Canberra Girls' Grammar School

MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Fiona Godfrey

As another busy term comes to an end, it is worthwhile reflecting on all that has been achieved over the past 10 weeks. When you start to review all that has gone on over the term, it seems hard to believe that so much can be accomplished in a relatively short period of time.

The Music Department has had an incredibly busy time with a series of Sunday Concerts culminating in the staging of the 15^th Australian Combined Schools’ Music Festival last week. The Sports Department has concluded another successful winter sports season with an array of achievements in basketball, netball, hockey, soccer and snowsports. Our Dragon Boaters even competed at the World Championships (see article below). Earlier in the term the Drama Department staged the brilliant senior play, Morning Sacrifice, while our debaters have competed throughout the term at both House and School level. Last weekend approximately 30 students travelled to Sydney to compete in the Association of Heads of Independent Girls’ Schools Festival of Speech.

As always, third term has been a demanding term in the classroom. Year 12 students were relieved to complete the ACT Scaling Test (AST) in Week 7 and now look forward to preparing themselves for their final term of schooling. We had a number of excursions throughout the term including trips to Sydney for History, Business Studies, Psychology and Asian Studies as well as field trips to Cowra, CSIRO, Canberra Careers Market and Murrumbateman. Our Latin students also attended a Classics Camp in Sydney.

Socially, third term has been busy as well. The Year 7 students had their first social with CGS, the Senior Council organised the Op Shop Ball for Year 11 and 12 students and last Saturday evening the Year 10 students had their Semi Formal at the National Museum.

Whoa….thank goodness for School holidays!

Bronze at World Championships!

Congratulations to all of the students who represented Australia in the Dragon Boat World Championships, which was held last week at Penrith. From all accounts it was an inspiring four days of competition and it was great to see that three schools from Canberra (CGGS, CGS and St Clare’s College) represented Australia in the Youth squad. A special thank you to Ros Johnston for the tireless work she has devoted to the students; without her efforts I doubt the girls could have been able to achieve what they have done over the past 12 months.

Year 10 Semi-Formal

As mentioned above, Year 10 students enjoyed their big night of the year last Saturday evening at the Year 10 Semi-Formal, which was held at the National Museum. It was a great night for the girls and not surprisingly they all looked very beautiful. The success of the evening would not have been achieved without the efforts of a hardworking group of parents who, as the organising committee, has worked tirelessly since April, to arrange every aspect of the evening. My sincere thanks are extended to the following people: Julie Dew, Maria Raineri, Fiona Mueller, Jenny Greentree, Gail Sloper and Inga Allen.

Student Achievements

Rochelle Dew (10D) performed brilliantly at the Australian National Eisteddfod this week, taking out first prize in the U18 years Classical section and U16 years Classical, Folk and Musical Theatre category. This is an outstanding result from a very talented young lady! Congratulations also to Elizabeth Morris (10B) who came second in the U16 Folk Song category. Elizabeth also received a highly commended in the U16 years Any Song category. Elizabeth recently received Honours for her fourth grade AMEB singing exam.

Congratulations to Veronica Tamsitt (12W) who will next week be announced as the female Athlete of the Year for the South East Regional Academy of Sport (SERAS) Country Energy program for her outstanding rowing achievements.

Elora Ledger (10D) won the Best Female Actor Award at the Theatre At Grammar Awards last week for her part as Grandma in Adrian Mole.

End of Term

Finally, I would like to extend my best wishes to all CGGS families as we begin our vacation. I hope that you all have a very relaxing and memorable holiday period and we look forward to seeing all of our students returning safely on Monday 15 October. Students are reminded that either winter or summer uniform can be worn in the first two weeks of term. After that period of time, summer uniform is to be worn for the remainder of fourth term.

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 29 - 28 September 2007

The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 28 - 21 September 2007

Congratulations to all members of the Music Department who were involved with the 15th Australian Combined Schools’ Music Festival last week. The Festival, which was held over four days and involved students from Canberra Grammar School, Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Great Southern Grammar School (WA), Sydney Grammar School, Radford College and Westminster School (SA), culminated in a magnificent concert on Saturday afternoon in the CGGS Hall. The Concert was played to a capacity audience and featured work by the Festival Band, Choir, Chamber Choir and Orchestra. While sitting in the audience soaking up the enchanting music, it was hard not to feel a sense of pride that a large number of the students in each of the performances were in fact CGGS students – but then maybe I am a little biased in these matters!

