Page 16 - Luce 2018
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S enior  C o mmon  Ro om                                                                                                                                                                  S enior  C o mmon  Ro om





          From the                                                                                                                 From the

          Deputy Principal                                                                                                         Director of Studies


          My first year at Janet Clarke Hall was                                                                                   In the academic life of Janet Clarke   It is this support that contributes so
          a delight beyond my expectations.                                                                                        Hall, one of the challenges for our   strongly to the success of our students.
          I discovered a gentle, friendly and                                                                                      students is the transition from child   In 2018, JCH provided close to 70
          welcoming place that manages to                                                                                          to adult learner. The evolution of the   tutorials per week across a wide range
          combine the quest for academic                                                                                           learning system worldwide has led   of teaching areas. These tutorials
          excellence with a vibrant community,                                                                                     to the development of many different   enable our students to question, clarify
          cultural and sporting life. After many                                                                                   approaches to learning. Many of   and extend their understanding. Our
          years in another college, I certainly                                                                                    us understand the term ‘pedagogy’   tutors spend many hours preparing not
          knew the cycles of the college year but                                                                                  which, plainly stated, refers to the art   only content, but method of delivery,
          was introduced to new traditions and                                                                                     of teaching and is often child-focused.   that move students towards becoming   Facilities Manager Bruce Stewart &
          celebrations.                                                                                                            Less well known is ‘andragogy’ which   self-directed learners.      Donna Davies
                                           Margie Welsford and her blue heeler ‘Delta’ at intercollegiate cricket                  refers to the learning methods and
          In twelve years I have never experienced   champion, so he and Katherine lifted the   range of experts from different fields.   strategies for educating adults.   Our strong academic results in 2018   We complement our tutorial program
          an Orientation Week that was more   JCH squash team to a new level.  Mayuri began the year with a forum on                                                 continue to impress with 40% of all   with an equally impressive selection
          respectful, warm-hearted and fun. New                              research skills. Dr Steve Carey, father of            The premise of andragogy is the ability   student subjects awarded First Class   of guest speakers and visitors who are
          students, drawn from a diverse array of   Congratulations to Michael Stuiber   James, talked about his literary interest   to respond to internal motivators. It is   honours and 91% of all grades at   regularly welcomed to the College.
          places around Australia and across the   our physics tutor, who submitted and   in Jane Austen. Dr Caitlin Overington    more problem-centred than content-  honours level or above (60% or above).   The speakers cover a wide variety of
          world, brought a richness of creativity   passed his PhD thesis shortly before   presented her fascinating PhD findings   centred. For a young person moving   The average grade achieved by all   subject areas and interests and challenge
          and talents. Orientation and welcome   flying off to Germany to visit his family   in the area of criminology, surveillance   from a secondary school system of   students across the College was 77%.  the students to consider the world
          activities included watching Shakespeare   for Christmas. Michael also started an   and safety. Former JCH tutor, Katherine   teacher directed knowledge-based                               outside Janet Clarke Hall. In addition,
          in the Botanic Gardens, a Scavenger   astronomy club at JCH and brought in   Hart, gave a very helpful talk to our       learning, the andragogy style of   Of course, some outside observers   we provide opportunities for field trips
          Hunt around the city and an ‘Open Mic’   astronomers and powerful telescopes for   students about sleep hygiene. James   learning can be challenging.      may wonder whether our students   and ventures outside the College. It
          night showcasing the talents of students   the students to experience.  Carey offered a forum on ‘How to                                                   are studying 24/7. That is certainly   is pleasing to see the students taking
          and tutors.                                                        Network’.                                             This is the journey we witness almost   not the philosophy of the College and   an active role in the preparation and
                                           Jack Tan returned to JCH after three                                                    daily with our students as they move to   we work hard to select students on   planning of many of these events –
          We began the year with a relatively   years at Whitley College to tutor creative   The Formal Dinners throughout the year   a self-directed style of learning. It is a   their willingness to contribute to our   embracing opportunities to develop
          inexperienced Resident Tutor group,   writing and literature. Jack helped our   were highlights. The Mid-Winter Dinner,   journey that is well and truly supported   community through service, leadership,   into self-directed seekers of truth and
          who, nonetheless, gave wonderful   international students to settle in and   which includes the Ethel Bage Memorial      by our talented tutors who encourage   sport and arts and cultural programs.   knowledge as they venture into the
          teaching, mentoring and care for our   prompted us to go and listen to some   Debate, was held on the first evening      our students to see past the content of   Their ability to balance participation   world beyond JCH.
          students. They also involved themselves   of the wonderful music on offer in   of second semester. A serious and         their subjects and move to a deeper   in these areas, whilst maintaining a
          in the full range of College activities,   Melbourne, including by some of our   spirited debate occurred on the topic:   understanding and meaning.       scholarly life, can only be described    Mrs Donna Davies
          supporting and involving themselves   own talented students.       ‘This house believes that robots that                                                   as impressive.                    Director of Studies
          in sporting, cultural and social events,                           exhibit Artificial Intelligence (AI) should
          major dinners and other events.  Dr Mayuri Wijayasundara tutored in   be granted limited human rights’. The
                                           business subjects. She worked at the   Junior Common Room, arguing for the
          New tutors included:             University of Melbourne for the first   affirmative, was the winner. A Public
                                           half of the year before being appointed   Speaking Competition was sponsored
          James Carey who tutored in politics and   to a lectureship at Deakin University.   by tutor and barrister Brian Kennedy
          history. James completed his Masters   Mayuri was a valuable player on the   and his partner Laura Hartmann.
          in International Politics in the middle of   basketball team and involved herself in   Twelve speakers performed eloquently
          the year and participated in a number   many aspects of JCH life. Although she   and the judges, His Honour Judge
          of sporting competitions. James was   will not continue as a tutor, she will still   Joshua Wilson QC and VCAT Senior
          awarded the Enid Joske Scholarship for   be around the College and living with   Member Silvana Wilson, had a hard job
          his contribution to JCH and the wider   partner Michael and son Leon.   choosing winners. A Creative Writing
          community.                                                         Competition also saw a number of
                                           We farewelled David Chan and his   budding writers submitting poetry and
          Emily Delahunty tutored in literature   partner Dieu after two years with us.   prose. Jack Tan and Alice Pung were
          and sociology whilst studying a Masters   David was our commerce tutor and,   the judges and Dr Powell sponsored the
          in Secondary Teaching. As well as   among other things, was a member   prizes in each category. Students and
          supporting the netball team, Emily   of the rowing team. He was also seen   staff enjoyed hearing some of the entries
          enjoyed craft activities with students and   handing out treats on Halloween,   read out around the fire in a most
          almost won the debate singlehandedly.  dressed as a Golden Gaytime.  enjoyable event.

          Katherine Fitzgerald tutored in maths   The College year often feels like a   Ms Margie Welsford
          and psychology and taught at Knox   whirlwind of amazing events and   Dean and Deputy Principal
          School. She was also studying a   activities – many of which I will leave
          Masters of Counselling through Monash   you to read about as they have been
          University and holds yoga classes for   mentioned elsewhere in this edition.
          our students. Her partner, Rex Hedrick,   Regular forums throughout the year
          is currently the Australian Open squash   offer opportuniies to hear from a                                              Michael Stuiber, Mayuri Wijayasundara, James Carey, David Chan, Katherine Fitzgerald, Rex Hedrick, Emily Delahunty, Jack Tan

      16    LUCE  Number 17  2018                                                                                                                                                                                        J anet Clarke Hall  17
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