Principal’s Update | February, 2026.
Principal’s Update.
__________
A Vibrant Start to Term 1.
Dear Families and Friends,
Welcome back to the 2026 school year! It has been an exhilarating start to the term, filled with energy, achievement, and a palpable sense of community. Our corridors are once again buzzing with the sounds of learning and laughter as we settle into the rhythm of the year.
Here is a snapshot of the highlights from our first few weeks:
__________
A Foundation of Quality and Culture.
Before our students arrived, our staff returned for two days of intensive professional learning and collaborative planning. This time is vital for ensuring our teaching teams are aligned and inspired to deliver the best possible outcomes for your children.
We officially commenced the school year with a deeply moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Led by Bunurong community members Lakesisha Clayton and James Brown, the ceremony provided a moment of reflection and connection to the land we learn on, setting a respectful tone for the months ahead.
__________
Welcoming Our Year Levels.
Our Year 9s and 12s were the first to grace the campus:
Year 9: Students enjoyed a seamless transition, culminating in a Parent Welcome and afternoon tea. It was wonderful to see so many families meeting their child’s Connect teacher and building those essential home-school partnerships.
Year 12: Our seniors hit the ground running with an inspirational day focused on team building and goal setting—crucial preparation for the milestone year ahead.
__________
Academic and Creative Excellence.
Our International Baccalaureate (IB) students continue to reach incredible heights. At the recent Victorian and Tasmanian IB-DP Awards Ceremony, an outstanding 9 out of 13 of our students were recognized for achieving scores of 40 or more.
Furthermore, the Victorian and Tasmanian IB-DP Art Show opened on February 12th at Glen Eira Town Hall. We are immensely proud to have had two of our students’ works selected for display; their creativity and technical skill were truly on par with the best in the region.
__________
Community Spirit in Action.
House Swimming Carnival: The energy at MSAC was electric! It was a joy to see a sea of house colors and hear the roar of support from the stands. A massive congratulations to Nereids for taking home the trophy this year!
Leadership Expo: Our student portfolio and club leaders hosted a fantastic expo, showcasing the diverse range of extracurricular activities available. It was great to see so many students signing up to get involved.
School Photos: Everyone looked their absolute best, and we look forward to sharing these memories with you soon.
__________
A Century of Shared History.
On Wednesday, February 18th, I had the pleasure of attending the Centenary of the Turning of the Sod at Melbourne High School. This landmark event was attended by many alumni and distinguished guests, featuring a powerful address by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC.
It was a significant moment to reflect on our schools' shared heritage. Before the move to Forest Hill, Mac.Rob and Melbourne High School were not two separate entities, but a single co-educational school located in Spring Street. Celebrating this milestone reminds us of the deep historical roots and the enduring bond that exists between our two Victorian educational icons.
It gives me pause to consider what our 100 year celebrations might look like in a few years time.
__________
Building Connections at Lord Somers.
The Year 9 Camp was a standout success. Students headed to Lord Somers Camp for a week of adventurous fun and connection-building. These experiences are pivotal for fostering resilience and new friendships. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff who gave up their time away from their own families to facilitate this important transition event.
It has been a privilege to witness such a positive start to 2026. Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community.
Keep an eye out for a full Camp report in the next newsletter!
__________
Improving Our Learning Environment.
We are thrilled to have started the year in our newly renovated Kingsway building. These upgrades have transformed the space into a warm, modern, and pleasant environment for all. Students are already making great use of:
The brand-new Science Lab, providing a high-tech space for practical discovery.
The dedicated Wellbeing and Careers spaces, designed to be welcoming and private.
We have also focused on our outdoor spaces, providing new chairs and umbrellas throughout the school to offer better shade and comfort.
A Note of Gratitude: These improvements are a direct result of our community's generosity. A huge thank you to the Parents Association for their fundraising efforts that purchased the umbrellas. Furthermore, parents contributed close to $33,000 in donations to the Building Fund, which allowed us to achieve a significantly higher standard for the new science lab. We are most appreciative of your support.
__________
Upcoming: International Women’s Day Breakfast.
We are excited to hold our annual International Women’s Day Breakfast later this year (Friday, March 20th) to ensure the event is inclusive of the Ramadan festival. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring your child along to hear the stories of our alumni and explore future workforce trends.
Our guest speaker is Jenn ten Seldam, who will present "Balancing the Scales: Why Effort Isn’t Enough." Jenn will challenge the myth of meritocracy and share how marketing-style thinking can catapult a career. Following her talk, our School Captains (Raga and Salma) and SRC Co-Presidents (Leah and Mia) will facilitate a panel discussion with:
Jenn ten Seldam
Lauren Solly (Paladian's President)
Michelle Vuong (Treasurer of the Mac.Rob Foundation)
This morning is always a beautiful demonstration of our community and all of its diversity, and it is a wonderful bonding experience with your child; it is a terrific breakfast too. Hurry, tickets are selling fast; click here for yours.
__________
Mac.Rob Foundation Update.
The Mac.Rob Foundation has been busy supporting our students, awarding many Starting School and Starting Tertiary bursaries at the turn of the year.
