Newsletter | Term 2 | Week 3 2025 - 16 May 2025

From the Principal

This week our student leaders organised a variety of activities and challenges as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. The celebration culminated with various staff being awarded certificates at assembly and the presentation of a huge poster on which students had recorded their thanks to the staff. The time and effort that the students put into this week was very much appreciated, as were the thanks and awards. Despite what you might read or hear, teaching is an enormously demanding career that requires not only skill but also a deep personal commitment. What might seem like a small gesture such as saying ‘thank you’, writing a note or email of appreciation or a friendly smile can make all the difference, and I am heartened that our students took the time to express their thanks.

Equally important in making sure our staff feel valued is fostering a respectful relationship between parents and school staff. Ensuring there is a clear, shared understanding of the School’s expectations around respectful communication is an important first step in maintaining a harmonious and supportive school environment. Often there is the need to discuss difficult issues or raise matters of concern and emotions can be heightened, however, there is an expectation that all communication will be in keeping with our School Value of Respect.

To ensure that everyone is clear about our expectations, we are updating our Parent Code of Conduct. It is currently in draft form and your input and feedback are welcome. To view the draft copy of Parent/Carer Code of Conduct*, please logon to Omnia here.

Please address any suggestions via communications@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

The Draft Code of Conduct should be read in conjunction with our Social Media Policy, which can also be found by logging in to Omnia here. The Grievance Policy is available by clicking here.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Monday night’s Sydney Opera House concert. Our students have been rehearsing since early Term 1 and their commitment and willingness to be involved is very much appreciated. Without giving too much away, the massed items are remarkable!

Such an event takes an exceptional level of organisation and complex logistics. I encourage each family to familiarise themselves with the plans for Monday to avoid confusion and ensure the smooth arrival and dismissal of performers.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal

(*The full range of MLC School policies can be found in Omnia under school-information/general-information/policies/)

Introducing our Acting Director/s of Sport

Introducing our Acting Director/s of Sport

In the 2 May 2025, newsletter, I announced that Lisa Filby, our Director of Sport, was taking on a new opportunity and committed to sharing the plans for sport at MLC School with you.

In consultation with the Sports Department and School Executive, I believe it is wise to take the time to explore the best model for the leadership of sport at MLC School. As such, I have made a temporary appointment to allow us to ascertain the team’s long-term needs and carefully consider what models of leadership and resourcing will best serve our community to enhance sporting opportunities for all students at MLC School, regardless of their ability. To achieve this, we will rely on the advice of Kathryn Taylor, a highly regarded consultant from Turning Point Consulting. She will work with the team to examine their needs, build their leadership capacity, and provide mentorship and support throughout this period. Combining this expertise with the feedback we received from the whole school Sports Survey conducted in 2024 we will have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of our current programs and processes to provide the basis for our sports strategy moving forward.

In the meantime, I am delighted to advise that I have appointed Sarah Jauncey, Director of Experiential Learning and Scott Carpenter, our Head of Senior School Operations as co-Acting Directors of Sport in addition to their current roles. Sarah and Scott had a comprehensive handover from Lisa and are excited to meet you all around the grounds this weekend.

Sarah Jauncey is well known to the MLC School community as a much-loved Junior School Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) teacher for the past six years. She commenced her time at MLC School as the Head of Gymnastics, has led outdoor education and immersions and is currently the Director of Experiential Learning. Sarah is responsible for most of our experiences beyond the curriculum. Her expertise in leading co-curricular activities will greatly enhance the Sports Department, through her knowledge of School Systems and processes across both the Junior and Senior School.

Prior to MLC School, Sarah was Head of Junior School Sport and PDHPE at Pymble Ladies’ College, at PLC Sydney she held roles as Head of Junior School Sport, coordinator of strength and conditioning and Duke of Edinburgh. She was Director of Sport Pre-Kindergarten – Year 6 at Meriden for five years. Sarah also served a long tenure at NSW IPSHA as the girls’ sport convenor; and has been the convenor of NSWCIS swimming and NSWPSSA swimming team manager. Sarah is passionate about empowering students to go beyond their perceived limits and sees her role as an educator to develop physically literate individuals who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity. Her number one goal is to share her passion for fun, laughter, and activity with every student she teaches.

Scott Carpenter is a highly experienced educator and sports leader with over 20 years in the Department of Education and various other educational settings. He is Head of Secondary School Operations at MLC School, a Senior School PDHPE teacher, and holds extensive qualifications, including a Certificate III in Sports Coaching and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

A passionate advocate for student sports development, Scott has been a Whole School Sports Coordinator for over a decade, managing staff and students from school to State levels. With extensive coaching experience, Scott has held roles as a Coach and Convenor at the CHS Championship level in football and squash across the Sydney East and Western regions. Additionally, Scott has contributed to numerous community-level sporting programs in a wide range of sports, including football, athletics, squash, basketball, rugby league, water polo, triathlon, tennis, and touch football.

As the Central and Western Tablelands Coordinator for the Girri Girri Sports Academy, Scott has overseen the coordination of over 10 satellite academies, helping to develop sporting talent across the region. He was also proud to be a member of the Learn Earn Legend program with NSW Rugby, further demonstrating a commitment to fostering youth participation and excellence in sports.

I would like to thank Sarah and Scott for their willingness to share their expertise. I am confident that Sport at MLC School will flourish under their leadership, we are very fortunate to have such depth of leadership within our School and combined with our existing Sports staff the future of sport at our School looks positive.

Communication

To ensure there is no confusion for parents or students, if you have a query or concern that you would like to raise about sport, both Sarah and Scott are contactable at directorofsport@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au, you are welcome to address both of them and the most appropriate person will respond. Scott Carpenter will oversee the Emerging Athlete Program. They will both be introduced to students at our next school assemblies in the Junior and Senior Schools. 

Following the Whole School Sports Survey conducted last year, we developed a new Sports strategy with a clear vision for Sport at MLC School and we are determined to see this come to fruition.

MLC School is dedicated to fostering a culture where sport is celebrated as a vital part of our educational offerings. We aim to inspire every student to embrace the transformative power of sport, nurturing their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. We envision sport as a dynamic and inclusive platform that enriches the lives of our students, nurtures their talents, and shapes their futures. Guided by the principles of participation, enjoyment, skill development, and character formation, our sporting culture is built on the belief that every student has the opportunity to flourish, both on and off the field.

– Melissa Boyd
Deputy Principal

Sydney Opera House Concert – What’s Happening on Monday? Important Information.

Sydney Opera House Concert – What’s Happening on Monday? Important Information.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE CONCERT REMINDERS

Finally, the day has come! On Monday we need to work together to ensure the day is as enjoyable and runs as smoothly as possible. Please read on below for some final reminders for the day.

This is a compulsory school day and absences will be followed up. If your daughter is sick, please follow normal procedure:

  • Senior School by logging into Omnia here and using the Absences button, or via the MLC School app using the Absences tile.
  • Junior School an email to Junior School Reception, or notify her absence through the MLC School app.

Excursion Permissions

Thank you to all those parents who have already provided permission. If you have not yet done so, please login to Omnia here to click on the ‘Approve’ button.

Times to Arrive at the Sydney Opera House

As previously notified, students in the following groups will need to make their own way to the Sydney Opera House, to arrive at the following times:

8am – Organ soloist, Chamber Orchestra, Stage Band
9.30am – Symphonic Wind Band, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir

All other students proceed to school as per normal school day. Students will be organised by supervisory staff for their departure times by train to the Sydney Opera House.

What Happens at School on Monday?

  • Except for those students going directly to the Sydney Opera House, all students arrive at school as per a normal school day.
  • Students are to bring only a notepad and pen to school on Monday. No ipads or laptops. There will be a modified timetable.
  • Junior School canteen will operate normal hours. Lunch orders for students participating in Sydney Opera House rehearsals will be available at 12.15pm prior to student departure.
  • Café 1886 will operate in the morning and for amended recess and lunchtimes
  • Students will be organised in their groups, by staff, for their departure times, via train. The Angeli Choir will be taken to the Sydney Opera House by bus with supervising staff.

What to Wear

Students must wear their formal school uniform (tunic or skirt only, not pants and no hats) with blazer and appropriate tights or stockings:

  • Junior School – Regulation long navy socks
  • Year 6 to Year 9 – Black regulation tights
  • Year 10 to Year 12 – Sheer black stockings (as per formal occasion)
  • Hair must be tied back and only approved jewellery is to be worn 
  • No makeup

What To Pack for the Day

Those students going directly to the Sydney Opera House will need to pack their food, drinks and snacks for the entire day (including dinner).

For all other students, please remember there are no facilities to purchase food or to heat food, please ensure your daughter is well stocked with:

  • All food and snacks for the day and a packed picnic dinner for the evening
  • Water/drink in a disposable bag. Please do not bring chips or popcorn.

Girls are allowed to bring their phone and wallet (where appropriate) – this is subject to normal school rules applying to the use of mobile phones. There is strictly no access or use of mobile phones or electronic devices in the concert hall or backstage.

Evening Concert

  • The concert starts at 7pm. The concert is expected to finish at 9.45pm
  • Students will have allocated seats in the boxes around the stage

After the Concert

Students are to meet their parents/carers at the following locations:

  • Angeli Choir, Year 6 Senior Choir members, Combined Strings and Combined Band – Stage Door
  • Remaining Year 6 students – Designated Year 6 area in the covered concourse under the Sydney Opera House stairs
  • Year 7 to Year 12 ensemble performers – Stage Door
  • Year 7 – Year 12 students – Covered concourse under the Sydney Opera House stairs

Click here for pick up points map

What Happens on Tuesday 20 May 2025

  • Tuesday is a normal school day. Normal timetable and bell times will resume as per normal for the whole School.
  • School buses will also be running as per normal.

If your daughter has any questions about the above she can ask her Luminary, Head of Year, or class teacher.

We can’t wait to see all the girls on stage.

Sydney Opera House Concert
Monday 19 May 2025
7pm

There are a small number of tickets still available.

Book tickets here

The girl is at the heart of MLC School’s Pastoral Care program

The girl is at the heart of MLC School’s Pastoral Care program

We invite you to watch the latest video detailing the comprehensive Pastoral Care program at MLC School.

Hear from our Wellbeing Captain and key staff members who work behind the scenes and directly with students.

MLC School’s initiatives are dedicated to supporting growth and wellbeing, ensuring girls thrive both personally and academically.

