Principal’s Update | December, 2024
Principal’s Update.
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Welcome to this final edition of the Newsletter for 2024.
It has been a wonderful year of progress and achievements at Mac.Rob and we could not be prouder of the school community. The last half of Term 4 brings with it a range of significant events and celebrations that I would like to spotlight in this edition.
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Presentation Night at the Palais Theatre.
What an extravaganza of music, dancing, messages and awards. The vibrancy and quality of the performances on the night was truly stunning. This is my fourth Presentation Night since becoming principal at Mac.Rob, and it was by far the best.
On the evening we heard from one of our graduates, Jacqui Weatherill, who has filled roles as a Public Sector Chief Executive, Non-executive Director, Sports Administrator and Gender Equality Advocate. Jacqui is currently CEO of the Greater Dandenong City Council. During her oration, Jacqui explored a common theme of building and contributing to communities, and a sense of moral purpose guiding her work and efforts. She also talked about great highs and some of the trials and tribulations of life with great vulnerability and authenticity. We sincerely thank Jacqui for contributing to a great evening, and showing our community that being open to opportunities and using our skills in a variety of contexts can lead to fulfilling pathways.
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New Student Information Night & Orientation Days.
It was wonderful to welcome our new community members (students and parents) at the new Year 9, 10 and 11 Student Information Night on November 13th, and their orientation days on November 29th and December 13th. It was great to see students and families already making connections. A huge thank you to Lucy Kutrolli and Thin Naing for their leadership of an inviting and engaging day for the 300 new Year 9s, and to Parents Association and Rehana Zihad for their welcome Morning Tea and Second Hand Uniform sale. It was lovely to also have School Council representatives present welcoming new families.
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Year 12 Graduation.
On November 21st, the day after all of our senior exams finished, we had a wonderful Graduation Ceremony with about 850 guests at the Pullman in Albert Park. We wished our wonderful Year 12s all the best as they venture into the next chapter of their lives, and encouraged them to be bold, and curious, and above all, be kind to themselves. We have no doubt that each one of them is ready to embark on the next phase of their lives, and they will do it with the same brilliance and determination they’ve shown here.
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Year 11 Camp.
The Year 11s had a wonderful three day camp at Phillip Island Adventure resort to punctuate their Year 11 with some fun and relaxation together, before starting the serious work of Year 12 in Kickstart. Students and staff had a fabulous time together. We sincerely thank Talia Hobbs and Daniel Crowe for their leadership of the camp, and all of the staff who spent time away from family to support the students.
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Kick Start & Connect Clash.
Congratulations to Year 10 and 11 students and staff for their full engagement in the 2025 Kick Start teaching and learning program over the last six days. This work will prepare them for a tremendous start next year, and will enable students to have a clear understanding of the requirements of each of their subjects. It should also mean that the need for final assessments in Term 4 is significantly reduced.
The Year 9s also had a thrilling week of lively competition between each of the Connect groups in the annual Connect Clash program. There were creative challenges, songs in the language they study, dances and so much more.
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New Boundary Fence: Community Thanks.
In 2024 - after a significant investment of time and much hard work - were were excited to announce we had secured all of the necessary approvals to proceed with the construction of a new boundary fence. Given our proximity to Kings Way, one of Melbourne’s busiest roads, and the publicly-accessible Albert Park Lake, golf course, and sports centres, a fence along our front front boundary has long been sought to improve the safety of students and staff. Now, with the completion of the boundary fence, we are thrilled to say that it has already made a substantial difference to the wellbeing and security of our students. Two of our Year 9 students, Aarya and Diti, have a special message for the friends, families, and community members who supported our EOFY fundraising initiative and contributed to the construction of this invaluable new addition to our grounds.
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Year 12 Results.
What a phenomenal effort from our VCE Class of 2024! We could not be prouder of their collective efforts. Their hard work, dedication, collaboration and resilience has been rewarded with outstanding results. The care, support and professionalism our staff have shown to our students over their time with us has made a real difference to their success. Although school rankings are very crude measures, and not something we are all that concerned about, several family and friends pointed out to me on Saturday that Mac.Rob was noted as being the third highest ranked school in the State, and the highest ranked government school.
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VCE Results.
There was cause for great celebration on Thursday when our VCE results were released.
Here's a snapshot of some highlights:
Median ATAR - 95.53 - the best in 4 years
ATARS over 99 - 12.7%
ATARs over 90 - 73.1% - up on 2023
Median Study Score - 37 best in 3 years - up from 36 in the last few years
Mean Study Score - 36.6 best in 5 years
There were 18 perfect 50s in 10 subjects. Our highest achieving VCE students are as follows:
IB Results.
Tuesday and Wednesday this week were exciting days for the school and our twenty-four IB-DP students as they received their results. We are incredibly proud of our second graduating cohort. The highest achieving student was Fiona Tang with 99.05.
