From The Principal

Kevin ‘Bushy’ White Gift

Staff and past students who attended the Broken Hill immersion will remember visiting White’s Mining Museum. Host Kevin ‘Bushy’ White, was a veteran of the local mining industry who worked for many years underground. Each year he entertained MLC School students with his stories and educated them on the changes that had occurred in mining and mining operations since 1883.

What many did not realise was that ‘Bushy’ was also an accomplished local artist. His technique used crushed Broken Hill minerals to create collages. Usually, the collages related to mining or depicted Broken Hill buildings such as pubs, clubs, churches and other public buildings and businesses. However, in the years before his death, Bushy used his artistic talents to produce a gift for MLC School that expressed his appreciation of the support from the School between 1980 until 2020 (when the pandemic interrupted our immersion program).

He asked his daughter to make sure that after his death, his gift be presented to the School. His daughter Jody Lindsay recently visited the School to present the artwork to me.

I am sure that those who attended the Broken Hill immersion and visited the mining museum will remember Kevin ‘Bushy’ White fondly. I look forward to finding just the right place to display the artwork, along with a plaque that explains its significance to future generations.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

Applications for Entry and School Tour Days for 2023

Old Girls are given priority in our interview program, as long as applications have been received at least 2 years before the date of intended entry.

We now have waiting lists for many year entries, so it is recommended that an application is made by your daughter’s first birthday or at least three years prior to the nominated entry level. There’s no need for you to miss out on the chance to secure a place for your daughter at MLC School.

The School is currently interviewing girls who will commence in Pre-K to Year 11 in 2025  If you would like to apply for the few places available please follow the link to our online application form here.

It is always advisable to take a tour of the School as things have changed over the years. The May 2023 School tour day has been closed due to demand. The next MLC School tour day will be held on Tuesday 15 August 2023 at 10.30am and Thursday 9 November 2023 at 10.30am – both are already filling fast.

Numbers are limited and registration is required for all tour days. To register your attendance click on the button below, scroll down the page and please note which tour you would like to attend. 

Applications for all years are processed in the order in which they are received. For updated information, please view our online prospectus package.

If you have other enquiries about the enrolment process, please contact Nerida Coman, our Registrar, by email or phone 02 8741 3165.

Tuesday 15 August 2023 at 10.30am. Register here

Thursday 9 November 2023 at 10.30am. Register here

Book Now for Back to College and Alumnae Awards Dinner

Friday 5 May 2023
6.30pm–8.30pm
MLC School

MLC School warmly invites all Old Girls to the Back to College and Alumnae Awards Dinner. 

It is important to recognise and celebrate our outstanding Old Girls – women who are prepared to think differently; have courage and conviction; and lead with passion. They provide a fine example for our current students and showcase the impact MLC School women make on society.

The 2023 Alumnae Award winners will be recognised for their accomplishments in a range of categories. Please help congratulate them at the 2023 Back to College and Alumnae Awards Dinner.

The night will also allow for easy conversation and a chance to catch up over dinner and drinks. Why not get a table of friends together from your year?

Book here

Class of 2022 6-month Reunion

Old Girls from the Class of 2022 are invited back to School for a 6-month reunion.

 This is an opportunity to catch up and discuss your journey so far after leaving MLC School.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Book here

Reunion Weekend is Approaching!

Saturday 6 May 2023
2pm–5pm
MLC School

Class of 2013 10-year Reunion

Class of 2003 20-year Reunion

Class of 1993 30-year Reunion

Class of 1983 40-year Reunion

Class of 1973 50-year Reunion

Catch up with friends from your school days and reacquaint yourself with those you may have lost touch with over drinks and canapés.

Though the day will see multiple reunions at the School, rest assured each reunion will be held in its own space.  

There will also be an opportunity to take a tour of the School. Please note tours start at 12.45pm and take approximately one hour. We will send an email for Tour bookings closer to the date.

Click the relevant reunion above to RSVP.

Mother’s Day Classic – Join the MLC School Team

Sunday 14 May 2023
The Domain Sydney

Join the MLC School Team 2023 💗 

The Mother’s Day Classic Walk is a P&F initiative for all parents, students, family and friends. We’d love you to join the MLC School Team in getting active for breast cancer research this Mother’s Day!

