Letters Across Time: A Special Kindergarten Welcome From Our Alumni
Posted on July 10, 2025
On Sunday 26 February 2025, 150 past Friends’ students gathered for lunch at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. These past students graduated from The Friends’ School between 1949 and 1974.
This year, these alumni were invited to write a special welcome note to you, our newest members of the Friends’ learning community and the future graduating class of 2038.
Each card has a photo from the past from The Friends’ School. There is a description of each photo if you want to know more. The Friends’ School started in 1887, 138 years ago.
Inside each envelope, along with the card, is a transcript of the message, in case it’s difficult to read the handwriting. Ask your parents or an adult to help you read the message.
We hope you enjoy reading these special notes from the Friends’ Alumni Community. They were so excited to think of you starting your Friends’ journey.
Welcome to Friends’ School Addison!
I started in Grade 1 at Friends’ in 1955 (a long time ago). At school I played rugby and rowed. My favourite teacher was Miss Cordner because she made learning such fun by pretending we were all passengers on a ship travelling to England. We learned all about the countries we visited on the way. Best way to learn geography. My best friend was Bluey Thompson (because he had red hair). I was in the school play and played drums in the school Scottish pipe band. I hope you enjoy your time at Friends’ as much as I did. It’s a good school with good values and has the boys and girls learning together which I believe is important.
Best Wishes, Rob Walters, Class of 1968
***
Dear Adelaide,
I started at Friends’ 77 years ago when my parents brought me out from England. Today I am having lunch with my friend I made on my first day at School. Her name is Susan. Kindergarten and Grade 1 were in the garden at Commercial Road. I hope you have a great time at Friends’ and make new friends and learn lots of new things.
Yours sincerely, Merilyn Evans (Griffits), Class of 1959
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Dear Adrian,
Welcome to your first year at Friends’ School. I started at Friends’ when I was 11 years old and finished at the end of 1970. I came from a farm so I had 6 years as a boarder. My best memories from school are the friends I made and still see at reunions.
Best wishes for your time at school.
John Bignell, Class of 1970
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Dear Ally,
Welcome to Friends’ School! I went to Friends’ from year 7-12. I made lots of new friends. Some of these boys and girls I am still good friends with today. I am sure you will find the same with you. It can take a while to settle into a new school. The best way is to join in with as many things as you can. I wish you all the best in the years to come. Make the most of every day.
Regards, Julie Roughton (Ditcham), Class of 1969
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Hello Amol,
Welcome to your first time at Friends’ School. I was at Friends’ for 13 years and enjoyed it all. I hope you, too. By being able to go through to graduate in the most senior classes. Remember that Friends’ is a Quaker School that cares for everyone, that means making friends of your classmates, living your life with a positive way, sharing your concerns and challenges, and most of all …. HAVING FUN!!! All the best
Rowan Burns, Class of 1973
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Dear Anaaya,
Welcome to The Friends’ School. When I started School my best friend was Wendy, she was very kind to me and to this day we remain best friends. My favourite class was English and all this time later I have a love of reading. I hope you have a wonderful time at Friends’.
Yours sincerely, Jenny Wiggins (Colman), Class of 1955
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Dear Anderson,
Welcome to The Friends’ School. You are very lucky to begin your education at such a wonderful school. I started at Friends’ School in Grade 6 and I still have friends who I met on my first day. Things were a bit different when I was at school. Girls wore a grey tunic and had to wear a blazer, hat and gloves when we left school at the end of the day. I hope you enjoy your experience at The Friends’ School as much as I did and make the most of your opportunities.
Trish Groom (Brooke), Class of 1966
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Dear A
I am a very old person who went to Friends’ many years ago. We are very lucky to go to Friends’ School. Please enjoy your time there and always do your best. Take care
Elaine Dorofeeff (Robertson), Class of 1949
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Dear Billie,
Even though school was a long way from home I always felt safe at school. Our teachers were very kind. I loved the times our Principal William Oats visited the classroom and sang songs with us. One day I realised I could read! I am still friends with some of the people in our first class and that is so special. May you have many enjoyable moments and make many memories.
