Snowy Mountains Grammar School – Building Our Future
Master Plan Update – Stage 1 and 2
The Snowy Mountains Grammar School Board and School Principal Dr Andrew Bell are delighted to provide an update on the Master Plan and advise that, subject to approvals, building works are planned to commence later this year on both Stage 1 – Learning Hub and Stage 2 – Sports Precinct.
Dr Bell declared the development as ‘one of the more important milestones for the School in its short 25 Years’ and added he was ‘elated for our whole School community, who deserve a high-quality facility, where our students and teachers will benefit from a beautiful yet practical and inspiring environment to enjoy now and well into the future’.
The new Master Plan for SMGS was unveiled in December 2019 which outlined the vision for future campus development. Importantly, it was announced that the first stages of the Master Plan would commence planning in 2020.
The School’s vision for its campus is to create a contemporary state-of-the-art environment to further optimise a learning experience for our students that is in harmony with its local alpine environment and respects the heritage of its historic site, formerly part of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority. The School, a K-12 co-educational boarding School in Jindabyne, was founded in 1996 and has long been recognised as a leader in education across the Snowy Monaro region and across Australia.
Stage 1 – Learning Hub
As a multi-award-winner of the Educator Magazine’s Innovative Schools Award, it is not surprising that the detailed design for the New Learning Hub is intuitive, considered and forward-thinking.
The large two-storey Learning Hub will house a wide range of stimulating internal learning facilities, equipped with the latest technology, diverse flexible learning areas, modern science laboratories, a digital technology and robotics room, art room and display gallery, a state-of-the-art design and technology workshop, conference rooms, study spaces and student and staff amenities. A key feature of the design will enable the outdoor spaces to be incorporated into the learning environment.
With students and teachers scheduled to commence Term 1, 2023 in the new building, Dr Bell said that the new Stage 1 Learning Hub will ‘perfectly complement our focus on people and programs and provide an ideal balance to further optimise learning’.
Stage 2 – Sports Precinct
The new Sports Precinct is to be built on the north-east side of the current campus. This area will provide access to more green space and a sports oval, two high-quality multi-purpose outdoor courts and cricket nets, and a shade structure for spectators. The fully fenced facility will offer potential opportunities to add other recreational and competitive sports in the future. It will also enable us to expand lunchtime play areas, with more room to move and socially gather, all while looking out onto beautiful Lake Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains.
Chairman of the Board, Mr Michael Jones (OAM) also acknowledged the dedication and hard work of many individuals and the Physical Resources Group sub-committee of the Board throughout the extensive planning stage and now looks forward to the physical component of the project evolving.
The School has partnered with several specialist firms who enabled the inspired vision of the School to come to fruition. These include Munns Sly Moore Architects, New Learning Environments, Spectrum Property and Projects, and Dabyne Planning. Arising from the collective work, the School Board has now submitted a Development Application (DA) for each project to the Snowy Monaro Regional Council for consideration, subject to approval.
Further detail of the building design layout and additional information will be available in the coming weeks. The following link https://future.smgs.nsw.edu.au/ will provide you with additional viewing and this landing page will be further updated prior to the conclusion of Term 1.
For media enquiries, contact SMGS Marketing and PR Officer, Brooke Darlington on brooke.darlington@smgs.nsw.edu.au.
Snowy Mountains Grammar School Alumna (Class of 1994, Twynam), Brooke Kennedy, held the position of Arts Captain in her final year at SMGS and was one of the school’s first–ever Band 6 recipients in Drama.
After completing her teaching degree in 2019, Brooke returned to her alma mater where she now teaches Year 4. When it comes to her passion for teaching and why she loves her job so much, Brooke said, “There is something so special about watching a student have the ‘light-bulb moment’ when they achieve something they have been working towards. It’s priceless. My students challenge me in the best way possible and make me laugh every day with their individual quirks and personalities. Watching them adapt to the challenges they have faced this year has made me incredibly proud to be their teacher.”
Of Brooke’s time at SMGS, Head of Faculty – English and Creative Arts, Head of House (Mowamba), Mrs Catherine Batson, said, “Brooke was a talented and committed student with a passion for the Arts. She not only starred in, but also choreographed most of the dances for the first of our biennial school musicals, Rockin’ Robin, in 2014. It is an absolute delight to see her back at the school passing on her love of learning to our Junior School students.”
What tertiary education path did youfollow after you graduated from SMGS? How did you become interested in that pathway?
