At the Junior School Mother’s Day Breakfast, our Junior School Captain spoke eloquently and touchingly about the role of mums and her relationship with her own mother. Our mini strings and other Junior School ensembles and soloists performed with grace and poise, reminding me of the many hours of dedication that girls are putting into their cocurricular activities in the pursuit of excellence. Just 20 minutes later I was back in the Cultural Centre for a Senior School Assembly - run entirely by the Prefect Body - which incorporated a multimedia presentation, a dramatic performance, a whole school rendition of the Macarena, some very poignant self-disclosure and a specially choreographed Prefect dance, all put together to remind the girls of the importance of taking a considered risk. I really do have the best job in the world!

Alongside highlights such as this, there are also more “ordinary” matters that continue to require our attention. You will receive a letter from me this week clarifying the procedures relating to student absences from school, especially in relation to term time travel. This will be posted to Senior School families today and sent home with the Junior School girls tomorrow. In Senior School there is also a circular relating to updated procedures to improve punctuality in the mornings. I thank you in advance for your support of these issues.

Mother’s Day is a wonderful time for reflection and celebration, but for some families it is also a challenging time. I hope that Sunday brings an opportunity for all girls to reflect on the network of support – particularly from mums and/or other women – which they have around them.