Chemistry experimentation, 1940
A class deep in concentration in the laboratory.
L-R: Kathleen Kirby, Joan Harrison, Mary Rollason, Jean Garrett and Joan O’Grady
During the 1940s the senior curriculum was slowly strengthened with the introduction of German, algebra, geometry, Latin and general science in Form One. From Sub-Intermediate, students could begin to specialise in either humanities or sciences.
At Leaving level the school offered physics, chemistry and general mathematics as well as several humanities subjects, from which basis students had the requisite subjects to undertake university studies.
Dr Susan Forrest became the chief executive officer of the Australian Genome Research Facility. Susan wrote:
I’ve always had a passion for science. I think it was really aided by some stellar teachers in chemistry and physics when I was at school. That made an enormous difference. We were encouraged to think and to question and not to take everything for granted ... I’ve got fond memories of a nun taking us out onto Toorak Road, which is a very busy road in Melbourne, at midnight to watch the stars and holding up the traffic and the trams.