From the Head of Junior School

Today we celebrated the opening of the Angus Mackay Pavilion, our new Junior School covered outdoor learning area. This wonderful facility was made possible thanks to the generosity of Mr Mackay, who has been donating to the school for over 10 years. 

In a previous address at Melbourne Grammar School, Mr Mackay spoke of resilience, resourcefulness and patience as being key traits necessary for a successful business. He spoke about learning these traits as a young man playing cricket. Mr Mackay was a very keen sportsman in his youth with a particular love of cricket and tennis. He still enjoys playing tennis now in his 90s. It is very fitting that we have recognised his generosity by naming a pavilion that will allow our students to enjoy playing sport all year round. 

Mr Mackay’s traits of resilience, resourcefulness and patience have been key traits evident in Girton’s long history. It was due to the kindness of generous benefactors that Girton College was able to survive and prosper on the Mackenzie Street site. They had been evicted from their long-term lease in Rowan Street and were unsure of how they were to continue. Two benefactors, Mrs Edith Lansell and Mrs Charlotte Frew, loaned money to the school to purchase the Mackenzie Street site, and later Mrs Frew purchased the Horwoods Iron Foundry site and donated that back to the school so that they would have room to grow. We thank our modern benefactor, Mr Mackay, for his generous donations and look forward to watching our students enjoy the use of the Angus Mackay Pavilion for many years to come. 

Upcoming Athletics Carnival

Next Friday, our Junior School students will take part in the annual Junior School Athletics Carnival at the Bendigo Athletics Centre in Flora Hill. All of our students will be transported to the venue from school during the day. Our older students will travel out first thing in the morning, with our younger students coming out during the day. This year, our carnival will not finish until 4pm, so it is important that parents of bus travellers make alternative arrangements for their children to be collected. While we expect most parents will pick their children up from the Athletics Centre, there will be a bus travelling back to the school at 4pm for registered after-school care students. 

Mr Don Thompson 

Head of Junior School