Lauriston Life | April Edition | 2017

10
Architectures
of light
Inspirational visual artist
Amanda Morgan returns
6
Meet our
student leaders
The 2017 School Captains
introduce one another
12
Making and
marketing
Years 7, 8 and 10 set for
interdisciplinary challenges
24
A special singer
Olivia Chindamo to perform
at the LPA Gala Ball
EDITION 1 | APRIL 2017

Lauriston Life
The magazine of
Lauriston Girls’ School
38 Huntingtower Road
Armadale VIC 3143 Australia
t: +61 3 9864 7555
e: admissions@lauriston.vic.edu.au
www.lauriston.vic.edu.au
CRICOS number 00152F
ABN 15 004 264 402
1. Sally de Guingand 2. Caitlin Houlihan 3. Fiona Ireland 4. Susan Just (Principal)
5. Isabel Nakonieczny 6. Kate Nixon 7. Sam Ridley 8. Chris Toms 9. Louise Torney
10. Katrina Walter 11. Tim Watson 12. Di Wood
ON THE COVER: Amanda Morgan with her work Organic Architecture at the Bakehouse Pubic Art Project, Melbourne, 2016
PHOTOGRAPHER: James HH Morgan DESIGN: Actual Size PRINTING: New Artworx
4 5
6 7 8
CONTRIBUTORS
1
2
10 12
3
9 11

CON
TEN
TS.
FEATURED STORIES
6
Meet the Captains
Caitlin Houlihan and Isabel
Nakonieczny
8
2016 academic
results
Strong scores abound
THIS ISSUE
4
From the Principal
Looking ahead
16
Howqua
Behind the new faces
14
Senior School
Vice-Principal Di Wood
injects life experience into
her new position
18
Junior School
Teaching digital citizenship
20
Kindergarten
The hundred languages of
children
12
Learning and
Innovation
Vice-Principal Tim
Watson explains the latest
programs
Artwork by Amanda Morgan
10
Architectures of light
Amanda Morgan is LAA’s
Artist-in-Residence
COVER
STORY

FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Looking
ahead
When thinking about our theme
of new beginnings for this edition
of Lauriston Life, I turned to some
recent insightful reports that have
informed the new Lauriston Girls’
School Strategic Plan 2017 to 2020.
The first was the Australian Council of Learned
Academies’ June 2016 report, which found Australia to
be a relatively ineﬃcient innovator with a ranking of just
24th out of 141 countries for innovation outputs in the
2015 Global Innovation Index.
The report noted that investing in human capital is a
critical element in driving
higher levels of innovation.
Ground-breaking
organisations spend time
and resources on finding
and developing the right
employees. Attitudes,
cultural fit with the
organisation and emotional
intelligence are just as important as the technical skills
requirements for employees.
These views are mirrored in a Foundation for Young
Australians report which used big data collected from
job advertisements over three years to determine
that jobs of the future will demand enterprise skills.
Enterprise skills include problem-solving, creativity,
communications, teamwork, financial literacy, digital
literacy, critical thinking and presentation skills. These
abilities are also considered transferable skills which
young people can take from one job to another. They
will help them confront the challenges of change and
navigate a complex future.
A VicHealth 2016 report, entitled Bright Futures—
Megatrends impacting the mental wellbeing of young
Victorians over the next 20 years, offers a broad picture
of the future challenges for young people. This report
highlighted that young people need a balanced set of
cognitive, social and emotional skills to adapt to the
economic, social and technological challenges of the
21st century.
These, along with other reports and research articles,
have informed our new strategic plan.
We have given careful thought to how we need to
teach these transferable skills and the knowledge which
comes from studying subject disciplines. At the same
time, we have given attention to the impact that social
and emotional learning has on the wellbeing of our
students.
“We cannot solve
our problems by
using the same kind
of thinking we used
to create them.”
- ALBERT EINSTEIN
In assembly
EDITION 01 | APR 2017
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Lauriston Life

Our ongoing quest is to:
• Ensure a well-rounded educational experience
• Provide education best practice for our teachers and
students
• Enhance wellbeing and resilience
• Build an inclusive community with a sense of
belonging
• Maintain steady enrolments to support ongoing
investment
• Invest in sustainable operating systems and processes
Some of our strategic plan goals are to expand our
experiential learning opportunities. These opportunities
will foster independence and deep understanding
through the implementation of ‘Signature’ projects at
years 7, 8 and 10.
We will integrate STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics) into the curriculum
and continue to develop digital fabrication and
computational thinking from Prep through to the
secondary years of schooling. We will continue to
foster humanities, arts and social sciences because
we know that innovative thinking comes as a result
of collaborative teams with creativity and different
approaches to critical and analytical thinking.
To enhance our SHINE Personal Development program,
we will incorporate more positive education principles
and mindfulness techniques across the curriculum, and
build capacity in social and emotional learning.
We will also work to further engage our school
community and local, national and international
partners in meaningful and reciprocal learning
experiences which enhance students’ academic learning
and community service, prepare them for global
citizenship and enable them to be actively involved
in seeking out varied perspectives and solutions to
problems within their own community and world.
We are currently developing a three-year program of
cultural and curriculum-based global excursions, and
our Community Service Coordinator is enhancing our
service program through the development of local
and national partnerships with not-for-profit and other
organisations.
Our strategic framework for Sport, Health and Physical
Education, Wellbeing and Outdoor Recreation is
close to completion, and we will shortly be consulting
with our parents and students regarding our priority
goals. We will make our strategic plan and supporting
frameworks available to the school community via our
website during the first semester. We believe these
documents reflect the big decisions we have made to
set Lauriston on a path that prepares our young women
to shape the world of the future.
There is much to look forward to throughout the year,
in particular, our LPA Luminescence Innovation Gala
Ball to be held on 3 June at Peninsula C, Docklands.
The Gala Ball will be a celebration of our School’s
talent, past and present, and I am grateful to our LPA
committee who have been planning this wonderful
evening full of art, music and fine food.
SUSAN JUST
Principal
Chairing a leadership committee
Founders’ Day celebrations with alumnae
Lauriston Life
5

