CGS OUTLOOK THE MAGAZINE OF THE CANBERRA GRAMMAR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
SEMESTER ONE
2018
FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE EDITORIAL DETAILS
1 From the Head of School
Editor: Reece Cummings
2 Campus Development Update
Sub-Editor: Juliana Mesquita Graphic Designer: Twee Phan Printer: New Millennium Print
3 Co-educational boarding from 2019 onwards 4 NEWSbites
Photography: William Hall Photography, staff and students Contributions: Thank you to the many people who contributed to CGS Outlook, including the numerous teachers, students, and staff who supplied articles and photos On the cover: CGS Girls Rugby © Canberra Grammar School 2018
8 Around the School 10 13 days in China 11 Hangzhou Silver Lake School visits CGS 12 Another successful BSides Canberra CTF computer hacking competition
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE? Please forward any news, information and photos to the Editor, Reece Cummings at communications@cgs.act.edu.au
DID YOU KNOW WE’RE ONLINE? Follow the official CGS accounts for regular updates, information, news, and community activities.
12 Code Cadets engage with engineers & senior executives in Silicon Valley Tour 14 Beedie the Robot visits CGS Northside 14 Kindergarten explores how the world works 15 Junior House System launches new Peer Support Programme 16 CGS places 1st at Kids’ Lit Quiz World Championships 17 Year 6 Exhibition 17 ADT visiting artist
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18 Year 10 students compose for National Carillion 19 Warrambui Annual Music Camp 19 House Music bigger than ever 20 The Pirates of Penzance 22 Students re-build classrooms & raise funds for Nepalese children 23 World’s Greatest Shave 24 Feature on Active Education 28 Feature on CAS – A personal journey of self-discovery 30 Feature on four generations at CGS
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32 CGS Alumni News & Dates for Diary 40 Thank you to all our donors 41 CGS turns 90 next year!
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
In the few years since we announced the School’s decision to become fully co-educational at the end of 2015, I have not often written to the School community on the subject, preferring to let the School’s experience be its own testament. We took the decision for all the reasons articulated at the time (as in the December 2015 edition of CGS Outlook and elsewhere), and once the change was underway I’ve not wanted continually to re-prosecute the rationale or to risk seeming to proselytise too much to our own community. Above all, I have not wanted our girls and boys to feel perpetually the subject of persuasion. Instead, I have hoped that the outcome of our change would stand for its own worth. I cannot be the judge of that, although I have hardly been to a School event, talked with parents on the sidelines of a sporting match, or made it down an aisle of the local supermarket in the past two and a half years without being asked how it’s going. I know the words that will ultimately be my epitaph: ‘It’s going really well!’ And I believe it is. I am immensely proud of our boys and girls who have made it good; who have embraced the opportunity not only of learning together, but of making the evolution of an institution and its culture a part of their education itself. If the School is flourishing, it is because our girls and boys have risen to the faith that we had in them from the start: that they could represent a generation of thoughtful, progressive young men and women willing and determined to learn and lead and create a community together in the same egalitarian spirit of friendship and enjoyment of opportunity that had been the hallmark of our School before. Has the School changed? Of course it has, and yet it hasn’t. As you watch girls and boys walk and talk and sit and eat and joke and study and kick balls together around the campus, it does feel more varied and socially organic somehow, like a small university or a bustling village. Yet, what did students do before but walk and talk and sit and eat and joke and study and kick balls together around the campus? House Music is still House Music only more so. The Year 12 March Out is still the Year 12 March Out; boys still cry at it, as girls will too this year, I am sure. Our performing arts are thriving, as we saw in the wonderful production of The Pirates of Penzance last term; sport is vibrant, with the first girls’ Rugby matches on the Main Oval just one highlight of this year’s fantastic Fete day; and the achievements of our intellectual life are abundant in the pages of this edition. Of course, the School is bigger than it was, such has been the level of demand from families of both boys and girls that has made us co-educational from Pre-School to Year 12 far earlier than we presumed to anticipate, with girls already 30% of the School population only two years after our announcement. However, such growth has fuelled our capacity for investment in facilities like our new Mathematics building, next year’s planned new Rowing Centre and the first stage of our new boarding accommodation which is rising as I write. While we have kept our class sizes capped, the expansion of some year groups has opened opportunities for broader subject offerings, more varied co-curricular activities and additional staffing expertise in classrooms, in learning support, pastoral care and sports coaching; and it has brought new families to our community. As with everything in schools, there will always be challenges, but we all know that nothing worth doing comes without those. I leave you to judge our efforts. In the meantime, I thank the pioneers of our change, and all the girls and boys and men and women who continue to give our School the exciting and inspiring life that the following pages reflect. Justin Garrick Head of School
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 1
CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE With the transition to full co-education in 2018, the major capital works at the end of 2017 and throughout the beginning of 2018 focused on the new Mathematics Building adjacent to the Edwards Centre, classroom upgrades to East Quad and upgrades to the Burgmann and Eddison House locker facilities. Due to the overwhelming demand for places at the School, a new Student House was also created: Middleton House, named in honour of Bridget and Adrian Middleton who played a significant part in the life of the School for over five decades. Throughout Semester 1, the Maths building has proven to create a social environment that enhances learning through its interconnected rooms, which allow team teaching and interaction between classes in group lessons and group study. Forming the perfect WORKS APPROVAL space for multiple break-out groups, four of the classrooms open onto each other to accommodate a large group or provide space for over 100 students to sit exams. There is even a solar array on the roof generating up to 30 kW of electricity that provides a significant proportion of the energy required for the building. Other work that was commenced at the beginning of the year is being completed and will see new awnings to both the Canteen and Middleton House installed, providing weather access to both these spaces and somewhere to sit out of the rain or the sun in summer. Elsewhere, a new sports storage shed for Primary School is being built next to the Senior School Sports Shed, to provide a single, centralised, and ample space to store all of the Primary School’s sports equipment. Work to the East Quad upstairs area was completed during the mid-year break. This means the south end of the veranda has been renewed to match the north end that was completed during the last holidays, tying together all the building works to the classrooms and veranda for completion. New carpet has been laid and furniture installed to provide break-out and group study areas. DATE
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ROWING CENTRE
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Work continues with plans to enhance the back drive into a promenade extending from the bus stops to the new Maths building and the Junior School. Construction on the new Boarding House has commenced and, as with previous years, the School continues to invest in education technology, as well as classroom audio-visual equipment. The Boarding Project is well underway. It will provide rooms for 28 girls, two apartments for boarding staff, a girls’ common room and other homely facilities.
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SUPPORT THE CGS CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGN To donate or get involved with the CGS Foundation, please visit CGSFOUNDATION.ORG.AU
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CO-EDUCATIONAL BOARDING FROM 2019 ONWARDS In March this year, CGS was delighted to announce that, from the start of Term 1 in 2019, the School will begin offering boarding for girls in Years 7 to 12 in brand-new, purpose-built accommodation on the School’s campus. As part of the Campus Development Plan, the new boarding village represents the next stage of the School’s transition to full co-education and enhances the School’s historic commitment to boarding for regional and rural families, Canberra-based families on remote postings and international students. The new accommodation will initially provide 28 rooms for girls to supplement the existing Boarding House, which currently houses 80 boys, and will include adjoining staff accommodation. Construction has already begun, and the facility will open for Term 1 in 2019. Once complete, the new Boarding Village will replace the existing Boarding Houses and will provide both flexible and long-stay boarding accommodation with individual rooms for around 150 boys and girls from Years 7 to 12 in high-quality, comfortable and modern facilities. The new complex will include a spacious indoor social area, with reception, laundry, self-catering and storage facilities. Boarding has been central to the life of Canberra Grammar School since its earliest days. The School is excited by these plans to enhance its future for boys and girls, and to extend co-education at the School to its next phase. Indeed, CGS is proud to reaffirm its vital and flourishing place in the community.
For more information on CGS Boarding visit CGS.ACT.EDU.AU/SENIOR-SCHOOL/BOARDING
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 3
NEWSbites
BOAT CHRISTENING WELCOMES NEW FAMILIES Each year the CGS Rowing community holds a breakfast to welcome new families and to christen and launch any new boats added to the CGS fleet. Normally held during Term 4 when the weather is warm and the lake looks inviting, this season CGS had to wait until the new boats arrived from Sykes in Melbourne during Term 1 to hold the christening. In 2018, the following boats were named: The Alan Carey (Double); The Kevin Taylor (Quad); The Grace Jean (Lightweight 8); and The Adele Anne (Single). The names recognise the people and families who have contributed service to the CGS Rowing community.
