Gabriel II

On Saturday 3 March, the new CGGS VIII was named Gabriel II by the Chairman of the Gabriel Foundation, Fulton Muir. In future, all VIII will be named Gabriel to honour the founding of the School. I would like to thank Nick Welsh, President of the CGGS Rowing Club and the parents for organising a sausage sizzle and presenting me with a CGGS Rowing poloshirt and jersey which I will be proud to wear at the Head of the River and other rowing regattas.

Over the next few Newsletters I would like to present our strategic actions for this year and provide some information about our progress.

• Implement the Pastoral Care program in the Senior School and continue to develop the Pastoral Care program in the Junior School.
• Research, write and implement a policy of applying pastoral values and approaches to all aspects of school life.
• Review the School’s Safe School Policy and continue to implement the Safe Schools Framework.
• Make use of the Speaker program to form part of the professional development activities for CGGS staff and staff from other schools.

The new format for our Pastoral Care program in the Senior School is now in the implementation stage. Jeanette Widmer, Director of Pastoral Care, will gather written feedback from Tutors initially, and later from students and parents. It appears that the structured pastoral care lesson each cycle is enabling Tutors to give attention to age specific issues. The Tutor Group time at the beginning of each day provides structure and an opportunity for more informal conversation and events.

A number of parents have indicated that they appreciated receiving a telephone call from their daughters Tutors and that information could be shared. I have also received positive feedback from our Year 7 parents about their daughters’ induction into the School and the Year 7 camp.

The Safe School Committee has begun to meet and the students and staff are considering activities which will communicate the Safe School Policy to our students in a clear manner.

The staff of the Junior School is currently working on the implementation of Kidsmatter.

We will shortly begin work on policy development related to the application of pastoral values and approaches to all aspects of School life. Our work on Emotional Intelligence will assist us in this particular action.

Dr Leonard Sax, author of Why Gender Matters, will present to staff and parents on 10 May, and the P&F Association would also like to invite Dr Michael Carr-Gregg to Canberra for presentations during this year.

In Term 1 Year 11 students have undertaken Peer Support Leadership training:

• All Year 11 students participated in a two day leadership training program, facilitated by their Head of House and Tutors.
• Year 11 students will facilitate relevant and challenging activities for Year 7 students to enable them learn from each other and the Peer Leaders.
• Peer Support leadership is a component of the Year 7 and Year 11 personal development session.
• Year 7 students received Pastoral Care Welcome Bags:
• Items in the bag are concrete reminders of our Mission and Pastoral Care values. Some of the themes include: friendship; resilience; who to see for help; community service awareness and wise decision making.
• This concept provides impetus for discussion in Tutor Group and opportunity for communication between home and school.New students in Years 8 to 11 were introduced to their House Group and received the CGGS Welcome Bag.
• Year 7 students ‘unpacked’ the contents of the Pastoral Care Bag after returning to School from camp.

The Zeal Theatre Company performed The Stones for Year 8 and 9 students as part of the Pastoral Care program. The high energy physical theatre provided discussion on ethical decision making. Contrary to the views expressed by some students, I enjoyed the performance very much and was disappointed that I could not remain until the conclusion because I had an interview with a new student and her parents.

• Complete the ICT Review.
• Develop a sequential program for learning support and enrichment from the Junior School to the Senior School.
• Provide professional development to teachers that enables them to use pedagogies and technologies which enhance student engagement in the learning process.
• Continue to review Parent/Teacher Interviews.
• Undertake research into international curriculum offerings which may enhance the learning of all students, or groups of students, within the school.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of sport and co-curricular programs within the Junior and Senior Schools.
• Establish a taskforce to consider the implications of the sport and co-curricular review and to make recommendations in regard to the future.

An ICT committee made up of Junior and Senior School management, teaching staff and CGGS Information Technology staff was established in 2006. The review will include all stakeholders and members of the committee will be undertaking a variety of school visits. We are seeking middle-term and longer term goals for ICT and will keep our minds open to emerging technologies which may lead us away from our present structures.

We are developing a whole school approach to Academic Enrichment and Learning Support, which requires us to develop a range of new procedures and programs.

Raelene Ernst, our Academic Enrichment and Learning Support teacher, will administer the programs under the guidance of the Director of Faculty and the Learning Support Team.

