The 2024 Paris Olympic games began last week on 26 July in spectacular fashion! For the first time in history, the Opening Ceremony occurred outside of a traditional stadium, with performances unfolding in front of iconic Parisian landmarks and tourist destinations. Whether you enjoyed the new look Opening Ceremony or prefer a more traditional approach, there is no denying the magic of the Olympics and the opportunities it offers for our young people and wider society.
This 3000-year-old sporting evident provides nations from around the world an opportunity to celebrate and cherish the unifying power of sport. The Games serve as a platform for change by promoting inclusion, cultural understanding and equality. For the first time in history, the Paris 2024 Olympics are set to achieve gender parity with 5,250 women and 5,250 men competing. The number of events available to men and women is also balanced, with 152 women’s and 157 men’s events. Many countries, including Australia, also selected to have one male and one female athlete carry their country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony.
The Paris 2024 Olympics are also breaking new ground in supporting female athletes, especially those balancing elite level competition with motherhood. The organising committee introduced an on-site nursery, designated breastfeeding areas and family-friendly accommodations to allow athletes and their families to stay together during the games. These initiatives highlight the importance of innovation, equal access, and representation in media coverage, leadership and sport, ensuring young women can see the possibilities for their own futures.
As we continue to enjoy the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics over the next few weeks, we will witness and remember moments of joy, heartbreak, and the incredible athleticism and determination of our athletes. We will also remember the legacy and new standard in equality and gender parity that has been set, building on it in future competitions. These moments should remind us to always aim high, give our best and strive to bring out the best in others.
At Camberwell Girls, we experience this same drive among our students daily. Just this week, we have seen incredible talent, grit, friendship, joy and determination through the School Musical – The Little Mermaid. Incredibly, over 40 per cent of our community is involved in some way, whether they are on stage, backstage, designing sets and costumes or front of house! From students who are new to the stage to those with more experience, the challenge and triumph of creating, designing, and performing at their best is a privilege to witness. For those who are yet to see it – you are in for a treat!
These experiences, whether in sports or the arts, inspire us all to pursue our dreams with spirit, perseverance, excellence and unity. We hope you enjoy The Little Mermaid this weekend, and that you continue to enjoy watching the Paris Olympics and Paralympics over the next few weeks with your families! Go Aussies!
Kath Woolock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
This morning, Friday 2 August, six students from Years 8 and 11 (Lily W, Olive C, Megan K, Michelle K, Jasmine R and Lucy R), along with two staff members (Ms Lyons and Ms Stevens), participated in a special Welcome to Country Puppetry Performance with Murrundindi, Ngurungaeta (Head Man) of the Wurrundjeri people, at the Annual Anglican Schools Conference of which Mrs Debbie Dunwoody is the President.
The morning began with a traditional Welcome to Country from Murrundindi, and a sharing of the Wurrundjeri Dreamtime Creation Story where Bunjil (the wedge-tailed Eagle) created land and the earth that we live on today. Within the story we heard how Bunjil created Mindi the snake and how they worked together to make the other animals, and the first man and woman. We also learnt how Bunjil’s memory continues to live on, when each year his spirit star, Dara, travels across the sky.
The performance, directed by Ms Keira Lyons, Head of Drama and Performing Arts, told the story of Creation using hand-made large-scale puppets for Dara (the stars), Mindi (the Snake) and Pally-Yan (the Bat) and invited conference delegates to participate in helping the Dara to orbit the night sky.
It was an incredibly moving performance, and we thank the students and staff involved.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
It was my pleasure to announce the Monash Scholars Program recipients for 2024 at our Secondary School Assembly on Tuesday 23 July.
The Monash Scholars Program provides selected high achieving students from Years 10 – 12 with an exclusive opportunity to engage with Monash University. Each year, students in Year 10 are invited to apply and the application process is rigorous.
The program is offered by Monash University to give the successful students a unique head start into university life. It provides opportunities for students to explore their passions, develop a broad suite of study, personal and academic skills, gives students the knowledge and confidence to make the right university course and career choices. The program also enables the recipients to build a network of student peers, academic, and future employment contacts.
The program begins in Year 10, and continues through Years 11 and 12, with participants being invited to several events and activities each year. Students who receive this award are expected to commit around 20 hours a year to the program through participation in a range of events and activities. Students receiving this award who successfully gain a place at Monash University for their tertiary studies continue to receive benefits including leadership and ambassador opportunities.
The Monash Scholars Program is a highly respected program for high achieving secondary school students. Students must be in the top 10% academically of their year level, must demonstrate leadership ability and potential, must be university focused; and must display a willingness to connect with like-minded students.