OUTSTANDING CRICKET PERFORMANCES WITH PROMISING RESULTS Congratulations to students Angus Jones and Felix Ford, who represented the ACT at the School Sports Australia (SSA) cricket championships in Queensland in February 2018. At a presentation by Greg Chappell, Cricket Australia announced that Felix has been selected for the All Australian U16s Team. This followed an outstanding performance during the week in which he topped the batting leader board with the most runs ever scored at the SSA carnival, as well as earning 6th on the bowling leader board for the number of wickets taken. Later in the year, the team will play as Cricket Australia XI at the U17s national championships and will travel to Dubai to play Pakistan as the Australian U16s Cricket team. It is believed to be only the second time an ACT player has been selected for the All Australian Schools Team. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos
4 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
EDTECH TRANSFORMS DATA COLLECTION & RECEIVES AWARD Congratulations to the CGS Education Technology Services Department (EdTech), recipients of the Intelledox Infiniti Award for Digital Transformation 2017, for their use of the Intelledox Infiniti forms software. Intelledox is a Canberra-based organisation whose software is used around Australia and worldwide. With a team of over 10 professionals maintaining the School’s hardware and software systems, the EdTech Department supports staff and students before, during and after the school day and over term breaks. An ongoing project at CGS is transforming paper forms into electronic forms. The forms system is used to collect information from families and staff, and coupled with an electronic announcements system, it has changed how the School requests and collects data. This award highlights the great work the EdTech Department is doing around the School, and in the community at large, as it leads the way in data collection and IT management in schools.
STUDENTS OFFERED PLACES AT 2019 NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE FORUM The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a not-for-profit organisation that runs several residential programmes to encourage young people in their passion for science. This year, four CGS students have been offered places at the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) for January 2019. Competition in 2018 was fierce, and CGS is proud to announce that this year it received more placements than ever, which represents a wonderful opportunity for students Maddie Pik, Joe Suckling, Alexander Trewartha, and Megan White. Ethan Peters is currently a reserve.
Other schools have approached the EdTech Department for advice, and several are acting to emulate CGS’ success. Leadership in the area of IT management is something the CGS EdTech Department has been investing time into. In 2018, the School will host an MITIE conference, aimed at collaboration and driving excellence in the area of IT management in schools.
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 5
NEWSbites
GUITAR FIESTA 2018 DELIVERS ANOTHER SHIMMERING CONCERT Each year, the talented students in the CGS Guitar Orchestra have the opportunity to play with skilled guitarists and learn from the experience of playing amongst six CGS Guitar Orchestras as part of the CGS Guitar Fiesta. A highlight of the Guitar Fiesta is the annual CGS Better Music Guitar Award, provided by local business Better Music. At the recent Guitar Fiesta, all six CGS Guitar Orchestras performed brilliantly. The concert culminated with over 60 guitarists playing in the finale and the presentation of the award to Year 6 student Jason Vrancic, winner of a professional Katoh classical guitar. The prize is awarded to a guitar student who is involved in the nationally renowned CGS Guitar Orchestra programme and who displays potential and dedication to their musical development. Better Music Managing Director, Mr Greg Soulsby, was so impressed with the CGS Guitar Orchestra programme when he encountered it through the involvement of his son, Patrick, he created the award in 2012 and has delivered it ever since. CGS is thankful for the support given by Greg and his team at Better Music.
6 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT AT THE INTERSCHOOLS EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION This year, CGS’ first equestrian team competed at the Snowy Mountains Interschools Equestrian Competition. Six students from the Senior and Junior Schools were among the over 200 riders from various schools across the State who travelled to Jindabyne, NSW, to compete at the Snowy Mountains Interschools Equestrian Competition. The event lasted four days, and riders competed in several disciplines, including a one-day event, hacking, show jumping, dressage, sporting and stockhorse classes. The team included Stephanie Anglim Lagones, Josephine Connors, Olivia Emmert, Lily Parisi, Katherine Stewardson, and Madeline Vagg. CGS congratulates the girls on their outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing the team in action in future competitions.
PERCEPTUAL MOTOR PROGRAMME IN THE ELC The Early Learning Centre at Canberra Grammar School provides students with the necessary tools for future learning. Aiding in this development is the Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP). Each week, Early Learning Centre students participate in this specifically designed curriculum through physical education class. A focus on developing the child first, instead of developing skills, is a guiding principle in the PMP framework. Activities across the arts, music, fitness and gymnastics ensure children are developing confidence in themselves, their world, their peers and their teachers.
FAREWELL TO SARGE Mr Aaran Booth joined CGS 14 years ago, and has held a variety of roles through the School, including in CGS Boarding, as a coach in Rugby and Dragon Boats, but most prominently, as School Sergeant. In his time at the School, Aaran became one of the most widely and affectionately respected members of the community, among parents, students, and alumni. Aaran served the School with pride and commitment, maintained its good conduct, and provided many students with sincere care for their wellbeing through his mentorship, whether it be in the Senior School Quad, on the rugby field, on sporting tours, or elsewhere. We wish Aaran the best in his new role as the School Sergeant to The King’s School in Parramatta.
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 7
AROUND THE SCHOOL
PRIMARY SCHOOL
8 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
SENIOR SCHOOL
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 9
A core aspiration at CGS is to educate students who are intelligent, innovative and ready to embrace an international future; to be ready for the world. Co-curricular Education at CGS offers an exciting array of activities intended to appeal to every mind, body and heart, actively engaging students and staff in physical, cultural and intellectual pursuits together, building relationships, understanding and respect beyond the classroom borders. This Semester, CGS strengthened partnerships with Chinese schools and saw students, parents and teachers immerse themselves in a variety of cultural experiences.
13 DAYS IN CHINA: STUDENTS IMMERSED IN INCREDIBLE SIGHTS & CULTURAL EXPERIENCES The 2018 China Trip was a truly wonderful mix of cultural, scenic and educational experiences for Junior and Senior School students, staff and parents. During 13 days in China, they travelled to five cities and visited three schools and were fully immersed in each activity. They soaked up the cultural delights on offer and participated in numerous events, from calligraphy and kite making to school visits, which even included making dumplings. One of the highlights was walking the Great Wall of China near Beijing. Students certainly raised their step counts climbing the numerous stairs and enjoying the easier walk back down the hill. Another significant piece of history which stood out was the visit to the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, and if one were to ask the students, no doubt many would comment that the ‘giant pandas’ in Chengdu were number one on their list! Despite the incredible sights China had to offer, one of the most significant opportunities for students and teachers alike was the chance to visit three schools, all of which were very different. They spent a full day at Beijing National Day School, being immediately welcomed into the school environment, with students having the opportunity to attend classes with other Chinese students and teachers being able to connect in discussions on education, and through a game of basketball.
10 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
Hangzhou Yinhu Elementary School, our newest sister school, also welcomed the CGS group, which was greeted by a camera crew and flashing signs. There, CGS students enjoyed participating in a range of cultural events conducted by hosting staff and students, including a welcome tea ceremony, kite making and calligraphy. This day will no doubt remain a memory for both students and staff, as they were able not only to interact but also take in the academic and cultural aspects of an amazing school.
HANGZHOU SILVER LAKE SCHOOL VISITS CGS For four days in May, Canberra Grammar School was the delighted host to a visit from the leadership team of Hangzhou Silver Lake Primary and Secondary Schools. This visit follows the signing of a sister school Memorandum of Understanding in Hangzhou in September 2017. The objectives of the sister school relationship are to provide opportunities for students and staff that: • Enhance international awareness across each other’s curricula • Provide study and teaching exchanges; and • Encourage IT-integrated classroom activities allowing collaboration on units of work in both primary and secondary schools. During their stay in Canberra, the leadership team met with their counterparts at CGS to discuss school and curriculum collaboration. They also had an opportunity to observe Primary and Senior classes and House meetings, attend Chapel, discuss respective pedagogical differences, enjoy the dress rehearsal of The Pirates of Penzance and plan future joint school activities. On the weekend, they enjoyed the Canberra outdoors, visiting Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the Deep Space Communication Complex.
