MLC’s Vision: Empowering Women at Every Stage

MLC’s Vision: Empowering Women at Every Stage

March 8th, 2025

On 8 March, we celebrate International Women’s Day—a moment to reflect on the progress made toward gender equality and the work still ahead.

As a leading girls’ school, we are proud to be a place where young women see possibility, leadership, and ambition in action every day. We have long championed gender equity, empowerment, and opportunity—both in the classroom and the workplace. 

A Strategic Vision for Gender Equity 

MLC’s Strategic Plan 2025-2027: Connected, Growing, and Evolving for Her Future reflects our deep commitment to advancing gender equity and empowering young women. Our Championing Women and Inclusion theme prioritises: 

  • Building student confidence and resilience so they enter the world ready to lead.
  • Advocating for gender equity and championing opportunities for women.
  • Creating spaces for open dialogue on gender, identity, and inclusion.
  • This commitment extends beyond our students. We believe that by supporting equity in leadership, flexible work, and inclusive policies, we can continue to be a place where staff and students thrive. 

Why Girls’ Schools Matter 

A girls’ school education fosters ambition, confidence, and leadership. Our students are encouraged to: 

  • Pursue their passions freely, whether in STEM, the arts, or leadership.
  • Develop their voices as advocates, shaping conversations on equity and inclusion.
  • Engage with the world as changemakers, ready to lead with purpose and vision. 

Research consistently shows that girls’ school graduates are more likely to pursue leadership roles, engage in public speaking, and step into traditionally male-dominated industries. At MLC, we create the conditions for them to thrive, challenge barriers, and embrace every opportunity. 

“Overall, I think MLC is an amazing school that allows young women like me to explore passions in any field, broaden horizons and learn to be yourself.” – Audrey, Year 11 

A School That Leads by Example

At MLC, we are not just preparing our students to enter the world—they are shaping it. By surrounding them with inspiring female role models and opportunities to lead, we give them the confidence to pursue any path they choose. 

This same philosophy is reflected in our workforce: 

  • 82% of our workforce is female, well above the Education sector (66%) and national average (51%).
  • 73% of our leadership positions are held by women, compared to the national average of 42%.
  • Our total average remuneration gender pay gap is 7.4%, which is in line with sector benchmarks and is significantly lower than the national average of 21.8%. 

We celebrate the impact of our exceptional teachers, leaders, and staff, who ensure that MLC remains a place where young women can see their potential and confidently step into leadership. 

“MLC has taught me so much about myself, life skills, and it is setting me up for success.” – Clementine, Year 10 


Inspiring and Empowering the Next Generation 

Throughout our history, countless inspiring women have walked through the Krome Gates and made a lasting impact in their fields and communities. This term alone, we have had the privilege of welcoming some of them back: 

Filmmaker Sal Balharrie (Class of 1986) shared insights on empowerment and self-belief with our senior students at their International Women's Day assembly, drawing from her work with the Tiwi women who feature in her documentary Like My Brother. 

Sal Balharrie (Class of 1986)

 

Mary Wooldridge (Class of 1984), CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency will speak at the upcoming Old Collegians’ Club IWD event.

 

We are also deeply grateful for the legacy of Dr Rosalind Terry (1957, deceased), an MLC scholarship recipient and trailblazer in medicine. Her courage and generosity continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of women in healthcare, and we are honored for her bequest to MLC in her Will.

 

While these remarkable women inspire our students with real-life examples of what their futures may hold, championing women and girls starts within our own community—by giving students meaningful opportunities to lead, support, and uplift one another. 

We are shaping tomorrow's leaders, innovators, and changemakers by fostering a culture where young women see no limits to their potential.