the connection newsletter | september 2015 | number 56

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL OF ST ANNE AND ST JAMES SEPTEMBER 2015 | NUMBER 56

ContentsPrincipal’s Report 2

Junior Musical ‘Superkids’ 3

President’s Report (PSA) 4

John aces Australian History Competition 5

Reunion Weekend 6

Five Year Reunion 7

Foundation Day and Lagoon Dash 8

Ben Connor’s Visit 9

Class of 2014 Success Stories 10

Winton Cheque Donation 11

Book now for Reunion Weekend 2016 12

The School’s Centenary is fast approaching and it is great to see and feel the excitement of our current students, many of whom are asking questions and making comments about the School’s 100th year. While the weekend closest to the 100th Birthday in July 2017 will be the centre point of celebrations, our centenary year will traverse two calendar years, beginning in the third week of July, 2016. Our great hope is that as many of our Old Girls from St Anne’s and as many Past Students of The Cathedral School can visit the school over that 12 month period and share in the celebration of such a great achievement for any organisation or school.

The calendar for celebrations will be released to the Cathedral community early in 2016. I would encourage all former students to consider their availability for this momentous occasion and make plans to catch up with their former classmates and boarding school roommates. I would also ask those that know of former friends who are not on the school’s mailing list to contact their friends and ask them to get in contact with the school (email [email protected]). We are really keen to get in touch with as many Old Girls and Past Students as we possibly can.

With such a big year on the horizon and the organisation of all of those aspects of this historical event well under way, I am very pleased to announce that we have a very strong Past Students’ Association, led by Mr Tom Porter (2007), who will be very busy over the next two years preparing for the 100th year celebrations. I would also like to acknowledge the great work of our Registrar and St Anne’s Old Girl Mrs Toni Lanphier (1970), and her team of Regina Blackburn, Karen Lane (1993), and Grace Baldwin (2013) who will also be working tirelessly to make the Centenary a memorable occasion for all.

Mr Ian Gamack Principal

The launch of our Centenary logo and banners on Foundation Weekend this year marked the beginning of our campaign to make our centenary year a truly fitting celebration of the school’s history.

A number of past students and current students are now working their way through school archives to prepare information to be used in centenary publications and promotions. If you have any photos, newspaper clippings or other school memorabilia that could add to the school’s collection, please let us know. We will gratefully accept any materials, or good quality copies of anything you wish to retain.

At this stage, there are a few projects we are working towards:

A ‘coffee table’ book depicting the 100 year history of the school – this will include photos, news clippings, student and staff reflections, lists and profiles of key personnel as well as a timeline of major events in the life of the school.

A series of video interviews to share the personal stories of a range of past students and staff from across the years. The plan is to release one video per month in the year leading up to the centenary celebrations in July 2017. Would you like to suggest someone to be featured in this series? If so, please let us know.

A signature project (the details of which are remaining secret for now) which will contain the names of every student and staff member who has been part of the school’s first 100 years.

Of course, there will also be a program of events for past students, and we will reveal details of these closer to the time. For now, just be aware that the 100th anniversary of the school’s foundation will be Wednesday 26th July 2017, but most of the social events will occur from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July. We hope to see as many past students as possible at the school to share the celebrations.

If you wish to contribute any ideas or items of interest, please contact the Registrar, Mrs Toni Lanphier on 47222000 or [email protected]

School Centenary Approaches

Principal’s Report

In the lead-up to the school’s centenary, we are asking past and present students and staff to ‘tell us your story’ as a way of illustrating the rich tapestry of the school’s history. Over the years, the school has gone through many changes, but it is the people, their values and their experiences, that have created the life and character of the school, and this is what we seeking to preserve.

So, do you have a story to share about your time at St Anne’s or The Cathedral School? It may be a general reminiscence about your school days, or a particular incident that stands out in your memory. We would love to hear about it! Length does not matter, nor does your writing style – just get it down and send it in!

It is our intention to publish such stories in a commemorative book in our centenary year. Please send us your story and include a photograph or two from your time at the school to go with it. If you would prefer to tell us your story orally, please get in touch and we will organise someone to talk with you and record your story for you.

Please send stories or queries to Toni Lanphier (Registrar)

Phone: 07 4722 2000

Email: [email protected]

Post: P.O. Box 944 AITKENVALE Q 4814

Tell us your story … be part of the school’s history

Junior School Musical ‘Superkids’This year the production of ‘Superkids’ began with auditions running in Term 1. This was an exciting time filled with anticipation and students enthusiastically learning script excerpts and songs for their auditions. With 18 lead parts and 54 in the chorus, the rehearsals began with a cast of 70 Students in Years 4 - 6. The cast diligently attended rehearsals during lunches, after school and on weekends. With 5 scenes and 7 songs to fit into an hour, we had to make the most of rehearsal times, busily learning lines, song lyrics, dances and acting.

