Vol. 58 / May 2017 the Official Magazine of the Alliance Of
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VOL. 58 / MAY 2017 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALLIANCE OF GIRLS’ SCHOOLS AUSTRALASIA Loretta Wholley, Principal, Merici College College Merici Principal, Wholley, Loretta Canberra, trains like an astronaut during the Alliance’s combined schools Space Space schools combined Alliance’s the Vol. 58 School program School COVER IMAGE Staff wellbeing and professional development IN ALLIANCE MAY 2017 FROM THE PRESIDENT MIDDLE LEADERS Fran Reddan School culture 8. The Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia 102/239 Golden Four Drive Bilinga Qld 4225 Australia (t) +61 7 5521 0749 (e) [email protected] (w) www.agsa.org.au MANAGING EDITOR Loren Bridge LEAD LEARNER Executive Officer CORDELIA FINE (e) [email protected] Who? Why? How? 11. Testosterone Rex (m) +61 408 842 445 PRESIDENT Fran Reddan Mentone Girls’ Grammar School, VIC VICE PRESIDENT Ros Curtis St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, QLD TREASURER MADONNA KING DIARY DATES Jenny Ethell Perth College, WA Being 14 26. 2017 Alliance events EXECUTIVE Vivienne Awad Domremy College, NSW Jacqueline Barron St Hilda’s Collegiate School, NZ Dr Mary Cannon Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, VIC Judith Tudball St Michael’s Collegiate School, TAS Dr Briony Scott Wenona, NSW Julia Shea St Peter’s Girls’ School, SA The Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia is a not for profit organisation which ALLIANCE PATRONS advocates for and supports the distinctive work of girls’ schools in their provision of unparalleled opportunities for girls. Dame Jenny Shipley DNZM Gail Kelly www.agsa.org.au Elizabeth Broderick AO COLLEGIALITY, CONNECTION AND of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander cultures PRINCIPAL IN RESIDENCE the Alliance’s Student Leadership Conference (SLC) through the ‘Yarning Up’ trips to remote communities. annually in January. Over 160 student leaders come CAREER OPPORTUNITIES An added benefit of these life-changing trips has ST CUTHBERT’S COLLEGE, AUCKLAND together for four days to grow as leaders and several FROM THE PRESIDENT been the linking of education and corporate staff, NEW ZEALAND delegates have been so impressed with the campus presenting some outstanding forums for discussion facilities they’ve undertaken their tertiary study elcome to the May edition of In Alliance and understanding. ust 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise on the at Bond. Bond scholarships and the university’s commitment to women in leadership are evident and Our World Challenge partners have opened up where we focus on two areas that are Queensland coast you’ll find Australia’s only consistently shared via social media. of critical importance to successful the world even further, bringing members together privately funded university — Bond University. I schools: staff wellbeing and professional to venture overseas and consider the world through can proudly confirm from personal experience that The benefits of the high touch, collegiate the lens of women’s issues. Familiarisation tours to undergraduate experience has also been realised development. Cambodia and Sri Lanka have opened our eyes to Bond is unique and easily lives up to its marketing in recent years for indigenous students. Bond’s W the challenges women face in developing countries, Jmaterial. As New Zealand’s first principal to live in as reputation in this space is growing and the bright, as well as to how professional tour leaders help part of Bond’s Principal In Residence Program I could young Indigenous students are well supported in an participants engage in the experience for maximum both observe and experience the Bond difference, ably environment that is fostering their academic growth learning, friendship and fun. led by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Brailsford. and personal maturity. The intimacy of Bond is a real drawcard for them as shown by the high indigenous Even further afield, and aligned with our support student retention rates. of STEM initiatives, selected staff in member schools My In Residence brief was twofold: to observe have been able to accompany student groups to the value of Bond’s collegiate, wrap around student NASA. Not only do they get to learn about all that experience and to identify, where possible, business NASA has to offer, but they enjoy a two-day staff opportunities or challenges. Bond University development program designed specifically for accelerates students with three full semesters a year, educators. You can tell that this experience has an however there is so much more to Bond in addition impact when staff come home with a space suit! to completing qualifications in a shorter timeframe. While high quality student academic outcomes are a For those schools interested in fundraising and Providing our members