2023 Cobram Anglican Grammar School Year book

Year Book 2023

A school of The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.)

The story behind our School Crest The School Crest is the most important visual representation of our school and tells our story using a range of unique symbols. Here is the back story as to what each detail represents.

Water at the top

The symbol for Christus Rex

The colours

This represents the Murray River. Our school community is drawn from both sides of this body of life-giving water. Finley and Berrigan to the north and Cobram and Yarrawonga to the south (and the surrounding districts).

This Latin term translates to ‘Christ the King’, the original name of our school. The Christus Rex symbol is top and centre and therefore the focus of our existence as a faith based, Christian school.

Red and blue are the colours of the Wangaratta Diocese to which we belong.

The Shepherds Staff (Bishop’s Staff) Represents our role as educators and protectors, guiding and nurturing our students just as our Bishop leads our flock.

Integrity, Endeavour, Community

The Cross Christ is central to our lives and the life of the school.

Table of Contents Foreword from the Principal

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Schooling the Mind, One Language at a Time!

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From the CEO of the Anglican Schools Commission

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Live4Life

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From the School Council Chair

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Year 6 Students Make Buddies for Life

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President’s Report – Parents and Friends (P&F)

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Indigenous and Cultural Engagement

30

Farewell and Good Luck, Class of 2023

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Clayful Creations and Canvas Chronicles: The Year in Art

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2023 Class Valedictorian Speech

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Swimming Carnival

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Year 12 Valedictory Dinner

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Cross Country

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School Dux and Outstanding Unit 3/4 Study Scores

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Foundation to Year 4 Athletics Carnival

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Reflecting on 38+ Years at Our Beloved School

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Years 5 to 12 Athletics Carnival

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Staff in Spotlight

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Interschool Sports

36

Anglican Identity

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Outstanding Sporting Achievements

37

School Production Spares Nobody!

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Outstanding Student Achievements

38

Community Events

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2023 Academic Competition Results

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School Events

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Presentation Day 2023

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Book Week Parade

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Class Recaps

Debutante Ball

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Foundation A

44

Year 5/6W

58

Foundation H

46

Year 7

60

48

Year 8

62 64

2023 Time Vault

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Year 1/2 DB

A Final Reflection from our Year 6 House Leaders

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Year 1/2 LR

49

Year 9A

Year 1/2 SB

50

Year 9B

66

Year 3/4D

52

Year 10

68

Year 3/4R

54

Year 11

70

Year 5/6R

56

Year 12

72

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

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Music Program Raises the Bar

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A Gastronomic Feast of Food

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The end of the year marks a significant milestone for our Year 6 and Year 12 students. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these graduating classes as they prepare to embark on the next phase of their educational journey and career pathways.

We are confident that you will carry the values and knowledge instilled here into your future pursuits and make a positive impact on the world.

Foreword from the Principal

With Mr Keith Willett As we reach the end of another successful year, it is with great pleasure that I reflect on the achievements and growth we have experienced at our school.

The dedication and hard work of our students, families, guardians and staff have made this year a remarkable journey, filled with accomplishments and exciting developments.

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Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce the VCE Vocational Major in 2024, underscoring our commitment to offering diverse educational pathways for our students.

This initiative will ensure that we provide not only academic but also vocational opportunities for all young people in our local community. Our vision is to make Cobram Anglican Grammar School a destination for all, nurturing a supportive environment where every individual’s strengths and aspirations are acknowledged and fostered.

In our commitment to environmental stewardship, I am very satisfied with the successful installation of our new solar panel system. This addition not only reflects our dedication to reducing our ecological footprint, but also stands as a testament to our ongoing efforts in educating our students about sustainability and responsible environmental practices.

We are proud to lead by example in nurturing good stewards for our Earth. It is worth noting that our solar system on most days creates enough clean electricity to power our entire school, significantly reducing our energy costs.

On the teaching front, we bid farewell and extend our deepest gratitude to three exceptional individuals, Gary Smith, Melonie Smith and Vanessa Wannis, for their profound contributions to our school community. Gary and Melonie have been tremendous assets in our Math and Science faculties for many years and have both left an indelible mark on the educational journeys of countless students. We wish them a fulfilling and healthy retirement.

From the CEO of the Anglican Schools Commission The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM 2023 was the year of AI. Only days before the start of the school year, front page newspaper headlines told us of bans being imposed on the use of ChatGPT by teachers and students in government and other schools across Australia.

What was this possibly scary new technology and how would it impact teaching and learning in our schools?

With only days to the beginning of term, the ASC took the position that it was appropriate to restrict student access to ChatGPT at school in all ASC schools at that time. However, in contrast to our government school counterparts, we decided to make ChatGPT (and other AI) available to teachers, who were encouraged to use it as a tool to support learning and assessment, from the beginning of the year.

Vanessa has also been a member of staff for a significant period of time and has been a tremendous resource in the Wellbeing space and a great sounding board for many of our students over the years. We wish her all the best with the next chapter of her life down in Melbourne.

To our entire school community – students, families, guardians and staff – I extend my sincere appreciation for your collective efforts, resilience, and unwavering support throughout the year. Your commitment and collaboration have been pivotal in helping us to achieve our shared goals, creating an excellent educational environment in the process.

As we close this chapter and look forward to the promising opportunities that the new year brings, let us continue to strive for excellence, unity, and innovation.

Thank you for making our school such a great place in 2023.

Keith Willett

At the time, I wrote: “While we continue to investigate the best way in which we can use ChatGPT and AI technology appropriately, it is important for teachers to be equipped for the transition to this emerging reality. We are not banning the technology for all, but instead are looking to support teachers and schools as they continue to learn how to use AI effectively and responsibly.”

What a difference a term makes! By the start of Term Two this year, the restriction to students was removed, and since then, it has been exciting to watch the way that our teachers have carefully and thoughtfully embraced AI in their teaching, our students in their learning.

Anglican schools have another AI, our Anglican Identity! By this I mean a school’s DNA; what makes it unique. Our AI, or Anglican Identity, can best be described by six ‘marks’ – Faith, Reason, Worship, Inclusion, Character and Service.

This year, Cobram Anglican Grammar School has expressed its Anglican Identity or AI in many ways. One has been Junior and Senior School House Leaders participating in a tree planting and regeneration activity at the local Wildlife Rescue Reserve as a way to respect and look after the local environment.

There have been many other highlights in the life of Cobram Anglican Grammar School in 2023. Father Victor Adams was officially commissioned as the School’s Chaplain, Cody Lincoln received a Premier’s VCE Award for achieving a perfect study score of 50 during 2022 as a Year 11 student, dedicated Physics and Mathematics teacher Gary Smith was awarded the prestigious Secondary School Teacher of the Year (Non-Government) at the Australian Education Awards, and a talented trio of senior school students seized the national title in the OldSkool Cheer Large Team competition at the Schoolaerobics Australian National Championships.

Central to our AI is a faith that is invitational. At ASC schools, we invite our students to deepen their own Christian convictions, or plumb the depths of whatever faith tradition they come from. Each person is a valued and cherished child of God. Our schools are rich with a diversity of understandings of God. This breadth of viewpoints is a real source of strength. All are welcome at ASC schools.

I hope you enjoy reading this wonderful 2023 Yearbook and in so doing, experience the richness of life at Cobram Anglican Grammar School.

That’s its AI in action!

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From the School Council Chair

The Venerable Neil Hicks As another year draws to a close for the community which is Cobram Anglican Grammar School, we acknowledge that for a few of our students it will mark the completion of their time at Cobram AGS and the beginning of the next chapter in their life’s journey. For most it will be a welcome break, filled hopefully with fun and joy and getting together with family and friends and maybe for many there will even be some time away in another place for a holiday.

As I look back over this year, a couple of things stand out.

It has been said that there are three pillars on which the Anglican way of being Christian rests; they are Faith, Reason and Tradition. Faith in God through Jesus Christ God’s Son, using our minds to think through what and how our living as Christians should be (Reason) and always looking at how people have lived and grappled with issues in the times before our own to see how God guided our ancestors to make good choices and decisions (Tradition).

We look in the Bible to discover what Jesus taught his students (disciples) in order to be guided by God in the way we live today. Two really significant things Jesus said are: ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

1) The difficulty in recruiting teachers There just aren’t that many around these days and school leaders, especially Principals, spend a lot of time trying to fill places on the teaching team. This is quite widespread in Australia and especially in regional and rural areas. School Council acknowledges the tireless efforts made by our Principal to cater to the teaching needs of the Cobram AGS community.

We call these the Two Great Commandments. Cobram AGS Council seeks always to guide our school with these two things in mind. The results of this approach can be seen in the way that the members of the Cobram AGS community relate to one another and try to do these two things when making decisions to go with teaching, or learning, in the classroom, in the playground or in the staffroom, wherever and whatever we are doing.

2) The need to maintain and live out our ethos as an Anglican school With the Commissioning of The Reverend Victor Adams as School Chaplain in March this year, we made a stronger commitment to this core part of our identity. So, I take this opportunity to look briefly at some of what Anglican Identity means.

By having our thinking, speaking and doing shaped by these Two Great Commandments, we are expressing something important of our Anglican Identity.

For those who like facts, I can share with you that 85 million people in over 165 countries call themselves Anglican Christians. Between them, Anglicans speak more than 2,000 languages. Being an Anglican means being part

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of a global family with over 500 cultures and ways of looking at the world. Not bad when we consider that the origins of the Anglican Church are in the little country of England. This global family is united by the love of Jesus Christ. It is held together by a shared heritage, by ways of worshipping and by the relationships – the “bonds of affection” – between its members worldwide, especially between Bishops.

This is my final communication as Chair, my term concludes at the end of this year and it has been a joy and delight to serve the community of Cobram AGS over the last six years as a member of School Council.

May God bless you and keep you in peace.

Neil Hicks School Council Chair

President’s Report – Parents and Friends (P&F) Liliana Novoa

It has been a great year for the Cobram AGS Parents and Friends (P&F), and one in which we have been more involved at the school and with the wider community. Over the course of this year, the P&F group have met both remotely and in person at school which has proven to be a good formula.

We started off the year with a ‘Welcome Cuppa’ on the first day of school, a twist on what used to be the ‘Tears and Tissues’ morning tea for Foundation parents. A large number of parents with students in different year levels joined us in the PAC for a cuppa and a chat and an impromptu welcome address by Principal, Keith Willett.

In Term One, we were happy to attend the school Swimming Carnival and provide Zooper Doopers to the students.

As we strive to support students in different ways, it was great to see some new initiatives occur this year. The first of which was a ‘pop up’ uniform shop, enabling us to sell donated second hand uniform items at heavily discounted prices to our school community. A big thank you to everyone who donated items. I’d also like to thank the many volunteers who spent time sorting and organising the clothes. This was a particularly great service for our school community to access and a fantastic way to get perfectly good uniforms no longer being used, back into the hands of people who needed them.

We ran this shop in both Term One and Term Three to fall in line with Parent Teacher Interviews. Our first one was more successful, selling approximately $500 worth of items.

There were not as many parents and guardians in attendance at the second round of parent teacher interviews, influencing numbers through the door and therefore limiting sales numbers.

In the middle of the year, the P&F group provided tea and coffee and a low-cost supper on both nights of the school production, Game of Tiaras. Thank you to the generous volunteers who contributed time and energy in making and/or serving food on the night. Approximately $460 was raised.

We were sadly unable to hold the much-anticipated Trivia Night in Term Four, but we look forward to running this event early in 2024.

This year it has been pleasing to develop a more streamlined approach to receiving funding requests from the school. We donated $2,500 towards the cost of purchasing a new laser cutter for the Woodwork area. We also donated $874 to the cost of new shelving in the Library, as well as committing funds to the purchase of new aprons for the Woodwork area. In terms of a bigger project that is on the horizon, we are eager to assist the school in refurbishing the VCE Centre, taking on feedback from the students themselves in terms of what they feel is most required in that space.

In closing, I’d like to thank everyone who supported the endeavours of the P&F group this year, especially the volunteers themselves. I especially express my gratitude to Paula Kerr, who is stepping away from her role as secretary after a number of years, but will continue working with the P&F for the next year.

We look forward to working together with new and familiar faces as we continue to support the endeavours of Cobram AGS. If you are interested in assisting the P&F in 2024, please email cagspandf@gmail.com.

Liliana Novoa President

Our Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls also looked a little different this year, with the majority of items sourced locally from small businesses. I’d like to say a big thank you to the volunteers who spent time approaching these businesses and collecting all the wonderful items that our families and guardians got to enjoy. Our Mother’s Day Stall profited approximately $1,100 and our Father’s Day Stall also netted a fantastic profit of $1,100.

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Farewell and Good Luck, Class of 2023

In life, all good things eventually come to an end, and this was no exception for our departing Year 12 students who bid farewell to their classmates and teachers in the early part of Term Four. 21 students graduated from the class of 2023. While they have varied individual stories, they now collectively stand on the threshold of new opportunities and challenges, ready to embark on diverse paths that will shape their futures.

We congratulate the following students on their graduation and wish them nothing but the best with their future endeavours, whatever that may bring!

Abby Curnick, Ainsley Guthrie, Brayden St John, Brooke Eddy, Cadence Pang, Caitlin Welch, Charlotte Andrew, Claudia Ross, Cody Lincoln, Emily Orsida, Gabriella Leimgruber, Hannah Logie, Harrison Brooker, Hollie Percy, Isaac Brown, Lochie Rouse, Martin Kong, Mikayla Woosnam, Natasha Smith, Remy Campbell and Tianeka Van Den Berg Below is a final reflection written by 2023 School Captains Cadence Pang and Harrison Brooker, which beautifully encapsulates the unique experience of living through the peaks and troughs of being a Year 12 student.