On 7 and 8 August, the Junior School presented the musical to the school community in the Rock Centre. Superkids is a story about a school aged boy named Nigel and his best friend, Robin. Nigel and Robin aren’t so popular because they are different to most other school children and are regularly teased by the bullies.

Nigel becomes an accidental superhero and Robin, his faithful sidekick. One day, the bullies overhear Nigel and Robin talking and found out Nigel’s weaknesses – milk solids and Louise.

The preppies, who were also being bullied, join forces with Nigel and Robin to make up a band of Superkids. There is a fight and the Superkids defeat the bullies. Nigel and Robin become the school’s heroes and the bullies are no more. This was an amazing production, and all the students are to be congratulated on their achievement. It was heartwarming to see the cast come together and support one another. A huge thank you must go to the parents. Thank you for giving up your family time, for doing the many drop offs and pick ups from school and offering assistance whenever needed. And finally, thank you to all the staff that attended rehearsals and meetings; organised costumes, make up, back drops, props; and gave your time and support. The support of the school community was paramount to the success of this show, and will for productions to come.

THE CONNECTION 2015 3

It’s amazing to think where the school year has gone, as we approach the end of Term 3.

As I write this Connection article, I try to get inspiration on what I can talk to our past students about. While sitting under our ancient rain trees, it hits me. I can talk about spirit - the spirit of St Anne’s School and now the spirit of The Cathedral School.

The definition of spirit is the prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude of a person, group, or period of time or the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul. I think both these definitions are related to the school in many ways.

I like to talk about the past, present and future spirit of the school. The spirit shown from St Anne’s girls who built the school up from its humble beginnings in the city to its relocation to Ravenswood due to war, then to its current location in Mundingburra. I think its present spirit lies in the students it has representing us from sporting to community service activities, to the teachers putting in a lot of effort to make our students achieve well. I look into the future of The Cathedral School and know its future is bright as we look forward to the 100 year centenary. Just imagine what the school will be like in 20 years’ time.

I love seeing school spirit and being able to witness it firsthand makes me so proud

I was lucky enough to drive the school bus out to Charter Towers for a weekend netball carnival recently, and sitting on the side line wearing my Cathedral shirt supporting the teams and seeing how much spirit they had was truly fulfilling.

2015 has been a great year so far. Last month, we had Foundation Day and our Reunion Weekend. Ben Connor (Class of 2005), our guest speaker at Foundation Day, spoke about his days at school and trying to get away with his facial hair (which he did not succeed in). Ben is now an opera singer based in Europe and we were lucky enough to have him sing at Foundation Day and also at a concert on the Friday night.

Over the weekend, we also held our school tour and AGM of the PSA , and the annual reunion dinner. The Saturday night dinner is always a great event and one not to be missed. We had a great turn out of past students from the 1950’s, 1965, 1975 and 1985, plus a few from more recent years, including class of 2010.

Reunions are a wonderful time to catch up with old school friends and find out what changes have happened at the school. If you missed this year’s reunion, the PSA are holding another reunion in Brisbane in October and would like as many past students as possible attend. We will be talking about the 100 year preparations and what the PSA has been up to. Our principal, Mr Ian Gamack, Mrs Toni Lanphier and myself will be attending, so we look forward to catching up with you. Check out this Connection for the booking site and details on how to book.

The centenary is fast approaching and we would like to thank past students who have sent us stories and old memorabilia. We are always on the lookout for any stories or items that will add to our collection of school history.

I am pleased that the PSA committee agreed to purchase two pull up banners for PSA events. Mr Ian Gamack and I launched the new banners with the school’s 100 year logo on them at the reunion dinner. This will be proudly displayed in the lead-up to our centenary.

I would just like to end my report by saying thank you to all the wonderful past students. We are a wonderful community and I really enjoy hearing all the stories about the school, whether you were a St

Anne’s girl or a Cathedral student.

I must also thank my committee made up of past student volunteers for the work you have done over the past 6 months. I really enjoy your dedication and commitment to keeping the past students connected with the school.