Dedicated staff are committed to the development of social-emotional learning, wellbeing monitoring and our whole-school holistic approach. If any student requires individual support, there is a support network here to provide assistance as a team. We are committed to ensuring that every student feels supported and empowered to achieve their personal best.

Working together to support your child’s growth and development is fundamental for all us at MLC School.

STEM – Robotics @ MLC School Update

STEM – Robotics @ MLC School Update

Our Junior and Senior Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Co-curricular Robotics students have been busy working on their submissions into the RoboCup and VEX robotics competitions. 

RoboCup

We have 46 students in Year 5 – Year 12 who will be entering the RoboCup OnStage, Rescue and, for the first time, Maze Division at the RoboCup NSW Open later this year. In addition to our weekly afternoon sessions many of these students attended a Robotics Workshop last Saturday 10 May where they were able to work with judges and students from other schools on their entries into the competition.

Vex 

Expanding our robotics offering, MLC School will also be entering a team into the VEX IQ robotics competition for the first time this year. Our inaugural team of Year 6 students have had a visit from one of the Trinity Preparatory teams at the end of last term to get them started on some basics of the competition. The students who have had a term of coding Lego Spike Prime robots in class have been busy learning the new VEX system and are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2025-2026 VEXIQ competition. 

– Marie Cassar
STEM Co-Curricular Coordinator

Click on image gallery for full size images.

 

 

 

P&F Forum – RespectED: Navigating Respectful Relationships

P&F Forum – RespectED: Navigating Respectful Relationships

Thursday 29 May 2025
6pm sharp to 7pm
Senior Centre, Level 1

Please RSVP here

Sponsored by the P&F, this highly anticipated event will take place on Thursday 29 May 2025, from 6pm sharp to 7pm on the first floor of the Senior Centre.

Click here for the detailed poster

Parenting about respectful relationships means actively teaching our girls how to build health connections with others, setting a positive example, and having open conversations about what respectful behaviour looks like in different situations, especially as they enter teenage years and start navigating romantic relationships.

We are excited to share with you, this wonderful opportunity to hear from some of Australia’s leading experts.

This forum addresses one of the most pressing and important issues facing families today: building and fostering respectful relationships.

Please RSVP here

We look forward to seeing you all on the night. You can view the poster detailing the event here, and the full overview video by clicking the thumbnail below.

– Andrew Taylor
Deputy Head of Senior School – Wellbeing

Save the Date – Senior Drama Production, The Great Gatsby

Save the Date – Senior Drama Production, The Great Gatsby

Tickets for The Great Gatsby will be on sale Tuesday 20 May 2025.

General Public Tickets

Tuesday 3 June 2025 – 6pm–8pm
Thursday 5 June 2025 – 6pm–8pm
Friday 6 June 2025 – 6pm–8pm
Saturday 7 June 2025 – 6pm-8pm

Location: MLC School Drama Theatre
Tickets: On Sale Tuesday 20 May 2025

From the Head of Learning and Teaching

From the Head of Learning and Teaching

Spotlight on Professional Practice

Professional learning of staff is a key lever for school improvement, and it is a significant focus in the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.  At the time of writing, we are recruiting a Director of Professional Practice who will spearhead our Professional Learning Teams and instructional coaching of teachers.

We’re thrilled to launch our Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) initiative, which is an exciting step forward in our mission to provide the best possible education for MLC School girls. At its core, this initiative is about ensuring every girl in our school thrives, academically, socially, and emotionally, through evidence-informed, girl-centred teaching practices. Backed by insights from leading educational research, our initiative recognises that girls excel in environments where:

  • Relationships and collaboration are central to learning
  • Confidence is nurtured through encouragement, not perfectionism
  • Learning feels purposeful, creative, and connected to the real world

Our PLTs bring together teachers across subjects to collaboratively explore what works best for girls, drawing on research, classroom evidence, and each other’s expertise. These teams engage in:

  • Disciplined inquiry into teaching practices
  • Experimentation with innovative strategies
  • Sharing successes and learning from challenges

This week in the Senior School, teachers engaged in collegial professional learning workshops about strategies to foster active engagement in classrooms. According to Stanislas Dehaene, learning requires attention, active engagement, feedback and consolidation.  

You can read about some of the highly engaging, evidence-informed workshops facilitated by our teachers below:

Tim Curry, Head of Department – English: Socratic Circles and Spider Web Discussions- Promoting student agency and thinking in structured discussions

Alisha Vigna, Teacher – Drama: Unlocking the Magic of the ADHD Brain – Active Learning for Students with ADHD in Year 7 – Year 10

Schools can be difficult places for young women with ADHD and one study suggested that students with ADHD receive up to five times more corrective feedback than their peers. This can lead to a decrease in self-esteem and ultimately disengagement in the classroom. This need not be the case. The ADHD mind is magical… If we know how to unlock its huge potential. This workshop focused on key strategies to not only engage students with ADHD, but to instil a love of learning and a chance to experience success in the classroom. 

David O’Donohue, Teacher – English: What has Shakespeare ever done for us? How to activate prior learning and engage students through making thinking visible in a relevant and relatable way!

Dave O’Donohue demonstrated how to engage students with that perennial writer/offender on every English course; the Bard, William Shakespeare! Many students find this writer difficult, but Dave used a Harvard University technique combined with communicating his own ideas about relevance and the universal appeal of Shakespeare – yes, even to teenagers, to convince his audience of the enduring value of the playwright. 

Did you know that ‘Macbeth’ is not (only!) about ambition and regicide? From a more humanist perspective, it’s about a loving couple who have suffered an unimaginable grief and then the loss of communication leading to the tragic breakdown of a once happy relationship? Our girls are very interested in relationship dynamics! 

The teachers left with some new ideas and pedagogical tools for their toolbox… and perhaps even a new appreciation for and engagement with  ‘… that old, dead white guy…!’

Joseph Pfeffer, Teacher – English: Complex Grammar for a Complex World: Developing Students’ Syntax for Expressing More Complex Relationships (Stages 4 and 5)

Complex Grammar for a Complex World: Developing Students’ Syntax for A More Active Expression of Knowledge. It was about transforming writing tasks in the classroom from a passive act of parroting, to an active space for thinking and contributing. In it, we experimented with replacing static questions with active prompts, which allow for student agency and are self-differentiating; and we discussed some syntactical options by which students can succinctly load detail into their sentences.

Bridget Kovats, Teacher – English: Differentiation of Writing for Stage 4 students

In Differentiation of Writing, teachers participated in one of several tiered writing activities from a student’s perspective. Each teacher was ‘grouped’ according to their ability level and engaged with a differentiated writing challenge. This was followed by a collaborative reflection on how tiered instruction models can meet the diverse student needs in our classrooms. The activity was designed to engage teachers with ensuring active engagement by meeting students where they are at, working to their ability level and understanding. 

Marianna Carlino, Director of eLearning: Making thinking visible. Engage your students like never before and boost their critical thinking skills. It will encouraging active participation and reflection for more effective learning.

During the session, staff engaged in visible thinking routines like Chalk Talk, 3-2-1 Bridge, and Compass Points to explore their practical applications in the classroom. These activities fostered collaborative learning and critical thinking, providing educators with hands-on experience in facilitating student engagement. Participants left with valuable insights on integrating these routines to enhance classroom discussions and student understanding.

Amy Kirk, Teacher: Using a community of inquiry to stimulate deep thinking

Andrew Simos, IB Sports Science Consultant: Using warm-ups to activate learning

Danielle Rodrigues, Head of Department – Human Society and It’s Environment (HSIE): The 360 classroom: interval training to foster critical thinking and visible learning. Full class participation? Check! Student accountability? Check! Problem solving on the go? Check! 

We look forward to keeping you updated on the progress and impact of this work, as we continue to evolve our practices in ways that best serve our girls.

Teachers as Researchers

As part of our Strategic Plan 2025–2027, we are striving to strengthen the research culture at MLC School. We won’t be just implementing research, we will be contributing to educational research. A number of our talented MLC School staff are already engaged in further study in a range of different areas relevant to the education of girls. 

Congratulations to Linda Chui who has been selected to represent MLC School in the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools Global Action Research Conference. The focus for the 2025/2026 cohort is ‘Navigating the AI Frontier in Girls’ Schools.’ Linda will attend a conference in Philadelphia in June 2025 and she will present her paper in Toronto in 2026. Toby Duncan was the 2024/2025 representative. Toby’s research focused on peer-to-peer discussion in mathematics learning, aiming to build conceptual understanding and positive self-perception as mathematicians within the constraints of a prescriptive syllabus. We are delighted to have both Linda and Toby as research ambassadors for the School.

Congratulations also to Marianna Carlino, Director of eLearning, who has had a paper accepted for the AISNSW Digital Directions Conference. Marianna will share MLC School’s innovative approaches to integration of AI in teaching and learning, highlighting the School’s commitment to being at the forefront of the integration of technology in education.

I look forward to sharing some stories from our teacher-researchers in subsequent newsletters.

Staffing News

It is with mixed emotions that I share the news that Belinda Merrick, our Senior School Learning Enrichment Coordinator, has decided to resign from her position at MLC School to take up a position at Danebank School.

Belinda has been a deeply valued member of our School community, known and respected across Junior School and Senior School for her unwavering commitment to student learning and wellbeing. Her expertise, warmth, and genuine care have made a lasting impact on students, staff, and families alike.

We are incredibly grateful for the many contributions Belinda has made during her time with us and we wish her every success and happiness at her new school.

– Melissa McMahon
Head of Learning and Teaching

Click on image gallery for full size images.

