Principal’s Update | April, 2026.
Principal’s Update.
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As we draw to the end of Term 1 this year, it is most pleasing to see the milestones we have achieved together. Our Year 9s are well and truly settling in - they have formed strong relationships within their Connect classes and beyond, they had a fabulous time at camp, and they have worked diligently to cope with the changes associated with starting at Mac.Rob. Our Year 10s are doing a wonderful job of grappling with their first foray into the VCE, and our Year 11s and 12s have moved smoothly into their first SACs (assessments) for the year with confidence.
Our major events - House Swimming, House Music, Interschool Sport, the Student Leadership Expo, the IB Art Exhibition and Awards Ceremony, Year 12 House Cup, Red Cross Calling, Live FM, and the Junior Leadership Program, to name a few - have served the important function of providing enriching, social, leadership, and community building opportunities. Our students have engaged with enthusiasm and commitment.
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International Women’s Day Breakfast.
There’s a special energy at Mac.Rob when our whole community comes together, and on Friday, March 20th, our International Women’s Day Breakfast was no exception. It is always a joy to see students, parents, staff, alumni, and partners sharing a meal and a conversation.
We were privileged to hear from the inspiring Jenn ten Seldam, whose keynote set the stage for a wonderful panel discussion with Lauren Solly and Michelle Nguyen Vuong. A huge thank you to our student leaders for their seamless facilitation, and to the Palladians Association and the Mac.Rob Foundation for making events like this possible.
Jenn’s message particularly resonated with me: she challenged the idea that "working hard" is the sole key to success. Instead, she urged us to clearly articulate the impact of our work and the value we bring to those around us. Her closing thought was perhaps the most salient: the greatest fulfillment comes when your work is an extension of your moral purpose.
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School Council.
We had our first new School Council meeting on Tuesday, March 31st. I am delighted to confirm the full School Council.
School Council President - Mohshin Habib
Vice School Council President - Angela Yang
Treasurer - Kathy Luo
Parents’ Association Representative - Kavitha Faruqui
Palladians’ Representative - Talia Watson
Student Representative - Anju Shindhe. Anju will join Suri Nguyen in this category.
Parent Respresentatives - Chris Byrne and Shane Patella (Year 9); Nimisha Shah (Year 12)
Anand Agarwal is a returning School Council member in the Community category, and Tam Nguyen is returning in the Parent category.
The Department of Education representatives are:
Sue Harrap - Principal and Executive Officer
Daniel Mechelen - Assistant Principal
Samuel Crocket - Assistant Principal
Michelle Pride - Assistant Principal
Josie Phillips - Middle School Leader
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Annual Report to the Community.
Also on March 31st, we held our Annual Report to the Community where we shared our progress and achievement in 2025. It was a very positive year on all fronts. My sincere gratitude to Sam Crocket for presenting it on my behalf while I dealt with an urgent family matter. The 2025 Annual Report will be posted next term for all to view on our website after it is ratified by the Department of Education.
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New Parents’ Association Committee.
Another great community achievement this term was the election of a new Parents Association Committee.
President - Kavitha Faruqui
Vice President - Michael Chan
Treasurer - Jane Gaunson
Secretary - Danielle Zigomanis
I have enjoyed a very productive meeting with Kavitha to begin planning for the year ahead. I encourage all families to engage with the new, enthusiastic Parents Association team.
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I congratulate our students and staff on the success of Term 1 and encourage them all to rest and enjoy the holiday break.
Warm regards,
Sue Harrap | Principal
What’s On at Mac.Rob.
Portrait Gallery Induction 2026.
Friends, families, and the wider community of Mac.Rob are warmly invited to join us for the 2026 induction ceremony of the Portrait Gallery, which honours the achievements of outstanding Mac.Robbians.
Mac.Rob's Portrait Gallery honours a growing collection of past students who have excelled in their field. This initiative was introduced in 2008 to honour our alumnae and inspire our students - to allow them to demonstrate that they can and will have the big lives they aspire to. Members of the Mac.Rob community - including students, families, and staff - are warmly invited to attend this induction of new portraits to the gallery, and to meet with inductees, Foundation members, and representatives of the Palladians Association.
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PORTRAIT GALLERY INDUCTION | 2026
When: Thursday, May 14th | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: The Mac.Rob Hall, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, 350–370 Kings Way, Melbourne, 2004
Tickets are complimentary, but RSVP is essential. Refreshments and canapes are provided.
Mac.Rob Explained is an educational podcast for Mac.Rob families, students, and staff that explores - and explains - different elements of the learning experience at our school.
In each episode, Mac.Rob students, staff, and school leaders discuss an area of our school's culture or curriculum - ranging from the goals of our wellbeing programs, to the significance of the Learner Model, to the history of our school. Each podcast is designed to be a stand-alone, bite-sized introduction to its topic, and includes links and resources for further information.