After leaving SMGS in 2014 I had a gap year and stayed in Jindabyne, working casually in hospitality and retail. Before I finished school, I was lucky enough to receive an early admission offer to study a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Wollongong. Growing up, I loved the performing arts and was a passionate dancer. As I progressed through my high school years, I became an assistant dance teacher. During my final year at SMGS I helped to choreograph the Rockin’ Robin musical and taught dancing in the Junior School. I later combined my love of snowsports and teaching to become a ski instructor at Perisher. Teaching children has always been a passion of mine, so it made sense for me to pursue a career in education.
What is your current occupation, organisation, position and tenure?
Since completing my teaching degree last year, I taught casually in schools around the Illawarra and worked in after–school care. At the beginning of 2020, I was lucky enough to receive a teaching position – at SMGS! I have fifteen wonderful Year 4 students. It has been a surreal and incredible experience being back at SMGS, working alongside the teachers who taught me. I’m incredibly grateful to be back at SMGS and to have a class of my own.
What is your biggest source of motivation for your career and life pursuits?
There is something so special about watching a student have the ‘light–bulb moment’ when they achieve something they have been working towards. It’s priceless. My students challenge me in the best way possible and make me laugh every day with their individual quirks and personalities. Watching them adapt to the challenges they have faced this year has made me incredibly proud to be their teacher.
How did your time at SMGS help you in your journey to your current career and life pursuits?
Although SMGS has grown in size since I left in 2014, it still has the community feel that I enjoyed so much as a student. When I was in Year 12, we had a relatively small cohort which meant we needed to work together to overcome hurdles and be adaptable in order to achieve our goals. This alone taught me valuable skills which I have taken into my career. Having the opportunities to explore different avenues through academics, sport and co-curricular encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.
What are some of your most memorable moments from your time at SMGS?
There are so many! Competing at ASSSTCs and Interschools was a highlight; I loved travelling to different ski resorts and competing alongside my friends. The school carnivals were always so much fun – we dressed up, screamed chants at the top of our lungs and everyone got involved. I also loved causing havoc in Cath Batson’s drama room with Ellie Symons and Fen Bannister – we had so much fun. (Sorry, Cath.)
What programs and co-curricular opportunities did you participate in?
HICES swimming and cross–country running, interschools – both skiing and snowboarding, dancing, school musicals and VAV performances.
What advice would you give to students who are beginning their HSC journey and starting to think about their future after they graduate?
The pressure of the final school year and the HSC can be daunting for some. Speak up if you need help; the teachers at SMGS are incredibly dedicated and are willing to take the time to help you. Send them your practice essays, ask for and accept their feedback, tell them if you are feeling overwhelmed. They want to see you be successful. Before leaving school, take some time to seek out work experience in fields you are interested in. It will allow you to explore your interests and assist you in making valuable connections that may be useful if you decide to take that particular career path.
Finally, enjoy it and have fun! It’s your final school year. Take care of each other and yourselves.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the SMGS Alumni/Old Scholars community?
Being a part of the SMGS Alumni program allows me to remain connected to the school community and to those who were an integral part of my final years of schooling. As a student, and now a returning teacher, it’s amazing to watch the school evolve and continue to grow. I feel incredibly grateful I have the opportunity to experience it all over again from a different perspective.
Are you an Alumni or Old Scholar of SMGS?
We would love to to hear from you! Register online to become a part of the SMGS Alumni community.
Snowy Mountains Grammar School Alumna (Class of 1999, Roseby), Alicia French’s passion for the Snowsports industry and love for the outdoors led her to the USA where she is now a Senior Human Resources Business Partner for Vail Resorts.
Alicia says that her time at SMGS made her curious about the larger world and that the school gave her confidence in how to be independent and open to exploring the world.
Alicia’s extended family is still connected to the school, with her nephew currently attending and niece attending in the past.
Of Alicia’s time at SMGS, English teacher, Ms Anne Jones said, “Alicia was a key speaker in our senior interschool debating team. We competed in the ACT Debating competition and used to travel after school to debate. Our debates started between 6.30 pm and 8.30pm so if we had a late debate we’d get back after midnight!
We competed against schools from the ACT and surrounding regions. The adjudicators were from the university.
At Alicia’s level we sometimes had point–of–information debates which were very interesting.”
We are told that Alicia apparently used to practise her ‘debating skills’ quite loudly in the boarding house with some of the other residents!
Interschools circa 1998 or 1999
Sarah May, Tiffany Constance, Alice Purss, Alicia French, Olivia Clifford (all maiden names)
What tertiary education path did you follow after you graduated from SMGS? How did you become interested in that pathway?
