From the Principal
Welcome back to what promises to be another very busy and exciting term.
While many people were able to take a break over the holidays, it was not the case for everyone. Working very hard over the break were the many staff and Year 12 students who were onsite for study workshops and small group assistance and writing or marking practice papers in preparation for the HSC and IB final exams. The HSC students began their exams this week and the IB exams begin next week. We wish them all the very best.
As I reported at the end of last term, we had many study and enrichment tours underway during the break. Non-term time also provides the opportunity for those working behind the scenes to undertake major works. For example, the Year 12 common room was renovated, ready for the class of 2025; and the arrival of spring has provided an opportunity for us to upgrade many of the lawn areas and gardens.
One of the most significant improvements has been the conversion of our Senior School gates from manual to automatic operation. This safety improvement enables instant, school wide securing of our premises in the event of an emergency and ensures that on a day-to-day basis, the premises are secure after hours:
- Gate 1 (the front gate on Rowley Street) will open automatically Monday to Friday (school days only) from 6am and close automatically Monday to Friday (school days only) at 6pm.
- Gate 15 (Park Rd entrance to Senior School) will open automatically Monday to Friday (school days only) from 6am and close automatically Monday to Friday (school days only) at 4pm.
The times will be adjusted when there are scheduled school events. However, if you are exiting from within the school grounds and the gates are closed, you will be able to open the gate by pressing the large green push button.
Junior School arrangements have not changed.
Congratulations to Junior School staff member Ryan Naylor – Australian Psychological Society Award.
Last year, an article based on Ryan’s Honors research “Rest breaks aid directed attention and learning” was published in the Educational and Developmental Psychologist
We have just been advised that he and his co-authors and have won the 2024 APS Altmetrics Award, which recognises indicators of a journal article’s success such as the attention, influence and impact and that the journal article will now also be published on the Australian Journal of Psychology, Australian Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist and will be available to download for free, as open access, for 12 months.
This is a remarkable achievement, and I am sure that findings of Ryan’s research will be immediately applied to classrooms around the world, as well as those at MLC School. Congratulations, Ryan.
An invitation to attend the IGSA Festival of Speech
The IGSA (Independent Girls’ Schools Association) Festival of Speech is hosted annually by one of the member schools and this year it is MLC School’s honour to do so. The Festival is open to girls from Year 7 to Year 11 and offers an important focal point for skill development, personal expression, teamwork, and friendship.
Students from independent girls’ schools across NSW and the ACT will compete in a wide range of oratory events including drama, debating, poetry, prose readings, current affairs, and religious and ethical questions.
The Festival will be held from 3.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday October 25 2024 and 8am to 5pm on Saturday October 26 2024 in the Senior School. I do hope that you can join us.
– Lisa Moloney
Principal