With the pervasive attention being given to COVID-19 from all angles, it is likely that many young people are feeling increased levels of anxiety and concern. This week I would like to take the opportunity to share information from the Alliance of Girls Schools Australia on the social, emotional and health benefits of all girls schooling.
A study of single-sex public schools prepared for the US Department of Education found that there are many social and emotional benefits for girls who attend single-sex schools. Researchers using observational techniques found that: “Site visitors observed more positive academic and behavioural interactions between teachers and students in the single-sex schools than in the comparison coed [sic] schools” (Riordan et al., 2008). In the same study, researchers systematically reviewed the literature on single-sex education and concluded that: “Overall there were more social-emotional outcomes favouring single-sex schools” (Riordan et al., 2008).
The 2014 ‘Steeped in Learning’ report from the US states that: “Students attending all-girl schools experience higher levels of support from their classmates, teachers, and administrators than do their female peers at coeducational [sic] public schools”, with 89.9% feeling supported by other students and 94.6% feeling supported by their teachers. In co-ed public schools, 73.1% felt supported by other students and 84.1% felt supported by their teachers.
I am proud of the way our girls are handling themselves and being thoughtful of each other. They are continuing as normal with a calm resilience.
Dr John Fry
Dean of Studies