From the Head of Senior School
As we come to the end of Term 3, it is worth pausing to acknowledge just how much has taken place across the Senior School in the past few weeks. The end of term always seems to arrive quickly, but when we look back over Week 6 to Week 9, there is much to celebrate.
In Week 6, we welcomed visitors from Ballantine Memorial School in Fiji. This was an opportunity for our students to connect with another school community and to show the hospitality that is such an important part of MLC School. There was a lovely connection for the Fijian girls with Rev Viniani Raviteli who toured them around the School. The MLC School girls got such a pleasant surprise when the Ballantine girls sang to them and presented gifts as they left each class. That same week, our debaters represented the School at the Archdale Debating Grand Final, where MLC School was named Champion IGSA School for the fourth year in a row. This is an outstanding achievement and one that reflects the strength of our Debating program, the commitment of our students and the guidance of the staff involved.
Week 7 brought Experience Day, where we welcomed future students and families to the School. Our students were excellent ambassadors, helping others feel welcome and giving them a glimpse of what senior school will bring. The Dance Showcase also took place that weekend and was a wonderful celebration of the work, discipline, and creativity of our dancers. It is hard to believe that many of those same dancers and staff will be on a plane to Europe today!
In Week 8 and Week 9, our Year 8 students took part in the Round Square Regional Exchange, with students visiting from Radford College in Canberra, Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston and Wilderness School in Adelaide. These exchanges have been fantastic for the students. Our students are looking forward to heading off on the reciprocal exchange next term. If your daughter is interested in Round Square Exchange, look out for notices for 2027 from Henry Wijanto, Round Square Coordinator.
Our Year 6 to Year 12 House Athletics Carnival was another highlight of the term. It was a day filled with colour, House Spirit and amazing costumes! I thank the students and staff who contributed to making it such a positive event. It is also fantastic to note that we had the highest attendance at a carnival ever! We also announced our 2027 Captains, which is always an exciting moment in the life of the School. I congratulate the students who have been appointed and look forward to seeing the contribution they will make next year.
The Year 11 Drama Production gave our students the opportunity to share their work with an audience – congratulations to Kellie Cogin, Drama Teacher and Lisa Jinga, Head of Department – Dance, Drama and Entertainment (DDE) – and our Cadets took part in their Promotion Camp at Holsworthy Army Barracks. We congratulate the students involved.
Week 9 has, of course, been very much about Year 12. Through Celebration Assembly, OGU Chocolate Recess, the recognition of our Year 12 Lifers, Final Assembly, Valedictory Assembly and Valedictory Dinner, we have had the chance to farewell the Class of 2026 and thank them for all they have contributed to MLC School. The dance floor was jumping at Montage last night!
As the term ends, we also wish safe travels to the students and staff taking part in the DDE Tour to London and Paris, the WOW Design Tour to New Zealand and the History Tour to Germany and Italy. I know these will be memorable experiences and we look forward to hearing about them next term.
Thank you to our students, staff and families for all that you have contributed throughout Term 3. I hope the holiday break provides some time to rest, recover and enjoy a slower pace before we return for Term 4.
– Joanna Graffen
Head of Senior School
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