National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)I have received reports from Year 12 students, Jessica Saunders and Shashenka Withanage who were selected to attend the Forum in January of this year.

The NYSF was held at the Australian National University over a period of 12 days. Approximately 150 students from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa participated in the Forum.

"The program was an interactive, intense two weeks. We began with a ceremony at Parliament House and then started our week with fascinating lab visits to many places, like the Canberra Hospital where we visited the autopsy room and the mortuary. We met with the CEO of GPS Sports and discussed how science and business come together. We visited the CSIRO’s Green Machine where we did a hands on experiment with genes, and the Deep Space Tracking Station where we saw the first satellite which brought the perfect picture of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. We met Professor Ian Fraser, Australian of the Year 2005, and learnt about his career. We held fascinating and interactive debates, discussed Global Warming, future energy sources and offered opinions on the advancement of gene technology." Shashenka Withanage.

"Although we were all from a range of social and cultural backgrounds, we were unified by the passion we had for science. Our leaders, the student staff, clearly also had this passion as they passed on their recently learned skills to us, which gave the program a feeling of cyclic motion. The student forums and debates on recent scientific and global issues such as climate change and renewable energy sources allowed students to both express their own views and hear the views of people from different backgrounds with a common interest in science. These discussions continued long after the debate was closed and I know that as I continue my life away from the forum, I bring these issues into discussion. I believe that society as a whole gains from the NYSF, as students go back to their communities with clear opinions, ready to discuss the global questions that will continue to grow in intensity in the years to come." Jessica Saunders.

"We had university seminars where we got a preview into universities from all over Australia and talked about the courses offered. We had mock interviews, where we applied for a job and were interviewed by a panel of two professionals who asked real questions about our qualifications." Shashenka Withanage

"Meeting scientists of differing backgrounds and academic interests and visiting places of work gave a unique look at the possibilities for scientists today and in the future. This was another invaluable experience gained at the forum. The scientists whom we met on lab visits had an infectious curiosity and passion for their field of work, which they were more than happy to show us. These experiences opened my eyes as to the nature of research science." Jessica Saunders

The selection process to attend the NYSF is a rigorous one and we congratulate Jessica and Shashenka both on this achievement and on their positive participation at the Forum.

Our School intends to make an application for the National School Chaplaincy Grant. The program will enable schools to either enhance their current chaplaincy or initiate a Chaplain within the school.

We believe that this is a wonderful opportunity to enhance our School Community by having a second Chaplain, who will work on a part-time basis.

As part of our application the School must demonstrate that there is support for a Chaplain from the School Community. I would greatly appreciate emails or letters of written support from parents within the School Community that would assist us with our application for the National School Chaplaincy Program.

There are times when it would be easy to close my eyes and ignore those students who consistently choose not to follow our guidelines regarding School uniform. I know that the students may consider that their individuality is being lost through the wearing of a compulsory uniform or that the School is only concerned about its public image.

At a recent Assembly, when I spoke to the students about Year 7 students wearing their School hats, there were some comments from my student audience that they would prefer to have a scar than wear the School hat. Personally, I would prefer to have a face, or back or shoulder which is not marked by livid scars from where melanomas had been cut.

The School uniform is a visible demonstration of belonging to a School and for the most part, the students are proud to wear the uniform and do so correctly. I am proud that the majority of Year 7 students are wearing their School hat to and from school and during recess times. We are giving attention to Sun Safety and it is good to know that the students understand this. The majority of students are wearing their uniform correctly and I thank them for doing so. They look neat and tidy, and we can focus on learning and teaching.

I would like to ask all parents to assist us with the following problem areas:

• Plain black lace up leather shoes are the only appropriate school shoe
• Plain ear studs or sleepers, a watch and a chain with cross are the only items of jewellery to be worn
• Make up is not to be worn, particularly mascara and foundation
• Colourless nail polish is acceptable, but coloured nail polish is not

On Tuesday we ask the students in the Senior School to wear their blazers to Assembly, unless the temperature on that day is excessively hot.

I am often reminded that the Junior School students always wear their uniform well, and they do. When the same students who attended the Junior School become teenagers in the Senior School, they do not always choose to continue to wear their uniform well. This is not because the teachers no longer care but because teenagers have very decided opinions about how they should look in front of their female and male peers.

I choose not to close my eyes to uniform infringements and neither do the staff in the Senior School.

Susan Just
Principal

During the week I watched on television a current affairs program that was examining the reasons why enrolments in independent schools have increased in recent years. Numbers have in fact been steadily increasing from 4% in 1970 to nearly 13% in 2005. While I am confident the reasons are many and varied, I believe much of the rationale can be apportioned to the fact that parents are now looking for a more holistic educational program for their children.

