I know that everyone who attended the Junior School Music Concert last night will agree that we were treated to a wonderfully entertaining evening! For me the highlight was seeing the girls enjoying their music making and watching them work together in their various ensembles. The teamwork they displayed is a skill that is not only essential in musical ensembles, but also in many other spheres of life. Well done to all the performers and thank you to each staff member who has supported the girls throughout the year. As we head towards the end of the year excitement is building for the Twilight Festival. I do hope that many parents will take the opportunity to volunteer to assist with this event. Thank you to those families who have already sold raffle tickets for the Festival Raffle. It is wonderful to see the whole School community coming together for this very special event!

​I am always impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of our girls. In recent days I have seen them throwing themselves into Peter Pan rehearsals, signing up for Antigone auditions, stepping up to speak in Assembly, studying for examinations, embracing the challenges of camps and engaging with their learning.

We have recognised them at formal assemblies, watched them throw their hats off the Mansion balcony and been moved at their Valedictory service yesterday afternoon as they left the Cultural Centre symbolically carrying their light out into the world, ready to shine.

It is always exciting to return to school after a term break and in Term 4 this is especially the case with the energy that Spring brings. This week started with an inspiring day in which members of the teaching staff shared their reflections on learning they have each been doing over the year – action research regarding best practice classroom teaching, informed through peer observation, data collection and extensive reflection and reading. We are fortunate at Lowther Hall to have a committed team of professional teachers who lead the way in learning for our girls.

​I know that those of you who attended the Annual Music Concert on Wednesday evening will agree that we were treated to a wonderful night of music with outstanding performances from our bands, orchestras, choirs, ensembles and soloists. It brings me an enormous amount of joy to see so many girls delighting in their music making and to reflect on the skills they have developed in working towards their performances.

​Political leadership in Australia at the moment could generously be characterised as somewhat mystifying at best and deeply embarrassing at worst. The backstabbing, power playing and internal bickering detracts from the truly important business of policy development and governing.

​With Father’s Day approaching this weekend, I have been prompted to reflect on the important role dads have in the raising of daughters. My own dad, though not living at home with me and my mum from the time I was 7, played an important part in my development.

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 will conclude the week on Friday.

This week, we are officially launching the 2018 Parents and Friends' Association Twilight Festival, and I am confident that it is going to be spectacular! A great deal of work has already gone into the planning of stalls and entertainment and we are particularly looking forward to spreading out the rides across the new grassed area adjacent to Raymond House and the multipurpose court, giving plenty of space to move around and a chance to provide a range of rides for all ages!​