The buzz around Cobram AGS continues to build as construction of our new state-of-the-art Trades Centre powers ahead. What began as an empty site in early February has quickly transformed into a hub of activity and progress.
Led by Crow Constructions, the project hit its first major milestone with the completion of the footings and concrete slab back in early February laying the literal foundation for what will become a cutting-edge learning facility. From there, essential services were installed, including electrical mains, stormwater systems, and fire services – all critical works in ensuring the successful implementation of the school’s building Masterplan over the coming years
The real excitement began in early April, when the structure truly started to take shape. With the trusses raised and the framework locked in, the roof is now on, giving the Trades Centre its distinctive silhouette and bringing the vision closer to reality. Cobram AGS Business Manager, Mrs Narelle Schreenan, shared her enthusiasm about the project’s progress and what’s still to come.
"It’s incredible to see the Trades Centre taking shape so quickly This project has been over two years in the making, with the original concept starting as a simple shed To now see it evolve into a state-of-the-art facility is truly exciting This space will provide our students with industry-standard environments to develop practical skills and explore career pathways in the trades. We’re excited about the opportunities this will bring to our school community and can’t wait to see the finished product,” Mrs Schreenan said.
We’ll continue to keep our school community informed as we work toward the completion of this fantastic new facility.
Scan the QR code to watch how the construction of the Trades Centre has evolved.
Foundation and Year 7 Students Turn Over a New Page
The first day of Term 1 2025, marked an exciting new chapter for our Foundation and Year 7 students! As the Foundies stepped into the school alongside their families for the first time as official students, their smiles were brimming from ear to ear and the excitement and anticipation in the air were unmistakable!
At the same time, the Year 7 students received a quick tutorial on how to use their locker padlocks a rite of passage for those embarking on their secondary school journey at Cobram AGS.
A warm welcome to all the new students and families who have joined our school community in 2025 Here’s to a fantastic year of learning ahead!
Welcome Evening Brings School Community Together
Reflecting on our 2025 Welcome Evening early in the term, it was a fantastic celebration of community spirit that brought together the Cobram AGS family for a night of fun, food, and entertainment. Our talented music students set a lively tone for the event with their typically fun performances of a few of their favourite tunes. The Cobram Rotary members served up a delicious BBQ with fantastic service as we have become accustomed to, while Dazzle & Weave's face painting transformed many children's faces into all kinds of colourful creations!
Families enjoyed browsing for bargains at the P&F pop-up uniform shop, while one of the evening's undoubted highlights was the parents vs students "Team Touchdown" match, whereby the students claimed victory perhaps aided by a slight numerical advantage! A special thanks to Year 11 student Ben Curnick for clearly explaining the rules and officiating the game We hope everyone who attended had a wonderful time connecting with the wider school community!
Parkes Reign Supreme Once Again
Congratulations to Parkes House, which extended its recent sports carnival domination by claiming the highly coveted Swimming Shield with an impressive victory margin of 115 points
Final house standings:
Parkes: 741 points
Farrer: 626 points
Cowell: 487 points
Stanyer: 472 points
Age Champions and Place Getters:
9-Year-Old Female
1st: Lily Hayward, 2nd: Meg Kelly, 3rd: Grace Kelly
1st: Samuel Trembath, 2nd: Owen Woolley, 3rd: Ben Curnick
New Year 9 Camp Thrills
From 19-21 February, our Year 9 students enjoyed an unforgettable three-day adventure camp at Lake Catani, Mount Buffalo! Below are some reflections from the students about their favourite aspects of the camp.
