“The reflections presented by the students were a standout. What an absolute credit they were to their teachers. I was taken aback by how articulate the students were and, importantly, the insights they revealed were so very considered. It was their commentary that has convinced me of the need to read the book.”
Dr Sally Godinho (Gramp, 1967), referring to the MGGS Stella Society Evening.

One of the greatest joys of being a Principal is working alongside remarkable students and being immersed in an environment where the enthusiasm of youth underpins every day. Over the last few weeks, it has been my absolute privilege to read the applications, and interview potential candidates for the 2024 School Captain and Vice-Captains. This is a humbling experience as all applications highlighted the extent of the contribution these students have already made to our School and their courage to put their hand up for these significant roles in their final academic year. I would like to express my personal gratitude to all the applicants for putting themselves forward for these important roles cognisant of the time and energy required to lead the School well. Please join me in congratulating the 2024 School Captains:

Emily Walters, School Captain
Amelia Banks, School Vice Captain, and
Sophie Johnson, School Vice Captain.
I know that they will be supported by the fine calibre of the current Year 11 cohort and Student Executive Council representatives, and I look forward to sharing the whole incoming SEC in our next Messenger.

Another moment of sheer joy was on Wednesday 9 August when our Senior A GSV Football team played in the Herald Sun Shield Grand Final against Caulfield Grammar at Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham. This was the 45th edition of the HS Shield, which fields a knockout competition of the best football school teams in the State. Our Senior A team has gone undefeated through the GSV season, beat SEDA College in the semi-final and faced off against a tough Caulfield Grammar team. And it was ours! MGGS won the game convincingly with a 41 to 26 final score. It was a delight to watch our Grammarians playing as a team so beautifully and with lots of MGGS spectators cheering them on. Congratulations to all involved!

The list of joy continues at MGGS as our Stella Society evening, also on Wednesday 9 August, attracted an amazing audience. Our special guest was author Louisa Lim discussing her Stella Prize listed book titled Indelible City:Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong. In this text, Lim directs our gaze to Hong Kong, its people and the infamous ‘King of Kowloon’. Our Grammarians gave impressive critical reflections on their close examination of Lim’s work and asked careful and intelligent questions regarding the dispossession and defiance in Hong Kong. The opening quote in Messenger refers to our Grammarians, and guests from MGS, who were scholarly and thoughtful. Dr Godinho and many other attendees wrote to me the day after the event with similar observations. This is high praise for a ‘readerly and writerly’ community. Thank you to Mrs Alexandra Grimwade who leads the MGGS Stella Society and our students’ English teachers for preparing our Grammarians so well. Our association with the Stella Prize models that we are serious in our pursuit of a scholarly approach to learning.

There are so many joys in our happy School. From our little ELC girls walking the campus in ‘crocodile lines’, to our Morris Hall learners, ‘keen as mustard’, soaking up everything like a sponge. Our Wildfell and St Hilda’s Grammarians, with their passions to change the world, and getting involved in everything and having so much energy, seem to fly around the campus! And of course, our fabulous Senior Years students who are growing and developing into the future leaders of tomorrow. Our community is one with high spirit and much to be grateful for.

On Saturday evening, Australia witnessed the grit and the steadfast determination of the Matildas. Our whole country watched on the edge of our seats, collectively holding our breath in anticipation. This team of young women epitomise the qualities we want in our young people. They have united the country and are truly inspirational! Such wonderful role models for our Grammarians! We are all looking forward to the outcome of the next game in the semi-finals against England and although this falls on the night of our Annual Music Concert, our audience will be home in time to see the last half. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday and at our upcoming Gala Navy Blue Dinner celebrating our 130th year!

In closing, some of you may have learned that I am to be the recipient of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders (ACEL) National Prize for educators, The Nganakarrawa Award. I am truly humbled and feel so fortunate as an educator to have other great educators and mentors surrounding me so that I am able to contribute to not only MGGS, but the wider education system. I look at the list of previous recipients and I can’t believe that I now sit with them – it is a true honour.

Yours in learning

Dr Toni E. Meath
Principal