Throughout our 13-year journey at Cobram Anglican Grammar School, we have been surrounded by dedicated teachers, supportive staff and peers who challenged and encouraged us to be the best we ever could be. It’s the wonderful support from everyone around us that has enabled both of us to pursue all of our endeavours, be they academic or personal, in the time we have spent at this great school.

For me (Cadence), out of all the years of my schooling life, I’m glad to say that this past year has been one of the best and most memorable. I have been very blessed with opportunities to represent the school in extracurricular activities, including the Lions Youth of the Year competition and the School Sport Victoria Badminton Championships. However, my favourite experiences this year arose from being able to serve the wider community, such as reading passages at the Vietnam Veterans Day, to volunteering at the aged care home.

For me (Harrison), looking back on this year, I’m proud to have been able to represent Cobram AGS within the community at various events, such as the ANZAC Day service and the Anglican Schools Commission All-Schools Concert in Perth. In my role as School Captain, I feel that I have been uniquely blessed with the opportunity to give back to the community that has helped shape me, in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

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This year we’ve been able to participate in many events, both as a Year 12 student and as a School Captain. One of our favourites was the Year 12 Retreat to Beechworth at the beginning of the year, where we were able to bond with our class – in one instance – over a 40-pack of Cornetto ice creams!

Banding together and having fun as a whole cohort has been a new but positive development this year, with some of our most cherished memories arising from our collective activities, especially our “Kath and Kim walk” at the Athletics Carnival.

Additionally, in the face of the trials and stresses brought by our final year, we could not have done it without our friends, classmates and teachers. It’s through our peers that we share our burdens, worries and joys, and in turn, feel more at peace with what is thrown at us. Being able to enjoy light-hearted moments such as the invention of our new sport, “door-golf”, with the people we’re closest to has greatly supported our ability to survive this tumultuous time.

However, whilst many of our moments have been ones of levity, there have also been moments of tension and strife between us, where the pressure of SACs and the force of personality eventually cause us to grate on each other. Yet, despite this, our combined friendships have ensured we always bounce back from these scuffles. A special thanks goes out to our wonderful families as well, who have stood by us through the ups and downs of life.

Going forward, we implore our classmates to be steadfast in the pursuit of whatever goals, hopes and dreams you hold dear to your heart. For those who have found their calling, be it further education, entering the workforce or pursuing a different avenue, then we wish you the best of luck on your journey. For those who may be unsure of what the future holds, grasp onto your dreams with both hands, and you’ll get to where you’re meant to be.

Saying goodbye is always difficult, and no doubt this will be one of our hardest. Thus, in closing, we would like to say farewell and thank each one of you for being part of such an awesome school community. Farewell to all our amazing teachers. Farewell to our fellow students.

Farewell to this wonderful school, our second family, our home for nearly 13 years.

We will never give you up.

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2023 Class Valedictorian Speech With Emily Orsida

To friends and family, the wonderful teachers and staff who worked tirelessly to get us here, members of the church and the ASC, and of course, my fellow graduates, I’m honoured and grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the outstanding individuals in my class.

Our journey to this point was a tough one. Not only the result of hard work throughout this year alone, but the dedication of us all in the past 12 years. And I guess that’s what makes this moment so special.

It’s one I remember counting down to every year on my fingers, and now, I can say I’m proud of us all for our resilience and perseverance to be here today.

Our success this year however, is also the result of the commitment and faith of those around us, to which I extend my acknowledgements and gratitude.

To family: Thank you to our parents, grandparents, guardians, and siblings. It’s the unwavering support from home to see us through our time in Year 12 and the years prior, that acted as a key motivator to us, even when we may not have realised it at the time.

The endless late nights my mum spent comforting my nervous, fatigued, slight meltdowns about assignments and SACs, leaving her just as tired and worn out as I felt, but working through it with me regardless, is something I look back at with appreciation. And my dad, for reminding me there’s importance in balance, and that no amount of homework or study should drive you away from family and friends. And that even in the face of disappointment with my results, the world still turns, and the dedication you put in, means it was not wasted effort. As we move into the next stages of our lives, we appreciate all you’ve done for us, and hope to continue making you proud of the young adults we’ve become.

To our teachers: Despite only joining this school in 2016, the commitment of every staff member in ensuring we got the most out of our time here left lasting impacts on my passion to continue learning. You’ve taught us not only the curriculum, but to tackle other difficulties and challenges, motivating us to succeed where we had little motivation in ourselves.

Ms Doyle and Mr Thompson, without you this year, I can confidently say things would have turned out very differently.

While we definitely gave you a harder time than you deserved, all those shaken Pepsi’s left in your fridge, Mr Thompson, were I’m sure, Tianeka’s own way of showing our appreciation for your dedication to making sure the year ran smoothly. And the times we let slip the commandments we wrote at the start of the year, Ms Doyle, you were there every time to ensure our study periods were spent studying, and showing us the value of persistence and hard work in achieving our goals. Your reminders every homeroom to push ourselves to get the best out of our final year did not go unappreciated.

Jade, while I spent most of the year running from Mrs White’s relentless attempts to get me to go and see you, the small talks we had in-between really did help, and the comfort of 10

having you there just an open window away meant all the difference to us. Thank you for your advice in navigating this year, and guidance for our futures.

To Mr and Mrs Smith, on behalf of our class, I’d like to say that we have been honoured to have you as teachers in your final year of full-time teaching. Be it through questionable humour, long conversations about subjects or down other rabbit holes; determination to draw the best out of every one of us, or your incredible passion for teaching, you both have inspired us more than we thought possible. I hope, just as we’ll remember the shared lessons with you moving forward, you never forget the impacts of your teachings on our growth as students and as people, and continued growth in the future. So for that, thank you.

And to my class: As cliché as that line “We did it!” is, I think it’s one we’re relieved to hear. This year has been one full of ups and downs for us all, but it’s a rollercoaster I don’t regret jumping on. The differences we shared did not outweigh the laughs and the memorable moments we’ll carry with us going forward; from the boys’ fiery noodle eating competitions nearly every lunch time, their willingness to test the freezing point of any food or object they can get their hands on, to the bizarre discussions that had all of us confused, amused or concerned.

The friendships forged within our class have acted as sources of inspiration to us this year, and while our time at school has come to an end, it doesn’t mean the connections we’ve made with each other have to follow. The people we’ve learnt with over these past years are so much a part of us, they’ll be with us no matter where we go, what we do, and down the different paths we’ll now take. That notion is extended to the lessons Cobram Anglican Grammar School has taught us over the years, and that while individual accomplishments are recognised and rewarded, it’s our role in the achievements made with others that determine our character, and shape our lives and memories. It’s the moments we’ve shared with each other that we will look back at in years to come.

We look at both the highs and the lows of our time together fondly, and in doing so, I couldn’t think of a better class to spend it with. Congratulations, you all did remarkably well and should be proud of the people you’ve become. And to finish, I leave you with a quote from a childhood author Dr Seuss.

We may not realise it, but the children’s books from even our earliest years in school which we thought only contained humour, hold lessons to be carried with us as adults, when overcoming new challenges and developing ourselves as individuals: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”

Year 12 Valedictory Dinner Before the close of the school year, our Year 12 students, their family members, friends and teachers convened at the Finely RSC for a special night of celebration to recognise the end of their schooling journeys at Cobram AGS. The night commenced with a beautiful Liturgy Service, before students heard from their 2023 Valedictorian, Emily Orsida. Renee Lincoln delivered a touching address on behalf of the parents, thanking the school’s teachers for going above and beyond in many cases to support her son Cody and other students during their final year of schooling, which often brings increased pressure. The Year 12s were reminded that life is not a linear journey, and that there will be ups and downs along the way, and were encouraged to fall back on the lessons and friendships established during their time at Cobram AGS.

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School Dux and Outstanding Unit 3/4 Study Scores

In addition to Cody’s results, there were some amazing study scores across the board.

Martin Kong • 45 in Mathematics Methods • 40 in Physics Cadence Pang

When we look back through the annals of Cobram AGS history, 2023 will show some of the most exceptional academic achievements seen in these corridors. Incredibly, four students achieved an ATAR rank above 90. Cody Lincoln received an ATAR of 99.55, Martin Kong 98.05, Cadence Pang 97.85 and Harrison Brooker 92. This group undoubtedly inspired each other to reach greater heights throughout the year.

While these results were truly special and deserve celebrating, achieving an ATAR score full stop is a fantastic achievement and we congratulate all our Year 12 students who received their results on 11 December, as well as the students who pursued a non-scored VCE. Achieving close to perfection with his ATAR rank of 99.55, Cody Lincoln is a deserving School Dux. Following a perfect study score of 50 in Physics in 2022, Cody achieved incredible study scores of 48 in both Mathematics Methods and Specialist Mathematics.

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• 43 in English • 40 in Mathematics Methods Harrison Brooker • 42 in English Principal Keith Willett acknowledged the collaborative effort between students, teachers, and parents in creating an environment that values and supports academic excellence.

“The 2023 ATAR results are the most significant in the school’s 24-year history; an incredible testament to the hard work, commitment and sacrifice made by these students over the course of their VCE studies. These outstanding results also serve to highlight the incredible educators and staff we have at Cobram AGS, who will deservedly celebrate with these students and share in their success,” Mr Willett commented.

“With the introduction of the VCE Vocational Major, Project Ready work readiness program and the inaugural Sports Academy in 2024, our school has never been better positioned to cater for the diverse learning needs of students in our local community, while continuing to foster an environment that supports academic excellence.” Mr Willett added.

Reflecting on a Combined 38+ Years at Our Beloved School As we pen down our final thoughts and bid adieu to a chapter that has defined the past 20.5 years of our lives, the emotions are as abundant as the memories.

Retiring from the school that has been our second home feels surreal, and yet, it’s a moment of reflection and gratitude.

Our love for this institution goes beyond the classroom, as it became the backdrop for both our professional and personal lives. The joy of seeing our own children walk through the corridors, from Prep to Year 12, added an extra layer of connection and warmth to our daily experiences.

Reflecting on the academic growth of our students brings a profound sense of pride. The achievements of our past students stand as milestones, and we eagerly look forward to continuing the tradition of celebrating the success of current students even in our retirement.

To the vibrant and happy community that has been our extended family, our gratitude knows no bounds.

The laughter, the shared challenges, and the countless moments of growth and celebration have shaped our time here. We will miss each one of you more than words can express.

As we step into the next chapter of our lives, we carry with us not just memories but a profound sense of fulfilment. Farewell, dear school, and thank you for being the canvas upon which our stories unfolded. The impact of this journey will forever resonate in our hearts.

Gary and Melonie Smith

One of the highlights of our teaching journey has undoubtedly been the time spent in the STEM lab. The laughter, the excitement, and the shared curiosity of those like-minded students made every lunch time a delight. It’s been a privilege to witness the budding scientists and innovators, and we leave with a heart full of hope for the future they are destined to create.

The camps have been more than just expeditions; they’ve been adventures that strengthened bonds and created lasting memories. From the culture of Japan, the cosmic wonders at NASA to the rugged terrains of the Northern Territory and the serene landscapes of Tasmania, each journey was a testament to the spirit of exploration and camaraderie.

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Staff in Spotlight New Staff Make Their Mark Over the course of 2023, we welcomed many fresh faces to our school. Charlotte Reilly, Deborah Roberts, Kristi Dalitz, Grace Muckenthaler, Jessica Russo, Leica McLeod, Shelby Liddell and Rachel Glanvill stepped into Education Support roles, John Thompson commenced as our new Head of Senior School, Melissa Knight as our new Library Studies and RAVE teacher and Elissa Raco stepped into the dual role of Laboratory Assistant and Food Tech Assistant, while Father Victor Adams became our new School Chaplain.

The Norris Clan Grows At the end of Term Two, we said a temporary goodbye to Jess Norris from our Education Support team who took maternity leave. Jess had a healthy and beautiful baby boy, Valan. We wish Jess and her young family all the best for the exciting times that lie ahead and we look forward to welcoming her back to school in 2024!

Gary Salutes on National Stage!

In August, Mr Gary Smith claimed the prestigious title of Secondary School Teacher of the Year (Non-Government) at the 2023 Australian Education Awards in Sydney! Gary’s accolade came as no surprise to those who have witnessed his exceptional professionalism and dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for his students, teaching Specialist Mathematics, Maths Methods, Physics and Woodwork.

Geoff Brown Becomes a Teaching Fellow In a testament to his passion for teaching Languages, Mr Geoff Brown was selected to be part of the inaugural Teaching Innovation Fellowship (TIF), coordinated by the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. Mr Brown is one of just 30 alumni from 26 different schools around the state from both the Government and Independent education systems.

As part of the TIF, Mr Brown is building an online portal that will make it easier for Languages teachers based in rural and regional areas to access teaching resources and learning materials.

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Ample Career Pathways at Cobram AGS For Year 11 student Madison McDiarmid, choosing to pursue a School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) has turned out to be one of the best educational decisions she has ever made.

Madison spent 2023 working one day per week at Skillzone Sports in conjunction with completing four days of regular school. It culminated in her obtaining a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation.

Madison highlighted the importance of Senior School students engaging with the course counselling process and utilising the expertise of the school’s Careers Advisor Jade Drew in order to find the right individual pathway.