“The activities pushed me a bit out of my comfort zone but when I got used to it, I had a blast ”Murray Broderick
“The caves were cold yet it was fun to have to crawl through all the nooks and crannies It was thrilling and a wonderful experience. If I could I'd do it all over again.” - Bayden Moritz
“Camp was very fun. One of the best camps I have been on. We also got to go see the sunrise and sunset which was very beautiful. Camp was awesome.” - Jess Laidlaw
“I struggled with the start of the rock climbing but once I got over my fear it was so fun and the view was awesome This was definitely my favorite camp I have ever been on and I am so glad I did ” - Coralie Guthrie
“The camp and its adventures made me come out of my comfort zone by doing things I would have never expected, which were caving, rock climbing, and abseiling. This was my favorite camp I have ever been on and fortunately for us we were able to do all of these activities to the fullest thanks to our amazing guides.” - Harlin Robbins
“Camp was really fun but tough The activities were hard, but it was well worth going Sitting around the campfire with the whole class was so much fun and going caving with supportive friends was awesome “ - Harry Thompson
Year 12 Beechworth Retreat
The Year 12s jumped on the bus at 9am sharp on 5 February and drove to our first stop at the Woolshed falls in Beechworth We ate our snacks and then set off for a nice walk down to the rocks to look at the beautiful scenery Within the first 5 minutes, Makayla had fallen in the water and was now drenched, followed by Saxon, whose runners and socks were now soaking.
We then went for a small hike up to the lookout where we got a full view of the beautiful scenic waterfalls. We checked in at the Old Priory which is a beautiful old house in Beechworth with lots of history Later that day we had a careers session with Jade Drew, our Careers Counsellor This gave us all a good insight into what Year 12 entails.
The class then went for a wonder down the street with some free time before heading to dinner where we were served lasagne, garlic bread and salad; then treated with dessert which was a delicious apple crumble
Mr Willet joined us for a Liturgy service which enabled us to reflect on the restful period of our holidays and look forward to the upcoming year. We then had the honour of receiving our Year 12 jumpers which the class described as a “wholesome” activity together.
We concluded the night with a whole class game of hide and seek, where no place was off limits Abigail and Alina took out best hiding spot, where no one could find them for about half an hour The second day started with a yummy buffet breakfast, comprised of scrambled eggs, toast, spreads, cereals, and yoghurt.
After breakfast, we all gathered together to make our code of conduct, a tradition every Year 12 class makes for our beloved study room. The old Beechworth Gaol was our next activity, where we got to learn all about how the gaol started, what it came to be and the history it holds.
The class then rushed back for a quick lunch and then set off to go kayaking which was the highlight of the camp This activity brought out the competitive side in Abigail and myself, however, we now get to call ourselves the best kayakers in the class
We then headed to Bridge Road Brewers for dinner where we all enjoyed pizzas. Another favourite was the Asylum which we travelled to after dinner. It was an awesome (and terrifying) experience, learning about how old asylums work. We discovered that everyone in the class would have been locked up for insanity. When we got back to the Old Priory, we thought it would be fitting to play murder in the dark to ensure we definitely wouldn’t sleep well that night. The night ended late with card games and laughs before Mrs White called it her bedtime.
Friday morning crepes were served for breakfast, and we were given the letters written by our parents While emotions were high, we were also appreciative of the support from our parents throughout our school journeys thus far Our last activity of the camp ended with drumming which was loud and fun. After some free time down the street, we ate lunch at the Beechworth Bakery and headed home.
Written by Year 12 student, Mackenzie Duhring
Matilda Joins RYA Forum
Year 11 student Matilda Waser sits down with the Crier to reflect on her participation in the first Rural Youth Forum of 2025.
Can you explain what was involved in the application / selection process in becoming our school’s Rural Youth Ambassador? I heard Abby (Brooker) talking about her experience last year and definitely thought it was something of interest to me, then when Mr Thompson approached me and asked if I was interested, I said yes. I had a visit from Maurice (Country Education Partnership) who helps organise the program, to confirm everything, then I was good to go!
Why did you decide to apply? Abby’s positive feedback on the program made me want to participate I wanted to make a positive change in helping rural students reach their full potential and represent rural youth in my area to government bodies and people who can make an impact
From a personal point of view, what were a couple of lessons or skills that you took from the first forum? I learnt the importance of using my voice to make positive change in my community.
