Fintona Girls’ School

Some of the best careers start right here

Fintona is an optimal place for girls to succeed. With many opportunities and dedicated teachers to extend students’ learning, a Fintona girl is motivated to achieve her goals.

���������������������������������������������� daughter to aim high, join us on our next tour.

2020 Morning Tours 21 May | 20 August |������������| ELC 2 May

Visit our website to book. ���������������������

JOIN US ON OUR TWILIGHT TOUR Tuesday 18 February 2020 ELC–Year 4 / 5.30-6.30pm Year 5–Year 12 / 6.45-8.00pm

79 Balwyn Road, Balwyn VIC 3103

ENQUIRIES +61 3 9830 1388 fintona.vic.edu.au registrar@fintona.vic.edu.au

PRIN CIPAL \ RACHAE L FALLOON

Fintona Girls’ School, situated in the inner-eastern suburb of Balwyn, is one of Melbourne’s leading independent schools with a long tradition of educating girls to the highest standard.

Renowned for consistently achieving outstanding VCE and NAPLAN results, Fintona is firmly placed among the most successful schools in Victoria, but more than that, we are known for the extensive opportunities within and beyond the curriculum. Our friendly, supportive and caring environment, together with these opportunities, enhance the girls’ learning and challenge them beyond expectations, building their capacity in a broad range of areas and skills, preparing them for life beyond school.

Inspired by strong leadership and dedicated teachers, a Fintona girl will find the confidence to achieve her academic and personal aspirations, whatever they may be. Every girl, every opportunity, doing what she does well. If you are considering a school with a focus on personal development that fosters an “anything is possible” mindset, then join us on one of our scheduled tours in 2020. Tours are a great way to meet our Principal, Ms Rachael Falloon, and chat with our students and staff. For more information on our tours and how to book, visit our website.

YEARS ELC – Year 12

DENOMINATION Non-denominational

GENDER Co-educational ELC; Girls only Prep – Year 12

FEES Prep $17,684 – Year 12 $30,340

BOARDING \ No SCHOLARSHIPS \ Yes

ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL Rachael Falloon commenced as Principal in 2018. Her goal is to develop young women who are agile learners - capable, confident and curious; young women who know themselves deeply, embrace opportunity and contribute positively to the world.

CURRICULUM CO-CURRICULAR

Our curriculum is diverse and challenging encouraging each student to become an independent thinker. Our girls thrive in languages, the arts, mathematics and science where their learning connects academic concepts with real-world lessons. We offer a variety of engaging activities that contribute to a balanced education including choir, music ensembles, Guides, House competitions, sport, drama, public speaking, debating, Duke of Edinburgh, overseas study tours and clubs.

GLOBAL EXPERIENCES STUDENT WELLBEING

Senior school students can participate in study tours and exchanges to schools to Japan, France, Scotland and Canada. Another option is World Challenge, where students lead an educational expedition overseas to a developing country. The commitment by staff to the wellbeing of each of our students is a factor that sets us apart. The School Counsellor plays an important role by providing confidential support and implementing programs to develop resilience in students.

THE LEGACY ISSUE

Community service helps students to understand how they can make a difference.

BY ARIANNA LUCENTE

THE ART OF GIVING BACK

Independent schools are making positive contributions to society by offering community service programs that teach students the importance of giving back.

“School is a lot more than just reading and writing,” says Scott Miller, CEO of Volunteering Victoria. “Young people get a lot of value and virtue from realising that our community is made up of different people and places that sit outside of our daily grind of school and sport.”

Volunteering can help build personal resilience, increase confidence, health and wellbeing, and importantly, allow young people to realise their ability to make a difference.

“A lot of good can come when we give young people the opportunity to give back to the community,” says Miller. “They can see what their contribution is doing to make the world a better place. “When a young person can identify with a certain cause and offer their time, there’s no better way of getting that real world-experience because it says, ‘I’m part of the solution. I’m not just part of the problem anymore because I’m doing something about it.’” Since Siena College was founded by the Dominican Sisters in 1940, the school has had a strong history of embedding community service into its curriculum.

“Service and addressing issues of justice in the broader community is a fundamental tenet of the education we offer here, and as a Dominican school, it’s intrinsic to our mission,” says Gaynor Robson-Garth, principal of Siena College from 2007 to 2019.

The school runs a number of fundraising initiatives throughout the year, and each term has a different focus. Last year, money raised from bake sales, house competitions and various other activities were donated to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, Vinnies’ Winter Appeal, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and St Mary’s House of Welcome, an organisation that supports those experiencing

homelessness, poverty and mental illness.

Students also prepare sandwiches, follow the Vinnies Fitzroy Soup Van route, and distribute toiletries, warm clothing and bedding to those accessing the services that night.

“Our task is to educate women who will go out, be leaders in the community and address the root causes of injustice,” Robson-Garth says. Siena College works with a women’s co-operative called Kopanang in South Africa. Apart from donating funds through their “A Night Of Change” trivia and silent auction, International Women’s Day breakfast and Christmas market, year 11 students have the opportunity to participate in an immersion where they spend two weeks living with a host family and assist with everyday programs. The community has been impacted by HIV/AIDS, endemic poverty and high unemployment after the closure of the goldmines.

“The students come back very changed people,” she says. “Before they go, they are often more concerned that they might be living in a house where there’s no running water or toilet indoors, but once they’re there, those things become quite trivial. It’s the emotional issues that confront them the most.

“A student will say, ‘When I see how these women support each other and maintain their sense of dignity and optimism despite all their hardship, then I realise that any difficulties I face are so trivial by comparison.’

“It’s a way of really getting a sense of our privilege here and of our absolute responsibility to use our privilege to work with others and envision a better world.”

Miller says that volunteering is a “powerful antidote to anti-democracy”. “That reciprocity makes us feel more connected and grounded,” he adds. “Young people are looking for purpose and an opportunity to experience somebody’s else’s world view. When they are able do something constructive and proactive, it’s just such a special thing.”

“A lot of good can

come when we give

young people the

opportunity to give

back to the

community.”

SCOTT MILLER