In this episode of Dare to Be More, we explore the comprehensive support systems in place at MLC School to help students navigate challenging times. We discuss how these challenges evolve from the junior years through to Year 12 and the collaborative approach taken by the school to ensure every girl feels safe and supported.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why asking for help is framed as an act of courage rather than a weakness.

• How the school acts as a triage service to provide immediate support and case management.

• The ways in which peer groups can safely support one another when concerns arise.

• How practical tools like break passes and sensory toys are implemented in the school day.

• The importance of the new parent Padlet in providing resources for families at home.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Identifying the different forms of challenges across various age groups.

• Managing the physiological impacts of exam stress and academic pressure.

• The role of external specialists in supporting complex mental health needs.

• Fostering a culture of vulnerability and bravery within the school community.

• Navigating friendship dynamics and social interpretation issues.

#StudentWellbeing #MentalHealth #GirlsEducation #SydneySchools #Resilience #DareToBeMore

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Co-host: Anthony Perl

Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You'

In this essential episode of "Dare to Be More," host Anthony Perl speaks with Alistair Roland, Head of Students for Years 7–9, and Joanna Graffen, Head of Senior School, about one of the most significant milestones in a young girl's education — the transition to Year 7.

Alistair and Joanna share the practical steps MLC School takes to prepare students for Senior School, from Excitement Days and orientation programmes to the luminary pastoral care system. They also offer candid advice for parents on how to support their daughters' growing independence — including the importance of letting them make (and learn from) their own mistakes.

Featured Guests: Alistair Roland, Head of Students (Years 7–9) at MLC School Joanna Graffen, Head of Senior School at MLC School

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• When and how MLC School begins preparing students for the Year 7 transition
• What the luminary pastoral care system is and why it matters
• Why letting your daughter forget her sports uniform might be the best thing you can do
• How MLC School supports students joining from external schools — not just from within the MLC community
• Why getting involved in co-curricular activities is one of the most important things a Year 7 student can do

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Year 7 transition — what changes and what stays the same
• MLC School's orientation programme, Excitement Days, and Commencement Day
• The luminary (tutor) system and pastoral care structure
• Building independence and resilience in Year 7 students
• Advice for parents — trusting the process and working as a team with the school
• Co-curricular activities and the importance of belonging to a community

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Hashtags: #Year7Transition #StartingHighSchool #MLCSchool #GirlsEducation #SchoolReadiness #ParentingTips #DareToBeMore

In this episode of "Dare to Be More," we explore the vital steps families can take to prepare young girls for the transition into kindergarten. Joanne Sharpe, Deputy in the Junior School, shares her expertise on building social and emotional wellbeing, fostering independence, and the importance of establishing predictable routines to ensure a smooth start to school life.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why social and emotional readiness is more important than academic preparation for new students.

• How building familiarity with the school environment through tours and orientations reduces anxiety.

• What practical steps parents can take at home to foster independence in their daughters.

• Why establishing a consistent sleep and morning routine is critical for a successful first term.

• How the partnership between home and school supports the individual growth of every girl.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The transition from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten and the benefits of shared environments.

• Strategies for managing the emotional milestone of the first day of school for both parents and children.

• The role of buddies in helping new students navigate unfamiliar routines and spaces.

• Using visual schedules to reduce the cognitive load on young learners.

• Encouraging girls to embrace new opportunities and dare to be more from an early age.

Notable Quotes:

I think there's plenty of things that parents can do and that we set up as a school in terms of our orientation programme.

Joanne Sharpe "Your child will get the best out of their school time when we are really cohesive and working as a team." -Joanne Sharpe

"Daring to be more than they thought they could be." - Joanne Sharpe

Connect with MLC School:

• Website
• Facebook 
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Host:  Anthony Perl

Production: Podcasts Done For You. For more information about podcast production services, visit podcastsdoneforyou.com.au.

#KindergartenReady #EarlyLearning #SydneyEducation #DareToBeMore #GirlsEducation #ParentingSupport

In this episode of Dare to Be More, we explore the evolving landscape of high-potential learning with James Adams, the High Potential Learning Leader at MLC School. We discuss how the school moves beyond traditional definitions of giftedness to support students across academic, creative, and physical domains.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why high potential is a flexible term that can manifest at different stages of a student's career

• How MLC School uses a holistic approach to identify students who need qualitatively different learning support

• What the concept of imagined academic futures means for young women entering the workforce

• Why deep learning within the classroom is more impactful than a reliance on external competitions

• How flexible ability grouping creates a culture of excellence and peer motivation

Key Topics Discussed:

• The difference between high potential and traditional gifted education

• Overcoming social-emotional barriers like perfectionism and imposter syndrome in high-achieving girls

• The role of academic self-efficacy in student success

• Balancing acceleration with genuine curriculum differentiation

• The importance of an all-girls environment for fostering academic ambition

Chapters

0:00 — Introduction & Meet James Adams

1:12 — Defining "High Potential"

3:55 — Identifying High-Potential Students

6:13 — Building Effective High-Potential Programs

8:43 — Benefits of an All-Girls Learning Environment

10:10 — Streaming & Flexible Ability Grouping

11:01 — Acceleration vs. Enrichment

13:41 — Avoiding Underperformance & Building Self-Efficacy

16:16 — Supporting Teachers in the Classroom

17:32 — Advice for Parents & Looking Ahead

Connect with MLC School:

• Website
• Facebook 
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Host:  Anthony Perl

Production: Podcasts Done For You. For more information about podcast production services, visit podcastsdoneforyou.com.au.

