Principal's Report

Julia Gillard and the official opening of the Gillard Centre

It was with great excitement we welcomed the Honourable Julia Gillard to Melbourne Girls’ College on 1st September. Ms. Gillard has been at the forefront for women and leadership in so many endeavours, including becoming the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion in 2007; our 27th Prime Minister; the first woman to hold the position of Deputy Prime Minister, the only Australian woman to hold the positions of Prime Minister and leader of a major party.

In a minority government Ms. Gillard lead the way on many initiatives.

Notably, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and equity funding for education. Whilst we have work to do here the debate on education funding will never be the same again due to her commitment and hard work.

Melbourne Girls’ College was founded on the vision for young women to be curious, creative and no matter their back ground to Lead and Achieve.

Ms. Gillard spoke to the students about her life story so far and her current commitment to global education initiatives including the Bachelor of Applied Entrepreneurship she has developed with Ducere Global Business School and the University of Canberra.

Ms. Gillard also officially opened The Gillard Centre. A crowd of students, staff and parents cheered as she lead a countdown from 10 and cut the red ribbon. I wish to acknowledge with thanks our former principal, Ms. Judy Crowe, who planned and built the Gillard Centre as a magnificent resource for our students – both for learning and rowing.

I also wish to thank our great staff who helped our parent, Tara Poole organise the event and of course our College and Humanities Captains for hosting the occasion.

Internationalising Schooling at Melbourne Girls’ College

As you know we are working as a professional learning community to coordinate many aspects of our work together to ensure excellence in learning. Another aspect of this work is in Internationalising Schooling.

Intercultural awareness and skills are embedded in the Victorian Curriculum, the DET Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) and the DNA of Melbourne Girls’. We look forward to this lens further informing our curriculum, study of languages, International Student Program and instruction. We are building sister school partnerships alongside our current overseas learning experiences. Please see http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/learningdev/Pages/connected.aspx

and http://www.bastow.vic.edu.au/courses/leading-asia-capable-schools for further information.

Parents' Association - Massive Recycled Designer Sale

Please come on an exciting bargain and treasure hunt where the proceeds benefit our students!

Thank you to our Parents’ Association for conducting the sale on 11 September and providing the community fun involved.

Thank you to all of our parents for your support.

Slade Literary Awards

On Monday evening a number of staff and I attended the Rotary Club of Richmond’s Annual Slade Literary Awards.

The Awards recognise excellence in creative writing. We are so proud of the following students from Melbourne Girls’.

Winning Entry

"Everyone except Stevie" by Lilian Gonzalez (0C2)

Runner Up

"Human Spirit" by Myafi Chowdhury (0R3)

3rd Prize

"Blue flame" by Natasha Fleming (0L2)

Certificate of Merit

"The new family" by Claudia Crowe (1R1)

Karen Money

Principal