Where: The Domain
When: Sunday 14 May 2023, Starting time: 8.32am
Distance: Walk 5km

Wear: 💗 PINK 💗 The MLC School P&F will provide pink hats for all team members.

Join us and start your Mother’s Day with purpose 💗

Old Girls’ Union (OGU) Meeting

We would like to take this opportunity to recognise and congratulate the newly elected office holders of the OGU (2023).

• Elizabeth Ritchie (1995) – President
• Sue Packham (1981) – Vice President
• Joanne Brady (1989) – Secretary
• Ingrid Zhang (2001) – Treasurer
• Val Packham (1955) – Committee
• Helena Grahame (1959) – Committee

All former students of MLC School are warmly invited to the Term 2 meeting of the MLC School Old Girls’ Union. 

The OGU is an active participant in the life of MLC School, making many contributions beyond the holding of reunions.

Our aim is to foster and maintain a close relationship between Old Girls and the School. We have many ideas and we welcome yours!

The next OGU Meeting will be held on:

Wednesday 17 May 2023
6pm–7pm
MLC School

Congratulations to the Class of 2022

Across the board, the class of 2022 performed strongly, with so many girls receiving exceptional results, overcoming personal challenges and achieving their best despite the disruption to their schooling in their final years. Having performed strongly in their Higher School Certificate or IB Diploma, sets them up with an educational foundation that cannot be taken away from them regardless of the challenges that they may face.

It can be easy to underestimate the hard work and effort required by students and staff to achieve the results that we do. 

Please click here to view the Class of 2022 Highlights Booklet.

Awards were given for Excellence in Academic Achievement across a range of endeavours:

• For selection and nomination in the public showcases for the Creative and Performing Arts.
• Placing first in course following the final examination in the HSC or IB.
• Achieving an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of more than 98.

The Reverend Charles Prescott Medal is named for the founder and first Headmaster of MLC School and is awarded to those students who achieved the highest university entrance score, this year the recipients were:

• Lia Al-Soufi (99.95)
• Laryssa Latt (99.95)
• Tina Papamanuel (99.95)

I look forward to hearing of the future accomplishments of the Class of 2022 as they follow in the steps of so many MLC School graduates before them, using the opportunities that they have been given and the skills they have learned to become agents of change in their own lives and the lives of others.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

From the Deputy Principal – The Importance of Connection

It is important to remember the role that connection plays in building a strong school community. Connection is vital for fostering a positive learning environment, where students feel supported, encouraged, and motivated to learn. Earlier this term, I had the privilege of attending our first Senior School Family House Chapel Services for Whitley and Wade. I was taken with the beauty of this tradition, hoping that each student and their families felt connected to the rich MLC School history, fostering a sense of continuity, and belonging.

The Whitley House service theme Unity is strength, emphasised the importance of working together and being united to achieve our common goals. Whitley students asked us to consider that when we work together and collaborate, we can accomplish more than they would be able to achieve on our own. Year 12 students were presented with a candle to celebrate their time as Whitley students and to recognise their leadership. Thank you to the generosity of Whitley families whose offerings during the service will support Uniting, who seek to improve the lives of the elderly through fostering social connections.

The Wade House service on Female Empowerment focused on enabling women to have control over their own lives and be able to make decisions that affect them. Each Year 12 student tied a ribbon to the Wade House tree to signify their belonging and connection to Wade House. Thank you to the generosity of Wade families whose offerings will be used to support Dress for Success, an organisation that works with women to find employment opportunities, allowing them to gain qualifications and experience to ensure their financial independence.

Between services, Wade and Whitley families joined together in Potts Hall for morning tea. The act of sharing a meal with others was not just about enjoying delicious treats, but also an opportunity for people to connect, bond, and build relationships. Traditions like these House Chapel Family Services are a way of passing down important values and teachings from generation to generation, including our moral values, religious beliefs, and cultural practices that help us to understand our place in the world and how we should interact with others.

As a School community, we are committed to fostering connections between students, teachers, and families. We thank the students, parents, grandparents and siblings (and even a Whitley pet) who joined us and encourage everyone to continue to take an active role in building and strengthening our school community through participation in our events, volunteering, and engaging with one another in meaningful ways.

– Melissa Boyd
Deputy Principal

Click on the image gallery below to view full-sized images.

