Melbourne Girls' College

Principal's Report

Welcome Back!

Our dedicated staff returned on 29 January to prepare for the vision of – “A school with an outward looking, global perspective on girls’ leadership, academic, social, sporting, ethical, creative and civic success so that all Melbourne Girls’ students will lead and succeed throughout their lives” - based on the school values of diversity, excellence and teamwork.

The concepts of problem based learning to promote the skills for collaboration, application and deep thinking as a tool for building global citizens with the skills for their future success were explored. Department initiatives including the High Impact Teaching Strategies (H.I.T.S.), support the thinking for learning design.

The impetus for the learning began with consideration of some of the risks the world faces and how we can equip our young people to evaluate and contribute to solutions:

The day was also an opportunity to get to know our new colleagues and build this understanding of our learning community with them.

  • Bec Irvine, Learning Specialist
  • Nicole Gibson, English Humanities
  • Kelly Aguire, English
  • Georgie Bull, English
  • Bridget Scowen, English
  • Claire Tudor, English
  • Darren Sellers, Business Management, Legal Studies
  • Hamish Thomas, EAL
  • Hannah Geng, Chinese
  • Isabella Sword, Food Studies
  • Angus Smith, Mathematics
  • Ken Callegari, Mathematics
  • Mario La Marca, Mathematics
  • Thomas Bond, Psychology
  • Conor Anderson, Business Management, Sociology
  • Georgia McGeechan, Dance
  • Rebecca Ashman, Office administration
  • Gavin Antolos, Numeracy

The day was also an opportunity to reflect on the excellent VCE results attained in 2018.

Ten perfect study scores of 50 were attained in the following subjects, this is the highest number of perfect scores in the history of Melbourne Girls’ College, congratulations to our students and expert staff:

  • Business Management, Alison Lam
  • Product Design, Jo Jepsen
  • English, Brooke Sandilands and Michael Newton
  • Legal Studies, Sefija Demirova
  • Visual Communication Design, Fiona Storrie
  • Literature, Terry Donnelly x 2!
  • Media, Roger Dunscombe
  • Health, Anna Crosswhite

Our inspirational Dux and College Captain, Isabelle Carney attained an ATAR of 99.8! To top off an amazing year Issy has also been invited to perform at Top Acts. Ten students attained an ATAR score of 99 or above, 18% of students a study score of 40 or above, 31% of students attained an ATAR above 90, 54% above 80 and 72% above 70.

 

Ella Taylor and Grace Peacock will be representing MGC in Top Class - Dance and performing at the Melbourne Recital Centre on the 21st February 2019. Students are only invited to audition for this opportunity if they receive an A+ on one or both of their solos.

 

We are proud of every student no matter the ATAR. Persistence, lifelong learning and grit are what is most important.

 

WELCOME Year 7!

The 30th January saw our 230 excited Year 7s settling into the Lyceum and the new world of high school. They will be guided by Ms. O’Connell, Ms. Kontogeorgis and their Wellbeing teachers, as well as our College Captains, Meg Funston, Georgia Wolfe and Genevieve Cox who welcomed them to the first day of high school.  Each address at assembly focused on an aspect of wellbeing with a focus on kindness, gratitude, respect and high expectations.

 

Refurbishment of Level 3

As reported at the end of last year the upgrade to a fifty year old facility will allow for flexible learning spaces from standard classroom to double, even triple learning areas but with sophisticated acoustic design to ensure the spaces enhance all types of learning practice. It is anticipated the project will be completed at the end of term 1. The concepts explored by staff on 29 January will be facilitated by these learning spaces.

 

A reminder of 2019 Student Free Days approved by School Council:

  • Friday, 8th March 2019 - Visible Wellbeing with Professor Lea Waters of The University of Melbourne
  • Friday, 14th June 2019 -  Assessment, Reporting and Planning
  • Friday, 16th August 2019 – Curriculum Day
  • Monday, 4th November 2018 – 2020 Planning

General School Council Election Information

The Melbourne Girls’ College School Council generally meets every third Tuesday of the month at 6.15pm. Membership of School Council is rewarding and ensures students and parents contribute to and have a close understanding of the direction and strategic planning of the school. The dates for our Council election process are detailed below and I look forward to working with Councillors throughout 2019. Nomination papers and instructions will be attached to a Compass newsfeed tomorrow. Please deliver, mail or email signed nomination forms to Bryony Sahlstrom in the front office by 4pm Friday 15th February. There are two parent positions, one student position and two staff positions due for election and the time line is as follows:

  • Friday 8th February- Call for nominations
  • Friday 15th February 4pm- Nominations close
  • Thursday 21st February- Ballot papers and information on the candidates distributed if an election is required
  • Friday 1st March 4pm- Close of Ballot

Another excellent MGC organisation is our Parents’ Association (P.A.). Please consider joining. The P.A. meets every term. The tireless efforts of parents on this committee are appreciated by all.

I always look forward to getting to know as many parents as possible. Parent evenings, student-parent-teacher meetings, the Sustainability Collective, School Council, Aerobics, Rowing and the Parents’ Association are all excellent ways for us to meet.

I look forward to having a great year with you all.

 

Kind regards,

 

Karen