At Lowther Hall, student wellbeing is a whole-school approach that underpins everything we do. It is woven into daily routines, classroom culture, cocurricular opportunities and relationships.

At Lowther Hall the unique advantage of our single campus, spanning from 4 year old Kindergarten to Year 12, enables us to nurture a strong sense of community through a variety of cross-age programs. Cross-age programs are integral to the culture at Lowther Hall, and are initiatives that provide valuable mentoring for younger students, while offering older students the chance to develop leadership skills and act as role models. This interconnectedness plays a crucial role in the healthy development of our students, fostering a culture of inclusivity and support.

Key examples of our cross-age initiatives include:

• House System: Students are placed in one of six Houses, facilitating cross-age interactions and offering leadership opportunities in areas such as sport, music, and drama.
• Raymond House mentoring program: A 'buddy' system is in place to mentor students entering into Year 2 after their time in the early years (Blinkbonnie House).
• Year 6 Leadership Program: Every Year 6 student holds a leadership position, organising and leading activities and lunchtime clubs for younger students.
• Year 8 Mentoring Program: Year 8 students apply for various mentoring positions, offering their guidance and support to younger students. These roles include responsibilities such as Kinder to Year 1 gate greeters or playground friends, and classroom mentors for students in Kinder to Year 6. Additionally, Year 8 mentors take on leadership roles during camps that run for throughout the early years and junior school. 
• Years 11 and 12 Home Group: A mix of Year 11 and Year 12 students facilitates friendships and informal leadership mentoring.
• Student Representative Council (SRC): Every year level is represented on the SRC, where students work together to implement initiatives for the student body.
• Social Justice Committee: Students across all year levels collaborate to conceive and execute social justice initiatives that benefit the wider community.

At Lowther Hall, leadership is not just a title - it is a mindset cultivated from the earliest years of schooling and developed intentionally through a wide range of programs, experiences, and opportunities. We believe every girl has the capacity to lead, and we are committed to nurturing confident, capable young women who can inspire others and effect meaningful change.

Our approach to leadership is holistic and inclusive. Whether leading a House activity, mentoring younger students, conducting an ensemble, or representing peers on a committee, girls at Lowther Hall learn to lead with integrity, empathy and purpose. We embed leadership development into every year level, equipping students with the skills, self-awareness and experience they need to contribute within the School and beyond.

Leadership in Year 6

Leadership development begins formally in Year 6, where every student is given the opportunity to hold a leadership role. This inclusive approach reflects our belief that leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed through practice, reflection and service.

After an application and interview procedure, to provide meaningful practice for students in the leadership process, each Year 6 student is assigned a specific leadership portfolio and is responsible for planning, promoting and leading activities for younger students across the School. Roles span a wide range of interests and talents, including:

• Raymond House Captains and Deputy Captains
• House Captains (Booth, Clarke, Hindley, Lees, Moorhouse, Perry)
• Faith and Worship Captains
• Art Captains
• Music Captains
• English Captains
• Science and Technology Captains
• Mathematics Captains
• Humanities Captains
• Japanese Captains
• Social Justice and Environment Captains
• Qualities and Wellbeing Captains
• Library Captains

Leadership in Senior School
As students enter Senior School, leadership opportunities become increasingly diverse, with positions available across Houses, faculties, cocurricular programs and student-led initiatives. Students are encouraged to pursue leadership that aligns with their interests and strengths, with many undertaking multiple roles.

• School Captain (Prefect)
• Deputy School Captain (Prefect)
• Faith and Worship Prefect
• Social Justice Prefect
• House Captains (Booth, Clarke, Hindley, Lees, Moorhouse and Perry) (Prefects)
• Deputy and Assistant House Captains:
  Each House includes a Deputy and Assistant Deputy House Captain from Years 10 and 11, providing opportunities for more students to be involved in House leadership and event coordination.
• Year 11 House Leaders:
  Year 11 students lead and support younger year levels through dedicated Year 7, 8 and 9 leadership positions in each House, developing mentoring and team-building skills.
• Faculty Captains:
  Students can apply to lead subject areas across the curriculum, including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages (Japanese and French), Physical Education, Health, Media, Performing Arts (Drama and Dance), and Visual Arts (Art and Design). Faculty Captains act as ambassadors for their subjects, supporting academic events and encouraging engagement.

