The Principal outlines the School’s updated Smart Devices Policy and our commitment to digital wellbeing through clear and consistent smart device expectations across the School.
Three weeks into the school year, and the Secondary School is well and truly in full swing. Students and staff have now settled into the steady rhythm of timetable classes and co-curricular activities, with learning, rehearsals, training and lunchtime clubs commencing across the School. It has been a positive and purposeful start to the year as students reconnect with routines, set goals and embrace new opportunities.
It has also been a time of celebration and reflection for our community. We were pleased to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 at assembly, with high achievers Sunny Sun and Aliyana Rajakulendran returning to share reflections on their Year 12 journeys and time at Camberwell Girls. Their insights into perseverance, growth and connection offered valuable perspectives for our current students as they plan and prepare for their final years of schooling.
We have also marked significant cultural and religious events, including celebrating the New Year of the Horse and the commencement of Ramadan for members of our school community. We extend our warm wishes to these families, and hope that this period is one of prosperity, generosity and reflection.
Students have continued to learn through experience, challenge and service, with the commencement of the 2026 Upskill curriculum. Excursions have also begun, with Year 8 participating in the ‘Escape!’ elective that tested their teamwork and problem-solving skills in an escape room challenge, applying critical and creative thinking in a dynamic, real-world context. While our environmental group, Froggies, partnered with students from Camberwell Grammar School (Boys) for a beach clean-up at St Kilda as part of Clean Up Australia Day, promoting both sustainability and collaboration in the local community.
As the term gathers momentum, it has been great to see students embrace the opportunities in front of them, and we look forward to sharing many more highlights with you as the year progresses.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
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 2025. The assembly celebrated and acknowledged the outstanding achievements of our recent graduates in their VCE results and ATAR outcomes, as well as their significant contributions to the life of the School.
During the assembly, we recognised not only exceptional academic success, but also the commitment, balance and perseverance demonstrated by students throughout their time at Camberwell Girls. We acknowledged the diverse pathways our graduates are now pursuing and celebrated the personal bests, goals and growth that sit behind every result.
We were delighted to have several of our highest ATAR recipients, along with some family members, in attendance. Students were presented with their medallions and certificates in recognition of their academic excellence and dedication during their final years of schooling.
Congratulations to the following students:
Dux of School – Louisa Taylor Memorial Prize:
Sunny Sun (ATAR 99.95)
Dux Secondus – GD Lawrence Award:
Megan Chung (ATAR 99.6)
Aliyana Rajakulendran (ATAR 99.6)
Isabel Sootoh (ATAR 99.6)
RM Westcott Award (3rd Highest ATAR):
Gina Yao (ATAR 99.5)
Otto Yuncken Prize (4th Highest ATAR):
Rhea Jaitha (ATAR 99.4)
In presenting the awards, we reflected on the way these students balanced academic rigour with leadership, service and engagement in co‑curricular life. Their achievements reflect not only dedication to the School’s academic program, but also their curiosity, resilience and a willingness to embrace opportunities across the School.
We congratulate the Class of 2025 and all students who completed Units 3 and 4 studies in 2025. We look forward to sharing the VCE Achievements Booklet with our community in a few weeks’ time, which celebrates not just results, but the stories, contributions and journeys that define this cohort.
We are immensely proud of what the Class of 2025 has achieved and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
On Friday 13 February, our school community came together to celebrate our annual Galentine’s Day Gala, a much-loved tradition that continues to grow each year. Building on last year’s picnic-style celebration, and with the help of fellow captains and volunteers, we transformed the oval into a vibrant lunchtime hub of colour, music and connection.
The day began on a positive note, with affirmations placed on lockers and office doors across the School. These small but meaningful messages set the tone for a celebration centred on kindness, friendship and gratitude.
At lunchtime, we enjoyed a wide range of activities. The photobooth was a clear favourite, capturing joyful moments between friends, while the friendship bracelet station offered a creative space to sit, chat and craft. For those feeling energetic, games of Finska and netball added a lively spirit to the afternoon.
A highlight of the event was the incredible live performance from the Jellybeans band, made up of talented Year 12 students. Their renditions of Teenage Dirtbag, Valerie and other crowd favourites drew enthusiastic support and created a vibrant atmosphere on the oval.
Throughout the event, we raised funds for the Heart Foundation through activities such as a chocolate toss and “Guess the Number of Jellybeans.” Congratulations to Amelia T (Year 12), who won with the closest guess.