The relationship between CGS and Hangzhou Silver Lake School will become more prominent in future years and will allow further authentic engagement opportunities for students and staff. The existing relationship with Beijing National Day School (BNDS) has already provided CGS with an enhanced awareness of China and immersion language experiences. This relationship will continue to play an important role for CGS, and the new agreement with Silver Lake School will build on BNDS experiences and allow further project collaboration and exchange. During their stay, the Silver Lake leadership team often praised the broader education experience of CGS students and their positive outlook. It was a successful visit, and CGS anticipates working with Silver Lake School on many joint projects over the coming years.
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 11
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BSIDES CANBERRA CTF COMPUTER HACKING COMPETITION Last year, the Code Cadets performed exceptionally well when they finished 4th in the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. This April, they moved up the ranks to a podium finish in 3rd place, out of 185 teams! With CGS having the only school-aged teams at the event, ahead of CGS were the Cybears in first place (primarily comprised of people who work at a particular government department) and Datacom Technical Security Services (TSS) in second place. Code Cadets Charlie and Code Cadets Delta teams (consisting of boys and girls in Years 8 to 11) finished 8th and 9th respectively, so all CGS teams finished in the top 10. Delta also received a special prize for being the youngest team in the competition. The Head of Digital Innovation at CGS, Mr Matthew Purcell, said ‘it was a very difficult competition this year, with students having spent up to 12 hours on some individual challenges. Nevertheless, these achievements highlight the skills of the CGS Code Cadets teams’.
CODE CADETS ENGAGE WITH ENGINEERS, SENIOR EXECUTIVES IN SILICON VALLEY TOUR Every two years, the Code Cadets embark on a two-week trip to Silicon Valley. This provides them with unprecedented inside access to many of the largest and most well-known technology companies in the world, with the unique opportunity to visit, experience and learn from leaders and pioneers. The most recent trip was in January 2018. It included visits to Amazon, Apple, Elastic, Facebook, Google, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, Microsoft, Mozilla, NetApp, Oracle, Palantir, Qantas, ServiceNow, Space Systems/Loral (SSL), This Week in Tech, Unity and the Austrade SF Landing Pad. During these visits, the students were able to engage with senior executives and engineers at the companies, hearing about both personal and company journeys. Of particular interest were talks focusing on technical topics to which the Code Cadets could relate:
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‘I never considered the complexity of how hard drives work, and I loved the analogy we heard: “a hard drive, scaled up to sizes we understand, is the equivalent of a Boeing 747 flying 1mm above the ground, at a million miles an hour, counting the blades of grass as it goes along, and only making a mistake one in a billion times”. It’s incredible that they work at all’, said Joseph Fergusson (Year 12) following a presentation from a storage engineer at Amazon Web Services. Continued →
The Code Cadets are a group of students at Canberra Grammar School with a shared interest in and passion for technology who want to take their knowledge and skills and apply them on interesting and innovative projects outside the classroom.
The Code Cadets also had the opportunity to extend their existing coding and software development skills through hands-on practical exercises under the guidance of engineers from the companies. As one example, at Google, the Code Cadets worked with TensorFlow engineers from Google Home to develop and train a simple neural network (using machine learning) for image recognition. ‘It was interesting to learn that even experts in the field do not have a full understanding of how neural networks work. They are kind of a black box – this makes me feel that we are truly working on the cutting edge of technology’, said Robin Hodda (Year 12).
Overall, the trip provided an opportunity for the students to see where an interest in and passion for technology can take them. ‘This trip highlighted that when you have a passion towards something, following that passion can take you far. It certainly helped me consider the future pathways when I finish school this year’, said Sam Reading-Thompson (Year 12).
The Code Cadets’ next trip is scheduled for January 2020. For more information about the Code Cadets, visit CODECADETS.COM To watch a video of the 2018 trip, visit VIMEO.COM/CODECADETS/SF18
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 13
BEEDIE THE ROBOT VISITS CGS NORTHSIDE On 9 April, the University of Canberra introduced Beedie the Robot to the Northside children. This programme for children in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2 took place in the Northside Gallery and gave the students the opportunity not only to see the robot follow commands but also the chance to do simple programming. A team of PhD students with their lecturer, Associate Professor Dr Damith Herath, set Beedie up in the Gallery and the children delighted in dancing with the robot, following some of the robot’s great moves! Some of the Pre-Kindergarten children’s insights included: ‘The robot needs the computer to work’ (Ben) and ‘Beedie was funny when it danced for us’! (Madeleine). Dr Herath is keen to establish an ongoing relationship with Canberra Grammar School. Across the Primary School, many students are involved with Lego Robotics, and following the P&F’s recent donation of several Cubetto sets, more and more students are learning the fundamentals of computational thinking. Cubetto is a friendly wooden robot that enables children to learn the basics of computer programming through hands-on play. The students love Cubetto, as it does a great job of visually representing code and allows higher-order thinking and coding with the use of logic blocks. Exciting explorations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) have been a long-term focus across the CGS Primary School. Following Beedie’s visit, CGS looks forward to many students enrolling in robotic engineering in years to come.
KINDERGARTEN EXPLORES HOW THE WORLD WORKS As part of their Unit of Inquiry into How the World Works, Kindergarten classes from Northside and Southside have been bushwalking up Mount Ainslie and Red Hill, respectively, to discover the wonders of the local natural environment. Exploring the central idea that through observation, we make sense of our world, Kindergarten students are learning how the Earth’s cycle and patterns affect everyday life. They are looking at observable features in the local environment and investigating its modifications and adaptations. Bushwalks offer an authentic, engaging, relevant and transdisciplinary context for learning. A cold and foggy morning provided the perfect backdrop for the first bushwalk. Once out of the School grounds, it wasn’t long before the students began to slow down and use their senses to observe their surroundings, and the quiet, still and seemingly vacant bushland came alive. Kangaroos grazed among towering eucalyptus trees, droplets of dew revealed intricate spider webs woven between branches, and ants paraded around their enormous nests. Continued →
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JUNIOR HOUSE SYSTEM LAUNCHES NEW PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMME Year 6 students in CJ Shakespeare, Edwards, Garnsey and Radford Houses have taken the lead this year, building cross-cohort connections through the Peer Support Programme. All Year 6 students undertook Peer Support Group training as a component of their Primary School student leaders’ programme. Throughout the year, students in Year 6 learn the value and tangible skills of leadership to apply everyday, but more specifically to the Buddies system, whereby every Year 6 student leads a Peer Support Group. The experience of role modelling and mentoring younger students is extremely valuable both for Year 6 students to build their capacity as young leaders and for all students in providing a sense of belonging, support and friendship across the Primary School. The Buddies sessions promote friendship skills and community through the Peer Support Programme, and reinforce the Bounce Back lessons taught in classes, highlighting friendship skills and resilience strategies for working through challenges. House Captains meet regularly with their Head of Student House to prepare for weekly House meetings and then debrief afterwards to learn from the experience. The recently introduced Peer Support Programme broadens that leadership experience to include all Year 6 students. The School looks forward to seeing strong connections develop throughout the year as young leaders mature in preparation for transition to the Senior School in Year 7.
A patch of bushland was transformed into a living classroom. Students further developed their observational skills by using their senses to gather information. Curiosity was fostered, incisive questions were asked, and wonderings, predictions and hypotheses were shared. Students discovered patterns, recognised similarities and differences, examined details and formed connections. Comparisons were made, and change over time will be observed and further investigated during future bushwalks. While exploring, students collected a variety of interesting specimens; leaves, twigs, bones, bark, stones and seedpods in an assortment of colours, shapes, sizes and textures were brought back to School; specimens were photographed using iPads and examined with microscopes; observational drawings and visual artworks were created and later used as stimuli for writing; and specimens were also used to explore mathematical concepts, including shape, measurement and graphing. Eager to continue observing and exploring how the world works, the community of learners in Kindergarten can’t wait for the next bushwalk!
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CGS PLACES 1ST AT KIDS’ LIT QUIZ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS This year, over 35 CGS students from Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 tried out for Kids’ Lit Quiz (KLQ) teams, and 12 students from this group competed in the ACT heat held at Radford College, with all three teams doing amazingly well. In CGS 1, Jordan Iglesias, Gabe Thomson, Shaan Wing and Evie Van Wijk were convincing winners. In CGS 2, Jack Bashford, Willem Hehir, Audrey Kuan and Bethan Pitt missed out on second after a nail-biting tiebreaker, and CGS 3 (Maya Wing, Jack Frizell, Lizzie Cao and Matthew Johnston) finished a commendable fifth place. CGS 1 had another convincing win in the Australian final held at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney.