Sports and Activity Captains:
From overseeing a sports team or creative club to running special events and publications, students can lead in an area they are passionate about: 

• Sports Captains: Sports Captains (Netball, Swimming, Rowing, Athletics, Soccer, Snowsports, and more)
• Activity Captains: Chess, Debating, Chronicle, Tournament of Minds, Robotics, Duke of Edinburgh, Hip Hop and Lyrical Dance
• Editors and Deputy Editors of the Mansion Messenger (student magazine)

Music Leadership:
A strong tradition of musical excellence is supported by a wide range of music leadership roles, including:

• Music Captains
• Ensemble Captains (e.g., Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Jazz Band, Choirs, Percussion, Guitar, Piano, and more)
• Choir Leaders within the Girls’ Voices of the Cathedral Choir (GVCC), including Head Chorister and Senior Chorister roles

Student Committees and Councils
Students may also be elected to or volunteer for committee roles that help shape the student experience and contribute to the wider community:

• Student Representative Council (SRC) – Led by the Deputy School Captain, the SRC gives voice to student ideas and initiatives, fostering collaboration across year levels.
• Social Justice Committee – Led by the Social Justice Prefect, this committee plans and promotes fundraising, advocacy, and outreach activities.
• Faith Committee – Led by the Faith and Worship Prefect, this committee supports the School’s Christian ethos and engagement with the Chapel life of the School.
• Raymond House Student Council – Girls in the Junior School can also participate in student leadership through House Council, preparing them for future responsibilities.

Through the House system, students participate in exciting, cross-age competitions that promote school spirit and camaraderie. The House system offers a variety of events and activities designed to build teamwork, leadership, and a deep sense of belonging. These include thrilling inter-House athletics and swimming carnivals, engaging House activity days, fundraising challenges, and the eagerly anticipated House Performing Arts Competition.

Key components of the House system include:

• Raymond House Athletics Carnival

• Raymond House Swimming Carnival

• Raymond House Fortnightly House Sport Trainings

• Senior School House Fundraising 

• Senior School House Performing Arts Competition 

• Senior School House Athletics Carnival

• Senior School House Swimming Carnival

These events foster a strong sense of community, helping students develop valuable leadership skills and a deep connection to their House and the wider school.

We believe that when girls are encouraged to share their ideas, express concerns, and contribute to decision-making, they develop greater confidence, agency, and a deeper sense of belonging.

Our commitment to student voice is embedded in the School’s Values Statement - “We value respectful relationships which give rise to everyone having a voice” - and upheld in our Staff Code of Conduct, which prioritises student empowerment and child safety.

Student voice is actively supported through two key approaches:

Formal Structures

We offer a range of structured opportunities for students to speak up, contribute to School life, and participate in leadership and decision-making:

• Student Councils in the Junior and Senior School
• Year 12 meetings with the Principal at the start and end of the year
• Student representation on key School review committees (e.g. Uniform, Charity Partnerships, Canteen)
• Student-led assemblies and committees, such as the Social Justice Committee and Faith Committee
• Regular mentoring meetings between student leaders and staff

Feedback Processes

We also value student feedback as a tool for continuous improvement and fostering mutual respect:

• Teaching feedback surveys (Years 7–12) allow students to provide anonymous input on teaching practices, relationships and classroom culture, which staff review and respond to in a cycle of improvement.
• ISV LEAD Surveys (Years 5–12) provide broader insight into students’ perceptions across all areas of school life, including academic program, pastoral care, school values and more. Students’ written comments regularly highlight the positive impact of their Lowther Hall experience.

