Principal’s Update | December, 2023
Firstly, I wish to say what an honour it has been working at Mac.Rob as Acting Principal this Term. The school has a well-established reputation for academic achievement but what is equally impressive is the number of extra-curricular opportunities offered to students, the focus on individual growth, the strong commitment and modelling of the school values and the expertise that resides within the staff team. It has been a rewarding and very enjoyable experience for me and Mac.Rob will always have a place in my heart.
Coralee Pratt
Acting Principal
VCE Results.
As we conclude the 2023 school year there is so much to reflect upon and celebrate at Mac.Rob and there are so many people we must acknowledge and thank for their contributions this year.
The Year 12 VCE results were delivered last Monday, and we congratulate all 275 students for a year of commitment and earnest endeavour. Whilst VCE results are only part of a bigger story, and don’t always reflect individual progress, we are proud of our 2023 results as detailed below.
No one denies that these numbers are indeed impressive, but at Mac.Rob we celebrate more than numbers. We are celebrating a lifetime of learning, with 13 years of formal schooling. Learning is a developmental process which is underpinned by a strong value system, commitment, courage and support from parents and teachers.
Congratulations to every Year 12 Mac.Rob student on completing your school years and having the capabilities required to be productive, happy citizens in a contemporary, complex society. We wish your well for all your future endeavours!
Thank you to the Senior Team who guided, encouraged and supported students to achieve their best. This year led by Daniel Crowe, Steph Ruth and Emma Lionello, and who were supported by Marissa Economo and Kerrie Russo. An amazing team whose dedication was exceptional. Thanks also to Tarsha Mautone for her expert guidance and determination to support students and ensure they had the right advice and knowledge necessary to access their chosen pathway.
Elsie Yip, the highest-scoring VCE student, with Principal Sue Harrap.
Equal second highest-scoring VCE students (from left): Ananaya Mittal, Nicole Meng, and Principal Sue Harrap. Not picture: Sofea Safwan, who was overseas.
Our second year of IB has also been successful with 20 students completing Year 2 and 25 in their first year of IB. Thank you to Shungo Sawaki for leadership of IB this year, supported by Shreya Rowe. IBDP results will be released on 3 January 2024 and after that, on 4 January VTAC announces the notional IBDP ATAR scores. The Mac.Rob 2023 Dux will be announced closely after that date.
A big thank you to parents for supporting your young person this year. Mac.Rob students generally place high expectations upon themselves and your understanding and support to them is crucial. We acknowledge and thank you for this tremendous effort.
Year 9 and New Staff Orientation Day.
Year 11 students sharing their stories about Mac.Rob with new staff and answering questions.
On December 6th, we welcomed 300 new Year 9 students and their parents, and 8 new staff to Mac.Rob. It was a big day of information delivery, school tours, fun activities, food and general excitement.
The feedback from everyone was positive, and we look forward to them joining the Mac.Rob community in 2024.
We also welcomed a number of new staff to the school, who had the privilege of meeting with current students to hear their personal stories and experiences of our school.
PA Year 9 Pancake Breakfast.
On December 8th, the Palladians Association hosted a pancake breakfast for the Year 9 students, to celebrate the completion of their first year at Mac.Rob, commending them for their efforts and progress throughout 2023. Volunteers from both the association and the school prepared pancakes, fruit and served the students, providing an opportunity for the Year 9s to socialise with friends and the Palladains. We extend our gratitude to all individuals involved in making this event a success. Ultimately, the breakfast was highly successful, uniting past and present students to create a memorable experience and delicious pancakes.
To our students, the staff, our families, the Palladians, the Parents Association, our dedicated School Council, and the Mac.Rob Foundation, other Alumni, our sponsor and donors, as well as our partners in the broader community, we thank you all for the many contributions you have made to this highly successful year.
I personally want to thank and congratulate Coralee Pratt for her outstanding leadership for most of Term 4 while I recovered from a hip replacement. Coralee is a caring, engaged and extremely experienced and effective leader and she has done a phenomenal job. I know that our three incredible Assistant Principals have also shouldered a significant load, and they too have done an exceptional job.
I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday. I look forward to returning with a new ‘spring’ in my step in early January to celebrate the IB results, and at the end of January to welcome everyone back to the new school year.
Well done, Mac.Rob.
Sue Harrap
Principal
Parent Payments: Families are reminded that Parent Payment Guides for 2024 are now available on the Family Portal.
International Women’s Day Breakfast 2024.
