Melbourne Grammar chairs global schools network

This leading Melbourne boys’ school is sharing knowledge with principals from 19 countries to help respond to the pandemic.

Melbourne Grammar School's headmaster is chair of an international group of boarding schools that share expertise and support.

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MELBOURNE Grammar School is drawing on a global network to implement the best boarding practices from across the world.

Established in 2006, the G30 Schools group is an informal association of leading schools from 19 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, Germany and New Zealand.

Melbourne Grammar School was a founding member of G30 Schools, and the current chair is Melbourne Grammar headmaster Philip Grutzner.

“It is invaluable to have a group of educational leaders with whom we can explore the complex issues confronting many schools,” Mr Grutzner said. “Most recently we have focused on how schools are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been helpful to gain perspectives from those in quite different environments than Melbourne Grammar and at different stages of the COVID-19 infection curve, yet who are facing similar issues as us.”

Melbourne Grammar director of boarding Geoff Guggenheimer agreed.

“Before we resumed on-campus learning in May this year, we had a virtual meeting of representatives from 10 schools, which focused on issues relating to the return to boarding after a period of off-campus learning,” he said. “It gave me confidence that our plans were on the right track.”

Future meetings between these schools were likely to consider broader matters relating to boarding, Mr Guggenheimer said.

“It is a good opportunity to ensure what we are doing benefits from the valuable ideas we can gain from the experiences of other leading schools,” he said.

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In addition to the boarding group, there are G30 networks relating to teaching and learning, and pastoral care.

Student-to-student dialogues have also recently become part of the G30 Schools agenda, with Melbourne Grammar School students chairing both the lower secondary and upper secondary forums.

“We want our students to be the best human beings they can be,” Mr Grutzner said.

“The more you understand the human condition, the more you are able to become a better human being. ”

Melbourne Grammar School offers boarding places to boys in Years 7-12.