Mentone Girls’ Grammar acknowledges the Bunurong People of the South-Eastern Kulin Nations for their connection to land, sea, and community, and for their custodianship of the land on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.
Established in 1899, Mentone Girls’ Grammar is a proudly independent girls’ School in the Melbourne suburb of Mentone. Set on a single campus with stunning beachfront views, our School has been a trailblazer in empowering young women to excel academically for almost 125 years.
As a non-select entry School, we cater for students from Early Learning through to Year 12. Our holistic education model offers exceptional opportunities in leadership, sport, travel, and the arts, alongside a rich history of sustained excellence across science, mathematics, and the humanities.
We foster a clear sense of purpose in our students, nurturing confident, compassionate, and capable young women who are prepared for the future, whatever it may bring.
Our Junior School has been thoughtfully designed to nurture a sense of community within carefully curated spaces. With sensible class sizes, a Library, and Bush Kitchen to ignite the imagination, our environment brings out the best in every learner. Our unique blend of explicit instruction and inquiry supports the development of curious, collaborative, critical thinkers who are well prepared for the next stage of their schooling.
Senior School students benefit from personalised learning experiences to ensure that every student is provided the best opportunity to develop their confidence, capability, and self-worth. VCE subjects are offered from Year 10, preparing learners for the rigour of Senior Years and their chosen tertiary pathway or career. With a stunning suite of travel, camps, and tours to choose from, our students reap the benefits of authentic, immersive experiences both here and abroad to ensure they leave us with an understanding of diverse cultures and ways of being.
We believe girls perform best in a class of their own and our educators are rightly proud of their subject mastery and vocational commitment to supporting every girl to flourish. As a non-selective School, our students excel. In 2023, 45% of students achieved an ATAR >90, 93% received one of their top three tertiary education preferences, and three were recipients of the prestigious Premier’s Prize Awards for excellence in VCE.
Our Mission
To provide an education that inspires a sense of purpose in our students and empowers confident, compassionate, and capable young women who are prepared for the future, whatever it brings.
Our Vision
To empower young women, fostering a nurturing environment where every girl is known, seen, and heard.
Our Values
Responsibility, Relationships, Compassion, Integrity, Empathy, Respect, Justice and Truth.
Message from the Principal
As a proudly non-selective entry School, we were delighted with our 2023 median ATAR of 88.55, with approximately 45% of our students attaining an ATAR greater than 90. Behind the numbers, however, are the stories of girls who danced and swam and sang and played, who each had their own definition of success and what they wanted from their time at Mentone Girls’ Grammar; who seized every opportunity that came their way with delight and appreciation and whose core values will endure even after the ATAR fades into insignificance.
Our Annual Community Report reflects and speaks to a culture that loves learning. This community supports and empowers every student, our Common Room is filled with exemplary educators whose collective passion, commitment and mastery have been a key feature of our School by the Bayside for nearly 125 years.
Whilst we may be blessed with first-class learning spaces, playing fields and aquatic facilities, the true measurement of a school’s worth lies not in its physical environments but in the quality of the relationships that underpin the day-to-day experience for its students. It’s in how well its students are taught, mentored, challenged, and nurtured to be the thoughtful, compassionate, creative, intelligent, and moral leaders that the world needs right now.
Because we’re a small School with a long history behind us, we’re in the enviable position of being able to create an intimate environment where every girl is known, seen and heard so that a strong sense of belonging, underpinned by high-quality teaching and learning is a feature of their time with us.
2023 has seen us emerge from the shadow cast by COVID with a renewed sense of boldness, purpose and vigour as evidenced by our marketing campaign “The truth is…” which unapologetically extolled the beauty and power of the all-girls experience; indeed, if ever there was an imperative to exercise one’s rights and responsibilities in a proudly independent single-sex girls’ school it is now - an ethos that also found full expression in Legally Blonde, our first musical production, since 2019.
With the creation of a new Strategic Plan to chart our course, a fresh new website with which to share our story and a new Timetable to better support the learning of our girls in the Senior School, we’ve more than made up for time lost to lockdowns and are looking with excitement and anticipation to our 125th Anniversary, in 2024.
In 2023 we continued to grow and develop our School. Focusing on delivering a holistic and contemporary education for girls has seen us investing in exemplary educators who collectively provide excellence in music, sport, outdoor education, travel, the arts, and theatre, which is fundamental to the liberal, humane, pre-vocational education that is at the heart of the Mentone Girls’ experience.
Our role at Mentone Girls’ Grammar is to lead and inspire the next generation of women to take their place in the world; by building confidence, character and substance, we ensure they’ll be ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges of their time.
Vero Nihil Verius
Ms Natalie Charles Principal
Senior Management Team
Under the leadership of Principal, Ms Natalie Charles, the 2023 Senior Management Team was responsible for providing a sense of purpose in our students and empowering them to become confident, compassionate, and capable young women who are ready to face the challenges of today, and the future.
Ms
Natalie Charles Principal
Ms Charles commenced as Principal of Mentone Girls’ Grammar in 2020.
Ms Charles began her career as a teacher of English and Literature at Melbourne Grammar School, where she held several senior roles, including Head of Deakin House and Director of Staff.
Following this, she assumed the position of Head of Senior School at Carey Baptist Grammar School, where she was responsible for leading more than 800 Senior School students and their teachers.
Ms Charles believes that at their core, schools must address the fundamental need that all young people have a purpose, meaning and belonging, which in turn instils hope as they prepare to face a world beyond the school gates.
Ms Meg Adem
Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School
Ms Adem was appointed Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School in 2022.
Before commencing at Mentone Girls’ Grammar, Ms Adem worked at Brighton Grammar where she held various senior positions including Head of Operations (Senior School), Acting Deputy Headmaster, Head of House, Head of Psychology, as well as being the Chair of the Staff Culture Team and a member of the Staff Wellbeing Team.
