life when she opened her mouth! We became firm friends over our paintbrushes each week and she would usually sit and paint something quite different to the rest of the class, rebel that she was! She was a terrific source of wisdom, strength and wit and we would often share scotch and stories or she would cook me her fabulous garlic prawns.

It was pride in her profession as a teacher and in her career in education and in the communities she formed around her that gave her the greatest pride and satisfaction. Part of her legacy is made up of a generation of artists and art teachers who were touched and inspired by her.

Thank you Ms Simpson for inspiring us to speak our truth, value the preciousness of a good education, bask in the support and loyalty of good friendships and be courageous in life.

Melissa Halliday, (1979) Old Girl and Funeral Celebrant [email protected] or 0425 213 338

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Lissy Abrahams (1986)

Following school I studied primary school teaching then travelled to Europe. In 1990, I was particularly drawn to Berlin where the wall had recently come down. I was fascinated by the changes occurring in the city as Germany was unifying for the first time in decades. I studied the German language and

taught English in several language schools around the city.

On my return to Australia I studied psychology. In my first year of studies I met Roger Cohen and in the years following we were fortunate to have Mia (16) and Romy (14). With our two small children we took off for a two-year stint in London. This turned into nine years, as we adored the city and took advantage of the vast cultural and historical delights and professional advantages London offered, such as training and working at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships. We returned to Australia nearly five years ago as it felt important to be with our families and have a life where our children could enjoy being barefoot and outdoors.

On our return Mia and Romy began their Ascham experiences. I opened up a therapy practice one block down on New South Head Road, called the Heath Group Practice. I am proud of the high standard of therapy being offered by myself and the nine other psychologists and psychotherapists who work at the practice. I treat both individuals and couples when they suffer from depression, anxiety, bereavement or loss, childhood or adult trauma, struggles with life transitions, relationship or family distress. I am also a family dispute resolution practitioner and collaborative processes coach where I help partners navigate the process of separation and divorce, ensuring the best interests of their children are maintained.

www.heathgroup.com.au or 02 9328 5551

Siena Hopkinson (2015)

Going for solo runs along dust roads through emerald green banana plantations, only to find yourself accompanied by a growing group of children all racing you and cheering you on, to dealing with equatorial heat, election riots, malarial mosquitos, long drops, frequent power shortages and monsoonal rains, were all parts of my daily routine for the first couple of months of this year. I was living in the rural Ugandan village of Busesa, volunteering as a teacher at one of the local primary schools, Ibaako.

I taught English, Maths, Art and Sport to predominately Year 4 students. Seven of us, volunteers at the three local primary schools, lived independently in a house in the village, buying

Careers update

Siena Hopkinson in Uganda

our fruit and vegetables from the village market, and catching matatus (minibuses crammed full of people, chickens and everything in between) and boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) to get around the place. One of the huge highlights of this experience was becoming absorbed in this completely different way of life. Nonetheless we were not able to fully assimilate into local life; wherever we walked in the village we were greeted with cries of ‘Mzungu! Mzungu!’ (White Person! White Person!)

At times the teaching could be very challenging, particularly attempting to break through the language barrier, and dealing with the Ugandan education system. There, rather than encouraging children to question, or think for themselves, the emphasis is on rote learning: having them recite whatever the teacher writes up on the board and memorise the right answer.

Discipline proved to be a constant battle. Food fights, fistfights and tears were a daily part of lessons, and mass stampedes occurred anytime colouring pencils or balls appeared. By the end of even our first lesson, I had come to feel enormous empathy for all my teachers at Ascham, and attempted all the discipline tricks they’d tried, some with more success than others!

I am so appreciative of the amount of resources and individual attention we received at Ascham, and in Australia in general. At Ibaako, we were working with a blackboard and chalk in a concrete classroom, with no glass in the windows or electricity to speak of, and, sadly, with the ratio of staff to pupils at our school each child receives little to no individual attention. However scarcity breeds great adaptability: the two footballs we’d brought with us somehow managed to serve the entire school of about 500 at break time.

Overall it was an experience that I am so glad to have taken part in. Though very challenging at times, the experience has shifted my perspective, and that will stay with me forever.

Obituaries continued

Laura Mary Homersham Hinds (2008)9 January 1991 to 26 September 2016

Laura Hinds was born on 9 January, 1991 in Sydney. She attended Ascham School from preschool in 1995 to Year 12 in 2008. While at School, she made valuable

contributions to Music, Drama, and Dance. She performed in many different musical groups, playing percussion and drums, and also participated in the Dance club and in Speech and Drama performances. Laura was involved in many leadership programs at the School, as a Peer Support Leader, Head of Orchestra, a member of the Music Committee, and was Vice-Chairman of Whitehead in her final year of School.