In this special episode of "Dare to Be More," host Anthony Perl speaks with Jane Noake, a proud MLC School alumnae who graduated in 1974 and has maintained a deep connection with the school across three generations. Jane is a pharmacist, a Masters swimming champion, a former state and national president, and a passionate advocate for community sport — all values she traces back to her time at MLC School.

Jane's story is a beautiful example of how the values instilled at school — participation, service, and giving back — can shape an entire life. From nearly drowning at the school swimming carnival to becoming a national leader in Masters swimming, Jane's journey is both humbling and inspiring.

Featured Guest: Jane Noake, MLC Alumnae (Class of 1974), Pharmacist and Masters Swimming Leader

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• How Jane's MLC School education shaped her values of service and community contribution
• Her unexpected journey from reluctant swimmer to national Masters swimming president
• What it means to have a three-generation connection to MLC School
• The importance of giving back to the sports and communities that enrich our lives
• How MLC School's values have been passed down through her daughter and granddaughter

Key Topics Discussed:

• The lasting impact of a girls' school education on values and character
• Masters swimming as a community and a vehicle for service
• Three generations of MLC School connection — and what that means
• Philanthropic contribution and the joy of giving back
• Seeing MLC School's values reflected in the next generation

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Co-host: Anthony Perl

• Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You'

Hashtags: #MLCAlumnae #DareToBeMore #WomenInSport #MastersSwimming #GivingBack #MLCSchool #GirlsEducation

In this warm and practical episode of "Dare to Be More," host Anthony Perl speaks with Joanne Sharpe, Deputy Head of Junior School at MLC School, about the tween years — that in-between stage from approximately ages nine to twelve when girls are no longer little children but not yet teenagers.

Joanne draws on her extensive experience in girls' education and wellbeing to explain what's really happening for girls during this stage, and offers parents and teachers a wealth of practical strategies to support them through it.

Featured Guest: Joanne Sharpe, Deputy Head of Junior School (Wellbeing) at MLC School

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• What the tween years really are — and why they're such a significant developmental stage
• How to recognise and support changing friendship dynamics without jumping in to fix everything
• The "You Are Strong" program MLC School uses to teach healthy friendship skills
• Why being the "coach on the side" is more effective than solving problems for your daughter
• How MLC School tracks social and emotional competencies from the earliest years through to senior school

Key Topics Discussed:

• Physical, emotional, and social development during the tween years
• Friendship changes and how to navigate them with compassion
• The "You Are Strong" wellbeing programme
• Device use, social media pressure, and setting healthy boundaries
• How teachers use surveys and pastoral care programmes to support tween girls
• Preparing for the teenage years through strong foundations

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Hashtags: #TweenYears #ParentingGirls #MLCSchool #GirlsWellbeing #FriendshipSkills #StudentWellbeing #DareToBeMore

In this energetic and inspiring episode of "Dare to Be More," host Anthony Perl goes deeper into the world of MLC Schools' HISE faculty with Head of Department Danielle Rodrigues. From cricket flour macarons to national STEM challenge victories, Danielle shares the extraordinary ways her team is preparing girls not just for exams, but for life.

This episode is a masterclass in what modern education can look like when teachers are brave enough to take risks alongside their students — and when schools invest in real-world partnerships that bring learning to life.

Featured Guest: Danielle Rodrigues, Head of HISE at MLC School

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• How MLC Schools' HISE faculty uses provocations like "Are pandemics inevitable?" to spark deep, cross-disciplinary thinking
• The story behind MLC Schools' partnership with Sydney University and the climate health book project
• How MLC School students won first place at the Sydney Science Park STEM Challenge — competing in mixed-school teams
• Why the "food of the future" unit — complete with cricket flour macarons — is one of the most talked-about learning experiences at MLC School
• How the HISE team plans for innovation using a backward-mapping, term-by-term approach

Key Topics Discussed:

• Provocation-based and project-based learning in HISE
• The Sydney University climate health book partnership
• Student thought leadership and external competition success
• The "food of the future" unit — geography, psychology, and business combined
• How teachers plan collaboratively for innovation while maintaining curriculum rigour
• Building student autonomy and ownership of learning

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Hashtags: #ProjectBasedLearning #ThoughtLeadership #MLCSchool #GirlsEducation #RealWorldLearning #InnovativeTeaching #DareToBeMore

In this compelling episode of "Dare to Be More," host Anthony Perl is joined by Principal Lisa Moloney and the former Head of HSIE Dani Rodrigues, who recorded this conversation before taking on a new role as Director of Students, Year 11 to Year 12, for a rich conversation about what learning for the future truly looks like at MLC School. From a student who used AI-generated voices in her podcast assessment to Year 9 girls designing climate health books for Sydney University, this episode is full of inspiring examples of education at its most innovative.