“I was originally planning to do a certificate III at TAFE but they removed the course I wanted to do so Jade came up with the option of doing a SBAT and doing the Certificate III online instead,” she said. “It was definitely exciting to discover that this pathway was an option for me and I’m really happy that I chose it,” Madison explained.

Madison progressed so well in the role that she is now comfortable facilitating her own activities and sessions at different primary schools in the local area – an opportunity she is fully embracing.

“I love all of it (the SBAT) but I think working with the kids at Skillzone is the best part. It’s very rewarding and the kids are fun to work with,” Madison said.

“Personally, I think it’s the best decision I’ve made because I enjoy being able to manage my own time and it’s also a good way to get practical experience out in the workforce. It’s also handy completing a certificate whilst at school because you can get straight into work once you graduate and be set up quite nicely.”

Madison is one of several students in the Senior School at Cobram AGS who have taken up the opportunity to pursue an alternative pathway, demonstrating the varied educational opportunities available at our school, whether they be academic or vocational.

Anglican Identity Our Anglican Identity is the heartbeat of our school and permeates through all we do at Cobram AGS. Below are some examples where our Anglican Identity shone through as a school community:

New School Chaplain On the first day of March, The Reverend Father Victor Adams was officially licensed and commissioned as the school’s Chaplain.

The occasion was attended by students from Year 3 to Year 12, along with members of St Margaret’s Parish in Cobram, who came to show their support for Father Victor. Bishop Clarence Bester presided over the ceremony, with assistance from Archdeacon Neil Hicks and The Reverend Cathy Carden. Also in attendance were Father Victor’s proud wife Elizabeth, and children Ruth and Nathan.

Giving Day Our students and families embraced the opportunity to make a tangible difference to those struggling in our local community by donating goods to our ‘Giving Day’ initiative. Giving Day was the centrepiece of our annual Winter Appeal. Any donated items were made into care packages which were distributed by the Anglican Parish of Cobram and Moira Foodshare.

Winter Sleepout During the Winter Appeal, our Year 12 students took part in the annual Winter Sleepout at school to raise awareness for the homeless in our community. The students camped around different spots, braving the elements, before enjoying the much-needed warmth of soup for breakfast.

Ash Wednesday In Term One, both subschools participated in a special Ash Wednesday Chapel Service to observe the first day of Lent.

World Environment Day In a demonstration of environmental stewardship, our Year 9/10 Outdoor Education class embraced the spirit of World Environment Day by collecting rubbish at Quinn Island. With a shared sense of purpose, the class tackled this undertaking with minimum fuss knowing they were making a positive difference to the local ecosystem!

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School Production Spares Nobody!

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, our school production returned with a vengeance in 2023, with a cast of 17 students plus director Miss Rhiannon Dixon starring in ‘Game of Tiaras’ which ran over two evenings at the Cobram Civic Centre. The plot was a comedic retelling of several well-known fairy tales such as Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, blended with elements of the mega hit TV series, Game of Thrones.

Anybody who had the pleasure of watching the show could attest to the fact it was both captivating and hilarious!

The amazing cast members were: Abigail Brooker: Narrator 1 Ava Talbot: Narrator 2 Emily Lewis: Snow White/Soldier 2/ Peasant 2/Other Princess No. 1 Lacey Eddy: Cinderella Jack Brown: Belle Olivia Thompson: Prince Charming/Herald Rhiannon Dixon: Ellie The Snow Queen Dru Munro: Dwarf 1/French Soldier 1/Soldier 3 Owen Woolley: Smeagol/Guard 1 Lilly Davidson: Blood Packet Assistant/Other Princess No. 2/Peasant 1 Lewis Brown: Soldier 1/Talking Candle Man Makayla Pestrucci: The Little Mermaid Parasdeep Gill: Dwarf 1/French Soldier 2/Jasmine Judah Shilling: French Prince/Blood Packet Guy /Girl Odin Mutimer: Guard 2 Andy Surplice: King Coralie Guthrie: Executioner/Animated Snowman/Talking Tea Pot Lady/Mulan Alexia Piercy: Other Princess No. 3/ Crowd Member 2 Peyton Royston and Patrick Wyhoon: Did a magnificent job as our backstage assistants.

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Community Events Anzac Day Many individuals from our school community gathered to commemorate Anzac Day, honouring the brave men and women who have served, and continue to serve our nation during times of conflict.

It was fantastic to see our students actively participate in these services by marching, laying a wreath or in the case of Lewis Brown, playing the Last Post on his trumpet! A small group of Senior School students also attended the ANZAC Day service at Cobram Regional Care.

Moira Shire Citizenship Ceremony A mix of Junior and Senior School students had the honour of attending the Moira Shire Citizenship Ceremony at Cobram Civic Centre at the beginning of Term Three. The ceremony was a special celebration of cultural diversity and unity, as individuals from various corners of the globe came together to formalise their Australian citizenship.

Moira Shire Memorial Our School Captains attended the Moira Shire Road Tragedy Memorial in Term Two to commemorate the tragic spate of deaths on our local roads.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial A small group of students attended the Vietnam Veterans Day service at the Cobram and District War Memorial in Term Three.

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School Events Welcome Barbeque

We launched the 20 23 school year in fin e style with our welcome barbeque in mid- February. Th ere was a carnival-like atmosphere at the school with face pa int ing and a bubble machine proving popular wi th the kids!

A great evening cu lminated in a highly spirited game of dodgeball between parents and students.

Harmony Day

We cranked up the fun factor on Harmony Day at the end of Term One, binding together to celebrate the many diverse cultures that help make our school such a lively and vibrant place.

Our Year 8 students took charge of proceedings and whisked everyone away on a whirlwind ‘tour’ of the world through a series of international games they were in charge of facilitating, such as Gaelic football and the Indigenous Australian game ‘Edor’.

Mother’s/ Father’s Da y Breakfast

As always, it was fantastic to welcome visitors to o ur school to celebrate Mother’s Day and Fa ther’s Day in the fo rm of bacon and egg rolls, cour tesy o f our Year 11 and 12 stud ents.

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Biggest Morning Tea

The PAC was a sight to behold for our Biggest Morning Tea in Term Two. Our generous (and crafty) families made it all possible by contributing delectable treats towards a HUGE spread of food. Many students also brought a gold coin to school to support the magnificent work of the Cancer Council.

Foundation Day Late in Term Four, students and staff came together to celebrate Foundation Day; an annual homage to mark when our school was founded! The day involved nine large groups of students rotating between activity stations around the school, overseen by the Year 9 cohort.

End of Year Student Musical Show

ole Our last major wh ity un m m co school was a event for 2023 ccess, su g in m or barnst ests with over 300 gu ct rfe pe g enjoyin licious weather and de tary Club food. Cobram Ro t job with did a magnificen ile Mrs the catering, wh estrated Trish Chmiel orch verse linea brilliant and di rformers up of student pe audience who wowed the ! with their talent

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Book Week Parade The annual Book Week Parade was yet again a sight to behold, with students going to extraordinary lengths to dress up as their favourite book or movie character. During the whole school assembly, Mia Hayward and Koa Wilson from Year 3/4 R each read a beautiful poem about their dad, while Cadence Pang (Year 12) and Claire Stillard (Year 11) did a marvellous job reading this year’s chosen book on the big screen, ‘Come Over to My House’. Harrison Brooker (Year 12) and Caitlin Welch (Year 12) also did a great job with the roving microphone, interviewing several students to discover the inspiration behind their outfits.

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Debutante Ball Our 2023 Debutante Ball took place in the Term One holidays and featured eight outstanding couples: Bella Mete and Thomas Corso, Savanna Mustica and Harry Paterson, Alana Rickard and Shadan Alsabti, Tahlia Bextream and Jett Robbins, Madison McDiarmid and Nathan Gossayn, Molly Rice and Zac Everingham, Makayla Pestrucci and Sam Lincoln, and Abigail Brooker and Shaun Downing. The success of the event was a testament to the hard work the group put in during their intensive dance rehearsals at Suncountry Dance Studio, making for a memorable night that they and their families will never forget.

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2023 Time Vault Let’s take a walk back through time and take a look at some of the year’s most memorable events and activities through this collage of photographs.

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or School students casting Juni

their vote for House Captains

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r 7 students pose on their Yea

first day of school

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er Taipan National Finalists Cyb

ents signing up for school 4 Stud

production

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lia Packer, Madison Ame

McD iarmid, and Jet Munro attending the Anglican Schools Forum in Melbourne

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nts coffee morning Pare

ents testing out the new 7 Stud

table tennis tables

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school crossing supervisor Our

Marilyn Barrs receiving flowers for her birthday ter Bonnet Parade 10 Eas

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day of Term One 11 Last

bers from the class of 12 Mem

2022 pose with Connor Taylor after he marched out

k Safely to School Day 13 Wal

r 11 Blazer Presentation 14 Yea

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Year 9 Outdoor Ed fishing

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Year 7 2024 Taster Day

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First Aid in Schools

4 Year 3-6 Lions Club spe

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eches Sch ool uniform changes hands

to Worklocker

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Senior School Cyber Safety talk

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VCE Subject Expo

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Year 10 Melbourne excursion

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Year 9 & 10 Shrine of Remembrance visit

10 House activities

11 Year 6 House Lea

ders

at Refugee Week event at Community House

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12 Year 10 studen t Baden

Riedell visits school whilst on wo rk experience

13 Aer ial view of our

new sol

panels

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14 2024 School Ca ptains

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A Final Reflection from our Year 6 House Leaders Our Year 6 House Leaders give us the exclusive scoop on their learnings and experiences of being official leaders in the Junior School by answering these three questions: 1) What were your favourite house activities this year and why?

2) What did you learn from being a House Leader?

Did you develop any new personal skills?

3) What was the best or most rewarding thing about being a House Leader and why?

Cowell

Parkes

Hayley Lebner

Tia Hyde

2) As a House Leader I learnt that speaking in front of people actually isn’t that scary.

2) I think that I developed my speech writing and public speaking skills as I wasn’t very nervous to talk in assemblies and to talk to groups that I was running during activities.

1) My favourite house activity was when I had to set up musical chairs in Ms Rooney’s class and I got to start and stop the music. The reason I liked doing this was because people were happy and it was fun listening to music.

3) The most rewarding thing was when we got to plant trees with Dutch Thunder. It was really fun not going to school because everyone else was working while we were outside planting trees!

Kohen Haddrell

1) My favourite house activity was the Athletics Carnival because the Year 6s had the opportunity to help out with the F-4 Carnival and got to cheer them on. I had great fun cheering everyone on at different events.

2) Being a House Leader has helped me a lot with my public speaking. Before the first assembly I was very nervous talking in front of everyone but as time has gone on, I feel a lot more comfortable speaking publicly.

3) The most rewarding thing about being a House Leader is the excursions that only House Leaders get to do. You also get noticed a lot.

Farrer Emily Collins

1) My favourite house activity was when we had to run our own rotation. I’m very glad I got Just Dance because it was probably the easiest one.

2) After becoming a House Leader this year, I have become more confident talking in front of large crowds.

3) The best thing about becoming House Leader is getting to go to special activities, like tree planting and leadership events away from school.

Seb Pate

1) My favourite activity of the year was winning Cross Country as I then made it to State but unfortunately, I couldn’t go.

2) I learnt to be more confident when doing public speaking and also, I learnt that being a House Leader has some perks like doing activities outside of school.

3) The most rewarding thing about being a House Leader was representing the school at different events outside of school.

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1) I liked the rotation activities at the end of each term because the idea of teaching the older students and younger students how to play or participate in the particular activity was very rewarding.

3) I think that the most rewarding thing about being a House Leader is that you get to teach students new skills through various activities, and you get to meet new people.

Kasey Trembath

1) My favourite house activity this year was when we got to do the Term One lunch time activities because it was lots of fun being able to see all the students across all year levels joining in on the activity and having fun. I also liked to see how creative everyone was.

2) I used to be so afraid of public speaking and now that I am a House Leader, I have presented at assembly in front of the Junior School students and now I’m not afraid to stand up in front of people and I feel like I could do it anytime, anywhere.

3) The most rewarding thing about being a House Leader was getting my badge that signifies leadership and to be able to participate in activities with the other House Leaders, like planting the trees for Dutch Thunder.

Stanyer Vanessa Voeurn

1) My favourite house activity was the Cross County even though I came I last, I still had fun cheering on others and encouraging people to keep going.

2) The skills I have developed are to get out of my comfort zone and speak in front of a big crowds.

3) The most rewarding thing about being a House Leader is that I got to have responsibility and assist in running assemblies. I also received a badge and I have never been presented with a badge before.

Thomas Nye

1) My favourite house activity was Cross Country.

2) I have learnt to use my voice more when playing a sport or in assembly.

3) You get to help little kids around the yard when they’re hurt.

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony At the end of Term Four, we celebrated 24 fine individuals at our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony. The journeys of these students at Cobram AGS has been marked by growth, achievement, and countless memories.

As you embark on the exciting secondary school path that lay ahead, may success and fulfillment accompany you every step of the way. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. The memories shared with your classmates and your teachers Mrs Rathbone and Mrs Williams will be everlasting.

