Discovery

Dear Parents, 

Junior School Playground

The Junior School playground has officially opened and the students have told me it was well worth the wait.  The playground is open to all students in Years 3 - 6 at recess and lunch and for Prep - 2 students under the supervision of their teachers at others times. I have been particularly grateful for our Year 6 student playground monitors for assisting with the supervision of the playground at recess and lunch. 

In the coming weeks we will allow the P - 2 students to use the equipment closest to the Chapel at recess and lunch. Whilst we are inducting the students and allowing them to become familiar with this fantastic facility, we are keeping the playground closed before and after school, therefore I would appreciate the support of all families ensuring that current students and family members are kept off until further notice. 

Below are some comments about the playground from our students:

• The playground is really creative and you can use your imagination. We are really lucky to be able to play on this playground. I look forward to every recess and lunch. - Indie and Tara 6N
• What I love about the playground is the whole thing. It is AWESOME. - Harry 5N

• I really like the spider, it is so cool. I love reaching the top and sliding back down. The playground is creative and the slide is super-fast. - Tyler and Asani 5N

• The whole Junior School is super grateful and over the moon about the new playgrounds. CGS is so lucky to have such amazing playgrounds, because not as many are as fortunate as we are-thank you. - Jaan 6R

Staffing update

I am pleased to announce that we have employed two new learning assistants, Ms Goonetillake and Ms Bristo who will be working in the Junior School.

Mr Crapper was working at CGS assisting with relief as was Ms Harvey and I am pleased to say that both will be working in a full time capacity this Term. Ms Delgos joins us to cover Mr Brown whilst he is on long service leave and Mr Subban will be acting Head of Reid House.

 Holiday works

Throughout the school holidays, we saw the following works take place: 

• New sandpits installed in the courtyard outside of the Year 2 classrooms.

• New sandpits installed behind the Prep classrooms (further development to occur in this area).

• Bayblades arena installed in the courtyard.

• Unsuitable trees removed from around the oval and replaced with new trees.

• Demolition of GL15/26 (Year One classrooms) in readiness for the new Junior School and Administration building (these plans are on display in reception). Stage one of this project, including 12 Junior School classrooms, is due for completion at the end of this year.

• New fencing between Marnebek and Casey Grammar including the installation of an automatic gate.

Future Directions for Casey Grammar School

The Board of CSV Limited is responsible for the overall governance of the school which includes setting strategic direction, approving and monitoring budgets and reviewing the schools’ performances. The Board delegates responsibility for the operations of the schools to the Principal for teaching and learning and the Business Manager for finance.

The CSV Board and Consultative Committee of Casey Grammar School is holding a Community Forum on Wednesday, 12 June 2019 at 6:00pm, to gain feedback from our parents/guardians about the matters that are most important to them in relation to the future of the School.

If you have a topic that you would like to discuss please send an email to info@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au. By 24 May with your topic.

The topics that are found to be most important to the majority of our community will be tabled for discussion. A light supper will be provided.

Drop off/pick up

Due to the increased number of Junior School students on campus and the time it takes to drop off and pick up we are encouraging Senior School parents to use the car park across the road from the VCE Centre (Casey Stadium car park). We have two traffic monitors that ensure the safety of students crossing New Holland Drive. All students that are getting picked up and dropped off at Casey Stadium are to use the crossing and enter the school via the pedestrian entrance and zebra crossing. Due to OHS students are not permitted to enter or leave the school grounds using any of the main car park gates.

Mr Richard Baird  MBA, B.Ed, ASAM, MACE, MACEL

Principal 

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope that all our students and their families enjoyed a peaceful Easter weekend and a fun filled school holiday break. It was wonderful to welcome you all back to CGS for what was a very short first week.