The Connection between 1927 and the New Kitchens in 2023

The Meryl Hilda Wright (1927) Food Technology Kitchens 2023 Renovation

Since the end of 2022 and into 2023, the Food Technology Kitchens have been mysteriously closed off to all but a construction crew. They now stand shiny and ready for use.

This major refurbishment would not have been possible without the generosity of a benefactor and the MLC School community is so grateful. 

A commemorative plaque has been commissioned for the kitchen, with the following wording:

Meryl Hilda Wright spent her entire school life at MLC School; from the age of six in 1916 through to the Leaving Certificate in 1927. In 1931, Meryl met Lawrence Hinchliffe and this devoted, loving couple spent the next 56 years together. Meryl and Lawrence had no children and as a way for their memory to carry on, Lawrence left a gift to the School in his Will for the benefit of Food Technology “in memory of my dear, late wife”.It is a privilege for MLC School to be the holder of the memory of this wonderful marriage.

The new kitchen stands in the original Wade House which was opened in 1961 and named for the Headmistress Dr Gladys Wade (Headmistress from 1941-1959).

The original plans for this space have three rooms designated within today’s kitchen spaces: North – dressmaking room, Middle – cookery room, South – staff room. Although we can’t guarantee that this is what they were all used for at the end of construction, there has definitely always been a cooking space where the kitchens are now.

How lucky the next generation of MLC School girls are to receive such a magnificent space in which to construct their culinary masterpieces.

Thank you to Barbara Hoffman – School Archivist.

Call for ❤mlcschool Giving Day 2023 Volunteers

We are starting to prepare for Giving Day on Wednesday 7 June 2023. On this day we come together as a community to open our ❤ and generate funds to give a gift of an MLC School education to deserving young women.

With your generous support last Giving Day, two new Indigenous students started their journey at MLC School in 2023.

MLC School has worked towards greater understanding for First Nations people since the 1960s. This can be seen in our House names; and the opportunities provided for Indigenous students to attend the School over the years. Our community is enriched by cultural awareness and understanding. Your support this year is particularly relevant given the referendum on the ‘Voice’.

The success of ❤mlcschool Giving Day depends on the support of passionate volunteers. We are asking you to volunteer a couple of hours to join our Operations Room to reach out to the MLC School community by calling others to invite them to ❤mlcschool and open their ❤ by contributing to Giving Day.

Every little bit will count on this day and will assist our Indigenous Scholarship program.

Volunteers can make a pivotal impact on the School we all care so much about. Please consider volunteering for a two-hour shift in the Operations Room and being at the ❤ of the action. Call scripts and numbers will be provided, as well as refreshments, and plenty of fun.

Register to volunteer here

MLC School and NAPLAN

Every day, I am proud to lead a school where the focus is truly on developing all aspects of our girls and valuing all types of achievement equally.

If we were to accept the various media-devised league tables, a great school is defined by a number or ranking. As hard as it is to believe, I have heard that there are those who feel that chasing an enrolment at a school that has a ‘higher rank’ on one these tables will ensure better learning for their daughter.  

There is no doubt that the heart of a great school must be a focus on learning and academic growth, but academic achievement is much more complex than can be measured by a number or a rank (particularly when the rank is not derived from statistically valid calculations).

A great school provides a supportive learning environment that encourages students to take risks and learn from their mistakes and, like MLC School, is always striving for continuous improvement and is open to feedback from students, teachers, parents, and the community.

As reported in the update by Linda Emms (Head of Teaching and Learning) earlier this term, MLC School continues to perform highly on NAPLAN tests and there has been a significant improvement in our achievements in recent years. When compared to schools with students who have similar backgrounds, our students are ranked above or well above on almost every measure. These are statistically valid comparisons.

However, NAPLAN can only provide a snapshot of student performance on a small range of measures on one particular day. It does not capture the full range of a student’s abilities or the progress they may make over time. This narrow focus does not capture important skills, such as critical thinking or creativity, that are valuable in the real world, nor does it measure other important factors that contribute to student success, such as social-emotional learning, character development, or extracurricular activities.

And, if we look at the various media-devised ranking tables, there is no consideration of the language and learning backgrounds of the students, whether the schools are selective or whether the classes spent endless hours doing practice tests rather than focusing on deep, rich and valuable learning.