Laura attended the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed a Bachelor of Architecture in 2011, and a Master of Architecture in 2014. Laura was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of 2013, during her Master’s course, but did not let this deter her from completing her studies. She achieved an outstanding 23 distinctions and high distinctions, with high commendations from tutors, and a great reputation for her work. She was part of a team that received the NSW Graduate and Students Award from the Australian Institute of Architects for Structural Innovation in Architecture. The team also received a commendation for Digital Innovation in Architecture. Many of her works are still being shown to current students as examples of excellence. She was also invited to work as a University tutor at UTS in the years following her graduation.

In the Ascham Year 12 yearbook, students were asked what they wanted to be doing in the future. Laura responded that she ‘hoped to be an architect, designing the next wonder of the world, but she’d probably be designing a public toilet in Broken Hill.’ When Laura graduated from her Master’s degree, her goal was to work at BVN Architecture, but she thought she would have to work for many years to gain more experience before reaching that goal. She sent in an application nonetheless, was accepted immediately and started her career as an architect with BVN in January 2015.

At that time, all indicators showed that Laura was in the clear from her illness and her focus was now on her professional career. Laura had won a scholarship to study contemporary

architecture and urban planning at the Barcelona School of Architecture. She put this on hold so that she did not jeopardise her BVN job offer, planning to use future annual leave to complete this study.

At BVN, Laura worked on large commercial projects for legal offices, Sutherland Hospital and the new Northern Beaches Hospital. Laura was so committed to her work that, when attending treatment at Prince of Wales Hospital, she took photos, drew sketches, and talked to staff about the utility of facilities and what aspects could be improved through better design. Many of her ideas will be incorporated into the new Northern Beaches Hospital which is still under construction. She allowed herself minimum time to recover from her gruelling treatments before enthusiastically returning to work, planning her treatments around work commitments. Laura was still working at BVN at the time of her passing.

Throughout Laura’s life, including during her diagnosis and illness, she was engaging, gregarious, and made friends everywhere she went, leaving lasting impressions on all. She was a great friend, dedicating immeasurable time and gifting her hilarious sense of humour to the people she cared about most. Laura was always private about her illness, preferring instead to live in the present and make the most of every moment. She remained a brave, iron-willed woman, even throughout her final months.

In her own words: ‘Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart—that is true strength.’

Laura passed away on 26 September, 2016 in Sydney, Australia at the age of 25, having accomplished so much in such a short time. She leaves behind her parents, Paula and Denis; her aunt Margot; her grandfather John, and many loving friends and extended family. Laura was remembered in a memorial service held in the Packer Theatre on 10 October, 2016, where about 500 people gathered to remember her. Anyone wishing to pay tribute to her memory is encouraged to send a donation to the Australasian Sarcoma Study Group. Laura personally raised almost $20,000 towards this important research.

For more information, please visit www.australiansarcomagroup.org/ or look for Laura’s Stop Sarcoma Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stopsarcoma.

Friends and family will be continuing Laura’s work in raising funds for the treatment of Sarcoma and will soon be launching the website that Laura was working on at www.stopsarcoma.com.

Kindly provided by Amy Cohen and Olivia Crowley

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NEXT ISSUE – Winter 2017

Submission deadline: Friday 31 March 2017

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Founder Miss Marie Wallis

Patron Mr Andrew Powell

Office Bearers for 2016

President: Mrs Jennifer Ridhalgh (Harvey)

Vice Presidents: Mrs Giselle Collins (Jollie) and Mrs Amanda Pfeffer (Stern)

Honorary Treasurer: Mrs Sarah Merrick

Honorary Secretary: Mrs Amanda Pfeffer (Stern)

Committee Mrs Lisa Anne Bell, Ms Julia Booth, Miss Svetlana Collantes, Miss Olivia Crowley, Miss Anna Della Marta, Ms Amber Glajz, Miss Lucinda Spence, Miss Jasmine Stone (Clubb)

AOGU Committee

Brenda Cox (Lugsdin 1961) with her grand-daughter Rosie Martin (Year 10) while at the Class of 1961 – 55 Year Reunion

Ascham Old Girls’ Union

188 New South Head Road, Edgecliff NSW 2027 Australia

P +61 2 8356 7065 E [email protected]

www.ascham.nsw.edu.au

summer 2016 - potentiality online...

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