Welcome back to Term 2.

It has been an exciting start with students beginning the term in our new Year 7 and 8 Building. On Tuesday morning our Year 7 and 8 students were the first to explore and utilise the new space, with the wider student body free to roam from recess. Seeing this beautiful new space finished and our students working and socialising within it, makes the process completely worthwhile. During Term 3 we look forward to an official opening when our whole School community will be invited to come and enjoy our shared facilities.

Senior School administration, reception and the Health Centre are now located on the ground floor of the new building. Students should all report to Mrs Burns when arriving late or leaving early and all general student enquiries should now be directed to this area. Parents are welcome to access the space via Figtree café, crossing through the central quadrangle area to the new building. We look forward to sharing the space with you.

At the end of Term 1 we held Easter Services at St Mark’s Church and our School Vice Captain, Cindy Jiang delivered the prayer to Senior School. Her words are relevant not only to Easter, a most significant time on our religious calendar, but are an expression of the types of global citizens we are striving to educate. I am happy to share her words with you here.

We thank you for this opportunity to gather here today. In this time of reflection, we pray in remembrance of the victims of the Brussels terrorist attack and their families. We pray that those who have lost their lives will rest in peace and freedom in your care, and that their families will be comforted by your presence in this time of hardship and brief.

Lord, in this time where hatred is ever present, we pray for courage, hope and solidarity. Regardless of what we believe in, we pray that we can unite against fear, set aside any differences in race, gender, age and religion, and face this challenge as people of the world. Lord, we do not ask for world peace, only the ability to achieve it – may this generation grow to become advocates of justice, freedom and equality.

 

Learning Conversations Years 7-10

Tuesday and Thursday evenings have seen the School alive with the presence of teachers, parents and students for the year’s first Years 7-10 Learning Conversations. This is an important opportunity for us to connect and work together at our shared goal of providing the best education for the students in our care. Parents should remember that Year Level Co-ordinators, Form Teachers and indeed all teaching staff are available to support you with any concerns you have at any time during the year.

 

Premier’s Spirit of Anzac International Tour
Last term we shared with you the news that two of our students had been selected as recipients of awards in the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac competition.

During term break Molly Ewens, Year 10, was selected to participate in an international study tour to visit sites where Australians served in war. To read all about Molly’s once in a lifetime experience, click here.

 

Cross Country
Although the weather has started to cool down, it was kind to us on Thursday and provided the perfect day for House Cross Country.

At 9.30am our Years 4-12 students gathered to make their way to Shenley Reserve for the annual Cross Country event, with some fantastic results by the students. We congratulate the following Senior School students.

Year 7 1st Sophie Giagoudakis 2nd Megan Quach 3rd Belinda Lemanis	Year 8 1st Anabel Car 2nd Madison Murphy 3rd Haylie Chen	Year 9 1st Zoe Giagoudakis 2nd Emma Campain 3rd Eloise Schilling	Year 10 1st Lama Halabi 2nd Kate Sturzaker 3rd Molly Ewens
Year 11 1st Mia Sieber 2nd Laura King 3rd Melanie Li	Year 12 1st Emma Pearce 2nd Tiarnie Ellingworth 3rd Melissa Poulton	Overall Results 1st Schofield 2nd Lawrence 3rd Taylor 4th Singleton

 

Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Ed camp was conducted during the school holidays. 18 students travelled to Apollo Bay with Mr Shane Maycock, Mr Mark Barnett and Mrs Jane Bergamin. Students enjoyed mountain biking, surfing and camping out. The camp was a great success and thanks are extended to the teachers involved.

 

Parent Education Seminar
On Wednesday evening we held our third Parent Education Seminar in conjunction with Camberwell Grammar.

Branding You was delivered by Emily Kucukalic from the Brand New You Group. Emily delivered an address to parents explaining how to help students understand the relevance of personal branding in their lives and the important role it can play in shaping their profile, presence and future.

 

Monash Engineering Scholarship Celebration
On March 15^th Mr Hayden Gyles, Deputy Head of Senior School, attended a presentation at Monash University in Robert Blackwood Hall. Professor Frieder Seible, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Monash, presented a scholarship to Sheila Huang, class of 2015. Our warmest congratulations to Sheila on receiving this scholarship, an acknowledgement of her hard work and focus during her studies at Camberwell Girls.

 

Coding Club
“By 2020, there will be 1.4 million jobs available in the computing-related fields, yet women only fill 3% of these jobs.” The Huffington Post, Australia 19/2/16

These statistics show us that young women are turning their backs on technology and that needs to change. Our girls should consider careers in ICT to close the gender gap and ensure they have a stake in shaping the future.

Computing plays an important role in so many fields, including science and medicine, music and art, business, law and human communication. Knowing how to code will provide our students with an essential skill set.

As part of the School’s STEM initiative, Mrs Karin Lemanis will be running a Coding Club every Tuesday at lunch in the computer labs (Q211), starting on Tuesday 19^th April. The Club is open to all students, Years 7-12.

If you are creative, like problem-solving and want to have some fun, then this is for you! For more information, please contact Mrs Karin Lemanis.

With best wishes,

Cathy Poyser
Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School