Mrs Dunwoody reflects on the 2025 Inspiring Women Ceremony and CGGS’s success in a recent national ranking.
During the past fortnight students have embraced the theme of Decoding the Universe for Science Week, stepped onto the stage for the Senior School and VCE Theatre production of Wolves Are Coming For You, and competed energetically to secure 4th place at the GSV Athletics Preliminary Carnival.
As we reach the midpoint of the term, we take great pride in how our students have begun the semester, eager to make the most of the diverse array of activities at our school. Whether it’s on the sports field, at camp, through academic competitions, or in service to the community, their enthusiasm to participate and give their best enriches our school environment and deepens their learning experiences in meaningful ways.
Looking ahead to next week, we have the ever popular Camberwell and Book Week celebrations, featuring a variety of wellbeing and book-related activities. We look forward to sharing self-care tips, exchanging book recommendations, dressing up as book themed characters and engaging in lively and important literary debates such as if Hermonie Granger attended Camberwell Girls, which House would she be in? You decide!
We hope that you enjoy this edition of CamNews where we reflect on the Year 11 Soiree, Year 8 Camp and NAIDOC week, while also celebrating a range of student achievements and events. Happy reading!
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
On Wednesday 30 July, 50 Year 10 students were welcomed to Australian International Academy (AIA) to learn about Islam. This visit followed on from AIA students visiting CGGS earlier in the year to learn about Christianity. Year 10 students from AIA were excited to host this visit, which included ice-breaker games, and a presentation on key aspects of Islam. One point of special interest was when the imam recited verses from the Koran that relate to Mary and the birth of Jesus. Elise O took part in a panel, along with an AIA student, answering questions about prayer, beliefs and fasting in both traditions.
Helen Creed
Chaplain
As budding Year 10s, we have been inspired this year to create something just for our year level, an event that would bring us closer together and showcase our creativity. That’s how the Year 10 Trivia Afternoon was born. After a full year of planning, our vision finally came to life on Tuesday 5 August.
Everyone formed their own groups, coming up with unique team themes, costumes, questions, and even snacks. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as we competed for prizes like Most Spirit, Best Snack Collection, Most Unique Answer, Most Creative Question, and Best Dressed. The creativity was off the charts, with themes ranging from childhood favourites to the quirks of our own school timetable.
The best part of hosting this event was seeing everyone laughing, cheering, and fully embracing the fun. It wasn’t just a passion project, it was a lesson in teamwork, collaboration, and learning from feedback. Watching our hard work pay off was incredibly rewarding.
A huge thank you goes to our Year Level Coordinator, Ms Hill, who made it all possible. She organised the prizes, equipment, and staffing, and turned our ideas into reality.
Congratulations to the winning team “Yolo,” who wowed everyone with their Disney theme, and thank you to every single participant who brought their energy, creativity, and school spirit. This was a Year 10 moment we’ll never forget!
Chloe W, Tiya S and Erin L
Year 10 students
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life to promote cultural awareness and understanding.
This year marked 50 years of celebrating the strength, culture and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and this year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’, celebrated achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.
NAIDOC week falls within the July school holidays, so in celebration, during Week 2 at CGGS, the following activities and events took place:
Wurundjeri knowledge sharing
Murrundindi generously shared his knowledge of Wurundjeri Astronomy, including dreaming stories and explaining how the Wurundjeri Seasons reflect the natural changes in the environment, the life cycles of plants and animals, and the movements of the stars. Murrundindi also worked with the Year 7 cohort to create Wurundjeri-inspired scratch artwork which will be displayed in the Year 7 Area.
Indigenous Living Cultures incursion
Year 8 students participated in several workshops to further explore Indigenous traditions, histories and ways of knowing as part of the Service Learning program. Activities this year included, participating in a traditional smoking ceremony, learning about the history of Marngrook and participating in small-sided games, and making wattle seed and lemon myrtle damper with Murrundindi. Students were also fortunate enough to participate in the Deadly Learning workshop led by CGGS First Nations’ students Leah B and Leah P (Year 12), Katelyn A (Year 11) and 2024 alumni Amina Keegan and Ruby Rosas. The Tree of Life activity was a cross-cultural awareness opportunity that explored aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, faiths and spiritualities. Students used Indigenous ways of knowing to identify the similarities and differences within their own culture(s) to create original and meaningful work.