Congratulations to the Year 6 class of 2023: Oliver Benson, Cassian Blower, Lexie Bruce, Emily Collins, Herbert Euston, Hameesha Fernando, Isabelle Haberfield, Kohen Haddrell, Tia Hyde, Nikola Kennedy, Hayley Lebner, Braxton McManus, Ellie Miller, Koby Mitchell, Thomas Nye, Alison Orwin, Lachlan Pardy, Sebastian Pate, Archie Paterson, Madison Simpson, Kasey Trembath, Zoe Van Den Berg, Jessica Voeurn, and Vanessa Voeurn,

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Music Program Raises the Bar With Mrs Trish Chmiel

What an exciting year 2023 has been in the Music program at Cobram AGS. Our year started with approximately 30 students choosing to have instrumental lessons with myself on ukulele, keyboard and flute. Students range in age from Year 2 to Year 8 and they have worked hard to develop their musical skills.

Next was preparation to get six students to Perth for the combined music concert for the ASC schools’ week at the end of March. This entailed preparing three songs (Jerusalem, Fix You and Gloria) that students would sing as part of a massed choir of 150 students, with representatives from all ASC schools. During the week-long stay, students enjoyed exploring Perth and spending time at St Mark’s Anglican Community School, where they were able to join in some classes. For the six students who attended, this might be one of the only times they get to experience performing in such a large group and with a live orchestra.

Other highlights have been the advanced ukulele group being invited to perform with the Numurkah Ukulele Club in a concert for the senior citizens of Numurkah. On 22 October, the two-hour long performance featured an eclectic set list for all the ages. The students enjoyed being part of a band and were able to experience performing with a large group that included a bass player, drums, flute, glockenspiel and a variety of percussion instruments. The concert was a great success and was enjoyed by both the audience and performers.

The annual end of year music recital was also a great celebration of all that is good about the Music program. Parents, teachers and friends were all amazed by the musical talent displayed at the end of year concert. Parents were able to revel in how far their children had come in their playing ability this year, with some stand out performances by students. This evening was such a joy to be part of and was an excellent example of the growing music culture that is building in the school.

We were also lucky enough this year to be able to host “In The Groove” drumming facilitators. Students from Foundation to Year 7 were able to enjoy a drumming session with facilitators Bri and Emily. The sessions explored storytelling, as the drum sounds guided the younger students on an adventure through the jungle.

All students danced out the door with massive smiles on their faces.

The end of the year is always busy in the Music department and we thoroughly enjoyed our end of year school musical concert and celebration, where students once again displayed their musical talents at a picnic style celebration for our school community. We hope this will become an annual event and a great celebration of all that is good about learning an instrument and sharing it with the school community.

Foundation, Year 1 and 2 students invited their parents to enjoy a performance of the ‘Little Red Hen’. Year 2 students enjoyed being in the lead roles and all the other students worked hard to learn their songs and dance moves. It was a wonderful event where students continue to surprise their teachers with their acting and singing ability!

Barooga Carols by Candlelight was the final performance for the year. All three ukulele groups joined together along with students from the Junior School to sing and rejoice over the coming of Christmas. This event grows in numbers each year and the students represented our school community superbly.

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A Gastronomic Feast of Food With Mrs Carolyn White

This year saw Food Studies represented across the whole of the Senior School, from Years 7-12. The Year 12 class learnt about the digestive system, agriculture, sustainability, nutrition and the role of the media in food choices. Students were also thrown into the role of teaching the Foundation students some skills around preparing food and how food is an important part of our social health.

Year 11s learnt about where different foods have developed and how trade has assisted the spread of food around the world, including Australian Indigenous foods. They discovered how primary production, manufacturing, marketing and sales can influence our food choices, and they consolidated information on how recipes can be changed to suit certain dietary requirements.

The Year 9/10 elective studies ‘Food Around the World’ and ‘Back to the Good Old Days’ introduced different cultures and the origins of food into the classroom, including the Black Forrest in Germany, as well as how Australians cooked using Indigenous techniques to modern day cuisine that have been influenced by our multicultural society.

The Year 8s continued to develop their cooking skills, and transferred known skills to unknown recipes. Their soufflé’s rose; mayonnaise emulsified; pavlovas were fluffy; biscuits bound; schnitzel was wellcrumbed and the stir fry tasty, to complete a semester of work.

Our youngest cohort were introduced to safety and hygiene, basic cooking and knife skills. Students made snacks, baked goods and main meals, enjoying eating them together or taking them home to share with the family. Students were paired with different students in their class each week so they could enjoy learning about the skills and knowledge other students brought to the table.

The 2024 Food Studies and Agriculture students went to Numurkah in Term Four to visit Katunga Fresh and Booth Transport to see their sustainable practices that use technology to help reduce gas emissions and waste products in their business. Students also met with agricultural industry leaders and discussed potential solutions to today’s industry problems.

Over the course of the year, the Foods room was also used for a multitude of other reasons including: • Catering for the Mother’s and Father’s Day Breakfasts • Year 5/6 students baking muffins to sell for a Cancer Council fundraiser • Orientation Day classes • Year 5/6 Ag class cooked with the produce they grew in the Ag Garden, and also did some baking to enter in the Cobram Show which was hugely successful!

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Unlocking Worlds: Schooling the Mind, One Language at a Time!

With Mr Geoff Brown 大家好！Dàjiā hǎo! Ciao a tutti! Salam semua!

(G’day Everyone)!

Our Languages Program has been going from strength to strength at Cobram AGS. It has been wonderful to witness many of our young people take on the concept that they are lifelong learners in languages. While for many students, the Chinese Language Program is their first introduction to learning a second language, for quite a few of our students, it is their third or fourth. So, whether they may speak some Italian at home, or even Punjab, Hindi, Arabic, Afrikaans, Cambodian, Thai, Cantonese, Sinhala or Fijian, it is always excellent to see children who are proud of their heritage and desire to learn as much as they can in Languages.

This year saw the graduation of our second ever VCE Languages class. The Chinese Language Culture & Society students all excelled and I feel they even surprised themselves with how much they were able to accomplish, especially when they began at the beginning of 2022. Mrs Jacqueline Pang and I are very proud of what our six students have been able to achieve in this course.

We certainly wish the class of 2023 all the best for their future endeavours and encourage them to continue developing their fluency in Chinese, as well as in other languages.

A big highlight of the year was our Years 9, 10 & VCE excursion to Bendigo during Term Two. The aim was to gain an insight into Buddhism and how it affects both historical and modern Chinese culture. We visited the Stupa in Marong and then the Golden Dragon Museum and learned about the history of the Chinese in Victoria during the 1800s and their contributions to Victorian society.

Languages Club also ran successfully each Wednesday at lunch time throughout the year. Participants have taken part in activities and learned a little Italian and Indonesian, and had a lot of fun making Japanese origami!

Many thanks to our school community for your continued support. 再见 Zài jiàn (See you later)!

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Live4Life Continues to Shine a Light on Youth Mental Health Our school was proud to once again be heavily involved in the Moira Live4Life program in 2023.

Live4Life is a mental health education and youth suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities. Our Year 9 Live4Life Crew consisting of Lyra Mete, Sam Stillard, Matilda Waser, Savannah Kernaghan, Melissa Voeurn, Olivia Thompson and Josh Edwards did an awesome job promoting the program throughout the year, especially when introducing the Year 8 cohort to what Live4Life is all about at the launch party in Term One. The Crew also helped plan several significant events throughout the year including the Live4ife Expo at Cobram Sports Stadium and R U OK Day at school. They also got to connect with Crew members from other schools from across the Shire at the Induction Day at Cobram Civic Centre in Term One.

Year 6 Students Make Buddies for Life With Mrs Donna Williams

This year our Foundation and Year 6 students participated in a wonderful program called ‘Buddies.’ It is one of the many ways we supported our new Foundation students to settle into school, as well as promoting and developing leadership skills in our Year 6 students. The Buddies met regularly throughout the year to complete fun activities together. These activities included games, reading, learning tasks and craft. Year 6 students assisted their Buddies to make crowns for their celebration for 100 Days of School, in which the buddies constructed ‘sloths’, hanging them on a vine to promote unity. We also read books outside in the beautiful weather and had a Teddy Bear Picnic and many other activities that integrated vital social and educational skills. The program had an extremely positive impact on both the Foundation and Year 6 students and it was a pleasure to be a part of.

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Indigenous and Cultural Engagement Throughout the year our students participated in a range of activities and events which strengthened their understanding and connection to our rich local Indigenous culture. Some of the most memorable experiences included: In May, a group of our Indigenous students in Harlin Robbins (Year 7), Jett Robbins (Year 11), and Hollie Percy (Year 12) attended the National Sorry Day Commemoration in Shepparton. Year 11 students Madison McDiarmid and Claire Stillard also attended and each delivered a confident reading.

In Term Two, our Junior School students had the privilege of hosting Julie Best, an Indigenous library assistant from GV Libraries. Julie shared captivating Dreamtime stories and insights into the Cummeragunja walkoff, explaining how her family walked all the way to Shepparton from the mission near Barmah. The session included immersive activities, from creating art inspired by the Rainbow Serpent, to painting rocks using Indigenous colours and patterns.

Our Year 9 students planned and delivered two wonderful assemblies to commemorate National Sorry Day, emphasising the pivotal role that today’s youth play in the path to reconciliation.

Among our special guests were Aunty Iris Troutman, representing the Many Mobs Indigenous Corporation in Yarrawonga, Uncle Michael Morgan of Yorta Yorta Country, Aunty Therese Rodway of Wiradjuri Country and Diedre Robertson from Reconciliation Shepparton. It was also fantastic to see students participating in classroom activities with a Sorry Day theme throughout that week.

In Term Three, 44 Senior School Students participated in the Buroinjin Challenge as part of ASHEfest; a celebration of Indigenous culture and games that is held annually in Shepparton. Buroinjin is a game best explained as a mix of handball and netball. Our school was represented by four teams; one team in the Year 7-8 division, two teams in the Year 9-10 division and one team in the Year 11-12 division.

In Term Four, First Nations’ facilitators from Parks Victoria guided our Year 10 Health students on a journey to Quinns Island. It was an active session (walking meditation), where the group learned how to walk gently on country, helping them to better understand the profound connection between land and identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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Clayful Creations and Canvas Chronicles: The Year in Art

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Swimming Carnival Our 2023 sports program began with a splash in Term One, with students from Years 3-12 competing in the annual Swimming Carnival at Cobram Outdoor Pool. Stanyer house claimed the coveted title over Cowell by a slender margin of just three points in a well contested battle.

The Age Champions were: 9yo Girls: Pippa Davidson 9yo Boys: Carter Haddrell 10yo Girls: Mia Hayward 10yo Boys: Kyle Edge 11yo Girls: Lexie Bruce 11yo Boys: Chase Jarjoura 12/13yo Girls (Junior School): Isabelle Haberfield 12/13yo Boys (Junior School): Lachlan Pardy 12/13yo Girls (Senior School): Lilly Davidson 12/13yo Boys (Senior School): Harlin Robbins 14yo Girls: Charlotte Woosnam 14yo Boys: Cedric Pang 15yo Girls: Bonnie Bugge 15yo Boys: Sam Trembath 16yo Girls: Carly Boaden 16yo Boys: Baden Riedell Open Girls: Cadence Pang Open Boys: Martin Kong

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Cross County Term Two means one thing for our sports program – Cross Country! Following their team success at the Swimming Carnival, Stanyer backed it up again to claim the Cross Country shield in a similarly close affair over Cowell.

The Age Champions were: 5/6yo Girls: Isla Flanagan 5/6yo Boys: Ted Watkins 7yo Girls: Grace Kelly 7yo Boys: Veresa Cossar 8yo Girls: Laney Eddy 8yo Boys: Xavyer Hyde 9yo Girls: Scarlett Lean 9yo Boys: Oliver Adkins 10yo Girls: Charlotte Sim 10yo Boys: Jack Watkins 11yo Girls: Heidi Quick 11yo Boys: Coen Pang 12/13yo Girls (Junior School): Isabelle Haberfield 12/13yo Boys (Junior School): Sebastian Pate 12/13yo Girls (Senior School): Emelia Cole 12/13yo Boys (Senior School): Jack Magill 14yo Girls: Charlotte Woosnam 14yo Boys: Jake Kauta 15yo Girls: Lucy Adkins 15yo Boys: Jeremy Packer 16yo Girls: Ava Carlson 16yo Boys: Ben Curnick Open Boys: Baden Riedell Open Girls: Amelia Packer

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Foundation to Year 4 Athletics Carnival With an exciting and revamped format this year, students from Foundation to Year 4 jumped wholeheartedly into their Athletics Carnival, trying their hand at a variety of events and having a great time in the process!

The Age Champions were: 5/6yo Girls: Daisy Aston 5/6yo Boys: Archie McIntyre and Ted Watkins (equal tie) 7yo Girls: Meg Kelly 7yo Boys: Veresa Cossar 8yo Girls: Aysha Verner 8yo Boys: Frankie Lean 9yo Girls: Scarlett Lean 9yo Boys: Oliver Adkins 10yo Girls: Bridie Iskov 10yo Boys: Jack Watkins

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Years 5 to 12 Athletics Carnival The Barooga Recreation Reserve was abuzz with enthusiasm and plenty of colourful outfits as students from Years 5 to 12 gathered for their Athletics Carnival. There was a strong sense of competitive spirit across a range of events, mixed with a lot of laughs in between. None more so than during the annual teacher versus student relay race – naturally taken out by the students of course. Following the completion of both carnivals there could only be one winner, and bragging rights belonged to Cowell, who defeated Stanyer in a well contested battle, 2220 points to 2058.

