From the Principal

While 2023 still has a considerable way to go, now is the time our focus shifts towards planning for the success of the upcoming year. At Girton, we've already been engaged in this preparation over recent weeks, conducting information events for students entering Years 9, 10 and 11 in 2024. Additionally, before the month concludes, we're set to provide another vital transition experience – Imagine Day – to warmly welcome our incoming Year 7 students, both from our Junior School and primary schools throughout the region.

These occasions play a crucial role in helping our students prepare for the future. We deliberately hold them early to alleviate any concerns about the unknown, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable transition. The changes our students encounter during transitions – be it moving from Junior to Senior School, embarking on VCE studies, or preparing for final exams and post-school life – are significant. Adjusting to new teachers, classmates, buildings and routines adds to the shifts they are experiencing in their emotional, mental and physical development. These changes might naturally trigger some anxiety that can be challenging to navigate, not just for the students, but also for their parents and caregivers.

During our VCE Information Evening, Mr Glynn Chambers, one of our school psychologists, highlighted a vital parental role in helping children navigate their senior years – that of being an active listener rather than a problem-solver. Although the impulse to offer practical advice can be strong, it's important to prioritise listening over speaking. By allowing young people to express their emotions and encouraging them to devise solutions to their problems, we can help to foster their resilience and independence.

Parents and carers can also support their children by helping them establish a healthy routine that balances sleep (aiming for 8–10 hours per night), social interactions, studies and co-curricular activities. Additionally, it's essential to look out for any behavioural changes, such as irritability, headaches, sleep disturbances, concentration difficulties, or shifts in social habits. If you are concerned about your child's wellbeing, please reach out to their House Tutor or Head of House for assistance or referrals to counselling services at 65 Wattle.

In our Junior School, it's been heartening to see our Year 5 students excel as Restorative Peer Mediators (RPMs). This program, initiated last week, involves the RPMs helping younger children manage any issues that arise in the playground. Similar to the active listening approach I mentioned earlier, RPMs refrain from instructing or advising, focusing instead on guiding younger students to discover their own solutions. Their training with Kristy Elliot from Restorative Pathways, which leverages the emotional intelligence skills developed through our RULER approach, has been impressive. The RPM program's potential to bolster resilience in our younger students and leadership skills in our Year 5 students is truly exciting.

The School's energy is palpable as our Music Department prepares for the upcoming Ensembles Spectacular next week, which will see the Senior School grace the Ulumbarra stage on Tuesday evening, followed by the Junior School on Wednesday. The dedication of our students and teachers is commendable, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing their performances. For those interested, tickets are available at bendigoregion.com.au. Next week we will also be holding the Girton Science Fair on Thursday evening from 5pm. Families are invited to come along to see work from our budding scientists in the Junior and Senior School, as well as try out our new Lumination Learning Lab and see a show performed by the Discovery Centre. I look forward to seeing you at one of next week's events, or at one of the many others coming up this term!

Dr Emma O'Rielly 

Principal