2017 SCHOOL CAPTAINS
In their
own words
Our new School Captains have
known each other since Junior
School so who better to introduce
themselves than one another.
About Caitlin
Caitlin is one of the most friendly, outgoing, kind and
imaginative people that I have ever had the pleasure
of knowing. In my opinion, she perfectly fits the role of
School Captain because she is not only organised and
responsible but also fun-loving and great to be around.
She approaches life with an incredible amount of
energy and vitality which has never failed to inspire me.
Ever since we both arrived at Lauriston in Year 5, I have
always admired Caitlin for her unwavering work ethic
and love of learning. In the first few seconds of meeting
her, she has this special way of making you immediately
feel welcomed—even in her speeches and onstage—
because she never cares if she gets embarrassed or if
people are judging her. Anyone in the school, regardless
if they’ve met her or not, would feel comfortable
approaching Caitlin and initiating a conversation with
her because of her engaging and bubbly personality.
Caitlin is fine being herself and won’t let anyone change
that, and that to me, is absolutely brilliant. The world
needs more real, genuine people like her and I’m so glad
to have her as my co-Captain. It was no surprise to me
when Caitlin was revealed as School Captain because
I’ve always believed that she has all the qualities that a
successful leader needs.
Together I think we will be able to make the school
community a more cohesive, inclusive network where
everyone feels comfortable in their own skin.
ISABEL NAKONIECZNY
School Captain
About Isabel
I am so excited to share my co-Captaincy with
Isabel as she is one of the most considerate, funny,
creative and loving people that I have been lucky
enough to know for almost eight years. I cannot
believe that it has been so long since we met on
our first day at Lauriston in Year 5. I clearly remember
at our Courage Conference how encouraging she was
when I was doing the rock climbing activity and how
she immediately immersed herself into Lauriston life by
basically participating in everything.
I have always admired Isabel’s ability to give anything
a go with enthusiasm and humour, especially in Year
10 when we had the greatest amount of fun together
playing basketball for the first time (in which we were
ecstatic if we even shot a single hoop and would laugh
about our clumsiness). Isabel is also incredibly talented,
especially in art. I remember in Year 5, our teacher was
getting married and we wrote letters and drew pictures
in this little book to our teacher to say congratulations
and everyone was astounded when they saw Isabel’s
incredible drawing. However, it is Isabel’s work ethic,
organisation, drive and passion that has allowed her to
achieve what she has desired. She is honestly one of
the hardest working people I know, and I hope people
acknowledge the incredible amount of hours she puts
into everything she does. Isabel is also extremely
bubbly, considerate, selfless and comfortable being
herself; she is so easy to chat to and always looks to
make things better for others around her.
All of Isabel’s charismatic attributes make her not only
an incredible School Captain, but an amazing friend and
I cannot wait to create a more open environment within
the school where everyone is inclusive, considerate,
self-assured and makes the most of the opportunities
they are given.
CAITLIN HOULIHAN
School Captain
6
Lauriston Life

Isabel (left) and Caitlin
Student leadership team
Can you spot the Captains in Year 5?
Caitlin (far left front row) and Isabel (far right back row)
Lauriston Life
7

ACADEMIC RESULTS
Strength
in numbers
Results season can be a time of
nerves and butterflies for the
thousands of students across the
state who spend most of November
(and, if you’re an IB student, all of
December) anxiously awaiting their
final score.
After two years of ardent study, in which time over 50
exams were sat, more than 100 SACs were completed
and over 140,000 words were written for extended
essays, Lauriston’s Class of 2016 received their results
with a mixture of relief, jubilation and surprise.
The combined results attained by our VCE and IB
students are some of the strongest Lauriston has
achieved this decade; four out of every five students
received an ATAR of at least 80, and one-third of the
cohort scored 95 or above. This was also the School’s
largest Year 12 cohort in five years, with 84 students
completing the VCE and 37 studying the IB.
Across the state, Lauriston was ranked within the top
20 schools for VCE and was the only school on this list
to also offer the IB. At a subject level, it was another
strong year for arts at Lauriston, with the VCE Media
class ranked as the best in the state. Lauriston was
also ranked as the second-best school in the state for
English, a core subject that nearly every student in the
state must complete.
For many girls, natural talent alone doesn’t just bring
the best results: it’s often finding a balance of study,
friendship and hobbies. The high level of results across
all subject areas is a true reflection of the students’
interests and their broad range of abilities. The Class of
2016 have empathy and a natural curiosity about the
world, and many will continue their studies overseas.
LOUISE TORNEY
Communications Oﬃcer
English, a core subject that nearly every student in the
IB high achievers: Chloe Gration, Clara Chen,
Ahinsa Gunatilaka and Juliette Baxter
VCE stars: Isabella Backwell, Caitlin McDonough,
Lucy Leckey, Julia Benoit, Isabel Solin
8
Lauriston Life

Studying further afield
Many Lauriston students choose to continue their studies interstate or overseas. Of the Class of 2016, nine students
are heading to The Australian National University in Canberra; two will move to England and study at University
College London; and one has accepted a place at the National University of Ireland in Galway.
0
25%
50%
75%
100%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Above 99
Between 90-94.95
Between 95-98.95
Below 79.95
Between 85-89.95
Between 80-84.95
PERCENTOFSTUDENTS
LAURISTON COMBINED ATARS 2011-16
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Below 20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-50
NUMBEROFSCORES
STUDY SCORE RANGE
Average Victorian school
DISTRIBUTION OF STUDY SCORES 2016
Arts
Business
Design
Science
Media
Engineering
Law
Horticulture
FIRST ROUND OFFERS – BY COURSE
Lauriston Life
9

