At CGGS we have long understood the interplay and important link between happiness, fulfilment, wellbeing and academic success. Through our wellbeing framework, 3600 of Being, we create an environment where all members of our community can prioritise personal and collective wellbeing. Our students are at the heart of this, designing and leading whole school initiatives that inspire, provoke, and create space for students and staff to explore wellbeing and transfer this experience into action.
Our recent celebration of CamberWELL and Book Week have been powerful examples of student led initiatives that provide meaningful experiences for our community. This year, the School Wellbeing and Literature Captains, supported by our Pride Presidents, School Sport Captain and GSV Captains, provided a week of activities designed to enhance our understanding of wellbeing and the links between reading, physical activity, self-care and play. Throughout the week the school has been buzzing with many initiatives designed to foster connection and creativity.
The week commenced with the Gift-Get-Grow Affirmations Activity, inviting students to write uplifting affirmations that could be shared with our community. Tuesday’s highlight was Book Day, where students and staff paraded imaginative costumes and Ms Ford’s therapy dogs, Ollie and Prim, brought furry comfort during lunch. Assembly celebrated the House Readers Cup winners and we congratulate Lawrence on being crowned this year’s winner. Later in the week, our Library hosted Indigenous artist Gregg Dreise, the multi-talented Indigenous author, illustrator, artist, musician and songwriter, who reflected on his journey and experiences throughout his career. Finally, today’s agenda featured the Wear-It-Purple Finger-Painting Mural, championing LGBTQIA+ advocacy, followed by the spirited Staff vs. Students Volleyball Competition, promoting physical wellbeing and camaraderie.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the huge team of students and staff who worked together to ensure CamberWELL and Book Week were a valuable and joyful experience for our community.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Kate Giles
Head of Middle School
Book Week has provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our strong reading culture at CGGS and Tuesday’s dress up day was certainly a highlight. Staff and students alike enjoyed creating their outfits and guessing each other’s character. Jaya and Siena, our Literature Captains captured photos of best dressed individual costumes as well as group themed costumes. The staff enjoyed a Bookweek morning tea provided by the Library team and gathered together to choose the best dressed.
In Assembly Jaya and Siena awarded prizes as well and announced the winner of the House Readers Cup 2023 – Lawrence. Students were recognised for most books read and best reviews. The Library also hosted a book sale providing the opportunity to purchase second hand books. All proceeds from the book sale and costume day will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Happy reading everyone.
Anne Devenish
Head of Library
Week 5 saw the Year 9 cohort venture down to the Mornington Peninsula for their week long Year Level camp at UC Merricks Lodge. Monday was all about setting the scene, settling into the accommodation, meeting the leaders and forming an identity as an activity group and the wider year level community. Each group created a tribal flag to carry on all activities and this simple act started the week with a bonding moment.
The week included a range of activities that also extended individual students’ comfort zones and skills, as well as challenges as a group. Activities included mountain boarding, crate stacking, yoga, tree climb and overnight hike and camp out. The bay walk was also a highlight, as well as the local community service planting indigenous plants around Balnarring. Murrundindi also supported the camp experience by joining the students for a day at camp. It was an immensely enjoyable week and the Year 9s stepped up to the challenges and opportunities with great grit and positivity. We hope you enjoy some of the student reflections below.
In the weeks leading up to camp, I was a bundle of nerves. Although it was my second term, it was still a new experience and it meant being with my schoolmates for the whole week which left me feeling a bit uncertain. However, once I stepped onto the campsite, the week flew by. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to the camp coordinators because I had so much fun hanging out with my friends and making new friends along the way. The night activities organised by Mrs Litchfield were a fantastic way to finish each day and now I can look back at all these memories fondly as my first CGGS camp – Hilary F, Year 9
During our week at Merricks Lodge, the Year 9 cohort enjoyed facing many new and exciting challenges. My highlights included the beautiful views from the Bushrangers Bay walk, climbing to new heights on the tree climb and watching the sunrise at the overnight hike. We learnt many new skills, including mountain boarding at the Ranch and boomerang throwing with Murrundindi. Camp was truly unforgettable, and we all walked away with many cherished memories – Camille C, Year 9
Shane Maycock
Education Outdoors Coordinator
Maria Litchfield
Year 9 Coordinator
Wool4School is an annual student design competition encouraging budding fashion designers to show their nation what they’re made of. The competition is open to most secondary school students in Australia, United Kingdom and Italy. The brief for 2023 was ‘Repair, renew, repurpose, and innovate. Take what’s old and make it new!’
