Today, we hear from one of our School Counsellors, Paula Kolivas, who explains how we implement Child Safety Standards at Camberwell Girls.
As Melbourne settles into its familiar winter rhythm, our students and staff have continued to embrace the season with warmth, energy, and a strong sense of community. Over the past fortnight, our Middle School students have been actively involved in programs that foster connection and collaboration. The Soul Siblings initiative has once again brought together our Years 7 and 9 students for a series of team-building activities focused strengthening cross-age friendships. Guided by our Senior School Leaders, over the course of the next few months this initiative will continue to bring students together for challenges, problem solving and initiative games, and we look forward to sharing highlights with our families at a later date.
In the Senior School, the academic focus has been front and centre. Years 10 and 11 students are right in the middle of their Semester One examinations. These exams offer valuable preparation for the VCE years ahead, helping students refine their study habits and set meaningful academic goals. We congratulate all students on their strong preparation and engagement, especially our Year 10s, who are undertaking this process for the first time. Following the exams, Year 10s will move into Work Experience placements, gaining firsthand insight into the professional world and applying their classroom learning in real-world settings.
Despite the academic demands of this time of year, our school calendar remains rich with community events. Highlights include GSV Cross Country Championships, Reconciliation Week and the Worawa Reconciliation Sports Carnival, House Debating finals, Public Speaking and Moot competitions and the ever-popular PFA Trivia Night.
To open this edition of CamNews, we are pleased to share a feature article prepared by Dr Charlotte Forwood, who offers valuable insights into evidence-based study strategies and advice for both students and parents, those of which are echoed in our study skills program across the Secondary School. Her expertise provides timely support as we continue to focus on end of term assessments and prepare for the semester ahead.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
According to Exam Study Expert podcaster, William Wadsworth, there are two ways to study: the long way or the smart way. Most students engage in study practices that take the long route to learning. These practices include re-reading, highlighting, making notes and mind mapping. While these practices can be used as a foundation for study, they are not the most efficient or effective when used in isolation. Smart way techniques enable students to remember more ideas faster and for longer. The smart way of studying includes engaging in spaced retrieval practice.
Leading educator, Peps Mccrae, notes “we typically forget most academic content we encounter…unless we take proactive steps to remember it…One of the most effective approaches entails retrieving ideas multiple times over increasingly distributed time intervals” – spaced retrieval practice (Mccrae, P. 2025).
So what does spaced retrieval practice look like?
Retrieval practice is actively recalling information and concepts from memory to enhance learning. The act of retrieving strengthens connections and makes it more likely for ideas to be recalled in the future. Key retrieval practices include:
Spaced retrieval practice involves increasing the amount of time between retrieval of the same information. For example, you might create flashcards with new words for Geography topic and then test yourself straight away. Gradually increasing the time between retrieval practice. If you don’t know the answer, then return to more frequent retrieval practice for that flashcard and begin the process again. If retrieval is easy, increase the time between practices. If retrieval is too hard, reduce the time. The aim is to find the sweet spot, with retrieval being not too easy and not too hard – just right (referred to as the Goldilocks Effect).
Students often know what they need to do but find it challenging to put techniques into action. This is known as a knowing-doing gap. According to William Wadsworth, one way to overcome this is to create spacing rituals. These may include using flashcards at the start of every study session or including one day a week for reviewing only recent ideas studied in the past week or two.
Results from The Revision Census (2023) which surveyed more than 30,000 students, indicate that avoiding distractions is a significant problem for 58% of Year 10+ students. Mobile devices and social media can impact our ability to monotask – focus our attention on one task at a time. When we are distracted and multitasking, our attention span is shorter, memory is worse, productivity is lower, and happiness is reduced. (For more information listen to Episode 66 of the Exam Study Expert Podcast).
Finally, it is important to balance time for study with time for catching up with family and friends, participating in activities which bring joy, spending time in nature and sleeping. Sleep is important for consolidating our learning during the day, so staying up late to study is counterproductive. During holiday periods and weekends, it is important to schedule non-study time. This may include whole days that are study-free.
Check out the attached infographic which has study tips for students and parents. Students: What tip might help you not only study well, but also have time to enjoy the things you love? Parents/Guardians: What tip might you action?