I started a degree at UTS Sydney and took a sideways path to the USA to explore the ski resort world, where I worked in many jobs – lift operator, lift maintenance, ski school and tickets. I eventually rejoined my studies a few years later with Griffith University and graduated with a BA in communication. I was part of the SMGS debate team and had strong results in English and writing and so the degree seemed to fit my ability. Later, having a degree became a pathway to a career in human resources as fundamentally I was interested in how to effectively communicate to employees. My passion for the ski industry and outdoors I experienced at SMGS eventually led me to a dream job and career with Vail Resorts, where I was part of the HR leadership team at Park City Mountain and now I sit on the executive team leading HR at Stevens Pass Washington for the company. It’s an awesome job!!!
What is your biggest source of motivation for your career and life pursuits?
Exploration and learning every day. My wonderful family who inspire me to be better every day.
How did your time at SMGS help you in your journey to your current career and life pursuits?
It made me curious about the larger world. The school gave me confidence in how to be independent and open to exploring the world. The connections and happiness I have when I am in the mountains and the outdoors was central to the SMGS ethos and grounded me through life to create a love of the outdoors and then pursue my career in the ski industry that I love so much.
What are some of your most memorable moments from your time at SMGS?
So many, and the mischief we used to get up to in the boarding house gives me so many fond memories. The amazing connections and friends I still have to this day.
Best friends to this day!
Lisa Hartemink and Alicia French
What programs and co-curricular opportunities did you participate in?
Debating, interschools teams – ski, cross country and snowboard.
What advice would you give to students who are beginning their HSC journey and starting to think about their future after they graduate?
Whatever is your pathway, choose the path that is right for you (one size does not fit all). Explore and learn in everything you do, no matter how big or small it is. Every experience is there for learning. It’s up to you what you choose to take from it.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the SMGS Alumni/Old Scholars community?
SMGS was a pivotal part of my high school experience, I have such fond memories and to be still connected would be a privilege. Also, my niece Madison Rager attended from the USA and my nephew Sebastian French currently attends. It’s nice to make the family alumni connections and feel like I am part of the school in some way, even years later.
I currently live in the USA and still have family in Cooma and Jindabyne and I am so often in the area. I am ecstatic to make a connection again with the school.
With an interest in STEM subjects and a passion for renewable energy research, Katherine went on to complete a BSc from the University of Newcastle and then a PhD in Chemistry. After completing her studies, she accepted a position with the Australian National University where she completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Solar Cell Technology research.
Katherine says that it was a combination of the then SMGS Physics and Chemistry teacher, Mr Merv Jones, and her lab partners who helped to nurture her interest in the STEM pathway and says that SMGS’ focus on outdoor activities, music and community, as well as academics, also really helped her to be a more well-rounded individual.
Of Katherine’s time at SMGS, English Teacher, Mrs Anne Jones said, “there was nothing Kate couldn’t do!”. This sentiment was echoed by many of the teaching staff who taught Katherine.
Continue reading about Katherine’s journey in our interview below:
- What tertiary education path did you follow after you graduated from SMGS?
After leaving SMGS I went to the University of Newcastle and completed a science degree (BSc) and then continued in science research through an Honours project and a PhD (Chemistry). I always really liked the lab-based research side of things, so doing a PhD made sense to me even though it was a pretty big commitment.
- How did you become interested in that pathway?
I always leaned towards STEM subjects at school and we had a great Physics and Chemistry teacher at the time (Mr Jones) who helped me to stay interested and motivated through to the end of Year 12. Plus, I had a good lab partner.
- What is your current occupation, organisation, position and tenure?
Since completing my studies, I have been employed at the Australian National University in Canberra (nine years now!). I have been employed on a few different projects and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in that time, but the projects and fellowship have all been related to solar cell technology research, specifically in chemical engineering aspects.
- What is your biggest source of motivation for your career and life pursuits?
Certainly my biggest career motivation has been focusing on renewable energy and (trying!) to help make it better. I feel that the work we do in this area is important and that keeps me interested. The ANU is also full of such impressive researchers in this area who are having an impact on a global scale and who I am lucky enough to work with every day. Outside of work, family is a big motivator. With two little ones, we spend a lot of time on outdoor pursuits and hopefully teaching them to love and appreciate our special region as much as we do.
- What are some of your most memorable moments from your time at SMGS?
Some of my most memorable times definitely came from the Duke of Edinburgh hikes! We explored some amazing areas in the mountains and on the coast, honed our hot chocolate-making skills and were never without a bit of excitement (getting lost, lightning storms, impromptu campsites, “shortcuts” (thanks, Mr Moolman!) etc.).
- How did your time at SMGS help you in your journey?