I also caution that an over focus on these tests by parents or the school can also lead to increased anxiety and stress for children at a time when they should be coming to school focused on the joy of learning. A great school prioritises the wellbeing of its students, both academically and emotionally.

As a school that is always critically examining our performance across a range of measures and looking to identify areas for improvement to enhance the learning experience for all students, we know that NAPLAN is a useful tool for measuring the performance of a cohort and the progress that they are making. However, it should be used in conjunction with other measures and should be interpreted with caution when comparing schools.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

Helping our Students Manage Technology and a Word on Chat GPT (AI)

MLC School has always been proud of our place as one of the first schools to introduce a one-to-one laptop program and over the years we have championed educating our students in how to use technology responsibly. However, as devices have become increasingly interconnected it has become far more challenging for the girls to disconnect from the multiple communication channels afforded by digital devices.

Instant messaging apps such as Apple Messenger are having an increasing impact on learning. While it is easy to say that students should simply close the app, the reality is the average teenager does not have this level of self-control. We know this because we are seeing it in classrooms. 

From Term 2 we will be trialling a new system that will block the Messenger app during school hours on all students’ laptops in Year 7 to Year 10. At this stage we will not be including Year 11 and Year 12 in the trial as we feel that that are demonstrating a more responsible approach to managing their digital connectivity.

Whilst on campus during school hours, students in Year 7 to Year 10 will not be able to access Messenger. It will reactivate after school hours and on weekends. We are also investigating options for a protocol for iPads in Year 4 to Year 6. School owned iPads used by students in Kindergarten to Year 3 will have Messenger turned off permanently.

In combination with the current school rule that phones should be in their lockers during class time, we believe these measures will assist the girls in remaining focused on their learning.

What is Chat GPT?

ChatGPT stands for Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, it is what is known as a Large Language Model and is trained on approximately 300 billion words. Its output is guided by human feedback in a form of reinforcement learning. This is what enables it to write text that reads as though it was written by a human. This form of artificial intelligence (AI) is not new, nor is it the only one of its kind. At the moment it is free but whether this will remain the case in the future is unknown. As with all technology it does have its limitations. The output is only as good as the prompts you input, equally its responses to concepts that are too recent will be limited as it can only draw on publicly available content. As the technology continues to evolve, I am sure these limitations will change.

So, what does this mean for education? All technology can be used with both positive and negative intent. While there are valid concerns about the use of this tool to produce work that is not the student’s own, there is a growing body of thought about how we can teach students to harness a technology such as this to support and challenge them in their learning. Rather than talking about how we block students from using tools to assist them in assessments, we should be discussing how we evolve assessment. Can the use of technology such as chat GPT be used to deepen our understanding of complex concepts and improve retention of the important facts?

As a staff we spent much time and discussion on Chat GPT as part of our professional learning program in Term 1, where we were guided by the provocations of David Caspari, CEO of Janison and a thought leader at the intersection of education, innovation and technology.

Already there are a multitude of ideas about how to use Chat GPT as part of learning and teaching. Some are teacher centred, for example producing sample essays to use in class discussions, generating discussion prompts that encourage students to think critically and solve problems, creating formative assessment questions that assist the teacher in checking for understanding and the list goes on. The student-centred ideas are equally diverse. Imagine preparing for a test and asking ChatGPT to create adaptive questions to test your understanding of a given topic. If you answer correctly, it gives you a more challenging question. It could be used for providing real time feedback on practice questions. Or, for the student that is practising a new concept taught in class that day for homework who just needs one more explanation this type of AI could be just what they need.

Do we have concerns that that the use of AI will lead to an increase in issues of academic honesty in the short term? No more so that we already do in relation to the use of external tutors or other online facilities. I am confident that MLC School students have a clear understanding of what academic honesty entails and that the deliberate engagement in these practices will have consequences; however, we will continue to develop this understanding in relation to the use of AI. Will this challenge us as educators to think about the nature of the tasks we set? Yes, it will, and this is a good thing.

