Dear Members of the MGC Community,

After over 5 years as principal of our exemplary Melbourne Girls’ College I will be taking on an acting position as a Senior Education Improvement Leader for terms two to four 2020 with the Department of Education and Training.

Our very experienced and stable team will continue their exemplary work in learning, leadership, STEAM, Visible Wellbeing and community engagement. Knowing the girls are in safe hands has made the very difficult decision to work in a new role a little easier. Each of you have taught me lessons in leadership, humanity and good humour, thank you, I am so grateful.

I will be here until 12 April to ensure a smooth handover to the acting principal. This role is currently advertised by the Department and will close on 15 March.

I look forward to returning with new learnings and experience to benefit our students, staff and families in future.

Again, with gratitude and very best wishes,

Karen

International Women’s Day (IWD)

The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”, highlighting that equality in all areas of life is best for all parts of society.

Professor Fabienne Mackay PhD, FAHMS, Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, was the speaker at our own Melbourne Girls’ College IWD celebration on 3 March in The Gillard Centre. Professor Mackay’s address was an inspirational insight into how childhood experiences can lead young women into their future life’s work. Fabienne spoke with such intellect and warmth about her work and research but then looked at how highly successful women manage family as well. Truly inspirational for all who attended. Many thanks to Stephanie Valencia who organised the event and liaised with Fabienne’s office at the University of Melbourne. Thank you to Beth Barrass and Glenn Holland who ensured the night ran smoothly and were our front of house for hospitality, and to Anthony Keen and Trevor Howlett for digital and sound set up.

On Wednesday 26 February, Richmond Rotary hosted “A Celebration of Inspirational Women” in the Gillard Centre. Thank you to Stephanie Valencia, our College Captains, Veronique Villis, Lucy Vogel, Ophelia Murray and all of our hard working staff for ensuring this community event was an enormous success.

Thank you to Ella McDonald for all of her work on International Women’s Day activities. On 11 March Ella and I will accompany our students to the Alliance of Girls’ Schools annual IWD breakfast held in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House. The speaker, Yvette Arnott, Assistant Principal of The Mac Robertson Girls’ High School will speak about her leadership journey.

Our own students have been studying aspects of women in leadership in Year 10 Media. I was interviewed by Prishita and Alicia who were interested in the following questions:

Women are outnumbered and underrepresented in leadership positions across Australia, is this the same in the education sector?
Did this have an impact on your decision to become a female leader to help break the stereotype?
What qualities make for a good leader?
How has your leadership position impacted your family life - or has it?
Growing up, were you part of any other leadership roles while you were at school or before you became a principal?
Were there any particular female leaders that inspired you to follow in their steps?
What does it mean (to you) to be a female leader?
Since you first started pursuing leadership roles, do you think the world has evolved to appreciate women who want to apply for these leadership positions?
Would you be resistant to being a leader of a male-dominated place?
How long do you think it will take for men and women to be equally represented in leadership roles?
What advice would you give to young girls, wanting to be a successful leader?
What advice would you give to your teenage self?

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In development phase – a Centre for Higher Education Studies on the Melbourne High School site

We are currently in discussion with the Victorian School Building Authority, Melbourne High School, The Mac Robertson Girls’ High School, Prahran High School and Richmond High School on the design of a centre for highly able students. The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the education of Gifted and Talented Students (2012) provides a basis for the rationale. It is anticipated that the Centre will act as an exemplar in the teaching of high academic ability students and through its programs assist in developing systemic capacity to meet the DET Student Excellence and Education State Learning for Life outcomes which target an increase in the percentage of students attaining the highest levels of achievement. I will keep you informed as this work progresses.

School Council Information

It is with pleasure I announce the 2020-2021 School Council:

Students

India Warren-Smith, Year 11

Charlie Young, Year 12

Parents

Emmy Andriotis parent of Nicky in Year 7

Steve Baile parent of Sara in Year 7 and Sienna in Year 11

Adam Berin, parent of Aleyna in Year 7

Raechel Forster, parent of Abigail in Year 9

Heather Pritchard, parent of Elizabeth in Year 10

Vicki Sharp, parent of Maddie and Lizzy in Year 9

Staff

Patricia Sklavakis

Hamish Thomas

Community Members

Caroline Milburn, parent of Charlotte in Year 11

Kristina Popova, alumni and lawyer at Deloitte Australia

Sonia Sharp, parent of Thea in Year 12

Executive Officer

Karen Money

A reminder of 2020 Student Free Days approved by School Council:

Friday, 24th April, 2020 – Curriculum Review
Friday, 12th June 2020 - Assessment, Reporting and Planning
Monday 10th August 2020 – Curriculum Review

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