This year’s first edition of Information Exchange is inspired by our very own ‘information exchange’, that is, our faculty’s professional learning and development at Melbourne Girls Grammar. As an active learning environment, Melbourne Girls Grammar is building purposefully upon very exciting innovations in education for the future success of every Grammarian. Quite simply, we innovate, implement, and review our practices in light of the needs of our Grammarians.

Each year, Principal Dr Toni E. Meath selects a text for all staff, including teaching and professional support staff, to read over the summer holidays, which informs the content and direction of the collaborative professional learning and development of the upcoming school year. This year’s professional learning text, Stolen Focus by Johann Hari has also been our inspiration for this edition of Information Exchange.  

In the bestseller, Hari explores the factors harming our ability to focus and how to take back control of our attention, touching on technology, mental exhaustion, pollution, diet, and stress. While this is acting as a catalyst internally, we all have the ability to challenge and question how our attention and focus has shifted. We constantly grapple to stay connected in a digital world no matter the age. We hope you enjoy entering into the conversation afforded by this Information Exchange and find your new way to reclaim your focus.