Sources:

• https://mccrindle.com.au/article/how-chatgpt-will-impact-the-future-of-education/
• https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/gpt-3/
• CESE NSW “What works best in Practice – a Teacher’s Prompt Guide to ChatGPT

– Linda Emms
Head of Learning and Teaching

Celebrating our Intergenerational Connections

On the afternoon of Sunday 12 May, 35 families came together for an afternoon tea to celebrate their family connections with current students at the School. The room was filled with great grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters and more for a fabulous celebration of the lasting connections between Old Girls and the School.

The talking point of the afternoon were the school photos of many of the guests and a visual representation of their family lineage prepared by School Archivist, Barbara Hoffman.

For more photos from the event visit the MLC School Facebook page.

 

 

 

MLC School Old Girls perform in Encore Concert at the Sydney Opera House

New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) holds a gala concert in the Sydney Opera House each year to highlight outstanding HSC performers and composers.

It is a tremendous honour to be nominated for the encore concert as only the top performing students from around the state will be awarded a nomination.

A huge congratulations goes to the following students from our 2022 Year 12 HSC cohort. 

• Jade Di Girolamo (2022) – Performance, ‘Gothic Carousel’
• Ruby Scott-Wishart (2022) – Composition, ‘Soliloquy for Winter Solstice’
• Jacqueline Flett (2022) – Music Composition
• Jacqueline Flett (2022) – Music Performance
• Emma Mahant (2022) – Music Composition

Of these nominees, two were selected to perform in the Sydney Opera House Encore Concert.

For MLC School to have two students selected to showcase their work in the actual concert is somewhat of a coup. 

Ruby Scott-Wishart‘s composition was a piece written for acapella choir based on a poem published by her grandmother from a collection of over 40 years of poetry. This was performed on the evening by the MLC School Chamber Choir.

Jade Di Girolamo was also selected for her performance of Gothic Carousel; a piece composed especially for the MLC School Piano Quartet by MLC School Head of Composition Tristan Coelho. The other members of the Piano Quartet performing with Jade were – Wisteria Hu (2022), Ruby Scott-Wishart (2022) and Coco Huang (2022).

– Trevor Mee
Director of Music

Click on image gallery for full size images. Photo Credit: Anna Warr.

Join the New Community Website just for Old Girls

There’s now a new community website specifically for MLC School Old Girls. MLC School Community provides an opportunity for all Old Girls to connect, become involved with the School, see what fellow Old Girls are up to in the community, view photos from events, access archive information, RSVP to events and much more.  

MLC School Community is now live! So, now’s the time to join the online community and set up your own profile. Don’t worry, it’s quick and easy… should only take a couple of minutes. Once you have your profile, you’ll be able to register for events, access archival records and work out ways to connect with other Old Girls.

If you have any questions about how to navigate the site, or feedback on what you would like to see, please contact us at community@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

We hope you find the new site easy to use and enjoy exploring all the new features.

– Michele Dunn
Head of Marketing and Community Relations

A Triumphant Return for an MLC School Landmark Event!

The anticipation is building as all students from Year 5 to Year 12 prepare and rehearse for the 16th MLC School Sydney Opera House Concert – ‘Stories’ – on Monday 22 May 2023.

Such is the level of excitement within the MLC School community that tickets sold out in a week!

Photographs and a recording link to watch the concert video will be made available in the next Old Girls newsletter

Update on Year 5 Scholarships in 2024

In 2021 MLC School introduced an All Rounder Scholarship for girls seeking entry into Year 5 of the following year. 

Applications for Year 5 2024 Scholarships will open on Monday 1 May 2023.

All Rounder Scholarships are awarded to applicants who demonstrate significant academic potential, together with achievement and potential in two or more of the following areas:

• Leadership
• Cultural/creative/performing arts
• Service
• Sport

The Examination will be held on Saturday 12 August 2023. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to the School for an activity morning. Please note that not all shortlisted candidates will be offered a scholarship.

