MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Susan Just
Musical Evenings
During last week I was fortunate to attend the Guitar Fiesta at Canberra Grammar School and the Year 9 and 10 Recital at CGGS. Both evenings were most entertaining and I would like to acknowledge the talent of both the students and our Music teachers. The Recital took us through instrumental pieces, solo and group singing performances, group instrumental pieces and the performance of Year 9 and 10 Choir. The Guitar Fiesta clearly demonstrated the wonderful work of nurturing our students in both the Junior and Senior Schools to be inspired by playing the guitar and playing a variety of music. I know that other recitals held last week were also well attended and wonderful.
Junior School Musical
It was a pleasure to attend the Junior School Musical on Wednesday evening. Alice - The Musical was colourful and entertaining. The large cast of students performed admirably and I would also like to congratulate the parents who were responsible for the colourful costumes.
My thanks to the production team: Jenny Johnson, Sara David, Bethany Farrell, Nichola McNally and Helen Shaw. Thanks must also go to the Junior School teachers who assisted the team and the students.
This is my third Junior School Musical and each one has been entertaining. I am always impressed by the enthusiasm of the students and the number of students who want to participate in these performances. We are very fortunate to have a Junior School in which students are able to persue their interests and gain valuable skills. The Senior School certainly benefits from the work of the Junior School staff in developing the many talents of the students.
Dinner for Leavers in the Boarding House
One of the traditions of the Boarding House is for our Year 12 students to arrange a dinner for our Y12 boarding students who complete their courses at the end of Semester 1. The menu of pizza, salad and sticky date pudding was chosen by our leavers and there were speeches of farewell and a PowerPoint presentation. The remaining Year 12 students also serenaded the leavers with a song. It was an emotional and most appropriate farewell for our students who have each made their own contribution to the Boarding House and the School.
Family and Friends Service
I would like to remind all parents that we will have a Family and Friends’ Service on Sunday 1 July at 9am at the Chapel of the Annunciation on the Senior School campus. The Service will be taken by Reverend Gayl Mills who is an Australian Federal Police Chaplain and a former parent of CGGS. Gail is looking forward to taking the Service and I am pleased that she has re-established a connection with the School during this semester as a result of events which have occurred within our community.
P&F Association
During this semester, the P&F Association executive has undertaken three major events. The sale of Entertainment Books; an Antique and Collectables Evaluation Day and a Movie Evening. The Movie Evening, which involved a screening of the latest Shrek film, was particularly well attended and proved to be most entertaining for children and parents. I would particularly like to thank Belinda Kenyon, Jann Carroll and Karen Chester for their organisation of Shrek 3. I am aware that Belinda Kenyon spent a considerable number of hours ensuring that the evening would be successful. Thanks to Jane Underwood, Wendy Kay, Suzanne O’Connor, Cathy Richardson and Petra Bouvain for their work on Hidden Treasures, which was the antique evaluation day. Jane Underwood worked with the antique evaluator to ensure that all would be in place for parents and friends of the School.
The School is very grateful to the P&F Association for the time it gives to the organisation of these fundraising activities. Our School has been able to purchase many resources as a result of the fundraising efforts of the P&F Association and these add to the education we can provide for our students. It is never easy for parents to combine their own careers and family activities with undertaking significant planning for such activities. It is important that we acknowledge this work and offer our sincere thanks.
I would also encourage members of the School community to attend the P&F Trivia Night on Saturday 31 August. A flyer can be found in this Newsletter. This will be my third Trivia Night and I can commend the evening. The Trivia Night is most entertaining and it is a good way to meet parents and staff in an informal setting.
Semester Summary
As is always the case, this has been a busy first semester. The first day of school for our Year 7 students was particularly memorable for me. For the first time we gave each student a portfolio which we hope will be used for certificates and other documents the students receive during their years at CGGS. As each student walked across the stage to accept her portfolio, I believe that we were acknowledging a new beginning for the students and welcoming them to the Senior School campus. The Induction Ceremony for our Senior Leaders and Year 12 students is an important day during the first term because we are formally acknowledging the leadership role of our Senior students. The Senior Council has organised a number of activities during this semester and they are now planning significant functions for the second semester.
Throughout the semester I have participated in a seven hour hike during the Year 8 camp and watched wonderful performances by our musicians, dramatists and dancers. During this term, I have come along to sporting fixtures on the weekend. The Autumn Concert and production of Mirror Mirror are still vivid in my memory. The students performed with great enthusiasm and it was evident to me that they were inspired by these activities. Equally, I enjoyed the Year 6 Concert and felt very happy that so many talented young ladies were moving through the School.
I also see the same level of commitment in our sporting teams. During this semester, I have cheered our Rowing Squad and Dragon Boats teams. Our students in these two sports have achieved many honours, but equally as important is their ability to work as teams and the enjoyment they obtain from their chosen sports. Our students continue to compete well in sporting competitions and it is enjoyable to watch the teams play each weekend. The students are well supported by their coaches and their parents.
