​This week, I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Invergowrie Foundation, a charitable organisation which provides grants and support to advance the education of girls and women in Victoria. The Foundation seeks to enable access, promote excellence, advance leadership and support research by and about girls and women in science, technology and mathematics.

​There has been a great deal of discussion in the media recently about the Government’s proposal to introduce age verification on social media platforms.

​At this time of year in the more senior year levels, girls are either already undertaking examinations or are preparing for them....

​Today we celebrate World Teachers Day – a day to celebrate and recognise the wonderful staff who support our girls to build their knowledge and skills and who help us to create young people who can contribute positively to their communities.

​This time of year is always bittersweet as we prepare to send the Year 12 cohort on to the next stage of their journey. During their last few weeks, Ms Healy and I meet with all the Year 12 students in small groups, over lunch, to hear from them about their Lowther Hall experience and to discuss the aspects that they feel have been of most value to them in terms of personal development.

​Today, 11 October, is the International Day of the Girl Child – a day declared by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution to recognise the rights of girls around the world. It is a day on which we can celebrate girls everywhere, amplify their voices and advocate for them.

​This week I have been in our National Capital where the Year 6 students are (amongst other things) consolidating their understanding of law making and the democratic process. It was wonderful to hear the girls reflect on their increased understanding of the methods of passing legislation once they had sat in old parliament house and undertaken a role play that saw them debate a “bill”.

​I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Olympics! From the excitement in the pool to the skill at the skate park; the artistry of the rhythmic gymnastics to the strength of climbing; the precision in the dressage to the power in the canoeing – I love it all. Whatever the pursuit, seeing it executed at the highest possible level and remembering the hours of training and dedication required to reach the standard always inspires me.

The Europe Choir Tour provided much reason for optimism and a significant amount of reassurance of the power of the human spirit.

We are very fortunate at Lowther Hall to have such a dedicated and professional staff who are united in their mission to provide the very best possible education for our girls. As we continue to experience a significant teacher shortage across the State, many students in other schools are trying to navigate their learning with staff who do not have training in the relevant subject area or, sometimes, without a teacher at all.