The 100 year old “Old Girls” were, in fact, the imaginative and enthusiastic Kindy girls themselves, who embraced the landmark with a usual air of energy and inquisitiveness.

“While the 100th day at school is a wonderful celebration, it is also a practical and fun way to make numeracy relevant and attractive to 5 and 6 year olds,” explains Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Jos Dudley. ‘Over the last six months, the girls have counted – gradually – to 100 days, learning the predictability and rules of numeracy along the way to establish solid foundations for future learning, such as arithmetic,” Mrs Dudley says.

Mrs Dudley believes that fun, surprise and curiosity cannot be separated from the learning experience, so she has worked diligently to incorporate and magnify these elements in the 100 Days program. For example, when students arrived for their 100th day, excited and dressed to theme, the girls discovered the 99 numbers on their 100 chart had escaped! The search for the 99 lost numbers lasted all day culminating in the discovery of the newest, 100th numeral. Meanwhile, they collaborated with peers to consider and apply basic engineering principles to construct a self-standing structure from 100 marshmallows and 100 toothpicks, before exploring foundations of trigonometry by creating triangular shapes in fairy bread covered generously with 100s and 1000s, and eating them!

“The 100th Day was definitely a milestone event for the girls; however, each day in Kindy at Roseville College is considered and well-prepared in order to provide each child with her own unique, teachable moments,” says Mrs Dudley. “As specialist educators, it’s our job to recognise and nurture learning moments for our students; such as when girls question something and resolve it on their own, or gain new revelations about ‘why’. Personally, I love their excited impatience and curiosity about ‘what’s to come’. “

Roseville College is committed to the practice of innovative, inspirational teaching and learning from Kindergarten to Year 12. The School delivers the world-class IB Primary Years Programme across the Junior School to enrich and embolden girls’ learning as they grow in awareness and character, and approach the Senior School transition.

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Having last weekend celebrated its 109th birthday, the College again celebrates another historical milestone: the formal commissioning of its 10th Principal, Ms Deb Magill. The service, presided by the Bishop of orth Sydney, The Right Reverend Chris Edwards, was attended by the Anglican Schools Corporation Board, the Roseville College Council and more than 1,000 members of the College community.

The memorable service commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country by Naomi Irving, College Vice-Captain 2017 and a Welcome from Mr David Minty, Chair Roseville College Council. It also featured hymns and prayers of personal meaning to the College and Ms Magill, as well as a break-taking performance of Festival Sanctus  by the College Massed Choir and a foot-tapping recessional by the College Stage Band.

Bishop Edwards used his address to encourage his listeners, particularly the more than 800 attentive students, to don a "new school uniform" of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as inspired by Colossians 3:12.

"This service is one of the many long standing traditions at Roseville College. It represents more than an appointment ceremony; it is a commissioning for my work as Principal to be under the authority and for the glory of God," explains Ms Magill, who says the Anglican school for girls is positioned strongly to meet both the current and future needs of its students.

"I am humbled and honoured to accept the responsibility and leadership at Roseville College, and to build upon its enduring and remarkable 109 year legacy," she says.

Photo: Ms Deb Magill is inducted by Bishop of North Sydney, The Right Reverend Chris Edwards, at her formal Commissioning Service, a long-standing tradition at the 109 year school.

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Inspired by her mother’s positive experiences from studying abroad, the ambitious 19 year old set her goal on securing a USA scholarship many years ago. Highly capable and boundless in her inquisitiveness, Zoe applied herself whole-heartedly to school life and excelled academically throughout her Senior School years. She pursued leadership opportunities and highly competitive academic pursuits within and beyond school; including the Oxford Summer School and the National Youth Science Forum (ANU).

Mrs Rowena Dudgeon, Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning, presents on 21st Century learning and how the new school Library will be at the heart of learning here at Roseville College. Her presentation, “ConnectEd”, truly represents what the vision of learning is in the 21st Century. 
 
Our students have never been so ConnectEd, with each other, with people from all over the world, with their communities, teachers and all ConnectEd through technology. Your children are also ConnectEd as learners and use these connections every day to learn about themselves, each other and their surroundings.
 
The new Library will enhance our students learning and be more ConnectED and engaged with the learning process. It will be at the heart of the school where we will aim to Connect information technology, learning and Academic Care in a central hub that will then radiate back best practice back to our classrooms. It will be an open and collaborative space for staff and students alike, where information, resources and ConnectED learning will take place.

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Alex remembers a turning point in Year 7, when she won her first ever writing competition. Since then, she has prioritised writing and consistently done well in school and youth writing competitions. In 2013, she won second prize in the Junior Secondary Prose section of the Mosman Youth Awards in Literature, and in 2014, her team placed third in NSW in the Write-a-Book-in-a-Day competition.

"I look forward to the moment when I can sit at my desk with a blank page in front of me", says Alex, who cannot recall a time when she didn't aspire to be an author, writing her first story when she was in Year 4.

"I enjoy historical fiction, and like studying a topic or theme before writing about it. Then, I feel immersed in the characters as I write their stories. I also add authentic life experiences to enrich the story or a character," she explains, saying that the writing process comes very naturally to her. "I love creating something from nothing, it's like creating a whole world. A writer has so much power at their fingertips,"

Alex says that writing competitions giver her focus and purpose when writing; but are also excellent opportunities to meet publishers and editors who are supportive of emerging talent and keen to give feedback. She says a draft of her first major novel, targetted at the young adult reader, has received constructive appraisals from industry experts to help her refine and polish it. She is already looking forward to the next stage of the publication process.

Approaching her HSC in 2017, will Alex put her writing on hold? "Never, she smiles. "While I need to balance writing with my school work, I love getting up really early in the morning to make time,"

The Somerset National Novella Writing Competition is open to all Australian high school students and aims to help serious student writers develop their literary skill. See 2016 winners and Alex's winning entry at http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/celebration-of-literature/competitions/novella-writing/. The Henry Lawson Festival of Arts Short Story and Verse competition is a national, annual event, visit http://www.henrylawsonfestival.com.au/events-and-entertainment/exhibitions/verse-short-story. Alex's is the third win in this category by a Roseville College student; it was also won by Sejung Park in both 2009 and 2011.

Photo: Year 11 student, Alex Turner- Cohen 

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It has been a busy season for the talented ‘fly specialist, whose recent podium finishes include 3rd in the 100m Butterfly (and 5th in 200m Butterfly) at the Australian Age National Swimming Championships; 2nd in the 50m Butterfly at the IGSSA Swimming Championships; three gold medals (1st) in 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly at the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Swimming Championships; and, alongside her gold in 50m Butterfly at All Schools, 2nd in the 100m Butterfly.

I was always in the water as a toddler. When my brothers started swimming lessons, I just tagged along. By Year 4, swimming had ‘taken over’,” says the dedicated teenager, who attended an AIS Emerging Talent Squad in September last year. “While I enjoy other sports, too, like social tennis and weekend hockey, my dream is that my commitment in the pool might lead to an opportunity like the Olympics!”

Alice says she is inspired by Olympian Jessicah Schipper, whom she has met and found to be friendly, unaffected by her achievements and gracious. To follow in Jessica’s wake, Alice trains nine times a week, including eight pool sessions and one gym workout, as part of her rigorous training program. “I know that dedication and perseverance pay off and that the sacrifice is worth it. If I manage my time well, I can balance my school work and training, with quality time with family and friends.” 

Since 2007, Alice has competed in representative swimming for Roseville College. Head of Sport, Mrs Ann Osborne, commends Alice’s diligence in the pool saying her success is very well deserved. “In person, Alice is very modest about her results. However, her goals align with both her commitment and ability. I would love to see her realise her dream to compete on the world stage.” 

Alice is also one of several Roseville College students to represent NSW or Australia in sports such as basketball, softball, rowing, tennis and athletics in recent years. In the past three years, graduates have gone on to compete in their sport at Australian and overseas universities in athletics, basketball, softball, rowing and tennis. 

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Ashley’s interest in the creative industry was fuelled while in Year 10 at Roseville College. It was inspired through subjects such as Marketing in Business Studies and by working with creative software for her Visual Arts HSC major work.

“I knew quite early that I wanted a career in this industry, and began looking into graphic design and advertising at career expos,” Ashley explains. “The specific areas I excel in are branding, art direction and design, for which I got a taste while in Senior School”.

Ashley recently featured in the University of Canberra’s newsletter, in which she said a key to her success was participating in events and working one-on-one with her lecturers and tutors.

“I wanted to experience everything the University had to offer including joining societies, and having a good balance of social and sporting activities, campus life and academic study. I also asked tutors and staff for feedback,” she is quoted in the article as saying.

While Ashley confesses that she doesn’t have a return ticket from Sweden, so she can freely allow her career to fly while abroad, she admits that her roots in Australia will eventually draw her home – hopefully to a Creative Director’s role, “but there is a long way to go before I get there,” she concludes.

Photograph: Roseville College Class of 2009 Alumni, Ashley Reeve graduates from University of Canberra before heading to Sweden this month. Photographic credit, Michelle McAulay.
Following page: Editorial from the University of Canberra’s newsletter, Monitor, as it appears online at http://www.canberra.edu.au/monitor/2013/april/5-ashley

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The theme for ISS2013 is “Nanoscience: Small Wonders, Big Future”, which aims to engage young minds at the level of atoms and molecules, where quantum effects take over, and allow them to explore an array of novel applications.

Over a two week program, students attend talks and interactive workshops hosted by leading scientists to challenge and expose them to new ideas. In doing so, they enter a world of thriving science laboratories and participate in hands-on experiments.

Angela says she is ready for the wonderful opportunity and “is seriously on ninth cloud right now” after learning about her successful application.

“Angela has an inquiring mind and will certainly gain a lot out of the experience,” says Roseville College Head of Science, Mr Paul Arena. “ISS offers students a rare and enriching opportunity to mingle with like-minded students and have a taste of university life.”

ISS2013 runs from 30 June - 13 July at the University of Sydney, bringing together top international and Australia experts in nanoscience, along with leaders from the breadth of science, including keynote speaker and Nobel prize-winning cosmologist Professor Brian Schmidt.

Photograph: Roseville College student Angela Lin is excited about attending the Professor Harry Messel International Science School in June.

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The event was part of the College’s “Building Connections in the Community” program. Highlights included a catered morning tea and lunch, and a concert in the School’s beautifully appointed Joy Yeo auditorium featuring Junior School choirs, string quartets and ensembles, Year 10 theatrical performances, and individual musical performances and poetry recitals.

“Our Year 10 girls were ‘second to none’ hosts of our visitors, many of whom relied on wheelchairs or walking frames for mobility,” says Mr Peter Mackay, coordinator of the College’s “Building Connections in our Community” program and Director of Staff Services.

“They were given the primary responsibility to care for our guests and, in a very natural way, they talked and joked with the ARV residents and made each person feel very special.” He adds that surprise guests included Roseville Old Girls and even the sister of a (late) Old Girl, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday in 2014.

“Both our girls and our guests enjoyed the day immensely, and our hope is to foster ongoing, mutual relationships with Lady Gowrie Village and St David’s Village into the future.”

The College’s “Building Connections in the Community” program raises awareness among its students about community services that help individuals and families, while simultaneously encouraging students to look to the needs of others and experience that every person has value, irrespective of age, disability or illness

Photographs: top ARV guest, Ms Margery Britt, with Year 10 student, Amelia Skinner, at Roseville College’s “Big Day Out”.

bottom ARV guest, Mr Jack Reilly, with Year 10 student

The talented 15 year old says her entry in the 2017 competition, apoem titled “Mars and Stars”, uses science and space as a metaphor for time and love. Inspired by the “star-crossed lovers”, Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliette, she explores the idea of forbidden love and how it defies society’s parameters.

Despite the characters’ many distinctive qualities, they discover a connection they feel nobody else will understand,” says Darcey.

The metaphor connects science and space, which are supported by evidence, to time and love that are vulnerable and human, and arguably cannot be measured by numbers and figures,” she explains. “I hoped to encourage the audience to question what is valid and invalid love, when we struggle to define what it is, or how to rationalise it. I hope that my poem shoes that people can form connections and love despite their many differences, and that, as a society, we should cherish this.”

The Henry Lawson Festival of Arts Short Story and Verse competition is a national, annual event; visit http://www.henrylawsonfestival.com.au

Darcey’s win is the fourth win in the famous Short Story and Verse competition by a Roseville College student in recent years; it was also won by Sejung Park in both 2009 and 2011, and by Alex Turner in 2016.

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Caption: Roseville College Year 8 poet, Darcey White, is the fourth College student to win the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts Short Story and Verse competition’s Secondary Verse category in recent years.

Contact: Kaje Pickering, Media & Public Affairs | M 0414 473 640 | kpickering@roseville.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Krimmer has been an educator for over 20 years and has extensive experience in educational leadership, pastoral care, curriculum development, co-curricular activities and service learning. She is currently the Director of Curriculum at Abbotsleigh and has an educational understanding and appreciation of girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. She has a love and passion for Roseville College, having taught at Roseville for many years, holding positions as classroom teacher, Year Adviser and Head of the History Department. Her experience at Roseville was further enriched when her daughters attended the school.

In addition to her roles in schools, and her experience as a parent at Roseville, Mrs Krimmer has broad experience in the wider educational community. She was awarded a Masters of Education through the University of Sydney for her research into pastoral care systems and curriculum in independent girls’ schools. She has been the convenor of the AIS History Committee, participated in Board of Studies advisory panels and was Deputy Chair of the Modern History Board Curriculum Committee responsible for re-writing the current Modern History syllabus.

Mrs Krimmer is a dynamic educational leader with the ability to lead, inspire and motivate both staff and students.

She brings the skills and passion to lead Roseville College in its next phase of development as a vibrant, caring and academically robust Christian learning community.

On behalf of the whole school community, we congratulate Mrs Krimmer on her appointment and look forward to welcoming her to Roseville College.

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Photograph: Mrs Megan Krimmer.

Media Informer:
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Sarah, excited about the opportunity, will compete as a member of the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) team, which will head to Tasmania after a training camp in August.

"Sarah's experience representing NSW at the Nationals Super 10's at Melbourne Park earlier this year gives her the benefit of knowing what to expect," says Roseville College Head of Sports, Mrs Ann Osborne, who adds that, in tennis, it is as important to "hold your nerve" as it is to "hold your serve".

"Already, Sarah has the ability to balance good sportsmanship with the drive required to outplay the competition on the court. A key to her success will be disciplining her inner-self to focus on each game at hand," adds Mrs Osborne.

"Together with her coach, Matt Thompson at Roseville Lawn Tennis, Sarah is polishing her technical game as well as developing her strong mental game. We are incredibly proud of her as she heads to the Australian Schools Sports Tennis Championships later this year - she has our full support," Mrs Osborne says.

In the highly competitive arena of school tennis, Sarah has qualified directly through to the National Championships as a result of her excellent performance at the recent PSSA Championships.

Photograph: Roseville College Year 6 student, Sarah Munroe

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For one group of girls, who are very familiar with Ms Snyder’s novels and all nominated her novel “Poison Study” as their favourite, the opportunity to meet the inspiring author was amazing.

“I wouldn’t describe myself as a ‘leisure reader’”, confesses Year 10’s Charlotte Whitworth. “I tend to read because I have to, not for pleasure; but Maria V Snyder is the first author whose books I just can’t put down!”

The notion of Ms Snyder’s books being “page-turners” was shared by Katie Kendall and Laura Kevan of Year 10, who were among a large group of enthusiastic students hoping to have their copies signed by the author herself. 

“I’ve also gained a new appreciation of how a writer can use language to develop characters, especially strong female characters,” adds Laura. “She [Maria V Snyder] has fuelled a broader idea of what ‘fantasy’ novels can be beyond the stereotypes that populate bookshops at the moment.”

In addition to sharing about her own stories and creative processes, Maria V Snyder spent time encouraging the students about developing their own writing talents. Katie, like Year 8 student Sophie Riddell and Charlotte, felt personally inspired about her own writing ability. Katie wants to be a writer and says she now sees new possibilities in how she can connect with her readers, “I love the idea of writing something that my readers would love as much as I love Maria’s books.”

Roseville College often welcomes inspiring authors to the College, including Jessica Watson, Erin Vincent, James Moloney and Tara Moss. 

More information about Maria V Snyder is available at www.mariavsnyder.com. 

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Photograph: Maria V Snyder with Roseville College fans (L-R) Laura Kevan, Katie Rendall and Charlotte Whitworth from Year 10, and Sophie Riddell from Year 8.

Media Informer
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Note to Editor: Mrs Kaje Pickering, Public Affairs/Media Relations, is on Maternity Leave from 19 August until early December. Please contact Roseville College’s Business Manager, Mrs Michelle Blood, for further information about this Media Informer.