Sports Dinner

Last Tuesday evening I attended the annual Sports Dinner which this year was held at the Federal Golf Course Clubrooms. As is the tradition, the Sports Captain, Anna Willis (12R) and Vice-Captain, Helena Joseph-Hauser (11W), along with their parents organised the evening, which included speeches by each of the Captains of various sports and presentations to award winners. The speeches and presentations were punctuated by some fun games and trivia competitions. The night also allowed the students to thank the Teachers-in-Charge of the various sports for their dedication and commitment to their sport and enabled gave Anna and Helena to thank both Brad Griffiths, Acting Coordinator of Co-curricular Sports and Jenny Hall, Head of the PDHPE Department, for their support and guidance in their roles.

Traffic Management

Traffic flow around the School continues to be a major cause of concern, particularly at the start and end of the school day. In the interest of student safety and respect for our neighbors and members of the School community I would ask that all parents follow the following guidelines:

Keep vehicles clear of ‘No Standing Zones’;
Refrain from parking across driveways (this is particularly prevalent at the Melbourne Avenue gates in the morning);
Only allow children to alight from a vehicle when parked in a designated drop off area;
Drive safely and within speed limits in the vicinity of the School;
Refrain from using the Chapel Drive exit between 3.15 – 4.00pm.

Parents are also reminded that students should not be dropped off or picked up within the School grounds at the beginning or end of the school day. This includes times when students are running late for school.

High Flying Experience

During the month of July, Bethany Lee (12K) travelled to the USA to represent Australia in an International Air Cadet Exchange. Despite several hundred cadets applying for the scholarship, Bethany was one of only three cadets to be given this wonderful opportunity. While still reeling with excitement about the trip, Bethany was this week given another amazing experience. Bethany describes this week’s adventure below:

On 3 December 2006, the first of four Australian bought C-17 Globemasters arrived in Canberra for the Official Arrival Ceremony; I was selected as one of five cadets to help with security escorts. On 11 September this year, the C-17 was back in Canberra for the C-17 Initial Operating Capability Ceremony, having completed its initial operations at RAAF Amberley, Queensland. Again I was selected to attend along with 11 other cadets from my squadron, 315, and our sister squadron, 334, and we were lucky enough to get seats on a brief flight over Canberra. Cruising at 10, 000 feet in C-17 is very different from any Boeing flight; this aircraft can carry Chinook helicopters, several dozen troops, or three army tanks and fly from Australia to the States with in-air refuelling. While in flight we were able to explore the plane and view the cockpit. This is an experience I will never forget!

Student Achievements

Jessica O’Brien (12B) is this week representing the ACT in the Under 18 National Touch Football Championships. Emily Pham (10D) has recently been selected to be a member of the new ACT Netball Academy team which will be competing against other state academy teams in Adelaide from 21-23 September. We wish her well.

Congratulations to Natalie Archer (7R) who was recently placed 31st in the Australian National Cross Country Championship.

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 28 - 21 September 2007

The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 27 - 14 September 2007

Congratulations to all Year 11 students who were this week named as members of the 2008 Senior Council. In particular, I would like to pass on best wishes to Miranda, Elodie and Julia as the leaders of the Senior Council. I have every confidence that all of these students will be able to successfully lead the School in 2008 and that they will live up to the expectations entrusted to them by the staff and students who elected them.

Nominations are now open for all Election B positions (all other senior student leadership positions) and will close next Monday 17 September. Voting for these positions will take place in the last week of term and announcements will be made at the first Full School Assembly for fourth term.

Colours and Awards

This week, the Colours and Awards Committee met to examine nominations from teachers-in-charge of winter sports and a number of other co-curricular activities that have now concluded for the year. The names of recipients of Full School Colours, Half School Colours and Recognition of Service Awards for these activities will be placed on the Colours and Awards notice board early next week and presented at the full Senior School Assembly on 25 September.