There were 12 students who achieved 16 perfect scores of 7 across 63.6% of subjects. The results are incredibly impressive. We are so proud of their progress and achievements. They have put their heart and soul into the program over two years and have demonstrated outstanding research, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving skills, and wonderful community contributions.
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Staff retiring or leaving Mac.Rob.
After many years of service to Mac.Rob and the teaching profession, several of our staff are taking the opportunity to explore the next phase of their lives. We thank them for their contribution to positively changing the lives of many 1000s of young people.
Congratulations to the following staff who are retiring:
Irena Murphy, who has been a Mac.Rob since 1984 and considers the school as part of her family.
Janet Stone, who has been at Mac.Rob for 25 years as our ever reliable laboratory technician.
Ian Greenhalf, who has been at Mac.Rob for the past 5 years but has been teaching for 52 years.
David Page, who has been dedicated Accounting teacher and coordinator for many years.
Brian McNamee, one of our dedicated Mathematics teachers who has been at Mac.Rob for many years.
We also wish the following staff all the best as they move on to other opportunities in education and beyond, and thank them for their dedicated service to our school and students: Kate Dewar, Jack Featherby, Talia Hobbs, Harleen Kaur, Edward Nott, Jessica Olpp, and Annette Rollinson.
Finally there are several staff taking leave for 2025 and we wish them a happy, adventure-filled year ahead: Dean Allan, Bill Coomblas, Elisa Ryan, and Le Tao.
We have a fabulous group of new staff joining us to start 2025, and they have already been in for a whole day of induction.
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ANZAC Station.
Staff were invited to preview the newly completed ANZAC station by the Metro Tunnel team. The station is not open until sometime in 2025, when the State Library and Town Hall stations are completed. The station will revolutionise how our students and staff get to Mac.Rob, with directed and linked train lines running straight to the station.
The state of the art facilities are very impressive. We can’t wait for the commute to be more straightforward.
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As the holidays begin, I remind the members of our school community to take time to recharge. Reflect on what you’ve achieved and set your sights on what’s to come. Remember, success is not just about grades; it’s about being curious, compassionate, and courageous individuals.
I thank everyone for their hard work, energy, and enthusiasm this year. Together, we’ve built a stronger, more connected Mac.Rob community.
I wish everyone a wonderful break. I will be on long service leave during Term 1, and Mr Samuel Crocket will be acting principal, Ms Josie Phillips will continue as acting Assistant Principal, and Ms Lucy Kutrolli will continue as acting Middle School leader. I am going to miss the relationships, fun and energy at Mac.Rob while I am gone, but I will replace it with a very large adventure around Europe. I know that I leave you in excellent hands.
I look forward to seeing all that we will accomplish together in 2025!
Thank you for a wonderful year.
Best wishes,
Sue Harrap | Principal
Staff Highlights.
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2024 Australian Teacher Award: Improving Student Learning and Progress.
It is always a little nerve-racking to be judged by your peers across Australia and by famous academics in your own field of expertise. That is unless you are recognised as the best of the best! This year we are so proud to share with you the 2024 Australian Teacher Award: Improving Student Learning and Progress winner who moves quietly and purposefully amongst us to show us the way to learning improvement. Congratulations to Ms. Georgia Bate, Mac.Rob’s Learning Specialist for Literacy, and an outstanding school leader.
The Australian Award Judging Panel this year was comprised of Professor Geoff Masters, Professor Lyn Sharratt, Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy, Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, Dr Kat Ross, Dr Troy Meston, Ben Sacco, Alex Wharton and Mali Jorm. All experts in their special field of educational theory focusing on teaching and learning success across Australia.
Judging Panel member Dr Kat Ross said, “These awards were a pleasure to read and see the incredible work of teams and individuals who are striving to support their students and communities. Teachers are far too often overlooked and under-appreciated, and I am glad I could be a part of something that helps to bring recognition to the incredible teachers making huge impacts.”
It takes an educator of immense talent to be recognised Australia wide, and Ms. Bate is never overlooked or under-appreciated at our school. The Mac.Rob community congratulates Ms. Bate for her recognition of leadership amongst equals for her tireless work around Improving Student Learning and Progress where students, teachers and leadership benefit all the more for having her expertise amongst us. Teachers make a great difference to our students’ lives and we are very proud to share the good news that we have an award winning educator. Congratulations, Ms. Bate.
Ms. Deb Cordingley
Student Highlights.
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Interact Leaders Attend Multi-District Training Day.
On Monday, December 2nd, 2024, the Interact Club leaders had the privilege of attending the Interact District Assembly Day (IDAD) at Camberwell Grammar School. This full-day event brought together Interact leaders from schools across multiple districts to share insights, learn essential leadership skills, and build connections.
The day was packed with engaging workshops, inspiring presentations, and collaborative activities. Leaders were introduced to new ideas for planning impactful projects, learned strategies to strengthen their clubs, and explored how to amplify the voices of young leaders within their communities.
