From the Principal

At Girton Grammar School, one of the fundamental values we strive to instil in our students is leadership. In the past four weeks, we have appointed our Junior School House Captains, Vice Captains, and Student Representative Council (SRC) members to their leadership roles for 2023. We are exceptionally proud of these individuals and are confident that they will demonstrate strong leadership skills throughout their tenure in these important positions.

Our Senior School Student Leadership team has already made significant progress this year, and I have the pleasure of meeting with these students weekly to gain insight into the thoughts and ideas of our student body, as well as to seek their valuable advice in developing and implementing school improvement initiatives. Our Senior Prefects are also addressing our students at Assembly with thoughtful and relevant reflections. On Monday, School Prefect Sophie Mayes delivered an insightful address on the importance of mindfulness. Sophie’s speech served as a reminder to us all that taking a moment to pause and “find an animal in the clouds” can have a considerable impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. 

While the selection of School leaders is an essential aspect of Girton’s leadership philosophy, it does not represent the full spectrum of leadership opportunities available to our students. For those students who were not selected as School leaders this year, it is essential to note that leadership isn’t just about formal titles. As I expressed to Junior School students at their Assembly in Week 3, leadership is about action. The skills and qualities that were valued in the selection process for our School leaders, such as integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to excellence, are applicable to any student seeking to lead in their own right. By embodying these traits and setting an example for others, every student has the potential to lead in their own way to help create a culture of leadership and inspire their peers to do the same. 

As educators, we recognise that leading by example is critical to developing leaders. We are delighted to announce that Girton Grammar School has joined The Buzz Academy this year; a program founded by keynote speaker and author Tracey Ezard, which focuses on building a strong culture of trust, collaboration, and learning among educators. The program's three pillars - a collective growth mindset, authentic dialogue, and a compelling environment - are designed to build the learning intelligence of a school culture. 

Collaboration and professional learning among educators are essential components that positively impact the entire school community. Furthermore, in the most extensive study on effective classroom strategies to date, conducted by Emeritus Laureate Professor John Hattie from Melbourne University's Graduate School of Education, engaging teaching was identified as the top factor that influences student learning. Girton’s involvement in The Buzz Academy is a crucial step towards delivering the best possible learning environment for our students as well as a rewarding working environment for our staff.

We are pleased to also announce the launch of Girton’s inaugural 2023 Year 11 Mentor Program, which matches Year 11 students with a staff member to directly support them with their learning and personal goals this year. In the older years, mentoring is a powerful way to help students make the most of their school journey and realise their potential with someone more experienced than themselves. Research in this area highlights the positive effects of mentoring programs on students, particularly in terms of further education and career pathways, as well as a strengthened sense of identity, communication, and interpersonal relationships. With the support of House Tutors, Heads of House, Class Teachers and Year 11 Staff Mentors, we hope that our Year 11 students will feel empowered to achieve their personal best this year and transition confidently into Year 12 and beyond. 

Finally, in our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students, we will be hosting an information session for parents and carers on the use of our School's online learning management system, Astra. We encourage you to attend this session either in person or via our online webinar to learn about the tools available to you and your child, which can help keep you informed about their education and wellbeing this year, including timetables, classes, due work, and news. 

We know that strong communication between our School and families has an important influence on student success, and the engagement of parents and carers with Astra will enable our families to stay informed and best support their child's academic growth and achievements. 

Dr Emma O'Rielly

Principal