Overall, the Gala was a beautiful celebration of friendship and unity across year levels, the perfect uplifting start to the year.
Anneka S, Christina W, Amber C
School Captains
On 19 February, our school community came together to celebrate the Year of the Horse with great excitement and joy. To mark this special cultural occasion, we invited a traditional lion dance performance by Hongde Lion, which brought festive energy and vibrant spirit to the campus. The Year of the Horse symbolises freedom, speed, action, adventure, and ambition, representing a time for bold moves, personal growth, and rapid progress after periods of transformation.
Students gathered in the courtyard to watch the lively performance, where colourful lions danced to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. The lion dance is a cherished tradition symbolising good luck, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead. Many students were captivated by the performers’ remarkable skill, coordination, and expressive movements, and the atmosphere was filled with cheers and applause.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we also screened the films The Farewell and The Nightingale in the Year 7 and Year 9 common areas. These Chinese films offered valuable insights into family values, cultural identity, and intergenerational relationships, enriching students’ understanding of language and tradition. Some students even found stories resonated with their own experiences growing up.
More than a celebration, this occasion was an opportunity to honour traditions that bring people together and foster understanding across cultures.
Crystal Zhang
Chinese Teacher
The House Diving & Swimming Carnival brought the Secondary School together at the commencement of the academic year, to celebrate the incredible House spirit that flourishes at Camberwell Girls.
The Diving competition saw some exceptional performances from Middle and Senior Divers alike, both off the 1-metre and 3-metre boards. Camberwell Girls Diving Coach and Australian Diving Hall of Fame member, Ms Jenny Donnet, was one of the judges who was thrilled with the quality of diving from our students.
Taylor House carried the day, claiming the title of Champion Diving House spurred on by impressive performances from Summer Z (Year 12), Erika T (Year 12), and Cleo S-A (Year 9).
Schofield House were also outstanding, finishing in second position, buoyed by the performances of Zoe M (Year 8) and Aadhya T-G (Year 7).
Congratulations also to Lawrence House (3rd) and Singleton House (4th).
With 103 events on the swimming program, the lane pool was action-packed with events catering to high-performance competitors as well as those wanting to enjoy Novelty Relays such as Board, PFD, and Egg & Spoon Relay.
With Camberwell Girls winning the GSV Division Two Swimming Championship in 2024 and 2025, there is a current crop of swimming stars who made for some exciting racing and thrilling finishes across the meet.
Congratulations to Singleton on winning the Champion Swimming House title, with Lawrence (2nd), Schofield (3rd), and Taylor (4th).
The Diving and Swimming Champions will be formally recognised with awards at an upcoming Secondary School Assembly. The award recipients will then be published in the following edition of CamNews.
On the House Sport Carnival front, we now turn our attention to the remaining two events:
The annual GSV Sport Leaders’ Breakfast had a distinctly AFLW theme this year, as student sport leaders from the twenty-three GSV Schools came together to hear from a panel of guest speakers that were truly inspirational.
Our own Ms Kaitlin Barr (Year 7 Coordinator and Physical Education Teacher) spoke to her career thus far as an AFL/AFLW Boundary Umpire. Kaitlin made history last year as one of three female boundary umpires to be the first to officiate an AFL match in the 128 years of existence of the VFL/AFL competition. Kaitlin umpired the Round 24 match between the Adelaide Crows and North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Other guest speakers were also GSV alumni and included the Carlton AFLW Captain, a Western Bulldogs AFLW player and Collingwood General Manager.
Camberwell Girls Sport Leaders were in attendance and provided the following reflections on the occasion:
Sport Captain Amalia P (Year 12) relished the opportunity to listen to four inspiring women share their experiences and journeys around sport and she shares her reflections below.
“All the guest speakers were very eager and engaging as they shared their story, which helped me to understand more about the importance of sport for young women.
A message that particularly resonated with me was shared by Sarah Poustie toward the conclusion of the panel discussion. She reflected on her experiences as an AFLW player, noting occasions when she was not selected for the final team. She emphasised the importance of continuing to put in one’s best effort and never give up, as opportunities can arise unexpectedly. Ultimately, Sarah really helped me to understand that perseverance is essential to success.”
Ruby E (Year 12) also found the presentations to be inspirational in hearing from women in fields across AFL that have been traditionally dominated by men.
