From the Head of Junior School

Congratulations to our Year 4 students, who presented their learning in a most entertaining way at our Kindergarten to Year 5 assembly this week.

IGSA Junior Sport – Launching in 2027

In last week’s newsletter, our Acting Principal, Melissa Boyd, announced the exciting news that MLC School will join the new IGSA Junior Sport Program, commencing in 2027. As this is an important change for our Junior School families, I wanted to highlight some of the key details in case you did not have the opportunity to read the Acting Principal’s article.

For many years, our students have enjoyed the opportunities provided through IPSHA, including Saturday sport, carnivals and representative pathways. From 2027, these opportunities will continue through a new girls-centred program designed specifically for girls. The program aims to encourage participation, skill development, confidence and enjoyment, while creating greater continuity with the Senior School IGSA sporting experience.

The 2027 seasonal sports program will include:

In addition to Saturday sport, students will have access to a full carnival program and representative pathway opportunities through IGSA, providing talented athletes with avenues to progress to higher levels of competition. 

Most importantly, sport is about far more than competition. Research continues to show that girls’ participation in sport brings benefits that reach well beyond the playing field. In supportive sporting environments, girls can strengthen wellbeing and self-belief, practise focus and perseverance – habits that also support learning – and learn to manage challenge, mistakes and pressure. Sport also provides a powerful setting for friendship, teamwork and leadership, helping students feel connected and capable both at school and beyond.

We are excited about the opportunities this new program will bring for our students and will share further information as we move towards this exciting initiative.

Music Performances

This week, our Junior School students had the opportunity to showcase their musical talents in our Co-curricular Music Concert. It was a wonderful evening that highlighted our outstanding instrumental, choir and co-curricular music programs. The following night, many Junior School girls performed on stage with Senior School students at MLC School’s ‘Groove’ jazz performance. I cherish the opportunities our younger Junior School girls have to learn with, watch and be inspired by their older peers in the Senior School. Our thanks go to our Director of Music, Trevor Mee, and all our dedicated Music Department staff.

NAPLAN and Parent/Teacher Learning Conversations

NAPLAN results for Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 have been sent to families. If you have not received your daughter’s results, please check her school bag. As previously mentioned, if Junior School parents would like to discuss these results with their daughter’s grade teacher, our Parent/Teacher Learning Conversations commence next week.

We wish all students participating in Write a Book in a Day all the best for their endeavours this evening. We also look forward to hearing about Year 6 Excitement Day next Monday, as students spend a fun day in our Senior School in anticipation of next year.

Wishing Year 4 teacher Maddy Woods all the very best as she takes leave from today for the birth of her first child.

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School

Library News

Premier’s Reading Challenge Monday February 23 – Friday September 18 2026

Congratulations

Congratulations to these readers who have completed the challenge:

Year 2

• Lauren Moussa

Year 5

• Sally Hafer
• Zahra Hone
• Emi Liu
• Myer Boulton
• Xin Tong Guan
• Sofie Haremi
• Yisa Liang
• Camila Morcos
• Hana Sawkins
• Amelia Stillone
• Matisse Wright
• Amy Zong

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

Book Week is coming to the Junior School!

Monday 24 to Friday 28 August 2026 (Week 6)

Book Character Parade – Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6

Friday 28 August 2026

It’s time to start thinking about what to wear to the parade. See these easy book costumes:

Costume Ideas

Author Visit – Friday 28 August 2026

Pre-Kindergarten to Year 5
Kate and Jol Temple

Click here for the flyer to order

Books are available to be purchased through Larrikin House. Purchases will be delivered to the school prior to the visit. Students will be able to have the books signed on the day.

Bookmark Competition

Design a bookmark using ‘Symphony of Stories’ or another reading theme. Blank bookmarks are available in the library. The winning entry for each grade wins a book by Kate and Jol Temple and the winning design will be used as a JS bookmark for the rest of 2026 and in 2027! Entries due by Monday 17 August 2026. Winners will be announced at the Book Parade.

More details to come.

Happy reading!

– Sharon Seymour
Junior School Teacher Librarian

From the Acting Head of Senior School

It’s felt very much like business as usual this week in the Senior School. Students across Year  7–Year 12 have enjoyed a variety of exciting opportunities, from representing MLC School at the VEX Robotics competition to participating in Australian Music Day and the Write a Book in a Day challenge, to Year 10 and Year 11 students attending engaging presentations with Paul Dillon from DARTA. And of course, Year 12 have been keenly focused on their final lessons before their Trials begin next week. We wish them all the very best.

On Wednesday evening, the Music Department held their annual Groove concert at Club Burwood RSL; there is something really moving about watching slightly nervous students overcome their fears and perform with aplomb on the stage. It was also special to see our older, more experienced performers sit beside younger students to support and coach them through the evening. All performers should be so proud of their achievements.

These experiences have provided opportunities for creativity, learning, leadership and connection beyond the classroom. It has been wonderful to see so many students embracing new challenges and making the most of the rich opportunities available to them.

Device use and online safety

We are lucky at MLC School to have an excellent digital learning program, led by our Director of eLearning Marianna Carlino, which is designed to support students to use their technology responsibly. Year groups have regular sessions led by Marianna, which are informed by the latest research and the work of the eSafety Commissioner.

Devices are an important tool for learning, and students are expected to use them appropriately at all times. Gaming during lessons, messaging, or using devices for activities unrelated to learning is not acceptable. Students must follow teacher instructions about device use and ensure their technology supports, rather than distracts from, their learning. Where students choose to use their devices inappropriately, this will be followed up by staff. The school has recently updated its firewall, our email and app monitoring system so that we can monitor our students carefully to ensure they are safe online. With the move to Saasyan we are able to screen communications from students more carefully to identify if a student is at risk or using technology inappropriately. So far it has proven to be a powerful tool.

Staffing News

In bittersweet news, Andrew Simos, Heads of House Coordinator, Learning and Teaching, will be leaving MLC School at the end of Term 3 to take up a promotional (and newly created) role of Director of Sport & PDHPE (K–12) at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

While we are excited for Andrew and this wonderful opportunity, he will be greatly missed. Throughout his time at MLC School, Andrew has made a significant contribution through his work in PDHPE and his leadership in a range of roles, including IB SEHS consultant, Acting Head of IB and Heads of House Coordinator. Through his commitment and genuine enthusiasm for building community and School spirit (we love his G.A Davey Cup updates), he has made a lasting impact on students, staff and the wider school community. Andrew himself has said that it would have had to be the ‘job that ends all jobs’ for him to even consider leaving MLC School, he loves it so much here. We’re very excited for him that he has this opportunity and know he will always be a special part of our community. 

