From the Principal

Investing in the people and places that matter most

One of the things I am most proud of at Girton Grammar is the calibre of the people who work here. So I am pleased to share that we have commenced negotiations with our staff and the Independent Education Union (IEU) on a new Enterprise Agreement, with our current agreement due to expire this year. Two productive meetings have already taken place, and I am confident we have the right people at the table, and that the conversations ahead will reflect the value our staff bring to this community every day.

The quality of a Girton education rests, above all else, on the quality of our people. Our teachers bring hard-earned qualifications and experience, and equally, genuine dedication to the students in their care. Girton has always believed that great teachers have choices, and that if we want the best people choosing us, we need to demonstrate that we value them accordingly. A well-supported teaching profession is one that attracts people who are well-educated and truly care about young people, and that matters deeply to all of us.

Following the release of the 2026–27 Victorian State Budget, the State Government has announced a refinement to payroll tax obligations for non-government schools. From 1 July 2026, schools with income per student up to $16,397 will be exempt from payroll tax, an increase on the previous threshold, with annual indexation to follow. We welcome this development and are pleased to confirm that Girton currently sits within the exempt threshold. 

Our position is, however, one we continue to monitor carefully. This is one of the reasons I have been actively engaging, and will continue to do so, with the Hon. Maree Edwards MP, member for Bendigo West and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, to advocate on behalf of our school community. Every decision we make, on staffing, buildings and operations, is made with a careful eye on what is sustainable over the long term.

On the subject of buildings, as many of you will know, the unexpected order to demolish the John E Higgs Hall in the Junior School required us to rethink the sequencing of our 10-year Master Plan. At the same time, construction has begun on the former Paul Sadler Swimland site on Vine Street, which will become our new Senior School Languages building and provide much-needed additional classrooms for our senior students. Inflation has significantly impacted the construction sector, as it has so many others, and we are approaching every aspect of our building programme with careful planning and financial decisions that will deliver lasting value for our community.

Perhaps the most heartening signal of all this, is that Girton is currently experiencing record enrolments, with waitlists across many year levels stretching several years ahead. This is a powerful affirmation of the confidence our community places in us, and it is a direct reflection of the remarkable staff who make this school what it is.

Thank you, as always, for the trust you place in Girton Grammar. We will continue to keep you informed as key developments unfold.

Dr Emma O'Rielly

Principal