From the Head of Junior School

Kindergarten to Year 2 Musical Tickets On Sale Now!

The Kindergarten to Year 2 Musical: MLC School – A Birthday Celebration

Friday 11 September 2026
Matinee – 2pm
Evening – 6pm

Potts Hall
$15 per ticket

Tickets now available, click on the button below:

Kindergarten to Year 2 Musical

Booralee Book Swap Supporting The Indigenous Literacy Foundation

All money raised will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Booralee thanks you for your support!

Library News

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

Congratulations

Congratulations to these readers who have completed the challenge:

Year 4

• Bella Nguyen
• Vicki Nikolakopoulos
• Joy Yao

Year 5

• Misha Chand

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

Book Week is coming to the Junior School – Monday 24 August – Friday 28 August 2026 (Week 6)

Book Character Parade – Friday 28 August 2026

• Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6

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-Kinderten to Year 5

Kate and Jol Temple

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.

Kate Jol Order Form Book Week

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. The overall winning design will be used as a Junior School bookmark for the rest of 2026 and in 2027! Entries due by Monday 17 August 2026. Winners announced at the Book Parade.

CBCA Collide Competition

We are very excited to congratulate two Year 5 teams whose book trailers have been chosen in the CBCA Collide competition shortlist. We look forward to finding out the winners on Friday 21 August 2026.

Run

• Colette Obaid (Year 5)
• Marina Chen (Year 5)

The Making of Martha Mayfield

• Zahra Hone (Year 5)
• Selina Lo (Year 5)

The Shortlist can be viewed here:

Collide Booktrailer Shortlist

Happy reading!

– Sharon Seymour
Teacher/Librarian

From the Acting Head of Senior School

It has been another full and vibrant week in the Senior School, with students embracing a wide range of opportunities to learn, connect and grow. This week saw Year 6 students enjoy their Excitement Day as they explored opportunities in the Senior School. They made impressive catapults, spoke at least three languages, filtered water in various ways and reflected on some of the challenges that moving into the Senior School may bring. Year 7 spent Thursday at Sydney Zoo; Year 8 students participated in their Immersion Program in Mudgee and here in Sydney, while Year 12 students continued their Trial Examinations, settling into the routine of study and examinations with focus and positivity. Students also took part in a range of enriching learning experiences, including the Year 9 PASS Ski Camp, Commerce Excursion and the Year 11 Biology Excursion, before selected Year 10 students concluded the week through Service Learning at St Lucas’ Gardens. These opportunities allow students to connect their learning to real-world contexts, develop new perspectives, and engage with the wider community.

In keeping with our belief that every lesson counts, beyond the learning itself these experiences play an important role in supporting student wellbeing. Time spent learning in new environments, working alongside different people and contributing to the wider community helps students to develop confidence and perspective. Opportunities such as excursions, immersion programs, and service learning encourage students to step outside their usual routines, which can often lead to strengthening relationships and discovering new interests. It’s important to remind students that learning extends far beyond the classroom, and that there are many other ways such as these to develop a sense of connection and engagement in school life.

Study Hub Next Week

– Fiona Pow
Acting Head of Senior School

Write a Book in a Day

Last Friday, 50 enthusiastic students from Year 5 to Year 9 gathered in The Whitley Room to take part in Write a Book in a Day, an annual creative writing challenge and fundraiser supporting The Kids’ Cancer Project.

Working in teams, students had just ten hours to plan, write and illustrate an original book. Year 5 and Year 6 teams produced stories of 1,500–2,500 words, while Year 7 to Year 9 teams tackled the challenge of writing between 3,500–5,000 words. To add an extra layer of complexity, each team was required to incorporate a unique set of characters, words and story elements into their book.

Throughout the day, The Whitley Room was filled with creativity, collaboration and plenty of excitement as students brainstormed ideas, solved problems together and encouraged one another to meet the deadline. There was also no shortage of snacks to keep everyone fuelled for the marathon writing session!

Collectively, the students raised more than $7,000 for The Kids’ Cancer Project, helping to fund vital research into childhood cancer.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s Write A Book in a Day.

– Danielle Collins
Senior School Teacher Librarian

– Sharon Seymour
Junior School Teacher Librarian

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Year 7

This week, our Year 7 girls enjoyed their first Big Sister Little Sister session for the term. Some groups spent time chatting, while others played games, and it was lovely to see the Year 7 girls connecting with their Year 11 Big Sisters.

We also visited Sydney Zoo, and it was a magnificent day. The girls completed a booklet on the classification of living organisms, along with other activities that helped consolidate what they have been learning in Science over the past few weeks.

As we approach the end of the first third of the term, I would like to remind all students that Compassion remains at the heart of our Luminary discussions and activities. We continue to focus on the importance of understanding, respecting and accepting each other’s personal opinions, beliefs, identities and achievements. Each member of our community is unique, and this diversity is something to value and celebrate. Imagine how dull the world would be if we were all the same. I encourage the girls to embrace one another’s differences and to remember that respectful behaviour means treating others with the same care and consideration we would hope to receive ourselves.

I hold high hopes for our Year 7 students and will continue to guide them in understanding what respect looks like in daily interactions, so they can make thoughtful and positive choices in their behaviour.