We have started second term with much excitement in the Junior School given the long awaited removal of the temporary fence, and our new state of the art playground which was officially opened on Monday. To date, after all our Year 3-6 students were inducted on safety matters, they have certainly made the most of exploring our amazing new facility during recesses and lunches. The audible sound of complete glee that was heard as our students ran to the playground each day warmed the cockles of my heart. The joy on our students’ faces made the wait worthwhile and next week our P-2 students will join in the fun as they will be able to use the smaller of the playgrounds on an ongoing basis. Oh to be a child again!

Last week our Year 3-6 students attended our ANZAC service that was ably led by Mrs Riviere-Pendle. It was moving to hear Mrs Testro’s tribute to her grandfather who had fought and our Year 6, student, Caitlin’s reflection of her visit to the Canberra War Memorial on our recent Year 6 Camp. Many of the powerful images that were displayed on the screen had been photographed during our visit to the war memorial and I believe our students had a better understanding of this important historical occasion. Lest We Forget.

I would like to congratulate all our students who competed in our Junior School Cross Country event earlier this week. Thank you to Mr Batey for ensuring the event was such a well-run success and thank you to our parent contingency who never fail to attend to support their children and fellow classmates. Special mention goes to our Champions and Runner Up Champions in each division. The Cross Country House Cup was awarded to Leaver House who were very worthy winners. Best of luck to our students who will now represent CGS at District level.

Our P-2 students set off on Tuesday to enjoy a wonderful day at the Cranbourne Botanical Gardens and the weather certainly didn’t disappoint. Thanks to Mrs Bouman and her team of teachers for making this excursion such a fabulous learning opportunity for our students. The educational programs showcased the outdoor environments and provided an opportunity for students to nurture their love of learning in the outdoors.

Mrs Melissa Roberton

Head of Junior School

Welcome to term two. It was wonderful to see the students return to school refreshed from their holiday and ready to face the demands of the term ahead.

The term commenced with a staff professional learning day where teachers were involved in curriculum development, the updating of scope and sequence documentation and engaging in the School’s Teacher Performance Development Program.

Upon their return to school, the students participated in a very moving Anzac Day Service. This year’s service was particularly memorable thanks to the involvement of the naval personnel from HMAS Cerbrus and the address from Warrant Officer Dayle Lovell. Congratulations to the students involved in the service, in particular Raj Rakhra (Year 12) who spoke eloquently about the Sikh contribution in WW1 as part of the British Indian Army.

The development of leadership skills in our students is an important part of the holistic education provided by Casey Grammar School.  We have introduced two new leadership positions – Music Leader and Drama Leader. These new positions will assist the Arts Captain (Samantha Mitchell), while supporting the Drama and Music faculties with the myriad of co-curricular activities on offer. Congratulations to Drama Leader Catherine Thornton and Music Leader Jessica Streat.

 This week at Senior School assembly we acknowledged the efforts and skill of the athletes in our school. At the House Athletics Carnival held at the end of Term 1, a significant number of school records were broken. All new record holders were presented at school assembly along with the age group Champions and Runners-Up. 

It has been a busy couple of weeks in Sport. In addition to the House Athletics Carnival, this week we also held the House Cross Country Carnival and our best swimmers represented the school at the SIS swimming championships where they achieved third place overall. Congratulations to all students who represented the school in the swim team. Third place is an excellent achievement in a very tough competition. Our Head of Sport Mrs Garby is feeling rather exhausted from all of these sporting events. On behalf of the students, I would like to thank her, along with the teachers in the Sport and PE Faculties, for their initiative, flexibility, organisational skills and wonderful coaching of the students. 

The first round of Parent/Teacher/Student (PTS) Conferences were held this week. Thank you to all of the parents and students who attended. The teachers enjoyed meeting with you and discussing academic progress with you. A reminder that the second PTS Conference evening is on Thursday 9 May. Please make your bookings soon as places are filling very fast.

All the best to the Year 8 students and staff as they embark on their school camp next week. They will be camping and trekking in the Otways from Monday 6 May to Wednesday 8 May. We hope they have beautiful weather for their outdoor activities and look forward to hearing about their adventures when they return to school.

Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School

SIS Big Night Performance

The SIS host an annual performance at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong called The SIS Big Night which was held on the 26th March this year.  The event is a collaboration of SIS schools and features instrumental, vocal, and dance performances by combined school ensembles, and a feature piece from each school in a showcase of excellence.  For our inaugural performance at the SIS Big Night, our Senior Concert Band collaborated with our VCE Music students and some invited friends and presented a performance of Skyfall by Adele, from the soundtrack of the film of the same name.  It was an honour to be able to open the show and the performance was very well received from a large and appreciative audience.

Music performances at the weekly Senior School Assembly

First term saw a range of eclectic performances at the weekly Senior School Assembly and I would like to thank all of the performers that were involved in Term 1. These include:

Lachlan Forster (solo drumkit) - Oakland Drive by Frank Corniola

The Exports - The Middle by Jimmy Eat World

Senior Concert Band - Sway as performed by Michael Buble

Year 9 Music class - Stand By Me by Ben E King

Percussion Ensemble - All Around The World by Tim Hook

Year 10 Music class - Superstition by Stevie Wonder

Senior Concert Band, VCE Music students and friends - Skyfall by Adele

Senior Concert Band - Panis Angelicus by Cesar Franck

Upcoming performance

WINTER CONCERT - The Winter Concert will be hosted on Tuesday 4 June.  It will be a performance showcasing some of the hard work put in by instrumental soloists, VCE performers, and our Ensemble Program.  Details and permission letters will be sent home to parents within the next few weeks, and details of ticketing for the night will be sent through the newsletter.  Please save the date for what should be a night of wonderful performances.

Training Ensembles

Parents of students in Years 4, 5, 6, and 7 may have seen information come home regarding Training Ensembles 2019, a program designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn an orchestral instrument.  While the program is now getting underway, there are still vacancies in the program for new students to join.  If you would like further information about getting involved in the program, please contact me directly by phone or e-mail for some more information.

Music lessons at Casey Grammar School

If you are interested in your child learning an instrument or getting involved in music making at Casey Grammar School then I can assist you.  We currently have vacancies in all of our instrumental and vocal teaching studios and are actively looking for young musicians to join our Ensemble Program.  If you would like to find our more, please contact me directly by phone or e-mail.

New point of contact for music lessons and information

With the continuing growth of the Performing Arts programs at Casey Grammar School, Antoinette Seal will be stepping in to assist with some of the administration of the Instrumental Music Program and Ensemble Program.  If you have a query/concern about lessons, wish to find out about ensembles, need to advise of absence from lessons or rehearsals, need to adjust your lesson enrolment, or any other inquiries about either program, please call either my phone on 5991 0723, or e-mail instrumentalmusic@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au.  In that way, your inquiry will be logged and either Antoinette or I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Mr Stuart Collidge

Head of Music

This year our school production is ‘Matilda’!  We are lucky enough to be one of the first schools in the country performing this amazing show!

Students have been rehearsing hard for the past term, staying back on weeknights and even coming in over the holidays to prepare for our production.  The dances are energetic, the songs are beautifully harmonized, the band is rocking, the acting is hysterical, the costumes colorful and the sets masterpieces!  All in all it is sure to be one incredible show!  So - SAVE THE DATE…or dates! Thursday 20, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June  at 7:30pm.

Tickets will go on sale in the next few weeks – watch this space for details and a link for bookings.

Miss Natalie Burns

Head of Drama

Backpacks 4 Vic Kids

Over the holidays members of the Social Justice Group and one of our Year 7 Parents, gave up two hours to clean up and prepare backpacks at Cranbourne’s Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, an organization that supports children in out of home care. It was fantastic to see students from Year 7 – 12 working together and making a real difference in the work environment for the staff and volunteers at this amazing organization.

