P&F Awards

Nominations for the Canberra Girls Grammar School Parents and Friends (P&F) Association Teaching Excellence and Community Contribution Awards are now open. Submit your nomination online by 5.00pm Monday, 16 November 2020. Please note, former recipients of the P&F Awards are not eligible for nomination.

Every year the CGGS Parents & Friends Association receives nominations from parents, teachers and student to recognise the outstanding contribution made by members of the teaching staff and others within the community at Canberra Girls Grammar School.

The Parents and Friends Association Award for Teaching Excellence in Memory of Karen Harris

Karen Harris is remembered as a dedicated and committed teacher who was passionate about her profession and the difference she could make to the lives of the students in her care. As a teacher she exemplified the qualities which this award recognises.

We are pleased and proud to announce the winners of these awards for 2019:

Tara Bourne (Junior School)

"All young children need someone to aspire to – a champion of their welfare."

Tara is recognised for the way she has focussed on the individuals in her care, entrusting them with tasks that challenge them and instil a sense of responsibility. The children have grown in confidence and their resilience strengthened in the positive and supportive environment she has created. The parents who nominated Tara remarked how much their children had grown and flourished under care.

Louise Dwyer (Senior School)

At CGGS we want our students, "to understand the responsibility of being well educated and to live their lives ethically and purposefully."

Louise is a professional and views teaching as an exercise in continuous renewal in order to create a fresh environment for students to feel that what they are learning about is current and valued. She empowers her students to build their capacity and capability for their own learning within the classroom and beyond. Louise also tutors indigenous students and engaged teaching staff in professional education of indigenous culture education to build a culture of trust in the classroom. Her organisation and leadership of the Arnhem land trip has created an experience for our students they describe as life-changing.

The P&F Award for Outstanding Contribution to the School Community

Katrina McDonagh

"When the things you say are in alignment with the things you do a thriving community emerges."

Katrina volunteered in a number of roles while her daughter has been at CGGS; class representative and team manager.  In her capacity as Treasurer of the Rowing Association, with her drive, enthusiasm and reliability she has organised community support, catering at regattas both locally and interstate and fundraising to ensure the continuing success of the rowing program here at CGGS.  With her warmth and engaging manner she has enabled scores of CGGS girls and their parents to engage with and get involved with the sport of rowing.

Our congratulations to the winners on behalf of the whole community here at Canberra Girls Grammar School

Pictured above: Tara Bourne (left) and Katrina McDonagh (right), each being presented with their awards from the President of the P&F Association, Kim de Crespigny.

Previous Award Winners: