Celebrating International Women’s Day

On the morning of Wednesday 8 March, Dolly’s Café was abuzz with students, parents, staff and members of the St Michael’s community, who came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with the annual breakfast.

The morning began with the Co-Captains of the School, Tassara (12B) and Nicholas (12M) introducing this year’s theme of ‘Embrace Equity’, explaining the importance of this and the difference between ‘equality’ and ‘equity’.

We were very fortunate to have AFLW Premiership winner and Head of Physical Education (K-6), Miss Jordan Ivey, join us to speak about equity in professional sport. She gave an inspiring speech about the positive changes she has witnessed on her journey to becoming a professional athlete and addressed the barriers that did, and still do, exist for professional female sportspeople.

Miss Ivey’s overarching theme “you can’t be what you can’t see”, resonated with our audience, and I think all in attendance would agree we are fortunate that the young people at St Michael’s have an amazing role model to look up to in Miss Ivey.

Even though 40% of professional athletes are female, we know that inequity exists in areas such as remuneration and media coverage. Miss Ivey offered five practical ways we can all help change this, including watching women’s sport on television, engaging in media content and reporting on women’s sport by liking, commenting (respectfully) and sharing. Other ways of showing support included buying tickets and attending women’s sporting matches, becoming a paid club member or purchasing merchandise and wearing it proudly.

In addition to shining a light on equity in sport, our International Women’s Day Breakfast also supported the 'Stars Foundation', an organisation selected by our Community Action students. 'Stars Foundation' provides holistic mentoring support to one of the most at-risk groups in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women. Thanks to all the donations, we raised over $1500 for 'Stars Foundation'. We also saw many goods donated for our second charity, ‘Support the Girls’. We thank the St Michael’s community for their generous donations.

Ms Emma McDonald Deputy Head and Head of Senior School