Junior School Leaders Chosen By Their Peers
Congratulations to the following students on being selected to lead their house in 2025:
Cowell: Gemma Edge & Bridie Iskov
Farrer: Koa Wilson & Jack Watkins
Parkes: Kadeyn Duggan & Mia Hayward
Stanyer: Oliver Adkins & Lucy Dean
These students were chosen after confidently presenting to their house peers in week two of term, sharing their leadership ideas, values, and enthusiasm to win the role.
What topic/workshop did you find most interesting at the first forum? I found talking to the Victorian Department of Education the most interesting The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria also had a very engaging workshop on advocacy.
What was the most enjoyable aspect of the first forum? I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know the other ambassadors, it was a very good and welcoming environment. Spending a few days in Melbourne was also really enjoyable. We did things like bowling and went for walks in the local park
It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge all those students who applied for these coveted leadership roles. It takes great courage to speak in front of your peers so you should be very proud of your efforts
L-R: Kadeyn, Ollie, Jack, Koa, Mia, Lucy, Gemma and Bridie with Mr Willett and Mrs Clark.
Remember to keep leading in your own unique ways throughout the year!
Matilda partcipating in a workshop at the first RYA forum
Get to know Elizabeth Dorian: 1/2 D Classroom Teacher
1. What is your teaching background and journey to Cobram AGS?
This is my seventh year of teaching and it’s my second school I’ve taught Year 1/2 and 3/4 I’m new to the area, having moved all the way from Ballarat I’m loving the warmer weather here!
2. You’re teaching in the Junior School setting this year, what do you most enjoy or find rewarding working with younger students?
I really enjoy working with younger students because of their fresh excitement and curiosity. It’s so rewarding to see their confidence grow as they discover new things and their enthusiasm is contagious
3. What are you most looking forward to this year coming to a new school?
I’m really excited to build new relationships with both students and colleagues and to be a part of the Cobram AGS community. I’m also looking forward to new opportunities to learn and grow as a teacher.
Abigail Does Us Proud at Lions Youth of the Year Final
We were incredibly proud to watch Year 12 student Abigail Brooker represent our school at the Lions Youth of the Year V6 District Final in Wangaratta.
Abigail chose to speak on the important issue of teacher shortages in rural communities, a topic she became passionate about through her involvement in the Rural Youth Ambassadors program last year
4. What are your passions/hobbies outside of school?
I love spending time with my family and friends. When I get some downtime, I enjoy going for walks, listening to music and podcasts, and I also love drawing.
5. What is one interesting thing people may not know about you?
I’m a huge footy fan especially when it comes to Collingwood! I still reminisce about the 2023 Premiership Hopefully we’ll get another one in 2025!
“I had already done work on it through my Rural Youth Ambassador program last year and after that I realised how big of a problem it is and became really invested,” Abigail told the Crier
In her powerful speech, Abigail highlighted how instability in teaching staff such as frequent use of CRTs or high teacher turnover can affect student engagement and achievement, particularly for VCE and VCE/VM students.
“The main points I made during the speech were that having an unstable teaching group can prevent students from building positive relationships with teachers which can lead to disengagement and can ultimately affect the grades of VCE and VCE/VM students,” she said She also called for stronger government support, saying more incentives and programs were needed to attract and retain teachers in rural areas
Reflecting on the experience, Abigail said, “It taught me to just be confident in myself and embrace all the things I have done to get to this point.”
Congratulations to Abigail for her outstanding speech in the Lions final and for being a passionate and articulate advocate for rural education. She represented our school with poise and professionalism at every stage of the competition.
Year 7s Bond at Borambola
Our fresh-faced Year 7 students set off on the annual camp to Borambola Sport and Recreation Centre in the middle of Term 1 The three-day adventure saw the group explore new challenges and experiences in the great outdoors, supervised by experienced instructors.
This camp is a special tradition at Cobram AGS, providing a wonderful learning opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zone, grow in confidence, and develop new connections and friendships. This camp places a strong focus on leadership, teamwork and building positive relationships
Each day was packed with exciting activities like archery, rock climbing, canoeing, orienteering, and group challenges such as Castaway and Minute to Win it. One of the major highlights for the cohort was undoubtedly the challenging Mud Run, which had everyone pushing their limits but having a heap of fun doing so!
