From the Headmaster

There is little more gratifying for teachers than the excited buzz of students that precedes the first assembly of a new school Term. Staff began this week with two pupil-free days filled with very productive planning and professional development, but it is wonderful to have things back as they should be, with refreshed and enthusiastic students bringing life to classrooms and the playground. 

Term 2 ended with five phenomenal performances of Matilda the Musical. Those who were unable to attend will gain an appreciation for how remarkable the show was from the photo gallery in this edition of eLink, and those lucky enough to attend I am sure share in my hearty congratulations to all involved. From the live orchestra and incredible staging to the backstage support, sublime student performances and wonderful direction by Mrs Mandy Ellison, this was a show to remember and of which to be immensely proud.

Congratulations to Girton’s Senior School Sporting Teams on winning the Independent Country Co-Educational Schools’ (ICCES) Winter Tour. The Winter Tour is an event made up of tournaments in Basketball, Hockey, Netball and Soccer across a range of age groups. Independent schools from across country Victoria compete in this prestigious and strongly contested Tour.  To succeed, schools must perform exceptionally well in each sport.  

I hope that by now, you have had a conversation with your children about their Semester 1 reports and have contacted relevant teachers if you have any specific concerns. In the Senior School, to complement academic reports, we have introduced Effort and Dedication reports for each student, which are to be regarded with equal import to a child’s academic achievement. The Effort and Dedication reports provide a meaningful tool for prompting discussion with students about their learning and helps students remain cognisant of the impact that best effort has on their personal potential.  

With the introduction of these Effort and Dedication reports, we have adjusted the awarding of Merit Certificates in the Senior School. Students may now earn Merit Certificates not only for Academic Excellence but also for Academic Endeavour. For those new to Girton, Merit Certificates are presented each Semester in either a House Assembly or a Headmaster’s Assembly, depending on the number of Merit Certificates achieved. The Merit Certificates are one of the most important ways that we recognise achievements and now, the efforts of our students.

In the past, if a student achieved a combined total of six or more Merit Certificates in Academic and Co-curricular categories, they were invited to cross the stage in a Headmaster’s Assembly. With the introduction of two new categories of Merit Certificates - Academic Endeavour and House Endeavour - students who achieve a combined total of six or more Merit Certificates for Academic, Co-curricular or House Endeavour, will be invited to cross the stage in a Headmaster’s Assembly, as well as students who achieve six or more Merit Certificates for Academic Excellence.

Best effort is highly valued at Girton and underpins our Mission of striving for excellence in academic and co-curricular areas of education. I see best effort from students and teachers every day at this school, in all manner of activities. It makes for a school atmosphere that is positive and supportive which we will no doubt see play out in Term 3 in the Junior and Senior School Ensemble concerts, ICCES and other sporting events, the Year 8 Production, and many other platforms that this school provides for students.

Matthew F. Maruff

Headmaster

Please click on the images above to view the gallery of  first day of Term 3