Blog

In recent months we have taken part in research through the International Coalition of Girls Schools together with Challenge Success to better understand wellbeing, engagement and belonging in school environments. Whilst the broader research findings will not be known for some time, we have gained access to our own students’ data, that is de-identified, to help us respond immediately to what they say about their own school environment. Although they are a small sample of student views in a…

The journey of a child's education begins long before they step into the classroom. The formative years, particularly the first five, lay the groundwork for not only academic achievement but also social and emotional development. In this critical period, children embark on a path that shapes their future educational trajectory. Early exposure to quality learning experiences will give children essential skills in fostering confidence, resilience, and curiosity. Research shows that up to 90…

Continuing to support student academic and personal growth, this year Toorak College introduced a new Year 10 subject called Agile. During Term 2 in Agile, students have the opportunity to further develop their transferable skill set through a Micro-credential. Spanning across CPR qualifications, mental health training, hacking courses and more, students have the opportunity to leverage a transferable skill which will assist them in scoring their first job or simply adding to their resume.…

Self advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself and others. It is an important life skill that we must teach our young people so that they can thrive in all aspects of their lives. It has positive benefits in relation to developing independent and self confident individuals who are self aware, able to make informed decisions and clearly communicate with others. As we support young people to understand and develop their point of view so that they have the confidence to advocate for…

In the dynamic landscape of education, preparing students for life after high school goes beyond traditional academics. One crucial aspect, often overlooked, is equipping students with the essential skill of self-advocacy. Led by Fiona Wines, head of senior school and deputy principal, this blog delves into the essence of self-advocacy for high school students, why it's important, and how parents and educators can support students in learning to advocate for themselves. The foundation of self…

Free unstructured play is one of the cornerstones of emotional, physical, social and cognitive child development. Play is important for children in countless areas of early development, such as language, social skills, problem solving, creativity and motor skills. In this article, Naomi Linssen, Deputy Head of Wardle House at Toorak College, examines why play is an opportunity for children to learn essential life skills early in their lives. Growing through social emotional learning As a…

In response to the dynamic educational landscape, we strategically embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Toorak College. In his article, Philip Carew, our Head of Digital Learning and Innovation, provides insights into the transformative power of AI in education. He unveils its applications and the evolving educational perspective at Toorak College, where we recognise the significance of integrating AI into our teaching and learning methodologies. Understanding artificial intelligence (AI) AI…

Conversation around the benefits and potential disadvantages of the ATAR system (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is one of the most contested in the Australian education landscape. With so much debate around the merit of the ATAR and its purpose in education due to its inability to view a student in a holistic way,, we're left with the question: should the ATAR system go? In this article, Brendan Fordham, Head of Student Programs at Toorak College, discusses the relevance of the ATAR system…