From the Head of Learning and Teaching

Beyond achievement to scholarship

Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting with students interested in becoming our next Scholar Captain. These conversations have prompted me to reflect on the meaning of a word we use often but perhaps do not always pause to consider: scholarship.

The word itself has ancient roots. It comes from the Latin schola and, before that, the Greek scholē, meaning time devoted to learning, contemplation and the pursuit of knowledge. Scholarship was never simply about accumulating facts. It was about engaging deeply with ideas, asking questions and seeking understanding.

This reflection has felt particularly personal this year as I completed the final phase of my Master of Research. After almost thirty years in education, I found myself once again in the position of a learner. I spent countless hours reading academic literature, following lines of inquiry, testing assumptions and refining my thinking. One of the lessons I learned during the research process is that scholarship often begins with uncertainty. The most meaningful learning occurs not when we already know the answer, but when we are willing to sit with a difficult question for long enough to discover one.

One of the most influential books I have read on this topic is Intellectual Character by Ron Ritchhart. In it, Ritchhart challenges traditional notions of intelligence that focus primarily on ability. Instead, he argues that what matters is not only what students know, but how they approach learning. He identifies qualities such as curiosity, open-mindedness, scepticism, imagination and a willingness to seek understanding as central to intellectual character.

This distinction feels increasingly important in the age of artificial intelligence. AI can be an extraordinary tool. It can help us generate ideas, summarise information and increase efficiency. However, neither technology nor knowledge alone can replace intellectual character. The future will belong not to those who can simply access information, but to those who can question it, evaluate it, interpret it and use it wisely.

For this reason, it is more important than ever that young people engage in the kinds of learning experiences that develop these dispositions: reading deeply, conducting research, analysing evidence, debating ideas, completing sustained projects and grappling with questions that do not have simple answers. These are the experiences that build scholarship.

Across Australia, there is growing discussion about subject selection patterns. Many schools are seeing students move away from more challenging courses in favour of subjects perceived to be easier or less demanding. While understandable, this trend raises important questions about how we cultivate intellectual courage in young people.

Encouragingly, we are witnessing the opposite at MLC School. Participation in Extension courses continues to grow, and increasing numbers of students are choosing academic pathways that stretch and challenge them. Last year, we introduced the Horizons Program for high-potential learners. It has been inspiring to see students voluntarily reading university-level journal articles, engaging with complex philosophical ideas and writing essays on thinkers such as John Locke, not because they have to, but because they are genuinely curious. This year, we are offering a new elective for Year 9, 2027 called ‘EnLightened: Latin and Philosophy’. The course will introduce students to Latin and build students’ understanding of ethics, rhetoric and reasoning. Oracy, critical thinking and argument will be central.

As parents, there are many ways to nurture scholarly habits at home. Encourage your daughter to read widely, including material that challenges her thinking. Ask questions that begin with “Why do you think?” or “What evidence supports that idea?” Celebrate effort and persistence rather than simply outcomes. Create opportunities for conversations about current events, books, scientific discoveries or ethical dilemmas. Most importantly, model curiosity yourself.

In a world increasingly focused on quick answers, scholarship reminds us of the value of deep thinking.

Year 12 Study Camp

A reminder to Year 12 students and parents that Study Camp is on during the first week of the holidays (Monday June 29 – Friday July 3) from 9am-4pm each day. Students may study individually on Level 3 or get some help from our Study Hub mentors. Workshops will be running all week and the schedule will be available on the Year 12 Luminary page.

Electives Webinar

We are gearing up for the Year 9, 2027 Electives webinar. The transition into Year 9 marks an exciting moment in every student’s learning journey. For the first time, students are invited to shape part of their own pathway, making choices that reflect their interests, curiosities and emerging passions. The elective program is designed as a space for exploration, not limitation. It is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a variety of disciplines, to try something new, and to discover what genuinely engages and challenges you. These choices are not prerequisites for Stage 6; rather, they are a valuable chance to broaden your experience and develop new skills. Students should not limit their elective choices in Stage 5 to only areas they would like to pursue in senior years. We look forward to seeing you online at 7pm on Wednesday 29 July.

– Melissa McMahon
Head of Learning and Teaching