Tom PorterPresident PSA

During August, two Cathedral teams competed in the annual Queensland Association of Maths Teachers interschool competition. For the first time in 2015, teams included Year 7 students, along with Year 8 who have historically filled the team. There were 16 teams from ten Townsville schools competed. One of Cathedral’s teams was the regional winner and has qualified for the State finals in Brisbane in September.

The winning team comprised Jude Micic and Angus Willocks from Year 7, along with Christopher Butler from Year 8.

The competition involves estimation, mental arithmetic, individual problem solving, and history and general (maths) knowledge.

Commendations to to Cathedral’s second team comprising of Sarah Binns, Stephanie Chun Tie and Andrew Maher who had a great day testing their Maths knowledge.

QAMT Year 7/8 Maths Competition

President’s Report

THE CONNECTION 20154

Thanks to the past students who turned up to play against the current students in the annual Touch Football and Netball Challenge on Sunday 13 September, and to the boarders who came down to the oval to support the teams.

Sadly, the past students were unable to meet the speed and ability of the current students in the Touch game, with the final score being 6 – 2 in the current students’ favour. The past students managed to win the Touch Shield in 2013, and we hope we can attract the players to wrest it back next year!

However, the tables were turned in the Netball game, with the past students recording a convincing 15 - 6 win. Good team play and some skilful goal shooting produced this great result. Both teams were kept on track with our student referees, Emma Carman and Caitlin Johnson, who are all trained up and ready to go on the school Rugby and Netball tour this week.

There are now two trophies for the annual sports challenge, in order to recognise the separate results in the Touch Football and Netball games.

After the games and presentation of trophies, all players relaxed with a sausage sizzle and cold drink.

Past Students V Current Students Touch Football and Netball Challenge

John aces Australian History Competition

The Australian History Competition is an opportunity for students in Years 8 and 10 to demonstrate their understanding of past events and is broadly based on key elements of the Australian History Curriculum. This year’s competition attracted over 23,000 participants, including 100 History students from The Cathedral School who achieved impressive results which is a credit to both them and their teachers. Congratulations to all students who sat the test and took advantage of this worthwhile experience.

High Distinctions: John Atkinson, Soren Desira, Quinn Sheehan, Harlee Timms.

Distinctions: Max Bainbridge, Simone de Nys.

John Atkinson won the state division of the Year 10 Australian History Competition for 2015. This is an exceptional achievement for John considering the number of participants and the challenging nature of the test which requires students to transfer historical skills and understandings that they have developed in the classroom.


Reunion Weekend


5 Year Reunion


The School’s 98th Birthday was celebrated in style on Friday 24 July with the annual Foundation Day celebrations. Our guest speaker, Ben Connor (Class of 2005) entertained the crowd with his memories of his time at the School and an amazing performance of “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady.

The annual Lagoon Dash was fought out following the service, with Bede House winning the boys event and Langton House in the girls event. Once again, the Current Students were too fast in the Bragging Rights race which was the Past Students V Current Students V Staff.

Following the race the students, staff and guests all enjoyed a delicious birthday cake prepared by the School’s Catering Department and went back to class with a clear reminder of how fortunate we are at The Cathedral School. Foundation Day allows us to celebrate what we have achieved as a school and to give thanks to God for the abundance of resources, facilities and opportunities.

Foundation Day and Lagoon Dash

Staff:

Ira Hood

Tania Morton

Tessa Nichols

Brenden Woolley

Past Students:

Gabe Brennan (2012)

Harry Parks (2014)

Stephanie Prizeman (2012)

Nazareth Whaleboat (2014)

Current Students:

Julia Rogers (Bede)

Ben Wright (Chatham)

Marshall Winkle (Langton)

Lily Rayment (More)

Bede:

Lara McManus – Year 6

Amelia Steel – Year 9

Sienna Fracchia – Year 12

Chatham:

Emma Burton – Year 6

Madeline Gamack – Year 9

Janaya Emery – Year 12

Langton:

Tileah Preece – Year 6

Abbie Muller – Year 9

Meg Maguire – Year 12

More:

Sasza Toth – Year 6

Kathleen Cox – Year 9

Ella Honeycombe – Year 12

Lagoon Dash RunnersGIRLS INTERHOUSE

Bede:

Tye Wilshire – Year 6

Jonas Atkinson – Year 9

Harry Cox – Year 12

Chatham:

Joshua Ferguson– Year 6

William White – Year 9

Kyle Sondergeld – Year 12

Langton:

Hamish Gilmore – Year 6

Ismael Reto – Year 9

Callum Atkinson – Year 12

More:

