The 2023 Annual Giving Campaign is a wonderful opportunity to support Melbourne Girls Grammar and the educational experience of both current and future students. A donation to the MGGS Annual Giving Campaign helps to reinforce our strong culture of philanthropy by supporting the ongoing development of scholarships for current and future students. In this year’s campaign, we have opened up a way for you to identify the type of scholarship you would like to support. Our aim is to raise funds to create an endowment that will enable us to award these scholarships to future generations and provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to attend MGGS. In addition, there are ways to donate to our building fund. Should you be interested in this aspect of the School’s philanthropic program, please contact the Development office, via donate@mggs.vic.edu.au to arrange a confidential meeting, or conversation.
I invite you to join me in making a tax-deductible donation and leaving a message of support for MGGS at: www.charidy.com/mggsag23. Our entire community can make a significant impact on the future of education for our Grammarians.
On Tuesday 16 May, I attended the VCE Unit 1 and 3 Drama Ensemble Showcase at Abbotsford Convent. This was a joint event with Ruyton Girls’ School, Melbourne Girls Grammar, and Trinity Grammar School. The theme for the performances was ‘Forgiveness is so passe’ and the stimulus was the ABC program, Reputation Rehab. It was fabulous! I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the performances of these young actors. Congratulations to Grammarians Marnie Allen, Lucy Farrer, Corinne He, Mimi, Koczkar, Kristina Ramsay, Priya Diffey, Esther Nastri, Isabella Troise, Kristiana Wells, Ava Allen, Chloe Farrer and Amaya Martinez-Doyle, as well as their Drama teacher, Acting Head of Drama, Ms Olivia Wilson.
Our Visual, Musical, and Performing Arts night-time extravaganza – otherwise known as the ‘Dark Arts Festival’ – on Wednesday 17 May, was a cacophony of curated ensembles, drama performances, and interactive art opportunities. I loved the vibrancy of the evening and seeing Grammarians of all ages enjoying and appreciating our deep love for the Arts. Our Arts Auxiliary and Parents’ Association were the biggest cheerleaders and ensured that the night was a success. Thank you to our Music Faculty, led by Director of Music Ms Elizabeth DuBlet, our Art Faculty, led by Ms Elaine Goodridge, our Drama Faculty, led by Ms Olivia Wilson, and the Marketing and Community Engagement team for the hours of preparation that go into events such as this.
I enjoyed the experience of attending the Old Grammarian Society’s 1953+ and 1963 Reunions at the South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club. President Ms Trudie Horsfall, (1976), and MGGS Historian Pip O’Connor, (Farrer, 1964), warmly welcomed everyone. Old Grammarians Mrs Susan Morgan, (Somerset, 1952), and Ms Sue McCarthy, (1963), delivered delightful recollections of their time at MGGS and highlighted some of the curious happenings of the time. The Bellarine Peninsula OG Reunion was equally vibrant with high spirits and excellent attendance. Sue Coffey was the guest speaker who presented to the group on her experiences in working in Human Rights in Cambodia over many years. Our alumnae are certainly connected and engaged with their School and continue to make an impact in the communities in which they live and work.
Class of 2013 Old Grammarian Sarah Udovenya inspired us all at the 2023 June Fowell Dinner at Port Melbourne Yacht Club on Thursday 18 May. Sarah was Vice Captain in her final year and a passionate sportswoman during her years at school, also participating in rowing at a high level. Sarah commenced her career as a Graduate at MECCA Brands in 2019. Heartfelt gratitude to the Year 12 Parent representatives, Ms Sam Dugdale, Ms Vanessa Theodore, and Ms Chloe White, and the Marketing and Community Engagement Office for their stellar organisation of this special annual event.
I hope that you have received our MGGS Parent Engagement Survey. One survey has been sent to each family via the contact email of the primary contact, but either parent can complete the survey. The main purpose of this survey is for you, as a parent/guardian of a child who is learning at our school, to provide feedback on the School staff, our programs, and practices. The survey will take only 10-15 minutes of your time. All families are invited to complete it and the responses will be anonymous. We realise that many of you have more than one daughter attending the School, and for each child’s experience, your perspective may vary. If this is the case, please answer the survey with respect to your oldest child. Please provide honest, constructive feedback. Information gathered will be used to affirm what is working well and to provide guidance around what can be improved.
In closing, thank you for the role you play in providing your daughter with the opportunity to participate in the richness and joy of life at MGGS. This underpins why we do what we do! Our School culture is driven by our belief that our Grammarians come into the world curious, adventurous, open-minded, and wired for enthusiasm. As such, we are enduringly committed to crafting and facilitating learning experiences that motivate, challenge, engage and open the minds of both current and future students. Our philosophy is inspired by the School’s vision to “develop ethical women of action”; we are committed to the provision of exceptional education for our Grammarians, with an emphasis on strong Christian values, high expectations, creativity, and academic challenge. We believe that within a supportive and positive learning environment, our students will discover their passion, build their capacities for action and influence, and exemplify the School values of integrity, courage, compassion, and self-discipline.
Dr Toni E. Meath
Principal