CGGS Newsletter No. 20 – 27 July 2007
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
I would like to welcome students, staff and parents to Term 3. I hope that the vacation was both restful and enjoyable for all. We are looking forward to a busy and productive term.
During the vacation period, articles have appeared in The Canberra Times about the issue of the restructuring of Heads of Department for 2008. All parents have received letters about this matter and a letter was also sent by the Acting Chairman of the Board, the Venerable Dr Sarah Macneil. The purpose of the letters was to clarify points raised about the restructuring.
Parents and members of staff can speak directly with me about any concerns related to the restructuring. This is a matter which is more appropriately handled within the School, rather than the media.
The education of the students of CGGS is our priority and we will be getting on with our jobs.
Staffing for Term 3
At the end of Term 2, we said farewell to Fran McAlister and Janine Spring. Glenn Stretton will teach in the English Department and classes for Janine have been covered internally. Tegan Walker will be teaching at the Seoul Foreign School in South Korea from the start of their September semester. Lauren Favelle will be teaching Psychology and Commerce.
In Art and Photography, Renee Brown will replace Elizabeth Chase who is on maternity leave for Term 3.
Patrick Marman will be Acting Head of Burgmann House during Term 3 while Monica Senyard in on long service leave. Peter Kyriacou will teach in the Religion and Philosophy Department during this time and Helen Forbes will teach in the English Department. Nina Hvoslef will be teaching in the PDHPE Department during Term 3 while a member of staff recovers from an injury.
New families and students
We have more than thirty families who have enrolled their children in the School from Term 3. I would like to offer them our welcome to the School community. On the first day, the new students were met by their teachers in the Junior School and Heads of House in the Senior School. Our aim has been to make their first days at CGGS as easy as possible.
During the first weeks in a new school, students not only have to understand a new timetable and find classrooms, they are also establishing connections with teachers and initiating friendships with their peers. The students are trying to gain some sense of normalcy in their lives, while they are handling homework and assessment.
Our Heads of House, tutors and teachers, along with the Heads of Department and Directors, are all available to communicate with our new students and parents and help them work through any small or large concerns they may have.
As a School community we each have a special responsibility to make new students and new staff feel welcome and part of our school. When we have already established ourselves within a community, it can be easy to forget the difficulties we went through when coming into a new environment. Making new friends and establishing a sense of place is difficult for persons of any age, but young people in particular need to develop a sense of belonging and to have one or more individuals they can trust and rely upon. To feel that you do not belong can lead to a loss of self-esteem and confidence. Our Safe School Committee takes a particular role in welcoming new students, but we each have a responsibility to take time to ensure that new students can become part of our school.
Funeral of Colin Fry
It was my sad duty to attend the funeral of Superintendent Colin Fry on Friday 20 July. Colin was a parent of our Junior School and our sympathies are extended to his wife, Nicole, and their daughters, Isobella and Breeya.
Colin was a devoted husband and father who loved his work in the Australian High Tech Crime Centre. The family has our support at this very sad time.
Susan Just
Principal
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
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.
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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.
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In front of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam |
On the boat trip in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam |
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Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam |
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Motorcycling in Hue, Vietnam |
Elephant riding in Cambodia |
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Angkor, Cambodia |
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Student Achievements
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
Fiona Godfrey
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
After what I hope has been a very worthwhile three weeks rest and relaxation, students and staff have all returned energised and enthusiastic for the new term. The semester began with a gathering for our first Assembly. We are delighted that twelve new students joined us on Monday. These students came into various parts of the Junior School and each is looking forward to the beginning of a long and happy journey at CGGS with new friends. We wish them and their families a warm welcome to the CGGS family. We also welcome the return of staff members, Heather Forrester and Julie Long. Heather returns from a term of leave and Julile will be teaching Year 2T for the remainder of the year.
Unfortunately it was not all good news this week as staff and students returned and met to share stories of holidays and places afar. Sadly I announce that over the holidays Colin Fry, the father of two of our Junior School students, Isabella and Breeya, and husband of Nicole, suffered a fatal heart attack. This is a tragic circumstance and one which our community has had too often of late. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Nicole and to Isabella (3N) and Breeya (ELC). Our school family always rallies to provide assistance in such times and it is a privilege to be part of such a caring community. We will continue to work together to ensure Nicole and the girls will be well supported.
Punctuality
Of concern is the number of students who arrive at school after the bell at 8.45am. Some students are late nearly every day. It is essential that all students are at school well before 8.45am in order to commence their first class well prepared. There is supervision at school from 8.00am each morning. We encourage the students to be well organised and ready for school in plenty of time. We ask parents to plan to have their children at school at least ten minutes before the bell. In this way, they can greet their friends in the Undercroft or playground and come into class with their peers. This will avoid the need to sign the Late Book at Reception. It will also avoid the need to have important instructions repeated by class teachers and the disruption that late comers cause to the teaching and learning.
