--- title: "Schools are Natural Centres of Optimism: Toni Meath" description: "Toni Meath believes schools are natural centres of optimism. \"Nothing can quite compare to the buzz and hum of a school in action.\"" image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Toni%20meath.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/joy) , ###### [Young People](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/young-people) , ###### [Natural Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/natural-optimism) # Schools are Natural Centres of Optimism: Toni Meath “Schools are natural centres of optimism. Nothing can quite compare to the buzz and hum of a school in action. They are places where minds of all ages come together with hope and informed optimism to make positive change. In schools you will find a remarkable sense of fun, optimism and joy; it goes with the territory of children and young people.” ![Toni meath](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Toni%20meath.jpeg?width=200&height=231&name=Toni%20meath.jpeg)That's what [Toni Meath](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-toni-e-meath-gaicd-facel-b4635213/) told me when I asked what makes her optimistic. Dr Toni E Meath is the principal of Melbourne Girls Grammar.  She believes that enriching students with the ability to think critically and creatively is paramount to ensure they are prepared for an unknown future. [![Read More: Optimism and the Young](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/598006b8-1b3b-4920-9552-db137b3ca530.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/598006b8-1b3b-4920-9552-db137b3ca530) I asked Toni about the positive leaders in her life.  Toni told me, "In my life I have had the fortune of being inspired by many leaders. As a shy teenager it was definitely David Bowie, as he dared to be different, embraced diversity and was single minded in his pursuit of musical excellence. As a young adult, noble laureate Patrick White was a true inspiration. White was proudly Australian, spoke his mind and had a generosity of spirit that I adored. More recently, it would have to be Sir Gus Nossal, another proud Australian who is a national living treasure. I love his intelligent, joyful approach to life and I am always moved when listening to his carefully crafted speeches full of practical wisdom." [Read More on Sir Gus Nossal's Positive Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/sirgusnossal?hsLang=en) [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Hope](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/hope) , ###### [Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/joy) , ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) #### [Roberto Almada su ottimismo, speranza, fede e gioia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/roberto-almada-ottimismo-italiano?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/roberto-almada-ottimismo-italiano?hsLang=en) ###### [Hope](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/hope) , ###### [Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/joy) , ###### [Faith](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/faith) #### [Roberto Almada on Optimism, Hope, Faith and Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/robertoalmada?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/robertoalmada?hsLang=en) ###### [Joy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/joy) , ###### [Good Question](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/good-question) #### [RIPEN: Where Joy Flourishes and Optimism Leads](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/ripen?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/ripen?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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