PMS CENTENARY LAUNCH
5pm Monday 19 April 2010

Wine and cheese
Venue: Perth Modern School Agora Area

a special presentation by the School principal of
The calendar of 2011 Centenary Events
will be followed at 6pm by the

Perth Modernian Society
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(see further information below)

Perth Modernian Society Council Members
Alan Porter (1943-47) and Ed Lazarus (1956-60)
at the Annual Reunion, September 2009

An on-line
Membership Application Form
is now available.

The forms are also available on the website
www.perthmoderniansociety.org.au.

Alcock, Eric - Staff 1961, 1992-99
Browne, Marion (Wilson) (1928-32)
Barr, Alison (Gregg) (1952-56)

New Ordinary Members

Allmark, Brandon (2005-09)
Arefyar, Edris (2005-09)
Barnes, Alexander (2005-09)
Barrington, Daniel (2008-09)
Bart, Kate (2005-09)
Bednall, David (1970-74)
Bednell, Michael (2006-09)
Bielby, Tim (1985-89)
Blackburn, Teagan (2005-09)
Blurton, Peter (1978-80)
Boase, Callum (2005-09)
Brockway, Hannah (2005-09)
Bruss, Ines (1985-89)
Butler, Erica (2005-09)
Caceres,  (2004-09)
Canion, Charlotte (2005-09)
Cant, Chantel (2008-09)
Chen, Jack (2005-09)
Chester, Kayla (2005-09)
Chick, Renae (2006-09)
Cooper, Narelle (Hamer-Mathew) (1985-89)
Cooper, Skye (1985-89)
Day, Ashley (2008-09)
De Paoli, Chloe (2005-09)
Dempsey, Callum (2005-09)
Dixon, Michael (2006-09)
Dunn, Emily (2005-09)
Edom, Linda (Grasso) (1964-66)
Edom, Rodney (1968-70)
Fielding, Mark (1971-75)
Gibbons, Rebekah (2005-09)
Gibbs, Amy (2007-09)
Gibbs, Sasha (1985-89)
Giblett, Penny (Turner) (1985-89)
Gomides, Ana Maria (2004-09)
Green, Stephanie (2007-09)
Gregson, Veronica (Pidd) (1948-49)
Gwatkin, Richard (2005-09)
Harrison, Tina (Marshall) (1985-89)
Hawker, Jordan (2005-09)
Hawkins, Ebbe (2005-09)
Heng, Ian (2005-09)
Heyawee, Amin (2005-09)
Hicks, Jodi (1985-89)
Hill, Sarah (2005-09)
Hipaingba, Clemintine (2005-09)
Hughes, Laila (2005-09)
Hughes, Samantha (2005-09)
Italiano, Anna (Principe) (1985-89)
Italiano, Cathy (Alvaro) (1985-89)
Jackson, Sarah (2005-09)
Jacobs, Jessica (2005-09)
Jennings, Tess (2007-09)
Jones, Alison (2005-09)
Keats, Jacob (2007-09)
King, Kailah (2008-09)
King, Lisa (1989)
Lang, Valentin (2005-09)
Lim, James (2006-09)
Linke, Brody (2005-09)
Lyons, Arial (2005-09)
MacDonald, Georgina (2005-09)
Mani, Vince (1985-89)
Mathur, Vidhi (2008-09)
McCann, Eliot (1985-89)
McGlone, Katherine (2005-09)
McMeekin, David (1985-89)
Mitrofanov, Billy (2003-09)
Modra, John (1959-60)
Molga, Alex (Kopp) (1987-89)
Montgomery-Parkes, Jack (2005-09)
Morariu, Cornel (1987-89)
Morris, Deb (Scaini) (1985-89)
Mustard, Anna (2005-09)
Mustard, India (2005-09)
Newbury, Amber (2005-09)
Noel, Ken (1933-37)
Olsen, Suzanna (2005-09)
Ong, Rachel (2007-09)
Orso, Kellie (2005-09)
Paki, Dionne (1985-89)
Pegg, Alysha (2007-09)
Periakarpan, Navitha (2005-09)
Pitt, Donna (2005-09)
Pleydell, Mitchel (2006-09)
Porter, Kelly (2006-09)
Potikoglu, Simon (2005-09)
Pretty, Hannah (2005-09)
Rhoads, James (2005-09)
Rich, Norman (1934-38)
Rintoul, Kathy (Davis) (1985-89)
Robinson, Kendrick (2007-09)
Romeo, Domenic (1985-89)
Sealey, Isaac (2005-09)
Sevim, Figen (2004-09)
Shakeshaft, Victoria (2005-09)
Shurmer, Matthew (1985-89)
Somerford, Catherine (2005-09)
Soutar, Geoff (1961-63)
Spragg, Adam (2007-09)
Spring, Ashleigh (2005-09)
Strathopolous, Sam (1985-89)
Syahfitri, Kartika (2005-09)
Taylforth, Michael (1985-89)
Thomas, Freya (2005-09)
Thompson, Emma (2005-09)
Tobal, Amina (2005-09)
Tran, Michelle (2005-09)
Urquhart, Julie (Sparrow) (1985-89)
Walster, Annaliese (1985-89)
Wang, Qi (2005-09)
Watt, Sue-Mae (2005-09)
Wharton, Jacqui (1985-89)
Wilding, Neville (Staff 1953-56)
Wilkes, Emily (2005-09)
Wilkinson, Rory (2007-09)
Wilkinson-Seegar, Zachary (2005-09)
Winship, Louise (O'Brien) (1985-89)
Wright, Charissa (2007-09)
Xing, Guo Jiao (2005-09)
Yeong, Christine (2005-09)
Zanlongo, Florencia (2005-09)
Zhang, Eileen (2005-09)

