Debating and Public Speaking update
From the Debating and Public Speaking Captains, Bella Mun (Y12) and Serina Guo (Y11).
As we dive into Debating and Public speaking in Term 2, anticipation is high for the opportunities the term will bring, which includes the continuation of the ACT Debating Union competition. This competition includes schools from all over Canberra, and CGGS has 23 teams competing in three age divisions, including one junior school team.
Our teams are achieving incredible results thus far. Notably:
In the Junior Open:
CGGS 1, CGGS 6 and CGGSJS 1 are topping the competition with no losses.
In the Senior Open:
CGGS 1 and CGGS 2 are tied for second place with four wins out of five.
In the Advanced Open:
CGGS 1, CGGS 2, and CGGS 5 are also achieving incredible results with three wins out of four.
In addition to these fantastic achievements, three CGGS debaters have been selected to compete with the ACT State debating team during the National Schools Debating Championships. Bella Mun (Y12) and Serina Guo (Y11) have been selected for the speaking team, and Emily Ezaki-Swain (Y10) has been selected as a reserve. They are now preparing for the championships in week 3, in which they will be debating against the top state teams in Australia.
We are also incredibly excited that CGGS teams have returned to participation in Mock Trials, as well as joining the Mock Mediation competition, which is a new opportunity for our debaters and public speakers.
CGGS competes in the Australian Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship in September each year, in which competitors demonstrate their skills in debate, impromptu speaking, speech, and interpretive reading against schools across the nation. Trials for this prestigious competition will begin in Week 3.
We’re so excited to see what our girls get up to in Term 2!
Sport update
Winter Sport Commences
Sport during Term 2 has come alive at CGGS. Last weekend our Football teams began their season in the Capital Football competition. CGGS fielded teams in the U10, U12, U14 and U18’s age groups. The U8 teams will be competing in the Woden Valley competition. Qualified and experienced coaches from the Football Star Academy train all of our Football teams at CGGS. We are extremely fortunate to partner with FSA and provide this wonderful opportunity to develop and enhance our Football program. Netball and Hockey will commence in the local competitions this week. The Touch Football competition will commence in Week 3. I encourage the CGGS community to join us and cheer from the sidelines. Draws/Fixtures will be available on the weekly sports agora post.
Time to celebrate our rowers
As we mark the end of another rowing season, I would like to celebrate all CGGS rowers in what was a challenging, yet successful season. Overseen by the experienced Ms Caroline Pijpers, CGGS has built one of the best rowing programs in the ACT.
I would like to particularly acknowledge the 14 rowers who competed in the Australian Rowing Nationals in Nagambie, Victoria. Our senior girls' fours came 4th and 13th in the SG4+, 5th in the U19 4+, and 5th in the U19 4-. The U17 quad had a very tough semi-final, unfortunately missing out on the final by 0.1 of a second. They finished 7th overall. And the U17 doubles made it to the final 12 out of a field of 36 boats.
Overall, the CGGS crews had some strong performances. It was a week filled with great sportsmanship, fierce winds, and good competition.
A special thank you to all the parents who travelled down to Nationals and made sure all girls and coaches were well feed.
Tae Kwon Do grading
After a term of intense training, CGGS Tae Kwon Do students have successfully completed their next grading. In every lesson, we have worked on the skills required to reach the next belt level. By building fitness and flexibility, each of our CGGS martial artists has increased their self-confidence, strength, and resilience, and in my many years of training students, I have never seen such a dedicated group of aspiring martial artists.
Out of the 21 students who underwent grading, 17 will progress to Yellow belt, three to Green tip, and one to Green belt. Congratulations to all participants, and a huge thank you to our assistant instructor, Mrs Richardson.
I am looking forward to another term of training with these amazing young people!
Mr Sam Papasidero
Senior Instructor, 4th Dan Black Belt
Fun Run wrap up
On the last day of school, we celebrated our school Fun Run at Mt Stromlo. It is one of the few events our whole school comes together in sport. The conditions were cold, wet and challenging; however, this didn’t stop our students from participating and having a good time.
IGSA and ASC teams will be announced shortly, with Edsmart notes being sent to students who have been successful in selection.
Athletics, Swimming, Tennis SSACT Competitions
This week, Junior School students competed in school Athletics Carnivals at the AIS. Results from these events will be celebrated in the next eNews. We wish our swimmers the best of luck as they compete next week in the 12 and Under and 13 and Over SSACT Swimming Championships at the AIS. We also have several tennis players in the Junior and Senior schools participating in SSACT Tennis Championships at Lyneham.
It is wonderful to see sport thriving and I look forward to sharing results on how the CGGS students perform at these events.
ASC Athletics
Congratulations to the CGGS Students who competed at the ASC Athletics carnival this week. We had a fantastic carnival, finishing 2nd place in the overall point score. A special shout out to the following students who achieved impressive accolades:
We had 16 students progress and qualify for the ACT School Sports Carnival later in the year, and many of these students will also gain selection in IGSA Athletics.
Ms Tamara Phelps
Head of Sport
Photos
Football Staff Academy, Year 1 watching the Rowing Nationals, ASC Athletics Carnival