AOG - Ascham School

Generations of
Heart and Soul

‘With heart and soul we tread the way’ — this indelible phrase and its accompanying melody reverberates for all of us.

We are and always will be Ascham girls. We have a shared history that binds us no matter what path we forge. We are formidable but kind, astute and inquisitive and fiercely loyal. The Ascham Old Girls (AOG) is our vehicle for continued connection. Collectively we are stronger. With over 7,000 members we are a resource of strength and support that exists to encourage the continuation of friendships.

Our History

The AOG was established in 1899 by former headmistress and Ascham’s founder Miss Marie Wallis.

Miss Wallis met with a group of Old Girls once or twice a year to raise funds for hospitals and infant homes. During The Depression a fund was set up to provide financial assistance for daughters of Old Girls. This tradition of altruism continues with the committee directing funds to AOG Scholarships, Hardship Bursaries and Prizes.

Committee

Founder – Marie Wallis
Patron – Andrew Powell | Head of School
President – Emma Martin
Vice-President – Julia Dangar
Honorary Treasurer – Nicola Michel
Honorary Secretary – Yianoula Henderson

The Committee:

Genevieve Ancell
Alexandra Wenderoth
Madeleine Campbell
Stephanie Charalambous
Lisa Bell
Louisa Painter
Christina Walker
Ruby Alexander

Events and Reunions

Nurturing a sense of belonging and keeping Old Girls informed.

Old Girl Reunions are held to celebrate the 5th, 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th anniversaries of attendance at Ascham. The Ascham Old Girls’ Union also hosts a range of events focused on building our community. For more information regarding upcoming events or reunions please contact us.

Ascham Old Girls’ Union Events 2022

Autumn
Architecture and Design Drinks — Bismarck House, Bondi

Winter
Business Breakfast at the Art Gallery of NSW
Archibald Prize Tour at the Art Gallery of NSW
Annual Golf and Tennis Day

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Ascham Leadership Scholarship

The Ascham Leadership Scholarship is an opportunity for young Old Girls to undertake research or humanitarian aid work aligned with their professional degree and development, either overseas or within Australia. It is generously endowed by a past Ascham family.

The Scholarship includes up to $10,000 for travel and living expenses within Australia and/or overseas. It is expected that the successful applicant would maintain strong contact with the School during the term of the Scholarship and afterwards so that Senior students may hear of her experiences.

It is open to all Ascham Old Girls between the ages of 20 and 30 years before 31 March 2023.

2022 Ascham Leadership Scholarship Recipient—Leili Friedlander

Leili graduated from the University of Sydney’s Law School with a Master of Criminology in 2021.

Since graduation, Leili has interned at Youth Justice within the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). Following this, Leili went on to work in Strategy, Policy and Commissioning in DCJ’s Child & Family directorate. Here, she travelled around the state on consultation to assist with the NSW Government’s 2022 legislative response to the Family is Culture Review Report. Leili currently works as a Consultant at Inside Policy, an Indigenous run firm that specialises in social research and evaluation.

It was her work in co-authoring the Submission to the NSW Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control in Domestic Relationships that became the inspiration for EmpowHER Education.

Founded in 2022, EmpowHER Education aims to provide women and young girls with the knowledge, tools, and information to identify, and understand domestic abuse. Leili is passionate about changing Australia’s domestic abuse narrative through education. With a strong focus on justice, Leili’s passion is working with vulnerable communities and people. Leili is committed to driving social change, specifically for women and their children.

Alumni Internship Program

The Ascham Alumni Internship Program aims to offer young Old Girls the opportunity to gain professional work experience by undertaking an internship in the workplace of a member of the Ascham community.

Through the program we aim to give Ascham Old Girls work-based experience and skills that will assist them as they take their initial steps in establishing a career. We are pleased to offer a number of exciting internship opportunities for Ascham Old Girls across media, marketing, finance, retail, architecture, property and agriculture. Internships are available to Ascham Old Girls undertaking tertiary studies or who have recently completed an undergraduate degree.

Generations of tradition

Helping Old Girls reach their potential and upholding AOG traditions.

Enrolling your daughter

In recognition of the very worthy contribution of our Old Girls, first priority will be given to daughters of Ascham Old Girls enrolled before their first birthday at any formal entry point (Prep, Kindergarten, Year 5 or Year 7). We give equal first priority to boarders and younger siblings of girls already enrolled at Ascham at the time of the proposed commencement date. Second priority is given to daughters of Ascham Old Girls enrolled after their first birthday by date of application received.

Conditions of enrolment

Honour Board Prize Recipients

The Old Girls’ Honour Board Prize is the oldest continually awarded prize having been established in 1902. For many years this prize was awarded based on a popular vote of the students but since 1956 has always been awarded to the Chair of the School Committee.

Recipients:

2022 – M. Harris
2021 – G. Ancell
2020 – R. Alexander
2019 – S. Blades
2018 – E. Michel
2017 – G. Stricker-Phelps
2016 – P. Waller
2015 – L. Spence
2014 – A.D.Marta
2013 – D.Reid
2012 – N.Waldron
2011 – S.Laughton
2010 – A.Hamilton

Donations

The Old Girls welcome donations with funds supporting the activities of the AOGU and Scholarships for daughters or granddaughters of Old Girls.

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The Gift of Ngara

The transformational gift Jiu-Hwa Lo (Class of 1955) has recently given Ascham will have impact for generations to come.

17 Oct 2022

AOG

The creative life of Ingrid

Ingrid Weir’s career as a designer has taken her all around the world, but when COVID-19 struck, like many of us, she turned to a project close to home.

12 Oct 2022

AOG

Buy from the Bush

In October 2020, an idea was born at the kitchen table on a sheep and cattle farm in Warren.

12 Oct 2022

AOG

Generations of
Heart and Soul

Our History

Committee