At Calvary we know that connection, confidence, and community are essential to a student’s growth — especially for young women navigating the highs and lows of adolescence. That’s why our Girls Group has become such a treasured part of life in our Secondary School.

We sat down with School Counsellor Mrs Tanya Tennant, who leads Girls Group each week, to hear how it all started, how it’s grown, and why this student-led space is making such an impact.

Where It All Began

“When I came to Calvary, running a girls group was something that had already been identified as a great fit for my background,” Tanya explains. “I’d come from a chaplaincy role where I regularly ran clubs and groups, so I just needed to shape something that worked for me and for Calvary.”

She began by inviting a group of Year 9 students to help design the format of the group. Together, they dreamed up what Girls Group could be — a welcoming, inclusive place for all girls in the Secondary School to connect, belong, and grow. “It wasn’t in response to any one issue,” she says. “It was more about building a culture — one of inclusion and connection.”

What It Looks Like Today

Girls Group runs every Friday during second break, currently held on the beautiful Culbert deck, where a peaceful stream flows nearby. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

Each week, students enjoy:

• 🧁 Food (ice cream, cheese platters, charcuterie boards – all prepared by the student leaders!)
• 🎲 Craft or games tables for connection and creativity
• 🗣️ Student-led talks on relevant, heartfelt topics
• 💬 Panel discussions with reflective questions from peers

“It’s totally student-driven,” Tanya says. “We have a leadership group made up of Year 9s and 11s. They come up with the theme for the term and take turns speaking about what’s on their heart.”

Topics That Matter

Girls Group doesn’t shy away from the real stuff. Some recent topics have included:

• Body image and self-acceptance
• Identity and growing through the middle and senior years
• Managing academic stress
• Dealing with disappointment
• Building resilience and confidence

“What I love most is how open, honest, and vulnerable our leaders are,” she shares. “They’re willing to share their journey and remind the younger girls: you’re not alone — you’re going to be okay.”

A Space That’s Open to All

One of the group’s strengths is that it’s informal and open-invitation. Students can come every week or just when they need a safe space to land.

“We often have Year 7s and 8s attending regularly,” Tanya explains. “Older students — especially Year 9 to 11 — will pop in and out depending on what they need, and that’s exactly how we want it. It’s about knowing you’re always welcome.”

The group also partners closely with the College’s Wellbeing team. Students may be encouraged to attend by the school counsellor or wellbeing coordinator, particularly if they’re navigating friendship challenges or needing extra social connection.

Building Belonging

With around 30 girls attending each week, the sense of connection is strong. “You can see the friendships forming — and across year levels too,” she says. “It’s beautiful to watch girls grow in confidence over time.”

The group even welcomes special guests, like staff member Mrs Mel Handley, who recently led sessions on vision books, helping students reflect on identity and dream about life beyond school.

The Heart Behind It

When asked what she finds most rewarding, Tanya lights up: “All of it. It’s the highlight of my week. I’m constantly in awe of our leaders and what they bring. And when I see a student come in hurting from a social fallout — and find others who simply sit beside them without needing to talk about it — that hits me.”

A Culture That Cares

“This isn’t a manufactured space,” she reflects. “It’s genuine. It’s a place where students feel seen, valued, and included. And for girls especially, it’s so important to know that there’s a place where they belong.”

Feedback from parents and staff has echoed this sentiment, with many reaching out to share how impactful Girls Group has been for their daughters.

💬 Watch This Space

Girls Group continues to grow, evolve, and lead with love. At Calvary, we’re proud to nurture not just academic growth, but the deep social and emotional learning that empowers young people to thrive.

From our Student Leaders:

Becky - Year 11

Three years ago, my friends and I began Girls Group with the help of Ms Tennant. The whole idea was that it could be a space where middle school girls could have fun, build connections and learn all the things we wish someone would’ve told us when we were first starting high school. To make this happen, we played games, ate together, did crafts, sung songs, and always ended with a message of encouragement delivered by one of the Girls Group leaders. Very quickly, this space became somewhere girls could feel fully safe. No drama, no judgement, no expectations. As my friends and I have gotten older and school has gotten busier, we’ve had less opportunity to show up at every Girls Group. Thankfully, the current Grade 9's have stepped up into leadership and have continued to keep the beautiful Girls Group community alive and thriving. It is my prayer that Girls Group will far outlive my time at Calvary, and that it will forever be a space where all girls can feel welcome, valued and loved.

Eva - Year 11

Girls group is a safe space we designed in 2023 when we were looking to impact the school life of girls from grades 7-10. Its a space where we as leaders can speak about our past experiences with added guidance to hopefully comfort and support girls experiencing the same. As we grow up and graduate we hope the space we created lasts for many more years to come. In this time we cover topics like beauty, identity, relationships and more while also giving time for snacks, chats and craft. Girls group doesn't just positively touch the younger girls but help us leaders develop skills like, public speaking, integrity and mentorship. 

Isla - Year 9

Girls Group means so much to me because it brings comfort knowing that younger girls have older students to walk alongside them as they step into high school.
I still remember the first time I joined Girls Group. Hearing the stories and encouragement from the older girls made me feel seen and supported during a time that felt so overwhelming. As a nervous little Year 7, I was carrying more than I knew how to handle — and this group helped me realise I didn’t have to carry it alone.