During the final term of 2024, students and staff gathered for a special house meeting to celebrate and thank a much-loved and respected More House tutor, Mrs Jacqueline Vollugi.

Words by Jacki Avery

“Mrs Vollugi has been a More House tutor for close to 30 years. Some tutors here today aren’t even that old. I was going to work out how many students have been in her tutor group, how many house meetings, chapels and assemblies. However, numbers are not my thing and more importantly, sheer numbers would not do justice to the impact Mrs Vollugi has had on so many lives.

Before the creation of Middle School, Mrs Vollugi was a tutor for Year 8 More House students. It was in this environment that she showed endless patience and support while at the same time preparing students for the expectations of Senior School.

It is as a Senior School tutor that most of know Mrs Vollugi. She has had an immeasurable impact on us all, staff and students alike. When I started as a tutor, Mrs Vollugi was always on hand to offer advice and support. This has continued for over 20 years. She is never too busy and nothing is ever too much trouble.

One of my first memories of Mrs Vollugi was at the Interhouse Musical Competition. As well as house instrumentals and musicals, there used to be a house choir piece. Total chaos. The whole house, grade 7-12, had to practice a song, for what felt like every house meeting in first term. While most tutors were stressed to the max, cajoling students to stand in line and sing sensibly, Mrs Vollugi would be running along each row polishing student’s shoes, straightening ties and checking everyone had the correct badges on.

Mrs Vollugi goes above and beyond in fulfilling the role of a tutor. Each year she offers to help the Year 12s make a gift for their Year 7 buddy. She volunteers to supervise extra instrumental, musical and drama rehearsals if a tutor is unavailable and is always proactive in helping out at house meetings. These may seem like little things, but it is this generosity in giving of her time and thinking of others, that makes Mrs Vollugi, such a special person.

A previous principal, Canon Len Nairn, suggested that the role of the tutor is to value the inherent worth of the individual. This means valuing each person for who they are. No one demonstrates this more than Mrs Vollugi. Every day she shows compassion and care for the students in her tutor group. She creates a safe, welcoming and accepting environment that encourages students to give their best.

On behalf of everyone connected to More House, thank you. For everything. You are a valued role model, mentor, colleague and friend.”

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Reflections from current and past More House students

Holly Doble:
Mrs Vollugi is a kind-hearted, caring tutor who looks out for all her students, and I feel so privileged to be in her class for my grade ten year, she will be dearly missed in out tutor group.

Liliana Richey:
As we say goodbye, I want to take a moment to thank you for the profound impact you’ve had on my journey. Your guidance, patience, and unwavering dedication have been a source of inspiration. You didn’t just teach us lessons from a book, you taught us about life, kindness, and resilience.

You’ve left a mark on our hearts that time won’t erase. Though this goodbye feels bittersweet, the lessons and memories you’ve given us will stay with us always.

Thank you for everything, and may your next chapter be as amazing as the one you’ve written here.

Braden Rebgetz:
I didn’t know Mrs Vollugi  as well some others in here, still, I’ve been able to see how much she cared for some students and for her job. As a tutor, she did everything she was meant to and more. We definitely were not the best tutor group considering the fact that we’d came last in almost every tutor group competition but she never cared and instead just accepted it and moved on.

Zac Walker:
You were the best tutor I could have ever could have had, my time so far in tutor group has been amazing, and I thank you for keeping me looking forward to tutor group.

Ella Roberts:
Lily-Ann Roberts, class of 2022

Dear Ms Vollugi,
You will be heavily missed. Your guidance you provide to your tutor group preparing students for exams and the future. The kindness and compassion you show to students as well as the competitiveness that comes out for tutor group challenges. You are an amazing teacher, and I hope you the very best for the future. Enjoy retirement, when it comes. You deserve the best.

Cooper de Lange:
Ella Harvey, class of 2022

Mrs Vollugi was the best tutor I could have ever asked for. She is the most kind, generous, loving lady who never failed to make us laugh and it was a privilege to be a part of JVOs tutor group. I am absolutely certain she will be missed as a tutor and I am so, so grateful that she was mine.

Lily Vera:
Jasmine Vera, class of 2022

I don’t think I was more excited about anything in school than when I found out I was in JVO. As a scared little grade 10 I would sit in the corner and just listen to everyone else, however each year brought me a little further out of my shell. I couldn’t think of a better tutor to guide me, support me and sometimes yell at me when I really needed it.

Lily Vera

Miss Vollugi is the loveliest, most kind hearted person I have met. I am so grateful to have completed my first year of senior school with her as my tutor. I will miss seeing her every morning and long tutor group.

Grace Burrows:
Caitlin Burrows, class of 2017

I have so many fond memories of my time having Mrs Vollugi as my tutor. She was always there to help, whether you needed a chat or advice for your chemistry assignments. She would never judge you, even if you were late to tutor group every morning. She was always so kind and supportive of all your interests. I was very lucky to have her as my tutor and wish her all the best for the future.

Grace Burrows

I am so grateful to have had Mrs Vollugi as my tutor throughout my first year of senior school. While the concept of having a tutor group with year 10, 11 and 12 students was slightly daunting, she made sure all of us felt welcome. She is honestly one of the kindest and most caring people you well ever meet and to have her as my tutor was truly special. I thank her for the knowledge, wisdom and support she’s shared with me and our tutor group and I hope she enjoys part-time work.