Below are some student thoughts about what they enjoyed most whilst on camp:
Alex Chmiel: “All of it ”
Angus Cossens: “Rock climbing, because I got to try something brand new ”
Indi Hemingway: “Rock climbing, it was exciting ”
Divjot Singh: “Mud run. I loved it when Jas covered his face and hair in mud and it wouldn’t come off!”
Eliza Wyhoon: “Mud run, because I did it with my friends.”
Harper Stubberfield: “Kayaking was really fun.”
Scarlett Watson: “Mud run, because I liked getting messy.”
Oscar Tuck: “Mud run, it was messy and fun to do ”
Sophie Hibberson: “Kayaking, because I got to splash everybody ”
Bella Broderick: “Pioneering, because I was the one pulling the cart and I may have given someone whiplash.”
George Marshall: “Playing cops and robbers because it was fun with my friends.”
Melody Su: “Rock climbing. When I first went up it was really scary, but it actually wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
Staff and Students Celebrated at Local Australia Day Awards
Cobram AGS is proud to celebrate the achievements of our staff and students who were recognised at the Moira and Berrigan Shire Australia Day Awards. A special congratulations to our wonderful Music teacher, Mrs Trish Chmiel, whose work with the Numurkah Ukulele Club helped the group earn the Community Organisation of the Year for Numurkah What a fantastic honour well done, Trish!
The AGS community also played a key role in the Cobram Community Event of the Year The Love Your Sister Cobram Community Fundraiser was supported by a group of Year 10 students who made over 100 delicious desserts and volunteered as wait staff on the night.
We also extend our congratulations to Cedric Pang (Year 10), who was proudly nominated for Moira Shire Junior Citizen of the Year, and to Abigail Brooker and Lewis Brown (both Year 12), who were both nominated for Berrigan Shire Young Citizen of the Year
Well done all!
Sweet Success with V-Day Fundraiser
Our Year 12s brought the Valentine’s Day vibes and raised over $500 for All Saints Anglican School in Samoa! Across two days, they sold honey joys, lolly bags, and offered face painting, turning the area at the back of the office into a fun and festive space.
Students from all year levels got involved, showing amazing support It was great to see our senior students living out our Anglican values through an act of service
Well done Year 12s for leading with heart!
Year 8s Hit the Phillip Island Surf
From March 17–20, our Year 8 students enjoyed an action-packed four day camp on Phillip Island! New experiences and highlights were aplenty and some of the most memorable included:
Wildlife encounters at Maru Koala Park, Scenic walks at Nobbies Boardwalk,
The famous Penguin Parade
Adventures at A Maze’N Things.
Surfing at YCW Beach
Tenpin bowling
Visit to to the Chocolate Factory for some cheeky purchases
Hike at Cape Woolamai
Thrill seeking at Clip N Climb
What did the students most enjoy doing on camp?
Find out via a sample of responses below:
Kaden Anderson: “I liked surfing the best and it was surprisingly more fun than expected. Even if almost everyone in your class nearly kills you with a surfboard!”
Harrison Biggs: “I found the walk / hike was the most engaging activity because we walked/ran 6km on a trail and saw an amazing view and saw the amazing ocean ”
Charli Blackie: “I personally found the surfing to be really fun I tried my best to stand up but most of the time I got a mouthful of salt. I loved swimming out into the large waves and just having the water surround me.”
Brianna Bodlovic: “I engaged in A Maze N’ Things the most since illusions and interactive magic is something that really intrigues me!”
Sloane Bonat: “The activity I engaged the most with on camp would be clip n climb because it allowed me to test my skills with different challenges such as the ice picks and stair way to heaven ”
Josiah Everingham: “I most enjoyed surfing and just swimming in the ocean ”
Hayley Lebner: “The activity I enjoyed most was surfing because I got up on the surfboard first, I also hit someone on the surfboard. It was also fun when I jumped into the ocean in full clothes and then I realized we were going shopping after.”
