Alumni boarders from Class of 1953 to Class of 2022 connected with each other, past and current boarding staff and current boarders.

To read about the celebrations and to watch the 90 Years of Boarding video, click here .

This year, more than 80 attendees enjoyed the breakfast festivities, including 30 Alumni mothers, grandmothers and aunts. These women represented 20 different year groups, from the Class of 1953 to the Class of 2006. Sarah Robinson (Newton, 1992) spoke on behalf of the Ravenswood Alumni Committee.

Alumni enjoyed Afternoon Tea and seeing their pavers laid side-by-side in the Old Girls' Courtyard.

The Evening provided an opportunity for our Alumni to share their career journey and life lessons with senior students who are preparing for their HSC or IB Diploma, as they make important decisions about their career and pathways to their career choice. Alumni from a range of industries, including from the Finance sector, Marketing, Business, Media, Communications, Law, Engineering, the Medical and Allied Health industries, Architecture, Education, Mining, Science and Fashion came together in Group Panel discussions sharing information on their career and their journey. Senior students attending the event with their parents, also had the opportunity to speak with Alumni one-on-one after the Panel Discussions to gain more information and career advice.

Ravenswood Alumni President Lisa Boyce (Clancy, 1990) and Jessica Williams (2016 School Captain) gave a heartfelt address on behalf of the Ravenswood Alumni community and presented Anne with a gift of an olive tree - emblematic of her Greek heritage, Christian faith, the deep roots of strength and leadership she embedded at Ravenswood, and the campus gardens she created during her tenure.

Musical performances during the celebration were written and conducted by Director of Music Curriculum and Co-curricular Dr Michael Varecka, and performed by the Ravenswood Symphony Orchestra, RAVO voices and the Years 5-6 Choir under Director of Performing Arts, Mrs Heather Aird. Dr Varecka's songs now form an album titled Inspire , featuring glorious solo violin performances by Alumni Hannah Kim (2024).

Dr Johnstone was further recognised on behalf of the School Council and School Foundation with the gift of an Indigenous painting, called Minymaku Inma (Women's Song) by 2024 Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize Professional Artist finalist, Elder and senior knowledge-keeper from South Australia Betty Cambell. The painting was in recognition of Dr Johnstone's founding and unswerving support of the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize, Australia’s highest valued art prize for women, which launched in 2017.

Mr Peter Roach, Chair of Council, made the special announcement that the forthcoming Wellbeing and Sports Centre will be re-named The Anne Johnstone Wellbeing and Sports Centre , in honour of Dr Johnstone’s vision, guidance and dedication to Positive Education, academic excellence, and student and staff wellbeing during her time as Principal.

The evening also saw the unveiling of Dr Johnstone’s official portrait, painted by Ravenswood Visual Arts staff member and 2024 Archibald Prize finalist artist, Mr Tim Owers. The portrait, which depicts Dr Johnstone within the School grounds surrounded by her flourishing gardens, will hang in the Centenary Centre Atrium foyer, alongside her nine predecessors stretching back to 1901.

The School’s pioneering and world-class Positive Education framework and wellbeing program has resulted in the School achieving its fourth Excellence Award for Best Student Wellbeing Program in five years (following Excellence Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2024).

The Ravenswood Residential College has also been awarded its third Excellence Award in four years for Boarding School of the Year (following Excellence Awards in 2022 and 2024), while the Ravenswood Institute – the School’s innovative professional learning institute for staff – has been acknowledged for its progressive and edifying work, receiving an Excellence Award for Best Professional Learning Program.

The overall winners of the Australian Education Awards will be announced in August.

The Alumni Mentor and Business Hub empowers Alumni, recent graduates through to industry leaders, to expand their professional networks. The Hub offers an opportunity to connect and reconnect with industry professionals. By creating a profile and/or registering their business, Alumni gain access to a global Alumni community.

The Hub offers our Alumni the opportunity to promote their businesses via the Hub. This is a complimentary service provided exclusively to the Ravenswood Alumni community and a growing initiative that aims to support local businesses, offering our business community the benefits of networking, promoting special offers and discounts, advertising job opportunities, and increased exposure to future clients and customers.

The Hub also encourages Alumni to express their interest in becoming a mentor, sharing their wealth of skills and experience to help navigate the future for our recent graduates, current students entering the workforce or Alumni who are venturing down a new path. Becoming a mentor allows Mentors to give back to their Ravenswood community.

Alumni will receive communication soon to register their profiles and begin networking in the coming weeks.

The annual acquisitive prize, held on campus in the Centenary Centre, continues to advance art and opportunities for emerging and established women artists in Australia. With 1934 entries – the second most since the prize’s inception in 2017 – the judging panel had the challenging task of shortlisting and announcing 99 finalists. Entries came from every state and territory in Australia, and included a record number of Indigenous Emerging entries.

Art Prize Patron, judge and Alumni Jade Oakley (1993) said, ‘The judging panel was overwhelmed by the high quality of artworks submitted for the 2025 Art Prize, making our selection process all the more difficult. I’m extremely proud to see the continued growth and popularity of the Prize, and the opportunities it affords professional, emerging and Indigenous women artists across the country.’ Other Alumni on the Judging Panel were Jennifer Turpin (1975), Kathryn Hendy-Ekers (1984) and Katrina Collins (Hubble, 1975).

