MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Boarders’ Social
It was my pleasure to attend the Boarders’ Social last Friday evening. Our boarding students chose a Halloween theme for the evening. Such social activities are a lot of fun and provide an opportunity for interaction between the boarders of CGGS and Canberra Grammar School (CGS). I am most appreciative of the students who organised the evening and the continued commitment of Tina Twigg, Head of the Boarding House, Sarah Cattermole, Deputy Head of the Boarding House, and the Boarding House staff.
Old Grammarians’ Association’s Market Day
On Saturday 25 August, I attended the Old Grammarians’ Association’s Market Day which was held at the Elizabeth McKay Aquatic Centre. The day was warm and there was a wide range of goods for people to admire or purchase. It was good to see so many Old Grammarians attend the Market Day, along with current families and local residents. I would like to thank the Committee of the Old Grammarians’ Association for their work in organising the Market Day.
Activities for the weekend
I would like to encourage parents and students to attend the Ocean Sunday and Confirmation Family and Friends’ Service on Sunday at 9am, in our Chapel, and the Ensemble Extravaganza which will be performed at 3pm on Sunday in the CGGS Hall. I know that there are many activities to attend during a weekend but I would encourage you to try to come along to either of these activities.
Curriculum
During Term 3, we undertake the important tasks of subject selection and the development of the lines which will make up the timetable for 2008. During this time students and parents may communicate their concerns when we are unable to offer all subject preferences to a student or we may not be able to offer a subject or unit when we do not have a sufficient number of students to enable us to run the particular subject.
In some cases we are able to combine Year levels so that a subject can be run, but this combination will also affect the lines that we are able to develop. This may impact upon other students being able to take their preferred subject choices. In some cases, the particular combination of subjects which a student chooses may be unusual and not follow the general pattern of subjects chosen by the majority of students. This will also affect our ability to establish lines which will enable a student to take this unusual combination of subjects.
Jenny Bartley, Director of Curriculum, and Jennie Harris, Director of Faculty, spend a great deal of time in communicating with students and their parents. We try to achieve an outcome which will be successful for each student, but compromises may be required.
It is important to point out that the Faculty restructuring process which we have undertaken for 2008 is not linked to subject selection. Comments have been made that subjects will be removed from the curriculum and that subjects cannot be offered because teachers will not be available. The curriculum remains as outlined in the Course Directories and teachers will be available to teach those subjects. There will be cases, as in previous years, when a subject may not be offered because of insufficient student interest.
Boarding House
As boarding parents would be aware, a number of procedural changes have been made in the Boarding House throughout the year. We believe that these changes have improved the boarding environment, provided clear guidelines for the boarding students and established an environment in which collaboration between staff and students is evident.
We have also been making changes to arrangements for study and homework during the week and on the weekend. The students in the Boarding House are no different from our day students in that they want to do their best in their academic studies and achieve their tertiary and career goals. To this end, study prep each evening has been re-organised to provide additional supervision and assistance for the students.
During the first three terms of the year, Amy Dunlop has been undertaking small group tutorials in Mathematics and Physics. She has worked with all students, but has been of particular help to our senior students. Amy will be returning to Canada shortly and we have arranged for CGGS teachers of Mathematics and Science to offer tutorials on specific evenings during the week. During this term, Amy Hall and Kathryn Sutherland are offering tutorial assistance in English and ESL. Given that our boarding students cannot call upon the assistance of family members with their homework and study, we hope that they will benefit greatly from this additional tutorial assistance.
A boarding house must be able to provide the pastoral support needed by young women as they grow and develop, as well as a solid academic environment in which each student can reach her potential.
Susan Just
Principal
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
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
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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. |
Fiona Godfrey
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School
MESSAGE FROM ASSISTANT DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (Y3 to Y6)
What a wonderful week this has been with the warm sunshine and the blossom reminding us that not only is the advent of Spring imminent, but that the end of the year is fast approaching. However, it has not been such a great week for Heather Ablett who has been unwell this week with a bout of the flu. We all wish her a speedy recovery.
This time of the year in the Junior School traditionally signals a flurry of activity – even more than usual – in our School: concerts, learning journeys, annual music exams, representative sporting events, sleepovers and study tours, special community days, parent forums and information nights, orientation visits, Semester 2 assessment and reporting, fundraising events, Tournament of Minds and other special annual events and, of course, our annual Fête. These are just a few and all these special occurrences seem to ‘lie in wait’ for the advent of Spring.
Our students are enthusiastic and talented and love to take advantage of all the opportunities they can to experience life to the fullest. Unfortunately, sometimes it is difficult for the students to consider carefully what they can manage comfortably and balance the demands of their school and home lives. It can also be an anxious time for students and parents as they think about their journey towards the end of one year and the beginning of another and all that this entails. This often results in high stress levels in the students and their families. We have begun to see some evidence of this, particularly in some of the older students.
