The Old Peninsula School Association (TOPSA)

2008 has been a dynamic year for advancement within TOPSA. We are reconnecting with large numbers of past students through our Alumni reunion programs which as you may have read in our publications, are very happy occasions. These events renew friendships, assist with career networks and have also encouraged many past students to enrol their children at their ‘old school’ to continue the Peninsula tradition.

In May we held a ‘Foundation Years’ reunion for those in the classes 1961-1969 and it was wonderful to have in attendance numerous foundation staff members, including Bob and Meg Brewster and David Brammall, who travelled from Tasmania. We also held reunions for the Classes of 2003, 1998, 1988, 2007, 1978 and 1983. Tours of the School were held prior to most of the reunions, and the feedback has been extremely positive regarding our environmentally responsible building program, curriculum and outlook for the future.

In August, TOPSA held their inaugural NSW branch function in Sydney. We hope to be able to coordinate similar branch functions and offer assistance to past students in other states and overseas, who would like to organize local functions or informal get-togethers.

In September, members of the Class of 1988 returned to the School (on the day prior to their 20 year reunion) to participate in a ‘Careers/Mentoring’ afternoon with our Year 11 boys. Numerous members of the Class of ’88 came from interstate to participate in both events. These occasions are valuable because the Mentors are ‘old enough’ to have had a career (or several) and ‘young enough’ to be able to relate to the students.

In October, TOPSA sponsored our 3^rd Annual Women’s Breakfast. A large number of Year 11 and 12 girls and their mothers, past students and staff enjoyed an interesting, entertaining and motivational talk by her Honour, Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Curtain.

TOPSA also be launched a very successful ‘University Mentoring Program’ this year, which was developed by Jack Anstey (Class of 2004), to assist our Year 12 students with the transition from School to University.  In 2009, TOPSA intends to further develop our TOPSAnet website for the benefit of all past students. With an increasing number of past students traveling and working, moving interstate or overseas to live, the use of our site will only increase as a communication tool.

In addition, many past students continue to enjoy the participation and camaraderie of our football and cricket clubs; and our cricket club continues to be actively involved in ‘Milo’ cricket for our juniors.

We would like to encourage interested past students to join the TOPSA committee and become involved. Sincere thanks to the 2008 committee – Peter Cook (President), Andrew Parsons, Nigel La Brooy, Geoff Eldridge, Grant O’Donnell and Jack Anstey.


TOPSA Committee Meetings
All past students are welcome to attend our committee meetings, and we are always looking for past students to join the committee. Meetings in 2009 will be bi-monthly and will be held on Wednesday evenings in the Pavilion. The next TOPSA committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 13 February, 2009. All welcome!

The Old Peninsula School Association (TOPSA) focuses on encouraging students to maintain links with the School and with one another. We hope to encourage the development of strong relationships with all past students and affiliates. The aims and objectives of TOPSA are directed towards supporting the School and its activities.


In 2004, the Peninsula Pavilion was completed. The venue is a superb location for events and overlooks the Harry Macdonald Oval (formerly known as the South or Upper Oval). Since that time, we have held regular reunions at the Pavilion. Reunions present a great opportunity to meet as past students, to rekindle friendships and relive shared experiences and where appropriate build fruitful business relationships. 


The Benefits of being a Life Member of TOPSA
A means of staying in touch with the important network of your peers through our online communication directory, opportunities to participate in careers mentoring, provide diary messages and business contacts and also affinity groups such as football, cricket, soccer and netball. We also hope in the future, to add further clubs to our repertoire. Staying in touch via TOPSA will also ensure that you are invited to regular reunions, and will receive regular copies (3 issues per year) of the gazette ‘Pen in Profile’.
 

• How can you help us to help you?
• Update your contact details
• Let us know what you are doing
• Join the TOPSA committee
• Help us to find our ‘lost‘ TOPSA members
• Volunteer to help organise your class reunion
• Encourage your friends to log-on and update their contact details
• Support the various Affinity groups such as Football, Cricket, Soccer and Netball
   

In 2009 the following reunions will be held:

Boarding House Reunion – 30/5/2009

*Note to help or provide contacts – please contact Geoff Eldridge (1968 – 1973)
T: 03 9783 5190, E: geoff.eldridge@bigpond.com (or Suzanne Ashley at School)|

Class of 2004 – 5 Year Reunion – 12/6/2009
Class of 1999 – 10 Year Reunion – 25/7/2009
Class of 1989/Year 11 Boys – Careers Mentoring Day – 4/9/2009
Class of 1989 – 20 Year Reunion – 5/9/2009
Women’s Breakfast for Year 11 & 12 girls and their Mothers’ – 13/10/2009
Class of 2008 – 1 Year Reunion – 16/10/2009
Class of 1979 – 30 Year Reunion – 14/11/2009

We are looking for people who complete School in the year levels above to help coordinate their reunion (this really means helping to locate your peers and providing contact details) with Suzanne Ashley.

Please contact Suzanne on the phone number or email address below if you can help. Advance notice/contact would be sincerely appreciated as it is often a lengthy process to locate past students