Deadline for copy for next issue: 30th April
Deadline for Magazine articles: 15th June
Your contributions will be welcome.
Please send to Editor e-Newsletter info@perthmoderniansociety.org.au

Contributors
Barrie Baker
Don Cook
Sallie Davies
Jo Donellan
Peter Farr
Joan Saleeba
Dr Robyn White

Editor
Sallie Davies

Compiler
Ian Jarvis

The first Perth Modernian e-Newsletter issued in September 2009 was well received by members who provided very positive feedback. Since then many more email addresses have been added to the Society database and this issue's distribution has more than doubled.

Past issues will be made available through the portal. All contributions for inclusion in future issues or elsewhere on the portal should be forwarded on-line to the Perth Modernian Society or by mail or fax to Perth Modern School.

We hope to hear regularly from you, particularly if you live interstate or overseas. To invite a friend to receive our e-Newsletter, click here.

A new school year has already begun - when it seems that we've only just farewelled the Year 12 students from 2009.

Our most recent Leavers were especially successful in their achievements. The combination of exemplary teachers who are absolutely committed to their students, alongside students focussed on their future and well counselled about course requirements, created one of our best school outcomes in recent years. While no school principal would wish the quality of a school to be based solely on aggregated academic scores, these do reflect individual success amongst our students. Our teachers commenced the term with a number of 2009 Year 12 students making contact - very happy with their post-school further education choices!

Only one day into the school year, and the Myschool website became live - amongst intense media scrutiny. The NAPLAN testing conducted Australia-wide is a basic literacy and numeracy skills test - and as expected, our Year 9 students performed very well (first in the State and fourteenth in Australia). As a selective school, I would expect our students to perform well. While a satisfying result, a more comprehensive web-site might include information relevant to the whole experience accessed by students in the school. Further data might include the range of co-curricular activities available to students, the value adding each school provides and the student support and pastoral care provided.

This commencement of this school year was particularly satisfying in being able to welcome students to our newly refurbished grounds, complete with the five new buildings. While the almost four years of planning and building seemed to extend forever, the final product including the wonderfully light and innovative learning spaces has significantly enhanced the school environment. With the return of the school oval and its surrounds, as well as fresh, new cafeteria catering, it is a delight to look over the site at recess and lunch as our students relax or play.

