​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.

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.