Schools today have a very large role in the lives of young people. Not only do we need to provide our students with the academic skills and knowledge to prepare them for life after school but we need to be have an impact on the socialisation of young people and the nurturing of adolescents towards an awareness and acceptance of moral understanding, civic responsibility, community involvement and service. Christa McAuliffe, the sixth grade teacher from Virginia killed in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster, encapsulated the importance of education when she stated, "I touch the future, I teach".

Parents understand the importance of schools, their teachers and the variety of programs they can offer. The type of graduates they produce or in a business sense their ‘end product’ is often seen as the measuring stick of the school’s success or failure. Our Strategic Plan (2006-2011) outlines the type of graduate we would like to develop.

The CGGS Graduate is:

• confident
• ambitious
• resilient
• socially competent
• academically capable

with:

• a strong sense of self
• a strong sense of justice
• respect for others
• enthusiasm for life
• cultural awareness
• well developed values and beliefs

who is:

• able to reason and make wise choices
• striving for her personal best
• ready for leadership
• imaginative
• spiritually alive
• a global citizen

While we are cognisant that not all of our graduates will possess all of these qualities we do strive to instill in them these traits. Canberra Girls’ Grammar endeavours to face the enormity, complexity and privilege of the challenge that parents have entrusted to us. As we continue to work on the strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan (2006-2011) we need to be mindful of the many facets of a successful educational program in an independent school. We must ensure that CGGS continues to be a forward thinking, dynamic, learning community and a leader in girls’ education!

In recent days I have received some negative comments from parents regarding the Readak program currently being offered in the School. While I have an enormous amount of feedback from parents who are delighted that the School has allowed the Readak Company to offer the program at CGGS again this year, there are a number of parents who hold the view that they should not have to pay for something that the School should be providing anyway.

In short, the answer is that we are already providing an on-going, comprehensive and very practical study skills program at CGGS. The Readak program is simply an optional addendum to the School curriculum and, as such, any student who does not do the program will not be disadvantaged. We have prepared a great deal of literature on study skills for use by our staff and in addition we provide training and additional literature from other educational institutions. Study skills are generally taught in the Pastoral Care program and Tutors are assisted by the Student Support Team comprising the School Counsellors, Academic Enrichment and Learning Support Teacher, the Director of Pastoral Care, Director of Faculty and the Director of Curriculum. Identified students are also offered one-on-one tutorial assistance by qualified staff in subject areas of need on an on-going basis.

The School does not get any financial benefit for allowing the program in the School but we do get a number of advantages that benefit all students within the School. While the program is operating at our school, Readak supplies a teacher to provide extra assistance in class time and work with Tutors on study skills techniques. In essence all students get benefit from the program being offered at our School.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending two major co-curricular activities in Sydney. The first was the Dragon Boat racing competition at Chinese New Year Festival held in Darling Harbour. Over a hundred students from CGGS and CGS combined to take part in the Festival. As usual the students equipped themselves admirably and were placed first and second in the final of the Junior Mixed Competition.

I then headed up through the northern suburbs of Sydney to visit the students attending the Band Camp at the Salvation Army Conference Centre at Collaroy. We arrived to find the students setting up for their final workshop for the day and preparing for their concert at Darling Harbour the following day. The camp venue was extremely well appointed. The tranquil bush setting was ideal for developing repertoires and expanding friendships. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather on the Sunday, the students were unable to perform at Darling Harbour but they did manage to squeeze in a trip to Taronga Park Zoo and perform a concert for each other in the evening in preparation for their tour to Blue Mountains Grammar School on Monday.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Chelsea Needham (9G), who last Saturday at the Canberra Area Theatre Awards, won Best Actress in a School or Youth Play (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland). Pictured right is Chelsea in the Canberra Philharmonic Society production of CATS, showing at the Erindale Theatre from 2 to 17 March.

Fiona Godfrey
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

"Genuine relationships require trust, and building trust takes time, effort and commitment on both sides. The basis of any partnership is mutual respect and frequent, clear, honest communication."

This quotation is from a very informative publication which all parents of Prep students received this year with their child’s Book Pack. Although written with parents of students just commencing school in mind, I recommend it to everyone. It has practical information for all. It is titled Your Child’s First Year at School: A Book for Parents by Jenni Connor and Pam Linke.

At CGGS we believe an active partnership between parents and the School is fundamental to effective education. Worldwide research clearly shows that parent interest in their children’s education is the most important influence on a child’s educational progress. There is a strong connection, for instance, between parents being actively involved in their child’s reading, and the level of the child’s reading attainment. The more involved parents are, the better, research indicates, a child will do.