Of course, the new buildings and landscaping of the school grounds have improved our facilities considerably. However, there remain some areas of the school that require upgrading. The science classrooms and the school gym and change-rooms remain in 1960s condition. The Heritage building has received further upgrades as a result of some Federal money, state maintenance money as well as funds from the Centenary Fund. However, Palassis architects estimate that this building alone will require about $5million for restoration. With our centenary in 2011, we continue to identify physical goals as well as academic goals to work towards!

Over the past six months, a working party representative of the Perth Modernian Society and the current school students, staff and P&C have met to map out a year of activities to celebrate the School Centenary in 2011. At the April 2010 Perth Modernians Society AGM the initial plan of events for this exciting year will be unveiled. I look forward to your feedback and interest.

The Perth Modernian Society is looking forward to an action packed year in 2010.

The catalyst is the School's Centenary in 2011 which will be touching everybody who has had any connection with Perth Modern School over the last 100 years. A powerful Centenary Planning Committee has been set up by the Principal, Dr Robyn White, and includes representation from the Society. That body wants active participation from the Council of the Society and its members. We are eager to contribute.

In preparation, the Perth Modernian Society and the Sphinx Foundation undertook a restructure to streamline our organisation to meet our agreed goals, which focus on serving the needs of our members, but most importantly, the needs of the School and its students.

Before the end of this year we aim to raise several hundred thousand dollars to provide additional Sphinx Scholarships to deserving students among the gifted and talented young people making up the Perth Modern School population in 2011.

The School has made an office available for the use of the Society and the Society has appointed one of the school's ex-teachers, also a past student, Don Cook as its honorary Executive Officer.

The Society portal, (www.perthmoderniansociety.org.au) now established, will be continually updated and expanded.

Our major committees, Communications, Historical and Museum, Finance and Fundraising and Functions, are under way with clear goals for the year.

An integrated database is being set up for the Society.

This e-Newsletter is another innovation, and items of news and information of interest to members will be welcomed. Issues will be published on a three monthly basis The former newsletter will be produced in magazine form in June and mailed out to Contributing Members.

These are just some of the activities that will keep us busy this year.

The AGM will be held on the 19 April, and the Annual Reunion in September.

We look forward to meeting, and working with many of you in 2010.

Barrie Baker
President

This is your opportunity to become more involved in your organisation.

Ordinary and Contributing Members are eligible to nominate for the following positions which fall vacant at the Annual General Meeting at 6pm on 19 April and you are invited to do so:

Perth Modernian Society Council comprises
- 10 Members, five of whom shall be elected at each annual general meeting for a two year term, of which five at least one of whom shall be a member or former member of the staff of the School - vacancies
- a Member of the Board of the Sphinx Foundation nominated by that Board (and ratified by Council) for a one year term - vacancy
- a Member of each Standing Committee of the Society nominated by the Committee for a one year term - vacancies

Standing Committees of the Society seek skilled and interested volunteers in their particular responsibilities:
a) Sphinx Foundation - vacancies - working with the Perth Modernian Society
    Finance Committee - vacancies - with regard to fees, fundraising, sponsorship and advertising and investment of Society funds, including Scholarship Funds and Publications;

b) Functions Committee - vacancies - conduct of Society functions and coordination of reunions;

c) Historical and Museum Committee - 2 vacancies - oversees maintenance and publication of records of the School, the staff and the students, and the preparation of displays (see call for volunteers below)

d) Communications Committee -  vacancies - co-ordinates electronic operations, develops and maintains all internal and external communications now incorporates the
   Newsletter Committee - 2 vacancies - editing and publishing the Society newsletters
   Membership Committee - vacancies - recruiting of members and maintenance of an up-to-date register of members and their contact details and other membership records.

A formal notice of meeting will shortly be mailed to all members and will include nomination forms, which will also be available through the portal http://www.perthmoderniansociety.org.au

Inaugural Sphinx Foundation Scholarships Presented

A new and important link has been established between the Perth Modernian Society and the School with the awarding of the two inaugural Sphinx Foundation academic scholarships in December 2009.