Ms Adem also taught at Scotch College and has worked extensively with the VCAA as an Exam Panel Member for VCE Psychology.
Ms Adem is a passionate educator committed to providing the best care for every student, by developing their inherent strengths and talents and creating an environment where they are safe to be themselves.
Mr Ross Halliday
Head of Junior School
Mr Halliday joined Mentone Girls’ Grammar as the Head of Junior School at the beginning of 2023.
Mr Halliday was appointed to this role after concluding his tenure as a Primary School Principal at an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he gained invaluable experience in IB programmes.
Prior to this, Mr Halliday was the Head and Deputy Head of the Junior School at Caulfield Grammar School (Wheelers Hill Campus) where he taught for 10 years.
Mr Halliday believes that magical moments happen between the teachers and students each day and it’s ultimately these moments that have the greatest impact on student learning.
Ms Lisa Hanlon
Head
of Teaching and Learning
Ms Hanlon joined Mentone Girls’ Grammar at the beginning of 2018 as Head of English, where she was responsible for ensuring excellence and fostering a love of learning at every level.
Ms Hanlon was promoted into the role of Head of Teaching and Learning in 2021 and leads the Curriculum Committee, comprised of the Heads of Departments whose job it is to oversee the academic program across all subject areas and disciplines in the Senior School.
Ms Hanlon is a passionate advocate for life-long learning and believes in the transformative power of education as a means of empowering students to think critically, appreciate diversity and further develop empathy.
Senior Management Team
Dr Karl Sebire Director of Research and Practice
As Director of Research and Practice, Dr Sebire leads the School’s tertiary partnerships, research initiatives, and pedagogical strategies to ensure that our staff are active participants in and contributors to what it means to be an exemplary educator.
Responsible for our Professional Learning Framework, Dr Sebire leads the development opportunities, including our Fellowship (and bursaries), to ensure staff are given every opportunity to excel in their roles.
With an extensive background in education, both as a teacher and a researcher, Dr Sebire also consults on matters relating to technology, design literacy, screen time, and adolescent attention spans to a range of schools, organisations, and media.
Ms Monica Cabrita Director of Human Resources
Ms Cabrita knows all too well the importance of nurturing a collaborative, supportive environment and this starts with building strong relationships.
With over two decades of Human Resources experience across the corporate and education sectors, Ms Cabrita oversees all aspects of staffing. She is proud of the Employee Value Proposition that has been built up over many years and its capacity to attract and retain exceptional talent.
By providing a nurturing, supportive and inclusive culture, Ms Cabrita contributes to the overall success of our School and its students.
Mr Robert Konoroth Director of Business Operations
Mr Konoroth oversees the School’s financial, operational, and strategic aspects, ensuring its sustainability and growth in a competitive and dynamic environment.
With over 18 years of experience in leading business and finance functions in the education sector, along with a CPA qualification and a Certificate in Corporate Governance, he has successfully implemented several initiatives to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the School’s processes, systems, and policies, enhancing the quality of the teaching and learning environment. He is passionate about delivering excellence in education and creating a positive and supportive culture for staff, students, and families.
Message from the School Council President
With a new strategic plan defined and refined financial modelling complete, 2023 was a year of reset. While we always have an eye on the future, 2023 blended the shadow of the pandemic with the need to turn our attention to the future.
Our financial situation was somewhat compromised by COVID-19, resulting in lower than previously forecasted local and full fee-paying overseas students considering our School. In 2023, we relaunched our International Student Program by re-engaging with international agents and families in Australia and abroad. While we appreciate this is a long-term strategy, we are beginning to see the impact of our International Student Programs and initiatives.
As we look to 2024 and beyond, I’m also pleased to report that prudent cost and budget management have driven significant operational efficiencies while maintaining quality academic, extracurricular and co-curricular programs.
As you’ll read in this 2023 report, our commitment to delivering exceptional education shines bright and is reflected in our strategic decisions as a school.
At our core, we’re a non-selective School that delivers a holistic education and academic excellence as we focus on attracting the best educators. The School continues its programs and enhances the timetable to ensure a more significant connection between staff and students. These significant changes increased the face-to-face teaching time, which was critical in our 2023 academic year. This year the School produced its best VCE results in its history.
Looking forward to 2024, enrolment growth is now beginning to trend upward on the back of a couple of compromised COVID years, I want to thank Principal Ms Natalie Charles for her exemplary leadership, professionalism, and commitment to our School and for advocating for all girls’ education. Her unwavering commitment to academic excellence instils a culture of high standards in our teaching and learning practices. This has dramatically enriched the experiences of our educators and students, and promises to elevate the quality of our learning environment for years to come.
The Council would also like to acknowledge the significant contribution of the retired (September 2023) Council Director Mr Ashley Reed, who served on the Finance, Governance and Risk Management, and the Building and Assets Committees for many years. Thank you to my fellow Council Directors and Committee Members for their dedication and voluntary commitment to advancing our shared goals.
As members of the Council, we consider it a privilege to have served the staff and families at Mentone Girls’ Grammar. We thank the School Community for their unwavering support, friendship, and warmth. Indeed, creating an optimal school environment requires collective effort, and we are proud to be part of a community where everyone collaborates to foster the best learning journey for our students.
Mr James Stewart
School Council President
School Council
The 2023 Mentone Girls’ Grammar School Council is a committed team of volunteers focused on sound fiscal management, good governance, and proactive infrastructure development to create a future worthy of what has gone in the past.
Ms Natalie Charles Ex-officio, Principal.
Mr Robert Konorth
Ex-officio, Director of Business Operations, Council Secretary.
Ms Nicole O’Donnell
Ms O’Donnell is an Old Girl of the School and a current parent. She is currently an Executive with the City of Maribyrnong and has significant international HR, business and compliance experience in the aviation, not-for-profit and government sectors.