The 12 year old right hand off-spin bowler (and middle order right hand batter), who represented NSW in the PSSA National Championships in 2011, is proud of her contribution, which helped an undefeated NSW team win this year’s Championships. However, she admits the opportunity to bowl was unexpected.

“I was excited to be in the team; but expected to spend most of the Championships on the bench or outfield, considering I am one of the younger players and it’s my first year in the Under 15 team,” she says.

Saskia impressed coaches with a wicket on her first ball and the rest is now record-making history! She became the Bowler of the Championships with 15 wickets at an average of 5.80, with best figures of 7-12 – a new record for the most wickets taken in a single tournament. As a result, Saskia was among three NSW team members selected in the Team of the Championships and awarded a Baggy Green cap. It says much for the youngster who will be eligible for the Under 15 team for another few years.

Saskia’s NSW team won the Championships with a 10 wicket victory over Victoria, the first time they have won the Championship’s Christina Matthews Shield since 2008/09. Saskia will continue the 2012/13 cricket season playing for Gordon’s Under 18 Women in the Brewer Shield Competition.

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Photographs: top Roseville College Year 7 student, Saskia Horley has made a souvenir of her wicket-taking ball at the Championships bottom Saskia, with her hand-crafted bat imported from England, is sponsored by Forsyth Real Estate.

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Encouraged by French Teacher Mrs Michelle Lye, dressed as a young Marie Antoinette, the students spent the day participating in a variety of theme activities such as Marionette theater, a mini Tour de France, creating Eiffel Tower models from wafers and icing, baking crepes with strawberries and molten chocolate, playing boules in the courtyard, or donning smocks to paint a la di Vinci, Degas and Seurat.

“I started learning French at school and thought, ‘Only such a beautiful language could make ugly words like guillotine sound pretty and delicate!’” explains Mrs Lye. 

“I discovered that French was widely used and opened up a very interesting and diverse culture, so I continued French through Senior School and into University; even living in France for a period after completing my degree.”

The opportunity to share the language and culture with Roseville College girls has been a joy for Mrs Lye, who feels that French is a language that connects with girls, especially because of its pronunciation and vocabulary. 

Roseville College offers French from Year 3 to Year 12, including cultural and historical tours to France in Senior years. 

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Photograph: Roseville College Junior School French Teacher Mrs Michelle Lye makes crepes with (L-R) Year 4 student Jennifer Cockley, Year 5 student Yuri Nagata and Year 4 student Mina Kearns.

This exciting initiative, instigated by the Roseville College Parents’ Association, is now available as a beautiful publication for families topurchase and cherish. Throughout the project, Roseville College students have showcased their talents and passion by being involved in food styling, testing recipes and, of course, by acting as taste-testers of the finished foods!

Breaking Bread costs $50 per book, and is available from Friday 11 May 2018. Pre-ordered copies can be posted to your nominated address (at an additional postage charge), or can be collected in person from Junior School Reception or the Student Services Office (no postage cost). A copy of the book can also be inspected at Junior School Reception, the Student Services Office and at our Learning Festival to be held on Saturday 26 May, and can purchased same day for $50.

Please support the College, its students and the RCPA by pre-ordering your copy now at www.trybooking.com/VOFA

The Publishing Project initiative, coordinated by Year 6 teachers Derek Armstrong and Mrs Henrietta Miller, helps the students experience what is involved in publishing a book, from concept development to promotion.

It is lovely to see how proud and delighted each girl is with her finished product, as it arrives from the publisher,” says Armstrong. “The girls can now share their books with others across Junior School culminating in an official Book Launch event next Thursday.”

Four young authors, Natalie Lackerdis, Catarina McAllister, Hannah Ludecke and Laura Hatzidis, agree that their book is already a treasured keepsake from their Junior School years at Roseville College.

“Each book has to include a story with a moral, a dedication and suitable illustrations. We also proofread them carefully for any mistakes,” explains Hannah. “I spent over 25 hours on my illustrations alone, so it is important to me that all the work results in a finished, published product.”

For Natalie, her story’s moral is about sharing and kindness; “I wanted to show how the main character went from being selfish to understanding how sharing is an important part of making friends.”

Both Catarina and Laura agree that the creative journey is a special part of the project. For Laura, she says the project also helped her learn more about herself; “Projects like this involve stages and each stage needs time in order to get the job done well. I learnt that I can achieve a better result when I plan my time in advance.”

 The Publishing Project is one of many exciting initiatives that engage Year 6 students in real life experiences. As they move into Senior School, students will continue to experience a wide range of opportunities designed to nurture their unique talents and potential, ready for a successful, happy life beyond school.

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Photographs: top (L-R) Year 6 girls Natalie Lackerdis, Hannah Ludecke, Laura Hatzidis and Catarina McAllister, with their books. 

Bottom (L-R) Year 6 students Natalie Lackerdis, Catarina McAllister, Laura Hatzidis and Hannah Ludecke with their books.

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Alice, who attended a day’s road safety program with RYDA at Homebush in September was inspired to enter the competition to help promote the life-saving messages learnt from the program.

“My friends and I are glad we attended program,” Alice says. “It gave us a ‘healthy reverence’ for road safety. The consequences of distracted drivers made a big impact on me, so that became the theme of my design.”

RYDA’s Director of Program Development, Greg Rappo, says he was encouraged by the response of participants to the design competition, which was trialled last year from August to December; but will run the full year in 2011.

“While every participant created a design as part of the 2010 program, around 150 students went home to refine their idea and submit a digital design via our website. Of these,” Mr Rappo says, “Alice’s design stood out because it was relevant to young people, it made clever use of the broad topics communicated during the program, and its simplicity did not compromise the solid underlying  message.”

Alice’s design (right), featuring bold text in black, white and red on a bright yellow background, appears on the RYDA website and 2000 have been printed to distribute to participants throughout 2011.

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About RYDA:

RYDA provides quality road safety information to influence the attitudes, choices and awareness of more than 40,000 young people each year and to help ensure that when they commence driving, they have the best road safety education possible. The program, delivered through Rotary Clubs including Rotary Roseville Chase, targets young people who are preparing to learn to drive, or already driving, and are riding as passengers in a vehicle driven by another young person.

For more information, visit www.ryda.org.au.

Photograph:   Year 11 student Alice Probert with her new iPad and RYDA’s Director of Program Development, Greg Rappo.

Media Informer:
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The College was approved by Cambridge International Examinations in 2015 and is one of only three Sydney schools - and the only one on the North Shore - offering the globally recognised qualifications.

Roseville College Director of Learning, Ms Deborah Magill, welcomes the program, saying it will deepen individual learning in STEM* for Years 9 and 10, enhance opportunities for academically gifted students, and enrich the school's robust learner-centred curriculum with truly global, prestigious Cambridge designed courses that are complementary, world recognised and have an all important international outlook.

"Gaining an international outlook is increasingly vital for young people at this stage of their education," says Ms Magill. 
Students in Years 9 and 10 are thinking about their future; how career aspirations, interests and learning fit together. In a rapidly changing, global workplace, the Cambridge subjects open their eyes and broaden their perspectives, while also developing valuable skills that equip them for meaningful life-long learning."

Ms Magill believes that the Cambridge program has the remarkable benefit of measurably upskilling the abilities of Years 9 and 10 students for the high-level, academic demands of the HSC, as well as giving their ambitions a boost in the longer-term by enhancing future university applications, study opportunities and even employment applications.

Roseville College Year 9 students enrolled in the Cambridge Physical Sciences course said they were inspired by the international focus, the prestige of the Cambridge name, and that thousands of Cambridge course students around the world are studying the same course at the same time. Class members said they are looking forward to the program's in depth examination of traditional sciences and how they relate to today's world.

*STEM is the commonly used acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Photo: Roseville College Year 9 students (L-R) Gemma Lambourne and Tara Lloyd have commenced their studies in the prestigious Cambridge Physical/Global Perspectives course.

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The self-confessed “spirited” past student has spent the last 20 years working as a journalist, editor and communication specialist in Australia, Hong Kong and the UK, including the coveted role as Editor of News Limited’s national employment brand, CareerOne.com.au. She has also been a popular presenter at numerous conferences and careers events, including National Career Development Week (pictured at the 2010 event).

“We were incredibly fortunate to have Kate share her experience and expertise at such a personal level,” says the College’s Careers Advisor, Ms Vera Cranston. “She can tap into a wide variety of career topics – having written a syndicated advice column that appeared in more than 100 newspapers, a blog on work issues and an online magazine.”

Among the topics Kate covered with the Year 12 girls was preparing for a work-life that may involve multiple career choices along the way, the importance of working while studying, job outlooks for young people, tips for active job hunting (such as what employers are looking for and the impact of your social media image on your career prospects), and, lastly, giving students a current picture about gender equity in senior corporate roles and the importance of women taking up leadership opportunities in whatever field they pursue.

“Kate encouraged students who had corporate aspirations to pursue ‘line management’ roles, which give greater prospects for career progression, and to look for employers who are ‘gender smart’ to make the best use of all their employees,” says Ms Cranston.

Photographs: top Career and Communication Specialist, and Roseville College Old Girl, Kate Southam.
bottom Kate Southam presents at the 2010 Launch of National Career Development Week and Launch Your Future Forum

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The team, comprising 50 girls in Year 2 to Year 12, further improved on its superb 2015 and 2016 results by also raising to second in the Secondary Skiing Female Point Score and more than doubling the number of girls who qualified for the Suburu NSW State Interschools Championships.

Roseville College Snowsports Coordinator, Mrs Suzi Litchfield, says she is impressed by the dedication of the students and their families, who give so much time and effort to travel, training and team-building. Led by Snowsports Captain, Jasmine Wong, Mrs Litchfield believes that the 2017 team camaraderie was unparalleled.

“The team brought home 7 gold, 4 silver and 8 bronze medals and a total of 39 top 10 places, “ says Mrs Litchfield. “Despite outstanding individual performances by several girls, every team member contributed to this fantastic result.”

The girls competed in five events: Alpine GS, Moguls, Ski Cross, Snowboard GS and Snowboard Cross. The Suburu NSW State Interschools Championships will be held in August.

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Caption: Roseville College Snowsports member, Sarah Leatherbarrow, competes in the 2017 Northern NSW Interschools Championships.

Contact: Kaje Pickering, Media & Public Affairs | M 0414 4 73 640 | kpickering@roseville.nsw.edu.au

The students, who are currently exploring where things that we need and want come from, were given a hands-on demonstration of the cheese making process by Mrs Gosper. She also explained the origins of cheese and pointed out important steps in the process.

Roseville College Infants Class Teacher, Mrs Jane Sloane, says that “Years 1 and 2 are currently exploring ‘What we need and what we want’, as they ‘enquire to learn’. The girls especially enjoy learning how produce from the farm is processed into the items we buy in the shops.”

Year 2 students Isabel Stammers and Gia Karunakaran agreed that it was something new to learn at school and loved the opportunity to help Mrs Gosper’s lesson, whether juicing lemons or ladling the curds from the whey.

While Isabel says she loved learning how cheese is made, Gia admitted that she was surprised to learn that cheese was traditionally made using an animal’s stomach. “Luckily we used a pot today,” she grinned.

Mrs Gosper also enjoyed the experience of going back to school.

“It was a lovely experience for me to meet the girls at Roseville College and demonstrate the process of cheese making. Simon Johnson emphasises quality food and, as we specialise in artisan cheeses from around the world, I was impressed that these young students were curious about the origins of cheese and were willing to try new cheeses that are unique in flavour. The best thing for me was seeing how much they loved the experience, and that they wanted more!”

The students will continue their investigations of ‘What we need and what we want”, adding to an impressive collection of sheep’s fleece, harvested grains such as wheat, oats and canola, and a collection of poultry nests.

Photographs: top (L-R) Year 2 students Gia Karunakaran and Isabel Stammers with teacher Mrs Jane Sloane and Mrs Sally Gosper, Sales Manager for Simon Johnson.
bottom (L-R) Years 1 and 2 learn about cheese making.

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Class of 2016 graduate, Ilana Bolinowsky, has ranked 1st in NSW in Food Technology, with peers, Vice-Captain Lauren Caush, Prefect Melissa Woodley, Zoe King and Sonia Stratton distinguished as All-Round Achievers, earning a result in the highest band in 10 or more units of courses in their current pattern of study. 

The non-selective Anglican school also performed strongly on the Distinguished Achievers List, including 1st in State awarded to Ilana Bolinowsky for Food Technology. Tarryn Myburgh (Earth and Environmental Studies) and Brittany Carpenter (French Extension) ranked in NSW’s Top 35, and Melissa Woodley (Food Technology) and Lauren Caush (PDHPE) ranked in the State’s Top 50. 

Sonia Stratton earned one of the College’s strongest ATAR scores and, like many, will be celebrating her result with family and friends over the coming days; yet she was mindful of how others may receive their results this week. 

'At the end of the day, the ATAR is a rank with a purpose. If you didn't get the score you hoped or worked for, it still comes with an opportunity. For example; there is a chance to reevaluate what you really want by reflecting on your expectations and the doors now open to you. There's also a chance to remember what is really important to you and what you really want to do with your future, and make necessary changes now,' she says encouragingly.

2016 Principal, Mrs Megan Krimmer*, says she is very proud of this Year 12 group, adding that she wishes them well in their future pursuits. 'The HSC is a rigorous, intensive experience for anyone intent on embracing the examinations as a challenge and an opportunity," she says. It is with great pride and pleasure that I wish this group the College’s best wishes as they move into new areas of academic study and and self-discovery in 2017. I am very confident that the Class of 2016 will make a very positive impact on the world in the future."

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* Mrs Krimmer is succeeded as Principal of Roseville College by Ms Deb Magill, commencing 1 January 2017.

As a member of the College’s first futsal team to compete at (and win) the Vikings Northern District Futsal Schools’ Competition, then rank 2nd overall at the Vikings NSW Champion of Champions Schools’ Competition, Claudia was one of four Roseville players chosen for the U14 NSW Team. After competing at the Vikings National Futsal Tournament, she was included in the "National All-Stars" honours team (five girls were chosen from more than 150 competitors).

In soccer, Claudia is Captain of the School’s Junior Firsts that won the 2010 Independent Girls’ Schools Sports Association (IGSSA) Competition, and she plays for her local club team, the U14 Northern Tigers. This year, she was selected for her fourth consecutive NSW State Titles representative team; her team, U14 Far Metropolitan North, won the competition. As testament to Claudia’s performance and her recognised potential, she was chosen as one of just ten girls for "Project 22", an elite talent identification program for U15 NSW players in anticipation of Australia’s 2022 World Cup bid. In 2011, Claudia will play Premier League for the Inter Lions, and next aspires to the Young Matildas.

It has been an exciting year; but the opportunities get better as you move through the age-groups, so the future is more exciting," says Claudia, who pauses when asked for specific keys to her success. "My goal was to work extra hard and get noticed this year, both in training and on field. On field, I try to keep calm and concentrate," she adds with a smile. "...I think one key is knowing how to ‘create time’ to allow the opportunities to present themselves."

Claudia is coached by Roseville’s soccer coordinator and PDHPE Teacher, Ms Bridget Selig, and by Ms Joelle Cooke, who has played Super League soccer and also coaches at the prestigious Club Marconi. According to Ms Selig, Claudia is a ‘standout’ talent: "No matter the team, Claudia’s flair and strategic play set her apart. She has an above average understanding of the game that will only deepen with time and has great athleticism, so her future is bright."

Roseville College has a well developed soccer coaching program producing several promising young athletes who play in school, local, regional and NSW teams. Year 7’s Emily Brown, and Year 8’s Ellie Moscou and Melissa Kwong were also selected for the 2010 U14 NSW Viking Futsal Team, and Emily and Ellie were members of the Far Metropolitan North squad alongside Claudia.

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Roseville College Drama teacher Miss Hayley Patience believes one of the most powerful teaching tools is allowing students to see you overcome challenges and demonstrate how creative, big ideas can be realised with clever thinking, hard work and a good team.

“Cloudstreet is one of Australia’s most renowned pieces of literature. It can be hard to ‘do something different’ with a script like this. However, by exploring the play’s themes - like its intentional connection with water - and with the facilities available to us, we came up with something we believe is very unique and exciting,” says Miss Patience, who works alongside Head of Drama, Mrs Kelly Young, to direct the play.

“Kelly’s concept for a stage over the pool was designed and constructed by the Maintenance crew, and consequencely, an enormous amount of work was required to adapt the script, which will be performed by two Year 11 casts, in two acts, over four nights,” explains Miss Patience, adding that performing over water comes with unique complications.

