B R O A D E R H O R I Z O N S - St Hildas School

BROADER HORIZONS
ISSUE 1, 2009

Diversity the spice of life
Dr Sammel awarded
Smithsonian Fellowship
At school we spend most of our time in pursuit of serious
matters. Class time is critical; assessments must be on
time and completed with accuracy. We follow the rules in
assignments and in class we participate with the accepted
standard of behavior. It will probably always be this way.
It is odd that after school days are concluded we remember
little of the superb analysis we completed on a hot Friday
afternoon or the tension we felt while waiting for the Science
test to begin. This is good news. Our memory of reality does
not need to constantly disappoint us and therefore, with so
much so easy to dismiss, the point of a great school and
education might seem a little hazy.
Fortunately, we find so much about our school days easy to
remember. Usually, we remember a feeling about school and
commonly, a flash of faces and events. Things we did flicker
across our memory bank.
Usually, we have the grace to escalate our own role in the
moment or activity; we improve our wit and brush up the impact
we had on ‘our time’ as we chat and brag with friends. Most
memories come from the activity outside of the classroom.
School is not about preparing for life - it is life. It is life for young
people. It has the serious and the absurd. The fun and the
fantasy live close to the serious and staid times. As in life that
takes place after school, the best things happen to those who
do the most and find what they are good at. Those who work at
friendship and never assume it is their right find they are never
lonely. Loyalty finds reward in ways that are unexpected.
Being involved with passion in ‘whatever’ or all things, leads
to something and sometimes plans work out, just as the well
organised expect. Hard work in the classroom usually changes
us. We grow intellectually and become something different.
Newly appointed Head of
Senior School Dr Alison Sammel
has been awarded a prestigious
Queensland-Smithsonian
Fellowship.
Each year since 2001, the
Queensland-Smithsonian
Fellowship program has
provided three Queenslanders
the enviable opportunity to
undertake a research project
of their choice at one of the
Smithsonian's numerous
museums, galleries, libraries and
research and education centres.
2
Moving away from ignorance or naivety is the destiny of those
who absorb a great education. As grand as this might be it is
still the humanity (the extra things) of our school experience
we remember most and first.
This edition of Broader Horizons tells the story of the things
that will be remembered by our present generation of young
girls most as they travel the journey of their days at school.
The activities that develop the character and give shape to the
soul are the substance of this edition.
Inside of the classroom is still full of expectation and standards
to be met. Extra to the classroom are adventures to be found
and each girl will build her personality around her choices. We
nurture this diversity. It is the fun of running a great school to
constantly refresh these opportunities.
We hope you enjoy reading about the diversity of life at school
this year!
Mr Peter Crawley
Head of School
Dr Sammel is pictured with the
Smithsonian Fellowship awarded at
Parliament House and Head of School,
Mr Peter Crawley.
Dr Sammel’s project will focus on the development of strategies
to engage students from marginalised communities, particularly
indigenous communities, in science education.
“The lack of engagement of students from minority groups in
science subjects at school and university limits their ability to
participate in the knowledge economy,” said Dr Sammel.
“This situation will have significant consequences for the
economic and social futures of their communities and
Queensland as a whole.”
Dr Sammel will collaborate with staff at the Smithsonian’s
National Science Resources Center which is recognised as a world
leader in developing strategies for the teaching of science at the
primary, middle and senior secondary school levels.
Front Cover: Karragaroo House, a winning performance.
More pictures and story pages 4 and 5.