 

Study Hub+ Term 2 Enrolments

Study Hub+ Term 2 Enrolments

Study Hub+ is MLC School’s structured, pay-per-use after-school study support program for students in Year 7 to Year 12. Sessions run Monday to Thursday, from 3.30pm to 6pm, on Level 1 of the Senior Centre.​

Click here for Nomination form – Term 2, Week 4 and Week 5

Led by Program Coordinator Ela Huber and supported by a team of knowledgeable mentors, all of whom are pre-service teachers. Study Hub+ offers subject-specific assistance across a wide range of disciplines, including English, Mathematics, Sciences, History, Legal Studies, Economics, Geography, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), and Drama.​

Program Overview:

  • Schedule: Monday to Thursday, 3.30pm–6pm
  • Location: Level 1, Senior Centre
  • Cost: $25 per session, charged to your daughter’s account at the end of term
  • Environment: Phone-free zone to minimise distractions which will allow students to build good study habits.
  • Support: A minimum of two mentors per session, rotating to provide diverse subject expertise.
  • Additional Assistance: Mentors can assist with study plans, exam preparation techniques, and provide verbal feedback on drafts.​

To foster consistent study habits, families are encouraged to register on a termly basis. However, weekly bookings remain available via Omnia and the newsletter. Students will receive a reminder email at around 1.30pm on their scheduled day, confirming their session and assigned room.​

Cancellation Policy:

If your daughter is unable to attend a scheduled session, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid being charged. In cases of illness where your daughter is absent from school, you will not be charged.​

Click here for Nomination form – Term 2, Week 4 and Week 5

For any questions or further information, please contact Program Coordinator Ela Huber, ehuber@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Study Support Opportunities at MLC School

Study Support Opportunities at MLC School

MLC School offers two Study Support Opportunities:

  • Year 11 and Year 12 After-Hours Study Hub
  • Year 7 to Year 12 Study Hub+ – please click here to read further and to access the nomination form.

These operate 3.30pm–6pm Monday to Thursday during term time.

Year 11 and Year 12 After-Hours Study Hub

Recognising the importance of a conducive environment for focused study, MLC School has established a free after-hours Study Hub exclusively for our Year 11 and Year 12 students. Located on Level 3 of the Senior Centre, the Study Hub provides a quiet and supportive space where students can concentrate on their studies, complete assessments, and prepare for examinations under the supervision of experienced MLC School staff across many subject areas.

Key Features:

  • Experienced staff: Two teachers rostered each evening from different subject areas, to guide and assist students with their academic queries and provide valuable feedback.
  • Convenient location: Level 3 of the Senior Centre, providing easy access for Senior students.
  • Flexible hours: The study hub is open Monday to Thursday 3.30pm–6pm, allowing students to make the best use of their time outside regular school hours. Partial attendance is welcome.

We encourage all Year 11 and Year 12 students to take advantage of this excellent resource to enhance their learning experience and achieve their academic goals. The staff roster will be published in advance of each week in Audacia, the School newsletter. Students will be required to sign in on arrival to Study Hub and sign out on departure, as part of our student welfare management system.

There is no need to register for this program.

– Joanna Graffen
Head of Senior School

From the Head of Junior School

From the Head of Junior School

Thank you to all our parents who attended our Year 1 Assembly this week. You will have read that our Learning Enhancement Coordinator for Year 6 to Year 12, Belinda Merrick, is concluding her time at MLC School next week. Belinda commenced at MLC School as a Junior School class teacher. I take the opportunity to thank Belinda for all she has done for the Junior School over many years and wish her all the best for the future. 

Year 3 to Year 6 Learning and Technology in the Junior Years Webinar

The Year 3 to Year 6 Parent Webinar provided parents and carers with valuable insights to support their daughters in their digital educational journey. Please click here to read the full article, including a link to the recording and the resources padlet set up by our Director of eLearning, Marianna Carlino.

Mother’s Day Disco 

It was a delight to see our girls having such a wonderful time at last Friday evening’s disco with their mums, aunts, grandmothers, and others. I was impressed to see dads working throughout the evening!  Thank you again to our Year 3 parents for making this fun evening possible. Please see photo gallery below and click here for the Facebook post.

Primary Language Teachers Meet at MLC School 

Today MLC School hosted a meeting of primary language teachers across NSW Independent Schools. They had the pleasure of being entertained by some of our Junior School students, singing to them in Italian. We are very proud of our Italian language program throughout the Junior School. In Year 6 our students undertake a rotating program, being exposed to the language electives that they may select when commencing Year 7.  

I am very much looking forward to watching our Sydney Opera House Concert next Monday evening. We have our past Junior School students in Senior School, Year 6 and some other Junior School students participating. I have no doubt it will be a wonderful night of musical entertainment.

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School

 

From the Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations

From the Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations

A reminder that you can find this term’s timetables for Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 on our parent portal, Omnia. Please help your daughter to come to school prepared by checking that she has the appropriate items for each day, such as her library bag, musical instrument and sports uniform. All of your daughter’s teachers are listed at the bottom of her timetable, should you ever wish to make contact.

Also available through Omnia are the Term 2 Overviews for each grade, which contain information about the learning planned for each subject.

Both timetables and overviews are updated termly and are great starting points for discussions with your daughter about her learning.

– Natalie Hird
Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations

From the Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing

From the Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing

URStrong – how to help your daughter handle mean on purpose behaviour?

When your daughter encounters mean on purpose behaviour, it can be a very upsetting experience. As a parent, how you respond can significantly affect your child’s ability to handle and learn from these situations.

As part of our URStrong program we teach the girls to give a quick comeback and report the behaviour to enlist assistance. Quick reporting, at the time of the mean on purpose behaviour, is the most effective way to resolve the situation. And usually provides the most accurate retelling of the incident.

As parents usually hear about it after the incident (usually in the evening), one helpful approach is to teach your child to view the situation with empathy and understanding. Viewing the situation from a different perspective can depersonalise the situation and take away the emotive reaction, which is helpful for your child.

Encourage Perspective-Taking

Listen Attentively

Begin by giving your child your undivided attention. Listen to them talk about what happened without interrupting. This demonstrates that you take their concerns seriously and validates their feelings. A comment, such as ‘it sounds like that made you sad/angry’ or ‘that sounds hurtful’.

Ask Insightful Questions

Once they have shared their story, help them consider the situation from the other person’s perspective. A key question to ask is: ‘What do you think this might tell us about the other kid?’

Explore Possible Reasons

Prompt your child to think about why someone might act hurtfully. For example, the other child might be facing personal issues, such as family problems or feeling excluded. Discuss these possibilities to help your child see that unkind behaviour often reflects the other person’s struggles, not a flaw in your child.

Teach Empathy and Understanding

Use this moment to talk about empathy. Understanding others’ feelings and situations can help us react more compassionately and less defensively.

Developing Resilience

Reinforce the idea that recognising the personal challenges others face can serve to protect ourselves from being hurt by their actions. It’s like having an emotional shield that enhances our ability to empathise and forgive.

By not taking unkind behaviour personally, your child can better navigate challenging peer situations while maintaining their self-esteem. Keep in mind that if your child is experiencing continued mean on purpose behaviour or bullying from others, you may need to step in and be more involved in finding a long-term solution.

Working with the School is vital. Together our partnership can produce the best outcome for our young people.

– Joanne Sharpe
Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing

Year 3 – Year 6 Learning and Technology in the Junior Years – Webinar

Year 3 – Year 6 Learning and Technology in the Junior Years – Webinar

The Year 3 to Year 6 Parent Webinar provided parents and carers with valuable insights to support their daughters in their digital educational journey. The webinar focused on introducing eLearning platforms and resources such as OneDrive organisation, PowerPoint, and Canvas (LMS), ensuring parents are well-equipped to assist their children. Emphasising the importance of online safety, the session highlighted the Cyber Safety Pledge found in the School diary, which includes establishing rules for internet use at home, being a good online citizen, and reporting inappropriate information to an adult immediately.

Parents also received guidance on how their daughters can use their devices effectively alongside other resources, fostering respectful and kind relationships both on and off devices. Additionally, practical tips were provided on monitoring their child’s online activities, setting house rules, and spending time online together to explore and learn. The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, offering an opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions and gain further understanding of the topics discussed. 

Parents and carers can click on the links below to access further information and contact details.

Click here to view the recording

Click here for the Year 3–Year 6 eLearning and Online Safety Padlet

– Marianna Carlino
Director of eLearning

🏊 Year 6 Dive into Swimming and Health Education! 🏊‍♀️

🏊 Year 6 Dive into Swimming and Health Education! 🏊‍♀️

This term, Year 6 students are making a splash – both in the pool and in the classroom!

As part of our Health and Physical Education program, students are taking part in an exciting swimming unit designed to help them develop essential water safety and lifesaving skills. They’ll be learning how to stay safe in different aquatic environments and how to respond in emergencies, including how to rescue someone safely without putting themselves at risk. Through practical lessons, students will sharpen their decision-making skills and gain confidence around the water – an important life skill.

Alongside their time in the pool, students are also exploring what it truly means to live a healthy, active life. In theory lessons, they are discovering the many reasons people choose to exercise, the barriers that can sometimes get in the way, and the physical and mental benefits of regular movement. Students learn about the importance of good nutrition and how healthy food choices help fuel their bodies for swimming, sport, and everyday activities. Alongside reviewing what they know about puberty and how these changes affect their health and wellbeing.

Together, this unit helps students build their knowledge, understanding and confidence so they can make informed choices, stay safe, and take positive steps toward a healthy and active lifestyle.

So, whether they’re perfecting their freestyle or planning a healthy lunchbox, Year 6 are learning how to lead safe, active, and healthy lives. Go team!  

– Michaela Bourbous
Teacher – Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

Click on image gallery for full size images.

News from the Library

News from the Library

Premier’s Reading Challenge
Monday 24 February – Friday 22 August 2025

Congratulations

Congratulations to these readers who have recently completed the challenge:

Year 2

  • Simone Sidhom

Year 3

  • Harper Begnell
  • Noelle Liu

Year 5

  • Sienna Nguyen

Well done! Please come to the library to choose your bookmark.

Author Visit – Year 3 and Year 4

Kristin Darell will be visiting Year 3 and Year 4 on Wednesday 11 June 2025. Books signed by the author may be purchased by scanning the code below. The books will be delivered to our school and handed out after her visit.

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 25th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

The Junior School will celebrate the event by joining together in Daphne Line Hall on Wednesday 21 May 2025 to read The Truck Cat. The library is running competitions next week in response to reading. One girl from each class will win a book prize. Winners will be announced at morning messages on Monday 26 May 2025.

Happy reading!

– Sharon Seymour
Teacher/Librarian

From the Head of Senior School

From the Head of Senior School

Sydney Opera House Concert

We are all very much looking forward to our Sydney Opera House concert on Monday. The work in preparing and planning for the day cannot be understated and I know that we will all be once again overwhelmed by the talent in our wonderful school.

For the day and evening to be a logistical success, I encourage all families to review the communication in Omnia about the arrangements for the day, as this information is specific to your daughter. General information is available by clicking here. Given the weather forecast, we encourage students to pack a raincoat. Umbrellas are not allowed in the Sydney Opera House.

