BARBARA LYNCH, HEAD
of GLEN WAVERLEY CAMPUS, 1986-1994
(September, 1994, for the
'The Chronicle' magazine)
Mrs Barbara Lynch's Headship of the
Glen Waverley Campus saw the campus reach its full development as a Beginners
to Year 12 co-educational school.
At the time of her leaving during
1994, a pre-Beginners class had commenced and Senior College students were
able to undertake an additional year of their secondary education.
Appointed to the Prahran Campus Mathematics
Faculty in 1985, Mrs Lynch became Head of Glen Waverley in 1986.
During the crucial years that followed, she provided a gentle, firm hand
to guide the growth of the campus.
The most visible sign of her leadership
is Glen Waverley's Senior College.
Mrs Lynch's preparation of its creation
was meticulous. Her architectural brief continues to be acclaimed
and similarly important was her complementary inspiration of the Senior
College's first students from their youngest Junior School years.
The building's official opening by
Sir Ninian Stephen, its extroverted, high outlook and its ongoing educational
life all mark this lasting contribution by Mrs Barbara Lynch to Wesley
College Melbourne.
Although unfulfilled, the plans for
re-establishing Wesley's Boarding House at Glen Waverley were detailed
by Mrs Lynch in a similar fashion to her Senior College brief.
Arising from this extensive work
and in conjunction with Wesley's partner schools overseas, Mrs Lynch generated
an expanding Homestay Program which now provides accommodation for visiting
students and teachers and full-time students. This, too, is a distinctive
feature of Mrs Lynch's Headship.
Mrs Lynch always guarded the interests
of the students. Each one was a complexity whose attributes and shortcomings,
successes and failures required full and sensitive understanding.
Mrs Lynch listened thoughtfully, asked pertinent questions and made careful
judgements. Many are glad for this.
Farewelled fondly at functions held
towards the end of the first semester, Mrs Lynch received the best wishes
of the school, her hard-working, intelligent leadership, care and friendship
gratefully acknowledged.
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