Sowing the SEADs of Success
From the Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Engagement R-12
Leadership at the College and International Women’s Day
Student Leadership at Loreto College Marryatville
Not everyone wants to be a leader. The girls who have been officially acknowledged as student leaders have put their hand up because they:
- Want to give back to their community
- Want to be a voice for the voiceless
- Want to act in service
- Be an agent for change
- Want to demonstrate, encourage, have fun and inspire others.
As we approach International Women’s Day on Saturday, I challenge the language we use around “female leadership” In the future there won’t be female leaders…..but simply “Leaders”. The world needs more leaders like Mary Ward, Gonzaga Barry, Julia Gillard, Jacinta Arden, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Cathy Freeman.
The messaging around self-efficacy is important and embedded into our SEAD program. When you believe in your abilities, you can make clear decisions, motivate others, accomplish tasks, achieve goals and face challenges head-on, which positively influences all aspects of your life.
Great resource for parents – Girl’s School Advantage
I will be presenting our SEAD program on the 28 April at Queenwood College Sydney, for the International Coalition of Girl’s School symposium. I am excited to share our unique, award-winning wellbeing program with like-minded girls' schools and colleges.
International Women’s Day Assembly
Year 12 student, Aeon Nguyen presented a passionate speech at this week’s assembly. Starting her speech with a Taylor Swift concert story was a sure way to hold the attention of the senior school audience. However, Aeon cleverly used the number of attendees (96,000 at the MCG last year) to help students comprehend the grim, global statistics of girls who don’t have access to education.
Aeon and Year 12 Senior Leaders activity for R-12 on Friday 7 March
“The junior school and senior school will together write a short message on a poster about why going to school is important to them and/or craft a message of support for girls around the world who do not have access to education. This activity will not only empower junior students to reflect on the value of learning but also strengthen relationships between year levels.
These posters ideally would be displayed in classrooms year-round, representing a lasting sense of acknowledgement and gratitude.”
International Women's Day (IWD) is important because it celebrates the achievements of women across the world, highlights gender equality, and raises awareness about the ongoing struggles women face in many areas of life, including economic, political, and social rights. It is a day to recognise the accomplishments and contributions of women in all sectors of society, as well as to call attention to the challenges still to be overcome, particularly in terms of equal opportunities and rights.
We stand at a pivotal moment for women across the globe. While gender representation in leadership is evolving, progress remains far too slow. We are all called to play a role in championing and celebrating women in leadership.
At the current rate, full gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158—five generations from now, according to the World Economic Forum. At Loreto, we are committed to accelerating this change so that women can lead, thrive and shape the educational landscape.
Consider how you might take tangible steps in your personal and professional lives to support and empower women. Whether it’s mentoring emerging female leaders, amplifying women's voices in decision-making spaces, or advocating for equitable policies—every action counts.
Let’s seize this moment to accelerate action and build a future where every woman and girl could lead and make a difference.
One of the most significant issues tied to IWD is girls' education, which is a critical factor in achieving gender equality. Here's how International Women's Day relates to girls' education:
- Empowerment through Education: Educating girls is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and empower young women. Education provides girls with the skills and knowledge to improve their own lives, as well as their communities.
- Gender Equality: On International Women's Day, we emphasise the importance of equal opportunities for all genders. Education is a cornerstone of gender equality, as it allows girls to compete on equal footing with boys in various aspects of life—economically, socially, and politically.
- Addressing Gender-Based Discrimination: Girls, especially in some parts of the world, face gender-based barriers that prevent them from accessing education. International Women's Day brings attention to these issues and advocates for change in education systems that often favour boys or marginalise girls.
- Raising Awareness: On IWD, conversations around girls' education help raise awareness about the global gaps in educational access. There are millions of girls around the world who still face barriers such as child marriage, unsafe schools, or lack of resources, all of which prevent them from getting an education.
- The Power of Role Models: Celebrating women's achievements on IWD also serves to inspire young girls to pursue education, careers, and leadership roles. Seeing women succeed in various fields—science, politics, arts—reinforces the importance of education in helping girls reach their full potential.
In short, International Women's Day connects to girls' education by advocating for access to quality education for every girl, irrespective of her background. Education is seen as a vital tool for empowering women and promoting equality, making it an essential topic in discussions around IWD.
150 celebrations Loreto Ballarat
I was very lucky to travel to Ballarat, Victoria to celebrate with 1,200 community members including Loreto sisters, families, old scholars, staff and students. Words cannot describe how proud I was to be part of the Loreto story. The theme of being “Faithful to Grace” was inspiring. It was a reminder that, like Mother Gonzaga Barry, we are called to recognise our unique gifts and put them to the service of others.
Your daughters will be celebrating Loreto College Marryatville’s 120th anniversary and will hopefully return to the college in 30 years for Marryatville’s 150th.
Emma Searle
Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Engagement R-12