CGS STAFF FAREWELLS

Ashley Hogan

Mr Ashley Hogan has been an integral part of the life of Canberra Grammar School for the last 27 years, having joined CGS in 1996. In his time at CGS, Ashley has been a superb teacher of English, Australian Studies, and History, and a steadfast Assistant Head of Sheaffe House. In all his teaching he brought intellectual rigour balanced with an engaging style. His artfulness of language, both written and spoken, his deeply analytical bent, his integrity, and his downto-earth nature have been powerful in the classroom, ensuring his students are challenged and received more than just a syllabus education.

As the Head of Australian Studies for 20 years he created a superb programme shining a light on current issues, challenging senior students with a taste of lecture and tutorial learning. On the co-curricular front, he brought his years of experience as a journeyman tennis professional to building a large and capable tennis programme which culminated in the construction of the new tennis courts. As a member of staff, Ashley has been a terrific colleague to all, but will be best remembered for his witty yet respectful farewell speeches to departing staff, and his 2018 playful interrogation of Dr Garrick in that year’s final staff meeting.

Kerri Rock

Ms Kerri Rock, retires after 15 years at the School; 13 in the leadership team. Having joined in 2008 to teach Economics, Ms Rock has been in turn Director of Teaching and Learning, Director of Studies, Director of Teaching Development, and Director of Strategic Operations. She has done with full and selfless commitment whatever the School has needed, applying the strength and determination that made her a champion international swimmer in her youth, along with the personal care, humour and practicality that all who know her so love and value.

Her role is fundamentally to help others get done what needs to be done. As a consequence, she has been instrumental to countless strategic projects and achievements across both the Primary School and the Senior School in our transformation over the past decade, including in the domains of teaching and learning, professional development, educational technology, policy and procedure, school registration, international education, co-education, reconciliation and Indigenous education, for which she has a particular personal commitment.

Ms Rock has been a caring mentor to students and staff, and a central member of a close-knit leadership team that has supported each other through good times and tough. We will miss her deeply.