In this latter part of the year, as more demands are made of the students within the various spheres in which they are involved, they may need some quiet, rational and objective assistance from you, their parents, to assist them to balance their school, home and co-curricular lives so that they can make the most of this exciting time.
If your children are showing signs of stress, we encourage you to analyse the situation and discuss it with them in an age-appropriate way and to communicate this to their teachers where you feel this is necessary.
Enjoy the Spring and all its promise and we look forward to seeing you at all the exciting things that will be happening between now and the end of the year.
Lee Wilde
Assistant Deputy Principal (Y2 to Y6)
Last week we publised some results and photos from the Junior School Athletics Carnival. More results have been uploaded to our website and are available to view here: http://www.cggs.act.edu.au/pages/page435.asp
GENERAL WEEKLY NEWS
NOTICE FROM THE REGISTRAR
We are in the process of considering places for new students for entry in 2008.
Although we do not require final notification before the last day of Term 3 this year, it would assist with our planning if we had some idea of your plans for next year now. We hope that your son/daughter will remain at CGGS, nevertheless we appreciate that in special circumstances some students may not return next year or will be leaving mid-year this year. Notification of withdrawal from the School is kept completely confidential. Notice, in writing, of at least one complete School term is required to:
a) cease enrolment;
b) change from boarding to day student status;
c) change from day student to boarding status.
In case of a) and b) fees for one half term are payable if sufficient notice is not given. For example, if a student is not returning for Term 1 in 2008, written notice must be received by the Principal by the last day of Term 3 in 2007. In the absence of such notice, one half of the Term 1 2008 tuition and/or boarding fee is chargeable.
Barbara Connolly
Registrar
JUNIOR SCHOOL WINTER CONCERT.jpg)
On Wednesday evening 29 August evening, the Junior School held its annual Winter Concert. The Winter Concert is the major concert for the Junior School students and is always a fantastic night. Performing at the concert were all the ensembles - String Orchestra, Celtic Club, Concert Band, Recorder Ensemble, Senior Choir, Junior Choir, Chamber Choir and this year saw the inclusion of the Guitar Quartet. Interspersed between the ensembles were solo performances by some of our Year 6 students. This year’s performers were Zoe Behrens - violin, Portia Lawson - ’cello, Emily Greenberg - piano, Madison Holness - voice, Anne Kim - flute, Loren Parsons - clarinet, Sarah Johnson - trumpet, Briana Wade - trombone, Billie Hall and Naomi Nguyen - violin and horn duet. At the conclusion of the Concert all performers sang a two part canon accompanied by the Music Captain, Lucy Woodley, on flute. This is the first year we have had a Music Captain and it was Lucy’s job to act as Master of Ceremonies for he Concert. She did a wonderful job and it wasn’t easy as she also had to perform in five items.
Next Thursday, the Year 4 students will be back in CGGS Hall for their Year level concert, followed by the Year 3 concert on Tuesday 18 September, and the Junior Primary concert on Thursday 20 September. The Year 4 concert begins at 7pm while the Year 3 and Junior Primary concerts both begin at 5pm and both will be held in Clements Hall, Junior School campus.
Jenny Johnson
Head of Music and Performing Arts
Junior School
IMPORTANT DATES
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1 Sep Selected Junior School students at Tournament of Minds, Australian National University
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2 Sep Ocean Sunday and Confirmation Family and Friends’ Chapel Service, Chapel of the Annunication, 9am
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2 Sep Ensemble Extravaganza (SPE, CE, JPE, FE & Gabriel Quartet), CGGS Hall, 3pm
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3 Sep Musica Viva visit to the Junior School
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3-7 Sep National Literacy and Numeracy Week
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4 Sep South Canberra PSSSA Track and Field
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4 Sep Y2 Learning Journeys, 9.30am-11am
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4 Sep P&F Meeting, Board Room, Senior School, 7.30pm
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4-5 Sep ACT Scaling Test
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5 Sep Junior School Literacy and Numeracy activities with the Junior School
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6 Sep Associated Southern Colleges Basketball, Tuggeranong
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6 Sep Y4 Concert, CGGS Hall, 7pm
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7 Sep Senior School Sports Photos
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7 Sep Whole School Open Afternoon, 2-4pm
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9 Sep Sunday Concert Series - Concert Bands (HCB, SCB, GCB & SO), CGGS Hall, 3pm
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10 Sep Bates House Assembly, Clements Hall, 9am
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10 Sep Senior School House Debating Finals - Juniors 3.30pm and Seniors 7pm
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11 Sep CGGS Y3 exchange to CGS. CGS Y3 & Y4 exchange to CGGS
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11 Sep Y5 excursion to the National Museum of Australia
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11 Sep Y1 & Y2 Disco, Clements Hall, 6pm
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12-14 Sep Y6 exchange to Queenwood School for Girls, Mosman, Sydney
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12-15 Sep 2007 Australian Combined Schools Music Festival
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13 Sep ACT Primary Schools Sports Association Track and Field
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13-16 Sep Australian Snowsports Championships, Falls Creek, Victoria
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14-16 Sep Senior School Classics Camp, Sydney
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17 Sep Senior School Parent/Teacher interviews, 4pm to 8pm
- 14 Sep Y3 Questacon Sleepover
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
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: |
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Year 1 News |
ASC Athletics |
Senior School Co-curriular Sport |
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Year 6 News |
Careers News |
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Measure Up!!! – CGGS Literacy and Numeracy Week
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Activity |
Time |
Participants |
Location |
Description |
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Measurement
Olympics |
Wed 5/9
9.40-10.30 |
Year 4 students
Year 9 Science Students
Parents |
SS Netball Courts |
Year 9 students design and run a set of rotational interactive measurement activities for Year 4 students. |
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Treasure Hunt |
Wed 5/9
9.40-10.30
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Year 3 students
Year 9 Science students
Parents |
JS Shaded area outside Years1-2 Class-rooms
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Year 9 students design and run a measurement treasure hunt for Year 3 students. Decorated calico bags will have necessary equipment supplied.
