The 2021 Father’s Day Challenge a HUGE success!

The PFA and CGGS Dads Group were delighted to see so many entries from junior and senior school families in the Father’s Day Challenge, held at the end of last term.

It was lovely to see dads and their children having fun with the Challenge, laughing and being active together.

Participants from junior and senior school were very creative with their activities. Some of these included: skipping competitions, bike races, netball and basketball goal shooting games, cook-offs, dance-offs, Lego building, Chess and Boggle games, backyard hockey, Mario Kart and board games, longest handstand, frisbee throwing and a speed milk drinking competition.

Results were very close for both groups this year.

The winners of both the 2021 Junior School and the 2021 Senior School Dad and Daughter Challenge Cup were….

THE DAUGHTERS

Congratulations!

We look forward to awarding the both the 2021 Junior and 2021 Senior School Cups to the girls when the community can once again come together.

Old Grammarians join Science Week

This week was National Science Week, and the students were very fortunate to have two old grammarians, both Engineers, join the Senior School Assembly to answer their questions.

Margaret Alousis (1994) and Caroline Rowland (2001), zoomed in to speak all things Engineering.

One of the first questions asked of Margaret and Caroline was the subjects studied at school to advance to Engineering. Both Margaret and Caroline said that subjects in the sciences and maths fields are important, but Caroline also said that her CGGS music teacher’s advice was to do subjects that you are interested in so that you enjoy studying.

Margaret went on to say that an Engineering degree is versatile, and the skills learned can be applied to a wide variety of jobs, careers and positions and the scope is limitless.

Engineering is a combination between science and maths and being creative. Problem solving is at the core of Engineering and Engineers look to designing, building, creating and inventing to reach these solutions.

Caroline started her career as a technical engineer and now Engineering has taken her to a field in business development, marketing and strategy.

We thank both Margaret and Caroline, (with newborn baby in arms) for their time and sharing their knowledge with the science class.

Cure Lockdown Fatigue

Just as we were dusting ourselves off and tentatively venturing out into the world again, we were thrust back into the uncertainty of lockdown. While we try to remain optimistic, it is equally understandable to feel despondent and bored.

While the Parents and Friends Association is currently limited in ways to engage the school community, we hope the following suggested unique lockdown activities engage your curiosity and alleviate lockdown fatigue and boredom.

Camp Out
You may not be able to travel further than your backyard, so why not recreate the camping experience in your backyard or balcony? Pitch a tent, tell ghost stories, toast marshmallows. The good news is pets are welcome and you can go inside if it starts raining.

Melbourne International Film Festival from your couch
The Melbourne International Film Festival brings you a selection of global cinema’s most scintillating films – available to view right from your couch.

Join Museum Victoria for their Virtual National Science Week Program
This year, Museums Victoria is bringing you a program packed with STEM and science research through online events, social media takeovers and challenges, in-depth stories and the chance to vote for Victoria’s State Fossil Emblem.

From now until August 22, you can tune in to one of the online events and learn from museum scientists and experts.

Take a Virtual Trip to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
At sunset every night, the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins waddle up Phillip Island’s floodlit beaches to their homes. As visitors are unable to enjoy this natural phenomenon in person at the moment, the penguins will be brought to you right in your home.

Set up a treasure hunt
Treasure hunts are pretty easy, and depending on how many items there are, could last a while. Hide 10 to 20 items around the house or outside to keep kids occupied for a few hours. To make it more fun, draw a treasure map, and place messages with clues around each item to help find the next item.

Bring Melbourne Zoo’s animals into your home
Bring the zoo to life from the three Melbourne Zoo locations with live cams, keeper talks and other virtual updates.

Order at home meal kits from top Melbourne restaurants
Bring the experience of a restaurant home and cook with the family with these heat-and-eat meals that make dinner easy and fun.

Listen to amazing Podcasts
Lockdown can get a little tiring, so keep your mind sharp with this list of must-listen podcasts.

Paint and Sip – relaxing at home online activity
Find a well-lit space in your home to set up your painting station, gather some painting materials, enjoy your favourite beverage and discover your creative side.