Dr Charlotte Forwood
Director of Learning Design and Development
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to helping to achieve Reconciliation in Australia. Together, CGGS students, staff and community members celebrated and promoted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through a series of events and activities aimed to strengthen our commitment to creating a more equitable future.
Our events began on Friday 23rd May, where we held the annual Reconciliation AFL Jumper and Netball Bib presentation in the Brooksbank Library. The event was hosted by Reconciliation Captains, Scarlett S, Millie M and Aathana S (Year 10), with special guests Murrundindi and Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale, an up-and-coming Aboriginal state Netballer who spoke about her journey in sport so far and her goals for the future. The Senior AFL team then played proudly in their jumpers at the GSV Reconciliation match v Ivanhoe Girls Grammar on Friday afternoon where they won 21-8. The Reconciliation bibs and jumpers were worn by GSV Netball and AFL teams competing in their respective matches throughout the week.
On Monday 26th May, we were delighted to host a special NRW lunch with guests, Murrundindi and his son Pallyan, Rhiannan Parker, Allira Brown and Edwina Green from MITS and old Grammarian Ruth Dunn who has supported the MITS program for many years. During the NRW Assembly which followed, the 2025 theme,‘Bridging Now to Next’, resonated deeply. The Chamber Choir sang ‘Wandit Kundewah’ as an acknowledgement piece accompanied by CGGS instrumentalists and Murrundindi on the yadaki. The CGGS Reconciliation Captains lead the proceedings and explained the ongoing importance of the week-long commemoration and described the significance of the 1965 Freedom Ride in Australia for Reconciliation. We were also very privileged to hear from First Nations’ Year 12 students, Leah B and Leah P as they shared their own cultural knowledges, traditions, languages and stories with the school community, and from Murrundindi on what Reconciliation means to him.
Tuesday 27th May, saw selected Years 9-12 students participate in the annual Reconciliation Sports Carnival. Held at Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville, the event offers students and staff the opportunity to come together in the true spirit of Reconciliation by embracing the spirit of unity and diversity through sport and encouraging social and cultural exchange. Back onsite, Murrundindi led Boomerang throwing workshops throughout the day for students and staff.
On Wednesday, students from Years 9-12 participated in a Marngrook game against Camberwell Grammar. Umpired by Murrundindi, the competitive game was highly enjoyable and played in good spirits. Unfortunately, on this occasion, when the final whistle blew, the boys had narrowly won the match. We look forward to the challenge again next year!
During lunchtime on Friday 30th May, a BBQ was held to raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, a community-led charity who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities across Australia to create and publish culturally relevant books, resources, and programs in languages of their choice. With music from First Nations’ artists playing, it created a joyful atmosphere in the Quad.
National Reconciliation Week 2025 served as an important occasion to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the importance of Reconciliation in developing a more connected community. Through the combined efforts of CGGS students and dedicated staff members, we experienced a memorable week that honoured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and highlighted the school’s ongoing commitment towards Reconciliation.
Liza Stevens
Indigenous Programs Coordinator
Our most recent Upskill program saw 58 Year 10 students embark on the HEXCursion to the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship at the University of Melbourne. This unique experience was designed to immerse students in the world of social impact businesses, networking, and problem-solving.
The day was packed with engaging activities, including keynote speakers, panels, and workshops. Students gained practical insights into the workings of social impact businesses, build networking skills with industry professionals, and demonstrated their problem-solving skills by pitching a Charity Challenge to turn $10,000 into $100,000.
Congratulations to our winning teams, EduATE and MunchBoxes, for their outstanding pitches and innovative solutions. Their efforts truly exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship and social impact. Not only did they score some great team prizes but a donation to a charity of their choosing will be made by HEX on their behalf.
Guest presenters at the Future Careers Panel included Sarah Tan, ex-Atlassian, ex-Google; Rebecca Pritchard, Rising Tide Financial; Joanna Lee, Investor at Giant Leap; and Lisa Le, Market Manager at Airbnb. Each speaker brought a wealth of knowledge and experience, providing students with valuable insights into the tech industry, financial management, future trends, and innovation. We were also delighted to hear from Emmanuella Grace from Find Your Voice, a professional coach and mentor who works with individuals across industries on developing confidence and communication.