Study Hub Next Week

– Fiona Pow
Acting Head of Senior School

Year 7

It is so nice to see how well the girls have settled back into the school routine. We held a Year meeting to remind them of expectations around school rules and to introduce Compassion as our Luminary focus for this term. In fact, the girls were asked to unjumble a sentence to find out what the theme was. It was lovely to see them all trying to solve the puzzle!

A reminder that the Zoo excursion is happening next Thursday 6 August 2026, at Sydney Zoo. Detailed information about departure times will be shared soon. The girls are allowed to wear their PE uniform on this day, and they should bring their own water, recess and lunch. They will not be allowed to buy anything from the Zoo café, and they are not allowed to bring their phones. This is a normal school day and, as such, phones are to stay in lockers. I am sure my lovely little Year 7 students will honour the MLC School uniform expectations and behave exceptionally well. I always expect the best from them.

A reminder that lockers should always be secured with a lock, as it is each girl’s responsibility to take care of her valuables. If a locker cannot be closed properly, please let me know so that I can contact the Facilities team to fix it for the girls.

Sadly – but happily for my lovely Year 7 students – this week’s challenge was guessed within seconds of my launching it. What can I say? The Year 7 students are just too good to be true!

– Martina Stolzi
Acting Head of Year 7

Year 8

• As we are organising a large cohort of students for the Mudgee section of the Immersion, we please ask that parents and carers quickly say their goodbyes outside of the Kent House gates as we need to keep the area around Kent House clear for safety when loading and heading onto the buses.  

• The MLC School camp mobile number is 0448 400 178. This number is for emergencies only. If I need to contact a parent during the camp, it will be via this number. Please do not message this number for general check ins – I will be busy spending time with your daughters, face to face, for the duration of the camp. 

• Unlike primary school camps, you will not be updated regularly on your child via Seesaw or another similar platform. As per the camp communication guidelines outlined in the Code of Conduct you can expect; an app message on arrival, one – two social media posts (not all students may be featured), and an app message regarding return time to school once we have left the camp site. 

• As much as you might want to know that your child is alright, please do not allow them to take their phone or smartwatch or ask them to take these devices to camp.  

• Finally, it’s going to be cold! Ensure your child has thermal clothes, a very warm jacket and a beanie. 

– Claire White
Head of Year 8

Year 8 PDHPE – The Power In Me

In practical lessons, students will participate in the Nothing but Net unit, where they will develop their skills and understanding of Badminton and Pickleball. Students will have opportunities to improve their movement skills, apply tactics in game situations, and demonstrate positive teamwork and sportsmanship. An ongoing practical assessment will run throughout the term, encouraging students to actively participate and apply themselves in every lesson.

As part of their learning this term, students will also take part in a PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies) taster session, providing an opportunity to experience the content and practical elements of this elective subject ahead of future subject selections.

– Daniel Lomax
Teacher

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Year 9

In the world of MLC School, there is never a dull moment, and this has certainly been true for Year 9. The students have hit the ground running, with some already completing assessments this week. The assessment calendar for Term 3 has been updated and shared with Year 9; however, please encourage your daughter to revisit the calendar regularly, ensuring she is aware of upcoming tasks and has a clear plan for completing them in a timely and organised manner.

Since reports were released last term, and following parent/teacher interviews, I have had conversations with students who have expressed disappointment or concern that some marks have decreased since Year 8. I spoke with Year 9 about this during our year meeting this week, outlining that Year 9 marks the beginning of the Stage 5 course, which represents an important shift in academic rigour from the Stage 4 syllabus studied in Year 7 and Year 8. While students bring valuable background knowledge and learning habits with them, they are, in many ways, starting at the beginning of a new course of study. Stage 5 asks students to engage with greater complexity and depth, moving beyond descriptive understanding towards critical analysis, reasoning and more complex problem-solving. As a result, some students may find that their results look different from those achieved in Year 8. This should not be a cause for discouragement, but rather an opportunity to recognise the more academically rigorous skills they are now developing. We would expect to see progress, confidence and growth continue to build as students move through Year 9 and into Year 10.

This week in Luminary time, Year 9 students have been having one-on-one conversations with their Luminaries to develop an academic and personal goal for the semester. While goal setting is often completed in Luminary, the focus at this stage is on the specific steps students will take to achieve their goals. The Luminaries are assisting students to create a realistic plan and identify the requirements needed to make progress. Often, students set goals such as ‘I want to achieve an A in Science’, but they do not always think through the process and reality of how to achieve that goal. Please feel free to ask your daughter about her goals and the plan she has developed. While many students in Year 9 may not actively seek parental help, you may still be able to offer guidance and encouragement.

Year 9 also held their Chapel Service in the Chapel this week. Sutton Luminary presented the service and spoke eloquently. They are to be congratulated for the calm and respectful manner in which they conducted themselves. The photo for this week features Sutton Luminary.

– Kate Schurch
Head of Year 9

Year 10

In Luminary time this week, the focus for Year 10 has been safety – keeping yourself safe and helping to protect others in specific situations. Marianna Carlino, Director of eLearning, spoke to Year 10 about DeepFakes: what they are, what to do if you are involved or are the victim of a deep fake, etc. Unfortunately, this type of crime is becoming more prevalent in the age of AI, and we want the girls to have as much information and strategies on how to protect themselves as possible. In Luminary next week, we will be having more discussions and looking at the issue in more depth. The MLC School Code of Conduct is in the School diary for your reference, and we take breaches of the code very seriously. The social media delay has been very helpful in this area but a reminder to parents to be aware of what social media apps their daughter may have on their phone. The website of the eSafety Commissioner is also extremely helpful for parents.

The girls responded very positively to the session by Paul Dillon, from DARTA The session involved learning about how to stay safe at parties, alcohol abuse and the health risks of vaping. In Luminary time, the girls worked in House groups to discuss a range of strategies they could use to reduce the harm associated with drinking alcohol. The girls will hear again from Paul in Year 11 and Year 12 on other topics associated with drugs and alcohol. The feedback from the girls was how they now had more information and that everyone learned something knew.

Our image this week is of our eSafety session with Marianna Carlino.

If you have an academic concern about your daughter’s progress, please contact your daughter’s class teacher. For pastoral and wellbeing concerns, please contact your daughter’s Luminary or me on 02 8741 9736 or at sconnolly1@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

– Sharon Connolly
Head of Year 10

Year 10 Work Experience – How Families can Help

Work experience is an invaluable opportunity for students to explore career interests, develop workplace skills, and gain first-hand insight into different industries. Families play an important role in helping students secure meaningful placements and preparing them for a successful experience.