The Age Champions were: 11yo Girls: Lexie Bruce 11yo Boys: Kohen Verner 12yo Girls: Isabelle Haberfield and Madison Simpson (equal 1st) 12yo Boys: Sebastian Pate and Kohen Haddrell (equal 1st) 13yo Girls: Lauren Charlton-Parker 13yo Boys: Harlin Robbins 14yo Girls: Maddie Rice 14yo Boys: Alex Preston 15yo Girls: Miley Driscoll 15yo Boys: Sam Trembath 16yo Girls: Alina Corso 16yo Boys: Baden Riedell Open Girls: Madison McDiarmid Open Boys: Thomas Corso

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Interschool Sports Hume Region Highlights Athletics (Secondary) CIRCLE-CHEVRON-RIGHT

• Madison McDiarmid (Year 11): 2nd 17F 100m, 2nd 17F 200m, 3rd 17F Long Jump, and 3rd 17F Triple Jump • Lucy Adkins, Heidi Franklin, Miley Driscoll, Charlie Magill (Year 9): 2nd 15F 4 x 100m Relay • Xavier Greatorex (Year 11): 2nd 17M 100m, 3rd 17M Long Jump • Jack Magill (Year 7): 3rd 12/13M 400m, 3rd 12/13M 800m • Jeremy Packer (Year 9): 3rd 15M Discus

Athletics (Primary) CIRCLE-CHEVRON-RIGHT Aroha Kautai (Year 5), Isabelle Haberfield (Year 6) and Madison Simpson (Year 6) finished in 2nd place in the 11F 200m, 12/13F Discus and 12/13F Long Jump events respectively, qualifying them for the SSV State Championships!

Badminton CIRCLE-CHEVRON-RIGHT

Our Senior Girls team (Caitlin Welch, Emily Orsida, Natasha Smith and Cadence Pang) took out the Hume title in comprehensive fashion, while our Senior Boys and Year 7 Boys/Mixed teams both finished runners up.

Table Tennis CHEVRON-CIRCLE-UP

Our Year 7 Boys Table Tennis team, Maddix Kong, Harry Thompson, Ben Dean, Owen Lesheim and Tom Nye (Year 6) did an amazing job, winning the GMDSSV title and then going on to finish runners up at the Hume event!

Cross Country

Sebastian Pate (Year 6) qualified for the SSV State event through his deeds at the Hume event, but unfortunately was unable to compete as he was on a family holiday in South Africa!

Goulburn-Murray Divisional Highlights Clay Target Shooting CHEVRON-CIRCLE-DOWN • Jack Magill (Year 7) and Adrian Jonker (Year 7) received awards at the winter Junior Clay Target Shooting.

• Flynn Woolley (Year 7) was named the Male High Gun at the Clay Target Shooting event on the Summer Sports Day. He scored 13 from a possible 15 shots!

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Cross Country

Baden Riedell (Year 10) claimed the 16M division Age Champion title.

Swimming CIRCLE-CHEVRON-RIGHT • Harlin Robbins (Year 7) was declared Age Champion in the 12/13M division.

• At the GMDSSV event, our 12/13 Boys finished in 1st place, 15 Girls in 2nd, 15 Boys in 2nd place and the 17 Girls finished in 2nd place, seeing Cobram AGS finish in 4th position overall. This saw the Senior School squad claim the GMDSSV Challenge Shield for an unprecedented 11th consecutive year!

Presentation Day

Outstanding Sporting Achievements Donated by Sporties Barooga

AFL Sam Trembath (Year 9) and Isabelle Haberfield (Year 6) Sam was selected in the 15 and Under GWS Super 24 side that took on the Sydney Swans equivalent in Coffs Harbour. Isabelle made it to the last round of the 12 and Under School Sport Victoria (SSV) Team Vic Girls AFL selection process.

Badminton

Athletics Aroha Kautai, Isabelle Haberfield and Madison Simpson (Year 6) The trio made it to the SSV State Championships.

Cadence Pang, Emily Orsida, Natasha Smith and Caitlin Welch (Year 12) The quartet played off in the State Finals and finished in 4th position, making them the highest ranked country school.

Dance

Canoeing

Cross Country

Clive Cromack (Year 11)

Sebastian Pate (Year 6)

Clive medalled at the Victorian School Canoe Championships; finishing 3rd in the MK4 Open race.

Sebastian qualified for the SSV State Championships.

Cheerleading Bonnie Bugge (Year 9), Evalee Royston (Year 9) and Peyton Royston (Year 8) The trio returned from the Schoolaerobics Australian National Championship with a national title. This was as part of the Revival Aerobics Studio’s Triple Zero team, which took out the OldSkool Cheer Large Group event.

Savanna Mustica (Year 11), Jett Robbins (Year 11), Harlin Robbins (Year 7), Lacey Eddy (Year 9), Bella Mete (Year 11), Lyra Mete, (Year 9), Kyana Magalotti (Year 9), Scarlett Lean (Year 3), Ariana Gatcum (Year 3), Ebony Kernaghan (Year 11), Tia Hyde (Year 6), Kasey Trembath (Year 6), Janel Tanchote (Year 5), Eliza Wyhoon (Year 5), Ally Stillard (Year 9) and Gemma Edge (Year 4) These 16 students qualified for Nationals in 2024, winning their place at the regional events in different troupes, representing League 23 Dance Studio.

Equestrian Charlotte Dickins (Year 9) Charlotte took out the local Cobram-Barooga Junior Rider Award (for the third time) and won Champion Rider (for second year running) for Division Two at the HRCAV awards night. She then followed this by winning the Champion Equestrian Victoria Intermediate Rider (under 18).

Golf

Soccer

Kohen Haddrell (Year 6)

Hunter McMaster (Year 2) & Cameron Harb (Year 7)

Kohen competed in the SSV State Championships at Kooringal Golf Club.

Gymnastics Jean-Marie Jonker (Year 5) Jean-Marie participated in the 2023 Victorian State Championships in Geelong, where she assisted her squad to finish 6th in the state.

Hunter and Cameron were selected in the Coerver Coaching Asia Pacific Japanese Soccer tour squads for their respective age groups.

Touch Football & School Sport Victoria Award Aroha Kautai (Year 5) Aroha represented the Team Vic 12 and Under side for the second consecutive year at Nationals in Darwin. She co-captained the side and was named Players’ Player of the tournament.

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Outstanding Student Achievements Cadence Scoops Moira Shire’s Highest Youth Honour Year 12 student and School Captain Cadence Pang was named the Moira Shire Young Citizen of the Year at the Shire’s Australia Day Awards Ceremony at Cobram Civic Centre.

Cadence was recognised for her excellent work in the community which includes volunteering at the Irvin House aged care facility once a week, while she has also been involved with significant fundraising efforts for Cobram Fire Station and has assisted with catering and service at several school initiatives and community events.

2023 Academic Competition Results

Thomas Collects GV Math/Science Award

Early in Term Three, Year 12 student Cody Lincoln received one of the highest honours in Victorian education – a Premier’s VCE Award. Cody received a Study Award for achieving a flawless study score of 50 in Physics during the 2022 academic year. The awards ceremony was held on 27 July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Year 11 student Thomas Corso was the recipient of an IN-GV Math Science Award, with the awards ceremony taking place at The Vault in Shepparton on 13 December. To be recognised with an award, Thomas had to submit a detailed application including a cover letter, school reports and some of his academic achievements.

Mrs Melonie Smith also completed a letter of recommendation to support his application.

ICAS Science

ICAS Writing

Merit Cameron Harb (Year 7)

Distinction Emily Collins (Year 6)

Australian Mathematics Competition

Credit Maddix Kong (Year 7)

Credit Hunter McMaster (Year 2), Heidi Guthrie (Year 4), Coen Pang (Year 5), Coralie Guthrie (Year 7), Peter Everingham (Year 8), Julian Guthrie (Year 9) and Matilda Waser (Year 9)

Distinction Murray Broderick (Year 7)

Distinction Cedric Pang (Year 8)

ICAS Mathematics

ICAS English

Merit Alison Orwin (Year 6) and Maddix Kong (Year 7)

Merit Isabelle Haberfield (Year 6) and Abigail Brooker (Year 10)

Credit Heidi Guthrie (Year 4), Archie Paterson (Year 6), Flynn Woolley (Year 7) and Julian Guthrie (Year 9)

Credit Lachlan Tatnall (Year 4), Stefania Wright (Year 4), Emily Collins (Year 6), Murray Broderick (Year 7), Coralie Guthrie (Year 7) and Regan Rouse (Year 10)

ICAS Digital Technology

Distinction Elise Tatnall (Year 2), Coen Pang (Year 5) and Cedric Pang (Year 8) 38

Cody Earns Top Education Honour

Credit Alice Lebner (Year 3), Heidi Guthrie (Year 4), Alison Orwin (Year 6), Coralie Guthrie (Year 7) Maddix Kong (Year 7), Flynn Woolley (Year 7), Peter Everingham (Year 8), Elijah Everingham (Year 9), Julian Guthrie (Year 9) and Regan Rouse (Year 10) Distinction Archie Paterson, Owen Lesheim, Cedric Pang and Cadence Pang High Distinction Cody Lincoln (Year 12)

Australian Computational and Algorithmic Competition Credit Coen Pang (Year 5), Archie Paterson (Year 6), Cameron Harb (Year 7), Julian Guthrie (Year 9), Abigail Brooker (Year 10), Ainsley Guthrie (Year 12) and Martin Kong (Year 12) Distinction Cody Lincoln (Year 12)

Oxford University Computing Challenge Round 1 Merit Archie Paterson (Year 6), Cedric Pang (Year 8) and Martin Kong (Year 12) Distinction Cody Lincoln (Year 12)

Oxford University Computing Challenge Round 2 – Finals Merit Cody Lincoln (Year 12)

Presentation Day 2023 Overall Awards for Academic Excellence

Foundation Eden Douglas

Year 1 George Simkin

Year 2 Frankie Lean

Year 3 Merola Wisa

Year 7 DUX Tayla Connelly

Year 8 DUX Bosco Su

Year 9 DUX Ben Curnick

Year 10 DUX Shaun Downing

Year 4 Mia Hayward

Year 5 Chase Jarjoura

Year 6 DUX Alison Orwin

Year 11 DUX Jordan Su and Claire Stillard

Year 12 DUX Cody Lincoln

Major Award Winners Haven Legal Co. Excellence in Legal Studies Jett Robbins (Year 11) Donated by Haven Legal Co., Cobram.

Awarded to the student who has achieved the highest standard in the school for their work in Legal Studies.

GMLLEN Work Based Excellence Award Madison McDiarmid (Year 11) Awarded to a student in Year 10, 11 or 12 who has either completed Work Experience, Structured Workplace Learning, SBAT or volunteering.

Moira Neighbourhood Watch Inc Award Hameesha Fernando (Year 6) Caitlin Welch (Year 12)

Soroptimist International Award Zoe Van Den Berg (Year 6) Abigail Brooker (Year 10) Donated by Soroptimist International, Cobram-Barooga.

Awarded to two female students who have shown commitment and application to their studies throughout the year.

Soroptimist International Scholarship Award Molly Packer (Year 11) Donated by Soroptimist International, Cobram-Barooga.

Awarded to a female student who aspires for achievement and excellence in all that she does.

Donated by Neighbourhood Watch, Cobram.

Awarded to students who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and service to our community.

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Presentation Day – Major Award Winners

Cobram Barooga Returned & Services League Award William Waser (Year 5) Jet Munro (Year 8) Donated by the Cobram Barooga Returned & Services League

This award celebrates tenacity, compassion and consistency.

Moira Arts for All Inc. Excellence in the Performing Arts Chase Bouchier (Year 5) Donated by Arts for All Inc.

Awarded to the student who has achieved the highest standard in the school for their work in music and/or the performing arts.

Moira Arts for All Inc. Excellence in the Creative Arts Miley Driscoll (Year 9)

The ‘Lelitha’ Award for Indigenous Citizenship Estelle Duggan (Year 3) An award dedicated to the student who best represented their Indigenous culture through acts of citizenship and respect, whilst also dedicating themselves to the pursuit of academic success.

Moira Shire Council School Service Award Aroha Kautai (Year 5) Madison McDiarmid (Year 11) Donated by the Moira Shire Council.

Moira Shire Council is proud to recognise a senior student who actively participates in both their respective school community and the wider community, whether this be academically, community services or volunteering, sport and recreation, endurance and resilience, arts and culture or music and performance.

Donated by Arts for All Inc.

Awarded to the student who has achieved the highest standards in the school for their work in the visual arts.

Cobram Lions Club Award Chase Jarjoura (Year 5) Jack Brown (Year 9) Amelia Packer (Year 11) Donated by Cobram Lions Club

For students who always work to the best of their ability and conduct themselves in an exemplary manner.

These students show resolve and enterprise towards the successful completion of all coursework, and regularly exceed curricular expectations.

2023 Principal’s Awards Tayla Connelly (Year 7) Olivia Thompson (Year 9) Donated by Fallons Bus Service.

Awarded to two students who exemplify the school pillars of Integrity, Endeavour and Community in their contributions to school life.

Ampol Best All-Rounder Award Harrison Brooker (Year 12) Donated by Ampol.

This award recognises qualities that include leadership, service and community, sport, arts and culture, attitude and personal conduct.

Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award Saxon Alcorn (Year 10) Cody Lincoln (Year 12) Rotary Club of Cobram Academic Scholarship Cadence Pang (Year 12) Lexie Bruce (Year 6) Hayley Lebner (Year 6) Martin Kong (Year 12) Donated by the Rotary Club of Cobram

The recipients of this award are students who uphold the core values of service, diversity, integrity and leadership.