with access to high key staff focus, Bond’s CORE Program also targets philanthropy, our AskRIGHT partners have provided quality opportunities for professional learning has soft skills development. For over 25 years parents discounts on workshops and seminars, supporting always been one of the Alliance’s strategic priorities. have loved what the Bond CORE program delivers for member schools in the challenging work of raising Indeed, this has contributed to our members’ sense their children, while employers are also increasingly financial and community support for projects as 4 of wellbeing. Why? Because they know that they seeking soft skills as part of the graduate package. well as strengthening alumnae relations. Their have an organisation that supports them while they Advancement Tours to the UK and the US provide Bond’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Pathways and contribute to girls’ education, regardless of the sector Take home Bond University material illustrates 5 Alliance members with immersive experiences to deep Partnerships, Catherine O’Sullivan, leads a motivated in which they work. They also enjoy the collegiality, the importance of relationships, connections, dive into the art and science of philanthropy and to staff team and says that internal and external connection and career opportunities that the network mentoring and quality support. Photographs of new develop important leadership skills in this area. relationships are key to a Bond education. Bond’s brings, whether through local branch events, national proposition that it’s all about the journey and bringing friends from multiple backgrounds living and learning conferences or international forums. Importantly, growing the next generation of out the best in highly employable graduates, is very in a caring, wrap around environment are typical of leaders in girls’ schools has been a key imperative. what I observed and experienced and I am only sorry Through their seminars, many staff have had obvious when on campus. Students are personally I can’t return to study full time as a ‘Bondy’ this year. their ‘leadership spark’ ignited and developed the We have had great feedback about the work of welcomed, strategically mentored, consistently knowledge, skills and confidence to step up to their our partners, CIRCLE, in the area of leadership monitored, supported and encouraged to achieve I totally endorse the Principal In Residence Program next leadership role. The new Empowering Leaders development. Through their seminars, many their best results and this can’t be claimed by many to anyone approached to participate. Be prepared to course, commencing July 2017, aims to develop staff have had their ‘leadership spark’ ignited and universities worldwide. be very impressed. developed the knowledge, skills and confidence this further. As a corporate partner supporting the Alliance of ROZ MEXTED to step up to their next leadership role. The new Girls’ Schools Australasia, Bond successfully hosts PRINCIPAL AND BOND UNIVERSITY FELLOW FOR 2017 Since our first conference in the 1900s, we have Empowering Leaders course, commencing July 2017, strived to deliver the latest research, trends and aims to develop this further. information about issues impacting girls’ schools. We have been proactive in collaborating with universities THIS YEAR, WE ARE EMBARKING ON AN EXCITING PROCESS to expand our research knowledge base, and the work we are investing in through projects with The OF STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR THE University of Queensland, Monash University and NEXT FOUR YEARS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTRIBUTE, SO BOND UNIVERSITY other tertiary links helps to give the Alliance, and THAT TOGETHER, WE MAY ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE BEST therefore our members, the leading edge when it MEMBERSHIP ORGANISATION TO SUPPORT THE VITAL WORK TWILIGHT OPEN DAY comes to all matters related to educating girls. OF GIRLS’ SCHOOLS. SATURDAY, 22 JULY, 2017 We have also partnered with like-minded 2PM - 6PM organisations that enable us to deliver some I hope you enjoy this edition of In Alliance and I extraordinary professional learning opportunities. thank all our contributors for sharing their practical and theoretical perspectives, knowledge and insights. Through our strong partnership with Bond It is this sharing that gives us quality opportunities to University, we have been able to offer a unique continue our professional learning, to reflect on our ‘Principal in Residence’ program on the university bond.edu.au/openday own practice, and to enhance our wellbeing through campus, allowing principals and tertiary colleagues to the generosity and friendship of our network. share insights and experiences. We have also enabled CRICOS Provider Code 00017B great learning opportunities to deepen understanding FRAN REDDAN THE ALLIANCE OF GIRLS SCHOOLS AUSTRALASIA VOLUME 58