Perspectives of a SHOG

That’s me. Forever a Somerville Girl. A now-not-so-young SHOG.

It’s why I am fighting the good fight. It’s why, as I sit here thinking & typing, I burst into tears. How? Why?

My amazing school that opened up my world, that gave me a wonderful education, that gave me the most awesome, caring, supportive group of friends for decades…….Thrown into the middle of the most disgusting scandal by the PMSA (and only the PMSA). And for what? Power. Control. Money. Status. Plus the odd lunchtime spa retreat, it seems.

What did I get from all of that? Certainly not power, control, money or status. And I’m leaving the other well alone.

I’ll tell you what I got. I got being laughed at. I got raised eyebrows. I got pursed lips. I got shaking heads. I got rolling eyes. I got ‘Geez, you must proud.’ I got ‘I wouldn’t tell too many people.’ I got ‘You need to leave that off your résumé.’ I got ‘I believe the PMSA must go, but need to step back from you because it’s too risky for my child.’ And, I’m still getting all of the above, and much worse, 5 months later.

I entered Somerville House in Year 7. My parents worked seven days a week to provide for our family, wanted me to have the best opportunities in life and they believed a Somerville education was the key.

Somerville was ahead of its time for inclusion and still is. It didn't matter whether you were into sports, art, music, debating or excelled academically. Everyone had the opportunity and encouragement to pursue their passion. The teachers demonstrated genuine care – I now realise just how good they were, protecting us for the most part from the treachery of the PMSA’s self-serving antics and ensuring that we were exposed to the right values.

Our teachers weren’t perfect and I don’t think they ever tried to say that they were. They welcomed questions and challenges - in fact they encouraged it. I enjoyed many an argument with a certain (now former) headmistress, usually about politics and often quite vociferous. One of our bigger ding dongs was about her decision about another girl – I didn’t like that girl much, but that was irrelevant. The school’s decision was wrong, so I said so, loud and clear. Not that it mattered, but I know that that former headmistress respected me for that. And that’s the way it should have been and is the way it should be now.

At the end of my school years, I set out into the world of employment and part-time university studies. I was not only armed with a great education, but more importantly I was armed with the knowledge a woman could do anything. I was armed with confidence and a knowledge of women's rights.

Most of all, I was armed with deep set values anchored around the school motto "Honour before Honours" - to maintain the highest personal standards of integrity, and to regard ideals of behaviour and achievement as more worthwhile and important than the applause of a crowd.

This fight, this debacle – this is everyone’s opportunity to teach our daughters that doing what is right, standing up and speaking out against what is so very wrong, are more important than a pocket and a prefect-ship. Only the former will get you far in life.

It has been more than 30 years since I left school, and the connections and passion for the school remains as strong as it did the day I finished year 12. I, and my classmates, feel strongly we have a responsibility to uphold the legacy and values of Somerville. This passion is a feeling of obligation to those who came before us and also for those who follow.

Being a Somerville girl does not end the day you finish school..... That is just the first chapter. The best is yet to come, because you are now a part of something very special. Something only those who have been a part of it can truly understand how tight the bonds are.