From the Principal

If I had my time again, and my geographical location allowed, I would send my daughter to MLC School. Although she attended a highly regarded school, did very well academically and made the most of the opportunities available at her co-educational independent school, it was not until I walked through the gates of MLC School that I understood what had been missing from her education. Freedom; the freedom to be herself in a supportive, learning environment that was designed purely to ensure her success. Something that I see every day at MLC School.

Schools such as ours are specialist environments, designed to maximise the opportunity for girls to learn and grow without unspoken restrictions nor the expectation that they should conform to social norms and stereotypes about what girls can and should do; and equally without preconceptions about what they can and should be.  My experience is that even in the best of co-educational environments, expectations are gendered. The research is clear; while there is no doubt co-educational environments advantage boys, girls’ schools are best for girls.

As for ‘the world is co-educational, so schools should be’ argument, I have seen no evidence that our girls have any trouble whatsoever holding their own at university and in the workplace. I truly wish that the world had evolved to the stage where men and women are treated equally in every regard, but my perception is that this is simply not the case (and there is much evidence in support). It gives me great comfort to know that because they have been educated at MLC School, the first time our girls will have to deal with outdated, sexist expectations, or people underestimating them because of their gender, they will have a fully developed sense of self, know their worth and will not entertain being treated as ‘less than’ because of their gender.

So, while my daughter is now a successful young adult, I wish I had known then what I know now. The joy, confidence, freedom, and sense of self that comes from an MLC School education is what I would wish not just for her, but for every girl.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal