Angelique Sanders, Director of Student Wellbeing/Acting Deputy Head of Senior School

This week in SWP, our focus for Years 8-12 was the 2025 theme for International Women’s Day: March Forward. Unpacking what this means and how it directly relates to them allows our students to see different perspectives and to become aware of what types of barriers women may face. Our aim is to develop students into caring, principled, and knowledgeable young adults who are part of the solution as they enter society. By allowing space for discussions, we are helping our students look beyond themselves and see how life may be different for young women.

Year 8 spent time researching prominent women who have marched forward over time and then shared their research with their mentor group via expert circles.

Year 9 discussed how women are portrayed in the media by applying the Bechdel Test. They were challenged to think about this in relation to movies they had recently seen.

Year 10 had a Q &A session with Mr Meakin, Ms Turnbull, and students from the Coeducational Committee. Our Year 10 cohort were reminded that they are also pioneers in that they will be the first cohort to have girls join them and will be an important part of the leadership of the School as our senior students. They will be living out marching forward as they learn, study, compete, and socialise with young women daily. 

Year 11 students unpacked further the themes and discussions from their Tomorrow Man workshop “In Her Shoes”. Continuing these conversations are important as it allow space for uncomfortable conversations in a safe environment.

Year 12 students had an insightful session with Mr. Solomon, one of our Economics teachers, focusing on the gender pay gap. They analysed recent WEGA (Workplace Gender Equality Agency) data to understand what it means. Additionally, they heard important messages about managing work-life balance as parents.

Year 7 had a CITF Prep session with Mr Lilley. He explained what each day of the course will look like. They also heard James Malcolm, our Student Head of CITF, Mr McDonnell about walking softly on country, Chloe Harrington, one of our School Psychologists on who to go to if they are feeling nervous and myself on being courageous as they embark on their first CITF.