“Extensive risk assessment is involved when bringing electricity for lighting and AV together with water and teenagers. Although the pool is heated, the stage and public seating are in the open air, a consideration for prospective audience members. We emphasise the importance of rugging up,” says Miss Patience. “People are genuinely excited at the prospect of seeing the production, even being the middle of winter! They see the stage, they see the pool and they hear about the dedication behind the scenes and in rehearsals. They are intrigued.”

Year 11 actors, Tarryn Myburgh and Olivia Dudley, share one of the lead roles of Fish Lamb and are equally excited about the production, for different reasons.

“I am connecting more with the Australian identity as I grow closer to ‘Fish Lamb’, by learning about our history and how water forms part of our cultural fabric. By using the pool as the stage, the characters seem more ‘real’,” says Tarryn.

Olivia says that she never thought the school pool would one day be a stage she would act on! “When you come up with a creative idea and have skilled, open-minded people supporting you, why would you think small? I’d have never imagined this, but the teachers showed us how big thinking can get big results.”

Photo inset: Roseville College Year 11 drama students Olivia Dudley, Tarryn Myburgh, Georgia Angelini and
Jacinta Warren rehearse for Cloudstreet in the College pool.

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The co-founder of the competition, Dr. Nicky Ringland, recently visited Roseville College to encourage Year 7 students and to inspire girls already experienced in coding, including Year 9 student Jasmine Dwyer, and last year's SAP Young ICT winners April Draney and Sophie Allen, now in Year 7.

"For those new to coding, the NCSS Competition is a great way to start," says Jasmine, a three time competition entrant. "For the challenges are almost addictive and each new challenge solidifies what you've learnt. It feels really easy to get better and better."

Inspired by the competition, and to the delight of Dr Ringland, Jasmine is now developing her own coding platform for girls and is a student leader in the College's STEM* and ICT learning pathways, including its STEM Club (a co-curricular club run with tutors from UNSW) and its Code Gym (to inspire leadership in ICT and learning).

"Roseville College continues to embrace STEM learning, and our girls have won highly contested competitions including SAP Young ICT Explorers and, just last week, the UNSW Robotics Regional Competition", says Learning Innovator, Mrs Kim Maksimovic.

"Coding has very quickly become an essential element of learning for the 21st century", she adds, listing resilience, perseverance, lateral problem solving, spatial thought development and self-directed learning among the added benefits to students.

"By embedding STEM authentically into our Mathematics curriculum, students learn problem solving, logical sequencing and computational thinking," Mrs Maksimovic explains.

"Roseville College understands the knowledge gap that many parents experience as their children engage in new avenues of learning, especially in ICT disciplines. In addition to integrating coding into the Year 7 Mathematics curriculum, we are exploring ways to help our parent community code alongside their daughters," she says.

*STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Photo: Year 7 students, April Draney and Sophie Allen join Dr Nicky Ringland and Year 9's Jasmine Dwyer to talk coding at Roseville College

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In the GROK NCSS Challenge, 24 Roseville College students placed top in the leaderboard of world-wide entries with Perfect Scores, and of these, seven students achieved Perfect Scores in two categories: Beginners and Intermediate.

“Learning to code equips girls to apply mathematical reasoning in a variety of new situations. It allows them to systematically break-down each challenge to create a solution using code, and the girls enjoy the experience of using technology as a creative tool,” explains Ms Fiona Jostons, a Senior Mathematics teacher who integrated the NCSS Challenge into her Year 7 maths program.

Year 8 student, Rhea Jayaram, achieved a Perfect Score in both the Beginners and Intermediate categories of the NCSS Challenge and says she relished the opportunity to go beyond the curriculum to learn more about coding.

“I really liked doing something that was outside the curriculum and, most of all, I liked the challenges that combined art and mathematics, which allowed me to experiment with my creativity through code,” she says.

Kayley Tsui, Year 9, surprised herself by achieving a Perfect Score in the Intermediate category of the NCSS Challenge, a Perfect Score in both the Beginners and Intermediate categories of Web.comp, and a Distinction in the Web.comp Advanced category, adding that before the task she knew how to code in Python, but “now knows what each statement means and how they function, which helps a lot when I code now.”

The 5-week NCSS Challenge is a collaboration between Grok Learning, The University of Sydney and the Australian Computing Academy. More than 17,000 students from around the world participated in the NCSS Challenge 2019. They learnt to code by solving interesting and engaging problems.

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"The changes in buildings and architecture, an advancements in technology and learning in the past 108 years are truly phenomenal," says Principal, Mrs Megan Krimmer. "Every anniversary, we pause to wonder what Miss Davies would think of 'her' school today, and I often imagine the deep satisfaction she would feel if it was her speaking to our student body and staff."

Mrs Krimmer says the College community is very proud of its school's history and its tradition of achievement, especially academic achievement, that has accumulated over the past century. In 2015, Roseville College ranked 27th overall in NSW, with 99% of graduates offered Australian university places in the main round.

"The College has a wonderful record of helping young women pursue worthwhile and meaningful vocations and careers, successfully placing them in universities and institutions of higher education, while also helping shape grounded, balanced, socially aware and connected young women..

"From the moment Miss Davies opened the doors, a unique culture was born that is still the epitome of Roseville College today. Some describe it as uniquely positive, caring and authentic. Others liken it to a 'home away from home' for learning, and raising daughters,"

Year 6 Captain, Gabrielle Lanham, the daughter of an Old Girl, says she feels very connected to the community. "It feels special to be part of the 108th birthday. The assembly was lots of fun with laughter, a fashion parade of old uniforms and cake! How many schools make such an effort to make you smile and feel like you are an important part of it all?"

At the very heart of Roseville College is that it is, and has always been, a place where every girl is well-known and inherently valued, is at the very heart of the school, explains Mrs Krimmer. "We identify ours as a very positive culture, where each girl is encouraged to shine as she strives for her personal best in all she undertakes and who has an inner resolve to make a positive difference in her world. I believe Roseville College does allow girls to be true to themselves and to develop into the best version of themselves they can become,"

"My school is a great school," says Gabrielle with a smile and a cupcake.

Photo inset: Celebrating tradition and 10 years are (back) sisters Gabrielle and Miranda Lanham, and (front) sisters Victoria, Annabelle and Scarlett Sherlock - all daughters of Roseville Old Girls.

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An accomplished educator, who is passionate about the education of girls, Mrs Krimmer is returning to Roseville College where she has previously been a classroom teacher, Year Adviser and long-standing Head of the History Department. 

‘There is a sense of ‘coming home’ in returning to Roseville College,’ says Mrs Krimmer. ‘I look forward to augmenting Roseville’s strengths, such as the College’s enviable sense of community, its superb pastoral care and its excellent academic reputation,  and I particularly look forward to encouraging each girl to achieve her personal best in all pursuits, within a caring, Christian learning environment.’

Mrs Krimmer has been highly successful in senior executive positions, most recently as Director of Curriculum at Abbotsleigh, where she has been teaching for the past five years. In an educational career spanning over 20 years, Mrs Krimmer has undertaken research into the education of girls and has gained extensive experience in educational leadership, pastoral care, curriculum development, service learning and co-curricular activities. 

Mrs Krimmer has had a long-term relationship with Roseville College as a past staff member and parent – her daughters also attended Roseville College. This has given her a wonderful understanding of the Roseville community and an appreciation of girls from Kindergarten through to Year 12. 

In addition to her professional memberships, Mrs Krimmer holds a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Education and a Masters of Education from Sydney University. She has convened the Association of Independent Schools History Committee, served as Deputy Chair of the Modern History Board Curriculum Committee and has participated in Board of Studies advisory panels.

The announcement of Mrs Krimmer’s appointment as Principal was issued to the College and local communities on 23 May 2011. A copy can be read on the College Website under “Media and News”.

About Mrs Krimmer

Professional experience:

Mrs Krimmer’s professional experience in over 20 years in education include: Director of Curriculum and Dean of Upper School, Abbotsleigh; Director of Learning and Teaching, Northholm Grammar School; Year Adviser and Head of History, Roseville College.

Qualifications and Professional Memberships:

Bachelor of Arts; Diploma in Education; Masters of Education (in girls’ education, pastoral care and curriculum); Member, Australian College of Educators (MACE) and Australian College of Educational Leaders (MACEL); Convener, AIS History Committee (2000-2001); Deputy Chair, Modern History Board Curriculum Committee (2003-2004; Advisory Panels, Board of Studies, AIS Pastoral Care Committee (2009–2011).

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Photograph: Mrs Megan Krimmer, Roseville College’s new Principal, commenced on Monday 10 October.

Media Informer

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Emily, who placed 1st in the 1500m and 3km at the last state All School Athletics Championships, competed at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships at Homebush and won gold in the Under 16 1500m.

Head of Sport at Roseville College, Mrs Ann Osborne, adds context to Emily’s results at Juniors, at which she represented NSW. “To come home as Australian Under 16 1500m Champion is phenomenal – and her race time was inspirational. She’s a great ambassador for her School and her state, and is an unassuming role model for younger athletes at Roseville College.”

Confident, yet quietly spoken, Emily is careful not to be too ambitious in her expectations for the future. While her aspirations include selection in an AIS Development Squad, the two time Cross Country Champion at Roseville College now moves her focus from athletics to cross country for the winter.

“I really like long endurance running and am looking forward to the seasonal change into cross country,” she says. “I love longer races – the distance and the time – because it allows me to fall into a rhythm and work out my strategy for the event I’m in.”

Last December, Roseville College was represented in all three age-groups, Junior, Intermediate and Senior, at the 2011 School Sport Australia Final of the Athletics Knockout Competition, and, in the past three years, has successfully seen graduates pursue sport at Australian and overseas universities in athletics, basketball, softball, rowing and tennis.

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Selected from a large number of applicants, each who has shown exceptional leadership qualities, Annabella was one of eight recipients statewide to receive an award for her contribution to social justice.

“I was particularly impressed by other recipients whose challenging personal circumstances inspired their efforts to make a difference for others in a similar situation; such as child protection, refugees, bullying, children’s cancer, or gender rights,” says Annabella. “Drawing from their personal experience, they are highly empathetic, deeply driven and extremely creative in helping raise awareness to create positive change.”

“I feel privileged to live in safety and peace, to receive love and have opportunities to thrive,” says Annabella, who adds that her contribution to social justice is a result of wanting to bring peace, harmony and security to others.

Roseville College has a strong service culture, underpinned by strong female leadership among both the staff and students, which Annabella says has been influential in shaping her attitude toward social justice, both at school and in her local community.

Referring to a visit to the College by Baroness Cox, Annabella said everyone can make a difference. “Baroness Cox shared with us how she used her title of ‘baroness’ for the betterment of people in poverty. She shows great courage and perseverance to be present in remote places where many others wouldn’t be brave enough to go,” says Annabella. “I will always remember Baroness Cox saying, ‘We cannot do everything; but we must not do nothing’.”

Annnabella is honoured to receive a 2017 Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award and is empowered knowing that a group of girls her age can make a real difference to other people’s lives. “It is awesome to be included among a group of young women who are so passionately and actively making a difference in the world, and to be known for something other than the typical things that teenagers are known for... There is no limit to the amount of positive impact your life can have from any age.”

For more information, please visit National Council of Women of New South Wales

Caption: Roseville College Year 12 Community Service Captain, Annabella Teale, and her Peace Award from the National Council of Women with Dame Marie Bashir. Credit: Michael Mannington

Contact: Kaje Pickering, Media & Public Affairs | M 0414 473 640 | kpickering@rosevill.nsw.edu.au

The eight-strong team is one of more than a dozen participating government and independent schools across Sydney who have opted into the competition, which provides Years 10-11 students with the opportunity to engage in historical debate on topics directly linked to the History curriculum.

“The debates have proved extremely challenging, especially considering the level of historical contention,” explain Year 11 debaters Mia Rakhit and Anna Yuan.

The debating team of Arkie Addison, Angela Dong, Fenna Kroon, Charlotte McDonald, Kathryn Upton, Mia Rakhit, Mari Watkins and Anna Yuan has defeated strong opponents on the way to the grand final.

After defeating James Ruse Agricultural High School in the quarter finals, the team faced The King’s School on 31 November. The semi final topic, that “Chernobyl was the greatest disaster in Soviet history” tested the students’ insight and grasp of Soviet history, arguing that the catastrophic event effectively resulted in the demise of the Sovient Union.

“In beating The King’s School, we progress to the grand final of the competition, which allows us to further our skills by engaging in another very challenging historical debate,” says Mia.

“History allows students to examine the past and learn lessons they can apply to the future,” says History teacher and team facilitator, Mr Glenn Wykes. “This competition provides participants with a unique opportunity to dig into the past in an engaging, intellectually demanding way; it has the incredible effect of giving them fresh insights and revelations about historical events.”

The College now competes in the grand final, against Tara Anglican School for Girls, in late November.

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Open to parents and all friends of the Roseville College Community, including interested and prospective parents in the general public, the Seminar has been organised by Roseville College’s Director of Pastoral Care, Mrs Elizabeth Oakley, who believes that cyber-bullying evolves with technology and it is an area that educators and parents need to stay well informed about.

Dr Cross is regarded among Australia’s foremost advocates of positive whole-school approaches to child wellbeing. Her presentation at Roseville College will focus on the impact of cyber-bullying on girls, especially the mental and health factors associated with offline and cyber-bullying behaviour. She will outline actions that can prevent, modify and manage such behaviour, with an emphasis on helping adults become more aware of the discrete nature of technology-enabled harassment and its impact on young people.

As the Foundation Professor of Child and Adolescent Health at the School of Exercise Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, and Director of the University’s Child Health Promotion Research Centre, Dr Cross is actively involved in applied research with young people, their parents and their teachers into areas such as bullying prevention, injury control and adolescent mental health.

“Schools play an important role in helping parents become better equipped to raise their children well,” says Mrs Oakley, who coordinates parent seminars each term on topical themes. “Our parent seminar program is an important part of College life at Roseville. We hope that it will positively empower and enrich the lives of our students, and their families.”

Past seminar speakers include adolescent health physician Professor David Bennett (co-author of “What to do when your children turn into teenagers” and ‘You can’t make me: Seven simple rules for parenting teenagers” with Dr Leanne Rowe), social and media commentator Maggie Hamilton (author of “What’s happening to our Girls?”), CEO of Enlighten Education Danielle Miller (author of “The Butterfly Effect”) and Paul Dillon of Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia (author of “Teenagers, Alcohol and Drugs: What your kids really need to know...”).

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The event, which features lunchtime performances by students, is an initiative of Fusion, a Christian youth and community organisation focussed on socially-at-risk young people in Australia.

Although the event took place outdoors under thunderous skies and looming rain, crowds faithfully stopped to listen to the singers; showing their support of the students and smiling as the girls' Good News reminded them that "Jesus is the light of the world". Significantly, as the students shared Bible readings and songs, the clouds parted momentarily to let warm sunlight shine on those listening at the Lloyd Rees fountain's forecourt.

"The girls performed with confidence and in beautiful harmony," says choral director Mrs Sarah Trevelyan-Jones. "Easter is an important time of year for Christians and, as an Anglican school, Roseville College prizes its message of hope and faith."

"It is a special thing to share this with others, especially in Martin Place where hope was bruised last Christmas," Mrs Trevelyan-Jones adds, acknowledging the 2014 Lindt Cafe crisis that shocked the City. "Events like 'Easter in the City' continue to testify to the wider community that Jesus is our hope and joy for the world, and that the younger generations of Australians still have a great deal to sing about and look forward to."

Parent helpers and volunteers also supported the students, offering plastic bags for the students and audience members to sit on as they paused outside on a cool autumnal day - away from warm homes and offices - to reflect on the sacrifice and eternal gift of Jesus Christ.

Fusion is a Christian youth and community organisation which emerged as a creative response to socially-at-risk young people in Australia in 1960. For details, visit www.fusion.org.au

Photograph: The Junior School Choir, conducted by Mrs Sarah Trevelyan-Jones

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Graduating from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Applied Science with First Class honours in Physiotherapy, Ellie admits that she pinched herself after learning she had won a University Medal.

“It’s just amazing,” she agrees, explaining how she transferred from a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, after earning honours in her first year to secure a place in the highly competitive course.

“I had to work hard to prove myself because I wanted to transfer and there were just ten spots available at the end of the year,” she recalls.

Ellie’s success means she now has the opportunity to do her PhD in an original area of study (facial nerve rehabilitation) and Harvard Medical School has already accepted her abstract, which she hopes to present in June this year.

Roseville College Physics teacher, Miss Janet Pemberton, is delighted for her past student, Ellie, saying, “She worked very hard at school, always to her potential and with a positive attitude even when facing a challenging situation. She is a great inspiration to anyone who feels their dreams are shattered because they applied for a highly competitive, popular course at university and may have missed out this time around.”