This year we congratulate our 2024 Monash Scholars Ruby E, Abbey M and Maddie M. We wish them well as they commence in this prestigious program.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
The Chess Victoria Girls Chess Tournament, hosted by Korowa Anglican Girls’ School, saw remarkable performances from the CGGS team, led by Captain Lucy. In the first round, Lucy, Christine, and Alice each secured impressive victories, propelling the team to a strong start with three wins. In the second round, Sienna’s swift pawn promotion and a nail-biting ladder mate with just 40 seconds left on her clock, alongside wins from Sophie and Jessica, contributed to another three wins.
The third round featured dominant plays from Olivia, Celeste, Jessica, Sophie, and Alice, with Sienna drawing her match. Celeste and Sienna excelled in the fourth round with tactical victories, while Christine’s win bolstered the team’s position heading into the fifth round with a strong 12.5 points. However, round five was challenging, yielding only two wins.
In the sixth round, Celeste, Alice, and Olivia secured crucial results, positioning the team in second place. The final round saw Celeste, Jessica, Christine, and Lucy clinch victories, each finishing with 4 out of 7 points for the day. Alice, Olivia, Sienna, and Panya completed their matches with commendable efforts, contributing to the team’s overall score.
The tournament concluded with CGGS earning 19.5 points, taking home the 2nd place trophy. This achievement is particularly significant given that the winning team included both a Victorian Champion and a National Champion. The top five players – Lucy, Christine, Jessica, Celeste, and Alice – demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, leading their team to a successful finish.
Students: Lucy C (Captain), Alice L, Olivia M, Sophie L, Christine M, Jessica W, Celeste M, Sienna T, and Panya S
Staff: Mr. Sam Fitzgerald and Ms. Katherine Barbadonis
Sam Fitzgerald
Head of Digital Technologies
On 26 July, all Year 7 Chinese classes enjoyed an educational excursion to the Museum of Chinese Australian History. This visit was not just a trip but a journey into the rich Chinese history and culture, particularly focusing on the contributions of Chinese immigrants to Australian society.
Upon arrival, the students were welcomed by the museum’s guides, who began the tour with an introduction to the history of Chinese immigration to Australia. The students learned about the first wave of Chinese immigrants during the Gold Rush era of the 1850s, a period marked by significant challenges and hardships. The museum’s exhibits vividly depicted the perseverance and resilience of these early settlers.
One of the most impactful sections of the museum was the display of the Chinese immigrants’ contributions to the development of Australia. The students were fascinated to learn about the various roles Chinese Australians have played in building the nation, from establishing market gardens and small businesses to participating in significant infrastructure projects and nationwide politics. The museum highlighted notable figures and everyday heroes alike, showcasing their lasting impact on Australian society.
The excursion concluded with a guided tour of Chinatown. As the students walked through the vibrant streets, they were impressed by the sophisticated designs and bright colours of the traditional Chinese architecture. The guide explained the significance of various architectural elements, such as the symbolic lion statues that protected many buildings. These designs, the students learned, are not just aesthetically pleasing but also carry deep cultural and historical meanings.
This excursion provided students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese history and its influence on Australian culture. Students not only gained knowledge about historical events but also developed a greater respect for the contributions and resilience of the Chinese Australian community, encouraging students to explore further and appreciate the multicultural heritage of their country.
Scarlett Zhang
Chinese Coordinator
This year the VCE German students pushed their German skills to new levels by attending the Model German United Nations Mock Conference to engage in debates, draft resolutions and collaborate with teams from other Victorian schools. Representing the Philippines and Costa Rica, they researched their country’s position on environmental issues related to the oceans and presented their speech to a big audience in an environment simulating the UN. In a kind and encouraging environment, the students explored diverse viewpoints and negotiated with others to find common ground.
Team Philippines bravely put forth a proposal for a change to the mock constitution, leading to a passionate debate among the students representing their individual countries. This cultural immersion not only enhances language skills but also broadens students’ horizons and provides a platform to practice and refine their oral skills in a fun and engaging way whilst making them more empathetic and informed global citizens.
