Our Team

STAFF

Chris Norwood (Teacher-Librarian, Plenty Campus)

“Having been part of two previous Cambodia Service Projects in 2006 and 2009, I am really excited to be leading this year’s team.  From the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh to the splendour of the temples at Angkor Wat, I am looking forward to sharing the reactions and experiences we will encounter with a new group of students and colleagues. I am the Teacher Librarian at the Plenty Campus and also teach Humanities. During my ten years at Ivanhoe I have travelled with students to Round Square projects in India, Thailand and Fiji as well as conferences within Australia. I have travelled extensively in Asia and I love it, as it constantly throws up challenges and surprises. In order to try and understand more about this fascinating continent, I am currently studying for my Masters in Education in Asian Studies. My favourite pastimes are reading and music and my favourite form of torture is riding my bicycle around the hills of St Andrews.”

Garry Chapman (MYP Coordinator, The Ridgeway Campus)

“In 2005, my daughter Casey was a student of the Plenty Campus who was fortunate enough to visit Cambodia with the Service Project team.  There was no blog on this trip and email access was limited, so we waited anxiously for up to a week at a time before receiving a brief email sent from an internet cafe.  Each of her messages was so loaded with emotion of the highs she experienced when interacting with Cambodian people and the sadness she felt when she learnt of the hardships so many of them had lived through.  She still talks often about that trip and the lessons she learned from it.  In 2008, I was able to follow in her footsteps and, not surprisingly, I also experienced similar emotions.  I think it was the peak experience of my teaching career.   I cannot wait to return with a new Ivanhoe team.  My first overseas trips took me to Mexico and Central America, then Nepal and India.  I still love visiting interesting places and Cambodia certainly fits into this category.  I’ll take my camera everywhere we go and you’ll be able to see my photos in the daily updates on this blog.  (And I’ll definitely be checking the AFL scores each week to see how the Pies are going too!)”

Anna Cross (Science Subject Leader, The Ridgeway Campus)

“After returning to Australia three years ago, I was lucky enough be offered a job at Ivanhoe Grammar School where I now predominantly work in the Science department. I am a sport lover; along with Garry, I passionately support the Pies. In my spare time I play softball and netball as well as enjoy many a dinner date with lovely friends and family. Four years ago I moved to Paris and then on to London, where I was able to indulge in the wonders of Europe after falling in love with it in my late teens. I have also been blessed with many trips through North America, China, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, however, I have never been lucky enough to visit Cambodia. I am looking forward to the physical challenge ahead and am motivated to help by the suffering of those who live in a country that has had such a confounding history. Cambodia appears to be an intoxicating place where the juxtaposition of beauty, embodied by Angkor Wat and the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge remains ever present. I most look forward to meeting the people, after all, this is every country’s treasure.”

Stephen Ward (Year 3 Teacher, Buckley House)

“I am in my sixth year of teaching at Ivanhoe Grammar School, and am currently teaching at the Year 3 level. I am a food lover and spend a great deal of time wondering what I am going to eat next! Other interests include listening to music, bushwalking, camping and travelling. I enjoy exploring new countries and meeting their people and have spent time travelling through South America, North America, Europe and South East Asia. This trip to Cambodia will be my third, having travelled there with my wife in 2008 and with Deirdre Capuano as a part of the Ivanhoe Grammar School’s Cambodia Teacher Training Program in 2009. Cambodia is my favourite country to visit in South East Asia. I love the friendliness of the people and the wonderful food. I am looking forward to our trip there this year and making a contribution to the people of this wonderful country.”

STUDENTS

Mitchell Ashby (Plenty, Year 11)

“I have been attending Ivanhoe Grammar School since I was five years old, and have been privileged with a number of opportunities that the school provides but there is no doubt that the Cambodian Service Trip is definitely one of the best and I am really excited to be a part of it. I am also involved in the school basketball team, soccer team and also the Cadet Unit. My interests include sport, music, computers and art. I have heard very positive feedback from friends of last year’s service trip, hearing all their stories and what they got up too, makes the trip even more exciting. I am really thankful to have been chosen to partake in this experience of a lifetime and I am really looking forward to making the most of it.”

Stephanie Briese (Plenty, Year 11)

“Hi, I’m Stephanie, I’m 16 and in year 11.  My interests include photography, drama, singing, netball and tennis.  I’ve only ever been out of the country once before and that was on the French Study Tour, last year. I’m really looking forward to working with the kids in Cambodia and improving their quality of life.”

