Titled ‘Where Do I Belong? Here’, Ayda’s album touches on themes of identity, culture, and belonging.
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We are excited to celebrate the wonderful achievements of Old Collegian Ayda Akbal, from the Class of 2019, whose new album ‘Where Do I Belong? Here’ has just been released.”
This album represents a deeply personal exploration of Ayda’s experiences growing up as a first-generation Turkish-Australian. Ayda shares, “This music was composed with the intention to provide a place of reflection and connection between people of all cultures and experiences – to do my part in fostering understanding, empathy, and celebration of diversity in storytelling.”
Contributing to the album are two fellow Old Collegians, Oscar Bruten and Max Bruten, both of whom are talented musicians who made significant contributions to the St Leonard’s music program during their time at the College, as did Ayda. Their involvement adds a special connection to the project, showcasing the continuing collaboration and creativity of our alumni.
Where Do I Belong? Here draws inspiration from Ayda’s family heritage, weaving together melodies passed down through generations and stories from her childhood. The album touches on themes of identity, culture, and belonging, exploring the challenges and rewards of growing up in a multicultural household. Through her music, Ayda reflects on her journey and invites listeners to consider their own experiences with culture and identity.
Ayda hopes the album fosters a greater understanding of diverse stories and the shared experiences that connect us all. By blending her personal history with broader cultural reflections, she has created a unique and thoughtful body of work that resonates on many levels.
St Leonard’s College is incredibly proud of Ayda, Oscar, and Max for their contributions to the music world. Their success is a great example of how our students go on to pursue their passions that were ignited during their school years and make meaningful impacts in their chosen fields.
You can listen to Where Do I Belong? Here on all major music platforms. We encourage the St Leonard’s community to listen to Ayda’s album and join her on this journey of self-reflection and cultural connection.
St Leonard’s College welcomed back the Class of 2019 for their 5-year reunion on Friday 23 August.
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The largest reunion of 2024 saw the Class of 2019 gather in the Leonardian Centre foyer to reminisce over their time at St Leonard’s College.”
The evening began with the Old Collegians revisiting the campus with a beautiful College tour. Some highlights of the tour included the Senior School Cafeteria and the TCW.
Following the tour, attendees had the opportunity to reflect and catch up with their peers, whilst enjoying some tasty canapés and refreshments. The excitement in the room was contagious when the much-loved cafeteria favourite, ‘spicy chicken rolls’ were served.
Vanessa Loewy, Community Liaison Coordinator and Lydia Holmes, College Archivist hosted the Class of 2019’s return and proudly showcased memorabilia specific to this cohort. Their attention to detail surprised one of our attendees when they wished him a happy birthday, which he was celebrating on that day.
Our alumni were excited to chat with Mr Moore and fill him in on their lives since their graduation. One attendee advised she finally received her Australian Citizenship and is now looking forward to applying to study at University in 2025.
It was a pleasure to witness and share these special moments with the Class of 2019 and we hope they enjoyed reconnecting with one another. We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2019 back to the College for future reunions and events.
On Friday 2 August, the Class of 2014 was warmly welcomed back for their 10-year reunion, where they reminisced about their days at the College.
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The event brought many Old Collegians from the Class of 2014 back together to reminisce and celebrate their journey at the College a decade after they left our gates.”
Attendees began the evening with a trip down memory lane, touring through the College along familiar paths. Highlights included wandering through their old library, now better known as the Year 9 Centre, visiting the new Wellbeing Centre, previously the Old Kiln, and seeing the new Senior School cafeteria complete with a commercial grade barista machine – which the staff love!
Returning to the function, the large group enjoyed looking through some of the photos and memorabilia on display and chatting with people they had not seen in a few years. Vanessa Loewy, Community Liaison Coordinator and Lydia Holmes, College Archivist were present to welcome the Class of 2014 and engage in memorable conversations with our Old Collegians.
Our alumni were also pleased to catch up with some of their teachers who popped in to say hello including Ms Haake, Ms Ferguson-Brown, Mr Barlow and Ms McCaughey.
The evening was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on their time as students and share the adventures and opportunities life has given them since leaving the College, with their peers and teachers.
The event left our attendees with feelings of nostalgia, joy, pride and excitement as they reunited. We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2014 back to the College for future reunions.
St Leonard’s College welcomed back the Class of 2004 for their 20-year reunion on Friday 14 June.