Lisa and Dani explore how MLC School is embracing AI not by banning it, but by teaching students to use it ethically, creatively, and critically — and how real-world partnerships are transforming what's possible in the classroom.

Featured Guests: Lisa Moloney, Principal at MLC School Dani Rodrigues, Director of Studies (Year 11 & 12) at MLC School

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• How MLC's HISE faculty uses provocation-based learning to spark genuine curiosity and critical thinking
• A real example of a student using AI-generated voices in a podcast assessment — and the ethical conversation it sparked
• How MLC's partnership with Sydney Science Park brings real-world problem solving into the classroom
• Why MLC chose to embrace AI rather than ban it — and what that looks like in practice
• How the future of learning is about collaboration, agility, and comfort with uncertainty

Key Topics Discussed:

• Project-based and provocation-based learning in HISE
• Ethical use of AI in student assessments
• The Sydney Science Park partnership and real-world problem solving
• Preparing girls for careers and challenges that don't yet exist
• The role of educators as co-learners alongside their students

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Co-host: Anthony Perl

Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You'Hashtags: #FutureReadyEducation #AIinEducation #ProjectBasedLearning #MLCSchool #GirlsEducation #InnovativeLearning #DareToBeMore

In this forward-thinking episode of "Dare to Be More," host Anthony Perl speaks with Marianna Carlino, Director of e-Learning at MLC School, about how technology is woven into every aspect of school life — and how MLC is leading the way in preparing girls to use it responsibly, creatively, and confidently.

Marianna covers everything from touch typing in Year 2 to AI ethics in Year 12, and shares how MLC's triangular approach — connecting students, staff, and parents — ensures everyone is on the same page when it comes to digital citizenship.

Featured Guest: Marianna Carlino, Director of e-Learning at MLC School

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• How MLC integrates technology from Pre-K through to Year 12 in age-appropriate ways
• Why MLC is one of the first independent schools in NSW to hold a full Microsoft Copilot licence
• How the school teaches AI ethics, academic integrity, and responsible use of technology
• Practical strategies for parents to set healthy device boundaries at home
• The importance of balancing screen time with human connection and social interaction

Key Topics Discussed:

• Technology integration across all year levels and faculties
• AI in education — opportunities, ethics, and academic integrity
• Cyber safety, digital footprint, and online reputation
• Social media, the new age restrictions, and their impact on students
• The school-home partnership in managing device use
• Mitigating teacher burnout through smart use of technology

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Co-host: Anthony Perl

• Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You'

Hashtags: #DigitalLearning #CyberSafety #MLCSchool #AIinEducation #GirlsEducation #DigitalCitizenship #DareToBeMore

In this inspiring episode of "Dare to Be More," host Anthony Perl speaks with Ani Satchcroft, a distinguished MLC alumnae who graduated in 1998 and has gone on to build a remarkable career in global finance. Now Co-Head of Asia Pacific at Macquarie Asset Management, Ani reflects on how her MLC education — particularly her involvement in debating, public speaking, and Tournament of Minds — laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Ani's story is a powerful testament to the lasting impact of a girls' school education, and her message for current students is both clear and compelling: if you work hard and apply yourself, nothing should be impossible.

Featured Guest: Ani Satchcroft, MLC Alumnae (Class of 1998), Co-Head of Asia Pacific, Macquarie Asset Management

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• How MLC's emphasis on communication, debating, and public speaking shaped Ani's career in global finance
• Why attending a girls' school meant that gender was never a barrier to ambition
• How Ani navigated a male-dominated industry with the confidence instilled at MLC
• What it's like to send her own daughter to MLC — and what she hopes she'll gain
• Ani's definition of "dare to be more": not having a ceiling on your potential

Key Topics Discussed:

• The value of extracurricular activities — debating, public speaking, Tournament of Minds
• How a girls' school education builds confidence and removes gender-based limitations
• Career journey across the UK, Dubai, Paris, Boston, and Sydney
• The importance of adaptability, open learning, and international experience
• Sending her daughter to MLC — and the sense of community that brings
• What dare to be more means: feeling empowered to change the world

About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.

Connect With Us:

• Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
• Instagram: @mlcsydney
• Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
• LinkedIn: MLC School

Hashtags: #MLCAlumnae #WomenInFinance #DareToBeMore #GirlsSchoolEducation #WomenLeaders #MLCSchool #EmpoweringGirls