Seniors united and strong
St Hilda’s School Captain Olivia Piat presented her
policy speech entitled ‘Together we are strong’ to
Seniors, students, faculty and special guests at the
Leadership Induction Service on 3 February.
The service also saw the awarding of badges to 2009
Seniors, Senior Prefects, Prefects, House Captains,
House Sports Captains and Co-curricular Leaders.
Every member of the Seniors cohort is charged with the
responsibility of setting a good example for other girls.
Awards recognising the achievement of OP1 scores
by 2008 graduates Tahae Song, Stella Son, Isobel
Farquharson and Stella Lee were presented by Head
of School, Mr Peter Crawley.
STUDENT LEADERS 2009
SCHOOL CAPTAIN
Olivia Piat
HEAD DAYGIRL
Michelle Dicks
HEAD BOARDER
Briana Rainnie
SPORTS CAPTAIN
Clair King
PREFECTS
PORTFOLIO OF BOARDING
Lucinda Cush, Sharon Pook
PORTFOLIO OF CHAPEL
Elizabeth Arthur, Tasley Rautenbach,
Odine Retief
PORTFOLIO OF CREATIVE ARTS
Brooke Bilborough, Rhianna
Ferguson
PORTFOLIO OF INTERNATIONAL
UNDERSTANDING
Rachael Close, Anna Goto
PORTFOLIO OF NON NOBIS SOLUM
Faye Charalambous, Lillian Fox,
Shurae Goh
PORTFOLIO OF VALUES AND
COMMUNITY
Nancy Gray, Katie Goldman, Ashley
McGuire, Maddison Taylor
BANKSIA HOUSE CAPTAIN
Tyla Cleator
BANKSIA HOUSE SPORTS CAPTAIN
Sze Sze Rowlinson
KARRAGAROO HOUSE CAPTAIN
Helen Douglas
KARRAGAROO HOUSE SPORTS CAPTAIN
Remi Francis
MELALEUCA HOUSE CAPTAIN
Taela Bayley
MELALEUCA HOUSE SPORTS CAPTAIN
Zainab Khan
Student Leaders left to right, Briana Rainnie (Head Boarder), Olivia Piat (School Captain),
Michelle Dicks (Head Daygirl) and Clair King (School Sports Captain).
CO-CURRICULAR LEADERS
ATHLETICS CO-CAPTAINS
Zainab Khan and Emily Thallon
BADMINTON CAPTAIN
Christina Theravanish
BASKETBALL CO-CAPTAINS
Nancy Gray, Natasha McMillan
CROSS COUNTRY CO-CAPTAINS
Rachael Close, Briana Rainnie
DEBATING CAPTAIN
Elizabeth Arthur
DRAMA CO-CAPTAINS
Brooke Bilborough, Helen Douglas
HOCKEY CO-CAPTAINS
Vannessa Ho, Kate Worland
MUSIC CO-CAPTAINS
Rhianna Ferguson, Jee Young Choi
NETBALL CO-CAPTAINS
Lucinda Cush, Savannah Mackenzie
ROWING CAPTAIN
Elizabeth Arthur
SOCCER CO-CAPTAINS
Kellie Errington, Orana Sonsuphap
SOFTBALL CO-CAPTAINS
Lucinda Cush, Maddison Taylor
SWIMMING CO-CAPTAINS
Michelle Dicks, Maxine Ortega
TENNIS CO-CAPTAINS
Natasha de Zilva, Alana Ranchhod
TOUCH CO-CAPTAINS
Clair King, Sze Sze Rowlinson
VOLLEYBALL CO-CAPTAINS
Sharon Pook, Jessica Walsh
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
Bianca Ruyssenaers (Year 11)
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Olivia Bamonte (Year 11)
Building and reflection
The Labyrinth is a sacred space, suspended time to wonder
and wander in community, without speech but with real
communication. Use this time as an opportunity to ask the
really big questions at the centre of your life and make big plans
for your future that go beyond what job you will have, what
car you will drive, because if you know who you are, all else
will follow as it should. What do you want to do with the next
precious two years of your life? This is a time for soul building
– what will you build?
This is the brief that was given to 29 Year 11 Visual Art students
before they began their day at Fingal Head one beautiful Saturday
morning at the start of the term; before they entered the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth Day is a tradition and a ritual of awareness for the
students who enjoyed the event as part of an immersion weekend
that began with a three-hour life drawing class on Friday.
“The Labyrinth, held at the launch of senior studies, provides an
opportunity for conceptual exploration and bonding,” said Head
of Visual Arts, Ms Alana Hampton.
The mammoth task involved the construction of the 20m
diameter sand labyrinth and the digging of ‘thrones’ prior to
‘walking’ the Labyrinth under the full moon.
“What a day! And what a fantastic group of enthusiastic and
engaged girls!” exclaimed Ms Hampton.
3

House Musicals
under the
spotlight
The Mad Scientists and their skeletons.
The Head Fox (Andrea Crothers) and cronies (Nancy Gray and Elizabeth Burrell).
A Place to Belong was selected as the theme for this year’s Inter-
House Musicals in response to the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane’s
150th Anniversary and to raise awareness of Spiritus. The funds
raised by the Inter-House Musicals, staged at the Gold Coast Arts
Centre on 2 March, will be donated to the Spiritus agency, A
Place to Belong, which aims to encourage the inclusion of people
experiencing mental health challenges.
All three Houses embraced the creative challenge to write,
compose, choreograph, sing, dance and act an original 20-minute
musical under the direction of the Senior students.
Banksia started the evening program with their colorful and
creative production of Designing Ava where Ava, played by
Brooke Bilborough, was on a quest to find where she belonged
after graduating from school. This story, not too unfamiliar to many
school leavers, resonated with the audience. The celebratory
mood of the finale was infectious leaving the audience dancing
in their seats, believing that they too can achieve their dreams.
Melaleuca’s Rabbit Habits took a different tack with an allegorical
tale of the black fox (played by Taela Bayley) who is raised by
a family of rabbits. Narrated by the wise owl (Oliva Piat) of the
forest, the menagerie of animals taught us that it is not what we
look like that determines belonging but where we find our family
and the qualities of our character.
Karragaroo’s Under the Spotlight, directed by Helen Douglas,
used the metaphors of street lamps and spotlights with
their Broadway-inspired production. Featuring the talented
Victoria Bailey in the lead role of Penny and supported with a
20-member band, under the musical direction of Jee Young Choi,
the story of daring to dream and embracing your fears was told
through song and dance.
Karragaroo was triumphant in winning the Vanessa Bailey Cup.
Prize Winners
Best Original Composition
Under the Spotlight
Music by Jee Young Choi
Lyrics by Vannessa Ho
House: Karragaroo
Most Outstanding Vocal
Performance
Morgan Heynes
House: Melaleuca
Most Outstanding Featured
Instrumentalist/Ensemble
Cindy Fok - “Razzle Dazzle”
House: Karragaroo
Most Outstanding Band
Karragaroo
Musical Director – Jee Young Choi
House: Karragaroo
Highly Commended
Chanae McKinnon Musical Direction
House: Melaleuca
Lilia Hanovich Singer “One”
House: Karragaroo
Caitlin Lee Singer “One”
House: Karragaroo
Taela Bayley
House: Melaleuca
Excellence in Dance
Karragaroo Choreographers
Rachel Close, Star Gold,
Phoebe Settree
House: Karragaroo
Most Outstanding Individual/
Ensemble Performance Dance
Cast of Under the Spotlight
House: Karragaroo
Most Outstanding Individual/
Ensemble Performance Drama
The Fox Ensemble
Andrea Crothers, Elizabeth Burrell,
Nancy Gray
House: Melaleuca
Circle of Life Singers
Kirstie Schofield, Bianca Cabildo-
Jackes, Elle Svensson, Zoe Efron
House: Melaleuca
Costume Design
Alana Ranchhod, Alana Tetley
House: Melaleuca
Rasha Jones, Acting “John”
House: Banksia
Most Promising Performer in a
lead role
Victoria Bailey as Penny McGreggor
House: Karragaroo
Most Promising Performer in a
supporting role
Olivia Piat as the owl of the forest
House: Melaleuca
Most Outstanding Chorus/Group
Activity
Streetrat Ensemble
“Broadway Baby”
House: Karragaroo
Most Outstanding Costumes/Set
Anna Winter, Anna Goto, Amelia Bell
House: Karragaroo
Helen Douglas, Direction
House: Karragaroo
Scriptwriters Rabbit Habits
Olivia Piat, Emma Mc Ateer,
Andrea Crothers, Ashley Mc Guire
Zoe Efron,
House: Melaleuca
Melaleuca Band
House: Melaleuca
Lilly Fox, Design
House: Banksia
The Judith Hill Shield
Encouragement Award
Banksia choreographers
Lucy Bartlett, Adrianna Steer,
Rebecca Shillingford, Rasha Jones,
Jamie-Lee Bradford, Olivia Bamonte
House: Banksia
The Vanessa Bailey Cup
presented to the winning House
Under the Spotlight
House: Karragaroo
Kirstie Schofield
Acting “Head Crow”
House: Melaleuca
Zsa Zsa Stevenson
Acting “Bobby McGreggor”
House: Karragaroo
Phoebee Setree
Choreography
House: Karragaroo
4