KLQ was started 25 years ago by New Zealand Quiz Master Wayne Mills, who wanted to allow students who loved reading the chance to enjoy their knowledge of the books they loved in a team environment – just like sport. The following countries now participate in KLQ: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the US. Australian teams entered the competition for the first time in 2012, and CGS has been the National Champions for five out of seven years. In 2012, there was one regional heat, and by 2018, it had expanded to eight heats across the ACT, Queensland, and NSW.
In the first week of the Term 2 holidays, the team travelled to Auckland for the World Finals, where they placed 1st, becoming the first ever Australian team to bring home the world title!
OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Not only does KLQ offer contestants the chance to read, but it also provides the chance to mix with students from other schools and, as sometimes happens, with students from other countries who are equally passionate about books and reading. Last year’s team were Australian champions and competed in the world finals in Canada. Previous CGS teams have travelled to New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. As Australian champions, team CGS 1 travelled to New Zealand, where they participated in author workshops and visited places of literary significance like Hobbiton. CGS has a long and successful history in KLQ. The key ingredient to being a successful KLQ team member is a passion for reading across all genres and text types. Team members also attend two formal training sessions each week to help them learn to work together as a team and to practice using buzzers. For parents, all they need to do is encourage their children’s love of reading.
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YEAR 6 EXHIBITION: TEACHING STUDENTS TO EXPRESS SOUND, OBJECTS, EMOTIONS THROUGH DANCE Exhibition is a key component of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is the culmination of a student’s Primary School learning. For 2018, students are looking creatively at how ‘Human Migration Is a Response to Challenge and Opportunity’ through the conceptual lens of belonging. Students will be exploring these ideas through music, visual arts, language, the social sciences and movement. Year 6 students are working towards reinterpreting the story The Arrival by Shaun Tan through dance. With the skills and creative energy of CGS Alumnus and professional dancer Will Tran, students have begun the process of using their bodies to express sound, objects and emotions. Working collaboratively and building team skills is essential in this unit, and each class will choreograph and reinterpret the symbolism within a section of the story, giving students an opportunity to contribute their ideas and reflections. The culmination of this work will result in the whole year level coming together and performing for families and friends. The Year 6 Exhibition will be held simultaneously with the highly celebrated Artwalk in Term 4. For information about the Exhibition, please email Primary School Learning Leader Ms Sarah Dunn at sarah.dunn@cgs.act.edu.au.
ADT VISITING ARTIST The Art Design and Technology Department is very excited to share a success story involving artist-in-residence sculptor Mr Keith Bender, who is making a corten steel sculpture for the National Arboretum in his final weeks at CGS. Students had the chance to see the development of this artwork and hear from Keith about the process. The sculpture, addressing the theme of giving life through organ donation, is for the Gift of Life garden within the Gallery of Gardens at Canberra’s National Arboretum. Stay tuned for more news as Keith completes this very special work. ADT staff Ms Imogen Smeal and Mr Colin McAlister assisted with the formative stages of Keith’s project, using digital cutting and CNC routing equipment to make small and to-scale models or maquettes. The maquettes were used by Keith to help the Committee visualise the sculpture in the Gift of Life garden space at the Arboretum. On 14 May 2018, members of the Gift of Life Garden Committee visited CGS, where they met with Ms Kate Deeves, Head of ADT, and toured ADT’s facilities, where Keith is making his sculpture. Keith’s sculpture will be launched later in the year. CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 17
YEAR 10 STUDENTS COMPOSE FOR NATIONAL CARILLON The Year 10 CGS Elective Music Class undertook an exciting and unique project during Term 2, through which students created their own compositions for the iconic National Carillon and heard them performed live by CGS Alumnus Leonard Weiss. Students began the process with an informative visit to, and lecture in, the engine room of the Carillon, where they learnt about the specific requirements of the Carillon such as range, playing limitations and sound qualities. The next step involved students further researching the Carillon and beginning to draft their initial composition ideas. Under the guidance of classroom teacher Mr Steve Allen and advice from Mr Leonard Weiss, students produced their two-minute solo works, complete with professional score. This has proven to be a wonderful unit on composing that provided the students with a real and tangible project to work on. The concert was a great success and was enjoyed by students, family and friends.
18 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
WARRAMBUI ANNUAL MUSIC CAMP: MUSICALITY, LEADERSHIP SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AMIDST SOARING STRINGS, POWERFUL WOODWINDS With the last camp held over 28–29 April, the Warrambui Annual Music Camp is a Primary School event which provides the chance for students from different ensembles and choirs to come together for an intensive weekend of rehearsals. The camp alternates between the Primary School Orchestra, consisting of the Junior School Concert Band and String Orchestra in the odd Years, and on the even Years, the Chorale and the CGS Singers. The camp is an exciting opportunity for the development of musicality and a great chance for students to learn leadership skills as Years 5 and 6 students help the younger students develop ensemble confidence and performance conventions. Last year, when the Concert Band and String Orchestra combined, it was an enriching experience for students in the Primary School to create the rich sonorities that come from a full orchestra. The soaring strings and powerful woodwinds and brass created a very memorable concert for the parents at the conclusion of the weekend and helped to jumpstart the children’s excitement for the upcoming term. This year, the Chorale and CGS Singers headed off for camp and worked hard, learning new repertoire as individual ensembles and working together as a massed choir, beginning the composition to be sung at the Noteable concert, the whole School combined concert, to be held at Llewellyn Hall in Term 3.
Both camps saw the children also interact with the beautiful surroundings at Warrambui, completing other activities across the weekend, including bush walks, archery, and roasting marshmallows at a campfire. The children worked hard to learn many new songs over the weekend and performed for their parents and friends at a short concert at the end of the weekend. The camp has become a staple in the yearly Primary School music calendar, and the School looks forward to hearing the Primary School Orchestra next April at the end of the next music camp.
HOUSE MUSIC BIGGER THAN EVER This year the annual CGS House Music Festival moved to a different venue, the PDHPE Centre, due to the size of performances and audiences. With professional sound and lighting, carpeted floor and a massive amount of seating, the 2018 performances were outstanding with much talent shown through the 4-20 Voices, Rock, Instrumental and House Shout events. A highlight of the performances was, as always, the House Shout, but also the duet of Mr Sandy Goddard, and outgoing School Sergeant, Mr Aaran Booth. This year Edwards took home 1st in 4-20 and House Shout, Hay 1st in Rock, Eddison and Edwards equal 1st in Instrumental.
Overall, Edwards placed 1st and Eddison and Hay placed equal 2nd with Middleton coming in 4th in its first appearance in the House Music Festival. In addition to the regular House Music — which seated over 1,000 audience members over two days — a student-led initiative, the Moonlight Concert, was organised to raise funds for The Kids’ Cancer Project and featured top bands and performers from CGS House Music, and opened up the performances to parents and alumni, with more than 150 people attending. CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 19
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE In May 2018, Canberra Grammar School proudly continued its relationship with the Canberra Theatre Centre by bringing Gilbert and Sullivan’s perennial favourite The Pirates of Penzance to The Playhouse, featuring a rollicking band of pirates, a force of undaunted men in blue, a bevy of daughters and their friends and a major-general with a chequered parental past. The School’s talented musicians, production and backstage crew ably supported this whimsical cast, which also featured several Junior and Senior School staff that sang from the orchestra pit. Chelsea Bonanno (Year 12) and Jesse Lane (Year 11) played the romantic leads, Mabel and Frederic. ‘There was so much to be proud of with the production, and it became more exciting as we got closer to production week, knowing how fantastically the show was coming along. I am honoured to be part of a show that included such elements of humour, energy and fun’, said Chelsea. For Jesse, ‘It was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience, with all of us discovering together how funny and how musically satisfying this musical was to perform. Stepping into the role of Frederic has done wonders for my confidence as a performer.’ For James Phillips (Year 12), playing the role of MajorGeneral was the crowning achievement of his performance career at CGS. ‘Learning the Major-General’s song (‘I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General’) was one of my greatest challenges. Its simple tune was compensated by a breakneck tempo of tongue twisters, which took months to learn, slowly building up speed, phrase by phrase’.