Photograph - Roseville College Graduate, Ellie Frayne, as she is remembered as a Year 12 student in 2007

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Having previously received the Lieutenant Paul McKinlin Scholarship from Air Cadets in 2009 (providing subsidised flight time) and the IACE Scholarship (to spend four weeks in the USA earlier this year), Emily says the $2,000 Defence Technical Trades Scholarship encourages her to focus her HSC while offering access to a variety of specialised technical trades programs.

“I simply love flying and my goal is to complete a Bachelor of Aviation before pursuing a career in commercial or military aviation,” explains Emily, who undertook her first solo flight in a Cesna 152 just after turning 16 years old and has completed around 25 hours in the air so far.

Emily is also a Cadet Warrant Officer with AAFC and says the sense of freedom in the air has more impact on her than the adrenalin rush of take-off and landing. “If you have a dream, the important thing is to find out what opportunities, such as scholarships and courses, are available to help you get started. Then, take as many opportunities as are available to you,” she advises.

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Emily, representing Roseville College and NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS), thought she was in the race of her life at the State Championships, however, her first place position means that race is still ahead of her...

Scheduled in one of Sydney’s wettest periods on record, the competition was relocated from traditional cross country tracks to the Eastern Creek Raceway. This, however, turned ordinarily testing conditions into a very fast and demanding road race.

“Emily ran an extraordinary race, matching the leading pack (of three runners) stride for stride over the first three kilometres,” explains Head of Sports at Roseville College, Mrs Ann Osborne. “She pulled away at the last hill to set herself up with a substantial lead as she crossed the finish line. She ran with determination and a sound race plan to a well-deserved victory.”

Roseville College students are regular members of the CIS representative teams in a range of athletic and swimming pursuits, including cross country running. The College also boasts a high participation rate in sports across the sporting spectrum.

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Photographs: top  Emily Augustine competes in the 14 years Cross Country IGSSA Championships earlier this year. 
     
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This year, Jessica Woodhouse was Dux of the College with a superb ATAR of 99.4. In addition to Jessica’s outstanding result, an impressive 52% of the Class of 2013 attained an ATAR of 90 or above. This is an exceptional achievement.

Further impressive results include three students, Jessica An, Josi Ellem and Taylor Jones receiving full marks in Music Extension, Caitlin Morris being placed in the top 30 for Earth and Environmental Science, Madeleine Simpson in the Top 75 for French Continuers, Kirsten Bennett in the top 90 for Design and Technology and Harriet Gresham in the top 100 for English Extension 2. These are fine results indeed and we congratulate the whole Class of 2013 who worked incredibly hard and strove to achieve their personal best in all that they did.

The girls’ delight with their results has been clearly expressed in the many messages they have sent to the College over the last few days. Examples include:

‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’

‘Thank you so much Roseville College’.

‘I am on cloud nine. Thank you for your unwavering support’.

‘My ATAR was a lot better than I expected. Thank you so much for everything. I could not have done it without you’.

We also congratulate the girls’ talented and dedicated teachers who have given tirelessly of their time and expertise to enhance the learning of our girls and help them achieve their personal best.

Mrs Megan Krimmer
Principal

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The students are among 145 bright and highly motivated students from around Australia and several other countries, selected from over a thousand applicants to attend two weeks of lectures, workshops and special activities.

Kate Lloyd-Jones and Rose Davidson say they are looking forward to gaining new knowledge and expanding their understanding of science beyond the content of the HSC and the exam requirements. Zoe McLaughlin agrees, hoping “that being among like-minded people, who think beyond the every day parameters to explore what is unique and offers new or fresh possibilities” will be an added bonus.

“The opportunity to share this experience with three friends, as well as be part of an international group for two weeks, is an extraordinary one for a group of Year 11 students,” adds Gloria Giang. “It is a once in a lifetime experience and  I think we are all looking forward to broadening our thinking about a range of science-oriented topics...”

Roseville College Science students and graduates have achieved NSW Top 10 places in HSC courses, represented Australia at Science Olympiads and International Science & Engineering events, attended at the Professor Harry Messel International Science School in prior years, and many have forged challenging careers in an array of scientific/science-related fields. In fact, these four students also share science-oriented career interests as diverse as chemical and industrial engineering, medicine and astro-physics.

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About The Professor Harry Messel International Science School:

The School is the flagship of the Science Foundation for Physics. It has a 45 year history and is considered as the best program of its kind in the world. For more information, visit http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/foundation/iss/iss.shtml.

Photograph:   (L-R) Roseville College Year 11 students and scholarship winners for the 2011 Professor Harry Messel International Science School, Zoe McLaughlin, Kate Lloyd Jones, Rose Davidson and Gloria Giang.

Media Informer:
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On Thursday 20 March, Roseville College hosted the first GATSTA Philosophy Day for 2014.

The conference topic was ‘Freedom: What does it mean to be free?’, and students and visiting teachers from 10 schools from across Sydney were treated to a presentation by Dr Kerry Sanders from the University of Sydney, examining whether freedom without limitations is a desirable state. They also examined the writings of Isaiah Berlin.

It was a very challenging day, and highly talented students from Roseville College, Moriah College, Ravenswood, Monte Sant’ Angelo College, Rouse Hill Anglican College, All Saints Grammar, Waverley College, St Patricks College, Brigidine College and St Vincent’s College found it to be very worthwhile indeed.

The organising body, GATSTA, is the Gifted and Talented Secondary Teachers’ Association, a network of teachers from schools across Sydney who are interested in promoting best practice in gifted education and providing opportunities for gifted students to access advanced learning opportunities with students of similar interests and abilities.

The organisers certainly fulfilled their aim, and Roseville students are looking forward to participating in many other such opportunities.

Mrs Jodie Watson
Roseville College Learning Enrichment (GAT)

Year 8 students, Jessica Weiling and Cassie Baker, and their robots danced their way to first place at the RoboCupJunior Sydney Regional Competition, and recently competed at the NSW State  Competition.

"I grew up with robotics because it was my Dad's hobby," says Jessica, who shared "the robotics but" with her friend and now team-mate Cassie. Both girls say that robotics bridges what they learn at school with something they enjoy in their free-time.

Roseville College Mathematics teacher, Mr Charles D'Silva, and the school's Learning Innovator, Mrs Kim Maksimovic, agree that co-curricular activities, like the College's weekly STEM Club, provide stimulating ways for girls to leverage what they learn in class and apply it practially using their imagination, experience, determination and learned theory.

Mr D'Silva says students benefit from STEM Club beyond the pure technical skills, including: having a sense of belonging, connecting with other girls with similar interests, developing computational thinking and project management, and learning perseverence, teamwork and emotional regulation. He says he was inspired by Jessica and Cassie's approach to the RoboCupJunior Competition, which included training before school, at lunch and after school, as well as collaborating to design and build a ramp for their robots to use as part of their choreography.

"When Jessica and Cassie arrived at the State Competition, they expected to do well after the 'highs' of winning their regional round. However, in unfamiliar and changing conditions, the girls discovered that their robots didn't perform consistently, as planned. Despite this, they didn't give up and completed their routine with a smile," explains Mr D'Silva, who adds that they demonstrated invaluable attributes of a positive outlook, self-control and good sportsmanship in the midst of their own disappointment.

At Roseville College, developing strong, positive character attributes is as important as providing a robust curriculum and encouraging students to explore areas of personal interest and ability. Accordingly, in addition to STEM Club, the School offers co-curricular options in a wide range of areas, such as for the community service and charity groups, Crusaders, performing arts (ie, dance, drama, bands, musical productions, performance, tuition), debating and public speaking, Antipodeans Abroad and Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, exchange opportunities, languages, mock trial, sports, leadership such as SRC, photography and creative arts.

*STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Photo: Roseville College Year 8 students at the RoboCupJunior Sydney regional competition.

Year 6 teacher Mrs Henrietta Miller says the highly successful initiative began on a whim as a “fun, authentic and interesting experience” for her students. “Many participants are blogging, and even Skyping, outside school hours,” she explains, emphasising that Edmodo, a moderated online learning environment, allows young people to interact with others of the same age in a safe, secure and interactive context.

“When we engage in dynamic activities like this, especially by our own initiative and in our own time, we benefit from ‘incidental learning’. That is, we develop and refine a range of transferable skills like researching, comprehension, writing and technological literacy without even realising it,” she says. 

Earlier this month, a surprise box from Hanscom School arrived at Roseville College. It contained hand-picked magazines, souvenirs, toys, food items and gifts to add texture and context to topics that students had discussed online. 

When asked about differences between our two cultures, as revealed through this experience, Emily Dawson mentions that “weird OREO cookies in ‘Spring’ and ‘Birthday’ flavours” arrived in the box, and Angelique Manconi noticed a baseball. “It took us a while to explain what ‘netball’ is!” she laughs. 

In reply, the Roseville College students are finalising their own Australian-themed box of treats. Gemma King, who is the daughter of an American living in Sydney and has teenage cousins in the US, believes lollies such as Fantails and Minties will be well received, and Natalie Lackerdis thinks that a boomerang, a pair of “Australia Flag inspired sunglasses” and Australian wildlife books add to the box’s cultural element. Plenty of clip-on koalas, wash-off Aussie “tattoos” and mini Australian flags are also carefully included by Mrs Miller. 

Creative and engaging activities, especially ones that transfer beyond the classroom walls and combine people with technology, are vital to the Junior School experience at Roseville College.

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Photograph: (L-R) Year 6 students Angelique Manconi, Emily Dawson, Natalie Lackerdis and Gemma King with a selection of items received from Hanscon School, Massachusetts USA, and the brimming “Australia” box they are posting in return. 

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This innocent invitation soon opened the door for three other grandmothers and three mothers to join the unique class, and yesterday afternoon each sat with a group of eager students to encourage, help and guide them in the notoriously patience-testing art of needlework.

“When my teacher, Mrs Falconer, told us we were going to be doing embroidery, I though, ‘Grandma is really good at sewing’”, explains Charlotte with a grin. “So I asked if she could come.”

Charlotte Moss describes her Grandma as good fun and it was clear to see why: Grandma Toni Burgis was surrounded by a cluster of smiling 9 and 10 year old girls, each checking for her approval as they thread needles and weave colourful fibres through their cross-stitching fabric.

Year 4 teacher, Miss Tracey Kleem, says the family visitors enriched the classroom dynamic and have been invited back again for next week’s class. “We covered a similar unit of work last year, focussing on fibre as one of the forms in Visual Arts; however, our seven guests have been so helpful and popular, that I’d be surprised if we don’t invite Mums and Nans again next year!”

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About the Junior School Open Morning on 22 June:

Visitors are also welcome at Roseville College Junior School for a special Open Morning on Wednesday 22 June, from 9.30 – 11.30am, for parents and grandparents interested in girls’ education at the School from Kindergarten to Year 6. To enquire about this event or enrolment at Roseville College, please call Registrar Mrs Tracey Donkin on 9884 1109 or email registrar@roseville.nsw.edu.au.

Photograph: (L-R) Grandma Toni Burgis with her grand-daughter, Roseville College Year 4 student Charlotte Moss (front left) and fellow students Helena Dadd (back left), Chynna Blakeman (back right) and Charlotte Tuttas (front right).

Media Informer:
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Roseville College Year 3 student, Mari Watkins, loves playing her harp and now, as she and her peers start the Year 3 String Program, she is looking forward to being the first harpist among a class of violins, violas and cellos.

Head of Music at Roseville College, Mrs Noni Katada, says the Junior Instrumental Program began three years ago to give young girls in Year 3 an opportunity to “try-out” a string instrument for a full year in a fun learning environment. The program takes place within the regular music curriculum with specialist teachers. Girls with previous experience playing a string instrument extend their skills as members of an Advanced String Group, of which Mari is now part.

“Girls enjoy the social aspect of learning and playing music together, whilst seeing whether they like a particular instrument,” explains Mrs Katada. “The program continues into Year 4 and girls can choose to continue playing string instruments or can try their hand at a wind instrument; this year, the choice includes the clarinet, trumpet, cornet, euphonium and baritone.”

The success of the program is best measured by the reactions of students like Mari and violinists Gabriella Chippeck and Arabella Shearman, also in the Year 3 Advanced String Group, who look forward to their music classes and are excited about performing for their parents and teachers.

“It’s fun to see each other’s instruments and we really like going to music classes,” they enthuse. “The harp sounds so pretty.”

Roseville College’s music programs continue to Year 12. In the 2011 HSC, students ranked 3rd and 4th in NSW for Music 2, and 3rd in NSW for Music Extension. Three students were nominated for ENCORE (Music 2 - Compositions) and one for ENCORE (Music 2/ Music Extension - Performance).

Since 2008, music programs at the School have enjoyed facilities in the state-of-the-art Joy Yeo Performing Arts Centre, a stunning performance and learning space. The Centre includes a 356-seat auditorium with grand piano and full stage production facilities, a specialist Music and Recording Studio, and multi-purpose rooms with sound proofing music tuition/practice.

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Photograph: Harpist Mari Watkins with violinists Arabella Shearman and Gabriella Chippeck of the Year 3 Advanced String Group.

Media Informer:
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Mrs Woldhuis DipT BEd MEd is an insightful, passionate educator, who demonstrates upstanding strength of leadership in girls’ education and student well-being, specifically in the junior years. Having served the College since 2011, Mrs Woldhuis has proven her commitment to the values and ethos of the College as an Anglican school, and is known as warm, considered and courageous. As a role model to girls, her professional conduct and personal character are respected and appreciated.

Ms Magill describes Mrs Woldhuis as a devoted teacher who values each child, and brings expertise in personalised learning, integrated technology,and learning innovation to the role of Head of Junior School.

“Roseville College is a learning environment where qualities such as leadership, innovation and enrichment are vital for our staff and the girls they influence. We work hard to develop and reinforce qualities like these within our collegiate,” says Ms Magill, who believes that the school’s Professional Growth program for staff, together with its succession management, contributes to strong internal candidates for senior and executive roles at the College.

“I am so pleased that, despite a global search of more than 300 leaders using a leading academic recruitment firm, the excellent candidature of a well-regarded member of staff could not be overshadowed by any local or international applicant in the final round of interviews. Mrs Woldhuis’ strength and example in leading education and innovation, with the care of each girl at the centre, is outstanding.”

Mrs Woldhuis is a long-standing member of the Roseville College Junior School Executive, overseeing Teaching and Learning Innovation, and was an integral member of the team that achieved International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) accreditation for Roseville College Junior School in 2015. In 2016, Mrs Woldhuis was named as “ICTE Educator of the Year” for her significant contribution and demonstrated leadership in schools and to the teaching profession. In 2017, she was appointed Head of Professional Growth, before becoming Acting Head of Junior School, upon the resignation of Mrs Tanya Vaughan, effective December 2017. Having also contributed to formation of the College’s Strategic Direction 2018 – 2020, Mrs Woldhuis’ appointment ensures a seamless transition of leadership in Junior School, including the IB PYP and leading the accomplishment of Realising Purpose in the life of Junior School.

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Caption: Top, Roseville College Head of Junior School, Mrs Abi Woldhuis.

Contact: Kaje Pickering, Strategic Communication and Marketing

mobile 0414 473 640 • email kpickering@roseville.nsw.edu.au

In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations of the Junior School, Mrs Vaughan is often found helping students in music classes and the pool, on educational trips, and sitting around a camp fire on outdoor education camps.

“When I meet eye-to-eye with students during the experiences that College offers them, I am learning alongside them,” she explains, adding that when teachers and students laugh and have fun together, the learning atmosphere becomes more conducive to achieving positive outcomes. “Girls want to feel valued, appreciated and supported. It matters greatly to them when parents and significant adults in their lives stop and talk with them, share appropriate learning experiences with them and celebrate their well earned achievements.”

Mrs Vaughan also aspires to know the individual behind each girl’s name. The reason, she says, is to inspire leadership, self-pride, dignity and community among her students. In this safe environment underpinned by Christian values, she feels very strongly that simple encouragement and celebration of a child’s efforts can be a turning point in their life.

“When you hear stories adults tell about their inspiring teachers, it is often through the small things that the big impression was made. Like any person passionate about teaching, I pray that I might have that sort of positive impact on every one of our girls,” she adds.

“However, I realise that my words alone are not enough. Making time for our girls and doing things out of the ordinary, or are non-stereotypical for the Head of School, is my way of showing how easy it can be to have confidence in oneself and enjoy being the person you are and how God created you.”

Mrs Vaughan joined Roseville College at the start of 2011, having previously been Principal at Northcross Christian School. She has more than two decades of professional education experience in independent schools in Australia and New Zealand. Her passion is to give girls the opportunity to explore their potential in an environment where they love to be each day, where they feel safe and are encouraged to learn, grow, play and connect with others.

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Photographs: Mrs Tanya Vaughan, and (below) connecting with students.

