Vol. 52 / May 2014 the Official Magazine of the Alliance Of
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VOL. 52 / MAY 2014 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALLIANCE OF GIRLS’ SCHOOLS AUSTRALASIA College, Hong Kong, engaged in a Students from St Stephen’s Girls’ community art project to beautify to art project community the neighbourhood. the COVER IMAGE Vol.52 Engaging girls in the creative arts IN ALLIANCE MAY 2014 FROM THE PRESIDENT MEMBER PROFILE An update from Mount Camel College Judith Poole Hobart, Tasmania THE ALLIANCE OF GIRLS SCHOOLS AUSTRALASIA 102/239 Golden Four Drive Bilinga 4225 Qld Australia (t) +61 7 5521 0749 (e) [email protected] (w) www.agsa.org.au MANAGING EDITOR WORLD CHALLENGE MEMBER ARTICLES Shelford students visit (p.7-37) Engaging girls Loren Bridge South America in the creative arts Executive Officer (e) [email protected] (m) +61 408 842 445 PRESIDENT Judith Poole Abbotsleigh, NSW VICE PRESIDENT Roz Mexted RESEARCH REVIEW SLC IN 2014 Westlake Girls’ High School, The benefits of Student Leadership Auckland, NZ music participation Conference TREASURER Jenny Ethell Perth College, WA EXECUTIVE Vivienne Awad Domremy College, NSW BOND SCHOLARSHIP DIARY DATES Mary Cannon Awarded to Keep up to date with Canterbury Girls’ Secondary Robyn Kronenberg important events College, VIC Ros Curtis St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, QLD Tom Dorey St Mary’s College, TAS Fran Reddan Mentone Girls’ Grammar School, VIC Margaret Rouggos Kildare College, SA The Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia is a not for profit organisation which advocates for and supports the distinctive work of girls’ schools in their provision of unparalleled opportunities for girls. CONNECT WITH THE ALLIANCE www.agsa.org.au “Bossy” is not a word with positive connotations, MEMBER PROFILE: FROM THE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT nor does it describe good leadership. Yet it’s a word WELCOME that provides a succinct example of how language is MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, HOBART used in a gender-biased manner to discourage a girl his edition of In Alliance is themed engaging from assertively speaking her mind. The power of the ount Carmel College, situated in Sandy Bay, Hobart, is a Catholic school which was founded by the #banbossy campaign with its focus on gendered use girls in the creative arts and includes a of language and leadership for women is in its ability Sisters of Charity. Their efforts were instrumental in establishing schools and health services across the plethora of articles from our member schools. to remind men and women of all ages that leadership country. Mount Carmel College was established in 1942 on its current site, and continues the Charity Together they provide the opportunity to reflect is not a feminine or masculine quality. And sometimes ethos and traditions in the 21st century through commitment to first class learning programs, quality on the integral role of the arts in today’s leadership means taking charge of a situation and pastoral care, religious education and social justice programs. Teducational landscape. There is a considerable body of M research that describes the contribution arts programs Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE make to both academic and social and emotional FACING LEADERS OF GIRLS’ SCHOOLS? development. Our Research Review focuses on school As educators we want to provide the best possible music programs. It provides a comprehensive summary opportunities for the young people we work with to grow and flourish. We do that particularly well in single of current findings and highlights two case studies sex learning environments. At Mount Carmel, our girls’ with astounding results. only environment from Grade 3 to Year 10 supports The Alliance biennial conference, Creative Girls, girls to take intellectual risks and to focus on Creative Women, will offer educators an opportunity excellence in achievement. We understand that girls to hear from outstanding presenters on the topic of will thrive in a learning environment where they are creativity. This event will also offer interactive known, valued and affirmed. discussions and debates on the critical issues Q: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE THREE TOP ISSUES affecting educators and networking opportunities for teachers and leaders in girls’ education. Come FACING EDUCATORS OF GIRLS’ TODAY? and join us in Wellington, New Zealand, from Sunday Mental health issues affect one in five young 25 May through to Tuesday 27 May 2014. Easy Q&A WITH PRINCIPAL SUSAN RYAN adults, so a designated focus on wellbeing in schools registration is available from our website. making your voice heard - that’s a good thing, and if is an essential investment in long term health. I 4 done well, it’s not “bossy”. believe that we need to train young women to be As President I have the honour of representing girls’ Q: WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP MEAN TO YOU? resilient. Structured pastoral programs, opportunities