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Awarded to one student in Year 10 and one student in Year 12 who demonstrate innovation and learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Presentation Day – Major Award Winners

Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award Shaun Downing (Year 10) Cadence Pang (Year 12)

Kwong Lee Dow Award Shaun Downing (Year 10)

Awarded to students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader community, and who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship” – values considered integral to both the ADF and Australian society.

Awarded to a student who has been accepted into the ‘Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program’, which is an academic enrichment program for high-achieving students offered through the University of Melbourne.

Academic Competition Principal’s Award Regan Rouse (Year 10) Emily Collins (Year 6) Cody Lincoln (Year 12) Coen Pang (Year 5) Elise Tatnall (Year 2) Murray Broderick (Year 7) Cedric Pang (Year 8) The Principal’s Award is awarded to students who have achieved outstanding results in academic competitions. These students have always strived for academic excellence and pride themselves on rising to the next challenge.

Live4Life Crew Savannah Kernaghan (Year 9) Sam Stillard (Year 9) Joshua Edwards (Year 9) Olivia Thompson (Year 9) Matilda Waser (Year 9) Lyra Mete (Year 9) Melissa Voeurn (Year 9) Live4Life crew members work throughout the year to assist in delivering events and promoting awareness of youth mental health in rural and regional communities.

St Margaret’s / Diocese of Wangaratta Award for Citizenship Alison Orwin (Year 6) Awarded to a Junior School student who demonstrates in their school life a manner and leadership style which distinctly embodies Christian principles. This student is moral, humble, calm and kind.

Anglican Schools Commission Award for Citizenship Emily Orsida (Year 12) Awarded to a Senior School student who has exemplified all those qualities for which Cobram Anglican Grammar School stands. They have integrity, show great endeavour and embody a spirit of community. They are caring, act unselfishly to serve others and are highly motivated, finding ways to participate positively in every aspect of school life.

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42

Class Recaps As we round out this Yearbook, it’s time to recap each year level and look back on some of the most memorable moments captured in 2023. Teachers and students worked together to create their class recap, putting their own unique spin on it!

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Foundation A

Back: Augustus Raco-Pintaudi, Jaden Mitchell, Yu An (Jasper) Ng, Saxon Ladgrove, Aria Woodham Middle: Archie McIntyre, Theo Diramacca, Isla Flanagan, Ted Watkins, Gurikk Singh, Gurmoh Balaggan Front: Francesca Mustica, Eden Douglas, Evelin Virk, Eva Diaco, Lyla Hendy, Ivannah Towler, Yoana Ramah Absent: Axel Collier, Patrick Mitchell Teacher: Chloe Anthony Education Support: Kristi Dalitz

What an awesome year 2023 has been for our Foundation A students. We have had a busy year full of academic, emotional and personal growth. Sitting back and reflecting on the year, it has been an honour to see the friendships, independence and confidence that the students have developed across the four terms.

Some of our most memorable moments this year were: • Celebrating 100 days of school together: this was a fantastic day to acknowledge the achievements made by the students in reaching this milestone day.

The students all put in a massive effort in dressing up as if they were all 100 years old. Their costumes brought out their own little personalities.

• Going on our excursion to Mooroopna to see the Pevan and Sarah show. The students had a fantastic day and thoroughly enjoyed the performance and lunch at the park.

It has been an honour to teach Foundation A and I cannot wait to watch this group continue to grow and learn throughout the rest of their Cobram AGS journey.

Miss Chloe Anthony

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AR

IA

Foundation A

JA

DEN

R GU

When I grow up I want to be a...

MO

H

Police Officer Teacher

EV

TED

S JA

A

PER

N IVA

NAH

Firefighter

Police Officer Hairdresser

TH Soccer Player

A FR

NC

A ESC

G AU

US

E EV

EO

LIN

A

TUS

Zoo Keeper

Artist

Soccer Player Shire Worker

PA

C TRI

K

Farmer

C AR

HIE

LY

A YO

NA

LA

Doctor Vet

Vet AFL Player

R GU

IKK

Police Officer

ISL

ED

EN

SA

XO

N

A

Hairdresser

Shire Worker

Vet

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Foundation H

Back: Connor Teitz, Holly Rennie, Oliver Coco-Bell, Noah Magill, Mila Ferguson, Blair Aksionov Middle: Francesco Bisogni, Flora Strauss, Zeke Eddy, Ekamnoor Singh Gill, Parwaan Singh, Keerat Poonia, Henry Kelly Front: Eva Cossar, Sukhmani Johar, Olivia Pendlebury, Amelia Baker, Sukhdeep Kaur, Xiang Yu (NarNar) Cheong Teacher: Leica McLeod Education Support: Carmen Shannon

In Foundation H, where friendships blossom and grow, Amelia, Olivia, and Connor in the know, Ekam and Francesco, bright stars that shine, Henry, Keerat, and Mila, a radiant line.

Noah and Zeke, their dreams take flight, Oliver and Blair, their futures bright.

Flora, Parwaan, and NarNar, full of cheer, Sukhmani and Sukhdeep, with hearts sincere.

Eva and Holly, a melody in the air, In Foundation H, they all learn and share.

With each name and face, a part of the show, In this place of learning, they all brightly glow.

In Foundation H, our first athletics day gleamed.

From sprints to jumps and relays fair, The air was filled with fervent flair.

Cheers and laughter filled the day, In sportsmanship, we found our way.

And when Pevan and Sarah graced the stage, Their concert, a gift, for hearts to engage.

In Foundation H, where dreams take flight, A place where knowledge ignites the light.

A journey of education, a path to explore, Foundation H opens knowledge’s door.

With every challenge and every turn, A passion for learning begins to burn.

In this vibrant world, we all shall see, Foundation H sparks our love for learning, eternally.

A poem written by Mrs Leica McLeod and her Foundation H class 46

a t i d o n n u H o F Our favourite things at school:

“When I am learning”

“Going to computer class”

“Doing lots of art”

“The Pevan and Sarah concert”

“Going to see Father Victor”

“Talking at mat time”

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Year 1/2 DB

Back: Nixon Avery, George Simkin, Jaxon Wheeler, Ava Douglas, Alexander Bate, Declan Goldman, Mitchell Betts, Jenson Mortlock Middle: Dylan Gillespie, Billy Daniel, Mason McIntyre, Mylah Giblin-Burrows, Xavyer Hyde, Aidan Macheda, Frankie Lean Front: Charlotte Cameron, Amalia McFadzean, Harveen Kaur, Abigail Gemmill, Maia Matheson, Belle Chiam, Violet Raco-Pintaudi, Daisy Aston Absent: Liam Cornish, Yuvraj Rathore Teacher: Dakota Bennett Education Support: Grace Muckenthaler, Deborah Roberts

Yay! We have made it to the end of a great year!

Excitement all day, every day.

Awesome fun at the sleepover and movie night, Really cool students who love to dance and have fun.

Oh so much improvement in our learning!

Never give up attitude, Every day we worked hard!

Ten thousand kicks of the footy!

Writing recounts, reports, narratives, poems, and persuasive texts, One class with an amazing attitude.

Delicious popcorn at the movies.

Best class EVER! A poem written by Miss Dakota Bennett and her 1/2 DB class 1/2 DB summarised in a few words Billy Daniel – “I loved doing PE” Liam Cornish – “I loved being able to do the Little Red Hen play, it was so fun to stand up and sing” Mitchell Betts – “I love my teacher, Miss Bennett” Mylah Giblin Burrows “I loved learning new things” Declan Goldman and Nixon Avery – “I don’t want to leave 1/2 DB” 48

Year 1/2 LR

Back: Ryan Cramer, Nicolas Burns, Tyler Hollands, Henry Evans, Harrison Wingfield, Lucas Smith, Lilly Eddy, Landon Eddy Middle: Hunter McMaster, Jackson Wheeler, Veresa Cossar, Meg Kelly, Aiden Ciccone, Ethan Sim, Braxton Bromley Front: Grace Kelly, Natalia Ong, Ruby Swift, Alicia Radford, Aysha Verner, Laney Eddy, Sophia Trengove, Elise Tatnall Absent: Cooper Gattuso, Lily Hayward, Phoebe Matheson Teacher: Jacinta Robbins, Kate Lee

1/2 LR’s closing thoughts on 2023 Aiden – I can’t wait for swimming lessons because I love to swim.

Alicia – I love Art because it is fun and you learn things. I also love Library because it is fun to read.

Aysha – The best thing about 1/2 LR is having my friends with me and learning.

Cooper – My favourite thing to do at school is PE because it is fun.

Elise – I love 1/2 LR because my friends are there.

Ethan – I’m excited for the 1/2 dinner where I get to play with my friends.

Grace – I love 1/2 LR because my friends are in my class.

Henry – I can’t wait for Halloween.

Hunter – I am excited for swimming because I can learn to swim.

Jackson – I like recess and lunch because I get to play with my friends.

Laney – I can’t wait for the sleepover at school and the disco and to be in Year 3. My favourite subject is Chinese.

Lilly E – My favourite subject at school is Art because I really like painting and drawing.

Lily H – I’m excited for the class party!

Landon – I love playing with my friends because it is fun to play with them.

Lucas – I enjoy lunchtime because I get to play with my friends.

Meg – Free time is the best because I get to do fidget trading.

Natalia – My favourite subject at school is reading because I love to read.

Nicolas – I love school because my mum works there and I love my mum.

Phoebe – My favourite thing to do at school is tell the cameraman/Paddy that I’m his biggest fan.

Ruby – My favourite subject at school is Chinese because I get to learn it at school and at home.

Sophia – My favourite subject is Maths because it is fun.

Tyler – I love Halloween because you get to dress up.

Veresa – PE is the best because I love sport.

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Year 1/2 SB

Back: Lucas Fantig, Aiden Tran, Angus Stirling, Zavier Latina, Nate Hemingway, Gurnayab Sandhu, Zoe Ladgrove Middle: Uday Singh, River Hocking, Alexa Horn, Mankirat Athwal, Ari Zanotto, lsaac Dopper, Cooper Daniel, Dylan Holt Front: Lillie Martin, Rosalie Beer, Gurleen Kaur, Valerie Strauss, Karla Hindson, Arveen Gill, Seren Stewart, Ava Cunningham, Rachel Wong Absent: Heidi Jones Teacher: Sienna Bate Education Support: Karen Bagu, Jessica Russo

1/2 SB give their take on what they loved most at school this year Aiden – My favourite part of the year has been learning how to do Maths because I am smart at it Alexa – My favourite part of the year has been meeting Miss Bate.

Arveen – Something I have loved about being in 1/2 SB is doing the artwork and meeting new friends.

Ari – My favourite part of the year has been playing footy and having fun.

Angus – My favourite part of the year has been the Year 1/2 sleepover.

Ava – Something I have loved about being in 1/2SB has been swimming.

Cooper – My favourite part of the year has been swimming.

Dylan – I am glad we learned about writing.

Gurnayab – My favourite part of the year has been the swimming lessons.

Gurleen – My favourite part of the year has been swimming and the 1/2 sleepover.

Heidi – Something I have loved about being in 1/2 SB is swimming and the Year 2 sleepover.

Isaac – My favourite part of the year has been playing with my friends and the sleepover.

Karla – My favourite part of the year has been the Year 2 sleepover.

Laney – I’m excited for the sleepover at school and the disco and to be in Year 3. My favourite subject is Chinese.

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Lillie – Something I have loved about being in 1/2 SB is being with Miss Bate.

Lucas – My favourite part of the year has been the Around the World Day. Mankirat – I am glad we learned about how to tell the time.

Nate – Something I have loved about being in 1/2 SB has been making new friends.

Rachel – I am glad we learned about history.

River – My favourite part of the year has been my birthday at school.

Rosalie – My favourite part of the year has been the sleepover.

Seren – My favourite part of the year has been the Year 1/2 sleepover.

Uday – Something I have loved about being in 1/2 SB has been making new friends and having a nice teacher.

Valerie – Something I have loved about being in 1/2 SB is making new friends and having a nice teacher.

Zavier – Something I have loved about being in 1/2 SB has been seeing Miss Bate and computers.

Zoe – I’m glad we learned about times tables.

Miss Bate – My favourite part of the year has been getting to know all of the wonderful personalities in our class. Each student has shown incredible growth and I am so proud of them. We have enjoyed the laughs at silly things such as when we talked about pigeons drifting and when the students wanted to name my new car “Mr McSmile”.

I am so grateful that these students have been my first class and I couldn’t have picked a better group of students to be the first class I teach.

Magic Moments in Year 1/2

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Year 3/4 D

Back: Hannah Cameron, Koby Pestrucci, Kayla Brain, Nicholas McDiarmid, Stefania Wright, Nate Rodda, Chase Bugge 3rd Row: Bridie Iskov, Jack Watkins, Lachlan Tatnall, Lyra Robbins, Kadeyn Duggan, Charlotte Sim 2nd Row: Carter Haddrell, Lewis Diaco, Fairlie Evans, Gemma Edge, Savannah Damore, Levi Dopper, Bronte Bate Front: Scarlett Lean, Mae Stubberfield, Juliette Steel, Merola Wisa, Rianna Orsida, Ariana Gatcum Absent: Abby Bristol Teacher: Christine Doyle Education Support: Deborah Roberts, Vanessa Ward

As we reach the end of another school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had in our class. It has been a year filled with growth, laughter, and countless memorable moments. To the parents who are reading this, I am grateful for the privilege of being your child’s teacher.