The highpoint of the evening was the announcement of the winners of the 2025 Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize. Winner of the Professional prize was Janet Laurence for her chromogenic print artwork, Moss Water Ice Temperature Rising , while the Emerging Artist prize was awarded to Lilli Strömland for her artwork, Ode to Peaches and Cleaning . The Indigenous Emerging Prize winner was Fiona Pompey for her work, Tali Nguru .

Moss Water Ice Temperature Rising - Janet Laurence

Ode to Peaches and Cleaning - Lilli Strömland

Tali Nguru - Fiona Pompey

Since 2017, we have received over 13,000 entries and exhibited more than 900 finalists, and in this way, we are so thrilled to have helped offer strong support to women artists across our nation through providing meaningful opportunities for them to showcase their creative endeavors and works.’

Underscoring its status as the highest-value professional artist prize for women in Australia, the winners of the 2025 competition shared a prize pool totalling $58,000. This included the Professional Artist Prize ($35,000), the Emerging Artist Prize ($7500 – supported by The Reed Family Foundation), and the Indigenous Emerging Artist Prize ($7500 – supported by Guardian and Scarborough Foundation). Also awarded on the night – and new for 2025 – were six Highly Commended Awards (two for each category) of $1000 each (supported by Community Bank Lindfield).

A People’s Choice Award of $2000 (supported by Edwina Palmer) plus a Derivan art pack valued at $500, was awarded to Sarah Furness for her work Tea for Twenty-Two.

The Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize is made possible by generous partners who support women artists and the arts sector. Thank you to Gold Partners Trippas White Group and The Marshall Group; Gold Media Partners R.M Williams OUTBACK , Active Networks, and The Australian ; Silver Partners Guardian and Scarborough Foundation, The Reed Family Foundation, Clarke Murphy Print and Community Bank Lindfield; and Bronze Partners Ku-ring-gai Council, Kelvin Hall Floral Design, EPM Projects, Derivan, The Art Scene, and Edwina Palmer.

Following opening night, the Exhibition of Finalists ran for three weekends over two weeks, welcoming thousands of art lovers.

If you live overseas or didn’t receive a copy of the issue, you can view the digital version of Winter 2025 Semper here .

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

Each year the Ravenswood Alumni funds a part-scholarship for a student entering Year 11. Its intention is to enable the daughter, granddaughter or great granddaughter of a Ravenswood Alumni to either commence at Ravenswood or continue with her existing enrolment. The value of the Ravenswood Alumni Scholarship has recently increased and now covers 50% of the academic tuition fees for Years 11 and 12. All scholarship candidates are required to take the Scholarship Examination, conducted at Ravenswood on Saturday 16 August 2025.

To apply for the Ravenswood Alumni Scholarship - or any of the School's other Scholarships - please visit our website . Applications closing soon.

The application fee for Alumni who enrol their daughters at Ravenswood is waived.

Rear Admiral Richards’ illustrious career in the Royal Australian Navy spanned more than three decades, and she was recently appointed Chief Engineer of Engineers Australia. She gave a moving address to students, cadets, staff and special guests about the significance of ANZAC Day, and why it stands as an annual reminder to remember the fallen, and to pursue a life of service.

‘As I reflect on over 36 years in the service of our nation, I think we do this best when day in and day out, we centre our lives not on our ambitions, or on money, or on our quest for popularity or acceptance – but rather we say that we will put others ahead of ourselves, and with no expectation of reward, recognition or accolades,’ Rear Admiral Richards said. ‘This is the very essence of service. It is not limited to those who wear a uniform. It is universal in its character because it is a mindset. In short – anyone can serve.’

Inspired by Rear Admiral Richards’ address, Principal Dr Anne Johnstone said she believed it would have a lasting impact on everyone present.

‘Every year we unite as a School community to pay tribute to those who served and to reflect on their resilience, loyalty, bravery and perseverance in the most challenging of times,’ Dr Johnstone said. ‘At this year’s service, it was so meaningful to hear our Alumni guest speaker, Rear Admiral Katherine Richards, reflect on how, by taking an other-person-centred approach, we honour the ANZAC legacy of working together, in community, with purpose, grace, compassion and good character.’

Eloise Sohier (2012)
Married in March 2025

Ashley Garner (2012)
Married in October 2024

Year 10 Careers Experience Day
The 2025 Year 10 Careers Experience Day is on Friday 14 November. Ravenswood is seeking organisations and professionals to participate in the Careers Experience Day, designed to inspire and guide the next generation of female professionals through engaging, real-world exposure to various career pathways. We are seeking organisations / professional from a range of industries, including medical, design / creative careers, media, tech, finance and marketing. Organisations are asked to host a two-hour session either in the morning (9.30am–11.30am) or afternoon (12.30pm–2.30pm). These sessions might include office tours, interactive breakout groups, inspiring panel discussions, or presentations from a diverse range of professionals who can share their career journeys.

For further information or to register your interest, please contact alumni@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au

Offer Work Experience: Several Alumni have already graciously offered to host students for a week or more, providing meaningful, hands-on employment experiences.

Share your expertise at our Careers and Croissants Breakfasts: These before school breakfast sessions (dates TBC) are designed for both students and parents to explore a variety of essential career topics, such as interviewing, networking, résumé-building, job search strategies and more, all in a relaxed and engaging environment.

If you are interested in assisting us with any of these career events, please email us at alumni@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au