Ben Porter – Year 6

Tim Hardy – Year 9

Flynn Willocks – Year 12

Lagoon Dash RunnersBOYS INTERHOUSE

STAFF / PAST STUDENTS / CURRENT STUDENTS


Current Students:

Julia Rogers (Bede)

Ben Wright (Chatham)

Marshall Winkle (Langton)

Lily Rayment (More)

Langton:

Tileah Preece – Year 6

Abbie Muller – Year 9

Meg Maguire – Year 12

More:

Sasza Toth – Year 6

Kathleen Cox – Year 9

Ella Honeycombe – Year 12

Langton:

Hamish Gilmore – Year 6

Ismael Reto – Year 9

Callum Atkinson – Year 12

More:

Ben Porter – Year 6

Tim Hardy – Year 9

Flynn Willocks – Year 12

The Senior Music Class was fortunate enough to have a workshop with past student and opera singer Ben Connor and his wife, Sonia Anfiloff. They taught us great breathing techniques which helped us to project our voice when we sing. They also showed us how we should stand when we sing to further project the voice and have the freedom in our bodies to move. It was a delight to work with them and something I will always remember, but it wasn’t over yet…

Ben returned to the school the next day for the Foundation Day service as the past student guest speaker and gave a small speech about his life as a student at Cathedral. The school had the pleasure of listening to him sing, “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady at the service.

Finally, to wrap it all up, he held a concert that night in the Rock Centre which also featured his wife and former teachers Christina Wilson and Alan Hicks from ANU. They performed various songs from multiple operas and musicals in several different languages! It was a fantastic night and I felt privileged to be a part of the experience.

Written by Taylor Chappell Year 11

Ben Connor returns to the old Music Halls


Some noteworthy individual results have also been announced with two former students receiving accolades in their areas of excellence.

Last year’s Chapel Captain and OP1 student Harry Butson (pictured right) has just been announced as one of Australia’s Top 500 Secondary Students for 2014.

Also from last year’s Year 12 cohort, Sarah Prentice (pictured below) has been awarded a 2014 Australian Vocational Student Prize which recognises the achievements of students who complete their senior secondary studies while undertaking vocational education and training while at school.

Both have been awarded a certificate along with $1,000 and an impressive addition to their resumes. I’m sure they will be very successful in their chosen careers.

Congratulations to both Harry and Sarah!

Class of 2014 graduate, Nelson Bara recently featured in the BHP Biliton’s Newsletter. This is Nelson’s story:

At 12 years old Nelson Bara began a journey of a lifetime as he enrolled in boarding school at The Cathedral School Townsville. Nelson was the only child from Umbakumba to head off to Townsville to begin boarding school that year. At 12 years old and all alone on his first big adventure to Queensland, Nelson admits “it was a bit scary”, but worth the opportunity and education he has received.

When asked what he thought boarding school had provided him, the first word out of Nelson’s mouth was “opportunity” and opportunities he has had. During his time at boarding school Nelson had the opportunity to travel Australia wide including Brisbane and Melbourne to play Rugby Union. He also played and learnt a range of sports some he says his family and friends from home here would never have heard of. Nelson was also provided with the opportunity to travel across the world to the United Kingdom for a school excursion where he got to travel and see the sights. But above all else Nelson has now been given the opportunity to begin a career with BHP Billiton where he can work to earn a living whilst also being able to return to live with his family in Umba Kumba, all of which Nelson attributes to his boarding school education.

Nelson cherishes the years he had at boarding school as he received sports awards for his Rugby Union and has made friends for life, who live all over Australia. He dreams of doing more travelling and believes that this job with GEMCO will assist him in his goals of saving money to do more travel and buy a car. Nelson recommends boarding school to all the children of Groote Eylandt as it was a great experience which has provided him with nothing but “Opportunities”.

Class of 2014 Success Stories


In the Name of DroughtDrought can be referred to ‘as the silent killer slowly strangling the lives of not only the livestock that graze the lands but those families and businesses who call the Australian outback home’.

As a boarding school student at The Cathedral School in Townsville I have the opportunity to experience many different facets of life. However coming from the small western Queensland town of Winton, the reality and struggles associated with drought accompany me as I discover new horizons.

It is due to such experiences and knowledge that I am abundantly proud of where I come from and the school I attend, as both entities remain positive and continue to fight the detrimental aspects of drought.

