OGA News
Acknowledging 20 Years of Service
The Old Girtonians’ Association was delighted to bestow on Mrs Allison Crickmore, an Honorary Associate Life Membership for achieving twenty years of service to Girton Grammar School.
Allison is said to have a knack for astute book recommendations and as an English teacher for twenty years at Girton Grammar School, has put many students and colleagues alike on the right reading path, instilling a love of language and learning along the way.
Before Girton, and prior to twelve years of teaching in Melbourne, Allison was schooled in Broken Hill and went to University in Armidale. As a country girl through and through, with a big city wardrobe, including a particular penchant for shoes, Allison is admired by a diverse range of students, relating to them on different levels and making connections of style and, more pertinently, substance.
Colleagues describe Allison’s approach to teaching, learning and student support as exceptional. As an extensive reader, she blends big thinking with unique ideas, inventing and sharing learning programmes that are stimulating and that resonate with students.
Allison is said to inspire a love of learning within student groups and in individuals. Her colleagues say that she embodies a constant source of positivity and dedication for each student and she is described as a motivating and inspiring force who teaches students, not subjects.
Allison has been a Frew House Tutor and is currently a Millward House Tutor, a position she has held since 2003. Her care for students is obvious, and she has the ability to know how a student is faring in the classroom at a psychological level. It is this insight and this extra care and kindness that makes her so popular with the student cohort.
Allison’s contribution to Community Service at Girton Grammar is as much a legacy of her time at the school as her classroom teaching. She is currently the MiC of the LEO Club and the Assistant Head of Community Service, having previously been the Co-Head of Community Service and a Duke of Edinburgh Assistant.
Allison’s stewardship of the 40 Hour Famine has seen Girton’s fundraising efforts ranked several times in the top five schools in Victoria. For many years Allison has supported student participation in Australia Day community activities, Shave for a Cure, Righteous Pups and many other community service efforts that have become synonymous with the Girton student journey. Her efforts have undoubtedly helped to build a culture within the school of giving back.
As the MiC of the Creative Textiles co-curricular and with enviable skills and a clear passion for sewing and knitting, Allison has inspired many students to nurture their love of using their hands to find creative expression and enjoyment through their hobbies. In her early years at Girton, Alison also worked closely with the Drama department on school productions doing costume design and make up.
Allison’s teaching ethos is to create active learners who don’t expect to be spoon-fed and can challenge the material with which they are presented. She strives to have students in her classes that are working to the best of their ability and yet are prepared to do more. She derives great satisfaction from getting students to realise that English classes are not just about reading for reading’s sake but learning through reading what others may have experienced.
Those close to Allison enjoy a warm friendship and benefit enormously from her generous spirit, her knowledge, and her caring approach.
Mrs Allison Crickmore, for twenty years of outstanding service to Girton Grammar School, we thank you.
Vale Mrs Mair Merriman
Our deepest sympathies to the Merriman family on the loss of Mair Merriman, who sadly passed away on the morning of Sunday 17th October.
Mrs Merriman was a much loved teacher of Girton in the mid 70’s to early 80’s. She was an English Teacher, House Mentor, Welsh enthusiast and she was filled with fond memories and stories of her time at Girton College.
Mair is remembered by fellow colleagues Mrs Erica Smith and Mrs Coral Killeen as being a very talented and adored teacher who was warm and caring with a terrific personality and infectious sense of humour. They recall with affection, teaching her children Sian and Craig.
Mrs Dorothy Crothers, former Deputy Head of Girton College reflects;
When I think of Mair, the word “fizz” comes to mind. She fizzed with enthusiasm for life. She was fully engaged in Girton, as a highly successful teacher who related well to students, as a valuable colleague to other members of staff and as a friend to us all. In the time she was with us she made an unforgettable place for herself in the Girton Family.
Mair’s husband David was a local minister and school chaplain. Mair and her family left Bendigo in the early 80’s to return to South Australia where David had been given a new position.
Mair was a lady who had a deep love for her family, she was a passionate and talented teacher, she was fun to be around and she will be very sadly missed.
