1strength. optimism. justice. seymour.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016

1922–2017

PGC/SEYMOUR

2 3Seymour College Annual Report 2016 strength. optimism. justice. seymour.

Contents

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From the 2016 Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl

Board Report Financial Overview Report of the Independent Auditor on the Summary

Financial Statements

Academic Report

4 5Seymour College Annual Report 2016 strength. optimism. justice. seymour.

On behalf of the Board and the staff, it gives us great pleasure to present to you the 2016 Seymour College Annual Report.

It was another busy year full of achievement and accomplishment, challenges and opportunities.

Academic

2016 was another strong academic year for our girls across all age groups.

A total of 92 girls completed Year 12, achieving 42 Merits across 16 subjects – approximately half of them in the disciplines of Maths and Science. In addition, 37% of the girls achieved an ATAR of 95 or more, placing them in the top 5% of academic achievers nationally. More than half of the cohort were placed in the top 10% of students nationally.

That is a success few schools can match. The Class of 2016 are certainly advocates for the pursuit of excellence and we

warmly congratulate them on their outstanding efforts.

Elsewhere, we had multiple prize winners in the SASTA Oliphant Science Awards, our Year 7 and 9 students were year level champions in the South Australian da Vinci Decathlon and two students were awarded South Australian Trinity Speech and Drama medals for achieving the highest results in the state.

It wasn’t just our girls who were winning recognition in 2016, with Head of Science Nicole Harding being awarded an ASG National Excellence in Teaching Award while Laboratory Technician Liz Barrett received two awards for excellence in recognition of her outstanding service to Science.

The year was also important in that Seymour officially became authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme offering increased choice to our students. In the Junior School, the IB Primary Years Programme

has been successfully embedded into our teaching and learning culture.

Co-curricular

2016 was also a year of successes in art, dance, debating, drama, music, sport and a broad array of other co-curricular activities.

Our senior students won the South Australian Debating Association Senior A Debating Final, making it eight wins in the past 14 years. Furthermore, half of the 2016 State Debating Team was made up of Seymour girls and one of our students, Zoë Chalmers, received the Todd Golding Medal for the best contribution to the State team.

Our Pipe Band performed with distinction at a wide range of events, while Seymour orchestras and bands also won multiple awards at the ABODA Music Festival.

The year also saw a host of achievements across a myriad of sporting disciplines.

College Report

It was another busy year full of achievement and accomplishment, challenges and opportunities.

4Seymour College Annual Report 2016

Seymour won both the Summer and Winter Intercol rounds, retaining the Annual Intercol Trophy for the fifth consecutive year. We had incredible success at the Head of the River, winning both the First and Second VIII races while our swimmers, gymnasts and sports aerobic athletes garnered multiple trophies.

The school equestrian team – the largest and most successful in SA – won the South Australian Interschool Championship and, throughout the year, we welcomed Olympian Jessica Trengove, Adelaide United’s Chantelle Ryder and Adelaide Lightning’s Kelly Bowen as our Sportswomen in Residence.

The College’s commitment to service was underlined in many ways throughout the year.

Our inaugural cultural exchange to China was a huge success, as was our annual Sarvodaya service immersion in India. Students participated in the international Hexagon Project, volunteered at Edmund

Rice Camps and at the Mary Magdelene Centre, and assembled birthing kits for women living in countries in need.

This is just a snapshot of the enormous commitment from staff and students in Seymour’s vibrant co-curricular programs.

Financial results

The College finished the calendar year in a strong financial position.

Revenues grew by $2.4 million to $26.2 million, primarily due to increased student numbers.

With that increase in student numbers, there was a corresponding increase in salaries paid to teaching staff. Despite this, the College finished the year with a surplus of $0.975 million, which is being re-invested in contemporary learning facilities.

A full overview of the financial results can be found on page 14 of this report.

Capital works

Two major capital works projects were undertaken in 2016 and completed on schedule in the new school year.

The construction of the new main entrance from Portrush Road has created a safe, modern and yet classically beautiful welcome to our College. From the stonework to the new signage, the result is nothing short of spectacular and will only improve as the landscaping becomes more established.

This is the first impression Seymour makes for visitors and the result is something of which the entire College community can be justifiably proud. Our thanks must go to the McMahon family for their generous donation towards this significant project.