Throughout the past 18 months I have witnessed my school influencing our broader community, including its city based families, to embrace the effort of fighting against the effects of drought. Rather than ignoring the complexities of drought, the school, its students and the Parents and Friends’ Association have been actively fund raising in order to provide practical assistance to purchase stock feed and the like for families and livestock in need. The fundraising efforts have been complimented by a coordinated approach by school management to deliver such essentials free of cost throughout the outback areas of Queensland. The essentials are delivered by staff who also provide a supportive and understanding ‘ear’ for rural families to talk.

I was also extremely proud to be involved last year in the ‘Unite the Night’ event organised by the school, staff and students to embrace and extend the drought effort to the Townsville community. It involved a very moving moment and one that will be

etched in my memory for life as thousands of people from all nationalities and backgrounds walked at night with only glow in the dark items along Townsville’s Strand in order to raise money and awareness for the campaign against drought.

The ‘Unite the Night’ event raised significant awareness and understanding of drought. Such aspects are just as important as financial assistance as many rural families struggle with the fact that they feel alone as the broader society does not understand drought in the same way they understand the effects of other extreme events such as cyclones.

My town of Winton continues to remain positive despite the impact of one of the worst droughts in Australia’s history. However when the town experienced the recent devastation of fire at one of its main tourist attractions when the Waltzing Matilda Centre was gutted by fire, the community was further knocked down, but importantly not knocked out!

In true Aussie spirit they are determined to rebuild a new facility that further improves the story behind Australia’s unofficial national anthem – Waltzing Matilda.

The Cathedral School’s management understood the pivotal impact the loss of such an iconic facility would be to a rural town. Accordingly it was quick to donate $5,000 toward the replacement

of memorabilia items lost in the fire. I was humbled to represent the entire school community to present Winton’s Mayor, Mr Butch Lenton, with this donation.

As I continue to experience the joy of new aspects and events in my life, one memory that will travel with me forever will be the gift of generosity and understanding that The Cathedral School community has for those people, communities and countries experiencing unfortunate times.

Lilyana Rayment Year 12


Reunion Weekend 2016Did you finish school in 2011, 2006, 1996, 1986, 1976, 1966, 1956? If so, it’s your turn to party!!

Next year’s reunion weekend is the time for you to get together with your school friends and catch up on what’s been happening over the years.

Reunions are always more successful if there is a ‘driving force’ getting the year level together, as it is more likely that others will attend if they are invited by someone they know. If you would like to be a coordinator for your year group’s reunion, please email [email protected] so we can help you get a group together.

Next year’s details:Friday 15 July Class of 2011 Five Year reunion 5.30pm - 7pm

Saturday 16 July School tour and afternoon tea (including AGM) 1.30pm - 3.30pm Reunion Dinner (all year levels but paticularly the ‘6’ years) 6.30pm - 10pm

Sunday 17 July Church Service at St James Cathedral 9.30am

Reunion Weekend Volunteer Contacts:2011 - Still needed

2006 - Rachel Howard [email protected]

1996 - Melissa Prince (nee Feather) 0417 735 868 or [email protected] and Sandra Lundie (nee Graham) 0439 897 739

1986 - Still needed

1976 - Jeanene Louise Nedela (nee Campbell) 0409 116 913

1966 – Still needed

If you would like to help out, please make contact with Mrs Toni Lanphier - phone 4722 2000 or email [email protected].

Book now for the Brisbane Reunion - Saturday 10 OctoberAfter the success of our inaugural Brisbane reunion in 2013, we are inviting all those past students residing in the Brisbane area to attend a second Brisbane Reunion on Saturday 10 October.

The Reunion will be held at the St Margaret’s Girls School Arts Centre from 4pm until 6pm.

Tickets are $15 per person, purchase tickets online here http://www.trybooking.com.IFPR. Bookings will close on Wednesday 7 October.

Centenary RecognitionAs part of our centenary research, we are trying to identify families who have had a long connection with the school. If you think you may qualify in one or more of these areas (or know someone else who would), please get in touch with the Registrar, Mrs Toni Lanphier, to stake your claim.

Who is our oldest past student? If you are presently over 90 years of age, you may be in the running for this – please let us know.

Which family has had the most generations attend the school? If three or more generations of your family have attended St Anne’s/The Cathedral School, please give us the details of the students’ names and years attended.

Which family has had the longest continuous enrolment at the school? Have you had children at the school for more than 20 years without a break? If so, please get in touch with the relevant details.

Which staff members have worked at the school for more than 20 years? We know the recent ones, but would like more details on some of the earlier staff members.

Do you have some other ‘claim to fame’ that you would like to register? We would love to hear about it.

Please send any information to [email protected] or phone 07 4722 2005


the connection newsletter | september 2015 | number 56

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