Throughout the day, students delved into subjects such as hacking human connection, five tips for communicating with clarity, the significance of treating people well and embodying good character as indicators of career success, as well as the importance of courage and adaptability. Additionally, students were shown the value of great storytelling, avoiding comparing themselves to others, say yes to new opportunities, and carrying an abundance mindset in all that they do.
We can’t wait for second HEXCursion later in the year at a brand new location and another fantastic line-up of guests and activities.
Kate Manners
Director of Strategic Initiatives
As part of the school-wide Masterclass program, the Languages Department jumped at the chance to deepen and enrich our VCE students’ engagement with French, Chinese and German through a range of thoughtfully designed sessions.
In Year 12 French, we welcomed Karla Kurzbock, a translator and interpreter whose love of the language has taken her all over the world. She spoke about the unexpected ways French has shaped her life and career and gave students a taste of real-world translation, showing that French doesn’t have to be the end goal, but can be the bridge to something bigger. Year 11 French turned their attention to theatre: reading, analysing and then performing short scenes in French. It was a chance to play with language, see it come alive, and reflect on how theatre can build both fluency and cultural insight.
The Chinese VCE classes used their sessions to sharpen speaking skills in preparation for the end-of-year oral exam. In addition, students from both Chinese Second Language and Chinese Language, Culture and Society had the chance to meet with past students who generously returned to share their experience, answer questions, and offer practical advice on exams and effective revision strategies.
In German, one masterclass focused on Franz Kafka’s Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis), a novella that’s as unsettling as it is iconic. Students unpacked themes of identity, alienation and societal expectation, all while grappling with Kafka’s famously challenging style. The second session explored the theme of migration and Heimat (homeland), using the film Allemagne, Willkommen as a springboard for discussion.
Across all languages, these masterclasses gave students the chance to think more broadly about how and why we learn languages. Whether through literature, theatre, film or real-world experience, each session offered a different lens—and a reminder that language is never just about words, but about ideas, perspectives and meaningful connection.
Dr Jo Rittey
Head of Languages
In preparation for their Outcome 3, our VCE Theatre Studies students have now seen The Malthouse theatre’s adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Eco-Horror, The Birds, twice!
To assist with their own theatre making practice, students view one of the prescribed plays from the VCAA list after studying the script. Their task is to analyse the choices that the creatives made in interpreting the words from the page to the stage. This production provided great discussion and an eye-opening introduction to the world of Binaural sound, as the sound for the show was rendered in surround sound with the audience wearing headphones.
Our Theatre Studies students have the opportunity to specialise in two areas of production so as they move through the sequence of Units 1 – 4, they gain an in-depth proficiency aligned with industry standards. Three of our students took up an opportunity to work with professional stage make-up artists from Kryolan Cosmetics in the CBD. They were able to explore various ways to age an actor, re-shape the features of their face, experiment with various types of theatrical blood as well as exploring the world of beards and moustaches!
Keira Lyons
Head of Drama and Performing Arts
Study Sprints have taken place in the library during Period 5 this term, and the focus has been on building helpful study habits through proven methods. One technique we learn is the recall method, which uses practice questions as a more efficient way to study instead of just rereading notes. We also use the Pomodoro method, where short study sessions are broken up with regular breaks, helping manage time while giving our brains a rest. These strategies are backed by science and shown to improve how well we learn and remember information.
During the Study Sprints, teachers from core subjects have been available to give one-on-one support, answer questions, or explain concepts. There have also been some optional small group sessions with a teacher that focus on how to tackle exam questions and essay prompts more effectively. These sessions have been really helpful for breaking down what examiners look for and how to structure answers clearly and confidently. The Study Sprints series has taught us how to study smarter, not harder.
Alisha A
Year 10 Student
Last week, our Year 12 students had the unique opportunity to hear from Alana Kilmartin, author of the thought-provoking book Unserious Careers. As part of her nationwide tour, we were proud to be the 109th school to host Alana—and what an inspiring visit it was!
Alana’s message challenges the traditional idea that careers must follow a serious, linear path. Instead, she encourages students to explore options that align with their interests, values, and sense of adventure. Her talk was filled with energy, humour, and real-world insight, making it incredibly engaging for our students.
