Term 1, Week 9, 2025 - Respect 27 Mar 2025

As one of our School’s core values, it speaks to the kind of community we strive to build: one where every individual is valued. And yet, in today’s cultural landscape, the meaning of respect can sometimes feel blurred or overlooked.

We live in an era typified by polarisation. We celebrate voice yet often struggle to truly listen. We champion equality, yet gender-based inequality frequents the headlines. We encourage authenticity but dismiss vulnerability too quickly. In this context, as a School committed to educating, empowering, and uplifting young women, we must hold fast to the principle that respect is not optional. It is a core value and foundational to our School and community.

An important difference exists between offering respect and being shown it in return. The first is a deliberate, ethical act; the second is a hoped-for consequence. We teach our students that respect doesn’t have to be earned before it is given, because every person, by their very humanity, is worthy of it. And yet, in giving respect, we also form the conditions in which we ourselves are respected. It is a reciprocal ethic; one captured with clarity in the Golden Rule, the words of Matthew 7:12: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” This is more than politeness or surface-level civility. Respect requires us to see others as fully human, complex, different, sometimes difficult, and worthy of compassion and dignity.

The recently aired British miniseries Adolescence, written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, presents a sobering portrait of what happens when respect is absent in the lives of teenagers, particularly in the digital age. It lays bare the gendered power dynamics young women navigate, especially when they choose not to entertain, please, or conform to male expectations. In online spaces, where anonymity can embolden cruelty, young women are too often demonised simply for asserting boundaries or existing on their terms. At the same time, the series hints at the troubling rise of online radicalisation among young men, drawn into echo chambers that breed entitlement, misogyny, and disrespect.

In this context, respect becomes a social virtue and a digital necessity. We must ask: What does it mean to foster a social contract for the Internet, one built on mutual dignity, consent, and accountability? How do we raise a generation that navigates online spaces safely and helps shape them for the better? Raising young people who not only receive respect but actively choose to extend it across gender, culture, and belief is one of the most vital challenges of our time and essential to building a more just, compassionate, and connected world.

At Strathcona, our commitment to Wholebeing, our Respectful Relationships program and Cyber Safety curriculum explore how respect among peers begins with recognising one another as equals and valuing each person’s voice, space, and dignity without seeking to dominate or diminish. We emphasise how in truly respectful relationships, we listen with empathy, speak honestly, and set boundaries that honour ourselves and others.

Last week’s Harmony Week celebrations provided a meaningful counterpoint. Such observances remind us that respect is also about cultural inclusion and diversity. To honour different heritages, languages, faiths, and stories is to create a school and a world where people are not just tolerated but celebrated. Harmony does not mean sameness; it means the music of many notes played well together.

Our Year 9 Challenge by Choice Camp in Mansfield reflects this exquisitely. Immersed in unfamiliar environments and free from devices and daily distractions, students face physical and emotional challenges. They begin to understand what it means to respect the land, the environment, their peers, their leaders, and themselves. These formative experiences leave a lasting impact extending well beyond the moments shared around the campfire.

At Strathcona, we teach our students that respect is not about silence or subservience; it is about recognising the inherent worth in every person, honouring differences, and embracing our shared humanity. Respect is not static; it grows with us. As the world changes and evolves, so does our understanding of what it means to truly see and value one another. Together, let us keep shaping a community where respect is not just expected but bravely, faithfully, happily and authentically lived daily.

Lorna Beegan
Principal

This has been on full display throughout Term 1, not just in the incredible performances we’ve heard, but in the dedication, teamwork, and care shown by our students, staff, and music community.

At the start of the year, CPAC welcomed students back after a well-deserved refresh over the holidays! A huge thank you to our incredible maintenance team for their hard work painting, repairing, installing, and making sure every space was ready for another year of music making.

This term also saw the launch of two new ensembles in the Senior School, the Chamber Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble, led by Mrs Buxton and Mr Carr. These groups have opened exciting new opportunities for students to extend their skills and explore different styles of ensemble playing. We’ve also seen an increase in engagement with instrumental lessons this term, a real testament to students’ passion and the support of our incredible instrumental tutors.

Our prestigious Music Scholars’ Showcase kicked off the year in style in the transformed Featherstone Hall, witnessing some of the most inspiring and virtuosic performances. Congratulations to every student involved in this wonderful evening!