COVER STORY
Architectures
of Light
I write to ask your support on
behalf of my fellow members of
the Australian Aboriginal race for
our request that we be accorded
representation in the Australian
National Parliament.
This was the first line of Secretary of the Australian
Aborigines’ League Pastor Doug Nicholls’ eloquent
letter written in 1949 to the three political leaders of
the time: Prime Minister Ben Chifley, Opposition Leader
Robert Menzies and Leader of the Australian Country
Party Arthur Fadden.
In her artwork, 1949, Amanda Morgan (Class of 1988)
articulated the necessity to readdress Nicholls’ letter.
The work captivated audiences and challenged their
notion of democracy. Her light work transformed the
façade of the Old Parliament House building, which
houses the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD),
with red, yellow and black painted gestures, and
illuminated sections of Nicholls’ letter to the viewer.
‘I wanted to look closer and reveal aspects that were
not immediately visible. I did this by sampling aspects
from the site’s heritage and layering these concepts
on the building. Originally when MoAD was built, it
blocked the path of the mountain range. The work
replicates their shape to reinstate their presence.
MoAD’s structure occupies a significant Indigenous
site. I wanted to make a work which could deconstruct
the architecture of the building in support of the Tent
Embassy at the foreground of the work,’ says Amanda.
‘I was interested in revealing a story about the site that
referenced our shared Australian history, in this case
Nicholl’s letter which was originally delivered to the
building where the work was installed.’
The letter, unknown to many Australians, was a turning
point in the Aboriginal people’s push to have federal
representation in parliament.
This wonderful mix of history, society, technique, colour
and imagination are a hallmark of Amanda’s practice.
‘The research that sparks the idea is as rewarding
as making the work. There’s also another part to my
practice which is the wonder of the unknown. It’s a
particularly exciting aspect when the work is finally
installed, as it takes on a life of its own.
‘You never anticipate how the audience or viewer will
respond on the night. The ephemeral nature of light
works can be aligned to the experience of going to
hear an exquisite musical performance, or going to
the theatre: it’s not transient, it stays with you,’ says
Amanda.
Amanda is the school’s Artist-in-Residence for terms
1 and 2 thanks to the generosity and support of the
Lauriston Arts’ Association. Award-winning Victorian
College of the Arts graduate and practicing visual artist
for nearly three decades, Amanda has produced over
60 public works for local government, international
festivals and exhibitions including White Night,
Enlighten, The Melbourne Festival, Melbourne Art Trams
project, The Gertrude Street Projection Festival, The
Architecture Film Festival Lisbon, (Portugal), Arcfilmfest
(Santiago, Chile), and Lumen (New York).
Known for her use of digital media, the artist is careful
not to be bound to it.
‘I prefer to make my works by hand wherever possible.
The medium I use is determined by the project. Some
use analogue film and slide film, but a significant
component of my practice is drawing, painting and site
determined photography. All these components make
up my installations,’ says Amanda.
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Lauriston Life

Amanda is working with years 5, 6 and 8 as well as Year
11 Media and Studio Arts students from February to May.
The work created with the students will be revealed at
the LPA Gala Ball in June.
Amanda believes learning is a two-way street.
‘I have worked in education for 15 years across
numerous subjects, and there are so many different
methods of teaching and learning. I gravitate to the
notion of “learning through doing”, and incorporating
these concepts across multiple disciplines and subject
areas,’ says Amanda.
Amanda’s philosophy is mirrored in Lauriston’s
experiential learning approach to the curriculum,
especially in the FabLearn Lab and at Howqua.
‘Teaching is different to my practice. It brings out
different qualities. Good teachers know how to make
learning fun. In some ways, teaching can act to aﬃrm
ideas. In others, it can deconstruct existing frameworks.
Learning is always a part of my practice,’ says Amanda.
Amanda is helping students develop works which relate
to the notion of site-specificity and place. Together
they will look at history, education and art-making
concepts, explore and develop projects which layer and
superimpose concepts through the use of light works,
video and photography and installation practice.
Lauriston is delighted to have Amanda, one of
Australia’s most inspirational artists, back. We look
forward to experiencing the work she creates with the
students and the backstory chosen to guide their work.
To find out more about Amanda’s work go to
www.amandamorgan.com.au.
KATRINA WALTER
PR Manager
1949 lighting up the Museum of Australian
Democracy at Old Parliament House
Amanda Morgan at the
Bakehouse Public Art Project
Lauriston Life
11

LEARNING AND INNOVATION
New
Signature
projects
In 2016 the Foundation for Young
Australians set a challenge for
schools and the broader education
system.
They stated that it was imperative that we embed in
curricula problem-solving skills, creativity and social
intelligence. This was a steep challenge considering
the competing demands on time in schools and a
curriculum bursting with a number of important
priorities.
With this in mind, however, Lauriston Girls’ School
has launched a range of bespoke Signature projects
for years 7, 8 and 10. These projects are anchored to
the notion that we must ensure that our students are
provided with an opportunity to explore technologies,
to work collaboratively, to invent, to play and, at
times, to fail and pick themselves up in a supportive
environment.
The first of these projects commenced with Lauriston
alumna Morgan Koegel (2008), CEO of One Girl.
Morgan’s stirring provocation that ‘we are not going to
change the world overnight but that, instead we can
make incremental difference over a long period of time’
intrigued the Year 10 Signature Project students.
As part of the project, the girls will be exposed to a
range of speakers who seek to challenge the way they
think and, maybe, make them a little uncomfortable
from time to time. Culminating in a final extended
project, the girls will learn about ethics, research
methodology, learning to learn and develop a better
global awareness. The program is intended to help our
girls be better prepared for an unknown future.
The Year 7 Signature Project — to create a toy
animal with at least one moving part — will be inter-
disciplinary. The girls will need to manage a financial
budget, use drama skills when they pitch their toy for
sale, consider the habitat of their animal, and even
learn about different animals from China and France—in
Chinese and French of course. During this time the girls
will be encouraged to think creatively, reflectively and
critically.
We know these new ways of working will be essential
for our girls in the future. In Finland, they are taking
seemingly radical steps to develop in their students’
‘future-proofing’ skills. Marjo Kyllönen, the head of
the Ministry of Education, recently set a target that
by 2020 all Finnish schools would only teach through
the means of Phenomenon-Based Learning, a method
which involves no specific subject domains, but rather
students exploring events and phenomena through
multiple disciplines. This is not a new idea, but the
courage of Finland in making such substantial changes,
to what has been considered one of the highest
performing education systems in the world, is.
Tim Watson
12
Lauriston Life