SMGS was, and I’m sure still is, a totally unique learning experience. Being such a small school (only seventeen students when I started!) meant that everyone was just thrown in together and had to learn to make it work. We had to work together as a really small community and figure things out as we went along, which I think taught all of us some valuable skills. The focus on outdoor activities, music and community as well as academics also really helped me to be a more rounded individual.
- What programs and co-curricular opportunities did you participate in?
As I said, Duke of Ed. was a big thing and included social service aspects as well as the hikes. I was in the band for most of my time and was very involved in rowing in my last couple of years there. The touch football comp used to be a big thing – there was a teachers’ team as well as student teams in the Jindabyne competition (anyone remember Shepherds, Sheep and Lambs?). And of course, the skiing…
- What advice would you give to students who are beginning their HSC journey and starting to think about their future after they graduate?
The future is surprising! I think there are very few people who know exactly who they want to be and what they want to do when they are just starting out on their HSC journey. If you concentrate on what you like doing (not necessarily just what you are good at) I think you give yourself the best chance of finding your way into something that fits.
- What does it mean to you to be a part of the SMGS Alumni/Old Scholars Community?
SMGS was such a big part of my life. And it still is, through the friends that I still have and the connection that it gave me with the Snowy Mountains region. Having been there from the very first day the school opened, it’s a pretty special thing to be able to stay a part of the community and watch the school continually grow and evolve.
Mrs Anne Jones passed along Katherine’s School Captains Report from 2001 which can be read below.
Are you a Snowy Mountains Grammar School Alumni or Old Scholar? We would love to hear from you!
You can join the Alumni Program here:
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Snowy Mountains Grammar School Alumna (Class of 2014, Mowamba House), Julia Weber, is a Newcastle University student studying a combined Bachelor of Business (Leadership and Management)/Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree. Julia is passionate about improving the financial literacy of young people.
Julia is a student ambassador for the University of Newcastle Finance Lab and is writing a financial literacy course that she is delivering in high schools right across her region. Julia is also working on an app to enable young people to find funding for small business ideas.
Julia’s work in the financial literacy sector has seen her being named as a finalist in the 2020 NSW Young Women of the Year Award. To vote for Julia, please go to:
https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/women-of-the-year/harvey-norman-young-woman-of-the-year
Julia credits the leadership opportunities she had at SMGS for helping to shape her into the woman she has become and is grateful for the personal development she experienced while a student at SMGS.
- What tertiary education path did you follow after you graduated from SMGS? How did you become interested in improving financial literacy?
I initially received early entry to Macquarie University through the Principal’s Recommendation Scheme and studied a Bachelor of Business there for about a year before relocating and transferring to the University of Newcastle, studying a combined Bachelor of Business (Leadership and Management)/Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree. I became interested in financial literacy after my own struggles grappling with the monetary challenges of being a ‘grown-up’! I felt ill equipped and that I needed formal training (outside of my household) but struggled to find support so I decided to try and contribute to this area. I became a Student Ambassador for my university’s Finance Lab. I now teach high school and university students about the basics of financial literacy and it’s an absolute dream.
- What is your biggest source of motivation for your career and life pursuits?
My biggest motivation, for as long as I can remember, has been a desire to contribute positively to the lives of others. I love falling asleep at night knowing that I’ve helped someone during the day, and it makes me spring out of bed each morning knowing that I may be able to teach someone something, and I will learn something in return. This outlook has created a lot of career opportunities for me so far, as well as a few rewarding volunteering pursuits. I am currently setting up a business for when I graduate university in June to assist business owners and professionals find their true passion in life, and helping them to shape their work around that passion. I’m very excited about it.
- What are some of your most memorable moments from your time at SMGS?
My most memorable moments stemmed from the diversity of the experiences I was able to enjoy. I had been at school in Sydney, and moving down to an environment where I could enjoy not only the snowsports, but equestrian, dragon boating and such a friendly, community-focused netball comp were fantastic. As a student, I am still grateful for the great relationships I was able to form with each of my teachers, especially during my HSC. I couldn’t have achieved what I have without those teachers. I also look back fondly on the ‘Say No to Bullying’ day I organised in Year 12, and the debating competition my fellow Academic Prefect and I helped facilitate. Above all, though, the friendships I formed with my fellow students of all year groups were just incredible and I still remain friends with a lot of those people today.
- How did your time at SMGS help you in your journey to becoming interested in financial literacy? What programs and co-curricular opportunities did you participate in?
