As the year advances, parents/guardians, students, and teachers navigate the transitions that accompany Term Four. This period is marked by numerous beginnings, endings, and shifts; it is a time to reflect on and acknowledge achievements, remain present and focused, and prepare for the future.
Our Year 12 students have completed their end-of-year exams and are approaching a significant life transition. They face both endings and new beginnings simultaneously. Similarly, each student in the Secondary School will soon advance to a new role and year level in the School, as the 2024 year concludes and preparations for 2025 begin. Year 11 students will soon enter their final year at Camberwell Girls, Year 10 students will commence VCE, Year 9 students will join the Senior School, and Year 7 and 8 students will engage with new subjects and opportunities associated with the next stage of their education.
For our incoming Year 7 students, this period of transition is particularly exciting. The Year 7 2025 Orientation Day was held last week, Friday 15 November, a day filled with joy as we welcomed the newest members of our Secondary School community. Students experienced a day in the life of a Year 7 student, including an introduction to the House program through the House Theatre Sports competition, where Lawrence was named the winner.
While we all eagerly await these exciting next stages to start formally, we also look forward to the opportunities that present in the final few weeks of school. As part of this, we will celebrate the friendships we have formed, the achievements made and the memories we’ve created. There are also important lessons still to be had, as we continue to lay strong foundations for the year ahead, and we wish all students well as they complete their final assessments and examinations for the year.
In the coming weeks, students will be encouraged to reflect on the gains they have made throughout the year, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate their growth and successes together as a community.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
On 11 November, Australians unite in honouring all those who have died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations. As a nation, we pause in silence on Remembrance Day at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to acknowledge the sacrifices made in service of our country.
Three avid young historians – Aathana S, Elsa W and Sass L – were invited to represent CGGS at the Remembrance Day Service held at the Cenotaph at Kew Junction. The Honourable Jess Wilson, elected Member for Kew in the Victorian Parliament, led the proceedings. They laid a wreath for the 103,000 Australian service personnel who died in conflicts, wars, and peace operations.
In addition, our School community acknowledged our Defence personnel, both current and former serving, for their service, courage and sacrifice at our whole school assembly. On this day, and always, we remember them.
Lest we forget.
Karin Lemanis
Head of History
Some weeks ago, I had the pleasure to share that Year 9 students Rui M, Chloe W, Tiya S and Pardis S were crowned Victorian champions in the Plan Your Own Enterprise (PYOE) Competition with their business Quizoo, an app designed to improve student study habits. Following their victory, these students then advanced to the national competition as Victoria’s sole representative in the group category of the competition.
In an incredibly exciting update, the CGGS team have since been crowned National Champions, beating all State and Territory winners from across Australia. The Quizoo submission showed extensive depth of investigation, creative innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, practical viability, and profound impact for improving the educational outcomes of young people.
These students are powerhouses of entrepreneurial energy and epitomise the potential for young women to excel within the commercial realm. With immense pride the Commerce department congratulates Rui, Chloe, Tiya and Pardis on this incredible achievement and we look forward to witnessing their continued success in the start-up space.
Erin McEwan
Head of Commerce
On Thursday, 21 November, Erica (Year 12) was recognised at the Monash Design Prize Celebration as the Runner-Up in the 2024 Monash Design Competition. This esteemed competition encourages students from Years 10 to 12 to address various challenges or issues, ranging from sustainability and climate action to social equity and healthy communities, through innovation and design in a format of their choosing. Erica entered this competition independently, following a conversation in Unit 3 and 4 Biology regarding cervical screening tests, which forms part of the curriculum.
During the award ceremony, Erica received recognition for her innovative design, the SpecuLop. The SpecuLop is a re-imagination of traditional ‘duck-bill’ vaginal speculums typically used in gynaecology clinics. Her new design feature is bunny-inspired and aims to make the process more approachable and non-threatening. The design includes interchangeable glass lenses for easy magnification and viewing, along with sanitary silicone covers, which Erica included to make it a medically practical device. The introduction of the SpecuLop was also supported by an educational poster campaign to inform young people about the important procedures related to gynaecological health.
