From the Upper School

A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School

As we enter the final week of term, students are reminded to look after their health, especially with many coughs and colds circulating. Maintaining regular exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet are all important. Please take the time to discuss your daughter’s assessment results with her, recognising her efforts regardless of the outcome. Encourage her to keep things in perspective and to use her results as constructive feedback for future growth.

It has been an inspiring week for our school community with the announcement of the 2025–26 Prefects. We are particularly delighted to congratulate the following Year 10 students, who have been selected as Co-Curricular Captains for the coming year. This is a significant achievement, and we look forward to seeing these students approach their new responsibilities with enthusiasm and integrity.

Dance (Co-Curricular): Saskia Nicholson and Emily Mah

Dance (Ballet): Charlotte King

Drama (Festival and Skill): Katerina Economou

Drama (Theatre Sports): Lara Waterhouse

Language Arts (Model UN): Isis Li

Language Arts (Debating): Imogen Kee

Language Arts (Public Speaking): Grace McSweeney

Music (Captain of Bands): Zoe Manning

Music (Captain of Choir): Isabelle Port

Music: Captain of Orchestras Sitian Chen

Fencing: Alexandra (Lulu) Hargraves

Robotics: Jacquelyn Zhu and Charlotte Henderson

While we celebrate these appointments, it’s important to remember that leadership is not defined solely by a title or position. Every student has the opportunity and the capacity to make a positive impact, whether by setting an example, supporting their peers or contributing to the life of our school in their own unique way. Leadership is about action, initiative and the everyday choices we make to lift those around us. I encourage all Upper School girls to consider how you demonstrate leadership each day:

What ways are you getting involved in the school’s service activities?
For example, have you attended the Days for Girls lunchtime session, prepared dignity dishes or contributed underpants to our Undie drive?
Do you attend and get involved in school carnivals and house events?
How do your actions make a positive difference to our school community?
Are you wearing the school uniform with pride?
How are you embodying the school’s values each day, each year?
Are you a kind and inclusive friend to those around you?

Student Achievements and Reflections

Premier’s ANZAC Scholarship – Alice Zhang-Kim Congratulations to Alice-Zhang-Kim, who has been awarded the Premier’s ANZAC Scholarship, an honour presented annually to just 20 outstanding NSW Year 10 and 11 History students, following a rigorous personal essay submission and school recommendation process. This prestigious scholarship offers recipients the unique opportunity to participate in a study tour designed to deepen their understanding of Australians at war. Guided by a military historian, the tour features visits to significant historical sites, enabling students to learn about and commemorate the service of Australian men and women in the World Wars and other conflicts.

Later this year, Alice will travel to the Republic of Korea, where she will visit locations including Gapyeong, the site of the Battle of Kapyong, Maryang San, the Incheon landing site, and the UN First Battle Memorial. The journey will also take her to Singapore, with stops at the Kranji War Memorial, Changi Prison Chapel and Museum, as well as Fort Siloso and the Surrender Chambers.

Thank you to Alice for sharing how she is feeling about her upcoming experience.

I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the Premier’s ANZAC scholarship and the unique opportunity to visit significant memorial sites across both South Korea and Singapore. As someone who has always had a profound interest in history and the personal stories it holds, I find it incredibly meaningful to engage with the personal stories behind these historical events, something I will be able to do throughout the tour. I am particularly eager to explore how Australia’s wartime contributions are commemorated and how these stories continue to influence contemporary peace. Being able to stand where these events have unfolded will provide me with a unique perspective, an unforgettable experience I am thrilled to anticipate.

Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment – Imogen Kee

Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to receive the Rotary Leadership Scholarship and was able to attend the RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) camp in the Blue Mountains. This intensive leadership program brought together 60 teenagers from across New South Wales, each eager to grow, learn, and develop their potential as future leaders.

Throughout the three-day camp, we were guided by passionate mentors who challenged us to rethink leadership beyond the traditional ideas of authority and control. Instead, we were given the opportunity to understand on a deeper level that true leadership is about empathy, active listening, and creating spaces where every voice is not only heard but valued, uplifted, and respected. The workshops and group activities emphasized the importance of inclusivity, embracing diverse perspectives and backgrounds strengthens a team and drives meaningful change.

Leadership, I discovered, requires vulnerability, humility and a willingness to learn continuously. The camp taught me to lead with integrity, compassion, and openness, qualities that build genuine connections and foster collaboration.

Winning the Leader’s Award for the Blue Colour group was incredibly rewarding, affirming my efforts to embody these values throughout the weekend. Receiving a beautiful photography book as a prize is a treasured reminder of this experience and the responsibilities that come with leadership.

Most importantly, RYPEN has equipped me with tools and insights that go beyond leadership titles; it has shown me how to be a better person in any role I take on, by leading with a heart of service, inclusiveness, and a vision for positive impact. I am grateful to Rotary for this opportunity and I am committed to applying these lessons to inspire and uplift those around me in all future endeavours.

Write a book in a day

Write a Book in a Day was such a fun and exciting experience. I got to meet new people, be creative, and do something meaningful—all while raising money for the Kids’ Cancer Council.

 Our team had nine hours to write and illustrate a complete book, which felt crazy at first, but we got into the flow pretty quickly. There were a few small obstacles, like figuring out how to put everyone’s ideas together, but we worked through them by supporting each other and staying focused.

 The best part was seeing how well we could work as a team and how much fun we had doing it. Knowing that what we were creating would help kids going through cancer made the whole experience even more special. I’m really proud of what we made, and I’m so glad I got to be part of something that combined creativity with a great cause.

 From Akshara Bhattacharya

Big Sister Little Sister

Throughout the year, a group of Year 9 students spend their Tuesday lunch times in the Prep School playground playing games and having their lunch with our Kindergarten to Year 2 students. This is a voluntary service opportunity that a number of our girls can participate in, with a new group starting each term. Both age groups thoroughly enjoy their time together.