Principal's Report

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to term 4! I hope you enjoyed the term break with your daughters and managed some time together.

Congratulations

Ms. Linda Brown

Congratulations to our wonderful colleague, Linda Brown, who has been appointed the new principal of Mentone Girls’ Secondary College from 26 October, 2016. We will miss Linda a great deal but we are all very proud of her many achievements at MGC. We know Linda will be an excellent principal and wish her every success.

Congratulations Ms. Tip Kennedy

Linda’s appointment sees another opportunity and our great MGC colleague, Ms. Tip Kennedy is appointed as acting Assistant Principal for 2017.

Environment Team Student Conference, The Great Barrier Grief

Andrew Vance and his team of inspirational students lead a conference for eleven schools and community stakeholders on Friday 9th September. The conference stimulated thought and discussion to inspire our future leaders on tackling the many “wicked” problems based on climate change. Our MGC parent, Climarte CEO and Sustainability Collective colleague Bronwyn Johnson wrote, “I loved the way you had the students taking the lead in all presentations - gives us adults hope for the future!”  

Congratulations Andrew and all of the students, staff and parents involved.

Anna Burke,

Principal for a Day

We were fortunate to host the former Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Anna Burke as Principal for a Day on 8th September. Anna spent the day with staff and students, in strategy meetings and sharing lunch. Anna inspired the girls with her life story, particularly in politics, social justice and community service. We did ask her if, as Principal, she would like to conduct a fire drill for the entire school but she declined! Anna’s thoughts on the day –  “I had a great time being Principal for a Day at your magic school, staff, kids were a great buzz - you could feel the enthusiasm for learning. Hope you all have a terrific break over the holidays and your vision for the school is embraced and shared. I will be sending a great report to program organisers about my experience.”

Leading Asia Capable Schools Shanghai Tour

During the term break I travelled to Shanghai with the Victorian Department of Education and Training as one of the eleven schools across the State participating in the Leading Asia Capable Schools initiative. We met with Chinese educational and business leaders who gave us a lens into their 21st century thinking and entrepreneurship. The teaching of Chinese first and second language, links with Melbourne and Hanban Universities as a Confucius Classroom and the many international connections of our staff illustrate the readiness of MGC for this initiative. The work now is in revising and designing learning programs based on the engagement skills and capabilities student will require to be future leaders in this area. 

“An internationally-oriented education will build students’ resilience by providing a greater sense of belonging in a global future, and will have a positive impact on social cohesion and respect for diversity. It will also build critical and creative thinking through exposure to different cultures and ideas, and grow pride in our government schools. 

The road to achieving this is long term proposition, but if we start now, it will place Victorian ahead of other states and territories in preparing our students for a global future.” DET Secretary, Gill Callister 29/9/16.

 

Parents’ Association - Massive Recycled Designer Sale

Thank you to our Parents’ Association, Sylvia Segon, Jo Lindsay, Gailean Hammond and team for conducting the sale on 11 September and fostering the community spirit involved. It was great to catch up with parents and the girls beside the Yarra and whilst hunting for treasure amidst the great designer clothes. 

 

We wish all the best for our Year 12 students who are preparing for exams. It it their time to  savour walking the halls and creating their own special memories of MGC in these last few weeks.

Best regards,

Karen