Mrs McClure explains the exciting work happening behind the scenes to transform the digital experience for all stakeholders in our community.
With the long weekend approaching and the halfway point of Term One, we reflect on and thank our students and staff, on the wonderful start they have made to the school year. We congratulate our students on their outstanding performances at the GSV Swimming and Diving Preliminary Carnival earlier in the week, with some excellent results achieved, placing our students in the Division One Championship Carnival for both Swimming and Diving for the first time in over a decade. We wish all students involved all the very best as they prepare to compete again in a few weeks’ time. We also celebrate the GSV Triathlon team, highlighted in this edition, on their outstanding team and individual results.
The fortnight also included Year 10 Camp, which offered a range of trails and options designed to suit students’ varying interests and desired levels of challenge. This experience provided a wonderful opportunity for bonding, personal growth and resilience building. Also highlighted in this edition is the Adelaide Drama Camp, where students with a passion for the performing arts immersed themselves in experiential learning, seeing eight shows in three days and engaging deeply with live theatre and performance. We thank all staff involved in our Education Outdoors programs and tours for supporting students throughout these important experiences.
This week, the second of our Upskill Day for students in Years 7–10 was held. This provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage in a wide range of programs and curriculum offerings, allowing them to deep dive into cross‑curricular subject areas and extend their learning beyond their regular timetabled classes. It was wonderful to see such strong engagement and curiosity across the day, and we are pleased to share several reflections from students and staff in this edition of CamNews.
Yesterday we were delighted to host an insightful International Women’s Day panel in the Secondary School assembly. We were pleased to welcome representatives from Camberwell Grammar School (Boys), including Deputy Principal Mrs Karen Whelan and School Captain Dylan, alongside Mr Clark, Ms Manners, Rithanya P (Year 12). We thank them sincerely for their time, their thoughtful contributions, and for championing this important event.
We look forward to continuing these conversations at the International Women’s Day breakfast on Tuesday, 10 March, 7.00am – 8.20am in the Brooksbank Library. The event will feature alum and former School Captain (2017) Mia Sieber, 2026 School Captain Anneka S, and Head of Languages Dr Jo Rittey. Together, they will share their reflections and experiences in relation to this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Balancing the Scales’, during a Q&A session hosted by alum, Camberwell Girls Inspiring Woman, and current parent Emma Race (1993).
We wish all families a restful and joyful long weekend, providing time to pause, reflect and recharge before we return ready for the final action‑packed weeks of Term One.
Kath Woolcock
Head of Senior School
Tom Clark
Head of Middle School
Environmental enthusiasts from both schools recently came together for a hands‑on exploration of waste reduction and the circular economy. The day began at St Kilda Beach, where students partnered with the Port Phillip EcoCentre to conduct a beach clean‑up as part of Clean Up Australia Week. As an added highlight, students were lucky enough to tour the end of the pier where the penguin’s nest among the rocks.
After lunch, the environmental leaders continued their learning journey with a visit to BioGro, an organic circular‑economy facility. Here, students observed how household FOGO waste is transformed into nutrient‑rich compost.
Two students shared their reflections:
“We are glad that we had a chance to contribute to the community and make our world a better place! Touring BioGro gave us a valuable insight into where our green‑bin contents go. It inspired us to make sure our FOGO bins are never contaminated so the workers’ jobs are easier.” Grace & Lauren
“I enjoyed seeing how FOGO waste is processed, participating in the citizen‑science survey at the beach, and learning that the penguins at St Kilda pier are the only penguins to nest in a humv‑made structure!” Yasmin
The excursion strengthened collaboration between schools and empowered student leaders to make logical, informed decisions about transforming our linear economy into a circular one. Students left feeling proud of their contribution, both to the local environment and to a more sustainable future.
Anna Clarkson
Mathematics and Geography Teacher
Sustainability Coordinator
Our Year 12 Formal was a delightful evening filled with laughter and funky dance moves. It was lovely seeing everyone dressed up in their fabulous outfits. Kooyong Tennis Club was a beautiful venue, and we enjoyed posing for photos and watching the sunset from the terrace. The three-course meal was delicious, with the favourite being the chocolate tart for dessert. The Formal Committee organised awards for Best Dressed, Cutest Couple, Best Dance Moves, Best Hair and “Just Friends”. It was very wholesome to recognise all the effort everyone put in. The photobooth was also a massive hit as everyone was able to take home a little memento from the night. The dance floor was pumping towards the end of the night with everyone getting a boogie in before the evening concluded. Overall, it was a beautiful and special evening where we got to strengthen our bond as a year level.
