I am often asked about the benefit of attending an all-girls school compared to a coeducational setting. Whilst there are varied views and conflicting research articles, where you choose to send your child is a personal preference, often based on individual needs and family values. My schooling background was in state and independent sectors, and both coeducational, determined by what was offered where we lived at the time (firstly Goondiwindi and then Sunshine Coast).
My first 14 years as an educator were spent in remote and regional coeducational state primary, secondary and distance education settings before commencing at Girls Grammar in January 2021. This was my first experience in a single sex school, and I can say with my hand on my heart, I wish I had the opportunity to teach in a school like Girls Grammar earlier in my career!
I have seen firsthand the benefit an all-girls school like ours has and the opportunities provided that wouldn’t necessarily be experienced in a coed facility. This was experienced last Friday at the 10 years-open swimming carnival. The participation, encouragement and enthusiasm of the girls regardless of their swimming ability gave me goose bumps. It’s days like these where we experience school spirit and witness the talent of students who thrive in environments outside the classroom which is heartwarming and what makes our community so special.
A report commissioned by the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia found that girls at single-sex schools are better engaged academically and experience a greater sense of school belonging than their peers at coed campuses. Higher academic scores, greater confidence, less bullying and fewer friendship issues are some of the positives found from the research.
'Strong academic results have always been a hallmark of single-sex schooling, but this report also reveals, that girls’ wellbeing benefits enormously from an all-girl environment,' said Loren Bridge, Regional Executive Director Australasia for the International Coalition of Girls Schools.
'The data shows that girls at single-sex schools generally enjoy school more, experience less bullying, have fewer disruptions in class, make friends more easily, and feel more like they belong at their schools compared to girls from coeducational schools,' she said.
'Women are still hugely under-represented in STEM careers, so the data that girls from all-girls schools demonstrate notably higher engagement and interest in science and mathematics is an important finding from the analysis. Girls can so easily be cut off from opportunities when they opt out of STEM,' Ms Bridge said.
It is fitting that Friday we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a day celebrated by the United Nations since 1975. The theme of this year’s IWD, Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress, is a prompt to reflect on the role of women in professional roles and leadership, considering that professional women now make up the fastest growing occupation group in Australia. I’d like to take the time today to reflect and be thankful for our school, and the community we have created allowing girls and women, young and old to flourish through the opportunities they have to learn and lead.
I am proud to say that at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School we embody the values, opportunities and experiences outlined above, providing an environment where girls of all ages are nurtured to be their best. Whether this be academically, artistically or across cocurricular endeavours, every girl counts! Happy International Women's Day.
Kara Krehlik
Principal