Blog

At Toorak College, we believe that the earlier a girl steps into a space that nurtures her potential, the stronger and more confident she becomes. That’s why we encourage families to consider beginning their daughter's all-girls private school journey in Year 5, rather than waiting until Year 7. This early transition offers more than just a head start: it’s a launchpad for developing a strong sense of identity, academic confidence, and social-emotional intelligence. Stronger Foundations,…

The first big milestone and change in a child’s school journey happens when they leave Year 6 and primary school behind to move to secondary school. It marks a period of social, emotional and academic change that affects every area of your teen’s life. Transitioning from primary school can be both exciting and overwhelming for young people, and as parents and carers, your guidance can make a world of difference. Understanding developmental changes The transition to high school coincides with a…

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…

Unlocking the potential of students is a crucial aspect of their academic journey. Melissa Schoorman, the Head of Wardle House and Deputy Principal, shares insights into the importance of learning how to learn. In this exploration, we delve into the strategies employed in Wardle House to empower students with the skills necessary for maximising learning outcomes and unlocking students’ potential. The foundation: learning how to learn Understanding the process of learning is foundational in a…

To bridge the gap between school and the professional world, it's important to equip students with essential skills and information needed in their future careers and the world of work . Building the foundation for good professional networking skills starts in school, and in this article, Toorak College's Futures Specialist Coco Callanan shares networking tips to help build relationships beyond the classroom, expand your network and prepare for life post graduation. Networking as an opportunity…

The Path to Scholarships - A Guide for Parents Q - Should my child sit for a scholarship at a school? A - Sitting for a scholarship is a really personal choice and it comes down to what you are hoping to achieve. A scholarship may increase the school options available to you, making some schools more accessible to more families. Other families may want to sit them as a means of gaining more external data on their child’s progress, increasing the ability to target focus areas. Some families may…

Should the ATAR stay or go? How challenging traditional methods of reporting will open real industry pathways for students. I commenced my teaching career in 2000, at the beginning of the century (that sounds both momentous and frightening simultaneously). This time not only marked the beginning of my career but also a time of change in the world, where the students I taught learnt the meaning of the word terrorism through world events and not just fictional texts. With any kind of change it…

Inspire the next generation with an all girls' approach They say, ‘If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you’. At Toorak College, we firmly believe that change is driven by challenge, and this holds true for the world we inhabit. While significant strides have been made toward gender equality in recent decades, our world still grapples with gender disparities. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, men, on average, earn $263.90 more per week than women. In light of…

Set your child up for success with these 5 study habits. As we approach the end of the year, students have an opportunity to really show their teachers, and themselves, what they can achieve academically. To do this successfully, students have to prepare for the occasion. To assist your child with developing healthy and successful study habits, it is important to check in with them to understand their goals and to ensure they have set themselves up for success. Research suggests that many…