BROADER HORIZONS - St Hildas School

BROADER HORIZONS
ISSUE 3, 2012

2
Technology
tour a hit
with visitors
This term saw an interesting visit from some 30 teachers from New
South Wales schools. The tour was organised by Apple Australia who
asked that we show how we are using technology within the School.
As usual, they never ask if we can show how we are using Apple
products as they know we use many products from many companies.
We certainly appreciate this and value our ability to effectively use
technology regardless of the origin.
The tour started with an overview of the learning technology
adopted by the School. This included how we have set up the
classrooms to be suitable for all learning activities, whether
traditional or based on the use of technology.
We outlined our adoption of the Learning Management System
‘Blackboard’ which stores and gives access to learning materials at
all levels in the School. We discussed why we selected the iPad for
the Junior and Middle Schools while adopting a ‘choice of mobile
device’ approach for the Senior School.
The group wanted to see how the technology was being used in the
classroom. These tours are always a real adventure, never staged or
planned and we see the real experience of classroom activity.
The visitors saw plenty of traditional activity - pens used to write
notes and compose ideas. We still get asked about this and
the answer remains that this is still a valuable approach in this
educational environment.
We also saw the iPad being used to read a textbook, introduce
geometric shapes, create a film, conduct research and create
written composition. We saw Prep to Year 12 girls engaged in some
ingenious ways that value-add to the learning program.
I asked the Year 6 girls what their favourite Apps were and they “loved
Pages” (the word processor), which I admit surprised me. I thought
they might name an App with a less professional intent.
The visitors had the opportunity to ask the girls about how they used
the many forms of technology available. The girls clearly enjoyed
showing what and how they undertook their work and I enjoyed
watching their confidence and listening to their articulate responses.
The Senior School girls were engrossed in their final assessment
preparation and were appropriately distracted by the deadlines that
were looming. The Middle School girls were at ease and enthusiastic
while the Junior School girls shone through their enthusiasm and
capacity to display their competence.
The visitors genuinely were surprised at the poise and comfortable
demeanour of the girls in class and commented, “They really understand
the ideas behind the program,” and “…the atmosphere in the school
and the relationship between the girls is so clearly impressive”.
Naturally, I was very proud of the way the girls presented their School.
Mr Peter Crawley
Head of School
Principal for a day
Year 6 student Natasha Buckler, pictured
dressed in a skirt and jacket, was
‘Principal for a day’ in Term 3.
Natasha shadowed Head of School
Mr Peter Crawley, visiting the Centenary
Wall and listening to feedback about the
project from students.
Natasha was awarded the ‘Principal for a
day’ role following her family’s successful
bid at the Women’s Auxiliary High Tea
held in Term 2.
“I had a great day with Mr Crawley
and enjoyed the visits to the different
classes,” said Natasha. “It has been a
great experience of how the School runs and I am proud to be one of
the St Hilda’s girls. The best moment was when I had morning tea
with the Senior Prefects.”
St Hilda’s to host SMART
Teachers Conference
St Hilda’s School will host the SMART Teachers
Conference, See, Share, Shape the Future,
on 4 and 5 October. Sponsored by Electroboard,
the conference will facilitate the exchange of
ideas, knowledge and insights on using interactive
whiteboards and other teaching technologies in
the classroom.
Electroboard will provide panels of speakers for
the conference to increase the number of ideas
that will be shared on themes such as, The Voice
of Digital Learners, Digital Learning Spaces, Quality
Digital Content, Digital Safety and Wellbeing, and
Quality Teaching in a Digital Age.
Among confirmed speakers are Professor Stephen
Heppell of Bournemouth University (via VC),
founder and chief executive officer of NoTosh
Mr Ewan McIntosh (via VC) and St Hilda’s Head
of Learning Technology Mr Geoff Powell.
Committed to building the capacity of teachers to
use technology, the conference will blend the best
concepts of teacher-sharing, accredited professional
development courses and expert keynotes.
To register visit:
http://www.seeshareshape.com.au/shape/
TeachersConference.aspx
Mr Ewan McIntosh.
Professor Stephen Heppell.
COVER: The Junior School’s first musical, Alice in Wonderland,
was staged as a matinee and evening performance at the
Arts Centre Gold Coast on Friday 14 September.

