Blog

In recent months we have taken part in research through the International Coalition of Girls Schools together with Challenge Success to better understand wellbeing, engagement and belonging in school environments. Whilst the broader research findings will not be known for some time, we have gained access to our own students’ data, that is de-identified, to help us respond immediately to what they say about their own school environment. Although they are a small sample of student views in a…

Self advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself and others. It is an important life skill that we must teach our young people so that they can thrive in all aspects of their lives. It has positive benefits in relation to developing independent and self confident individuals who are self aware, able to make informed decisions and clearly communicate with others. As we support young people to understand and develop their point of view so that they have the confidence to advocate for…

In the dynamic landscape of education, preparing students for life after high school goes beyond traditional academics. One crucial aspect, often overlooked, is equipping students with the essential skill of self-advocacy. Led by Fiona Wines, head of senior school and deputy principal, this blog delves into the essence of self-advocacy for high school students, why it's important, and how parents and educators can support students in learning to advocate for themselves. The foundation of self…

‘Emotional intelligence’ has long been a buzzword, but what exactly does it refer to? Emotional intelligence is a complex construct involving the ability to recognise and understand emotions in ourselves while empathising with others, communicating effectively, and building healthy relationships. In this blog, Toorak College School Psychologist Kelly Butler delves into the importance of developing emotional intelligence in students, and how it can help students navigate through school and life…

The early years of children’s lives have a profound impact on their learning and development. In Toorak College’s Early Learning Centre, creating opportunities for each child to thrive is imperative. We take pride in working collaboratively with children and families to develop valuable, lifelong skills of self-love, worth, and confidence. In this article, Director of Early Learning Pat Barbieri introduces some of the activities practised at Toorak College that will hold children in good stead…

Adolescence is a pivotal stage in a young woman's life, marked by self-discovery, growth, and the development of self-esteem. At Toorak College, we understand the unique challenges that adolescent girls face during this critical period. Our commitment to nurturing their self-esteem goes beyond academics; it's about building strong, confident, and empowered young women. Self esteem is an extremely important topic within girls schools given the ongoing decline in wellbeing amongst adolescents in…

In a world where information flows freely, children are exposed to confronting events that occur throughout the world through various mediums despite the controls we have in place for them. With a stream of images, headlines, information and conversations, it is important to check in with your children, reassure them, and correct any inaccurate information they may have heard, or incorrect assumptions they may have made. We need to remember that young people view the world through their lens,…

We live in an age where social media is synonymous with adolescents' lives. Popular social media platforms like TikTok offer young girls a space to express themselves creatively, connect with others, and explore various trends on their social networks. These formative experiences are not new experiences for this generation, they are just being explored in broader, less filtered and more responsive ways than the Dolly magazines, Plaster Fun Houses and Blue Light Discos of my era. However, as…

Improve Well-Being Through The Arts When we visit a gallery—often roaming and reflecting in silence—or watching a performance on stage, we can become consumed by thoughts and feelings, which have the power to transport us to realms outside ourselves. When a teenager engages with artistic endeavours, those moments can have a profound impact on their mind for the better. Art enriches our life experiences and adds colour, sound and meaning in order to understand new contexts and perspectives.…