Prior to Christmas, we welcomed new staff member Chris Wills to the St Ann’s College team. Chris takes on the role of Executive Assistant for Principal Denise von Wald.

Chris joins us with over over 20 years in senior Executive Assistant roles working for two iconic, SA family-owned businesses, as well as experience in HR. Away from work, Chris enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Whilst Chris is joining us, we also say a temporary farewell to Leia Reis who is taking time off to have her second child. We welcome Chris to the team and wish Leia all the best during this special time!

In other staff news, we had the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of our Dean – Wendy Flemming, back in January. In photos to the right, Wendy is pictured in front of her birthday cake. We also captured a photo of the St Ann’s College Staff members on the same day (prior to Leia’s departure).

The majority of students have been returning to the College after their Summer break throughout February. Returning students officially moved back into the College on Saturday 18 February, with first year students moving in on Sunday 19 February.

Warm welcome to our returning and new students for 2023!

The College was a hive of activity over the Summer-break with renovations taking place to improve the amenities of the College.

The main kitchen underwent significant changes with new state-of-the-art kitchen facilities installed. Before and after photos below!

The Design Room was also completed with new flooring, fresh paint, new worktables and a lovely mural to brighten up the space! The perfect space to get the creative juices flowing.

The incoming College Committee was elected last year, we look forward to the committee stepping into their new roles shortly. Congratulations to all elected, as listed here.

President Tate Manning

Vice President Harry Mead

Secretary Jordyn Nicolson

Treasurer Lachlan Kelly

Sport Sec Eve Clark and Rafferty McMurray

SAAUCC Rep Angel Simmons

Merch Rep Keelie Sjostrom

Tech Rep Jack Tiller

Social Sec Olivia Clerk

Gen Reps Flynn Hayes and Piper George

The First Year Rep will be elected early in the semester.

Four students attended the National Association of Australian University Colleges Conference held in Brisbane recently and reported incredibly positive about their experience and assessment of the culture of St Ann’s compared to other colleges. Specifically, they made comment about hazing, drug and alcohol use which in their view appears to be more prevalent in other residential colleges interstate.

On the 27th of November, Angel Simmons, Hayden Schultz, Lockie Kelly and I packed our bags and headed to the airport to attend the weeklong NAAUC (National Association of Australian University Colleges) National Conference in Brisbane. The week consisted of the four of us meeting many student leaders from various Residential Colleges across Australia whilst learning valuable skills during daily Conferences and Academics. Inspirational speakers including the ‘Red Frogs Australia’ creator Andy Gourley, ‘Safe and Sexy’ founder Katherine Plume, and award-winning journalist and author Shannon Molloy, who spoke each morning to inspire our role as student leaders at our respective Colleges. These sessions were followed by group academics that delved more specifically into topics such as fostering excellence, our purpose in leadership, responsibilities as office bearers, strategic planning, and effective changeover. These group academics allowed all delegates to have open discussions about the experience at their own Colleges and learn different points that could help to improve our Colleges. The week was full of team bonding activities taking us all over the City of Brisbane and taught us many new skills that we are excited to bring back to the members at St. Ann’s College.

Last month we made the appointment of several student roles in the College. As always, it was a pleasure to see the enthusiasm among the students to take on these leadership roles.

In 2023, we are incorporating a new student leadership role – Senior Academic Tutor (SAT), into our academic program, the Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS).

The SAT has been appointed by the Director of Learning – Dr Tamara Agnew and Principal/CEO Denise von Wald and is based on academic merit and an enthusiasm for life-long learning. The SAT will work closely with Dr Agnew to coordinate the transition from School to University for our first-year students whilst providing opportunities to reinforce learning for all students.

Piers Lewis has been appointed as the inaugural SAT. Heading into his Honours Year at Adelaide University, Piers is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Aerospace) with a Bachelor of Science. In 2023, he will be undertaking research at the Andy Thomas Space Centre with a team who are developing materials and processes to facilitate development of lunar shelters.

2023 will be Piers’ second year at St Ann’s, however he is no stranger to study and tutoring. He has been providing academic support to high school and University students for a number of years and was an academic tutor here over the past year. We congratulate Piers on this appointment!

Residential Advisors

In other appointments, Joshua Graham and Jessica Nowland have been appointed as Senior Residential Advisors (previously known as Senior Residential Tutors). Joshua, from Port Augusta, is studying Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Adelaide and Jessica, from Alice Springs, is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia.

