Principal’s Update | May, 2026.
Principal’s Update.
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Welcome to our first Term 2 Newsletter,
It has been an incredibly busy and productive end of Term 1 and the beginning of Term 2. We are proud to share the significant events and achievements that have shaped our school community.
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Prospective Student Information Night.
On March 26th, we welcomed approximately 750 guests over two sessions for our Prospective Student Information Night. Despite some wild weather that may have deterred a few, the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. For those who couldn't make it, a recording of the session is available on our website.
A special thank you to our student presenters who represented our school with such poise: Raga, Salma, Ndella, Lily, Aikantika, Theodora, Aashini, and Stephanie.
We have also been thrilled to share about our wonderful school community on the regular school tours that happen almost weekly at this time of the year. I am always immensely proud of the student volunteers who accompany me and share openly, honestly and articulately with prospective students and families.
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Photo by Olivia H, Pallas Photographer.
Live FM: Radio Production.
Our Community Partnerships Leader, Rehana Ziyad, organised another fantastic Live FM event on March 26th. This unique program allowed students to dive into the world of broadcasting, learning how to produce a radio program and honing their interview skills by speaking with our alumni through our connections with the Palladians Association.
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Duke of Edinburgh Camps.
Our Duke of Ed participants have been busy "stepping out of their comfort zones" during their overnight practice journeys on March 26th and April 30th. In a rare twist of fate, the weather remained beautiful for both trips—a welcome change for our outdoor adventurers!
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House Spirit: Celebrating the First Three Events of the Year.
We concluded Term 1 with our spectacular House Music event. It was a wonderful afternoon of creativity, collaboration, and healthy competition. Congratulations to Nereids for taking home the top prize and to all students for their incredible spirit.
The sun shone brightly for our annual Lap of the Lake on Wednesday, April 22nd. It was a fantastic afternoon of physical activity and school connection. It was particularly heartening to see our long-distance athletes showcase their talents and to see our staff members running alongside students in the spirit of health and community.
House Athletics was a huge day at the Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday, May 13th. Students were dressed up in House colours and there was record-breaking participation in the events. A huge congratulations to Emma Lionello for her leadership of the day, alongside our sports captains Chloe Lim and Yi-Jen Hsu, and the eight House Captains - Diya, Akiko, Tarenya, Gia, Ihaana, Jessica, Rosie and Calina. The Nereids are having a stellar year - also being declared victorious on the day.
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A New Approach to Learner Reports.
This term marked the launch of our new Learner Model-aligned Interim Reports. A key goal of our Annual Improvement Plan, these reports now include both student self-ratings and teacher ratings.
This dual approach encourages students to be meta-cognitive - thinking deeply about their own learning habits and setting specific goals for improvement. We hope these reports serve as a valuable conversation starter between students, teachers, and parents.
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Photo by Anya V, Pallas Photographer.
Musical Endeavours: Autumn Concert.
Our first concert for the year, the Autumn Concert on May 4th was a resounding success. Our talented musicians performed to a packed Hall of supportive family members. During the evening, a delicious cake stall—led by Kavitha, Jane, and our students — raised funds for our 2026 goal: purchasing a Baby Grand Piano for the school.
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Year 12 Formal.
Our Year 12 students enjoyed a glamorous evening at Leonda on the Yarra on Friday, May 1st. Dressed in their finest, the cohort danced the night away. A highlight of the evening was a surprise choreographed dance performed by the staff! We extend our gratitude to Miss Elli Rose and the Formal Committee for organising such a successful event.
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Photo by Lily J, Pallas Photographer.
Year 9 Legacy Service.
On Tuesday, May 5th, our Year 9 students participated in the annual Legacy Service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Performing alongside Melbourne High School, our students sang the National Anthem, Waltzing Matilda, and We Are Australian. A special mention goes to our School Captain, Raga Bhaduri, who delivered a deeply moving poetry recitation.
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Jazz Concert.
