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Simon Murray
Headmaster

Touched by loss
Friday, 09 March 2007

News of the Garuda airline crash in Yogyakarta dominated news around the world this week.

The graphic portrayal of this international catastrophe brought home to us all that death is never far away from life and can occur at any moment.

I am sure we all felt touched by the loss of these fine Australians.

Two of those who died in the crash were parents of current boarders at Canberra Grammar.

DFAT kept in close contact with the School as the tragedy unfolded and our first priority was to ensure the protection and support of the two boys concerned.

Sandy Goddard and Peter Wilkins, our Boarding Housemasters, and their staff have been monitoring the reaction of all the boys in the tightly-knit boarding community.

Staff throughout the School are ensuring our pastoral care is especially sensitive to the feelings of all our boys at this time.

Our Chaplain, Father Rex, reassured the boarders in the Chapel during their regular service last night and prayers were offered for the families.

The Board and all members of the School community extend our deepest sympathy to the families and all those personally affected by the loss.

 
The importance of our Fete
Friday, 02 March 2007
There are very few schools in Australia that can manage to organise a community event each year as large and complex as the legendary CGS P&F Annual Fete.

The P&F Fete is immensely important to the School. The boys and girls all benefit from the investment in new projects and improvements around the School that Fete funds provide.

But even more importantly, the Fete reminds us of the truly magnificent community that is OUR School Community. Everyone working together builds and strengthens the relationships among the students, parents, staff and Old Boys.

This week, I was pleased to hear from the President of the P&F, Sharon Woolmer, that her Committee has decided where they will allocate funds from the 2007 Fete. I was, as always, delighted to learn that the Committee will continue to fund the Headmaster’s Discretionary Fund through which I am able to assist many individual students.

The School is also delighted with their decision to fund infrastructure for sun protection across the School. I am sure we can all agree that these will be most welcome improvements in this era of increasing concern about global warming.

Also this week, the School received a gift from Le Tan of 60 litres of 30+ sunscreen lotion to be used by students, teachers and maintenance staff - everyone who spends time outdoors. I would like to publicly express our gratitude for the gift.

I do hope you have caught up with Heather Whittle’s blog on this page. Heather is the 2007 Fete conveyer and she has news about all that’s going on and how you can become involved. Click to read Heather Whittle's Blog
 
Community Service
Thursday, 01 February 2007
Community service lies at the heart of our School's teaching philosophy and practice. At School the Community Care and Concern Committee (a group of predominately Year 12 students) is responsible for looking after the giving that occurs from the School to the wider community – in the three distinct milieus of local, national and international.  All students become involved in community service and fundraising and for many students this aspect of School life provides invaluable lessons about ways to lead useful and productive lives.

Chairman of the Board, Mr Chris Chenoweth, has long understood the importance of community service. He received his OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) in this year's Australia Day Honours List  'For service to the law, and to the community of the Australian Capital Territory through contributions to a range of school, youth, cultural and welfare groups'.

The official website about Australia's Honours system says:  Honours help define, encourage and reinforce national aspirations, ideals and standards by identifying role models. We give honours to recognise, celebrate and say thank you to those who make a difference, those who achieve their best and those who serve others.

We too would like to say: Thank you, Mr Chenoweth.
 
Staff Appointments 2006/2007
Monday, 29 January 2007

We welcome the following staff to Canberra Grammar

Neville Punch – Head of Mathematics 2007

 Neville has just completed three years as Acting Moderator of Mathematics/Executive Office of the Mathematics Reference group for the Curriculum Council of WA. Prior to this Neville was teaching at Scotch College in Swanbourne, Western Australia, where he was the Head of the Mathematics department for 16 years, and a member of the teaching staff since 1974. Neville has taught at Tonbridge School in Kent, UK, co-authored mathematics textbooks and has been active on many syllabus and planning committees for mathematics education in WA. Neville has extensive experience in coaching cricket and AFL.

Kylie Robards – Economics and Business Studies Teacher 2007

Kylie is a University of Canberra graduate attaining a Bachelor of Business (Economics) and Grad Dip (Secondary). As a practicing Christian, Kylie has dedicated many years to voluntary work focussing on assisting people with economic, social and other disadvantages, as well helping to supplement the educational and social development of children. Kylie was a Signals Operator in the Australian Defence Force prior to her studies.

Bronwyn Norrie – Mathematics Teacher 2007

Bronwyn comes to us from Lyneham High School, where she was a Mathematics teacher. Bronwyn represented the Mathematics Faculty on the Curriculum Committee, the Yr 9 Exhibitions Committee and co-ordinated the National Literacy and Numeracy trials for the school. In semester two, 2006, Bronwyn accepted a temporary position with the University of Canberra as Lecturer of Mathematics Education.