Closer to home, Geoff Masters, the Chief Executive for
the Australian Council for Education Research, stated
that ‘to prepare students for life and work of this kind,
the school curriculum needs to include a greater focus
on the collaborative solution of real, complex problems.’
We must, it seems, move away from the traditional
notion of disparate, unconnected curricula that are
largely focused on pre-determined knowledge, and
instead, though with rigour and consideration, move
towards opportunities for our students to work on
challenging, complex, real-world problems that require
them to collaborate and think deeply.
The only certainty about the future is that it will involve
change; with this in mind, helping young women to
be skilled at learning, at being able to deal with the
challenges, opportunities and demands of change, is
essential.
TIM WATSON
Vice-Principal - Learning and Innovation
Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Morgan Koegel, CEO of One Girl
The Signature projects kick off
Making statistics real
Lauriston Life
13

SENIOR SCHOOL
An open mind
brings new
opportunity
Life. Which path to take? The idea
that one decision can alter your life
fascinates me. What if …
My story begins in Auckland, New Zealand where I
decided to complete a Master of Science instead of
going straight to training college after my Bachelor of
Science degree.
While completing this course I met my partner in life,
Kerry, and together we have had quite a journey. We
rarely say no to a new experience and see change as an
opportunity. This approach to life has led us to move
house 12 times and live in four different countries with
our twins who are now 22-years-old.
During this incredible journey, I have learnt firsthand
what it is like to be different. I have woken up in a new
place far away from the familiar and have been left
wondering who I can count on. These questions are not
unusual in a country such as Australia where 50% of the
population is born overseas or have migrant parents:
an amazing statistic. As a newcomer to this wonderful
country, I am thankful for the opportunities I have been
given and the kindness and acceptance I have received.
Last year I lived in Singapore. Being a young country,
Singapore has had to strive hard to get where it is.
Singapore was established in 1963 by Lee Kuan Yew
who was driven to create a place where many cultures
could co-exist. The Singaporeans I met were all fiercely
proud of being Singaporean. They were tolerant of one
another’s beliefs and accepting of their differences.
As the new Vice Principal - Head of Senior School I have
been asked what is my philosophy? What do I bring to
the role? As a leader in this fine school, I am obviously
passionate about all that is Lauriston. I am proud of
the exceptional team of teachers we have gathered
from all parts of the globe. I believe in the school
values which when followed will lead our students to
be compassionate young women who are able to solve
real-world problems and strive to be responsible global
citizens. I will, of course, be supporting Susan Just to
achieve the school’s strategic goals and will work with
teachers to equip our students with the skills they will
need in our ever-changing world.
My journey has been long, but the lesson that keeps me
focused and energised is that we can make a difference
in this world. I want to inspire our students to engage
in life, to question and to demonstrate individual action
does count.
Just like me, I hope our students will have many new
starts in life and embrace the opportunities afforded to
them. As to which path they take? Hopefully, with our
guidance, they will choose the one of tolerance and
acceptance of others rather than the path of division
and unrest so commonly witnessed in the world today.
DI WOOD
Vice Principal - Head of Senior School
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Lauriston Life

Joan Downie (Lauriston teacher)
visiting Di Wood (right) in Singapore
Lauriston Life
15

HOWQUA
New faces
at Howqua
One of the most important and
interesting aspects of working
at Howqua is the staff: their
background, their experience, and
what drew them to work at such a
unique place as Howqua.
I’d like to use the next few paragraphs to introduce
our new teachers. They all look forward to meeting the
Lauriston community in the coming months and years.
Jarrod Hall, our art teacher, grew up on a rural property
near Horsham with his two brothers and has been
teaching for 11 years—three years in Melbourne and
eight years in South Korea. He is married to Emma and
has a 14-year-old son, Sebastian. He enjoys oil painting,
photography, producing short-films, attempting to
speak Korean and bike touring.
Tom Grinter, his wife, and young family are excited to
have recently moved to Howqua from Ballarat. They
have taught in schools in Victoria, the Kimberley region
of Western Australia and in the United Kingdom, and
Tom is looking forward to adding Howqua to the
list. Tom enjoys travel, sport, fitness and all outdoor
activities, and is looking forward to the Howqua
adventures that lie ahead in 2017.
Emily Noonan has arrived at Howqua to teach English
after working at St Francis Xavier College, Melbourne.
She has taught English, physical education and health
and human development, and has been a head of
house. Emily spent several years teaching physical
education in London schools, and she loves to travel,
enjoys playing and watching a wide variety of sports,
cooking, generally being active and going to the beach.
Caroline Hodges has come to Howqua as our
Coordinator of Pastoral Care and Boarding. She will
also teach Health and Fit4Life. Caroline has spent the
past 14 years working in both co-educational and girls
boarding schools in Queensland, New South Wales,
South Australia and Victoria. Caroline is passionate
about guiding young people through the challenges of
living away from home. In addition, she enjoys teaching
teenagers about the importance of a healthy mind and
body, and that developing and maintaining these two
things leads to a happy and fulfilling life. Caroline loves
spending time outdoors, particularly running and bike
riding. Caroline’s partner is Adrian, and their pets are
Maggie, the lively kelpie, and three chooks.
Jane Sutton is our English as an Additional Language
teacher, a role she held previously at Dandenong
High School. As well as teaching, Jane has worked
extensively in knowledge management, taking on roles
including librarian and datasets manager. She moved
to Melbourne ten years ago from Scotland with her
husband Douglas, son Alasdair and daughter Morven.
Jane loves reading, walking, watching Jane Austen
DVDs with her daughter and visiting art exhibitions with
her son. She also sings with the Savoy Opera which will
perform The Tales of Hoﬀmann this May, a break from
the company’s traditional Gilbert and Sullivan.
Making a splash
Rafting fun
16
Lauriston Life

