This year, CGGS once again hosted the Interschool Chess Tournament for Girls. This annual event was well-attended by many students from schools across Victoria. The schools were:
Glen Waverly Primary School
MLC
Glendal Primary School
Mount View Primary School
Balwyn North Primary School
PLC
Ballarat Clarendon
Essex Heights Primary School
Toorak Primary School
Camelot Rise Primary School
Over 100 students participated in the tournament and Camberwell Girls Grammar School was well represented on the day. Ormiston has been hosting this event for over 20 years and I would like to thank Chess Ideas who we partner with for supporting us to put on such a successful tournament each year. Congratulations to the following Ormiston students who participated in the tournament:
Olivia L
Audrey S
Caroline C
Theresa W
Estelle K
Ajab Z
Angela W
Sherise T
This week our Junior School Assembly inducted our new Student Council members for Semester Two. It was a pleasure to see many families join us for this special occasion in the Junior School Hall. Badges were handed out to the following students:
Year 1 – Chloe V
Year 2 – Madison A
Year 3 – Rubyrose G
Year 4 – Elsa L
Year 5G – Claire Z
Year 5S – Cecilia Y
We look forward to Student Council undertaking various service-learning projects for the remainder of this year.
Paul Donohue
Head of Junior School
This term has seen the Early Learning 3 children engrossed in dramatic role play as chefs cooking up a storm, baristasserving thirsty customers and attendants counting and assisting others in a Greengrocer. Aprons are adorned each morning and the children negotiate roles and gather around the registers and market stand to welcome customers. Learning experiences to support this creative role play are emerging with the children, with various aspects of inquiry weaving its way into the program.
The children worked with focus and concentration as they used clay to represent the fruits and vegetables that they love and could be grown and sold in a greengrocer. These experiences provide opportunities to express their learning and thinking as they manipulate, mould and share in dialogue.
We dug out and harvested last seasons potatoes that were growing in the garden, thinking about how fruit and vegetables grow and end up on our plates.
Mrs Jacqui – I wonder how the potatoes grew in the garden?
Liam – Water
Anne – The seeds
Xena – The rain
Tashi – The soil
Elsa – Sun
Jeslyn – The rain waters them
Liam – Then you wash them
Charlotte – Cook them
A greengrocer and café has formed the foundations of learning in relation to literacy and numeracy concepts, how food grows and ends up on our table, as well as supporting rich social interactions and learning through imaginative and creative role play scenarios. The children’s engagement in these experiences explored so far has encouraged many learning opportunities and we are eager to see where our journey through food will continue to take us.
Jacqui Laird
Early Learning 3 Teacher
Year 5 French classes have been learning clothing and colours and practising the vocabulary with quizlet and oral games. The students then put this language together to describe different outfits and worked on creating a Fashion parade together. In pairs, they described what their partner was wearing on the ‘catwalk’. There was a lot of colour and a penchant for accessories.
Joanne Rittey
Head of Languages and French Teacher
In Week 3, our Foundation students celebrated their 100th day of school. It was a big milestone and the students were brimming with pride. They were so excited to arrive at school to see the classrooms decorated for Milo the Monkey’s surprise party. This linked to our Literacy program and was the culmination of learning all of the single letter names and sounds. On this special day we acknowledged all of the learning and growth that has taken place since the start of the year. There were many fun activities that took place throughout the day, including our Year 5 Buddies helping us to complete a ‘Harry Hippo Hunt’ and our Year 6 Leaders demonstrating how to make a party hat. Having completed 100 Days at school, the Foundation students were able to reflect positively on the friendships they have formed, the knowledge they have gained, and the challenges they have overcome. This day serves as a joyful reminder of the journey of learning and the bright future that lies ahead.
Selena Reedman & Mikaela Stanaway
Foundation Classroom Teachers
Last week, our Year 4 students had an unforgettable excursion to the Melbourne Zoo, where they experienced a perfect blend of education and adventure. The day began with a hands-on educational session, designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the animal kingdom. Under the guidance of knowledgeable educators, the students engaged in explorative activities, learning about various species and their habitats.
One of the highlights of the day was the keeper talk about the magnificent snow leopards. Students were captivated as they learned about the elusive big cats, their behaviour, and conservation efforts. The zookeeper’s passion was evident and the students were enthralled, eagerly absorbing every piece of information.
The excitement didn’t stop there. The students had the unique opportunity to walk through the lemur enclosure, getting up close with these lively creatures. The lemurs’ playful antics and curious nature delighted the students, who observed them with wide-eyed wonder. It was a truly immersive experience that allowed the children to connect with the animals in a meaningful way.