What truly set Alana apart was her ability to connect with young people. She spoke with honesty and relatability, creating a space where students felt comfortable questioning the status quo and imagining futures that are meaningful to them—not just impressive on paper.
Her book, Unserious Careers, expands on these ideas and is a fantastic resource for both students and parents navigating the often overwhelming world of post-school decisions. We highly recommend checking it out!
We’re grateful to have been part of Alana’s journey and look forward to seeing how her message continues to inspire our students as they shape their own paths.
Ashley Nguyen
Head of Careers Education
Usha N and Isuli P from Year 11 represented CGGS at the heats for the Plain English Speaking Award which took place at Aquinas College on May 22.
Competing against Years 10-12 students from a range of other schools, in the first part of the heats our students delivered a six minute speech on a social issue of their choice. Usha engaged everyone in the room with her wit, humour and insightful discussion on influencer culture and the importance of media literacy. Isuli was captivating as she delivered an exposition of the way migrants are represented in the media, inviting the audience to reshape their perception.
After hearing from all the speakers, they moved to the second round of the heats, delivering a three-minute impromptu speech. After learning the topic, students who given only four minutes to prepare their speech, delivering on the topic ‘everyone has their price’.It was wonderful to see the amazing skill on show and the diversity in which the participants’ approached the topic.
Isuli and Usha delivered thought-provoking speeches, drawing on a range of examples to illustrate their point of view. Everyone was given the opportunity to get feedback from the three adjudicators, and it was such an encouraging morning for the students to interact with each other and hear different points of view.
Congratulations to both Usha and Isuli for their outstanding contributions to this competition. After winning the heat, Isuli will be advancing to the Semi-Final of the Plain English Speaking Award and we wish her all the best!
Jennifer Gordon
Head of English
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator
There was such energy on Thursday 29 May when the School came together to watch Singleton and Taylor compete in the final of the House Debating Competition.
Across Term 2 students were given the opportunity to attend a workshop and take part in a trial to be part of their House Debating team. On May 16 the senior teams from all four houses competed in the semi-finals, leading to the stage being set for an amazing show-down between Taylor and Singleton on the topic of: Universities should incentivise drawing women into STEM-related courses.
Aashi S, our School Debating and Public Speaking Captain, was our energetic host and did a wonderful job of helping our audience understand the ‘art of civil discourse’. Our student debaters wowed us with considered arguments, quick-thinking rebuttal while speaking in a persuasive manner. A very big congratulations to both teams who competed – the level of sophistication in each debater’s speech was impressive and is a true reflection of the quality of debaters that we have here at CGGS.
The House Debating and Public Speaking Captains deserve a big round of applause for all they did to support the students through the trials, semi-finals and finals. Thank you to Rithanyaa P and Ana-Sofia J from Taylor, Sharon T and Selina G from Schofield, Valerie K and Harper D from Lawrence, and Ellie Y and Kelly D from Singleton.
We can’t wait for the winner to be announced shortly!
Jennifer Gordon
Head of English
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator
Every Saturday rain or shine, the CGGS Saturday Netball program is in full swing from 8:00am – 5:00pm at the Boroondara Netball Association in Balwyn.
CGGS has a very strong presence at the courts, with players, coaches, CGGS families and friends, and our very strong group of umpires.
It is with great pride that we congratulate Harper, Sass and Amelia from Year 10, who have attained their C Badge Netball Umpiring badge with Netball Victoria and Netball Australia.
Harper, Sass and Amelia have spent the past two years working hard to achieve this. Every Saturday they play their own game of netball for their team, then they umpire up to four additional games of netball. They have also initiated their own learnings and engaged opportunities to develop and gain feedback at the Waverley Netball Centre throughout Term One. All three students have shown resilience, commitment to their craft and hard work, and have displayed an enormous amount of personal growth with their confidence, communication and ability to perform under pressure.
I would like to thank Harper, Sass and Amelia for their outstanding contribution to the CGGS Saturday Netball Program, and I would also like to recognise Mia Graham (Class of 2023), who has spent many Saturdays’ mentoring our students in their umpiring journey.
Alexia McConnell
CGGS Netball Coordinator
The sport of Cross Country has been ever-present on the sporting landscape during the month of May, with the staging of the CGGS House Carnival, GSV Preliminary and Championship events.