Please read the attached pdf for how to help, secure a placement, resources and for the 2026 Host Employer Expression of Interest form.

Read the full article here

Year 11

On Wednesday, Year 11 attended a presentation from Paul Dillon, founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA). Paul spoke about making safe, informed decisions when navigating social situations involving alcohol and other drugs. The key messages from his presentation focused on planning ahead, looking after friends, understanding the risks associated with alcohol and drug use, and seeking accurate, evidence-based information rather than relying on myths or peer pressure. His core message to all students was to prioritise their wellbeing, make decisions that align with their values, and be prepared to act safely if something goes wrong.

Paul encouraged all Year 11 students to download the free DARTA Digital Cards app. This app provides practical, easy-to-understand guidance for situations young people may encounter when out with friends, including how to help someone who has had too much to drink or is experiencing a negative reaction to drugs. The app was designed by students for students and is intended to provide quick access to reliable advice when it is needed most. I highly recommend that you encourage your daughter to download the app so that she is equipped with appropriate strategies and support information should she ever find herself in a challenging situation.

Lastly, the voting for the 2027 Student Leadership Team closed this Friday 31 July. We had an outstanding group of Year 11 students nominate, and I am incredibly proud of every student who demonstrated the courage to put themselves forward. Regardless of the outcome, I am confident that our Year 12 2027 cohort will continue to lead our community with integrity, compassion and enthusiasm. We look forward to continuing with the next steps in this process and announcing our student leaders later this term.

– Penny Hewett
Head of Year 11

Year 12

It was a delight to attend Groove at Club Burwood RSL on Tuesday evening and to witness the extraordinary talent and dedication of our musicians. A special highlight for me was seeing our Year 12 students take to the stage with such confidence, skill and passion, sharing the results of years of hard work and inspiring those Junior students who follow in their footsteps.

We welcomed Jo Cilia, Head of Futures and Pathways, back from leave at a presentation providing key updates on all things university applications, admissions pathways and post-school opportunities for our Year 12 students. She guided students through the important Term 3 milestones, including UAC applications, early entry and alternative admission schemes, scholarships, Educational Access Schemes (EAS), portfolio pathways and overseas applications, highlighting the many pathways available beyond a single ATAR outcome. The presentation reinforced the importance of staying organised, monitoring key deadlines and seeking support from the Futures and Pathways team as students take the next steps towards their future study and career aspirations.

At this week’s Year 12 Chapel Service, students reflected on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, considering what values, habits and attitudes they are allowing to take root as they prepare for their Trial Examinations. The service encouraged students to balance focus and hard work with perspective, rest and self-compassion, reminding them that their worth extends far beyond any academic result.

As Year 12 students commence their Trial Examinations this coming Monday, I know many families will be supporting them through the inevitable mix of nerves, pressure and lengthy study days. Thank you for the care and encouragement you provide at home; we wish our students all the best and hope they are kind to themselves over the weeks ahead.

Now, just a small touch of logistics, students have been advised to arrive at school at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each examination and to make their way directly to the examination room for roll marking/attendance. If your daughter is unwell and unable to attend an examination, please notify the Curriculum Office and Studies Office as soon as possible so that we can provide advice regarding the processes and support available.

We wish all of Year 12 the very best for their examinations over the coming two weeks and look forward to their return to classes on Tuesday 18 August 2026 (Week 5). 

Key dates for the diary: 

• Monday 3 August – Monday 17 August 2026 – Trial Examinations 
• Tuesday 18 August 2026 – Senior Wakakirri 
• Thursday 20 August 2026 – HSC and IB VA and TAS Showcase
• Friday 21 August 2026 – Year 12 Stay and Play 
• Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 2026 – Co-curricular and Elective Dance Showcase ‘Forever Young’
• Tuesday 8 September 2026 – Senior School House Athletics Carnival

Other dates:

A letter for Year 12 Events for the Class of 2026 was sent to Year 12 families earlier this week. Click here to view the letter.

–  Bridget Kovats
Head of Year 12

Year 12 IB Italian – A Most Rewarding Opportunity

Over the last 16 months, I have had the rewarding opportunity to study Italian with Ms Pieri and my fellow classmates, where I not only learnt to communicate in another language but also developed a greater appreciation for Italy’s rich culture and traditions. Through the course, I gained the ability to both communicate confidently in Italian and understand cultural references using a variety of grammatical tenses. More specifically, I developed skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, whilst gaining valuable insights into Italian traditions, customs, and everyday life. Rather than simply memorising vocabulary and grammar, the course provided a well-rounded and authentic learning experience that developed my understanding of the language from knowing basic linguistic principles to a complete immersion into Italian culture. 

Every lesson, our class was motivated by Ms Pieri’s enthusiasm and unwavering encouragement, which created an engaging environment where learning was both enjoyable and rewarding, even when navigating challenging grammatical concepts. This helped to create a supportive learning environment where everyone was encouraged to participate, ask questions, and build confidence in another language. Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing my Italian beyond school and one day study in Italy, where I can apply everything that I have learnt while experiencing the language and culture firsthand. 

– Genevieve Beattie (Year 12)

The Italian ab initio course was a challenging yet rewarding experience. After beginning the course at the start of 2025, it’s hard to believe that only a year and a half later, in May of this year, we sat our final IB examination. Even though this meant having to attend extra lessons both after school and during the holidays to finish content, I found that this made us closer as a class, which made the demanding aspects of the course not just bearable but enjoyable. Our teacher Ms Pieri also greatly helped with both our learning and our engagement in the course. She ensured we were prepared for the final examination in May by dedicating time both during the holidays and school days to help us practise for our orals. Our class time was made engaging in a way which allowed us to learn more about the Italian culture, and work together with each other when practicing new topics, helping to alleviate the stress accompanying such an early final exam. 

After completing the course, it’s hard to believe how far we have come in our conversational and writing skills in a language that only a year and a half ago was completely foreign to us. Overall, I enjoyed my experience learning Italian and am grateful that I have been able to complete a subject in the IB alongside such a great class and teacher.

– Stephanie Bombotas (Year 12)

Futures and Pathways – General Information

Explore the buttons below for information on courses, webinars, events, open days, holiday workshops, competitions and scholarships.

Students, parents and carers are encouraged to register and apply for opportunities that match their interests. 

Upcoming Events, Webinars and Workshops

Scholarships

Open Days

– Nicole Massara
Futures and Pathways Advisors

*The Study Work Grow Resources are used for these events.

