From the Headmaster

Last Friday, I conducted a Headmaster’s Tour of the Senior School while Mr Don Thompson showed prospective families around the Junior School.

It is curious to be reminded about the things we take for granted at this School, through the questions that my colleagues and I are asked during school tours. One prospective student asked me whether Girton had any co-curricular activities. We sometimes forget that having over 70 activities on offer outside the classroom is a privilege that our students are able to enjoy, with thanks to our dedicated staff and supportive parents. Occasionally, on a Headmaster’s Tour, I am asked the “ATAR factory” question. When asked this question, I encourage prospective families to speak with our students and get their perspective on this, because it is their future for which we are preparing them, and we hope that Girton students feel that they are being prepared fully, not just for university or employment, but for life. This is something about which our teachers feel passionate, and pleasingly, our most recent Senior School student survey shows that a score of 8.7 (on a scale of 0 to 10) was the average student satisfaction rating for the statement, “Girton focuses on developing students as good all-round individuals.”

As our Mission and Values document espouses; “The ultimate success of Girton students should not be measured in their examination scores nor material attainments, but in the quality of the people and citizens that they become.”

It was my pleasure in last week’s Headmaster’s assembly to present Academic Excellence and Academic Endeavour merit awards to students who received six or more certificates. Further Merit Certificates have been presented in Senior School House Assemblies, and I congratulate the recognised students for their effort and their commitment to their studies, their House and to co-curricular activities. Further information is within this edition of the eLink.

Tickets for the Junior School and Senior School annual Ensemble events are now available, and I warmly invite anyone with a love of music to spend a night at the Ulumbarra Theatre with our passionate student musicians and dedicated music staff. Providing the opportunity for our students to perform their craft in a fitting venue and to share what they have learned with family and friends is a unique opportunity that relies on the support of the whole school community, and I very much look forward to these events, which are always magnificent.

On the sporting front, it has been an incredibly busy two weeks, with Sandhurst Division events, Loddon Mallee Regional events, State competitions and ICCES events in Sport, Debating and Chess. You can read more about these events in this eLink.

Matthew F. Maruff

Headmaster