Principal's Report
Space Camp
Wendy and Tony Keen, Emily Rochette and nineteen of our STEAM-ready girls headed off to the US on Saturday 16th September. The girls are looking forward to attending the NASA program in Huntsville, Alabama but the excitement of Disney World and the Epcot Centre were also central to the many smiling faces near the departure lounge.
Chinese Teacher Day Celebrations
On Friday 8th September Ms PingPing Elliott, our Confucius Classroom Leader and I attended the Chinese Teacher Day Celebrations hosted in the Chinese Consulate, Toorak. It was a privilege to be asked to speak about the work we have done with Bastow and DET in the Leading Asia Capable Schools Program, our Confucius Classroom programs, expert teaching of Chinese and the International Student Program. All Melbourne Girls’ College work in these areas is to ensure our students are Asia-ready, global citizens.
As the Asia Education Foundation http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/about-aef highlights, in 2018 the OECD will assess ‘Global Competence’ for the first time as part of PISA.
“Global competence is defined as the capacity to analyse global and intercultural issues from multiple perspectives, to understand how differences effect perceptions of self and others and to engage in open and effective interactions with others from different backgrounds in a shared respect for human dignity. This is timely. Never before has our student’s success been so dependent on what happens globally – work is being transformed by new technologies, by global markets and culturally diverse workforces. Of pressing concern, our students will inherit complex global challenges requiring deeper international collaboration to resolve: our environment is at risk, more people are crossing borders and global conflict is on the rise. A new world order is also emerging. China and India are fast becoming the world’s superpowers and Australia’s engagement with Asia continues to grow at a rate much faster than our engagement with the rest of the world. As a consequence, school leaders across Victoria are being challenged to rethink the knowledge, skills and values that students need to be active and informed global citizens equipped to thrive in the diverse and interdependent world that defines the 21st century.”
Australian Centre for Educational Research (ACER) Principal for a Day (PFAD)
On 7th September Melbourne Girls’ College to host Ms. Pam Rebecca Chief of Retail & Digital, World Vision Australia. Pam visited classrooms, met with students, parents, staff and shared her insights on leading a large portfolio utilising her information technology and change management skills. Pam is an example of women leading in STEAM and is happy to bring the world of ICT and philanthropy to MGC in future.
Parents' Association Morning Tea
Also on 7th September the Parents’ Association hosted a morning tea for parents who may be interested in joining their Executive. Pam Rebecca and I enjoyed meeting a number of new parents who are interested in contributing to the organisation of our PA’s key events and programs. Our PA Presidents Gailean and Sallie are always keen to hear from anyone who is willing to contribute in any way, no matter how large or small, just contact the front office if you are interested.
In closing thank you to our many parents who attended the interviews on Tuesday 19th September with their daughters and please enjoy a safe, relaxing term break with your girls. We look forward to working with you in term 4 which includes the excitement of final days of secondary school for our Year 12s and continued planning for a successful 2018.
Thank you for your support.
Kind regards,
Karen Money
Principal