For more information about scholarships please visit our website, or contact our Registrar Nerida Coman on 02 8741 3165 or email enrol@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

STEM – It’s Never Too Early for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

This term in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM):

• Pre-Kindergarten students explored their five senses: they went on a magnifying glass scavenger hunt to explore sight; made smelly potions using their sense of smell; used their sense of hearing to make string cup telephones; explored touch with mystery feel boxes and finally explored taste with a taste test! In the second half of the term students explored the letters of STEM. In their exploration of ‘T for technology’ they got to use the new Bluebot robots and programmed them to go into houses they constructed.
• Year 3 used their investigation into biomes, making decisions about appropriate flora and fauna to inform the construction of a rainforest in Minecraft Education.
• Year 4 completed a study on forces, namely gravity, air resistance, and shock absorption, to help them to design, construct, and test prototypes of a supply drop module to send materials to Mars.
• Year 6 students learnt about the features of animals including structural and behavioural adaptations, and how to use these properties to identify them. Using block-based coding, students designed, modified, and followed algorithms to create an animal classifier.  Some students also took on the challenge to use Python text-based programming to create their classifier.

The STEM co-curricular clubs provided opportunities for students to engage with STEM-related activities and concepts outside of their classroom lessons. 

• Year 6 Code Club supplemented their Python language skills using Minecraft Education.
• Year 3 Robotics Club undertook weekly challenges with LEGO EV3 robotics kits. 
• Year 2 Tinkerbelles, with the help of our Technology Captains and Monitors, explored engineering concepts to build toothpick towers, cranes, and a scissor-arm grabber.

Since we entered our first single Year 5 team in 2017, we have seen a jump in the number of teams preparing to represent MLC School at the RoboCup Jr NSW Open competition in August.  There are now six teams, comprised of students from Year 5 to Year 10. 

It has a been a busy start to the year in the STEM Lab and we look forward to more STEM fun to come!

– Bede Schofield and Marie Cassar
Junior School Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Coordinators

Click on the image gallery for full sized images.

Year 3 to Year 5 Swimming Carnival Raises the Roof

The cheers could be heard loud and clear across the School for our Year 3 to Year 5 swimming carnival. 

It was a delight to see the spirit of sportspersonship in action throughout the day.

A special congratulations to our winning House, Leawarra!

Please click on this link to view the Facebook album

Click on the image gallery for full sized images.

Immersion Plays an Important Role at MLC School

At MLC School we place value on the learning experiences that occur beyond the classroom. Our Experiential Pedagogy Framework has been developed with a clear vision to provide our students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that they develop in the classroom to real world contexts. Through the framework we aim to create unrivalled learning experiences beyond the classroom that spark curiosity, foster growth, and provide a platform to achieve excellence. Programs are designed to empower and prepare the MLC School girl to be a courageous, compassionate, and respectful global citizen.

These are exciting opportunities for Senior School students in 2023.

The Adventurers Program (Year 8 and Year 9)

The Adventurers Program is our approach to outdoor education and an intrinsic part of an MLC School girl’s education. Inspired by our Round Square membership this program supports our students to develop the skills to take measured risks, face challenges and persist against the odds. We encourage the MLC School girl to be dynamic and driven; thrive on practical, experiential learning; and inspired to tenaciously pursue their objectives, whilst overcoming setbacks and obstacles along the way. Adventurers camps are not an optional component, they are key to our overall educational objectives. 

Immersive Learning Units (ILU)

Immersions at MLC School have long been a cherished part of the girls’ educational journey through Year 7 to Year 10 and consist of an in-school program and an off-campus experience. The off-campus experience is an important element to their learning and as well as a rite of passage. The ILUs utilise a combination of experiential learning and integrated curriculum design to create authentic teaching and learning environments for our students. These units foster cross-curricular learning allowing the MLC School girl to not only apply her knowledge and understanding to real world contexts but also allow her to be shaped by the experiences she has as well as the people she interacts with.

Immersion oppportunities in 2023 are:

Year 8 – Canberra and the Central West of NSW with an Indigenous focus

Year 10 –  New Zealand for an Immersion with a sustainability focus and participation in environmental conservation projects.

Optional Tour and Trips

In addition to our Adventurers Program and Immersive Learning Units there are several tours and experiences that students can elect to go on during the school holidays. These trips are organised by various departments and groups across the School to support and extend classroom experiences. While these trips are optional, they are developed with educational outcomes in mind. The opportunities in 2023 are:

North Queensland Fieldwork Experience

Organised by the Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) Department

This trip is designed for Year 12 International Baccalaureate (IB) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) Geography classes. Students will undertake five days of tropical North Queensland fieldwork, with time spent both on the Great Barrier Reef and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including at the Daintree Rainforest.

