From the Principal
Over my years at MLC School, one question that parents and students have regularly asked me is whether we have considered a sister school partnership with Queen Salote College in Tonga.
I am delighted to inform you that a small delegation from MLC School visited Tonga and explored the possibilities of a partnership with Queen Salote College.
Our connection with the Kingdom of Tonga goes back some way. The first official record of our relationship is recorded in the 1935 edition of Excelsior, in which it is reported that in August 1935, Her Majesty the Queen of Tonga, Queen Salote Tupou III visited MLC School and addressed the student body who showed their appreciation through ‘a great storm of enthusiastic clapping’ and singing the School song for her. The Excelsior article that chronicles her visit refers to the fact that in the years prior, there had been several Tongan girls attending MLC School, many of whom were now ‘conspicuous in Tonga’.
Our records also show that Jeanette Loy (Maddox, 1960) MLC School Old Girl, former staff member and former member of the School Council was appointed Headmistress of Queen Salote School from 1971-1973. It appears that her appointment led to further connection between our schools with the MLC School 5th Form girls of 1972 deciding to support the education of a Tongan girl at Queen Salote school and through her university years.
Our visit was busy one. Deputy Principal Melissa Boyd, Council Chair Dr Eve Tsironis, Council Member Dr David Mulford and I completed an exciting schedule which included an opportunity to meet the Principal, students and staff from Queen Salote College, attendance at the Centenary Church Sunday service, a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner and an audience with Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u. Our visit coincided with the 98th Anniversary celebrations at Queen Salote College and the events were live streamed from the School to Tongan communities around the world. Our long-standing relationship was mentioned regularly by members of the Church, the Community, and the School Executive and they are very keen to build our connections further.
Thank you to all who contacted me to share information about their connections with Tonga and Queen Salote College in particular.
We see many possibilities for MLC School and Queen Salote College to work together for the benefit of students and staff at both schools and I look forward to sharing further information once we have had time to reflect and plan.
In this newsletter we also look at International Women’s Day celebrations at the School, it made me consider all the remarkable women who comprise our community – our parents, staff, Old Girls and our students. MLC School has always fought to break down barriers and challenge notions of gender pigeonholing. As a woman, I am proud to be part of the ongoing legacy of this great school and its history of putting girls and women at the forefront. The School plays an important role in empowering women through education. Every day, I see and am astounded by, the impact that women connected with the School make on the lives of those around us and in wider spheres.
– Lisa Moloney
Principal
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