The winner of The Daniel Girling Music Scholarship was Year 10 student Monica Brierley-Hay. The scholarship was presented at the final Year 10 Assembly for 2009 by the donor, John Down (1928-32) who lives in Applecross. Monica received a cheque for $300, and a second moiety of $200 will be given at the end of her Year 11 in Dec. 2010.

Before presenting the award, John gave an inspiring account of the life and works of Daniel Girling in England, India and WA, and in particular, his role in introducing instrumental and choral music as a subject taught in WA schools.

The Scholarship will fund Monica to gain enrichment under the Perth Modern School/University of Western Australia Link Programme, or through having other specialised musical instruction, or through the purchase of appropriate scores and instrumental equipment.

Lucy Sharpe (Year 10) was the winner of The Jean and Jim Cundill Creative Writing Scholarship valued at $1,000. Jim lives in Mount Pleasant but was unable to attend. In Jim's place, the scholarship was presented by Peter Farr (1954-58) in his capacity as Treasurer of the Sphinx Foundation and member of the Scholarship sub-committee. It was tremendous that Lucy's parents were present at the Assembly to see their talented daughter receive the scholarship. The scholarship will enable Lucy to gain enrichment under the Perth Modern School/UWA Link Programme, or through attending other specialised creative writing courses, or through the purchase of appropriate texts.

Congratulations to both winners.

During the final Year 10 Assembly for 2009, many other awards and prizes covering all the subject areas were presented. These also included recognition of several outstanding achievements in national and international competitions. Both John Down and Peter Farr were impressed with all they saw and heard about the Year 10 students ("a goldmine of talent") and their hard-working teachers.

Dr Robyn White, the School Principal is very enthusiastic about the scholarship concept and is most grateful for the generosity of the two inaugural donors John Down and Jim Cundill. With this encouragement, and following on from the Scholarship feasibility study undertaken in two parts in 2008/09 by Agnew Associates, the Sphinx Foundation Scholarship Sub-committee of the Perth Modernian Society is pushing ahead with an Appeal in order to fund more scholarships across a range of years and courses.

Donations and bequests to the Sphinx Foundation Scholarship Fund are very welcome and are fully tax deductible. If you can help, please contact Treasurer Peter Farr (Tel, 9341 3726) or via email to info@perthmoderniansociety.org.au 

Volunteers Sought

The Scholarship Fundraising Convenor and Committee will work under the Council of the Society, with the advice of the fundraising consultant, to:

  -take part in appropriate training with the group to put the appeal into operation
  -maintain impetus in promoting the scheme with team members
  -follow up on potential donors alongside other team members
  -assist in preparation and distribution of appropriate promotional material

The old metalwork room in the heritage listed former Manual Arts building has been made available to the Historical and Museum Committee in response to our long standing request for an area to work and store the collection. This will be in addition to the storage of School records in the Library based Archive room.

The proposed H&M work room is air conditioned and has recently been used as a gymnasium. Parking is limited to the main parking areas of the School, but the accommodation has the potential to meet Committee needs at this time.

The last quarter of last year saw a flurry of reunions. First cab off the rank was the Class of 1954 who held a Sundowner on the Friday afternoon before the Annual Reunion.

Class Of 1954 Sundowner
The Sundowner was held in the new Refectory at the school. About 50 attended this function and enjoyed the time catching up and reminiscing about their school days. Barrie Baker, President of the Society and Don Cook also attended, the latter taking interested people on a tour of the new Library, Drama, Art, Media and Photography facilities. To celebrate their 55th Year Reunion the Class decided to purchase a student art work to add to the school's art collection.

2009 Annual Reunion
Next was the Annual Reunion. About 250 members of the Perth Modernian Society, some with partners, crowded into the School's Jarrah Hall on Sunday, 13 September. It was a lovely sunny day and the weather change for the better was enjoyed by all. Most senior graduate present was Phyllis Semple (Cordon) 1925 -1929.

As is now traditional, the Music Department provided a splendid concert featuring the Senior Orchestra, Brass Quintet and singer James Rhoads.

