As we celebrate the Christmas season, we reflect on the year that was and plan for the year ahead. In schools, and for parents, the final weeks of November and the early days of December often feel frenetic as we tick off culminating events and Christmas planning.

In the midst of the many events, we encourage our students to slow down occasionally and take a moment to appreciate all that they have experienced and the growth that has occurred throughout the year. We hope that the period of Christmas brings time for family and for rest. The image of the Nativity, displayed throughout the season, represents what we might strive for this Christmas. The imagery is of a coming together in family and community, with stillness and simplicity, under a night sky. Moments of quietness after the celebrations are essential to us all, and I wish every member of the MGGS community a quiet time of renewal and reflection over the school break. I wish you all the blessings of the Christmas season.

Community

We are incredibly proud of the strong and vibrant community we have at MGGS, and each year the Navy Blue event is a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate as one. This year was no exception. Thanks to the incredible efforts of Thea Kogler, Lizzie Johnson and Anne Soyer—along with the support of so many dedicated individuals in our community—the evening was a resounding success, raising an impressive $65,000 for our new Outdoor Education Program. 

These funds will go towards purchasing essential outdoor equipment, including first aid kits, Garmin tracking devices, cooking gear, and camping essentials, ensuring our students and staff are well prepared for their adventures.

A special thank you to our event partner, On Track, to our outstanding MC, Gill McLachlan, and to everyone in the community who contributed exceptional auction and raffle items. Your generosity and support made this event truly memorable, and we are so grateful for everything you do to strengthen the MGGS spirit. 

Student experience

Melbourne Girls Grammar has built strong collaborative relationships with Melbourne Grammar. During Week 7, our Year 7 cohort have once again combined with students from Melbourne Grammar School to take part in the annual Year 7 Melbourne Experience program. Students have spent the week navigating the Melbourne CBD investigating a chosen enquiry topic about ‘How Melbourne has changed over time’. As part of their research, students have attended excursions to ACMI, Melbourne Museum, the Immigration Museum and Science Works. We look forward to the final film viewing next Monday afternoon.

Our Step-up Program for students in Years 10–12 2025 has commenced, introducing students to the subject disciplines they will be studying in the coming year. This program enables students to begin previewing material and planning for the year to come. Rehearsals for our Carol Night will also form an enjoyable experience as students return from exams. Year 9 will take part in Social Service activities in the preparation for the Christmas season, living out the school value of Compassion.

Celebrations

We enjoyed a wonderful Valedictory dinner in celebration of the Year 12 students. Rowena Mytton, President of the Old Grammarians Society, welcomed our graduands into the Association, reminding them of the importance of maintaining connection with the School in the years to come. We congratulate all students on their hard work and wish them a well-earned rest as they enter into post-schooling life.

As the year end approaches, we are looking forward to celebrating educational excellence at our annual Speech Night on Wednesday 27 November at Melbourne Town Hall, with students from Years 5 to 11 being recognised. Students should be very proud of the hard work and pursuit of outstanding performance that these awards represent. We also congratulate all students, not only those who are winning awards, on their pursuit of individual excellence and academic goals. Each Grammarian has grown and developed through the year, and it has been a privilege for the School to work with them.

Our culminating celebration, our annual Carol Service, will take place in St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday 4 December. Families are invited to attend this unique and atmospheric service.

Congratulations

Director of Teaching and Learning, Ms Roseanne Tizianni welcomed a beautiful daughter, Florence Luna Kronenberg, on 4 November.

We are proud of Year 12 Grammarian, Zoe Paul, who has been awarded the prestigious Tuckwell Scholarship to the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

Congratulations to Fosina Zhao for being voted the best speaker in her Debating Association of Victoria in her age group, winning a ‘Swannie Award’.

Congratulations to Vanessa Liang in Year 8 who recently passed her Viola AMusA exam. Vanessa has also passed her Piano LMusA this year. Achieving double AMEB Diplomas is a remarkable achievement.
 

Lynda Wall
Deputy Principal, Educational Leadership – Academic