Our camps program is an integral part of the personal development journey of our girls, with all students from Prep to Year 12 participating in age-appropriate experiences. More than just outdoor adventures, these camps are carefully designed to build resilience, independence and confidence, while nurturing leadership skills, social connections and a deeper sense of self.

Each camp is tailored to the developmental stage and needs of the cohort, and connects to the broader values of our school, including the 12 Qualities of a Lowther Hall Girl. Camps are run at different locations throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria (or interstate for Years 6 and 9 students).

Key Features of the Camps Program Include:

• Sequential Development from Prep to Year 12
  Beginning with single-day camps in the early years and progressing to extended, off-site experiences, the program builds confidence in incremental steps, with each year preparing students for the next.
• Leadership and Mentorship through the Cross-Age Program
  Year 8 students participate in early years and junior school camps to help guide and support younger girls, fostering leadership and connection across year levels.

Strategic Year Level Camps:

• Prep to Year 2: Day camps and then an overnight at school to build comfort with separation and independence in a familiar setting.
• Years 3 to 5: Multi-day camps at carefully selected outdoor venues, with a focus on collaboration, resilience and identity formation.
• Year 6: A study tour to Canberra to deepen civic understanding and social bonds.
• Years 7 to 8: Four-day regional camps focused on developing confidence, independence, resilience, self-awareness, teamwork and care for others. 
• Year 9: A once-in-a-lifetime First Nations Cultural Immersion, combining service learning, sustainability, and global citizenship.
• Year 10: A leadership camp aligned with the transition into VCE, emphasising reflection, teamwork, and personal capability.
• Year 11: A two-day conference that builds on prior leadership experiences, fostering independence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving through immersive city-based challenges.
• Year 12: Final-year camp focused on legacy, celebration and connection.

Values-Driven and Educationally Aligned: All camps reflect the school’s focus on personal development, wellbeing and character education, with themes linked to curriculum areas and student voice.

At Lowther Hall, Careers Development is a thoughtfully designed and essential component of the Senior School experience, supporting students from Year 7 through to Year 12 as they begin to imagine and shape their futures. Under the leadership of our dedicated Head of Careers as well as Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School, students are provided with individualised support and advice relating to career pathways, tertiary course options and subject selection. 

From as early as Year 7, students are encouraged to reflect on their strengths, interests and values, and to begin exploring how these might align with potential careers. Careers Education becomes increasingly structured as students progress through the Senior School, with a range of opportunities designed to build confidence, increase self-awareness and help girls make informed decisions.

By Year 10, students participate in a comprehensive program that includes Morrisby testing, which provides detailed profiling of students’ skills, interests and preferences. They also attend the Victorian Careers Show, undertake a week-long work experience placement, participate in a guest speaker series, and engage in focused careers learning as part of Grant House Common Time. This combination of experiences helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses, improve their ability to work collaboratively, and supports subject selection and course planning for VCE and beyond.

The Lowther Hall Careers Expo is a much-anticipated event where Old Grammarians return to share their career journeys across a diverse range of fields - up to 30 different career areas! Students value the chance to speak directly with people who have walked the same halls and gone on to a wide variety of professional experiences. 

Lowther Hall also offers a number of VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses, which provide students with dual pathways for academic achievement and vocational training. VCE VET Hospitality and Cookery, for example, allows students to gain credit for both a VCE subject and a Certificate in Hospitality. This course is a nationally endorsed training package, recognised by the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority as a VCE Units 1 to 4 study, and provides a fast track into further studies or employment in the hospitality sector. 

For those undertaking VCE VET Dance, real-world learning is enhanced through Industry Days — including an annual experience run by the Patrick School of the Arts and others organised by Ausdance. These events allow students to step into professional environments, network with industry professionals, and gain valuable insight into the breadth of careers in dance and performance.

