Principal

When I am asked what keeps me awake at night, the answer is always clear; it’s about how we continue to provide the very best education for our students so that they will thrive in our transforming world.

Our Junior School students, Generation Alpha, and our Secondary School students, Generation Z, are more digitally and globally connected than any previous generation. They are growing up in a time of extraordinary technological change, including the increasing presence of artificial intelligence, and in a world of work that will continue to evolve throughout their lives. It is vital for them to develop the transferable skills, habits and dispositions to adapt and contribute with confidence. Professional communities value strong communication and collaboration skills, professionals who demonstrate initiative and think critically and those able to persist and adapt when faced with challenges. At Camberwell Girls we are committed to this purpose.

There is no doubt that we deeply value the richness of subject disciplines. At the same time, we know that contemporary education must deliberately create opportunities for students to practise and demonstrate the transferrable skills that they will need beyond school. Our students need both and this is the purpose of our Upskill program into our academic subjects.

Upskill is predominantly a Secondary School program and is now being developed to introduce into Years 5 and 6.  It provides meaningful opportunities for students to explore wellbeing, careers, service, financial literacy, leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and life skills in ways that are relevant to their age. Importantly, it also connects learning with the people, challenges and opportunities of the world beyond the classroom through authentic experiences and partnerships with university, community and industry experts.

Ms Emma Perrett, our Head of Upskill, works closely with staff, students and external partners to ensure that each Upskill day is purposeful, coherent and connected to our broader learning vision. I am very grateful for the thoughtful work that sits behind the design and delivery of this program, and for the many staff and partners who contribute to these rich learning experiences.

The 2026 Upskill Vision also provides a clearer way to understand this journey through three developmental stages: SPARK, ILLUMINATE and ASPIRE.

• SPARK, for Years 5 and 6, is where curiosity sparks confidence, connection and growth. In these final years of Junior School, students explore their strengths and begin to see themselves as capable, independent learners whose voice and actions matter. A pilot example includes Service Learning activities through making handmade gifts for organisations such as Big Group Hug.
  
  
• ILLUMINATE, for Years 7 to 9, is where identity strengthens, purpose grows and capability takes shape. During these important Middle School years, students are supported to build resilience, confidence and self-awareness, while expanding their skills through real-world challenges, collaboration, digital capability, service and ethical leadership. Students have been coding Ozobots to investigate renewable energy with the State Electricity Commission.  They have also learnt coding in Python, designed sustainable miniature treehouses in the MakerSpace and developed practical skills in the kitchen.  In focussing on the World of Work, Year 9 students have explored visual merchandising, hospitality, food handling certification as well as developing their resumés, job applications and practising their interview skills in mock interviews.
  
  
• ASPIRE, for Years 10 to 12, is where purpose leads, leadership grows and futures take flight. In the Senior School years, students translate identity into direction and capability into purposeful action, preparing for life beyond school with increasing independence, clarity, resilience and confidence. In partnership with HEX, students have completed tailored learning modules that build creativity, adaptability and problem-solving skills as well as a number opting to complete additional credentials issued by the University of Sydney that are transferrable to other universities.  Service Learning activities have enabled students to make valuable community contributions, and our Year 12 students have gained important exposure to areas including transition to tertiary requirements, financial literacy, careers pathways and everyday legal matters such as workplace rights, contracts and renting.

As parents, you will know that education today must prepare young people for more than a single pathway or a fixed future. It is preparation for life.  Our role in partnership is to help students develop the knowledge, skills, values and confidence to adapt, contribute and lead with purpose throughout their lives. Upskill is one very important way we are prioritising this at Camberwell Girls.

With best wishes

Debbie Dunwoody
Principal