​Our thoughts and prayers this week are with people around the country who have been dealing with the fear and stress associated with the bushfires. Events like this help us to remember to be grateful every day for all that we have and to consider the ways in which we can support communities in times of need.

​A short but action packed week at Lowther Hall this week with the magnificent Raymond House Music Concert, Year 2 Camp, examinations for girls in Years 10 to 12, a concert for Old Grammarians and the usual lessons, rehearsals and meetings! It is incredibly gratifying to watch the girls throw themselves into every experience and to have so many members of the broader Lowther Hall Community – staff, parents and past students, coming together to support the school in a variety of ways.

I am always impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of our girls. In recent days I have seen them throwing themselves into Aladdin rehearsals, signing up for 42nd Street auditions, stepping up to speak in Assembly, studying for examinations, embracing the challenges of camps and engaging with their learning. In order to sustain this energy and pace, rest is very important. I hope that over the coming long weekend, girls and families will take the time to rest and recharge the batteries, ready to return on Wednesday with renewed vigour!

This week saw the last day of classes for our Year 12s, the Class of 2019. We recognised them in formal assemblies, watched them throw their hats of the Mansion balcony and at the end of the week they will be farewelled at their Valedictory Dinner. I was particularly impressed that this year, that the girls decided to celebrate their final day with a range of inflatable jumping castles and slides, rather than by messing up their school! It was delightful to watch them arrive in their costumes and enjoy dancing on the Mansion stairs as we shared breakfast together on Wednesday.

I know that everyone in our School Community who visited the 2019 Art and Design Exhibition will have been impressed with the variety of work on display. One of the advantages of being a school where every girl from Kindergarten to Year 12 is located on one campus is that we can hold events such as this across the whole school and see the development that occurs as a student progresses through the years. I was delighted this year to present the Principal’s Art Acquisition Award, to Madison Adams in Year 9, who produced a work which demonstrated careful attention to detail, finely honed drawing skills and impressive use of space.

During the recent break I had the privilege of travelling with Ms Healy to Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa and to undertake a range of school visits, safaris and wildlife encounters.

​Congratulations to our Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, Ms Tracy Healy on her selection for The Educator Hot List Australia, 2019! Tracy has been recognised as an industry leader in education...

​This week I travelled to Canberra to join our Year 6 students on their Study Tour. During the time I spent with the girls I was impressed with their curiosity, knowledge and their support of one another as they explored various aspects of our nation’s capital.

​With Father’s Day approaching this weekend, I have been prompted to reflect on the important role dads have in the raising of daughters. I have particularly enjoyed seeing so many dads come to Lowther Hall this week for our special Father’s Day events!

This week is Book Week and the School has been enlivened by workshops with authors, special book related activities and preparations for the big parade that took place this morning. Once again this year we were delighted that the Year 7 and Year 12 girls joined the Blinkbonnie and Raymond House students in costume to celebrate reading and end the festivities.