As part of the competition, students were asked to design a unique outfit that blends both old and new, featuring pre-loved items, using wool design techniques, and incorporating a minimum of 70% Merino wool.
This year we are very proud to announce the 2023 winner of this competition, the Aspiring Designer, is Lille O of CGGS in Year 12. In 2024, Lille will study a Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design) at Whitehouse School of Design, securing a significant Scholarship as part of the array of prizes Lille receives.
We look forward to watching Lille’s career progress in this exciting field and sharing more about Lillie’s story and this amazing opportunity soon.
Trish Dolan
Careers Counsellor
CGGS has experienced great success in the Videos for Change competition since our involvement began in 2021, and this year is no different! Videos for Change is a worldwide community of young people creating short-form video content on issues that matter most to them.
This year, four teams from Year 8 – 11 entered the competition, each tackling a meaningful social issue. All week on social media we have been sharing the CGGS student videos that have been named as finalists in the 2023 competition.
We wish all our teams the best of luck and encourage our community to vote for their favourite video using the links below!
Creators of Freefall – Ellie and Sophie
Creators of Miasma – Joanne
Creators of Overshadowing – Emily, Claire and Vivienne
Creators of The Little Things – Grace, Sara, Helena, Ishana and Samantha
Kate Manners
Head of Strategic Initiatives
The CGGS Annual Winter Concert was a resounding success, captivating the school community and entertaining the audience with an array of musical genres masterfully presented by our Year 7 to 12 talents. The evening’s program contained a number of featured student artists, presenting concerto-style works whilst illuminating their collaborative abilities and exceptional talents. The brilliant sounds they produced on their instruments was a highlight of the night! From classical elegance and the power of symphonic band music, to the rhythms of rock and jazz, the versatility of repertoire was fantastic! We thank all members of our music department and talented students who dedicated so much of their time and effort into rehearsing for the evening concert. It was wonderful to see all students creatively engage with each other and share their love of music with the audience. The co-curricular music programs at CGGS continue to foster a strong sense of belonging, alongside the range of musical opportunities for students to learn a new instrument or enrich an existing skill. Congratulations to all involved.
After a fantastic performance at the GSV Championship Cross Country Carnival, Bella was selected into the GSV representative team which recently competed against the top athletes from APS and AGSV schools.
The team competed at Keilor Park on Saturday 12 August in tough course conditions and Bella is to be commended on her performance where she finished 4th overall against elite opposition. An amazing achievement, Bella, we are very proud of the way in which you represented our school and the GSV Association.
Nareen Robinson
Head of Sport
We extend our congratulations to Charlotte C in Year 8 for her outstanding success on the hockey field. Charlotte has been selected to represent Victoria as a member of the U13 Victorian Volt State Hockey team and will be participating in the U13 National Hockey Championships in Newcastle later this year. Charlotte also played a key role in the gold medal-winning team that represented the Eastern Hot Shots at the recent U14 Junior State Championships.
Charlotte’s journey is a wonderful example of the rewards that come from dedication and passion. We wish Charlotte success as she prepares for the upcoming National Championships.
Kate Giles
Head of Middle School
Year 10 student Hannah L shared her exceptional musical talents with the wider community at the Monash University Day of Brass last weekend. She spent the day playing French Horn at the Sir Zelman Cowan School of Music and Performance, engaging in masterclasses, brass ensemble workshops and specialised lessons to prepare repertoire for her VCE Music performance assessments and eisteddfod competitions. Valuable insight into tertiary auditions was also provided by the Music Faculty staff, who presented tips on what to expect in the audition room and the ways that students can present at their best.
Hannah’s Highlights
In addition to Hannah collaborating with other like-minded brass players, she recently competed in three different solo sections at the Monash Youth Music Festival. Hannah achieved 2nd place in the 18 years and under Woodwind & Brass Solo, 3rd place in the 18 years and under Brass Solo and an Honourable Mention in the 16 years and under Woodwind and Brass Solo section – an amazing achievement for a young brass player! Hannah prepared and performed significant works by Mozart, Hindemith and Bernhard Krol.
Congratulations, Hannah, on your dedicated approach to performance!
Kate Savige and Rohan Mack
Directors of Music
