From the Principal

As we approach the final weeks of this transformative year, our School and students are entering a time of transition. Though our feet remain firmly grounded in 2023, our minds have already started shifting to the promises and possibilities of 2024. It is a period marked by endings, as well as bright new beginnings.

Every student in our School is on the cusp of a transition – from our 2024 Preparatory cohort who are preparing for their first year of school, through to our Year 12 graduates who are preparing for their next chapter after celebrating their Valedictory Dinner. As a result, I have found myself delivering several addresses on the theme of transitions in our Junior and Senior Schools over recent weeks. 

On Monday, I spoke to our Senior School at a special Principal’s Assembly to mark the beginning of the Early Commencement Period (ECP). In this address, I encouraged our students to make the most of this unique opportunity to step into their future – gaining a head start not only in their academic subjects, but in building relationships, setting goals and forming positive habits. A similar opportunity awaits our Junior School students during their Transition Day in the final week of term. Through these initiatives, our hope is that students will return to school with a heightened sense of confidence and control after the long summer break.

Last night, I was also delighted to welcome our 2024 Year 7 cohort and their parents and carers to our Year 7 Information Evening – their first official meeting together at our Senior School. It is the beginning of an exciting new journey for them with many experiences to look forward to – from new friends and teachers, to new subjects and timetables, to new co-curricular activities and events such as House Dinners. With my own daughter among the group of incoming Year 7 students, I know firsthand the bittersweet mix of emotions that major transitions can evoke for students as well as parents. These feelings are beautifully illustrated in a story I shared with students during a recent Junior School Assembly. 

My Two Blankets, written by Irena Kobald and Freya Blackwood, follows a young girl called ‘Cartwheel’ who moves to Australia to flee war in her homeland. Not knowing English, she likens the experience of being surrounded by an unfamiliar world and language to standing under a cold waterfall of strange sounds. Cartwheel initially finds solace immersing herself in the familiar words and sounds of her first language, which she refers to as her ‘old blanket’. Wrapped in its warmth and comfort, she would love nothing more than to stay under her old blanket forever. However, in time, Cartwheel makes a friend who begins to teach her English, and as she practices new words, they begin to feel less cold and harsh. With the help of her friend, she starts to weave a new blanket – small and thin at first, but eventually growing just as large, warm and soft as her old blanket. 

In the school context, transitions can pose complex challenges in adapting to new subjects, classrooms, buildings, routines and responsibilities. Every student experiences different emotions as they navigate these shifts, and all of these are valid. Much like Cartwheel, there may be moments when they yearn for the comfort of their old, familiar blanket. Yet, with time, patience, practice and support, they will soon begin to find their place within their new environment, weaving a new blanket that becomes just as warm and comforting as the old. 

An important part of our role at Girton is to provide an environment that helps our students build skills, knowledge and relationships that will guide them through these annual transitions and the many others they will face in their lives after school. We do this by fostering a kind and caring atmosphere, infused with a culture of positivity, collaboration and respect, and programs focused on nurturing student engagement and wellbeing. Our aim is to help every student develop the skills they need to weave a brand-new blanket – from their first year at Girton to their last. 

On behalf of all the staff at Girton, we are looking forward to helping our students and parents navigate this period of transition and thrive in 2024. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead. 

Dr Emma O'Rielly 

Principal