On Wednesday, May 20th, the Mac.Rob and Melbourne High School music students and staff treated us to a warm and relaxed evening of Jazz at the Memorial Hall at Melbourne High School. The collaboration between students and the diversity of the ensembles and their music selection was a joy for all present. Thank you to our music captains, Kaly and Isabel and the MHS music captains for facilitating the evening for us.
We look forward to the combined Big Sing on Thursday, June 4 at Mac.Rob and the combined Winter Concert at Hamer Hall on Monday, July 13th. I encourage you to purchase a ticket for the Winter Concert - it is truly phenomenal and it is in Melbourne’s premier concert hall.
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SRC Week.
The SRC team, led so capably by Mia McNamara and Leah Chan had a full-on week of engaging activities and events to bring the school community together in the first week of May. The multicultural parade, scavenger hunt, movie, talent show, trivia, and wellbeing expo were opportunities for students to connect, problem solve, relax, demonstrate leadership, and most importantly, have fun. We are incredibly proud of and grateful to the SRC teams across the school.
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Mac.Rob Foundation Scholarships.
It has been a busy time for the Mac.Rob Foundation, with several rounds of scholarships and bursaries over the past few months.
The board was delighted to award eight $1500 Anna Bradbury Little Arts Scholarships in four areas. Congratulations to the following recipients:
Reina Conway (Yr 12) - Written Arts
Mackenzie Li (Yr 11) - Written Arts
Tarenya Joshi (Yr 12) - Dramatic Arts
Grace Hughes (Yr 11) - Dramatic Arts
Jiya Pandya (Yr 10) - Visual Arts
Clara Chin (Yr 11) - Visual Arts
Isabel Baron Gonzaga (Yr 12) - Music Arts
Chern Xuan Kong (Yr 10) - Music Arts
The $1500 Academic Excellence Scholarship was awarded to Mackenzie Li (Yr 11) and Salma Fouad (Yr 12). We have also awarded the $1500 Helen Turner Bursary to a worthy student.
The Postgraduate/Graduate Scholarship is currently open for applications. See the Mac.Rob Foundation website for further details and for information about upcoming scholarships and bursaries.
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A Night of Legacy & Inspiration: The 2026 Portrait Gallery Induction.
On the evening of Thursday, May 14th, the Mac.Rob Hall was transformed into a space of pride, history, and inspiration for the 2026 Portrait Gallery Induction Ceremony, a joint School Council, Palladians Association and Mac.Rob Foundation event. This prestigious evening celebrated seven extraordinary ex-Mac.Robbians whose life stories beautifully reflect the school's core ethos of Potens Sui, being the architects of their own destinies. Guided seamlessly by our student MC, Raga Bhaduri, Salma Fouad, Leah Chan, and Mia McNamara—the night was a moving testament to a legacy of leadership.
It was lovely to welcome the families, friends, and returning alumni, as well as current students and families to share in this evening.
This year’s inductees represent an incredibly diverse pathways: Renaissance scholar Professor Dale Kent; academic author Millicent (Boba) Vladiv Glover; trailblazing barrister Olyvia Nikou KC; strategic advisor Dr Vicky Au; leadership facilitator Gayle Hardie; and reconstructive surgeon Dr Sally Ng. Joining the celebration online from China was diplomat Meaghan Shaw. Each inductee shared powerful, heartfelt insights from their winding paths, proving to current Mac.Robbians that life is rarely linear and that true success requires resilience, tenacity, and grit.
Interspersed with beautiful musical interludes by student flautists, the evening also highlighted our community’s enduring support, including a message from the Mac.Rob Foundation and an address by Palladians President Lauren Solly.
These portraits are much more than mere images on a wall. We hope these faces whisper stories of courage to our students for years to come, inspiring them to lift their gaze, stretch their horizons, and remain relentlessly curious.
Please go to the Mac.Rob Foundation website, where you will find an online version of the Portrait Gallery and you can read more about the stories of these remarkable graduates and many more.