NAIDOC Film Club – Brooksbank Library
Staff and students were invited to watch the LIKE MY BROTHER film in the library at lunchtimes during the week. LIKE MY BROTHER follows the story of four young women, Rina, Freda, Julianna and Jess, on their journey from their communities in the Tiwi Islands to Melbourne and a return to their island home, as they dare to dream of becoming stars of AFLW. It explores sport as a force for change and a bridge between worlds as the girls encounter triumphs and disappointments before defining success on their own terms.
The week’s activities provided opportunities for the CGGS staff and students to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and gain a deeper appreciation for First Nations cultures, traditions and histories.
Liza Stevens
Indigenous Programs Coordinator
On 4 August, our Year 11 Chinese Second Language Unit 3 and 4 students took part in the Chinese Model United Nations, a dynamic and intellectually engaging event that brought together language learning, international relations, and collaborative problem-solving.
This year’s conference centred around a compelling global theme: “Outer Space Activities and Sustainable Development: Improving Life on Earth?” Students were asked to consider the role of innovation and sustainability in space technology and its broader impact on environmental, social, and economic development worldwide.
Representing Argentina, South Africa, and Uruguay, our students joined over 200 students from across Victoria, each acting as a delegate for one of the 23 participating UN member states. In the weeks leading up to the event, the students conducted thorough research into the policies and perspectives of their assigned countries, developing a strong understanding of national interests and space-related initiatives.
After taking some time to warm up, students quickly adapted to the fast-paced and immersive environment. They confidently delivered position speeches in Chinese and played an active role in formal negotiations including drafting, debating, and amending resolution clauses. Throughout the day, they demonstrated not only strong language proficiency but also a growing capacity for diplomacy, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
The Chinese Model UN experience provided an authentic platform for students to apply their language skills in a formal setting while also broadening their understanding of current global challenges. We commend each participant for their courage, preparation, and thoughtful contributions. Their efforts were evident in their maturity and commitment, and they were a proud reflection of our school community.
Scarlett Zhang
Chinese Coordinator
Over the Term 2 holidays, I was honoured to be one of 40 female Year 9 students selected to participate in a 4-day camp as part of the program Girl Power, hosted by the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Engineering and IT. We stayed at University College and walked to the University of Melbourne each day for varying workshops and engaging activities.
On day one, we settled into our accommodation, socialising and meeting new friends. We then dived straight into a design thinking workshop, which encouraged us to approach problems creatively and empathetically.
The second day began with a UoM campus tour, followed by RoboGals, where we learnt coding skills. We then attended Bridge Building, designing model bridges tested against other groups in strength. To finish for the day, we toured the Creator Space and were introduced to a project involving designing and creating model airplanes using laser-cutting, sanding, and aerodynamic techniques. That evening, we watched Hidden Figures, an inspiring film about women in STEM, a break after an action-packed day.
Day three opened with the SiRE workshop, where we built model wind turbines and tested them in a tub of water, simulating offshore conditions. At lunch, the MUR Motor Racing Team presented to us, giving us an insight into engineering-related extracurriculars at UoM. In the afternoon, we returned to the Creator Space to complete and race our airplanes. Unfortunately, our team’s wing detached mid-flight, but we still placed second, a win for us. That evening, a careers panel featuring four female engineers from different fields shared their career journeys and advice, answering our questions insightfully, a highlight for me.
On the final day, we learnt to code drones, then presented our group projects which we worked on throughout the entire camp, proposing solutions tackling a Sustainable Development Goal.
By the end of the Girl Power camp, I developed new skills, formed friendships, and gained a deeper understanding of opportunities in Engineering and IT. It was an inspiring experience that I would highly recommend to future Year 9s interested in these fields.