Last but not least, please remember that the Dance Showcase is rapidly approaching. Please find the information below:

Dance Showcase 2026 | Forever Young

Tickets for the 2026 MLC School Dance Showcase, Forever Young, go on sale via Ticketek at 10am on Monday 10 August 2026.

We encourage all students to come along and support their friends on stage. Featuring MLC School dancers from Year 3 to Year 6, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent, hard work and dedication of our MLC School Dance community (and find out what all that music is blasting out from the Basement studios is about.)

Click here for full date and time information

Purchase tickets here

– Martina Stolzi
Acting Head of Year 7

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Year 8

It has been a special week for Year 8 as students approached their On Country experience with curiosity, open minds and a deep respect for the Immersive Learning Program.

Through the Eora and Darug experiences, students explored Sydney Harbour aboard the Mari Nawi, gaining a new perspective of this iconic landscape through Aboriginal storytelling and cultural knowledge. They also completed the Giba Nura walking tour through The Rocks and visited museums, learning about traditional Gadigal life and influential Aboriginal figures while developing a deeper understanding of the Country on which they live and attend school.

For their Wiradjuri cultural experience, the girls visited significant cultural sites in Mudgee, including Hands on Rock, learnt Aboriginal dance, participated in a Corroboree and listened to Dreamtime stories under the stars, all while learning from Indigenous Elders. MLC School is especially grateful to Fleur and Locky Magick Dennis, who for many years have so generously shared their time, knowledge and experiences with our students.

Throughout the week, it was wonderful to see the girls develop a deeper understanding of the meaning of Country and recognise that connections to place, culture and community extend far beyond the Acknowledgement of Country they hear at assemblies and special events. We commend Year 8 for the respect, engagement and maturity they displayed throughout the program, as well as the enthusiasm with which they embraced the opportunity to develop their own Sense of Place.

We are also sincerely grateful to the MLC School staff who accompanied students on the Sydney and Mudgee experiences. Their care, flexibility and professionalism are what make programs like these possible and ensure they remain such meaningful learning experiences for our students. 

In particular it has been a pleasure to work alongside our lead teachers, Claire White, Head of Year 8, and Tim Lennon, Director of Indigenous Education, whose outstanding leadership has ensured the successful delivery of the immersion. 

We hope all of Year 8 enjoy a restful weekend, and I look forward to hearing their reflections when they return to school next week.

– Jack Rudd
Adventure and Immersions Coordinator

Message from the Learning Enhancement Department

Offers for Learning Engagement and Academic Progress (LEAP) class were sent to eligible families this week. The  LEAP class is designed to support students’ academic development, with a particular focus on literacy skills and aspects of numeracy.  If you have not received a letter but feel that your daughter may benefit from this class, we encourage you to contact Penny Hewett, Year 8 LED Case Manager, by email here, to discuss whether LEAP may be a suitable option.

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Year 9

Year 9 students have been busy participating in a wonderful variety of activities over the past couple of weeks. These have included the Write a Book in a Day incursion at MLC School, the Thriving Minds Competition at Ascham School, Australian Music Day, the PASS Alpine Safety and Ski Camp, and a Commerce excursion to NSW Parliament House and the Police and Justice Museum. Our Middle Years leaders also supported the Year 6 Excitement Day, which was a lovely opportunity for them to contribute to the wider School community.

Continuing our focus on encouraging Year 9 students to become more active in their learning and to manage the increasing academic demands of Stage 5, this week’s Year Meeting centred on building effective study habits and developing a more senior approach to learning. We explored practical strategies for creating study notes and discussed the many different note-taking styles students may find useful. I encouraged the cohort to establish a regular revision routine that includes reviewing the work covered each day, adding to their notes, checking their understanding, and contacting their teachers when they identify gaps in their knowledge. In future sessions, we will build on this by focusing on the next steps after note-making, such as active revision and practising skills so students can apply their knowledge, rather than simply recall it. Our aim is to equip Year 9 with the habits and mindset needed to become increasingly independent, confident and successful learners as they continue through high school.

We want our pastoral care programs to remain collaborative and responsive to the current needs of our students. If you are noticing any areas of concern at home, whether related to wellbeing, such as healthy online habits or navigating friendship changes, or to academics, such as organisation, research or study skills, please feel welcome to reach out. These are often valuable themes for us to explore during our pastoral care time.

Wishing you and your family a restful weekend, and I look forward to another positive and productive week with Year 9 next week.

– Kate Schurch
Head of year 9

Year 10

We hope you’ve had a great week. Year 10 have been enjoying the beautiful winter sunshine in the Bird Bath Quad and Principal’s Lawn at recess and lunch and working hard in preparation for assessments and co-curricular activities.

Our Luminary sessions this week focused again on CyberSafety. Marianna Carlino, Director of eLearning, presented a more in-depth information session on AI and DeepFakes. The link to the presentation is on the Year 10 Canvas page. The girls gave great insights and asked excellent questions in the presentation, showing a good understanding of the consequences of AI and Deep Fake images on wellbeing. Further information on keeping safe online can be found here, as well as details on the social media ban for under 16s.