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The other comedic role of the Pirate King was superbly executed by Freddie Klein (Year 11), who relished the new and exciting challenge, saying, ‘It was a fantastic experience to bring to life this hilarious story. I was definitely looking forward to performing the Pirate King’. Director and Producer, Mr Simon Hughes, said, ‘Hopefully this production of Pirates rekindled fond memories for those who have already lived and breathed the show and sparked a fascinating interest for those who are about to launch into the topsy-turvy world that is G&S’. The Pirates of Penzance is the follow-up production to Barnum – The Musical which was performed on the CGS grounds in a circus tent. In the interest of aesthetics, and not remodelling the quad again, the intimacy of The Playhouse was a fitting venue for the presentation of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s best-loved comic operas.
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 21
STUDENTS RE-BUILD CLASSROOMS & RAISE FUNDS FOR NEPALESE CHILDREN During the April school holidays, a group of 21 CGS staff, students and parents travelled to Nepal on a service-based endeavour with the Canberra charity REACH for Nepal. The group gained an understanding of the cultural functions of Nepal as well as making a difference to the country by providing assistance in the rebuilding of four classrooms destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. In the trip lead up, students were tasked with raising $10,000 to fund the cost of the materials to build the four classrooms. The various fundraisers included a BBQ at Harvey Norman Fyshwick, Yoga in the Quad, and numerous whole School BBQs. The all-round effort from the group was impressive, with the goal being reached in just over one month. Before the trip, students were running high with anticipation and angst, yet when they arrived at the school in Nepal to commence the community project, they danced with the children and laid the first bricks. Students said that nothing seemed difficult. In total, the volunteers from CGS carried 1,400 blocks and moved 10 tonnes of sand and cement from outside the remote school’s boundary to the building site using makeshift tools. They then mixed the cement and assisted in the laying of the large blocks, as well as painted doors and window frames. The rebuild project coincided with the third anniversary of the 2015 earthquakes, and the local villages were very grateful for the generosity shown by the CGS volunteers. Continued →
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The Head of the Outdoor Education Department, Ms Sue Donoghoe, said, ‘It was a great experience for our students and all those involved – it was very rewarding work’.
REACH for Nepal Foundation co-founder Mr Nulley said, ‘This is the largest project to date undertaken by the Foundation’.
The volunteers not only built a physical place of learning, but also built relationships and provided hope and opportunity. Moreover, the volunteers showed the children and teachers of the village that there are people from halfway around the world who care about them and who are willing to help them in times of need.
Each kilo of sand, each pool of cement and each brick provided students of the school in Nepal with a space in which to thrive and discover their passions.
This support is provided by the REACH for Nepal Foundation, a Canberra-based foundation, established in August 2015 by friends Mr Lachhu Thapa and Ms Lou Nulley in response to the earthquakes earlier that year.
It is experiences like these that shape students’ lives, through using their opportunities to better the lives of others. The impact CGS volunteers made on the local community in Nepal will be everlasting.
WORLD’S GREATEST SHAVE: OVER $42K RAISED IN 10TH YEAR The latest World’s Greatest Shave held in April 2018 marked the 10th year CGS has participated in the World’s Greatest Shave. This student-led initiative aims to raise an awareness of and funds for supporting the patients and their families impacted by various blood cancers. For 2018, the CGS community achieved an amazing result in raising a total of $42,110 for the Leukaemia Foundation. The event was a phenomenal success and saw more than 50 Year 12 students and teachers participate in either shaving or cutting off their hair. It was tremendous to see the entire School community succeed in supporting the initiative through embracing the awareness prior to the event until the special day. CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 23
FEATURE ON ACTIVE EDUCATION
Learning through the Co-curricular and Active Education Programme provides exciting possibilities for students to participate in an array of activities that change from year to year in response to student interests and teachers’ expertise. Participation enables students to discover strengths and talents, learn about commitment, develop character, connect with the broader community and enhance their appreciation of service and fellowship.
JUNIOR SCHOOL TAKES TOP SCHOOL AWARD AT ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN SKI & SNOWBOARD AWARDS CGS Snow Sports is open to all students from Pre-K to Year 6 and is a fun and exhilarating activity to be enjoyed throughout the winter terms. For 2016 and 2017, Canberra Grammar Junior School has been recognised as the Snow Sports ACT School of the Year. The Annual Australian Ski and Snowboard Awards (SSA) celebrated the best achievements of Australian Snow Sports athletes and coaches, from juniors through to seniors. Along with the regular athlete and coach awards, there were two other major school awards this year, with Canberra Grammar Junior School taking home the Snow Sports School of the Year. This year, the focus of the Snow Sports School of the Year Award changed to how schools increased their participation between 2016 and 2017. CGS had an entry increase of 40% at the Southern NSW/ACT Interschools Championships in 2017, with female entries increasing by 146%. School representation at the Australian Interschools Championships in 2017 also increased by 24%. CGS is committed to introducing new participants to Snow Sports. This includes running Little Shredders for younger children in Kindergarten to Year 2. Families are then invited to the School Snow Sports introduction night.
24 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
The CGS Parents and Friends (CGS P&F) Snow Sports Network supports families that are new to Snow Sports and assists their children with participating in Snow Sports for recreational and competitive activities. Snow Sports is a great co-curricular activity for boys and girls and is available for students in all years of the Primary School, Pre-K to Year 6. Visit CGS CONNECT > CO-CURRICULAR > HORIZONS > SNOW SPORTS for more information on how to get involved in Snow Sports at CGS.
FEATURE ON ACTIVE EDUCATION
ASSOCIATED SOUTHERN COLLEGES 2018 RECAP In May 2018, 104 runners formed the CGS Cross Country team and travelled to Stromlo Forest Park to compete in the 2018 Associated Southern Colleges (ASC) Cross Country Championships. The day was a great success, with 46 CGS students being selected to compete in the ACT Cross Country Championships. CGS managed a very respectable result in the overall boys’ and girls’ point score, finishing 2nd in the boys’ division, winning the 15 and 16 years’ age groups and placing 2nd in the girls’ division. In a great show of co-educational sporting prowess, CGS managed to win the combined boys’ and girls’ point score shield, ending Radford’s 15-year winning streak. Standout performances came from: Sophie Green (3rd, U13s Girls); Benjamin Varela (3rd, U14s Boys); Matt Tyo (3rd, U15s Boys); Ryan Boulton (2nd, U15s Boys); Daniel Dreher (2nd, U16s boys); Angus Thompson (1st, U16s Boys); Sarah Herington (3rd, Opens Girls); and Duncan Miller (1st, Opens Boys). Congratulations to all competitors for their hard work that day!
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 25
FEATURE ON ACTIVE EDUCATION
SENIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CONTINUES TO GROW The CGS Senior School Inter-House Swimming Carnival was held at the CISAC Aquatic Centre in Term 1 and was a great success. With the carnival programme including girls in all events and age groups for the first time and the addition of Middleton House for their first major carnival, the day certainly shaped up to be very entertaining for the 1,100 Senior School students and staff members. Elliott Irwin starred for Manaro House in the Open Boys, breaking three school records over the course of the day: 50m Butterfly (25.62 seconds), 50m Freestyle (24.60 seconds) and the 100m Freestyle (53.04 seconds) to go along with his 1st place finish in all seven events he contested. However, it was not enough to secure a Manaro victory. The carnival was very close, with the top five Houses being separated by less than 100 points and with Garnsey House taking the Tom Groggin Cup back to School, emerging victorious over Hay House in 2nd and Eddison House in 3rd. Special congratulations also to Garran House, who placed 1st in the Sportsmaster’s Cup, judged by attendance, spirit and participation, only just edging out Edwards House in 2nd and Burgmann House in 3rd.
26 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
The atmosphere of the carnival was also to be commended, with staff and students alike enjoying the day and supporting their Houses. CGS’ best swimmers took to the pool again at the 2018 Associated Southern Colleges (ASC) Swimming Championships on 10 April at the AIS and performed very strongly. Despite missing a few key performers due to injury and illness, CGS put forward their largest-ever contingent of swimmers for the championships, with a full complement of athletes for both male and female events. Over the course of the day, CGS swimmers placed 1st in 18 events, contributing strongly to CGS’ 2nd place overall in the Male category and 3rd in the Female category. Progressing even further were 15 CGS swimmers who qualified for the 2018 School Sport ACT State Championships and who performed exceptionally well to be considered for Nationals. From these SSACT championships, Zoe Bond, Scarlett Fittler, Jack Hawley, Phoebe Sheehan and Emma Willet have all qualified to represent the ACT at the 2018 School Sport Australia National Championships in Hobart, which is a fantastic effort. The School wishes them well as they compete later in the year.