Mr James Stewart
Mr Stewart, a Management Consultant with extensive public and private sector experience, advising governments in Australia and overseas on major economic and social infrastructure projects. He is also a current parent.
Ms Tara Chandler-Scott
Ms Chandler-Scott is Special Counsel at a Melbourne law firm and specialises in major infrastructure projects, particularly in the context of project finance and PPP arrangements. Ms Chandler-Scott has been involved in transport, energy and water projects and other major property developments in Australia, Europe, the Middle East and South America.
Ms Amanda Robertson
Ms Robertson, a specialist in Employment Law and workplace dispute resolution, is an experienced conciliator and mediator. She has worked with Suncorp Group, ExxonMobil, the South African Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, and the South African Industrial Court. She is a past parent.
Mr Ross Symons
Mr Symons is the CEO and founder of Big Ant Studios, the largest console game developer in Australia and is Vice President of the Game Developers Association of Australia. He is also a published author in the field of Information Technology. He is a past parent.
Mr Brad Cornwell
Mr Cornwell works for the Australian Financial Complaints Authority in dispute resolution and has over 30 years of banking experience across Australia’s eastern states. His extensive experience includes team leadership, credit risk and governance, sales, and coaching. He has managed Credit Risk, Credit Recoveries, Corporate Finance, and Private Banking teams. He is a past parent.
Dr Heather Schnagl AM
Dr Schnagl was the Principal of Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School from 1998 to 2017 and has a wealth of experience in independent schools and governance. Dr Schnagl was a Board Member of Independent Schools Victoria for 18 years, including 10 years as Deputy Chairman and is currently an Ambassador. Dr Schnagl is treasurer of the Invergowrie Foundation and an Examining Chaplain of the Melbourne Diocese of the Anglican Church.
School Council
Mr Ashley Reed
(Resigned September 2023)
Mr Reed is General Manager, Investments & Commercial at Cbus Property where he is responsible for the national investment portfolio, the corporate treasury and finance functions, capital management, stakeholder reporting, risk, and corporate governance processes. He has extensive experience in property and structured finance, both domestically and internationally, and has held senior roles in the advisory, AREIT and private sectors. Mr Reed joined the Council in 2010, is a past President of the Foundation and has served on the Finance, Governance & Risk Management Committee, and the Building & Assets Committee. He is a past parent.
Ms Andrea McMillan
Ms McMillan leads all marketing efforts across The Walt Disney Company AUNZ for their studio film releases, streaming service content, brands, partnerships, and events. Her remit includes management of media and creative agencies, commercial and media partnerships, social media channels, and publicity, to develop creative, innovative, best-in-class marketing solutions. Ms McMillan is a seasoned brand marketing executive with a track record of driving awareness, engagement, and commercialisation.
Mr Jay Doherty
Mr Doherty is a results-focused, highly experienced financial executive and Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of business experience in private equity operations within the family office sector. Mr Doherty is the CFO of the Besen Group, a sophisticated investment group and private family office. He is a current parent.
Why Choose an All-Girls School?
An all-girls school provides an educational experience that goes beyond mere academic success.
At Mentone Girls’ Grammar, our girls are equipped with the tools, support, and opportunities necessary to realise their full potential, emerging as confident, empowered leaders in a rapidly changing world.
Benefits of Choosing an All-Girls Education
More than 80% of girls’ school graduates consider their academic performance to be highly successful.
Nearly 96% of girls’ school students report receiving more frequent feedback on their assignments and other course work, compared to 80% at coed public schools.
Girls’ school grads are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology, compared to girls who attend coed schools.
Single-sex programs create an institutional and classroom climate in which female students can express themselves freely and frequently, and develop higher-order thinking skills.
Nearly half of all women graduating from all-girls schools rate their public speaking and writing skills as ‘high’ compared to girls graduating from coed school.
More than 88% of girls’ school students report that they are comfortable being themselves at school. They feel safe to express themselves, and engage in open exchange of ideas.
77% of all-girls students reported having self-confidence. They noted feeling a sense of accomplishment, identifying that when they are in a difficult situation, they can find a way out.
Quoted research from the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools website, 2023.
Our Community
At Mentone Girls’ Grammar, we believe that relationships with our School community are essential in supporting student learning and wellbeing. Our community includes students, parents, the School Council, Alumnae, staff, Parents’ Association (known as Friends of the Willow), volunteers and donors.
As a community, we come together through shared experiences and decades-long traditions, including:
• Events
• Reunions
• Concerts
• Information sessions
•
Students Staff Parents
664
1,327
5,640
Our Students
Mentone Girls’ Grammar is an all-girls, open-entry Anglican School, catering to students from ELC to Year 12. In 2023, Mentone Girls’ Grammar had 664 students enrolled.
130
47
180
434
3
School
Attendance
Student attendance is recorded and managed by teachers in the Synergetic Attendance Management System.
In the Junior School, teachers record attendance at the beginning of the day and after lunch. In the Senior School, teachers record attendance at the beginning of each lesson.
Parents can record their child’s absence through the School Absentee Line, mConnect, EduApp, or via email. When a student is absent from school without prior notification, an Attendance Officer will contact the student’s parents/guardians to ensure their wellbeing.
Students who arrive late or depart early must sign in/out at their School Reception.
We are pleased to report a 1.51% increase in student attendance from 2022 to 2023.
This improvement can be attributed to several procedures implemented in 2023.
• Our personalised approach is to contact all families in the event of consecutive or ongoing absence, to facilitate the prompt and confident return of the student to School.
• Our heightened focus on punctuality and attendance has contributed to a culture of accountability and commitment among our students, ensuring they remain present and engaged in their studies.
