I am often asked about the benefits of an all-girls school compared to a co-educational setting. While opinions and research on the topic vary, the choice of schooling is a personal one, often guided by a child's individual needs and family values.
My own experience in education began in co-educational settings, and it wasn’t until I joined Rockhampton Girls Grammar in 2021 that I truly appreciated the unique advantages of an all-girls school. I can say with absolute certainty that I wish I had the opportunity to teach in a school like this earlier in my career! I have seen firsthand the benefits of an environment tailored specifically to girls - one that nurtures their confidence, amplifies their voices, and provides opportunities they may not necessarily experience in a co-educational setting.
This was never more evident than in the recent recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD), a time to celebrate and empower the girls and women in our community. While our traditional IWD dress-up and assembly weren’t held due to school photos, it was inspiring to see our students come together across different parts of the school to write messages of strength, achievement, and empowerment in line with this year’s theme, Accelerate Action.
Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the Zonta Club of Rockhampton’s International Women’s Day Breakfast alongside Deputy Principal - Students, Mrs Kathy King and our Head Girls, Cadence Wone De Rungs and Ella Davison. This annual event is a significant celebration of the incredible women in our community who are making a difference. The breakfast included inspiring speakers and the presentation of two prestigious awards- Zonta’s Living Treasure Award, recognising a quiet achiever, and the Young Women in Leadership Award.
This year was particularly special for our Rockhampton Girls Grammar community, as our very own Cadence Wone De Rungs was nominated for the Young Women in Leadership Award. The calibre of nominees was outstanding, with all six young women demonstrating remarkable leadership and service. While the award was deservedly won by a student from Rockhampton Grammar School, we are incredibly proud of Cadence and congratulate her on this significant achievement. I encourage all senior students and recent graduates aged 16–19 to consider applying for this award in 2026, as so many of you exemplify the leadership, service, and commitment that Zonta seeks to recognise.
The Accelerate Action theme prompts us to reflect on the evolving role of women in leadership and professional spaces. With professional women now the fastest-growing occupational group in Australia, it is essential that we continue fostering confidence, ambition, and resilience in our students. Research commissioned by the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia highlights the strong academic engagement and sense of belonging that girls experience in single-sex schools. Findings show that girls at all-girls schools achieve higher academic results, experience less bullying, and form stronger friendships compared to their co-educational peers.
As Loren Bridge, Regional Executive Director Australasia for the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, states:'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. The data shows that girls at single-sex schools generally enjoy school more, experience less bullying, have fewer classroom disruptions, make friends more easily, and feel a stronger sense of belonging compared to girls from co-educational schools. Women are still hugely underrepresented in STEM careers, so the finding that girls from all-girls schools demonstrate notably higher engagement in science and mathematics is particularly important.'
At Rockhampton Girls Grammar, our unwavering dedication is to educate and nurture influential young women who contribute passionately and confidently to our diverse and ever-changing society. Our strength lies in our commitment to empowering and inspiring confidence in our girls, ensuring they embrace every opportunity that comes their way. Through strong academic and cocurricular foundations, leadership opportunities, and a supportive environment, we equip our students with the skills, resilience, and self-belief to step forward as future leaders. Each day, I see the impact of an all-girls education in action, and I am proud to be part of a school that champions the limitless potential of young women.
Kara Krehlik
Principal
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