When it comes to preparing young girls for the ongoing fight against gender inequality, single-sex schools are leading the charge. By providing students with an empowering environment, girls develop the confidence to stand up and speak out — and they continue to do so long after they leave the classroom.
“For 13 years, our girls experience a world where they hold all leadership positions and have 100 per cent of the voice in their community,” says Queenwood principal Marise McConaghy. “They come to expect equality in leadership roles, carrying this expectation into the broader world where they contribute to positive change.”
Free of restrictive gender norms, all-girls schools help foster a deeper level of self assurance, with students never made to question their right to a seat at the table. “This period of single-sex education during their formative years is invaluable,” McConaghy says. “We encourage participation, discussion and the freedom to express ideas without fear of judgement or dominance from the opposite gender.”
It’s a similar story at Meriden, an Anglican girls’ school in Strathfield. “At Meriden, we don’t shelter our girls from the real world,” says principal Lisa Brown. “Our students feel a greater sense of respect, which enables them to confidently use their voices in the classroom and, in the future, boardrooms, the political stage or other arenas.”
The research agrees, with studies consistently showing that girls who receive a single-sex education are more confident and emotionally resilient than those who attend a co-ed school. They’re also more likely to give it their all during class and to consider majoring in male-dominated subjects like maths and science — a change Brown has observed in her own students.
“The learning that happens in an all-girls school is specific for the needs of girls,” she continues. “There are no gender stereotypes and girls are able, and expected, to pick any subject that appeals to them. At Meriden, we have impressive uptake across our science disciplines, with the number of students enrolling into physics and chemistry classes at the highest they have ever been. I contrast this with anecdotal examples from colleagues in co-ed schools who tell me that it can be challenging to convince girls to study certain subjects because they are perceived as ‘boys’ subjects.”
Of course, when it comes to combating gender disparity, empowering students is only half of the equation. Students must also become familiar with it. “Our curriculum is tailored to educate girls about contemporary and ongoing gender inequality,” McConaghy says. “We choose texts and design courses that highlight women’s roles and challenges in history, economics, sports, science and art. This focused education helps students understand and address gender issues effectively.”
Students are also guided on how to maintain assertiveness in their language, and they’re encouraged to seek and integrate diverse worldviews. “The girls at Queenwood recognise their education as a gift and a privilege, empowering them to make a positive impact,” McConaghy says. “They understand their experiences may not be typical, so we focus on developing women of strength, courage and purpose.”
At Meriden, to help put their learnings into practice before graduating, senior students can join a cadets program that partners with the all-boys Trinity Grammar School. “[The boys and girls] learn how to work together, how to lead each other and be led by one another. This is a valuable co-ed opportunity that is done outside of the classroom and prepares the students for life after school,” Brown explains.
“When a young person learns to drive a car, they don’t usually get out on the highway on their first attempt. This example illustrates how important it is for young women to develop the skills they need for the future in a nurturing and supportive environment before they enter a world in which, as the data from the World Economic Forum tells us, is a world struggling with gender disparity.”