As part of our partnership we welcome parents to be involved in the life of the School. Parents are invited to discuss with the class teacher how they can become more involved. You may have time to assist at the classroom level with special activities and excursions, attending assemblies or helping in other ways. It may be regular or occasional. We ask for support of the School functions and that parents participate fully in this educational partnership. As well as the busy schedule at the class or Year level, the P&F Association is active and enthusiastic and always pleased with additional support. Please be on the lookout as more opportunities for parents are advertised in coming Newsletters.

At home it is important that there is an active interest in what each child is doing at school. Show enthusiasm for the learning that is occurring. The more enthusiasm parents and carers show, the more excited and motivated the child will be. Communicate the importance of effort and risk taking in learning. Luck has little to do with success. Effort and persistence get results. Monitor your child’s homework, which should be done every week night. For the younger students, parents need to play a large role in homework- not doing it- but making sure that it gets done. (Please refer to the School Diary for the School’s Policy on homework)

Part of the partnership requires good communication. I urge all families to keep in contact with the School. Our regular written communication, such as the CGGS Newsletter each Friday, the Grammar Report each term, the School Diary and our website all provide important avenues, but in the end nothing beats person-to-person contact. Therefore please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance if you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s progress or well being. By selecting CGGS as the best school for your child, you have also selected the range of staff who work here. They are committed to providing the very best program for your child. You have joined in a very important, ongoing partnership.

This week, the Curriculum Information Evening for parents was well attended and I thank the staff who prepared such an informative evening for the parents at each Year level, and thank the parents who attended. It was pleasing to hear the positive comments about how well the year had commenced and how settled and happy were the students. Next week the parents of students in Reception and Pre-Prep are invited to attend the Early Learning Centre Curriculum Information Evening. This is on Tuesday 6 March, commencing at 6.30pm in the ELC.

The first of our Sibling Visits occurred this week. This is a very special time for ELC students with older siblings in the Junior School. It is a time to visit the ELC to share part of the day. The photo to the right is of Amy Andersen (Reception Class) with her older sister Riley, Year 4WL.

Unfortunately there are a number of parents who continue to use the front car park to deliver or pick up their children.

There is no parent access for parking in front of the building between 8am and 4pm unless a child is being collected from Sick Bay during the day. This area is a Bus Zone and needs to be kept free. There have also been complaints from our neighbours in Robe Street that some parents are parking illegally in driveways and on nature strips.

It is also extremely dangerous for everyone when parents drive into the car park and park along the kerbside that is painted red to indicate NO PARKING. Parents are requested to respect these guidelines. At Assemblies, students have been reminded repeatedly but the parking of cars is the responsibility of their parents. We ask for your cooperation. The safety of our School community is paramount.

In summary:

• Parents are asked to use the car park at the eastern end of the Junior School, at least between the hours of 8am and 4pm
• Parents may use the front car park before 8am and after 4pm and may park in available car parks or the bus zone for the few minutes they need to collect or drop off students.
• Parents may use the front car park during the day if they are collecting their child from Sick Bay or for appointments.
• At no time may anyone park along the kerbside where it is painted red.

The Junior School has a designated Absentee Telephone Line. If you are reporting your child is absent from school for any reason, please call 6273 1087. This line can be accessed at any time. Your message will be noted and the information passed on to the relevant staff member.

Heather Ablett
Head of Junior School

• 3 Mar CGGS rowing crews at ACTRA Regatta, Canberra
• 4 Mar Lent 2, Family and Friends’ Service, Chapel of the Annunciation, 9am
• 5 Mar ‘Helping your child choose a career’ Information Evening for Parents
• 5 - 11 Mar CGGS Rowers First VIII at the National Championships, Victoria
• 6 Mar Moderation Day - no classes for Senior School students
• P&F Meeting, Boardroom, Senior School campus, 7.30pm
• 7 Mar Junior School Swimming Carnival, Lakeside Swimming Centre, Tuggeranong
• Co-Opera production, Kiss Me, Kate, CGGS Hall, 7pm
• 9-11 Mar Symphonic Wind Band, Chamber Orchestra, Senior Big Band and Motet Choir trip to Melbourne
• 9-16 Mar Y9 Outward Bound camp
• 12 Mar St Kevin’s College, Toorak, concert with Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, CGGS Hall, 7pm
• 13 Mar Junior Primary exchange with Canberra Grammar School
• 13-14 Mar Y11/12 Drama overnight excursion to Sydney
• 13-16 Mar Year 8 camp
• 14 Mar Y3 & Y4 exchange with Canberra Grammar School
• 17-18 Mar Rowing crews at Independent Girls’ Schools Sports Association (IGSSA) Regatta, Penrith

SCHOOL SHOP

Term Time Hours
Tuesdays.................... 8.15am – 2.00pm
Wednesdays.............. 8.15am – 2.00pm
Thursdays...................12noon – 5.30pm

New stocks of navy straw hats, school dresses and white hair accessories are now available.

