From the Principal

History cannot be acquired or manufactured – it must be lived. And at Girton, we are fortunate to be the custodians of a legacy that has been shaped by the lives of so many. As a school community, celebrating the contributions of our founders on the 30th anniversary of Girton Grammar School in 2023 gave us a deeper appreciation of the human element of our history. In 2024, we delved even deeper into that history while commemorating another significant milestone: 140 years since Girton College was established in the rapidly growing goldfields town of Sandhurst. Its founders, Mrs Marian Aherne and Miss Alice Hill, sought to provide girls in the region with a pathway to tertiary study, inspired by the courageous story of Girton College in Cambridge – the UK’s first residential institution to offer a university-level education for women. From modest beginnings, they built a flourishing school, entrusting its legacy to the Girtonians who would follow them.

Over the years, many other visionary figures have poured their own lives into preserving the spirit and values on which the school was founded, while guiding it steadily into the future. You will find the stories of some of these individuals, like Miss Jean d'Helin, Lady Gwen Lansell and Mrs Dorothy Crothers, featured in the pages of this edition of Under the Peppercorn Tree. This year, we embraced every opportunity to celebrate those who made our school into the wonderful place it is today. We did so at our Foundation Day service, and again at our 140th Anniversary Assembly, where one of Bendigo’s much-loved dragons, Gwong Loong, wound its way through our students, staff and special guests. Like Girton, our dragons have held firm for over a century as another resilient and valued part of our city. 

In addition to honouring those who shaped the school’s history, you will see as you view this edition of Under the Peppercorn Tree that today’s school community also left their own mark on Girton’s story in 2024. It was a year defined by industry and growth, balanced with events and experiences that strengthened our already deep sense of community and connection. From the moments we enjoyed to the milestones we accomplished, no stone was left unturned.

One of the highlights of the year was our annual ArtFest, which took place for the first time at the historic Bendigo Town Hall – allowing our students to see their work displayed in a prominent community venue, just as a professional artist might. Other magnificent moments in the arts realm included our traditional Ensembles Evenings at the Ulumbarra Theatre and a spectacular series of Disney-themed productions: The Little Mermaid, Frozen Jr and Finding Nemo Jr. In the sporting realm, our students also reached new heights, with many serving as state and national representatives, and our senior girls crowned state soccer champions.

With international travel having fully resumed, we were pleased to be able to offer our students exciting global opportunities – from trekking and volunteer work in Nepal, to exploring the stunning scenery of New Zealand, to cross-cultural exchanges with students from Gojo Senior High School in Japan and Viala Lacoste in France. We were particularly delighted to welcome Gojo students and teachers back to Girton to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our sister school relationship, reinforcing the deep and lasting bond between our schools.

I am immensely proud of our students’ contributions to our school and community in 2024. In particular, our departing Year 12 cohort showed outstanding leadership in the initiatives they implemented – from introducing a new recycling program, to refining the student leadership selection process, to facilitating various fundraising events and platforms for student voice. I have every confidence they each have bright futures ahead of them, and we wish them every success as they embark on this exciting new chapter of their lives as Old Girtonians.

As for our staff, in addition to their diligent efforts to support our students inside and outside the classroom in 2024, they have also driven key initiatives that will enhance students’ learning experiences for years to come. Behind the scenes, they have been steadily integrating science of learning principles into their classroom practice, contributing to the development of a whole-school pedagogical framework designed to maximise student engagement and success. Additionally, our staff members have been instrumental in introducing the Co-Connect program in our Senior School, providing students with dedicated time to engage in activities that foster connection, collaboration, personal development and belonging. In our Junior School, we were honoured to be selected by Yale University as a 2024 RULER Spotlight School – the first school in the southern hemisphere to receive this recognition. It serves as a testament to the environment of emotional intelligence our staff have cultivated in the Junior School over many years.

I also extend my sincere gratitude to the Girton Board for the time and effort they have devoted to driving Girton’s sustainable growth and development in 2024. A particularly memorable moment was when the Board shared the highlights of our Master Plan with the community, for the first time unveiling the transformative developments that will reshape our campuses over the next decade and beyond. Already in the Senior School, we have opened new school crossings in Wattle and Vine Streets designed to enhance student safety, and are progressing through the planning stages for our dedicated languages centre and new green space. In our Junior School, we are about to officially open our new covered outdoor learning area, which is named the Angus Mackay Pavilion in honour of Angus's generosity to the school as a benefactor over many years. Other key Board announcements in 2024 included the adoption of a new fee model and the strategic acquisition of the Red Rooster site in High Street, which will pave the way for further campus growth along Bendigo’s main thoroughfare.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge our wonderful community of parents, friends and Old Girtonians, who contributed so much to Girton in 2024 – whether through volunteering, donating, providing feedback on school initiatives, or attending school events. We are truly fortunate to have such a committed and connected school community. On a sad note, 2024 saw the passing of several members of our community who have played an instrumental role in Girton's history, including much-loved founding drama teacher, Mrs Lois Angus, and the founder of our camps program, Mr Neil Derrick, who established experiences our students still enjoy today. We were also saddened to hear of the passing of Ms Carole Taylor, the sister of founder Mrs Jan Thomas. It was through Carole’s advocacy as a senior public servant in Canberra that our founders were able to meet with the then education minister, the Hon Kim Beazley AC, and secure crucial funding that allowed the college to be reborn as Girton Grammar School in 1993. 

Carole’s pivotal yet largely unseen role in our school’s story is a powerful reminder of the many individuals who have contributed to Girton’s survival and ongoing success behind the scenes. It reminds us that each step taken to support our school – no matter how seemingly small or invisible – creates a ripple effect that shapes countless lives and futures. Reflecting on the memorable year that was 2024, I feel immensely grateful for the exceptional people – past and present – who have breathed life into Girton and shaped its spirit over 140 years. As I leave you to explore Under the Peppercorn Tree, I thank you for being a living part of our story both as a student and now as an Old Girtonian.

Dr Emma O'Rielly

Principal