Principal's Report

As we move toward the close of Term One, it is worth pausing to reflect on what has been a vibrant, energetic and highly productive start to the year at Melbourne Girls’ College. The opening term always sets the tone for the year ahead, and it has been wonderful to see our students, staff and families embrace the opportunities, routines and expectations that help create the strong culture of learning and belonging we value so deeply at MGC. 

At the beginning of the year, I spoke with families not only about what the year ahead would look like, but also about the important role families play in supporting their young person at home. This included thinking about how we can work together to manage cognitive load for our students; establishing strong routines, minimising unnecessary distractions, and helping young people direct their time, energy and focus on the things that matter most. These seemingly small actions at home can make a significant difference to a young person’s readiness to learn, sense of calm and ability to flourish at school. 

There has certainly been much to celebrate already this term. Our students have led two successful whole school assemblies, setting a positive tone and demonstrating the confidence, leadership and college pride that are such important features of life at MGC. We have seen students connect, challenge themselves and create new memories through the Year 7 and Year 12 camps, while our whole school Swimming Carnival once again brought our community together in a spirit of participation, house pride and fun. 

Our term has also been enriched by the breadth of experiences beyond the classroom. Pedal Power Cinema was another terrific example of community engagement in action. Our Alumni-dominated International Women’s Day event was a particular highlight, reminding our students of the strength, wisdom and inspiration that exists within the MGC community across generations. We were also proud to offer the Parent Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Course, reflecting our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with families to support the wellbeing of our young people. 

Alongside this, students and staff have engaged in a range of important learning and school improvement work, including Curriculum Day, NAPLAN, Wellbeing Days, Harmony Day, the Student Clubs Expo and Parent, Student, Teacher Conferences. Each of these moments has contributed in different ways to the life of the college, strengthening learning, connection, inclusion and student voice. 

Our co-curricular and sporting programs have also had a strong start to the year. From the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Rowing Regatta to Rowing Nationals in Tasmania, multiple interschool sporting days and the many opportunities for students to represent the college with pride, teamwork and determination, it has been wonderful to see students challenge themselves and contribute so positively to the culture of the college. 

We are also proud to have a number of Melbourne Girls’ College students involved in the 2026 VCE Season of Excellence. The VCE Season of Excellence celebrates the remarkable talents of Victoria’s senior secondary students and showcases outstanding works across art, design, technology, multimedia, film, dance, theatre, drama, music, literature and research. To have MGC students recognised in this way is a wonderful acknowledgement of their talent, creativity and commitment, and reflects the strength of the opportunities available to students to pursue and share their passions. 

A wonderful way to bring the term to a close has been the Lend a Paw Fete, organised and led by an extraordinary group of Year 11 students as a fundraiser for RSPCA Victoria. Having first come together through their time at the School for Student Leadership as Year 9 students in 2024, it has been inspiring to see them harness that experience to lead such a thoughtful and community-minded initiative. 

Term One is always a full and demanding term, but it is also one that reminds us of the richness of school life and the many ways students can connect, grow and thrive. I would like to thank our staff for the energy, care and expertise they bring each day, our families for their support and partnership, and our students for the spirit with which they have approached the term. 

As we bring Term One to a close, we do so with much to celebrate and with confidence in the strong foundation that has been laid for the remainder of the year. 

Tamy Stubley 

Principal