Please could I seek your cooperation in supporting our plans for the day. Contacting the School and asking for your daughter to have special arrangements, for example, making her own way to the Sydney Opera House, complicates our careful planning and logistics to maximise efficiency and duty of care. I also ask that you support us in ensuring that your daughter’s uniform is in order.

Students attending school will participate in a revised timetable in collapsed classes. They will be briefed during a morning muster.

UTS Initial Teacher Education Partnership Program

I am pleased to advise that we currently have five students from UTS onsite until the end of Week 5 (Friday 30 May 2025), working with mentors in the Senior School and co-teaching our students. This initiative enhances our strategic partnership with the university and assists us in consistently collaborating with strong graduate educators. Thank you to the English, Human Society and it’s Environment (HSIE), Science and Mathematics faculties for participating and special thanks to Susan Rowley, Director of Teacher Accreditation, for facilitating the program.

Uniform outside of the School gates

It is important to remember that the Uniform Code of our School extends beyond its gates and remains applicable even when students are at home or in public spaces. By always adhering to the uniform standards, students not only uphold the values and image of our School but also demonstrate pride and respect for the community they represent. This commitment reflects the high expectations we hold for our students, fostering a sense of belonging and integrity that transcends the classroom. If students are seen to be wearing incorrect uniform outside school, Accountability Points will be awarded. Thank you for your support in reminding your daughter as she sets off to school and we will reinforce this at school.

Next week at a glance in the Senior School

Monday 19 May 2025 8am–7pm Sydney Opera House Final Rehearsal
  7pm–9.30pm Sydney Opera House Concert
Tuesday 20 May 2025 10.05am–10.35am Year 6 to Year 9 Chapel
Year 10 to Year 12 Year Meetings
    – House Touch Football Competition
– Year 8 Stronger Together Service
– Year 7 and Year 8 daVinci Decathlon
Wednesday 21 May 2025 10.05am–10.35am Year 10 to Year 12 Chapel
Year 7 to Year 9 Year Meetings
  4pm–7pm Year 11 Parent/Teacher Evening
Thursday 22 May 2025 10.05am–10.35am Pastoral Care – Luminary
    – House Touch Football Competition
– Year 9 Geography fieldwork at Sydney Science Park
Friday 23 May 2025 10.05am–10.35am House Meetings – Various locations
  10.05am–10.45am Year 11 to Year 12 Careers Conversation
  1.30pm–5pm Cadets Home Training

 

Study Hub

Monday No Study Hub due to Sydney Opera House Concert

 

Tuesday English
Mathematics		 Gemma Goldberger
Toby Duncan
Wednesday Languages
History/Religious Education (RE)		 Helene Schmit
Ashleigh Leck
Thursday Human Society and it’s Environment (HSIE)
Science		 Tom McCosker
Julia Lindblom

 

– Joanna Graffen
Head of Senior School

From the Deputy Head of Senior School – Wellbeing

From the Deputy Head of Senior School – Wellbeing

As part of our Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care approach, MLC School students in Year 8–Year 10 will take part in ‘respectful relationships workshops, facilitated by ‘Elephant Ed’, on Thursday 5 June 2025. Year 7, Year 11 and Year 12 will be held at a later date.

To complement our wellbeing and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum and broaden the discussion around consent and positive, pro social relationships, these workshops seek to equip students with knowledge, skills and attitudes to have safe, fulfilling and enjoyable relationships and to be able to make responsible and safe choices that promote and protect their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of others. 

According to the national Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health (2021), over 95% of young people reported that they believe relationships and sexuality education (RSE) is an important part of the school curriculum. We are adopting a proactive approach towards the issue of consent and hope to strengthen connections between students within and across different year groups, through acquisition of accurate information and supporting development of positive attitudes and values. We are continuing the important discussion of how the wider student community view consent, and the crucial role we play, alongside parents, in addressing and supporting our students around this issue.  

Elephant Ed is a leading sexuality and relationships education provider to hundreds of schools around Australia. Elephant Ed’s workshops are evidence-based, age-appropriate and mapped to State and National curriculum guidelines. Elephant Ed is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner a Trusted eSafety Provider and by the NSW Department of Education as a quality-assured external wellbeing provider.    

As always we encourage you to engage in discussion with your daughters prior to and following the workshops and support the ongoing discussion at home. 

We also hope you can join us for our P&F Forum – RespectED on Thursday 29 May 2025. This forum addresses one of the most pressing and important issues facing families today: building and fostering respectful relationships. The need for empowering parents and young people with knowledge and strategies has never been more urgent. In particular to see and hear about the continual and devastating impact of relationship violence in our country; affecting 1 in 6 women (physical and/or sexual violence) and 1 in 4 women (emotional abuse) in Australia by a current or previous partner since the age of 15 (AIHW, 2021–22).

RSVP HERE

Please reach out should you have any questions.

– Andrew Taylor
Deputy Head of Senior School – Wellbeing

Year 7

Year 7

I am really looking forward to the Sydney Opera House Concert on Monday. This week, Year 7 were singing their hearts out in the final school rehearsal, and it sounded wonderful. I know that a large number of Year 7 students are involved in various ensembles and that Monday will be a huge (and exciting) day. Please ensure all students rest up in preparation for the rehearsal, concert and the big week ahead. Please also ensure you have reviewed all parent communication regarding your daughter’s movements for the day. This can be found in Omnia or clicking here

Year 7 enjoyed Academic Care this week where they were tasked with completing a canvas scavenger hunt! Year 7 are quite versed in using Canvas now and it was great to see them more confidently navigating their way around their learning.

Camp is edging closer, and you may have received notifications or an email to finalise permissions and medical forms. You must complete both the permission form on Omnia as well as the Lands Edge forms. Please click here to view the letter sent from the Adventure and Immersions Coordinator in April. Please note that medications required for camp should now have been dropped in to the Health Centre in their webster packs. It will be quite cold when we head to the Blue Mountains for camp so we advise students and families to read the packing list thoroughly to ensure all students are adequately prepared.

Have a wonderful weekend and please reach out to your daughter’s Luminary or teachers if you have any questions.

Senior School Drama Production – Year 7 Preview Night

A letter regarding the Senior School Drama Production was sent to all Year 7 families via the MLC School app on Wednesday this week. Click here to view the letter.

– Claire White
Head of Year 7

Header photo: Students from Year 7 Mooramoora participating in a Circle time playing ‘Stones have Feelings too’, discussing how they are feeling about the upcoming Year 7 camp.

Year 8

Year 8

During Academic Care on Wednesday, Tim Lennon, Director of Indigenous Education, officially launched the Year 8 Immersion program with Year 8. This term students will commence their Immersive Learning Unit, entitled a ‘Sense of Place’. Students, through their learning in Religion, Geography and across Truth Telling sessions in Academic Care will be immersed in Aboriginal culture as well as explore the issues that have affected and still affect the peoples of the Eora, Wiradjuri, and Darug nations. Students will hear from a range of Aboriginal voices on various topics as well as participate in on Country opportunities. Angela Renwick (Adventure and Immersions Coordinator) also introduced the on Country experiences, scheduled for Week 3, Term 3 (Monday 4 August 2025). During this week away from MLC School, students will experience two nights in Mudgee as well as day excursions in Sydney, all centred on broadening their understanding of Aboriginal culture.  

Big Sister, Little Sister was held on Thursday morning. Year 8 prepared activities, sweets and fun for their Year 12 Big Sisters. Students participated in Blookets, Kahoots, played the chocolate game, did some mindfulness colouring and many enjoyed a little sugar hit! Thank you to all of Year 8 and their Luminaries for preparing an enjoyable morning for Year 12. It was wonderful, as always, to see the cohorts come together and celebrate this shared experience! 

As we look ahead to Week 4, the MLC School Sydney Opera House Concert is finally here. This concert will showcase the exceptional musical talents of all of our Senior School students and is a day they will remember for many years to come! Please ensure you have reviewed all parent communication regarding your daughter’s movements for the day. This can be found in Omnia or clicking here

Key Dates for the Diary:  

  • Monday 19 May 2025 – Sydney Opera House Concert Rehearsal and Concert
  • Monday 9 June 2025 – King’s Birthday Public Holiday
  • Friday 27 June 2025 – MLC School Colour Run (last day of Term 2) 

Senior School Drama Production – The Great Gatsby

A letter was sent to all Year 8 families via the MLC School app on Wednesday this week. Click here to view the letter.

– Bridget Kovats
Head of Year 8

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Year 9

Year 9

This week during Luminary time, Year 9 were introduced to the ‘bystander effect’ – a social phenomenon where people are less likely to offer help to someone or intervene in a situation when other people are present. It is the ‘do nothing’ approach when someone observes something that is wrong, and it can have unintended, negative consequences.   

With the support of their Luminary teacher, Year 9 watched a video about the ‘bystander effect’ and discussed how this phenomenon might play out at school and why people would be reluctant to stand up or intervene when they have witnessed something that they thought was wrong. I would encourage you to continue these discussions at home with your daughter.

Year 9 will build on these discussions throughout the term, as they investigate the difference between a bystander and an upstander, and start to become more aware of their potential to make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of others.

Uniform reminders 

A reminder that students are expected to wear their blazers to and from school as the outer garment for Term 2 and Term 3. I ask for your support to ensure your daughter is wearing her correct uniform to and from school, including her blazer.

Important dates

A reminder about some important dates for the diary:

  • Monday 19 May 2025 – The Sydney Opera House Concert. More information about the day and the evening can be found in your news section in Omnia, or by clicking here.
  • Thursday 22 May 2025 – Year 9 Sydney Science Park Fieldwork Excursion
  • Thursday 29 May 2025 – Parent Information Evening RespectEd – Navigating Respectful Relationships

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me or your daughter’s Luminary teacher if you have any queries, concerns or simply wish to touch base about her academic, social and emotional wellbeing.

– Emily Marsh
Head of Year 9

Year 10

Year 10

This week in Year 10, our focus has been firmly on the future, as we aim to equip your daughters with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions for Year 11 and Year 12.

On Monday, Jo Cilia, our Head of Futures and Pathways, led the girls through a session on their Career Profiles. They began exploring suggested career fields aligned with both their testing results and personal interests. This is an exciting and ongoing process, and we will continue to build on it in the coming weeks, particularly in relation to their upcoming subject choices.

