The Girton eLink

From the Principal

Last week, we wrapped up the winter season at Girton with a series of fun but meaningful activities that were woven together by the common thread of community and connection. 

 

On Wednesday, we hosted the annual House Singing Competition, a highly anticipated event for both students and staff in our Senior School. From Broadway ballads to the Backstreet Boys, the audience was entertained with lively performances, creative choreography and, most importantly, an unmistakable sense of House pride. Much like our swimming and athletics carnivals, this event is more than a competition for our students – it’s about joining in, raising their voices as one, and creating lasting memories. This is truly Girton at its best. 

 

The sense of community spirit continued into Thursday with our RUOK? Day celebrations, which saw us come together to recognise the potentially life-changing impact we can have through a seemingly simple conversation. During an extended lunch in Senior School, students and staff connected over a hotly contested Staff vs Year 12 netball game and a BBQ. This event provides a powerful reminder that what we see on the surface doesn’t always mirror what a person is experiencing behind the scenes, which is why it’s essential to check in with those around us and take regular opportunities to show we care. 

 

The week ended on Friday with a very special visit from Old Girtonian and Olympic silver medallist, Jenna Strauch. It was surreal to have her with us after watching her glide across the pool in Paris just weeks ago, where she earned her silver medal in the breaststroke leg of the women’s 4 x 100-metre medley relay. I’m sure our students will agree that Jenna is a true role model – not only because of her talent and dedication but also her kind and generous nature. 

 

You can read more about Jenna’s visit later in this edition of eLink. However, what struck me most was the way she reflected not only on her triumphs but also on the significant setbacks she’s faced along her journey. She shared that she has learnt to embrace the way challenges shape her rather than fear them, and she urged our Year 12 students – who are immersed in their final assessments and exam preparation – to embrace this demanding moment of their lives. Ultimately, the lessons they learn and the friendships they forge as they navigate this challenge will set them up to progress in whichever pathway they choose.  

 

Of course, as they approach their final weeks of school, it’s only natural that our Year 12 students might experience heightened levels stress and anxiety, and many of our parents may be wondering how they can offer support while respecting their autonomy. I recently came across an article in The Conversation that offers some excellent practical tips parents can employ in helping their children navigate the rigours of assessments and exams, which I wanted to share: 

  • Promote focus over multitasking: Encourage your child to focus on one task or subject at a time in a calm, quiet study environment, as constantly switching between tasks can reduce concentration and slow progress.   
     
  • Study smarter, not harder: Encouraging your child to use active study strategies, such as completing practice tests or explaining concepts to you in their own words, can improve knowledge recall. Additionally, advising your child to review smaller portions of each subject multiple times each week is more effective for memory retrieval than cramming in one long session.   
     
  • Prioritise sleep: Sleep is critical for consolidating learning and strengthening memory pathways. Helping your child establish a consistent sleep schedule and emphasising the link between sleep and learning can have a significant impact.  
     
  • Maintain perspective: Studies show that when parents take a calm approach to exams, their children are more likely to do the same. Encourage your child to balance their studies with staying connected to their friends and family, and try to emphasise the benefits of calm and consistent study rather than the potential consequences of not doing well. 

I hope these tips are helpful not only for the parents of our VCE students, but for all Girton parents and carers supporting their children through their academic journey. Of course, sometimes the simplest actions can be the most effective, so let us not overlook the steps promoted on RUOK? Day when supporting our children. We can make a real difference by regularly checking in, actively listening and letting them know we care.  

 

As we now progress into spring and the final weeks of Term 3, there is still plenty of activity taking place at Girton. This week, we began construction on our Junior School Covered Outdoor Learning Area, which Mr Don Thompson will expand on in the Head of Junior School report. Next week, we will celebrate Grandparents and Special Friends Day in our Junior School and stage our Girton Art Exhibition, titled ‘BLOOM’, at the Bendigo Town Hall. I am very much looking forward to spending time with our parents and carers at the opening night event, for which tickets are now available. And finally, we will close out the term with our highly anticipated sell-out Middle School Production of Frozen.  

 

I look forward to seeing you at one of these exciting upcoming events, and until then, I wish you a wonderful weekend with your family. 

 

Dr Emma O’Rielly

Principal