Mrs Dunwoody shares an update on the refurbishment of Barbara Sutton Hall, and Mrs McClure reflects on her time on the European Music Tour.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am pleased to report that progress on Barbara Sutton Hall continues to go well and according to schedule. During the recent Term 2 holiday period, substantial demolition works were undertaken, including the removal of the building’s front façade, key sections at the back of the building, and significant internal clearances. These necessary and disruptive works were intentionally scheduled during the break to minimise any impact on class time. I am also pleased to confirm that the majority of demolition has now been completed.
The upcoming phase will consist of reconstructing the front façade, with essential groundwork being undertaken to support the newly designed exterior of Barbara Sutton Hall.
I encourage you to go to our Barbara Sutton Hall Reimagined website, where you can read regular updates on the progress of the refurbishment.
At the end of last term our European Music Tour, consisting of a group of 40 students and 6 staff, travelled to key locations in Europe to participate in workshops, perform in key venues as well as at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Festival in Vienna. It was a wonderful success and I would like to thank our staff Mrs Davina McClure, Ms Kate Savige, Mr Rohan Mack, Ms Renee Heron, Ms Keira Lyons and Mrs Karen Anderson for their support and care of the students throughout the tour and preparation prior to leaving.
Mrs McClure, our Deputy Principal, is sharing some highlights below for you.
With best wishes,
Debbie Dunwoody
At Camberwell Girls, music education is considered far more than a subject; it is a language through which our students express themselves, connect with others, and experience the world in meaningful ways. Zoltan Kodaly, the Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, music pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher, once said, “Often a single experience will open the young soul to music for a whole lifetime”. Our recent European Music Tour offered that rare and remarkable experience with 40 student musicians representing Camberwell Girls on a global stage.
Travelling across Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, students not only performed in world-renowned venues but also immersed themselves in the rich musical history of each region. From workshops at the University of Music in Vienna to concerts in prestigious spaces such as the historic stage of Vienna’s Musikverein and the grand Smetana Hall in the Czech Republic, every moment on tour inspired and broadened the students’ musical capabilities. Each note played during the concerts resonated not just within the walls of these iconic venues but echoed the rich tapestry of global musical traditions. Students listened and learned from each other, inspiring and being inspired, with lasting impact. We are incredibly grateful to Mr Rohan Mack and Ms Renee Heron for preparing and conducting the orchestral and choral groups. Their exceptional music instruction, insight, dedication and skill as music educators truly elevated the performance capacity of the students.
A highlight of the tour was Vienna’s five-day Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival that brought together students from all around the world in celebration of musical excellence and cultural exchange. Through rehearsals, performances, masterclasses, and shared experiences, they developed their ensemble skills, performance confidence, interdependence, and understanding of the expressive nature of music. During his welcome speech, Christian Bender – Managing Director, emphasised the significance of the SCL Festival, involving more than 1200 students performing in music ensembles from many countries across the world including, Canada China, Denmark, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Africa and more. He talked of the “magic of music that unites us beyond borders”, describing the festival as not just a celebration of music, but an expression of passion, dedication, and cultural exchange that enriches lives.
David Perkins, founding member of Project Zero at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, proposes that, “the way traditional education works simply does not align very well with the buzzing blooming connectivity of today’s world”. It was evident that the European Music Tour offered immersive endeavours in a buzzing, blooming, expansive and all-encompassing connected manner. The depth and richness in student learning throughout the tour was incredibly tangible, building intercultural and ethical understanding alongside personal and social capabilities. Students learnt a great deal about themselves, enriching their musical journey and fostering a deeper appreciation for the universal language of music and the world around them. Their thinking and musical skills continue to be developed and shaped for the many other inspiring musical experiences that await them.
Davina McClure
Deputy Principal
Mrs Dunwoody shares an update on the refurbishment of Barbara Sutton Hall, and Mrs McClure reflects on her time on the European Music Tour.
It has been a busy start to Term 3 at the Secondary School with incursions, excursions, competitions, and celebrations.
The Foundation students celebrated a significant milestone this week - 100 days of school!
The School was excited to welcome back two Class of 2024 graduates who ran workshops during a recent Upskill day.
