From the Head of Senior School

Assemblies and Special Events

It seems such a long time since I last wrote to you all at the end of Camps Week. We have returned to an action-packed term of many events. 

Our first day of School began with our special ANZAC Commemorative Assembly. Our School Captains also had the prestigious honour of representing our School at the Bendigo morning ANZAC ceremony to read the ANZAC Requiem. The event was attended by Dr O'Reilly, Mr Weston and myself. Junior and Senior School students attended the dawn and morning services across the Greater Bendigo region and have been recognised for their Service to the School for attending these events. Our School Captains lay a wreath at the morning service in Bendigo. 

Brass bands marched along Pall Mall, leading the way for the veterans of World War II, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts that our Australian defence forces have played a role. In the ANZAC day address of Mr Paul Penno OAM, he spoke of his return from the Vietnam War and recounted his emotions on returning to Australia. Mr Penno explained how he returned home after the war when he was 20 years old but felt as if he was 40. He said it felt as if his friends had changed, but more likely, he had. It was an incredibly moving speech that would have touched many people at this event.

Sitting through three formal Assemblies for extended periods may have proved challenging for some of our younger students this week. The students were also asked to wear their full winter uniform for Friday's 30th Anniversary assembly to mark the importance and reverence of this special occasion. 

When Friday morning arrived, I watched with pride the arrival of our students with their uniforms and demeanour so fitting for this special occasion. Our Old Girtonians and special guests who participated in the Assembly commented on how impressed they were with our student's behaviour and attention. 

The occasion was fitting in that I reflected on our predecessors' sacrifices to ensure the School survived and continued in challenging times. It was truly humbling to listen to the speakers' accounts of their determination, resolve and fighting spirit to save the School in challenging and trying circumstances. 

Cross Country Carnival

The display of the Girton community shone again during Thursday's Cross Country Carnival. Participation was high, with students running or walking the 3km and 4km courses. 

There is more to running than just training your muscles and improving your stamina. It is also a mental sport. Cross country was a traditional winter activity for runners in Britain and other European countries. The sport's original form involved racing over long distances for 8-16km. Courses were usually hilly and on soft surfaces - grassy or muddy fields - with occasional obstacles such as fences and ditches. These obstacles were important because they made mental and physical demands quite different from those of track or road running. 

The value of cross-country running as a winter sport is that it is inexpensive, easy to organise, and can generally continue despite bad weather. As well as developing leg strength and aerobic fitness, cross country running increases adolescents' confidence, showing them they can overcome physical challenges. 

These skills help develop and cement a strong element of our House spirit. The success of a cross country team depends as much on the slower members as on the fastest; therefore, everyone's performance is of value. 

Student Mobile and Electronic Personal Devices Policy Update

The start of this term also saw the introduction of our updated Student Mobile and Electronic Personal Devices Policy. These changes have been implemented to support the best educational and social, and emotional outcomes for students and to address some of the challenges posed by mobile phones, such as:

• Risks to child protection
• Data protection issues
• Potential for lesson disruption 
• Academic integrity
• Health, safety, and wellbeing issues
• Risk of theft, loss or damage.

Listening to music, watching videos, playing games, accessing the internet, taking photos or videos, and talking or texting during class disrupts teaching and learning. The updated policy now includes all personal electronic devices, including headphones, earphones or earbuds, especially when walking between classes and during breaks. Student safety walking between classes is paramount. Wearing headphones to listen to music presents a potential hazard to the students while moving between lessons. 

Much research is being conducted on the impact of young children's continuous use of listening devices. 

"Perpetuated exposure to higher decibels is one of the leading causes of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The occurrence of NIHL has likewise been expanding in kids and adolescents. NIHL in youngsters and adolescents is connected with personal music players, which need earphones or headphones and have powerful sound tones."(Dehankar, Shruti S, and Sagar S Gaurkar. “Impact on Hearing Due to Prolonged Use of Audio Devices: A Literature Review.” Cureus vol. 14,11 e31425. 12 Nov. 2022, doi:10.7759/cureus.31425).

Consequences for a first and second breach remain unchanged. A summary of the change for the third and fourth breaches is shown in the diagram below. We appreciate your support and encourage you to discuss the Policy with your child to ensure they understand the reasons behind it.

Ms Dawn Davis

Head of Senior School