Centenary Wall celebrates
100-year journey
Miss Gillian Sparshott takes her Pre-Prep class to visit the wall.
Nell Walmsley (Buchanan, 1932), who is one of our oldest Old Girls at
the age of 95 years, was thrilled to be pictured with Year 12 Prefects.
The names of some 15,000 current and past students and staff are
featured on a sculpture installation to celebrate the lives of girls,
boys, women and men who have shared the 100 years story of
St Hilda’s School.
The plaque for the Centenary Wall was unveiled by Her Excellency,
Ms Penelope Wensley AC, Governor of Queensland on Tuesday
21 August before more than 1500 students, staff, Old Girls,
parents and special guests.
“The creation of the Centenary Wall owes much to the dedication
and inspiration of many in the St Hilda’s School community,” said
Head of School Mr Peter Crawley. “The initial design inspiration was
a sketch drawn by the Head of Middle School Mrs Susan Sanburg,
which showed how the ammonite might be used to honour all
who have been part of the School’s history.
Senior students capturing the day, left to right:
Ashleigh Stenton, Victoria Quirk and Amy McIntyre.
Head of School Mr Peter Crawley and Mrs Anne Crawley.
Cutting the Centenary cake, left to right,
School Captain Vanessa Hogan, Head
Daygirl Emma Cooper, Her Excellency,
Ms Penelope Wensley AC, Governor of
Queensland and Head of School
Mr Peter Crawley.
“The wall design is the work of architects Pia and Richie Willemsen,
parents of the school, who took the ideas and vision and created
a space that elegantly reflects our tradition and commitment
to the idea of respect for the journey of all in the School’s first
100 years.”
Mr Crawley also acknowledged the generous support of guiding
engineer with the firm GDH and current parent Chris Salmon,
electrical contractor and current parent Bill Campbell, steel
contractor and current parent Paul Batty and builder and current
parent Ross Wolbers.
He said the Fathers’ Project Club, under the leadership of Chris
Bailey, had been financial and emotional supporters of the project.
Robotics strengthens
Science and
Technology link
St Hilda’s School was the recipient of a grant from
Independent Schools Queensland and Primary
Connections to use in the area of Science.
The Junior School staff elected to strengthen the links
between Science and Technology by purchasing Lego
equipment in Prep and introducing WeDo Lego Robotics
at Year 4 to complement the Science unit entitled
‘Smooth Moves’ which deals with motion and energy.
“WeDo Lego teaches the girls skills in designing,
building and programming robotic constructions,” said
Junior School Head of Administration Mrs Suzi Herbert.
“It encourages creative ways of thinking and working
and creative use of ICT tools.”
Prep students have been using their equipment in
Science, Maths and Literacy rotations. Year 4
students have been working collaboratively to
program robotic creations such as ‘a hungry
crocodile’ and a goal-kicking machine. They have
also have designed a prototype for a fairground ride
at the St Hilda’s Fete in 2013!
“The girls are having an outstanding time and so are
their teachers!” said Mrs Herbert. “Staff have taken
part in professional development in Robotics with
Mark Lockett from TSS Prep and the program has been
extended to include new materials for other year levels.”
3

Acacia Week a triumph
for the blues
iStop: Left to right, Charlotte Wakim, Arabella-Rose Henderson
and Christabella Barac.
There’s no stopping Year 2!
Preps enjoy Science excursion
Acacia House Week from 20 to 24 August saw students
involved in many fundraising activities such as a free dress
day and raffle, a family Eucharist service and a student
Chapel service.
Students also purchased blue nail polish, tried to guess the
number of lollies in a jar and had their faces painted. A ‘blue
tent’ was erected for the festivities and the atmosphere was
one of real excitement.
Girls played music and practised routines for the Nutbush
and the Chicken Dance – part of the preparation for a special
end to the week - the Junior School Disco.
“More than 400 students attended the disco and it was a
real pleasure to see Year 11 students, Junior School staff and
parent helpers on the night, uniting the School for a good
cause,” said Head of House Mrs Beth Claydon.
Acacia House has been supporting the Abri Aged Care facility
at Southport for almost three years and the girls have shown
great pride in their enthusiasm and support of the residents.
All money raised during Acacia House Week will be donated
to Abri. “We know that our support will work towards
improving the facilities at the centre,” said Mrs Claydon.
“The House Captains thank everyone for their support. It was
also wonderful to see students from Grevillea and Tristania
offering their assistance with the selling of goods and
painting the faces of the younger students.”
There has been much excitement in the Year 2 classrooms as the
girls experimented with new technology.
They have enjoyed learning
how to use Point to View
Cameras and laptops to
make their own iStop
Motion Pictures.
“We have had chickens in
the class to study and as
they grew and changed,
the girls created an
animation of a chicken hatching out of an egg using plasticine,”
said Year 2 teacher Sarah Johnson.
“The girls in 2J also taught other students how to use the program
and are very proud of their efforts.”
Eighty Prep students, staff and parents eagerly departed the
St Hilda’s campus to attend their first excursion to the Brisbane
Science Centre in August.
Curriculum Coordinator Pre-Prep to Year 2 Ms Melissa Wilkins said
the girls were equipped with their knowledge and understanding
of how things move and endless amounts of energy!
“Not surprisingly, their inquisitive nature took hold as they
immersed themselves in the bounty of hands-on experiments and
activities that were on offer,” said Ms Wilkins.
After visiting two exhibits, enjoying lunch in the beautiful grounds
and wondering around the Brisbane Museum, the girls, parents
and staff boarded the bus to the Gold Coast. The trip home was
more subdued as many tired eyes closed.
Many Prep students commented about their first school excursion,
and all agreed, “It was the best day ever!”
Science lessons come alive!
4
Year 2 students were excited to welcome three chicks and take
delivery of 13 fertilised eggs in an incubator and pen as part
of their Science unit in Term 3. Over the course of 12 days,
each class watched the hatching of the chicks and studied
them as they grew and changed. The girls delighted in doing
observations of the chicks and studying their life cycle.
Cassie Barnes and Lily Whitton.
Radhika Patel and Mia Humphrey.