Penny McGregor (Victoria Bailey) shines on Broadway.
Busy at the Office Ms Tina Presley (Tyla Cleator) and Suzanne
Cleary (Anneleise Woodman).
The Fox (Taela Bayley) realises he is different.
Dancers (Allison Paxton-Hall and Victoria Bailey)
strut their stuff on Broadway.
The Grand Finale – Happy Endings “I have found my place”.
The foxes show their solidarity.
Harry White (Isabel Manfield) inspects the talent show entrants.
5

Year 8 explores beyond the classroom
The Middle School places an emphasis on providing
opportunities for learning within and beyond the classroom.
Far from the classrooms of the Gold Coast campus, the Year 8
Outdoor Education program is set in the beautiful surrounds of
Lake Moogerah.
“This experience encourages the girls to achieve their
potential, to believe in themselves, by making the most of
opportunities on offer,” said Head of Middle School,
Mrs Susan Sanburg.
“It is an integral part of their holistic education in preparing
the girls for their role in a global community.”
The camp offered students different perspectives through
learning experiences that presented them with unique
challenges, while promoting problem solving, resilience and
leadership.
The girls spent time doing team building activities that
challenged and extended each girl in the areas of self-esteem,
decision-making, responsibility, teamwork, cooperation and
communication.
The highlight of the program was the overnight expedition
to the gorge campsite at Yarramalong, with its focus on
challenge and teamwork.
These activities give the girls the opportunity to acquire new
skills and to demonstrate teamwork and initiative, as well
as developing self-confidence and equipping them with an
awareness and respect for the environment.
The following comments demonstrate some of their learning
experiences:
The hiking and canoeing camp-out adventure was really
enjoyable as it forced you to challenge yourself and set small
achievable goals. - Cassie Grant
Something I learnt about myself was that if I persist through
my fears or problems then I can succeed. With encouragement
from other girls I found the courage to have a go at the high
ropes - surprisingly I made it through feeling accomplished
and proud. - Hannah Brealey
Working with new people and spending time in an unfamiliar
environment helped me learn about what I was capable of.
- Mia Sandgren
“The Year 8 program enables the girls to build upon the positive
experiences of Year 7 camp,” said Mrs Sanburg.
“The addition of an overnight expedition aims to prepare
them for the Year 9 Outdoor Education experience at Cooloola
National Park which is expedition-based.”
Year 9 Pancake Races.
Stacks of fun for
pancake day
St Hilda’s Middle School celebrated Shrove Tuesday by cooking
pancakes and serving them to the school community.
Based on an old English tradition, the Year 9 House Leaders
organised ‘pancake races’ which saw the girls balancing pancakes
on spatulas and jumping through hoops!
“The girls enjoyed the opportunity to compete in relay teams
for the golden spatula trophy,” said Head of Middle School,
Mrs Susan Sanburg.
“It was fun to watch as the girls balanced pancakes on spatulas
while negotiating an obstacle course, cheered on by the support
of their peers.”
Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration and repentance when
historically, Christians cleared their cupboards of all treats such as
fats, eggs and cream, to begin 40 days of fasting before Easter.
6

