From the Head of Senior School

After a busy fortnight, our Senior School students have now finished their examinations. On the final two days of their examination week, our Year 7, 8 and 9 students enjoyed a dedicated program of activities to provide an engaging end to the 2023 academic year and set them up for success in 2024. For our Year 7s, this included a basketball competition, a STEM activities day and a Japanese incursion. The program for Year 8s focused on staying safe online, and included activities on creating secure passwords and recognising scam emails and text messages. Our Year 9s participated in a program designed to build their understanding of our school values and develop their leadership skills and collegiality as a cohort as they move into Year 10 and beyond.

With the Semester 2 examinations concluded, our Senior School students are now immersed in the new learnings of the Early Commencement Period (ECP). This sets the tone for a successful 2024 by giving students a valuable opportunity to get to know their new subjects, teachers and classmates in advance. It also ensures we are making the most of every precious moment of learning in the final three weeks of school.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner at Chateau Dore winery to bid a final farewell. It provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with the cohort and offer our heartfelt congratulations on reaching this significant milestone in their lives. The individuals who make up our Class of 2023 are about to be subjected to many new experiences beyond Girton that will both delight and challenge them. As they transition to their new lives, I am confident the diverse skills they have developed while at Girton will serve them well. In an ever-evolving world, I hope they will carry forward their innate sense of curiosity, proactivity and adaptability. While the enormity of the future can feel overwhelming, I hope they take comfort in the fact that a meaningful life is made up of a series of small, daily acts of decency and kindness – traits that each student possesses in abundance. 

Ms Dawn Davis

Head of Senior School