• Ongoing enhancements in supporting students experiencing school refusal have expedited their successful reintegration into the classroom.
• Early communication of Term Dates and clear messaging regarding the importance of minimising term-time holidays have strengthened the importance of consistent attendance.
• Our ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Further to this, State Government changes to COVID-19 isolation rules resulted in a significant reduction in both COVID-19 and long-term absences across the board.
Together, these initiatives underscore our dedication to promoting student wellbeing and academic success.
2022 Student attendance
2023 Student attendance
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Student retention (Years 9 to 12)
92.5% Of those students enrolled in Year 9 in 2020, continued to complete Year 12 in 2023.
LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys
In 2023, the School participated in the Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) LEAD (Listen, Evaluate, Act and Deliver) stakeholder surveys. ISV administers the surveys and allows schools to benchmark against previous years and importantly, against other ‘like’ independent schools. Just over half of the 208 independent schools across Victoria participate in some form of LEAD survey. Mentone Girls’ Grammar heads the ISV recommendations and participates in the survey biennially. In 2023 we participated in the Staff, Parents, Students, Years 5-11 and Year 12 Exit Surveys.
The ISV survey coordinator indicates the following:
• An average score above 8.0 is excellent
• An average score between 7.0 and 7.5 is very good
• An average score between 6.0 and 7.0 needs attention
• An average score of less than 6.0 is of concern.
We value the feedback which has affirmed what we do, as well as providing a chance to reflect and implement changes for growth and improvement. A detailed analysis of the data is undertaken by the Senior Management Team at our annual Retreat and is used to inform our goals for the year. A Net Promoter of above +50 or above is considered excellent. Mentone Girls’ Grammar is proud to announce that our 2023 Net Promoter Score for staff was +71%.
Mentone Girls’ Grammar Responses
Responses
LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys
We are pleased to report that parents’ feedback on our School exceeded the ISV benchmark in general satisfaction across 10 categories.
Parent Satisfaction
2023 Survey Participation Rates
• 160 schools
• 145,560 parents, which included 156 (11.76%) Mentone Girls’ Grammar parents
2023 Headline Indicators
The School is a safe place in which to learn
Parents are made to feel welcome to visit the School
My child is motivated to learn at this School
The School library/resource centres has outstanding resources for students
The
Students are well prepared for the next stage of their education
stay up-to-date in the things they teach
have access to high quality materials and resources that help them learn
Overall I am satisfied with my decision to send my child to this School
Teachers in this School know and care about my child 8.07
All Parent Satisfaction Scores were greater than 8.0 which is an excellent result for Mentone Girls’ Grammar.
LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys
We are thrilled to announce that the feedback from our students on our School surpassed the ISV benchmark in every category for both General Satisfaction and Quality of Teaching. Additionally, we had a great response rate, further underscoring the positive reception.
Student Engagement and Satisfaction
2023 Survey Participation Rates
• 146 schools
• 203,005 students, which included 351 (52.62%) Mentone Girls’ Grammar students
2023 Headline Indicators Score
I have access to high-quality technology and resources that help me learn 8.40
My School is a safe place in which to learn 8.24
My teachers expect high standards of learning from me 8.20
My teachers encourage me to improve the standard of my learning 8.01
I am happy to be at this School 7.91
I have been supported and prepared as I have moved from year level to year level 7.73
My School gives me the opportunity to develop my interests and talents 7.58
Most Student Engagement and Satisfaction Scores were greater than 7.5, which is a very good result for Mentone Girls’ Grammar.
LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys
The LEAD School Effectiveness Survey report for Student Engagement and Satisfaction split into two streams:
1. General Satisfaction
2. Quality of Teaching
Satisfaction
The General Satisfaction domain results from the 2023 Survey indicate that Mentone Girls’ Grammar is:
• Exceeding the ISV benchmark in all General Satisfaction categories.
• Exceeding the mean when compared to similar schools in all General Satisfaction categories.
Quality of Teaching
The Quality of Teaching domain results from the 2023 Survey indicate that Mentone Girls’ Grammar is:
• Exceeding the ISV benchmark in all Quality of Teaching categories.
• Exceeding the mean when compared to similar schools in Quality of Teaching categories.
These outstanding results highlight the School’s commitment to excellence and the high level of satisfaction among parents and students.
LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys
The teaching staff at Mentone Girls’ Grammar is the cornerstone of delivering exceptional learning and an environment where all students are known, seen and heard. The 2023 results highlight that our teachers exceeded the ISV benchmark in all school-based and workplace categories. Moreover, the remarkably high response rate further highlights staff satisfaction and their appreciation for having their voices heard.
Staff Satisfaction
2023 Survey Participation Rates
• 146 schools
• 56,641 staff, which included 125 (96.15%)
Mentone Girls’ Grammar staff
All Staff Satisfaction Scores were above 8.0, reflecting an excellent result for Mentone Girls’ Grammar.
2023 Headline Indicators Score
I use a variety of teaching strategies and learning activities to help students
I
LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys
The LEAD School Effectiveness Survey report was split into two streams:
1. School Based
2. Workplace
The School-Based domain results from the 2023 Survey indicate that Mentone Girls’ Grammar is:
• Exceeding the ISV benchmark in all School Based categories.
• Exceeding the mean when compared to similar schools in most School Based categories.
The Workplace domain results from the 2023 Survey indicate that Mentone Girls’ Grammar is:
• Exceeding the ISV benchmark in all Workplace categories.
• Exceeding the mean when compared to similar schools in all Workplace categories.
These exceptional outcomes underscore the School’s strong performance and commitment to excellence in both educational and workplace environments.
Research & Practice
The Research and Practice portfolio at Mentone Girls’ Grammar oversees:
Tertiary partnerships, research initiatives, pedagogical strategy, Professional Learning Framework (PLF), including Fellowship and Bursaries.