Make your own Bubble Tea with DIY Kits
Grabbing a bubble tea might not feel like an essential reason to leave your house, but fear not, the team at Naröcha have got you covered. The CBD-based tea room is now selling DIY bubble tea packages fo you to concoct and sip at home.

Inspiring Women of CGGS

Last week we were so thrilled to be able to host the Inaugural Inspiring Women Ceremony at school to officially honour our 18 inspiring women.

The Inspiring Women program established in our Centenary year was designed to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contribution made by women affiliated with Camberwell Girls Grammar School since its inception. Our intention is to honour women each year, with 100 honourees in total to acknowledge the 100 year history of the school.

Below is a list of the inspiring women honoured and their graduating year.

Ms Sarah Boyd (1998)

Prof Louise Brearley Messer AM (1957)

Ms Linda Bull (1985)

Ms Vika Bull (1983)

Colonel Michelle Campbell (1988)

Dr Evelyn Chan (2003)

Mrs Roma Drummond OAM (1943)

Dr Jackie Graham (1989)

Ms Frankie Layton (2006)

Mrs Bronwyn Lincoln (1981)

Ms Emma Race (1993)

Mrs Wendy Rainbird (1959)

Dr Julia Rhyder (2005)

Miss Margaret Schofield OAM (posthumous) (1931)

Ms Kate Sommerville (1988)

Mrs Jenny Vadiveloo (1982)

Mrs Noel Waite AO (1945)

The Reverend Doctor Raewynne J. Whiteley (1984)

Our CGGS Inspiring Women honourees will serve as a reminder of the inspiring women connected to the school and their profiles will inspire our current students. Their biographies now hang on a prominent wall at the school for all to see.

We congratulate our inaugural Inspiring Women.

The 2021 honourees will be announced shortly, to read more about the women honoured for 2020 and to nomination for 2022 click the button below.

Event Postponement

Due to the current lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the CGGS Centenary Gala.

While we know this is disappointing, especially for those who purchased tickets, we hope you understand this is a necessary step to help keep each other safe in these unprecedented times. Ticket holders have received an email today with details regarding refunds.

We will reschedule this event to take place in 2022 and will communicate a new date.

We’d like to thank all our silent auction supporters who came forward to help create what would have been a fantastic evening, they are listed below.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kate Daffy in the school’s Foundation Office.

Contact
Kate Daffy
Community Programs & Events Coordinator
daffyk@cggs.vic.edu.au

JOIN US AT THE EVENT OF THE CENTURY!

We hope you will join us as it will be a magical evening of celebration, entertainment and commemorating 100 years of our fine school!

DETAILS
Saturday 31 July 2021
6.30pm – 11.00pm
Leonda by the Yarra

TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT AN EARLY BIRD PRICE!

Early Bird Pricing available until Friday 25 June 2021.

Individual tickets $195
Tables of 10 $1850

We encourage you all to make your ticket bookings by close of business Friday to ensure you benefit from the discounted ticket price. Everyone who purchases at the Early Bird price will automatically go into the draw to win some great prizes.

There will be two lucky winners!

GOLDEN TICKET WINNERS

We are thrilled to announce some of the winners of the Golden Ticket promotion!

Ellie Li in Grade 2 received a Golden Ticket for her parents! Hanna Lindsay in Grade 4 also received one for her parents! Charlotte Pang in Year 7 was third lucky winner!

Year Level Social Gatherings

The recent lockdown lead to many Year Level Rep activities being postponed. As the restrictions eased, the Year 9 Reps were able to hold Sunday afternoon drinks at a local bar.

In accordance with the Victorian Government regulations, Year 9 parents enjoyed a relaxing afternoon socialising with each other. Many of the postponed year level events will be rescheduled in Term 3.

Look out for emails from your Reps and for event details in the Junior and Senior School Weeklies.

Celebrating our CGGS Parent Volunteers!

The Parents and Friends Association was proud to celebrate our wonderful CGGS parent volunteers during National Volunteers Week.

The PFA would not operate without volunteers as committee members, year level reps and/or event helpers. We acknowledge the time and commitment they give to cook sausages at a BBQ, decorate a venue for a PFA function, serve food and refreshments to guests, organise year level events, assist in the Second Hand Uniform Shop, provide icy poles and cakes at sporting events, assist with fundraising projects and/or as PFA Committee members.

