In this episode of 'dare to be more', host Anthony Perl speaks with Amy Murphy, Director of Professional Practice for Years 7 to 12, about how learning has evolved and what contemporary education looks like at MLC School.

Amy, who recently joined MLC School after 17 years in the public system, shares her observations about the similarities and differences between educational contexts, emphasising that at the core, all educators want students to thrive and become agents of change in the world. She explains how her role supports both students and teachers, ensuring a clear vision for teaching and learning whilst providing responsive support for teacher wellbeing and professional growth.

The conversation explores how learning today differs from previous generations, with Amy highlighting the increased agency, voice, and choice that students now have in their learning. She discusses the focus on developing dispositions and soft skills - self-awareness, self-regulation, resilience, and collaboration - alongside content knowledge, preparing students to apply learning to any context in the world.

Amy addresses the role of technology and AI in modern classrooms, explaining how MLC School has chosen to embrace rather than ban AI, using it as a tool for feedback, idea generation, and efficiency whilst maintaining critical thinking as a priority. She discusses the complexities of assessment in an AI-enabled world and how teachers are adapting their approaches to ensure authentic student work.

The episode explores the critical intersection of wellbeing and learning, with Amy emphasising that psychological safety is essential for students to show up and learn effectively. She discusses trauma-informed pedagogy, neurodiversity, and how MLC School's relational approach - where teachers truly know, see, and value their students - creates the conditions for both academic success and personal growth.

Amy shares insights into how teachers are supported through the complexities of modern education, including professional learning that is relevant, meaningful, and practical. She discusses the importance of being kind to ourselves as learners in a rapidly changing world, and how Canvas as a learning management system provides transparency for parents whilst supporting teacher efficiency.

The conversation concludes with Amy's powerful interpretation of 'dare to be more', drawing on TS Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and the question "Do I dare disturb the universe?" She describes the inherent restlessness to keep growing, learning, pursuing, and making change as essential to both teaching and learning.

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Host: Anthony Perl

Production: Podcasts Done For You. For more information about podcast production services, visit podcastsdoneforyou.com.au.

In this episode of 'dare to be more', host Anthony Perl speaks with Sonia Weston, Deputy Head of Junior School for Curriculum, and Natalie Hird, Deputy Head of Junior School for Operations, about the innovative approaches that create confident, curious learners in MLC School's Junior School.

Sonia shares her observations about the School's unique culture and how MLC School honours each developmental stage - from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 6 - ensuring that students aren't simply being prepared for the next level, but are fully engaged in rich learning experiences appropriate to where they are right now.

The conversation explores the complementary nature of Sonia and Natalie's roles, with Natalie overseeing day-to-day operations including timetabling, staffing, compliance, NAPLAN, and the extensive co-curricular program, whilst Sonia works collaboratively with grade teams to design curriculum, embed differentiation, and implement assessments. Together, they ensure both operational excellence and innovative teaching approaches work seamlessly.

Natalie describes MLC School's commitment to going beyond the mandatory curriculum, with Italian language learning from Kindergarten, a unique Language Carousel program in Year 6 where girls experience Mandarin, Japanese and French, and universal instrumental music from Year 1. She emphasises the School's focus on STEM education, explaining how vital it is for a girls' school to dedicate significant time and energy to subjects where girls have traditionally lacked confidence - mathematics, science and engineering - starting from Pre-Kindergarten with age-appropriate lessons.

The episode includes a delightful example of this approach in action: Sonia describes a Kindergarten STEM lesson where girls studying 'The Three Little Pigs' built houses from different materials, tested them by blowing them down, compared data about which materials worked best, and engaged in rich conversations linking literacy, vocabulary, science, engineering and mathematics - demonstrating how MLC School gamifies learning whilst maintaining academic rigour.

Both educators discuss the School's thoughtful approach to technology, how MLC School keeps parents informed and involved through multiple touchpoints throughout the year, and how the School manages personalised learning at scale through evidence-based screening tools and close work with the Learning Enhancement Department and High Potential team.

The episode highlights MLC School's unique Year 6 model, where students are based on the Senior School campus, learning from specialist Senior School teachers in subjects like visual arts and languages, creating a seamless transition to Year 7.

The conversation concludes with both educators reflecting on what 'dare to be more' means to them - Sonia describing it as embracing discomfort and challenge as part of growth, hoping that teachers and leaders model this for students by stretching themselves and taking on new challenges, whilst Natalie connects it to MLC School's 140-year history of preparing women for university and the School's values of courage, growth and justice.

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Host: Anthony Perl

Production: Podcasts Done For You. For more information about podcast production services,...

In this episode of 'dare to be more', host Anthony Perl speaks with Daniel Sandral, Head of Junior School, and Joanna Graffen, Head of Senior School, about why girls' schools are more important than ever before in today's educational landscape.

Daniel, who has worked in co-educational, boys', and girls' schools, shares his perspective on how single-sex education eliminates gender-based stereotypes from the earliest years. He explains how girls in all-girls environments receive full teacher attention and opportunities without the natural dominance that boys often exhibit in co-educational settings, allowing them to explore all subjects freely - from robotics to engineering - without societal limitations.

The conversation explores how this foundation of confidence building continues through Senior School, where Joanna describes seeing full physics classes, robust engineering programs, and strong female leadership as the norm. She shares how MLC School graduates often report that when they enter university or the workforce, it simply doesn't occur to them to step behind a boy, because leadership has been normalised throughout their education.

Daniel and Joanna discuss MLC School's recent third-place finish in the National RoboCup competition as an example of what girls achieve when given equal access to STEM opportunities. They also address the importance of safe spaces during the challenging teenage years, emphasising that while MLC School students engage with boys through co-curricular activities, debates, and musical pursuits, having a girls-only school environment allows them to develop strong peer relationships and emotional resilience without additional social pressures.

The episode explores how girls in single-sex schools stay involved in sports significantly longer, the developmental appropriateness of tailoring education to where girls actually are in their growth journey, and MLC School's powerful legacy as one of the first schools to send women to university. Joanna describes the annual Sapphires' Lunch, where graduates from 50+ years ago return to celebrate their connection to this community of strong women.

The conversation concludes with both educators reflecting on the School's "dare to be more" philosophy.

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Host: Anthony Perl

Production: Podcasts Done For You. For more information about podcast production services, visit podcastsdoneforyou.com.au.