FEATURE ON ACTIVE EDUCATION
CGS WATER POLO STUDENTS REPRESENT ACT Congratulations to Millie Jacobson (Year 8), Ellie Campbell (Year 8), Elisabeth Milson-Mahy (Year 8) and Zac Newman (Year 8) who competed for ACT at the NSW State championships and Australian National Championships during semester 1. All athletes played well, earning impressive results. The U14s Girls who competed in Dubbo for the State Championships and then Albury for the National Championships finished the National competition 14th out of 32 teams, with both Millie and Ellie scoring multiple goals. The U14s Boys competed in Orange at the State Championships and then in Canberra for the National Championships, finishing the National competition 5th out of 32 teams. These results are some of the strongest for the ACT in recent years. The four students will finish the representative season when they all travel to Auckland, New Zealand, for the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo festival from 13–16 July.
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 27
FEATURE ON CAS – A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements in every student’s IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Programme experience and involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies. Besides leaving their footprint on the community, the programme enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and reflection. A student’s CAS programme should be viewed as a personal journey of self-discovery through working with their peers or individually towards self-identified targets demonstrating an active reflection of their progress, while contributing to the improvement of their chosen causes.
CONNECTING OVER MUSIC AT ST ANDREWS VILLAGE NURSING HOME CGS student, Jesse Lane, found this CAS project especially satisfying, as it combined his passion for music and conversation with the profound sense that what he was doing was having an impact on the community. This was because, like most service projects, singing and playing background music in his visits to St Andrews Village nursing home was rewarding for both parties: those giving and those receiving the service. Jesse said it was very satisfying to experience the visible effect the students’ visit had on the residents of the nursing home. He learned that variety in older citizens’ conversations and daily routines is truly valuable for their mental health, as it breaks up the monotony of daily life and provides an escape from the discomfort, and often pain, some of them are experiencing. This project also taught Jesse the organisational side of excursions, giving him practice in writing risk assessments and in transporting essential materials. Jesse said ‘It was a pleasure to use my passion for piano playing and singing to provide residents at St Andrews Village with entertainment and to create a relaxed atmosphere in which their time together could be fully appreciated.’ Jesse and the students who accompanied this trip had a valuable learning experience in how to approach people suffering from dementia and in just how positive an impact a short visit can make in peoples’ lives. Overall, this was a terrific experience; he looks forward to his next visit to St Andrews Village.
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Kiriwina is a small island roughly 400 kilometres off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The 2011 Census reported 63,000 people inhabited the island and surrounding district. Caring for Kiriwina is an organisation which, amongst other aid activities, aims to supply children on the island of Kiriwina with sporting gear and equipment, which most of the island does not have. This CGS CAS group wanted to supply the children on Kiriwina with equipment they took for granted growing up. Three CGS students ran two BBQs between May and June, raising around $4,000, which will be used to buy boots, clothing and equipment. With the collaboration of Sportsmans Warehouse and the Senior School Student Houses, the students ran a football boot drive for one month which collected around 30 pairs of boots by the end of May. The boot collection continued to run into June, collecting around 50 pairs of boots in total.
The approval process involved multiple meetings with Heads of Departments, as well as with the Head of Senior School, Mr Smart. However, following the meetings, they felt like the event would be a great success. The students found the experience very rewarding, and they look forward to the continuation of the project in July. The first BBQ was a very successful one, and the students thank the School community for their generosity in the donation of boots, equipment and funds raised, which assisted them in reaching their collection goal.
The biggest challenge of the project which students reported was getting approval for all its varying aspects.
ENGAGING & ENLIGHTENING AFTERNOONS AT MARYMEAD In Term 1 of 2018, four Year 11 IB students, Matt Duncan, Maddie Pik, Hugo Korte and Peeter Mirlieb, organised a series of activity afternoons over one month in cooperation with Marymead. The goal of Marymead is to act as a charity that delivers support services to families affected by disabilities across Canberra. With the help of CGS Year 10 volunteers, the students led the Marymead children in various games and activities, including Octopus, Human Knots and Soccer tournaments, to everyone’s enjoyment. The spectacular afternoons wrapped up with pizza and a barbecue, where helpers got to connect with the children involved. Having these engaging and enlightening afternoons with the same participants meant that CGS student volunteers and children from Marymead could form quality connections and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed and positive environment.
The experience made an enjoyable end to the busy weeks at CGS, with everyone involved gaining an invaluable experience and insight into their community. The impact of this programme will stay with the volunteers and children for many years. A special thanks goes out to all who volunteered to aid these afternoons; teacher supervisors Ms Wright, Father Andrew, Mr Madeira, Mr Nogrady and Ms Herse; and the Year 10 volunteers.
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 29
FEATURE ON CAS – A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
SPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR KIRIWINA
FEATURE ON FOUR GENERATIONS AT CGS
FOURTH GENERATION AT CGS When Samantha Henry (Sami) started Year 4 in 2018, she was not only entering the School during the significant transition to co-ed, but she was also becoming her family’s fourth generation to attend CGS. As the School approaches its 90th Anniversary in 2019, since its foundation stone was laid in Canberra, students, alumni and staff are reflecting on the depth and the connection families have developed with the School over the nine decades.
Today, CGS is blessed with a large and beautiful campus, fine facilities and excellent teachers. The School’s history is rich in academic, sporting and artistic achievement, and being in the heart of Australia’s capital, it is surrounded by the great intellectual, cultural and political institutions of the nation.
The Hunt family has experienced the School’s culture as it evolved over four generations. As Sami’s grandfather Ian Hunt (1973) reflects on the School’s tradition and his relationship to it, he says CGS is ‘a good school with lasting traditions, now being enjoyed by my eldest granddaughter’.
Based on Anglican tradition, with a culture that aspires to share an understanding and respect for the diversity of religions and traditions within its community, the School aims to educate young leaders of the future, distinguished by compassion grounded in faith, to give more than receive and to serve.
All boys in each generation of the family have attended CGS. Sami’s great-grandfather, the late John Bruce Hunt (1944), was the first generation; followed by James (Jim) (1971), Ian (1973) and Robert Hunt (1980), in the second generation; then Tim Hunt (son of Robert Hunt – 2020); and now Sami (2026), the fourth generation. A lot has changed since 1944, and Sami attests to these changes and comments about the special place the School has in her family’s history: ‘When I’m talking to my grandpa about School, lots of things have changed and are in different spots from when he was at CGS. I like that the Junior and Senior Schools are together, and you can walk around the whole campus. It’s a special place, and my great-grandpa would be very proud to know that I am a part of it’.
Tim Hunt, Year 10 student, and third generation of the family, embodies this culture and tradition in the simplest form. He says, ‘With Sami joining CGS, it’s given me a mentoring opportunity and been a connection for Sami outside her year group. While we are both walking in the footsteps of our family, we are also making new ones!’ The family’s long association with the School and the move to offer co-education prompted Sami’s family to enrol her at CGS, and Sami’s mum, Adele, agrees ‘It’s wonderful that our three children have the opportunity to be at school together.’ Story written in collaboration with the family of CGS Alumnus the late John Bruce Hunt, Class of 1944.
JOHN BRUCE HUNT (1944) John graduated from CGS in 1944 and was a School Prefect. Sadly, John passed away in November 2017.
Sami and her younger sister Alice, with great-grandad John Hunt.
JAMES HUNT (1971) Tim and Adele’s uncle. Samantha’s great-uncle. James graduated from CGS in 1971 and was a School Prefect. He was in the 1st XV for Rugby in his final year and was also a good sportsman during his time in the Junior and Senior Schools. 30 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
Sami’s grandfather Ian graduated from CGS in 1973. He was Garran House Captain and in the 1st XI for Cricket and 1st XV for Rugby in his final year. Throughout his years in the Junior and Senior Schools, Ian represented the School (and the ACT in some instances) in Rugby, Cricket, Swimming and Athletics.