From the Acting Principal

Supporting Safe and Responsible Online Learning

At MLC School, online safety is approached as both a wellbeing priority and a shared responsibility. As digital learning continues to evolve, we are committed to providing students with access to rich learning opportunities while also maintaining appropriate safeguards, guidance and support. Our approach reflects recognised best practice following the eSafety Commissioner’s Best Practice Framework which identifies five features of effective school-based online safety education: students’ rights and responsibilities in the digital age; resilience and risk; effective whole-school approaches; integrated and specific curriculum; and continuous improvement through review and evaluation. These principles provide a useful lens for understanding the work already underway at MLC School.

Our approach combines clear expectations for responsible technology use, ongoing education about digital citizenship, and technical protections that help us identify and respond to concerns. These expectations are outlined in the School’s Technology Code of Conduct (page 156-158 in the School Diary), which provides students with guidance about appropriate device, network and digital platform use, including respectful communication, privacy, academic integrity and the responsible use of school systems. This includes monitoring student activity on the school network so that emerging risks, such as attempts to access unsafe content or patterns of concerning online behaviour, can be addressed in a timely and supportive way.

To further strengthen this work, the School is in the process of transitioning our school-wide cyber monitoring system from CyberEdge to Saasyan Assure. Saasyan Assure provides more targeted, timely alerts and reporting when online activity indicates a potential safety or wellbeing concern, supporting our IT and Wellbeing Teams to work together to support student safety. This does not replace trusted relationships or pastoral care; rather, it provides another layer of visibility so that the right staff can respond and work with students and their families appropriately.

The recent publicised Canvas data breach is a timely reminder that online safety also includes careful management of the digital platforms used in schools. In response, MLC School has reviewed relevant cyber security advice, checked our own systems and settings, and continued to work with our technology partners to protect our community with commitment to strengthening our ongoing cyber-risk processes.

Firewalls and filtering systems remain an important part of our online safety framework. These tools help restrict access to inappropriate or harmful sites, reduce exposure to online risks, and support focused learning during the school day. They are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain responsive to emerging technologies and patterns of student use.

We also continue to monitor and manage the use of VPNs, which can be used to bypass school filters and access content that sits outside the School’s safety settings. Families are reminded that VPN use on the school network is not permitted. Any student found using a VPN at MLC School will be locked out of school systems and reported to the relevant Head of School for further discussion with them and their parents. This expectation helps ensure that all students are working within the same protected digital environment.

Our online safety approach also extends to digital skills sessions and cyber safety presentations. Students explore topics such as AI in learning, Microsoft 365 tools, organisation and study skills, digital reputation, deepfakes, online relationships, social media influences, digital footprints and maintaining healthy technology habits. Our digital learning program recognises that young people are navigating rapidly evolving digital environments and aims to equip them with the practical skills, confidence and judgement needed to learn effectively, engage responsibly online, and importantly make informed decisions that support both their academic success and personal wellbeing. 

While technology plays an important protective role, online safety is most effective when schools and families work in partnership. This reflects the eSafety Framework’s emphasis on whole-school approaches, strong policies, well-trained staff, parent and carer partnerships, help-seeking, and ongoing review. We encourage parents and carers to continue conversations at home about safe, respectful and responsible online behaviour, including the importance of not using tools that bypass school protections. In partnership, we can support students to make wise choices, seek help when needed, and use technology in ways that enhance their learning and wellbeing.

The eSafety Commissioner has a range of resources for parents to keep their children safe online which can be accessed here.

– Melissa Boyd
Acting Principal

Photo Credit: Unsplash

New Dare to Be More Podcast Now Live

In this episode of ‘Dare to Be More,’ we explore the vital steps families can take to prepare young girls for the transition into kindergarten.

Joanne Sharpe, Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing, shares her expertise on building social and emotional wellbeing, fostering independence, and the importance of establishing predictable routines to ensure a smooth start to school life.

Listen on the link below.

Stay connected and join the conversation as we continue to celebrate the opportunities that empower every MLC School student to Dare to Be More.

Listen here now on Spotify, or search MLC School Dare to Be More on your favourite podcast platform. 

Year 12 Trial Examinations | Procedures and Assistance

With Year 12 Trial examinations starting in Week 3 (Monday 3 August 2026), I’d like to remind parents of a number of key procedures, processes, and personnel available to assist your daughter next week.

Year 12 students have received their timetables over the past few weeks, so should be well aware of the rooms and times of their examinations. Their timetables are available on Canvas, and reminders will be sent daily too.

Students should aim to be on site between 45-60 minutes before an examination, being sure to make ample time for travel in case of delay. They should be lining up at the examination room 30 mins before the task, where a roll will be taken. From here, the staff will take them into their examination room.

If your daughter is running late, please send an email to the subject Head of Department, Director of Studies – Year 11 to Year 12, Head of Year 12, IB Coordinator (if an IB candidate), as well as the curriculum office email. (Emails for all personnel at the bottom of this article).

If your daughter is ill on the day of an examination, please send an email to the above list, proceed to gain medical certificates, and complete the Illness/Misadventure form on Omnia. If, for any reason, a student is sick during an examination and requires medical help, the nurses are on hand to assist, and you will be contacted with the next steps. The curriculum team will work with students who have missed an examination to reschedule tasks as needed.

Finally, a few helpful hints for the girls:

• Try to maintain healthy sleep habits. A well rested student performs better than a tired one.
• Eat regular, balanced meals and stay hydrated throughout the examination period.
• Check the examination timetable each evening and prepare all equipment the night before.
• Take short breaks during study sessions and include exercise or time outdoors to support wellbeing
• Remember that trial examinations are an important learning experience. Focus on preparation, effort and process rather than perfection.

Whilst it can be a stressful period, I trust that the girls are more than capable of success, and we wish them luck. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or require assistance.

Key contacts

• Acting Director of Studies – Year 11 to Year 12, David Posker-Hill dposker-hill@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Head of Year 12, Bridget Kovats bkovats@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• IB Coordinator, Marianna Carlino mcarlino@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Curriculum Office curriculum@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

– David Posker-Hill
Acting Director of Studies – Year 11 to Year 12

2026 Australian Census – Department of Education

The 2026 Australian Census will be conducted on Tuesday 11 August 2026, and we encourage all families to review the important information below.

The Australian Government Department of Education (the department) advises all staff, parents, guardians and students (where applicable) that it will collect certain information about MLC School, its staff and student body as part of the non-government schools census collection (the census) and special circumstance applications.

Click here for Census privacy collection notice

Year 5 2027 Scholarships Close Today!

Late applications and registration payment for Year 5 2027 Scholarships will close today, Friday 31 July 2026 at 5pm.

