Objects of Substance- The Topper Cup for Citizenship (Year 1

Edna Joy Rackemann, boarder (1955-56) First recipient of the Topper Cup.

In 1971, the cup was not awarded, the beginning of a six-year hiatus. During this time, the prize was always listed in the “Special Prizes” section of Annual Reports. Then, in 1975, the criteria changed from III Form to Year 10 and was reintroduced in 1977 to Katrina Heer who went on to become a Head Girl in 1979. Unlike academic awards, the criteria are subjective and, unlike the Ida Woolcock Challenge Cup where the vote is entrusted to Year 11 and 12 students, girls are nominated by their Heads of House and the vote is made by the staff, not the girls’ contemporaries. Voting is not compulsory; however, staff are encouraged to submit a vote for one girl to the Deputy Principal from a short list of one Year 10 representative from each House. Teachers have the advantage of seeing the students in a range of roles and situations: in class, working with others, on the sporting field, in plays and concerts, in clubs and activities, and simply in day-to-day life in the school grounds. They respect the privilege of being able to vote for a girl whom they believe captures Mrs Topper’s criteria. Across the years, sixty-two students have received this valued award with thirteen Head Girls and seven Lady Lilley Gold Medal (School Dux) recipients in their number. In 2022, the 2019 recipient, Jill Campbell recalls I remember receiving the Topper Cup very well - I was pretty tickled pink! For me the award meant the way I felt about my school, and the way that I valued my relationships with classmates and teachers was respected. I’d always valued giving school a good crack but receiving the Topper Cup was the affirmation I needed to keep up my enthusiasm and school spirit. I also wanted to add that I was so proud when my sister, Louise, received this award a few years after me. We are very close, and it is special to share this with her.