In our classroom, we’ve fostered a supportive and inclusive environment, where each student’s unique strengths and abilities have been celebrated.

We’ve explored various subjects, from Math and Science, to Literature and Art, and I am continually amazed by the enthusiasm and curiosity our students exhibit. They have not only learned academic concepts, but also developed crucial social and emotional skills that will serve them well in the future.

One of the highlights of the year was our unforgettable camp experience in Alexandra. This camp allowed our students to connect with nature, build resilience, and strengthen their bonds with classmates. It was a time of exploration, teamwork, and personal growth. I hope the memories from camp will stay with our students for a lifetime.

Mrs Christine Doyle 52

Bridie Iskov Going on the giant swing on camp.

Carter Haddrell Going down the zipline on camp.

Rianna Orsida Meeting the class.

Kayla Brain Being with my friends in the cabins at school camp.

Doing the Coke and Mentos experiment.

Savannah Damore

Making new friends at the start of the year.

Gemma Edge

Being with my friends on camp.

Mae Stubberfield Going on the 3/4 camp.

Chase Bugge

Levi Dopper

Going on camp and the giant swing.

Going on the flying fox at camp.

Fairlie Evans

Jack Watkins

Camp was lots of fun.

Lachlan Tatnall

Attending Homework Club.

Hannah Cameron

When the Year 12s had their muck up day.

Lewis Diaco

Doing Art at school and on the on the giant swing at camp.

Going into the Year 12 room for muck up day.

Nate Rodda Spending time with my friends on camp.

Lyra Robbins Going on camp & the big swing.

Koby Pestrucci

Hanging out with my friends and making new ones.

Bronte Bate

Nicholas McDiarmid

Scarlett Lean Going on camp, canoeing, giant swing and my friendships.

Camp! Everything about camp.

Kadeyn Duggan Playing footy at camp.

Everything. Being with my friends and the teachers.

Lunch time with my friends.

Abby Bristol

Juliette Steel

Merola Wisa

Stefania Wright

Adventures with our class & the giant swing on camp.

Ariana Gatcum

Going on camp.

Attending camp and all the activities.

Going on the camp.

Charlotte Sim

HERE’S THE SCOOP ON 3/4 D’S FAVOURITE THING THEY DID THIS YEAR! Mrs Doyle Miss Ward Mrs Roberts

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Year 3/4 R

Back: Hunter Eldridge, Moniga Bisogni, Oliver Adkins, Jhett Ogilvie, Jessie Rice, Kyle Edge, Evie Hemingway Middle: Liam Murphy, Estelle Duggan, Benjamin Wingfield, Alby Thorpe, Heidi Guthrie, Lawson Woolley, Lucy Dean, Blake Miller Front: Amelia Cook, Alira Mustica, Piper Eddy, Koa Wilson, Charlotte Diramacca, Pippa Davidson, Alice Lebner Absent: Mia Hayward, Harry Henderson Teacher: Matilda Rooney Education Support: Colleen Rouse

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Year 3/4 R, will go far!

Year 3/4 R has made the grade this year, achieving many goals and working as a team.

Some of my favourite times were watching the kids work together so well during group work, such as Literacy Groups, science investigations, GROK computer coding, cooking and drama time including scripted plays and puppet shows. The kids have launched themselves into each new experience, giving it their all together.

This class has shown plenty of enthusiasm and gratitude this year in all that we’ve done.

They have engaged in different topics and enjoyed discussing ideas. Whether it was learning about 18th century Britain, geography of Africa or language features during English, they took a keen interest. The group worked hard and picked up much knowledge and many new skills.

Thanks to our Ed Support crew of Mrs Rouse, Mrs Brown and Mrs Shannon for their wonderful guidance in helping those in their care during revision or extension activities, and all manner of other things.

I wish this group of students every success and great times in the future. ~ Ms Rooney

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Back: Alison Orwin, Sebastian Pate, Kohen Verner, Emily Collins, Isabelle Haberfield, Ellie Miller 3rd Row: Heidi Quick, Chase Bouchier, Kohen Haddrell, Lexie Bruce, Kegan Hollands, Thomas Nye, Isla Butler 2nd Row: Jed Flanagan, Luke Nave, William Waser, Danielle Horn, Bella Broderick, Coen Pang, Braxton McManus, Lachlan Pardy Front: Neve Macheda, Indi Hemingway, Janel Tanchote, Eliza Wyhoon, Hayley Lebner, Claudia Mustica, Jean-Marie Jonker Absent: Hadley Tenney Teacher: Hayley Rathbone Education Support: Janice Brown

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Where do our Year 6 R Graduates want to be in 20 years’ time?

Alison Orwin – I would like to be doing neurosurgeries in either Albury or Melbourne.

Braxton McManus – Rich and lazy.

Ellie Miller – Beauty artist.

Emily Collins – Living in Melbourne, working at Peter Alexander so I can wear PJ’s to work.

Hayley Lebner – I want to have a horse training business and help kids learn how to ride a horse. I also want to be an equine vet.

Isabelle Haberfield – In Queensland with my neighers (horses).

Kohen Haddrell – Being in my prime playing cricket for Australia.

Lachlan Pardy – The world Enduro champion.

Sebastian Pate – Working as an agronomist or as a cop with a dog.

Thomas Nye – Not driving an electric car.

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Year 5/6 W

Back: Archie Paterson, Madison Simpson, Grace Grant, Penelope Thompson, Mila Diaco, Aroha Kautai, Jacob Latina 3rd Row: Vanessa Voeurn, Hameesha Fernando, Mikayla Podmore, Zoe Van Den Berg, Emily Stone, Gabrielle Mete 2nd Row: Thomas Burns, Harper Stubberfield, Matilda Stirling, Oliver Benson, Cassian Blower, Divjot Singh, Chase Jarjoura Front: Angelina Mckay, Tia Hyde, Jessica Voeurn, Olivia Jeffery, Kasey Trembath, Melody Su

A poem written by Mrs Williams and her Year 5/6 W class Oliver, Cassian then Thomas 5/6 W is a family, I promise.

Mila, Hameesha then Herbie, We are a class of one plus thirty!

Absent: Herbert Euston, Nikola Kennedy, Lara Maher, Koby Mitchell, Elsie Murphy

Grace, Tia and Chase 2023, we did embrace.

Teacher: Donna Williams Education Support: Janice Brown

Aroha, Nikola and Olivia In Homeroom we spoke a lot about trivia.

Jacob, Angelina then Lara In cold write we had to work harder!

Gabby and Koby make seventeen Off to the Apple Orchard, the class was keen.

Elsie, Archie adds to make nineteen Swimming Carnival – the time to scream.

Mikayla, Maddi, Divi and more, Athletics Carnival – oh! Who is keeping score?

Matilda and Emily were excited for camp All they could do was call and rant.

Harper, Melody, Penny are coming with you Off to Ballarat….is Mrs Brown coming too?

Kasey, and Zoe completed their sewing They were so happy, they were glowing.

Jessica, Vanessa; the Foundation buddies will miss This year in 5/6 W has been bliss.

I know that Mrs Williams will cry When it is time to say goodbye.

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What ambitions do our Year 6 W Graduates harbour for the future?

Archie Paterson – Play cricket or footy professionally.

Cassian Blower – To make the world a better place.

Hameesha Fernando – Fly a plane.

Herbert Euston – Join the police.

Jessica Voeurn – I want to be good at spelling.

Kasey Trembath – Travel the world and explore different food from different cultures.

Koby Mitchell – Farmer.

Lexie Bruce – To have my own farm or help disabled people.

Madison Simpson – To become a professional soccer player.

Nikola Kennedy – Be a farmer.

Oliver Benson – A sportsman.

Tia Hyde – Doctor, nurse, or dance teacher.

Zoe Van Den Berg – Become a doctor or artist.

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Year 7

Back: Murray Broderick, Harlin Robbins, Harry Thompson Riley Grant, Flynn Woolley, Lachlan Packer, Cameron Harb, Jack Smith 3rd Row: Xavier Franklin, Gurhar Singh, Adrian Jonker, Alexia Piercy, Riley Tinker, Jack Magill, Emelia Cole 2nd Row: Andy Hazelman-Smallwood, Taylor Thornton, Judah Shilling, Nicky Voeun, Maddix Kong, Owen Lesheim, Yoanna Baskaroun, Benjamin Dean Front Row: Coralie Guthrie, Isabelle Waser, Tayla Connelly, Isabelle Radford, Molly Caldow, Lilly Davidson, Poppy Goodwin Absent: Ayden Burrows, Sonny Murphy Homeroom Teachers: Anthony McConnell, Sharon Bird

2023 has been an exciting transition from primary school to secondary school for the continuing Cobram AGS students, while new students were warmly welcomed from other district primary schools. The most obvious difference between being in Year 6 and Year 7 is that instead of having just one teacher for most of the day, the students have different teachers for each subject. This also means that students move around the school a lot more, going to specialist rooms for Maths, Science, Art and elective subjects such as Foods, Woodwork, Music and Outdoor Education.

Several Year 7 students took up the chance to be involved in the school production ‘Game of Tiaras’ and gave fantastic performances. These students then organised a lunch time Drama Club which was well received.

The Year 7 camp at Borambola in NSW was also a big highlight of the year, with activities such as circus skill; the Castaway challenge (making a shelter using minimal equipment), survivor training which developed communication skills, building a billy-cart, BMX riding, camp cooking, fencing, and many others.

It was a very busy year and it is amazing how quickly it passed. Congratulations to all students for their effort and participation this year.

Year 7 Homeroom teachers, Mrs Bird and Mr McConnell 60

Find out what the Year 7 students declared as their most memorable moment of the year Adrian Jonker – Sitting on the Year 7 deck and talking with friends.

Alexia Piercy – Being involved in the school production.

Andy Hazelman-Smallwood – Being told and shown on the first day, where are the different rooms were.

Ayden Burrows – Camp because it was fun.

Ben Dean – Going on camp because I learned a lot of survival skills and made lots of new friends Cameron Harb – School camp Coralie Guthrie – Being in the school production.

Emelia Cole – Camp because I was with my friends and most of the activities were really fun.

Flynn Woolley – Winning the clay target shooting contest on summer sports day.

Gurhar Singh – Camp because all the boys stayed up late talking and having a laugh which was really fun.

Harlin Robbins – The Swimming Carnival because it was the most beautiful day and it made me really competitive.

Harry Thompson – Going to badminton with my friends for the winter competition.

Isabelle Radford – Camp because I enjoyed the food and liked some of the activities.

Isabelle Waser – Camp because I really enjoyed all the food and also the activities.

Jack Magill – Making new friends.

Jack Smith – Going on camp because I was with my friends and it was really fun.

Judah Shilling – Playing dungeons and dragons or UNO at lunchtime with my friends.

Lachlan Packer – Experiencing the Year 12 ‘muck up’ day for the first time.

Lilly Davidson – The camp.

Maddix Kong – Winning second place in the badminton regional final.

Molly Caldow – Hanging out with my friends at lunch time.

Murray Broderick – Camp because of the bush setting, archery, BMX riding and fencing activities.

Nicky Voeun – Playing tag in the school grounds at lunch time with my friends.

Owen Lesheim – Being part of the table tennis team that was runners-up in the Hume region.

Poppy Goodwin – Going on school camp with my friends and pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

Riley Grant – Going tenpin bowling as part of the summer sports program.

Riley Tinker – Starting new subjects.

Sonny Murphy – Going to clay target shooting on the summer sports day.

Tayla Connelly – Athletics Carnival day because I had lots of fun with my friends.

Taylor Thornton – The first day of school when I made lots of new friends.

Xavier Franklin – Going on camp.

Yoanna Baskharoun – The summer sports day and the Book Week parade because I had lots of fun doing these activities.

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Year 8

Back: Peyton Royston, Jaire Serrano, Xi Xiang (Shawn) Hong, Alex Preston, Cedric Pang, Armaan Dhillon, Bosco Su, Dante Zito Middle: Jet Munro, Ava Talbot, Jake Kauta, Beau Kernaghan, Peter Everingham, Maddison Charles, Patrick Wyhoon Front: Sahibjeet Athwal, Hana McManus, Armaan Gill, Kayla Orsida, Lauren Charlton-Parker, Emily Lewis, Maddie Rice, Xiaodong (Beck) Lyu Absent: Austin Ware Homeroom Teachers: Dean Barnes, Rhiannon Dixon

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Year 9 A

Back: Jessica Edwards, Ruby Beaver, Sarah Connelly, Elijah Everingham, Hunter Iskov, Savannah Kernaghan, Carly Boaden, Sam Dean Middle: Sylar Alcorn, Ethan Greatorex, Samuel Stillard, Kyden Rodda, Owen Woolley, Leah Willis, Andy Surplice Front: Kyana Magalotti, Kasey Caldow, Heidi Franklin, Charlie Magill, Bonnie Bugge, Pippa Kerr, Matilda Waser, Evalee Royston Absent: Isabella Boys, Olive Murphy Homeroom Teacher: Sharonlee Parker

9 A share a quote they live by, along with something they are grateful for: Andy Surplice: 1. N/A 2. I’m grateful for the fact I was given the chance to be alive.

Bonnie Bugge: 1. I do not and will not fear tomorrow because I feel though today has been enough.

2. I am grateful for the people who make each day one to remember.

Carly Boaden: 1. What I do is temporary but what I leave behind is forever.

