From the Head of Senior School

It’s been a challenging week for the girls with all the rain around, especially on Monday as we started Week 3. Despite this, the uniform standards have been exceptionally high. It’s very encouraging to greet students each morning and see that they continue to maintain such high standards. A gentle reminder that girls are not to arrive or leave school with a jumper as the outer garment, it must always be the uniform, blouse or blazer. Thank you to all families for your support in this area and to our Year 12 School and House Captains for your presence at the gates each day.

I’d also like to acknowledge the efforts of or Middle Years Leaders for their efforts in reminding girls in Year 6 to Year 11 about the importance of wearing the correct uniform. They took on the responsibility of making a presentation to girls at an Assembly on Wednesday. From all reports this was very well planned, superbly done and highly entertaining. Congratulations to our all girls for demonstrating pride in the wearing of school uniform.

Also on Wednesday 12 February 2020 we had the opportunity of welcoming back girls from the Class of 2019 to the Academic Achievement Assembly. It’s always great to see Old Girls return to school and acknowledge their success in the HSC and IB Diploma. I had the pleasure of speaking at the assembly and shared with all present our admiration for their enormous efforts and how this translates to both positive outcomes for them and the motivation it provides for girls in other years.

MLC School girls have always stood out to me for so many reasons. When I reflect on the Class of 2019, they have added to the incredible history of this great school. Their legacy will include pushing the boundaries, challenging the conventional, questioning why, taking risks, paving the way for those who come after them, and doing all of this with a sense of compassion, kindness, humility, generosity and honesty.

Whilst we celebrate their success, I also shared some insights into the stories behind their success. Success is no accident. It’s hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrificing and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. I am privileged to know so much about the sacrifices they’ve made, the perseverance they’ve shown, the agony, the heartache, the joy and the sorrow. It’s a reminder for all girls and their families that success rarely comes easy.

In closing, I shared with the assembly a challenge, whilst meant for the Class of 2019, it carries meaning for us all.

In terms of success, the greatest ever sporting team in history are the All Blacks, the rugby union side from New Zealand. Their success is built around a strong culture of ‘Sweep the Sheds’.

That’s correct, the global brand with a lifetime winning percentage of 77%; the highest of any sporting team; their cultural mantra is built around a tradition that no individual is bigger than the team. Everyone is responsible for the smallest detail. Therefore, sweeping the shed is done by everyone, captain and coach included, who are always the last to leave. The sweeping I refer to is in the very literal sense. They pick up all their own rubbish, from drink bottles, food scraps, used tape and bandaging, and then proceed to grab a broom and sweep out all the dirt from the floor. They ensure that this takes place after every training session and game, regardless of where they may be in the world, with the knowledge they have left the sheds in a better state than the way they found them.

I find this an amazing mantra to apply in life. There might be occasions where we are unable to physically ‘sweep the sheds’, but it does reinforce that the minor details are just as important. For me, it also highlights the value in looking after others, regardless of who they may be.

We are privileged to operate in a school where these qualities are exhibited often. The student body at MLC School are incredibly inclusive and supportive of others, however, we all could do with a reminder of the benefits that come from ‘sweeping the sheds.’

– Neil Scotney
Head of Senior School

More photos from the Class of 2019 Academic Assembly are available here.