“The crowd, an impassioned group of Melbourne Girls Grammar students, chant; roaring from the sidelines. Scores are even. The MGGS Soccer squad might just take their first win. Grounds muddy, heart’s throbbing, numbers taped onto school shirts with red duct tape and grins wide. This could be it.”– Emelia Koop, Year 12, winner of the Caroline Wilson Sports Publication Award, 2024.

In her article reflecting on her own experiences, Emelia Koop captures the excitement, camaraderie, commitment and persistence that are associated with participating in sport at MGGS.  

At Melbourne Girls Grammar, we encourage our Grammarians to pursue excellence in all aspects of their lives.  While we challenge them academically, we also encourage each student to embrace many other opportunities, including our extensive co-curricular activities.  

It is interesting to note, from the analysis of a number of different variables, that there is a strong correlation between academic achievements and participation in co-curricular activities. Many of our highest achieving VCE students are also active participants in a wide range of activities. From this, we can see that Grammarians who approach their schooling and friendships enthusiastically and make the most of the opportunities available to them are the ones who benefit most from their MGGS experience.

From their first year with us, whether in the ELC, Junior Years at Morris Hall, or through our programs at Merton Hall, we give our Grammarians the opportunities to be the very best they can be. A Melbourne Girls Grammar education, is far more than classroom experience. As experts in girls’ education, we facilitate the development of the whole child, developing the individual to have agency, and build the capacity to lead, first themselves and then others while establishing skills for life.  Through the co-curricular program – encompassing the Arts and/or Sport – our Grammarians open themselves up to infinite learning opportunities. Whether it’s stepping up to the rigour of training needed to make team selection, or knowing how to still the nerves before competition, each and every day our Grammarians apply the courage necessary to explore the unknown.

Regardless of the outcome and often without realising it, they experience the choices and challenges that facilitate the development of character. Through Sport, we enable our athletes to learn to push their limits and hone their skills. Through teamwork, not only do they form new connections and new friendships, but they also demonstrate the values necessary to achieve their goals: determination, self-discipline, accountability and communication. As they face challenges on the football field together or on the athletics track alone, they develop resilience when they turn mistakes, setbacks, or losses into moments for reflection and learning. These challenges teach important lessons, but these are accompanied by words of encouragement from each other, the staff, parents and our Melbourne Girls Grammar community.  

Our Grammarians grow in this way, from their first race or game, to leading their whole House or squad at an Athletics Carnival or a Grand Final match. At MGGS, we encourage our students to be cognisant of these moments of growth. We want them to appreciate how hard they’ve worked to apply themselves. They have learnt from their coaches, mentors and peers and in turn developed the confidence to become role models and leaders in their different sporting contexts for younger students.  

Our goal, at MGGS is to ensure that every Grammarian is active every day. The Artemis programs and activities are built upon this core foundation. As you read this edition of Information Exchange, you’ll notice the word ‘participation’ appears frequently, because regardless of a child’s skill level, there is always something to learn and room for improvement. Engagement in physical activity, in conjunction with our Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum, enables our Grammarians to build an understanding of their bodies and minds, and empowers them to flex their independence and take responsibility for their physical and mental health, developing healthy habits for life.  

This year, our Grammarians have excelled and shone in so many fields of endeavour. They have shown commitment and integrity  on the slopes of Mount Buller at Interschools and Perisher at the National Interschools Snowsport Championships, to the Barwon River at the Head of Schoolgirls Regatta, to the buzzing sidelines of the football oval for the AFLW Victoria Hearld Sun Shield, and beyond. We are thrilled to share some of these with you in this edition of Information Exchange.