Principal's Report
Year 12 Farewell and Celebrations
Our Year 12 girls celebrated their Valedictory Dinner and last day on 19th October. We are very proud of them as they take their many and varied experiences into university, TAFE, a Gap Year or workplace. It was a privilege to see the girls and the faces of their parents as each received their certificates and awards. I wish our students every success both for exams and the future.
The College co-Captains, Laura Bass, Tallara Drew-Hazou and Sally Jacobs and Communications Captain, Mimi D’ Orsogna have been wonderful leaders and role models. The girls initiated a City-Edge student network, changes to the liaison meetings with Executive, myself and mentor teachers and involvement of a wider group of girls. Laura, Tallara and Sally are mentoring our new Captains in the role and the City Edge network.
Many thanks to our ever generous Parents’ Association who held a highly successful raffle with prizes drawn at the whole school assembly held for the Year 12 students. The raffle raised over $9000 to contribute to extra resources and programs for learning.
Congratulations and Welcome to our New Executive!
Congratulations to Nell Crossett, Ashleigh Hammond and Courtney McKenzie who are our College co-Captains for 2017. They are wonderfully supported by Emma Ferguson as our Communications Captain. Every student at MGC is a leader, whether in a formal leadership role and title or in the quiet leadership of kindness and an inner confidence. Every candidate for College Captain is an exemplary person, making the panel’s decision a very difficult one. I wish every candidate success next year.
The Student Executive for 2017 are leaders to be proud of. Our Girls’ Leadership Director, Bridget Tellefson, will report upon all appointments in the 3rd November newsletter as they will be finalised by then.
Congratulation to Zack Pretlove, winner of the 2016 SRC Teacher of the Year Award
This award recognises a teacher who has supported an SRC to expand its’ effectiveness and influence. Zack has lead the Melbourne Girls’ College SRC with distinction to ensure student voice really does matter. Zack’s vision for the SRC is that we build an inclusive, encouraging school where every girl matters and where every person is welcome. The students have introduced ideas and changes for MGC which have been discussed and often endorsed at School Council level.
Tall Poppies Science Awards
On Friday 14th October Melbourne Girls’ was well represented in the “Growing Tall Poppies 2016 Awards”. This is a program supported by the Australian Government Mathematics Science Partnership Program. Samantha Thompson of Year 10 won a “Growing Junior Tall Poppy” Award and Wendy Keen, our STEAM Leader was awarded a Teacher Tall Poppy Award for her exemplary work setting up our new STEAM program. It was a privilege to meet Samantha’s parents and share stories about her great capabilities. Congratulations to Wendy and Samantha, we are very proud of you!
Rowing Season Launch and Physiotherapy Information Night
Our new Head Coach, Stephanie Burgess; President Shelley Anderson; Treasurer, Ian Ferguson; Leaders Tonia Douglas-Scarfe, Andrew Beck, Nancy Sandilands and Adele Giarrusso saw the Gillard Centre abuzz last Thursday evening for the launch of the rowing season. It certainly has begun extremely well with over 100 people attending the injury prevention lecture by physiotherapist Andrew Fuchs last Monday night. The Lyceum was packed to the rafters and the feedback from the rowers, parents and coaches extremely positive. Andrew and Steph have another lecture planned on nutrition.
Aerobics Celebration
Congratulations Kat Chan, Laura Blackburn and our new Aerobics Coach, Rebekah (Bek) England-Hill for a great celebration of the aerobics season last Thursday night. Their leadership has eventuated in the most successful aerobics year to date for MGC. Congratulations all aerobic gymnasts, you have worked so hard, well supported by wonderful parents.
Finally, congratulations and we wish you well Jess Bouchaud who goes on family leave next week. As outlined in our last newsletter, congratulations to Ms. Linda Brown who has been appointed the new principal of Mentone Girls’ Secondary College from 26 October, 2016. We will miss Linda a great deal but we are all very proud of her many achievements at MGC. We know Linda will be an excellent principal and wish her every success.
Karen Money