On 8th March, communities around the world came together to celebrate International Women’s Day. It’s a day to champion the achievements of women and reflect on the importance of mutual support.
This year’s campaign theme, ‘Give to Gain’, highlights how supporting others creates opportunity and growth for everyone. At Lathallan, this message resonates deeply. From our staff to our pupils, the spirit of encouragement, collaboration, and leadership is visible across the school every day.
When we give generously – whether through listening, sharing knowledge, providing resources, or offering mentorship – we create greater opportunities for women. Remember, giving isn’t about losing, it’s about multiplying our impact.
At Lathallan, we believe in nurturing this spirit of support. Our staff nominated women within our team who exemplify this ethos, and we’ve compiled a video montage featuring some of their insights and advice for women and girls.
Shared Values
Creating an environment where girls feel empowered to challenge themselves is central to school life. Our school values of Confidence, Opportunity, Respect, Endeavour, and Modesty underpin everything that we do. Miss Mathieson emphasises that confidence and teamwork are the foundations of ambition:
“Believe in yourself, work hard, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Push yourself and always support your teammates – and most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help!”
She also highlighted the importance of cultivating this mindset beyond the sports field. “I aspire to support the girls at Lathallan by creating a positive environment where they feel confident to challenge themselves and are aware of their potential, both within and outwith the competitive atmosphere.”
Leading the Way
Our senior pupils are already putting these values into practice. Alexa and Maia reflected on their roles as Lathallan’s first two female Consuls:
“Since being elected last year as the first-ever two female Consuls serving at the same time, we hope we can inspire new generations of women here to never shy away from leadership roles and to have the confidence to stand up for what they believe in.”
Miss Jordan, Head of Science, highlighted the growing number of girls pursuing STEM subjects:
“We’ve had pupils leave school to study subjects like astronomy and engineering – areas that were once predominantly male-oriented. Encouraging pupils to pursue what they’re passionate about is such a rewarding part of working here.”
The Beating Heart of the School
Of course, leadership at Lathallan isn’t just found in the classroom or the Consul office. Gillian and Karen, our school secretaries, were highly nominated by their peers to be part of this campaign. As the ‘beating heart’ of the school, they keep everything running smoothly. Gillian describes the Lathallan community simply:
“When I think of Lathallan, the phrase that comes to mind is: ‘How can I help?’ Everyone is very supportive, and it creates such a positive environment, not just for staff, but for pupils as well.”
A Message of Wellbeing
International Women’s Day is also an opportunity to share wisdom with the next generation. Ally, our school Matron, reminded us that true empowerment includes looking after ourselves:
“Having strength and resilience is great, but so is rest. Self-care is so important – your mental and physical wellbeing really matters.”
At Lathallan, the values behind International Women’s Day are reflected in everyday life – supporting one another, celebrating achievements, and encouraging every pupil to pursue their ambitions with confidence.