Another learning and action filled fortnight has passed at MGC. Thank you to our hardworking staff who have given up personal and professional time to facilitate the Year 12 Camp, Year 7 Camp, the Rowing Club, Information Nights the Student Executive whole school assembly and planning for tomorrow’s Pedal Cinema.

Student Leadership

On Wednesday, 21st February our 2018 Student Executive Leaders were inducted into their roles during a whole school assembly. I look forward to working with the Executive lead by our College Captains, Ky Luong, Claudia Junge and Isabelle Carney. The assembly highlighted women in leadership whether that be in official roles or the quiet leadership of so many of our girls.

Year 7 Parent Welcome

A balmy evening last Tuesday ensured we could warmly welcome our Year 7 parents in true MGC style whilst overlooking the beautiful Yarra River. Thank you to our Parents’ Association who provided the refreshments and camaraderie for everyone involved. Our Year 7 parents shared stories about their daughters first weeks, camp and many offered support for all of our organisations – even costume design for our production. We are very fortunate to have such a diverse and talented parent community supporting the girls.

Pam St Leger

Pam St Leger has been a community member of Council since 2002 at the invitation of then principal Jan Parkes. Jan met Pam when Professor Brian Caldwell appointed her as an Assistant Dean to set up a university/schools partnership initiative at the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education. On behalf of our school community, I wish to sincerely thank Pam for her willingness to make a significant contribution to the quality our girls’ education. Pam’s generous donation of time, professional expertise, dedication and valued support will always be remembered.

Student Success

Congratulations to Freya Van Dyke-Goodman of Year 9 who won Best Actress at the 2018 Tropfest Film Festival for her role in the short film, “Two Piece”. The film is a positive story about young teenage girls and body image. “Two Piece” was also named Best Film of the festival! We are very proud of Freya’s talent and hard work, she worked with cast and crew over many hours to ensure the best possible story could be told in an engaging way. Please see this link to the film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nEOFVOBNLo

School Council Welcome

It is with pleasure I announce the School Council membership for March 2018- February, 2019:

Parent Representatives: Tracie Winch, parent of Ally Bass in Year 11; Heather Pritchard, parent of Elizabeth in Year 8; Sonia Sharp, parent of Thea in Year 10 and Charis in Year 12; Gary Funston, parent of Meg in Year 11; Elanthendral Ramasamy, parent of Thiruavani in Year 9; Geoff Coates, parent of Isla in Year 12.

Community Members: Maya Narayan, Caroline Milburn (also parent of Charlotte I Year 9 and Isabelle in Year 12), College Captains.

Student Member Category of School Council: The Department of Education and Training (DET) are still determining how best to implement the Minister’s announcement on a mandated student member category. Once this advice is available, students in Years 7 - 12 are eligible to nominate for School Council membership. We look forward to wider student voice on Council in the near future.

Alumni Open House

The 2018 Alumni Open House takes place on Saturday 24th of February from 5-6pm where tours and memorabilia will take centre stage. Our alumni have then arranged dinner and get togethers in Richmond.

STEM and STEAM

In her opinion piece, Professor Elizabeth Croft (The Age 12 February, 2018), gave professional and personal insight into the road ahead for young women who have the skills and aspiration to enter STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers. It is both a word of warning and a challenge society must meet if it is to ensure true gender equality and reap the benefits of more young women entering the field.

It is a challenge that Melbourne Girls’ College has long sought to meet. We appointed a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Leader in 2016 to develop a STEAM Centre where, from Year 7, our students would be exposed to the many ideas and issues the world faces today. The girls are not only learning new skills, but also have the opportunity to contribute to future solutions on diverse aspects of health, sustainability, engineering, cyber safety and the myriad challenges we don’t even know of yet. They learn to take risks, learn from trial and error and most importantly, learn to take a clear sense of self into this currently male dominated STEM/STEAM landscape. They are truly treading the path to which Professor Croft points.

Leadership is central to this and a pillar on which Melbourne Girls’ was built. It is exactly the sort of skill our students need to take into universities and the workplace to ensure they can exercise their human right to learn, contribute and be valued regardless of gender or career of choice.

Thank you for your support in all aspects of learning at MGC.

Kind regards,

Karen

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