We were pleased to welcome Fleur Froggatt (Class of 1989) for Founders’ Day. Since leaving CGGS, Fleur has achieved a great deal in her military career but she has also found personal achievement and satisfaction in her life. She is adventurous and willing to take risks in order to develop her personal qualities and I believe that she is an excellent role model for our students. It was also pleasing to welcome Old Grammarians back to the School to receive their 50 year Badges.
I have watched proudly as 700 fathers, daughters and sons attended our first Safe School Breakfast. I was just as proud when Head of Deakin House, Brad Cooney, returned from the Safe Schools Teachers’ Conference and told us that other schools were interested in taking up our Safe Schools Committee approach and our Policy document.
I have also shed tears this semester for the loss of School parents and our colleague, Karen Harris. It has been difficult to lead a School which has faced so much grief but staff, students and parents have supported each other and the School. I would particularly like to acknowledge the leadership of Heather Ablett in the Junior School, and her Deputy Principals, Lee Wilde and Damaris Patterson. I also have enormous confidence in our School Counsellors, Julie Smith, Sharon Prendergast and Paula Morelli. Our Counsellors have provided ongoing support to our students and staff. I have noted their ability to watch over the staff and students and measure whether they are in need of some words of comfort or support.
As we end the first semester I would like to acknowledge the work of our staff and the work of our students. I am currently reading semester reports and it is evident that many students have worked conscientiously and completed a very successful semester. The reports written by our staff, highlight not only their interest in the progress of their students but also their professional attitude in providing such detailed communication to parents and their children.
I wish all members of our School community a safe and enjoyable vacation.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 19 - 29 June 2007
The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 18 - 22 June 2007
Alliance of Girls’ Schools Conference
Last weekend I attended the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Conference in Melbourne. There was a range of interesting speakers and I returned with useful ideas for implementation.
One of the keynote speakers was Mark McCrindle, a psychologist whose topic was: Changing Generations, Emerging Trends: Engaging with today’s students.
Mr McCrindle pointed out four big shifts in our changing times:
1. We have an ageing population in Australia. In 1960 the population was 10 million and in 2007 the population is 20.7 million. There has been significant growth in the 60 years of age plus members of our population. In 1960 the number of births was was 261,000 and currently for this year there have been 254,000 births. The median age in 1960 was 29 years and the median age in 2007 is 37 years. Life expectancy in 1960 was 69 years and in 2007 it is 80 years. In 1977 the population of 15 to 19 year olds was 1.2 million and in 2020 it will be 1.3 million. In 1977 the population of 65 year olds was 0.4 million and in 2020 it will be 1.3 million. The population shifts and generational shifts are challenging.
2. Mark McCrindle pointed out the transitional generations:
Builders - Currently these individuals have a median age of 65.42 years and make up 14% of the population.
Boomers - Currently these individuals have a median age of 43.4 years and make up 25% of the population.
Generation X - Currently these individuals have a median age of 28.42 years and make up 21% of the population.
Generation Y - Currently these individuals have a median age of 13.27 years and make up 19% of the population.
Generation Z - Currently these individuals have a median age of under 13 years and make up 18% of the population.
Mr McCrindle commented that many Generation X parents will send their children to independent schools because they want to provide what they consider to be the best education for them. The same parents are also seeking structure within these independent schools.
Generation Y young people are well supported by their families and schools. They need to develop higher order thinking skills because they live with and use technology. These young people are skilled at using technology in order to communicate with their friends, but they may not be as skilled in face to face interactions. These young people are better educated but they are not prepared to rise up through the ranks in their chosen careers. These young people do not think as much about social and political issues.
3. Shifting perspectives - we are seeing the drifting of perspectives by the generations:
| Perspectives of the past |
Perspectives of the today |
| Tradition |
Innovation |
| Empirical |
Observable |
| Participation |
Ownership |
| Hierarchy |
Empowerment |
| Technical |
Relational |
| Options |
Outcomes |
| Regional |
Global |
Mr McCrindle noted that there will be a mix of ages in any workplace, therefore we need to blend the skills and qualities to be found in each generation. He commented that young people have less general knowledge than older people and would prefer to go to the computer to find the information when it is required. He said that young people need to understand existing knowledge and history in order to understand their place in the world.
4. Emerging Expectations:
Mr McCrindle made interesting observations about education for the Generation Y and Z children:
| |
C20th Boomers and Generation X |
Generation Y and Z |
| WHO |
Teacher |
Facilitator |
| |
Learned |
Learner |
| HOW |
Positional |
Relational |
| |
Factual |
Practical |
| WHAT |
Monologue |
Multi-modal |
| |
Long term needs |
Short term needs |
| WHERE |
Sit and Listen |
Try and See |
| |
Classroom style |
Café style |
Clearly in education, we need to change the style and process of learning. We do not want to change the content of what is learned but the process of how we teach and learn.