Student Achievements
 Sara Naco (6S) was the Captain of the ACT Swim team that competed at the National Schools Swimming Competition in Adelaide late last term. She presented a speech at the conclusion of the championships to welcome and invite the swimmers to next year’s championships that will be held in Canberra.
Congratulations, Sara.
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Imogen Schiwy (6S) and Priscilla Symmes (6S), also competed at the National Schools Swimming Competition in Adelaide. Congratulations to Imogen and Priscilla. |
 Karuna Henderson (6S) will compete at the National Championships in Figure Skating in Newcastle next month. She will be in the ACT team for Primary Ladies.
Heather Ablett
Head of the Junior School
CHAPEL NEWS
Confirmation classes will commence in Semester 2 with the Confirmation Service on Sunday 2 September. Students who are interested should contact the Rev Paul Harris - e: paul.harris@cggs.act.edu.au
IMPORTANT DATES
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30 Jul ANU, UC and ACU Information Evening, Burton Theatre, Canberra Grammar School, 7.30pm
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2 Aug Y11/12 Georgraphy and Asian Studies overnight trip to Sydney
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5 Aug Anglicare Family and Friends’ Service, Chapel of the Annunciation, Senior School campus, 9am
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5 Aug Concerto Concert - Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, CGGS Hall, 3pm
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6 Aug Y7 WALNA testing
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6-10 Aug Y3-Y5 WALNA testing
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7 Aug Senior School Student Leadership Seminar, Elizabeth McKay Aquatic Centre, 5pm
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7 Aug University of Wollongong Information Evening, CGGS Hall, 7pm
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7 Aug P&F Meeting, Board Room, Senior School campus, 7.30pm
- 12 Aug Junior and Senior School Choral Festival, CGGS Hall, 3pm
SCHOOL SHOP
Term Time Hours
Tuesdays 8.15am to 2.00pm
Wednesdays 8.15am to 2.00pm
Thursdays 12noon to 5.30pm
T: 02 6202 6486
WEEKLY GENERAL NEWS
Schools Tree Day - 27 July 2007
As part of Planet Ark’s National Tree Day (29 July), Schools’ Tree Day was set up to raise awarness amongst students about environmental issues such as salinity, erosion and loss of habitat for native bird and animal species.
To celebrate Schools Tree Day, Deputy Principal, Fiona Godfrey and Year 9 students - Amy Goodall, Tanya McKay and Anna Douglass, planted an ornamental pear tree, near the Empire Circuit gate on the Senior School campus.
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Salvation Army Winter Appeal
On Tuesday 25 July, members of the Salvation Army spoke at the Senior School Assembly about their Winter Appeal. The Salvation Army has asked the School for donations of clothing and blankets. A crate has been left for us to fill before the end of Appeal (31 July). The crate is located outside the door to the Deputy Principal’s area on the Senior School campus.
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JUNIOR SCHOOL NOTICES |
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Excursion / Activity |
Date Handed to Students |
Permission Slip Return Date / Date of Activity |
Staff Member / Department |
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Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station |
28/6/2007 |
27/7/2007 |
Year 4 class teachers |
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Interschool skiing |
28/6/2007 |
ASAP |
Amanda-Jo Birchall Basketball Coodinator |
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ANU School of Psychology |
28/6/2007 |
ASAP |
Year 5 and Year 6 classes |
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Family and Friends’ Chapel Service |
29/6/2007 |
1/7/2007 |
CSSG Senior School |
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Science Club acceptance note |
29/6/2007 |
N/A |
Emma Cox, Class teacher |
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Science Club unsuccessful note |
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Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station (Date Change) |
23/7/07 |
24/7/07 |
Year 4 Class Teachers |
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Drama Club Party |
24/7/07 |
1/8/07 |
Drama Club Teachers |
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Prep Request for Parent Helpers |
24/7/07 |
Various During Term 3 |
Prep Teachers |
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Junior Choir participation at CGGS Family and Friends’ Chapel Service |
27/4/07 |
5/8/07 |
Jenny Johnson, Head of Music and Performing Arts |
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Tournament of Minds (ToM)
Meeting Times |
24/7/07 |
Wednesdays after School commencing 1 August, Fridays after School commencing 27 July and some lunch times |
Jillian Shaw, ToM Coordinator |
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Athletics Coaching |
26/7/07 |
Term 3 commencing Monday 30 July. Permission slip to be return by 30 July |
Cherylee Kuypers, PE Teacher |
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SENIOR SCHOOL NOTICES |
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Excursion / Activity |
Date Sent To Students/Parents |
Date To Be Returned |
Staff Member / Department |
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Y11/12 Geography excursion to Sydney – 2-3 August |
25 July |
30 July |
A Nott, Head of Geography, Asian Studies and Commerce Department; P Noyes, Senior Geography Teacher |
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Y11/12 Asian Studies excursion to Sydney – 2-3 August |
26 July |
30 July |
A Nott, Head of Geography, Asian Studies and Commerce Department; L McInnes, Senior Asian Studies Teacher |
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Y11/12 Biology 3 visit from Green Machine – 7 August |
24 July |
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T Briggs, Biology 3 Teacher; M Gilmour-Temu, Science Teacher |
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Y12 Human Movement excursion to AIS – 1 August |
26 July |
30 July |
J Hall, Head of PDHPE Department |
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ASC Netball Carnival – 22 August |
26 July |
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J Hall, Teacher-in-Charge of Netball; B Griffiths, Co-curricular Sports Coordinator |
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English class to visit CGGS ELC – 31 July |
26 July |
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P Marman, English Teacher |
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Y10 visit from CSIRO Green Machine – 22 August |
27 July |
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F Williams, Science Teacher |
IN THE NEWS
More articles on School news, activities and events are available in the section ‘In the News’ on our website.