Later in the week, on Thursday, Priscilla Quintana, IB Coordinator, presented on the IB Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. She was joined by a group of Year 12 students, who shared their personal experiences and insights. Their perspectives added a valuable dimension to the discussion. For those considering the HSC, a similar presentation will be held in Week 5 (week starting Monday 26 May 2025), offering another opportunity for your daughter to reflect on the best academic path for them. 

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Sydney Opera House Concert on Monday. A huge congratulations goes to our Year 10 musicians, who have dedicated countless hours to rehearsals and preparation. Their commitment and talent promise a truly memorable performance. That said, it’s not only our musicians who deserve praise—every Year 10 student has contributed meaningfully to the preparations, and I am proud of their efforts. Please ensure you have reviewed all parent communication regarding your daughter’s movements for the day. This can be found in Omnia or clicking here

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge how well most of Year 10 have been wearing their MLC School uniform. They are representing themselves and the School with pride and professionalism. I kindly ask for your continued support at home to maintain these high standards, particularly with regard to uniform jewellery guidelines.

– Penny Hewett
Head of Year 10

Year 10 Subject Selection – Important Dates

Year 10 Subject Selection – Important Dates

We are looking forward to engaging with you to discuss your daughter’s academic subject selection as she moves into her final years at MLC School. Please find below important key dates in relation to your daughter’s subject selection process.  

  • Friday 6 June 2025 – Year 10 Reports Published 
  • Wednesday 11 June 2025 – Year 11 2026 HSC and IB Subject Selection Evening 6pm – 7pm 
  • Friday 13 June 2025 – Subject Selection Expo for students during Period 3AB
  • Wednesday 18 June 2025 – Year 10 Parent Teacher Interviews 4pm – 7pm  
  • Monday 23 June 2025 – Subject Selection Interviews with individual students, parents and Senior School Advisors  
  • Tuesday 24 June 2025 – Subject Selection Portal Opens for students

Further information about how to book interviews and access the subject selection portal will be shared with you in the coming weeks.

We appreciate your support during this important phase of your daughter’s education and look forward to working with you throughout the process. 

– Elisa Scala 
Deputy Head of Senior School – Academic 

Year 11

Year 11

Welcome to Week 3 in Year 11!

Luminary Time Discussion on Procrastination

During Luminary time this week, the Luminary Representatives led an insightful discussion on procrastination. Procrastination, the act of delaying or postponing tasks or decisions, often results in feelings of guilt, stress, and decreased productivity. While it is a common behaviour, it can be effectively managed with clear strategies. To overcome procrastination, consider breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, setting clear deadlines, prioritising tasks based on importance and urgency, eliminating distractions, and using tools such as to-do lists and timers to stay on track. Additionally, understanding the root causes of procrastination, whether they be fear of failure, perfectionism, or lack of motivation, can help in developing personalised approaches to address and mitigate this habit.

 Year 11 Chapel Service

This week, Year 11 students gathered in the Chapel for a service coordinated and run by Abbeythorpe. They did a fantastic job allocating readings and ensuring everyone participated. This week’s photo is of the fabulous Abbeythorpe girls.

Sydney Opera House Concert 

We also had our final rehearsal for the Sydney Opera House Concert. Please remember that the Sydney Opera House Concert is a compulsory school event, and full attendance is required. The Music Department, along with all students involved in the orchestra, ensembles, bands, and choir, have dedicated many hours to preparing for this concert. As Year 11 students will be the future leaders of MLC School, I am eager to see their support and encouragement for everyone involved in the concert. The best of luck to our performers, it is sure to be an amazing evening.

Please ensure you have reviewed all parent communication regarding your daughter’s movements for Monday. This can be found in Omnia or clicking here

– Kate Schurch
Acting Head of Year 11

Geography Insights: Globalisation On Plate

Geography Insights: Globalisation On Plate

Introduction

Welcome to our new monthly feature, ‘Geography Insights: Voices from the Classroom.’ This column will be written by Year 11 IB student Serena Farley, who will share her personal insights and reflections on key learnings and contemporary issues covered in our IB Geography classes. Through Serena’s commentaries, we hope to offer a unique perspective on the topics that shape our understanding of the world, highlighting her voice and thoughts on global issues studied in class.

Globalisation on a Plate: Investigating Food, Culture, and Nutrition in IB Geography

This week in our IB Geography HL class, we held a food-sharing activity where each student brought a dish that was either traditional to a specific culture or influenced by globalisation. This activity helped us practically explore key syllabus concepts such as the impact of globalisation on food consumption, changing diets, and cultural influences on health and nutrition. 

The food ranged from home-cooked traditional desserts to highly processed or globally recognisable dishes, which allowed us to compare local food systems with globalised food chains. Through this, we observed how globalisation leads to the homogenisation of diets, with fast food and processed items becoming common across different countries, while also threatening the preservation of local food cultures. 
 
The class discussion focused on how access to different types of food varies greatly between high-income and low-income countries, and how global trade patterns influence availability. We also linked the activity to nutrition transition theory, noting how diets in many middle-income countries are shifting from traditional, plant-based meals to more energy-dense, processed foods due to urbanisation, media influence, and changing lifestyles.
 
This food-sharing experience reinforced our understanding of how global systems affect health outcomes. For instance, we discussed how the spread of processed, high-fat, and high-sugar foods contributes to non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, even in places that previously struggled with undernutrition. We also touched on the double burden of malnutrition, where both undernutrition and overnutrition exist within the same communities or even households.
 
Finally, we reflected on our own roles as global consumers and how personal choices are influenced by cultural background, socioeconomic status, and global food marketing. The activity connected well to our previous lessons on food security and sovereignty, showing that food is not just a resource, but also a lens through which we can analyse inequality, identity, and health.
 

– Serena Farley (Year 11)

– Supported by Danielle Rodrigues 
Head of Department – Human Society and it’s Environment (HSIE)
Year 12

Year 12

Big Sister Little Sister is a popular MLC School tradition that connects Year 12 to Year 8 through house groups. During Luminary time in Week 3, the girls met and engaged in activities and celebrations that were organised by Year 8. The younger girls were keen to play games, chat and share their experiences of life in the middle school. Year 12 has a lot to offer in terms of support and by providing a role model for the younger girls as leaders of the School.

The younger girls also help Year 12 to look back on their time at school, remember what it was like to be in Year 8 and see their own experience in perspective. Giving back to others and sharing connections is a great way to boost wellbeing for Year 12 and a break from the assessment and study cycle. Our image shows some of the activities the girls participated in this week.

Year 12 will attend their last Sydney Opera House Concert on Monday. Please take note of the attendance and travel arrangements shared through the ‘News’ section in Omnia or clicking here. The event is compulsory and if your daughter cannot attend, please contact Joanna Graffen, Head of Senior School, for permission. The girls have been practicing for months, have learned the songs and moves and it will be a beautiful highlight of their final year. Formal winter uniform – blazer and sheer black stockings is required for the night.

Assessments and the academic program continues and can cause significant stress for students and families. If you have a specific question about a subject, please contact your daughter’s teacher directly. For wellbeing and pastoral concerns, please contact me on 02 8741 9736 (direct line) or via email on sconnolly1@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au  

Kind regards and take care.

– Sharon Connolly
Head of Year 12

Careers – Key Events and Dates

Careers – Key Events and Dates

Year 12 Information Evening 

Organisation: University of Sydney 
Location: Sydney Camperdown Campus 
Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025

Are you ready to take the next step? 

Join us for an exclusive information evening, for Year 12 students and their caregivers, to answer all your questions about joining the vibrant Sydney University community next year. 

  • Explore our iconic campus, get a feel for the atmosphere and see the facilities.
  • Discover the exciting range of degrees and programs we offer.
  • Learn about our unique curriculum, study options and scholarships.
  • Join our course advice exhibition to receive tailored advice from our degree specialist advisors, current students and staff. Get expert advice from UAC on entry requirements and the application process.

This Year 12 information evening is your chance to explore your options, get clear on the next steps, and chat to our current students and Sydney Future Students staff. 

Find out more and register

 Science Information Evening 

Organisation: University of New South Wales 
Location: Online 
Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025

No matter what your passion is, you’ll find a degree to launch your career with UNSW Science. From Aviation to Psychology, Mathematics to Environmental Sciences, we’re creating the Science Leaders of tomorrow. 

UNSW’s Science Information Evening is for domestic high school students who are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in Science. Join us to hear about UNSW Science and what makes us different. We will provide information about our degree offerings, work integrated learning opportunities, industry partnerships, STEM career opportunities and much more. 

Find out more and register

Co-op Program

Organisation: University of NSW
Location: Australia
Value: $21,600 tax free per year to study?  
Now Open 
Closing Date: Tuesday 2 September 2025

The 2026 UNSW Co-op Program scholarship applications are now open! This is a fantastic opportunity for your students who want to accelerate their professional growth alongside a degree in Business, Engineering, Data, or Technology. Help them unlock their potential and guide them towards a bright future by encouraging them to apply today! Within this newsletter you will find our 2026 digital brochure, updates to our Finance and Banking program, information on our Indigenous pathway, and links to the Co-op socials which gives students a peek into the life of a Scholar throughout their journey. Don’t miss the chance to book a visit from our amazing Scholar Ambassadors! 

Find out more and register

– Jo Cilia
Head of Futures and Pathways

Upcoming Course Information, Events and Webinars

Upcoming Course Information, Events and Webinars

Discover Western Webinar – For Parents: Your Role and How You Can Help Guide Them to University 

Organisation: Western Sydney University 
Location: Online 
Date: Monday 19 May 2025

This webinar is for parents and supporters to learn how they can support their child through their HSC and while they make those big decisions about their future. Discover university entry options, careers and courses, and pathways they can explore should they not achieve their desired ATAR. 

Find out more and register

Talk with Lawyers and Human Rights Advocates 

Organisation: Australian Catholic University 
Location: Online 
Date: Tuesday 20 May 2025 

Now, more than ever, the world needs human rights advocates. With conflict across multiple countries, lawyers and human rights advocates are needed to bring positive change for the future. 

Our ACU student and alumni panel discussion will allow you to hear from a range of experts, including a lawyer working in the human rights field as well as current human rights students. Take part in a Q&A session and get an insider’s perspective on working in law and human rights. 