MLC School has an All Rounder Scholarship for Year 5 students. This is open to all current Year 4 Students and those interested in attending the School.

All Rounder Scholarships are awarded to applicants who demonstrate significant academic potential, together with achievement and potential in two or more of the following areas:

• Leadership
• Cultural/creative/performing arts
• Service
• Sport

The Examination will be held on Saturday 8 August 2026. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to the School for an activity morning. Please note that not all shortlisted candidates will be offered a scholarship.

For more information about scholarships please visit our website, or contact our Registrar on 02 8741 3165 or email enrol@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

Current MLC School students click here to register

Developing Tomorrow’s Innovators Through Robotics Success

MLC Competition Robotics – RoboCup Sydney Regional Workshop and Competition 

• Hannah Girgis (Year 7)
• Olivia Smith (Year 7)
• Oliva Gu (Year 6)

• Caydence Sumantri (Year 10)
• Sanaya Nair (Year 11)

• Maya Erazo Djurisic (Year 5)
• Leila Najdi (Year 5)
• Avery Lan (Year 5)

• Peita Nikolakopoulos (Year 6)
• Henrietta Britton (Year 6)
• Zara Hunt (Year 6)

MLC School Competition Robotics – VEX Robotics

• Avery Satchcroft (Year 7)
• Maya Haysom-McDowell (Year 7)
• Daisy Han (Year 7)
• Clare Wei (Year 9)
• Katherine Yuen (Year 9)

• Nyla Sawkins (Year 7)
• Camellia Yao (Year 7)
• Alicia Wang (Year 7)

Chaplains Corner

As we come to the end of another busy and full week, we pause with gratitude for the many ways learning, care, encouragement, and community have been shared across our School. Each week brings its own rhythm of challenges and blessings, and within it we continue to see the quiet seeds of kindness, courage, compassion, respect, integrity, and growth being planted in the lives of our students.

MLC School Dance Showcase 2026 | Forever Young – Ticket Information

Tickets on Sale 10am Monday 10 August 2026

2027 Tours Launch Information Evening – Save the Date!

Parents, carers and students are warmly invited to attend our upcoming 2027 Interstate and International Tour Information Evening on Monday 17 August from 6pm to 7pm in the Senior Centre. This evening will provide families with an opportunity to hear more about the purpose, destinations and educational value of each tour, including how these experiences extend classroom learning, foster independence and global awareness, and support students to imagine broader pathways for their futures.

We are excited to share the following tours that will be presented on the evening.

NEW: Year 7 to Year 11 Tennis Tour –  Australian Open, Melbourne January Holidays 2027

Join an exciting tennis development tour to the Australian Open in Melbourne during the January 2027 holidays, designed for students in Year 7 to Year 12 in the Tildesley Tennis Team/Squad. This unique experience combines high-quality tennis training with the opportunity to watch the world’s best players compete at one of the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Students will participate in coaching sessions, observe professional athletes in competition, and learn firsthand about the physical, technical, tactical, and mental aspects of elite tennis. Through match analysis, training experiences, and exposure to high-performance environments, students will develop valuable skills and knowledge to prepare for the Tildesley Shield competition and the Term 1 tennis season.

Dates: January 2027 (Final dates to be confirmed) Monday 18 to Friday 22 January 2027
Year Groups Invited: Year 7 to Year 12
Approximate Cost: $1,700
Staff Coordinator: Adrian Montgomery

Year 9 to Year 11 Japanese, Art, Design and Languages Tour April Holidays 2027

Are you curious about Japanese food, design, architecture, art, language and culture? This immersive Japanese experience is an incredible opportunity to explore another way of life while extending your learning beyond the classroom. Ideal for students studying Visual Arts, Multimedia, Food Technology, Textiles, Japanese, Design and Technology, or Engineering, the tour combines hands-on workshops, cultural experiences and language practice with visits to museums, galleries, shrines and performances. A highlight of the trip is spending time with students at a local school in Fukuoka, offering a unique insight into everyday life, traditions and customs in Japan. This unforgettable experience will provide inspiration, authentic case study material and memories to last a lifetime.

Dates: Saturday 10 April to Wednesday 21 April 2027
Year groups invited: Year 9 to Year 11
Approx cost: $8,500

Staff Coordinator: Sally Marks and Natasha Collins

NEW: Year 9 to Year 11 Literature Tour – United Kingdom July Holidays 2027

The United Kingdom Literature Tour offers students the opportunity to step into the worlds of some of the most significant writers, texts and literary movements they encounter in their studies. Through visits to literary landmarks, theatre performances, writing workshops and cultural experiences, students will deepen their understanding of literature while exploring the places that inspired great works and shaped literary history. Highlights include Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and the Globe Theatre, the Lake District, the Brontë Parsonage, Jane Austen’s Bath, literary London and a West End production. This is a unique opportunity for students who love literature, theatre and writing to bring their learning to life beyond the classroom.

Dates: Thursday 1 July to Wednesday 14 July 2027
Year groups invited: Year 9 to Year 11
Approximate cost: $12,000 per student

Staff coordinator: Emma Brandon

NEW: Year 8 to Year 10 Eurospace and STEM Tour July holidays 2027

On this extraordinary tour offering for students at MLC School, students will embark on an unforgettable journey through France’s leading space science and technology hubs, discovering how innovation, research, and exploration are shaping our future beyond Earth. The highlight will no doubt be a 5‑day immersive Astronaut Training Camp at the Eurospace Centre in Transinne, Brussels, where students will train like real astronauts through interactive simulations, team challenges, and space missions that bring science and STEM learning to life. This tour is an inspiring, hands‑on experience with a rich opportunity for students to deepen curriculum connections, spark curiosity, and support global learning goals in science, technology, and beyond.

Dates: Saturday 26 June to Sunday 11 July 2027
Year groups invited: Year 8 to Year 10
Approximate cost: $12,000 per student

Staff coordinator: Marie Cassar

Year 9 to Year 11 Culture College Immersion to North – East Arnhem Land July Holidays 2027

MLC School is giving students in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11, the unique opportunity to participate in an Indigenous immersion, visiting and supporting remote Indigenous Homelands in Arnhem Land. We are partnering with Culture College Aboriginal Corporation (Culture College), a social enterprise established to inspire and educate secondary school students and empower the next generation of Australia’s leaders.

Students will be immersed in the living culture of Aboriginal clans of East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia, one of the most culturally intact and pristine regions left on Earth. This unique program will provide privileged access and interaction with the Yolŋu people and their lands of which they have been the traditional owners for over 50,000 years.