Following the concert, lunch was served in the new Refectory and some of the new teaching areas, including the Library, Art, Media and Photography areas were open for inspection.

Celebrating Sixty Years
There was a large contingent celebrating 60 years since graduation. Ken Fitch and his wife Val (nee Philpot) had rounded up about 45 of their year of 1949. They talked for many hours in a special area put aside for them in the new Lecture Theatre.

Fifty Years On
Then it was the turn of the Class of 1959. Where did those fifty years go? How often was that said during this reunion? Over 80 students and some six of their teachers, including Neville Wilding, Harry Orris and John De Laeter, attended on campus at Perth Modern School. 

The evening began with tours of the old Thomas St Primary School (although the Hole has gone!) and the 1961 building with its historical displays before going to the original building for an assembly in the Auditorium.

Principal Robyn White spoke on the changes to Perth Modern School and the Year 10 Wind Quintet provided music, as people arrived and again for the singing of Moderna Schola. Three photographs by Year 12 Photography students chosen from the school art exhibition were presented to the school for its art collection. A donation of $200 for the Sphinx Foundation Scholarship Appeal was also received at a later date.

Festivities continued long into the night. Many tales were told and much fine food and wine consumed. Jan James (Mitchell) and Marc Adonis MC'd the dinner with a line-up of notables to be interviewed and good humour to keep the night flowing. Marc Feldman flew in from the USA and many came from interstate.

"Class Of '56" Turn 70
A very pleasant evening was had by all who attended the "Class of '56 Turn 70" dinner held on Friday 6th November 2009 at Blue Gum Park Tennis Club, in Mt Pleasant.

Primarily organised by Rhys Gray, assisted wife Sandra and Joan Saleeba, a large number of ex-students were contacted and 53 were able to make it an occasion to celebrate, with at least 20 bringing their spouses.
Drinks and canapés were served outside on the balcony overlooking the courts, followed by a sit-down meal inside, with tables decorated with balloons in the appropriate Modern School colours of red, gold and navy. Attendees were invited to bring memorabilia and a display of photos and other items were pinned up to recall earlier days. The guest speaker for the evening was Don Cook, an old Modernian and past Vice-Principal of the school, who spoke briefly on the role of the Perth Modernian Society and the Sphinx Foundation. He encouraged those who were not yet members to join. At the end of dinner, a rousing rendition of Moderna Scola was sung by all with Dudley Bastian accompanying on the piano.

Class of '56 members in attendance were
Girls: Ruth Barrett (McWhinney), Laurie Best (Terrill), Jennifer Carrick (Green), Janice Cocks (Ward), Audrey Dawson (Miller), Carol Day (Quarry), Olga Garden (De Julia), Joan Garstone (Lilly), Alison Gregg (Barr), Margaret Hodges (Glenister), Jill Keshavjee (Berryman), Patricia Kotai-Ewers (Ewers), Ethel Lucas, Wendy Morrell (Walton), Rayma Pervan (Richter), Joan Saleeba (Eimer), Heather Spurling (Bowen), Jillian Thompson (Farr), Jan Tiller (King), Margaret Tonkin (Roberts), Charmienne Vagg (Feakes).

Boys: Bob Appleyard, Dudley Bastian, Jack Baxter, Tony Beck, Brian De Garis, Brian Edis, John Ffarrington, Rhys Gray, Clyde Lamb, John Lee, Kent Logie, Richard Lugg, Roy Manchester, Barry McMahon, Dale Metcalf, Alex Metropolis, John Moore, Kevin Moore, Peter Mundy, Geoff Oakley, Ted Penny, Ron Rosich, Doug Rutledge, Roy Skinner, Rod Smith, Norm Uren, Chris Wain, Howard Watts, Peter Wood.

It was suggested that perhaps the next class reunion could be held to coincide with one of the celebration events to mark the Perth Modern School centenary in 2011.

Several people visited the school on Saturday morning where they were delighted to find the school was open and they were able to see into the Hall.

