Ascham School Community Magazine Issue 01, 2016
D A LT O N E X T R A T H E
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S T E A M i n g A h e a d
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D A LT O N E X T R A
T H E
Ascham School Community Magazine Issue 01, 2016
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
EDITORSJackie Dalton Director of Communications and Community
Lauren Sykes Publications and Web Media Manager
With assistance from
Skye Barry Old Girls Liaison Officer
Diana Lovegrove Foundation Manager
SUBMISSIONS Lauren Sykes [email protected]
DESIGNED precinct.com.au
S c h o o l N e w s
2Head of School’s
welcome
4STEAM feature
8Centre for the Sciences and 130th Celebration
17Ascham Music
21Ascham Drama
24Ascham Boarders
28Ascham Sport
A s c h a m O L D G i r l s
34AOGU President’s
welcome
38Old Girls
making their mark
42The Ascham Leadership Scholarship
44Partnering strategy
with charities
45Business
Breakfast 2016
47AOGU Calendar of Events 2017
A s c h a m F o u n d at i o n
48Chair of Ascham
Foundation’s welcome
49A Gift in Your Will
50Scholarships matter
52Thank you to
all our donors!
54Ascham Foundation
list of donors
I n T H i s i s s u e
Follow us on Facebook
On the Cover Xianna Penaloza Year 3
188 New South Head Road, Edgecliff NSW 2027 Australia
P +61 2 8356 7000 F +61 2 8356 7230 E [email protected]
www.ascham.nsw.edu.au
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 1
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G e t t i n g u p s o m e S T E A M at A S C H A m _
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T o i n f i n i t y a n d B e yo n d !
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After much anticipation, the first day of Term 2 saw the occupation of our new Centre for the Sciences
>> Full story p. 8
17Under the sea with
The Little Mermaid Jr
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A s c h a m D r a m a
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W h at d o e s i t r e a l ly m e a n
t o b e a n A s c h a m o l d
G i r l ? _
STEAM is integral to the future of our girls and expertise and education of STEAM increases their career options.
>> Full story p. 4
25Unveiling our
transformational new boarding facilities
28Ascham Sport21
38
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N e w s f r o m t h e A s c h a m O l d G i r l s _
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49A Gift in Your Will
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W e l c o m e t o t h e f i r s t i s s u e o f T h e D a lt o n E x t r a_
The Ascham community is one of great vibrancy and the stories that we share in this inaugural edition of our new magazine provide a wonderful snapshot of our community.
The decision to name the magazine The Dalton Extra came from our girls. Who would have thought that the extra time used to finish off homework would provide the inspiration for the name of our magazine? Undoubtedly, Ascham provides a unique learning environment through the Dalton Plan, where girls form close relationships with their teachers as they pursue excellence and manage their own timetables to suit their individual study needs.
The journey for each girl is enriched by the breadth of co-curricular and other opportunities available—on the following pages you will gain an appreciation of Ascham life in the academic domain, as well as in Music, Drama, Sport and Boarding.
Our Old Girls feature in the magazine, highlighting the extraordinary paths that so many of them take when they step out into the world.
In addition, over the last few years it has been my absolute pleasure to work alongside the Ascham Foundation Board of Directors, who have helped lead a Capital Campaign known as The Ascham Duntrim Campaign. The Campaign encouraged as many members of our community as possible to come together and raise funds to help transform the campus.
2 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
HEAD OF SCHOOL’S WELCOME
‘This year marks 130 years since the School’s foundation. The celebration of this anniversary has given us an opportunity to reflect on our history, as well as foster a great sense of belonging and pride.’
As a result, Ascham now has a superb boarding facility, Duntrim House, as well as our Centre for the Sciences, which was officially opened in August. There is no doubt that Science and its related disciplines will be integral to answering some of the big questions of the 21st century. Our new facilities will help open the door for Ascham girls to become those leaders of the future who can make a significant difference in the world for decades to come.
More than ever, investment in girls’ education, especially in the vital STEAM disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, is seen as being fundamental in building skills that are highly valued in the competitive global environment. In this issue, we feature STEAM at Ascham and the exciting programs in place from Prep right through to Year 12.
The next step in developing our campus is to work alongside the Ascham Council of Governors to create a Masterplan for Ascham. Our vision is to open up the campus in ways never previously thought possible, and I look forward to sharing more news about this in the year ahead.
This year also marks 130 years since the School’s foundation. The celebration of this anniversary has given us an opportunity to reflect on our history, as well as foster a great sense of belonging and pride.
Every day our teachers inspire and innovate, and our delightful and talented girls continue to impress with their strength of character and contribution to School life.
All of these elements come together to create an exceptional School with an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible education for our girls. Ascham is a place with heart and soul—I hope you enjoy reading The Dalton Extra, which certainly captures the rich tapestry of our community.
Andrew Powell Head of School
Ascham School Community Magazine Issue 01, 2016
D A LT O N E X T R A T H E
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S T E A M i n g A h e a d
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1886–2016
CELEBRATING 130 Y
EAR
S
‘We chose The Dalton Extra because it’s a play on words—‘Extra’
could mean an integral part of the Dalton Plan, where girls finish off
any homework, or, with regards to the magazine, it might act as an extra complement to the culture of
our school.
We thought the name The Dalton Extra encompasses key elements of Ascham, and would be easily associated with the School,
even if people outside Ascham picked up the magazine to read it. The name resonates with all members of the Ascham community, and
therefore we thought it a most suitable choice.’
Sisters Group WAL-M, winners of the student naming competition
MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS
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Celebrating 130 years
This year marks 130 years since the School’s
foundation.
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Duntrim House opening
Unveiling our superb new boarding facility for
learning and living.
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Centre for the Sciences opening
Our world-class science facilities opened in August.
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STEAM programs
Encouraging and opening up new educational and
career options.
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W h at ' s i n a n a m e ?
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4 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
In Professor Mary O’Kane’s address at the official opening of our new Centre for the Sciences on 20 August, she was effusive in her praise for the leadership of Ascham in the study of Science, and the potential benefits of focusing on women in Science for the future productivity of our country.
STEAM FEATURE
Getting up some STEAM at Ascham
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 5
Getting up some STEAM at Ascham
Professor O’Kane said:‘I am particularly honoured to be here today, because Ascham is so good at STEAM. Over the last four years, 25% to 30% of Ascham students have gone on to study Science-based courses at tertiary level. That’s well above the national average. Similarly, looking at the incredible HSC performance of the girls in Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, Ascham is leading in a way that I think could be fundamentally important to our country. If we really invested in the education of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and all the Science-based areas, we would get a great effect on our economy.’
STEAM education is vital to our future—it shapes our everyday experiences. STEAM is integral to the future of our girls and expertise and education of STEAM increases their career options. STEAM careers involve those professions that help build communities and will help solve the complex problems of today’s world and its future. People working in STEAM careers are helping to find solutions for global warming, cancer, Third World hunger and disappearing habitats, just to name a few.
While STEAM has always been part of teaching and learning at Ascham, 2016 has seen the introduction of new programs, both through the curriculum and co-curricular activities across the School. Development of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics—STEAM—is an essential component of Ascham’s academic offering. The importance of these subject areas in developing rigorous course work, solving real world problems, and developing project management skills and collaboration, is a great complement to a Dalton education.
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In Hillingdon, girls have been working closely with teaching staff to deliver cross-curricular programs incorporating STEAM. Application of technology in lessons utilising recently purchased equipment, such as MaKey MaKey kits, Little Bits electronics and 3D printing, has enhanced learning experiences across the curriculum. Lunchtime co-curricular activities offered include coding with Scratch Junior, stop-motion animation and Maker programs. The enthusiasm and creativity of the lower primary students has been exciting to see, as the importance of making STEAM a priority in the early years of education is paramount to sustaining interest in the subjects in future years.
Hillingdon students have also been working for two terms to create a film based on the theme of ‘Mystery’. Screen It is an initiative through the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Our Year 1 and Year 2 girls have written their own scripts, designed and made their own settings and characters, and then filmed and edited their work on the iPad using the app Stop Motion Pro. Technology and Art are the two main areas that this activity builds upon within the STEAM acronym. There has certainly been a great deal of creative thinking, collaboration and persistence as the girls have developed their digital literacy skills.
In Fiona, enhancing design thinking has been the focus in Science and Technology lessons where tasks include digital presentations, Rube Goldberg machines, space robotics and natural disaster resistant shelters. Lunchtime clubs have been held in the newly acquired STEAM lab, and girls have signed up for crystal growing and robotics with much enthusiasm.
In Senior School, the girls are working on a range of real world concepts around creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, student ingenuity and collaboration. The Senior library Maker Space inspires a regular group of girls to collaborate and create. Students are also working on a sustained coding program by building websites and blogs and learning concepts around the use of coding languages. Student groups have built and repaired computers, and completed soldering, laser cutting and 3D printing projects. Enrichment groups work with industry professionals on real-world applications of Science.
‘The importance of making STEAM a priority in the early years of education is paramount to sustaining interest in the subjects in future years.’
STEAM FEATURE
Above: Chloe Clark and Francesca Ruchin make a film using Stop Motion Pro
Inset from top: Maya Havens and Georgia Blattman during Fiona Robotics Club; Steam Coordinator P-6 Miss Melissa Thomas helps Xianna Penaloza and Kate Wareham with crystal growing
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Our Year 8 students were tasked with designing chicken coops for a STEAM project and competition. The girls had to consider which materials they might use, plus how their design would provide adequate shelter, ventilation and food and water supply. Our students produced a diverse range of coop designs that creatively and intelligently met the brief.
We were most fortunate to partner with Associate Professor Robyn Alders AO from the University of Sydney on the chicken coop project, who addressed the girls on the key aspects for successfully keeping a brood of chickens. Assoc Prof Alders came back to Ascham to judge the girls’ designs, along with our Head of School Andrew Powell. The winning coop was designed by Ava Lechner, Natalie Leroy, Ruby Laver, Sasha Barakate and Lara Pierce, and will now be built on site at Ascham as part of our new domestic and teaching garden.
Moving forward, we hope to build a robotics and drone program for Ascham’s senior students. By building learning experiences through design and devising projects that will increase engagement, we will increase uptake and achievement of students in STEAM. Forming partnerships with experts in fields and enhancing educational practices through professional learning for our teachers are key to promoting deep learning for our girls. In 2017, the introduction of Inventors Clubs in Junior and Senior School will give the girls opportunities to identify real world problems and work collaboratively to form design solutions.
The dedication and commitment of teachers, who plan and develop innovative projects, enriches the experiences of our girls. Together our STEAM focus realises a vision that is crucial for our girls, our country and our world.
‘Forming partnerships with experts in fields and enhancing educational practices through professional learning for our teachers are key to promoting deep learning for our girls.’
Right: Associate Professor Robyn Alders AO carefully inspects the Year 8 students’ chicken coop designs
Below: Indigo Warner and Beatrix Thomson program a robot
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T o i n f i n i t y a n d b e yo n d !_
8 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
CENTRE FOR THE SCIENCES
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This year has seen a number of important events in Ascham’s history. In 2016 we are celebrating 130 years since the School’s foundation. Ascham has had visionary Heads and extremely dedicated staff since 1886, and a number of initiatives were planned to recognise this significant milestone. These initiatives included a Founder ’s Day Assembly for the whole School, a 130th Anniversary photograph, the creation of a timeline of the School’s history on Ascham’s website, and the launch of the biography of Ascham’s longest-serving headmistress, Margaret Bailey.
In addition, this year saw the culmination of Building Our Girls’ Future – The Ascham Duntrim Campaign, which has been an incredible success. After much anticipation, the first day of Term 2 saw the occupation of our new Centre for the Sciences, as well as Duntrim House. No longer an artist’s impression, our girls have been enjoying the beautiful facilities since the first day that we were ‘open for business’.
In Duntrim House we have created a beautiful new boarding facility that is second-to-none. Boarding at Ascham has always been at the heart of our School and Duntrim House will certainly help to build on the strong sense of community and connectedness at Ascham.
On Saturday 20 August, we held a 130th Anniversary Celebration Concert and the Centre for the Sciences was officially opened by Professor Mary O’Kane AC,
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer. Professor O’Kane is actively involved in fostering and encouraging innovation in the sciences, particularly amongst women. Professor O’Kane was incredibly impressed with our world-class science facilities, and was inspiring in her encouragement of our girls to consider the exciting array of career options in the sciences.
This was a gala event and all members of the Ascham community, past and present, were invited to join in the festivities, with a wide range of exciting activities taking place throughout our new Centre for the Sciences.
The festivities came to a fitting climax with our Celebration Concert in the Packer Theatre, where over 300 Ascham choristers performed the specially commissioned Gravitational Waves. For most of this year many of our girls have been working with renowned Australian composer Paul Jarman to compose the special work, which was premiered on the day. With a focus on the sciences, the song had to celebrate discovery. One of the most important scientific discoveries in decades happened this year: the proof of Einstein’s 100-year-old theory of gravitational waves in space. Voila! We had the basis for our song.
As Gravitational Waves developed, the song also considered the role of women as pioneers in the sciences and astronomy, the science of sound and sound waves, the gravitational waves themselves, and the future of space exploration.
The Concert concluded with a moving rendition of Richard Charlton’s Founder’s Day composition And We Seek, a fitting conclusion to the celebrations.
Opposite page: Professor Mary O’Kane AC officially opens the Centre for the Sciences
Above: Gravitational Waves is performed at the Celebration Concert
‘As Gravitational Waves developed, the song also considered the role of women as pioneers in the sciences and astronomy, the science of sound and sound waves, the gravitational waves themselves, and the future of space exploration.’
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Ascham staff members are highly respected professionals in their fields. Through the generous fellowships from Rowena Danziger and Su Lee, a number of teachers have been given opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in an area of personal interest.
Leo Kydyralieva visited three different schools in Singapore to learn about the country’s unique and world-renowned Mathematics curriculum. Chris Summers explored some of Japan’s oldest living communities, including provinces such as Teshima, Shodoshima and Awashima. Lyn Miller visited an Indigenous community in Arnhem Land.
Heidi Beesley visited Ad Astra, founded by world famous investor, engineer and agent of change Elon Musk. The name of the school means ‘to the stars’ in Latin, a play on the mission of Space X—Musk’s space exploration company—to make the human species multi-planetary by colonising Mars.
Students look at complex, scenario-based space conundrums that encourage each child to engage in problem solving, negotiation, and considered risk taking. Heidi describes witnessing this in action: ‘This week [the project] is Proxima, which involves each child in a collective space to analyse which of three out-of-touch space colonies would be the best to assign a space rescue mission to, given that only one is able to be launched due to limited resources at hand. There is no right answer, but before the negotiations and discussions can be entered into, complex calculations need to be performed. Six-year-olds are expected to—and do—successfully punch numbers into an even more complex algorithm and then debate with their classmates their views on which system gets their vote. A consensus needs to be reached. Tempers flare. Reputations are put on the line. Finally, a decision is reached and the rescue mission is dispatched.’