We congratulate to Erica on this outstanding achievement.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Eleanor Wood
VCE Biology Teacher/Director of Co-Curricular Programs
The Science Talent Search is a science-based competition open to all Victorian school age students. This year’s theme was Species Survival: More than just sustainability. Project categories included creative writing, games, scientific posters, photography and experimental research.
Congratulations to the 28 students who participated this year. We are delighted to announce that 6 students were awarded Major Bursaries and 17 received Minor Bursaries. There were a further 6 projects awarded a Distinction, Merit or Acknowledgment. We were also very fortunate to receive a School Award, the ‘Hugh McKnight Encouragement Award’. This is a fabulous achievement that recognises the high level of research, commitment and effort our students put into their projects.
Students should speak to their Science teacher in Term One next year if they are interested in being involved in the competition in 2025.
Christine M
Through my experimental research project, I learnt scientific methodology such as collecting data to support my hypothesis and analysing my results to form a conclusion. For anyone interested in addressing scientific issues and satisfying their own curiosities through a creative or technical method, I would highly recommend participating in the STS.
Asha B
I wrote a creative writing piece titled ‘A Chronicle of a Monarch Butterfly’. I was inspired by the resilience of the butterfly, despite its fragile and delicate nature. My writing followed the journey of a species navigating through changing environments, showcasing its adaptability and resilience in a world where its survival is immensely threatened.
Leanne O’Doherty
Science Teacher
Last Tuesday, three CGGS teams—Otterly Awesome (Year 7), Masterboxes (Year 9), and Perseverance (Year 8)—competed at the First Lego League Regional Finals at Swinburne University, Wantirna.
The day began with standout performances in the Robot Game. Otterly Awesome scored 165 points, leading after the first nine teams competed. Masterboxes made history as the first team in Victoria to successfully complete the Coral Nursery Mission, earning 135 points. Perseverance wowed the crowd with an outstanding 295-point run, giving them a commanding lead after Round One.
In the 30-minute judging sessions, teams presented their innovation projects, robot designs, and programming skills. Judges were impressed by their teamwork and creativity. Otterly Awesome proposed the “Filter Fish,” designed to collect microplastic waste and protect marine wildlife. Perseverance focused on overfishing, proposing an educational website to raise public awareness and promote sustainable fishing practices, while Masterboxes presented an alternative sonar-safe anechoic tile to reduce harm to ocean ecosystems.
Rounds Two and Three brought exciting runs, but a strong performance from another team bumped Perseverance to second place. While no trophies were won, this was CGGS’s best-ever result in the Robot Game, highlighting the teams’ dedication and teamwork.
Their collaboration, creativity, and resilience both on the day and throughout their preparation leading up to the event showcased the very best of CGGS spirit. Congratulations to all participants on a fantastic effort and a memorable First Lego League 2024 season!
Student teams:
Otterly Awesome: Clarissa C, Ashley T, Kira K.
Perseverance: Christine M, Sienna T, Zara T, Jessica W, Eden C.
Masterboxes: Ashley W, Elise O, Charlotte C, Harper D, Audrey R, Vivienne T, Claire P N.
Staff involved:
Mr. Fitzgerald, Dr. Forwood, and Mr. Pasinati.
Sam Fitzgerald
Head of Digital Technologies
This week we ran the annual OGA Public Speaking Competition.
Our 2025 School Debating and Public Speaking Captain, Aashi S, called for expressions of interest from Years 7-11 students and the level of interest was vast; such a pleasing and encouraging response from all those who responded.
The process of shortlisting was no easy feat and both Aashi and I deliberated at length to confirm our finalists. Congratulations to Ishana S (Year 7), Jessica W (Year 8), Valerie K (Year 9) and Lucy C (Year 11) who all presented their well-prepared speeches during the Secondary School Assembly on Tuesday 19 November.
Each student presented with confidence and passion, highlighting their investment and interest in the topic “Australia’s youth should have a say in national decision-making.”
We were also fortunate to have the 2023 School Debating & Public Speaking Captain, Salome join us to adjudicate the students’ speeches. The winners will be announced at an upcoming assembly, alongside the awarding of trophies, medals and a Readings voucher to the winners.
Congratulations again to our OGA Public Speaking Competition participants, and to Aashi and Karen Bartram, Alumnae Coordinator, for the implementation of a successful competition.
Tania Castauro
Co-Curricular Debating & Public Speaking Coordinator
