Blog
Tackling gender stereotypes - what is unconscious bias and how can we challenge it?
What is unconscious bias? Conscious bias is becoming more easily recognised in today’s culture and tolerance for conscious discrimination in our community is at an all time low. On the flip side, unconscious bias, in its subtlety, often goes unnoticed. In particular, unconscious gender biases often happen habitually as part of historical societal norms, and can be present in both females and males. As an independent girls school, Toorak College is acutely aware of the gender biases that affect…
Guide to Choosing Primary Schools | Toorak College
Parents want to give their children the best opportunities to set them up for their future, so every education decision is an important one. Right from the beginning, choosing a primary school is the first step in laying a secure educational foundation, but where do you start? We’ve created a guide to help families navigate these intricate decisions, including our tips for how to choose a primary school in Melbourne, the significance of early education and our tips for creating a cohesive and…
The Benefits of Weekly and Short Stay Boarding
Why Boarding School may be beneficial for your child There are many reasons why families might decide to send their children to board on campus at school. Traditionally, boarding has been considered a great option for students from remote areas or overseas who are seeking education opportunities outside their local area. However, Boarding School also has many benefits for those who live locally. Sending your child to Boarding School offers them the opportunity to develop their life skills,…
10 Questions To Ask At School Open Days
Attending a school tour? Here are 10 important questions to ask at school open days, to support you in making the best decision for your child’s education. Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision that every family faces. There are many aspects to a child's education, so where do you start? To find a school that is the best fit for your child, attending a school open day is a good way to start the research process. Open days provide you with the opportunity to start…
5 Modern Board Games to Develop Cognitive Skills in Children
Winter is upon us which means less time outdoors and more time indoors. Of course this doesn't mean a change in quality family time, in fact quite the opposite; bring out the board games! As well as creating an opportunity for time together and a great form of entertainment, board games can also be used to strengthen memory ability and executive function. Perfect for developing brains, board games are a sensational tool to help children and adolescents create new neural links and pathways…
Raising Boys and Raising Girls: 5 key takeaways from Steve Biddulph
This week, Toorak College welcomed best-selling Australian author and psychologist Steve Biddulph to speak as part of our Wellbeing Information Series, The Loop. Recognised globally for his work on parenting, Steve’s Raising Girls and Raising Boys talks were informative, charming, heartfelt, and oh so relatable! Over two nights, Steve shared his wealth of professional experience and expertise to an audience that were captivated by every word. As a mother of a young boy and twin girls, here…
Fearless and Bold: How Mulan Inspires Generations
Get your popcorn ready, because the recent release of Disney's live action remake of Mulan is well worth watching! The highly anticipated drama and action blockbuster has been commended by critics and viewers for its epic portrayal of Mulan who teaches us to be fearless, persistent and resourceful like her. What's better is you can stream Mulan from the comfort of your home thanks to Disney+. The original animated film has continued to be a hit amongst fans since its debut in 1998,…
5 lessons from The Incredibles
Almost 15-years on from the original movie, the 2018 sequel of The Incredibles enlivened theatre screens across the world. Wife, mother, and superhero Helen Parr (Elastigirl) steals the spotlight from her incredibly strong superhero husband Bob and proves to her family that she can save the world herself.1. Females are equally equipped as males to save the world After major feminist campaigns including Times Up and Me Too, the 2018 release of The Incredibles 2 is a fitting storyline for today’s…
Individuality matters: The life lessons learnt from ‘The Greatest Showman’
The Greatest Showman has captivated the students of Toorak College this Term. It’s signature anthem ‘This is Me’ is regularly hummed by our girls as they walk through the Cloisters and is often heard playing in the dance studio and the music centre. There is no doubt that The Greatest Showman is a fun movie with memorable music, but what makes it stand out is the compelling plot and the many lessons that can be found throughout.Embrace your individuality and be proud of who you are.