Careers education is a multifaceted program at our school, and aims to equip every girl with the tools, knowledge and confidence to step into her future with purpose.

Our Debating and Speech programs aim to develop articulate, confident communicators who are able to express their ideas clearly and think critically across a range of contexts.

Private Speech and Drama Program

Available to students from Year 5 to Year 12, this co-curricular program helps students refine their public speaking skills, improve vocal technique, and build confidence in everyday communication. The course includes:

• Public speaking and discussion skills

• Effective and fluent reading

• Exploration of prose, poetry and drama

• Movement, mime, and improvisation to develop imagination and storytelling

• Techniques of voice production and articulation

Students are encouraged to develop a rich vocal tone, clear speech habits, and expressive communication, supporting growth in creativity, self-esteem and performance skills.

Debating Program

Our structured Debating Program supports students as they learn the art of persuasive argument, structured reasoning and respectful rebuttal.

• Year 6 and 7 students begin their journey through an internal debating program, where they learn the fundamentals of formal debate in a supportive environment.

• From Year 8, students may represent the School in external competitions run by the Debating Association of Victoria (DAV), competing against students from other schools in the Essendon region.

Leadership in Debating

In Term 3, our Senior School Debating Squad mentor Year 6 students, running workshops that introduce younger students to the skills and structure of formal debating. This leadership initiative fosters collaboration across year levels and strengthens our culture of student voice.

For those with a journalistic interest, the Senior School student newspaper “The Mansion Messenger” provides an outlet for girls wishing to write articles, submit cartoons or participate in written debate.

Senior School students also produce the School’s annual student magazine, “The Chronicle”.

Music plays a central role in the life of our School, with a vibrant cocurricular program that nurtures creativity, collaboration and confidence. Whether students are beginning their musical journey or striving for advanced performance, a wide range of opportunities is available for every year level.

• Click here to visit our Music Page

Instrumental Music Program

Students from Year 3 to Year 8 participate in our Instrumental Music Program, which provides tuition across a wide range of instruments including strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion. We also provide private music tuition for students from Kinder to Year 12. Lessons are delivered by highly skilled specialist tutors and can be taken individually or in small groups. Our Instrumental Program supports students at all stages - from beginners to those undertaking AMEB or VCE Music studies.

Choral Program

Singing is a joyful and inclusive part of school life. Our Choral Program includes a number of choirs across the year levels, providing a space for students to build vocal skills, musicality and ensemble experience. Choirs rehearse weekly and perform at a wide range of school events, community celebrations, and interstate and international tours. Participation in choirs fosters a strong sense of teamwork, school spirit and connection through shared musical experience.

Ensembles and Performance

In addition to choirs, students may also join a variety of ensembles - including string orchestras, concert bands, jazz groups and chamber music ensembles. These groups rehearse regularly and represent the School at community events, festivals and competitions.

Our Performing Arts program is a vibrant and integral part of school life, offering students a wide range of opportunities to explore and express their creativity through Drama, Dance, and Theatrical Production.

Senior School Production

Staged at the Clocktower Theatre in Moonee Ponds, our Senior School Production alternates annually between a dramatic play and a full-scale musical. This allows students to engage in a broad range of performance styles and enables close collaboration between our Drama and Music faculties. Students can take part in lead and ensemble roles, join as dancers or musicians, or contribute behind the scenes in production and stage management roles - all within a professional theatre environment supported by sophisticated stagecraft technology.

Raymond House Production

Performed in our very own Joan M Garde Cultural Centre, the Raymond House Production introduces students in Years 5 and 6 to the creative and collaborative process of theatre-making. Every student has the opportunity to contribute to the final performance, building teamwork and confidence while having fun on stage.

Dance

In addition to curriculum-based opportunities, Senior School students can join our cocurricular Dance teams, specialising in Hip Hop and Lyrical Dance. These teams train throughout the year and represent the School in various performances and competitions, building skill, discipline and performance flair in a supportive team environment.

