We hope that all members of our school community enjoyed last weekend’s midterm break, which provided an opportunity for rest and reflection as we enter the second phase of Term Four. This time of year represents both celebration and transition for many students, with the beginning of VCE exams and our end-of-year programs on the horizon. Students in Years 10 and 11 are preparing to start their exam period, followed by the Headstart Program, which will provide valuable preparation for their VCE studies in 2025. We extend our best wishes to all students during this important transition and next stage of their academic journey.
Students in the Middle School are in the final stages of their elective and core curriculum programs, engaging in activities, excursions, and in some cases, even hosting a market stall to showcase their learning. They have also enjoyed success in several external competitions such as the annual Science Talent Search and the Plan Your Own Enterprise competitions. Over the coming weeks, we look to celebrate the moments of personal growth, learning and success with our students and school community through our end-of-year celebration events and activities.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
Crafting and asking questions with a curious mindset, actively listening and mastering the art of hand signals are just some of the skills a group of Years 7-9 students developed while participating in the LIVE FM Be Like Her Radio DJ Hosting program for schools.
Ralpha Barba, founder of community radio LIVE FM, ran an exceptional masterclass which included explicit instruction, modelling, multiple opportunities for students to practise new skills and regular, targeted feedback. Students put these skills into action through the recording of a series of interviews to be aired later on LIVE FM.
Beatrix, Poppy, Scarlett P, Scarlett S, Misha, Tida, Phoebe, Ishana, Sass and Lily used their new skillset to reveal the stories of courage, adventure, and curiosity of the five women who were interviewed. A special thank you to Natalie Jefferson (Chef and Entrepreneur), Lara Ruddle (CEO of Mustard Leadership Australia), Carly Iliff (Head of Admissions) and Shraddha Tiwari (Aeronautical Engineer) for sharing a little about their life pathways and providing our students with an authentic opportunity to develop their communication, teamwork and organisation skills, while learning about a diverse range of topics and experiences. As one of the interviewees, I can attest to each student’s high level of skill and engagement, and the rapid growth they made across the day.
“As well as stories about the careers of people we interviewed on radio, we were also able to talk about topics such as how schools can help neurodiverse students to achieve their potential, the importance of a sustainable path towards further globalisation and the extent to which innovation can be achieved if many countries collaborate together. This program is so important as it connects students with professionals, inspiring them to have a strong work ethic and make a mark on the world. The radio panel format allows students to have questions that are relevant to them answered in relation to these inspiring women, and it also provides different perspectives on important issues of the future.” Beatrix (Year 8)
Dr Charlotte Forwood
Director of Learning Design and Development
As part of their History studies, Year 10 students have been exploring the causes of the Holocaust, particularly the systematic persecution and murder of approximately six million Jewish people by the Nazi regime. This tragic event highlights the dangers of intolerance and apathy, underscoring the importance of empathy and informed citizenship.
To deepen their understanding, students visited the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, where they explored historical objects that highlighted survivors’ lives and the lives of those murdered.
A key moment of the visit was meeting Holocaust survivor Judy Kolt. Born Iska Jablonska in Poland, Judy shared her family’s harrowing story of survival, including their escape from the Warsaw ghetto and years of hiding. Her powerful message was to never speak untruths, as the Holocaust began with words.
Here are just a few of the reflections written by our students about this experience:
Judy Kolt’s story of surviving the Holocaust showed me the power of resilience in the face of terrible cruelty. Her experiences remind us to stand against hatred and never forget the past, so such horrors are not repeated. (Ana-Sofia J-P, 10A)
Judy’s courage to keep going despite everything she went through made me appreciate how important it is to remember these stories and stand against hate and injustice. (Emily W, 10A)
Listening to Judy’s story gave me so much insight into what it was actually like to be a Jewish person in a Nazi occupied city. I was able to understand and empathise on a deeper level regarding the Holocaust. (Usha N, 10D)
I have learnt to be more resilient, and that shortcomings, such as injustice, should not stop you from achieving greatness. (Abbey M, 10B)
Karin Lemanis
Head of History
When considering subject choices for VCE, students often ask themselves why they should continue to learn German. They do not anticipate needing a second language in their future careers or are deterred by the perceived difficulty. By attending the German Career’s Day Year 10 students at CGGS were guided and inspired to explore professional opportunities locally and abroad, from the lab to the engineering floor.