Courtney Lynch is joining the team as a Howqua
Assistant, though this is not the first time Courtney
has been a part of the Howqua family. As a Lauriston
alumna, Courtney spent her first year with the school at
Howqua, joining the cohort who would go on to be the
Class of 2009. Courtney studied Education, Outdoor
Recreation and Sport and has since worked at a number
of schools in Melbourne. Courtney enjoys spending her
time outdoors, running and hiking, as well as in the city
with her friends, going out for dinner and doing yoga.
Lewis Dowie has been working in outdoor education
for the past four years, most recently as a freelance
leader in Victoria for the past two years, and joins us as
an Outdoor Assistant. Most of Lewis’s work has been
at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop campus, as well as
some programs with La Trobe University and St Philip’s
College in Alice Springs.
Lewis is passionate about the outdoors and living
simply and sustainably. His hobbies and interests are
outdoor pursuits: surfing, rock climbing, white-water
kayaking and rafting, mountain biking, yoga, exploring
and photography.
Evan Brophy joins our teaching staff and has arrived
with his wife, Sabia, and his two children, Teah (3 ½)
and Kai (18 months), who are loving living in the bush
here at Howqua. Evan previously worked at Brighton
Grammar School as the Assistant Head of Outdoor
Education, Program Coordinator, Teacher of VCE
Outdoor and Environmental Studies and Health and
Physical Education. Prior to this, he worked at Yarra
Valley Grammar and Collingwood College. Evan has
a number of passions including family, friends, the
outdoors, teaching, snowboarding, Nordic skiing,
mountain biking, reading, music and travelling.
I am very pleased with our new team members who
are all fitting in well and adding to the diverse array of
teachers who already call Howqua home.
SAM RIDLEY
Vice Principal - Howqua Campus
kayaking and rafting, mountain biking, yoga, exploring
Courtney Lynch is joining the team as a Howqua Evan Brophy joins our teaching staff and has arrived
Mountain biking up the hills
Horse riding
Cooling off
The new Howqua staff members
with Mr Ridley (front row right)
Lauriston Life
17

JUNIOR SCHOOL
Understanding
digital
citizenship
The purpose of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs)
at Lauriston is to enhance student
learning.
The use of ICTs within the school should be responsible,
legal, appropriate and for educational purposes. We
aspire to create and maintain a cyber-safety culture that
is in keeping with our school values and with legislative
and professional obligations.
At Lauriston, we acknowledge that, from a very young
age, children interact via technology to learn, connect,
create and communicate. It is undeniable that the age
when children go online is becoming younger and
younger. As a result, it is vital that they possess the
skills and knowledge to operate in this digital world.
Throughout 2017, we in the Junior School are focusing
on developing a sequential Digital Citizenship program
which will begin in Year 3 and continue into Senior
School. It is essential that our girls learn how to be
responsible citizens in a digital world.
We believe the teaching of cyber-safety and ethical
behaviour in the use of technologies is essential to the
lives of students. 21st-century students spend increasing
amounts of time online learning and socialising. These
online communities require cyber citizens who behave
respectfully and cautiously.
Throughout their middle-primary and upper-primary
years, our Junior School girls will learn that responsible
digital citizens engage positively on the internet.
Positive online behaviour includes acting thoughtfully,
ethically and respectfully, with anti-social behaviour,
such as cyberbullying and trolling, being strongly
discouraged. The girls will learn about their online
world, including their rights and responsibilities,
opportunities and challenges, risks and remedies as well
as acquiring the skills needed to read and interpret the
vast amount of information that is so readily available
online.
The girls will learn to create strong passwords by
creating a mnemonic about themselves which includes
upper case and lower case letters, numbers and
symbols. They will create a visual diagram to show how
things can spread virally. They will be introduced to the
acronym ‘think’ (see image below).
BEFORE YOU
THINK
T = is it true?
H = is it helpful?
I = is it inspiring?
N = is it neccessary?
K = is it kind?K = is it kind?K
18
Lauriston Life

It is vital that the girls understand how to protect
their safety online. Safe and ethical behaviour online
will be explicitly taught throughout our Junior School
curriculum, and parents are encouraged to also monitor
their daughters’ internet use at home. At school, the
internet is used to support teaching and learning.
However, at home it is often used differently. Not only
is it a study resource for students, but it is increasingly
used as a social space to meet, play and chat.
Children use the internet to express themselves and
to experiment anonymously with different identities.
Bullying, stranger danger and gossip have long been
issues for young people growing up. These are all
behaviours now present online.
Our children need parental guidance on how to conduct
themselves appropriately online. Young adolescents
often act impulsively. This lack of impulse control
combined with online anonymity can lead young
people toward dangerous behaviours: cyberbullying,
inappropriate photo or video uploads, illegal downloads
and accessing inappropriate material.
It is important that parents talk to their children about
how they communicate with others, what content is
appropriate to upload and download, and what kinds
of interactions are important to avoid. Helping your
children become responsible digital citizens is what will
ultimately keep them safe online.
Technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented
pace, making it vital that we provide our children with
the skills to navigate their digital world.
CHRIS TOMS
Vice Principal - Head of Junior School
It is important that parents talk to their children about
Learning the art of Chinese fan dancing
Making data fun in maths
The Preps meet Mr Toms
Designing symmetrical crowns in Year 4
Lauriston Life
19