ANZAC Day                                          

ANZAC Day is a significant national event and we had the opportunity to acknowledge it through three different events. On Wednesday 24th April we had our Senior service and Year 3-6 Junior service, both held in the PAC. In the Senior service we were privileged to have members from HMAS Cerberus provide us with a Sentry Party and an experienced representative from the Royal Australian Navy (and Prep parent at Casey Grammar) Warrant Officer Dayle Lovell address us. We were also fortunate to have Raj Rakhra (Year 12) share about the Sikh contribution in WW1 as part of the British Indian Army, providing us with another perspective on this important day. Thanks also to Mr Collige and Ms McAllister for overseeing music on the morning, as well as the Concert Band whose talents are always appreciated.

The Junior School students were fortunate to hear from their very own Miss Testro about her grandfather Harry Testro who was a stretcher bearer in PNG during WW2. The Year 6 trip to the Canberra War Memorial was also an important element of the service and we appreciated seeing photos of their experiences and reading their reflections. It was wonderful to hear from Amy Manners (Year 6) who found the name of her Great Grandfather, William Campbell Manners in the Hall of Memory. He was a Leading Stroker in WW2. Both services had the moving experience of listening to the Last Post and Reveille played by the Casey Grammar Brass Teacher, Mr Dean Pratt.

On ANZAC Day itself, Lachlan Forster, Charli Steendam, Allysha Walls and Ashley Witterick proudly represented Casey Grammar School at the Cranbourne RSL Service, laying a wreath on behalf of our broader school community. It’s always a wonderful event and very special to see such large crowds gathering in remembrance of those who have made such a significant sacrifice.

Prayers for Sri Lanka

Our thoughts and prayers remain with our families at school, and the people of Sri Lanka following the tragic events.

God who grieves with us

When terrible and tragic events occur, we can feel so powerless. When we think about the sadness and grief of those in Sri Lanka, we feel confused as to how people could do such terrible things to others. For some of us, Sri Lanka seems very far away. However, for others, we have family and friends there, we have visited there, we know and care about people who call it home. Although we can feel powerless, we can still think of, and pray for those who have been impacted. We pray for the hospitals, including the nurses and doctors who will treat those who are sick and injured. We pray for families who are grieving the loss of loved ones. We pray that the country might become peaceful and unified again so that such an event may never be repeated. Bring peace, love, understanding and kindness even in such pain. Amen

May you sense God’s presence with you in the week ahead.

Mrs Monique Riviere-Pendle 

Chaplain

Term 1

The PFC have been busy last term with the Prep Meet and Greet, Second Hand uniform sale and two sausage sizzles on the junior and senior school sports days. Along with the committee members I’d like to thank the teachers, Ground staff and the volunteers. I’d especially like to thank Junior school volunteers Jo, Tamara, Tilly, Pei, Melissa, Ildi and Alyce for their help and senior school volunteers Steve and Esther as well as the students, Charli, Lily, Janice and Kathleen.

Mother's Day Stall

Mother’s Day stall will be held in the Chapel on Thursday 9 May and from 8:30am to 9am on Friday 10 May. The items are $5.00 each with a maximum of two items that can be purchased per student. Students will also need to bring in a bag.

Mother's Day Morning Tea

Mother's grand mothers and carers are invited to the Mother's Day morning tea on Friday 10 May.

You will have an opportunity to attend your Junior School child's classroom at 8.30am to see what your child has been doing in class and an opportunity to read together, this will be followed by morning tea in the PAC foyer at 9am. 

For catering purposes, please return your RSVP slip by Wednesday 8 May.

Date:  Monday 20 May until Friday 24 May

Time:   Before School Monday to Friday and After School Monday to Thursday  

Place:   Casey Grammar School Library                                                                                                                                               

We are in need of volunteers to assist us in running the Book Fair in the mornings.  If any parents or guardians are interested in helping before school at the Book Fair, please speak to Rebecca in the Library.