Japan Tour

Organised by the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) and Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) Departments
Open to students in Year 10 to Year 12

Japan offers a unique opportunity to enrich students’ understanding of their Stage 5 and 6 PDHPE and HSIE courses, giving students a unique opportunity to experience first-hand some of the key course concepts and content they encounter throughout their studies.

In addition to curriculum enhancement, this journey is an excellent introduction to travel in Japan. At the end students will be well versed in the vagaries of transport and travel, understand the unspoken rules and expectations of the society and be able to move around in a foreign environment with greater assurance and confidence.

Art and Design Hawaiian Tour

Organised by the Design, Art and Technology (DART) Department
Open to Art and Design students from Year 9 to Year 11

Art and Design head to Hawaii to participate in art making workshops at Volcano Arts Centre looking at sustainable art practices and cultural influences. Using recycled materials and local resources from timber, plastics, and ceramics.

They will visit two islands and several historical sites including Pearl Harbour, Volcano National Park, Diamond Head and Waimea Bay, Maunakea the world’s tallest sea Mountain. Visiting Sea Horse and Octopus farms, swimming with turtles and experiencing Hawaiian culture at a traditional Luau for an amazing two weeks of rich culture.

Arnhem Land Immersion with Culture College

Open to students in Year 10 and Year 11

Culture College Aboriginal Corporation (Culture College) is a social enterprise established to inspire and educate secondary school students and empower the next generation of Australia’s leaders.

Students will be immersed in the living culture of Aboriginal clans of East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia, one of the most culturally intact and pristine regions left on Earth. This unique program provides privileged access and interaction with the Yolŋu people and their lands of which they have been the traditional owners for over 50,000 years. Students on this trip will:

• Interact with family of Dhalinybuy/Bukudal Homelands
• Learn about the differences between homelands and communities including language, bush foods and medicines, moieties, totems and dreaming stories
• Learn and participate in a culture that has existed for over 70,000 years
• Come with open hearts and minds and you will leave with a wealth of knowledge about the country you live in

Round Square International Conference – Hosted by the Brookhouse School in Kenya

Open to students in Year 10 and Year 11

We send a small delegation of up to 10 students to represent MLC School at the Round Square International Conferences hosted by The Brookhouse School located just outside Nairobi the capital Kenya. At conference delegates will hear from keynote speakers who are having a positive impact on the world as well as engaging in peer-to-peer discussions related to the theme of the conference. Throughout their time at conference, they will explore the Round Square IDEALS and examine topics of importance to member schools from around the world.

Friendships are made through activities, expeditions and events organised by the host school. Visitors are introduced, not only to the host school, but also to its country, culture, and environment.

Duke of Edinburgh Award – Gold and Silver Adventurous Journey in the Northern Territory

Open to students enrolled in the Silver and Gold Award

This trip will allow students to complete the requirements of the adventurous journey which is a key component of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

– Blake Fatouros
Director of Experiential Pedagogy

Click on the image gallery to view full-sized images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 Australia Day Honours for two MLC School Old Girls

MLC School is very proud to announce that two of our Old Girls, Annabelle Farnsworth AM (1971) and Jane Latimer AO (Broderick, 1978), were included in the Australia Day Honour Awards for their respective contributions to health and to women.

Adjunct Professor Dr Annabelle Farnsworth (1971) MBBS (Hons), FRCPA, FIAC, Dip Cytopath (RCPA), RANZCOG (Hon), who was awarded an AM for significant service to medicine and to women’s health, is the Medical Director and Director of Cytology at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology and a leading expert in cervical cancer screening.

After completing the HSC at MLC School, where she was an all-rounder with a talent for singing and drama as well as science, Annabelle graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney and trained as an anatomical pathologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

For a number of years, she was Director of Anatomical Pathology at the Royal Hospital for Women, Paddington, before joining the Douglass Practice in 1995.

Prof. Farnsworth is a specialist gynaecological histopathologist and cytopathologist and is Director of GynaePath at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology. She is well known throughout Australia and internationally for her contributions to cytology and gynaecological pathology.

Emeritus Professor Dr Jane Latimer (Broderick, 1978) BAppSc (Phty), GradDipAppSc (Manip Phty), PhD, MAPA was awarded an AO for distinguished service to tertiary education and research, particularly public health, and to women.