Just a reminder on where to find information on all things related to Year 10:

https://omnia.mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au/school-information/senior-school/year-10/

The Omnia Parent Portal includes information on: subject selection, careers and work experience, parent teacher interviews, study hub, book lists, leave forms, uniform, assessment calendar and details on illness/misadventure and extension requests. As the assessments are coming up each week, it is helpful to review the processes about what to do if your daughter cannot complete an assessment due to illness/misadventure or family bereavement, for example. Applications from Omnia go directly to our Curriculum Office for review and next steps will be communicated to you about how to best support your daughter.

In March this year, a letter was sent to parents to explain the Year 10 Immersion program in Term 4. Sarah Jauncey, Director of Experiential Learning, officially launched the Immersion to Year 10 on Tuesday. Dates and details are on Omnia in the link above. The girls are really excited and are now counting down to mid Term 4.

Year 10 have had the opportunity to participate in two service programs this term. On Friday, 10 students will accompany Pastor Luisa Bland to Lucas Gardens School, a Kindergarten to Year 12 school for students with moderate and high support needs. The girls will have a great afternoon meeting the students and participating in activities. We look forward to hearing about it next week.

For academic concerns, please contact your daughter’s class teacher. For wellbeing and pastoral concerns, please contact your daughter’s Luminary or me on sconnolly1@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au or 02 8741 9736 for Teams meetings, a phone call or on site meeting – Monday to Friday.

Take care and kind regards.

– Sharon Connolly
Head of Year 10

Year 10 Work Experience: Student Goals This Week!

Work Experience Dates: Monday 9 November to Friday 13 November 2026

We have been very impressed by the work experience placements students have secured so far, including opportunities at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Burwood Library, AIE, and through local primary schools, childcare centres and pharmacies.

We will also continue to share work experience opportunities with students as they become available. This week, health and childcare placements were offered and interested students have applied. We encourage students to check their emails regularly, complete the goals below.

🎯 Student Goals this week include:

• Finalise host employer placement details
• Submit your SPR (Check all sections are filled in and signed!)
• Make a time and book in for a meeting for next week

If you have any family or friends that can provide additional placement or offer their business as a potential host employer, we encourage you to complete your details using the following link.

2026 Host Employer – EOI Form

Parents/Carers also have access to the following resources and links through Omnia, the MLC School Parent Portal.

• Work Experience Letter to Year 10 2026 parents
• Work Experience Handbook Year 10 2026
• Year 10 2026 Work Experience Presentation Slides
• Year 10 2026 Work Experience Placement Enquiry
• Student Placement Record
• 2026 Year 10 Public Liability Certificate
• Work Experience FAQ’s
• Y10 Work Experience: How Families Can Help!

We look forward to working with you in support of our Year 10 students as they take these important steps toward gaining valuable workplace experience.

– Nicole Massara
Futures and Pathways Advisor

Year 11

One of my favourite pastoral care activities in Year 11 is the time our students spend with their Year 7 Little Sisters. This week, Year 11 students led Luminary sessions on the theme of Compassion. Each Luminary group explored the concept in different ways, from writing letters to playing team-building games on the tennis courts.

We know that students are often more receptive to learning from their peers, and it was wonderful to see our Year 11 girls thoughtfully consider what is important for a Year 7 student to understand about compassion and how best to engage them in meaningful learning experiences.

During Luminary time this week, I also asked each Year 11 student to complete an examination readiness survey. The survey explored a range of areas including study timetables, study spaces, revision techniques, help-seeking strategies and perceived challenges. Motivation, time management and distractions emerged as some of the most common barriers to effective study.

On Monday, Marianna Carlino, our Director of eLearning, will be presenting to Year 11 on study skills. The data collected from the survey will help tailor her presentation to address the specific needs of Year 11. As families, I encourage you to have a conversation with your daughter about her exam preparation and discuss ways you can support her at home over the coming weeks.

Finally, congratulations to our Accelerated Studies of Religion students who sat their Trial HSC examination on Thursday. I am proud of the way they have approached this challenge and look forward to the insights and strategies they can share with the rest of Year 11 as we begin preparing for the upcoming yearly examinations.

– Penny Hewett
Head of Year 11

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Year 12

It has been wonderful to see our Year 12 students begin their Trial Examinations with such positivity, focus and determination. I enjoyed the opportunity to support them with breakfast snacks before examinations, some grab-and-go treats throughout the day, and a few sweet rewards along the way. As the examination period continues, we remind students to arrive at school at least 30 minutes before each examination and to ensure they are in correct school uniform. Thank you to parents and carers for your ongoing support during this important time. If you feel your daughter would benefit from a wellbeing check-in, please do not hesitate to contact the School. We are here to support our students every step of the way.

Year 12 Events for the Class of 2026 

Last week, a letter was sent to Year 12 families which outlines all the fantastic ways parents can be involved in celebrating this important time in their daughters’ lives. 

Click here to view the letter

Dance Showcase 2026 | Forever Young 

Tickets for the 2026 MLC School Dance Showcase, Forever Young, go on sale via Ticketek at 10am on Monday 10 August 2026. We encourage all students to come along and support their friends on stage. Featuring MLC School dancers, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent, hard work and dedication of our MLC School Dance community (and find out what all that music is blasting out from the Basement studios is about.)