Any student who wishes to appeal the decision of the Colours and Awards Committee in relation to her nomination must lodge an appeal in writing to David Blue, the Director of Operations and Logistics within 48 hours of the Awards being published. Students are encouraged to carefully read the criteria outline in the Colours and Awards booklet before making an appeal and any appeal must focus on the reason why the Award is deserved rather than a comparison with an other student.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

A reminder to all parents that Parent/Teacher Interviews for Semester 2 will be held on Monday 17 and Thursday 27 September. All parents should have by now signed the interview sheet and students should be in the process of obtaining suitable appointment times. Please restrict interviews to five minutes. If a longer interview is required, please make an appointment for another day. We would also ask that parents be mindful of our neighbors when parking on these evenings and be aware that parking is not permitted on the median strip in Melbourne Avenue.

Student Achievements

Neeranjali and Swaranjali Jain (both 9R) competed in the piano division of the Australian National Eisteddfod last week and together achieved first prize in the U14 piano duet section and equal second in the U15 solo in Romantic or Impressionist style section. In addition, Neeranjali was placed first and Swaranjali was paced third in the U14 Baroque solo. Congratulations to both students.

Congratulations to Sarah Dobbie (9W), Kate Gilmore (8D), Stephanie Kindon (9D), Helena Lyristakis (8G) and Ros Quincey-O’Neill (10D), who have been selected to represent the ACT in the U15 girls’ hockey team for the 2007 Women’s National Championships, to be held in Melbourne later this month.

Congratulations to Emma Carlin (9G) who has been selected in the ACT U16 girls’ softball squad to play in Adelaide in the upcoming holidays.

Congratulations to Leah Winnett (11R) winner of a Society for Australian-German Student Exchange (SAGSE) Scholarship to Germany. The Scholarship offers a ten week stay in Germany with a host family with transport, schooling and sightseeing costs included. For more details please go to the Modern Languages page on our website.

Congratulations to the Years 7/8 Touch Football team for winning all their games at the NSW Touch Association’s All Schools Regional Qualifying tournament, held in Jerrabomberra on Wednesday 12 September. The team has now been invited to attend the All Schools State Final to be held in Wallsend, NSW on 16 November. For more details please go to the Touch Football page on our website.

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 27 - 14 September 2007

The article below was published in CGGs Newsletter 26 - 7 September 2007

Social Activities

Last Thursday evening, the Senior Council students hosted an Op Shop Ball for students in Years 11 and 12 and their counterparts at CGS. The evening had been primarily organised to provide further social opportunities for students currently in Year 11 and the rational behind the event was to give the girls (and boys) an opportunity to dress up and socialise without the associated costs of a more formal function. The Senior Council had also coordinated the event to raise money for an orphanage they are supporting in Mozambique.

It was disappointing to note that while the majority of students behaved in an admirable fashion, a small number of students did not conduct themselves in a socially acceptable manner. As a result, we will have to think long and hard in the future as to whether we hold another function of this type for students in Years 11 and 12. All students are fully aware before they go to any social function that the ongoing provision of social activities is contingent on its success.

I would, however, like to take this opportunity to formally thank all of the Senior Council students for their hard work in the lead up to and on the night of the Ball. They showed great maturity and determination in the planning and execution of the evening. While we do not have a final figure for the money that was raised, I have no doubt that it will be well received at the orphanage.

On Friday evening it was the Year 7 students turn to party at the combined CGGS and CGS social. The event, which was staged at CGS this year, was predominately organised by the senior students of both schools. They put a great deal of effort into ensuring the Year 7s had a number of activities designed to get to know each other. It was particularly pleasing to see that a large number of students had gone to a lot of effort to dress up in theme and to hear that they were very well behaved throughout the evening.