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The four students will present a Bible reading or a soldier’s epitaph at the Dawn Service, which is scheduled to broadcast live to Australia on the ABC channel.

Rose Davidson, Roseville College’s Vice Captain and HSC Modern History candidate, will read the Book of Wisdom 4:7-15 She says this opportunity has inspired her to learn more about her family, especially from her grandmother, Joan McLean, whose uncle, Ernest Roy Kingsman Roberts, is memorialised at Villers-Bretonneux. Ernest Roberts was 30 years old when killed instantly in battle by a single machine-gun bullet wound to the head.

“I’m looking forward to linking what I’ve learnt [at school and about my family] with the actual places where they happened,” says Rose. Cassandra Smith, Prefect and Captain of Public Speaking and Debating, looks forward to Modern History coming alive as she prepares for her HSC exams later this year. Her great grandfather, Gordon Roy Asprey, received a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his services in France.

“Not only has it been really interesting to discover more about my family history, but it also brings a significant part of Australian history into a personal context”, adds Cassandra. “I’ve been inspired to investigate more about my great grandfather and, while away, hope to discover more about him and his time in France during WWI.”

Harriet Hodge, studying both HSC Modern and Ancient History, will think of her great great grandfather, Arthur Round, as she reads a soldier’s epitaph. A member of the 40th Battalion from Hobart who fought at Villers-Bretonneux, Arthur was 28 years old and already married to Harriet’s great-great-grandmother, Maud, when he enlisted.

“He served for four years and [we learnt from the National Archive medical records that he] was gassed in 1918 just before he came back. Still, he lived until he was 86 years old – luckily for me – and is buried here in Australia,” Harriet explains. “This will be an amazing life experience for me; I had no idea it was such a big deal when I first said ‘yes’. I am most excited that my Pa, Trevor Hodge [living in Hobart], will watch me on TV and be there with me in spirit – it is the trip he always wanted to make.”

Caitlin Byrne is also studying Modern History for her HSC and believes that the Study Tour is an experience that will outlast her final year of school. Her great grandfather, who served as a Doctor in the trenches at Iper and received a Military Cross for Valour, fought on the Western Front as did his three brothers.

“For me, being there will make the impact of war on my family more tangible – the graveyards, the war museums (including preserved trenches that show visitors what it may have been like) and the war memorials themselves,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to attend a Dawn Service abroad and I’m honoured to be involved and connect with part of my family history in this way.”

Head of History, Mrs Stephanie Binsted, one of five teachers accompanying the students on the Study Tour, says the students’ awareness about Villers-Bretonneux is now enriched by such personal family stories – their own and those of their peers.

“The Service was already on our itinerary; but now history is really coming alive for the students, and this has become an even more significant experience,” she believes. “One of the purposes of a study tour is to heighten awareness of historical legacies. In this case, the girls have connected in a real and personal way with their family histories and our national heritage.”

The students depart Sydney on 12 April. For more information about the Villers-Bretonneux 2012 services, contact the Department of Veteran Affairs or visit the Department of Veteran Affairs website.   

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18-year old Jessica, who started playing hockey in Year 3, has excelled in club and school-girl competitions; but is as yet undecided about pursuing the sport after her final year of school this year.

“From the beginning, I always knew I would play hockey while at school and it has been a really important part of my schooling,” says Jessica. “I’ve gained a great sense of teamwork and friendship on the field, it’s been a fantastic balance to my studies and academic pursuits, and it’s been an enjoyable experience participating in high level competitions which drive you toward even higher personal benchmarks.”

Until she turned 16 years old, Jessica was selected for every Talented Athletes Program for which she was eligible; her first NSW representative team was NSW U13s squad in 2004. From 2006, Jessica became a regular member of the Independent Girls School Sport Association (IGSSA) and Combined Independent School (CIS) representative teams following strong individual performances playing for Roseville College. In 2007 and 2008, Jessica joined the NSW U16s AllSchools teams; both years, Jessica’s NSW team won the annual competition.

Although school-girls are no longer eligible for AllSchools teams once they turn 17 years old, consistent on-field performers are honoured in a State Merit Team. In the past two years (2009 and 2010), Jessica has been listed in the Merit Team and was recently nominated for a CIS Blue Award.

Roseville College Hockey Coach, Miss Bridget Selig, says that Jessica has been an influential, solid member of the team on and off the field for more than four years. “She shows amazing leadership qualities by inspiring younger girls and fellow team members through encouragement, instruction and example.”
In addition her school hockey, Jessica also competes for Ryde at a top club level; First Grade in Metro League 1. “I’m considering business studies at a Sydney-based university after a gap year of overseas travel and would definitely like to keep playing at club level,” she adds.

Roseville College has a strong sporting tradition and credibility in a wide range of school-girl sports, including hockey, netball, softball, rowing and tennis.

Media Release:
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The five students, Zoe Kouros, Hannah Bamford, Georgie Frolich, Misha Devlin-Smith and Grace Farrell, were selected for an outstanding HSC group performance; a work titled “Homosapien”, which explores the absurdity and extremities of emotions in relation to how we use them to give meaning to our lives.

“Each year, our HSC students work really hard to produce high quality performances,” says Drama teacher, Kelly Young. “We were thrilled that a group from Roseville College was nominated, and are especially proud that Roseville girls will perform at OnStage.”

“These five girls are amazing in rehearsals and deserve this honour. As they devised their piece of theatre, they were quite playful; but focussed,” Ms Young adds. “They clearly have fun together, showing great willingness to listen to each other and allowing one another’s strengths to be shown”.

Details about OnStage and other HSC showcases can be found at:
http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/exhibitions

Media Release:
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Capping off an extraordinary year at Roseville College, the 2014 graduates received superb HSC results which included nine being named recipients of All Round Excellence Awards: Katrina Hunt, Olivia Arkell, Sarah Black, Eliza Fogl, Krista Gibson, Poppy Mountjoy, Madeleine Munns, Sarah Wakeley and Linda Zhang.

Concluding her own phenomenal year, graduate Katrina Hunt is joint HSC Dux, a remarkable achievement given she spent part of her final preparation period overseas competing at the 2014 World Junior Athletics Championship in the USA.

"Katrina is an exceptional and inspirational young woman whose incredible motivation, focus, self-discipline and rigorous study and training regime are an example to all" said Principal, Mrs Megan Krimmer. "I congratulate Katrina for excelling in both academic and sporting arenas."

"Katrina has led by example and has been an outstanding role model and mentor to all the girls at Roseville," added Mrs Ann Osborne, Director of Sport, who said that Katrina's impressive year as Prefect and Sports Captain at Roseville College also included achieving a Personal Best time to place second in the World Junior Athletic Championships' 100m hurdles heat (she placed 5th in the semi-final), and being named the Senior IGSSA Champion. Katrina aspires to study medicine and dreams of competing at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Vice-Captain Olivia Arkell shares the title of HSC DUX for 2014, placing 7th in NSW for Biology and 8th for Drama, including an OnSTAGE nomination for an exemplary Group Performance. Her commitment to the College's Performing Arts community culminated in being awarded the Alexandra Pinkham Prize for the Advancement of Music.

"Olivia is an intelligent, articulate, cheerful, engaged and enthusiastic young woman, who is a fine role model and superb student leader at Roseville College", says Mrs Krimmer, adding that Olivia is considering studies in Media or Science following a  Gap year in 2015. "Olivia is 'stoked' with her results, which are well deserved following outstanding contributions to College life and learning, notably service learning, debating, public speaking, drama and music."

Other exceptional results included Elizabeth Slack being placed 6th in the State for Drama and Roseville College actor Lily O'Harte selected for OnSTAGE (she performs at the Seymour Centre in February 20150. BOSTES also recognised several students for outstanding achievement with nominations for OnSTAGE and DesignTECH.

According to Mrs Krimmer, each student who graduates this year is a fulfilment of the College's purpose: to see each girl flourish, developing her unique potential and achieving her personal best in all aspects of her life.

Photograph: (L-R) Joint HSC Dux for 2014 at Roseville College are Katrina Hunt and Olivia Arkell

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Principal, Ms Deb Magill, says the College is very proud of each student in the Class of 2019 for persevering to achieve her best. She announced the 2019 Premier’s All Round Achievers as Olivia Lane, Caitlin Baksa, Jessica Wicks and Lucy Feyen (photographed), with Jessica Wicks announced as the HSC Dux.

“Our 2019 HSC results reflect outstanding individual achievement by our Year 12 graduates, as well as 13 inclusions on the Distinguished Achievers Lists by Year 11 HSC accelerant candidates,” says Ms Magill.

“It is vital that, alongside our students, I celebrate their teachers who have worked tirelessly toward realising today’s results. As a College, we are thrilled with results in 15 different courses where 100% of students achieved results in the top 2 bands, including in seven rigourous extension courses,” she says. “In addition to 15 nominations and selections for NESA showcases, including 100% of the students studying Design and Technology being nominated for SHAPE, students also received awards for exemplary essays and research projects in History Extension and Science Extension subjects.”

The four Premier’s All Round Achievers were delighted but humbled by today’s results, agreeing that perseverance was a key to their individual results. With their results in hand, Olivia and Lucy aspire to study law/psychology and arts/law respectively, while Caitlin and Jessica aim to pursue STEM careers in biomedical/chemical engineering and biomedical engineering/medicine respectively.

“Roseville is a very special school,” says Jessica, who was a Year 12 Prefect. “I am very lucky to have had such a well-rounded education, from teachers who really do care.”

Ms Magill acknowledges the pressure on girls to secure places in their preferred university course and applauds the Class of 2019 for a 78% success rate for university early admissions offers to five leading universities. The College has released a report on its 2019 HSC Outcomes at www.rosevillecollege.com/about-roseville/hsc-outcomes.

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The 2012 cohort gained a reputation for uplifting and encouraging one another throughout the HSC years. The outstanding results are summarised in exceptional ATAR scores with 13% earning an ATAR over 99.

The 13 students to receive Premier’s Excellence awards are: Gloria Giang.Rose Davidson, Georgia Pick, Rebecca Bunting, Cassandra Smith, Zoe McLaughlin, Jin Ju Seo, Sejung Park, Claudia Sheridan, Sophie Armbrister, Angela Taradilis, Madeleine Dudley and Cher-May Chew.

The College’s HSC Dux for 2012, Gloria Giang, earned an ATAR of 99.90 and ranked 2nd in NSW in Mathematics Extension 1 to realise her dream of studying Medicine at the University of NSW, after receiving five offers based on results from her very successful University Medical Admissions Test for Medicine and Dentistry. Gloria, also a School Prefect and an inspiring student at Roseville College, is now enjoying some quality time with her family travelling during the holiday break.

School Vice-Captain, Rose Davidson (99.80) ranked 8th in NSW in Modern History and is now finalising preparations to embark on a 12-month Rotary Exchange to Mexico. Rose is learning Spanish before commencing tertiary studies in 2014.

Among other notable achievements include Michelle Oakes (11th in PDHPE); Cher May-Chew (14th in Biology, 31st for Music 2); Claudia Sheridan (15th in Modern History); Gabriella Bate (8th for German Extension, 27th for German Continuers); Jacqueline Cho (Music 2 nomination for ENCORE); Sophie Armbrister, Holly Gardner, Amber Handel, Harriet Hodge and Emily Sena (Drama group nomination for OnSTAGE, with Emily also nominated for an individual performance); Claudia Minnett (Design nomination for DesignTECH); Madeleine Taylor (Visual Arts selection for ARTEXPRESS); and finally, Angela Taradilis (Musicology Elective was identified as exemplary).

Photographs: top - HSC Dux and Prefect, Gloria Giang
                    bottom - Vice Captain, Rose Davidson

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Isabella’s news clip, “Behind the Scenes of video making”, utilised multimedia to present a factual report about the Japanese earth quake. Her integrated project spanned HSIE, English and technology subjects using green screen effects. In preparation for the competition, Roseville students worked hard on programming a robot, building apps and websites, and making informative videos. Some websites produced by students can be viewed at:

• http://anti-bullyingproject.wix.com/home (by Chynna Blakeman and Isabella Perrignon)
• http://citrusenergy.weebly.com/ (by Lara Dever, Charli Moss, Millie Austin, Lily Ekins)
• http://citrusenergy.weebly.com/ (about stopping bullying, by Lucy Roe, Erica Morton, Charlotte Erby, Mia Galloway)
• http://stopplasticbagsnow.weebly.com/ (by Jemma Woldhuis, Holly Kerr, Lillian Sargent, Lara Robertson)

"I am brimming with pride at the way our girls conducted themselves,” says Mrs Abi Woldhuis, who oversees Teaching and Learning Innovation for the College’s Junior School.

"Forums like this challenge young people in new ways, especially how they think about and work through issues. Roseville College’s representatives spoke with passion, conviction and confidence; pushed themselves to experiment in areas of ICT that were unfamiliar to them; and dedicated time to working on projects for the event because they really wanted to.”

Ilana, who received an ATAR of 95.9, met with 2016 Roseville College Principal*, Mrs Megan Krimmer, to showcase her award and receive Mrs Krimmer’s personal congratulations on behalf of the College community, today.

I worked hard in the HSC and had high expectations of doing well in this subject, but when the Board of Studies rang with news I ranked 1st in NSW, I was amazed. It was a stunning surprise and unexpected, of course,” Ilana says.

Ilana is amused by the stereotype with which some people view the subject, Food Technology, saying the course provided her with great balance to other HSC subjects like Mathematics and Chemistry.

Food Technology is not what people think; ‘just cooking’. It taught me how to think differently, which benefitted my other subjects, and I gained some great skills for the rest of my life. There is a lot more to this area of learning than you might first think. It really is very academic and challenging,” she says, adding that she is especially grateful for her teachers, Mrs Burke, Ms Ovington and Mrs Marshall. “I’m really pleased and very proud of this achievement.”

Ilana is thankful for all of her teachers, urging her Year 11 peers to respect and cherish their teachers as they approach the HSC next year, saying, “I’m so grateful for the education I have received at Roseville College and for the teachers who really want us to succeed and work hard to that end. They truly are ‘second to none’.”

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* Mrs Krimmer is succeeded as Principal of Roseville College by Ms Deb Magill, commencing 1 January 2017.

Competing in the multiclass categories, Lizzie represented NSW to win gold (100m Backstroke) and silver (50m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, Relay) medals, as well as placing 4th in 100m Freestyle at the NSW All School Championships. Her success at the earlier CIS Championships had qualified her for NSW All Schools; one gold (16-19yrs 100m Backstroke) and three silver (16-19yrs 50m Backstroke, 16-19yrs 100m Freestyle, 16-19yrs 50m Freestyle).

'Through simply wanting to 'be a part' of a team, Lizzie found something she was genuinely good at," says Head of Sport of Roseville College, Mrs Ann Osborne.

"She is an inspirational member of the swim squad, and has been throughout her time in senior school at Roseville College. The girls are fond of her, really look up to her and are exceptionally proud of her achievements," says Mrs Osborne.

"I remember, six years ago after she won gold and silver medals at the 2009 Australian Paralympic Youth Games, Lizzie shared that she hoped to compete at the Paralympics one day. With perseverance and hard work, she is well on her way," adds Mrs Osborne.

"Her positive outlook and beautiful smile are always there to greet you poolside. Personally, she will be missed after graduation!" says Mrs Osborne.

For Lizzie, who lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, an incurable disorder that affects the connective tissues, swimming was initially a sport considered safe for her condition and good for her physically, as well as still giving her the opportunity to participate alongside her peers in a team. Sadly, the condition also means that Lizzie easily and constantly dislocates her knees and shoulders, and has recently undergone two major spinal fusions.

Incredibly, Lizzie will compete in ten events at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide from the 21 - 28 November: Backstroke (50m, 100m, 200m), Freestyle (50m, 100m, 200m) and four relays. Lizzie also competed in the last Pacific School Games (held in Canberra) when she was in Year 6.

Photograph: Roseville College Year 12 student, Lizzie Slack, is training to compete in eight multiclass events at the 2015 Pacific Schools Games

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The team of six, Rebecca Long, Eternity Lim, Isabelle Woodforde, Alcina Giang, Yuka Nagata and Christine Gan, worked tirelessly over months of competition and were delighted to reach the School’s first ever ISDA Grand Final.

“Winning against such an experienced team has made the victory even more significant for the girls,” says Roseville College Debating Coordinator Mrs Angela Knight, who says the girls were looking forward to debating the experienced Barker College team.

“In the 24 years of competition, Roseville College is only the 6th girls’ school to secure the Champions trophy and this Year 10 team has done so convincingly by being undefeated in all eleven rounds.”