With love, Wendy Hey (Martin), Class of 1958
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Charlie
What a wonderful time you are going to have being a student at Friends’ beginning in Kindergarten creating memories for life.
Kathryn MrGrath-Kerr (Fraser-Easton), Class of 1971
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Hi Charlotte
I had a wonderful school life at Friends’ from Class 1 – final year in class 12. I hope you have a wonderful time at school like I did. The teachers were very encouraging and told me to enjoy every day and learn something new which I have endeavoured to do. So enjoy learning and meeting students who remain friends for life.
With my best wishes for your future, Celia Wedd (Davis), Class of 1959
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Dear Elijah
I now have a grandson with the same name and he really enjoys Kinder. Remember to have fun as well as learn new things. Be yourself and be happy even at times it feels hard. After many years at Friends’ School you can make lifelong friends. Good luck and very best wishes for your school life.
Susan Shirley (Morris), Class of 1960
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Dear E
I started at Friends’ School in 1949 when I was 7. I had come to Hobart on a big ship from England. I was worried that I would not have any friends and that the other boys and girls would tease me for having a “funny” accent but at Friends’ I found nothing but love and acceptance. My best friend was called Susan and she is still my best friend even though we are both over 80 years old now. I hope your time will be as happy and fulfilling as mine was.
Angela Sharman, Class of 1959
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Dear Ellie,
I went to Friends’ School when I was little and I really enjoyed my time. I had my doll dressed in my school uniform. I have included a photo for you. Later when I grew up, I came back to Friends’ School as a staff member. I taught there for 51 and a half years. I hope that you have a wonderful year in Kinder. I used to teach there.
Best wishes, Jenny Wood (Hawkins), Class of 1963 and ex staff
***
Dear Emily,
Welcome to The Friends’ School, Hobart. I started at the school a long time ago in 1955 and had 13 happy years there, progressing from Kindergarten – where you are now – to the end of High School. I loved to play on the gym bars in the front of the Argyle Street campus. My favourite class was Latin in the High School. I also enjoyed painting in the Primary School. There are many friends still that I made at school and I hope you are making lots of friends too. Enjoy your time at The Friends’ School – it is a great place and you will have many happy memories too.
Yours sincerely, Rosemary Everett, Class of 1967
***
Dear Esther,
Welcome to The Friends’ School! I started in Kindergarten in 1953 on the Commercial Road campus. When we gathered together we used to sit in a circle on the floor. When I moved into Prep I was moved to the bigger circle and I was proud I was a big girl!!! Then when I was in Grade 2, we moved to the Argyle Street Campus. I was in Cadbury House and I wore the colour brown in our sports carnivals. When I was older I was in the yellow house, called Hodgkin. I loved Friends’ and I am sure you will too!
Best wishes from Kay Dunbar, Class of 1966
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Dear Finnian,
Welcome to The Friends’ School! I loved my time at Friends’, as I hope you do too! My best friends were Lindsay, Greg, Rohan and Janez. We played on the monkey bars. We did lots of singing with the Headmaster, Mr Oats. There was a cork tree in the playground and we would pick up cork bark and take it home. My favourite subject was art (painting) and I was encouraged in this. I hope you have a wonderful time at Friends’
Best wishes , Ian Johnson, Class of 1973
Started in Class 1A 1961 – Miss Sargent
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Dear George,
Welcome to Friends’ School. When I first started at Friends’ I went to Little Friends’ in Sandy Bay, which closed a year after. Later I came to the main school and was there for 10 years. I loved my time at school. I really enjoyed doing Maths and became a Maths teacher in Western Australia. I went to Scouts where we learnt many outdoor skills. I became a leader. I hope that you will have a great year at Friends’ School like I did.
Best wishes, Roy Dowsett, Class of 1951
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Dear Hannah
I hope you are enjoying The Friends’ School Kindergarten! I had a lovely time when I was there in class 1A and went through to Year 11. I loved the monkey bars and learnt French. My teacher was Miss Sargent. She was very nice.