Koby Mitchell: “I enjoyed wearing bunny ears and beating Hayden in ten pin bowling and also the 6km walk was fun and we got to see a beautiful view ”
Alison Orwin: “The activity that I engaged with the most on camp would be surfing, it was a new experience for me as well as for most people but was made into a truly enjoyable ordeal by our instructors.”
Hayden Pierce: “I engaged most in surfing because I had never done it before and I love being active and being in the water ”
Georgia Watson: “The camp was a very fun and so were the activities I made a lot of memories and buying things from shops and the chocolate factory ”
Huy Phan: “Everyone at camp was friendly, the lunches were healthy and there were plenty of cool activities.”
Where Are They Now? Alumni feature with Meghan Gossayn
The following article was researched and written by Year 12 student, Abigail Brooker.
Meghan Gossayn started her journey at Cobram Anglican Grammar School in 2019, after moving to Australia from South Africa
She graduated as Valedictorian in 2021 and is now studying a Bachelor of Advanced Science at the Australian National University. Meg has completed the first three years of her degree with a major in Physics, specialising in Astrophysics, with the initial intention of pursuing a career in Astrophysics
However, after taking her first Quantum Mechanics course early in her second year, she discovered a deep interest in the field, prompting her to undertake specialised courses around Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory in her third year
Meg is currently completing her Honours with ANUs department of Quantum Science and Technology, conducting research, and preparing to submit her thesis in October. Alongside this, she is undertaking a Masterslevel Quantum Field Theory course to grow her skills in other areas of theoretical physics.
During her time at Cobram AGS, Meg fasttracked Biology and Psychology and completed English, Physics, Math Methods, and Specialist Maths in Year 12. Her favourite subject was Specialist Maths, because even though it wasn’t her best subject, she loved challenging herself in the best way possible.
What teacher had the biggest impact on you and why?
This is an impossible question – all my teachers were brilliant! I spent most of my time in Mr and Mrs Smith’s classrooms, and they were absolutely amazing But I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of all my other teachers
What is your favourite memory from your time at Cobram AGS?
I have so many fond memories, and most of them involve our cohort never being able to do as we were told A silly example of this was when the tables in the Year 12 study room were moved to face the wall because we kept talking and distracting each other, but it completely backfired, and we ended up using the open space to wrestle and kick balloons around (sorry, Ms Doyle).
What is the most valuable lesson you learnt from your time at Cobram AGS that you have taken into life outside of school?
While working hard is important to be the best version of yourself, it is possible to take it too far. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well in school, and in doing so I lost sight of many other important things. It’s so important to keep space in our lives for things that we love.
Do you keep contact with anyone from school?
Yes! I’ve kept contact with a bunch of my classmates, although we’ve all moved to different places and do different things with our lives, it’s always nice to catch up when we are back in town. Is there anything at university that Cobram AGS didn’t prepare you for?
I don’t think it’s possible to ever be fully prepared for university as it’s such a new environment and there is a lot you only learn once you get there But I’ve had the absolute best time I’d say the biggest adjustment was moving to the city from such a small town – everything and everyone is always so busy What is your Honours research and work about?
My work is very theoretical and a little bit difficult to explain My derivations and calculations surround atom interferometry (like optical interferometry but using atom lasers instead of normal lasers) My department has done a lot of earlier work on using entangled input states (weird quantum stuff!) for the atom interferometers, but they don’t tend to work very well outside of stable lab environments Moving the interferometer around messes with measurements, and the measurements take a long time to gather in general, which is very impractical. In general, this means that any benefits from entangled input states are lost as the equipment doesn’t operate well in the real world. My project explores a hybrid approach by incorporating both quantum entanglement and asymmetries in the atomic matterwaves. It’s currently titled “Squeezed Initial States for Asymmetric Atom Interferometric Configurations”, but that might change if I can think of something catchier.
