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.