Today, Mrs Dunwoody speaks about the benefits of physical education and highlights some of the amazing achievements our athletes have accomplished this year.
As we reach the end of Term Three, it is hard not to reflect on what has been an outstanding term of learning, celebration and joy. Across the Secondary School, students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, determination and good humour, contributing to a term that has been both busy and memorable.
From the reopening of Barbara Sutton Hall and our celebration performances, to House Cinema, GSV sporting success, DAV Debating Finals, the Annual Music Concert, as well as Learning Extension and Enrichment programs such as GALESS which welcomed schools from around the world to Camberwell Girls, there has been much to celebrate. These events and programs reflect the talent and commitment of our community, and students should be proud of their contributions and support of one another throughout the term.
For our Year 12 students, the term has carried particular significance. With only a handful of school days remaining before their final weeks at Camberwell Girls, we commend them for the resilience and positive spirit they have demonstrated during one of the busiest periods of the year. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 over the coming weeks and wish them a well-deserved break before trial examinations and the exciting final chapter of their school journey begins next term.
Term Three also brings the announcement of our 2027 Student Leadership Team. This year, students once again participated in a rigorous selection process, and it has been inspiring to witness the passion, creativity and commitment of so many students who were willing to step forward and contribute to the future of our School. Importantly, we recognise that putting yourself forward for leadership takes courage. Every student who applied demonstrated a willingness to contribute, serve and take responsibility within our community. Whether appointed to a formal position or not, these students have shown qualities of leadership through their engagement, initiative and commitment to making a positive difference.
We warmly congratulate our newly appointed 2027 School Captain, Millie M, Vice Captains Samantha N and Chloe W, and all students selected for leadership positions. We celebrate their appointments in this week’s CamNews and look forward to their formal induction in Term Four.
As we head into the holidays, we wish all families a safe, restful and enjoyable break. We extend our best wishes to the students and staff participating in the Japan STEM and Design Tour and look forward to hearing about their experiences and learning upon their return.
We look forward to welcoming our VCE Unit 3 and 4 students back for trial examinations during the final week of the holidays and all students for the start of Term Four on Monday 5 October.
Enjoy the break and thank you for another wonderful term.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
At Camberwell Girls, leadership is an integral part of the student experience, with a breadth of opportunities available for students to contribute, serve and make a meaningful impact across the School.
During assembly on Thursday 10 September, we were delighted to introduce the 2027 Student Leadership Team, including our School Captains, Vice Captains, House Leaders, Special Interest Captains, and Mentors. Together, this group will work collaboratively to strengthen our community, create opportunities for student voice, and lead initiatives that inspire connection, participation and belonging across the School.
The selection process for student leadership is rigorous and involves written applications, speeches, individual and group interviews, and, for some positions, voting by both staff and students. This process provides students with valuable opportunities to step outside their comfort zones, articulate their ideas and demonstrate their commitment to serving others. We extend our sincere thanks to the Heads of House, co-curricular staff, and all teachers involved in supporting this process over recent months.
We also acknowledge every Year 10 and Year 11 student who put themselves forward for leadership. As reflected in the speech delivered at assembly yesterday, applying for a leadership position requires courage. It means being willing to contribute, to take responsibility and to make yourself vulnerable to an outcome that is never guaranteed. Whether appointed to a formal leadership position or not, every student who participated demonstrated qualities of leadership through their willingness to step forward and be involved.
There will continue to be many opportunities throughout 2027 for students to contribute to school life and leadership, develop their capabilities, and make a meaningful difference to our community. We look forward to working alongside all students as they continue to shape and enrich the Camberwell Girls experience.
Finally, as we welcome our 2027 Student Leadership Team, we also take this opportunity to thank our 2026 School Leaders for their outstanding contributions. Through their leadership, service and commitment to others, they have helped shape a culture that reflects the values and spirit of our School. We look forward to formally celebrating their achievements at Presentation Evening in Term Four and are excited to see the energy, vision, integrity and collaboration our 2027 leaders will bring as they build on this legacy.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Eleanor Wood
Director of Co-Curricular Programs
One of the most cherished traditions at Camberwell Girls took place this week as a group of our graduating Year 12 students returned to the Junior School for a special reunion photo and tour.
Accompanied by Ms Woolcock and Mrs McKie, the students revisited familiar classrooms, reconnected with former teachers and reflected on the journey that has taken them from their earliest years at Camberwell Girls to where they are today. As they prepare to conclude their time at the School, it was a fitting reminder of where that journey began.