Highly Successful Open Day

This afternoon, approximately 45 students from Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 acted as School Ambassadors at our second Open Day for the year. While the majority of the students acted as Tour Guides, we also had some students directing visitors to our Reception area. The day was a great success and we had many interested parents and their daughters to the School who were not only impressed by our fantastic facilities, but the calibre of our students. Without exception the visitors commented on the enthusiasm and pride that the Tour Guides showed toward their School.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Isabelle Burns (12B) on obtaining her Associate Diploma (ATCL) from Trinity College of London in Piano Performance. Isabelle’s program consisted of works from each of the four major periods of music and her performance culminated in a recital presided over by an international panel. Congratulations to Jenna Denley (12R) who received her Netball Umpiring C badge last weekend. This is a great achievement and we are very fortunate to have Jenna umpiring our students on a regular basis

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 26 - 7 September 2007

The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 25 - 31 August 2007

Last Tuesday at assembly, all Year 11 nominees for School Captain, School Vice Captain and SRC Chairperson in 2008 each gave a two minute speech outlining their ability to meet the selection criteria for each of the positions. In total, 20 students spoke at the assembly and, without exception, every student delivered a passionate, articulate and engaging speech outlining why she would be an excellent student leader. I was very proud of the way the students approached the task and believe every single one of them has the capacity to lead the student body in 2008.

Students will be notified of the results of the election of all Senior Council positions for 2008 at the assembly on 11 September.

Morning Sacrifice

Last Thursday evening, I had the privilege of watching the second night of the Senior production, Morning Sacrifice. The play, which was directed by Drama teacher, Donna Trucillo, was set in the staffroom of a girls’ high school in 1938. It was the perfect play for CGGS Senior Drama students as it was set in an all girls’ school and had an all female cast. The play highlighted that many of the issues of the teachers and young women of that era are in fact the same issues that face our staff and students today.

Each member of the cast, which included: Alice Hermes, Rachel Battams, Ellie Chalmers-Robinson, Lauren Shelley, Caitlyn Lane, Emily Walker, Anna Trundle, Claire Chesterton and Miranda Cookman, was excellent in her ability to sustain character and remember lines.

Most appeared to be ‘naturals’ in their positions and I wondered if they may have been modelling themselves on current teachers (and Deputy Principals) from time to time!

National Youth Science Forum

On Wednesday evening I attended a reception at CSIRO Headquarters to celebrate the achievements of a handful of ACT students who have been selected to take part in the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in January of next year. Two CGGS students, Emily Balmaks (11R), and Kylie Kirk (11B) have been selected to take part in the forum despite only 10% of nominees being selected nationwide. The Forum is a two week residential programme where students have the opportunity to experience a variety of research trials, visit a range of scientific venues, hear from a range of prominent scientists and make contact with a number of like minded budding scientists. It was particularly pleasing that one of our Year 12 students, Jessica Saunders (12W), was invited to speak as an NYSF Ambassador about her experiences at the NYSF last year. Pictured right are: Kylie, Jessica and Emily.

Australian Representatives

Veronica Tamsitt (12W) recently represented Australia at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Beijing, China from 8 to 11 August. Veronica competed in the Junior Women’s pair event, rowing with Christabelle Northam (2006). The competition was the first event to be held at the new Olympic rowing course, built for the 2008 Olympics. There were close to 50 countries competing and the competition was fierce in all the events. The pair came a very close second to Canada in the B final, placing them eighth in the world, but they actually had the sixth fastest time overall. The racing was difficult due to the extreme heat and high humidity but Victoria said that it was a great experience and a lot of fun!

Family and Friends’ Service

We will be celebrating a special Parents and Friends’ Service this week as a number of senior students participate in the sacrament of Confirmation. We welcome all School community members at the service to celebrate this important occasion.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Helen Huang and Aurora Casadei, both of Year 7 Glebe, who were awarded second and third place respectively in the 12 year old piano solo competition at the Miles Franklin Music Festival, 25 to 27 August 2007

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 25 - 31 August 2007

The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 24 - 24 August 2007

Next week will mark the halfway point of Term 3 and is, often the case at this time of the year, most students are busy completing and preparing for assessments. Despite our best endeavours to stagger assessments throughout the semester, there will always be periods of time that are busier than others. However, there are a number of strategies that all students can adopt in order to assist them through these demanding times.

