Old Scholars
The Jenkins/Cooper/McHugh Family - Four Generations at Friends'
Photo: L to R: Back row: Charlie McHugh, Lucy Cooper, Craig Cooper, Elizabeth Cooper, Angela McHugh, Scott Cooper, Isabelle Cooper, Olivia McHugh. Middle row: Andrew Cooper, Billy Cooper, Henry Cooper. Front row: Ben Cooper, Anneka McHugh
Elizabeth Cooper (Jenkins) commenced at The Friends’ School Boarding House in 1957 aged 10. In those days the Boarding House held 100 Boarders and if the boys didn’t stoke the boiler - there was no hot water. Excited, and not a bit daunted, she understood this new path would provide opportunities for a broader education than that offered by her local area school.
Elizabeth’s enrolment at Friends’ came after a visit by former Principal Bill Oats to Elizabeth’s father, old scholar George Jenkins (1931), AFM. Elizabeth’s mother, Enid, who was educated at Melbourne Girls Grammar School, subjected him to a quiz of pertinent questions, and the decision was made.
Elizabeth later sent her children Scott Cooper (1990), Craig Cooper (1992) and Angela McHugh (Cooper) (1994) to Friends’, all of whom travelled around the world and lived and worked on the mainland. They all returned to Hobart “to settle down” and she now has nine grandchildren at the School.
Elizabeth’s children have always been close, so the opportunity for them to be educated together at a co-educational school was important. All Elizabeth’s children went on to earn two degrees each, reflecting the quality of the education provided to students. When grandchildren Anneka and Ben are in Y11 and Y12 respectively it will be 100 years since their great grandfather George Jenkins commenced at Friends’ in 1929.
Making a conscious choice to ‘do grandparent help’ in various schools and now Friends’, Elizabeth values the vertical integration of students and feels the responsibilities given to students sets Friends’ apart. “The attitude of Friends’ and its students is different - open-minded, global, principled”, Elizabeth told me. “If you give a child a good education, that is something that no-one can take away from them and sets them up for life. They can then be responsible for their own lives. It is what I wanted to give my family.”
- Elizabeth Cooper (Jenkins) (1963)
Old Scholar Mentor Network - Help us build our mentoring network
In partnership with the School, The Old Scholars’ Association is establishing an Old Scholars Mentor Network. A mentor network can provide immense value to old scholars who are establishing careers, moving geographically or changing occupations and the use of modern technology allows for global reach. A 30 minute conversation with an established old scholar when you move to a new town, graduate from your studies or are making plans to change careers could provide immeasurable value.
Please email Lucy Loney if you are able to be involved. We are seeking old scholars world-wide.
Old Scholar's Association - Report from the Secretary
Pictured: 1964 Hockey Premiership team. OSA Secretary, Mary Woolnough, back row, second from right.
The Old Scholar's Association Committee met on Monday 5 November. We had a lively meeting with good discussions taking place – even though we had several members unable to attend.
The Treasurer, Mike Gluskie, reported the accounts were currently being audited and we will be able to meet with the School in December to discuss our future funding arrangements. We spent a lot of time discussing the history of prizes and projects we had supported in the past and future projects we would like to support. We agreed that once our funding is confirmed we will make this list available on the Old Scholars’ page on the School’s website. We also discussed updating the old scholars’ section of the website as an ongoing commitment.
The President, Richard Batt, had attended the Leavers’ Service and presented 150 badges. He reported on the enjoyable address from long-serving staff member Peter Jones. He also reported that he would be attending the Visual Arts exhibition later that week.
Lucy Loney had further investigated other schools’ mentor programs and at this stage the concept for FSOSA will be promoted by using Facebook and this newsletter. A notice will be included in the November edition of Rose & Waratah.
We noted the Fair will be held on Saturday 30th March and we agreed the Old Scholars Association would continue with the Satay Stall. This was a huge success last year and we are hoping for another good year in 2019.
Lucy reported that she had three Year 12 girls indicate they would like to continue to play football next year in an old scholars’ team. She will progress with helping with the administration of this and we agreed to sponsor this team should they enter the competition.
The Development Office advised there would be three reunions held in December: one-year out on 13 December, five years out on 14 December and ten years out on 15 December. The annual 50-plus luncheon will be held next year on Sunday 17 February 2019.
We set up our 4 meeting dates for next year including the AGM, which will be held on Monday 13 May 2019. All old scholars are very welcome to attend this meeting so put this date in your diary now.
I am very pleased to report that the OSA has had a successful year and has renewed commitment and energy. We look forward to supporting the School next year, and always welcome new members to be on the Committee.
The Friends' Old Scholars Memorial Grant for Year 11
The Trustees of The Friends’ Old Scholars Memorial Grant are delighted to advise that the 2019 Grant has been awarded to Alex Exarhakos. Each year, the Trustees work with the Heads of High School to find a student with an old scholar connection who is academically sound, an active participant in the life of the school and strong in service. In conjunction with the Heads of High School one grant of $4,000 is awarded towards Clemes fees in Term 1 2019. Congratulations Alex!
To see more information about the Grant, please visit our website. Applications for the Old Scholars Memorial Grant for 2020 will open in Term 3, 2019.
School Fair 2019 - Calling old scholar businesses
The Friends’ School 2019 Fair will be held on Saturday 30 March. The Fair Committee invites old scholars with a business venture to participate as stall holders in next year’s Fair. Whether it is a product or service or another concept, the Fair Committee are keen to hear all ideas and involve old scholars in meaningful ways in this much loved community event. To get involved, email schoolfair@friends.tas.edu.au