Sami and her grandfather, Ian. Sami is the fourth generation of the family and the first girl to attend CGS. CGS’ move to co-education has enabled this continued tradition.
ROBERT HUNT (1980) Robert is Tim Hunt’s father; he graduated from CGS in 1980.
TIM HUNT & SAMANTHA HENRY Tim is the son of Robert Hunt, pictured with his second cousin Sami at CGS.
1ST
THE FOUR GENERATIONS JOHN BRUCE HUNT (1944)
2ND
IAN HUNT (1973)
3RD
ADELE HENRY
4TH
Samantha’s great-grandfather & Tim’s grandfather
SAMANTHA HENRY (CURRENT YEAR 4)
JAMES HUNT (1971)
ROBERT HUNT (1980)
Adele’s father & Samantha’s grandfather
Tim and Adele’s uncle & Samantha’s great-uncle
Tim’s father, Adele’s uncle & Samantha’s great-uncle
Samantha’s mother. (Did not attend CGS)
TIM HUNT (CURRENT YEAR 10)
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 31
FEATURE ON FOUR GENERATIONS AT CGS
IAN HUNT (1973)
CGS ALUMNI NEWS Semester 1, 2018, has been an exciting time for the Alumni community. There have been many reunions, including state-based, peer year and international events, which means the School has had the pleasure of reconnecting with over 350 Alumni so far this year. There are still four reunions planned for the remainder of the year, so if Alumni are in Brisbane, Perth, a part of the CGS Vintage Club or the Class of 2017, the School hopes to see them during Semester 2. To take a look at upcoming events, visit CGSALUMNI.ORG.AU/EVENTS
CLASS OF 1968 50 YEAR OUT REUNION It is always great to hear of Year Groups who remain connected long after graduation. An example of this longstanding connection is the Class of 1968, who celebrated their 50 Year Out Reunion in March 2018. The weekend saw the reconnection of over 40 alumni (some of who travelled from across the globe for the event). The festivities included a barbecue, a visit back to CGS and a dinner at the Royal Canberra Golf Club that continued well into the early hours and beyond. The School looks forward to welcoming the Class of 1968 to the Vintage Club in November and congratulating them on such a milestone.
MELBOURNE REUNION Thanks to the CGS Alumni who came to the Annual Melbourne Reunion. It was a great evening catching up while looking over the Yarra River from Riverland Bar in Federation Square. We will certainly be back in 2019!
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2019 will be another huge year for the CGS Alumni community, as the School celebrates its 90th anniversary. As a part of the anniversary celebrations, there will be events for alumni in every peer year, so there will be numerous opportunities for graduates to get involved not just in Canberra and Australia, but around the globe.
5 & 10 YEAR OUT REUNION CLASS OF 2013 & 2008
2018 CGS REUNION WEEKEND Every year, the CGS Alumni Reunion Weekend goes from strength to strength, with increasing attendance, and this year was no different. The weekend was extremely well attended, with more than 170 Alumni attending six year group events. This year, the School brought back most of the year groups to CGS, where they could revisit their old stomping grounds for a good look around, attend a chapel service and support sporting events. The Aumni also thank Mother Nature for such a glorious autumn day!
35 YEAR OUT REUNION CLASS OF 1983 30 YEAR OUT REUNION CLASS OF 1988
In 2019, the Annual Reunion weekend will move from the last weekend in May to the first weekend in April, to coincide with a large-scale CGS 90th Anniversary event. It is hoped that many Alumni will attend, in addition to the peer-year reunions. More information on the weekend will be available soon; however, save the date of the weekend of 5–6 April 2019 in your diaries.
INTERNATIONAL REUNIONS Every year, it is wonderful to meet with Alumni who have left Australia to experience the great world. So far in 2018, the School has had the pleasure of catching up with CGS Alumni in Singapore, Hong Kong and London, and looks forward to meeting others in New Zealand in early September. These international events always have a lovely feel about them, as Alumni from a variety of peer years come together to connect and network, often leaving with a renewed feeling of the CGS community that they knew and loved when at school. The School hopes to continue international visits with alumni in 2019, so please look out for upcoming dates. SINGAPORE REUNION LONDON REUNION
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 33
ALUMNI DATES FOR DIARY
NEW ZEALAND REUNION
27
PERTH REUNION
FRI
02 NOV
NOV
MELBOURNE REUNION
05
90TH ANNIVERSARY GALA IN THE GROUNDS
MAR
APR
(see inside back cover for more information)
VINTAGE CLUB REUNION 1 YEAR OUT REUNION
06 APR
PEER YEAR REUNIONS
(Class of 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2014)
27
LONDON REUNION
03
HONG KONG REUNION
16
BRISBANE REUNION
FRI
FRI
FRI
30
15
S AT
OCT
SYDNEY REUNION
FEB
S AT
FRI S AT
SEP
22
FRI
07
AUG
FRI
BRISBANE REUNION
FRI
17
2019 REUNION DATES
FRI
2018 REUNION DATES
APR
MAY
AUG
For specific information about any event, please email community@cgs.act.edu.au or call +61 (2) 6260 9606. You can also find more information about our events by scrolling through the terms at CGSALUMNI.ORG.AU/EVENTS
STAY CONNECTED WITH ALUMNI If you’re not connected already, you could be missing out on eNews, reunion information and networking opportunities! CGS greatly values its former students, staff and parents and encourages your continuing relationship with the School. If you or someone you know has lost contact with the School, reconnect by email or social media. COMMUNITY@CGS.ACT.EDU.AU
CGSALUMNI.ORG.AU
LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/CGS-ALUMNI
FACEBOOK.COM/ALUMNICGS
34 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
WHERE ARE THEY NOW Many CGS Alumni are making a difference around Australia and worldwide, and the School loves to hear and share their stories. Stories are regularly shared on the Alumni Facebook page, but below, just a few are highlighted:
JAMES MUECKE (CLASS OF 1981) OPHTHALMOLOGIST, HUMANITARIAN & CHAIRTY CHAIRMAN If you are a CGS Alumni in need of some inspiration, look no further than Dr James Muecke. An Ophthalmologist, a humanitarian, and Chairman of the charity Sight For All. James has dedicated his adult life to blindness prevention, not only in Australia but also in countries around the globe including many developing countries in Asia. He has a special interest in ophthalmic research and education in the developing world and in 2009 founded Sight For All, a blindness prevention charity operating in Australia and internationally. Under James’ leadership, Sight For All’s programmes are helping over 500,000 patients across eight countries in Asia each year, making a great impact on the lives of many individuals and their families, and helping to alleviate poverty in their communities. James has received many accolades for his amazing work including an ‘Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness Award’ by the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology in 2011, the Order of Australia in 2012 and a South Australian Community Achievement Award. In 2015 he was the recipient of the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award and he delivered the Hollows Lecture at the 2016 RANZCO Congress. To read more about Sight For All, please visit SIGHTFORALL.ORG
PETER CURSLEY (CLASS OF 1974) CHURCHILL SCHOLAR The Community Development Office is always seeking profiles and stories from CGS Alumni and we want to share the inspiring story of CGS Foundation Manager and Alumnus Mr Peter Cursley… After enduring the tragic loss of his baby daughter and his wife soon after, Peter Cursley (Class of 74, School Prefect and Blaxland House Captain) responded to his personal heartbreak by dedicating his life to helping others. In 1995, he established the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation (NICF) and has since raised many millions of dollars for the Canberra Hospital and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Peter was recognised for his efforts in 2016 as the Australian of the Year – Local Hero (ACT). In a quest to expand the NICF to assist hospitals throughout Southern NSW, Peter has been awarded a Churchill Scholarship to study similar charity models in New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. To read more about the NICF, please visit NEWBORN.ORG.AU CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 35
CGS WATCH LIMITED EDITION
RILEY TANTON (CLASS OF 2017) ENTREPRENEUR & FOUNDER OF MILLENNIAL WATCHES As a young child, Riley showed all the attributes of a natural-born entrepreneur, making and selling candles as a primary-aged student. Moving on to drinks and lolly sales from his locker once he became a teenager, Riley was destined to become a success in business. Not being able to find the kind of watch he wanted for himself, Riley started his own business, Millennial Watches, in late 2015, while still a student at CGS. In 2017, and while still in Year 12, Riley was a finalist in the Australian Champion Small Business Awards, and after originally applying for the fashion category in the awards, the judges strongly encouraged him also to apply for the Young Entrepreneur (under 30) category. He ended up as a finalist in both. Recently, CGS partnered with Millennial Watches to custom design a limited range of CGS Foundation watches with proceeds to the CGS Foundation. There is no doubt that this is only the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey for Riley Tanton. The School wishes him every success in the future. To purchase a CGS Foundation Millennial watch, visit TRYBOOKING.COM/363146 Or to view the full range of Millennial Watches, visit MILLENNIALWATCHES.COM.AU
CHRIS CHYNOWETH (CLASS OF 2006) OFF TO HARVARD FOR MASTERS OF LAW After graduating Year 12 at CGS in 2006, Chris went on to ANU to pursue his interest in Law, completing a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce, and then worked a few years at a private law firm in Sydney and has not looked back. Chris is currently practising as an in-house commercial lawyer at FOX SPORTS Australia advising on media, intellectual property and entertainment law, and assisting FOX SPORTS to run its national and international media business. Chris’ next move is to complete a Masters of Law at Harvard University later this year to gain a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial framework in the sports, media and entertainment industries. He will also take the opportunity to gain exposure to the large US media market. Chris credits much of his interest in law and a love of study from his classes at CGS, particularly in English, Economics, History & Business Studies. ‘It was a fantastic academic and co-curricular school and I don’t believe I could have got into Harvard without it. It has long been a dream of mine to go overseas to do a Masters and CGS provided the necessary foundations to enable me to achieve it.’ 36 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
SIMON MURRAY (HEADMASTER 1998 – 2010) FORMER CGS HEADMASTER AWARDED OAM Mr Simon Murray, the 6th Headmaster of CGS (from 1998-2010) was recognised this year on the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to secondary education and to professional associations. The School expresses its warmest congratulations to Simon on this honour.
