From the Principal

How lovely it has been to hear the chatter and excitement of our girls as they reconnected in the last few weeks of term. From ABBA sing-a-longs outside my window to sharing photos of the pets left at home and lots of talking and laughter, they were clearly happy to be reunited with their friends and the staff and relishing in being back in this familiar, welcoming environment. They are very much at home. Over the years I have taught in many schools and rarely have I experienced such a strong sense of ‘coming home’ amongst the students. While I sense that this feeling has been amplified by the COVID-19 enforced absence, I see that same connection in our Old Girls when they visit the School.

The ability to be themselves, regardless of how silly or difficult that might be at times, to learn in an environment where being female and celebrating all that entails is the norm in the story of MLC School and one that we share with girls’ schools around the globe. It was for this reason that I was alarmed to see data that indicates that over the past 20 years there has been a slow but steady decline in the percentage of Australian girls attending single sex schools. If we truly believe in the empowerment of young women and their right to be as assertive and confident as their male peers, we must continue to buck this trend.

“Studies have repeatedly shown that single-sex schools build girls’ confidence and self-worth — they are confident about speaking up and participating in and out of the classroom, they are not compliant or quiet and their teachers have high expectations in this regard.”

“The proponents of co-education argue that our world, and specifically our workplaces, are mixed gender and therefore our schools too should be mixed gender. Unfortunately, the reality for women is that our world and workplaces, while mixed gender, are a long way from being gender equal. The World Economic Forum (2017) ranked Australia 35 on its gender equality index, below New Zealand (9), Canada (16), Nicaragua (6) and Cuba (25). It also estimated that the workplace gender gap will not close for 217 years — that’s not until the year 2234. Workplace inequality, coupled with uncertainty about the future of work and the skills needed for career and life success, means that we need to ensure our girls reach their potential and are prepared for the world after school.

Vitally, girls’ schools provide a safe space for girls to learn to combat the gender bias and sexism that still exist within universities, workplaces and our broader communities — so that when girls leave school, they know they are absolutely equal to their male peers and will accept nothing less.”

Source: https://www.agsa.org.au/

Further information regarding benefits of a single-sex education for girls compared to co-ed is outlined in a recent video in which Loren Bridge, Executive Officer at the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia, is interviewed on the topic.

You can watch a preview here or watch the full interview here.

I also acknowledge and thank all our teachers for their remarkable dedication and commitment to our girls and their profession in general. These last two years, in particular, have certainly tested teachers and ours have shown outstanding flexibility and resilience (much like our students and our parents). I know I am thankful every day for the quality of teachers we have at MLC School.

As we see 2021 out, I wish you all the joy and peace that Christmas brings. I hope you relax and enjoy your family, emerging in 2022 with renewed energy to face whatever the New Year might bring our way. Happy Christmas!

– Lisa Moloney
Principal