Performance remained at the heart of many school events this term, strengthening our whole school singing culture and adding a special touch to each occasion. From the Maple Trio at Open Morning to the Scholars’ Assembly and Foundation Day, our musicians continue to impress. A standout moment was the deeply moving International Women’s Day performance of Someone Like Me from the new Australian musical My Brilliant Career featuring Elodie and the Senior School Choir, perfectly capturing the spirit of the event. Harmony Day also shone brightly with featured soloists Mel and Emily performing Katy Perry's Roar.

The Big Band recently shared their repertoire in the courtyard as a preview of the upcoming Bands Concert on June 24, and the Middle School Concert Band will soon have their turn in the spotlight.

Looking ahead, rehearsals and planning are already underway for the String Concert on May 22 and our biggest event of the year, the Annual Music Concert on September 10 at the Melbourne Recital Centre. With many bespoke pieces planned, we’re especially excited to welcome our extraordinary Year 7s for their featured performance!

In every rehearsal and every performance, our students continue to show the determination, creativity, and courage that comes from a collective respect for themselves, their peers, and the art form. We can’t wait to share that with you all in our upcoming events during Term 2 and beyond.

Dean Gourley
Head of Performing Arts – Music

The event, which took place at a renowned Albert Park lake venue and was attended by over 150 Victorian school students. This excursion allowed our students to explore the remarkable fusion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that powers one of the world’s most dynamic sports—Formula One racing.

The excursion began with an insightful introduction to the world of Formula One. Students learned how F1 teams use the latest in engineering, aerodynamics, and materials science to create high-performance vehicles capable of speeds exceeding 350 km/h. The experience provided a unique behind-the-scenes look at how data, technology, and precision engineering come together in such an intense, competitive environment.

Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on activities that allowed them to dive deep into the STEM concepts behind F1 racing. They had the chance to engage in interactive challenges involving car design, testing virtual race cars, and applying principles of physics, engineering, and mathematics to solve real-world problems encountered by F1 teams.

The highlight of the excursion was a live demonstration, where students observed advanced simulation technology used to optimize car performance, as well as data analytics employed in strategy and race tactics. They were also given an up-close look at the cutting-edge materials used to construct F1 cars, learning how every component is meticulously engineered for maximum performance and safety.

The experience was not only educational but also inspiring. The students were able to see firsthand the endless possibilities of pursuing careers in STEM fields and how innovation is at the core of so many industries. This excursion truly highlighted the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

One of the highlights of the excursion was the opportunity to witness the F1 cars and other cars speeding around the track, with some vehicles completing laps in under 1 minute and 49 seconds. The students were in awe as they saw the cars reach incredible speeds, and they gained a greater appreciation for the precision and skill required to compete at the highest level of motorsport.

Students left the Formula One Innovation Experience with a wealth of knowledge, a deeper appreciation for the intersection of STEM and sports, and a renewed passion for exploring the many pathways within the world of science and technology.

A huge thank you to the Formula 1 organising team and Strathcona staff who made this unforgettable experience possible, and to the students for their enthusiastic participation. We look forward to seeing how the insights gained from this excursion inspire our students to continue to explore and innovate in their academic and professional pursuits.

Sanjeev Meston
Head of Mathematics

Junior School Crossbows (Junior School String Orchestra) is at its largest ever with 40 fabulous string players heading to the basement music room each Friday morning. Numbers of choristers have been joining Mrs Thorpe for both Songbirds and Middle School Singers rehearsals, while our band performers have been jiving away at Middle School Concert Band practice with Ms Buxton.

Soloists have fronted up in numerous assemblies and also at our Term 1 Solo Music Soiree. Families and friends were treated to a lovely afternoon of music as students from Prep to Year 6 shared their music-making on March 17.

Following on from the success of Cellissimo, our cello-only chamber string group, a new violin/viola group, Fiddle Fever, has taken flight this term, accompanied by one of our Year 5 music scholars. This group is for Year 5 and 6 string players wanting an extra challenge and will debut at next term’s String Showcase on May 22. Stay tuned!

Anna Miller
Director of Junior School Music

This week, they engaged in a dynamic, student-led discussion, where they refined their speaking and listening skills. To support their participation, each student created a ‘cheat sheet’ outlining their opinion, backed by evidence from the movie, as well as meaningful text-to-self and text-to-world connections. Following the discussion, students assessed their partner, providing valuable feedback on their strengths and setting future goals for improvement.

These donations will make such a difference to the communities at ADRA and BANSIC over the next few weeks, providing much loved chocolate eggs to those who would not be able to share in this aspect of Easter without your support.