From our STEM Innovation Leader and Head of Science
At its heart, science is about making sense of the world, and this year, that spirit came alive in every corner of our School. As we mark the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, our girls explored everything from the building blocks of matter to colour-changing reactions and mind-bending illusions. Inspired by the National Science Week theme, “Decoding the Universe – Exploring the Unknown with Nature’s Hidden Language,” they discovered how science helps us ask better questions, explore with purpose, and see the world in new ways. Even the slightest spark of understanding can light up a lifelong love of learning — and that’s why we treat science not just as a subject, but as a way of thinking, seeing, and problem-solving.
What makes science truly powerful is its connection to real life. When students see how scientific thinking applies to their world — and the significant challenges facing society — their learning becomes exciting and meaningful. From building simple machines to investigating light, waves, and chemical reactions, our girls are learning to question, test, and think like scientists. These experiences prepare them well for both SACE and International Baccalaureate pathways, where scientific thinking is valued not just for what it teaches, but how it helps them understand the world. With hands-on access to cutting-edge labs and the support of our passionate teachers, they’re growing into courageous, thoughtful problem-solvers ready to shape the future.
Science Week helps to bring that spirit to life. From ELC to Year 12, students can immerse themselves in hands-on, minds-on discovery — from hoverboards exploring Newton’s Laws, to swirling pH reactions and optical illusions that bent our sense of perception. To include our youngest learners, Science staff connected with ELC families during Thursday afternoon collection, sharing fun science activities and sparking conversations. It was an excellent opportunity for parents to meet the future teachers their daughters may one day have — a true reflection of our whole-School approach, where learning is shared, relationships matter, and curiosity connects us all.
In celebration of 100 years since the birth of quantum mechanics, our Senior Science teachers also brought physics to life in the Junior School, delivering age-appropriate lessons. These engaging sessions made complex ideas playful and accessible. These connections embody our belief that science is for every girl, at every stage of learning.
It’s been a standout year for science at our School. In the Oliphant Science Awards alone, we have nearly tripled the entries in recent years. This remarkable growth signals a culture shift, where curiosity is encouraged and every student is empowered to explore. It’s a credit to our Scientist in Residence program and the passion of our teaching team, who make big ideas feel within reach. And it doesn’t stop there. From the Big Science Competition and Junior and Australian Science Olympiad exams to the Australian Brain Bee Neuroscience Challenge, Science and Engineering Challenge and the RACI Titration Competition, our girls have the opportunity to step confidently into national forums and making their mark. They’re not just learning about science — they’re using it to question, explore, and imagine what’s possible.
Melissa Lee
STEM Innovation Leader
Craig Byrne
Head of Science