Lindsay Wilcox, Class of 1973
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Dear Harriet
Welcome to Friends’ Kindergarten. I made lots of friends and still enjoy seeing them today.
Rick Lonergan, Class of 1970
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Dear Harvey
Welcome to Friends’ School. I went to school from 1961 to 1966. My special teachers were Miss J Yeats and Miss W Chapman. My son also went to Friends’ along with 6 of his cousins and my 2 brothers. All the best for your future.
Ian Wade, Class of 1966
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Dear Henry
I started in Kindergarten in 1945 and left Friends’ in 1959. I loved every minute of my school days and even though I now live in WA I make it my business to return every year to catch up with all the wonderful friends I made and return back to Hobart. Enjoy your times at this wonderful school.
All my best wishes Henry,
Sandra Chittock (Donaldson), Class of 1959
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Jack
Welcome to Friends’ (the best school of all…). I’m about to turn 80 years old and thanks to Friends’ School I’m still very active. I started at Friends’ when I was 4 years old and left in 1962. I loved the school especially sport, tennis, netball, swimming and I became a teacher with the Education Department. I hope you have a wonderful time at Friends’ and enjoy it as much as I did. Some of my closest friends today are people I went to school with.
All the best for the future, Helen Yeoland (Robertston), Class of 1962
***
Welcome to Kindergarten Jacob! I’m sure you will make friends and have lots of fun playing and learning together. Do you take your lunch to school? I wonder what you enjoy most in your lunch box? When I went to school I had sandwiches, a piece of cake and an apple in a lunch tin. Also, a drink in a glass bottle because plastic hadn’t been invented!
Yours sincerely, Prue Hutton, Class of 1962
***
Dear J,
Welcome to Friends’. When I was at Friends’ I really enjoyed it because the other children included me in their games of chasings. I hope you make friends at School, while learning about life.
Robin Wilkinson, Class of 1960
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Welcome James !
I hope you have many happy years at this fantastic school! You will not be able to read this, as writing has changed over the years! My best friend was Lynn, we used to travel by tram, (the bus), from Sandy Bay to the GPO, and then catch another tram, up Elizabeth St, to Friends’ School. Mr Brown was my favourite teacher in Year 7. He liked my stories, I wrote in English lessons, and turned one into a play for the whole class. I spent some time, in senior years, in the boarding house. This was the best experience! A few of us melded into a close group, and shared experiences and activities was an important part of my life! I do hope you enjoy classes in various subjects, sports and social interaction at Friends’.
IT’S THE BEST SCHOOL EVER!
Yours sincerely
Ann Fitzgerald, Class of 1956
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Dear Julian,
Welcome to The Friends’ School! I went to Friends’ for 13 years and all my best friends were at School with me and we still love getting together. My teacher in the Junior School was Mrs Venus. I thought it was great to have a teacher named after a planet!
All the best for your time at Friends’.
Cheers, Mark Nicholson, Class of 1971
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Dear Liam
Welcome to Friends’! I have two sons (Tom and Jack Brennan) who were students at Friends’! They came out lovely boys, I’m proud of them and their education at Friends’.
Marjorie Brennan (Past parent)
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Dear Louis
Welcome to The Friends’ School. I started in Year 9 after arriving from England where I was born. I enjoyed my time at Friends’ met many friends and still see them after 50 years. I hope you enjoy your time at Friends’ and meet many friends. Enjoy your learning
Yours sincerely
John Sutherland, Class of 1970
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Hello L
On starting school, a bit of a scary day, but was made very welcome and soon settled into routine, for next 10 years. Participated in all sports all through school life. Do hope your school experience is as good as mine was. Make lots of long time friends and enjoy time after school, time still connecting with them.
Cheers, Wendy Mundy (Donaldson), Class of 1955
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Dear Magnus,
Welcome to The Friends’ School. I started in year 1 and ended with 2 years in year 12. I hope you enjoy your time at school and make many friends.
