From the Acting Head

During the VCE years, our students immerse in a programme named “Motivate”, which is dedicated to providing Year 11 and Year 12 students with helpful information about tertiary options, the world of work, living away from home, and a range of contemporary issues that are important to young people. 

It was my pleasure last week to participate in a Year 11 Motivate session on gender attitudes. As I explained to the students, it is important to ‘take the pulse’ on various issues within the school and act on the information we glean from students. In this instance, students participated in small discussion groups, working through questions with adult facilitators, who included our school counsellors and school nurse. This discussion was followed by a detailed survey on gender attitudes and stereotypes. Survey and focus group results will be presented back to the Year 11 students in a future Motivate session, and based on what they hear, the students will be invited to respond by developing ideas for school improvement for implementation in 2023.

When I introduced the session to the students, I pointed out that I already knew that their views were likely to be more enlightened than mine were at their age. Because issues such as gender are influenced by the society we live in, which changes over time. Sure enough, there was lively student conversation centred around the degree to which gender is a social construct, which, in turn, is influenced by the times in which we live. It was wonderful to hear our students respectfully express their opinions and generously share their personal experiences of gender. Many of the student insights were razor sharp, enlightening the adults in the room. 

As well as understanding young people’s general views on gender, we seek to understand their lived experience at Girton. One of the questions on the survey asked students whether they thought there was gender parity on the Girton Senior Leadership Team. About 56% of students responded correctly with “yes”. This means that nearly half of the Year 11 students surveyed are either unsure or do not think there is gender equity in leadership at Girton. 

For the record, the Senior Leadership Team consists of five females and five males, and I thought this worth sharing. When it comes to Senior School Departmental Heads, the ledger is in favour of female leaders. 

The gender attitude workshop last week and the one yet to come for Year 11 students is their opportunity to set the “gender agenda” for next year. Whether or not the students involved feel passionate about this particular issue, they will learn plenty. Perhaps more importantly, the cohort will gain important insight about those amongst them who are passionate about gender equity. This is valuable because we expect our students, especially by Year 12, to respect and support their peers in their varied opinions and interests, no matter their own outlook. 

Dr Emma O’Rielly

ACTING HEAD