From the Head of Junior School

Thank you, Mooramorra and Prescott families, for attending our Chapel Services last Sunday. This week, Mooramoora hosted our assembly in support of The Sony Foundation Camp. If you would like to help raise funds for this very worthy cause, please pre-order your daughter’s MLC School Colour Run pack HERE.

Thank you to all our MLC School families for your generosity. It was also lovely to have Coffee with the Principal and Junior School parents this week.

 Empowering Our Parent Community 

The stronger our home-school partnerships, the stronger the foundation for learning. This week I was immensely proud of the empowering partnerships offered at MLC School. On Wednesday, we hosted our ‘Tween to Teen’ workshop for Year 4 parents. Thank you to all those who attended this session, facilitated by our School Psychologists. This was followed by the Year 4 Celebration of Learning. On Thursday morning, it was Year 5’s turn. Our Junior School Deputy for Wellbeing, Joanne Sharpe, facilitated a new workshop ‘Strengthening Positive Online Behaviour’ developed based on parents’ requests for support in navigating the online social world for their daughters. I am confident that all parents in attendance were very appreciative of this opportunity.

Sydney Music Eisteddfod Success

Congratulations to all our Junior School students who participated in the Sydney Eisteddfod. We had outstanding success on Day 1 with our Presto Strings Ensemble, taking home First Prize in the intermediate section, and our Chamber Strings Ensemble receiving First Prize on Day 2. Over the two days of competition, MLC Junior School were victorious, a true testament to MLC School’s Music education programs. Read the full story in the ‘news’ section, here. You can also scroll down the page to watch Vivace Ensemble playing Variations on a Sea Shanty.

Dealing with challenges 

As some of you may have noticed, I am currently on crutches and wearing a leg brace after a recent fracture. While it has been an unexpected and frustrating personal setback, it has also prompted some reflection. It reminded me that the girls, too, face challenges each day. Some of these challenges are visible, sometimes quietly carried. Whether that’s navigating friendships, persevering with learning, managing moments of self‑doubt or something else, all girls face challenges and will continue to do so throughout life. Research shows that children develop resilience not by avoiding difficulty but by being supported through it, and this is where the partnership between home and school is so powerful. When the girls see consistent messages of encouragement, patience and belief from both their families and their teachers, challenges become learning opportunities rather than obstacles. Together, we help the girls understand that setbacks are a normal part of life, and that grit, resilience and confidence grow when they are given the time, care and reassurance to get back up and try again.

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School