Future Year 7s Sample Cobram AGS
We had a truly fantastic time hosting new and familiar faces at our first Year 7 Taster Day of 2025! Students embraced the opportunity to take part in English, Science, Foods, Drones, and Technology classes throughout the day! Having had the opportunity to participate in our Harmony Day celebrations, the students who joined us from other schools got a great insight into what makes our school community so special
We’re thrilled to announce that our 2026 Year 7 intake will expand to two classes, reflecting strong interest in our continually evolving learning environment.
With limited places available and the potential for a waitlist, we encourage external families to apply for enrolment as soon as possible. All enrolment enquiries should be emailed to: enrolments@cags.vic.edu.au
*Cobram AGS Year 6 families will receive an intention to re-enrol form early in Term 2
Captains Represent with Pride at AngliSchools Celebration
Our four School Captains Abigail Brooker, Mackenzie Duhring, Alina Corso, and Regan Rouse travelled to Perth for a memorable cultural and leadership experience. They took part in the AngliSchools 40th Anniversary Eucharist, held at the breathtaking Saint George’s Cathedral.
The special celebration brought together student leaders from AngliSchools across the country The event was a powerful expression of faith, unity, and tradition and our captains were right at the heart of it
While in Perth, the leaders also visited Frederick Irwin Anglican School and participated in an engaging round table leadership forum hosted by Saint George’s Anglican Grammar School. This forum provided a fantastic platform for student leaders to exchange ideas, explore the challenges of leadership, and build strong bonds with peers from other schools in the AngliSchools network.
Our School Captains returned to Cobram with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper connection to our Anglican Identity We are incredibly proud of Abigail, Mackenzie, Alina, and Regan for the way they represented our school whilst on this trip.
Principal’s Message
From Mr Keith Willett
As Term 1 draws to a close, we reflect on an incredibly busy and rewarding start to the year at Cobram Anglican Grammar School.
From the first day of school, students and staff have embraced the many opportunities available, making this a term filled with learning, growth, and achievement. The calendar has been packed with academic challenges, sporting events, creative pursuits, and leadership opportunities, ensuring that every student had the chance to engage and thrive
Whether participating in interschool sports, academic competitions, musical performances, or community service initiatives, our students have demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment in all areas of school life.
We extend our gratitude to our dedicated staff and supportive families who have contributed to making Term 1 a success As we head into the Easter break, we wish everyone a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday.
We look forward to welcoming students back for Term 2, ready for another exciting and enriching term ahead.
Happy Easter!
Anglican Identity With Ms Shea Doyle
During the business of Term 1 we have engaged with, explored and celebrated our Anglican Identity in a variety of ways
A highlight has been our students gathering for our traditional Friday morning Lent reflection services. This week we continued our Easter preparations by observing the Year 9 students as they presented The Stations of the Cross The Stations of the Cross is a series of depictions of the events of the Passion of Christ and the associated prayers and rituals
Both the Senior and Junior School cohorts were taken through the last days of Jesus’ life, reminding us of his suffering for the sake of humanity.
Further to this, our student cohorts have continued to enjoy the engaging and inspiring Chapel Services led by our school Chaplain, Father Victor Adams. Father Victor is also a friendly and familiar face during RAVE classes and in the playground at recess and lunch
Our Harmony Day activities recognised and celebrated the diversity of our community Students and staff enjoyed hearing Mrs Karen Jonker describe her journey from South Africa to Australia. The opportunity to participate in a variety of games and activities facilitated by the Year 8 cohort, highlighted the strength of the connections we have across our school. Seeing our older and younger students come together to play and enjoy each other’s company is such a joy.
In closing I would like wish everyone a safe, happy and Holy Easter
‘May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear. And may Christ, Our Risen Saviour, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.’
Junior School Report
With Mrs Fiona Clark
Following the completion of Term 1, I want to take this opportunity to highlight some important events and achievements within our school community
Firstly, I want to extend my gratitude to all our students for exemplifying our school’s values of endeavour, integrity and community. Your work ethic, honesty and, and friendship towards one another create a safe and inclusive environment that we can all be proud of These three pillars were on display whilst students in Years 3 and 5 completed their NAPLAN testing On behalf of the school, we want to congratulate our students on their resilience and effort during NAPLAN.