This portfolio ensures students’ and staff’s active participation and contribution to the conversation around exemplary education. These initiatives are also crafted to support lifelong learning among our staff, providing them with ample opportunities to excel in their roles.
Tertiary Partnerships
We have numerous partnerships with leading Australian universities. These partnerships inform our practice and contribute to the broader academic conversation to ensure that knowledge is continuously shared.
Partnerships include:
• University of New South Wales
• University of Newcastle
• University of Western Sydney
• Monash University
• Sydney University
Research Initiatives
These initiatives are aligned with our commitment to cultivating a culture of learning and empowering our students and staff with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. Key initiatives included the Verius Series and Research Partnerships.
The Verius Series
In Term 4, we published our inaugural research journal, Verius.
Verius is our proprietary publication created by our exemplary educators who are passionate about their field of expertise and dedicated to inspiring a love of lifelong learning.
Research Partnerships
Our Senior School students participated in an international study facilitated by Stanford University, which provided valuable insights into student wellbeing and academic attitudes. Additionally, we have conducted a preliminary survey on staff resilience metrics with the University of Pennsylvania, aiming to enhance our employee value proposition.
We also collaborated with the University of Western Sydney on Digital Wellbeing research, and with the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, with potential to deploy a randomised control trial to Year 8 students.
Professional Learning Framework (PLF)
By participating in ongoing professional research, learning and practices, our staff work with experts in the field to gain valuable insights that provide the best possible educational outcomes for our students.
Internal: Learning from Each Other
Term 2 featured a Teaching and Learning conference showcasing skills, knowledge, and the latest research delivered by our staff. This event provided a valuable opportunity for teachers to learn from each other and focus on best practices.
Research & Practice
External: Professional Development Opportunities
Staff participated in diverse external professional development opportunities, enriching their knowledge and skills across various domains.
External professional learnings included:
• International Girls’ School Coalition Symposium
• Age Festival of Education
• National Education Summit
• EduTech Conference
• International Kodaly Symposium
• Social Thinking Conference
Inquiry: Extended Action Research Projects
Our Fellowship and Research Bursaries support our educators. These initiatives enable them to undertake in-depth research projects aimed at improving collective efficacy.
The Fellowship program has yielded substantial returns, with our staff presenting at international conferences and sharing their expertise. 2023 Fellow, Ms Camilla Gaff, presented on being a neuro-affirming school, leading to further engagement with our parent community.
Fellows Ms Melissa Ross and Ms Jane Killeen, hosted an annual Maths Competition for high-achieving girls from local primary schools, fostering a passion for Mathematics in the Bayside area.
AI in Education
An AI Research Group has been developed across all School sections, sharing their experiences and findings to inform our approach to this rapidly evolving technology. The research focuses on understanding current classroom AI applications, identifying potential misuse that may undermine academic integrity, analysing safety risks, and determining how to integrate AI effectively into teaching. This includes investigating the misuse of AI in assignments and research, assessing security and privacy risks, and devising methods to use AI to enhance educational outcomes within academic standards.
Student Surveys
For our students to be known, seen, and heard, student surveys were conducted to provide a valuable feedback mechanism that promotes dialogue, inclusivity, and improvement. The surveys were deployed across the Senior School with over 1,300 qualitative responses, and over 60,000 quantitative data points.
Students were able to share their experiences, perspectives, and suggestions, offering invaluable insights into a teacher’s effectiveness. They highlighted areas of strength, such as inspiring lesson delivery or empathetic support, and areas for improvement, including better communication or more clarity in instructions.
NAPLAN
As an open-entry School, our results in the National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests provide another measurement indicator for our learning and teaching success.
NAPLAN is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It provides parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community with a nationwide measure to determine whether schools are effectively delivering the literacy and numeracy skills necessary for foundational learning and productive participation in society.
Our 2023 NAPLAN results were strong across all four year levels, reflecting the consistently high level of student performance and the outstanding work delivered by our dedicated teachers across these year levels.
Table 1 2023 NAPLAN Results for Mentone Girls’ Grammar mean compared to all Australian schools, as reported on the My School website
2023 NAPLAN Mean
For all test areas, mean student performance was above the State means.
Table 2 2023 NAPLAN Results for Mentone Girls’ Grammar mean compared to the State average, as reported on the My School website
Our Curriculum
Our Curriculum is explicitly designed to promote a balanced and holistic education.
At every Year level, we provide:
• Wellbeing and extra-curricular programs that honour mind, body, and spirit.
• Testing to ensure each girl is performing to her optimal level.
• After-hours coaching, mentoring, and assistance.
• In-class support to address gaps in skills/knowledge where required.
• A range of extension opportunities for students who can access and benefit from enhancement.
• Access to accelerated studies via early VCE pathways and accelerated Mathematics pathways.
In Years 7 and 8, students experience a core program focusing on English, Maths, Humanities (including Geography, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies) Science, Health and Physical Education, Creative Arts (Music, Drama and Art), Food Skills, Digital Technology and two languages (selecting from Chinese, French and Japanese).
In Years 9 and 10, students are provided with a core program that includes Maths, English/English as an Additional Language, Science, Humanities, Careers, and Health and Physical Education with electives in these core disciplines as well as in Languages, Creative Arts and Food Technology.
English (compulsory)
English
Literature
English as an Additional Language
Mathematics
General Mathematics
Mathematical Methods
Specialist Mathematics
Science
Chemistry
Biology
Psychology
Physics
Humanities
Politics
Geography
History
Accounting
Business Management
Legal Studies
Creative Arts
Music Inquiry
Theatre Studies
Art Creative Practice
Visual Communication Design
Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET)
Health and Physical Education
Health and Human Development
Physical Education
Food Studies
Languages
French
German (until end of 2025)
Japanese
We support students electing to study Chinese First Language and Chinese Second Language to study through the Victorian Language School.