Dates: July School holidays
Year groups invited: Year 9, Year 10  and Year 11
Approx cost: TBC

Staff coordinator: Tim Lennon 

Year 10 and Year 11 (must be 16 at date of departure) International Round Square Conference, United Kingdom September School holidays 2027.

The Round Square International Conference is a unique global gathering that brings together students from Round Square schools around the world to explore the organisation’s IDEALS of International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service. Through keynote speakers, group discussions, cultural exchange, service learning and collaborative activities, students are challenged to broaden their perspectives, connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and consider how they can make a positive difference in their communities and beyond. This conference offers MLC School students a powerful opportunity to develop confidence, global awareness, compassion and leadership through an authentic international experience.

Dates: Saturday 9 October 2027 – Friday 15 October 2027 (Conference Only)
Year groups invited: Year 10 and Year 11
Approx cost: $10,000 (Conference only) up to $15,000 (with Pre Tour)

Staff coordinator: Henry Wijanto

Additionally, planning for a Music tour to Tonga is underway, more information will follow later in the year.

Staff Coordinator: James Larsen

– Melissa Boyd
Acting Principal

From the Head of Learning and Teaching – Learning without Distractions: Why Attention Matters

In today’s world, multitasking has become the norm. We listen to music while replying to messages, check emails during meetings, and switch constantly between apps, notifications and conversations. Research suggests that this pattern is especially common among young people, whose social, academic and recreational lives are often intertwined with digital technologies. In fact, studies have found that many students regularly combine homework with texting, social media, television, streaming services and other forms of media use.

While this may feel efficient, cognitive science tells a different story. Multitasking is rarely about doing two things at once. Instead, it involves rapidly switching attention between tasks, and each switch comes at a cost. Research consistently shows that when students divide their attention between learning and other activities, the quality of learning suffers.

Neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene describes attention as the first pillar of learning. Before students can understand, remember or apply new knowledge, they must first attend to it.

Research observing students studying at home found that they remained focused on their work for less than six minutes on average before switching to another activity, often due to technology-related distractions such as social media, texting or television. Students who had more distracting technologies available in their study environment were less likely to remain on task.

The evidence around background television is particularly striking. Studies have found that having the television on during study periods is associated with reduced on-task behaviour and poorer concentration.

What about music? The research is more nuanced. Some students feel that music helps them relax or stay motivated. However, studies suggest that music can interfere with short-term memory and deep cognitive processing, particularly when students are reading, writing, memorising information or learning something new. While music may make study feel more enjoyable, it does not necessarily improve learning and can sometimes reduce it.

Perhaps most importantly, research shows that students are often poor judges of the impact of multitasking on their own learning. Many believe they are working effectively while simultaneously messaging friends, checking social media or consuming other media. Yet studies consistently find that multitasking during learning is associated with poorer attention, shallower processing and lower academic performance.

So what can parents do?

The goal is not to create a perfectly silent house, but rather to help students establish periods of focused attention. You might encourage your daughter to:

• Put her phone in another room while studying.
• Turn off the television during homework time.
• Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications.
• Study in blocks of focused time, followed by short breaks.
• Complete the most demanding learning tasks before turning to entertainment.

These strategies help reduce the ‘attention switching’ that makes learning less efficient. Research suggests that students often learn more in less time when distractions are removed.

In a world designed to compete for our attention, sustained focus is becoming an increasingly valuable skill. Helping young people protect their attention may be one of the most important things we can do to support both their learning and their wellbeing.

Year 8 Electives Evening webinar

On Wednesday this week, Year 8 students and their families joined us for the Year 8 Electives Evening webinar, an important step in choosing Stage 5 subjects for the next two years. It is always exciting to see students begin to exercise greater choice in their learning, exploring subjects that spark their curiosity, build their confidence and help them discover new interests. We encouraged students to choose subjects they genuinely enjoy, rather than trying to predict future pathways too early; at this stage, there are no prerequisites for HSC or IB study, apart from Continuers Language courses.

We were also delighted to launch a new elective, EnLightened: Latin and Philosophy, designed for students who love big ideas, enjoy debate and discussion, and are interested in the foundations of thought and culture. Families were reminded that our timetable is created from student preferences; we do not pre-select elective lines in advance. This means it is important for students to nominate a thoughtful range of options, including three preferences and two reserves. The preferences portal will open on Monday 10 August 2026 and close on Wednesday 12 August 2026, and we encourage families to read the Curriculum Guide carefully and identify at least five areas of interest.

A recording of the webinar can be found by viewing the Year 8 article in this issue of Audacia, by clicking here.

– Melissa McMahon
Head of Learning and Teaching

From the Learning Enhancement Department

Getaway Program Semester 2

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

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

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

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

Semester 2 High Potential Learning – Junior School

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

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

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

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

Junior School Learning Enhancement Teacher – Felicity Young

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

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

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

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

2026 Sydney Philosothon

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

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

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

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

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

– Stephanie Dimitrelis
Director of Learning Enhancement

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

*Photo Credit, Unsplash

Study Hub+

Term 3 2026 Study Hub+  – Fill in form

Study Hub+ is MLC School’s structured, pay‑per‑use after‑school study support program, designed for students in Year 7 to Year 12 who would benefit from more personalised academic guidance in a focused and supportive environment.

While the Study Hub provides a supervised space for independent study for Year 11 and Year 12, Study Hub+ offers a higher level of individualised, responsive support. Sessions are student‑led, allowing mentors to tailor assistance based on each student’s specific needs on the day. This may include consolidating class learning, clarifying assessment requirements, preparing for examinations, or developing effective and sustainable study routines.

Led by Program Coordinator Ela Huber, Study Hub+ is supported by a team of knowledgeable mentors, all of whom are pre‑service teachers or working towards a career in education. Most mentors are in the final stages of their undergraduate or Master of Teaching degrees and bring with them a strong depth of subject knowledge, alongside up‑to‑date, innovative and curriculum‑aligned resources. This ensures students receive guidance that is relevant and closely aligned with classroom expectations.

A key strength of Study Hub+ is the opportunity for students to work alongside a mentor, particularly when engaging with written tasks. Mentors can read through work with students, ask guiding questions, suggest improvements to structure, clarity and expression, and help students refine their ideas and arguments. While mentors are unable to mark work or provide grades, they can offer valuable feedback and editing support prior to submission, helping students better understand how to improve their work independently.