Pre-Prep welcomes
local community
St Hilda’s Pre-Preparatory girls hosted visits from various
outside agencies to strengthen their connections and
understanding of the local community in Term 3.
Pat and Play
The Gold Coast City Council visited Pre-Prep to talk about some
important rules that help dogs to stay happy and humans to
stay safe. The lessons included: never pull a dog’s tail or ears,
never touch a dog when it is sleeping or eating and to always
ask before patting a dog that we do not know. The girls
enjoyed meeting GC the dog!
Japanese Visitors
Girls from Akikusa Gakuen College
in Tokyo visited Pre-Prep and shared
some of their cultural experiences
with the girls. Activities included
origami, singing, nursery rhymes and
songs in Japanese and English.
Animal Welfare League
The Animal Welfare League visited
the Pre-Prep to speak about the work
they do with animals and taught the
girls how to be responsible, loving
and respectful pet owners. The AWL staff talked about feeding
animals the right thing, grooming pets, giving play toys and
being respectful to pets. As responsible pet owners the girls
talked about why they use collars and leads on dogs and why
they need to provide toys. AWL brought along a dog and some
guinea pigs to introduce to the girls.
Wildcall - Australian Animals
Nikki from Wildcall brought
in various Australian animals
such as an owl, snake,
possum, tree frog and lizards
to meet the girls in Pre-Prep.
The girls were able to touch
some of the animals and
learnt lots of interesting new
facts about them.
Serious lessons learnt
in a fun way
As part of our Personal Development program in the Junior
School, the NED show was invited to an assembly of students
from Prep to Year 6.
The girls were introduced to NED’s story - Never giving
up, Encouraging others and Doing your best - and learned
the importance of these central messages to becoming a
champion in life and at school. They also enjoyed the many
incredible yo-yo tricks performed by the presenter, Chad.
Earlier in the term, students from Prep to Year 6 learned about
the importance of friendship and the qualities that are essential to
forming and maintaining friendships based on solid foundations.
Charlie and Lucy took the girls on their journey to find the eight
friendship disks that would complete the Ring of Friendship.
Students watched as Charlie the bully, and Lucy who disobeyed
her parents, were taken inside a computer game and fought
a monster to realise the importance of true friendship as well
as the responsible way to behave towards others. Important
messages about the safe use of the Internet were included for
the older students.
The follow-up sessions in the classrooms allowed the students to
reflect on what they had seen and heard and acknowledged the
significance of these experiences in their own lives.
“These experiences reinforced key messages that are exhibited
in everything that we do in the Junior School and which are
embodied in our School motto, Non Nobis Solum,” said Head
of Junior School Mrs Lisa Cleverly.
“We prepare the students to be responsible, compassionate
citizens who respond appropriately to each other while
recognising that we are all unique with special gifts and talents
which we can use in a multitude of ways for the benefit of others
and ourselves. The power of drama to deliver such an important
message can never be underestimated.”
Technology
ramps up in
Early Years
“If we teach today as we taught yesterday,
we rob our children of tomorrow.” - John Dewey
Following the success of mobile learning devices in
St Hilda’s Upper Primary sector, it was a natural step in
introducing this technology within the Early Years.
Term 3 saw the introduction of class sets of iPads for
students from Prep to Year 2. “These mobile learning devices
have been embraced by teachers and students with much
enthusiasm,” said Junior School ICT Mentor Miss Cathryn Gittins.
“We have seen the iPads being incorporated into an array
of subject areas, ranging from guided reading rotations to
creating animations with voice recordings.”
The inclusion of Apps relevant to the Australian Curriculum,
allows the students to remain updated with technology as the
teachers find innovative ways to consolidate their learning.
Our Apps list includes Math and Word bingo, Australian font
handwriting, animation tools, problem-solving brainteasers,
chess, news reports and spelling activities.
The students have become skillful with the iPads, in a
short space of time, demonstrating their desire to embrace
changing technology.
5

Language skills
put to the test
More than 40 girls put their language talents to the test at the
2012 State and Regional Speech Competitions held recently.
“The level of skills shown by the contestants was extremely high and
it was pleasing to see the progress being made by the girls across the
different languages,“ said Head of Languages Mr Chris Dunn.
He said the experience of speaking in front of an audience and
answering questions was invaluable in developing confidence
in language acquisition and to see the excellent results being
achieved reflected the commitment of students and their teachers.
Abbey van Herwaarde.
Hera Gigante-Dooney.
Yasmin Foster.
A scene from Worry Warts.
6
Japanese State Competition
Year 6
Second: Isobel Crowther
Fourth: Natasha Buckler
Highly Commended: Sophie Rice
Year 7
Highly Commended:
Caitlin Astill, Leukie Smith,
Courtney Box
Year 8
Highly Commended:
Stephanie Grant
Year 9
Second: Charli Bawden
Third: Kate Lee
Highly Commended:
Matilda Gee, Peta Morton
Year 10
Second: Jidy Lee
Highly commended:
Camille Chen, Christina Lee
Year 11
Highly Commended:
Chase Bawden, Fiely Cheung
Year 12
Third: Hanna Kang
Highly Commended: Tiffany Lui,
Ruolan You, Amy Lam
French Regional Competition
Year 4
First: Charlotte McClintock
Second: Mia Field
Third: Anna Branch
Highly Commended:
Brooke Murakami
Year 5
First: Abbey van Herwaarde
Third: Georgia Nye
Year 6
First: Hera Gigante-Dooney
Highly Commended:
Annabelle Potter
Year 7
Highly Commended:
Olivia Emmett
Year 8
Second: Yasmin Foster
Highly Commended:
Francesca Zhu
Year 9
Highly Commended: Kona Irie
Open
Third: Sophie Slancar
Highly Commended:
Julia Slancar
German Regional Competition
Year 12
First: Elena Liang
Natasha Buckler and Isobel Crowther.
Elena Liang.
Charli Bawden and Kate Lee.
Jidy Lee.
In addition to external language competitions, the girls in the
Junior School begin honing their language skills as part of class
work and House competitions.
In Term 2, the focus of French studies from Years 3 to 6 is
about learning personal information, such as introductions and
details of family and home life. This leads on to the Inter-House
French Speaking Competition and for Year 6 students, a Japanese
Speaking Competition.
All students compose a speech about themselves in class with
support from their teachers and with developmentally appropriate
language. The girls can be selected to go on to a semi-final and
a final within their Year level. In the final, a panel of judges who
do not teach the students adjudicate and medals and trophies are
presented to the six finalists in each Year level.
High drama in Medea.
Middle and Senior School
Drama Festival
The wonderful performances by the girls seen at the annual
Drama Festival highlighted the immense talent – on stage
and back stage – that is at work throughout the School,”
said Head of Performing Arts Mr Jaron Winter.
Worry Warts
Worry Warts is an hilarious tale, written by Morris Glietzman.
It is a very funny story of compulsive worrier, Keirra, whose
attempts to solve all of her parents’ problems end in a trek
across Australia where she meets a host of interesting (and
often bizarre) characters. Middle School students presented
Worry Warts at the Langford Theatre on Thursday 30 August.
Medea
Sharing the billing with Worry Warts was the haunting Greek
tragedy, Medea, performed by the Senior School students.
Medea is a story of revenge, betrayal and a woman scorned.
When Medea is cast aside by her husband and replaced with
a younger woman, her life spins out of control and leads her
down a very dark path.

