Welcome to 2024!

We are thrilled to present our 2023-2024 Summer edition of the Ravenswood Alumni Newsletter.

In this edition you’ll read about a range of exciting Ravenswood Alumni triumphs both locally and across the globe – in sports, science, arts, and beyond.

We also extend our congratulations to our newest Alumni, the Class of 2023, as they celebrate their outstanding HSC and IB Diploma results. For well over a century, our School has enjoyed a long-standing reputation for academic excellence.

Ravenswood student Vicky Chen achieved a perfect score in the IB Diploma Programme, attaining 45 marks out of a possible 45, placing her in the top 1% of IB students worldwide. This equated to the highest possible ATAR of 99.95. HSC student Mei (Youki) You achieved First in Course in Chinese in Context and 2023 School Captain and HSC Dux Sydney Bao placed 3rd in the State in English Extension 1 and 14th in English Advanced. 11 Ravenswood HSC students were recognised on the HSC All-Round Achievers list (accomplishing results in the highest band possible in 10 or more units)).  Our Class of 2023 also received 21 HSC Showcase nominations - an historically high achievement!

More than half (51%) of the Ravenswood Class of 2023 achieved an ATAR equal to or greater than 90, and 29% of the students achieved an ATAR equal to or greater than 95. The combined median ATAR for the Class of 2023 was 90.40.  We congratulate our Class of 2023 on their immense achievements. You can read more about their excellent performances in the HSC and IB Diploma below.

Award-winning Sydney-based author and journalist, Dr Julia Baird (1987), has published a newly acclaimed book, Bright Shining. Drawing on her background as a former senior editor of Newsweek in New York and a Joan Shorenstein Fellow at the Kennedy School at Harvard University, Baird contends that grace, often overshadowed in our current era of distrust, is a rare currency. Bright Shining challenges readers to recognise and nurture grace in a world marked by information silos and offers profound insights into expressing it, even in the darkest of times. You can purchase Dr Baird's book here .

Dr Sarah Haynes (2015) has been announced as the NSW Rhodes Scholar Elect for 2023 . The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and one of the most prestigious international scholarship programs, enabling outstanding young people to study at Oxford University. Dr Haynes intends to study a Master of Science in Women’s and Reproductive Health and Master of Science in Global Health Science at Oxford.

Central Coast-based Alumni Sara Ryan, who left Ravenswood in 2009, is now a successful horse trainer, making her mark in the horse racing industry. In just her second year as a horse trainer, she won the $3 million Big Dance race with a five-year-old gelding called ‘Attractable’.

Alumni and former Ravenswood Music Scholar, Madeleine Aarons (2019), has begun her full-time career as a professional musician. Armed with a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Queensland Conservatorium, she completed two European tours and is now preparing for her move to Melbourne as she has just received an offer to study at the the prestigious Australian National Academy of Music as a French horn player. Madeleine shared, last year in the Sydney Morning Herald, her fond memories of performing as a Ravenswood student at Sydney Town Hall, ICC Sydney, and then later with the Sydney Youth Orchestra.

Remembering the Legacy of Mrs. Maisie Enders OAM (Jones, 1948): A Pioneer in Australian Wildlife Conservation

Ravenswood Alumni Mrs Maisie Enders OAM (Jones, 1948) passed away in December 2023.

A prominent figure in Australian wildlife conservation , Maisie and her husband Stan moved to their Carboor farm in north-east Victoria in 1953 and began to practice regenerative farming and holistic farm management. At this time, Maisie was also a wildlife carer, taking in hundreds of orphaned wombats, wallabies, and possums. Eager to protect their surrounding habitat, Maisie and Stan were the first landholders to lead the way for greener farming practises and in 2004, their entire 120-hectare farm was protected under a Trust for Nature conservation covenant.

In the early 1990’s, Maisie joined the Australian Wildlife Conservation Society as a Field Researcher. Throughout her career, Maisie played a pivotal role in conservation projects including initiatives to save endangered species, such as the Tasmanian devil and the southern cassowary. Her work focused not only on protecting individual animals but also on safeguarding entire ecosystems, recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings.

Maisie’s contributions to wildlife conservation were widely recognized throughout her life and she received prestigious awards, including the Australian Conservation Medal and the Order of Australia in 1997 for service to conservation through the care of injured, sick, and orphaned native animals and birds.

Maisie’s tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation inspired others to join the fight for a more sustainable future. Maisie is remembered for her kind and compassionate nature, and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life, inspiring them to take action and make a difference.

