From the Principal

Senior Drama Production – The Great Gatsby

Congratulations to everyone involved in the Senior Drama Production of The Great Gatsby. Set in the ‘Roaring Twenties’, the MLC School production explores the themes of ambition, love, and the American Dream, ultimately revealing the moral decay beneath the glittering surface of society. The quality of the acting, direction, staging and production was exceptional, so good, in fact, that it was easy to forget that we were watching a performance put on by students and not professionals.

Director Kellie Cogin, Assistant Director and Head of Drama, Dance and Entertainment (DDE), Lisa Jinga, supported by Bojana Kvrgic, Jenna Skepper, Jess Dyson, Kate Drady and Alisha Vigna continue to inspire us all with their commitment to our students and willingness to work tirelessly to ensure that every production is of the highest standard. Thank you, DDE team!

The final shows are on tonight and tomorrow night – don’t miss out!

Year 7 Camp

Earlier this week I had the great pleasure of joining our Year 7 camp in Katoomba. I was particularly thrilled to hear that aside from a couple of students who were too unwell to attend, every Year 7 student was on camp. The joy and pride on their faces was clear – when they successfully completed the abseiling, despite their fears, or persevered through the hike to Govetts Leap, despite having tired legs, or mastered chopping vegetables while preparing their camp meal. These experiences spoke volumes about the positive impact of their adventures.

In recent years, and particularly since the pandemic, we have found that some parents are reluctant to let their daughters attend school camps. While there is no doubt that being away from home and possibly being a bit uncomfortable, eating different foods, and stepping out of your comfort zone can be challenging, it is through dealing with and overcoming the challenges that growth occurs.

The Year 7 camp is part of our broader commitment to offering a range of eexperiential learning opportunities for students across the School. By engaging directly with their environment, our students gain a deeper understanding of concepts that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction. Activities such as adventure camps provide students with opportunities to build teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills in practical settings. Experiential learning also fosters critical thinking and creativity, preparing students to navigate real-world challenges effectively. The demonstration of two of our School Values; Courage and Growth, intersect meaningfully in an outdoor education setting.

Adventure is a cornerstone of the educational philosophy embraced by all Round Square schools. We collectively recognise that through adventure activities, students can also develop a profound sense of self-confidence and independence. These experiences not only strengthen their physical abilities but enhance mental acuity and emotional intelligence. ‘By embedding adventure into the curriculum, Round Square schools aim to inspire a lifelong passion for learning and personal growth, empowering students to become proactive, courageous, and adaptable individuals in an ever-changing world.’

Well done, Year 7 and thank you to Head of Year 7 Claire White and all the staff who gave their time to making the camp such a positive experience.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal