Girls Get Their Wings to Fly

Melbourne Girls Grammar, alongside the Institute for Drone Technology (RTO No. 4518) and the Centre for Educational Enterprise, is proud to congratulate six exceptional students from Years 9-12 and a teacher on successfully attaining their Remote Pilot’s Licence. As a part of the School’s Student Enterprise program, which aims to empower students to enter a changing workforce, students had the opportunity to obtain this licence, which certifies holders to fly a Remotely Piloted Aircraft or an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for commercial work purposes. 

Attaining this licence from the Institute for Drone Technology was no mean feat, with the girls and teacher extensively studying aviation theory and regulations, learning to professionally pilot drones, and demonstrating mastery of the concepts through passing a challenging theoretical exam and practical flying exam. Achieving this qualification is a significant achievement for our girls and their graduation contributes hugely to the growing number of commercial female drone pilots in Australia.

Of significant note, is the achievement Sophie Paterson, a 14-year-old Year 9 Melbourne Girls Grammar student, who is now the youngest female remote pilot in Australia.  

The course for Year 11 student Olivia Perkins was a revelation, who believes that taking part in the program inspired her to challenge preconceived notions that aviation is exclusively the domain of men. 

“The percentage of female pilots at Australia’s major airlines ranges from about four to nine per cent,” she says, “and women make up as little as a quarter of the total STEM workforce. Soon, I aim to get my first commercial job involving drones, which could possibly extend into a full-time career.”

Year 11 student Isabelle Riccio took up the opportunity as a “spontaneous decision to try something new” and reflected that the experience provided her with the opportunity to bond with her peers and opened her mind to broader career possibilities.

The students were joined by science teacher Garth Kates, who signed up to expand his knowledge of this rapidly expanding industry, and in the hope that in the future he would “introduce the knowledge gained to students to assist their futures in STEM”.

Dr. Joel Spencer, CEO and Co-Founder of The Institute for Drone Technology was instrumental to the successful experience for our girls. He posited that “Melbourne Girls Grammar has shown great leadership in fostering a deep interest in STEM among the girls, with a practical and real-world outcome of the girls successfully completing the Remote Pilot Licence course.” He also considered the benefits of the course for the girls, noting “the skill to operate a drone will be a great advantage to these girls as they move forward with their studies, their lives and their careers. We look forward to working with Melbourne Girls Grammar to grow this program so even more girls can have the great experience, and opportunity these girls have received through completing the course.”

Ivan Carlisle, Director of STEM at Melbourne Girls Grammar says “this is a great accomplishment for our girls and is representative of our efforts to champion STEM opportunities that prepare students for the future of work. It is important that our programs go beyond simply ensuring university readiness, by engaging students with micro-credential opportunities, like the Remote Pilot Licence, that connect them with the future of work here and now. We look forward to continuing to partner with The Institute for Drone Technology in the provision of such credentials and industry work placement opportunities.’

At Melbourne Girls Grammar we are committed to preparing our students for the future, whatever it may be. We are acutely aware that technology and globalisation are shaping the landscape of the future, and this future is in a state of motion. Thus, we aim to create independent, critical and creative thinkers who are equipped with strategies to expand her capacity to deal with challenges.