Purchase tickets here, Monday 10 August at 10am

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 – Dance Showcase 
• Tuesday 8 September 2026 – Senior School House Athletics Carnival

Thursday 17th September: 

• 10am Year 12 Paver Reveal (students and families)
• 11am Class of 2026 Valedictory Assembly and Service (students and guests)
• 7pm Class of 2026 Valedictory Dinner (students and guests) Le Montage, Lilyfield

– Bridget Kovats
Head of 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, Workshops and Course Information

Open Days

Scholarships and Competitions

– Nicole Massara
Futures and Pathways Advisors

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

An Action-Packed Week of Amazing Music Making

It was a wonderfully full and inspiring week in the Music Department, with students across the School enjoying a wide range of performance opportunities and musical experiences.

The week began on Monday evening with the Junior School Co-curricular Concert, featuring performances from our Junior School String ensembles, Bands, Taiko, Ukulele and Chamber groups. It was a joyful celebration of the students’ commitment, energy and growing confidence as young musicians.

On Tuesday, our jazz musicians and vocalists took to the stage for Groove Concert, held this year at Burwood RSL Club. The concert provided a fantastic opportunity for our Jazz Bands and singers from the Music elective classes to share the results of their hard work in a lively and supportive performance setting.

Thursday and Friday saw the return of our annual Australian Music Day. This event continues to attract a wide participation from several school across Sydney as well as benefit our MLC School elective music students. This year’s event focused on music for the piano and keyboards more broadly. As such a fundamental tool for all musicians, piano and keyboards in general are a vital element of the music world.

Students were privileged to work with and learn from some of Australia’s leading musicians, including Roshan Kumarage, Bailey Pickles, Dr Melody Eötvös, Elizabeth Younan and Tristan Coelho. Special mention to our Head of Keyboard Ying Ho, who was able to bring one of Elizabeth Younan’s works to life as an example of what is possible on the instrument.

We were also delighted to welcome back renowned Old Girl Andrea Lam (1999), who recently appeared in the ABC television series The Piano. Having an internationally recognised pianist on hand to render student compositions and provide feedback on where they could take it from here was a real benefit for attendees. The week culminated in a memorable masterclass led by Andrea, featuring three of our advanced pianists: Shangya Gao (Year 7), Sophie Fan (Year 7) and Chloe Miller (Year 11). Each performed beautifully and benefited from Andrea’s generous guidance, insight and experience as they continue to develop.

Congratulations to all students involved, and thank you to the Music staff, visiting artists and families who supported such a rich and rewarding week of music making.

– Trevor Mee
Director of Music

Click on image gallery for full size images.

Australian Music Day

Musical Achievements

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mavis Wang (Year 3), Cello and Airley Li (Year 3) Cello

Congatulations to Mavis and Airley on being awarded First Prize in the 8 Years and Under Instrumental Duo and Trio section at the Hawkesbury Eisteddfod. They performed Kummer’s First Duet, Op. 22. This is a wonderful achievement for the young cellists!

Grace Luo (Year 4), Piano and Violin

Congratulations to Grace on achieving the following AMEB results in not only one, but two instruments! Grade 5 Piano Pass with Credit and Grade 3 Violin Pass with Honours

Christina Shi (Year 3), Cello

Congratulations to Christina on her outstanding results across both the Ryde and St George Eisteddfods! Christina was awarded Third Place in the 9 Years Orchestral String Solo section at the Ryde Eisteddfod. She also received Highly Commended awards in the 9 Years Orchestral String Solo section at the Ryde Eisteddfod and the 9 Years Open Cello and Double Bass section at the St George Eisteddfod.

Junior School Band Students (Year 3 and Year 4)

Congratulations to the following Year 3 and Year 4 Band students on reaching the significant milestones of Level 5 in the Instrumental Music Program! Their dedication, perseverance and continued commitment to musical growth are to be commended.

• Nora Wijesinghe (Year 3)
• Zoe Zheng (Year 3)
• Emily Obaid (Year 3)
• Simone Sidhom (Year 3)
• Belle Weng (Year 3)
• Sharaya Ratnakumar (Year 3)
• Jordan Carattini (Year 3)
• Keira Dempsey (Year 4)

and Level 10

• Millie Elsegood (Year 4)
• Izzette Kennedy (Year 3)
• Celeste Jones (Year 3)
• Amelia Lim (Year 4)

SENIOR SCHOOL

Veronica Pan (Year 10), Clarinet

Congratulations to Veronica on her exceptional achievements at the New Talent Festival, held at the Royal Academy of Music in London on 7 and 9 July!

Veronica was awarded First Prize in the 14 to 15 Years age group and also received the Virtuoso Prize as the overall winner of the Woodwind and Brass category.

Performing and competing internationally in London was an invaluable and memorable experience, and these outstanding results are a testament to Veronica’s musicianship and dedication.

Maya Tong Ho (Year 7), French Horn

Congratulations to Maya on her wonderful achievements across performance and music theory!

Maya received a Highly Commended award in the 15 Years and Under Brass Instruments section at the Sydney Eisteddfod. She also completed her AMEB Grade 6 French Horn Repertoire examination with Honours and High Distinction in AMEB Grade 2 Music Theory.

