Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 Charter 2 Message from the Principal 3 Board & Governance 6 Structure 7 Strategic Plan 8 Staff Profile & Development 9 Student Profile 11 Parent & Student Satisfaction Survey 12 Student Attendance 13 Student Results & Achievements 14 Post School Destinations 17 Canberra Girls Grammar School acknowledges the Whole School Activities 20 Ngunnawal Peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands where we live and work. Academic Engagement 23 Co-Curricular Activities 24 We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuing culture and the contribution Pastoral Care/Support Programs 28 they make to the life of Canberra and the region. Boarding House 30 Community & Environment 31 Facilities & ICT 34 Financial Statement 35 Annual Report July, 2020 Published by Canberra Girls Grammar School Melbourne Avenue, Deakin ACT 2600 Australia cggs.act.edu.au Telephone: 02 6202 6400 ABN 67 008 559 331 Facsimile: 02 6273 2554 1 Canberra Girls Grammar School Annual Report 2019 Charter Message from the Principal The Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS) was and our House-based pastoral care reflects the great In my first year as Principal of Canberra Girls opportunities to share their creative talents—music established in 1926 as St Gabriel’s School by the importance placed on the students’ wellbeing. Grammar School, I paused to reflect upon and concerts throughout the year were widely celebrated Anglican order of the Community of the Sisters of reaffirm what distinguishes it as a place of learning, and attended, culminating in an inspiring Carols the Church, founded by Mother Emily Ayckbowm. Our mission and as a community. Service, while the students’ performance in the musical The Sisters had answered a request from Bishop Wicked both challenged and enchanted audiences. Radford, of the then Diocese of Goulburn, who saw a As the four-year phase of the School’s Strategic In partnership with our families, we aim to provide an need for an Anglican school in the small community Framework (2016–2020) drew to an early close, we Co-curricular endeavours have led students across exceptional, holistic education to children and young of Canberra, at the time the future Federal capital. took the time to assess the School’s achievements the world—to Ecuador and Galapagos to support a women. We strive to equip them with the academic against the goals and philosophies committed to by community through Antipodeans Abroad, and a range learning, emotional intelligence, and creative skills A proud independent, non-selective Anglican school, our Board and staff. Proudly, through the consistent of countries for representative sport—while remaining to become resilient, compassionate, critical thinking CGGS is the oldest private day and boarding school effort and dedication of all in the School community— connected to local communities in the ACT through leaders, ready to fulfil their potential as global citizens. in Canberra, with three campuses, spreading over 10 Executive, staff, students, parents and volunteers— fundraising and volunteering. Three students and two hectares. Our facilities include an indoor swimming we have fulfilled, and in many cases surpassed, alumnae, who graduated in 2018, were presented with Honouring our strong tradition and heritage, Canberra pool, playing fields and a multi-purpose teaching and these goals. This is certainly a reason to celebrate their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Girls Grammar is committed to being an exemplary learning /aquatic sports centre on the shores of Lake before we set our sights on the next six years and school in the Anglican faith. Burley Griffin. the commitments— some reasserted, others newly There were significant achievements in sport, created—in the Strategic Design (2020–2025). including placing second in the NSW Schoolgirls Head The School has approximately 1,400 students in its Our vision of the River rowing competition and ranking third care from the Early Learning Centre through to Year 12, In 2019, like in the previous four years, the School’s nationally in rowing. Our debaters secured the title with more than 60 boarders from regional Australia and To develop children and young women who will become outstanding academic results have demonstrated, of National Virtual Debating Champions, alongside overseas. CGGS is co-educational from Early Learning independent, reflective, lifelong learners and confident unequivocally, our Vision in action—To the young, many individual and team successes across the other through to Year 3, and girls-only from Year 4 to Year 12. contributors in a complex and changing world. anything is possible. Our results, however, are only a debating competitions. In 2019, the broader CGGS small part of the larger narrative of students’ education. community contributed in countless ways to students’ To be a school where the young believe CGGS offers the International Baccalaureate Primary These results are testament to the enduring, positive learning and developmental experiences. Our Parents anything is possible. Years