We encourage all members of our school community - students, families, and staff, both new and old - to explore these podcasts, and discover more about their school.
Listen to Mac.Rob Explained on the Family and Student Portals, or on SoundCloud.
Student Highlights.
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Meet the Middle School Captains.
Hi Mac.Rob! We’re Kristy and Geet, your friendly neighbourhood Mac.Rob Girls, here as your Middle School Captains in 2026! We know that stepping into Term 1 at Mac.Rob has felt a bit like opening a portal. We went from our relaxed holiday schedules to waking at 6 in the morning again, and it felt like being launched into a completely new universe: new classes, new expectations, and new challenges!
But we, Mac.Rob, have been through so much together already, from assessments and SACs to meeting new people and building new connections. As much as Mac.Rob students strive to grow, we hope you can take some time now to look back and smile at all your hard work already this year. Just know we’re looking at you, wiping our eyes and thinking about how fast time truly flies.
Of course, growth doesn’t happen alone. Somewhere between the first introductions and the latest assessments, we stopped being just individuals sharing classes and started becoming a community. If Terms 1 has taught us anything, it’s this: we’re all still becoming. What matters is showing up, trying your best, and supporting each other along the way.
Our vision for this year is WEBS, which stands for Well-being, Encouragement, Belonging and Support. We want to make sure everyone continues to have good well-being and feel like they belong, which we can ensure happens through continuous encouragement and support towards each other.
Mac.Rob, make this year one to remember, and know that with the power of being in our Mac.Rob-Verse comes not only the ability to strive for excellence, but also the ability to have fun.
Signing off for now, we just want you to remember that school is really one big leap of faith, in yourself, your friends and the next open door, waiting to help you shine.
Let’s face the coming challenges, the coming laughs and the growing friendships as we always do: Together.
Kristy W & Geet M, Middle School Captains
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Year 9 Food Studies.
Year 9 Food Studies students have been buzzing with creativity as they design and make their very own spiced cookies! Using design thinking and their knowledge of Design and Technologies, students are working in pairs to create unique cookie recipes that could shine at a Royal Show Cookery Competition.
Starting with a basic cookie dough recipe, students are experimenting with bold and aromatic spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. They are adding up to three additional ingredients to complement their chosen spice and ensure their cookies have the perfect balance of flavour and texture. Students are then getting adventurous with black pepper, matcha, cloves and even saffron!
Throughout the project, students are planning and managing every step to ensure their cookie matches the brief. They are developing detailed timelines, budgets, and action plans while learning to adapt and problem-solve along the way. Safety and efficiency in the kitchen are always a top priority, and students are applying these procedures confidently to create delicious results.
The photo shows one of their practice cookies from a MasterChef-style mystery box challenge, capturing the excitement, creativity, and impressive skills our students are bringing to this spiced cookie adventure.
Ms. Belle Summer, Year 9 Food Technology
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Indonesian Language.
On Saturday, March 14th, the Indonesian Consulate in Melbourne hosted a special ceremony to recognise high-achieving students from the previous year who attained a raw score of 40 and above in Indonesian. This inaugural event highlighted the Consulate’s commitment to celebrating academic excellence and fostering a strong connection with Indonesian language learners.
Students were formally acknowledged for their achievements and presented with certificates by the Consul General of Indonesia, Bapak Yohannes Jatmiko Heru Prasetyo.
The day was not only about achievement, but also about experiencing Indonesian culture. Students took part in an interactive angklung workshop, learning to play the traditional bamboo instrument from West Java, followed by a delicious lunch of yellow rice and a variety of authentic Indonesian dishes.
Approximately 40 students, accompanied by their parents, attended the ceremony. We are proud that Megan S, Chloe L, and Aimeely T represented our school at this prestigious event. We hope this inspiring event continues to grow, and we look forward to seeing even more of our students celebrated in the years ahead.
Ms. Sue Sumarno, Indonesian Language
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International Women’s Day Breakfast.
Imagine a perfect start to the day… For many, this would involve delicious food, entertainment, and socialisation. Therefore, one could say the International Women's Day (IWD) celebration at Mac. Rob was quite the perfect morning for many!
At Mac. Rob, we decided to celebrate this special day by honouring all the amazing women in our school and the external community as we hosted a grand breakfast! Tables were bustling with guests from our community partnership companies, representatives from fellow schools, and family members of our current students. Many of our Palladians, the alumni, also attended!
However, members of the Palladians association were not only guests but also key contributors to making this event come to life. For example, the speakers of the evening, Jenn Ten Seldam, Michelle Vuong (Mac.Rob Foundation Treasurer), and Lauren Solly (Palladians Association President), were all accomplished Palladians themselves! It was so insightful to hear Jenn’s presentation, which taught us how the key to success is adding value for others. Michelle and Lauren also provided us with very useful advice about dealing with challenges as women in the workplace, advice transferable to many walks of our lives.