Author makes his
craft look easy
Maddison Branch Visiting Author: Gerard Michael Bauer, Meghna Sharma.
Left to right: Madeline Zantiotis, Phoebee Gahan, Talula Teixeira.
Visiting author Michael Gerard Bauer makes story-telling look easy.
He tells his enthralled audiences of Years 8 and 9 LEAP English
classes how he came to write the award-winning novel, Don’t call
me Ishmael!, and you can read the nods around the room, “Yes, I
could do that!”
As well as a presentation to all Year 8 students, Michael Bauer
was invited to conduct a number of workshops for Middle
School LEAP (Learning Enhancement for Academic Progress)
students who relished the opportunity to meet the talented, selfdeprecating
author. They found him entertaining and happy to
share the secrets of his success.
Michael Bauer attended the University of Queensland where he
studied Commercial/Law and Social Work before settling on an
Arts degree. With a triple major in English Literature, he enrolled
in a Diploma of Education and became a teacher.
Michael Bauer has taught English and Economics at a number of
secondary schools in the Brisbane-Ipswich area. Recently, he has
balanced part-time teaching with his love of writing.
OzCLO offers new challenge
Seven Middle School girls participated in the Australian
Computational and Linguistic Olympiad (OzCLO) in Term 1.
They were Gabriela Lee, Hanna Kang, Cara-Lee Wiese, Emma
Cooper, Isabelle Chorley, Jade Sprecak and Laura Noon.
The competition, held at Southbank campus of Griffith
University, is designed for students who have a special interest
in language, maths, computers and natural sciences. The girls
took part in a training session on 6 March with the state and
national competitions held on 1 April.
In 2003 he won the inaugural Writesmall short story competition
at the Brisbane Writers Festival. In 2004 his first novel for young
adults, The Running Man, was published.
His second novel, Don’t Call Me Ishmael!, published in 2006, is a
comedy set in an all boys’ school. The sequel, Ishmael and the
Return of the Dugongs was published in 2007.
Mr Bauer gave us some important tips which were, “You don’t
always have to put big words in a story, choose the word that
is the clearest;” and another, “Some of the most powerful
things can be said in the simplest forms.” These tips we will
remember and take with us for future story-writing.
- Aakanksha Bose and Cassie Grant
“He taught us things about writing in an entertaining way.
Stories about his childhood held us captivated and we learnt
a few things too!” - Meghna Sharma
Jade Sprecak and Laura Noon report:
We travelled to Brisbane's Griffith Graduate Centre to participate in
the OzCLO competition which involved a series of difficult linguistic
questions that are answered within your team. There are two Year
9 teams of three girls representing the School in this competition.
If successful, the teams will compete in the national competition
and if again successful, the winning team travels to Poland to
participate in the international competition.
The experience was fun and rewarding and gave the girls the
opportunity to test themselves as individuals and as a team. All six
girls are looking forward to competing against other Queensland
schools and, if they succeed, against the rest of the country.
Digging deep for fire
and flood victims
Community service plays an integral role in leadership
development in the Junior and Middle Schools. By engaging in
community service projects, students are encouraged to see other
perspectives and are given the opportunity to express their ideas.
“The bushfire situation in Victoria produced an overwhelming
response from the girls with many of them expressing a desire
to assist the people affected by this national disaster,” said
Head of Middle School, Mrs Susan Sanburg.
“The girls have banded together to raise money for the
St Hilda’s School Bushfire Appeal with the belief that they can
make a difference.”
She said a free dress day in the Middle School raised $2000
while donations totalling $2700 were received from students,
their families and staff.
In the Junior School, the generosity continued with a gold
donation and free dress day raising some $3000.
Head of Junior School Mrs Cecilia Kirby explained the
response from the Junior School staff and students saw a
sharing of funds between the bushfire appeal and the North
Queensland floods appeal.
“The appeals have had fantastic support from all sectors of
the community,” said Mrs Kirby. “In addition to the gold coins,
we received a pearl necklace, earrings and bracelet set, a
matching silver bracelet and necklace from another jeweller
plus stationery and sweets baskets which were donated for
fundraising raffles.”
7

Girls relish new
adventures
Canoeing, snorkeling, archery and orienteering are just some
of the activities that were enjoyed by Year 4 students as part
of their Outdoor Education experience in Term 1.
The girls and staff travelled to the Lake Ainsworth campsite
near Lennox Head in Northern New South Wales for their
three-day adventure.
“The beach and lake setting was wonderful and offered
a lot of new challenges for the girls,” said teacher
Mrs Kym Wiebusch.
“In archery, a few girls hit bulls-eyes while many were
thrilled to try snorkeling.
“There were other new experiences and many feelings of
personal achievement at camp. Friendships were formed
and team work skills developed.”
She said the girls thoroughly enjoyed night time activities
too, participating in bush dancing for the first time. They
learned the Heel and Toe Polka, the Macarena, the Chicken
Dance and the Yip Yip dance!
Games night in the stadium on the final evening was a
huge success.
Having a full day of activities meant a peaceful sleep for the
two nights away.
“Reflecting on their participation at camp, the Year 4 students
believe they have many fond memories to last a lifetime,”
said Mrs Wiebusch.
Harold and healthy
tips a hit
Harold and his tips for a healthy lifestyle were a hit with the
Junior School students in Term 1.
Using their specially equipped van for a classroom, Harold and
staff from the Life Education Centre at Broadbeach were invited to
conduct classes for the students from Preparatory to Year 6.
“Life Education motivates and empowers young people to make
smart choices for a healthy future,” said Head of Junior School
Mrs Cecilia Kirby. “The classes are conducted annually and the
girls really enjoy the presenters and subject matter.”
The topics discussed by the girls were varied, with Harold taking
the lead role:
Prep - Harold’s Surprise
Year
l
Healthy food and exercise
l
Safe/unsafe living
l
How people grow and change
Year 1 - Clued Up
l Friendship
l
Healthy food choices
l
Safe and unsafe living
l Co-operation
Year 2 - Harold’s Mystery Tour
l
Body parts and healthy food
l
Safety in public places
l Feelings
Year 3 - Harold’s Heroes
l
Environnemental Issues -
pollution
l
Medicines – safe storage and
usage
l
Emergency procedures
4 - Harold’s Diary
l
Bullying and coping strategies
and support networks
l
Expressing emotions
l
Safety with medicines
l
Healthy food choices
Year 5 - Medicine Matters
l
Safe Use of Medicines
l
Making Wise Choices
l
Personal Safety
Year 6 - The Burning Issue
l
Peer Pressure
l Advertising
Sing Out success
The Music Department encouraged girls to start 2009 in fine voice
with the annual Sing Out event.
Sing Out attracted 110 girls from Years 5 to 12 who lined up to
sing their hearts out over two days.
A warm-up session including vocal exercises and games enabled
everyone to get involved and feel relaxed, before launching into
some singing.
The girls rehearsed in two choir groups and combined for some
sessions to form a large choir.
“The music they started to learn is repertoire that is planned
for the choirs to sing at various school events this year, so this
intensive rehearsal opportunity is greatly valued,” said Director
of Music, Miss Janette Kelly.
As well as singing their way through the weekend, the girls also
enjoyed a pizza dinner, ten-pin bowling and a visit to the cinema.
8

