"The way people work is changing, the way people collaborate is changing, and our students must be prepared to adapt and grow alongside these changes."

Our workplaces are characterised by varied office set ups and working from home arrangements. Simultaneously, new and evolving careers are emerging and there is a greater reliance on collaboration and a growth mindset. This gives us the opportunity to continue to deliver forward-looking teaching and learning environments, which will keep Melbourne Girls Grammar as the leading educator of women in Australia.

Technology, industry relevance, new trends in teaching and learning and the addition of new and exciting areas of study need to be at the centre of our campus growth and planning. As our students engage with technology, influencing their skills and focus, we must ensure our teaching environment is evolving to work with them to maximise their opportunities and support them on their educational journey. Our planning for the future campus and the building of new facilities will significantly enhance our education program. Flexible layouts with learning spaces that can accommodate various modes of collaboration including small group discussions, large group presentations and individual study combined with easy access to learning tools and technology-based education will be featured. These new spaces will facilitate the way we engage with each other and will be critical to the development of our senior students’ capabilities and their aspirations beyond Melbourne Girls Grammar. For the School, it will ensure we remain at the forefront of education in Australia and internationally.  

Technology must continue to be utilised in our teaching, to enable students to work seamlessly across digital platforms, access resources and engage with tools essential for the contemporary workplace.

The buildings will be comfortable and inviting – encouraging a passion for learning while at school and throughout their future careers beyond the red brick walls. We are looking to create spaces which are aesthetically pleasing and conducive to collaboration fostering creativity and innovative thinking among students. This has already commenced with the liberation of the Merton Hall campus via the acquisition of Glenhope. The spaces on Level 1 of Phelia Grimwade House define the classrooms of the future with vistas overlooking the gardens and the CBD and fostering communication, collaboration and higher order thinking. Returning students to Phelia Grimwade House demonstrates the outstanding foundations of our cultural heritage while highlighting a commitment to a vision for the future that is innovative, challenging and focused on developing leaders of the future – ethical woman of action.

Despite the tools that technology brings to the individual student, we strongly believe that the ability to work collaboratively is a critical social and personal skill that our students must develop and sustain. Our built environment must therefore include areas designed specifically for collaborative projects that encourage the development of interpersonal skills and the importance of being able to identify, respect and draw on one another's ideas and strengths. Our access to resources and information must quickly evolve where the ‘library of the future’ is a place where information can be accessed through books, online references, growth in artificial intelligence and other tools.

As a community of learners, we understand the importance of fostering a love of learning. This, along with a commitment to continuous improvement underpins the aim of Council in developing our Strategic Plan for 2025-2030.

At the recent School AGM, I announced my intention to step down as Chair of Council. I thank the Melbourne Girls Grammar community for their support during my time as Chair. Since late 2018 I have had the pleasure of working alongside my fellow Council members, Dr Toni Meath, staff and students in my position as Chair. I have witnessed the care and strength the members of our Council demonstrate in their dealings for and with the School.  

Through strong leadership and with a culture of innovation and excellence, MGGS has a long history as one of Australia’s leading schools in the education of women. Though my role may change, my commitment to our community remains steadfast. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to my continued involvement with the School through the Endowment Committee.  

As his tenure concludes, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mark Burgess for his exceptional leadership over the past six years at Melbourne Girls Grammar. His unwavering dedication to education, his wisdom and commitment to our community have been instrumental in shaping our School’s development. Mark’s calm and considered nature has fostered a collaborative approach to strategic planning.  

During his time as Chair, we have endured a global pandemic that threatened our community and challenged us all, yet we emerged on the other side to witness tremendous growth, marked by high participation and achievement from students and staff. Mark’s passion for education and advocacy for excellence has inspired us all.

We acknowledge Mark’s long-term involvement with the School, from the education of his daughters Gabby and Annie, to his time as Chair of Council and everything in between. We say farewell to Mark with our deepest appreciation for his contributions to MGGS.