While it appears that we are now on the path to overcoming COVID-19, the disruption of the pandemic has caused many parents to revisit the question of education and schooling for their children. In looking to provide your children with the best chance to learn, grow and thrive, we must consider what these ideas mean to us in the post-COVID-19 world. The new school year is approaching, and 2021 is set to be a year shaped by a ‘new normal’. But the most pressing questions come from how that new…
The way to change the world, or at least your world, is to dare to be ambitious. Because when you dare to dream big, you challenge the status quo and give yourself the opportunity to pave your own way forward and make a difference. For many young females, embracing ambition is uncomfortable. More so than their male counterparts, females cast doubts in their own minds and feel the pressure to succeed differently. For many, it is not passion nor skill that holds them back, it is the fear of…
With the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) underway in Glasgow it is only fitting that we as a school reflect on the role we play in educating, delivering and innovating sustainable practices. Media coverage around our climate crisis continues to be amplified and while we look to global leaders to support widespread initiatives, we must understand the integral role each of us plays in creating a more sustainable future. One of our priorities at Toorak is to consider our…
What is unconscious bias? Conscious bias is becoming more easily recognised in today’s culture and tolerance for conscious discrimination in our community is at an all time low. On the flip side, unconscious bias, in its subtlety, often goes unnoticed. In particular, unconscious gender biases often happen habitually as part of historical societal norms, and can be present in both females and males. As an independent girls school, Toorak College is acutely aware of the gender biases that affect…
Parents want to give their children the best opportunities to set them up for their future, so every education decision is an important one. Right from the beginning, choosing a primary school is the first step in laying a secure educational foundation, but where do you start? We’ve created a guide to help families navigate these intricate decisions, including our tips for how to choose a primary school in Melbourne, the significance of early education and our tips for creating a cohesive and…
Why Boarding School may be beneficial for your child There are many reasons why families might decide to send their children to board on campus at school. Traditionally, boarding has been considered a great option for students from remote areas or overseas who are seeking education opportunities outside their local area. However, Boarding School also has many benefits for those who live locally. Sending your child to Boarding School offers them the opportunity to develop their life skills,…
Attending a school tour? Here are 10 important questions to ask at school open days, to support you in making the best decision for your child’s education. Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision that every family faces. There are many aspects to a child's education, so where do you start? To find a school that is the best fit for your child, attending a school open day is a good way to start the research process. Open days provide you with the opportunity to start…
Winter is upon us which means less time outdoors and more time indoors. Of course this doesn't mean a change in quality family time, in fact quite the opposite; bring out the board games! As well as creating an opportunity for time together and a great form of entertainment, board games can also be used to strengthen memory ability and executive function. Perfect for developing brains, board games are a sensational tool to help children and adolescents create new neural links and pathways…
This week, Toorak College welcomed best-selling Australian author and psychologist Steve Biddulph to speak as part of our Wellbeing Information Series, The Loop. Recognised globally for his work on parenting, Steve’s Raising Girls and Raising Boys talks were informative, charming, heartfelt, and oh so relatable! Over two nights, Steve shared his wealth of professional experience and expertise to an audience that were captivated by every word. As a mother of a young boy and twin girls, here…