Mr McCrindle concluded by pointing out the three key drivers for young people.
Young people need to be part of a community where they feel they belong to something bigger than themselves.
Young people need to get involved and own their educational outcomes.
Young people need to gain meaning from their lives through making a contribution to their community and society.
School Uniform
As we move closer to the end of term a number of our students are giving less consideration to their uniform and general presentation. As I have stated in previous Newsletters, no member of staff should need to speak with students about their uniform or their presentation. Wearing the School uniform is part of attending CGGS and therefore, we should expect students to follow the guidelines which are clearly set out for them.
My expectation is that all students look neat and tidy in their uniform. This means that blazers are worn to and from school each day. Shirts should not be hanging out beneath jumpers and students should check that the hems of their skirts are in good order.
We have a current fad for wearing tights and white socks. The students have been asked to wear either the School navy tights or white socks.
Many students are wearing jewellery that is not acceptable under the guidelines. One pair of sleepers or studs, one in each year, is permissible and there should be no additional studs, bracelets or necklaces. A number of students are wearing more than one pair of earrings, or large diamond studs which are not permissible.
Wearing of make up is not necessary at School and neither is coloured nail polish.
For the most part the students wear their uniform well and when we undertake excursions and activities, the students wear their School uniform with pride. I would encourage all parents to speak with their daughters and to check that they leave home without additional items which are not part of the uniform.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 18 - 22 June 2007
The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 17 - 15 June 2007
Memorial Service for Karen Harris
I would like to thank parents and students for attending our Memorial Service for Karen last week. Reverend Rex Everett, Chaplain of Canberra Grammar School, helped us to plan the Service and undertook a leading role for us. Rex has our heartfelt thanks and I know that Paul, Sophie and their family were appreciative of his efforts.
As members of our School Community know, during this semester we have mourned not only the loss of Karen, but the loss of two parents of the School. Each has been a tragic loss for their families and members of the School community.
I would especially like to acknowledge our Director of Music, Mary Tatchell, our Music staff and students who participate in our choirs. Mary and a number of our students have provided beautiful music for three funerals and the Memorial Service. Each occasion has been particularly sad for Mary and the students but they have never wavered in their desire to sing beautifully and leave a lasting memory for the families affected.
Mary has told me that while this has been a sad and emotionally draining semester for herself and the students, she believes that this is a contribution we can make to our School families and colleagues. She and the students are sharing their gift with others and hopefully, they will find solace in their music.
I remain in awe of Mary Tatchell and our choirs who have given such a special gift to our families.
Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) Report
As part of our funding obligations, we have prepared a report of the 2006 school year for Federal Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) which will also be published on our School website for parents on 30 June.
The report provides an overview of the 2006 school year, documentation of the ‘Value-Added’ activities and actions which the School undertakes for our students. There is also information about staff retention, staff qualifications and professional development activities. Parents will find information about standardised testing in Years 3, 5 and 7, Year 12 median results and post-school destinations. Parents and students also participated in a School Satisfaction survey in 2006 and a summary of the resulting data is offered.
We have followed the mandated areas which DEST has asked schools to report upon.
Governance
In 2006, I attended the Independent Schools Council of Australia’s Conference in Hobart and one of the keynote speakers was Richard Chait, Professor of Higher Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has researched and written extensively about governance in non-profit organisations. Our CGGS Board is currently reading Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards, which was co-authored by Professor Chait, with William Ryan and Barbara Taylor.
"The following piece is an edited version of the presentation Professor Chait made at the ISCA Conference in 2006:
The holy grail of governance strategies in the recent past has been to define a division of labour between management and board that would hold for all purposes at all times. With this end in view, the board’s role has been codified and its tasks classified so that boards might do their work better and have procedural accountability for it.
The oversight or stewardship function of boards and their role in the formation of strategy is readily recognised, yet when governance is structured around a division of labour between the board and management with an emphasis on procedures then micromanagement, disengagement and dysfunction typically follow. This lack of effectiveness is often diagnosed as a performance problem when in fact our research shows that the problem is more likely to be one of purpose.
The potential of boards as a source of leadership has been the absent element of governance. If we shift our perspective on governance and the role of trustees to embrace leadership, then the holy grail of governance is a fusion of thinking between management and the board and performance accountability.
Governance as leadership aims to harness the collective mind or intellectual capital of the board to issues of consequence to the school. It aims to retain the board as a strategic asset to the school and make the work of the board more meaningful and engaging so that trustees derive greater fulfillment from their service.
Modes are the ways we think that affect how we organize and interpret what we see. We work in multiple modes every day. Effective leaders in particular are cognitively complex, able to switch between thinking in visionary mode, bureaucratic mode, managerial mode, political mode, entrepreneurial mode and so on.
Most boards only work in two modes, the fiduciary and strategic, and work most often only in the fiduciary mode. It is our argument that if boards are to do their best, and if organizations are to get the best out of boards, then boards must work in three modes- fiduciary, strategic and generative- and that the more boards work in the right mode in the right moment, the better their governance will be.
