Celebrating Success

Our Rowing squad celebrating their success at the 2019 Head of the Lake.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2018

The class of 2018 had a year of great success in their academic studies and as a wonderfully diverse group, we celebrate their accomplishments in many areas including their values, their service to others, their positive wellbeing and their academic performance.

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS

Kimia Mohammadsaeedi achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95, also the highest score in the region. As a result, Kimia also received a Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship covering tuition for her undergraduate study at the University of Melbourne and up to $5000 towards living costs per year while she completes her undergraduate study. Kimia said: “I have been encouraged to undertake a well-rounded approach in my desire to succeed, which has spurred me to reflect on my character strengths and ensure that I maintain a balance in my academic, social and personal life.”

There were four perfect study scores of 50:

+ Two in English, Sophie John and Kimia Mohammedsaeedi

+ One in Legal Studies – Ella Hadley

+ One in Chemistry - Kimia Mohammedsaeedi

Micah Poole is another high achiever who was pleased with his ATAR. “It is a giant leap between secondary school and whatever comes after it,” Micah said, “but Ballarat Grammar has been there to support us as these major decisions have been made. Grammar also has a great ethos of teaching skills that aren’t traditionally taught in the classroom, developing students’ life skills such as critical thinking, leadership and

teamwork in a supportive environment, preparing us well for the somewhat daunting prospect of life after school.”

Nick Gilbert was shortlisted and selected for Top Arts for his Studio Arts textiles piece, and received an early acceptance to study at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, in the UK.

Isabel Unwin was shortlisted and selected for Top Arts for her Studio Arts textiles piece ‘Felt’.

Keely Moggach and Angus Drain were both invited to audition for Top Acts, with Keely being selected to perform in the Top Acts showcase with her monologue as Shakespeare’s Mistress Quickly from The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Amelia Dunne was shortlisted in Top Designs for her brand identity ‘Millie Storm’, range of tea towels, promotional poster and invitation.

Caitlin Grieve was awarded a Lincoln University (NZ) scholarship to study Agricultural Science.

Riley McGregor completed his VCE at the same time as starting a School-Based Apprenticeship (SBA), which he is continuing this year. Riley is one of five students who began an SBA at Grammar who have each been offered placements in their desired fields, such as electrical, automotive and agriculture.

Flinn Cracknell has started a new rural medical degree this year which is being offered by the University of Melbourne and LaTrobe University. Flinn is keen to return to the country to practise once he finishes his training, which this course facilitates – an undergraduate of Biomedicine at LaTrobe, followed by a Medicine (Rural) specialisation at the University of Melbourne.

BY THE NUMBERS:

+ + Three students achieved scores of 99 and above.

+ + Twenty students achieved ATARs of 95 or above.

+ + 20% of the cohort achieved ATARs in the top 10% of the State (a ranking of 90 or above).

+ + 40% of the cohort achieved ATARs in the top 20% of the State (a ranking of 80 or above).

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

NEXT GEN

Congratulations to Amelia Dunne, Nick Gilbert, Madeleine Granland, Pip Metcalfe, D’Arcy Rietoff, Darcy Robinson, Nell Blake, Sarah Castle and Alex Downey who have their 2018 VCE work exhibited at NEXT GEN 2019, currently on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. NEXT GEN 2018 showcases the work of students from the region who have just completed VCE studies in Art, Studio Arts, Design and Technology, Visual Communication and Design and Media. The exhibition runs until 19 May 2019.

Artwork by Sarah Castle

THE YEAR 6 EXHIBITION

The Year 6 Exhibition is a highly anticipated event each year, where, during the Term 3 Unit of Inquiry, each student develops their own ‘big question’ with help from their teachers and mentors. Questions like: What contributes to homelessness? Or, What are the effects of overfishing in our oceans?

The students then spend Term 3 expanding this question through lines of inquiry, researching the question, speaking with experts or locating other primary research tools, ‘synthesising’ the research in their own way, and preparing to present their findings. This work culminates in ‘The Exhibition’, which is similar to a trade show, where each student sets up their own stand to display aspects of their learning focusing on both the process and the product. The real power of the Exhibition is apparent when visitors drop by during specific periods over two days and the students communicate with incredible confidence and professionalism on their chosen field of research.

It was so wonderful to share the learning of these students and the vast range of topics they chose to investigate individually at the start of Term 4 in 2018. It is an impressive culmination of students’ time in the Junior School in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, and how engaging and empowering their learning has been. We look forward to the current Year 6 Exhibition in October 2019!

