From the Principal

International Women’s Day

As International Women’s Day approaches I write this week about the 2018 Australian of the Year, Professor Michelle Yvonne Simmons. Her experiences and outlook speak volumes of her persistence and determination, and serve as a celebration of all women.

Professor Simmons is a Professor of Quantum Physics at the University of NSW who has led the University's Quantum Physics Department to be a world leader in advanced computer systems. She is currently leading what she terms a ‘space race’ in that area of computing. She helped create the world’s first transistor made from a single atom, along with the world’s thinnest wire – one atom wide. She is currently trying to build a quantum computer that will solve in a minute, what would otherwise take thousands of years.

Professor Simmons outlined in her acceptance speech, the reasons she migrated to Australia from Britain 18 years ago, and suggests that Australia’s academic and scientific research can be done with freedom and creativity unlike in other places in the world.

She spoke of being a woman in a predominantly man’s world, highlighting the point that we should ensure all young people pursue what they love; that they set their sights high; tackle the hardest challenges in life; and that they are the creators – not just the users – of technology. She says that this drive must come from within, and just as you have to defy the expectations of others, you must also defy the expectations and limitations you place upon yourself. She also advises us to take on difficult challenges, stating, “for me – it was better to do the things that have the greatest reward; things that are hard – not easy”.

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO reports that seventy five percent of all future jobs will require advanced science and mathematics skills, and that women comprise only sixteen percent of the total Scientific, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. A recent report in the Educator Magazine outlined that fewer than three percent of school girls are considering a career in technology. In this context, across Australia there is concern that young people, and particularly young women, do not appear interested in the study of STEM areas.

At Northcote, our STEM subjects have strong enrolments across both genders. Year 12 Chemistry is always a good indicator of the number of girls pursuing pathways in the sciences: this year, as it was in 2017, we have equal numbers of male and female representation.  We are not, however,  immune to these gender-based challenges and continue to implement programs to encourage female participation across all STEM areas - you may have noticed these articles in the last edition of the newsletter.

Initial research into the gender gap in STEM directed us to female role models as a potential solution. More current research suggests that in fact, the gender of a role model is not as important as first thought. Whilst young women tend to be more inspired by female than male role models, overall those who serve as an example have a positive effect on young people’s ideas and aspirations, no matter who they are. Of note, Professor Simmons attributes an engaging and inspirational teacher, as the driving force behind her decision to pursue science. It humbles me to think of the influence and impact our profession has on the lives of young people. It was after all, an inspirational teacher who inspired my own love and study of science, and education for that matter. One wonders at the source of disinterest for young people, and particularly young women. Could it be the presentation of science and maths as static bodies of knowledge, rather than as the incredible opportunity for the expression of curiosity, creativity, innovation and design, much like the pursuit of science that Professor Simmons has experienced?

International Women’s Day Celebrations

Throughout this week our student body, under the tutelage of a range of student leaders, and supported by various staff, including Kirby Mackrill, will mark International Women’s Day with a variety of celebrations including:

• Purple Ribbons for Sale – throughout the week
• Discussion Panel – Q & A format with questions on the topic of Press For Progress and what progress for gender parity looks like.
• Herstory Hackathon – Recognition of Australian women who have been active in advancing women’s rights through the creation of Wikipedia entries.
• Art Installation – With the help of the Art Club, construction of an archway structure so that students can attach messages, pictures, origami, flowers, etc, reflecting what International Women’s Day means to our community.
• Musical Performance – from past and present female students as well as an external group organised through The Push (http://thepush.com.au/)
• Bake Sale – cakes, biscuits, sweets etc. made by the FemCo students for sale
• Daily Connect – information about International Women’s Day and events, activities based on the sculpture (e.g. writing a message of gratitude for an inspirational women in your life, origami etc.), and a quiz.

I thank everyone for their contribution to our community’s recognition and celebration of all women (and long may it continue).

Year 12 Assembly – Celebrating achievement

I had the pleasure of presenting the 2017 Duces to the 2018 Year 12 cohort this week. At the assembly, I spoke about the VCE and its dual nature. Yes, it is true, that to achieve your personal best in the VCE, requires students to work hard, and yes, it is also true, that consistent effort throughout the year yields the best results, and these two things combined can be a drain on physical and emotional reserves. We do however, often lose sight of the fact that Year 12, and therefore the VCE, is also one of the most joyful and unifying times for young people.

One of my Year 12 peers recently posted on Facebook a photo of us at the Year 12 Graduation Ball. I was less than enthusiastic about the post, given that I was an adolescent of the 80s and was sporting a perm and a hideous shiny dress with ‘leg’o’mutton’ sleeves - truly a sight to behold - but it reminded me of all of the things we did together, the sense of solidarity and connection with peers, and with my teachers. I vividly remember some of the things we said and did nearly 30 years ago, because of that.

The things I remember most, were not the hard work, not the hours of study, and not the exams, in fact I don’t even remember what my ATAR was. I remember the community-based things that gave me an escape from study. I still remember all the words of all the songs I sang in the school musical that year, I remember the fun we had organising the Graduation Ball, I remember the study camp we went on (but not necessarily the study bits) and the various social occasions that happened throughout the year. I remember the first time my friend drove me to the beach in her own car, when she first got her driver’s licence. I remember the joke that my Year 12 Biology teacher played on me when dissecting a rat, and the fact that my Chemistry teacher wore odd shoes to class and coped remarkably well with the ribbing we gave him. I remember supporting my friend through the trauma of her parents splitting up.

Our 2017 Duces – Jack and Viktor, plus the two Dux Proximus Anastasia and Lucy - will too have recollections of Year 12 that they carry with them throughout their lives. They, and all of the other high performing graduates from 2017, will have worked hard and consistently, but they did so with a mind to balance in their lives. They knew when to take a break, they knew when to reach out to friends, family and teachers to get support, they still participated in broader community activities and took on leadership roles within the school and beyond.

In all of my years of teaching and school leadership (25 years) it has always been the students who had balance in their lives who achieved the best results, and who then went on to be successful in their chosen fields.

School Council and Annual General Meeting

We are pleased to announce our School Council for 2018 and remind families of the AGM on March 22 - in keeping with the STEM theme, the keynote presentation is on the Future of Maths Education. Save the date! See the article following for details.