This issue, our Welcome article is by Allison Prandolini Head of Girls’ Junior School
As we enter the final term of 2024, it is always my favourite time of the year. A time where we look back on the journey of our Year 12 students and consider what will be for them in their next stage. At Tintern, our mission goes far beyond simply preparing students for their Year 12 exams. Our focus is on helping them leave the School well-prepared to make a meaningful difference in the world, equipped with the character and resilience to navigate whatever comes next.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Australian Primary Principals Association transnational conference in New Zealand, an event that offered great insights into the evolving landscape of education. One session that particularly stood out to me was led by Sophie Renton from McCrindle. Her presentation explored the characteristics of highly engaged school communities, grounded in research conducted across 500 teachers, 500 parents, and 350 students. The Thriving Schools Index provides a robust measure of what truly defines an engaged school community.
The findings were both enlightening and affirming. Contrary to popular belief, the schools with the fanciest buildings, the highest enrolments, or the most cutting-edge pedagogies were not necessarily the most engaged communities. Nor was it the schools that boasted the greatest number of students with top-tier ATAR scores that demonstrated the highest levels of engagement. While these factors may contribute to individual successes, they do not create the long-term foundation required for students to lead lives of impact and purpose.
Instead, the research revealed that the most engaged school communities are those where students, parents, and teachers feel a genuine sense of connection, belonging, and shared values. Authenticity and purpose, it turns out are the key drivers of engagement. For 36% of parents in non-government schools, the focus on morals and values was the primary reason for choosing their child’s school. This resonates deeply with us at Tintern, where our core values, are encapsulated in the Tintern Compass and play a central role in everything we do.
The Tintern Compass is more than just a framework for academic or personal success, it is a guide that helps our students develop into individuals of character. As our Year 12 students prepare to leave us, they take with them not only the knowledge and skills they have gained but also the confidence that they are equipped to make sound, ethical decisions as they move into the wider world. Reflecting on this research and our own experiences at Tintern, I am convinced that our strength as a school community lies in our commitment to fostering character, integrity, and a sense of service in our students. Our goal is not just to produce high achievers, but to nurture individuals who will contribute to society in meaningful ways.
As we move forward into this final term, I encourage all of us; students, staff, and parents alike to continue embracing the values that make our community unique. Let us remain focused on the things that truly matter; connection, purpose, and character. As author William Arthur Ward once said,
‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.’
At Tintern, we strive to be that community of inspiration, where students leave not only with academic credentials, but with the moral compass to guide their way forward.
Together, we are building a future where each student is prepared to thrive, lead, and make a difference.
Allison Prandolini | Head of Girls’ Junior School