“Their stories describing how they got to where they are today were captivating and their tips and tricks for many different situations were significant to me as both a person and a leader. I enjoyed the opportunity to hear from not only athletes but general managers and umpires. It shone a light on other aspects of what goes on in a league, which provided a great degree of perspective.”
Three Camberwell Girls students were accepted into the field to contest the GSV Golf Event at The Metropolitan Golf Club, located in Melbourne’s famous Sandbelt region of world-class golf courses.
With a field of 48 competitors from eighteen participating schools, our Camberwell Girls students relished the opportunity to play on a course with 125 years of golfing history.
Year 10 student Jessica M claimed the Nearest to the Pin honours in the players without a handicap category as well as 11th position with a score of 52.
In her debut in the GSV Golf Event, Sophie M (Year 9) recorded a 17th place finish with a score of 61.
Chloe W (Year 11) completed her round with a net score of 45.5 to claim 17th position in the players with a handicap category.
Thank you to Mr Shane Maycock (Education Outdoors Coordinator and Physical Education Teacher) for supervising the Camberwell Girls group on course.
The Camberwell Girls Run Club is conducted every Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7.00am -8.00am during term time.
Students are requested to arrive at Camberwell Girls Gym by 6.50am to have their attendance recorded.
Students are supervised by permanent staff members and sport coaches in areas surrounding the campus and on council grounds/ovals.
Participants are to wear Camberwell Girls Sport branded clothing items.
Students are permitted to participate in Term 1 Camberwell Girls Run Club if they completed the registration form in Term 4, 2025. For any students that did not complete the registration and would like to participate, their parent/guardian is to provide email permission to Mr Cameron Childs (Director of Sport) prior to engaging in their first training session.
Camberwell Girls Run Club has been implemented this year to provide the training foundation required for students to develop fitness levels in preparation for the GSV Cross Country and Track & Field campaigns in terms 2 and 3 respectively.
In Term 4, 2025 the incoming Sport Captain and GSV Captains were profiled in subsequent editions of CamNews.
The 2026 academic year provides the opportunity to showcase the amazing eight House Sport Captains. In this edition, it seems appropriate that Sophie L (Year 11) is the first feature (to be followed closely in the next edition by Gretel B – Year 11) as one of the Singleton House Sport Captains that oversaw the 2026 House Swimming Championship campaign.
Sophie very kindly provided the responses below to a series of questions in relation to her Camberwell Girls Sporting journey to highlight the wonderful contribution that she has made to her beloved Singleton House and school:
With Sophie (and Gretel B) at the helm of Singleton Sport for the 2025/26 Rhodes Cup cycle, it promises to be an exciting year for the students in blue.
Camberwell Girls students featured at one of the world’s great sporting events, the 2026 edition of the Australian Open.
Riana S (Year 7), Ailey P (Year 9), Mila W (Year 9), and Jessica M (Year 10) performed the highly prized role of Ballkids.
For someone who is passionate about the sport of Tennis, Riana thrived in the high-pressure environment, in the thick of the action, working matches that featured some of the world’s best players.
Ailey cited the crowds’ excitement as an energising experience. Working some of the major stadium courts, Ailey had a front row seat to some spectacular Tennis, which created an atmosphere pulsing with ‘electric energy’.
Mila had the good fortune to be assigned to three separate Legends matches, including matches against former Australian greats Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt, and Mark Philippoussis. In addition, Mila met with global recording artists who visited the AO Lounge to wish the Ballkids a successful tournament.
Jessica saved her best experience for her final shift, when she worked the Junior Girls Final on the showpiece court, Rod Laver Arena.
It was not only Camberwell Girls students who were a part of this storied event – Current Junior and Intermediate Tennis Coach, and CGGS Alum, Kiki Page was engaged for another year in the Courtside Services role. Kiki was once a Ballkid and has enjoyed a long-standing relationship working at the AO.
Cameron Childs
Director of Sport
The Principal outlines the School’s updated Smart Devices Policy and our commitment to digital wellbeing through clear and consistent smart device expectations across the School.
The term is in full stride, with students embracing academic challenge, cultural celebration, service, House spirit and sporting excellence across a vibrant start to 2026.
A strong sense of belonging and participation has shaped the start of term, as students embrace leadership, learning, House spirit and opportunities to grow across the Junior School.
