It is not often in life that you return as an adult to the school that educated you and helped to shape you into the person you are today. Returning to CGGS as a leader and educator was indeed a "no-brainer" for me when the opportunity arose. I have had many moments of deja-vu while walking the campus of my youth, particularly on the day the Grammarian staff members dressed up in our school uniforms faithfully carrying Burrawi as our Book Week choice. What has struck me the most during my time…
“If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.”Sir Ken Robinson English author, educator and thought leader Sir Ken Robinson has notched up over 30 million views of his famous TED Talk on creativity and schooling. Sir Ken emphasises the importance of nurturing creativity, curiosity and higher-order thinking skills in a well-rounded and holistic education. While creativity is often thought of as pertaining only to artists, musicians, and performers, this is not…
A week ago today we learned of the unexpected passing of one of the longest serving monarchs in history. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was crowned as Queen of the United Kingdom and of the Commonwealth just over 70 years ago. I cannot imagine the changes she saw during her lifetime. She was an extraordinary person, who lived an extraordinary life of service to both her subjects and to the Church. Her commitment to service meant that hers was a lifelong position. In 1947, before she ascended to…
Last Friday, our Bella Voce Chapel Choir travelled to Goulburn to participate in the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn Synod Eucharist. Held in the beautiful Cathedral Church of St Saviour, our students joined the St Saviour’s Cathedral Choir, Cathedral staff, students of St Mark’s Theological College, members of religious orders, Clergy of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Deacons, Priests, Area Deans, Canons both Lay and Clerical, Archdeacons, Assistant Bishops, Vergers, Deans,…
‘Eang yw'r byd i bawb’ Growing up in a Welsh family, I have recently been reminded of a wonderful Welsh phrase, eang yw'r byd i bawb - the world is wide to everyone. Each and every day this proverb rings true across all corners of the Junior School. With students seizing the numerous opportunities presented to them with vigour, wholeheartedness, and hope-filled enthusiasm. The co-curricular and academic enrichment programs, as well as the diverse sporting options at CGGS, complement and build…
There have been many wonderful activities happening around the school recently. I have enjoyed attending the Friends and Family Chapel service, Bands Concert, Year 3 History projects display, netball games and Years 3 to 12 School Chapel, amongst many others. This week, however, I would like to focus on recognising two of our students for an outstanding achievement in giving back to their community. I was honoured to attend the Order of Australia Association ACT Branch Student Citizenship…
I have just finished a wonderful book, The Beekeeper of Aleppo, by Christy Lefteri. While the book itself is a work of fiction, it was written after the author spent time volunteering in a UNICEF-supported refugee centre in Athens. During this time, she met displaced people from Syria and Afghanistan and whose stories form the basis of her book. The novel was an insight into the plight of those who can no longer live in their country of birth, and the huge sacrifices they must make to survive.…
Have you noticed CGGS students happen to be popping up everywhere at the moment? Perhaps you’ve seen our sports stars dashing across courts and running across fields, or our Snow Sport students racing down the slopes? Maybe our musicians have caught your eye, at the Year 3 recital, or, more recently, at our Combined Bands performance? Or our Junior School Defense students attending ADFA’s production of Peter Pan? Our debaters have certainly been on show, delivering thought-provoking arguments…
Hope, love, joy, and peace. These are the themes that the church explores in Advent, the time leading up to Christmas. Each Sunday, another candle is lit on the Advent Wreath. Advent, however, will not begin for some weeks – so why talk about hope, love, joy and peace now? Every now and then, it is helpful to remind ourselves that hope, love, joy and peace all speak to communities of inclusion. Communities where people are accepted for who they are, communities where a spirit of hope and joy…