In 2011 Alice Rigby wrote in the Reflections Yearbook that her hope for the future was ‘to have my own riding school and to raise a happy, healthy family’. Fast forward to 2026 and Alice Rigby is now Alice Crisa, happily married with two beautiful children who are both attending St Stephen’s School Carramar just like their Mum.
“I had the best time here and loved the community and values so it was a no brainer that my kids would get to have the same” explains Alice.
As an alumni Alice’s children have been placed in the same House as Alice. “I was in Charis” Alice says modestly but look through the 2011 Yearbook and you’ll discover Alice was the Charis House Captain, the Chairperson of the Charis House Council and a Citizenship Award winner.
In the 15 years since leaving school Alice has ridden racehorses, worked as a receptionist, bookkeeper and events manager but it was 2 and a half years ago when Alice discovered her real passion.
“I decided to study and become a nail technician and now I’ll never turn back! I have a thriving business that I get to run from home and it gives me the flexibility to put my kids first!”
Alice’s business A-Jay Creations has seen her win multiple awards at the Oceania Nail Championships with her complex and creative designs receiving a first, two second and three third place medals over the past two years.
Given this creative outlet it’s no surprise to see a Performing Arts emblem sewn into her high school blazer. A self-confessed drama nut Alice’s favourite memory from her time at St Stephen’s School was the Arts Tour and going behind the scenes of the Sydney Opera House. Madame Pilote taught her French but Alice confesses she wasn’t very good at languages, however it was a lovely circular moment when Madame Pilote interviewed her family when enrolling their eldest daughter.
The familiarity and community feel of the Carramar campus is as strong today as it was in the mid 2000’s when Alice was taught by Mr Langley, at the time his wife was pregnant with their daughter and Alice remembers her class suggesting all manner of baby names. Mrs Langley is now the Deputy Head of Primary (Teaching & Learning) and her daughter Lucy is due to graduate from Carramar this year.
So, whilst some of the teacher’s have changed and facilities upgraded at its heart the School is exactly how Alice remembered it, ensuring that her children will experience the same values that helped shape who she is today.
Alice’s parting message in 2011 was ‘Have a positive outlook on things and you will have a positive life.’ A motto she still lives by and one we can all take to heart.
