Since graduating from MGGS last year, here is what five of our former Grammarians have been up to.
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Olivia Nairn

Upon finishing her studies last year, Olivia enjoyed a well-deserved break in Byron Bay; but her dedication to rowing never ceased.

As part of the high-performance group in the Mercentile Rowing Club, Olivia trained through the summer for the upcoming racing season. This included a 10-day rowing camp in Johnsonville, and three days of training each week. Her team made it to Sydney and Perth for States and Nationals earning a silver medal in the latter.

The training will serve Olivia well later this year in September, as she’s heading to the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) on a full academic and sporting scholarship in rowing; she will most likely be majoring in Law.

“I have never been to America, not even to visit UCLA, so I think I’m throwing myself in the deep end and don’t actually know what to expect,” Olivia tells us about the move.  

“I know I will be living a completely different lifestyle overseas and will have some challenges along the way; however, I can’t wait to immerse myself in American culture and see where life takes me on both academic and sporting fronts.

“I am hoping to make more Australian teams while overseas and compete at the World Championships. I will work to get my degree while rowing, and then maybe do a post grad in America or even England.”

Transitioning from high school to the 'real world’ is an adjustment. Olivia confesses she misses “the structure of the school environment," as well as "seeing her friends every day".

The rower credits MGGS for setting her up with the skills needed to adapt to life after school “almost seamlessly”.

“The opportunities MGGS offered me, mostly through sport, have allowed me to learn and perfect my ability to prioritise my tasks and manage my time effectively. The structure of the School allowed me to develop my independence in all aspects of life. These skills will follow me for the rest of my life.”

When it comes to the new generation of Grammarians, Olivia urges them not to take things too seriously, saying "everything will work out".

“At the time, everything feels like the ‘be all and end all’ but in the scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter. Obviously, try your hardest and make the most of the little things.”

^{- Olivia Nairn, Year 12 2022}

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Alexandra Conroy-Ryan

After working hard during her time at MGGS, Alexandra Conroy-Ryan received offers from University College in London, King’s College in London, and two offers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.  

“As the British academic year doesn't begin until September, I decided to accept my offer to study Law/Arts at ANU (Australian National University) and, much to my surprise, I am really enjoying studying Law/Arts,” Alexandra says.

“Whether to take offers from London and Scotland has been a big decision-making process for me. I am currently deciding as to which offers I will accept and the route I will take, though my top contender is currently the University of Edinburgh to study Classics.

“My love for Classics and literature stems from when I was a small child, so to have the opportunity to pursue this lifelong passion of mine alongside some of the foremost academics in the field is something I am incredibly excited about.”

If she does move overseas, Alexandra is looking forward to “garnering new perspectives from living somewhere completely different”.  

“I am a firm believer that change and personal growth stems from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, so the next year is certainly going to be full of new experiences!”

During her time at MGGS, Alexandra was Mungo House Co-Captain – a leadership role she describes as “a delight and honour”.

“I am grateful for the skills I developed as captain regarding organisation, coordination, handling pressure and deadlines. Like everything in life, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it; the old adage is absolutely true,” she says.

When asked if she had advice for current Grammarians, Alexandra says she encourages them to “follow what they love”, especially when it comes to their VCE.  

“I think more emphasis needs to be placed (by students) on the joy of education and learning, rather than focusing on the end result of a grade or study score,” she suggests. “The last year of school is one to be enjoyed, so I think a lot of stress and angst can be spared by choosing to follow what you love!

"Take every opportunity to try something new – it can only add to your life, not diminish it."

^{- Alexandra Conroy-Ryan, Year 12 2022}

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Valmai Morden

Following the completion of her high school studies, which she describes as a “marathon”, Valmai Morden spent her time “relaxing and reconnecting with family and friends” and “decompressing before entering a new chapter”.

The MGGS alumna re-commenced her studies at the beginning of this year at the University of Melbourne, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Politics and International Studies, and a minor in Spanish.

“For a long time, my plan was to attend university in the UK,” she tells us. “I received offers from the University of Edinburgh, Exeter University and St Andrews University.

“Although I was incredibly grateful and excited by these opportunities, I ultimately decided that I would prefer to complete an undergraduate degree in Melbourne and focus on exchange opportunities and heading overseas for postgraduate studies.”

“My current career aspiration is to work in international relations/business with a focus on Spanish and Latin American countries. I am also very keen to complete a Masters degree overseas to keep expanding my global perspective.

While she has been enjoying the self-directed nature of university study, Valmai admits that the transition hasn’t come without its challenges. In particular, the “removed relationships with tutors and lectures” has been hard to acclimatise to.