As Heidi explains, Ascham is the only school in the world that enjoys an association with Ad Astra—an important connection fostered by the Teaching Fellowship experience.
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D e v e l o p i n g e x c e l l e n c e _ A s c h a m T e a c h i n g F e l l o w s h i p s_
SCHOOL NEWS
‘Ascham is the only school in the world that enjoys an association with Ad Astra—an important connection fostered by the Teaching Fellowship experience.’
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Yo u n g s t u d e n t w i t h a l o n g h i s t o ry_
‘It is exciting to imagine that a whole new chapter is about to commence for this long-standing family of the School.’
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At only four years of age, Zara Considine is one of our youngest students at Ascham and has commenced in Prep this year. However, we recently discovered that Zara has a very long and fascinating history with the School.
Zara’s grandmother, Mrs Barbara Mortimer, was a teacher at Ascham for many years. She began in a full-time position during the 1970s teaching Geography, Economics and Social Science. When Barbara’s eldest daughter Kate was born in October 1977, she decided to teach casually at Ascham and remained in that role for almost 10 years. So impressed was Barbara with what she saw at Ascham, that both Kate and her younger sister Genevieve attended the School.
Kate was in fact a student in Mr Andrew Powell’s first ever Year 10 Science class (or Form IV as it was known then). Kate said, ‘Right from the very start Mr Powell was a fabulous teacher, and every student in the class so appreciated having him as our Science teacher.’
Interestingly, the family connection does not end there. Zara’s grandfather is Mr David Mortimer. During the 1990s, David Mortimer served as a Governor on the Ascham School Council, as well as serving on the Foundation Board.
With Zara’s little sister Adelaide due to join us at Ascham in the near future, it is exciting to imagine that a whole new chapter is about to commence for this long-standing family of the School.
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Z a r a D e m p s e y r e c e i v e s H o n o u r a b l e M e n t i o n i n
Yo u n g A r c h i e s_
A self-portrait painted by Year 3 student Zara Dempsey has received
an Honourable Mention in the Young Archie Competition at
the Art Gallery of NSW.
This competition coincides with Australia’s most prestigious art event, the Archibald Prize. Zara’s self-portrait, selected from 2,249 entries,
received the Honourable Mention in the 5–8 years category. This wonderful work is currently hanging in the SH Ervin (National Trust) Gallery
on Observatory Hill.
Zara says: ‘I chose to paint myself because I am happy to be me and I have a good life with
a great family. I painted myself with a paintbrush in my hand because art gives me joy and it has always been my favourite activity. I also painted
myself in my school uniform because I love school and I love doing art with my two art teachers. Nearly everywhere I go,
I see art in everything.’
Above: Zara Considine (centre) with grandmother Barbara Mortimer (left) and mother Kate Considine (right)
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Ascham students were busily engaged in a range of activities of discovery and exploration in August, as the girls celebrated National Science Week. The 2016 theme for NSW schools was Drones, Droids and Robots, and encouraged students to look at how technology has transformed their everyday lives.
Girls in Year 2 created ‘balloon shish kebabs’ by piercing an inflated balloon with a skewer on its dark spots where there is minimal tension, preventing it from popping. The girls also delighted in watching the volcanic-like explosions caused by the chemical reaction between vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, and were eager to learn more about how real volcanoes erupt.
In Fiona, a Brain Break Morning Tea invited Fiona girls to reflect on the important role science plays in their daily lives. The girls considered how packaging, food processing and nutrients involved scientific research and development. Miss Thomas then showed the girls how four simple kitchen ingredients—bicarbonate of soda and citric acid, jelly crystals and icing sugar—can combine to create a tasty chemical reaction in their mouths. The Fiona Robotics Club shared its teams’ Robocup Dances, on which the girls worked collaboratively to engineer
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S c i e n c e W e e k at A s c h a m _
SCHOOL NEWS
and program using the Lego Mindstorms kits; and the STEAM Prefects ran a paper plane competition. Lots of fun was had, with prizes given for fanciest flight, longest flight, highest flight, most attractive plane and more!
In the Senior School, girls in Year 7 embarked on a scientific excursion to Mount Keira Rainforest, in Wollongong. The girls used a range of equipment to measure and collect information, including the moisture of the soil, the height of the rainforest canopy and the foliage percentage. The girls also participated in an animal capture activity, which allowed them to study the characteristics of certain insects such as scorpions, beetles and worms. Girls in Year 8 participated in a demonstration from Street Science, an organisation that aims to put the fun back into Science education. Girls were shown firsthand how fireworks are made, and watched dry ice react with a number of different substances. Year 9 girls took part
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Wa l k f o r C a m b o d i a_
From the very early years of school, Ascham girls are active in fundraising and participating in charitable work, and are taught about the impact their positive actions can have on the world and those around them. The recent Walk for Cambodia raised much-needed funds to update Ascham’s two schools in eastern Cambodia.
Built in 2005 in the Mondulkiri province, the schools opened with less than 30 students and now enjoy enrolments of almost 500. The growth and development of the students and their English language studies have been tremendous over the last decade, and several students have now completed their studies and gone on to further education including teaching, law and medicine. Ascham students have worked tirelessly to assist in the growth of the two schools since 2005 with various fundraising events.
Friday 29 July was a beautiful, sunny winter’s day in Sydney—perfect for our fundraising walkathon, Walk for Cambodia. Each Ascham girl was sponsored by family and friends to walk various distances according to her age group.
Hillingdon girls walked 1km around the School grounds, enjoying a treasure hunt and exploring all parts of the School. Fiona students headed off down to Rushcutters Bay Park and walked a 4km track along the water, enjoying the beautiful view of Sydney Harbour. Our Senior girls hiked uphill to Centennial Park and back to School, walking a solid 8km circuit.
A total of approximately $25,000 was raised in our 2016 Walk for Cambodia. All the girls had a wonderful day, knowing that the effort they put in and the funds they raised are going to make a significant impact on the education and wellbeing of many Cambodian children.
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Wa l k f o r C a m b o d i a _
in a robotics program run by the University of NSW, known as Robogals. Split into small groups, girls had to assemble robots from Lego parts, then program the robots for battle against one another. Students in Year 10 took part in a thrilling forensics exercise: girls were provided with a murder scene, a list of suspects, fingerprints and some information in order to help them solve the crime. They took part in fingerprint testing, chromatography, blood testing, computer face reconstruction, oil testing, footprint matching and handwriting analysis in order to form a conclusion on who they thought the culprit was.
The girls were abuzz with excitement about their new discoveries in a wonderful week of scientific investigation.
Opposite page: Layla Holland, Annabelle Knox and Francesca Ruchin
Above from top: Year 10 participate in forensics; STEAM projects showcased in the Centre for the Sciences; Robots battle it out during Robogals
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The Tennis and Family Fun Day is a wonderful Ascham community event that gets bigger and better every year.
Organised by the Ascham Parents’ Association, this year’s event, held on Sunday 22 May, was the School’s most successful Tennis Day yet. The sun was shining and more than 1,800 people came out to support Ascham. Fantastic tennis drew in the crowds, and many watched the games from the veranda of the Dining Room with our very own nod to Wimbledon—strawberries and cream! The wonderful Sideshow Alley kept more than 600 children happy all day, and for the first time ever we held a very spooky Haunted House. Many guests wandered the grounds and browsed the fabulous homemade goodies, olive oil and wares on offer at the boarders’ and Ascham Parents’ Association stalls.
All in all, there was a magnificent community feel at this year’s Tennis Day.
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F u n f o r a l l at T e n n i s a n d
Fa m i ly F u n D ay _
More than 250 guests attended the official opening of the annual HSC Art Exhibition in August, opened by Old Girl Anna Shapiro (2006). Since graduating from Ascham, Anna has built a dynamic arts/communications career in Australia and the United States, having completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts at the University of Melbourne in 2009.
Anna spoke affectionately about her time at Ascham and how the Dalton Plan had prepared her so thoroughly for the many and varied roles she has undertaken in the art world. She commented on how impressed she was with the way the girls had expressed such sophisticated conceptual ideas and resolved them to such a high degree.
Congratulations to Montana Crabb, who was awarded with this year’s Foundation Award for Excellence in Practical Art for her work, titled The Pain of Poverty. Montana’s work will go on display in the School and be held in Ascham’s permanent collection.
Congratulations to all our HSC Art students on their outstanding achievements.
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C r e at i v e a n d i m a g i n at i v e ta l e n t s o n s h o w at t h e H S C A r t E x h i b i t i o n _
Above: Anna Shapiro (2006) officially opens the exhibition
Above inset: Montana Crabb with her prize-winning work The Pain of Poverty
Above right: Sophie Nicholas, Sophie Cropper and Annabel Young
SCHOOL NEWS
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 15
After learning of the devastation occurring in the forests of Indonesia and Malaysia through their studies of endangered animals, Fiona students Amelie Widin-Williams and Giselle Parras, along with Anna Kremer and Alex Jones, felt compelled to do their part to make things right.
Amelie and Giselle are the current Fiona Ambassadors for KidsGive, Australia’s first crowdfunding platform for kids. Aiming to empower school-aged children to make a tangible difference to the lives of others, the organisation says that by participating in its programs, kids ‘learn a sense of personal and social responsibility about the needs of others, and how the power of their actions can truly make a difference’.
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K i d s G i v e a n d t h e F i o n a O r a n g u ta n P r o j e c t _
‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’
Dr Seuss, The Lorax
After much careful consideration, Amelie, Giselle, Anna and Alex identified The Orangutan Project (TOP) as a charity that aligned with their beliefs and would benefit greatly from their support. TOP’s key mission is to ensure that endangered wild orangutan species will continue to live in secure populations for generations to come. The girls would like to encourage other Fiona students to join them in their campaign to raise at least $2,000 for TOP through a variety of fundraising activities.
KidsGive has supported Amelie and Giselle to coordinate the initiative in a number of ways. The girls had to compose and submit a proposal to Mr Powell, Mrs Butcher and Mrs Vaile. The girls attend a number of KidsGive Advisory Team (KAT) meetings at which they discuss the progress of their campaign, hear about other school campaigns, and listen to guest speakers.
Fiona girls will have an opportunity to donate to the campaign in Term 4 as the fundraising activities continue. They can also support the project online, with the help of an adult, at: www.kidsgive.com.au/campaigns/the-fiona-orangutan-project/.
Amelie, Giselle, Anna and Alex would greatly appreciate your support by way of contribution and/or spreading word of their campaign.
Above: Anna Kremer, Alex Jones, Giselle Parras and Amelie Widin-Williams
Below left to right: Giselle and Amelie attend a KAT meeting; Giselle and Alex with the orangutan mascot, Fredrickson
16 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
Year 11 student Claudia Frykberg travelled to Yale University in Boston in July to participate in the highly coveted Yale Young Global Scholars Program.
Claudia was thrilled to discover that she was one of only three students from Australia to be selected for the Politics, Law and Economics stream of the Program, which aims to bring together the best and brightest students from over 115 countries, exposing these young minds to global issues, international affairs and policy leadership.
Claudia is strong academically, as well as having competed at national level in swimming for many years. With swimming training commitments both before and after school, Claudia has been highly organised and motivated to achieve at such high levels in both academic and co-curricular domains.
Of her time at Yale, Claudia says: ‘The program included people from all around the globe, [and] everyone was able to exchange different opinions, thoughts and ideas. I feel as though simply talking with other people enabled me to broaden my knowledge, and with each person I talked to I felt myself become a little wiser … Coming back to Australia I felt as though I had gained so much knowledge and experience. Now thanks to my time at Yale I have a new perspective—an increased sense of drive and purpose as to what direction I want to take in the years ahead.’
When she finishes school next year, Claudia hopes to travel to the United States to pursue her interests in arts, literature and media, as well as further her swimming aspirations by joining the swim team of one of America’s top universities. While in Boston, she was fortunate enough to meet with the Head of the Women’s Swim Team at Harvard University. Claudia says, ‘She asked me a lot of questions about myself and asked me to stay in touch, which I think is a good sign!’
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Y e a r 1 1 g i r l s e l e c t e d f o r t h e Ya l e Yo u n g G l o b a l S c h o l a r s P r o g r a m _
‘Now thanks to my time at Yale I have a new perspective—an increased sense of drive and purpose as to what direction I want to take in the years ahead.’
SCHOOL NEWS
Audiences were amazed and delighted by the wonderful performances of the Fiona production of The Little Mermaid Jr in early April.
The cast and crew of 95 girls from Years 5 and 6 gave three stellar performances featuring outstanding singing and dancing, and a great sense of fun from all girls involved.
A sincere thank you to the Director Ms Narelle Yeo, Choreographer Mr Brendan Hay, Musical Director Mr Hayden Baltrop, Costume Designer Mr Peter Mussared, Production Manager Mr Michael Linney, Props Master Dr Drew Heffernan, and Mr Richard Charlton, Mrs Simone Butler, Mrs Catherine Wilson, Mrs Fiona Charlton, Mrs Catherine Crawford and Mrs Jackie O’Connor, whose energy and vision produced a show of such spectacular quality. Without their tireless work and support this production would not have been possible.
Thank you to our amazing gap students for their help with all aspects of the production, and the many parents who helped with sewing costumes, and completing numerous other essential tasks that led to the show’s success.
Finally, we would like to congratulate the girls on their amazing performances. They should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. We look forward to seeing many of them on the stage in years to come!
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U n d e r t h e S e a w i t h T h e L i t t l e M e r m a i d J r
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The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 17
ASCHAM MUSIC
18 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
Senior Music Camp and ConcertOn Monday 6 June, 280 Senior girls and more than 20 staff left for Music Camp at Collaroy to focus on three days of music-making.
Over the course of the three days, our girls were focused and involved in all aspects of Camp life. They worked hard and certainly earnt their right to play hard—the annual talent night was a great success. The familiar structure of rehearsals combined with down time was ever-present, but what was particularly striking this year was the girls’ consistent work ethic. All groups performed brilliantly and have worked incredibly hard to do so. The support the girls provided for each other and the staff at Camp was outstanding. The dedicated input both musically and pastorally of the Ascham Music staff is a testament to them, and reflects the value they place in a quality music education and the wellbeing of our girls.
The annual Senior Instrumental and Choral Concert followed in Ascham’s Packer Theatre a week later, showcasing the remarkable talents of our Senior girls and delighting parents, grandparents, friends and staff who came along.