32 independent schools from across NSW compete in what is described as the “Olympics of Debating for Independent Schools”. The Grand Final topic, for which Roseville held the affirmative, was “That developing countries should require their university graduates to work in that country for a period of time”.
The adjudicators were unanimous in their decision and described the Roseville team, which, for the Grand Final comprised Rebecca Long, Eternity Lim, Isabelle Woodforde and Alcina Giang, as eloquent speakers with great structure and intelligent analysis.

Mrs Knight acknowledges the incredible dedication of each student, her family and friends, and Year 10 coach, Mr James Monaghan, that all contributed towards the team’s 2013 success. Mr Monaghan, especially, has shown incredible inspiration and leadership of the team, knowing what it takes to win the ISDA Competition – he, himself, was a member of the Sydney Grammar team that won the same event in 2009. Roseville College has a strong connection to debating, with wins in the Archdale Debating Competition; for example, and this year the College enjoys a Grand Final win in the ISDA Competition, which began in 1990. For more information, please visit http://www.isdadebating.info/

Photograph: (L-R) ISDA Year 10 Champions for 2013, Yuka Nagata, Isabelle Woodforde, Rebecca Long, Eternity Lim, Alcina

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As a educator committed to life-long learning, Ms Shanahan believes that every opportunity is one to grow. Putting her own words into practice Ms Shanahan spent 3 weeks in Israel participating in an intensive education program and is now completing a year-long project inspired by the study tour to present in Melbourne in November.

Ms Shanahan says a most important aspect of the learning tour was the pedagogical workshops that empower teachers to engage children and teenagers in such a sensitive subject.

"The Holocaust is a landmark in human history that did and should continue to change the way that people view one another and the value of human life," says Ms Shanahan. "The study of the Holocaust is grave and at most times, shocking and heart-rending. Yet, for young people, there must also be light at the end of the tunnel that inspires hope, better decisions for the future ahead, and a fundamental inspiriting of the individual value and worth of all people."

Ms Shanahan attended the International School for Holocaust Studies at Vad Veashem, Jerusalem, for an intensive series of seminars, workshops, survivor testimonies and interviews, and lectures from leading scholars such as Nazi hunter Dr Efraim Zuroff and Dr Alan Rosen, who specialises in literary responses to the Holocaust.

"In my experience, the personal testimonies made a deep impact on me," says Ms Shanahan. "I heard the testimony of Genya Manor at the grave of Oscar Shindler (pictured above) - she is called a 'Shindler Jew' because he saved her life, and as we toured Israel's religious sites and points of significance, it struck me how simple the criteria of Nazi genocide was: to be who you are could also be a death sentence,"

Director for International Seminars for Educators at the International School for Holocaust Studies, Mr Ephraim Kaye, will deliver one of his Australian lectures at Roseville College when he visits Sydney in May 2017.

Photo: Ms Emily Shanahan meets Shindler Jew Ms Genya Manor while on a study tour of Israel after receiving a Gandel Philathropic Scholarship.

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The School was acknowledged for its THRIVE Wellbeing program for girls in Kindergarten to Year 6, which takes a proactive approach to empowering students as active participants in their wellbeing, through:

• Thinking positively (having a growth mindset)
• Healthy mind and body (making healthy choices)
• Respecting yourself (recognising your strengths and areas for growth)
• Interacting well with others (showing empathy and tolerance)
• Valuing what you have (recognising and appreciating what you value)
• Engaging with community (to make a difference in our world both locally, nationally and globally).

“THRIVE is an initiative of Junior School that is closely linked to the College’s vision to realise purpose in the lives of our students. That includes living for purpose having a confident identity, purposeful citizenship and participating in compassionate service,” says Assistant Head of Junior School – Wellbeing and Curriculum, Mrs Jane Sloane. “It is enabling our girls to become confident, responsible and resilient students who are active citizens, striving to contribute positively to their world.”

“It is an honour to have our THRIVE program celebrated by Rotary,” Mrs Sloane says. “I would particularly like to thank the Club and the sons of Mr Mugdan, who were present and shared insights about what this would have meant to their father who was the Rotary Club of Chatswood’s President from 1977-78.”

The memorial prize includes $2000 for the school and a trophy, presented by The Mayor of Willoughby, Hon Gail Giles-Gidney to Roseville College Junior School Captain, Cordelia Howard and Vice Captain, Isabelle Griffiths.

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Sammy, who won the Senior High School Division of the 2010 Australian National Final Japanese Language Speech Content, travelled to Toyko last week as one of 15 finalists from 14 countries to participate in three days of preparation for the official contest, which was held on 24 July.

"I began learning Japanese with the help of a private tutor when I was 13-years old," says Sammy, now 17-years old, who joined the Japanese language program at Roseville when she moved to Australia the following year. "Many people are surprised that I was originaly motivated to learn another language because I wanted to understand Japanese computer games!"

While in Tokyo, the elite group of students spoke with each other in Japanese and, instead of facing a language barrier, found they could connect easily over common interests.

"The experience was wonderful. I was very luck to travel to Tokyo for the contest, and especially to represent Australia and my school," Sammy adds. Although her focus is now on her pending HSC exams, Sammy feels prepared. In addition to Japanese, she is studying Visual Arts and Maths Extension 2, and hopes to pursue studies in Visual Communication next year.

Roseville College HSC students have achieved well in language studies in recent years, especially in French and Japanese. Roseville College Japanese teacher, Mrs Hiromi Goulding insists she won’t take the credit for Sammy’s achievement, "Sammy’s success is largely due to the passion she has for using the language; not just learning it... She also enjoys the cultural nuances, such as humour, that are an important part of mastering a language".

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Photograph: Roseville College Year 12 student Hing Yan "Sammy" Choy.

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Katherine, whose selection follows her performance at the Asia Pacific (or Asian) Physics Olympiad (APhO) in Israel last month, was presented with her International Olympiad team blazer by The Hon. Peter Garrett AM, MP, at a ceremony  at Parliament House in Canberra on 2 June, last week.

“APhO was fantastic and, in between theory and practical exams in Tel Aviv, Israel, we visited Jerusalem, swam in the Dead Sea, and explored Masada,” says Katherine.

Katherine admits it was disappointing for the Australian team to leave Israel without any medals. “APhO is renowned for being really challenging,” she explains. “Not only are the questions extremely difficult, but  some teams are under enormous expectations and pressure to succeed in the competition... For example; instead of attending school, one team had studied full-time for the past eight months solely for this Olympiad, and one Russian student told me he had practised every past paper issued, not just the more recent ones!”

She says the opportunity to converse with students from 16 other countries, including China, Russia and Israel was eye-opening. “We compared notes about schooling, study expectations and preparations for the Olympiads, and even our hopes for the future,” adds Katherine, who is considering tertiary study in structural engineering and will return from the International Olympiad next month to focus on her pending HSC exams.

“APhO was enriching both culturally and educationally. To compete in Thailand at the International Olympiad, where more than 80 countries will be represented, is going to be simply amazing!”

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Information about the Science Olympiads is available at www.asi.edu.au.

Photographs: Above Katherine and another student tackle a practical challenge at an Olympiad screening camp earlier in 2011. Below: Australian representative for the 2011 Physics Olympiad and Roseville College Year 12 prefect, Katherine Quail, with The Hon. Peter Garrett AM, MP.

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Katherine, the only student from a North Shore school – and the only girl – to reach the Top 8 after sitting the Final Selection Examination last week, says there was definitely a turning point when she felt she could secure a place in the Australian team that will compete at the Asia Pacific Physics Olympiad in Israel from 30 April to 10 May this year.

“At first, I didn’t initially think I would progress because the standard was so challenging,” she admits. “Then, once I was there with the other students, I realised that everyone was facing similar challenges and I had to re-evaluate the benchmarks I set myself.”

Katherine had been overwhelmed to learn she had reached the Top 24 (after sitting the National Qualifying Examination at Sydney University) in October last year. Of her achievement at the time, she said, “Getting this far is already a major achievement and I’m going to work as hard as I can.” And hard work is exactly what the 17-year-old got...

“For the three months before the Summer Science School in January, I had to complete a mountain of correspondence work,” she explains. “Then, at the Summer School, we attended three lectures, two tutorials and one practical workshop each day for two weeks, starting at 9am and ending at 10pm - with just one day off in the middle!”

“I had said I would work as hard as I could, and there was definitely a turning point at which I felt I could secure a place in the Top 8,” she adds. “When I returned home, I put in lots of extra time before the Final Selection Examination – I think I did every question and every paper they offered!”

Katherine, who completes Year 12 this year, was one of two Roseville College students invited to attend the prestigious Physics Olympiad Summer Science School in Melbourne in January this year. Next, she will travel to Melbourne on 26 April for four days of intensive training and then fly to Israel with the rest of her Australian team on 30 April. Her individual performance in Israel will determine whether she is selected as one of just five young Australians to compete at the International Olympiad in Thailand later this year.

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Photograph:   Katherine Quail, and in the Physics Laboratories

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In the Long Jump at the Australian Championships, Katrina won individual silver with a jump of 5.68m. In the Hurdles, with 1st place just 0.08 seconds ahead, Katrina was equally delighted with an individual bronze, despite the very tight finish.

“You can never be disappointed with a personal best,” Katrina smiles. “My coaches (at Roseville and Club) have encouraged and prepared me to do my best, and it’s satisfying to come away knowing that you’ve done that.”

Katrina also competed in the 100m (placing 4th in 12.63 seconds) and the Under 18 4 x 100m relay, in which her NSW team placed 2nd – the second of her two silver medals. At the NSW Little Athletics Championships, Katrina won three gold medals in the 100m (personal best time of 12.38 seconds), Long Jump (5.78m) and 90m Hurdles (personal best time and a new state record of 12.66 seconds).

Head of Sport at Roseville College, Mrs Ann Osborne, is thrilled for Katrina. “She was so happy with her results. It’s an extraordinary effort to return from an Australian Championship with a bronze and two silver medals, then a State Championship with three golds!” “Of course I have aspirations,” Katrina adds, mentioning that she recently applied for Athletics Australia’s Under 17 Development Squad.

“I’m in Year 10 and I am beginning to think about university and my options beyond school. At the moment, I’m enjoying athletics and want to pursue it as far as I can, while keeping a healthy balance with school and the other important things in life.” Last December, Roseville College was represented in all three age-groups, Junior, Intermediate and Senior, at the 2011 School Sport Australia Final of the Athletics Knockout Competition, and, in the past three years, has successfully seen graduates pursue sport at Australian and overseas universities in athletics, basketball, softball, rowing and tennis.

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The annual Young Leaders Day inspires primary school leaders and promotes Kids Give as an avenue for children to apply self-inspired leadership in practical ways. As one of six primary school students on the first Kids Advisory Team (since 2014), Jasmine has initiated six independent philanthropic campaigns to raise more than $4,000.

"Knowing that you don't have to be an adult to make a difference in the world means a lot to me," says Jasmine, who has been motivated to fundraise for causes including children's education in Bangladesh, Ebola medication and protective clothes, Brumble horse rescue, Nepal earthquake recovery efforts, and child labour.

"I got involved in Kids Give because I wanted to make a difference. Now, I also hope to encourage other kids to take action to help others, too", says Jasmine. "I was really encouraged by how many other kids came up to me in Perth saying they were inspired to raise through Kids Give. Lot of new campaigns have started since!"

Speaking at the Young Leaders Day, which Jasmine described as "amazing, exciting and unbelievable," also gave Jasmine the opportunity to speak with the 2015 Young Australian of the Year, Drisana Levitzke-Gray (pictured). Drisana impressed Jasmine with her positivity and passion to champion change for deaf people.

"She was so positive about being deaf and through an interpreter, shared about her campaign for teachers to be trained to teach Auslan, Australian sign language. Her approach is that little steps lead to big changes," explains Jasmine.

Little steps are what Jasmine aims to continue taking, and she has set a goal to run a campaign every holidays.

"My next campaign is to help raise awareness about alopecia, which I learnt about because a friend's little sister has the condition," she says. "A few friends and I will donate our hair to make wigs for children with alopecia, and we want to hold a cake stall too. Our campaign has been launched (and will last three months) on Kids Give at http://www.kidsgive.com.au/campaigns/kids-with-alopecia/ - and yes, we'd love community support!"

For more information about Young Leaders Day, visit http://halogen.org.au/. To learn more about Kids Give, which has facilitated nearly $5million in fundraising by children, visit http://www.kidsgive.com.au/. To learn about Auslan, the cause championed by Drisana Levitzke-Gray, visit www.auslan.org.au

Photo: Jasmine Cochrane, met 2015 Young Australian of the Year, Drisana Levitzke-Gray at the 2016 Young Leaders Day in March.

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The unit of study was the idea of Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Jos Dudley, who had seen similar initiatives online, run by schools overseas.

“The girls were so excited at the concept – especially tracking a big count-down as we marked 100 days off the calendar,” says Mrs Dudley, explaining that all activities, including the count-down, grouped “100” into lots of “10” to help girls calculate the large number.

“We created ‘Happy 100 Day’ badges that each girl donned proudly, recruited the Years 5-6 girls to help create the number ‘100’ with 100 students, and celebrated with delicious cupcakes in the shape of 100,” reported Mrs Dudley.

Destined to become an annual fixture on the Kindergarten calendar, and this year coinciding with the London 2012 Olympic Games, the “100 Days Smarter” activities included girls presenting a collection of 100 items to their peers (such as the Olympic Rings made from 100 appropriately coloured buttons), writing 100-inspired sentences, creating colourful paper chains with 100 links and participating in a 100-games, with events such as 100 skips, 100 jumps, and fun 100 second activities.

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Photograph: Kindergarten girls enjoy “100 Days Smarter” activities

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Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Jos Dudley, said the girls were grateful for their first 100 days at Roseville College and were inspired to do something constructive when they learnt that not all children around the world have the same opportunity.

“Roseville College has a commitment to our Tanzanian sister school, Bunda Girls Secondary School, and the children agreed that this was a wonderful opportunity for them to support Bunda’s new Shalom co-educational Junior School, which opened in January 2018,” explains Mrs Dudley, who says the girls theme “#100% Grateful” reflects the purpose of their fundraising effort.

“The girls know 100 days is a big deal for them,” Mrs Dudley says. “However, instead of focussing on themselves, they wanted to do something compassionate and life-changing for someone else. Their aim was to raise $500, enough to cover the tuition costs of a child who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend school – but, to their delight, they actually rose $1,000, which supports two children to attend school!”

Students, with the help of their Year 6 buddies, worked to create limited edition badges and craft items to sell alongside delicious cupcakes, which they sold to peers and teachers during recess.

Roseville College is committed to realising purpose in the lives of our students, through how girls live and learn for purpose. Developing a confident identity, being a considerate citizen and serving with compassion are qualities nurtured in a Roseville girl as part of our school community, which is underpinned by Christian values and which many describe as an extension of their own family.

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Roseville College's Kindergarten teacher Mrs Jos Dudley says one of the keys to helping the School's newest cohort settle in quickly is to ensure they immediately feel part of something bigger and have something wonderfully fun and exciting to look forward to.

"...and what is more exciting than a party?" smiles Mrs Dudley, who admits that August does seem a long way away right now. "Between now and then, the Kindy girls will be busy learning about printed patterns, letters and numbers, and asking lots of 'why?' questions. 100 days of school really is an accomplishment worth celebrating!"

To kick off the 100 days, the school's newest students will discover its myriad playtime and learning areas in a mystery treasure hunt around the College, and spend time getting to know special Year 6 'Buddies' who will meet with them each week to help them settle in and knit into the school's peer support program.

"The next 100 days will be exciting for the girls as parents and grandparents will have opportunities to visit and share their learning experiences, incuding special events for Mums and Dads, and a dedicated Grandparents' Day. Families at Rosevile College comment on our specific commitment to building community from Kindy to Year 12, so we focus on opportunities for each girl's family to participate in the first 100 days of learning", explains Mrs Dudley.

Roseville College has a commitment to ensuring each girl is valued and cared for, with individual needs catered for through differentiated curriculum and fostering areas of personal interest as girls express wonder and curiousity in their learning. As well as the important skills of reading, writing and mathematics, Kindy girls learn about the people around them, practising how to think of others before themselves, and how to cooperate and collaborate. They are well supported through instruction by specialist teachers who desire for every girl to flourish.

Photo: Roseville College Kindergarten girls, Gracie Lowe and Eliza Stuart, on their first day of school.

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College Assistant Head of Science, Ms Caitriona McCann, says students clearly benefitted from the experience, which was both fun and enriching.

“Roseville College staff and KPMG facilitators were impressed with the high level of engagement of our girls and the quality of the products produced in the final Design Thinking Challenge,” she says.

