From the Principal

At our End of Term Assembly earlier this week, I spoke to our students about the importance of the midpoint; in geometry, in a story, in a film, even in undertaking a PhD. I spoke about how the midpoint is pivotal because depending on how we manage it, we can either lose momentum or gain strength. Our School Captains Nandini Gangaram (12 Aherne) and Harvey Lakey (12 Frew) spoke in the same vein at that same assembly about the space in-between; that make-or-break period between the beginning and the end of something that can make all the difference if we are intentional about how we choose to reflect on the past to prepare for the future.

It is with pride and with gratitude that I congratulate all students on a successful semester, and on reaching the all-important midpoint of 2025.

This team saw our students achieve and celebrate so much. We came together to honour those who have served our country at our Anzac Day assemblies and services. We celebrated Girton’s rich history with our Foundation Day service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in May. We raised all-important funds for the Red Shield Appeal and hosted the Twilight Movie Night.

We welcomed students from Salon-de-Provence for the term as part of our French Exchange program with sister school Viala Lacoste. We made contact with astronaut Takuya Onishi as he orbited 400km above Earth aboard the International Space Station.

We hosted the Cross Country and the House Singing competitions, displaying House spirit and supporting each other across the finish line and behind the microphone. We hosted the Senior Formal against a glorious Versailles backdrop. Last week, our Year 4 students enjoyed the Log Cabin Camp.

I am looking forward to attending closing night of our Senior School Production of Mamma Mia!, which I am told opened to rapturous applause and rave reviews last night. I am also pleased to report another successful ICCES Winter Tour in Shepparton, from which our athletes are currently returning. We’ve just received word that we’ve finished second overall – a great result!

As well as congratulating our students, I would like to thank our staff for all of the effort they put into offering our students these amazing opportunities.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for the support you show our students and our school. In particular, I appreciate your participation in the parent focus groups about our Co-Curricular program and our Mission and Values review. Community feedback is an important part of our improvement agenda. I also thank you for your active involvement in the Parent-Teacher Conferences, which is a key part of our continued partnership in shaping our young people.

Semester two Senior School Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on August 6, 7 and 12 (weeks 3 and 4 of Term three). In Semester one, we trialled different approaches to our Senior School Parent-Teacher Conferences, providing a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. In Term three, we will trial hosting all sessions online. Based on your feedback, we will also include the option to book sessions with House Tutors to discuss student wellbeing. Following this final round of conferences for 2025, we will survey parents and carers to gather feedback on each format and identify the ideal approach to Parent-Teacher Conferences in 2026 and beyond.

Earlier today, you will have received a letter from our Head of Community Relations, Mark Beever, advising of an update to our enrolment procedures and policies and the effect on sibling enrolments. If you wish to enrol the sibling of a current student for any entry year level in the future, I reiterate the importance of completing and returning an application for enrolment form prior to the 25th of July 2025. From this date, siblings of existing students will only be prioritised if they are enrolled more than 26 months prior to the year of entry.

I would like to also provide an update on the John E Higgs Hall restoration and the use of the Jan Thomas Building at our Junior School campus. Due to the heritage aspects of the Hall, we are currently awaiting Council approval to pursue suitable restoration options. We aim to reopen the Jan Thomas Building (T Block) for classes in early Term three, pending approval. We will keep you informed as discussions and works progress, and we thank you for your patience.

I’d also like to thank the kind person or people who nominated both the school and me individually for the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards. I am pleased to announce that Girton Grammar School is a finalist in the Community Minded and Customer Focussed categories, and I am humbled to share that I have been named a finalist in the Leader of the Year category. This recognition is the result of a team effort and I thank every member of our community for their meaningful contributions.

Before I say farewell as we enter the school holiday period, I would like to draw your attention to two articles that Girton has been named in this week: ‘This tax will break them’: The private schools about to be slugged with huge bills in The Age, and Revealed: Victoria’s elite private schools ‘paying the state to educate’ in the Bendigo Advertiser (subscriptions required to view). These articles draw attention to the state government’s 2024 payroll tax changes and the detrimental impact on independent schools. Girton Grammar School is named as one school that is soon to be impacted by this tax. I will return to this topic next term as it is important to keep this front of mind as the state prepares for an election next year.

Thank you for a wonderful Term. As we reach this midpoint of 2025, I wish you a wonderful and restorative break. I look forward to welcoming our students back to school for Term three on Tuesday the 22nd of July.

Dr Emma O'Rielly

Principal