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M u s i c c a m p s a n d c o n c e r t s_
ASCHAM MUSIC
Fiona Music Camp and ConcertThis year’s Fiona Music Camp was held on 9–10 June at the Collaroy Centre. A rigorous rehearsal schedule kept Fiona musicians very busy over the course of the Camp and the standard of performances on the last day reflected the value of two days of intensive music-making.
A week later, the fruits of the girls’ labour were evident at the annual Fiona Music Camp Concert. Parents, grandparents, friends and staff were delighted by the many outstanding performances. The newly formed Fiona Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Mr Richard Charlton, gave a stellar performance of Selections from Peer Gynt Suite, which left the audience wondering if it was truly a primary school concert they were attending! A varied program included performances from Larks, Nightingales, Corelli Strings Ensemble, Vivaldi Strings Ensemble, Kreisler Ensemble, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, the Ascham Grammar Strings Orchestra and the Fiona Guitar Ensemble. The Combined Fiona Bands took up most of the stage and gave a rousing performance of Dr Boo, which ensured that the audience stayed awake throughout the program!
Above: Amy Huang performs at the Senior Music Camp Concert
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 19
During Term 1 our girls were engaged in conjuring up ideas for a new musical commission for Ascham under the guidance of renowned Australian composer Paul Jarman and in celebration of the new Centre for the Sciences.
Paul’s visit in February happened to coincide with the extraordinary discovery of gravitational waves, which subsequently formed the focus of this work.
While Paul was visiting Ascham, all classes that could be involved worked collaboratively in the research, development and creation of the piece. Not only did Paul visit as many music classes and rehearsals as he could, he also visited Science Studies and engaged the girls in discussions of the importance of science in our world, particularly in the context of the discovery of gravitational waves.
Students also considered a range of areas, including: the role of women pioneers in science and astronomy; the history of astronomy from the Babylonians, Egyptians and Chinese through to the Age of Enlightenment and modern explorations; the involvement of other sciences within astronomy; the science of sound and sound waves; and the gravitational waves themselves and the future of space exploration.
The students then wrote or notated some ideas, poetry, plans and musical concepts, which Paul took away with him to work with. In addition to the themes suggested above, the girls were encouraged to
consider the history of ‘outer space’ in music, from Indigenous music from around the world to Gustav Holst; the classic science fiction music of the 20th century, and a focus on film composers, such as James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, Bernard Hermann and John Williams, among others.
The resulting work, Gravitational Waves, was performed at the School’s 130th Celebration Concert in August. Its intent to represent the quest to pursue a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit, and our place in it, is undoubtedly ever-present in this work.
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G r av i tat i o n a l Wav e s by Pa u l J a r m a n a p r o c e s s o f d i s c o v e ry a n d c o l l a b o r at i o n_
Three of Ascham’s vocal ensembles performed
with great success in the Sydney Eisteddfod, held
at the end of May.
On the Saturday evening the student run a cappella group, The Daltones, competed in the Open Age Show Choir event and won first place with their enthusiastic
performance of Wings and Bella’s Back to Basics. The success of The Daltones is particularly remarkable, given that the ensemble is entirely student run and competed against adult choirs. The girls learnt all of the music without any assistance,
and congratulations to Grace Clarke and Mariah Nickolas for their leadership of this exciting initiative.
On the Sunday morning of competition, Ascham’s Senior
Choir sang spectacularly to place first in the Youth Choirs—female
voices section. The Chamber Choir also sang beautifully in a very
competitive section although they did not receive a place.
Although it has been a big commitment for the girls,
particularly the Year 12s, it is a very valuable experience, whether we
receive a place or not—but it is very exciting to win!
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Sy d n e y E i s t e d d f o d
s u c c e s s_
Below: Paul Jarman at the 130th Celebration Concert
20 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
ASCHAM MUSIC
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A d e l a i d e I n t e r n at i o n a l G u i ta r f e s t i va l_
In mid-August six Ascham guitar students—Poppy Thomson, Georgia Austin, Betty Moffitt, Ruby Alexander, Lucie Lloyd Jones and Eliza Howard—attended the Adelaide International Guitar Festival.
The girls played in a large Guitar Ensemble and attended rehearsals on Friday and Saturday and then performed in the final concert at the Adelaide Town Hall on Sunday afternoon.
Participation at the Festival comprised students from mostly Adelaide schools, with some tertiary students from the Elder Conservatorium also in attendance. As well as our six girls there were players from Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and North Queensland, totalling 80 altogether.
The girls’ performance in the Adelaide Town Hall on Sunday received a standing ovation from the sold-out house. They played the first half of a concert featuring Slava Grigoryan and friends, together with the Australian String Quartet. The girls also watched the finals of the Adelaide International Guitar Competition and went to a gala concert with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra that featured two new Guitar Concertos. Poppy Thomson played and sang in an open mic session in the foyer of the Town Hall, drawing a large crowd of patrons who were attending the Bela Fleck Concert.
The girls had a great time meeting other players, visiting the exhibitions, and paddle boating on the Torrens!
The annual Wind and Brass Concert was held in the Packer Theatre on Thursday 25 August, featuring Ascham musicians from Years 3 to 11.
We were delighted to welcome the St Mary’s Cathedral College Brass Ensemble under the direction of Mr Michael Wyborn, which gave an inspirational performance of ‘Grand Central’ from A Londoner in New York (Part I). The St Mary’s Cathedral musicians also combined with the Ascham Senior Brass Ensemble to perform Planetary Alignment, a piece written by Mr Richard Charlton, which was specially commissioned for this concert.
The audience was delighted by a variety of performances, which ranged from the Fiona Training Band’s rendition of Ode to Joy through to the Senior Concert Band’s performance of Highlights from Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim.
It was wonderful to witness the progress of the bands through the School. For Fiona girls it was an opportunity to see where their music could take them, and for Senior School girls it was an opportunity to reflect on where their music has come from.
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W i n d a n d b r a s s c o n c e r t_
The highly talented cast of this year’s Senior production,
Coram Boy, wowed audiences during performances held in May.
>> Full story p. 22
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A s c h a m D r a m a
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The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 21
This page: Alexandra Culhane
22 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
ASCHAM DRAMA
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C o r a m B o y_
With more than 70 actors, singers, musicians and stage crew involved, Coram Boy can be described as nothing short of epic. The highly talented cast of this year ’s Senior production wowed audiences during the performances in mid May.
The cast members from both Ascham and Cranbrook are to be commended on the maturity shown beyond their years as they tackled difficult themes onstage including child abuse, racism and slavery. Credit must be given to Director Peter Mussared for helping the cast members navigate their way through the complex and emotionally taxing subjects. His treatment of the play was creatively thoughtful and unique. Professional-level stage craft techniques, such as an ocean morphing into an angel and a voice-changing sleight-of-hand, were executed effortlessly by the company.
Although Coram Boy is not a musical, there is a huge musical component necessary to the story. Mr Richard Charlton conducted a fabulous student orchestra and Ms Catriona Turnbull directed the choir, underscoring the play with the essential Handel melodies. Music staff members Ms Alison Cameron and Mr Simon Hilberding added their expertise, playing with the orchestra. An innovative set and lighting design by Ms Megan Venhoek and Mr Tim Hope completed this stunning theatrical event. The entire production was stage-managed by Year 11 student Emma Maple-Brown. Coram Boy was a very challenging play to present— it is an emotionally brutal play and it is a credit to all involved to have created such an outstanding piece of theatre that will remain in our hearts forever.
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T h e B l a c k S e q u i n D r e s s
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In early August Year 11 Drama students
treated audiences to performances of Jenny Kemp’s evocative The
Black Sequin Dress in the Packer Theatre.
Originally published in the mid-90s, this play explores the inner world of a woman, Undine, who decides after years of domestic unhappiness to dress up and
venture out to a nightclub on her own. When she arrives there, she
slips and falls. The audience is taken on a journey into Undine’s mind as she reconciles her past and her choices. Undine, played
by four actors, delves into the depths of herself as she seeks to understand how her life choices
have led her to this moment.
This expressionistic and surreal story was portrayed beautifully by
our very talented Year 11 students. Congratulations to all the girls
involved in the production.
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 23
In late March, Year 11 students combined their considerable talents to create a detailed, comical and increasingly absurd world in the student-directed production of Christopher Durang’s The Actor’s Nightmare.
The production had a dream run, with two performances in the Drama Studio. Charlotte Gibb played the central role of an accountant who finds himself starring in a play that he has not rehearsed and has no knowledge of his lines. Alex Issa, Hannah Magotra, Armaity Pavri, Melanie Philippou and Skye White relished every opportunity to shine in their roles as actors in a variety of styles, from Beckett, to Coward and Shakespeare.
Anika Bhatia, Lauren Miles and Melanie Philippou ably directed A Date Disaster, the curtain raiser which set the mood for the evening. Estegenet Herschmann and Stella Duncan starred as an unlikely couple meeting for a blind date at the theatre.
Congratulations to all the girls involved in a wonderful evening of Drama!
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T h e A c t o r ' s N i g h t m a r e_
On Friday 19 August parents, staff and friends were treated to the HSC Drama Showcase.
This is the only time that the HSC Drama Group Devised Pieces and Individual Performances are open to a public viewing. Twelve students delivered monologues in the Drama Studio, and during the interval Coco Frohlich presented her fabulous Scriptwriting Individual Project in the Packer Foyer. Many thanks go to those who supported us that evening. The students delivered a thrilling, exacting and exciting evening of drama.
The HSC class performed three group pieces: It’s Just Not Australian, Malcolm in the Middle and I Godot Go followed by 12 individual monologues. Three monologues were original works written by the students themselves based on notorious women of history; the other nine monologues were an eclectic mix of drama, horror and comedy. Many of these monologues were adaptations undertaken by the performer—edited from novels, films or entire plays—an incredible feat! Our two technical operators, Year 10 students Izzy Mangelsdorf and Nastassia Nickolas, are to be commended on their excellent technical wizardry and tireless stage management, under the expert tutelage of Mr Peter Mussared.
We were in equal measures impressed, blown away and entertained all evening. A heartfelt thank you to the HSC Drama teachers for all of their work in preparing the girls for their HSC this year. We wish the Drama class of 2016 all the best for the next stage (on another stage soon, we hope!)
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H S C D r a m a s h o w c a s e_
Top left to right: Isabel Chen, Genevieve Couvret, Sacha Thane, Bella Tilley; Ella Paton; Armaity Pavri and Charlotte Gibb; Skye White
Duntrim House is providing our boarders with an exceptional place
for learning and living.
>> Full story p. 25
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A s c h a m B o a r d e r s
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24 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
More than 60 boarders have settled into Duntrim House, Ascham’s brand new boarding facility, which provides our girls with an exceptional place for learning and living. The heritage property, known as Duntrim, has been expanded and transformed into new bedrooms, flexible learning spaces and cosy common areas.
Feedback from the girls has been very positive as they enjoy the facilities, which include a large Common Room, an intimate Reading Room, several informal break-out areas, games facilities and a separate Year 12 House.
Duntrim, originally named ‘Duntruim’, was built by the Macpherson family in about 1911 on the site of an earlier property called Glanworth. The Cohen family bought the house in 1922, renamed it Duntrim and over the years, made it into a substantially larger family home. The three Cohen children attended Ascham. The Cohen family sold the house to NSW Health in 1954, and Ascham bought Duntrim in 2011.
This ambitious building project—the largest undertaken in the School’s history—has unlocked and opened up Ascham’s campus. This transformational facility is sure to generate learning experiences that last for a lifetime!
Unveiling our transformational new boarding facilities
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 25
Opposite page: Natalie Choy and Jordan Oberg outside Duntrim House
Top to bottom: Abby Ryan, Annabel Young and Hermion Tam in the Louise Christie Common Room; Zara Vivers in a Year 9 dorm; Molly Aveyard and Zara Caldwell study on the bridge; Lucy Vineburg
It is a fact of boarding life that boarders can miss not only their families, but special pets and animals as well.
Many of Ascham’s boarders hail from remote rural areas and large farms where working with or training horses, and having horses as special pets, is a normal part of life.
Year 7 boarder Phoebe Oates is from Boomi in north-western NSW, a small town in the Moree Plains Shire with a population of less than 300. Phoebe certainly misses riding her 22-year-old gelding thoroughbred Storm every day. When at home, she would ride Storm most days ‘just for fun’, but on Tuesdays and Fridays Phoebe trains Storm, more seriously, for jumps, with her mum Belinda. Phoebe has owned Storm for four years and over that time they have developed an incredibly strong, and successful, bond.
Before owning Storm, Phoebe says she had no interest in showjumping. But Storm loves jumping and this has made Phoebe
a showjumper, and it is now the thing she enjoys doing most in her life. She says of her horse, ‘He is the one who has encouraged me to jump higher and higher. It is such a special connection that I have with him.’
It is very touching to hear Phoebe talk about her connection with Storm; she loves his loyalty and kindness and the fact that he always wants to go fast when she is riding him. Phoebe explained that the horse can sense all her emotions. If she feels unconfident in the saddle then Storm will lack confidence in his jumps.
When owner and horse learn to work confidently together they can achieve great things. Earlier this year at the North West Equestrian Expo, Storm helped Phoebe become a State Showjumping Champion in the Under 13 State team awards and achieve the highest point-scoring zone (zone 8).
We wish Phoebe and Storm all the best in future competitions, and a long and happy partnership!
On Sunday 28 August a group of 25 Ascham boarders in Years 7, 8 and 9 set out to enjoy a morning of bouncing fun at Sky Zone—Alexandria’s famous indoor trampolining park.
With all wearing their matching stripy Sky Zone socks, the girls bounced onto the vast array of trampoline fun Sky Zone has to offer. Foam pits, wall tramps, bouncing slam-dunk and even jumping dodgeball—the girls made the most of all that was on offer.
The girls all had a wonderful time jumping, flipping and bouncing the morning away!
Before departing the girls enjoyed a well-earned ice-cream, cold drink or slushie. They returned to school exhausted yet excited to share the stories of their bouncy fun with their friends.
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B o u n c i n g a r o u n d at
S k y Z o n e_
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P h o e b e a n d S t o r m - a v e ry s p e c i a l r e l at i o n s h i p_
26 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
ASCHAM BOARDERS
Below: Elke Simpson and Harriet Morris
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B o a r d e r s ' N i g h t I n : b u i l d i n g c o m m u n i t y i n t h e B o a r d i n g H o u s e s_
Boarding at Ascham teaches girls to learn to live harmoniously with one another in a respectful and caring community.
A key part of building community in our boarding houses is an enriching Weekend Activities Program, which allows boarders to bond over meaningful but fun activities.
A highlight of the Weekend Activities Program is the Boarders’ Night In, traditionally held on the first Friday of each term. Each Night In sees the whole boarding community stay in to participate in a range of fun activities and bond across the Years as a whole group.