I think my teachers were instrumental for a few reasons – firstly, they helped me manage my workload so that I could have a part-time job which I stressed was really important to me. They helped me to develop that ability to juggle and balance. Secondly, they gave me confidence to present, in particular Ms. Anne Jones, who encouraged me to participate in the Maria Kisich Public Speaking competition and Mr. Tim Bland, who assisted me in developing my speeches. Finally, every single teacher I interacted with at SMGS encouraged me to push through self-doubt and give things a go. I will always remember talking to ‘Doc’ about whether to keep pushing through with Physics and Chemistry in the HSC, and he said, “Julia, if you are committed and willing to put in the hard work, there is absolutely nothing you can’t achieve.” These were the conversations that formed my current belief that I am capable of making a positive change if that’s what I’m committed to doing. I think I gave just about every extra-curricular activity a go – sport, academic and otherwise.
- What advice would you give to students who are beginning their HSC journey and starting to think about their adventure after they graduate?
My advice would be to not let people tell you what you should do, but let them help you try things out. This next step is not about deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life – it’s about getting yourself into a position where you can try out a whole lot of things so you can make your next move. Keep an open mind, talk to as many different people and gain as many different opinions as you can and give things a go. If there is a spark of interest about something, follow it!
Are you a Snowy Mountains Grammar School Alumni or Old Scholar? We would love to hear from you!
You can join the Alumni Program here:
On Thursday, 5th December, the unveiling of Snowy Mountains Grammar School’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan and first-ever Campus Master Plan by the school’s Board of Directors and Leadership team was the culmination of an outstanding year for the school.
At twenty-four years old, SMGS has long been recognised as a leader in education across the Snowy Monaro region. With the development of the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan and Campus Master Plan, Snowy Mountains Grammar School aims to become one of the premier K-12 co-educational day and boarding schools in Australia.
The school, which was founded in 1996 on a precinct formerly used as a maintenance depot for the pioneering Snowy Mountains Authority Hydro-Electric Scheme, is nestled in the foothills of Australia’s stunning alpine region and located beside the shores of the beautiful Lake Jindabyne.
Our current campus facilities highlight the school’s deep sense of history with its unique, industrial-edge buildings. Now, In combination with sustainable growth and interest (with almost an 18% increase in the full-time student population since the end of 2016 and it is expected that the start of 2020 will represent almost a 25% increase since 2016), it is the perfect time to further improve the school’s facilities. The vision for the new, modern learning spaces will complement the existing buildings with relevant organic and local materials in keeping with the Snowy Mountains area.
The new learning spaces will include: general learning areas, dedicated specialist learning areas, a village green and grand verandah, gym and fitness facilities, community and shared-use facilities, multi-purpose courts and sports fields, a café precinct, and modern and integrated technology.
SMGS Principal, Dr Andrew Bell, said, “In the past we have had a strong focus on people and programs, which has underpinned the ethos of the school. It’s really exciting that the school is thriving, and now is the right time for us to evolve the school further by strategically mapping out the physical resources of the campus design. This will allow the school to further mature and optimise the learning experience for our students.
“… all of this is designed to take advantage of our wonderful location and to develop our school so that it feels like a place that our students, staff and our community wants to be. It will not have hard clinical surfaces found in a lot of schools, but will be authentic to our local environment.”
The completion of the SMGS Master Plan and Strategic Plan comes at an exciting time for the Snowy Monaro region, with the announcement of Jindabyne as a Special Activation Precinct. Dr Bell added, “It is important for us to embrace our past, be proud of where we are now and be well prepared for our future.”
Further information about SMGS’ Master Plan and Strategic Plan can be viewed via the following website: https://future.smgs.nsw.edu.au/
For media enquiries, please contact SMGS Marketing and PR Officer, Brooke Darlington on brooke.darlington@smgs.nsw.edu.au or on 02 6457 1022
Looking back over the last three years:
Since 2016, SMGS has won three national education awards and has been a finalist in six others.
- Recipients of the 2019 Australian Snowsports School of the Year
- 2019 Finalists in the Australian Education Awards in the following categories:
- Regional School of the Year
- Best Co-Curricular Program
- Boarding School of the Year
- 2019 Association of Independent Schools National Virtual Debating competition – 3rd Place – Year 7 & 8
- In 2018 we won Boarding School of the Year at the Australian Education Awards
- Mountain Bike Australia School of Merit
- We are proud to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh International Award
- 2018 HSC – no. 1-performing school in the Snowy Monaro region
- 2018 NAPLAN – no. 1-performing school in the Snowy Monaro region
- 2018 Australian Education Awards – Boarding School of the Year winner
- 2017 Educator Magazine Innovative Schools winner – Let’s Explore (Kindergarten transition program)
- 2016 Educator Magazine Innovative Schools winner – Academies of Excellence