Mrs Dunwoody reflects on the first 105 Year Celebration of the year and a special event she attended during her Long Service Leave.
The Secondary School campus has been the centre of so much activity with what is shaping up to be an amazing 2025. To mark the school’s 105th anniversary a special commemorative ceremony took place to reveal a new plaque installed under our Morton Bay Figtree. We had our Celebration Assembly for the Class of 2024 wherein Principal’s Awards for Academic Excellence were presented to Katherine Mason, Sara Rowland, Cindy Gan, Heidi Lim and Sophie Chang. And we hosted the Parents and Friends Association Welcome Evening, which as always proved a fantastic opportunity for new members of our community to become further connected.
CGGS adopts a whole school community approach to the intentional use of technology. We are eager to enable students and their families to make positive digital choices, and it is with great enthusiasm that we have partnered with the Cyber Safety Project to support us on this journey. Earlier this term students in Years 7 and 8 participated in their first lessons facilitated by their Form/Tutor Teachers, cultivating their digital literacies and wellbeing. Our broader program runs from Foundation through to Year 8 and is delivered within our Wellbeing program and supported by our Digital Learning team. In launching the program, the Cyber Safety Project presented to all staff, and they will be facilitating a session in our Horizon Parent Education Series on Wednesday 12 March, as well we will be providing access to CGGS families to their Tech Safe Parents webinar series.
Digital literacies are very important, and so is empowering students to be creative designers of technological solutions. At CGGS, our Head of Technologies, Sam Fitzgerald, oversees a department that pulls together both the Digital Technologies and Design and Technologies strands of the Australian Curriculum. This year, our Year 8 students began a new subject called Technologies, where they rotate through four units over the course of the year, namely Digital, Engineering, Food and Maker. This subject is sure to be the first of many exciting new developments in our Technologies programs.
Ivan Carlisle
Director of Digital Learning
We are excited to launch the Camberwell Girls Upskill curriculum for 2025, an innovative learning program designed to support students to develop their character and experience learning in diverse contexts. Upskill includes but also goes beyond traditional academics and is built on four key principles:
Tailored to students’ developmental needs in the Middle and Senior Schools, Upskill offers workshops, masterclasses, and hands-on experiences linked to academic learning, future skills, digital technology, wellbeing and service.
In VCE, Upskill will also feature three innovative masterclass programs:
These masterclasses will complement the curriculum, supporting students’ academic growth and personal development.
Engagement in Upskill will support students to develop tangible employability skills and build character to support wellbeing and leadership. Credentials recognising these accomplishments can also be earned by students and used in applications for future scholarships or employment and will appear on students end of semester reports.
Upskill will take place on selected Days 2 and 7 throughout the year and we look forward to sharing the students’ experiences with you.
Kate Manners
Director of Strategic Initiatives
A day of upskilling across all year levels took place on Tuesday 18 February. For Year 7 students, the focus was on digital literacy and preparing for their upcoming year level camp. During these sessions, they engaged in interactive sessions designed to enhance their knowledge and understanding of digital tools to support learning, while also participating in team-building activities that got them ready for their camp adventure.
In Year 8, the day marked the launch of our technologies intensives. Students dived in the four technologies streams of Food, Digital, Maker and Engineering and completed sessions, which complement their regular timetabled classes in these subject areas.
Year 9 students experienced the launch of four blocks of rotations, each offering unique skills and certifications. Over several Upskill programs, they will have the opportunity to complete a certified food handling course, earn a certificate in hospitality and customer service skills, engage in orienteering, and explore nudge theory design thinking. These rotations will provide practical knowledge with real-world applications.
For Year 10, the launch of our 2025 HEX partnership gave students the opportunity to opt into two industry-standard online learning modules linked to tech, innovation, futures, and money. These students will complete this learning in future Upskill programs. Additionally, the day featured the launch of our Inform Masterclass series, beginning with the Science and Technologies departments. These Masterclasses will support students in making informed VCE subject selections later in the semester, guiding them towards their future academic and career paths.