Reflections from Team Philippines and Team Costa Rica:
Taking part in the German Model United Nations conference was an amazing opportunity that not only significantly improved our German speaking and presentation skills but also helped to refine our critical thinking and improvisation skills. Albeit intense and quite nerve-wracking, the program pushed us outside of our comfort zones, urging us to implement the vocabulary learned inside the classroom in a real-life setting. It was really empowering to meet other students just as passionate about German, because at the end of the day we are all students exploring the German language — making mistakes and picking ourselves up. We learned new terms and phrases linked to global issues and the UN – for example ‘Guten Morgen, sehr geehrte Frau Generalsekretärin und sehr geehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen.’ By the end of the day, we had nearly forgotten what English sounded like!
Team Costa Rica – Sarah Z, Atara P, Hannah L
Participating in the German Model United Nations Conference has been a great way to improve our speaking skills. Speaking in German with fluency and clarity was vital to being understood by other students on the day of the conference, as well as improvisation and thinking on the spot. Having the opportunity to speak in front of other German students was also helpful in building confidence, as it was a very non-judgemental space – we were all learning together.
Team Philippines – Emily K, Aashi S, Elysia W
Ingrid Beck
German Teacher
On Tuesday 30 July, an eager netball team of Year 9 and 10 students travelled to Jubilee Park Stadium to participate in the Netball Victoria School Championships.
Camberwell Girls Grammar School competed in the Inter Girls Division – Pool 1, against 8 other schools from across regional and metro Victoria. There were 9 games to be played against some very tough opposition including Peninsula Grammar, Padua College and Elisabeth Murdoch College. We were very fortunate that the sun was shining for the outside games, and we were able to play indoors also.
Our team, Mara V, Emily W, Chloe W, Christina W, Angelique Q, Charlotte H, Emily C, Anthea V, Sass L, Georgie G and Zara D, displayed excellent team cohesion, high levels of communication, along with a lot of fun.
A very big thank you to Mia Graham, old Grammarian who was our school umpire for the day.
Well done to the team, you represented the School strongly.
Alexia McConnell
Netball Program Coordinator
The Melbourne Youth Orchestra Winter School offers the opportunity for talented student musicians to work with some of Victoria’s leading educators and conductors. Focus is placed on daily rehearsals and specialist workshops within a collaborative atmosphere. The week concludes with a showcase concert series for family and friends in the Iwaki Auditorium in the Southbank Precinct.
This year’s five-day immersive program took place at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music during the July holidays. Year 11 students, Noni M (Trumpet) and Angela L (Percussion), were thrilled to be accepted into the MYO program and participated in the Advanced Symphonic Band Program. They worked alongside students from across Victoria to enrich their instrumental, musicianship and critical ensemble skills. Nonie and Angela enjoyed the shared experience of performing to a live audience and appreciated the opportunity to make new friendships with like-minded musicians.
Attending MYO Winter School over the holidays was a great way to extend my ensemble skills outside of a school setting and produce high quality music with people I’d never met before. The MYO program was filled with so much learning and fun, and we were also lucky enough to have members of the Australian Navy Band join us for one of our rehearsals. Overall, it was an amazing learning experience and we had so much fun, finishing the week off with a showcase of our pieces we had worked on. Angela L
Kate Savige & Rohan Mack
Directors of Music
Each year, as part of our inter-faith efforts, we conduct an exchange with Australian International Academy (AIA), to build friendship, and develop our understanding of the religions of Islam and Christianity.
This year 10A and 10B travelled to AIA. During our two hours at the school AIA staff and students spoke about the fundamentals of the Muslim tradition and answered questions. Our students were grateful for the opportunity to speak openly about questions of faith. When asked what they had learnt, a frequent comment was “at first, it looked like we were from different worlds but as we got to know the students from AIA, we realised that we have so much in common”.
Helen Creed
School Chaplain
Last Friday night was indeed a night to remember.
With an early departure from school to accommodate appointments and preparation for the evening, it was with much anticipation that we awaited the arrival of students and their guests at Studley Grounds for the Year 11 Soiree.
After introductions and photographs, students were quick to get on the dance floor where they remained for almost the entire evening. Finger food and drinks were served throughout the event and a short break in proceedings for awards, provided some relief for tired feet.
Awards up for grabs included Brightest Dress, Cutest Couple and Most Pampered Feet. Some lucky door prizes were also won and a special shout out to Chloe S and Claire K for organising and emceeing on the evening.
With spectacular fashion, incredible nail art and fabulous footwear, the Year 11 cohort certainly enjoyed the opportunity to get ‘glammed up’ and dance the night away.
I would like to thank all CGGS students and guests for their exemplary behaviour and infectious enjoyment and enthusiasm which had every member of staff dancing and singing along with them. A memorable event and one that will be looked back on as a highlight of the VCE journey.
Nareen Robinson
Year 11 Coordinator
