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!

BRONZE in Tokyo! Our girls and staff cheered for Ria and the Australian Women’s Quad team today, and witnessed them win Bronze in Tokyo! We are immensely proud of your achievements, Ria! Congratulations, to you and the team!

​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.

World Champion rower and Old Grammarian, Ria Thompson (2015) (pictured far left) will be competing at the Tokyo Olympics as part of the Women's Quad! We cannot wait to cheer you on, Ria! (Photo credit: World Rowing / Rowing Australia)

​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.

​Driven by their curiosity about the world around them, as well as the history of Lowther Hall and what makes a community, our Year 1 girls embarked on a project this year that began when they attended our Founder Day Assembly in February.

​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.