Phoebe P (Year 12 Student)
Year 10 students displayed an outstanding level of effort and teamwork during camp. The theme of the camp was “have a go” and all students should be proud of the way they pushed themselves out of their comfort zones. Students had opportunity to select a ‘trail’ to pursue throughout the week, which matched their interests and desired level of challenge. With students completing the camp between two sites based in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. The students have shared some thoughts on the various trails they were on.
On the Birrarung Trail, we engaged with speakers who spoke to us about their personal experiences, offering us new perspectives. We took a tour with Female Street Artist N2O, viewing the vibrant works by female street artists, a new part of Melbourne’s street culture. And despite the heavy rain, we visited the Old Magistrates Court and reenacted a case. Overall, this trail was an eye-opening experience and a fun way to conclude our year level camp. Lily W
I spent the week participating in the Port Phillip Bay trail. We spent most days in the water, swimming, surfing, and snorkelling, or admiring it from walking trails and campsites. Highlights for me were the bike ride, paddle boarding, and the campout. Overall, the Port Phillip Bay trail was the perfect mix of adventure and leisure, and we had a great week.” Ellie I
In the Warn Marin Trail (Western Port Trail) much of the program is spent with water activities or hiking along the beach. We spent two nights camping out at separate locations, one night at Balnarring and the other at Point Leo. We spent our evenings playing volleyball and cooking our food using Trangia’s. Although it was thunder storming during the nights we remained dry in our tents. Drue C
Daniel Loff
Year 10 Level Coordinator
Students in Years 7–10 recently participated in another vibrant Upskill Day, engaging in hands-on experiences designed to build capability, curiosity and real-world understanding.
Year 7 focused on environmental stewardship and care for place. Students took part in the Veri Spatial Challenge, applying mathematical and geographical thinking to solve real-world spatial problems. They also rotated through practical sustainability workshops including waste audits, repurposing plastics, eco-message design and working in the Kitchen Garden, encouraging students to think about how they can contribute to a more sustainable school community.
Year 8 travelled into the city for an excursion to Science Gallery Melbourne, exploring the immersive Distraction exhibition. Through interactive installations and the DETECT.ai workshop, students investigated how technology, media and artificial intelligence influence the way that we think, connect and interpret information, while developing strategies for responsible digital citizenship.
Year 9 students began their World of Work workshop series, developing practical workplace and life skills. Across the day, students explored retail visual merchandising, hospitality customer service, inclusive leadership through Flying Fox camps, and food safety through the RSA Food Handlers Certificate. These sessions help students build confidence, responsibility and readiness for future employment.
Year 10 students focused on future pathways and decision-making. Through Morrisby aptitude and interest testing, students explored their strengths and potential career directions. They also participated in the Speaking of Money: Fair Work & Fair Pay workshop, developing financial literacy and an understanding of workplace rights and responsibilities.
Upskill Days provide opportunities for students to step beyond traditional classroom learning and engage with authentic experiences that connect learning to the real world. We thank our staff and external partners who helped make the day such a valuable learning experience.
Emma Perrett
Head of Upskill
The Year 12 Physics class enjoyed an action packed and insightful day at Luna Park on Thursday 5 March. The Luna Park VCE Physics Day gave students the chance to see Motion Concepts from Unit 3, Area of Study 1.
Throughout the day, students actively engaged in exploring real-world applications of physics, immersing themselves in the principles they have studied. By participating in exhilarating rides like the Power Surge, Pharaoh’s Curse and Enterprise, which featured intense speeds and moments of being upside down, they were able to directly experience the forces and motion concepts discussed in class. The day brought textbook theories to life but also deepened their understanding of physics in a memorable and exciting way.
Kingsley Ren
Head of Technology
Physics and Mathematics Teacher
The Camberwell Girls Diving and Swimming teams took to the pool this past Monday to contest the GSV Preliminary C Carnival.
In a stunning display, our divers and swimmers excelled, with both teams qualifying for the GSV Division 1 Championship Diving & Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 18 March.
This is the first time in over a decade that we have qualified for Division 1 in both disciplines in over a decade. With the School last completing in the Division 1 Diving Carnival previously in 2024 and 2025 and the Division 1 Swimming Carnival in 2004. Bravo to our swimmers and divers, who will take us back to the rarefied air of Division 1 competition twelve days from now.
To qualify for Division 1 status, our divers and swimmers produced wonderful performances at last Monday’s GSV Preliminary C Carnival.
The swimming program commenced the day’s proceedings with the Camberwell Girls’ team in great form, winning fourteen races, placing second in twenty, and third on eighteen occasions. The Years 11 and 12 students claimed 4th position in the Senior Division; Years 9 and10 placed 2nd in the Intermediate Division, and Years 7 and 8 2nd in the Junior Division.