Students are provided with Unit Outlines at the beginning of each semester in all subjects. These Unit Outlines contain information about the unit titles, broad outcomes, teachers, content and assessment task dates, weighting and marks. This information allows students to plan their time in the lead up to due dates and gives them ample time to prepare for tests and other in-class assessments. These documents also allow families to minimise appointment times and social activities at these busy times. Hard copies of the Unit Outlines are given to students at the beginning of each semester and generally parents are asked to sign the Unit Outcomes. To assist families, we have placed copies of all of the Unit Outlines 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.

Good organisational skills are essential for students to reach their full potential and help them through those peak periods. A well organised student will regularly and wisely use their School Diary to record all assessments dates, school activities and requirements for class. While tutors will regularly check and sign Diaries, parents are encouraged to monitor their use and check that they are carried between home and school everyday.

Under the new Tutor Group pastoral care program one Tutor Group session (Day 4) per cycle is given over to study skills. Tutors work with their students to ensure they have and use a homework timetable, use their Diaries and are well organised.

As mentioned in a previous Newsletter article, I have, in recent times, been having interviews with all current Year 12 students. It is heartening to hear from many of the Year 12 students that the training that they have had at CGGS over the years has helped to prepare them for the rigors of senior studies. I hope this advice will entice our younger students to be prepared for their assessment tasks!

CGGS Student Inspires Ouestacon Exhibition

Last Wednesday, Shanee Conran (11W) was in the spotlight as the Prime Minister, the Hon Mr John Howard opened the new Questacon exhibition - Imagination Factory. Shanee had inspired the defence force contractor Raytheon to make a commitment to Questacon after she had written a paper about the significance of the science organisation to Australian students. Shanee was working at Raytheon, as part of her work experience program last year, when she wrote the paper which sealed the $1 million partnership with the US company and Questacon. At the ceremony last Wednesday, Mr Howard presented Shanee with a gift for her efforts. Shanee is pictured left with Ron Fisher, Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, US Ambassador McCallum and Mrs McCallum and Prof Graham Durant, Director of Questacon.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Bridget O’Donnell (9K) who was placed first in the Under 16 year Solo Violin section of the National Eisteddfod last Friday. Congratulations to Sian Gwynn-Jones who has been selected in the ACT Under 13 Mixed Touch Football team to compete in Queensland during the next school holidays.

Veronica Tamsitt (12W), Emily Balmaks (11R), Ailie McDonald (10W), Anna Trundle (11G) and Shannon Narracott (11B) have been selected to represent the ACT in rowing at The Australian Youth Cup Regatta which will be held at Nagambie in Victoria at the end of August. Teams from all states of Australia and the north and south islands of New Zealand compete in three days of racing. Each athlete must be under the age of 20 years and each rower is required to race in three different classes of boat. All rowers row in an eight, either a four or quad, and either the lightweight double scull, single scull or pair. Anna Trundle is the coxswain for the women’s crew and Shannon Narracott is coxing the men’s crew. CGGS will be further represented at the Regatta as CGGS Old Grammarians, Christabelle Northam (2006), Louise Kilby (2005) and Lauren Burraston (2005) were also selected to represent the ACT and CGGS Head of Rowing, Dafydd Gwynn-Jones, has been appointed Head Coach for the ACT team.

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 24 - 24 Aug 2007

The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 23 - 17 Aug 2007 Mobile Phones

During the week there has again been a call through the media to ban mobile phones at school. These recent calls have been sparked by concerns over the posting of video footage on websites, such as You Tube, showing acts of violence and bullying in school grounds and classrooms. In most cases the videos have been shot using mobile phones.

At CGGS, we are not considering banning mobile phones but instead seek to educate our students about the appropriate use and storage of mobile phones at school. We accept that there are great security and convenience benefits in students having mobile phones. Most parents give their children mobile phones to protect them from everyday risks involving personal security and safety and it is acknowledged that providing a child with a mobile phone gives parents the reassurance that they can speak with their child quickly at any time, particularly when travelling to and from school.