We also completed the upgrade and refurbishment of McGregor Hall, which was re-opened in great style during Term 1, 2017.

6 7Seymour College Annual Report 2016 strength. optimism. justice. seymour.6Seymour College Annual Report 2016

The Hall now has the latest in audio visual technologies, enhanced acoustics, improved visibility and accessibility, as well as padded theatre seating covered in a milled fabric that was designed specifically for Seymour. The space now has a much more flexible layout, enabling us to cater for intimate concerts to larger productions and events.

In 2017, we look forward to transforming the Taylor Resource Centre into a contemporary Learning and Innovation Centre.

Board and Executive

After serving the College with distinction for 17 years as a Board member and as our Chair for the past seven years, Rosey Batt announced her intention during the year to retire from the Seymour Board in 2017.

The College owes a great debt of gratitude to Rosey, whose commitment to our school has been nothing short of exceptional. We will be forever grateful for her passion, professionalism and wise counsel and wish her all the best – Rosey will always be part of the Seymour community.

During 2016, the College also farewelled Melissa Powell who resigned as Principal in December and Darren Pitt, Deputy Principal, who moved to take up an exciting opportunity in Queensland.

The Board made a number of strategic decisions throughout the year. These included commissioning an independent governance performance review, the results of which have been used to inform a number of improvements.

The Board also established an ICT sub-committee to drive an innovative ICT strategy.

We would like to take this opportunity to put on record our thanks to Mark Roderick and Richard Angove who retired from the Board in 2016. Mark served on the Board for seven years and Chaired the Finance and Audit Committee. Richard served on the Board for eight years and Chaired the Property and Building Committee. Craige Whitton has now assumed the role of Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, and Stephen Symons assumed the role of Chair of the Property and Building Committee. We also welcomed Brenton Cox to the Board in 2016.

In summary

Seymour’s purpose is to provide a world-class education and contemporary learning environment to help each student flourish and develop a passion for life-long learning.

2017 represents the 95th anniversary for PCG/Seymour College, and there are a range of celebrations planned throughout the year.

It gives us all an important chance to pause and reflect on what has been achieved over the past ten decades.

It’s an incredible milestone and one worthy of celebration.

However, while history and tradition is important, nothing is more critical than our current cohort of students. We take great pride in the responsibility we carry as educators, and are passionate believers in giving the absolute best opportunity for each and every girl.

We believe there has never been a more important time to nurture women of strength, optimism and justice.

Rosina Hislop Chair

Kevin Tutt A/Principal

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As the Class of 2016 departed Seymour, we reflected on all that has become a part of our daily lives over our years at school. Whether that be the Black Watch tartan, intense rivalry on Sports Day or the friendships forged between all the students, these are traditions about which we will reminisce in years to come.

While it is daunting to be starting our adult lives, we acknowledge and appreciate all who have helped us to become who we are today. The strong community that surrounds Seymour has ensured that we grow to our full potential.

Inspiration could be found everywhere, in our teachers, Old Collegians and our fellow students. Having the support

of these people was invaluable throughout the year and integral to our successes.

This community truly embodies the idea that we grow by serving, a motto that will follow us throughout our lives. The passion for service and helping others, not only within the school, but also outside it, is truly unrivaled.

Being surrounded by the love and care of others has ensured we grow up to appreciate what we are given and constantly look for ways to improve the lives of those around us.

This is only possible with the multitude of opportunities available at Seymour, giving us experiences we can take into the wider world.

In leaving, we become part of the tradition that is so integral to this school. We join all the women before us as we venture into our new lives. Seymour is never truly going to leave us and we will forever remain Seymour women.

Isobel Abell Head Girl 2016

Grace Langley Deputy Head Girl 2016

From the 2016 Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl

The strong community that surrounds Seymour has ensured that we grow to our full potential.

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Individual Grades

• 9% of all grades awarded were A+

• 40% of students achieved four or more As

• 57% of all grades awarded were in the A band

• 94% of all grades awarded were in the A or B band

SACE Grade Distribution

Seymour students achieved 42 Merits across 16 subjects in the following areas:

Subject Merits

Tamsin Coleman, Elizabeth Johnson and Eloise Little each achieved 4 SACE Subject Merits.

Cara Gordon and Jodie Lee (Year 11) both achieved 3 SACE Subject Merits.

Alexandra Larke and Tamara Lidums were awarded 2 SACE Subject Merits.