“Especially compared to the teaching model at MGGS,” the Arts student explains. “There are not many academic checkpoints in a semester, which can make it hard to maintain motivation and discipline. Despite this, I think I was incredibly well prepared to be self-disciplined because of the independent nature of study at MGGS, especially in terms of managing free time.”

Valmai carries many memories from her time at MGGS, commending the School’s staff for their support in her final year of study.

“They make a real effort to treat the Year 12 cohort as mature and independent young women, which in turn results in such a motivating environment,” she says. “There is also a great balance between the fun activities that allow you to celebrate your last milestones at school and the constant encouragement to keep putting your best into VCE.  

Valmai encourages current Grammarians to put their “hand up for anything and everything”.

“The activities you are involved in at School can foster incredible relationships and even future opportunities. I would also advise current students to really enjoy all the amazing moments at School, but to trust that it only goes uphill from there and there is so much more to discover in the world. Keep your options open!”

^{- Valmai Morden, Year 12 2022}

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Zoe McKernan

Feeling equal parts relieved and exhausted once her final VCE exams were completed, Zoe McKernan relished the freedom of unstructured and relaxation time with friends and family. This included a few road trips to WA and NSW.  

Once she returned to Melbourne, Zoe worked at the School as part of the Junior Rowing staff – an experience she describes as “eye-opening”.  

“For me until then, rowing had been about training and racing in the senior years at school, where you are working on tweaking the most detailed and technical parts of the stroke to get faster. With Junior's coaching, I was teaching the fundamentals of rowing.

“This perspective gave me a great appreciation for my coaches and mentors, how patient, perseverant and calm they had been. I also discovered how rewarding it is to work with athletes and how exciting it can be once your crew accomplishes what you are coaching.”

While she would have loved to return to the job next season, Zoe is heading overseas for the next chapter of her life.  

“I am excited to be heading to the University of California at Berkeley (Cal), in San Francisco, as a student athlete where I will be on a merit-based athletic scholarship. I am looking forward to pursuing my studies in such a unique environment at this world-class university and to be competing amongst some of the top athletes in the sport.

“My plan is to work out what I am most passionate and interested in pursuing over the next two years. Through some trial and error with study and work experience I am looking forward to navigating my journey.”

During her time at MGGS, Zoe learned the importance of asking for help, admitting she used to think this was a “sign of weakness”.  

“Fortunately, I acknowledged that I was overwhelmed, I sought help from teachers, coaches and my family – and with help and prioritisation, I got back on top of things. Making this change has helped me to reach my goals more effectively. I now recognise when I need help and I am comfortable seeking guidance and support to overcome obstacles.”

If the athlete was to share any wisdom with current Grammarians, she would encourage the students to “be involved”.  

“The School does an amazing job at offering opportunities or experiences to further your knowledge and gain perspective."

"Just do everything that you possibly can, maybe step out of your comfort zone and take advantage of all that’s available.”

^{- Zoe McKernan, Year 12 2022}

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Elisha Sellick

Later this year in September, Elisha Sellick will be attending Scotland’s University of Edinburgh to complete an Integrated Masters degree in Classic and English Literature (MA Classics and English Literature).  

“One of the attractions of moving overseas for tertiary study was the opportunity to experience so much more,” Elisha tells us.  

“Moving specifically to Europe, I’m opening myself up to new and unique opportunities to learn about different cultures, lifestyles, and to see new landscapes. Along with this, Europe is home to many significant literary and classical landmarks – the two areas which interest me most, hence my pursuing the study of both subjects.”

As an avid scholar of the ancient world, the MGGS graduate is excited about the prospect of studying “so close to the heart of western classical antiquity”.  

“Studying Literature in Europe provides me an exciting chance to immerse myself in the very landscapes, languages, and perhaps traditions that influenced and shaped literary works for centuries. This opportunity to live and study surrounded by tangible remnants of history is extremely exciting to me.”

Elisha’s time at MGGS taught her how to approach education from a “holistic approach”.  

“As a student, I was provided with the opportunity to pursue multiple key areas that are essential to living a well-rounded life – I was encouraged to nurture sporting and music commitments alongside my academics.  

“The privilege to learn the piano and do rowing throughout my time at Melbourne Girls will always remain close to my heart and shape the fundamentals of who I am today. The ability to manage a work-life schedule was encouraged through the extra-curriculars at MGGS and this skill with always stay with me.”

Elisha’s advice to current MGGS students is to “do what you enjoy and what you know you’re good at”.

"For me, this meant pursuing predominantly humanities-based subjects in VCE, and these are the subjects which follow me into tertiary study because they were what I truly loved."

“This is how you will be inspired to study, even if you don’t quite feel like it. It is much more enjoyable to be excited to learn and study, than to feel dragged along by a syllabus you feel no connection to."

^{- Elisha Sellick, Year 12 2022}