Activities held for past Night Ins have varied, from a barbecue and sing-a-long movie, to a ‘Boarders’ Got Talent’ show. What a fantastic way to celebrate the community of boarding at Ascham!
On a sunny Sunday in Term 1 a group of 25
boarders from Years 7 to 10 participated in a Surf Safety course at
Bondi Beach.
A far cry from the plains and paddocks of many of the country
boarders’ home towns, blue skies and calm waters of the
beach provided ideal conditions for training. Facilitated by Surf
Educate Australia (SEA), the course educated the girls in how to stay
safe when swimming at the beach, including how to identify and
escape rips. The girls also learned how to bodysurf and how to catch
waves on a surfboard. Popular activities included ‘Dolphin Diving’, ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Run-Swim-Run’. All participants, from rank beginners to experienced beach-swimmers, put in a first-rate effort and had a very
enjoyable session.
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F u n i n t h e s u n at
B o n d i B e a c h_
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 27
Right: Belle Retallack, Asha Heffernan and Maddie Smith
Clockwise from left: Billie Brownlow performs at Boarders’ Got Talent; Catriona Caldwell, Annabel Young and Priya Mulligan; Amy Carrigan, Olivia Lotz, Hannah Kelley and Annabel Arkins
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B u i l d i n g t h e B a s k e t b a l l p r o g r a m_
ASCHAM SPORT
Ascham Basketball is having a very positive year, with girls eager to play and committed to learning and improving; as well as a dedicated coaching staff. The Ascham brand of basketball is an intense, unselfish, up-tempo style of play, where girls are multifaceted and encouraged to play outside of their comfort zones.
The Ascham Senior Firsts had a dominating year, going undefeated through the St Catherine’s competition, and tying for first place in Division 2 of the IGSSA Competition, only losing one game in two terms. Through the girls’ dedication, readiness to learn and their eagerness to work hard, they made great strides in their individual skills and improved enormously as a team.
Half of all Ascham teams finished in the top four of their divisions, including a very young Junior A team, the Senior Thirds, the most improved Year 7As, the first-placed Senior Firsts and the undefeated Year 7Bs.
Basketball at Ascham is growing with more opportunities for girls to learn, develop, and most importantly, have fun!
28 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
This page: Gabrielle Hawkins
Ascham Athletics has had a successful year in 2016 across Fiona and Senior School.
The Senior team had a very successful IGSSA Carnival, winning Division 2 and placing sixth overall. There was an increase in the number of girls making finals and a fantastic sense of team spirit and support throughout the day. Six Ascham girls were selected to represent IGSSA at the CIS Athletics Championships, which is a fantastic achievement.
The Fiona girls competed enthusiastically in the IPSHA Athletics Championships, with many selected to represent Ascham at the carnival for the first time. It was terrific for them to experience the atmosphere of an IPSHA Carnival. A total of seven Ascham girls were selected from the IPSHA Athletics team to compete at the CIS Athletics Championships.
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I G S S A a n d I P S H A s u c c e s s i n At h l e t i c s_
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 29
All teams performed well in the IGSSA Competition this season and the girls’ skill level continues to improve. Congratulations to Sophie Sullivan (Year 9) who was selected in the IGSSA Opens team, and, after playing an integral part, was selected to join the CIS team. Along with twin sister Brigid, Sophie travelled with the IGSSA team to compete in the Tri State Challenge during the spring school holidays, where they won the championship.
Earlier this year we said farewell to Head Coach of Football Mr Brian Dene and have welcomed Mr Renato Jelen. Renato has brought a wealth of knowledge and lives and breathes football. He has already introduced Futsal for our Senior School girls and has many plans for the 2017/18 seasons. This will be a sport to watch over the next 12 months!
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f o o t b a l l n e w s_
Top to bottom: Ruby Watts, Jade Preston, Lily Granger; Jemima Keay Doak; Leila White
30 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
ASCHAM SPORT
Netball has flourished across Fiona and Senior School. Teams enjoyed participating in the less competitive Social Netball Competition over summer, organised by the Netball Captains.
Senior and Junior teams were entered into the St Catherine’s competition in Term 2, with four Senior teams reaching the finals and the Year 7B team winning its division. In the Kincoppal competition the Senior First and Junior A teams won their final matches.
A large increase in participation across both Fiona and the Senior School in Term 3 saw the highest number of Senior School teams ever at Ascham—a total of 24.
Mrs Bestic has worked with a large number of girls on strengthening and all-round fitness in order to prevent injuries during the Senior School Netball Fitness sessions, which have run each Wednesday throughout Terms 2 and 3.
We were fortunate to have Australian International netballer Susan Pettitt organise for two Netball NSW Waratahs players to run a clinic for the Senior School girls. This was very successful and we hope to continue with these clinics next year.
It has been fantastic to see the enjoyment of the sport across both parts of the School and we look forward to seeing how the girls progress in the future.
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A n o t h e r s u c c e s s f u l N e t b a l l s e a s o n_
Building on the growth of last year, Ascham Hockey has continued to thrive in 2016.
For the first time, Indoor Hockey competition games were played in the gym. Overall we had a successful Indoor season, with Premierships for our Senior A and B teams. The Junior Year 8 and 9 teams played out a draw in the semifinal, with the Year 9 team unfortunately losing its grand final match.
The outdoor season kicked off with our annual pre-season training camp in Tamworth, which was a great success and well-prepared the girls for the Term 2 Eastern Districts Competition. Entering 10 teams across seven grades, the Senior B, Junior A and Year 7 teams all won Premierships, while the Senior C team finished runners up.
Minkey Hockey was again well supported in Fiona. The girls are developing skills such as hitting and tackling and improvement across all teams was very apparent come season’s end.
We performed well throughout the IGSSA competition, with our Junior A and Year 7A teams competing in the highest divisions. This is a positive sign for the future of Ascham Hockey.
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H o c k e y : c o n t i n u i n g t o t h r i v e_
Top left to right: Georgina Young; Camilla Bell; Lianna Patete
Fiona Touch Football has been a great success in 2016, both for increased participation and athlete development. With three teams in Year 6 and Year 4 and five teams in Year 5 the future looks very bright for Touch Football at Ascham.
The coaching staff has been boosted this year with the introduction of Jarrat Wood, former Touch Football NSW employee; and Kurt Lovett, a former NSW junior.
A greater focus has been placed on educating our players around the fundamentals of the game, and teaching valuable lessons in teamwork. We have ensured that basic skills such as catching and passing feature heavily at training.
The greatest challenge for a coach of primary school-aged children is reinforcing the need to ‘spread out’. Having extra space at training now that Years 5 and 6 train at Steyne Park has afforded coaches the ability to run drills over a larger distance and has allowed for full-sized games to be played during training.
Results across the board have been extremely positive and we look forward to building on the platform we have laid this year for many years to come.
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D e v e l o p i n g T o u c h F o o t b a l l i n t h e P r i m a ry y e a r s_
This page: Lucinda Ross
Inset: Jemima Duchen
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 31
32 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
This year the Ascham Snowsports team comprised 38 students from Kindergarten to Year 11. There was a great atmosphere among the team, with all girls supporting each other. This year was the first time Division 6 (K–2) was introduced in the Alpine discipline and it was wonderful to see an Ascham team qualifying for the State Championships.
Ascham won the Primary Overall Pointscore at this year’s Sydney Regional Interschools Championships and came a very close second in the Secondary Overall Pointscore.
Thirteen Ascham teams qualified to compete at the State Interschool Championships, in Snowboarding, Alpine, Skier X and Moguls. Nine teams competed at the State Cross Country Championships. Fourteen Ascham girls were then selected to compete at the Australian Snowsports Championships.
We have had a great season, with fantastic team spirit for all Snowsports events. Thank you to the parents, who have supported the girls throughout the season with great enthusiasm.
ASCHAM SPORT
Farmers in north-western NSW have said that Coonabarabran’s North West Equestrian Expo is the ‘drought breaker’, and in true ‘Coona’ style we had torrential rain on the first two days of competition. This did not dampen the girls’ spirits; they came out riding in spectacular fashion once the sun shone. The Expo is a wonderful event that brings our day and boarding families together under the one roof—tent that it may be.
The Ascham girls rode with ‘heart and soul’ this year and we were delighted when we were awarded the Champion Showjumping Team of 2016. This was the first time Ascham has ever won a championship pointscore at the Expo! This is an amazing achievement for all the girls considering that for many of them they only get the opportunity to ride during the holidays. Phoebe Oates, Alexandra McLaughlin and Hannah Kelley were named Showjumping Champions in their age groups, with Phoebe Oates taking the trifecta and winning all three of her jumping rounds, while Annabel Bundock was the Reserve Champion in her division.
Congratulations to all the girls on their outstanding results. The 2016 North West Equestrian Expo has gone down in history as the best and most successful year for the Ascham Equestrian Team.
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P r i m a ry s c h o o l S n o w s p o r t s
c h a m p i o n s_
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S c h o o l c h a m p i o n s_
‘The Ascham girls rode with “heart and soul” this year and we were delighted when we were awarded the Champion Showjumping Team of 2016.’
Top left: Alex McLaughlin
Inset: Phoebe Oates, Annabel Bundock, Alex McLaughlin and Hannah Kelley
Top right: Girls from Ascham’s primary Snowsports team
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 33
Dance at Ascham has come a long way. For the past 10 years only the Senior School has been represented at eisteddfod competition in both Jazz and Contemporary styles. However, in 2016 the first Junior Dance Eisteddfod group was formed with 26 girls wishing to compete. We wish both Junior and Senior students the best of luck in their upcoming events.
Dance in Hillingdon has also expanded, with many girls from Prep to Year 2 participating each Saturday morning. It has been wonderful to see the development of the students, who were once very shy, into girls who have become extremely confident.
Did you know that Ascham has its own Gymnastics Club? Our Gymnastics Club provides programs for both Artistic and Rhythmic disciplines and caters for girls from four to 18 years.
Prep students begin in the Recreation Program for one hour per week and progress through the Development pathway to Competitive Levels, where some girls train for up to 12 hours per week. Gymnasts in Competitive Levels compete in Regional and State competitions from Year 3, but many of our younger gymnasts have been put through their paces at our recent annual Ascham Gymnastics Championships.
Above left to right: Mia Brewis-Weston, Lily Jarvis, Olivia Hersov
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E x pa n s i o n o f t h e d a n c e P r o g r a m_
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A s c h a m Gy m n a s t i c s C l u b_
This year Ascham Gymnastics Club boasted its largest Years 1, 2 and Development enrolments, with 75 girls now participating in these programs.
Participating in Gymnastics provides unique and valuable social education and experience. It is a wonderful opportunity for girls to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play and dedication. It requires patience, dedication, perseverance and planning. These qualities are also reflected through the Dalton Plan throughout the girls’ schooling. It is the reinforcement of these skills and qualities that makes our Ascham girls well rounded and able to take on any challenge.
Whether this is your first experience with the Ascham Old Girls’ Union (AOGU) or you are an Ascham Old Girl, you maybe interested in the history of how the AOGU was formed.
The Union was established in 1899 by Miss Marie Wallis and a group of ex pupils. In those early years, Miss Wallis met with a group of Old Girls once or twice a year at Ascham, and each year they sent donations to Thirlmere Hospital. When the group had grown larger, they endowed a cot at The Infants Home, Ashfield, and gave an annual donation to the Rachel Forster Hospital. Reportedly, during the Depression, a fund was set up to provide financial assistance for daughters of Ascham Old Girls.
Nearly 120 years later, the Union represents nearly 8,000 Old Girls and exists to encourage the continuance of friendships and associations formed during Old Girls’ attendance at Ascham, as well as to maintain Ascham traditions. The Union plays an important role in providing financial support to daughters of Old Girls through scholarships. The AOGU is represented by the Ascham
Old Girls’ Union Committee, a group of volunteer Old Girls who work to foster the AOGU’s goals, volunteer at AOGU events and raise money for scholarships.
As you will see through this publication, there is a long-term positive effect Ascham has on its students, which is evident in an Ascham Old Girl’s life. The bond formed between a student and her school lasts a lifetime.
The Dalton Extra gives the AOGU the opportunity to be able to showcase the achievements of our many outstanding Old Girls, as well as share some highlights from our busy calendar with the wider Ascham community.
Jennifer Ridhalgh (Harvey 1981)President of the AOGU
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N e w s f r o m t h e A s c h a m O l d G i r l s_
Welcome to the Old Girls’ section of The Dalton Extra
34 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
What does it really mean to be an Ascham Old Girl?
In each issue of The Dalton Extra this feature will shine a spotlight on our Old Girls. Whether they are achieving in their careers,
passionate about a cause, or at the centre of an interesting story, each one is truly demonstrating those principles of confidence,
independence and compassion in her life beyond school.
>> Full story p. 38
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O l d G i r l s m a k i n g t h e i r
m a r k_
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 35
This page: Laura Jellins (2003)
36 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
NEWS FROM THE ASCHAM OLD GIRLS
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A s c h a m A b r o a d : p o s t c a r d f r o m a g a p y e a r o v e r s e a s_
Hannah Ranger (2015)The Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth, London
What does your job involve?
I work primarily as a boarding assistant in Harris House, which caters for Year 8 and 9 students. I help the girls do their homework, take them on outings and provide them with pastoral care. I also assist in the History and Languages Departments, and in the summer term I coach Sailing.
Why did you want to take a Gap year?
One of the key drivers was travel, but I also saw it as an opportunity to become more self-reliant and to gain a better cross-cultural understanding.
Have you had any interesting adventures since you arrived?
In February I went on a seven-day tour around Ireland with 400 other Gap students. During the Easter holidays I visited Berlin, Prague and Vienna with Gap students from my school and then spent two weeks travelling through Turkey with my mother. The highlight of my year to date has been doing a hot air balloon ride over the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia, Turkey.
What’s ahead for you?
Next year I will be studying Law and Business Administration at ANU.
ABOVE Anna Jane with Saskia Roberts and Lily Granger
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T h r o u g h t h e w h i t e g at e_
Anna Jane Vaile (Aitken 1978) Deputy Head of Junior School I think most Fiona parents probably could not function without the support of Anna Jane. On Registration Day, my daughter Tilly’s first day of school, she was mistakenly sent to school in plain clothes. With Tilly almost in tears, the lovely Anna Jane appeared and swooped Tilly up with an art of distraction I can only admire, succeeding in walking her to her new classroom in good spirits.
When she graduated from Ascham in 1978, Anna Jane took a Gap year, teaching Tennis and Swimming before starting her teaching degree. It was Mrs Danziger who gave Anna Jane the opportunity to teach at Ascham back in 1985, starting as a Year 4 class teacher. Anna Jane has also been a Year 5 and a Year 6 class teacher and she really enjoyed doing the Certificate of Gifted Education course (COGE) run by Miraca Gross at the University of New South Wales, having developed a particular interest in gifted students.