Anni Z
Year 9
The Year 11 Soiree was a truly magnificent evening, showcasing the many strengths and talents of this wonderful year level. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy, and it was fabulous to see everyone enjoying themselves and celebrating together. The Soiree Committee members: Naomi L, Summer Z, Angel Q and Audrey K collaborated effectively to ensure the evening was a huge success!
Nicole McKie
Year 11 Year Level Coordinator
We were absolutely delighted to see all our hard work and planning come to life on the day of the event. From the very beginning, our committee had put so much thought into every detail, from crafting the menus to designing the invitations and bringing our shared vision to reality.
When the evening finally arrived, it was amazing to see our vision become more than just a plan. The atmosphere was exactly what we had hoped for – warm, vibrant, and filled with energy. One of the highlights was seeing everybody looking wonderful. Guests arrived in their best, and the style and elegance really elevated the mood of the entire occasion. The event truly came together in every way the food was enjoyed by all, the decorations matched our vision perfectly, and the DJ kept the energy high with a great mix of songs that had people dancing all night.
It was a celebration of not only the occasion itself but also the teamwork that made it possible, and we couldn’t have asked for a better result.
Summer Z
Year 11 Soiree Committee Member
As a part of the Year 7 (2026) Transition Program, the Year 7 (2026) cohort had the opportunity to spend the day onsite and complete a range of learning activities and getting to know you activities. With the day designed to help build their individual learning profile and familiarity both with each other and the School.
Structured to mimic a regular school day, amongst learning assessments, students were also able to participate in a school tour, a creative writing task and what seemed to be a very competitive game of UNO!
The day also incorporated another Middle School initiative – The Middle Leaders Program, with over 50 Year 9 students signing up and contributing to the running of the day. From greeting students on the gate, completing tours and assisting with learning activities, the Year 9 students were able to gain an insight into what it takes to run a school event.
A fun day had by both students and staff. We look forward to welcoming the Year 7 (2026) back to CGGS for the next part of the Transition Program, Orientation Day on Tuesday 18 November.
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
The Australian Brain Bee Challenge is run as a Science Extension Program for Year 9 and 10 students at CGGS. The Year 9 students completed an internal competition as per the rules of the competition. Students study for the first round online quiz with 67 qualifying for the State Final. CGGS had strong representation with 3 Year 10 students in 2025 – Demi Jiang, Sophie Liu and Elise Orme. They were well supported by Emily Wong with the video challenge. These CGGS students were remarkable in their preparation, spirit and collaboration. Working together and helping each other learn was a huge asset for them and a joy to behold. Sophie Liu and Demi Jiang were placed in the top 20 students in the State.
Michele Linossier
Learning Enrichment & Extension Teacher
Students reflection:
The Australian Brain Bee Competition is a nationally recognised neuroscience competition consisting of 3 rounds of testing and a team challenge – a video analysing a topic from the competition content. For our team challenge, we constructed an animated video with the help of Emily Wong (Year 10) analysing the innerworkings of photoreceptors in humans and animals.
On 6 August, we travelled to the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health for the State Finals and heard from PhD students and professors about their work in the neuroscience field. We were immersed in their research and investigations where we gained a deeper understanding about epilepsy, mental health, meditation, and the science behind treatments for brain disease to name a few.
With a focus on investigating epilepsy in children, we were guided through multiple labs, witnessing the diversity of research, from microscope use to imaging of proteins within rat brains, to witnessing rat brain cells dying and more.
We had the opportunity to experience a tour of the Melbourne Pathology and Anatomy Museum which was a highlight of the experience alongside meeting our fabulous neuroscience peers who all shared a common passion in the field. Ultimately, this experience was incredibly valuable in learning skills like time management and gaining a deeper understanding how we work as people. Thank you to Ms Linossier for making this experience possible for the first time at CGGS.
Elise, Sophie and Demi
Year 10
This past Wednesday saw CGGS Athletes converge upon Lakeside Stadium to contest the GSV Preliminary Athletics Carnival.
With two GSV Track & Field PB Meets completed along with all training sessions delivered by the Elite Wellbeing cadre of coaches, expectations were optimistic for many of our students to perform to a high level.
Stay tuned for the next edition of CamNews for a complete wrap of the Prelim!
