We have an integrated way of looking at innovation, and we sit comfortably with complexity and uncertainty. The balance of getting this right lies at the heart of this puzzle and we are known as pioneering thought leaders in education, so others look to us to follow trend.

Our School is unified in its commitment to excellence but uniquely shaped by the diversity of our stakeholders. It’s a position where one size does not fit all, tasking educators with the great responsibility and reward of guiding not only student learning, wellbeing, and safety, but also the care and consideration of parents, families, and alumnae. At MGGS we are bold when looking for openings and beginnings in 'thinking differently'. We miss out on opportunities when we only ask, ”What could go wrong?” Its also important to ask, “What could go right?”

We have real pressures facing schools at present, MGGS included. These include a national teacher shortage; pandemic fallout and the ‘great resignation’; an absence of respect for teachers and the profession; a looming leadership gap if we do not attract, support, and retain our emerging leaders; and increased responsibilities and compliance obligations. Looking to the recent past, the disruption of the Covid-impacted years sparked the need for rapid innovation in what it means to be an educator.

In the digital space, for example, there is now an increased flexibility in defining “where is work” or “where is school”, recognising that while our young people and our teachers were hungry to be back in the classrooms, there are benefits to schools and their students in maintaining the flexibility of a hybrid model when and where appropriate. Exciting opportunities and challenges further exist with the rapid advancement and influence of AI (Artificial Intelligence). As educators, we must remain curious about its potential to harness the possibilities to learn and grow. We have to determine how AI can be an enabler to learning and teaching. If anything, we know already that it is not a replacement for thinking and creative ideas.

There’s also a real appetite for further collaboration and shared learnings as we plot the roadmap for the future of education. Bringing students, their families, our School stakeholders, and the wider community along on our journey is vital. It’s about acting consciously to encourage students to use their voices and allow them more agency over their own education, as well as enabling our leaders and educators to make a meaningful difference and feel appreciated in their efforts. It’s a call to collaboration that has never been greater, or more important.

Critical to this opportunity are people. We need to nurture visionary educators and strong leaders. We need to entice people to enter the profession and support them in staying longer. All educators embark on their career with a higher purpose: we want to teach; we want to engage; we want to make an impact. It’s a noble goal, and one that requires us to actively promote and provide development pathways for our young potential leaders to ensure our profession remains in good hands.

"The complexities involved in being an educator or school leader can be daunting, but there is nothing like the buzz and hum of a school – and nothing more optimistic. It only takes a walk around the grounds of our School at lunchtime to be energised by the vibrancy and potential of youth."‍^‍

^{- Dr Toni Meath, Principal}

It’s a combination of elements that, at a surface level, might suggest an educational system at a critical juncture, but history shows us this has always, and constantly, been a sector heavily impacted by societal change. And through the lens of contemporary knowledge, experience, and technology, we’ve never been in a better position to adapt, innovate and grow to meet modern-day demands.

"There’s a palpable sense of excitement in the realm of education, from our classrooms to our boardrooms."

    ^{- Dr Toni Meath, Principal}

It’s about purposefully creating space to give everyone a seat at the table, with a willingness to listen and collaborate. We continue building on our strong educational foundations with a sense of excitement about what’s to come. Ultimately, the key to success lies in not standing still, but in continuing to change and develop, recognising that everything is a teaching moment, including now, for the entire industry. What an astonishing time to be an educator.

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