Academic Report

Dux of the College

On the basis of the SACE results, Eloise Little was awarded 2016 Dux of the College with an ATAR of 99.85.

Tamsin Coleman was awarded Proximae Accessit, with an ATAR of 99.8.

Olivia Altmann was awarded Dux of the Boarding House with an ATAR of 98.2.

Freda Gibson Award for Academic Excellence

34 girls from the Class of 2016 were presented with the inaugural Freda Gibson Award for Academic Excellence.

Congratulations to Isobel Abell, Olivia Altmann, Alicia Bean, Imogen Bessell, Shantay Budz, Madeleine Cockburn, Tamsin

Coleman, Alice Cook, Amelia DeCesare, Lucy Fenwick Elliott, Scarlett Gallery, Cara Gordon, Vanessa Healy, Rachael Jaensch, Elizabeth Johnson, Alexandra Larke, Brittany Larke, Song Song Li, Tamara Lidums, Eloise Little, Gemma Lyons, Veena Maheswaran, Imogen McMahon, Genevieve Mohacsy, Anisha Nambiar, Monique Neoh, Celia Peters, Jordan Purvis, Mahima Raju, Neha Ravi, Tarniwarra Rigney, Rosie Shepherd, Mathilda Thorrowgood and Venuri Wagaarachchi.

Governor of South Australia SACE Commendation

We congratulate 2016 Head Girl, Isobel Abell, who was awarded a Governor of South Australia SACE Commendation, for demonstrating excellence in her SACE studies and in the SACE capabilities

of citizenship, communication, learning and personal development.

Order of Australia Student Citizenship Awards

Isobel Abell and Tarniwarra Rigney were both honoured with the Order of Australia Association’s Student Citizenship Highly Commended Certificates recognising their contribution to the College and general communities.

VET in SACE Results

Six students ranging from Year 11 to Year 12 completed full Certificate III courses during 2016, which can and have been used towards SACE and ATAR results.

Class of 2016 University Destinations

Class of 2016 Results

91.510%

18%

37%

55%9 students were in the top 1% nationally, with an ATAR of 99+

17 students were in the top 2% nationally, with an ATAR of 98+

34 students were in the top 5% nationally, with an ATAR of 95+

51 students were in the top 10% nationally, with an ATAR of 90+

Median ATAR achieved

56.9

%

25.7

% 37.2

% 44.6

%

5.7% 26

%

Total A grades

Seymour College State

Total B grades Total C grades

Hum

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Engl

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Scie

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Mat

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Class of 2016 Areas of Study

Engineering

Nursing

Arts

Marketing/Media

Health Science

Psychology

Business/Commerce

Maths/Computer ScienceEducation

Medicine

Medical Science/ScienceArchitecture/Design

Law

International Studies

1%

3%

9%

3%

11%

2%

14%

15%6%

3%

15%3%

9%

1%

SAE Institute Australia

Flinders University

University of South Austalia

University of New South Wales

Swinburne University

University of Adelaide

Griffith University

University of SydneyInternational College of Hotel Management

Australian National University

University of TasmaniaUniversity of Melbourne

1%

20%

35%

1%

1%

26%

2%

4%2%

3%

1%4%

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Board Report

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The Seymour College Board.Brenton Cox, Rosina Hislop, Vivienne Brand, Rosey Batt, Stephen Symons, Tiffany Hughes, Craige Whitton.

Seymour College is an Incorporated Association, governed by the Board in accordance with its Constitution and governance policies. The role of the Board is to set and regularly review the College’s strategic direction and monitor compliance obligations. Responsibility for day-to-day management of the College is delegated to the Principal in accordance with a policy and strategy framework.

The Board held 12 meetings during 2016 to discuss strategy, performance and governance. In addition, the Board conducted a focused strategic planning day.

The Board conducts self-assessment on an annual basis and periodically engages an independent consultant to

conduct an assessment of performance. In 2016, the Board commissioned an independent governance performance review, the results of which have been used to inform a number of improvements.

Appointments to the Board were made following a process of identifying Board skills and experience required, advertising, shortlisting and interviews.

In line with our Constitution, the Board undertook a nominations process to determine the next Chair of the Board. Rosina Hislop was elected as Chair following Rosey Batt’s anticipated retirement in 2017.