Year 6 girls step up to new roles
Year 6 students were welcomed as the senior members of the
Junior School at a special Leadership Service in Term 1.
Those gathered also witnessed the induction of the Form
Captains, Student Council Representatives, House Leaders and
Junior Captains.
“On behalf of the staff I would like to congratulate all girls on
their contribution to the service and wish the Year 6 students
well for a successful final year,” said Head of Junior School,
Mrs Cecilia Kirby.
Persephone Mead-Small
(Junior School Vice Captain),
Mrs Cecilia Kirby and Nina Eid
(Junior School Captain).
Left to right: Deputy Principal Mrs Maria
McIvor pins the Tristania House Captain
badge on Sarah Jones.
Left to right: Acacia House Captains Georgia Jack, Zeldene Peat, Sophie Kuhnemann
pictured with House Coordinator Mrs Beth Claydon.
Congratulations to the following students who have been
elected to fill the following leadership positions in 2009:
Junior School Captain
Nina Eid
Junior School Vice Captain
Persephone Mead-Small
Acacia House Captain
Zeldene Peat
Acacia Service Vice Captain
Georgia Jack
Acacia Sports Vice Captain
Sophie Kuhnemann
Grevillea House Captain
Annaliese Edwards
Grevillea Service Vice Captain
Emily-Jane Sarroff
Grevillea Sports Vice Captain
Bridget Burton
Tristania House Captain
Sarah Jones
Tristania Service Vice Captain
Christie Perrin
Tristania Sports Vice Captain
Sage Cullen
Student Council Leaders
President: Kate Christopher
Vice President: Ally Donald
Secretary: Laura Hunt
Treasurer: Amber Dwinell
Student Council
Representatives
3F: Ava Alderson
3P: Chrystal Lui
3R: Charlotte Coman
4E: Marika Wark
4H: Eva Devantier
4K: Catherine Sutherland
4W: Jade Panayis
5C: Jasmine Lykissas
5L: Frances van der Hoven
5N: Serena Vanstone
6G: Isabella Whittingham
6H: Simona Kaddatz
6R: Montana Leskiw
6Y: Peta Morton
Readers are leaders
A special Chapel service was held in Term 1 to celebrate the
appointment of the new Year 5 leaders for Chapel and Library.
Twelve students proved their worth in the Junior School Library as
assistants to staff and submitted the most creative applications to
earn the privilege of being Library Monitors for 2009.
These girls will follow the tradition of previous Year 5 students in
showing leadership, responsibility and service to their School.
They will set a fine example in library behaviour, help with the
maintenance and care of the resources, be creative in computer
activities and supportive of the younger students.
This year they have a busy schedule in being involved in the
annual Book Fair and Readathon in Term 2 .
Their creativity in decorating the Library will be challenged with
the theme of Jurassic Books.
“This year computer skills are most in demand for there is a need
to help younger students with activities on the computers and the
smart board as well as creating Powerpoint stories for enjoyment
and as an extension to our photography,” said Librarian and
teacher Mrs Elinor Cox.
“The year shows much promise of being one of our most exciting
in recent times with two wonderful visiting storytellers; a mime
artist and a performance poet.”
A Roll Call of Readers
Victoria Baring
Tess Field
Holly Gibson
Stephanie Grant
Left to right: Holly Gibson, Victoria Baring, Tess Field, Lucia McIvor.
Asiah Hatcher
Marina Hou
Ella McKenzie
Lucia McIvor
Summer Meredith
Audrey Songvilay
Emma Taylor
Courtney Withers
9