We thank Joshua for so ably stepping into the Senior Tutor (Residential Advisor) role in August when Shae-Lea Fisher’s work commitments as a trainee Accountant meant she was forced to choose between her obligations. We are grateful to Shae-Lea for the four years she spent with the College serving on several committees including Spirit, Gym and IT. She also played and acted as coached in a number of sports for the College including Football, Netball, Hockey, Soccer and Athletics.

To support the Senior Residential Advisors, ten other Residential Advisors have also been appointed:

Blessing Mupamhadzi, from Northern Territory, is studying a Bachelor of Human Movement, at the University of South Australia.

Corey Finlayson, from Port Augusta, is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia.

Dana Hurrell, from Port Lincoln, is studying a Bachelor of Science at the University of Adelaide.

Dillon Duncan, from Portland in Victoria, is studying a Bachelor of Engineering, at the University of Adelaide.

Euan Fetherstonhaugh, from Bungama, is studying a Bachelor of Engineering, at the University of Adelaide.

Grace Nuske, from Paringa, is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia.

Kobe Gerlach, from Loxton, is studying a Bachelor of Design at the University of South Australia.

Mikayla Russell, from Malak, is studying a Bachelor of Law Double Degree with Bachelor of Psychology.

Sophie Tonkin, from Whyalla, is studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries at the University of Flinders.

Tjina Stoll, from Darwin, is studying a Bachelor of Arts and Science at the University of Adelaide.

We congratulate all of our students on their appointments.

Recently we announced our prize winners for 2022. A number of students were recognised for their excellence in sports and other pursuits, with the list of Award winners below.

Major Awards were awarded to the following students.

Thomas, born and raised in Port Lincoln, attended St Ann’s College from 2018 to 2020, whilst completing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Studies. Late in 2022, he also completed a Bachelor of Science, Double Degree majoring in Theoretical and Experimental Physics at the University of Adelaide.

His fondest memory of his time at the College was playing guitar in the Battle of the Bands competition. Still to this day, he comments that it was the biggest crowd he has played in front of, and what a wonderful opportunity it was to share his passion for music with his friends. “The energy at the event was amazing; an experience I will always fondly remember”.

Like many St Ann’s Collegians, Thomas speaks highly of his time at the College. He says for country students in particular, St Ann’s ensures the transition from country life to city life, and also studying at University, is a smooth one.

“Everyone is in the same boat at St Ann’s and right from the first year, you get access to lots of support, from both the staff and other students”. He believes St Ann’s College set himself up for success at University, however it was also the perfect opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, build networks, develop into an adult, all whilst putting himself in good stead for the future.

Tom is currently starting a new role as an Engineer with Frazer-Nash Consultancy, where he is looking forward to applying his studies on solve real-world problems, meeting new colleagues and learning more about Systems Engineering.

Alan visited the College in early November along with Collegian, Paul Krieg, both of whom attended St Ann’s from 1977 – 1981.

Hailing from Williamstown in the Barossa Valley, Alan was studying Dentistry during his stay at St Ann’s, and was appointed as a Tutor in 1978 and again in 1979. Upon completing his studies, he began working and furthering his studies in Dentistry, working in public practice and eventually moving into private practice. He subsequently worked as a private Orthodontist in South Australia and Victoria until 2004, when he relocated to work in England. Since then, he has acquired three practices across the United Kingdom in Oxfordshire and the West Midlands and is currently in the process of semi retiring.

Alan, like Mr Fang, looks back on his time at the College with great affection. Of his most fond memories, he recounts the formal dinners, the post formal dinner parties, the good-natured rivalries fostered with residents of the other North Adelaide colleges, the residents and their warmth. He says the friendships he made combined with the wonderful sense of community has provided a significant emotional anchor for his life. He remembers being unconditionally encouraged to always do his best, and that this was enough, without any additional pressure, judgement or criticism.

Photo: Alan Davey (left) and Paul Krieg (right) stand on St Ann’s College rooftop, their favourite location in the College 

The St Ann’s Collegians Association will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 15 February 2023. We invite any and all motivated At Ann’s Old Collegians to attend. It will be held from 6pm at St Ann’s College in the Enterprise Deck.

The election of Committee and Office Bearers will be held including President, Vic-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Members, Public Officer, Auditor and representatives to the College Council, Education Committee and Foundation committee.

Would you like to be a mentor in 2023? If so, email stannscollegiansassociationinc@gmail.com with your full name, year(s) at College and areas in which you are able to mentor, we welcome any and all levels of experience!

The Advertiser collated 100 of SA’s most recognized University College Alumni, including 19 from St Ann’s. You can view the full list at The Advertiser, please note however content is available behind their paywall.

Remember, we’re always eager to hear what St Ann’s Collegians are up to, so please get in touch with your news: marketing@stannscollege.edu.au