Despite not being physically present, it has been a busy and exciting week at Lowther Hall. Staff and students alike have been buzzing with the excitement generated by the Lowther Literary Festival and we have been privileged to have a number of author visits and special events to inspire and foster a love of reading within our community.

Last week, the Chaplain, the Deputy Principal and I attended the Anglican Schools Australia conference, a biennial event which brings together leaders of Anglican schools across the country for two days of professional learning, discussion and worship.

As we heard about the extension of lockdown 6.0 this week, I was comforted by some research that has come out of the UK recently, which gave me reason to remember that our girls are well positioned to be mentally tough! The study has found that girls who attend single-sex schools are generally more confident and emotionally in control than girls attending state and independent co-educational schools.

​At Lowther Hall we value respectful relationships which give rise to everyone having a voice. I spoke to the Senior School girls about this aspect of the School’s Values Statement in assembly recently and reminded them of the ways in which we try to foster the development of student voice through committees, voting processes and cross age programs.

​I have loved watching the Olympics during this last week or so. The dressage and the artistic gymnastics are some of my favourite events to watch – possibly because they connect me back in to two of my childhood hobbies, but I also love the excitement of the swimming and the drama of the kayaking!

​Despite the School being in “remote mode” there has been much happening as usual. In addition to the daily learning for the girls, other members of the Lowther Hall Community have been working behind the scenes in online meetings, planning sessions or workshops.

​When, on Thursday, the Premier announced that on Friday schools would have to “do the best they can” as we entered the 5 day lockdown I felt proud to know that at Lowther Hall this would mean that girls would be engaged in meaningful learning, with students from Years 2 to 12 experiencing a full timetable of classes from Friday morning.

​Many of you know that I love David Attenborough and that in my down time I very much enjoy watching his documentaries. Animal behaviour has always fascinated me and in the end of term assembly today, I spoke to the girls about the Fire ants of the Amazon Rainforest, which featured in a recent episode of his latest series, A Perfect Planet.

S​tudent voice is incredibly important to us at Lowther Hall and is an important aspect of our mission to educate the whole person. This means that when students come to senior staff with proposals, we give them a hearing and try to support them to bring their ideas to fruition.

​Whenever we have to endure something difficult, there is the joy that comes when it is over. Today, as music flows through the mansion again and the sound of girls laughing and talking fills the air, we know – once again – the happiness that comes from a return to school after a period of lockdown.