Sushi rolling antics popular
Boarding Angels
Boarding Angels are awarded to girls who have shown
their acceptance of the school motto, Non Nobis Solum -
Not for Ourselves Alone, in their actions and words.
These significant awards are presented to boarders at their
Chapel service each Thursday evening.
Carrington Miller (Year 7, McCulloch House), Tiffany
Roberts (Year 10, Whitby House) and Courtney Miller
(Year 12, Darragh House) have been awarded a boarding
angel for their care and consideration of other people in
our boarding community.
Gabi Burey, Brittanee Ivers, Mekayla Cochrane, Georgia
Kiepe and Alex Copeland from McCulloch House spent a
happy time together one Saturday morning, painting the
boarding angels in St Hilda’s colours of red, gold and blue.
Back row, left to right: Ruby Mason, Tiffany Roberts and Mekayla Cochrane
Front, left to right: Tia Laurie, Angela Ip, Zara Blades, Paris Wilson, Sophie Donaldson, Bronte Marshall
and Raier Blakeney.
Left to right: Bronte Marshall and Mekayla Cochrane.
10
Debbie Donovan enjoys sharing her love of cooking and food
preparation and there is no shortage of boarders lining up to join
in the fun.
As a boarding staff member working in McCulloch House,
Mrs Donovan offers cooking lessons and demonstrations for the
girls on an occasional basis during weekends.
The focus on cuisines is a spontaneous one as Mrs Donovan
hears what foods are of interest to the boarders and the
availability of fresh produce.
At the start of Term 1, sushi was on the menu and boarders
are pictured learning the art of this ancient Japanese style of
presenting rice, fish and vegetable delicacies.
The sushi making was very interesting. I have never made sushi
before and after we had made a sushi roll, it was very tasty. The
seaweed had an interesting dry texture and the rice was very
sticky and the result in the end was delicious!
Bronte Marshall Year 8 boarder from Moree
I was involved in the sushi making and I really enjoyed making
it. We had a choice of what we wanted to put on the rice. A big
thanks to Mrs Donovan for helping us out.
Zara Blades Year 7 boarder from Robina
The sushi rolling antics proved so popular that Head of Darragh 11,
Mrs Gayle Churchill, decided to purchase sushi-making implements
and ingredients for the Year 11 boarders.
Gabi Burey, Brittanee Ivers and Mekayla Cochrane are pictured at work
putting the finishing touches to the Boarding Angels.

St Hilda’s hosts leaders conference
Parents rally to
support in 2009
Women’s Auxiliary, left to right: Mrs Janelle Manders, Mrs Zoe Miller,
Mrs Simone Crowther, Mrs Sophie Pearson, Mrs Stacey McIvor.
St Hilda’s School is supported in its co-curricular, fundraising
and networking endeavours by many wonderful parents who
give of their time and talents to a wide range of activities.
The following list provides details of office bearers for 2009.
St Hilda’s School hosted 124 student leaders who converged
on the Gold Coast in January for the 10th annual Student
Leadership Conference, organised by the Alliance of Girls’
Schools Australasia (AGSA).
Outward Bound partnered with AGSA to make the five-day
event possible. The leadership forum was designed to provide
high-potential student leaders with an inspiring leadership
development experience.
The delegates, travelling from all Australian states as well as New
Zealand, Singapore and the United States, were hand-selected by
the principals and teachers of their schools.
Each girl had been recognised as having leadership potential and
in most cases, will be taking on senior leadership roles such as
School Captain or Vice Captain.
Representing St Hilda’s School were 2009 Head Daygirl Michelle
Dicks and Sports Captain Clair King.
A highlight of the conference program was the Inspiring Leaders
Event, which facilitated discussion with a panel of ‘inspiring
leaders’ at a dinner sponsored by Bond University.
The panel comprised Professor Elizabeth Roberts of Bond
University, Karen Nilsen of Animals Australia, Aliesha Ragen of the
Queensland Fire Service and Dr Daniele Viliunas of International
Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
AGSA Executive Officer Ms Jan Butler said the conference was a
huge success.
“The conference proved a life-changing experience for many of
the girls who commented positively on the challenges undertaken
and the skills that they developed.
“Both the new skills and the friendships gained over the five-day
event will benefit the girls enormously in the future,” said Ms Butler.
Parents and Friends
Association (P&F)
President: Mrs Narelle Morrison
Vice Presidents: Mrs Portia Maier
and Mr Matthew Schofield
Secretary: Mrs Judy Spain
Treasurer: Mr Ross Wolbers
Women’s Auxiliary (WA)
President: Mrs Sophie Pearson
Vice Presidents:
Mrs Simone Crowther and
Mrs Zoe Miller
Secretary: Mrs Stacey McIvor
Treasurer: Ms Janelle Manders
Fathers’ Project Club (FPC)
President: Mr Mike Maurer
Secretary: Mr Ian Brosnan
Treasurer: Mr Ian Sandeman
Supporters of Creative Arts (SOCA)
President: Mrs Trish Hogan
Vice President:
Mrs Anne Sandeman
Secretary: Mrs Claire Holmes
Treasurer: Mrs Dinah Scarlett
Rowing Supporters
President: Mr Gerard Cooper
Secretary: Mrs Kylie Nash
Boarder Parents’ Support Group
President: Mrs Sally Burey
Secretary: Mrs Kim Northcott
Fete Committee
Convener: Mrs Louise Wolbers
St Hilda’s Aquatics
President: Mr Craig Davidson
Vice President: Mr Bill Tomlinson
Secretary: Mrs Gayle Koussis
Treasurer: Mr Ross Wolbers
If you are interested in joining any of the support groups
or would like to know more about their activities, please
contact Head of Community Relations:
Mrs Cecilia Kirby ckirby@sthildas.qld.edu.au
11