• Enrichment is now in a developmental phase: Mind Max will begin towards the end of Term 1. This program will be designed for very able students from Years 3 to 8. A series of tests will determine entry into each Mind Max cohort. Students will be withdrawn from usual classes for this program.
• We will be offering Core Extension and Enrichment in English, Mathematics and Science. Multiple tests will be used to determine participation for students and there will be flexible entry and exit from the program. During 2007 the program will run in Years 7 to 10 Mathematics, Years 7 to 9 English and Years 7 and 8 Science.
• We will continue to offer our current Learning Support processes which include: Reading Recovery in the Junior School, Learning Support programs in both the Junior School and Senior School, Communications from Years 7 to 10, the Supporting Senior Studies program, English as a Second Language lessons, support classes in core English, Mathematics, Science, and in Mathematics in Junior School, modified packages and disability support. The Study Skills program has been moved to the pastoral care program and will be undertaken by all students in the Senior School.

Some Departments in the Senior School will continue to work with external facilitators on differentiation. Differentiation is the process of modifying learning experiences so that all students have the opportunity to engage in the learning process at their optimum level.

We have chosen to utilise Differentiation to better support the learning needs of students through a focus on:

• The level of teaching and learning activities for each;
• The type of activities that allow students to learn in different ways;
• The variety of ways students can demonstrate learning;
• The environment in which the students learn.

Differentiation is also utilised in the Junior School curriculum programs.

Since 2006 we have been undertaking preparation for the introduction of the ACT Curriculum Renewal Framework in 2008. We will monitor changes in subject choices and continue with an audit of content taught in each subject area. Year 10 students will also undertake Civics, Citizenship and Careers in 2007. This particular subject covers a number of Essential Learning Achievements in the Curriculum Renewal Framework and will prepare students for the national benchmark test on Civics and Citizenship.

Our Director of Operations and Logistics, David Blue, will take responsibility for the review of sport and co-curricular programs available within the School. He is about to undertake an information gathering process with staff and external individuals who are involved in the program.

During the year we will be gathering information about the International Baccalaureate program and other international programs which may enhance student learning within the School.

Over the last fortnight I have included information on the application CGGS will submit to DEST for a part-time Chaplain to add to our Chaplaincy Service. Should we be successful, the School could receive $20,000 a year for the next three years. The School will provide the remainder of the salary for a part-time Chaplain.

Our particular focus for the Chaplain will be involvement in the pastoral care program and the provision of pastoral support to students, parents and staff who volunteer to access this person.

I would greatly appreciate letters of commendation from parents for this application which can be included as evidence for DEST.

Susan Just
Principal

Although it seems crazy to be thinking about end of term assessments at the half way point of term, I have in recent days had a number of requests for leave at the end of term, many of them hoping to combine Easter with the end of term holidays. While I fully understand the desire of some parents (particularly parents of international and interstate boarders) to have their children with them for an extended period of time, either at home or on vacation over Easter and the Term 1 vacation, I ask that all requests are cognisant of the time spent out of class and the pressure it places on students to complete work prior to their departure. When compiling Assessment Calendars we endeavour to evenly stagger assessment dates, but as would be expected, the end of a semester or term is often a very busy time for students. With this in mind, it is often very difficult, if not impossible for students to condense three weeks of work into one. I implore all parents to think through the consequences before making alternate arrangements for their daughter/s!

As has been previously explained, all subjects produce Unit Outlines which are given to students at the beginning of each semester in every subject. They are important documents for both students and their parents as they contain information about the unit titles, broad outcomes, teachers, content and assessment task dates, weighting and marks. These documents allow families to organise times when assessments are due and when social activities need to be minimised.

All students are given hard copies of the Unit Outline at the beginning of each semester and generally parents are asked to sign the Unit Outcomes. To assist families in planning activities, we have placed copies of all of the Unit Outcomes on the Portal. Your daughter can log onto the Portal through the School’s website. Once onto the Portal it is simply a matter of following these links: Public/Senior School/Curriculum Information/Unit Outlines. They will be an invaluable way of ensuring assessments are planned and worked on well in advance of the due dates.

