From the Principal

Today’s Senior School Swimming Carnival was emblematic of the energy and enthusiasm that has defined our return to Girton over the past fortnight. And with the spell of hot weather continuing, the pool was certainly the place to be! While Jenkin House emerged victorious in the Swimming Cup and Jones triumphed in the Spirit Cup, what stood out most was the camaraderie, participation and spirit on display among members of every House. As they cheered, swam and supported one another, they embodied the collaborative mindset and positive outlook that will set them up for success in the year ahead.  

Indeed, our sporting carnivals – and the sporting world more broadly – offer valuable lessons as we embark on the new school year. After a thrilling summer of cricket (or so I’m told!), Minister Andy Ellis and our School Captains, Nandini Gangaram and Harvey Lakey, took inspiration from the Boxing Day Test for their respective start-of-term assembly addresses. Drawing parallels between a test match and the year ahead, they emphasised how teamwork, resilience and optimism will enable us to navigate any tricky deliveries and challenging conditions that come our way. 

In my own assembly address, I shared my hopes for 2025, which I am calling Girton’s ‘Year of Mattering’ – a theme inspired by the powerful address delivered by last year’s School Captain, Charlotte Bett, at our Speech Night events. I was struck by Charlotte’s heartfelt description of Girton as a place where mattering matters – a sentiment I share wholeheartedly. My own exploration of the concept of ‘mattering’ led me to the work of Dr Isaac Prilleltensky, a leading researcher in the field, who describes mattering as: ‘Having the opportunity to both add value and feel valued’. As shown in Dr Prilleltensky’s diagram below, he believes we derive our sense of value from four key aspects of our lives: ourselves, our relationships, our work or school, and our community. At the same time, we create value by contributing to those same areas. By actively seeking ways to add value, we can reinforce our own sense of purpose – meaning we all have the power to create a positive cycle of mattering. 

Building on Girton’s culture of mattering is our shared challenge for 2025. For our students, we offer many ways to make meaningful contributions – whether it’s through our co-curricular program, community service initiatives, leadership roles, or our various platforms for student voice. But just as important are our students' small, everyday actions, which could be as simple as offering a friendly smile to a new student, wearing their uniform with pride, caring for our school grounds, or investing in their learning and development.  

As parents and carers, we too can add immense value – whether it’s by volunteering with the Girton Parents and Friends Association (GPF) or Friends of Junior School (FOJS), collaborating with school staff to deliver the best outcomes for our young people (a topic that will be covered in Monday’s From Conflict to Collaboration seminar), or simply connecting with fellow parents at school events. Regarding the latter, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who attended last week’s Senior School Welcome to Girton Evening and this week’s Junior School Meet the Teacher Evening. The exceptional turnout at both events echoed the excited energy I felt among our students at the carnival today, and is a testament to the strength of our community. A special thank you to the GPF and FOJS for hosting these evenings and for their ongoing dedication to our school. If you are not yet involved, I encourage you to consider joining – your contributions make a real difference. 

As we embark on the promising school year ahead, I want to express my gratitude for the many ways you contribute to Girton as a member of our parent community. Your support, involvement and presence are instrumental in making this school the vibrant and nurturing environment it is. I hope the remainder of your term is just as energising as these first two weeks, and I wish you an enjoyable weekend ahead. 

Dr Emma O’Rielly 

Principal