Programme for students aged three to 12 years learning environment that the teachers and professional and Friends Association and the Music and Rowing in the Junior School and the Diploma Programme for staff of the School create and maintain, ensuring that support groups held a range of successful events, students aged 16 to 19 years in the Senior School. The Our values students are individually and thoughtfully supported to including hosting the School’s Fête. Senior School also offers the ACT Senior Secondary achieve their personal best. System program. The Canberra Girls Grammar School community is Throughout the year, the ELC students, staff, and bound by three core values that honour our Anglican The efforts of our younger students in Years 3, 5, 7 visitors enjoyed the newly opened Early Learning The School brings together students from all over the tradition and speak to the challenges of today’s world: and 9 in NAPLAN testing positioned CGGS as the top- facility, made possible with the generous support world, with more than 33 nationalities represented in performing school in the ACT and regional NSW. Two of the Gabriel Foundation and our community. One the student body, who in total, speak more than 44 — Inclusion – We embrace diversity in humanity; we of our students obtained each an ATAR of 99.85 and of many generous donations from the Foundation languages. This vibrant mix reflects our location in treat others with compassion and kindness; we 9% of our graduating students’ ATAR was over 99. towards the future of CGGS. the national capital, which hosts most of the country’s support our community and aim to ensure equal diplomatic community. opportunity. I am very proud of the efforts of students, and the I feel the privilege and responsibility of my role as — Courage – Honouring the spirit of our founders, expert teachers who have conscientiously guided Principal, working with the Board Directors, staff and Our team of highly professional teaching staff women of grit, intellect and determination, we them to achieve such strong outcomes. families who are earnestly committed to preparing supports the development of active, global citizens challenge the status quo; stand by what we believe children and young women to lead empowered, where creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, in and do what is right. We persevere through Outside the classroom, students have gained a thoughtful and rewarding lives. I look forward to 2020 communication and character building is fostered every adversity and embrace change. breadth of skills and experience across a diverse with great anticipation, particularly as it brings a newly day. Students across the school are offered a wide — Integrity – We act with honesty and integrity; we range of co-curricular pursuits. The Music Academy articulated focus on the School’s enduring goals, variety of curriculum and co-curricular opportunities are known for our loyalty and ethical behaviour. We again distinguished itself by providing promising through the Strategic Design (2020–2025). Guided by aim to follow our strong moral compass. musicians an extraordinary program. Girls embraced the aspiration To the young, anything is possible, which 2 3 Canberra Girls Grammar School Annual Report 2019 encapsulates the deep value that a quality education offers, the next phase of the School’s history is philosophically and operationally focused on providing students an exceptional educational foundation. My heartfelt thanks goes to the Board, particularly the outgoing Chair, Mrs Belinda Moss, for their support and commitment to the School’s vision, and congratulate and thank the Executive for continuing to lead the School’s exceptional staff in creating a community that supports students to thrive. I hope you will join me in facing 2020 with a shared commitment to seeking inclusion, courage and integrity in all that we do and instil in Canberra Girls Grammar School students. There has been a great deal to honour and celebrate in 2019 and we look forward to the future with confidence, optimism and a determination to maintain the high standards in education, and commitment to serving the community, for which Canberra Girls Grammar School has long been respected. Anna Owen Principal 4 5 Canberra Girls Grammar School Annual Report 2019 Board & Governance Structure PRINCIPAL The ownership of the School properties is vested Chair Bishop-in-Council 3 years in the Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS), Mrs Belinda Moss a company limited by Guarantee under the ACT Companies Ordinance 1962, as Trustee for the Deputy Chair Bishop-in-Council 3 years Church of England Property Trust, Diocese of Mrs Sue Hart Canberra and Goulburn. Mrs Anna Owen Principal Period of Executive contract Head of Junior Head of Senior Chief Operating Chaplain Dean of Music Director Comms Its operations are controlled by a Board of Directors, School School Officer Mr Matt O’Brien Chief Operating Officer Period of & Engagement the majority of whom are appointed by the Bishop-in- contract Council of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.