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Mac.Rob’s Great Work Recognised: Shortlisted Finalists in the Australian Education Awards.
I conclude my contribution to this Newsletter with the exciting news that Mac.Rob’s outstanding educational environment, with our unerring focus on student learning growth and wellbeing, has been recognised at this year’s Australian Education Awards.
We are one of six finalists for the Government Secondary School category.
We will find out the outcome at an awards ceremony in Sydney in August, but suffice to say it is a significant achievement to be nominated as a finalist. Congratulations to all members of the community (students, staff, parents and partners) for the part that you play every day in building a strong sense of community and in striving to make progress in learning, wellbeing and leadership. The work we do together is meaningful and impactful.
I hope you enjoy reading about the enriching experiences and opportunities showcased in this Newsletter.
Until next time,
Sue Harrap | Principal
Supporting Your Mac.Robbian.
This year, we began a new initiative to welcome our Year 9 families and strengthen the partnership between school and home. Supporting Your Mac.Robbian involved five online discussions with families about how we can best support our students’ wellbeing, self-regulation, resilience, study strategies and growth mindset.
Each session focused on a different aspect of the Mac.Rob Learner Model and helped parents develop a shared language with the school around challenge, feedback, independence and effective learning habits.
A highlight for us has been hearing about the amazing work our parents do every day to support their children to feel well and learn at their best. We are so fortunate to have a community of families who value a well-rounded education and prioritise the wellbeing of their children.
It has been inspiring to be part of the first iteration of this program, and we look forward to running it again soon.
Dr. Bridget McPherson, Head of Wellbeing and Engagement & Mr. Sam Crocket, Assistant Principal
What’s On at Mac.Rob.
Winter Concert 2026 | Save the Date.
Mac.Rob and Melbourne High School are proud to present their annual combined Winter Concert! Featuring a sensational program of classical and contemporary music performed by students of both schools, the Winter Concert is the highlight of the musical calendar, and not to be missed! Families and friends of both schools are warmly invited to attend this event. Tickets on sale soon, so save the date!
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WINTER CONCERT | 2026
When: Monday, July 13th
Where: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Tickets will be on sale soon. Check Compass and the next newsletter for more information.
CombinedPlay: “TheVisit” | Save the Date.
Friends, family, and community members of Mac.Rob and Melbourne High School are warmly invited to save the date for the 2026 Combined School Play, The Visit!
Welcome to the town of Guellen, a non-distinct European town in an unnamed, fictional country. Guellen is poor, run-down, and unable to keep their factories running due to lack of funds. However, hope is on the horizon! One of the wealthiest women in the world, Claire Zachanassian, is returning to her impoverished hometown of Guellen and the townsfolk are hoping that she might make a generous donation…
The Visit, written by Swiss-German playwright, Friedrich Dürrenmatt, is a darkly satirical and tragic comedy that explores justice, vengeance and moral decay.
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COMBINED SCHOOL PLAY: “THE VISIT”
When: July 31st - August 8th | 4 Shows Only
Where: Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School
Tickets will be on sale soon. Check Compass and the next newsletter for more information.
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.
With almost a centenary of history to its name, the true value of our history isn’t contained in the age of our buildings - it’s in the stories of the people who learn, grow, and connect within them. This is why Pallas, Mac.Rob’s annual magazine, is so important to both understanding and preserving our school’s history and identity. In this episode, we explore the history of our school - from the culture of the traditional owners of the land it stands on, to its conception as part of Victoria’s first public school, to its iconic current form - as well as Pallas magazine: The official record of life at Mac.Rob.
Listen to Mac.Rob Explained | Pallas: Mac.Rob’s History on SoundCloud.
Student Highlights.
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School Captain Update.
We’re already five weeks into the Term and boy has it been a fun few weeks! We started the Term off with a whole school assembly. We shared key reminders of showing compassion to those around you as well as responsibility for yourself and your actions in this busy term.
