Harmony Week
Harmony Week is a cherished tradition at our school, and this year was no exception. It was heartwarming to see our students adorned in their vibrant cultural attire, proudly showcasing the rich tapestry of backgrounds that make up our school community. On Monday, we commenced the week with our annual Assembly, which provided an array of dances and performances, as well as a flag bearing ceremony. As always, it's incredible to see our proud students immense themselves in their cultural backgrounds, and the Assembly is an excellent way to set the tone for our week if celebrations.
Beyond the colourful displays, Harmony Week provided opportunities for dialogue and cultural exchange. From wearing traditional cultural garments to flag-inspired nail art, the creativity and unity displayed during this event was truly inspiring. The international short film festival was a popular affair for the students, and a highlight for me was seeing the students come together to enthusiastically and joyfully sing karaoke songs.
Whilst observing the variety of activities and discussions, I am certain our students deepened their understanding and knowledge of different traditions and perspectives, whilst fostering empathy and respect. As educators, witnessing these moments of connection reaffirms our commitment to nurturing global citizens who embrace diversity with open hearts and minds.
Year 12 Careers Breakfast
Another highlight of the week was attending our annual Year 12 Careers Breakfast, where students had the privilege of engaging with professionals from over 20 various STEM fields. From engineers to scientists, entrepreneurs to researchers, each speaker offered invaluable wisdom and guidance to our aspiring young minds.
The interactive nature of the event allowed students to ask burning questions, gain firsthand insights into different career paths, and forge valuable connections for their future endeavors. It's wonderful to witness the students' engagement, excitement and curiosity ignited by real-world professionals, who embody the endless possibilities within STEM fields.
The Careers Breakfast broadens the horizons and empowers our students to pursue their passions with confidence and purpose. I would like to thank all of our passionate professionals for devoting their time, and for playing an influential role in our Year 12's future endeavors.
NAPLAN Testing for Years 7 and 9
Amidst the excitement of cultural celebrations and career explorations, we must also acknowledge the importance of academic assessments. NAPLAN testing for our Year 7 and 9 students serves as a vital benchmarking tool, providing valuable insights into individual and collective progress in literacy and numeracy skills.
While standardised testing can be daunting, it's essential to approach it with a growth mindset, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. Our dedicated teachers have been diligently preparing our students, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in these assessments.
As a school community, let us rally behind our students, offering support, encouragement, and guidance as they navigate this academic milestone. Together, we will continue to uphold our commitment to academic excellence while fostering a culture of inclusivity, curiosity, and respect.
CCA Coordinators Thank you Morning Tea
Each term, I invite the amazing CCA Coordinators to a special thank you morning tea to recognise the time and dedication they commit to our phenomenal Co-Curricular Activities program. QASMT offers over 42 CCA's, which allows students to engage in an extensive range of exceptional activities. The morning tea is a wonderful occasion to celebrate, catch up and share the outstanding achievements within the CCA program.
School Council vote
On Thursday, we held a vote to elect a new Parent Representative on the School Council. I am pleased to share that Darren Greer has been elected as the new Parent Representative for 2024. I look forward to collaborating with Darren.
International Women's Day Guest Speaker Speech, Grace Terec's
Following on from IWD last Friday, we are honoured to share Grace Terec's inspiring speech.
As we come together to celebrate International Women's Day, I want to first pause and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand, the Turrbal people, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. Today, we also acknowledge and honour the resilience, wisdom and leadership of women across the globe, recognising their invaluable contributions that have shaped our past and continue to inspire our future.
When asked to come and speak today, the part I was most excited for was the opportunity to hold space. This is the inaugural International Women's Day breakfast at SMT, after all. So, I want you all to look around at those next to you. And know that pausing with purpose has value to each and every person in this room.
Pausing with purpose means being intentional in a world outside full of hustle and bustle. On today, the 8th of March, pausing with purpose means celebrating how far women have come, and recognising how far we still have to go. Pausing with purpose means sitting with yourself - the parts you're proud of and the parts that make you uncomfortable.
This year's theme for International Women's Day has been designated by the UN as 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress'.
And so I want that's what I want to unpack today. As an SMT graduate myself, it would be remiss of me to not offer some science and maths along the way.
But first, a little bit about myself. I started at SMT in Grade 10 and quickly realised that this place was different. Not just because it was outside of my previous bubble, not just because it took me over an hour to get to school each day. It was different because it was here that I learned to work hard. And it was here that I found my people. SMT brought me out of my shell because the excuse to stay silent of being “the nerd" didn't quite work anymore. I was no longer the fastest or best thinker in every room. Finally, I had to work for what I wanted. So I worked, and made some amazing friends along the way, and had some amazing experiences like being Academy Captain here and sitting on the Student Council. But I do have to acknowledge the elephant in the room which is that, as a 21 year old Caucasian female, I am extremely privileged. Looking even to something as simple and, now, quota-centric as the corporate pipeline that most of us sit within, progress for women of colour is lagging behind at nearly every stage. This is not yet an equal playing field. And that's why it is our duty to hold space for those less privileged than us. Not only that, it is an honour.
So, back to accelerating progress. To me, this means removing some roadblocks in the way of equality, and that means shattering some preconceptions or myths.
First, age-old performance bias. In terms of gender inequality, we're seeing women hired and promoted based on their past accomplishments while men are hired and promoted based on their future potential. But, when applying for jobs, we're all submitting resumes. So where does the difference lie? In how we hold our own space. Looking at recruitment data, women are going into interviews and spending the time verbally running through their resume, building their credibility. Men are going in, briefly rehashing their box-tickers and then pivoting to where they're headed, their trajectories. And I guess the critical question for an employer is, how do you see this candidate adding value to your workplace? The key: that's future tense.
So why oh why are women not backing themselves? Well, in order to back ourselves we must first show up unapologetically as ourselves. And unfortunately studies are showing that we often fail that first step. Has anyone here ever heard of code-switching? It's a psychological pattern whereby someone moulds their language, behaviour, or appearance to fit in.
We're seeing 2 things:
- Women are our biggest code-switchers to pre-emptively avoid micro-aggressions. Because what might seem little in isolation becomes a cumulative lifetime worth of slights and remarks.
- Code-switching isn't sustainable for us. Research is increasingly showing that code-switching leaves women exponentially more likely to feel constantly burned out and that they don't have an equal opportunity to advance in life.
Let's link it back. I'm sure you've all heard of the glass ceiling. Well, company reporting has shown that the biggest barrier to women's advancement and the acceleration of progress is not the glass ceiling. It's the broken rung on the ladder up. Women are facing their biggest hurdles at that first critical step.
So, today let's reach out to those at that broken rung. Statistically, 90% of the young women in this room want to advance in their careers. And 75% want to be in senior leadership. The stats are currently at 25% female representation in the C-suite. By standing on the shoulders of other powerful women who've come before us, and by holding space for those who'll follow us, let's bridge that gap. Thank you.
