From the Principal

Welcome Video

I have recorded a welcome video for all our community, which sets the scene for this milestone year and congratulates the Class of 2025. It captures some wonderful footage of the students and staff. Please see the video at the bottom of this article.

Gathering Together

Over the past week, we’ve had several opportunities to come together and celebrate the many facets of our excellent School. Thank you to everyone who attended.

Last Friday night we hosted the annual Parent Welcome event designed to kick off the school year by fostering community connections among new and returning families, teachers, and the leadership team. With upwards of 500 guests in attendance, it was a fabulous way to start the year, and it was lovely to hear the positivity and support for the School from the many parents in attendance. 

Equally significant was our inaugural Community Prayer Breakfast at which Council member and parent of an MLC School Old Girl, Rev Lindsay Cullen led the reflection, noting that ‘It’s really lovely to be together – teachers, staff, and parents – gathered not around a timetable or a meeting agenda, but around breakfast, prayer, and reflection. Moments like this matter in school communities because they remind us that education is never just about curriculum or outcomes. It’s about formation – about what kind of people we are becoming, and what kind of people we are helping to shape.’

The depth of conversation inspired by Lindsay’s words made for a very special start to the day and fostered a deeper sense of connection and shared understanding amongst those present. Thank you to Rev Vinnie Ravetali and Pastor Luisa Bland for this wonderful initiative. You can read more in Chaplain’s Corner. I look forward to our next gathering on Wednesday 6 May 2026.

Celebrating Academic Success

The Assembly for Academic Achievement is an annual event held to celebrate the academic success of the preceding year’s graduating cohort. Remaining true to the vision of our founders that we be a school that educates the whole girl, we value and regularly celebrate excellence across a wide range of endeavours including academic success.

76 students from the Class of 2025 were acknowledged for Academic Excellence in a variety of ways: for selection and nomination in public showcases, placing first in their cohort and for achieving an ATAR of above 95.

The Ros Pesman Medal, which is awarded to students who achieve a state ranking in the HSC, was presented to Maya Al-Soufi, who achieved first in state in German Beginners.

The Rev Dr Charles J. Prescott Medal for the highest Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) was awarded to Sophia Shaikh who achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95. Sophia has recorded a video about her experience, which can be seen here.

With 53% of the cohort achieving an ATAR above 90 and most of the year group outperforming expectations, I note that there were many other students who while not being individually acknowledged showed remarkable growth in learning and they too deserve their success.

Our 2025 graduates are pursuing a wide range of Tertiary courses, both in Australia and at overseas universities, including Oxford. We congratulate them on their remarkable results and look forward to hearing where their journeys beyond school take them.

I had the most wonderful note from a Year 12 2025 parent this week and thought I would share it with you, I have changed the student name:

We are so excited to share the wonderful news that Janelle has been accepted into Physiotherapy – Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise Therapy), with an assured pathway to the Master of Physiotherapy at UTS (ATAR requirement 98.05)!! This is a highly competitive course that she used to dream about, but through your support and dedication, she is now officially living her dream.

This achievement is a true reflection of the unwavering support, care, and belief shown by all the staff at MLC School every step of the way. For this, we wish to sincerely congratulate you and your incredible staff. You honestly made what felt impossible, possible, and we are forever grateful to each and every one of you who supported her along the journey.

As I mentioned previously, our decision to choose MLC School was never about school rankings – it was always about the individual journey. Now that you have guided Janelle through this pivotal stage of her life, we will always look back knowing that bringing our children to MLC School was one of the best decisions we ever made.

Please feel free to share this news if you wish. We truly believe this achievement is not only Janelle’s, but also a reflection of MLC School and the exceptional support and commitment of its staff – something that deserves to be celebrated.

Black Dog Institute Parent Webinars

‘Empowering Parents and Carers to support teen mental health.’

The journey through adolescence can be a difficult one for some children and parents often find it hard to access reputable advice.

The Black Dog Institute is offering free mental health webinars for parents and carers ‘Empowering Parents and Carers to Support Teen Mental Health.’

Delivered by an expert clinician, these webinars will explore:

  • Understanding mental health in adolescence, including insights from the Future Proofing Study
  • What is mental health, and when to be concerned
  • Key strategies to support adolescents
  • Having the conversation – what to say and how to create a supportive environment
  • Getting help – health professionals, online and digital support for parents and adolescents
  • Promoting healthy habits – including building connections, sleep, and screen use
  • Further information and registration available on the link below

Free Teen Mental Health Webinars for Parents and Carers

We honour our proud history while remaining deeply focused on every lesson, every opportunity and every girl’s growth. Thank you for being part of a community united by a shared commitment to our girls’ joy, learning and futures into our 140th year.

We look forward to celebrating with you across our milestone events through 2026.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

Please click on the image below to view Principal’s Welcome Video.