For our VCE students, the day was highlighted by the launch of our Ignite and Inspire Masterclass series. Ignite masterclasses offer extension activities for students’ VCE subjects, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into these areas of interest. Students engaged in sessions for Chemistry, Languages, VCD, and Legal Studies, enhancing their knowledge and skills in these subjects. Additionally, VCE students were introduced to our new industry-prepared micro courses with The Careers Department. This platform offers a range of courses designed to prepare students for future careers, ensuring they are well-equipped for the opportunities and challenges ahead. More information about this exciting addition to our teaching and learning space was published in The Weekly yesterday.
Kate Manners
Director of Strategic Initiatives
On Thursday 13 February, we held a special Secondary School assembly to welcome back recipients of the Principal’s Awards for Academic Excellence from the Class of 2024. The assembly celebrated and acknowledged the successes of our recent graduates in their VCE achievements and ATAR results, as well as their wide and varied contributions to the School community. During the assembly, we thanked the year level for their courage, determination, passion, and commitment to Camberwell Girls.
We were thrilled to have the top ATAR recipients, and their families in attendance, and we took the opportunity to present the students with their medallions and certificates in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements in their final year of schooling.
Congratulations to the following students:
We were thrilled to have Katherine, Sara and Sophie speak to students and staff, reflecting on their VCE experience and time at Camberwell Girls. While their reflections spoke to their own personal experiences, common themes emerged. They encouraged students to appreciate the small moments, seek balance, embrace opportunities available through co-curricular programs, and pursue studies in areas they are passionate about.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and to our High Achievers. We look forward to seeing what they achieve in the future.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
This year, as School Captains, we decided to relocate the event to the oval for a Secondary School picnic. Students brought their picnic rugs, spreads of food and friends to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and each other’s company.
The Year 12 students helped arrange the stalls and activities on offer including a chocolate toss, three-legged race, card making, a handprint mural, the Library Lovers book stall and a raffle. It was a lovely opportunity to gather the Secondary School together and celebrate all the love and friendship within the Camberwell community. The money raised from the stalls was donated to the Heart Foundation.
We were also treated to a live student band who played their renditions of a variety of popular love songs, including some Taylor Swift, which got the whole crowd singing and dancing along! We are incredibly grateful to the students who performed and hope to hear them playing again at another event soon.
Our thematic focus for Term 1 is Rejoice. We really wanted to lean into the positivity and vibrancy that comes from connecting and enjoying life with others. The Galentines Day Gala was a fantastic opportunity for students in the School community to catch-up, connect and bond. There was a ‘REAL’ sense of joy and friendship during the event, and we hope that it sets the tone for a year full of fun moments.
Thank you to all students and staff who helped make our Galentines Day Gala happen.
We feel so lucky to be part of such a welcoming, fun-loving and joyful school community and look forward to making so many more memories with everyone at Camberwell Girls.
Abi, Nysa and Angela (ANA Travels)
2025 School Captains
On a warm afternoon on Tuesday 11 February, three CGGS students ventured to Box Hill Golf Course to compete in the annual GSV Golf Tournament. 38 students from 17 GSV affiliated schools were tasked with playing the challenging ‘back nine’ where they faced undulating fairways, bunkers, dams and creeks. Chloe W (Year 10) competed with 19 other students who have golf handicaps finishing the nine holes in 47 strokes for a Net Score of 33.5 placing her in forth position overall. Two students competed with 16 others without a golfing handicap, Jessica M (Year 9) finishing the nine holes in 47 strokes (equal forth in this competition) and Selinna W (Year 8) finishing 12th in 54 strokes. Students competing ranged from Year 7 to Year 12 and the competition was very close. A very successful event for Camberwell Girls and a bright future ahead for these students.
Shane Maycock
Education Outdoors Coordinator
Physical Education & Health Teacher
Aashi’s essay, Timelapse on Australian Citizenship, has been declared the winning entry in the prestigious 2024 Francis Forbes Society Essay Competition; a highly regarded competition which receives submissions from students across Australia. The competition encourages students to reflect on the historical development of legal issues and events.
In her essay, Aashi begins by reflecting on her own journey to Australian citizenship, using a compelling personal narrative to introduce broader themes of belonging and identity. She adopts a unique timelapse approach, examining the evolution of citizenship policies from the Naturalisation Act 1903 to more contemporary legislative changes. Her essay offers insight into her own reflection on what it means to be Australian whilst paying homage to her Indian heritage.
Winning the Francis Forbes Society’s Australian Legal History Competition is a significant achievement, granting Aashi national recognition and a monetary prize. Aashi and her family were formally invited, by Francis Forbes Society, to the Supreme Court of NSW to receive her award. Congratulations Aashi on this achievement.
Mohita Sahni
VCE Legal Studies Teacher
To complement the year 10 English study of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the students viewed a performance of the play by The Flying Bookworm Theatre Company. The performers shared a wealth of understanding about the context Shakespeare was writing in and strategies for processing the expressive language Shakespeare employed.
Below are the reflections and highlights of Ella T and Samantha N.
As a part of English this year, we had the opportunity to watch actors recreate scenes from Macbeth. Everyone enjoyed the engaging experience, with the actors interacting with the crowd being my highlight. – Ella T
In class we are studying Shakespeare’s complex reasoning behind his characters’ actions. Watching the play as it was designed to be seen was an amazing experience and allowed us to understand the story in more depth. The three actors made sure that everyone was engaged, laughing and screaming as they immersed us in this Shakespearean world – something that I’m sure we will all look back upon in future years to come. – Samantha N
Jennifer Gordon
Head of English
On Wednesday 19 February, the VCE Geography Class of 2025 stepped into the heart of urban transformation at the Fitzroy Gasworks. With their compasses and fieldwork booklets in hand (and Oscar the class mascot), students explored how this once-industrial site is being reshaped into a modern, mixed-use precinct.
The day began with a visit to the towering Wurrun Senior Campus, offering an excellent view of the redevelopment. A highlight was the informative tour led by Lucy, the Campus Principal, who provided an insight into the ongoing transformation of the site and how the school works with the construction from day to day.
Students then hit the streets, surveying surrounding buildings and amenities, collecting data on traffic, noise, and green spaces, and even engaging with the local community to gauge public opinion on the changing landscape.
Now, with a wealth of primary data, these geographers are ready to tackle the next challenge – their Fieldwork Report.
Benjamin McManamny
Geography Teacher
After a successful 2024 VCE Art and VCD Exhibition, CGGS was fortunate enough to acquire a series of paintings by Grace Cao (Class of 2024). Adding to our growing collection, Grace’s series Untitled, 2024 explores the delicate interplay between dreams and tranquillity; with soft hues and composition crafted to evoke a sense of peacefulness and deep connection with the subconscious.
Congratulations and thank you to Grace for the beautiful series. The paintings are on display on Level 1 of Woodstock.
Rachael Miller
Head of Art & Design
On Tuesday 6 February, our Years 10 to 12 students and staff had the opportunity to hear from Paul Dillon from the Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Centre, where he has been working for over 25 years. Each year, we invite Paul to share his contemporary research and insights, helping our young people make informed, safe, and responsible decisions regarding drugs and alcohol.
Paul’s strength lies in his ability to engage his audience through humour, storytelling, and real statistics, making complex topics accessible and relevant. Over the three years of his presentations, our students gain valuable, potentially life-saving strategies, including how to ensure their own safety, support their peers, and critically assess risks.
This year, Paul also spoke to parents/guardians at the first of our Horizon – Parent Education Seminars, which was well received by those in attendance. His session provided valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges in drug and alcohol use, equipping parents with knowledge and strategies to support open, informed conversations with their children.
If you would like more information on Paul’s presentations, you can access a range of resources at his website http://darta.net.au/
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Mrs Dunwoody reflects on the first 105 Year Celebration of the year and a special event she attended during her Long Service Leave.
There was a buzz at the Secondary School this week as students and staff enthusiastically welcomed back the Upskill program for 2025!
The PFA welcomed more than 400 parents and staff to their annual Welcome Evening last Friday.