KINDERGARTEN
The hundred
languages of
children
Children in the Kindergarten are
given many opportunities to engage
in the creative arts. Creativity is not
limited to art-based activities but
involves many other undertakings
presented to children such as music,
dance and drama.
Creativity is a way of approaching problem-solving
and increasing awareness and understanding. The
early childhood curriculum is designed so that children
can think creatively and critically by tapping into their
natural curiosity.
In Reggio Emilia schools, children are encouraged
to develop their
ideas using various
creative mediums,
hence the term ‘the
hundred languages’.
By painting, drawing,
modelling with clay,
dancing and singing,
children gain deeper
understandings and
further develop their
ideas. Knowledge
develops further
when an adult poses
questions, supports
the investigation of problems and models different ways
of using materials.
Young children have a natural tendency to fantasise,
experiment and explore their environment. Children
can use diverse materials to build creations from their
own imagination. They are encouraged to come up with
original ideas, to discuss, to share and to problem-solve
with others in their group. The outcome, although not
the most important part, is highly valued.
In the Kindergarten, the environment becomes the
third teacher. In a creative environment, inventive
play and free choice of play are the key components.
Play requires imagination, insight, problem-solving,
divergent thinking and the ability to express emotions
and make choices. Play also requires suﬃcient and
sustained periods of time in which children can engage
in materials as they work on investigations.
Young children are all in various stages of development,
and each child’s ability to create is linked to their
developmental stage of learning. In each Kindergarten
room, educators engage with the children as they
work on their tasks. The teacher provides the balance
between structure and freedom of expression. They
are there to encourage the child to concentrate, to
discuss the process and to listen to each individual idea.
Educators model creative thinking and behaviour, they
encourage persistence and ask open-ended questions
to promote understanding.
‘The child is made
of one hundred. The
child has a hundred
languages, a hundred
hands, a hundred
thoughts, a hundred
ways of thinking, of
playing, of speaking.’
LORIS MALAGUZZI, FROM THE POEM
‘THE HUNDRED LANGUAGES OF
CHILDREN’
Building bridges
20
Lauriston Life

Being creative needs to be fun but, for a young child,
it can be hard work as it involves concentration,
persistence and the determination to succeed.
The founder of the Reggio Emilia educational
philosophy, Loris Malaguzzi believes creativity becomes
more visible when adults try to be more attentive to the
cognitive processes of children than to the results they
achieve in various fields of doing and understanding.
At Lauriston, we strive to always consider children’s
ability to listen, reflect and understand so we can
stimulate their cognitive learning.
FIONA IRELAND
Director of Kindergarten
Looking inside the bamboo branch
Painting landscapes
Painting portraits
Nature inspiring art
Lauriston Life
21

FOUNDATION NEWS
New creative
and performing
arts scholarship
I am excited about the year ahead
as we continue to build on the
momentum of 2016 and foster
community spirit.
There are so many different ways we can engage
with one another, whether it be by celebrating the
achievements of our community at a Lauriston Life
Series breakfast, making a donation through the
Foundation to further the impact of our giving program
or attending one of the wonderful school events
showcasing our girls’ achievements.
This year we will celebrate many aspects of life at
Lauriston, including our LAA Artist-in-Residence
program which features installation artist Amanda
Morgan (Class of 1988). Amanda has gained much
success in the field of projection arts through her vision
and determination.
We were also fortunate to have Morgan Koegel (Class
of 2009) speak at our inaugural Philanthropy in the
Community breakfast. It was indeed heartening to see
so many come from different facets of our community
and listen to her experiences and role in changing the
lives of girls less fortunate than many of us.
When we consider the role of our community today,
the one thing that can be assured is we can all
have an impact, whether this is going to an event
and supporting one another or perhaps making a
contribution to one of the important life changing
Foundation giving programs.
In 2017 we will launch the new Creative and Performing
Arts Scholarship that will allow a young woman the
opportunity to be a part of our inventive and leading
arts program. For more than a decade, Lauriston has
continuously been at the top in ATAR scores in studio
arts, design and media subjects and we hope that
through the provision of this scholarship we can share
this success with another budding artist.
I would like to ask you to consider a donation to our
2017 Annual Appeal as we look to raise the required
funds that will allow us to launch this scholarship. As
a community, we stand proud knowing our girls are
receiving a balanced, multidimensional education
and whatever the interest, be it science, English,
mathematics or the arts, students will perform at their
best. Remember all donations, no matter the amount,
add up and will ultimately allow a young woman to
receive a life-changing education at Lauriston.
Let us all look forward to a year ahead that will continue
to inspire and invigorate, as we continue to forge
ahead as one of the leading schools in Victoria with a
generosity of spirit that helps us make an impact on the
lives of others.
SALLY DE GUINGAND
Director of Advancement
Sally de Guingand (left) with LeeAnn Basser, CEO of the
National Council of Jewish Women of Australia at Founders Day.
22
Lauriston Life