How Enterprising!
Year 9 students took part in the hugely successful Enterprise
Week in Term 3, a program designed to develop skills
in a fun and exciting way while encountering a range of
different challenges.
The week, organised and run by the Business, Finance and
Management classes, was designed to encourage students
to develop skills in collaboration, risk-taking, creativity,
innovation, problem solving, reflection and evaluation.
The enterprise ventures focused on social entrepreneurship
whereby a business was set up with the intention of raising
awareness and money for a specific social issue.
The students had to create a product that directly linked
with their charity. Chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate
were sold for the R U OK? Foundation. These products were
chosen because they are often used as comfort food.
The Make a Wish Foundation was the inspiration for
Scooper Trooper, whereby students sold ice-cream with
mix-ins, while Cakes and Shakes for Cancer promoted
breast and skin cancer awareness.
A total of $454 was raised to support these charities.
Students give dance
classes a whirl
The Year 9 Dance classes, enjoyed over several
weeks in Term 3, are an important rite of passage
for St Hilda’s girls and the Year 10 boys from brother
school TSS. As well as learning some fun moves
on the dance floor – including the ‘oldies’ like
Cha Cha Cha – the students have the opportunity to
meet new friends and develop their social skills.
Sharing a personal story: John Danalis
The ngatuk on display with John Danalis in background.
Author, illustrator, storyteller and performer John Danalis
shared his personal journey with students and staff of
St Hilda’s and TSS in a St Hilda’s Library-Visual Art event on
Thursday 9 August.
John’s recent book, Riding the Black Cockatoo, is on the
reading lists for Years 7 to 12. He demonstrates the power
of the story to embody the idea of reconciliation as well as a
deep understanding of Aboriginal culture and history.
The integrity with which John returned an Aboriginal skull
to its Indigenous people and place and their gratitude,
brings hope to the debate about the relationship between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Riding the Black
Cockatoo is also about reconciliation within families.
John brought with him the ngatuk or ceremonial possum skin
cloak given to him by the Wamba Wamba people and the
lemon myrtle leaves in which he wrapped his book to present
to the Wamba Wamba elders.
“The sharing of stories, food, artefacts and plants felt like a
communion across time, space and culture,” said Head of
Visual Art Ms Alana Hampton.
John donated a copy of his children’s book, Schumann the
Shoeman to each of the Junior and Senior Libraries.
Creative Generation
Regional Awards
Senior students Laura Steinert and Brittany Houlahan
exhibited works at the Creative Generation Regional
Awards. Brittany received a commendation for
her artwork Shadows. The awards recognise and
promote excellence in senior visual arts education
throughout Queensland.
7

