Principal’s Update | May, 2023
As we reach the halfway mark of Term 2 there have been many exciting achievements to celebrate. We are enjoying the beautiful grounds now that the external works of the building program have been completed. The shade sail across the front of the newly painted gymnasium building, is providing much needed shade to the seating area. The beautiful timber deck looks terrific, as does the yarning circle and the red pergola across the front of the Lakeside building.
I thank and commend everyone for their patience and understanding throughout the building program. The sense of community and compassion shown by our staff and students really helped us get through the disappointment and disruption of the delays. While we recognise it took longer than we were expecting, the outcome of the $8 million capital works program is really beautiful and will be enjoyed by generations to come.
The cast, orchestra and crew of our combined musical production of Anastasia were truly phenomenal. We thank Mr. Edgar Wegner for his outstanding leadership of the production, and Ms Claire Nicholson for her leadership of the orchestra, and we thank the many students who dedicated their time, efforts and energies into creating such a wonderful production. The collaboration, creativity and bravery of everyone involved was wonderful.
Congratulations to Cherry Arora in Year 12. Cherry was one of four finalists in age group 15 - 30 years in the Channel 7 Young Achievers Awards in the IKON Services Environmental Sustainability Award category, held at the Sofitel in late April. Cherry’s work focuses on researching sustainable solutions to water scarcity and pollution problems. Being one of four finalists is an outstanding achievement.
The House Athletics Carnival was also a great success, with students showing their talents in track, field and novelty events, as well as their community spirit by dressing up in House colours and cheering their competitors on. Even the weather was kind to us.
The school has been a buzz with several significant events - SRC week, which started with Multicultural Dress Day, Year 12 Formal, the combined Jazz Concert, IDAHOBIT Day, Mooting Competitions and Social Service Week. Student leadership and engagement is at the core of this work and is demonstrated on a daily basis.
Acting Assistant Principal.
I am delighted to announce Mr. Samuel Crocket as Acting Assistant Principal, replacing Maddie Witter for the remainder of this term and next. Sam comes to us from Melbourne High School, with nearly two years of Assistant Principal experience.
School Review.
Like all government schools we have a four year review cycle. 2023 is our review year and we are completing this work throughout Terms 2 and 3. There are four parts to it.
A: Ensuring all policies are up to date and communicated to the school community.
B: Conducting a self evaluation of our performance against the previous strategic plan.
C: Inviting an external panel to observe our work and provide feedback.
D: Developing the next 4 year strategic plan.
We are engaging with students, staff, and parents/carers throughout the process.
Minerva Alumni Event.
Sue Harrap with Margaret Giulieri and former principal, Lesley Boston.
The Palladian’s alumni Association hosted a luncheon on Friday 19 May for former students who graduated more than 50 years ago, the Minerva Luncheon, which was held at the Lyceum Club in the city.
I had the pleasure of meeting with and speaking to the audience of around seventy former students. What struck me was how much Mac.Rob still means to these women and how vivid their memories are. I sat next to Margaret Giulieri (nee Lapish) AO who graduated in 1945.
Margaret’s daughter, Jenny Austin, was also present, and her granddaughter also attended Mac.Rob. Margaret has had a significant impact in the Guides and Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, and so much more, and she talked about how the students used to have to practise drills in the trenches dug at the back of the school during World War II.
Portrait Gallery Induction 2023.
Friends, families, and the wider community of Mac.Rob are warmly invited to join us for the 2023 induction ceremony of the Portrait Gallery, which honours outstanding Mac.Rob alumni, on Thursday, June 8th.
Mac.Rob's Portrait Gallery is a growing collection of past students who have excelled in their field. This initiative was introduced in 2008 to honour our alumnae and inspire our students - to allow them to demonstrate that they can and will have the big lives they aspire to.
Members of the Mac.Rob community - including students, families, and staff - are warmly invited to attend this induction of new portraits to the gallery, and to meet with inductees, Foundation members, and representatives of Mac.Rob's alumni association, the Palladians.
When: Thursday, June 8th, 2023
Where: Mac.Rob Hall, Mac.Robertson Girl's High School
Tickets are complimentary, but RSVP is essential. Refreshments and canapés are provided.
Student Highlights.
In addition to the articles included in this newsletter, students have also provided us snapshots on a number of student events, activities, and highlights from Term 2:
House Music
On the last day of Term 1, House Music ended the term off with a bang! It was lovely to see so many students participate in house music, as well as peers and staff cheering them on. House Music is a great opportunity for students to showcase their musical talents, whether that be playing an instrument within an ensemble, soloist performance, or being a vocalist within a choir. It's super exciting to see everyone's house spirit!
The afternoon was filled with creative compositions and choreographs as well as eye-catching props. The gym was filled with a joyous atmosphere where students could immerse themselves in each performance!
Massive shoutout to Nereids for winning house music, as well as a huge congratulations to the following for winning their category:
Junior soloist - Jocelyn L (Dryads)
Senior soloist - Mimi G (Nereids)
Large Choir - Directed by Seyara F and Tabbita V Nereids)
Madrigals Choir - Directed by Sonia B and Bethany A.S (Naiads)
Ensemble - Directed by Callista L.L and Caitlyn N (Nereids)
Finally, thanks to all the hardworking directors and house captains for making the event possible! Keep an eye out for future house events ;) - Zoe N
Continually improving the school environment.
While the capital building works were taking place in the Lakeside building we have been identifying how we can make the rest of the school an even more functional and comfortable place for all. We are aiming for a campus that matches the quality of our students and the quality of the learning that takes place here every day; a campus to be proud of.
So far this year we have completed the following works:
The exterior of the Kingsway and Gym buildings painted.
Installation of a new 5 x 3 m screen in the gym where we have assemblies and whole of House events, so they can be even more engaging.
Updated the Hall audio visual system and stage so that there is quality image and sound and to maximise the space available on stage. It too has a new 5 x 3 m screen.
Had the gym floor stripped back, relined and resealed.
Installed blinds in some classrooms.
Replaced vinyl in the Lakeside stairwells.
We have formed a Buildings and Grounds sub-committee of School Council and we are now looking at ways of further enhancing the school environment to address student needs. We have a couple of targets we are planning for, utilising the funds raised in the Building and Library Funds.
The new library has many empty shelves and unused space that could be used for more study desks. We plan to use money raised in the Library Fund to purchase study desks so that more students have a quiet place to concentrate, and to expand the book collection to fill the empty shelves.
We plan to use the money raised so far this year by the Building Fund, and a co-contribution from Parents Association, to upgrade the outdoor areas to provide more seating and shade to students.
We also have another major target, to install heating and cooling in the gym. We use our gym during the key examination periods - the General Achievement Test in June and the VCAA and IBO Examinations in November. The gym is extremely cold in winter and stinking hot in summer. If we have heating and cooling for the gym, we can be assured that our students can sit their crucial exams in comfort. This is a major project which will cost upward of $300,000. Contributions to the Building Fund will be targeted towards installation of heating and cooling in the gym.
Stay tuned for more information about this in our End of Financial Year fundraising drive soon to be released.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Sue Harrap | Principal