From the Head of Senior School

The Season of Lasts and Firsts

As we move through September, our School finds itself in a special season, one filled with both ‘lasts’ and ‘firsts’.

For our Year 12 students, this week has been marked by a number of significant milestones. They have gathered with their Luminary groups for the final time, shared their last Big Sister Little Sister experience, attended their final Senior Years Chapel and continued to celebrate the culmination of years of hard work through major work submissions, performances and showcases.

There is a particular poignancy in these final weeks. This morning at our annual Fathers Day breakfast, I had many discussions with the students and their fathers and father figures about the significance of finishing school and moving on from the community. As students prepare to leave school, they begin to appreciate the value of the everyday moments that have become part of their routines: gathering with friends before class, connecting with teachers, participating in House events and co-curricular activities. It is often in these final weeks that students realise how much they have grown and how deeply they belong.

At the same time, we are also witnessing many exciting firsts. This week we welcomed new, incoming students through our Year 7 Experience Day, providing them with an opportunity to experience firsthand the warmth, enthusiasm and sense of community that make MLC School such a special place. It was wonderful to see current students stepping confidently into mentorship roles, sharing their stories and helping younger students feel welcome and connected. In the coming week, we look forward to celebrating this important transition as our 2026 student leadership team formally passes the baton to the student leaders of 2027.

These moments remind us that leadership is never really about titles or positions. It is about the legacy we leave behind through our actions, our kindness and the way we contribute to the lives of others. The example set by our current Year 12 students through their service, commitment and spirit will continue to shape our School long after they have graduated.

As always, our calendar remains wonderfully busy. This weekend’s Dance Showcase, followed by next week’s Senior School House Athletics Carnival and leadership celebrations, will provide further opportunities for students to challenge themselves, support one another and create memories that will stay with them for years to come.

In this season of lasts and firsts, I encourage all students to be present, to embrace opportunities and to make the most of every day. While milestones are important, it is often the small moments in between that become our most treasured memories.

Study Hub Next Week

– Joanna Graffen
Head of Senior School