International Women’s Day (IWD)

As you would be aware, the Term 1 Parent/Teacher Interviews are fast approaching and next week parents will receive in the mail next week individualised interview sheets detailing your daughter’s subjects and their teachers. The designated nights this semester are Wednesday 3 April and Thursday 12 April. Given that the Canberra Day Long Weekend and Easter fall between now and the latter of the two dates, students will need to act promptly in order to secure appointment times with respective teachers. I would ask that all parents discuss with their daughter with whom they wish to make an appointment, sign the booking sheet and ask that they organise appointment times as soon as possible. Alternatively, parents can make appointments directly with teachers by email or via the phone.

The Year 9 students left today to start the first of eight days in the wilderness. I have no doubt that this year’s camp will be as memorable as it has been in the past. In speaking to the past and current senior students, I have found that many of them rate the Year 9 Camp experience as the highlight of their time at CGGS. We wish the students and their teachers well and hope that the weather is kind to them. Please be reminded that Year 9 students will return to school at 3pm on Friday 16 March.

As listed in letters sent home, contact details are as follows: Outward Bound Australia: 62375158 and Tim Briggs, camp coordinator: 0407 488 984. Please note that these numbers are for emergency use only.

Fiona Godfrey
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

Congratulations were extended to Brittany Staniforth, Year 6, for her success at the recent Royal Canberra Show Art Competition. Brittany is a keen artist and entered three of her works in the Junior section. She was awarded the Young Artist Advancement Award for her After Modigliani. Brittany also won with another of her works, Two of a Kind. Brittany was recognised at our most recent Junior School Assembly. Pictured right is Brittany with her works and prizes from the Show.

Parents are requested to move to the end of the drive-through pickup area at the end of the day when collecting students. Should your children not be waiting to get into the car, please move out of the area and park your car in one of the bays. It is critical that this area is not clogged up with parents waiting for students who are running later than expected. Students should get into the car from the kerbside always and must not put school bags into the boot as this wastes valuable time. Staff do their best to remind the students of the guidelines and we ask for the patience and co-operation of parents.

The much anticipated Swimming Carnival was competed with much enthusiasm and House spirit on Wednesday. There were a number of records broken and times to be marvelled at in over 100 events contested. The eight House Captains and Vice Captains worked extremely hard throughout, assisting the House teachers in every area. We are all very grateful to the many parents who assisted the staff during the sports. At the time of writing this article, full details are not to hand about final results. These will be advised next week.

We thank the many parents who attended the ELC Information Evening this week. Following informative presentations from staff, parents were invited to enjoy wine and cheese as they chatted informally. This was the first formal opportunity for the ELC parent group to gather but there will be a number of other Family Functions, which we hope will be well attended. Some of these will be in the ELC and others will be Junior School or whole School events.

The Early Learning Centre is the beginning of the School journey at CGGS. As students begin to branch out and develop friendships, parents also get to know other School families. We are a strong and active community and we encourage all parents to be involved in all the School offers. From comments received, we are delighted that our new families are feeling so welcome in the School.

Next Monday we welcome back Margaret Willis who returns after some extended leave. May I take this opportunity to publicly thank Julie Long who has worked with Year 4WL throughout the first five weeks of school, ensuring a wonderful start to the School year.

Heather Ablett
Head of Junior School

• 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
• 19 Mar Canberra Day Public Holiday
• 20 Mar Y5 & Y6 exchange with Canberra Grammar School
• ‘Understanding the ACT College System’ Y11 parents and students infomation evening, Multimedia Theatre, 7pm
• 21-23 Mar Y4 camp to Borambola
• 22 Mar Junior Primary Literary Information Evening, Junior School Library, 7pm
• 23 Mar Y2 Sleepover, 5pm
• 23 Mar Twilight Piano Concert, Music Centre Recital Room, 5pm
• 24-25 Mar Rowing crews at the ACT Championships

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.

On Monday 5 March, 110 Junior School students went to the Senior School to collect any litter. The students spent 15 minutes picking up litter. In that time not all areas of the campus were done throughly.

Only 3.2 kg (three quarters of a large black garbage bag) of the total waste was landfill waste. The landfill waste was general rubbish of chip packets, plastic wrap, straws and other non-recyclable items.

The 7.4kg recyclable waste consisted of paper, cans, containers, drink bottles, etc.

• Drink cans 49
• Plastic drink bottles 28
• Fruit box drinks 23
• Food containers (Chinese food style) 19
• Plastic and foam cups 6
• Small yoghurt style containers 12
• Small tuna style tins 6
• Milk shake cups (large) 8
• Glass bottles 2
• Paper ¾ black garbage bag/600g
• Food scraps 1.6kg

The recyclable items filled ¾ of the red recycling wheelie bin

On the same day, appromately 370 Junior School students collected litter on the Junior School campus. The students spent only 10 to 15 minutes picking up litter.

