From the Boarding School
What a fabulous way to end the year! Speech day was a wonderful celebration of the achievements of 2023. Every one of our Boarders deserves to be congratulated on the manner in which they negotiate the challenges of living away from home. They consistently demonstrate tenacity, courage, compassion and kindness, usually with a smile on their faces!
It was delightful to see so many of our Boarders being publicly recognised for their commitment, hard work and community spirit. Given the size of our Boarding cohort, it was wonderful to see them so well represented in the pool of awards. Congratulations to the following Boarders who were awarded Speech Day and Leadership awards.
Year 7
Poppy Fox-Ashwin – Year 7 Improvement Award
Madeleine Gaden – Citizenship Award
Alice Gall – Hammond House Award
Selina Kerin – Marden House Leader
Savannah Lorimer – Endeavour Award
Eleanor Ramsey – Lang House Leader
Year 8
Evie Farr – The Vicki Waters Award
Alexandra Reardon – Religion and Ethics Award
Year 9
Livia Armstrong – Year 9 Improvement Award
Year 10
Charlotte Craig – Bronze Medallion Award
Boa Kim – Academic Distinction Award
Evie Leahy – First in Subject – Mathematics
Alethea Levy – First in Subject – PASS
Celeste McDermott Buzolic – Citizenship Award and Student Communications Leader
Dezi Magann-Jones – Subject Captain, Aboriginal Studies
Sally Payne – Subject Captain, Agriculture and First in Subject – Geography and History
Lana Pike – Bronze Medallion Award
Nandika Singh – Subject Captain, History
Lisa Sze – Subject Captain, Modern Languages
Grace Townsend – Upper School Outstanding Effort Award, Bronze Medallion Award and Year 11 House Leader, Goodlet.
Year 12 2024
Alisha Fung – Academic Distinction Award and Citizenship Award
Charlotte Leung – Academic Distinction Award
Our House Cups
I had the great pleasure of awarding the following our Boarding House Cups at Speech Day and I congratulate the winning Spirit Houses.
The Angus Cup was first introduced in 1929 with points being awarded for sport, singing, drama, debating and essay writing. We have been a little more liberal with additional points for beautiful bedrooms, lots of board game championships and even some just dance. Our winning House in 2023 is Hammond House ably lead by Spirit House Captains – Evie Leahy and Jemma Hodder.
Dating back to 1960, the Boarders’ House Cup for Excellence in Physical Education is awarded to the Spirit House who scored the highest points for representation in sporting teams. Our 2023 winner is Goodlet House lead by Spirit House Captains Celeste McDermott and Alice Beveridge.
It’s no surprise that the Boarders’ House Sports Cup is all about interhouse sporting and team events. Congratulations again to Goodlet House.
The Foundation Shield records the winners of the Day School verses Boarders competitions since 1927. This year our Day Girls have been triumphant in (just 😉) defeating the Boarders. We look forward to contesting the shield again in 2024.
Boarder Parent Group
Our Boarder Parent Group (BPG) is an essential component of our Boarding family. Under the leadership of our President, Edwina Beveridge, the group provides connection, feedback and funds to support our Boarders. They meet formally four times a year and also arrange a number of social occasions, the next of which is on Monday 29 January 2024. Please make a note of the BPG meeting commencing at 3.30pm follow by the BPG Welcome Drinks at 5.00pm.
You can read the minutes of our last BPG meeting by clicking here.
Get Ready for 2024!
Speaking of important dates, please find attached the Important Boarding Dates for 2024. Extra special dates for make a note of include:
28 January – New Boarders arrive and Year 12 return
29 January – All Boarders return from 2.00pm, BPG Meeting 3.30pm followed by BPG Welcome drinks at 5.00pm
Please add the following Community Days to your calendar. All Boarders are required to be in attendance on these days.
2-4 February – Boarders’ Community Weekend
3-5 May – Boarders’ Community Weekend
28 July – Boarders’ Community Day
4 August – Boarders’ Combined Chapel Service
26 November – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel Service and Christmas Party
A huge thank you
Lastly, and most importantly, my heartfelt thanks for sharing your beautiful girls with us. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of their lives and watch them grow and develop into the caring, giving and capable young women they are.
Every good wish for a happy, safe and family filled festive season.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding