Class of ’86: Those Redlands Years

From Melissa Robbins, Class of ’86: Those Redlands Years.

I grew up on the north shore, Cremorne and later, Mosman. From the youngest of ages I was told that one day I would attend the school that beyond the very large dark blue gates that separated it from Military Road. From time to time as we passed it I would always look in wondering what that would come to mean. My time came in 1980 when I was sent in the 6th grade to attend the school beyond the gates. It was a sea change from the small public school I had been attending and none of my friends were coming with me. I was nervous, anxious not to make a mistake and not knowing what my place would be. My sixth-grade class, the only one then, was atop the Liggins Building and had barely 16 students in it, Mrs. Rickets, fair but firm and a few special teachers: P.E, Music and the like. Sports became my niche and I soon made enough friends to feel comfortable although still not entirely at ease. At the time I was playing a great deal of tennis and doing well; so much so that I was asked to play on the senior school tennis team, which put me in front of much older girls and set me on the path that defined my time at Redlands. When I wasn’t training at my club, I spent much time on the single tennis court in the shadow of the science lab. I knew every inch of that court and some of my best memories lay within its lines. My marks were solid, but it was my sports acumen that I relied on for my 7 years there; ultimately becoming Sports Captain in 1986.

After university the opportunity was afforded me to return and teach. It was a rare thing and I took the opportunity to land my first job and find some independence. My younger brother, Lachlan, was not so happy as he in year 11, finally had “the place to himself” only to have his most older sibling return, “to spy.” I taught English and Modern History in the Senior School, with some of my students not that much younger than me, and many of them friends of my brother’s. We worked it out and my four years there was punctuated by challenging classes, incredible smart senior colleagues, teams to coach and a general extension of my best memories as a student. I was always somewhat intrigued by the history at Redlands and with the help of a colleague, we wrote a music hall style play, celebrating some of the more well-known historical elements of the school, all in search of those elusive Roseby rubies!

S.C.E.C.G.S was a school in transition when I attended. The all-female classes were dwindling as more boys were admitted. At my beginning had a boutique feel to it, even in my senior class there were less than 100. However, by the time Lachlan graduated one could see that the fiscal sacrifices made in previous years to keep the school alive, were paying off and that it would indeed, live. I draw on many things I learned at Redlands, not all in the formal classroom and I am grateful for my time there.

Editor’s note: Melissa was invited to write for the website, to add personal reflections from an Alumnus perspective. AEA is glad to welcome her contribution, and thanks her. Melissa and her family invited grandfather Sir Garfield Barwick AK., formerly Chief Justice of Australia, to present awards and speak to a student gathering in the early 1980s. He did so supportively, with warmth.

June 2020