From the Assistant Head of Senior School – Academic Care and Administration

An Open Letter to Year 10 Students

Dear Year 10 students,

I have interviewed 25 of you this week regarding your subject selection and I have been fascinated by the experience. I have discussed these interviews with Jo Cilia, Loretta Toole, Linda Emms, Neil Scotney and Frances Booth and we all agree how enjoyable this time with you has been.

We asked you to listen to all the voices giving advice and you have done exactly that. You have spoken of Parent Teacher night advice, older sisters experiences, parental suggestions but in amongst of those voices the one that is clearest and loudest has been your voice.

You have impressed us because you came to hear our advice with an open heart and open mind.

You impressed us because you have embodied the MLC School dispositions of self awareness and accountability.

In every choice you have shown courage and daring to be more.

I cannot wait to work with you as our new Year 11. You have shared your fears, your dreams and your strengths, each as unique as your personalities and it has been the joy of my week.

Well done.

I have one more request.

Now that you have taken one more step towards your Senior School subject selection…what will you do with these choices?

Will you weave these wonderful opportunities into two years of challenges accepted and bested?

Will you seek help when needed and feedback when offered? Will you see each subject as a lone silo waiting to be filled or will you see your subjects as an interconnected network of concepts and insights for knowledge?

I hope you do, because if you can, the next two years will be extraordinary and you will not regret a moment.

Thank you for sharing this part of your journey with those of us lucky enough to be in the subject selection committee.

As Dr Seuss famously quipped

‘Kid! You’ll move mountains!’

– Chris Barnes
Assistant Head of Senior School – Academic Care and Administration