Juah Hyun (Year 12), Viola

Congratulations to Juah on an exceptional series of achievements in viola performance!

Juah took home Winner for the Sydney Eisteddfod NSW Doctors Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship competition and a national finalist in the Strike A Chord competition. She was also selected as a recitalist in the John Curro Concerto Competition. At the Sydney Eisteddfod, Juah was awarded Second Place in the 20 Years and Under Viola section. She also participated in the Australian Youth Flagship Orchestra Winter Season and the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy.

– Celine Kang
Assistant Director of Music

Click on image gallery for full size images.

From the Acting Principal

Mathematics Counts at MLC School!

Recent reporting in The Sydney Morning Herald highlighted a concerning national picture in Mathematics. Official NAPLAN results show that one in three Year 3 students in NSW did not meet expected numeracy benchmarks, while national Year 3 numeracy scores have fallen to their lowest average since the current reporting system was introduced in 2023. These results are a reminder that strong mathematical foundations are built early, deliberately and with care.

For too long, girls have absorbed subtle messages that mathematics is not naturally theirs. At MLC School, our girls are challenging that narrative. They are asking questions, taking intellectual risks, persisting through difficulty and seeing themselves as capable mathematicians. Mathematics confidence is built through strong teaching, clear sequencing, high expectations and regular opportunities for students to practise, explain and apply understanding.

Mathematics matters because it is more than a subject. It builds problem-solving, logic, pattern recognition and persistence. It opens pathways into science, technology, engineering, economics, design, medicine, entrepreneurship and leadership.

At MLC School, we are proud of the way our girls are engaging with Mathematics. Our students continue to perform strongly across NAPLAN domains, including numeracy, and we are seeing that confidence reflected in their subject choices, co-curricular pursuits and willingness to take on challenge. Our most recent results in numeracy are outstanding, particularly as we remain a proudly non-selective school.

Public data shows that by Year 9, boys in NSW performed slightly ahead of girls in numeracy, while girls significantly outperformed boys in writing. That broader pattern should not be seen as a limit on girls’ mathematical achievement. In our all-girls environment, our students see girls occupying every space: mathematicians, scientists, coders, engineers, leaders and problem-solvers. Our focus is not only on high achievement, but on growth at each student’s point of need. We want every girl to become more confident, more capable and more willing to engage with complexity.

This momentum begins early. In the Junior School, every student has access to specialist STEM lessons and we have strong enrolments in STEM co-curricular opportunities which show that our younger students are already engaging with discovery, design thinking, coding, problem-solving and experimentation. This early confidence helps build the foundations for later success in STEM and other future-focused fields. In the Senior School, we have introduced accelerated Mathematics for students ready for further challenge, added Engineering in Year 9, and are seeing increased interest in senior Physics. These choices reflect growing confidence among our girls in areas that draw deeply on mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and technical thinking.

Students requiring additional help are supported through a range of targeted opportunities beyond the classroom. Mathematics Clinic is available at lunchtimes for any student seeking additional help, clarification or extension, while Study Hub+ provides after school academic support for students in Year 7 to Year 12 with pre-service mathematics teachers. For students in Year 11 and Year 12, Study Hub offers dedicated time and guidance with our mathematics staff to strengthen study habits, consolidate learning and prepare confidently for senior assessment.

– Melissa Boyd
Acting Principal

Photo Credit: Winkipop

From the Acting Deputy Principal

As many of our students travel independently to and from school, it is timely to remind families about the importance of personal safety when using public transport and moving through busy public spaces. Many of our students regularly use train stations, bus stops and local areas such as Westfield, Burwood Park and surrounding streets before and after school. These spaces are active and shared community environments, and we want students to feel confident, aware and well supported as they move through them.

While incidents in public places are uncommon, it is important that students remain alert to their surroundings and know what to do if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe. We encourage parents and carers to have calm, age-appropriate conversations with their children about safe travel routines, including where to wait, who to contact, and how to seek help from a trusted adult if needed.

Helpful reminders for students include travelling with friends where possible, staying in well-lit and populated areas, keeping phones accessible but avoiding distraction while walking, being aware of who and what is around them, and moving away from any person or situation that makes them feel uneasy. Students should go directly to a safe place, such as a staffed station area, a shop, a bus driver, a nearby family group or another trusted adult, and contact a parent or carer as soon as they can.

Today in the Senior School assembly, Fiona Pow, Acting Head of Senior School, addressed the Senior School about this and we will ensure that our Year 8 students (who have been out on Immersion) and our Year 12 girls (who are sitting their Trial Examinations) also receive this message in their upcoming year meetings. The Junior School will also address this in an age-appropriate way in classes, with Jo Sharpe, Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing, ensuring the messaging is tailored appropriately.

Parents and carers can support safe travel by checking their child’s regular route, agreeing on a clear plan for what to do if transport is delayed or plans change, ensuring emergency contacts are up to date, and reminding students that they should always trust their instincts and seek help if something does not feel right.

The School works closely with Youth Liaison Officers in the Inner West and Burwood areas. These officers are committed to supporting young people and strengthening community safety, and we value their ongoing guidance and partnership.