Our divers continued the high standard of performance in the afternoon’s proceedings, recording seven second place finishes and one third from a total of thirteen divers. The Senior category claimed 2nd, Intermediate claimed 5th, and the Juniors claiming top honours with Equal 1st.
Onwards to Wednesday 18 March to continue to re-write the history books in Division 1!
Forty Camberwell Girls students competed in both the Teams and Individual categories at the GSV Triathlon conducted at Altona Beach on Sunday 22 February.
Whether swimming 300 metres, riding 10 kilometres or running 3 kilometres, our students recorded another impressive showing at this popular event.
First place finishes and gold medals were the order of the day with congratulations to:
Sophie L (Year 11) finishing in 1st place in the Senior Individual category
1st place finish to Year 10 students – Eden C, Nini C, and Amelia L
A bronze medal in the Junior Team event
Five teams in the Intermediate team’s category placed in the top ten.
The champions from the House Diving & Swimming Carnival were formally recognised in front of their peers and presented with medals at yesterday’s Secondary School Assembly.
Congratulations to the following winners:
JUNIOR DIVING CHAMPION
1st – Zoe M (Year 8)
2nd – Cleo S-A (Year 9)
3rd – Aadhya T-G (Year 7)
SENIOR DIVING CHAMPION
1st – Summer Z (Year 12)
2nd – Erika T (Year 12)
3rd – Audrey K (Year 12)
YEAR 7 SWIMMING CHAMPION
1st – Claire Z
2nd – Alessandra R
3rd – Janice P
YEAR 8 SWIMMING CHAMPION
1st – Chelsea Z
2nd – Ivy X
3rd – Joyce Z
YEAR 9 SWIMMING CHAMPION
1st – Lydia H
2nd – Sophie-May R
3rd – Olivia W
YEAR 10 SWIMMING CHAMPION
1st – Amelia L
2nd – Jasmine X
3rd – Eden C
YEAR 11 SWIMMING CHAMPION
1st – Sophie L
2nd – Harper D
3rd – Emily L
YEAR 12 SWIMMING CHAMPION
1st – Anneka S
2nd – Claire F
3rd – Christina W
Congratulations to Audrey C (Year 7) on the remarkable achievement of gaining selection to the 2026 Australian U16 Women’s Softball squad.
Audrey is the only Victorian selected in the 30-player strong squad, recognition of her performances for her State at the U14 National Championships this past January.
Audrey will travel to Canberra in the Term 1 school holidays to participate in a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, where player selections will be conducted for the World Cup qualifiers, which will be held in American Samoa in July.
With an already impressive playing resume in the sports of Softball and Baseball, Audrey is a first-choice selection in the position of Catcher, a role in which she leads her teams, controls the field from behind home plate, keeps the pitcher calm, whilst reinforcing the roles required of her teammates in their designated positions.
Audrey is a history-maker, having played in the first ever Little League all-girls competition in which she represented Victoria, placing second at the national championships.
No stranger to international play either, Audrey was the only girl in an eighteen player Australian team that won a Baseball World Cup qualifier in Guam, to advance to the World Cup in Taiwan.
With ambitions to play in the 2027 World Cup and in the years to follow to potentially play College Softball in the US at the NCAA Division 1 level, we wish Audrey continued success with her Baseball and Softball careers.
Gretel B (Year 11) along with her Co-House Sport Captain, Sophie L (Year 11) have made a successful start to their leadership of Singleton House Sport, leading their charges to victory at the House Swimming Carnival.
Gretel’s motivations to become a House Sport Captain are two-fold, to utilise her strengths as a great encourager, supporter and advocate for her peers, alongside the inspiration that she experienced from previous Singleton Captains to involve herself in House Co-Curricular activities. Gretel would like to pass on that sense of House participation and contributing to something greater that oneself to the current crop of Singletonians.
Basketball is Gretel’s favourite sport to play, whether for school or at the community club level, combining the opportunity to build deep connections and friendships with teammates alongside the desire to produce high-level performances and achieve successful outcomes.
Few people would know that every Summer, Gretel takes to the waves to indulge her passion for surfing, embracing the thrills and excitement of time spent in the ocean.
We look forward to Gretel’s continued drive to see Singleton House excel across 2026.
Cameron Childs
Director of Sport
Mrs McClure explains the exciting work happening behind the scenes to transform the digital experience for all stakeholders in our community.
The secondary school recently celebrated outstanding results at the GSV Triathlon event and the Swimming and Diving Carnivals.
The Junior School celebrated excellent swimming results this week, and Year 5 was visited by some furry friends.
Our dedicated SHUS volunteers have been working tirelessly to streamline shop processes.
