As we recognise Reconciliation Week through various activities and acknowledgments, Mrs Dunwoody shares the School's Reconciliation Action Plan.
This week, across our School we have recognised National Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to learn more about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to consider how each of us can contribute to reconciliation. This week, and every week, students from our Early Learning Centre to Year 6 are supported to listen, learn, reflect and grow in their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.
National Reconciliation Week is held each year from 27 May to 3 June. These dates are significant in Australia’s history and invite us to reflect on the ongoing journey of reconciliation with honesty, respect and care. For our students and community, this week offers an opportunity to learn in age-appropriate ways, to listen deeply, and to continue building understanding and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This week is an important opportunity to help children develop empathy, curiosity and respect. Through stories, discussions, classroom experiences and moments of reflection, we aim to nurture a deeper understanding that reconciliation is about relationships, belonging and valuing the voices, cultures and contributions of First Nations peoples.
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, encourages all Australians to play their part in reconciliation every day. For our students, this may look like learning respectfully, asking thoughtful questions, honouring different perspectives and growing in their understanding of Country, culture and community.
We are grateful for the opportunity to engage in this learning as a school community. National Reconciliation Week invites us all to continue building understanding with care and humility, and to support our children as they grow into compassionate young people who value truth, respect and reconciliation.
We know that supporting children to navigate the online world can feel both important and, at times, challenging for families. Parents and guardians may wish to explore a range of free webinars available through the eSafety Commissioner website. These sessions offer practical, up-to-date guidance to help families support children and young people to use technology safely, confidently and with care.
With thanks to the eSafety Commissioner website for providing these helpful resources for all families.
Kellie Morgan
Head of Junior School
What happens inside a caterpillars cocoon?
Some very hungry visitors arrived in our classroom this term from Ms Jacqui’s garden, sparking great excitement among the children. This experience responded to the children’s ongoing interest in the natural world and the creatures that share it with us. We have been curiously observing the busy caterpillars, carefully documenting what the children see, think, and wonder. The natural process of transformation has become a rich focus for shared inquiry within the group. Children have engaged in detailed observational drawing, closely studying the caterpillars and thoughtfully representing what they notice. They have also explored weaving with felt and wire, symbolically constructing cocoons. To support diverse ways of learning, we have also explored the caterpillar’s life cycle through music and movement. Gentle music has been offered as a provocation, alongside silk scarves to inspire representation and expression. These creative experiences offer opportunities for children to express their thinking while experimenting with a variety of materials and processes. We look forward to continuing to observe these changes together and deepening our understanding of the remarkable process of transformation.
Jacqui Laird
EL3 Teacher
On the 15 May, 30 students from Years 3-6 competed in District Cross Country at Macleay Park. They proudly represented Camberwell Girls Grammar School with commitment and dedication whilst running a tough 2-3km race. We would like to congratulate Emilia Z (Y4O), Charlotte G (Y5C) and Laurynn D (Y6H) and Nicole L (Y6H). They are all proceeding to Boroondara’s SSV Division Cross Country competition at Ruffey Park on the 1 June. Although not everyone qualified for District or Division Cross Country, the Sport Captains, would like to thank every competitor for helping their house win points and for their enthusiastic house spirit. This year, Lawrence won the house cup, with Singleton winning house spirit. Good luck to all competitors running in Division Cross Country next week. We are looking forward to hearing the results.
Nicole L & Emma B
Sport Leaders
Our biggest House Event for the year, the 3-6 Athletics Carnival, was held on Thursday 21 May at Doncaster Athletics Track. This is always a big event and a much-anticipated House competition for the year. All students in Years 3-6 participated in a range of track and field events to earn points for their houses. The races and competition also gave the students the opportunity to showcase the skills and hard work that has gone on in the lead up to the carnival in their PE lessons. It was a fabulous day, and it was wonderful to see parents there supporting our students and cheering them on. A big thank you to the PFA for some yummy icy poles to enjoy at the end of the day.