Sustainability was a fledgling sector
when Janet Liu was finishing school
at Lauriston in 2007.
Fast forward a decade and most Australian businesses,
households and schools are working to be more
sustainable.
‘People were always asking me what sustainability
in banking means and I was trying to come up with
analogies to explain my job,’ recalls Janet of her first
days in sustainability at ANZ. ‘Much of my work when
I joined the department was trialling various reports
to determine meaningful measures for the bank. In
many ways, the ANZ was also finding its way around
sustainability.’
A turning point in the rise of sustainability was Al
Gore’s movie, The Inconvenient Truth, and the creation
of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(UNSDG). Created to address the world’s biggest
challenges, the 2030 goals came into effect in January
2016 and have given businesses greater context
for their sustainability work and are helping build a
stronger global understanding of the problems.
Many of ANZ’s sustainability goals are now linked to the
UNSDG but what drives ANZ’s decision-making is the
social and environmental impacts of its operations.
While Janet says she was in the ‘right place at the right
time’ to move into sustainability at ANZ, she believes it
was the inner confidence she learned at Lauriston that
made her apply for the job that was hotly contested
within the ranks of ANZ.
Janet says Lauriston also taught her to enjoy the now
and live in the moment.
‘The International Baccalaureate (IB) was a great
program, it was full of action and service and being
creative. It has really helped me in life,’ she says.
Janet has always been up for a challenge, whether it
be moving from Hong Kong to Australia as a child,
or working and studying concurrently after finishing
school.
Janet was awarded a scholarship at Lauriston to
commence in Year 10. This move was more of an
opportunity than a challenge.
‘My experience at Lauriston was transformative and
enriching. I had another high school experience so I
could recognise the differences. I loved the culture of
Lauriston because the school recognises academic
achievement is not the only thing. It was well-rounded
and helped me try and test new things. I did a term of
aviation studies and one in life drawing,’ she remembers.
Janet has recently taken up a new role at ANZ as the
Manager of Financial Inclusion and manages the bank’s
financial literacy program, including the world’s longest
matched savings program—Saver Plus. She works with
a number of not-for-profit organisations to help people
on lower incomes build financial skills for their future.
A successful example is the work ANZ does with the
Brotherhood of St Laurence helping people save and
pay for their children’s education.
‘The sustainability sector is constantly changing, but it’s
satisfying knowing we are all working towards common
goals. Most people want to live in a better world,’ says
Janet.
KATRINA WALTER
PR Manager
ALUMNAE NEWS
Making a
difference
Lauriston Life
23

ALUMNAE NEWS
When I’m
on stage
I just float
Olivia Chindamo (Class of 2009)
is an ‘Old’ Lauriston girl who is
about to turn 25. Not so old really
and she’s already notched up
some major achievements.
Winning the Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship
in 2014 and performing at the Generations in Jazz
festival thrust her into the limelight. Since then,
Olivia has made and released her debut album
Keep An Eye On Spring and is the 2016 Bell Award
winner for Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year.
She calls multi-instrumentalist and Australian jazz
royalty, James Morrison AM, her mentor and is
being recognised internationally as a rising star in
the music industry.
Olivia is well on the path to greatness. As
Australian saxophonist Graeme Lyall AM has said
‘Occasionally a special and unique singer appears
out of the blue, Olivia Chindamo is such a singer
… keep your eyes and ears on Olivia so you don’t
miss the great things that will happen for her.’
Olivia started at Lauriston in Year 10 on a music
scholarship and already had a passion for music.
Starting school after the girls had come back from
Howqua was a little challenging, but Olivia soon
found her place. Olivia started doing gigs in Year 12
at small and dingy pubs, sometimes to audiences
so tiny that there would be more people on stage
than in the crowd.
Olivia is always busy and now plays sold-out
shows of all sizes and tours across the country.
From Australia’s top jazz clubs with her own
highly-successful bands to huge festivals as a
guest vocalist with James Morrison, she’s rapidly
skyrocketing to the top of the Australian jazz
industry and now has her eyes set on New York.
A strong school memory for Olivia is the
encouragement she received from Lauriston’s Head
of Art, David Morrison. David encouraged Olivia to
continue photography as he saw potential in her
work. She is so grateful for his support in her final
year at school and has been shooting ever since,
calling photography her second love.
While Olivia’s parents are both musical and music
is in her blood, Olivia has had her fair share of
knock backs which in hindsight have made her
stronger and more determined. She didn’t make
the Australian Girls’ Choir as a young girl and was
even knocked back from Monash University when
she auditioned as a jazz vocalist, but she wasn’t
going to back down and give up. Instead, she was
accepted and attended on clarinet, hoping that the
opportunity could arise to re-audition as a vocalist
later on.
That is exactly what happened next. Six months
into her Bachelor of Music degree on clarinet, the
Head of Music agreed to let her sit an audition to
enter the course the following semester in the jazz
vocal stream. She was instantly accepted and was
dux of the vocal course by the end of the year, and
for the remainder of her music degree.
Performing at Bennetts Lane
24
Lauriston Life

Olivia won the Ferngully Lodge Award for Highest
Vocal Score, three years in a row. In a twist of fate,
Olivia is now one of the vocal examiners at Monash
University.
While she didn’t think it at the time, she now
knows that these ‘failures’ were not really failures.
They ignited a fire in her to succeed.
Olivia is an organised woman. She is her own agent
and her own manager. Her energy is quite amazing.
‘I get all my energy from the audience and all my
motivation and inspiration from the musicians and
people around me. If I’m feeling nervous before
a big show, I channel my jitters into adrenalin
instead. I’ve learnt not to be scared of how
daunting it can feel to be in the spotlight. Being a
performer is an incredibly rewarding career, and
I consider myself extremely lucky to have found
my life’s purpose already. When I’m on stage, I
remember that and I just float,’ she says.
The Lauriston community has the opportunity to
hear Olivia sing in the coming months. We are
extremely thrilled to have Olivia and her band
perform at the LPA Luminescence Innovation Gala
Ball on Saturday, 3 June.
KATE NIXON
Alumnae Relations Coordinator
Closing the Wangarattta Jazz
Festival with James Morrison
(photo by Roger Mitchell)
Olivia during a promo shoot
Lauriston Life
25

