School History

By Ellie Adams, Year 8, The Ridgeway Campus

As a second edition to my last piece on school history, 'An Interview with the Past' this script is focused on some notable Ivanhoe alumni, Steph Louey and Ian Le Page.

Steph Louey, the first female school captain for Ivanhoe Grammar School shares her distinctive experiences in not only attending school but being in the first intake of girls in Ivanhoe. Steph recounts her presence at that event, calling it a 'unique experience'. She reveals that there were 17 females in the group who all formed a tight friendship together. 

The bonds built within this group, combined with the friendships Ivanhoe has allowed Steph to build have made what Steph says is an 'extremely positive and unforgettable experience'. These friendships that were built so early in her life are still there, Steph reveals. 

Steph also talks about some positive experiences that influenced her time at Ivanhoe. She mentions the names of 'second-to-none' activities and opportunities as Steph calls them, that presented her and many other students the chance at a balanced education. She mentions both curricular and co-curricular activities like Cadets, Round Square, sport and music that have helped shape her education at Ivanhoe into both an enjoyable time an a learning opportunity.

Steph, being the first female School Captain at Ivanhoe, believes that one of the important qualities of being a School Captain is to be genuine. 'I was always someone who wanted the school to become a better place, inclusive to all and allowing each individual to succeed in their own way,' Steph says. It was this thinking that led Steph to become a better leader, someone that is altruistic and cares for every single student despite their level of friendship.

Steph gives this advice to her successors:

 'Always remember that at the end of the day, you're the leader and representative of the student body. While there are always going to be formalities and parts of the role that seem independent to anything or anyone else, being School Captain is really about each and every student that walks through the corridors, and what their experience is like every day.' Steph Louey

The last Ivanhoe alumnus, but certainly not least, is Mr Le Page who attended Ivanhoe in the early 1970s, a very impressionable age.

Mr Le Page reveals the horrors and wonders of attending school in the 70s, the 'groovy' haircuts and fashions, the global politics, and social changes. Students were modelling themselves off famous rock bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, spectacles like these, Mr Le Page divulges are why teachers had to enforce rules like 'no hair below the collar'. 

Many significant changes were happening globally in the 70s, Mr Le Page recounts on yet another memory, 'I remember the day a large number of Year 12s skipped school to join the anti-war march in the city. This was despite pleas at School Assembly from the Headmaster (Principal) Mr Brown for them not to participate in case they did damage to their reputation and the reputation of the school'. Despite Ivanhoe being a disciplined and reputable institute, I’m sure it does leave colourful memories of youth fresh in their minds.

Mr Le Page reminisces on a rather humorous event, originating from the impact of the space age, Mr Le Page recounts, 'These were the years of the Apollo moon landings and students’ imaginations were fired up'. Mr Le Page and some friends have persuaded a teacher into assisting them to build a small aluminium rocket, which was to be launched from the middle of the south ground. Unfortunately, the rocket, instead of the extraordinary launch predicted, exploded and, in the process, broke several homes windows as a result. 'Definitely not good for the school’s reputation!' Mr Le Page recounts.

Ivanhoe turned co-ed in the 1990s, before that, it was a single-gender school. We gain some insight as to how that felt for Mr Le Page. 'It’s human nature to accept the world as it’s presented to us', Mr Le Page says, he reveals that he never questioned Ivanhoe as a boys-only institution, but now reminisces and realises that all staff member were in fact, male supporting the single-gender culture of the school. 

Talking to these alumni, makes me realise how rich Ivanhoe history really is and I wonder how much more my generation can contribute.

I’d like to thank Harriet and Emilie for giving me the opportunity to write this piece and the alumni that have given me such interesting answers and insights.