Shannon Christou (Plenty, Year 10)

“I’m Shannon Christou from Plenty Campus. I have a Macedonian background so I have a very big, loud family who I love to bits and love spending time with. I have an incredible family who I couldn’t live without and amazing friends. I have two Maltese Shitzu’s named Missi and Coco. My life ambition is to have a family of my own but before that study to become a lawyer. I am extremely interested in Law and make sure I work very hard at school to ensure I can achieve my dream. Other than my academic studies I also love sport. I play Volleyball however Netball is basically my life. I love playing Netball and I play in and out of school and captain my out of school team. I look forward to playing every Wednesday. I learn Japanese at school currently and wish to go there someday. I also wish to travel America and Europe once I have completed school. I have been to Fiji, Vanuatu and Hawaii and travelled our country and I cannot wait to go to Cambodia. I look forward to every aspect of the trip but primarily helping out the children and giving them a life they deserve with just a little bit of help like teaching them English. I can’t wait to make a difference and look forward to giving the Cambodians extra help so they have a chance at achieving something.”

Kieren Fahey (Plenty, Year 11)

“I commenced at Ivanhoe Grammar in term three, 2011 as a Year 10 student. I have recently completed a World Challenge service project in Nepal, in which I spent 28 days working in a rural primary school, hiking in the Himalayas, culminating with an elephant safari through Chitwan National Park. The highlight of this experience was working with the disadvantaged children and helping to enrich their lives by building a basketball court, by hand, and funding a much needed library for their school. I am an avid basketball player, skier and a surf live saver at Lorne.  I am looking forward to experiencing a new culture, helping to teach English and viewing the amazing temples at Angkor Wat.”

William Gough (TRC, Year 11)

“I am 16 years of age and have been attending Ivanhoe Grammar at the Ridgeway Campus since I was in Year 7. To begin with I am thrilled to be a part of such a project as it is a great opportunity to visit a part of South-East Asia and contribute to communities which are not as fortunate as us.  I am a lover of all sports including cricket, AFL football, soccer and also horse racing. I am an avid supporter of Carlton in the AFL so being overseas mid football season could be a big challenge for me! My only previous travel overseas was on the school’s Gaelic Football Tour of Ireland in 2010. I’m looking forward to experiencing the rich Cambodian culture and getting to know new people throughout the project. I can’t wait to be a part of such a fantastic opportunity.”

Rachael Horsford (TRC, Year 10)

“I am 15 years old and in year 10 at the Ridgeway. I am really excited to be going on this trip. I have been wanting to go on this trip since before I started at Ivanhoe because my parents have been involved with the project previously and I have been able to see what an amazing experience it is. I play softball and netball and I love to do both. I think the highlight for me in this trip will be working with disadvantaged people and experiencing the culture of a country that is so different from Australia.  It will be my first time overseas so I am very excited!”

Arthan Ioannou (TRC, Year 11)

“I’m Arthan Ioannou in year 11 at the Ridgeway Campus of Ivanhoe Grammar. I am very excited to be going on this Service Project to Cambodia as helping other people, especially those who are in need, would be a maturing and humbling experience. I come from a Cypriot-Greek background and have travelled around Europe as well as Thailand. I think this experience will change the way I view life and will be a completely different and inspiring trip. Some of my interests include soccer, taekwondo and volleyball. I have not been on a previous service project with the school and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

Shiu-Li Lai (TRC, Year 11)

“I first started my schooling at the Ridgeway Campus in year 9. I am currently in year 11 and fortunate enough to be part of this year’s Cambodia Service Project, which gives me the opportunity to contribute to the people of what seems to be an amazing country. I come from a Chinese-East Timorese background and speak a dialect of Chinese-East Timorese.  My parents both grew up in East Timor. Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to travel there but definitely will in the future. I enjoy being around family and friends and have a passion for dance. Thankfully the school has a variety of co-curricular activities that I’m involved with and enjoy such as this year’s Musical, Cadets and Volleyball. I’ve only ever been overseas once which was on a family holiday in Bali, so I am extremely excited to go to Cambodia and experience a whole different environment and culture. A few of my friends were lucky enough to be part of last year’s service project and from what I have heard it is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have in your life time. I can’t wait to contribute to the Cambodian community, get to know people who are less fortunate than we are and hope to make a difference and help out as much as possible.”

Monique Le Mottee (Plenty, Year 11)

“Hi I am Monique I go to Ivanhoe Plenty and I am currently in year 11. I have four people in my family, with my little brother James starting year 7 this year at Ivanhoe. I have a dog and a cat, which I am obessed with. I started at Ivanhoe in year 7 as I got a scholarship and since then I think I have been involved in everything possible from cadets and musical to drama and round square. I am involved in the schools athletics, cross country, netball, hockey, volleyball and swimming teams. Plus playing netball and swimming outside of school. Going on this Cambodia trip is something I have dreamed to do since year 7 as I watched all the more senior kids embark on this journey. I am so excited to take part on this journey and really looking forward to learning even more about Cambodian history, and helping kids a better life they deserve in any way possible.”

