“I see this time of change as an amazing opportunity to rethink many of the things we take for granted in education.
Established ways of thinking and doing are often very hard to change but this time of turmoil has forced changes previously thought impossible or too hard.
Asking questions and getting feedback from all members of the community gives information on what is working now and what is worth rethinking and reimagining.”
Jenny Williams, Firbank Grammar.
Jenny Williams has led co-educational and girls only schools as Principal in both Australia and New Zealand over the past two decades.
With a Maths and Science background Jenny’s experience has been diverse – in three different countries and across three Australian states.
Highlights include: the first female Principal at All Saints’ College in Bathurst, a founding staff member of the Australian International School in Singapore and the Year 9 Education Campus for Scots College.
A passionate and dedicated leader who believes every child should be given the opportunity to live up to their potential, she was notably on the front foot at a time of global crisis.
Positioning Firbank Grammar students for rapid transition to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
We meet Jenny as Melbourne residents continue to adapt during lockdown 4 restrictions.
Martine Harte: In January 2020 Firbank took the decision to respond swiftly to the Coronavirus outbreak, advising students who had recently travelled from virus prone areas to self-isolate, this can’t have been an easy decision for a principal to make?
Jenny Williams Firbank Grammar:
Whilst the circumstances were difficult, it was an easy decision to make. We needed to provide certainty for our families in a very stressful time and so had to be decisive.
Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at Firbank and it was very clear that we needed those students and families returning from international destinations to self-isolate to ensure we could protect them and the rest of our community.
Martine Harte: It’s now August 2020, what’s your assessment of the success or otherwise of your decision?
Jenny Williams Firbank Grammar:
It was hard at the time as we were heavily criticised and accused of overreacting. In hindsight, it was absolutely the right decision and it is pleasing that we could lead the way in taking decisive action so early in the piece.
Martine Harte: The jury is still out on the impact Melbourne’s lockdowns and distance learning is having on students, what strategies do you consider to be the most effective to support students?
Jenny Williams Firbank Grammar:
When students feel cared for and listened to they will learn so we feel that we have provided the best possible environment for learning given the current restraints, as knowing, valuing and caring sits at the heart of all we do.
We were able to be very agile and move to MS Teams as our learning platform which ensured frequent personal contact with students.
Maintaining a regular schedule for staff and children also gave certainty and familiarity in an otherwise strange setting.
Martine Harte: Every sector across Australia is being forced to employ divergent thinking during this pandemic, what does that mean when you are leading 1300 students across three campuses?
Jenny Williams Firbank Grammar:
I see this time of change as an amazing opportunity to rethink many of the things we take for granted in education.
Established ways of thinking and doing are often very hard to change but this time of turmoil has forced changes previously thought impossible or too hard.
Asking questions and getting feedback from all members of the community gives information on what is working now and what is worth rethinking and reimagining.
Martine Harte: What does ensuring young women are future ready and adaptive mean for you and your leadership team?
Jenny Williams Firbank Grammar:
I have always been highly curious and welcomed change, thinking outside the square is a challenge which I embrace. I am fortunate to work with a cohesive and diverse leadership team who each bring their own experiences and perspectives.
We guide our students to be strong, independent thinkers and encourage them to embrace new challenges and build inner strength and self-awareness that can be called upon throughout their lives.
Martine Harte: Adaptability is one of your 6 key domains, how to you make that actionable for Senior school students?
Jenny Williams Principal Firbank Grammar:
By encouraging them to embrace and adapt.
This enables them to be successful and at the forefront in a rapidly changing world and is really what our students have been doing all year.
The Firbank co-curricular programs are designed to provide challenging situations that are deliberately built upon as girls progress through Senior school. This exposes our students to situations that focus them on learning from challenges, taking risks and adapting and growing.
Martine Harte: What are your go-to resources when it comes to problem-solving leadership?
Jenny Williams Principal Firbank Grammar:
I have two:
- The Senior Leadership Team – a highly competent, experienced, and diverse group of leaders who represent each aspect of the complex school environment.
- My whiteboard – as a highly visual learner I have been using a whiteboard extensively in this time of agile thinking.
Martine Harte: You have spoken in the past of your mum Elaine and other strong women in your life, how valuable are mentors for girls and women?
Jenny Williams Principal Firbank Grammar:
One of the best things we can hope for is for our girls to say, ‘I think I can be like her’ or ‘I want to be like her.’
The media and society are biased towards male achievements, so it is part of our duty to expose our girls to women who have wonderful skills, values and achievements and for these women to share their journey with our students.
This is not the time to be modest but a time to celebrate women.
Find more information on Firbank here.
Read more stories of inspiring thinkers here.
Mark next International women’s day with style and impact.
Read about our invite to be added to the National Library of Australian digital collection here.