Trophy winners
Banksia wins first Inter-House
competition
Watson Brown Cup – 12years/under B Division
Best Swimmer
Molly Flynn
12 Years/under Age Champion and Runner-up
Celine Walden and Kimberley Tulisi
Frail Cup for Open 100m Breaststroke
Katie Goldman
13 Years Age Champion/Runner-up
Lauren Rettie and Brittani Pickering
Hamilton Cup Open 100m Backstroke
Georgia Bruce
14 Years Age Champion/Runner-up
Emily Horton and Kate Tobiano
Booth Clarkson Cup for Open 100m Freestyle
Katie Goldman (record 59.68)
15 Years Age Champion/Runner up
Georgia Bruce and Emily Metcalfe
Monteath Trophy for the Open 100m Butterfly
Georgia Bruce
16 Years Age Champion/Runner up
Anneliese Woodman and Rachel Hoban
Bernays Family Trophy for the Open 50m Freestyle
Briana Rainnie
17 Years/over Age Champion/Runner up
Katie Goldman and Briana Rainnie
12
More than 30 new records were set at the Middle and Senior
School Inter-House Swimming Carnival in Term 1.
The first inter-House competition for the year, the event saw
Banksia romping to victory with 1899 points followed by
Melaleuca on 1694 and Karragaroo on 1332.
There were many closely contested races with some great
times achieved.
“House spirit was high with colours and voices in an abundance
which elevated the atmosphere to an even greater level,” said
Head of Sport, Mrs Stephanie Kaleta.
The new Fathers vs Daughters Relay was well received with 12
fathers wanting to race against their daughters and the girls won
with youth, speed and fitness on their side.
The parent supporters drummed up a lot of trade at the sausage
sizzle and cup cake stall with proceeds going to the Bushfire
Appeal and the swimming timing system fund. The bread was
kindly donated by Brumby’s Bakery, Pacific Pines.
Special guests were invited to present the trophies to individual
and team winners at the Middle and Senior School Assembly on
17 February.
National challenge
St Hilda’s School will send eight girls to the Age National
Championships, the largest contingent from the School to
compete in the titles to be held from 13 to 18 April in Sydney.
They are Katie Goldman Year 12, Emily Horton and Emily
Metcalfe Year 9, Kate Tobiano, Georgia Bruce and Amy McIntrye
Year 8 and Lauren Rettie and Brittani Pickering Year 7.
Katie Goldman began 2009 with an exceptional performance
at the recent World Championship Trials.

Grevillea triumphs in the pool
Girls excel in
State Modern
History Writing
contest
2008 graduate Cheralyn Lim.
It was a tight competition but Grevillea House, with purple
colours flying, raced home in the Junior School Inter-House
Swimming carnival.
Grevillea triumphed with 362 points, followed by Acacia on 322
and Tristania on 234.
Results
8 Years Age Champion/Runner-up
Darcie Weaver (Grevillea) and Zara Harmer (Tristania)
9 Years Age Champion/Runner-up
Katherine Matteson (Acacia) and Nicole Conyngham (Tristania)
10 Years Age Champion/Runner-up
Isabel Brealey (Tristania) and Maddison Watson (Grevillea)
11 Years Age Champion/Runner-up
Bridget Burton (Grevillea) and Annaliese Edwards (Grevillea)
12 Years Age Champion/Runner-up
Allabama Wyke (Grevillea) and Nina Eid (Grevillea)
Champion of the Carnival/Runner-up
Allabama Wyke (Grevillea) and Darcie Weaver (Grevillea)
St Hilda's School 2008 graduate, Cheralyn Lim, has won
a prestigious Queensland History Teachers’ Association
Writing Competition.
Cheralyn, who was awarded an Academic Honour in the
School’s graduation prize list in 2008, topped the state with
her insightful essay in the Year 12 Modern History section.
Her entry was entitled, To what extent did Simone de
Beauvoir’s achievements/activities as a feminist philosopher
and activist contribute to second wave feminism?
“This competition is challenging and Cheralyn as well as
other entrants are to be commended for their dedication
in producing original academic commentaries,” said
St Hilda’s Head of Humanities, Mrs Katrina Wain.
Fellow students recognised in the 2008 annual competition
for their outstanding work included:
Year 12 graduate Isobel Farquharson
(2008 Dux Proxime Accessit) – Highly Commended
Year 10 student Natalie Muldoon – Highly Commended
Year 9 student Bonnie Lin – Second Place
Year 9 student Caitlyn Withers – Third Place
Year 9 student Georgina Perkins – High Commended
Students in Years 8 to 12 across Queensland were invited to
submit an original essay or written response (a report, diary
entries, newspaper article, play, script) in Term 4 last year.
Topics needed to be historical in the sense that they addressed
an issue concerned with causes or consequences or change of
continuity in human affairs in an identified time period.
For more details, visit the QHTA website www.qhta.com.au
13

FROM THE ARCHIVES
Events boost funds for
Assembly Hall project
Assembly Hall
Built at a cost of £6000, the new Assembly Hall at St Hilda’s
School was opened by Archbishop Wand on 26 February 1938, in
the presence of parents and friends of the School.
The brick building situated at the north-west corner of the main
wing of the School measured 70ft by 30ft and was designed to
accommodate 400 persons.
The original plan included a domestic science room at the rear of
the stage which was laid out as a model kitchen with fuel stoves.
The hall’s flat roof was built to permit the addition of a future
first floor and until such date, it served alternatively as a sun roof
or a cool night time study area.
In declaring the building open, Archbishop Wand remarked that
“the hall was a great architectural addition to the School and
completed the quadrangle which formed the bulk of the school
buildings. The fact that the hall would be used for the school
services until the building of the chapel was built imprinted a
special character upon it.”
Hundreds of parents and friends of the St Hilda’s community
gathered for the official launch of the Assembly Hall fundraising
project in the Library Courtyard.
Families dug deep and donated generously to this significant
refurbishment project that is set to start during the end of the
Term 1 holiday break.
The School aims to raise $350,000 to provide for a small, modern
theatre that forms the heart of the Performing Arts precinct.
Works will enable the following inclusions:
l
Extension to existing stage
l
New stage curtaining including a new front-of-house curtain
l
New Bio box, built on a mezzanine level to house the operation
of lighting, sound and AV equipment
l
Installation of retractable seating for approximately 54 people
l
New lighting equipment
l
New sound equipment including speakers and mixers
l
Acoustic treatment for the ceiling and walls
l
Air conditioning
l
Refurbishment of back stage area with change/storage rooms
l
Wheeled storage boxes under stage
A second successful fundraising event was held at Palazzo Versace
where 140 people gathered for a night of live and silent auctions,
raffles, dinner and dancing.
“These events have boosted the amount of funds available for the
Assembly Hall and we are grateful for the generosity shown by
sponsors and the community,” said Head of School, Mr Peter Crawley.
14

