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Exceptional schooling. Exceptional students. Exception 6 Modernians Welcomed into Hall of Fame Three Perth Modern School Alumni were recently entered into the first 100 women in the Virtual Hall of Fame, announced at this year’s International Women’s Day. Irene Greenwood (nee Driver), Janet Holmes a Court (nee Ranford) and Margaret Nadebaum were honoured. Irene Greenwood (nee Driver) was a student at the School between 1913 and 1916. Broadcaster and advocate of women’s welfare, Greenwood was an active participant in Mock Trials and Debating competitions during her time at Perth Modern School. She was a prolific writer for the School magazine and after leaving the School, remained a strong contributor to the Modernians Society. She was awarded an AM in 1975 in recognition of her contribution to the welfare of women. During her career, she was writer and editor of Dawn, the official organ of the WA Council for Equal Pay and Opportunity. As one of the first women to be employed by the WA Government in a professional position after WWI, she became a passionate supporter in the fight for women’s rights. This led to her developing a public profile as a broadcaster as well as holding official positions with the Women’s Service Guilds and the League of Women Voters. During the 1940s, Irene organised the Annual International Women’s Day Rallies. She was also a representative to Congresses of the International Women’s Suffrage Alliance and the International Alliance of Women. Janet Holmes a Court (nee Ranford) was a student at Perth Modern School between 1956 and 1960 and was a teacher in 1965 and 1966. Her well documented career includes involvement in the establishment of husband Robert’s Law Firm, Board memberships of the WA Cancer Foundation, the Australian Television Foundation, the Diabetes Research Foundation and King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women. Holmes a Court has also served as a member of the UWA Senate and the Board of Australia’s Reserve Bank. A committed contributor to the Arts in Australia, she is recognised for her philanthropic activity in this sphere. In 1995, Holmes a Court was awarded the AO for services to Business, the Arts and the Community. She was awarded a Centenary Medal for service to the Arts. She is Chair of WA Symphony Orchestra and the Black Swan Theatre Company. Margaret Nadebaum was a student at Perth Modern School between 1958 and 1959. She received a Teacher’s Bursary in 1958 and was a School Prefect in 1959. She graduated from Claremont Teachers’ College in 1962 and after teaching at several high schools, embarked on an exchange to the UK in 1971. In the following year, she became Principal Mistress and later Deputy Principal at Thornlie then Willetton High Schools. Nadebaum had a lengthy career in the State Education Department with roles including Superintendent of Education, Regional Officer, Director of Operations and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Education. In December 1992, she took up a position as Principal of Methodist Ladies’ College. Excellent Results in Tennis 10 weeks of hard training paid off when Perth Modern School Year 8 boys won the Lower School Cup in the Grand Final against CBC Fremantle on Thursday 7 April. Dylan Wood, Paul Burnett, Ben Hotchkin, Mitchell Gill and Thomas Almeida were the members of the Champion Team. Perth Modern School Upper School Boys’ team played off on Tuesday 12 April in the semi finals against Applecross to make it Perth Modern School > NEWS April 2011 Drama Students Experience Trauma It’s hard to imagine the emotional trauma and terror people experience when involved in a national or local disaster. With this in mind, the Year 11 Drama Class performed a 60 minute improvisation which looked at how a class of students would react when the School was in lockdown. The students took on stereotype roles of Cheerleader, the Geek, the Sporting Jock and alternative teens in an American High School in the 1990s. They had to dress accordingly and improvise realistic scenes in an attempt to understand how people would cope with a traumatic situation. There were outstanding performances from the Teacher, Eliska O’Connor and the Sporting Jock, Afro-American Tom Bolton. This was a unique way for the students to learn the skills of creating believable and genuine characters. A great start to the year. into the Grand Final. The team lost in overtime after a draw. In a nail biting game, they came very close to winning. This is an outstanding effort when it is considered that the boys were competing against specialist tennis schools. Students in the Upper School Boys’ team included Stefan Raovic, Jimmy Campbell, Kieren Bell, Lawson Smith, Eduardo Arteaga and Mark Teo.
al schooling. Exceptional students. A Hard Hitting Performance Visits Perth Modern School Drama and English students were given a taste of professional theatre recently thanks to a visit by Barking Gecko Theatre Company. Staging the award-winning play Hoods on March 16 in the Drama Room, Barking Gecko’s actors Sam Longley and Andrea Gibbs showed how much can be achieved with versatile acting skills and just a few tech nical effects. At times confronting, at times amusing, Hoods tells the story of three children abandoned in a car-park by their mother. Two narrators are able to jump into the characters’ lives and play their story, influencing what could be a potentially disastrous outcome. After the one hour show the audience was able to direct questions to the two talented actors, giving students a rare insight into the rehearsal process and tips on launching a career in the performing arts. Year 11 student Alex Darcy described the show as “absolutely brilliant”. Lighting and sound director Craig Williams was equally impressed with the Perth Modern School students. “You could tell by their enthusiastic questions they were engaged through the whole show, which really helped the performers,” he said. Students are now set the task of writing a review, analysing the many aspects which contribute to a successful production. Meanwhile, Year 12 Drama students are busy preparing the school production, The Laramie Project, which runs for two nights on 30 June, 1 & 2 July (only suitable for senior students and adults). Dealing with the aftermath of a young man’s murder in small town USA, The Laramie Project promises to be a powerful piece of theatre. Bookings on 9380 0572. Actors Sam Longley with Jacob Kotzee (Year 9) Madeleine Gibson (Year 10) Sam Minchin (Year 8) and Alex Darcy (Year 11) Chaplaincy at Perth Modern School It’s the end of Week 8, and I’m blown away by how fast this term has gone! Highlights so far have been welcoming our new students, attending the Year 12 Ball and running a seminar entitled ‘Looking After Yourself’ on the Year 11 Focus Day. I also attended our YouthCARE State Conference this term, and really enjoyed the workshops I participated in on emotional intelligence, art therapy and dealing with grief. It’s always great to come back to school with a few more tools in your belt! This term I have been working with about 25 of our students to run a Quiz Night, with the aim of raising money for an Oxfam project in India. The event will be held on Saturday 14 May at the Cambridge Bowling Club, and will include a yummy feast of curry, chai and Indian sweets. The major prize is amazing – return airfares plus accommodation to Broome! It will be a night not to be missed – please contact me for tickets. Hope to see you there! Janina Cousins (Chaplain) Perth Modern School > NEWS April 2011 7
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News - Perth Modern School

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