From the Principal

Last week we farewelled our Class of 2022 with a fitting Girton send-off at the 2022 Valedictory Ceremony. Watching our departing students all dressed up and ready to take on the world, I felt particularly proud having known and observed many of them during my 16 years at Girton, as they have journeyed, grown, and changed through the years. 

And how far they have all come. Eighteen of our departing students, fondly referred to in the Girton community as “lifers”, nervously entered our School gates as Preps, and many joined Girton in Year 7. Through camps and school formals, House competitions and events, on the sports field, on the stage and in the classroom, these students have grown up at Girton, and have become adults of whom we are immensely proud. 

The next few years will be exciting for all of them, full of new experiences, new beginnings, new jobs, new achievements, and new friends. I wish them success in whatever they do – whatever success means to each of them. I believe that success is best measured by what engages and energises us every day, and we can only measure success in our lives when we can define what helps us find purpose. I hope that the many opportunities our Class of 2022 experienced during their time at Girton have given them some insight into what a joy-filled and successful life might look like for them. We will follow their progress with enthusiasm, knowing that wherever the world takes them, whatever success means for each of them, they will always be Girtonians. We look forward to inviting them back one day to share their successes with the Girton community.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of the staff and teachers involved in making the 2022 Valedictory Ceremony a success. A late notice venue change to the Beehive Building to avoid inclement weather (and mosquitos) added a layer of complexity for the planning team and caterers, and I would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs Janelle Canobie, Mr Mark Beever, Ms Jess Ford and Mr Adrian Hodda for going above and beyond to ensure the night ran smoothly. Thank you also to Nicole and Glenn Walker from our original venue, Chateau Dore, for working with us to create a memorable evening in the beautiful historic Beehive Building. Once again, I was proud to represent our School and witness the time, care and commitment that goes into making events like this so memorable for our departing students and their families.

Following the departure of our Year 12 cohort and the completion of examinations for Years 7 to 11, the rest of our Girton student community started the Early Commencement Program (ECP) this week as they began the 2023 academic year. At a time of year when energy can start to diminish, this fresh start gives students and staff a huge motivational boost. As a result, our students remain more engaged in learning in the final weeks of school and gain an understanding of the curriculum requirements for the following year so that when the new year commences, they are already ahead. 

Students undertaking elective subjects have time to get a feel for what’s in store and make changes to their selections if necessary.  New friends are made, and students get to know their new teachers, which gives them a more confident start to the new year. 

The start of a new academic year is also a good opportunity to reset classroom routines as teachers set the expectations and culture for their classes. We know that these daily classroom routines can make a significant impact on teaching and learning and create a positive environment for everyone.

As Mr Rod Smith, Head of Academic and Data Services explained to students at the ECP Assembly on Monday, we know it has been a big year back in the classroom after two years of disrupted learning. As the days get warmer and summer break beckons, it would be so easy for our students to take a back seat and cruise their way to the end of the year. But that’s simply not the Girton way. We want to give our students every opportunity to depart our School at their own Valedictory Ceremony as the best version of themselves, and we know from experience that the ECP helps to support this goal.

We hope every student chooses to embrace the opportunity to reset over the next fortnight before taking a well-earned summer break.

Dr Emma O'Rielly

Principal