Sport is an integral part of life at our School, fostering teamwork, resilience, leadership and a healthy, active lifestyle. Students are encouraged to participate in a broad and inclusive program that caters to all interests and ability levels — from enthusiastic beginners to high-performance athletes.

• Click here for more information about Sport at Lowther Hall.

Competition Pathways

Students from Years 4 to 12 have access to a broad range of competitive sport pathways that cater to all levels of interest and ability. Through Girls’ Sport Victoria (GSV), students in Years 7 to 12 compete in weekly competitions, carnivals, gala days and representative teams across 22 independent girls’ schools. For Years 4 to 6, School Sport Victoria (SSV) events via the Buckley District Association provide opportunities to progress from District to State level in both team and individual sports. In addition, specialist and high-performance pathways are available through competitions such as Hooptime Basketball, Snowsports, Equestrian, Rowing, and more - ensuring every student can participate, grow and thrive in sport.

Inter-house Sport Competitions

Students from Years 2 to 12 at Lowther Hall actively participate in a vibrant program of Interhouse Sporting Competitions that promote teamwork, school spirit and friendly rivalry. Events such as the Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals, along with fortnightly House Sport for Years 4 to 6, offer inclusive opportunities for all students - regardless of skill level - to get involved, have fun, and potentially be identified for representative sport pathways.

Sport in the Curriculum

Sport and Physical Education are integral to the curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12, with programs tailored to each developmental stage. In Blinkbonnie House (K-1), the focus is on foundational movement, coordination, and enjoyment through activities such as perceptual motor programs, gymnastics, and swimming. In Raymond House (Years 2-6), students build physical skills, fitness, and teamwork through a wide range of games, sport-specific training, and House Carnivals. In the Senior School (Years 7-12), students engage in diverse sport and fitness options, including skill development, recreational activities, and Sport Education Programs, ensuring all girls are empowered to lead active, healthy lives.

Tournament of Minds is an inter-school problem solving program for teams of students from both primary and secondary years.

Tournament of Minds' aim is to enhance the potential of our youth by developing diverse skills, enterprise, time management, and the discipline to work collaboratively within a challenging and competitive environment. They are required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges from one of the following disciplines:

• The Arts
  A new discipline for those who have a love for the visual and performing arts! The long term challenges will involve research before developing a creative interpretation in response to the Challenge. Plenty of opportunities for artistic expression in the form of dance, song, musical instruments, theatre and all forms of the Visual Arts.
  
  
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
  The combination of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics principles provides an integrated approach for students to deepen their conceptual understanding and use their creative and critical thinking skills to solve the challenges within an authentic context.
  
  
• Language Literature
  Language Literature Challenges will involve in-depth analysis and research of texts from a variety of fields.
  
  
• Social Sciences
  A journey through the moral and ethical issues confronting society in the 21st Century.

At Lowther Hall, the Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, self-expression and critical thinking across all year levels.

Annual Art and Design Exhibition (Kindergarten to Year 12)

The highlight of the Visual Arts calendar is our annual Art and Design Exhibition, which celebrates the talents of every student from Kindergarten through to Year 12. This vibrant showcase transforms the School into a gallery space, featuring two-dimensional and three-dimensional works across a variety of styles and disciplines. The exhibition provides an opportunity for the entire school community to appreciate the creative achievements of our students and witness their progression as artists.

Visual Arts Camp (Years 10 to 12)

Senior students with a passion for the arts are invited to participate in our Visual Arts Camp, held annually for those in Years 10 to 12. This enriching experience allows students to deepen their understanding of contemporary and traditional art practices through visits to leading galleries, interactive workshops, and sessions with professional artists. The camp also offers time for personal reflection and inspiration, set against the backdrop of dynamic cultural destinations such as Brisbane, Sydney and Tasmania. The experience supports the development of students’ own artistic voices while building a strong sense of connection and shared creativity within the group.