Roly Hill, Class of 1959
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Dear Mani,
I’m so happy you’re at Friends! Enjoy all your years at Friends’! May your inner light shine, and guide you through your life. Go well, dear Mani.
Stephanie Farrall (Oats), Class of 1959
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Dear M,
Welcome to Friends’ School! You’re going to love your time here. I’m still best friends with some of my school friends 50+ years later! Enjoy your time here – you’ll have the best memories for the rest of your life.
Love and best wishes
Julie Walters, Class of 19
***
Hi Noah
My wife and I have a long connection with the Friends’ School. We were friends at school and continued until we were married in 1963. We have three daughters, two of whom were head girls at Friends’ in their final years. We also have eight grandchildren who have all been to Friends School. We have one granddaughter still there in grade 11. They have all made very special school friends. We have attended all the 50 years plus reunions and feel very connected to this wonderful school.
With best wishes to you
Ian and Pam Edwards (Chapman), Class of 1958
***
Dear Nosaze
Welcome to Friends’ School. When I started at Friends’ I was in the Boarding House. In 1971 my best friend was Peter Fitzgerald. I enjoyed the Sunday meetings at the Meeting House at Primary School. I was a Boarder for two years and my best memories were of Mr Bill Oates who was our headmaster and started the Asian Cultural Centre. I was from Malaysia. I remember cooking curried mussels at Mr Oats holiday home on Bruny Island.
I hope you enjoy the years ahead at Friends’. It is a wonderful community and take your time to enjoy your new life at School. Enjoy and make new friends and have fun but do study hard.
Best wishes, Satwant Singh Calais, Class of 1971
***
Dear Pippa
Welcome to Friends’ School. I remember my year in kindergarten in 1951. Miss Venus was my teacher, and then I had 13 happy years before leaving.
Best wishes for your years at Friends’.
Regards, David Asten, Class of 1962
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Dear Rex,
Welcome to Friends’. When I was at Friends’ I liked swimming and playtime. I loved learning about numbers. I hope you are enjoying Kindergarten.
All the best
Michael Topfer, Class of 1970
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Dear Robert,
Welcome to Friends’ School! I was a boarder when I went to Friends’. It was great fun living with my friends! We played lots of cricket! Goodluck!
Ric Finlay, Class of 1970
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Dear Rupert,
I used to play marbles at school. Tombowlers were my favourites. The friends I made at The Friends School are still my friends today. Enjoy your time at school. It goes very quickly.
Jane Nichols (Calvert), Class of 1970
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Dear Snow,
Welcome to the best school in the world! I was at Friends’ for 13 years and I still have lots of friends from those wonderful years. I remember we got school milk in the Junior School, it arrived everyday and sometimes it was flavoured!! I hope you love all your time at Friends’ and also love all the wonderful knowledge you will discover.
Warmest wishes
Mark Nicholson, Class of 1971
***
Dear T,
I’m an older student of Friends’ School. At present I’m at an Old Scholars Reunion! One day when you’re much older, you too, will meet with your older classmates. There’s something fabulous meeting up with old friends! I have wonderful memories of the school, where I met longtime friends. Do you like meeting different people?? All my family went to Friends’. I did rowing – maybe you’ll be a wonderful athlete or an Olympic Rower.
Best wishes
Andrew MacFie, Class of 1971
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Welcome W
I’m sure you will have fun making new friends and learning exciting things together. I expect you are wearing your school uniform. Have you got a red and dark blue striped top? When I started at Friends’ in 1951, I wore a gray summer dress with a pale blue collar and cuffs. In winter I wore a grey tunic, blue shirt and a striped tie. It was a bit hard learning to put on the tie! I polished my black shoes every day so they were always shiny!
Yours sincerely
Prue Hutton, Class of 1962
***
Welcome to Kindergarten Z!
You will meet lots of children who are new too! I wonder who will be your first new friends. I started school at Friends’ when I was four years old and my first friend was Katharine. Now, 75 years later, we still write to each other on our birthdays at Christmas. Have fun playing and learning with your friends at school!Yours sincerely,
Prue Hutton, Class of 1962