This year, 36 members of the Class of 2026 joined Camberwell Girls Junior School and participated in this special tradition. We are delighted to acknowledge them below:
Entry Year 3 (E3)
Entry Year 4 (E4)
Prep (F)
Commenced in Year 3
Commenced in Year 4
Commenced in Year 5
Commenced in Year 6
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
The Camberwell Girls Chess Club has participated in several interschool chess tournaments across Victoria, most recently competing in the Years 7-12 Secondary Open Tournament held at Camberwell Grammar School (Boys) in early September. During the event, club members formed a team that competed against teams from other Victorian schools across seven rounds of chess.
Michele Linossier
Head of Extension and Enrichment
Participation in tournaments is a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience. The competitive nature of these events encourages players to challenge themselves, strengthening their motivation while developing their strategic thinking, chess skills, and game tactics. Tournaments also provide valuable opportunities for students to build confidence, demonstrate sportsmanship, and connect with fellow chess enthusiasts from other schools.
Celeste M
Chess Captain
Chess is an enjoyable, and competitive game and challenges players to think strategically and make careful decisions under pressure. Even though the tournament was difficult and required concentration, I quite enjoyed playing new and stronger opponents despite losing a few games, it was stressful. I was happy with my result as I won 3 out of 7 games!
Sherise T
Year 8
The International Chemistry Quiz is a global competition run by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Its aim is to spark interest in Chemistry and demonstrate the importance of chemists in today’s society. The quiz extends the students by going beyond the standard curriculum and asks questions that require the application of knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Congratulations to the following students on their awards:
Carissa L – Distinction
Lily W – Credit
Elise F – Credit
Christine M – Credit
Amy Q – Credit
Misha V – Credit
Elsa W – Credit
Olivia Y – Credit
Amelia L – Credit
Misaki S – Participation
Maryam U – Participation
Kylie Rose
Science Teacher
Our dedicated VCE Music students are refining their selected pieces as they prepare for their upcoming performance examinations in Term 4.
Last week, family members, friends and staff gathered in the Barbara Sutton Hall Rehearsal Studio to enjoy an inspiring evening of music as students presented selections from their examination programs. The recital provided an exciting opportunity for performers to share their work with a supportive audience while gaining valuable experience in a live performance setting.
The program featured a diverse range of repertoire, highlighting the breadth of musical styles, instruments and individual artistic interests represented within our Unit 4 VCE Music class. From technically demanding works to expressive and engaging performances, each student demonstrated a high level of musical skill, commitment and preparation. These performances reflected months of focused practice and refinement, with students displaying impressive confidence, creativity and artistry. Their dedication to communicating both their technical and expressive capabilities was evident throughout the evening, and the audience was treated to performances of an exceptionally high standard.
The recital also served as an important milestone in the students’ preparation for their final assessments, which will be evaluated by specialist VCE Music assessors later this year. Opportunities such as these not only strengthen performance skills but help students to build the resilience and confidence required for them to perform their best in examination settings.
We congratulate all our VCE musicians on their outstanding efforts and thank them for sharing their musical talents with the school community. We wish them every success in their upcoming performance assessments.
Kate Savige
Director of Music – Curriculum
Mat Duniam
Music Teacher
Sophie W, who is currently studying Unit 2 VCE Music, has achieved further success in her musical journey, recently winning first place in the VCE section of the highly regarded Leslie Barklamb Scholarship Flute Competition. This outstanding achievement is particularly noteworthy given the exceptionally strong field of competitors. Sophie performed against highly accomplished flute players, including students currently undertaking Units 3 and 4 VCE Music. Her success reflects not only her exceptional musical ability, but also her dedication and commitment to excellence in performance.
The Leslie Barklamb Scholarship is one of Australia’s longest running and most respected flute competitions and is widely regarded as Victoria’s premier instrumental scholarship for young flute players. The competition attracts talented flautists from across the state and is adjudicated by leading performers, educators, and industry professionals. Participation and success at this level are significant accomplishments and are highly valued within the music community.
Sophie’s achievement is a testament to the countless hours she has devoted to developing her musicianship and performance skills. Her success also highlights the passion she brings to her studies and musical pursuits.
Kate Savige and Rohan Mack
Directors of Music
Delivering a speech about the stigma of homelessness, Year 11 student, Aathana S was the Camberwell Girls representative at the Grand Final of the Kew Future Leaders Speech Competition, run by Jess Wilson, MP. It was a grand occasion, situated in the Legislative Assembly in Parliament of Victoria and Aathana was dynamic in the articulation and presentation of her speech which was written from the perspective of a newly elected Member of Parliament. Competing against other Senior School students from the area of Kew, Aathana was outstanding and was named the overall winner of the competition. In her speech, Aathana explored homelessness and offered solutions to make progress with the issue. Elsa L from Grade 6 also represented the school in the Junior Division, exploring the issue of tree cover in the community. It was a thought-provoking afternoon, hearing students speak so passionately about issues they care about. Well done Aathana and Elsa.