Nathaniel Leach (TRC, Year 11)

“G’day, I’m Nathaniel (Nat) Leach from The Ridgeway Campus in Ivanhoe where I’m currently in Year 11. I am nothing short of ecstatic to be a part of this trip in which I hope to come away from with a sense of achievement of helping a community which is not as privileged in life as we have it. My previous experience in travel to less fortunate areas was the Tiwi football trip, in which I was lucky enough to go up to the Tiwi Islands (above Darwin) and play footy with the local kids, a totally different way to play Aussie rules I must say. In spare time, I enjoy of course playing footy, drums and part of the mighty IGS 3rds cricket team.”

Lucas Lee (TRC, Year 11)

“I am currently in Year 11 at Ivanhoe Grammar after arriving in the middle of Year 8, when I moved to Australia from overseas. I am very fortunate and have been able to travel often to experience foreign countries and cultures. However my family traveled most when I was very young, leaving my older brother with a whole lot of exotic holiday memories, and me with none. I am extremely grateful for this chance to go to Cambodia on the school trip. Everyone has come back from this trip preaching about how amazing it is and I’m lucky to be able to go experience another country, help out those who desperately need it, make new friends within the friends forever programme and the team, and hopefully ride an elephant or two along the way.”

Olivia Niceski (TRC, Year 11)

“I’m Olivia Niceski from the Ridgeway Campus at Ivanhoe Grammar. First and foremost, I am tremendously eager to embark on the Service Project to Cambodia, as it is my aspiration to give a little to the world in this stage of my life. In my everyday life I enjoy keeping fit as I dance and kick-box regularly. Dancing is one of those special passions in my life. Schooling wise, my favourite subjects are psychology and Japanese and I am involved in the volleyball and soccer teams every Saturday. My previous travels overseas include a trip to Switzerland last year, which included a stop by in France. Walking the pebble stone streets in Paris and standing in the middle of the Eiffel Tower was the highlight of my trip. Lastly, I am most looking forward to the ‘friends forever’ aspect of the Cambodian service project, but of course, I predict the personal journey I go on to get there will be a life-changing one.”

Nathan Orso (Plenty, Year 10)

“I am in year 10 and attend the Plenty Campus. I am in the Cadet Unit and some of my interests are music, travelling and sport. I am in the National Talent Squad for Kayak/Canoe Slalom and enjoy all sports, playing soccer and basketball for school. I have never been overseas before but have travelled extensively around Australia’s east coast. I have had work experience at an early intervention centre, where I assisted in the centre’s Programs. I have a large extended family and really enjoy our social gatherings.  I am very excited to experience a new culture and hopefully have an experience for a lifetime and help out as much as much as possible.”

Jessica Ring (TRC, Year 10)

“I’m Jessica Ring and I attend the Ridgeway Campus at Ivanhoe Grammar and I am currently in year 10. I first heard about this trip to Cambodia in year 7 and ever since, I have been waiting for my moment to try out. I am so greatful and thrilled that I have been given the opportunity to join this team and I will definitely make the most of it; because overall it’s a once in a lifetime experience. I have also never been overseas before so this trip will mean the world to me. I have a passion for sport and I love giving everything a go, but my favourite sport is netball; which I have been playing since I was 6. When it comes to school my favourite subjects are maths, science and physical education and I am also involved in playing volleyball, netball and aerobics for the school. I am looking forward to the whole trip but the part that I am looking forward to most is the ‘friends forever’ program. I’m also looking forward to making new friends with the other students attending this trip, and overall I can’t wait to embark upon this journey.”

Joseph Robinson (Plenty, Year 11)

“I am in year 11 at the Plenty campus. I have travelled overseas to New Zealand with friends for slalom kayaking, a sport which I really enjoy. Other than that my travels have been limited to Australia.I am looking forward to spending time in Cambodia, from the physical challenges such as house building to the mental aspect such as visiting the orphanages. Over all I am a laid back easy going person and I am really excited about going to Cambodia.”

Annie Tolmay (Plenty, Year 11)

“Hi I’m Annie from IGS Plenty Campus. I started at Ivanhoe in year 7 when I got a music scholarship there. I love all the opportunities that Ivanhoe has to offer and I get involved in as many as I can. I’m currently in year 11 and lucky enough to have been given this amazing opportunity to go to Cambodia. I enjoy kayaking, playing netball and music is a big part of my life. I have only travelled overseas once before on a kayaking development tour to America and going on the school’s Cambodia Service Project has been an aspiration of mine for a long time. I’ve heard from friends who have been to Cambodia in previous years that it is one of the most amazing experiences you can ever have and you’d be crazy not to get involved. I think it is an amazing thing that we are able to change people’s lives, simply by giving up a little bit of our time and a little bit of our hearts. I’m looking forward to every single part of the Cambodian trip; to the people we will meet and lives we will change, to the amazing sights we will see and experiences we will have and to the lifelong friends we will make.”