World Challenge
Six Hilda’s students, Kathleen Moy, Isabelle Chorley,
Avalon Wood, Tillie O’Kelley Wooller, Hannah Brealey,
Isabelle Franich and two staff, Mrs Chris Caughley
and Ms Rhonda Oliver, embarked on the World
Challenge expedition to India at the end of Term 4
in 2011. The team filed this report.
8
Students eye future in business world
Left to right, sitting: Emily Metcalfe, Madeleine Nicholls. Standing: Amy Lam, Shelby Batty, Tushna Mehta, Madison Maurer, Isabelle Chorley, Grace Li, Ruolan You.
Nine students participated in the Griffith Business Year 12
Program which aims to help students make the transition
from the supported frameworks of school, to the flexible and
autonomous nature of tertiary studies.
The high-achieving Business students include Isabelle Chorley,
Amy Lam, Madison Maurer, Emily Metcalfe, Ruolan You,
Shelby Batty, Grace Li, Tushna Mehta and Madeleine Nicholls.
Each will be given a direct entry offer into the Griffith
University Business degree or double degree of their choice.
By Isabelle Chorley and Jaime Lee Bradford
On a cold August night, the Year 12 Japanese students were
warmed up with hot bowls of miso soup and scrumptious dishes
at Arakawa, a traditional Japanese restaurant at Royal Pines Resort.
We were given the tatami mat room where we sat on the floor
and placed our legs under a very low, traditional Japanese table.
For the meals, we received seafood entrees and traditional dishes.
Each new dish tickled our tastebuds and for some, it was really a
new and different experience. Students selected from a variety of
Head of Business Mrs Janelle Maurer said the goal of the
program is to encourage Business students to further studies
at university including studies in Management, Accounting
and Economics through linking the curriculum of schools
and universities.
Fostering positive relationships between students, teachers and
academic staff as well as exposing high school students to the
tertiary environment were additional benefits of the program.
main meals including sushi, eel, tempura, pork and chicken teriyaki,
all accompanied by freshly steamed rice and sauces.
The menu taught all of us new vocabulary that would be sure to
help us in our future Japanese studies. We all enjoyed the night
tremendously and it helped our class to experience the weird but
wonderful ways of the Japanese.
Delhi Airport: People, people and more people. We realised
we were in store for sights and sounds like nothing we’d
known before. In expectation we stepped into the street
and then waited, waited and waited for a bus. This is India,
only in India. It has its own pace, its own rhythm, its own
way and we just looked to step in with it.
We were part of World Challenge India. Our school offered
this program to us in May 2010. It was an 18-month program
of team and personal development experiences that led us
to new and exciting opportunities. We learned so much about
ourselves and the world around us. Feeling prepared from a
weekend training camp, training hikes and team workshops,
we joined with five other students and their teacher for a
30-day trip to Northern India.
Our goals were to reach the 4000m mark of the Darsu Pass
in the Himalayas, build a 200m walking path that led to a
small rural school in Pangot, work with local school children
and manage all our travel, budget and itinerary arrangements.
Accommodation - the first challenge
When the bus arrived we looked up and there was the
Raj Hotel. Would this be our accommodation for our stay in
Mussourie – would our budget cover this? Our accommodation
team ventured up the hill while the rest of us waited at
the bus stop where we attracted a lot of interest from the
local taxi drivers.
To our good fortune we found the Raj to be most suitable and
at the right price. We had a place to stay for the next three
nights. This was our acclimatisation phase as Mussourie is at
2000m elevation and our objective was to go on a series of
day and half-day walks to prepare for our Himalayan trek.

expedition:
Rishikesh was an easy place to stay with resorts, markets and
restaurants geared to tourists of every budget. It is the home of
yoga, massage and meditation schools. Our hotel had an internet
café with three computers which our group needed to get back in
touch with family after our eight days in the Himalayas.
Pilgrims along the Ganges
But Haridwar was a different story. Unlike the Mussourie and
Rishikesh this was a very big and busy place. In Haridwar five
tributaries of the Ganges meet, a sacred bathing spot for the
Hindus. Thousands of pilgrims gather in this place for the Hindu
cleansing ceremony. The police carried semi-automatic weapons
and big sticks. The police were quick to deal with young beggars
who appeared to be harassing pilgrims and tourists and actively
moved us on at a time when we were gathering ourselves
together after watching the ceremony.
It was in Haridwar that we saw the breadth of Indian life – its
religion, moments of destitution and hopelessness, but also
the joy of simple life. The markets were amazing – jewellery,
ornaments, scarves, shawls and exquisite saris.
Our safari at John Corbett Reserve was fascinating and relaxing
and according to our guide, most successful as we managed to
see elephants and caught a quick glimpse of a tiger in the wild.
Pangot was an afternoon jeep drive away. We arrived at Ecolodges
to the sweet smell of chai tea and the amazing news that we
could stay in the lodges and didn’t need to pitch our tents!
We were looked after by the manager Raju, a polite and caring
man. That afternoon we surveyed the path project and realised
this was a big job. It involved digging out the ground and laying
The first night in the Himalayas was freezing cold: we really needed that campfire!
After this acclimatisation we were ready to travel to Rishikesh and
then onto the Barsu Guesthouses to start our trek. Although we
didn’t love the trek at the time – we can say we loved it now.
Each day of trekking was different; each day had different challenges.
We all found the first day hard – 8km up. By the fourth day we had
reached Dodital Lake. The camp ground was beautiful, sited next
to a reflecting lake. As the birthplace of Ganesh this is a sacred
Hindu area. Hats off to Hannah and Avalon who dug the latrine!
Early start for the final ascent
We rose at 4am for the final ascent. Nine of the team chose to
take on this final 5km and along with two Indian sherpas, we
set off at a cracking pace. The remainder of the team rose a little
later, packed up camp and started the 14km descent. The trek went
so quickly; before we knew it we had 200m to go. Tillie was finding
this tough, experiencing some difficulty with the altitude. Incredibly,
she pushed on to the top and on achieving this she ‘fuelled up’
and our World Challenge leader accompanied her quickly back
down to Dodital Lake. The rest
of us stayed at the top for a
while, enjoyed the scenery, took
photos and congratulated each
other on handling the challenge!
After a two-day descent we
returned to Rishikesh to rest,
recover and reflect; but not
for long as we were to be on
the road to Haridwar, within
48 hours.
The team pictured in front of the Taj Mahal with our Taj guide Faroud.
a 1.5m-wide brick and cement path for 200m. We set about
working out the materials we would need and a project plan for
our work the next day.
Next morning a small team travelled 20 minutes to Nainital to
purchase materials. The rest of us visited the school and met the
students and their teacher. We found out that there were more
jobs that we could do at the school which included painting.
Fundraising at St Hilda’s aids construction
That afternoon we started digging the path and found the rock
hard and unyielding. We employed a local labourer, tall Raju.
Gradually we progressed but we could see that with the limited
equipment and manpower, completing the full 200m would be
beyond our time constraints. So this is where we were rewarded
for our fundraising efforts at school.
We found labour and material costs well within our budget,
so we decided to employ three more labourers to help us
complete the job. This also freed us up to do the other tasks,
particularly the painting in the school. By the last day in Pangot,
we had finished the painting and 160m of the path; and we
had purchased all the materials and labour for the path to be
completed after we left.
This day we gave gifts to the children at the school. We had
purchased cricket and football equipment as well as various
stationery items. These children were like seagulls, but their joy
in receiving brought us joy in giving.
The team giving homeless women and children hope in Ladli.
9

