I am delighted that this week we are able to officially launch the School’s 2016 Twilight Festival! I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Parents and Friends for all the work that has already been undertaken to plan this wonderful event.

It has been truly delightful to have returned from my sabbatical leave and to have commenced Term 3 with our committed staff and enthusiastic girls this week! In our whole school assembly on Wednesday I shared some reflections from my travels – and particularly the heightened awareness of cultural differences that come into play when you travel from one country to another. At Lowther Hall we are a culturally diverse community and this was demonstrated tangibly in assembly. Firstly, when girls from different cultural backgrounds shared some things that are special to them about their cultural heritage, and particularly when we enacted a human “graphing” exercise in the Cultural Centre with staff and students standing up to represent the country they, their parents or grandparents had been born in. The pride amongst the girls and the excitement at discovering the richness of our school’s cultural make up were palpable! Secondly, we were privileged to hear from girls who have different religious affiliations as they spoke about the way in which their beliefs impact their lives and how they live out their faith. Celebrating our diversity will continue to be a theme for us at the School this term. Director of Development and Community Engagement This term we have welcomed Mr Stewart Brook, Director of Development and Community Engagement who will be working with me and other members of the Community Relations Department to ensure that we have strong communication and support across all areas of the school community – parents, students, staff, old grammarians, past parents and foundation members. Stewart will be introducing himself to groups across the School in the coming weeks and is already enjoying hearing from various stakeholders about their special Lowther Hall connections. Building works You may have noticed that works have now commenced on the new Early Learning Centre, with the establishment of site sheds and the first steps in demolition underway. I look forward to sharing further details of this project with you in the weeks to come. The Cultural Centre refurbishment has also been progressing in the background. Last term we sought advice regarding the implementation of a new heating and cooling system. At this stage, we are continuing to explore further options and again, I will provide further details during the term. Voices of the Cathedral I hope that many of you will be joining us at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday 3 August when the girls sing at their first Evensong service. A reminder that reply slips for the girls attending were due to be returned at the end of last term. Please contact the School if you require another copy of the circular. Best wishes for the remainder of the term We are only four days into term and already there is so much happening! I look forward to seeing many of you at the forthcoming events and to working with girls and families in our shared mission.

​This week I am writing to you from Harvard University where Tracy Healy (Deputy Principal) and I are completing a week long course. The Summer School intensive is run by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and we have joined with 106 colleagues

You may have seen our new advertising campaign recently in the Moonee Valley Leader newspaper! The advert features the School’s new branding design and tag line “all about the girl”, and is intended to highlight Lowther Hall’s excellent location within Essendon and its proximity to transport links.

​Today there have been a number of special events across the school with Year 9s returning from their adventures in Central Australia and Vietnam, Year 11s enjoying the second day of their leadership camp, Years 8 and 10 participating in a special cross-age program and Year 5s taking part in the Maths Games Day.

Year 4 student Tayla Soch has been awarded the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority award ‘Junior Triple Zero Hero’ at their 12th annual ceremony this week, for her outstanding effort when dialling 000 to save her mum.

​This week our Years 10, 11 and 12 students are completing their mid-year examinations – an important opportunity to consolidate and demonstrate their learning this year to date and to gain valuable experience working under time constraints. This kind of assessment method is just one way in which the girls can demonstrate their skills – it is

Our congratulations to Year 11 student Ashleigh for her exemplary performances on Channel 9’s ‘The Voice’. Over a number of weeks the Lowther Hall community, along with Australian television audiences, have been following Ashleigh’s journey and her time spent on team Jessie J.