Welcome to 2018. The year has begun with excitement, great activity, and a true sense of community spirit. Already we have had fun at House Swimming, enjoyed the company of Years 11 and 12 at their Formals, hosted Boarders’ families at the annual BBQ, and mingled in the grounds of Morris Hall at the Welcome Breakfast. In a relaxed atmosphere, almost 600 parents came together for our Whole of School Cocktail Party. And we are just starting Week 4 of Term 1!
Across the School teachers and support staff are expressing admiration for the way in which our girls have begun: many anecdotes of well organised, focused girls; of girls chatting personably about theirs and others summer travels; and girls jumping in to participate in the amazing variety of co-curricular options. The momentum is palpable and we will be encouraging the girls to continue as they have started.
Old Grammarian Associate Professor Nerina Harley was awarded an OAM by the Governor-General for significant service to medicine in the fields of intensive care and nephrology, as an administrator, and to medical research and education. We celebrate this prestigious achievement.
I am very pleased to announce that the Gilman Jones Scholarship Award 2018 goes jointly to Alexandra Roger and Isabelle Stewart, who both received ATAR scores of 99.95. They and the outstanding scholars of the 2017 VCE were today acknowledged at the High Achievers’ Assembly at Merton Hall.
Tiffany Chiang (Year 9) participated in the International Multicultural Sports Federation Taekwondo Competition and was awarded the Bronze medal for her division. A disciplined and passionate athlete, I congratulate Tiffany for this outstanding achievement.
The Year 12 Mantra for 2018 is ‘Make it Happen’. This will be a unifying call to community action for students. We believe in leadership through service and expect our girls to act on their goals and live the School Values. Our staff encourage the girls to reflect, to question and to explore their emotional and intellectual responses to issues and challenges. We look forward to an expansive year of participation and personal growth for our girls.
Perhaps you noticed our welcome billboard on Anderson Street, heralding our 125th School year. We are extremely proud of this milestone. Throughout 2018 we will come together to celebrate and to give thanks for our blessings. On 23 February, students and staff will gather at St Paul’s Cathedral for our 125th Cathedral Service. As a Christian school in the Anglican tradition, we honour our past and our traditions, whilst also looking to a future in which our leadership provides our girls with optimal futures.