All leaders – whether they are executives, managers, sports coaches, or schoolteachers – to a certain degree do the same thing; we guide and impact outcomes. We enable groups of people to work collaboratively towards common goals, achieving more than individuals working alone. This act of leading by doing also comes with the notion of service. It is with this premise that we can look both forwards and backwards to see outstanding examples of leadership at our School and also look with optimism to our Grammarians who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Over the past two weeks, we have seen many examples of great leadership. This has been at a time when we have needed to draw on our inner strength, manage difficult situations and lend support to each other. We have worked collaboratively and sensitively, shown empathy, been resilient, and most importantly, listened.

For those in attendance at the recent Navy Blue Gala, we saw the impact of great leadership from Julie Chiodo and her team: Nicole Gillard, Ann Soyer, Tammy Read, Annabelle Banks, Kim Young, and Paul Chiodo, who created a spectacular event in celebration of 130 years of remarkable education at MGGS. After 12 months of preparations, it was an evening that our community needed; the solidarity and support of those in attendance was palpable. It was delightful to gather with so many parents, School Council, Old Grammarians and staff; we had lots of fun together and there was a great atmosphere further enhanced by the glorious venue. It was an evening that was made even more special by surprise guest, Tina Arena. Events like these demonstrate the strength and generosity of spirit within our School and the courage and integrity of its community members.

The strength of leadership within our community is also seen through the activities of our Grammarians. In recent weeks, the application and voting processes for next year’s student leadership positions have taken place, with several Year 11 students embracing the opportunity to represent their peers in 2024. Please join me in congratulating our 2024 Student Executive Council (SEC):

• School Captain: Emily Walters
• School Vice Captains: Amelia Banks and Sophie Johnson
• Blackwood Captains: Zoe Small and Jessica MacLennan
• Clarke Captains: Isabella Troise and Saskia Dowd
• Hensley Captains: Tess Faulks and Tilly Unsworth
• Mungo Captains: Sophie Long and Zoe Paul
• Taylor Captains: Isabella Hunt and Chloe Evans
• Boarding Captains: Charlotte Cooney and Georgie Cameron
• Art Captains: Tom Ford and Coco Missen-Brown
• Community and Environment Captains: Annabelle Duncan (Belle) and Ondine Thompson
• Drama Captains: Esther Nastri and Mimi Koczkar
• Music Captains: Caitlin Yeh and Laura Duong
• Sports Captains: Emily Lawson and Sophie Davies
• STEM Captains: Alisha Nair and Kiyara Wijemanne

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all Grammarians who applied for a leadership role this term. I look forward to working closely with our new student leaders in 2024.

Despite the wild and woolly weather last week, Year 10 ventured to Marysville for a four-day camp organised by Head of Outdoor Education, Rob Houghton. Almost 12 months ago, we advertised for this position, and it is fabulous to see our Grammarians benefitting from Rob’s expertise throughout several camps and trips this year already. It was a delight to hear about how the students excelled at different activities, with the natural environment facilitating leadership and confidence in unexpected places. I admire Year 10 for welcoming the opportunity work together outside the classroom in the beautiful Australian bush setting and make learning an adventure. Outdoor education provides each Grammarian with the opportunity to develop skills that are translatable to their lives at School and beyond. Leadership characteristics including collaboration, problem solving, empathy and listening are learned through these educational experiences in the outdoors.

Thank you to all fathers and father figures who joined us at the numerous Father’s Day events held across the ELC and Morris Hall. I hope you enjoyed these special moments with your daughters at School; I know they adored having you with them. I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Father’s Lunch being held on 13 October. This PA run event is a great way for our fathers to come together. The MCG is a fitting venue and a great tribute to sport which is such an important part of our School’s DNA.

We continue to showcase our leadership in Sport, and I congratulate the fantastic achievement of Year 8 Grammarian, Jasmine Hume, who competed at the Australian National Cross-Country Championships in Canberra in August. Jasmine placed ninth in the Under 15 female age group and was the first Victorian to cross the finish line. Year 5 Grammarian, Mariella Simmons, also recently competed for Victoria at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships in Sydney. She had achieved a number of incredible results, including a bronze medal in the 10 Year Old Mixed Medley relay, in which she swum Backstroke. Bravo!

As our leaders posted in the last Messenger, now is the time when they and their Year 12 classmates begin to reflect on what they have achieved while at MGGS. We too celebrate the amazing contribution of the Class of 2023, as they prepare for their ‘lasts’ within the safety of our red brick walls. This is a period of great excitement and change for our graduating class, and I encourage them to take time out of their busy study schedules to consider the lasting impact they have each left on the School, and how they have grown. Through their commitment to academia and wide participation across co-curricular and House activities, the Class of 2023 has had a truly unique impact on the School during their years at MGGS. They are a united cohort of students whose love for each other is evident in their everyday interactions in the Year 12 Common Room. They are fine role models and have led from the front in times of triumph and in the face of challenge. I want to thank them personally for the kindness they have shown to their younger peers, teachers, and support staff. We are all very sad to see them go, but we look forward to watching them spread their wings and take on the world. Their actions and service in their chosen fields of endeavour, will be undertaken with the knowledge that they have each developed strong values and a moral and ethical compass that will guide them through times of uncertainty. We will celebrate the hard work and achievements of the Class of 2023 in numerous upcoming events, which begin this week with the Valedictory Breakfast and Chapel service.

I wish each of our VCE students well as they prepare for their trial examinations over the holidays and remind them that their hard work will be rewarded. Thank you to all parents, teachers and staff who will support our Grammarians throughout the VCE examination period.

We finish Term 3 in true Melbourne Girls Grammar style with the annual House Music competition. Today, we were fortunate to hear five very beautiful instrumental performances from each of the House Chamber orchestras. What a fantastic opener ahead of the Choral and Madgi performances on Friday.

I wish all students, their families, and staff a safe and restful break after a busy term.

Yours in learning

Dr Toni E. Meath
Principal