Board Meeting Attendance

2016 Seymour College Board

No. Board Meetings

No. Meetings Attended

Angove, Richard 6 5

Batt, Rosey 12 12

Brand, Vivienne 12 12

Cox, Brenton 9 9

Hughes, Tiffany 12 11

Hislop, Rosina 12 11

Roderick, Mark 12 10

Symons, Stephen 6 5

Whitton, Craige 12 12

BOARD MEMBERS IN 2016Rosey Batt – Chair (retired 31 March 2017)

Rosina Hislop – Chair elect and Deputy Chair

Richard Angove (retired June 2016)

Vivienne Brand

Brenton Cox (appointed May 2016)

Tiffany Hughes

Mark Roderick (retired December 2016)

Stephen Symons (appointed July 2016)

Craige Whitton

BOARD COMMITTEESFinance & Audit Committee

Mark Roderick – ChairCraige WhittonRosina HislopRosey Batt

Risk & Compliance Committee

Rosina Hislop – ChairMelissa de ZwartLydia RichardsCraige WhittonRosey Batt

Property & Building Committee

Richard Angove – Chair (retired June 2016)Stephen Symons – Chair (appointed July 2016)Sally KilgariffAdrian Esplin

ICT Committee

Richard Dodsworth – ChairRosina Hislop

Governance Committee

Vivienne Brand – Chair Rosina HislopTiffany Hughes

Nominations Committee

Tiffany Hughes – Chair Rosey BattCraige Whitton

Note: Principal, Business Manager and other staff attended ex officio where appropriate

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Financial Overview

Summary of Results 2016

Income statement ($A000s) 2016 2015

Total revenue 26,191 23,790

Employee expenses (17,925) (17,062)

Depreciation expenses (1,308) (1,380)

Finance expenses (69) (76)

Other expenses (5,914) (5,546)

Net surplus (loss) for year 975 (274)

Financial position ($A000s) 2016 2015

Current assets 1,731 1,113

Non-current assets 32,945 33,325

Total assets 34,676 34,438

Current liabilities (3,627) (3,703)

Non-current liabilities (1,706) (2,367)

Total liabilities (5,333) (6,070)

Net assets 29,343 28,368

The summarised financial statements have been derived from the College’s full financial report for the financial year.Other information included in the summarised financial statements is consistent with the College’s full financial report.The summarised financial statements cannot be expected to provide as detailed an understanding of the financial performance and financial position of the College as the full financial report.The summarised financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis, are based on historical costs and presented in Australian Dollars.A full description of the accounting policies adopted by the College may be found in the College’s full financial report.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Nexia Edwards Marshall is an independent firm of Chartered Accountants. It is affiliated with, but independent from, Nexia Australia Pty Ltd, which is a member of Nexia International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and consulting firms. Neither Nexia International nor Nexia Australia Pty Ltd deliver services in its own name or otherwise. Nexia International Limited and the member firms of the Nexia International network (including those members which trade under a name which includes the word NEXIA) are not part of a worldwide partnership. The trademarks NEXIA INTERNATIONAL, NEXIA and the NEXIA logo are owned by Nexia International Limited and used under licence.

L3 153 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000 GPO Box 2163 Adelaide SA 5001 p +61 8 8139 1111 w nexiaem.com.au

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR ON THE SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE BOARD MEMBERS OF SEYMOUR COLLEGE INCORPORATED Opinion The summary financial statements, which comprise the summary statement of financial position as at 31 December 2016 and the summary statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended and related notes, are derived from the audited financial report of Seymour College Incorporated (“the College”) for the year ended 31 December 2016. In our opinion, the accompanying summary financial statements are consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial report, in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Act 2012. Summary Financial Statements The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclsoures required by Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Act 2012. Reading the summary financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon, therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited financial report and the auditor’s report thereon. The summary financial statements and the audited financial report do not reflect the effects of events that occurred subsequent to the date of our report on the audited financial report. The Audited Financial Report and Other Report Thereon We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the audited financial report in our report dated 11 April 2017. Board Members’ Responsibility for the Summary Financial Statements The board members are responsible for the preparation of the summary financial statements in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Act 2012. Auditor’s Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial report based on our procedures, which were conducted in accordance with Auditing Standard ASA 810 Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements. Nexia Edwards Marshall Chartered Accountants Jamie Dreckow Partner Adelaide South Australia 11 April 2017

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