schools in the media from time to time. Recently I have Educators of young women are acutely aware Leadership is intrinsically tied up with being part for reflection and meditation, a dedicated attention been asked of my opinion on the #Banbossy campaign that if we don’t empower young women to have a of a team or a community, knowing that group well 5 to teaching the skills and knowledge for intellectual in the USA. It is definitely worth a look at the video clip voice, then society loses half of its social capital. and then finding ways to empower the members of and moral growth should all be integrated into the created to share a message of the use of the word I encourage you to join the dialogue created by the community, so that everyone is working to their curriculum, in order to build confidence and positive ‘bossy’ with girls. this campaign and help to raise awareness about strengths. You can’t be a leader in isolation; you’ve got attitudes. My strong conviction is that student learning language use and its impact on young girls. to be amongst it, to listen, to understand what makes Facebook COO’s Sheryl Sandberg and Girl Scouts cannot be separated from student welfare. of the USA’s CEO Anna Maria Chávez recognise this in The Executive Committee continue to work on the place tick, to appreciate what makes it unique. A big issue currently is the impact of social media their Wall Street Journal article raising awareness of how strategic initiatives to support our mission, vision I believe to lead a school, you have to lead in shaping the self–image of young women. There’s a gendered use of language discourages girls to lead: and goals: with the heart. Nothing is more important than tremendous pressure for girls to compare themselves relationships; where relationships are nurtured, trust “When a little boy asserts himself, he’s called OUR MISSION and a spirit of collegiality will also flourish. Yes, with the contrived images that they are bombarded a ‘leader.’ Yet when a little girl does the same, she To advocate for and support the distinctive work leadership requires energy and vision, but it also with by the media. Our challenge as educators is to risks being branded ‘bossy’. Words like bossy send a of girls’ schools in their provision of unparalleled requires being open to possibilities. Good leaders are actively encourage young women to explore what is message: don’t raise your hand or speak up.” write the opportunities for girls. always looking for ways to facilitate opportunities for really important: to develop values for living, to identify proponents of the #banbossy campaign. “By middle growth and development. their own strengths and to become confident in who school, girls are less interested in leading than boys – a OUR VISION they are. That’s not an easy challenge, because external trend that continues into adulthood.” influences are presenting a very strong counter–message To be the leading voice for the advancement of Q: HOW HAS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE EVOLVED? that ‘success’ is linked exclusively to body image. Having been involved in girls’ education in Australia girls’ schools. I’ve been inspired in my teaching journey by some for over 25 years, this campaign caught my attention pretty amazing role models. The people who I’ve really Another challenge, an exciting one, is that curriculum with its broad message about the impact of language OUR STRATEGIC GOALS admired have taught me so much, and continue to do so. design for girls should encourage students to connect on young women’s belief in their capacity to lead. In our To promote the education of girls in girls’ schools One person of influence suggested to me several years learning to their world, think critically and problem girls’ schools we want to empower young women and through creating public awareness of the philosophy ago, that it was wise to go into the job with an open mind, solve creatively. provide them with opportunities to have a voice. and practice of girls’ schools. and when all the obvious opportunities to make changes presented themselves, to write them down on a big list, Q: WHO DO GIRLS LOOK TO AS ROLE MODELS Using the word ‘bossy’ to describe assertive To provide leadership in girls’ education through or opinionated women is one example of negative and keep that list safely stored in a bottom drawer for FOR LEADERSHIP? cutting–edge research and leadership development. language used, either consciously or by habit, to hold at least six months. I learnt from that person and others Life is just full of role models for our girls, and they women in more submissive roles in society. Alongside To ensure excellence in governance, continuing, that spending time getting to know people and forming learn from the virtues of many amazing women who have parents, educators have a responsibility to teach sustainable growth and professionalism in serving relationships is much more important than making large come before them: their mothers, their grandmothers, young women that empowerment is important, and members.