Melbourne Girls' College

Acting Principal's Report

As always, the end of the year brings with it an incredibly busy period at Melbourne Girls’ College. It is a great opportunity to reflect on the year that was and celebrate the milestones and achievements of our students throughout the year. 

 

Year 12 VCE exams concluded on Wednesday 15 November. I would like to congratulate all Year 12 students (as well as any Year 11 students completing a Unit 3/4 subject), for the way in which they have conducted themselves during this challenging period. The VCE Study Centre and library have been very busy indeed, and it has been wonderful to see so many students onsite seeking support from their teachers, clarifying last-minute concepts, and seeking feedback on practice exams. Students have demonstrated an unwavering commitment and diligence in their preparation, not only during the exam period but also throughout this final semester, which is truly commendable. Now, as we await the release of VCE results in the coming weeks, we do so with a sense of anticipation and pride in their efforts.

 

I would also like to recognise our Year 10 and 11 students who have undertaken their exams over the last two weeks. We hope the hard work and dedication to their study has made it all a worthwhile experience. To all our Year 10s, we wish them the best of luck as they begin their Work Experience placements and first-hand experience of work outside of school and home!

 

On Tuesday 21 November, we had the pleasure of coming together at Plaza Ballroom for our Presentation Evening. This marked a significant moment as we celebrated academic and special awards, along with captivating performances in choir, aerobics and poetry, to name a few. It was made even more special this year with the addition of the Orchestra, Jazz, Junior and Senior Rock bands. I would like to congratulate our award winners and performers on the night and the wonderful team of staff who made the event possible.

The 414 Squadron – Melbourne Girls’ College has had a big year with a wide variety of events, from the Survival camp as part of the Winter Bivouac, to dancing the night away at the 414 SQN Ball. They won the title of Squadron of the Year which is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to Ava Hardwidge for being awarded Most Proficient Cadet in Aerial Activities, Al Pilepich for being one of 30 cadets in the country to successfully attain the Adventure Training Award, and Maya Garret for receiving a Gold Commendation for being the Dux of their Executive Leadership course.

 

It has also been a BIG year in the STEAM area in 2023, with the construction of Emgee, our giant robot, and participation in our first competition. This has also led to the development of our new robotics workshop. Our teams have had great successes in biomechanics, entrepreneurship, cyber security and engineering, culminating in an Engineering Excellence Award at the recent Lego League competition. 

 

What an outstanding year for Interschool Sport performances and achievements! Our students demonstrated remarkable levels of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship across all year levels. A few highlights include:

  • Under 18 freestyle team winning the State Swimming Championships
  • The success of students participating in various events at the State Track and Field Championships 
  • The Year 8 Hockey Team being named State Runners-up

I must also congratulate Sophie Hart, our Environment Captain, who won the Victorian Environment Friends Network ‘Young Best Friend Award’ earlier this month for all her involvement and making a difference with the local environment. 

 

Last night I had the privilege of attending the Aerobics Presentation Evening. This was a great night to acknowledge all the efforts of our aerobics students across the year, including the recent Nationals Championships. Congratulations to the Aerobics Team and big thank you to the coaches for their wonderful support. 

 

It would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful teaching and Educational Support staff (ES). To our teachers, we are so grateful for your dedication, care, attention to detail, and tireless support for getting the best outcomes for our students. To our ES staff, thank you for all your work behind the scenes supporting teaching staff and students – it is integral to the smooth running of the school, and we couldn’t do our job without you!

 

The Principal Team would like to thank all members of the College Council for their guidance, insight, and commitment to our school community. It has been a pleasure to work with them this year.

 

We are excited to welcome Katherine Warriner to the Principal Team next year. She will be joining us from the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES). With over 20 years’ experience in co-educational and single-sex schools, she will be a wonderful addition to our team.

 

Next year, the Principal Team will consist of:

  • Tamy Stubley (Principal)
  • Rachel Robertson (Years 7 and 8)
  • Renee Liprino (Years 9 and 10)
  • Katherine Warriner (Years 11 and 12)

Finally, I would like to thank our parent and carer community. You play a fundamental role in supporting our young people. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and care. The strong partnership between home and school is essential in supporting our young people through all the twists and turns along the way.

 

Rachel Robertson

Acting Principal