Find out more and register

Talk with Teachers and Educators 

Organisation: Australian Catholic University 
Location: Online 
Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025

Working in education gives you the opportunity to shape minds, inspire ambition and impact the future. 

Join us online to hear from ACU students and alumni. Take part in a Q&A session to learn about their experiences going from the lecture halls to the workforce, and how they make a difference to young people’s lives. 

Find out more and register

Year 12 and Beyond – With ADHD 

Organisation: Claire Pech Careers 
Location: Online 
Date: Wednesday 21 May to Thursday 29 May 2025 

Hosted by Claire Pech, CICA-Accredited Careers Practitioner, and Amanda Krulis, endorsed Organisational Psychologist. 

Targeted to students with ADHD in Year 12, this webinar will share insights and practical solutions for managing this critical year and beyond and making meaningful career decisions. If students cannot make it a recording will be sent to all ticket holders. Although it is interactive, students will remain anonymous on the webinar. 

Topics covered: 

  • Redefining success – What is it to YOU?
  • Finding and Owning your ADHD strengths
  • Discovering what careers are aligned to your strengths
  • Understanding the options for tertiary studies based on your interests and strengths
  • Exploring the pathway options available and ways to get there using Action Plans
  • Early Entry Considerations
  • Quick guide to Educational Access Schemes (EAS) and adjustment points
  • What is Procrastination – and how to tackle it?
  • How to deal with stress and staying calm
  • How to use technology to your advantage with ADHD
  • Q&A

Webinar dates 
Wednesday 21 May 2025, 7pm–8.30pm AEST 
Thursday 29 May 2025, 7pm–8.30pm AEST 

Find out more and register

 Life of an Agricultural Scientist 

Organisation: University of Sydney 
Location: Online 
Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025 

Are you looking for a career that’s impactful, future-focused, and vital to our nation’s well-being? Then look no further than studying Agricultural Science at the University of Sydney. 

Join this session with one of our very own agricultural scientists to learn about their career and what they get up to in a day. From agribusiness to influencing policy, sustainable practices, and improving the food crops that feed the world, you will discover what our newly launched three-year Bachelor of Agricultural Science, and four-year Bachelor of Agricultural Science Honours have to offer you and the diverse and rewarding career that lies ahead. 

Find out more and register

AMPA Dance Experience Day 

Organisation: Academy of Music and Performing Arts 
Location: AMPA Performing Arts Centre Alexandria 
Date: Monday 7 July 2025

Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) invites dancers to join us on campus for a day of dance. Register and bring your friends along and get ready to move! 

Dancers will have a chance to participate in contemporary and improvisation classes facilitated by AMPA’s inspiring faculty and experience what studying dance full-time is like at AMPA. A Q&A with the program’s Head of Dance will allow aspiring dancers, choreographers, and dance teachers, to gain further insight into tertiary education and how it can benefit their future careers. 

Find out more and register

UTS Tech Fest 

Organisation: University of Technology Sydney 
Location: UTS City Campus 
Date: Monday 23 June to Friday 4 July 2025 

Are you a high school student dreaming of a career in tech? Come and feed your curiosity at Tech Fest. 

  • Explore the study and career possibilities in Engineering and IT. Whether it’s cybersecurity, civil engineering, robotics, or artificial intelligence, see the exciting opportunities in these areas and how you can be part of the next big thing!
  • Hear from current students about their study journeys and career aspirations. Get an insight into the life of an engineering or IT student at UTS and discover the student societies you could join.
  • We’ll take you behind the scenes with exclusive lab tours. See how cutting-edge tech brings new ideas to life.

Find out more and register

 NAS Winter School 

Organisation: National Art School 
Location: National Art School 
Date: Monday 7 July to Friday 11 July 2025

NAS’ short courses are for students of all levels of experience, from beginners to intermediate and advanced. 

Whether you’re a complete beginner, reigniting former interests, or refining your practice, you’ll enjoy this immersive week of artmaking at NAS. 

Find out more and register

– Nicole Massara
Careers and VET Administrator

Open Days

Open Days

Open Day, Sydney 

Organisation: Academy of Interactive Entertainment 
Location: AIE Sydney Campus 
Date: Saturday 24 May 2025

Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE Open Day. It’s is a great opportunity to meet our teachers, staff and students. The day will cover everything you need to know about the: 

  • careers in games and VFX that we train students for;
  • studios and industries that we work with;
  • courses we offer – from beginners to professional mastery, and;
  • the software, skills and knowledge we teach.

AIE’s Open Day will also include presentations on entry requirements and how to apply. Find out how AIE can get you into a creative career. 

Find out more and register

 Open Day 2025, Sydney 

Organisation: Academy of Interactive Technology 
Location: AIT Sydney Campus 
Date: Saturday 19 July 2025 

AIT’s Open Day is perfect for those wanting to explore the endless opportunities available in the growing creative industries and to get your questions answered for the February 2026 intake. 

On the day you’ll enjoy: 

  • Exploring the Careers and Courses: Discover our degrees plus insights into careers and study paths.
  • Our Hands-On Creative Workshops: Watch live demos led by our expert educators
  • A Guided Campus Tour: Explore our campus and the state-of-the-art facilities
  • Discovering Our Facilities: Experience our well equipped Post Production Studio and Green Screen Room
  • Chatting with Our Experts: Engage with course advisors, educators and current students to have all your questions answered.

Find out more and register

 Open Day 2025 

Organisation: Macquarie University 
Location: Macquarie Wallumattagal Campus 
Date: Saturday 16 August 2025 

We can’t wait to welcome you to our campus in 2025! 

What you can do on Open Day: 

  • Attend an info session on some of our most popular degrees
  • Speak with our academics about our degrees, majors and specialisations, and how they’ll uniquely prepare you for your first career, or help you upskill or reskill if your career is already underway
  • Learn about our scholarships, adjustment factors and pathways; and RPL (recognition of prior learning) if you’ve studied before
  • Chat with current students about uni life
  • Jump on a campus tour and check out our awesome facilities

Find out more and register

Newcastle Open Day 2025 

Organisation: University of Newcastle 
Location: UON, Callaghan & City Campuses 
Date: Saturday 16 August 2025

Open Day is packed with everything you need to know about going to the University of Newcastle. Participate in degree presentations, info sessions and tours of the campus. 

Enjoy a hands-on experience with our program activations, and ask our student ambassadors questions about uni life. 

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025 

Organisation: International College of Management Sydney 
Location: ICMS Manly Campus 
Date: Saturday 16 August 2025 

At the ICMS Open Day you will learn about all the degrees offered and discover why ICMS’s personal mentoring approach could make all the difference to your future career success – and help you to make the most of your student years! 

  • Learn about Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees
  • Attend Degree Course Briefings with Lecturers
  • Get insights from Current Students
  • Find out about Scholarships, Early Entry, the Leadership Entry Program and the Elite Athlete Program
  • Learn about our Work Integrated Learning (Internship) Program
  • Speak personally to Admissions

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025, Sydney 

Organisation: ACAP University College 
Location: ACAP Sydney Campus 
Date: Saturday 16 August 2025

Open Day is your chance to experience the ACAP difference, and find your path in the applied professions. Whether you’re interested in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Criminology, Law, or Business, ACAP is your pathway to making a difference. 

Be part of a workshop, meet our industry-renowned facilitators, and hear all about life as an ACAP student. Join us for a day of exploration and inspiration! 

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025, Sydney 

Organisation: SAE University College 
Location: SAE Sydney Campus 
Date: Saturday 16 August 2025

We’re opening the doors to the campus for our biggest event of the year – Open Day! 

Come and tour our facilities, speak to faculty members, meet current students, and find out everything you need to know about studying at SAE. 

If you’re considering studying creative media, come along to SAE’s Open Day to speak to our experienced team and learn how you can pursue your passion in this dynamic and expanding industry. 

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025, Sydney 

Organisation: La Trobe University 
Location: La Trobe Sydney Campus 
Date: Saturday 16 August 2025

Why attend Open Day at La Trobe? 

  • Chat with current students, alumni and teachers to get first-hand advice about your dream course, or just about the best places to eat on campus.
  • Explore the campus by yourself or join a guided tour. See our world-class health facilities, leading IT and science labs, business trading room, accommodation and much more.
  • Discover your options for placements, internships and work-based learning, and get all your questions answered about your dream course.
  • Get a taste of what it’s really like to be at uni. Join events and activities or kick back and enjoy the campus – Open Day is the place to see it all.

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025, Strathfield 

Organisation: Australian Catholic University 
Location: ACU Strathfield Campus 
Date: Sunday 17 August 2025 

Open Day is your chance to find out everything you need to know about studying at ACU before you enrol. You’ll be able to check out the campus, meet staff and students, discuss entry pathways, and talk to experts about your study options and career goals. 

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025 

Organisation: University of Sydney 
Location: Sydney Camperdown Campus 
Date: Saturday 30 August 2025

Join us at the University of Sydney Open Day on Saturday 30 August 2025. Experience our vibrant student life on campus, hear from academics and current students and discover what makes us different. 

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025 

Organisation: University of Technology Sydney 
Location: UTS City Campus 
Date: Saturday 30 August 2025 

Info sessions, campus tours, workshops, dancing robots – UTS Open Day has it all. Get a taste of what students can expect at Australia’s #1 young uni. 

Find out more and register 

Online Campus Day 

Organisation: Academy of Interactive Entertainment 
Location: Online 
Date: Saturday 7 June 2025

Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE Online Campus Day. AIE will be running this event for students interested in studying online. You will be able to meet our teachers, explore how classes will run, course options, career pathways and see our amazing student work. 

We will be covering everything you need to know about the: 

  • careers in games and VFX that we train students for;
  • studios and industries that we work with;
  • courses we offer – from beginners to professional mastery, and;
  • the software, skills and knowledge we teach.

Find out more and register

Sydney Open Campus 2025 

Organisation: The Hotel School 
Location: The Hotel School Sydney Campus 
Date: Saturday 21 June 2025

Join us for an inspiring day at The Hotel School Australia’s Open Campus, where you’ll experience student life first hand through an exclusive Masterclass, hear from a special industry guest speaker, meet our academic and support teams, explore course options, and discover career pathways with our Professional Learning team. You’ll also have the chance to connect with current students and fellow attendees – all while enjoying light refreshments. 

Whether you’re a high school student, considering a transfer, or exploring new opportunities, this event is the perfect way to take the next step. 