Applications have now opened for:
Anna Bradbury Little Arts Scholarships - Years 10-12
Visual arts x 2, Music x 2, Writing x 2, Drama x 2
Open Bursary Category
For more information and to apply, please visit the Mac.Rob Foundation Website.
__________
Developing Future Leaders: The Junior Leadership Program (JLP).
In the spirit of our shared history, we are currently mid-way through an exciting collaboration with Melbourne High School. Over 100 Year 10 students are participating in a six-week Junior Leadership Program, facilitated by our talented alumni.
Alumni Mentorship: We have a "bumper cohort" of over 30 group leaders. In a wonderful full-circle moment, former JLP participants and school leaders, such as Harshi Meenakshisundaram and Oliver Down, have returned as mentors.
Rigorous Curriculum: The program covers leadership fundamentals—communication styles, ethics, and personality types—that mirror MBA-level units.
Self-Reflection: For the first time, students are using Learning Journals to privately record their growth.
Celebration: We look forward to seeing the cohorts come together at the Unicorn Club on March 18th.
Warm regards,
Sue Harrap | Principal
What’s On at Mac.Rob.
International Women’s Day Breakfast 2026.
Friends, families, and students of Mac.Rob are warmly invited to join us for our annual International Women's Day Breakfast, as we reflect on progress, call for change, and celebrate the courage and determination of those who have changed the face of gender equality. Held in the historic Mac.Rob Hall, the IWD breakfast brings together leaders and changemakers who are redefining innovation – creating new social, economic and cultural codes for a gender equal future, and connecting our vibrant community with our students, staff, and families.
UN Women Australia’s International Women’s Day theme for 2026 is “Balance the Scales”, and aims to highlight the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.
Our special guest speaker for 2026 is Jenn ten Seldam, an inspirational and transformational leader who has built an executive career in both APAC and global executive roles. Mac.Rob graduates know how to work hard. But in the real world, success is not determined by output alone.
Jenn will challenge the myth of meritocracy and explore how applying marketing thinking to your professional interactions can vastly enhance your influence and catapult your career. Jenn is a former Mac.Robbian (1992-1995), and a 2024 inductee to the Mac.Rob Portrait Gallery.
Our Q&A guest panellists include:
Jenn ten Seldam | IWD Guest Speaker
Lauren Solly | Human Resources Manager / Palladians President
Michelle Vuong | Finance Director / Mac.Rob Foundation Treasurer
Please join us for our annual International Women’s Day Breakfast, held in the historic Mac.Rob Hall, as we bring together leaders and changemakers who are redefining innovation – creating new social, economic and cultural codes for a gender equal future, and help us raise much needed funds to accelerate gender equality.
__________
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BREAKFAST | 2026
When: Friday, March 20th, 2025 | 8:00am - 10:00am
Formalities commence at 8:15am; please allow time to arrive and be seated prior to 8:15am.
Where: The Mac.Rob Hall, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, 350–370 Kings Way, Melbourne, 2004
Tickets: $65.00 full / $35 student & concession, per person.
Ticket price includes breakfast, tea, coffee and juice, keynote speaker, and Q&A session.
The International Women's Day Breakfast is an inclusive event for all members of our Mac.Rob community. Students, families, alumni, and friends of all genders are warmly welcome to attend. There is no limit to the number of tickets that families can purchase.
We invite all Year 9 families to join us for a series of free, informative online webinars designed to provide you with practical tools, research-informed strategies, and meaningful provocations to help you support your Mac.Robbian at home.
Each of the five online sessions, running Monday evenings throughout Terms 1 and 2, will link to the Mac.Rob Learner Model and other schoolwide learning and wellbeing initiatives. While parents are the primary audience, your child is warmly welcome to join you.
These interactive, discussion-based sessions will be facilitated by Sam Crocket (Assistant Principal; Teaching & Learning) and Dr. Bridget McPherson (Head of Wellbeing & Engagement).
We’re certain that each session of “Supporting Your Mac.Robbian” will be a great way to ask questions about our school, connect with other new families, and gain a better understanding of how to support your student through their time at Mac.Rob.
➲ To RSVP your place, follow the links on Compass and register by Friday, March 14th.
Student Highlights.
__________
IB Community Update.
We are incredibly proud of our 2025 IB cohort, who were recognised at the IB Victoria and Tasmania Academic Excellence Awards at Federation Square on 10 February. In 2025, 9 of our 13 students achieved a score of 40 or above, placing them among the top performers across VIC and TAS. Seeing our students celebrated alongside the highest achievers in the state was a wonderful moment for our whole community.
A heartfelt thank‑you goes to our dedicated IB teaching team, whose expertise, care, and commitment supported our students throughout their journey. Their success reflects the strong learning culture within our IB community, and we look forward to seeing our students continue to GROW as they take their next steps.
__________
Hinamatsuri Display at the Front Office.
To celebrate Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) on 3 March, our Year 12 Japanese students have set up a beautiful traditional doll display near the front office. Hinamatsuri is a long‑standing Japanese celebration wishing health, happiness, and growth for girls. Our display is especially meaningful, as each tier of the doll set was gifted to us by our sister school in Japan over the past eight years, with one stage arriving each year until the full collection was completed. This display is a celebration of our school community and our ongoing cultural connection. We hope everyone enjoys it.
Mr. Shungo Sawaki