Assistant Principals' Report

Rachel Robertson, Years 7 & 8

The cooler weather does not hamper our programs at Melbourne Girls’ College! Our Year 7 Wellbeing program continues to emphasise the practice of gratitude. Students have completed a gratitude envelope to keep their Wellbeing activities safe in their Social World Journal. You can extend these discussions at home by playing an A-Z gratitude game, where each family member identifies something that they are grateful for starting with each letter of the alphabet. For example, "I am grateful for (A) autumn leaves." Last week, our Year 7 students enjoyed a picnic, where they sat in groups, shared stories, and had snacks in the sunshine. It was a wonderful moment of connection and definitely something to be grateful for!

Year 8 students have had time to reconnect with their Junior Ambassador buddies from Orientation Day. With their Wellbeing teacher, they have been discussing how to identify different emotions and exploring their character strengths by completing a survey to identify their top strengths. You can find out more information about this program here: https://www.viacharacter.org/

Our Year 8 Learn to Row program started in Week 5. We are impressed with how students managed their first water-based training session and are excited to see how they progress throughout the season. Please remind your child to be cautious when making their way down to the pontoon, especially when crossing the bike/walking track.

This week, Year 8 students studying Mandarin visited the Chinese Museum in the city. They learned about Chinese mythology and symbolism and gained insight into 200 years of Chinese-Australian history.

Katherine Warriner, Years 9 & 10

Term 2 continues to be action-packed and full of events and activities. Our Year 10 students have been preparing resumes and cover letters and took part in Mock Interviews on Thursday 23rd May. The Outdoor Ed students attended a three-day hike at Mt Stirling and our Year 10 Event Management and Music students had the opportunity to attend a performance of Wicked. Year 9 students participated in ProActivity events on Thursday 23rd May and attended excursions to the Holocaust Museum and Melbourne Museum as part of their World of Ideas studies. Some students have attended excursions to the Aquarium and the Writer’s Festival. 

Many Year 9 and 10 students participated in the recent Dance Night and some will perform again on the 4th June in the Year 9 and 10 Performance Evening. These events are an opportunity for the students to experience performing in front of audiences other than their peers and we encourage parents to attend if you are available. 

Year 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in interviews to discuss the results from their Morrisby Profile over the next couple of weeks. This will help prepare them for the course selection process that will occur at the start of Term 3. Information about course selection for 2025 will be shared with parents in the coming weeks. 

Kate Nicholls, Years 11 & 12

We are pleased to announce that all students from Year 7 to Year 12 have successfully completed the Attitudes for School survey. This important initiative helps us gather valuable insights into students' perspectives on their educational experience, which in turn informs our ongoing efforts to enhance the learning environment and support student wellbeing. 

Our recent assembly for Year 11 and Year 12 students focused on the General Achievement Test (GAT) run 18th June and examination rules and expectations. This session provided crucial information to ensure that students are well-prepared and understand the requirements and standards for these important assessments. It was a valuable opportunity for students to ask questions and clarify any uncertainties they may have. Practice GATs are accessible on the VCAA website and Year 12 students will have the opportunity to see sample questions in their English and Math's classes leading up to the examination. 

Year 11 students are now starting the Career Action Plan in preparation for course counselling. This process is designed to help students reflect on their interests, strengths, and future aspirations, enabling them to make informed decisions about their subject choices and career pathways. We encourage students to engage fully with this process and seek advice from their teachers and counsellors. 

Excitement is building as Year 11 students have finalized their tables for the upcoming formal. This event promises to be a memorable occasion, celebrating the hard work and achievements of our students. We look forward to a night of fun, friendship, and festivities. 

Our Year 12 students will soon hear from an inspirational speaker as part of our well-being program. We believe this will be a highly beneficial experience for our students. 

It is a particularly busy period for our students as they undertake SACs and work towards the completion of Unit 3 and Unit 1. We commend all students for their dedication and hard work during this time and encourage them to continue striving for excellence in their studies.