Anna Jane’s mother Libby Aitken (Willcocks) and daughters Alex (2005) and Georgia (2008) also attended Ascham.
Anna Jane feels that the School has evolved since her time as a student. She strongly believes in the Dalton Plan and the way it encourages girls to think and challenge various viewpoints. She has also seen a huge change in Sport, which is now available to all, not just those who excel at it. She sees involvement in team sports as a useful anti-bullying strategy and she thinks it also helps to develop social skills in general.
Finally, though she shies away from talking about herself, Anna Jane sums herself up as reliable and dependable, ensuring that above all, the girls are happy and safe. At the end of 2016 she will step down from her position as Deputy Head of Junior School after 15 years of dedicated service. Although she doesn’t relish accolades, I think most of those who have had her in our girls’ lives would agree, she deserves every one of them!
Giselle Collins (Jollie 1986)
This regular article features an Ascham teacher who is also an Old Girl. The title comes from a suggestion made by Sidonie Carter (Year 6) for the name of The Dalton Extra, and references the area at the front of the School, in between Wallis and Fiona.
‘Anna Jane feels that the School has evolved since her time as a student. In particular, she sees sport as being more encouraged, and not just for those who excel at it.’
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 37
In answering this question, we might recall those phrases we see throughout School publications: ‘confident, independent, compassionate young women with a sense of purpose in the world’. That ‘Ascham girls take responsibility for their own learning’. But how do those qualities stay with the girls once they have left Ascham? We publish that an Ascham education will ‘prepare girls for life outside of School’, but how exactly does that manifest in an Old Girl engaged in her passion, or a career? How might we assess our successes as an educational institution once the girls have left the School?
In each issue of The Dalton Extra this feature will shine a spotlight on some of our most outstanding Old Girls. Whether they are achieving in their careers, passionate about a cause, or at the centre of an interesting story, each one is truly demonstrating those principles of confidence, independence and compassion in her life beyond school.
NEWS FROM THE ASCHAM OLD GIRLS
38 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
What does it really mean to be an Ascham Old Girl?
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O l d G i r l s M a k i n g t h e i r m a r k_
Sarika Gupta (2004)Sarika Gupta is a doctor. Upon her graduation from Ascham in 2004, she took a Gap year, commencing her studies in Medicine at the University of New South Wales in 2006. She says that she became interested in public health as a medical student. ‘I started volunteering at cataract camps throughout India. As a junior medical officer I became increasingly interested in women’s health, because I saw the growing capacity for public health initiatives to improve outcomes for young women and their families through education and simple intervention.’ She is fiercely passionate about improving access to and quality of women’s health services, particularly in disadvantaged communities, and in rural and remote areas where access to quality healthcare is difficult.
This is not, however, a simple recount of Sarika’s dedication to her medical career. Another of Sarika’s passions is photography, and the play between medicine and the visual arts in her life and work is fascinating.
Visual arts has always been close to Sarika’s heart, having been exposed to creative design and artistry throughout her childhood by her mother, Sneh. This interest continued to be fostered throughout her time at Ascham. She was awarded an art scholarship, and she feels that this was one way in which Ascham supported her passion: ‘The Ascham scholarship was a fantastic way to motivate young girls to take the subject more seriously, incorporate it into their formal academic palette through to Year 12, and expand on the many socio-cultural contexts raised by the curriculum.’ In her Senior years at Ascham, Sarika almost elected not to take Visual Arts as a subject, worried about how the scaling might impact her chances of getting into Medicine. Ignoring advice, she took the subject, and not only was her body of work selected for inclusion in ARTEXPRESS in 2005, but she also topped the State for Visual Arts in 2004, and was accepted into Medicine.
‘Sarika is fiercely passionate about improving access to and quality of women’s health services, particularly in disadvantaged communities, and in rural and remote areas where access to quality healthcare is difficult.’
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 39
What does it really mean to be an Ascham Old Girl?
Art has continued to play a role in Sarika’s life, as she captures her experiences with beautiful, raw photography. She says that as a doctor, she sees the creative arts as an important tool to be used to better engage women in taking ownership and recognition for their own individual healthcare. She describes a recent example. ‘Being present to photograph a young mother having the first feed with her baby in a malaria-ridden birthing suite and then being able to leave behind a copy of that image to remind other women of their courage is a very powerful and useful gift that ultimately has a trans-generational impact.’ In a style closely resembling photojournalism Sarika uses her iPhone to capture those rare and fleeting moments. ‘I’m intrigued by raw emotion when confronted with specific situations, be it adversity or triumph,’ she says. ‘Art is a language that transcends all barriers. It enables vivid and rapid communication and exchange between entire communities.’
In 2014, Sarika completed her Master’s in International Public Health at the University of Sydney and held her first solo exhibition at The Queen Street Gallery in Woollahra showcasing images from her various placements as a medical volunteer. She is currently undertaking specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Newcastle. When asked if she feels that Ascham has had an impact on her life to date Sarika says that she feels it was the Dalton Plan that has had a hugely positive influence on her: ‘I can’t imagine negotiating a schedule without it,’ she says. ‘Undoubtedly, it has taught me how to maximise each day and in doing so how to reach towards my aspirations.’ When she completes her training, Sarika would like to continue her work in public and reproductive health throughout the Asia Pacific.
‘As a doctor, Sarika sees the creative arts as an important tool to be used to better engage women in taking ownership and recognition for their own individual healthcare.’
Laura Jellins (2003)Laura Jellins is a school psychologist based in Canberra. She has worked across a range of educational settings from preschools to high schools, and is currently servicing a specialist school for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. Her role focuses on identifying barriers to learning and helping students engage in education, achieve their academic potential and maximise their wellbeing. As part of her job Laura works with students on an individual basis, in partnership with parents and carers, and collaborates with teachers and other professionals. She also contributes to her profession through her appointment as President of the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools Association.
In addition, she is currently undertaking her Master’s in Clinical Neuropsychology, a sub-discipline of psychology traditionally concerned with the assessment and treatment of conditions affecting the brain, including developmental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and acquired brain injuries. She says, ‘I find the brain and mind absolutely fascinating! New findings from neuroscience research are being published on a daily basis, so it’s an exciting time to be in this field.’
Laura says that her career aspirations weren’t clear to her while she was at Ascham. ‘I didn’t leave school with a firm idea about my aspirations. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I left school, or what I wanted to study.’ Laura says that now, having made her start to an established career in psychology, she can see that her educational experience at Ascham was laying the groundwork for her career: ‘Like a jigsaw puzzle, each piece of learning instilled some form of knowledge, curiosity, or skill that prepared me for tertiary study and my career as a psychologist.’
NEWS FROM THE ASCHAM OLD GIRLS
40 The Dalton Extra – Issue 0140 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
When she graduated from the University of Sydney in 2008, she received her start as a school psychologist, taking a position with the Education Department in Canberra. In 2012, Laura received the prestigious Churchill Fellowship, awarded by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to Australians wishing to conduct research in their chosen field overseas, in order to bring new knowledge back to that field in Australia.
Laura used the Fellowship to undertake a study tour across the USA in order to investigate innovative technologies for school psychologists. Specifically, she was interested in discovering how to incorporate online platforms into the assessment process, and finding electronic tools for monitoring and evaluating student progress. As a result of the many robust discussions she was able to have with her American counterparts, Laura was able to share her findings at conferences around Australia and internationally, and subsequently received a grant to purchase a ‘virtual’ psychological test library, involving a working group of school psychologists who were able to test the online
assessment tools in their own schools. Laura says that the initial outcome was encouraging, showing that ‘these tools are feasible in school settings and do help school psychologists with their efficiency and productivity, freeing up resources to spend more time with students directly’. A submission was prepared for the Education Department based on the positive results of the pilot study.
Laura will finish her studies in 2017 and though she isn’t entirely sure about where her career might take her, she says that she does wish to continue working at the intersection of school psychology and neuropsychology. ‘Applying the principles of neuroscience to education offers exciting perspectives on learning,’ she says. ‘For example, we know that the brain is not ‘fixed’ and is shaped by experiences. Enriched environments that are both physically and emotionally/socially safe and where normal stresses can be tolerated will have a positive impact on brain development, resilience, memory and learning. I am dedicated to helping school communities achieve this as well as helping students achieve their individual learning goals.’
‘Like a jigsaw puzzle, each piece of learning instilled some form of knowledge, curiosity, or skill that prepared me for tertiary study and my career as a psychologist. I followed my strengths and interests in applied science and helping people, and that led me to a combined degree in Psychology and Education at the University of Sydney.’
‘I find the brain and mind absolutely fascinating! New findings from neuroscience research are being published on a daily basis, so it’s an exciting time to be in this field.’
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 41
42 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
Alanna grew up on a rural property in central-west NSW and came to Ascham as a boarder in Year 8. In Year 12 she was awarded the Honour Board Prize for Achievement in Chinese, the Margaret Bailey Prize, the Teacher’s Scholarship to study at Xi’an International Studies University and a Collegiate Scholarship to study a Bachelor of Laws/Commerce at Bond University.
Alanna will use the Leadership Scholarship to undertake her Juris Master in Chinese Law at Tsinghua University, where she will complete her thesis on enforcement of plant breeder rights in China.
Plant breeder rights are a form of intellectual property used in agriculture granted to the breeder of a new variety of plant to give control over the propagating material, including seeds and cuttings.
Plant breeder rights have a very poor enforcement system in China and as a result many plant breeders are hesitant to grant rights to Chinese farmers. Alanna believes that plant breeder rights can go a long way to solving many of the problems facing China, including food shortages, soil pollution and the income gap between rural and urban areas.
Before embarking on her Master’s, Alanna will be visiting a number of plant breeders around the world, including in New Zealand, Argentina, California, Holland and Germany. She hopes that by engaging with international breeders she can come up with a practical solution to plant breeding enforcement in China, which will allow new and improved varieties to be introduced.
NEWS FROM THE ASCHAM OLD GIRLS
The 2016 Recipient: Alanna Rennie (2010)
Entering the Master of Law Program in Chinese Law at Tsinghua University,
Beijing, to complete a thesis on plant breeder rights.
Right: Alanna Rennie on her family farm
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T h e A s c h a m L e a d e r s h i p S c h o l a r s h i p_This Scholarship is awarded each year to an Old Girl aged between 20 and 30 who wishes to undertake research or humanitarian aid work outside Australia aligned with her professional degree and development.
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 43
‘Juries in Caddo Parish, which has a population of 250,000, now sentence more people to death per capita than juries in any other county in America. Seventy-seven per cent of those sentenced to death in the past 40 years have been black, and nearly half were convicted of killing white victims. A white person has never been sentenced to death for killing a black person.’
‘The Prosecutor Who Says Louisiana Should “Kill More People”’ by Campbell Robertson, The New York Times
On 29 April 2015, two Australians, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in Indonesia for their roles in trafficking heroin in 2005. The following morning, I caught a plane to New Orleans to spend three months working on death penalty cases at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center (LCAC). All of the clients of the LCAC have either been sentenced to death and are appealing their sentence, or
Left: Verity Smith on her admission as a lawyer at the Supreme Court of NSW with her father James Smith and mother Leone Burridge
Below: A funeral second line proceeds through Treme, New Orleans
they are awaiting trial knowing that the prosecutors are asking the jury to sentence them to death.
The United States executed 28 of its citizens in 2015. Thirteen were executed in Texas alone. One had been on death row for 31 years before his execution.
LCAC services clients across the state, including New Orleans and Caddo Parish in Louisiana’s north. Aside from the rigorous legal work involved in trials and appeals, the investigators and volunteers are crucial for undertaking all of the research and investigation to present the story of the defendant’s life.
The criminal justice system is endlessly fascinating to me. With the success of true crime series such as Netflix’s Making a Murderer, HBO’s The Jinx and the podcast Serial, it is clear that I am not alone. Having scoured hundreds of pages of documents and after listening to hours upon hours of calls from prisoners to their loved ones, some aspects of these shows are all too eerily familiar.
Although I do not have authority to disclose any confidential material, I can very openly share that I have had an incredible experience. The responsibility given to interns for serious matters integral to the cases has been a privilege. We kept regular phone contact with clients and assisted on prison visits to meet with clients. I was also fortunate to accompany LCAC staff on an investigative trip to Florida to visit a client and to attempt to track down potential mitigation witnesses.
The team at LCAC is dedicated and fearless. Their resilience is admirable. Volunteering at an organisation such as this at an early stage of my career has been immensely engrossing and rewarding. Thank you to the benefactors of The Ascham Leadership Scholarship for making this possible.
The 2015 Recipient: Verity Smith (2007)
Working on death penalty cases at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center
(LCAC).
44 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
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Pa r t n e r i n g S t r at e gy w i t h C h a r i t i e s_
discover what she enjoyed doing, whether that was the subjects she liked or deciding what to spend time on outside of school hours, really shaped what she chose to do at university and what she considers important for her future career. ‘I had the chance to be part of orchestras, choirs, and take part in social justice activities. While I don’t have detailed goals now, I know I am very interested in working in public health, whether through a global NGO, or even the World Health Organization.’
Laura says that overall, though the work is challenging, she finds this to be a good thing. ‘You have to work hard to gain a detailed understanding of the coursework. If you want to do well, you cannot be complacent.’ The chance to meet people with different backgrounds and passions to her own has been a real focus of the university experience for Laura, and one she has really enjoyed. ‘Interacting with different people has exposed me to new experiences and broadened my own thinking and personal development.’
‘These sectors do not always have financial incentives or resources to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their business and management operations, so the work and time that students can donate can make a real impact.’
Above: Laura spent a month living in Broken Hill as part of the University of Sydney’s Community Placement Program. Working with Regional Development Australia Far West Region, she examined the Agribusiness landscape to determine whether or not the Far West of NSW had potential to develop its food industry.
NEWS FROM THE ASCHAM OLD GIRLS
Laura Parmegiani (2013)Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Science (Commercial Law, Finance & Pharmacology) University of Sydney
For Laura Parmegiani, the university experience is a busy mix of study, volunteering, sport and participating wholly in uni life. She plays hockey for the Sydney University Hockey Club; she is a Fundraising Officer for the University of Sydney’s Young Vinnies Society, in charge of raising money for their kids and teens Buddies Days; she volunteers at the Vinnies Night Patrol and Brekkie Vans; and she’s a part of 180 Degrees Consulting, a worldwide network of student consultants that provides business strategy and advice to not-for-profit organisations and charities, something that she’s really passionate about. ‘These sectors do not always have financial incentives or resources to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their business and management operations, so the work and time that students can donate can make a real impact.’