Friends, families, and students of Mac.Rob are warmly invited to join us for our annual International Women's Day Breakfast, as we reflect on progress, call for change, and celebrate the courage and determination of those who have changed the face of gender equality.
Please join us for our annual International Women’s Day Breakfast on Friday, March 1st, 2024, held in the historic Mac.Rob Hall, as we bring together leaders and changemakers who are redefining innovation – creating new social, economic and cultural codes for a gender equal future, and help us raise much needed funds to accelerate gender equality.
Little Lessons Podcast.
The second episode of our Little Lessons Podcast is now available!
Each episode of the Little Lessons Podcast, hosted by Dr. Bridget McPherson, Head of Wellbeing and Engagement, features a guest staff member from Mac.Rob, who offer their wisdom and expertise to parents and carers. Little Lessons aims to provide parents, carers and family members with information and ideas about how to raise children who are resilient, independent and well, and how to partner with our educators at Mac.Rob to ensure that your child receives the best education possible for them.
Our second Little Lesson podcast explores one of the key wellbeing frameworks we use at Mac.Rob: “Holding, Modelling, Mentoring”. The episode features Phillip Thiel, a teacher of English and Literature at Mac.Rob. Bridget and Philip talk listeners through the theory of Holding, Modelling, and Mentoring, and provide examples for how these three concepts can be practically applied at home and in the classroom.
You can listen to the episode below, or subscribe to the Mac.Rob Podcast channel on SoundCloud for all the latest!
Student Highlights.
Intermediate Hockey Team.
In a thrilling display of determination and teamwork, the Intermediate hockey team performed well at the School State Tournament, marking an extraordinary achievement for the school. The team, consisting of a mix of seasoned players and newcomers who had never played before, showcased resilience and unity throughout the day.
The team faced tough competition at the state games held at Footscray Hockey Club on 8th November. ultimately securing a victory, enduring a loss, and battling to a draw. Each match was a testament to the players' growth and adaptability, showcasing the true spirit of sportsmanship.
A special note of appreciation goes to Ms. Kuttroli, who not only imparted valuable skills but also instilled a sense of confidence and unity among the players. Also thanks to Ms. Bate for accompanying us to regionals and states as our very own cheerleader.
Congratulations to the intermediate hockey team for a great year.
Nikita D (10L)
Swannies for Debating.
We have an amazing 3 students receiving Swannies for Debating this year - the highest of any school in the South Yarra region!. “Swannies” are awarded to the speaker in each region and grade who has the highest average speaker score after completing at least two debates during the year. Congratulations to Ananaya M, Dishika G, and Sakina K. This is an amazing achievement by the students!
VCE Season of Excellence.
Congratulations to Lily T (12D), who has had her media product selected by VCAA to be showcased at Top Design! This will mean her folio and product will be on display at Melbourne Museum next year during the VCE Season of Excellence. Lily developed and produced a choose-your-own-adventure book throughout the year and pulled off this mammoth task exceedingly well. This is a wonderful accomplishment!
Japanese Language: Year 9 Calligraphy and Year 10 Ikebana & Tea Ceremony.
We invite our Mac.Rob community to ‘Save the Date’, for the upcoming 2024 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Visual Arts Exhibition. This Exhibition is a celebration of the talented International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Visual Arts Course 2023 students across Victoria and Tasmania and features artworks from selected IB World Schools. To learn more about the Exhibition, please click here.
Support Mac.Rob.
As our historic campus nears its centenary, we are constantly seeking ways to ensure Mac.Rob’s learning environment enhances the learning and experiences of our students. We are continually challenged by the costs of modernising and improving our ageing buildings and grounds. The heritage listing of the school leads to significantly higher costs than other schools.
To assist us with addressing this challenge, our School Council has formed a Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee, focused on further enhancing the school environment to meet student needs.
We are starting with a small number of achievable targets for funds raised as part of the Building and Library Funds:
The new Library has more shelves than previously expected, and unused space that could be used for more study desks. We plan to use money raised in the Library Fund to expand the book collection to fill the empty shelves, and purchase more study desks so that more students have a quiet place to concentrate.
Inclement weather is a problem at Mac.Rob, as our beautiful gardens have few places for students to keep out of the sun and rain. We plan to use the money raised so far this year by the Building Fund (along with a co-contribution from the Parents’ Association) to upgrade the outdoor areas to provide more seating and shade to students.
Our new LRC study area has ample room for more resources and study spaces to provide a better learning environment for our students.
Our historic grounds, including our new buildings, don’t provide students with many sheltered areas to sit and learn during wet or hot weather.
To donate to either of our Building or Library Funds, please click the buttons below. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.