Director of Learning and Teaching 

Knowledge is Power: A Timeless Truth for Today's Students

In our Senior School Assembly this week I explored the phrase ‘Knowledge is Power’ and offered an opportunity for students to consider how knowledge is built over time. 

The famous phrase "Knowledge is power" was first written by English philosopher Francis Bacon in 1597. Bacon believed that possessing and sharing knowledge form the foundation of influence and achievement. As a key figure in the Scientific Revolution, he championed observation, experimentation, and systematic data collection rather than simply accepting established authorities—laying the groundwork for modern scientific methods.

This powerful concept has resonated through history with influential leaders. Thomas Jefferson, America's third President and author of the Declaration of Independence, connected knowledge with safety and happiness when establishing state universities. He understood that education was essential for a thriving democracy.

More recently, Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, emphasised education as a fundamental human right and a crucial tool for development. He believed education empowers individuals and communities to reach their full potential, particularly highlighting its importance for women and girls in building a more just and equitable world.

However, the document raises an important question: why do historical accounts of knowledge primarily feature men, particularly from Western backgrounds? This invites us to consider whose contributions to human knowledge have been recognised and recorded throughout history.

For today's students, knowledge exists not just in classroom subjects but in every experience—from participating in school productions to playing team sports. These activities all contribute to our collective understanding through both facts and human interactions.

The challenge for current students is to remain curious about knowledge in all its forms and consider how they might contribute to our shared understanding, whether within their own communities or on a larger global stage.

Edge Excursion to Melbourne

This week I also had the wonderful opportunity to accompany a group of our students from our Edge Program to Melbourne for the Junior Thinkers Conference, held at Camberwell Grammar School. We spent the day having our minds well and truly stretched through a range of informative sessions, prompting us to consider a range of challenging and abstract concepts, as well as participating in discussions through collective inquiry and debate. 

Presented by Thriving Minds, the conference is designed for curious and gifted students to explore thought-provoking ideas across philosophy, science, and ethics. The conference featured interactive sessions on fundamental philosophical questions such as "What is truth?" and "What makes a good life?", discussions on freedom of speech, explorations of time and science, and debates about love's transformative power. It aims to develop independent thinkers and foster lifelong learning beyond the classroom.

Three of our students shared their thoughts on the day in Assembly, and I am very pleased to share them with you here. 

The Junior Thinkers Conference is an opportunity presented for students in the 2025 Edge program. This conference encourages students to broaden their thinking, question the past, present and future and have fun with their learning. Over the course of the day, the presenter made us question human consciousness and the presence of time and light speed throughout existence,  a topic which I struggled to understand but now have strong knowledge of. A highlight of the day for me was communicating with students from other schools  in small groups, whilst talking about freedom of speech in society. Thank you to Mrs Robertson for organising and guiding us through the day, it was a wonderful opportunity.

Grace Haldane, Year 8

We started the day off with a lecture about big philosophical questions. From questions like “does a snail have consciousness like us?” to the Fibonacci Sequence occurring though nature and even galaxies, it was certainly an interesting topic. We had different activities through the day, challenging us to think differently and to step out of our comfort zone. By the end of the day, we had talked about topics such as Einstein’s theory of relativity and does love truly conquer all? Our minds were stretched and worn, but we had all learnt a lot of things.

Kora Murray, Year 8

The Junior Thinkers Conference was an amazing trip, which allowed us to think about the big questions in philosophy. At the conference, meeting other students was a great way for us to break out of our comfort zones and share our ideas with other students. The ideas shared by students and teachers there fostered great questions about topics such as consciousness and the science of time. I would like to extend my gratitude to all the teachers and parents who made this trip possible. Although the drive was long, it was definitely worth it. 

Olivia Baulch, Year 7

I would particularly like to thank the parents and families who made the drive to Melbourne to support their children and others to attend this day, as without this, it would not have been possible. 

Semester Two Parent Teacher Interviews

A reminder that Semester Two Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 26 August and Wednesday, 27 August for Senior School families. These are held online, and bookings will open via PAM tomorrow, Friday 15 August at 12 pm. 

Bookings close on Friday, 22 August at 12 pm.