The fiduciary mode is the traditional, most familiar role of a board. In fiduciary mode the board fulfils its custodial function as steward of the tangible assets of the school, monitor of its legal and financial integrity and overseer of regulatory compliance and the school’s fidelity to mission.
In strategic mode the board thinks and acts like a comprehensive management consulting firm. It views the school in the context of its external environment and is aware of market forces and competitors. In partnership with senior management it develops, reviews and modifies the school’s strategic plan and monitors performance against it.
When we think generatively we are sifting, weighing and stitching together lots of cues and clues in order to make sense of circumstances. We are in generative mode when we are asking, What is happening here? How do I understand the larger picture? Boards must operate in generative mode to engage in meaning-making and problem-framing when confronting challenges rooted in values, traditions and beliefs.
Generative thinking is not the answer to every question or crisis. It certainly does not replace fiduciary and strategic thinking, but nor is it just for special occasions. It is in the generative mode that the board gets to make meaning before strategy and has the opportunity to contribute before issues are framed. In generative mode the board gets to decide what problems to address, not what solutions to impose.
Modes of Governance:
-
Fiduciary: Stewardship of tangible assets. Oversee operations; deploy resources widely; ensure legal and financial integrity; monitor results.
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Strategic: Partner with senior staff to scan internal and external environments; design and modify strategic plans; strengthen comparative advantage.
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Generative: Source of leadership to discern, frame and confront challenges rooted in values, traditions and beliefs; engage in sense-making, meaning-making and problem-framing."
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 17 - 15 June 2007
The following article was published in CGGS Newsletter 16 - 8 June 2007
Family and Friends' Service
On 3 June, we held our Trinity Sunday Family and Friends’ Service. The service also acknowledged the wonderful contribution which the Gabriel Foundation makes to our School.
The members of the Gabriel Foundation provide the School with resources, scholarships for students and staff and facilities. CGGS Hall on the Senior School campus is one of the facilities which the Gabriel Foundation has made possible and the Foundation has also provided the audio and visual equipment in CGGS Hall.
While the Foundation gives its attention to the practical needs of the School, the members also are very much interested in the staff and students. I have presented an overview of the Strategic Plan and the Master Plan to the Gabriel Foundation Board. The members are keen to learn about the future direction of the School and the support they can provide.
Our Family and Friends’ Service was led by the Reverend Richard Browning, who is one of the Chaplains at Radford College. During the last week, our colleagues from Radford College, Canberra Grammar School and Burgmann College have offered their prayers and support. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Richard for arranging our Family and Friends’ Service.
Communication using email
Recently our teaching staff participated in a professional development activity on communication. The presenters made some salient points about the use of email.
Email is a fast and convenient way for parents to send messages to teachers, Heads of House or Heads of Department, but it is important to remember that an immediate reply may not be possible. The daily timetable for each teacher varies and it is possible that a teacher may have a full day of teaching, followed by meetings after school. Teachers will try to read their emails at least once each day but they may not be able to respond immediately.
When a parent writes an email to a teacher it is useful to consider:
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Email is not confidential, therefore it is more appropriate to communicate personal information about your son or daughter by letter, telephone or personal contact.
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Email should be used for more general purposes, rather than seeking information about the academic progress of your son or daughter. A telephone conversation or personal contact would be most appropriate.
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An email to seek a request for extended leave for your son or daughter will be followed up by a formal letter of response from the School.
Members of staff do receive emails about specific situations or problems which arise at school. It may be useful for parents to consider the information which is placed in such an email.
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A summary or outline of the situation or problem which has arisen will be most relevant for the member of staff.
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A clear explanation of the concern will assist the member of staff in determining how to investigate the matter or respond to the situation or problem.
The staff members of the School are genuine in wanting to find a resolution to problems or concern. Therefore, we would ask that parents consider the situation first, and then send an email which remains courteous, but provides all of the relevant information.
Emails can be sent quickly and therefore we often do not take the time to reflect upon our feelings at the time, or consider how the person who is to receive the email will feel.
Wagga Wagga visit and the Boarding House
On Friday and Saturday of last week, Tina Twigg, Head of the Boarding House, Penny Crawford, Marketing and Communications Manager, and I visited Wagga Wagga for the NSW Boarding Schools’ Expo. The exhibition was well organised and a number of schools from Sydney and Albury joined CGGS and CGS. During Saturday, Tina, Penny and I spoke with approximately twenty families about boarding and attending CGGS. The weekend was successful and it reminded me of the positive changes we have made in the Boarding House during this year.
The boarding students have certainly enjoyed the new Boarders’ Sitting Room, which includes a big plasma screen television. The Boarders’ Sitting Room is now a light and airy room, filled with comfortable seating and bright decorations. The Boarding House has undergone some additional interior decoration, thanks to Tina and the Boarding House staff.