A memorable
music journey
St Hilda’s musicians from Prep to
Year 12 were the shining stars at the
Centenary Music Gala Concert held on
Saturday 28 July.
The girls loved performing for such
an appreciative audience, presenting
works as diverse as Vivaldi’s’
Spring and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will
Survive in keeping with the theme of
Journey To The Past.
10
Gold Coast Eisteddfod results
St Hilda’s Music ensembles performed admirably
at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.
Choirs began with four days of intense
competition and were in fine voice, with
all choirs receiving awards among excellent
performances from Gold Coast schools.
First placings were gained by the Years 5 to 7
Choir, Senior Choir and Senza Ragazzi and all girls
from Years 2 to 12, choir conductors Mrs Tania
Edmunds, Miss Janette Kelly, Mrs Sheridan Dong,
Mrs Katherine Sergeyev and accompanists Mr
Richard Ham and Mr Antony Zambolt are to be
congratulated on their success.
St Hilda’s premier vocal ensemble Senza Ragazzi
performed extremely well.
Led by an experienced group of eight Year 12
vocalists, ably supported by nine others from
Years 9 to 11, and directed by conductor Tania
Edmunds and accompanist, Richard Ham, the
ensemble was awarded first placings with the
following performances:
• Psalm 23 and Coldplay’s Fix You in the
Secondary School A Grade Choir
• Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Don’t Stop
Believin’ in the Open Age Vocal Ensemble
• West Side Story Medley in the Secondary
School Showcase Ensemble for which they also
received the $250 award for Most Outstanding
Middle/Secondary School Performance and an
invitation to perform at the Musicale on Sunday
14 October
The success continued with all ensembles
receiving awards:
• Junior Concert Band - Very Highly Commended,
C Grade Primary Schools Concert Band
• Combined Middle and Senior Concert Bands -
First, Secondary Schools B Grade Concert Band
• Big Band - First, C Grade Stage Band
• Junior Strings - Highly Commended,
Primary Schools B Grade competition
• Senior Strings - Very Highly Commended,
A Grade Secondary Strings
Congratulations to instrumentalists and their
conductors!
Featuring all the School’s Music
ensembles - Prep and Year 1 Singers,
Years 2, 3 and 4 Choirs, Years 5 to
7 Choir, Senior Choir, Senza Ragazzi,
Junior and Senior Strings, 16 Strings
String Quartet, Junior, Middle School
and Senior Concert Bands, Big Band
and Rhythm and Blues Band - the
concert culminated in a performance
of Journey To The Past by massed
choir and orchestra.
This event highlighted the students’
musical talents led by the outstanding
Year 12 musicians.

Mentors Matter: Uni students
make great tutors
Four university students were employed to tutor boarders this
year, specifically to support their academic progress.
Head of Boarding Mrs Gayle Churchill advertised on the Griffith
University CareerBoard website which directed those interested
to our school website.
As a result, medical students Nicola Campbell and Arianne Kollosche,
dentistry student Jessica Foley and law/criminology student
Remi Francis are now tutoring the girls.
Tutors are good role models
• The tutors are studying courses to which our boarders aspire
• At meal times, they join boarders in the dining room,
show good table manners and direct appropriate table
conversation
Mrs Churchill said each of the tutors had recently graduated from
school so were familiar with curriculum content.
Tutors perform other duties
• Early morning sign-outs for rowers and other sports girls
Tutoring at prep time
This has been extremely well-received by boarders,
boarding staff, academic staff and parents.
Tutors reside in the St Hilda’s boarding precinct
• Remuneration for tutoring is in the form of full
accommodation and meals
• Each has made St Hilda’s Boarding School their ‘home’
• The tutors have become involved in our boarding family
• They have developed a warm
rapport with boarders and
boarding staff
• Each tutor has completed
a Duty of Care
Residential Certificate
• ‘Mother hen’ to support organisation of Years 6 and 7
boarders
• Supervision of dining room at breakfast
• Supervision of Health Centre during Sister’s meal break
• Supervision of Boarders’ Reception during staff meal
breaks where they quickly learned how to operate the
TASS boarding module for check-ins, check-outs and
leave entry
Tutors are flexible
• They are readily available for paid boarding shifts when
staff are absent
• They attend outings to improve staff-boarder ratios on
weekends
• They modify their tutoring roster to be available at
critical times when boarders’ assignments are due
Mrs Churchill said the tutors have been rewarded for their
enthusiasm and care with ‘Certificates of Recognition’
accompanied by movie tickets or chocolates to show boarders’
appreciation.
“We have supported them in their academic progress, stressing
that their university commitments come first, thus providing
necessary flexibility for uni exams and changing timetables,”
said Mrs Churchill.
“This has been a huge gain for the boarding community at
minimal cost. The partnership is mutually advantageous to the
boarding community and to our university students.”
11