During the recent PFA Annual General Meeting, we welcomed parents from both junior and senior school to the PFA Committee.

2021 PFA COMMITTEE

PFA Executive

President – Rob Webster (SS)

Vice President – Terry McAleenan (SS)

Secretary – Krys Pekin (SS)

Treasurer – Jeremy Khaw (JS)

PFA General Committee Members

Jo Ellingworth (SS)

Patricia Stocca (SS)

Jenni Webster (SS)

Jennifer Bignold (SS)

Meredith Spencer-Jones (SS)

Cindy Wong (JS & SS)

Ray Barmby (SS)

Fiona Nicholson-Stocker (JS)

Viv Noffs (SS)

Sakthi Navaneetharaja (JS)

Fiona Robertson (SS)

The PFA is extremely grateful for the significant contribution and vital role every volunteer undertakes to help the PFA serve the CGGS Community. We look forward to supporting the school with our new committee by continuing to friendraise at events and fundraise to purchase items for the school.

For more information about the PFA or to register to volunteer, please contact Susannah Jepson, Community Relationships Coordinator on jepsons@cggs.vic.edu.au

Old Grammarians visiting CGGS

Iman Balla (2014)

Last week, in our Senior School Assembly, we were privileged to hear from Iman Balla, 2014 CGGS School Captain. Iman was invited to share her reflections on her time at school and the journey she has taken since graduating.

Iman generously prepared three videos to share with the CGGS community, each on a distinct topic. The first video was shared in our assembly on May 18 and the remaining two will be used as part of our Career Education program later in the term. In assembly, Iman shared her perspectives and experiences as a Muslim woman attending an Anglican school. She highlighted the warm and welcoming nature of the CGGS community and expressed gratitude for the education she received around Christian traditions and the Anglican faith, explaining that these lessons have helped to broaden her understanding and better appreciate the role that spirituality and religion plays in people’s lives. Iman also shared some advice with our students, stressing the importance of being proud of who you are and where you have come from. Iman’s messages were powerful and complimented the themes and activities held across last week’s CGGS Diversity Week, which is a significant event in our school calendar.

Thanking Our Volunteers

Over the years many people have contributed to the development of the historical archives in the school through donations of items, photographs, uniforms and so on. We have volunteers who have a strong association with the school who tirelessly give of their time to assist with keeping the donated items in order and in good condition. Josephine Atkinson (1970), Lois Brunt (1950) and Barbara Richmond (1950) donated many hours of their time over the past years in assisting with cataloguing and identification of historical photographs.

Last week we were delighted to host a morning tea to thank them for their time and dedication to the school and the archives. Mrs Dunwoody, along with past Head of Junior School, Glenda Bushell, six of our senior students, and current archivist Marian Jenkinson, shared stories with Josephine, Lois and Barbara about the similarities and differences of school life. Lois recalled the father’s coming in on weekends to dig air raid trenches across the school grounds during WWII and the girl’s having drills to practice getting to the trenches quickly and having to bite on a rubber disc as part of their training. She also discussed the fact that many of the girls rode bikes to school, with Barbara adding that she and her best friend would go riding along the river and through the parks on the weekend, making sure to get home before dark.

Our current students recounted to our visitors what is was like for them to study during lockdown and how they have enjoyed being back at school this year, as well as their ambitions for the future. It was a wonderful exchange of ideas between generations and our visitors were delighted to meet the girls and spend some time with them. Afterwards our visitors spent time in the archives office looking at some new archival projects. We thank them most sincerely and we look forward to welcoming them back again soon to assist with these.

In Conversation with Caitlin Kuo (2020)

Last week we were delighted to have former student Caitlin Kuo (2020) join her sister Megan and the Year 11 English Language class. Caitlin is currently studying Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University. After Megan observed many similarities in the content of Caitlin’s studies and the English Language course that she is currently studying, Caitlin joined the class for an intimate in-conversation event.

Head over to the Senior School section of this edition of CamNews to read about this intimate and insightful event.