In the spirit of celebrating diversity and inclusivity, I was delighted to see the way in which our students supported Harmony Day by participating in this fantastic whole school event.
Senior School Report
With Mr John Thompson
It’s been such a busy Term 1 in the Senior School that it’s going to be hard to recap everything in such a small article, but we’ll try and do it justice.
On the capital works front, the Trades Centre started the term as a pegged out space at the back of the school and ended the term with a frame over a slab of concrete It’s been exciting to see the development of our huge infrastructure project over the course of the term as we inch closer to the opening
Term 1 was packed with camps, with four of six year levels enjoying time away, including Year 12’s retreat to Beechworth, Year 9’s adventure at Mount Buffalo, Year 7’s trip to Borambola, and Year 8’s visit to Phillip Island. Student conduct was exemplary throughout, drawing praise from camp hosts and the public alike. The camp momentum continues into Term 2, with Year 11 heading to Melbourne for a careers-focused experience
This was a wonderful opportunity for us to come together to celebrate our differences and embrace the rich cultural diversity that makes our school so special.
Speaking of coming together, I was thrilled to see many of our Junior School students at the Welcome BBQ earlier in the term They always have so much fun!
The Junior School teaching team enjoyed meeting with many parents and carers during the last week of term for Parent Teacher Interviews.
We know that these interviews strengthen relationships between parents/carers and our teachers, thus:
·Improving student outcomes
·Creating shared goals
·Contributing to a positive school culture
·Establishing clear lines of communication
In Term 2, we look forward to commemorating ANZAC Day, Cross Country, Mother’s Day Breakfast and Stall, and many other incursions and activities
Enjoy the holidays and happy Easter!
Now into a second year of new academic programs such as the Sports Academy, Project Ready and the VCE Vocational Major, as well as the construction of the Trades Centre taking shape, the mission to grow the Senior School is in full swing A highlight of this term was the first of our Year 7 Taster Days, hot on the heels of our Open Day. It was exciting to see over 40 potential Year 7 students experience a day in the life of our Senior School – on Harmony Day no less. With the formal announcement from AngliSchools CEO, the Reverend Peter Laurence, that two Year 7 classes will run next year, we have an exciting opportunity to educate more students in the Cobram Anglican Grammar School way.
Once again, a highlight of the first term of the year is the Swimming Carnival It’s always a fantastic event, full of house spirit, friendly competition and a happy vide A calendar full of other events continued to fill our Term 1 schedule: NAPLAN for Years 7 and 9, the annual Welcome Evening, Senior summer sports, Harmony Day and Lenten reflections to name but a few
I want to thank the team I work with here at school for all of their efforts in Term 1; teachers, support staff, admin staff and the Executive team. Everything that’s happened this term doesn’t happen without huge contributions from everyone, and those efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Have a safe and happy Easter break and I look forward to seeing everyone in Term 2
Sports Recap
With Mr Jon O’Dwyer
Welcome everyone to the 2025 Term 1 edition of the Crier
As always, the sporting calendar and achievements of our students continue to grow and amaze with a number of outstanding accolades being accomplished; especially by our fantastic Cobram AGS Sports Academy members.
Sports Academy / School Endorsed:
Athletics: Jasper Brown (Yr 7), Aiden Power (Yr 7), Sam Brown (Yr 9) and Bailey Power (Yr 9) all competed at the 2025 Little Athletics State Championships, representing the Shepparton Little Aths Club. The boys all did outstanding jobs, recording personal bests and where Jasper claimed a silver medal in the 1500m and a bronze in the 800m events respectively!
Swimming: Our swimmers have done particularly well over the course of the term, with Harlin Robbins (Yr 9) being a standout We had good representation at Regional level, with our secondary team finishing 3rd overall in the divisional event, boosted by Josiah Everingham (Yr 8) and Harlin both winning Age Champion We also had Coen Pang (Yr 7), Lilly Davidson (Yr 9) and Sam Brown (Yr 9) finish runners up, while Harrison Biggs (Yr 8) and Bonnie Bugge (Yr 11) finish 3rd in their respective age groups.