‘Splashtacular’ finish
at Head of the River
Banksia
triumphs!
The Head of the River saw the culmination of hard work and
determination by crews to achieve St Hilda’s most successful
season of rowing.
Held on Saturday 25 August at Kawana, the atmosphere around
the St Hilda’s tent was a mixture of excitement, nerves and
triumph. Our 75-strong squad had been diligently training
since the start of Term 2 and the early morning wake-ups and
afternoons at cross-training certainly paid off for the girls.
Last year St Hilda’s placed seventh in the Percentage Cup. Gaining
a strong place in the Percentage Cup was the squad’s focus in
2012 as it takes into account each school’s population and the
overall points achieved.
This year the girls finished in second place in the Percentage
Cup – an amazing achievement! Moreover, the statistics of
podium finishes for this year eclipsed all previous achievements
in rowing.
Head of School Mr Peter Crawley said the leadership of many
girls and deep passion for their sport was in glaring evidence at
the Head of the River and the celebration dinner which followed.
The Inter-House Athletics carnival saw
Banksia take the lead in track and field
events to finish in first place.
POINTS
Banksia 1727
Karragaroo 1411
Melaleuca 1370
Held on Wednesday 26 July, the inter-
House carnival was a wonderful day
marked by student enthusiasm and high
levels of participation.
House spirit was alive and well as
students celebrated and cheered on the
success of others throughout the carnival.
Ten St Hilda’s records were broken on the day
Annaliese Edwards, Felicity Grice,
Kate Tobiano, Rebecca Hale: Karragaroo Open 4 x 100m - 55.87 sec
Courtney Colman: Karragaroo 17 Years Shot Put - 11.69m
Tamika Gillett: Banksia
17 Years 100m - 13.28sec
Stephanie Rutherford: Melaleuca 15 Years/Under Triple Jump - 9.12m
Isaiah Retchford: Karragaroo 15 Years Shot Put - 10.08m
Stephanie Purser: Melaleuca 14 Years Discus - 29.16m
Annaliese Edwards: Karragaroo
14 Years 100m - 13.09sec
Annaliese Edwards: Karragaroo
14 years 200m - 26.89sec
Annaliese Edwards: Karragaroo
Open 100m - 13.05 sec
Claire Buttner: Banksia 12 Years Long Jump - 4.03m
Age Champions
12 Years/Under
Age Champion:
Gabriella Oxley – Karragaroo
Runner-up: Claire Buttner – Banksia
13 Years
Age Champion: Isabella Ruddle – Banksia
Runner-up: Felicity Grice – Karragaroo
14 Years
Runner-up: Charli Bawden – Melaleuca
Age Champion:
Annaliese Edwards – Karragaroo
15 Years
Age Champion: Stephanie Rutherford –
Melaleuca
Runner-up: Libby King – Banksia
16 Years
Age Champion: Ashleigh Lucas – Banksia
Runner-up: Allison Paxton-Hall – Karragaroo
17 Years
Age Champion: Tamika Gillett – Banksia
Runner-up: Courtney Colman – Karragaroo
School Champion
Annaliese Edwards – Karragaroo
Isabella Ruddle – Banksia
12
“I could not have been more proud of this School as I watched
the girls speak about the season and what it had meant
to them,” said Mr Crawley. “They were expressive, fluent,
persuasive and moving.”

SportsFixturesinACTION
Shooting for
improved skills
QGSSSA rhythmic gymnastics
The St Hilda’s QGSSSA Rhythmic Gymnastics team was made
up of girls from Years 8 to 12 who participated in hoop, ball
and rope apparatus.
The Year 8 team was exceptional on the day and won
St Hilda’s second QGSSSA pennant for the year.
They received an overall score of 19 out of 20 which was
one of the highest scores of the competition, held on
Friday 3 August.
Montana Jackson, Grace Jamieson, Saskia Jenkins, Gabriella
Kalade and Sarah Hoban were brilliant in their hoop routine.
To develop netball in the Junior School, students from St Hilda’s
School were entered in two club carnivals in the lead-up to the
Andrews Cup competition.
Two St Hilda’s teams entered the World Netball tournament
which included teams from New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and
around Australia and was played at the Southport Carrara courts
during the June-July holidays.
The girls were exposed to many fast and furious games.
Throughout this experience they grew stronger as a team and
gained a lot of experience. In each game the team played, the
girls became faster, fitter and more accurate with their ball skills.
Veronica McNevin and Jianing Kwok were nominated for the
Barbarian Jersey which is awarded to a player from each team for
their carnival spirit and improved play over the week.
The girls also participated in the Southport Carrara Club Netball
carnival held on 19 August. During this carnival the girls played
in their selected Andrews Cup teams which helped them prepare
and practice for the inter-school carnival held the following week.
“Participation in these all-day carnivals has helped the St Hilda’s
teams improve their match skills and netball knowledge,” said
Junior School PE teacher Ms Leigh Thomas. “We hope to improve
the skills of our teams by participating more regularly in the
netball community on the Gold Coast.”
13

