Meet the Head of Learning and Teaching

I am both humbled and excited to join MLC School as the new Head of Learning and Teaching. The School’s mission of inspiring young women to be fearless thinkers and agents of change—who “Dare to be More”—resonates deeply with me. In today’s rapidly changing world, we need fearless thinkers who can solve complex problems and lead with confidence. To achieve this vision, our learners require a rich, knowledge-based curriculum that empowers them to think conceptually, ask insightful questions, reason critically, and draw informed, thoughtful conclusions.

Currently, our teachers from Kindergarten to Year 12 are collaborating to design deep and engaging learning programs that align with the NESA Curriculum reform. This reform prioritises fostering deep conceptual understanding over surface-level, ‘mile-wide, inch-deep’ learning, ensuring our students develop a strong foundation for complex, real-world thinking.

As Head of Learning and Teaching, I am committed to enhancing and nurturing the intellectual culture at MLC School. To build what Ron Ritchhart calls ‘intellectual character’, our girls need learning experiences that are not only robust and engaging but also challenge them at their individual point of need. Our academic team will be carefully reviewing the rigour of our programs and reflecting on classroom practices to ensure our students are provided with rich, challenging opportunities that cultivate the critical skills needed for success in the 21st century.

To foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, we must recognize that meaningful learning often involves struggle. Think about learning to ride a bike: we fell, we bruised ourselves, but we kept getting back on. Growth comes from challenge—and that challenge often brings discomfort. This is what we call the ‘learning pit’. To emerge from the pit and achieve mastery, we must embrace strategies like seeking feedback, asking questions, conducting research, and maintaining a positive mindset. I encourage you to reinforce with your daughter that experiencing difficulty during the learning process is a normal and necessary part of growth. If learning were always easy, we would not be truly advancing—and at MLC School, we are committed to fostering individual growth.

Learning involves uncertainty, ambiguity, and yes, discomfort. But when our young women become comfortable with this discomfort, they build resilience—the buoyancy to navigate setbacks with grace and determination. Buoyancy is key to success. We want our students to face challenges and disappointments with a growth mindset, enabling them to rise, learn, and continue moving forward.

I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff, students, and families as we continue to create an environment where our girls not only strive for excellence but embrace the journey of learning with courage, curiosity, and confidence.

– Melissa McMahon
Head of Learning and Teaching