From the Learning Enhancement Department

Getaway Program Semester 2

The Getaway Space remains open in SC101 every day during lunch for students to access.

Additionally, during Semester 2, Academic Support with a focus on Literacy and Numeracy will be offered two mornings per week in SC101.

Tuesday: 7.30am–8.10am and/or
Wednesday: 7.30am–8.10am

Sessions will run weekly until the end of the term, Tuesday 15 July and Wednesday 16 July 2026. If you wish for your daughter to attend during Term 3, please contact the Learning Enhancement Department by email here.

Semester 2 High Potential Learning – Junior School

The G.A.T.E.WAYS Challenge is a national, team-based competition held in Term 4, designed to engage high-ability students in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

The competition is designed to prioritise teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking over individual performance. Schools register teams that are made up of students with advanced abilities across the curriculum.

Selected students in Year 3–Year 6 will be offered the opportunity to participate in training during Term 3 and attend the Challenge event as a team during Term 4. As well, the Junior School Horizons Program and Writer’s Society will continue in Semester 2. Notably, Writer’s Society will extend to include Year 4 students this Semester.

Amy Kirk and James Adams, High Potential Learning Leaders, are looking forward to engaging in these offerings with Junior School students.

Junior School Learning Enhancement Teacher – Felicity Young

Felicity is a vibrant and dedicated Learning Enhancement teacher with a strong commitment to supporting students and creating inclusive learning environments where every learner can thrive. Felicity is passionate about helping students recognise their strengths, build confidence, and achieve their potential through tailored support and meaningful learning opportunities.

After completing a Bachelor of Education in Sydney, Felicity travelled to Bergamo, Italy, to undertake a Montessori Teaching Diploma. Before joining MLC School in 2023, Felicity taught in Montessori primary schools across New South Wales and the ACT and worked as a Diverse Learning teacher at Sydney Catholic Schools.

In 2025, Felicity completed a Master of Autism and Neurodiverse Studies at the University of Wollongong. Felicity stated that her interest in this field has been shaped by the many remarkable students she has had the privilege of working with, as well as her own experiences as a parent in a neurodiverse household.

Outside of teaching, Felicity enjoys travelling, drawing and painting, walking her cavalier ‘Bowie’, and watching Antiques Roadshow. During the recent holidays, Felicity attended the filming of an episode in the UK and was featured in a segment due to air in 2027!

2026 Sydney Philosothon

MLC School proudly celebrated its inaugural participation in the 2026 Sydney Philosothon, hosted by Newington College’s Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics on 23 July. Competing against students from schools across Sydney, MLC School’s team of four students achieved an outstanding result, placing among the top three teams in the competition.

The Sydney Philosothon is an annual inter-school event that brings together students in Years 8 to 10 to engage in collaborative philosophical inquiry. Rather than debating to win arguments, students participate in a series of Communities of Inquiry, where they work together to explore complex questions, build reasoned arguments, and consider diverse perspectives. The event aims to strengthen critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and respectful dialogue.

This year’s discussions challenged students to consider thought-provoking questions, including whether happiness is the most important thing in life, what it means for a society to progress, and whether humanity’s relationship with nature has become too transactional. Through careful listening, questioning, and reflection, students demonstrated intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to engage deeply with ideas.

MLC School’s success is particularly significant as it marked the School’s first involvement in the event. Competing against experienced Philosothon teams from ten schools across Sydney, the students impressed judges with the rigour, creativity, and care they brought to their philosophical discussions. Their top-three finish reflects not only their impressive critical thinking skills, but also their ability to collaborate thoughtfully and respectfully with others.

Congratulations to our students for representing MLC School with distinction. Their achievement highlights the growing strength of philosophical inquiry and critical thinking within the MLC School, and we look forward to building on this success in future years. As the Sydney Philosothon continues to foster a community of young thinkers, MLC School is excited to be part of this inspiring tradition.

– Stephanie Dimitrelis
Director of Learning Enhancement