We congratulate the following Alumni on their celebratory news.

We love to celebrate special milestones of Alumni and include these celebrations in Semper and the Alumni Newsletter. Whether you have had an important professional or personal achievement, or recently married or had a baby please feel free to send it to alumni@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au . We look forward to hearing from you!

Hundreds of Alumni enjoyed the chance to reunite at their Alumni reunion that took place last year, enjoying the camaraderie, intimate tours and lively celebrations.

In November, we welcomed back on campus our esteemed Ravenswood Golden Girls – Alumni who graduated from Ravenswood 50 or more years ago – for the Golden Girls’ Lunch.

The event welcomed the newest Golden Girls from the Class of 1973. Together, the generations of Ravenswood women representing 22 year groups reconnected and celebrated their Ravenswood sisterhood, sharing fond memories and reminiscing as they poured through the Ravenswood archives collection and the new Kindle the Flame book over lunch. The Golden Girls, some of them flying in from overseas to attend, were warmly welcomed by Year 5 students, while Year 4 students gifted them beautiful handmade angel Christmas decorations. Year 11 TAS students also helped serve the ladies their delicious lunch.

In 1901, visionary educator Mabel Fidler founded Ravenswood School for Girls with eight students, and a vision to educate and empower young women. Now 123 years later, Ravenswood’s coffee table history book Kindle the Flame: Over 120 Years of igniting potential and inspiring passion and purpose by Sophie Church, celebrates our School, which is loved by generations of women and their families. The 256-page book recounts the milestones of the School by Principal eras with a colourful array of archival photos and ephemera that brings the history of Ravenswood to life.

Alumni with daughters in the Class of 2023 were invited to attend the Year 12 Final Assembly, where they helped to mark the occasion as the students transitioned to becoming the newest Alumni cohort.

In an emotional service, the Ravenswood Alumni Committee gifted each Year 12 student a Ravenswood Panama hat pin and an embossed Ravenswood jewellery box, on behalf of the Ravenswood Alumni Committee.

Ravenswood Alumni President Lisa Boyce (Clancy, 1990) spoke at the assembly. Susan Austin (Blackmore, 1990), Tanya Boys (Brown, 1993), Sarah Beresford (1984), Kassandra Chardon (Welsh, 1990), Rachel Fife (Newton, 1997), Alison Haines (1990), Sarah Howden-Ferme (Baldock, 1990), Melissa Munn (1988), Philippa Warren (Wines, 1992) and Treasurer of Ravenswood Alumni Soriah McLean (2013) distributed gifts. The Alumni mums later created a guard of honour for the Class of 2023 to move through onto the oval as they departed their final assembly.

In November, Ravenswood welcomed over 1000 members of the community to Carols. Held as a standalone event for the first time since 2018, the evening featured soaring performances by the Junior Grade Choirs, Vocal Ensembles and RAVO Voices.

In November, Year 10 Ravenswood students participated in the inaugural Year 10 Careers Experience Day. The program aimed to help students understand various careers and pathways while reducing potential barriers to career choice. These diverse, renowned organisations—where Alumni or past parents are currently employed—span media, science, architecture, real estate, and more. Students had the unique opportunity to visit companies including Atlassian, CommBank, EY, Optus, Australian Museum, Laverty, Fender Katsalidis, Experian, Mirvac, icada, Ray White, and Network Seven, providing a rich exposure to a range of professional fields. Thank you to the many Alumni who supported the Ravenswood Careers team in providing these enriching experiences and opportunities for Year 10 students.

Summer 2023 Semper (edition #64) has been mailed to our community. The issue showcases extraordinary student and Alumni stories and achievements while highlighting recent community news and reunions. If you live overseas or didn’t receive a copy of the previous issue, you can view the digital version here.

Live in Australia and wish to receive Semper? Have you moved house? You can update your contact details here.

The Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize is an annual acquisitive prize that was launched in 2017 to advance art and opportunity for emerging and established women artists in Australia. It is the highest valued professional artist prize for women in Australia. There are three categories - the Professional Artist Prize of $35,000, the Emerging Artist Prize of $5,000 and the Indigenous Emerging Artist Prize of $5,000. There is also a People's Choice Award of $2,000 plus an art pack valued at $500.

Entries are now open and will close on 14 February 2024.

Ravenswood and esteemed Principal, Mrs Anne Johnstone, have received a series of educational accolades in 2023, consolidating the School's position as one of Australia's trailblazing institutions.

Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate milestones, relive the memories and reconnect with your fellow graduates at our remarkable Alumni reunions organised by year groups.

If you would like to organise your Year Group’s reunion, please email the Ravenswood Community Engagement and Events team at alumni@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au .

To find all details and buy tickets for the upcoming reunions, see if ticket sales have opened for your reunion, please visit our Reunions page .

Alumni Reunions 2024

The Class of 1984 will celebrate its 40 Year Reunion on Saturday 9 November 2024. The reunion organiser is Sarah Beresford, sarahberesford@me.com .

The Class of 1994 30 Year Reunion will be organised by Meredith Robson (Weeks). For information, email memrobson77@gmail.com .

Would you like to organise your Year Group’s reunion in 2024? We are looking for organisers for the following reunions:

If you are interested, please contact alumni@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au

Class of 2022 Recent Leavers Reunion

Ravenswood Alumni warmly invites the Class of 2022 to their first school reunion, the Recent Leavers Reunion. Drinks and canapés will be served in the Old Girls’ Courtyard and CC Foyer on Thursday 1 February 2024 at 5.00pm. Book your ticket now.

For more information, contact us at alumni@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au

2024 Ravenswood Foundation Gala Ball, Saturday 24 August – Save the Date and Auction Items

Save 24 August 2024 in your calendar for the 2024 Ravenswood Foundation Gala Ball.

To be held at the unique heritage and Sydney harbour foreshore venue, Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, guests will enjoy a night of auctions, live music, door prizes and raffles alongside a stunning dining experience and beverage package overlooking the beautiful Sydney harbour.

This philanthropic event will support our life-changing Scholarship Fund and Building Fund as we build our new state-of the-art Wellbeing and Sport Centre.

Can’t attend but would like to support? We are accepting donations for our auction and raffle such as holiday accommodation packages, goods or services, sports memorabilia, and unique experiences. Donor businesses and/or families will be thanked and acknowledged through social media, newsletters and event marketing channels. If you’d like to donate a prize, please email community@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au .

Partnership packages will also be available, with more information to be announced shortly.

Please join us for an unforgettable evening where together we can make a difference.

Knox United Football Club Female Teams

Knox United FC, a local football club that plays in the Northern Suburbs Football Association (NSFA) counts over 270 players from Under 6 to Over 45's, regardless of if they attended Knox or not. They now are hoping to put together the club’s very first female teams. Would you or your daughter be interested? Come on Sunday 4 February at Kent Oval, Turramurra, as they will be hosting their first Women's and Girls try day.

To help promote female football within the club and the community, Knox United FC is also providing 25% discount on all female registration for 2024. Click here for further information.

We are seeking enthusiastic, reliable, and knowledgeable Sport coaches for the Ravenswood Sport program in 2024, across the following sports: AFL, Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Water Polo. Candidates must have a valid Working With Children Check, First Aid & CPR qualifications. Please send expressions of interest to Cameron Childs, Ravenswood Director of Sport and Campus Supervision at cchilds@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au or call (02) 9498 9919 for more information.

The Committee is currently focusing on a number of initiatives, including financial literacy resources for students and career support. If you are interested in assisting or have suggestions, please contact alumni@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au.

View Members below:

Alumni supporting students and fellow Alumni

One of the many strengths of our Alumni community is our generosity and willingness to help, give back and provide support.

As part of the Committee’s focus on strengthening the connection of Alumni to both students and fellow Alumni, we will send a short survey to you in coming months seeking expressions of interest in sharing your experience and insight. This may range from having a phone call with a student through to a more formal mentoring arrangement in areas including career-related topics.

Ravenswood Alumni Governance - upcoming proposal

Ravenswood Alumni (also known as Ravenswood Old Girls Union (ROGU)) is currently an unincorporated association.  Alumni’s membership voted a number of years ago to operate under the School’s structure and one of the Committee's key priorities has been to consider the appropriateness, and potential implementation of this, in the evolving and current education environment. Ravenswood Alumni has a strong partnership with Ravenswood that continues to go from strength to strength. With our proud heritage, it's important our governance approach enables us to strengthen and continue our support of the School and our connections with one another for future generations.

As noted at the 2023 Alumni AGM (held in May 2023), the Committee received a proposal from Ravenswood to become part of Ravenswood's operations as an Advisory Committee, rather than remain as a separate entity. The Committee  has carefully considered this proposal and will make a recommendation to the Alumni membership and call a Special Meeting to vote on this recommendation in 2024. Further information will be sent soon.