Learning, Leading and Looking Ahead

Term 3 is an important and energising time at Melbourne Girls’ College. It is a term when the work of the year gathers momentum and when we begin to see the impact of sustained effort, strong relationships and high expectations for learning. Across the College, our focus remains firmly on ensuring that every student is known, challenged and supported to grow, and that every member of staff continues to strengthen their practice in pursuit of the best possible outcomes for our students.

Term 3 has particular significance across Years 7 to 12. Our Year 7 students are now well established in secondary school and developing increasing confidence and independence as learners. Years 8 and 9 continue to deepen their knowledge, skills and sense of themselves as learners, while Year 10 students are making important decisions and preparing for the increased expectations of their senior years. Our Year 11 students are consolidating the habits and skills required for their final year of schooling, and for our Year 12 students, this term represents a particularly important stage as they complete their final units, prepare for examinations and begin looking towards life beyond MGC.

Across every year level, the message is the same: keep learning, keep growing and keep challenging yourself to take the next step. Our role as a College is to create the conditions, opportunities and support that enable every student to do exactly that.

I am delighted to share that four outstanding members of the MGC staff have been recognised through the Rotary Excellence Awards for their exceptional dedication and contribution to education.

Congratulations to:

Teaching Excellence Award – Zoe Gurr

Outstanding STEAM Award – Ken Callegari

Outstanding Education Support Staff Award – Mei Francis

Outstanding Leadership Award – Anne Corry

These awards are wonderful recognition of the commitment, expertise and care that Zoe, Ken, Mei and Anne bring to their work, and of the positive impact they have on our students, colleagues and broader College community.

They will be formally acknowledged at an upcoming Rotary Presentation Evening, and we look forward to celebrating this very well-deserved recognition with them. We are incredibly proud to have them as part of the MGC community.

We are currently undertaking a review of the MGC Uniform Policy. A working party has been established and is actively gathering feedback from students, staff, parents and carers, while considering a range of options and perspectives.

This work will inform recommendations that will be presented to School Council for consideration at the appropriate stage of the review. I encourage everyone across our community to lean into this opportunity and have your say. Constructive feedback from our community is an important part of ensuring our Uniform Policy continues to reflect the needs, expectations and diversity of the MGC community.

In the coming weeks, Rachel Robertson, Assistant Principal, will commence maternity leave. Rachel is a highly valued member of our Principal Team and College community, and we wish her all the very best as she takes this special time to be with her family.

While Rachel is on leave, I am very pleased to welcome Sascha Surgey to Melbourne Girls’ College and to our Principal Team. Sascha will take on the role of Assistant Principal during Rachel’s absence and brings valuable experience and leadership to the College. We look forward to welcoming Sascha into the MGC community and supporting her as she settles into the role.

I know our students, staff and families will join me in wishing Rachel and her family every happiness for the months ahead, while also extending a very warm MGC welcome to Sascha.

It is also an exciting time as we begin planning for the next stage of development of the MGC precinct. The MGC Council has commenced discussions and planning for a significant new building project.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, we envisage the development of a new learning building on the site currently occupied by the portable classrooms near the netball courts. This represents an exciting opportunity to create contemporary, purpose-designed learning spaces that will support our students and staff well into the future.

B2 Architecture is working closely with MGC and the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to help bring this project to life. Together, we are beginning to shape a vision for the space and consider how the new facilities can best support the future learning needs of our College.

There is considerable planning ahead, and we look forward to keeping our community informed as the design develops and the project progresses.

As we move further into Term 3, I encourage every student to continue to approach their learning with purpose, curiosity and determination, and every member of our community to remain connected to the work of the College. Whether through learning, feedback, participation or contribution, we all have a role to play in helping MGC continue to grow and improve.

Tamy Stubley

Melbourne Girls' College Principal