The PFA has elected a new committee, Mother's Day festivities were a great success, and alum sharing their creative pursuits.
One of our highlights during the year is welcoming grandparents and special friends to Ormiston. Our Early Learning 3 – Year 6 students enjoy inviting an special person to visit their school and participate in a range of activities either inside their classroom or in the playground. Throughout the day, over 230 visitors joined us either for Session One before recess or Session Two before lunch. It was also wonderful to have our students singing with their special guest(s) at the start of each session. Our Choir Teacher Renee Heron encouraged everyone to join in and sing a song together.
Morning tea was enjoyed by all guests in the Junior School Hall, and everyone had the opportunity to speak with other. This important annual event is an opportunity for Ormiston to promote a connected school community and to meet and get to know extended family members and close friends of our Junior School families.
Our Ormiston School Captains Audrey C and Neesha N had the opportunity to attend the Kew RSL ANZAC Day ceremony and reflect on 110 years since the Gallipoli campaign and commemorate all Australians who have served in times of peace and war. Camberwell Girls Grammar School was one of thirteen schools in the local Boroondara area who were invited to lay a wreath and pay their respects to the women and men who lost their lives in past wars and conflicts to make Australia a better place to live for everyone.
I would like to thank our local MP for Kew Jess Wilson for providing CGGS the chance to be part of such an important event each year
Congratulations to Claire Z of Year 6 who won her 50 metre backstroke event at the Victorian State Primary Swim Championships. it was an outstanding effort by Claire who managed to achieve a personal best time in backstroke. As a School, we are very proud of Claire’s achievements and look forward to following her swimming experiences in the future.
Wishing all our Ormiston mothers a wonderful Mother’s Day on Sunday 11 May.
Paul Donohue
Head of Junior School
Recently the Early Learning children had the enriching opportunity to participate in a Welcome to Country with Murrundindi, the Ngurungaeta (head man) of the Wurundjeri people and friend of Camberwell Girls. Gathered respectfully at the Junior School Yarning Circle, under the autumn sunshine, the children listened with curiosity and wonder as Murrundindi welcomed them to Wurundjeri Country through Woiwurrung language, song, and storytelling. The story of the yidaki (didgeridoo) held a significant place in the children’s learning, as they listened to Murrundindi’s sharing of his visit to Arnhem Land and the power of the yidaki he was gifted, and its ability to heal through sound.
This powerful experience fostered a deep sense of respect for Aboriginal culture and gave the children a meaningful connection to the Woiwurrung Langauge Program, and their understanding of whose land they live and play on each day. It also created a space for the children to feel grounded and connected, as they tuned into their environment to feel and hear Country, laying a foundation for our ongoing cultural learning and appreciation.
Through Murrundindi’s storytelling, the children were introduced to the interconnection between plants, animals, people, and Country. They learned how each part of the environment has a role and purpose, woven together through stories that have been passed down through generations, such as Pallyan and Murrundindi. These stories helped the children see that trees are not just plants, and animals are not just creatures, but all are part of a living system that supports one another. This learning encourages children to view nature with empathy and responsibility, and to understand that caring for the land means caring for all beings that live on it.
Esther Wong
ELC Coordinator
Both Year 6 classes presented their Inquiry learning about energy transformations to the Ormiston community and to their families.
The big question students examined was ‘how is energy transferred and transformed? Through weekly STEM lessons with secondary school science teacher Ms Kylie Rose, students learnt about electricity and explored how to create series and parallel circuits. Mr Sam Fitzgerald, our Secondary School digital technologies teacher, brought his expertise in Engineering to teach students the design process of creating a house on Tinker cad. Students applied their knowledge of circuitry and design to create a 3D printed house that powered an LED light and fan.
This project enabled authentic cross curriculum links between Inquiry, English, and Art. Students analysed the novel ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ the true story of William Kamkwamba who brought electricity to his village in Malawi by creating a windmill through self-directed study, trial and error. The scientific vocabulary students learned was reinforced during the reading of this book and in English lessons. Students published a persuasive letter requesting community action to switch to sustainable and renewable energy sources. Additionally, students created an information poster showcasing their expert knowledge related to a renewable energy source of their choosing. In Art, Lillian Bishop, Junior School art teacher, organised artist George Manikoudis to work with the students to create a political statement through images and text on sustainable energy using aerosol and stencil art.
The exhibition evening was a great success with students confidently sharing their knowledge with Ormiston parents and families. Families also had the opportunity to participate in workshops to create circuits or using Tinker cad to design their own home.
We were very proud of the students’ commitment to their learning, their flexibility, creative thinking, and presentation skills. Thank you to all who visited, asked questions, and gave feedback.
Jasvindar Gill & Margaret Hall
Year 6 Classroom Teachers
The Year 3 class travelled to The Royal Botanic Gardens to learn more about indigenous culture and the connection to Country of the local Wurundjeri people. The class toured the gardens and saw a tree that was 400-450 years old, it had been there before British settlers! We learnt about how indigenous people are caretakers of the land and waters. They are also very resourceful, as they can make many useful items from things found in nature and often these items have multiple uses. After this, we tried to use dried grass to make strong string. This was much harder than it looked, and we had to persevere to achieve anything that would have been able to work as string. We enjoyed learning more about the importance of Country to First Nations people. This experience served as a great provocation for our Term 2 Inquiry unit during which we will explore how an understanding of the importance of Country can enrich the lives of all Australians.
Selena Reedman
Year 3 Classroom Teacher
The ELC, Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students were treated to an exciting visit from indigenous storyteller, Gregg Dreise who captivated the young audience with his engaging storytelling, music, songs, dancing and his passion for sharing indigenous Australian culture and stories.
It was lovely to watch our youngest students greet and interact with Gregg using their knowledge of Wurunjeri words and language and he in turn taught our students traditional songs and dance in his Kamilaroi language. It was incredible to watch and listen as Gregg and the students performed a traditional gathering song together incorporating the didgeridoo, clapsticks and bullroarer.
Laughter and giggles filled the library as Gregg shared humorous anecdotes, jokes and animated tales with his audience. With our ELC classes, Gregg explored images and stories about the animals in his story Today’s Sun, and our students enjoyed acting out the actions including pecking like emus and hopping around the library like kangaroos to the beat of his didgeridoo.
Our Ormiston students learned the story of “Super Snake” which follows Mundegutta Gooriya, who emerges during a drought to help the elders find water. The students were enthralled as Gregg described how the Super Snake slithered down a rainbow to the earth, promising to help the community. The vivid imagery and moral lessons about sharing and the importance of water resonated deeply with the students.
Gregg Dreise’s visit was not only educational but also incredibly fun and engaging for both staff and students. It was an experience filled with laughter, dance, and creativity, leaving the students with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation for storytelling and indigenous culture.
Sally Spencer
Teacher Librarian
The PFA has elected a new committee, Mother's Day festivities were a great success, and alum sharing their creative pursuits.
Grandparents, special friends, an author, and Murrundindi all visited the Junior School to kick off Term 2.
Momentum is building for the refurbishment of Barbara Sutton Hall, with the head contractor now appointed.