Throughout the day, the students demonstrated remarkable engagement. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they asked insightful questions, reflecting their keen interest and eagerness to learn. Whether inquiring about animal diets, behaviours, or conservation, their questions showcased their curiosity and understanding.
Adding to the joy of the excursion, the weather was perfect. The beautiful sunny day provided an ideal backdrop for exploring Melbourne Zoo’s lush landscapes and diverse exhibits. The combination of sunshine and the vibrant atmosphere of the zoo made for a truly memorable experience.
The Year 4 excursion was an educational journey that inspired and informed our young learners. Their active participation and interest highlighted the success of the day, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating the next adventure.
Anjali de Quadros
Year 4 Classroom Teacher
This term, Year 6 has been learning about migration and the impact of immigration on Australian society. The students have been analysing and applying visual literacy understandings of Shaun Tan’s book ‘The Arrival’. This text outlines the complexity of the immigration journey faced by many around the world. Last Monday, Year 6 students ventured to the Immigration Museum to learn about the many stories of Australian migrants.
I loved learning about how people left their homes to come to Australia for different purposes. I have been to the Immigration Museum before, but it was great to research and find out more on the topic. It was a fun experience, and I enjoyed learning about the history of Australia. – Kyla
On Monday the 5th of August, we went to the immigration museum to learn more about migration stories from Australians through different time periods. I found it extremely fascinating to learn about some skin-of-your-teeth stories of how some refugees barely made it through treacherous journeys across land and sea. Most went by ship until the invention of aeroplanes, but some journeys were by foot and tiny boats crammed with other desperate people hoping to find a better life. I really enjoyed the experience and learning about immigration. – Quynh
We visited the Immigration Museum and explored about our country’s history and relations with migrants. We discovered the process of immigration and experienced the dictation test and analysed immigration interviews. We acknowledged different push and pull factors of immigration. I hope all the refugees could be saved and wish there’s fewer natural disasters harming people in the future for a safe and peaceful world. – Sabrina
Jasvindar Gill & Margaret Hall
Year 6 Classroom Teachers
In Music class this term, our Early Learning 4 students have been learning about the four sections that make up a Symphony Orchestra. On Thursday 8th August, EL4 students and some of talented Year 6 students came together in our beautiful Chapel to experience instruments from each of these families. They heard the Violin and Cello from the String family, Flute, Oboe and Clarinet from the Woodwind family, Trumpet and Trombone from the Brass family and Snare Durm, Glockenspiel and Bass Drum from the Percussion family.
I like the woodwind family. It makes me calm. I like the clarinet. It makes me feel happy – Roma
I like the glockenspiel because it makes a twinkle sound – Natasha
I like the string family because I like the sound. It’s soft. The violin makes me feel happy – Giselle
The students learnt how important and necessary our senses are to play a musical instrument, as well as using these senses to watch and listen to the music being performed. How the instrument worked and how to play it was also shared. Year 6 Students performed short individual solos and sectional solos to a captivated group of young listeners who recognised the music, sometimes singing along.
The role of the conductor was also discussed. Students had the opportunity to be the conductor, of starting and stopping the orchestra, making the orchestra play loud and soft, or fast and slow.
It was a very special afternoon having our youngest and oldest Ormiston students come together to celebrate the art of music making and we are very grateful to the following Year 6 students who made it possible: Ivy X, Kyla C, Ada L, Quynh B, Madeline L, Stephanie M, Gloria L.
Nichole Adams
Junior School Music Teacher
This week at Ormiston we recognised the National Week of Action Against Bullying. This year’s theme was “Everyone Belongs to encourage students to embracing who they are, respecting everyone’s differences and standing up together against unkindness”. As part of this week, our Junior School Events and Social Service Leaders spoke about the importance of spreading kindness and thinking before speaking to ensure everyone feels accepted and respected at school. The leaders reminded students to use the THINK acronym to consider the following before speaking:
T – Is it true?
H – Is it helpful?
I – Is it inspiring?
N- Is it necessary?
K – Is it kind?
Our Year 4 students partook in an e-Safety Webinar from the Office of the E-Safety Commissioner, with a focus on the importance of belonging to communities, connecting with others safely and being positive online. The sessions reminded students of the importance of replicating the same values online and offline, the importance of being an Upstander when they see unkind or unhelpful interactions online and protecting themselves online by setting strong passphrases and speaking with a trusted adult if something worries them.
Emma Hinchliffe
Deputy Head of Junior School and Year 4 Literacy Teacher