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Treasure Hunt
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Wed 5/9
10.00-10.50 |
Year 7 students
Year 9 Science students
Parents |
SS oval
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Year 9 students design and run a measurement treasure hunt for Year 7 students.
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Trivia Quiz
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Wed 5/9
11.50-1.00 (Maths time) |
Years 5-6 students
Years 5-6 Parents
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JS Hall
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Trivia Quiz in groups. Parents can form own group or join daughter’s group.
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Working in Measurement
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All week
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Year 2 students and Parents
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Year 2 class-rooms
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Year 2 parents come in to talk to students about how they use measurement in their work
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Storyteller
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Thurs 6/9
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ELC-Year 1 students and Parents
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JS Library
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Molly B will be visiting to read The Magic Hat – as advised
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Measurement in JS Classrooms
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All week
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JS students
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JS class-rooms
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All students will engage in at least one measurement activity in their Maths programs during the week
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Measurement in SS Classrooms
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All Week
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SS students
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SS class-rooms
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Teachers may use the concept of measurement in one or more lessons during the week.
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Measurement Displays
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All week
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Whole School Community
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JS Library
SS Library |
Display of books and materials to do with Measurement
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Measuring Language
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During the week
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Year 10 students
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English class-rooms
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Students will participate in a competition – short stories with the theme of ‘time’ will be explored and students will create a literary response.
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Party Measure
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Begin
during the week |
Year 8 students
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PDHPE class-rooms
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Students will survey parents on their knowledge and understanding of drugs. Using the results of the survey, students will create brochures for parents.
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Japanese Numeracy
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During the week
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Students studying Japanese
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Class-rooms
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Students will explore how the Japanese concept of numeracy is different to our own.
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Staff Guesstimates
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One recess
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All Staff
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Staff common rooms
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Staff may participate in an estimation activity.
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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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TOM Timetable |
23 August 2007 |
Return slip by 28 August. Competition 1 September |
Jillian Shaw, TOM Coordinator |
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CGGS Fête – Planning |
24 August 2007 |
27 October 2007 |
Sally Kaye, Fête Coordinator |
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Junior Primary Exchange with Canberra Grammar School |
24 August 2007 |
Tuesday 28 August |
Emma Cox, Asst Stage 1 Coordinator |
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Y4 Literacy and Numeracy Week Activity |
24 August 2007 |
Return Slip by: Monday 27 August
Activity: Wednesday 5 September |
Year 4 Class Teachers |
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Y4 Concert |
24 August 2007 |
Thursday 6 September |
Jenny Johnston, Head of Music and Performing Arts |
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South Canberra PSSA Athletics Carnival |
27 August 2007 |
Tuesday 4 September
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Helen Shaw, CGGS Team Manager |
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Y4 Space Trivia Night |
31 August 2007 |
Wednesday 26 September |
Y4 Class Teachers |
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Y4 Exchange with CGS |
27 August 2007 |
Tuesday 11 September |
Y4 Class Teachers |
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Y6 Tour Guides for Open Day |
27 August 2007 |
Friday 7 September |
Heather Ablett, Head of Junior School |
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Y3 Questacon Sleepover
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31 August 2007 |
Friday 14 September |
Y3 Class Teachers |
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French Puppet Performance |
30 August 2007 |
Friday 31 August |
Vicki Allen, French Teacher |
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Y5 Excursion to National Museum of Australia |
31 August 2007 |
Tuesday 11 September |
Y5 Class Teachers |
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