Mentors can support students with:

• Revising and consolidating key concepts and class content
• Examination preparation and revision strategies
• Planning and organising assessments and study schedules
• Reading through drafts alongside students and suggesting edits or refinements
• Developing confidence, independence and effective study habits

Study Hub+ also plays an important role in supporting students in an era where AI is a valuable and encouraged tool at MLC School, but one that requires thoughtful, ethical and informed use. Students can sometimes over‑rely on AI when completing homework and assessments, which may leave them unsure about underlying concepts, task expectations or how to improve their own work.

At Study Hub+, mentors help reinforce the appropriate and ethical use of AI by guiding students to use these tools as a support for learning rather than a replacement for thinking. Mentors work with students to unpack questions, clarify concepts, check understanding and refine ideas, ensuring students remain actively engaged in their learning and confident in the work they submit.

Program Overview

• Schedule: Monday to Thursday, 3.30pm–6pm (term time)
• Location: Level 1, Senior Centre
• Cost: $25 per session (2.5 hours) and charged to your daughter’s account at the end of term
• Environment: Phone‑free zone to minimise distractions and promote positive study habits
• Staffing: A minimum of two mentors per session, rotating to provide a range of subject expertise

Families are encouraged to register on a termly basis to support the development of consistent study routines, although weekly bookings remain available via Omnia and Audacia, the School e-newsletter. Students will receive a reminder email at approximately 2pm 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, families will not be charged.

For further information, please contact Ela Huber, Program Coordinator.

Term 3 2026 Study Hub+  – Fill in form

*Photo Credit, Unsplash

Sport Report

It has been an exciting start to Term 3, with both the IGSA and IPSHA competitions commencing last week. Our students have embraced the challenge with great enthusiasm, and the sporting calendar continues to build momentum as more competitions begin this weekend.

This Friday evening marks the start of the Meriden Badminton Invitational, with 11 MLC School teams taking to the courts in what promises to be a fantastic competition. We also wish our Monte Volleyball teams, and IGSA Twilight Athletics squad the very best as they return to competition and continue their preparations for the representative athletics season ahead.

On Saturday, we wish all of our Junior School ERNA Netball and IPSHA Touch Football teams every success as they continue their respective competitions. Good luck to our Senior School Netball, Football, Hockey, and Basketball teams as they proudly represent MLC School across Sydney.

A special mention goes to those students travelling to Frensham for Netball and Hockey in Bowral, for those students catching the MLC School bus please ensure you are at school by 6.45am. We wish everyone safe travels and a successful weekend of competition.

It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and commitment displayed by our students across all sports. Whether celebrating a victory, learning from a challenge, or supporting a teammate, every opportunity contributes to the continued growth of our sporting community. As you compete this weekend, remember the Values that define the MLC School Way: Courage • Compassion • Respect • Growth • Dare to Be More.

We look forward to celebrating your achievements throughout the weekend.

– Scott Carpenter
Director of Sport

Sport Announcements

Term 4 Sport Registrations

Term 4 Sport Registrations will open next Friday 7 August 2026 and will close Monday 24 August 2026.

MLC School is implementing a new registration platform and process to collect our sport registrations for our Term 4 Sports. More information will be provided in the coming days in order to transition smoothly to our new and exciting platform.

Rowing Information Evening

The Rowing Information Evening for 2026/2027 was held last night. If you were not able to attend this evening, or if you are an MLC School Student in Year 6 to Year 10 and interested in joining our Competitive or Learn to Row Programs for 2026/2027, please contact Charlotte Almond, Head of Rowing, via email on calmond@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

MLC School Sport – Training and Match Attendance Reminder

To ensure the smooth operation of our sporting programs and fairness to all students, we kindly remind families of the importance of providing reasonable notice if a student is unable to attend a scheduled training session or Saturday fixture.

If your daughter is unable to attend training or, more importantly, a competition match, please notify the relevant Sports Coordinator by email as soon as possible. Early notification allows our coordinators and coaches sufficient time to adjust teams, organise replacement players where required, and ensure all teams can compete with appropriate numbers.

Please note that failure to provide reasonable notice, particularly for match-day absences, may result in Accountability Points being recorded. Repeated unexplained absences will also be taken into consideration when determining eligibility for MLC School Sport Pockets, particularly under the Sustained Commitment to MLC School Sport criteria.

We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of our families in helping us maintain the high standards, commitment, and teamwork expected across all MLC School sporting programs.

Sports Contacts

Football, Fencing and MLC School Fit

• Scott Carpenter – scarpenter@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Netball and Water Polo

• Francesca Fitzhenry – ffitzhenry@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Touch Football, Hockey, Athletics, Volleyball and Run Club

• Isaac Laws – ilaws@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Tennis, Badminton and Basketball

• Adrian Montgomery – amontgomery@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Diving

• (Golden) Shixin Li – sli3@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Rowing

• Charlotte Almond – calmond@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Swimming

• Colman Wong – cwong2@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Gymnastics

• Adrian Borazio – aborazio@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support of MLC School Sport.

Sport Achievements

National All Schools Diving Championships – Congratulations Ada!

MLC School Emerging Athlete Program (EAP) student and Year 10 athlete Ada Savage is currently in Melbourne representing New South Wales at the National All Schools Diving Championships.

STOP PRESS – UPDATE!!!!

• Ada has claimed the Silver Medal for the Girls’ 15-16 Years Platform event.
• Ada and her diving partner Samuel have just taken gold in the 17-19 years boys and mixed synchro event.
• Ada and her diving partner Charlotte have just placed 3rd in the 15-16 girls synchro

Three x medals, Gold, Silver and Bronze! Outstanding!

We are incredibly proud of Ada’s performances and we can’t wait to celebrate her achievements with the MLC School community when she returns next week.

Competition began on Sunday, with Ada taking to the board in the 15 Years Springboard event. Despite the nerves that come with competing on the national stage, Ada drew on the advice of her coach, MLC School Diving Head coach Shixin (Golden) Li, focusing on his words of wisdom before each dive. Her composure and determination paid off, with Ada delivering an impressive performance to finish 5th in a highly competitive field of 17 divers. She was pleased with both the quality of her dives and her overall result.

Day Two saw competitors take part in the ever-popular Teams Challenge – a fun and unique event where teams are randomly selected from athletes across Australia and New Zealand. Ada’s team featured divers from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and New Zealand, with athletes spanning different age groups and varying heights, adding an extra layer of challenge to the competition. They finished 15th out of 21 teams, enjoying the camaraderie and unique experience that the event provides.

MLC School Cricket Tour | Dare to Be More

Congratulations to Aditi Knowles (Year 9), Connie Rawson (Year 9), and Emily Moore (Year 7), who proudly represented MLC School on the recent Cricket Tour.

Over six gruelling match days, our cricketers played seven matches in challenging conditions, competing predominantly against local development squads.

