From the Principal 3 A Day for the memory book

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Community notices

A day for the memory book

After two challenging years, it was a joy for the College to come together on campus and commemorate MLC’s 140th anniversary.

Founders’ Day, celebrated on 14 February, is the date that MLC opened its doors for the first time in 1882. Today, it is an annual celebration and opportunity for the College to reflect on and appreciate MLC’s extraordinary heritage and the empowering role it has had in women’s lives. In this year’s Founders’ Day address, principal Diana Vernon encouraged all staff and students to imagine what the next 140 years might bring, and to consider what role they might play in the MLC story, both individually and collectively. Ms Vernon enthused that students have always been encouraged to step up and help shape MLC’s future, from Junior School students proposing to introduce summer shorts into the uniform, to the idea for Marshmead, when the Student Representative Council asked the then Principal, Mr David Loader, for a, “country campsite such as many boys’ schools have”. Our students have long been empowered to initiate ideas, contribute to the many opportunities on offer, and work together to propel positive change.

Murrundindi, Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people performs a Welcome to Country ceremony on Founders’ Day

Deputy Senior Prefect Jasmine leads students on creating their origami stars Our Founders’ Day celebrations were no exception, with students contributing to many aspects of the festivities!

Traditional walk through the Krome Gates

On 14 February, festivities were set into motion with our traditional Founders’ Day walk through the Krome gates, accompanied by the MLC Drum-line, complete with lots of splashing in the water feature by our excited Junior School students.

Smoking ceremony and “Wominjeka”

A commemorative smoking ceremony sent plumes of eucalyptus smoke through the Front Garden as Ngurungaeta (head man) of the Wurundjeri, Murrundindi wished students “wominjeka” (welcome).

Founders’ Day assembly and live performances

A special assembly broadcast around the College introduced students to key moments in MLC’s history, followed by a special performance from our College pianist, Crystal Cui, of the College’s celebrated school song “A Vision Splendid”.

Setting intentions and making wishes

Senior School students continued festivities by leading a Collegewide activity of origami star-making, containing their hopes and wishes for the future. Principal Diana Vernon shares hers:

“I look forward with a sense of optimism and confidence knowing each one of our students will continue to contribute not just to the MLC story like our first Alumnae, but in a myriad of ways to the broader community and worldwide.”

Birthday cake from Kindle

MLC Kindle student, Evelyn, produced a gorgeous drawing of a big birthday cake, along with some astute thoughts on getting older expressed by her classmates:

“Wow that’s a lot of candles... If you were that old you might be dead. When buildings get old, they get dark in colour and they have spider webs and then monsters and witches move in.”

Tegan, aged 5 (MLC can confirm that we do not have monsters and witches in our iconic Tiddeman House, built in 1882!)