Meet Whitney: rock star and memory keeper
Collective memory is a term that refers to lots of different things in different organisations. The school’s ethos, artefacts, and stories are part of the collective memory of Woodbury Boston, and so are the people who were there at the very beginning.
At its core, Woodbury Boston is a grassroots organisation — started by John and Forrest Woodbury — who knew that students would be happier if schools were more supportive, inclusive, caring, fun places. When they opened WBPS in 1980, their daughter, Whitney, was 10. These days, she’s the School Administrator — an important part of the school’s collective memory, and the selvage of the fabric of Woodbury Boston.
Ducks in a row
As the School Administrator, Whitney’s days are filled with a huge variety of tasks — and that’s how she likes it. To the students, she’s a kind, helping hand for all kinds of issues. But in addition to her reception and student care duties, Whitney tackles human resources, payroll and bookkeeping, catering, policy writing — and some days, plumbing.
Whitney is also the Administrator for the school’s Governing Body, keeping impeccable track of regulatory commitments, funding obligations, and staying on top of any changes in education that affect Woodbury Boston.
Childhood in the bush
Growing up on the property on which Woodbury Boston now stands, Whitney has some very clear memories about the school from the very early days. We sat down with Whitney to learn more:
What is your earliest memory of Woodbury Boston Primary School?
As early as it gets! Mum and Dad (Forrest and John Woodbury) started the school when I was about 10 years old. It started with one teacher and 8 students, and I have a snapshot memory of the morning of that first day of school. The classroom for the first couple of years alternated between the old Hall next door (which, at that time, was the dining hall for the camp school business run by the Woodburys), and an old farmhouse, owned by friends and neighbours Dennis and Jan Coombe. While I wasn't one of those founding students, my brother was, and I knew them all.
What is your favourite spot on campus? Why do you love it?
The school campus is on the site of my childhood home. From when we moved to this area in 1975, until 1982 when we moved to another house on the (now adjacent) property, we lived in a second-hand shed that stood where the current school admin building is now.
The other day I was sitting at the picnic table outside the office and I started thinking about all the different ages and stages of my life spent on that same patch of ground. This isn't something that I consciously think of very often, but on this occasion, I looked around and remembered a few things:
Looking at the hard court reminded me of the veggie garden we had there when I was about eight
The path outside the office made me think of a time when my cousin and I posed there for a photo on my 13th birthday
The rope net reminded me of when our trampoline was in the same location — we once tried to sleep on it overnight during the school holidays (it was summer and still too cold!)
How has the school changed in the 40 years that it’s been operational?
Goodness. Well, student numbers have fluctuated between 3 and 108, currently sitting on 80 - 90. Staff have grown from that initial 1 to the 20 we now have. There are lovely, purpose-built classrooms and other facilities.
But I think what’s really important is what has stayed the same:
The care for the children, placing their interests and wellbeing at the forefront of every decision
The community atmosphere, where parents and other family members are welcome and encouraged to be involved in school life
The emphasis on camps and adventure, and the children having the opportunity to grow and challenge themselves in a natural environment
The importance of interacting with the wider community. Out & About days (previously called Town Days,) have been a feature of the school since day one
The attention to the needs of each child, with an understanding that children will learn if they can. From the very beginning, we’ve understood that if a child can't learn or isn’t learning, then there are barriers or obstacles that need to be addressed
What is it about the school that has made you stay?
I love the variety of my job and the intellectual challenge of it. I love the people, adults and children, with whom I spend my days. I love the conversations I have with the children, and that the staff really care for each other.
I love being a part of something that I can see having real, long-term impact on children and their families. It is very special hearing from ex-students what they remember about their time at the school, and the impact they feel it has had on their lives. It's great that we now have second generation students as part of the school community.
And I do love my five-minute walk to work (even when it's raining)!
What are your hobbies outside of school?
I've always loved craft. I've knitted since I was about 8, and embroidered since 18. I've also dabbled in stamping and papercraft and beaded jewellery. If I don't have at least one project on the go, I get very twitchy fingers.
I love to dance. My husband and I do ballroom / latin / sequence dancing socially, and it's wonderful — good for the brain, body and soul.
I'm a true bookworm — curling up and losing myself in a good book can't be beat.
I love camping, bushwalking and socialising with my friends who have become family.
And in the last few years, I've discovered how much I love performing! I sing with a cover band. Making music, and then being able to share it with an audience, is such a treat.
Thank you, Whitney
It’s so special for the school community to have Whitney on-site each day — the collective memory of this school is made stronger by her presence. But there’s more to Whitney than meets the eye. So if you’ve got a special craft on the go, a book recommendation, or you’re learning a new song, have a chat with Whitney about it. She might have some advice to share.