http://www.cggs.act.edu.au/pages/page416.asp
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Featured articles this week: |
Message from the Junior School Counsellor |
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Year 3 News |
Careers News |
Year 9 News |
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Year 5 News |
Senior School Modern Languages |
Message from the Director of Pastoral Care |
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ELC News |
Senior School Debating |
Robertson House - Jump Rope for Heart |
P&F ASSOCIATION
Welcome back! I am looking forward to a busy second half of the year for the P&F and particularly to our Trivia Night and, of course, the Fête (27 October).
The Trivia Night is booked out already. We are thrilled that this has become such a successful annual event, and one which the School community looks out for. Thanks to Tracy Mackey who is the main organiser, and also to Karen Chester who established the Trivia Night success story, and who has been helping with the organisation while Tracy has been away. And thanks to you for your support of the event - it will be a great night.
Fête planning is going well. From next week our Fête convenor, Sally Kaye, will provide a weekly Fête update. For now could I just ask you to contact me if you are able to convene the sweets stall or the fairy floss stall. Ideal job for a couple of friends with a sweet tooth (and I know there are plenty of you out there!). We can provide hand-over notes and plenty of help.
The Boarder Parents Network raffle was drawn on 28 June. Enough money was raised to enable the purchase of a colour printer/scanner for the Boarding House. Thanks for your support of the raffle, and to Sue Powell, the Boarding House staff and the other members of the Boarder Parent Network for organising this raffle. Sue and Susie Willis have led the Boarder Parent Network and have now handed over to David Shields and Kym Hammond. I would like to thank them all for the important work which they do for our Boarding House.
With thanks for your support.
Juliet Behrens
P&F President
email: PandF@cggs.act.edu.au
t: 6161 8140 (h)
Rowing: Signing-up and Testing for 2007/08 Season
Rowing Information Evening: 21 August, 6pm, Elizabeth McKay Aquatic Centre (The Shed). Information evening for all new or interested parents and students.
CGGS Rowing Club AGM: 29 August, 7pm at CGGS Boat Shed. Nomination forms available from Head of Rowing from 13 August.
Senior Shed Trials
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Saturday 8 September: Erg Test 1, 1500m for current Year 10/11 rowers.
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Saturday 22 September: Erg Test 2, 2000m for current Year 10/11 rowers.
Sign-up sheets available on Rowing Notice board from Monday 3 September.
Junior Shed Trials
Development Squad Trials
Trial 1: Monday 10 September, 3:45 – 5:30pm
Trial 2: Wednesday 12 September, 3:45 – 5:30pm
Trial 3: Wednesday 19 September, 3:45 – 5:30pm
Trial 4: Monday 24 September, 3:45 – 5:30pm
Dafydd Gwynn-Jones
Head of Rowing
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The inclusion of announcements in this publication is in no way to be interpreted as an endorsement of support by the School. Readers are responsible for forming their own opinion as to the value or reliability of the information contained in such announcements.
Beginner Bellydancing
with Rachel of Bellyfusion
Promoting a positive body image through Bellydance
Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm
10 Weeks $120
Venue: CGGS Hall
Bring comfortable clothes to dance in and a dancing scarf
Enquires and bookings directly with Rachel: 62551127 or belly_fusion@hotmail.com
Also ask Rachel about the Teen Bellydance Festival 1 July at the Belconnen Theatre.
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