When thinking about how Ascham has prepared her for university, Laura says that Ascham gave her the motivation and the tools to organise her time effectively, and taught her how to talk to her teachers in order to maximise her time with them. She also says that having so much opportunity at Ascham to
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 45
A popular event amongst Old Girls, the annual Business Breakfast invites prominent Ascham Old Girls to share insights on their careers and lives since Ascham in a panel-style format.
There was a terrific turnout at the 2016 Breakfast, this year held in the newly renovated offices of King & Wood Mallesons (KWM). It was particularly wonderful to see a great range in ages and backgrounds of those attending and asking the questions of the two eminent guest speakers, the Hon. Justice Brigitte Markovic (1982), Federal Court Judge, and Katrina Rathie (Yee 1979), head of the Sydney office of KWM and a well-respected solicitor by both her peers and her clients. Many thanks to Katrina and her professional staff for generously providing the forum for this event.
It was great fun for me as facilitator to be able to ask my own questions before opening it up to the numerous questions from the floor. What was particularly reassuring is that judges and leading lawyers also at times struggle to fit everything in. It seems that a good support network, and being a part of a community like Ascham, helps.
Thank you to all those who attended, including our Patron, Mr Andrew Powell, and fellow AOGU Committee Members: Jenny Ridhalgh (Harvey 1981), Amanda Pfeffer (Stern 2008), Sarah Merrick (1986), Svetlana Collantes (2002) and Jasmine Stone (Clubb 1997), who made the event a great way to learn from one another and have fun, while getting to know the wider Ascham business community, including current parents.
Giselle Collins (Jollie 1986) Vice-President of the AOGU
Clockwise from top left: Giselle Collins (Jollie 1986) addresses guest speaker Katrina Rathie (Yee 1979); Georgina Noack (1975), Caroline Crane (1974) and Susan McKerihan (1967); Izzy Jensen (2011), Felicity Bell (2011), Matilda Hartwig (2011), Jessica Wotton (2012), Sharlene Han (2012) and Sharon Ho (2012); The Hon. Justice Brigitte Markovic (1982), Giselle Collins (Jollie 1986), Katrina Rathie (Yee 1979) and Jennifer Ridhalgh (Harvey 1981)
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B u s i n e s s B r e a k fa s t 2 0 1 6_
NEWS FROM THE ASCHAM OLD GIRLS
This year ’s AOG Golf and Tennis Day was yet another success, with 40 Old Girls playing on the course and the court on Monday 14 March.
Clockwise from top left: Tempe MacGowan (1977) and Sarah Fritsch (Ashley 1994); Julia Hutchinson (1970) and Peta Golsby (Jaquet 1957); Penny Joyce (Sutherland 1957), Robin Bennett (Bucknell 1959), and Ronnie Harding (Mackellar 1958); Social Tennis Winner Milly Arundell (MacCallum 1989) and Andrew Powell
24.03.17The next Golf and
Tennis Day
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A s c h a m O l d G i r l s ' g o l f a n d t e n n i s d ay_
46 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
For more information please contact
[email protected] or telephone 02 8356 7065
For more information please contact Kirsty Bloore (Leabeater) on 0403 029 029 or at [email protected]
Ascham Dining Room and Packer Foyer
11am–2.30pm
For more information please contact
[email protected] or telephone 02 8356 7065
Marie Daley Room, Ascham
For more information please contact
[email protected] or telephone 02 8356 7065
29.03.17AOGU AGM
06.17Business Breakfast
12.08.17Class of 1987
30 Year Reunion
25.08.17HSC
Art Show Lunch
Clockwise from far left: Julia Estcourt (Condrau 1998) and George, Alice Gruzman (1998), and Sarah Cunningham (Armstrong Smith 1998) and Amelia; Jemima Crawford, Isla Barry, Lucinda Hughes and Sophie Maynier; Grace Corbiau (Knott 2002) with Olivia and Louis; Claudette Wadsworth (1992) and Jamie, Pascale Helyar-Moray (Moray 1992), Adelaide Reynolds and Kathryn McLean (1992), Alexandra Helyar, Christina Hunter (Gassman 1992) and Sofia.
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A O G U C a l e n d a r o f e v e n t s 2 0 1 7
M o r n i n g t e a f o r m o t h e r s w i t h yo u n g c h i l d r e nA very successful morning tea for Old Girl mothers with young children was held on Saturday 19 March. Very informal and operating in a playgroup format, these mornings are growing in popularity.
Need assistance planning an event? Ascham’s Old Girls Liaison Officer can help Old Girls to organise functions. Contact Skye Barry (Edwards 1994) on 02 8356 7065 or [email protected]
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 47
48 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
In the last year the Foundation has been instrumental in realising the vision of Ascham Council by raising funds for the building of the Centre for the Sciences and the renovation of Duntrim House. The success of the development makes it a very gratifying time to be the chairman of Ascham Foundation.
With the recent opening of the buildings I am heartened by the support we are garnering from current parents, alumni, past parents, staff members, Company Members and Foundation Members to bring this project to fruition. As a community we will benefit from the strengthening of relationships and the building of new ones.
The Foundation would like to continue its close connection with the community and we are encouraging you to consider becoming a Foundation Member. When you receive an invitation to become a Member, please see it simply as a welcome; an opportunity to share in the benefits of membership and to play a significant role in Ascham’s future.
The School is a not-for-profit organisation and, therefore, practically all financial contributions are directed towards the benefit of the current students. However, extraordinary activities such as buildings and scholarships, which provide a legacy spanning generations, require additional focus and attention, and many of these are realised as a direct result of the financial support provided by the Foundation.
In the year ahead, we look forward to increasing the support for scholarships to ensure that diversity, opportunity and excellence remain core to our purpose. If you are unable to make a gift now, I would like to encourage you to consider a gift in your Will to Ascham, so that we can continue to provide the very best education is available to as many girls as possible.
The work of the Foundation would not be possible without the commitment, professionalism and dedication of our Board of Directors whose passion for Ascham continues to inspire all. It gives me great pleasure to thank Ms Nell Anderson, Mr Andrew Best, Mr Angelos Frangopoulos, Mr Edward Jewell-Tait, Mr John Keith, Ms Roanne McGinley Knox, Mr Andrew Michael, Ms Karen Phin and Mrs Nicola Swift.
Richard Caldwell Chair of Ascham Foundation
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A s c h a m F o u n d at i o n_
Welcome from the Chair of Ascham Foundation
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A G i f t I n Yo u r W i l l
Yo u r L e g a cy , T h e i r F u t u r e _
This year we opened the Centre for the Sciences, which is revolutionising the teaching of Science at Ascham. A major bequest is embedded within the very foundations of the Centre, with other bequests and donations forming building blocks that enable us to realise our technological focus. The Centre for the Sciences is extending our ability to fully prepare our girls for their lives and careers throughout the 21st century.
We remain grateful to members of our community who continue to support us as we develop confident, healthy, socially responsible girls with strong values and a sense of purpose. To maintain and develop the quality of our achievements in all fields—academic, sporting, musical and artistic—the School welcomes support from members of our community who would like to make a meaningful contribution to the education of girls.
It is a common misconception that independent schools, like Ascham, operate on school fees alone. This is not the case. To maintain the School’s high standards while minimising increases in school fees, we value and appreciate the financial support of our community. Your gift will extend our ability to provide scholarships, and develop and maintain our facilities. We would like to encourage you to consider leaving a gift in your Will to Ascham. The School welcomes gifts of all sizes; many small gifts from a wide base of donors build a sizeable sum.
Your gift will have a very real impact on future generations, facilitating learning and opening up opportunities—a lasting legacy, transforming hearts and minds forever.
For more information please contact Ascham Foundation on 02 8356 7285 or email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.
At the heart of many visionary endeavours to extend and broaden education there is a planned gift in a Will. Ascham is no different. In 1948 a bequest of £10,000 from the Littlejohn family facilitated the purchase of The Dower House and Fiona, igniting a lasting legacy and ensuring that girls’ education continued to be paramount. The Ascham community continues to grow; as we build new traditions we are ever mindful that we have inherited a community transformed by the foresight of generations past.
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 49
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S c h o l a r s h i p s m at t e r _
I do believe I gave Ascham my all. My energy, enthusiasm, attitude and commitment were commended by my peers in our final yearbook which stated ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’. I am confident I made my opportunity count.
As a teenager, my career goal was to work with children with special needs. Again, thanks to the education provided for me, I was able to achieve my career goal by gaining the necessary aggregate to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. This could not have been achieved without the support of diligent teachers, Ascham’s unique education philosophy and the environment to optimise my academic performance.
I gain immense satisfaction and reward from my career, which is focused towards children with learning disabilities. My husband Jeremy is the brother of Pip Barber (née Pockley), a boarding school friend and now, quite amazingly, my sister-in-law. I couldn’t have asked for anything more in life than the happiness and love I have with Jeremy. Again, an Ascham link. Thank you again and again for such a wonderful start to life.
We are very proud of a tradition that invests in lives through financial support. Creating opportunities to educate girls into the future is part of a shared vision on which Ascham has been built. We currently offer Music, Academic, Boarding, and All-Round Excellence Scholarships. All scholarships and bursaries are means tested and the girls are expected to be active participants in all areas of school life.
A scholarship can offer a recipient an opportunity she might not otherwise have known, an opportunity to explore her potential to the fullest unhindered by financial constraints.
We have many testimonials from Old Girls whose lives are changed forever through a scholarship at Ascham; we have asked two to share their stories.
Kirsty Pockley (Vidgen 1991)I was a 10-year-old Byron Bay Public School student when Dad popped the question, ‘Would you like to go to boarding school?’ My enthusiastic ‘yes please’ was followed by the completion of an application form, an interview in Gunnedah and a trip to Sydney. In October 1984, I received a letter offering me a scholarship. I must confess, I read it several times before truly believing that my lifelong dream of going to boarding school was about to begin.
My family and the community of Byron Bay were elated; not many children went to boarding school from this community, particularly one in Sydney. This was an adventure for the whole town and they watched on as I grew from a quiet but determined little girl to a confident, determined young woman.
‘As a teenager, my career goal was to work with children with special needs ... Thanks to the education provided for me, I was able to achieve my career goal.’
50 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
ASCHAM FOUNDATION
Above: Kirsty with her family
Jessica Lee (2005)If I hadn’t received a scholarship to Ascham, my life would be very different. My parents valued education. They had the resources, the knowledge and the capacity to give me many opportunities, but without this scholarship I would never have been able to attend a school like Ascham.
Ascham gave me the sense of confidence that comes from being held to a high standard, and being given every opportunity to meet those expectations. We were expected to be independent, to take responsibility for our own learning, and to question ourselves.
The Dalton Plan required us to stare our mistakes in the face and sit with our teachers to correct them every week. The independence and maturity that came from this process was a great preparation for the real world.
I went on to study Arts Law with Honours at ANU. Every step I’ve taken since then has been geared towards understanding the levers for social change and the nature of good policy. The one thing I want from my career is to be able to say I have contributed to increasing opportunities for people who haven’t been as lucky as me.
‘I have recently accepted a full scholarship to study a Master ’s of Public Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.’
In 2012, I worked as a legal researcher in a human rights documentation centre in India before returning home to take on a role as Head of Public Affairs and Research for the peak industry organisation representing the plant science sector. In 2014, I spent a year designing anti-corruption interventions for the Ghanaian chapter of Transparency International. I then took on a role as Executive Director of a not-for-profit organisation involved in solving social policy issues in Australia.
I have recently accepted a full scholarship to study a Master’s of Public Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.
In a perfect world, every child would have the head-start I was given. I am grateful to the donor who gave me the chance to experience opportunities that so many others go without.
The lives of Kirsty and Jessica are living examples of the impact that a scholarship can make. If you would like to invest in educating a young girl through the gifting of a scholarship, please contact Ascham Foundation on 02 8356 7285 or [email protected]. Donations to the Scholarship Fund are fully tax-deductible.
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 51
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T h a n k yo u t o a l l o u r d o n o r s ! _
Over the last four years, Ascham has undertaken the most ambitious capital campaign in its history, known as Building Our Girls’ Future –The Ascham Duntrim Campaign, raising over $8.5 million.
During this period, a wide range of members of our community have come together to facilitate a transformational change at Ascham. We now have a world-class Centre for the Sciences. Already, extraordinary work is taking place and there is no doubt that Science and its related disciplines will be integral to answering some of the big questions of the 21st century.
However, our campaign was not just about Science. We have also created a new boarding facility in Duntrim House. Boarding has always been at the heart of Ascham and this incredible facility has helped to build on the strong sense of community and connectedness at Ascham.
So in June, it was time to say a very big thank you to our donors. On Wednesday 15 June and Saturday 18 June, we invited all of our donors to come and see for themselves the significant impact of their giving. Donors were impressed by the facilities as they wandered through the Centre for the Sciences, and appreciated the warmth of Duntrim House—it really is a ‘home away from home’ for our girls.
All donors have been recognised on a variety of plaques in the new buildings. From our impressive Leaders’ Board in the foyer of the new buildings, to the fun art installation of the Periodic Table of Elements, and a range of other plaques, the legacy of these families will forever be etched, and remembered, in the fabric of Ascham.
From all of us at Ascham, to all of our generous donors, thank you! We are enormously grateful for your support.
52 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
ASCHAM FOUNDATION
Top to bottom: Andrew Powell, Nicola Michael (2009) and Andrew Michael; Angela Kent (1978), Geena Dunne (2011) and Susie Manfred (1978); Benjamin Er, Catherine Giuffre and Jason Young
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 53
Clockwise from top: David Jordan, Drew Heffernan, Karen Arnold (1982) and Robert Jordan; Nell Anderson (1978) and Lucinda Khun; Consuelo Guinness (Zalapa 1951) and Emma Maple-Brown; Sateesh Muvva, Gopika Muvva, Diane Grady and Dea Richardson; Nicola Swift and Antonio Cortese; Guests are taken on a tour of Duntrim House; Louise Christie (1967) in the Louise Christie Common Room
We would like to acknowledge and thank all our generous donors who continue to support the School’s vision for our girls.
Building Fund Donors: Building Our Girls’ Future—The Ascham Duntrim Campaign 2013–2016Thank you to the following donors who, through their donations and ongoing pledges, are supporting the School as we expand and update our Science and Boarding facilities. We remain grateful for your commitment to our girls. Ascham is enjoying a new heart and with our occupation of these additional facilities, Ascham’s existing campus is being unlocked for further enhancement.