Throughout the tour, the girls represented MLC School with pride, resilience, and outstanding sportsmanship. They embraced every challenge, supported one another, and truly embodied our school motto, Dare to Be More.

Congratulations to Aditi, Connie, Emily, and all involved on a fantastic tour. 💙🏏Netball

Special mention to our Senior Firsts Netball Team, who are playing in Division 1 in our Championship Term 3 this year. The girls played against Kambala with a huge score of 40-43. Though a loss for our MLC School girls, our Sports staff are absolutely over the moon for you, such a great game, you never gave up – well done girls!

Young MLC School Football side Pushes Champions All the Way

The MLC01 Senior First Football Team produced one of its most determined performances of the season last weekend, taking on a formidable Meriden College side that has dominated the Open Girls’ Football Competition in 2026, claiming both the IGSA and NSW CIS Championships.

The early 8am kick-off set the stage for an exciting contest, with MLC School matching the champions from the opening whistle. Despite facing a side featuring several NSW CIS representative players, the MLC School girls showed resilience, composure, and determination throughout the match.

Football Captain Carina Savoca (Year 12) was outstanding in midfield, providing calm leadership, excellent vision, and controlling the tempo of the game while continually disrupting Meriden’s attacking play.

In defence, Felicity McCormick (Year 8) delivered a remarkable performance beyond her years. Time and again, she frustrated the opposition with crucial tackles and defensive interventions, helping to keep MLC School firmly in the contest.

After Meriden opened the scoring early, MLC School responded brilliantly. Cassidee Fernando (Year 11) produced a superb solo run before calmly finishing to level the scores. The match remained locked for almost the entire contest, with MLC School holding the reigning champions at bay for over 70 minutes.

It took a late goal for Meriden to eventually secure a narrow victory, but the result did not reflect the outstanding effort and character displayed by the MLC School Team. Against one of the strongest school football sides, our players demonstrated tremendous courage, teamwork, and belief.

With such a young squad and many players returning in future seasons, the performance highlighted the exciting future of the MLC School Football Program.

A special welcome also goes to Alexandra Pajarillo and Liana Wai (Year 11), who both made the decision to begin their football journey this season by representing MLC School in IGSA Football. We hope you thoroughly enjoy the season and congratulate you on taking on a new sporting challenge.

Well done to the entire MLC01 squad on a fantastic performance – we’re excited to watch your continued growth throughout the remainder of the season.

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Hockey

We had a great start to our Term 3 championship hockey campaign. Lots of new faces this term to give us our biggest program ever! Fielding four full squads of 16 is a huge step forward in the development of our Hockey Program, and we are heading from strength to strength. A draw, and a couple of close fought losses from MLC1/2/3 set the tone that we were looking to fight hard this term. However, the game of the week goes to MLC04. Our only Junior side this term, with many new faces to not just MLC School Hockey, but hockey in general – and you wouldn’t know it, a resounding 5-0 win against Wenona to stamp a mark on their league. Narrowly missing out on finals and a ribbon last term – this term is going to be all theirs!

MLC04 Hockey Opens Season with an Impressive Victory

The MLC04 Hockey Team has kicked off its 2026 IGSA season in style, recording a convincing opening-round victory over Wenona on the MLC School Sports Field.

Making the most of the home-ground advantage, the team produced an outstanding all-round performance. Several athletes who have recently transitioned from the MLC School Football Program made an immediate impact, bringing their athleticism, speed, and enthusiasm to the hockey field.

The squad features an exciting blend of experienced players alongside newcomers to the sport, creating a positive team environment and an exciting platform for the season ahead.

A special mention goes to Henriette Pitman (Year 7), who was outstanding in goal. Her confident performance ensured Wenona was kept scoreless, earning her first clean sheet of the season and providing the perfect foundation for the team’s victory.

Congratulations to all of the players on a fantastic start to the season. We look forward to watching the team continue to develop and build on this impressive performance throughout the term.

Play of the Week

Ainnie Hao (Year 9)
MLC02 Volleyball

Our Play of the Week this week goes to one of our intermediate volleyballers – Ainnie Hao (Year 9).

Noticing that our MLC01 side was short, she was the first to put her hand up to stay late and bolster the side. Even though it was a team up, you wouldn’t have known it was her first team debut. Ainnie flew around the court; serving, setting and spiking like a pro!

Well done, Ainnie!

1st Brigade Leadership Course Visit

Over the holidays, I was fortunate to be invited to observe 1^st Brigade Leadership and Instruction courses in the Singleton Military Area, across all levels of leadership. It was incredible to see the differences and similarities between our courses and how they’re run, which we can use as a unit to improve ourselves and perfect our own courses.

While I was there, I was able to eat in the Officer’s Mess, which was cool to see people within the Army and how they operate during downtime, as well as talking to a Major and the Staff Adjutant for NSW Cadets.

Something that definitely surprised me was the depth of leadership which is instilled through these courses. A lot of them in the lower levels are extremely challenging, in order to produce outstanding leaders who progress through to learning the more administrative aspects of running a unit, planning a lesson, etc. I think a lot of people overestimate getting into national activities, and one thing I would definitely say is just put your hand up! You never know what will happen and you’ve lost nothing by applying.

– CDTSGT Chiara Hughes (Year 11)

Success in Public Speaking is all about Developing Tenacity and Self-Confidence

The co-curricular Oratory classes we run on Thursdays for Year 5 to Year 11 are all about spending time every week focusing on improving skills in researching, writing and presenting a speech.  The purpose is to help students develop a tenacious and enquiring mindset with the self-confidence to speak in public.

The next step up is to participate in an official competition alongside speakers from other schools. On Monday two of our students Sophia Cao (Year 7) and Mariella Tsolis (Year 7) bravely agreed to speak in the local heat of the Junior Secondary Speaking Award at Homebush Boys High School.

There were 17 speakers, boys and girls from Year 7–Year 9, the speaking time for the prepared speech is five minutes. There are no restrictions on the subject matter for the prepared speech, so speakers can choose any issue that they care about. The impromptu speech is on a subject chosen by the adjudicator. Contestants receive five minutes of preparation time to write their impromptu speech. The speaking time for the impromptu speech is two minutes.

Both Sophia and Mariella put in solid performances in both their prepared and impromptu speeches considering it was their first time in a competition, and they were understandably nervous. Even though they didn’t win through to the regional finals this year, the purpose of going was to experience a competition and build up confidence for future endeavours. Their coach Brendan and I were proud of our student’s resilience and willingness to try a new activity.

– Dr Andrea Rowe
Oratory Co-ordinator