There are, however, a number of issues relating to the use of mobile phones at school that must be resolved. They are:

Disruption to educational programs through the receipt and transmission of text messages as well as telephone ring tones.
Privacy concerns mainly related to the ability of many mobile phones to take photographs, videos or record conversations in the ignorance of those being recorded.
Loss and/or theft of phones.
The right of the School to confiscate property as a form of punishment
The right of the School to insist on the deposit of mobile phones in secure places for extended periods of time.

To address these concerns the following guidelines are in place at CGGS:

All students are aware that mobile phones are to be at all times switched off during class time or between classes.
Students are not permitted to use their mobile phone to tell the time in class, particularly when completing assessments.
All students are encouraged to limit the use of mobile phones during Recess and Lunchtime as this restricts their opportunity to socialise with their peers.
Students are encouraged to have their mobile phone in a secure place at all times whist at school. Their locker is the best place to store their mobile phone.
Students who are found to be using their mobile phone or receive text or phone calls during class or between classes will have their mobile phones confiscated until a letter from parents is provided.
Students are encouraged to name or put some sort of identifying mark on their mobile phone.

The Australian Government, through the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has recently released a mobile phone child safety checklist. This is an excellent resource for parents to help protect their children when giving them a mobile phone. For more information go to: www.acma.gov/mobilesforkids

Student Drop Offs

Parents are again reminded that students should not be dropped off inside the School grounds. In recent weeks we have experienced an increasing number of parents who are driving into the School via the Melbourne Avenue, Gabriel Drive and Chapel Drive entries. In the interest of student safety and traffic flow management I would ask that all students are dropped off outside the School grounds, even when students are running late for Tutor Group. Parents are also asked to observe traffic signs and general road usage etiquette when dropping off or picking up students. This includes keeping driveways and other roads clear of traffic at all times.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Next week, all parents will receive via mail Parent/Teacher Interview sheets for Semester 2. Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Monday 17 and Thursday 27 September between 4pm and 8pm. Please restrict interviews to 5 minutes. If a longer interview is required, please make an appointment for another day. I would ask all parents to indicate a preferred day for the interviews and then sign the sheet so that Tutors can be assured that parents have seen the form.

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 23 - 17 Aug 2007

The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 22 - 10 Aug 2007ICT Strategic Plan

In Term 1 of this year, I wrote to all parents inviting them to respond to a questionnaire focusing on their views of Informantion Communication Technology (ICT) at CGGS. The questionnaire was part of an information gathering exercise, which also included staff and students, designed to initiate the development of an ICT Strategic Plan. Late last year, the School’s ICT Reference Group felt that given the changing developments of ICT, a specific ICT Strategic Plan was needed for the School that would sit along side the current CGGS Strategic Plan (2006-2010). As a result, a group of interested staff was formed and in the months since, the group has been meeting regularly to tease out the School’s ICT mission statement and develop priorities, strategies, actions and timelines for the plan. A great deal of research has been carried out to investigate what is currently happening in other comparable schools, what are the educational trends in the utilisation of ICT and how classroom management, organisation and assessments are changing as a result of developments in ICT. The group also explored further communication options within the School and looked at ways to improve the efficiency of administration within the School.

Last night at a staff Professional Development Evening, all staff were part of a session that examined a draft version of the CGGS ICT Strategic Plan. The final copy of the plan will soon be released to all community members. As will be evident when the ICT Strategic Plan is released, eight Priority Areas have provided the framework for strategies and actions in the plan. They are as follows:

Use of appropriate technology to enhance teaching and learning
Effective communication and transfer of information through the use of ICT
Effective engagement, support and training of staff, students and parents in the use of ICT
Appropriate, effective and reliable ICT infrastructure
Exploration and/or development of suitable software and systems to support the School’s needs
Appropriate security systems, risk management processes and disaster recovery procedures
ICT Governance
ICT Documentation

Concerto Concert

Last Sunday afternoon I had the privilege of attending the first of the Combined Canberra Grammar Schools’ Sunday Concert Series which are being held throughout Term 3. The Concerto Concert, which featured solo performances by Nikita Dao, Ali Logan, Isabelle Burns, Fiona Bannerman, Lulu Ma and Bridget O’Donnell was a delightful afternoon’s entertainment and was a great opportunity to show case the talents of all of the students involved in both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

Next Sunday, the Music Department will stage the second event in the series, the Choral Festival, which will feature all CGGS Junior and Senior School Choirs. I have had the opportunity to listen to a few rehearsals in recent times and strongly encourage all to attend!