The breakdown of contents 2.6 kg (one half of a large black garbage bag) was landfill waste and the rest of the waste was able to be recycled.

• Frozen cordial container 48
• Plastic drink bottles 7
• Fruit box drinks 9
• Foil pie plates 7
• Straws 57
• Small yoghurt style containers 3
• Small tuna style tins 1
• Icy pole sticks 23
• Plastic spoons 37
• Paper Less than ½ black garbage bag /150 g
• Food scraps 250g

CGGS rowers have been competing in the Australian Rowing Championships in Nagambie Lakes, Victoria since Monday and have been achieving some fantastic results.

Despite the fact that the conditions have been less than favourable, Veronica Tamsitt (12W) and Christabelle Northam (2006) have been named the National Champions in the U19 Women’s Pair. Veronica and Christabelle also teamed up with CGGS rowers Amy Miniter (12D) and Erin Neil (12K) to finish fourth overall in the U19 coxless quad.

Our first VIII placed second in the U19 Women’s VIII heat to put them straight through to the semi final, to be held late Friday 9 March together with the heats for the Schoolgirls VIII.

The competition will continue over this weekend and further results will be provided in next week’s CGGS Newsletter.

Over the next few days, races will be played live on the Rowing Australia website: www.rowingaustralia.com.au. The website also has other race results and photos of the Championships.

Daffyd Gwynn-Jones
Head of Rowing

The P&F Association had its first meeting on Tuesday. There was a full house and plenty of energy at the meeting with lots of discussion about how best to focus our efforts for 2007. At this stage, we are still exploring options but hot possibilities include a movie night (Shrek 3), a trivia night in August and a ‘Christmas in July’ dinner (yes, probably in July!). Watch this space.

We are keen to get some new ideas for the CGGS Fête and will be asking you to respond to a short survey in a few weeks’ time. Meantime, if you have any suggestions please email me.

We also decided to go ahead with the Entertainment Books this year. We make several thousand dollars from this venture and many parents like to receive the books. Click here to download the PDF form which provides you with the option to ‘opt out’ of receiving a book. We have negotiated a special pre-launch of the books, which we will distribute on 20 March. They can be used from 23 March.

Juliet Behrens
P&F President
Email: PandF@CGGS.act.edu.au
T: 6161 8140 (ah)

The District Youth Exchange Committee is now seeking applications from young Australians who would like to represent us as Rotary Youth Exchange Students next year. I am therefore now seeking nominations from our Club.

Students have to be under 18 upon arrival and must go to school /college.

The accompanying preliminary application form is attached for this purpose. We now need to forward it to as many potential candidates as possible.

The application form contains a brief explanation about the program and students, parents and Rotarians can also find out more information by visiting: www.d9710.rotary.org.au/YouthExchange. This site has a downloadable version of the application form

Applications close with Clubs on 15 April and with the District on 18 May.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Rotary Club and ask to speak to the person responsible for Youth Exchange. You will find a complete list of Rotary Clubs and contact details at www.d9710.rotary.org.au or
by emailing rotaryexchange@cutthrough.com.au.

Love to Act, Dress Up & Perform? Be a ‘Star’ during the Easter break!

No pre-audition required

Audition, rehearse and perform a fully costumed play in only 4 days!!!

Join Peggy and her friend, Pete, as they brave the strange and wonderful creatures of the deep to rescue Captain Tina, Captain Troy and their pirate crews from Murkala the dreadful Sea Monster.

Where: Canberra Girls’ Grammar School - Junior School

When: Monday 16 to Thursday 19 April 2007, 9am to 3pm each day; performance on Thursday at 2pm

Who: Only 18 places available for students aged 7 to 12 years (every student receives a meaningful role with dialogue)

What: Discover your dramatic potential, extend acting, performance and communication skills, build confidence and self esteem while having great fun

Fees: $238.00.00 if booked and paid prior to 13 March

$265.00 if booked and paid after 12 March

For more information or to register contact the Acting Antics team at www.actingantics.com, e: admin@actingantics.com or t: Paul Percy 03 9592 2402.