In the Spotlight
Educational Excellence: Madeleine Ching (12 Frew)
What happens when a student achieves a perfect score of 50 in Mr Rod Smith’s Unit 3/4 Systems Engineering class? They receive a LEGO Star Wars DeLorean, of course! This was the promise Mr Smith made to his class last year, and this week Year 12 student Madeleine Ching officially received her prize from Mr Smith and Dr Emma O’Rielly.
Maddie achieved a perfect study score of 50 in Unit 3/4 Systems Engineering as a Year 11 student last year, a result that places her among Victoria’s top achievers and will see her receive a Premier’s Award later this year.
Since Year 7, Maddie has duxed every technology and engineering subject she has taken. She accelerated into VCE Systems Engineering in Years 10 and 11 and was selected for the University of Melbourne’s Girl Power in Engineering and IT program in 2023.
Her Unit 3/4 project, MedSort, was inspired by a client caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease. The automated device stores medication, dispenses the correct dose at the right time, and alerts the user when medication is due. Its thoughtful, human-centred design earned Maddie a place in the prestigious VCE Top Designs exhibition as part of the 2026 VCE Season of Excellence, and will be displayed at the Melbourne Museum from 10 April 2026.
Maddie was also awarded the Girton Grammar Smith Family Prize for Excellence in VCE Systems Engineering as the top student in her cohort in 2025.
As she completes her final year at Girton, Maddie’s achievements continue to shine. She is, without doubt, an innovator to watch.
Meet Head of Senior Music, Min Hunter
We are delighted to welcome our newly appointed Head of Senior Music, Myfanwy (Min) Hunter - an experienced and dedicated music educator and performer whose work brings together musical excellence and values-centred practice. At Girton, Min leads Senior Classroom Music curriculum development, teaches Year 10-12 VCE Music, Year 8 Music, co-directs Christopher Field Strings, and leads the Girton String Quartet.
"I feel so welcomed by the Girton community and am excited to help shape the next era of Girton's rich musical culture."
Prior to joining Girton, Min served nineteen years as Head of Music at Sophia Mundi in Abbotsford. In addition, she has taught music at Carey Baptist Grammar School, Princes Hill Secondary College, Hawthorn Music Studio, established the string program at Thornbury Primary School, among other roles throughout VIC, SA, NSW and internationally. Holding a Master of Interdisciplinary Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne) and a Master of Secondary Music Teaching from CQUniversity, Min maintains a vibrant performance practice alongside her teaching and leadership.
Professional performance engagements have included touring with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Made Opera, performing with contemporary choral society Astra, and collaborating with members of the Australian Art Orchestra. She frequently works with theatre-makers and dancers, and her current creative projects include Baroque and new music viola duets with Doreen Ooi, and viola da gamba and voice collaborations with Daylesford Italian-Australian singer Mara Ripani.
Min has just completed a year-long Teaching Impact Fellowship through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. Her project, Our Values, Our Voice, supported Sophia Mundi students to co-compose four original songs reflecting the values of Courage, Truth, Responsibility and Growth. This week, Min gave a keynote presentation on the benefits of music and values-based education at the Academy’s Fellowship Summit. She looks forward to exploring how Girton students might engage with and express the School’s values through music-making and performance.
In her spare time, you will most likely find Min playing music, speaking French, cycling, and settling into Central Victorian life with family and friends.
Do you know a Girton student, staff member or community member doing something worth celebrating? Send your stories to elink@girton.vic.edu.au. Photos are encouraged!