Jane was our 1978 School Captain and the winner of the Old Girls’ Union Prize in 1978. At school she was a talented debater and played high-level tennis, netball and softball.

After school, Jane completed two degrees in Applied Science and later a PhD in Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at the University of Sydney.

Jane is Emeritus Professor in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney and is recognised internationally for her research in back pain and Indigenous health.

She was previously Deputy Director of the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, an academic health partnership between the University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District (from 2017 to 2022) and was visiting Professor of Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Oxford (from 2016 to 2022). 

Jane also works as Director of Strategy for Elizabeth Broderick & Co., an organisation focused on gender equality and cultural change. In this role she works closely with the STEM Champions of Change coalition and supports Elizabeth Broderick (Jane’s twin) in her role as UN Chair-Rapporteur for Discrimination against women and girls.

Jane has been an invited mentor for both university and industry programs and recognises the responsibility a good mentor has to move beyond advice and coaching and to use their positional power to advance the careers of mentees.

IGSA Tildesley Shield Tennis Tournament

One of the highlights of Week 6 (Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 March 2023) was watching our students compete in the annual IGSA Tildesley Shield Tennis Tournament. Unlike the conditions in previous years (which saw our staff and team huddling together for protection from the rain and wind), this year’s competition was held in near perfect conditions and the courts at Pennant Hills Park were abuzz with activity.

The Tildesley Shield Tennis Tournament was first held in 1918 and is the longest running tennis tournament in Australian History.  Being selected for the School’s Tildesley Team is a great honour that comes only from hard work and commitment to hours of practice on the court.

Congratulations to this year’s team;

• Harlow Elsibai (Year 7)
• Hannah Olsson (Year 8)
• Isabella Munoz (Year 8)
• Georgia Delis (Year 8)
• Defne Isikli (Year 8)
• Angelina Xu (Year 8)
• Yasmine Teoh (Year 8)
• Carina Chu (Year 8)
• Riya Singh (Year 8)
• Hannah North (Year 8)
• Kyra Narang (Year 8)
• Lana McLean (Year 10)
• Serena Ha (Year 10)
• Zara Constance (Year 11)
• Jenaan Rajani (Year 11)
• Erica Chou (Year 12)
• Chloe Jing (Year 12)
• Esther Tonkinwise (Year 12)
• Zoe Proctor (Year 12)
• Ria Farag (Year 12)
• Laura Kardasis (Year 12)

Over the years, many winners of the Tildesley Shield have gone on to play tennis at the highest level, but in conversations with those Old Girls who have represented the School, I have learnt that sometimes it is not the game itself, but the lessons learnt from being involved that matter the most. While we did not win, I was incredibly impressed by the support that the MLC School team offered each player, and the way that they took the decisions of the umpires in their stride, even when they disagreed with a call. I have no doubt that the resilience and inner strength displayed by our students will ensure that they will continue to improve and succeed even when things get difficult.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

Hearts for Hearts

Robyn Leaves her Mark

Our recently retired and cherished TAS (Technological and Applied Studies) teacher Robyn Mackertich returned to have her photo taken with the MLC School paver created in her honour for the 24 years of teaching at MLC School, where she made such an impressive contribution to students and staff past and present.

Robyn is enjoying her retirement and sends her best wishes to the MLC School community. She is looking forward to returning to see the newly refurbished kitchens later this term. We wish her health and happiness in her next chapter.

Thank you to the P&F which honours long serving staff with the gift of a paver.

– Sally Marks
Head of Department – Design, Art and Technology (DART)

Welcome to Parents – 2023 Style

What a joy to welcome the MLC School community onto campus on Friday 10 February for the ‘Welcome to Parents’ event, especially as the sun came out after a week of rain.

The quad was full of the sound of parents gathering, sharing stories, meeting teachers, laughing and enjoying the food trucks and bar service.

Click here for Facebook Album.

Click on the image gallery to view full-sized images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Sweet Way for MLC School to Help Others

Have Your Details Changed?

Have you recently moved, changed your email or mobile phone numbers? Did you know that you can now update these details yourself and keep directly in touch with the School and others from your cohort? Please read the story about our new Old Girls’ Website here and start connecting directly.

Otherwise, please let us know on the ‘update here’ button below, so that we can continue to stay in touch. 

Update here