2023 VCE Results
We are incredibly proud of our Class of 2023 and their outstanding VCE achievements. Accomplishing the highest academic achievements in the School’s history.
100% of our students attained their VCE
Dux was Nicole Frank, achieved an outstanding score of 99.85
Dux Secundus was Hannah Wilcock achieved an outstanding score of 99.8
Outstanding ATAR Achievements
Our 2023 cohort achieved impressive ATAR scores. These outstanding results are a testament to both the hard work of our students and the unwavering support provided by our dedicated teachers.
Nationwide Results
8% of our students achieved an ATAR of 99+, placing them in the top 1%
45% of our students achieved an ATAR of 90+, placing them in the top 10%
State Results
17% of the Class achieved ATARs of 98+
45% of the Class achieved ATARs of 90+
69% of the Class achieved ATARs of 80+
Our median ATAR was 88.55.
Exceptional Study Scores
Our strong performance in Study Scores directly contributed to our impressive ATAR outcomes.
A perfect Study Score of 50 was attained in four subjects, while 56% of our students achieved at least one Study Score of 40 or above across 19 subjects. Additionally, our median Study Score of 36 surpasses the state median of 30, reflecting the high level of academic excellence within our cohort. This achievement underscores the expertise of our teachers, whose guidance was instrumental in helping students reach their full potential.
Subjects with a perfect Study Score of 50
• Biology
• Literature
• Physical Education
• Psychology
Subjects our students achieved Study Score of over 40
• Accounting
• Art Creative Practice
• Business Management
• Chemistry
• Creative & Digital Media
• English/EAL
• Food Studies
• Geography
• Health & Human Development
• History
VCE Baccalaureate
• Languages; French and Japanese
• Legal Studies
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physics
• Politics
• Theatre Studies
• Visual Communication Design
VCE Baccalaureate is designed to encourage more students to include languages and higher-level mathematics in their senior secondary program of study. 12% of students received the VCE Baccalaureate from the class of 2023.
• A Units 3 and 4 sequence in either Mathematics Methods (CAS) or Specialist Mathematics.
• A Units 3 and 4 sequence in English or Literature with a study score of 30 or above; or a Units 3 and 4 sequence in English as an Additional Language (EAL) with a study score of 33 or above.
• A Units 3 and 4 sequence in a VCE Language.
• At least two other Units 3 and 4 sequences.
LEFT: Nicole Frank (DUX) RIGHT: Hannah Wilcok (DUX SECUNDUS)
Year 12 Student Destinations
Year 12 Tertiary Destinations
Our Class of 2023’s dedication, resilience, and love of learning shine through in their record-breaking results and pathways into tertiary education.
Their diverse academic interests are reflected across their pursuits in Science, Nursing and Engineering, while others explore Law, Global Studies, and Creative Arts.
STEM: All areas of Science and Health were explored as students accepted offers in Science, Biomedical Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Nursing, Paramedicine, Radiography and Medical Imaging, Psychology, Exercise Science, Vet Science, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology and Optometry.
The 2023 cohort also demonstrated renewed interest in Law and Social Justice (with 13 offers for Law courses in Victoria and three others interstate).
Thinking beyond their home city, our students applied to universities across Australia. They received offers from interstate universities, including ANU, UNSW, University of Sydney, Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University. One student received an offer from Sacred Heart University in the United States.
91% of students received their 1st or 2nd preference
93% of students received one of their top 3 preferences 100% of students
49% of students were offered a course at Monash University
28% of students were offered a course at Melbourne University
19% of students were offered a course at Deakin University
48% of students are pursuing courses across STEM
41% of students are pursuing courses across the Arts and Humanities
35% of students are pursuing courses across the Law, Business and Commerce
Our International Student Program
In 2023, we reinstated our International Student program after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are registered to enrol International Students from Year 7 onwards.
Australia has strict Government guidelines for protecting International Students, and Mentone Girls’ Grammar is committed to following these guidelines to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students.
Accommodation
We encourage students to live with a parent where possible, however homestay is an option for students entering Year 9 and above. For those requiring homestay, we will organise a match with one of our many known and trusted providers. The Homestay family will provide the student with an opportunity to experience Australian culture and lifestyle, the company of English speakers to encourage the use of English conversation in the home and during mealtimes.
Student wellbeing
At Mentone Girls’ Grammar, students are at the heart of what we do, and we are privileged to be part of their lives. Several support people are actively engaged in the student’s academic, social and emotional well-being during their time at the School. Our dedicated teachers and Wellbeing Services Team assist our international students in adjusting to life and studying in a new country.
Student advocates – local support
Students are also required to engage an advocate who is independent from the School and is able to provide additional support for parents and students.
This advocate may be a relative or family friend already living in Melbourne, or the School will assist the family in making arrangements. The School may use a third-party provider for this service.
International Student Coordinator
Our International Student Coordinator, ensures that every overseas student is looked after in their home away from home, and that they make the most of the opportunities on offer during their time with us.
The International Student Coordinator is the key person overseeing the day-to-day School life of our students. They know the student’s program and liaise with teachers to ensure learning outcomes are met. International students have an obligation to maintain their attendance and course progress. The International Student Coordinator will monitor this requirement.
International Student Graduate
Year 12 Graduate, 2022
After researching and visiting schools in Melbourne, Xiaowen and her mother chose Mentone Girls’ Grammar because of the “size and environment”. Xiaowen says it’s the perfect size school for every student to be known, seen and heard.
On her first day of school, she remembers struggling in class with her English and getting lost until her buddy helped her buy her lunch. She soon found her way and her voice!
The guiding principles of “Known, Seen and Heard” allowed Xiaowen to flourish. Xiaowen’s education at Mentone Girls’ Grammar was a well-rounded experience where she learnt to work hard and study effectively, but she also pushed herself to be involved and to make the most of all the opportunities on offer to students. Mastering the art of mindfulness (sometimes at the beach across the road) was a skill she learnt to manage her busy times and exams.
One of Xiaowen’s highlights was the House system where every student belongs to a team to compete in athletics, swimming, running, music, dance and more.
Participating in House activities was a great opportunity to build friendships and her character. Another highlight was a trip to New Zealand in Year 9, where she learnt about cultural differences and languages. But, she says “all the camps were awesome” because she got to try bike riding, surfing and activities she wouldn’t ordinarily choose to do.
Xiaowen’s advice to other international students is to “Get involved, try everything - you would be so lucky to come here.”
Supported by the International Student Coordinator, Xiaowen feels that Mentone Girls’ Grammar is a warm and inclusive environment for all students. She is thankful for the expert guidance of her teachers and the Careers Counsellor who helped her to reach her goals and make the most of her potential. She also loved the purpose-built Years 11 and 12 Learning Centre. It is a beautiful space where senior students can study, focus, and feel safe – like a home away from home.
Xiaowen achieved a 97.6 ATAR and is now a successful student at Monash University.
Inspired by the exemplary teachers at Mentone Girls’ Grammar, Xiaowen has chosen to study Science and Education. She plans to be a secondary Science teacher so that she can inspire and ignite future student interest in Science.
Financial Information
Our School has developed a new strategic and financial plan.
In 2023, the School introduced several strategic initiatives, in support of the plan which included:
• The launch of a sophisticated and rejuvenated suite of Camps, Trips, and Tours designed to attract a broader student cohort and enhance the learning experiences offered.
• Implementing a new timetable for Years 7-12, allowing for increased in face to face teaching hours in core subjects, which produced our best VCE results in some time.
• Ongoing focus on attracting and retaining outstanding leaders and educators.
• Revising our marketing strategy to build critical programs to support market growth and parent engagement.
In 2023, the proportion of Tuition Fees to total revenue was 70.12%. The combined Federal and State funding supports a further 19% of revenue. As a relatively small independent School, we focus on developing a sustainable fee-paying business model that enables our School to deliver exceptional education.
Sources of revenue
Employee-related expenses represent 65.89% of total expenditures, while Curriculum, IT, Facility Maintenance, Marketing and other expenditures represent 25.9% of total expenditure outgoings for 2023. Prudent cost management in non-teaching areas will continue to ensure we attract exceptional educators and deliver best-in-class education.
Areas of expenditure
The Creative Arts
In 2023, the Creative Arts continued to enjoy success in both the academic and co-curricular settings. At Mentone Girls’ Grammar, students who actively engage with the Creative Arts are not only trained to be the best in their craft but also gain highly developed skills in communication, leadership, empathy, problem solving, time management, and teamwork.
Visual Art
• The inaugural VCE Art and Design Exhibition. At this exhibition, local artist, Sarah Metnzer from the TarraWarra Museum of Art critiqued and awarded prizes for excellence in Art and Design. The prize winners were Bella Shashian for Art and Mia Gertler for Design.
• VCE Student, Georgina Richards, was recognised at Top Arts for her work in Art Creative Practice.
• VCE Students, Sophie Price and Sophie Hui were recognised at Top Designs for their work in Creative and Digital Media.
• Students from the VCE Visual Arts took part in an art tour of Sydney. They enjoyed both street art and many of the art galleries in Sydney.
Theatre & Dance
• The VCE Theatre Studies class staged monologues from ‘Bombshells’ by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith
• VCE Student, Mali Anderson, was recognised at Top Class for her work in Theatre Studies.
• The School Production ‘Legally Blonde’ was a sell out and runaway success.
Music
• Performing Strings (conducted by Barry Luo) achieving Gold at the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The group presented for the first time at the VSMF and in the advanced section.
• Wind Symphony (conducted by Tony Toppi) achieving Silver at the Victorian Schools Music Festival
• Band Stars (conducted by Catherine Waugh) performed at the Victorian Schools Music Festival
• Music Camp was held at the end of Term 3. Camp focused on preparing music for Presentation Night
• Music In the Willow (Lunchtime concerts) series continued to be an excellent platform for students to perform.
• Clara Dinh (Year 10) was a featured performer on 3MBs’ “The Talent” series and won the Audience Favourite Award.
Collaborations between all departments
• The Year 7 and Year 8 Create series provided our students the opportunity to showcase their talents in Music, Drama and Art.
• College production, Legally Blonde, was in collaboration with Brighton Grammar School and St Bede’s.
• Big Art was an immense success, engaging the entire School community from Early Learning Centre to VCE. Students showcased their artwork alongside music from both classroom and co-curricular programs, as well as captivating Drama and Dance displays.
• We also hosted Soirees and Golden Note. Golden Note, adjudicated by former Mentone Girls’ Grammar Music Captain, Jessica Leigh, was a great success.
VCE Achievements
• 20% of students in VCE Creative Arts subject achieved study scores above 40
• High achieving subjects were Music Inquiry, Art Creative Practice, and Creative and Digital Media.
Sport
Sports activities continued to thrive in 2023, building upon the strong foundations laid in previous years.
The evolution of our Sports program has been significant, marked by several noteworthy achievements worth recognising.
House Carnivals
Students again enjoyed the opportunity to express their House spirit through our House Sports Carnivals.
The Premier Houses in the following categories were:
• House Swimming & Diving – McCowan
• House Cross Country – Grammar
• House Athletics – Grammar
Girls Sport Victoria (GSV) Carnivals
Our students competed in several GSV Carnivals during the year. They achieved excellent performances in major GSV carnivals with some history-making achievements.