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025, Sydney 

Organisation: Australian Institute of Music 
Location: AIM Sydney Campus 
Date: Saturday 21 June 2025 

Join us for Open Day, and experience everything AIM has to offer. Register to save your spot today! 

See our campus, get course advice, experience live performances, meet our academics and students, and get involved in activities that will give you a taste of student life here at AIM. 

Whether you’re ready to study now, or in five years, Open Day is open to all and a fantastic opportunity to discover how the Australian Institute of Music can help turn your passion for music into a career. 

Find out more and register

Open Day 2025, Wollongong 

Organisation: University of Wollongong 
Location: UOW Wollongong Campus 
Date: Saturday 28 June 2025

The University of Wollongong (UOW) Open Day is the perfect opportunity to visit our amazing Wollongong campus, speak with our staff and students, and see why UOW is ranked as one of the best universities for student experience. 

Whether you are looking at your next steps after Year 12, or you finished school some time ago and are looking for a pathway into university, Open Day is for you. 

Find out more and register

– Nicole Massara
Careers and VET Administrator

Scholarships and Competitions

Scholarships and Competitions

Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Scholarship 

Organisation: Macquarie University 
Location: Australia 
Value: $10,000 AUD per year
Open Date: Monday 16 June 2025
Close Date: Tuesday 2 September 2025

Find out more 

Competitions 

Dymocks Beyond Words Competition 

Organisation: Dymocks Tutoring 
Location: Australia 
Value: $20,000 AUD prize pool 
Currently Open
Close Date: Sunday 1 June 2025

Find out more

Paxi Space Gallery Competition 2025 

Organisation: European Space Agency 
Location: All 
Value: See details 
Currently Open
Close Date: Saturday 31 May 2025

Find out more

– Nicole Massara
Careers and VET Administrator

Holiday Workshops and Experiences

Holiday Workshops and Experiences

Holiday Workshop – The Art of Lyrics, Sydney 

Organisation: Australian Institute of Music 
Location: AIM Sydney Campus 
Date: Monday 7 July to Tuesday 8 July 2025

Created for students in Year 9 to Year 12, AIM’s new high school music workshops provide incredible opportunities to explore songwriting, mentored by AIM’s own accomplished musicians and educators. 

This songwriting workshop is essential for any high school students curious about writing songs and performing and is a golden opportunity to work with incredibly accomplished songwriters. Join us these school holidays and discover the songwriter and performer you were born to become. 

Find out more and register

Holiday Workshop – Mastering Performance, Sydney 

Organisation: Australian Institute of Music 
Location: AIM Sydney Campus 
Date: Monday 7 July to Tuesday 8 July 2025

AIM’s new school holiday workshop is designed for high school students interested in music performance. Created for students in Year 9 to Year 12, the workshops provide incredible opportunities to experience playing and performing music, mentored by AIM’s own accomplished musicians and educators. 

Learn, practice and perform contemporary and classic pop, rock and soul tunes, under the expertise of Australia’s leading music mentors. 

Find out more and register

Designer for a Day Workshop 

Organisation: Sydney Design School 
Location: Sydney Design School, North Sydney 
Date: Tuesday 8 July 2025

Curious about what it might be like to work as an Interior Designer? We have developed the perfect one day workshop for students in Year 10 to Year 12 to find out more. You’ll get hands on in our studios experimenting with colour and materials. Find out what it takes to become a professional Interior Designer and understand what an average day looks like on the job! We’ve included a 3D modelling activity to give you an opportunity to create an interior space. 

Find out more and register

AMPA Music Theatre Experience Day 

Organisation: Academy of Music and Performing Arts 
Location: AMPA Surry Hills Campus 
Date: Wednesday 9 July 2025

Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) invites aspiring Music Theatre majors aged 16 and over to join us on campus for a day of music! 

Attendees will have the chance to sit in on a performance class, participate in workshops/Q&As facilitated by AMPA’s music faculty and experience what studying music is like at AMPA. Experience a day in the life of an AMPA music student to gain further insight into tertiary education and how it can benefit your future. 

Find out more and register

Event Creation: The Ultimate High School Workshop 

Organisation: International College of Management Sydney 
Location: ICMS Sydney 
Date: Thursday 10 July 2025

Join us for an exciting hands-on workshop where you’ll dive into the world of event planning! Whether you dream of organising epic school formals, unforgettable parties, or community events, this workshop is your chance to learn the ins and outs of creating experiences that leave a lasting impression. 

Find out more and register

NYSF STEM Hub, Sydney 

Organisation: National Youth Science Forum 
Location: Sydney 
Date: Monday 14 July to Friday 18 July 2025

A STEM Hub is a non-residential STEM experience where you can connect with STEM pathways and careers around Australia. You’ll join exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences typically inaccessible to the public and connect with STEM professionals—a crucial networking opportunity for your future. 

Whether you’re passionate about robotics, biomedicine, astronomy, biology, or anything in between, there’s a STEM Hub waiting to show you what a STEM career is really like! 

Find out more and register

AMPA Classical Performance and Composition Experience Day 

Organisation: Academy of Music and Performing Arts 
Location: AMPA Surry Hills Campus 
Date: Monday 14 July 2025

Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) invites aspiring Classical musicians and Composers aged 16 and over to join us on campus for a day of music! 

Attendees will have the chance to sit in on a performance class, participate in workshops/Q&As facilitated by AMPA’s music faculty and experience what studying music is like at AMPA. Experience a day in the life of an AMPA music student to gain further insight into tertiary education and how it can benefit your future. 

Find out more and register

AMPA Contemporary Music Performance and Music Production Experience Day 

Organisation: Academy of Music and Performing Arts 
Location: AMPA Surry Hills Campus 
Date: Thursday 17 July 2025

Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) invites aspiring contemporary musicians and music creators aged 16 and over to join us on campus for a day of music! 

Attendees will have the chance to sit in on a performance class, participate in workshops/Q&As facilitated by AMPA’s music faculty and experience what studying music is like at AMPA. Experience a day in the life of an AMPA music student to gain further insight into tertiary education and how it can benefit your future. 

Find out more and register

Building Your Fashion Empire: From Vision to Vogue 

Organisation: International College of Management Sydney 
Location: ICMS Sydney 
Date: Thursday 17 July 2025

Designed for high school students, this hands-on workshop is your chance to dive into the exciting world of fashion and global brand management. Through expert insights and practical exercises, you’ll learn how to craft a unique brand identity, understand your target audience, and master key marketing strategies. 

Find out more and register

2025 NYSF National Youth STEM Summit 

Organisation: National Youth Science Forum 
Location: Melbourne 
Date: Saturday 19 July to Monday 21 July 2025

Returning in 2025, the National Youth STEM Summit is an exclusive three-day conference-style event specifically designed to help you smash your study goals and secure your dream job. 

The program boasts a diverse range of sessions, including: 

  • Keynote presentations from some of Australia’s foremost STEM leaders
  • Panel discussions exploring a range of topics, disciplines, and study and career pathways
  • Workshops that offer practical strategies to help you thrive in your studies and/or career
  • Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and key government, industry and academic professionals

This Summit is aimed at young people between 18-25 who have completed high school and are making decisions about their futures in STEM. 

Registrations will open in mid-April, and equity pricing is available for individuals who are full-time students, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, from rural or remote regions, have a disability, or are experiencing financial hardship. 

Find out more and register

2026 National Youth Science Forum Year 12 Program 

Organisation: National Youth Science Forum 
Location: ANU Acton Campus & UQ St Lucia Campus 
Date: Tuesday 6 Januar to Wednesday 21 January 2025

Are you in Year 11 in 2025? Apply now to join us in January! 

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program gives students that are about to start Year 12 a broader understanding of study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

Staying on campus at university colleges, students are immersed in science and technology. Participants: 

  • participate in tours of science and technology facilities,
  • learn about cutting-edge research,
  • engage with industry partners and research providers,
  • learn about university, training and STEM career pathways,
  • mix with like-minded students their age from all over Australia,
  • participate in social and team building activities, and
  • network with former NYSF participants.

In January 2026, the NYSF Year 12 Program will run two summer sessions at: 

  • The Australian National University, Canberra (Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 14 January 2026)
  • The University of Queensland, Brisbane (Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 21 January 2026)

As part of the application process, any students experiencing financial hardship or another disadvantage that negatively impacts their ability to attend the program may apply for an NYSF Access and Equity Scholarship.

We also encourage students to seek financial support from NYSF’s founding partner, Rotary. Many Rotary Clubs are familiar with the NYSF and able to offer some level of funding or assist students to fundraise to attend. You can use the Rotary Club Finder to search for your local Club. 

Applications close Friday 20 June 2025. You will be advised of the outcome of your application by mid–August. 

Find out more and register

– Nicole Massara
Careers and VET Administrator

IGSA Cross Country Champion and NSWCIS Swimmers

IGSA Cross Country Champion and NSWCIS Swimmers

As we go to print, we are thrilled to announce that 29 Senior School students are representing MLC School in the IGSA Cross Country Championships at Frensham. Despite the wet and soggy track, we are incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to celebrating their performances upon their return.

HOT OFF THE PRESS – from IGSA Cross Country

Congratulations to Olivia Kalamvokis (Year 8) who is the 14 years Champion!

Swimmers Representing in the NSWCIS team

Next week, we have three talented swimmers competing at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships, representing the NSWCIS team. This is a fantastic achievement, and their hard work and dedication to training are truly paying off. We wish Pip, Madison, and Iris the best of luck in their events.

Pip McGuire (Year 9) – (15 years)

  • Mixed 12-15 200 FS relay
  • Girls 12-15 100 BR

Madison Chantler (Year 10) – (16 years)

  • 100m Fly

Iris Ji (Year 9) – (15 years)

  • 15-16 200 BR
  • Girls 15 100 BR
  • Girls 15 50 BR

To cap off a big week of sport, we have the CIS football match on Friday against Inaburra. Good luck to the team!

If you’re looking for something to do on Saturday, why not check out the fixtures and come support one of the MLC School Netball, Football, Hockey, or Basketball teams? Just remember to wear your MLC School colours and cheer loud and proud!

– Acting Sports Directors

Important Sports Notices

Important Sports Notices

The Sports Department is located in the Aquatic Centre on the pool deck level and is open from 7am – 5pm Monday to Friday should you wish to speak to a staff member.