Jennifer Gordon
Head of English
English and Literature Teacher
It has been an outstanding term of sport, highlighted by strong participation across all year levels and some exceptional team performances. The high level of involvement is a testament to the commitment of our students, who have consistently dedicated themselves to training, skill development, and improving their understanding of their chosen sports.
Our Intermediate and Senior teams enjoyed tremendous success this season. Badminton, Indoor Cricket, and Soccer all progressed to their respective finals, with Senior Indoor Cricket as well as Intermediate and Senior Soccer claiming premiership titles. Our Senior Water Polo team also had a highly successful campaign, competing strongly each week and showcasing impressive resilience and teamwork. Their efforts also saw them progress through to the finals.
Junior Indoor Cricket and Soccer participants also enjoyed positive and rewarding seasons. While results varied across the competitions, students consistently demonstrated enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to improve. Junior Badminton’s commitment to training and willingness to challenge themselves throughout the competition were rewarded with a well-deserved finals appearance.
These achievements would not be possible without the dedication and expertise of our coaching staff. We extend our thanks to all coaches for the time and energy they invest in our sporting program. Their commitment to delivering high-quality training sessions and valuable match-day feedback continues to provide our students with outstanding opportunities for growth and success.
We thank all students, coaches, and supporters for their contributions to another successful sporting term and look forward to celebrating more achievements next term.
It was a fantastic evening at Lakeside Stadium on Tuesday as Camberwell Girls proudly competed in the GSV Athletics Finals evening. Fourteen students represented the School across 20 events, showcasing their talent, dedication and commitment to athletics.
To qualify for this prestigious competition, students must rank among the top performers across all 23 GSV schools, making selection for the finals a significant achievement. Our athletes have trained consistently throughout the term and should be extremely proud of their efforts and performances on the night. Congratulations to our GSV Athletics Finals representatives; Lucy M (Year 7), Jessica M (Year 10), Helena C (Year 10), Harper D (Year 11), Anneka S (Year 12), Amelie W (Year 7), Millie M (Year 11), Emily L (Year 11), Hanna L (Year 9), Janice P (Year 7), Nawita D (Year 9), Maya W (Year 11), Selena C (Year 11) and Beatrix F (Year 10).
A special congratulations goes to Nawita D, who claimed the bronze medal in the Year 9 Discus, finishing an outstanding third in a highly competitive field. We also celebrate the efforts of Maya W, Emily L, Selena C and Harper D, whose impressive performance in the 4 x 100m relay earned them a third-place finish. The team delivered an exciting and determined race to secure their place on the podium.
We are incredibly proud of all our athletes and the commitment, perseverance and teamwork they have demonstrated throughout the season. Thank you to Mr Maycock, Miss Barr and sport coach Liana for their assistance on the night, and to Elite Wellbeing, led by Kelly, for their support and coaching expertise.
We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Lydia H (Year 9), who recently delivered an exceptional performance at the Victoria State Short Course Age Championships for swimming.
Competing against some of the state’s strongest swimmers, Lydia earned places in the finals of the 100m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley (IM), and 200m Freestyle events. She also achieved an impressive 9th place ranking in Victoria for both the 200m and 400m Freestyle in the 14-year-old age group.
A standout moment of the championship came in the 200m Freestyle. Demonstrating remarkable determination and endurance, Lydia achieved the rare feat of breaking her personal best twice in the same day. She first lowered her time during the morning heats to secure qualification for the final before going even faster in the evening, setting another personal best in the final.
Lydia’s dedication, discipline, and commitment to training were rewarded with qualification for the Victorian Open Championships. Qualifying for an Open Championship event at just 14 years of age is a significant accomplishment, providing the opportunity to compete against the state’s best swimmers across all age groups.
At the Victorian Open Championships, held the following weekend, Lydia competed in both the 200m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley. After two consecutive weekends of high-level competition, combined with the demands of end-of-term assessments, Lydia demonstrated exceptional resilience, perseverance, and mental toughness.
Lydia’s achievements are a testament not only to her athletic ability but also to her dedication to balancing sport and academic commitments. We look forward to following her continued success in the future.
Lauren Law
Head of Sport
Today, Mrs Dunwoody speaks about the benefits of physical education and highlights some of the amazing achievements our athletes have accomplished this year.
The last few weeks of Term 3 have been busy, with the announcement of the 2027 Leaders and many trophies, medals, and pennants won in the sporting arena.
With the Junior School Disco and Father's Day breakfast, the end of the term has been busy, full of moments of connection for our families.