During this semester, Sarah Cattermole, Deputy Head of the Boarding House, has been working with our boarding students on their studies. She regularly speaks with Heads of Department and teachers about the academic progress of students and seeks to find strategies which will assist them in their studies and homework. We also have a tutor who has been offering Mathematics tutoring to the students in the Boarding House. We are hoping to expand this additional subject tutoring during Terms 3 and 4.
Our weekend recreational and social activities have continued to expand with social evenings being organised for specific Year levels. We have invited students from Canberra Grammar School for a social evening and will continue this during the next semester. A number of weekend trips and activities have been arranged for the boarding students. Tina has also arranged special birthday dinners and we all enjoyed the Easter dinner and Easter Hat competition.
These activities highlight the importance of creating a home for the boarding students. Tina, Sarah and the Boarding House staff are providing excellent pastoral support and guidance to the students. There is a clear structure within the Boarding House, but the students understand that we are trying to create a home away from home.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 16 - 8 June 2007
The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 15 - 1 June 2007
Death of Mrs Karen Harris
All parents have received a letter about the death of Karen Harris, who was a Year 3 teacher in the Junior School. Our Chaplain, the Reverend Paul Harris, is Karen’s husband and their daughter, Sophie, attends the Junior School.
During this sad time, our staff and students of the Junior School have been well supported by our School Counsellors, Paula Morelli, Julie Smith and Sharon Prendergast. We have received tremendous spiritual and counselling support from our fellow Anglican schools.
Our Junior and Senior School staff have supported each other, either in very practical ways, like taking a grounds duty for a colleague, and in offering emotional support. We are also very grateful to the many parents who have offered their sympathies and practical assistance.
At this time, we do not have a date for the funeral. The School will also hold a memorial service. It is important that we say our farewells and offer our support to Paul, Sophie and their family.
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School
I have communicated to the Board and our staff that Fiona Godfrey, Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School, has accepted the position of Principal at St Peters Collegiate Girls School in Adelaide from 2008.
This is an exciting period of time for Fiona and we are delighted that she has been offered her first Principalship. St Peters Collegiate has an excellent reputation and we are confident that under Fiona’s leadership, the school will continue to grow and flourish.
During Semester 2 we will have a number of opportunities to farewell Fiona and her family before they travel to Adelaide.
Parent Functions
During this week parents have participated in the Year 8 Information Evening and the Father and Daughter/Son breakfast.
My thanks to all parents who attended the Year 8 Information Evening. Comments received have indicated that parents found the evening informative and that the presentation by our School Counsellor, Julie Smith, was particularly useful.
It was wonderful to see over 700 people attend our fathers, daughters and sons breakfast on Tuesday morning. The Safe School Committee initiated this function and our guest speaker was Mr Christopher Chenoweth OAM.
It was particularly pleasing for all of us to see students from the Early Learning Centre to the Senior School enjoying breakfast with their fathers. I certainly felt that this was a true community event for the School.
My thanks to Jeanette Widmer, Director of Pastoral Care, and the Safe School Committee members, for their work in organising the breakfast, along with our Community Relations staff.
The events of this semester have left us all feeling quite overwhelmed with a sense of loss and grief. We have felt a great sense of sadness as people that we deeply care about face a difficult and painful journey. As a community, we have worked together to support each other and to continue our work. At all times, I have seen the deeply caring natures of our staff members as they sometimes struggle to find the correct response or take the correct action. We speak together as we try to find our way and this has offered us a sense that we are not alone in finding the best response to situations we are faced with. We find strength from each other and no person is afraid to ask for help from their colleagues. This is the true foundation of a strong community.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 15 - 1 June 2007
The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 14 - 25 May 2007
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Autumn Concert
I look forward to the Autumn and Spring Concerts because I know that there will be special moments throughout the program. The Autumn Concert last Friday provided many special moments for the audience.
Performing during the evening were the Senior Big Band, Motet Choir, Symphonic Wind Band, Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. The entire program was wonderful but I would like to take special note of the Motet Choir singing three Australian bush songs by Australian composer, Iain Grandage, and the Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Sabre Danse by Samuel Pender-Bayne, as well as the Orchestra’s performance of Symphony No. 8, 1st Movement by Antonin Dvorak, conducted by Jean-Louis Forestier.
The Motet Choir used their voices to depict the images of Dawn, Birds and Sunset in the Australian Bush. They are to be congratulated for undertaking this challenging piece in such a successful manner.
%20web.jpg) Samuel Pender-Bayne is a student of Canberra Grammar School and we heard for the first time part of a four work portfolio which he submitted for his Higher School Certificate. Aaron Chew of Year 8 was the piano soloist. This was a colourful and energetic piece which the orchestra clearly enjoyed performing.
Jean-Louis Forestier has been working with the Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra during this year. The symphony piece played on Friday evening was the culmination of several months of rehearsals with the Symphony Orchestra. The standing ovation received by the Symphony Orchestra was well deserved. Not only did they successfully perform this piece under his conductorship but Jean-Louis Forestier inspired every young musician to perform at his or her very best.
