​This week, the Education Minister announced that from 2025, government primary schools will be mandated to use a systematic phonics program to teach reading. This is no great surprise as the research associated with the Science of Reading indicates that a program which uses direct, explicit instruction to teach students how to decode words according to the sounds they comprise, is the most effective way to ensure that all learners master the skills of reading for the long term. At Lowther Hall, we already use a systematic phonics based approach in the teaching of reading but we have recently undertaken a full review of this program and will be making some adjustments to it in the coming months.

​We are hearing a great deal in the media at the moment about student disengagement and student discipline. There is a growing concern across the country that students are behaving badly, lacking discipline and becoming increasingly disconnected from school.

Recently, we co-convened an International Coalition of Girls’ Schools symposium on educating girls at Melbourne Girls Grammar.

What better way to celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday than to secure your tickets to our Senior School Production of ‘Shakespeare in Love’? Some of our students took time out of their rehearsal to show off their incredible costumes and give you a taste of what you can expect from our upcoming romantic comedy! Book your tickets at https://clocktowercentre.com.au/lowther-hall-shakespeare-in-love/

​This week, students around the country from Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 have undertaken the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing, an annual nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

It was a wonderful day at our International Women’s Day Lunch at the Park Hyatt! Thank you to our incredible speakers: award winning radio and television journalist, reporter for Channel 9 News, 3AW radio host, Vice President of the Melbourne Press Club and current parent Heidi Murphy as well as Old Grammarian (Class of 1996) Matti Clements, Director of the Australian Institute of Sport (first woman to hold this role) and Psychologist. To our past and present parents, students, staff and friends of the School who attended: thank you for your support of this event!

​This week, I was delighted to host a guest at Lowther Hall, Mr Ollie Lovell an eminent Australian educationalist who visited the School to chat about teaching and learning and to plan some professional learning that our staff will undertake in the coming months.

​The newest members of Blinkbonnie House were delighted to receive their Lowther Bears from our Principal at their recent Welcome Assembly, symbolising the start of their journey at the school.

We held our Senior School Commencement Service and Dedication of Year 12 on Friday. The symbolic encirclement of our School community with light by the Year 12 cohort marked a beautiful pledge to lead us through the coming year, and as a community we promised to support them in their important work.

Join with us to celebrate, support and advocate for women at our lunch event in honour of International Women’s Day, to be held Monday 4 March at the Park Hyatt in Parliament Place. All in our community are warmly invited including past and present parents, Old Grammarians and friends of the School. Please secure your tickets at: www.trybooking.com/1157903