CGS OUTLOOK

The Magazine Of The Canberra Grammar School Community

Editorial Details

Editors: Ayesha Shahed

Graphic Designer: Twee Phan

Printer: New Millennium Print

Photography: William Hall Photography, Ryan Butterworth, 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: Chicago the Musical, Senior School Drama Production © Canberra Grammar School 2023

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Please forward any news, information and photos to the Editor at: communications@CGS.act.edu.au

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Acknowledgement Of Country

We acknowledge the age-old custodians of the land on which our school stands, the Ngunnawal People.

We offer respect and gratitude to Elders past and present, and affirm our obligation to honour the heritage of countless generations in our on-going care for this special place in which it is our privilege to learn and work.

It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to write this introduction for CGS Outlook for Semester One 2023 as Dr Garrick enjoys a special time of leave for the first time during his leadership of the School. We have had a wonderful semester in the life of CGS, and there is no doubt that our staff and students are thriving in our desire to develop curious, creative, confident, compassionate citizens of the world who are ready for the world!

There is no doubt that we are all aware of the enormous change that is taking place in our world and our society. This has continued rapidly over many years, and all the signs are that this will likely continue at a faster rate. In this environment, it is crucial for schools to strike a balance between embracing this change and all the positive opportunities and benefits that it provides while holding to the crucial values and foundations that are an essential part of our community and relationships.

I recently had the opportunity to listen to a leading academic researcher in health and wellbeing speak about how crucial connection and positive relationships are for our health and wellbeing. Far outweighing exercise, diet and not smoking/ vaping (although these are also very important). We have always believed in this as a school, but it has been disrupted in recent years due to factors outside our control. As a result, many in our community have missed important developmental stages in building connections and creating an environment where everyone fully understands what it means to live with others respectfully and positively.

As we return to normal operation and activities, we must help all students understand how important it is to develop connection and realise how important it is for us all to be people who always foster respectful, positive relationships throughout our lives. This willingness to be welcoming, inclusive, caring and kind to all helps us as a school to create an environment where everyone feels that they belong.

As you read through these pages of our latest Outlook magazine, I hope it will give you a sense of the breadth and vibrancy of our life at CGS and the examples that it provides of just some of the opportunities available for building connections and positive relationships and learning that has taken place in the first half of 2023.

With my warmest regards,

– David Smart, Deputy Head (Senior Specialist Care), Acting Head of School (Term 2)