Mentone Girls' Secondary College Newsletter

Principal's message

Welcome back everyone!  

 

And a special welcome to our 2021 year 7 students and to all the other students across other year levels who have joined us this year. As is the tradition of the college, the year 7 students marched into the gymnasium and were greeted by the rest of the school body with a resounding applause. The first assembly marked a special occasion as we haven’t had a whole school assembly since March last year.

 

It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome back Ailish Byrne, one of last year’s College Captains. Ailish was our Dux of 2020 with an ATAR score of 98.35 and she spoke to our students about her time at our college and how to make the most of being at MGSC.

 

I introduced a number of new staff to the school this year at the assembly and list them below.  They are: 

  • Rachel Baleisis - Health/PE and Year 9 Student Manager
  • Josh Sinclair - French and English Teacher
  • Chloe Delahenty – English Teacher
  • Tina Alesi – Art Teacher
  • Kerry Archer – Science Teacher
  • Miriam Bush - Student Wellbeing Team Member

We also have a number of teachers returning from leave so I welcomed back Eva Bell, Elise Galliers, Lisa Kosack, Tiffany Peach and Geoff Perks.

 

Until 2020 I think that the normality of school life and the routines that we had every day didn’t seem important. Bells would ring to signal the beginning and end of a class, the beginning and end of a day, and recess and lunchtime, and we took it all for granted until it was abruptly taken from us by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

But now, I believe, we see things differently. The events of 2020 have cemented in our minds (and most certainly in mine) the uniqueness of our school and what we stand for as a learning community. I am very proud, as I am sure you all are, that we belong to such a caring school where empathy is high and where learning and active participation is encouraged and valued. 

 

This is the 25th year of our school song and the words still ring true today:

“We are moving to the future, with the values of the past. We have built upon tradition, a college unsurpassed.  With guidance and encouragement, for excellence we strive.  Virtute et Labore, now our doors are open wide.”  

 

As I reminded everyone at assembly, I taught here from January 1995 until December of 2004. I was working as a teacher at MGSC when one of our year 12 students, Mandy Van Zanen (class of 1996) wrote the words and music of this song.  When I returned to MGSC (after 12 years absence) as the Principal in October of 2016 and was present for my first whole school assembly, the words were still there in my memory.  When we sing that song at assemblies, I am filled with pride and am grateful every day that I have had an opportunity to return to MGSC to continue on the great tradition of promoting girls’ education. 

 

Regardless of how far we have come in relation to gender equality, we still have more work to do to level the playing field in the broader community.  I feel very strongly about our college championing and promoting the achievements and aspirations of all of our students.

 

The events of 2020 have caused me to reflect and be grateful on a number of levels. I have made a conscious decision this year to acknowledge and prioritise gratitude in my daily life.  These are some thoughts I have in relation to being part of the MGSC school community.

  • Firstly, I am grateful we are all back together onsite.
  • I am grateful that our students and staff make this school a great place to be and that you look out for each other.
  • I am grateful for the work of our teachers last year who put their heart and soul (and many additional hours) into creating innovative and engaging lessons for their students and truly caring about their wellbeing.
  • I am grateful to our Education Support Staff who supported the teachers, and students, whilst they were working remotely.
  • I am grateful to the Student Wellbeing Team and the Sub-School Teams who were there for students when times were tough.
  • I am grateful to our Student Leaders who never stopped reaching out to the student body so that they could continued to experience a sense of belonging even though they couldn’t come together in person.
  • And last, but not at all least, I am grateful to our parent community including the Parents Association and School Council Members for partnering up with us at MGSC and for supporting their daughters in their learning at home.

I am confident that our students are as excited as I am to be back at MGSC.  MGSC is unique. We are the only government girls’ school in the south eastern suburbs and families have chosen this school because they believe, as do I, that girls and women can do anything they set their minds to.

 

So, looking forward what do I desire to for our students at MGSC in 2021 and beyond?  Well, in a nutshell these three points are at the top of my list.

  • I wish our students a year when they take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.
  • I hope that our students will dig deep into their hearts and minds and aim to be extraordinary rather than doing what comes easy.
  • I hope that students will look out for each other and strengthen their connection to those around them.

There are many young people throughout the world that don’t have the routine of school and girls in some countries do not even have an option to go to school or continue their learning beyond a certain age. We just don’t know what can happen in the next day, month or year.  So, I encourage our students to give it all they have got. What do any of us have to lose by holding back?

 

I wish you all the best for 2021 and an extraordinary year.

 

Linda Brown

Principal