From the Head of Senior School

This week I am writing this article while attending the Year 9 CUE Experience in Melbourne. Girton’s Camp Program provides the opportunity for students to experience positive interactions with both peers and teachers, develop new friendships, deepen existing bonds, disconnect from technology, develop new skills, and push themselves out of their comfort zone. Additionally, through the organised activities, Camps enable the building of independence, resilience and confidence, physical fitness, and further connections between teachers and students.

Our Camps Program also provides benefits for teachers, with the chance to get to know students outside of a normal classroom environment. As teachers, we see the “magic moments” that we may not experience in the classroom, such as students showing gratitude or thanks to their group members for organising the booking of a restaurant for dinner.

The last two weeks of this Term have been busy on many fronts. Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Year 7 Girton Experience with new and existing families. The evening was a great success with parents joining in the activities designed for their child to experience a small taste of a typical Year 7 lesson or activity.

Last week I also had the opportunity to attend and assist at my first Senior School Athletics Carnival; another wonderful example of observing students working together as a team and embracing their House spirit.

As we near the end of Term 1, I have been reviewing our current policies in terms of student behaviour and related issues. Our first amendment to Girton’s Mobile Phone Policy will be enacted in Term 2 and will be communicated with students and parents at the start of Term. The new amendments take into account all mobile devices, including smartwatches and earbuds. Our overall aim is to ensure that learning is maximised to its full potential in every classroom, and that assessment integrity is maintained at all times. In addition, the safety of our students when moving between classes, especially when walking on Vine Street or Wattle Street is of utmost importance. Students using phones and wearing earbuds, headphones, or other devices will be told to remove or hand in their device and a breach issued. We ask that parents and carers support the new amendments when they come into effect next term.

Finally, I wish to extend my thanks to all of our staff who have worked tirelessly in the classroom with our students this Term, to staff going the extra mile supporting their students on Camp this week, and to all of our administration and maintenance staff who work behind the scenes every day to ensure the School runs smoothly.

I would like to wish you all a wonderful Easter break and look forward to working with our students next Term.

Ms Dawn Davis

Head of Senior School