The Athletics carnival is not just a fun day for students to compete, but also an opportunity for them to learn valuable life skills and demonstrate our important school values. It was so wonderful to see everyone cheering each other on, supporting each other and offering encouragement and positive feedback to their peers. We continued the tradition of showcasing the House Chants, led by our wonderful House Leaders. The House spirit from everyone was loud and proud and created an incredible atmosphere on the day. The much-anticipated Spirit Stick Award was awarded to Schofield House for their encouragement, outstanding sportsmanship, team spirit and excellent House Leaders. Congratulations Schofield.
All the students should be extremely proud of their performance. Later this year many of them will move on to compete in the District Athletics and GSV Track and Field competitions that are being held in Term 3. The winning house on the day was SINGLETON, second was SCHOFIELD, third LAWRENCE and forth TAYLOR. Congratulations to SINGLETON!
Kim James
Head of Health, Physical Education and Sport (JS)
On Wednesday 20 May, Year 4 visited Polly Woodside. They were welcomed aboard the 141‑year‑old ship and discovered what life was like for those who once travelled the seas. This experience linked closely to our recent Inquiry lessons about the First Fleet. Students became confident young navigators as they learnt nautical terms such as “starboard” and “port” and even practised using the ship’s bell to communicate during storms and heavy fog.
They also experienced daily life on board by scrubbing the deck and exploring the ship’s various rooms. Students learnt that living conditions were extremely rough, with sleep often disrupted by the constant rocking of the vessel. One fun fact they discovered was that the captain’s headquarters was named after the ship owner’s wife.
‘Something that interested me was that people must climb the ladder 18 metres to take the sails in and out’ – Chelsea
‘The excursion was actually very interesting, and we learnt a lot about the history of it.’ – Aileen
May Ou
Year 4 Classroom Teacher
On Wednesday the Year 3 class travelled to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne to participate in their Connecting to Country program. Our Aboriginal Learning Facilitator, Lachlan, took us through the Gardens and explained the ways Aboriginal people have used plants for food, medicine, fibre and shelter for thousands of years. We also explored the tools that Aboriginal people made and used from the local environment.
“It was raining a lot, so we had to stand under a tree. Then when we were walking, there were lots of muddy puddles” – Harriet and Isabelle
“We saw a tree that was thousands of years old” – Sarika and Angie
“We learnt about witchety grubs, emus and eels. We also had a nature walk and looked for bats” – Agnes
“We saw a pine tree that was dangerous – it had giant pinecones that had to be removed so they didn’t hit people on the head” – Elliana
“It was an amazing day” – Clare and Annika
Fiorella Soci
Year 3 Classroom Teacher
The Music Department is delighted to share the news that Elsa L was recently awarded the Associate Diploma, for Piano, from the Australian Music Examinations Board. The Associate Music diploma is awarded by performance examination to outstanding musicians. Candidates must perform repertoire from the prescribed lists of works and are tested on their general knowledge of the selected pieces. Elsa performed a variety of AMusA repertoire to a panel of two Piano experts and successfully responded to specific questions about stylistic conventions, demonstrating excellent knowledge of the artistic content within her pieces.
Elsa continues to aim for excellence in her music pursuits, through dedicated practice and motivated focus, not only on Piano but also the Viola and the Clarinet. Her approach to learning and ability to maintain her motivation to achieve specific music goals is exceptional.
Congratulations, Elsa, on achieving such a brilliant result. Your amazing music talents continue to be an inspiration for all our student musicians.
Kate Savige and Rohan Mack
Directors of Music
As we recognise Reconciliation Week through various activities and acknowledgments, Mrs Dunwoody shares the School's Reconciliation Action Plan.
The cross country has come to an end with some outstanding individual and team results.
It has been an active fortnight at Junior School with House Athletics and District Cross Country.
A group of dedicated parent volunteers are preparing for the production of Finding Nemo Jr.
