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Mark Burgess
Mark Burgess
From the Chair
As we approach the summer holidays and look to spend time with family and friends over Christmas, I am reminded of the tumultuous time we have experienced over the past three years. It was a time that challenged and tested us all; it gave focus to the things we value and appreciate and focussed our attention on those who provided us the necessary support, guidance, and strength.
Melbourne Girls Grammar, as you will have heard me speak of so many times, managed this period remarkably well. Dr Meath and her leadership team provided outstanding governance and direction for the School and gave us strength in knowing that, as a community, we were in good hands. The community too rose in support of each other – they reached out virtually to those living alone, and provided their children and grandchildren with the solidity of familial foundations. Remember that world – it was constrained to our bedrooms and home offices and sometimes a 5km radius. We connected via Zoom as we played with different backgrounds and learnt how to read facial expressions distorted by pixels, or to listen to the intonations of voices when the camera was off. We were cut off and restricted, and constantly reminded we were ‘on mute’ – yet we managed! Such was our life. But we came through it relatively unscathed, and importantly our Grammarians bounced back and reconnected with their peers, teachers and friends, as did the members of our School community.
We know that some did it tougher than others. The closure of borders meant we lost the possibility of face-to-face connection with family and loved ones. For some of our international students, this meant returning home to study offshore, while others remained in our Boarding House for an unimaginable extended period of time. They existed without family contact finding solace in the boarding house staff, and local supporters and guardians. Such was our world during COVID.
Today, while COVID is still ever present, we have a new ‘normal’. While retaining the safety of our community, we have, like I am about to do, reboarded planes, travelled to other parts of the world and most importantly reconnected face-to-face.
Melbourne Girls Grammar, as you will have heard me speak of so many times, managed this period remarkably well. Dr Meath and her leadership team provided outstanding governance and direction for the School and gave us strength in knowing that, as a community, we were in good hands. The community too rose in support of each other – they reached out virtually to those living alone, and provided their children and grandchildren with the solidity of familial foundations. Remember that world – it was constrained to our bedrooms and home offices and sometimes a 5km radius. We connected via Zoom as we played with different backgrounds and learnt how to read facial expressions distorted by pixels, or to listen to the intonations of voices when the camera was off. We were cut off and restricted, and constantly reminded we were ‘on mute’ – yet we managed! Such was our life. But we came through it relatively unscathed, and importantly our Grammarians bounced back and reconnected with their peers, teachers and friends, as did the members of our School community.
We know that some did it tougher than others. The closure of borders meant we lost the possibility of face-to-face connection with family and loved ones. For some of our international students, this meant returning home to study offshore, while others remained in our Boarding House for an unimaginable extended period of time. They existed without family contact finding solace in the boarding house staff, and local supporters and guardians. Such was our world during COVID.
Today, while COVID is still ever present, we have a new ‘normal’. While retaining the safety of our community, we have, like I am about to do, reboarded planes, travelled to other parts of the world and most importantly reconnected face-to-face.
Melbourne Girls Grammar, as you will have heard me speak of so many times, managed this period remarkably well. Dr Meath and her leadership team provided outstanding governance and direction for the School and gave us strength in knowing that, as a community, we were in good hands. The community too rose in support of each other – they reached out virtually to those living alone, and provided their children and grandchildren with the solidity of familial foundations. Remember that world – it was constrained to our bedrooms and home offices and sometimes a 5km radius. We connected via Zoom as we played with different backgrounds and learnt how to read facial expressions distorted by pixels, or to listen to the intonations of voices when the camera was off. We were cut off and restricted, and constantly reminded we were ‘on mute’ – yet we managed! Such was our life. But we came through it relatively unscathed, and importantly our Grammarians bounced back and reconnected with their peers, teachers and friends, as did the members of our School community.
We know that some did it tougher than others. The closure of borders meant we lost the possibility of face-to-face connection with family and loved ones. For some of our international students, this meant returning home to study offshore, while others remained in our Boarding House for an unimaginable extended period of time. They existed without family contact finding solace in the boarding house staff, and local supporters and guardians. Such was our world during COVID.
Today, while COVID is still ever present, we have a new ‘normal’. While retaining the safety of our community, we have, like I am about to do, reboarded planes, travelled to other parts of the world and most importantly reconnected face-to-face.
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Principal Dr Toni Meath congratulates a student at an assembly.
Principal Dr Toni Meath congratulates a student at an assembly.
Principal Dr Toni Meath at an event.
Principal Dr Toni Meath with Ken Jasper AM
The School has done the same. Dr Meath, took a well-deserved sabbatical in Term 2 after a tireless two years of managing our School through COVID. It was a time spent rebuilding and reconnecting – with the alma mater of our first principals (Hensley and Taylor) at Newnham College; with leading educators in girls’ schools to exchange ideas and reinstate our sister school network; and engaging with our more distant alumnae in London and New York. These connections are essential to the School particularly during a period of significant change – they enable us to remain at the forefront of education for young women.
Our educators at the School have been the beneficiaries as have our Grammarians in this exposure to current pedagogical practices and advancements in girls’ education. With extensions into professional learning through the newly formed Melbourne Girls Grammar Institute (MGGI), and our connections with university academics and community leaders, as a Council we are confident that MGGS is well placed to attract and retain the best and brightest educators for our students.
As a community of learners, we understand the importance of fostering a love of learning, a commitment to continuous improvement and career advancement. We hold these aspirations for our children and expect the best from their educators to model this passion and quest for knowledge.
The School has done the same. Dr Meath, took a well-deserved sabbatical in Term 2 after a tireless two years of managing our School through COVID. It was a time spent rebuilding and reconnecting – with the alma mater of our first principals (Hensley and Taylor) at Newnham College; with leading educators in girls’ schools to exchange ideas and reinstate our sister school network; and engaging with our more distant alumnae in London and New York. These connections are essential to the School particularly during a period of significant change – they enable us to remain at the forefront of education for young women.
Our educators at the School have been the beneficiaries as have our Grammarians in this exposure to current pedagogical practices and advancements in girls’ education. With extensions into professional learning through the newly formed Melbourne Girls Grammar Institute (MGGI), and our connections with university academics and community leaders, as a Council we are confident that MGGS is well placed to attract and retain the best and brightest educators for our students.
As a community of learners, we understand the importance of fostering a love of learning, a commitment to continuous improvement and career advancement. We hold these aspirations for our children and expect the best from their educators to model this passion and quest for knowledge.
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