SPIRIT OF ANZAC

Three Year 10 Ballarat Grammar students were announced in February as recipients in the 2019 Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize, receiving opportunities to experience study tours within and outside Australia. Megan Willey and Hamish Hall are travelling to Singapore and Vietnam in April, and Tom McKenzie will head to Canberra in July. They will gain a deeper understanding of the international conflicts in which Australians have been involved. The work was completed when the students were in Year 9, as a response to their learning unit on conflict.

Megan, Hamish and Tom, with Juliana Addison, MP for Wendouree, and Head of Middle School, Chris Beechey discussing their projects.

PIPE BAND SUCCESS

Grammar won Novice Juvenile B competitions at Dayelsford, Bendigo and Ballarat gatherings this season, securing second position at the State Championships in Geelong in March, all under the expert direction of Amber Ives with guidance form Ben Jones and Madison Nichols.

SPECIAL ENTREPRENEUR

When in Year 11, Business Studies student Victoria Petrie (now Year 12 ) won the Special Entrepreneurs category Year 10/11 Individual or Group in Victoria University’s annual ‘I Plan a Business’ competition at the end of last year. This was for her business plan identifying a niche market for Parkour performance wear for women.

PERFORMING IN THE GARRYOWEN

Maddy McDonald competing in the Garryowen

Photo: Lisa Gordon, Little More Grace Photographics

Maddy McDonald, Year 12 in 2018, competed in the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout for the first time last September. Competitors in the prestigious event must be over 18 years and Maddy was awarded the The Best First Year Competitor and also placed 3rd overall. Maddy also went on to win the John Lithgow Equestrienne Turnout which is a separate competition for ladies 18 -25 years.

GIRLS INVENT

Heidi Rupp and Ruby McIntyre(Year 9) last year worked on a cycling glove prototype as part of Girls Invent, a schools-based inventing and business development program. Ruby and Heidi presented their prototype to investors and a judging panel in Melbourne and finished third out of the seven schools presenting. Ballarat Grammar was the only co-educational school and only regional school represented. Overall there were approximately 100 schools that entered. After the announcement, the clever students were approached by a variety of people including investors, CEOs and business leaders, including Cycling Australia.

SISTERS SHAVE FOR A CURE

In November, sisters Aeron Johns (then Year 10) and Mason Johns (then Year 4) shaved their heads for ‘Shave for a Cure’, raising over $8000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.

ROWING

Our Girls and Boys First Crews both won their respective Head of the Lake Titles

Our rowers have had a very successful season with our First crews winning the Boys and Girls Head of the Lake, both in tight finishes. Senior Girls Thirds, Senior Boys Fourths, Year 10 Boys Seconds and Third crews and Year 9 Boys Firsts also won Head of the Lake titles. Additionally the Girls Firsts won the Open Four at the Head of School Girls Regatta in Geelong.

Both First crews performed incredibly well at the National Championships in Sydney, each placing fifth in the nation in the School Boys and School Girls Four. We also had extended representation at the Nationals this year with Sebastian Pendlebury, Hugh Bond, Jess Hawker, Tea Johns, Genevieve Pittard, James Lawry, Will Ussher, Kirsten Rolt and Lucy Kirwan- Hamiliton all rowing for Wendouree Ballarat in Sydney.

It has been a wonderful year in the shed more broadly, with the boys winning the Harold Deveson trophy at Head of the Lake for the second year running, and more and more students showing a dedicated interest in the sport.

NATIONAL ATHLETICS

Fraser Saunder, silver in the Under 16 3000m Race Walk

Georgina Mees, bronze in the Under 15 2000m Steeplechase

In the National Athletics in April this year, Fraser Saunder, Year 9, won Silver in the Under 16 3000m Race Walk, and Georgina Mees, also Year 9, won Bronze in the Under 16 2000m Steeplechase. Ryan Hovey, Year 9, gained 7th in the Under 15 Boys Triple Jump final and Angie Selkirk, Year 9, gained 8th in the Under 16 Girls Triple Jump final with a 10cm personal best. Claire Mahony, Year 7, achieved 10th in Under 14 1500m.

YOUNG CITIZENS

Charlotte Matthews and Lachlan Warwick pictured at the Ballarat Town Hall.

Charlotte Matthews (Year 11) and Lachlan Warwick (Year 12) were finalists for the Young Citizen of the Year for 2019, both nominated for their contribution to Ballarat in “leadership, community service and volunteerism”. They were recognised at the Ballarat Town Hall event hosted by the Mayor, Cr Samantha McIntosh, on Australia Day Eve. Both Charlotte and Lachlan also won their respective categories in the 2018 City of Ballarat Youth Awards: Lachlan for ‘Positive Young Leader Award’ and Charlotte for ‘Leadership in Sport Award’. Also, at these awards last year, Jacinda Luttrell (Year 10 2018) won the ‘Leadership in the Arts Award’.