If your or your daughter experiences or witnesses anything concerning while travelling, families should report the matter to Police and also let the School know so that we can provide support, monitor any emerging concerns and continue to work with local services in the interests of student wellbeing.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students travel safely, confidently and with care for themselves and others.

– Joanna Graffen
Acting Deputy Principal

Vote for Old Girl Andrea Lam at the Logies!

New Café 1886 and Junior School Canteen Pricing

As communicated recently, the new cafe and canteen prices have now come into effect.

– Mary Perera
Chief Financial Officer

Chaplains Corner

This week, in our Senior Years Devotional Service, we reflected on Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard and explored the theme: ‘God’s generosity is Bigger than Fairness’. It is a theme that speaks powerfully into school life, family life, friendships, and the pressures young people can feel when they begin to compare themselves with others.

A New Way to Register for Term 4 Sports!

We’re introducing a new way for families to book Term 4 Sports through Omnia. The new process is called ‘Activity Selection’, using a select and pay platform.

This is a change to improve the overall experience and make your selections easier.

Activities available for Term 4 are:

• Athletics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Co-curricular Diving
• Co-curricular Swimming
• Cross Country
• Fencing
• MLC School Fit
• Rowing
• Tennis
• Touch Football
• Volleyball
• Water Polo

You will need to:

• Make sure you are already logged in to Omnia
• Use the link here to access the ‘Activity Selection’ Page within Omnia {found under School Information/General Information/Co-curricular/Activity Selection}
• Read the User Guide
• Click on the Link to take you to Activity Selection

Should you have any issues with access to Omnia or to the Activity Selection link, please contact our IT Service Department on service@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

MLC School Dance Showcase 2026 | Tickets on Sale 10am Monday 10 August

From the Head of Learning and Teaching

Year 12 Commence Trial Examinations with Purpose and Determination

This week marked an important milestone for our Year 12 students as they commenced their Trial HSC and IB examinations. These assessments represent the culmination of years of learning and provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and habits of mind they have developed throughout their secondary education.

The atmosphere across the School has been one of focus, determination and quiet confidence. We wish every Year 12 student the very best as they continue through the examination period and acknowledge the commitment they have shown in preparing for this important stage of their academic journey.

New Year 9 Elective: EnLightened: Latin and Philosophy

We are delighted to announce the introduction of a new Year 9 elective, EnLightened: Latin and Philosophy.

Designed by Amy Kirk, High Potential Learning Leader, and Candace Robertson, Head of Department – Languages, this interdisciplinary course brings together the rich intellectual traditions of Classical Latin and Philosophy to develop thoughtful, curious and independent thinkers. Central to the program is the development of a personal voice. Students are encouraged to think deeply, form considered opinions and develop the conviction and confidence to defend their views through reasoned argument and respectful dialogue.

The precision and analytical rigour fostered through the study of Latin complements the inquiry-based nature of Philosophy, creating a powerful learning experience that strengthens critical thinking, communication and intellectual independence. Through the exploration of enduring ideas that have shaped civilisation, students will not only examine the thoughts of great thinkers but also clarify and articulate their own place within the world.

This exciting elective reflects our commitment to providing intellectually rich learning experiences that challenge students to think deeply, communicate clearly and engage meaningfully with complex ideas. Elective offerings for Year 9, 2027 open up in Week 4.

Around the Grounds: Learning Walks

One of the greatest privileges of my role is visiting classrooms and seeing learning come to life across the School. This week, several Year 5 lessons captured the qualities that make learning at MLC School both challenging and rewarding.

In Mathematics, I observed students busily investigating complex problems involving area. What stood out was not simply their ability to arrive at solutions, but the confidence with which they articulated and defended their mathematical reasoning. Students were empowered to share their methods, explain their thinking and learn from one another’s approaches. The classroom was alive with discussion, curiosity and mathematical reasoning.

In English, I visited High Potential Learning Leader, James Adams’ Year 5 High Potential Learning lesson, where students were engaged in a conceptual study of rebellion through Dickens ‘A Tale of Two Cities’. I was incredibly impressed by the sophistication of the girls’ interpretations, their nuanced understanding of complex ideas and their exceptional command of language at such a young age!

These visits were a powerful reminder that learning in our Junior School is active, explicit and visible. Most importantly, it is designed to challenge every learner to think deeply and develop a personal voice. Across classrooms, we are intentionally building resilience and persistence by setting high expectations and sending a clear message: doing hard things can be difficult, but it is also deeply rewarding.

What was particularly evident this week was the strong culture of psychological safety that underpins this work. Students were willing to take risks, share tentative ideas, make mistakes and learn from them because they knew they were supported by their teachers and peers.

– Melissa McMahon
Head of Learning and Teaching

MLC School Teacher to Help Shape Legal Studies Across NSW

Congratulations to Luke Philpotts, Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) teacher, on his recent election to the NSW Legal Studies Association.

This appointment recognises Luke’s expertise, and ongoing commitment to excellence in Legal Studies education. 

His contribution to the association will help shape the future of Legal Studies across New South Wales, while providing valuable opportunities to bring innovative ideas and best practice back to our school.

We congratulate Luke on this fabulous professional accomplishment.

Lara Keeton
Head of Department – Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE)

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

MLC School Sports Department would like to congratulate all sports teams on their amazing sportsmanship, teamwork and determination from the games played on the weekend.

