In this episode of 'dare to be more', host Anthony Perl speaks with Sonia Weston, Deputy Head of Junior School for Curriculum, and Natalie Hird, Deputy Head of Junior School for Operations, about the innovative approaches that create confident, curious learners in MLC School's Junior School.

Sonia shares her observations about the School's unique culture and how MLC School honours each developmental stage - from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 6 - ensuring that students aren't simply being prepared for the next level, but are fully engaged in rich learning experiences appropriate to where they are right now.

The conversation explores the complementary nature of Sonia and Natalie's roles, with Natalie overseeing day-to-day operations including timetabling, staffing, compliance, NAPLAN, and the extensive co-curricular program, whilst Sonia works collaboratively with grade teams to design curriculum, embed differentiation, and implement assessments. Together, they ensure both operational excellence and innovative teaching approaches work seamlessly.

Natalie describes MLC School's commitment to going beyond the mandatory curriculum, with Italian language learning from Kindergarten, a unique Language Carousel program in Year 6 where girls experience Mandarin, Japanese and French, and universal instrumental music from Year 1. She emphasises the School's focus on STEM education, explaining how vital it is for a girls' school to dedicate significant time and energy to subjects where girls have traditionally lacked confidence - mathematics, science and engineering - starting from Pre-Kindergarten with age-appropriate lessons.

The episode includes a delightful example of this approach in action: Sonia describes a Kindergarten STEM lesson where girls studying 'The Three Little Pigs' built houses from different materials, tested them by blowing them down, compared data about which materials worked best, and engaged in rich conversations linking literacy, vocabulary, science, engineering and mathematics - demonstrating how MLC School gamifies learning whilst maintaining academic rigour.

Both educators discuss the School's thoughtful approach to technology, how MLC School keeps parents informed and involved through multiple touchpoints throughout the year, and how the School manages personalised learning at scale through evidence-based screening tools and close work with the Learning Enhancement Department and High Potential team.

The episode highlights MLC School's unique Year 6 model, where students are based on the Senior School campus, learning from specialist Senior School teachers in subjects like visual arts and languages, creating a seamless transition to Year 7.

The conversation concludes with both educators reflecting on what 'dare to be more' means to them - Sonia describing it as embracing discomfort and challenge as part of growth, hoping that teachers and leaders model this for students by stretching themselves and taking on new challenges, whilst Natalie connects it to MLC School's 140-year history of preparing women for university and the School's values of courage, growth and justice.

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Host: Anthony Perl

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In this episode of 'dare to be more', host Anthony Perl speaks with Daniel Sandral, Head of Junior School, and Joanna Graffen, Head of Senior School, about why girls' schools are more important than ever before in today's educational landscape.

Daniel, who has worked in co-educational, boys', and girls' schools, shares his perspective on how single-sex education eliminates gender-based stereotypes from the earliest years. He explains how girls in all-girls environments receive full teacher attention and opportunities without the natural dominance that boys often exhibit in co-educational settings, allowing them to explore all subjects freely - from robotics to engineering - without societal limitations.

The conversation explores how this foundation of confidence building continues through Senior School, where Joanna describes seeing full physics classes, robust engineering programs, and strong female leadership as the norm. She shares how MLC School graduates often report that when they enter university or the workforce, it simply doesn't occur to them to step behind a boy, because leadership has been normalised throughout their education.

Daniel and Joanna discuss MLC School's recent third-place finish in the National RoboCup competition as an example of what girls achieve when given equal access to STEM opportunities. They also address the importance of safe spaces during the challenging teenage years, emphasising that while MLC School students engage with boys through co-curricular activities, debates, and musical pursuits, having a girls-only school environment allows them to develop strong peer relationships and emotional resilience without additional social pressures.

The episode explores how girls in single-sex schools stay involved in sports significantly longer, the developmental appropriateness of tailoring education to where girls actually are in their growth journey, and MLC School's powerful legacy as one of the first schools to send women to university. Joanna describes the annual Sapphires' Lunch, where graduates from 50+ years ago return to celebrate their connection to this community of strong women.

The conversation concludes with both educators reflecting on the School's "dare to be more" philosophy.

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Host: Anthony Perl

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In this episode of Dare to Be More, host Anthony Perl speaks with Principal Lisa Moloney and Deputy Principal Melissa Boyd about MLC School's approach to developing the "whole girl" through a balanced education that extends beyond academics.

Lisa and Melissa explain the school's guiding principle that "the MLC School girl is at the heart of everything we do," and how this shapes decision-making across all aspects of school life. Melissa, who oversees co-curricular programs, camps, immersions, and service learning, describes how these opportunities help students develop both competence and confidence.

The conversation explores MLC School's extensive co-curricular program, which offers over 80 different activities ranging from music and sports to robotics and cadets. Melissa shares how these programs evolve based on student interests, highlighting the school's new all-girls cadet unit—one of only three in Australia—where "girls lead girls" in developing leadership skills.

Lisa discusses the school's renowned music program and how participation in activities like music helps build community, develop persistence, and teach students that improvement comes through practice and dedication. Both educators emphasize that involvement in diverse activities not only creates well-rounded individuals but often leads to stronger academic outcomes.

The episode concludes with Lisa and Melissa sharing their personal interpretations of the school's motto, "Dare to Be More," describing it as both an invitation to try new things at the individual level and a call to action that permeates the entire school community.