“Belonging is one of the most powerful feelings we can experience. It gives us the confidence, purpose, and the courage to step outside our comfort zones.” — Holly Robinson, Year 7
Melbourne has turned on magnificent weather for the end of Summer and we have been blessed with many school days marked by being active and engaged by learning, with our students out and about in the sunshine. We have been encouraging all Grammarians to try something new this year and to step out of their comfort zones. It’s fabulous to see so many auditioning for our new Chapel Choir. Their sense of belonging and preparedness to ‘have a go’ is palpable, and I have been impressed with our newest Grammarians on how quickly they have settled into the rhythm of school life. The obvious enjoyment and engagement in the life of the School by our Grammarians and our staff is unmistakable as you walk around our campuses.
The Year 12 Formal Committee organised a wonderful event on Friday 9 February at Zinc. The Class of 2025 were very impressive with the way they carried themselves and enjoyed the evening. The Year 11 Formal on Thursday 13 February at Leonda was also a fabulous evening. Thank you to our brilliant student formal committees for organising these events with precise detail, from the invitations, to the table seating, logistics, run sheets and gifts. Deepest gratitude to the staff who organised, facilitated and chaperoned these evenings enabling these important rites of passage to occur.
It was a great privilege and a special moment for me to officially open the Ken Jasper AM Wing at Melbourne Girls Grammar on 28 January. Ken Jasper AM has enjoyed a long and deep connection with the School, as father and grandfather of Grammarians, and he values a MGGS education and the profound impact it has on moulding future leaders, nurturing minds and shaping futures. Ken Jasper AM wished to contribute to the next generation of women and, when the opportunity of opening a special wing specifically designed for the study of the Senior Humanities arose, he made the munificent gift of funding the entire renovation. He has always believed that empowering young women with the right tools and opportunities is one of the most powerful ways we can ensure a better world for the future.
On opening the Ken Jasper AM Wing, we are not just unveiling new classrooms, but rather, we are celebrating the creation of an environment designed to foster the development of ethical women of action — women who will go on to lead, inspire and make a positive impact on a global scale. The Ken Jasper AM Wing is a space specifically designed for Year 11 and 12 students to immerse themselves in the study of Global Politics, Classics, Literature, Languages and Philosophy. These subjects are at the heart of understanding the world around us, encouraging critical thought, challenging assumptions, and pushing boundaries. On the significant heritage window leading up to this wing, there is a motto etched into the glass, ”Quocunque jeceris stabit”. This is a Latin saying meaning “whichever way you throw it, it will stand” or “wheresoever you cast it, it will find its feet”. It is the motto of the Isle of Man and is associated with the island’s national symbol, the Three Legs of Man. The perfect motto for young adults reminding them to be resilient and flexible!
It is my hope that this space becomes a place where our Grammarians will engage with these ideas in a way that prepares them for the complexities and challenges of the world beyond school. This wing is a symbol of what we can achieve when we support young people, especially young women, in their academic and schooling journeys. This contribution today is my way of supporting the incredible work that Melbourne Girls Grammar does in nurturing minds and shaping futures. Our community is deeply grateful to Ken Jasper AM for this fine legacy, and I have no doubt that the students who study here will leave with the skills, passion, and ethical grounding to take on the world in meaningful ways. I am pleased to report that our senior Grammarians have taken to the space gratefully and respectfully!
I was delighted to be invited to the Leadership Assembly at Morris Hall and listen to our Year 4 students pledge their loyalty and conviction to the school as leaders on Friday 14 February. It was a very special gathering on Valentine’s Day, with parents and families sharing their love and pride and witnessing these young Grammarians receive their leadership badges. I am positive that they will wear them with pride, the smiles on their faces said it all!
We farewelled our visiting Godolphin scholars on the weekend, and we look forward to welcoming our Bishop Strachan School scholars on Monday 6 March. The generosity of spirit that goes into the hospitality and planning for the success of these events is huge and we are very grateful for all of the meals prepared, exciting excursions delivered and sharing of our Melbourne and Australian culture. Opportunities such as this remind us that we are a School of international reach and reputation. Thank you to the hosting families, the Boarding House and to our Grammarians who are the host sisters and involved in the Exchange Programs.
The year has started splendidly, the joy at the gate at the start and end of the day is evident. Thank you for supporting your daughter’s transition to Term 1.
Yours in learning,
Dr Toni E Meath
Principal