From the Head of Senior School

Over the last few weeks, unfortunately, we have had a couple of instances where students have been unkind online. These interactions are happening outside of school hours, at the weekend and late in the evenings. During these instances some students are using Instagram and Snapchat to air grievances with each other in a public forum, sometimes sharing screenshots of private conversations.

When these interactions happen outside of school, unfortunately, they often still ‘spill over’ into school and disrupt the students from their learning and their healthy social interactions with one another. Please could we ask for your support in talking to your daughter about her online interactions and the platforms that she is using. Putting some restrictions on the time she spends online in the evenings will allow for time to reflect and to avoid posting with haste; something she may regret later. Ultimately of course, your daughter’s online interactions at home on your devices is something you manage as parents, however if we work together in partnership, our students will be supported to learn and navigate this space. Our Wellbeing team has had the opportunity to intervene and assist students and have difficult but necessary conversations with families.

Something very positive that has come from the issues we have had, however, is that there have been many upstanders in our community. Students have called out behaviour that they consider to be problematic and have supported their peers when necessary and we are very proud of this.

We are working hard to ensure that we are proactive in this space. During Academic Care last week, Marianna Carlino, Director of eLearning, presented to Year 8 students on Responsible and Safe Interactions on Social Media. The presentation asked students to consider both the benefits and pitfalls of their internet and social media use. Students were responsive to the focus on fostering positive social relationships through values such as kindness and compassion, which are essential to our interactions not just online but also face to face. Marianna also took time to take the cohort through the supports available online and in school to support them when faced with negative interactions in the social media space.  Marianna will also be presenting to other year groups on this and other areas such as digital footprint and reputation. group chat etiquette and online gaming.

Please take the time to peruse the supports eLearning support literature that we have available for parents here. Thank you to Marianna for the incredible work that she is doing to educate our students in this area.

You will also have seen Lisa Moloney’s article last week following the P&F forum hosted by Cybersafety expert Susan McLean. Please also see the array of articles that Susan has sent through in this issue of Audacia.

It is important to be clear, that we will work in partnership with you to ensure that girls feel safe at our school. Our Policy Statement in relation to bullying is very clear: “MLC School is committed to a high expectation of respect for others. All students and staff have the right to learn and teach in a supportive and caring environment. Bullying and harassment in all forms – physical, verbal, electronic, emotional, psychological, and social – are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

The procedure we follow in investigating allegations is outlined on page 151 of the student diary and consequences including parent meetings, detentions, internal and/or external suspensions will follow if a complaint is sustained. As always, we will also work with the students in a restorative and reflective manner to ensure that they learn from the experience.

Thank you for your support in being proactive with your daughters. It is certainly a difficult space to walk in as parents, though I hope knowing you have the supports at school to assist.

Staffing news

English

Fiona Pow, Head of Students Year 10 – Year 12, will be on long service leave during Term 2. To ensure a smooth continuation of leadership, Angela Renwick has agreed to step in as Acting Head of Students Year 10 to Year 12. Angela’s expertise will be invaluable in supporting the Heads of Year (HOYs) and students as they move through this crucial stage of the year.

To further support our students and the team, Kate Schurch will step in to assist with Angela’s Year 11 group. Kate is well-acquainted with this group, having served as their Head of Year in 2024.

Please join me in expressing our gratitude to Angela and Kate for their support during this period and bon voyage to Fiona, who will be spending time back in the UK with family. Thank you also to Samantha Cook who will be ably stepping into Fiona’s English classes which include Year 11 IB, Year 9 English and Year 10 English. Samantha is known to the students as she has been with the faculty in a part time basis in Term 1.

Study Hub

– Joanna Graffen
Head of Senior School