ALUMNAE NEWS
News
Vale
Delphine Agnes Altson (Dean, 1949)
13.08.32—29.11.2016
Delphine was born to Henriette and
Rodger Dean in 1932. Younger sister to
Ken (dec.), Judy (dec.) and Greg, and
loving wife to David since 1959 with
whom she had three children Christine
(Bergin), Ollie and Debbie (Jukes).
Delphine started at Lauriston in 1942. She
absolutely loved school and all it had to offer and made
some amazing long term friends here. At school, she
excelled in all aspects of sport captaining a number
of school sporting teams. In her final year in 1949,
while co-attending Taylors College, she was a prefect.
Delphine often attended various OLA functions and
even attended the OLA Senior Old Girls’ Music Lunch in
October 2016.
Before getting married, Delphine travelled within
Australia and Europe. She worked as a dental nurse and
was secretary of the Ski Club of Victoria. She also spent
a great deal of time raising money for charity, namely
the Cottage By the Sea, and enjoyed many years of
playing golf as an Old Lauristonian. As a wife and
mother, she worked in the family business and spent her
time following her passions of golf, walking, camping,
travel, knitting, reading, skiing, sewing, patchwork and
gardening. Her final love, alongside her family, friends
and golf, was her farm that she had for 30 years.
She was loved by all and will be sadly missed.
Joyce Lynne Corrigan (McMahen, 1939)
28.08.1923 – 13.07.2016
Joyce Corrigan died peacefully in July 2016, aged 92
years.
She attended Lauriston Boarding School during her
senior years when the Principal was Miss Elizabeth
Kirkhope. Joyce participated in many sports, qualifying
for the senior basketball and tennis teams in 1938
and 1939. Upon leaving school, Joyce qualified as a
hairdresser at The Academy of Hairdressers, before
marrying David Corrigan and living on a property in
Corrigan Road, Keysborough.
Joyce’s association with Lauriston continued long after
leaving the school. She attended many OLA events and
enjoyed monthly luncheons with school friends over
many, many years, until a couple of years ago, when
many of those friends had all passed away.
Joyce’s daughter Lynne Norman (Corrigan) was also a
Lauriston student (Class of 1969).
Joyce is survived by her three children, Rodney, Lynne
and John, who maintain that family was upmost to her
as ‘Joyce lived life for her family.’
Delphine was born to Henriette and
Rodger Dean in 1932. Younger sister to
Ken (dec.), Judy (dec.) and Greg, and
loving wife to David since 1959 with
whom she had three children Christine
(Bergin), Ollie and Debbie (Jukes).
Delphine started at Lauriston in 1942. She
She was loved by all and will be sadly missed.
Joyce in Lauriston’s 1939 tennis team (far right)
26
Lauriston Life

Jenna Golusin (2015)
Congratulations to Jenna Golusin who is heading to
England in September to study Law at Sidney Sussex
College, Cambridge University. We wish Jenna all the
very best for her studies. If you have happened to study
in Cambridge recently, Jenna would love to chat to
you. Please get in contact with Kate Nixon, Alumnae
Relations Coordinator at Lauriston by emailing
ola@lauriston.vic.edu.au.
Upcoming
OLA events
Friday 28 April
Anzac Day Assembly
Monday 1 May
OLA Committee Meeting AGM
Monday 8 May
Careers Night
Friday 12 May
Class of 1997 20 Year Reunion
Friday 19 May
Friday 26 May
Tuesday 13 June
OLA Health & Wellbeing Breakfast
ola@lauriston.vic.edu.au.
Lisa Winneke (Britcliffe, 1989)
Lisa has recently written and published a
book called The Dawn of Hope. This book is
about her struggle with a debilitating eating
disorder, hitting rock bottom and then
finding her place where she is now truly
happy. The book has had rave reviews, and
the Lauriston community would like to
congratulate Lisa for her honesty, rawness
and courage.
Lisa Winneke (Britcliffe, 1989)
Lisa has recently written and published a
book called
about her struggle with a debilitating eating
disorder, hitting rock bottom and then
finding her place where she is now truly
happy. The book has had rave reviews, and
the Lauriston community would like to
congratulate Lisa for her honesty, rawness
and courage.
Jenna on holiday before starting at uni
Lauriston Life
27

Term 2
2017 Events
Lauriston Life is digital
Lauriston Life is distributed to more than 5000 families, both in Australia and
overseas. In order to reduce our environmental footprint, we are now offering
the Lauriston community the option of receiving this magazine via email.
If you would like to receive future issues of Lauriston Life electronically, please
email our Communications Officer at news@lauriston.vic.edu.au.
Advertising in Lauriston Life
If you have a business or service that you would like to promote, consider
placing an advertisement in Lauriston Life, which goes out to more than 5000
readers – alumnae, Lauriston parents, current and past staff, and all of our
donors – and can also be viewed online. Our advertising rates are: full page
$800, half page $500, quarter page $350.
For further information, please contact our Communications Officer at
news@lauriston.vic.edu.au.
38 Huntingtower Road
Armadale VIC 3143 Australia
CRICOS number 00152F
ABN 15 004 264 402
t: +61 3 9864 7555
e: admissions@lauriston.vic.edu.au
facebook.com/LauristonArmadale
twitter.com/LauristonGirls
www.lauriston.vic.edu.au
Apply now for Kindergarten places
Lauriston’s Kindergarten offers co-educational three- and four- year-old programs based
on the Reggio Emilia philosophy. For more information contact the admissions office on
(03) 9864 7555.
Monday
1 May
Principal Forum #2—Child Safe
Standards
Thursday
4 May
Rowing Presentation
Dinner
Friday
5 May
SnowSports
Trivia Night
Thursday
11 May
LPA Mother’s Day Stall
Friday
12 May
LPA Mother’s Day
Breakfast
Saturday
3 June
Luminescence Innovation
Gala Ball
Monday
5 June
Principal Forum #3—Why do we
assess and what do we assess?
Sunday
18 June
Experience Howqua
We’re on
Social Media
/LauristonArmadale
/LauristonGirls
/lauristongs
/company/lauriston-girls’-school
/LauristonGS

Lauriston Life | April Edition | 2017

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