Our first week back was certainly one to remember with our annual Lap of the Lake taking place! It was incredible to see the Mac.Rob spirit take over Albert Park Lake. Well done to absolutely everyone involved and of course Oreads (the best House) for taking home the win. Whether you were walking, jogging, running or dancing your way through, we hope you had so much fun!
The following Friday, our Year 12s were the epitome of glitz and glam for Formal! The night was filled with laughter, love, and lots and lots of dancing. The cohort looked absolutely beautiful and the night was a great little break from a big term ahead for the Class Of 2026. The formal couldn’t have happened without the immense hard work from our Formal Committee, thank you for creating a beautiful night to remember!
Our SLT has also been hard at work. We celebrated SRC Week with lots of initiatives and lunchtime events to celebrate the commitment to student voice and agency at our school. Our Palladian Student Representatives inducted a Shark Tankevent on the Term 2 calendar which saw future entrepreneurs showcase their ideas to tackle different global issues.
House Athletics was also a blast, with so many of our Mac.Robbians putting a hand up and giving different events a go. Whether you were cheering or participating, thank you for making it such a fun day out! A big congratulations to Nereids for taking home the trophy!
We’re nearly halfway through the term and there’s still a lot to look forward to! The Connect Fam is cooking up an exciting lunchtime event and our other portfolios have a plethora of fun events lined up for you. Term 2 is a busy one, but a fun one too!
As always please spend time doing things that make you happy and look after yourself, and the people around you!
Raga Bhaduri (School Captain) & Salma Fouad (Vice Captain)
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Top Arts Excursion.
The Top Arts 2026 excursion was an eye-opening, inspirational experience that informed my understanding of art tremendously. We visited Viva Gibb City Gallery, where we stepped back in time to view monochromatic shots of people’s everyday life in West and North Melbourne. This was followed by the opportunity to speak to painter John Junor and admire his exhibition, Lent, that portrayed the story of Easter. We finished at the Top Arts Gallery, where the VCE Class of 2025 students amazed us with their beautiful, innovative works and Folios that provided a new level of clarity and inspiration to my own creative process. I highly enjoyed this excursion and would strongly recommend it to any future Art VCE students.
Ingrid, AME Unit 3/4
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Philosophy at Mac.Rob.
Year 10 Philosophy is a unique course that focuses on the art of communication from mythos to logos, that is, students learn about traditional, modern and contemporary myths and their function in society before they learn how the Ancient Greeks moved to philosophical discourse. Students begin to argue philosophically and win arguments. But, preceding the unpacking of Homer’s Odyssey, students learn The Judgement of Paris which is the famous myth of how the Trojan War was ignited.
One of the powerful players is the wise Athena: Mac.Rob’s own patron. Jiya P (10F) brought the power of Athena to the House Athletics with her astonishing created costume. Just like the Ancient Greeks who believed Athena walked amongst the mortals as the goddess of good war and wisdom, Jiya wandered through the excitement of the friendly but competitive House Athletics.
Jiya embodied the spirit of Naiads in her amazing armour. It is impressive to see how Jiya constructed her iconic Athenian helmet to represent the power of our patron. We look forward to seeing where Athena pops up next.
Ms. Deborah Cordingley, Y10-VCE Philosophy Teacher
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Senior Basketball.
On Monday, May 18th, the Mac.Rob Senior Basketball teams headed to Dandenong for a full day of competition and teamwork. Even with assessments later that week, everyone came ready to play with enthusiasm and determination.
Across all games, both teams demonstrated great effort, sportsmanship, and skill. We worked well together as teams, and when one team wasn't playing, they were on the sidelines cheering on the other team. Our fast transitions and strong defensive and offensive pressure showed, with the A team placing overall second in the competition, where we lost only to Mentone Girls Secondary College, and tying with Albert Park College. The B team also performed strongly, taking on a number of highly competitive teams and never backing down from the challenge.
While the day was filled with competition, it was an amazing opportunity to represent Mac.Rob’s Senior Basketball team.