JAMES O’LOGHLIN (CLASS OF 1983) ACCOMPLISHED AUTHOR James O’Loghlin, CGS Alumnus and accomplished author, has just published his latest children’s book, The New Kid – Unpopular Me, which may offer a nostalgic view for our CGS Alumni as it is based on being a ‘new kid’ at Canberra Grammar School. When asked about the book, James said ‘My new children’s book, The New Kid – Unpopular Me, is about 11 year old only child Sam, who is uprooted from Adelaide by his parents and moved to Canberra where he knows no one. Suddenly, at school, he is The New Kid with no friends, and has to work out how to make himself popular. It’s based on my own move from Adelaide to Canberra aged 8. I remember how scary being The New Kid was, and how all the plans I made to make myself super-popular all went horribly wrong. In the book I basically took everything funny or embarrassing that happened to me as a kid, and made it five times funnier and more embarrassing. Sam is at primary school, and I only went to CGS in high school, but a lot of the funny incidents in the book are inspired by my time at CGS. For example, rock-climbing and caving misadventures. I wrote the book to make my own kids, and hopefully lots of other kids, laugh. When I went to the CGS Reunion recently, it was great to remember all the funny things that happened at school, and also to find out that the guys who made me laugh at school 35 years ago, could still make me laugh.’
THANKS TO 2018 RED HILL RUN SPONSORS Despite unfortunate weather conditions that led to the 2018 Red Hill Run being cancelled, we again thank our sponsors, and also encourage our community to put Sunday 3 February 2019 into their diary for next year’s Red Hill Run. Thanks to: Monaro Workwear & Promotional, Canberra Podiatry, Solve Projects, Plumery, Cummings Karate Dojo, Blackett Homes, Physio Sport O’Connor and Cre8ive. Special thanks to our 2018 Platinum Sponsor:
MELROSE DRIVE, PHILLIP
CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 37
WHERE ARE OUR INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI?
38 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
NOT ON THE MAP? We know we have Alumni in many other countries around the world, so we’d encourage you to update your details at CGSALUMNI.ORG.AU/UPDATE-YOUR-DETAILS CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 39
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS CGS FOUNDATION
CGS FOUNDATION BENEFACTORS
PATRON
Mrs Susan and Mr Ken Cooper
CGS Old Boys’ Association
Mr Peter Hazlehurst
Anonymous (2)
Mr Terry Snow
Kenyon Foundation
CGS FOUNDATION FELLOWS
CGS FOUNDATION ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Mrs Georgina & Mr David Gazard
Mr T Harrison
Mr G Mauldon
Mrs Wendy & Mr Vivian King
Mr W Maude
Prof S Robson
CGS FOUNDATION MEMBERS
CGS FOUNDATION 2018 DONORS
Mrs Hermina & Mr Daryl Blaxland
Bee Dee Bags
Harrison T
Peterswald J
Mrs Karen Byron & Mr Stephen Byron
Blaxland D
Kalenjuk E
Platis Family
Mr Alan Carey & Family
Blaxland H
Kalenjuk S
Prasanna T
Mrs Louise Clegg & Mr Angus Taylor
Brighenti C
Kenyon Family
Robson S
Ms Dharini Ganesan Raju & Dr Justin Garrick
Bruer Family
Keller C
Rock K
Mrs Suzanne & Mr David Prowse
Burt P
Kunkel J
Rogers S
Mr Irwin Prowse
Burt S
Lord C
Sainty J
Mrs Thea De Salis
Byron S
Love Family
Seaborn J
Mr Justin Dundas-Smith
Clark B
Luscombe K
Sharma A
Dr Carolyn Hawkins & Dr Desmond Yip
Cummings R
Maffey J
Sharma S
Mr James Kilmartin
Cursley P
Mark R JP
Simkin B
Mr Robert Mark JP
Deng H
Maude W
Simkin B
Mr Graham Matthews
Dua D
Mauldon G
Templeman Family
Mrs Helen & Dr Simon McCredie
Dundas-Smith J
May A
Toller J
Mr Dennis Milin
Ganesan Raju D
Memmolo Family
Vido D A
Mrs Janny & Mr Hugh Poate
Garrick J
Miners M
Welsh A
Ms Melissa Russell & Mr John Russell
Gazard D
Miners S
Whittle H
Dr Lynne & Dr Tony Tonks
Gazard G
Moores A
Whittle S
Mr Dino Augusto Vido
Gellel J
Nikias D
Zhenghong T
Mrs Heather & Dr Samuel Whittle
Gellel T
Pandy C
Zhu B
Anonymous (2)
Goddard A
Peters K
Anonymous (9)
Goddard S
Peters L
Gurney R
Peterswald M
Donor details are listed as entered at time of donation. If you believe you have been omitted from this list, we apologise. Please contact us at foundation@cgs.act.edu.au 40 | CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018
CGS TURNS 90 NEXT YEAR! In 2019, Canberra Grammar School will celebrate 90 years since its founding and would love to see its community – students, parents, staff and alumni – join in celebrating 90 years of success in education.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
For next year’s 90th anniversary of the School, the annual CGS Fete will also make way for a more diverse range of community events currently being planned by a Committee. But rest assured, the fun of the Fete will be spread all throughout the year!
F R I FOUNDATION DAY
08 FEB
Whole School chapel service on the Main Oval; morning tea and community event.
2 019
TERM NEW PARENT WELCOME A CGS P&F EVENT
1
2 019
Stay tuned for details.
SUN RED HILL RUN & COMMUNITY CARNIVAL CGS FOUNDATION & SCHOOL EVENT 03 AFamily picnic; rides; BBQs; sporting events; MAR 2 019
school bands, music and entertainment.
F R I GALA IN THE GROUNDS STUDENTS & STAFF CELEBRATION 05 AStudent and staff event with lunch; separate professional APR 2 019
entertainment for Primary School and Senior School students.
F R I GALA IN THE GROUNDS PARENTS & COMMUNITY CELEBRATION 05 AAdults-only event with food vendors and drinks; professional APR 2 019
entertainment, concerts and DJs; fireworks and light shows.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS The School is looking to partner with businesses or organisations to enhance the School’s 90th anniversary. A range of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please contact the CGS Foundation at foundation@cgs.act.edu.au CGS OUTLOOK | Semester One 2018 | 41
T +61 (2) 6260 9700 E communications@cgs.act.edu.au 40 Monaro Crescent, Red Hill ACT 2603 CGS.ACT.EDU.AU CRICOS Provider No 00580G