Centenary Founders’ Service

It was exciting and heart-warming to be able to hold our Centenary Founders’ Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday 5 May. We were honoured to have The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne in attendance to help us give thanks, along with The Venerable Greg Allinson, Vicar of St Mark’s Camberwell & Archdeacon of Kew, old grammarian Reverend Amanda Lyons (2003), who was the guest preacher, Dr Barbara Fary OAM, past principal & Murrundindi. Due to density restrictions, we were not able to take the whole school to the Cathedral, but the service brought together current students and staff from Years 10 – 12; old grammarians; past and current School Council Members, Life Governors and other treasured members of our CGGS community. The theme of the service was based on a line from the school hymn ‘with grateful hearts and unafraid’. Reverend Lyons offered an encouraging sermon on this theme that was warmly received by all and included some of her recollections of being at CGGS. It was lovely to hear Miss Val Dyke (1962) read one of her favourite Psalms, Psalm 100.

At the beginning of the service three candles were lit to represent the past, present and future of the school. These were lit by old grammarian Roma Drummond OAM (Brunt, 1943), with Lois Brunt (Radnell, 1950); Eloise Webster and Ashley Olsen, School Vice-Captains and Dr Nikita Weickhardt, Chair of School Council.

The Service included the premiere of a new version of the School Anthem, commissioned by the Music Department for the centenary year, based on the words of the prophet Micah. The beautiful sounds of the student choir, accompanied by the Centenary Student Orchestra filled the Cathedral and inspired us to “do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.”

We also heard a series of moving reflections, from current and past students, on the topic: “What does CGGS mean to me?” These were presented by Charlotte Kutey (Yr 12) – on behalf of Mrs Roma Drummond; Emily Foo (Yr 6) & her mother and past student Selina Chan (1990); Claire Robertson (Yr 12) and Archdeacon Greg Allinson, who spoke passionately about the Christian identity of the school. It was remarkable to hear similar heart-felt stories about how much students have appreciated and lived out the values of the school across many generations!  As Mrs Drummond said: “How good to be able to admire all the years past. It is a school that I feel has at its heart care and thoughtfulness for others. This has never faded.”

It was a truly beautiful day of celebration.

Reverend Helen Creed
School Chaplain

Mother’s Day Breakfast

The Parents & Friends Association was delighted to welcome many CGGS mums, grandmothers, godmothers, mother-figures and daughters to the 2021 Mother’s Day Breakfast. With this popular event cancelled last year, the morning was a wonderful time for the CGGS community to gather and celebrate the wonderful women in our lives.

A special Mother’s Day gift was given on arrival and all guests had the opportunity to have their photo taken in front of a beautiful flower wall. School Captains Sophia Giagoudakis and Eloise Webster welcomed the guests before a delicious breakfast from Pinwheel & Co was served. Some guests were also the lucky recipients of a spot prize from our event supporters The Ark Clothing Company, Coconut Bowls and Musellie.

The PFA was pleased that so many members of the community were able to attend and celebrate this very special day.