The Year 10s began the school year full of enthusiasm and excitement moving into the Senior years of School. With a great deal of anticipation, they have embraced the opportunity to once again connect on campus with their friends and their teachers.

It has been a considerable step up for the students as they have transitioned into their first year of the Senior Years program. The girls very quickly realised the need to adjust to the increased demands of the academic program, but have embraced the introduction of the Independent Learning Tutorials, enjoying the choice of undertaking homework tasks, assessment preparation or completing Masterclasses during this time.

Added to the academic program is the variety of Co-curricular activities available to them. These activities create a balance in their lives, often providing a welcome respite from the intensity of their studies. The girls are encouraged to take up the opportunity to get involved and connect with students from beyond their Year level, all while improving their fitness, mastering new skills, or challenging themselves.

The Year 10 Wellbeing Program has primarily been designed to provide students with emotional and academic support. Our sessions have so far covered goal setting, organisational/study skills, stress management and positive psychology. There is particular emphasis on developing resilience and independence in Year 10, assisting the girls to be ready to transition into the VCE program in 2023.

Beyond the Heyington Gates, our Year 10 students have embraced the opportunity to engage in events and initiatives that aim to educate and improve outcomes for the wider community.
Earlier this year, Rhea Werner was awarded the 2022 Boroondara Young Citizen of the Year Award for inspiring leadership in her efforts to raise awareness about the nutritional issues affecting her peers. As Co-chair and founding member of the national non-profit Body Confident Collective, Rhea is advocating for change for those suffering from often-stigmatised eating disorders.

On the first Friday in March, four Year 10 students attended the International Women’s Day Breakfast in Queens Hall at Parliament House. This annual event was organised by the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia with guest speaker, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp.

Here are some student reflections from the breakfast:

The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022 #BreakTheBias theme encourages everyone to develop a greater understanding about gender bias and to be more aware of its existence. It is about working towards a world free of stereotypes and discrimination that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. It’s a world where difference is valued and celebrated. It’s also a day to raise awareness about the inequalities girls and women continue to face around the world. The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organisation, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
Annie Seymour

Guest Speaker at the 2022 International Women’s Day Breakfast, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp, is the first female directly elected Lord Mayor of Melbourne, and has held the position since 2018. She shared powerful and untold stories of Zelda D’Aprano and Vida Goldstein. Both of these women sacrificed their jobs and devoted their lives to breaking the gender bias, and fought tirelessly to improve the gender equality in Melbourne. Sally’s own story was equally inspiring and we were left in awe of her determination, grit and contribution to achieving the #breakthebias slogan for IWD 2022.
Sienna Lonetti

Seated in the ornate Queens Hall of Parliament House, it was hard not to notice that the walls of the Hall were decorated with numerous paintings of past Victorian Premiers, of which only one female portrait hung, that of the Honourable Joan Kirner AC, Victorian Premier from 1990 to 1992. While this was the case, the painting did give me hope and motivation in seeing more women in politics in the future, since the only way to break the bias is speaking up in the patriarchal society and showing who you are. It was only fitting that our table was right in front of Joan Kirner’s portrait.
Jisu Yang