Deputy Principal 

My inspiration for this week’s newsletter is from the success of the Australian female athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris. Sport is filled with stories of inspiration and these games have been a ‘game changer’ for current and future women in sport.

But first, take a moment to view this image. Created and inspired at the 2024 Baltimore conference for the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, I hope you find a statement or two that affirms your choice to send your young person to a school that is dedicated to the education of girls through purposeful pedagogy and extra-curricular programs that engage minds and enliven hearts. 

We are also aware that an environment that is filled with young women does not always go well.  If it did, books like ‘Queen Bees and Wannabes’ would never need to be written. When the sisterhood turns on itself, Mt A draw on inspiration wherever we can find it to remind our young people how powerful they can be when they back each other.

Look at the success of our female athletes!  At the time of writing, 23 of the 35 medals were won by women. Australia’s most successful ever Olympian is now a woman. When you consider the historical barriers to entry for women in sport, we are watching a new history unfold before our eyes.

And this:

Female athletes are winning off the podium too—by showing up for, speaking out in support of, and fangirling over each other—no matter the country, game, or score. At a time when the whole world feels divided on almost everything, watching rivals become BFFs reminds us of the healing power of good sportsmanship—and what women are capable of achieving when they are not being pitted against each other.

Minutaglio, R. (2024, August 5). At the Girlympics, everyone’s a winner. Elle. 

https://www.elle.com/culture/news-politics/a44712345/girlympics-2024-paris-olympics/

While Olympic qualification and the city of Paris may seem so out of reach, we have local opportunities to empower our young people too.  On Tuesday evening, our College, House and Portfolio Captains were invited to a student leadership soiree. Hosted by Mary Mackillop Colllege, Nundah, the event was in honour of the feast day of Australia’s only saint and whom the school is named after. Seniors across several Catholic girls’ schools were in attendance. The keynote address was from Erin Bollmann.  

Her basketball credentials are impressive as a USA NCAA Division 1 player; working in the NBA G League as a coaching associate with the Santa Cruz Warriors; and most recently Brisbane’s NBL1 Northside Wizards Defensive Player of the Year. Erin’s advice was delivered with such enthusiasm. Her ‘Seven lessons of life through the game’ aligns perfectly with the Educational Wellbeing goals at Mt A:

1. Build your boat – start from within

When navigating a boat through rough seas, we can yell and scream all we want at the water for making the boat rock and sway, but nothing will change. The water keeps coming. Erin encourages us to make ‘our boat’ stronger to ensure we can sail into unchartered waters without fear or fuss. 

2. Be your best friend

Oh, more of this, Erin! Stop the negative talk and be kind to yourself for the good things you do.  All of it! When something good happens, stop and acknowledge it with pride. See it in those around you as well.

3. Fuel your body and mind

Garbage in, garbage out.  Good stuff in.  Good stuff out. Eat well. Take breaks. Sleep well. Put the phone down. Read. Play sport. Be active.

4. Accountability breeds accountability

The ‘little’ rules of life (like the rules we have here at Mt A) sets the tone for accountability now and later in life. People who meet deadlines and hold themselves accountable tend to progress the fastest in their chosen professions and have higher levels of self-esteem.

5. The feeling of fear means to keep going forward

There is no greater force for hitting ‘pause’ or ‘stop’ than the feeling of fear. Erin reminded students of her time in basketball (and life) when things were just plain hard. With fear, things are difficult but possible. With avoidance, nothing changes.  Choose fear and find your support.

6. Be a great teammate

What do you think is going to happen if I shout at a teammate, ‘Hey, why didn’t you pass me the ball?’ The teammate will be defensive, and the situation is combative. A better approach: ‘My bad. I should have called for the ball.’  The teammate: ‘Hey, all good. I’ll listen out for you.’  This brilliant basketball analogy reminds us all of the way we frame things if we want to move forward positively with those around us.  Words matter. Back your teammates and your cheer leaders.

7. Pass. It. On.

Pay these six lessons forward. Teach others. 

As Paris 2024 draws to a close, take moments at the dinner table over the coming nights to talk about the highs and lows of Olympics with your young people.  What has inspired you? Talk about the moments when the women in sport backed each other. Your work at home and our work here will ensure our young people are constantly inspired and looking for ways to support each other.