A donation of $500 was presented to the Sphinx Foundation Scholarship Appeal.

Other Reunions during this period included the Class of 1986 and the Class of 1989.

On 30 November 2009 Freda Martin celebrated her hundredth birthday. When interviewed for the Perth Modern School Museum Committee in 2008 Freda had just made three tapes for the Cottesloe Library about her life in the early days of settlement in Cottesloe.

Born in Birmingham, England, Freda Mildred Munslow Davies came to Australia in 1913 at age four on the Demontheny with her parents and two brothers Hubert and Roy. Her father was an engineering draftsman teaching at the Technical School and her mother a brilliant pianist. The family lived in Cottesloe and Freda went to Swanbourne Primary School, going on to Princess May for three years.

Freda loved Modern School and the teachers there. Miss Sedgman was a very familiar face as she had also taught her in Fremantle. Miss Rosenberg taught biology, Freda's favourite subject. She also enjoyed English with Mr Johnson but hated Maths.

Freda played hockey for the first XI and the team photograph was published in The Sphinx magazine when they won the shield in 1926.

"I was very sad to leave Mod … I didn’t know what I was going to do … I think I always wanted to be a teacher … I went as a monitor to Glen Forrest, 12 months at Claremont College then three years as a monitor …"

Asked "What do you remember most about Perth Modern School?" , without hesitation, she replied "About being there …"

Happy memories, Freda! We trust your centenary celebrations were as enjoyable as your years at Perth Modern School, 1925 and 1926.

Principal 1980-1991

Thomas (Tom) Byers was known by his colleagues as a warmhearted man who earned respect from staff and students. He gave much appreciated friendship and support and was a highly visible and available person who encouraged self development and the implementation of a full breadth of programs.

Always an active man, Tom was born in Northam in August 1932, educated in WA and attended Claremont Teachers' College, graduating in 1953. His teaching career began at Perth Boys School in 1954-56. He moved to John Curtin Senior High School In 1957, served as Deputy Principal at Wundowie Junior High School in 1960.and from 1961 to 1966 he was Senior Master of Social Studies at Manjimup Senior High School.

In July 1966 he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and spent one year as an exchange teacher on Long Island, New York. On return to WA he was promoted to Deputy Principal at Harvey Agricultural High School, and transferred to Albany Senior High School as Deputy Principal until 1977.

Promotion to Principal followed and he moved to Moora High School, Northam Senior High School and finally Perth Modern School in 1980 where he served as Principal until 1991. During his last two years he was an Acting Superintendent for the Swanbourne Regional Education Office. At the same time he was President of the Western Australian High School Principals' Association.

A keen jogger, swimmer, sailor, fisherman, outdoors person and traveller he led a rich and full life, retiring in 1991. After a lengthy illness he died in December 2009.

PMS student 1947-51, teacher 1956-60.

Dr Ronald Hartley (Ron) was an all-round man; brilliant academically, gifted in music, engrossed in science, mathematics, education, photography, astronomy, metaphysics, tennis and much besides. He guided the teaching of computer technology in Perth from its beginnings. Yet in personal life he gave generously of himself in the roles of son, brother, father and grandfather. His was a numerous, busy and happy extended family. Ron’s Christian faith sustained his whole life and he with his wife Shirley were active in the Baptist Church.
Ron came from relatively humble circumstances to win in 1946 a full scholarship to Perth Modern School. Gaining a General Exhibition in his final year, he graduated in 1954 in sciences and mathematics at the University of Western Australia, adding a teaching qualification in 1955. In 1956 he married, and started teaching at Perth Modern School. Sadly for the school, he was seconded to teacher education in 1960. From there he taught at what is now Perth Technical College (now known as Central Institute of Technology), becoming enthralled with the very early model computers. From 1968 to his resignation in the 1980s he taught at WAIT (now Curtin University), rising to Head of Department and then to Director of Computing. In 1981 he completed his doctorate in education at London University. Ron’s flair for teaching and his nurturing attitude to his students is remembered with fondness and respect.

Jo Donnellan, student PMS 1954-58