Year 7 student – Zoe M – represented Victoria with great success at the recent School Sport Australia Aquatic Games in Brisbane.
Conducted at the world-class Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Sleeman Sports Complex, one of Australia’s premier swimming and diving facilities, Zoe shone on the national stage.
As one of only three Victorian divers to claim a gold medal across the competition, Zoe was a pivotal member in the Team Synchro event, where competitors are placed into a team with divers from other states and allocated one-hour to train together to get synchronized. The event format has each diver complete one dive with every member of their team. Combining with divers from NSW and QLD, Zoe’s quartet were the premier performers and claimed the top prize from 17 other competing teams!
Congratulations to Charlotte C (Year 10) on claiming the silver medal as a member of the Victorian team that contested the U15 Hockey Championships in Canberra last week.
Charlotte and the Victorian team produced exceptional tournament play in the nation’s capital, finishing in equal first position after the preliminary rounds, to qualify for the gold medal playoff against Queensland.
Charlotte relished the opportunity to match it against the country’s best players in her age group, equal to all challengers as she scored some critical goals for her team to progress to the gold medal match.
CGGS students continue to make their mark within GSV Sport playing in representative hockey and soccer teams against the AGSV on Wednesday 30 July.
Charlotte C (Year 10) and Anika S (Year 11) were selected to the hockey side that performed at a high-level from the outset of the match, winning their contest 7-0.
Emily L (Year 10) used her electrifying speed on the Wing to create numerous chances for her teammates in a thrilling 1-1 draw.
Last week, CGGS Sport Captain – Amber R (Year 12) and Ruby E (Year 11) – attended the Athletes for Hope Workshop as part of the 2025 Athlete Community Leadership Workshop initiative.
With the ambition to empower the next generation of GSV athlete community leaders to create impact for the causes, charities and communities that matter most to them, students had the opportunity to hear from athletes such as Alexandra Viney (Paralympian Rower).
Please read below the thoughtful and inspirational reflections on the power of this workshop from Amber and Ruby:
Taking part in the Athletes for Hope workshop has changed the perspective from which I view my own role as a leader in sport. I learned that being an athlete entails more than just participation in sport or motivating a team. It also involves making a positive impact beyond the field by using my platform to draw attention to important causes, and garner support for charities and organisations that help make greater change in society.
One of my highlights from the session was meeting other girls and discussing key aspects of leadership, such as our strengths and sources of inspiration in our lives, so that the action we take aligns with our own values. This enabled me to think of genuine change I can make that stems from a place of empathy and motivation to help others.
I also learnt that change does not always start big, as even small actions, like volunteering at an event or raising awareness through social media, can inspire others and build momentum.
The workshop left me feeling motivated to use my role in sport as a way to connect with the community, contribute to meaningful initiatives, and lead with both passion and purpose!
Amber R
Year 12
The Athletes for Hope workshop was an amazing opportunity for us to learn how athletes have used their platform and given their time to support wonderful organisations and their causes. Not only did we hear from professional athletes about their amazing and inspirational experiences, but we also saw how we could contribute to the causes we are passionate about. The emphasis on our ability to create change included suggestions like raising money and awareness for issues and challenges through our schools, volunteering our own time to those who would benefit, and donating used sporting equipment. The session was very interactive and encouraged us to communicate with other students to learn more about using our strengths to make the most significant change possible. In particular, I loved hearing about what other girls were doing, from raising money through push-up challenges or fundraisers to designing products to help overseas farming programs. These impressive feats demonstrate how much is possible, even at a young age, and what people at our school can continue to do through our mission of being Useful In Service.
Ruby E
Year 11
Cameron Childs
Director of Sport
Mrs Dunwoody reflects on the 2025 Inspiring Women Ceremony and CGGS’s success in a recent national ranking.
Chinese Model UN, sporting achievements, the Year 11 Soiree, NAIDOC Week, and much more.
Our Year 6 students hosted a Q&A with author Ingrid Laguna to help launch her book, Edie Tells a Lie.
A recent graduate has shared her expertise with the student set designers of Wolves Are Coming For You.
