Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we have enjoyed many functions to celebrate the beginning of the school year, I would like to thank our parent volunteers and attendees for their support and for continuing to foster an engaged and welcoming Camberwell Girls parent community. Our Junior School picnic last Friday night was also another very joyful occasion, and I would like to thank our Community Engagement team who also work behind the scenes to ensure successful events.

Last week I travelled to Canberra to join 300 school principals, along with school and system leaders from across Australia at the National Education Forum – The Changing Landscape.  With a Federal election in the near future, we heard from politicians, journalists and analysts about important issues for Independent Schools. 

As Principals and leaders, we are committed to a strong system where our students are afforded a relevant education and family choice is protected.  In our commitment to excellence in education across all sectors (independent, catholic and government), there are many examples of where educators work and learn together, unlike the oppositional stories often focussed on in the media. I will certainly keep you updated on relevant developments in this space.

Throughout the forum presenters spoke about the importance of the delivery of research- informed programs to Australian students. At Camberwell Girls, as we analyse student and parent feedback each year, we also review the intentional design of our teaching, learning and wellbeing programs. 

Camberwell Girls has a history of implementing effective instructional practices to support learning. Science of Learning and Reading research and practices underpin our literacy programs in Junior School, with systematic reading instruction, including phonics, implemented in 2019 and explicit writing instruction shortly afterwards. Our close connections with leading universities, including Harvard’s Graduate School of Education (Project Zero Idea into Action Eco Toolkit and Reach Projects) and The University of Melbourne (New Metrics Project) provide us with opportunities to participate as research-practice partners, with associated projects lead by our Director of Learning Design and Development, Dr Charlotte Forwood.

This is also the case with our research-informed wellbeing programs from Early Learning through to Year 12 outlined in our 360⁰ of Being program. Camberwell Girls is a well-recognised leader in this area with our Head of Senior School, Kath Woolcock, leading the Respectful Relationships Network including local independent, catholic and government schools in our area since 2017.

Based on our community feedback we have also continued to intentionally develop our Upskill Program for Years 7 to 12. In addition to our normal timetabled curriculum, there are many programs throughout the year that we are mandated to include by both State and Federal bodies. There are also important components of a worthwhile education that we need to offer our students to develop their skills, capabilities and mindsets to prepare them for their personal and professional lives. This year, we have seen the addition of a range of technology programs as well as a range of Senior School Masterclasses that take several forms including workshops, lectures or collaborative activities.

By intentionally designing deeper learning opportunities in our Upskill Program there are less disruptions to our timetabled subject classes, enabling more effective delivery.

We are proud that Camberwell Girls has a reputation as an innovator in the design of curriculum and wellbeing programs. It is our responsibility to prepare our students for their engagement in a changing world that has it’s challenges and also presents many opportunities.

With best wishes,

Debbie Dunwoody
Principal