“It is hard to make that boat go as fast as you want to. The enemy, of course, is resistance of the water, as you must displace the amount of water equal to the weight of men and equipment, but that very water is what supports you and that very enemy is your friend. So is life: the very problems you must overcome also support you and make you stronger in overcoming them. — George Yeoman Pocock”

The opening quote is for our rowers who were triumphant this season. It is from the famous Daniel Brown, 2013 non-fiction novel ‘Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics’. In 2026 we have continued to establish MGGS as one of the top rowing schools in Australia.  

But before I talk about rowing, with gratitude in my heart I thank our community for understanding that I have informed our School Council that I will conclude my role as the 12th Principal at the end of the year. This decision will mark the culmination of eight rewarding years, and I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the support of our community, the enriching experiences and relationships I have enjoyed during my tenure. First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Council for their unwavering support and leadership. Our MGGS Council has been instrumental in both my professional growth and the success of our strategic initiatives. I am genuinely grateful for the trust Council has placed in me and for allowing me the space to lead and contribute significantly to the School.  I am communicating my intentions now so that the Council has adequate time for recruiting the 13th Principal/CEO of MGGS. Reflecting on my time at MGGS, I am proud of the progress we have made together including leading two whole School reviews and the development and implementation of the 2020-2025 and the 2025-2030 Strategic Plans. Thank you for your support and understanding. I am committed to working tirelessly in 2026, to ensure the School continues to flourish well into the future. I still have the rest of the year to go, so please join me in ensuring that this is a wonderful and productive one! In 2027 I will have time for family, friends and travel. Next year, I will have two grandchildren at the School, as this is the finest school for a girls’ education, so I will be forever connected! For intellectual stimulation and service to the education sector, I will continue to serve on Boards, including the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral and as Chair of the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. Thank you for all the kind and beautiful messages I have received following the announcement on the day of our International Women’s Assembly and lunch.

And now, back to rowing! Over the Head of Schoolgirls Regatta weekend held at Barwon Heads, we witnessed the full strength and energy of Melbourne Girls Grammar culture as our community gathered on the banks of the Barwon River to cheer on our Grammarians. The Merton Army was in full flight! It is true, our rowers are intrepid, they rise early, they compete in a sport like no other that stretches them to their limit, presents them with difficulty, pitches girl against girl, team against team. They must be fit, confident and brave. They must be team players and face the challenge of weather, fatigue and, at times, despair. But winning feels wonderful and seamless teamwork feels even better! It gives me such joy to see the grit, determination and joy in our Grammarians as they deliver. I came to this School with no knowledge of rowing, and my understanding of the techniques and rules is only slightly better. However, what I have come to know is that rowing creates something special in our Grammarians. It provides them with an authentic opportunity of what it means to be part of a team. To turn up, to be present and to be relied upon. It teaches grit and self-belief. It teaches the reality of failure and that winning is not easy. As I listened to the commentators at the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta, some words stood out. For the Howe: “Lovely to watch Melbourne Girls Grammar and look at that those loose shoulders! So relaxed in the shoulders and letting the legs do the work!” For the Grant: “Melbourne Girls Grammar well raced – they were consistent in the middle of the trace, they just didn’t leave it to the end!” For the Mitchelmore: “Melbourne Girls Grammar – they are wonderfully well coached”. For the Merton, I couldn’t hear anything. My heart was in my mouth and pounding. Too much blood rushing through my brain to hear anything! And I was on the bank! What must the Grammarians in the Mert be feeling? But what was clear to me was that we clearly had a boat of champions with loose shoulders and strong legs, racing consistently the whole of the race and testimony of the excellence of our coaches! The results were outstanding and we received a treasure trove of medals and broke the 14-year drought of winning the Division 1, First VIII race with the Merton coming first and delivering gold. Hearty congratulations to the crew members of the Merton including Lucy Negri, Imogen Perrett, Gabrielle Sofra, Emily Rasmussen, Natalie Grant, Stephanie Speller, Grace Perrett, Jemima Ross and Lily Roberts. Thank to our parents for making the program sing!

Thank you to our Head of Rowing, Alistair Matthews and to our coaches, especially Tom Sanders who has coached the First VIII and will be taking them to the Nationals in Tasmania on the weekend. Thank you to the many staff and alumni who travelled down to Geelong to cheer on the teams. Thank you to our Captains of Boats, Jemima Ross and Camilla Rowe. Finally, thank you to our MHRC Auxiliary President, Fiona Milne, as well as the MHRC Committee, rowing parents and families. Bravo!

Our SEC have led an important initiative titled the “period product drive”. They have encouraged our students to donate female sanitary products of pads and tampons to be donated to those girls and young women who often find the purchasing of these cost prohibitive. Various other girls’ schools across Australia are facilitating a similar program. These products will go toward women living in unbelievably difficult situations, experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or financial instability.  

We will finish the term with a joint Easter Service with Melbourne Grammar and, of course, House Drama. It has been a big and busy term, and we are pacing ourselves until the end.

In closing, as we enter Week 9 and the term comes close to an end, I would like to remind everyone (especially our senior students) on the importance of sleep. I am well known for the mantra ‘sleep is your friend’. In the busy schedule of school, it is essential for growing children, adolescents and young adults to ensure that they get sufficient sleep. Sleep is as important as exercise and nutrition, and our young Grammarians should be aiming for a minimum of 9 hours per night! Inadequate sleep will impact negatively on mood, wellbeing and academic performance and so please support your daughters to get to bed early, turn off devices and limit television and screen time so that they can start each day re-energised and refreshed.  

Yours in learning,

Dr Toni E. Meath
Principal