I believe that the Combined Canberra Grammar Schools’ Music program does inspire our students to enjoy playing music at the highest level. Our Directors of Music offer many challenges in the musical repertoire created for each band, ensemble and choir. They are ably assisted by conductors who enjoy working with young people.
The co-curricular opportunities offered to our students enables them to not only pursue their interests, but to be inspired to achieve their best. The faces of the students who performed on Friday evening demonstrated to me that each felt an enormous level of satisfaction and joy.
 National Safe Schools Week
Once again, CGGS will be involved in a variety of activities associated with National Safe Schools Week. Brad Cooney will be attending a conference for teachers in Queensland;the Safe Schools Committee attended the National Launch at Parliament House; and four students will participate in a forum with students from other ACT schools and psychologist, Andrew Fuller.
Our School will have a Father and Daughter/Son Breakfast to celebrate National Safe Schools Week. We currently have over 700 students and fathers attending the breakfast which was suggested by a student member of our Safe Schools Committee.
The National Safe Schools program has been introduced in schools throughout Australia. At CGGS, we have chosen to develop a program which enables teachers and students to work together on the issues related to the promotion of a safe school. Our Safe Schools Policy which focuses on bullying and harassment was developed by students and teachers. Our Safe Schools Committee, made up of students and teachers, meets once each cycle to plan and implement Actions to ensure that students will feel safe at the School. The Committee includes students from the Junior and Senior Schools and I have been pleased to see a steady progress towards a student-focused committee. The students are responsible for running each meeting and their input is vital in the planning and implementation of Actions within the School.
The students on the committee are committed to the promotion of a safe school and they wear their Safe School badges with pride. This in itself is important, because we have students who are prepared to voice their concerns and take positive action for the benefit of every student in the School.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARENTS ATTENDING BREAKFAST
Due to the large amount of cars that will be arriving at the School next Tuesday morning (29 May) for the Father and Daughter / Son Breakfast, we have had to put some parking restrictions in place.
Please note that the School gates will be closed for vehicle access. All pedestrian gates will be open. Pedestrian access will be available from Empire Circuit, Melbourne Avenue and Gawler Crescent. I hope parents will understand that we need to keep parking spaces available for staff arriving for the School day.
We would also like to remind parents that there is a no parking restriction in place on the Melbourne Avenue median strip. If you park there; you risk being fined. Given the number of additional cars in the area on Tuesday morning, you may wish to arrive a bit before 7.30am.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 14 - 25 May 2007
The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 13 - 18 May 2007
Mirror Mirror
On Friday evening of last week I was fortunate to have a seat saved for me at the production of Mirror Mirror. The cast was most impressive and the students are to be congratulated not only for their performances, but for the sensitive manner in which they dealt with the challenging theme of body image.
I would like to thank Cate Page for her work as Director, along with Rachel Battams (Drama Captain) and Anna Trundle (Vice Captain) for their work as Assistant Directors. It is important for our students to explore such challenging and relevant themes.
Dr Leonard Sax
%20web.jpg) I would like to offer my thanks to the 300 parents who attended our seminar with Dr Leonard Sax, medical practitioner and psychologist. Dr Sax was brought to Australia by the Alliance of Girls’ Schools and I would like to thank the CGGS P&F Association for its financial support which enabled me to invite him to our School.
Dr Sax spoke with students in Years 9 and 12 during the day and the information which he gathered from them was used throughout the evening presentations. Prior to the evening’s Parent Seminar, Dr Sax offered a three hour seminar to our staff and invited staff from other ACT independent schools. The focus of the staff presentation was the differences between boys and girls, and the relation of these differences to our teaching. Dr Sax uses scientific research in his writing and presentations which offers clear insights into gender differences. His research has taken him to the view that single sex education offers many advantages for young people as they grow and develop. Dr Sax promotes the view that parents should have choice in educational institutions and their choice of a single sex school or a co-educational school is based on their understanding of their children and their particular needs.
For those parents who were unable to attend the seminar it is my intention to provide some points made by Dr Sax during the evening presentation. I will use bullet points in order to offer a summary for you.
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For teenage girls the focus of emotional activity is the cerebral cortex, while for teenage boys the focus of emotional activity is the amygdala. Therefore, it becomes evident that girls are able to articulate their emotions where boys are unable to do so. As teachers of boys it is important to use boy-friendly activities which do not ask ‘How would you feel if…’, but ‘What would you do if…’ In this way, Dr Sax suggests that teenage boys will not consider that English or creative writing is only for girls.
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Dr Sax spent some time in highlighting how culture has changed in the past 100 years. He offered a collection of diary entries which had been written by girls in the 1890’s. Resolutions made in these diaries focused on ‘I want to be more charitable’. Dr Sax pointed out that today resolutions are about how you look. He expressed the view that females remain oppressed because they are pressured about appearance, rather than enabling them to consider who they want to be.