Leaders’ Board
Honorary Governors
Joan Barnet
Richard and Fiona Caldwell
Louise Christie and Edwina Christie
David and Jaclyn Gazal
The Harker Family
Alexandra, Gabrielle and Georgianna Hawkins
Elaine and Seng-Hui Lee
The Maple-Brown Family Charitable Foundation
Sateesh Reddy Muvva and Gopika Muvva
Gretel Packer
Mark and Philippa Warner
Patrons
Terry and Kyril Agnew
The Boyer Family
Anonymous
Elisabeth and Nathalie Chiba
The Enthoven Family
Alexa and David Haslingden
Belinda Hutchinson and Roger Massy-Greene
Ro and John Knox
Anthony and Sharon Lee
The MacKenzie Family
Andrew Michael and Michele Brooks
The Mortimer Family
William and Joanne O’Dwyer
Edward and Anne Simpson
Vanessa Tay, Alannah and Georgina Ding
Will and Jane Vicars
Robert Whyte and Family
Karen, Geoff and Amelia Wilson
Trustees
Ascham Parents’ Association
Tiffany and Isabella Ayres-Munro
Bella, Tamara and Heidi Best
The Broinowski Foundation
Andrew and Jodie Crowe
Nikki and Anthony Dunlop
Jacqueline Field 1943
The K R Gollan Family
Anisha, Shubhra and Peeyush Gupta
Edward and Joanne Jewell-Tait
Ann and Warwick Johnson
Juliet Lockhart
The Malcolm Family
The Talintyre Family
Camilla and Skye White
Richard and Emily Young
Benefactors
Angela and Jonathan Armitage
Simone and Robert Arnott
John and Deborah Balderstone
Susan and Philip Barlin
Scott and Alina Barlow
The Burton Taylor Family
Lisa Chen and Hongliang Xin
Charles and Sarah Colquhoun
Rachel Da Costa and Christian Dimitriadis
Robert and Edwina Fiani
Angelos and Rebecca Frangopoulos
Diane Grady and Chris Komor
Caroline Gurney and Matthew Miles
Fiona, Alicia and Jenny Harasty
Kimberley and Angus Holden
ASCHAM FOUNDATION
_
A s c h a m F o u n d at i o n l i s t o f d o n o r s _
54 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
India and Maya Holman
Mark Hopkinson and Michelle Opie
Ian and Nicola Jackman
The Johns and Gabelich Families
The Keith Family
Angela Kent
Jad Khattar and Monika Tu
Nada Kvesic and Usman Malik
Anonymous
Susie Manfred
Chris and Mary Manning
The McFadyen Family
Richard and Jenny Moulder
Julie Osborne and Steven Matusko
David, Kate and Amelia Parker
Matthew and Polly Peres
Karen Phin and Justin Pelly
Tom and Joanna Pongrass
Andrew and Georgia Powell
The Psaltis Family
Tom and Sarah Punch
Gabriel and Nina Radzyminski
Ian, Annik, Sienna, Tiana and Adam Revelman
Rene Scott-Findlay (Robinson) 1922
Chris Smith and Sarah Busby
Claudia Stahl and Sanchia Brahimi
The Steglick Family
Anonymous
Simon Swaney and Carolyn Kay
Nicola and Robert Swift
Jennifer Turner
Be visible in the fabric of Ascham
Sandstone Garden Benches
Matthew, Susan, Anna and Grace Barnett
Catelan Family
Sophie and Celia Cropper
The Crow (Kloster) Family
Zaya Jones
Victoria Lewis and Claudia Steglick
Angelique and Laetitia Opie
Sarah Jane Pongrass 2015
Kate Wareham – shine bright
Elements from the Periodic Table
Ellie and Olivia Aitken
Allegra and Alexis Andrews
Imogen Arronis
Maya and Priya Bahra
Audra Barclay
Catherine Barlin
Eva Barlow
Anna and Grace Barnett
The Barry Family
Bella, Tamara and Heidi Best
The Blattman Family
Ann, Catriona and Julia Booth
The Buckland Family
Jane Busby
The Busches
Judith and Graham Butcher
Sarah Charlton
Antonia, Julia and Virginia Clarke
Lavinia and Amalie Colagrossi
Cameron and Madison Cooney
Madeline Crawford
Jemima Crawford
Lucy Dimitriadis
Trieste Doumani
Pia and Mimi Dunlop
Simone S Fan and Zara S Fan
Anabelle Fayyad
Feetham Family
The Fox Family
Chloe and Leili Friedlander
The Haig Family
The Harker Family
Simmons and Howard Family
Freya Johnson
Daisy Johnson
Charlotte Johnson
Diane Jordan
Milla Katis
Sasha Katis
Alexa Katis
Taj Kooner
Catherine, Sophia and Cassandra Koudounaris
Isabella and Madeleine Lee
Hannah and Thomas Lyons
M McClintock and S McKay
Coleen McCredie Family
Riley Martin
Helena Mavrocordatos
Grace SR (Larkin) Miocevic
Alexandra Mort
Skye Murray
Ludo Onstein
Allegra Parker
Eva Peres
Georgina Peres
Sophia Peres
Isabella Pongrass
The Rider Family
Bill, Robyn and Nikki Russell
Sophia and Daisy Semmler
Sienna and Shanel Sharma
Dawson and Smith Families
Sophie and Emma Sunderman
Hannah Elizabeth Sung
Olivia Taylor-Jones
Madeline Taylor-Jones
Alyson Nguyen Lam
Kate Wareham
The Warner Family
Adelle and Estella Weber
Lily Winter
Grace Winter
Sharon Wong
Lauren and Emily Young
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 55
Left: Leaders’ Board
Lecture Theatre Seats
Marjory McPherson, Rosemary and Nell Anderson
Rosemary Anderson
Katherine Sophie Barclay
Amelia Buckland 2013
Penelope Buckland 1980
Amy Carrigan 2011–2016
Ting Chen and Jackie Wu
Carina Chung 2016
Grace Clarke Class 2016
Suzanne and Michael Clarke
Saskia and Mathilde Collins
Evangeline Collins
Cortese-Zborowska Family
The Cropper Family
The Fayyad Family
Sophie Funston
Beatrice Henderson
Shir-Jing Ho and Elyssa Gan
Adelaide and Izzy Guinness
A, E and P Howard
Annabelle Isles
Lucinda Isles
The Jameson Family
Caroline and Odette Joyce
Ashley, Teya and Mimi Kind
Anonymous
Anonymous
Jasmine Li
Georgina and Teya Logan
Anna Loxton
Mary Loxton
Juliet and Sarah Malcolm
Richard and Jane Malcolmson
Olivia L H Mallett 2010
Sienna McKay
Sally and Sam McKay
Amy McKenzie
Lara Mead
Emma Michael 2004–2017
Nicola Michael 1996–2009
HandM Millett (1980, 2014)
HandE Millett (1980, 2015)
Skye Milson
The Mo Family
Betty Moffitt
Matilda Moffitt
Lucy and Bridget Murray
Sarah Hordern Myer
Abby Newton
Martina and Peter Parker
Lucinda and Arabella Paykel
Fiona and Matthew Playfair
Ben and Marie Ritchie
Albert and Lisa Salerno
The Samengo Family
Charlie Smith
Ivy M Smith
Victoria Ratcliffe
Sam and Annie Stevens
Gabrielle Stricker-Phelps
Felicity and Amelia Street
The Sullivan Family
Annabel Sweeney
Emma Sweeney
Chloe Tallis
Rebecca Tallis
India and Brooke Taylor
The Throsby and Jones Families
Siena Clio Todorcevski
Lucy Vineburg 2011–2017
Annabelle Wadsworth
Claudette Wadsworth
Alexia, Ava and Lola Warner
Sarah Waterhouse and Family
Ericka Yew
Ysobel Yew
Architectural Battens
Georgie and Sasha Allen
Holly Baker 2015
Matthew and Susan Barnett
Jacqueline Anne Bell
Alexandra Beveridge
Camilla Beveridge
Shaughan and Susannah Cooke
The Fayyad Family
Holly and Clare Gavin
Serina, James and Siew Ma
Florence M Macintyre
Ivy McGrath
Hattie, Martha and Eliza Millett
Kate Norman 2012–2017
Wake, Lane, Heath and H Psaltis
Lucia Sinclair
Scarlett Sinclair
Sophie Sinclair
Hannah Elizabeth Sung
Boatie Travers 1974
Kirsty Vidgen 1985–1991
Lucy Vineburg 2011–2017
Gabriella Warner
Indigo Warner
Science Work Benches
Ross and Diana Adams
Lulu and Edwina Anderson
Sandra D Anderson 1958
Caryl Barclay
Miles D Barclay
Katina Barrack
Caroline Blanch Israel
The Bridger Family
Miriam (Mitzi) Capper
Natalie and Danette Chan
Angela Chen
Monique Chen
Oleg and Victoria Chepurin
Alyssa Jen Yin Chong
Class of 2015
Bridget and Lara Confos
Michael and Amanda Culhane
Anika Preeti Deva
Maya Preeti Deva
The Errington Family
The Harricks Family
Maya Havens
Isabella Hile
Layla Lin Holland
Thomasina Kay Hoyle
Lucinda Kemp
56 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
Left: The Barnet Lecture Theatre
Right: Architectural Battens
Imogen Kirk
Anna and Julia Kremer
The Lambros Family
The Litver Family
Sidney and Imogen Liu
The Loomba Family
Sarah Lovelady
Catriona MacCallum
Lyria Bennett Moses
The Naeimi Family
Gillian M Nairn
Isabella Pak 2015
The Parmegiani Family
Anita Patel and Neisha Heath
Lily and Mia Pellegrino
Gabriella Pirintji
Georgie Psaltis 2015
Francesca and Elena Ruchin
Tulip Scruby
The Sechos Family
The Serafim Family
Zeeba Shahidi
Alice Simpson
Diana Southwell-Keely
Marie-Claire Stevens
Stewart and Swarbrick Family
Lorraine M Stewart (See)
The Thomson Family
Sharon Wong
Sun Dial
Elizabeth Rose Adams
Victoria Margaret Adams
Anna Allsopp
Edward Allsopp
Hamish Allsopp
Harriet Allsopp
Richard Allsopp
S, N and G Austin
Marina Barnes and Family
Philippa Barnet
Ross Barnet
Adelaide and Grace Bell
Elizabeth Bowman
Burton Taylor Family
Kaye Chapman
Emma Charrington
Laura Charrington
G, C and L Darling and S Barry
Ellen and Sofia Everett
Amy Williams Frangopoulos
Libby Williams Frangopoulos
Bianca and Tash Galgut
The Gardiner-Hill Family
Gladys Gordon
Rosemary and Yvette Graham
Helen Grant
The Heath Family
Victoria and Tim Hordern
Jane Hornbrook
Georgia Hutchinson
Meila Hutchinson
Catherine and Madeleine Huynh
Imogen Karp 2015
Madeline and Annabel Khun
Isabella and Madeleine Lee
Macdonald Power Leicester
The Litver Family
Fiona Luk 1998
Skye and Amelia Mackay (Little)
Lulu and Willow Maison
Lesley Maloney
Marish and Finkelstein Families
Margaret Martin
Sophie Mason
Mark and Dale McCarthy
Kate McFadyen (Barry)
Jessica and Emily Meades
Minter and Oberg Sisters
Grace S R (Larkin) Miocevic
Kate and Sylvie Moss
Lydia Parnell
Matthew and Polly Peres
Sarah and Alice Polkinghorne
Amelia and Clementine Reid
Dea and Ken Richardson
The Riethmuller Family
Claudia Ritchie
Marie and Raquel Salerno
Alice Santow
Julia Santow
Phoebe Santow
Claudia Saywell
H. C. M. See and Family
The Silverton Family
The Sperling Family
Claudia Stafford 2010–2018
G. V. Stewart and Family
Stephanie Stewart
Skye Stodart
Lea Stracey (Serafim)
Sunderman and Stuart Family
Hannah Elizabeth Sung
Vivienne Swarbrick
Amelie and Camille Taylor
Poppy Thomson and Family
Celeste Towning
Alexandra van Gelder
Anna van Gelder
Jessica and Victoria Walker
Aisha White
Cloudia White
Lola White
The Winston-Smith Family
Alastrina Wong
Georgina Maria Young
Zoe Ann Young
Outdoor Amphitheatre
India Allen 2017
The Austin Family
B Bedingfeld and Family
Harvey Carter
Hannah and Isabel Charny
Lavinia Chrystal 2006
Olivia and Lucinda Er
The Frangopoulos Family
The Fraser Family
Rosemary and Yvette Graham
Tayla Green
Isabelle Hanger
Scarlette Hanger
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 57
Alyssa Ip
Jessica C Jellins
Laura E Jellins
Belinda Johnson
Hayley Johnson
Imogen Karp 2015
Peter Lam
Lucia Lefebvre
The Litver Family
Fiona Luk 1998
Ronnie Mackellar
Ruby Mann
Isabella Murrell 2004–2016
Anna Musgrove
Chloe Ngo
The Nickolas Family
Charlotte Papava-Plashik
Lydia Parnell
Matthew Peres
Polly Peres
Jessica Prout
Andrew Purcell
Chloe Hartley Sproats
Melissa Sproats (Hartley)
Allegra Stanley
Arabella Stanley 2014
Francesca Stanley
Amanda C See Stewart
Amelia, Felicity and Alison
Sunderman and Stuart Family
The Tomasevic Family
Victoria Weekes (Harvey)
Gina, Sabina and Lily White
Ascham Gifts
Fellows
David and Juanita Baldwin
Wendy and Rhys Gwyn
Vytauras Kuzinkovas
Kenneth and Helen Neale
Helen and Chris Newell
Joyce Sproat
Guardians
N Anderson and G Dunne
Janet Cooke
Robert and Anne Giles
Jessica Gilmartin
Julia Horne and Anna Garton
Zara Jules
Kristina Kipper
Les and Vanessa Koltai
M Lewis-Millar and B Millar
Sarah and Tully Robinson
Iwan Sunito
Hunter and Sue Ann White
Champions
Beverley and John Allen
Karen Arnold
Sashi Arnott
David and Susi Bell
Diana Bray
The Burston Family
Elizabeth (Mai) Cameron
Deanne and Steve Chapman
Anne and Julie Collins
Jackie Dalton
Leslie and Imelda Ellis
Carpenter Gilkeson Family
Helen Grant
Rachel and Erica Herron
AC Jones and MQ Kansil
The Karp Family
D Kent and Consuelo Zalapa
A Kiss and A Revai
The Laughton Family
Liz and Diccon Loxton
Lorraine Lawrence
Janet McCredie
Eliza Merhi
Anonymous
The Molnar Family
Peter O’Connell and Family
The Oxley Family
Charlotte Papava-Plashik
N and S Perdis
The Pether Family
Karen and Peter Reid
Marjorie Scott
Amelia Tabary-Edwards
Hoi-Man Tam
Elizabeth Tanner
Evan and Clytie Williams
Hunter and Sue Ann White
The Woods Family
Yong Zhou and Man Ying Siu
Other Gifts
Elizabeth Aitken
Caroline Arnott
Anonymous
Sarah Burfitt-Williams
Jeff and Carmen Caldwell
Class of 1985
Anonymous
Anonymous
Catherine Giuffre
Tonia Godhard
Daniele Goldberg
Joan Grimwade
Michaela and Frankie Green
The Halley Family
Trish and Hugh Halliday
The Hanigan Family
Caitlin Hield
Jill Johnson
R and B Lee
Litchfield Family
Adrian Loader
Helen Lorne-Smith
Anonymous
Alexandra and Sophie Noss
Jim and Maria Peppas
Anonymous
Elizabeth Tanner
The Vaile Family
Judith Webb
Anonymous
58 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
Left: Sun Dial
Scholarship Fund Donors 2015–2016Ascham Foundation would like to acknowledge and thank all current parents who donated to the Scholarship Fund via the voluntary contribution facility attached to their school fee invoices. The monies provided by the Scholarship Fund help to ensure that the opportunity of an Ascham education is extended to selected girls whose families require financial assistance. In addition we would like to thank donors who have made significant donations to the Fund in the last financial year.