REMEMBER!

Please make sure you regularly read the Sports Update each week, follow our Facebook page, and check your emails. These forms of communication will give you upcoming sports dates, the weekly fixtures, student achievements and other important information relating to carnivals, grading etc. 

IMPORTANT PROCEDURES FOR SPORT

Absences from Sport

What to Do When You Are Not Able to Make Training or a Game

On the rare occasions that it may be necessary for a player to miss training or a competition, please follow these instructions.

  • If the inability to attend is known in advance – a written explanation (email) from the player’s parent/guardian is to be given to the coach and sports department in advance. This notice should be given as early as possible.
  • If the player is absent from school on the day of training or on competition day – the player’s parent/guardian is asked to advise the coach and sports department of their child’s absence from training or the game.
  • Do not ask your friends or team mates to give your coach the message
  • Do give as much notice as possible
  • If there is a clash with another sport or school event, please speak with the sports department to determine which game/event you should attend.

Please Note: Continued failure to attend training or competitions without a timely written explanation is unacceptable and may jeopardise the player’s continued involvement in sport. 

A member of the sports department will contact Parents/guardians of students whose non-attendance at training or games is not notified in the correct manner.

 Pockets are only awarded to students who have met all requirements of training and games.

Wet Weather

What do I do if it is Wet Weather?

While on most occasions we would not cancel training for wet weather, cancellations may occur if rain is too heavy to train in or weather conditions deem it unsafe. Additionally, we may be required to cancel training when we cannot accommodate students safely in an indoor space.

FOR MORNING TRAINING

The decision to cancel any morning training sessions will be made by 8pm the night before training.

Wet weather cancellations will be posted on the MLC School Sport Facebook Page, and a notification on the MLC School app.

No Facebook post, or app notification means that activities will still go ahead.

FOR AFTER SCHOOL TRAINING

The decision to cancel any after school training sessions will be made by 1pm on the day of training.

Wet weather cancellations will be posted on the MLC School Sport Facebook Page and the MLC School app.

ON SATURDAYS

If you are playing an IPSHA Sport, please download the IPSHA App – this can be downloaded from the App store and has information for parents. It is also used to send push notifications for Girls Saturday Sport weather updates and for marshalling calls at Major Carnivals.

IPSHA normally make a decision about wet weather by 7am.

If you are playing an IGSA Sport, go to the following link https://igsasport.spawtz.com/

The IGSA website will let you know if your venue is closed or open.

When possible, we will also post the cancellations on our Sport Facebook Page and the MLC School app.

On all occasions, it is the individuals’ responsibility to check the wet weather information. The sports department, coaches and managers are not always in a position to relay any game cancellations.

– Acting Sports Directors

Weekend Fixtures and Upcoming Dates

Weekend Fixtures and Upcoming Dates

Saturday 17 May 2025

MINKEY – ROUND 3
Team Opposition Venue Time
MLC01 Loreto Kirribilli 1 MLC School Sports Field  8am
IGSA HOCKEY – ROUND 3
Team Opposition Venue Time
MLC01 Loreto Kirribilli 2 Sydney University Hockey Club 10am
MLC02 Monte 3 Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Field 1 11am
MLC03 Danebank 3 Moorebank Synthetic Kenvin Flack 9am
IGSA BASKETBALL – ROUND 3
Team Opposition Venue Time
MLC01 Frensham 02 Frensham Sports Hall 8am
MLC02 Loreto Normanhurst 10 Auburn Basketball Court 1  8am
MLC03 Ascham 05 Concord Oval Recreational Court 1 10am
MLC04 PLC Sydney 08 Concord Oval Recreational Court 1 11am
MLC05 Santa 04 Camellia Indoor Sports, Court 4 10am
MLC06 Frensham 09 Frensham Parker Gym 11am
IGSA FOOTBALL – ROUND 3
Team Opposition Venue Time
MLC01 Pymble 01 Pymble Main Oval 8am
MLC02 Ascham 04 Heffron Park Synthetic 9am
MLC03 St Catherines 06 ES Marks Athletics Field 1 11am
MLC04 St Vincents 06 Wentworth Park Field 4 11am
NETBALL – ROUND 6
Team Opposition Venue Time
MLC01 14 years ERNA Reps Meadowbank 2pm
MLC02 MLC05 Meadowbank 12:30pm
MLC03 FORFEIT Meadowbank  
MLC04 FORFEIT Meadowbank 12:30pm
MLC05 MLC02 Meadowbank 12:30pm
MLC06 North Ryde RSL 08 Meadowbank 11am
MLC07 North Epping Rangers 09 Meadowbank 11am
MLC08 Marsfield Bluebelles 04 Meadowbank 11am
MLC09 Woolwich 17 Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC10 Woolwich 16 Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC11 St Andrews 13 Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC12 OLMC05 Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC13 Alexanders 05 Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC14 St Gerards 08 Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC15 BYE Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC16 Gladesville Ravens 14 Meadowbank 9:30am
MLC17 St Kevins 02 Meadowbank 8am
MLC18 Spirits 04 Meadowbank 8am
MLC19 Flames 07 Meadowbank 8am
MLC20 Comets 13 Meadowbank 8am
MLC21 Flames 09 Brush Farm 9:30am
MLC22 West Ryde Rovers 24 Brush Farm 11am

 

Upcoming Dates

  • Saturday 17 May 2025 – Saturday Sport, Various, Various

– Acting Sports Directors

Goodbye to our Senior A debaters and Finals update

Goodbye to our Senior A debaters and Finals update

It’s a bittersweet time of year for Debating as we embark upon another finals campaign for the ISDA and FED competitions and have to say goodbye to our Senior Year 12 debating teams.

Last Friday was the final debate for a group of Year 12 debaters who have been representing the School for the last 5-6 years. Our ISDA Senior A team (Annaliese Yan, Uma Singleton, Nitya Nimalan and Sophia Bucci) made it through to the Octo final, but the luck of the pool draw meant we were up against the team from Sydney Grammar. This team is notoriously good every year, so our team was feeling understandably pessimistic about their chances. Bracing pep talks from their coach Old Girl, Jade Di Girolamo (2022) and Andrea Rowe, Oratory Coordinator, meant the team were ready to debate as hard as possible. It was a close result watched on by a group of dedicated parent spectators, but in the end, we lost.

All the members of the ISDA Senior A team have been amazing representatives for our School across so many Debating competitions, Festival of Speech events, Archdale representative debating teams, public speaking competitions and special debating one day events. Every year when called upon to do yet another activity they always answered with an enthusiastic yes. The result has been many amazing wins, trophies and a few memorable losses and tears over the last six years. I am so grateful to them all for their can-do attitude and willingness to embrace every new challenge presented to them. I know our co-curricular program has given them skills and experiences that will be valuable in their future lives.

One of the great bonuses of running the Debating and Oratory Co-curricular program is meeting so many parents after hours. A special thank you to the parents of the Senior A team who have supported the program for so many years, we will miss you too.

Last Friday our ISDA Primary B, Year 8 and Senior B teams won through to the Quarter Finals and our Primary A and Year 9 teams will be competing this Friday in Octo 2. For the FED competition our 7A, 8A, Year 9, Year 10 and Senior A teams have won through to the Semi Finals and will be competing for a place in the Grand Final this Friday evening.

– Andrea Rowe
Oratory Co-Ordinator

Click on image gallery for full size images.

MLC School Cadets Information Webinar

MLC School Cadets Information Webinar

MLC School has been approved by the Australian Army to establish its own independent Cadet Corp which will commence from 2026.  

MLC School girls will finish the Newington College program with the 2026 Passing Out Parade and Dining In Night. In the meantime, the Unit’s first Officer Commanding, Lt (AAC) Aimee Isbister will continue to lead the unit. 

Please click on the link below to view the recording of the webinar that was held last night about the School’s plans for Cadets.

Click here to view recording

 

 

Craft Club

Craft Club

In Arts and Craft Club, this week students swapped beads for brushes and discovered the skill of rock painting. Every Wednesday in SCG06, the club offers a gentle way to unwind, learn something new, and get creative; no experience required.

With paint materials and colours at hand, students drew anything from simple patterns to complex characters and landscapes. The exercise was one of experimentation and self-expression, as some students painted calming messages, others drawing inspiration from nature or pop culture.

‘It’s nice to have the time during the middle of the week to just focus on something creative,’ a Year 9 student said.

Students were encouraged to vote on their favourite rocks, and they will collect them next week when they dry! We are all so excited to see their creations.  The club is also having a visit from ‘Days for Girls’ where members will be helping to package care packages to send to women in need.

If you’re in the mood for an informal, friendly spot to make art and socialise, go to SCG06 on Wednesday. Materials are always provided – and so are the snacks.

– Eri Takeshita, Allegra Chiang, Jane Xia
Year 11 Students

 

Speech and Drama Students Represent MLC School at the Inner West Eisteddfod

Speech and Drama Students Represent MLC School at the Inner West Eisteddfod

The Inner West Eisteddfod season opened last weekend with the 5-8 year old categories and lots of excitement and anticipation. Our students overcame nerves and performed brilliantly in front of a large audience. They performed with confidence, energy, beautiful vocal and facial expression and focus. We could not be prouder and congratulate them for being wonderful representatives of MLC School.

A huge congratulations to the following students for their outstanding performances:

  • Nidhirupa Jaikanth (Year 2) –  Set poem 6 years/under – 1st Place
  • Yinuo Jin (Year 3) – Verse speaking 7 years/under – 3rd Place
  • Esther Sim (Year 2) – Verse speaking 7 years/under – 5th Place
  • Rachel Rodrigues (Year 3) – Verse speaking 8years/under – 4th Place
  • Elizabeth Feng (Year 3) – Verse speaking 8 years/under – 5th Place

The Inner West Eisteddfod held in Burwood runs on weekends until Sunday 1 June 2025. The Speech and Drama Studio have been a proud supporter of the Inner West Eisteddfod for the past 28 years. We have 200 Speech and Drama Studio students representing MLC School in Prepared Speech, Character Recital, Duologue, Set Prepared Reading, Verse Speaking, Prose, Shakespeare and Improvisation categories. Speech and Drama students will also be representing MLC School at the Parramatta, Ryde and Sydney Eisteddfods in the coming months.

We wish our students in the 9-10 years and 11-12 years sections the very best of luck for this weekend!

– Monica Brian
Speech and Drama Studio Director