We are heading towards the end of term and the exam periods for Years 11 and 12 are complete. Preparations for 2019 and ensuring the end of 2018 is engaging and rigorous are at hand. The Presentation Night held on 27 November is a highlight for families and students who celebrate the culmination of a year’s hard work in academic and co-curricular areas. It is always a privilege to see and hear the girls and Student Executive in action.

Many thanks to Wendy Murray who has organised the award so meticulously over many years. To Brent Houghton who oversees the organisation of the ceremony, Zack Pretlove, Trevor Howlett, Glen Holland, Anne Corry, Jordan Evans, Ellyce Calder, Susan De Jong, Wen Chin, Lenore Twist, Bek England-Hill, Roger Dunscombe, Sefija Demirova, Andrew ,Year Level Leaders and staff thank you.

Year 8 Camp

The buzz at Lake Dewar camp in Myrniong, outside Bacchus Marsh, was palpable as the girls engaged in raft building (and testing to much laughter and saturation!), ropes courses, canoeing, the flying fox, orienteering, getting to know each other and teachers in the camp environment. Thank you to Anna Crosswhite, Tonia Douglas-Scarfe and the entire team who supported camps 1, 2 or the entire week. Teachers are on duty 24/7 during these adventures and their dedication is appreciated by students and parents alike.

Refurbishment of Level 3

This exciting project is now underway. The upgrade to a fifty year old facility will allow for flexible learning spaces from standard classroom to double, even triple learning areas but with sophisticated acoustic design to ensure the spaces enhance all types of learning practice. It is anticipated the project will be completed at the end of term 1.

Performing Arts / STEAM Building

As reported in October I met with Minister Wynne on 14 September lobbying for funds for the PA/STEAM Centre. The concepts of problem based learning spaces to promote the skills for collaboration, application and deep thinking was of interest to the Minister as a tool for building global citizens with the skills for their future success. The Curiosity and Powerful Learning framework, Department’s initiatives including the High Impact Teaching Strategies (H.I.T.S.), support the thinking for the design. The intention is to form a working party of students, teachers, parents and architects to build the plan from concept to a formal brief and budget. Please let me know if you are interested in joining this planning group.

2019 Planning

A reminder for 2019 Planning

Student Free Days approved by School Council:

Friday, 8th March 2019 - Visible Wellbeing with Professor Lea Waters of The University of Melbourne
Friday, 14th June 2019 - Assessment, Reporting and Planning
Friday, 16th August 2019 – Curriculum Day
Monday, 4th November 2019 – 2020 Planning

The Leadership Intensive on Friday 9th November went well in strategizing the work on three key Strategic Plan areas in 2019:

Professional learning in differentiation for student learning growth (data literacy and classroom practice)
Guaranteed, viable and visible curriculum documented on OneNote
The Visible Wellbeing Program

The overarching goal of the leadership team in 2019 is:

“We are a leadership team with high expectations for visible learning and wellbeing. The success of students and staff is at the centre of our work and decision making.”

This goal is supported with the following projects and teams:

Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting – Rachel Robertson, Anna Crosswhite, Andrew Arney

Data and Analytics – Sandor Kazi, Pat Sklavakis, Brent Houghton

Student Voice and Agency – Bridget Tellefson, Shaunagh O’Connell, Ella Mc Donald

Differentiation, Problem Based Learning and Collaboration – Wendy Keen, Bec Irvine

Professional Learning and Visible Wellbeing – Lisa Rosos, Brooke O’Callaghan, Sefija Demirova

International Student Program (I.S.P.)

Feedback during 2018 saw that our International Students would appreciate closer relationships with local students. One of the strategies developed was a buddy program. The inaugural program was held last week with activities and games promoting new friendships. A follow up day will be held in Term 1, 2019.

Congratulations to our I.S.P. Coordinator, Jielei Cui and assistant Angie Ho.

Aerobics Presentation Night

Thank you to Lenore Twist, our coaches, parents and most importantly athletes who attended the celebration of the Aerobics Program in 2018. We sadly farewell our Head Coach, Bek (Rebekah England-Hill) but welcome our very own Claire Chessman, currently of Year 12, as the new Head Coach!

The following awards were presented, congratulations to all of the athletes:

Carolyn Milles Award: Victoria Gosios

Judy Crowe Encouragement Award: Holly Morrison

HP Team of the Year: Mila Eastick & Grace Haslem

HP Team of the Year: Jasmine Wong & Evie Piemonte

HP Individual athletes of the Year 2018: Claire Cheesman, Lana Croker, Grace Haslem

Most Improved Athletes: Amanda Kristanto, Lucinda Rhodes, Evelyn Gammon

Fitness Awards: Gisele Boyd, Jessica Edbrooke

5 Year Service Awards: Lana Croker, Mariana Pappas

Dedication & Commitment to MGC Aerobics Club Awards: Lily Jepsen, Izabella Jepsen, Charlotte Bourke, Jessica Brown

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Melbourne Girls’ community.

Kind regards,

Year 8 at Lake Dewar Camp