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Dr Sax stated that the biggest change in society over the past fifty years was the transfer of authority from parents to their children. He offered the view that children who were obese made decisions about their diet, rather than their parents. He spoke about a young girl and her parent who visited his surgery in Maryland. The child’s diet was made up of pizza, fries and soft drinks. The parent told him that she had tried to get her child to eat fruit and vegetables but she had refused so she gave her the pizza and fries. Dr Sax also stated that parents have responsibility for choosing the school their children will attend, not the children.
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Dr Sax stated that there are no commonalities in enduring cultures but that the rules of what is expected of a male and female are passed on. He said that being a man means having biceps, fast cars, compliant females and doing dangerous things. Being a female means being sexy and thin.
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Dr Sax spoke about the favourite television shows watched by teenage girls. In other schools he had visited in Australia and America, Desperate Housewives, Gray’s Anatomy and the OC were the most popular. At CGGS he was delighted to find that the ABC shows, The Chaser’s War on Everything and Spics and Specs were favoured.
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Dr Sax then took his audience through a brief history of music from the fifties to today. The average teenager listens to two and a half hours of music each day. The music of the past years gave attention to marriage and children. Dr Sax used 50 Cent and Akon as examples of music listened to by teenagers today. The lyrics of songs produced by these individuals are degrading to both men and women. The songs focus on the sexual act and the gratification of the male, rather than on a loving and equal relationship.
Dr Sax offered a number of insights into the difference between young men and women dating and the concept of ‘hooking up’ which focuses on casual sexual relationships.
Dr Sax offered much food for thought. I do not expect that every parent who attended the seminar went home and checked the music on their child’s iPod but I do imagine that there were conversations about the meaning of lyrics.
I believe that the visit of Dr Sax has promoted discussion between parents and their children. We will continue to work with the P&F Association in developing a yearly speaker program for parents and staff.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 13 - 18 May 2007
The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 12 - 11 May 2007
Founders’ Day
On Tuesday of this week we celebrated Founders’ Day. It is 80 years since the foundation stones for the School on the current site were blessed by Bishop Radford. On 8 May the foundation stones were laid on either side of the front entrance to the building which is now home for our boarding students. One stone bore the crest of St Gabriel’s and the words chosen were Pro Ecclesia Dei (For the Church of God). The other stone recorded the date of the ceremony.
Founders’ Day provides us with an opportunity to remember the foundation of the School but it is also a reminder to us that we are all part of the history of the School. The participation of our current students in the School and their achievements form a part of the ongoing history of the School. I would hope that we all feel a sense of pride, not only in the past achievements of our students and staff, but in the role that we play in continuing the story of CGGS.
Our guest speaker was Fleur Froggatt, an Australian Army Major and Adventure Racer, from the Class of 1989. Inspired by a guest speaker at a School Assembly, Fleur applied to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and was accepted on scholarship before completing Year 11. Since graduating, she has led a dynamic, diverse and challenging career holding key roles as Senior Intelligence Analyst in Bougainville and Iraq, providing high-level, strategic advice to coalition troops on combating enemy activity. Also a highly accomplished athlete, Fleur has competed in numerous international Adventure Races, including the Endorphin Fix Adventure Race (USA, 2001).
We began this week with a Family and Friends Service in which we celebrated the role of the Old Grammarians’ Association in the School. The focus of the reflection by the Rev Harris was the importance of community and that CGGS was a community in which the individuals needed to stand by each other.
The Old Grammarians’ Association is an important part of the School community, not only because of the practical support which they give to the School and its students, but for their representation of past students who retain a close connection with their School.
I would like to give my thanks to the Year 5/6 Choir who sang at the Family and Friends Service, accompanied by Jenny Johnson and Helen Swan. These young ladies and the children who attended the Service are part of the future history of the School.
Rowing Dinner
I would like to offer my thanks to the parents who organised and attended the Rowing Dinner at the Commonwealth Club on Friday evening of the first week of term. It was a most entertaining evening and it was pleasing to see an increase in numbers of attendees. An important part of the evening is the Silent Auction and the Live Auction both of which raise funds for the Rowing Club. There were certainly some exciting bidding wars for items during the Live Auction and a number of parents are now proud owners of rowing memorabilia and other items.
Co-curricular Sport
Sport is an important part of the co-curricular program which we offer at CGGS. Our aim is to provide opportunities for students to participate in physical activity. The health and well being benefits of playing sport are well documented and we would hope that the students who participate in sport while they are at school will continue to participate in sport or outdoor recreational activities when they leave school.
The other significant benefit of participating in sport focuses on the team skills which are learnt, along with the ability to build relationships and interact with others. The ability to work as a member of team will benefit our students in their academic studies and in their future careers. Business organisations emphasise the importance of being able to work as a member of a team and having the ability to collaborate with others when problem solving.
Many members of staff are involved in the co-curricular sporting program, along with external coaches. We also greatly appreciate the involvement of our parents in the sporting program.