Key highlights included:
• Qualifying for Division 1 in both Swimming and Diving (only 4 schools to achieve this);
• Division 2 Premiers in Cross Country; and
• Qualifying in Division 1 for Athletics for the first time.
Swimming
Competed in the Senior School Division 1 with the following placings:
• Competed in the Senior School Division 1 with the following placings: Juniors - 3rd, Inters - 3rd, Seniors - 3rd, Overall - 3rd
Cross Country
• Competed in the Senior School Division 2 with the following placings: Juniors - 2nd, Inters - 1st, Seniors - 2nd, Overall - Premiers.
Athletics
• Competed in the Senior School Division 1 (for the first time) with the following placings: Juniors - 7th, Inters - 3rd, Seniors - 6th, Overall 6th.
• 15 Medals at the GSV Finals Evening (5th Highest out of all 24 GSV Schools).
• Highlights include the Year 9A and Year 12A 4x100m Relay wins.
GSV Weekly Sport
We fielded numerous competitive teams in the GSV Weekly Sport competitions throughout the year, with several notable achievements:
• Tennis: Intermediate A team emerged as Zone Winners
• Soccer: Junior A team secured the title of Zone Winners.
• Hockey: Senior B team clinched the Premiership and emerged as Zone Winners.
Aerobics, Dance and Glee
Mentone Girls’ had another strong year in our ‘Schoolaerobics’, ‘Dancestar’, and ‘Glee’ competitions in 2023. With a strong cohort of students competing in the TFT Nationals in Adelaide, we performed exceptionally well, coming home with 17 Gold, 12 Silver and 8 Bronze (37 total medals).
Community Netball
Our ever-growing Community Netball program had another successful year with many new students joining the programs over the Autumn and Spring seasons.
Key highlights across the year include:
• Mentone Girls’ Matildas (U18, Sect 2) Premiers
• Mentone Girls’ Mojo (U18, Sect 3) Premiers
• Mentone Girls’ SuperKats (U15, Sect 4) Runners Up
Events
We hosted numerous sporting events throughout the year, providing opportunities for students to excel at higher levels or participate in sports not included in the weekly sport program.
Triathlon – 24 students competed in the GSV Triathlon in Term 1 at Altona Foreshore. We had strong results with three of our intermediate teams achieving a Top 6 finish.
Golf – four students competed in the GSV Golf event in Term 1 at the prestigious Metropolitan Golf Club. Students entered across the Handicap and Non-Handicap competitions.
Snowsports – three students competed at the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships at Mt Buller. Congratulations to Bea Nannes (Y4) for her 3rd place in Moguls and Brigitta Evans (Y12) for 4th place in Slopestyle Ski.
GSV Representative Team Selections
The following students earned selection in the GSV Representative teams:
• Holly Neville (Y12) – Swimming
• Nicolette Hilaris (Y10) – Tennis
• Lola Clarke (Y12) – Water Polo
• Alex Joseph (Y9) and Leila Simpson (Y10)Netball
Parents’ Association
Our Parents’ Association (known asThe Friends of the Willow) is a cornerstone of our community, bringing together parents and guardians. The year began with the official launch of the Friends of the Willow, named after the tree at the heart of the iconic Willow Courtyard. This name symbolises growth, inclusivity, community, and joy, capturing the vibrant spirit of our School.
In 2023, the Friends of the Willow organised a series of initiatives that strengthened our community bonds and enriched the school experience for students, parents, and guardians.
We began the year with a Chinese New Year Celebration, featuring a festive dumpling breakfast. This event was filled with laughter, connection, and celebration, strengthening community relationships for the year ahead.
Our dads had a fantastic time engaging with the School community through a friendly game of barefoot bowling. The event was a great success, with everyone embracing the challenge and cheering each other on.
By July, our community ties had grown stronger, as reflected in the attendance of over 150 parents at our joyful Christmas in July dinner at Woodlands Golf Course. The evening was filled with laughter and festive cheer, making it a bi-annual highlight.
In 2023, the School held its first production since 2019, ‘Legally Blonde’. The committee supported this sell-out event by setting up an eye-catching kiosk, providing theatre-goers with refreshing snacks and drinks to enhance their experience at Mentone Girls’ Grammar.
To honour the hard work and commitment of our teachers, the committee hosted a special morning tea on World Teacher’s Day. This thoughtful gesture was greatly appreciated, with students celebrating their teachers.
Another touching event was our traditional Rose Lunch. This sentimental occasion, which mirrors the School’s farewell assembly, celebrated Year 12 parents by presenting them with red roses as a special send-off.
At the end of the year, the Friends of the Willow made a donation towards a new mural commemorating 125 years of our School and new marquees for the sports department. We are excited to see these additions benefit our students for years to come.
The Friends of the Willow arranged various events in the Junior School including the Treats Initiative and School Disco. The Treats initiative delighted our Junior School girls with icy poles on two special occasions, bringing smiles and joy during a fun-filled “happy hour.” The Junior School Disco a vibrant rainbow-themed, featured tasty snacks and free dress day, creating a memorable highlight for many.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Friends of the Willow. We deeply appreciate the unwavering dedication, time, and commitment of these exceptional volunteers, ensuring that everyone feels cherished and welcomed within our School!
Workforce Composition
2023 Academic Year
Employee Value Proposition
We continue to support our staff through various initiatives, making our School an attractive destination for exemplary educators.
These initiatives include:
• Professional growth and career development opportunities
• Financial support for professional memberships
• Comprehensive Professional Learning programs
• Annual Fellowship and Bursary programs
• Generous budgets for professional learning
• Support for conference presentations and network development
• Opportunities for research and journal publications
• Peer support for postgraduate studies
• A range of social, health, and wellbeing benefits
• Attractive salaries and packages, above-award leave entitlements, and generous staff discounts
• Facilities and location benefits, including an on-site café, free parking, and beach access