Attending IDAD was an invaluable experience for our leaders, providing them with tools to better serve the school and local community. They returned energised and full of ideas to enhance the Interact Club’s initiatives, ensuring 2025 will be a year of meaningful change and growth.
A huge thank you to Rotary and Camberwell Grammar for hosting this incredible opportunity! Stay tuned as our leaders put their newfound knowledge into action.
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Holocaust Museum Excursion.
The Holocaust excursion was truly unforgettable and profoundly life-changing, offering deep insight into one of the darkest chapters in history. From the moment we entered the museum, the weight of history was palpable. Every display told stories of resilience, unimaginable loss, and extraordinary courage in the face of immense adversity.
The day’s highlight was hearing from Holocaust survivors. Their stories were deeply moving—every word spoke to the incredible strength of the human spirit. Despite the unimaginable cruelties they faced, their messages of hope and the importance of remembrance were truly inspirational. Their resilience reminded me of the enduring value of compassion, perseverance, and standing up against all forms of hatred.
The in-depth discussions with museum staff enriched the experience further, providing not just historical context but also connecting these events to broader themes of human rights, justice, and tolerance. These conversations made the lessons of the Holocaust profoundly relevant to the challenges of today’s world.
The screening of Simone Veil: A Woman of the Century added another powerful dimension to the day. Her journey, from a Holocaust survivor to a trailblazing political leader and champion for women’s rights, was both heart-wrenching and empowering. It was a testament to the lasting impact one person can have, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
This excursion was both educational and deeply emotional, leaving me with a renewed sense of responsibility to honor the past and build a future grounded in empathy and understanding. It is an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Aarya S (9G)
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St. Vincent’s Hospital Carolling.
On December 12th, members of Chamber Voices and Mac.Rob Singers visited St. Vincent’s Hospital to sing carols and spread the Christmas Spirit! We rehearsed over multiple Thursdays after school to prepare for this performance with our wonderful teacher, Ms. Barry, and accompanist, Ms. Greenslade.
We performed a variety of songs, from traditional Christmas carols like Silent Night, Joy to the World, and O Come, All Ye Faithful, to newer songs such as Jingle Bells and my favourite of them all, All I Want for Christmas Is You. The visit was organised by the hospital's Pastoral Care department, which is largely staffed by volunteers to support patients and their families. During our visit we performed in 3 locations - the main foyer, and the oncology and surgery wards.
It was such a rewarding experience to bring the Christmas spirit to everyone around us, as patients, staff and visitors all gathered to watch and applaud. We hope to get the privilege to perform at St Vincent’s again!
Thisari G (10I) | Chamber Voices Ensemble Leader
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Year 9 Geography Incursion - Women in STEM.
On Friday, November 29th, Year 9 classes taking Geography in Semester 2 participated in an incursion regarding STEM in Geography. Three spatial engineers from different companies, specifically in the field of surveying, came as guests to speak to us about their careers and run the activities, with the help of our Geography teachers.
Three activities were all set up around the rose garden, and although the sun was scorching, my class (9D) had a lot of fun. The three activities were laser tracking using a total station, GPS tracking, and the fan favourite, drones! The laser tracking activity was a challenge to see who could accurately measure a length between two cones and their internal bearing angle, and the GPS activity was a trivia treasure hunt, with a race to find a code. The drone activity was flying many different drones, which was probably the best part.
During lunch, some students joined the presenters for a technology showcase. The presenters demonstrated the drones, total station and laser scanners. We were able to use the drones and take fun selfies with the drones.
Similarly, to the in class activities, we also had a competition most accurately measuring the distance and bearing angles using the total stations. We won small prizes that were kindly provided by the Institute of Surveyors Victoria and were awarded to the most accurate as an added bonus!
All together, it was a great experience.
Olivia (9D) & Year 9 Geography Teachers
What’s On at Mac.Rob.
International Women’s Day Breakfast | 2025
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.
Our special guest speaker for 2025 is Professor Elif Ekinci, a clinician scientist and academic endocrinologist who is working to translate research into improved outcomes for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Her research is focused on the pathophysiology, prevention, detection and treatment of diabetes and its complications in humans.
Our Q&A guest panellists will be announced closer to the date.
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When: Friday, February 28th | 8:00am - 10:00am
Formalities commence at 8:00am; please allow time to arrive and be seated prior to 8:00am.
Where: The Mac.Rob Hall, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, 350–370 Kings Way, Melbourne, 2004
Tickets: $65.00 full / $35 student / $35 concession, per person.
Ticket price includes breakfast, tea, coffee and juice, keynote speaker, and Q&A session.
The International Women's Day Breakfast is an inclusive event for all members of our Mac.Rob community. Students, families, alumni, and friends of all genders are warmly welcome to attend. There is no limit to the number of tickets that families can purchase.