Ensemble Extravaganza

I was very pleased to attend last Sunday afternoon’s concert. It was very pleasing to watch performances from our Junior and Senior Percussion Ensembles, along with the Flute Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, the Gabriel Quartet, Clarinet Ensemble and Saxaphone Ensemble. There are many occasions when we hear these particular instruments as part of the orchestra or a band, but it is very special to be able to listen to them and gain an appreciation for the special tone and quality which they bring to a larger group. I have very much enjoyed the Sunday Concerts and believe that we have also been able to say a fitting farewell to our Year 12 students who have made such a wonderful contribution to music during their years at CGGS.

I would encourage you to attend the Australian Schools Music Festival Gala Concert at 4pm on 15 September. Canberra Grammar School is the host school for the Festival and it is pleasing that the CGGS Hall will be the venue for the final concert. This will be a more formal concert than our Sunday Series with the Governor General and his wife in attendance. The music will be wonderful and we will be able to see our students reach new heights again in their performances.

Social activities held at School

During last week we held an Op Shop Ball for our Year 11 and 12 students and a Social for our Year 7 students. The purpose of such evenings is to allow our students to socialise in a supervised setting. When I first arrived at CGGS, I was asked by a number of parents why the School did not arrange social activities with CGS or other schools. After consideration, Fiona Godfrey and I spoke with the staff and we decided that a social at each Year level would be appropriate and would enable our students to socialise in a supervised environment.

We have been very happy with the socials which have been run for students in Years 7, 8 and 9. The students have been well behaved and generally appreciative of the activity and the time that has been taken in its organisation. The Year 10 Semi Formal is well organised and we appreciate the efforts the Year 10 Semi Formal Committee which comprises parents, students and staff.

For socials involving Year 11 and 12 students, we are concerned about whether the benefits of such activities outweigh the negative aspects which can arise. For the majority of students who attended the Op Shop Ball last week, their behaviour was impeccable. It is unfortunate, however, that the behaviour of a few weighs heavily when we consider the success of a social. We have become more and more concerned when dealing with students who have consumed alcohol before their arrival at the function and then have to be asked to leave. We are also concerned that inappropriate behaviour on the part of a small group of students takes time for staff to deal with on the night or during the next days when incidents come to light.

Social activities require a large number of staff members who willingly give of their time to supervise. Our Senior Council has significant involvement in the organisation of most of the socials and they place considerable stress on themselves because they want the evenings to be enjoyable. The School hires security guards for socials and our caretaker is involved in these activities.

I believe that it is time to consider whether socials for students in Year 11 and 12 are beneficial for the School or for the students. The reputation of the School is certainly tarnished by the poor behaviour of a small group of students.

Student Leadership 2008

I will announce the 2008 Student Leaders at Assembly next Tuesday. Prior to Assembly we will gather the Year 11 students and the current Senior Council and announce the leaders. This will allow the students time to congratulate their peers. I am also well aware that students place a great deal of importance on attaining leadership positions, therefore the staff and I will speak with the students and reassure those that while they may not have achieved a position, their leadership in the School will be important.

I would like to commend all students who applied for leadership positions. Each student undertook to write a CV and address the selection criteria. I interviewed all students who had nominated for School Captain, School Vice Captain, SRC Chairperson and House Captain positions. At all times the students have demonstrated leadership skills and courtesy. Each student will make a wonderful contribution to the School in 2008, and each has clearly communicated their desire to lead our younger students.

Susan Just
Prinicpal

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

Fiona Godfrey
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School