Importantly, the workshop seeks to inspire young women to seriously consider STEAM careers while also understanding the real-life workplace challenges that face women in the industry, such as bridging the gender gap in some sectors and the importance of work-life balance. Students also explored how STEAM skills can be utilised in many different ways and put their own skills to the test by tackling three mini challenges: Big Data, building “smart” cities, and successful actions for disaster relief.

“It was really interesting to hear from a panel of women who were discussing the gender gap in STEAM”, says Year 10 student, Briony Campbell, who admits that she had not previously considered a career in engineering. “The workshop has built my confidence and changed my perspective.”

Recognising that not all students may pursue a career in STEAM, Ms McCann says, “it was a valuable opportunity for our students to appreciate the importance of STEAM, and that they will likely use these skills indirectly in other careers.”

The day culminated in the Design Thinking Challenge, where groups pitched campaigns and solutions to the cohort and KPMG facilitators on global issues; such as climate change, waste management, autonomous vehicles and the aging population and changing workforce.

The inspiring workshop, held on campus and donated to the College by KPMG, is one of several industry-led experiences offered to students at Roseville College each year.

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Aspiring to represent Roseville College in six sports this year, Lea is excited to have achieved CIS representation in Netball, having previously competed at CIS level in cross country, swimming and athletics in 2014.

"Lea is a remarkable young athlete", says Head of Junior School Mrs Tanya Vaughan. "She exhibited discipline and good teamwork at this year's Junior SChool Swimming Carnival being named Swimming Champion; she also serves as one of our Prefects."

Mrs Vaughan says Lea has worked hard and personifies the Roseville College culture of "giving everything a go" and striving to achieve one's personal best.

Lea represented IPSHA at CIS last week in Penrith, finishing second overall, before being selected for the CIS Netball team from more than 80 talented young players. In addition to netball, Lea also represents Roseville College in swimming, athletics, hockey, basketball and soccer.

Photograph: Roseville College Year 6 student and CIS Netball Representative, Lea Gassmann.

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Three Roseville College Senior School music students, including two music scholarship recipients, also performed during the Masterclass.

It was an honour to have Simon attentive to my performance, says Year 12 Music Captain, Wenny Qu, who expects Mr Tedeschi’s guidance of her emotive and technical skills will help her as she approaches her HSC music performances. Wenny, a Roseville music scholar, has played piano for 14 years and currently studies with one of Simon’s past teachers. It is incredible to have an opportunity like this at school

Pianist and music scholar Elyssa Chien, Year 7, and fellow pianist Cynthia So, Year 9, also performed in the Masterclass. Despite being younger performers, both have set high standards for learning, self-improvement and discipline when it comes to studying piano. The girls agree that today's remarkable opportunity will have lasting impact on the depth and quality of their musical performances, as well as on their outlook to practise and learning – even beyond music.

Roseville College Learning Enrichment teachers, Mrs Annelise Woo Ruiz and Mrs Claire Rowsell, orchestrated the visit because they are committed to inspiring girls to embrace their natural gifts and abilities - whether in music, the arts, sports or academic pursuits, and to persevere through work hard.

Simon is extraordinarily gifted musically, yet he had to work extremely hard at perfecting his ability to a world-class standard, explains Mrs Woo Ruiz, who says Simon tells his own story to expel the notion of easy giftedness and credits his success to several things including a measure of good luck. Mrs Woo Ruiz thinks three of these in particular will resonate with Roseville College girls. Firstly, the currency of hard work; it counts and it pays off. Next, appreciating the network of teachers and family who support (and nudge) you to stay focussed on your goal or dream. Lastly, the value of having balance in life; to nurture relationships and have a good sense of humour, and to enjoy a range of hobbies.

“Make the most of every opportunity you have to refine and extend your natural abilities, no matter what they are. Everyone’s development process is individual; however, key characteristics that will help you achieve your goals are universal: resilience, perseverance, hard work and passion,” said Mr Tedeschi.

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Contact: Kaje Pickering, Media & Public Affairs | M 0414 4 73 640 | kpickering@roseville.nsw.edu.au

The leading school for girls opened its gates to families and visitors, as staff and students hosted the Festival with energy and joy. Throughout, students proudly showcased the College’s breadth of learning in STEAM*, the Humanities and Social Sciences, Music and The Performing Arts, Sports and Wellbeing, and Junior School.

“It was a wonderful event in the life of Roseville College, with students participating in a wide range of exhibitions, showcases, recitals, performances, demonstrations... and so much more,” says Principal, Ms Deb Magill, who praised the students and their teachers for the planning and effort behind each activity on the day.

“This year, Roseville College celebrates 110 years of realising purpose in the lives of young Australian women. By evincing learning with purpose, and sharing it with family and visitors in a practical, demonstrable way – like through our Learning Festival, girls have an opportunity to review what they are doing at school each day, and to give reason and purpose to it.”

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The Festival celebrates “Learning for Purpose” by girls in Kindergarten to Year 12, with more than one hundred different displays and activities on the afternoon’s program. The Festival is hosted by students and their teachers, who are excited to show visitors, including family, friends and fellow students, what they are doing at Roseville College each day, and to demonstrate the reason and purpose behind it. 

“It was a delight and privilege to welcome visitors to our campus for a fun and engaging afternoon to connect with the learning and efforts of our students,” says Principal Ms Deb Magill, who added that the program included a wide variety of exhibitions, recitals, performances, demonstrations, workshops and presentations across five precincts of learning: STEAM*, the Humanities and Social Sciences, the Performing Arts, Sports and Wellbeing, and the Junior School.

“Each year, our staff report countless comments from adults who wish they could return to school and experience the calibre of learning that our Roseville girls enjoy every day,” she says. “At Roseville College, each girl truly matters - in her learning and her wellbeing.”

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Roseville College’s new library and Learning Enrichment precinct embodies the essence of what the school aims to achieve in the 21st Century.

The college’s principal Megan Krimmer said:
     ‘‘If the school spirit of Roseville College could manifest itself into a building, it might resemble our new library and Learning Enrichment Centre (LEC).
     ‘‘This building was inspired by each girl here at the college, that is, our 21st Century learners.
     ‘‘It is innovative, flexible, purposeful, aesthetically uplifting and literally buzzes with energy. It embodies the learning community here at Roseville.
     ‘‘Our focus is always on student learning outcomes, so the building is designed to inspire new and different ways of thinking and doing, today and tomorrow. It is designed to empower our students to be flexible, creative, adaptive and collaborative as they learn.’’

Settled between Roseville’s leafy avenues for more than 100 years, the college sought to construct the new facilities using the same footprint as the incumbent structure.

The new building is designed to be unobtrusive and incorporate ecologicallysustainable benefits. The brief required the library’s architect Paul Gallagher of Studio GA in Crows Nest to apply what the college aims to inspire in its students – ingenuity, innovation, flexibility and creative thinking.

Mrs Krimmer said Studio GA successfully transformed the college’s ideas from paper into a building that fulfilled their expectations.

She credits her predecessor, Dr Briony Scott, and a team including Deputy Principal, Tim Watson; director of Innovative Teaching, Rowena Dudgeon; head of Library Services, Jeanette Harkness; School Council member, Caroline Hart; Business manager, Michelle Blood; and chairman of the College Council, Dr Tim Roberts, with setting the benchmark high.
     ‘‘They completely re-thought the notion of a ‘library’,’’ Mrs Krimmer said. ‘‘They wanted to make sure the proposed structure could evolve with the times, and still be contemporary and relevant when our current kindergarten girls study for their HSC in 12 years’ time.’’
     ‘‘The result of this large and complex project is a clever building,’’ she said.
     ‘‘The school community is absolutely delighted with the finished product.’’

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The Library is about to experience a radical redesign. It is one of the most important spaces in the school and it will be transformed into a “learning hub” of the school. The Library will become a place where our girls are trained in critical thinking and are formed into wise users of information in the 21st Century.

Whilst redesigning the Library, we are taking the opportunity to “face-lift” and extend existing and new facilities.  Hinemoa, a space used for major exams and day-to-day activities will be air conditioned, along with the Library.  A new Kirkham Room will be built into existing roof space and will adjoin Hinemoa with moveable doors. 

Our school leaders, our Year 12s, will have will have their Common Room redesigned and enlarged.  It will become an inviting space where these young adults can study, socialise, relax and prepare for life after school.  Adjacent to the Library we will be building a two-story Academic Care Centre which will house our Learning Support Staff and will have separate learning and enrichment spaces for our girls.

Please view our presentation of the Library.

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Google has selected Mrs Abi Woldhuis as an attendee at the next Google Teacher Academy, to be held in Sydney, Australia on 7 May 2013.

The Google Teacher Academy is a two-day intensive program that recognizes educators who are doing innovative and exciting things in their classrooms with technology.  50 participants will get hands-on experience with Google's products and technologies, learn about innovative instructional strategies, and receive resources to share with colleagues. Upon completion, Academy participants become Google Certified Teachers who share what they learn with other K-12 educators in their local regions and beyond.
 
Abi Woldhuis is thrilled to be among those selected.

Google Certified Teachers are exceptional K-12 educators with a passion for using innovative tools to improve teaching and learning, as well as creative leaders and ambassadors for change. They are recognized experts and widely admired for their commitment to high expectations for students, lifelong learning and collaboration.

The topic of integrating technology into education is a controversial yet vital conversation we all need to be having. If you are interested, Abi Woldhuis would be thrilled to share their experience at the Google Teacher Academy with your readers.
 
The Google Certified Teacher program was launched in 2006 with the first Academy held at Google headquarters in Mountain View. The program has since held several academies across the US, Australia, and U.K., expanding the ranks of Google Certified Teachers to over 800 educators worldwide. The Google Teacher Academy is produced by Google, in collaboration with Computer-Using Educators (CUE, Inc), an educational non-profit organization.
 
For more information visit www.google.com/edu/gta or contact Google at press@google.com                                  

Company Name: Computer-Using Educators (CUE, Inc.)
Contact at CUE: Danny Silva, Director of the Google Teacher Academy
Telephone Number: 925-478-3458                                              
Web site address: cue.org

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Roseville College Year 11 student and Type 1 Diabetic, Lucy Allen, is one of three 'Teen Achiever of the Year' finalists in the Sweet Talk Awards that close next week, on 6 August. 

Having lived with Type 1 Diabetes for eight years, Lucy Allen does not let the condition hamper her dreams – she recently completed a personally challenging 5 day, high-altitude climb in Peru with 18 Roseville College classmates to fulfil the expedition component of her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Coordinator Miss Emily Shanahan, one of two teachers who accompanied the students, says Lucy and the team were well prepared knowing Lucy would be far from specialised medical help during the trip. Previously, she had not been away from her parents for more than four nights in a row.

Lucy, who also rallied her peers to participate in a fundraising walk for diabetes research, is proud of her efforts. “It was testing, but completing it was the most amazing feeling I’ve ever experienced. I promise you, completing a dream and overcoming adversity is the most important thing you could ever do.'

The 2nd annual “Sweet Talk Awards” aim to raise awareness, and acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of everyday Australians who live with diabetes, Australia’s fasting growing chronic condition. More than a million Australians live with diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes. Winners receive a trophy and $1000 towards another experience of a lifetime. Finalists have been selected by Marcia Hines, Peter Howard and a panel of prominent healthcare professionals. 

Roseville College began offering this style of overseas expeditions for students in 1999 and, since then, more than 350 students have experienced countries (and cultures) including Morocco, Laos, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, India, Nepal and Borneo. In 2012, students are going to Tanzania and Nepal. Lucy’s expedition to Peru included five days of hiking and 20 days at altitude between 30 November – 23 December 2012. 

For more information and to vote for Lucy, visit www.sweettalkdiabetes.com.au/home/sweet-talk-awards/teen-achiever-of-the-year-finalists/lucy-allen.

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As a key player in the NSW U17 team as an outfielder, catcher and 2nd base, Maddy competed at Nationals in Canberra, ACT, in January and was named in the "Team of the Tournament" as an outfielder.

"Softball is highly competitive at this level, pushing players to strive for individual excellence in their key positions, while challenging them to balance that sense of competition with the essence of cooperation and teamwork essential for one team to come out on top", explains Roseville College Softball coach, Mrs Angela Knight.

After the NSW team won Nationals, Maddy continued to demonstrate discipline and leadership in Softball, being selected in the IGSSA representative for the second consecutive year, as well as for the NSWCIS team.

"Maddy has represented Roseville College 1sts for two years and is an outstanding player and team member," says Mrs Knight. "She is incredibly versatile and can play in many positions - catcher, outfield shortstop or anywhere in the infield."

However, Mrs Knight says Maddy's defining quality as a sportswoman is her ability to encourage others, be the "happy heartbeat" of a team and to marshall her teammates along side her as she strives to do her best. She has a wonderful support team both here at school among staff and friends, as well, crucially, at home. In 2014, Maddy received Roseville College's award for the 'Most Promising Junior Softballer'.

The under 17 Australian Softball squad will play in an international friendship series this July at Olympic Park, Blacktown.

Photograph: Roseville College Year 10 student and Australian U17 Softball representative, Madeleine Beard.

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Receiving confirmation last week, Madeleine says she is excited that all the work she has invested in her Visual Arts studies over the years at Roseville College has “paid off in this way”.

“One of the most important things Roseville College did was encourage me and offer inspiration – and a little push, when needed – such as facilitating my application for the National Art School (NAS) in 2011,” she says, adding that her NAS selection for print making was crucial to the success of her major work.

“My major work is inspired by the fungi I observed growing in the old growth forest that hems West Chatswood, specifically along the Ferndale Track in Lane Cove National Park. The five panels blend elements such as print-making, textured paper sculpture and photography,” she explains.

Despite being the College’s Visual Art Captain in 2012 and this year’s recipient of its Creative Arts Trophy for Overall Excellence in Visual Arts, Madeleine hesitates when asked whether Art School is part of her post-school ambitions.

“I’m actually going to the Northern Territory to be a Jillaroo for a year before commencing studies in Rural Science...” she laughs, saying this is influenced by her passion for how Australia’s natural resources are managed combined with her enjoyment of Biology.

Despite this unexpected response from someone selected for ARTEXPRESS, the granddaughter of artist Mary Scholes isn’t planning to waste her artistic abilities and is also considering a specialist post graduate degree that combines her interest in biology with art.

More than 400 Major Works from across NSW were nominated for ARTEXPRESS, with 50 percent selected for inclusion in eleven exhibitions around the state in 2013. It is understood that Hidden Kingdom will be on display at Maitland Regional Art Gallery from 7 June - 28 July 2013. For more information about ARTEXPRESS, visit http://artexpress.artsunit.nsw.edu.au.

Photographs: top Roseville College Year 12 graduate, Madeleine Taylor, will exhibit in next year’s ARTEXPRESS showcase. middle and bottom The five panels and a close up bottom of Madeleine Taylor’s major art work, Hidden Kingdom.

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The trip was part of the Micah Challenge’s “Voice for Justice” campaign, which saw groups, just like that from the North Shore, hold more than 100 appointments with Members and Senators between 15-18 September. The North Shore delegation met with local Member for Bradfield, Mr Paul Fletcher, who joined them for a photograph which was added to the enormous “2015-Halve Poverty” puzzle on Parliament House lawns during the campaign. 

Roseville College Acting Chaplain, Ms Valerie Williams, accompanied the students and says young Australians are aware of global social issues and are looking for positive ways they can make a difference. Year 11 student Katrina Woodforde left “Voices of Justice” feeling that she had achieved that. 

“I believe everyone deserves a fair go and a chance at a decent life,” she says. “Yes, youth are the leaders of the future; but it is brilliant to do something today by reminding our leaders that we are all accountable to our promises.” 

Delegates appreciate that Australia is making a difference; of the top ten countries that Australia supports with development aid, child mortality has fallen between 30 - 70%. In East Timor, child deaths have fallen from 17% to 5%. However, many feel our nation is not on target when it comes to the MDGs that address hunger, education and health. For example, Australia currently gives 0.35% of national income to overseas aid compared with the UN target of 0.7. 

The Micah Challenge brings a coalition of Christian aid agencies, churches and individuals together to maintain pressure on Australia’s leaders to stay focussed on the MDGs. For more information about the Micah Challenge and the “Voices for Justice” campaign, visit http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/voices-justice

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For two weeks, 51 students in the School's Wind, Vocal, String and Jazz Ensembles will participate in cultural and musical exchange, featuring workshops and performances with Japanese schools, including the College's sister school, Bunka Girls High School in Tokyo. A tour highlight is an official performance for HE Mr Richard Court AC, Australian Ambassador to Japan, in proceedings following the solemn ANZAC memorial service at Yokohama War Cemetery on 25 April.

"Yokohama War Cemetery is the only war cemetery in Japan administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission," explains Roseville College's Head of Music, Mrs Noni Katada.