Moderation Day

As mentioned in last week’s Newsletter, Thursday 16 August, is the second Moderation Day for 2007. Moderation Day is an integral part of system-wide moderation for Year 11 and 12. All schools and colleges offering the ACT Year 12 Certificate are expected to participate in its discussions and activities. Most staff in the Senior School teach Year 11 and 12 students and will be required to attend the Moderation Day activities. As for previous Moderation Days, there will be no classes for Senior School students on Thursday 16 August.

There may be some parents of students in Years 7 and 8 who are unable to make arrangements for the care of their daughters on this day. If so, please leave a message at Reception and the School will arrange for a small group to be supervised here.

Student Achievements

CGGS News 0722 mackinnon Laura Mackinnon (11W) successfully obtained her National C Grade Badge for Netball umpiring on the weekend. This is a very difficult feat and Laura is to be congratulated for her ongoing commitment to netball and sport in general.

CGGS News 0722 simpson Lauren Simpson (10D) recently competed in the ITF Air Pacific Open Junior Tennis Championship in Fiji. She was runner up in the doubles final and also made it to the final of the Consolation Singles. Lauren now has an international ranking, which has been one of her aims for this year. We continue to follow Lauren’s career with admiration and pride!

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 22 - 10 August 2007

The article was published in CGGS Newsletter 21 - 3 August 2007

ACT Snow Sports Competition

Last Tuesday afternoon, Brad Griffiths, Sue Harrison, Jenny Hunter and 58 students from Years 7 to 12, headed to Perisher Blue to compete in the 2007 ACT Snowsports Competition. The event, which was held over four days, attracted students from a number of schools from the ACT and southern region of NSW, and included snowboarding, alpine and cross-country disciplines. Overall, CGGS performed very well with a number of teams making it through to the National Championships, which will be held at Mt Hotham in Victoria later this term. Morgan Evans (12R) performed particularly well, taking out first place in the Division 1 Alpine section. This means that she was the fastest student in the competition. A special mention should be made of the role of the Captain of Snowsports, Isabelle Whitton (11R), who not only led the team in admirable fashion but assisted with all facets of the organisation and support of students competing.

Student Leadership

During the week I had an opportunity to speak to the Year 11 students about Senior Council leadership positions for next year. I spoke to them about the sort of qualities that were required to be a successful leader and the work and time commitments required for such a role. We discussed the need for leaders to provide direction, exercise influence and to mobilise and work with others to meet common goals.

I spoke to them about the mechanics of the selection process, including who was eligible to nominate students for the Senior Council positions and which Year levels and staff were able to vote for particular positions. I also detailed the application requirements (stated in this week’s Principal’s message) and deadline (nominations close on Wednesday 15 August). Voting for Senior Council positions opens on Wednesday 22 August and closes on Friday 24 August. Students will be notified of the results soon afterwards.

National Tree Planting Day

Last Friday, a group of Year 9 students, Amy Goodall, Tanya Mackey and Anna Douglass, celebrated National Tree Planting Day by planting an ornamental pear tree near the Empire Circuit entrance of the School. The tree, which will turn fiery shades of red and orange in autumn, will make a welcome addition to the School grounds.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Caitlin (7K) and Jessica (10K) White who have both been selected to represent the ACT in upcoming soccer competitions in the near future. Jessica has been selected to represent ACT schools in the Australian Schools Soccer Carnival to be played in Darwin from 12 to 18 August, while Caitlin has been selected to play soccer for the ACT at the PSSA National Carnival, which will be held in Brisbane from 16 to 21 September. Soccer skills obviously run in the family!

Congratulations to Tahlia Davidson (7K) who has also been selected to play soccer for the ACT at the PSSA National Carnival.

Congratulations to Natalie Archer (7R) who has been selected to represent the ACT in the National Schools Cross Country Championships which will be held in Perth later this month. We wish her well.