Mrs Patricia Bridges
Mrs Marisa Campion
Mrs B Gardiner-Hill
The Lewis Foundation
Dr Mark Steglick
Current Parents Voluntary Scholarship Appeal
Mr E Abdurahman and Ms A Ashburn
Dr S and Mrs K Abeywickrema
Ms L Ajuria and Mr A Kinsella
Mr D Allen
Mr R and Mrs A Allsopp
Dr A and Mrs J Ancell
Mr T and Mrs J Anderson
Mr P Andreatta and Ms S Hogan
Dr W and Mrs A Andrews
Mr K Anesti and Dr M Velonaki
Mr D Arkins and Ms A Ramsay-Arkins
Mr A and Mrs L Arnott
Justice D and Mrs R Arnott
Mr R and Mrs E Aucutt
Dr B and Dr C Austin
Mr P Austin and Mrs F MacCormick Austin
Mr M and Mrs K Aveyard
Mr D Avidan and Mrs C Brown
Mr D and Mrs B Ayres-Munro
Dr N Babidge and Dr A Poynten
Mr A and Dr B Bahra
Mr M and Mrs M Baillieu
Mr J and Mrs D Balderstone
Mr D and Mrs J Baldwin
Mr C Ballard and Ms H Colnaric
Mr M Ballesteros Lopez and Ms C Teijelo Casanova
Mr S and Mrs F Banks
Mr P Barlin and Assoc Prof S Pendlebury
Mr J and Mrs C Barlow
Mr S and Mrs A Barlow
Mr C and Mrs J Barnes
Mr P Barnes and Dr F van der Lubbe
Mr L and Mrs S Berger
Mr A and Mrs N Best
Ms L Bone
Ms J Booth and Mr I McClintock
Mr G and Mrs S Brahimi
Mr J Brand and Ms S Merrick
Mr S Brewis-Weston and Ms S Sully
Mr M and Mrs R Bridger
Mr G and Mrs V Brooke
Mr K and Mrs J Brown
Mr J and Ms V Bugg
Mr A and Mrs C Burns
Mr R Caldwell
Mrs L Camden
Mr R and Mrs A Campbell
Mr G and Mrs M Campion
Mr T and Mrs A Cannock
Mr S and Mrs J Carrigan
Mr H and Mrs S Carter
Ms L Catelan and Mr J Musial
Mr M Causer
Mr G Chamberlain
Dr A Chang and Dr A Hong
Mr P Charlton and Ms E Wilson
Mr H Chen and Mrs X Wei
Dr K Chen and Ms H Lee
Mr T Chen and Ms X Wu
Mr M Chiba
Mr J and Mrs A Choi
Mr A and Mrs H Christopoulos
Mr D and Mrs A Chung
Mr M and Mrs S Clarke
Mr P and Mrs L Collins
Mr M Colombis and Ms L McDonald
Mr C and Mrs S Colquhoun
Mr G and Mrs S Confos
Mr A and Mrs I Connole
Mr M and Mrs B Coombes
Mr J and Mrs S Cooney
Mr A Cortese and Dr B Zborowska-Cortese
Mr P and Mrs A Crammond
Mr J and Mrs A Crawford
Mr R and Mrs C Cropper
Mr A and Mrs J Crowe
Dr A Damodaran and Dr M Guzowski
Dr Q and Mrs L Dang
Mr C Darvall and Ms S Woodwell
Mr D and Mrs A Derofé
Mr C Dimitriadis and Ms R Da Costa
Dr W Ding
Mr D and Dr V DiPilla
Mr H and Dr L Dive
Mr J Doumani and Mrs M Flemming
Mr P and Mrs S Durham
Mr S and Mrs N Egan
Mr J and Mrs K Elias
Mr L and Mrs I Ellis
Mr R and Dr K Enthoven
Mr D and Mrs L Everett
Mr T Fay
Mr J and Mrs F Fayyad
Mr J Feng
Mr G and Mrs A Fenwicke
Miss C Fincher-Wright
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 59
Left: Outdoor Amphitheatre
Mr C Finkelstein and Ms M Marish
Mr D Fox and Ms J Hazzouri
Mr J and Ms R Fox
Mr A and Mrs R Frangopoulos
Prof S Freedman and Assoc Prof A Sharland
Mr D and Mrs K Friedlander
Mr J and Mrs K Frykberg
Mr D and Mrs J Gazal
Mr A Geddes
Mr P and Mrs K Giddings
Mr E Gilmartin and Ms S Wikramanayake
Mr G and Mrs K Gilmore
Mr E and Mrs D Ginzburg
Mr D and Mrs L Glen
Mr P Gordon and Ms J Coyle
Dr R Gorman and Dr L Springer
Mr S Grant and Ms T Lynch
Mr S Grant and Mrs B GrantPirrie
Mr J and Mrs N Green
Mr A Green and Ms S McCarthy
Mr S Greenaway
Mr A and Mrs S Grossberg
Mr J and Mrs H Guinness
Mr C and Mrs K Hagios
Mrs A Halley and Mr O Halley
Mr D and Mrs J Harvey
Mrs A Haslingden and Mr D Haslingden
Mr G and Mrs E Hawkins
Dr T and Dr A Heath
Dr D Heffernan and Dr K Arnold
Mr P and Mrs K Heffernan
Mr G and Mrs S Herda
Mr J Herron and Ms E Longworth
Dr M and Dr N Hile
Mr A and Ms K Holden
Mr P Howard and Ms L Chung
Dr E Hsu and Dr F Leung
Mr A Hudson and Ms A Yeldham
Mr J and Mrs G Hui
Mr M Hull and Ms E Vincent
Mr R Inglis (Robert)
Mr D and Mrs C Isles
Mr I and Mrs N Jackman
Mr P and Dr A Jacobson
Mr T and Mrs K Jaques
Mr E and Mrs J Jewell-Tait
Mr W and Mrs A Johnson
Mr A Jones and Ms M Kansil
Mr Q and Mrs J Jones
Mr D Jordan and Dr E Stone
Mr A and Mrs K Jowell
Mr R and Mrs L Kaljo
Mr J Kay Hoyle and Ms B Markovic
Mr J Khattar and Ms Y Tu
Mr I and Mrs L Kinsella
Ms L Kitching
Miss E Koch
Mr R Koczkar and Ms H Doig
Mr B Koesmoeljana and Ms M Sung
Mr L and Mrs V Koltai
Mr C and Mrs A Koudounaris
Dr V Kuzinkovas and Dr D Kuzinkoviene
Ms N Laguna
Dr D Lai and Dr P Tew
Dr J and Mrs T Lambros
Mr A and Mrs T Lechner
Dr C Lee and Dr Y Zhang
Dr A and Mrs S Leicester
Mr P and Mrs C Leroy
Dr G and Mrs J Lianos
Miss E Ling
Mr E and Mrs A Litver
Mr A and Mrs P Liu
Mr R and Mrs G Logan
Mr G Lovett and Ms C O’Neill
Mr A Low
Dr P and Mrs S Ly
Mr A and Mrs C MacKenzie
Mr P and Mrs S MacKenzie-Wood
Mr C and Mrs J Malcolmson
Dr U Malik and Mrs N Kvesic
Mr D and Mrs N Mangelsdorf
Mr C and Mrs M Manning
Miss S Manos
Mr J and Mrs A Markham
Mr J Marsden and Ms M Lee
Mr N and Mrs K Marsh
Mr I Martin
Mr J and Mrs H Martin
Mr T Mason
Mr G McGrath AM and Ms S Leonardi-McGrath
Mr R McKay and Ms E Weston
Mr S and Mrs S McKay
Dr S and Mrs T McKechnie
Mr W and Mrs A McKenzie
Mr J and Mrs A McLaughlin
Mr J and Mrs M Mead
Mr T Mehigan and Ms E Kirillova
Mr D Meltz and Dr D Hill
Mr M Mercer and Ms K Pettigrew
Mr B Millar and Mrs M Lewis-Millar
Mr M and Dr J Millar
Dr C Miller
Mr J and Mrs H Millett
Mr I Miocevic and Ms L Larkin-Miocevic
Mr P Moffitt and Ms J Gower
Dr E and Ms T Moisidis
Mr J and Mrs J Morris
Mr T and Mrs B Moses
Mr R and Mrs J Moulder
Mr S and Mrs G Muvva
Ms Z Nasser
Dr H Nguyen and Dr B La
Dr O Nielssen and Dr T Markovic
Mr A and Mrs L Oayda
Mr P O’Connell and Ms K Ward
60 The Dalton Extra – Issue 01
Left: Girls in the corridor of the Centre for the Sciences
Mr W and Mrs J O’Dwyer
Mr C and Mrs T Oxley
Mr M Parker
Mr P and Ms M Parker
Mr C and Ms J Parras
Mr J and Mrs M Paterson
Mr J and Mrs M Patete
Mrs A Paykel
Mr A Paykel
Mr J and Mrs H Pellegrino
Mr J and Mrs M Peppas
Mr J and Mrs J Peters
Mr M and Mrs T Peters
Mr P Pether and Ms L Mitchell
Prof H and Mrs K Pleass
Mr L Pongrass
Mr P and Mrs A Power
Mr T Power and Ms E Beaumont
Dr A and Mrs L Preketes
Mr J and Mrs D Preston
Mr N and Mrs A Prieston
Mr B and Mrs J Prout
Mr T and Mrs S Punch
Mr A and Mrs A Purcell
Mr M Qian and Mrs H Zhang
Mr K Qin and Ms J Jiang
Mr G and Mrs N Radzyminski
Mr A and Mrs N Raine
Mr D and Mrs I Raines
Mr C and Mrs I Randall
Mr L Rapp and Ms R Rapp Takaya
Mr A and Mrs S Ratner
Mrs B Rennie and Mr P Rennie
Mr A and Mrs M Richardson
Mr M Richmond and Ms J Beaumont
Mr A and Mrs A Rider
Dr M and Mrs J Ridhalgh
Mr J and Mrs J Riethmuller
Mr D Ritchie
Mr and Mrs A T Roberts
Mr M and Mrs S Roberts
Mr N and Mrs L Roberts
Mr D and Mrs S Robinson
Mr J and Mrs S Rogers
Mr R Rose
Mr R Rosli and Mrs N Ghani
Mr W and Mrs R Russell
Dr G Sacks and Ms H Stanley
Mr A and Mrs M Salerno
Mr Christopher Kitching
Mr T Samway and Ms J Littlemore
Mr W Santow and Ms M Williams
Mr A and Mrs E Searle
Mr B and Mrs M Sechos
Mr M Sewell and Ms J Killen
Dr D and Dr S Sharma
Mr A Shaw and Ms T Nguyen
Mr E and Mrs S Siegloff
Mr R Silverton and Ms S Griffiths
Mr D Simmons and Ms K Howard
Mr B and Mrs J Simpson
Mr E and Mrs A Simpson
Mr G and Mrs J Simpson
Mr I and Mrs C Simpson
Mr F and Mrs S Smith
Mr I and Mrs D Smith
Mr M and Mrs T Smith
Mr P Smith
Dr B and Mrs L Solomon
Dr N Somia and Dr S Kariappa
Mr D Southwell and Ms N Nguyen
Mr P and Mrs S Sperling
Mr R and Mrs K Spurway
Mr A and Mrs N Stadnichenko
Mr A Stafford and Ms K Rose
Mr M and Mrs C Stahl
Dr M Steglick
Mr P Stokes and Ms A Spring
Mr S and Mrs R Stonier
Mr I and Mrs L Sunito
Mr B and Mrs E Suttie
Mr P and Mrs A Taleb
Ms B Talintyre
Mr M Tallis and Ms K Grant
Dr H Tam and Mrs C Huang
Mr S Tam and Ms C Tu
Dr Z Tameev and Dr L Rykina
Mr R and Mrs S Thomson
Mr L Timar and Ms G Hughes
Dr S Tisch and Ms C Bostock
Mr Z and Mrs M Todorcevski
Dr D Tran and Dr B Pham
Mr L and Mrs N Trinca
Mr H Turner and Ms P Collins
Mr N and Mrs M Turner
Mr K and Mrs M Tym
Mr P Uren and Ms J Marsden
Mr S Vineburg and Ms A Payne
Mr A and Mrs J Walker
Mr B and Mrs G Walker
Dr C and Dr F Waller
Mr V Wang and Ms X Wu
Mr J and Mrs J Warburton
Mr B Wareham and Ms L Cox
Mr M and Mrs P Warner
Mr D and Mrs J Waterhouse
Mr N and Mrs K Webster
Dr J and Mrs A Wenderoth
Mr C and Mrs C White
Mr J White and Mrs C Agostini White
Mr P and Mrs J White
Mr S White and Mrs J Isaias
Mr J and Mrs E Whitfield
Mr T and Mrs J Williams
Mr D and Mrs S Willis
Mr E Wilson and Ms T Peploe
Mr P and Mrs R Winter
Mr M and Mrs R Woods
Mr N Wright and Ms A Mollard
Mr M Wyer and Ms S Robless
Mr H Xin and Mrs X Chen
Mr J Yang and Ms C Yun
Mr P and Mrs L Young
Mr R and Mrs E Young
Mr G Yu and Mrs L Huang
Miss A Zahid
Mr P Zhang and Mrs J Zhong
Mr Y Zhang and Ms M Yuan
Mr X Zhao and Ms Z Bao
Mr Y Zhou and Mrs M Siu
The Foundation has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of the data. However, we acknowledge that errors and omissions can occur. We apologise should this be the case and would encourage any errors to be reported to us at the Ascham Development Office on 02 8356 7285 or [email protected].
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 61
The Dalton Extra – Issue 01 62