Harlin went on to win two individual events at the Hume Regional event (as well as two bronze), earning him qualification to the State titles, which will be held in May!
Dance: Ayva Gumbleton (Yr 7) commenced her competitive dance program with an outstanding performance in a competition held in Mansfield, where she came away with three 1st placings, two 2nd placings and also received a $100 voucher as being adjudged the best dancer of the competition by the adjudicators!
Kayaking: Callum Lincoln (Yr 9) ventured to Sydney to compete in the Paddle Australia National Canoe Sprint Championships held in mid-March. He made a couple of semis in both K1 and K2 500m events and made the final for the K2 100m event! This was Callum’s first time doing this and as a bottom-ager in the 16 and under age section.
Volunteering: We had a number of our Sports Academy students volunteer at the WebEx Golf tournament in February and also at the Australian Beach Volleyball Murray Classic event in early March A huge effort by some who doubled up for both!
External:
Australian Rules: Sam Trembath (Yr 11) was selected as a member of the 2025 Murray Bushrangers U18 boys squad.
Basketball: Riley Grant (Yr 9) was selected to be involved with a Basketball Victoria State Development program.
Netball: Some of our students have been selected in local league representative squads
Soccer: A number of students have been selected for elite soccer programs, representative squads or selected to play at higher levels with Murray United and GV Suns.
As you can see, there have been some remarkable achievements occurring over the first term of 2025! Looking into the crystal ball, we have our whole school Cross Country event being held on 2 May and a heap of interschool sport including the Year 7-10 Winter Sports days and the Year 5/6s commencing their Murray Valley Primary Interschool Sport competition
Jasper Brown
Ayva Gumbleton
Callum Creates Ripples at National Sprint Canoe Champs
Callum Lincoln is making serious ripples in the world of canoe sprinting! In March this year, the Year 9 student travelled to Sydney to compete in the Paddle Australia National Canoe Sprint Championships, and what a performance he delivered! Up against some of the top young paddlers in the country, Callum held his own in a range of events He powered through to the semi-finals of the K1 and K2 500m, and clinched a spot in the final of the K2 1000m – a huge achievement for any athlete, let alone one who’s only been racing competitively for just over a year!
“I’ve been racing competitively for just over a year now,” Callum told the Crier. “I am more well versed in marathon over sprint events,” he added. Despite this, he jumped at the opportunity to test himself across multiple distances, also competing in the K1 1000m and K2 200m events. Callum's versatility was further on display when he joined the Under 16 Victorian team for the K4 500m –an exciting new experience for this rising star.
As a member of the Cobram AGS Sports Academy, Callum is committed to an intense training schedule to make further strides out on the water. “I train on the water four times a week (Monday–Thursday) after school and also use the school gym when it’s open after school,” he says. His commitment to both water sessions and strength training is paying off in a big way
Harlin Primed and Ready For State
Year 9 student Harlin Robbins enjoyed a spectacular swimming season during Term 1, turning heads with his standout performances in the pool. After impressing at the Cobram AGS carnival, Harlin carried his momentum into interschool competitions, sweeping his events at both Divisional and Regional levels of competition!
At Divisionals, he claimed first place in an incredible six events, including all four 50m strokes, the 200m freestyle, and the 4x50m freestyle relay, earning him the coveted title of 15 Boys Age Champion
He then backed it up his stellar form at the Hume Regional event, taking out the 50m backstroke and the individual medley in style, earning him a welldeserved spot at the SSV State Championships!
We wish Harlin all the very best as he takes on the state’s best in May!
Callum credits the Sports Academy for helping him build a strong foundation to help him achieve his goals “I feel that the Sports Academy will be a good thing in the long run for my overall fitness and capability which will help with kayaking,” he says
And while the races are intense, Callum told the Crier that he loves the camaraderie that comes with the sport: “I enjoyed the competition a lot as everyone who does kayaking are usually really nice people, and when you’re out on the water before your start, you can have a conversation with just about anyone.”
