So, whatever challenge you’re facing, remember this: doubt is part of the journey, but it does not define the outcome. Perseverance does. Step forward, even when you’re unsure. Keep going, even when progress feels slow. Because one day, when you look back you will realise that you were never sinking, you were just learning how to swim.” — Clarrie, Year 6 

A warm welcome back to all Grammarians and their families to Term 3. We finished Term 2 with the most wonderful array of events, and we have commenced Term 3 with much celebration, with Middle and Senior Years Chapel at Christ Church, the opening and blessing of the new ELC deck, as well as the removal of scaffolding and return of the pedestrian footpath on Clowes Street! As part of the opening of the ELC deck, Year 12 Grammarian, Zara N gave a wonderful reflection on her time at MGGS, focusing on her earliest years. Her memories were precious and authentic. Additionally, there has been much excitement around subject selection for 2026, and our Year 12 Grammarians return to focus on the final part of their schooling and preparation for the VCE exams. Our NAPLAN outcomes for Literacy and Numeracy for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are outstanding and parents should have received their daughter’s results. 

Term 3 has commenced in an icy and wintery fashion, making us believe that Antarctica has potentially moved a little north! Perhaps this has been good for us, as both our students and staff seem to have returned with a spring in their step, hopefully well rested from a mid-winter hibernation period. Travel refreshes, restores and reawakens your lens on the world. Having just returned from a week in Byron Bay, it is nice to be back at MGGS with fresh eyes and new ideas that come from time away. We live in a beautiful and precious world, and we share common dilemmas across the planet. Our role as a community is to equip our youth with the skills and capacity to live with the constancy of change and to not feel overwhelmed. So, I am very pleased to be back working hard with the MGGS staff on implementing our new strategic plan that has this intent front and centre, with our Grammarians ‘In and for the World’.

As a successful, improvable school we commenced Term 3 with two days of professional learning for the whole staff, including discussion and goal setting around our new 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. This sets the imperative for our collaborative work for our current and future Grammarians. Later in the term, there will be a parent information evening held to present the Strategic Plan, providing an opportunity to ask questions. As part of our evidence-based approach to all that we do, you will have received an invitation for a Parent/Guardian Opinion/Engagement Survey called an ISV LEAD Survey. I encourage all parents and guardians to take time to give their feedback. All feedback is a gift and is most welcome. 

Diversity of opinion, background and thought are integral to the culture of MGGS. This makes us who we are. Students learn from our ELC through to Senior Years that as a community, we are proud of our capacity to balance learnings from multiple perspectives. An important part of this is our learning and respect of our country’s first people – our indigenous culture. Our Year 9 students were brilliant ambassadors for MGGS at their recent Northeast Arnhem Land Camp. This experiential learning experience on Country in partnership with Culture College and with the traditional landowners, the Yolgnu people, is unique. The whole Year 9 cohort is engaged in this program, that supports the in depth study of the culture, history and traditions of First Nations Australians. Our Senior Years Chapel was focused on holy ground and Year 9 Grammarian, Harriet F gave a beautiful reflection on her time in Arnhem Land. Furthermore, during the term break, NAIDOC Week celebrations were held across Australia between 6 and 13 July, to honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is Week is an opportunity on a national scale to engage in activities and discussion highlighting important topics surrounding our indigenous communities. Melbourne Grammar invited us to participate in a special morning titled ‘Having a Yarn, First Nations Awareness Breakfast’ with Olympian Mr Kyle Vander-Kuyp. 

On the weekend of 20 and 21 July, I travelled to Mt Buller to be present for the Snowsports Training and House Cup for alpine racing, moguls, cross country and snowboarding. We had over 80 students on the mountain competing and engaging with great ‘sportswomanship’ and fierce determination in severe weather. I was impressed with every Grammarian and in awe of their skill levels from Prep through to Year 12; in inclement conditions, they were brave and intrepid. The Snowsports Auxillary held a fantastic social evening. This event highlighted our close-knit community and was an opportunity for parents, guardians, friends and family to mix and enjoy each other’s company. Thank you to Presidents, Ms Amelie Fary the entire Snowsports Auxiliary for giving so generously of their time to enable our students to have these opportunities. Thank you to our new Head of Snowsports, Ms Georgia von Einem, and our Snowsports team including Head of Sport, Mr Anthony Bruhn, and coaches Ms Ellie Tomanovits, Ms Issy Gaudry. 

I finish writing this as I head to the Merton Hall House Athletics Carnival at Lakeside Stadium. There will be much cheering, dressing up in House colours and giving everything a go by our Grammarians. I can’t wait to be amongst it! May the best House win!

Yours in learning

Dr Toni E Meath
Principal