From the Principal

As Term 2 unfolds and the autumn leaves begin to fall, it certainly feels as though we are entering a new phase of the school year. Already this term, it has been wonderful to see our students coming into their own as they embrace the many opportunities we offer at Girton to help them grow in both knowledge and character. 

‘Character’ can be a somewhat abstract and overused term – particularly within a school setting – so in my address at last week’s start-of-term assembly, I took the opportunity to unpack what ‘good character’ really means with our students. Often, we associate it with a long list of admirable traits that, no matter how hard we might try, seem impossible for any one person to embody all the time. Some – like confidence and humility – can even seem oppositional. 

Rather than striving to tick off a checklist of traits, many great thinkers – from ancient philosophers to modern psychologists – suggest that good character is less about how many virtues we possess and more about how we ‘live’ them. It’s about consistently showing up as our true selves – guided by the positive values that resonate with us most deeply – no matter where we are or who we’re with. To illustrate this idea, I shared a very old tale with the students: The Ring of Gyges, penned by the Greek philosopher Plato. 

In this story, a humble shepherd in the service of the King of Lydia happens upon a golden ring, which he soon discovers gives the wearer the power of invisibility. Realising the ring enables him to go anywhere, take what he wants and get away with anything, that is exactly what he does. He gains admission to the royal palace by becoming a messenger to the king and, once inside, uses the ring to move around undetected, ultimately committing acts of betrayal and seizing the throne for himself.  

Plato used this story to raise an interesting question, which I in turn posed to our students: If no one could see you, and you could act without consequence, would you still do the right thing? Or, like the shepherd, would you do whatever you wanted, simply because you could? Plato believed this is the ultimate test of our character, suggesting that we show true virtue when we do the right thing not because we fear punishment or desire recognition, but because it reflects who we truly are. 

I believe this ancient tale is especially relevant today, because in many ways the modern world gives us something akin to that ring. The internet, social media, anonymous comments, private messages and disappearing content can all create the illusion that what we do or say doesn’t have consequences – that we are, in effect, invisible. But as we know, every action does have a consequence and ultimately says something about our character.  

Through the programs and opportunities we offer at Girton, we aim to help every student uncover their own personal strengths and values, and build the resilience and confidence to stay true to them in every choice they make – in the classroom and in the schoolyard, in public and in ‘private’, when it’s easy and when it’s challenging. That is how true character is built.  

Looking back on the past fortnight, it has certainly been filled with character-building moments. At last week’s Anzac Day services, at school and in the community, I was filled with pride seeing our students carry themselves with such maturity and respect. Yesterday’s Senior School Cross-Country was another highlight, and it was heartening to see students not only running but walking, cheering and assisting on the course to earn participation points towards the House Cup.  

There is still so much to look forward to this term, including an event-filled weekend ahead. In addition to this evening’s Twilight Movie Night, hosted by our wonderful parent associations, and casting my vote in the federal election, on Saturday evening I am excited to witness 11 of our students make live radio contact with astronaut Takuya Onishi as he orbits more than 400km above the Earth on the International Space Station. Combined with next week’s Junior School Athletics Carnival and Foundation Day, it will no doubt be another memorable fortnight.  

It has been a delight to welcome our students, staff and families back to Girton for Term 2, and I look forward to seeing you at one of the many events taking place this term. 

Dr Emma O’Rielly 

Principal