Rebecca Dromgold – Mathematics Teacher 2007

Rebecca has been teaching Mathematics for 17 years at various levels, and for the past four years Rebecca has taught senior mathematics at Lake Ginninderra College. Rebecca enjoys coaching sporting teams, has organised camps and was involved in an alternative education program for students at risk.

Tessa Debeljakovic – Library Assistant 2006-2007

Tessa has covered for Margaret Hurford, who was on leave in Term 4 2006; and will be covering for Barbara Johnson who is on leave during Terms 1 and 2, 2007. Tessa attained a Diploma of Library/Information Services in 2006 during which she completed her “Industry Placement” at Canberra Grammar and participated in stocktaking the entire Resource Centre.

Nicole Mackey – Science Teacher 2007 (part-time)

Nicole will be taking Andrew Shelley's classes whilst he is on leave from Term 1 until the end of Term 3, 2007. Nicole will be sharing this position with Jane Brown. Nicole has extensive teaching experience and previously worked at Canberra Grammar as a Science teacher, between 2000 and 2002.

Fiona Edwards – English Teacher 2007

Prior to Fiona's most recent position as Communication and Media Advisor to the Family Court, she was a full time teacher at Canberra Girls' Grammar School, in the disciplines of Media/Film/Drama and English. Fiona has particular skills in the teaching of creative writing and intends to embark upon a PhD in creative writing in 2007.

Sarah Langford – English Teacher 2007

Sarah is a new graduate from University of Canberra, attaining a Graduate Diploma Education (Secondary), and completing her first year's experience at Campbell High School. Sarah has a passion for English and completed a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature in 2004 at ANU.

Sara Rapp – Teacher Librarian 2007

Sara has been teaching English and French at Telopea Park Primary School since arriving from New York in early 2006. Sara has a Master's degree in Library Science, five years classroom teaching experience at the primary and secondary levels, is a qualified school media specialist and can speak four languages.

Gai Donald – Southside and ELC Secretary 2006

Gai comes back to Canberra Grammar after leaving in 2003 to go overseas with her husband. Gai's new position is in the Primary School, specifically looking after Southside and the Infants' School.

Graham Maltby – Geography and Maths Teacher 2006

In 2006 Graham moved to Canberra from New Zealand where he was a teacher at Auckland Girls' Grammar School and a marker for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Graham is a keen rower and has been involved with Victoria University Rowing Club, Victoria University Sports Council and New Zealand University Rowing. Graham taught at Canberra Grammar last year and continues with us in 2007.

Jane Brown – Science Teacher 2007 (part-time)

Jane will be taking Andrew Shelley's classes whilst he is on leave from Term 1 until the end of Term 3, 2007. Jane will be sharing this position with Nicole Mackey. Jane has extensive teaching experience and previously worked at Canberra Grammar as a part-time Science teacher in 2005.

 
Two new Scholarships
Monday, 13 November 2006

In conjunction with Bishop George Browning I am very pleased to be able to announce two new types of scholarships to Canberra Grammar.

The Canberra Grammar Rural Diocesan Scholarships aim to support rural and regional families who are experiencing hardship as a result of the extended drought.  They will help to provide the opportunity for families to send their sons to Canberra Grammar either as boarders or day students.

Canberra Grammar General Diocesan Scholarships aim to broaden access to a Canberra Grammar education to families from across the Diocese of Canberra Goulburn. The scholarships will help to provide the opportunity for families in Canberra and other non-rural parts of the Diocese to send their sons to Canberra Grammar as day students.

Both types of scholarships are means-tested and offer a reduction in tuition and boarding fees. They are available from Years 7 to Year 12.  

Interested families are encouraged to make contact with the Anglican priest in their parish who will play an important role in the application process.  Various forms need to be completed and supporting documentation provided.  Further information on these scholarships can be found here.

Applications may be made at any time and forwarded directly to the Diocesan Office. Bishop George and I will assess all applications and a short-list will be determined which will then be processed by the School.  Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview.

I am also aware that some of our current families might be experiencing difficulties as a result of the drought or other pressures and I encourage you to contact me as appropriate.
 
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SIMON MURRAY - BIOGRAPHY
HEADMASTER

Mr Simon Murray was appointed Headmaster of Canberra Grammar School in 1998, having previously spent seven years as Headmaster of Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School in Western Australia. Prior to that position he was a Boarding Housemaster and Head of Department at Scotch College, Perth and a biology and science teacher.

Among his broad range of interests, Mr Murray highlights the special nature of the education of boys and the interactions of education and information technology. Mr Murray and his wife Patsy have a son and a daughter both of whom are studying at university.

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