From the Deputy Headmaster/Head of Junior School

In the lead up to International Women’s Day (IWD), I have been speaking with students across the Junior School about the women who inspire them, the importance of celebrating women’s achievements and raising awareness about discrimination. It has been wonderful to hear students talk about their mothers, female teachers and public figures who influence and inspire them.

Following these conversations, I shouldn’t have been surprised that School Captains James Hattingh and Ryan Fowler came knocking on my door to ask me to talk about a woman who has been an inspiration to me. I, like so many of our students, couldn’t go past naming my mum as a woman who has been an inspiration to me. When articulating why to the captains, I realised that it was probably a message I should be sharing with others.

Following my father’s passing, leaving my mother to care for me, a 10-year-old, my 8-year-old sister, and my 6-month-old brother as a widow, many advised her to sell his air charter company. In an industry traditionally dominated by men, the notion of a woman succeeding was met with scepticism. However, my mother defied the pressure and not only managed but expanded Air Charter Australia, acquiring additional aircraft for her fleet. She was courageous and included herself in aviation where pilots, baggage handlers, engineers, air traffic controllers and refuellers were predominantly men.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #InspireInclusion, underscores the significance of diversity and empowerment across all spheres of society. To truly include women means to openly embrace their diversity of race, age, ability, faith, body image, and how they identify. Worldwide, women must be included in all fields of endeavour (IWD, 2024).

We have made great progress in understanding and valuing women’s inclusion to forge a better world. Seeing boys playing the most recent edition of Guess Who in the Junior School Library today, in comparison to the one I played with when I was 10, is definitely a good sign!

Jasmine Taylor 
Deputy Headmaster / Head of Junior School

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