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The event brought together a group of alumni eager to reconnect and celebrate two decades since their graduation. The festivities began with a cocktail-style reception in the Leonardian Centre foyer, where guests enjoyed an array of tasty appetisers and beverages.”
The College organised a special campus tour, showcasing new developments and nostalgic spots. Old Collegians were delighted to see how the school had evolved while reminiscing about their own experiences.
Vanessa Loewy, the Community Liaison Coordinator, was present to focus on the achievements of the Class of 2004. One of the evening’s standout features was the exhibition of memorabilia from their school years, which evoked a wave of nostalgic memories.
The reunion was a joyous celebration, filled with laughter, nostalgia, and renewed friendships.
As the night concluded, it was clear that the bond between St Leonard’s College and its alumni remains strong, with the 20-year reunion serving as a testament to the lasting impact of the College’s community and the shared memories that unite them.
St Leonard’s College is delighted to congratulate our Old Collegian, Hamish Blake, on receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the arts as an entertainer, and to the community.
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Hamish’s outstanding contributions to the arts and his unwavering dedication to the community have earned him this prestigious recognition.”
From his prolific career in entertainment as a writer, comedian, actor, and presenter to his impactful roles in numerous charitable initiatives, Hamish continues to inspire us all.
Community Involvement
Hamish has been actively involved as an ambassador and participant in several charity events and organisations, making a significant impact in supporting various causes.
Hamish exemplifies the quintessential Leonardian spirit, embodying the principles of generosity and service. He recognises the profound importance of giving back to the community and leveraging his talents and gifts for the greater good. His commitment to using his skills to make a positive impact is a testament to the values we cherish and strive to instil in all our students.
Entertainment Highlights
Hamish’s impressive body of work spans television, radio, and podcasts, including popular shows and series that have captivated audiences far and wide.
Awards and Recognition
Hamish has received a remarkable array of awards and accolades, highlighting his excellence and popularity in the entertainment industry.
Hamish reflects on his St Leonard’s College education;
“Whilst obviously nothing can top the school maths prize I won in 1999, the nod from the King was certainly touching. You may indeed allow the school to take some credit for the path I have been lucky enough to take in my life. It was the school’s belief in me at a pretty vulnerable time and age, the mix of great teachers and a peer group which was a bit like winning the lottery, that allowed me to find both my feet and my voice. Two pretty important things in a young guy’s life, and hard to grow up without them. It took a long time for me, I was lucky to be at a school that cared as much as St Leonard’s.“
Hamish’s journey is a testament to his talent, passion, and generosity. Join us in celebrating his incredible achievements!
On Friday 24 May, St Leonard’s College hosted the 30-year reunion for the Class of 1994, a celebration marked by joy, reflection, and rekindled friendships.
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The evening began with a College campus tour, showcasing all of the recent developments that continue to make St Leonard’s College Bayside’s school of choice. Many attendees took the opportunity to explore the campus, noting the modern facilities while fondly recalling the spaces where they had created lasting memories.”
The tour was followed by a reception in the Leonardian Centre foyer, where alumni were greeted with welcome drinks and canapés.
Vanessa Loewy, the Community Liaison Coordinator, was present to acknowledge the accomplishments of the Class of 1994. A highlight of the night was the curated display that showcased content from their school years, bringing back a flood of memories.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as former classmates caught up on the past three decades, sharing personal and professional achievements.
The 30-year reunion was a heart warming event that reinforced the enduring connection between St Leonard’s College and its alumni.
It was an evening of celebration, reflection, and the reaffirmation of lifelong bonds.
St Leonard’s College recently celebrated a momentous occasion, hosting the 40-year reunion for the Class of 1984 on Friday 10 May.
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The event saw a wonderful turnout as Old Collegians gathered to reminisce and reconnect with old friends.”
The evening kicked off with a nostalgic tour of the campus, which has undergone significant changes since the attendees’ school days, along with a warm welcome from Vanessa Loewy, the Community Liaison Coordinator.
The reunion was a walk down memory lane, with a curated exhibition of photos and memorabilia from the cohort’s time at the College, sparking conversations and laughter.
Alumni shared stories of their school days, careers, and personal milestones, highlighting the diverse paths they have taken since graduation.
One of the highlights of the evening was the selection of canapés and drinks, allowing guests to mingle and catch up in a relaxed setting. The camaraderie was palpable.
The event was a testament to the strong bonds formed at St Leonard’s College and the lasting influence of its community. Attendees left with renewed connections and a sense of pride in their shared history.