"Yokohama is the resting place of 277 members of the Australian army, navy, merchant navy and airforce, as well as two unknown Australian military personnel. As such, it is extremely special and timely for Roseville College students to honour and remember the ANZAC sacrifice, while simultaneously building their own personal connections in Janap that inspirit richer cultural respect and understanding,"

The students will also enjoy the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous musicians, experience the diversity of Japan's music and art culture (including attending a kimono fashion show and a private Koto music performance), and will explore the significance of local music history (including the development of Japanese musical instruments).

"This is a lifetime opportunity for students to expand both their musical and cultural horizons. Music is the common language of the tour; it is like the seed from which friendships grow," says Mrs Katada. "Of course, no trip to Japan is complete without walking beneath the cherry blossoms, travelling by bullet train or visiting ancient sites like Kyoto's splendid Kinkakuji temple (the 18 carat Golden Pavilion). It is truly a privilege for the girls to tour Japan, sharing their love of music."

Students will participate in workshops and perform formally to audiences in glorious venues and spectacular settings in cities including Otsu, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Odawara and Tokyo.

Photo: Rachel Montford, Natalie Vogel and Krystal Lau are visiting Japan for two weeks on the Roseville College Music Performance Tour

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The five girls, Ella Boulton of Year 7, Phoebe Xu of Year 8 and Year 9 students, Josephine Harrison, Gemma Lambourne and Jessica Murrie, are looking forward to the two week expedition with great expectation.

Roseville College Science teacher Ms Jenny Collins, who is accompanying the students on the once-in-a-lifetime two week journey to the NASA Johnson Space Centre in Houston and the Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama, admits that visiting NASA has been a lifelong dream, stemming from her own childhood.

"I remember my primary school experience in 1969, when we all crowded around to stare at one of the few TVs and witnes the lunar landing; man walking on the moon. It was just like a scene from 'The Dish' movie!" she says. "I've had an interest in space ever since, and will share the same excitement and anticipation of the girls because it's a first time experience for all of us,"

Just 12 years old, Ella says she has been interested in astronomy and physics since she was three. "It's true!" she laughs. "My room was adorned with posters of the solar system and constellations,"

For Ella, the expedition is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking; it will be the first time she has travelled overseas without her family and also is the longest period of time she has been away from them.

"I'm especially grateful for my parents who have given me the opportunity and freedom to go," she says, acknowledging how emotional it must be to let your child embark on a trip like this, even before she's technically a teenager. "I saw a NASA poster at school last year and talked with my mum about going on a trip. It means so much to me. I'm hoping to gain a greater understanding of space exploration' but I don't want to be an astronaut! I would be happy if I could work in the team here on earth!"

The Houston Association for Space and Science Education (HASSE) Junior Space School Program runs from 26 June to 10 July and is supported by business, scholars, NASA scientists and astronauts. The Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia is coordinating the expedition, which integrates culture, space, science, medicine and marine life for an out-of-this-world, high impact learning experience. More than 8000 students have participated in the program since 2002.

Photo: Science teacher Ms Jenny Collins and five students

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Jessica Egan, Year 10, placed third in the U15 First Aid category at the National Surf Life Saving Championships (the ‘Aussies’) held in Perth from 31 March to 6 April 2014.

Jessica has achieved a great deal in what is only her second year of competition. During her first year, Jessica and her partner placed 2nd at the Branch Championships, 3rd at the State Championships and 5th at the ‘Aussies’. This year, Jessica is very pleased with the improvements she has made, and she and her partner were placed 2nd at the Branch Championships, 1st at the State Championships and 3rd at the ‘Aussies’.

Jessica has been involved in surf life saving since she started ‘Nippers’ at the age of five. She discovered her enjoyment of learning first aid while completing the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC).

‘First Aid is quite different to the rest of the surf life saving events because you are given a scenario with injured patients and you have a time limit in which to treat them’.

Photo: Jessica Egan (far right) with her first aid partner, Georgie Worner.

School Captain, Zoe King, said her two weeks at the Forum "consisted of twelve days of numerous lab visits, lectures from prestigious scientists and the opportunity to interact with passionate students from around Australia and from around the world".

As part of the Medical Science Interest Group, along with Lauren Caush, Zoe visited Canberra Hospital, the Australian Institute of Sport and the John Curtin School for Medical Research at ANU.

"We collaborated with some of the nation's leading scientists who were not only academically outstanding but were invaluable in the advice they gave to aspiring students such as ourselves."

Tarryn Myburgh was in the Earth and Environmental Science Group, with which she visited the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, ANU's Earth and Environmental laboratories and even participated in a paleontological dig where she found Triassic fish and ferns that she was able to bring home!

Zoe is grateful for the support by local Rotary chapters, who sponsored the three students and, in thanking them, says the journey "has been an insightful experience that deeply broadened our understanding of the field of science and of ourselves."

The three students were sponsored by Roseville Rotary (Zoe and Tarryn) and North Sydney Rotary (Lauren).

The National Youth Science Forum helps students moving into Year 12, who wish to follow careers in science, engineering and technology by introducing them to research and researchers, by encouraging the achievement of excellence in all their undertakings, and by helping to develop their communication and interpersonal skills. The flagship event was the January Forum in Canberra at the Australian National University. Visit www.nysf.edu.au for more information.

Photo: Year 12 School Captain Zoe King, with Lauren Caush (left) and Tarryn Myburg (right) attended the 30th year of the National Youth Science Forum, with Rotary Australia as the founding partner.

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Year 12 students Tarryn Myburgh, Zoe King (School Captain0 and Lauren Caush (Vice Captain) flourished under the pressure of lengthy and strenuous application process, from online submissions and face-to-face interviews to essays and speeches.

Tarryn says that while the selection process was intense, it helped her realise how much she wanted to be part of the program, which has been running for 30 years with Rotary Australia as the founding partner.

"I was inspired to sign up by one of last year's participants from Roseville College," says Tarryn. "I'm interested in palaeontology and geology, and this program gives me the chance to really explore science beyond the HSC curriculum and it will help me think about my career and study options after school."

Acting Head of Science at Roseville College, Ms Adele Crane, says it is unusual for three successful candidates to come from the same school, noting that they are not all sponsored by the same Rotary chapter (Zoe and Tarryn) are sponsored by the Roseville chapter and Lauren is sponsored by the North Sydney chapter).

"The joy and excitement of the girls at news of their acceptance as delightful," Ms Crane says. "The Forum now gives them opportunities to explore science and engineering beyond the school curriculum, and opens doors for future study, research and employment in these fields."

The National Youth Science Forum helps students moving into Year 12, who wish to follow careers in science, engineering and technology by introducing them to research and researchers, by encouraging the achievement of excellence in all their undertakings, and by helping to develop their communication and interpersonal skills. The flagship event is the January Forum in Canberra at the Australian National University. Visit www.nysf.edu.au for more information.

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Mrs Vaughan, previously Principal at Northcross Christian School, says she is looking forward to starting the new school year at Roseville College.

“My personal and professional journey is one of learning new things,” she says. “I am constantly grateful for the opportunities I have to do this every day. I’m especially excited about sharing the ‘journey of learning’ with the young people in our Junior School community as school gets underway.”

After two decades as a professional educator in independent education in Australia and New Zealand, Mrs Vaughan has strong leadership experience and is an innovator in areas of educational and curriculum development, enrichment through extra-curricular opportunities and community partnerships.

Mrs Vaughan agrees that each child is unique, with their own strengths and purpose.

“Children respond when they are given opportunities to explore their potential in an environment to which they love to come each day, to a place where they feel safe and are encouraged to learn, grow, play and connect with others.”

Mrs Vaughan’s appointment follows the retirement of Mrs Julia Elsey at the close of 2010.

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Photograph: Mrs Tanya Vaughan, Head of Junior School.

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Principal, Deb Magill, says that being well physically and emotionally is essential for girls from Kindergarten to Year 12 to learn well. “It is well established that healthy students learn better – they are better able to concentrate and have higher levels of engagement in their education,” says Ms Magill. “We want our girls to be well as a whole person, and this includes self-care and physical activity, whether for fun or as elite sportswomen. It is about embracing healthy lifestyle habits as a foundation for well-balanced, happy lives.”

Plans for the new Centre, which is estimated to cost $26 million to build, include an outdoor court area to replace existing courts, a spacious strength and conditioning gymnasium, and an indoor swimming pool to allow year-round, all-weather learn to swim activities and elite squad training. The College’s existing outdoor pool, which opened in 1973, has reached the end of its life; it cannot be used during winter and is now costing a considerable amount to maintain.

The Centre will also feature a leading-edge nutrition and food technology space, flexible learning spaces, and underground car parking spaces for staff and students to ease the demand on neighbouring streets.

Ms Magill says, “The phrase I hear more than any other is that Roseville punches above its weight, and now we’ll have the facilities to match. The goal is to offer our girls a contemporary learning environment for health and wellbeing, where they can develop their personal, team and leadership skills in all aspects of living well.

“The College is welcoming alumni (our Old Girls), students, teachers, families and neighbours to be involved in the planning process. We think of our whole campus as a classroom and strongly believe the new Centre will benefit from the knowledge and input of our community as we work to make the best use of our site for our girls. The design builds into the natural slope of the land, the building line is in keeping with homes in the street, and landscaping will reflect the local character of our suburb, to which we are very proud to belong. The College has always been proud of its good relationship with our local community, and their involvement in this next chapter of our 111-year history is important to us.

“It is hoped that construction of the Sport and Wellbeing Centre will begin in mid to late 2020 for completion by the end of 2021, with funding through College reserves built up over time and from philanthropy and tax-deductible donations to the School’s Building Fund,” said Ms Magill.

Roseville College Head of Sport, Mrs Ann Osborne, says consistency is a key in gymnastics, especially when titles are awarded for accumulated points total.

Olivia was Level 5 all-round State Champion at the recent WAG NSW State Championships with two first places in Beam (9.650) and Floor (9.650) and two fifth places on Bars (9.475) and Vault (9.300). With her Club (Icon Gymnastics), she now heads to one of the major competitions for female gymnasts, the Women's Artistic Gymnastics National Club Championships, in Victoria from 16 September.

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"It means a great deal to receive recognition for my contribution to ICT education at Roseville College and to the wider profession. I was very pleased to be included among a field of very worthy, very deserving nominees, so to be named the NSW ICT Educator of the Year is humbling and gratifying," Mrs Woldhuis says, adding that the honour is one of which she is extremely proud.

Mrs Woldhuis says ICT education has great potential to change lives of young people by empowering them to embrace then innovate with technology.

"At Roseville College, we looked at where technology complemented and extended the curriculum - where children could create with technology, not merely control technology," she says. "Excellent teachers transform learning and aim to create environments where technology enables a learning journey that is driven by the child."

When describing the cultural change required in schools, Mrs Woldhuis says children need time to tinker and to solve problems where technology is the enabler, not the focus (and not just learning a software package that thinks for them).

"When you allow children the opportunity to find solutions to problems that matter to them, you see a whole new level of engagement in authentic learning. When children see the purpose in what they are doing, the learning motivates them and 'failures' are just excuses to try again. Technology is no longer the focus; creating meaning takes over".

The Award, presented on 10 March at the ICTENSW annual conference, recognises distinguished careers and proven inspirational achievement in advocating, supporting and promoting the use of ICT in education. Mrs Woldhuis is now eligible to be nominated by ACCE to be considered for the national ICT Educator of the Year award.

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 Photo: Mrs Abi Woldhuis, is the NSW ICT Educator of the Year (2016).  

Year 5 student Matilda Gauci, was over-the-moon to meet the sailing duo and quick to encourage them to do their best at the Olympics.

"I am impressed by how much training, perseverance and and experience goes into qualifying for the Olympics," says the young amateur sailor, who competed in an Open Bic at the NSW State Championsips.

For Jason and Lisa, the visit to Roseville College was an opportunity to inspire young Australians and share some of the wisdom they've learned on the road to the Rio Olympic Games to be held from 5 - 21 August.

"I will be so proud to call myself an Olympian," says Jason. "I've been working towards this title all my life,"

Jason, who is from the Northern Beaches, will represent Australia in Rio sailing in the Nacra 17 mixed multi-hull alongside his team mate and, surprisingly for many students, his cousin and fellow Sydney local, Lisa Darmanin.

"We have been sailing together for eight years," adds Jason, who comes from a sailing family and sailed around the world on a yacht as a child. "We've worked hard during that time. Working hard towards your goals is my best advice to the Roseville students, but the most important part is to enjoy the journey and have fun along the way!"

Team mate Lisa Darmanin surprised the students with her all round focus on learning and excellence. At 24 years old and heading to compete on world's most celebrated sporting stage, Lisa does so with a University degree already under her belt. She was, for the students, a vivacious, intelligent female role-model who inspired the girls to believe that women can achieve great things on many fronts, at once, with diligence, commitment and time management.

Not surprisingly, Lisa's advice to the girls was "to always try your hardest, no matter what you do in life,"

Jason and Lisa won their first overseas medal at the 2009 ISAF Youth Worlds in Buzios, Brazil and more recently won the 2015 Rio Test Event and placed second at the 2015 World Championships. They make their Olympic debut in Rio.

"There is luck and a lot of skill needed to bring home a medal," Matilda adds, thoughtfully, when asked what she'd like to say to Jason and Lisa during their visit, "I want to tell Jason and Lisa that I think its such a big deal to be in the Olympic team; that alone deserves congratulations! And I wish them good luck!"

Photo: 2016 Olympic team sailors, Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin with Roseville College Year 5 student, Matilda Gauci (front), and Year 6 leaders, Elinor Trevelyan Jones and Adelaide French (back)

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Year 12 students Alcina, Christine and Rebecca are among those who visited the College to celebrate their achievements. Alcina, whose elder sister, medical student, Gloria, was Roseville College Dux in 2012, is delighted with her achievement, which guarantees her dream of entry into UNSW to study Science/Law. Fellow All Rounders, Christine and Rebecca, are equally delighted with their results. Christine is hoping to study medicine, whereas Rebecca is planning to study political science and law at ANU.

Alcina believed having a sense of balance and a sense of perspective were important during her HSC. She said being involved in the school community, especially activities like fundraising, helped augment how passionate she was for her subjects. "At this moment, the HSC and ATAR feel important, and fundraising for others gives you perspective. I believe you can always get to where you want, if you work hard."

She also acknowledges the importance of family, friends and a supportive school environment for encouraging her through her HSC years. "Roseville College is great. There are supportive teachers, the students are lovely and my friends are awesome. It all helps in Year 12," she says adding that her parents' support was vital.

"With the help of family and friends, you are able to get out of slumps quickly when the workload seems too much. My parents are very proud of my patience, work ethic and the person I've become."

Principal Mrs Megan Krimmer is delighted for Roseville College's cohort and pleased to see the School rank 27th overall in NSW; however she is sensitive that other students across the state may receive today's results less enthusiastically.

"Students feel under pressure during the HSC and almost everyone says they've worked hard. A strong result is a wonderful reward for diligence and perseverance, and gives students clarity about their future options. However, if a student is disappointed, it can be a blow at this time. Some may not be ready to hear about 'alternative pathways' just yet. Given time and encouragement, I hope all students with passion and dreams will chase every good opportunity available to reach their goals," she says.

Photo inset: Year 12 graduates and NSW All Rounders, Christine Gan, School Dux Alcina Giang and Rebecca Long celebrate their HSC results at the College.

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Roseville College’s annual Passion Project initiative encourages participants to choose an area of passion that they want to foster or pursue. For some, this may involve tackling an issue of interest or concern. It’s an initiative that not only inspires those undertaking the project, but other students that see it in action,” explains Roseville
College Year 6 teacher, Miss Hayley Smith.

Miss Smith says the Passion Project is a home learning exercise that strengthens each girl’s ability to motivate and guide their learning beyond the classroom.

“Students are free to choose their project and some decide to use the opportunity to make a positive difference in an area that matters to them. No matter the project, all girls develop vital transferable and life skills; such as written and oral communication, time management, financial literacy, organisational skills and, like Arabella, the value of learning from trial and error.”

Arabella says her mother was her inspiration for her Passion Project. “My mother has a habit of practising kindness,generosity and compassion toward people in need. If she meets someone who is in need, she tries to help them in a meaningful way and I wanted to imitate that quality through my project,” she says.

“My parents took me to see a movie called, ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’, which had a big impact on me. I hadn’t realised the significance of homelessness; that it was so hard – or perhaps, that my family and I had it so easy in comparison.” “My parents both encouraged and supported my project, which I called ‘Home in a Bag’. The orange outer dry-bag is waterproof, containing a sleeping bag and a poncho that doubles as a waterproof ground sheet,” says Arabella, who adds that each bag costs around $50 and, to assemble 25 units, she undertook extensive fundraising among family and friends, to whom she is also grateful.