2. I am grateful for my great friends that remind me every day that I let foxy in.

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Ethan Greatorex: 1. Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill.

2. I am grateful for ChatGPT. Evalee Royston: 1. Every day is a new day.

2. I am grateful for my family talks after dinner.

Heidi Franklin: 1. Smile, life is too short to be unhappy.

2. I’m grateful for my friends and family.

Hunter Iskov: 1. The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

2. I’m grateful that I have a family and people in my life that care for me.

Charlie Magill: 1. Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind.

2. I am grateful for my friends and family.

Jessica Edwards: 1. Rest and you rust.

2. I am grateful for my friends and family and everything I have been given.

Elijah Everingham: 1. Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.

2. I am grateful for friends and family.

Kasey Caldow: 1. Live, laugh, love!

2. I am grateful for my friends for making school a tad better.

Kyana Magalotti: 1. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

2. I am grateful for my parents and all that they do for me.

Kyden Rodda: 1. Why re-read the same story twice when you already know how it’s going to end.

2. I’m grateful for my parents, friends, and other close peers who have been able to keep me going and push me to continue to be the best version of myself.

Leah Willis: 1. You cannot show up today and expect yesterday’s results.

2. I am grateful for family and friends.

Matilda Waser: 1. Let it be, then let it go.

2. I am grateful for the people that make school exciting.

Pippa Kerr: 1. No one asked, WORK HARDER 2. I’m grateful for my friends and family, for the support they give.

Olive Murphy: 1. One day, I will make onions cry.

2. I am grateful to my friends for always being goofy and making me laugh.

Ruby Beaver: 1. Today is the new yesterday.

2. I’m grateful for my family and friends who support me.

Owen Wooley: 1. Zeus! Fight me you coward!

2. I am grateful for my friends and the laughs we have had.

Sam Dean: 1. Respect your parents, they passed school without Google.

2. I’m grateful for my friends, just not Carly (she let foxy in).

Savannah Kernaghan: 1. A tree falls the way it leans.

Be careful which way you lean.

2. I am grateful to live in a world with Taylor Swift.

Sam Stillard: 1. She’ll be right!

2. I’m grateful for food.

Sarah Connelly: 1. There is nothing impossible to those who try.

2. I am grateful for the people who are able to make me laugh.

Sylar Alcorn: 1. There is no spirit without will and no adventure without spirit.

2. I am grateful for the spirit and will that drives me.

Ms Parker: 1. What would you do if you know you could not fail?

2. I am grateful for my family first and foremost, but also the feeling of sunshine on my skin.

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Year 9 B

Back: Michael McGrath, Chiara Mureddu, Miley Driscoll, Parasdeep Gill, Charli Quinane, Lucy Adkins, Lacey Eddy, Bhagya (Devmini) Bulathgaha Middle: Julian Guthrie, Samuel Trembath, Jeremy Packer, Mason Hazelman-Smallwood, Jack Brown, Takoda Draper, Joshua Edwards Front: Melissa Voeurn, Lyra Mete, Shiloh Kennedy, Charlotte Dickins, Gracie Rice, Ella Michelotti, Alexandra Stillard, Olivia Thompson Absent: Ben Curnick Homeroom Teachers: Geoff Brown, Amy Carr Education Support: Meg Denson

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Our excursion to the Shrine of Remembrance “It was a good experience for the class and it was good to learn about our families’ history.” Miley “Going to the Shrine was an amazing experience! I really enjoyed the history aspect of our excursion because there was so much new knowledge to take in!” Melissa “I liked getting lost in the Shrine and being left by the entire class.” Takoda “The best part of the Shrine trip was hanging out with mates and walking; the worst part was when I fell over.”

Josh “It was fun getting lost in the Shrine.”

Mason

Phillip Island camp “The Phillip Island camp was by far my favourite camp – there were highs and lows, but the rock climbing we did on the last night was the most memorable, everyone was trying to get the quickest time up the speed wall.” Ben “Getting noise complaints even though we weren’t moving!”

Ella and Charlotte

Our trip to the Cobram Cinema to watch Edward Scissorhands “Edward Scissorhands was very hectic but a good kind of hectic.” Paras “Seeing Joyce in Edward Scissorhands gave me nightmares.” Chiara “I’ll never forget Jim in the green shirt.”

Lyra

“I loved going to Phillip Island for camp because we learnt how to surf and the camp brought us all together.” Olivia

Trips to Melbourne including the key stop at Wallan BP

“Watching everyone get knocked over by the waves at Phillip Island.” Shiloh

“I enjoyed bonding with my friends at Wallan BP!” Ally “Rolling down hills is very fun!” Jeremy

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Year 10

Back: Abigail Brooker, Elizabeth Cromack, Baden Riedell, Lewis Brown, Shaun Downing, Ava Carlson Middle: David McGrath, Saxon Alcorn, Samuel Lincoln, Tyler Cole Front: Alina Corso, Regan Rouse, Mackenzie Duhring, Skai McConnell, Tillie Staines, Makayla Pestrucci Absent: Leo Quinane Homeroom Teacher: Melonie Smith

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Our Year 10s gaze into the crystal ball and tell us where they’ll be in 10 years’ time

Abigail – I see myself as a professional super hero.

Makayla – I see myself as a cool, rich aunt.

Baden – Working as a plumber.

Leo – I’ll be living the high life in BrisVegas.

Mrs Smith – I see myself sailing the seas on the Ruby Princess.

Alina – I will own my own skin clinic, be rich, have a super HOT husband and four beautiful kids.

Ava – I see myself sunbaking on Bondi Beach.

David – I hope to be a popular and famous Instagram model and make eight figures a year.

Saxon – I see myself decomposing in front of a computer screen.

Lewis – I’ll be living on the Toc airfield in my decked-out yellow magic school bus, working at Maccas trying to string together enough money to take flying lessons.

Regan – I’ll be rich, successful, and living afar.

Shaun – I hope to have a successful life in the states (land of the free) in a white picket fence community and film daily YouTube vlogs.

Skai – I see myself having earned a degree in ambulance paramedics and working for the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service).

Elizabeth – NA

Mackenzie – I’ll be a criminal lawyer and still playing netball for Strathy.

Sam – I see myself as a professional drop shipper and a selfmade gazillionaire.

Tillie – I see myself as a professional model.

Tyler – Where do I see myself in 10 years?

Bald.

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Year 11

Back: Bella Mete, Claire Stillard, Dru Munro, Shadan Alsabti, Jordan Su, Ebony Kernaghan Middle: Zachariah Everingham, Xavier Greatorex, Odin Mutimer, Jett Robbins, Vivian (Clive) Cromack, Nathan Gossayn, Thomas Corso Front: Tahlia Bextream, Savanna Mustica, Anthea Peters, Madison McDiarmid, Amelia Packer, Molly Packer Absent: Ned Bugge, Tully Kerr, Molly Rice, Bon Voeun Homeroom Teachers: Delwyn Hills, Carolyn White

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Our Year 11s give us the lowdown on their biggest personal achievement/highlight in 2023 Amelia Packer – Becoming School Captain after going through the interview process.

Anthea Peters – I have worked several jobs this year. They have included Mantos Produce and Tay and Co Cafe. The new skills I have learnt include getting outside my comfort zone in communication skills with people of all ages and with other workers and my bosses.

Bella Mete – Making it to Nationals in Dance because we worked really hard on our troupe dances. I also enjoyed going on camp to visit universities in Melbourne, and was proud to get better grades in my school work.

Bon (Micky) Voeun – NA Claire Stillard – I went out of my ‘comfort zone’ to tour a uni I was interested in.

Dru Munro – I got a typewriter and it is pretty fun to use. I also got to ride in a steam train up in Gympie (Queensland) with my dad.

Ebony Kernaghan – Making Nationals on the Gold Coast for Dance. I also received the Dulze of Edinburgh Award, and got into Awaken Dance Theatre Company and danced with the Australian Ballet Company.

Jett Robbins – My biggest achievement this year was making it to Nationals 2024 for my dancing.

Jordan Su – I was able to go back to China and visit family for the first time after years of separation due to COVID-19.

Madison McDiarmid – Getting School Captain and completing my Certificate III in Sports and Recreation.

Molly Packer – Improving on time management for studies and learning to drive.

Odin Mutimer – One achievement I’m really proud of is getting Stanyer House Captain for 2024. I had to overcome my fear of speaking in front of people just so I could deliver my speech. A milestone was when I took part in the school production, ‘Game of Tiaras’.

Savanna Mustica – Halfway through my Certificate III in Make-Up, and also qualifying for Dance Nationals.

Shadan Alsabti – Developed better study habits and also developed a love for Chemistry after hating it. I was also part of the Senior Badminton team that came second in Regionals.

Tahlia Bextream – Began my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. This certificate will assist me in becoming a maternal + child health nurse or child + family health nurse.

Thomas Corso – Captaining the Cobram Football Club U17s in only my second year of playing footy. I achieved this by being consistent and putting in hard work during pre-season.

Tully Kerr – Starting my apprenticeship with Robbins Electrical and can see myself staying on this path.

Vivian (Clive) Cromack – I took up the opportunity to try out new things such as swimming, campdrafting and even started my own farm.

Xavier Greatorex – I achieved 1st place in the 100m event at the athletics divisional in Shepparton.

Zachariah Everingham – Doing my Cert III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology at Pether Ag.

Nathan Gossayn – Scoring 100 in cricket and getting to go back to South Africa to visit family (read in South African accent).

Ned Bugge – Being halfway through my electrical apprenticeship and really enjoying the work and can see myself staying on this path.

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Year 12

Back: Caitlin Welch, Hollie Percy, Claudia Ross, Harrison Brooker, Ainsley Guthrie, Cadence Pang, Gabriella Leimgruber Middle: Brayden St John, Lachlan Rouse, Isaac Brown, Martin Kong Front: Brooke Eddy, Natasha Smith, Abby Curnick, Mikayla Woosnam, Tianeka Van Den Berg, Remy Campbell, Emily Orsida Absent: Charlotte Andrew, Cody Lincoln, Hannah Logie Homeroom Teachers: Gary Smith, Shea Doyle

The class of 2023 tell us what they’re going to miss most / the best thing about being a Cobram AGS student.

Abby Curnick – N/A Ainsley Guthrie – The best thing about being a student at CAGS was all the support I got from my friends and teachers, and they are the things I’ll miss the most as well.

Brayden St John – The best thing about being a CAGS student is the opportunities that are given to us, especially with exams and the assistance provided to us to help us prepare in the best way possible.

Brooke Eddy – The best thing about being a CAGS student is going to sporting events.

Cadence Pang – The best thing at CAGS would have to be the wonderful school community. I will definitely miss the invaluable friendships and supportive teachers who have helped make this school my second home, the most.

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Caitlin Welch – Watching the school grow and the close connections with some of the teachers as they have taught me since Prep.

Charlotte Andrew – I’ll miss the teachers that I have become close to over the years.

Claudia Ross – The best thing about being a student is that it can potentially lead to you having an amazing job later in life.

Cody Lincoln – I will miss the routine and daily socialisation as I migrate to an independent lifestyle, and also the friends I have made throughout my years of schooling. While this is the end of an era, it is the beginning of something new; endless possibilities to explore and enjoy.

Emily Orsida – The enthusiasm of the teachers toward their subjects, and the dedication they put into their students.

I will miss the constant motivation they put forth, pushing me to reach my personal bests.

Gabriella Leimgruber – The teachers and classmates.

Hannah Logie – The best thing at CAGS for me is how supportive my teachers have been, especially during Year 11 and 12. They have encouraged me to do my best every day and have been very patient with me.

Harrison Brooker – I think the best part of being a student here at CAGS for 13 years has got to be the relationships I’ve built with my teachers and classmates.

I’ve made great friendships with my classmates and learnt much about life from my teachers.

Hollie Percy – N/A Isaac Brown – The best thing about CAGS is the eversupportive teachers and what I will miss the most is having most of my friends within walking or cycling distance.

Lochie Rouse – The best thing about Cobram AGS has been the wide range of VCE courses they offer and their commitment to supplying these courses through their own in-house teachers. I’ll miss all the friends I made here as I move on in life to forge my future.

Martin Kong – One of the best things about being a student at CAGS is that I can wake up at 8:45 am and still make it to school before period one starts.

Mikayla Woosnam – Friendships made.

Natasha Smith – The immense support and opportunities each teacher has given me.

I will miss the routine of going to school and being able to see my friends every day.

Remy Campbell – The good friends I have made and the opportunities the teachers have given me.

Tianeka Van Den Berg – The best thing about being a student at CAGS is having supportive teachers who try and push you to the best of your ability. I think that is what I’ll miss the most.

From Little Things, Big Things Grow This year we bid farewell to eight students who have been under our care and guidance for the past 13 years.

Lachlan Rouse, Abby Curnick, Remy Campbell, Natasha Smith, Cadence Pang, Martin Kong, Caitlin Welch and Harrison Brooker entered Foundation in 2011 and now leave as young adults ready to tackle the world. It has been a pleasure watching these students grow and flourish before our eyes and their journeys provide a great example of the pathway our school offers from Foundation right through to Year 12.

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These art pieces were created by our Year 8 students. They were tasked with producing a portrait of their hero/idol using a tonal rendering technique, in turn creating a realistic image using a grey led pencil.

40-48 Campbell Road Cobram VIC 3644 P.O. Box 607, Cobram VIC 3643 03 5871 1816 admin@cags.vic.edu.au www.cags.vic.edu.au