These are the positive elements of the sporting program and I believe that we have a most important aim in ensuring that students participate and learn new skills. At the end of any season, we would hope that each student has improved her skills and felt a sense of accomplishment in all that she has achieved. We can all appreciate the teams who have made it to the finals of competitions, but the teams who have made personal improvement should feel that same level of accomplishment and satisfaction.
There will be occasions when parents have concerns regarding the team in which their daughter is playing and her progress in her chosen sport. There will also be occasions when parents have concerns about incidents which occur at specific games. Parents are welcome to telephone or email Brad Griffiths, Acting Co-curricular Sports Coordinator or the Teacher-in-Charge of a particular sport. It is important to highlight the concern and work towards a resolution. There may be times when the outcome is not what the parent was hoping for but decisions made by staff members will have been carefully considered in light of the information they have.
There are occasions when parents who have a concern choose to include me in their communications. My first response to letters, emails or telephone conversations is to carefully listen to the parent or read their communication. I then speak with Brad Griffiths and the staff members involved and gather further information. I have confidence in the ability of Brad Griffiths and the members of staff to handle parent concerns, and I will offer my support to staff in finding a resolution.
There are no occasions when it is acceptable for a parent to make disparaging comments about staff members who have taken the responsibility for managing one or more teams. Problems presented to members of staff need to be communicated in a courteous manner in order for a positive outcome to be reached. Our staff undertake sport as part of their co-curricular responsibility and without their support we would not be able to run the sporting program or any other co-curricular activity.
Our parents are very supportive of the sporting program and the work of the staff members involved. When concerns do arise, courteous communication and a willingness to work with the member of staff in seeking a resolution will lead to satisfactory outcomes.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 12 - 11 May 2007
The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 11 - 4 May 2007
I would like to welcome all students and parents to Term 2. The beginning of this term was particularly sad for the School community with the death of Audrey Fagan. We have offered our sympathies to Audrey’s daughter, Clair, her father Andrew, step-father Chris, and all members of the family.
Many staff, students and parents attended the funeral on 27 April and our choir sang at Clair’s request. Audrey Fagan earned our respect as a parent and through her vocation. She was a person of integrity and dignity who was able to communicate and engage with young people and adults. Clair has returned to School and we will do our best to support her through the months to come.
In Term 1, the School community was also saddened by the death of another Australian Federal Policer Officer, Mark Scott. There are a number of students and staff who have lost close relatives or have family members who are battling serious illnesses.
It is difficult for students and staff alike to know how we can best support and show our care and concern towards others who are grieving for the loss of a person they loved and admired. Parents will also want to support their daughters who are watching their friends or peers grieving for their parent or close relative. Experts in grief counseling believe that it is important for each of us to show our natural concern and sorrow in our own ways and using our own words. It is important to remember that the process of grieving will continue in the months and years ahead, therefore, we need to remain available to offer our support.
If the grieving student does not feel like talking, then it is important for each one of us to acknowledge this and wait for the student to invite us into a conversation. There will be occasions when the student will let us know through her words and actions that she is not able to speak about the person or the death.
We all need to be good listeners, accept the feelings that are expressed and be understanding. The student will not be expecting us to solve their problems for them but to listen to them with empathy and understanding. It is most important not to ask for details about the manner in which the person died. The student may offer information and it is the responsibility of friends and staff to listen with understanding. Above all it is important to treat the student as a normal person, acknowledge their loss and not dwell on this.
All students have a network of staff to turn to for guidance and support in times of grief and unhappiness. Students and their parents also offer support and encouragement. Parents may also wish to speak with members of staff about their own daughters who are caring for their friend who is grieving, in order to ensure that the well being of all students is maintained.
Dr Leonard Sax Seminar
On 10 May, Dr Sax will be presenting to parents in the CGGS Hall from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. During the day he will be speaking with students and gathering some material for the evening seminar. He will also present to members of staff during the afternoon. Having read his book, many of us are keen to hear Dr Sax and I would encourage all parents to attend the evening seminar. This is his first visit to Canberra and Dr Sax is looking forward to meeting with students, staff and parents.
Alliance of Girls’ Schools of Australasia
I am a member of the Executive of the Alliance and in 2008 I will be the convener of our annual conference for Principals and staff of girls’ schools in Australia and New Zealand. We also have member schools in South Africa and Singapore.
The theme for the conference will be Broadening the Horizons for Girls. I am currently working on the Speaker program and a number of parents have been most helpful in offering the names of potential speakers. I am keen to hear from parents who can offer suggestions about Keynote Speakers. We are also offering sponsorship opportunities to businesses and organisations.
This will be the first time that an Alliance Conference has been held in Canberra and I am giving attention to finding Canberra based speakers and Canberra based sponsors. I would be very pleased to hear from any parent who may be able to offer assistance as we plan our 2008 conference.
Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter No 11 - 4 May 2007
Please click here to access the Principal's Messages for Term 1 2007
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