May 20 saw the CGGS team travel to Yarra Bend Park to contest the GSV Preliminary Carnival, an event designed to rank the twenty-three competing schools into divisions for the Championship on Friday 30 May. A number of students carried their good form from the House Carnival conducted a week earlier to produce some encouraging results in their respective division allocation:
The combined efforts of the forty-eight strong student contingent placed Camberwell Girls Grammar School in Division Three for the Championship Carnival.
Ten days later and the CGGS Cross Country Team were on the road again, this time travelling to Cruden Farm to compete in the GSV Championship Carnival.
Students represented our school admirably as they left nothing out on course, an inspiration to all who witnessed their overcomer’s mindset in pushing hard to the finish line.
The team held their ground, accomplishing a 5th place finish in Division Three to remain consistent with the result achieved in 2024.
Congratulations to Georgia P and Kelly Z who finished in 8th and 9th place respectively for the entire Division Three Junior A category.
Congratulations to Year 10 student, Charlotte on her selection to the School Sport Victoria (SSV) U15 Hockey Team. Charlotte will represent the Big V at the School Sport Australia Championships in Canberra this August.
Year 9 student Amelia reflected on her experience at the 2025 Australian Age Championships at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre as being one of immense value and inspiration.
Competing in the 13-14 Years 4x50m Freestyle and Medley Relays, Amelia achieved multiple personal best performances. Amelia connected the hard work and effort that she had expended over countless hours of training sessions over a number of years, to fully appreciate her achievement.
A rewarding aspect on the national stage was the visible sportsmanship displayed between teammates and by extension, competing aquatic clubs, with all racers celebrating each other’s success stories.
With a great passion for the sport of swimming, Amelia and her teammates placed 12th in the country in the Medley Relay and 18th in the nation in the Freestyle Relay. Amelia was a major contributor, clocking a personal best time of 28.25 seconds swimming the Freestyle leg in the medley.
Claiming a silver medal at the State Championships, Rachel and her teammates were primed for a strong showing at the National Championships, in which they placed 4th overall in the Junior Team Free event.
Taking to the national arena was a truly memorable experience for Rachel, not only for the reward achieved after a year-long training regime but the friendships that were forged in the cauldron of competition.
Throughout the week of competition, Rachel spent time with talented athletes from Asia-Pacific, including China, Japan, and New Zealand. She found it to be an incredible experience, competing with a shared passion for the sport of artistic swimming. Multiple languages and cultural differences were celebrated as athletes connected over their shared experiences and love for the sport.
Rachel credits as a highlight, the time spent with her team, supporting one another, pushing through arduous training sessions, and refining the specifics of their routine. They learned not only how to improve technique but also developed a level of trust in each other’s capabilities. This competition provided Rachel with the thrilling excitement that competition brings, along with seeing the growth, effort and connection throughout the team.
CGGS Sport often finds itself in the fortunate position of welcoming to the coaching ranks some of the best and the brightest from recent graduation years.
And so it is with Sara Rowland, who after an incredible career at Camberwell Girls graduating in 2024 with the Dux Secondus accolade to her name, is performing the role of Assistant Coach in the GSV Junior AFL team and coaching an Intermediate Netball side.
Sara represented CGGS across a raft of sports and was a perennial walk-up selection in high-level teams in the following sports – AFL, basketball, tennis, and water polo. Whilst playing in the Senior AFL team, Sara relished the opportunity to play the great Australian game with her teammates on Friday afternoons, referencing the culture which had seen this team remain undefeated across four consecutive seasons.
Currently studying Biomedical Sciences at university, it is hoped that Sara continues to make a powerful contribution to CGGS sporting teams for many seasons to come.
Cameron Childs
Director of Sport
Today, we hear from one of our School Counsellors, Paula Kolivas, who explains how we implement Child Safety Standards at Camberwell Girls.
There’s plenty to celebrate at the Secondary School - Reconciliation Week, sporting achievements, language masterclasses, and public speaking awards.
It has been a busy fortnight at Junior School with incursions, excursions and a number of student achievements.
The PFA was proud to host the annual Trivia Night in the Brooksbank Library last Friday evening.