Term 4 Sports Registrations have opened today, the registration platform is via Omnia. There is a link to Activity Selections which will take parents to the Activity Selections page in Clipboard.

For full details and instructions, please read the article in News here, or Sports Announcements here.

Please see Sport Announcements for Term 4 Sports offerings. MLC School Sport is excited to be offering a Mat Pilates class on Tuesday mornings 7am to 8am as part of our MLC School Fit offerings. Make sure you register!

We look forward to seeing you all on the courts or in the pool this weekend! Best of luck!

GO MLC!

– Francesca Fitzhenry
Assistant Director of Sport

Sport Announcements

Term 4 Sport Registrations – Now Open

Activity Selection Registrations opened this morning and will remain open for two weeks. Registrations will close, Monday 24 August 2026 (Week 6). A new term of sport provides a wonderful opportunity for new students to become involved in the MLC School sporting community, and we strongly encourage all students to explore the wide range of sports on offer.

Term 4 Sports Offered:

• IGSA Water Polo (Year 7 to Year 12)
• IGSA Touch (Year 7 to Year 12)
• IGSA Badminton (Year 7 to Year 12)
• IGSA Tennis (Year 7 to Year 12)
• IPSHA Tennis (Year 3 to Year 6)
• IPSHA Basketball (Year 3 to Year 6)
• Volleyball (Santa and PLC Sydney Competitions) (Year 7 to Year 12)
• Rowing Summer Semester – Term 4 and Term 1 (Year 7 to Year 12)
• Learn to Row (Year 6 to Year 11)
• Swimming Co-Curricular
• Diving Co-Curricular
• Athletics (Year 7 to Year 12)
• Little Athletics (Year 3 to Year 6)
• Run Club (Year 3 to Year 12)
• MLC Fit (Year 7 to Year 12)
• Fencing (Year 7 to Year 12)
• Gymnastics (Club) – External Registration

We’re introducing a new way for families to book Term 4 Sports through Omnia. The new process is called ‘Activity Selection’, using a select and pay platform.

This is a change to improve the overall experience and make your selections easier.

You will need to:

• Make sure you are already logged in to Omnia
• Use the link here to access the ‘Activity Selection’ Page within Omnia {found under School Information/General Information/Co-curricular/Activity Selection}
• Read the User Guide
• Click on the Link to take you to Activity Selections

Should you have any issues with access to Omnia or to the Activity Selection link, please contact our IT Service Department on service@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

Please contact the relevant MLC School Sports Department Staff member for any questions regarding our new registration process.

User Guide including link here

Sports Contacts

Football, Fencing and MLC 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.

Training and Game Attendance and Arrivals

A reminder to arrive 30 minutes prior to your game and 15 minutes before your training session. Please ensure you are all setting your alarms early enough to arrive on time, ready to go for a productive session or warm up!

The Sports Department will continue to track attendance and deliver Accountability Points for those who do not have an exemption from the Sports Coordinator to Saturday Sport.

Sporting Achievements

Swimming (NSW Short Course Swimming Championships)

Over the weekend, nine MLC students raced at the NSW Metro Short Course Swimming Championships at SOPAC and produced an outstanding display of swimming.

All swimmers achieved fantastic results, with personal bests, strong placings, and impressive performances. Congratulations to all competitors on a successful championship!

Here is the summary of our amazing results:

Alannah Chan (Year 7)

• Top 10 in Girls 9-12 100m BR
• Top 10 in Girls 10-12 200 IM
• Top 30 in Girls 9-12 100m FS
• Top 25 in Girls 9 – 12 50m BK
• Top 20 in Girls 10-12 200m FS

Lauren Cheng (Year 8)

• Top 15 in Girls 13-15 100m BR
• Top 20 in Girls 13-15 50m FS
• Top 15 in Girls 13-15 100m FS
• Top 25 in Girls 13-15 50m BR
• Top 30 in Girls 13-15 50m Fly

Ashley Clapham (Year 8)

• Top 25 in Girls 13-15 100m Fly
• Top 45 in Girls 13-15 50m FS
• Top 25 in Girls 13- 15 50m BR
• Top 20 in Girls 13-15 50m Fly

Mengqi Liu (Year 8)

• Top 10 in Girls 13-15 100m IM
• Top 10 in Girls 13-15 100m FS

Olivia Wang (Year 8)

• Top 45 in Girls 13-15 50m BR

Olivia Burke (Year 9)

• Top 5 in Girls 15 & Over 400m FS
• Top 10 in Girls 13-15 200m FS
• Top 15 in Girls 13-15 50m FS
• 2^nd in Girls 12 & Over 800m FS

Isabel Floro ( Year 10)

• Top 15 in Girls 13-15 100m Fly
• Top 10 in Girls 13-15 200m FS
• Top 10 in Girls 13- 15 50m FS
• Top 20 in Girls 13-15 50m BK
• Top 15 in Girls 13-15 100m FS
• Top 15 in Girls 13- 15 50m Fly

Iris Ji (Year 10)

• Top 5 in Girls 16 & Over 100m BR
• Top 15 in Girls 16 & Over 50m FS
• Top 10 in Girls 16 & Over 50m BR
• Top 10 in Girls 16 & Over 50m Fly

Madison Chantler (Yr 11)

• 3^rd in Girls 16 & Over 200IM
• 1^st in Girls 16 & Over 100m Fly
• 3^rd in Girls 16 & Over 50m FS
• 1^st in Girls 16 & Over 50m BK
• 2^nd in Girls 16 &Over 100m BK
• 1^st in Girls 16 & Over 50m Fly
• Top 5 in Girls 15 & Over 200m BK
• Top 10 in Girls 16 & Over 100m FS

Congratulations to all our athletes on huge weekend!