Congratuations to Laura Mackinnon (11W) on being selected to represent the ACT in the U19 Softball team to compete at the Nationals in Tasmania in January.

Please click here to return to CGGS Newsletter 21 - 3 August 2007

The article below was published in CGGS Newsletter 20 - 27 July 2007

A warm welcome back to Term 3 to all students and parents of the Senior School.

While I trust that families had an opportunity to relax together over the holiday period, I hope you also took some time to reflect on the results and comments contained in the reports received during the vacation. I would expect that those students whose teachers offered some very insightful and sensible suggestions for improvement next semester will heed those comments and work toward maximising their output both in and out of class and will attempt to reach their full potential in all subjects this semester.

I would like to particularly encourage the students in Years 11 and 12 to make a concerted effort this semester. For students in Year 12, this will be their last opportunity to improve their UAI, while students in Year 11 who may have only just come to terms with the importance of both senior years under the ACT system, now have an opportunity to redeem their slow start! I will be speaking individually with all Year 12 students in the coming weeks in attempt to ensure their aspirations match their ‘guesstimate’, to offer suggestions on how to maximize their efforts and give them an opportunity to reflect on their responsibilities in their final semester of schooling.

Angkor, Cambodia

Vietnam/Cambodia Tour

During the holidays, Scott Pearsall, Directror of Staff Services, and I took a group of 21 Year 10 and 11 students on a social and cultural tour of Vietnam and Cambodia for 14 nights. It was a wonderful experience for the students and included visits to Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi and the historic towns of Hue and Hoi An and the bustling Ho Chi Minh City. The trip also included excursions in Vietnam to Ha Long Bay, the Cu Chi tunnels and a ride on the famous Reunification Express. From Vietnam we travelled to Cambodia to explore the temples of Angkor at Siem Reap and the intriguing capital of Phnom Penh.

The whole trip was a hugely enriching and educational experience for all involved. A great deal of the itinerary was concerned with gaining an insight into the historical, political and cultural situation in Cambodia and Vietnam, in particular the ancient and tragic recent history of both countries and the rapid social changes they are currently undergoing.

Whilst it is hard to detail all of the memorable parts of the trip in only a few words, for me, watching our students play a game of soccer in the dirt with a group of students from an impoverished school outside of Siem Reap was a true highlight. Also, watching the reaction of the students after visiting the ‘Killing Fields’ and the infamous Toul Sleng prison in Phnom Penh was something that will remain with me for a long time!

All in all it was a marvelous tour and I know the students have returned home with good memories of fun times but more importantly they have been exposed to situations and people that will broaden their outlook on life. I would like to thank Scott Pearsall for all of the hard work he put into ensuring the trip went smoothly and all of the girls for being such great companions for 14 days.

In front of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam

On the boat trip in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam

Motorcycling in Hue, Vietnam

Elephant riding in Cambodia

Angkor, Cambodia

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Rebecca Watts (10G) who has been selected to represent ACT schools in the Australian Schools Soccer Carnival to be played in Darwin from 12 to18 August. Sally Rojahn (7D) has also been selected to play in the Junior School carnival which will be held in Brisbane from 16 to 21 September.

Congratulations to Candace Kwong (7G) who has just been chosen to represent the ACT in the Junior Tennis School Team to compete in the annual Bruce Cup tournament to be held from 13 to 20 October in Burnie, Tasmania. In addition, Candace was winner of the Consolation U12 ACT Junior Open and a quarter-finalist in Consolation U12 Nepean Junior Open both in April of this year.
Adrie Shiels (12D), who has held an ACTAS Basketball scholarship for the past 2 years, represented the ACT in the Under 18 National Championships over the holidays, this year held in Launceston, Tasmania. She has also been invited to take part in the AIS Selection Camp which will be held in September. We wish her well. Kiera Shiels (Class of 2006), Adrie’s older sister, continues the family’s dominance of basketball by playing for WNBL team the Sydney Flames.

Congratulations to Lane Sainty (10W) and Elizabeth Pearson (9K) on being part of the U15 ACT Girls Soccer Team. The team will compete at the Australian Youth Soccer Championships

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