Due to overloading and late running problems, as of 5 March 2007, School Route 891 will no longer be picking up students in Duggan Street Calwell. Students are to catch School Route 897 and this service is due up Duggan Street at 8am.

School Route 897 will now be departing Banks 7 minutes earlier - at 7.30am. All students will need to be at their bus stops before this time.

This action is aimed towards reducing problems with overloading and late running problems experienced over the past few weeks. Students in the Junior School, who have been affected by this change, have had information about this given to them this week. For further information please contact Mandy McDonald, Customer Service Manager, ACTION, e: mandy.mcdonald@act.gov.au

More articles on School news, activities and events are available in the section ‘In the News’  http://www.cggs.act.edu.au/pages/page416.asp

P&F ASSOCIATION

I am writing this as the new President of the P&F! My husband, Chris and I have two girls at CGGS - Zoe, in Year 6, and Georgia, in Year 8. We also have a son, Dominic, who is in Year 3 at CGS. I am pleased to take on this role. I am so excited about the way the School is going ahead under the Principal, Susan Just’s leadership, and I look forward very much to the year ahead.

I am not a little daunted by the huge shoes I have to fill. Our past President, Sally Kaye, did a truly remarkable job. She did much of what needed to be done herself including the efficient and effective organising of the Entertainment Books Fundraiser and also being Fête Convenor in 2006. She has very generously offered to continue this last role in 2007- for which I am enormously grateful. I know you will all join me in thanking Sally for her wonderful contribution.

I was elected at our P&F Annual General Meeting, which was held on 15 February at the Elizabeth McKay Aquatic Centre. Many thanks to all those who came along and enjoyed wine, nibbles and good company at this lovely School venue. We were delighted to be joined by the Chairman of the Board, David Holmesby, and Deputy Chairman, Doug Lennie. Both gave interesting talks, which helped us to understand a bit more about the Board, and the financial arrangements of the School. I think Doug managed to convince us that the 6% fee increase last year was in fact less than the increase in the CPI for the education sector!

We voted to approve a budget which will see $144,550 of the money you have raised through the P&F spent on projects and equipment to enhance educational experiences for our children. The main expenditure is for interactive whiteboards: the P&F was treated to a demonstration by Damaris Patterson during the year and were all amazed at how they can be used to transform the teaching/learning environment. Other expenditures include a contribution to Michael Carr-Gregg’s return (don’t miss it!), furniture for the Boarding House, a debating workshop and shade protection in the ELC.

We had a rush of volunteers willing to be on the Committee for 2007. As a result we now have a full Committee, which is great. Our Vice-Presidents are Peter August and Jayne Francis, our Secretary is Jacqui Richards and our Treasurer, Michael Butcher. Committee members are Elizabeth Baillie, Petra Bouvain, Jann Carroll, Karen Chester, Vanessa Crowe, Lyndal Curtis, Judith Jones, Wendy Kay, Belinda Kenyon, Tracy Mackey, David Needham, Suzanne O’Connor, Jane Underwood and Sonja Woodwell.

We will have our first meeting next Tuesday 6 March at 7.30pm in the Board Room. Anyone is welcome to come. We will be making plans for the year, so please feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions or feedback (now, or anytime).

Juliet Behrens
email: PandF@cggs.act.edu.au
T: 6161 8140 (h)

CGGS FRIENDS OF MUSIC

MAKING MUSIC

We are so fortunate at CGGS to have amongst our instrumental teachers accomplished performers Minh Le Hoang (guitar) and Teresa Rabe (flute).

Minh and Teresa are giving generously of their time to perform at an evening of guitar and flute music in the Music Centre Recital Room in the Music Centre on Wednesday, 28 March at 7pm. The Guitar Orchestra and Flute Ensemble, comprising students from both CGGS and CGS, will also be performing during the evening. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, students and friends to hear Minh and Teresa’s outstanding playing and to witness the progress of these two terrific instrumental groups.

This Soirée is being arranged by Friends of Music and tickets (Adults $10, Students $5, which includes a complimentary glass of bubbly or soft drink served from 6.30pm) can be purchased from Judith Bingley in the Music Centre on 6202 6446 or by contacting her at judith.bingley@cggs.act.edu.au

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

We have a new Film and Media Studies teacher who begins in Term 2. He and his partner are currently looking for accommodation in Canberra and they have encountered some difficulties with this task. Should any parents know of a rental property which may be available from Term 2 we would appreciate an email or telephone conversation, t: 6202 6400 or email communityrelations@cggs.act.edu.au

DIRECTIONS ACT provides:

• Free confidential Counselling
• Non-judgemental Support
• Information and Resources
• Referrals

We can help.

Phone 6122 8000
1 Bradley St, Woden
www.directionsact.com