ST HILDA’S SCHOOL
Art Show Opening
and
Cocktail Party
I N V I T A T I O N
Breakfast in the FAST LANE
Head of School Mr Peter Crawley
extends a warm invitation to the
St Hilda’s community to attend the
opening of the RBS Morgans Art Show.
Guest of Honour Gold Coast Mayor
Cr Tom Tate will cut the ribbon to this
year’s exhibit which will feature over
100 local artists including some works
from current and past students.
DATE
Friday 12 October
VENUE
The Bev Philben Room
St Hilda’s School
TIME
6pm to 8.30pm
RSVP
Mrs Cheryl Reddy
07 5577 7297
or creddy@sthildas.qld.edu.au
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Dads and their daughters in the Middle and Senior Schools enjoyed
breakfast together, entertained by two speakers with tales about
living life in the fast lane.
“Events such as these help to strengthen family connections and
create memories that fathers and daughters will treasure for years
to come,” said Head of Middle School Mrs Susan Sanburg.
Golfers tee off under sunny skies
The highlight of each breakfast event, hosted by the Fathers’ Project Club
and the Women’s Auxiliary, was listening to the girls’ tributes to their
fathers; they spoke so movingly with the occasional addition of humour
which delighted all.
Guest speaker at the Middle School breakfast was Mick Doohan, five times
MotoGP World Champion. Mick gave his audience a taste of motorcycle
racing at the top level.
Champion racing driver Russell Ingall spoke at the Senior School breakfast
about his ‘job’ of driving fast cars and driver safety. He strongly encouraged
parents to set a good example when driving.
“Fathers play vital roles in their daughter’s lives,” said Mrs Sanburg. “Spending
quality time together is crucial at all stages of a girl’s life, but especially during
adolescence and will help increase her confidence in her own abilities.”
The Fathers’ Project Club hosted a successful and fair-weather Golf Day, attracting
more than 80 golfers to the Emerald Lakes course in Term 3.
James Frizelle’s Gold Coast Volkswagen had a Polo on offer on the 17th as a
hole-in-one prize. Mr Ray McNamara hit a hole-in-one on the 13th and
was still thrilled!
Organiser Mr Rob Tapping was ecstatic with the response to the day after being
forced to postpone an earlier date due to wet weather.
Fathers, mums and friends of St Hilda’s teamed up for the Ambrose event and raised
more than $13,000 to help fund the Centenary Wall project.
14

ST HILDA’S SCHOOL
CENTENARY
FETE
History book launch a ‘stylish’ event
Students celebrated the 100th birthday of St Hilda’s School in
spectacular style by parading uniform fashions of past eras at the
centenary history book launch held on Open Day, Friday 3 August.
A group of Year 9 students initiated the modelling of past
uniforms as part of a Now And Then Focus Week to inspire the
girls’ curiosity about the past, to reflect on how far the student
body has come and to celebrate their centenary year.
The girls were invited to make their presentation at the book
launch before students and special guests including three past
Principals, the Reverend Dr Helen Granowski (1965-1974),
Miss Jennifer Reeves (1974-1988) and Mrs Josie James (1989-2002).
The 368-page hard cover book, entitled Non Nobis Solum (Not
For Ourselves Alone), was compiled by past Head of Junior School
Miss Meg Sanders and School Archivist Mrs Catherine Mackintosh.
It includes chapters written by five out of the School’s eight
Principals and more than 75 personal reflections by past students,
current and past staff members and members of School Council.
BOOK ORDERS
Copies of Non Nobis Solum may
be obtained by contacting:
Mrs Cheryl Reddy 07 5577 7297 or
creddy@sthildas.qld.edu.au
Cost: $110.00
including GST
Postage to anywhere
in Australia: $15.00
The book launch was one of six significant events that have been
planned to celebrate its 100-year anniversary, including:
• The Centenary Ball for 750 current and past families held in March
• The formation of a giant ‘1544’ by students on the oval,
representing the number of women and girls who study,
work and live on campus
• The unveiling of the Centenary Wall which features some
15,000 names of all past students and staff over 100 years on
Tuesday 21 August by Her Excellency, Ms Penelope Wensley AC,
Governor of Queensland, a daughter and niece of St Hilda’s
Old Girls
The final two celebrations will be the Old Girls’ Association 100 Years
Dinner reunion for alumni members on Saturday 27 October and
the Speech Day address by The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall,
Archbishop of Brisbane, on Thursday 29 November.
Head of School Mr Peter Crawley
said the opportunity to celebrate
100 years stands as an
achievement for the founders
and the many generations of
students and staff who have
passed through the campus.
TAKE OFF!
ART SHOW ON FRIDAY
12 OCTOBER 6PM TO 8.30PM
FETE ON SATURDAY
13 OCTOBER 9AM TO 3PM
Carnival rides, games, fairy floss,
face painting, cakes, jams, trash and
treasure, plants, books, music, dance
and fashion parades, bargains galore!
Original artworks and investment art
on sale at the Art Show over both days.
Come and enjoy a fabulous day of
fun on the Oval!
Enquiries:
Fete Convener Simone Crowther
07 5577 7261 or 0417 111 533
15

NON NOBIS SOLUM
Not for ourselves alone
Head of the River success for St Hilda’s rowing squad. See story page 12.
The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane trading as St Hilda’s School
Registered CRICOS Provider No. 00510M
52 High Street, Southport. PO Box 290 Southport 4215 Queensland Australia
Telephone (+61) 07 5532 4922 Facsimile (+61) 07 5591 5352 Email: principal@sthildas.qld.edu.au
Website: www.sthildas.qld.edu.au