Clockwise from top: Fiely,
Stevie, Lauren, Tim and
Casey are excited to be
part of the Hi-5’s fresh
line-up.
Sally: diver, counsellor, hero
Meet Old Girl and
Hi-5 member
Joining one of Australia’s most popular kids’ groups is a
dream come true for St Hilda’s Old Girl Lauren Brant.
Lauren graduated in 2006 from St Hilda’s School where she
was a talented Drama student and performed the role of
Scarecrow in the musical, The Wizard of Oz.
After weeks of auditions, the 20-year-old singer and
dancer was named as a new member of the Hi-5 gang
this year and Lauren is revelling in her new role.
OGA DIARY DATES
OGA Away Weekend
Saturday 2 May to Monday 4 May
(May long weekend)
Venue: Brisbane
St Hilda’s School Fete
Saturday 5 September
OGA Weekend
Friday 30 October
OGA Cocktail Party
Spouses and Old Southportonians
welcome
Saturday 31 October
Tour of the School and new
Science building
Sunday 1 November
The Eucharist
Annual General Meeting
OGA Lunch
Reunion Weekend
30 October to 1 November
Reunion coordinators are sought
for the following Seniors groups:
2004, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979,
1974, 1969, 1964, 1959 and any
previous years.
Carly Snodgrass has volunteered
as 1999 reunion coordinator
Meet St Hilda’s Old Girl, Sally Gregory, who has overcome
personal struggles, a debilitating disease, faced a great white
shark and now fronts a unique charity organisation.
Sally talks of two incidents that changed her life - a childhood
illness which threatened her ability to walk, and the horror of
facing a menacing great white shark, the size of a Kombi van.
The first ordeal caused her to spend months in hospital as a
teenager, watching her friends enjoy their adolescence and
the second left her with post-traumatic stress disorder. Neither
destroyed her innate optimism; in fact, she credits both trials
with giving her the bubbly, positive nature for which she is
best known.
Born in 1958 in Frankston, Melbourne, Sally moved to the Gold
Coast with her parents Alison and Bill and two older sisters and
brother when she was nine. She attended Broadbeach State
School before enrolling at St Hilda’s for high school.
From an early age she suffered from severe asthma and at 13
years she was diagnosed with a rare spinal disorder known as
spondilolithesis, a malady which could have meant losing the
ability to walk. At 16, her spinal condition became so severe
she was hospitalised for four months while doctors performed
corrective surgery.
In hindsight, she says the months in hospital were a ‘fantastic
experience’ as she became an optimistic person with a ‘go get
‘em attitude’. It was this positive outlook that saw Sally set off
down the path to her first true love - scuba diving.
Sally failed the medical examination due to her poor health but
with her fighting spirit she became more determined to take
the examination for a second time because she knew she ‘really
wanted to do it’. By 21, she was the youngest female dive
instructor in Queensland.
It was while attending a relatively quiet diving conference in 1993
she was confronted with one of the defining moments of her life.
Cruising to a dive site off Byron Bay, Sally and close friend Jeff
rushed to the aid of a neighbouring boat after hearing reports of
a shark attack. A Sydney couple was diving around 9.30am when
a great white shark, estimated by witnesses to be about 6m long
and the diameter of a Kombi van, was seen heading straight for
the woman diver. In a tragic act of love, the man pushed his wife
out of the path of the ‘monster shark’ only to be taken instead.
When Jeff and Sally arrived at the scene the woman had returned
to the surface and the remaining divers were being hauled back
on to the boat. Sally jumped into the water where a man had just
been taken by a shark to console a woman, whom she had never
met, in the very worst of circumstances. “I just wanted to get to
her as soon as possible because that’s what we girls do. We look
after each other,” she says. In the hours following the attack
Sally comforted the griefstricken woman, taking her back to the
couple‘s honeymoon suite to collect personal items.
Despite Sally and Jeff being labelled heroes in the local and
national press, Sally says she struggled to cope with the
ordeal. “Afterwards I got post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
and I couldn’t eat. I stopped eating for 10 days,” she says. “My
friends would take me out and try to cheer me up but I just
felt so miserable.”
For her actions on that fateful day in 1993, Sally was awarded
a commendation for brave conduct medal by the Governor-
General at Government House, Canberra, in 1995. Sally went on
to become involved in the Australian Bravery Association (ABA),
a charity offering counselling, support and recognition to those
who have committed brave acts. She is one of five national vicepresidents
and is the Queensland president.
(Read full story by Maria Lewis at www.sthildsa.qld.edu.au/community/oldgirls.htm)
15

WHERE LEARNING COMES ALIVE
Japanese exchange students from Hakata Girls’ School in Fukuoka
farewell their host families with a colourful concert.
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