I am proud to be representing the School in Sydney this evening at the Australian Education Awards where Lowther Hall is one of 10 finalists from across the country in the category of “Best Student Wellbeing Program”.

​This week I am writing from Hobart where I am attending the Anglican Schools’ Conference. The theme for the conference is “Awe and Wonder” and I have enjoyed hearing various speakers reflect on this theme in the context of Anglican schooling.

This week has been full of highlights. Firstly, on Wednesday I joined the Raymond House and Senior School Captains, Faith and Worship leaders, Heads of School and Chaplains to attend the Anglican School’s service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

​Congratulations to all staff and students involved in this week’s Winter Strings Festival which was a wonderful showcase of the talent of our string players from Kindergarten to Year 12. It was a joy to see the enthusiasm from each performer and I was very proud of the standard of each item presented.

​It was wonderful to welcome the girls back to school for Term 3 on Wednesday and I enjoyed meeting with them in each of their respective assemblies through the morning where we greeted new girls and staff, sang together, gave thanks for the break and focussed ourselves for the term ahead.

​Thank you to everyone who has helped to make Term 2 such a wonderful term! Teachers, girls, student leaders and parents have all played a part in bringing enthusiasm, a willingness to get involved and a generosity of spirit to Lowther Hall over the last 10 weeks.

​Today is an exciting day for girls across the School! Girls in Year 9 have returned from their adventures in Central Australia, Years 7 and 8 girls have the final day of their Semester 1 classes before beginning Semester 2 next week, students in Years 10, 11 and 12 have completed their mid-year examinations and most students in Blinkbonnie House and Raymond House are looking forward to their “Disco” which will take place after school today!

Despite being a “short week” this week, a great deal has happened! I have been impressed with the way girls in Years 10, 11 and 12 have applied themselves to their mid-year examinations and made the most of this opportunity to get feedback about their progress in each of their subjects.

​This week I have been reflecting on excellence, and the value of aspiring to excellence in many different aspects of our lives and our work. On the weekend, I observed excellence in this year’s Senior School Production, Antigone, where girls and staff had invested time and care to ensure that the highest quality of performance was presented to the audience.

​The colder weather this week has seen staff and students donning scarves and jumpers and appreciating any opportunities to keep warm via various activities. Fortunately, Lowther girls are regularly active, with PE, sport, dance and cocurricular programs affording multiple opportunities each week to get the blood pumping! I am particularly delighted to be finishing the week celebrating with the Senior School Cross Country Team who have been training in the early mornings for the last few months and have represented the School ably in their competitions.