Netball

It was a huge weekend for MLC School Netball teams, with four teams that ventured down to Frensham School for their games. Special mention and congratulations to our MLC08 team who had a great win, 16–7 against Frensham. Well done, girls, Coach Halle is thrilled with your team spirit and team work!

Over at the new ERNA Facility in West Ryde, MLC School’s ERNA MLC02 team is smashing their way through the competition and had a great win, with a special well done to Zinnia Chee Quee (Year 6) and Sofia Hunter (Year 6) who have improved out of sight with shooting skills to support the team! We would also like to highlight ERNA MLC01 Team, every team member displays determination, positive energy and team spirit throughout the whole game. Well done to the girls for having a strong first half of the game!

The Sports Department look forward to seeing the teams going strong and enjoying the games – Good luck for this weekend!

Water Polo

MLC School welcomed our annual MLC School Friday Night Water Polo Competition this term and are well and truly into the games and training for all our teams! MLC01 has kicked off strong with two wins from our first two rounds – well done girls! MLC02 came away with a win in round 1, standing in 3^rd place and MLC03 is working so hard bringing team spirit, passion and new skills to every game! We look forward to seeing our teams progress throughout the Competition with five Friday nights to go! Keep up the amazing work!

Badminton

Congratulations to all students who competed in the Meriden Friday Night Competition. It was an outstanding start to the season, with all teams displaying great determination, teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill throughout the evening.

We are especially pleased to celebrate a strong first-round result, with 7 of our 11 teams recording impressive victories.

Thank you to our coaches, staff, and supporters for their encouragement and dedication. We wish all teams the very best for the remainder of the season and look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in the weeks ahead. Good luck to everyone for the upcoming rounds!

Basketball

Well done to all teams competing in Term 3 Basketball! The first two rounds have showcased fantastic, teamwork, and determination across all divisions. It has been wonderful to see players demonstrating a positive attitude on the court.

A special congratulations goes to MLC04, who have made an outstanding start to the season by remaining undefeated after the first two rounds.

We look forward to seeing all teams continue to develop their skills, support one another, and enjoy the remainder of the season. Keep up the great work, and best of luck for the upcoming rounds!

Hockey MLC01/02

An exceptional week of sport in the Hockey space. Our club is going from strength to strength each week, and our latest set of results make for some pretty nice reading! MLC01 and MLC02 both took on the hockey powerhouse of PLC Sydney, and both came away with points! MLC02 held on for a draw after some beautiful end to end hockey. They displayed some classy forward attacking play and were unlucky to concede after a PLC Sydney short corner that had no right to go in – next time all the points will surely go our way! MLC03 and MLC04 had slightly tougher fixtures, sadly not picking up the points they would have hoped, but they are tracking well, and some wins will be coming their way next week! Game of the week this week goes to MLC01. In their first ever S01 Championship season, they took on PLC Sydney, multiple time S01 champions and a very established top-flight side – and you wouldn’t have known… coming away with a 1-0 win in front of an electric home crowd. Their defensive determination and attacking prowess shone through, and it was a well-deserved 3 points! They now sit joint third in the table, and right in the mix for finals!

Volleyball

We continue to compete well at Monte Volleyball. In a tough competition we are holding our own and some really solid results can’t be far away! We are now looking forward to Term 4, where we offer both outdoor Santa Sabina and PLC Indoor competitions! If you are new to volleyball or want to play a slightly more recreational comp with your mates, then Santa is the comp for you! If what you’d prefer to play is a more competitive competition, then PLC Indoor is for you – details will come out about this at some point this week, so stay tuned!

Athletics

We are now two weeks into IGSA Twilight, and our team is now starting to really take shape.  It been great to see you all out there competing. Our intermediate relay team had the chance to strut their stuff, and it looks like a quality performance inbound at the carnival! We have two weeks left to get our final practices and then we look forward to the main IGSA Carnival on Friday 21 August 2026.

Play of the Week

Tabitha Lloyd (Year 10) – MLC01 Hockey

This week’s Play of the Week belongs to Tabitha Lloyd! Tabitha was absolutely unbeatable between the sticks against PLC Sydney, blocking, diving and sliding to frustrate the opposition.

Tabitha made countless saves from both open play and short corners to keep a clean sheet. Her fearless goalkeeping and reflex saves made her an impenetrable last line of defence and were a huge reason for MLC School’s performance and eventual win on Saturday.

Year 3 to Year 6 Dancers Create a ‘Buzz’ at Wakakirri 2026

• Storytelling Award for a Great Story
• Production Award for Costumes
• Production Award for Projection
• Ensemble Award for Group Dance
• Ensemble Award for Dancing and Acting