Principal's Report 

Fond Farewell to the Class of 2017

The final days of secondary school for our Year 12s concluded with Celebration Day on Wednesday 25th October. The guard of honour with Years 7-11 students lining the path from the final assembly to Yarra Boulevard is a respectful farewell after thirteen years of formal schooling. It was full of laughter and pride as other students see this important MGC ‘rite of passage’ unfold year after year. The Valedictory Dinner that night was our chance to reflect, say thank you to our students, parents and the wonderful teachers who have supported them during their time at Melbourne Girls’ College. Congratulations to Pat Sklavakis, Sandor Kazi and their team whose hours of work behind the scenes ensured a memorable occasion for the girls.

2018 College Captains

The celebrations of last week also saw the handover from 2017 College Captains, Courtney McKenzie, Ashleigh Hammond and Nell Crossett to our new 2018 Captains Ky Luong, Isabelle Carney and Claudia Junge.

Nell, Ashleigh, Courtney and Emma Ferguson as Communications Captain have been excellent role models and leaders for all students. Their inclusion of ideas and approachability has seen many barriers between year levels broken down. Isabelle, Claudia and Ky have already spoken about continuing this work to build a united community for the college.

Wellbeing

Drugs will not be tolerated at our school, this message was loud and clear at the Year 7 Wellbeing address given by Beth Locke, Manager of the Drug and Alcohol Service at Access Health. Beth, supported by our exemplary in-house expert and Leading Teacher, Bridget Tellefson, addressed the girls about the dangers, the effects of peer pressure and how to stay strong against the influence of others.

An evening session was facilitated by Eileen Berry, founding editor of Parents’ Guides – Drugs 101 who provided parents with copies of her publication and addressed parenting strategies to support children to make the best possible choices as they navigate adolescence.

Bravo Bridget Tellefson and Pat Sklavakis

 On 1st November Bridget our Year 10 Leading Teacher and Pat, Year 12 Leader presented at an Australian College of Educators event, “Early Career Teachers: Understanding support networks and mentoring partnerships” held at Strathcona Baptist Girls’ Grammar. This event supported early career teachers in the process of building a rich and rewarding career, networks and mentor partnerships. Bridget and Pat shared their practical knowledge and experience in order to help new teachers thrive.

Driving School Improvement: A Practical Guide by Pamela Macklin and Vic Zbar

The launch of this excellent educational publication was held at Melbourne Girls’ College on Tuesday 24th October. Pamela is a coach working with our leadership team as well as a highly regarded educator. Vic’s work is published internationally and his research into school and system improvement has informed best practice for decades. Australia and Victoria have a good education system, but the challenge is to always get better, to apply an upward spiral of improvement.By bringing together a judicious mix of educational research, and successful experience in schools, Pam and Vic support leaders to effectively lead the sort of improvement we continually seek and work to support.

Rowing

After a successful Opening of the Rowing Season congratulations are due to Lara Davies our new Captain of Boats and Natasha Fleming our Vice-Captain, the girls are excellent leaders for the program on and off the water.

Head Coach, Steph Burgess and Rowing Leader, Andrew Beck led an extremely successful ergathon in the Gillard Centre from 9am Friday to 9am Saturday. The buzz and excitement was contagious, even at 3 o’clock in the morning I am told! Thank you to our Rowing Club Committee and parents who supported with time and provisions to ensure success.

Visual Arts and Technology

Congratulations to Emma Croker who won the Parents’ Association Art Award, announced at the launch of the annual Art and Technology Exhibition on Tuesday 17th October. Thank you, as always to our amazing Parents’ Association who support the purchase of key art work every year to ensure the expansion of the MGC Collection. Jo Jepsen, Roger Dunscombe, Harriet Turnbull, Fiona Storrie, Ingrida Ansons, Emma Mc Cowan, Carol Busetti, Hazel Etheridge, Lenore Twist, Ashley O’Brien and Ollie Hull worked tirelessly to ensure the exhibition, associated activities and competitions were successful for the students.

All parents are invited to the Year 9/Year 10 Technology Electives exhibition on 28th November. Please arrive early to Presentation Night and view the inspirational work of students and the Product Design and Technology teachers Carol Busetti, Hazel Etheridge and Jo Jepsen. Work on display features:

                  - Year 9 Textile Design

                  - Year 9 Jewellery Design

                  - Year 9 Fashion Design

                  - Year 9 Interior Design

                  - Year 10 Jewellery Design

                  - Year 10 Costume Design

Congratulations Lilith Stewart

Congratulations to Lilith Stewart of second Clifton Hill Venturer Unit who has earned the Australian Scout Medallion. To attain this top award Lilith showed initiative, persistence, self-discipline, teamwork and leadership in a wide range of endeavours. Lilith is a true representative of Melbourne Girls’ College values.

Thank you for your ongoing support to ensure all MGC students show respect and leadership.

Kind regards,

Karen Money

Principal