Inspiring girls for 120 years

Mrs Janet Stewart Principal

Since its foundation in 1901, Moreton Bay College has been inspiring girls and young women to fulfil their potential. At MBC we passionately believe that every girl should be nurtured in an environment which supports the decisions and choices she makes about her pathways in life, and so encourages her to become the very best version of herself.

This has been achieved through an unwavering belief in the value of a holistic approach to education. The Greene sisters - our Founders - privileged the importance of providing breadth of academic, sporting, cultural, and spiritual opportunities for the girls in their care, and this has been our enduring aim for 120 years. In the 21st century an inspiring, holistic education may look different to experiences in the past but our underlying belief in the primacy of this approach has not changed over time.

As members of the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia, we affirm their mission that

“Girls’ schools are ideally positioned to inspire, educate and nurture the girls of today, who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”

Thus, in our classrooms our teachers foster a growth mindset and emphasise that it is practice and hard work, rather than any innate ability, which ultimately improves performance and enables achievement. Great teaching at MBC is underpinned by strong trust-based relationships to ensure that girls engage in, and take responsibility for, their learning. This safe and respectful environment facilitates questioning, opens avenues for communication and feedback and cultivates a curious, critical thinker; all skills needed for a 21st century world.

On the sporting fields, we inspire girls to be determined, to set goals and give of their best with courage and hope. In this context the courageous MBC girl will hopefully step out of her comfort zone, accept the challenges presented, and navigate her path forward. In cultural pursuits too, we encourage girls to be confident and explore new ideas. Whether they are in articulating their opinions in a debate, practising in a music room or performing on stage, the College’s robust co-curricular arts programme inspires girls to strengthen their existing abilities and discover new areas of passion. Moreover, service learning experiences, both on campus and in the broader community, further enhance the girls’ sense of social responsibility, and inspires them to contribute to something greater than themselves.

All this is underpinned by a pastoral system which affirms the girls as unique individuals with their own identity. In our caring and warm community girls are offered the individualised support they need during each crucial developmental stage of growth. This is based on our strong Christian values and a House system which builds a sense of belonging and connection, imperative to the growth of healthy, happy, and balanced young women.

Thankfully, inspiration has also come from a wealth of excellent female role models among alumnae and staff to inspire girls across diverse fields of achievement. Our girls have always been able to look to them to realise the breadth of possibilities they have in life - and we only have to look to our Founders’ Day medallists to have evidence of successful women in Science, in Medicine, in Rugby, in Law, in Community Service, in Drama, in Music, in Politics. Leading by example is the best way to show girls how they can achieve, thus we highlight our own alumnae when we can at assemblies and special events - our girls need to know that ‘these are women we come from’.

When we incorporate a holistic perspective into learning, we are supporting the development of the entire being of each girl, ensuring they have the best chance at a diverse life, because we are considering the full spectrum of their cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual journeys. Thus, MBC’s mission remains constant - we inspire girls to aim high and work hard to achieve their dreams, whatever they might be.

With Courage and Hope,

Janet