{"id":44931,"date":"2026-05-01T13:48:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T03:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/?post_type=article&p=44931"},"modified":"2026-05-01T13:48:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T03:48:13","slug":"from-the-principal-262","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/article\/from-the-principal-262\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Principal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"140 Year Celebrations<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Today, our community came together to mark a truly special milestone \u2014 140 years of MLC School<\/strong>. From the very first day in 1886, our purpose has been clear: to provide girls with an education that is courageous, expansive and future\u2011focused. Today\u2019s celebrations honoured that proud legacy while also recognising the vibrant, dynamic school we are today.<\/p>\n

Throughout the day, it was wonderful to see students, staff, Old Girls and special guests sharing moments of reflection, joy and connection. It was a busy day with 140 Year Chapel Service,<\/strong> 140 Year Assembly, the Boarders\u2019 luncheon a<\/strong>nd tonight we will honour 11 incredible Old Girls at the Back to College Dinner and Alumnae Awards.\u00a0<\/strong> The Assembly saw a fashion parade of uniforms over our history, which was absolutely fascinating, and of course the cake cutting was a highlight!<\/p>\n

The celebrations now continue into the weekend with reunion gatherings<\/strong> for Old Girls marking significant anniversaries since leaving the School. These reunions are a powerful reminder that being part of MLC School does not end at graduation \u2014 it is a lifelong connection shaped by shared experiences, enduring friendships and a common belief in the power of girls\u2019 education.<\/p>\n

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Gala Dinner<\/strong> on Saturday 13 June<\/strong>, as a truly special evening to mark this important year.<\/p>\n

As we celebrate 140 years, we do so with gratitude for all who have shaped our story, and with confidence in the generations of young women who will carry our values forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thank you to all the staff who have supported these events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

ANZAC Day commemoration<\/strong><\/p>\n

On ANZAC Day, along with Rev Vinnie Ravatelli and many MLC School parents and students, I had the great honour of attending the Burwood Community Dawn Service held in Burwood Park. I cannot begin to express how proud I was of our Cadets and Musicians as they participated in the Service; our Cadets showed such great discipline and skill as they carried out the traditions of ANZAC Day commemoration. The Catafalque party\u2019s skill in military drill and ceremony was most impressive, and our musicians lead the singing of hymns and the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia to great acclaim. Later that day, a strong contingent marched on behalf of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport AASC RAE(Tn) TAASC RACT, 12 Transport Coy RAASC, 102 Coral Battery and 104 Field Battery Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery regiments in the Sydney ANZAC Day parade. On Tuesday, both the Cadets and Musicians impressed the student body at our School service.<\/p>\n

Congratulations to all involved.<\/p>\n

Thank you to the P&F for sponsoring this week\u2019s parent forum by Yasmin London<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yasmin highlighted the rapidly evolving digital trends influencing student\u00a0behaviours, relationships, and overall wellbeing. She\u00a0emphasised\u00a0the importance of understanding current online trends and terminology, as well as the risks students face, including cyberbullying, gaming dynamics, and the increased use of generative AI. Parents and educators are encouraged to respond to these challenges by listening and supporting rather than reacting impulsively, fostering open communication, and seeking support early.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Data presented\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0a\u00a0417% rise\u00a0in AI usage among young people since 2024, with many seeking advice from AI due to feelings of isolation or lack of support. The discussion also addressed proposed social media restrictions for under-16\u2019s, noting the challenges posed by unregulated access.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Practical strategies were shared for building digital resilience, such as her ABC framework, controlling Access, setting Boundaries, and maintaining open Communication. Emphasis was placed on the importance of nurturing supportive relationships, encouraging students to gently disrupt negative behaviors, offer private support, and report concerns safely. Barriers such as adult overreaction, victim blaming, and fear of punishment were identified as key areas to address in order to create a safer and more supportive digital environment for students.<\/p>\n

At MLC School, we explicitly teach online safety in our luminary sessions, led by our\u00a0Director\u00a0of eLearning, Marianna Carlino.<\/strong> Marianna runs regular student and parent\u00a0sessions,\u00a0and her resources are\u00a0available here<\/a>. Some\u00a0very helpful\u00a0external resources are also listed here:\u00a0<\/p>\n