House spirit has soared this week at Lowther Hall with the Junior School students in Years 4 to 6 participating enthusiastically in their House Swimming Carnival today. It was wonderful to see so many parents supporting this event. In Senior School the girls are rehearsing for the forthcoming House Performing Arts Competition and every day we see and hear the rehearsals and observe the increasing confidence and cohesion in the dances, acting and singing! On Friday the Year 11 House Leaders will be key facilitators in the Year 7 Tangara Day as they assist the girls to get to know each other and develop an appreciation of their strengths individually and as a House group. The House system is an important vehicle to allow students to have a genuine voice, through which cross-age relationships are fostered and also is central to the School’s vision for developing a sense of belonging in our girls.

Along with the girls, we also want parents to feel connected to each other and to our community. Over the next few weeks there are several opportunities for connection – specifically the Ned and Henry night for fathers and male members of our community, the Lowther Women Luncheon for our female community members and the Parent Welcome Evening on Friday 24 February. I really hope that I will see many parents at one or more of these lovely events.