Overall, this event was a huge success. The food was delicious. The speakers were fabulous. Also, the connections made with those from the community were unforgettable!
To be a part of this amazing day next year, ensure to book your tickets quickly as they sell like hotcakes!
Antara A, Palladians Representative
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Be Like Her LIVE FM.
March 26th was an incredibly special day for the past and present Mac.Rob school community. To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Student Leadership Team were involved in creating Mac.Rob’s very own radio show, Be Like Her, that streamed on Live FM on March 17th. We interviewed 8 notable Palladians: Phuong Tram, Kirsty Altis-Downie, Rebecca Dickinson, Bihn An (Anne) Trung, Kaneeka Gajendra, Leila Marimuthu, Jen Wong, and Jenny Luu! We not only learned about their various different career pathways, but also how they overcame racial, cultural and gender barriers in their lives, and we truly aspire to Be Like them.
Under the guidance of Ralph Barba from Live FM, the training day helped the SLT hone their improvisation skills, and learn how to execute more dynamic, passionate radio shows! The training workshop was truly a blast, and according to Ralph, we can now be radio show hosts!
“Be Like Her really taught me that first impressions are really misleading. When you ask a person questions and understand them on a whole different level, you will unveil a whole different person.” - Antara 12 F
Thank you so much to everyone who participated and tuned into the podcast! Special thanks to the Palladians Association, and Ms. Ziyad, the Community Partnerships Project Manager.
Rutvi D, Palladians Representative
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Women in the Law Panel.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we had the wonderful opportunity to attend a panel featuring three accomplished lawyers: Jane Warren, Georgia Sands, and Zeina Alhalabi. Each shared valuable insights into their unique careers, offering us not only a deeper understanding of a job in law but also of the diverse pathways within the field of law.
Throughout the session, legal studies students and other students alike asked a number of thoughtful and insightful questions, sparking discussions about pathways into law, the differences between barristers and solicitors, emotional components involved in the job and even the impact of AI on the legal profession. The panel emphasised the complexities of the Australian legal system and enforced the importance of legal professionals in upholding justice.
Overall the event was both inspiring and informative! All three speakers served as strong role models demonstrating dedication and a commitment to make a meaningful impact. They encouraged those who were already considering pursuing a career in law to continue chasing that dream, while also broadening the perspectives of those who were not, deepening their understanding of the justice system and the vital role legal professionals play in society.
Maya S (12G)
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Anastasia Excursion.
Earlier this term, our VCE Music, History: Revolutions, and Theatre Studies classes went on an excursion to watch the world-famous Anastasia: The Musical performed at the Regent Theatre, on Wednesday, February 18th (also the anniversary of the Putilov Factory strike).
Students were able to see live theatre, hear an orchestral performance and engage in critical thinking about creative decisions to produce a historically romanticised production, which was able to extend learning from their classes.
As Theatre Studies students, we were able to use the opportunity to analyse many elements of theatre composition - as well as seeing professional actors, set, and technical (sound/lighting) design. One of our teachers even pointed out how part of the set malfunctioned during the show, and required manual stage labour throughout the second act, and gave us insights into live theatre problem solving.
As History students, currently studying the Russian Revolution, seeing Anastasia: The Musical allowed us to gain insight into modern Western perspectives on historical events and political ideologies through a creative interpretation. We found the portrayal of the Bolsheviks particularly fascinating, and the excursion was a great prompt for some very interesting discussion within class! We eagerly discussed how our learning of the Russian Revolution, and the plight of the Russian people is largely omitted from the musical, which rather focused on the story of the Russian aristocracy who were eager to return to “the grand Imperial heyday.”
Macey E, Georgia M & Hermione N, VCE History & Theatre Students
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Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
As students warmed up into the school year, Inclusion hosted its annual Neurodiversity Celebration Week event. On Thursday March 19th, students came together to solve logic puzzles and riddles in L101 and L102 and share a lunchtime of discovery and fun. Additionally, a slideshow was shared on the same Thursday during connect for students to learn a little more about the history of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. We hope that this was a positive experience for all participants and was able to create positive engagement on our mission of celebration, advocacy, and education.
“This year, I had lots of fun planning and organising the Neurodiversity Celebration Week. As it is my first year at Mac.Rob, it was one of my first opportunities to engage and be a part of the community. The event itself was a chance for me to meet lots of new people and learn more about neurodiversity. Many people came to the event as well, and I hope that they were also able to gain new knowledge and perspectives.” - Jessie T, Inclusion Committee Member
“The room that day had an infectious excitement that we were extremely honored to be a part of and help facilitate. For much of the Committee, it was their first time participating in Inclusion events and being involved in the planning and execution of a lunchtime initiative. Seeing everyone take this task in stride and enthusiasm and make it such a special afternoon.” - Rebecca C, Inclusion Co-Captain