Stephanie F, School Captain, opened our Languages Week Assembly with the following message:
When we learn a new language, we’re not just memorising long lists of vocabulary or the complex grammatical rules…we’re actually learning how to connect with people, how to understand cultures different from our own when travelling, and how to navigate new environments with confidence…. Whether through studying French at school, for example, or studying another familial language that extends beyond our school’s scope of languages, as I have speaking Greek, it’s a way to understand where you come from. To speak to relatives who might not know English very well, and to sustain your family’s traditions, [in] the same way, our fantastic language teachers try to emulate and transmit their culture in the classroom.
Other highlights of the assembly were when Cecilia X played an ‘intergalactic piece’ by a French composer on the French Horn and captivated our attention with thoughts of communicating with outer space. We were delighted to welcome back 2020 leaver, Alexandra Madden, who spoke to the students about her experience of moving to Lucca, Italy, after completing her university degree in political science, to take up a role as an au pair and care for an eight-month-old baby, despite being unable to speak Italian. It was fascinating to hear how Alex coped with learning the language from children’s picture books and immersing herself in village life. She is currently undertaking a teaching degree and plans to return Italy to teach when she is qualified. The preview video of the Senior Years production High School Musical On Stage was very exciting.
In Arts Week, we had a wonderful assembly celebrating Art, Drama, Music and Textile Design at Merton Hall and how these all serve to enrich our lives. We witnessed the inaugural collaborative House Art and Textiles competition introduced by the House Captains and Arts Captains. There was a fashion parade of garments made from recycled sports uniforms and murals created during House meetings by all students in Years 5 to 12. Taylor House won the art competition and the Blackwood won the textile design competition with some impressive examples of creativity and collaboration. On Thursday, the Arts Auxiliary held a sausage sizzle on the library rooftop, whilst the Concert Band performed and we had a visit from the Years 2 and 3 Strings, who came to hear the Merton Hall Orchestra perform.
The June Fowell Dinner for Year 12 Grammarians and their mothers/mother figures in their lives is always a very special occasion. It is a wonderful way to acknowledge the significance of the support of these women as our Year 12s look towards the future and their lives beyond school. This year’s guest speaker was Ei Yang (2002) who has a BA and a Masters of Urban Horticulture. Ei is currently working in horticulture, travelling around Northern NSW teaching rewilding, survival skills and nature connection. Ei spoke from the heart and with courage about the unique pathways she had chosen and the personal challenges she had overcome in finding herself and her vocation. It was an inspiration to all who attended.
The battle for the 2025 Domain Cup continued on Friday 16 May, with the second event in the competition: Domain’s Got Talent. Ross Hall was full and the audience was treated to a delightful and talented range of musicians, singers, dancers and comedy acts. It was a difficult call for the judges but MGS were the overall winners. As MGGS won the debate and MGS won the talent show, the netball match will be the decider for the Domain Cup in Term 3.
The end of Week 5 brought us the production we had all been waiting for – the Senior Years Production of High School Musical On Stage at the wonderful Malthouse Theatre on Friday and Saturday. Wow! This was a truly spectacular culmination of months of rehearsals for the cast and crew and the audience was in awe of the music, singing, dancing and sheer joy of the performers! It was wonderful to see our Grammarians from Years 9 to 12, joined by a number of Melbourne Grammar students in an electric and star-studded cast to stage a musical celebrating friendship, diversity and fun, and reminding us that ‘We’re All in This Together’. Bravo and warmest congratulations to all involved!
We are reaching out to everyone within our Melbourne Girls Grammar community for the 2025 Annual Giving Appeal – Building Their Future Together. This year’s campaign will support a facility upgrade in our Early Learning Centre. Your generosity will help us to uphold our commitment to providing the best learning experiences, ensuring that each girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential. Donate here.
Week 6 marks the mid-point of Term 2. Every good wish for the second exciting chapter and stay well.
Lynn Broadway
Deputy Principal: Educational Leadership – Wellbeing