Upon my appointment as Principal of Ivanhoe Girls’ in January 2018, the Chair of the School Board Mrs Karen Frost, informed me that the Board were keen for the School to be viewed with fresh eyes. 

My task was to ensure the School continued to be progressive and serve the needs of our students and thus remain a school of choice in an increasingly competitive market. 

Hence the creation of the Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School Strategic Plan 2019-2024. This was my first and most significant project, informing all subsequent projects, and providing a clear vision for the School and a clear framework for ongoing school improvement.

The Strategic Plan was released to the School community in Term 1, 2019. The Plan outlined three important pillars that underpin all that we do: Quality Learning and Teaching, Quality Student Wellbeing and a Connected Community as well as three enablers that allow us to facilitate our pillars.  The pillars and the enablers; Quality Staff, Quality Resources and Facilities, and Sustainability, led us to five strategies that inform all our work at school:

1. Provide engaging, holistic and connected learning and teaching
2. Provide exemplary student wellbeing and opportunities for personal development
3. Attract and develop expert academic and professional staff
4. Provide engaging flexible and innovative learning and work spaces, and
5. Strengthen community engagement and school sustainability.

The research that led to the formation of the Strategic Plan provided us with clear data about the strengths of the School: what was valued by the School community, opportunities for improvement and areas where there was a strong appetite for renewal or change. 

As a result, a range of projects were identified, some of which are completed, others are nearing their conclusion, and others still in the operational phase.

School Uniform Review Project

At Ivanhoe Girls’, our students really do “speak for themselves”. 

The student voice was loud and clear about a desire for a new uniform that better met their needs. 

The School Uniform Review Project commenced in Term 1, 2019 with the appointment of the New Uniform Review Committee comprising current and past students, parents and members of staff. The new uniform was to meet specific requirements including:

• improved functionality and comfort
• uniform items that encourage physical activity
• cost effective and value for money
• the use of more sustainable fabrics and ethical production
• reflective of a forward thinking independent school for girls, while respecting the culture and heritage of the School.

Whilst we have been challenged at time due to COVID impacts globally and locally, the School Uniform Review Project is now coming to an exciting conclusion with designs finalised, fabrics ordered, samples made, tested and almost ready to share with the School community. The new Academic Summer uniform, the Core Sport and PE uniform and ELC uniform will be released for purchase in late 2021, followed by the new Academic Winter uniform that will be available in time for Term 2, 2022. A transition phase will be in place for two years and all students will be wearing the new uniform from the commencement of 2024. The new uniform will be launched during early Term 4, and we take a nostalgic look back at the history of the School uniform in this edition of Lux Mea.

Academic Leadership Review Project

During a period of consultation in 2018, a significant number of staff indicated that the then existing Academic Leadership structure could be improved to better meet their needs and the needs of students. It was extremely important that this review was conducted in a collaborative and consultative manner, and was clear in its intended outcomes, scope and timeframe.

“It was extremely important that this review was conducted in a collaborative and consultative manner.”

The Academic Leadership Review Project took 18 months to complete and resulted in some exciting staff appointments and a new structure that commenced in January 2021. The new structure opened opportunities to attract talented leaders from other schools to step into some curated roles, as well as introducing some very strategic and important roles for existing staff members.

 The restructure resulted in a renewed team of Curriculum and Learning leaders comprising the Director of Learning and Innovation (Senior School), Director of Curriculum (7-12) and the Director of Curriculum, Learning and Innovation (Junior School).

At Ivanhoe Girls’ the wellbeing and personal development of our students is as important as academic progress. Previously in the Senior School the oversight of this important work rested with the Deputy Principal. The Academic Leadership Review revealed that the work warranted a dedicated leader and hence the establishment of the Director of Student Wellbeing role in 2021.

The Review data also suggested a realignment of some subjects within different faculties:

• Geography, History and Religious Education in a new Humanities Faculty
• Drama and Music being brought together in a Performing Arts Faculty
• Hospitality and Art are brought together in a Creative Arts Faculty
• Health is brought together with Physical Education to create a Health and Physical Education (HPE) Faculty and
• Technology and Science brought together in the Science and Technology Faculty.

Other outcomes of the Review include the provision of greater time allocation for Year Level Coordinators and Heads of Faculty to conduct not only the oversight of teaching and curriculum within their faculties, but also to provide them with time to nurture and grow the capability of their team members. Larger faculties will be supported with Deputy Heads of Faculty roles. In addition, Languages, HPE, Performing Arts and Creative Arts Faculties have become whole-school faculties, providing a greater professional community for the Junior School specialist teachers and improved transition for the Junior School students into the Senior School. 

You can read more about these new appointments in this edition of Lux Mea.

Master Planning Project

One of the most anticipated projects emanating from the Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School Strategic Plan 2019-2024 is the Master Planning Project that has the mandate to review every facility and building on the School grounds and to plan for facilities to serve our existing and future school communities. While this project is expansive and ambitious, there have been some smaller projects that the School is addressing immediately.

One such project is the renovation and refurbishment of the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). The PAC is regularly used by students and staff, as well by current and future families and community members such as the Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra. The PAC Auditorium was refurbished in the 2020 December/January holiday period and the refurbishment of the PAC Foyer and bathrooms is scheduled to be completed by early Term 3 2021. The quality of this redevelopment work will set the standard for each new building or refurbishment of existing buildings across the campus once the Master Plan is finalised.

All the important and exciting renewal work in these and other projects has been planned carefully to ensure the School continues to serve the needs of our students and school community for many generations to come. 

The School is intentional about being progressive, innovative and brave in its decision-making. 

Our clear focus to remain the leading academic school in the north of Melbourne, as well as being known as a School where the wellbeing and personal development of our students is as important as reaching beyond their academic potential.

Dr Deborah Priest
Principal