They learned how they could study in Germany after school and how learning German alongside their university studies locally can benefit their careers. Hearing from professionals who studied German in high school like themselves and continue to use it to this day across different sectors and borders, they recognised that German can be their future X-factor!
How can studying in Germany shape your future?
This was an extremely insightful session as we learnt about the different study paths, scholarship options and research prospects that come from learning German in this innovative country. We heard from three different guest speakers who talked about their exchange pathways, and their experiences with German. One speaker who stood out was Prof. Mark Brown, who had a background in music, and specialised his research in German Eastern Rock. This session broadened our perspective on how far German can take us beyond school and allowed us to appreciate the versatility of learning a language. (Christina W, Usha N)
Form global connections whilst studying in Melbourne
In this session we were able to gain a better understanding how we can continue our German studies in a tertiary setting. We heard from people connected to the German education system, giving us a detailed explanation of our linguistic opportunities in relation to German. This was a very useful event to attend as it gave us a good idea of potential pathways we can explore alongside and after VCE to extend our German learning. (Charlotte P, Megan A)
Discover Your Future: Interactive Workshops
We ended the Career’s Day with small and fun rotary workshops conducted in German – group activities that focused on team building, problem solving, and creativity that we thoroughly enjoyed. (Ray Z)
Take home messages from the event
Ingrid Beck
German Teacher
This term, Year 8 Geography classes have been learning about Elwood as a case study; threats and management of various issues in an urban environment. They have explored the region’s swampy history, its significance to the Boon Wurrung people and past land uses that have shaped the vibrant suburb it is now. During the fieldwork, students made their way through the local area to collect primary data about the threats posed by flooding and sea level rise in this low-lying suburb, particularly in the area along Elwood Canal and the coastline near Point Ormond.
What are they doing now?
Students are now presenting their findings as a report using ArcGIS StoryMaps, an ESRI tool. Professionals use this platform worldwide to present information to be engaging but also in a very geographical and spatial way. By doing so, students are testing and trying industry tools and hopefully being inspired by their potential.
One of the most interesting things I learnt about Elwood was its rich and extensive history, particularly its cultural significance to the Boon Wurrung people (and how its land has been developed and utilised for a range of purposes over the years. – Asha B
My favourite part of the Elwood fieldwork task was walking around the suburb and I also enjoyed using ArcGIS StoryMaps to put all the data together. I am enjoying how there are so many different functions we can use to make our fieldwork presentation more engaging, like the interactive maps and all the photos we took on the actual day. – Elsa W
It was interesting and eye-opening to drive to Elwood and learn about how they mitigate the impacts of flooding, especially in an area which used to be a swamp and how groynes are used to prevent the beach from eroding due to longshore drift. – Eden C
Karoline Walter
Head of Geography
On Wednesday 30 October, Year 10 Sports Science students were given the opportunity to experience and interact with top of the range sport science equipment in the classroom setting. Working with METS Performance Consulting, students used timing gates, jump mats, light pods, and a force plate to experience a range of activities used by elite athletes to identify strengths and improve performance.
The session allowed students to rotate between a 20m sprint, vertical jump, reaction wall test, coordination test, balance test, anaerobic capacity test, agility test, grip strength test, and flexibility test. The incursion complemented the content the students have been learning in the subject and they were able to make connections between the dominant energy systems and component(s) of fitness utilised in each activity. Students had a great time trying to achieve their own personal best records in the different fitness components in a fun and enjoyable session.
Liza Stevens
Head of Health and Physical Education
Last week the whole of Year 7 travelled into the city to visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and St Paul’s Cathedral. While at the NGV, students were treated to a tour of some artwork related to religious stories, led by one of the Gallery’s expert guides. There was also an opportunity for students to spend time in “The Salon”, where Year 7s were grateful for the opportunity to explore and examine an artwork that they found interesting or beautiful. After lunch in the Great Hall, under the famous Leonard French stained-glass, students and teachers walked up to St Paul’s Cathedral. There, the Reverend Heather Pattacca, Precentor of the Cathedral welcomed everyone to this sacred place and explained the different ways that the Cathedral reaches out to people in need. A number of students commented that lighting a candle in the Cathedral was a highlight of their day.
Reverend Helen Creed
School Chaplain
